It had been an easy mission, easy enough that only Gaunt and Rawne had gone. They'd gotten to the bridge easily enough, placed the explosives, set the timers, and gotten away in plenty of time.
Then it began to rain. Hard, too, so hard they couldn't see anything but the rain in front of them. It soaked them instantly and chilled them to the bone. They were caught out on a plain, with no shelter to be found, until finally, they saw the silhouette of a house up ahead.
It was a farmhouse that had long been abandoned, but the roof was mostly intact, and the door opened after a brief struggle. Rawne closed the door after them and leaned against it, wet to the skin and panting with exertion.
Then it began to rain. Hard, too, so hard they couldn't see anything but the rain in front of them. It soaked them instantly and chilled them to the bone. They were caught out on a plain, with no shelter to be found, until finally, they saw the silhouette of a house up ahead.
It was a farmhouse that had long been abandoned, but the roof was mostly intact, and the door opened after a brief struggle. Rawne closed the door after them and leaned against it, wet to the skin and panting with exertion.
Rawne. I owe you an apology for vanishing. I assume you've heard the news?
The second night on the barge, Norton raps on the door to Rawne's quarters. Since their last conversation, he's found fresh clothes, cleaned up, tidied his hair, and no longer feels like a shipwrecked ragdoll. The aeroplane cargo hold he'd initially found himself in is now a small luxury flat and all in all, things are looking up for Norton Folgate.
He's feeling optimistic about tonight continuing his trend of good things happening for him, although he wonders if Rawne will pick up on hints or whether he'll have to actually physically fling himself at the man to get him to realize that Norton would like to have sex with him, please, and not just sleep chastely on an uncomfortable bunk.
He's feeling optimistic about tonight continuing his trend of good things happening for him, although he wonders if Rawne will pick up on hints or whether he'll have to actually physically fling himself at the man to get him to realize that Norton would like to have sex with him, please, and not just sleep chastely on an uncomfortable bunk.
Move everything related to the operation into the Brew itself. Nothing in your cabin, nothing in Lawrence’s cabin.
I’m dropping off the radar for a bit.
I’m dropping off the radar for a bit.
Haven't seen you around the past couple of days, my boy.
Let's have dinner.
Let's have dinner.
[Once Rawne is recovered from his death enough to be fit for company, Norton goes to visit him at his cabin, bringing a hot meat pasty, fresh fruit, and a pint of beer.]
I heard what happened. Not the details, just the general circumstances. I assume that hospital food being terrible is a universal constant, and that you may not be feeling up to the dining hall yet, so I've brought you something to get your strength up.
I heard what happened. Not the details, just the general circumstances. I assume that hospital food being terrible is a universal constant, and that you may not be feeling up to the dining hall yet, so I've brought you something to get your strength up.
My condolences about the run-in with the new guy. How you feeling? Lots of people gunning for you it seems.
[A few days in the infirmary, a few more days to pull himself together so he can appear in public with an appropriately breezy and vivacious demeanour. But once he's fit for company again he knocks on Rawne's door in the evening after supper. It's a surprise visit and he's dressed nicely for the occasion in dark red trousers paired with a black turtleneck and a black jacket. His pistol is discretely hidden in a shoulder holster under the jacket. He's not going anywhere without it anymore, even just to walk across the hallway.]
You've been so patient. I'm actually a little impressed.
This is fucking ridiculous the way they follow her. She deserves whatever's coming to her, honestly. They should just let it happen at this point.
This is fucking ridiculous the way they follow her. She deserves whatever's coming to her, honestly. They should just let it happen at this point.
Quentin sprints for the infirmary, and comes through the doors at a run. Apparently Rawne isn't hurt, but all the same, every internal alarm bell he has is sounding.
[Norton knocks on Rawne's door well after dinner, in the late evening, with one of the bottles of fine champagne he's gotten from his temporary wardens. Each month he asks for another bottle and other assorted luxury goods, partly as a test and partly because it's nice having them, so his champagne collection has become extensive.]
You don't know an inmate named 'Seed,' do you?
[Continued from here.]
[Tim smiles back, and it's more than a bit cheeky; but he certainly obeys the request, and lets his hands drag down Rawne's backside again - this time with a hint of nail dragging across the fabric as he does, just to see if it does anything for Rawne.]
[Tim smiles back, and it's more than a bit cheeky; but he certainly obeys the request, and lets his hands drag down Rawne's backside again - this time with a hint of nail dragging across the fabric as he does, just to see if it does anything for Rawne.]
Look, I just. Need to let you know. I'm not going to be able to do... this with Norton anymore. The three of us.
[He's trying so hard not to be terse about it. It's literally got nothing to do with Rawne.]
I don't hate him, and I certainly haven't lost anything in you, I just- can't sleep with someone I can't trust. And I'm not going to ask you to-- to pick a side or anything. [With blatant derision at the frankly childish concept.] This is just something I have to do for my own well-being.
[He's trying so hard not to be terse about it. It's literally got nothing to do with Rawne.]
I don't hate him, and I certainly haven't lost anything in you, I just- can't sleep with someone I can't trust. And I'm not going to ask you to-- to pick a side or anything. [With blatant derision at the frankly childish concept.] This is just something I have to do for my own well-being.
I know I was a little...weird when we met.
Can I get you an apology drink, or something?
Can I get you an apology drink, or something?
Hello, my name is John Mandrake, I believe you’re my warden for the month?
I apologize for not contacting you sooner.
I apologize for not contacting you sooner.
[They lie on their bed, the communicator on their chest. The Barge is silent for the first time since they tested their powers here.]
I guess I should have expected that.
Edited 2023-05-15 19:01 (UTC)
If this isn’t okay, PM me and I’ll happily edit or delete!
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chaos_drifter
2023-06-06 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Continued from here.]
Avalon shows up at Rawne’s door about ten minutes later. When he lets them in, they act on impulse. They reach their hand up behind his head, their bracelet pressing into the back of his neck. Slowly, they press their lips to his. If this, whatever this is, is the reason that they lost a bead, they want to understand it.
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