thespherelogs | Out and About In December

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Out and About In December

Who: Llewellyn Watts and anyone!
When: Through the month of December
Where: Recreational dome, Dorm Dome 2, his P.I. office, and the library
What: Open Logs
Warnings: Referenced kidnapping and attempted murder in thread with Rhy.
Note: I’m happy to match with action brackets if that’s a preference! Also if you want something personalized, poke me over on

whimsicalspook or Discord: WhimsicalSpook#8219
Any closed log top levels will be in the comments with the character name included in the header as they’re decided/written!

Pup Training - Recreational Dome - With Pretzel!

Some downtime during the afternoon found Llewellyn sitting on the arm of a bench in the recreational dome, a box of biscuits open on the bench next to him along with a pile of dog treats. Pretzel was circling excitedly as the man tried to calm him down with a treat or two, his intention today was to finally resume training.

Giving short, simple commands and rewarding the basset hound pup with a treat (and maybe himself with a biscuit), or rewarding him for getting it partially right at least. Llewellyn wasn’t great at this yet, but he was trying his best based on what he’d been reading in books over the last little while. If they could just make a little more progress... he might finally be able to get down to business on teaching the dog scent tracking.

It was fun, and rather cute considering outside basic short commands, he still spoke to Pretzel like he would anyone else. “I know you can do this, Pretzel. You don’t get a treat unless you listen... no— don’t give me those eyes!”

Shared Spaces - Dorm Dome 2 - Something is burning in the kitchen >>...

He tried to spend some of his time at the dormitory, checking in on people (without making it obvious) or making use of the kitchen for snacking purposes... It wasn’t as often as other places, Llewellyn didn’t even really sleep there much anymore. His occasional nightmares made living with people uncomfortable, so (unless he was spending the night at Rhy’s place) passing out at his office on the sofa was usually more appealing. Then there was the fact that Pretzel was still rather rambunctious to deal with some days, though the pup got along with the younger residents easily enough...

Today found him with little to do at the office though, and people were busy, so Llewellyn was around the dorm.

Anyone around might find him fussing about in the kitchen... Much to what was probably everyone’s displeasure, he was trying his hand at cooking again. A bad idea, considering he didn’t have the attention span for cooking on top of his lack of experience. A pan of burning scrambled eggs on the stove, Llewellyn hovering over it with one of his more disgruntled, disappointed expressions. Thick brows knit together in annoyance as he tried to salvage at least some of it...

(Sorry about the smell of burnt food, everyone.)

Strange things afoot... - P.I. Office - December Nightmare Themed!

Llewellyn usually liked having company, he was fairly sociable despite how awkward he tended to be. What he did not like, however, was being watched or followed without any knowledge of the intent behind it. He was paranoid, it’s what happened when you were used to being taken by surprise in unpleasant ways from a young age.

So coming into his office to find a small, strange looking doll sitting on his desk as though it belonged there was more than a little unsettling. It was soft, kind of droopy if it didn’t have anything to lean against... It’s expression was kind of creepy if he was being honest, like it knew something you didn’t and it was amused by that.

“Well... Where did you come from?” He picked it up, staring it in the eye for a moment before glancing down at Pretzel... It didn’t look like it had anything that could be dangerous for a dog so... He gave it a little shake over the dog’s nose, watching with a wrinkled brow as the pup gave a couple excited barks before he let him catch a hold of it. With a few playful tugs, he let go and let his companion run off with it.

The detective took a while, going over his office carefully and looking for things out of place. He even went so far as to check the lock to see if it had been tampered with... It hadn’t been, and he found himself wondering if the doll had been brought in while he was there, and it was just one of those weird situations where his memory had slipped on him again.

Well, wherever it came from? It would keep the dog occupied while he worked on a few things.

...At least... until Pretzel somehow tossed it onto furniture that he couldn’t get on top of and needed the detective to retrieve the toy every so often. That was what the detective thought was going on with the doll anyway, having yet to witness Pretzel doing that.

Keeping his mind busy - Library - Books and music!

Llewellyn had recently been made aware of the fact that the audio section of the library might be of particular interest to him. So his down time had found him cooped up in the section, skimming through music selections from other eras and worlds curiously.

He liked music in general; it was relaxing... and one of the only memories he still had of his mother was her softly singing when he was small. It wasn’t something he spoke of often, or at all usually, but there was nothing nicer than getting a comfortable place to sit and listen either while he read or worked on something.

One day in his own world, he hoped to purchase one of those fancy phonographs like the one that the morgue had. He wasn’t particularly fond of any particular kind of music, though he did rather enjoy listening to people sing, and tunes with unique rhythms or those that were slightly softer were definitely his preference to listen to.

When he wasn’t doing that, the detective could be found wandering down aisles and pulling books on various subjects to read. Either things of interest to him, or on topics that seemed important based on things he’d heard or realized he needed to get a little more educated on over the last month...

Anyone who approached would get his attention fairly easily, if only because he tried to be aware of his surroundings at all times if no one was distracting him. Llewellyn did not like to be surprised or approached from behind...

He’d take suggestions happily, or strike up a conversation easily enough.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Kell saved me," Rhy assured his lover. Not that he intended to discuss how that had been.

Rhy sighs and wraps his arms around himself.

"It isn't easy, to know that while some people love you, others want you dead. And ones in your own nation."

And Llewellyn was thankful for Kell, for otherwise he knew the man likely wouldn’t be sitting before him now.

Watching Rhy quietly for a moment as the man wrapped his arms around himself, Llewellyn found he couldn’t quite stop himself from moving around the table to offer some comfort. He knew very well what it was like to be wanted dead, to nearly meet an end that he hadn’t seen coming. “No, it’s not easy... people are unfortunately inclined towards cruelty, whether it’s necessary or not.”

Offering a gentle squeeze, reassuring, he continued, “But it is important to remember there are people who love you and would see you happy and safe, dearest.”

Happy and safe? Oh no, never. That hasn't been a thing for a while.

"I have lost too much for easier happiness."

“No— I know that... In my experience happiness is never easy.” Too often it took work and trust, more often still it could be taken away at a moment’s notice. “And I’m no stranger to loss, Rhy. I know how deeply it cuts.”

He was far too acquainted with it in his past, and more recently, for all that he tries to not talk about it. It left Llewellyn tired, somewhat insecure, and afraid to trust that good things wouldn’t be yanked from his grasp again. Even tonight’s awkwardness had brought that fear out, for all he was still trying to let himself feel hope for some happiness.

“I’m just saying that... For all the people who dislike you or wish horrible things upon you, that there are also those of us who care about you and want good things for you. At least, I found remembering that helped sometimes.”

Sighing, he straightened a little. Llewellyn wasn’t sure if he was making sense or not. Every time he thought he’d salvaged the night, it felt like he’d miss-stepped again. “I’m sorry, dearest. All I know is that I care and I don’t like that you’ve been put through so much... Close minded people are something I don’t tolerate well.”

Well, that was a nice thing to hear. The hope that he would be desired and appreciated for who and what he was. Yes, Watts made him feel so wanted sometimes.

"Are they closed minded? Or are they just right? I have long wondered."

That was because he was wanted. Deeply. Llewellyn was the sort to care about those around him, yes, but there was a certain point where he’d be willing to walk through fire for those close to him. Especially if they made him feel wanted in return, given how often he was cast aside. Considering he’d been told to his face on more than one occasion that he was unwanted.

Leaning on the edge of the table, he shook his head a little. “They are close-minded, at least from my perspective?”

Fussing with his sleeve a little, Llewellyn thought about how to say it. “Many put value in one or two things and believe that it is the only thing that matters. That only people with those qualities can succeed or be put in positions of power. That they make them ‘better’ than everyone else.” It’s a frustration of his, and it shows on his face. He shouldn’t even be a detective in his own world, for the stupidest of reasons.

Llewellyn’s tone softened a little, “But you’ve proven to have strengths in many things other than magic, Rhy. Between the way you speak and what you’ve shown me. You’re intelligent, you strive to learn, you know how to navigate complicated social circles, and you care about everyone regardless of who they are.”

And don’t tell him that you don’t, Rhy. He remembered well how hard you worked yourself during the domes incident, how little you slept and ate. How you chose to not sacrifice everyone just to go home.

“You see your lack of strength in magic as a weakness, but it also means you understand how those who also lack it might feel. You can take them into consideration as you rule. That can mean a lot, given how often society would probably cast them aside. Ruling should be more about might and power, dearest. Intelligence, understanding, and knowing how to be diplomatic also strike me as being just as important.”

Watts isn't... wrong. He sighs and shakes his head.

"My love, it's not easy to be a good king."

And it's more tiring now.

"I worry I shall fail, love."

“I can’t imagine it is easy...” He responded, anything where one was responsible for other people was difficult enough, let alone an entire kingdom. “But— well... That you worry about being a good king, rather than simple expect that you will? Even that says much, I think.”

Smiling a little, he put a hand lightly on Rhy’s shoulder. “Like I said, you care about your people. About doing a good job... And having heard your ideas, your thoughts? I have confidence in your abilities, dearest. Even when you hear about my world... Your thoughts are often sensible, they’re good. I know if such choices were to be put in your hands to be made, you’d clearly make good ones. Your people are lucky to have someone like you thinking about them.”

No, Rhy is lucky to have Watts.

"My darling, would that I could take you home to build me up, and rule at my side," he smiles. "You would be a good king."

Such words... they startle him. Llewellyn can feel his heart flutter, and there was the slightest tremor in his hand. People didn’t generally say such nice things to him, that they wanted him like that. It wouldn’t be amiss to say that he panicked just slightly, if only because he was so used to bad things happening whenever he found some kind of happiness.

Swallowing those emotions down, he smiled gently in return. “I would like that... I don’t know about being a good king. I can’t even navigate the politics of my job, but... To be able to be by your side and ‘build you up’ as you say, I would be glad to.” He murmured, even if he knows it’s not possible, the fact that Rhy had said it at all meant a lot to him.

"I wonder if you have magic," Rhy says, smiling. He didn't think so. Gray worlders weren't supposed to. But it was still lovely to think about.

"Besides, I could use someone to help me improve the guard."

Oh, now that was an interesting idea... He also doubted it, between what Rhy had said about their worlds and the lack of evidence to suggest otherwise in his world as far as he’d seen. Anything bordering on ‘magical’ always turned out to be nothing more than a simple trick. “I admit, I hadn’t really thought about that before. I suppose it makes sense that I wouldn’t know, considering the way my world is.”

The subject of improving the guard though, now that’s something he can at least think about with a little more certainty. “That I could attempt to help with, or at least I’d be happy to try. I could, uh— probably explain more modern investigation methods. At least those that I’ve found useful.” Yeah, sometimes Murdoch lost him when he went on a tangent, but he had proven on more than one occasion that he retained more than the man thought.

Rhy smiles as he loads food onto his plate.

"If nothing else, that would help us quite a bit, especially if we could blend it with magic. Yes, that would be a delight. The best of Red London and the wisdom of Gray London."

Llewellyn finally relaxed enough to return to his own plate, moving back to it slowly as he thought a little about the idea. What would an investigation with magic look like? How could it be meshed with the scientific advances of his time? Or even the simpler advancements, “It’s an interesting idea, dear. Magic being thrown in to the equation in general would be something to uh— think about. Although, I suppose because of magic there might be things that haven’t been considered.”

He finally picked up his fork again, taking a bite thoughtfully. “Finger marks, for instance. In recent years have proven very useful in identifying those who’ve been involved in a crime. Murdoch is mm... something of an expert, so I’ve learned a lot more about them than the average detective.” So much... It’s useful, though. “Which is why I try to keep a handkerchief on me, even here, so I don’t accidentally ruin evidence.”

Wait, finger marks? Rhy puts down his fork and reaches out to grab at Watt's hands. He wants to see.

"Are they different? Do yours look different from mine!?"

A little startled, Llewellyn can’t help the little smile that crossed his face at Rhy’s excitement. He turned his hand over for Rhy to get a closer look at, “They uh— certainly are? No person has the same finger marks, even identical twins will find theirs differ.”

He reached out to tap Rhy’s fingers with one, “If you look closely you’ll see that the patterns are slightly different. We can study the shapes and match them to the individual that might have handled something.”

"That's amazing! Gray Worlders find such interesting things!"

Yes, he was so joyous over this, ignoring his food to instead look closely at his fingers, trying to suss out patterns.

Llewellyn couldn’t help but smile at how excited Rhy was, if only Murdoch were here. Very few people got excited by the subject of finger marks, though that might have been because of his habit of going on tangents about them.

“I suppose we do, every year there seem to be new developments. New methods... The detective I work with, he and his wife actually wrote a book on the subject of the methods they developed and used— well... I say they wrote it, but someone else had to re-write it.” Because it was so very dry and boring before.

"That bad?" Rhy asks, grinning.

The whole thing was rather intriguing. But Rhy? He loved to learn, quite a bit. Rhy devoured knowledge. If he couldn't be a magically strong ruler, he intended to be wise and compassionate.

“Possibly worse...?” He smiled a little awkwardly, as though Murdoch and Ogden might have somehow heard him say it. “My colleague George, who is probably capable of finding reasons sing the praise of anything they do, fell asleep trying to read it.”

Which was why George had been the one to rewrite it for them. Otherwise it might never have been published. “They’re both brilliant, but their strong suits are uh— forensics and invention. Not writing.”

Oh no, that's probably a bad sign. And Rhy laughs at the very idea of it.

"My mother once told me that all people have their own skills, their own things they give to the world. Perhaps that is his."

“I believe that she’s probably right?” Llewellyn responded with a small smile, “Everyone has their own strengths to offer, I suppose that’s what made everyone at the station work so well together.” He’d seen them all work wonders at one time or another, and he’d hoped to fit in one day. For a while he thought he had been...

“Hm... I wonder if I could find the book here, I know George’ first novel was at the library when I looked.” He added a moment later, it hadn’t occurred to him to check until now.

Interesting.

"Find me this novel. I'd love to read it."

Because sharing something from Watts's home world would be lovely.

And Llewellyn would be happy to share it, nice for once to share something willingly without the sphere broadcasting something for them all to see. “I’ll have a look and bring it by when I find it. Maybe I’ll um— read it with you? I can probably share little things while we read, fill out some details. At least for the later chapters, those that I was around for.”

"Are you suggesting that you'll read aloud?" Rhy asks, grinning. He might enjoy that, wuite a bit.

Out and About In December

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wrap?

Sure!