Talking with Nick after Ava

[makesthings]

Someday Sam will remember to stop working when the sun comes up, but last night wasn't one of those nights.

He opened the door from his workroom and found Milliways and just went up to that room, where he remembered to take off his boots and set the wards before falling asleep.

His dreams were nice, being in the room made him think of Kait and he kept reaching out for her in his sleep.

Comments

[wordofa_sayre]

They leave for the Dorrance estate tomorrow morning.

Nick decides not to wait for a chance to find a proper entrance point from there, and focuses on searching out a route to Milliways as soon as Uncle Edward's departed for a meeting.

Now he's knocking at Sam's door. Loudly.

"Sameth. Are you in there? Open up, there's a good man."

[makesthings]

Nick's knocking is loud and Sam rolls over in his sleep before finally getting out of bed.

Once he's out of bed, he goes to the door, stares at it before undoing the wards as he says, "Nick, what time is it?"

[wordofa_sayre]

"Here or back in Ancelstierre?" he asks, strolling in.

"Did I wake you? You're looking all rumpled."

[makesthings]

"I don't know, here. I think it was light out when I found a door, its always hard to tell in my workroom. Yes, you woke me up,"

The window isn't huge and he tends to get focused on his work.

[wordofa_sayre]

Nick grins.

"Good to see you're keeping your old habits."

[makesthings]

"Of course I am. Did you bring tea or breakfast?"

Its the least he can do since he did wake Sam up.

[wordofa_sayre]

"Didn't think to," he admits, cheerfully. "But that's easily remedied. Splash some water on your face, and I'll be back almost before you know I'm gone."

[makesthings]

"Good,"

Sam goes into the bathroom, blinks at the mirror and tries to make his hair not stick up too oddly. Then discovers a clean shirt in one of the drawers which is helpful.

[wordofa_sayre]

He's as good as his word, rapping his knuckles against the door once in warning before he breezes back in with a breakfast tray.

"Brought a proper full one," he informs Sam, "and tea for both of us."

[makesthings]

"Brilliant, that almost makes up for waking me up,"

There's a table in the room and he pulls it over to get the food on it.

[wordofa_sayre]

"Serves you right for staying up all night," Nick points out, cheerfully.

Of course, it's not like he hasn't done the same, all too often, and he's aware that Sam knows that perfectly well.

[makesthings]

"I came here to sleep and will be rested for whatever I have to do tomorrow at home. Now what do you want?"

There's usually something along with his other work.

[wordofa_sayre]

"Suppose that's fair," he allows.

Nick claims his cup of tea and a perch on a nearby chair.

"For one thing, came by to let you know Uncle Edward and I are heading up to Dorrance's tomorrow. Don't know how easily I'll be able to get here from there, but I'll be looking. From there, it shouldn't be a far cry to the Wall -- sooner rather than later."

[makesthings]

"Oh, that's good. Where does Dorrance live?"

The name sounds familiar but Sam's never been good at recalling exactly where everything is in Ancelstierre.

[wordofa_sayre]

"Dorrance Hall," Nick informs him, dryly. "Smallish sort of town nearby, but it's got a rail station and it's a few hundred miles closer to the Wall than Corvere, so I'll take it."

[makesthings]

"That's something and hopefully the time there won't be too boring,"

It's been rare that he ever liked too many of the men he met who were connected to Nick's uncle.

[wordofa_sayre]

He rolls his eyes.

"I'm sure it will, but there's no help for it."

Even if Uncle Edward is being cagey about it all for some reason.

[makesthings]

"At least you'll be closer to the Wall and you'll find something to keep yourself occupied,"

Nick always does, he's reliable that way.

[wordofa_sayre]

He might as well have heard Sam's thought. Nick grins.

"Always do."

[makesthings]

"I know, just don't do anything that requires too much diplomacy."

[wordofa_sayre]

"Sayre or not, I've no intention of taking up my family's career plans for me," Nick informs him. "Even if they have sent me off to Uncle to get 'properly situated.'"

And to be near various doctors for follow-ups, he knows, but there's no point in dwelling on that.

[makesthings]

"Let me know if you need help getting to the Old Kingdom sooner. When Ellimere or Dad take control things happen,"

He knows that Nick needs to be in the Old Kingdom, but getting him there is taking far too long.

[wordofa_sayre]

"I'll handle it, Sam."

He doesn't intend the faint stubbornness that edges his words, but it's there all the same.

"I've said I would, and I will. Word of a Sayre, you know."

[makesthings]

It's hard to miss and Sam runs a hand through his hair,

"I know, sorry, you know I worry."

[wordofa_sayre]

"I know."

Nick's smile flashes once more.

"Wouldn't be you if you didn't, right?"