all_inclusive | It was bound to happen some time

Aramis keenly remembers teasing Porthos when he had stepped through the door and become a woman. He had teased d'Artagnan and even Athos.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. He had not intended to do anything, really. He spent a good deal of his time praying, a good deal of time trying to atone for his sins.

Instead, this is what happens.

Much as his friends had, he has hitched his clothing tighter so that it may not fall down, and has fashioned something of a harness for ... well, for his new developments, as it were. He knows he could seek out Constance or even, if he was desperate, Milady, but he is not that desperate. He simply makes do and tells himself that God has a reason for everything.

He has always appreciated women and so maybe this is to test that? Who knows. Aramis does not question, at least not much. He is aware, though, that he looks a little foolish, his hair tied up, his clothing, baggy on him as a man, is like a series of large sacks on him, his boots far too big as he makes his way down the hallways. He smiles, though, not having a hat to tip, as he greets people. He knows he's not the only one who's suffered thusly. That's something anyway.

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There is a part of Aramis which will always take a compliment if it is there to be taken, but to his credit, he doesn't exactly preen.

"If you are propositioning me," he does tease, though, dryly, "I will have to decline."

"I'm a married man," is Athos' calm reply, given that he doubts Anne would have qualms about this situation, mainly in that she would likely spend it laughing at him, but it is still not something Athos wants to pursue. "I assure you, your virtue is not something I'm after."

Athos's comment about his marital status is what Aramis decides to focus on. "Milady is here, is she not? Are you two .... ?"

He leaves the rest unstated, seeing if Athos will fill it in. He does not dislike the woman, really, seeing as she did help him escape the prison (or rescued him, he supposes).

"She is," he confirms, but is not sure that he is ready to tell Aramis the whole of it. He owes him the truth, however, as much as he had owed Constance this. He sips at his drink carefully as he regards Aramis in this strange form, finding it disturbing and easier to look at, all at once. "Our marriage stands, here under this roof."

Well. The power of love.

If Aramis cannot have love (and does, in a way, not deserve it), then at least the others can. And it seems d'Artagnan and Athos do. Good.

Aramis nods, smiling just a little. "I'm glad for you, Athos."

"You may be one of the few," is what he has to say on the subject because while Athos is happy to finally be given a chance with Anne without the politics at France tearing them apart, they both have sins on their backs that are hard to escape from and people like Constance remind him of that.

"Still, it has left him very much taken. You will have to use your wiles elsewhere," he deadpans.

"Ah well," Aramis says, smiling easily enough. "I suppose I will live another day."

But he does hold his glass aloft. "To love."

"To ridiculous feats of the heart," Athos agrees with a sigh, though he is still smiling by the end of it. He may put on an act, but he truly is happy to be able to have this chance with Anne, despite what others may think of it. "And what will you do, then? In this body?"

"I don't know," Aramis answers honestly. "I am feeling compelled to continue as I have, staying in my room and praying." He can avoid that trouble that Athos is so sure will find him that way. "But do you have anything you'd recommend?" he asks, smiling a little crookedly.

"Alcohol numbs the worst of it," is Athos' best advice, because he had been a mess during his forced transition to womanhood, drinking until nothing had been steady and straight and he could forget what had happened to him. Then, Anne had helped in that, too, though it is not a suggestion he wishes to pass along wto Aramis. "Do not tease d'Artagnan and Porthos too heavily," he warns sternly.

If there would be anything which would be fun, it would be that. Ah, well.

Aramis lets out a teasing sigh and nods. He doesn't plan, either, to drink himself numb: that hasn't ever been his way, really. "You are making me think that staying in my room is the best plan."

"At times, locking you in a room has been my dearest wish," Athos deadpans, though he does not mean it at all. It is only that Aramis has a particular habit of finding trouble that Athos finds despairing at times, because of all the mess he must clean up. "Still, perhaps you might tease Porthos and d'Artagnan a little," he concedes.

"Perhaps I will," Aramis says, smiling a little. But most likely, he will keep to himself as best he can.

(He does, though, get lonely, he finds. He tries not to miss what he cannot have.)

"Would you like me to keep you apprised of my actions?" he asks, the idea amusing in and of itself.

"I would like you to tell me if I need to intervene," Athos says, thinking that will be a suitable compromise for whatever madness is likely on the horizon. "Don't break anyone."

"Such a lack of faith," Aramis sighs, half-teasing and half-sincere. It seems that amidst all the events of the past year, Athos has lost some trust in Aramis. Beyond all things, Aramis had relied on that.

He will be more careful, he thinks, nodding. He will let Athos know, though it will not, he knows, be an issue.

"Thank you for the wine," he says, moving to stand.

Athos gives a nod of his head, amused still and thinking he will have quite the story to tell to Anne later when he sees her. He will not mock Aramis any more unduly, though, because it would not seem entirely fair. And yet, he believes he must come up with one or two jibes, if this is to last. "It will be here when you need it, if you need more."

So noted. Aramis offers a smile then heads back in the direction of his room. He is quiet and will stay quiet for a while, he thinks.

It was bound to happen some time - OTA

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