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[transfundere]

"Please leave a message. Should you require immediate medical assistance, please seek closer help and I will attend you as soon as possible."

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Re: After their respective chats with Nathaniel and Jedao

[transfundere]

Of course, Arthur. Speak and, should it be in my power, consider it done.

[lestercraft]

I've been made aware of a stolen item that I've since been enlisted to assist with, but for- obvious reasons, I'm not really the best party. If I could give you the directions for it, would you be able to collect it for me?

[transfundere]

Of course, Arthur. Where am I headed?

[lestercraft]

The library. If you move down the aisle between the third and fourth shelves to the left of the entrance, there'll be a passage to the second floor. The items, a-a set of ear cuffs, will be hidden on the first shelf on the right.

[All of which, unbeknownst to him, Reid has already done.]

[transfundere]

[ A pause. ]

Aha. Well, um, that is-

We, that is, Jedao and myself, were able to ascertain the location through a combination of our talents a little earlier. They have been safely recovered.

The scent of the cyanide, you see.

[ A pause, and then his voice goes gentle. ]

I had no idea, Arthur.

[lestercraft]

...of course you did.

[There's bitterness in his tone, but it's not directed at Reid. He's just frustrated, at Jedao for not giving him the time of day or any fucking faith that he knows his own inmate and can solve the situation his fucking self.

But he takes a breath, and sounds more- clipped, professional.]

It's alright, Johnny. I'm glad that it got resolved sooner than later, and I can understand Jedao's... impatience, on the matter.

[transfundere]

[ He hates that tone. And hates that he feels responsible for it. ]

How... how did everything go with your Mr. Mandrake?

[lestercraft]

[That gets a quiet, bitter laugh.]

I'd hoped he wouldn't try and assault anyone before we got through discussing that people matter whether you like them or not, but clearly my hopes were too high.

[transfundere]

We have not wings, we cannot soar;
But we have feet to scale and climb
By slow degrees, by more and more,
The cloudy summits of our time.

[ A gentle note of wry empathy. ]

Having been in such a situation myself, I do not envy you that.

Consider, at least, this: he did not dispose of the cuffs. And he gave you the information precisely enough that had an extraordinary confluence of luck not occurred, you would have been able to return them to the victim.

[lestercraft]

[There's a few moments silence as he bites his tongue - he does appreciate the poetry, and Reid's support - and instead he just lets out a quiet sigh.]

I certainly do believe that he wouldn't have given that information out to anyone else so readily, if at all.

They've been delivered back to their rightful owner, then?

[transfundere]

And with the cuffs recovered and yes, returned, that is the most important proof of your work.

[lestercraft]

And believe me, it's an improvement in any sense of the word that you like that we were able to find the fucking things. Any earlier than now and he might have just thrown them overboard.

[transfundere]

Precisely.

[ A breath out. ]

I don't suppose there's anything else I can do to help?

[lestercraft]

More than you already have? [There's a bitter humour lurking on the edges, though it's more clearly not aimed at Reid this time.] You've already gone above and beyond with assisting in this entire situation to begin with, Johnny, I can't express my thanks enough.

[transfundere]

Then don't [ just a bit of teasing in return ] and just remember you have me in your back pocket whenever you should need.

Just as I know I have you.

[lestercraft]

Of course. And I hope you'll never hesitate to call on me as I do you.

Thank you, brother. [And he does finally sound a little more relaxed. Fractionally, but still.]

[transfundere]

I have not. And I will not.

[ Much more wry. ]

And I'll remind you of that the next time something explodes in my face, hmm?

[lestercraft]

I'll be sure to keep any smart comments to myself.

[transfundere]

Only if you want me to think you've had your mind meddled with. Or that you're cross with me.

[lestercraft]

Historically my attitude tends to put itself aside until there's breathing room. When the situation is resolved, I'll be quick to assure you of my true self.

[transfundere]

Of course, Arthur. You're not unreasonable.