( video )

[likeboudica]

[ Tessa's toying with a piece of paper. The light catches on it: it's a recipe for pancakes. ]

Dr McCoy has— he's left the City.

Comments

( video. )

[feigns]

—The man you believed to be your father?

( video. )

[likeboudica]

[ For a moment, Tessa doesn't answer, doesn't even look at the advice, but when she does, her face is composed, only the slightest downturn to the corner of her mouth betraying her emotion. ]

Yes.

( video. )

[feigns]

[ there's a slight pause before will replies; he's aware that she seemed to care for him in some manner, even outside of the curse, but it's not something he can entirely relate to. ]

I'm sorry.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

Thank you. [ She looks away again. ] He was— [ the closest to a father she's ever known ]

He left me recipes.

( video. )

[feigns]

Recipes. [ his lips quirk. ] Very thoughtful of him.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

He was teaching me how to cook.

( video. )

[feigns]

He might return.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

Perhaps. [ She wishes— but she's not going to get her hopes up, not when he's just left. ]

( video. )

[feigns]

[ truth be told, he doesn't know what to say, what he ought to say. after a pause, the corners of his lips quirk up into a slight smile: ]

I could quote Tennyson, if you wished.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

I don't— [ she breaks off, shaking her head ever so slightly. she wants to say that she does not care, does not mind either way, but that is not true— that she cared deeply for Dr McCoy is not something she would wish to deny, and that will is trying to, to cheer her up, for that is what he seems to be doing, that is something she cares about as well. unexpected, certainly, but not unwelcome. ] What would you quote?

( video. )

[feigns]

An intensely dull cliché: In Memoriam.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

'tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. [ a pause. ] It is fitting enough.

( video. )

[feigns]

But still a cliché.

( video. )

[likeboudica]

I suppose that is true enough. [ It is a cliché, but Tessa doesn't think that makes the emotional impact of it any less powerful, doesn't think it makes it any less true.

Still, for once she doesn't argue. ]

( video. )

[feigns]

You really do miss him, don't you? [ the comment lacks any maliciousness and, whilst he doesn't sound surprised, he sounds somewhat more comprehending. ]

( video. )

[likeboudica]

He was— even outside the curse, he was a father figure for me.

[signatures]

That's a shame.

[likeboudica]

Mr Eames. [ Tessa pauses, unsure. ] Did you know him well?

[signatures]

I knew of him, anyway. I assume you did?

[likeboudica]

Yes. I believed him my father once, for a curse. [ And he was the closest to a father she's ever had, after. ]

[signatures]

I see.

I'm very sorry for your loss, then, Tessa.

[likeboudica]

Thank you, Mr Eames.

audio;

[saidrepent]

[There's a long pause in which Raymond considers not even responding to this at all. When he finally does, it's with a sigh.]

Of course he has.

audio;

[likeboudica]

Of course?

audio;

[saidrepent]

That's what I said.

audio;

[likeboudica]

But why, sir?

audio;

[saidrepent]

[There's another pause before he answers:]

People come and go in this City all the time. It only stands to reason he'd be gone sooner or later.

audio;

[likeboudica]

Yes, that is true.

audio;

[saidrepent]

And that's why.

[He sounds as though he'd be content to let the conversation end there.]

audio;

[likeboudica]

Did you know him well?

audio;

[saidrepent]

Not that well.

[Yet another pause, as something occurs to him.]

I still owe him a favor.

audio;

[likeboudica]

Oh. What sort of favor?

audio;

[saidrepent]

I don't know. He never took me up on it.

audio;

[likeboudica]

He's a good man.

audio;

[saidrepent]

[Once again, there's some span of radio silence before Raymond makes a brief response.]

Yeah.

audio;

[likeboudica]

[ Tessa just makes a non-commital noise. She won't force a conversation on him. ]