Research (Hastie leaves)

Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie had secured
a private laboratory for Lewis and himself to work in. It had been a hassle to
actually find an available room, but being owner of the Society gave Hastie
some privileges he liked to put to use now and then. Hastie had been
halfheartedly reading a book on transcendal metaphysics, trying to understand
Lewis' field of study. He was more interested what the man in question was
doing at this very moment, however, and soon the book lay forgotten in his
lap.*
So talk me through this, doctor. You lived in another dimension where
things went awry, were told that there were other dimensions than your own,
sauntered into this one, and now plan on neutralising the threat that would
otherwise kill our most beloved member of the Society: me. Am I wrong?
Jekyll1886:  Lewis began to heat
a vial of slurry-like red phosphorus. The process required great
care, but it was old hat to him by now, so he was able to answer
Hastie without jeopardizing their safety.
"No, you're completely right, Hast--doctor. That's a perfectly accurate
summation. Did you want any further details?" he asked.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Yes, actually, I
would. *Hastie shifted in his chair, and now leaned slightly forward towards
Lewis.*
Who told you about this? About me? What are things like where you come from?
Jekyll1886:  "Well, it's
rather a funny story, actually. There I was, asleep in my flat in my home
dimension, doing a bit of light astral traveling. I suppose I ought to explain
that first. When I sleep, if I'm not lucid dreaming, I sometimes
unintentionally wander out of my body. I often don't realize it until I try to
do something physical, and can't--attempting open a cupboard, for example, and
having my fingers pass clear through the handle. Once I become aware I'm on the
astral or spiritual plane, I'll either go back to my body and wake up, or
simply muck about and explore my environs. In such a state, the laws of the
physical world seem not to apply. I might not be able to open a door, for
instance, but that also means there's nothing to keep me from floating right
through it. Does all this make sense so far?" he asked.
Hastie
Lanyon:  What, you just turn
into a ghost at random? How? Why?
Jekyll1886:  "Based on my
studies, it's probably a side effect of having...well, I suppose the phrase I
ought to use here is 'near-death experiences'--which is another story. But the
point is, I was out of my body...when someone took notice of me. I'd
wandered about like that many a time, but never actually been contacted in such
a manner as this: It felt as if something had gently beamed through my core
like sunlight, warm and invigorating, but also alarming because I wasn't
expecting it. And I heard a voice and saw the image of a man, who spoke to me.
This was very different from the way communication typically takes
place on the astral plane. Usually, any being one encounters there uses
thought-emotions to convey messages. Not so this fellow. It turned out he
was a genuine, in-the-flesh scientist from another dimension entirely.
He'd been running some scans on my city when he picked up an 'anomaly'--my
astral activity--and decided to investigate. He used his scientific
equipment to project visual and auditory impressions of himself into my
vicinity. That was how I first met Harry Jekyll."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Harry... Jekyll?
*Hastie sat back in disbelief.* 
Seriously? ... What did he say?
Jekyll1886:  "Not your
Harry Jekyll, of course, but another universe's," Weir clarified. "To
make a long story short, he informed me there were many universes and many
Jekylls, Hydes, Lanyons, Uttersons, Carews, etc. The problem was, nearly all of
them had a troubling tendency to wind up dead--except for the
Uttersons, sometimes. And me. And himself...thus far, anyway."
Hastie
Lanyon:  And thus you looked
for the one dimension where there was a live Lanyon, and here you
are. I'm flattered.
Jekyll1886:  "I lost
you in mine. I'll not lose you again," he vowed, his
jaw set. Though he kept his eyes on the vial in front of him, they radiated
such determination that, were it possible, the glass would have shattered from
the sheer strength of his will.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie put rose
from his seat and walked towards him, leaving his book in th chair.* 
Weir... you never lost me. I never died. You must understand that though
we may have had the same name, I am not your- *He cut himself off,
unwilling to say the word. He'd only known the man for a short time, for God's
sake.*
Jekyll1886:  "I know
that," he acknowledged, some of the fire draining out of him.
"Intellectually, I do. I know we've only just met. You don't look exactly
like him, physically. And you're a bit younger than he was when he--" He
cut himself off, feeling emotion begin to threaten. He took a breath. "But
your voice, Hastie--Lanyon," he corrected himself. "And your
mannerisms..." He spoke barely above a whisper, the sound hollow,
"It's like seeing a ghost."
The chemical turned a darker shade of red, and he came back to the task at
hand, taking it immediately away from the heat. He poured a clear liquid over
it, quelling the incipient reaction. Very carefully, he began to slowly stir
the mixture with a glass rod.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie stood
beside Lewis in silence as he watched him work. It was frightening to
think that someone would go to such lengths for him. Someone Hastie himself
barely knew, at that. He thought it best to lay the matter to rest, for
now.*
Talk me through... whatever it is you're doing right now.
Jekyll1886:  "Ah. I've
taken the phosphorus and doused it--it was about to turn purple, and
we don't want that just yet--and now I'm simply blending it with the alcohol in
order to make a tincture. But I must do so with great care, for too much energy
added at this point could cause an explosion. Once both substances are evenly
distributed, I'll stopper the vial and lay it by until its contents have cooled
fully. Once that's happened, all that remains will be to add a pinch of that
salt over there," he cast his gaze to a small glass jar nearby which was
half-full of crystalline white granules. "It will release the energy in a
controlled manner, and, once the ebullition ceases, we'll have my world's
equivalent of HJ7 at our disposal. Incidentally, I'll need to either
administer it or seal it away within about ten minutes of its turning green;
otherwise, it'll oxidize and be rendered useless."
Hastie
Lanyon:  How does your
version of the HJ7 differ from ours?
Jekyll1886:  "Because I've
not had the luxury of a sample of HJ7 to test, I'm honestly not sure whether
the chemical makeup is similar. All I know is that the effects of the substance
seem to be the same. Not to worry, though. Mine, at least, has a metaphysical
component, and that is something I do have
control over." He finished his stirring and stoppered the vial, then
set it aside to cool in a small wooden rack designed to hold test tubes.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Well... it would
seem that the first stage is completed. Have you talked to Helen yet?
Jekyll1886:  "No, I
haven't. I didn't want to do so without informing you first."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Alright, we can go
together, then.
Jekyll1886:  "Very good.
Shall we go now, or would you prefer to wait until we have the finished dose at
our disposal?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  I am hestitant to
leave the potion here unguarded. Could we take it to my office first?
Jekyll1886:  "Certainly,"
Weir assented. He picked up the little rack with its stoppered vial to take
with them.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie grabbed his
book from the chair before he led Lewis towards the door and opened it for
him.*
After you, doctor.
Jekyll1886:  "Thank
you." He went out into the hall.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *They walked in
silence, passing a few Lodgers here and there. Hastie was practically bursting
with questions, but he didn't want to pry into a Lewis's private life. Usually
such things would only be acceptable after at least a year, at least. And even
then people might talk. However, the balance in knowledge of one another
was off. Lewis had known Hastie - or at least a version of Hastie - for God
knew how long. 
Well, if he wasn't going to ask Lewis about his past, he might as well ask him
about the most wonderful person he knew of: himself.
He let Lewis into his office before following him inside.*
So, Weir, how about you tell me some more about my doppelgänger? I do hope I'm
the pretty one.
Jekyll1886:  Lewis walked along
with Hastie in silence, wanting to tell him so many things, but not wishing to
overwhelm him with too much information, too quickly. He'd already asked the
man to accept some rather fantastical facts, and didn't want to push him too far
out of his comfort zone. He supposed if Lanyon desired to know more, he'd
simply ask.
And, sure enough, he did.
"You'd be right," Weir admitted, setting the rack down on Hastie's
desk. "Though he wasn't bad looking himself, in his day. We went to
university together--he, Utterson, and I. I'd known John since I was a wee lad,
but Hastie I met at school. We were practically inseparable. Lanyon wasn't what
my father and others considered a 'good influence' back then, but it
didnae--didn't--matter. He was our ringleader, after a fashion. Got up to all
kinds of mischief. John was more cautious, but he'd go along if Hastie ribbed
him enough. I think I was somewhere in-between." He leaned against a
chair, smiling at wistful memories.
Then he refocused on the Lanyon before him.
"Anyhow, Hastie went into medicine, John into law, and I into both. Later,
my Lanyon got religion--it really baffled me; he'd practically been an atheist
or at least a heathen back when we were younger." Weir shook his
head. "It seemed a bit hypocritical to me, to be honest, but I tried not
to dwell on it. What's insufferable in a stranger is forgivable in a dear
friend."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Ah, it's not easy
overcoming this gorgeous face- ... did you say religion? What on earth would
make me desperate enough to pursue that nonsense?
Jekyll1886:  "I really
haven't the foggiest," Weir confessed. "It remains one of life's
great mysteries. Though it might have been the death of your--I mean
his--mother that did it. I do think her passing at least gave him pause, a bit
of reflection on his own mortality, that sort of thing. He'd been drinking more
and more heavily beforehand, and certainly fell down a bottle afterward."
He shrugged, shaking his head. "Perhaps joining a congregation was his way
of finally doing right by her. She'd always worried about him."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie glanced at
his liquor cabinet and could not help but feel guilty. Surely no version of him
would stoop that low?*
For what it's worth, I'm sorry he put you through all that. I would have
expected better of myself.
Jekyll1886:  "To be fair,
he was going through a rough patch. And he'd had a falling out with my world's
Jekyll, which didn't help matters any. People do funny things when their
worldview's upset, I suppose. It's only human."
Hastie
Lanyon:  I do hope I did
some good by you as well. One can't be all doom and gloom.
Jekyll1886:  "Oh," he
said softly, "of course you did, Hastie. Never doubt
that. I cherished my relationship with you, with John... You
gave my life meaning. If nothing else, I've come to learn one truth: The
ties that bind us can never be broken. Love is stronger than death. They may be
gone, but my fondness for them survives, and always will."
Hastie
Lanyon:  I... am afraid I
don't recognize the feeling, Weir. *Hastie unlocked one of his drawers and
motioned for Lewis to put the potion inside.*
Nevertheless, we shouldn't keep Helen waiting. We can leave the HJ7 in here for
safekeeping.
Jekyll1886:  "It's
alright...I don't expect you to. And, you're right, we'd better tend to the
business at hand," he said, stowing the cooling tincture safely in the
drawer. He paused, then broke into an impish grin as his thoughts turned. A
small chuckle followed.
Hastie
Lanyon:  What are you
laughing about?
Jekyll1886:  "He also
introduced me to nearly all my vices, which I really should've
thanked him for."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie gave him a
sly grin in return.*
Now that I can be proud of.
Jekyll1886:  Lewis nodded his
amused agreement as they left the office. Once they were in the hall, his
thoughts turned to the task ahead.
"So..." he began, looking sidelong at Lanyon as they walked along,
"is it Helen we'll see today, or Hela?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  Ah, that is the
question. I'm afraid we won't know until we meet her. I do hope, however, that
it will be Helen. It won't do for Hela to leave a bad impression on you before
you get to talk to Helen. She is a brilliant woman. Kind and driven... Perhaps a
bit too selfless, in my opinion. Hela... well, she is as any other Hyde - the
exact opposite.
Jekyll1886:  "I see. That's
not unusual, I'm afraid. I imagine if it's Helen we can simply go from there.
But if it does turn out to be Hela...is there anything I need to bear in mind?
Some Hydes are more reasonable or, conversely, more dangerous than
others."
Hastie
Lanyon:  You may not know
this, but Hela has had encounters with several of the people here at the
Society. Some ending ... worse than others. I, too, met her. Now, I made it out
with a popped seam. I'd say that's a lot better than getting my brains blown
out, yes?
*Hastie looked at Lewis and immediately regretted his words. The man had paled
a little.*
Anyway, your best defense would be to not let her get to you. Don't let her
smell your fear, or something of the like.
Jekyll1886:  "Noted. Does
she still have the gun?" Lewis asked. His demeanor had shifted, suddenly
all business. "Or any other weapons, for that matter," he added.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Other than her
nails? I should not think so. She has been put in confinement, as were Helen's
wishes. And I must say, I do not disagree.
Jekyll1886:  "Good. That's
wise," he agreed. His tone softened touch. "It should be alright,
then. Which room is hers?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  Oh, it's just
through this hallway and to the right. *Hastie paused and turned towards
Lewis.* Would you give me a quick briefing on what you plan to tell them? I
would advise caution if you do not want to scare either of them off.
Jekyll1886:  "Regardless of
who's behind the door, I can tell them that I'm here to help them come to terms
with their condition. Obviously, I'll have to approach Helen and Hela
differently beyond that. I don't necessarily want to spell out for them exactly
what I told you earlier, but I do plan to appeal to a desire for the greater
good, in Helen's case, and the yearning for personal freedom, in Hela's. Do you
find these motivations appropriate to each?" he asked, his tone
professional, even clinical, as if he were discussing any other patient with
any other colleague.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Excellent, doctor.
Now, time to meet our most famous Lodger.
*Hastie knocked on the door that led to Helen's rooms. It was adorned with
several locks, all on the outside, with some of them being more outlandish than
others.*
Helen, my dear, are you present?
Hela Hyde:*Inside the room, there was the soft noise of feet on
carpet, followed by a quiet tap as the woman inside pressed her hand against
the wood.* H... Hastie...? Is that you...? *Her voice was quiet, confused.*
What are you doing here...?
Jekyll1886:  "I'm
afraid I'm to blame for the intrusion," said Lewis, his voice unfamiliar
to the room's occupant. "My apologies."
Hela
Hyde:  I...
I'm afraid I don't recognize your voice... who all is out there...? *She
reached for the doorknob, the handle shifting at her touch.* Have you come to
let me out...? I would really advise against coming inside...
Jekyll1886:  "Dr.
Lewis Weir," he answered. He handed Hastie a note. "I'm simply here
to consult on your case, though you may have your freedom in time, depending on
how things go. May I ask with whom I currently have the pleasure of
speaking?"
Hela
Hyde:  My...
My case...? *His words sent a shiver of fear down her spine. She chewed on her
lip, letting out a pent up breath.* I... My name is Helen Jekyll... but Helen
will be just fine... Uh... Are you a lawyer...?
Jekyll1886:  "Technically,
yes, but I'm not here in that capacity. I've some experience with...unusual
medical cases such as yours. I believe I may be able to help you make progress
of a kind."
Hela
Hyde:  I
see... Well, it's very kind of you to offer your help, but... I'm afraid I
can't exactly meet you face to face... I'd hate to... to hurt you... *Her voice
shook slightly, followed by muted steps away from the door.* You should
leave... both of you...
Jekyll1886:  Lewis
motioned for Hastie to clear out, the wide-eyed urgency with which he did so a
clear indication danger lay behind the door. He waited until Hastie was well
away and behind a locked door before continuing.
"Then we shall simply have to speak as we are now," he said in answer
to her. "Surely there's no danger with such sturdy wood between us."
He rapped twice upon the door. "Rather solid craftsmanship, this."
Hela
Hyde:  *She
gritted her teeth, tightening her grip on the knife she held by her side.* You
would be surprised, Dr. Weir... I'm afraid my Hyde has escaped more times than
I can count... *There was a pause as she scanned her room for an idea, relaxing
as she spotted the ribbon used to tie Helen's coat shut.* Perhaps it would be
best if you could use some rope that I have in here to secure me to a chair?
Besides, I've never seen your face before...
Jekyll1886:  "And
has anyone died?" he asked with point-blank matter-of-factness, ignoring
her suggestion as if she'd never uttered it.
Hela
Hyde:  N...
No sir, no one here, at the Society... but Hela once caused a fatal injury that
should have killed her victim... *She stammered out her reply, caught off guard
by the question.*
Jekyll1886:  He
smiled. It wasn't lost on him that her statement, while true, was potentially
not the whole truth. In point of fact, it sounded much like
something he might say.
"I see. And...outside the Society?" he prompted.
Hela
Hyde:  *She
hesitated then let out a soft sigh.* I don't know, sir... I don't think she's
made it outside in a long while... I can't see everything she does, just what
she wants me to see. I pray that the losses aren't too high... *Her whole body
was beginning to ache from the strain of holding back the transformation,
fatigue forcing her to lean against the door or risk her legs giving out. With
patience wearing thin, she tried to plead with him.* I-Is there really no way I
c-can see you, s-sir...?
Jekyll1886:  "Would
you like a daguerreotype, Hela? I'm flattered, but I'm not opening the door
just yet."
Hela
Hyde:  H...
Hela...? Why would you... call me that...? I'm not... not
that m-monster...
Jekyll1886:  "First
of all, if Helen really were referring to you as a monster, I'd have words with
her. That term is entirely counterproductive. Second, I do not appreciate being
lied to, though I understand perfectly your desire to leave. It must be
terribly dull in there. Third, I don't have to see you to know which name to
use. You broadcast the state of your psyche by your very being."
Hela Hyde: *She gritted her teeth, holding back a growl.* So
you've had me waste all my time and energy, thinking you couldn't know?
Should've spoken up sooner, Dr. Weir. Now I really don't like
you... *Her voice had lost all it's smoothness, now a piece of glass broken.*
As for your other little comment, Helen and I have always referred
to each other as monsters, though I never do aloud... No one would believe me,
with how sweet and... selfless she is.
Jekyll1886:  "You
don't have to like me. But you have just confirmed my
hypothesis about your being Hela." He chuckled. "You're not the only
one who can lie, you know," he said softly, perhaps to himself. "But,
love me or loathe me, I am at least willing to hear you out. What is it, in
particular, that makes Helen a monster?"
Hela
Hyde:  *Her
next words had a dismissing air, brushing aside his words.* I don't care much
anymore, I wasn't making progress anyways... No need to waste anymore engery.
*She grimaced, struggling to keep silent as a searing hot pain slowly creeped
down her spine* H-Helen is a monster simply because she's human... All h-humans
are... I am, you are, your b-buddy Lanyon...
Jekyll1886:  "More
a colleague," he said of Lanyon, "but you do have a point. What is it
to be 'monstrous', in your eyes? What is it about humans that makes them
so?"
Hela
Hyde:  *A groan
escaped her, despite her best efforts, struggling to shift into a more
comfortable position.* Human and monster a-are one and the same. Animals k-kill
and fight to live. They're programmed with codes that e-each species live by,
laws that, if learned well enough, can help you predict them... Humans are too
complicated, too selfish, too proud... *She muttered the words, having to hold
herself back. It wouldn't do to spill everything to the man... but it wasn't
often she was permitted to speak about this.*
Jekyll1886:  "I've
often thought about that," he admitted. "If you see a crocodile, you
know to keep back. A rabbit is no threat. A dog can be trained. But find
yourself injured, in the company of a random stranger? No idea whether they'll
bind your wounds, ignore your plight, or kill you."
Hela
Hyde:  Hmp...
Humanity as a whole is terrible... y-yeah, there are a few flowers a little
bright, fruit a little sweeter, but in a s-species not changed by evolution
anymore... they don't m-matter... *She held her breath, a shudder wracking her
body. The movement brought tears to her eyes, already aching muscles screaming
in protest.* Speaking of injury... I'm in p-pain so go bother some o-other
person for awhile... just know t-this is your fault...
Jekyll1886:  "Sorry,
dearie. Guilt won't work on me. As for humanity...it's a right rotten sack
sometimes, but there's life in the old girl yet. You'll see."
Hela
Hyde:  *Rolling
her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath.* Just making sure you know...
Goodbye...!
Jekyll1886:  "Until
we meet again, Hela." Ta.
Hela
Hyde:  *She
let out a groan from a mix of pain and annoyance.* I have to hear more of
you...?
Jekyll1886:  "'Fraid
so, darlin'. I'm like a bad penny." Lucky for you, my darling
girl.''
Hela
Hyde:  Great...!
In that case, I'll get myself some whiskey for next time... m-make things less
painful...
Jekyll1886:  "You
can afford whiskey? Damn, I need to get into your line of work, then. Unless
you just filch it when nobody's looking. In which case..." he laughed,
"save me some."
Hela
Hyde:  Like
hell I will... aren't you supposed to be leaving...? *She stood unsteadily, her
breathing nearly as shaky as her hands as she went to lay down*
Jekyll1886:  "No,
I'm here to speak with you. Or Helen. Doesn't much matter which, to me. You're
the one who commanded me to leave, as if you were the Queen herself. But I'm
no' subject to you."
Hela
Hyde:  If
you ever want... any sort of cooperation from me... you'll leave me be...! *She
gasped and leaned against her wardrobe, clenching her eyes shut. Her knife
still was gripped tightly in her hand, a sort of comfort.*
Jekyll1886:  "Is
that a promise--if I leave, you'll cooperate?"
Hela
Hyde:  No...
the inverse of that... *Her voice was quieter, too tired to yell now.* Besides,
who makes promises w-with a hyde... and expects t-them to keep them...
Jekyll1886:  "Cooperation
would certainly make it easier on you. You've no idea what I'd even come here
to propose. Too busy playing games with me, this time. But, as you will. I'll
leave...for now." He backed away from the door, slowly enough to hear her
response, then turned and began his way down the hall.
Hela
Hyde:  Thank
you, Dr. Weir... I'm so sorry for wanting what every human being should have...
*She felt dizzy, on the verge of falling unconscious as her vision began to
darken. Pain shot up and down her spin, pooling in her stomach where it burned
hottest.*
Jekyll1886:  "You
fool girl," he said low, under his breath, with a touch of sorrow,
"freedom's what I was trying to give you." The echo of his footfalls
grew softer with each step.
== Obtained From ==
Role-playing page for pg. 71!
Christmas RP Page