Thread: Something Wicked [ Bear & Haruchai ]

There was just something about Alistair Crosner that seemed to set people on edge. He'd always been the sort to keep to himself, and though that did not mean anything in and of itself, his lack of contribution in some things led to suspicion. Cross, for that is what he went by, had immersed himself instead into more scholarly pursuits. The man was a dreamer, a thinker, and he often thought of giving grand lectures on various topics before audiences paying rapt attention to what he had to say. Accolades would follow and his reputation would soar, bringing him riches and adoration. That was what Cross dreamed of. Such things hardly ever come to pass however, and the man instead found himself in Salem. Though it was hard work, Cross had more luck with animals than people and had taken a job at one of the local stables. The animals didn't judge him when he snuck off to read this or that, and it allowed him to stay away from the social interactions that he dreaded so much. It was during his time in Salem that he met Alexander and Vivian. With their opinion and outook of him untarnished, Cross put his best foot forward and was one of the first people to welcome them to Salem. Alexander was opposite of him in many ways tall and strong, scarred from skirmishes, and a man that worked the fields and looked to the future with a family. Vivian was quite pretty, and kind. That was what Cross liked about her the most. The soft smile that seemed to welcome him no matter what. The adage that opposites attract seemed to be proven by the quick kinship formed between Cross and Alexander. Each found the other fascinating. Though Alexander would tell Cross stories of his battles, his triumphs and failures, Cross would regale the other man with the stories he'd read. Such fanciful tales could not prepare them for what was happening in Salem though, and Cross was an astute observer. Things in Salem were twisted and crooked, and strange visions plagued Cross' dreams. His pleas were heard by his newfound friends, and they had gathered their respective belongings and fled. Traveling south, they then settled in Roanoke. Yet something still tugged at Cross' consciousness. Something left over from the visions he'd had in Salem. He'd been touched, and he knew not by what, but he had carried it with him. Or it had followed him. All Cross knew for sure was that he was desperate to be rid of it, and he enlisted the help of Alexander to try and bereft himself of whatever had latched onto him. During the night the two men would pore over the tomes that Cross had managed to procure, and some that he sent off for, borrowing from various institutions. Cross had thought that they would find some solution, find a way to rid him, them, of this encroaching darkness. But it was not to be, and in fact, this.... thing ... seemed to be emboldened. Unsure if it would work, Cross suggested that they once more flee. Alexander was all too ready to agree and they moved hastily, soon leaving behind Roanoke as well. Eventually the trio found their way to Beaufort, and the townsfolk accepted them readily enough, almost as if they had been expected. Vivian and Alexander fit in perfectly, but this did not sit well with Cross and yet he found a place here to delve into his books. A proper library as well as a decent school. Though the nightmares and visions did subside, they never fully went away, and Cross felt as if he had not fully escaped whatever haunted him. However, he found himself thinking of such things less and less. It allowed his mind to rest and he felt more at ease, falling into an easy schedule. So when the sharp rap came at his door and he heard Vivian's voice outside, calling for him, he was not completely unprepared to see her. Fumbling a bit he put on his glasses and straightened his shirt a bit as he headed to the door. Cracking open his door a little he could see Vivian, standing there in one of her dresses, and he cleared his throat as he opened the door. Such a surpirse to see you today Vivian! I was not expecting company. I was just about to make some tea. Would you like to join me? he asked, the falsehood coming easily, but charmingly enough, and he knew that he did have some tea in the cupboard that he could make for the two of them. Trying to give Vivian his best smile, Cross wondered what she was doing here.