oneman_onevote | (no subject)

They mount the stairs in such grim silence that someone might be forgiven for thinking there was some kind of unspoken tension in the air.

Chances are good.

Havelock counts the door numbers with the care of one used to Milliways' fluid approach to internal architecture, fingers linked absently with Puck's, then comes to a halt in front of number sixty-three. It's been a while since he last visited Nita - chronic introversion does have unfortunate side-effects in that respect - but this is at least the right place.

He glances down at Puck once more, then knocks firmly.

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From inside: "Yeah? Who is it?"

Puck smiles wryly at Havelock.

"A pair of carolers gone a-wassailing," he calls cheerfully. "Have you an apple, a pear, a plum, or cherry?"

Havelock rolls his eyes tolerantly.

"Indeed," he says dryly, by way of identifying himself through the door.

Pause.

The door cracks open and Nita peers out.

"Saying 'it's Puck and Havelock' was just too much effort, huh?"

"Absolutely," Puck assures her with a brilliant smile.

"May we trouble you for a brief visit? We thought it only neighborly."

Havelock's expression is rather more sober than Puck's.

This... is not exactly unusual, it must be said.

"I heard you had an unfortunate run-in of some description," he says pleasantly. "I hope you are feeling better?"

She blinks, sobering.

"Yeah, much better," she tells Havelock, and opens the door wider. "Come on in."

Sharp eyes might notice the fact that she has garlic hanging over the door.

Puck's eyes, as it happens, are sharp indeed.

He grins brilliantly at her and pops out of view, popping in again to sprawl in her armchair.

"I am delighted to hear it."

Havelock comes in by more conventional means, glancing up as he walks under the garlic, and privately resolving to appropriate some from somewhere or other to carry about with him.

It's just another form of creative weaponry, when you think about it.

"As am I," he says. "Memory loss cannot be pleasant."

Apparently bloodloss is just all in a day's work.

...Actually, it kind of is, isn't it?

She presses her lips together in a wry line, shaking her head. "Not particularly, no. But I'm dealing."

Since Puck has taken her armchair, she pulls out the desk chair for Havelock and perches herself on her bed.

"You have not recovered it yet?" Puck says with a frown.

A thoughtful one: He has been considering the vampire's strange powers, including the magical bondage ribbon and amnesia inducement.

He may not be looking at Havelock just at present.

Havelock nods in thanks, taking the chair and looking thoughtfully at Nita.

He doesn't say anything, although his gaze slides towards Puck, and he looks momentarily worried. This must, obviously, be a trick of the light, because a moment later he looks as calmly blank as ever.

"No. At this point, I don't think it's coming back by itself." She sighs. "And I don't think I know any telepaths who might be able to help. Have you heard if people are still getting attacked?"

"No," Puck says, honestly.

"I've yet to hear a word on that particular topic."

He's heard words on a couple of other ones, however. He wishes he could tell Nita to seek out River Tam, but such an interference is unfortunately included in the definition of the word oppose.

Havelock shakes his head.

"No. I would hope that meant there had been no futher incidents, but..."

His shrug indicates the probability of that, or lack thereof.

(It's an eloquent shrug.)

Edited Date: 2009-12-28 02:42 am (UTC)

"Yeah. If people can't remember what happened, they might not report it."

"Perhaps think they had taken strong drink, and then think no more of it," Puck agrees glumly.

Maybe he can find River Tam. He had been meaning to, when he phrased those terms ...

"Perhaps."

The blandness in Havelock's voice is thoughtful.

"While I remember to ask, Nita, where were you when you were attacked? Assuming that is what occurred."

"The library. It was late, I think. I'd been working in there for a while."

... Unfortunately, cautioning people to avoid the library for their own safety also counts as opposition, as it would seek to deter or hinder the vampire from his task.

Puck glowers at nothing in particular and kicks one leg up over the arm of the armchair.

Hmm.

"Hopefully we can assume there were no bystanders that whatever this was could also affect, then."

Multiple mind-wipings at one time is just cheating.

Or something.

Edited Date: 2009-12-28 03:09 am (UTC)

"Not that I noticed." She shrugs, helplessly. "It's a room in Milliways. There could've been a brass band around a non-Euclidean corner and I never would have known, you know?"

"Ah, yes," Puck agrees with a sympathetic grimace.

"One of our establishment's many charms."

Havelock quirks the eyebrow of the inveterate lurker in the shadows.

Still. The thing about those who watch from the numerous dingy corners of Milliways is that they tend to stay there and not volunteer helpful information.

More's the pity. It's one of the few places in the multiverse that could have provided an accurate portrayal of a day in the life of a real fly on the wall.

Anyway.

"So." Another shrug.

". . . Not that I don't like talking this stuff out again, and not that I don't like seeing you guys, but -- is that why you came by?"

A house call seems like a lot for just a chance to rehash how much she doesn't remember.