♠ | 018 | Video

[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]

[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.