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[It doesn't matter where you are in Aliunde today, if you are outdoors or even just watching out a window, at some point a very tiny little blond will be sweeping in front of you. Or raking leaves. Or picking things up. Or washing things. Because it's the little details that count, and if a place is going to be successful and pleasant looking it

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[Jack has finally got a break from work and needs to get some air. He heads through the streets, pausing at the sound of humming. It's a song he recognises and he blinks over, smiling lightly.]

I haven't heard that song in quite some time. [He has his hands shoved deep in his pockets.] You're new here.

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[Lazarus smiles over at him when he speaks, nodding a little. He's a little nervous meeting new people, but music is always a good conversation starter.]

It's one of my favorites, memories keep it close to my heart.

[He's still sweeping a little, although his attention is on Jack now.]

Ah, yes... Yes, I'm new. I arrived early in the weekend.

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[Jack smiles, deciding this one is absolutely stunning. Obviously male, or at least Jack can tell. He can almost smell death around him, however, and it makes him more than curious.]

You know, most people shout into their phones to get help and information. You didn't. You don't want answers?

[He grabs one of the many brooms left outside, deciding he might as well help.]

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[The smile that Jack makes just makes him feel warm inside somehow. Bright, and as if he has more energy now than he did before. Jack is charismatic and Lazarus finds himself drawn to people like that. They make him feel alive, in a way.]

I did desire answers! So I asked at the hospital after I had pleaded to them to allow me to find employment there. I thought that the citizens of Aliunde most likely had enough to think about, and little needed someone harassing them for information.

[And when he starts helping, Lazarus's small smile turns into a rather cheerful one.]

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That's a little different. Everyone here tends to want their answers right away, though we're all pretty relaxed about telling everyone. It's common courtesy, after all.

[Jack's not the best at cleaning. Ianto does it for him, usually, but he gives it a good go anyway, smiling lightly. He knows his pheromones have an affect on most everyone and tends to not realise when people smile brighter at him.]

You're a doctor, then?

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I'm fine with waiting. I have all the time in the world.

[And it's the truth. When you have nothing but time you don't worry so much about the now. Or you shouldn't, Lazarus just has a talent for worrying about the everything.

And it's the effort that counts, at least as far as Lazarus is concerned. And it honestly means the world to him to see other people even trying.

He nods nervously when Jack asks about his work, and bites his lip for a moment.]

I am. I've got a lot to catch up on here, it's so amazing and quaint and different! The hospital is so modern and startling... [He sighs, but then smiles brightly.] It's a lot to take in, and a little overwhelming I'll admit.

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Huh. Not all the time in the world. It's not a good thing when you do. I'd know.

[He pauses for a moment, stopping his sweeping and leaning on the broom.]

It's pretty modern, yeah. I've seen better and worse so it's good enough. [He chuckles softly.] Well, you've got to make friends to get comfortable here. And look, you just made one. Captain Jack Harkness, and you are?

[He offers his hand to shake.]

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Oh, ah, of course not! It just seems like it sometimes.

[He shakes his head, wondering if he sounded stupid. Or if he should have simply bit his lip and said nothing at all.]

It is good. I'll be able to aid a good many once I've been educated properly.

[He simply blinks for a moment, worried, and he's a little nervous about setting his cool hand against one that's most likely warm and living. But he does, shaking it with an attempt at firmness.]

It's... It's an honor to meet you. Really! And to call you a friend.

[He's not used to people being so kind.] I'm Lazarus Segal.

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Don't take your time for granted, it'll be over faster than you really want it to be.

[He smiles, nodding a little, though as his hand is taken, he flicks his gaze down to Lazerus's hand, curious for a second. He knows what dead flesh feels like and that's surprisingly cold. And he lifts his gaze a moment later, all smiles..]

It's nice to meet you, Lazerus Segal, and I'm sure they'll train you up really quickly. We're kind of desperate for medical staff right now.

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I won't. I promise you that. I take nothing for granted.

[And it's the truth. The world, any world, is a cruel place where what you love and cherish can be pulled from you in the blink on an eye. So he tends to cherish everything. Simply because he understands how frail existing makes a person, and how easily the good fall.

He notices that gaze, and he wonders for a minute if Jack has noticed. But he says nothing, and Jack being all smiles makes him forget that he was ever worried at all.]

They've started already! It is so fascinating, and I feel as if my head is stuffed to the brim with words and lectures! I was sent away though, they said that I was to enjoy my time off until I am to return to work once more.

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Attaboy.

[He laughs, glad that Lazarus sounds so happy about the work he's been getting to do, still leaning on his broom while they talk.]

It sounds like you already fit in here, Lazarus. It's a pretty easy place to get comfortable in, thankfully.

[He pauses, giving him the once over.] Can I ask you something?

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[And laughter just makes him more comfortable, and he sweeps and swishes the broom around as best he can for a moment. But then gasps, and has to catch his breath. His powers might have been sealed away, but unfortunately his sickly nature did not disappear with them. And the dust and dirt are terrible on his breathing, especially when combined with the work he's done already.]

It is. It's safe enough, and clean. I like it a good deal, even if I worry for my home.

[He blinks, staring up at Jack for a moment, and then he nods.] Oh, of course! Anything!

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[Jack frowns a little, looking at him with a concerned gaze.]

Take a break, you don't want to knock yourself out.

[He pauses for a second, wondering how to word this. Bluntly, he decides.] What are you? I don't mean to be rude but I can smell death and your skin is cold. I've seen enough to know those are signs I shouldn't ignore.

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I-I am! I just need... [He coughs a little, and then harder. But after a moment he takes a deep breath, and then smiles once more.] Just needed to find my air, it sought to escape me! And such a retreat cannot be allowed.

[He goes absolutely silent at that. And he panics for a moment internally. Should he lie? He couldn't, no, not when Jack is so kind. He is his friend, at least he has said so. He could not bring himself to speak falsehoods to him. But the fear is there none the less, he does not wish to be seen as a monster, as the freak he is. And his crosses one arm over his chest, fingers grasping hard into his upper arm as he tries to think out the best reply possible.

There isn't a thing he can say that will help. He just doesn't think that Jack will accept a lie, or be fooled by poorly twisted words.]

...I am dead. Frozen in it, locked away from life, true death, or change.

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[Jack watches him fuss and fret, certain that he's going to pass out of he worries himself enough, and that the coughing was definitely not a good thing to hear. Sickly little thing, isn't he?

The response provokes a curious noise and a smile.]

That makes two of us. Technically. You're frozen in death, I'm frozen in life. Can you ever really die?

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[Very much so, and he worries like no other. But worry is forgotten for a mix of surprise and sympathy at hearing that Jack is like him, at least in some sense. He's met other necromancers, monsters in human skin who prey on all in their paths. And Jack is nothing like them.]

You're... But how? I thought that only those who fell into the dark pact carried the curse.

[He shakes his head. No, he will not ever die.]

No, a true death is not in my future. I cannot leave that moment, the time of my death. And I have been killed, at least in the sense of what should be able to end someone's existence. But my body denies it each time, and returns me to my moment. And in that moment I will stay.