2019-10-01 - Relationship Goals

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Phone rings - it's coming from Isabella's number, after a few hours of constant harassment by Alexander of the Addington Memorial staff ever since he got dispatch's call back.))

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((The phone is picked up almost immediately.)) "Isabella? Are you all right?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella's voice is low and murmured, and somewhat groggy.)) "Alexander, I'm sorry....I meant to call you last night. I didn't mean to make you worry. Nurse..." ((She coughs a laugh.)) "Practically shoved the phone in my hand the moment I opened my eyes to tell me to call you back."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((Makes a grumpy noise.)) "Well. I'm glad she did. And you have nothing to apologize for. I had to put stitches in August, so I gather it was pretty bad. I got caught up in one, too - with Kelly, of all people. And Byron and Erin, as well. We didn't get torn up, though. How are you? Do you have everything you need?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "The nurse told me you called 911 and had them come to my houseboat. Is August alright? It was..." ((Isabella falls silent, but chooses at the moment to focus on the other things he's telling her.)) "Wait, you did too? With the three of them? Are you alright? August told me that abilities don't work in a Dream while we're in this condition, so...do you need--" ((She coughs, and the rustle of cloth, attempting to shift, but there's a heavy thump and a groan.)) "....I think so. I don't suppose someone somewhere discovered a cure for this while I was out, did they?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "He's a bit cut up, but he's a tough bastard. Walking's not gonna be fun for him for a few days, though." ((Alexander is likely doing dishes - the clank of dishes and the hiss of water can be heard in the background.)) "Fine. We weren't damaged at all. Just a little weirded out. And yeah. My abilities have been fading in and out for days, but in the Dream, they were gone." ((A pause at the thump and groan.)) "Isabella? Are you okay? Did you fall? And...my fever broke this morning. I still feel like shit, but apparently this does end. Eventually."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella sighs quietly.)) "I meant to tell you last night - this infirmity lasts from ten to eleven days from exposure to recovery. I had forgotten to tell you, but I haven't been...thinking as clearly as I should. I'm glad you're all alright and that the Dream wasn't strenuous. What about your abilities? Have they returned, or do they feel weak?" ((She pauses, and she sounds like she brightens up some.)) "That's great! You'll be back up on your feet again in no time, but don't overdo it. I'm still waiting...if the Archivist is right, I should be...soon." ((There's a shuffle.)) "I don't think I'll be walking so well, either. And..." ((The sound of her face being scrubbed by a hand.)) "There was something after August, in the Dream we were in. We had to run to the elevators and it jumped down after us. There was a blade, I pushed him away. In retrospect, I'm glad I'm physically incapable of seeing the state of my back at the moment. It's stapled up. But if it hadn't been for August, it'd be much worse."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((A brief pause, in which counting is probably taking place.)) "That makes sense. Well, good. At least it does end." ((The clink of dishes in the background.)) "Still on the fritz. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. I haven't felt this...uncertain in them in a long time, Isabella. Like finding your crutch has been sawed most of the way through and you don't know when it's gonna break." ((Then he falls silent to listen, and breathes out sharp and long.)) "Jesus, Isabella."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "I know. It's probably not easy for the others, also - the ones who use often, though admittedly nobody really should be. August was frustrated, too, when I asked him about his abilities and how they wouldn't work." ((Isabella takes a deep breath.)) "The thing chasing us said some things to him that were upsetting, so I'm glad he seems to be doing alright. He was steady throughout. I think you're right. He'd be a good friend to have in the apocalypse." ((Another sigh and shift in her covers.)) "There was something strange about it, the entire thing. I can't put my finger on it, though. I'm very tired, I haven't really stopped." ((After a long moment of silence, her voice drops to a whisper.)) "I almost...I wanted to see his heart."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((Listens, although there's a couple of 'you have a text' chimes on his end, and then some soft cursing.)) "...yeah. August seemed to indicate that it was rough. I didn't press, but he was clearly affected. And he said that," ((a pause)) "things seemed to be getting to you. Just...remember, Isabella. Everyone has horrible things inside of them. We usually build barriers around them of good things, of love and morality and practicality. Just because you wanted it doesn't meant that if you weren't being pushed that you would do it."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella falls quiet as she listens.)) "It-- " ((There's another chime, audible from the speakers. Seems she's getting messages also and she, too, sighs.)) "I know. It was just...I've never felt that way before. I had...broken glass in my hand and all I could think of was wondering how it worked." ((Her voice grows distant.)) "Hold it in my hand..." ((She groans and there's some shifting again.)) "Anyway if you're on the mend, that means I should do relatively quickly. You're cursing, though. Everything alright with you?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "You get used to it. Feeling like that." ((Alexander's voice is soft.)) "I mean. You probably won't. This'll go away, I promise. You just have to try not to focus on it too much. Give your mind other things to do." ((And then he sighs, explosively.)) "Liiiike predicting with me whether Dr. Glass is going to try to murder Byron, since apparently he has not talked with her about why he is spending so much time with Miss Winslow. And she's feeling homicidal." ((A thoughtful pause.)) "She has access to a lot of interesting drugs and where he usually sleeps."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella groans softly, though it's largely due to her condition.)) "I received a message from her, but I couldn't call her because I'm talking to you, and I thought I would call you first because you've been trying to reach me." ((She listens to him after that and then, slightly teasingly.)) "I thought you weren't going to touch that entire affair with a ten foot cattle prod? Though I suppose now that possible murder is in the cards, there might be a need for a slight intervention. Tell me about your dream?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((Alexander actually sounds worried.)) "Well, it isn't my intention. But infidelity can be a killing offense in some people's minds even when they aren't being influenced by a ghostly serial killer." ((A frustrated sound.)) "And, of course, Thorne hasn't replied to my text. And Javier shut me out. I don't blame him, but I don't think he's in any position to intervene. FUCK!" ((A low groan.)) "Why when I can't just reach out and calm people the fuck down? Fuck it. FUCK IT. They can just kill each other! Why should I care?" ((Another text message ding.)) "...this is not going to end well."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((There's a long silence from Isabella's end, and when she speaks up, her tone is soft.)) "It's odd that she would be going to you now about that. The last time Vivian and I had touched upon her relationship with Byron, she was willing to let bygones be bygones. If she was upset, she hid it well - though I can't imagine not being upset about cheating. But she was attempting to coldly rationalize it the way she normally does. Maybe she finally had enough. What do you mean the Captain shut you out?" ((She listens further and when she responds, it's with a rattling breath.)) "You care because that's the kind of person you are, when all things are said and done. I've benefited from that directly before. I would have ruined my life and someone else's were it not for you, so I'm not about to tell you to stop."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((There's an explosive breath of relief.)) "Oh, thank god. She's thinking about leaving, not homicide." ((A hasty addition,)) "Not that I want her to go, but I can't blame her for wanting to. And there's letting bygones be bygones, Isabella, and then there's bygones continuing on and becoming ever more, uh, really fucking obvious." ((He sighs.)) "And just that. I don't think it's personal. Although I wouldn't blame him if it was. But either way, I don't want to give him more to worry about. And now, I don't have to."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((He'd practically hear her smiling on the other line.)) "I wouldn't want her to leave, either, but...it's getting increasingly dangerous here, also, now that we're falling right into the darker months. She had a good life in Los Angeles and if Byron's feelings are moving elsewhere, maybe she should think about it, also. I hope that doesn't sound cold, but...if it were me, I wouldn't tolerate it at all." ((There's a heartbeat's pause, before she continues.)) "The Captain reached out to me a couple of days ago and said that you were able to get in touch with him after my last phone call with you, but I haven't heard much back. He seems to be dealing with other things also, though I see he's another one who seems to can't help but make his life more complicated than it has to be."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((Alexander sighs, his agitation audibly dropping.)) "She's just thinking of leaving the penthouse, not the city. Looking for a place to stay. Assuming not murder hotel...I think I'll check with Miss Liven and see if she has any properties from her father available that I can steer her towards." ((Another pause.)) "...and Easton's also feeling homicidal. Jesus. We never warned him." ((A soft groan.)) "This is madness."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella's audible smile turns into an audible frown.)) "I don't want to see her go but..." ((She makes a quiet noise.)) "...I don't know if she's worried about her patients but I'm sure they'll all understand if she decided to reform her practice elsewhere. Though if you can keep seeing her for your therapy, also, that would be good. I just..." ((Why can't people just leave here? Her frustration seeps into her hoarse voice.)) "Miss Liven? And...all I heard from Byron about Easton was that he was thinking of sacrificing his relationship with Bennie. He seems to have been keeping in touch with him, so I thought Byron would have..." ((More frustration.)) "It can't just be the two of us who are keeping the wheels going, can it? We're only two people! We can't be doing all the-- " ((She takes a deep breath.)) "Okay. Okay. Is he...did Easton...?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "You know Gray Harbor doesn't let anyone go easily, Isabella." ((Acoustics suggest he's moving to a different room, and then there's the creak of him sitting on the futon, and the shift of cloth.)) "Love Liven. Her father was one of my more regular clients before he disappeared. It's a bit of a story." ((He makes a thoughtful noise.)) "It seems to be. In so far as anyone is." ((A pause.)) "I don't think anyone is dead. But trying to confirm. And trying not to be angry. Not that it matters, because I can't trust my abilities, so I can't reach out and fry every single idiot in this goddamned town."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Pause.)) "...her name is Love?" ((She sounds faintly amused, punctuated by a cough.)) "What was the story, about his disappearance?" ((There's another sigh, though this one seems to be relieved.)) "Alright, considering everything else maybe we really ought to find someone on retainer just in case. For legal matters. If nothing else, the malady is at least helpful in that regard, rendering us incapable of using anything like that. Let me know about Easton once you get confirmation he didn't do anything....regrettable?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "That's what she says. And...I don't know. He just disappeared. People do that in Gray Harbor. I never looked into it too far; didn't have time, really." ((There's a muffled something like a laugh.)) "Uh. Yeah. I cannot afford a lawyer on retainer, Isabella. But it's a good idea for you or Thorne or someone." ((A long sigh.)) "It seems like he didn't kill anybody. Just an altercation."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((She laughs.)) "I'm hardly raking in money myself - though I honestly can't blame anyone for thinking that given the way I speak. But in all honesty, Academia doesn't pay all that much unless you're in a specific stage of your career, and only after you've put in a considerable amount of work. That reminds me that I ought to take up a proposal of Ronnie's, though, after this is over." ((Her frown returns audibly.)) "An altercation?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "That's not...I don't think anyone thinks you're rolling in money, Isabella." ((A curious pause.)) "What sort of proposal? And yeah. He didn't shoot anyone, though."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "Oh..." ((Isabella sighs.)) "After everything else, we've hardly ever talked about it and - the consulting job that brought me back here in the first place, Byron mentioned that he and Lilith were interested in investing in it. I've yet to field it with the people in Delaware, but if that's the case, then I'd be cleared to tell them about the details of the prospective find." ((There is a very long pause about the idea of Easton shooting, or not shooting someone, before...)) "Well, that's good. Still, he's an ex-marine. He can still do a lot of damage. He's a lot different on the bridge than he is in life, I don't know if I mentioned."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((There's an equally long pause on Alexander's end where he very, very clearly tries not to ask for further details on the confidential expedition. His voice is determinedly cheerful when he replies.)) "Good, then. I know that whatever you find, it'll be worth it, so it should be a solid investment for them. And yeah, I know Easton is dangerous. We're all dangerous, Isabella. Which is why I consider it a win that we don't seem to have actually succeeded in killing anyone, yet. So, uh, let me continue to remain hopeful here?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((There's a quiet noise of amusement.)) "I can feel your curiosity burning from here. You know if you just let me hire you as another researcher, I'd be able to tell you." ((She's not pressing for it, though - she knows very well how he feels about such things.)) "But yeah, I hope so. I've had to call Richard back in England about how I've not managed to make as much headway on it as I would like considering how sick I've become. August mentioned that he'd talk to Miss Lake about my...condition, see if it's permanent. If it is, we'll deal with it then. I'm hopeful that you're right about things crossing over being temporary, though." ((She laughs softly.)) "But far be it for me to be a downer in that, though. So yes, I consider it a win, too." ((Steel returns to her quiet, raspy voice.)) "It won't be long now until we put him to the ground, I found a burial site. Not sure if anyone else thought of it, I can refund the deposit if someone else has."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "I won't deny it. But I'm pretty sure in every single relationship guidebook in the world, something about 'not hiring or being paid by your lover' is one of the first pieces of advice in there. So, I must decline." ((There's a soft groan and a few coughs from him, a pause as he reaches for a glass of water and takes a sip.)) "Good. She's collected a tremendous amount of information over the years. If it is linked to your flu, though, they might go away at the same time. Hopefully." ((Another muffled cough.)) "Good thinking, Isabella."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "Well, that's especially true in business of any stripe." ((Isabella does sound amused still, though, before she groans again.)) "Well, I hope so. I'm about at the tenth or eleventh day mark, though I can't be quite sure when I was infected. I do know, however, that I already was when Byron and I visited the Archivist, because he told us to get well soon." ((That audible frown returns again.)) "Admittedly we might have to see him again if this...epidemic doesn't go away any time soon, though I've been following the news. No word yet that it's gone past Gray Harbor? That's good, at least, though influences of the strange around here seems to not be as potent past the city limits. Even then that's not guaranteed. I remember you mentioned to me that you and Isolde got lost back in your college days and you weren't even here at the time."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "Yeah. I don't think it'll have legs away from a thin spot like this, if I'm honest. I'm not entirely sure what's going on with it, but." ((Then there's a snort.)) "But honestly, that's just me bullshitting like I know what's going on. We'd need something like a supernatural epidemiologist or something, and I don't think they make those. But I also don't think that I have any power over the uncommon cold, so I'm just trying not think about it."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "Mmm." ((There's another shift and a groan.)) "Lying on my front is becoming very old, very fast." ((Rustling fabric, before she grunts and just frustratedly hits a button on her phone to put it in speaker, and some finagling in the background.)) "I don't think they make those either but like I said, it isn't as if we don't have ways to look into it once we're both on the mend. I told August about what I found in the Archives. He said if what I found wasn't a death record, what else could it be?" ((She pauses.)) "Maybe the names I remember died here, and not there. I'll take a crack at it once I can actually walk. I..." ((She groans softly.)) "It'd be nice to get these staples out of me, though."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "It probably has a lovely view, though," ((It's warm and teasing.)) "Not that the front isn't nice, too, of course. And there's time for that. Isabella, my dear, you really should try to get some actual rest, now that you're in the hospital. Sleep. Heal. Don't try to take on everything. The chances of the world exploding in the next week or so are remarkably low."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella laughs, though it's threadbare at best.)) "Oh...oh...it hurts to laugh but it's so worth it. You're very kind to say so, though I'm young and relatively vain and if I could prevent some scarring, at least, it would be good. Though I know you'll touch me regardless." ((The last is said low and not without heat.)) "But yes, I don't mean to say that I'll look into it right away, there are other things that need to be handled. And I think after the man is buried that I'd want to get away from here for a while. You still want to run away with me for a day?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "I would. Always." ((Alexander's voice is soft and a little rough. Partially with the sore throat, but also with a husky wistfulness.)) "And that sounds lovely. I've been talking to Easton, and we think that a day of drinking and food and absolutely no talk of the supernatural or murders is warranted after the funeral. And then, after that, perhaps we could run away to Seattle for a day?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((There's silence on the other end at those soft words, but he'd get the sense that she's smiling, before she clears her throat.)) "Ahem. Um. That sounds great, of course you should spend some time with your friend. I don't think..." ((Isabella hesitates, but only briefly.)) "I think everyone's got their damage, here. He's not an exception - it's heartening that he knows how to be with other people, though. Same as you, these days. But yes, after that, we'll get in my Jeep and I'll floor it and get out of here as fast as I can with you and then we'll do our best to lose ourselves in the big city. Especially after the last few weeks, I'm looking forward to it. Though I'm...it's..." ((A long, long silence and when she speaks up again, it's very low and pitched intimately.)) "I miss you."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "No, Isabella. I meant. We meant...as a group? You know. Hang out?" ((There's a pause.)) "Is that even a thing people do, these days? Just hang out with people who are probably friends and, uh, drink beverages and consume food and talk about nothing of importance?" ((His anxious voice softens a bit.)) "I miss you, too. I wish I could be there with you, Isabella."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "...oh, I was invited?" ((Isabella sounds surprised, before she laughs and it's a long and hearty one. It costs her, though, coughing muffledly against a pillow and groaning softly against it.)) "Absolutely, and yes! That's what people do. In fact that's what more normal people do when they're completely divorced from the things you and I get up to on a good day. It sounds fun, count me in. Maybe I'll even see if I can put you in things that actually fit you before we go. And murders and the supernatural aren't the only important things in the world, you know. I don't think we have to talk about anything trivial, it's just that those two are verboten. Consider it a challenge?" ((The last is clearly teasing, though his last words has her saying, somewhat ruefully.)) "I wouldn't want you to see me like this, with my back looking like a toy train's railroad, but at this point I'd give anything to see your face. I thought..." ((She falls silent for a long moment.)) "...the tower was...I don't know if we would've been able to survive it without one another, Alexander."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((There's some rather confused silence on the other end.)) "Yes, of course. Why would I mention it if you weren't? That seems unkind. I think we were thinking getting everyone together? Who wants to, anyway. Sort of a 'fuck that guy is in the ground and we're not murderous at last' sort of thing? Except without actually mentioning him or the murder thing." ((He pauses to take a breath.)) "Realistically, I will probably end up cowering in a corner after a few minutes, but I think it might be nice to try. And you know I find you beautiful no matter what." ((His voice softens.)) "I know. Some of them are very rough. But you had each other, and you did survive. It's all that matters."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella's tone is very dry here.)) "Well, in that case, especially count me in. I think it'd be implied no matter what and...it would be nice. Just to reiterate in some way that this isn't just a network of convenience." ((There's also simmering undercurrents of amusement here when he talks so fast.)) "You'll be fine. Just hang onto me. And I don't mean...you know. Like a koala or anything like that. First of all, you're too big for me to carry, I'll simply collapse out of embarrassment. I'm not shy to hold hands in public, though." ((Her voice turns gentle.)) "I'm glad you think so, though this isn't helping my desire to just break out of here again and come and find you. I hope that...wait. That doesn't sound needy, does it?" ((She groans, the sound of her face burying into a pillow.)) "Sorry, I'm terrible at this. In any event, it should be fun. At this rate, I won't be able to see you until the funeral. And really, it can't come fast enough."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "I have to admit that I do find the image of me clinging to you like a koala to be somewhat amusing. But I fear that I would squash you." ((He still laughs, a low and rusty sort of chuckle.)) "But I appreciate that. It's more that I will probably need someone to put a hand over my mouth when I get nervous and devolve to one of my very limited conversational areas. Namely murder and horrors." ((Another laugh, this one sharper and self-mocking.)) "And no, it doesn't sound needy. I think you just enjoy escaping from hospitals."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "You would squash me. Muscle is heavier than fat, and you've always been very lean. With all of your training, you'd probably be even heavier, if this flu didn't set you back." ((Isabella seems somewhat irritated there at the thought of it. She is a fan of anything that protects him out there.)) "Anyway you're more capable of normal conversation than you yourself think. I think so anyway. The two of us have never had any problem conversing? Even before we got involved with one another, and I was adamant about keeping our conversations away from...this. These things. But yes, if you need someone to shut you up, I know exactly how. I have ways." ((Her old mischief surfaces audibly.)) "And you know? I might. I probably do. The first time I did was the most fun I've had in ages, which really doesn't speak all too well about my current activities. You made an excellent accomplice, by the way."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "I like the fact that you'd thought about this in a very thorough and intelligent sort of way, Isabella." ((Alexander's voice carries a grin.)) "And I have lost about ten pounds, but that was somewhat inevitable. Might lose another pound or two in sweat. Ugh. As for the other...no, we never had much difficulty, I suppose. You're a bit unusual. Not in a bad way. You just...have a way of being easy to talk to, and saying things that aren't boring or frustrating." ((There's a creak as he turns on his side.)) "I can't wait to see your ways, though. I'll have to think of a few inappropriate things to say just to find out what they are. But don't escape the hospital until you can actually walk. Promise?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella laughs, it's ugly and raspy and there's audible difficulty there but she wouldn't trade these bits of mirth for anything.)) "Oh, good. Because I'm waiting with bated breath for you to tell me one day what a gigantic nerd I actually am and lament about the fact that you didn't decide to go with someone sexier." ((It's so exaggerated there's no self-deprecation there at all.)) "At least you haven't complained to me about being sore every time Joey Kelly decides to put you through the ringer, you've saved yourself from me saying how it's just lactic acid pooling under your muscles." ((Though more concern is present at the next things he says.)) "Oh, god. I didnt...oh, Alexander, I didn't know the illness itself took a toll, though August did make me feel better when he said all you guys were doing was commiserate and read a lot, and stare blankly at Netflix. You're doing better than I am about resting." ((But her smile returns.)) "If it reassures you any, though, not many get that from me, either. It's rare that I can connect with anyone intellectually, but you and I...it was almost immediate. Not to say I can't enjoy the occasional foray out of it but...I prefer this. I do." ((There's another laugh.)) "Well, if you do, you can count on my reprisal to be quick and nearly automatic. But I won't. Escape the hospital, I mean. I promise. My back feels awful and I think the nurses became wise to my game anyway. They gave me one of those gowns with no back, Alexander. Everyone can see how messed up it is. They're SHAMING ME to stay in bed!"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "You are, in fact, a gigantic nerd, Isabella. But I find it enchanting and delightful. And if I have ever suggested that I don't find you sufficiently sexy, then I'll make it a priority to demonstrate otherwise. Once your back is in shape for such exertions, anyway. I really think we should make it a relationship goal to stay out of the hospital for at least a month, at this point." ((Although he laughs, it's mostly to disguise the genuine thread of worry in his raspy voice.)) "And don't worry about it. I'll get it back soon enough, once I can keep food down again." ((He yawns, widely enough that the joint pops audibly in his jaw.)) "I'm trying to enhance my calm. So, you know, low stimulation, lots of looking at calming things. I don't actually know that August could stop me if I decided to leave. But I feel like he'd be disappointed in me if I tried to kill him, so I'm trying not to." ((Then he makes a sound that he will forever deny is a gigglesnort.)) "Now I sort of want to see this backless gown. It's probably not as bad as you think it is. But you should stay in bed."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ((Isabella chokes audibly at what he says before she laughs again.)) "That's a very worthy relationship goal, Mister Clayton, though if we're setting those already, I think we should think about getting monogrammed bathrobes." ((She must be joking, she has to be, but she's able to keep her voice steady and serious.)) "His and hers, with white lettering. Yours can be blue and mine can be red." ((She does laugh in the end though.)) "But no, you've definitely not made me feel like I was up there in that department, nevermind that you can just....pull it off without trying. I don't think you're even aware of the things you do that make me fall even precariously deeper, but...maybe we can play a game. On our day in Seattle. Twenty questions. Nothing like...you know. The conversation we need to have but...favorite childhood memory, or most embarrassing moment in high school. That sort of thing." ((She sighs.)) "But no, please don't. Kill August, I mean. I really like him and he gives such good advice, we need more of that in our lives. You know in the tower, he still managed to be funny? I don't know how he does it." ((Another laugh at what he says about the gown.)) "Well...I'll find a way. You'll see." ((After a moment, her voice turns soft again.)) "I should probably let you rest though, I know your fever's broken but you're still not a hundred percent and I do worry and have been worrying. About you."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ((Alexander's eyebrows go up, and his voice carries a playfully exaggerated air of surprise.)) "We're on to the bathrobe stage? I wasn't aware. Aren't we suppose to ritually exchange toothbrushes or something, first?" ((He laughs, softly.)) "And sure. Twenty questions sounds fun. It'll help pass the time to Seattle, and it'll be nice to know more about you, Isabella." ((But some of the humor fades from his voice when the future conversation is alluded to.)) "Although...when we get back from Seattle, we really should have that talk. And no, I won't kill August. He's a good man." ((Another yawn.)) "I worry about you, too, Isabella, so I won't tell you to not, but...we'll be okay. Let's just get through to the funeral, and then things will get a lot better."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : "I don't know! This is just as new to me as it is to you. Is there a way to ritually exchange toothbrushes?" ((Isabella must be visualizing it because she's laughing again and it sounds like it hurts.)) "This sounds like we should research this, away to the Google machine!" ((There's also a sobering note there about the talk they've yet to have.)) "When we get back. And I'll sail us to the cove so neither of us can run away from it. But yes, funeral first. One thing at a time and then we can just breathe a little. Anyway...get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow. Goodnight, Alexander. Stay safe."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : "I'm sure there is. If not, with your background in archaeology and mine in occultism, I'm sure we can invent one." ((Her laughter makes him laugh in turn, deep and pleased.)) "Let me know what you find. And I see you're taking the hardcore mode with this. Very well. Good night, Isabella. Be safe, and get some rest."