Day 113 [Video]

[burnburnburn]

[The video comes on, showing Dilandau crouched on the ground, pressing his back into a corner. Though he's trying to focus on his screen, his eyes are darting everywhere, checking for threats and spies. He looks drawn and terrified.

He licks his lips, opens his mouth to ask a question, then closes it. He swallows and tries again]

What did you do to our house, woman?

[That attempt at sounding like his usual self fell flat, since he doesn't dare speak above a croaky whisper.  The Sorcerers who hold them have made it clear that he's at their mercy. He doesn't dare try to attract their attention again.]

Comments

[video | private]

[burnburnburn]

[His eyes dart to the ceiling as a sudden paranoia about it collapsing on him strikes]

That's why it's better living in the air, no earth to quake.

[He doesn't keep his eyes off the screen for long, for she's a familiar anchor, even if he won't admit it either.]

My bedroom. Have you touched my stuff? It's better for you if you tell me before I find out.

[It's not a very convincing attempt at a threat]

[video | private] > [action]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue just rolls her eyes, getting up off the couch to go find him in his room. Might as well have this tense little chat in person, and she can survey how bad the damage is. When she opens the door, she has his answer.]

Didn't touch a thing. In fact, I kept the door closed. So unless you managed to cheese off an angel, you're probably fine.

[Although she hasn't been here all the time - but why mention that.]

[action]

[burnburnburn]

[He's too shaken for aggression at the moment, so when the door handle starts turning he startles and presses himself further against the wall like a cornered rabbit. When he sees it's her his shoulders droop in relief, but he doesn't leave where he's sitting.

At her remark, he laughs, high pitched and nervy]

Angel? Three or four of them, depending on what I set alight next.

[action]

[blackmagus]

[Glancing around at the room, he seems to have gotten off lightly in that regard. Depending on which angels he angered.]

Talented, are we?

[It's a gentle tease. She can't really fire off anything more — not when it looks like he wants to disappear into the wall. Fortescue frowns, holding back a sigh.]

Come on. I'll make you some tea. The floor can't be that comfortable.

[action]

[burnburnburn]

[He hesitates for a long, agonising moment before launching himself off of the floor and staggering towards her, ducking his head between his shoulders as if the camera watching them might strike. He grabs her shoulders and holds on for a few breaths, until he's sure she's solid under his hands and not a figment of his imagination.

Once he's sure, he drops his hands away from her]

How long have I been gone?

[action]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue almost takes a step back, when he reaches for her. But she stays in place, frowning deeply, watching him.]

About... four, five days. [In some ways, she really doesn't bother to keep track of time. Other than a loose frame of reference, because of disappearances and marking them down.] Did it feel longer?