IC contact for wethelost

[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

[Feel free to use this space for letter/package deliveries as well as visits/knocks on the front door!]

Comments

[bywolves]

Found him out in the woods taking pictures of things. He played the piano for me for a while. It was nice.

[devoutish]

Was there a piano in the woods, or did you bring him back to town?

[bywolves]

Yes, there was a piano in the woods. Just sitting there, magically. The trees led me to it. Right out of a fairy tale.

[devoutish]

Royce, you may joke, but you realize that that could happen here, don't you?

[bywolves]

The woods is a terrible place to keep a piano, Alfie. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[devoutish]

A magic piano.

[He flicks Royce on the arm.]

Careful, I'll wish you one.

[bywolves]

I don't even know how to play. [ Royce says, making a face at him. ] It was the piano in the Phone Tap.

[devoutish]

Mmmm. What did he play?

[bywolves]

I didn't catch the names of any of them. A lot of music, though. Fast and slow.

[devoutish]

He's a good sort.

[He runs a hand lazily up and down Royce's arm.]

We might invite him to dinner, someday.

[bywolves]

Yeah. I think he'd enjoy that.

You know he was part of law enforcement, in his own world?

[devoutish]

[... Ugh. Alfie frowns, deeply, but then after a moment's hesitation he reluctantly grumbles:]

So was John. At least he's less loud about it.

[bywolves]

Joked with him about it, actually. [ Royce says, with a small smile. ] Called me a shady figure, and I told him I'm a model citizen.

Said this'd be out of his jurisdiction anyway. I don't think he's looking for crimes.

[devoutish]

A reasonable man. I like him better already.

[bywolves]

Yeah. Liked him fine. [ Which is practically glowing praise from Royce. ]

[devoutish]

[There's a pause. Then, Alfie cautiously ventures:]

We might invite him for Shabbos dinner, someday.

[Alfie hasn't lit the Sabbath candles since Emily, his little candle-lighter, left.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is quiet for a while. He reaches for Alfie's hand. ]

Maybe. [ He murmurs. ] For now, I think it... it should stay with us.

[devoutish]

Do you want to start doing it again?

[bywolves]

I think that it'd help us remember.

[devoutish]

[Alfie nods, giving his hand a weak squeeze.]

I'm sorry I...

[He trails off.]

[bywolves]

Don't apologize. [ He holds Alfie's hand tightly, like he's making up for the weakness. ] It's okay.

[devoutish]

I keep reminding myself she's likely home. Home and safe, with someone looking after her.

[bywolves]

Yeah, me too. She'll be okay.

[devoutish]

[Yeah. He hopes so.

He'll fall quiet again, finishing off the plate of food, then getting up to grab his now-cooled tea.]

How about that mess of Norfinbury folk?

[He says, breaking the silence.]

There's a crowd that's come in.

[bywolves]

Yeah. Half of them know me far better than I know them.

[ Royce says, huffily. He sprawls out on the couch. ] Seems like every person I've run into lately has been new.