IC: CONTACT (EUDIO)

[royalpassport]

❝ I'm not here. Leave a message. ❞

[ And now, thanks to Emma: ]

❝ Send me a message, and I'll respond when I get around to it. ❞

Comments

text;

[sheriffing]

It's a message system. Technically, you're always here.

[royalpassport]

[ omg Emma STOP INTERRUPTING HIS BROODING WITH YOUR TECHNICALITIES. ]

Did you message me just to tell me that, or was there another reason?

[sheriffing]

I had another reason. Doesn't change the fact that I'm right.

[royalpassport]

I never had a smartphone before I got here. I thought the inbox was like an answering machine.

[ Which. He's never used, because nobody ever called him during the curse. BUT THANKS TO REGINA, HE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THEM, AT LEAST. Anyway, he's said too much. ]

What do you want?

audio.

[gameboards]

[He wasn't at the welcome party thing, and now she's recalling that she hasn't seen hide nor hair of him in quite some time. So, she does want any curious woman does: she looks up his contact information and sends him a message.]

Are you still here, darling?

[royalpassport]

[ He doesn't respond right away, but eventually he'll shoot a voice message back. ]

I'm here. Why?

[ WHAT'S IT TO YOU, WONDERLAND MONARCH? ]

[gameboards]

Well, darling, I was merely looking to make certain that you weren't dead, I suppose.

You are the only person here who actually knows me from before I arrived here, you know.

[IT'S A VERY WEIRD SENSATION, JEFFERSON.]

I suppose I wanted to make certain you're still around.

[royalpassport]

And you're the only person from a time and place I'd rather forget.

[ He pauses, regretting those words as he soon as he says them. After a few moments, he says: ]

I'm sorry.

Thanks for checking up on me.

[Action!]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ After their brief exchange and an apparent 'yes' -- Gold now finds himself sitting at a table in a cafe near enough to his apartment to walk to, wondering if Jefferson will even come. It's not often he asks to meet with people, especially not for casual conversation, but he has to start somewhere, and Jefferson answers. So he is taking a chance.

This place...has been Hell for him so far, with a number of realities he'd come here to deliberately get away from, and some new ones he never knew he'd need to avoid.

Like not being known, by people that should. By people he might really need if things keep going the way they are going. ]

[royalpassport]

[ After recent events-- recent hiding and wallowing and breakdowns and arguments-- Jefferson's back to making efforts to keep his head on straight. The fact that the winter solstice (or Yule, Christmas, whatever) is approaching makes the urge to stay inside and isolate especially tempting, but he has to remind himself: if he avoids people, he'll never get his incentive. And if he doesn't work on his problems while he's got the chance to even try here, then how can he even claim to be a fit father for Grace when he finally does get her back?

The festive chatter on the network and around the city reminds Jefferson all too keenly of what (who) is missing from his life, and that's what's making life even more difficult than usual. Every Christmas in Storybrooke, he spent alone, sometimes drinking, usually crying. Sure, he didn't even consider himself a religious man, and certainly not a Christian, but from what he understood, Christmas was about family, being together with loved ones. He didn't have that, but he'd watch Grace and her parents through his telescope and pretend that he was there with her, giving her every gift she could want. He'd do it until it became too difficult to watch any longer, or until the family tidied up the shredded wrapping paper and empty boxes, and Grace ran off to play with her new toys.

Remember why you're here. He tells himself that over and over again as he leaves his apartment to go meet up with Gold. And by the time he gets to the coffee shop, he can even put on a charming, friendly smile, the face he'd wear during his rare moments of socializing in Storybrooke.

After ordering his tea at the counter, he joins Gold at his table, removing his coat and draping it over the back of his chair before he sits. ]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting long.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ The fact that Jefferson is a lot better at putting his game face on than Gold is right now is a testament to one of the reasons why he used to work with him in the first place. The Dark One doesn't look unhealthy? But definitely like he thinks he's out of place -- even a touch paranoid. But then so many people from Storybrooke have just sprouted out of the ground since his arrival, it would have been a wonder if he were not looking for more to appear. ]

You're right on time, actually.

[ He's just early. ]

[royalpassport]

Oh. Good. [ He takes in Gold's demeanor with some interest, though it's not too apparent on his face, then glances around the coffee shop, as if to check if there's somebody whose presence here is troubling his former employer. ] This is a nice place, isn't it? The city, I mean.

[ Though it's a little stifling, in that he'd love to go out and explore the whole wide world, he certainly prefers Eudio to Storybrooke. ]

12/25

[furthered]

[ Curtis leaves two packages for Jefferson, wrapped in a printed paper with a note that says - Seeing the good in someone, when they can't, is the best gift anyone can give to someone else. -Curtis ]

text; un: rafaello

[mordacita]

jefferson, my friend

could you call me when you get a moment, please. i have a job for you.

voice

[royalpassport]

[ RING RING. You've got a call. ]

What can I do for you?

voice

[mordacita]

[ That was prompt. He knew he liked you. ]

You are very quick.

I need some suits altered. Tuxedos, actually, in different sizes. Do you have the time?

text;

[sheriffing]

Message.

[ that's all she has to send him, right? yes, she's permanently twelve years old, thanks for noticing. ]

[royalpassport]

[ MUST YOU TROLL HIM, EVEN WITHOUT YOUR MEMORIES, EMMA?

...tbh he kind of likes it. ]

Message received.

[sheriffing]

[ SHE MUST.

it's too fun not to.]

That's actually not helpful at all.

[ audio ]

[assailed]

[ Texting is a bit difficult these days now that he's down to one hand. He resorts to audio simply until they get to know one another a bit better. ]

I understand you're from the Enchanted Forest as well.

[royalpassport]

I am. Among other places, I suppose.

[ Wonderland, etc. ]

To what do I owe the pleasure of a call from Captain Hook?

[assailed]

Aren't we all, mate?

[ Wonderland isn't really all it's cracked up to be. ]

Well, I've been attempting a roommate hunt with the help of a mate. But what I've decided in all my searching is that not a single person not from our world would understand the strangeness of home.

[ video ]

[assailed]

I found us an apartment, mate. And it should have ample room for hats and such for you.

[royalpassport]

[ Hey, look, Jefferson's looking a bit younger. And more disheveled. And Enchanted Forest-y. And he's also incredibly confused. ]

Why would I need a room for hats? [ He tilts his head, because he knows you, but it's taking a moment to remember how and from where. ] Oh! You're Captain Hook! [ Pause. He's getting a place to live with Captain Hook? Have a slow, cautious: ] Are we...?

[assailed]

[ That's a bit confusing. He's not heard of people going home and backwards. Just home and forwards. It's his assumption based on Jefferson's newly young face and the pure look of confusion. ]

Because you like them?

[ It feels weird now. ]

Aye. What? [ He stares at him until it clicks. ] Bloody hell no. We agreed to be roommates, mate. Two two very different rooms.