#eldritchsign

[therapardalis]

[While Dancing Meme from @eldritchsign for Basil.]

”May I have this dance?” ------------

Only years of practice kept relief from Thera's face at the familiar voice. She'd been in the process of trying to decide exactly why she'd been invited to this party - manners, as decoration, or because word had spread through the community about a single woman of considerable means, who must surely be looking for a husband to get his hands on help her manage it.

There was no shortage of takers. Or at least that might be one of the reasons they gathered around her like smiling sharks contemplating a feed. Her polite smile was starting to become fixed when Basil's mild tone reached her ears, and she turned to him just a little too quickly.

"Major Ashford," She greeted, the smile turning genuine, "how wonderful to see you!" Thera held out her hand, exhaling softly. "You most certainly may!"

[ltcainemdpd]

Continued from here. @eldritchsign

He gave a soft huff of amusement through his nose at the man's comment about his taste, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well, I wouldn't know, exactly." He chuckled. "Close friend, uh, actually gave these to me as a gift just before I became Lieutenant. Eric Delko." Years ago. The memory had his smile growing. "Been with me ever since. Never go anywhere without them."

[myersbprd]

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑹𝑰𝑻𝑬𝑫 𝑨𝑾𝑨𝒀 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

@eldritchsign said: “what did you expect after all that rain?” from Frank.

"Well, not for people to forget how to drive!"

The vexation in John's voice was not directed at Frank, but instead the car that had nearly collided with them as they stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street — its acceleration too great to avoid sliding across the asphalt slick with rain and past a stop sign, sending them stumbling backwards to evade it. Normally a far more understanding person on general principle, he was no longer predisposed to forgiveness when someone else had been endangered.

As the vehicle made a hasty turn down a side street, the driver offering a hasty wave in lieu of an apology, he pressed his lips together. "They probably drive like that whether it's raining or not."

However, any trace of annoyance bled from John's expression as he turned to face Frank more fully. "But are you okay?" His hazel eyes widened slightly as they scanned the other man's countenance. "I hope I didn't bump into you too hard."

[therapardalis]

[Late Night Meme from @eldritchsign for Prof Brian Barnaby.]

“Was…was that an owl…?” ------------

"Yes." Thera didn't look up or break her stride, but there was no hesitation. She was aware of the owl, just as she was the bats likewise taking wing, the pigeons roosting in the lower eaves, and the assortment of suburban wildlife in the gardens and trees as they passed by. The awareness was faint, like a radio playing softly or some other kind of low white noise, but there.

The University grounds weren't very hospitable even in daylight, and with the approach of evening they took on a different air. Thera wouldn't call it sinister or aggressive so much as watchful - as if to be sure anyone about didn't wander where they shouldn't. To herself, Thera hoped the library didn't count as 'shouldn't'. Or that the creatures around would give her warning if she was about to mis-step.

She walked with Professor Barnaby along the cobbled path, spared the perpetually nervous man a glance. "Thank you again, Professor, for indulging me so late." Her initial plan had been to arrive in the mid afternoon, but her train had been delayed and by the time she'd found her accommodation and made it to the University it was already growing dark.

Thankfully, he had been the faculty member she'd run into, and he was goodnatured enough to escort her where she needed to be. If, of course, he didn't scare himself to an early grave along the way. "I'll be as quick as I can, I promise." Although Barnaby might not have been the only one she was reassuring. "I just need to take a look at one book ..."

[spicyitsthebrigadier]

@eldritchsign (Frank) said: ❛ do you really think you’re in a position to give orders? ❜

"I can give orders from any position. Now, stop waffling and put your back into it. Is that understo..." At that moment Frank hit a favorable spot. "Ahh! Yes, right there. Bloody hell, that's the spot. Just a bit harder."

[myersbprd]

with @eldritchsign + continued from here!

Frank was about to scoff at him, John could tell. Foretold by the settle of the older man's posture and the raise of a hand, he simply waited for it. As it was, he wasn't sitting here because he had anticipated anything different ( even if some quiet part of him had, perhaps too stubbornly for his own good, hoped for it ); no, that wasn't it at all.

John knew there was a lot that Frank didn't share with him and quite possibly never would. Although he could guess about everything that weighed so heavily on his partner's shoulders as much as he liked, it wasn't what he considered the most. Instead, he preferred to focus on being present now, in making it evident ( not in so many words ) that he would listen if there was ever anything Frank did wish to tell him. And if not? Well, maybe John could just be trusted to watch Frank's back, here and when they were in the thick of things. Maybe he could be a safe place to set that weight down for a while. Whether he was ever taken up on any part of that, at least he was there.

Then, Frank smiled, and the corners of John's lips inched upwards with surprise. That certainly wasn't the reception he had expected. "It's not babysitting, and I'm not doing it 'cause I think I have to," he said with a grin ( and ignoring the way that whatever it was about that nickname, Johnny, made the back of his neck feel a little warmer ). "Maybe I want the company."

[therapardalis]

[Distracted Meme from @eldritchsign for Brian.]

"Sorry, it's just… you look, um, really nice today." ------------

" ... Oh! Thank you." Thera blinked, gave a quick smile. "I was starting to wonder the opposite, actually - whether I had something on my face or in my hair and you were too nice to say!"

It wouldn't be the first time she'd had a leaf, a smudge of grime or even so far as a tear or button-slip (an actual scandal, there!) and not noticed until someone pointed it out. "I'll have to remember what extra I did this morning so I can do it again!"

[doctorxoncall]

@eldritchsign (Basil) said: ”can i help?”

"No, no, no, back up. I don't need you sticking your big nose into it Lord Money Bags. I got this covered."