♠ | 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.

Comments

[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.