WtL Mailbox

[jumpthegun]

1201 Sugar Plum Grove

Comments

[jumpthegun]

Your bad influence, yes. I'm also older and a lot more tired.

[devoutish]

So m'I, mate. So m'I. Fifty years - that's a long time for men like us, innit.

Tell me, do you ever imagine retiring?

cw: mention of cancer and character death

[jumpthegun]

Not quite there, yet, myself, but... yeah.

[Especially considering Alfie's brush with lung cancer. If they hadn't had Zephyr's magic his prognosis would have been... very grim. And short.]

Pretty sure a bullet will be the thing to retire me, though. Don't much fancy going out in my sleep. But I would like it to be quick.

[devoutish]

I always figured that, for myself. You wouldn't like some rest beforehand, though?

[jumpthegun]

I like a holiday as much as the next man, but something extended? Not really. This place gets to me bad enough sometimes.

[devoutish]

Well, it wouldn't have to be here.

[jumpthegun]

Alfie, are you trying to convince me to retire?

[devoutish]

Conversation, John; that's all.

[jumpthegun]

It sounds like a sales pitch to settle down, honestly.

[devoutish]

I'd just like to know more about your plans, that's all. You know mine, but you don't talk much about your own.

[jumpthegun]

My plans are to get back to Norfinbury, save the people who're there by getting through it a hell of a lot faster, and then go home and... live? I know Sherlock isn't dead now. I know I've got Mary to look forward to. A kid, apparently, as well. If I can remember everything, I'm just planning to do things... right, I guess? No settling down, though. Not entirely.

[devoutish]

Will you visit, or accept visitors, or will that be goodbye?

[jumpthegun]

If you can visit? Sure. I wouldn't mind that. It's not... I mean, I obviously don't want to lose everyone here. It's just... I've got a life I need to go back to living, you know?

[devoutish]

Of course. I do as well, even if some changes will be made.

[Like shacking up with a guy from another world and popping back to London for temple and to make sure the young gangsters are being satisfactorily kept in line.]

[jumpthegun]

Passing on the gangstering to some younger bloke?

[A man who works with the police some days has to hope.]

[devoutish]

Well, I do expect to still have great influence. The kids will need a guiding hand.

[jumpthegun]

Is Royce gonna be joining the gang, then, too?

[devoutish]

I expect he'll consult from time to time. He'd be good at it, don't you think?

[jumpthegun]

If you want someone assassinated, sure. Do a lot of those with your lads?

[devoutish]

It has happened before, yes.

[jumpthegun]

[John sighs.]

I really don't want to hear about it, do I?

[devoutish]

You know what I do for a living, John; of course I've had men killed.

[jumpthegun]

I know, I just... I dunno. Would've thought the whole... death snow apocalypse would've put you off of it a bit.

[devoutish]

Well, that's a part of why I'm generally retiring, innit. But what else would you have me do, come to work for your side of things?

[jumpthegun]

Would that be so bad? There're people who consult with the police who're former criminals. Help catch the really bad guys.