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[lastrat]

[There aren't many who would bother to know the travels of one explorer, even if he fancies himself a little more important than he really is. There aren't many who would know that he was gone months longer than he was meant to, or that half his expedition returned empty handed weeks ago, claiming that the other half was dead, and Bond with them. They called him mad, and some of them were shocked to make it home alive at all, but there was admiration in some others, even when they spoke of his undoubted insanity.

Of course, James doesn't know about any of that, so when his video feed clicks on, he's looking as arrogant and cocksure as ever. The fact that there's a bandaged wrapped around his head, only half hidden by a hat meant for colder weather than Oxford is experiencing, doesn't seem to bother him - that or the makeshift sling his right arm is in.]

You heard north for a few months, and somehow you forget how damnably crowded streets here can get. I don't suppose anyone would care to treat a poor explorer to a very fine drink? [Anything to put off settling back in at the College; he's not a man for being closed in anymore.

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[lastrat]

[In perfect contrast, Shylah's tail waves in enthusiasm, and her panting looks perfectly like a smile when she spots them approaching.] Look who's come, [she says to James, maybe a touch smugly. James, for his part, smirks when he sees her - until she speaks, then it's definitely confusion crossing his features.] Publicity stunt, [he repeats, wondering.] Honestly Vesper, [he's never bothered to call her Ms. Lynd, it doens't bother her nearly enough,] do you really take me for the sort of man to result to publicity stunts? [Shylah tries to nose at Easter, just a touch invasive and a bit affectionate.] What does she mean, death? [James couldn't agree more.] That's a good question.

[bitteraftertaste]

[Easter almost immediately scoots away from Shylah and doesn't say anything in response to the other daemon, ears flat against his skull and teeth all but bared in a snarl, even though there's a part of him that wants to rub against her. He slinks back to stand close to Vesper instead, pressing himself against her calf. It probably makes them look vulnerable, but she doesn't seem to notice and just keeps glaring.] It's been months, James. What were we supposed to think happened to you? Especially when people come back saying you've been killed doing something outrageously stupid? [Easter winds himself around her ankles and stops again as she lets out a sort of incredulous huff of laughter, brow still furrowed with frustration.] I don't know why I'm surprised. It's not like you've ever bothered to consider how you might be affecting other people when you run off into something.

[lastrat]

[She lets him retreat, but she does slap her front paws down in front of her, leaning forward, her tail high and wagging. It's a game, at least a little, to see how far he'll retreat before just fessing up. It's the same game James plays. Shylah scolds him for it, loftily ignoring the blatant hypocrisy. She circles around Vesper and Easter, coming to a stop on her other side, still amused. James, for his part, looks momentarily affronted - then just a touch flabbergasted.] Those idiots thought I was dead? [The bandages don't really make them look like idiots, but still he huffs, practically outraged.] That's absurd. One little avalanche, honestly...

[bitteraftertaste]

One little avalanche? [It's evidently done nothing to endear him to her, because she's really angry looking now, and while her voice is angry, acidic and biting, but not shouting. Easter's reaction is really the signal of how angry they really are, as he outright growls for a moment, staying crouched and close to the ground next to Vesper.] Are you even listening to yourself? You have got to be the single most stupid man I've ever had the misfortune of knowing. I almost wish it had killed you. It would have saved all of us a lot of grief in the future. [That's taking it too far, and they both know it. Easter - and Vesper can't help but somewhat immaturely think of him as a traitor for a moment - immediately pads over to Shylah and sort of shyly butts his head against her side.] She doesn't mean it.

[lastrat]

[Shylah's ears prick when Easter talks - it's the most she's heard out of him in, well, ever - and when he butts her side she turns to nose at his, whuffling at his ears before risking a lick.] He knows, [she tells him, and sits with a knowing look. James's surprise is already fading, that cocksure expression returning quickly.] Speaking of grief, [he starts, taking a step toward her and, like Shylah, taking a risk by reaching out for one of her hands,] With all this nonsense talk of my death, did you grieve for me?

[bitteraftertaste]

[Easter doesn't retreat again, even though he looks like he's not entirely sure how he feels about being licked. He does, however, rub against her again, not purring just yet, but taking a moment to indulge a little in the contact, considering they hadn't been sure the opportunity would ever have arisen again. But from the look of it, Vesper isn't budging. She's still scowling at him, and she's very tempted to pull her hand away, retrieve her daemon and walk away. She's angry with herself for coming here in the first place. But she doesn't. She hates herself a little, but a thrill runs through her quickly with the contact, and she lets him hold on.] Why would I have done something like that?

[lastrat]

[Shylah is perfectly happy to let him - and to let James muddle through, though she is more than willing to bite him if he starts to fuck things up. She'd rather stay with them than watch Easter and Vesper go.] Careful, [she mutters at him, but Bond doesn't even glance at her. His smile is all for Vesper. He wants to hold both her hands, but with the sling, he makes do.] Because you care, [he points out, taking another step closer, very much in her personal space.] And it's about time, too. I was starting to worry you'd never come around.

[bitteraftertaste]

[And - probably much to everyone's surprise - she doesn't take an immediate step back. Her heart is beating rapidly in her chest, and Easter just watches them both. There's no use trying to give advice, or say anything else, really. He's already settled himself next to Shylah, and he might - you'll need to strain to hear it - be purring a little.] Did you?

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[Everyone's surprise. It makes Bond's smile widen, and he runs his thumb over the back of her hand.] If I didn't know better, I'd start to think you liked me. [He's already leaning toward her, moving in for a kiss and prolonging it. Shylah, at least, can hear the purring, and is all too happy to lay down curled around Easter.]

[bitteraftertaste]

What would make you think that? [Her voice is quiet when she says it, almost whispered, and while she doesn't move away, she holds out for long enough that it probably seems like she's not going to lean in and just kiss him already, which is more or less what Easter's thinking, because he's tired of this charade. He doesn't want to get hurt, either, but they've been pretending for a very, very long time, and he's missed having someone to lean against, and he knows she does, too. So she does lean in eventually, and it's almost casual, like this isn't a big deal at all.]

[lastrat]

[Easter's not the only one thinking it, so when Vesper leans in, James wastes no time in catching her lips in a kiss. It's all very flattering, really; she missed him. She was afraid for him. She wanted him to come back. Very flattering.] I've been waiting to do that for years, you know.

[bitteraftertaste]

You made that perfectly clear the day we met. [And she had hated him at first, because he'd just been so arrogant and annoying and presumptuous, but somehow that and their rivalry had turned into something else, as much as she wanted to pretend it hadn't. She'd been able to ignore it until she'd heard what happened, and then there wasn't any lying to herself anymore. She doesn't want to say that she loves him. But she does care. Easter nuzzles at Shylah again, still purring. Vesper hasn't let go of his hand.] Just so we're clear, next time you pull a stunt like this, I'm going to come hunt you down myself.

[lastrat]

You would send the armored bears themselves running in terror. [He flashes a smile - because that's right, he was studying the bears and it was totally awesome - and glances toward Shylah and Easter. His daemon must be thrilled, he knows; she's been teasing for Easter's attention almost as he has for Vesper's.] I'm honestly affronted you think it was a stunt, you know.

[bitteraftertaste]

What was I supposed to think? Most people aren't so casual when they wander back into town after being missing and presumed dead for weeks. [And she had grieved, even though she doesn't want to admit it to him. She had realized how much she would miss having him to compete with, because he pushed at her and made her eager to outdo him and their other colleagues to prove that she was better than them. It makes her reluctant to part ways with him, and it's obvious her daemon isn't planning on going anywhere without them any time soon.] Where are you staying? [Did they sell your flat. :|]

[lastrat]

Haven't I proven time and again that I'm proof against death? [It's arrogance, but it's teasing, too - and it's a cover. He's angry about being left, and he intends to deal with those responsible when he's settled.] I'll be heading to the college, first. They'll have rooms for me. [...Because he has no idea what the state of his flat is right now, okay. :|]

[bitteraftertaste]

Do you mind company? [It's forward, but at this point, she doesn't really care. Not that she's ever cared much for convention, and it's not as if she's straight up propositioning him, but it's not as if she was going to just walk away and leave him there after thinking he was dead for so long.]

[lastrat]

[He smiles at her offer; shrinking violets rarely draw his attention, and she's never been particularly shy. She's never been very forward, either, but he can't say he dislikes it. At all. So he takes her hand and sweeps her a bow, even though it makes his arm twinge and Shylah rumble.] I'd be honored. [When he straightens, he offers her his good arm.]

[bitteraftertaste]

[She rolls her eyes a little at the bow, but slides her arm through his and stays close and it... doesn't feel bad. It's still a little difficult to believe she had a chance to do it at all. Easter, similarly, seems reluctant to leave Shylah's side, and walks alongside her as they start heading back to the college.] How's your arm?

[lastrat]

[Shylah trots along but she's never far from Easter, her tail wagging happily at the closeness. James grimaces just a little, and hides it quickly, because he doesn't want her to know how bad it was.]

It's been better, [he admits, and shrugs.] And worse. So I suppose I can't complain.

[Shylah's not letting him off that easy.] He's not going to be able to shave that horrible beard off.

[bitteraftertaste]

We could help. [The suggestion comes - probably to everyone's surprise - from Easter, not Vesper, who doesn't bother to look up at the humans or glance over at Shylah before saying it. He just keeps walking, like it's a totally normal thing to say. Vesper just lets out a quiet, almost embarrassed snort of laughter before glancing over at Bond.] We could.

[lastrat]

[A smug smile flashes across his face as he glances down at Easter. Shylah bumps her head affectionately against his side, and Bond glances sidelong at Vesper.]

And here I thought it was rather fetching. [No.]

[bitteraftertaste]

I suppose you could be worse, [She says dryly, but she squeezes his arm affectionately.]

But considering I've spent the last few months thinking you were dead, I wouldn't be surprised if my judgment's just a little clouded.

[lastrat]

It does tickle me to think you missed me, you know.

[bitteraftertaste]

You've grown on me. Like mold.

[lastrat]

Now that's just cruel, Ms. Lynd. You could at least call me a handsome mold.