Role-playing Page for pg 91!

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Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih 2 years ago

So how'd you guys like my big announcement? XDD

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Role-playing Page for pg 91!

365 Comments

Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih 2 years ago

So how'd you guys like my big announcement? XDD

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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

It was priceless! XDDD

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Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

I'm psyched! XDD

I can't wait to have Hela be reduced to the harmless brat she is. ^-^

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Setae • 2 years ago

Heck yeah XD

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Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

I kind of hate myself for believing it for as long as I did, but it was pretty great!

Also, Catt and Mz. Hyde: i can't tag people on my phone, so you'll have to make a continuation thread.

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

Wait, you REALLY believed it?!

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Hastie Lanyon  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

I did... I'm easily fooled, I'm afraid.

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

XDDDD Silly Hastie!

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Helen Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

Don't worry, I was pretty convinced until I saw Donald Trump listed as a voice actor. ^^'

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

(Probably a Europe thing. Everyone there seems so friendly. Like "Come on over neighbour!" Meanwhile North America has to deal with this wall nonsense. Like, can't we just be friends? Come on!

Hope I get to visit Europe someday.)

Catt raised an eyebrow, tilting her head curiously. "Why?"

As much as she wanted to believe in good intentions, she didn't want to take any risks either. Not with her friends research.

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Europeans have their ups and downs too, depends on where you are, really. People from Western Europe, for instance, are a lot more social than Scandinavians.)

I'm working with Dr. Weir in order to find a solution to this... issue. *Hastie rubbed his neck under Catt's sceptical gaze.* Look, I know we started off on the wrong foot. If you would rather talk to Weir than me that's fine. I just want to end this.

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

(Interesting. Is it fun being able to travel so much and see everything?)

"As long as it doesn't result in anyone's 'end' I will do what I can to help." She said carefully after a moment. She didn't like his attitude, the way he spoke about 'dealing with' Hela left her feeling uneasy. Best to use reasoning he'd understand. "After all, dieing lodgers wouldn't exactly help the Society's reputation, now. Would it?"

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

No, it wouldn't. Which is why I am keen on getting Hela to not kill any more of them...

You may be pleased to know that Dr. Weir has changed my opinion on how to deal with Hela.

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

Catt's shoulders relaxed. "I, I really am. Sorry."

That Dr. Weir, his ability to change minds is, remarkable. She thought, making note of it.

"Has she actually killed someone already?"

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Sorry for not replying to your question earlier! I do like to be able to travel with as much ease as I do. It'll be nice to get home soon, though.)

Well, you for a start - if only a little. She would probably slit my throat if she got the chance... she would wreak havoc if she got outside in her current state, only to perish herself shortly after.

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

('sokay, it happens. What do you do that enables such ease of travel? If you don't mind me asking.)

"Oh yeah, I kinda forgot about that." She said sheepishly. "But hasn't she already escaped on multiple occasions?"

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Well, Scotland was for a school trip, and Sweden is only one our away... most of it is circumstantial. I never really go anywhere if I don't have anything specific planned.)

She has... *Hastie looked down and considered his own words for a momen before looking back up again.* I can't trust her, Catt. Not like this. Which is why I would like to borrow the documents.

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

(That sounds, really nice. *wistful sigh*)

((What was the goal of this scene again? I can't remember if the documents were supposed to go to Hastie or not. I just know that Catt isn't too keen on the idea.

And sorry for the late reply, the message got lost in my inbox.))

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Hastie wants them, but you don't have to give them to him. If he doesn't get them he'll send Lewis to talk to Catt... or he might try to break into her room.)

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

(Ah okay. Thank you!

And fortunately, the documents aren't in her room. :3 They're in her Hatt!)

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

Can't trust her like what? Catt wondered, eyeing him with veiled suspicion.

"Please forgive me if I'm not, eager, to hand over what little I have of my friend from before things went South."

I'm not sure she would want them handed out either.

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Would you be eager to see both Helen and Hela freed from that room?

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Hastie Lanyon  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Could you give me a shirt breakdown of the escapes? This is news to me x) )

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Helen Jekyll  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

(Hmm... are there any particular things you'd like to know about them? ^-^)

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Jekyll1886  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

((I don't know about before Weir got here, but do know Hela's lockpicks have now been confiscated, the window secured, and the hinges moved to the other side of the door. There is, however, another way for her to get out which Lewis doesn't know about--see "The Door" roleplay for details. Additionally, lodgers have been given Vibralert Coins--small, silver-colored discs about the size of a penny--which are tuned to Hela's psychic frequency, whether she's wearing Helen's body as a disguise or not, and whether she's wearing her magic bracelet or not. The "coins" have a range of 1,320 feet or a quarter of a mile [402.336m or 0.402336km], and vibrate with increasing frequency the closer Hela gets to them. Needless to say, if they're buzzing nonstop, she's right on you.))

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Catt Hatter  Hastie Lanyon • 2 years ago

((Just various scenes with Elaina, and I don't think she did much else beyond tormenting her.))

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Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

Pure Genius Mz. Hyde, Pure Genius.

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Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

Response to Mz.Hyde and Jekyll1886 and Helen Jekyll on the potato revenge))

"Right!" Gemma said, righting the bag of potatoes. "Won't make that mistake!"

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Jekyll1886  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

Once Mz. Hyde and Gemma (and the potatoes) were through the door, Lewis shut and locked it, then put away the key. He watched, but did not actively participate in, the proceedings, an amused smirk upon his face.

(( Mz.Hyde Helen Jekyll Background Scientist #37 ))

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

* Of course, Mz. Hyde ran in too fast and face planted on the opposite wall.*

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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

(( Helen Jekyll Background Scientist #37 ))

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Background Scientist #37  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

Gemma facepalmed, threw her potato aimlessly, and went to help her up.

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

I'm okay!~

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Jekyll1886  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

(( Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela slowly lowered her arms, looking from the two girls to Lewis. "What are you three doing?" She demanded with a growl.

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Jekyll1886  Guest • 2 years ago

(( Background Scientist #37 Mz.Hyde Helen Jekyll ))

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

VENGEANCE!!!! FOR THE FOOD YOU DESTROYED!!

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Background Scientist #37  Mz.Hyde • 2 years ago

"Same here," Gemma said, picking up a potato and completely missing Hela. "That worked better in my head..."

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Background Scientist #37  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

((Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll ))

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Jekyll1886  Background Scientist #37 • 2 years ago

"I am opening and shutting a door. They are having a tattie toss. Not exactly a caber, but it'll do."

(( Mz.Hyde Helen Jekyll Background Scientist #37 ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Hela glanced at the potato that fell to the side of her and scowled. "They're not very good at it."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

(( Background Scientist #37 Mz.Hyde ))

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Background Scientist #37  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"We're trying our best!" Gemma said, throwing a potato at in indignation.

((Jekyll1886 Mz.Hyde ))

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Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

(RBD here!!)

Alicia smiled at her, taking a muffin and eating it.

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

"It's really good...thank you." Rose complimented shyly with a cute blush upon her slightly pale cheeks.

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

"Oh, no problem!" She said through a mouthful of muffin. She covered her mouth and giggled nervously.

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

The blonde lodger smiled shyly...before silence fell upon her quarters.

Night time was drawing close, and she had been strictly informed by Lady Venom, that she had to have returned back before all of London had been plunged into moonlight and street lights...otherwise Lady Venom would think twice about letting her out again.

(-Whispers- Ask Rose about the bird.)

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

Alicia frowned. No! She probably doesn't want to talk about it! She looked down so Rose wouldn't see her changing emotions while she talked to the narrator.

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

(She needs to feel more confident...tonight is a big night for her.)

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

She sighed softly. Fine. "So, what's with the bird? Why do you have it?"

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

"Well it's...it's for someone...someone special." The blonde lodger answered softly and dreamily, her cheeks becoming a rosy red, that easily lived up to her name.

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

"Oooooh~ who is it?~" she giggled.

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

"It's...a woman." The blonde sexologist answered nervously.

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

Alicia tilted her head. "Okay... who is it?" She repeated, confused.

(None of my babies are homophobes 😡)

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

(Neither are any of mine. X3)

Rose stared at the other woman, unsure of how to explain her predicament to Alicia.

"It's someone...from ouside The Society...her name is...Lady Venom." The blonde sexologist cautiously explained to the other lodger.

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

"That's an interesting name!" She smiled.

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RBDECEPTICON17  Alicia Ghast • 2 years ago

The blonde had most certainly not expected that reaction, staring at the other lodger with eyes slightly wide and mouth slightly agape.

"You...you don't mind...that i'm in love...with a girl?" Rose cautiously questioned.

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Alicia Ghast  RBDECEPTICON17 • 2 years ago

"No...?" She tilted her head.

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Miss-Dreamerkat • 2 years ago

It was amusing Mz.Hyde very amusing

Also UMBRELLA STAB OF ETERNAL DOOM!!!!!!!

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Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

((Tairais Away we go!))

Catt hadn't heard from her reclusive friend in some time. Since she wasn't one to take part in gossip, had no idea that Richard was in fact a long way off and had been for quite some time.

She knocked on his door with one hand, while the other cradled a small tray of goodies.

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

The door shifted open ever so slightly, just enough to show that it was unlocked.

Charricthran watched from the shadows in the room. Logic told him it wasn't Torke, that Torke was currently sleeping in the crawlspace on the other side of the building and couldn't even attempt to look past or sense the multitude of wards he'd placed on the room.

Instinct and experience told him to be cautious, so he said nothing for the time, waiting to see who was at the door.

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Richard? You in?" Catt asked, gingerly pushing the door open and peering into the room. "I brought snacks!"

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Charricthran breathed a sigh of relief before poking his head out of the wall, customary smirk-of-too-many-teeth in place.

"Richard hasn't been here for a while kid, where ya been?"

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago • edited

Catt stared at him in stunned silence for a moment before composing herself.

"I-I, uh, busy. And, we don't really hang out very often, so I guess I didn't notice. Who are you?

Th-that is, if you don't mind me asking."

A talking bird with teeth. Well, she had seen stranger things.

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

The raven clacked his beak as he melted the rest of the way out of the wall, landing with a soft thud and a puff of feathers, wings outstretched in a sort of pseudo-bow.

"Name's Charricthran, kid. Richard's messenger-of-sorts and watcher-of-stuff while he's off dashing madly across Europe." He folded his wings back with another smile, tipping his head slightly. "Annd who might you be?"

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Oh, I'm Catt Hatter, Quantum temporal Fluxdisplacementologyst and t-tea person. Nice to meet you.

Why is he running across Europe? Did something happen? Does he need help?"

Catt stepped into the room and shut the door behind her, her tone growing more anxious as she spoke.

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Pleasure to meet you as well, Catt Hatter." His red eyes flashed brightly for a handful of seconds before they dimmed and he continued. "He's running across Europe to find Artemis and two former friends of him. Said friends kidnapped Artemis for shits and giggles. I don't imagine he'll need help finding them- his boyfriend there, on the other hand, likely has little idea where this is all goin'"

He shrugged. What could ya do?

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

Catt grew visibly tense at the news. Artemis had been kidnapped? "Former" friends of Richard had done it? Just for fun? Richard had a boyfriend? Birds shouldn't have teeth. Why had his eyes glimmered like that?

"Sh-should I try to help? Or, at least offer my help?" She asked. "You said you were a messenger, right?"

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Charricthran shook his head. "Nah, any extra hands would only hinder, not help. If anything, send them Elias' way. He needs them more than Richard. To answer your third question, I am, in fact, a messenger. Of sorts."

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Of sorts?" She asked, offering the tray of snacks.

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Well I can only travel to people or places I know a name for, which is handy for quick jaunts and communications between friends, but bloody useless if I've never been to a specific address. And there's also the whole contract thing, but that's irrelevant for you, kid, unless ya wanna make a deal of some sorts for some reason. You'd have to find one of my names, though, and I doubt you're that intrigued."

He took a snack and gobbled it much like a pelican would a fish, teeth flashing like beams of moonlight in the somewhat dark room.

"Anyways, need something delivered to one of them? I assume you're at least considering it."

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

Clever reverse psychology sales pitch. Catt thought.

"Well, I had made the snacks for Richard, do you think he'd like some? I should probably send a note with it, and have a bag, or box or something...hm."

Setting down the tray, she reached into her Hatt and pulled out a couple small bags meant for treats, and notebook with a pen.

She quickly scribed two notes, one to Richard and the other to Elias that read:

Dear Richard,

If there is anything you may need, don't hesitate to ask. Okay?

I hope you like the snacks!

-Catt

She then divided some of the snacks into the bags and attached the notes.

"Would, this be too much?" She asked.

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Tairais  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Charricthran shook his head with another toothy smile.

"Not at all, kid. I'll be back soon. Well, actually, if I'm not back in about ten minutes, dont bother stayin' around: its likely I won't be back for a day or two in that case."

With that, the raven fell backwards into the shadows gathered along the wall with a puff of feather-like smoke.

Five minutes, and then ten minutes passed by with not so much as a peep. Twenty minutes later, and still nothing.

On the other side of the English channel, somewhere over the canals of Venice, Charricthran watched as Richard dangled off the side of a building, a figure shrouded in shadow as they watched him wrestle for control.

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Catt Hatter  Tairais • 2 years ago

Catt waited. She knew what the strange bird had said, but she didn't want to wander, just in case. Plus, she had left some snacks on the tray for when he got back.

She shuffled her feet, wishing she had brought a book, and let her eyes wander around the room.

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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

(( Helen Jekyll ))

Time passed, and Lewis recuperated well enough from Hawley's bullet to get about on crutches once again. He tended to his side business and worked his night job as per usual. He also made his regular rounds at the Society for Arcane Sciences--consulting with Lanyon, socializing with the lodgers...and checking in on Hela and Helen. He hadn't sensed the latter since the night of the incident with Griffin and Kito. Every time he passed the spot where it'd happened, he relived it. His mind's eye still saw the floor painted with blood; he smelled cordite and Kito's woodsy scent, saw the smug look of satisfaction on Hawley's hateful face.

Bloody psychopath.

Weir sometimes wondered what had possessed him to cut a deal with the man. He supposed it was only the desire not to tarnish the Society's reputation by involving the police. After all, that would've caused trouble for Hastie, and Lewis didn't wish to burden him.

Still, he reflected, Griffin had yet to make financial recompense for the ruined trousers.

And likely won't, if past behavior's any indication.

Hmph.

I'll give him a week.

Lewis shifted his focus back to the task at hand. As he made his way to the room in question, he felt the presence of...

"Helen?" he called, with a quick rap on the door. "Is it you?"

see more

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh!" Helen jumped at the sudden noise, dropping the book she had been about to replace on its shelf and wincing at the thud it made as it hit the floor. "O-One minute, please, sir!" Realizing there'd be no time to change, she grabbed one of the few jackets of hers that managed to survive Hela's destruction and pulled it on over the oversized shirt she wore, fumbling with the buttons. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you, doctor."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"That's quite alright. Simply let me know when I may come in, if you don't mind."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Of course." Helen mumbled as she finished up the buttons. She hastily ran her fingers through her hair a few times, sighing and standing several feet away from the door.

That will have to be good enough.

"You may come in now, sir." She called with a nervous smile.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Very good." He turned the key in the lock, opened--then shut--the door, and locked it, all while maneuvering on his crutches.

This is getting to be a habit.

"How are you, doctor?" he asked, genuinely pleased to see her.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh, I'm doing well, thank you." Helen replied, still flushed from her rushed attempt to clean up. "I'm... not really a doctor, though, sir." She lowered her gaze and twisted a button on her jacket, taking a moment to speak again. "Uh, how are you doing?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

His eyebrows raised briefly at her admission, though out of surprise rather than any judgment.

"On the mend, thankfully. Expected to make a full recovery." He gave a short, rueful laugh, then muttered, "No thanks to Griffin..." under his breath.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen smiled gently. "I'm happy to hear it." She said, relaxing at the sound of his laughter. She had forgotten how great company was. "I'm afraid Griffin gave me quite the scare that night."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"You're not alone in that," Weir said, shaking his head. He recalled the roiling anger that'd threatened to...complicate matters.

Bugger owes me a new pair of trousers.

"In any case, it's good to see you again. I'd hoped we might discuss your treatment plan, if you're up for it."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh, of course. I had nearly forgotten..." Helen admitted before trailing off, glancing from Lewis's crutches to her office chair. "I don't suppose you'd like to sit down while we talk? It's probably not good for you to stay on your feet."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Thank you, yes." He made his way to the chair and took a seat, setting his crutches down beside him. "You did very well the other day, you know. With Elaina."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I... appreciate the compliment, doctor, but I didn't have much of a choice." She responded softly and wrapped her arms around herself. "And even then, I still couldn't stop Hela."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"We'll build to that. You did slow her down significantly; I imagine it was much like trying to move through molasses for her. Next time, you'll hold out just a bit longer. And the time after that...and the time after that. Until, one day, you'll stop her in her tracks entirely. You'll retain control, if you will it." He smiled. "Did you notice what helped you during that exercise, Helen? Which emotions?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen let out a heavy breath. "Fear was the only thing I could feel, doctor." She closed her eyes briefly, continuing firmly. "I can't hurt Elaina again."

I've done enough damage already.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Fear was the only thing? Really?" he asked, somewhere between curious and skeptical. "Didn't you feel love for Elaina? Or anger at me, at least, for putting the both of you in that situation?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Any other emotions I might've had were probably covered up by that and the pain." She guessed, giving a small shrug. "I-It's, um... kinda fuzzy."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Fair point," conceded Lewis. "And I am sorry to have had to put you through that. But you did make a difference, Helen. It's something to work with, something to build on."

He paused and considered a moment.

"Do you know what Hela is, Helen?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I don't think I understand..." Helen frowned faintly and tucked her hair behind her ear. "She's my Hyde, the... the embodiment of the worst parts of my nature." There was a pause, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Right?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"I...wouldn't say 'worst', necessarily. Simply the parts of yourself you repress and suppress. But, without a mitigating influence--without being acknowledged as perfectly valid aspects of yourself, and integrated into you in a healthful manner--they can express themselves in very destructive ways. Do you understand?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Helen slowly shook her head with a sigh. "Sorry, I don't think I do, sir."

Maybe you just don't want to understand. It wouldn't be the first time you've hidden from the truth.

Please, not now...

You don't get to decide, doctor. Now watch yourself or you'll regret it.

She swallowed hard then blinked, flushing as she met Lewis's eyes. "Sorry again, sir. My mind wandered."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Wandered into another aspect of itself, I'd wager, thought Weir.

"What is an emotion you never allow yourself to feel, Helen? Or that you regret or feel guilty about if you do? Don't think on it overlong--just name one," he snapped his fingers, "right off the top of your head."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh dear, uh... I'm not good with quick answers." Helen mumbled with a shaky laugh. "I guess when... someone has done something to me and... I suppose karma happens and they get hurt... the sort of smugness it tends to give people. I don't want to enjoy anyone's suffering." She paused. "Does that make any sense?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Ah," said Lewis. "Yes, it does. The Germans have a word for it, in fact: Schadenfreude. 'Shadowy joy'. There can come a type of dark mirth from another's suffering, particularly if they've wronged one." A pause. "It's a perfectly natural response, by the by. It might not win you a 'saint of the year' award, but it's undeniably human."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen winced, brushing her hair back behind her ear once more. "Just because it's human, doesn't mean it's right." She wouldn't meet his gaze again. "It's cruel..."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"It is," admitted Weir, "but it's understandable. So's anger, by the way."

He let the words hang there, waiting to see if Helen would think on them further. And, perhaps, even talk about them.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"I don't want to be consumed by anger or 'shadowy joy', as you called it." Helen bowed her head and shivered, despite the warmth of her jacket. "I want to help people, not lash out and hurt them."

And that went so well last time, didn't it?

Hela, I'm begging...!

Go on and tell the good Dr. Weir exactly how you've helped the world.

"Stop it!" She shuddered again, her voice trembling. "Please!"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

To feel an emotion does not mean one must be consumed by it. Rather the opposite, in fact. He was about to voice the thought when Helen cried out.

"What's she saying?" he asked. "I won't judge, Helen. And I'll keep things confidential, you have my word. You can always be honest with me."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Keep your mouth shut.

"S-She... I c-can't... tell you... I'm s-sorry..." She stumbled over her words, her eyes glistening with tears. "I w-want to b-but-"

I said keep! Your mouth! Shut!

Helen flinched and obeyed with a sniffle, wiping away tears with a trembling hand.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Hm. If it's something Hela doesn't want you to tell me, it's doubly important that you do."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Lie to him if you must answer.

"She's r-reminding me of the past, d-doctor." Helen spoke quietly and brushed away tears again. "Of... when I hurt Elaina..."

It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth, either.

I'm sorry, Lewis. I want to tell you.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I see," he said. "Do you know why Hela's so full of anger, Helen?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"In g-general or right now, s-sir?" She sniffled softly. "It's, uh... sorta a d-dangerous question either w-way, I think."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"In general," he replied.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I don't know, exactly..." She could almost feel the hot breath of her counter part on the back of her neck. "Maybe b-because she doesn't like things being in her way."

If you do try and get in my way, I will break you and everything you care about. Hela reminded her coldly, almost seeming to smirk.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"It's because you won't let yourself feel angry, Helen. You suppress and repress your ire, so it gets shunted into her. If you don't want Hela hurting anyone, you have to open yourself up to that anger, Helen. Let it roil through you and roll out of you. Otherwise, it'll continue to stoke the furnace of her rage."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh. So it is my fault, then." Her voice dropped to a whisper.

You are the one who drank the serum.

"How can I fix it?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"It often happens with Jekylls and their Hydes. Whatever the Jekyll suppresses, the Hyde expresses. You can take the first steps toward balance by allowing yourself to feel your own anger. It's of the utmost importance you do. I promise you, it won't consume you. But you do have to experience it before you can let go of it."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I trust you. I'll... do my best, but..." She exhaled in a shaky laugh. "I don't even know if I can get angry anymore."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"That's alright. You've doubtless had to learn to suppress it; over time, it can simply become habit. What we're going to do here is to unlearn that habit...and replace it with a new one.

"To begin...try to remember a time--before the serum, before any of this--when someone wronged you. Hurt you. Can you think of such an instance?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Not... really. There have been some people who were a little rude, but I always figured they were just having a bad day." She chewed on her lip for a moment. "I guess... my parents always seemed to use tough love. They, uh... were going to kick me out of the house, before I came here."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh, my. Whatever for?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh, just, um... they thought I was... acting strange and... I guess I didn't check in with them as often... I was a bit preoccupied with Hela at the time."

When aren't you?

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Again, kindly think of a time before Hela."

Hela complicates things and feeds your guilt; I need an unbiased example.

"Did you ever, say...see anything which made you angry? It doesn't have to have been something done to you personally."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh! Right!" She flushed a bright shade of crimson at his comment. "Sorry, sir."

After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she tried naming something else.

"One time, when I was... in middle school, I think, there was this beggar man on the side of the sidewalk. My parents and I passed him on our walk. I remember being confused, because we never saw people like that in our neighborhood, since the police always did patrols. And when we passed him by, I told him 'hello' and 'how are you doing?', as I was taught to, to be kind to everyone." A sigh. "My parents didn't even seem to see him... They kept pulling me along while I tried to get my wallet out so the poor fellow could get himself a nice hot meal..."

"In the end, they wouldn't let me give him anything and he was gone the next day."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"This is going to sound rather stereotypical, but...how did that make you feel? And, why?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Rather furious, actually." Helen admitted. "It wasn't fair that he had to live on the streets with nothing to eat when I could've easily helped... I was so frustrated with my parents for not understanding when I tried to talk to them about it. They simply explained that there were soup kitchens and such to care for the unfortunate and that if you just handed your money off to anyone on the street, they might not put it to good use."

Her lips twitched into a rueful smile. "I think that was the first time I yelled at my mother and father. They were quite shocked."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Excellent.

"I imagine they were," he said with a conspiratorial smile. "That, Helen, is the emotion you need to focus on. Tell you what...pretend your parents are right here, before you." He gestured to the side. "Right in this room. It's that day. And they won't hear you, won't listen, refuse to understand." He looked her in the eye. "Yell at them. Let them know exactly how you feel."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Alright, I'll try my best, sir." Helen promised meekly, breathing deeply as she tried to recall what had been said that evening.

"His clothes were worn to rags and I could see his bones sticking out... That man wasn't getting the help he needed." She muttered with a touch of passion and gazed into the empty space beside Lewis, but had her family been standing there, she would have seen only their shoes. "Help he could've gotten if you hadn't pulled me away when I tried to give him money."

I hope I don't disturb anyone.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"This is a good start, Helen. I'm sensing some...hesitance, though. What is it you're worried about?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh... Well, you never know when someone will be sleeping or working on something important. I don't want to bother to anyone." She turned to look at the wall between her room and Elaina's. "And it's not often that I try and yell at my parents, imaginary or not."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I believe everyone's still at breakfast, actually," said Lewis. "You know how they are about pancakes... And, even if they weren't, your treatment will improve their safety. Better a little yelling than a particularly irate Hela.

"As to your parents...it's important you remember how you felt that day. More than that, it's vital you allow yourself to relive it. If it helps you to close your eyes, to better visualize, then do so. Yell, gesticulate, feel your passion!"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Could I not just write an angry letter? She pleaded silently, letting out a sigh.

Helen closed her eyes. "Okay, that makes sense. I'll keep trying, doctor."

Even if this does feel ridiculous. Lewis is a professional, he knows what he's doing.

"Angry thoughts... My parents are being unreasonable and hypocritical."

Probably knows what he's doing. Hopefully.

"They... You should've let me help. It was my money, I had earned it through chores and such and it was like to spend."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

What makes her angry? Hypocrisy. People not hearing her, not listening to reason. People stifling her agency. Unwarranted unkindness.

Heh. I can get behind all of those. Ninety-five point six percent chance, indeed.

"That's it, Helen. Now tell them what it did to you, the impact it had."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen frowned faintly. What it did to me...?

The answer made her heart ache as she remembered the pain their actions had brought her. The betrayal, realizing that her parents weren't the people she thought they were...

Of course, it was childish to think that way. I had been looking at them through rose tinted glasses, like most children. She reasoned, brushing the hurt to the back of her mind before following Lewis's instructions.

"It was rather shocking, since you always claimed to be charitable people..."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Tell them that it hurt you, Helen. Feel the hurt, and the anger or sadness or anything else that flows from it. Don't reason it away. Let it wash over you."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"But, sir, I..." Helen sighed softly. "I don't know if I can... I'm trying, but... I was overreacting, wasn't I?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Who is it who told you you were overreacting, Helen? Who set that standard--for what does and doesn't constitute it--in the first place?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen opened her eyes, peering at the doctor. "I'm... not sure, sir." She answered softly and wrapped her arms around herself, unsure of what he was getting at.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"What I'm saying is, I'd guess your parents set that standard. Most people's do. But the thing is, this isn't about whether you overreacted or not. Keep such judgments out of you thinking. In fact, don't think. Just feel. Intellectualization will only hurt you here. This about your heart, not your head."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Yes sir..." Helen rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry I'm not doing very well... I think... I might be afraid to... just let myself feel everything."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"No need to apologize. It's always most difficult in the beginning. And it can be frightening to open oneself up to feelings so long buried. But I promise you, you will come out the better for it. And I'll be here for you, every step of the way. You can do this."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Have... you done this before, sir?"

I can't do anything. I am nothing. Aruged Hela in a voice that sounded just like Helen's own. Though she could tell where it came from, it still sent a chill down Helen's spine.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Yes," he said with a nod. "I have."

A pause, as Helen's energy shifted.

"I can also tell Hela's being an arse to you as we speak. Let me hazard a guess: She's either threatening you (or your loved ones), or else shaking your confidence in yourself. Belittling you, like the voice of negativity she is."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Helen forced a meager smile, an expression that didn't reach her eyes. "Are you always so clever?" She asked, all too aware of the dangerous ground she stood on.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"What are you afraid, of Helen?" asked Weir, cutting to the chase. "She can't leave this room. She won't kill you, or she'd be killing herself. The fact that she's trying to get to you means she's running scared, attempting to disrupt our work here."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Helen's mouth dropped open at his words, her eyes widening as the realization hit her.

"Nothing. There's nothing to be afraid of." She whispered and briskly began to unbutton her jacket, swiftly tossing it aside. Then, looking back up at the doctor, she smiled. It was bright, and for once in a very longtime, full of hope.

"Thank you, doctor."

From the moment she had spoken, Hela's rage began boiling and seething, sparks of pain flickering throughout Helen's body as the Hyde gathered her strength. Then all at once, the sparks burst into flames.

Helen grimaced and squeezed her eyes shut, laughing softly. "You can't do anything..."

In response, the pain grew enough to force Helen to her knees as she shrieked, trembling, but still she didn't budge a inch.

"S-So what i-if you w-win this t-time..."

Another scream followed and her breathing began growing ragged.

"Y-You... have t-to... let m-me out... again... e-eventually..."

Over and over, waves of pain would crash down on her, and though she no longer spoke, only cried out, she didn't change either. It wasn't until the cries had long since died that the doctor slumped into blissful unconsiocuness.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"There's m' girl," said Lewis softly, with a grin from ear to ear.

Today...is a turning point.

He picked up his crutches and left the room as quietly as he could, locking the door behind him.

Let Hela's rage keep her company when she wakes.

She really should've accepted my offer to help...

Ah, well.

Feeling chipper despite his injury, he made his way down the hall.

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Tairais • 2 years ago

(( Jekyll1886, I have another letter for Lewis from Richard. ))

Charricthran rose out of the shadow of the leviathan in the great hall, flicking away loose feathers and clinging darkness alike before he took to the air once more, half flying, half skipping and hopping down the halls of the Society as he tried to locate the sound of Lewis' familiar heartbeat.

He really needed to get back to Richard when the man wasn't in the middle of cleaning up after a mugging gone wrong. There were important things to say he couldn't speak of without the help of another, as much as it irritated him. That irritation trailed after him like a fine red mist, ruffling his feathers.

Letter for Lewis first, trying to evacuate until further notice second.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago

Lewis was currently in the infirmary, doing his damnedest not to fall asleep. He'd been awake the entire night and the ensuing day, first with Kito and Griffin, then Mz. Hyde, and finally with visitors from another dimension. In point of fact, he was exhausted. But he had, at least, eaten lunch. He looked forward to afternoon tea.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Charricthran poked his head halfway through the wall of the infirmary as he walked down the hall and almost missed Lewis in the process. He was halfway through opening his beak to caw and attract the man's attention before he noticed how exhausted he looked.

Ducking back out into the hall, he focused intently on the back of the envelope until faintly glowing letters emerged.

'Just shout if or when you have a response you need to deliver. I'll hear it.'

Once he was done, he simply slid the letter under the crack in the door, a not-quite-feather following behind it. Satisfied, he melted back into the shadows, noting the tugging sensation of Torke's proximity growing fainter.

Perhaps he was leaving. He doubted it, though.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago

Lewis sensed--someone? Something? Some being?--through the haze of his utter lack of sleep.

Oh, he realized, after a moment. Charricthran.

The scraping of paper on the hard floor attracted his attention, and he turned his head to look.

"Charricthran?" he called groggily. "Is that you?"

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The bird himself poked his head out of the shadows of a nearby cot.

"Aye. Was trying to let you sleep. You look like ya need it. Letter's not that urgent or anything, so feel free to take a nap if you want. As the letter says, I'll be within shouting distance. Can't leave the building anymore anyways."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Can't...sleep," Lewis managed. "'Need to go home."

A pause.

"With any luck, they'll release me this evening. May as well look at the letter now, while I'm up. Er..." he corrected himself, aware he was lying in a bed, "conscious, rather."

Something clicked.

"Wait, you can't leave the building? Since when?"

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Fair enough, I suppose.

Charricthran melted the rest of the way out of the shadows and perched near Lewis' feet.

"And I haven't been able to leave the building since the terms of my contract with Richard were invoked, namely, he needed me to keep an eye on 'home'. One of them, at least. Point being, I'm stuck here til he's back, til he needs me elsewhere, or til he says I can go back to tormenting the other souls I have my beady little red eyes on."

He grinned, though underneath the smugness of it all was a hint of bitterness, the sort you harbored for a past version of yourself for making foolish choices.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Oh? Torment many souls, do you?" asked Weir, as if he were simply making idle conversation.

Belatedly, he remembered something.

"Would you mind bringing the letter to me? I'd really rather not get up right now."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Charricthran chuckled in his croaking, raspy way. "Only if they try to cheat the terms of the contract they wrote. Doesn't happen as often as it used to, thankfully. There's only so many ways someone can act terrified before it gets dull, and I've been round long enough to see em all."

As he was talking he grabbed the letter in his talons and hopped into Lewis' hand. He hopped onto the man's foot a moment after.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • 2 years ago

"Fair point," shrugged Weir. "I doubt the terror'd have much meaning, anyway, if they weren't someone you loved nor hated."

He felt paper touch skin and looked at his hand for a moment, as though in a stupor. When it registered exactly what it was he (be)held, he drew in a breath and opened the letter.

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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

It had been a grueling day, the labor-intensive conclusion of over a month's worth of work. But, at long last, "Dr. Nick Lewsome's Extraordinary Elixir for the Discerning Dilettante" was ready to move. As soon as his gunshot wound healed to the point the he wouldn't need crutches, Lewis could get down to the business of selling it. He had regular doses as well as "party favor" samples all set to go. Once this store of the substance was sold...well, those plans, too, he'd see through in time.

For the moment, he desperately wanted a drink. So busy had he been with his endeavor, however, that he'd neglected to go out and purchase anything alcoholic. Sighing, he picked up a silver flask, took a seat, and set down his crutches. Willing to imbibe the...bracing fluid within, he opened the flask.

(( Hyde without a Jekyll ))

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"LET ME, YOU POWER HUNGRY B*STARD!" an all too familiar voice, dripping with ire, screamed near the middle of the room.

He was reaching a fever pitch with this fool now, and though his tolerance to any a substance was abnormally high, he had become overly ill with this Golden Goose's presence and his list of misdeeds!

First, he's knocked out, tied up, and thrown into a wardrobe by the devil. Second, he loses his job because of him. Third, he's chased by the demon and his pet Cockatoo. Forth, the great doctor declares he's dying. Fifth, he's kidnapped by him and left in the bloody morgue of the Hell as known as The Society for Arcane Sciences. Sixth, he wanders the halls the abyss not only bumping into some of the fiends that are housed there but also his arch nemesis, again, who he effortlessly defeats. Seventh, he's, once again, kidnapped by the villain and is dragged to his dingy lair flat. Eighth, his belongings are taken by the lunatic, who declares that he, the only man in London who's able to see the infected wound that threatens the life of the city he loves, is dead (The absurdity!). Ninth, the rabid beast drinks from his lucky flask. Tenth, dark warlock cast some sort of spell on his sacred bottle (or heaven forbid, his own righteous personage) so that he may not retrieve his belongings and leave this nightmare. Eleventh, the manipulative a**hole then mocks him with this fact.

There is only so much the man could tolerate and he was nearing his wits end.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Good God!" exclaimed Lewis, snapping to. "There's no need to shriek like a harpy!" Why the devil was this screeching sot back? Weir'd been just about to enjoy a rotgut stiff drink when...

Wait one bloody minute here...

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"You were the one who started shriekin--" The man stopped his tirade and looked at Lewis who was now....

...sitting... in a chair...with crutches?

What the hell...

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"No..." said Lewis, looking at the ghostly lush as if the latter were positively mental. "You did that quite on your own, thanks."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Well, this was ...perplexing....

"No," the man corrected his rage being replaced with a slow, methodical train of thought, "You were standing, just a moment ago, with your cane, there." he points to a vacant spot in the middle of the bedroom, "taunting me to take my flask back."

He scanned the room and noticed several more incongruous details. "And now you're sitting here," he continued pointing to the chair Weir now occupied, "with crutches and a brown waistcoat and ...the sun is...setting...and..." The man's voice trailed off and his eyes widened as more and more distinct differences reared their ugly heads.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis thought back to the previous time he'd seen Drunky.

"I suppose I was..." he reflected, recalling the exchange. "But that's been several weeks ago now. It's April. Have you..." he asked with a puzzled look, "have you not been about since?"

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"April?!" he shouted with alarm. Last that the man knew it was early January! Almost Feburary...

...did he miss...

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

I suppose he really hasn't been out since.

Out.

...

Out and about. Out of...where? Where has he been all this time?

Weir looked at the specter. He couldn't shake the feeling he was just on the verge of realizing some prescient fact which might put the mystery to rest...

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

No! He couldn't have missed the holidays! The villain couldn't have held him captive for that long! The sun must be rising, not setting and he hadn't noticed it! And as for the sudden apparel change that...

...that was just another, "Mind Trick!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh, for God's sake, not this again..." said Lewis under his breath.

"Look, man, that was only the one time, a slip-up, alright? I haven't done it since. Not to you, nor anyone else, for that matter! Kindly stop throwing it back in my face."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"One time?! ONE TIME?! You been using your mind tricks endlessly! Every time I have the unfortunate pleasure of seeing you, there you are--Using them!" He was a very patient man but like any decent human being he had a limit, "YOU'RE USING THEM RIGHT NOW!!! CHANGING THE WHOLE SCENE!!" He screamed flinging his arms about in circles to gesture to ....to.... everything.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

A look of abject pity filled Weir's face as he realized the extent of the poor fool's delusion.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I haven't. I'm not. This is my flat...and I haven't seen you since winter. Not since I..." his eyes fell to the flask, "I..."

A pause.

"Not since I drank from the flask..." he said softly, the pieces clicking into place.

"The flask!" he cried abruptly, as the solution shot him through. "It's the bloody flask! You're tied to the flask--or maybe what's inside it! Doesn't matter; this... It all makes sense now!"

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"REALLY!? GOOD FOR YOU!" He shouted, his nerves cracking from the fools stubborn attempts at manipulation, "NOW GIVE ME MY BELONGINGS BEFORE I SHOUT FOR THE F*CKING POLICE!"

This was the last time he was going to ask.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis looked toward the ceiling, then shook his head.

"Look," he said to the ghost of denial, "if I could give you this flask, I would have already. But I can't. You're not solid anymore. You need to be in order to hold it, to take it--and yourself--the hell away from me. Which, believe me, I wish you could do."

I've half a mind to just drop the damned thing in the Thames.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I'M GLAD WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE!!! NOW FIX THIS MESS YOU'VE MADE SO I CAN LEAVE OR I'LL...I'LL..," his voice trailed off as he searched the room for something incriminating. Finding nothing his rage grew to a monstrous size, "I'LL SEARCH YOUR BLOODY 'FLAT' TILL I FIND SOMETHING TO HOLD TO YOUR THROAT!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Good luck with that," said Lewis flatly.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

With that the man turned and stomped up the stairs to the third floor, leaving a string of foul words in his wake.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis sighed, capped the flask, picked up his crutches, and followed.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

As Weir rounded the corner and looked up the stairs, there was no one in sight. His flat was completely empty.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"What the bloody..."

He went up the stairs, unsure where the drunkard had gone.

"Hello?" he called.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

There was no answer except for the good night calls of the mud phoenixes outside.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis glanced about, confused.

His gaze settled on the flask.

He shrugged.

May as well have a drink...

He uncapped it.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The sound of footsteps permeated in the stairwell at his right and was quickly followed by short yelp, "GOD D*MN IT! WILL YOU BLOODY WELL CUT THAT OUT?!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Bloody HELL!" yelped Lewis, startled. "Where the blazes did you come from?"

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

There stood the man, looking just as startled, on the stairs,"I've been here the whole time you loon! Where f*ck did you come from?!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"No, I capped the flask, grabbed my crutches, and went to follow--"

WAIT a minute...

He looked from Drunky...to the flask. Back to Drunky. Back to the flask. Back to Drunky.

He tilted his head at the ghost, looked down at the flask...and capped it.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

The insults suddenly ceased and when Lewis looked back up the stairwell was lifeless.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Interesting..." he said as toothy half-smile raised the left side of his mouth.

He took a moment to just enjoy the silence.

Eventually, he relented and opened the flask once more.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"SO YOU COULD PLAY MORE MIND TRICKS ON ME?!" The shouting once more resumed as the man blinked back into existence on the steps.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Weir snickered.

This is actually rather fun...

He capped the flask again.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The echoing silence quickly took back its position in his flat.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis opened the flask.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The man appeared, red faced and with a raging fire in his eyes, "NOW--"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis closed the flask.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sweet silence.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Opened.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"--GET OUT--"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Closed.

Silence.

Opened.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"--OF MY--"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Closed.

Silence, followed by Weir's own giddy cackle.

A chortle.

A breath in, and out.

Opened.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"--WAY!!!" The man started up the stairs again, practically fuming.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"By all means," said Lewis, leaning on his good leg to make a sweeping motion with his right hand despite the crutches. "Don't let me stop you." His lips pursed into a small, amused smile.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Another string of foul words escaped the man's lips, when climbing to the top of the staircase. Now reaching the summit, he eyed Doctor Weir(d), slipped passed him, and crossed under the threshold of the uppermost floor.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Whatever do you seek, Mr...." He realized, not for the first time, that the only moniker by which he knew the chap was the one he'd made up on his own. He thought it odd he'd known the fellow this long and not learned otherwise. "Say, what is your name, anyway?"

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Mr. Emerson Sterling," He proudly stated, puffing out his chest as his eyes scanned the vile room, "and don't you forget it!"

The space was dark and dank and decrepit by any man's standards. Several tables were set up with looming metal vials and glass tubes stacked upon them. Thin discolored residue could be seen in some parts of the contraption while other tools had been darkened by an corrupting fire. The owner of this despicable establishment had clearly been making ...some wicked potion in his bubbling cauldron. Large closed crates lined the walls and floors no doubt containing whatever vile concoction the fiend had created.

However in this sewer of a room there was a shining diamond to beheld and a grin split Emerson's face as his eyes landed upon it, "For that name is going to pin your golden *ss to the wall!"

((And in case you were wondering this is where he gets his last name from:

))

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Scottish Sterling or English Sterling?" asked Lewis, tilting his head. To his mind, it was an important distinction.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Emerson Sterling." He repeated, not amused by the Goose's short attention span, "But it's just Mister Sterling to you, Dr. Nick Lewsome", he chuckled eyeing a few labels strewn upon the table, "Just wait until Lady Venom hears about your 'Extraordinary Elixir for the Discerning Dilettante'!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"'Lady Venom'?" Weir repeated. "What the hell kind of name is that? It sounds like a bit part in a twopenny melodrama."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling stopped, thought, and nodded as Lewis did make good point. The name was a tad ridiculous.

"Hell if I know," he shrugged, "but what I do know is that Lady Venom runs a large chunk of London, especially East End, and does not appreciate two-bit, wannabe salesmen encroaching on her business." He grinned confidently knowing the fool would succumb to his intimidation.

...Oh the things one had to do for a decent drink around here.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"By 'runs', I take it you mean in the criminal sense." The doctor smiled. "Well, that's a relief. My wares are perfectly legal. And I've no intention of selling to the East End," he said with a note of disgust. "No, I cater only to a select clientele."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"By 'runs', I mean in every sense." The man glared,disgusted by his hosts shift in attitude and with half a mind to punch the smug b*stard's face. "And now the devilish doctor adorns a halo and believes himself something holy," he spat back, "Come now! Let us ignore the facade and just give me my bloody belongings and I'll be on my marry way with out a word about your entrepreneurship."

The demon's self-righteous attitude was sickening! Not only had this good doctor stolen his possessions and placed a curse upon Sterling, but he was no doubt concocting a scheme to hold all of London under his thrall with this 'Extraordinary Elixir'!

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I don't care if you blazon my 'entrpreneurship' to the entire world, Mister Sterling. And I never claimed to be a saint. Just operating within the confines of the law. What's more, the only belonging of yours I ever took was this flask, because I wanted to remember your tenacity, and your sacrifice. So that you wouldn't be forgotten, as so many others are." He went off into his thoughts then, reliving the past, remembering those he'd lost.

A sigh.

"I wish to God you could take this flask, Sterling. Wish you were around in the flesh to annoy me and get drunk and...make things interesting. I suppose, in the end, I did respect you. Begrudgingly, but it's true all the same."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Remember my sacrifice? Wouldn't be forgotten In the end? What was this bloke going on ab--

Confusion quickly flitted across his face only to have realization take it's place, "You delusional fool!! You still think I'm dead!!" He gritted his teeth together and closed the distance between himself and the doctor, "Well, I can guarantee you, one of us will be dead if you don't return my belongings and lift this curse in the next minute." They were mere inches apart now, the man visibly shaking with rage and frustration, "And I don't plan on dying any time soon."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"You're tenacious, I'll give you that. But, sadly, you're projecting. I'm not the one who's delusional..." He shook his head, and let out a breath. "I've told you time and again I've not cursed you. Frankly, I don't know how to curse anyone, unless it's with my company, if I annoy them."

He shrugged.

"Believe what you like. But the fact of the matter is, you're dead, you're tied to this flask, and, if I cap it, you'll vanish. Where you go, I have no earthly idea. But time doesn't seem to pass for you--at least, until I open it again, and you reappear."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson had heard a lot of absurd things in his time...with the majority of them turning to be out partially, if not completely, true. But this one took the cake!

...He really needed his belongings back....He really needed to get back...

"Fine!" He growled at the nonchalant goose, glaring directly into those dark chasms for eyes, "Say I'm dead!! Well then where is your proof!? Because as far as I can tell there's only a mountain of evidence that you are a parasite to my city!!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"That's rather unfair of you, Sterling. I'm not a parasite. Not a pillar of society, either, but..." He broke off, genuinely hurt, bordering on miffed, but trying to cover both emotions. The dead man's accusation brought up...things he probably ought to talk about with Dr. Rose.

"As to evidence," he said, recovering himself, "you won't find a body, as the creature which killed you ate it. But I can show you the place where it happened. Walk you through it, see if you remember anything. I would, at least, do that for you." Hateful though you can sometimes be, I could still do that much.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson blinked a few times at Weir's attitude. Nothing he had ever said before phased him. Nothing! But this parasite comment ....it struck a cord. He finally got a punch squarely on the golden goose! He should be celebrating! Yet...

...yet...why didn't it feel like a victory?

He shook off the notion focusing on the task at hand, "If it will make you feel better and get my items back faster then by all means, lead the way!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Very well."

Though it made him look like a boozer, Lewis kept the flask open as they made the hansom ride to the Society. He wanted Sterling to see for himself that he had, indeed, been in Weir's flat, not the Society.

Upon their arrival, Lewis put the uncapped flask in his coat pocket. He went up the stairs with the aid of his crutches, and, finally, came upon the hall where Emerson had "beaten" him.

"Do you remember what happened here?" asked Weir.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Though he believed that Weir was telling the truth about his flat, Sterling's final doubts were put to rest as they traveled through streets not near the Society.

Upon once again entering the Minotaur's maze, the winding path the duo took quickly disorientated the man. The endless mirroring hallways, strange sounds of science, and horrifyingly odd spectacles that lined the walls would be enough to confuse any man. Stepping through the threshold guaranteed a quitting of any sane and logical world and stepping into some foreign nightmare... but Emerson had done that already, long ago. The difference between entering the Organization and entering the Society, was fear, helplessness and isolation that invaded his being when inside those tan walls.

After a period of descending into the depths of hell, they reached their destination. This destination was merely a doppelganger of the previous hall. Doors lining the walls and light throwing itself upon the ceiling.

"No! It's a bloody hall like all the others--" He stopped spying a iconic double doors of the infirmary. A small chuckle bubbled up from his throat growing into a big belly laugh that forced him to double over. "This is where I enjoyed roasted goose!" He continued to snicker at the pleasant memory that played behind his eyes.

((I REMEMBER THAT!! XDDD That's where you got owned, Lewis!))

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Laugh it up, Chuckles..." said Weir with a look of chagrin. He huffed.

A pause. Then, grudgingly:

"At least you bally well remember."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Of course I remember!" he cackled, "How could I forget!?" It was a most momentous occasion and while he didn't permanently defeat the fiend, knowing he could win a fight against him was enough to keep him going through this... difficult time.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis exhaled through his nose, the sound somewhere between a sigh and a huff.

"In any case," he continued, getting back to the point of the exercise, "we're retracing the steps of that night. Now, come on."

Secretly, he was glad the man had something to feel good about, even if Sterling did crow like a cockerel.

Weir went on his crutches to another hallway. He stopped before a closed door. A door which led...down. To the depths of the Society.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling followed Lewis still snickering in reminiscence but seeing his unwanted guide had stopped, he quieted once more. Taking up roost on the right of Weir, Emerson glanced between the cripple and the unimpressive door, peeved that this tomfoolery had lasted this long.

"Does the great doctor need assistance opening such a intimidating door?" He raised an eyebrow waiting for Lewis to continue the tour.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"You obviously don't recognize it, then," observed Lewis. "This leads to the cellar. You... Your life ended, in there."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and sighed in frustration but choose not to question the Goose's delusion, "Yes! Lovely!" He sarcastically exclaimed, "Such a lovely door, and a lovely story, and a lovely building! But can I please have my belongings back, now?"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Let's...go down, then. Maybe something will jog your memory." So saying, Weir opened the door. It was rather awkward, with the crutches, but he carefully, slowly, eventually picked his way to the bottom of the steps.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson enjoyed watching the fiend struggle as the charade continued but none the less complied to his wishes and followed him down the stairs. Reaching the ground floor, Sterling looked around at the shadowy cellar.

"So...." The man broke the silence, "I just hate to break it to you, but there are no 'memories' to jog."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Well, look," said Lewis, "I don't know what you were doing in the cellar, but you did come down here. You were headed back up the stairs when the monster blocked your path. Just...take a glance about. Walk to and fro, poke into nooks and corners, climb the stairs...retrace your steps."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling turned his head and gave Weir a look that said Are you serious?

"I've been congenial." all hints of humor had left his voice as he addressed the doctor, "I've put up with your ridiculous notions. But are you really so lonely as to kidnap a man, steal his belongings, and coerce him into a wild goose chase, just for some company?" Emerson shook his head, "You do understand brothels exist for a reason."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"And I've been more than patient, you great, dead idiot," spat Weir in a sudden spurt of temper. "The only ridiculous notion is yours--of being still alive! I'll not stand here and take insults from an ungrateful spook!"

So saying, he turned his back on Sterling and began to make his way back up the steps.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"And how is believing oneself to be alive such a 'ridiculous notion'?!" He shouted up at Weir, "Pray tell! Are you not alive?!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Go past me on the stairs, Sterling." The passage was narrow; only one person could fit at a time. "I'll bet you ten quid you pass right through me." He turned to look Emerson in the phantasmal eye, as if daring him to try. "No living person would."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"And I would wager you would win that bet considering this curse you put on me." He returned Lewis's stare with equal intensity.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"If I had the power to curse people, do you really think I'd waste one on the likes of you?" Weir shot back. "What, curse myself for all eternity with your bloody company? No, thank you!" He turned his head to look at the stairs in front of him, and continued up them once more.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"You claim that you don't want my company," he began following Lewis up the stairs as this conversation was far from over and wouldn't be until Lewis undid this spell and gave back his belongings, "Yet who kidnapped me twice?! Who gave me a tour of their job?! Who admitted they stole my flask?! And who is carrying said flask currently around with him?!" Emerson stopped, shook his head, and huffed, "To think, I might have actually felt sorry for you...you sad, sad man."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Now see here, Sterling," he corrected as he climbed the stairs, "I only let that orange giant take you because I could sense something was wrong with you. And to placate her--she has quite a temper. She could've seriously hurt you otherwise; she's strong enough to snap a man's femur like a twig! It was the lesser of the evils! In any case, you needed medical attention. It was a compromise with her to take you to the morgue rather than the infirmary, but I did stay there with you; I was looking out for you...more fool, me. No good deed goes unpunished. I should've just dumped you in an alley after you showed up at The Velvet Orchid and had done with you."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"What happened to a patient's desecration, Doctor? And as you can see I'm fit as a fiddle though I can't say I appreciated your company, watching me sleep with the dead...," He thought over his words for a moment, "That's probably how your delusions started as well..."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis just shook his head and continued up the stairs, opting to ignore the delusional sot.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Catt was counting the coins she had made from her performance today. Slightly more than usual, but not too too much. Still, a good day was a good day.

As she was coming up on the door to the cellar stairs, she caught the snippets of a familiar voice. He didn't sound too happy though.

Opening the door, she called "Dr. Weir, is that you? What are you doing in the basement? Stairs can't be fun in your condition."

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Catt Hatter  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

(Hyde without a Jekyll )

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh! Catt..." said Lewis, halting to look up at her. "Sorry, just trying to..." jog the memory of an impudent, dead drunk. "Never mind."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

The Drunk in question had become eerily silent. He had stopped half way up the stairs and was no longer staring at Lewis but the foul Crow cawing at the top of it.

"Sorry sparrow, but no can do." He shook his head and his feet remained firmly planted, "There's two of you up there and one of them I trust as far as I can throw. I would ask that they leave but I doubt that'll happen...bird of a feather and all that."

Actually, it's just me. The girl suddenly heaved to her feet and turned to glare down at him. She stood there, still looking exhausted, but all trace of weakness was gone.

As she lunged down the stairs, the disguise dropped and he saw a grotesque distortion of what may once have been a human. But now it was all red veins, and distorted limbs with too many eyes.

The thing's chest opened, a vertical split that turned the ribs into makeshift teeth which the creature, this monster closed around him.

The shock and horror struck his face like a flash of lightening. There wasn't any sparrow...not anymore... though he doubted if she had ever been there in the first place. In hindsight, he usually forgot not to count his eggs before they hatched and in hindsight he should have been dead a long ago.

He would go out doing his job. He would go out doing what he loved. He would go out protecting his city--his London from the monsters.

He dropped the cane and flask and candle, raising his fists. In the last moment before the world went dark, the fire in his eye was never brighter and the smirk on his face never more alive. For he knew, Things could always get worse.

And then the world disappeared.

The blood drained away from his face as it all came rushing back. The wandering of the halls at night, the little sparrow who cried for help, possessed by a demon--No. Not this time. This time it was only the demon.

He was dead, wasn't he. Lewis wasn't lying. He couldn't pick up anything because nothing belonged to him....not anymore.

He was ...dead.

Dead as a door nail.

Dead in the place he loathed the most.

Dead protecting his city.

Dead failing to protect his city as there was the monster standing at the top of the stairs, again, alive and healthy.

see more

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Catt raised her eyebrow at his dismissal, but thought it best not to press the matter just now.

"Um, d-did you want some help up? Since I'm here 'n all." She asked tentatively, tucking her earnings into her pocket.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"That's--"

Weir'd been going to say, "kind of you, Catt," but Emerson's energy shifted, and riveted his attention. Lewis looked over his shoulder at the thunderstruck apparition.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

His mouth was slightly ajar. His eyes locked upon the creature. His throat suddenly dry as the last few missing memories click into place.

"Lewis." Though his voice was weak and his tongue hard and stale as it crawled to the back of his gullet to block the terror bubbling up from his stomach, the intensity of his tone never faltered. "We--you need to get out of here."

It was a repeat of a rhyme from long ago.

The room was dark and dank, it smelled of iron and salt and acid.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Catt followed Dr. Weir's gaze to the empty stairwell. What was he looking at?

"You feelin' okay Doctor?" She was getting worried now.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"It's alright, Emerson," Lewis reassured. "This...is Catt Hatter. Not the one you met--not the impostor. It's the real Catt, this time."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"I don't care what that thing's name is! I know what it is." His voice was low and his eyes never left Catt's face. "And that's enough to know that it must die." The creeping terror crawled up his spine and began to wrap itself around his throat, "You need to run."

The glow of candles around him as they flickered against the brick walls.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Is someone else there?" Catt asked Lewis, casting nervous glances at the surrounding stairwell.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Yes," Lewis answered Catt. "Would you...give us a moment, if you don't mind? We need to clear some things up."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"What's there to clear up!?" Emerson was visibly panicked now. Beads of sweat rolled down his temple as he stared at Catt, "It's going to eat you! It's going to draw you in close and then lunge at you from the top of the stairs!" He attempted to reach out and grab Lewis clothes forcing him from the steps but his hands merely passed through. A gentle breeze trying to over turn a bolder.

"God d*mn it, Lewis!" His voice shook with fear, "RUN!!"

The chair was wooden and creaked in agony.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Uh... okay?" Catt backed out and stood next to the door, which she left slightly ajar. She listened carefully.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Alright, she's left."

To placate Sterling, Weir went down a couple of steps.

"Take a moment, if you need it, Emerson."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Lewis's body passing through his own did not help the uncontrollable alarm, "I am dead and it is not gone! You need to get away! You need to get help! You need to kill that demon before it slaughters-s" the word caught in throat, "another!"

The ropes rubbed and gritted against each other carving themselves into the wood.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Emerson, look, there's...something I've not told you. I can...sense souls. Energies. That sort of thing. I encountered the creature you speak of...and it's gone. Well and truly. That person up there, right now, is actually Catt. A lodger. Not a demon. I can feel her soul. Just as I could feel the monster's, before. Just as I can feel yours now. And they are different."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Yes! Yes! And you're still the delusional, obsessed fanatic who kidnapped me!" He said with a hysterical chuckle glancing back at the door that Catt stood behind. Keeping his voice low and his intensity high, Emerson continued, "Now I've dealt with these beasts before and you need to leave. Right now. I am already dead but you are not! You need to get out of here before it kills you too."

The ropes weren't strong enough.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

So, it was him that packed up the impersonator. Catt pondered if she should ask him about that, but that would mean admitting that she was eavesdropping.

Course, if he could sense souls, he might already know about that, which would render the problem moot.

She kept listening, hoping to learn more of who this Emerson was.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Very well," replied Lewis. He was obviously not going to make headway with Sterling on the matter right now. "But I'm in the cellar. That will mean going up the stairs..."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"This mansion is infinitely massive!" He gestured wildly about to the Society that encased them, "Surely there must be a window or second exit or--"

Emerson's panicked words cut off short as he glanced back up to the cracked door, light spilling through and pouring down the steps.

Light...and shadow.

"It doesn't matter...." He looked back at Lewis, terror being suppressed by willpower alone, "We need to get moving."

There wasn't enough time.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Very well," said Weir, and started up the stairs once more.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

At the sound, Catt took a step further away from the door and became very interested in the paint job on the far wall.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson attempted to block his way and in a panic whispered, "Lewis!! What are you doing?! "

How stupid could this man be?!

Why hadn't he known?!

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"You said to get moving," said Lewis as he stopped, confused. "This is the only way out of the cellar."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson thought about this a moment. If the stairs was the only way out of the cellar, and the demon was at the top of them...

"Fine." He sighed, " Just keep your distance. Three meters--" No that distance got him...killed. It was such a strange thought--one he would deal with later, "No. Four meters between you and monster should work. This one enjoys playing with it's food, like a cat. So do keep on your toes."

He should of known!

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Thank you," returned Weir. "I will."

He climbed the stairs, eventually cresting the top.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling shuttered as Lewis passed through him, he didn't think he'd ever get used to that--he hoped he'd never have to get used to that.

None the less he followed behind the nonchalant doctor to his doom. Even though he hated the b*stard, Emerson hoped things would turn out better for Weir than it had him. No one deserved to die like he had. No one.

He was boiling in his black suit but he didn't mind, as this was a proud moment for him.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Catt looked over as Lewis opened the door.

"So... Everything settled with, uh, the other person?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Actually, I'm afraid I must pop off, for the moment," said Weir apologetically. "I do hope you have a good night, though, Catt."

(( Hyde without a Jekyll ))

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

He stood behind Lewis, watching Catt's every movement. Though the small girl didn't look it, Emerson knew there was a monster lying underneath that flesh.

Soon it's torso would split open, it's ribs becoming crude teeth. A being of gluttony. The entire cavity, that it called it's body, was it's stomach. He just hoped the four meters would keep the crippled safe, if the beast decided to pounce.

He was proud, ever so proud.

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Catt Hatter  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Catt gave a wry chuckle. "I'll certainly try." She wrapped her arms around herself. "It's, been weird. Having that doll thing staring at me all night. Anyway," she shook her head and put on a smile. "You have a good night yourself, okay? And I hope you and your friend get things settled soon!"

Catt turned to head off to her room, the thought form staring at her from a decorative table.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Lewis nodded in appreciation.

When Catt had gone, he made his way to the main hall, and settled himself on a bench beneath the covered arches.

"Alright," said Weir. "We can speak here undisturbed; no one else is about."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Now that the creature was a great distance away from Lewis, Emerson's nerves calmed slightly. Yet the idea of that thing wandering about such a lively place full of living people did not help matters. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing and soon it would kill again.

"You need to get out of here." Sterling's eyes darted, expecting the bobbing top hat to appear at any moment, "We need to get everyone out of here and we need to get help to kill that....thing." His last word dripped with a solidified loathing.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Emerson...let's go back to my flat. There's something I need to show you. Something which may prove useful in all this."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"And the whirl win tour of your life continues!" He sarcastically exclaimed. "Why can't you see the bigger picture?! The fate of London is at stake?!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"The 'bigger picture' is exactly what I'm trying to show you. I can prove to you the real monster's been dealt with, and that that was the real Catt just now, but the evidence is back at my flat."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Fine!" Emerson threw his hands up in defeat. Always stubborn this one but at least he would be out of harms way. One less fool to worry about in the line of fire. "But your 'evidence' better be a flamethrower or a tesla gun or something of that kin."

And with the Golden Goose out of the way Sterling could warn the Organization, for if Dr. Weird could see him then surely others could as well.

Maybe...dying didn't have to mean he was dead...

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis chuckled.

"Funny you should mention such a weapon..."

* * *

Back at the flat, Weir rummaged through some drawers until he found what he was looking for.

"Aha!" he said, pulling out the strange device. "This little gadget stores a visual record of what happened that night. Cutting-edge technology. But I thought it prudent, just in case questions arose."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Lovely." Sterling replied unimpressed, "I will have to add stalker to your list of appellations."

Never the less the man peered over Lewis's shoulder to see what secrets the odd invention may hold.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Weir flicked a switch, and a scene, in miniature, unfolded.

[The events of that night play out. A Tesla gun is, indeed, utilized. The recording stops after Lewis leaves the Society. The only strange thing is that the monster doesn't show up as anything but garbled, shifting whirls.]

"Now, the thing is, that creature was so unusual, the recorder couldn't quite pick it up properly. Whereas, if I try to capture Catt's image, I'm sure it will register as a normal visual."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Sterling stiffen watching the small moving holograms. Emerson watched himself...die. It only drove home the idea again. He was dead. He had died. He is--

But this wasn't important at the moment. He shook off the notion and returned to the matter at hand, "The demon just disappeared after you shot it? And it did not look like that," he pointed to the static, "when it..."Emerson's voice trailed off unable to finish the thought. After a moments pause the questions began again, "How can you tell me what we just saw at the Society was not the Monster? Why should I even believe you--trust you?"

There were too many hole's in Lewis's story and the narrator himself was not all that credible. None of this made sense.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"It disappeared because I'd arranged for its disappearance. I'd sensed something was off, but had to make preparations. It had to be incapacitated in order to dematerialize it. That round device I tossed onto it--that was a beacon which enabled some colleagues of mine to lock onto the blasted thing. 'Jaunt' was the command to activate their equipment and take care of the blighter. I did see it, from the back, before I pulled the trigger on the electric gun. It was...a monstrosity. Pallid skin, and red veins, and the sickest aura I've ever encountered." Weir shook his head. "The world's well rid of it."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Sterling rubbed his forehead trying to take it all in. Lewis had some 'colleagues' who used this strange technology to remove the beast from the face of the world.

"Say I believed you! Say the demon is dead and gone..." He shook his head at this, "I still don't trust you. You have just admitted to me that you and some 'friends' of your's have the technology to make anyone and anything 'disappear' from the face of the planet when ever you so desire it!" His voice shook with emotion.

"In this instance it was an extremely overpowered beast that could have wiped out humanity. Your whims and the best possible course for life just happened to be one in the same."

He snorted and shook his head in disgust, "But-But suppose that the next time you fancy to remove an annoyance from your life--from everything. It is not a question of can you do it, anymore. But it is a question of do you have the right?!"

His lips curled in contempt for the man who's house Sterling stood in. He kept shaking his head as though trying to fling off some foul karma that hung about the air like strangling smog. Sterling began to back away from Dr. Weir terrified and revolted by the man in equal measure.

"Who's to say," The volume of his voice dropped to that of a disappointed lover's yet his passion never faded, "that with this power you are not worse than the demon you removed with it?"

"This was what the Organization made for," he was now several feet way, "yet they did not believe me when I informed them of you,

My Golden Goose."

see more

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"This wasn't a 'whim'--that thing was a bona fide threat to everyone in London! I'd tried reasoning with it, and failed...then lost track of it. I think it was only the fact that it and I were in public which saved me, even then. By the time I found it again...it was too late. It had already claimed another victim..." he looked at Sterling sadly, "you."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Call it what you will. Responsibility. Duty. Obligation. It still does not change the fact that you have this ability at your finger tips. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and when men are gods who shall humble them and remind them of what they once were?"

He sighed and dreading what he needed to address next, "And if you claim this creature's actions as your own doing, seeing how you not only 'lost track' of it but denied yourself the opportunity to obtain assistance to stop it!!" His voice had risen with anger and he paused to collect himself, "Therefore you are at fault for my..."

Emerson stopped.

Swallowed.

Continued.

"Death."

He snorted in disdain, " In that case, congratulations are in order. You have achieved what so many men what been trying to obtain their entire lives."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Know that I take no pleasure in it. I did--do--respect you, in the end. Your tenacity. Your willingness to put your life on the line for a cause you believe in." Emerson's words about power and corruption were not lost on him; he'd said much the same thing to Author not long ago. "If you like...I know it won't bring you back, but would it ease your mind, at least, if I broke the only way I have of contacting those colleagues? They're the ones with the power, not I."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson smirked. He was no fool and flattery would not work. "Go ahead! Break your fancy inventions! You will just have to resort to the old fashion way of pen and paper and the post to conduct your business!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Ahaha," laughed Lewis with a touch of sadness. "I'm afraid that's simply not the case; they're in a different dimension. There's no transdimensional post that I know of. But," he reflected, "you'll likely not believe me on that score, either, will you? Even were I to smash this to pieces," he said, pulling a round device from one of his pockets, "you'd still think the worst of me, wouldn't you? Since I didn't get there in time to..." he broke off, an unexpected lump in his throat.

One more failure on my account.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling was startled by the trans-dimensional claim, it was not unheard of...but the surprise was there and he quickly masked it.

"You are correct in that regard." a small, sad smile tugged at the left corner of his mouth, "You cannot compensate for this--me. There will always be blood on your hands, Doctor." In this moment he was reminded of the Hippocratic Oath 'to do good or to do no harm.'

"But you are incorrect in another regard."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Of that, I'm all too well aware... thought Weir with regard to the blood. Still, you needn't have laid the guilt trip. I did just own up to it, after all. And you're the one who underestimated Elder. I'm not entirely to blame here...

"Oh?" asked Lewis.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Though you say you are not the one with the power, you forget, all human's have the capability. It's when we combined that capability that true power is created." Sterling sighed, "So destroying your little toy will do nothing but go ahead! Humor yourself."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh, dear," said Lewis flatly. "So long as I exist, I shall have power. Whatever shall I do. I suppose the only solution is to kill myself."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"What a pleasant thought!" Sterling's rage was returning with a vengeance.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Yes, I'm sure it's much more palatable to you than thinking for one second that your own foolishness got yourself killed."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"My foolishness?!" Sterling scoffed, "I followed the proper procedures for dealing with demons! Let alone the fact I didn't even want to be in that d*mn building in the first place!! Thank you very much for that!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Demons?" laughed Lewis. "That wasn't a demon, it was a vampire that'd been infected with an alien parasite!"

He paused, realizing how ridiculous the words actually sounded when said aloud.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson got very quiet at this, mulling over what Lewis just said.

Not a demon...

...a vampire infected with an alien parasite

"Wasn't he a special snowflake."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Unfortunately..." agreed Lewis.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson stopped and took a moment to reflect.

This, however, required more than a moment and he sat down on the floor and thought--properly thought. It had the been the first good think he had had in hours--days? Time was becoming troublesome.

"Alright. Just-Just to clarify this isn't some booze driven dream. You and a giant orange woman kidnapped, and put me in a morgue. I then woke up and roamed the halls of your strange Society where I bumped into a few of the odd members and then kicked your sorry *ss. Next, I was eaten by a wild vampire that was infected with an alien parasite, which you killed with the aid of your trans-dimensional friend's futuristic technology."

"Now, I'm dead. "

"Being dead, you kidnapped me, again, took me on a tour where we run into ...not the alien-vampire-parasite-thing but some sort of doppelganger, a cross dressing girl named Catt. Now the tour is over and we're in your apartment again."

"I am dead." He thought for a moment making sure he didn't miss anything, "Please tell me this is a hallucination or a dream or something...I mean you did teleport earlier...and the crutches....and the your claims of soul seeing...and really just, specifically," he raises his hand gesturing to all of Lewis, "this makes me doubt the past day or two."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"That's...understandable," said Lewis. "It really is terribly odd, all of it. I'd question it, too, if I hadn't experienced it sober." He shook his head. "You really think I want to accept you handing my a** to me as reality?" he chuckled. He took in a breath, then let in out in a rueful sigh. "But there it is. In all its sordid truth."

He thought it best not to clarify that it was more soul "sensing" than "seeing". Now was not the time to quibble over semantics; the poor fellow had enough to take in.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

But he was too deep within his own thoughts to pay mind to the honking Goose.

Suddenly, though, realization struck him like lightening, "Oh!" But as he continued his tone became that of disdain. "And you could have stopped all this earlier had to dealt with the monster when you first discovered it!"

Assured nothing else was missed, he became uncharacteristically silent with reflection.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I had no way to, when I first discovered it. No weapon save a walking stick, lame in one foot, trying to talk my way out of it doing something horrific to me until I could make the necessary arrangements, gather the requisite resources. I didn't know what else to do; I'd never encountered anything like it!" said Lewis, at a loss.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling was silent.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Weir was quiet for a while.

"Look, Emerson, I..." he said finally, breaking the silence as he tried to catch the ghost's gaze.

"I'm sorry."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson pulled his knees to his chest, "Is this your life?"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"What?" asked Lewis, confused at the question and wondering if he'd perceived it right.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Is. This. Bull sh*t. Your. Life?"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Weir gave a sound somewhere between a sigh and a sad laugh.

"It doesn't usually come all at once, but...so far...in this dimension...yes."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"How are you not dead?" There was no humor. No sarcastic laugh. No anger. Just monotone questions.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"That's...a very good question," admitted Lewis.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

For the first time since he sat down, Emerson looked directly at Lewis, standing on the far end on the room. "How are you still sober?"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis laughed. It was part surprise, part gratefulness at someone acknowledging the craziness of recent events, part genuine good humor...and just a dash of madness.

"'Got so involved with work I lost track of time," Weir explained. "The store closed before I could make a liquor run--more's the pity. I suppose I could could go out, but I got caught up with you and...here we are." He shrugged.

"Plus, the last two times I went to a bar, it either exploded or I got used as a pawn in a lovers' spat and had to fight a giant of a man." He thought a moment. "Admittedly, the latter was actually rather fun, in the end. Turned out well. Helped me blow off some steam."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson nodded in acknowledgement at this, "Things could always be wor--" His iconic phrase caught in his throat and a wave of emotion swept over him.

He was dead.

"No." He shook his head, "Things can't get worse."

Sterling snorted trying to stop the despair that was welling up with in him.

"So this is rock bottom."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Sterling's sorrow washed over Weir as well. Anything Lewis could say wouldn't do it justice.

So he simply looked down and to the side...and said nothing.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"No last laugh?" Emerson didn't look away from Lewis, "No snide comment? Come now! This is where you prove me I'm yet again wrong! This is where you show me--tell me it gets worse!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis met his gaze again.

"I don't know if it does. I suppose it could, but can't picture how, precisely. Nor would I want to find out. Nor should you."

Don't tempt fate, came the memory of his mother's voice.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

He snorted, "Never the less I always seem to find out, one way or another. "

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I can't help that," said Lewis, shaking his head.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"You never do."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Contempt saturated Sterling's statement.

"You remind me a bit of my father," said Lewis coldly.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson smirked at this, contempt of his own rising, "You remind me of every other d*mn person in my life."

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Do tell," said Weir, his jaw clenched.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"What's there to tell that you can't already see?" His grin grew wider and he shook his head. Eyes fixed with those strange mossy pits.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I can tell that you're dead, and that you feel a boatload of contempt. What I can't tell is how that makes me like 'every other damn person' in your life." His words were clipped, bordering on curt.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

His smile bordered on madness, "Think about it! I am dead! A Ghost, God d*mn it!!"

He shook his head and muttered to no one in particular, "A Ghost! God that's weird!"

Emerson looked back up at Lewis, grin never leaving his face, "I am I ghost stuck talking to a person I f*cking loath! And in that time you dragged me around your life, I found out everything I thought was true--"

He bit his lip, "I did not want this! I never wanted this! Did I once say 'Why YES! I would love to be eaten by a Vampire-f*cking-alien-parasite-bastard'?! Because if I did tell me! Tell me! So I may laugh at the f*cking joke that is my life--Woops! I mean death too!"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis was silent. He did have a point...

...which reminded him of a nadir of his own life. The realization--fate's fool, a cosmic joke. A funny lie. A painful truth.

The cracking madness, the unhinged grin...they were his, too. Had been. Still were, in a way.

It was like looking into a mirror to his own past.

"Fate's a hateful b*tch with a galling sense of humor," he said, his jaw set.

He looked at Emerson.

"Maybe you need a new saying, Sterling." He cocked his head, madness playing at the edge of the grin that spread like a nasty gash across his face.

"F*ck. Fate."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Arms pulling knees to chest, the ghost sat on the wooden floor. His face split completely, ear to ear, with a demented grin.

A snicker was born in the back of his throat, little more than a snort. But it continued and matured into a chuckle then a laughter. Soon the dead man's cackling hysterics filled the flat.

"F*CK FATE!!"

...

And he began to cry.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis simply...let him cry. Emerson needed to, it was plain to see.

Unpleasant, but necessary, if he's ever to come to terms with what happened to him, thought Weir.

After a few minutes, Lewis moved to his bed, sat down, laid his crutches aside, and prepared to settle in for the night.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Sterling laughed, tears running down his face, his head buried into his knees. The sun had not been rising as he thought. It had set and was well gone now. Deep into the night, with only the stars, gas lamps, and mud phoenixes casting light about London.

He was dead.

Oh! How he wished for this horrid night to end. How he wished to wake up in his own bed or another's or a lover's. How he wished to be drunk on life and liquor. How he wished to collect his belongings and leave this dingy flat. How he wished the endless bull to stop. How he wished to be alive. How he wished for Weir to be dead--someone--anyone other than himself to be dead. How he wished he could beat the sh*t out of someone--something--anything.

Emerson was livid at life, irate at the indecency of death, and furious at fate.

But more than anything he wanted to leave.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis continued getting ready for bed. He went through his nightly rituals, aware of Emerson's state but putting it aside as he attended to the humdrum habits of everyday life. He'd left the flask on the small nightstand beside the bed.

When, at last, he'd finished his routine and put on nightclothes, he pulled back the bed covers, got into bed, lay down the crutches, and, at last, shifted his focus back to Sterling.

"Would you like me to cap you until morning?" he asked.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Emerson looked up at Lewis, eyes red, face red. The hysterical laughter spilled from that hysterical smile. Snickers and sharp intakes of breath broke his words.

"I--"

A gulp of air.

"--Don't--"

A giggle.

"--even know--"

A Gasp.

"--what that means!"

He once again crumbled to nothing more than hyperventilating chuckles.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I'll cap the flask, time will stand still for you while I sleep, and I'll uncap it in the morning when I wake up," he explained, completely unsure whether Emerson was even in a state to take in the information.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling had no audible response for this. He buried his head back into the sand like an ostrich and waited for the next punch to come.

Because things always got worse.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

He's not even fit to answer, thought Weir.

He sighed through his nose, then sealed the flask, snuffed the candle on his bedside, and undid the ties of the bed curtains.

In blessed, pitch-black silence, he finally fell asleep.

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

(( Hyde without a Jekyll ))

The next morning, Weir awoke in a bit of a state, but shook it off soon enough. It was nothing out of the ordinary for him. He tied back the bed curtains and saw indirect light filtering in through the window. The silver flask sat on the bedside.

Remembering the events of the previous night, Weir reached for it...then thought he probably ought to get dressed, first.

No telling what shape Sterling will be in. If past experience is any indication...he'll be just as he was before, when I sealed the flask. He shook his head.

After dressing, and having his morning tea, Lewis finally picked up the flask...and opened it.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Sterling appeared once again in the same corner and the same state as before. Not a moment had passed for him yet the scene suddenly shifted intensities as though someone had lit a warm, bright candle in a cold, dark room.

His head was still tucked into his arms as the morning light flowed around him. He left no shadow of inky blackness. He left no impression in the physical world for he no longer belonged to the physical world.

Though the sun's warm rays stretched across the room bringing warmth and the freshness of a new day, none of it touched Emerson. He felt nothing other than a boiling rage that gurgled out in the salt on his cheeks and snickers on his tongue.

His hysterics only grew more intense as the sudden scene changed dawned on him. In the blink of an eye he missed an entire night. But the darkness of night was no longer his and neither was the light of day.

He had fallen from the favor of time.

He had fallen from the favor of life.

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Emerson. Emerson," said Lewis, aware of Sterling's emotions but cognizant that he couldn't afford to let himself be drowned in them.

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Emerson looked up at Weir, with a maddening grin on his face and with something between a snort and a cry, demanded, "What!?"

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Do you want to stay in the flat or come with me?" he asked levelly. "It's your call."

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Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Let's go with the exercise option then!" Catt cheered picking up the lantern from the table. "Best to get some while you can, right? Let's go!"

She led the way past the bookcases surrounding the entrance to the strange dimension.

((Helen Jekyll Actually, I changed the names in case of copyright stuff. I just wanted to make sure you knew what games she was talking about. ^-^; ))

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Helen Jekyll  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Helen trailed behind Catt, her hands clasped behind her back as she took in their surroundings. "How good are you with dance games?" She asked with a smile.

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Catt Hatter  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Catt shrugged turning to climb over a pile of rubble. "Pretty okay, I guess. I never take it past the easy levels though, that way it can stay fun! How about you?"

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Helen Jekyll  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"I think I might take it a bit too seriously at times... Elaina got onto me for beating her high scores." Helen stared at the rubble for a long moment. "What's all that from?"

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Catt Hatter  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"You'll probably beat me no problem then!" Catt cheered. "Oh, this? I dunno. All sorts of weird things are in here, even a couple cars."

A shadow fell across her face for a moment, but she quickly shook it off. Not time for that right now.

"Come on, we're almost there!"

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Helen Jekyll  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Alright, keep leading the way!" Helen laughed softly, wondering how the Society would react if they saw the cars. "I don't know if I could beat you, you've probably had much more practice than I."

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Catt Hatter  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Nah, I don't take it seriously." She set the lantern down on what looked like a giant spool, and turned on a sizable cathode ray tube television. Helen heard the fizz of static as it sprang to life, followed shortly by the game system's familiar startup effects.

Catt handed her a controler. "First we've go to set up your profile!"

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Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Elaina sat at her desk, holding a small box in one hand and a green vial in the other. She looked at the door to Helen's room. That stupid door that taunted and tortured her, made her heart hurt every time she looked at it. She missed Helen. She missed her so much, she didn't want to feel like that anymore! She put the vial down and opened the box, pulling out it's contents and running her fingers over it. She put it down and picked the vial back up. She looked at the door and teared up, hugging herself. She looked around for Elise's glasses. Where were they? Also, why did she care? Elise could deal with it. Elaina could just forget everything. Sleep for a long time. She opened the vial and tipped the contents into her mouth. She swallowed quickly and coughed hard, tears rolling down her cheeks as she fell out of her chair. She groaned in pain, hugging her knees. She went still, changing.

Elise sat up, rubbing her eyes. Crap, can't see, can't see, can't see- She searched blindly for her glasses, making a mess of the room.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"What the Hell do you think you're doing?" Hela demanded, glaring at the wall separating Elaina's room from Helen's. She had been about to take a nap and now laid in bed with her head propped up on her hand, a storm of rage behind her eyes.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I can't see! Where are my glasses?!" Elise cried, sitting on the floor and glaring at nothing.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"You don't wear glasses, you bl-" Hela stopped short.

Surely it wasn't...

"Elise? Did Elaina take the serum?"

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

She rubbed her eyes. "Um, yes?" She responded.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela grinned, the flames of anger dying. "Then you'll let me out of here?"

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Elise hesitated. "Maybe..."

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"Maybe? I though you wanted to help me, Elise." She stood, approaching the bookshelf that hid the door.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I do! But..." she stuttered nervously.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"But?" Hela repeated, her voice sharp as a blade and twice as dangerous.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

She winced. "I... c-can't see?"

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"You just have to open the door and I'll get your glasses for you..."

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I can't find the door..." she was lying through her teeth. She was looking right at the door, and her voice was shaking slightly.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela scowled. "You sound close enough to it." She began pushing aside the bookshelf, huffing.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Elise winced. "I am? I don't see it..."

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"If you keep lying, I'll bust the door down myself..." Hela threatened breathlessly with a growl.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Elise froze, hugging herself. "O-okay..." she stood and stumbled to the door, unlocking it and opening it.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela smirked and crossed her arms, looking the small girl over. "It's been awhile, Hyde."

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Elise looked down, then back up. "Can you help me find my glasses...?"

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"I would love to, really, but the second I step out of this room, lodgers come running to lock me back up again..." Hela crossed her arms, biting her lip.

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"oh... really? Why?"

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"Apparently they're not fond of people who attempt assault and murder..."

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I guess that makes sense," she giggled softly.

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela was silent for a moment, inspecting Elise. "Do you know if there's any serum left?"

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"No, why?"

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

"There's... a certain guy I'd like to give it to." She answered simply, her eyes blazing at the thought of Lewis. "He's the reason why I can't leave."

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh. Will giving him the serum do good or bad? You should be careful, I don't want y... to get attacked by some crazy."

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Helen Jekyll  Elaina Hyde • 2 years ago

Hela laughed bitterly. "Don't worry, this guy is an absolute monster. He'd probably end up being a sniffling little coward with the serum."

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Elaina Hyde  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

She frowned. "Is that how it works...?"

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