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[playing_human]

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un: hidden | text (backdated to 11/30 early evening)

[matermali]

Dorian, how do you fare? I heard that you had been hurt.

[playing_human]

[There's a rush of relief. She's back. She's safe, presumably. Now, he can be safely pissed.]

Why did you go looking for him?

[matermali]

I was looking for you, as well.

[playing_human]

I told you not to.

Were you killed?

[matermali]

You expect me to follow your command like a child? Something was wrong and I could not reach Ethan.




No, of course not. Ethan would never harm me.

[ Dorian never answered her first question. She knows he was missing. ]

Were you?

[playing_human]

I expect you to believe me when I tell you there is danger, because I have given you no reason to think I am lying.

[But she wasn't hurt. He can relax a little.]

No. I was not.

[He could lie. Probably should. But then he'd have to ask Ethan to lie for him as well, and admit to something he did not do. Ethan might even do it. But Dorian isn't willing to make him carry even more.]

[matermali]

The danger was why I went. It may surprise you to learn that it is nothing new to my existence and it is always expected. It would not matter how dangerous it is, I would never remain at home when someone dear to me needs help.

[ If he didn't want her to go anywhere, he never should have gotten her attention in the first place. ]

I am glad that you did not succumb to your injuries. [ For Ethan's sake as much as anything else. ] I heard that you went missing.

[playing_human]

[Well. Now he knows that. And all things considered, she didn't exactly misjudge the situation, if she wasn't even hurt.]

You went missing for longer.

[matermali]

So I did.

[playing_human]

Where were you?

[matermali]

Away. It isn't important.

What of you?

[playing_human]

[He doesn't want to go against Ethan's wishes, but that's an awkward question to answer if he doesn't explain.]

Elsewhere.






Of course we are both speaking utter horseshit. Should we acknowledge that now, or let it fester?

[matermali]

It isn't for pleasant conversation.

[playing_human]

Neither is mine.

[Stop making him anxious, Vanessa. He's had this niggling, irrational fear in the back of his mind and he'd like it not to be rational.]

[matermali]

What is it that you want to know?

[playing_human]

[It takes a moment for Dorian to respond.]

Show me your wrists.

[matermali]

What?

[ the fuck? ]

photo/text

[playing_human]

[An image is sent of one of Dorian's wrists, rubbed raw like he's been chained.]

I hope you have not been similarly injured, wherever you were.

[He's not about to go into detail. He just wants peace of mind.]

[matermali]

I am so sorry, Dorian.

[ A few moments later. ]

There is no need for you to see anything. Yes, I have dealt with something similar.

[ Which is why she isn't asking him any questions about it, so that the inquiries aren't returned. It seems he's intent on asking, anyway. ]

I can bring you a tea that may ease your sleep, when it is needed.

[ Definitely a when and not an if. This isn't her first rodeo. ]

[playing_human]

[There's another pause in responses.]

That would be helpful. Thank you.

[matermali]

Is that something you are in need of now?

[playing_human]

I will be tonight.

[matermali]

[ She is hardly in the mood for more visits today, but she can do it while she's already out retrieving some of her other belongings. She has already tended to Peter and Ethan, so of course she will help Dorian. ]

Very well. I should be able to find you within the hour, if that is acceptable.

[playing_human]

It is. Thank you.

→ action

[matermali]

[ Just over half an hour later, Vanessa will be lightly knocking at his door with her bag in hand. She's cleaned herself up and could almost look decent if not for her pallid skin and red-rimmed eyes. ]

Dorian? It's Vanessa.

[ It has been a long day. ]