WHO: James Holden and YOU WHAT: Catch-all for April WHEN: Fantasy April WHERE: The Gallows and Kirkwall, mostly, but around NOTES: Starters in the comments, lmk if you'd like something bespoke or feel free to drop in a wildcard.
Naomi had read him every dire warning, in the beginning, those early days just after Eros. How often he needed the meds, what the side effects might be, what would happen if he missed a dose. What it would look like if they stopped working, if he needed to try something else.
She's quiet for a moment, looking at him rather than away while under the surface of the water, she lathers soap and cloth together. Small bubbles float to the surface.
The look she gives him is 'Son, don't bring those muddy boots into my clean house' flat. Brief, before the angle of her attention falls back to scrubbing the length of her arm, scuffing dirt out from under her fingernails.
He has to notice how efficiently she moves, attacking the experience of a warm bath as briskly as a person might sign some paperwork. It makes him feel lazy, languidly letting the water prune his fingers.
"James Holden. Do I get a name back?"
Her face is familiar, even if he can't place it; but he spends enough time around other members of Research to have seen a certain alchemist in passing.
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Naomi had read him every dire warning, in the beginning, those early days just after Eros. How often he needed the meds, what the side effects might be, what would happen if he missed a dose. What it would look like if they stopped working, if he needed to try something else.
But he's been — fine.
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Finally—
"You should probably figure out how it works."
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"Are you this concerned about everyone you meet, or am I just special?"
There's no irritation in his tone, or his face, just puzzlement.
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"Most people I meet don't have a chunk of lyrium glowing in their arm."
1/
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3/3
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"What did you say your name was?"
He didn't.
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"James Holden. Do I get a name back?"
Her face is familiar, even if he can't place it; but he spends enough time around other members of Research to have seen a certain alchemist in passing.
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Satisfied, she swaps to scrubbing her other arm.
"Which division are you with, James?"
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She pauses then, less reprieve and more consideration.
"You didn't ask, but Forces."
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Mixing two of them up; he can admit it, similar as they look.
"How long have you been here?"
Surely there haven't been twins who he just didn't notice, this whole time.