Stephen Vincent Strange (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thewarningafter) wrote2016-12-02 02:06 pm
thewarningafter) wrote2016-12-02 02:06 pm
Entry tags:
IC inbox for Snowblind
You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.
You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.
[That gets a laugh out of Rhys, who's looking pretty relaxed for the moment if a bit uncertain.]
Nah, nothing like that. I mean, I guess if I was going to, I would make a show of it but...nah.
[He holds his hands out in front of him, indicating they're empty and he's helpless, before he reaches into his pocket for a small cloth-wrapped bundle.]
I keep my promises, though. I know it's pretty much over, but I still wanted to deliver like I said I would. These are for you, sorry it took me a few days to get them together.
Nah, nothing like that. I mean, I guess if I was going to, I would make a show of it but...nah.
[He holds his hands out in front of him, indicating they're empty and he's helpless, before he reaches into his pocket for a small cloth-wrapped bundle.]
I keep my promises, though. I know it's pretty much over, but I still wanted to deliver like I said I would. These are for you, sorry it took me a few days to get them together.
You don't strike me as someone who'd work for Mycroft Holmes anyhow.
[See, it's funny because Mycroft really did plot to evict Stephen's soul from his body that one time. Stephen's smile fades, though--it seems he's getting a present, and he remembers now what that was about.]
...Something for counting, right?
[It's still mortifying that so many people know about his affliction.]
[See, it's funny because Mycroft really did plot to evict Stephen's soul from his body that one time. Stephen's smile fades, though--it seems he's getting a present, and he remembers now what that was about.]
...Something for counting, right?
[It's still mortifying that so many people know about his affliction.]
More like we didn't see eye to eye on his medical qualifications.
Or lack thereof.
Or lack thereof.
Yeah, there are a lot of reasons why I wouldn't work for Mycroft. I'd rather pound my hand flat with a mallet. Nothing personal against the guy.
[Rhys is much better as an independent contractor. He hands over the bundle, with a small smile.]
Hopefully the MN poisoning is easing up so you don't need it quite as much, but it's something to keep your mind on, for whatever.
[Inside the wrapped bundle is a bracelet, strung with about a dozen beads that move freely on the cord. It's been pieced together ffrom other pieces of Rhys's jewelry, and it looks fairly securely made if a bit mismatched.]
[Rhys is much better as an independent contractor. He hands over the bundle, with a small smile.]
Hopefully the MN poisoning is easing up so you don't need it quite as much, but it's something to keep your mind on, for whatever.
[Inside the wrapped bundle is a bracelet, strung with about a dozen beads that move freely on the cord. It's been pieced together ffrom other pieces of Rhys's jewelry, and it looks fairly securely made if a bit mismatched.]
[Stephen winces involuntarily at the mention of pounding one's hand flat. He cradles the bundle in one palm and picks it open with the other hand, careful because he doesn't know that the beads he can feel moving around are all attached until he finishes and actually sees them.]
It's....
[It's not quite what he needs, but it's something that could scratch the itch without the risk of losing real pills because he keeps opening the bottles to get at them.]
Thank you. This must have been hard to come by.
It's....
[It's not quite what he needs, but it's something that could scratch the itch without the risk of losing real pills because he keeps opening the bottles to get at them.]
Thank you. This must have been hard to come by.
Ah.
Yeah, you're both kind of sensitive about that. [ Probably a little harsh, but it's the truth as far as Gabriel sees it. ] But it doesn't matter now, does it? Not really.
[ He's quiet for a moment before he continues. He's not sure how to approach this. But if ever there was a time to bring it up, it's now. He doesn't look at the camera as he speaks. ]
Rhys and I, we're close. Obviously not right now, but- we've been holding each other up. We understand each other. And I can't be there for him, and it's kind of ripping me up inside.
Yeah, you're both kind of sensitive about that. [ Probably a little harsh, but it's the truth as far as Gabriel sees it. ] But it doesn't matter now, does it? Not really.
[ He's quiet for a moment before he continues. He's not sure how to approach this. But if ever there was a time to bring it up, it's now. He doesn't look at the camera as he speaks. ]
Rhys and I, we're close. Obviously not right now, but- we've been holding each other up. We understand each other. And I can't be there for him, and it's kind of ripping me up inside.
[Rhys laughs quietly.]
Yeah, I sacrificed a little jewelry for it, but it's cool. I figured I can always get more bracelets, but this helps you right now. So, you know. Every little bit.
[It's not perfect, but he tried.]
Yeah, I sacrificed a little jewelry for it, but it's cool. I figured I can always get more bracelets, but this helps you right now. So, you know. Every little bit.
[It's not perfect, but he tried.]
[It kind of does matter, Gabriel; Stephen is a neurosurgeon and Rhys is...very much not. He doesn't say it out loud, but the look on Stephen's face no doubt speaks volumes.
His expression unfolds into something like disbelief. A flash of jealousy, maybe, before it finally shifts into understanding.]
You never told me.
His expression unfolds into something like disbelief. A flash of jealousy, maybe, before it finally shifts into understanding.]
You never told me.
[Can he get more bracelets, though? The town is dying around them. Even things like beads are becoming scarce.]
Why?
[He turns his eyes to meet Rhys's, looking troubled.]
Why would you go to this much trouble for me? Give me your jewelry?
Why?
[He turns his eyes to meet Rhys's, looking troubled.]
Why would you go to this much trouble for me? Give me your jewelry?
[Rhys considers for a moment, tail lashing in thought.]
Because they might do you some good, and even though I don't always like you, you generally seem to try and do your best for the people here...that means a lot. To me, they're just bracelets, with my magic gone. They can actually do you some good.
Because they might do you some good, and even though I don't always like you, you generally seem to try and do your best for the people here...that means a lot. To me, they're just bracelets, with my magic gone. They can actually do you some good.
[ Gabriel narrows his eyes slightly, but doesn't comment on the look Stephen's giving him. He'd rather not have that sort of thing out. It's not worth it.
He instead gives Stephen some time to react to all of that, and then stares down at his hands. ]
I never told anyone. I'm still not sure what there is to tell. He's not fully human, not usually. And I was helping him understand that, and he was helping me figure my own self out. But I-
[ Tears start to gloss over his eyes. He doesn't let them fall. ]
I don't know when it happened, but it's more than that now. Too late to really analyze it, honestly. I just- don't want either of you to have to be alone, right now.
He instead gives Stephen some time to react to all of that, and then stares down at his hands. ]
I never told anyone. I'm still not sure what there is to tell. He's not fully human, not usually. And I was helping him understand that, and he was helping me figure my own self out. But I-
[ Tears start to gloss over his eyes. He doesn't let them fall. ]
I don't know when it happened, but it's more than that now. Too late to really analyze it, honestly. I just- don't want either of you to have to be alone, right now.
[It's oddly reassuring, in a way, to be told that Rhys doesn't always like him. That's what he expects from the man, not this.]
...Thank you.
...Thank you.
[Rhys isn't always reliable, or pleasant, or any of a lot of things, but in general, he can be relied on to be both honest, and practical. It's just taken him some time to get around to knowing exactly how he feels about Stephen.]
No problem. Good karma, you know? Anyway, they should be pretty sturdy, just don't try hanging from them or anything.
And don't make your cloak jealous.
No problem. Good karma, you know? Anyway, they should be pretty sturdy, just don't try hanging from them or anything.
And don't make your cloak jealous.
We won't be.
[However he feels about Rhys--however confused his feelings about Rhys at this point--he can do this for Gabriel. Let him die, let them all die knowing that at least they weren't alone.]
I'll...look after him.
[Whatever that means. However welcome or unwelcome it is.]
[However he feels about Rhys--however confused his feelings about Rhys at this point--he can do this for Gabriel. Let him die, let them all die knowing that at least they weren't alone.]
I'll...look after him.
[Whatever that means. However welcome or unwelcome it is.]
Thank you.
[ It doesn't feel like enough, to say that, but it's what he's got. Ever since Hiro had him do that favor and compensated him by informing him he dies alone, unmourned, it's been stuck in his mind. He hadn't believed it at first- now, he's just happy he might beat the prophecy.
Especially now that he can't stand thinking about the same thing happening to his friends. ]
...I should get back in there, bang my head against some doors, see if there's anything we missed. But I... [ It almost feels like a last goodbye, leaving it at this. ] If you could use the distraction, we could talk while you walk. I always love hearing about your world's magic.
[ It doesn't feel like enough, to say that, but it's what he's got. Ever since Hiro had him do that favor and compensated him by informing him he dies alone, unmourned, it's been stuck in his mind. He hadn't believed it at first- now, he's just happy he might beat the prophecy.
Especially now that he can't stand thinking about the same thing happening to his friends. ]
...I should get back in there, bang my head against some doors, see if there's anything we missed. But I... [ It almost feels like a last goodbye, leaving it at this. ] If you could use the distraction, we could talk while you walk. I always love hearing about your world's magic.
[Stephen gives him a look.]
Going to warn me they're a choking hazard next?
[There's no venom in his bite, though.]
Going to warn me they're a choking hazard next?
[There's no venom in his bite, though.]
I always love talking about it.
[Himself. He likes talking about himself. And maybe now there'll be someone to remember him.]
I'll call you again when we're on the move. I can even let Rhys listen in.
[Himself. He likes talking about himself. And maybe now there'll be someone to remember him.]
I'll call you again when we're on the move. I can even let Rhys listen in.
Yeah.
[ His smile is genuine, even if he looks about halfway to crying. It's better than he'd been at the start of the call. The emotions are still here, at least. ]
I'd like that. I'll talk to you later, Stephen. Safe travels.
[ And with that, he reluctantly hangs up. ]
[ His smile is genuine, even if he looks about halfway to crying. It's better than he'd been at the start of the call. The emotions are still here, at least. ]
I'd like that. I'll talk to you later, Stephen. Safe travels.
[ And with that, he reluctantly hangs up. ]
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