[ Active / Open ] How long can I neglect me for

[knightscode]

The month has become a little rough for Lancelot. First there was his suspicions regarding Jean-Claude, then Raymond's declaration, then... then everything got a little worse. It was only a weekend hes spent in the basement with Raymond's lackeys, but he's still recovering from the blood loss -- and it's shaken him more than he'd care to admit.

i) Semi-Open: At Home, Richmond.

For a few days after, Lancelot simply shuts himself in and tries to recharge. He's sore, covered in vampire bites and bruises and a little uneasy still. Lancelot may not have been taken directly from his home, but he wasn't far from it. He still can't be sure if they were watching his house, how long for if they were. If it was chance or luck, if it was planned.

He won't refuse visitors, but in truth Lancelot is rather content with just Lily for company at the moment. His mind is busy, and having lost a fair amount of blood he's also tired.

An awkward amount of time has been spent inventing a passable reason he's in such a state for people he simply can't tell 'oh it was vampires', and that's... difficult. He hates lying. Yet all the same he's managed it, somehow, had to halfway makeup that he's already done something about charging those responsible and he doesn't want to talk about it.

Which just leaves Lancelot standing in his kitchen staring absently at the coffee he's just made, wondering if he can get away with putting some alcohol in it this early in the day. Lily stays pressed to his side like a peculiarly white and fluffy shadow of concern, perhaps wondering what she might be able to do to help.


ii) Open: Night Council territory & various others.

He knows he can't stay at home forever, though. Eventually Lancelot has to go back to work, and he knows the longer he leaves it the harder it will be. So a few days after it Lancelot heads back in, wearing a little more clothing than strictly sensible on a hot day to try and cover up some of the bites and bruises he's sporting. He checks in with all his cases and paperwork in Westminster, picks up a few things and heads out onto the street.

Lily tags along with him for support, so he tries to walk in the shade when he can -- her thick white fur making her suffer a little in the summer. He's pausing by a shop at one point to pour out a little water for her when she nearly trips someone up moving, and Lancelot makes a little ah sound and bodily pulls her closer.

"Forgive me," he says softly, shuffling the bowl so she can lap some of the water up. "She's a little restless in the heat."

Samoyeds are built for Siberia, after all, not for 30°C. The dog fusses to get at the water, leash looping around her a little even as Lancelot looks up to offer an apology smile.

Comments

ii

[thelittlemerman]

"Oh--"

Finnick narrowly avoids tripping as he takes a step sideways at the last moment. He's in his own world a lot recently, if the truth be told, and his first instinct is to apologize. He's a little slow to find the words, is all, and the other man speaks first. It's familiar, which is off-putting and comforting at the same time. He should have been prepared - the closer he gets to the Night Council HQ the more magical energy he can feel - but he's been trying to ignore it.

"It's fine," he says finally, "I should have been looking."

[knightscode]

It's funny, the last time Lancelot spoke to Finnick had been when he was fighting vampires. The memory surfaces quickly and just as quickly Lancelot buries it, drowns it out and the association.

"So should she," he insists, and Lily lifts he head from the water bowl to regard Lancelot and then Finnick finally. Animals are often nervous around fae, but Lily herself is used to the feel of the magic from being with Lancelot. In fact, she has a trace of it around her now too -- although considering they're standing side by side it's probably not that noticeable unless you concentrate. She looks between them a few more times before wagging her tail a little questioningly. Hello, Finnick! Hello! Will you be friends with her?

"You look about how I feel," he says finally, and his lips flick up in a half-smile. Tired, drained, far more interested in laying down and ignoring life.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick huffs a gentle laugh and cracks a smile that doesn't have any heart in it. Annie's been worrying over him endlessly, and watching that is almost as exhausting as life seems to be right now. He knows his mask has been slipping, but he's working on putting it back together. None of that would interest Lancelot though, and the other man probably has wounds that are a lot fresher, so he takes a shot at being sympathetic.

"Annie said you were... missing, for a while," he says carefully, trying to keep his eyes on Lancelot for more than a fraction of a second at a time.

[knightscode]

Missing. Lancelot's eyes flit away uneasily and down to Lily, who still wags happily because she still just wants to be friends.

"Yes," he admits somewhat awkwardly. "Some of Raymond's friends."

Which is the easiest way to say 'Vampires' without actually saying the word out loud.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick watches him while he answers, and then turns his gaze to Lily, as if she'll help push back some of his own nightmares.

"I'm sorry," he offers after a moment's hesitation, "I went missing too, for a while." He lets out a cold, quiet laugh as he goes on, "a few decades, in fact."

It's harder not to talk about it when he's this tired. The words flow easily, and it's a combination of wanting to show Lancelot that he understands and just a need to get it out there. He couldn't possibly make it known to his whole court; they'd lose respect for him. Lancelot seems like a decent man, not that he can help what he's saying much right now. Whatever has happened to Lancelot is all too familiar.

"You're alive," he adds, almost as a question. He doesn't know if Lancelot thinks that's a good thing or a bad one.

i

[reticence]

It has taken almost all of Faolan's self-control not to insist that he stay by the other man's side since the second they had pulled him from that basement and out of harm's way. He appreciates that Lancelot should want his space and so after he deemed that he'd just about overstayed his welcome and Lancelot had gone from needing his company to needing his absence, he had gone home for a day or so. To sleep in his own bed and leave Lancelot to himself.

It had worked well enough overnight but about partway through the day Faolan finds himself wondering after the man around every other corner of thought. It's the middle of the day, he'll be safe for now, right? Unless they've got daylight rings... But so long as he stays at home he'll be fine, yeah? He doesn't suppose that they had figured out where he'd lived...

Finally once Faolan can't take himself anymore he grabs his keys and jacket, though he hangs it over his arm for now -- it's too warm outside to need it just yet. He thinks about texting to ask Lancelot whether he needs anything as he heads over, but he doesn't. Feeling as though it might be just a little too presumptive of him. He can offer once he gets there. Once he knows whether Lancelot will appreciate the company or not.

As he reaches Lancelot's door and brings a hand up to knock, he considers the fact that maybe he should have texted, at least to warn to expect company. Ah well, he supposes it's too late now.

[knightscode]

The knock is answered by the scurrying sound of claws on wooden floors, a muted wuff and the sound of Lancelot gently soothing Lily. He sounds tired even as he does it, drained, and when he answers the door there are still shadows under his eyes.

"Oh," he says, and blinks himself into something like focus. "Hi. Do you..."

Want to come in, he assumes? Has something happened? Or is he just...

Worried. Lancelot's mind manages to glance off the thought, to refuse it, because he doesn't want to accept that anything worth worrying about happened. He's fine.

[reticence]

"Hey," Faolan greets in return taking in the other man as he opens the door.

He nods, looking slightly uncertain at the other man as he does. He doesn't want Lancelot to tire himself out fussing over him, not with Lancelot looking as tired as he does already. Lancelot doesn't need to worry about taking care of him, his focus is all on making sure that the other man is taken care of instead.

"If that's alright?" he asks, his voice slightly more soft and hesitant than it otherwise might be. He does want to give Lancelot the chance to turn him away if he doesn't want the company. But he's hoping he won't. He is worried, after all.

[knightscode]

"Of course! Here --"

He takes a step back and holds the door open for Faolan to slide past, gently restraining Lily until the door is pushed closed behind the other man. When he finally releases her she bounds to greet him, bouncing slightly on the spot as she vies for his attention. Hello, Faolan! Hello! She is pleased to see you.

"Can I get you something? To drink or eat, that is."

How much he has in the way of good food he isn't entirely sure right now, but there's bound to be something he can put together.

[reticence]

Faolan takes a step inside the door, ducking to greet Lily in turn as she comes bouncing forward. Ruffling her ears and stroking her soft head for a moment before turning his attention back to Lancelot again. Damn, but he really should have brought something with him. Drinks, food, anything.

Faolan understands how taking care of other people seems to make Lancelot happy, but there's something in the principle of it. Lancelot needs his rest, and rest does not include fussing over the likes of Faolan himself. "You don't need to go out of your way for anything," he settles on answering. Which is Faolan's code for, 'Only if you'd already planned on making said food/drink for yourself as well.'

i

[specifiercity]

Why is Arthur here?

Well, it's not because he's just that thoughtful. He didn't even remember to bring any wine as a comfort; in fact he only thinks he probably should have brought something just after he knocks on Lancelot's door. Brushing that thought away, he shoves his hands in his pockets and looks up and down the hall, waiting eagerly for the door to be answered. He needs information. He needs to know if there's anything Lancelot learned that could bring a stop to this Harris problem. Every day that goes by it just becomes more pressing, and Arthur would like to help take care of it before something catastrophic happens, if he can.

[knightscode]

The knock is answered by the clacking of claws on hardwood floors and a soft wuff from Lily. Lancelot can be heard gently shushing her, trying to edge her back from the door -- then he opens it and blinks out at Arthur. He looks tired, shadows under his eyes that aren't normally there and hair a little ruffled in a way that isn't just heat and humidity. He also looks faintly surprised to see Arthur.

"Hi," he says softly, adjusting his grip on Lily who wags at him. Hello, Arthur! Hello! She has seen you before. "Is something wrong?"

Maybe he needs help with something? Lancelot may have technically taken a day off but if something serious has happened he'd help nonetheless.

[specifiercity]

For some reason Arthur didn't anticipate Lancelot looking this way. "No, it--" he starts, and the thought dies and he shakes his head. Wow, he is awful. But the information.

But seriously, he's the worst, he should give Lancelot some space.

"If this is a bad time I can go."

[knightscode]

"No, no it's fine. Please -- do you want to come in?"

He takes a step back and ushers Lily aside a little, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Arthur obviously came here for a reason, after all, even if he's having second thoughts. Whatever it is he imagines it's important if he came to Lancelot's house.

[specifiercity]

"Just for a little while," he says, shaking his head dismissively. He steps inside so Lancelot can close the door, and then he takes a deep, steadying breath. He may as well be up front so Lancelot can kick him straight out if he's not ready to talk.

"I came to ask about Harris."

ii

[akillersmile]

Kyle half-falls over the dog, catching himself easily enough and automatically reaching out to pet the thing. He's always liked dogs and the furball monstrosity before him is definitely no exception. Which is why he as easily waves off the man's apologies, crouching down to pet the dog with the presumption that only an American would have.

"Don't worry about it." The accent confirms his origins.

He looks up to Lancelot to offer the man a light smile then pauses, expression shifting to something vaguely pensive. "Wait, I think I know you. Lancelot, right? How do I know you? Were you running for the Council?"

[knightscode]

He blinks rapidly at that, tilts his head slightly as he tries to work out how to answer. It's a rather... forward thing to ask? No, forward is the wrong one, it is only that if Lancelot knew nothing of the Night Council and was simply a clueless person then Kyle would have an awkward hole to try and talk himself out of.

"No, no good lord no I didn't run. I'm a Guardian, perhaps you saw me with one of the candidates?"

[akillersmile]

Kyle is very good at talking himself out of things. It's why he intentionally only used the word Council, to fake a student council or knitters council or some other bullshit as needed. There were lots of councils in the world, but only one the relevant person would think of. Besides, he has a good memory for faces and names.

He snaps in acknowledgement, nodding sagely. "Yeah, that's it. That's how I know you." More nodding before he stops both that and petting the dog, rising to his feet and casually dusting some of the dog hair off his hands and shirts. "Are you like secret service for them?"

[knightscode]

Secret service? Lancelot thinks about thing, wrinkles his nose.

"I'm not so sure -- do the secret service do much in the way of investigating? Guardians help enforce the Council's laws as well as protecting its members when the need arises."

Lancelot doesn't really know enough about American law specifics to know if that is at all similar. It might be, it might not be. Although, he supposes the Secret Service may not be bound by magical legal threats.

(Unless they are).

[akillersmile]

"Sounds more like a police force," he corrects, both in his own mind and for the Brit. Which gives him pause of a different nature. Kyle frowns a little, with his own thoughts rather than at Lancelot specifically. The former soldier has heard rumors of Guardians before, but he's never met one and didn't really know what they do. To see one here..

"So if you guys enforce the laws, why are the vampires committing genocide?" It's asked with all the nonchalance of inquiring about his favorite food, not in an accusing manner.

i

[falsify]

It was quit the debate, whether or not to respond to Lancelot's messages. He certainly seems to be doing pretty badly, and if there's one thing Eames just can't be bothered with it's emotions.

Knowing now that he's a Guardian though. Kathryn might not have been so hasty in saying she didn't want a relationship if that knowledge had been on the table at the time, and though a precedent has been set, a friendship can be equally as lucrative. Which is why he eventually fires off a text apologising for the late reply and offering to come over.

When Kathryn arrives at his door a few hours later, it's with some chocolate biscuits (you know, the fancy ones. The best for sad whiners,) and two large hot chocolates she bought from the stand at the station. They're probably awful but it's the thought that counts.

[knightscode]

Lancelot is tired. He's tired, his arms hurt from hanging by his wrists, he has vampire bites in varying degrees of violence (some he struggled against more than others, he didn't want to rip anything open that would make him bleed to death.)

Lily, however, is not tired. She is happy he is home!

The sound of the door makes her give a short bark of alert, and her claws clack against hardwood floors as she rushes toward it. A moment later Lancelot opens the door, brightens after he catches sight of her. He's dressed down a little for comfort, faded t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up against the heat and loose tracksuit bottoms -- hair a little ruffled from where he keeps running fingers through it. There are shadows under his eyes, but he's genuinely pleased to see her. Part of him was quite sure she wouldn't answer, let alone turn up.

"Kathryn --oh! Thank you, you didn't have to, please let me --"

He reaches to take some of the hot chocolate off her and the biscuits, balances it awkward in his hands as he backs up and tries to encourage Lily to follow instead of blocking her in the entrance.

[falsify]

Good christ he looks hellish.

Kathryn tries to protest when he takes the things from her, but it's happened and she's left following him into the house, reaching down to give Lily a quick pet as a hello before she turns to look at Lancelot properly. He looks so tired and ragged, somehow it's entirely unexpected. Whatever he's been through must be the reason he wanted to see her, which... Well, it's kind of a shame, but she's here now. Waiting for him to close the door before she speaks.

"You look terrible." There's a lot of concern in her voice, and she frowns deeply, "what happened?"

[knightscode]

Ah, well, it's the obvious question. He hesitates a little in the act of taking the lid off one of the drinks, trying to decide how to word it.

"Raymond's friends," he answers finally, "decided to have a little fine. Faolan got me out."

There, not too many details but... enough to infer, he thinks. To fill in the blanks. He stirs one of the drinks, winces slightly at himself.

"Forgive me if I look a little off-putting."

Which probably ranks as one of the more ridiculous apologies he's made, but he thinks maybe he should have warned her. For all he knows she might have her own vampire related trauma and be terribly upset by the sight of him.

[falsify]

"Jesus, Lancelot." There's anger there, and it's not entirely hers. After the 'meeting' Eames had with him at the start of the month, there's a simmering rage at the mention of his name that it takes Kathryn a moment and a breath to bite back.

"Come on," she says, moving next to him to put a gentle hand on his back, try and guide him toward the living room, "let's sit down."