Jonathan Strange (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kingsroads) wrote2023-10-10 11:28 am
kingsroads) wrote2023-10-10 11:28 am
tlv ic contact
[ there is absolutely no personalized voicemail here. Go bug this asshole in person! ]
[ Fortunately, none of the books were dangerous, Strange is just a fuckin' nerd. Still, Una gets a message back with, ]
Thank you for the books!
[ and look! It's actually recorded halfway decently! ]
Thank you for the books!
[ and look! It's actually recorded halfway decently! ]
[Well. Not bad.]
You're welcome. I hope they've got what you need.
Eventually you'll get a full time warden who can handle that sort of thing, but I'm happy to help with books regardless.
[ oh the irony ]
Until I obtain that full time warden, I'm perfectly fine relying on your good graces.
Well. Will you look at that.
I have your file, Mr. Strange. We can review it together, or I can read it first on my own—either blind or with any caveats you choose to give me. It's your choice.
[ Strange is already planning to cause trouble later today and REALLY DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW. So that being said, ]
I don't mind if you read it first. Honestly, I've no idea what it would entail, so I don't know what caveats I should give in the first place!
I don't mind if you read it first. Honestly, I've no idea what it would entail, so I don't know what caveats I should give in the first place!
[Oh boy. Una can already tell she's in for a ride.]
All right. I'll have a look in and we'll set up a time to meet later.
Of course. I'll make sure to keep my schedule open.
[ About 24 hours into the Sabre Shitshow: ]
Strange. Are you all right?
[ Strange just laughs, trying very hard to hide a fit of giggles before it turns into more of a strain of maniacal laughter.
Nope. Not alright in the slightest. Someone's a bit mad at the moment! ]
Nope. Not alright in the slightest. Someone's a bit mad at the moment! ]
[ Oh no. ]
Strange, you've ... this thing that's going on, it's got you too.
Oh, obviously! After all, this is madness. And you've read my file, jailer. You know how I know this.
The tincture, yes, I— ow.
[ She breaks off suddenly with a yelp of pain, and then there's a silence long enough that it sounds like she might have hung up. Then, clearly very dismayed: ]
Oh sod.
Edited 2023-10-21 04:18 (UTC)
[ Strange barely hides some giggles before continuing with, ]
You don't have the madness. You have something else, don't you? [ And in a sing-song voice, ] If you give me my magic back, I can try to fix it~
You don't have the madness. You have something else, don't you? [ And in a sing-song voice, ] If you give me my magic back, I can try to fix it~
[ There's a nasty cough on the other end of the line. ]
And I'm sure there's a lot else you'd do besides ... Strange, I'd come help you, but there's ...
There's blood.
You say that, but you wouldn't. You wouldn't come to help and there's nothing you could do even if you did.
[ There's no response ... but about fifteen minutes later Una shows up. She looks awful. Pale and feverish, and there are smudges on her face that are definitely from blood. She's got a bloodstained handkerchief in her hand. ]
Hello, Strange.
[ Strange is just...staring off into space, looking at things only he can see. When he hears Una's voice, he turns to look at her. There's a frown on his face as he looks her over.
He honestly didn't think she would come. Henry came when he was mad. But the rest of them, Byron and Drawlight and the rest, only came for information. Why would now be different? ]
I meant what I said, [ he points out, with a little shrug. ] There's nothing you can do. I know precisely what this is.
He honestly didn't think she would come. Henry came when he was mad. But the rest of them, Byron and Drawlight and the rest, only came for information. Why would now be different? ]
I meant what I said, [ he points out, with a little shrug. ] There's nothing you can do. I know precisely what this is.
[ She has to mean against the door to stay upright. ]
What is it?
Madness. Whatever this is, it has brought back my madness. I know exactly what has happened, though I do not know why.
And does this madness show you things, as it did in your world?
[ She's feeling badly lightheaded and really thinking she should have stayed in her room, and for a moment she's not sure if she actually asked the question or merely thought it. ]
It would be a poor madness if it didn't, [ he points out. There's a moment as he looks Una over before, ]
Go back to your room, jailer. At the moment, you're only held together by string, a puppet barely making her paces. You're no use to me if you collapse.
Go back to your room, jailer. At the moment, you're only held together by string, a puppet barely making her paces. You're no use to me if you collapse.
Funny thing about that, Strange. I'm always—
[ She coughs, and her handkerchief comes away bloody. ]
Sod. All right, I'm clearing out. No good to anyone here. But once this is over, you're free to go. For now ...
[ A gesture around the current zoo. ]
You really are safer here.
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