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[chokedout]

WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK

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bitchface

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[mygoodsir]

I suppose it is rather difficult to explain.

[Goodsir favours Theo with a bright smile. It makes him look younger.]

Oh, yes. I am very much looking forward to an English summer. [Not one under a brutal sky, on a barren land, in a ragged tent.]

As the Balfours are quite well-to-do I'm certain there will be plenty of opportunities for you to picnic. I suspect the lake will be rather popular. ...I must ask, as you are a modern man, what does one wear swimming?

[chokedout]

Oh, it depends.

[A sly smile:]

You'll come to realize I'm a little more extroverted than others. Sometimes I wear little to nothing at all. But a pair of swim trunks can't do you wrong. You'd like to swim, hm?

[mygoodsir]

Ah. Even if there are women present? [Because this is what concerns him! Ladies being present!]

I think I would, yes.

[chokedout]

Especially with girls present.

[Though, thoughtfully:]

You're going to have some adjusting to do when you see a bikini.

[mygoodsir]

Oh.

...and what is that?

[chokedout]

[Theo makes a little triangle shape with his fingers, right over his titty.]

Cute little swimwear for women. Shows almost everything, and comes in a variety of pretty styles.

[mygoodsir]

[Goodsir stops walking for a moment to process this.]

I see. That's...

[He searches for a word that isn't "scandalous."]

...rather bold.

Perhaps I shall avoid the waters after all.

[chokedout]

Noooo, you have to try it. Toe dipping those waters, at least.

[!!]

There's naked people around most corners in the manor, it won't be the worst sight to see.

[mygoodsir]

If there is an appropriate time.

[He sighs.]

I have seen naked people before. But this is a must unusual context, to me.

You must believe me when I say I'm not trying to be... to be rude.

[chokedout]

No, I understand. You're proper, right?

[Yeah that's how you phrase that. Still...]

... You have slept with someone by now though, right? In life. Not just this manor.

[mygoodsir]

I'm a man of science, and used to nudity in a medical context. I don't know if that makes me 'proper.'

[He just stares at Theo while he worked out what he means.

Oh.

Goodsir flushes red.]

I hardly see how- how that is relevant.

[chokedout]

[oh my god]

It's perfectly fine if you haven't, I mean - it's just going to be a little more adjustment. And maybe you should stay away from the basement.

[mygoodsir]

I-I didn't say that I hadn't!

[Now he's genuinely flustered. His voice becomes hushed.]

If you genuinely must know, yes, I have. But I'll thank you not to pry as it isn't something I feel the need to discuss.

[chokedout]

[Theo nods!!]

Of course. But - even still, stay away from the basement. It's sort of a sex club? I don't think it'd be your thing. At least not for a while. But if you do end up there sometime and need help, I'm usually there too. I'll be your guiding light back out.

[mygoodsir]

Yes. So I've been told. I'll stay well away.

[Pause. Think. He really can't resist learing about things.]

And then I shall go once, just to see what all the fuss is about. Unless that is considered taboo.

[chokedout]

Oh, no - exploration's healthy? I love the way you think.

[Flirting, again, with a pat of his hand against Harry's arm.]

cw: colonial ideas!

[mygoodsir]

I've always been too curious for my own good, I admit.

[He doesn't shy away, being touched starved but unaware of it.]

In many ways, observing the way life is lived here isn't much different from observing any other foreign culture.

[chokedout]

Oh yeah?

[Theo loves the night air, and also the ability to ask a hundred questions:]

D'you mean like observing all the wicked deviances? Because trust me, I've got plenty I can demonstrate.

[mygoodsir]

Yes.

...I, ah. Suppose so? I meant in a more general sense, but yes, the rather... liberal approach to certain things is part of that.

[chokedout]

I'll help you dip your toes into modern culture step by step.

[Four Loko by Four Loko.]

Have you met the other doctors here? Soon you'll be able to gather for a convention.

[mygoodsir]

That's very kind of you.

I've had the occasion to br shown the clinic by Mr. Lee. And I'm not a doctor, Theo, not really. I did not attend the correct schools for that. I'm just a surgeon.

[chokedout]

[Smiling a blank smile that's very potato, potahto rn.]

What's your... favorite kind of surgery?

[mygoodsir]

Well. It's all a bit gruesome, are you sure you wish to hear about it?

[He's surprised, but also pleased to be asked about it.]

My 'favourite' is anything that saves a life, really. Anything that can prevent further injury or amputation.

[He lowers his voice a little and leans in.]

If I may be a bit boastful, I do think I'm quite good at stitching people back together.

[chokedout]

I mean, worse talents to have. Toe surgeons aren't as cool as like, heart ones? No offense to toe-ologists.

[Also, is it weird to ask if they're still doing lobotomies?]

I do a little bit of unorthodox healing via witchcraft myself. Which, uh, hopefully doesn't turn you off.

[mygoodsir]

Well, I've taken off plenty of toes, too.

[Not to him!

Goodsir looks at Theo with renewed interest.]

Now, if you'd told me that years ago I'd have thought you delusional. But now I wish only to hear as much as you're willing to tell. How do you do it?