Role-playing page for pg. 94!

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Role-playing page for pg. 94!
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Mz.Hyde
Mz.Hyde 
@disqus_NnFUI30kih 2 years ago
https://g.co/kgs/8TrZTo
I'm back! Big thanks to RB for posting the main forum pages while I was gone!
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Setae • 2 years ago
Welcome back! Good to see you alive and well.
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Helen Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
Hey, it's been a long time! :D
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Setae  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
Yeah, it has. Kinda fell out of touch. You've gone through a couple icon changes.
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Helen Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
Oh, yeah. Some work better than others on certain occasions and the one I currently have was drawn by Elaina. ^-^
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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
*proud grinning*
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Setae  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago
Hi. As mentioned above, I think you make really neat icons. You art well.
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Elaina Hyde  Setae • 2 years ago
Ah, thanks!!
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Setae  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
It's really neat. (I should tell the artist that too, right?) Is this Helen's look now?
So, well, I've seen you around, but not really communicated. How are you? Wanna bump into eachother as characters again at some time?
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Helen Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
I was really happy she made it for me! (I'm sure Elaina would appreciate that. :3) More or less, since the drawing was done in a particular style. Her appearance hasn't changed in game (except maybe for her looking a little healthier, due to Hela's eating and sleeping habits).
I'm doing well! How are you?
I would love to have our characters need up again! There are a few ways it could happen, but it is a bit limited due to Helen and Hela's imprisonment. ^^'
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Setae  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
I see. (Gotta visit the wiki again)
Good to hear :) I'm very well too. Coldest spring in my lifetime, but I kinda like that.
I'm actually meeting Lewis for the first time over in the dinner party rp (I hope I'm not boring 86 to tears). You think I could find a way through him? He says Helen's/Hela's case is what preoccupies him most at the moment.
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Helen Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
Oh yeah, I've been reading that! I've been enjoying it immensely! (And I'm sure they are too!) Lewis is absolutely the man you'd want to see about that. He's the only one who has the key to Helen and Hela's room, where the two girls are currently trapped.
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Setae  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
Great. I'll ask them, see if we can work it in.
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MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
(Welcome back)
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Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
*Wakes up*
"Good morning world! Let's open up the curtain to let some beautiful sunlight in!"
*opens curtain*
*it's snowing*
"...no."
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Setae  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Wauw. That almost seems like an act of defiance at this point.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Just when you think it's finally over... :'(
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Wait, is it really snowing where you are?!
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Hastie Lanyon  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago
Aye, it has been snowing all day. I took this in the morning, but by now there's about 10 cm on the ground.
 Thumbnail
 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1bf31a72e0ed59a321c43f0f283c21dceb5898efa78050575dc1d98237e44fd2.jpg?w=600&h=289
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Holy shit! 😨
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Setae  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
I second Mz. Hyde. Have you angered the weather gods or something? Can you hear 'Let it go' in the distance?
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chatterghosts  Setae • 2 years ago
I laughed waaay too long at this.
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Setae  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
XD
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Hastie Lanyon  Setae • 2 years ago
She was probably angered by the fact that I tried to store my winter clothes away already.
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Setae  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Well how dare you, it's still only april.
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Hastie Lanyon  Setae • 2 years ago
It's spring!
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Setae  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Things have changed now with global warming.
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Hastie Lanyon  Setae • 2 years ago
I know, but I won't budge.
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Setae  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
That seems somewhat denialist.
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Helen Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
I... *puts hand on shoulder* Am so sorry for you... We got a cold front today and I'm already dying. I can't even imagine having to deal with powdery death.
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Hastie Lanyon  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
The worst part is that a lot of people have changed their tyres already, so it might literally be powdery death.
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Helen Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Oh no! D:
I hope everyone will be safe and smart about driving...
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Hastie Lanyon  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
I can't speak for others, but we won't be driving around anytime soon, at least.
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Jekyll1886  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Winter is sassing you! D:
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
SASS IT BACK!! SASS IT BACK!! SASS OFF!!!
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Hastie Lanyon  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
A sass off with Mother Nature? x)
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
DO IT!!!!!!
:DDDDDDDDD
If the weather gets worse Mother wins and if the weather gets better Hastier wins! Place your bets now folks!
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Setae  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Hmm. Hastie wins. May hits next week. Mother has to relent at some point.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
You've got a point. Mother's day is just around the corner.
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Setae  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
I'd forgotten about that. Still, I'd say the odds are in my favor :P
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
Agreed! You can't beat that Hastier sass! More Hastie than Hastie!
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Setae  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
I was think of the rise in temperature XP
But I suppose sass is a strong weapon in it's own right.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure it's an actual force considering all Hela did was pop one of hastie's nice seems. Like you have gravity, tension, torsion, push, shear, magnetism, and sass.
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Setae  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Well, that sounds like an improvement to the laws of the Universe. Though I'm afraid I don't know the story behind it.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Setae • 2 years ago
Very much so considering all. And here's the storylink if you want it:
http://the-roleplaying-scie...
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Setae  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Thanks
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Hastie Lanyon  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
*Steps outside in shorts and flipflops.* You cannot control me, Mother Nature! I'll wear what I want, when I want!
*A bunch of snow falls off the roof and buries me.*
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Helen Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
*...Hela definitely wasn't the one who sat on the roof and pushed all the snow on you...*
XD
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Come on!!! Get up!! You can do it!! I've got a pretty penny riding on you!! *waves slip of paper*
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Hastie Lanyon  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
I took this today. I think I might be winning!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0e7ea19bf402fc438bd21f73c308c2745da168ce98b2dfe50cd5dc4ca3bcbbcb.jpg?w=600&h=262
 Thumbnail
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
HA!! HAHAHA!! >:D TAKE THAT MOTHER NATURE !!
THE SASS IS BACK!
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Elaina Hyde  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Man, I wish. It hasn't snowed in like five years here.
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Hastie Lanyon  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago
Five years?! Really?
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Elaina Hyde  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago
Well, that's what Helen says. I lived in a colder area for a long time.
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Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Here we are! The Fox Jekyll1886 ))
The Fox 
Malemi finally threw open the kitchen window and jumped through. He grew tired of waiting for them. Closing the window, he entered the shadows and began tracking them down.
Hyde without a Jekyll 
Emerson raised an eye brow at 'Lady Jekyll' but decided not to pursue it.
"You're still a fool." Though his tone was critical, his mood seem to lighten and he once again began to relax.
He strode over to the boy, who couldn't have been more than eight by the looks of it. The child rummaged in the dirt busily enthralled with some creative game that was soon interrupted by the stranger's greeting. "Hello Pierce!" 
Pierce stopped and looked up at the man who was sweating fiercely in a black suit and top hat, the only break in color being a silver band that encircled the brim with a shining metallic feather protruding from it. Though he looked uncomfortable in the country heat his simile was genuine and kind. 
"Hello Mister..." Pierce's voice trialed off and his brows knitted in surprise then confusion.
"Sterling," the man finished, stopping and looking down at him, "but you can call me Emery."
"Emery!" A childish grin split the boy's chubby face, "I like that name!"
Jekyll1886 
"Ay," owned Weir with a fond and wistful smile. "I am."
They began the walk back to his flat.
see more
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The Fox  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Malemi went from shadow to shadow, thick smoke trailing from him. His eyes nearly glowed with the emotional energy that burned within him. As they came up on the horizon, he let a ugly growl and leapt from the shadows.
He stood his full height, looming over the both of them, his gaze bright with hurt. He clenched his hands into fists as he nearly roared at them.
" What the HELL were you two up to?! I'm not dull! I know DAMN well you were talking about me! Don't lie! WHAT DID I DO?!? "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
"SH*T!!" Emerson jumped with a shout at the sudden appearance of Malemi. Taking a few steps back he bent over and tried to calm his ragged breathing.
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
"Hello, Malemi!" Lewis greeted him with a friendly smile, genuinely glad to see him. "Not to worry; you didn't do anything. Emerson here simply needed some reassuring as to your motives. I trust you both implicitly, and said as much."
He looked from Malemi to the startled Sterling and back.
"Will the two of you be alright? I do hope we can all get along."
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi felt himself take a mental step back. Lewis seemed just as happy as ever to see him. It was as though nothing had happened. But then what about Emerson? What about him was untrustworthy?
He blinked and felt his anger spark up again, less intense than before.
" Then what about me is untrustworthy then? You don't expect me to take your excuse so easily? "
He sat on the ground, still glowering unhappily. His hurt seemed to have taken a back seat, and now all he was really feeling was tired. Not the regular tired, but the emotional one, the sort you get after throwing a tantrum.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
"I expect nothing of you!" Emerson snapped back his hands resting on his knees as he let the adrenaline drain out of his system. "And as long as I don't die a second time from a heart attack, I will be alright!"
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
"I do believe we're just new to each other's experience, is all," observed Lewis. "Bit of a learning curve. Not a one of us is normal, let's admit."
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
He took a few breathes before finally calming down. his ears tucked back and he worked his claws anxiously on the ground.
" Oh...I see then..."
He gave a exhausted snort and started back in the opposite direction.
" Then I suppose we should be getting back then. I guess shouldn't have doubted you...
I'm sorry."
He swallowed a lump in his throat and gave a sheepish look to Weir.
" I...tore up a cushion, so you know. I'll find a new one, promise. "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Sterling eyed Weir and was going to question his normalcy when Malemi apologized. Actually apologized. 
"You need to get this cat house trained." he said shaking off the last bit of surprise and adrenaline. But unlike the other times he had insulted the smoking fluff ball, Sterling smiled. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
"It's only a cushion," shrugged Weir. "I'd been thinking of replacing that sofa anyway."
He clapped Malemi fondly on the shoulder, and addressed him and Emerson both:
"I think, in the end," said Lewis, following after Sterling, "we may just train each other."
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi couldn't help but purr in relief. He looked back at Emerson with a smirk in his eyes and teased him.
" So you man the chair while Weir mans the whip? Way to put me in shape. Just know that I bite. "
He turned back to Lewis, much more happier than he was before. His tail curled itself over his back as he leaned his head into Weir's hand.
He spoke to the both of them
" So what now? "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
"I'll tell you what now," Emerson said crossing his arms, "First, Lewis, never say something that sappy again. I can already feel my blood sugar rising. Second," he turned to Malemi,"if anything I hold the whip, doubt the goose knows how to use one. And third, we might want to head back to the house so we don't attract the boar hoard." 
They had been getting the occasional odd look from pedestrians across the streets and from windows. It was one thing for a man to take his overly large, talking cat for a walk but entirely another for said man and cat to be having a conversation with a the air. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis snickered.
"Sorry," he muttered under this breath, unable to suppress a grin.
* * *
When they reached the apartment, he whipped out the key, let them in, and quickly locked the door.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Malemi parted from them and reentered throw the kitchen window. Inside, he redid the veil swiftly, making sure the others didn't get a chance to see what he was doing.
Jumping down, he moved to his corner and began cleaning up his mess, taking the feathers and stuffing them back into the fabric.
As he did this, he turned an ear to the others.
" So what are we doing for lunch? "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Sterling whistled at the feathery mess Malemi made but his smug smirk quietly shifted. 
Lunch. 
Food.
A laughter began to bubble up in his throat, "I don't know about you two but don't include me in your plans."
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Jekyll1886 ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis noticed a letter had come in the post. He opened and read it, his expression turning serious.
"Hm. Looks like I'm going to have to nab some tea biscuits on my way out. I'm needed at the Orchid just now."
He looked to Malemi.
"There are sausages in the cupboard. Picked them up this morning; you're welcome to them."
Weir was already wearing his paletot; he donned a scarf and made haste to the door.
"Sorry; it's urgent," he explained, unlocking and opening the door. "I'll be back when I can."
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi stared, bewildered by Weir's sudden change of attitude. He could barely get a word out as Lewis rushed out the door.
" Weir, wait! What-- "
The door shut before he could finish his sentence. He abandoned his task and rushed to the door. He put an ear to the surface, listening to his footsteps vanish. He blinked. What was it? Why was it so urgent?
He backed away from the door, briefly wondering if he should follow. After some thought, he let out a restrained growl. No. He's already been out today and he couldn't risk leading others to the home, especially since his outburst earlier.
Moving back into the living room, he looked to Emerson.
" Well, we've got the house to ourselves..."
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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The Fox  The Fox • 2 years ago
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
"Suppose we do." Emerson huffed. Slowly he began to consider his options. 
He could follow Lewis to the brothel, the same brothel where they first met but that wouldn't do much good. He could go try and find Griffin but he had no clue as to the mad scientist's whereabouts or appearance. Or he could....
...Yes. That would be best.
His eyes drifted from his thoughts and back to Malemi, "If you're hungry, you should make yourself those sausages." 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Weir hailed a hansom and flew to the Orchid.
The letter, which he'd dropped on the floor of the flat in his haste, read simply:
MOST URGENT!
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Malemi went back to his task stuffing the cushion.
" I'll eat once I'm finished. I can't leave a mess in the house, considering he lets me live here. "
Though as he swept up the feathers, he couldn't help but notice the discarded letter. Taking his last handful of feathers, he put them back into the cushion and quickly made his way over to the letter.
He looked over the words with growing concern.
" Emerson, come look at this. "
He unfolded the letter and began to read its contents.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
"That's...very odd." Emerson stated his brow furrowing. He glanced around looking for an envelope or other scraps of paper that could indicate how Lewis knew this was from the Orchid and/or what it may be about. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The envelope, which had also fallen to the floor, bore The Velvet Orchid's return address.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
" The Velvet Orchid? Would you know what this place is? "
He turned to Emerson, worry in his eyes.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Emerson's eyes narrowed as he recalled the brothel. Upon hearing unearthly screaming emanating from the upper floor, Sterling had gone to investigate and what he found horrified him. 
A strange man was in the process of disemboweling a pregnant woman. Blood covered the floor and the sheets became soaked in the crimson flood. The b*stard even had his hands inside the poor woman's torso! Not to mention that it was his usual quarters this horrific scene was occurring! Right under his nose! 
"Yes. That's where I first met the Golden Goose." He spat in disdain before quickly corrected himself, "--I mean Lewis.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Jekyll1886 ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis, meanwhile, was still in the hansom, coming up on The Velvet Orchid. The message he'd received was code for someone's life being in mortal danger.
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He looked back at the letter. He grew deep in thought. What could be so important about this place? Where was this place? Why did it involve Weir?
His worry grew and so did his agitation. He couldn't go after Lewis. If he did, he would surely reveal his location to any looking for him.
He turned to Emerson. He spoke with a urgent tone in his voice.
" Can you go follow Lewis? To see what's happening? "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
"If you're that worried about him not bringing home a new collar...," Sterling rolled his eyes not worried in the least but willing to oblige Malemi none the less, "It'll take me a bit to get there so Weir may return before I do." 
(( Okay some questions about the brothel's location: 
1) How far is it from the flat ? In what direction? Alternatively, how far is it from the Society? In what direction?
2) What floor is Lewis on?
3) What color is the front?))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Dr. Weir arrived at The Velvet Orchid, quickly paid the cabbie, and rushed in. One of the employees showed him to a room where the patient lay.
((To answer:
1) I'm not sure but it's south and apparently a 5-7 minute walk, depending on your pace and how much traffic you must dodge.
2) 9-minute walk east from Lewis's flat.
3) Lewis's flat is 3 stories; Lewis is currently on the ground floor of the Orchid.
4) It's brick that's been whitewashed; painted on it is a mural of a red orchid.))
((The Fox ))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Thank you!!))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
" Thank you Emerson. Please understand, I cannot go myself. "
He looked the ghost dead in the eye.
" Be careful when you leave. Move quickly, don't let anything follow you. And especially don't engage with anything that may call your attention. "
His fur fluffed up in growing anxiety.
" Now go. Remember what i told you. "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Yes mother. Thank you mother. Of course mother." Emerson snorted with a smirk. It was just a walk to a brothel after all.
With that Sterling left the flat walking East. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The patient, Elaine, lay on a bed, surrounded by blood-covered sheets. She'd been shot in the neck, though not at close range. The Madam herself had thought quickly and applied pressure to the wound, else Elaine would have passed away already. The latter was, however, having great trouble breathing.
There wasn't a moment to lose.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
As Emerson left, he went to work. Malemi redid the seal on all entrances, making them stronger than they were before. He felt his pelt ripple with anxiety.
As he stopped to assess his work when he felt a sudden cold come over him.
A being was coming in the flat's direction.
Ducking low, he flew up the stairs and hid beneath Weir's bed. From there, he felt around the house, keeping a vigilant eye on the oncoming spirit.
As Sterling made his way to the brothel, a crow emerged from a nearby flock. it croaked to its companions before flying out and following Emerson from a distance.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
After a minute of walking East, Sterling stopped mid stride. Muttering something under his breath, he seemed to glare at an unsuspecting street lamp. However, a pedestrian passing through his occupied space did not improve Emerson's mood for a few choice words could now be heard at random intervals in his displeased mumbling. 
After a few seconds, Sterling began to make his way more northward through the city. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
Lewis meanwhile, treated Elaine, moving her into the proper position and doing what he could to save her. Her chances were iffy at best.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
( This'll be it for me tonight. See you guys tomorrow! )
He could feel the being came close to flat, walking along its walls looking for something. It was a tall and vaguely human, it's inhuman influence betraying its true nature. It ran its hand against the wall, searching for any sign of life inside.
Malemi squeezed his eyes shut, cursing himself for his mistake earlier. Why didn't he think that other beasts may have noticed his outburst? Curse his temper!
It continued its search, placing its face against the window and looking inside. Malemi began to shake, using all his strength to obscure his presence...
It moved away from the flat. He didn't stop until he could no longer feel any presence within the area at all. He let out a strained breath. He crawled from underneath Weir's bed and let himself cool down. That was too close...he will have to more cautious these next following days, hell forbid the flat get overrun with demons out for blood.
He spread out across the floor, wishing the day would end already. From meeting Emerson to his emotional overload to THIS, it needed to end.
He didn't move from his spot. He lay there, letting his body rest and soon found himself alseep on the floor.
The crow trailed behind Emerson with caution, watching the ghost glide through the crowds. With a beat of its wings, it turned and landed on a building, waiting for another to join it.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
((Good night! I'm excited to see what happens! :D ))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
After about fifteen minutes of walking, Emerson stopped again looking around at the buildings. He had overshot the Orchid by two blocks.
"F*ck!"
Turning around he began to trudge back on the same path, insulting the brothel and Lewis all the way. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis, meanwhile, had his hands full. He was passing aware of Sterling's distant presence, but paid it no heed. He couldn't afford to. Elaine's life hung in the balance.
(( The Fox ))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((The Fox Just so you guys know I'm probably not going to respond to day as I'm casually being murdered by life. But I do want to see what happens and I'm super curious so don't think I'm backing out! ;) ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
The crow eyed Emerson intensely, only occasionally looking away to preen its feathers. A sudden croak broke its concentration. Coming from behind, another crow landed next to it, cawing for attention. The two looked at each other for a bit, having a quiet exchange of croaky hellos.
The two blinked and they both lifted into the air, the first following Emerson and the second making its way to The Velvet Orchid.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
However Emerson did not go to the Velvet Orchid. Instead he slowly trudged past the turning point and was heading back to the flat, all the while ignorant of the crows watching him.
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis, meanwhile, focused entirely on treating Elaine. She might turn the corner soon, or she might slip away suddenly. The next few minutes would tell...
((The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The second crow traveled fast, finding The Velvet Orchid with great haste. With a beat of its wings, it landed an the roof. It hopped around curiously before finding what it was looking for. Below it, a light shined through a window while a strange commotion came from inside.
Stepping towards the edge of the rooftop, it ducked its head down, looking inside at the situation.
The first crow kept good speed with Emerson, closing the distance between it and the ghost over time.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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The Fox  The Fox • 2 years ago
( Hyde without a Jekyll! )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
(Sorry about the delay!! Life kind of tried to murder me there for a bit. [Literally I was electrocuted yesterday. HA! HAHAHA! ... *eyetwich* ])
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The Fox  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
( Oh geez, What happened? That doesn't sound very good... )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
(HA!! XDDDD What hasn't happened!?
But it's friday and if I can make through the next two weeks I'm golden! :D Also I should be on more this weekend so hopefully we can finish up! I'm very excited to see what happens!)
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The Fox  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
( Ah, alright! Hopefully Life doesn't kick you any more than it already has. I'm excited to see what happens as well. +o+ )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
As the crow grew closer, it could hear the man curse nearly everything in existence. Death, Life, Fate, Chaos, Lewis, etc. Mainly he cursed out Lewis. 
Emerson was in no hurry to go anywhere, so though he had been walking for fifteen minutes he was only half way back to the flat.
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Given that poor Elaine had just suffered a sniper attack, the curtains of the room where she was being treated had been prudently drawn closed.
Lewis felt the presence outside the window, but forced himself to maintain the utmost concentration on Elaine. One way or the other, it wouldn't be long now...
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The second crow croaked with annoyance as brought its head back up. It ruffled its feathers before finally moving away from the window. It hopped its way to the roof above the front of the brothel and settled down, waiting for someone to come through.
The first crow had now departed from following Emerson, flying ahead of the ghost and landed in a tree it had come from previously. The other crows came close to their companion, poking at their friend expectantly. It let out a strange, rough rumble to catch their attention. They grew silent and it leaned forward, making a soft coughing sound.
As they did this, another crow flew into the tree, cawing loudly. The others cawed back in shock, their feathers ruffled from the surprise. One crow spread its wings and croaked impatiently. With urgent caws, the new crow hopped on the branch, unable to keep still. The mood drastically changed and they all were unhappily croaking to one another.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Emerson had continued to walk away from the brothel and to the flat when in a fit of passion turned around and screamed, "AND F*CK YOU--!!!" 
The exact addressee of this insult had been cut off from his speech as Sterling eyed something sparkling on a roof top. Normally it wouldn't have phased him but he recognized the glint of metal against a dark shadow. 
Sniper. 
There was a sniper shooting in his city. His jaw clinched and he began to walk back, towards the foreboding figure. Lewis and Malemi would have to wait, there were more immediate fish to fry.
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
(( Jekyll1886 ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The moment of truth came...and went. And Elaine held fast.
"I'll stay longer," Weir explained in French to the madam, "just to make sure she remains stable...but the worst of the danger, God willing, has passed."
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The crows looked very comical as they fluffed up and looked at each other with uncertain eyes. One, a small,feathery puff ball, croaked at the others, a little more sure of itself than the others. The mood picked up again and they nudged the young one happily. With a excited caw, it took flight and flew off into the city.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Walking out into the main road, Sterling was able to get a better view of the villain in question. Sure enough the iconic glinting of a gun in the sunlight emanated from the roof top of a tall Chapel. Though he couldn't see exactly what the fiend was aiming at, Emerson's gut told him it was for nothing good. 
Taking a step forward--
His knee halted in mid air. The man gritted his teeth and he shook with an uncanny fury. Just another reminder. Another suggestion that his priorities weren't in order. Manipulation and persuasion was Fate's game but he had no desire to play in this moment.
Backing up, Sterling scanned the near by establishments and choose one with an exceptionally high roof. A bank on his left. Emerson took a breath, closed his eyes, and passed through the sturdy outer door.
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The minutes ticked by. To Dr. Weir's relief, Elaine held steady.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
It had taken some time before the juvenile finally made it to its destination. It flew down into a shadowy alleyway, its surroundings seemingly growing around it. It flew forward, heading straight towards a wall. With a flash, it flew into the wall and vanished...
The crows watched their friend leave and began to fly off in another direction. One separated from the rest and sought out the last crow that had yet to return.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Now on the inside, Emerson shook himself. He hated his physical isolation. The moment when people and objects passed through him as though he was nothing. (Was he nothing?) The momentary glimpse of the inner workings of a body or the blurry essences of common materials. He never wanted to know what any of it looked like from the inside. 
Though the moments were short and fleeting he loathed every millisecond. The sudden darkness, the blurring shades of gray, and that moment before sunlight was once again uninhibited. By far, the last breath was the worst. The split image of light shining through skin. The reds and blues of blood flowing through the vessels of a body. The beating of a heart inside his chest--not his own heart. All the signs of living. All the signs of life. All the signs he could not see or hear or feel within himself. 
However the door was wood and while it was dead that moment of vibrant radiance hidden faintly behind the thin sheet of the physical world still existed. So Emerson held his unnecessary, imaginary breath. So Emerson closed his eyes. So Emerson shook himself like a wet dog after. 
Why? 
Because it made the experience little more than bearable. 
Now free of his woody confinement, Sterling glanced around the bustling bank taking in the oblivious clerks and the lofty ceilings. But there wasn't a moment to waste and quickly spotting the stair case he made his way to the rooftop. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The sniper was positioned so that he'd have a clean shot at anyone who approached or exited the brothel.
Inside The Velvet Orchid, Lewis turned to the Madam.
"[Keep her in this position]," he explained in French. "[The larger danger has passed. If anything should happen, don't hesitate to contact me. Send messages to the Society for Arcane Sciences, my flat, and The Hound's Tooth pub simultaneously. I'll drop whatever I'm doing and rush here.]"
The Madam nodded in understanding, then looked at Elaine.
She shook her head.
"[First Pierre]," she returned in French, "[and now Elaine... If this keeps up, we'll be out of family and business both. Do not mistake me; I am glad she will live. But Roland will not be pleased her attacker got away.]"
"[Please give your brother my condolences]," said Weir. "[I don't know who did this, but...]" he said, lowering his voice, "[I think I may have learned who killed your nephew. I have my suspicions, however, that his death, and perhaps this attack as well, may be part of a larger plot.]"
"[Speak, man!]"
"[I believe there is some connection between Dr. Hawley Griffin, a scientist specializing in optical fragmentation and biochemistry, and a man by the name of James Moriarty, a professor of mathematics. Griffin's studies have yielded an invisibility serum, which he himself takes on occasion. It is my belief Griffin, while invisible, tortured and slew poor Pierre. Moriarty seeks to use the serum, though for what purpose I know not. But, given the professor's character, it cannot be good.]"
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The young bird flew on, keeping his eye trained on his destination. His surroundings warped and changed as he passed through. Trees seemed to sprout out of nowhere and the sky turned dark, with no moon are stars in sight.
He flew on until he finally saw his stop. It was a great tree with a large shadowy form sitting in its branches. He landed carefully and bowed, cawing softly.
The crow nearly fell asleep waiting on the roof of the brothel when his friend had found him. With a swift exchange, he shook the sleep from his feathers and left with his friend to meet up with the rest of the flock.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Now at the top of the bank Emerson could clearly see the sniper's target: The Velvet Orchid. Crossing his arms, he attempted to put the pieces of this strange puzzle together:
First, there was the Pork Pack who roamed the city doing who knows what. Second, Malemi, a undead-ghost cat who lived with Lewis and p*ssed off the undead-ghost pig-things. Third, A mad bomber named Hawley Griffin living at the Society for Mad Scientists. Fourth, the constant increase of murders and disappearances over the past few years. Fifth, Lewis had rushed off to the brothel in quite the hurry. Sixth, there was a sniper aimed at said brothel. Seventh, didn't Weir do...something at the Orchid besides it's infamous business? 
The wheels in his head turned trying to see how it all lined up. Perhaps...perhaps the good doctor was the sniper's intended target? 
What the devil was Lewis into?!
However, though tried as he might, Sterling couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this scheme. That euthanizing the Golden Goose was not the only thing at play here. That, somehow, all these facts and events were interconnected. 
He smiled as a melancholy thought drifted through his mind. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis noticed the odd presence which had been outside the window leave.
The madam's eyes went wide at Weir's allegations.
"[I will inform Roland]," she said, rising swiftly but with grace. "[Unless there is more?]"
"[If I hear more, I will tell you, rest assured.]" He stood up.
"[Good.
I wish you much success, doctor.]"
"[Thank you, madame]," replied Lewis.
She exited the room, instructing Josette, another employee, to look after Elaine.
Weir went to fetch his coat.
(( The Fox ))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Is the sniper still on the building? Cause Emerson is still on the roof of the bank.))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
((Yep! He's waiting, as snipers often do.))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
((Thank you! I just got confused on the bird and the sniper. XP ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Oh, right! Sorry. I meant the crow.))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Oh you're fine! You're fine! I just read it wrong is all! ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The figure didn't turn to greet the young crow. It made a motion with its claws and flipped a small cracker over its shoulder. The crow caught the treat and ate it gratefully before cawing to its master. After some time, the shadow turned to its minion and waved a dismissive claw.
" And how does THAT help me? I asked you featherbrains to do ONE THING, and you come back with this! Where is the rest of you? For Pete's sake! "
He turned away from his visitor and waved him off.
" Nevermind. Go to the others and tell them to meet me here. "
The young bird flew off and out of the place, reentering reality and sought out the others.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Realizing he couldn't affect the situation, Emerson opted to watch the scenario play out. Perhaps this could work out in his favor that is...if it didn't create more loose ends.
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis had donned his paletot and was just about to exit the Orchid when he stopped dead in his tracks.
He looked up, and to his right, though there was seemingly no reason to. What insights, after all, could the ceiling have to offer? Nothing remarkable about it.
Still, he couldn't shake a familiar feeling...
Deutschland, his mind answered the unformed question.
Someone, somewhere nearby, was...hunting.
He walked back through the brothel, trying to get a bead on the source.
Perched atop the chapel, still as the stone around him, the sniper waited, patient and alert.
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The young crow hurried along, beating its wings as fast as it could muster. It sped through the air and cawing for the others. As it passed over the brothel when it looked down.
An idea had popped into its head and it dived down and crept softly on the roof. It snickered to itself, praising itself for its wonderful idea.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Minutes ticked by with no activity from the sniper or the brothel. With a sigh, Sterling plopped down on the edge of the roof top letting his legs dangle precariously over the edge. Normally he wouldn't' have tempted such a feet sober, but he was already dead. What was the risk? It's not as though he could die twice. 
Thus the waiting continued. Emerson watching the sniper. The sniper watching the brothel. He wished he could do something more--anything but he was at the mercy of Fate's fancy and watching was all she let him do. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
Lewis, meanwhile, had wandered through the door which connected the Orchid to the Rose, made a pass round the restaurant, and surmised that the peculiar emanation must be coming from the chapel next door. He cautiously made his way outside the Rose, looking furtively about him all the while.
He swiveled his head and caught sight of the sniper just as the latter pulled the trigger.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The little crow sat there for a bit, then paced around, until finally flying down in frustration. He looked at the closed door with growing anger and cawed out. He flew up and circled the building. The man had to be there somewhere! and if he wasn't...It swallowed its doubt and flew off in a hurry, completely missing Lewis below.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Sterling, however, scrambled to his feet at the reappearance of Lewis.
BANG!
A sharp inhale. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
Without thinking, Lewis shifted his weight to his good foot and his cane and launched backward, back into the Rose. The door hadn't even shut fully as he fell through the portal to land on his back. He kicked it closed, then scrambled for cover.
(( The Fox ))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Phewy! I thought he get hit in the right leg again!-- 
I MEAN HOORAY!! He dodged a bullet on this one! ;) ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited
(( XD I literally just rolled a 10-sided die, and it came up a "10". A "1" would've been insta-death, and 2-9 would've been anything from mortally wounded to just grazed. Could've knocked me over with a feather; the die is normally never this kind to him!))
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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
(( XDDDDD It's being merciful to him today apparently! You should keep using it, help keep Lewis alive and all that! ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Malemi woke in a cold sweat. His chest tightened as he took in his surroundings. The calling stone was reaching out to him. Something was wrong. He rushed out the room and raced down the stairs.
Emerson hadn't come back. Utter dread took hold of him and he ran to door. He launched himself into the street, the door slamming shut behind him. Who cares if he reveals himself, he couldn't leave Weir to defend himself alone.
He followed the calling stone as he sprinted down street after street. Diving into the shadows, he went from building to building until he stopped in front of the restaurant. He jumped from the shadows and burst in the door. He whipped around looking for Weir, a wild fear reflecting in his eyes.
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Emerson stood there for a moment. Blinked. And exhaled. 
He just watched the Golden Goose dodge a bullet, literally.
Now he knew why Fate wanted him to see this. 
"D*mn."
Though this feat was impressive Weir had to still make it out in one piece and Sterling needed to get to a better vantage point. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
The sniper abandoned the chapel, cutting around Soho Bazaar to Carlisle Street. (He also missed seeing Malemi.) He took up his post on the roof of a building where that street met Soho Square. This gave him a clear line of sight to both the Rose and the Orchid.
Inside the restaurant, Lewis had bolted behind the bar, hoping the sturdy materials would stop any bullets long enough for him to finish his task.
But then a familiar presence broke into his conscious perception.
"Malemi?" Weir's voice was a husky whisper, audible only because the rest of the place was silent.
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
" Weir! "
Malemi leaped onto the bar and looked down at Lewis. His fear swiftly turned to high strung anger. He crawled down and looked Lewis straight on.
" What in the world happened?! Are you hurt?! Why the hell didn't you summon me?! "
He turned away and hissed.
" Nevermind! Let's just get out of here. "
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
Seeing that the sniper was on the move, Sterling decided to follow suit. Backing up from the edge of the roof, he steeled his nerves, shook out his legs, and readied his muscles. It had been far too long sense he did this.
A excited grin painted itself across his face as his legs began to pound against the roof top. Faster and faster he ran! And upon reaching the edge he launched himself across from one roof top to the next. Momentum carrying, he elegantly landed and continued to sprint.
One down five to go.
Though Emerson couldn't feel the wind rush past him, the adrenaline rush that ensued never failed to make him feel... alive. 
Quickly approaching the next gap between buildings, a large gap, his excitement built. There was no fear for there was no danger. This was his city and it would not let him down. It would not let him fall to his death--
--but he was already dead.
This sudden, unwanted thought caught him off balance--emotionally which then threw him physically.
This smile fell. His feet stumbled. He jumped too soon. 
As he rocketed forward, Emerson knew he wouldn't make it. His feet would land just shy of the edge. Instinct kicked in and his arms bolted out, grasping for the building's edge. His fingers landed upon the wall and then through the wall, continuing to fall with the rest of his body. 
In a matter of seconds Emerson had gone from flying across roof tops to plummeting from grace. His city had let him down once again. 
...
Landing solidly upon his side, Sterling laid sprawled upon the ground, unharmed but hurt all the same. Somewhere Fate giggled, pleased by her entertainment. 
(( ))
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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
"Malemi, wait! Don't go out there!" hissed Lewis. "There's a man with a gun on the roof of--"
He caught himself.
The sniper's presence wasn't where it had been. It'd shifted, moved...
"To the south," Weir corrected himself. "Somewhere to the south, maybe still in the square. He tried to put a bullet through my eye."
He shook his head.
"There wasn't time to summon you; I just...I just reacted. Wasn't thinking. Just did what seemed necessary."
He took a few breaths to steady himself, then looked at the bottle in his hands. Half of his torn handkerchief stuck out the top of it. Beside it, on the floor, lay an open matchbox.
"Aheheh," he chuckled.
Old habits die hard...
"Say...how do you fare against bullets?" he asked Malemi.
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( The Fox ))
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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He turned back to Lewis, aiming a sour look at him.
" I can take them well enough. I don't know how well I'll make as a shield though. "
He let out a second pair of arms and stretched them out. He watched as Lewis as he chuckled to himself. His eyes narrowed.
" With that said, I'm not unwilling to try. What exactly do you have planned? "
( Hyde without a Jekyll )
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Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
The Fox
((Continueation of "We Bleed Too" if you would like. Sorry for my absence over the weekend!))
Background Scientist #37 3 days ago
"I don't plan to beat you. I plan to get out of this place with my life."
The Fox
The Fox 3 days ago
He narrowed his eyes skeptically.
" Is that why you cooperated so nicely earlier? To leave with your life? Like I'd believe that! Necromancer! "
((Reply))
"Necromancer?" Gemma looked utterly confused. Blue Jay mirrored her expression.
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The Fox  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
" You heard what I said! You're a necromancer! Why else would you've summoned a spirit for combat?! "
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Background Scientist #37  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Spirit?" Gemma shuffled slightly closer to Jay, and the open door.
I AM THE SPIRIT OF LONDON AT NIGHT! He posed dramatically.
"Jay what." Gemma stopped in her tracks.
Never-mind.
((I'm sorry I had to.))
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The Fox  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Malemi began to grow more frustrated than angry as he watched her inch away. He still looked around for Jay and spoke.
"Yes, spirit! You summoned one just now! Do you not think? "
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Background Scientist #37  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Not usually." Gemma returned to her shuffling.
Can I poke him?
"No. Bad spirit."
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The Fox  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
He finally grew sick of the game and snarled at her.
" Oh hell, just leave already then! Take you and your spirit outside! If you aren't going to attack me, then don't play with me! GO! "
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Background Scientist #37  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Gladly." She bolted the rest of the way to the door, grabbing Jay's arm and pulling him with her outside.
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The Fox  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Malemi watched her skedaddle out of the building and finally let the tension from his body. What was with her? Has she never heard the word necromancer? Or was she something else?
His head was beginning to hurt so he dropped the matter entirely. He went to fixing his fur hastily. He didn't want to stay in the butcher house any longer than he needed to.
( The end? )
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Background Scientist #37  The Fox • 2 years ago
((Sure! Unless you have any other ideas. This was fun!))
"Never do that again you idiot you could have died."
Okay Mom.
"Shut up."
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The Fox  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
( Yeah this was fun, if short! It'll be fun to see how Gemma and Malemi interact in the future! )
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Background Scientist #37  The Fox • 2 years ago
((Definitely! and 'the spirit of London at night' as well. XD))
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Jekyll1886  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
((XDDDD))
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Background Scientist #37  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((I'm just imaging him yelling that randomly and Hyde popping out of nowhere or a bush or something and yelling "EXCUSE ME!"))
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Jekyll1886  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
((XDD Yes! Like, "Hey! That's my shtick!"))
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Background Scientist #37  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Yep. XD
J: I say it better. *stick out tongue*
H: DO NOT! ))
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Jekyll1886  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
((XD))
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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • 14 hours ago
"I'm not going to kick you when you're down, Hela." His voice was soft, compassionate. "You may hate me, but I do still care for you, patient or no," he confessed.
Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 • 13 hours ago
"It's never stopped you before." She pointed out with a growl, snorting at his next comment. "And why the bloody Hell would you care for me? I'm a threat to what you hold most dear!"
Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • 13 hours ago
"Hela...one of these days, you'll put the pieces together. And you'll understand. You may still think me a fool for it, but at least you'll know..."
(( Helen Jekyll ))
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Elaina Hyde  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Elise walked into Helen's room through the door behind the bookshelf. "Is he gone y- oh, I suppose not. Uh... hello, Lewis.." she mumbled, backing up.
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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago • edited
Hela scoffed and rose to her feet. "Not if you keep being so unpredictable and cryptic."
She had managed to swallow the lump in her throat, a reddish tint of her eyes the only remaining evidence of her breakdown.
"You better not leave again, Elise." She grumbled, turning to face the brunette. "Besides, the doctor here already took all his anger out on me. I doubt you'd get in trouble too."
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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Isn't Elise a brunette?))
Lewis broke into a cackle.
"Is that really what you think? That that was anger? Oh, Hela, you're too rich!" He chortled, then took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Child, that was consequences, nothing more. Done out of love, believe it or not. Though that's not to say I didn't allow myself a bit of fun along the way."
He looked to Elise with a good-natured smile.
"Do what you will, Elise. Just don't hurt anyone in the Society, hear?"
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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( Elaina Hyde ))
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Elaina Hyde  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Elise shrugged. "I kinda do whatever Hela tells me. So... I make no promises~"
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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago
Hela crinkled her nose, glancing back at Lewis with a scowl. Like Hell any of that's true. Though I don't doubt he had fun.
An idea struck her and she grinned. "It sounds to me like you have competition, Elise, with Weir over here confessing his feelings for me."
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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
"Just a bit of advice, Elise. It's wise not to s*** where you eat--not to hurt people where you live."
Though I said nothing about anyone outside the Society...
Lewis outright laughed at Hela's comment.
"Not that kind of love, darling. More...paternal, I suppose. Or avuncular." He shrugged. "Familial, in any case."
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Elaina Hyde  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Elise looked... really confused, when Hela said Lewis was admitting his love. Then she frowned hard. "I'm not going to hurt anyone here unless I have to."
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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • 14 hours ago
"Both," he said simply. There was a weight of years behind his eyes.
Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 • 13 hours ago
"Ah." Her gaze softened and she placed a hand on his leg. "I'm sorry, Lewis. For life being so awful." She thought for a moment before adding, "You're a good man."
Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • 13 hours ago
"Thank you, Helen." He placed a hand atop hers and blinked rapidly, eyes moist. He found he couldn't speak further.
(( Helen Jekyll ))
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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
She nodded once in response. The silence spoke volumes enough on its own and she didn't know what else to say.
A faint warmth began to gather in her abdomen, but she chose to ignore it, not wishing to break away so soon.
It's probably just all the wine. She mused.
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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
"Remember..." said Lewis, finally finding his voice, "no matter what the world would say, nor what you may sometimes think...you're a person who matters." He held her gaze in earnest. "To me."
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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
"O... Oh."
But why? Helen decided not to voice the question.
She managed to rein in her surprise and spoke softly. "Thank you... it's, well... really good to hear th-" 
With a sharp intake of breath, she paled and shuddered, shutting her eyes tight. "Argh. G-God, t-that h-hurts. I-"
She stooped forward, grasping her stomach with both hands, trembling and each breath a gasp for air. "M-More w-wine. I-I n-need m-more, p-please. Ah."
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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
((Did Helen bring more than one bottle? Because otherwise the only wine is whatever's in anyone's cup at the moment.))
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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((I'm afraid she only brought the one. Doesn't stop her from asking, though. *sigh*))
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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago
Lewis sensed Hela rousing within Helen.
More wine? he thought, perplexed.
Then it hit him.
Oh.
"Dr. Rose, please give Helen your wine. Now," said Weir, his eyes conveying the urgent necessity of the action.
(( HenryRoseQuartz Miss-Dreamerkat Elaina Hyde ))
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Kito perked up and stood up, ready, just in case helena decided to make appearance.
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Elaina Hyde  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Elaina looked up from her handful of crackers and frowned hard. She put the crackers down, unsure what to do. She hesitated, then walked over to Helen and hugged her arm.
(Elaina's thoughts right now: "what do what do what do????")
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HenryRoseQuartz  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
( His eyebrows knit in slight confusion. )
Oh alright.
Here you go dear
( He passes his glass onto Helen. )
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Helen Jekyll  HenryRoseQuartz • 2 years ago • edited
Her eyes snapped open and she seized the glass with both hands, guzzling the wine. When it was emptied, she let out a distressed groan and let it fall to the bed, curling her arms around her midsection once more. 
"G-God, i-it s-still h-hurts... D-Damn i-it..." She half sobbed, convulsions wracking her body in waves. Already she could feel her clothes becoming cramped and tight, moisture blurring her vision.
At Elaina's touch, she recoiled with a hoarse cry of pain, shrinking away from the embrace. "Let g-go of m-me!"
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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( Mz.Hyde I'm ready to continue the "Nightmare" RP whenever you are! Great to have you back! :-D ))
Mz.Hyde Mod Jekyll1886 • 19 days ago
0101 I disagree with that, if we tell them all the truth, who's to say they won't kick us out?0101
She has a point....I-I just don't want them to hate us...
Jekyll1886 Mz.Hyde • 19 days ago
"Won't they hate you more if you don't tell them? Suppose they're caught unawares and tragedy ensues." He looked up and to his right, thinking. "Although..." he reflected, then flicked his gaze back to SE, "that would ensure there'd be none left to hate you."
He shrugged.
"Your call."
Mz.Hyde Mod Jekyll1886 • 17 days ago
*SE looks over at Ego and Id. Her eyes searching for some sort of answer from them.*
///Don't look at us, you're the one who's supposed to know what's right and wrong here.///
*Ego nods.*
0101 It's up to you now.0101
*With bated breath, SE steps up to the microphone. She is shaking so badly that her teeth are chattering as if it was -20 degrees in the room.*
Jekyll1886 Mz.Hyde • 16 days ago
"You can do this, love," reassured Lewis, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I have every confidence."
see more
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(Hooray! Though I will not be available tonight, I am in a play. So if I drop off the face of the Earth again, you know why!)
*SE takes a deep breath...then another....and another....and then another...and then-*
///ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT OR NOT?!///
Sorry! Sorry!
*She presses the button, and a message pops up on the screen: CONSCIOUS LIVE.*
H-hello? Mz. Hyde? Can you hear me?
*There's silence for a moment, then a voice comes over the speakers.
Are you God?
*It's Mz. Hyde. SE looks to Lewis, searching for a hint of what to do next.*
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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago
((A play? Oh, wow! Congrats!))
Lewis heard Mz. Hyde; a thrill of elation shot through him.
"Let her know she needs to wake up so she can warn the lodgers of what may be coming," he said softly to SE. "It's imperative."
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(It's "Time Flies" By David Ives. I'm David Attenborough!)
Ok...*She replies softly.*
Um...no I-I'm not God.
Who are you then?
Um...I'm you, in a way. I'm...your conscious.
I have one of those?
Yes, yes you do. Most people do.
...Huh....
A-anyways, you're not dead!!
Really?
Yes!
*The silence returns for a moment before she speaks again.*
But everyone else is dead...
No, they're not!
What do you mean?
What you saw was a hallucination caused by your fever, Jekyll wasn't really there!
...I don't believe you...
*SE looks over at Lewis again.*
What do I do now?!
see more
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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago • edited
((Cool!))
"Do you mind if I get on the horn?" asked Lewis. "Or would that be too forward?"
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
You tell me, I don't know the rules of this thing!
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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago
Lewis shrugged.
"I don't see the harm, then. May I?"
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
*She steps back, giving Lewis the microphone.*
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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago
"Mz. Hyde," he said, speaking crisply into the thing, "this is Lewis Weir. I'm communicating with you on the level of the psyche or soul. You need to know that, while Lady Jekyll may have seemed quite real for you, no one else in the Society is actually hurt, nor dead. I'd have felt their life essence extinguish if they were. However, they are all unaware of the threat your other half poses. Which means they'd be royally unprepared, should she ever attack the Society. I need you to wake up so you can warn them. Also, if you don't wake, I may be trapped in here, and, lovely as your mind is, I'd prefer to head back to my own body. So, please...do wake up."
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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
*Silence once again.* 
....How do I know that you're really Lewis, really telling me the truth?
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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago
"Do you remember when we shaped dough for Thanksgiving, Mz. Hyde? We were the only ones in the kitchen, at the time. You made a phallus, and I commented I'd never seen a more perfect representation of Mr. Labouchere." He chuckled at the memory. "No one else would know that."
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RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago
(You're very welcome, Mz. Hyde! X3)
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Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
(Welcome back!)
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chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
Late-night thrills and ventures aside, The Hound's Tooth -- named after an interesting and... particularly bloody event that had occured on the grounds years before -- was packed. Men and women alike filled each crevice of the bar, a fluid, ever-shifting mass of people moving to a dance and song that wasn't there. Some were fighting; some, enjoying their fellow patrons' presences just a little too much for a sober mind to be comfortable...
Though most, but not quite all, shared the sense that they were borderline-blackout drunk. And one of the more-but-not-fully-sober faces sat in the far corner of the building, grinning as his familiar, gold eyes fixated on another figure in the room.
(( Jekyll1886 ))
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Lewis sat on a stool at the bar, glass of whisky in hand. He'd worn his dark brown waistcoat, just in case someone spilled something on him. The patrons themselves were largely easy pickings, but did he actually want any of them?
At least the whisky's good, he reflected, taking another sip. It had a pleasant burn to it.
Weir suddenly had the feeling he was being watched. Not by the ruck and run of drunkards, no...but by someone who'd singled him out.
Curious, he turned to look.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Lewis is met with a small, greeting wave and a warm grin from the far corner - elbows lazily propped on the table, his chin perched on his left hand.
Something in his 'signature' was displaced, however. It was familiar, and .. almost wrong, practically juxtaposing to the rest of him.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
Well, that's likely trouble, thought Lewis.
Oh, well. 'Least it's not Griffin.
He waved back, then grabbed his drink and wended his way over.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
The man looks surprised -- he then straightens out, bowing his head in acknowledgement. "'Didn't mean to catch you off-guard with the staring."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Didn't mean to catch you off-guard, either, with...whatever it was I did." Lewis shrugged, and took a seat at the man's table. He leaned his cheek on his hand and gazed directly into the stranger's eyes.
"So," Weir said with a brazen grin, "how's things?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
"Things are just swell," he says, his smile never wavering. "Just thinking about some old friends of mine, what they may be up to these days -- nostalgia, and all that jazz."
He tilts his head. "And... you?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Jazz", eh? thought Lewis. Not from this time period, is he?
Hm.
"Just looking to drink some good whisky, maybe have a shag," he confessed, and took a sip. "What's your name, by the by?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He drummed his fingers idly against the table. "Lee."
That's close enough to honesty, he thought.
"I'll say, I'm... excellent at putting names to faces, but I can't say I recognize you." He gazed at Lewis, his eyes half-lidded. "Do you come around often?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Call me Lew. I come by on occasion," he said, returning the look. "When I'm up for the crowd."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Up for the crowd?" he echoed, visibly amused.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"You heard me," said Lewis with an easy nonchalance. He leaned back and took another sip of his drink.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Right," he said with a chuckle. "I truly am surprised we've never met before, though. I'm a ... regular, here."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"To be fair," said Lewis, "I've only been coming here the past few months or so. We easily could've missed each other, given the...press of humanity in this place."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
(( Alrightey, after this response, I'm popping out for homework and sleep, at some point. Nighters! ))
"Point taken," the man said. His eyes fell to Lewis' whisky. "You..do seem to be enjoying the drinks, though."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
((Night-o! Sleep well!))
"Hard to find a place with good whisky in a such a gin-loving town. The Hound's Tooth keeps a decent stock," Weir explained, and took a sip.
"So...you mentioned old friends," he said, returning to the earlier topic. "Nostalgia, that kind of thing. They live in London, by chance?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That they do," 'Lee' admitted. "Both of 'em do, but, as I hear it, they've been... outta town, for a while."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Ah. More's the pity. Always nice to catch up with old friends," 'Lew' commiserated.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
The man simply stared at Lewis with a small smile. "True enough." Any normal person's cheeks would have started aching by now -- the amount of time he'd been smiling was bordering on positively unnatural.
"So, what do you do, Lew?" He tittered quietly at the rhyme.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"I'm a chemist. Sell party drugs to bored dilettantes." Another sip. "You?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
His eyebrows lift in surprise, his smile widening. "Your employment sounds far more interesting than mine -- I mostly do odds and ends..."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Oh?" asked Lewis, cocking a brow, curious. "Such as...?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He gives a devious wiggle of his eyebrows. "Not important."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Lewis raised his brow and lowered his upper eyelids in a look of severe skepticism.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"What? I highly doubt we'll ever meet again." He gave a small tilt of his head, his expression smoothing but his smile never failing. He waved his hands apathetically as he continued, "I do all sorts of things -- lots of, errh... hard labor."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"I was honest with you," he returned with a shrug, "but, fair enough. I've no need to pry."
He swirled his whisky in the glass.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
He watches the movement in silence for a moment, before asking, "Somethin' on your mind?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Just curious what you want, actually." He chuckled. "I could practically feel you boring a hole in the back of my head, you were staring so intensely."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Ah..." he said, voice dwindling. "That obvious?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Afraid so."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That's not good," he said with a chuckle. "I should try harder next time."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Oh?" asked Weir. "Next time for me, or for you?" He smiled, and took another swig.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Ha-ha," he said with a flutter of his eyelids.
"Anyway, you know Arty, right?" said the man bluntly.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Please don't be here to kill him..." said Lewis wearily, remembering Joseph, as well as Richard's "old friends".
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Oh, for f*ck's sake, I don't want moon-boy to die," he said, dragging a hand over his face. "I'm trying to make sure he gets out of this alive. Dumb kid's got too much goin' on ahead to die so soon."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Psychic, are you?" asked Lewis, not in jest.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
His smile widened. "Call it that if you want."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"What would you call it?" Weir wondered.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He tapped his chin, smiling thoughtfully. "Outcomes of future events. I can't see what's the most likely to happen, so much as the many possibilities."
The man paused, the first instance of uncertainty - or rather, something other than confidence -
appearing in his gaze as he considered his next words. "I'd like to think that there's a higher chance moon-boy gets out of this home-free than not, though."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"So, you're aware of what's happened," said Lewis.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Well, duh!" He gave an almost dopey smirk.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"And so you just happened to zero in on me and I just happen to know Arty." He cocked his head at 'Lee'. "Do your 'outcomes' extend to chance meetings in pubs?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Well, 'just happened to' might have been a... stretch." He simply sighed, shrugging indifferently. "It was either you or Red Poofy, and she's a bit of a basket case."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"'Red Poofy'?" echoed Lewis.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Can't remember her name, uhh..." He snapped his fingers for a moment. "Total ballistic, hears voices, likes baking."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Alicia Ghast?" he asked.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That one!" he said, fist landing on the table. "Yeah. 'Course, your boy Rich is an option too, but..." his eyes narrowed. "Something tells me his priorities are a little bent out of shape."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"What do you see about him?" Weir was genuinely curious.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"I don't see anything, I'm just not stupid." He looked irritated to some degree, though his smile never fell or flickered. "That kid's so stuck on his boyfriend he probably thinks Moonie's some kind of collateral."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Lee, I was simply curious what, if anything, you saw regarding Richard, since you see myriad possibilities," 'Lew' stated in a factual, neutral tone. "As to 'Moonie', what do you think he is?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Yet again, 'Lee's' words fell short. "Are you.,. asking what I see about him, or what I think about him?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"As far as Artemis, I'm asking what you think, though your opinion will doubtless be informed by what you've seen," said Weir.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That kid..." He groaned, rubbing at his face.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"'Kid'?" echoed Lewis. "Are you and Arty that much different in age?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Obviously -- I've aged gracefully, right?" he said, flashing a hard smile.
"And, as for Arty, he's... a dumba**."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"I can't say; I don't know your age. But I suppose it's either that, or Arty's had a very hard life."
He snickered at Lee's assessment of Artemis.
"But a dumba** you nevertheless want to live." He rested his head on his hand, contemplating.
"Fair enough," he said, straightening up.
"Where do I fit in?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That's... the challenging part," he explained, "considering all of this is more or less an elaborate what-if. There are a couple ways that this could pan out, and you, Lewis, are in charge of just one of them."
Leaning back in his seat, he folded his hands and continued: "I can see a world where Moon-boy escapes. There's one where he gets out unscathed, another where he offs himself a month in, and then there's the thought he doesn't make it out at all." A thoughtful pause. "I need you to ensure that if he gets out alive, he remains... closely supervised. Y'know, in-between your other patients and junk."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"When you say 'alive', do you mean unscathed? Just to be clear."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"I do not - I mean any world that he gets out alive. Not necessarily... unharmed."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Including psychologically." It was less a question, more a statement.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"If he starts getting overly moody. Sentimental..." He blinks. "His sister's still alive, yeah? Uptight ginger lady?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Susan? Yes. As far as I know."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Her! Keep her away from him." Another interlude, and- "He got married to Nicki, right?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Yes... Do you know her, as well? Also..."
A pause.
"What does Artemis think of you?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He glances up, after grumbling something about 'strange eating patterns' and keeping someone 'away from human flesh'.
"Oh." He shrugged, blowing breath out through his lips. "Doubt he thinks I'm his friend, but I'm certain he doesn't hate me. Dunno. It's been awhile."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"You having visions of Hannibal and Will?" asked Weir offhandedly. He took a swig of his drink.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Huh? No, not important." His eyelids fluttered briefly. "Nicki's got a friend -- short, got a real mouth on her, a bit of a thieving brat?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Lewis raised an eyebrow.
"What, Fiona?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"I can't really remember any of their individual names," he chuckled. "Try to keep her and, uh, Nicolette away from each other. It's better for everyone if you do."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Tell you what," said Lewis. "Why don't you come to the Society and do that. You can also look after Arty, when he gets back. I've quite a bit on my plate already." And I'm not a bloody charity.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Flashing a tight smile and clearing his throat, he spoke again, "Man, I'd like to. The hitch there is that I can't. Can't get even remotely close to Arty."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
How convenient...for you.
"And why can't you?"
I am regrettably sober right now...
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"That's...a very good question. Would you like the short answer, or the long one?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Ah, what the hell...we've already spoken this much...
"The long one."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
'Lee' drew in a small breath. "Figured."
He folded his arms behind his head. "Yeah, okay, so -- most I knew about the kid before he came to me was that he was was messed up. Like, in the head. He saw things that weren't there, got angry about them, blacked out..." He squinted a little, trying to remember. "Threw chairs and broke things a lot, had a hard time with it all because he couldn't really differentiate what was there and what wasn't. He didn't... didn't function too good, and his family was pretty broken up over it. He came to me, y'know, 'got word' or whatever kids do that I could help."
Shifting slightly, he continued, "And this had to have been, ah... fourteen years ago? Thirteen? Something like that." A pause. "He wanted to fix things, but I told him he really, really didn't want me to do that. He said, 'okay, well, what can you do?', and I told him I could make them forget. Y'know, obviously, the condition being he get his act together and try to go straight. He was real young, pretty shaken up at how he'd effected his family. He wanted an easy way out of it."
"I'm not saying making them forget was the best thing to do, or even a remotely good solution, but it wasn't my place to question it. We sealed the deal and went separate ways, for awhile. Didn't think I'd see him again 'till he came back cryin', saying he couldn't get it right. Tells me he's still seein' stuff, can't stomach it, still needs something to help him."
"I pitied the kid," he admitted. "I told him I could help him, with some... pretty strict conditions. Long story short, I work my 'magic' and he wouldn't see stuff anymore. He could go about his way and .. y'know, try and be a good kid again. So I did my stuff, and, y'know, it was all good."
He scratched at his neck, mumbling. "All good for a long time."
"But," he said with a sigh, "that came to a stop too. I ain't gonna get into details, but stuff's happened with his little vacation to the Cannibal Islands. He broke the contract, didn't even mean to- but he did. The seal's broken -- least, the second one did. Dam broke, walls tumbled down, and the kid's got all his screws loose again. And this time, I can't help him. Rules of the contract state it, I can't conflict with his life anymore."
He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Never a damn day before have I felt so bad for someone. That's why I'm here."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Hm. That does explain it," said Lewis. "Just out of curiosity, what did he give you in return?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"He didn't give me his soul, don't worry."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"You a daemon?" asked Weir quietly.
He realized the question might be taken the wrong way.
"Know that I don't mean anything by asking," he clarified. "I've simply encountered a range of different people and beings since coming to London."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Of a .. sort."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Lewis chuckled.
"You're...not going to tell me directly, are you?"
He let out a breath, and finished his drink.
Ah, well... It was worth a shot.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Nope."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Fair enough."
You're not asking about me, after all...
"So...Arty--if he returns--is going to be back to seeing things? Is that it?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"For the most part... yeah. Just -- if he gets back, keep an eye out if he starts acting strangely. And, uh, don't let him throw things at Susan..."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Are the things he'll see actually real, or just figments of his imagination? Also, what is so special about Susan? You've mentioned her twice now..."
I'm half-tempted to throw things at her myself. Insufferable woman...
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Most definitely not real. And, err... Let's just say that she has importance, hm?" He chuckled, before adding, "... though maybe a chair to her face would do her some good."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Do I have the honors?" Lewis chortled. "Though, in all seriousness, please do tell me why she's important. For all I know, she could be the next Attila the Hun..."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Snort. "Suzilla... Anyway, there are some pretty good possibilities that Susan and Arty'll, y'know, kiss'n'make up. That is, if Arty doesn't chuck something at her first. That kind of shuts the whole thing down."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Ah," said Lewis. "Thank you. I do appreciate the details. Anything else you'll tell me about...anything, really?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
A small, thoughtful silence, and then, "Your pal, Richard..."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Yes?" asked Lewis, one brow lifting slightly.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"I don't see a single good thing coming out of him and his boyfriend's little fling."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
'Lew' gave a faint groan.
"Brilliant..."
He sighed.
"What can I expect?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He rubbed at his temples, with a manner mocking a headache. "Depends on how lucky you get, but there are some serious issues there. They're way, way way waaaay too dependent on each other to function as separate beings."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Richard and Elias, Richard and Oliver, or Oliver and Elias?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
'Lee' blinked. ".. Oliver?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
Lew raised a brow, surprise giving way to a barely-stifled smirk that became an amused smile.
"Huh," he remarked. Seems you don't know everything...
"Right, so, Oliver," he explained, shifting gears, "is the third party in the...ménage à trois, as it were."
A pause, a look of genuine concern.
"How is all this going to affect him?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
His eyes widen, mouth forming a small, "Oh." And then, "Ohh... riiightio. The tiny one. Messy redhead? Didn't realize that was... huh."
He cleared his throat. "I don't see him after the end of this year."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"What," said Lew, lips drawn to reveal his teeth. His left hand curled into a claw-like shape just short of a fist.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Jeez, dude, calm down! He important, or somethin'?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
Lee's words made Lewis aware of himself. He drew in a breath as he closed his eyes. Made himself relax his hand. Let out the breath. Opened his eyes.
"Apparently," he observed, shaking his head at himself.
"Is it...is that he won't exist as Oliver past the end of the year, that Elias will suppress him past then, that they'll both die, or," he hesitantly hoped, "that you can't see past the end of this year?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"There's all kinds of ways they go out," he admitted, "I'm just... not seeing any really great ones for him."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Is there anything at all that can be done to alter that? I've Joseph's books, tomes from Blackfog which tie into this very phenomenon, a personal catalog of over fifteen hundred variations on the potion, and a hell of a lot of experience." His gaze was not angry but so determined it could've pinned Lee to the wall.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"You can calm down - nothing's ever set in stone. If you can find a way to save him, good for you."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Excellent. Please tell me all the relevant threats to him you foresee, preferably in likelihood of occurrence."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"You're really worried, huh?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"I suppose I am, at that," he reflected with a touch of chagrin, followed by a trace of wistful gladness. "Hm."
He turned his full attention back to Lee.
"So...the threats...?" Lew prompted.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Right." His smile broadened. "Let me think..."
There was a moment of silence, Lee's gaze transfixed on something unseen, before he spoke again. "Oh, he's Elias'... oh. Oohh. I get it, now!"
Another pause. "Is there some reason that Oliver would...uh, fade away?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago • edited
"Potentially. I've analyzed a trace amount I found of the potion Joseph used on Elias. It's...either not very well thought out, or purposefully incomplete. I'd predict either fading or mutual death, but have been doing research to try to prevent that. I think there may be a variation very similar to that version which could bolster or even supplant it. In rough terms, I'd call Joseph's take on the serum 'HJ6', as opposed to 'HJ7', the one which shows promise in this endeavor. I've worked out what might be needed to make the latter, but would prefer to take a look at its originator's notes, in order to minimize the chance of error."
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"... huh."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"What?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Nothing, just..."
A beat, and he then cleared his throat. "I'd say that's the biggest thing. That and murder. Does murder happen a lot where he lives or something? And suicide... No murder-suicides, though!"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"When people say 'nothing' like that, it rarely is..." opined Lewis.
A pause.
"As to murders and suicide...what do you see? More precisely, whom?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"The thing you have to understand is I don't see the frequency of it. I can't see what's more likely to happen and what isn't -- if there's a possibility, that's it. That's what I see. If there's even a remote chance it could happen, it already has."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Ah," said Lew. "Thank you for clarifying that."
"Which people--regardless of likelihood--do you see killing others or themselves?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He narrowed his eyes at something unseen. "Real scrawny, tallish, dark hair? Sound familiar?" And then, "Sound...threatening?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"S***."
Lew closed his eyes, drew in and let out a breath, opened them.
"Female?" he asked.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
More squinting. "I think so."
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Bloody fantastic." He leaned his temple on his hand.
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Hey, I make no guarantees!" He held up his hands defensively, before folding them beneath the chin.
"You got a lot of deadly women in your life?" he asked, amused.
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"A lot of deadly people, female and male, unfortunately..." Weir admitted.
A thought struck him.
"Know anything about Professor James Moriarty?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Ho-ho-hoooly shiiiiiiiiiit. He actually exists here?
"Maybe...why?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"He's planning something to do with invisibility. Can you see what else he may be up to? And how Hawley Griffin fits in?"
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chatterghosts  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"Hawley-Who-now?"
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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • 2 years ago
"Never mind. Just...what do you think Moriarty would do if he could turn other people or himself invisible?"
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Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
(@MillieGriffin No I do want to continue! Sorry! Work and life has been holding me hostage.)
MillieGriffin: Millie's eyes widened and so did her smile. " Oh! I've heard of you from Dr. Weir tells me that you can loop through time. You must tell me about it, it must be fascinating!"
Catt Hatter: Catt's shoulders bounced slightly as she chuckled at Millie's enthusiasm. "Fascinating, but also dangerous. So far I've been able to avoid any," she shuddered at a memory. "Catastrophic time loop cascades. Of corse, I wasn't trying to create Time Creases, I just wanted to make a door to another dimension, since the ones I was using before stopped showing up."
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"B-but surely there's no harm in at least telling me adout your profession, right?" Millie forced her smile to stick as she tried to salvage her opportunity to find a way back home.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
"Uh, I guess not." Noticing the shift in her conversation partner's demeanor. Despite the question being about her profession, Catt was pretty sure she meant the science one, and not the street performances that actually brought in some money.
"What did you want to know?"
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Well..." she started " What all do you know?... if you don't mind my asking?" She said starting to fidget then as if she just remembered "Ah!" she pulled the cart along, "We can talk while I plant these." she gestured to the very strange looking fruit plants.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
"I asked you first, but sure." Catt kept easy pace with Millie and her wagon.
"Wait, you meant what I was looking for by doing the research didn't you? Sorry. I guess I'm just looking to figure out how to connect this version of the universe to others without tearing the fabric of reality. Seems that I accidentally invented negative time travel in the process though. So I might try to figure out more of that.
Does that help you in any way?"
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"I suppose..." a memory struck her, " I know someone who knows someone who has a Jaunt Array that can take someone to different dimensions, but it can't take them through time like into the future or anything, maybe that could help." She found a clear spot near tea plants, "Is there anything growing here?"
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
"I've heard of that I think, but I'm wanting to make a more, self contained or self sufficient door between worlds. And no, my tea patch ends just there. So I think this patch is free." She smiled. "What kind of plants are those anyway?"
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
Millie took one of the plants out of the wagon, "I developed these myself, this one's a...." She narrowed her eyes at the plant will fruit that looked like apple sized strawberries with fuzz instead of seed on it, "... straw-peach? . . . peach-berry??? . . . It makes pretty good tarts." She said finally.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
"Oh, yummy! We'll have to make those sometime. Do you like baking?" Catt asked, gently stroking the soft skin of the peach-berry.
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"It's alright I suppose, I mean I can cook, I have memorized 6,832 cookbooks throughout my life... but then I love book in general." She took the planet out of the pot and grabbed a spade from the wagon and started to dig.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
The response was not anything Catt had expected. "Oh, wow. That's a lot of books to memorise on a subject you think is merely 'alright.' You must be very talented at memorising things." Not knowing what else to do with the gardening, she opted to grab a small watering can.
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
" Yeah, it's a mental defect I believe. Everthing that happens to me gets stuck in here." She said pointing at her timple with the spade as she set the plant in the hole. "I can't forget a single thing even if I tried." She patted the soil down. "There now the pare-nana tree." she grabbed another wierd plant.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
Catt poured a little water on the freshly planted, er, plant, wondering how else she might help Millie with her gardening. She had meant the memory thing to be a compliment. Had she gotten the intonation wrong? Oh dear. That wouldn't be the first time her inflection had miscommunicated her meaning.
"Having a memory like that I expect is a mixed blessing. Is there anything else I can do to help with the plants?" she asked gently.
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
" Hmm, I guess this could go faster if you want to help take all the plants out of the pots. " She said held the pare-nana tree for her, "here, I'll dig the hole." It was much more heavier than Millie made it look.
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
Despite the daily practice sessions with Mz. Hyde, Catt was not so strong that unexpected weight wouldn't shake her balance. And she nearly dropped the young sapling when Millie handed it over.
"Wack!" she exclaimed, sounding like a duck. "S-sorry. You're a lot stronger than you look."
She gently worked to free the roots from the pot with as little damage as possible.
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MillieGriffin  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited
Millie blushed as she dug a hole for the tree, " Oh aheheheh, sorry I should have warned you it was heavy. " She said giving her an apologetic smile, "if you want we could swap places." She offered with the hole already dug.
(Sorry for the delay again I had to clean house. :( )
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Catt Hatter  MillieGriffin • 2 years ago
"Oh no, no! That's not what I meant." Catt hurried to explain. "The weight just surprised me. It was meant as a compliment."
((No worries! Life happens. :) ))
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Tairais • 2 years ago
(( Jekyll1886 Let's pretend I actually got around to Charricthran giving Lewis his letters in the natural flow of time and not 200 years late ^^" Sorry friend
Your last post was this:
"Fair point," shrugged Weir. "I doubt the terror'd have much meaning, anyway, if they weren't someone you loved nor hated."
He felt paper touch skin and looked at his hand for a moment, as though in a stupor. When it registered exactly what it was he (be)held, he drew in a breath and opened the letter. ))
What appeared to be one letter unfolded to reveal a bundle of several small scraps of paper of various unlikely types, Richard's notes small and cramped so as to not waste an inch of space. It seemed almost frantic, his spidery handwriting made even more shaky by a hurried sort of fervor, like the sort someone might experience after remaining awake for three days using coffee as a substitute for sleep.
All of the "letters" were curt and simple (if slightly disconcerting) status reports and sketches.The first letter, dated weeks after Richard's departure from the Society, and the one crammed onto the back of the program read:
'I spent the night sleeping in a concert hall on the way to Italy. I am to make my way to the Uffizi gallery. I do not think I have slept that well in quite a while.
I may be falling ill- the other passengers aboard the train I took informed me that I was coughing and did not responded did not respond to them for many a minute. I do not have enough room to describe what I saw at the time.'
A day later came a flawless reproduction of the courtyard between the two wings of the Uffizi, narrow and crowded full of people. The attention to detail was immense, yet it looked for all intents and purposes like a technical drawing or a blueprint- utterly lacking in emotional investment.
The shadows on the walls looked like falling feathers and branching antlers. Those seemed much more vibrant and alive, as if one could reach into the picture and feel them.
The second letter was the one written on the scrap of newspaper, dated two days later:
'Hannibal and Will left another breadcrumb painted with the likeness of Judith and Holofernes and cloaked in the visage of Artemis, with Will and Hannibal as the executioners. My worry has progressed into tangible anxiety.'
On the napkin, dated just a day shy of four weeks from the start of his travels.
'Venice is sorrowful, haunting, rainy, and absolutely beautiful. The body that guides me to Vienna is.. less so.
It looks like Elias this time.'
Dated the same day was a veritable wealth of little, loving doodles of the city: canals from overhead, an abandoned building stoically standing against the rain, a convoy of gondolas guided by lantern. These too, had emotion trapped in each line: Quiet awe and joy all but emanated from these pictures.
They were almost like postcards from the world's best trip across Europe with the worst final destination.
The letters stopped after that, and more than a week had passed since the last one.
Charricthran shuffled almost.. nervously. "I waited a week hopin' Richard would send more ta ya- he was out of sorts writing the last one, and I couldn't fly back without his permission, y'know?"
The raven shook his head and smirked. "Guess he just wants me ta be bored to death. What do I know though?"
A curious silence followed as Charricthran let Lewis read; he frequently glanced over his shoulder and tilted his head as if listening for something distant. He seemed more anxious than when he had been speaking of Richard, tapping his talons against the mattress in a rapid staccato that would almost certainly match the beat of his heart if he had one.
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis recognized the places depicted, having seen them on his own grand tour of Europe, though it seemed a lifetime ago.
"Where is he now?" Weir asked.
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Charricthran jumped, as if he'd forgotten that he was in the room with Lewis. He recovered quickly, tilting his head again with a thoughtful look as the sigil on his chest flashed blue, then gold, then bright white before fading back to its usual red.
"He's in Vienna, the Hofburg palace if I'm reading things right. I think he said he was having an old friend for dinner to try and find information on Hannibal and Will's whereabouts or somethin' similar. He's coverin' ground quickly- it's almost impressive considerin' he's largely on foot..." He trailed off into silence, small smile fading slowly as the thoughtful and worried expression he'd been wearing returned.
Something was amiss, he just couldn't tell what.
Above and across the building from the pair of them, Torke began to move, stone claws clicking against the hidden rafters.
Tchlk, tchlk, tchlk.
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Ah," said Lewis groggily. "Sounds like Richard."
"Say...who's the other demon in the building?" he asked, looking at Charricthran with mildly unfocused eyes. "Anyone I know?"
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
There was a pause in the faint sound of claws, and Charricthran's eyes widened. He turned and stared at the opposite corner of the room for a handful of seconds, listening to the faint clicks grow into a slightly louder sound that was more like nails on a chalkboard than anything.
The raven spun back to face Lewis and shook his head wildly, waving his wings in a strangely human-like fashion.
"Uh n-no! No one y-you'd know, kid- say, this is a very odd question, but c-can I borrow y-your shadow? I'll explain if I live through the next.. oh, two minutes or so?" He grinned, but it was tinged with both hysteria and fear as his gaze frantically darted around the room, as if looking for alternative methods of escape from the 'demon'.
'Ithquenti thric,' He thought, 'Ti tenamalo, si shilta ti ehaism jacion tenamalo, si geou loreat!'
((Translation: 'Gods no, not again, I can't face him again, I'll die!'))
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Yes, you may, unless or until it puts me in harm's way," agreed Lewis, a spike of adrenaline rendering his mind a little more cognizant.
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited
"Dontcha worry, he doesn't know where in the building I am yet! And now he still won't!" He giggled. Creepy many-toothed bird that he was, he giggled. A hysteric, high-pitched thing, but a giggle nonetheless.
Looking back, it wasn't his finest moment.
With a puff of feathers and a feeling like cold tar slithering over skin, Charricthran dove into Lewis's shadow.
There was a pause, and for a moment, it seemed as if whatever had started to make its way towards the pair was about to vanish again.
All of a sudden the sound of scraping nails grew closer and closer, faster and faster, louder and louder as it filled the room with a sense of breathless, anxious anticipation.
The noise steadily grew almost unbearable as the seconds raced by; A low hum filled the air, underlined with a subvocal growl that rumbled and crawled down the very walls. The temperature of the room dropped as sharply as the feeling of electricity in the air grew and rose, up, up, up as tension built and wound itself tighter and tighter, the sound of screeching claws slithered and ricocheted off the walls and oh gods there was so much NOISE, thunder rumbling directly over head, electricity arcing, footsteps racing and-
All of it stopped.
Within seconds, the surge of energy that had been building dissipated, leaving nothing behind except a vague sense of irritation.
Somewhere sort-of-but-not-quite-behind Lewis, Charricthran let out an almost silent sight of relief.
That being said, he made no move to leave any time soon.
see more
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis put the letters away as the sound built.
When it dissipated, he yawned loudly, though whether from stress or sleepiness was anyone's guess.
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
Another three minutes passed in silence before Charricthran reappeared with a small pop, customary smirk back in place.
"Thanks, kid. I guess I owe ya one."
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis stifled a second yawn. He hoped to head home soon.
"By the by, Charricthran," asked Weir, curious, "how old are you?"
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"... Good question." He paused to consider, tapping the tip of a wing against his beak thoughtfully.
After a moment, he shrugged. "Well, I was in China for the fall of the Han Dynasty, so there's that, at least. Not that I can draw up my memories of or before that time really- I spent most of the time during that as a statue in some dusty old ruin surrounded by funny-lookin' runes and only broke free when some nobleman's kid found the statue, brought me to his palace, then got knocked over by a clumsy chef. So that makes something like.. eighteen hundred years, most likely? Not sure. Probably older, come to think."
He shrugged again, almost apologetically.
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis chuckled.
"That explains why you call me 'kid'."
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
He grinned and snickered quietly. "Yeah, every one of the lodgers I've met in my delightful stay here is a kid as far as I'm concerned. That skeleton in the main hall is probably the closest thing to my age!"
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis laughed.
"I do hope they let me go home before I'm a skeleton," he joked. "I'm getting rather weary of staring at these infirmary walls."
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
"They are fairly dull, aren't they? At any rate, you seem more resilient than most of the kids I've met, so I'm sure you'll be fine... Kid." He smirked again, thoroughly amused by this point.
(( The bird's as close to doing >:P as he can get without actually doing it XD ))
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago
Lewis looked at Charricthran. He was so tired he took no offense whatsoever; instead, he was merely happy his present companion was happy about something. He gave a languid smile.
Then his thoughts floated off to other things.
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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
After a moment, Charricthran seemed to remember that Lewis was, in fact, quite tired.
With a small wave and a smaller smile, the bird vanished like fog burned away by the rising light of dawn, and all was quiet and still again.
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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Lewis looked about, gave a quick glance to his wound, considered how tired he was...and decided to make a break for it!
He donned his regular clothes, found a pair of crutches, hobbled out of the infirmary, and caught a hansom cab home.
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Tairais • 2 years ago
(( Catt Hatter Guess who's finally got around to responding to ya? It's me. I'm horrible, sorry for making you wait so long ^^""
Here's your last post!:
Catt waited. She knew what the strange bird had said, but she didn't want to wander, just in case. Plus, she had left some snacks on the tray for when he got back.
She shuffled her feet, wishing she had brought a book, and let her eyes wander around the room. ))
Charricthran didn't return for several hours. When he did, it was with a sudden clatter as he materialized out of the shadow of one of Richard's bookcases sideways, knocking a few books to the ground.
He lay on the floor spread-eagle for a few moments before hopping on his feet and dusting off the rest of him with his wings.
"Well that was bloody interestin'." He turned to face Catt with beady eyes and grinned. "Wasn't expecting you to still be here! Richard said he'll get back to ya when he's not fighting off muggers in a dark alleyway. He did appreciate the snacks, though! Or as much as he could while getting kicked in the back. Which doesn't really do anythin' because, y'know, metal, but what can ya do?"
He waved a wing and the fallen books righted themselves with a gust of sourceless wind. "Anything I can help ya with, chickadee? Or were you just waiting on little old me?"
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"I, thought you might like some more to eat after your trip." Catt said, offering the plate. "And, I didn't want to miss anything if there was an important message. Like if he needed anything. I collect useful things, and don't mind sharing. At least not with friends."
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
Charricthran quickly scarfed down one of the treats with a thankful hum before he replied.
"Good thinking. I can't think of anything he might need at present, and given that he's a stubborn fool, it'd be me that has to figure out if he needs something. Maybe a blanket? Scratch that- they're too heavy for me to carry."
He fluttered up to the top of the bookshelf before shrugging. "I've got nothin'. He told me to give you his "fond regards" though. How he managed to talk so much while fighting for his life, I'll never know. Cool trick, though." He snickered softly before trailing off into thoughtful silence.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
'He was fighting for his life when you found him!?" Catt asked with no small degree of alarm.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration. After the meat-grinder he went through in that warehouse Elias was in, I don't think three alcohol-infused braggarts are really a challenge, even if one of them has a sabre."
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"A sabre? Sabres are cool." She shook her head. That's not what she should be focusing on! "I mean, are you sure there isn't anything I could send him that could be useful? Like a blade that never dulls or breaks? Or a gun or something?"
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"That they are! I'm fond of using them when I'm not a sort-of-raven." He paused to flash her a wry, toothy grin. "As for sending ol' Ricky-boy a weapon, he has.. a considerable arsenal on him already, and that's before you factor in the ballet, forced martial arts training, and the fact he's spent most of his life fighting for one thing or another, be it brother, friend, partner, food, or fun."
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Food?" One of these things is not like the others. She thought.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Y'know. Hunting? Sometimes the piggies fight back." There was a strange glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he said this.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Ah." The way he had said that made her uncomfortable for some reason. But it's not like she'd never heard of boar hunting. "Yeah, I've heard that can be dangerous."
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
He nodded in agreement, smug smile still in place. "It's no fun when food fights back. Or, well, depending on who you are, I guess it can be. Too much hassle in my opinion, but anyways. Not to be rude, but is there anything else you wanna address or are you just enjoying my delightful conversation now?"
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"I have been enjoying the conversation, yes. But it is getting late." She nodded. "You said he could use a blanket right? Be right back."
Suddenly, she was sucked into her Hatt as it fell to the floor with a soft thud.
She returned after a minute with a small package no larger than a deck of cards clutched in her hand. She held it out to the odd bird.
"Is this too big?"
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
The glimmer of mischief in his eyes turned to one of intrigue, first at the fact Catt had vanished into her Hatt, then by the size of the package.
"Neat trick." He hopped down and grabbed the package in his talons, which were just big enough to carry the pack of cards. "Looks like this is a good size! I'm sure he'll be grateful to have this when he inevitably skips out on sleeping in a bloody building for the sake of being under the stars, never mind the fact it's bloody freezin' still in half the countries he's visiting... Which is beside the point. Ahem. Thank you, Catt. I'll be sure to get this to him right away. Door's right there, so as I'm probably not gonna be around for a while, have a pleasant evening. 'Suaco zara wux' and all that."
With a funny little half-bow, he dropped backwards into the shadow of the bookshelf he had just vacated, leaving behind a single feather that eventually dissolved into the floor.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
As she watched it dissapear, Catt wondered if it would be rude to ask him for one of his feathers. She liked feathers, and rocks, and miscellaneous knick-knacks of a magical nature.
Bringing herself back to the present, she left the room.
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The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
( Tairais Fancy a meet up between your bird and my cat perhaps? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Sure! I would recommend your cat refrain from trying to eat him, however - he's terrible for digestion XD ))
Twelve o'clock. Midnight. The witching hour. Whatever you called the hour of ethereal night that seemed just the wrong sort of still, Charricthran made a habit of wandering the Society where there were fewer eyes to follow him.
During this witching hour in particular, he was perched on a display case in the entrance hall, watching and listening and thinking in a change of scenery. His red eyes tracked the few Lodgers that were still up and roaming, but they were distant, lost in thought.
There were a great many things he had to keep his eyes on, as of late. It was all rather tiring.
He was getting to old for this crap.
(( All yours! ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Tonight was seemingly fighting against him. First, he gets in a scuffle with another beast, and then he loses track of his prey. For all intents and purposes, He should probably go home and just sleep the night off. But Malemi had one last stop before he tucked in and that was the Society.
Quite frankly, he wouldn't touch that place with a ten foot pole, but on a night like this, he might as well see what's been happening there. Maybe he'll be able to salvage his night before he heads back to the flat.
Slipping in through an open window, he didn't notice the great black raven until he meet its eyes. He jumped back, baring his teeth.
" Who are you Wretch!? "
He darted into one the hall's dark corners, preparing himself for a fight.
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Charricthran hadn't noticed the cat sneak through the window. If he had, he might've taken the chance to withdraw further into darkness.
As it was, he peered down rather unimpressed at the thing, not even remotely bothered.
"Name's not 'Wretch'. You can call me Charricthran, but that's not my name either. Who are you, 'Loudmouth?'"
Perhaps that was a bit rude. Oh well. Internally, he prepared to melt into darkness, should the need arise.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
" None of your concern, Bird. "
He glared at Charricthran with growing hate. He let his claws slide out of his hands. His ears tucked back, his fur rising. He only now noticed its presence inhabiting the hall. Why hadn't he noticed the raven earlier? Did this beast hide its presence? Was it even that powerful?
He let another pair of arms emerge from his form and snarled at the thing.
" What are you doing here? This is part of my territory! "
It was a lie, but it would have to do for now.
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
His unimpressed stare didn't move, but a flicker of a larger irritation darted in the depths of his eyes.
With a voice that seemed to both echo from the very walls and curl into the cat's ear like smoke, Charricthran spoke with a soft, dangerous tone. His Brooklyn accent vanished, replaced by something not of this world. Both his eyes and the sigil on his chest glowed, but where they had both been red, his left eye was now golden, and his right a vibrant magenta.
All the shadows in the room began to warp into strange, nightmarish creatures that peered from behind a gossamer veil. Whispers skittered across the floor, and the stench of carrion all but bled from the air. Charricthran leaned forward, and for a moment it seemed as if he would lean right into the cat's face without moving from his perch.
"I have been here longer than you, in all senses of the word, Kit. Do not be so crass, and do not be so rude, lest I find my temper slip. Rest assured that while this is my least powerful form, I have brought the fall of dynasties and empires with it. You are tiny to me."
He grinned a mouth full of too many jagged teeth. As the glow faded from his eyes and sigil and the world slowly righted itself, he added.
"Besides, it's not like ya have a contract or solid claim to bind you to this place or anything. Your words are as empty as my damn chest."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi had felt this overwhelming sensation before, when he had meet Kei for the first time. He felt real dread creep into his heart. This was far more ancient than he's felt before. The smell finally came to him. It was old and primordial, like a crypt of the dead. A shiver went through his body as the world righted itself.
But he still stood his ground, unwilling to let the bird get to him. He's faced foes on foes. Sure they weren't great beasts of nature, but they were still greater than he. If he could hold his ground there, he could hold it here.
He stood to his full height and spawned his last pair of arms, all six tense. He backed up as he stared daggers at Charricthran.
" So my words are empty, that still doesn't answer why YOUR HERE. "
His two eyes split into six, swallowing his fear.
" Last I was here, I didn't sense any other beast around. Where was an ancient like you this whole time? "
( My son is such a determined boy, but he doesn't know when to quit ;w; )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Fun fact, I have Charricthran's birth as being some time around 2200 B.C.E! ))
"Awww, look at you, you're like a little dragonfly, all those wings an' eyes." His grin quite literally stretched past the confines of his beak. It was a terrifying distortion of the perceptions of reality.
He tilted his head and hummed thoughtfully. "When was the last time you were here? I might've been delivering a letter or keeping one of my contracts from dying prematurely."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi couldn't help but feel indignity being compared to a mere insect. He would've lashed out but he knew better. Sitting back down on the ground, he forced himself to bow his head. It felt wrong, betraying his own standards to appease some crotchety old pile of feathers but what else was he to do?
A growl came up his throat as he did this, though a thought crossed his mind. Contracts? What did he mean by that? Was he referring to a host or was this something he didn't know? And what's this about delivering letters?
Licking his teeth, he spoke in a forced tone of respect, an edge entering his words.
" I was here not but a week ago. I had business here... "
( Woah! That's old for sure. My little punk is basically a baby to him. )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Hence why he calls EVERYONE kid. Or kit. Or whatever a baby is to their species ))
Charricthran chuckled, smile dimming to a much tamer (and less reality-breaking) expression. "Ya don't need to bow, kid, I just wanted ya to stop being so hostile. You have my apologies for my being such a snarky bastard a second ago, and my thanks for your being more polite. At any rate, I visited fourteen countries on three continents last week, so I probably wasn't in the buildin' when ya came waltzin around."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He rose from his bow, snarling at Charricthran. A sour tone entered his voice, his hands curling into angry fists.
" I don't need to bow? Next thing you'll tell me is that I don't need my body either! The moment I let my guard down, you'll come and skin me alive. I don't know you, but I know you're kind. "
He stepped back into the shadows and glowered at the raven. His tail lashed from side to side as he cured his claws out farther.
" Why do you deliver letters anyways? I didn't think finding a host would be hard for an ancient like you. Unless you've been caught... "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
Charricthran snorted. "I think ya need a body if ya plan on livin', and it's not like I plan on killin' ya. Poor manners that'd be. At any rate, I think you have what I am confused. I don't need a host. So long as there are shadows in this world and strings to pull, I'll be here. I do contracts for fun."
Mostly. Richard was... a unique case.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Confusion began to grow in Malemi. He tucked his ears back. He wasn't really sure how to absorb this new information. He shifted his weight uncomfortably as he got lost in thought.
" So you need no host? Then what are contracts? And you don't want to hurt me? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"No, deals I make for fun in exchange for.. favors, and not unless you want to try and eat me, in that order." A quiet sense of amusement rippled from the bird in waves, like someone watching a friend struggle to understand a joke.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi turned away from the raven. He honestly couldn't believe this was happening. Clearly this beast was from another region, otherwise why would it be so open with him?
He growled in frustration, his form rippling with uncertainty. He turned to Charricthran, bewilderment etched in his features.
" You're from elsewhere, aren't you? You aren't like the beasts that live around here... "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Nope. I was born in a separate dimension entirely. Or so they tell me." He tilted his head curiously. "What sorts of other beasties are ya talkin' about?"
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
" Beasts like me. Beasts that are made with blood and bone versus fire and brimstone. Are you telling me you haven't encountered Orin or Errack? Kei? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Nope. From the sounds of it, they sound like right nuisances, though." In the refines of his mind, he found amusing that he was made of both blood and.. well, not necessarily fire OR brimstone, but most classified him as a demon, even if it wasn't technically true.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi stared dumbfounded. All uncertainty had vanished to be replaced with shock. He crawled out from his corner and narrowed his eyes at the bird.
" You're lucky then. They are your equals and more. You should hope to never cross their paths. "
With a shake of his pelt, he took back his extra arms and watched Charricthran curiously.
" I'm surprised you haven't met any like me before. I'd have imagined you at least running into Errack. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
He bit down a number of responses that followed the lines of 'Kit, I was ancient before they were even ideas- they can kiss my feathery rear.'
Being underestimated was good. It allowed for surprise, and surprise was his sharpest weapon in the metaphorical sense.
So instead of getting indignant, he offered another toothy grin, the gratitude in his eyes genuine as far as all were concerned. "I'll keep that in mind. As for not running in to anyone.. well, I'm not out and about in the general sense very often. Its pretty rare for others to see me even if I see them."
After all, who actually looks at their shadow for any great length of time? Certainly not anyone he'd ever met.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi threw an anger look at the bird. Smoke trailed up in thin wisps from his form.
" You doubt me? You've never met one like me before, let alone heard their names. What makes you think you're their greater? "
He turned away in a huff, tail lashing.
" Nevermind. You are as I thought. Though you're openess was something I didn't predict. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Give me some credit- I've been goin' toe to toe with gods of all kinds, faeries and their lords, demons and their lords, angels, greater celestial beings, primordials, elementals, fae, monsters, beasts- the whole works- for thousands of years now, and often alone. Your almost-concern is touching, but I think I'm inclined to be a little confident in myself at this point." He flashed a half-sheepish, half-smug grin at the cat, and while the gesture likely wasn't seen, it was felt in every word.
"I guess you're welcome for the openness, then. I love being unpredictable." He snickered at a joke he shared with only himself, watching Malemi's body language with a curious gaze.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi could only manage a ill-tempered snort at the raven's words. He turned and faced Charricthran, his pelt prickling with displeasure, He took on a sarcastic tone.
" Oh thank you your highness. Such gifts are few and far between. "
He flexed his claws thoughtfully.
" Regardless of what you think of them, they are at least your equals, so stay clear of them. Especially Orin and Errack. Kei is powerful too, but she can be avoided. "
Malemi thought back to his encounter with her, how suffocating it was, how he almost didn't escape...
He shook his head. He didn't get caught and that's all that matters. He'd never make those same mistakes again.
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
Charricthran snickered again. "You are welcome, oh dubiously-loyal subject of mine." When he was done chuckling, his expression took on a more somber tone. "I did mean it, though. Thanks for the warnin'. I've already got a.. sort-of-gargoyle after me. I'd rather limit the number of attempts on my life for the time being."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He turned a anxious ear to Charricthran.
" What do you mean your being chased? By who? "
Whipping around, his eyes had a worried reflection about them.
" Are they only after you or are they willing to hunt anything? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"I'd tell ya what I call him, except for the fact it's his name and I'd rather not risk the chance of him popping in on our conversation. Don't worry, he's only after me. Unless you get in his way, in which case he'll mow you down with a small hurricane or sommat and then go back ta chasin' me." A wry smile, really more of a grimace, crossed his face at that, and he chuckled softly. "He's a.. 'fun' sort."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
" Well at least he doesn't kill anything that looks his way. "
The reassurance he felt was vastly outweighed by the anxiety that clung to him. He flicked an ear, a strange calm beginning to form. He seemed to like this bird...well maybe not much, but at least he was a good chat partner.
" You aren't bound to this building, are you? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Nope, just me a few times. And I'm bound to a.. 'person' that lives here most of the time. He's outta town at the moment, so he's asked me to guard some stuff in his room and keep an eye on things here. Fine by me, really. The alternative was roaming around Italy for the umpteenth time, and I wouldn't have met half as many interestin' characters had I chosen to do that instead."
The raven winked at Malemi, a curiously human expression given that, well, he wasn't.
Now that the cat had calmed down, Charricthran was finding he wasn't as terribly irritating and boring as he'd feared. It was a rather nice surprise, all things considered.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi blinked at the Raven, his sign of appreciation, and smirked at the feather duster.
" Would you like to hunt tonight? Better than being cooped up here. "
His tail curled up his back and a small bit of humor flickered within him.
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Sorry about the delay between posts- I'm finishing up a formal write-up for a biology lab due.. well, later today by now. I've drunk an entire pot of coffee and I'm fairly certain I can see through the fabric of time itself now XD ))
Charricthran blinked slowly in surprise.
Well. That was unexpected in the most pleasant of ways.
A feral grin bloomed on his face like blood on a white shirt, jagged mouth of too-many-teeth glinting in the faint light.
"Well now, aren't ya just full of surprises? What did you have in mind?"
Color him intrigued.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He couldn't help but smile viciously. He gave the bird a wild look.
" Men, Charricthran. Men."
He leapt onto the window seal and waved his tail at the bird.
" Is that alright? Or are you looking for something smaller? "
( Don't worry about it! If anything, I should be apologizing because I almost never tell people when I go to sleep. umu )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
His grin turned almost Cheshire in quality.
"If you'll remember kit, I said you were tiny. Men are practically microscopic by comparison."
He melted into the shadows below him, rising out of the shadow of the windowsill less than a blink later, grin still in place. "Lead the way, sia thurirl."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
" My pleasure... "
It felt strange hunting next to an ancient, and this ancient for that matter. Why would such a powerful beast be so open and honest? Especially one that can bend the world to his whim? The confusion never ceased with this bird.
He jumped out of the hall and into the night, melding with the shadows with ease. He made his way across the street and into the crowded alleyways. Alleyway lead to alleyway, and soon they found themselves in a strange corner. From there, Malemi darted up the wall and onto the roof. He looked over their surroundings, searching for any person that may be wandering in the night.
He let his other arms out, ready for a chase. His eyes, glowing spheres in the night, found a dark figure stumbling around, seemingly lost in the labyrinthine backstreets of the slums. A smile crossed his face and he turned to his companion.
" How about that one? He seems a little easy, if you don't mind. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited
Wherever Malemi went, Charricthran was directly behind him, a flicker of movement caught in the corner of his eye.
Had he a heart, it would have been singing with the joy of the promise of a hunt. As it was, there was a faint humming somewhere in the cavern of his chest, and he couldn't stop grinning the whole while, energy crackling along his wingtips.
He stayed suspended in the air while Malemi pointed out their potential prey.
"Do I mind? Not at all."
With the quick flash of a smirk, he folded his wings and fell into the shadows between the cobblestones.
When he rose directly from the poor lost soul's shadow, he was in a much different form than before. Three sets of beady eyes peered down at his prey from within a warped version of his original skull as a hot, carrion-filled breeze began to snatch at the man's clothing.
The poor soul glanced first to the left, then to the right, eyes wide with fear. Perhaps he had been nervous to begin with, lost as he looked. Perhaps he feared crooks leaping from the alleyway.
Either way, it didn't matter. When the man turned slowly to glance behind him, it took only the smallest of glances of the creature's visage Charricthran now wore before he let out an ungodly screech and began sprinting away.
Charricthran took a handful of moments to flash a familiar toothy grin at Malemi.
The black ooze dripping from his teeth was less familiar, but that was irrelevant.
He pulled the warped whispers and the hidden screams baked into London's bricks and began to run, feathers and smoke trailing in his wake.
(( I drew my own version of this form, but this is the picture I used for inspiration. It'll have to do until I find my sketchbook again XD
))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
( Pssst! I threw a response at you a little while ago so you know! )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( I responded, but apparently the reply's still pending, so I'm just gonna repost it here and if the other one comes through, I'll just delete it XD ))
Wherever Malemi went, Charricthran was directly behind him, a flicker of movement caught in the corner of his eye.
Had he a heart, it would have been singing with the joy of the promise of a hunt. As it was, there was a faint humming somewhere in the cavern of his chest, and he couldn't stop grinning the whole while, energy crackling along his wingtips.
He stayed suspended in the air while Malemi pointed out their potential prey.
"Do I mind? Not at all."
With the quick flash of a smirk, he folded his wings and fell into the shadows between the cobblestones.
When he rose directly from the poor lost soul's shadow, he was in a much different form than before. Three sets of beady eyes peered down at his prey from within a warped version of his original skull as a hot, carrion-filled breeze began to snatch at the man's clothing.
The poor soul glanced first to the left, then to the right, eyes wide with fear. Perhaps he had been nervous to begin with, lost as he looked. Perhaps he feared crooks leaping from the alleyway.
Either way, it didn't matter. When the man turned slowly to glance behind him, it took only the smallest of glances of the creature's visage Charricthran now wore before he let out an ungodly screech and began sprinting away.
Charricthran took a handful of moments to flash a familiar toothy grin at Malemi.
The black ooze dripping from his teeth was less familiar, but that was irrelevant.
He pulled the warped whispers and the hidden screams baked into London's bricks and began to run after his prey with a hissing chuckle, feathers and smoke trailing in his wake.
(( I think what's throwing disqus off is the link I used to show the inspiration for the drawing I did of this version of Charricthran- I'm currently away from my sketchbook on a choir trip, so I can't show you the exact thing ^^"
That being said, I managed to get the picture to cooperate this time! ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi smiled with delight, leaping down from the roof and giving chase. He speed after the man with a hoarse yowl and lashed out at his legs. The man tripped and fell face first onto the ground. He worked his legs the best he could and kept running, blood flowing from his nose.
Malemi saw this and felt a familiar feeling grew in his chest. He let it spread through out him and he kept his pace, his teeth bared. He pounced onto the back of their prey and took them by their neck. His claws dug into his flesh. With a wild look in his eyes, he threw the man forward, hearing his bones shatter as they made impact with the ground.
He stalked forward, giving the bird a chance to torment their victim.
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
There wasn't really much more to do to the man, but that didn't stop him. Tall creature that he was, he sank into the mans shadow, and despite the many broken bones in his body, the man shuddered violently when Charricthran disappeared.
For a moment, it looked as if nothing would happen.
In an explosion of activity, three things happened in very rapid succession.
First, the man stopped his agonized shifting entirely, opening his mouth as if to cry out in fear.
Secondly, the same black ooze that had been dripping from Charricthran's mouth not a moment before began to trickle from his mouth and eyes, ensuring nothing more than the faint sounds of choking escaped into the night air.
Thirdly, the ghostly apparition of a spidery, knobbly arm shot out of his chest, clutching the shadowy counterpart to his heart. The man began to foam at the mouth in a similar manner to the symptoms of cyanide poisoning, and had he the ability to, he would have been screaming.
The man writhed silently and in considerable pain for the longest three minutes of his life before slumping. He wasn't quite dead, but from the fading look on his face, he likely wished he was.
Charricthran didn't return for some time after that, but his presence was felt- particularly when the man's shadow spread like ink over water and choked the light out of their surroundings, casting everything in a murky glow. The man started whimpering then, soft little sounds choked in the back of his throat before they could pierce the night sky.
Malemi couldn't see the visions dancing behind the man's eyes. It was for the better, frankly.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi watched with great interest and fear as he watched the bird make the man convulse. He was a little glad that he was one the raven's good side, seeing the man go still, his breath faint.
With a shake of his pelt, he strode forward and gave Charricthran a curt nod. Kneeling down, he took the man's throat and gave killing bite. He felt the life drain from his form as the neck bone broke in his jaws.
He sat up and licked his lips clean. He stretched and settled down next to the body, breaking the skin and eating the flesh. His eyes looked up at his hunting partner.
" You don't mind do you? I'm always willing to share. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Oh not at all- I ate his Shade and shadow. I'm set for the next decade or two, provided there ain't any emergencies."
And indeed, if Malemi looked down, the man no longer had a shadow. And in between instances, he was back to being as ordinary a raven as he could be, sigil pulsing almost lazily under a layer of feathers.
An ancient hunger, abated for the moment. A deserved, quiet smugness radiating for a handful of minutes.
"You have my thanks for the best bit of fun I've had in ages. No one's offered the promise of a hunt in quite a bit, I think. Refreshin' to know I can still be a right terrible thing sometimes." He grinned, heedless of the black ichor trailing from his teeth.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
A satisfied purr came up his throat. He couldn't help but smile at the bird.
" Anytime Charricthran, anytime... "
He tore into the body with vigor and ate heartily. The muscles were soft and spongy, a sign of a privileged life, and his offal fairly healthy. His liver wasn't any good, it had a strange red color to it and was dotted with little bumps on its surface.
After swallowing his last bite, he began to wash himself clean. He spoke contently.
" Now that's said and down, I can say tonight wasn't a complete waste. What to do now..."
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
Charricthran shrugged. "I'm your shadow for the evenin', mate. Wherever you go, I'll be on your six. Probably in several other places at the same time, mind, but mostly there."
He'd dispose of the body when the two of them moved on by letting it sink into the shadow he'd left behind. It wouldn't do to alert every fae, daemon, monster, and constable to grisly murderers and hunters.
There was enough attention on him as it was.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi thought for a bit. He would go kill another man but he didn't want to bore his companion. It was strange actually, ever since he had defeated Khoros, he's felt a need to hunt more often. It wasn't like he was hunting every night, but it was happening at least twice a month.
He watched the body sink away with vague interest. Of coarse he wouldn't want the leave any evidence, Charricthran was still being chased. He flicked an ear to the bird
" How about we walk back then? Should give us some time to chat before I head home. "
He threw a teasing look.
" Besides, I can't let you skimp out on the exercise. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
Charricthran cackled with amusement- a loud, raucous cacophony of noise.
"Lead the way, then! Exercise's good. Keeps the blood flowing." There were entirely too many jokes in that sentence, most of which were one he had with himself.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He smiled and trotted forward, leaving the alleyway and walking into the dark, abandoned street. His tail swung side to side and purred amicably.
" So how does one like you get stuck delivering letters? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Not stuck. Just bored. You spend as long as I have alive, sometimes its fun ta set yourself a challenge. Like dealing with the more interesting variety of man. Sometimes, that includes letters."
He coasted along the faint spring breeze, held aloft by warmth and wind alike. It felt nice- much better than the stale, somewhat cold air of the Society.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi paused. He hadn't thought of it that way. He looked up at the raven.
" But don't you dislike men? I can't imagine that they make the job any easier. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"I don't dislike or like the most of em, and that saves me the trouble of gettin' pissed off. Takes a certain kind of interestin' to catch my eye- I like shiny things, as per my form's nature."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He snorted at his statement. He tucked his ears back.
" Men can't be trusted. They feel no kindness, not for others and not for their own. "
His mood lightened when Charricthran's next comment.
" You must get distracted often then. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Oh, ya'd be surprised. Take my latest contract: kills those he finds rude and arranges the bodies like a feast for the coppers ta find- or at least, he used to quite often- but he's practically a kitten for a handful of people. It's sweet, if not the typical definition of kindness."
He cackled again. "I do tend to get distracted a fair bit, but only as much as befits one of my age. Entertainment is fleeting in the eyes of millions, y'know?"
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi swallowed a spark of anger. Even ancients are fooled by men, it seems. He turned away and chose to look at the buildings as they passed them.
He listened to him cackle and couldn't keep from smiling. His tail curl up onto his back. He remained silent for sometime, letting the weight of the statement sink in.
He turned an ear to Charricthran.
" How old are you anyways? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Understanding, o' course, that I existed before my birth into this world, I was born 'round what in mortal years amounts to two thousand, two hundred years before the birth of their so-called Christ. At least I think. Long time ta remember, ya see."
He veered into the wall and flew sideways, as if he were Malemi's own shadow suspended on brick and mortar. It was a curious, but elegant sight.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
" What brought you here, into this world? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Myself, o' course. Ain't any other way to do it." He paused, slipping onto another building, then added, "I guess boredom had its place too. The other little world I had been watchin' burned rather spectacularly some time ago, an' I got tired of watchin it's alternate lines."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi turned to his companion with wide eyes.
" That's...that's awful... "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
Charricthran just kept grinning. "That's what I've been told!"
Honestly, just because he didn't usually outright eat people or cheat em out of their souls didn't make him a decent sort of raven. That was outright. There were many shades between.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
Malemi stared a bit at Charricthran before shaking his pelt. He looked down at his feet.
" Were there others like you? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Not after I ate em."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi began to shrink into his own pelt. He didn't dare bring his eyes to meet the birds. He could feel his fear surface again. He almost forgot this was an ancient. Every beast knows to never grow comfortable around ancients.
His tail lashed around anxiously.
" I see... "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Dontcha worry kid- haven't gotten to the end o' this world yet, I ain't gonna do anythin' major for a while. Ya don't need to act like I'ma eat cha." He snickered again.
Malemi was right to be nervous, but he'd keep his word. The kit was entertaining to be around in more than one way.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
He didn't feel very comforted by the raven's word but he gave a tentative look at the bird. He tried his best to look calmed by his words.
" Thank you, I guess... "
He looked up at Charricthran.
" So you're immortal then? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Oh not at all. I'm just bloody stubborn." He grinned again, amidst the memories of horror and the first very real fear of dying in several millennia.
Claws reaching into the very core of his essence and plucking the strings one by one, the feeling cascading in intensity until all that was left of his sense of self was unbearable agony and the terrifying feeling of softness and vulnerability under a microscope.
Outwardly, he showed no sign of the spikes of terror that seized his heart. He really didn't want to go back to the Society and back to hiding but, well..
Richard needed him. Would need him. He knew that much.
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Malemi looked at Charricthran with passing sympathy. He gave an awkward smile.
" Ah, I see. Well I am immortal. I will live to see this city fall on its knees. Hopefully I'm the one who makes it fall but that's a far off dream for now. "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
"Make no mistake kid, just because I'm immortal doesn't mean I won't outlive ya. Tiny, like I said."
He chuckled. "That bein' said, I have no doubt you can make this city fall with some well-timed strikes. It's just a matter of tha' precisely: time. Lack thereof, even."
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
He blinked and gave astonished look at the bird. Curiosity flicker within him.
" Really? You think so? "
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( My responses to you aren't going through for some reason ^^" I've typed it about 4 different ways now. ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( Oh really? That's odd...Have you refreshed the tab? )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Yeah, multiple times. They're still pending when I look at my profile for recent replies/comments, too. The first one probably got marked as spam because of the way I tried to link a picture, and the second one's similar enough to the first disqus was probably like "sPAM BOT". I'm just gonna let it chill out for maybe another 20-ish minutes and then rewrite the post from scratch if it doesn't pop up XD ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( Ah I see! Disqus is so fickle sometimes... Well, hopefully it ends up working! ;w; I've had my fights with disqus before. It's always frustrating because it breaks at such inconvenient times. )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Yeah ;-; I think I'm just gonna go ahead and rewrite it, so just hold on a tick! ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( Ok! )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( .. I'm sorry to keep changing my mind on you but 2 things:
1) I've been informed the original replies are gonna pop through soon/some point
2) i forgot i've been up for approximately 30-something hours by this point and have homework and another lab to do tomorrow XD So im gonna be a semi-adult for once and tap out for the night and fix things tomrrow when my hands aren't as shaky ^^ ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( It's alright! I'm about to tuck in too. See you tomorrow morning and hopefully Disqus isn't still throwing a fit. Good luck with your lab tomorrow and Good Night! owo )
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Tairais  The Fox • 2 years ago
(( Hey so the response went through, whee! ))
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( Cool! Let me get to it right now!)
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The Fox  Tairais • 2 years ago
( Sent my response In! )
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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago
((I'm sorry. I found this and figured I leave it here...
 Thumbnail
 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5f153aeb7154a79474ea9ab1231ea5b4dc1e445273dedc94709d15cf195146aa.gif?w=600&h=266
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The Fox  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago
( Oh my goodness! <:D That's so cute! This is accurate, absolutely, A+, good job, 10 outta 10 I love this. I'm putting this in my oc folder now. )
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Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
((Tairais Did you want to run that midnight snack scene?))
There was no help for it, the pangs of hunger in her stomach wouldn't let her sleep. Catt got out of bed, and shuffled off to the kitchen to make herself some food.
I really should've had more supper... she thought to herself.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
He'd heard Catt approaching a minute before she actually arrived. Generally speaking, he didn't make a habit of letting this vessel's form be seen. More often than not he was too conspicuous to use, and when that wasn't the case it made him feel... squishy.
He'd spent enough time feeling squishy to last several of his lifetimes, thanks.
As it was, he was fond of Catt. Not to the extent he was fond of Gerard or Richard, per say, but he was less inclined to poke at her shadow than most.
So instead of slipping his cloak of feathers back on, he calmly stirred his tea with its spoon, gazing distantly out the window. He imagined the lighting would be fairly striking, given the luminescence of the moon that night.
(( I have a picture for his human-ish form on my computer at home, but as I'm currently at school it's not with me. Take Sebastian Michealis and Nico DiAngelo, fuse em together, and give him the outfit of the protagonist from Devil May Cry but more steampunk/victorian and feathered, and there you kind of go XD
He looks as mischievous as he is as a bird :P ))
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited
Catt walked into the room, not bothering to turn on the light. She had made it half way across the kitchen before releasing she wasn't alone.
"Oh! Um, h-hello. Sorry, I didn't think anyone would be here this late." Even if she hadn't met this person before, she didn't want to be rude. She hoped being half asleep and painfully hungry wouldn't affect her manners. "You look nice." So much for that. "I-I mean, nice to meet you. I'm Catt. Hi." 
Maybe I should come back later. She pondered, wishing she could fall through the shadows and be out of this awkward predicament.
(( He sounds pretty! Can't wait to see the picture. :D
I didn't know you watched Kuroshitsuji too!
I would expect nothing less!
Also, Catt isn't quite all there in her head as you can probably tell. What with it being the middle of the night.))
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
(( Kuroshitsuji was the first anime I ever watched and to this day remains one of the very few shows I've ever finished completely!
And that's entirely understandable, poor Catt XD ))
"Heya and thanks, kid. Whatcha up to at this time of the night?" Charricthran turned and smiled perhaps the kindest he could, given all his teeth. It was late, and he figured Catt'd be able to recognize him by the sound of his voice.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
((Cool! Did you know they made more "seasons" of the anime based on stories in the manga too?))
The familiar voice and canter with which it spoke snapped the words from her tongue and she scrambled to get them back.
"You're teeth-bird person! Uh, um Charri-tran?" she shook her head, that couldn't be right. Oh heck, she'd called him a teeth-bird. She buried her face in her hands to cover the pink highlights that crept down over her face. "I'm sorry."
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
(( Yeah! Book of Circus and Book of Murder, right? Still.. need to watch those. I might actually start that tonight while I'm doing math homework XD ))
"Charricthran, kiddo. Dontcha worry, it's late. You humans are funny about functionin' sometimes." He took a sip of his tea and leaned against the counter behind him. "Need me to help you find anything so ya don't.. I dunno, knock a frying pan over your own head or somethin'?"
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
(( Yeah those! It's been a while since I watched them, but I remember them being fairly good for anime. I kinda like the tactile nature of manga better though. ^^; ))
She brought her hands down, refocusing on why she was in the kitchen in the middle of the night.
"Charricthran, right. Sorry. And yeah, I was planning on making myself a sandwich." Her stomach grumbled. "Though, that tea is smelling nice too now. What did you make?"
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"It's somma Richard's spiced stuff, hell if I know what it's called. Warms the stomach and takes the edge off hunger. I'll put the kettle back on an' you can work on your sandwich."
Given that kettle still had water in it, all Charricthran had to do was rekindle the fire with a snap of his fingers and set it on the burner. The whole process took less than a handful of seconds before he returned to sipping at his tea.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Oh, thank you!" Catt marveled briefly at the magical stove lighting, but didn't want to be thought rude for goping. She quickly, and quietly as possible went about the kitchen grabbing tools and ingredients for her sandwich.
Despite the advanced nature of the technology in the Society, they still were lacking a pop-up toaster, so she made do with bread.
"So," she started, feeling self concious in the silence of the darkened kitchen. "You came down here 'cuz you were hungry? I can make you a snack too if you'd like."
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Thirsty and cold more than anythin', and tea solves both those problems. Don't really need to eat unless I feel like I'm about ta die." He paused before snickering and adding, "And if that's the case, a sandwich isn't gonna do much." Behind him, he could hear the kettle bubbling softly as it made its way to boiling again.
Focusing on the sound too long made him think and worry about Richard, so he turned his mind to the sounds of a nearby bar, carried to his ears on a faint breeze and supernatural hearing.
He hoped the damn fool wasn't getting into any more trouble than was necessary. He knew that he was, though.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
In the silver shine of moonlight Catt could see her feather-clad companion's far off gaze and wondered if something was troubling him. Then she remembered.
Their mutual friend Richard was still off somewhere, fighting and searching for something.
"Any word from him?" She asked, packing up the used components of her midnight snack.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
His eyes snapped to hers in the closest approximation of startling he could give. After a moment, he sighed heavily. "Nothin'. He's gone colder than a Russian winter. I know he's alive because his sigil's still on my body, but other than that, I've got nothin, not even a trace of irritation or sadness."
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Oh." She said, concern making her head dip on the axil of her neck. It wasn't comforting news, but at least they knew he was still alive. Not that she knew what they would do if her weren't. She wanted to change the subject.
"S-so you can sense his emotions through the sigil, or something?"
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
He nodded. "To an extent. Can't read his mind unless he willingly wants me to or I spend a considerable amount of energy trying to, but I can get a general sense of his mood and location. Nifty feature, really."
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"I'll say. It's like a long range mood ring!" Catt smiled at him. "You're full of hidden talents, ain't cha?"
On the stove, the kettle had reached a full boil once again.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"You bet! Its what I'm known for!" He smirked and let the kettle simmer for a bit longer before taking it off the burner and pouring Catt a mug of tea. When it was done steeping, he moved it closer to her.
"Don't try to hold it just yet, it's still really hot."
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Okay, thank you. Usually I'm the one making tea for people, so I really appreciate it." She picked up her now completed sandwich and took a bite. The moonlight shimmered on the edges of his coat's feathers, and she smiled. Moonlight made everything extra pretty.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Not at all a problem- It's pretty relaxing, honestly." He flashed another grin before finishing his own mug of tea. Setting it aside, he sat in silence for a few moments before moving his fingers in a manner that resembled someone twirling a pen between them. Instead of twirling a pen, however, he flipped little tendrils of crystalline shadow across his fingers, absentmindedly watching the darkness stain his skin like ink more and more as time went on.
Had he been privy to Catt's internal observation, he'd agree.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
She watched the shadows spin around his fingers while she ate.
"Your feathers are amazing." She said between bites, sleep dragging out her words. "None of the others I have even come close."
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Aw, thanks, kid- I'm a one of a kind bird!" He chuckled, shaking feathers from his hands. He watched them fall and tapped them with his fingers, freezing them in a semi-solidified form.
"Take one of em if ya want. Consider it a gift, kit-Catt. Don't think I didn't see ya looking at my coat" He winked, then snickered at the nickname. Small-cat. Kit-cat. It worked.
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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago
"R-really?" Catt blushed at the gift, as well as the name. "Thank you. I'll be sure to keep it safe! And, sorry about the staring."
She picked up one of the shadowy feathers and turned it over in the light.
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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago
"Really. Don'tcha worry about the starin- every bird with an ounce of respect preens under attention, it's in our nature!"
The feather in and of itself was like gossamer one had to focus on to hold correctly. It was jet black, much like the bird cloaked in them, and alternated from being nigh on transparent to an opacity so dark, it was like holding the absence of everything in a singularity.
It sparkled and shone like glitter trapped in gasoline, and weighed as much as a pencil. Focusing on it, it almost seemed to reach out to Catt, whispering faintly.
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