Duplicity Inbox

[domainless]

Martin is away from the phone right now. Pleas leave a message and he'll get back to you.

Comments

text; un: prince (backdated to Elias' arrival)

[rosebyanyother]

Hello. Considering that a certain someone has made his reappearance, I thought it might be good for us to chat.

I imagine we have a mutual interest in keeping Jon from being hurt. Or hurting himself, honestly.

Re: text; un: prince (backdated to Elias' arrival)

[domainless]

That might be a good idea actually. I've encountered him too.

And yeah. Also from hurting anyone else.

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

[Jon doesn't trust his own judgment. He doesn't particularly trust Chris' either at the moment. Maybe he shouldn't be turning to Martin to make decisions for him, be the one to tell him 'no,' but he's always been a better person than Jon in the Archivist's own eyes. Peter and Agnes would likely be permissive. Tim would tell him no. Sasha wouldn't fully understand the situation. Martin, he's not as sure about. Maybe he can be objective?]

I need your help making a decision.
May I text you a conversation I'm having with someone else?
They want to give me a verbal Statement.
I want to take it.
I don't know if that's the right choice when I don't need it.

Re: un: thearchivist; text

[domainless]

[His gut reaction is to say no, that Jon shouldn't be feeding on people. Except he's also got used to Jon just pulling statements out of air now, and tearing monsters apart.

The fact that Jon is asking is... good? He supposes.


Jon... alright, send me the conversation and I'll take a look.

text | un: noartefacts --Misfire!

[notnotsasha]

[Duplicity just has it out for everybody. Sorry, Martin. Very.]

Remember that time I went to Exeter for 4 hours, got hammered, cried for an hour, and then left?
I need a billion tiny bottles of booze for a pinata.

Re: text | un: noartefacts --Misfire!

[domainless]

Uh...

I don't think you ever told me about that? Sounds like a long way to go.

Are you okay Sasha?

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

[Why should Peter be the only one to suffer Jon's sleep-deprived, 3 AM musings while stuck in jail? When there's not an immediate response from the older man, Jon texts Martin, as well.]

Do you like piercings or tattoos?
I've been thinking it might be interesting if you picked something like that out for me.
Georgie always told me I'd look good with earrings.
And I've got these eyes all over my arm now.
They're not particularly professional, though, are they?

Re: un: thearchivist; text

[domainless]

[He has been fretting. His boyfriend is in prison and Martin is so worried. He picks up the text convinced it's going to be some terrible news and instead it's-]

Jon? Jon are you okay?

Are you... did they drug you?

text; un: ShowStopper

[alwayskayaking]

Do you have any nice pictures of Jon? Particularly ones of him looking young?

[No, he's not saying why he wants a picture.]

Re: text; un: ShowStopper

[domainless]

Uh, maybe? Why?

text; un: ShowStopper

[alwayskayaking]

I'm not sure if Jon's had a chance to mention it yet, but Sasha's fallen into a coma. [He's only just finished texting Jon so he might not have time to tell Martin unless they were together at the time.] He thinks it's the city's doing and she should be fine in the end.

Re: text; un: ShowStopper

[domainless]

What... oh god Tim, I'm so sorry.

Is there anything I can do to help?

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

[The text comes around 3 AM on the 2nd... after Jon had snuck out of the house and off to the Creator's residence to engage in some juvenile delinquency.]

In jail for a week.
Sorry.
Please feed the Captain.

Re: un: thearchivist; text

[domainless]

In jail?

What the hell did you do, Jon?!?!?!

delievered first week of novemeber —

[seaboard]

— Master Martin Blackwood, Beloved of Jonathan Sims,

A gift for the winter, to keep you warm.

In my home, we give gifts at the end of harvest - to keep us in good cheer all through the long dark to come. I think perhaps it shall come as a surprise to you, as it seems Master Sims as thought to deceive his kindness from me by pretending it was you that sent me gifts. But I found your company so wonderfully pleasant, I should dearly like to be a companion of yours, if you do not mind my own. So it seemed right to give you a gift just the same for this Harvest-Tidings. The wreath is usually given at midsummer, then they are kept until mid-winter when we burn them on the longest night to ward off bad omens for the new year.

In all regards, yours,
Gilia St. Loe, Daughter-Sea, She Who Sings the Ocean to Prosperity

[ With the note comes a box that has been carefully packaged, scented faintly with lavender and rosemary. On the top is the wreath of leaves, flowers and berries, bound together with twists of herbs and ribbons that make it faintly sweet, with how it has all been carefully dried. Below it is the main gift itself. A black scarf scarf of the same silk she made Jon's vest and the same silk thread embroidery upon it. Ornate and vibrant to the last. ]

[domainless]

[Martin is not expecting any deliveries, and certainly not gifts, so it comes as a surprise when this arrives. It's beautifully wrapped, and the gift is... it's lovely. And looks valuable. People don't give him gifts like this, he's never- It's a lot. He almost wants to write back and ask if Gilia is sure she's got the right person. But the note is very clear.]

Gillia I- I don't know what to say! This is really lovely! I've never seen something as pretty as this. Did you embroider it? I don't know anything about embrodiery really, but it looks amazing.

Jon is very sweet, but he's bad at showing it. I think he expects people to make fun of him if he shows it, so that doesn't surprise me.

I'm- do you want to get tea or something sometime?

-Martin

Christmas 2021

[alwayskayaking]

[On Christmas day Tim stops by to drop off a couple gifts at Martin and Jon's home. He stops by around 2pm, but doesn't come inside. Instead choosing to leave his gifts in the letterbox for them to find later.

Inside the one marked for Martin is a pair of very fancy tea cups a fun tea infuser, a selection of teas to try (the ones with aphrodisiacs effects clearly marked) and a card. The card reads:]

Merry Christmas,

I hope you have a great holiday and happy new year! Take care of yourself and relax together with Jon. Only drink the teas with a red label if you want a wild night together with Jon. The rest should be safe.

Cheers,
Tim

Re: Christmas 2021

[domainless]

[It's an excellent gift, and Martin is delighted with it.

In return, he gifts Tim a lovely faux-fur throw for the bed, one that is waterproof and capable of dealing with spills of whatever kind.]

Happy Christmas Tim! I thought this might be something nice to have on the bed in future :)

Martin

Delivery

[resonantcomplications]

[A parcel arrives for Martin that likely gives itself away readily enough with it's rectangular shape. Inside is a book along with a very nice fountain pen and a note.]

I understand there was some sort of gift-giving occasion recently I have very little context for, but if you would like to attribute this to the event, that would be acceptable. I hope you fill each page with every thought and moment of creativity that strikes you.

-Essek

P.S. Please let me know if the 'pen' is to your liking, I am more familiar with quill and ink, but I am assured this is what has replaced such things.

Re: Delivery

[domainless]

Martin will send a note back, one some nice paper and written with the gifted pen. Along with it is a package in return which is filled with some of Martin's favourite teas, and a selection of cakes a biscuits from the tea shop Martin likes.]

Thank you so much for the gift! It's wonderful. The pen is wonderful! It's really smooth to write with.

I hope you enjoy the tea and cakes. They're some of my favourites and they're lovely to sit and drink while trying to do writing or research.

Please let me know if you do want context for some of the holidays! I don't know everything about the ones here but we have something similar (but less sexual) at home.

- Martin

text; un: ShowStopper CW: Link contains art that is NSFW

[alwayskayaking]

[After texting Jon about a valentines he thinks he received in error, Tim decides to text Martin as well.]

Quick question. Did you happen to send Jon a, let's say, SAUCY valentines day card?

Re: text; un: ShowStopper CW: Link contains art that is NSFW

[domainless]

Uh... no. Why?

March 2022

[alwayskayaking]

Would you be willing to go out and grab a cup of tea with me? Or lunch if you're hungry?

Re: March 2022

[domainless]

Sure. Is this an occasion or just catching up?

un: thearchivist; text (backdated to just before the loss portion of the event started)

[compellingstatement]

Are you at home?
I need you.
I fed on someone.
I didn't mean to.
I'm so sorry, Martin.
I need to figure out how to fix this.

Re: un: thearchivist; text (backdated to just before the loss portion of the event started)

[domainless]

Yes. Yes I'm at home.

God Jon... just... just come home, okay?

Voice | un: ShowStopper

[alwayskayaking]

[Not long after this post Martin will get a phone call from Tim. The man wishes to say he's sorry now that the city has removed it's claws from his mind once more. He won't blame Martin if the man doesn't pick up, but he's hoping that he will. There's always a written message if he doesn't.]

[domainless]

[Martin does pick up the phone after a couple of rings. He feels... bad about what he'd said to Tim, but also probably not as bad as he should.]

Hey Tim.

Text; un: Ravens

[chrisisofaith]

so when do i get to hear your poetry?

and no i'm not teasing, don't let your head think it

Re: Text; un: Ravens

[domainless]

I mean, it's not very good. I'm very rusty. Probably plenty better in books.

text; un: ravens

[chrisisofaith]

[He's just in his room. He knows Martin's nearby, but he still pulls out his phone and pulls up Martin's contact. He likes keeping nearby the other man, especially when Jon's out for whatever (likely work-related) reason, but for this...maybe a touch of distance. Just in case it's not received well.]

I have a question for you

Re: text; un: ravens

[domainless]

...okay. Ominous.

Go ahead.

Delivery (Over the course of the month)

[chrisisofaith]

[Starting from a week or so after returning to Duplicity, little things start appearing around the house for Martin (marked with a little 'M' sticker). Neat or unique bottlecaps, buttons, marbles. A candle or two in scents similar to the shampoo he uses, a plush blanket in a lighter green left on his bed...

There's a few other things as well, more obvious. A new tea set and some cupcakes left with it. The culprit leaves a larger present as well as a note.]

"For your poetry, in case the park or a café speaks to your inspiration."

Re: Delivery (Over the course of the month)

[domainless]

[He's been finding these things for the last few weeks. Just little things. A blanket that's incredibly soft when he wraps it around his shoulders, pretty little bits and pieces. Things that he would normally have dismissed as too frivolous. But like this, little gifts... He'd never realised this could be so delightful.

And then there's bigger things. A tea set in iridescent porcelain, cupcakes. And then the box with a notepad and beautiful pens and... it's- it's perfect. Chokes him up. He leaves a message in return, in the same spot.]

This is very inspiring on its own <3

gift delivery

[rosebyanyother]

[Three presents show up on the doorstep of Marzipan Terrace all at once, one for each of its residents.

The one addressed to Martin - by a card on top of it - is a large, thin rectangle that contains two stylish but very cozy sweaters. (One of them is a dark green with subtle floral designs because he remembers Jon saying Martin likes...plants.)

The card has a simple note inside: 'Merry Christmas. I hope these are to your taste but I've included the receipt if not. - Morrigan']

un: goodcows

[domainless]

They are lovely! Thank you Morrigan :) They're lovely colours! I don't think I've ever had sweaters this nice!

-Martin

Delivery 12/31

[chrisisofaith]

[There's a present left out the last day of the year, marked with a tag that holds the printed picture of a raven on it. A letter inside accompanies the present itself, sealed with silver wax that holds the signet press of two crossed feathers topped with a cluster of three six-pointed stars.]

May I share my bounty with you that you have plenty of your own for this new year.
I hope you know how warm and safe you make me feel. That to me, you are home. You mentioned once that being part of House Sonom wouldn't be so bad? Well, I hope that remains true.

Martin Blackwood, lord of Marzipan Terrace and Poet of the land, I invite you to House Sonom and the care and protection it offers. I swear my name to yours to show all who question, that you hold my loyalty, affection, and intentions. And by so wearing this favor, you declare your acceptance of my oath and House.

I hope you agree.
Happy Candleglow
-C.S.

[Martin will find new lattice arches in the garden, enchanted to glow with little lights when the sun sets, and a bracelet in the Sonom colors inside the package.]

[delivery on 12/25]

[compellingstatement]

[Martin's gift isn't quite so grand as last year, but Jon hopes he'll still like it. It's a pair of cookbooks, one on cooking, the other on baking. There are some naughty-looking dishes because Duplicity has to be itself, but they're overall fairly wholesome things titled:

All Too Appetizing and Stressed Spelled Backwards

This is one of the few packages he puts a note on... mainly because Jon leaves them on the bed for Martin to find.]

Happy Christmas!
Love,
Jon

text; un: ravens

[chrisisofaith]

[Whatever Martin's in the middle of, he's going to receive a few quick messages, one right after the other.]

Do you want to go to an orgy?

You don't have to say yes

In fact don't feel pressured to say yes, it's just a question

[Nervous? No. Of course not. How silly.]

Re: text; un: ravens

[domainless]

[That... is not a message he'd been anticipating receiving, but on second thoughts, he's a bit surprised he's not been asked it more.]

Who with? I mean, complete strangers? People you know? Friends?

Text; Un: Ravens | Backdated to the 16th

[chrisisofaith]

Are you settled in ok with Tim? Has anyone caused you any trouble?