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[thewarningafter]

@beyonce

You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.

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@hexappeal, Audio 439

[sleight_of_fate]

Hey, Stephen. Come find me when everyone's settled down for the night. I've got something for you.

>action

[thewarningafter]

[Oh...kay...?

Stephen has a vague recollection that Rhys promised to give him something, but his expectations are not high when he seeks Rhys out.]

You know, when you phrase things that vaguely it makes it sound like someone put a hit out on me.

[sleight_of_fate]

[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.

[thewarningafter]

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.]

[sleight_of_fate]

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.]

[thewarningafter]

[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.

[sleight_of_fate]

[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.]

[thewarningafter]

[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?

[sleight_of_fate]

[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.

[thewarningafter]

[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.

[sleight_of_fate]

[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.

[thewarningafter]

[Stephen gives him a look.]

Going to warn me they're a choking hazard next?

[There's no venom in his bite, though.]