ICRP Thread IV: Back to Business

Archive 33AR
#81

“I’m Esther.” She nodded at the sleeping baby in her arms. “This is Harriet. My daughter.” She couldn’t keep the note of pride out of her voice, but then, she thought, with everything Harriet had been through in her short life, she, her mother, damn well deserved to be proud for keeping her alive and (for the most part) safe for its duration.

She walked to the window and looks outside at the airship, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lewy. “All right- Though before you go, would you mind telling me if a woman with pink hair passed through since you arrived?”

#82

[quote=“siximpossiblethings”]“I’m Esther.” She nodded at the sleeping baby in her arms. “This is Harriet. My daughter.” She couldn’t keep the note of pride out of her voice, but then, she thought, with everything Harriet had been through in her short life, she, her mother, damn well deserved to be proud for keeping her alive and (for the most part) safe for its duration.

She walked to the window and looks outside at the airship, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lewy. “All right- Though before you go, would you mind telling me if a woman with pink hair passed through since you arrived?”[/quote]

“A pleasure Madame, Miss” A brief nod to both mother and small child alike “I’m afraid I haven’t seen anyone matching that description, my apologies. If you’ll excuse me, it really is best I report myself for duty.” Pick up the bottle, stuffing it into a bag “Oh, I ahhh, left a note for the proprieter, should the need arise.”

A very brief bow again, before walking out the door. He retraces his steps back in the direction of the ship looking for a most distinctive hat

#83

Jane was walking very calmly back towards the taverna in the perfectly safe camp on this comparatively safe island when she spotted the distinctive (and reassuring) red jacket of a Royal Mail Coach Guard. She couldn’t make out who it was, but they seemed to be heading towards the ship. If Lewy wasn’t in the taverna then he’d be walking back from the ship, and if the Guard didn’t mind company she could catch up on the latest gossip while being around someone who was a properly trained fighter. Jane altered her course to intercept.

#84

Seeing Jane walking towards him, the man hid a smile and kept a very straight face. Marching towards her, allowing little time for her to react, he came to an abrupt attention and saluted smartly.

“Ms. Jane O. Flowers. Coach Guard #13, reporting for duty at Hanover Camp, Isle of Skye as per request. My orders Ma’am.”

A sly grin begins to peak out as #13 extends a hand holding an envelope addressed to Jane, with the seal of the Royal Mail on it.

#85

Dahlia’s eyes peered over her book, an eyebrow slightly raised. Peering round the corner of the wall outside the Taverna, she could see what was unmistakeably Jane and someone new. Usually she would introduce herself and request a brief medical examination for all newcomers, but a quick once over told her all she needed to know. Homunculus.

Humans are her specialty, and despite the amount of Homunculi she has now encountered, she still felt she had no business to examine them due to their lack of well… living. Her vast chemical knowledge could only get her so far. Perhaps #74 could enlighten me on how they work a bit more in case the need arose for one of them to be… fixed? Was that even the right word? she pondered. Fixed, like a machine. Except they weren’t machines. Not entirely at least.

The young doctor realised she had been staring like this for a while at the man. He looked familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Hoping to avoid his attention, she slunk back behind her book of Edda and continued reading, trying to not eavesdrop as best she could.

As she turned the pages, a chunk of paper slipped out. More notes… she sighed to herself. Glancing at them briefly, she realised it was her handwriting from 10 years ago. Her face lit up and a huge grin spread across her face looking at it, scanning the pages from her 11-year old self.

#86

Jane blinks for a moment, stunned, and then her face breaks into a big welcoming smile “Number 13!” she continues with the traditional Royal Mail greeting “Good to see you alive!”

Her hat has been inexpertly altered since #13 last saw it. Ribbons had been threaded on, fabric butterflies and wilting fake flowers have all been added. Naturally none of it works with the hat, but, well, nothing could really work with the hat. “I haven’t seen you since London” she says, her smile faltering for a moment before fixing firmly back in place. A moment later his words, and the fact that the letter #13 is holding out is for her, sinks in. She takes the letter and glances over it. She blinks again. “They’re actually giving me backup here?” her voice sounds honestly surprised “They kept telling me I was perfectly safe here and I was paranoid.”

She glances around in case Master Biffin is nearby the adds in a low mutter “'I’m not.”

#87

Dorchester finally with service rifle still slung over his shoulder. he looks about the bar and sees Esther talking with a man in a red coat s she stands by the window. for a few seconds he just watches them seemingly making his mind up about something, “everythin’ alright Miss Esther?”

#88

[quote=“Oltanya”]Jane blinks for a moment, stunned, and then her face breaks into a big welcoming smile “Number 13!” she continues with the traditional Royal Mail greeting “Good to see you alive!”

Her hat has been inexpertly altered since #13 last saw it. Ribbons had been threaded on, fabric butterflies and wilting fake flowers have all been added. Naturally none of it works with the hat, but, well, nothing could really work with the hat. “I haven’t seen you since London” she says, her smile faltering for a moment before fixing firmly back in place. A moment later his words, and the fact that the letter #13 is holding out is for her, sinks in. She takes the letter and glances over it. She blinks again. “They’re actually giving me backup here?” her voice sounds honestly surprised “They kept telling me I was perfectly safe here and I was paranoid.”

She glances around in case Master Biffin is nearby the adds in a low mutter “'I’m not.”[/quote]

#13’s eyes and smile falter at the mention of London, both coming back to focus on Jane and her hat as she keeps talking.

“They asked for a volounteer, I was between teams again, and I thought it would be pleasant to see you again. I’d have, ahhh, been here sooner but I was delayed. Looks decidedly evasive. On the other hand, I’ve brought mail! They should have finished unloading it by now. Gestures towards the airboat’s crew Shall we? You can tell me how a Robin is meant to survive on her own without being paranoid.”

#89

[quote=“Wulfen (David)”] “everythin’ alright Miss Esther?”
[/quote]

“Just Esther will do,” she replied automatically. “I’ve been looking for Dahlia. You haven’t seen her by chance, have you?”

Gently kissing the sleeping infant on the cheek before returning her to her sling, Esther noticed the bottles and cups on the top of the bar in disarray. Automatically moving to tidy them, she added, “And yourself? How are you finding it here?”

#90

Jane smiles “Sounds good!” Jane starts walking towards the ship “I think they just believe Skye is safe. They keep sending me here without a coach guard, insisting it can not be worse than hell. Then demons attack” Jane looks glum. “At least I get to catch up with people I know, and I’m helping out with a lab project here, that’s fun.”

“What have you been up to? I mean i heard some of the more impressive stuff, but in general what have you been doing? Have you managed to save a demon yet?”

#91

A slight sad smile, yet one filled with determination

“Not as yet, but I keep trying. If I can get even ONE of them to repent I am sure amazing things will follow for all of the rest, and for ourselves! I feel I’ve been close a few times, but then they revert to form and attack those nearby and I am forced to end their suffering. As for everything else, well, I’ve been moving around a lot. Never quite enough Coach Guard to go around is the current excuse I’m using. Japan was exciting for a while. I felt like I was on the verge of recalling a distant memory in Europe, but then with the constant running battles there I lost track of everything. The America’s are stunning! You’ve never seen such beauty, the sunsets were spectacular. Why I swear, it was almost as awe inspiring as your hat!”

“Speaking of which, I understand congratulations are in order? Infernonaught! So the hat has finally revealed itself has it?” The latter part delivered in an almost wide eyed innocence, that could be believed if 13’s eyes weren’t sparkling with mischief.

#92

Jane looks mildly confused “Was the hat hiding something?” as asks and tilts her head back to try and look at it. The hat predictably falls down over her eyes. Giving up on trying to work out what he means she pushes the hat back gives and uncertain smile. “Well the infernonaught thing isn’t really a promotion, though they gave me one of those as well.” Jane pauses "The foods good.

“I liked Japan, but I’ve never been to America. I hear it’s mostly on fire there.” she looks thoughtful for a moment “You should talk to Zekabout your demon mission! Zek’s got this specialised holy water… he can’t actually make more at the moment cause a demon cut out his tongue, but you should still talk to him about it. I think it will help you.”

#93

Goes to place a comforting hand on Jane’s arm and swftly adjusts his fingers as if making a point, so as not to touch her.

“With your hat, one can never be too careful.” Smiles “Food? Hmmm, the bar staff are helpful? Give them that much. Hope no one minds the note”

“Fire is a fact of life now. Everywhere. You either accept that it’s there, that we need to fight it as well, or you let it drive you to despair. Having said that though, not all of the Americas burn. At least not all the parts I traveled. Mighty mountains, forests of so many colours you’d think a rainbow slept in them. God hasn’t forsaken them Jane, nor us.” He smiles encouragingly “So who is this Zek? Do you really think he can help?” a hope filled look*

#94

“Zek can help.” Jane says with some confidence. “And I meant the Infernonaught feasts are good. Basically they tell us ‘hey, your sanity is going to be gone soon, to compensate, here is the best food we have.’ The Royal Mail always feeds us well of course, but infernonaughts have a chef. I didn’t even know that cooking could be a profession, but apparently it is. Though the bar food is good too… what note?”

#95

Very badly attempting to look innocent

“I, ahhh, wasn’t sure how long it would be to track you down and report in. I have some other errands to run as well, and the mail as well if you happened to be out, so I thought it best to leave them an I.O.U for a bottle of whatever it was I took. Whoever is running the Company here should receive the bill in due course.”

Blatant attempt at topic changing

“Have I mentioned I brought you some personal correspondence?”

#96

Jane is easily distracted by the news of immanent mail “You did?” Jane looks pleased. “I like getting letters.” She frowns, considering something intently “You know… I just can’t see my hat hiding anything. August says it’s the most obvious thing in existence, and others have told me it’s pretty loud. I’ve never heard it make a noise though, but that’s just because Belinda keeps hiding the bells I collect to attach to it.”

#97

#13 looks close to falling over, trying not to laugh. Attempting to look solemn and concerned

“Honestly Jane? Never heard it once? For truth? Why, I find that hard to believe! You’re hat has spoken for you, and to those around you, for some time now. It fairly screams, it does! There are people in other countries who swear they have heard the seductive whispers of your hat, my friend. I must be honest though Jane, I can’t see bells raising it’s tone at all.”

#98

Jane looks confused for a moment, then comprehension dawns and she laughs. Then her head tilts to the side as she remembers something. “I know something that you would like. When I was first trapped in Hell a demon prince showed me the way out. He was distracted by beating up another demon at the time, but it was a small act of kindness that he didn’t have to do.”

#99

burst of intensity

“He did? Why? When? Is there a report I can read? Do you think we can replicate it? Maybe find him again? Did he talk to you? Say anything?”

#100

Jane frowned for a moment as she collected her thoughts and then began to explain.

The explanation became long and she realised she had a problem. Infernonaghts were known for being insane. Around the time the word “Atlantian” passed her lips she was forced to acknowledge that her explanation probably sounded a tad unhinged. She came to the end of her explanation and fixed her eyes on the ground on front of her resolutely, unable to meet #13’s eyes.