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!

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[lestercraft]

That gets a haggard sigh out of him, as he picks up his finished tea and turns to lean against the counter. "Thank you, John," he says still, but John will be able to tell that the exasperation in his voice is directed inwards, not at his partner.

[greatoldjohn]

Yeah, he figured.

[ We'll be back to our cabin and how things ought to be soon enough. ]

[lestercraft]

"My own cabin isn't even the issue," he gripes, though he won't deny that it's certainly a large one, losing that familiar, centring location. "Now more than ever I feel completely out of my depth when it comes to- to my physical capacity to help, in moments like this."

[greatoldjohn]

[It's fucking awful.]

Spoken with empathy as opposed to anything snide or sarcastic. Whether that's because of their talk or because he's feeling exactly the same way is hard to say.

[But I'm sure there'll be plenty to do once this is over.]

[lestercraft]

"Oh, without a fucking doubt." He can't imagine how much damage control he's doing to have to do with Nathaniel.

He crooks his hand across his body, brushing the side of his mug against John's arm in a small gesture of warmth. "But I should be able to handle most of that solo, if you'd like to keep an eye on Natalie."

[greatoldjohn]

[Oh, I'm going to have plenty to say to her. Believe me.]

He didn't miss the fact that she decided to get drunk. After everything they'd talked about. After Arthur had put himself out the way he had, and John.

And then fell into a coma.

Oh he's got a lot to say.

[ I'm still fine to escort you there. ]

[lestercraft]

He can feel the shape of their mask under his jacket, conscious of it when it's on the wrong side than he's used to, and cradles his arm across it for a moment in a soft grip.

"You alright, John?" It's not like he can't tell, but it's the invitation to talk about it that's the important part.

[greatoldjohn]

He's quiet for a long moment. Then-

[We tore ourselves open for her. You tore yourself apart, even though she isn't your inmate.]

His tone darkens then-

[And the first fucking thing she decided to do after we'd talked about it, after she promised to try with me, with me right here is get drunk off her ass because she could.

The coma isn't her fault but that is. ]

[lestercraft]

Arthur doesn't point out how he'd done functionally the same, after John had floated the idea past him to begin with.

Instead his eyes flick up to the empty weight of her bedroom, that seemed to suck his attention like gravity. It wasn't quite the same room, but still too close for real comfort most nights.

"Well, we already knew you standing firm on her substance limits was a good call," he says, and it's an effort to keep his voice from being curt as well. "But it is... it's fucking galling."

[greatoldjohn]

[Almost as much as this fucking flood itself.]

Grump grump grump.

[lestercraft]

"Let's hope she'll be back sooner than later," he says evenly. "So you can give her a good lashing before you lose steam."

He lifts his drink, and he doesn't need to but he mumbles into it like someone will overhear, "Hopefully she comes back with a fucking hangover."

[greatoldjohn]

That? Gets one of John's evil little laughs in the back of Arthur's mind.

[lestercraft]

He lifts his drink so he can, carefully, massage his forehead with the side of his thumb. "I mean, apart from the entire headache this flood has proven itself to be, it certainly could be a lot worse," he comments, shifting his weight to take some pressure off John's foot. "Certainly it's within the parameters a lot of people are expecting from their inmates."

[greatoldjohn]

[The King isn't here, so I always consider that it could have been worse.]

Yeah, he can't help but agree there. And given that his hand is free, he'll raise his hand to gently rub where Arthur had been. Let him keep his tea out of it.

[The network has certainly been... interesting. I've been keeping up on things.]

[lestercraft]

"Christ, the network," he groans, letting John take over the task even if it feels a bit weird (but at the same time he still leans into the touch a little). "I've completely forgotten to keep an eye on the bloody thing. How badly is everyone else going?"

[greatoldjohn]

[ We've got at least three people attempting a revolution and the one who fixed your arm has started delivery snack food via skeleton.

Also, Dr. Hilbert has taken over the infirmary. The one from the ledger who puts deadly diseases into people and drugs their food. ]

[lestercraft]

"Hm. Less revolutions than I might’ve expected," he comments dryly. "I'm glad the one you got to fix me came through, because I don't think anyone in their right mind will be using the infirmary knowing that. Certainly I won't."

[greatoldjohn]

[ Hopefully, we can stay out of trouble until the usual staff are back at work. ]

It should be doable but also: Arthur.