Role-playing Page for pg.134!

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Role-playing Page for pg.134!

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Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih a year ago

So, as pretty much everyone with a calendar knows, Easter and April Fools day fell on the same day yesterday! Here are some funny things I found!

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And of course, you can't have Easter without

https://youtu.be/4UKGGb9jPss

.

Have a great week everyone!

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Annieloo • a year ago • edited

((I messed up and replied to the closed thread so I’m reposting it here))

Jekyll1886

“Of course, let me simply—” Ashton scribbled out in the journal ‘Doctor Weir says thank you for the tickets’, next to the note about Dr. Helen, now circled with question marks around it. “There. She should get it next time, and she’ll likely try to accept the thanks in person and seek you out, knowing her and her ludicrous habits.” Ashton rolled their eyes, though not seriously, and still a tad affectionate for their host. “So, would you like to go, Doctor Weir?”

((If you need my nerds, just holler! They might be able to shed some light on the situation. (Also, just realized that these two were sorta perfect for the situation, because they can’t remember the other, so they assume that the other met their introducer after coming in.)))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Indeed," returned Lewis. "I'm always interested in keeping my knowledge current, and it ought to be a nice outing, besides. I look forward to it."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ashton double checked the time on the ticket. There was still a while until it opened. "So, until it opens, would you to do anything? Tell me about yourself? Ask questions of me? Or should I just depart, and hope that Emilia will be back before we go." Their tone in that last phrase was disdainful, and bitter, so much so that if their words had been in a speech bubble, it would have been black and shriveled.

((Sorry about Ashton here, they’ve had a few bad experiences with people preferring Emilia))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"There's no need to depart, unless you want to," returned Lewis. "I had actually been wondering what your own interests might be. Mathematics, I already know of--irrational computations, yes? Quite the respectable field of study, that.

"I am curious what else tickles your fancy. You'll find me an open-minded sort, never fear."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"I prefer to call it lateral computonics. It marks it as an entirely different approach, the surety that everything, even irrational numbers, fall into some sort of pattern if looked at from a large enough scale." They spread their hands to try to express the largeness of the scale. "And you, Doctor? Emilia wrote something down about... metaphysics, souls, that sort of thing. Generally vague, except for noting that some here have 'split their souls'."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah, I see," said Lewis, nodding in approval. "Quite a different--and commendable--approach."

Ashton asked about his field.

"Ah, that. I study transcendental metaphysics and associated phenomena, most particularly as they relate to the energies of life, the soul, and the psyche. Astral travel, comparisons of vibrations both individual and cosmic--that sort of thing. It's been especially interesting to witness the myriad variations here at the Society--not all of whose members are merely human, you must understand."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“They aren’t? I didn’t assume they were, but everyone I’ve seen has seemed as human as anyone. True, I’ve only met you and two Dr. Jekyll’s.” Ashton quirked a smile, slightly embarrassed that they hadn’t met many people.

((Many apologies for not responding promptly, I’ve been pretty busy, I’ll be back to normal by Friday.))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah, we've actually a vampire and at least one werewolf," Lewis explained. "We used to have a pair of ghosts, too, but they've since moved on."

((No worries. I'm just getting online myself today.))

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((A continuation of A Familiar Face! ^-^ Jekyll1886 Tairais))

Helen:

Hela jerked her head up at the sound of Lewis’s voice, confusion plain in the way she stared at him rather blankly.

After a beat, his words finally began to register and she gave Charricthran (who had stuck around to help with the process of moving) an anxious glance.

“I...”

Tairais:

Charricthran had the common sense to look sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I gave it ta her ages back, 'fore I knew your relationship ta her an' all, when we'd pretty much jus' met. She was bored, I wanted ta cheer her up, so I gave it ta her so she could take a few swings at me. If it helps, she can only stab me with the thing- put safeguards in it, see?"

He met Lewis' gaze and offered him a wry grin.

"If there's a next time, I'll run it by ya."

((86 is up!))

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"There had better not be a next time," said Lewis pointedly to Charricthran, his words in well-enunciated staccato as did his level best to remain coolly polite rather than throw something at his head.

"So she's had it since the time I confiscated all her blades, I take it," Weir surmised.

"Brilliant," he remarked, briefly closing his eyes. He was quiet a moment, working hard to rein himself in.

He opened his eyes and addressed Charricthran.

"You do realize I was her doctor even at that time, relationship or no, don't you?" Nothing like being undermined by one I trusted.

He turned to Hela.

"And you were going to tell me about this...never?"

Though the question was ostensibly meant for Hela, any who read nuances could tell it included Charricthran as well.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela's shoulders had begun to sag at Weir's tone of voice, her head drooping in preparation for the words she knew would come stinging like a blow.

But, out of the corner of her eye... she caught Charricthran flinching away from Lewis.

Her guard dropped immediately and she stared at her feathered friend in open astonishment.

Was he... afraid of Lewis too?

At the sound of the question being addressed to her, Hela pulled her attention back to the man in front of her, gaze going steely as protectiveness surged in her chest.

"You shouldn't be getting onto Char, he didn't know that I wasn't allowed to have weapons at the time, and it's not like I would've told him back then," She said in a low voice, brushing past the question.

"Besides," continued the Hyde as she rose to her feet, discarding the papers in favor of holding the sheath in both hands, "It's not as if you could have realistically expected me not to f*cking screw up, so how about you just take this--" She thrust out the sword, moisture prickling in her eyes. "--and whatever else you deem suitable from me as punishment, and leave Charricthran out of it, because he was just trying to be a good friend!"

Her voice broke but she held Weir's gaze, teary-eyed and trembling ever so slightly.

Charricthran had covered up for her, now she could serve to do the same.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

It was true, he had flinched from Lewis; not because he wanted to, but because he hadn't expected that sort of reaction. Frustration, maybe, irritation, likely. Anger? No. Definitely not.

His mistake.

The problem was that he couldn't read the situation accurately enough to judge if it was irritation or anger. Ancient instincts had him flinch away from anger- anger was never good, but it was worse when directed towards him, moreso when he had his guard down.

His guard was never up around Lewis, anymore. It never went up around friends (even though by all rights it should, given how his friendships typically went)-

And now Hela and Lewis were both upset, and both cases were technically his fault.

He froze with his hands up in appeasement, halfway through stepping back, a dozen explanations in his mouth; yet the word to fall from his lips was small, quiet- it had slipped out without his permission.

"Oh."

Another try, though still rooted in place.

"I didn't- wait."

Oh no.

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

And now it's Hela and Charricthran versus the Parental Authority Figure. Bloody fantastic. There's no way to come out of this anything but the Bad Guy--the unfair old Fuddy-Duddy--or else the proverbial paper tiger. Never mind I'm the one who's been wronged here, betrayed here.

Neither had told him. Months and months and months, and not a word. Not a single. Word. From either of them.

He'd thought he and Hela were on better terms than this. Perhaps, he reasoned, it was simply his own foolishness. Perhaps she really hadn't progressed as far as he'd hoped, if she was still hiding things like this from him.

And Charricthran? He'd thought they'd been friends. Was it all a clever ruse, a way of getting close to another little 'sister' to adopt, never mind what was best for her? All the time and effort Weir'd spent to assure each one's well-being, and this--this!--was how they repaid him? By conspiring, by--by making deals behind his back?

He wanted to weep.

Yet what good would it do? At best, he'd get some sympathy--presuming Hela could have some for a 'Doctor' and Charricthran for...for what, a tool, an amusing fool? At worst, he'd crumple into the chasm that dogged his heels on lonely nights and stay there.

You're overreacting, he chided himself.

Am I not human? If you prick me, do I not bleed?

...

This is a terrible mess.

A sigh.

"I don't need your sword, Hela," he said at last.

"I need your trust.

"Yours, too, Charricthran."

A tremor, a moment to gather himself as he blinked back moisture.

"I can do nothing without it."

I don't want to lose you. And I can't stop him from taking you--dooming you.

It wasn't going to work.

A tear trickled down his cheek, despite his wishes.

Nothing I do matters--ever mattered--will ever matter!

His thoughts were off-kilter, spiraling.

I'm going to lose her, too...

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Whatever emotion had been building inside her completely crumbled at the sight of the streaks wetting Weir's face.

Oh god.

Her hands fell limp to her sides, sword slipping to the ground.

Oh Hell.

She had made him cry. Him. The man strong and capable enough to stop her dead in her tracks, both metaphorically and literally, when she was hurtling straight towards an early demise.

Lewis is crying.

Something part panic, part an unfamiliar pain, jolted her from the shock.

"Lewis, by the bloody stars above, you have it," swore Hela, throwing her arms around him in a sudden embrace, "You have had it for absolutely ages."

"I trust you to hug me when all I've ever had is everyone trying to stab me in the back, and I trust you to treat me when the thought of even stepping near a doctor's kit makes me feel sick, and I--"

She shuddered and clung tighter to him, stumbling over words.

"God Weir, I'm sorry, please stop, it's okay, please don't give up on me, I made a mistake but I'll fix it, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I trust you with my life and everything and I can't live without you, please don't be upset anymore."

Anything to fix it, anything to stop the pulsing, throbbing ache in her heart that threatened to close up her throat.

"I'm sorry."

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Charricthran's thoughts echoed every word Hela said. Lewis had his trust, and had had so for ages.

Weirmrith Viofdioenel. The one with a sacred trust.

He trusted Lewis not to get burned when they held each other, trusted him to be within his personal space despite all those who'd tainted it before. He trusted Lewis to understand what couldn't be said in words, trusted him to be honest and to feel honestly and to keep what secrets needed keeping. He trusted Lewis to be a light in the darkness, and he trusted Lewis to be a friend.

And Charricthran had thought he was trying to do all the same for him.

And he'd gone and broken that trust by being an idiot that couldn't connect two dots together.

And he'd gone and frozen up instead of trying to fix it and now Lewis was crying and he shouldn't be crying- he deserved happiness and safety and sanity and a family and all the things Charricthran had given up on ever really having again because this is what happened and-

And he'd gone and broken that trust.

In seeing tears on Lewis' face- tears that he had had a hand in causing- Charricthran had never loathed himself more himself more than he did in that moment.

He saw Hela wrap her arms around Lewis, and his heart cracked and shuddered where it remembered to exist at the worst possible moment. His chest burned. His eyes did moreso.

He didn't deserve to comfort Lewis.

He did manage to speak after several long moments of panic-choked quiet.

"I... 'S a little well-known fact, Weirmrith, that I'ma right dunce sometimes. Believe me as ye'd like, but I didnae put two an' two together 'til you did. Didn't occur ta me tha' it was somethin' needin' saying- the blade or my trust."

He inched towards the shadows at his back, feeling as if he were intruding, stepping on someone else's broken glass. Flickers of memory wrapped around his eyes and squeezed, threatening tears of his own.

He should leave. He didn't want to.

Yth mirjal nomeno.

As was growing ever more common, he agreed with Wer'Vemud in its entirety. They deserved this.

"I gave ya the Title for a reason: I cannae lie in that tongue. You have my trust, an' ya have the trust o' others. 'S why I gave you those words."

His hands clenched and unclenched where he held them in front of his chest and under his chin. He needed to do something, anything to fix this for Hela and Lewis.

He didn't deserve to fix it for himself, now. He'd promised not to hurt Lewis if he could help it. He could've helped this.

Ya didn't think, idiot.

"Petranas onelka udoka, tangis lae si tir ti mirjal coi. 'S not Hela's fault- I didnae think as I ought've. I failed ya as a friend, an' I'm sorry."

The words rang with heartfelt apology, with a hope for forgiveness that went somewhere other than its voice.

(donthitmedonthitmeimsorry The wrong time and the wrong place, and still he flinched, still he braced to run from angry hearts and saddened minds.)

He needed to leave before he made this worse.

He couldn't. He didn't.

It wasn't Lewis' fault that Charricthran couldn't think.

He needed to leave.

He inched closer to the calling mire.

This was his fault.

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Hela's touch--words--took a moment to register, so unexpected were they.

When they did, Lewis threw his arms around her, holding tight through the tears which changed from those of despair and grief to relief and joyous exhilaration. So overcome was he that, for some few moments, the power of speech was beyond him.

"I would never leave you," he managed at last, voice breaking at just above a whisper. "You're my heart, my... Hela. I can't--could never--"

He broke off, and simply held her close.

"I love you."

He took some time to gather himself before he could address Charricthran. The damage, Weir consoled himself, at least had not been intentional, that much was apparent.

"I...understand what happened now," he replied at last, relieved. "Thank you for reassuring me, Charricthran."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela began to sob, nuzzling into his shirt beneath his chin as if she were a bone-chilled pup, trembling like one too.

She had been so afraid that she would be stripped of her freedoms and knocked back to square one, or worse, that Lewis wouldn't even allow her the second chance.

But Weir seemed neither angry nor dejected now, so perhaps it was safe...?

Gradually quieting down, she sniffled and made a small whimpering sound in the back of her throat.

" 'M sorry..."

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Charricthran's eyes darted from Hela to Lewis and back again, then around the room, eyes catching on windows, doors, shadows, anything that could serve as an exit.

The ghost of his heartbeat thudded in his ears, even as lungs he no longer had seized up, even as his vision dimmed and warped into a tunnel around his eyes.

Anger and disappointment went hand in hand, those hands wrapped around his throat and he was slipping into solidity too quickly in a place where it wouldn't be welcome, not with everything else occurring.

He needed to leave.

He froze, and he didn't.

=D*mn it, brat! Get over here and take your punishment!=

=Leave me alone! I've not done anything this time!=

=Oh, so you've done something elsetimes? Or was it your little pet, seeing as how you won't let us claim her bounty?=

=It wasn't! I promise!=

=Pah! Fat lot of good your promises do when we could be rich instead of starving in our own d*mn Hall!=

cracklightandpain he just wanted to help her, help her like he couldn't help mom and dad-

You made me out to be a fool!-

-Ya did that on your own, Mordecai. Didn't need my help for that!-

red,bloodandbinding.whitelightandcrackling,snapping.

-You will not speak to me like that again, understand?-MusicSongsFading

-Si kampiun.-

-Good. Now kneel.-

He kept his thoughts as quiet as he could, smothered them under calm waters and a gentle breeze. Different kinds of noise to drown out static.

He hadn't known. He hadn't thought to know.

He nodded at Lewis and offered a shaky smile in response, crossing his arms over his stomach in an attempt at normalcy. He didn't dare try to speak- whatever words he might have would only warble on the way out.

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"I know," returned Lewis, voice still soft but its tone returning to something approaching normal. He stroked Hela's back reassuringly. "I know."

He became only gradually aware of Charricthran's distress, so strong had Weir's own emotions been and so focused had he been on Hela.

He picked up on it just in time to catch Char's tremulous smile.

Lewis didn't speak--out of a wish not to disturb Hela--but did quirk his mouth and eyebrow in a way which conveyed both curiosity and concern, as if to ask what was the matter and whether his friend was alright.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela closed her eyes and settled comfortably against him, soaking in his assurances.

"Y-You scared me a m-moment there," She laughed, the sound soft and timid, "I t-thought... I'd get l-locked up a-again..."

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Twitching, restless fingers. A smile warm enough it didn't look frozen in place- he was happy the situation was resolving, yes, happier for it.

It just didn't feel resolved. What he felt and what he knew to be real weren't the same and it was... not a pleasant sensation. Instinct and logic flinched from each other and left him stranded in the rift between them.

Things weren't right, pieces weren't lining up- what now, what now?

Muffle it quieter, don't let them use it against you, shut up shutupshutup.

A gentle shake of the head in one direction, barely more than a twitch.

No, he wasn't alright, but he wasn't about to bring that into an already tumultuous moment, no matter how much he needed wanted to. It wasn't fair to any of them.

It wasn't fair to him- That didn't matter. He was the one to misstep, he could bear a little more of his own suffering.

He rolled his shoulders in a shrug, as if that were enough to clear the weight from his shoulders.

he wanted to leave. why didnt he? what hands stayed him here? they weren't real, those hands. his hands weren't either- except they were, but they weren't and how had he gotten from anger to here, this bright and harshly staring place. he was a butterfly pinned by his fear of retaliation, flayed open for all who cared to look.

He was panicking. It was a decidedly squelching sort of feeling: his heart in his chest, his stomach falling into itself, his lungs falling through someone else's fingers.

He gritted his teeth lest something slip past them, a warm tick to the corner of his mouth regardless.

Against the wall he stood, somewhere outside his frantically still shell, waiting for the next shoe to fall, for the next cue to play. Anything, anything at all to tell him how he needed to react because things simply weren't

right.

(they were too bright)

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Ah, no, Hela, that's not--

"I just wish you'd told me, is all. I--I thought the fact that you didn't signified more than it does.

"We're not going back to those days, never fear," Lewis assured her.

He straightened to look at Charricthran as the latter's discomfort became all but palpable.

"Erm, Charricthran, whatever is the matter? I'm not--I know now you didn't mean anything by it. What's wrong?"

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Having taken Lewis's words to heart, Hela relaxed, turning her head to rest against his chest rather than hide her face.

At the sight of Charricthran, she frowned.

"I think you startled him," She told Weir in a low voice, beginning to pull away.

In her experience, the lingering emotions tended to be fear and anger, and her shadowy friend certainly didn't look p*ssed.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That," Slowly said Charricthran, "'s 'bout the right word. Don' expect anger from friends overmuch anymore. Had my guard down."

His voice was clipped, distant, spoken from half-gritted teeth. Speaking had him unfreezing, unfreezing had his lungs expanding, contracting, jittering, jerking, spasming against the press of anger to fear to panic to memory to fingers against his throat and heart.

'I trusted you, Kothar! And you took that trust, twisted it to your own ends, and f*cking backstabbed me with it! When were you going to tell me, huh? Tomorrow? Two weeks from now? Never! You were never going to tell me.'

'What, like I'm s'posed ta tell ya your own f*ckin' boyfriend tried ta have me bumped off jus' cos I don' like the fact that he's gone an'.. what was it now? Ah, right! Fraggin' killed half the Fae in these gods-forsaken Courts! An' for what? Control! The same crap you've been tellin' me you wanted ta get rid o'-'

'Don't you dare twist my words against me. Terkirin is burning out the corruption of this Hell, and I'm going to help him.'

'Sure helps that he's a good kisser then, doesn't it? Better than me,

I'm damn sure if he's keepin' ya tied through all o' this bullsh-

crack brightlight sparks, lightning, smackintothewall.

Scene after scene flashed past his eyes. It was all he could do to watch, really- watch, and make sure none of it started spilling over into reality. He flinched away from someone else's fist; a different someone's knife, flashing in the dark; two sets of hands wrapping around his throat and slamming him into the brickwork below- no, no.

this wasn't right that wasn't what was happening.

they were calm. why wasn't he?

why wasn't he?

His mind snapped and sparked into white-hot static pressed against his eyes. He distantly came to the realization that he was shaking, ever so slightly, ever so sharply.

(he was falling. again.)

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Oh," said Lewis, genuinely surprised. "I'm terribly sorry; I didn't mean to give cause for alarm.

"Would you, ah--"

A thought occurred.

"Should I start humming? Would that help?" he asked Charricthran.

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Quietly, Hela blinked at Charricthran, head tilted as she tried to think of what wouldn't make things worse.

There wasn't much she knew of, other than avoiding fast movements or loud sounds, and perhaps touch, if he was like her in that regard.

In the end, she decided to wait and follow Weir's lead, remaining at his side.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"'S fine. Humming'd help, yes. Please. Vinxa."

Gratitude in each letter, covering blood and bruise and pain and rage.

He fell into the current, gripping his arms as anchors, barely keeping his nose above the water- and that was a different sort of fear, a different sort of rage because he had caused it to himself and he was drowning choking coughing

drowning falling Fallen Fell.

(( On mobile and can't tag right now ^^" Your turn 86 ))

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Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((Jekyll1886

There's actually a formula you can use for tagging on mobile! It's @[whatever shows up under the person's name whenever you look at their profile]:disqus, and it works the same as a tag on the computer once you post. You can also do this when you forget to tag and want to add one when you edit.))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

(( *Copies down notes so I don't lose them* Thank! ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Weir racked his brain for an unambiguously soothing song, settling on the very first one that met that criterion.

Softly, he began to hum a tune unabashedly loving and soothing. True, it had some verses that were meant to be a little more jarring, but Lewis simply skipped over those and hummed the refrain instead. His humming and the tune combined had the lulling nature of a mother singing her child to sleep, while still retaining enough verve to keep it interesting. As the song progressed, he let it flow more fully through him, eventually humming not just from the throat but also the diaphragm, letting the sound vibrate through his jaw and inside his mouth, to the point he could feel it in his teeth. He did his best to let not just the tune but the feeling behind it suffuse him.

((For those who know of it, he's singing only Mary Magdalene's part of the song "Everything's Alright" from the Jesus Christ, Superstar musical.))

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

After a brief glance from Lewis to Charricthran, Hela slipped aside to pull the comforter off of her bed, slowly approaching her shadowed friend with it held out in offering.

She kept her gaze and head low, uncertain if she'd only make things worse.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Charricthran recognized the tune, set to the background of a different time in a different universe entirely, framed by different voices. In light of all that had happened, Lewis' tune was far more welcome.

The comforter equally so. His arms reached for it of their own accord and his face smiled somewhere distant even as his eyes were fixed on the same spot they had been for several moments now.

Faraway, so close. His mind was up with the static of someone else's radio, tuning in on far more pleasant things than a river of pain and tears. He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and pressed his back against the wall, finally, actually falling, sliding to the ground.

Hands reached for him and rolled off him in the rise and fall of music, in the rise and fall of air in his lungs. The weight of the comforter settled and pulled him further away, floated him farther to home.

The swirls and eddies of it all took him away from everything for several long moments.

For an infinity held in a minute, there was nothing but music, darkness, and the press of weight on his shoulders. His breathing slowed, his shaking stopped, save for all but a sporadic jerk of his fingers here and there.

Things slowed. He slowed.

He half-tunelessly hummed along, though by the time it reached his ears he could no longer say when he'd started.

He blinked, and he was on the floor. He stopped humming.

It was over as quickly as it had arrived.

He was more than a little confused. He was more than a little weary.

He ducked his head and chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. He tried not to jump when the motion jostled the comforter off one of his shoulders.

"'M sorry 'bout tha'."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis was glad to see Hela offer Charricthran comfort. Her own comforter, at that. She'd come a long way. Weir couldn't help but nod his approval and thanks, even as he continued to hum.

Eventually, Charricthran blinked...chuckled...and, finally, spoke.

"Are you alright now?" Lewis asked him gently. "Not to worry," he reassured. "'Tis not as if you chose it."

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela had retreated a few paces back from Charricthran and was now watching with quiet unease, her chin resting atop her knees.

"Don't apologize, just... be okay again," She requested barely above a mumble, dropping her gaze.

The sight of him in such a state had nearly made her feel sick, in an unfamiliar sort of way.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"'Everythin's Jake! Gonna be, anyhow. Jus'.. shakin' the last o' it off all gentle-like if I can, so's ta keep it from creepin' up later. 'M fine."

He cut off another apology and fit another smile onto his face. Softer, gentler. More true, more tired.

He shook his head and tensed as if he were going to stand before abandoning the endeavor entirely. Everything felt as if it were shaking still, concern just shy of being sharp, gentleness just shy of being bright.

It was always hard not to be jittery after those sorts of memories, and Charricthran hated it. Neither Hela nor Lewis deserved the uncertainty.

"'M fine."

He had to say it again. It sounded mostly as if he were trying to convince himself.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Take your time," said Lewis, careful to keep his tone genuinely gentle and his voice soft. "Perhaps you might like to lie down?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela lifted her head at the suggestion, a flicker of hopefulness crossing her expression.

In her opinion, naps were the perfect cure-all, and perhaps she'd have the privilege to rest as well, if Charricthran chose to do so.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Charricthran huffed, the corners of his smile twitching halfway to life again.

"Lie down, sure, but if you're gonna wait on me ta sleep, you'll be waitin' a couple'a forevers. Can't remember the last time I've slept, couldn't remember the last time before it was ever restful sleep either."

He sighed again, and the gesture made him slouch further, as if he were going to hide in himself.

"Still. Prob'ly couldn't hurt. Give me a handful o' moment's an' I'll slink off ta my little corner o' the buildin'- don' wanna steal your bed on top o' your blanket."

The last bit was directed to Hela with the shadow of his wry smirk.

He couldn't and wouldn't sleep if he could, but sometimes he wished for it. The same sort of blissful nothing that came with dying, without any of the other ugliness. Healing, as opposed to decaying.

he was tired. he leaned his head against the wall and waited for things to stop shaking so terribly much.

his eyes were distant things.

a thought occurred to him, and pulled him from distance, though his eyes stayed fixed upon it.

"Where'd ya hear that tune, Weirmrith? I've heard it atimes before."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis nodded.

When Charricthran asked his question, Weir replied, "In another dimension. There was a rather interesting theatrical production I chanced to see. The actors sang a great many songs; that was one of them."

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Her head tilted to one side.

"Why do you keep calling Lewis that?"

Though she had grinned at Charricthran's playful comment, her expression turned puzzled as he continued using what seemed to be a nickname of Weir's.

"You're... adding extra bits to his last name."

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Charricthran hummed, a fond smile on his face.

"Think I saw it with Torke 'fore we fell all sharp-like over hereabouts. He was fond o' those sorts, an' 'm fond o' the opera somethin' fierce, so. Compromise an' all."

He registered Hela's question a moment later.

"'S his Title. 'S rude ta not call him by it once given, see? You have one somewhere, jus' gotta find it. Later."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Ah, I had no idea," Lewis replied to Char's recounting of going to the theater with Torke.

To Hela, he added to Char's explanation, "'Tis the shortened form of a phrase Charricthran uses to describe me."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela blinked at the two of them as if they were speaking in a different tongue, their answers only bringing to mind more questions than she started with.

"...Alright, well, I'm going to finish moving my things," She declared as she stood, having decided that this was a knot of confusion she'd try and untangle later.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"'S a nicer memory'n most o' em. Probably best ya didn't have any. Idea, that is." He said to Lewis.

Charricthran watched Hela stand somewhere distant.

He was going to fall again. Best to do it somewhere else, to move while things were still settling instead of climbing upward again.

He shrugged the comforter off his shoulders and folded it, setting it on the ground in front of him.

"'M gonna go piecemeal myself together. If ya need me, don' hesitate ta shout or whisper both- I'll hear ya an' all."

He'd closed his eyes at some point, again. He couldn't open them, but he smiled regardless.

"Seeya when I seeya, an' all that too."

Time to leave- actually leave, this time. Things were just settled enough to where he didn't have the risk of losing himself to the Shifting Paths.

He used his own shadow against the wall as the gateway- he couldn't find the energy to stand.

In the blink of an eye and the sigh of the wind, he had vanished, form flickering like shadows cast by candlelight.

it was all still shaking.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis nodded to Hela. If he wanted the sword, he made no mention of it.

Charricthran spoke.

"Very well," Weir replied--just as his friend vanished.

Lewis shook his head. He wanted to help, but got the feeling Charricthran didn't want to be seen for the next little while. Besides, Hela might require help moving some things.

Weir turned his attention to the task at hand.

"Do you think we ought to move the bed into the new room, since you're the one who ensures a good night's sleep?"

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela snickered at that.

"No, the doctor will likely want it as a second desk-- Elaina had a bed that I can..." She trailed off, suddenly hesitant.

"If... I change the bedding and pillows... it won't smell like her still, will it?"

Her cheeks flushed at having to ask the question and she kept her gaze lowered.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Correct. The same goes for if you wash them."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I'll use that one, then," She decided, and stooped to gather up the papers she had discarded before.

It didn't take much time at all for the new lock to be installed in Elaina's door, nor for the rest of Hela's belongings to be relocated, with Weir there to help her.

The last item to be moved was the sword and its sheath, now resting in a place of pride on her new dresser, where she could admire it.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"What a tidy place," remarked Weir of Hela's new room. "Downright spiffy, really."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela laughed, reclining against her wardrobe with a satisfied grin.

“If you're going to call it that, I’ll have to mess it up a bit. Maybe pull a move like the doctor and have stacks of papers a foot high on every surface.”

A soft chuckle.

“It’s my very own space, after all, and I can do what I wish with it, short of setting it on fire...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Lewis laughed in turn.

"Right, sorry--very Scottish of me--'tidy' means 'nice-looking' in this context. You've done a good job."

A pause, and a smirk.

"Though you could set it on fire if you keep it contained. And don't mind burning your things. Or mere ordinary firewood or coal."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Her grin widened to stretch from ear to ear.

"C'mon, Lewis, you can't be serious. It's too soon for another Christmas present, and I don't even have a birthday," She said, looking to him eagerly, "You'd really let me keep a fire in here?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He pointed a thumb toward the fireplace.

"If you keep it contained. We can't have you freezing, now, can we." He chuckled. "Besides, there's something about a roaring fire that's good for the soul. Though you will need a screen as barrier to make certain Lepus won't get too close, if he's out."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela nodded in agreement, a flicker of impish hunger in her eyes.

The last time she'd had a real fire was back in Glasgow, and she hardly had time to enjoy it.

Weir's comment about the rabbit snapped her back to the present and her expression turned grave at once, her head dipping in another nod.

"Of course," She said, suppressing a shudder at the image of burnt bunny her imagination conjured up.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I don't imagine you'll need it for Leo--grown cats are usually sensible about such things--but I leave it to your discretion. And Aurora certainly knows better than to get too close."

His gaze wandered to the sword on the dresser. It reminded him of the earlier incident with Jamie, where Hela'd had to resort to using her knife.

"I know it's neither Christmas nor birthday--though, really, you could choose any date you wish--but there's something more we need to do for you."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Oh? Something more than tending to my condition, allowing me to keep an arm-length blade, and giving me my own room, complete with a lock?"

Her bright-eyed grin was quick to settle onto her lips again.

"'Tis as if the universe is trying to compensate for the near assault and heart-attack... Apparently, I should almost get beaten to a pulp more often."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Heh. Actually...what I have in mind is to prevent just that. This whole incident with Jamie," he explained, "has brought to my attention how level-headed you are capable of being, as well as how quickly an altercation can find you, whether you wish it or no.

"I want to teach you--and your counterpart--how to defend yourself. Understand, naturally, this training is to be used to end a fight, not start one. Should you find yourself in a similar position to the one you were in today, and should I not happen to be here, you'll need to be able to end things quickly and safely before your heart acts up. I will make your medicine, but if a bad situation should find you before it's ready or when you might chance to have a gap in dosing..."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I'll need to end it fast and get away faster," Hela finished as she realized where he was going with his statement, dipping her chin. "The sooner they're no longer a threat, the sooner I get to return to my fortress of solitude, where I can enjoy the lovely company of those who don't want my head on a pike and can avoid falling unconscious."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Precisely," confirmed Lewis with a slow dip of his head.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Very well then, when do we start?"

Despite the levelness with which she asked the question, excitement bubbled up behind her eyes and in her chest.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Well," said Lewis, thinking aloud, "you've been through quite a bit today, and I don't wish to risk your heart. Tomorrow ought to be fine, though, if you get a good night's rest."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"As you wish, Dr. Weir, I shall ask for my night terrors to be served on the side, tonight," Hela pledged with a bitter chuckle, giving a grand bow, "I'm sure I can postpone what will surely be the newest addition to my collection of nightmares, no doubt featuring that hot-headed guard dog, until tomorrow night."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Do you have nightmares often?" queried Lewis with a tilt of his head, genuinely curious.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela straightened and gave a half shrug, before turning her head aside.

She exhaled through her nose after a moment.

"They've never stopped."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Damn," he remarked, not unfamiliar with the experience himself.

"What terrors typically populate your dreams?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"Each and every kind I've met in the waking world, plus a handful of others I think I'll likely get to meet." Hela shoved her hands into her pockets, closing her eyes as she droned on.

"Special guests include the doctor, Catt, Sozo, Mz. Hyde and her bloody counterpart, Jasper the giant, Hastie, Astrid, the lovely gang members I met in Glasgow, the drunkard who saw fit to stab me, Reverend Crage or Craig or whoever the Hell it was that tried to sell me into slavery, most of the Lodgers, all of London, and... even you, Lewis."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis listened as she listed off the nighttime malefactors...ending with him.

"Me?" he echoed, not a little befuddled and curious.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"You've threatened to tear out my throat with your teeth," She reminded coolly, though without any malice, "Or to end me, should I ever touch Hastie, or to drop me off in jail to be hung as if you never knew me..."

"And, I know, you've assured me a thousand times that... you wouldn't take my life, but..."

A sigh, and she met his gaze, weary and resigned.

"God, Lewis, I can't sleep without thinking of the period of time when I thought my only chance of making it out alive was to stab you in the heart before you could tear me to pieces, and there isn't anyway I can fix that."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"I'm sorry, Hela. I would say that was then, that I hardly knew you, that I was doing what seemed necessary at the time...but I know none of that is going to help things.

"For what it's worth," he reflected, meeting her gaze, "if it came down to you or Hastie now...it'd be you." An affirming nod. "Hands down."

A chuckle.

"And, while I'd certainly not be thrilled if you killed someone in London..." He shrugged as he trailed off meaningfully, giving her a look bordering on conspiratorial as if to say, "Well."

Then a thought occurred.

"In the dreams, do I look as I do now, or otherwise?" he wondered.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela was dimly aware of something like relief and pride swelling in her chest at his assertion on Hastie, and the possible, subtle permission to take another's life was almost enough for her lips to twitch into a smile, but the urge died with Lewis' next question.

"Both, you alternate between all three costume sets of yours," Though, of course, the King of Hell himself is the truly recurrent one.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Hm...I wonder if exposure would desensitize you," he pondered aloud. "That might make one or two of your nocturnal phantasms go away, at least."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"I doubt it'd do much good, seeing how I've... a dozen or so more to take their place," She lifted her shoulders, letting them drop a moment later, "It wouldn't help me sleep."

Hela wasn't entirely certain of what he meant by desensitizing her with exposure, thus she could only imagine feeling the back of her head slam into a brick wall, pleading to be spared and clawing at the hands at her throat even as her vision went black... over and over again, until fear and pain lost all meaning.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Ah, sorry to hear that. I had hoped seeing that form in a harmless--even silly--context, over time, would allow your mind to associate it with such. And, perhaps, enable it to do the same when you dream of other people during your nightmares as well."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela gave him a look of mute puzzlement, his words the nigh polar opposite of what she'd been expecting of him.

"What do you mean by that?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Well," said Lewis, "just as you and your counterpart have been known to switch to the other's form on occasion, I could retain my current mindset while wearing a different 'costume set'. And do something purposefully ridiculous to help your mind associate it with frivolity rather than fear."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“Oh.”

She blinked at him a moment.

“Then, you wouldn’t ever... actually...”

Her arms wrapped around her torso, distance in her gaze.

“By... desensitize, I thought you meant... reenacting my first encounter with the devil... until... it stopped affecting me...”

Hela couldn’t help but shiver, shutting her eyes.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"What? Oh, God, no!" exclaimed Weir. "That would be nothing but counterproductive. And certainly not with your heart condition!" he added. I'm lucky I didn't lose you to my idiocy the first time, unaware as I was. I mistook it for mere fear.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A faint smile touched her lips.

“You sound like Henry...”

She swallowed audibly, covering her mouth with one hand as her breathing suddenly rattled in her throat, tears forming beneath her eyelids.

Gods, I’m afraid.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He gave a light chuckle at her words.

"Love, I am Henry," he said with a smile.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“A-And the Devil incarnate,” She returned in a single, trembling exhale, barely louder than a whisper; It was a miracle the sound even made it past her fingers.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Sheepish dismay and flattered pride arose simultaneously in him, only to arrive at sober truth:

"Aren't we all."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She shook her head. “N-No... you’re... you’re different, you...”

“You could stride right into the fiery pits of Hell and have Lucifer himself bow down, because even he knows better than to oppose one who’s nearly death itself...”

“In fact, the bogeyman probably has nightmares about you...”

A shuddering, weak laugh.

“Other people may have their own devils, but they’re not the Devil, not like you...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Hela," he said quietly, gently. "Don't you think, for some other people...you're the Devil? You've been Death?"

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((A continuation of 'This rp doesn't have a name yet but Lewis and Helen are trying to sort out the Society's shenanigans' XD Jekyll1886))

86:

"Mum's the word, then. I'll head home and use the communicator to try to raise Harry." Damn, it feels strange to say that.

"I think that's a fine idea, regarding any new lodgers. To avoid the issue of anyone erasing any marks, perhaps we could simply carve them into the underside of that bench by the door before we open it--your initials for you, and mine for me," he suggested.

Helen:

“That would work well, provided you use your current alias and not your birth name,” chuckled Helen lightly, tilting her head to one side, “Would I be able to do so with one of my counterpart’s blades?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Not to worry; I fully intend to carve 'L.B.W.'," he returned with a chortle.

"And I do think that would be fine, as to the knife."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She nodded once, smiling.

"In that case, it seems we're all set. I'll just be certain to ask Hela for permission to use one, of course, and... perhaps try and convince her to place nice long enough to get the door, if I'm not around at the time of our next arrival."

A pause.

"I... would like to ask you a question, though, unrelated to all this."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Go ahead."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"How can I make myself seem less... trustworthy?" She asked quietly with a nervous smile, "I mean, I don't want to be Hyde levels or anything, but enough to where... people won't be confessing their life-stories within a few minutes of meeting me."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Seem courteously polite but somewhat aloof," he advised. "You are the day manager; authority can serve to create distance. Be...hm. I'd say more efficient than kind in your manner. You can still be kind, mind, but let your natural tendencies toward organization come to the fore. If you need to." He broke into a smile. "It's not every new lodger who'll confess secrets, after all."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"I see... I'll have to work on that," She decided, before giggling, "I don't know, I feel like a fair share of them could use someone to talk to after coming in off the streets, but I'm not really the right person to help them."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"You fulfill your duties, but you've your own affairs to tend to," he concurred. "No shame in that. Besides, the new lodgers always do settle in eventually."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen dipped her head.

"Thank you, Lewis, it's good to hear that, I think. I'm afraid I may still be a bit more of a doormat than I should..."

A shrug and a faint smile.

"Oh well, I'll learn not to try and take on everyone else's burdens someday."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

A chuckle.

"It does take some practice, I have to admit," he confessed.

"Shall we to our respective tasks, then?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"We shall," She agreed, standing.

Helen left him to his work and returned to her room, setting to sorting through all the papers she had on new arrivals.

Only a day or so later, she met up with Lewis once more to share their findings, worry creasing her brow, though she offered him a smile.

"Any luck with getting your friend Harry to help monitor?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I'm to contact him when next we have a new arrival--before answering the door," confirmed Lewis. "If he's in, he'll monitor the situation. If he happens to be out...well, 'it can't be helped', to use his turn of phrase."

Weir'd noticed Helen's look of concern.

"What are your findings?" he asked.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Well, I looked over my notes and it doesn’t seem as if anyone here would be causing the... odd disturbances,” She answered, pausing uneasily on the words.

“Even Catt’s work is in moving forward and backward in time, and occasionally, manipulating space; there’s nothing on creating simultaneous timelines, or at least nothing that should be causing them.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That's both reassuring and disconcerting," said Lewis of the unexplained phenomenon. On the one hand, at least no lodger was to blame. On the other, that left them with no real explanation.

"Did you happen to find anything else?" he asked.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"Y... Yes, I..."

Hesitation flickered across her expression and she drew closer, her voice dropping to a low whisper.

"Lewis, I think that Lodgers are disappearing from the Society. Not just leaving or packing their bags, but vanishing, without a trace."

There was a look of panic in her eyes.

"I can't even find their rooms now; I checked, but they're all gone."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He was taken aback.

Lodgers...simply vanishing without a trace?

His first thought was of Alicia's machine, the one which could send a person to another dimension or, if configured incorrectly, obliterate them from existence.

Yet that supposition would have required the assumptions that several lodgers independently decided to use the machine, that they knew how to, and that they even knew of it in the first place. Additionally, the machine alone could not explain the absence of rooms.

He did recall a door appearing of its own accord--one which couldn't be permanently locked--but sincerely hoped whoever was behind that little anomaly wasn't up and wiping lodgers out of Book of Life as if they'd never existed--rooms and all.

"Are you sure? Have you a list of each room and occupant? Is it possible they were simply overlooked?" All good questions, but, even as he asked them, he knew the last was unlikely. Helen was, after all, rather organized when it came to her duties, lodgers included.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I wouldn’t have brought this up with you if I wasn’t nearly absolutely certain,” Helen answered gravely, clasping her hands together in attempt to keep them from shaking, “I had thought I was going insane, going through the lists...”

“I don’t know how I missed it before, I always make a note of where I’m putting the new members... For me not to notice the missing rooms...”

She shut her eyes, exhaling heavily.

“God, I hope I’m wrong, Lewis.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

His brows rose in restrained alarm.

"May I go see them--or at least where they ought to be--for myself? Could you show me?" he asked.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She nodded slowly and opened her eyes, looking weary.

"I'll go grab my notes, and then we can get right to it."

Helen led him back to her room, picking up a small pile of carefully labeled folders and offering a few to him.

"I... made copies, because I was hoping I'd find mistakes while writing everything again."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis looked over the folders. He recognized nearly all of the lodgers described, having seen them about the Society. The few he didn't were from a time before his arrival; he'd never met them.

"Helen..." he said, mouth threatening to go dry, "these are...well, rather more lodgers than I'd imagined."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"And that," Helen added, with a nod to the documents, "is only the one's that I've dealt with myself. There's still the odd lodger who came too late in the day, or... back when my counterpart and I were still at odds."

She busied herself with finding something within the files she held, her voice wavering despite the attempt at distraction.

"Those, I can't... I can't factor in, as I don't have the right data. I'm sorry..."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"It's alright," Weir assured. "Let's stick with the files you do have, for our purposes.

"Shall we?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"Of course."

Following a floor plan Helen had sketched out from memory, she went over the areas where there should've been more rooms than currently present, hallways that had been written down to hold ten or so Lodgers tending to fall a handful short.

Throughout, she cast anxious glances to Lewis, as if to confirm whether or not he was seeing the discrepancies as well.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

It was with mounting consternation that Lewis, too, noted the absence of not only lodgers but the rooms in which they should have resided--once he was certain his eyes and memory didn't deceive him.

"Good God," he said at last, tone hushed by the weight and mystery of what they were witnessing. "What the Devil is going on here?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen merely stood beside him, eyes downcast, shaking her head helplessly.

“I... had hoped you’d prove me wrong. Wistful thinking, I suppose.”

Something akin to grief had nearly stolen her voice.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Helen...I don't know what's happened, but...the rooms, the people--they had to go somewhere. We just don't know the 'where'--yet."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"How could we possibly find them? We don't have any way to know how they vanished or what the connection between them all is or why this is happening--" She raked her fingers through her hair in an agitated gesture. "We don't know who could be next nor how to prevent it, not even when this insanity begun because, for some idiotic reason, I can't tell when nearly half my charges and their quarters vanish into thin air."

Helen ended in a low, frustrated hiss, conscientious of the possible ears around them even as she spoke through gritted teeth. She directed her displeasure at the wall, rather than Lewis, nearly snarling.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Helen...you're an observant sort. If the rooms had vanished by normal means, I'm certain you'd have noticed. The fact that you didn't--Hell, that I didn't, either, while we're at it--to my mind points toward either magic, or science so advanced it would appear as magic. Something of that ilk is more than likely to have left ripples in the surrounding environment. If you like, I could take a look at the astral plane where the missing rooms should be and see if there's anything off about it."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Exhaling heavily, she allowed her ire to slip from her like an over-sized coat, mentally nudging it aside with her foot for it to be picked up later.

"If there's any chance it could give us some sort of a lead, I welcome the idea," answered Helen as she turned to face Lewis, having composed herself into a rather business-like manner, "Is it something I may assist with in any way?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Yes, most definitely," replied Lewis. "I'll need to sedate myself into a light sleep, during which I'll travel in spirit only. Please ensure that no one wakes me--unless I appear to be struggling, in which case, do so immediately."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Concern immediately touched her brow.

"Why would you be struggling? Is this a dangerous sort of thing to do?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"No, not usually. Ever so rarely, I've run into...other beings, though. Sometimes it's just a normal person doing the same thing as I. Other times, it's a ghost. Very rarely, I run into beings of...well, they straddle the fine line between emotion and sentience. Those...are usually not good. So please do keep a careful watch on my sleeping face. If you see twitching, brow furrowing, and grimacing, wake me immediately. A gentle jostle ought to do it. If I attempt to cry out but succeed only in making a soft sound of distress, slap me awake with no hesitation."

Aware of her concern, he added, "Though an encounter of this ilk is, as I've said, a true rarity."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

His explanation only served to strengthen her fears, but she nodded her understanding nonetheless.

“If necessary, I will follow your instructions... though I apologize in advance, for possibly having to strike you.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Thank you, Helen.

"Shall we get started, then? All I need is a chair."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“Yes, I’ll just...” She glanced around, her gaze landing on one of the doors. “See if I can borrow one for a time.”

After retrieving a chair from one of the nearby rooms, she set it down for Lewis to use.

“I hope it goes well, and that you stay safe,” wished Helen softly, staring at the floor.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Thank you. Not to worry, though," he reassured, taking a seat. "Those encounters are, as I've said, the exception rather than the rule."

He pulled a syringe from his waistcoat pocket, rolled up his sleeve, and disinfected the site.

"If I don't look troubled, I should wake naturally in ten to fifteen minutes' time."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she met his gaze.

"You know as well as I that I do nothing but worry, Lewis."

She took her place beside him, leaning her side against the wall.

"And I will remain here, doing just that, to keep an eye on you until you're conscious again, so there's no need for you to be doing any of it yourself."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He chuckled at her first statement.

"Fair enough," he said, giving her a look of sympathy.

Helen spoke further.

He nodded in response.

"I appreciate it."

With that, he injected himself, quickly wrapped the site, and put away the syringe.

In less than a minute, he was asleep in the chair.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen breathed a quiet sigh and set to watching him intently, quietly ticking off the seconds in her head.

She could only hope that the Society, despite being as usual as it was, wasn't a place with many of the 'exceptions' Lewis had mentioned.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis left his body snoozing in the chair and wandered about in astral form to investigate.

Many things in the Society were perfectly normal, or else off in a way he expected--fairly predictable.

However, as he came to where the missing rooms and lodgers should have been, he was struck by an intense sense of instability that had only registered as a niggling unease when he'd visited bodily.

Reality...had shifted, it would seem. And, he got the feeling, could do so again at any moment. There were energies that seemed as if they wanted to make sense, but hadn't yet manifested, while others were obscured, like a secret room lying behind a hidden door.

Goodness.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen allowed her thoughts to stray, but never her gaze, concern resulting in hyper-focus.

This has to be about the most useless I have ever felt when helping another, She realized with a soft sigh.

Really, all she could do was wait and watch.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Ten minutes and nineteen seconds later, Lewis woke on his own, eyes slowly opening to find Helen still before him.

"Well," he said sleepily, "that was interesting."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen immediately broke into a smile, relief etched deeply into her features.

"Ah, morning, Lewis-- A good sort of interesting, I hope?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"'Morning," he returned with a chortle, then covered his mouth as he yawned.

"Neither good nor bad, I believe. Just an...anomaly of sorts. There were ambient, shifting energies, some of which were not of this dimension, others of which seemed of it but occluded. A..." he searched for an appropriate analogy, "revolving door, I suppose is the best way to think of it. People come in, people go out. The door continues to turn, though at unpredictable intervals."

He regarded Helen.

"Thankfully, the phenomenon appears to be limited to this hallway and the one catty-corner above and east of it."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Some of the tension fell from her shoulders.

"Ah, thank Heavens," She breathed, mind already whirling into action, "If it's contained to only those areas, we'll simply have to relocate the Lodgers residing there until we understand how to prevent this sort of thing from happening again."

"And if it truly is a revolving door, like you say... then perhaps those missing will be returned, in time."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"A good plan," Weir agreed with a nod.

"They may return in time," he countenanced. "I suppose it depends upon whether or not they exited the door, so to speak," he conjectured.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I hope they stayed put, whoever they went, but knowing the Lodgers...” She shook her head, “Ah, well, we can only wait and hope.”

Helen offered him a hand up. “Are you still feeling drowsy at all?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Only a little," he returned, gladly accepting the hand up as he rose from the chair. "I developed this sedative to wear off fairly quickly, thankfully."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I'm happy to hear it," She smiled and gave his hand a light squeeze.

After a moment, she released him and moved to grab the chair to return it. "What should we tell the Lodgers we're going to have to move?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He returned the squeeze, glad for her help and happy to see her less worried.

"The truth--that there appears to be a naturally-occurring dimensional anomaly in those two hallways and that they might well find themselves elsewhere if they stay put. I fancy most will clear out at that, though some might wish to study it--which I should think they'd be welcome to. Regardless, no one ought to sleep there."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"A good plan, I think. With luck, anyone who choose to stay will help us bring more Lodgers back, rather than get lost themselves."

Helen took the chair back to its room, joining Lewis again in the hallway soon after.

"I don't supposed you'd like to stay and spread the word?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"True," agreed Lewis, as to Helen's logic.

She returned and spoke again after putting the chair back.

"To be frank, I want to stay by your side as you spread the word, just in case something happens with the dimensional anomaly as you're doing so." The universe, I've found, can have a wicked sense of irony.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen blinked at that, then shook her head with a smile.

"Ah, you're right, that is a risk, isn't it?" She laughed softly, "I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry... This place is a mess."

"Well, if I do get stuck in the metaphorical revolving door, I'll be glad it is with you, Lewis."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Weir nodded sagely to Helen's "better safe than sorry" assessment.

"Likewise," he returned her sentiment regarding whom to get stuck with.

"Shall we?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"We shall."

With Lewis at her side, Helen went to each of the rooms under the anomaly's influence and explained to those living there the potential risk they faced if they stayed, offering to help them relocate if needed.

Some Lodgers needed only a brief explanation before they began packing their things, while others took quite a bit more convincing, and others still decided to remain where they were.

Thankfully, throughout it all, whatever strange force that was at play didn't act up again, and both Lewis and his patient managed to walk away without an incident.

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Tairais • a year ago

(( Schennanigans in the Garden to Cheer Up Bird Friend continues! Nyx Silverfang

Nyx Silverfang:

Nyx laughed easily along with the others, relaxing despite herself.

Had she heard Charricthran's thoughts, she likely would've agreed.

The food arrived soon after, and she was quick to dig in, suddenly aware once more of the cavernous void of her stomach.

Manners mattered little to one used to being hunted like wild game. ))

None of them commented on Nyx's table manners, namely because Lahviok's were worse, even if they were trying to be polite. As the two of them ate, Isda and Charricthran chatted around the topics of Fae politics, books they had recently read, and oddly enough, gardening techniques.

For two such obviously not-mundane creatures, the majority of their conversation tended to be just the opposite.

"If you're still hungry, there's plenty more ta eat- you're welcome ta help yourself." Charricthran said to Nyx once her plate was cleared.

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

((Or SITGTCUBF for short! XD))

There was a certain sparkle to Nyx's eyes when she was told she'd be allowed more, an eager, younger look not often seen on her.

At Charricthran's consent, the girl was soon munching happily once more on several plates of fish and chips, along with a few extra treats of Lahviok's she'd enjoyed.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

(( I read that as Sitcube, so that's what I'm calling next time (if there is one)! ))

Charricthran grinned at Nyx's happy expression, then turned back to his small-talk with Isda. Every so often, one off the other patrons of the Garden would pass by and offer their greetings or a comment on the conversation, but Charricthran managed to politely or subtly direct them onward before they could cause Nyx too much discomfort.

When at last Nyx had eaten her fill, Charricthran guided the group to the library, offering fun facts about the various plants and creatures found in the glass hallway connecting the two rooms together.

The library itself was somewhat towerlike in structure: there were many levels, each with a mezzanine to call its own that held a variety of chairs in styles ranging from leather wingback chairs to what would, in later times, be called beanbag chairs.

There were precious few other souls in the library- perhaps no more than three visible from the center of the first floor and looking up at the various reading nooks.

One of them was three-foot tall dragon that came bounding towards Lahviok with a decidedly happy (and oddly bird-like) chirp.

Lahviok responded with a sort of trilling sound and met the creature halfway, falling to their knees and wrapping their arms around its neck. They glanced over their shoulder to grin at Isda, Charricthran, and Nyx, happiness blooming in their eyes.

Charricthran chuckled.

"It'll be a miracle if they don' try ta sneak the dragon home with 'em one day. Granted, she's so fond o' them, the owners o' this place might not mind so much!"

Lahviok made a beckoning motion to Nyx, the dragon following their gaze and wriggling with excitement at the prospect of meeting new people.

(( Dragons are friends! Here's this one!

She is shaped like a friend! ))

see more

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

((XDD Sitcube it is, then!))

Nyx had to take a moment to simply... soak it all in, tipping her head back and allowing her wings to relax enough to nearly brush against the ground.

The whole room radiated a warmth and serenity she hadn't felt in quiet some time.

I could stay here for awhile.

Catching a glimpse of Lahviok gesturing for her to come over, she folded her wings against her back once more and went to crouch beside the pair, staring at the dragon with admiration.

"They're beautiful..."

((:D Friend shaped dragon!))

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran chuckled, watching Isda take one, two steps across the first floor before she launched herself up several floors. He presumed she'd found a friend.

The dragon wriggled like an excited dog, though she gently lowered her head and neck within petting range of Nyx, excitement in her eyes.

Charricthran wasn't sure what prompted him to add, "Think Lahviok likes her 'cos she's as mute as they're." Though the observation might've been rude coming from anyone else, Lahviok grinned as if it were a grand joke, and nodded enthusiastically from where they stroked the dragon's wings.

Charricthran stuck his hands in his pockets and watched the scene bemusedly.

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Seeing the dragon seemed more than friendly enough, she risked placing both hands on their head, scratching gently at the soft, feather-looking crest they had.

"She? Does she have a name?" asked Nyx, glancing to Lahviok.

Though she knew they couldn't in a way easily understood by her, it felt proper to address the harpy rather than Charrithran--apparently, they practically own the creature, after all.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Lahviok made a long series of gestures while staring at Charricthran with a very confused look.

Charricthran looked equally as confused, and signed his own series.

This went back and forth for quite some time, with the dragon gently pressing her head into Nyx's hands all the while.

Eventually, Charricthran spoke.

"Lahviok says her name's Atheniri, the Gentle Light. They call her Niri, though. Says that she'll let you call her Niri, too. An' me- thank ya, by the by Niri." He gave a respectful nod to Niri, who did an odd shuffle of some sort. Whatever the meaning, Charricthran looked pleased.

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx tried to follow along at first but soon gave up, seeing how she didn't know any of the signs. Instead, she continued petting the dragon with a quiet smile.

"Oh... Niri is a very pretty name," She complimented the dragon, tipping her head, "So is your title."

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Niri half-flapped her wings and puffed out her chest with pride, nuzzling Nyx's hand. Lahviok stood and stretched with a wince, causing Charricthran to chuckle.

"Legs holdin' up all right after your tumble inta the sea?"

Lahviok shot him a playful glare, wagging a finger forcefully in his direction. Charricthran's chuckles turned to soft laughter, and he held his hands up in surrender.

"Hey, hey! Ain't my fault ya got distracted by the sight o' a buncha nightingales, stargazer!"

Lahviok snorted and grinned as Charricthran meandered to a nearby shelf to look at a book that had caught his interest. Lahviok watched Nyx with Niri, a fond smile on their face.

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx fluttered her own wings in return with a widening of her smile.

"You have to be the nicest, cutest, and... well, not the strangest creature I have ever seen," She dropped her voice to a whisper, pressing her forehead to Niri's, "I like you a lot more than the others, though, just don't tell them that."

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Niri pressed her forehead into Nyx's and stared at her intently for a handful of moments.

Then she gently licked Nyx's nose with a decidedly smug and happy expression.

Lahviok's grin widened as Charricthran chuckled heartily.

"Daresay she likes ya somethin' fierce, Osprey!"

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Wizardblizzard • a year ago • edited

((You know, I can't remember when we last saw any of our scientists do any actual research. (Well, except for Lewis, whose field of study literally is spying on the more exotic Lodgers, so he can't help it.) A lot of us have described very exotic-sounding things their characters are supposed to be studying, but it's months since we've seen them do anything about it.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a thread of the experiments we're doing? And all going wrong as much as we like and colliding with each other. Definitely a fluff thread, unless something unexpected happens which, of course, it often does.

On which note, Jekyll1886, not sure what to do next with the conversation our characters were having. Whether to go play with the copper reaction again, discuss the astral stuff or some other kind of magic, or drop it there and RP Isabella having a go at it later by herself (and you can chime in with what's in Lewis's book)?

Or I had another idea for a thread, too, of a weird-science-y description though not quite experiments - a little problem that Isabella has got herself into.))

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Annieloo  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

((I, for one, would love an experiment thread! It’d be cool as heck!))

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Jekyll1886  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

((What's the problem Isabella's gotten herself into? Color me intrigued.))

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Tairais  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

(( I have a notebook specifically for any occasion that arises when we need to see Richard or Char's research!... not that anyone'll be able to read it, but there are pictures!

Read: I'm totally down for an experimentation thread! ))

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Helen Jekyll  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

((Helen hasn't been able to do any sort of research or experimenting in so long, I'm sure she misses it. XD

Though her field of study isn't all the exotic, nor original, considering how many are like her.

The trouble that Isabella is in sounds interesting enough! I'd like to see that! :D))

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Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((The Fox Hogmanay, continued!))

The Fox Astrid Schou • a day ago

Everything blurred past the werewolf as he ran, his feet pushing against his boots as they morphed into paws. His heart pounded against his chest, rampant energy fighting to be released.

Had the situation been different Callum would've gladly done so, but he was in a forbidden place. The moment he turns here, it was over. Everything, from Through to Beasts to Hosts...

Everything would be revealed.

He darted down a hall, his clothes tearing from his form. Fur shot forth with furious growth, his spine burst with a lupine tail, his face and arms transforming into their full length.

His feet pounded against the ground as the world suddenly became more vibrant, more full...

The werewolf peered around him before letting out a fearsome yowl, vanishing into the dark of the basement.

Jekyll1886 The Fox • a day ago

Lewis followed, Astrid behind him.

Weir dashed into the basement.

"Callum?" he called. "Callum, are you alright? I brought you some water and bread."

Astrid Schou Jekyll1886 • a day ago

Astrid followed Weir into the basement. He remained behind, clutching a pointy object in his pocket, but also wondering about the beneficial properties of bread and water to a werewolf.

see more

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Distant snuffling could be heard ahead of them, guttural snarls and

clawing cutting in between. Callum's fur bristled as he paced down the

hall, his energy writhing with stress and anxiety. He pressed his snout

at the bottom of one door before working his claws against it. Immediately after, his energy spasmed, the hulking beast jumping back with an angry snap.

Before Callum could throw the door down, Lewis's voice rang out.

Two bright, yellow eyes peered out from the darkness with voracious intent. All noise ceased outside of a heavy panting growl.

Then, without warning, Callum charged forward, maw stretched in a savage roar.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis lobbed the roll of bread into Callum's gaping maw and doused him with the water.

Weir stepped out of the way and stuck out his cane to trip the werewolf in case he didn't stop at the taste of bread and the shock of being suddenly wet.

"Come off it, Callum!" he scolded in a tone every child had ever heard from his mum. "That's no way to act at a party! Now simmer down!"

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Astrid sidestepped in the opposite direction of Lewis, preparing to lunge at the werewolf when it came within reach.

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

Callum went sprawling across the floor with a yelp, his sight blurred by the sudden douse of water. One of his fangs split with an audible crack, blood spilling forth from the wound as he fumbled back to his feet.

The bread was swallowed whole without trouble, the were wolf turned to glare at Lewis.

A clawed hand came up to wipe his eyes, his voice a seething rumble.

" F*ck me... "

Callum folded his ears back, a tongue licking his broken tooth crossly.

" I nearly gutted you like a fish Lewis.

If I didn't know better, I'd say you had a death wish.

Damn bastard! "

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"What I wish is that you'd reward the hospitality offered you with something other than violence. Honestly! Threatening one's host is quite against the spirit of Hogmanay--every Scotsman knows that. You're making the new year bode ill indeed unless you stop. Now come up and join the party like a civilized fellow. Goodness."

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Astrid mostly straightened up, but not quite. "Yes, what Lewis said. Party. It's an excellent idea you know. Much preferable to either of you dying"

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Helen Jekyll  Setae • a year ago

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

" I couldn't help it! "

He bared his teeth.

" What else was I supposed to do? Turn right then and there and paint the walls red?

You're lot here has enough food to feed the East End. Forgive me if I don't feast every night. "

Callum shook the water from his fur and padded up to the stairs. He spit out his fang.

" Not like this Hogmanay thing is any good to me... "

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"What do you mean, you couldn't help it?" queried Lewis with a tilt of his head. His tone was confused or curious, not at all accusatory. "We've a werewolf here, and he gets along quite fine. Is your case different?" Perhaps there are different kinds of werewolves...

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"We could bring you food here, if being hungry makes you really want to eat people rather than normal food for some reason" Astrid suggested. He had now straightened up completely and felt somewhat sympathetic to Callum if he was in such a predicament. "I will admit though, you don't fit any type of werewolf I've heard of before"

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

Callum looked between Lewis and Astrid with a sarcastic snort.

" I can't be afford to be like whatever stray you pulled off the street. I do what I have to do to get day by day. "

He took a seat on the stairs with a tired laugh. An ear turned to Astrid.

" Honestly, you should be glad you haven't heard of my type before. I'm better left unknown.

But, since I'm here... "

Callum licked his lips, his stomach rumbling loudly.

" I suppose you could bring some food down here. If you want to anyways.

Just know that you'll be making that run more that once. "

He got up and padded out of their way. Though it didn't seem like it, he was thankful for the offer. Despite the unexpected turn, he did in fact want to eat and have a good time. It was just a matter of being taken off guard.

The werewolf leaned against the wall, chuckling under his breath.

" I could do with some blood pudding in all honesty. "

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis nodded. "If you like, I could bring my doctor's kit down, see if I can't help you with that tooth."

He looked a tad sheepish.

"Apologies, by the by." He hadn't meant for that kind of damage to happen.

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I don't really think the truth of your kind is going to shake either of us to the core. But that's down to you"

Astrid smiled an aggressively friendly smile at Callum. "I'm perfectly happy to make a few runs. Just blood pudding or do you want some more variety?"

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

" If you'd believe it, it actually isn't down to me. But should you feel a need to travel down that road, just know I won't help you. can't afford to. "

Callum laughed and smiled back.

" I'll take everything you got! Blood pudding, ham, greens, pasties...anything you can bring I'll happily have. "

Another laugh.

" I'll take the help too Lewis. "

He looked to Weir with a impish expression.

" Just so nothing falls out while I'm having supper. "

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Weir nodded.

"I'll return shortly."

He left for his office, stopping by the Society's infirmary for a few extra supplies on his way back to the basement.

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Various food items coming up. I'll be as quick as I can" He left the basement, searched for a bit and eventually found a wheel barrel near the greenhouses. He tried to be casual about carrying away several plates and dishes. He wheeled it back to the edge of the stairs, picked up a plate of blood pudding and a bread basket and carried it down. "Maybe Lewis should fix your tooth first" he said to Callum as he set food down on the floor. "I don't know what hurts the most though"

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

" Y-yeah... "

Callum eyed the plate longingly, his tongue running over the wound in thought. Unconsciously, he reached out to the bread basket to steal a pastie. His finger twitched with anticipation as he took one in his hand, a bead of drool running down his chin.

He looked up to Astrid then to the stairway.

" I should wait till he comes back but... "

He licked nose with a chuckle.

" What the hell! Why not! "

Callum pulled the bread basket closer as he swallowed his pastie in one bite. He started tearing through the basket's contents greedily, crumbs and saliva coating his snout.

His tail wagged with ardent enthusiasm as he devoured each mouthful. It had been a long time since he had real meal. Callum couldn't even remember what it was ( though he suspected it was a soup of sorts ). To have something real for once, not garbage, not people, something real...

He blinked, sniffing the basket over for crumbs.

" Thank you, by the way. "

Callum looked up at Astrid, already chomping down on blood pudding.

" For doing all this.

Don't know if you have to feed your wolf like this or not, but I'm happier than a pig in sh*t being here.

Almost ruined it but still; happy to be here. "

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis returned, carrying not only his doctor's kit but also three champagne glasses. He'd stashed three bottles in the bag.

"Here we are--oh! I see you've got a head start there," he said with a chortle upon seeing Callum. "That tooth must not be bothering you too much; that's good."

He set down the doctor's bag, popped the cork, and filled their glasses. He handed one each to Callum and Astrid, then raised his own.

"To Hogmanay," he toasted. "May this year find us in high spirits."

((Setae ))

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Setae  The Fox • a year ago

((Oi, Fox, your turn. I'm on mobile, sorry))

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

((A continuation of Midnight! Jekyll1886 The Fox

86:

Three days passed, and Lewis did not return. There was no sign of him at the Society, nor at his flat, where he'd left Hela under Malemi's care.

On the third day, however, someone came to the door.

He lifted the cover on the letter slot and pushed something in. The cover dropped back in place with a clang, while the item in question landed on the floor of the flat with a faint biff.))

For Hela, the time was nothing short of an anxious limbo, in which she drifted restlessly.

Only once did she leave the flat, heading briefly to the Society to ensure that her Hatter friend would care for her pet cat, Leo, while she was away, before returning to Lewis's home, bringing with her some spare clothes and her rabbit's cage with the Lepus himself inside.

Realizing rather quickly that her bunny and Malemi seemed not to get along, she spent the majority of her time in the bedroom upstairs, caring for the small creature.

She ate little and slept even less, only noting the shift in days by the changing of attire and her heart medication she was careful to take daily.

It was due to that medicine that she managed not to pass out, despite nearly jumping out of her skin at the sudden sound at the door when she'd been working on making a salad of sorts for Lepus.

After hesitantly peeking around the corner, she decided to warily approach the door, cutting knife still gripped in her hand.

((Fox, you're up!))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Malemi was not happy when Lewis hadn't returned, let alone his absence over the days.

He spent most of his time pacing around the house, occasionally slipping out the window to sit on the roof, watching for his flatmate with increasing worry.

It didn't help that Hela brought a rabbit with her, one that was feisty no less. In between pacing and watching the streets below, he would glare into the bedroom from the hallway, staring down the little creature with contempt.

The moment the letter dropped, the cat-beast was all over it, clawing it open and dumping its contents out. His fur bristled as he looked for anything from Lewis.

( EDIT: Jekyll1886 I believe? )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Inside was a telegram from Lewis. It read as follows:

IN GERMANY STOP HOMEWARD BOUND STOP RICHARD GONE STOP

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela cautiously peered over Malemi to read the paper as she sat beside the beast.

"How did Lewis end up in Germany...?" She wondered aloud, frowning at brevity of it, "And... why did he mention Richard of all people?"

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

" You tell me... "

Malemi couldn't help let out a frustrated hiss. With a lash of his tail, he sent the telegram into the air before stalking under the sofa. His fur fluffed up with each huff while he flexed his claws in and out.

( Helen Jekyll )

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Helen Jekyll  The Fox • a year ago

“Ah!”

Hela quickly snatched the piece of paper and held it close, suddenly quite afraid of losing what little she had heard from Lewis.

“I... I’m sure he had a good reason... You have to pay per word for these things, so...”

She trailed off and looked over the telegram once more.

It had to be for a good reason. He wouldn’t have wasted money.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

The telegram had taken a byzantine route in order to reach London, but had originated in Strassburg, southwest Germany--a town on the Rhein, just outside the Black Forest.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She felt her heart sink at the multitude of markings indicating the message’s lengthy journey to the their doorstep.

Lewis, please don’t take long getting back...

With a quiet sigh, Hela folded the note and tucked it in her pocket, standing once more.

She would simply have to remain in the flat and wait for Weir to return, no matter how much time it would take.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

In a week's time, there came a triple-knock at the door, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela was curled up on the couch, tracing her fingers over the route between the town of Strassburg, Germany, and London in an atlas she'd found in Weir's room, for perhaps the hundredth time.

A jolt of fear mingled with timid hope shot through her as she rose at the knock, the latter quickly overpowering the former.

The only one else who could have a key was Lewis!

Now beaming, she rushed forward to greet him, the book left behind on the cushions.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

It had been a dour week for the cat. His sulky mood hadn't lifted since the last telegram. All he found himself doing with pacing around the house and hiding beneath the sofa. There was even a few times where Malemi left the house to prowl around the nearby alleyways, catching rats and listening for any news about Through.

Malemi had just been laying on the bed when he heard the knocking downstairs. He sat up with a anxious growl. His claws curled into the comforter beneath him.

He listened with bated breathe to keep from getting his hopes up.

(Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago • edited

It was a rather bedraggled Lewis who opened the door to step over the threshold. His hair was a mess, his clothes stained with grime, and his odor decidedly less than spring-fresh. Through it all, he'd managed to keep his walking stick, muddy though it was.

"Hela!" he cried. Despite his exhaustion, a smile lit up his face when he saw her running to greet him.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Her grin threatened to snap in half as it grew wider.

“You’re back!”

She practically plowed into him, hugging him close with all the strength she could muster—which, after an extra week of poor rest and diet, was a bit lacking.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

" Lewis... "

The bedroom door flew open. Malemi came to the top of the stairs.

His eyes grew wet.

" LEWIS!!! "

For the first time since he came into life, he mewled. He mewled like a kit who had just found his way back to his mother. He mewled like there was no tomorrow as he ran down the stairs and pounced on Lewis, nearly toppling him and Hela over.

He pressed his head right in his side, his back arched while he rubbed against him with fierce affection. Malemi even rubbed against Hela in his fit of emotion.

Fiery love came wave after wave in the cat-beast's heart, so much so that his chest grew tight with all the feeling that washed through him. Tears ran down his fur, his mewling climbing in pitch.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis swept Hela up in a bear hug, overjoyed to see her.

"Malemi!" he cried as his friend rushed toward them.

When the latter pounced, Lewis gladly went with it, toppling everyone over onto the cat-beast's cushion, Weir's fall softened by it and theirs by him.

"Oof!" he exclaimed with a laugh. He hugged Hela close and rubbed Malemi, extraordinarily happy to be buried under such love and to return it in kind.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela gave a startled cry of surprise as they tipped over and she clung tighter to Weir, laughing breathlessly when the three of them landed in a pile.

Dizzy, but feeling happier than she had been in quite some time, she shut her eyes to block out the spinning of the room and rested her head against him, smiling steadily.

I could lay in this moment forever, perhaps take a nap...

((The Fox))

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Tairais • a year ago • edited

(( Just realized I forgot to repost Kerstas Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 chatterghosts ^^" Woops

Tairais:

Between Helen, Elias, and the occasional interjection by Charricthran, the group finished up with the finer points of their research (the conclusion of which could be summarized as 'kill it with fire!'), and agreed to reconvene in four days time according to approximate estimates regarding the completion of the various parts of their plan.

As Charricthran idly read a book of poetry waiting for the others to arrive, he wondered if he should've picked somewhere other than the library to meet back up- fire in an area surrounded by books and cloth was... a bad idea, to say the least.

Ah well. If needs must, he could probably put it out before it ate too much of everything. He still remembered how to make localized containment vacuums, after all- handy spell, that.

~*~

It's Doodle's go! ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago • edited

It was Huxley who arrived first, perhaps fortunately - he carried a bulky, metallic briefcase in one hand, and a few crumpled, aged documents in the other. His normally predatory, cat-like smile was surprisingly warm as he set the case down on one of the tables, dissipating the papers in his hand as he took to deftly undoing the clasps on the front.

To any who could sense it in the area, a sort of power seemed to be contained within the case; the magical contents within buzzed with a rather strange but consistent energy, the objects inside it having traceably faerie roots but otherwise indistinguishable in whatever form it had taken.

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago • edited

Lewis entered next, lugging a large instrument case meant for a bass with him.

"'Morning, Huxley, Charicthran," he greeted pleasantly, then made his way to another table and set down the bass case. "How'd your end of things go?" He wagered they'd gone quite well indeed, if the vibrations coming from within Huxley's case were anything to go by.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen trailed in a few minutes after Lewis, a rather large leather-bound book tucked hugged to her chest, its cover of a dragon so lifelike it seemed it'd blink any moment.

She offered a wave to the three of them before finding a comfortable place to settle down and read.

Though she thought herself essentially useless now that the research had been finished, she still wanted to keep an eye on Weir.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Mornin'!" greeted Charricthran.

He put the book back from where he'd gotten it and stretched languidly.

"We're set proper ta traipse through Venice nowabouts: Three confirmed the two o' 'em were there, I've gotten relative armistice from the majority o' the Courts, seein' as how our quarrel ain't with them per se, an' I had a friendly little chat o' my own with the lovely Seneschal o' the Autumn Court regardin' her King's charmin' company, jus' in case things bugger up earlier'n expected."

He glanced towards Huxley's briefcase with an intrigued glint in his eyes.

"That things awful Whisper-like. Color me curious, how'd yours go?"

(( chatterghosts ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Last to join the party was Elias, trudging in mere moments after Charricthran had spoken last. Like Helen, he carried a sizable book in his arms, though his had disorganized notes prodding out from between the pages.

Huxley gave a friendly wave as the former settled down near Helen’s table, then addressing Lewis and Charricthran’s inquiries properly: “Oh, it definitely took a bit of coaxing, but I got it done. These babies—“ he paused to pat the case affectionately, “—are absolutely brimming with juice. Once they’re on, they’ve got a spell over the entire 25-foot radius, but it’s effective enough that no one in the room’ll give you so much as a second glance — well, as long as you don’t storm in with, say, a flamethrower and start blazing the entire room.” He threw an easy-going, ’I-think-I’m-VERY-funny’ smile back towards Lewis.

“It’s not as effective on nonhuman entities, but it’s definitely strong,” he continued to explain. “I think it’ll definitely serve our purpose.”

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago

Lewis gave Helen a wave and a smile, doing the same when Elias entered.

Weir nodded as Charricthran spoke, while Huxley's last sentence drew a soft chuckle.

"Not to worry--I put it in this case for a reason. It's already assembled. If you like, you can take it in using the bass case and pose as musicians. If not, I can disassemble it and you should be able to sneak it in under your clothes. 'Simply depends which tack you wish to take and how quickly you think you'll need it."

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen stifled a mention of her opinion of violence--it was the very reason she wouldn't be coming along, after all--and buried herself deeper in the tome.

Curiously enough, she was actually rather familiar with some of the techniques it described, or at least with ones similar.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Charricthran tilted his head and hummed thoughtfully.

"Ideally, I'd rather not burn down the entirety o' Venice in this run, an' if we're gonna kill them proper-like, it'd be good ta hit Hannibal's coffin jus' in case, see? Best plan I see so far is ta find somewhere ta set up shop, look for 'em all quiet-like, tail 'em home after the festivities, 'n jump em. 'Course, when do plans ever go completely right, yeah?"

He shook his head and shrugged.

"My two cents about it anyhow- anyone something ta pitch in?"

(( chatterghosts ))

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Annieloo • a year ago

((Does anyone know how I can officially join the unicorn squad? :P

Also, second point, depending on events that unfold, I will not be able to role play after March approxiamately, just warning y’all. Don’t worry, I have an explanation for Emilia leaving, it’ll be good.

Third point, am I doing well? I’m a very anxious person and I’m always super worried that I’m messing up. I appreciate any and all feedback! Don’t hold back!))

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Tairais  Annieloo • a year ago

(( I say so long as you haven't been banned, you're doing good! XD ))

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Wizardblizzard  Annieloo • a year ago • edited

((Second point: What a shame! But it's been great even just for a short time. Hang on, what do you mean until after March? It's already April. Or do you mean next March?

Third point: You're doing very well indeed! I'm enjoying reading all Emilia and Ashton's goings-on, you keep it going on lively and also such good character(s) at the same time.

The only thing I can think of is that Ashton talking about "singular they pronouns" as if "preferred pronouns" were a known expression niggles me a bit because of course that wasn't a thing in the 1800s (or until a few years ago, in fact; I can remember first encountering it). But it's there now, and it's possible at a stretch that she independently made up the whole idea, and phraseology, herself; she's the kind of person who would if anyone would. It's funny because in terms of tone of writing, you're good at making your writing sound fitting to the period, better than me sometimes!

And if that's literally the only thing I can think of, so you must be OK!

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