simplestgift | Sixteen Bells: [WRITTEN/VOICE/ACTION]

[Filtered against known villains and Grell, 100% unhackable]

[The handwriting is disguised, and the picture obscured. The message is as anonymous as possible.]

If there is anyone returned from a kidnapping or being threatened who does not feel safe in his or her home, speak to anyone at the Welcome Center and they will direct you to a safe place to stay until things are better.

If you wish to volunteer to house someone, you will need a reference from a trusted member of the community.

[/Filter]

[A few minutes later, he uncovers the camera and starts a new message, spoken this time.]

Alexis Rodgers has been sent home. At least I assume as much--no one has seen her and her flat is empty. It's good. She was very homesick, and...

[A pause. There's nothing really to say after that. He doesn't sound greatly distressed, but there's definitely a certain melancholy.

He'll be at the library this afternoon, and Good Spirits tonight. Missing Dawn, mostly. He'll occasionally walk through the item shop, killing time looking for little gifts to pick up for her. At some point, he'll go see Ingrid in the clinic. In the evening, he'll pay a visit to Jack Sparrow's house on the beach. He's there to see Horatio, of course.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It takes a long time for him to say anything.]

I know I can't. I can't set everything right.

[Another pause, and an admission that does not come easily.]

This isn't duty, Archie. Not entirely.

[And another silence.]

...This is much more conscience.

[A pause. Then, a calm voice.]

It isn't your chance to repair mistakes you thought you made in the past, Horatio. Grell is not Simpson. And unlike Simpson, something will be done about her even if you don't fight this duel.

I--

[And then a sound. Quiet, like the clearing of a throat.]

Ha--h'm.

[Even to Archie, he can't make himself say it. Not quite yet.

Though he can't see the lieutenant, his back is to the door nonetheless.]

My intentions remain unaltered. [Brisk, military. A wall.]

If you kill her, what will you do? What do you think will change?

It may change the tide.

Be specific, Horatio. What do you think it will change?

It will be action. Proof that she cannot frighten us into looking the other way.

It will also prove whether or not this ambush you and others seem set on is actually necessary.

[A pause. And then...] As you said, it would only be a week. And life would go on. [Except he's not talking about if he killed Grell.]

Edited 2011-06-27 06:33 (UTC)

But you'd come back missing...good God, anything. You could be missing an arm or a leg, or your memories of your mother, or your ability to do arithmetic in your head. It isn't an even trade, Horatio, and it will change nothing. Not what happened a few weeks ago, and not what happened when we were mids.

[It would settle a score.]

And what will be gained by ignoring her? Or ambushing her?

The first gives her permission to do as she pleases. The second may encourage her away from us, but then she will seek new victims.

You think she won't seek new victims if you fight her?

If individuals are willing to challenge her and able to make her struggle, then she may think twice. If only groups seek to stand against her, then she will merely hunt those who are isolated, who have no one to stand for them.

No, Horatio. You will go against her and prove to her that she can kill who she pleases. That no one would dare think to band together against her. If she hunts the isolated--this is why I've suggested what I have, Horatio. It's in motion already. Ways for people to seek help. She isn't the only monster in this place.

[He was quite aware of the risk of facing Grell. That she might kill him. That it was perhaps likely that she would kill him. Archie's words were sensible. That he would only prove one more to fall before her.

But something about them-- about Archie saying them-- hurt.]

What would you have me do, Archie?

[It's as steady a tone as he can manage.]

I would have you rescind your challenge. I would have you sit with us and discuss together what we should do next. And if the decision isn't to your liking or mine, then we will counsel each other. [Quietly.] Am I your lieutenant or not?

You are. [Always.

That comes easily. The rest... takes him a moment.]

And if it is Clive and Sawyer all over again? Keeping the problem quiet while refusing to act? To make a clear decision? Talking when something should be done?

How long will you stand for that, Archie?

I won't. You and I will both be part of this. If they won't listen, then we will speak of what to do, without them. You can't carry off a mutiny with one man, Horatio.

Edited 2011-06-27 07:20 (UTC)

[There's a laugh-- sharp and dry, strained.]

This isn't mutiny.

[That will come later.]

You take my meaning.

[And now?

All he can do is stand there and think. His mind goes through the options, the consequences, the risks.

But he says nothing. Not yet.]

[So Archie remains silent, almost afraid that if he says anything else, he'll talk Horatio right back out of it.]

[He swallowed hard. He needed to know every side, every angle to consider.]

And if I refuse?

Then I'll do anything in my power to ensure this duel does not take place.

["I'll act as your second, of course."
"You need me by your side."

Horatio allowed himself a dark smile. He was beginning to realize he had very poor taste in seconds.

For several long moments, he didn't answer. Then, finally...]

You don't know when or where it will be.

[A lie sat at the tip of his tongue-- The third, sunrise, on the beach.]

I said I'll do everything in my power, Horatio. I kidnapped you, didn't I?

[He almost laughed.

Very bad choice in seconds, indeed.]

Archie.

[What was there to say? They were both determined. So, instead.

A different topic.]

How did you manage that?

[action]

simplestgift - 2011-06-27 18:56 (UTC) - Expand

captainhornblower - 2011-06-27 20:15 (UTC) - Expand

simplestgift - 2011-06-27 20:16 (UTC) - Expand