(no subject)

[herr_bookman]

Autor leaves a delectable, fist-sized peach with the bar for the Emcee, writing a note: Vielen Dank für die Beratung. -A.

Later he curls up on the couch, adding length to a navy blue knitting project shorter than his forearm in one dimension but longer than he is tall in the other. Due to Margolotta's instruction, the boy's stitches are loose and even, for the most part. His hands are gentle as he absently moves the needles; he no longer stabs himself in the left index finger with every other purl. Nor does he get that odd, occasional dent in his rows.

But the project draped across his legs doesn't get near as much attention as the book propped up on his knees. The boy is consumed by the well-loved text, Fairy Tale: The Life of Herr Drosselemyer.

It might be difficult to interrupt him.

Comments

[street_sparrow]

What about a cold dog nose poking under his trouser leg to sniff his ankle? Would that do it?

[herr_bookman]

That absolutely does it. Autor gasps and shivers at the wet nose pressing on his formerly warm skin, glancing down to see who dares. "Franz!" the boy says, leaning forward to burying his fingers in his scruff. "Braver Hund."

[street_sparrow]

"Franz", Gavroche says, strolling up looking amused, "get off him. Hey, Autor."

[herr_bookman]

Autor raises his head with a smile. "Oh, he's not bothering me. He surprised me a bit, but that's all," he says, patting the dog on the head. "How are you, Gavroche?"

[street_sparrow]

"Pretty good." He smiles back. "I hear you're firm friends with Joly and Bossuet."

[herr_bookman]

"Ah, is your network of rats informing you?" Autor asks, turning back to the dog again. "Yes, I like them, and I'm sure I'll enjoy Bahorel's company as well, when we meet. I can't recall if I've told you of mine and Joly's theater plans or not."

[street_sparrow]

"My own little spy network", he says with no shame. "But only about what happens in public. I think you might've mentioned it."

[herr_bookman]

"Consider me jealous for that," Autor says, grinning. "I may have to bribe them with cheese to ensure they don't report on my activities."

He might be teasing. Maybe.

"But yes, we're thinking of starting a theater. You've nothing to fear from me; your friends are quite safe from my devious machinations."

[street_sparrow]

"But are you safe from theirs?" he retorts, completely teasing. "They can be pretty devious when they try."

Well. Maybe not Joly.

[herr_bookman]

"No, not at all," Autor says mournfully, though his smile belies the tone. "I suspect Bossuet wishes to see me inebriated, and Joly... Well, I can't fault Joly--I'd willingly go along with whatever experiment he wants to subject me to with just as much enthusiasm."

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche laughs aloud at that.

"Don't let him hear you say that, you might live to regret it. He's been getting into modern medicine, exercise and things like that."

[herr_bookman]

"I know," Autor says, inclining his head. He scratches behind Franz's ear. "We've had quite a few discussions about the condition of the Millidead--his term--and how they don't age. My broken arm also gave him the chance to see the bone fuser in action; I don't know if he has integrated himself into the infirmary staff, but I'd be shocked if he hasn't."

[street_sparrow]

"So would I", Gavroche agrees. "He would have been a great doctor, if he'd finished his studies - and not even a good doctor by that time's standards, just good."

[hadyougoing]

So apparently Ava's suspected of-- something. She's not exactly sure what, and she's less sure what being in the woods has to do with anything. So much sketchy stuff goes on out there!

Anyway, she's trying not to spend too much time downstairs (still). But she needs dinner, which means when she spots Autor, it's with a small tray balanced in one hand: salad, bread roll, tomato soup.

She gives a cautious smile, a cautious wave.

"Hi."

[herr_bookman]

Autor's not entirely sure what to do with Ava. Nor is he sure of what she wants with him, so he regards her with suspicion--for a brief moment, before relenting.

The boy sets his needles down. "Hello, Miss Ava," he says, adjusting his glasses. "Having dinner?"

[hadyougoing]

Suspicion is not necessarily heartening! But it's that kind of week for her, apparently.

"Yeah," she says, "and you're ... multi-tasking?"

[herr_bookman]

"Is that so surprising?" he asks, picking up the needles again to knit one stitch and purl two. "How... How have you been recently?"

[hadyougoing]

"Oh, well-- not really." Her nose wrinkles. "I suck at it, though. And I definitely can't knit."

Her expression gentles a little.

"I've been okay. Uh, do you mind if I sit? Just while I eat some of this?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor glances away. "Knitting isn't difficult. If you wanted to learn it," he murmurs, resting his fingers on his yarn.

Then he turns back to her. "And of course. I don't mind if you sit. But--why? I mean, last time we met, I sort of... blew up on you."

[hadyougoing]

Ava takes a nearby spot, looking away herself-- down to her lap, where she arranges the items on her tray.


"You were trying to help," she says with a small smile.

"It wasn't that bad-- kinda reminded me of some of my friends, actually."

[herr_bookman]

And Autor's thrown again, unsure of how to respond. "I... was. Did I succeed?" he says, very consciously avoiding Hannibal Lecter's name.

The conversation bends around him even when he's not here. How annoying.

[hadyougoing]

Ava pauses, dipping her spoon into her soup and taking a sip.

--A little too hot.

"I ran into Rae," she says slowly. "Rae Seddon? And we talked a bit. She said you told her about me."

[herr_bookman]

"That doesn't answer my question, Miss Ava," Autor points out, but then relents, returning to his knitting. Knit one stitch, purl two, calm down. Maybe she doesn't know herself.

"Rae Seddon is my best friend. Should I not have told her about you? I... I was worried. But if you think it was invasive, then I apologize."

[hadyougoing]

"Sorry, I'm trying to get there."

She shakes her head.

"It wasn't invasive, I was just-- surprised." She breaks off a bit of her roll and dips it in the soup. "Anyway, you were right; she told me all the same things. Plus a couple more."

[herr_bookman]

"No, don't be... I'm sorry for my impatience," Autor says, ducking his head. "And I'm glad she told you everything I did. What else did she tell you?"