051 ⇨ voice

[brobeforehos]

So - what does everyone think about this door? The possibility of going home, which in some cases would be finally? [A long pause, after which follows a sad laugh.] I don't know what to feel of it.

[Silence stretches for so long it might as well be eternal. Cricket sounds and all. And then, with a brighter tone,]

Now, visitors. The ones of you I know - if you can't find a moment to come say hello, I will be more than cross. And - this is a lot to ask, as usual - Jamie, if you're there...

...yeah.

[ooc; WALL HER.]

Comments

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[brobeforehos]

[Because she has that mighty need.]

I've always thought so, too.

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[hnikarr]

[Her needs are weird.]

I'm a delicate flower.

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[brobeforehos]

Blooming in adversity.

[Are you Mulan?]

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[hnikarr]

That makes me sound like a weed.

[He's never seen Mulan. :|]

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[brobeforehos]

Some weeds have flowers.

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[hnikarr]

Thanks for the botany lesson.

[He rolls his eyes.]

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[brobeforehos]

Aaaaan, we're now rounding up on the gardens of Xanadu.

[See how smooth her guided tour is? Yeah.] I come here a lot.

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[hnikarr]

[Nick looks around the gardens. Yep, they've got garden stuff.]

Why? It's a lot of... plants.

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[brobeforehos]

It's quiet and close to the Library.

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[hnikarr]

[Nick considers that. Mae has always been a library sort of person.]

Cool.

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[brobeforehos]

Which is where I work now. As a Librarian.

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[hnikarr]

Do you miss the Goblin Market?

[Where she was the leader. She hasn't mentioned it at all.]

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[brobeforehos]

Like burning. This place is fantastic, but it's definitely not the same, and - [She stops. Looks at him.]

Can I ask what's the last thing you remember?

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[hnikarr]

The Goblin Market at Kensington Gardens. Sin and Jamie were dancing.

[Obviously he doesn't need to mention that she had just been made leader of the Market, or that they'd agreed to go out for something boring that Mae likes to do. She remembers those things, right?]

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[brobeforehos]

[She stops walking. Looks at him like he's something ripped out of the pages of a book, because...]

You're from ahead...[And cue the little laugh.] For once you're from ahead, finally!

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[hnikarr]

What? What are you talking about?

[He pulls his hand free and looks confused.]

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[brobeforehos]

The last thing I remember is - after Annabel. [Died. After she died. Still can't say it and it's been three years? Oh, she can say it, if she's sufficiently sweetened by alcohol, if she's not explaining things to Nick.] That's when I was brought here from.

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[hnikarr]

[This is another stupid thing that doesn't make sense. Nick scowls and shakes his head.]

Okay. Fine. Do you want to know what happens?

[He can tell her some of it. He doesn't want to tell her about Alan being possessed or how Mae and Jamie were the only reasons he didn't sent the world on fire, but he can tell her about the pearl and the Goblin Market, at least.]

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[brobeforehos]

Is Jamie okay? [And right after,] Is Alan?

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[hnikarr]

They're fine now.

[Which implies that they weren't earlier.]

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[brobeforehos]

What happens to them?

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[hnikarr]

[Nick pulls his hand away from hers, shoving both of his into his pockets. His voice is harsh when he speaks, like he has to force the words out.]

Jamie cut his hand off to get away from the magicians. Alan was possessed.

[Of course she had to ask the things that would make her the most worried. Stupid, but that's Mae all over.]

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[brobeforehos]

[Oh yeah, she's definitely stupid. She's the most stupid.]

Oh my god - [She has no other reaction than to cover her mouth with both hands, as if to keep the pained little sound that wants to get out. Her brother - her brother cuts his arm off. Alan - Alan Ryves, with his lies and his rambling to fill the silence and his niceness - possessed.]

[hnikarr]

[Nick glares. He knew she was going to have some kind of reaction like this and he's totally not surprised, but it's still annoying. Why couldn't she have just listened when he said they were fine?]

Don't be stupid. I told you they were okay now.

[brobeforehos]

[She's going to need a damn moment, god. One careful moment - or ten, to breathe until she's calm, and those aren't tears in the corners of her eyes.]

I know, but it's not easy news to hear, especially when you can't even tell when you'll get to live it. And I'll live it, not remembering your warning, which means I won't be able to stop them.