[closed] It's a bad case, you're on the rampage

[falsify]

Finnick; May 18th

All things considered, Eames thinks it's probably best he meets Finnick at his home in the Other Realm. He doesn't like it as much as his place in London — he has a gorgeous flat in Canary Wharf — but given the brief and panicked phonecall, he gets the feeling that the other man would prefer the relative security of Faery to navigating Islington territory.

Besides all that, it's a nice house. A little more Victorian that Eames' current tastes lean towards, but nice regardless.

He expects Finnick won't be long, and sets about putting some tea on in the meantime. Tea that is quickly taken over by a pair of luminescent pixies who encourage him to sit down and let them take care of it.

Having servants is weird.

Nancy; May 30th

He hasn't actually spoken to Nancy since that whole Havering thing. Not that he's intentionally ignored her for the past couple of weeks, these things just kind of happen with him. Apparently thinking nothing of it, Eames drops Nancy a quick text, inviting her round for lunch so they can discuss something, and starts making said lunch once he has a confirmation.

He's feeling Mediterranean today. Lots of roasted vegetables and couscous. Maybe some feta? That'll be a good meal. Good job Eames, you're so great at food.

Comments

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick feels a swell of resentment towards Eames, as if he orchestrated the whole thing. If Eames had known this was going on, he could have warned Finnick, or he could have prevented it all together.

But that's politics, and Finnick doesn't feel much up for that right now. He only shakes his head. "I can't just walk away from this," he says, and there's still a tremble in his voice. "What are you going to do?"

[falsify]

"Get rid of Norrell. Childermass too, if I must." Though he suspects that won't be necessary. "I'd been planning on it anyway, I'll just have to push things forward a little."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick feels helpless to stop him, and it shows in his voice. He feels clueless and hollowed out and scared all at the same time. "They'll banish us from London if you do that."

[falsify]

"That depends entirely on them knowing the truth." And Eames isn't about to involve nearly as many people in removing that particular wart as he had in the election.

But, he gives Finnick a level look. It's a bit of a test, voice... Not exactly friendly, that would be too much of a change, but he sighs and drops his voice to something soft, "I won't ask you to help if you don't want to, and I won't make you promise to keep it between us, but it's happening."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick's frown is tinged by confusion now. Eames makes it sound like he would have asked Finnick for help, or could ask him now that he's involved, but he's being kind in letting him bow out without a deal. He wonders for a moment if he should do just that, but he's curious.

"What would you have me do?" he asks, hesitant.

[falsify]

It's not so much kindness that if Finnick doesn't want to be involved, then he's a liability. And in truth, he likely would've gone ahead without speaking to him about it at all, but might as well show the other Lord a little respect, right? Keep him semi-informed.

"It's old magic," Eames frowns lightly, he's still figuring it out in truth — the spell is quite a bit older than him, but he can probably manage it alone. Still, "a little extra power when it comes to casting wouldn't go amiss."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick looks away again, at some point on the floor as he takes in this new information. He still feels so broken and small and it's awful and he can't do this right now.

"I need to think on it," he says, finally pushing away from the table and standing up carefully. "I want him gone, but I..."

He avoids Eames' gaze, feeling ashamed that he isn't up to talking this through or being ready to do this immediately. He starts to walk away, feeling like he needs to get out before he pauses again, realizing that it's probably rude to just leave, so he stops and waits for Eames' response.

[falsify]

"That's fine." He's not being dismissive, and he curls his fingers around his mug, thinking. Obviously this is too much for Finnick; this isn't work for someone like him. It's not just whatever baggage he's carrying either. Finnick doesn't really have the necessary ruthlessness for it.

What a shame.

Eames' eyes track Finnick as he moves the leave the room, and he sighs. "I just thought you should be aware of what's coming. All things considered."

[thelittlemerman]

"Thank you," Finnick says, trying to sound like he really means it. He's glad for the information, and he appreciates the gesture of being invited to take part, but right now things feels so raw and close. He needs to go home, lie down, talk to Annie... he just needs some quiet for a while. And so he leaves at last without another word, leaving Eames' house and starting his journey home.