The Doctor is In (C 2.3, E 2.3, H 2.3)

It occurs to me that I have no idea how to answer that, but I am a good half-drunk...

"Now that is an ominous toast, my friend," I call everyone friends when I drink, mostly they are, "I can only speak for myself, but things are looking up... how goes the doctoring?"

I begin to raise a glass to Merlin's toast, then almost drop my glass when Jackdaw chimes in about... me...

I laugh, "shliznak!" and drink... just a sip.

I'm going to slow down the drinking, while pretending not to. Not to cheat at the drinking game, but to keep my wits about me in case things go weird.

I pour myself another glass but plan to nurse it for a while. The thing I'm truly savoring is the company, alcohol is simply the invitation.

Jackdaw's positivity and appreciation for those around him permeate through the gaudy facade he wears.

Canary seems to be enjoying herself here as much as she does on her boat - again it is nice to see another side of her personality.

Merlin continues to surprise me as well. Having spent the past few hours with him, I witnessed his focus, attention to detail, and willingness to follow me into a stressful situation. I feel I can begin to see what Litch sees in his crew.

As I ponder about the Talons and Canary, I'm reminded of those I call family - even if it is just in my mind. Parker and Paisley are resting just down the hall, and Princy is hopefully recovering well back at the Tower. In the morning I will fix my attention back to Princy's situation and figuring out why everything went to hell.

For now, I smile as the laughter and playfulness of the others engulf the room.

I'm able to relax a little more, now, with Syd here... and knowing that Dinero has grown into his role so quickly and even now he's not left alone. The old-timers have a good influence on the young man.... young man? He isn't all that much younger than I am. Has the sea aged me so?

And here Syd is... finally pulled himself away from the stifling tower and he's becoming something of a life-saver. Isn't he....

I think about it for a good long time, then raise my glass again, "to finding where we belong."

As you're drinking and talking, Javan enters the room, but doesn't join you. Soon after, Helix enters.

Helix, you see Canary drinking with Jackdaw, Merlin, and Syd. They're in a good mood.

The expected suspects are here, except Canary who I didn’t expect. My eyes catch on her for a moment, remembering how things ended at the Belly, then I glance away. Canary saw me fail at sea, and it feels somehow that this is another black mark on my record.

Then I remember what I wanted to ask her at the Belly, what I didn’t get a chance to after Parcher plied to Prince with too much booze.

My eyes go back to her. "I didn’t know you were working with the Talons."

I swirl booze around in my glass, rather than drinking in a hurry. I like to listen to a room, overhear important bits.

Helix walks in and I can't help but straighten up a bit and follow her with my eyes. She looks at me like I'm out of place...

She asks, and I glance around the table before shaking my head, "just visiting. Not here on business..." a puzzled look on my face, "surprised to see you here, too."

"Me, too," I answer without offering additional explanation. "Are you staying the night?" I know that Syd is new to the Roost. How many warm bodies are they prepared to host at a moment's notice?

Hmm.

"Yeah, gettin' settled..." I glance at Jackdaw, "prolly sleep out on the water though... you here long-term?"

It feels like there's more we should talk about, but not in present company.

"You should see the Refuge again, Helix... she hasn't changed, a good boat'll remember you," an invitation to get away... if she wants to take it.

I catch the look Canary throws Jackdaw's way, so I playfully speak up. "Dibs on Jackdaw's room. You can fight me for it, but I don't really want to move aaalllll my stuff."

I smile at Jackdaw. I'm curious to see how he reacts. Will he feign frustration at me blocking a prospect - glad he can play up his playboy reputation; or tire quickly of my meddling? Does Plover enjoy his antics, or want him to settle down?

I laugh, "someone once told me never to pick a fight with the doctor!" I grin at Syd for a moment, then shrug, "all the company I need out on the water..."

But I look down at my glass and think to myself... crew ain't kin... not yet anyway. We'll see how this all goes with the dive. Tough jobs done oughta bring us together. Maybe it'll feel right, then.

I glance back at Helix, see how she's taking all this.

I don't know how to answer Canary's question about whether I'm here long term. I suppose I might be, if Litch still "can't let me go." Or perhaps I might be if I, like he wants, choose to return to the Roost each time I depart. My lips tense a bit, words unspoken as I meet her eyes, something serious there, but then the jovial nature of the room takes over again, sweeping away my unspoken sentences with slurred threats and laughter.

I go get myself a glass of water when I hear Jackdaw drunkenly refer to Syd as "Doc Edwurd." I turn, water in hand but untasted. "I thought your name was Syd," I say, my voice like silver among the cozy wool of their conversation. "Edward...is a Tower name, isn't it?"

Leave it to Jackdaw to botch that up. I quickly glance around the room just in case Dinero happened to be around. Not seeing him - I figure there is little harm in a true introduction with this stranger.

I stand and look over to Helix. "Miss Helix, I'm sorry for the late introduction. My name is Syd, but for over a decade now I've been going by Edmund Sterling. While I'm not a doctor, I am a loyal butler to Princy and his family - in the tower - as you rightly assumed." My demeanor intensifies as I continue. "Over the past couple days, the family I work for has been the target of a series of attacks. As they all seem to be out of harm's way for the time being, I intend to fully devote myself to understanding the truth of these attacks. And ensuring they don't happen again."

Syd...Edmund...whatever his name is...is not completely foreign to me as it turns out. I've heard talk of Princy's faithful butler, and now the servant of the elite is here among the rest of us. I felt like there was something off about him from the moment we met - perhaps the Whispers were nudging my conscience - and now I know why. My body bristles at the deception, something feeling very wrong about masks and lies. There is blood in the water around this butler, which means he is prone to attract sharks.

"And the Talons are assisting you in this task?" I glance at Canary too, wondering if she's involved, willing to risk the sharks for the potential jingle flowing from the Tower.

I see that look and raise my hands, "jus' contracting. Syd needs a ride, I'm there... but I can only do so much to solve the worlds problems..." I sigh... feeling the alcohol, "I mean. Syd... if you need me though. I'll do what I can."

Much like when Zephyr introduced me to Helix yesterday, I can almost taste the disdain that Helix seems to have for me. Her first words to me were, "Who did they send to kidnap you?", and now she is inquiring if they are assisting me. Likely trying to juxtapose her relationship with the Talons to my own.

"The Talons were essential in getting me safely out of the Tower, in addition to acquiring the supplies needed to treat those needing care here. While I will be eternally grateful for the support they've provided me up until now - I intend to do as much of the upcoming hunt as I can solitary."

I don't say that I will likely need a ride, but Canary's statement of support just a moment ago is reassuring, even if she can leave me somewhere as she heads to other jobs.

"Have I done something to offend you, Miss Helix?"

Canary, at least, is reliably practical, contracting out her skills, doing what she can, and promising nothing more. Even if I don't understand how she can trust Edmund enough to promise even that much, I can respect her stance.

The Tower Butler, though, is another story altogether. Listening to his formal presentation actually makes me miss the Sipps and when he asks outright if he has offended me, I lift my chin a bit.

"I do not trust the Tower," I answer after watching him for a long moment. "Or the people who work to help the prosperous prosper. But being offended would be a waste of time. Don't worry, Tower Butler. I'm sure Canary will drop you and the young Prince back on their doorstep when you tire of our world."