Video.

[king]

I've been wondering, Scorched.

[ Arthur has been training since before the sun rose: it's visible in the flush across the bridge of his nose, the way his blond bangs are sticking dark to his temples, the slouch of his usually straight-backed posture. But he needs a break, a distraction from his own mind, from the questions that have been plaguing it without concrete answer. ]

Say that the Door started — temporarily — working the way that all doors should, and we could all trip merrily back to our own worlds.

[ A breath, considering whether he's really going to ask. Despite his slightly laconic tone, he knows how depressing some of the answers he'll get will be. But he still wants to know: ]

Would you stay here in Anatole?

Or would you go home?

Comments

[Voice→Private]

[king]

He's determined to find a way home. I don't know how exactly he's hoping to accomplish it, though.

[Voice→Private]

[silverking]

[Isley laughs quietly, unsympathetically.]

There is no way home, he must have been told so at least a dozen times by now. Then...he is not used to taking no for an answer? That might be it.

I wonder, though...

[A pause.]

[When he continues his tone is a little softer.]

Arthur? The more I know, the easier it will be for me to decide whether or not I should approach this person.

Can you tell me anything else about him? Can I count on you to help me?

[Voice→Private]

[king]

He seems to believe that failure doesn't prove there's no way home, just that those who failed couldn't find it. For such a sarcastic man, he's quite idealistic.

[ Which Arthur appreciates in a person. ]

[ He nods, realizes Isley can't see it, and verbalizes it. There's something like warmth in his voice. ]

Of course.

[ Debt aside, Isley can always count on that. ]

[Voice→Private]

[silverking]

He has a point. Failure proves nothing except that the current methods used are all ineffective. I'm not certain there are other means to try, however. At least, not yet.

[To himself...]

Perhaps my angle has been wrong. What if it isn't the Door at all? It may only bring us here. There could be...a different way out, a different way back. Where do people go when they just disappear without a trace? How do they leave?

[A sigh. He seems to realize he's been thinking aloud.]

Forgive me, the Door and the happenings surrounding it consume my thoughts all too easily.

If you'll help me, then tell me if you learn anything new about this man, Arthur. And...one more thing.

Providing you actually do possess decent map making skills, I might be willing to reconsider taking you with me to Erebos sometime in the future. I think it would be best for you to see the place with your own eyes, after all. Especially if you will be assisting me with getting a physical layout of the city within the Chamber.

[Voice→Private]

[king]

I'm fairly certain he's from Remus and Tonks and Bellatrix's world, if that means anything to you. It's just a guess, from the way he seems to know them.

But I suppose I can keep you informed. I'm not passing on anything he asks me not to, though.

[ Morals, and all. He's already very slightly uncomfortable sharing what Snape so diligently privately locks — he seems a very private person in general. But it's not as though Isley is likely to go gossiping. ]

Ah yes. Erebos.

[ The circumstances undr which they had that conversation, and his enthusiasm to visit the chamber, were rather ... singular. Arthur swallows, nods slowly. ]

All right.

[ He doubts Merlin will let him go alone — that is, without him — but decides not to mention that for now. ]

[Voice→Private]

[silverking]

[Bellatrix.]

[The name gives Isley pause, but only for a moment.]

I have not had many dealings with that lot, so I am even more grateful for your help. And of course I wouldn't expect you to repeat things you had been specifically asked not to. If I did, how could I expect you to keep confidence with me?

And you will, I hope. Unless I express otherwise.

[Isley smiles although it cannot be seen.]

I will send you word in advance regarding my next trip. It won't be long from now.

Thank you Arthur.