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[scotch_egg]

[he is obviously not there. Wherever he is there is a cozy flat and the sight of a city that is not New York outside of the window. That might be hard to tell as it's bucketing rain. But nevermind that]

Are there really [he makes an expression like he's eating a whole basketful of lemons] portals now? Or has everyone finally lost their bloody minds?

Did you drink the water? Eat a funny mushroom? Tell me that I didn't miss out on some mass hallucination, because if so, I would have postponed the trip.

Comments

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[scotch_egg]

Are they all [conveniently] gone now? [he might not have said the word 'convenient' but it's definitely there in his tone]

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[serpentinthegarden]

[ He could almost hear the disbelief and had half a mind to show Alec up only... ]

I'm not heading back out there...

Video

[scotch_egg]

Why not? What happened?

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

If you don't believe the bit about the portals you would hardly believe any of the rest of it.

Why don't you tell me how El is? I haven't seen her in ages.

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[scotch_egg]

I'll put her on later. I want to know why you're dodging my questions. [he might have to come back sooner] And you are. I'm not stupid.

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[serpentinthegarden]

It would be easier if you were...

[ He could get away with more. ]

Something happened. Some of the people I ran into were...

[ And he grew much softer so the word couldn't actually be heard. ]

But it's fine in New York! Same as it always was except for the portals.

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[scotch_egg]

[right. He's sneaking out. Ellie be damned]

Were what?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ You're not supposed to ask!! ]

Were... more noticeable than others.

[ His head drifted to the left in a tilt. ]

On account of...

[ But alright Alec you demanded to know. ]

...their being possessed by malicious deities only I seemed to be able to sense.

[scotch_egg]

....Right.

[he shouldn't have asked. But, silly him, he thought it might be something sensible]

Might want to bring a rain coat in case they start spitting up green soup.

[serpentinthegarden]

You see!? I knew it, I knew you would say something like that! S'why I didn't want to tell you anything.

[ A pout. ]

Anyway I thought about that but they seemed to prefer slinging chairs.

[scotch_egg]

Sorry.

[It was just a gut reaction to something so ridiculous]

Look just... stay out of trouble if you can manage it. I'll be down quick as I can.

[serpentinthegarden]

No... Its fine. Enjoy your vacation. I don't think even you can make these portals go away.

[scotch_egg]

It's not vacation it's like being cooked alive but very slowly. [or pecked to death by an overly emotional step sister]

I'd prefer that to this. [if only so he could see what everyone was talking about]

[serpentinthegarden]

Off the stove and into the oven... Careful what you wish for.

You never did say what all you were doing over there.

[scotch_egg]

Being "looked after". [air quotes]

I'm bloody tired of it. It's all anyone wants to do. Watch what you eat, Alec. Watch what you do, Alec. No one gave a shit until I had a bloody condition and now they want to play happy family.

[serpentinthegarden]

Ah, yeah. That's always fun... but, you could take advantage of it? Sit out in the backyard, have them wait on you hand and foot, you wouldn't have to lift a finger.

[scotch_egg]

[he gives him a look]

Do you really know me at all?

[serpentinthegarden]

Weeeeeellll.... I would! If they are offering anyway whats the harm?

[scotch_egg]

In that case I might as bloody well be you. It's what everyone wants anyway. [or at least he knew some of his family did. Maybe not mum but what she wanted was anyone's guess]

[serpentinthegarden]

Nah... They would get tired of me in a week and end up tossing me out of the house.

[scotch_egg]

You underestimate yourself. {Anthony was always the one tossing himself out of the house.]

[serpentinthegarden]

So do you. You never even thought that they might actually like having you around.

[scotch_egg]

[he snorted. Of all the things he'd heard today that was the hardest to believe]

You've always been optimistic. [and then] Don't do anything stupid. Alright? I don't know when I can get there.

[serpentinthegarden]

I'm trying to avoid that.

[ Now. Later it might be a different story. ]

Don't worry so much. Find a safe flight, don't book passage on a clunker...

[scotch_egg]

I will if I can. Oi! [this because his mobile was snagged] Give it back!

Not on your life!

[you'll get a wave, Anthony, but then your cousin is unceremoniously dropped from the call]