holyposition | IC Inbox

[There's a throat-clenching, stomach-churning urge to text over and over until he gets an answer, the link between whatever happened to Embry and where Tim is too close, much too close. Koby swallows it down, paces, bites his nails bloody.

But then, finally. His own response comes within seconds.]

Of course. And if you two need anything, please tell me. And please Check in. If that's okay.

We will. Thanks Koby.

What about you? Did you know him?

Not personally. I'd seen him around, at meals and things. But you did. A lot of people did. He was a guest and I thought we were safer, here.

We weren't exactly the best of friends. But he was better than he wanted everyone to believe.

I didn't think this was possible here.

Have you noticed anyone disappearing lately? Not dying, but you know. The way they do sometimes?

[ Leaving and going to hell, maybe...? ]

That sounds like a few people I know.

[So determined to make themselves seem unworthy -- of love, of care, of protection.]

Only the ones who've left and returned. Maxine, Furiosa. Nobody else recently. Why? What do you thinks going on?

He was frustratingly good at it.

Just making sure we have enough chairs for the service.

Do you know what happened, Tim? Please don't lie to me. If you can't tell me, say that but please don't lie to me.

[ After consulting with Hawk... ]

Yes.

I’m sorry. I don’t want to lie to you. I don’t want to ask you to lie to anyone else, either. But I can’t do what he does and just hide everything all the time “for your own good” because it’s not for your own good to be walking around blind.

It wasn’t an accident. You should keep your doors locked. Check the ones in the blood room, too.

Thank you. For being honest with me.

[He means it, too -- he knows he's gained a reputation for being persistent, nosy, borderline obnoxious. But Tim at least understands that it's all motivated by the need to protect, to account for all possibilities.

Even this one. Especially this one.]

I was afraid of that. They're locked. I won't let anyone I don't know inside. And you're with Hawk? You're safe?

[ To Tim, that persistence is admirable, and he knows it’s one of the reasons they hit it off so quickly and have only strengthened their friendship since. They’re alike in that way, that they need to have goals and follow through, to keep their theories but explore every other one anyway. Some might find it obnoxious. Tim prefers thorough. ]

I'm with him. I don’t know if that means safe
They were, um
Hawk and embry
Were involved.

We’re too close to this and I don’t know how to help him. I’m scared.

I see. I think Hawk will face down another wolfman rather than let you get hurt, so I think you're safer there than anywhere else. Do you think it was about Hawk? Or Embry? Or just random? Did you know they were You don't need to talk about it I'm just Asking questions to feel some semblance of control. I'm scared too. [Because he knew, he knew this would happen, could happen. Knew it was too good to be true.]

I don’t want him to do that. He could have been killed last time, and now we know it’s possible so I DON’T want him to do that

I don’t know. Hawk has a theory. He doesn’t think it was random. And If i believe it, i have to STOP believing a lot of other things and i don’t know how to do that

I didn’t know

[ And there are feelings to be had about that, which he can’t access right this moment because there are so many other, more important things to consider than being jealous of a corpse, so put a pin in that one before he throws himself out a window. ]

it’s okay. It's better to talk then think endlessly.
Probably.
you’re a little further from it, maybe you can help me think.

Maybe when hawk’s up to it you can come over for a little while? if you want to.

Then it's good you're both staying put, away from everything, right? A theory. A suspect, or Does he need help? I'm farther from it, I can be more objective, maybe.

[And sitting still isn't helping, isn't doing anything but having him climbing the walls. He can't be everywhere at once. He can't put his own body between everyone he loves and danger.]

Stop believing that this place is what you think it is? [Gently, because Koby's been careful not to touch that particular belief, knowing how fundamental it is for Tim. He also doesn't address the fact that Tim didn't know about Hawk and Embry's involvement -- he can be angry later, when the danger has somewhat abated.]

That'd be nice. I'll be awake. I just keep going between everyone's rooms, making sure they're okay. Downside of knowing so many of the guests, I guess. Is anyone else taking it hard? I'm not sure who else he knows.

[Present tense.]

Yeah. well not away from everything, hawk is making arrangements, I'm helping him. trying to get the chapel back in order. but we're not getting into trouble.

A suspect. But no evidence, so we can't go spreading that around and getting everyone riled up.

yeah

Alicent. Ash, probably Greer. I don't know who else, I've been focused on hawk.

[ and uh. cleanup. if koby had seen the crime scene it would most certainly be past tense as well. ]

Back in order? Oh. Oh, Tim.

[If it had been the library, Koby would be even more of a mess, his safest, happiest place forever tainted. He knows that's what the chapel is for Tim.]

No, of course not, the last thing we need is people panicking. If he needs help investigating, tell him to contact me, okay? I'll lie low, otherwise. Alicent -- I'll check in with her. I know Ash distantly and I've never spoken with Greer, but I'll keep an eye out. And I'm here, when it Gets to be too much.

[When Tim needs to fall apart, for a moment, not in front of Hawk.]

It was bad. Really bad.

[ He can still smell it, metallic and acrid. Blood on wood varnish, blood on incense, bleach and vinegar and a missed splatter here and there and everywhere. ]

It’s already too much.

But thank you. And I will. I think we both just need a minute to breathe and get our heads straight, and then I’ll call you, okay?

Don’t let Quentin go wandering around on his own.

Edited 2024-10-04 20:44 (UTC)

I'm so sorry. Nobody deserves this, but especially not you. You be strong for Hawk and I'll be strong for you, okay? And we'll both be safe and be fine. I'll be here, whenever you need me. And I'm not letting him out of my sight, unless I know he's safe in his room. I can find him pretty easily now, with the haki. Which I'll tell you about that later, it's complicated.

Okay. I will.

the what?

If you can find him and he can find you, you should be okay.

Haki, it's something from my world, sensing people's energies and finding them. It's complicated, Shanks has been teaching me, but it's helping me check in on everyone. Make sure they're safe.

[It's exhausting, of course, focusing the still-unpracticed skill that intensely over and over and over again, but. It's either that or physically run around the manor all night.]

We will be. Don't worry about us, you have enough on your plate. Eat something, too. Don't forget, just because I'm not there to yell at you in person.

Oh, that's useful. Can you tell where I am?

"don't worry" is easier said than done, as you well know :)

I'm eating. If only to be a good example to Hawk.

Next to Hawk. Outside the chapel, getting some air, maybe? It's a little fuzzy, your aura bleeds into his a bit. I know. I definitely know. Good. Make sure both of you keep that up. I'll make sure Alicent does too.

That sounds kind of romantic. But you're right, we're out there.

Thanks again, Koby.

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