When it rains... OTA

[prince_of_nymphs]

 

Fin knew he shouldn't be looking at social media right now, that nothing good could come of it, but he couldn't help himself. Seeing the cruel comments roll in was painful, and yet he couldn't look away. He let it claw at him, dragging him down until he was even more numb and broken than he had been.

Closing his laptop, he looked around the cafe, glad that no one seemed terribly interested in him. That was the nice thing about London. Most people were too cool to act like they knew you. It allowed for quiet moments, even out in public, with only a few selfie requests or nasty comments here and there. Today was no different, despite the press. A few extra glances his way, more whispers, but for now things seemed alright. Colder, but alright for now. Though he knew it would only get worse.

Packing up his things, he paid for his tea and headed out onto the street, brushing past a young man who looked him over and muttered something about 'nasty perverts'. A comment Fin chose to ignore as he exhaled softly and continued to walk.

Comments

[drfeelbad]

Suddenly, the young man who'd walked by Fin tripped and stumbled, falling flat on his face on the concrete.

Beside him, House sat on a bench, sliding his cane back beside him from where he'd stuck it out to trip the guy. "You should be more careful," he said, looking down at the asshole. "Cracks in the sidewalk." There weren't.

He'd heard the comment because he'd seen Fin, though he wasn't sure yet if he'd seen him. Though the commotion would probably make him turn around.

[prince_of_nymphs]

It did, and Fin looked startled, then tired again. He gave House a look, but said nothing yet. He wasn't going to make any more of a scene.

The stranger stood, glaring at the doctor and then storming off. Only then did Fin speak.

"If you're hoping to trip every asshole in London with something unpleasant to say about me, you've going to have a very busy day."

[drfeelbad]

House shrugged. "My leg hurts," he said. Which was why he was sitting here in the first place. "So only then ones that you want to march by here. But feel free."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin sighed, sitting down on the bench beside him.

"Most of them are online. Hard to trip someone virtually."

[drfeelbad]

"Give me your phone," said House, and held out his hand.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin raised a brow, then shrugged, pulling his new phone from his pocket. It was a low end smartphone, a prepaid. Very different from the phone he'd drowned at the hotel bar.

"Here," he said, holding it out in offering.

[drfeelbad]

House took the phone from him, and without a word started swiping through and pressing buttons on the touch screen. A couple of minutes later he handed it back to Fin. "Much improved," he said.

He had deleted all of the social media apps (though not deleted the accounts themsleves) and replaced them with porn apps.

[akatawitch]

"Nasty gossips," Sunny answered him back at a normal conversational volume to show the guy that he wasn't as surreptitious as he apparently thought he was. He turned to look at her like he wanted to say something else about nosy women, but she only smiled. "No, go ahead. Start something. I dare you."

Perhaps he'd picked up that that meant she could beat him six ways to next Sunday with the slightest excuse, because then he went on without another word a little faster than he'd been walking before.

"White boys," she muttered.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Rude," Fin said, looking down at his very white, and ever so slightly purple tinted, hands, then watching the stranger storm off before looking at Sunny. "They're not worth it though Sunny. I find it's best to ignore them."

[akatawitch]

"I know," Sunny grumbled, not thrilled about the idea but knowing it was the practical approach. Even at her best, she could only hit so many people.

"How're you holding up?" She hadn't seen him since he'd walked out on Willy, and given what she'd seen going around social media and heard from Winter, it might have been for the better.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well, I'm sober today," Fin replied, pulling his cigarettes from his pocket. "I think that's impressive considering I started my day dealing with a police officer questioning me about Stanley's disappearance."

[akatawitch]

... Yep, probably the right choice.

"Shit."

Well, she'd tried to keep Winter from dumping Stanley on the other side, but he had to make his own choices. "I'm sorry."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Don't be, I couldn't give a shit where Stanley's gone, and I've done nothing wrong," Fin assured her. "Wouldn't shock me if I learned he'd been scamming money off his clients and was hiding on some island now."

[utterly_mysterious]

Only after their last meeting had Angelique learned of what had happened in Finlay's life with regard to social media. Only after she'd not had a way to contact him for a few days did she really understand what Fin had been talking about. This time, however, she witnessed the absolute garbage that people online could devolve into in real time, with growing annoyance and frustration.

As soon as she'd gathered what was going on -- the video, the manager, the all-too-coincidental disappearance -- Angelique summoned Fin's new number in her phone and tapped up a quick text. I'm coming to meet you. Just say where. I can be there in thirty minutes.

If he was lonely, or upset, or angry, or if he just needed a human shield against the trash being slung about online, Angelique could provide.

[prince_of_nymphs]

When his phone beeped, Fin nearly didn't check it, waiting until he had flagged down a cab before finally pulling it from his pocket and reading Angelique's message.

I'm heading to Harrods, you're welcome to join me.

He was doing his best to avoid the pubs today, and he needed a gift for Pippa before she arrived tomorrow. Harrods seemed like a good place to hide without finding himself in the bottom of a bottle.

[utterly_mysterious]

Meet you by the chocolates. Champagne truffles are required.

Angelique had to focus on the journey to make it to Harrods in the promised thirty minutes. She might have been a minute or two late, but that was only due to foot traffic. In a tailored red dress and her hair up in a complicated-looking twist, Angelique was difficult not to spot. Due to a recent bad turn with heels, though, she'd elected for flats if she was going to be rushing through public transit.

Tall, fair, and with confident purpose, she strode down the walkway inside the massive store, headed for where she'd promised to find Fin. Some people stared. Angelique was used to them by now.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was by the sweets, as she'd suggested, oblivious to how late or early she might be as he wondered if Pippa would like some chocolates. ...Honestly, she'd probably prefer a bottle of scotch.

He looked up when he heard someone approaching, wary at first, then smiling softly when he saw it was Angelique. He'd made a point of being well groomed and sober today- No need to give the press anything more to talk about- But his hair was still a bit longer than usual, and he had thick stubble on his jaw that was already threatening to bloom into a fresh beard.

"Angelique," he said in greeting, stepping closer and kissing her cheek.

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique almost told him that he looked a fright, but on second glance, the fluff and scruff rather suited him. She smiled faintly and offered her cheek for his kiss. "Fin, sweetie. I'm so glad you got a new phone before all this," she told him, her tone completely disgusted by what she merely termed 'all this.' If Fin wanted to talk about it, she'd listen, but that was up to him. "I was worried about you, after the last time."

Judging by Facebook this morning, she'd been right to be.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I wont pretend it's been a good day, but- I'm not going to let the media paint me as a victim, a whore, or a killer. ...Well, alright, I suppose I don't have much say in how they paint me, but I don't intend to give a shit. I'm- I'm exhausted, I just want this all to fade away until it's just an echo of a nightmare I once had," Fin replied, smiling sadly, then sighing.

"I could use your help though, actually."

[just_hex]

Hex was coming toward him, though his attention was distracted as he was texting Bobby about the meet up at the gym. He was going to be a bit late. The crowd jostled this way and that and he found himself face to face with Fin, unsure of what he should do. Guilt washed over him, but relief too at seeing him. What to say? What could he say?

"H'lo," he managed hesitantly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin went stone still, staring Hex down, then pushing past him and storming off down the first empty alley he passed. He needed to put as much distance between them as he could before he gave the paps another scandel to wank over.

[just_hex]

"Fin, wait!" Hex called, turning to follow him. The alley was vacant, not a soul around. He rushed closer and reached out to touch the man's shoulder. "Fin, please..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin spun to face him, and in a moment of pure anger he drew his fist back and swung hard. Knuckles collided with bone, and it was a solid hit- For someone who had no idea how to throw a punch really.

"Fuck," Fin swore, shaking his hand and then holding it to his chest. He supposed he should have considered the fact that it would hurt him nearly as much as it would hurt Hex.

"Jesus, you're built like a fucking wall," he muttered, cradling his hand as he glared at the other man.

[just_hex]

"You bloody hit me! I hope it sodding hurt. Ow, me bloody face," he swore, rubbing away the pain. Of course part of him had expected it and all of him knew he deserved it and more.

"Are you alright? Let me see your hand..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I should hit you again," Fin snapped, still nursing his hand and not holding it out in offering.