sadfreezingbrit_archive: (what happens when you realise)
sadfreezingbrit_archive ([personal profile] sadfreezingbrit_archive) wrote2011-07-23 08:37 pm

one attempt at one-eyed brunch [21/??? artefacts collected]

[ It's been almost a week since ex-mafia!Philip had a very unfortunate event run-in with still-mafia!Dean. The result? His previous Wonderland lives are still intact, but he's down one eye and his arm isn't doing so well either. And that's the understatement of the day.

So. It's been almost a week. Hardly enough time to heal all wounds (or any of them for that matter), but time enough for Philip to get over the worst and out of his room. Or try to, in any case.

Right now (now being 11 in the morning) he's standing in the kitchen, arduously slaving over his attempt at late breakfast. The injury to his right shoulder is difficult to hide, what with his arm in a sling. But at least his left eye (or lack thereof) is cleverly concealed behind a pair of sunglasses.

To reiterate: Kitchen. Breakfast. 11 o'clock. Right arm in sling. Ridiculous Fashionable sunglasses. Shattered glass.

...Shattered glass?
]

Jesus, not again.

[ Stepping aside Philip looks at the mess. After six days improvements are coming along at last, but missteps (or misgrabs, as it were) still happen all too often. Oh depth perception, he never knew how much he loved you until you were gone.

And yet the milk keeps dripping on the floor; cold, cruel and undeterred by his struggles and frustrations.

To continue: Paper towels. Broom. Scoop. New try. Deep sigh.
]

[identity profile] sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com 2011-07-29 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Philip knows how he's supposed to answer. The yes or no doesn't even matter. Just a little something, a friendly wave to the city, combined with the reassurance that there's been enough time to get used to Wonderland.

It's not even a big lie, in fact it's not even a lie at all. Some omission perhaps, but that hardly means the issue isn't relevant, certainly doesn't speak against answering, just because... just because he knows he won't get back.

After an all too persistent moment of silence he finally nods without a word.
]
Edited 2011-07-29 22:33 (UTC)

[identity profile] libraritology.livejournal.com 2011-07-29 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Evelyn can't see his eyes, but she can see the shifting in his seat, the subtle tilt of the shoulders inwards, and the tension in his jaw. As soon as the body language tightens, so does she.

She said the wrong thing.

Whatever it is, it appears to be a subject that Philip would rather not touch at all - even with a thirty-nine and a half-foot pole.
]

I'm sorry, I-

[Ohhh, guilt. When was the last time she felt guilty about something? Aside from telling Mr. O'Connell what a ruffian he is; she feels a little bad about that.

But he's still a complete scoundrel.
]

-I shouldn't have said anything.

[identity profile] sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Damn it, why did he mess that one up? He's been in Wonderland long enough to come to terms with it, he was fairly sure he had come to terms with it, it's just- it's just...

It's just that it's been so long since he's met somebody he could talk to who also seemed normal and... and most importantly thought he was normal... or as close as it gets to that in Wonderland.

And he just doesn't want to mess up that last part.
]

No, it's... don't worry about it. I've been here long enough, I really shouldn't-- I do miss England, it's just... sometimes I even doubt I'll ever see it again.

[ Cue as much of a smile as he can manage. ]

...I'm sorry, I killed the mood again.

{ Hey, as long as it's just the mood. }

[identity profile] libraritology.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
No, not at all, it's completely understandable given your recent injuries.

[If she was hurting that badly, it would be just as difficult to stay positive. Venturing out into the public would be the furthest from her mind.]

You should rest, [Evelyn suggests, because saying the obvious is totally a good idea.] If you want help, I'd be more than happy to assist. Not-

[Her hand goes up to silence him. Men have that pride thing, don't they?]

-That you'll need it, but if you do then I can say that I've become quite proficient at using the video transmitting device, and it would be no trouble at all.

[identity profile] sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Philip nods reluctantly. ]

I should... probably do that.

[ It is indeed said in the near-chocked voice of somebody needing to swallow his pride before replying.

But it's not accepting help that gives Philip trouble, it's knowing that he's manoeuvred himself into a situation where he needs it... again. He's starting to believe that there are clichéd damsels who are less likely to attract and more likely to evade distress than him.

...That and the fact that Philip was hoping that he'd managed to make himself look better than he feels. Perhaps that holds true still, but apparently he must seem worse for wear after all.
]

And I... really appreciate the offer.

[ He stands up. ]

Thank you.
Edited 2011-07-30 20:39 (UTC)

[identity profile] libraritology.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the least I could do.

[No, really. Philip has gone above and beyond the call of duty concerning damsels in distress, simply by assisting her and showing her what's what.

Evelyn doesn't get up, but she does look after him pointedly.
]

With all of the others here, losing touch seems like it could happen often. Don't be a stranger?

[She smiles hopefully.]

[identity profile] sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I won't.

[ Philip smiles-- Well, he smiles. Any keen observer of his usual facial expressions will find that extraordinary enough. ]

I'll see you around.

[ And then he turns to- almost walk into the doorframe, because it managed to be closer than he thought.

But after that he simply turns to leave.
]

[identity profile] libraritology.livejournal.com 2011-07-30 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Evelyn watches him go, tapping on her coffee mug, still unconvinced concerning his physical state and everything that goes along with it.

She really needs to learn how to keep her curiosity in check.
]
Edited 2011-07-30 22:47 (UTC)