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[be_seeing_you]

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After Murderbot Runs Off

[pineapplesalmon]

[ A while into this scene, César sends separate messages to Skulduggery and Number 6. ]

FYI: Rin is with me, safe, and taking a break. It reports its performance reliability is back up to 70%.

[be_seeing_you]

[Number 6 reads that message several times before attempting to reply. The curdling sickness in his core rises with each word he eventually manages to type out on this bothersomely small screen.]

I'm relieved it has someone to look after it. I would ask if there is anything I can do, but I suspect the answer is to simply stay away from it.

October 11th way too early in the morning during Six's usual training time.

[sixthdeadliest]

César is dead. Going to meet with Dr. Watson to find out details.

[Telling you not because he thinks you and César are friends, but because César is the guy Six told you to bring in if he went EVO.]

[be_seeing_you]

[This first reply comes promptly. Number 6 woke from his slumber and saw this. Safe to say he won't be going back to sleep easily.]

I'm sorry. Please share details when convenient.

---

[Much later, a second message will come through:]

Be aware that the young boy Steve Harrington is not himself right now. I do not know if he is the one who got to César but it is possible. He attacked me. He identified himself as Billy. He seems to have access to Steve's memories. This is all I know.

crichton's deathday

[theotherright]

Smith it's Arthur Lester I could use your assistance of my cabin not to put too fine a point on it someone has spilled a huge amount of blood on the door and a second opinion and a pair of eyes would be greatly appreciated if you're available please let me know

Re: crichton's deathday

[be_seeing_you]

I'm on my way.

[text] some single-digit november day

[broshaw]

heeeeyyyyyy dude so
its sharky 1st of all
2nd of all congrats on gettin 2gether with ava
shes like super cool n hot n weird in a good way
(respectful hot like yk objectivly speakin)
i love it wen hot nerds get 2gether many happy returns or w/e

but uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
i gotta warn you dude
malcolm
n im sayin this with all due respect 2 the dead 🙏
dude fuckin sucked
like respectfully 2 u my dude
the bar is in the dirt thanks 2 tht guy
like in general but also in v specific ways tht im v respectfully not naming rn

just

please
be good......................

1/2

[be_seeing_you]

[Number 6 open this text and literally:]

[text] 2/3 - i lied, i need more for the drama

[be_seeing_you]

[It took him longer to decipher this than some secret codes he's received. But, now that he has... he's still at a loss for how to respond to this.

He already wanted to give Malcolm a taste of his fist for what he's heard about. But now... now he worries about how much worse it could be. What does Sharky know? Is there any tactful way to ask?]

[text] 3/3 for real i swear

[be_seeing_you]

[Roughly ten minutes have elapsed and he realizes he's going to have to say something back... even he doesn't know what until he starts typing.]

I'm glad you approve. I know you are close friends.

Based on what she has already told me about Malcolm, you can be sure that my opinion of him is not a good one. Should he ever show back up here, I will have strong words for him. Is there something you know that would necessitate me using more than words?

[Does he need to actually destroy that bastard? Is that asking tactfully enough?]

Furthermore, I am not inclined to discuss my personal affairs publicly, but I can assure you that my affection for Ava is sincere and my attention to detail is superb. She is in good hands with me.

[Yes. He's good. In his "humble" opinion.]

[decohere]

--. --- --- -.. / -- --- .-. -. .. -. --. / -.. . .- .-. . ... -

:)

[she's awake? before noon? okay it's 11 so not that impressive.]

[be_seeing_you]

.. - / .. ... / .- / --. --- --- -.. / -- --- .-. -. .. -. --. / -. --- .-- .-.-.-


-.-- --- ..- .-. / -. . -..- - / -- .. ... ... .. --- -. --..-- / ... .... --- ..- .-.. -.. / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .... --- --- ... . / - --- / .- -.-. -.-. . .--. - / .. - --..-- / .-.. ..- -. -.-. .... / .- - / .-- .. -. -.. .--- .- -- -- . .-. --..-- / .---- ..--- ---... ----- -----


[He will reward her with a kiss if she accepts this mission.]

Text messages during the teen party

[millay]

I'm afraid to tell you that the teens have informed me that they find you quite old, which makes me fear for how old I must seem.

I'm not certain I was suppose to inform you.

All the same, perhaps if you help me to get the ice cream from Scoops and the spoons, I can convince them to be less harsh.

Re: Text messages during the teen party

[be_seeing_you]

[Number 6 had been keeping a loose eye on the teen party by way of roaming past it every hour or so. Apparently, that hasn't been enough to keep the teens in line...]

Talking about me again are they? I was lenient with them the first time.

[My, isn't that ominous?]

I'll meet you at Scoops.

Early Afternoon, December like 8th or so (time is fluid here)

[crushed_pearls]

Mister Smith might I prevail upon you to call on my cabin? I have something for you alongside some related news. There is no danger or emergency this call is purely social.

[be_seeing_you]

[She has good timing as she's caught him during his free hours after luncheon with Ava but before his customary tea. His curiosity is piqued enough that he would have opted to miss tea anyway.]

Certainly. I'll be around in just under ten minutes or so. I'll knock.

[And just like he promises, in under ten minutes there will come a cheeky knock at the door with the familiar shave and a haircut rhythm.]

forward-dated to December 24th

[inhairently]

[ at some point on the evening of the 24th, if 6 returns to his room he'll find a small package just outside the door. it contains a tommy bahama brand candle. sort of. someone's painstakingly dug the candle out of the tin and replaced it with a little bit of weed.

attached is a note:

Thought you might need this more than I do. haha.

(that's a joke)

Merry Christmas

- Steve ]

a couple days after Steve ghosts them

[theotherright]

Mr. Smith. Hello I realise this is a year rather out of the blue message are you available to speak a suppose it would make more sense for you to decide the place. I have rather bad news which you may or may not already be aware of.

[ the narration has no more idea than you do why punctuation is suddenly a thing in Arthur's STT. is this because my phone updated?? good god he's almost as legible as erin now. ]

i hate you for that pun (j/k it was brilliant)

[be_seeing_you]

[A return message is a long time coming. First, because Number 6 has to read it several times to make sure he fully grasps the meaning. Second... the last time he went to a meeting with this particular gentleman he ended up drugged and tied up in a bath tub. Oh, he will still go to this meeting, but first he will be informing Ava and making sure to pat his pocket to confirm the tracking device connected to her phone is still present. There won't be a next time in the bathtub.

There's also the hesitance of suspecting he knows what this news will be. There have been... fewer people around of late. He's been watching for familiar faces that have yet to materialize. If only staying ignorant would help anything.]

Very well. I'm free for lunch in the Pub today. Shall we do 1:00 at the Drunken Sailor?

in march.

[decrypter]

Mr. Smith, this is Helena. I was wondering if you had some time to talk in the next several days. I realize this might seem rather odd, but I've been advised that you're the one best suited to answer some questions I have.

Re: in march.

[be_seeing_you]

Of course. I am available this afternoon if that is convenient for you? Just name the place.

[He wonders who it was that recommended him, but he's sure he will find out when they meet.]

[decohere]

favorite cake flavor? i'm consulting with the baker.

[be_seeing_you]

You're doing well with this planning. I like Lemon cake best. Toffee after that.

[Text] Mid-Late July, Before The Excursion

[crushed_pearls]

Peter my man I am in the market for a bit of a consultation if you have time between wedding planning or need a break from the same. I am looking to make a bit of a teaching game simulating Freehold life as a bit of a cultural exchange with Tayrey and or anyone else with an interest in it but you see I am running into the problem where amateurs discuss tactics and masters discuss logistics and I do not know Jack nor shit about logistics to say nothing of some other thorny issues. Got an evening free?

Re: [Text] Mid-Late July, Before The Excursion

[be_seeing_you]

A break could do me good. I am at your service. Would you like to discuss it over a late supper this evening?

[text]

[light_mischief]

[just a quick text during this encounter with Ava...]

Thought you ought to know that Ava is suffering from the forget-me-nots. It seems serious. She's coughing up petals and can't seem to remember anything for very long. Was she like this when she woke up today?

Re: [text]

[be_seeing_you]

[Your day is about to go from bad to worse, Skulduggery.]

Who? How did you get my contact? Who are you?

During Demona's TDM after Phil messages him

[pineapplesalmon]

From Phil:
-----
Just a heads up, there’s a new passenger here named Demona. Blue skin, big bat wings, red hair, turns to a statue during the day. She almost immediately tried to commit murder because someone taped paper pigeons to her as a statue and is pretty literally genocidal towards humans. I had to pin her down to get her to stop.

So. Watch out for that.
-----

[ Then, immediately after. ]

Tell Ava.

[ AND SOME TIME LATER. ]

OH! I got reminded! I have a door to a giant bathroom with a big shower if you need a place to clean your wings better. ... or just be able to share a shower with Ava.

[be_seeing_you]

you have what?

[He already heard that warning from Ava.]

text, late November

[astrogator]

Could I speak with you in confidence?

It's urgent.

Re: text, late November

[be_seeing_you]

Yes. I will come right away. Where should I meet you?

IMPORTANT NEWS [cw: pregnancy]

[be_seeing_you]

Continued from here!

Number 6 has to step carefully to make sure he doesn't topple over with as many drinks in as he is now. He should have known how this would go after the first time. There won't be any rafts carrying him away tonight, either, so he won't be spared from the hangover. Frankly, in a few minutes, none of that is going to matter to him anymore. Not after Ava delivers the good news.

Once they make it to a quiet area, he turns to her and says, "Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Re: IMPORTANT NEWS [cw: pregnancy]

[decohere]

Ava leans into 6 just enough as they walk that he has something to keep steady on the path. Luckily she hasn't drank any, Valdis interrupting before she could. She appreciates having a clear mind for this, softly inhaling the fresh air until they come to a stop.

She's still lightly buzzing around the edges, staring up at his face cast in the glow of street lamp. "So you know how Valdis can... sense souls?" Ava begins, taking his hand and turning it over in her own. "She... informed me, just a moment ago. That there's another. Growing inside me." And guides his hand over her stomach, so there's no mistaking the meaning. Even if there's not much there yet.

In-Person

[lasthumanvoice]

Cecil seeks Peter out at wherever he's set up to sell his wares. He's back to his usual self after everything, all bright smiles and bouncy energy, meandering inside curiously before heading over to Peter for a chat.

"I hear you carve wood!"

Re: In-Person

[be_seeing_you]

It's a fine day, not too hot, so Number 6 is out in front of his home with a table set up holding a few select items he's made so far, including a bowl, a pipe, and some chess figures, though not a full set.

He's currently using a knife to whittle down a wooden rod in preparation for making it into a walking cane, by the looks of it. This probably answers the question already.

"I dabble in it, yes," he answers jovialy, looking up from his work. "Would you like to commission something?"