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[cagedinflesh]

lockets, compasses or action! or whatever else really

fun roulette, which personality will it be, you just can't know
unless you do know who you want, then say so

Comments

voice; evening of jan 17th

[depicted]

Henry, can I meet with you?

voice;

[cagedinflesh]

Of course. I can meet you at the Station immediately as I am there already!

voice—>action

[depicted]

I'll be there shortly.

[And Dorian means it. He wastes no time flying out to the ring on Íde. The moment he hits station ground, he lets her soar up into the clouds, or wander off to find a happy circle of buried flowers. It doesn't matter; he doesn't want to waste time. Dorian strides over to Jekyll's workshop.] Henry?

[cagedinflesh]

[Berserker's already made tea, two cups ready to be offered. And jam. If something's wrong, there should be tea and jam to help calm the situation. He greets Dorian with a warm smile, immediately laying aside his work.]

It's good to see you, Dorian.

[depicted]

[It is with purpose that Dorian strides over, ignoring Berserker's set-up—yes, even the jam—and taking hold of his hand in both of his. In the gesture, Dorian places a small stone, and a crystal, in Jekyll's hand.] Take these. If you come to harm in the coming days, then at least once, that stone will take the pain and break in your stead. If you need to speak with me discretely, use the crystal. It is only very basic; you will have to tap it in code, and mine will tremble in sympathy. I'll work on making something better for us. It is all I could manage for now.

[cagedinflesh]

Dorian- [All he can do is to stare for a moment, unable to express the way in which he is so deeply touched. Or the gnawing guilt. He should say that he can't be harmed, or at least, is incredibly unlikely to be, if the lack of injury the other day is any indication. Really he should be confessing to what he's done. And he does heavily consider it, wanting to shout that he has murdered and will again and so he is not the one who should be cared for. But he can't tell Dorian now, it would crush him, and he is too kind and sweet to be so disillusioned. Instead, Jekyll closes his fingers around the items, and places his other hand over Dorian's.]

This is far too kind, thank you...

[depicted]

I just don't want to lose you.

[Stronger than he has before, he squeezes Jekyll's hand.]

I must go back now. But please, stay in contact with me. I must know always that you are safe.

Oh, and one more thing. May I have some of your blood?

[cagedinflesh]

[Jekyll was about to say 'of course', but the last request gives him pause. Not because he'll deny it, but it's startling to be asked such a thing so plainly.]

My blood? What ever for?

[depicted]

For a spell. So that I can know if you are safe.

[What it isn't weird.]

[cagedinflesh]

[Any panic or worry for his duality somehow being discovered in his blood is washed away immediately by Dorian's pure sweetness and concern.]

Ah, I see! Would it be possible to have you repeat it in return, so I might know that you, too, are safe?

[depicted]

No! [Dorian yanks his hand back to his chest, clasps one wrist in a palm.] No, no, I—[He shakes his head quickly.] I don't know that I could endure the pain.

[cagedinflesh]

-Oh, of course! That's quite all right!

[It seems like a bit of an overreaction, but how could he ever think badly of Dorian at all.]

I shall trust that others will keep you safe. How much blood do you need?

[depicted]

[These Victorians need to distrust each other more.]

Only a drop will be enough, as long as it is preserved. I'll set the stone into a ring so that I will know immediately, should anything happen.

[cagedinflesh]

[No they're both perfectly trustworthy...]

Well then how shall I give it to you? A phial? Or have you the capability here and now to make the stone? If it is magic, I should very much like to see!

[depicted]

[A quick shake of his head.] A phial, if you would; I don't have the stone.

[cagedinflesh]

Then someday you must tell me of the magic you've learned, it's all very interesting!

[As he speaks, he finds a phial and a small knife, and removes a glove to prick his finger, and squeeze a few drops of blood out. Although after last time, he's sure to turn his back to Dorian for that part.]

[depicted]

I will, when we have more time and privacy. [He is grateful for Jekyll turning away; it gives him time to recover himself, and remember how to breathe again.]

[cagedinflesh]

[A moment later, he turns back again, having repositioned the glove, and offers up the sample.]

There you are. [A beat.] ...What will it tell you, exactly? Simply whether I am physically injured?

[And not, say, the pain caused by Hyde's push for dominance, or emotional distress. Or worse, any indication of transformation, especially into the beast.]

[depicted]

[He accepts the sample and tucks it away.] It will tell me if you are near to death, and guide me to you. Then I can take you away from harm.

[cagedinflesh]

[Jekyll places his hands on Dorian's upperarms after the exchange, and uses the movement for a moment to think.]

...It really should be offered the other way around. There is no cause to worry for me, Dorian, it is very difficult to harm me.

[But he's touched by the sign of friendship Dorian's worry shows, and so to return that gesture, his hands move from Dorian's arms to his back, to pull him into an embrace.]

Please stay safe.

[depicted]

[The embrace startles him for a moment, until he answers it back. And in all the tension of these past days, all the fear and uncertainty that will draw into the coming weeks, he finds himself answering with a tighter hold, with his face in Jekyll's shoulder and his breathing uneasy.]

I want to be.

[cagedinflesh]

[Likewise Dorian's reaction is a surprise, but he answers it easily enough. Holding tighter in turn, resting his cheek on Dorian's hair.]

If anything were to happen to you, I could never forgive myself for not being there for you.

[depicted]

[He appreciates the comfort, and he doesn't quite register the difference between it and the happiness he feels when Ratatosk holds him. He only thoughtlessly reacts, all instinct, to the warmth by holding on to it. By welcoming that feeling and indulging in it.]

I don't intend on seeking battle, I promise. But there are things I must protect.

[cagedinflesh]

Of course... I am certainly able to understand that. We all have people and things to protect, above all else, even our own lives - and hopefully not, yet perhaps at times it may be unavoidable, the lives of others.

For myself, you are among those people, Dorian. Surely the top two.

[depicted]

[Touched beyond being able to express it, Dorian can only translate it into something lighter.] 'Top two'? Is there someone I should be jealous of?