TLV Inbox

[greatoldjohn]

[in a rather deep voice] "This is John Doe. Please leave your message. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I may respond in text if I'm currently with Arthur. Apologies."

Now Moved To: Inbox: Act II - please tag in there!

Comments

[greatoldjohn]

It is an unfortunate-for-this-moment truth that Arthur and John both have a tendency to turn on a dime, mercurial to a fault. With each other, it allows a quick turn around between married and divorced anger and apology, from hurt to forgiveness, and all of it burns hot, but for anyone else...

[Misty is actually a nurse back in her world. She's going to help me care for Natalie in my cabin.]

Thank you.

He shows that, then puts it down to write again.

Can we have something of a truce while Natalie's unwell? She shouldn't have to deal with our troubles.

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan walks in, trying not to seem like he hurried. Trying to seem calm, though he knows he's walking into a potential shitstorm.

"Hello, Misty," he says, both to her and to announce his presence to Arthur. He walks over, putting a hand on her shoulder.

[citizendetective]

"Hi." Her muscles are tense, and she shudders a little under Pagan's touch, reaching up to put her hand over his and keep it in place. "I'm--"

It's harder to lie in his presence, whether that lie is for his benefit or her own.

[greatoldjohn]

Hello, Pagan. Misty agreed to help me with Natalie's care. She was very helpful in getting her away from the killer.

We're all a little raw right now.

[lestercraft]

He tilts his head towards Pagan's voice in a nod of acknowledgement.

"Pagan." And back to Misty: "Miss Quiqley, I apologise for being short with you during this. Having to carry Mandrake here first put me in an... extremely poor state of mind, but that is no excuse for me to lash out at you as I did, when you were trying to help. I don't want you to feel as though you aren't welcome to keep helping John with Natalie's care because of my temper."

It's a formality more than a sincere apology; certainly he hasn't apologised to John for worse than this.

[crab_rangoon]

He squeezes her shoulder gently. "It's alright," he mutters to her, looking over to read John's note.

"I don't mind if she wants to help," he assures him, letting Arthur apologize.

[citizendetective]

Misty scoffs lightly when she sees the message on John's communicator - it's a response to both this message and the one before, really. But then Arthur says his piece, and she flicks her gaze over to him, studying him calculatedly for several long moments before replying.

"Okay," she says slowly. "I'm sorry I shot you."

There. Trade.

[greatoldjohn]

[...I have no idea, Arthur. I didn't type anything about it.]

Thank you, Pagan.

[lestercraft]

"Later, John." It's only a soft murmur, intended for his companion alone - he will explain, he promises - but given how small the scene is he wouldn't be surprised if the others heard.

Not that he's giving them the chance, because he'll continue. "Thank you, Miss Quigley. I won't bother you while you're helping John and Natalie, for the record, I'll be busy with Mandrake."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan stays quiet, his hand on her shoulder. It's not a perfect apology, but it exists.

"They should be waking soon. Get your shit together before that happens," he tells them all softly, gentle rather than chiding.

[citizendetective]

"Well, actually, it takes a while sometimes; I've heard a revival can take a fully day."

She's squeezing Pagan's hand tight enough to leave fingernail marks. The thought of waiting that long is excruciating.

[greatoldjohn]

Hopefully, it won't be that long.

Then-

[I'm going to slip out to see if the infirmary has any way to help me get Natalie back to my cabin. You'll be all right?]

[lestercraft]

"Ah- yes, of course, John."

He doesn't hesitate in helping the mask out of his pocket and placing it carefully on Natalie's bed.

"I'll be staying here, obviously, until Mandrake awakens, if you need anything. Any of you," he adds, turning his head towards Misty and Pagan as well. "This was an extremely trying event, f-for all of us."

[greatoldjohn]

...he will note it does not unstick from his hand when he lifts it from the bed.

[Are you sure you're all right, Arthur?]

[lestercraft]

Arthur's expression is undisguised surprise at the mask sticking to his hand.

"I-- John, really?"

His voice is exasperated, trying to offset the fact that he is very much not okay. But that doesn't matter, because he's not going to show it in front of Pagan or Misty, and he's barely in a position where he even wants to show it in front of John. He just needs a minute to put himself together, and he'll be back to normal.

He waggles his hand, like he expects it to get John off. "I'm alright, honestly. You look ridiculous," he adds, with the faint quirk of a smile.

[greatoldjohn]

Yeah, no dice Arthur. At least until the smile. Then?

[Friends, Arthur... remember?]

But he'll detach before the next waggle, if only to spare both their dignity.

"Make sure your communicator is in your pocket before you head out. Ring me if you need anything."

[citizendetective]

It's only when their attentions are both turned to other things - Arthur on Nathaniel, and John on talking to the infirmary staff - that Misty finally lets herself crumple a little, shifting around to press her face against Pagan's side.

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan slides his hand from her shoulder to around her back, holding her close. As he would with his own child, when she was young, he gently pats her back.

He'll stay as long as she wants him to, after all.