morebooks (morebooks) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-03-08 21:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | adrien green, merrick |
Who: Adrien Green and Merrick
What: A necessary request
Where: The Lionhart
When: 6 March, 1889
Rating: G
There was a possibility of having honest-goodness employment. And Merrick was excited at the prospect. Yet there was one major detail of the said employment they felt they needed to discuss with their caretaker.
The djinn sent word to Adrien, requesting a meeting at each other’s convenience at the Lionhart. There Merrick waited and people-watched. They had a hint of anxiety in regards to people they passed by on the way - fearing coming face to face with the people who had held and tortured but had no memory.
It'd been awhile since Adrien had talked with the djinn -- there was a part of him who was still slightly paranoid that their actions would be discovered, or that somehow someone would discover Merrick’s nature, and seek its vessel.
There was also a part of him who itched at the notion that he, in essence, owned another being. Oh, they’d worked around it some - he'd sworn to only wish for something on Merrick’s behalf, and they'd taken to calling him guardian instead of master, but there was still a tension there -- both a sense of responsibility, and an aversion to it.
When Merrick wrote him requesting the meeting, he had of course agreed; better it come from the djinn than him. At least their conversation would be easier, now that they no longer had to rely on blinking and carefully worded questions. He slid into the booth, raising an eyebrow at Merrick, who was currently wearing its more familiar appearance- that of a dapper gentleman from the Far East.
“Good evening,” Adrien said as he sat. “How’ve you been keeping? Well, I hope.”
Merrick kept a vigilant eye out even in Mac’s establishment. Smoothing the sleeves of their coat, they wore their usual finery shy of opulence. Then they watched Adrien approach and exhaled calmly. It was easy to grow fearful of their guardian’s livelihood.
“Good evening!” Merrick nodded. “I have been well, yes. And you?”
Adrien shrugged and frowned. “As well as can be expected,” he said, noncommittally. His investigations within the Institute had run into a frustrating set of dead ends, despite his efforts, and his assistant, Eleri, had taken an extended leave for mysterious purposes, stymying his efforts. Regardless, he was aware that the secrets he was seeking to unbury had been left hidden for decades -- he knew it would take time to fully uncover them.
“You were looking for housing and work last we talked,” he added. “How has that gone, then?”
The djinn nodded once more, realizing how down and even their guardian could be. Yet it was saddening.
“The latter is something I wanted to discuss with you. I have found housing and I am settling in there. As for employment, there is a facet of what it may entail that would require me to leave the country occasionally,” Merrick spoke again normal volume. Then their voice grew quieter. “With what I am and you my guardian, I must ask permission to leave the country.” There was a twinge of subservient in Merrick’s eyes - a piece of the cursed servitude rising to the surface.
“Ah,” Adrien replied, shifting in his seat, his frown cutting into the sides of his mouth. His first impulse was to do something ridiculous, like tell Merrick that there was no need to ask, but there was, that was why it’d had to call the meeting to begin with -- some sort of odd formality required by the circumstances of its bondage.
He sighed. “Granted, of course,” he said, looking over at Merrick. “Is there anything else that would need to be said? And are there any other…” he rolled his shoulders. “Any other things you could anticipate requiring permission for?”
That cutting frown worried Merrick, often wanting to see what could pass as happiness. Sadly the formality was required. And this curse was horribly precise in aspects.
The djinn caught Adrien’s eyes and nodded at his words. “Mmm, not any I can think of at this time. Our arrangement is not as restrictive as previous,” Merrick nodded as they spoke a little softer. The Institute could have been the descendants of those who placed the curse on the djinn with just how specific they were.
Adrien winced, his mouth twisting. “Good to hear. No offence meant,” he said shortly. “Unfortunate there is a need to ask to begin with, but don’t suppose it can be helped.” He tapped his fingers against the table. “What sort of employment, then?” He asked
Merrick’s frowned at Adrien’s wince, but exhaled a breath to center themselves. “None taken,” the djinn spoke as they kept their own hands gently clasped on the table. “It is with Mrs. Linden and her company. It sounds interesting, but also with risk.” Aspects of the possible employment worried Merrick, but they had to move through and beyond their last fifty years somehow.
“Ah, MPC,” Adrien replied, raising an eyebrow. “I was wondering whether you’d go that route. Biddie’s odd,” he added, “and more than a little secretive, but she gathers talent to her, and treats her employees very well. They’re quite loyal to her in turn, which speaks to her character.” He looked over at Merrick. “I do hope my letter of introduction was of use.”
“I believe your letter was,” Merrick nodded. “She is quite straightforward. But I hope this possible employment is not something I will regret. Having a home and now the employment makes me feel free to an extent.”
“...And that’s a point of concern?” Adrien replied, frowning in thought. “What are you worried that you might regret?” He amended.
Merrick squirmed slightly. “Enclosed spaces. And I know it’s irrational...but I have this lingering fear of being imprisoned again.” The djinn rarely articulated, spoke of their fears. It was difficult without an emotional response. But in this case, the djinn mustered such.
“I’m not certain that’s inherent to employment,” Adrien returned, “but you can always tell Biddie you’d rather not… blast,” he added, pausing. “At our last meeting, you said you could fit into tight spaces, that was one of your skills, and I might’ve written about it in the letter. Is your employment conditional on that? You might’ve…” he looked over, dismayed. “I apologize, I thought it was something you were willing to do. I misunderstood.”
“No….mmm,” Merrick spoke and shook their head. “I misspoke. I am willing. It’s been a while since I have been able to change into a form smaller, thinner than the man you see or the woman you’ve met. I am still finding my bearings. Please forgive me.”
Adrien shifted in his chair. “There is no…” he exhaled a little, and frowned. “No need. This is… well. It is not a usual set of circumstances, is it? I suppose we both must gain our bearings.” He tapped the table. “You can disappear at will, yes? So the only danger is in your vessel being stolen, and I don’t intend for that to happen.”
The djinn exhaled and inhaled slowly. “Correct. I agree.” Merrick nodded. “Yes, I can. Thank you….Mr. Green. That is the only danger.” They spoke and breathed. Adrien was centering them and they surely needed it.
“Well, then,” Adrien replied, “I think the world will find me both very difficult to steal from, and disinclined to spread the news of my possessing anything of value to begin with. Besides Miss Lloyd and Mac, I have told only two others of your nature, and those people I trust explicitly - people who would keep you identity safe.”
Merrick smiled softly. The Sidhe were a respectable people and the djinn knew and trusted them and their culture. “I thank you for your discretion and choices of confidants.” They breathed once more and relaxed their shoulders. “Is there anything else I should know about Mrs. Linden’s company that she may not have told me?”
Adrien shook his head. “As I’ve said, she’s secretive, and protective of her privacy -- I suppose I might charitably be called a friend, and there are many, many things she’s kept from me. She’s also had some trouble of late with spies or somesuch attempting to undermine her company,” he waved his hand, “so I expect she’ll be a little less inclined to be disclosing than usual, which is not a considerable degree to begin with, and will be slow to trust.” He looked over at Merrick. “Be patient with her?” He asked. “I’ve found her worth the effort. And her company, from what I can gather, is the sort of place that values innovation, hard work, and loyalty.”
Sighing, Merrick nodded. “I understand. Discretion can be a good thing more times than not. I will be patient. I’ve excelled at it in the past. I am anxious for this new opportunity. I am very grateful for all of your assistance.”
“I am glad I could be of help,” Adrien replied. “I realise I haven’t…” he frowned. “I’ve been keeping my distance, in part because I thought it best to let you find your own way, and you seem to have your finances well enough in hand, but do tell me if there’s anything else I can help you with.”
“I will, I will,” Merrick nodded. “If you need or want to have someone to talk to, I offer my ears.”
Adrien paused, and blinked, looking over at Merrick. “Thank you,” he said, “that’s… that’s quite kind of you.” He looked down at the table. “I realise I am… less than ideal, as the person you must be tied to. I don’t have much to offer in terms of resources, or social capital, and I am not a particularly pleasant person by nature. But I will do my best by you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Merrick breathed, hoping they could have a man acquaintance sort of friendship. “You have done just fine this far. I think it would be good.”