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((OOC: Picking up from here.))
[He sits with that reply for a long while. Wallows in it, more like. It's like staring directly into his own regrets, laid out conveniently for him in black-and-white text.
Eventually, when the self-loathing gives way to heartsick reminiscence, he says the only thing he can think to say:]
You would have liked John.
He would have liked you, too.
[He sits with that reply for a long while. Wallows in it, more like. It's like staring directly into his own regrets, laid out conveniently for him in black-and-white text.
Eventually, when the self-loathing gives way to heartsick reminiscence, he says the only thing he can think to say:]
You would have liked John.
He would have liked you, too.
[Norton stares at the words for a few minutes. It wasn't the response he expected but he doesn't have the context to know entirely what it means either.
It would be safer to just end the conversation here.
He already feels like he's revealed things he usually wouldn't to someone he barely knows, but his curiosity gets the better of him. It usually does. He wants to know about this person who would have liked him, and who he was to Trainor. People tend not to like Norton very much once the veneer of friendly charm goes away, so imagining himself as being likable to some person he's never met and will never meet is a nice fantasy.]
Who is John?
It would be safer to just end the conversation here.
He already feels like he's revealed things he usually wouldn't to someone he barely knows, but his curiosity gets the better of him. It usually does. He wants to know about this person who would have liked him, and who he was to Trainor. People tend not to like Norton very much once the veneer of friendly charm goes away, so imagining himself as being likable to some person he's never met and will never meet is a nice fantasy.]
Who is John?
((backdated to some hours after this disaster when, he presumes Norton is in the Infirmary.))
How are you feeling, Norton?
Are they taking good care of you?
Is there anything you need?
[Rapid-fire texts because, yes, he has Concerns.]
How are you feeling, Norton?
Are they taking good care of you?
Is there anything you need?
[Rapid-fire texts because, yes, he has Concerns.]
[Norton's just starting to reply to the first text, hands still just a little unsteady, when the second text comes. And a third.]
I'm feeling dolly, sweetheart. They gave me blood, which made me think it would have been much more straightforward to have given it straight to you instead of my veins being an intermediary, but I've no real complaints. There's nothing I need at the moment per se, although I want you, darling, as always, but best wait a few days for that.
I'm feeling dolly, sweetheart. They gave me blood, which made me think it would have been much more straightforward to have given it straight to you instead of my veins being an intermediary, but I've no real complaints. There's nothing I need at the moment per se, although I want you, darling, as always, but best wait a few days for that.
By the time Larry gets to Norton's cabin, he's pretty well convinced himself that whatever something he'd vaguely imagined is definitely nothing, but that's fine. It's been a long and very weird day, but a good one, and he can't think of many people he'd rather share his unusually upbeat mood with.
He leans against the jamb and raps his knuckles against the door, humming quietly and a bit atonally until Norton answers. "Hey," he offers brightly, along with a bowl of popcorn fresh from the kitchen. "I come prepared and bearing gifts."
He leans against the jamb and raps his knuckles against the door, humming quietly and a bit atonally until Norton answers. "Hey," he offers brightly, along with a bowl of popcorn fresh from the kitchen. "I come prepared and bearing gifts."
Norton spends an hour before Larry arrives trying to decide what to wear and he's not even leaving his cabin. It's ridiculous and he knows it's ridiculous, especially since Larry's undoubtedly going to wear the exact same grey trousers, green jumper, and long flyboy coat he always wears. And it's not a date so it doesn't really matter what he looks like. He just wants to look good. But also casual.
Eventually, time runs out, and when there's a knock at his door, Norton's in slim grey trousers and a soft teal turtleneck and it's too late to rethink it now. And he shouldn't need to, he tells himself. He and Larry have socialized plenty of times, and the fact that this time it's his cabin doesn't change anything.
He opens the door wide to let Larry in. "Hello. Oh, you brought popcorn, splendid! Just the thing to go with a movie." He'd thought of making some himself, but since Larry wouldn't be able to have any, ultimately dismissed the idea. But since Larry brought it, he must not mind if Norton eats popcorn in front of him.
"Make yourself comfortable. Mi cabin es su cabin."
Eventually, time runs out, and when there's a knock at his door, Norton's in slim grey trousers and a soft teal turtleneck and it's too late to rethink it now. And he shouldn't need to, he tells himself. He and Larry have socialized plenty of times, and the fact that this time it's his cabin doesn't change anything.
He opens the door wide to let Larry in. "Hello. Oh, you brought popcorn, splendid! Just the thing to go with a movie." He'd thought of making some himself, but since Larry wouldn't be able to have any, ultimately dismissed the idea. But since Larry brought it, he must not mind if Norton eats popcorn in front of him.
"Make yourself comfortable. Mi cabin es su cabin."
It turns out to be a crowded couple of days, in an already crowded week, and Larry ends up grateful for the excuse to disappear into the library for a few hours, not to mention relieved at the prospect of escaping to Norton's cabin and turning off his brain for a couple of hours. Whatever may or may not be hovering between them is well at the back of his mind by the time he knocks on Norton's door. Honestly, he can't even remember why he was so frustrated the other night; sticking stubbornly to the status quo sounds great right now.
As exhausting as all the sudden changes are, he's bringing at least one with him: Fives' sleek black gloves in place of his bandages, though in a last gasp of resistance, he's still layered his fingerless gloves over them. He clutches his small stack of video tapes to his chest and drums his fingers against them, marveling anew at just how different everything feels.
"Hey," he offers with bright, restless energy when Norton opens the door. "No popcorn this time, but I was busy doing research."
As exhausting as all the sudden changes are, he's bringing at least one with him: Fives' sleek black gloves in place of his bandages, though in a last gasp of resistance, he's still layered his fingerless gloves over them. He clutches his small stack of video tapes to his chest and drums his fingers against them, marveling anew at just how different everything feels.
"Hey," he offers with bright, restless energy when Norton opens the door. "No popcorn this time, but I was busy doing research."
The anticipation isn't as nerve-wracking this time. Last time went well, aside from a few hiccups at the beginning, and this time should be even better since they've had practice. Norton will not at any point recline on his bed. And they can sit next to each other on the settee without it being awkward now because they've done it once, and it was perfectly (mostly) normal.
In keeping with the theme of watching a movie from the future, Norton attempts to dress like a casual twenty-first century person, casually socializing with a friend. He changes into a slim pair of black jeans, but can't bring himself to wear a T-shirt as a shirt. It still feels like underclothes to him, and feeling half-dressed really wouldn't be helpful, so he pairs it with a dark red button-up instead. But even after actively attempting casual, when Larry knocks on the door, Norton still has to check the mirror before answering the door.
He smiles when he sees Larry. It's nothing he thinks about or consciously decides to do, it just happens.
"Since you brought the movies this time, I can forgive the lack of popcorn." There's something different, he thinks, but he can't put his finger on it. It's like he's noticed something important, but his conscious mind hasn't been handed the memo yet. He's sure he'll grasp it eventually, however.
"So, what were the fruits of your research?"
In keeping with the theme of watching a movie from the future, Norton attempts to dress like a casual twenty-first century person, casually socializing with a friend. He changes into a slim pair of black jeans, but can't bring himself to wear a T-shirt as a shirt. It still feels like underclothes to him, and feeling half-dressed really wouldn't be helpful, so he pairs it with a dark red button-up instead. But even after actively attempting casual, when Larry knocks on the door, Norton still has to check the mirror before answering the door.
He smiles when he sees Larry. It's nothing he thinks about or consciously decides to do, it just happens.
"Since you brought the movies this time, I can forgive the lack of popcorn." There's something different, he thinks, but he can't put his finger on it. It's like he's noticed something important, but his conscious mind hasn't been handed the memo yet. He's sure he'll grasp it eventually, however.
"So, what were the fruits of your research?"
I need your help.
Come to my room if you can. We need to plot.
Come to my room if you can. We need to plot.
[Norton smiles when he hears Larry's voice.]
I was thinking of going for a spin in a Sunbeam Alpine convertible and taking in the sunset, but then I remembered that I'm on an interdimensional cruise ship so there's no car, no roads, and no sunset. So my evening is free.
Have something in mind?
I was thinking of going for a spin in a Sunbeam Alpine convertible and taking in the sunset, but then I remembered that I'm on an interdimensional cruise ship so there's no car, no roads, and no sunset. So my evening is free.
Have something in mind?
Well, since you asked, my liquor cabinet could use some fresh additions. I'll send you a list. Also, I could use a better winter coat. I'm thinking a wool and cashmere blend with silver buttons.
I've given up on asking wardens for something to defend myself properly with, but if you're the one who's willing to break the trend, do let me know.
I've given up on asking wardens for something to defend myself properly with, but if you're the one who's willing to break the trend, do let me know.
((Continued from here))
"I was thinking a resume with a letter of reference."
Norton's still smiling at the repartee when Cyril kisses him. He opens his mouth eagerly to the kiss and would be disappointed that it didn't last longer, except that Cyril is going down on his knees in front of him and unfastening his trousers instead, and he can't complain about that.
Legs spread to give Cyril room, he buries both hands in Cyril's hair. Norton is curious about the man who's about to suck his cock, but there'll be time for that later. For better or for worse, the ship is too small to have anonymous (or near anonymous) trysts. No charving a stranger in the bushes of Russell Square and then vanishing forever in the thick London smog. So for now, he's just going to enjoy what's getting and make sure Cyril enjoys it as well. Which, from the look of things, isn't going to be difficult. Cyril is enthusiastic and Norton cock is already starting to harden.
"I was thinking a resume with a letter of reference."
Norton's still smiling at the repartee when Cyril kisses him. He opens his mouth eagerly to the kiss and would be disappointed that it didn't last longer, except that Cyril is going down on his knees in front of him and unfastening his trousers instead, and he can't complain about that.
Legs spread to give Cyril room, he buries both hands in Cyril's hair. Norton is curious about the man who's about to suck his cock, but there'll be time for that later. For better or for worse, the ship is too small to have anonymous (or near anonymous) trysts. No charving a stranger in the bushes of Russell Square and then vanishing forever in the thick London smog. So for now, he's just going to enjoy what's getting and make sure Cyril enjoys it as well. Which, from the look of things, isn't going to be difficult. Cyril is enthusiastic and Norton cock is already starting to harden.
Yes, yes, this is what he needed. Warm tension spreads from his groin upwards, and he can feel himself start to harden as he flicks his eyes up to meet Norton's and drags his tongue up the half-soft length. He's quite gentle, quite delicate, and quite experienced as he guides Norton's cock into his mouth and goes down on him, moving slow so he can feel it go hard. The way it firms against his palate gives him a heady rush -- Queen's sake, it feels real, a true and uncomplicated physical reaction.
He draws himself back up, slowly, and follows with his hand. He is flushed, he thinks. Probably because he's enjoying this to an embarrassing extent.
Cyril devotes his attentions now to finding what Norton likes. A gripped hand? Moving straight, or at a slow twist? To play his tongue more, or firm his lips and suck? Soft, more natural sounds of enthusiasm, or the steady vibration of a moan? A little mess, or no? Is attention to his testicles welcome? How about the sensitive skin behind? -- He tries a little of everything, never bothering to hide that he likes it, that he's half-drunk on the thrill.
He draws himself back up, slowly, and follows with his hand. He is flushed, he thinks. Probably because he's enjoying this to an embarrassing extent.
Cyril devotes his attentions now to finding what Norton likes. A gripped hand? Moving straight, or at a slow twist? To play his tongue more, or firm his lips and suck? Soft, more natural sounds of enthusiasm, or the steady vibration of a moan? A little mess, or no? Is attention to his testicles welcome? How about the sensitive skin behind? -- He tries a little of everything, never bothering to hide that he likes it, that he's half-drunk on the thrill.
So, Norton. Have you heard about the awful psychedelic labyrinth that's turned up where the door to the lounge used to be?
Because Rex and I have managed to get ourselves stuck in there and I'm getting really tired of it and would like to leave. Do you mind lending a hand? He suggests bringing a ball of twine or something but I'm not sure how much that's going to help, given that I think there's some spatial anomalies going on here.
Because Rex and I have managed to get ourselves stuck in there and I'm getting really tired of it and would like to leave. Do you mind lending a hand? He suggests bringing a ball of twine or something but I'm not sure how much that's going to help, given that I think there's some spatial anomalies going on here.
[He wants to make a joke about twine and labyrinths being the wrong myth, but it's not the right time for that. Maybe after he's saved them.]
There's never a spatiotemporal stabilizer around when you need one.
But I have a few ideas. I'll be right there.
There's never a spatiotemporal stabilizer around when you need one.
But I have a few ideas. I'll be right there.
((after this cute nonsense))
Renfield enters Norton's cabin and looks around for him frantically, wringing his hands. "I have a 'movie night', that's not a date, and have no clue what to wear for it. Help, please, my dearest?"
Renfield enters Norton's cabin and looks around for him frantically, wringing his hands. "I have a 'movie night', that's not a date, and have no clue what to wear for it. Help, please, my dearest?"
I know this is going to seem out of the blue, but there's something I'd like to ask you about. I'm looking into something that happened a while back, and your name came up as someone who heard about it.
I take it you heard the news?
Yes.
[And if it was unsatisfying imagining Quill's death by his own hand, and how that would fall out, it's even less satisfying hearing about her death second hand. But it's finished now.]
A bit anti-climatic really. Sounds like it was a complete dog's breakfast.
[And if it was unsatisfying imagining Quill's death by his own hand, and how that would fall out, it's even less satisfying hearing about her death second hand. But it's finished now.]
A bit anti-climatic really. Sounds like it was a complete dog's breakfast.
Hey. Are you busy? I'd like to talk about the latest development.
[As soon as Rawne can get away from Quentin, he runs to Norton's door and knocks, as calmly as he can. Which isn't very. He's more pounding on the door.]
Yes, I'm coming! [Norton calls out, and makes sure he has his gun in his shoulder holster before he answers the down. He doesn't think that Quill is the type to knock before murdering, but she could have made some friends. Some people have strange tastes that way.
When he opens the door and sees Rawne, he relaxes.]
Oh. Rawne, darling, you look miserable. Come in.
When he opens the door and sees Rawne, he relaxes.]
Oh. Rawne, darling, you look miserable. Come in.
I could use some company if you are feeling up to seeing me in a state less than perfect.
You can be a real Goddamn asshole sometimes.
Don't come over. I have plans.
Don't come over. I have plans.
[Oh bugger, over text that might come across as a dig and not a joke and even if it doesn't, he's sure Larry's not in the mood for jokes right now anyway. He deletes that before sending it.]
I am sorry. I bollocks things up terribly.
[He wants to say more but text is so impersonal. He sure that's why Larry's using it.]
Can we talk later?
Alec heard the announcement, of course; he knew it would come eventually, and has even been watching and listening to inmates with consideration given to how he would approach them if they were paired. He knows it could happen any time, and that frequently it changes everything between two people, but he still likes to have a contingency plan while he's intentionally remaining background after his contentious arrival.
He doesn't reach out immediately - for a couple reasons, but also to see if Norton will do anything if he doesn't. He keeps his routine, keeps coming to meals, keeps mainly observing the people of the Barge, and when nothing happens, he takes the initiative the second day.
He shows up towards the end of breakfast, collects almost two servings worth of food for himself, and stops near where Norton is sitting to drop a bag of tropical flavored gummy octopi on the table though he doesn't sit down just yet.
"Can I interest you in the blatant bribe of the best culinary invention of the 21st century?"
He doesn't reach out immediately - for a couple reasons, but also to see if Norton will do anything if he doesn't. He keeps his routine, keeps coming to meals, keeps mainly observing the people of the Barge, and when nothing happens, he takes the initiative the second day.
He shows up towards the end of breakfast, collects almost two servings worth of food for himself, and stops near where Norton is sitting to drop a bag of tropical flavored gummy octopi on the table though he doesn't sit down just yet.
"Can I interest you in the blatant bribe of the best culinary invention of the 21st century?"
Norton usually (and publicly) shouts out trivial demands to his temp wardens as soon as they're assigned, but Alec's not a typical warden so for Alec he decided to take a different route and wait to see what Alec does first.
He expects whatever it is, it'll be interesting.
He's not disappointed.
"That depends. Is that actually food or are you pulling my leg?" Norton looks at the gummy octopi with both intense curiosity and a bit of apprehension. He's never seen anything in nature with colours like that unless it was alien. But curiosity is winning out.
He expects whatever it is, it'll be interesting.
He's not disappointed.
"That depends. Is that actually food or are you pulling my leg?" Norton looks at the gummy octopi with both intense curiosity and a bit of apprehension. He's never seen anything in nature with colours like that unless it was alien. But curiosity is winning out.
Larry only realizes once they've already touched down that he probably should have warned Norton about the wait. He's taking copiloting very seriously, Enclosure or no Enclosure. Doing it right means helping Franky get the plane safely taxiied and moored, and going through all the little post-flight checks and inspections that have to be run inside and out. Shit.
Naturally, he just had to leave his communicator behind, too -- partly in the name of historical authenticity, but mostly so Ezio can't reach him. It hadn't really occurred to him that he might want to be able to reach someone else. Fuck and shit.
All in all, it's about 30 minutes before he can head up the gangplank after the passengers, by which time he's half-convinced himself that either A) Norton's already given up and left, or B) Norton thinks he's already left and has gone in search of him, or maybe just decided to wash his hands of the whole thing for now. Larry's not exactly looking forward to this, and he's the one who's angry; he can't really blame Norton if he doesn't want to hang around just to be yelled at. Other things, yes, but not that.
Naturally, he just had to leave his communicator behind, too -- partly in the name of historical authenticity, but mostly so Ezio can't reach him. It hadn't really occurred to him that he might want to be able to reach someone else. Fuck and shit.
All in all, it's about 30 minutes before he can head up the gangplank after the passengers, by which time he's half-convinced himself that either A) Norton's already given up and left, or B) Norton thinks he's already left and has gone in search of him, or maybe just decided to wash his hands of the whole thing for now. Larry's not exactly looking forward to this, and he's the one who's angry; he can't really blame Norton if he doesn't want to hang around just to be yelled at. Other things, yes, but not that.
The air in Egypt is warm, warm enough that even though Norton wore a linen suit in anticipation of the Mediterranean climate, he considers taking off his jacket and sitting in his shirt sleeves like a dock worker. He doesn't, but he considers it.
When Larry finally emerges from the plane, Norton's sitting on a low wall in the shade of a building and fanning himself with a blue folding fan that he picked up from a nearby merchant stand. He was starting to wonder if he'd missed Larry somehow. Maybe a little bit of him was hoping he had, just to put off what was sure to be an unpleasant conversation for a little bit longer. But he can't make this fissure between them go away by pretending it's not there, no matter how much he'd like to. If there's going to be any hope of repairing this at all, he needs to first acknowledge the problem. Time to face consequences, Folgate.
Norton waves and calls out Larry's name to catch his attention.
When Larry finally emerges from the plane, Norton's sitting on a low wall in the shade of a building and fanning himself with a blue folding fan that he picked up from a nearby merchant stand. He was starting to wonder if he'd missed Larry somehow. Maybe a little bit of him was hoping he had, just to put off what was sure to be an unpleasant conversation for a little bit longer. But he can't make this fissure between them go away by pretending it's not there, no matter how much he'd like to. If there's going to be any hope of repairing this at all, he needs to first acknowledge the problem. Time to face consequences, Folgate.
Norton waves and calls out Larry's name to catch his attention.
Since they are neighbors, as Norton himself had pointed out, Josh decides to just try knocking on his door. When he's pretty sure Norton's alone in his cabin.
The best time to catch Norton alone in his cabin in the morning. Morning, close to noonish, when Norton's awake enough to have had his tea, but not yet flitting around the barge for the day.
Norton doesn't usually get company at his door in the morning, either, which is good for Josh, but means that Norton is a bit surprised by the knock.
"Oh! Popping by for a surprise inspection? I think you'll find that everything's in top shape, especially me." He holds the door open for Josh to enter.
Norton doesn't usually get company at his door in the morning, either, which is good for Josh, but means that Norton is a bit surprised by the knock.
"Oh! Popping by for a surprise inspection? I think you'll find that everything's in top shape, especially me." He holds the door open for Josh to enter.
text, backdated a bit because Josh would've gotten on it much sooner than I did
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shallnotrejoice
2021-07-02 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
hey, man
sorry I asked the admiral but he said it was a no go for the file until pairing. doesnt make sense to me but super powerful beings making choices that dont make much sense is pretty much how they usually roll in my experience so maybe to be expected, sorry.
sorry I asked the admiral but he said it was a no go for the file until pairing. doesnt make sense to me but super powerful beings making choices that dont make much sense is pretty much how they usually roll in my experience so maybe to be expected, sorry.
Edited 2021-07-02 18:15 (UTC)
[Immediately switching over from the public channel. Old habits die hard, and better to keep the air clear for emergencies.]
Tennant. The pr-
-y one. 10-17?
Tennant. The pr-
-y one. 10-17?
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