[phone call to everyone; day 63]

[leastof2weevils]

[Jack's tone is harried--a tad breathless.]

Dr. Maturin. If you are safe, notify me of the fact as soon as you are able.

If you are...injured.

Stephen. Please call.

[There's a shuffling sound and the creak of a door opening, the thud of it closing; the call ends just as the distinctive noise of metal on metal rings into the speaker as a sword is

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[halftheduet]

[It takes a moment... several moments, actually... for any reply to come. When it does, the breathing on the other end is hard.]

A minor injury, Jack, nothing more.

[A pause and the sound of movement... and another sound. More movement.

When Stephen speaks again, there's some distance. The phone's gotten away from him... and he's not retrieving it, merely raising his voice to be heard.]

Do be careful, Jack.

These things do not die easily.

[leastof2weevils]

Stephen, what on God's earth is going on?

[There's the sound of hurried footsteps.

Many pairs of hurried footsteps.]

Tell me where you are, brother. I will come to your aid.

[halftheduet]

Are you in distress, Jack?

[Yes, we are ignoring your request for a location.]

[leastof2weevils]

Are you in distress, Stephen?

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[ceannairceach]

[ceannairceach]

What trouble have you gotten yourself in, Jack?