Evening, the 9th of Loshis 2720.
While Niccolette worked on his wound, the pain and the heat rose to an unbearable height. Then it passed that point and Jean thought he would lose his mind, he gritted his teeth so hard he thought they would crack, and then mercifully he blacked out.
The twin sounds of Nicco’s voice and clinking of glass brought him out of his faint and he carefully rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. Jean carefully moved his shoulders and then sat up against the headboard, there was still a little pain and stiffness, but it was better.
He went to speak but his jaw ached terribly and he had to work it till it clicked.
"Is that wine?"
Jean held out a hand and took one of the glasses and drank half of it down in one, with a sigh he rested his head back and closed his eyes, for a time he said nothing and then in a resigned tone.
"So, where to start? Everything I said was true, very few people know my secret. I should have told you earlier I know. However, I wasn’t really lying, now I think back on it. The name doesn’t matter, but I am not a woman, however my body happens to look. Yet this is the body I am stuck with."
He let out a sigh and drank more of the wine.
"But I am alone, I told a man once, in the hope that he might understand and maybe…"
Jean let out another deep sigh and trailed off, he finished his wine.
"I am afraid you see, if my secret became known I would be ruined, so it is very hard for me to trust people."
Then he realised he was still naked to the waist, he put the empty wine glass down and got up from the bed. He rewrapped his chest before going to his waistcoat and taking his cigar case from a pocket. Jean took a cigar from the case and bit the end off, he regarded Niccolette, somewhat warily.
"So, there you are I suppose, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Jean lit the cigar from one of the lamps and lent against a chest of draws, he held up the case to Niccollette. He gave a wry smile and asked.
"Cigar?"