[OPEN] an adjustment period

[afoolsgold]

Characters: The Fool, FitzChivalry Farseer, Devin Parker + OPEN
Date: The first week of March.
Location: Around Aifaran.
Situation: The Fool is having a rough time.
Warnings/Rating: None currently, will update as needed.



I. CRIME 3 - INSURANCE [DEVIN]


The Fool's clever tongue has often been weapon enough to fend off sticky situations, but as the end of the previous month demonstrated to him, a barbed retort does little to repel an assailant bent on roughing him up in a back alley. He still sports the evidence of the assault on his face now; some stitches just above his eyebrow and a discoloured bruise on one of his cheekbones, to say nothing of what the fabric of his clothes conceals.

This 'insurance policy,' offered to him so candidly by a deceptively kindly neighbour, sends a shock of dread rocketing through him.

His first impulse (once he has been divested of what little money he possesses in order to pay for that 'protection' for the month) is to seek out Fitz, because in the throes of a crisis they have always sought each other out. But that very instinct that compels them to aid each other has resulted in catastrophic recklessness in the past--and, if he interrogates his concerns deeply enough, the Fool knows that he still harbours deep fear over what his close proximity to his Catalyst in Aifaran might spell for the future of Konryu. No, he decides, better to choose a cooler head, one less inclined to settle the dispute with an axe.

That is how he ends up outside Devin Parker's door. He knocks once, and waits, straightening his tunic. (It won't at all distract attention away from what has been done to his face, but there's no helping that now.)



II. THE DREAMING BRIDGE [FITZ]


He masks it well, but the Fool is not sleeping soundly. If he were to be truthful, he has not slept soundly since before Aslevjal.

The injuries he sustained at the end of the previous month were just severe enough for him to seek out the assistance of a healer (Eiji had said something about a hospital, which put the Fool very much in mind of the sick rooms where the ill and dying were housed in his own world, but the sight of his own blood was enough to force him into it). Now, in addition to a small line of stitches above one of his eyebrows and a bruise forming on one of his cheekbones, the Fool cannot sleep.

That is, perhaps, not strictly accurate. He can fall asleep. His nightmares prevent him from staying asleep.

His restless feet carry him out of his rooms and down to the cafeteria, where he fumbles with one of the machines until it manages to produce a cup of tea. This he clasps between two hands and approaches one of the windows to look out towards the lights of the rest of the city. It's raining; else he might go for a walk.



III. ARTS 3 [OPEN]


If fate has decided to do him one kindness over the past week, it is this: the approach of a cafe owner who, having glimpsed some of the Fool's carving, offered to put some of the pieces on display in her business. The money gained through selling a few of the pieces to her is enough to put his mind at ease; it more than makes up for the money taken from him by force earlier in the week.

He's seated at the cafe terrace now with a cup of tea in hand and a few other pieces on display; perhaps he'll attract the attention of someone willing to invest in more than just one of his pieces.

Comments

[afoolsgold]

There are scars on the Fool's soul and heart that will never be healed. It's not entirely correct to say he's made peace with that reality, but he knows there's no escaping it. There might have been--permanently--if Fitz had allowed him the death that fate had set in place for him, given the path he chose to walk. But love had bid Fitz do extraordinary things in the past; the Fool should not have been surprised that he would not allow death to thwart him again.

Yet the healing that came with it left behind its own brand of trauma. For a time, the Fool sits quietly beside Devin without speaking, his eyes distant. Then he comes back to himself, turns to rest a hand on Devin's arm.

"Thank you," he says quietly, sincerely. He takes a breath and straightens, squaring his narrow shoulders, and looks towards the door. "I'll speak to Fitz about it," he adds a moment later, "I just don't want him to take to the streets intent on solving this particular problem his way." One gets the impression from his tone that Fitz's way would cause more problems than it would solve.

[annihilist]

The silence is more comfortable than Devin might have thought it could be. He isn't expecting the touch, but he doesn't draw away, either. Being able to take effective action is steadier ground, from which other things become easier.

"Thank me when it's done. I can speak with Fitz as well, if you think it'll help," Devin offers. "I'd rather he not charge in without a plan and make things worse. These things take some subtlety." At first, anyway. Upending protection rackets could easily involve an all-out brawl, but if they wanted the big fish they needed to be careful.

[afoolsgold]

"No," the Fool says quickly and shakes his head, "no, you should not--"

He stops himself; already he can feel the sheer force of his panic over the thought of Devin and Fitz interacting at his request threatening to overwhelm him. The Fool clasps his hands together in front of himself and takes a steadying breath. Like as all, Devin will only find his reaction perplexing if he doesn't provide some explanation.

"As I told you at the turtle's head," he says quietly, "he is my Catalyst. The one who changed the course of history at my direction, in our world. I worry that--" A pause; the Fool presses his lips into a thin line, then looks back to Devin gravely. "...already I worry what it means for he and I to be near each other in this place. What it could mean for Aifaran--or all of Konryu. He should not take any action on my behalf, not even through you."

He looks away again. The next admission carries more pain with it. "Truthfully, I should not speak to him at all." There's an unspoken 'and yet,' there.

[annihilist]

It is a touch odd, owing to the fact that Devin has so little context for the way the Fool's world works. The elaboration helps, and the Fool's stark reaction fills in some of the rest. Prophet and Catalyst in proximity means change, like atoms colliding in a cascading reaction.

"While Dreamfolk magic sometimes takes root here, Fool, more often it simply resides in those who carry it," Devin begins. "Your concerns are not baseless, I'll give you that. But many of us here have a recipe that could spell Aifaran and Konryu's doom." Even him, although not without some effort. "That is an inherent danger of our existence here. The Dreaming is a fickle thing, too. And yet..."

He gestures to the building around them. "It still stands. As saccharine as I find it sometimes, this world is where impossible can happen. For example," Devin says, pointing to Luthien, and that is statement enough: something as small as an inan is a drastic departure from his course of life. "Admittedly, I don't trust in the safety this place presents, but I don't trust safety anywhere. People have found peace here, in the past. I'll leave the decision up to you, but bear that in mind while you deliberate."

[afoolsgold]

The Fool listens as Devin explains, a pensive frown wrinkling his brow. He does not look convinced, but there is a glimmer of interest in his gaze... one that he squashes quickly, closing his eyes and looking aside.

"...then perhaps it is best if you speak to him about it," he allows, seeming to avoid even the implication that he and Fitz may be able to find peace together here in Konryu. Looking to Luthien again, he quirks the barest of smiles at her and reaches out to give her a gentle scratch beneath her chin. Wryly, he adds, "My apologies, if he is rude."

(As far as impossible things went, it was easier for him to accept the existence of the inan than even entertain the idea of what he wished for from his and Fitz's relationship.)

[annihilist]

At that, Devin gives a soft snort of amusement. "His behavior is not yours to apologize for; I believe he's a grown adult, yes? Besides, I'm more than capable of handling a little bit of rudeness."

There's a sly edge to his gaze then. Fitz won't know what hit him, and Devin is more than prepared to engage in repartee. Luthien closes her eyes, pleased with the attention. "I'm sure I can locate him, if you don't want to facilitate an introduction."

[afoolsgold]

The Fool lifts only his eyes from the little inan to give Devin an almost reproachful look, but the slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth belies any real reprimand. He looks back down at Luthien and lifts his eyebrows, tilts his head to the side.

"You know," he says primly, "I think I'd rather like to witness that." Wicked Fool--and poor Fitz. "Yes, I'll arrange for you two to meet."

[annihilist]

Well, apparently this is going to turn into a show. That's fine by Devin, although he'll have to be considerate of how sharp he allows his barbs to become. If Fitz has a tendency to fly off the handle, riling him to that point would be counter to Devin's purpose. He needs Fitz's cooperation, but not his friendship.

"As you wish," Devin returns, not bothering to hide the edge of slyness in his voice that's mirrored in his expression. If there can be amusement found in this situation, so much the better. He hesitates, and continues more quietly: "We'll get it figured out. I'm glad you felt you could bring this to me."

Of course, he'd rather there not have been a reason to need help; but however reluctant Devin is to let people into his life, once there he has every intention of keeping them safe. At least now, the threat does not have roots with him.

[afoolsgold]

Not too much of a show. ...Just a bit of one. And perhaps the Fool is exaggerating Fitz's potential for losing his temper, though in his experience, Chivalry's only son has not responded well to threats of violence against the Fool's person.

At Devin's quiet words, the Fool looks back at him again with a bit of surprise registering in his expression--though whether at himself or at Devin, it's not immediately clear. He forces a short laugh to smooth over any awkwardness created in the moment and folds his hands neatly in his lap. "Well," he starts, smoothing out a few wrinkles in the fabric, "I suppose if this is the first adventure I'm meant to embark on here in Aifaran, I'll be glad for genial company."

He smiles at Devin again, equal parts sincerity and whimsy, then rises lightly to his feet. "With that, I should take my leave of you this evening, I think. Shall I--" oh, what was that word, "--...message you on this--" he holds up his yimo, "--when I've spoken to Fitz?"

[annihilist]

Devin nods. "Yes, let me know. I'll get to work in the meantime and keep you updated as much as you'd like."

There is plenty he can begin to investigate on his own, and he'll let the Fool dictate how much he wants to hear about the endeavor. He hesitates for a moment or two, mouth thinning in thought, before speaking again.

"If someone approaches you again, you can also call me. I can be most places in the city in a matter of minutes." Adjusting for foot traffic and knowing his way around, his speed could make traversing Aifarain a very short trip indeed. "But I sincerely hope that won't ever be needed."

[afoolsgold]

The Fool's cat-like curiosity has gotten him into trouble more than a few times. (Perhaps it's fair to say it killed him, too.) It's debatable whether he'll follow up with Devin for details, but not beyond the realm of possibility.

"If someone approaches you again, you can also call me. I can be most places in the city in a matter of minutes."

The offer brings with it a reassurance that the Fool didn't realize he'd needed until he heard it. Some of the tension seems to ease from his shoulders and expression, and he cants his head to the side, smiling almost wryly. "Be careful, Devin," he teases kindly, "I'm dangerously close to calling you chivalrous."

He takes a step towards the door to let himself out.