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mask or menace | ic inbox.
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text • audio • video • action
[ He laughs at that text, then sets off to meet her, grinning. When he arrives and sees her, he smiles warmly. He is glad she is there and heads toward her, waving as he comes. He is grinning widely and bouncy as he settles into a seat. ]
Wine would be perfect, yes. [ Harry grins at her, eyes searching hers. He had meant to seek her out earlier, but coming back to this world had involved a lot of missed paperwork. He had known her only a little on this side before that trip, and then well-ish, on the other side, and now... part of him hopes it is okay to extend this invitation.
He grins at her nonetheless. ] It is good to see you, Anathema.
Wine would be perfect, yes. [ Harry grins at her, eyes searching hers. He had meant to seek her out earlier, but coming back to this world had involved a lot of missed paperwork. He had known her only a little on this side before that trip, and then well-ish, on the other side, and now... part of him hopes it is okay to extend this invitation.
He grins at her nonetheless. ] It is good to see you, Anathema.
And you, Harry. How have you been? Have you settled back in from—
[ She hesitates. Their own readjustment from that other world likely isn't as difficult as others have been, but they still ducked some awful scenes back there, and she's not even sure how much of it he remembers. ]
I'm sorry I didn't check in last month. It's been... busy. Some people vanished along with the rest of us but then never came back, or maybe they came back and don't remember it.
From the sounds of it, though, I think you do.
[ She hesitates. Their own readjustment from that other world likely isn't as difficult as others have been, but they still ducked some awful scenes back there, and she's not even sure how much of it he remembers. ]
I'm sorry I didn't check in last month. It's been... busy. Some people vanished along with the rest of us but then never came back, or maybe they came back and don't remember it.
From the sounds of it, though, I think you do.
From the nightmare that was the other world? yeah. I think so.
[ He shivers, remembering, and shakes his head, eyes dark with memories for a moment, before he pulls himself back from that edge. Other him had been colder, but also freer with his care and wanting to save the world. And had died there, for it. ]
I am glad you made it back, too. [ His words are soft, and his eyes on hers are compassionate. ]
I remember all of it, as if it was yesterday.
[ He shivers, remembering, and shakes his head, eyes dark with memories for a moment, before he pulls himself back from that edge. Other him had been colder, but also freer with his care and wanting to save the world. And had died there, for it. ]
I am glad you made it back, too. [ His words are soft, and his eyes on hers are compassionate. ]
I remember all of it, as if it was yesterday.
[In some ways, these two aren't very different. Anathema, always moving, always making plans and goals and striving forward like any strong-minded heroine who's tested herself against an apocalypse; and Sal, an unstoppable force of nature, always moving forward with a will of iron, finding herself again and again in every struggle and every fierce battle.
These two like to stay busy, in other words, and today's no different. No, Sal doesn't want to sit around and fuss about the results of her Valentine's effort. Spending time holed up with Cecelia in the library, trying to piece together this gift, was a nerve-wracking struggle in itself. She prefers to set her mind on something with immediate, tangible results. Like these heartless who've been pestering her city, for instance—who can dole out a better ass-kicking than yours truly?
So that's where the message finds her, just after she's hunted down more of these strange shadows, cutting them apart with her sword (good old Jeff, always the best company), watching as they dissipate like a cloud of dark smoke. Nox was right, it's damn unsatisfying to watch, really.
But her phone lets out a chirp and her attention moves elsewhere. Once Sal sees who the message is from...the smile happens on its own, but standing up here on a Maurtia Falls rooftop, it gives her a strange sense of déjà vu.]
Hey, what's going on?
[For one tiny, brilliant moment, she's completely clueless.]
These two like to stay busy, in other words, and today's no different. No, Sal doesn't want to sit around and fuss about the results of her Valentine's effort. Spending time holed up with Cecelia in the library, trying to piece together this gift, was a nerve-wracking struggle in itself. She prefers to set her mind on something with immediate, tangible results. Like these heartless who've been pestering her city, for instance—who can dole out a better ass-kicking than yours truly?
So that's where the message finds her, just after she's hunted down more of these strange shadows, cutting them apart with her sword (good old Jeff, always the best company), watching as they dissipate like a cloud of dark smoke. Nox was right, it's damn unsatisfying to watch, really.
But her phone lets out a chirp and her attention moves elsewhere. Once Sal sees who the message is from...the smile happens on its own, but standing up here on a Maurtia Falls rooftop, it gives her a strange sense of déjà vu.]
Hey, what's going on?
[For one tiny, brilliant moment, she's completely clueless.]
[That's not a statement she's used to hearing, from anyone. At least not until she came here, and people started to trust her, rely on her, even—well, it's enough to throw her off, a simple sentiment like that. Sal recognizes that trust in her and what she does. Worries how she'll carry that weight.
There's a moment to take those words in, and then.]
Right, same to you.
[That sounds almost like a shy whisper, fuck, get it together.]
Hey, what kind of evening tea is the best here? You know, without...caffeine, or whatever.
[Sal the Cacophony, minding anyone's criticism or suggestion, let alone from months ago? Sounds far-fetched, but she's going to stay up all night if she breaks open a bottle of whiskey this late, so.]
There's a moment to take those words in, and then.]
Right, same to you.
[That sounds almost like a shy whisper, fuck, get it together.]
Hey, what kind of evening tea is the best here? You know, without...caffeine, or whatever.
[Sal the Cacophony, minding anyone's criticism or suggestion, let alone from months ago? Sounds far-fetched, but she's going to stay up all night if she breaks open a bottle of whiskey this late, so.]
Good. I kept thinking it would've been awfully embarrassing if I knew things about you that you didn't know I knew, or that I had all these memories that for all intents and purposes were like they didn't happen— [ She exhales, waves over the server. They put in their drink orders, buying themselves some time while they're still perusing the pasta menu. ]
This might sound weird to say, but: I did like that we'd kinda grown closer, over there. The extenuating circumstances and desperation probably helped. For what it's worth, it tells me that you're a pretty good egg.
[ They'd seen what each other was capable of, in situations that were in many ways even more dangerous than what they faced back here. No quicker way to get a judge of someone's character. ]
This might sound weird to say, but: I did like that we'd kinda grown closer, over there. The extenuating circumstances and desperation probably helped. For what it's worth, it tells me that you're a pretty good egg.
[ They'd seen what each other was capable of, in situations that were in many ways even more dangerous than what they faced back here. No quicker way to get a judge of someone's character. ]
[ After ordering, he nods, and listens. ]
It was nice. And it feels a little nice, having this connection. [ He grins at her. ]
[ He shakes his head. ]
I dunno if I would go so far as to think I am a good egg, but thank you.
[ He nods to her. ] You did a lot of good over there.
It was nice. And it feels a little nice, having this connection. [ He grins at her. ]
[ He shakes his head. ]
I dunno if I would go so far as to think I am a good egg, but thank you.
[ He nods to her. ] You did a lot of good over there.
So did you, [ she says, glancing up over the table to flash Harry a small smile. ] Saving the day, protecting people. It's good we don't have to do that here any more—
But it's still odd. I feel homesick, almost? Even if it's for a place that was awful?
I don't know if that makes any sense.
But it's still odd. I feel homesick, almost? Even if it's for a place that was awful?
I don't know if that makes any sense.
You asked the right person. Chamomile. [ Her answer comes quick, immediate; knowledge of tea is, after all, one of Anathema's strengths. ] It's pretty soporific and easy to find. Herbal teas in general will help: ones with valerian root, lavender, or passionflower.
There's this one brand I particularly like from a local apothecary, with lemon balm, oatstraw, catnip, skullcap, and lavender. I can get you some, if you like. I usually decompress most nights with decaf tea.
There's this one brand I particularly like from a local apothecary, with lemon balm, oatstraw, catnip, skullcap, and lavender. I can get you some, if you like. I usually decompress most nights with decaf tea.
[ He shakes his head, but smiles, and raises his glass in salute to her. ]
I do understand. We lived lives there, and it is natural to miss them, despite how fucked up the world was.
[ He nods to her. ]
The multiverse giveth, and the multiverse taketh away.
I do understand. We lived lives there, and it is natural to miss them, despite how fucked up the world was.
[ He nods to her. ]
The multiverse giveth, and the multiverse taketh away.
The multiverse giveth and the multiverse taketh away. Is that something you tell yourself often? It has the feel of an aphorism to it, a bit. [ Really, they should have it all printed out and plastered to their walls, probably. Mantras for dealing with a destabilized plane of reality that keeps throwing random shit at them. ]
I have been in the last few months, yes.
I know that things can change at any moment, which, in a way, is why I am here.
[ And he uses that cue to pull out a small card and hand it over. It is white and in purple cursive, it says simply You are cordially invited to the wedding of Harry Dresden and Wanda Maximoff, to happen on April 4th, 2020, Multiverse willing..
He grins as he hands it over ].
I know that things can change at any moment, which, in a way, is why I am here.
[ And he uses that cue to pull out a small card and hand it over. It is white and in purple cursive, it says simply You are cordially invited to the wedding of Harry Dresden and Wanda Maximoff, to happen on April 4th, 2020, Multiverse willing..
He grins as he hands it over ].
Oh my god, [ Anathema bursts out as she finishes reading the card — the whole concept of 'God' being rather malleable since she befriended angels, but the shock still holds — she looks back up from where she's clutching the card, meets Harry's eye and his slow-spreading grin of delight. ]
This is serious? For real? You're getting married next month?
This is serious? For real? You're getting married next month?
I am serious and this is for real and yes, on the 4th of next month.
[ He grins at her warmly. ]
I want you to be there, if you feel you can be.
[ He grins at her warmly. ]
I want you to be there, if you feel you can be.
Yes, obviously! I'd love to be there. [ A beat, a consideration: ] Barring divine interference, multiversal accident, or apocalyptic mayhem, of course.
But congratulations, Harry. This is fantastic. It'll be nice to have something actually nice and lasting to celebrate for once, considering— well, you know, everything that goes on over here. I'm happy for you guys. How long have you been together?
But congratulations, Harry. This is fantastic. It'll be nice to have something actually nice and lasting to celebrate for once, considering— well, you know, everything that goes on over here. I'm happy for you guys. How long have you been together?
Thank you, and of course. [ he grins at her. ]
Thank you. And we have been together for about a year and a month. I arrived here, fell head over heels for her, convinced her to take a chance on my sorry ass, and we have been making our own magic against the odds ever since.
Thank you. And we have been together for about a year and a month. I arrived here, fell head over heels for her, convinced her to take a chance on my sorry ass, and we have been making our own magic against the odds ever since.
You do? Well why don't we—
[She pulls in a quick breath of cold air, holds it in. Wait. Wait.]
Chamomile, I'll remember it. Should I...let you go? There's got to be something you need to do tonight, right?
[She pulls in a quick breath of cold air, holds it in. Wait. Wait.]
Chamomile, I'll remember it. Should I...let you go? There's got to be something you need to do tonight, right?
[Oh.]
Yeah, of course that's from me. Whoever the fuck else is going to appreciate the art of a handwritten letter in this world?
Not too smudged, is it? Kind of slipped out of my pocket, once or twice, before I flew out to the post office.
[She's still confident, and why not? A few smudges can't take away from the overall message.]
Yeah, of course that's from me. Whoever the fuck else is going to appreciate the art of a handwritten letter in this world?
Not too smudged, is it? Kind of slipped out of my pocket, once or twice, before I flew out to the post office.
[She's still confident, and why not? A few smudges can't take away from the overall message.]
[ Fascinating, she thinks, and then purposefully doesn't let herself think: Is it because either of you might port out at any moment? It's not to minimise the significance of the commitment; if anything, that whole fact makes it even more important. ]
I'm glad to see the two of you seizing some kind of happiness. Something to hang onto, y'know, considering... everything. I've been wanting to get to know Wanda better, too.
Are we allowed plus-ones?
I'm glad to see the two of you seizing some kind of happiness. Something to hang onto, y'know, considering... everything. I've been wanting to get to know Wanda better, too.
Are we allowed plus-ones?
[ Workaholicism. It's the way she tends to deal with problems too, so there are familiar signs if one knows to look for it (and Anathema does, though she also bites her tongue, uncertain of crossing boundaries or stepping into topics that aren't her place). It's been a few weeks of getting accustomed to each others' rhythms, hoping she hasn't made a horrible mistake in hiring her housemate, blurring the lines between home and work — but it's turned out okay, and revealed that Adam Parrish is more like Anathema herself than her previous colleague, Klaus Hargreeves. Studious, hard-working, attentive. Nose to the grindstone.
Maybe a little too hard-working. ]
Of course, that's fine.
[ A slight pause. Wondering if it's over-stepping, and if she shouldn't bring it up. But in the end: ]
You do remember that we're not rocket scientists or surgeons either, yeah? It's okay if we just close up shop entirely a day here and there.
Maybe a little too hard-working. ]
Of course, that's fine.
[ A slight pause. Wondering if it's over-stepping, and if she shouldn't bring it up. But in the end: ]
You do remember that we're not rocket scientists or surgeons either, yeah? It's okay if we just close up shop entirely a day here and there.
[ Nothing better than this, she thinks, but bites that back reluctantly, too. There'll be time enough and time. ]
Maybe. I have a new roommate who's still settling in, so I... should probably go check on him and cook lunch for tomorrow.
We'll talk again soon, though, Sal.
[ An easy promise. Little does Anathema know she'll outright vanish in a few days, whisked off by the Porter. ]
Maybe. I have a new roommate who's still settling in, so I... should probably go check on him and cook lunch for tomorrow.
We'll talk again soon, though, Sal.
[ An easy promise. Little does Anathema know she'll outright vanish in a few days, whisked off by the Porter. ]
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