[video]

[cravats]

[Lyall seems to be very concerned with polishing his glassicals, though on the whole he is very calm.]

Well, I begin to realize how powerful viruses can really be. What a curious event- I must say it is unique in all my years of life.

...Arthur, Eames, Ariadne, 11-12, it was lovely to meet all of you, of course. At least such occasions can provide me with charming company.

Comments

[number1112]

It was all very... disconcerting.

[cravats]

It certainly was. Are you all right?

[number1112]

I don't know. Reeve understands it was a virus but... I just feel bad about the whole thing.

Not that it wasn't nice to spend time with you and the others. But I hope next time we can do it under less weird circumstances.

[cravats]

I think that's perfectly understandable, but do try not to blame yourself. It was not anyone's fault, my dear.

[He feels badly for anyone involved who had someone else.]

Ah, quite so. You all seem like lovely people.

[number1112]

I know....

[cravats]

I suppose one's emotions do not always respond to reason.

[number1112]

It's not just that. The virus. I know that it wasn't something we could control.

It just made me think of other things.

COMMENT NOT HERE LA LA LA LA LA

[chapter_behind]

[Sulking like a thing that sulks. With a lot of sulky self hatred.]

hmph!

[cravats]

[Oh, poor Admiral. Lyall does not regret the kissing at all.]

Re: hmph!

[chapter_behind]

[The kissing and the. Other things. Which are best left unspoken of.]

[cravats]

[Ridiculous. Silly Admiral.]

[chapter_behind]

[He made out with someone! Who wasn't Jack.

[cravats]

[Such things happen.]

[chapter_behind]

[Not usually.]

[chapter_behind]

[The invitation for tea came a few hours later. Dirty trick, Randolph. Dirty trick.

He thinks about pleading off as indisposed, but... the man jut saw him a few hours ago.

This is unfair. But he shows up.]

[cravats]

[The good professor is willing to use every trick he can. This includes well-timed invitations to tea.]

Admiral, I am so glad you came.

[chapter_behind]

[James looks remarkably unimpressed, Randolph. This isn't cute.]

Of course. Thank you for the invitation. [Could his voice be flatter?]

[cravats]

[He doesn't think he's cute. He does, however, think he's efficacious.]

Do come in.

[chapter_behind]

Of course.

[James looks like he's slept rather poorly.]

[cravats]

[Lyall accompanies him to the parlour, where there is a lovely tea spread out.]

And how are you today?

[Don't think he doesn't notice that, James.]

[chapter_behind]

Lovely, of course.

[Why wouldn't he be. You know, usually post-virus the idea is to pretend it never happened. It's sort of unspoken ethical code.]

[cravats]

Really? I congratulate you on your resilience.

[Well, this is his first major virus. You'll have to pardon him. He's already monitoring Alexia as well- at least you aren't married, James.]

[chapter_behind]

[He regrets that Alexia was put in this position, of course... but it isn't what you'd call "fair" for any of them.]

I'm very skilled at living in denial.

[cravats]

[Not at all fair.]

I'm glad you came to tea with me, at least. Thank you.

[chapter_behind]

It would be churlish to refuse.

[Has Randolph poured the tea? Oh, good. Then he's drinking.]

[cravats]

I would never think you churlish.

[He sips his tea and offers a plate of biscuits to James.]

[chapter_behind]

Kind of you.

[Yes please.]

[cravats]

I hope you didn't miss anything of import at home while you were away.

[So delicately phrased.]

[chapter_behind]

No. There seems to have been a happy accident in that no one was able to find me, but of course, I couldn't have left. How does one leave a ship?

[cravats]

It is quite impossible, of course. You must have simply been occupied somewhere unexpected.

[chapter_behind]

Obviously. At least it was a short period of time. I believe Beckett has grown suspicious of me, though of course the community covers its tracks quite well.

[He hesitates.]

Was there much trouble for you or Lady Maccon?

[cravats]

It does seem to do so. And yes, the absence was hardly prolonged... do be careful when you go back.

[He takes another sip of tea.]

Nothing that can't be handled.

[chapter_behind]

How is she? [He, of course, would never make amorous advances on a woman in her condition, but you could never tell.]

[cravats]

As well as can be expected, under the circumstances.

[chapter_behind]

Perhaps it is better to give her time to heal. [Hint. Hint.]

[cravats]

She hates to be coddled. [What? They're talking about Alexia.]

[chapter_behind]

Giving her the time she needs to come to things in her own way is not coddling

[Think in the abstract, Randolph.]

[cravats]

Fortunately, her ladyship is quite good at making what she needs known. I'm sure that she'll be fine.

[Oh, he's aware of James's subtext.]

[chapter_behind]

Mmmm-hmmm. [He sips is tea.]

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

[God, there's so many things he has to say, so many things that need to be addressed. Arthur is not so good at words, that was always Cobb's forte. He looks clearly uncomfortable, but determined. ]

I'm sorry.

[cravats]

I trust that the information I have been given on the nature of the community's viruses is good, and thus you have nothing to apologize for.

You were nothing but pleasant company, even if the circumstances were... unusual.

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

It is but...I am supposed to have more self control than that and be able to fight the virus.

Thanks, I guess.

[cravats]

I wasn't aware they could be fought.

You're quite welcome.

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

I'm not sure but some of them are stronger than others. We could still keep trying.

Are you sure you are okay with this? You don't want to talk about anything?

[cravats]

I think that one was quite strong.

Oh, yes, I'm perfectly all right. Believe me, several days spent with a collection of fascinating individuals such as yourselves is hardly a trial.

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

The ones that mess with people emotions usually are.

Fascinating individuals...?

[archicheck]

Ah...yes. It was nice to meet you as well.

[Trying not to feel awkward, BUT TOTALLY FEELING AWKWARD.]