stormandwind | INBOX: lastvoyages

[ Jon gets the message from Harry and starts to respond before he realizes the futility of it. Instead, his first message is to Tris. He does his best to keep his voice composed as he speaks, but there is deep concern underneath that he has no luck in hiding. No doubt she is a great deal more worried than he is, considering.]

I will assume someone has collected your Mr. Goodsir from his rooms and that you are aware of the situation given the 'timestamp' on the message I received.

Please- please be aware that if there is anything I can do to help-

[ He cuts off, clearly feeling useless, helpless, in the face of such a problem.
But after a moment or two, he does continue, his voice quiet.]

If no one else has ventured into his rooms, I would...

I know what the book in question looks like, at least. I'd be willing to- extract the volume from the cabin. See to destroying it. When- when you have a moment.

Teddy got him to the infirmary, yes.

I've been to his cabin. I can come back to let you in. It's Journal of the Plague Year, and it's in his bedroom. You were going to be my next call, before I started trying to clean the mess it left of his cabin.

[Tris's voice is small, noticeably afraid to ask:] Will destroying the book cure him?

I already called my mother. She's researched infectious diseases, but I'd prefer she doesn't need to do that here.

[ He wishes he had better information to share but-]

I... I honestly don't know.

[ There's quite a lot of sympathy in his tone, sadness and frustration and concern. Not to mention the desire to give her better news]

I know that my predecessor destroyed the copy that existed in my world. It was, unfortunately... too late to save the man who brought it to her. I also know that some Leitners, to destroy them can... the destruction can act as a catalyst.

[ Some determination enters in.]

But the book needs to be destroyed. If only to prevent anyone else from falling prey to the corruption it holds.

[Tris inhales sharply when Jon gets to the words too late to save...]

The destruction can act as a catalyst for what? [She takes refuge in matter of fact questions to keep from crying.]

And how do we destroy it?

For... a release. What... seeped out before coming out all at once.

[ At some point, he will realize that he's never read that anywhere. That he has no reason to know that. That moment is not right now, though. And he's not wrong.]

As for destroying it, I believe I should be able to burn it. I'll- I'll take it to my rooms to do the job. Just in case.

Will that backlash hit Harry, or will it fall on whoever destroys it? [She assumes the latter, based on what comes next, but doesn't sound pleased with either option.]

You'll take it to your rooms so that if it destroys anything, it will be you and your possessions? [No, not pleased at all.]

[ He takes a moment before he answers, putting things together in his head, recounting what she's said carefully before- ]

Me. It should recoil on me, I think. If it recoils at all. That's- that's not something that's certain; I'm just trying to keep it in mind.

[ She'd said the book had made a mess of his cabin and she hadn't mentioned a wound or putrification on Harry. Which meant it was just an extended version of the more environmental effects as opposed to a the focused 'attack' that had taken the book's owner in his own world.

He hopes.]

From what you've told me and what I know, I don't think that the book was or is attacking Mr. Goodsir directly. Now that it's been removed from his presence-

[ He wishes he could say it will get better but-]

It shouldn't get any worse. At least- at least I hope not.

Jon. [Obviously she doesn't want Harry to be harmed instead, but she can't approve of a friend sacrificing himself. She sounds just as worried about him.]

How badly do you expect it to affect you, if it does? Will it kill you?

It needs to be done, Miss- [ he bites that off and his voice softens] Tris.

I've no romantic entanglements, my room is largely inconsequential- mostly, I sleep there and make myself tea.

[ The rest of the time is spent in the library or elsewhere. But he does take a breath before letting it out and getting to her answer.]

I know it was destroyed, previously, and that did not kill the person who did so. [ Gertrude died from something else entirely, after all.] I have... a few ideas.

Regardless, I've the best chance of figuring out how to destroy it without harm. Hopefully, something will... come to me.

Not having romantic entanglements is irrelevant. That doesn't mean that no one would care if you came to harm. [She glares at him.] You aren't expendable.

[She'll concede his other points, but not that one.]

Besides letting you in to get the book, is there anything I can do?

[ That actually earns her a grunt of irritation.]

I only meant that I wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone else or displacing multiple people.

[ A slow, pointed breath out.]

At this moment, not particularly. I don't believe that the harm will be... undone upon the book's destruction, so the rooms will most likely need to be cleaned out.

[ A wry chuckle.]

Perhaps a knock on my door in an hour or so?

[ See if I'm dead? ]

[Tris exhales slowly.] Sorry. I'm a bit on edge.

Fives and I will take care of Harry's rooms. Benton Fraser's offered to help too.

I will. I expect to see you in one piece when I get there.

Yes, well, that makes all of us.

[ He shaves some of his own edge off after a moment.]

Though I suppose you... do have your reasons individually.

[ A quick snort. ]

I'll see what I can do. I've been trying not to disappoint my co-workers here.

Erskine ever so helpfully informed me back on the island that someone ought to have given me a helpful pamphlet about the drawbacks of loving people before I decided to do it.

I'll be disappointed if I have to bring you medicinal tea rather than black, and so will you.

[Both comments are dry and sarcastic, scarcely covering up all the emotion running underneath them.

Much more sincerely, she adds:] Take care, Jon.

You DO realize you can give me a proper talking to when we get to the door.

[ He's just saying. He knows he's in for a talking to from his new 'assistant'.]

I can probably refrain, now that I've gotten it over with.

See you in a moment.

[ He gets there quickly enough, waiting outside as he tries to settle himself, settle his breathing. He considers what he can put over his nose and mouth, decides on his sweater as the best bet, and starts loosening the sleeve past his hand for that very use as he waits for her.]

INBOX: lastvoyages

audio

Re: audio

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject