Blood is thicker than water ( Part 2 )

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Blood is thicker than water ( Part 2 )

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The Fox

The Fox

@disqus_eqavLvmRDA 2 years ago

WE'RE IN PARIS!!! :DDDDD

Now we just gotta follow Enfield around and see what he's up to before we pounce on him. Clearly nothing shocking will happen right? XDDD

I hope you're all ready for this cause this is gonna be fun! ( Utterson may not like what he sees though...XDX )

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Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯ • 2 years ago

((Would this OC be good enough to fit into this RP?: https://disqus.com/home/dis...

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The Fox  Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯ • 2 years ago

( Unfortunately, this is a story rp for Utterson so i can't let anybody pop in. But If you wanted, we could set up a rp on the main page for our characters to meet! :D Just let me know if you want to and I can set it up!

Also, you're link is broken, it tells me there isn't a discussion to be found! Do you have your character's ref somewhere else? )

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Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯  The Fox • 2 years ago

((Sure, and here: https://disqus.com/home/dis...

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The Fox  Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯ • 2 years ago

( Nice! :> Thank you! I'll set up a rp there now!

Out of curiosity, are you going to adapt Jack Almus to the Glass scientist setting or are you keeping him the same overall? )

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Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯  The Fox • 2 years ago

((Keeping him the same, I put a extreme amount of effort into him..and I don't want to change anything..unless it's needed.))

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The Fox  Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯ • 2 years ago

( ah ok! I was just curious! I just posted our rp on the main page so you can reply there! )

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Francis of the Filth.╰[T]╯  The Fox • 2 years ago

((Just did.))

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The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

( Jekyll1886 Here we are! )

Jekyll1886:

"You've my sympathies, Gabriel.

"And you make an excellent point," he conceded, lifting his glass and taking a sip.

At that moment, the waiter returned. He set down the appropriate dish in

front of each man, inquired if they needed anything further, and left.

"You've apparently made the food come as well," joked Lewis as he picked up his fork.

--

" I wouldn't let you starve would I? "

The older man gave a joking smirk before taking in the aroma of the stew in front of him. With a satisfied sigh, he took his spoon and sipped up some of the broth. It was perfect...warm and flavorful, exactly as a stew ought to be.

Taking his fork, he began merrily munching on the various contents of his bowl.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis chuckled.

He cut the beef and took a bite.

He closed his eyes and savored the flavor.

The taste brought back memories:

Walking down the village road, the sun setting on the horizon.

Coming home to the little farmhouse, the delightful aroma of this very dish greeting him as he stepped in the door.

As did two people he very much cared for.

The simple pleasures of a simple life.

A plate dropped and cracked in the kitchen, snapping him out of his reverie with a start. A quick intake of breath. He looked about with wide eyes, disoriented; time felt disjointed...until his gaze settled on Gabriel.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Lewis's fright caught Utterson's attention.

" Is there something the matter Weir? "

His gaze met Weir's, surprise and worry patent on his face. He looked around the restaurant, trying to find the cause for alarm.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis blinked, shook his head, cleared his throat.

"No, I--I'm sorry, Utterson. Just got a little lost in thought," he looked toward the kitchen, "and then startled out of it."

A small and self-effacing laugh.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Utterson lowered his voice, looking back to Weir with sympathy and understanding.

" I'd understand if you want to leave. Or you could tell me about it? I-if you want to that is! I don't want to force your hand or anything... "

He messed with his cuffs timidly, looking away with a touch of apprehension.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Ah. Well it's just..."

He debated what to say.

"I'm particularly fond of this dish because...it reminds me of happy times. Peaceful, even. Good memories..."

He took in a breath and let it out.

"And that noise from the kitchen...it's nothing really, it just...reminded me of...an end to those times. That's all."

His tone remained level even as he paled slightly.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

There was a solemn silence over the elderly gentleman as he listened intently to Lewis. Once his friend had finished, he spoke.

" I'm sorry the sound spooked you. Is there any way i can help? If it's any sort of comfort, you can hold my pocket watch. "

He pulled out the gold clock and held it out with an open palm.

" I know it's silly of me to do, but it acts as an anchor for me much of the time. Perhaps it may do the same for you? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"I...thank you, Gabriel. That's very good of... Yes. I think I might just. Just for a moment, of course."

He picked up the pocket watch.

More than being a simple clock, it was infused with just a bit of Utterson's energy, having been in his possession so long.

That in itself was a comfort all its own.

After a time, Weir's nerves had settled.

"Thank you," he said softly, looking up to meet Gabriel's gaze. "That's...very effective, I must say."

A smile.

He held the pocket watch out to Utterson.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

While Lewis held onto his watch, he went back to eating his Pot au feu, nibbling on it lightly just in case he was needed again. he had just finished a bite of carrots when Lewis offered the little clock back.

" Ah, you're welcome! I'm glad it worked for you. It certainly is a sturdy thing to have. I can think of lots of times it's kept me from losing myself. "

He took the pocket watch back and gently stowed it away. His anxiety melted way to relief, his heart starting to relax again.

" If you ever need to hold it again, just ask. I'll let you keep it for as long as you like. "

Utterson took up his fork again and poked a slice of turnip.

" Just return it when you're done. "

He laughed shyly.

" But I suspect I won't have to worry about that. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Thank you, Gabriel. And, have no worries on that account," he said with a little laugh.

He picked up his fork and started again on his bœuf bourguignon.

It truly was delicious.

"Care to try any of this?" he asked Utterson after a bit. "It's quite good."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" It's a tempting offer. Though I don't think I have anything to trade for it. "

He looked down into his stew thoughtfully, stirring it with his fork.

" Unless you want some beef chunks from my bowl. Does that sound good? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Sounds perfect," agreed Lewis. "Beef for beef, and we both get to taste two different ways the chef works his artistry on it."

He gently slid his plate closer to Utterson so the latter could take what he liked more easily.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" Thank you Lewis. "

Leaning forward, he took his knife and fork and gingerly plucked a small cut of beef from the saucy stew.

Utterson let it drip for a second before biting on it, chewing it slowly to take in the flavor fully. Its taste was pleasantly nuanced. He could pick out the garlic, mushrooms, and onions along with a hint of heady wine, all mixing together with masterful cooking. Compared to his stew, whose flavor was more demure and relatively simple, it was a delightful contrast.

He finished his bite with a smile.

" Marvelous, absolutely marvelous~ I must say, you have quite the meal there. I'd be tempted to switch dishes with you if my stew wasn't so delicious also. "

A chuckle.

" Here. "

Taking his spoon, he scooped up a slice of beef, holding it out to Weir.

" Your turn. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Ah, thank you," returned Lewis.

He speared the beef slice with his fork and tried it.

It wasn't as heavy or wine-rich as his own dish. Instead, it was pleasantly savory in a different but equally good way. The beef had mingled with the other ingredients to take on just enough of their character. The undercurrent of herbs--bay leaf and parsley, tarragon and thyme. The ghosting kiss of vegetal flavor--leek and browned onion, carrot and celery. Spices, too--cloves and black pepper. And just the right amount of salt.

"That is positively delightful," he declared.

A warm smile.

"We shall have to give our compliments to the chef."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" Agreed. "

Utterson sipped the broth that remained on the spoon and stuck it in his stew.

" But first let's finish. Can't compliment a chef better than finishing their meal. "

With that, he took his fork again and went back to his stew, a light blush touching his face.

Wine was drunk and food was had, but most importantly, good times were a plenty.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

They did, indeed, give their compliments to the chef.

They finished, paid, and even lingered at the table for a bit.

Eventually, however, the two got up and began to make their way out of the restaurant.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Utterson straightened out his coat and slid it over his shoulders and finished up with a gentle pat to his hat which sat just as it should, leaning lightly to the back of his head.

" Well then we ought to-- "

Something, deep in his thoughts, clicked.

Looking around, he caught sight of the smoking stranger from earlier. He stared helplessly at them with a shake of his head. Clearly his throat meaningfully, he went to catch Weir's attention before stopping himself.

Looking to the stranger and back, he put on a fake smile and spoke cheerily.

" Ah, Pardon that. Just thought of something. Anyways, We ought to head back to our hotel. I have a letter to write. Family y'know? "

Utterson hoped that the message was clear and went about trying to keep his hands from shaking.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh," said Lewis after he'd surreptitiously followed Gabriel's line of sight. "That's right."

That's Enfield? Christ, he looks rough!

Nevertheless, he committed the particular vibration of Richard's life-energy to memory, should they have need of it later.

"We ought to go, then," Weir agreed.

He followed Utterson out.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Utterson kept quiet the whole way back to the hotel. Despair was so plain in his demeanor, his heartbreak so easily felt...His heart seemed to curl up in his chest, tight and distraught.

It wasn't until they entered their room when the older man vocalized this. He moaned so unhappily, stumbling to his bed with tears running down his cheeks. A sob escaped him as he hide his face in his palms.

" Oh Lord Almighty, what have I done?! He's gone and rotted away and here I am now! Oh Lord in Heaven, I let this happen! "

An acute trembling came over him as he wept.

" God forgive me, I let him down! What have I done! "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Oh, Gabriel..." said Lewis, pity and sympathy in his voice. "This...this isn't your doing."

He put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"You had no way to know. He chose to leave.

"The important--the paramount thing is--you're here now. We're here now. At the critical juncture, no less. There's still time to save him from himself. But it's vital we act quickly."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" But! BUT--! "

Utterson wailed, struggling to find his words.

" There had to be something! Anything! I let him leave! I let him leave and come here to fall apart! I could've stopped him! "

He looked up, teary and ashamed.

" I could've intervened! I could've apologized! Anything! "

A fresh wave of tear came forth, his head dropping back into his palms.

" I did nothing...and now he's like this... "

With a weak hand, he reached into a pocket and pulled out a hankie, wiping his face and blowing his nose.

" I'm lucky I even knew where he was...otherwise I'd have lost him for good... "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

"That may be," admitted Lewis, "but we all only do the best we can with what we know at the time. Had you known he'd come here and come to this, of course you'd have intervened. You're a good man, Gabe. Bad ones don't rake themselves over the coals like you're doing.

"The facts are what they are, though. Would you take back the past? Certainly. Can you? Can anyone? No. We're all only human, after all. Can't turn back time.

"All we can do is to do our utmost for him going forward, with what we know now.

"He isn't lost. We--you--found him. That's the important thing. And now that you have, we shan't lose him. I give you my word. Be it by persuasion or by hook or by crook, you'll get your cousin back."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Bit by bit, little by little, Weir's words cut through the sorrow and Utterson began to regain his composure. There was a quiet after Lewis finished, save for sniffling, the last of his tears shedding.

A beat passed.

" ...Your right...

God, I'm sorry Lewis. I'm just a bleeding heart sometimes.

It's just so hard to see him like that...How can things have changed so quickly? How could he change so quickly? Of all the vices he's indulged in, what in heaven and earth could corrupt him so thoroughly? "

He put a hand to Weir's.

" He was such a bright young man, and so passionate too. Nothing satisfied him more life itself. Lord, his eyes...His eyes were the prettiest things, they were like mirrors to his heart. "

A chuckle.

" Richard had the meanest glare I've ever seen a babe give. You could feel it right in your back. One time, he got into a nice bit of trouble and so he was to stay in his mother's room to think.

The moment I opened that door was like walking into the sun. The little rebel was just stewing up a riot. "

Utterson blew his nose and smiled.

" And there's me, the poor messenger to get him. Talk about calming a storm. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

"I prefer a bleeding heart to the heartless any day," reassured Lewis with the trace of a chortle. "You're in good company."

Utterson put his hand to Weir's.

Lewis listened attentively as Gabriel spoke.

"Well," said Weir when his friend had finished, "given what you've said...I have a hypothesis. No way to tell if it's true without some reconnaissance, but here it is:

"You mentioned nothing satisfied Richard more than life. And that he was passionate.

"I know the feeling, to be honest. I'm still like that to some extent, and was much less...discreet when I was younger. I hope you'll not think less of me for it, but...in my own experience, that kind of nature can leave one vulnerable to temptations of many kinds. I made a series of truly awful decisions over a period of years as one vice simply spiraled into the next, each one worse than the last."

He shook his head.

"It took..."

He broke off as profound sorrow welled up; a wince ghosted across his face before he mastered himself.

"Well," he managed after a moment, voice hoarse at the edges, "needless to say, it took its toll."

A breath in.

And out, as a sigh.

"The point is, it's an easy snare to fall into, if one is inclined by nature to certain...proclivities. Activities." A shrug. "Take your pick."

"At the time, I had no one. It took..." a brief, pained look, "tragedy to rouse me from the waking dream of my addictions."

A wan smile.

"Richard, at least, has you. Has us," he continued, conviction growing as he spoke. "And that shall make all the difference. With your love for him and dedication to his welfare, and my firsthand knowledge of what he's going through and how to get out of it...between the two of us, we'll get this done." A nod of certainty. "I have every confidence."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" No offense taken. I can imagine he's done everything and more by this point. I'm just glad Lewis...I couldn't have asked for better friend to help. "

Utterson took his hand from Weir's with a smile.

" If anything, I'm glad to know you had your troubles. Nobody deserves to suffer by themselves but if they can grow from it, then all the best for them.

I just hope to bring Richard back to his senses before it's too late. "

He rubbed his neck awkwardly.

" So...if it isn't too private, may I ask what you got up to? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just want to get a feel for what my kin might be up to. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

"Well..." said Weir with a chuckle as he mirrored Utterson's gesture, "it was a bit of everything, if I'm honest. It started off harmlessly enough. Drinking with friends, perhaps a night on the town...that sort of thing.

"Eventually, it went from simple social drinking to a way to blow off steam to an addiction in itself. I was drinking and whoring and, once I'd lost some family, even getting into fights at pubs. I suppose it was all just a way to...escape. To be thoroughly in the moment and not have to think a bloody thing. My own thoughts were painful to me otherwise, particularly when grief was added to the mix. And as a young man I certainly had an excess of energy, when I was healthy. I found it far better to be distracted and angry than present and melancholy.

"A series of events happened over the intervening years. For a time, all seemed well and I managed to shelve a vice or two. It didn't hurt that I threw myself into my career as a physician, chemist, and university lecturer. Each area brought its particular sense of fulfillment.

"But as time wore on and I began to approach the years of reflection..." He shook his head. "A profound melancholy settled upon me once more. There was no obvious reason for it, no outside event that should have triggered it. By all accounts, I should have been happy--I always made an effort to seem so, at the least. But despite having become at last successful and respectable...I still felt somehow hollow. As if a piece of my life or my heart were missing. And yet I could not put a name to it. And thought it unseemly to complain.

"It is one of the gravest ills of this society, that we do not allow ourselves to speak freely what is in our hearts, what weighs on us, but are instead expected to bear those fardels of a weary life in silence until we break under their burden."

His lips pressed firm together even as they quavered slightly.

"It's insanity. We're all only human. Something has to give. And, eventually, it always does.

"It did with me.

"I fell back into old habits, just a little...at first. Drinking too much when I knew I'd be alone--to calm my nerves and lift my flagging spirits, I told myself. A night at a house of ill repute--I'd had a busy day, I'd helped the poverty-stricken pro bono, that last case took much longer than expected. Surely I could blow off a little steam to relax...? Where was the harm, if it enabled me to get up the next day and do so many productive, necessary, benevolent things again?

"I naturally told no one what I got up to anights. And that, too, only added to my burden. If my friends, if society, knew, would they think me a hypocrite? Was I one, in truth?

"And yet the label seemed ill-fitting. I was no more nor less myself when I plunged in what society calls 'shame' than when I labored under the eye of day at the furtherance of knowledge or the relief of sorrow and suffering.

"Still, I kept mum about my nocturnal activities. I was always just 'working late' in my laboratory, doing research or planning the next week's lecture.

A sigh.

"Needless to say, things progressed from there. As I've said, I'm a chemist; after much research, I concocted a new drug...and by God,

it was glorious!" he exclaimed, gaze lifting to the heavens. "I'd never felt so elated," he averred, "so...alive! It made cocaine--which I'd tried briefly, in my younger days--pale by comparison! All my cares simply...faded away, like the stain of breath upon a mirror.

"I took it every opportunity I had--so long as it wouldn't interfere with my work schedule or expected social obligations. For a time, I enjoyed the liberating rush, like galloping a fine steed at speed.

"Eventually, though...what started out harmless and freeing took an accelerating turn for the worse. I slid from taking it because I wanted to...to taking it because I needed to. I had to lock myself away when I wasn't fit company. Otherwise, I...did things no man in his right mind ever would. Very reprehensible things, J--er, Gabriel." He winced, correcting himself.

"Sorry," he apologized with a self-conscious smile. "John--my friend and attorney--is the first person I ever told any of this. It must bring back memories."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Utterson nodded as he listened closely, an " ah " or an " oh " poking through occasionally. It was hard to hide his shock at certain facts but it wasn't out of rudeness. He had asked to know, but he'd never thought that Lewis had been through so much.

A book is never its cover huh? And so young too...

The lawyer shook his head.

" That's quite the story. I'm sorry you went through all that. Though, forgive me for saying this, It is somewhat hard to believe. "

He realized how that sounded and raised his hands with an anxious air.

" Not that I don't believe you! I trust your word to be true! It's just so much...You're still have so many years ahead of you is all. I would think such a story more likely for someone closer to my age.

But regardless, Thank you for sharing. "

He sighed, taking out his watch to check the time.

" I think it's about time we head to bed. Shadows don't drag their feet we shouldn't either.

Though, at some point, I'd like to meet this friend you speak of. We're all peas in a pod when it comes to us lawmen. "

He chuckled.

" Well not all but still. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Thank you for listening," Lewis returned. "I hope the lessons of my past can prove beneficial."

Utterson checked his watch, then spoke.

"You're right," returned Weir.

They went about their business and prepared for bed.

As they were about to extinguish the lights, Lewis posed a question he'd been curious about for some time.

"Say, Gabriel...how old do you think I am? In all honesty."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The lawyer paused. Now that was an odd question... He thought for a second.

" I'd say your in your thirties at least? I'd say thirty five. Why do you ask? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Just curious. The people in my family have a tendency to look...sometimes quite a bit younger than they are. On my mother's side, at least. But I'm a poor judge of my own looks. I knew I could rely on you to be objective."

A chuckle.

"Now I'm well reassured I favor her--I was forty-two when I invented that drug I mentioned."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Surprised laughter rang out.

" You lie! You're forty TWO?! NO. "

Utterson went to get up but flopped back down instead.

" No. I won't. I'd rather have fresh eyes to look you over. For all I know, you might just age in front of me.

God in heaven, you're just full of surprises aren't you? "

He put out his light and tucked himself in, tittering cheerfully.

" Good night sidhe. Don't go changing on me in the middle of the night. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis couldn't help but laugh. Gabriel was the second person to intimate a fae connection.

"Well now," Weir returned with a joking manner, "you won't know the difference if it's dark."

He extinguished his light.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" Nothing escapes a lawyer Lewis, don't you know that? "

And with that he went to sleep.

The morning came with a fresh start. The sounds people filled the streets while a solitary bird rested on their windowsill.

Utterson, being an earlier bird, woke at the tip of dawn. with curtains drawn, rosy light bathed the bedroom and the older gentleman went about his morning ritual as quietly as possible.

With a click, his trunk was locked tight and the freshly groomed man settled down at the desk, taking on his books and looking it over to pass the time.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

Lewis smiled to himself, pulled the covers over his head, and was shortly asleep.

* * *

He woke some time after Utterson drew back the curtains, the presence of light gradually lifting him to consciousness. In the interim, he tried to hold onto his dreams. Even as he grew gradually more aware, he ran over them again and again in an effort to commit them to memory, to prevent them from vanishing like dew with the morning light.

He always did this, so long as he wasn't woken suddenly, no matter the dream. This particular morning, it was one he savored. Beneath the covers, a contented smile graced his features.

When he was satisfied he'd not forget anything, he stirred, running his hands along his body, feeling his own features before he dared pull back the sheets.

Edward, he realized.

Makes sense, given the dream, he thought with a grin.

He filed the information away for later even as he settled himself into a form Gabriel would recognize.

This done, he at last drew back the covers, stretched, and yawned, covering his mouth for politeness's sake.

There was Utterson at the desk.

"'Morning," said Weir, blinking.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" Morning. "

Utterson looked up from his book, shutting it with a soft thump.

" Just doing some light reading before we do anything. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Ah," said Lewis.

"I won't be long."

He went through his morning routine and was soon ready to go.

"There we are.

"Care for a cup of coffee along the way?" he asked.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" Absolutely. "

Utterson shelved his book and brushed himself off. He trotted across the room and put on his hat with his cane, patting it down with a little flourish.

He nodded to Weir.

" Lead the way! "

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