citylogs | [closed] catch-all log for December

You have had worse, perhaps, but that should not diminish the seriousness of your current state.

[ if she declines in sitting, then Dream will set in close beside her, close enough to almost seem crowding but more that he's helping to support her as she stand, able to lean against him if she wants. hopefully a comforting presence.

it's probably odd for Hob to see, Dream always seeming so aloof. ]

[ She has never really had a reaction to his intense proximity beyond maybe moving closer, so she doesn't look up, she just keeps staring at the soup and willing herself to eat it so as not to make a scene while they talk.

Eventually, she'll tug her sleeve over her hand to pad it and pick up the bowl to drink some of the broth. ]

[ It is a little unusual to see Dream act with such care and comfort toward anyone, but Hob saw similar behavior when he had been injured and Dream tended to his wounds. Hob knew what happened, though he couldn't actually witness it, but seeing Dream's actions now puts a smile on Hob's face.

Seeing Vanessa drink some of the soup also pleases Hob. She'll need to eat to get her strength back, even if it's difficult at the start. ]

Um, we could ask someone to bring some of your things for you, if you'd like.

[ So she can wear her own clothes, if she'd prefer it. ]

That is a fine suggestion, though I believe lady Vanessa cannot yet recall were her recent residence is located.

[ not to answer for her so much as he's answering because she's sipping the soup. ]

[ She wasn't excited to admit that out loud twice, anyway. Though her mind is already clearing up a bit since first arriving, the exact location is still not very clear. This might not have been such a problem if she hadn't insisted on living like a stray cat for the last five months.

Lowering the bowl back down, she'll reach up to pull her hair over one shoulder with her voice low and soft. ]

As soon as I can recall, I can see to it myself...thank you. I realize that I...do not appear my best, at the moment.

[ That gets a curious look from Hob. ]

You don't remember where you live?

[ The look is passed to Dream, as if to ask, 'is that normal'? Not like Hob would know if it is normal for Vanessa.

When Vanessa suggests she does not look her best, Hob smiles. ]

Nonsense. There's a store nearby, if you should need a few things. One of us will fetch them for you.

[ Even Hob will do it (if Dream would let him out the door). ]

[ not on your immortal life, buddy. but the look is caught by Dream, and he all but shrugs with a mild expression that seems to say something along the lines of "what can you do?"

but he glances back down to Vanessa at the suggestion of the store. ]

That includes not only clothing but anything else that you may find that you need, no matter how trivial.

[ She doesn't want anything, not anything at all, but she knows that she can't go wandering about dressed like this. However, she can feel any credible need slipping away when under the pressure of their attention, and there's a blank spot where her answer should be.

After a moment of staring at the soup bowl, she remembers again, though is reluctant to look up with them both waiting. She'll probably forget again. ]

...A dress, I suppose.

[ She can't picture Morpheus dress shopping. He wasn't interested in it before, but of course that hadn't been urgent. ]

Of course. After you eat a little, you should continue to rest.

[ Hob glances to Dream again, clearly concerned. The woman looks practicaly shell shocked. He remembers such blank looks during and after the great war. ]

I can go and get you one while Dream watches over you.

[ Hob may not be fit to make it up and down the stairs, but his determination won't let that stop him. ]

[ he catches his look again, his chin dipping down as if nodding in agreement. it is a concern. but his next words are a flat command. ]

No. You need continued rest as well.

[ although ... he tilts his head a bit. ]

Perhaps you might call upon Loki. Do you think he would agree to complete an errand asked of him?

[ as he speaks, he reaches for Vanessa, his hand pressing to her back for support and for comfort. ]

[ Loki? That draws her away from her weak attempt at drinking soup once more. What in any realm does Loki have to do with any of this? ]

I would— rather not burden someone else with my...state, but—

[ It's difficult enough for just them to know, but then she also can't think of a better solution other than handling it herself. In which case several more people might spot how poorly she's doing, and she would rather...not. ]

If we must, then why Lord Loki?

[ She has nothing against him, but they aren't exactly close. ]

[ Would Loki complete an errand if Hob asked it of him? He's sure the answer is a resounding 'yes' without hesitation. Though Hob would not want to bother Loki with a task like shopping, he's sure Loki would agree with Dream that he should not be out and about so soon. ]

Yeah, I'll ask him.

[ Hob takes his device from the kitchen counter and starts working on a text, only to pause briefly at Vanessa's question. ]

Oh, well, Loki and I are seeing each other. I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

[ Once the message is sent, Hob smiles at Vanessa. ]

And he has great taste, so I'm sure he'll find you something suitable to wear.

[ooc: Lex agreed and Loki will drop off some appropriate options in a reasonable amount of time. o.ov ]

[ the fingers pressing against her back rub gently when he feels the tension rising in her at the suggestion. ]

And while I would not speak for him, I doubt that he would se it as a burden.

[ not if Hob was the one to ask him. he'd probably bend over backwards to do it. ]

[ The touch is enough to remind her that nothing disastrous is likely to happen in the next hour, at least.

'Seeing each other' is not exactly a phrase she's familiar with in this context, but she can quickly deduce what he means. She can't help her surprise, but if anything it begins to draw out something of a smile, first with a glance up to Morpheus and then back to Hob.

If there is one good thing about this city, it is that their captor doesn't consider openly expressed love to be a crime. London could not make the same claim. ]

How wonderful to hear. Have you...known one another for long?

[ Hob was not prepared to talk about himself and Loki, but perhaps it will distract Vanessa from more unpleasant thoughts for a short while. There's an almost embarrassed smile as he sets his device down. ]

About six months? [ That would put both of them in the first group of arrivals. ] We only started dating recently.

[ It still stuns Hob that Dream started seeing someone before him. ]

It was shortly after the events in October, was it not?

[ right around the time he and Vanessa become a thing. ]

[ It's difficult to believe that was only a month prior. How has so much happened since then? ]

I think it's lovely...that you've discovered one another.

[ Even if Loki is quite doomed outside the City. She felt his death herself.

Unpleasant. ]

I suppose there has been much in recent weeks to draw some of us closer together.

It was.

[ Hob didn't expect Loki to confess his feelings at the Halloween party. He also didn't expect Dream to spend the night elsewhere. Ahem!

Vanessa's remark puts a sheepish smile on Hob's face. ]

Thank you. Yes, things have been hectic lately.

[ Hob is reminded of the haunted house and also of what happened with Ethan. Unconsciously, he rests his hand against his abdomen where the discomfort lies. ]

[ well Dream didn't expect it either. surprises all around.

he glances down at Hob's unconscious gesture, then glances to Vanessa, his hand rubbing gently at her back again. ]

[ The reminder of that is enough to immediately crush whatever positivity she was momentarily permitting, her gaze dropping low and her hands disappearing back into her sleeves. ]

I wish that I could do something to help you. I wish...that I had prevented any harm from befalling you or any other.

I can...only promise that nothing like it will happen again while I am here.

[ Hob blinks in surprise and quickly shakes his head at Vanessa's sorrow. ]

It's not your fault or your responsibility, Vanessa. And I've already accepted an apology.

As Hob and others have said.

[ rather than repeating him about it not being her fault. his hand ghosts up along her back to touch his cool fingers to the back of her neck, squeezing there very gently. perhaps it might being her more comfort that he's doing such an intimate gesture in front of another, unafraid to show his affection here. ]

[ If it wasn't her responsibility before, then it is now. She can't imagine anyone else being able to look after Ethan when he turns again.

Her throat is tight while she stares, scratching at her wrist with her thumbnail. The touch to her neck is enough to draw her attention back up toward him, and she struggles through a smile again so as not to worry anyone more than necessary. If not for Morpheus, she might have bolted long before now. ]

When I am...better dressed, I can fetch what is needed to make some tea for Mr. Gadling. [ A glance to Hob to speak to him. ] It will help.

[ Hob doesn't understand at all Vanessa's guilt about the attack. She isn't to blame. Ethan is a werewolf, and what he did was outside of his ability to control. Hob doesn't fault him for it, and he knows Ethan will do everything possible to prevent it from happening again.

Her suggestion of making some tea for him gets a gentle nod. ]

Thank you. I'm sure it will.

[ He wants to ask why she feels she must be the one responsible for preventing future incidents, but Hob is never sure he'll get an answer to his questions. Plus, she's obviously weary. ]

Until then, please rest as much as you need to. You can call on me for anything.

Once Hob himself has healed, of course.

[ a light chastisement, meant in good spirits. ]

[closed] catch-all log for December

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