The Thief In The Middle of the Night-time

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In the Middle Roleplay Sanderson Atlas
The Thief In The Middle of the Night-time
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Dr. H. Griffin
Dr. H. Griffin 
@DrHGriffin 2 years ago
London had been sleeping silently as Sanderson Atlas watched the last of the lights went out within the Society of Arcane Sciences. He had been watching the place over the last two hours, scanning each entrance and exit, formulating entering and escape routes. On top of the roof of a nearby building, Atlas saw the last light, an Alabaster window, dimming slowly.
Time to move in.
Climbing down one of the drains, Atlas advanced on the Society, dodging the carriages and passersby. Slipping into the left alley on the side of the building, Atlas saw a small service door on the brick wall. A few crates and boxes were outside, it must've been a kitchen door of some kind.
Bingo.
The lock was fairly basic, a simple pin tumbler lock, nothing that a simple crowbar couldn't fix. Jamming it in the door, Atlas looked at the parallel ends of the alley. Nobody there. With a strong yank, the door cracked open, with surprisingly less noise than expected.
For scientists, they're not that secure.
Atlas entered, switching on his homemade electric torch, and shut the door behind him. He quickly made his way through the kitchen, wading through the stoves and ovens, reaching the door on the other side. This one wasn't locked, thankfully. Atlas opened it, slowly, and checked to see where it led. Atlas saw that it was the Main Hall, with all of the scientist's bric-a-brac and curios. Hearing a loud clattering in the distance, Atlas silently shut the door, latching it. Sighing, Atlas took the revolver from his satchel.
Can't be too careful.
Before he could reopen the door, he heard footsteps. Not panicking but not calm, Atlas turned his torch off and dived for the nearest cupboard, and quickly but quietly shut it, just as the kitchen door opened. Atlas restricted his breathing, which was quite hard under his mask.
It's two in the morning. Who would be coming in the kitchen at this time at night?
((ENTER!))
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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Oho! I see what you did there! And I like it.))
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Dr. H. Griffin  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((What did I do?))
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Jekyll1886  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
((You made a reference to Sanderson Reed, from the League movie. I like it!))
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Dr. H. Griffin  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago
((Did I? I read the name Sanderson a few days ago, didn't know that there was a person called Sanderson Reed in that movie. Coincidence, I guess.))
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Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Kito opened the door and went to get his usual meal, he didn't like eating the food prepared by the cooks since it was far to rich for him. It made him sick, so he walked in and stopped sniffing the air. He smelled something off, but the spices were messing with his sense of smell. He sneezed his mouth of his mask glowing and opening before shutting. He grabbed his usual bread and apple and turned to leave when he smelled that scent again. Where was it coming from?!
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, peering through the cupboard keyhole, saw a strangely dressed boy with a mask in the kitchen. Well, that would explain it.
The boy in the mask sniffed strangely, as if he was acting like a bloodhound picking up a scent of a fox. Atlas cocked the pistol slowly. 
Hopefully I won't have to use it.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
(What is up with Kito getting shot or in situations where he could be shot? I swear he's a magnet for bullets)
Kito started sniffing around bending down and going near the door, the scent was hard to pick up, the spices where almost overwhelming.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, not realising that the cupboard he was in was filled with organic spices and herbs of increasing variety, stifled a sneeze. The force of it shuddered him, and one of the herbs knocked a jar off a rickety shelf, and it smashed to the floor. 
Oh, for f...
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito turned to the cabinet and drawing his knife ran over to it and he opened it quickly and grabbing the thief and threw him out of the cabinet.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas fell to the floor, but without even breaking stride, pointed his revolver at the boy in the mask, and placed a finger to his lips.
"Shh." he mouthed.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito eyed him and the gun. Kito held his knife loosely in his hand as if thinking. He then ducked behind the island in the kitchen and let out an ear piercing howl.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas put his hands to his ears, trying to block out the howl.
Who on earth make's that sort of noise?
Confident that the boy was no serious threat, Atlas dived to the kitchen door, and bolted through it.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito then changed in to his wolf form and darted after him pursueing him.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, having just sprinted halfway across the hall, heard a crunch of wood and a pattering of four feet. Looking behind him, he could make out the silhouette of some sort of gigantic wolf.
What on earth?
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito kept up pursuing him.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Knowing that whatever was chasing him was going to kill him, Atlas raised his pistol and squeezed the trigger at the wolf. However, Atlas was too preoccupied with trying to shoot the wolf and so failed to notice that he was running straight into an aquatic case. 
Realising his mistake, Atlas turned his head, and hit straight into the tank. Atlas fell to the floor, not unconscious but merely stunned.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito was able to dodge the bullet as he had to stop and maneuver through the obstacles of the main hall. (Main hall not six foot tall wolf friendly) He caught up with the man.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas touched his forehead, and realised that he was bleeding. A cut most likely.
"Ow..." Atlas groaned, and failed to notice the wolf pouncing toward him.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito made his way toward him and got to the fish tank where the man was.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
At last, Atlas noticed the wolf. Springing up as fast as he could, Atlas pointed the revolver straight at the wolf. He had never seen anything like it. It wasn't a normal wolf. 
"Wha- Who- What are you?" was all he could manage to mumble out.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito headbutted him in the chest.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
The revolver flung itself from his hand, and Atlas flew backwards into the same aquatic tank. Crumpling to the floor, Atlas could taste blood in his mouth. 
Looks like these scientists have a guard dog.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito took the gun in his teeth and ran off with it, he was going to dispose of it.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
"You bloody..." Atlas managed to speak. He got to his feet, but stumbled and fell down on the floor. Reaching into his satchel, he reached out for his second revolver, a tiny little thing, and hid it in his sleeve. He waited.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito then walked back this time in human form, he was careful and kept low to the ground and in the shadows.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas wandered round, fascinated with the objects presented in the Hall, but also alert.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito snuck around him quietly trying to think of a plan.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Hearing something in the dark, Atlas turned, and raised his pistol-arm slightly.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito froze watching him carefully. He watches him through some exhibits.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, realising that the wolf must've been seeing him, ducked behind one of the cages, and began crawling through the exhibits.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito smiled seeing what he needed to do and blocked his path by knocking over a pedestal it blocking the path he was taking.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas was startled by the fallen pedestal, and decided to double back, going through a narrow gap of a vivarium and a thick-bar cage.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito followed taking a short cut, he was going to head him off. He slipped through a path to intercept his path.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, sensing danger, slipped his revolver from his sleeve into his hand, and pointed it straight at the other end of the narrow gap.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito had his knife in his hand as he slowly crept forward listening carefully.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas pulled the lever back, slowly, as it clicked into place. Shh.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito heard the click and froze ear turning, he had another one. He almost cursed himself, he'd have to strike from behind. He found a path around him and began to slowly take it, moving with utmost care, not to make a sound, his hunting instincts taking over. He watched his prey and the path he took carefully.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Hearing the faintest of footsteps on the carpet, Atlas knew that the click must've alerted them. Damn it.
Atlas crawled forward, and turned his head from side to side. No one in sight. Good. Atlas pointed the gun at the other end of the gap, and waited for the moment.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito watched his opponent and kept going down his path adjusting whenever he needed to when Atlas moved.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
After a brief interval, Atlas noticed a small caretaker cupboard only a few meters away. It was dark, but he could see that it would be perfect to kill anything that had tried to get inside. Plus, he'd be able to dispose of the body in there too. Heh, I surprise myself.
Without a sound, Atlas got to his feet, clutching his aching head, and slid across the hall to the cupboard, where he slammed the door shut, purposefully loud.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito had crawled behind him and almost chuckled, What an idiot, he thought as he turned in to his wolf form and crouched low in the shadows. He didn't make a sound or move and closed his eyes and listened.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas straightened himself, taking stand behind a small shelf, acting as a barricade and/or shield. He checked his ammunition, just one bullet missing. No matter. One shot is all I need. 
Atlas shuffled tentatively. Bring it on, beast.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito decided to lure his prey out, he crept away from the main line of range and decided to cause a diversion. He ran to the left and knocking various displays over as he did so. 
(A can see Dr. Henry Jekyll cringing)
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas waited still. The cupboard was relatively large, surprisingly. It, however, was filled with various equipment. Brooms, mops, buckets, taps, light bulbs, dusters, brushes, rakes, ladders, screwdrivers, wrenches, spanners, and even hoes. Do they take up farming?
After about a minute of waiting, Atlas became bored. He went over to the door, and only opened it a crack, and retreated back to his position by the shelf. 
"Now, whatever you are, can we get this over and done with?" Atlas called. "This isn't cat and mouse, you know. I've got a schedule to keep up too. Need to burgle the library down the road."
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito let out a bark that seemed to be his laugh, when he suddenly pounced on the doors pinning them shut with his weight.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas was startled - who wouldn't be - but remained where he was. The door jerked, and the hinges creaked. From what he could see, Atlas knew that the door would fall and the wolf would eat him.
Nope.
Atlas pointed the revolver, straight at the center of the cupboard door, and squeezed the trigger. The shot resonated loudly in the cupboard, deafening his ears, ringing all around him. Regaining his strength, he saw a large splintery hole in the middle of the door.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito cried out as it went through his side and he snarled as he glared, he was done with these games, now. He then began pushing the cupboard ratting the various thing inside.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, seeing the door jerk again, attempted to fire another shot. Click. 
"What?" he said aloud. The revolver had somehow jammed. He fiddled with it hopelessly, pulling the level up and down, like a feeble child playing with a toy. Atlas had no idea how to remedy it. One of the door's hinges were now on the floor.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito stopped this and then turned in to his human form and opened the door, knife in hand now as he glared at Atlas. "Give me two reasons why I should kill you?" He asked voice devoid of all emotion.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, desperate, yanked one of the mops from a pile of tools. Despite the frankly ridiculous look of it, Atlas swung it offensively, as if it was some sort of spear.
"Try it, boy." Atlas taunted.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito grabbed the mop and used it to pull him out with great strength.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas flew out of the cupboard, landing on his back, rolling on the carpet, before coming to stop. Right, guess I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.
From his battered satchel, Atlas took out a small tinted bottle. He began unscrewing it.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito jumped back at the sight of the bottle now hiding behind an exhibit.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas threw the cork away, he wouldn't need it. Any attempt at an attack would result in a face full of chloroform. And then... nighty night.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito sneezed, the smell from the bottle was strong, he need one of the lodgers. That's when he had an idea, why not kill two birds with one stone?
He let another ear piercing howl.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, hearing it again, pressed his hands to his ears.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito howled again hoping someone would come.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
"WILL YOU SHUT THAT HOWLING UP?!" yelled Atlas, pressing his hands hard on his ears. "EVERYONE'LL BE ASLEEP BY NOW!"
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito howled again and sighed internally, no one's coming. He'd have to get rid of him himself or bide his time in till five am when the kitchen staff would first get up.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas ran frantically across the Hall, prancing up the main staircase. If he couldn't stop the werewolf, perhaps he could at least evade it. Atlas waded through the corridors, finding a small office to hide in. 
Atlas noticed that the office was filled with tiny bottles, which were filled with varying liquids. Chemicals. What he came for. Without even checking which one was which, Atlas opened his satchel, and began pouring the small vials into it.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito growled following him smiling, perfect. Kito stood on the door way in human form. "Cornered," he said grabbing a sharp weapon and throwing it at Atlas aiming for his shoulder.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas yanked his satchel quickly upwards, the weapon ((a knife?)) piercing through it, and shattering some of the vials. After a split second, the satchel caught fire.
"Ach!" Atlas yelled, throwing it directly at Kito.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito dodged slipping out of the way.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Having an idea, Atlas quickly grabbed an empty vial, and two other containers, and poured their liquids into it. Shaking it madly with a cork placed, Atlas held it up, hoping for some sort of reaction to happen. Sure enough, the vial soon felt incredibly hot; and Atlas turned back to the boy. 
"Don't bite off more than you can chew, boy." Atlas remarked, and tossed it casually toward the boy's feet, landing with a small clink.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito jumped to the side as an explosion happened and he cried out as the liquid burned him. But he glared Atlas as he turned in to his wolf form and charged at him mouth open and jumped class extended.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
For once, Atlas had no plan. But then, realising that the shelves weren't tied down, Atlas dodged the wolf's attacks, and began tipping the shelves in the monster's direction. Reaction or compression.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito ran away, although slowed he'd managed to escape Atlas' attempts. Snarling he ran at him this time.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas darted across, climbing one of the nailed down shelves, spilling some of the chemical vials onto the floor, unintentionally creating a makeshift moat around the shelf. 
"Can't we just call it quits?" Atlas asked. "This isn't even a fair fight!"
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito snarled in response, as is saying: no way in hell. However the chemicals were concerning.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas kept on climbing, and when reaching the top, he could see the door frame just in sight. Yanking his satchel upwards, Atlas noticed the chloroform bottle, still full to the brim. Eyeing the wolf, Atlas grabbed the bottle and threw it directly at the wolf's face.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito dodged it quickly the bottle splattering where he was as he ran to the door turning in to human form as soon as he was near and covering his mask where his nose would be.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas, cursing at the evasion, decided that there was only one course of action left. 
"Right!"
He jumped down from the shelf, and waltzed over to Kito, rolling up his sleeves and cricking his fingers. 
"Look's like we'll have to do this the old fashioned way!"
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito that gave him a look that said really? 
He then punched him jaw with all his strength, which was a lot considering he could easily left his friend's animal form of a fellow high wolf.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas fell back, and collapsed to the floor with a thud, unconscious.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito huffed as he picked up the man and carried him out of the room and was going to place him outside.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Atlas woke up about halfway, after his head was repeatedly knocked on the stone stairs. 
"Urgh... What're ya..." Atlas groaned. "What're ya doin'...?"
His satchel was irritatingly caught in his shoulder.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito had him on his back as if he was giving him a piggy back ride. "Taking out the trash," He simply stated.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
"You fu... ur... king..." Atlas slurred, weakly attempting to wriggle free. "I'll... k-... kill... ya..."
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Yeah right," Kito said, "You're lucky I don't kill you."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
"Then... why don't ya?" Atlas mumbled, his jaw locking back into place, his vision no longer blurred.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito didn't anwser, why wasn't he killing him? Ripping him to shreds like he would of done normally.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago • edited
All the while, Atlas was readying himself. Wolves had very good hearing, but what if they were hit in the ears? 
Atlas yanked himself up, and hit Kito's ears as hard as he could.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito's ear although it appeared solid and unmoving glowed and seemed to bend forward as if it became like a real animal ear. Kito slammed Atlas in to the wall as hard as he could.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
Once again, Atlas became unconscious. His satchel thrown far across the hall.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Kito sighed as he carried him the rest of the way and opening the door he exited the society building and set Atlas down well enough away and ran back.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago
After about ten minutes, Atlas woke up, his head beaten, his arms shattered, his legs knackered and his fingers tired. After another ten minutes of trying to stand up, Atlas noticed his satchel was by his side, and a note:
Don't try it again.
It was just reaching midnight, the chimes of Big Ben rattling off in the distance, and Sanderson Atlas sat on the Society steps, smoking a cigarette as he waited for a cab.
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Miss-Dreamerkat  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
End on my part
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Tairais • 2 years ago
(( Hope you like birds. ))
With a sound almost like the rustling of a cape, a lithe figure crept into the kitchen, muttering words in something decidedly outside the realm of human language, syllables falling like splatters of blood and oil.
Of course, the tone of his voice was something universally recognized: it was the sound of disgruntled cursing.
With a sigh, the figure stepped forward into a patch of moonlight, illuminating tan skin, black, feather-like hair, and eyes that glittered like garnets.
Those same eyes roved across the room, seeming to notice nothing amiss as he continued looking for... something.
That something ended up being a cup of tea. Once it was brewed to his standards, the man declined against the counter, back turned away from the cupboards as he stood in contemplative silence.
Silence that was soon enough broken with a croaking Brooklyn accent.
"You can come out, ya know. Not my house, not my problem if there's a guy sneaking about."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
Atlas was, at first, utterly confused. Not by the fact that the man didn't live there, but the fact that he had an American accent. Why would an American be here?
Nevertheless, Atlas didn't dare make a sound. He didn't know how the man knew that he was in the kitchen, but perhaps he didn't know where in the kitchen he was.
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Though his back was still turned to the cupboard, the man tapped his ear with a finger that ended in an almost talon-like nail.
"I can hear your heartbeat, my friend. I can't imagine a tiny cupboard fulla spices is comfy, so if you'd like to step out, I can cheerfully pretend you don't exist. Or we can ask each other questions- that's always fun too."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Either way, I'll be outta your hair in a few minutes. Can't have any more people seeing me out and about- they'll think I'm slacking!" He chuckled as if making an inside joke with himself, trailing off with a sip of tea.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
The hell is this person?
Atlas readied his revolver, then suddenly remembered something. Reaching into his satchel, he took out a small tinted bottle and a napkin. 
Hopefully whoever this person is won't put too much of a fight.
With that, Atlas turned the handle in the cupboard, went out, and immediately pointed the revolver at the man.
"Hit the deck, sir." Atlas ordered.
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
The man turned around slowly, a too-wide grin with too many teeth plastered on his face. Red eyes gleamed with a dark sort of amusement.
"You'd be an absolutely rubbish thief if you shot a gun during a heist. Trust me, I of all 'people' should know."
He sat on the ground regardless, effectively blocking himself from view as there was currently a countertop between them.
"Now watch as I make the great Charricthran.. disappear!"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
Atlas was almost completely confused by the man. Charricthran?
He stooped over the counter top.
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
The man was no longer there. Where he had once crouched, a handful of jet-black feathers remained.
After a moment a snicker filtered through the air, almost as unpleasant-sounding as the man's earlier cursing.
After that there was the sort of silence that lingered like an unfriendly glare. The man's cup of tea sat abandoned in the moonlight.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
Atlas was, at first, completely shaken. How on earth could a man disappear?
He picked up the crow-black feathers, which virtually disintegrated in his hand.
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Charricthran poked his head out of the mans shadow, chuckling quietly.
He could've (and probably should have) left the man alone, but he was rather bored. Besides, he was fairly certain the man wasn't supposed to be in the building.
He slipped back into the darkness below him, leaving behind nothing but a voice that crept up the other man's spine like a trailing finger.
"I'd love to chat with you face-to-face, but even I would encounter a small bit of difficulty if I got shot. Sssso, if it's all the same to you, I'm just going to stay here. Relatively here, that is."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Where are you?" Atlas spoke quietly. "Show yourself? Or are you a coward?"
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Currently, everywhere and nowhere. It's a very funny feeling."
He chuckled again, and somewhere in the room there was a flash of white as jagged teeth surfaced from too-dark shadows, drawing the eye.
The next time he spoke, his voice seemed to come from the nearby stove. "Is it cowardice to know I will be met by bullet or chloroform should I step into the light, and take measures accordingly? Hardly. But if you're really want to see me, you only havta ask one more time."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Alright, fine. I'm game." Atlas replied, cocking his gun once more. "Where are you?"
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago • edited
There was a rustle of feathers from the direction of the stove, then silence.
"Right here, right here, can't you see?"
A raven with a too-wide grin full of too many teeth and a voice full of tar and blood smiled from his perch on the man's shoulder, weighing less than nothing. It's eyes glittered with alien amusement and almost.. hunger.
Almost.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
Atlas was taken aback. The windows were closed, no raven could get in. Magic, sorcery?
He shot at it.
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
The bullet passed through him and the raven quite literally melted back into the shadows, cackling the whole way.
"Well aren't you just the entertaining sort! I've done nothin' but offer polite conversation and you choose to do that. Someone might hear!"
Like paint coalescing and peeling away, Charricthran slid out of the shadows on the wall, inky darkness rolling off his feathers and landing with a soft splash onto the floor.
He hadn't stopped grinning the whole while, speaking without moving his mouth (beak?).
"You may wish to leave before someone more rude than you or less polite than I come to say hello. There's quite a few of those sorts here, 'tween you and me."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
"I think I'll take my chances." Atlas replied back, shifting uncomfortably. "Most burglars do."
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
The raven's grin widened.
"As you wish, then, as you wish." The bird gave a half-hearted sort of shrug before his outline began to blur, limbs and feathers dripping and stretching and warping into place. A faint whisper seemed to emanate from the walls, dancing somewhere between a laugh and a snarl.
After a few moments, the man from before sat on the counter where the bird had been, a pool of liquid darkness at his feet, quickly melting back into the shadows.
The man chuckled as he pulled a few lingering feathers from the surface of his skin and cast them to the floor, heedless of the black ichor that trailed in their wake.
"Though I'll stick by my earlier assessment of an absolutely rubbish thief if it's all the same to you." His sentence trailed off into a fit of coughing that more fitted a heavy smoker than what seemed to be a relatively healthy young man.
When it was done, he flashed a wry, toothy smile again and threw a small object to the ground, where it clattered with a soft 'ping!'
It was the thief's stray bullet, perfectly intact.
"You can have that back, by the way."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
Atlas stared down at the bullet, the shining and bloodless bullet. Eyeing the strange man, Atlas knew that whoever he was, whatever he was, this man was not to be trifled with. 
"Are you going to stop me from taking anything?" Atlas asked, hoping for a positive answer. "Or kill me?"
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
The man-that-was-also-a-bird laughed and shook his head.
"Like I was tryin' to tell you. Not my house, not my problem."
He made a sort of motion with his hands and the tea that he'd neglected while darting about reappeared in his hands with a puff of the same almost-feathers he'd left behind previously. He took a sip before adding "You're a funny sort of mortal. What's your name, kid?"
With any luck he could weave a thread of debt around or sew a deal around this one. He seemed interesting and more than willing to do the sort of work he couldn't manage while confined to this... place.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Like I'd tell you." Atlas retorted, keeping his gun tightly in his hand. Atlas thought of a name, someone he met a few weeks ago in a bar. A nice blonde fellow. Shared interests. "Edward Hyde, if you are desperate to know."
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Tairais  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Charricthran snorted. "Nice try. Met the bloke from afar ages ago, and you ain't him, that much I know. Suppose it was too much to ask politeness of a burglar, though really, I'm not surprised."
He shrugged and took a sip of a tea again, glancing at the gun and narrowing his eyes. "I sincerely hope you aren't planning on using that again. That would be unfortunate for both of us."
The 'mostly you' went unspoken, even as it hung in the air like smoke. It wouldn't do to be ru- damnit, Richard was rubbing off on him.
Still.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Tairais • 2 years ago
"Fine." Atlas replied, calmly. "Sanderson Atlas. Thief. I was hired by one of this Society's competitors. Steal some chemicals or something. And, from what I've seen, you can't exactly leave this place, can you?"
Atlas folded his arms.
"I mean, you could've moved me from here to a volcano or the deepest ocean with the sort of magic that you have, but you didn't. At first, I thought that you were simply toying with me. But then I realised, obviously, that you can't leave this place. You're confined here. You're a prisoner here, aren't you?"
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Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
((Probably Gemma as she lives there...))
Gemma stumbled sleepily into the kitchen. She'd fell asleep reading in the library by accident, and was eager to fall asleep. She walked over by the far wall and fumbled with the handle on the cupboard in which they slept. The door handle caught. Stuck? "What in the world? Why won't it open? Stupid cupboard." She kicked it, only to hurt her own foot. "OUCH!" she shouted, hopping around the kitchen in pain. "Stupid Gemma, stupid Gemma!"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Since the door opened inward, as soon as Gemma kicked the door, it went straight into Atlas' nose. 
"Ow, bloody hell!" Atlas quietly yelled.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Huh? Wazzat? Oh..." Gemma trailed of in false realization. "Its one of the midnight snackers! Whoever you are, there no need to hide, there is enough food here."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Panicked, Atlas stepped out, stuffing his revolver in his satchel. 
"Oh, sorry." Atlas replied, giving a weak smile. With a free hand, he reached for the chloroform bottle, without her noticing. "I can't help it, sometimes."
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Oh its quite alright. I've never seen you before, are you new here?" Gemma asked, reaching into a cupboard and grabbing a muffin. "I'm Gemma." She tossed it to him. "Its blueberry," she explained, offering the strange man a smile.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
He catched it without breaking eye contact. "Oh, thank you."
Atlas quickly remembered an alias he used in the past. 
"Edwin Chudleigh." Atlas lied, having a split-second to think of a profession. He made one up. "Transcendental audiomotry." Nailed it.
Atlas didn't like blueberries, but ate the muffin as a sign of "good faith".
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Nice to meet you Edwin! I hope you have a nice stay. You're a lodger correct?"
((Far as I can tell its seeing if spirits can hear things... Solid Profession Mr. Chudleigh.))
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
"A wh- Oh, yes. Yep. Lodger. Me. Mm hm." Atlas replied.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Nice to know!" Gemma grinned, "What's your favorite food Mr. New Lodger?"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
"Er... I don't really have a preference." Atlas replied, . "I like toast, I guess."
He took out the chloroform bottle from his satchel, and laid it on the table top. Atlas thought that she wouldn't suspect.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Toast is good! Anything in particular you like to put on it?" Gemma said, she figured the bottle was some sort of drink or something.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
"Er... raspberry jam, I guess? I don't really have a preference." Atlas replied, unscrewing the cork, and waited for her to turn.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"I think I might have some!" she smiled, "We can get you a snack and you can go back to sleep! Me too for that matter..." she turned a began rummaging through drawers. "I fell asleep reading by accident." She laughed a bit.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Atlas laughed with her, and quickly reached into his pocket and took out a handkerchief. Placing it firmly on the bottle-top, and tipping the chloroform over, Atlas quietly stepped toward her. 
"Talking of accidents, you wouldn't happen to know where the chemical store is? I was performing an experiment and I need a few more... er... chemicals."
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"You aren't a chemist are you?" Gemma said, suddenly changing moods to an angrier sort, "Chemists keep messing with the flour, I guess its soooo easy for them, as the store rooms just a few doors to the left, but I don't care! They're could poison everyone here by accident!" Gemma was rambling, but it was late, what could she say?
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
"Not a chemist, I work with sound." Atlas lied. He was only one meter away from her. He raised the cloth slowly.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Good. Don't want anything lethal to happen today, night, whatever it is by now," Gemma pulled a jar from the drawer, "I found the jam! Or was it jelly?"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Atlas was right behind her. 
"Jam." Atlas whispered in her ear, and before she could turn around, he quickly placed the cloth over her mouth.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"Nice to kn......." Gemma trailed off. "Hey watcha... doin... M' gettin' sleepy..."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Atlas kept the cloth on her mouth. 
"It's alright... It's alright now..." Atlas replied soothingly, slightly eerily.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"That's good... " Gemma stifled a yawn, "Soft fabric... Where.. you..." Her eyelids were oddly heavy, "Buy it..."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
She should be out cold by now... Maybe I didn't use enough...
Atlas placed the bottle quickly over the cloth.
"Covent Garden. Shh..."
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
"S' nice..." Gemma wasn't quite thinking straight. "Imma take a nap now..." Her words ran together. "G'night..." With that her eyes closed and she went limp, falling backwards.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago
Atlas let her down, placing the bottle and cloth back on the table. He had never met anyone quite so strange before. Gathering his things, Atlas prepared to go out of the door. Turning back to Gemma, Atlas realised he left his handkerchief behind. 
Atlas yanked it off the table, and suddenly was about to sneeze. He placed the handkerchief on his mouth, but then suddenly felt very sleepy. 
"Oh, no..." Atlas mumbled, before collapsing to the floor.
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Background Scientist #37  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
((Well that wasn't what I was expecting to happen... XD 
I don't quite know where to go so I'm just wrting down her dream. *shrugs*))
Gemma was falling. Her limbs spun. She'd fell from the clock-tower, pushed. Looking up she spotted the assailant, but was not able to make out his features.
"DIRTY LITTLE SNEAK THIEF! YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GOT!" they yelled, out of her sight.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO! I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" Screaming, falling, a whirlwind of blue. She recognized this situation, it had happened before she came to the society, after her brother died. When she was scrambling to survive. But this hadn't happen, she had escaped, hadn't she? Hadn't she?
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Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago
Alicia walked into the kitchen. She couldn't sleep (again) and decided to make donuts for everyone. Hopefully, this time, they wouldn't be stolen by greedy fingers. She started baking, trying to be quiet and failing to do so.
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Dr. H. Griffin  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago
Atlas peered through the cupboard door, noticing a woman at the oven, baking. 
Who on earth would be making doughnuts at this hour?
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Alicia Ghast  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
Alicia would. She looked around for the sugar. Where is it?! She opened a cupboard and- "Ohmygoodness!" She yelped, startled by the man in the cupboard. "You scared me! Why are you hiding in cupboard?!"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago
Atlas, often panicked when confronted with the worst, tried to settle the situation.
"Oh, I'm looking for... er..." Atlas quickly looked at the contents of the cupboard. Spices. Great. "Rosemary."
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Alicia Ghast  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
She raised an eyebrow. "Why are you in the cupboard?"
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Dr. H. Griffin  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago
"Well... well... it's um... quite spacious..."
It clearly wasn't.
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Alicia Ghast  Dr. H. Griffin • 2 years ago
She crossed her arms. "I haven't seen you around here before..."
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Dr. H. Griffin  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago
"Oh, yeah, yeah... I'm... er... I'm new." Atlas lied. "Probably explains this... Heh."
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