inbox.

[heorte]

Comments

[heirring]

Take— [She instantly imagines the semantics of crossing the Waking Sea in a narrow little cabin with herself and the mabari stuffed inside it. How all her things will be insulated with a fine bristle of dog's hair.]

That's very thoughtful. Only I would hardly know how to mind him.

[heorte]

He's a mabari. He'll mind himself.

[heirring]

[It's very annoying, for the record. To imagine yourself as a cosmopolitan young lady off on her first solo adventure, only to find oneself abruptly required to take company. Particularly when she can hardly refuse what he's asking. It is a very thoughtful offer. The dog must mean very much to him.]

Well. [WELL.] Yes, suppose I might. If you think he won't be too unhappy about the whole arrangement. And knowing that Derangér will be very cross with me.

[heorte]

I can see to Derangér in your absence. If you'll permit me.

[heirring]

I've brought in a maid to mind the house and all it's various things while I'm away—Bronagh. But if it wouldn't be a terrible imposition to sometimes look in on them, I would be appreciative. I've said something similar to de Foncé, but I imagine him likely to forget more than he doesn't.

[Ugh, fine!]

Very well. I'll take your Ruadh along. But I can promise him nothing more exciting than long hours in a workshop.

[heorte]

I'll be minding the chickens, and I assume the goat. It's no trouble to look in on your dog as well.

[ so many animals. ]

As long as you feed Ruadh at the end of the day, he'll manage just fine. I'll give you some coin for it.

[heirring]

Oh not to worry. I've a stipend. Only write down what he prefers to have and I'll see to it.

[Bronagh has strict instructions to see after the goat and the chickens and the dog and not to rearrange any of the furniture. But there can be little harm in doubling up on any of it.]

But more than minding Derangér, there's something else you might do for me should you have the time.

[heorte]

[ There will be a list, very short. Ruadh is no more particular than Ellis. Meaning right now, Ellis' only response is: ]

What is it?

[heirring]

Are you friends with Mister Dickerson?

[Is not yet an answer.]

[heorte]

[ Unexpected. ]

Is the favor for him?

[heirring]

No, it's for me. I only wish to know the manner of your association as it will help me to measure the exact level of imposition I'm putting upon you.

[heorte]

We are on good terms.

[ Usually. ]

[heirring]

Damn, [has the tenor of snapped fingers. Shoot.] I was hoping for some secret well of affection.

Well, I will ask all the same and if you find some way of achieving the same effect with an alternate then I wish you all the best. I'm leaving him with a great deal of our work, you see, and he has just taken on his new position and I think it very likely that Mister Dickerson will use that as an excuse to—you shouldn't say this to him. He'll be cross with me if he knew I said anything to anyone. —That he'll use it as an excuse to shut himself up in the Felandaris office or in the clinic for weeks on end, and I think the effect would be very poor on him. It would be good for his temperament, I think. Were someone to occasionally pry him out to be in the company of something other than paperwork and elven artifacts and the business of stocking the infirmary and so on.

I think he's lonely, and I would make some effort to alleviate it myself but I've run out of time. And I know he wishes to be your friend. But if that isn't what you wish then perhaps you might only do me the favor of encouraging someone else to engage him.

[heorte]

[ in fairness, when has Ellis ever copped to any existing wells of affection? ]

Does he know you're asking this?

[heirring]

Of course not.

https://c.tenor.com/K-42A3iBEu8AAAAC/film-filmproduction.gif

[heorte]

He might not appreciate it. You assigning me to the task.

[heirring]

Which is why he mustn't be told.

[heorte]

[ A pause. ]

I'm not sure he'd thank you for asking. But alright. I will try to do this for you.

[heirring]

Thank you. I think it would be to his benefit, regardless of how he might dislike me asking. —But as I said, you needn't feel personally obligated. You might conspire with someone else such as a friend among your division or Warden Adrasteia.

[heorte]

I'll manage it, Wysteria.

[ All other complications aside, conspiracy is not one of Ellis' gifts. ]

Will you write?

[heirring]

I thought we might correspond more naturally by crystal. Letters will hardly have time to reach you before I'm due to return.

[But now that he's raised the idea—]

But actually yes, I believe I will. I enjoy writing you and usually find writing things down the best way to remember them. —Oh! [she laughs suddenly, clearly amused by the thought she's had:] Tell me, what would you like these letters to contain? That will be very like a souvenir, since you have no other requests.

[heorte]

You'd like me to tell you what to put in your letters? Am I to ask for something other than your thoughts on the proceedings there?

[heirring]

That is the general idea, yes. Unless that's all you wish to read of.

[heorte]

Yes, that's all I wish to read of. Write it down the way you'd tell it to me if I were there.

[heirring]

What if it's very dull?