Role-playing Page for pg 136!

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Role-playing Page for pg 136!

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Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih a year ago

So for those of you who know me know that I play this really cool mobile game called the Arcana. Soooooooo today I finished the latest the chapter of Julian AKA Badass Jekyll with an eyepatch's route.

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Here are my thoughts on where the story currently stands with my Jekyll boyfriend from another dimension:

https://youtu.be/-dDHWrdioKA

That is all. Please consider donating to the legal defense fund.

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Mz.Hyde Mod • a year ago

Seriously though, are Dr. Jekyll and Julian both played by the same actor?! I think so! That's part of my headcanon.

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Setae  Mz.Hyde • a year ago

It’s more or less how I imagine Henry if he went full on super villain.

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Setae • a year ago • edited

He's actually a really nice guy! Seriously! Like a kid who's trying to be DARK and MYSTERIOUS but is really sweet and kind of a dork. XD

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((Continuation of the FF/ Training RP! Jekyll1886))

86:

"If you lack confidence in your ability to dodge, we can always work on it. I for one think you'll surprise yourself."

Response:

"There is no way in Hell I am letting you throw punches at me," She responded in nearly a growl, though her voice rose in pitch as she backed away from him, "Or throw things, for that matter."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I meant footwork, Hela," he stated frankly, suppressing a roll of his eyes.

"Christ, what do you take me for?" he muttered under his breath.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A threat, came the response in her head at once, though she didn’t voice it.

Instead, Hela ducked her head, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.

“...I didn’t think there was any other way to practice, besides actually dodging things...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Ah," said Lewis, processing that.

"Fair enough."

He shrugged.

"In any case, we can practice whichever you like today--jabbing or dodging via footwork or snapping a kick or what-have-you. I don't wish to make you uncomfortable. Please know that. Your safety is the priority here--hence the training."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela paused to consider his offer.

On one hand, she already knew how to attack—if only with blades— and avoiding the attacks of others seemed more important.

But then, Lewis had said she’d done well on that already, and learning nonlethal techniques would be necessary to keep her from breaking any of the rules he’d laid down in the past.

Ah, to Hell with it, might as well learn to cause more damage.

“The jabs are fine, I... think you’re exaggerating my skill, is all.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Let's continue with the jabs, then."

They did just that, Hela gradually increasing her speed even as she fine-tuned her technique. Once she'd shown sufficient skill with one hand, Weir had her switch sides and practice it with the other.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela poured what aggression she could into the training without compromising her form, recalling what Lewis had said about anger clouding Jamie's thoughts when the woman had attacked her.

Still, it felt good to release the pent up energy in a way that likely wouldn't have Weir shaking his head in disappointment.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Remember--under the chin or into the throat. The intention is to knock your opponent back, off balance, or to make him double over in a coughing fit. Picture taller or shorter opponents in turn."

He watched her incorporate the advice.

"Perfect." A grin spread across his features.

"I daresay the lesson's at an end."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Oh, so soon?" Hela chuckled a bit breathlessly, dropping her arms to her sides.

She smirked at Weir. "I haven't even gotten the chance to try and hit someone yet."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He put a hand to his chin and tilted his head, considering possibilities.

"Alright," he decided, lowering his hand and straightening.

He settled into the same stance he'd earlier shown Helen.

"Try one jab. I won't dodge."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Excitement brought a wild grin to her lips even as wariness seeped in and turned her muscles tense.

"You promise you won't move?"

Hope and fear mingled in the cool blue of her eyes.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"'Never said that. Just that I wouldn't dodge--that, I do promise," Lewis clarified.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

His comment did little to ease her nerves, but she decided to proceed nonetheless.

"Alright."

Stepping closer her to him, she dropped into the stance he'd taught her, focusing on good form.

She eyed his throat for a moment, gauging the distance and playing the attack in her mind's eye... and then she struck out at the crook where his head met neck.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Just as he'd taught Helen that morning, he shifted his weight from his front leg to his rear one. This lessened the impact of Hela's blow, though it still connected.

"Hrm!" he made a sound midway between clearing his throat and coughing in response to the hit, tucking his chin slightly but careful to keep his eyes on Hela.

He straightened, cleared his throat, and smiled.

"Very good," he congratulated Hela. "Had I not gone with that jab, I'd be in a proper fit of coughing right now."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela beamed at the compliment, a darker satisfaction glinting in her eyes.

From the way she shifted in place, it was quite clear she'd gladly hit him again (or at the very least, try to), though she didn't make any sort of attempt to do so.

"Glad to hear I've a chance, then..." Her grin turned to a smirk. "Now I can go for the throat without shedding blood."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Weir chuckled at that, the sound just a wee bit deeper than it normally was.

"'Tis the most instinctual spot to attack," he agreed with an easy shrug and a small, catlike smile of approval.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

A quick nod, bordering on eager.

She'd nearly forgotten how it felt to be on the offense, forcing another to retreat rather than worrying about being backed into a corner herself.

Jamie's attempted assault on her was all defense and fear, but this, what Lewis allowed her to just do... it set her buzzing with energy she didn't know what to do with in a city where she couldn't kill or set buildings aflame.

Hela could only smash plates and chairs, which, while they did their job of breaking decently enough, didn't have nearly the same appeal.

Her gaze drifted to the busy streets beyond the edge of the roof as she lost herself in thought, still moving restlessly where she stood.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Well did Lewis know the look in Hela's eyes.

Oh...what the Hell, Weir decided. May as well throw her a bone.

A sultry laugh, bordering on a purr.

"Go ahead. Lay into me. I'll block," he held up an open hand, "but you're welcome to hit as often and as hard as you please."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela jerked her gaze back to Weir and blinked at him, uncertain if she'd heard him correctly.

He can't mean that, She thought, but even as it entered her mind the doubt faded.

When had Lewis ever given her an he hadn't meant?

A ghost of a grin twitched onto her lips, though she tried to swallow the urge, dipping her head.

"Are there... any limitations, other than you blocking?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"The block may be simple deflection or may involve catching your hand, wrist, ankle, or other part--but the only hurtful force will come from you.

"You, however, face no such limitations, other than the fact you must use your body and not a blade or other weapon--which would defeat the purpose of this exercise."

He gave her a shrug and a smile, adopting a different stance.

"Whenever you're ready."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Loathing crossed her expression for a flicker of a moment as she recalled the sensation of another's hands on her skin, but she shook it off, simply resolving to try wearing gloves next time.

Hela shifted back into the stance she'd been taught, watching him, eyeing her potential target points as she had before.

Lewis is fast, far faster than I am. If I want to hit him, really hit him, I'll have to catch him off guard.

...

That's never going to happen.

Suddenly aware that drawing in a deep breath as she'd done prior would give away her timing, she darted forward before the tangle of nerves in her gut could force her to change her mind and moved to bring her elbow slamming into Weir's throat.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Clever girl, thought Weir, pleased, as he quickly brought his forearm up at a slant.

This changed the angle of Hela's strike, like placing a wedge under a slat of wood. The force of the blow was directed upward and sideways so that it failed to hit its intended target, instead sliding off the outer edge of his forearm.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela faltered for a fraction of a second, the move catching her rather by surprise despite Lewis warning her he would be dodging her attacks.

The next instant she'd snapped back into focus and, seeing how she was already practically on top him, swung her foot to kick him in the ankle while simultaneously withdrawing her arm to protect her torso.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Lewis withdrew his arm to protect his own torso.

He didn't move a hand to block the incoming kick. Instead, he hooked the heel of the foot Hela wasn't aiming for around the outside of her ankle, ensuring her strike changed course and struck the ground.

However, he didn't take it farther than that, curious instead to see if she'd retain her balance, falter but remain standing, or fall...as well as where she'd try to strike next.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

In a fleeting moment of panic, her thoughts shut down as she instinctively shifted her weight in order to remain upright, feeling the all too familiar press of helplessness temporarily freeze her in place.

She steadied herself, letting out a breath slowly as her mind caught up with her body--this wasn't a real fight, and Lewis said he wouldn't go on offense, she was... relatively safe.

The frustration of being caught off guard once again welled up inside her without warning and she bared her teeth in a snarl.

"God, I hate it when you show off!" hissed Hela as she tried to rake her nails across the side of his face.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He caught her wrist before her nails could reach his cheek.

"Believe it or not, you're doing quite well," he said with a catlike smile. "I appreciate the variety of attacks."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She leveled a fiery glare at him, positively seething with ire.

“Can it, Weir.”

Her captured wrist gave a near involuntary twitch, both a test of the strength of his grip and an attempt to ease the searing discomfort.

“Unlike you, some of us mortals have to actually put in effort.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Her words provoked a laugh bordering on rueful.

"What--you think I just woke up one day and knew how to do all this? It took years of effort. Trial and error. Countless bruises and broken bones. You're on the bloody fast track, Hela."

He disentangled himself from and let go of her as he stepped back.

"That said...if you just need to hit something, throw a straight punch at my palm and strike it as hard as you like," he offered, holding his palms up in front of him as ready targets. "Hell--kick it if you want to."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I don't want to hit something, I want to beat you," Hela muttered in a growl, rubbing where he'd grabbed her irritably before reaching to shove one of his palms away.

At the last moment, she switched tactics and instead attempted to seize his wrist and twist it violently to the side.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Having anticipated she'd shove his arm away, he'd let it go loose.

He made no move to stop her seizing his wrist when she changed tactics. His arm went slack and twisted easily to the side.

He then simply continued the motion to grab her forearm, underhanded.

"Nice to meet you, too, Hela," he quipped, shaking their two locked hands and wrists as if greeting her for the first time.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Murderous fury flared in her eyes before promptly being extinguished by powerlessness and despair and finally, resignation, each only a heartbeat apart.

She couldn't fight Lewis, or at least, not press any sort of advantage when she did, it was clear that had never changed.

Nor could she scream and rage at the man, for he'd only react with cool logic, a behavior which often threatened to drive her mad--'twas simply better to direct it elsewhere and avoid the extra frustration.

All the energy seemed to drain out of her as she tucked her shoulders in, chin dipping to her chest.

"Pleasure's all mine, doc," said Hela, forcing the hitching of her breath in her throat to come out as a quiet laugh, "Can you please let me go...?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Certainly," he said, looking suddenly a little lost.

He let go and straightened, hands at his sides.

"I'm...sorry if I've...bolloxed this up," he said quietly. He hadn't meant to drain her spirit. He'd thought she'd needed an outlet, not that she'd had her heart set on beating him right then and there.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She withdrew a couple steps, again trying to rub away the sensation of his skin on hers.

Her head remained bowed as she shook it.

"Doesn't matter," She finally replied, "We were done when... you said I could jab decently. This was all just..." a mistake.

Another shake of her head.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Hela...please tell me what just went wrong. Things were going so well--you learn quickly, and I saw real confidence. You've a skill now to help keep you safe, and I'd happily teach you another tomorrow. Why is beating me the be-all and end-all, that it should engender such disappointment? I want to help you, not break your spirit."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“...It’s stupid,” mumbled Hela, drawing her arms around her stomach, “So, I’m not... I don’t want to give my reasons.”

Her gaze flickered up briefly to Lewis before shifting away, though she didn’t move her head.

And I think it’s a bit too late to save my spirit, doc.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He sat down on the half-wall that served as the roof's railing, unsure what to do as he looked up at Hela.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She tried not to squirm, hunching her shoulders defensively.

“Lewis, stop staring at me like that.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I don't know what else to do," he said with a hapless shrug. "I'm quite perplexed."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A short bark of laughter.

“Well, you could stand to not know something for once... it’ll be a nice change.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Hela, where is all this coming from?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“You’re practically a god, Lewis. Forgive me if I take pleasure in seeing evidence that says otherwise.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He straightened and leaned back as if Hela'd grown three heads.

"A god?" he repeated incredulously. "I've been called many a thing, Hela--but that?" he questioned with a shake of his head.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Her gaze finally raised to meet his again, the emotion within her eyes laying somewhere between passivity and reverence.

“‘Best get used to it, then, O’ Great and Mighty Weir, ‘cause you meet all the bloody requirements.”

Despite the rather ill-mannered response, her tone held no derision.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I...do hope you'll understand if I disagree with the assessment," he stated quietly, uneasiness in his tone. "As well as that it makes me rather...uncomfortable."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A slight shrug.

“Heroes don’t think themselves a savior, villains of the worst sort don’t call themselves evil, and,” She dipped her head to Weir, the motion almost a bow, “Gods perceive themselves to be men...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He winced as a memory caught him--a conflagration in the dead of night, the smell of burning incense and fabric and wood and flesh--

No way out. No matter how much he wanted one.

"All that may be true," he acknowledged, jaw slightly atremble, "but men can easily perceive themselves to be gods, too." He shook his head. "I'll not go down that road."

Never again.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I wouldn’t make you.”

A pause, as she finally noticed his emotion, faltering slightly.

“...You said it... makes you uncomfortable... Would you rather I had lied?”

She watched him with a touch of restlessness.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"N...no," he admitted. "No, I just...wasn't expecting it. 'Caught me off guard." He took in a breath. Let it out. Stood up.

"Well. That was...enlightening. Have you any wish to continue the training tomorrow, or...?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I do, I...”

She made a nervous noise in the back of her throat, somewhere between a growl and a whine.

“I have to beat you eventually... and I can’t do that if I don’t practice.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He smiled at that.

"True enough."

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((Continuation of the Note RP! Jekyll1886))

86:

A knowing chuckle.

"'Been there."

He cleared his throat.

"I think she'll understand."

Response:

"I'll take your word for it," and I pray you're right, because she already wants me dead enough at is it.

"Mind if I go ahead and hand over the torch in here? I figure it'd be better to hit a mattress than the floor, should... anything not go well."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Go ahead," agreed Lewis.

He turned to face the curtained bed, prepared to help reorient Helen.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She took a deep breath, then began to change.

As it had been some time since Helen last gained control, dragging her back into the real world was no effortless task. The doctor had a tendency to vanish into her shell like a frightened turtle when left out of touch for too long.

After a minute or so, Hela wondered briefly through the haze of painful convulsions if asking Lewis for a bit of HJ7 (he had confiscated some of the doctor’s formula, hadn’t he?) would help speed things along before finally slipping into blissful unconsciousness.

Helen was awake only moments later, though that threatened to change when the full force her state hit her: She was exhausted.

Twinges of pain still lingering throughout her body, her eyelids nearly slid shut again without a single thought entering her mind.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Good morning, Helen," said Lewis quietly. "You're in my flat, on the bed--the curtains are drawn."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Ah, Lewis?”

She touched her head with a wince, staring blurry-eyed at the curtains surrounding her.

“God, what’s happened? I thought things were smoother than this...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"A series of unforeseen circumstances," answered Lewis. "When you feel up to it, I can fill you in."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen hummed her understanding and tried to clear the fog from her thoughts.

"I don't suppose you have any tea?" She mumbled hopefully after a beat, "I'd make my own, but I believe I'm having trouble remembering my own middle name at the moment."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I was just about to go downstairs and make some when your counterpart awoke," he returned. "I'll go on and get it ready now."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I appreciate it, thank you. I will... do my best to stay put and conscious," decided Helen with a hint of a smile in her voice, a bit amused by herself and the effort it took to string words together properly.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Alright."

Lewis did as he'd said, and shortly returned bearing a tea tray.

"Here we are," he said, about to set it on the beside table.

"Oh, Helen--would you move that envelope out of the way, please?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Mm? Oh, of course."

Helen had pulled the curtains aside and settled on the edge of the bed in the time Lewis was gone, her wild hair and the too-big pajamas almost making her seem like a child.

She reached over, grabbing the envelope and examining it absentmindedly, a bit of distance in her eyes, though they cleared as she recognized the handwriting.

"Hela wrote you a letter?" She asked with a puzzled tilt of her head.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Thanks," he said as he set the tray down.

Helen asked about the envelope's contents.

"I presume so--though, as per the instructions, I've not yet opened it."

A chuckle.

"Tea first."

He set about filling and preparing two cups, took one for himself, and joined Helen on the bed.

"Here we are," he said, offering her the other.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen set the envelope aside and accepted her cup, immediately drinking deeply from it.

"Ahh," She sighed in content once she'd drained it in one go, giving Lewis a grateful look, "That is just about Heaven."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Aye. 'Tis," agreed Lewis, who lowered his own cup--also drained in one go.

"Pfha!" he laughed in surprise as he caught sight of Helen's.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen looked rather bemused for a moment before noticing he'd drank all his tea as well, breaking into a bright, if rather tired smile.

"Would you look at that, we're practically twins," She giggled, holding her cup against his to compare.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Heh. Indeed."

He set to refilling them both, gladly starting on his second cup once it was ready.

Only once he'd finished it did he pick up the envelope.

"I suppose I ought to open this soon," he remarked, studying it.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She tried to savor the second cup but still managed to finish within a few near gulps, humming as the warmth sat pleasantly within her stomach.

"That would likely be for the best," agreed Helen, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with her free hand, "If you wait too long, you may forget... and 'tis the satisfaction of curiosity that brought the cat back."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

A warm chuckle.

"Very true."

He pulled a letter opener from a drawer in the nightstand and had soon pulled out the envelope's contents to read.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

The note inside was no bigger than half the envelope and read:

"Dear [there was a small scribble of black here, where Hela scratched something out] Fenrir,

I'm still afraid of you. Sorry, I don't mean to be, but you're really strong.

-H (the better one)

P.S. I know you probably think I'm stupid for writing this down where others can read it."

Helen had quietly made herself a third cup of tea while Lewis was reading and sipped from it slowly, studying the room around her.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis finished reading and re-reading the note.

A sigh escaped through his nose as his head lowered and he stared past his lap.

For a moment, he was silent, simply processing Hela's confession.

Then he nodded slightly, twice, as if to himself, raised his head, and caught Helen's gaze.

It wasn't lost on him that Hela might well be watching.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen noticed his eyes on her and looked to him, breaking into a small, slightly timid smile as color touched her cheeks.

"Ah, something on your mind?"

Curiously, she wondered what could've been on the paper.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I..."

A thought occurred.

"Just a moment."

He held the note up to the light, then turned it over to look at the back, in an attempt to discern what had been scribbled out.

There.

An "E".

He turned to Helen.

"I, ah...daresay I may've gone a bit overboard in Glasgow."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"What do you mean?" asked Helen with a tilt of her head, puzzled by his comment.

Her gaze briefly drifted to the paper he was holding, but she caught herself and returned to meeting Weir's eyes.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Hela, ah...wrote something that would be a wise response had anyone but she--or you, had you--written it." And I include Hastie in that "anyone".

"However, I don't know if I'm at liberty to share it," he apologized. "You'd have to ask her."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"Oh, of course," Helen answered with a quick blink, "I'll see if I can get a response now."

She dipped her gaze and fiddled with the near empty teacup.

Ah, Hela, would it be alright if Lewis told me about the note you've given him?

No reply.

After a few moments, she tried again.

Lewis doesn't want to discuss what you've written unless you've given your consent for it, is the note... something I'm allowed to see?

Still not a word from her counterpart.

Helen shook her head slightly, looking back to Lewis.

"Either my other half is ignoring me, or... she's simply not around right now, as she didn't say anything."

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Mm." Lewis nodded, a little disappointed but not entirely surprised. After all, had Hela wished to discuss the note when he opened the envelope, she'd have given it to him later, wouldn't she?

"Ah well. I suppose we'd best move on, then."

He regarded Helen.

"How are you feeling?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A flash of a nervous smile.

“Oh, me?”

“I’m a bit out of sorts, if I’m honest,” She admitted quietly, “I’ve no way to tell how much time has passed, and waking in a new place is always... a touch disconcerting.”

She met his gaze once more.

“You mentioned, ah, ‘a series of unforeseen circumstances’ that resulted in all of this?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis nodded his understanding.

"Yes," he said, fixing a third cup of tea.

He sat down with it and related how he'd found Hela in the cellar of the Society.

"Needless to say, the entire scene had been staged."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Oh dear, that... I can't believe something like that happened."

Helen knew that her counterpart had her enemies, given how she'd acted in the past, but for someone to go through all the trouble to make her appear passed out drunk... It didn't make much sense.

"Do you think it was a prank of sorts, from those she'd upset?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He shook his head.

"She couldn't remember how she'd gotten there, and there was a small mark, as if from a needle. I suspected she might have been drugged, so I took a blood sample. As expected, it contained no trace of alcohol. It did, however, test positive for a drug used to incapacitate and to induce memory loss.

"Quite the sophisticated prank," he said sardonically.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Her eyes widened slightly as he continued, though she had to suppress a wince at his tone.

"I... don't know what to say. You know as well as I that I'm... not the biggest fan of my counterpart, but..." She shook her head, changing thoughts.

"Did you manage to figure out why it was done, and by whom?"

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"No and yes. Whatever happened happened in the Society's kitchen, that much I know--I found Hela's knife there.

"Evidence and witness testimony point to Richard, but he's currently been hidden away by Charricthran, who's currently been kidnapped by fae."

He shook his head at the situation.

"I told Hela to stay here while I investigated who was responsible, but in so doing I was instantly transported to Charricthran's side, and he happened to be in the Black Forest. I was unable to prevent his kidnapping, and it took me ten days to get home. I did send a telegram at some point, but I've no way to know if it got through. During that entire time, Hela stayed here, feeling the Society unsafe. I doubt she slept much or well."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Oh dear...”

She sounded more than a little overwhelmed, touching a hand to her temple.

“I can see why you called it a ‘series’ of misfortunes, rather than just a handful...”

A beat.

“Did... you say ten days you’ve been gone?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He nodded.

"Aye. She seemed nervous to tell me, due to the schedule arrangement. I asked her why she'd not abided by it, and she confessed she was in what I'd call 'survival mode'. She didn't even eat much--just hid. Tried to stay safe and wait for my return."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She exhaled heavily,

“Well, it couldn’t have been helped, then. My counterpart has always been very insistent on making meals, so if she wasn’t even eating properly... I doubt I would’ve faired much better.”

But still, ten whole days, gone... That has to be the longest period of time I’ve been kept under completely.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I am terribly sorry for the delay getting back," he apologized. "I came as quickly as I was able."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“It’s quite alright, Lewis,” She smiled gently, hoping he wasn’t too upset about the whole situation, “It’s not as if any of us could’ve known.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That's true," he nodded.

"In any case, I imagine you'll be wanting to get back to the Society--Richard isn't there, so it ought to be fine."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Ah, yes, hopefully Mz. Hyde managed to keep things from falling apart while I was away, but... I’m sure there’s plenty I need to tend to.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"More than likely. I confess I've not been there since getting back."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Shall we survey the damage together, then?” asked Helen with a soft laugh, setting her tea aside.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Do let's," Lewis agreed with a chortle.

He gathered up the tea things to bring them down to the kitchen.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen glanced about the room, locating where her counterpart had been keeping her clothing.

Thankfully, though it appeared a few sizes too big, the Hyde’s clothing was the adjustable kind Lewis helped them both acquire.

“I’ll be down in a moment, I simply need to get some proper clothes on first.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis nodded.

"'See you downstairs."

He closed the door as he left the bedroom.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

After dressing herself and running her fingers through her hair a few times before the mirror, Helen collected what items she knew belonged to her counterpart.

If you don’t mind, I could use a little assistance.

Silence.

Despite how she’d wished for it in past, the lack of communication with Hela made her uneasy.

She sighed, gathered up what she could in her arms, and headed downstairs.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis had cleaned the tea things and set them to dry.

He stood by the door, ready to go.

"I'm afraid I cooked the last of the food after I got in, but we should be in time for breakfast at the Society."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Not to worry, I’m sure they’ll have something wonderful.”

She offered him the rabbit cage.

“If you don’t mind, could you hold this, please? Hela usually isn’t fond of me staying near him...”

A beat.

“The fact that I haven’t been ordered to stay away yet is almost worrisome.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That is odd," concurred Lewis, taking the cage.

"Would you be a dear and get the door?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Of course,” She consented, moving past to assist him out.

Both Helen and Lewis made their way to the Society, dropping off what belongings of Hela’s they had in her room before heading downstairs for breakfast.

Once she had eaten, Helen wished Weir a good day and set to catching up on all the work she had missed, soon buried rather contently in paperwork at her desk.

Teatime seemed to roll around within mere minutes.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis knocked at the door, tea tray in hand.

"Tea time," he announced merrily.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela froze at the sound of Weir’s voice.

Leo the cat, whom she’d retrieved from the Hatter’s care not too long ago, now rested in her lap, letting out a needy mew when her hand ceased its stroking of his fur.

“Ah, come on in,” She told Lewis after a long moment, scratching Leo behind his ears as he purred once more.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He entered, shut the door, and set the tray on the desk.

"Here we are," he said with a smile.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Thanks.”

She glanced up at the tray, but remained on her bed, focusing her attention back on the Turkish Van.

“I wasn’t expecting you to stop by, I thought you’d be putting out over a week’s worth of fires.”

That wasn’t entirely the truth. Hela had dreaded his inevitable visit and could only hope he’d be delayed... though it seemed she had no such luck.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Not to worry," he returned, pouring the tea. "Mz. Hyde is quite capable, and it's been relatively quiet while we were gone."

He fixed Hela's cup, then his own.

"Still, I thought you might like a pick-me-up, as I didn't see you downstairs," he said as he handed Hela her tea and offered her a plate of little sandwiches and scones.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“You sure this isn’t just an excuse to get away from the chaos?” asked Hela with a slight chuckle, gently nudging Leo aside so she could drink without fear of spilling.

The cat rather reluctantly left the warmth of her lap and curled up against her leg instead, purring to ensue he wasn’t forgotten.

She took the cup in one hand and a few treats in the other.

If nothing else, I can take a bite as an excuse not to talk... Lewis has to be here for talking.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He chuckled at that.

"Perhaps a wee bit," he admitted. "Still, everyone stops for tea. May as well enjoy." He took a sip from his own cup.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Mm,” Hela hummed her agreement through a mouthful of crumbs, having finished her usual inspection of the food and taken a bite of scone.

She swallowed and flashed a grin.

“I personally believe I got the better end of this whole scheduling deal.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis laughed a little.

"Mayhap."

He helped himself to a small, triangular sandwich.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She fell silent, quietly munching as she became absorbed in thought.

Did she dare risk starting conversation, when it could drift towards talking about her note? But if she didn’t speak, then Lewis would be in control of making the first move...

Her gaze came to rest rather intently on the teapot.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis finished his sandwich and noticed Hela's gaze drift.

"More tea?" he asked.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“Hm?”

She jerked her gaze up and blinked at him.

“Oh, uh...”

If it’ll get you to stop toying with me and go away.

“Sure.”

Despite having yet to drink from it, she held out her cup.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He looked at the full cup, blinked, and met her gaze.

"You've not even--" he began in confusion, then stopped himself.

"Hela, what's amiss? Are you afraid of me even as I am now?" he wondered in concern coupled with a trace of hurt and tinged with a hint of resigned sadness.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela visibly winced at the questions and turned her head aside with a heavy sigh.

“...afraid you’d bring this mess up, yeah...”

She set her cup on the nightstand and scooped Leo back into her lap for comfort, gaze lowered.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Alright."

He was silent a moment, not exactly sure how to proceed.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“Y’know, there’s a... method mentioned in the book Charricthran gave the doctor and I that... I think would fix all this, if you’ll just... just give me permission to use it,” She offered quietly, her voice barely over a murmur, “It isn’t very hard.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

His brows knit in confusion.

"Hela, what...exactly do you mean?" he asked quietly, with a tilt of his head.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“It... It mostly talks about controlling and storing emotion, to use with spells, but I think I could use it to... get a fresh start.”

“I’ve already a mind palace of sorts, so it’d only be a matter of following the instructions and then I could try again. Maybe that time everything would be okay...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He exhaled slowly, but it was shaky for all that.

"Hela, I..."

He shook his head.

"I can't stop you if you choose to, but I request...please don't." If one way of being was akin to a wolf, another was surely a soulful beagle pup, this latter in evidence as he looked at her beseechingly.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Then what would you have me do? Stay living like this?”

She swallowed hard and squeezed her eyes shut.

“If... I just set it all aside for a time, then I could make better memories that would make the old ones not seem so bad when they’re back...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Or you could make better memories now. I know we got off to a rough start, but you really have nothing to fear from--" he wasn't sure who might be listening--"'Fenrir'." A faint chuckle as the names struck him. "Hela and he are siblings in the mythology. They quite pointedly don't fight each other.

"Or, to put it another way: wolves don't kill their own pups. Subjective effect of disquiet aside, you really do have a potent 'guard dog' who'll protect you.

"I know I tested you harshly in Glasgow. Looking back, it wasn't the right approach to take, and I'm sorry. I truly am. I can also tell you that won't happen again--I've made a big enough mess of things as it is."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She merely shook her head, her throat too tight to speak for a moment.

“I can’t, Lewis, I—“

A shuddering breath as she pressed her forehead to Leo’s, taking another moment to steady herself.

“My mind says you don’t lie, or at least, not to me... My heart wants more than anything to be happy around him and to finally live instead of survive, to feel safe, but...”

“Instinct always screams to stay away, run, hide, because here is something that can destroy you with all the effort of blinking... Here is the king of Hell and the god of Death and you don’t stand a chance because not even the ever-good, ever-pleasing doctor can keep him content.”

She was trembling now, her arms curled around her cat.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Oh, Hela..." he said, tone contrite and fond. He set down his teacup and came to sit beside her on the bed.

"Instinct always tells people to stay away from us," he stated as he curled around her as she did with Leo, his touch gentle. "The same way they stay away from tigers and wolves," he said quietly. "But that doesn't mean you have to listen.

"I love you, no matter the state--even if it may not show as readily in some. I can change many a thing, but no' that."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She shivered but settled into his embrace after only a heartbeat of pause.

“N-Not before, not anything like this. It was just a soft reminder not to poke the bear...”

A miserable whimper.

“And I tried to not bother him, I tried to behave how he’d want but I didn’t realize it was him until he already had me cornered and I couldn’t think, n-not with his hands ‘round m-my n-neck.”

“I-I thought it was m-my f-fault he h-hurt me... but he just w-wanted to see if he could b-break me, if he p-pushed hard enough... A-And I’m n-not allowed to b-be upset because t-that makes me a ‘Lily-livered hypocrite!’”

She had to stop, had to take a moment to hold back the tears and swallow the pain.

“I gave him a second. Chance. Me, Hela Hyde, when back then, they were rarer than a Blue Moon and I still thought you weren’t to be trusted.

“No one, not even Catt, got anything near forgiveness when they misstep, and then he comes along and h-he s-strangles m-me a-and I-I’m s-still w-willing t-to t-try a-again.”

Her breathing rattled in her chest and throat and threatened to become stuck.

“H-He t-took t-that s-second c-chance a-and h-he l-let m-me t-think I-I w-was a-alone a-and h-he’d a-abandon m-me s-so h-he c-could w-watch m-me s-stumble a-about l-like a b-bloody m-mouse i-in a m-maze. H-He j-just w-watched a-and l-let m-me t-think I-I w-was g-going t-to d-die, b-because h-he w-wanted t-to s-see w-what’d h-happen.”

She shook her head helplessly, unable to hold back a sob.

“I-If h-he h-had j-just asked I w-would’ve b-been m-more t-than h-happy t-to g-go a-about w-with h-him h-hanging b-back t-to w-watch... b-but h-he j-just u-used m-my i-idea a-against m-me...”

Hela now drew herself closer together, away from Weir’s touch.

“Y-You’ve... said ‘s-sorry’ a m-million times... b-but I’ve been b-burned already... a-and I don’t w-want this a-anymore...”

The hurt was still as fresh and as deep as it always had been, a bleeding wound that refused to heal.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Hela...you said yourself it was back when you thought I wasn't to be trusted. I...I confess I didn't fully trust you then, either. And that came through in every a state--being overly polite on the train; keeping my cards close to my chest when I was midway; putting you through the wringer that night.

"When you ran away...what was I to think?

"I didn't plan on those thugs showing up. When they did, I wanted to let you have your fun if you were able--as you did with the first one. Yes, I did hang back and watch, because I like seeing you in action--it thrills my heart to see someone able to lose herself in the moment the way you do.

"For all I knew, you had a plan when you ran from them--I thought maybe you were setting them up.

"When it became apparent you were in over your head, I got you out as soon as I possibly could. As 'Fenrir'. As myself. Even though I didn't fully trust you yet. Do you understand what that took? There is no one else in the world I'd have done it for--not even Hastie.

"If...if you ever can stand to see me like that again, I can do what you need. Just let me know you need it. I can stay in your sight. I can bugger off if I'm annoying you. I can teach you tricks of the trade. I won't test you as I did before, now that I know it has this detrimental effect on you. I still think exposure's better than memory repression, but I'm not you. Hell, maybe we should've gone to Edinburgh instead of Glasgow--it's more divided, but less rough overall.

"Just know I do want to make it up to you somehow."

A sigh.

"I simply don't know how. Nor if I ever can."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“I-I need y-you to f-fix t-this... T-There isn’t a-any... I-I can’t t-talk a-about t-this w-with o-others... I-I’ve o-only y-you a-and t-the b-book...”

An audible swallow.

“A-And I d-don’t k-know if I c-can f-face h-him a-again, o-or if it’d h-help, but...”

Her voice wavered with tears as she turned her head and whispered in his ear.

”If... if y-you’ll allow it... I would like to s-see Henry a-again... and... a-and... s-shoot Fenrir, s-so I can w-watch him c-come b-back... if... I c-can e-even f-face h-him.”

The weight seemed to slide off her shoulders once she’d finished, and she relaxed once more in his embrace.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He quieted at her suggestion...for a moment.

Then...

"Of course," he whispered, giving her a gentle squeeze. "If that's what you need, that's what we shall do," he vowed. "Tell me when and where. And...would you like 'Henry' now?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A slight nod.

“Please. I...”

Hela ran her fingers over Leo’s back, sounding weary but relieved.

“We can figure out the rest later.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Alright."

Behind Hela, a subtle change as he continued to hold her close.

Before her, the hand draped atop her arm shifted, its complexion lightening, its form rendered a little older for all that it was fine and shapely.

A gentle embrace, a chin coming to rest lightly upon her shoulder.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She smiled faintly, tipping her head against his.

“Sorry ‘bout the bark last time, doctor,” murmured Hela with soft amusement and a content sigh, “I’m tame now though, I swear.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I know," he said softly, a fond smile in his voice. "If you should ever want me like this...just say the word. I'll do as you wish."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Heh, well... I don’t get out much, and you can’t get caught like this.”

Hela nuzzled him slightly as she spoke and interlocked her fingers with his.

“You’re far too kind, anyhow. You’ll spoil me.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He cherished this time together, leaning into the nuzzle.

"Heh. Probably," he had to admit. One got the sense that wasn't entirely a bad thing...

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

A quiet chuckle.

“I’m already going soft enough as is, I don’t need you fattening me up. Save it for the doctor, she has the self-control to decline it.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

This prompted an light and airy laugh, not unlike the tinkling of medium-pitch bells.

A relieved exhalation.

I could stay like this forever, perfectly content.

...

But she might get bored.

...

It must be rather boring, being cooped up here so much. Perhaps we ought to go do something after all, if she likes.

What would she like?

Hm.

Well, surely she'd tell me.

...

I hope.

"What mightn't you decline, darling? I must confess an earnest wish to better things," he admitted, giving her hand a squeeze of solidarity, grip firm enough to be comforting and gentle enough to help put her at ease.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“You’re enough right now,” She answered with an amused smile, “I’m... just trying to keep my mind off certain topics.”

There was the slightest hint of a tremor in her voice and she drew his arm closer.

“You’re more than welcome to try and surprise me, though,” She added after a beat, hoping it was as helpful as she’d intended.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Certain topics? Ah. Right.

...

I can't really do much in this room, I'm afraid. But I can be with her. Speak with and listen to her.

"I'm afraid there's not much I can do without leaving the room. Which I...probably shouldn't."

A contented sigh.

"Still, it's nice simply to be here with you and Leo. How's Lepus doing, by the by?"

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((Hela's actually gonna get help with things, yay! :D HenryRoseQuartz))

Oh, that was them, Hela thought, tilting her head as she recalled Lewis mentioning them to her counterpart in the past.

Apparently, they were the one to go to if one needed to talk things out.

...ah, well, it's not like I've many options in this day and age.

Tucking the card in her pocket, she glanced to the tray before deciding to simply leave it, heading off to track down Dr. Rose.

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HenryRoseQuartz  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

( The doctor slows, hearing footsteps approach, but more than footsteps, the sense of urgency is what catches his attention. )

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Helen Jekyll  HenryRoseQuartz • a year ago

“Hey doc, you left without introducing yorself.”

Hela stopped a few feet behind him, her hands shoved in her pockets.

“If it weren’t for your card, I’d’ve thought you were just trying to poison me.”

Still not entirely convinced you weren’t.

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((This is the continuation of Lewis coming home! :D The Fox Jekyll1886))

The Fox:

" 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:

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:

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...

((Fox is up!))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Malemi's mewling muffled as he buried himself into the two of them, his mewls shifting into antsy purrs. His claws poked through Weir's coat, almost as though to keep him from leaving again.

The weight in his heart evaporated in the warmth of long needed company. Malemi looked up with a smile, his tail curled onto his back lightheartedly.

" I'm so glad you're home... "

He laughed, his voice cracking with emotion.

" I really am. "

A stray purr kicked in as the cat leaned back in for a rough affectionate rub.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"So am I," returned Lewis, laughter in his voice and moisture in his eyes. He stroked both Malemi and Hela down the back even as he held them close.

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela made a happy hum in the back of her throat that was nearly a purr of her own, the sensation of Lewis rubbing her back not too familiar, but comforting.

She was safe now, with him back. She didn't have to hide anymore, or stay cooped up for days on end. Life would finally continue on and be pleasant once more.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Malemi untangled himself from the others, curling his claws back as to not pull at Weir's clothes.

" I suspect you would like to take shower. "

He purred humorously as he looked over his friend's condition.

" You look like you went through hell and back. "

(Jekyll1886

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"Aye, that I would--and did."

His stomach rumbled.

"Food first, though, apparently," he said with a chortle. "Who's hungry--besides me?"

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“I... could probably eat,” Hela realized, trying to recall the last meal she had...

The fact that she was drawing a blank couldn’t possibly be a good sign.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I'll go ahead and start the tea."

Malemi stretched out his back with a pleasant chuckle and trotted into the kitchen. For the first time in three days, the kettle was set on the stove, water warming inside. He sniffed out the tea and took it with his teeth.

With some liberal portions, the tea itself sat in three cups waiting for the water. It wasn't the most clean way to make tea but it was a job done regardless.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"Thank you," said Lewis.

"Hela, would you be a dear and set the table?"

Weir set to cooking the last of the food to make dinner. He could get more tomorrow.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

A snort. “Yeah, fine. You’re lucky I’m glad you’re back.”

Hela took her time standing, sitting up and remaining on the ground for a time before attempting to get on her feet.

After she was certain she wouldn’t topple over, she began to put dishware on the table for the three of them.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

The cat's tail twitched curiously as he sniffed the air, licking his lips in expectation.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

It was only tinned meat and some potatoes, but it was dinner nonetheless. They ate and drank well, and Lewis related all that had happened regarding his investigations, the evidence, Richard, Charricthran, the salamanders, "Nova", the griffin, and the Black Forest.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela absorbed the information on Richard with a rather grim expression, recalling their brief conversation on the way out of the Society.

Ah well, at least I know who to avoid now.

She tried not to dwell on it, listening to the rest of Weir’s tale as she ate.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Malemi listened intently, his demeanor shifting from inquisitive to intense worry.

Never in his right mind could he have imagined the sheer amount of sh*t Lewis had to go through, especially for some lodger who started all the trouble. Combine that with the fact that he had to deal with what he could only imagine as Ancients and greater...

A cold pit formed in his stomach just at the thought. How Weir kept his courage through all of it was beyond him.

Still, he was glad to have Lewis back. Malemi just wished he could've been of help in any way, though he doubted that would've been the case.

He lapped his tea quietly, ears tucked back in quiet thought.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis apologized for being so late in getting back, but explained he'd found himself in Germany without the right currency. He had sent a telegram as soon as he'd been able, though he didn't know whether it had gotten through. He'd slept in barns and railway stations, stowing away on trains until he reached a port and could get a ship back with his pounds sterling. He also apologized for the smell, and vowed to go get a shower.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Tairais • a year ago

(( chatterghosts The Gang Is In Venice, part howevermany

Charricthran stifled a snicker at Huxley's antics in favor of casting an appreciative glance over Elias' costume.

"Your tailor knows their stuff somethin' sharp! Fine bits o' work for both of your costumes."

Even his accent in English had changed to blend in with the surroundings- it was distinctly Venetian, with very few traces of the Scottish brogue that made up half of his usual accent, as if he had lived there some many years but wasn't a native citizen.

Following Elias' gaze, Charricthran grinned.

"We're headed towards the Great Arsenal- this its the New Great Arsenal by this point. Firstly, the parades and stuff happen down that way along the Grand Canal this year, secondly there's all sorts of gatherings at the bunches of churches they have kickin' about- Fae bein' Fae and liking old, fancy things, I figure its the easiest way to cover a lot of ground very quickly."

Charricthran looked to the gondolier with a grin.

"Alighiero has us covered on the pilotin'. Did him a few favors a while back an' wouldn't you know it, we ended up being something friendly afterward."

"You fail to mention where you saved the lives of my three daughters, as well as my livelihood." Interjected Alighiero with slow, accented English.

Charricthran shrugged. "Suggested that ya not trust the guy. Was up to you to listen- I can't make that call."

Alighiero shook his head as he continued to steer the gondola and chuckled.

"Tuttavia, ti ringrazio."

Charricthran glanced at Huxley and Elias and shrugged with an almost lazy grin. ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Elias listened to their back-and-forth with a nod here and there, and then looked to Alighiero with a palpably grateful, gentle smile, one rather unfit among Elias’ normally harsh displays of emotion. “Thank you.”

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Alghiero's eyes glittered with joy and a small amount of mischief.

"Non è un problema; Any friend of il Corvino is a friend of mine."

He nodded as if that settled all matters, and began to hum softly.

The gondola pushed ever onward, the sounds of revelry and music other than Alghiero's cheerful and low humming. At some point, Charricthran closed his eyes as if to listen better, tilting his head ever so slightly.

Truthfully, he was listening for the tell-tale Whisper of Faerie magic in the air, other than the costumes that Huxley had brought. There was plenty of it, of course- Venice was host to a whole Circle of Courts; a significant portion of the population was likely to be Fae or related to the Fae. Those Whispers flowed like water around his ears, under his eyes, buzzed in his teeth- he was looking for where that sound pooled into ponds and lakes.

"If any o' ya see anythin' shady while I'm listenin', poke me or sommat, yeah? Shady bein', like... a bunch o' really elegant costumed fellas headin' down the same shady alleyway all casual-like."

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Elias gave a hard turn of his head to Charricthran, his gaze perplexed and thoughtfully concerned, if a little anxious - he shifted closer to a side of the gondola to look beyond the canals, gaze fixing on the streets as they went along. Elegant costumed fellas heading down an alleyway, huh?

Do you think he means Hannibal and Will? thought Oliver anxiously, the first of his words in hours.

Well, we can’t truly be sure how many people here are on their side. But I doubt they might sense us.

You think Huxley’s costumes will work?

I’m hoping.

And they were silent once more.

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Minutes passed by, suspended on the currents of music and river alike. The smell of chiacchere, wine, sugar, and perfume mixed heady in the air, and seemed for all the world as if it had a weight of its own. Alghiero's voice was not the only one singing, but it was very likely one of the only songs in tune.

Despite the discordant harmonies- perhaps even partly because of them- the air held a merry quality that tugged at the mind and begged all to join the festivities. Charricthran's lips twitched as a gentle, playful breeze tugged at his hair, Whispering excitedly of masks, dancing, and rendezvous in shadowed alleyways.

He turned his thoughts from such things and focused only on those other, stiller Whispers as they gathered and twisted into something sultry, something charmingly dark and just the right sort of sharp to be beautifully dangerous.

About the time Charricthran honed in on this, a trio of masked individuals could be seen amidst the throngs of revelers, watching the passage of the many gondolas along the canal with an air of almost casual disdain.

The (presumably) woman in the center wore an extravagant dress decorated in the likeness of a golden pheasant, her Colombina mask styled with curling filigree, black-and-gold beading, and golden feathers. The filigree and beading continued downwards into her swooping dress, whose reds, golds, and blues stood stark and vibrant against the candlit, misty night.

Her two companions were dressed in identical costumes of their own, and while they were less extravagant, they were by no means less elegant. They each wore masks that resembled the well-known, even infamous Gnaga masks, but were styled in a more vulpine fashion. The rest of their outfits were equally fox-like, vested in reds and browns and stark white frills at the collars and cuffs. They each wore a black half-cape around the shoulders, fixed on opposite shoulders.

As the gondola passed them, they stepped back from the edge of the canal and walked towards the end of the street behind them.

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

It seemed that Huxley and Elias noticed this as well: the former discreetly rugged at Charricthran’s sleeve, his expression pulled tight with measured worry. The latter, however, seemingly had no reaction at all; he shifted forward, though not clearly to observe the mysterious trio, and then peered toward Elias and Charricthran, face and feelings hidden by his mask.

Elias visibly hesitated for a moment on what his next act would be.

And then, he hunched and opened the case with one hand, his other anxiously rising to undo the first of his shirt buttons. Hell, this thing had better work.

Wh- Elias, you’re in a gondola!

Well, then I’d hope people look away, because I don’t much have time to change elsewhere. I’ll...crouch or something.

Oh, sweet Christ-

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Charricthran opened his eyes and grinned slightly. He twisted around to face Alghiero, who leaned down slightly to hear.

Their exchange passed by rapidly and fluidly, sentences overlapping and full of hidden meaning.

The gondola shifted closer to a pier some little ways off.

"Alghiero's gonna drop us off up ahead. We can go on foot from there."

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Sh*t!

Elias wiggled into his sky-blue dress shirt and hastily pulled his coat over his shoulders, sliding the mask over his face and reaching, after a moment’s stalled hesitance, for the trousers to match. Huxley, meanwhile, held tight to the case that contained Lewis’ device.

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Charricthran kept a weather eye over his shoulder as if admiring the gondolas and costumes behind them-- It was hardly surprising that he was actually keeping an eye out for any unwanted tails.

It would do no good to follow such an obvious lead and fall straight into an ambush, now would it?

There. His eyes snagged on the billowing of a cape, caught by the breeze along the rooftops. He grinned and imagined its course, tracing pathways in his mind.

The San Giacomo di Rialto was along that route, and the market in front of it likely full of people as well. It was perhaps one of the oldest churches in Venice; there was little wonder that the Fae would hide the entrance to their gathering near something so ancient in mortal years, under a clock as extravagant and elegant as any of their number.

"Stiamo andando a San Giacomo, Algheiro. Se non mi senti da me tra un'ora, dovresti nasconderti."

"Capisco. Buona fortuna!"

Charricthran grinned and addressed Elias and Huxley, never quite turning around.

"Right: Have an idea o' where they might be headed, but we're prob'ly gonna get tailed on our way over. By prob'ly, I mean definitely, cos' I saw one o' em hoofin' it all quick-like. Finish gettin' dolled up an' whatnot- I've gotta waltz in all withoutta mask for the first bite, else they'll jus' toss the lot o' us out on our tails.

"After tha', though, the game's afoot. I'll be tradin' faces an' glamourin' costumes all evenin' so's ta keep things safe-like as we can have 'em. Don' eat or drink anythin', watch whatcha say, definitely don' give anyone your name, Name, or True Name if ya happen ta know it. An' for the love o' all the gods, try not ta go cavortin' with their like, or start a duel. Dancin' should be safe-ish, though."

He tilted his head thoughtfully, then shrugged and chuckled.

"Remember, we're lookin' for fellas representin' the Autumn Court. Tend ta dress in colors apropos o' their season, tend ta be rambunctious sorts. Have fun, or at least look like it- nothin' says you're up ta somethin' like being serious-like, yeah?"

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Elias struggled to hide the embarrassed, indignant flush that crawled over his face as he pulled a leg through the fabric of his trousers; he certainly didn’t appreciate his frantic manner of trying to get dressed on a gondola in the middle of a faerie festival being referred to as ‘getting dolled up’.

“Me and Huxley will try to stay together,” he managed as he wormed his other leg through the pant. Autumn colors, rowdy folks, and don’t give anyone any problems, names, or the chance to give you food. Sounds easy enough.

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Charricthran nodded in response to Elias, but otherwise didn't respond.

When Alghiero pulled up alongside of the pier, Charricthran helped him fasten it to the dock, moving quickly and animatedly- just like how the two of them chatted. Once the boat was fastened, he stood aside to let the other two ashore, casting a final glance to the rooftops.

The cape once again flickered out of view. Either their tail was a novice, or it was a carefully constructed plan to make him lower his guard and-or underestimate whoever wished to keep eyes on them. It could also be both.

He stifled a scowl but allowed himself a soft sigh.

This is why he hated dealing with the Fae: nothing of theirs was straightforward.

Once Elias and Huxley had gotten out of the gondola, he gave a cheerful "Ciao!" to Alghiero and waved, then started to saunter off with a slight bounce in his step.

"If the two o' ya have any questions, now's the time ta ask 'em."

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Elias glanced toward Huxley, who had spirited Lewis’ contraption away in a flourish of his cape, and then back toward Charricthran. “Not that I can think of. Godspeed, Charricthran.”

Huxley gave a silent two-fingered salute, expression hidden beneath his mask.

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

"Same ta you, gentlemen."

Charricthran led the group through the winding streets of Venice proper, smiling and sharing greetings with both those who wore costumes and those like himself, faces unadorned by masks for one reason or another. He even recognized a few of them, surprisingly.

Eventually they came to a meandering halt in a wide plaza in front of a relatively small but grand old church with a large clock facing the market. Vendors and people of all sorts called out to each other as music played merrily in the background. There was singing and dancing to the smell of wine in the air, intoxicating and inviting.

Charricthran looked out over the seething, teeming crowd as if it were a living thing of its own.

For these last hours of Carnevale? It might as well have been.

Eventually, though, he found who he was looking for: off to the side of a merchant selling wine to the masses was a proud creature, wearing a suit of shimmer black, deep purple, and metallic gold fabric adorned with red gems and sequins in the likeness of blazing stars. They, too, wore a volto mask, similar to Huxley, painted to resemble a crescent moon in the shadows of their hooded cape.

Charricthran ambled over to them and offered a nod, causing the Fae draped in Night to tilt their head and chuckle. It was a melodious, soft sort of sound, that chuckle, but it was half-sinister, half-sultry. The Fae radiated the quiet stillness of a blood-soaked night, and off all the glorious, wanton things that happened when the sun closed its eyes.

"You and your guests are late, 'Corvino'."

Charricthran chuckled, took the Fae's hand, and bowed slightly.

"I am never late, 'Re Notte'! Everyone else simply arrived far earlier than they should."

The Fae shook their head and dropped Charricthran's hand.

"We shall save the discussion of your tardiness for a time further from prying eyes."

At this, the Fae regarded Huxley and Elias with something akin to intrigue, its gaze an almost-tangible caress against the skin.

"I know not who you are, and should the pair of you wish to remain as you are, you will watch what you say very carefully this night. Allow me to hope for all of you-" They cast a glance towards Charricthran as well. "-That you find what you are looking for."

The Fae took a moment to straighten the sleeves of their costume, then nodded.

"Come, I will show you the Door."

The Door was simply that: A shimmering projection, pressed between the two walls of a derelict alleyway, revealed only by a muttered incantation and a wave of the hand from their purple-gold escort. They were quickly ushered inside, candlelit night suddenly turning to indigo radiance as they entered into a ballroom lit by chandeliers giving off silver light.

Here were the costumes at their most vibrant. Here there was dancing more elegant than even the most talented of mortal ballets. Here was laughter that carried in the air with echos of shattering crystal.

Here were the Courts of Venice, home to the Third Circle of the Fae.

Charricthran turned to face his companions with a grin.

"Right. I'm gonna change costumes all quick-like. Whisper if ya need me, cause a scene if you don', an' remember what I said earlier. Ciao, bello fellows!"

And like that, he was gone, leaving Huxley and Elias on their own in the midst of a sea of unfamiliar creatures.

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Elias had gone rigid as he was ushered from the mortal festivities into all the radiances of a Fae gathering - his face was white as a sheet, the delicate expression of surprise colorfully painted on his mask a humorous contrast to the loss of color in his skin. His words were trapped in his throat as Charricthran disappeared to change, and he looked over toward Huxley, desperate —

But Huxley was long gone, mingling distantly among the Court, leaving Elias alone.

As*hole, he thought bitterly.

He forced himself to step forward into the fray — to get a better idea of the ballroom, he had to weave himself quietly between the dance and song of the Fae and listen intently to what was spoken here, eyes roaming from floor to ceiling all the while.

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Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

In many ways, this ball was just the same as any other: The majority of what was said was gossip and half-truths, with a large amount of empty words and meaningless flattery woven into the ceaseless tapestry of conversation. It was a living thing, this tapestry, and it wove and wound its way through the silverlit room.

Strangely enough, though this Circle of Courts was centered in Venice, the majority of the ballroom's inhabitants spoke in English, accented or otherwise. It made the room full of whispering sound familiar, at least.

A small comfort, but a comfort no less.

For the most part, the Fae in attendance spoke of politics: Who had said what, who had what claims to what thrones and what this meant for business and trade and culture as they knew it.

There was, however, a small wealth of information to be found in those discussing the increasing frequency of the acqua alta- for Charricthran, at least.

The two fox-masked Fae hovered at the edges of the ballroom floor, leaning close together as if in whispered conference.

Their bright-colored companion was nowhere to be seen.

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Tairais • a year ago

Between hands of fire peeling his skin from the rest of him, between the shadows of grins dodging the corners of his eyes, and between choked-back fear, Charricthran had to admit to himself that he was not, in fact, going to be fine. The idea of 'fine', of being well and truly 'okay', 'Jake', or any other word to describe remotely happy, healthy, and whole, wasn't going to happen for a little while longer.

Between the shards of his former sigil trying to teeth and bite and slice their way out of his chest and arms, between the panicked, lurching heartbeats that counted every eternity in every second, and between each and every strike, remembered in bright and brutally honest clarity, he clawed his way upright and down into some shadowed corner of the Society proper.

Between the gentle embrace of darkness for the two days since he had unwrapped that strange gift, between frantic attempts to calm his breathing as he braced his back against the wall, and between sheer force of will alone, Charricthran managed to steadily roam the halls in search of Lewis.

The only outward clue that something was wrong was that his arms were locked around his stomach in a vice-like grip. That was where the sensation of glass breaking skin, of fire searing flesh was too much too soon.

It hurt in the dull, buzzing way of too much noise, too much information.

Somewhere outside of himself, he realized that he was knocking quietly on a door.

Taptaptap.

(( Jekyll1886 ))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

The door opened immediately, as if Lewis had been just about to walk out of his office.

"Charricthran," he said, tone devoid of surprise but full of concern and relief.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran forced a small smile out of habit, but suspected it looked at least half as bad as he felt.

His tongue and eyes felt as if they were pierced by Irsluna's spear, impossible to move for white-hot agony. He spoke out of fear and weariness and all sorts of tangled, bitter brambles that wrapped and choked around his throat.

"Sorry. Help?"

From this place outside of himself, he could hear his voice as if it were underwater: distant, muffled, burbling.

Drowning.

(there was tar in the back of his throat and it burned)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Lewis nodded.

He stepped out, locked the office, and helped support Char.

"The attic?"

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

He started to nod, paused, and then shook his head.

"Hurting-tired. Hard."

He clamped his jaw against the sensation of iron nails piercing his throat, swallowing with an audible 'click'.

Gingerly, he leaned against Lewis and carefully reached out, hand trembling only a small distance from where the rest of his arm still lay pinned to his stomach. Under his skin danced biting red sparks, shards of molten glass-and-iron that pushed against the barriers of his form ever so slightly, like goosebumps on any 'normal' thing.

There wasn't the familiar twist so much as a sharp jerk, and Charricthran all but fell and dragged the two of them into the darkness of the attic.

He well and truly slumped against Lewis then, breathing labored and jagged.

"Sorry. Again. And... for 'pologizin'.. so much."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"Shhh," Lewis reassured. "No need." He'd wagered this would happen sooner or later.

Weir got them to the impromptu bed-nest, took off his shoes, and settled down, curling himself around Charricthran and covering him with blankets. He slowed his own breathing, letting it out in a relaxed sigh, hoping it would help calm Char's nerves. Sometimes, another's presence was all it took. It was, after all, unnatural for human beings to fall asleep without listening to the sound other people breathing.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Time jerked and yanked at his eyes with snarling smiles, kicking him away from where he had fallen to stand still.

He was bracketed by warmth and steadiness on all sides, from the familiarity of the soft-dark room to the surety and calmness of Lewis' heartbeat and breathing.

For some small eternity, this did nothing to help him as noise built on noise built on gasping breathing built on the scraping awareness of his own skin burningfallingfreezingbreaking as he tried and fail to chew back the low keen in the back of his throat.

Eventually, though, things began to melt: Frenzied claws melted to a dull ache in his arms and chest; gasps melted into calmer, softer wheezes; that scraping-buzzing-howling sound melted into a soft hum that cleared the ice from his eyes.

Tension melted into weariness. It couldn't quite yet melt into calm, couldn't quite yet melt into sleep.

"Vinxa."

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Mm," Lewis acknowledged. It was only a sound--not even a proper word--but behind it lay a depth of feeling, of caring and understanding, that simply didn't need words. He dearly hoped his friend would get better. He would do all he could, and stay with him as he needed.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Everything felt slow, as if it were melting like some surreal clock.

Time and the idea of a 'here' ceased to exist in relation to his body. His body ceased to exist in relation to other things, other bodies- save for Lewis', the only sort of bright he could stand in this moment.

He was still distant, still on the outside looking in at his tired, battered body, but he was nearer still. At the window, rather than across the empty field in front of the metaphorical house with its lights off.

"Floatin'. Hurts."

A simple statement of fact and a lament in one.

(the tar fell from his mouth and it burned from its mouth and he was melting, candles in the window, dripping to the floor, weeping to the floor)

"Thought I'd.. not bother ya. Did anyhow. Sorry."

Why was it so hard to breathe?

(his lungs were tar-heavy. sticking. squelching)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"'Sorry you're hurting," returned Lewis simply. "Is it that bit of sigil still?"

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"New bit, same sigil. Splinters."

He dragged in a slow inhale that felt like the clinging grasp of suffocating mud.

"Might be the last? Dunno. Feels close ta somethin' vital, so I hope it is."

He curled his limbs close against the press of pins and needles, of tooth and star. It was the aftermath, and so long as he didn't reach, he would slip away soon enough.

He chuckled.

"If it ain't, might be a problem. No, thanks. We've had enough."

That was a Lewis-and-him 'we' as well as a him-and-Wer'Vemud we. It was still silent, still shifting slightly in its dormancy: these sorts of times were for healing and reassembling, and it could do no such thing with shards of bone-and-glass digging into its very heart.

Buzzing turned to rattling turned to humming. Easier, now, than it had been for two days.

His breathing slowed, though it still rang sharp at the edges.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"Ah," said Lewis. A remnant regardless, then.

Charricthran spoke further.

"Indeed we have," Weir seconded.

He let out a breath halfway to a sigh--and, with it, some of the tension--and settled in for...however long it would be.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Charricthran's second time slipping under the still waters of slumber was no stranger than the first, for a time. Perhaps it had been too much to hope that those still waters would remain so forever, perhaps he had gotten lucky.

Whatever the reason, as seconds passed into minutes and minutes passed into hours, Charricthran soon began to curl inwards into himself, pressing up into Lewis' arms as one might cower into a corner. His teeth bared into a snarl: a fearful, wavering attempt at ferocity that had all the effect of waging war with a feather duster.

Behind twitching eyes under flickering eyelids that had closed without his entire awareness, Charricthran had his first slumbering nightmare for great ages of time.

'Where're you gonna run to, eh? It's just you, me, and this lovely length of rope. You've gotten along just fine before! Quit being such a brat and come here.'

'Gethrisj ekess wer wlekjr uoinotai, Mordecai'.

'Shhh, shh, shh. Just let me make you feel good, hm? It's much more fun if you relax into it- for you, at least. I'm having plenty of fun watching you suffer, regardless.'

handsathisthroat bitingropebitingeyes softsuddentouchknivesknives burninghandsnononono

A vehemently shouted string of curses, the crack and searing burn of stars against his cheek against his jaw against his throat, his throat his throathisthroathisthroat

Charricthran twitched and shuddered and braced against blows that didn't quite fall, didn't quite land. He choked back snarls and whining, pleading cries alike, trapped behind this world created behind his eyes, crackling to life on the vestiges of dying magics.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis had just been pondering over what to tell Helen and Hela regarding Richard, and how exactly to phrase it, when Charricthran struggled in his sleep.

A nightmare, he realized.

"Charricthran," he said--softly at first, then with increasing volume.

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