ALL THAT MATTERS • a psl post

[galvanised]

my head is heavy, my limbs are weary,

and it is not life that makes me move.

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[galvanised]

{ He's absolutely going to need these few tools, his scalpels and knives and needles. Clothes. Clothes, what few he had, would also be necessary. At least one more set other than what they had on--

Victor suddenly looks up from his task. First, at the book. Then, at the-- man holding it. More memory, more aptitude for learning. He offers a breath of a laugh and a warm smile. }

Yes. Very important. Thank you, Proteus.

{ This, at least, will be essential should they not be able to return. Somehow, and he isn't sure how, that interruption has allowed him to clear his mind and to calm. }

We might stay in the back room for the night. Save what little we can. Of course, it could probably easily find us...

{ What's to say it couldn't easily find them no matter where they go? Maybe he'd figure it out as they walked. The most important fact of the matter is leaving. He pulls out of the laboratory to actually pack clothes and money and whatever else valuable not kept there. Proteus may follow. The door was kept open for him, after all. }

[relearn]

[ He's trying to do the buttons for himself, following along. Frowning at them because they're wrong. He doesn't understand. They're wrong and they won't--

Proteus nearly walks into the door frame. Drops a step back, looking up at it as if it jumped out at him. ]

Sorry...

[ His eyes stay on it, muttering, fingers still on forgotten buttons, giving it a wide berth. Be careful. Keep calm. ]

Victor.

[ The name is a - an anchor. Like the frigate, like he remembers. The ocean pushes and the anchor holds the ship steady. The Everything pushes and Victor holds Proteus steady.

He has called somebody that before. ]

Can I help?

[galvanised]

[ As panicked - as worried - as he is, Proteus's voice is grounding. He looks terrified. Granted, he should be. But Victor has no idea how much of his natural ability to defend himself still lingers. He only knows that fight or flight will take over when necessary. If the man Proteus was before the type to fight... He may lose him.

He has to keep calm for both their sakes. As weak as it is, he does give a smile in return. ]

Will you hand me that?

[ Only the essentials. He cannot leave his basic tools should they never be able to return. It can stay next to this bag if only to make sure nothing is forgotten in haste. ]