tlv inbox

[a_titanum]

"Leave your message, if you care to."

Comments

[anti_altruisms]

Very well.

I’ll have it read before you come by.

[a_titanum]

Thank you.

When should I come by?

[anti_altruisms]

After dinner should be fine.

I should have everything in order by then.

[a_titanum]

I'll be there.

Should I bring anything?

Also I won't be bringing Johann. He isn't going to be happy about that.

[anti_altruisms]

Unless you have a specific preference for the tea, no, you don’t have to.

And it’s just as well you’re not bringing him. My file is much thicker than yours.

[a_titanum]

I wasn't aware that you had a file for me to read. I assume this is an arrangement you prefer specifically?

[anti_altruisms]

I prefer it for several reasons.

But the main draw of it, for me, is it helps to level the playing field.

Because I generally approach Wardening from the perspective that even a few days could have made the difference in terms of how the Admiral decided to classify me - and I can think of nothing more irritating than the idea of someone thinking they were entitled to my life story simply because a copy of it was dropped in their lap.

[a_titanum]

In truth, you already know the lion's share of what I imagine is in there.

[anti_altruisms]

That's possible.

I cannot say the same in return, though. Which I would attribute as much to my age as the fact that I don't enjoy talking about myself.

[a_titanum]

I've noticed. I'm sure your file will have quite a lot of interesting things to say.

I'll leave you to your reading for now.

[anti_altruisms]

I’ll see you after dinner, then.

[a_titanum]

[ Knock knock after dinner. And there's no one there but him, dressed in a bright sage green. ]

[anti_altruisms]

Florian will hear a soft 'mrow' at the door several moments before Archer opens it. The cat is there, of course, hovering behind Archer's heels, and he gestures for the other to come inside. Archer's space is clean, as always, and the scent of tea is immediately recognizable. There are a few sweet treats on the table as well, but more importantly, there are two files on the table. One is noticeably larger than the other.

"I've already read your file, as you requested. You're welcome to look through it yourself if you want."

A pause.

"Getting through mine could take some time so I hope you let Johann know you may be here a while."

[a_titanum]

Florian flutters into the room, a floating flower on a placid lake, and he'll sit down like an automatic movement. The larger file is picked up and he doesn't open it before looking over at Archer, watching him.

"I did, of course. And I'll read through both, but I'd prefer to read through yours first."

Don't worry, he's a fast reader.

[anti_altruisms]

Archer waves a hand.

"As you like, then. I have some things that need cleaning in the kitchen, but you can let me know when you're done."

Sekhmet jumps up next to Florian and rubs up against his arm.

"Help yourself to some tea."

He'll wait and see if Florian has any questions, but after that, he'll leave Florian to sort through...well. The mess that's been his life.

[a_titanum]

He's going to be fixated on the cat for just a moment before giving her the petting she so richly deserves, his other hand focused on turning pages as he reads through the file folder. He'll do Archer's first, then his own.

[anti_altruisms]

Archer makes himself scarce while Florian is reading. He spends his time cleaning the kitchen, as he said he would be - though it seems to be taking a rather long time.

In truth, he’s doing a deep cleaning - moving things, wiping down walls, scrubbing the interior of cabinets and appliances.

Eventually, he finishes, but he still doesn’t come out. He’ll be in the kitchen reading a book whenever Florian announces he’s done.

[a_titanum]

Florian isn't going to announce anything because he's going to spend some time playing with the cat and digesting what he read for a while, making sure that he's calm and settled and mentally picking out all the pieces that he would have adjusted and changed if he knew that Archer hadn't read it, the name that he'd remove.

[anti_altruisms]

The cat, of course, is delighted. Florian has a good bit of time to play with her before Archer finally emerges. He looks at Florian, looks at the files on the table, and then has a seat.

He doesn’t say anything. Not yet.

[a_titanum]

Florian doesn't say anything either. He... is going to play with the cat. Nuzzle up to her when she pokes his nose with her nose. Rub her ears so carefully. It's clear that he's learning what she likes most as he goes and adjusting.

[anti_altruisms]

She seems to very much enjoy being rubbed and scritched behind her ears, and for his efforts, Florian is rewarded with lots of purring. Archer watches this go on for a short while before he breaks the silence.

“I found her, you know. Almost three years ago now, in the back alley of a city we’d made port in. She was a messy, half-starved little thing, but she was never afraid for some reason I couldn’t quite fathom. I’d never had a pet before, but I picked her up anyway.”

[a_titanum]

"When you have nothing, you risk nothing. It's easy to be brave then."

His hands won't stop petting her so gently, his gloves put to one side. He likes the feel of her fur.

[anti_altruisms]

Archer tilts his head slightly.

“She’s still brave now, I would say. Even with something to lose.”

A pause.

“Are there any questions you want to ask me?”

[a_titanum]

"Only if you'd be willing to grant me the use of my abilities in a purely defensive capacity. And when working with you for study."

He leaves the topic of the cat alone. He could say more, but it feels... unnecessary. Giving her attention, however, is necessary.

[anti_altruisms]

“That was my plan, yes. To request the Admiral restore the full range of your abilities for practice here with me in my cabin and in your own cabin. Outside those areas, you will have full access for the purpose of self-defense only. Your ability to manipulate others bodies and minds will remain limited to consent only, and for now, anything that involves the plague you were working on will not be accessible.”

He allows a pause for all that to sink it.

“I’m open to other ideas on those points, but I believe it’s a fair place to start.”