fifty-second labyrinth (backdated to the 10th)

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felix harrowgate

fifty-second labyrinth (backdated to the 10th)

[He should probably have expected it. For about a week everything had been going so right. They had made progress on the wards and then he and Ashura had spent a very pleasant weekend at the tower after the others had left.

And then what? Eleven went home first, then people disappeared, Geoff's boyfriend left while he was gone, and then Yuan died - all in the space of a week or so.

Of course nothing could ever be stable here for long.

He'd been so wrapped up in everything and the increasingly dark nature of his mood that it had taken him a few days, after the chaos had died down, that he hadn't seen any sign of his houseboy.

Annoyance covering up a pang of worry, he headed down to the boy's room and spotted the missing nameplate instantly. He cursed under his breath and punched the door.

Another missed opportunity. Another friend going home to die, in all likelihood, given how much he'd seen about Dextera's home. Yes, he hated the castle a little more than normal today.

He returned to his room and flopped into a chair. He could feel that old black rage threatening on the edges. Probably best not to be alone. And, it seems, he had some matters to attend to. It was seductive, but he wouldn't give into that old anger today. Others things were more important.

Time to open the journal...]

For those of you acquainted with Dextera, it would seem that he's been sent home

[Yuan's friends]

I don't suppose there is any way to properly express how sorry I am that Yuan had to die. He was...is...a good friend.

May I ask if there will be any kind of service? I can't imagine Yuan wanting us to give into grief, but I wouldn't mind helping to arrange something in his honor.

If you all would like, that is...

[He knew he was but a footnote in that man's life, compared to the ones that knew him before. But he felt the need to offer anyway]

[Rin]

I'd like to volunteer to guard the prisoners at the outpost.

[Fenris and Geoffrey]

Given the recent circumstances, I think we could all use a drink or...several. If you'd like to join me in my quarters.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A couple of weeks. If you wanted to take longer out there, that'd be fine too. What are you preferring?

[At that she just makes a small acknowledging noise. Paradisa is unexpectedly tough on everybody sometimes.]

In that case, I'd like to wait until after Yuan gets back. Next month, perhaps?

That's fine. If you just want to get away for a shorter while I could always find another two and you could reinforce them. If that was what you'd want it'd be a help if you could take two weeks too, later. Although I understand if hanging around the outpost with two people and Legato isn't your idea of a vacation either.

I'm not doing this for amusement.

That said, I could ask Ashura if he wants to go with me, if you prefer pairs. I can't guarantee he'll want to go.

How long does the trip to the outpost take, would you say?

I figured you weren't.

I prefer pairs because then people aren't isolated with Legato, they can team up and also trade off for breaks sometimes. If I could get bigger groups I would but I doubt I'd see that much interest from the castle, given how little people seem to be interested in this job in general. If Ashura doesn't want to go, I can find you another person to team up with for the duration. The trip to the outpost takes no time at all since we still have a teleport circle working.

_{[Welp, Ashura had come in and heard enough of that to be only mildly enraged. So, Rin would be privy to Ashura's voice coming through Felix's filter, and it was not a happy sounding kind of voice.]}

Outpost? Guard duty? Felix, what in the gods name are you doing?

_{[Yeeeeeah, not a happy voice.]}

[Uh oh...whoops. He should have made this filter where Ashura couldn't find him]

Darling...please...

[Rin]

It seems I can ask him now...

I'm asking for some time at the outpost. It can be in a few days, with you or without you, but I'm going.

[Let's pretend that this isn't awkward. Felix sure is.]

[Oh dear... uh...]

I'll leave it to you two to work out whether you'll both come along, but let me know how long you decide you want to go and I'll help arrange it with the other people keeping watch on Legato.

_{[A sort of enraged sound.]}

Wha-? Felix! Of all the things you had done, this is the most selfish by half! How can you do this without asking me at all?

[Business-like.]

I certainly will.

[Sorry Rin, lol]

Because I knew you wouldn't want me to! The same way you don't want me to go on any expeditions. But you cannot save me from everything in this damn world. Paradisa has been perfectly at at showing us that.

[Angry arm crossing.]

I'll talk to you later, Felix. Good luck.

That is unfair! I want you to at least talk to me about it, and I worry about you! You have your magic, but who knows what is out there! I will not bring your body back to this Castle! I have already lost one man I love, you think I want to lose another? If I prefer to make sure you remain as safe as can be, then I shall prefer it so.

Not to mention a guard rotation takes you away for what? A week or more at a time? Did you plan to just up and leave without a word to me?

[closing the journal now ladkjf. He'll get back to you Rin]

Of course not! Ashura...

[He got up from his chair and paced a little]

...Dextera is gone. Eleven is gone. Yuan is dead. I can't...be here right now.

_{[He stiffened. He had known that Dextera had left, and it pained him. He had not been close to the Doctor, but that too was a loss. Yuan though... he knew Felix was close to him.]}

I am sorry. I did not know Yuan had passed.

But still, Felix, that is no reason to go haring off without talking to me. Especially right now. No one's judgement is right in the midst of grief.

Maybe not. But every time something like this happens you grip all the harder to keep me close and I will not be kept wrapped in cotton to suit you.

I do not want to wrap you in cotton, but let's face it, you are not exactly made for dangerous situations. And as I said, I will be not burying another corpse of a lover so to speak. So forgive me for worrying about my fiance you has a bad habit of making such decisions without telling me about them!

[He'd expected a fight, but he rather would had a quick clash rather than Ashura stewing for days over something he didn't want Felix to do]

It's because you worry that I don't tell you anything. I can't deny it will be dangerous. It is the Dead Zone. But in some senses it's far safer than here.

Will you come with me or not? Because Rin needs my answer.

And is it an unfounded worry, Felix? All things considered.

_{[He glared daggers at him, fuming.]}

Seeing as how there isn't much chance of my opinion changing your mind, I suppose I should. Unless, of course, you prefer time away from my cotton wrap.

_{[Oh yes, he threw that there. Dig your hole, Felix.]}

Perhaps I do, if you're going to smother me with it.

[He doesn't mean that and you know it. He just knows you're right and hates it.]

_{[He bristles, gritting his teeth behind thin lips.]}

Well, very well, you get your wish.

_{[He does not mean it either, but in the heat of the moment it was what came out.]}

Let us start now, shall we?

_{[He turned, heading swiftly out of their suite with a rigid back.]}

[...Well that went well.

He's just dial back the urge to break everything in the room.

A few minutes later Rin will get another filter]

[Rin]

It would seem I am going alone.

[Nnnnot... gonna pry here.]

Right now?

[That would be easier, but...]

I believe you said your current guards returned in three days?

That's right. You want to go out for a two-week stint?

[God, two weeks is a long time. No time to rethink that though]

If that is what you need.

fifty-second labyrinth (backdated to the 10th)

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Rin; Ash talking over Felix's Shoulder

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