[Action/Written]

[technohap]

[Henry is running through the castle finally human again. But he'd naked and carrying the collar he had previously been wearing as a HAP.]

[Later he sends a string of filtered messages.]


Lucrezia
My name is not Romulus. It's Henry Foss. But I did enjoy spending time with you these past two weeks.


Galadriel
I'm sorry our first meeting face to face was during my loss. Perhaps we could meet again now I'm back to normal?


Carson
Sorry I scared you, TV Star, but I'm glad you recognised me.

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

[She will just seat herself on one of the sofas and wait for him to do the same.]

Had you a particular topic of discussion in mind?

[technohap]

[He nods again.] I'd love to know more about your home. [Is it how people write in fiction?]

[inafadingcrown]

And will you tell me of yours in turn? [But, actually, it really doesn't take convincing to get her to talk about this. It's a source of great pride for her.]

I dwell in the city of Caras Galadhon, within the forest realm of Lothlórien. Our homes rest upon the branches of the Mallorn trees which grow there in great abundance and whose leaves do not fall in autumn, but turn to gold. My words cannot do it justice.

[technohap]

Sounds beautiful. [He's in awe of the description, easily using his knowledge of elf folklore to imagine it.]

My home isn't as nice. I live in Old City with Doc. Er...Doctor Magnus.

[inafadingcrown]

I think it so. [There's just a touch of wistfulness in her voice, but she recovers and does her best to hide it as she continues.] Perhaps you may not find it as fair, but I have little doubt it may be fascinating; Doctor Magnus has told me something of her work, as has Doctor Watson.

[technohap]

The Sanctuary is an amazing place. I've lived there all my life.

[inafadingcrown]

I would I could see it for myself. As it stands, I may say only that I count several of those involved with the project among my close friends here. [The "several" is so that she doesn't claim Nikola as a friend.] You and yours are quick to understand and accept that which puzzles many.

[technohap]

Us four are puzzles too, you know? Abnormals we call them.

I don't know how much the Docs have told you.

[inafadingcrown]

They have told me much. Yet I would have said nothing had you not done so. It seems not my place. Now however, I would ask of the nature of your "puzzle," if it is not too bold. For I know of the others, but not of you.

[technohap]

Unlike the Docs, mine is more natural. I can turn into the wolf state at will. The castle simply stopped from turning back for two weeks.

[inafadingcrown]

Astounding. [And this expression should be familiar, at least. One reason that Galadriel gets along with James and Helen so well? She's interested in everything]

You were subjected to the rather poor humor of the castle much more quickly than I. It had been here over half a year ere I was subjected to my first loss.

[technohap]

That's not what most people say. [He smiles at it though.]

Yeah. Only been here a month or so. And it's not bad being in my HAP form. It doesn't hurt or anything. I just got bored quickly. The no talking thing was really annoying.

[inafadingcrown]

Is it not? [Her smile shows that she knows the answer to that perfectly well.] I have heard little of such things in my own world, beyond a few fragments of lore. There is much here that is new and strange to me; for one as old as I, it is both surprising and delightful. [Discovering that there is so much she hasn't seen? Magnificent.]

[technohap]

Most people fear my kind. We even feared ourselves at one point.

[He looked down for a moment, then smiled.] But this is better now. At home I mean.

[inafadingcrown]

You gave me no reason to fear you and I sensed from you no malice. I have seen far too much to trust appearances readily.

But I am glad your lot has improved.

[technohap]

I don't want to be feared. I just want to be accepted, as I am in the Sanctuary.

So am I.

[inafadingcrown]

You will find, I think, that most here are accepting. In a place such as this, one has little choice.

[technohap]

True. But I don't just mean here. Home too, you know?

[inafadingcrown]

I know. It seems strange to me still that so many must remain hidden in your world.

[technohap]

We either hide or we die! Tesla's the only living vampire because of humans. And even he's not a full breed.

[inafadingcrown]

I do not fault you for it! In my own world, a number of races live alongside each other, openly and without need for concealment. I will not pretend there is no conflict, but such things are to be expected among any nations.

[technohap]

There's enough conflict in the world between non-Abnormals without adding us to the mix.

[inafadingcrown]

As you say. I only find it difficult to imagine a world where the race of Man alone is acknowledged.

[technohap]

Man as you call it are the only intelligent life forms. There's so many other species that we know of but hardly many compared to the Abnormal world.

[inafadingcrown]

Your task of concealment and protection is as challenging as it is worthy, then.