Steel Roses

The Unnatural Ones

"Beldon, you have been prowling around this room like some caged animal for three days now," Vanessa snapped, watching Beldon walk past her mirror the umpteenth uncountable time that morning as she relaxed out on the largest of the room's balconies. "If you have so much pent up energy, go outside and do something. If you have something that's troubling your mind, then talk to me; just stop wearing a crater into my floor."

Beldon came out onto the balcony and sat down in the chair opposite her, then launched himself to his feet again and circled it, biting his lip before sitting down again and looking at her.

"Have you ever done something you know you shouldn't have done but just couldn't help yourself?" he asked.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "I tried on one of my Lady's dresses when I was younger," she offered.

The statement threw Beldon for a moment. "Seriously?" he asked.

"No, of course not, this is me we're talking about, I've always been professional, but is that the level you're speaking of or something worse."

"Worse," Beldon said, leaning back in his seat, resting his elbow on the armrest and pressing his knuckles to his mouth, looking out over the forest. "Much, much worse."

Vanessa frowned slightly. "Beldon dear, whatever it is, I'm sure we can fix things. Is it something about Sebastian? Has he done something? Iago said that he isn't pleasant towards you."

Beldon shook his head. "No, nothing to do with him," he said.

"Well what then dear?"

Beldon was silent, watching the snow shift on the treetops, then closed his eyes. "I beg you, beg you, do not let this conversation go beyond yourself," he said.

"Of course."

Beldon was quiet again as he opened his eyes, narrowing them against a breeze. "What is your opinion on people of the same gender being in relationships?" he asked from behind his knuckles.

Vanessa looked at him, confused. "What do you mean, dear?" she asked.

"Like." Beldon waved a hand through the air, like he was trying to find explanation in it, "Like in relationships that are more than just friendships."

Vanessa stared at him for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "You mean... the way men and women can be?" she asked slowly and Beldon nodded. She was quiet for a moment, then leant back in her chair. "I can't say I ever really thought about it," she finally said.

"But does it disgust you?" Beldon pressed.

Vanessa looked to her right, out over the forest – well it might have been over the forest, Beldon had no idea what she actually saw beyond her mirror frame. "It's suppose to, it's it?" she said evenly.

"It's unnatural," Beldon supplied.

Vanessa smiled. "Yes, I've been told that." She looked at him. "Honestly however, I'm one of those strange ones who simply doesn't care. I myself am only attracted to the opposite gender, but those who aren't... well; I see no point in judging their choice in gender, though I might judge their individual choice of man or woman."

They were quiet for a moment, Beldon watching the forest, Vanessa watching Beldon.

"Bel," she said gently, after a time, leaning forwards. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"You are strange," Beldon said with a quick nervous laugh, "Other people think it's wrong."

"Other people have their own opinions."