Blood is thicker than water ( EB part 7 )

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Blood is thicker than water ( EB part 7 )

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The Fox

The Fox

@disqus\_eqavLvmRDA a year ago

Gotta love Disqus when you're about to reply to a thing and it closes the comments. :^))))

Let's see if some rp will cure my headache today. Onwards! To Victory!

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The Fox • a year ago

Rafael didn't quite know what to do.

He barely managed a stammer when the man just walked out. He had said he would pay right? Perhaps the stranger had simply forgotten. It wasn't too uncommon fro addicts...But then he been acknowledged when he said that...

Rafael stood up to follow.

" =Hmmm...= "

A pause.

He went down to the room and checked what was left of the opium then counted what he was given.

It certainly would cover what he had, though it wouldn't be enough to Peverell's liking.

Walking back to the main room, he stored the money away and added some of his own. There was a little time before Peverell sent his collectors around so he could add some later if he needed to.

With a breath, he went back to polishing the glasses, glad that nothing more drastic happened.

Desirae eventually made her way to her friend's apartment. It was a cramped apartment at the top of a complex, a four room space with two closets, barely any plumbing, and a pantry sized kitchen. It wasn't bad for the part of Paris it was in, but it was far from the plush interiors she'd seen in the more palatial homes.

It was also her place from the cabaret and Richard.

Stepping over the ditch in front of the building, Desirae made her way up the rickety stairways past the crowded floors and entered it's front door.

Jeannine was in the den with a small fire going in the tiny hearth. She had taken a bath and was drying her hair with a towel.

" () So I see you made it out alive. () "

" [ I don't know yet. I might just be dead on my feet. ] "

The dancer flopped down into a chair and rest her head back.

" () Well, did you at least get anything out of it? () "

" [ Yes, but... ] "

She sighed through her nose.

" [ It's as much as I had wanted. ] "

Her hand pulled out the note from her dress, it's paper slightly wrinkled.

" [ This is the only thing I managed to take. ] "

" () Ah. () "

The older woman looked at it with arched eyebrows.

" () Have you read it yet? () "

" [ Not yet. ] "

" () Let's not waste time then. Read it! () "

With a quick hand, her wet hair was tied into a temporary bun. She looked eagerly at Desirae.

The other stretched her fingers and began from the top.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

On the way back, Lewis dropped by a chemist's shop and picked up a few things. He also stopped by the telegram office to send messages to Mz. Hyde, Helen and Hela, and Malemi, just to keep them informed.

He was very glad to be staying at Richard's, given that they had to be here for so many weeks. To stay at a hotel that long would have been cost-prohibitive, unless he turned to less savory means--which Utterson, he knew, wouldn't want him to.

He approached Richard's domicile and was about to turn the doorknob.

On a hunch, he pulled out the key he'd taken earlier and tried it in the lock.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

The key didn't fit. It was too wide for the key hole.

The note read as follows...

To all of my men working in this quarter,

I feel it would be of interest to inform you that Richard Enfield, a courier and tester, has been chosen to be executed within the next few weeks and replaced with another courier of my choice.

He has served his time under my name with dedication and loyalty and it's sad for me to see him go this way. Put simply, while he has worked honorably these past years, I have found that he's no longer suitable for the job he holds or anything else I can offer.

If one of you would like take his position, you can made eligible by executing him yourself, but I should warn you that should things go awry, you will be marked for execution as well.

Dispose of this note as you see fit once all interested have seen it.

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Tairais  The Fox • a year ago

(( o.o oh no ))

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis put the key back in his pocket and entered the house.

Perhaps it goes to the door that's been papered over.

On the off-chance Utterson was asleep, Weir crept quietly up the stairs and peeked into the guestroom to check on him.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Utterson was seated at the bench beneath the window, his mind dozing off in the waning afternoon.

He head was slowly slipping from his hand while his breath slowed.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago • edited

A fond smile crossed Lewis's face as he looked at his friend.

Oh, John--Gabriel. I do so hope everything works out well for you and Enfield. I want only the best for you.

Weir's expression turned wistful, bordering on melancholy.

We've all had enough of heartache for a lifetime.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A little snore began to form when Utterson's hand slipped away and dropped his head against the window sill.

He woke a start.

" Ah! Goodness! "

He looked around him with a rub of his eyes. Everything seemed just where he left it, the only thing missing was his companions, most notably Richard.

Gabriel stifled a sigh and got up, his joints popping with a ungraceful jolt. Taking his crutches, he went over to the bed lay down. Before he took a seat, he spied the cracked door with a curious look.

" Hello? Is that you Lewis? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"Aye," said Weir as he tiptoed in. "I chanced to spy you sleeping and didn't wish to wake you."

He set his parcel from the chemist near his suitcase.

"May I get you anything, Gabriel?"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" No, I'm fine. "

A smile followed by a yawn.

" I was just going to take a real nap before I ruined my back sleep-sitting. "

He chuckled ruefully.

" If you'd believe it, I've napped in my office chairs during break. Trust me when i say it can make a back stiffer than wood. "

Another laugh.

" Something you don't have to worry to much about I assume. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago • edited

He thought back to the many times he'd fallen asleep in a chair out of pure exhaustion, be it during his student days, late nights at the hospital, his self-inflicted confinement to the room above the operating theater, during extremely long train rides...

"I'm not a stranger to it, though I'd likely have to have pulled an all-nighter for it to happen."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" Ah, I see. "

He settled down on the bed and a storyteller's smile.

" I've done more then enough all-nighters to take a year off me.

I was a much younger then. I had just gotten my first few clients and I wanted to make sure I served them as best as I could. "

Utterson kicked off his shoes and pulled his legs under the covers.

" And there was the start of many sleepless nights, cricks in the neck, numb legs, and a few cups of whiskey. "

A embarrassed chuckle.

" I'm glad I didn't stick to that for too long. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"'Tis an easy habit to form," Lewis commiserated. "Particularly if one works hard to make things just so."

He regarded Gabriel with a fond smile.

"Still, I'm glad it didn't get the better of you, in the end."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" I'm glad too. "

He laid back with a sigh.

" I don't think I'd have reached my age now if I kept at it. I'm no doctor but I can imagine it cuts a life short sooner or later. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago • edited

Weir thought back on Sterling, who--if Elder hadn't eaten him--would have died of liver failure within a day or two.

"If done habitually and to excess, yes," Lewis replied with a nod. "It surely can."

A smile.

"Conversely, a glass of red wine a day is actually beneficial to one's heart."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

" Is it now? "

He shook his head with a smile.

" Well, don't tell Richard that. If he knew that, he'd make a cup a bottle. "

A sad chuckle.

" Let's hope he's not doing that now.

Well, I'm going to nap a little. Could you wake me up when-- "

The front door slammed downstairs. A mad pacing alongside unintelligible anguish, enraged murmuring mixed with unhinged weeping.

Utterson sat up, glancing at Lewis. Worry bordered on distress.

In a flash, he kicked the covers and took his crutches, his balanced teetering as he threw the door open.

" Desirae? Desirae!! "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"Gabriel, please don't move so quickly!" Lewis exclaimed as he dashed past him to stand, hands out in front to underscore his words, before Utterson in the hallway. "Take it slowly now, alright?"

"Desirae?" Weir called over his shoulder. "[What's wrong?]"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" Right right! "

Gabriel only gave a slight nod of acknowledgement as he stepped past Weir and made his way to the stairs.

" Desirae, [] What is it? [] "

An unhinged scream was his only answer.

Utterson rushed down the stairs the best he could, taking each step with caution, and found himself stumbling into a terrible sight.

There the woman stood, hair in violent disarray, dress twisted sideways, skin flushed dark with loose, impenetrable dander. Her whole being was hot as tears ran like rivers down her cheek and chin. Her knuckles burned white, the note crushed almost to a pulp from the deadly grip.

Incoherent curses hissed through clenched teeth as the lawyer came into view.

" Desi--! "

He was cut off by another scream, its rage ripped straight from her heart.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis followed Gabriel down.

"Christ!" Weir exclaimed at the sight--and sounds--of Desirae. He winced as he covered his ears.

When the rage-filled scream's reverberations off the walls had ceased, he lowered his hands and ventured, "[What on earth is the matter?]"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Utterson looked between Weir and Desirae and took a timid step forward.

" [] Is there anything I can-- [] "

The crumbled note twacked against his forehead. Desirae looked at him with choke and fell to her knees. She sobbed and sobbed, her face against her legs, arms hugging her sides. Again and again, her wails racked her chest mercilessly, grief a dagger in mind and soul.

Gabriel let the note fall to the ground and immediately went to her side to comfort her. Turning over his crutches, he lets himself down to the carpet and takes her into his arms. He lets her hug him back, tight as it may be, and starts whispering comforting words to her, his body rocking ever so slightly.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Seeing that Gabriel was tending to Desirae (and that he was rather unlikely to follow doctor's orders right now), Lewis picked up the note, smoothed it out, and read it.

Shit.

"Merde."

He looked to Desirae.

"[We must fake Richard's death and smuggle him out of Paris. Do you know where he is?]"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She looked up with wide, distressed eyes but couldn't find the strength to speak. Instead, another wail came, the woman burying her head back against Utterson's chest.

Outside someone else seemed to be approaching, someone who seemed to desperately looking for someone else.

The stranger's voice called out for them.

" () Desirae!? Desirae!!

Chari!!! CHARI!!!() "

They stopped to look around the street, they're heart racing.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

I recognize that voice, thought Lewis as he perked his head up. It sounded like Desirae's companion from the Silver Line.

"[Would you like me to go greet whoever that is?]" Weir asked Desirae quietly, looking for only a simple nod or shake of the head, given her current state.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She managed a nod, if hesitantly, her throat choking back on a fresh wave of misery. A fresh anger bubbled under the surface of her doleful turmoil, like that of disgust.

Outside, the woman cursed.

" ()Goddammit Florine! Why couldn't you keep your mouth shut?!() "

She Called out again, moved rapidly down the sidewalk.

" () Chari!!! Where are you?! () "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis gave a quick nod in return and strode out the door.

"[Pardon me,]" he said as he approached the woman outside, "[are you looking for Desirae?]"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" ()Ah!() "

Florine jumped at his voice. She looked from him to the house and back again before nodding.

" ()Y-yes, I am.

This is Richard's house yes?() "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago • edited

"[Indeed it is]," he replied.

"[She's inside, though she is in a bit of a state at the moment...]" he warned Florine.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

" ()Yeah...You have me to blame about that...() "

She shook her head with a grimace.

" ()Not my best moment...() "

Florine cleared her throat and went to follow him inside.

" ()But let's not waste anymore time. I have something to to offer.() "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"[As you wish. This way.]"

Lewis held the door for her, then followed her inside.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She tread quietly across the house, casting furtive glances at the surrounding decor and clutter as she followed the sounds of her weeping friend.

Upon the sight, she held her breath.

God in heaven, help me fix this...

A soft inhale.

" ()Chari...() "

The weeping softened into tremulous curses.

" ()Chari, I'm sorry...I'm sorry that you're losing another person in your life but I meant what I said.

You can't do anything to stop what's about to happen.

Richard is about to get hunted down like an animal! Do you really think you can stop that? You'd just be another face in the line of fire! You would die!() "

" [ You wh\*re... ] "

A trembling, red eyed wraith turned a wild eye to Florine.

" [ You goddamn, good for nothing wh\*re...] "

Utterson winced as Desirae's nails dug into his sides.

" ()Please.() "

Florine look turned pleading.

" ()There's nothing you can do...() "

Utterson looked between the two then to Lewis.

" Lewis...

What is going on here? "

His tone was wary and hesitant, a growing bud of misery taking root in his chest. Though he didn't know what the note said, something terrible inside knew that he didn't have to know to understand what was going on.

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