closed.

[hornswoggle]

WHO: John + Petrana
WHAT: secrets
WHEN: post abomination
WHERE: the gallows
NOTES: just discussion of secrets, nbd.

The work doesn't stop.

Whatever John wants in this moment has to be set aside. The uncertain grief of the news out of Nascere has lodged in his chest, exists as a hastily patched wound as he goes about his business. So he sleeps less, drinks a little more. The work goes on, and John cannot step back from it.

(He gave himself a single day. That is all.)

There is a small packet of papers in his hand, folded over neatly. John had them stacked at the edge of his desk, before he decided to ferry them to Flint's office himself. The annoyance of traversing all the way to Flint's office to find it empty registers dully, superseded by the heat of the day and the larger, more crushing matters on his mind. (Madi. The mage in the Gallows.) The packet is deposited on Matthias' desk before he begins making his way down.

"He's not in," is the greeting Petrana receives, though John has already moved to the side to allow her room to pass if she is so inclined. "And it seems Matthias is out as well. Not that I blame them, considering the temperature of those rooms."