obeir | WTL Inbox

For the record, [ And for Zephyr's sake if they're listening. ] I'm not encouraging murder. [ A pause, eyebrows raised, then: ] But it might not always remain this small. Once people are free to come and go as they choose.

[ Follow your gangster dreams, Alfie. A smile tugs at the corners of K's mouth. ] Hypothetically, is there anyone here you'd want to recruit?

[ Fuck, Marry, Kill: Gangster edition. ]

You and Gabriel.

[Alfie says immediately.]

Though perhaps not for reasons that you'd like. I'd look at Ienzo and Rhys, as well. And you're right; things may change when the worlds are opened up. I'm forty-five, and the idea of starting up a gang from scratch at my age makes me feel very tired. But--

[He shrugs.]

I am gonna live much longer here than I ever would have expected, back home.

[ Because K had only really been expecting Royce to be named (who's simply a given, he assumes), the others catch him by surprise — especially himself. Wryly: ] If it's anything to do with how well I'd follow orders, you won't offend me with the truth.

[ It's something he probably should be more bothered by, but it is what it is; accept the things you can't change. Of course, it's a bit of a different story when he's fully sober. ]

Well, I've never given you an order, so I wouldn't know how well you follow them. But you're eager to please, and unquestioningly loyal to your friends.

Oh. [ That's — unexpected. ] Those don't seem like disagreeable reasons. [ Since they're even less offensive than what he'd first assumed, at least to him. Even if they may be the result of programming as much as personality traits. ]

Royce said you wished for a lifespan that matches his, when I was wondering about my own. I think it'd be nice... staying in the Meadous long term, really establishing a life here. I hope to as well. But...

[Alfie raises his eyebrows.]

But?

When people vanish from here, it isn't by choice. It's something that happens without warning as far as I've seen and heard.

[ So regardless of how much he hopes or plans to spend the rest of his life here, it's difficult to ignore that possibility. ]

It's on my mind, too. I think about it a lot, in fact.

Maybe that'll change too, with the walls coming down and Zephyr becoming more powerful.

[ But it's still a maybe. ]

That's what Royce thought. Zephyr will find a way to keep us here, if we want to stay.

Yeah, that is the goal, I think - them having more control over all of it, the coming and the going. Travel between god worlds is on the table, as well; we'd like Royce's wife, Gwen, to come here.

[ Mention of Gwen has K smiling a bit. ] That'll be good. She's mentioned that. [ Realising Alfie might not know yet: ] I write to her, too. Wasn't really expecting a reply, that first time, but we've kept it up for a few months now.

[ He's too drunk to have a good poker face right now; there's something in his smile that probably makes it obvious she's told him things about Alfie, too. Things he won't be repeating, even though none are bad. ]

Do you?

[Alfie asks, leaning forward with interest.]

I didn't know that. But from that look on your face, I'd wager you agree that she's a good sort of woman - a good woman for Royce. Eh?

Sure. I like her. I think they're a good match for each other. [ His smile falters, receding into a mild look of confusion as he remembers something. ] Royce seemed to be under the impression that I have... certain intentions toward his wife. [ Oops. ] But he wasn't angry?

[Alfie honestly isn't sure what part of that surprises him more, and for a moment, he just gapes at K. What do address first?]

He thought you were trying to seduce Gwen? Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? He might have been joking, as well.

He sounded serious. He was inebriated. [ K lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug. ] So was I. After that I think I told him... [ Squinting in thought, trying to remember the words. Normally he can recall conversations verbatim, but excessive amounts of alcohol can hinder that. ] Something to the effect that I wouldn't be interested in only her.

[ Oh, right. He hypothetically propositioned Royce too. Realising a bit belatedly what he admitted, he seems to become very interested in his hands, staring down at them. ]

You--

[And now those eyebrows go way, way up, and he sits back in his chair, trying not to look too gobsmacked.]

You and Connor, are you on the outs, then?

[ That has K glancing back up with a startled look. ] No, not at all. The opposite, if anything. [ Unless maybe Connor's said something to the contrary to Alfie? But it seems highly unlikely, given how private Connor prefers to be about these matters. ]

And I doubt Royce'd ever... [ He trails off as his brow furrows. Of all the people (and not-people) in the Meadous whom Royce might have or take an interest in, K's pretty sure he wouldn't be included. ] He seems to have enough complications in his life already.

Right.

[It must be one of those open relationships that are all the rage with the kids these days.]

Are you going to? Start something up with Royce, I mean?

[ The question is clearly surprising, though less concerning than the last. It's a reasonable assumption, considering what K admitted.

Is this maybe the part where Alfie warns him to do right by Royce, or else? He's trying not to smile at the thought. Mostly because he's done his best to do right by Royce all along — romantic feelings aren't required for that. ]

Not beyond what we already have. He's never given any indication that he'd even want— [ But he cuts himself off and pauses, raising his eyebrows. ] He's an affectionate drunk, but that hardly counts. Did he say something?

He didn't, no. He may bring it up at some point.

[Royce often ends up spilling his romantic trials and tribulations to Alfie.]

I imagine he has more important things on his mind. [ Such as missing Gwen, the lingering trauma from Norfinbury and the associated memories... Enough complications in his life already, like K said. And since they're on the topic. ]

I went hunting with him. [ Which seems like something Royce would have mentioned to Alfie. K looks to him for confirmation. ] That's why I invited him for drinks, he seemed to need the distraction after that.

[Alfie gives K a pointed look at I imagine he has more important things on his mind. Really, he wonders if he even realizes he's doing it half the time, when he casually puts himself down like that.]

It didn't end well. Yes.

[He's nodding; Royce had indeed mentioned it.]

I also heard you handled it better than John Watson did.

[ K absolutely doesn't realise he does it; he thinks of himself the way he's been programmed to.

Better than Watson? That's... huh.

Leaning his chin against his hands, he's quiet for a moment as he digests that information. It seems strange, with John not only being a human presumably capable of real empathy, but a doctor, two significant advantages he has over an android designed for obedience and murder. ]

It went better than I thought it would. [ He admits, sounding surprised by this fact. ] He warned me he might snap at me— never did. I talked to him to keep him present. Cleaned his hands when the blood was getting to him. I didn't think he'd let me... but he did.

I'm not surprised, mate; he trusts you. You're one of his closest friends.

[ For a moment, K has a look of incomprehension. Royce has become one of his closest friends, but it's still very unexpected to be told it's reciprocated. ] Oh. [ It's a surprised but pleased sort of oh. And then he's quiet for long enough it may seem that's all he has to say, until: ] He's one of mine, too.

What happened with Watson?

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