( i've been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce )

[sufferably]

❝ IF IT'S AN EMERGENCY, PRESS SOS. IF IT'S IMPORTANT, LEAVE A MESSAGE. IF IT'S ANYTHING ELSE, HANG UP. THAT MEANS YOU, JIM. ❞ sigyn ◖ 102 ◗ ◖ message ● call ● action ◗

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[proudofwhatiam]

Perhaps we'll make a home of it yet. [She shrugs. That was going fairly well for her up until recently, in truth. Even now, she can't bring herself to hate the place, however much she despises her current situation.]

[sufferably]

( he stares down at his hands for a moment. he's remade his home several times, over the course of his life. but he doesn't know if he can do that here. )

Maybe. I'm just a bit set in my ways-- still think I'm gonna wake up in my own universe when I go to sleep every night.

[proudofwhatiam]

I did that, too--at first. [She gives him a rueful little smile.] But you get used to the place eventually, home or not.

[sufferably]

Think I'm getting to that stage quicker that I thought.

( he smiles wanly, thinking about the magic he's started experimenting with. it works, and he can't fault it, but it's still uncomfortable. )

The company's helped, I think.

[proudofwhatiam]

[When Evy glances down for a moment this time, it's because she's genuinely a little abashed, that small smile still curving her lips.] I'm sure we're all glad to be of service there. [She pauses.] This place would be intolerable if not for the people.

[sufferably]

I can drink to that, ( he says, and then takes a delicate sip of his tea as though to prove the point. )

[proudofwhatiam]

Cheers. [She echoes the gesture, toasting him with her teacup first.]

[sufferably]

( he puts down his cup after a moment, a smile playing on his lips. ) This stuff's actually better than I expected.

[proudofwhatiam]

[She grins.] What were you expecting, exactly?

[sufferably]

Not too sure. But the unknown can be rewarding, I s'pose.

[proudofwhatiam]

It's made from hibiscus, you know--the little leaves that protect the bud before it flowers. I suppose that means our tea was the gateway to the unknown well before it was turned into tea.

[sufferably]

Adaptable flowers, aren't they-- absorb colors from the minerals they find in the soil.

Who knew they were good for drinking, too.

[proudofwhatiam]

I'll have to trust you there; I never had much patience for botany. [Keeping cats alive is more her speed; plants don't really do much.] Next time, we'll have to have some American tea. I'll bring crumpets.

[sufferably]

You and me both. I stick to the animal kingdom, usually. ( unless he's looking into the medicinal properties of plants, or something. but even then that's better left to mr sulu. )

Crumpets, huh? Guess I can't miss out on those.

[proudofwhatiam]

I'll hold you to that. [The idea of having something to look forward to, something entirely unrelated to the school, is appealing.] Sometime next week, perhaps?

[sufferably]

Same time next week? ( he suggests, smiling pretty openly-- by his standards, at least. )

[proudofwhatiam]

[She'll match his expression and then some.] That would be lovely.

[sufferably]

( he dips his head. ) It's a date, then.

I mean, ah, a plan.

[proudofwhatiam]

Oh--yes. [She clears her throat.] A good plan.

[sufferably]

( wow what is wrong with him he doesn't even know. )

I'll ah, ( "leave you alone forever now" ) I should be going, then. Work to do, patients to see.

[proudofwhatiam]

[The same thing is clearly wrong with her, considering that her thoughts jumped in precisely the same direction, and nearly as quickly. But never mind that. She nods, standing, intent on walking with him the two paces over to the door. One must be a good hostess.]

Of course. You must be especially in demand, with everything going on outside. [A little smile.] I won't keep you.

[sufferably]

( he recovers well enough, walks with her to the door and then looks up to smile at her. ) Thanks for the tea. And if you need anything, really-- let me know.

( don't be sad all by yourself, alright. )

[proudofwhatiam]

I will. [She pauses a moment, considering.] Thank you, Leonard--really.

[sufferably]

Of course, Evelyn. I'll see you soon.