jumpthegun | IC Inbox (v1.0)

Please just don't feel bad if it doesn't hold, okay, mate? He's not a kid now, he's a grown bloody man. And you're not his sober companion.

I mean, I kind of am.

I'd just like to do one thing I'd set out to do here. I don't think that's so much to ask.

It's not, but an addict's an addict. There's only so much you can take responsibility for. You wind up pouring your energy down a black hole if you let them suck you in.

[He means Harry... maybe a little bit himself. Sherlock isn't actually on his mind as much here.]

[Siiigh. He doesn't want to be realistic.]

Enough about House. [Though he can guess they're not just talking about House...even if he assumes John's referring to Sherlock.] How's your life these days?

Oh, sunshine, rainbows. The usually y'know?

[Oh, good, that really opened the floor up to small talk. Thanks, John.]

Careful. Too many rainbows will give you diabetes.

Here I thought that was Skittles. We're gonna have to restock at one of the vending machines in the Industrial Zone when I make it through these tunnels. I'm not looking forward to that.

Skittles, rainbows. Thought they were the same thing -- unless you're going to tell me I can't trust what I see on TV.

Check the ones nearest the gate on the south end? I put some real food in those machines ages back but I never made it back that way to find out whether it made any difference in what they stocked there.

Might need to fill up before then, but I'll make a note to check. It'd be nice if we could get some real food. As real as any food gets here. But that's me complaining now about the selection. At least we have something, right?

[His bar has been drastically lowered since arriving in Norfinbury.]

I heard downtown there's even bread. Lap of luxury, that's us.

Mm... and there's hot food at the entrance. Hot coffee, at that.

They really ought to put that in the guidebook. It's a real highlight.

If it weren't so bloody far from everything else, I might pop down there more often. Or the grocery store. Could we please find some tunnels that lead to Downtown?

God, yes.

[He's not even joking; it slips out as genuine wishfulness.]

Biggest disappointment of my life.

...Maybe second biggest.

[John huffs a light laugh. It's more resigned than amused.]

Reckon we just need to sort out the next bit of the spiral to get to some really good food, yeah?

[Keep hope alive.]

[Stephen's smile, though John can't see it, is sad. There's nothing good coming up; places have only gotten worse as they've gotten nearer and nearer the center.]

Yeah. Watch, there'll be a fully automated restaurant, hot food every morning.

Don't jinx it! Mind you, if we're putting out suggestions to the Admin, the fabled hot spring wouldn't go amiss.

I think you mean the hot spring with the full-service spa. I'm just not entirely sure I'm down to get massaged by a robot spider.

That's eight hands, instead of two. I'd say you're getting a better deal.

Or eight needles for on-the-go acupuncture.

Go and ruin it, mate. [John huffs lightly.] Anyway, feeling a bit better, doctor?

Yeah. Yeah, it's...it's good to talk to someone who doesn't hate me.

[There's Wilson, but he can't bitch about House to Wilson. Not really.

I think there are a lot more people here who don't hate you than who do, Stephen. You're a decent bloke, y'know?

[Look at that peptalk!]

[Okay, he laughs.]

Just nice to have a reminder now and then. I'll let you go; I know you probably want to sleep sometime tonight.

Only a bit. Can't get too comfortable. Take it easy, mate, and try not to let House rile you. Pretty sure he gets off on that sort of thing.

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thewarningafter - 2017-12-21 16:14 (UTC) - Expand