( inbox. ) deer country.

[oldhound]

spoiler warning: John Constantine has never been the bigger person in his life. Ever.

text. video. audio. action.

Comments

un: trienemybest; text - 3am early september

[droptheious]

No one has been inside an empty room.

un: hardsell

[oldhound]

i'm uncomfortable thinking of how long you've been up before you decided that this was the text you were going to send me, squire.

[droptheious]

34 hours 28 minutes and 5.6 seconds.

[Varian he just said he was uncomfortable, don't be like this. ]

I thought it was suitably weird for you.

Video; UN: Willow

[frogfear]

[Willow looks exhausted when the video opens - there's been plenty of reasons to have a hard time sleeping in Trench, and a small part of it has to do with her blood type. She looks very much like she hasn't slept in days.]

Hey, um. I wanted to check in and see how you were settling.

Have you tried, uh, casting any spells yet?

un: hardsell

[oldhound]

[ She very much looks how John feels. He hasn't been sleeping well since they got here. ]

Settling as well as can be expected. Haven't been able to sleep worth anything.

I've done a few. Backfired one of my normal ones in a strange way. Managed to fix it with the right incantation but it being wonky was a bit unsettling.

You having difficulty as well?

[frogfear]

Ummm... Yeah. Yeah, you could say that. I mean, I haven't tried all my spells yet, but I tried a couple just really basic ones.

They didn't work. Not even a little.

[A look of worry breaks through the tiredness.]

They, um. Just caused a lot of headache. Like, really sharp, bad, worst migraine ever headache.

Holiday Delivery

[thecanarylives]

[ There's a gift bag left on John's doorstep - a dusty bottle of whiskey and a scribbled note. ]

You're only allowed to drink it with me.

xo

Sara

Christmas Delivery

[lightthedarkness]

[Wrapped up in a bright red and white box is a plate of bought snowflake cookies and a men's black leather gloves.

Attached is a note with a little rabbit doodle:]

Happy Holidays!
Love,
Usagi

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi is contacting literally all of Clockhouse because it is not outside of the possibility for Maul to threaten AFTER he's done something.]

John-san, are... you're all safe? No one's hurt? [She's not going to apologize to John for what Maul did cause she already knows that would go over as well as a lead balloon.]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[oldhound]

[ John expected an outpouring of checking-in and the like. He knew Usagi would be chief among them and it makes all of this worse. ]

Safe as houses so far. I've been working on shoring things up around here and checking in with a few others. Besides that, not sure what else there is to do but wait.

[ Which he hates, by the way. But Maul threatening to do something is one thing. John spoiling for a fight and going out to start it is something else entirely. No, he'll wait. ]

What about you, love? How're you holding up? I know this can't be easy for you.

[lightthedarkness]

If you need anything, please let me know. I can help.

... I had hoped we were past this... I thought we were past this kind of thing. Some part of me still hopes he's just stupidly making some big show cause he's upset but will come to his senses on things and leave the three of you alone.

I'll be alright. [She takes a deep breath and smiles.] I know all three of you can handle yourselves, but you also... shouldn't have to, you know?

Action!

[frogfear]

[Some things still need to be done in person, and like back on John's birthday in May, Willow finds herself braving the danger to turn up on his doorstep instead of just shooting him a message.

This time it isn't quite such a cheerful visit, though, and she knocks sharply on the door, keeping her eyes open for any sign of trouble.]

John? John, are you home?

[oldhound]

[ Things being as high alert as they are, the knock rouses John from the sofa pretty quickly. Nothing's happened as of yet and he highly doubts the psychotic bastard is going to just come knocking to announce his chance for vengeance.

Still, he can't help the bit of relief at hearing Willow's voice coming through the door and he goes to it to open up, ushering her inside and looking out past her in case. Once the door is shut his full attention is on her. ]

Coming out here was a hell of a risk, sweetheart. [ But the look on her face is unsettling. There's a whole feel to things that leaves a lump in his stomach that is slowly twisting into a bigger knot. ] What's going on?

[frogfear]

I used the lamps, it's fine. I had to go see Ford anyway.

[Still, it's a relief to be safely inside all the same. She doesn't think Maul will come for any of them so soon after his announcement on the network. The way the rest of the Sleepers have called him on his behavior has been a comfort, but she doubts it will really stop him for long.]

I think we always knew this was going to happen. [It's said with a sigh.] I just... I really thought he was getting better...

[She is far more worried than she had been letting on, and it's extra bracing in the wake of Tara's touch that left it hard to feel much of anything at all.]

text; un: quibbler

[creidim]

John, where are you?

[oldhound]

at the shop shoring up some things and gathering supplies.

you good where you're at? not dealing with anything more than that bastard mouthing off just yet, right?

action — John's shop.

[rosae]

( It's been some months since Rose first showed up at the occult shop, brand new to this place and wide-eyed, her daughter's name tumbling desperately from her lips. Pleading with everyone she came across — Have you seen a little girl?

She's found her. Her little girl. (Not so little anymore, but still Rose's baby, always her baby.) And it's been so strange and surreal and beautiful and frightening. Rose has been handling it on her own well enough (though the dark circles under her eyes might suggest many sleepless, worried nights), but she's beginning to think she needs... help. Needs to make more connections with others here. She's wary to trust the natives of this place, but she's learned there are many Sleepers who seem knowledgeable on the supernatural. The blond-haired man with the strong accent and the shop full of otherworldly things is one of them. She'd also seen what happened with him on Maul's network post, and he clearly has some bite to him. Those are the kinds of people she needs.

So Rose seeks him out again, stepping up to his shop to let herself in, hands tucked into her coat pockets. She takes a moment to walk around, looking at the variety of strange items he has here, and leans in to look at something in a jar with her head tilted slightly. ....Then she starts lifting her hand as though to pick the jar up; clearly Rose isn't shy about getting her hands into things... )

[oldhound]

[ He remembers how desperate she'd been then. How it'd reminded him of countless other parents he'd helped navigate similarly treacherous waters. John's not sure how much help he was but seeing her now--- it makes him a little glad, considering everything going on. He must've done something right in the long run.

John's sure that most people saw him mouthing off to that horned-headed bastard on the network. He's surprised more people haven't contacted him. Maybe they are just as tired as he is.

Lucky for her, it's fairly quiet considering the threats leveled at him and he in the back bringing some stuff up to the front when she first gets in. Coming up with his arms full he quickly sets down what he's got when he sees her reaching for that jar. ] Oh, wouldn't go touching that one if I were you.

[ Jars and boxes shifting as he makes sure they don't tumble off, he quick steps over to her and reaches out to stop her hand. ]

Ward is a bit finicky on this one and I was planning on moving it. Might get yourself a bit of a shock.

You're looking well. This place been treating you all right?

text; un: R.BECKET 21st Feb

[righthemisphere]

John,

Recently found out you and Herc are here. Heard it's been dicey on your end, reach out next time, would have helped.

Chuck and I are getting married. Day after tomorrow at 2pm, our farm in Feed. There's a lamp location at the gate.

It would mean a lot if you and Herc could make it for the bonding ceremony. BBQ after.

If you can't, that's fine, but we wanted you to know.

[oldhound]

[ That's a hell of a thing. ]

Survived worse. I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Congratulations though, mate. Pretty sure we can manage it.

I just need to handle something here first. If anything I'll send Herc along with a gift.

Action;

[droptheious]

[A few hours after Maul's latest meltdown on the network, Varian headed into the city proper- once he'd made Fern was as good as he possibly good be and was taken care of. He had someone else in this mess to talk to, as well, and he figured it would be better in person.

So John's getting a visitor to his shop today. Varian looks tired, ragged around the edges- he's been trying to recover from his corruption and this has put a strain on him all over again. He definitely didn't need this today.]

Uh, hey John. You got a minute?

[oldhound]

[ John's seen the message. He's not thrilled in the least. It just proves his bloody point. Over and over. It all spins round the drain and that tosser wouldn't know redemption if someone named a bat after it and took it to that horned head of his. The bell goes and he's about to spout off with the usual with you in a mo when he sees who it is. The poor boy looks to be at his wit's end.

He's spoken to Varian off and on but out of courtesy tried not to get overly involved. He knew Varian was heavily invested in Maul's shot at redemption and for what it was worth---John hadn't wanted to put that in jeopardy.

He's not so sure that was the right call now. Been questioning such things a lot these days. He gestures for the sign on the door with his left arm considering the right is in a sling tucked against his chest and still healing. Never mind the odd bruising and scratches dotting. ]

Go ahead and turn the sign round. I'll put on the kettle, we could both use it looks like.

Voice; un: ...

[opress]

[After Savage had carried his brother's legless body to where it needed to go for repairs, he hadn't stayed to watch over Maul. He felt like he was angrier than Maul was about this whole transgression. That anger had to go somewhere, and he was getting pissed off he was constantly on the side-lines.]

If we cross paths, I will tear your legs off.

[oldhound]

[ Bloody hell, he's in no mood for this. ]

I seem to remember a conversation between us where it was understood that whoever bested who it was down to them and nothing else. Not to mention our keeping eyes on our respective people involved in this. He broke a deal with a Witch, came after one of mine, and Willow is dead now because of it. I told you what would happen.

I understand the anger but direct it at the person who deserves it and let what happened between me and Maul be the end of it.

Early March, video;

[frogfear]

[After Tara, John is the first person she reaches out to once Willow gets settled into her room. It's tempting to just go to sleep, but she does not want to leave him wondering or worrying after her for another night.

It's been a full ten days since her death, and while she doesn't remember much about how it works in this world, she knows the standard in Deerington was a week.

She looks and sounds exhausted when the video flickers on, but it's more emotional exhaustion than physical. It's been a very long few days.]

John? It's me. I'm back. I'm okay.