brushoff | tlv ic contact

"We'll use yours then," he says, with absolutely zero hesitation.

"I don't bring mine wherever I go," he says as if that's the most obvious thing in the world.

He's an antisocial brat! He has an excuse.

"So you left it?" Dorian points out, mimicking Henry's tone of voice. "How stupid."

Yeah, how's that taste???

Henry is unfazed by this. He can do childish mocking; it's the only sort of interaction he had for a long time. "I don't make a habit of it," he explains. "There is nothing but ceaseless prattling on it. People talking for no reason. And - "

He pauses there as a thought hits him. "I can find Jon. He - never took away his consent."

"If you can find Jon, then do so," Dorian says, with a little nod. There's a pause before,

"And I'd recommend scanning through the network every now and then. Yes, there is far too much childish prattling. But it's amazing what people will accidentally reveal when they forget that other people can read their conversations."

"It - gets overwhelming," he admits to him before settling down on the bottom of the boat, legs crossed and eyes closed. "Now stop talking."

He doubts that's actually going to happen, but he focuses on the rocking of the boat, on the gentle waves lapping against the side. He lets himself fade away, go to another place, to leave his own body and wander elsewhere. He pictures Jon, gets a firm image in his head, and his fingers clasp together. He doesn't notice it, but his nose starts to bleed.

At least he's successful.

Surprise: it actually happens. Mostly because Dorian wants to watch Henry as he reaches out, wants to see what the hell this is all about. So he goes quiet, watching Henry as he works. Though don't mind him as he reaches into his pocket to pull out the handkerchief.

He doesn't open his eyes.

"I found him," he tells him with no emotion. "He's - " He stops, unable to explain what he sees. He's piloting two bodies at the moment - one in the boat and one in the terrible void - and it makes it difficult to keep track.

"Focus on Jon," Dorian says, as he looks at Henry. He reaches over to place a hand on Henry's thigh, as if to stabilize him somehow. "I've got you here."

Henry's eyes open at the touch, blood dripping from both nostrils. He takes a breath, reaching out to him. "He's coming," he says before slumping full over onto Dorian, passed out.

Fucking hell. Dorian frowns, sighs, and starts to wipe at Henry's nose. Might as well mop up his inmate while the blood is still fresh.

[ Things most people don't know about Jonathan Sims: that he actually knows his way around a bloody boat. That's why he's renting a proper little fishing boat to get himself out there to where Dorian and Henry are, driving it with all the ease of a car for most people. And of course, the very first thing he asks is-]

Do I even ask?

[ A glance at Henry before he turns to Dorian. ]

...I shooed him out of there as soon as I could.

We might have run out of gas.

[ Sorry babe! Having cleaned up Henry's face, Dorian was just keeping watch over the kid, making sure nothing happened. ]

And I know you don't like going full tilt spooky god, but it might do Henry some good to know that even if he got all his powers back, there would still be those who outclassed him.

Edited 2022-09-25 02:45 (UTC)

[ That is a deep sigh. ]

I sincerely hope you didn't utilize him to contact me purely to scare the living bejesus out of him.

[ The problem, Dorian, is that he does like it. It's very very satisfying. It's just the Jon part of him that feels awful about it and doesn't want to do it. ]

Shall I tow you or will you both come on board instead?

It was his idea, thank you very much. And let me see if Sleeping Beauty is awake enough to help.

[ You're gonna have to walk off the boat eventually, Henry, Dorian ain't carrying you. So, time for a gentle, wake you up, sort of nudge. ]

[And Henry does wake slightly, pushing himself up to leaning on his elbows.]

I wasn't afraid.

[He had heard some of that conversation and needs to make that point clear.]

I know.

[ Just as simply as if he was agreeing that the sky is blue and water is wet. ]

I've brought supplies for the tow. I wouldn't want you to have to pay for the boat if we can help it.

I've got money if needed, [ he shrugs. ] It'll just have to come out of the clothes found. But help us out, valiant Archivist. Let's get this piece of junk back to dry land.

[Henry can't exactly get up and do much rope tying, but he does at least slide away from Dorian so he can slump back against one side of the boat.]

Use the clothes fund.

[He's still going to do his best to get out of that.]

Yes, yes, of course.

[ Jon will get to doing most of the ropes, tying things off and setting up a loop for Dorian to affix to the right spot so all he needs do is tug on it to tighten it around the right spot. ]

We're going over maritime safety once we get back to what passes for dry land. You live on a barge, for Christ's sake!

One, space Barge, doesn't count. Two, I know how to work a yacht, I'm not hopeless. Three, we're still going on that shopping outing, Henry, you can't get out of that.

[ though as they work, Dorian is very helpful. He does know a bit about how ships work... but he's also a damn moron. ]

[Henry falls asleep for just a little while, letting them work, but he tries to stay awake as long as possible.

And strangely, he can't get the music out of his head.]

You're only my warden for a month. There is no reason to push this much.

[He looks to Jon, almost pleading for intervention.]

One, you didn't check the amount of petrol before you went out so yes, you're hopeless. [ To Dorian ] And two, he doesn't like to waste time with anyone, Henry, you're about as likely to pry him off with the jaws of life as that sort of logic.

[ He tugs the rope to make sure it's secure before- ]

All right, that should do. Let's get you both to land.

[ And he's starting the engine to get them going. ]

You're never getting rid of me! [ Dorian points out, in a sing-song voice. But it's about time to set off. Dorian gives Jon a nod then sits back, trying to not be in the way unless needed. ]

[Henry has no idea what the jaws of life are, but the comparison stands well enough on his own.

Basically, he's fucked.

He can't really do much to help, but he does lean against the back of the boat so there's no chance of getting thrown out. And at least he manages to stay awake until they're back to the docks, and he pushes himself up, not too proud to use Dorian as a crutch.]

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