Merry Christmas Everyone!

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The Role-playing Scientists

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih 2 years ago

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Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone is surrounded by people they love this season! What are some of your favorite holiday traditions (and it doesn't have to be Christmas!)? Share them down in the comments below!

Have a great new year everybody!

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Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Happy holidays, everyone! It's been great roleplaying with you all this year! :D

As for family traditions:

We do presents in the morning. Then Mom makes her special lasagna for Christmas dinner and we have family over. We often end up in front of the fireplace or just chatting over decaf coffee after the meal.

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Wizardblizzard • 2 years ago • edited

I am intending not to bother using the computer at all tomorrow so I can do other stuff. In case I keep my word, Happy Christmas everyone! And happy anything else you do at this time of year, or even if you don't. :-) Love you all. You've been such good pals this year, or however long it's been since I turned up here!

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Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Happy Holidays everyone and I'm excited to continue playing with you all into the coming new year! :D

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The Fox • 2 years ago

Happy Holidays ya'll!

My favorite tradition is going to visit my grandmother every christmas! It's one of the few times I get to see many of my distant family members and give out presents to them ( versus mailing them ) !!!

And since I'm gonna be visiting my grandma tomorrow, I won't be on tomorrow! Hopefully the next day I'll be awake enough to do any rping but yeah! @w@;;

I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow and have lots of fun!

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The Fox • 2 years ago

( Hyde without a Jekyll Jekyll1886 Once we all get out of our holiday hangovers, we can pick up here! )

The Fox:

Malemi's eyes narrowed at the suggestion but he didn't say anything. Instead, he leapt back onto the window seal to keep an eye and make sure Lewis was safe.

--

A cold comforting darkness clung to Callum, his mind still and heavy. All he could feel was the beat of his heart and the slow breathes that he took.

A beat, a breathe...A beat, a breathe....

A beat, a breathe, a beat...

Something pushed into feeling...something solid and frightening...

It didn't drum like a heart. It throbbed like a seed, life trying to force its way out.

He would've scratched and yanked it out but he couldn't. It was locked there. And he had to keep it there...

Jekyll1886:

Lewis approached Orin's host.

"Callum," he said quietly but firmly, testing if the latter would wake.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

( Here's my reply! )

" hhhhHHhhhh.... "

A thin voice managed to escape the unconscious man. His eyes managed a fluttery blink.

" hhHHHHhhhooohhHhhhhLll.... "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Callum, it's Lewis. You fell asleep in the street," Weir stated bluntly.

"Please do wake up," he added for politeness's sake.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" HhHHHHOOOOlllLLdDdd...hhHHHOOOlllLLlDdddd onnnto ittttt... "

The filthy man gurgled incoherently as his breathing became more lively. A cough shook Callum's chest, swiftly bringing the man come back to reality. More coughs came up, sounding rougher by the second.

With a trembling hand, the man weakly picked himself up, his body shaking with considerable effort.

A slip of a hand and he fell back to the ground, his stomach churning violently. He coughed and coughed again, his mind trying to make sense of things before lazily catching sight of Lewis.

He gave a pained smile.

" Ayyyyyyyyyye...iIF it ain'T tHe man HimslEf...I thouGhtT you was gone Y'knOW...? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"I was," replied Lewis.

"I came back. And here you were--are," he corrected himself.

"Quite a day, wasn't it?" he remarked.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" NoOoo...I meAn GoNE. Like dEAd gOnE. "

Callum blinked blearily, laying back down laughing.

" gGoD I'm glAD YOu're NoT...I doN't KNow whAT I'd DoO... "

Lewis spoke further. He shut his eyes with a slight wince.

" ITt sUre wAs....it Sure waS... "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Oh," said Lewis in surprise. He hadn't known Callum had thought him dead. Nor that Callum gave a damn whether Weir lived or not.

"Would you, ah...like to go for a pint?" Lewis asked.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" WOulD I?? "

He grunted as he managed to lean on a knee. His stomach rolled, a wave of nausea hitting him.

" fUCKing... "

Callum pounded his chest and forced out a harsh gag turned burp. Shifting his weight, he stood up. He turned to Lewis.

" YoU BEt YoUR ASs I WOuLD. "

His feet went to move forward but one dragged and tripped him, sending him forward.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

( Hyde without a Jekyll Jekyll1886 Screw Disqus, I'm just gonna repost my response. >:V Nobody's gonna stop me from picking up my boy, not even Disqus! )

" WOulD I?? "

He grunted as he managed to lean on a knee. His stomach rolled, a wave of nausea hitting him.

" f*CKing... "

Callum pounded his chest and forced out a harsh gag turned burp. Shifting his weight, he stood up. He turned to Lewis.

" YoU BEt YoUR *Ss I WOuLD. "

His feet went to move forward but one dragged and tripped him, sending him forward.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

( I swear to god Disqus is killing me. >8CCC LEt's TRY THIS AGAIN )

" WOulD I?? "

He grunted as he managed to lean on a knee. His stomach rolled, a wave of nausea hitting him.

" f*CKing... "

Callum pounded his chest and forced out a harsh gag turned burp. Shifting his weight, he stood up. He turned to Lewis.

" YoU BEt YoUR *Ss I WOuLD. "

His feet went to move forward but one dragged and tripped him, sending him forward.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis instinctively dodged well out of the way.

"Christ!" he exclaimed.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Somehow, the man managed to throw his arms out in front of him and catch his fall. A tingling pain spread through his wrists but not much else.

Callum burst out laughing.

" aHhh Sh*T...AlMOsT bUSTed My HeeaD TheRe... "

He stood back up, this time more slowly, before stepping forward.

" LetS nOT WasTE ANy TImE noWw...lETs GEt soMe DRInk! "

The broken bottle tied around his right foot dragged as the drunk stumbled forward giggling.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Know a place near where you live?" asked Lewis, following.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" AHh AHhH...YOu doN't wANnA see WheRe I Live... "

Callum waved drowsily at Lewis.

" I dOn'T LIVE ANwHerE AlRighT? I doN't LivE AnyWHEre.

BeSIdeS, I WAnnA DRInk WiTH you Y'knoW? I w-WanNa DrinK WHere YoU DriNK. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis raised a skeptical eyebrow when Callum said he didn't live anywhere.

Weir let it go, though.

"Ever been to the Ten Bells?" he asked, leading them eastward.

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" NoOO...I DOn'T ThiNk So... "

He sniffled and looked back with a smile.

" I hOPe It AiN'T TOo FanCy ThoUGH. I wanNA FeEl At Home. DOn'T LiKe PeoplE LookIng At Me And All."

The last part was murmured to himself as he kept moving forward, looking around the street like a lost dog.

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The Fox  The Fox • 2 years ago

( Hyde without a Jekyll )

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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago

Back in the apartment who sets of eyes followed the duo as started their way down the street.

"What's he doing?" Emerson wondered allowed.

Lewis and Callum walked/staggered their way down the street.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY GOING?!" The second exclamation was thrown at Malemi.

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The Fox  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"No, no. Nothing fancy," Weir assured him with a smile.

"The place even gets a bit rowdy come dusk."

He was glad he'd brought his walking stick.

((The Fox ))

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" OoHhh...oKay THeN... "

He paused to absorb the new information, his mind struggling to keep a clear train of thought.

" OokaY. "

He coughed then waved Lewis closer.

" CoME On THen, Let'S Get GoInG! I wAnT TO GEt THerE bEfoRE My LEgS CoLLapSE. "

--

" I DON'T KNOW EMERSON! "

Malemi's fur stood on end as he stared aghast at the scene.

" HE WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE HIM AWAY!!! "

He hissed out loud, his claws curling into the window seal.

( Hyde without a Jekyll )

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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago

"BUT HE COULD HAVE JUST SHOOED HIM OFF OUR DOOR STEP! NOT WALKED HIM OUT THE DOOR ARMS LINKED LIKE LOVERS!" Emerson huffed and stepped away from the window.

"I'm following them."

With that he walked through the wall and down the street.



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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Contrary to Sterling's hyperbole, Lewis and Callum, though walking in each other's proximity, did not have their arms linked. If anything, Lewis walked a little ahead, if only because he'd picked their destination.

Eventually, they found themselves in Spitalfields, at the corner of Commercial Street and Fournier Street.

"Here we are," pronounced Lewis. "The Ten Bells."

The interior of the pub was decorated floor to ceiling with tiling. Two of the walls' tiles featured a blue and white floral pattern. There was also a mural of painted tiles on the wall on the north side of the building, entitled "Spitalfields in ye Olden Time – visiting a Weaver's Shop" in commemoration of the area's weaving heritage. A colorful tiled dado encircled the room.

For all that, the customers were rough folk--day laborers and washerwomen, off-duty soldiers and twopenny tarts.

The drinks were very affordable.

((The Fox ))

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Callum stumbled inside, nearly toppling over a table in the process. The interior struck him. He had never been in a tavern so nice! All the ones he went to were all rough and ugly. Not to mention he could afford them with what little money he had...

He stood up and put a hand to Weir's arm.

" ThISs Is REaL Nice. REal Nice PLAce yOu GoT HEreE.

I WOuLDn'T MiND DRiNkiNG Here..."

He looked around with a wide grin

" YeaHhh...YEah... "

( Hyde without a Jekyll )

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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago

Malemi and Emerson stealthily followed Lewis and his new pet across town. However half way during their journey Emerson suddenly stopped.

"Shit."

He hissed under his breath and then turned back towards his feline companion, "Keep after them." He jabbed this thumb in the direction the two were walking/staggering. "I don't trust that mutt as far as I can throw him. I'm going to inspect the area just in case Orin shows."

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Hyde without a Jekyll  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

((Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis caught the barkeep's eye and ordered a pint of ale for himself. This was the kind of place that had its customers pay up front, so Weir did just that. Due to the amount of business the Ten Bells did, the price was extremely affordable.

"What'll you 'ave, then?" the bartender asked Callum.

((The Fox ))

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Malemi nodded and kept close to the two men, only pausing when they entered Ten Bells. Already he could feel the cramped air and the heels of boots digging into his neck.

He shook his pelt, a shiver already creeping up his spine.

Darting from shadow to shadow, he made his above a window closest to the duo and settled there. His ear pressed against the wall to listen in.

--

"I'Lll aAA....Ahh... "

Callum wiped his nose with the back of his hand.

" I'LLl have a CiDEr...If YoU HAve ANy... "

Reaching into his pockets, he managed to scrape together the last of his money and put on the table. He looked up and smiled at the bartender.

" WillL Uhhhh," a cough, " wILl ThAt WoRK? "

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The Fox  The Fox • 2 years ago

( Hyde without a Jekyll )

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Hyde without a Jekyll  The Fox • 2 years ago

Emerson meandered through nearby streets.



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Jekyll1886  Hyde without a Jekyll • 2 years ago

"That'll buy you three," said the man behind the bar as he took enough money for one cider, leaving the rest at Callum's disposal.

Lewis took a long swig of ale, grateful for the refreshment after their walk across town.

The barman plunked a cider down in front of Callum.

((The Fox ))

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

He cupped his hands around the remaining money, staring at with soft, dejected chuckle.

" AyYyye...Ayye... "

His cider came and he nodded to the bartender.

" T-ThaNk yOu. ThAnk yOU KiNDly. "

Callum stared down at his cider. Another drink, another distraction. His stomach twisted, growling out for food. He ignored it, gulping down half his glass, forcing his body to take it.

Drool wet his cheek as he laid his head on the table, curling up the best he could manage.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis drank more ale.

"Callum..." he queried after a moment, his curiosity getting the better of him, "when was the last time you ate?"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

" AhAhhhhAaaAh...

YeSTERdAy. "

Callum laughed joylessly. It wasn't a lie technically. He did eat yesterday, one of officer's insides if that counts. But it was burned up in turning back, not to mention it wasn't real food.

Real food didn't come and go or feel so heavy in his gut. REAL FOOD wasn't found in other people's trash or--

His stomach curled, causing him to shift positions. Painful memories twisted in his heart. He took another swig of cider and smiled.

"DoN't You WoRry ABOuT Me AlRIgHt? I'm NoT WaNTiNg For AnYThINg. TrUst mE. "

Now that was a lie but it didn't matter. Everything could be made true with just a drink and a good time.

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

Though Weir knew it wasn't precisely the full truth, he outwardly took Callum at his word.

The man does have his pride, after all.

"Ah, very good then," said Lewis with a nod.

He took another swig of ale.

"You know, if we go drinking again," he suggested, "you'll have to show me your usual haunts. The city's large enough I don't know all its pubs, though I'd certainly like to," he said with a grin.

"Hell," he chortled, "we could even go bar-hopping tonight, if you know someplace nearby."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" NoO nOo...It'S FiNE.

yOU doN'T WannA See My HaUnTs. "

Callum looked up at Weir, unusually emotional for someone like him.

" YoU'rE A pRINcE aMoNG Men...I WOuLDn'T WanT TO DiSgRacE You LiKE THat. IT"s ENoUGh THat You'RE DrInkiNG WiTh A HoST LikE me. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

Lewis gave a baffled laugh.

"I'm no prince," he assured Callum with a shake of his head and a knowing chuckle.

"Besides, so what that you're a host?" he said with a shrug. "You're still a Scotsman."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" OncE You BecoMe A hOSt YoU AReN'T HumAn ANYmorE. ScoTSmAn oR No, It DOesN't MAtteR. YoU LEAvE IT All BEhiND. "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago

"Really?" asked Lewis, brows knitting in confusion. "How so?"

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

" IsN'T ObVIOus?

YoU SiGn yOur LiFe AWaY WhEn You Make THat ChOice. YOu BoW TO THe WhImS OF anOTHer FrOM THen On. "

A laugh.

" THat'S WhY I'm GLad FOR ORiN Y'KnoW? He'S a GOod MasTER. TreAts ME WeLl. IT's A sHaME We HAD TO CHasE YoU aROunD. YoU HAve a Good Cat THeRE. He'd mAke a GOod MAsTER iF he Ever GOT a HosT. "

A half hearted sip of his cider.

" YOU ThInKInG ABoUT iT? TakING a MArK THat IS? "

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • 2 years ago • edited

"I was, at one point," he admitted.

To be fair, magic doesn't always affect me.

"But if it requires such--if it requires signing your life away...perhaps it's better that I didn't. I take it a master's whims are supernaturally enforced."

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The Fox  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Callum smiled.

" dePEnDs On YoUR MaSTER. SoME Are MoRe LenIenT ThAn OTherS.

OrIn...OrIN Can bE RoUGh BuT nOT WiTHouT ReaSon. "

He sipped his cider and stared down the table.

" I ALwAyS HavE SoMe Time tO MYSelF Y'KnOW? I CaN RoAm ARoUND ThE CITy A-aND Do All SOrTS OF THInGs. A-AnD sOmETiMeS He EVeN TAkeS Me PlACeS whEn i WoRked A GooD Day. "

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iiCountess_Magna • 2 years ago

Happy Holidays everybody!...I don't really have any holiday traditions,since I'm an indian and we don't really celebrate half the festivals you guys do,but I hope everyone is having a great time with friends and family!

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Catt Hatter  iiCountess_Magna • 2 years ago

Thank you! I hope your season is most delightful too!

Along with what holidays you do celebrate!

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iiCountess_Magna  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

thank you ^^

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Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

((Jekyll1886 "In truth, I had wanted to get rid of the Vibralert coins--I feel Hela and I trust each other well enough now--but had put it off lest just such a situation as tonight's occur. Now that you're on board...now that we've all of us had this unpleasant experience...I think perhaps we can do away with them after all. See how it goes.

"Sozo, Kito, Jasper Jekyll, and myself are the approved guards for her door. We've all a way to track Hela despite her bracelet, you see. To keep her safe that way.

"I'd like to provisionally give her freer reign about the Society, though of course she's to have no weapons--that would be asking for trouble. But she isn't to leave the Society unless accompanied by one of the approved guards--they're there as much for her sake as anyone else's.

"I may amend the parameters if I think they need adjusting in future--if she makes more progress, say, or has a bit of a backslide. I'll keep you appraised.

"I had to be harsh in the beginning so she'd respect me, even if it meant she didn't like me in the short run," he explained. "A patient's well-being takes priority over personal feelings.

"All the progress we've made wouldn't have been feasible without trust. And that trust wouldn't have been possible without respect." A chuckle. "Which can sometimes be devilishly difficult to get from a Hyde."

He regarded Catt a moment.

"Don't...let her take advantage of you, either. It's one thing to be a friend. Quite another to be an enabler. If you want to do something nice for her sometime, that's perfectly well and good. But don't do so if she's threatened you; that's rewarding bad behavior. Don't make deals with her, either. Don't train her--you or Sozo or anyone--in anything yet. She needs to be a little further along before she's trusted with that. I'll oversee it when she is.

"On that note, self-defense on your part is perfectly acceptable should she try to attack you. Should a situation like that arise, though, please do come get me. I'll drop whatever I'm doing and see to it immediately," he assured her.

He thought a moment.

"I do believe that's about it, unless you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer them if you do." ))

"I, might need some case by case advice l-later on." Catt sniffled, releasing his hand. "If, if that's okay, I mean. I want to do the best I can."

see more

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Certainly," offered Lewis. "Should the situation arise, simply ask away and I'll advise you."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Another sniffle. "Thank you Dr. W-weir. Uhm..."

She shuffled her feet uncertainly.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"You're welcome, Catt."

He noticed her uncertainty.

"Ahm...something else on your mind?" he ventured.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Yeah... I was wondering, would it be okay if I was watching, with one of the approved guards?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"So long as you don't distract them, that should be perfectly fine," he affirmed with a nod and a smile.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The tension which had built in her shoulders visibly relaxed at the assertion that she wasn't going to be cut off completely.

Granted, that could be difficult to do, but still. She was glad that the two of them seemed to be closer to the same page, and closer to a more friendly, trusting format for their interactions.

"Okay, I'll do my best not to distract them." Catt nodded, returning with a smile of her own.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Excellent."

A moment of silence.

"So, how've you been lately, Catt? Aside from...all that business earlier today."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I, think I've been okay. Been keeping busy. Y'know, ha ha. Magic shows, eating, working on the Space Folds and Time Creases. Been trying to figure out how to change the trajectory so the things can connect to the future, and possibly outside this universe!" She realised her voice had gotten a bit loud in her excitement and quickly brought it back down.

"Actually, that was my main goal from the beginning."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Interesting," remarked Lewis in an upbeat tone. "If you could reach the future, when would you go?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Catt blinked at him like a stunned owl for a moment before she was able to remember the original inspiration for wanting to go to the future.

"I, was thinking around when Helen and Hela were from. Or maybe the 2000's, I think that's when I'm from. Being born in 1994 and all."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Ah, I didn't know..." said Lewis. "I'd supposed you had come from another dimension, like me. I didn't realize it was merely from the future.

"Still, that's impressive."

A pause, as he reflected on what she'd said.

"You'd seek to return to your own time, then?" he wondered. "Or simply go sightseeing there?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Truth be told, I have no idea where or when I'm from beyond the numbers. But I'm pretty sure the world I'm from, didn't have magic." She sighed.

"So I most likely would... oh darn...

"If I went to the future to visit, how would I get back? I'd need a Fold that went just as far back as the forward one or I'd be stuck!"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Given your skill at going backward, I had assumed you'd have that procedure downpat before attempting the jump."

A troubling thought occurred to him and he knit his brows.

"Though if you were able to go that many years back, how would you test it without being stuck that far in the past, if you didn't yet have a way to go that many years forward?" he said with a look of concern and consternation.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Maybe a big jump like that would be a bad idea," Catt murmured slowly. "Even if the Time Creases can only go so far into the past..."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Hmm..." considered Lewis. "That's a good point."

He shrugged.

"Perhaps seeking other dimensions, then? That could be fun. Think of the planet Charricthran took us to for Mz. Hyde's birthday!" he enthused with a fond smile at the memory.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Yes!" Catt smiled, grateful to be distracted from the visions of being stranded thousands of years away from her friends with no way back that had sprung into her mind.

"I'd love to make the interdimensional travel thing happen, but I haven't been getting much of anywhere with it. I haven't even been able to get back to InterSpace with any of my experiments."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"InterSpace?" echoed Lewis.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Her response came sharp and fast, almost like it had been pre-recorded ahd he had been the one to press play.

"InterSpace is the space that connects every version of every universe, the spinal column of the Multiverse. Except, of course, in the universes where it isn't." She blinked.

That came unexpectedly easily. She thought, a bit surprised.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Ah," said Lewis. "Oddly, that...makes perfect sense," he said with a chortle.

"Anything else I should know about it? We've never really had the chance to talk shop, come to think of it..."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"It's where lost things go," She said, her eyes focusing on scant memories she had of the place. "The lost and forgotten."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"What, like missing stockings from some dimensions' washing machines or dryers?" he asked with a laugh.

"Sounds intriguing. However did you find such a place?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

She blinked again and looked at him.

"I woke up there, on a battered yellow couch, with my Hatt resting on top of me and wearing my usual clothes.

"But yeah, I guess lost laundry can end up there too." She tried to offer a smile of her own, but it was weaker than she had intended.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"You...don't know how you got there?" queried Lewis, demeanor turning serious as a mix of confusion and concern arose within him.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Nope." She shook her head, this line of thought was making her feel, weird. A slimy discomfort was settling into her abdomen, and she did not like it.

"Maybe we should talk about it later? You've been up a long time."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"I had a nice lie-down earlier," he demurred, "but if the subject matter is...unpleasant, we can certainly change topics," he offered.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I just, don't remember anything before tha-" She cut herself off as the tulpa shaped like Dr. Weir appeared on the bed behind him. She scowled and decided to ignore it.

"Before that. So I'm not really sure what good it would do to talk about it more."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

Instinctively, Lewis looked where Catt did...and beheld the tulpa.

"Oh!" he said, raising his brows in surprise.

"Just as you don't remember...what this thought-form represents to you," he observed, understanding.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Yeah, I guess.

Persistent little thing, isn't it?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Catt, that 'thing' is an extension of you," he illumined in a gentle tone, palm upturned toward her. "If it's persistent, it's because you're persistently trying to tell yourself to remember. Are you doing so consciously, or...?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

She shook her head with a sigh.

"Not that I'm aware of, no. It's just, unnerving."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Ah," he said with an understanding nod. "Then your subconscious mind must be trying to get you to remember something you have no desire to consciously."

A pause.

"Any idea why the 'unnerving' part of you is...shaped like me?" he asked hesitantly.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I, was gonna ask you that honestly.

"And the reason it's unnerving is because of how it keeps following me around. Like I'll be thinking about something or reading, and it will just suddenly be there. Though, it looking like someone I know doesn't help.

"Especially when I'm having a bath." She added as an afterthought.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Pf!" the laugh escaped Lewis before he could stop it.

"Sorry, sorry," he immediately apologized. "Laughing at the silly image in my head, not at you," he reassured.

He took a breath in...and out, settling himself.

"So...as you've said, a persistent presence. As persistent as you are. That part of you is trying to get your conscious attention as persistently as you would try to get someone else's if you had something important to tell them. Something pivotal to them."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"No worries, it, is a funny image."

"So, this, this sleeping limb of mine is just going to keep pestering me until I pick it up, even though I'm certain I won't like its waking up?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Essentially," said Lewis with a sympathetic look. "Your analogy is a good one. Sleeping limbs hurt when you first wake them up and get the blood flowing, but it's necessary if you want to use that part of yourself again."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"And...if left too long, it could die?" Catt asked, thinking. "I'm guessing that would be a bad thing, even though it feels like it's something I don't want to know."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"You...can't really lose parts of yourself," said Lewis, "though they can atrophy over time if neglected and then erupt in destructive ways."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"Oh." She didn't really have anything she could say to that. 'Oh' in this case, was mostly to acknowledge that he had spoken, and that she had heard him, even if she didn't know what to do about what he had said.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"As I've said...in time, when you feel ready--or when you get sick of that thought-form surprising you--you'll pick it up and integrate it and remember what you need to," he assured her.

"Until then, you may well react a certain way to certain things and have no idea why. That's the nature of repressed memories," he said with a shrug.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Honestly, that sounds like most of my reactions as-is." She sighed. "Whatever that one is, I doubt the other ones will be nearly so easy to 'integrate,' assuming that one is easy as picking it up."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"To be fair, we both worked rather hard to work through the memories you've pressed into that tulpa; it was exhausting. I had thought you'd remember them when you woke, but no such luck."

A sigh...then a chuckle at the irony.

"I suppose your conscious mind must be just as insistent you don't remember them as your subconscious is that you do."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

"I'm sorry. You put in so much effort to help me, and I still want to put off enabling the results of that effort.

I'm really being stubborn, aren't I?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Well," Lewis said with a shrug, "you're no longer in a coma. So there is that." A smile.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Heh, true!" She returned the smile. "Comas aren't very good for getting things done."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Speaking of getting things done...is it good to just let the, ah...'evidence' stay in your Hatt like that? Or ought it be taken care of now?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"What? Oh yeah! Him!" Catt exclaimed, grabbing her Hatt. "I'd, really rather get him out of my safe room sooner than later.

But I have no idea how to deal with a..."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Sometimes, in the hospitals..." Weir explained, "a patient the doctors are unable to save has no next of kin. No will. No identifying papers," he emphasized meaningfully. "So the body is taken to the morgue. And the hospital decides what to do with it."

He held Catt's gaze.

"If you were to go to the morgue when no one's about..." he suggested.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Ah..." She said slowly before flicking her eyes away. "I, don't know where that is, and...

Would I have to go alone? He's heavy." Catt shuffled her feat anxiously. Clean up of any task, she reasoned, was always the least enjoyable.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"First, we need to ensure he has nothing on him.

"I've...often been on duty when the check for identifying papers had to be performed, back in my own dimension. If you'd allow me to take a look at the 'evidence' in the Hatt, I can do the same search now," he offered.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Yes please." She nodded eagerly, turning over the Hatt to him. "After you.

Er, unless you want me to get the lights first?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Shoouuldn't one of us stay out here to guard Hela?" he questioned.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Right, yeah. Uhm, he's between the entrance, and the table with the lantern. S-so, be careful not to trip."

Hopefully the directions would be helpful. She didn't want to use time travel again so soon.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Thank you. I will," Weir assured her.

He placed the Hatt upon the floor.

So I just...step in, then?

He did just that, prepared to land or catch his balance if needed, be it headfirst or feetfirst.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The world tilted around him as he fell into the black void of the Hatt, and then again as he fell backwards onto the unknowable substance that served as the floor.

Darkness surrounded him save for the light coming from the entrance.

Catt leaned over the entrance.

"You okay?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

The fall was a little disorienting--he briefly wondered if this was what Alice felt going down the rabbit-hole--but he'd anticipated the possibility of such an odd fall.

He adjusted accordingly and landed without trouble.

"Fine, thanks. Just a moment."

He carefully felt his way along the floor with his feet, his arms outstretched and constantly in motion to ensure he didn't knock into anything.

Before long, he'd located the lantern and bathed the area in light.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

The cheap, green, aluminum table on which the propane lantern was set, sat next to a battered, dirty, yellow armchair. Surrounding the furniture were two book cases and a display case, all of which were packed with strange looking knick-knacks, magical baubles, and of course, lots of books. So many books, that there was even a stack of extra ones on the right side of the rightmost bookcase.

And just in front of the stack, lay the large, unmoving dockworker. Who for being dead for at least a day, certainly wasn't looking it.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

Though the dockworker had been dead for several hours, he had the appearance of one not dead for more than a half-hour at most.

If Lewis didn't know better, he'd have suspected Mz. Hyde of having used her ice to freeze him in time.

As it was, he simply went over to the body, donned his gloves, and checked for any identifying documents.

He put them all in a pocket of the man's trousers, pocketing what little money he'd found for himself.

This done, he stripped the body of all its clothing and gathered the effects in a pile.

He took a second look at a stack of papers atop the stack of books. The former had caught his eye as he'd repositioned the body to strip it.

He took off his gloves to examine the papers more carefully.

His eyes widened as he realized what some of them were.

Intrigued, he looked through the books as well. Several pages had been marked, and he read thoroughly through all their contents.

Now the notes he'd read earlier made much more sense, particularly given what he knew of Helen, of chemistry, and of the way the creation of Jekyll-and-Hyde potions and serums worked.

He pocketed the stack of notes as well as some of the books, very thankful he'd had the tailor sew so many pockets, hidden and otherwise, into his waistcoat and trousers.

He went back over to stand between the body and the pile of clothing and donned his gloves again.

"Catt," he called up, "would you kindly retrieve a sack from the lower cupboard farthest right from the sink and toss it down?"

see more

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Okay." Catt quickly went to the cupboard, and brought back the largest sack she found.

"Is this one good?" She asked doubtfully. The man seemed like he would be a bit too big to fit.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

Lewis eyeballed the sack in question.

"That'll do nicely," he called up to her.

"Toss it down, please," he requested with arms outstretched to receive it.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Uh, okay." Bundling up the sack, she dropped it into the upturned mouth of her Hatt.

Physics were weird with that sanctuary of hers.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Lewis placed the man's effects into the sack.

"You should toss down your shoes, too," he called up to Catt. "Hela's as well, on the off chance either of you left footprints."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I only have one pair of shoes!" Catt protested, fetching Hela's from the pile of her stuff.

"And, how do you leave footprints on cobblestone?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Then keep them!" Lewis called back. "I just need everything we're getting rid of in this bag!"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Okay. What all are we getting rid of?" She asked, tucking the shoes just inside the entrance.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Evidence!" he called up.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh, that makes sense." Catt nodded. "Though, we're not that far apart, so I think we can stop yelling."

She stuck her hand through the entrance and waved to emphasise her point.

"I'm right here."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

"Buggering Hell!" cried Lewis as he jumped back in surprise.

Then he laughed.

"Duly noted," he said at normal volume.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

His exclamation caused Catt to jump back with a yelp of her own.

"Dah! What??"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Nothing. You just startled me, is all, reaching in here like that--I had no idea we were so close to one another. If certainly felt like I fell a greater distance than that."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"That probably has something to do with relativity, or something. With the way gravity tilts and all. Feels like you fall twice as far as you actually do.

"Probably shoulda mentioned that, sorry."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Should something along those lines come up again, please do. I'm familiar with Einstein's theory."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"I think the gravity thing is about it for relativity stuff. It may look cozy, but there's a lot of space in there." She paused. Had Einstein even been born yet? Oh well.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"What I mean is, any pertinent information I might need about things I'm unfamiliar with. Such as the way space works with the Hatt, given I'm in it presently," he laughed.

He placed Hela's shoes inside the sack, tied it off, and picked it up.

"I'm ready to come out now," he stated. "Though I do need to hand you some things."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

I don't even know how the darned thing works. Catt thought, huffing through her nose.

"Okay, ready! Best hand them to me upside down though." She stuck her hands just inside the rim, palms open to take the items.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago • edited

Lewis set the sack by the "entrance", then picked up those of Helen's books he'd not been able to carry himself and handed them to Catt one by one. Lastly, he handed her the other papers that had been in the stack with the books.

Then he hoisted the sack over his back and exited the Hatt, landing nimbly on his feet.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

At first she was confused by the books, then a vague memory told her that she had (probably) agreed to give them to Dr. Weir at some point. After that Lanyon fellow had wanted them and she'd turned him down.

She gave him a curious look as he, somehow, managed to land on his feet with the bulky sack in tow.

"How'd you do that?"

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Reflex," he said with a shrug.

He set the sack down and grabbed another from the lower cupboard.

"Help me put the books in this, would you?" he requested.

So saying, he removed a smaller tome from his bulging trouser pocket and placed it in the fresh sack.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"And here I usually just crawl in." She half muttered, eyebrows raised.

"Uh, sure." She nodded. A worried look crept onto her face as she moved to help with the packing.

"Is now really the best time for, the notes? I thought we w-were going to um, schedule a time, or something."

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Yes, but you never did get back to me on the specifics, and I happened to see these while I was in there, so...I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and save us the extra trip."

He continued loading the bag.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Oh. I thought you were going to set the date, b-being the adult and, stuff... Sorry.

Now is as good a time as any."

She kept her eyes to the ground, or what she was holding as they finished loading the notes. Despite what she had said, Catt still felt off about having the notes suddenly taken like this. But it's not like she had the right to dispute anything.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"So are you," offered Lewis. "Whether you look it or no."

The sack loaded, Lewis pulled out his pocket-watch and checked the time.

He hoisted both sacks over his back.

"Would you mind keeping watch here while I put things where they need to go?"

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

"Uh... 'kay..." She said, confusion dragging out her words. "I'm, not an adult, though?"

Sixteen and three quarter years old with only four or five-ihs years of recallable memories really didn't add up to being a mature, in-charge adult in her mind.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Yes you are," said Lewis with a laugh. "The legal age is sixteen, and you're easily twenty-one. Hell, it was thirteen when I was a lad, and people did marry," assuming they weren't sabotaged by their own kin.

"In any case, I'll be back as soon as I can," he said with a smile.

So saying, he took his leave.

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Catt felt a chill run down her scalp and shoulders. That would explain why no one gave her a second glance whenever she went to buy something, rare as that was.

And... the occasional drunkard had made comments, but she had thought they were talking to someone else, possibly even to someone who wasn't there. The idea that they might have been talking to her, it churned her stomach.

She bent to pick up her Hatt in her now quivering hands.

I don't wanna be an adult... She thought with dread.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

Quite some time later, Lewis returned, relieved of his burden.

The sun had set and night enswathed the city of London.

"That took a little longer than expected," he remarked, "but it's taken care of.

"The only thing left to dispose of is inside your Hatt."

Still wearing his gloves, he produced a folded paper from his pocket.

"Here," he said, proffering it to Catt, "I got you a map while I was out. Marked the local morgues. No one should be about by now, so you have your choices."

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Catt Hatter  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Catt snapped back from her still worried mental space to be greeted by this new worry.

"Alone?" She asked with alarm, staring wide eyed at the paper.

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Jekyll1886  Catt Hatter • 2 years ago

"Someone has to guard Hela," said Lewis, baffled as to why going alone should be an issue. "She did ask us to stay with her; at least one of us should be here, lest she wake."

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Wizardblizzard • 2 years ago

CarwashCat ((Are you going to post a part 2 of the Landscape thread now it's timed out? I was thinking of joining in. Sorry I didn't get to it before, been mostly off the computer for a bit.))

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CarwashCat  Wizardblizzard • 2 years ago

((Not now, but maybe another time. Christmas homework and exams are a real pain so it'll be difficult for me.))

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Wizardblizzard  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

((OK! Bleah, this is no time to have homework, let alone exams, that's just uncivilised! Well, you get in there and splat it and then you'll have it out the way. Good luck. Merry Christmas again.))

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CarwashCat  Wizardblizzard • 2 years ago

((Well, I only have three subjects to do but with two different teachers for every subject, meaning six pieces of homework to do. Plus coursework for English where I have to analyse two books, and an independent investigation for Geography which is just a pain in the posterior.))

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Setae • 2 years ago

Happy Holidays! Christmas stretched out a bit for my part. The 24th was sort of True Christmas, then yesterday was for all the family that couldn't make the first round. Now everyone's covered.

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CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry I'm two days late!

My favourite holiday tradition is staying up late, getting drunk and feeling sorry for myself; then waking up the next morning feeling sorry for myself as I recover from a hangover.

As for Christmas holidays, I just do homework and still feel sorry for myself.

But anyway, you don't want be going on and on and on and on and on and on. Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope to really nip it in the bud for 2018!

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Hey Carwash! I’ve been reading over your character’s profile and the various stories you’ve been doing (so sorry I didn’t manage to get to Landscape on time) and I was wondering if I could email you about story ideas? I’d really like Helen and Hela to get the chance to meet and interact with Sydney. ^-^

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Oh, sure! It's fine if you missed out on Landscape, I was pretty much offline all week then (stupid of me to even make an RP then), but I might do a second one, who knows? I'd be happy to discuss ideas!

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Got it now! You can edit it off. I’ll send you an email to test it out!

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Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

((Continuation of Spooky!))

Hela:

“So, it had bothered you... but not anymore?” She guessed, making an effort to keep her tone casual... but masking intrigue wasn’t a skill she had quite mastered yet.

The thought of how the compromise was most likely between counterparts, and that she was the side currently with an “absence of bonds” came to mind, causing her pause.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Precisely," said Weir with a nod.

"Now I reserve my care for those worthy of it instead of wasting it on strangers or hidebound ignoramuses."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Hela gave him a bemused look, distracted from her thoughts.

“Ah...”

Is igmorarmus even a real word? Is hidebound supposed to be an insult?

“Very... efficient of you.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

He shrugged.

"It works."

A pause.

"Anything else on your mind?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

“...yeah, but I’d feel ridiculous talking about it,” Hela murmured, rubbing at her neck.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Lewis shrugged.

"Try me. It can't be more ridiculous than the idea of Narrators or than me in a tiara and tutu as 'Edward'," he said with a chortle.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Hela cracked a brief grin, but overall looked unconvinced.

“Well,” She began steadily with her gaze fixed just below his nose, “You seemed to be saying that Hydes don’t form ‘bonds’... or maybe that they just couldn’t...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I tended not to, but do go on..." he clarified and encouraged.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

“I... I feel you’re wrong,” Her gaze became steely as she met his eyes, something inside of her hardening, “But I can’t figure out why...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I...never said that, precisely. Simply that my life had an absence of them. What I neglected to add was, 'after a point'."

He sighed, thinking back on old times.

"I...did care for someone as 'Hyde', even before integration. Two someones, in fact," he said with the ghost of a pained look, more bittersweet than anything.

"They're just...

"They've passed on now."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago • edited

Irritation welled up inside her chest, though it was directed at the unfairness of it all rather than Lewis.

“Is there anyone you like who hasn't died?” She asked roughly, gritting her teeth against the sudden ire.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"There's you," he replied, the bittersweet smile giving way to a fond one.

"And Hastie. And Gabriel," he continued, as he thought about it. "Charricthran, Mz. Hyde, Malemi, Millie... I've made quite a few friends in the short time I've been here.

"So there is that.

"But you, love...you have pride of place."

Something about the angle of the sunlight through the window struck him, and he checked his pocket-watch.

"Oh, my," he said and put it back. "I suppose we had better get going."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • 2 years ago

Hela flushed but refused to let her scowl fade.

“Time to head back to Hell, then, so I can release the Saint?”

Her voice softened slightly and she stood.

“Alright... so long as we pick up Leo first...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Of course," said Lewis.

They reclaimed the cat and the torenia and headed back to the Society.

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Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

Helen yawned and blinked several times as she made her way into the kitchen, carrying an empty teapot.

She set the pot on the counter, moving about to begin making a fresh batch of tea, occasionally rubbing at her eyes.

(CarwashCat)

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Sydney stumbled her way into the kitchen, itching off sleep dust from her eyes and tried to find the coffee tin. After five cupboards searched, Sydney looks over to a woman standing by the counter. Worth a try.

"'Scuse me, sorry." Sydney called out to her, half-yawning half-mumbling. "Do you know where the coffee tin is? Can't seem to find it."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“Hm?” Helen glanced to the source of the voice, before giving a small, tired smile. “Ah, the coffee, yes...”

She gestured towards one of the higher cabinets, “It’s up there, towards your left.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Ah, thank you." Sydney replied, before moving over to a higher cupboard, opening it and finding the tin. It smelled old, but still it was delicious coffee. "There it is."

Sydney shuffled over to the counter, getting a teaspoon from a mug that kept tens of spoons. She leaned to the woman. "I can always never find it in the morning. One morning it's in that cupboard, then it's in the other. Funny, huh?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Helen laughed softly, giving a nod.

“I’m almost certain one of the Lodgers moves it on purpose, to mess with everyone,” She mused, keeping an eye on the stove as the water was heated.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Sydney oddly thought it might've been one of the ghosts that she saw that night a few weeks ago. Ghosts. Still can't believe that...

"Well, it's trivial, if anything." Sydney remarked. She eyed the stove. "Is there enough water for the two of us?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“Of course,” Helen answered, brightening, “And I can always put on more later, if there isn’t.”

She checked the water once more before going to fetch two mugs, shaking off the last dregs of sleepiness.

“You know, I don’t believe we’ve met before,” She realized, passing Sydney a mug, “My name is Dr. Helen Jekyll, but you’re more than welcome to just call me Helen. I’m the daytime caretaker.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh, Sydney Shaw. But you're more than welcome to just call me Sydney, too. I'm a painter. And I dabble in pigmentation chemistry." Sydney explained, taking the mug. She outstretched a paint-stained hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Helen."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“The pleasure is all mine,” She returned with a friendly smile, shaking her hand lightly.

Just then, the kettle gave a piercing whistle, and Helen turned away to take it off the heat.

“I personally tend to stick to biochemistry, though the occasionally a different field will attract my attention.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh..." Sydney reflexively replied. A day caretaker and a biochemist? And the same surname as Dr. Jekyll. Better ask. Although is that a little invasive? I'm sure it'll be fine.

"I don't mean to be rude or irritating, but are you, by any measurable chance, related; or at least partially associated with... well of course you're partially associated with him, you're here after all and he doesn't... I mean... are you related to Dr. Henry Jekyll... at all?"

Nice one, Syd.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

“That really depends on the Dr. Henry Jekyll that you’re refering to, as we have several here,” She responded with a little laugh, “And not to worry, I don’t mind the question—it’s human nature to be curious, afterall.”

She poured some of the hot water into the teapot, offering the remainder to Sydney. “Would you like me to fill your cup?”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

I'd probably spill the entire teapot after what she just said.

"Yes, please, thank you." Sydney replied, stuttering and adjusting her large glasses. "Sorry, don't mean to ask a lot of questions, I know you said it's "human nature" and all that; it's just... Several Dr. Jekylls? As in brothers, or father and sons... or...?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

“As in, multiple Dr. Jekylls from various dimensions and time periods,” clarified Helen, setting the kettle aside after she had filled Sydney’s cup before sticking a teabag in the pot.

“There’s really no need to apologize, I prefer you ask questions rather than suffer in silence. This topic isn’t exactly a simple one.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Various dimens-" Sydney stopped herself. Ghosts, now this? I'm out of my depth! Not in the job description. Maybe she's just making it up. She switched to a convincing and calm tone. "I see, I see. Various dimensions. Time periods. Quite. Mm."

Sydney tipped a few spoon-fuls of coffee in her mug. Maybe a bit more would suffice.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Helen paused what she was doing to turn and face Sydney, a slight frown tugging on her lips, alarm bells going off inside her head.

“Is... everything alright?” She asked, sounding rather concerned.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

She pretended to have not heard it for a moment, then finally registered it. "Alright? Of course, of course! Just putting coffee in the mug. Nothing un-alright about that, I trust? Just putting coffee in the mug, just putting coffee in the mug, and not thinking about people who are from different dimensions like an alright and normal person. I'm fine, I'm fine. Pass the kettle, please?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

“If... you don’t want to talk about it, that’s perfectly fine, but I can tell something is wrong...”

She carefully handed over the kettle, her frown deepening.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago • edited

"Wrong? Nothing's wrong... Oh, alright. Yes, something is wrong. What you're saying is wrong! Other dimensions? Time periods? I don't mean to be rude, I'm just curious... are you mad, or something like that? Though I can't judge, I've conversed with ghosts on the Society rooftop and drank with them, but I just thought I was dreaming!"

Sydney paused. I'm going off again. Maybe I just need to sit down. Sydney moved toward a kitchen table nearby and sat on it, head in hands.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Helen suppressed a wince, biting her bottom lip as Sydney rambled on. Perhaps I ought to call for Lewis...

“I can assure you, I am not ‘mad’ or anything of that nature, and neither are you,” She said soothingly, putting the kettle down, “Here, ghosts and dimensional and time related travel are as real as you and me. It’s quite a shock, I’ll admit, but I’m sure you’ll take it in stride soon enough.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Sydney stared at her, mouth open. "Before I take it in stride soon enough, can I please have my morning coffee?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“Absolutely, I won’t stop you,” Helen nodded slowly and poured herself a mug of tea. “Would you like me to fetch some sugar or cream?”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"N-Neither." Sydney mumbled. This was not how she thought her morning would play out. Get coffee, get toast, go back to room, paint. Not talk about dimensions or multiple versions of people you've met once! She took the kettle and poured the boiling water in the mug. She suddenly realised something. "How are you related to Dr. Jekyll? Or... or one of... of them."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“They’re likely my great, great grandfather,” She answered slowly, carefully watching Sydney to ensure the information wouldn’t be too much for her to handle.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Great-great grandfather! Can't she hear what she's saying? Well, of course she can, unless she's deaf. But that would mean that she couldn't hear anything, but she heard what I- Oh never mind Sydney!

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrriiiight..." Sydney replied haltingly, as she concurrently conversed with herself.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“You... don’t believe me,” Helen observed with a faint smile, “That’s alright, I didn’t expect you to... though if you’d like, I can find someone to vouch for my sanity.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"No... pfff... 'Course I believe... you." Sydney replied. Who am I kidding? No I don't. Stop stalling the inevitable, Sydney. This woman doesn't seem all that bad. At least she's not tried anything... weird. "No I don't. I was just expecting a normal person to talk to this morning. But, if I'm honest, it's something different. And I'm okay with it. I'm alright. Really."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

Helen quirked an eyebrow at the “normal person” comment, but remained quiet until Sydney had finished.

“I have my doubts about that, but...” She gave a shrug. “If that’s what you’re going to insist, then I won’t press the matter further.” She added sugar to her tea and took a sip from her mug.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Sydney stirred her coffee, but focused on asking more questions.

"So what else here is weird? Are there vampires? Invisible men? Frankenstein's monster?" Sydney asked, genuinely hopeful.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

“I wouldn’t consider it weird, but... We do have vampires, invisible men, and, at one point, a Frankenstein’s monster,” Helen smiled sheepishly as she spoke, hoping to prevent a relapse of disbelief in Sydney.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

She paused a moment, but slowly smiled. "Can I see them?"

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“That all depends if you can find them, but I don’t see why not,” She answered after a moments pause to think, “They’re memebers, just like you, though some are more open than others.”

A slight frown touched her lips. “And it wouldn’t do to treat them as anything other than a fellow person, if you’re planning on going and gawking at them...”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"I won't gawk at them..." Sydney replied. "Just sort of... look at them. If they're invisible, it's hard not to look."

She sipped her coffee, finally calming her down.

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“Alright, well... so long as you’re not rude,” She relented softly, drinking again from her mug, “Keep in mind some of them may not wish to talk about what they are.”

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

Sydney eyed Helen for a moment.

"There something supernatural about you? I won't judge. Satisfaction brings the cat back."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago • edited

“I don’t believe so—everything I am can be perfectly explained with science,” answered Helen with an amused smile and another sip of tea.

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CarwashCat  Helen Jekyll • 2 years ago

"Oh, well, aren't we all?" Sydney sipped as she spoke, smiling. She studied Helen for a moment. Not bad face, brilliant portrait in the works... "Hm..."

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Helen Jekyll  CarwashCat • 2 years ago

“Something on your mind, Sydney?” queried Helen softly, tilting her head ever so slightly to one side as she held the other woman’s gaze.

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