Forty Third Sip

[mal_addict]

[So, in an effort to make her feel...less angry about the events of the last few days, Maladict has gone into town, deciding to throw herself more into her best person duty. After all, if Brock was stupid happy stupid enough to want to get married, he should at least have a decent sendoff. And the art was in the preparation for this sort of thing, she was sure. She flicks through her journal as she walks]

You know, I never thought it would be this easy to find Seamstresses in this world. Guess I was wrong. Seems it's forever the most common profession if people want it to be or not. Nice to know some things are the same here as they are back home.

[Brock]
Candy Muff or Diamond Slick.

Pick one.

[Nikola]
[Ugh, this is not easy to say, especially after her 'you have to make right what you did' rant. Humble pie does not taste good at all]

So, I won't be guarding you any more. I'll probably visit or...something. But no more guarding.

Comments

[mal_addict]

[Because you asked her about seamstresses, that's why] I miss her sometimes. [A chuckle] Well, yes. There aren't many professions a working girl can take and get such good health care and security.

I asked them what they could do and looked about the place. My terminology might be different, but I know what I'm looking for.

[unnaturalpause]

[Not fair.] I would not say such good health care, unfortunately not many treat others, that well.

And are you, certain that whomever you are, gathering these ladies of, certain reputation, would appreciate the thought?

[mal_addict]

No? In my world they're very well taken care of. They have to obey the rules, of course, but they get a pretty good life.

I'm offering them a job, and I'm treating them with respect. If they have any issue, none of them have said anything.

[unnaturalpause]

Then they are rather fortunate truly to be allowed that sort of life. If only other places would follow suit.

And they are not the ones I was referring to, I mean the one you intend them for. Unless you mean to enjoy them yourself, which I believe would make Nikola rather jealous.

[mal_addict]

Clearly the Disc is the world all others should follow the example of.

[A chuckle] No, James, I'm not going to give myself a night of decadence. I don't think I could ever live with the sulking Nikola would throw at me. I'm shopping for a bachelor party.

[unnaturalpause]

In this regard I do believe they should.

[A relieved sigh. GOOD. HE DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH A MOPING NIKOLA.

This does however raise other questions.]

Do not tell me you are organizing Nikola's bachelor party for him. [Dead pan. ISN'T IT A LITTLE EARLY FOR THAT?]

[mal_addict]

[Can you hear the COMPLETE AND UTTER panic in her voice, James? Can you? The unrelenting terror, as if he's just told her someone is going to come and steal all her vital organs and replace them with flesh eating kittens]

What? NO!

[Oh Gods all the panicking. ALL THE PANICKING]

Why? Has he said something to you? Because he hasn't said anything to me and he really should run something like that to a person first, at least twenty hundred years in advance.

[unnaturalpause]

[Oh. OH SHIT. HE DIDN'T MEAN THAT MAL HONEST TO GOD. That terror? Yeah no he didn't mean to put that there.

Even if he finds it funny.

Because ugh no.]

Maladict, I meant that in an entirely light hearted way. [Back peddle harder James.] He has said nothing of the sort to me.

Though...I wonder, why you would not, consider marriage to him, he is after all your, significant other. [...Which totally ruins the first point WTG James.]

[mal_addict]

[Don't mind her, she's just trapped in some horrible nightmare of being trapped as a housewife with all her rights revoked, doomed to keep house and have babies for the rest of her days. Much like what was expected of her before she ran away to join the army.

HORRORS]

It's not funny!

[Of course, of COURSE she knows Nikola would never do that to her. She knows it absolutely. But decades worth of watching and hating are hard to just sluff off]

No! ...I don't know. [Frustrated sigh. James why are you such a dad?] It's complicated.

[unnaturalpause]

[Oops, that does sound horrible really. He can understand that frustration (it sounds an awful lot like Helen really).

So you know. He's not going to laugh right now. Later he will, in private but not now.

He's just going to sound absolutely pleased with himself but try not to (and fail miserably).]

I, apologize for it, I did not realize it would, lead to, such a reaction from you.

[mal_addict]

[She heaves a sigh, because it's not James' fault. She doesn't really open up about her past a whole lot, he wasn't to know.

Still. MARRIAGE BAD. Probably]

Yeah, well. Like I said, it's complicated. I can't...do that right now.

[unnaturalpause]

[No it wasn't, but he does feel guilty when she says that. Damn Mal, he thought it might be good for a laugh but obviously not anymore.]

I, am sorry for, saying that. I, can tell it more than likely is for you. I think however, you are, safe in the thought that Nikola will not do so, not anytime soon at least.

[mal_addict]

[See what happens when you overtroll, James? SEEEE?]

Yeah...well.

Good.

[But at least now the horrible shock is over, she can think of it as a real thing and not as something she wants to pretend will never, ever happen]

[unnaturalpause]

[It was unintentional! Mal doesn't tell him these things, not his fault!]

I, have something of a gift for you, if you would appreciate it?

[It's just a bag of rather expensive coffee he saw in town the other day and thought of her. He had been saving it for later, as a surprise if they had a chat in his or her room, but now seems a good time to give it to her.

Yes it's his way of trying to mend things he didn't mean to break. He is sorry Mal.]

[mal_addict]

[Oh, she likes gifts! She is not above being plied with shiny things]

Really, now? What sort of gift?

[unnaturalpause]

A, particular type of coffee I found that you may enjoy.

[He tends to keep a small stash just in case.]

/THREADJACK BECAUSE LOLWHATERY

[vampirize]

[So, guess who's been listening to this conversation, just laughing in his trolling way at how perfect Maladict's responses are, and then suddenly this happens.]

[He almost throws the journal against the door of his cell, he's that shocked.]

James! Really. I mean, really?! Is your head just turned to the "Let's get Maladict and Tesla Together" channel 24/7?

[WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!]

[unnaturalpause]

[YOU KNOW WHAT? SHUT UP NIKOLA!

It is a perfectly logical conclusion with cultural differences, and you two. Just because you can't see it doesn't make it less true.

Though really he sounds disappointed in you.]

Nikola. It is a perfectly sound conclusion with what facts I have available. Would you like me, to imply something else? [Like you guys eloped? He can do that too.]

[vampirize]

Oh, right, so you just assumed that me and her were getting together without telling you. You know, for a man who was the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, you really act like a guy who fell out of the stupid tree and hit every branch on the way down.

[He's just exasperated at this because a) what he does with Maladict is his business, b) now he has to explain to Maladict that he's not planning on marrying her anytime soon except maybe later AND ANYWAYS IT IS AWKWARD, and c) DARN YOU JAMES YOU ARE THE WORST FRIEND.]

It couldn't have occurred to you that maybe someone else is shacking up in this castle and she's going to that? Or do you honestly believe that me and her are the only eligible couple within one hundred miles of this place?

[unnaturalpause]

[It was bound to come up anyway really Nikola. He's just making sure you both get it done and over with soon. Because it's important and he wants you two happy really.

But it's also good troll bait and he's not one to ignore that.]

Nikola. [And it's said rather sternly.] The mere fact that you are, denying this, entire thing, says more than you seem to realize. [We're ignoring insults to his intelligence here.] After all, if you are so quick to deny such a thing, most notably with, her reaction, one would think, it is, in part a gesture of sorts.

[He's never going to not tease you Nikola.]

[vampirize]

Wait, what, are you saying that my denial is just some big cover-up to me proposing to her? James, its like you don't know me at all.

[He lets out a scoff- this is not something he is comfortable about talking about, let alone with James.]

Just shut up and stop trying to find hidden meanings in what we say, James. You won't find anything.

[unnaturalpause]

No Nikola I'm not. I'm saying you're denial shows you care more than you are willing to admit.

[And he's sounding much more fatherly than he normally does, and there's just a hint of a sigh as he talks.]

I'm not looking for hidden meanings Nikola, not when your actions speak louder than your words. If one knows you as well as I do. Just, think about it.

[vampirize]

Really? Why, I should just sit back on the comfy couch I don't have and tell you all about my life choices to such an obviously well-practiced psychiatrist, yes.

[That fatherly tone just sets him on edge, because it just makes him feel like he's the lesser man in this conversation. And he never wants to feel like the lesser man.]

I'm not going to think about it, because really, this is just a waste of my time. Think what you want, James, but next time, think a little before jumping to conclusions that Maladict and I are going to elope.

[unnaturalpause]

I do believe if I took that position I would be putting young William out of business, Nikola.

[Well fine then, he'll drop it. Because this is getting irksome. You know he did try to apologize Nikola, now you're just being difficult.]

It is hardly eloping, Nikola if you are having a bachelor party held by your wife to be made public. However, it was not you the grievance was towards, it was Maladict, to whom I have already apologized.

[And now he can't stop himself.]

Though it is little wonder why you seem capable of holding the interest of women longer than a few months. Running, Nikola only gets you so far and this is something you can not run away from. Not here.

JUST PRETEND THIS ICON IS NORMAL!NIKOLA asdfghgfdsdf

[vampirize]

And you really think I would do that without telling you or Helen first? And thank God that you apologized, at least your duddy old Victorian manners are good for something around here.

[And oh, oh that last statement hurt. Tesla bristles at the other end of the journal, and when he speaks, his words are laced with malice. It's one thing to insult him about his attitude towards others, because really, like he'll ever change that, but it's quite another to poke at such a sore spot like that.]

You think I'm running, you brainless twit? You think that this is just me being a coward? God, James, like you have a right to judge me, after everything that you've done. [A slight hiss.] I'm not going anywhere. Not from her. But neither am I going to dance the same inane dances you did with Helen. I do this my way, but that doesn't mean you can just step in and tell me what to do about this. And if you think that I'll abandon Maladict, think again.