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

[citizendetective]

He's right. This is technically my bedroom.

[Though she doesn't actually sound annoyed, and she certainly doesn't tell John to stay out. Popping the pills into her mouth, she chases them with water, then drops back onto the bed with a heavy sigh.]

[crab_rangoon]

And this is my fucking cabin and I won't have guests standing - well, floating - in the hallway. Now you stay here. John and I need to chat. Go to sleep.

[He gestures to the kitchen.]

[greatoldjohn]

[ There's one last glance of concern at Misty before he floats into the kitchen as asked.]

[crab_rangoon]

[Pagan turns the water on in the sink to driwn out the voices.]

Now. John.

What the fuck? And don't skimp on the details, please.

[greatoldjohn]

[ There is a long pause as he considers how to start. The question is a fair one. ]

Are you familiar with the King in Yellow? Or... the concept of beings not entirely unlike the Admiral?

Those for whom reality functions on a different scale, with a different perspective entirely from the restraints of mortal existence?

[crab_rangoon]

I have been on the Barge for two years. I'm aware of a great many things.

[greatoldjohn]

[ There's a short grumble noise, as if to say 'how the fuck should I know?' before he lets out a huff. All right. ]

I was a fragment of the King in Yellow, of such a being. Now I am... something between that and human, entangled as I am with my partner, Arthur.

The mural was of... that kingdom, painted from my memories. I assume something about that was too much for her to handle.

[crab_rangoon]

[Nonsense, he thinks, but there's a part of him that always believed Yuma when she talked about the power of the thangka. Of course, he mostly thought it was the drugs talking.]

Ah. And the argument when I walked in was...?

[greatoldjohn]

She wants to recreate it in the Enclosure. I told her it was a bad idea.

[crab_rangoon]

[He groans.]

Is there a reason for that or is it normal bullshit?

[greatoldjohn]

[ Very flat. ]

I just painted it. The Enclosure would try to recreate it as a place using the Admiral's power.

Does that sound like a good idea to you?

[crab_rangoon]

[He waves a hand at him.]

No, no, no. I mean - does she want to see it in the Enclosure because it's spelled with some weird compulsion shit, or is it just because she's nosy?

[He has been on the Barge far too long.]

[greatoldjohn]

[ That he needs to consider for a moment. ]

...obsession is a common part of the King's particular brand of madness. But she might just also be nosy.

I'll have a better idea once she's woken up.

[crab_rangoon]

[He flips off the water.]

Well, no more spooky fucking painting, hm?

[greatoldjohn]

[ Um, no? And also fuck you. There's silence for a moment before he says- ]

I'll be hosting from my cabin from now on. I never meant to hurt her.

I like her a lot, even if she can be difficult to understand sometimes.

[crab_rangoon]

[He leans back against the counter.]

Good, because she's a fucking diamond and I wish everyone saw that.

Besides, you being Natalie's warden means that you couldn't get rid of her if you wanted.

[greatoldjohn]

I cared about her before that. We talked during the party; she's the one who convinced me to come back.

I consider her... something of a kindred spirit.

Arthur's been in my room a few times, but he can't see, so I didn't realize it would be a problem.

[crab_rangoon]

I'm not blaming you for it. If there's trouble somewhere, she's bound to find it.

But I am glad that you seem to - see her.

[greatoldjohn]

I try. She doesn't make it easy.

...which I understand. But it can be difficult, given my lack of context with some things.

[crab_rangoon]

No, she's not going to make it easy. That's why it's worth it.

[He reaches up to push his hair back from his face.]

You're welcome to stay until she wakes, though I'm sure she'll go seek you out after.

[greatoldjohn]

Yes. I am very familiar with that.

[ Very tired but- ]

I'll stay. I don't mind. Unless you do.

[crab_rangoon]

Not at all. Make yourself at home.

[greatoldjohn]

You...have a lovely home.

[ A little wrote, like he's still getting used to these kinds of pleasantries. Because he is. ]

[crab_rangoon]

It's a reminder.

[He walks out to his dining room.]

[greatoldjohn]

[ A pause as he follows him out. ]

...like my mural?