[ Jon doesn't read anything past the header because he's about to summon the powers to the Barge, not if he can help it. But all the same, once he has someone look it over, he has to sit on it for a bit before he can answer.
[ He's left on read for at least ten minutes. This is not the response he'd expected or wanted. ]
You're very welcome for the statement.
And I'm doing very well. My relationship with our patron does not require I follow the same diet as it does you.
[ And as far as he's aware, that's entirely correct. He's never needed statements like the Archivists have. He's never needed anything he wasn't already seeking out for himself. ]
[ look - martin is mostly just excited to be on a pirate ship at all. he feels like he's on the cusp of something, really, and most of his correspondence with elias so far has been paired with excited rambling about a real catalyst for change - which is how he's here now, knocking on the door of the small quartermaster's office. ]
Hey! Um. Thanks again, by the way, I know this was awfully - short notice.
[ Elias waves the man into the small room. It's walls are covered in books and scrolls and other assorted curiosities but there's an organisation to it all that keeps it from seeming cluttered.
He takes a seat on his side of the desk, gives his guest an appraising look. ]
Xie Lian keeps up with the network, which means he doesn't have to check his warden item to know where his new inmate is. When Elias wakes up, Xie Lian will be sitting next to the bed, with a cup of water.
This isn't the first time he's ended up here, in circumstances that shared certain similarities.
It's the second time Elias has woken like this, and he doesn't like it any better the second time. When he opens his eyes to find someone else-- Xie Lan-- there, he closes them again. Having an audience is just the icing on this shit cake.
He doesn't make an attempt to speak until he's sure he won't do anything as undignified as croak or lose breath halfway through. He almost manages it.
Hey babe. Need anything for that post-death hangover?
[ if you joke about it, you don't have to try and grapple with the fact that you're angry Elias died and you don't know how to feel about that anger! ]
[ The second message inquiring about his health is just as unexpected as the first. Elias must be off his game if he can't predict what the people around him are going to do. ]
Something a little stronger than water might be nice.
[ he manages to get his tone entirely unbothered, though it irks him to have to ask for something like this. it doesn't look-- well. it might look poorly. ]
Arguably one of the best traits of Doug Eiffel is that he is, in some horrible way, a predictable person. Whenever he commits to a decision, there is a high probability of it being either inane, ridiculous, or potentially outright suicidal.
The problem with Doug Eiffel, is that you never know which it's going to be until it happens. By which point it's too late to stop him.
Eiffel has a bottle of whiskey in hand when he knocks on Elias's door; he knows he's there, he asked Tiny Hera. "Trick or treat, Elias! It's ya boy Dig Dug Eiffel!"
There's about half a minute or so of silence before the door opens and Elias appears, looking out in bewilderment. He's in only his shirt and trousers, no vest or jacket, and there's an ink smudge just on the corner of his jaw under his left ear.
"What are-- that is. How can I help you, exactly?"
[ oh so this is happening now. it's not unexpected, and elias feels he knows exactly how it will go ]
Let me pre-empt what you're about to say, without the pop culture references: I oughtn't have threatened him; threatening others is wrong; I shouldn't do it again. If I do it again there will be consequences.
[It's a letter, on ricepaper, with neat brush-ink calligraphy, folded neatly and sealed with something that is not quite wax, a black circle with a red fox silhouette, left beside his door.]
Mr. Elias Bouchard,
I would like to invite you to 5-13 this afternoon for tea. I have an ulterior motive: while Eiffel may have the worst information security of anyone I have ever met, sometimes his sheer volume of allusions and conversational meanders are so utterly impenetrable that he circles right back around to being unilluminating. Therefore, I think it may be best to put my questions to you directly.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Just after port
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I'd never turn down the offer of help, though I'm curious about what exactly it is you think you can help with.
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Text
[Yeah no hellos or anything. Just jumping right into it.]
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What is it you'd like to know?
[ there's a lovely tingle that comes with being a complete and utter bastard just because you can, and Elias is starting to feel it ]
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after the letter
The answer is short and simple.]
Do you need to feed?
Do you need help getting food?
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You're very welcome for the statement.
And I'm doing very well. My relationship with our patron does not require I follow the same diet as it does you.
[ And as far as he's aware, that's entirely correct. He's never needed statements like the Archivists have. He's never needed anything he wasn't already seeking out for himself. ]
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[text, absolutely unprompted, probably in the middle of the night]
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after christmas
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Do you know why I'm in Zero?
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Well done, by the by.
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private;
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You must be, I assume, my new temporary warden.
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Should I be expecting you back in the kitchen at some point, or have you been assigned somewhere else?
[ Notice how he doesn’t even mention the murder attempt. ]
if this doesn't work just... tell me :U
Hey! Um. Thanks again, by the way, I know this was awfully - short notice.
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[ Elias waves the man into the small room. It's walls are covered in books and scrolls and other assorted curiosities but there's an organisation to it all that keeps it from seeming cluttered.
He takes a seat on his side of the desk, gives his guest an appraising look. ]
I wasn't sure you'd even show up, if I'm honest.
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infirmary
This isn't the first time he's ended up here, in circumstances that shared certain similarities.
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He doesn't make an attempt to speak until he's sure he won't do anything as undignified as croak or lose breath halfway through. He almost manages it.
"To what do I-- owe the pleasure?"
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This is hardly the first time I've been stabbed to death on this Barge.
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[ if you joke about it, you don't have to try and grapple with the fact that you're angry Elias died and you don't know how to feel about that anger! ]
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Something a little stronger than water might be nice.
[ he manages to get his tone entirely unbothered, though it irks him to have to ask for something like this. it doesn't look-- well. it might look poorly. ]
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text, private;
I heard about what happened.
Let me know if you need anything.
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I find all my needs fulfilled at present, but I'll keep your offer in mind. Thank you. It's not my first death here, after all.
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private;
Can we talk?
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[ so polite :))))) ]
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Before Library Shenanigans
The problem with Doug Eiffel, is that you never know which it's going to be until it happens. By which point it's too late to stop him.
Eiffel has a bottle of whiskey in hand when he knocks on Elias's door; he knows he's there, he asked Tiny Hera. "Trick or treat, Elias! It's ya boy Dig Dug Eiffel!"
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"What are-- that is. How can I help you, exactly?"
He doesn't move to let Eiffel in.
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Text
Saw you in the infirmary when I brought hunter in.
You good??
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[ it was something to be worried about ]
You've had a more friendly visitors?
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After Norton makes his post
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Let me pre-empt what you're about to say, without the pop culture references: I oughtn't have threatened him; threatening others is wrong; I shouldn't do it again. If I do it again there will be consequences.
Am I close?
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just outside of his cabin
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but he answers the door, keeping his expression carefully polite when he sees who it is. ]
Yes? Ah-- Jon. What can I do for you?
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video
[ it's a roundabout way of saying 'I've gotten over what happened last month with the library fire,' but it's still a way of saying that. ]
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I might have to clear a few things out of my very busy schedule, but I expect I'll manage to make it.
[ there is nothing in his schedule. ]
I can fill you in on all the terrible things a certain Tobias Mathews said when he was here.
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He's brought milk]
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[ the surprise on elias' face makes it clear he was not expecting to find trevor of all people at his door tonight.
he spots the milk ]
Would you care to come in?
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*cries* backdated to a few days before the message and everything
Mr. Elias Bouchard,
I would like to invite you to 5-13 this afternoon for tea. I have an ulterior motive: while Eiffel may have the worst information security of anyone I have ever met, sometimes his sheer volume of allusions and conversational meanders are so utterly impenetrable that he circles right back around to being unilluminating. Therefore, I think it may be best to put my questions to you directly.
From Every Spark a Fire,
Jedao
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Dear Mr. Jedao
I would be delighted to attend. Please let me know if there's anything you'd like me to bring.
Yours,
E. Bouchard.
[ and he's there at 5-3 at the agreed time, knocking on the door, and very curious as to what this is about ]
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text
Re: text
[It is absolutely a competition and Elias is delighted to win (!?), but wow what is this about.]
I might need a little more context if you'd like me to properly appreciate my sudden triumph.
perm text
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nevermind, audio now
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