( Tom stared into the mirror whilst he applied his shaving charm cream. )

Ingress hesitates a moment before pressing her palm to the painting of Tom’s workroom. She knows she has to talk to both Tom and Door about how she's been sneaking to Milliways and how she doesn't want to sneak any more and why it’s not fair that she can’t go as she likes. Tom’s going to be harder to talk to, so she's getting it over with first. He ( Read more... )

It's been a few weeks since Tom encountered Marjory Stewart-Baxter again. It's been fewer still since she laid her eggs in his arm.

Tom doesn't know about the latter. It's probably just as well.

He has noticed strange bumps raised along the skin near the crook of his elbow. Sometimes the rash is vaguely itchy, but he keeps forgetting to do ( Read more... )

Mia is keyed to the House of Arch painting, as is Draco, but neither of them drop by often these days. So Tom is somewhat surprised, but pleasantly so, when he sees Mia step through the painting into the common room and library area.

He puts down the books he was shelving and smiles.

"Mia, how lovely to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Tom sent an owl to Draco as soon as the response to Mia flew off on Croix's talons. He's been waiting in his study for him, pouring over an old spell book written in Medieval Latin ( Read more... )

There is only so much a grown man can sulk. Tom's certainly fulfilled his quota for the year, and it's only the sixth day of it ( Read more... )

The Black Friars, along with a few other monastic clusters dotted about the Underside, are the only groups that have history regarding London Below and its people written down. They have fairly little of it, however. Tom knows, as he's asked leave to go through each of the mean clusters of books that make up these private libraries ( Read more... )

Tom escorts Mal into the common room, a combination lounge and library for the House of Arch residents ( Read more... )

It's been a long day in London Below. Longer than usual, as far as Door and Tom's current work is concerned, and a great deal more vexing ( Read more... )

The roses have just begun to bloom in the House of Arch courtyard; whether that's due to nature or a charm helping them along is immaterial. Ingress loves the courtyard. It's where she goes for archery and sword lessons, and it's nice, happy place to breathe fresh air. Of course, who knows from which century the fresh air comes; that is immaterial ( Read more... )