man I don't even know

[canceller]

[It's been less than 24 hours since he landed back here, and already Jeremiah's finding himself breathing easier. It's drier here, the winter colder, and he welcomes it, in spite of years in Area 11. The mainland will always be his home, after all.

Pendragon sometimes feels less so, and other times more. It still feels like fate brought him here, it just depends on how surreal that particular moment feels to him. Right now, all he can do is keep strolling about the grounds, gaze sweeping the gardens, the sprawling build of the place, the mountains in the distance.

It's good to be back.]

Comments

[canceller]

And what would that be?

[Sip.]

[explores]

Petition to prevent you from being sent away for half of forever again! Talk about boring. You don't deserve that long of a break away from us.

[ He means "me." ]

[canceller]

Are you sure you want to take that up with His Majesty?

[As if he isn't already familiar with Gino's flagrant disregard of propriety.]

[explores]

Are you kidding? I'll wave every signature in his face like a flag. He'll never be able to look away from such conclusive evidence that he has no business stationing you elsewhere for such an extended period, and it'll never happen again.

[ He'd clap his hands together if he weren't holding tea, so he settles instead for a very decisive nod. ]

[canceller]

Well it won't bode well for our togetherness if you have yourself removed from your position in the Rounds as a result of such insubordination. Make your decision wisely, Lord Weinberg.

[explores]

It'd be worth to get you the proper at-home time that you're due. I'd hang up my cape in the name of fairness!

[ Finishing off the rest of his warmish tea in one long sip. ]

Besides, who's to say we couldn't just engage in some clandestine courtyard meetings? If it came to that, the opportunity would be too poetic to pass up.

[canceller]

[Yeah, he's just laughing now.] How scandalous. Then again, perhaps I should have seen it coming that you'd be fond of such shenanigans better suited to romance novels than to real life.

[explores]

Hahaha. [ Sitting up a little straighter. ] Would you come to the balcony window to meet me if I stood outside and compared you to the sun and the moon-? Even if it's just to tell me to go home.

[canceller]

Don't push your luck. After all, I probably shouldn't associate with such scorned individuals. What would people think of me? [He places an offended hand over his chest to indicate.] What if I suffered the same fate as a result?

[explores]

Aw, you know I'd take you in. I'll start a home for unloved exiles and eventually we can secede and be our own independent country, where everybody is treated equally and receives animal-shaped pancakes for breakfast every day.

[canceller]

That's a very radical aspiration you have there, Weinberg. Careful, someone might mistake you for a double agent with such talk.

[explores]

Shhh!

[ Reaching up to touch a finger to his lips. ]

Don't say that kind of thing out loud, you'll give me away.

[canceller]

[The scandalized gasp Jeremiah emits isn't quite as dramatic when he can't make the full face to go with it, but he'l make do with widened eyes and raised brows. Of course, then he just snatches Gino's hand away (and doesn't let go of his wrist, mind you) but. Well.]

Traitor. I should have known.

[explores]

[ Gino might be a better actor ("might"), because he puts on a pretty convincingly plaintive face. It's like he's rehearsed that look before or something. ]

I thought you'd be on my side about this. You're not gonna turn me in, are you?

[canceller]

You've put me in a very difficult position, Gino. How cruel...

[He shakes his head, setting his cold cup of tea aside.]

I may have to think this one over. But know that even if I don't turn you in, you won't go unpunished.

[explores]

[ He feigns concern for his well-being, biting his lip—and then looks up again, twisting his wrist a little in Jeremiah's grasp. Not to get free of it, but rather to remind him he's still holding it. ]

Perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement. After all, I'm sure there's some dirty laundry of yours you wouldn't want getting out, too. I don't have much to lose, with exile hanging over my head, but you... well, I would think twice before I make my next move, if I were you.

[canceller]

You must think yourself a very reputable source to make such statements as those.

[Yeah, he's not letting go any time soon. In fact, he only uses it to draw Gino closer.]

[explores]

[ Oh, he doesn't back down. He leans forward in a very matter-of-fact way. ]

Maybe not. But I do have evidence to support my case.

[canceller]

Do you.

[What do you mean, interested? Stop reading into the tone of his voice so much, gosh.]

[explores]

Lots. And given how distinctive Your Lordship is, I don't think there would be any mistaking you, no matter how compromising, should this evidence of mine get out.

[canceller]

[And that's where his expression abruptly falls flat.]

Gino, are you really trying to blackmail me with a bunch of poorly-lit, blurry pictures on your phone?

[explores]

They're still plenty discernible!

[canceller]

Somehow I really doubt that.

[explores]

Discernible enough, combined with the power of suggestion.

[ Tugging at his wrist in earnest, this time. ]

Either way, you'd be foolish to make an enemy outta me, Orange.

[canceller]

[Yeah, guess who's taking the opportunity to flip Gino this time, wrist pinned against the bed as Jeremiah leans over him.]

Perhaps I'm just a fool, then.