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[Oh. It's going to be focused more on himself, is it. His excitement sobers, but he still smiles, if only a bit, for the chance to talk with Dorian.]

I've been better, honestly. As you might guess.

Is he suppressing you all the time?

Yes, to keep me from returning what he stole, I suppose.

[Which is wise on Hyde's part really, because he definitely would be doing just that.]

I would be taking that opportunity now, only I know it would be useless.

And any clever attempt you devise will be known by him before it starts.

I'm sorry, Henry. But I will get to him.

You needn't be sorry, at least not for me, perhaps to Paloma, but then, in either case it remains myself who should be sorry.

If there is any way you can help her at all, I would be eternally grateful.

Of course. I'm doing what I can.

Perhaps there's a difference worth marking, Henry. Have you ever wondered? Between what you think to do and what you really do. And if it isn't worth making a difference between a good thing done from kindness and one from vanity.

Doctor Henry Jekyll,

I hope to find you well as you read this missive. If I may, I would like to speak with you regarding a Certain Person whose acquaintance I have recently made. He bore your face, but while you walk in shadow, he revels in darkness.

If I might be permitted I would inquire after him. If you should see him in the meantime, please extend my warmest regards.

As surely I extend them unto you at this moment.

Be well,
▬ E.

Dear Lizzie,
I am well indeed, more well than I have been in quite some time, in fact, thank you.

Is that so? What a strange thing, and a strange man, although I think I might be able to pass along your regards, and they are well appreciated.

Your friend,
Mr. Edward Hyde

Sir Edward Hyde,

You are very bold to address me with such a sense of familiarity. I must beg you to desist, as that particular diminutive is only permitted to be used by my maternal parent and sisters. If you should think of another, I will welcome any requests you may field to me on the subject.

I am glad to find you well, however! I had thought the doctor might enlighten me further on your nature. May you do so, in his stead?

You may find I dwell more in darkness than you may believe.

Yours,
▬ E.

H.R.H. the Princess Elizabeth,
Please forgive my terribly late reply, the reason will be explained shortly. Please forgive my indolence in speaking to you of this matter all the more.

I would meet with you at the Station or some other convenient location at a moment's notice to explain.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Henry Jekyll

I think not.

[Yep, that's it, that's all. Sorry, Lizzie, he's just here to be a jerk right now . . .]

Doctor Henry Jekyll,

You are entirely forgiven for being thus tardy, though I must confess that I now find it utterly necessary to speak to you on this matter as soon as may be arranged.

I am extremely concerned for your welfare. I will meet you at the Station forthwith.

Your friend,
▬ E. R.

As I recall, before all else, you are English. And one of my subjects.

This is not a request. I am not a source of entertainment for you in some mummer's spectacle. I am your Queen.

Do as I ask. Or it shall be as I command, instead—and far less pleasant an experience for you, I promise you.

( This is the first time she has asserted her sovereignty anywhere. Congratulations, Hyde. You win the medal. )

I shall be there immediately.
H.J.

[And he does mean immediately. Luckily he already lives so close to the Station, and with his cleg to travel there, it's almost instantaneous. Which is exactly why he suggested the Station, hopefully it will take her a little longer, then he will have the time to think over the subject and gather courage. Perhaps even a copy of that infamous book, if he's feeling truly adventurous...or else doesn't want to explain it himself.

Spending the time waiting pacing inside, he practically jolts when Elizabeth enters, tense all over, but resigned. It's never an easy thing to explain. Still, where are his manners - he bows.]

Good day.

Before all else, I am myself. Yes, I was a resident of England, some four hundred years after your time.

And yet I would sooner break the back of the queen of my own era than bend the knee.

Warmest wishes.

The current Queen as you call her is German. And knowing what I do of my descendants from the seventeeth century onward, I have henceforth disowned them all. Denizens of the Holy Roman Empire have no place warming an English throne.

You may do with this Queen of yours as you like. But I am English, as you are. And if you wish to bend your knee, sir, would it be for more pleasant activities than severing my spine.

I expect honesty of my subjects, however. I would have it.

How good of you. And yet, it makes no difference whatsoever, as far as I'm concerned. As much as I would so enjoy more pleasant activities together.

I have been entirely honest with you thus far. The doctor will confirm it when he returns, I'm sure. Have some patience.

Does it not? They have mismanaged our nation horribly, and done a disservice to its people, and many far beyond their borders. I would not have any of my people liken me to them. Even yourself, sir.

If you would enjoy such activities, you need but say the word. I am fond of pleasant diversions. ( As was her father. )

How do you and the doctor coexist?

( She has been in Leathann of late, and so the travel time is cut down considerably by virtue of her not being in Dorchadas. With Llyr to take wing and carry her, she does not take overlong to arrive, especially as she employed the shipyard ring in the first place for the sake of ease.

Elizabeth is stiff with concern and from the many hours she has spent seated on horseback this past month, and curtsies to him in an automatic fashion which displays that fact plainly. However, her gaze is warm, as she reaches forward to take his hands in her own, squeezing them gently. )

Good afternoon, Doctor. God's own truth, but it is a relief to see you at last!

I simply possess an aversion to authority, which no argument will break. Just as I am always looking for pleasant diversions.

The only answer I will give is that we do. The matter is of no interest to me, besides which, he would be the better storyteller.

[Mostly because it will make Jekyll uncomfortable, and any chance for that is wonderful.]

[Now there's an intimate, kind gesture Jekyll wasn't expecting, and now feels all the worse for. He should have told her well before she came across his other half.

He dips his head.]

And you as well. I apologise for causing you to worry, but truly there is no need. I am perfectly all right.

...I think you may be right, only, what do you mean, exactly?

I tried to be good a long time ago. I was, oh, 29? Something like that. I'd gone into the countryside, wooed another pretty girl, could have had her if I wished it—but I decided not to. I would leave her as flowerlike as I had found her.

[A little bitterness in his voice? Perhaps.]

I told the tale to perhaps my most constant friend. Another Henry, as it happens. And he said, "I should think the novelty of the emotion must have given you a thrill of real pleasure."

[He becomes quiet.] Vanity, curiosity, hypocrisy. The core thought of my good deed. The portrait said as much.

Is that so terrible? If we only do what is good out of our moral weaknesses? I don't know if the hypocrisy makes it worse than what corruption we succumb to or if at least the effect of goodness has a worthiness to it, if not the cause.

If you truly are well, then you are entirely forgiven, Doctor. That is ever what is most important to me. You are of my land, my people; a friend, and a part of my home, whether it be here or in England.

( She quiets, voice lowering to a hushed whisper as she leans forward and meets his eyes. ) My loyalty will ever be first to those of my homeland, and those whom I come to care for here.

( Then, she leans back, her hands remaining where they are for the moment, to reassure him. )

Now, please. You may trust me implicitly in this matter, Doctor. As I do you.

There is a fine line between anarchy and tyranny, do you not think? Society necessitates structure to maintain its existence, else it will collapse. But on a personal level, you may be surprised to find that we are in agreement.

I obeyed my father's will because he was my King, and I adored him. I rebelled against my mother, and find myself glad more often that I should to be away from her meddling. Is that how you find the Doctor? Meddlesome.

( Really, she must wonder. Doctor Jekyll is by no means perfect, but he is far more a face of civility than this man she speaks with. )

I must wonder on that score, as you have quite the flare for dramatic word usage.

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