Research

Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie had secured
a private laboratory for Lewis and himself to work in. It had been a hassle to
actually find an available room, but being owner of the Society gave Hastie
some privileges he liked to put to use now and then. Hastie had been
halfheartedly reading a book on transcendal metaphysics, trying to understand
Lewis' field of study. He was more interested what the man in question was
doing at this very moment, however, and soon the book lay forgotten in his
lap.*
So talk me through this, doctor. You lived in another dimension where
things went awry, were told that there were other dimensions than your own,
sauntered into this one, and now plan on neutralising the threat that would
otherwise kill our most beloved member of the Society: me. Am I wrong?
Jekyll1886:  Lewis began to heat
a vial of slurry-like red phosphorus. The process required great
care, but it was old hat to him by now, so he was able to answer
Hastie without jeopardizing their safety.
"No, you're completely right, Hast--doctor. That's a perfectly accurate
summation. Did you want any further details?" he asked.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Yes, actually, I
would. *Hastie shifted in his chair, and now leaned slightly forward towards
Lewis.*
Who told you about this? About me? What are things like where you come from?
Jekyll1886:  "Well, it's
rather a funny story, actually. There I was, asleep in my flat in my home
dimension, doing a bit of light astral traveling. I suppose I ought to explain
that first. When I sleep, if I'm not lucid dreaming, I sometimes
unintentionally wander out of my body. I often don't realize it until I try to
do something physical, and can't--attempting open a cupboard, for example, and
having my fingers pass clear through the handle. Once I become aware I'm on the
astral or spiritual plane, I'll either go back to my body and wake up, or
simply muck about and explore my environs. In such a state, the laws of the
physical world seem not to apply. I might not be able to open a door, for
instance, but that also means there's nothing to keep me from floating right
through it. Does all this make sense so far?" he asked.
Hastie
Lanyon:  What, you just turn
into a ghost at random? How? Why?
Jekyll1886:  "Based on my
studies, it's probably a side effect of having...well, I suppose the phrase I
ought to use here is 'near-death experiences'--which is another story. But the
point is, I was out of my body...when someone took notice of me. I'd
wandered about like that many a time, but never actually been contacted in such
a manner as this: It felt as if something had gently beamed through my core
like sunlight, warm and invigorating, but also alarming because I wasn't
expecting it. And I heard a voice and saw the image of a man, who spoke to me.
This was very different from the way communication typically takes
place on the astral plane. Usually, any being one encounters there uses
thought-emotions to convey messages. Not so this fellow. It turned out he
was a genuine, in-the-flesh scientist from another dimension entirely.
He'd been running some scans on my city when he picked up an 'anomaly'--my
astral activity--and decided to investigate. He used his scientific
equipment to project visual and auditory impressions of himself into my
vicinity. That was how I first met Harry Jekyll."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Harry... Jekyll?
*Hastie sat back in disbelief.* 
Seriously? ... What did he say?
Jekyll1886:  "Not your
Harry Jekyll, of course, but another universe's," Weir clarified. "To
make a long story short, he informed me there were many universes and many
Jekylls, Hydes, Lanyons, Uttersons, Carews, etc. The problem was, nearly all of
them had a troubling tendency to wind up dead--except for the
Uttersons, sometimes. And me. And himself...thus far, anyway."
Hastie
Lanyon:  And thus you looked
for the one dimension where there was a live Lanyon, and here you
are. I'm flattered.
Jekyll1886:  "I lost
you in mine. I'll not lose you again," he vowed, his
jaw set. Though he kept his eyes on the vial in front of him, they radiated
such determination that, were it possible, the glass would have shattered from
the sheer strength of his will.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie put rose
from his seat and walked towards him, leaving his book in th chair.* 
Weir... you never lost me. I never died. You must understand that though
we may have had the same name, I am not your- *He cut himself off,
unwilling to say the word. He'd only known the man for a short time, for God's
sake.*
Jekyll1886:  "I know
that," he acknowledged, some of the fire draining out of him.
"Intellectually, I do. I know we've only just met. You don't look exactly
like him, physically. And you're a bit younger than he was when he--" He
cut himself off, feeling emotion begin to threaten. He took a breath. "But
your voice, Hastie--Lanyon," he corrected himself. "And your
mannerisms..." He spoke barely above a whisper, the sound hollow,
"It's like seeing a ghost."
The chemical turned a darker shade of red, and he came back to the task at
hand, taking it immediately away from the heat. He poured a clear liquid over
it, quelling the incipient reaction. Very carefully, he began to slowly stir
the mixture with a glass rod.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie stood
beside Lewis in silence as he watched him work. It was frightening to
think that someone would go to such lengths for him. Someone Hastie himself
barely knew, at that. He thought it best to lay the matter to rest, for
now.*
Talk me through... whatever it is you're doing right now.
Jekyll1886:  "Ah. I've
taken the phosphorus and doused it--it was about to turn purple, and
we don't want that just yet--and now I'm simply blending it with the alcohol in
order to make a tincture. But I must do so with great care, for too much energy
added at this point could cause an explosion. Once both substances are evenly
distributed, I'll stopper the vial and lay it by until its contents have cooled
fully. Once that's happened, all that remains will be to add a pinch of that
salt over there," he cast his gaze to a small glass jar nearby which was
half-full of crystalline white granules. "It will release the energy in a
controlled manner, and, once the ebullition ceases, we'll have my world's
equivalent of HJ7 at our disposal. Incidentally, I'll need to either
administer it or seal it away within about ten minutes of its turning green;
otherwise, it'll oxidize and be rendered useless."
Hastie
Lanyon:  How does your
version of the HJ7 differ from ours?
Jekyll1886:  "Because I've
not had the luxury of a sample of HJ7 to test, I'm honestly not sure whether
the chemical makeup is similar. All I know is that the effects of the substance
seem to be the same. Not to worry, though. Mine, at least, has a metaphysical
component, and that is something I do have
control over." He finished his stirring and stoppered the vial, then
set it aside to cool in a small wooden rack designed to hold test tubes.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Well... it would
seem that the first stage is completed. Have you talked to Helen yet?
Jekyll1886:  "No, I
haven't. I didn't want to do so without informing you first."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Alright, we can go
together, then.
Jekyll1886:  "Very good.
Shall we go now, or would you prefer to wait until we have the finished dose at
our disposal?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  I am hestitant to
leave the potion here unguarded. Could we take it to my office first?
Jekyll1886:  "Certainly,"
Weir assented. He picked up the little rack with its stoppered vial to take
with them.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie grabbed his
book from the chair before he led Lewis towards the door and opened it for
him.*
After you, doctor.
Jekyll1886:  "Thank
you." He went out into the hall.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *They walked in
silence, passing a few Lodgers here and there. Hastie was practically bursting
with questions, but he didn't want to pry into a Lewis's private life. Usually
such things would only be acceptable after at least a year, at least. And even
then people might talk. However, the balance in knowledge of one another
was off. Lewis had known Hastie - or at least a version of Hastie - for God
knew how long. 
Well, if he wasn't going to ask Lewis about his past, he might as well ask him
about the most wonderful person he knew of: himself.
He let Lewis into his office before following him inside.*
So, Weir, how about you tell me some more about my doppelgänger? I do hope I'm
the pretty one.
Jekyll1886:  Lewis walked along
with Hastie in silence, wanting to tell him so many things, but not wishing to
overwhelm him with too much information, too quickly. He'd already asked the
man to accept some rather fantastical facts, and didn't want to push him too far
out of his comfort zone. He supposed if Lanyon desired to know more, he'd
simply ask.
And, sure enough, he did.
"You'd be right," Weir admitted, setting the rack down on Hastie's
desk. "Though he wasn't bad looking himself, in his day. We went to
university together--he, Utterson, and I. I'd known John since I was a wee lad,
but Hastie I met at school. We were practically inseparable. Lanyon wasn't what
my father and others considered a 'good influence' back then, but it
didnae--didn't--matter. He was our ringleader, after a fashion. Got up to all
kinds of mischief. John was more cautious, but he'd go along if Hastie ribbed
him enough. I think I was somewhere in-between." He leaned against a
chair, smiling at wistful memories.
Then he refocused on the Lanyon before him.
"Anyhow, Hastie went into medicine, John into law, and I into both. Later,
my Lanyon got religion--it really baffled me; he'd practically been an atheist
or at least a heathen back when we were younger." Weir shook his
head. "It seemed a bit hypocritical to me, to be honest, but I tried not
to dwell on it. What's insufferable in a stranger is forgivable in a dear
friend."
Hastie
Lanyon:  Ah, it's not easy
overcoming this gorgeous face- ... did you say religion? What on earth would
make me desperate enough to pursue that nonsense?
Jekyll1886:  "I really
haven't the foggiest," Weir confessed. "It remains one of life's
great mysteries. Though it might have been the death of your--I mean
his--mother that did it. I do think her passing at least gave him pause, a bit
of reflection on his own mortality, that sort of thing. He'd been drinking more
and more heavily beforehand, and certainly fell down a bottle afterward."
He shrugged, shaking his head. "Perhaps joining a congregation was his way
of finally doing right by her. She'd always worried about him."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie glanced at
his liquor cabinet and could not help but feel guilty. Surely no version of him
would stoop that low?*
For what it's worth, I'm sorry he put you through all that. I would have
expected better of myself.
Jekyll1886:  "To be fair,
he was going through a rough patch. And he'd had a falling out with my world's
Jekyll, which didn't help matters any. People do funny things when their
worldview's upset, I suppose. It's only human."
Hastie
Lanyon:  I do hope I did
some good by you as well. One can't be all doom and gloom.
Jekyll1886:  "Oh," he
said softly, "of course you did, Hastie. Never doubt
that. I cherished my relationship with you, with John... You
gave my life meaning. If nothing else, I've come to learn one truth: The
ties that bind us can never be broken. Love is stronger than death. They may be
gone, but my fondness for them survives, and always will."
Hastie
Lanyon:  I... am afraid I
don't recognize the feeling, Weir. *Hastie unlocked one of his drawers and
motioned for Lewis to put the potion inside.*
Nevertheless, we shouldn't keep Helen waiting. We can leave the HJ7 in here for
safekeeping.
Jekyll1886:  "It's
alright...I don't expect you to. And, you're right, we'd better tend to the
business at hand," he said, stowing the cooling tincture safely in the
drawer. He paused, then broke into an impish grin as his thoughts turned. A
small chuckle followed.
Hastie
Lanyon:  What are you
laughing about?
Jekyll1886:  "He also
introduced me to nearly all my vices, which I really should've
thanked him for."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie gave him a
sly grin in return.*
Now that I can be proud of.
Jekyll1886:  Lewis nodded his
amused agreement as they left the office. Once they were in the hall, his
thoughts turned to the task ahead.
"So..." he began, looking sidelong at Lanyon as they walked along,
"is it Helen we'll see today, or Hela?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  Ah, that is the
question. I'm afraid we won't know until we meet her. I do hope, however, that
it will be Helen. It won't do for Hela to leave a bad impression on you before
you get to talk to Helen. She is a brilliant woman. Kind and driven... Perhaps a
bit too selfless, in my opinion. Hela... well, she is as any other Hyde - the
exact opposite.
Jekyll1886:  "I see. That's
not unusual, I'm afraid. I imagine if it's Helen we can simply go from there.
But if it does turn out to be Hela...is there anything I need to bear in mind?
Some Hydes are more reasonable or, conversely, more dangerous than
others."
Hastie
Lanyon:  You may not know
this, but Hela has had encounters with several of the people here at the
Society. Some ending ... worse than others. I, too, met her. Now, I made it out
with a popped seam. I'd say that's a lot better than getting my brains blown
out, yes?
*Hastie looked at Lewis and immediately regretted his words. The man had paled
a little.*
Anyway, your best defense would be to not let her get to you. Don't let her
smell your fear, or something of the like.
Jekyll1886:  "Noted. Does
she still have the gun?" Lewis asked. His demeanor had shifted, suddenly
all business. "Or any other weapons, for that matter," he added.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Other than her
nails? I should not think so. She has been put in confinement, as were Helen's
wishes. And I must say, I do not disagree.
Jekyll1886:  "Good. That's
wise," he agreed. His tone softened touch. "It should be alright,
then. Which room is hers?"
Hastie
Lanyon:  Oh, it's just
through this hallway and to the right. *Hastie paused and turned towards
Lewis.* Would you give me a quick briefing on what you plan to tell them? I
would advise caution if you do not want to scare either of them off.
Jekyll1886:  "Regardless of
who's behind the door, I can tell them that I'm here to help them come to terms
with their condition. Obviously, I'll have to approach Helen and Hela
differently beyond that. I don't necessarily want to spell out for them exactly
what I told you earlier, but I do plan to appeal to a desire for the greater
good, in Helen's case, and the yearning for personal freedom, in Hela's. Do you
find these motivations appropriate to each?" he asked, his tone
professional, even clinical, as if he were discussing any other patient with
any other colleague.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Excellent, doctor.
Now, time to meet our most famous Lodger.
*Hastie knocked on the door that led to Helen's rooms. It was adorned with
several locks, all on the outside, with some of them being more outlandish than
others.*
Helen, my dear, are you present?
Hela Hyde: *Inside the room, there was the soft noise of feet
on carpet, followed by a quiet tap as the woman inside pressed her hand against
the wood.* H... Hastie...? Is that you...? *Her voice was quiet, confused.*
What are you doing here...?
Hastie
Lanyon:  It is
indeed. With who do I have the pleasure of conversing?
Hela
Hyde:  It's
Helen... You... didn't answer my question, sir... Why are you here...?
Hastie
Lanyon:  No, I
did not... I brought someone who would like to speak to you. Make a proposal,
if you will. *He motioned for Lewis to speak.*
Jekyll1886:  As
the person behind the door and Hastie spoke, Lewis pulled out a small,
leatherbound journal and wrote a message in it using his fountain pen. He
handed the book to Lanyon:
That isn't Helen.
"Sorry for the intrusion," he addressed her. "I'm Dr. Lewis
Weir. Dr. Lanyon has brought me on to consult on your case. I believe I may be
able to help you."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
looked down at the message with a grim look in his eyes. He had wanted to
believe the person on the other side to be Helen. Wanted her to be in control.
He kept quiet, however, and listened to Lewis and Hela as they spoke.*
Hela
Hyde:  It's...
a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Weir. I would shake your hand if I could, sir. *She
let out a soft sigh.* You probably already know, but I'm Helen Jekyll, though
Helen will be fine... Is it a legal case you're here to help me with, sir?
Jekyll1886:  "Not
at this juncture, no, though I have practiced law before. I'm here in a medical
or therapeutic capacity. I've some experience with...unusual cases such as
yours. I believe I may be able to help you make progress of a kind."
Hela
Hyde:  Are
you referring to my other half, Dr. Weir? I can assure you that I am not
mentally ill and this isn't a simple dissociative identity disorder...
Jekyll1886:  "I'm
referring to the 'Jekyll and Hyde phenomenon'--my area of expertise, as it
happens."
Hela
Hyde:  You're...
an expert on HJ7 and it's effects? Then you can tell me what I did wrong! *Her
voice quivered with excitement.* I was trying to fix the original Dr. Jekylls
mistakes by changing his formula but I still got the same result as he did. You
would be able to figure out what I did wrong, right? And correct it?
Jekyll1886:  "It's
likely a matter of both biochemistry and transcendental metaphysics. The same
formulation might not work the same way on, say, individuals with different
genetic and metaphysical heritages. But that's not exactly what I'm proposing.
You see, once the balance has been tampered with, it eventually becomes
impossible to alter it by outside means. That formula will
stop working one day, if it hasn't already. There is no 'easy out' anymore. But
I can help you--both of you--work on inner means
of change. Help you come to terms with your condition and find a new balance."
Hastie
Lanyon:  I
would advise you to accept his help, Helen. Though I must admit that your door
looks astonishing, our current circumstances are far from ideal, and I am
certain all of us wish to see it change.
Hela
Hyde:  He's
a therapist, then. Here to help me find inner peace with the monster inside of
me. *There was a pause.* How much is it going to cost, Dr. Weir? I don't want
Lanyon to have to cover it...
Hastie
Lanyon:  We
can worry about any expenses later. But please listen to what he has to say.
Hela
Hyde:  Very
well, then. What is it you propose I do to... balance myself?
*Her lips curled, despite herself.* Or is it something that we would
have to do?
Jekyll1886:  "A
bit of both, to be honest. I can offer guidance and insight, the benefit of my
experience with such cases...but it is ultimately up to you to do the heavy
lifting, so to speak. I'd propose we build on your strengths and minimize your
weaknesses. So that you'd ultimately have access to whatever response or tactic
would prove most necessary in and suitable to any given situation. So that
you'd be able to look at yourself--from either angle, every angle--without
a trace of loathing. To know and accept yourself fully, to be able to look at
all of yourself honestly, would mean you'd also have the strength and
self-control to be trusted with freedom. And you could trust yourself with it,
as well. You'd have internal consistency, an inner compass that might not
necessarily agree with society's mores, but would guide you true
nonetheless."
A pause. Then, in a much more serious tone:
"As an added bonus, you'd live. Failure to find balance inevitably leads
to destruction, I've found. Whether others precede the self in death is
incidental to this unalterable fact."
Hela
Hyde:  Huh...
*She stayed silent for a moment, pretending to consider what the doctor had
said. When she spoke again, it was with a chuckle* Are you sure you were never
a politician, Dr. Weir? All of the things you've told me sound lovely, with all
of the not dying and combinding two polar opposite people into one... But you
haven't once said how you plan on doing this. The only
substantial thing I've been told is that you're going to give me "guidance
and insight". I want to know exactly what you're going to
do to me...
Jekyll1886:  "I
won't be doing it to you; I'll be doing it with and for you.
It's as simple as talking and listening. Nothing more, nothing less. That's my
part, as well as yours--to do both. We'll cover a range of topics, I'm sure,
but it's ultimately all about you. Whether you're willing to--want
to--continue to evolve, or whether you're happy staying just as you and
your counterpart are."
Hela
Hyde:  We're
just going to talk... That's it? Just talk and that's going to make all the
problems that Hela causes disappear? I... I'm not sure if you fully comprehend
what she's like, Dr. Weir.
Jekyll1886:  "Or
write. Or do a few little projects. Whatever may prove therapeutic. But it's
for you to participate in, to give you a wider perspective and explore
yourself." A pause. "What 'problems' does Hela cause, in your
estimation?" he asked neutrally.
Hastie
Lanyon:  Murder,
for starters... *Hastie mumbled as he stared at the door. If looks could kill
he'd probably have burned a hole through it.*
Jekyll1886:  Weir
shot Lanyon a brief look. His eyes said the comment wasn't helpful, but his
lips curled as if he wanted to laugh at the manner in which Hastie'd said it.
Hela
Hyde:  *She
chuckled behind the door.* You stole the words right out of my mouth, Hastie.
Let's see... There's murder, harming others, scaring others, breaking laws in
general, hating everyone because they're human... Am I missing anything,
Lanyon?
Hastie
Lanyon:  Other
than being a thorn in my eye, I think you covered it.
Jekyll1886:  "I
take it we're speaking with Hela now..." Weir observed of their exchange,
for show.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
merely hummed in agreement. He still wasn't convinced that Hela would respond
well to the therapy that Lewis was offering her. At least he Jekyll1886:  "Hela,
do you and Helen share memory in common?"
Hela
Hyde:  *She
blinked then shrugged mentally at the doctors words. Might as well let them
think she had changed at some point during the talk. There was no need for them
to know just how painful and exhausting the transformations were. With this in
mind, she let her voice drop to its usual icy tone.* Why would something like
that matter, Lewis?
Jekyll1886:  "The
fact that you know my name would seem to indicate so. It matters because I need
to know whether I have to repeat myself with each of you, or simply tell one
and the other will know," he stated with a clinical, matter-of-fact air.
"It would certainly save time."
Hela
Hyde:  Heh...
I see everything Helen does and she sees only bits and pieces or what I want
her to see or nothing at all. *Her response was spoken with pride, a twinkle in
her eyes.* After all, I am the dominant half...
Jekyll1886:  "Noted,"
he said, taking the journal back from Hastie. "If I tell Helen, you'll
know, but if I tell you, I may have to repeat myself with her," he
reiterated, jotting down the information. "As the 'dominant half', as you
say, are you able to instigate the change from Helen to yourself without
external aid?"
Hela
Hyde:  That's
right. *She glanced back at her wardrobe, only half listening as she wondered
if she'd be able to take the door off its hinges with both of them outside.
It's not like that'd be able to stop her until the door was done...* Both of us
can, though it's a lot harder for her to cause me to transform while I can come
and go as I please. The serum does help make the process faster and smoother,
while changing without it becomes a battle of wills. Not that I have to fight
her often... The poor little doctor is addicted to it.~ *She chuckled softly.*
Jekyll1886:  "To
you, you mean," he clarified in seeming agreement. "When Helen is out,
does she suffer from depression, by chance?"
Hela
Hyde:  No, I
mean she's addicted to the serum. She never did enjoy seeing what I've done...
Her formula must work differently than the original, then. *She sounded annoyed
at Lewis's comment, her tone turning bitter.* I wouldn't know. Does moping
about and regretting her life decisions and doing everything in her power to
stop and attempt to kill me count?
Jekyll1886:  "She
might not enjoy seeing what you've done--the repercussions, the guilt--but I'd
wager there's a part of her that enjoys the freedom of it, or at least of not
having to exist fully for a bit. Unless the serum includes cocaine or some such
and it's a purely physical addiction. Is it purely physical,
Hela?"
Hela
Hyde:  *She
sighed heavily.* Well, there is Opium in it, to dull the pain
of the transformation along with a few other jobs, so yes, it is
purely physical, which I've already told you. I won't bother with the details of
the rest of the ingredients. Now, you didn't tell me if the doctor is depressed
or not...
Jekyll1886:  "If
that's the case, then why doesn't she simply take opium? Why go to all the
trouble of making the serum?" he asked, not at all argumentative but
simply interested in the answer.
Hela
Hyde:  *There
was a long silence then Hela let out an enraged growl.* Don't you dare tell
her to do that! She hasn't thought of it and if you put the idea into her her,
I swear on the creators you will regret it...! *She slammed against the door,
her teeth gritted as she hissed her reply.*
Jekyll1886:  "Whether
I tell her or not is not up to you, but to me. I'm here
for both of you equally. If it will help achieve balance, I'll do
it. If not, I'll refrain. Though as you're currently the 'dominant half', I may
well have to press my finger on the scale a little..." He smiled, awaiting
her reaction. He also cast Hastie a look indicating it'd be wise to stand back,
away from whatever was about to transpire.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
shrugged with a sly grin on his face.* I'm not making any promises, doctor.
Jekyll1886:  Lewis
was able to refrain from laughing, but a conspiratorial smile spread across his
features nonetheless.
"Now, now," he said, swallowing his amusement to project objectivity.
Hela
Hyde:  You
have no right to be getting into my business and changing anything!
This is for Helen and I to work out, not some stranger who thinks a doctors
degree qualifies him for ruining my life! And Hastie, shut your trap before you
have to learn how to swallow without a tongue! *Her hands
shook with the strength of her rage, pressed against the door with all her
might as if she could break out with sheer force of will.* You will not
interfere with my control! Not unless you want to have your throat slit!
Hastie
Lanyon: *Hastie merely laughed at her threat.*
My, my, such violent threats. Is this really what you want to fight for, Hela?
Being locked up in a room, void of any friends. Is that really a life that
could possibly be ruined even more than it already is? I'd say you've hit rock
bottom, and the only thing left on your agenda is to rot away in your cell.
Unless, of course, you would let this stranger with a degree help you. 
Oh, and don't worry. You're not the only one who dislikes the thought of you
getting help. But at least I can see the bigger picture.
Jekyll1886:  "It
sounds to me like you're not inclined to work out anything with Helen but a
master-slave relationship. That won't do. In point of fact, it'll wind up
killing the both of you, despite what you may think. I may have degrees, but,
more importantly, I have experience. From which you have the
opportunity to benefit. You, and Helen, and the Society. And I assure you, I
am eminently qualified."
Hela
Hyde:  *She
let out another growl, this one softer as she forced herself to take deep
breaths. This clearly wasn't getting her anywhere.* I'm not going to put up
with this... and I'm definitely not going to argue with you,
Hastie... I don't care what either of you have to say anymore, just get away
from me! You have nothing that I want! *Her eyes ablaze, she turned from the
door, storming towards where a few of her tools were hidden.* I won't speak to
either of you anymore...
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
looked to Lewis, silently asking him how he wanted to proceed. In Hastie's
opinion, they should come back later - hopefully when Helen was in control.*
Jekyll1886:  Lewis
indicated with a nod and a flick of his gaze that they ought to clear off soon.
"You don't want freedom?" he asked Hela in earnest. "For that's
what I offer. Eventually. It isn't an easy path to tread, but it is a
necessary one...if you want to live." His pitch lowered as he
continued, "If not--you may as well slit your own throat an' have done
with it. Your choice." He backed away.
Hela
Hyde:  ...I
don't need you to give me freedom, Dr. Weir. I expect that
we'll be meeting face to face soon, and it will be without any help from you.
*Hela pulled a hammer and a small nail from the bottom of her wardrobe,
silently making her way back to the door. Carefully inserting the tip of the
nail underneath the pin that held the middle hinge in place, she raised her
voice and slammed her knee into the door to cover up the sound of her hitting
the hammer on the nail, the pin starting to come loose.* I don't need you to
"save" me! You're both just trying to get rid of me for your
prescious Helen!
Hastie
Lanyon:  I
wish that were the case, Hela, but unfortunately the two of you are dependent
on each other. Can't have a one-sided coin and all that...
Hela
Hyde:  That's
a lie, Hastie! A lie told to Hyde's just so they don't kill their Jekyll when
they get the chance! *She snapped, growling ferally as she managed to tug out
the first pin. Her hand shook as she put it in her pocket, taking a deep breath
as she bent down to start on the bottom one.*
Hastie
Lanyon:  Need
I remind you of how you came to be? *His voice grew angry. How dare she defile
Helen like this?* You literally came to be because of a small, dark, and wholly
undesirable part of Helen! And that is something you still are, and always will
be.
Jekyll1886:  Wide-eyed,
Weir hastily scribed Lanyon another note, and practically tossed the journal at
him:
Don't let on--she's unhinging the door. Leave now or I'll be
distracted by you. I've dealt with worse than her.
"Kill a Jekyll, kill yourself. I've seen it time and again."
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
snatched the pen from Lewis' hands and wrote in his journal before throwing it
back at him.*
If I leave you'll be coming with me. You're the only chance we have of
solving this.'''
Jekyll1886:  For
God's sake, Hastie, just TRUST ME! came the rapidly
written reply, along with a desperate look of worry and frustration as he
shoved the book back into Lanyon's hands.
Hela
Hyde:  Do
you really believe that Helen is as good as she appears?!
You're an idiot if you do! She's nothing but selfish and weak and horrible,
just like everyone else in this world *As she yelled, she remembered that even
if they figured out what she was doing, they still couldn't stop her. With this
in mind, she worked faster, removing the second pin in half the time it took
for her to take out the first. I am better than Helen, I understand the world,
unlike her! She would die after a few days of living away from the Society and
without me! She is nothing!
Jekyll1886:  He
put himself just in front of Helen's door and waited for the sound of the
hinges rising. He couldn't afford the luxury of waiting for Hastie's response.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
looked at him a moment longer before running - actually running - away. But
Lewis be damned if he thought he was going to hide. Hela would not take down
the one person who could save the Society from that monster.*
Hela
Hyde:  *Hela
hesitated, setting down her hammer and striding hurriedly to her wardrobe,
pulling out a sheath with several knifes on it and securing it to herself. She
darted back over to the door, yanking out the third and final pin as she armed
herself with one of the knives from her sheath.* Are you two still there...?
Jekyll1886:  Just
as Hela was about to lift the door to take it off its hinges, in the same
instant as Hastie's tailcoat vanished round the corner, Lewis spoke to her.
"Hela, my darling girl..." he said in a weary tone, with a hint of
underlying urgency, "please leave the door exactly where
it is."
Hela
Hyde:  *She
let out a soft growl, pausing despite her desperate want to be free.* Don't
call me your "darling girl"... And give me one good reason why I
shouldn't leave?
Jekyll1886:  "You
will escalate the situation if you do so," he explained. "That won't
be good for anyone, yourself included."
Hela
Hyde:  Hmp.
*She rolled her eyes and lifted the door, sucking in a breath as she pulled it
off its hinges.* I don't care if it means I get free...!
Jekyll1886:  He
sighed.
It's now or never, he thought, a rush of adrenaline arcing through.
With all his might, he gave the just-freed door a lightning kick, putting the
full weight of his six-foot frame behind it. At this range, and with her hands
occupied, it ought to impact Hela squarely in the face. With any luck, it'd
knock her down, or at the very least stun her for a moment.
Hela
Hyde:  *Hela
let out a yelp of pain and shock as the door slammed into her, all of her air
leaving her while she stumbled back, gasping and dazed. Dropping the door, she
touched her head and checked her fingers for blood with clouded, holding back a
moan.* Y-You... S-Stupid... *She didn't finish whatever it was she wanted to
say, leaning heavily against the doorframe.*
Jekyll1886:  Lewis
took the opportunity to sweep her legs out from under her. As she fell toward
the floor, he toppled the door atop her, letting gravity aid him as he went
down with it to pin her to the ground.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *Hastie
continued running when he heard a loud bang and the sound of someone being
thrown down on the floor. Several Lodgers had come out of their rooms when they
heard the ruckus, and were surprised to see Hastie run past them. But he paid
them no heed. Time was of the essence, and the hallways of the Society were
ridiculously long.
When he funally barged through the door of his own office he fiddled with his
keychain, hands shaking. He soon found the right one and unlocked one of the
drawers of his desk. Inside was a small vial filled with a crimson liquid. The
potion Lewis had prepared earlier that day had cooled fully, and ready for the
last ingredient. Hastie put the vial in his pocket and was about to leave when
his gaze rested on a wooden box hidden further back in the drawer. After a
moment of contemplation he took the contents with him, and raced towards the
laboratory.*
Hela
Hyde:  *Another
cry escaped her and Hela groaned breathlessly, her eyes widening at the sight
of the door falling towards her. She grimaced when the full weight came
crashing down on her, panic beginning to make her chest tighten as she found it
hard to breathe. She pushed against the door with both hands, desperately
trying to shove it to one side or the other. Adrenaline helped dull the pain of
her injuries, muting the sounds of distress coming from different spots on her
body. She had cut herself on her knife in the struggle to get free, barely
noticing the blood dripping onto her shirt from her hand.*
Jekyll1886:  Weir
kept his weight pressed solidly against the door, keeping her pinned in place.
"Hela, STOP! Stop." A look of concern, disappointment, sadness.
He felt a change in her energy, her body crying out in distress.
"You're hurting yourself, child," he said with nothing save
compassion, even as he maintained the pressure atop her. "Stop."
His voice was no more than a whisper, all the more arresting in its quiet.
Hastie
Lanyon:  *It
didn't take long for Hastie to find the salt Lewis had mentioned when he had
been brewing the potion. He opened the container and put a pinch of it in the
vial. The liquid inside turned bright green. When the potion and the salt had
been mixed properly, Hastie set off again - this time back to Helen's room.
He silently prayed that Hela had not taken another victim.*
== Obtained From ==
Role-playing page for pg. 71!
Christmas RP Page
Category:Main Plot
Category:Potential