Role-playing Page for pg.133!

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Role-playing Page for pg.133!

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Mz.Hyde

Mz.Hyde

@disqus_NnFUI30kih a year ago

Watch this. Just....watch this.

https://youtu.be/IGI8SJcCslQ

Anthony Warlow Singing Recipes

Anthony Warlow singing banana recipes.

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Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll The Fox Setae Tairais A continuation of Hogmanay, for those who want to. If not, that's okay, too.))

Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • 7 days ago

Lewis hoisted his brazier up, out of the water. His smile was relaxed, his muscles pleasantly tired, his mind at ease.

For once, something had gone right. Even this dimension couldn't put a damper on Hogmanay, it seemed.

Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 • a day ago

“Enjoy yourself, Weir?” asked Hela quietly, standing beside him with an equally quiet grin as she stared out at the water.

The Fox Helen Jekyll • a day ago

" HeheHEH! "

Calllum stepped out from the water, joining the conversation with a glow of cheer. He threw his arms over their shoulders and brought them into a tight hug.

" I sure hope he did! It sure made my night better, I'll tell you what. "

His boots squelched noisily as he stepped back to lean on his knees.

" Makes me wonder why I've never done it before! "

Tairais The Fox • a day ago

Charricthran stood his small distance from the group, lost in thought. A smile flickered on his face at the soggy hug Callum gave to Hela and Lewis, with the same fragile quality as the now extinguished flames.

Change and transformation always came at times like these, and he had much to think about. He moved to sit by the river, losing his shoes to shadow in between steps. Quietly, he dipped his feet into the water and did his best to recall the sensation of moving water over his skin.

Laughter trickled into his ear as surely as water trickled over stone, though it didn't cut as it might once have. Those dulled teeth could only really tug at his arm for the moment.

The whisper of feathers and glass on leaves came and went with the water, and his reflection smiled with a beak full of teeth and five eyes full of quiet calm.

For the moment, all was still in candlelit pensiveness.

Jekyll1886

"Aye, that I did," Lewis answered with a chortle as he and Hela were pulled into the unplanned group hug.

"I hope you did, too," he wished Hela.

"And I'm glad you did," he said to Callum. "I've always thought Hogmanay could use more fire," he asserted with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Those Stovehaven folks have the right idea.

"Want to head back and get some food?" he asked them.

Leaning over to Hela, he whispered, "and watch the last of Hawley's trousers burn?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela had all but gone rigid as a board at the unexpected, and quite frankly, unwanted embrace, hunching her shoulders with a flare of temper.

"Yeah, it was a blast," She grumbled in response, straining slightly against the hold.

At Lewis's next question, the Hyde halted her struggling and nodded once, resigning herself to simply waiting to be released.

((The Fox))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

" I wouldn't mind a bite! "

Callum shook his boots with an almost rueful chuckle.

" Maybe a fireplace too if you don't mind. "

He stepped back and called to the others.

" Oi! We're going to get some food! You want in? "

( Jekyll1886 Tairais Setae )

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Tairais  The Fox • a year ago

Charricthran waved Callum and co. on from where he was sitting with Astrid nearby. Astrid was welcome to join them if he liked, but he fully intended to stay put for a while.

He had quite a bit to think about, after all.

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Setae  The Fox • a year ago

Astrid came up to them. "I want in"

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Helen Jekyll  Setae • a year ago

((Jekyll1886))

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Jekyll1886  Setae • a year ago

"Then let's go!" said Lewis merrily, relieved Hela'd been released from the impromptu group hug.

The group found its way back to the Society, where other lodgers were still feasting and drinking.

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll and/or Tairais))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela breathed easier once she was free of the stranger's arms, being careful to keep Lewis between her and them on the trip back as she kept her distance.

As usual, the Lodgers were a bit too much for her, but she lingered nonetheless, having been promised more fire.

((The Fox, I think?))

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The Fox  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

( Setae can go before me! I'll come in last before Jekyll1886. :> )

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Setae  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

When they arrived back, Astrid grabbed a plate and drew back to a corner to eat in peace, quietly observing the other Lodgers.

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Jekyll1886  Setae • a year ago

((The Fox ))

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

Callum hung back behind the others. The Society was something of a dubious place for him. On one hand, it was a place he was often told to steer clear of. Besides from the abundance of scientists interested in the unknown and esoteric, there was also the presence of ancient creatures in millennium long slumber, creatures that rivaled Ancients in power and strength.

Needless to say, it was a place not to be tampered with. The more a beast keep their distance, the better.

On the other though, it didn't feel like as unfamiliar, nor all that menacing.

For some reason, it felt as if he had been there before. He could see the paths clearly, from the kitchen to the main hall, the corridors that lead to stairways and attic. The people as well, scientists and eccentrics, didn't seem so contemptible up close.

What harm would it be to simply be there just for the night? If he could keep from drawing attention then it shouldn't be a problem.

Callum kept quiet as he followed the others inside but the moment he entered his hair stood on end.

The air hung heavy with the multitude of dishes.

Roasted Pork, Roasted Lamb, Pasties and Mince Pies by the armfull, Liver with Onion, Welsh Rarebit, Cullen Skink, Syllabub, Sponge Cake, Bread and Butter pudding....

Everything he could have ever imagined was there and it all came rushing into his nostrils. His heart raced faster than he ever could have imagined. Excitement ripped up his spine, drool roll down his chin, His teeth began to shift--

Callum squeezed his eyes shut and and bolted back the way he came. He panted as his eyes turned yellow, fur trying to push through in thick clumps.

A great, furious power desperately wanted out, hungry for the opportunity to let loose hell.

He tucked his arms tight and fell to the ground, his breathe bordering on a whimper.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis had helped himself to another glass of champagne and was just about to lead Hela to the bonfire when Callum bolted.

"What the Hell?"

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela glanced up at Lewis’s exclaimation, following his gaze.

At the sight of the stranger fleeing, she took several wary steps back towards Lewis.

“Is there a fire I don’t know about?” She asked him in a low voice.

((Setae))

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Setae  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Astrid saw Callum suddenly fleeing and raised an eyebrow. That seemed a bit of an unusual reaction to being presented with food and drink.

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

Callum clutched his stomach, his nails curling into hooked claws, sweat running down his neck. He struggled to his feet with a growl, his back growing tense with growth.

He looked back at the others before bolting out of sight.

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

"Shit."

Weir turned to Hela.

"No, but there might be a bloodbath if I don't go take care of this."

A sigh.

"Be right back."

He left his drink, picked up a half-full glass of water, stuffed a roll of bread in his pocket, and took off running after Callum.

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Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela didn’t stifle her disappointment, but she didn’t argue either, watching him leave the same way the stranger had.

“Stay safe,” She murmured under her breath, then turned to find a quiet spot to wait for Lewis’s return.

((Setae))

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Setae  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He caught the word "bloodbath", and decided to put his plate down and follow Lewis.

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

The Fox

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The Fox  Setae • a year ago

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

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

Everything would be revealed.

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

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

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

( Jekyll1886 )

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Jekyll1886  The Fox • a year ago

Lewis followed, Astrid behind him.

Weir dashed into the basement.

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

((Setae ))

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

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

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Setae  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Astrid watched the others for a few moments, then tilted his head curiously. He walked down to the bank and sidled up to Charrichthran. "That doesn't feel cold to you?" He gestured to his feet in the icy water.

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Setae  Setae • a year ago

Tairais

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Tairais  Setae • a year ago

"Don' feel like much like anything, really. Jus' movement!"

Movement that brought to mind fishing frozen souls and frozen hearts from the rivers of someone else's, but movement nonetheless.

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Tairais  Tairais • a year ago

(( Setae ))

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Setae  Tairais • a year ago

He crouched down next to him, resting his arms on his knees. "If it's not rude to ask, what excactly are you made of?" He paused. "If it is rude, feel free to push me" he then said.

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Tairais  Setae • a year ago

"T'ain't rude, jus' curious o' ya. Ta put it as best I can, I'm made o' burnin' shadows and my memories, held tagether by willpower. Bit o' a mess, me."

Charricthran chuckled and glanced at Astrid out of the corner of his eyes.

"You're human, I take it. Anythin' else ta it?"

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Tairais  Tairais • a year ago

(( I always forget to tag ;-; Setae ))

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Setae  Tairais • a year ago

He raised an eyebrow, then flashed a grin. "I'm not sure I fully understand that, but maybe halfway. I'm still kinda intrigued by your physical properties to be honest"

He glanced down at the ground, hesitating for a few seconds. "Nah, not really. I mean, functionally mostly human, gotta be"

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Tairais  Setae • a year ago

"You'd not be the first ta be, but I cannae explain it any better'n that, really! An' 'nah not really' ta the human assumption, or to the 'anythin' else ta it' bit?"

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Setae  Tairais • a year ago

"Ahm, lets just go with human." He heard Callum call to them. "I'm gonna go with them. I'm kinda hungry. I'll see ya, maybe" He hurried back up towards the others.

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Tairais  Setae • a year ago

"Fair 'nough. 'S what I do in polite company- take care."

His thoughts fell to water, and water fell to his thoughts. It was calmer, peaceful.

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Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

((Tairais Continuation of the Midnight RP.))

anentirerice Jekyll1886 • 2 days ago

“I don’t,” he said with a shuddering sigh. “I wish I could tell you more...”

That’s a lie. I wish I’d never come upon him at all.

“But I’ve told you everything, unfortunately.” Oliver shook his head and pulled his arms closer to his chest, trying to draw as much comfort from the closed-off gesture as he could. “Would you... could you let me know what more you find?”

Jekyll1886 anentirerice • a day ago

"Certainly," returned Lewis with a reassuring nod. "When I've finished my investigations, I'll let you know.

"Thank you, Oliver. You've been a great help."

Weir bade him goodbye and went on his way.

He decided to make a detour to his office before looking for Richard.

Locking he door behind him, Lewis looked about the room, searching for something which would meet his criteria.

He decided on the more worn of the two chairs which sat before his desk.

Sighing at the necessity, he separated it from its fellow and took it to the most open part of the little room.

He emerged shortly, locking the door behind him so no one would see the mangled wreck of splinters that had once been the chair.

That's better.

Having taken the edge off his anger, he set off for Dr. Prince's room.

Weir's measured, efficient steps announced his arrival long before the single knock at the door.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The door creaked open almost reluctantly at the touch, unlocked. In an unnerving parallel to times before, Richard's room was free of clutter, every last thing packed and every book shelved.

The air felt hushed, in a hurriedly sort of way. No one was there now, but they had been recently, perhaps missed by mere minutes.

There was a note on the floor, folded in two and propped up so as to be noticeable.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

It had become apparent to Lewis as he'd approached that Richard's room was without its usual occupant. Yet Weir'd made sure to give a perfunctory knock, if only for appearances' sake.

Recalling the tragic debacle with Artemis, he desperately hoped no one else had vanished along with Prince this time.

With a heavy, frustrated sigh he strode over to the note and picked it up.

Let's see what the bloody Hell's gone wrong this time, he thought with resignation and annoyance as he opened the thing.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The note was simple, written in a hurried, shaky hand. The scent of decaying leaves and rain-soaked earth clung to it still, as if pressed into the ink itself. There were drops at the bottom of the page that weren't quite dry yet.

You'll get to him over my dead body, Irsluna. I'm not letting you or your 'Prince' get him- he deserves his own life, and he won't get that until I cut all of you myself.

You know where to find me.

~Kothar

The words were afraid.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Drabs of Charricthran's energy still clung to the note.

Shit, thought Lewis, even as he coolly reflected that Richard's demise would mean Hela's safety and peace of mind, not to mention less risk to the Society.

He placed his hand over the waistcoat pocket in which he kept Nald'su Welun's feather, concerned for his friend and curious as to what had transpired.

Charricthran? he thought, niggling worry lending more emphasis to the word. He was careful not to use his friend's birth name, just in case something unfortunate had befallen him.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran, oddly enough, answered right away. For all that the note written in his hand was panicked and trembling, his thoughts weren't.

Weirmrith! What's shakin'? Everythin' all right?

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

I was just about to ask the same of you, Weir confessed. I came up to talk to Richard and found your note, he explained.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

For several long moments, Charricthran was silent.

Ah.

The sound of cicadas hummed somewhere distantly grating for a small eternity. They fell silent after that.

Then: You weren't s'posted to see that. Anywho, on'a scale o' one ta somethin's on fire an' it's his fault, how badly d'ya need ta talk ta him?

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

There is fire in the figurative sense, returned Lewis. Though not the physical--yet. Hence my need to speak with him, to ascertain certain particularities. Has he been kidnapped?

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

'Yet'? How promisin'. Ta answer your question- he's not been kidnapped, except preemptively on my end.

There was the sort of silence that had words pressed up against the underside of quiet skin, begging to spring free, and then the felt equivalent of a sigh.

D'ya need ta talk ta him this instant, or can it wait... f*ck if I know how long anymore. No more'n a week'r so, likely, if all works out.

The relative calm of Charricthran's voice wavered, then bounced back into place- the same as his handwriting on the note.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

I need to know what precisely he did to Hela, why he did it, and if he's likely to do it again. I am, understandably, concerned. An icy calm undergirded his words. He was being as reasonable as he p o s s i b l y could, given the simmering volcano beneath.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Wait, wait- you've got me all balled up. Whaddya mean, 'what precisely he did ta Hela' an' all that jazz? He's only ever met her once, what could- xsiol, gimmie a tick an' a half, will ya?

The same hum from before returned, louder and higher in pitch this time. It faded with a sharp crack and a soft whine after roughly half a minute, upon which Charricthran continued where he'd left off.

What could'a possibly happened for him ta do somethin' ta her? Might be able ta tell ya, might be able ta keep from-

A snap, sparks of red light and, distantly, the sensation of choking. It was several moments before Charricthran could think again, and when he did, it was somehow more hoarse than before.

Might be able ta stop it from happenin' again. I can't take ya ta him Lewis- not without-

The same soft whine and snapping sparks from his two previous silences cut Charricthran's thoughts off again. His frustration was almost tangible, panic roiling and bubbling like an ocean under ice. Curses flashed in the ocean as a myriad of tongues tripping over themselves like fishes fleeing the jaws of sharks.

The ice was cracking, and Charricthran sounded steadily more upset with each word curling in his eyes and throat.

Right. Jus' got a sight busier- tell me about Hela, yeah? I cannae take ya ta Richard without endangerin' the both o' ya somethin' fierce. Don' wanna lose any o' ya- Hela too- me, so let me do my best ta speak for the kid, yeah?

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Charricthran, what the bloody blue blazes is going on? Are you in danger? He reflected it could also be that Char's various contracts forbade him from speaking about whatever was going on with Richard. If Charricthran had felt the need to pre-emptively kidnap him, it likely wasn't a minor affair.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

'Spose tha's a word for it, yeah. Great deal o' things happenin' at once- this's jus' another, ain't it? Tangled up all charmin' like, wires and strings and threads alike.

Sparks and tongues of flame, more curses in different sorts of tongues.

An' I cannae quite answer ya, really. Tongue all tied up with the rest o' me!

Laughter and panic, bubbling, rolling, splashing and searing the sides of his throat. Too-bright-burning, too much moving, too soon.

He pulled calm around his shoulders like curtains on a stage.

It'll be fine. Jus' gotta keep goin on'. Don'tcha worry 'bout me, it ain't gonna do either o' us good. Can I help ya from here?

(Keep asking the questions, keep weighing the anchor. Has to be some sort of use for this.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Not only was the whole Richard debacle less than solved, but now Charricthran was in danger, to boot! Lewis resolved that enough was enough, and sought to slip into his own shadow and out of Char's.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Charricthran felt the tug in his feathers even as he launched himself higher into the trees of his impromptu battleground and swore vehemently- out loud, at this point. Any attempts at stealth had been completely ruined by the sparking of the sigil on his chest, still glowing an angry crimson.

As ever, he could never predict Lewis. Usually, Charricthran found it endearing, even intriguing. But really, what about this situation was usual?

This was the result he'd thought he'd avoided, and it was the one he'd wanted the least.

He'd cleared the conflagration devouring the forest with room to spare, which meant Lewis was safe from danger in the extremely short run of things. Now, he needed to find time to spare- both for Lewis, and for himself.

Charricthran let Wer'Vemud bleed into his skin, feathers and wings crawling from flesh like so many maggots. His jaw dripped tooth and tar, white-blue eyes tracking what his red-dark ones couldn't see in the heat and sickening light.

Fear cracked their voices even as they cracked a desperate smile.

"Do us a favor and run, will you?"

They sprang from their crouch and crashed into a neighboring tree with enough force to send it CRACKING and thudding into the two pairs of elementals and salamanders reaching with burning fingers below. The screeches of their opponents rang in time with their snarl as an ocean of searing heat cascaded down their feathers.

They hated fighting fire.

Their claws sang with sparks and snarls of pain from both sides. They could only hope Lewis would leave as more and more of the forest was seared by flames.

Their heartbeats rang in their ears, the reminder of things long dead, of a mortality nearly left behind and humanity fiercely clung to.

They were so very afraid.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis had landed in one of the lower branches. He nodded quickly to Charricthran, taking the odd form in stride as survival instincts kicked in. Using his walking stick, he swung to a neighboring tree, and from there to the ground.

Are they fae? came the question. More to the point, are they vulnerable to iron?

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Salamanders are- they're the flickerin' buggers here tha' act'ly look somewhat human. The others ain't far as I can tell: somethin' older an' tied ta the underside o' this planet.

The salamanders actually had gray skin in between the whorls of flame. They only had to wait for the whorls to part around the head before they could clamp their jaws around the neck and rip it from their spine.

Everything became streaks of color against comforting darkness.

s̷i̸c͜k̀l̛y̧whi͟t̷ebur̨ni̧n̴gb̷r̨ight͞sta̵t͠i͝c̕nòisee͟eee͏e҉eee͠èe͠e

Shards of glass rang out against stone as they swallowed around mouthful of coals and magma. How long would it stay dead this time? Long enough- they could only hope, they could only hope.

Blood and tar mixed like oil and water, crimson-black smeared like paint on brittleburning canvas. They hacked something like tissue and blood that soon enough melted back into their warping, bubbling shadow.

Memories, nothing more. Dangerous ones, at that- liable to cut and carve.

that hurt.

They snarled and flickered and launched themselves back into the fray- had to keep going, it was the only way. Two lives, three lives- how many more at stake?

The elementals wouldn't fall as easily.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis looked about, searching for anything that might aid him or Charricthran. As he did so, he was struck by the oddly familiar nature of the trees, rocks, topography around them.

Charricthran...are we in the bloody Black Forest?

A plan taking shape, he sniffed the air, searching for that telltale scent-taste...

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

How the bloody bleedin' f*ckin' Hells am I s'posed ta know? I've not been here for a couplea centuries an' no one can ever decide on'a gods-d*mned name!

Shrill voices turned apologetic even as they tried to cut from fear and frustration.

Shut it for half a moment, yeah? I need ta fraggin'... think! Or I'll be smeared 'round the forest like some kid's f*ckin' finger paintin'!

The light was far-flung and far-up, burning bright eyes and bright hearts at least a yard above his head. They leaped and clawed and tore streaks of shadow into something bright, fighting through white-hot agony with the dull detachment of two someones somewhere far outside their own minds.

Necessity deemed unity, unity deemed instinct and semi-rational thought- keep them away from sacred-truths-and-trusts. They bellowed their challenge to the twin tongues of flame outside their claws and drew them close. White-hot-fingers, pain and sparks skittering in their minds.

They had to, they had to.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

The flickering flames illuminated the trees at just the right angle.

It is the bloody Schwarzwald! thought Lewis, even as he caught a hint of moisture in the air, beneath the smell of smoke and leaves and wood.

He took the moment Charricthran bought him to close his eyes and home in on the direction of the water. He opened them, a feral grin on his face.

There's a river, he communicated even against Char's wishes. This way, he indicated, going that direction. Douse them.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Thoughtsnoisebuzzing- helpful noise, though. Didn't quite snap and snarl, but grinned with flames searing flesh from shadow.

The moment's distraction was enough for one of the elementals to grab them with a handful of hungry fire and send them flying past Lewis with a shrill yelp- fortunately, in the direction of the river.

They recovered and laughed and laughed and used it to smother a sob of pain and the splatter of blood (little tar left) against pine needles. The fire chased them as they ran, licking, biting, snapping at their heels gleefully. Speed built on heat built on speed and fury and victory, chasing each other in circles, each side convinced, each side reaching for the final link.

They skidded to a halt and stumbled to watch fire trip and fly over them, overhead- towards the river. They staggered to their feet and roared: one bound, two bounds- they leaped and pinned fire into water into steam and howled in agony, howled in triumph.

Mostly in agony. Their skin blistered and festered and melted feather from bone into something smaller, more human. Still too many eyes in the river, but no more fire, no more light- no more new hurt.

Over sooner than it would have been otherwise.

Charricthran fell beneath the river with a bubbling sort of whine, trying and failing to climb back onto two feet.

It was over much sooner than it would've been otherwise.

Wer'Vemud was silent.

His thoughts were little else but the nearby crackle of flames where they still yet absently reached for him like the woven branches of a crown.

Two minutes, and he'd get up.

two minutes.

...

three minutes.

...

a nap, perhaps. he wasn't dead, wasn't going to die? but when was the last time he'd slept?

(The river hissed and steamed something awful. He needed to keep moving, but the need was something distant.)

ow.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis, meanwhile, had darted to a farther part of the riverbank, from which he now approached, relieved Charricthran hadn't perished. But why, then, did Weir get a sense of urgency from him, as if to stay in the river would mean death?

Lewis turned his walking stick so he gripped it by the end opposite the handle. Braving the outskirts of the steam, he extended his arm and offered the crook of the cane for Charricthran to grab hold of.

"Come on, then. Up you go."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Charricthran regarded the cane groggily. Something familiar, something helpful- attached to something equally so, equally strange, speaking words he couldn't quite make out.

The buzzing and ringing in his head grew louder and he winced, glancing at his twitching hands as if to get them to work.

It took a frightfully long time he didn't have to remember what they where and how to get them to work- in the end he'd had to borrow a memory found in eyes he could only remember to dream the color of.

what was it that prompted that bit of a rough go you just had?

Blurring words, an overlap of roiling sensations. Two voices, two kinds of worry. blankets and weight and light-dark scraping over nerves, over skin.

cha'sidic. ya mentioned hands. wasn’t quite as far removed from it as I’d thought.

He grabbed the can with hands that flickered in and out of transparency with that same desperate smile stitching itself back together from a mouth that had moments before been stretched to a beak, stretched to teeth and tar and blood.

He pulled himself to the shore- nothing to drag anymore: no fear, no panic, only buzzing.

He shook his head and frowned, focusing.

The buzzes faded to a dull whine. He could hear the crackle of flames. Easy enough to whisper to the wind for the price of rain, easy enough to pay it in the safe-soft future.

There was the rumble of thunder and the play of static electricity over his skin. He kept holding onto the cane, grounded by touch to the hands, water at the feet, familiarity nearby.

"Supposed to not-come. My thanks, nonetheless, is to you given."

A different accent. Softer, hoarser, hissing. The thing of snake-like wings carving through the skies. Restarting, step by step. Remaking, piece by piece.

Hissing, whining, buzzing.

He needed to move.

He stumbled forward a step and watched the world tilt-stumble with him, snarling.

He stopped. For the moment.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis hoisted him up and over as Charricthran pulled hand over hand up the length of the cane. He was ashore in no time, and fairly close to Weir, only the partial length of the stick between them.

Given that the rod was made of iron, Lewis gently let it go, lest lightning strike. Besides, Charricthran looked as if he could use its support.

"You're welcome," Weir returned.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran stared at the man with the narrow eyes, and half-snarled mouth of someone piecing information together too slow for their liking: The pictures matched, but the names and emotions were slow to rise.

Forest-moss-bark. River water and burning silk. The whisper of turning pages. Weirmrith. Part of a name- not one taken, one Given. Close enough.

"Home to you, Weirmrith." He offered out the cane. "I need ta go my own way."

A more familiar twist of phrase started to bubble forth. Shaking his head did a little to help.

Focus, focus.

Lewis. That was the name. Weirmrith was the Title- part of it, at least.

"'S not safe for either o' us if I keep the still moments. Ya need ta head back. Please."

Dear-heart, danthe-kornari, dear-to-the-heart, knife-at-the-heart A gentle knife of sorts. Two-and-three-knives, two-and-three lives to save.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"If it's necessary," allowed Lewis, accepting the cane. "You don't look at all well, though. Are you certain you want to go alone?"

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Laughter bubbled from somewhere distant in his throat, and tears crept from their hiding places in his heart.

"I don' wanna, but I've gotta, en't it?"

The sigil grew red with emberlit warning, stealing crimson fingers under his skin. Charricthran chuckled more and winced, the sound scraping against bone as sure as it did his throat.

"This shouldn'ta happened, but it did, an' 's what I'm stuck with. Let me keep ya out o' it, yeah? I don' wanna lose anyone else when I could'a done sommat ta keep it right."

He wrapped his arms around a shudder and tried to keep from melting overmuch. As soon as Lewis was gone, he'd fall into the smaller form for a time, just a little time.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"You won't lose me," Lewis promised, his eyes earnest, his smile and touch gentle as he took Charricthran's hand in reassurance. "Keep it between us, but," he whispered, "I've never once stayed dead."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

His smile bubbled and wobbled at the edges, shaken by earnest honesty and gentle comfort.

"Ya say that, but what if this is the time you're proven wrong, hm? What am I gonna tell Hela an' Helen if I make it back but you don' 'cos ya followed me?"

Charricthran sobbed a hopeless laugh and wiped at his eyes with his free hand, shaking his head slightly, fondly.

"I'll keep this safe, yeah. Anythin' ya ask that I can give, 's yours." Near-silently, near-reverently. He very quietly tried to keep from hoping too much.

It wasn't the time or the place for wishful thinking. In moments like these, he found it best to assume the worst outcome. Worst to worst, he was prepared, and at best he'd be pleasantly surprised in the future.

His head hurt.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"I appreciate it," Weir whispered back.

The thought of Helen and Hela did give him pause. Yet how could he, in good conscience, let his friend go alone, given the state Charricthran was in? What if Char never came back?

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon," stated Lewis at normal volume. "Besides, some of those who attacked you here were fae. If you're to encounter more, do let me come." He flicked a finger against his walking stick, the cold iron giving a distinctly metal twang for all it had been painted to look like wood. "I am not exactly defenseless."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran glanced to the walking stick, to Lewis, and then back again. He dithered, he deliberated, he debated, he stopped. The wind whispered coldly, no longer a friend but the herald of a foe. His head jerked to glance over his shoulder and he shuddered, swayed, nearly fell to his feet again.

He didn't want to be alone. He could have the short term and risk the long term, or he could risk.. both of them, really. Both sets of both- them and time, the chances hadn't changed, only the setting.

In the end, he couldn't even surprise himself by giving in to selfishness. He knew how this was going to end. He couldn't tell Lewis, but he knew. His hands and heart alike were tied, and still he smiled softly, more honestly.

"That'cha ain't, Weirmrith. You're a sight better off'n I am, at the mo."

He wanted to give a warning, knew he should send Lewis home. There was no way this wasn't going to hurt him, now. He could almost curse Richard for leaving the trail of intrigue that had brought Lewis here, but the kid would do what he wanted.

At this point, it wasn't his fault.

"Hope ya don' mind a spot o' running- need ta get ta the center o' all this 'fore we get caught up to. Soon as I can take two straight steps, I'm bookin' it. Can't jus' pop in there all shadow-like cos' it's sacred to 'em, see?"

It couldn't be the whole truth, but it was close enough to get the point across with only a few sparks searing fingertips around his heart. He didn't want to say no, but he couldn't say yes.

His head hurt, but his heart hurt worse.

It was never fair.

They were on the southern border of the forest.

North, then.

(It was never fair.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

There was something in the wind that sat ill with Lewis.

He nodded, all practicality now.

"Come," he said, offering himself for Charricthran to lean on. "We had better get going."

Hell, I'll carry you if need be.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran did his best not to fall into Lewis, but it was a near thing. He was too tired to feel more than a flicker of warmth at the touch, but he appreciated it dearly nonetheless.

"Miles ta go before I sleep an' all that jazz." He agreed.

Hopefully it ain't gonna come ta that. Best ta fight without one hand tied behind ya unless its a duel, an' then ya use foils instead o' thwackin' sticks.

They meandered forward; a misshapen, four-legged beast. It was easy enough to find strides over the landscape so long as Charricthran kept his glances over his shoulder scarce. Time was a distant dream, mired in the memory of fever and countless treks like these.

Eternity crawled into a singularity with cold-bright fingers stealing their way across the distant thunderclouds.

Too close by half.

"Time ta hoof it, Weirmrith."

Charricthran pulled himself from Lewis and waited for him to start running before he moved. A moment to stabilize without an anchor, a moment to solidify without borrowing calm.

A dose of fear would do him well, in this case.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis chuckled at Charricthran's analogy, particularly "thwackin' sticks".

They made their way along for a while, headed north.

Charricthran spoke again.

"Very well," Weir agreed. He let go, gave a nod, and started running--but not at full speed. He chanced a glance behind him to check on his friend, still unsure if the latter would be stable enough to follow.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran followed behind slow and steady, if a bit wobbly. He fell into a rhythm within the span of a few heartbeats, glanced over his shoulder, and picked up the pace. If he kept a little bit of distance between himself and Lewis, well.

He knew why, and that was all that mattered. He could rage war against inevitability later, far from friend and home alike.

He offered Lewis a half-curled smile as the man glanced over his shoulder. It was the sort of grin that asked, 'would I lie to you?', as it breathed falsehood into every action.

(Really, the only thing it hid was the extent of his fear. It didn't even do so great a job of that.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis quickened his pace, though not by as much as he could have. In truth, he didn't want to get too far from his friend, lest they run into an ambush or whatever was making Charricthran so fearful.

His response to Char's smile was, momentarily, a raised eyebrow, as if to ask rhetorically, "Who do you think I am?" The next instant, however, the expression was gone. Instead, Weir tilted his head up and forward, as if to encourage Charricthran and spur him on.

You can do this, he silently urged.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

He could, yes. The encouragement was enough to keep running for a time- despite the pressure building behind his eyes, behind his chest, despite the rapid thudding of his heart and the quiet not-quite-breaths of his lungs. Despite everything, he could.

And for a time, he did. They ran for a new eternity, trees melting past his eyes like candlewax against a blindfold.

And then the thunder broke with snow, and then ice carved through the sky. Clouds plummeted and dragged fingers against frozen feathers that weren't his own.

And then there was a griffin made of ice and light. There was groaning leather and flowing cloth, a spear of starlight in her hands.

And then the wind whispered as both friend and foe alike, apologizing and smirking in the same breath.

irsluna. A warning, a heralding, felt in the blink of a heart.

And then Irsluna and her beast fell in the space between two fleeing pairs of feet. And then he skidded to a halt as they flattened the ground.

The griffin drew to its full height, towering over him as a glacier might, just as cold, just as uncaring, just as cruel.

"Hi'auh wii'as sari'a suh nuha, Kothar."

Irsluna was the voice of cold water under a night sky, forceful in its melody.

Charricthran froze, quickly calculating, quickly planning. He had the upper hand- he didn't have Richard anymore, no, and Richard didn't belong to them anymore, no.

He couldn't outrun them like this. Getting any smaller than he already was was a bad idea. Wait, hold. Find an opportunity, take it- only had to wait.

But there was Lewis. There was iron. There was a chance.

(Was there?)

He needed to speak.

"Nar zuhù. Su rè iarsi'asa. Nar ziauh i'aussa."

Richard wasn't here, he was gone. In taking him away from Irsluna, he'd removed Richard from danger. It was the one part of this entire mess that had gone right.

He tried to outrun them anyway, tried to dart under the griffin's wings to sprint closer to Lewis.

(Nevermind the fact he was stumbling, nevermind the fact he'd already fallen to his knees, that he couldn't regain his momentum one he'd stopped.)

He fell. He didn't get back up.

His head hurt.

Irsluna laughed. It was not a pleasant sound. It bubbled somewhere distant out of time, pulled and yanked at the few feathers still clinging to his skin.

She spoke a Name. His Name- not his True Name, not anymore, but one given to him by fire-for-hair and soft-sharp-burning-eyes. It was close enough to his heart, close enough for the sigil to take hold, to bow his limbs like so many reeds.

It was the sound of knives ringing against stone, it was the taste of smoke and rain, it was the rush of wind-on-feathers and the slip of blood on polished marble. It was the warmth of a familiar embrace, it was the easy laughter of friends, of comrades-in-arms, and it was the bitter tears and empty numbness of losing everything. It was the tranquility of slipping into quiet waters, into pale death.

He had Heard it. As had Lewis, as had the forest itself.

Irsluna turned to regard Lewis then, eyes darting to his walking stick, lips curling in a smirk to show needle-set teeth. She was carved from ice and warmed with fiery starlight, sharp angles and stark skin glowing from within.

She waited to see what he would do.

(He couldn't think for the bright silence branding his mind.)

(His heart fell and shattered into fear, carefully, quietly.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Lewis skidded to a stop as the griffin-mounted fae landed some distance behind him, moist earth squishing beneath his shoes even as the ground began to freeze, ice crystals forming in the dirt.

He whipped around, breath fogging the air, and bolted back toward his friend.

Unfortunately, the new arrivals blocked his path. Weir reached them just as Charricthran attempted to flee. With alarm, Lewis watched helplessly as Char collapsed beneath one of the griffin's wings...and failed to rise.

When Irsluna spoke, the energy released told Weir a bad situation had just grown far worse. An icy pang ran through his blood as he shivered.

"You..." he whispered, peering up at her. "What did you--?"

It doesn't. Matter, he told himself as his concerned gaze returned to Charricthran. Get him out of here, now!

"Why do you want him?" Lewis asked levelly, tightening his grip on the iron rod.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Irsluna chuckled the rumble of an avalanche on a distant mountain.

"It is not I that wants 'him'."

Her eyes sought to pin Lewis to a board like some rare butterfly, flayed free of its skin. When they did not find what whatever she was looking for, a smile curved across her face.

"The pair of creatures keep their Names close. Clever."

She almost sounded impressed, somewhere past the mire of aloof disdain.

(Charricthran could hear the clock ticking down. He could only hope inside his innermost heart that true conflict was avoided until her time ran out. She could only remain here so long before the sound of the Name started to fade, she wouldn't take her chances.)

(It'd be a delicate balance, and he could do nothing to alter it. Success was in the hands of one unaware of the true depth of the situation.)

(He dare not think name or Title. Her hands were in his mind and he burned from the inside.)

His voice bubbled and burned in his throat, caught by red sparks and curled lines. He tried to slide his eyes to his friend, tried to urge him away.

He was too tired and it was too bright.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"Fine," retorted Lewis, annoyance and indignance cutting through any fear he may have felt.

He stared right back at her, having had enough of creatures who thought themselves so much better than mere mortals.

"Why does whoever wants him want him? I take it you've not chased us through half the Schwarzwald simply for sport."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Originally not, but as it does not have what we need, I am to do what I like, then bring it to heel."

She glanced at Charricthran, expression morphing to one of faintly disgusted intrigue. She seemed to consider him for a moment before prodding him with the glowing spear in her hand.

Charricthran's skin hissed and burned at whatever it was, curling like wax under coals. The tip of the spear caught him between his shoulder blades- where wings rested in better, darker times. Quieter times. He could do nothing, couldn't flinch from the pain, couldn't scrabble half-clenched fingers across the forest floor, couldn't speak, couldn't think.

"It does not seem as if it will need much.. persistence on my part."

She left the spear where it was.

Charricthran did a horrid job of pretending it didn't exist.

(He wanted to curl up in a ball, away from everything. He had to seize opportunity, though.)

(Wer'Vemud stirred in its slumber, providing what comfort it could away from the light.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Lewis was all too aware of the pain his friend was in, even if Charricthran couldn't voice it.

"Kindly stop calling him an 'it'," said Weir quietly, each sound distinctly enunciated.

With a sudden burst of speed, he swung his cane out and up, underhanded, right into the offending spear. He prayed the momentum would force the latter upward into the griffin's wing, like using a croquet mallet to hit one ball to move another.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Sparks flew where iron and starlight met with a jarring 'clang!' that bounced off the trees.

Irsluna chuckled again and dug the tip of the spear ever so slightly further into Charricthran. Charricthran didn't react, couldn't react.

(lightpainnoisenoisebuzzing)

"Were I inclined to be kind, I would. Fortunate, then, that I am not."

The clock ticked closer to the eleventh hour (theeleventhhour) with each second that scraped by against bone and tooth.

With a flicker of fluid motion that blurred the edges of Charricthran's vision, Irsluna waved her hand and scattered the spear into the air (darknesscalmquietquiet) before leaping to the ground.

She drew a pair of daggers, then- simple, vicious things honed from obsidian, much like Richard's katar, only smaller. She stood equal to Lewis in height, though was slim in the typical way of the faeries.

The griffin shifted the handful of steps it needed to stand over Charricthran while Irsluna issued her ultimatum.

"I will not be leaving without it. The choice is yours whether we battle, or I leave as I arrived."

(not the plan, where's the time? missing? not enough time for her. hurts.)

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Shit, Weir silently cursed as the spear failed to move from Charricthran. That should have worked!

He watched the spear scatter into the ether and Irsluna hop to the ground.

At least she isn't hurting anyone--for the moment.

She drew her daggers.

Never mind.

"You still haven't answered my question," he stated--rather levelly, he thought, given the revelation that the fae before him was not only armed with decidedly deadly daggers but also apparently strong enough to crumple steel like tissue paper. "Why does your superior or client or whoever want him? If he can't provide you what you came for, surely there's no need to take him."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"I believe it is like those things called 'oysters'. Within its the shell lies that which is soft and malleable, and in that, a pearl. If I shatter its shell and pry apart the flesh, I able to take what is needed. It has only hidden it, after all."

(onequestion. straightforward- oneanswer. not manywithinone. tickingticking)

Charricthran could feel the creep of talons inching nonchalantly towards him (tickingclawscruelbeak). It was almost soothing, like the talons of hatchling dragons scurrying to and fro. A familiar sound, that.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis chanced a split-second glance to the griffin, eyes darting immediately back to Irsluna.

"Wouldn't it be easier if the oyster opened voluntarily?" he asked, even as he drew gradually nearer to Charricthran. "Surely there's no need to smash the shell, is there? What is the figurative 'pearl' you seek? Just as the sun makes a man shed his coat more easily than fierce winds ever could, perhaps I could coax out it without all this...force."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The griffin stared Lewis down with balefully narrowed eyes. With each step that Lewis took towards it, it dragged Charricthran a step back.

(that wasn't one question.)

Irsluna snarled a fiercely amused grin, tracking Lewis' questions and path even as she twirled a dagger in her hand. The air hummed around it in a way that was... decidedly sinister, decidedly malicious. Hungry, even.

"Easier, yes, but it was not done in the years we gave it to listen. Were you not attached to it, not so clearly trying to save it, I would let you coax as you please."

She glanced at her griffin, who now had long since wrapped the talons of one foot around Charricthran's torso. The dance of the dagger in her hand stopped as she pointed to it, uttering a single harsh command.

"Eiraeseum: I'auh ri!"

The griffin snapped into the air with the sound of ice-laden branches snapping. The winds of the storm that had died down during conversation began to trickle into the forest once more, bringing snowflakes and shards of ice and hail.

The griffin hovered above the treetops, thunder in every beat of its wings. Charricthran dangled from its grasp as loosely as a ribbon caught by a weather-vane, perched on a chapel roof. As his head lolled from side to side, he did his best to keep eye contact with Lewis.

(feathers hiding secrets, feathers falling around forest-like eyes. a mouth full of teeth, pried open before the gears turned, before the eleventh hour chimed. time-to-cut-losses and get-out-going-is-good. a chance.)

go. please?

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

The griffin sailed upward, out of Lewis's reach.

"SHIT! Son of a--!"

His thoughts cut off abruptly as Charricthran tried, despite the pain, to convince Weir to get the Hell out of Dodge.

That "please"... Lewis sighed, knowing he couldn't argue with it. Not to mention he was obviously outclassed. What good could he do now? Any move against Irsluna, and he'd most likely be cut down where he stood. Even if he somehow pulled a miracle out of his arse and managed to best her, the griffin, he surmised, would still fly off--if it didn't finish him off first. What good would it do for Char to see him sliced to ribbons?

None. None at all.

"I really do hate you, whoever you are," he stated, chagrined, as he looked level at Irsluna.

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Irsluna let out a sharp whistle as she sheathed her daggers. The griffin unleashed an answering screech and took off, a streak of frost against angry stormclouds.

"You are wise to." Was all she said. She was still smiling.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Weir sighed.

"Will you at least tell me who it is who's bested me today? 'Tis not a common occurrence, and 'Ms. Ironwoman Fae 1887' is not exactly the most respectful of titles."

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Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"You may call me Nova. It is as true as any name might be."

She hummed softly and turned to walk deeper into the forest, but paused before she got too far away.

"Your compassion for it is inconvenient. I would suggest you harden your heart to it."

She left Lewis alone in the cold, with mist gathering around her draping attire and motes of light scattering in her wake.

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Bloody sodding brilliant, he thought to himself with sarcasm as he watched "Nova" disappear into the mist. That could have gone so much better. Richard's gone, Charricthran's gone, and if I even try to use his feather, I'll run across Ms. Spear of Longinus and her winged steed! What a bloody mess.

...

And I'm in the backwoods of sodding Deutschland, to top it all off!

With an inarticulate growl of frustration, he whacked the ground with his walking stick, succeeding only in muddying the cane and showering himself with icy dirt.

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Tairais • a year ago • edited

(( Kerštas, continued!

~*~

anentirerice:

“I agree.”

Elias resumed thumbing through the book in hand just as Huxley approached their table, leaning nonchalantly on the wall. “Had to drop out and check on something for a hot second.” He paused only to glance around, and then added, “Uh, where’d the bird-guy go?”

Jekyll1886:

"He popped off to go check on something," returned Lewis. "I'm honestly not certain when he's to return."

Helen Jekyll:

Helen lifted her gaze briefly to see who the newcomer was before returning to her reading, having nothing to add.

Tairais:

As if summoned, Charricthran fell through the library ceiling with a peal of thunder and a bark of laughter, landing like the rain outside on nimble feet. He brushed off his coat in a gesture more habitual than practical, and turned to face the group with a somewhat tempered grin.

The water on his skin melded inward.

"Bite o' good news for ya: Managed ta convince Three ta not bite our heads off in the name o' keepin' peace, so long as we behave ourselves in Venice. Meanin' we'll have ta tango with 'em proper outside o' the city, but we can at least follow the trail."

A wicked gleam entered his eyes as he glanced towards Elias specifically.

"Hope ya don' mind dancin', or at the very least, blendin' in. Three said the two o' em were talkin' with the Courts o' Autumn an' Spring, meanin' we're gonna have ta slip inta one o' their gatherin's if we're gonna have any hope o' hearin' what was said. Least the acqua alta ain't as big a deal anymore- we're in the tail end of the frequent season."

There was another flash of lightning and thunder, which illuminated the shape of something roiling and immense in the sheets of rain. It was gone with that same flash, the same afterimage of thought.

Charrithran grinned and called out to it, familiar and joking.

"I'm gettin' ta that! Saiai fenaialda!"

Thunder rumbled in the distance, the sound of distant laughter tinged with closer warning. If it shifted tone, slipped into something more human, wore a skin not made of clouds and static or crystalline gowns and glowing eyes, perhaps it might have almost been the same as Hannibal’s.

D'ya know of this path as well as I, then? It'd make sense, I 'spose.

He shook his head and the movement fell into a fluid tilt, as if his neck wouldn’t support him (tired, everything buzzed, though everything was stable. Too much noise, you see?).

"They're gonna do their best ta tug strings where they can: they think Hannibal and Will might still be there. If not, they’ve an idea where they may go next."

His piece said, Charricthran pulled a chair up and tried to clear the ringing from his ears.

(Naturally, it didn't work- thunder buzzed in his veins and he would've liked nothing more than to join Three in watching over London.)

(And yet. There was work, and there were promises to keep and threads to tie.)

(He couldn't leave now, no.)

~*~

I'm on mobile like a fool in school, so no tags for me.. ))

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Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((chatterghosts, Jekyll1886))

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

((chatterghosts ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Elias gave quite the jump as the sky split with thunder and Charricthran appeared once more, practically throwing the book he’d taken to reading in all of his surprise. He grunted in distress and dismay, before sparing a moment to breathe and settle himself from the scare. “Christ...”

He listened to Charricthran explain without much more than a thoughtful nod here and there, then clearing his throat and pulling himself fully upright and out of his slouching position. “Not one bit of anything you’ve just said made much sense to me, but if it’s blending in you need of me, then blending in I’ll do,” Elias responded with a nod of his head.

“I heard dancing?” Huxley finally piped up, “‘Cause I can do a mean tango.”

Elias merely groaned, “God, I think you could spare us that one.”

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago

Lewis had been quiet during much of Charricthran's intelligence briefing, but he had to chuckle at the exchange between Huxley and Elias.

"When do you leave for Venice?" he wondered aloud, once he'd settled himself. "Or rather," he rephrased it, "how soon do you need the flamethrower?"

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen observed the storm outside with a quiet fascination, a smile tugging on her lips when it seemed to respond to Charricthran's voice.

Now that's something you don't see everyday, even here, She thought, resting her book against the table as she was distracted from reading.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Tango might act'ly come in handy- think there's fellas from the Madrid courts gonna be hoofin' it down for Carnivale. I'm assuming tha's where our lot's cast- mix o' Fae an' mortals cavortin', masks an' pretentiousness for Hannibal, wine for Will who hates this sorta stuff, et cetera. Meanin'... need ta hoof it down there in a week's time?"

Charricthran shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Can never remember how the whole Lent-slash-Easter thing works. Anyone a clue?"

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Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

((chatterghosts ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

“Lent-slash-Easter thing?” Elias echoed in confusion, glancing toward Huxley as if expecting him to answer. “I don’t understand.”

Huxley simply shrugged and folded his hands behind his head. “I’m with you, bud, I have no idea what they’re talking about.”

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago

"Carnevale in Venice originally commemorated a military victory of the Venetians over foreign invaders, but has come to accommodate the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church," explained Lewis.

"There are twenty days of masked revelry, culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, after which the populace enters into the strictures of Lent." He chuckled. "Essentially, 'tis a socially sanctioned time for drinking, wantonness, gluttony, and other 'sinful' behavior, though of course one needs a mask in order to indulge. Come Ash Wednesday, however, one is expected to buckle down and do one's utmost at being 'respectable'.

"Based on this year's calendar, there are five days of Carnevale remaining, not including today."

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen torn her attention away from the weather to focus in on what Lewis was saying, nearly regretting it when she did.

Ah, masquerade parties, joy. She thought to herself with an internal sigh, returning to her note-taking to distract from the conversation.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Charricthran snapped his fingers and pointed at Lewis with a grateful smile on his face.

"That thing, yeah. Calendars an' all that baloney make my head right upside down an' all over the place, 'specially when there ain't two moons ta check the lunar ones against."

He shook his head again, trying to get his thoughts on track again.

"So! Five days ta make a flamethrower, least two masks-slash-costumes, an' ta meander 'round the whole o' Venice lookin' for two odd-shaped needles in a particularly waterlogged haystack. Easy 'nough, yeah?"

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Tairais  Tairais • a year ago

(( chatterghosts ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Huxley untangles his arms from behind his head once more and raises his hand, doing a small but intricate flourish of his fingers to produce an ink pen which he proceeds to wave and dip with the rise and fall of his voice. “I’ve got someone who can do costumes. Say, I could even have them enchanted if you want some magical assistance to help look inconspicuous. Thoughts? I won’t be heartbroken if that’s not the kind of thing we’re needing, but if we’re poking around to try and find two people with, er, ‘connections’, it wouldn’t hurt,” he says with a chuckle.

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago • edited

"That's excellent," opined Lewis regarding Huxley's offer.

"I do suppose I had better get down to work on that flamethrower, though. Helen, would you and Elias mind handling the rest of the vampire research?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Not at all," She replied with a smile, "I'd be more than happy to work here, though... I can't speak for Elias."

Helen glanced sideways to him, awaiting an answer.

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Charricthran beamed, relieved he wouldn't have to hunt anything down or enchant it himself. He wasn't lazy, per se- it was just a matter of 'one more thing to worry about'.

"Less work for me, an' keepin' mortal eyes off and less-so ones apprehensive is always a plus. Masks included in that or no? Jus' need ta figure out how much legwork I need ta do outside o' greasin' palms and findin' entrances an' the like."

(( chatterghosts ))

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chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

“Yeah, masks included,” Huxley amended. “If there’s anything more I can do, let me know.”

Elias shrugged indifferently in response to Helen. “I may as well.”

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Jekyll1886  chatterghosts • a year ago

Lewis nodded.

"Very good."

He took out his journal and began jotting down notes and sketching plans for the proposed flamethrower and its fuel.

((Helen Jekyll ))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Adding what books Lewis had on vampires to her own pile, Helen continued her note taking.

Y’know, I know that Elias guy, chimed in Hela, after a time.

Oh? She didn’t lift her gaze from the pages before her.

Well, not him exactly. I met his Hyde.

I wasn’t aware he had one...

He does and I want to talk to him.

Helen paused.

...it’s still morning, and I’ve work to do.

I’d pay you back the time.

I’m not interested—Not in rescheduling, not in skipping out on work, and certainly not in doing this same song and dance.

The Hyde growled. Fine, but don’t be whining to me if you need a bloody favor.

Sighing, Helen rubbed her temples, closing her eyes for a moment as her counterpart did the mental equivalent of running upstairs and slamming the door to her room shut.

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Wizardblizzard  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((you missed a bit, unless you're still typing - it ends at "Sighing, Helen..."))

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Helen Jekyll  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

((Already fixed! You should see it if you refresh.))

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

((Tairais ))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

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

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

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

(( chatterghosts Let's do the time warp again~ ))

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Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

((Continuation of the Garden thingy! :D Tairais ))

Tairais:

"Jus' 'bout every kind o' tea an' pastry ya can think o', fish an' pretty standard salads for the most part. Don' recommend anythin' that ain't that for about your same reasons, but tha's what I know's safe. Least this place won't charm ya like anywhere else the Fae tend ta walk, see?"

Lahviok's eyes lit up, and they made a circle with their hands before drawing them outward and wiggling their fingers.

Charricthran grinned. "Y'know, kid, not everyone's got as bad'a sweet tooth as ye. You're a bleedin' menace ta dentists everywhere." Lahviok merely smirked proudly; unashamedly so, it would seem.

To Nyx, he said, "Lahviok recommends their cookies-biscuits-whathaveye. Specifically, the snickerdoodles or the... how d'ya say- double chocolate ones? I'd recommend the baked trout, but tha's cos I don' bloody survive on nothin' but sugar, unlike some maniacs. Green tea's good too- might be a fancier name for it, but bugger if I know anythin' 'bout tea."

Nyx:

She tilted her head in thought, considering the options given.

"How... much can I order without getting kicked out?" asked Nyx, chuckling faintly at Lahviok's passion, "All of that sounds amazing to me."

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Lahviok gave yet another pointed look to Charricthran as he spoke with a chuckle.

"Much as ya like, kid- the meal's on me, an' it ain't like it cost much ta begin with. Currency around here's gossip from other worlds, an' I happen ta collect in bulk as is!"

Lahviok nodded and offered their own sharp-toothed grin and a soft whistle.

"Lahviok'll call in your order once ya decide on things- takes a certain type, see? An' I ain't as good with the will o' the wisps as they are."

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx nodded very slowly with the gears visibly turning in her mind.

Will o' wisps. Right.

"I guess I'll have trout and catfish with a salad, and..." She addressed Lahviok, "A few of your favorite sweets?"

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Lahviok gave Nyx a thumbs-up before letting out a slightly more melodic whistle.

A shimmering ball of yellow-green light extricated itself from the chandelier above and zipped to Lahviok's outstretched hands. For several moments, the harpy merely gave the light a smiling, but intense stare.

Isda slipped back into her chair with new cups of tea and placed one near Lavhiok's plate.

"Ordering the fun way, I see!"

Charricthran chuckled. "Osprey requested some o' Lahviok's favorites-

'course we're doin' it the fun way!"

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx leaned away in surprise, pressing her wings into the wood of the chair.

"Is that one of the... Will o' wisps?" She asked in a low voice, so as not to interrupt whatever strange communication was going on between the two. I thought it'd look more intimidating.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran nodded, responding equally as lowly.

"Friendly little buggers, they are. Not as inclined ta wreakin' havoc as their cousins in the wilds, see?"

Lahviok smiled and held up their hands to the sky. The strange ball of light skittered back over the chandelier and off towards one of the other wings with the faint sound of windchimes.

Lahviok's eager expression turned on the group yet as they signed with another flurry of motion.

"Lah says that the food'll be here soon. They're also wonderin' if ya have any interestin' stories ta share- somethin' o' a collector o' tales, they are."

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"I, uh..."

Her gaze grew distant for a moment as she was reminded of knives and blood and broken bones, corded restraints pinning her to a cold slab of plastic and an IV digging into her skin.

"What... counts as interesting?"

She rubbed her wrists, trying to dispel the sensation.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran glanced at Lahviok, who shrugged, then drew a circle on his palm and made and snapping motion.

"Whatever doesn't scrape on the way out all trauma-like but don't happen ta a normal day. Lahviok doesn't wanna open old wounds, see, but they like seein' what other people have, considerin' they can't travel or anythin'."

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago • edited

She slowly shook her head, her voice going dull.

"I can't think of any, sorry... Nothing unusual, nothing interesting."

Nothing without someone being miserable and suffering.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran grinned, determined to save the cheerful mood.

"Tha's all right, ain't it? Jus' mean's you've not had the chance! We can be your first interestin' an' unusual tale, how's that?"

Lahviok gave a thumbs-up, joy twinkling in their eyes.

Isda laughed. "I daresay we are both of those, yes. Tell us, Osprey: How would you tell the tale of the Garden?"

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"I'm not much of a storyteller, I..."

Never have anyone to tell them to.

"...usually just listen to others. But, I guess I'd talk about how nice it is, with the glass everywhere; it makes it really easy to keep track of everything," Nyx answered as fast as she could manage to string her thoughts together, unable to shake the feeling of claustrophobia that came with being the sole focus of all three of the others enthusiasm.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran grinned even as he shot a warning look to his two compatriots: one person at a time.

"Yeah, 's about why I started havin' our lil' gatherin's hereabouts: everywhere else had too many closed-off entrances an' the like. Made it fair hard ta notice much o' anythin'- 'specially the bloody madman that darted inta the place with a stake screamin' 'bout vampires. Charmin' fellow, him."

Isda busied herself with drinking tea as Charricthran translated for Lahviok's suddenly hesitant hand gestures.

"Lahviok says they'd like ta show ya the library once eatin's done, if you'd like. They think ya might enjoy it."

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx shivered at the mention of vampires.

"What all is in it?" She asked once the topic shifted, glancing over to the only section of the building without walls of glass, "I mean, besides the obvious books and shelves..."

Though she had been nearing the beginnings of a panic, the sudden die down in energy was enough to allow her to relax, if only slightly.

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran answered on his own.

"Well, 's the obvious, but its also a fair quiet an' downright peaceful place. Handful o' sculptures an' projects by various sorts. There's a wee dragon somewhere, but she don' bite- quite cuddly, really."

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

"You have a actual dragon?" She asked with more than a little disbelief, though a bit of a chuckle left her in the wake of it.

Of course they had a dragon. Why wouldn't they?

The only real question was... "Isn't it dangerous to keep them around books? Don't they breathe fire?"

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

"Not all o' them! Some o' em can be attuned to light, stone, nature, water, all that jazz. Little Mitnae is o' the light sort- worst thing she can do to the books is shine a flashlight on 'em!"

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

Nyx broke into a smile at the mental image that created.

“That’s adorable, you can have a dragon for a book light.”

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Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Lahviok grinned and pointed to themselves.

"Lah's done that jus' about every time they come here!.. an' fallen asleep a fair handful o' times with it curled up in their lap like a great big flippin' kitlin'. Apparently its as comfy as anything!"

Isda chirped up to add, "Well I'd imagine 'tis much like curling up in sunlight, hm? It would make sense!"

At this, Lahviok nodded with playful solemnity, drawing a laugh from the other two.

"O' great an' powerful dragon-friend, teach us your ways!"

The three of them laughed at that, lighthearted, full, and without restraint. It was a nice sort of sound, Charricthran decided. The Society could do with hearing more of it, sometimes.

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Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

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

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

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

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

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Annieloo • a year ago

((This is quality content, thank you Mz Hyde.))

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Mz.Hyde Mod  Annieloo • a year ago

(It is my mission to bring my RPers quality content!)

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Pyrogue • a year ago

This made my day, thank you. ((Also being from Australia I watch this show sometimes, it's pretty good))

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Annieloo • a year ago

((Also, if anyone has a story/interaction they want to do, I’m looking for one right now))

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Annieloo  Annieloo • a year ago • edited

((Can a mod make my discussion not spam? I think it was marked because of the lengthy posts. @Mz Hyde or @Mods ))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

((Mz.Hyde ))

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Annieloo • a year ago • edited

((@jekyll1886))

Emilia had planned to meet Lewis in the garden that Wednesday, but instead of it being her who woke up that day, it wasn’t Ashton. Emilia attempted co-consciousness to let them know they had an appointment, and Ashton responded with a nod and a finger to their lips. They picked their own clothes from the now fully equipped closet, then waited in the garden for Dr. Lewis B. Weir.

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Nyx Silverfang  Annieloo • a year ago

((Jekyll1886))

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Annieloo  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

((Thank you, Nyx!))

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Nyx Silverfang  Annieloo • a year ago

((No problem! The formula is the @(whatever thing shows on that person's profile page below their name, being sure to type it in all lowercase):disqus. So like @annieloo/:disqus, but without the slash.))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis arrived punctually and gave a friendly wave as he approached.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ashton gave a friendly wave back, and made a split second decision. “Doctor, I have a confession to make.” They said, attempting to mimic Emilia. It wouldn’t pass close inspection, but hopefully, he wouldn’t give it that. Their outfit would probably raise an eyebrow, but he wouldn’t have been warned, could he? Surely not.

((Sorry for the delay!))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago • edited

((No worries!))

"Oh?" said Lewis as he took a seat and set down his teacup and saucer. "What is it?"

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ashton had a hard time keeping themself from laughing as they said "I’m madly in love with you!" They fell across his lap, hand held to their forehead dramatically. After allowing a few seconds for impact, Ashton straightened up and released the giggles they had been reining in.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis gave a startled chuckle before raising an eyebrow.

"But what if I'm taken?" he asked playfully.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ashton was taken aback and stopped giggling. "You are?" Their accent slipped back in. Well, there goes my trick, I suppose, they thought. They had already partially ruined it with the initial giggle fit, but apparently the whole trick was unraveling.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"No, not yet," said Weir with a grin, breaking into a few staccato laughs.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

They joined him in laughing, then stood up and performed a bow with an over abundance of flourish. With their customary voice and manner they said "As you may have surmised, I am not Emilia, I am in fact, Ashton. Ashton Logan. A pleasure to meet you at last, Doctor Weir."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis stood and shook Ashton's hand.

"Likewise," he returned. "Would you prefer I call you 'Ashton' or 'Mr. Logan'?"

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ashton winced at the implicit gendering. "Whichever you wish, Doctor, though I do prefer the singular they for pronouns, and thus find Mr... inappropriate. And yourself? I usually address people by their title, but if you’d prefer to be on other terms, I’d do my best to oblige."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah, terribly sorry," Weir apologized, having taken "Ashton" for a masculine name. "I'll bear that in mind. And, I'll answer to any part of my name or title."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Doctor it is then. I believe Emilia has already told you about me? The journal was not specific in this matter. Neither was it specific in what the appointment was for today. What do you know, Doctor Weir?" They smiled, allowing him to fill them in.

((I’m leaving this up to you so we can have a little improv give and take, but if you want me to come up with something, let me know!))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"She did say you and she are the ones who typically interact with the outside world, and that therefore you don't spend a lot of time together on the inside, as it were.

"As for the reason, I'm not sure, unless she just wanted to take tea with a familiar face in a serene space."

He sat down and picked up his tea.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Ashton smiled at the rhyme. "Well, that's likely, she seems to like that kind of thing. I’m willing to indulge in some tea myself, if I may. I could try to switch out with Emilia, but that usually doesn’t work." They shrugged at the difficulty of ensuring the correct alter was present, but they really hoped he wouldn’t insist they try. They liked being liked for who they were, not as a 'more sociable and open' version of Emilia. Ashton was their own person, just one that happened to share a body.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Whatever you like," said Lewis with an easy shrug.

He took a sip.

"You'll find tea and assorted victuals in the kitchen."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Thank you, excuse me while I prepare some." Ashton left for a moment, bringing back a a teacup and saucer for themself. They also brought an orange, which they tucked into as soon as they sat down. "Do you know why there are always oranges in the kitchen?" They paused for politeness sake while they chewed the skin. "Not that I’m complaining, it just strikes me as odd."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"To prevent illness and rickets," replied Lewis. "They're a marvelous guard against both."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Ashton raised their eyebrows. "Interesting. A marvelous guard against starvation too, and every part of them is edible. No clean up, which means Emilia doesn’t need to know I’ve been eating."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago • edited

"Is that typically a danger, with Emilia?" asked Weir. "Would she be upset to know you'd been eating?" The tone was neither accusing nor condemnatory, merely curious with a touch of concern.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Not... upset per say. She has trauma surrounding food, and though I'm not quite sure what it was, it still makes her very uncomfortable, so much so she never eats unless she's on the verge of passing out." Ashton continued to eat as they spoke, as much as politeness would allow. "It’s up to me to make it up, eating the food she can’t touch.

"I think it has something to do with her mother, as much of her trauma does, but the specifics elude me. Milton doesn’t allow me access to any of the traumatic memories, only what Emilia and Stephen have told me have filled it in."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis nodded, taking in Ashton's words.

"In that case, perhaps you ought to be active at mealtimes, if the two of you can manage the schedule to that degree. I'd hate to see either of you faint."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“That’s a very good idea, Doctor. I’ll strive to put it into action. Though I’m afraid you may need to get used to seeing us faint, it’s the only way we’re able to switch out, to use a slightly inaccurate phrase.” Emilia pressed forward, trying to point Ashton in the direction of the journal, which of course they had taken with them. This ‘co-consciousness’ was difficult to maintain for Ashton, but Emilia had gotten better at it, not nearly good enough to do it on a regular basis, but good enough to do it on days she hadn’t used the body.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah, I see. I'll bear that well in mind," affirmed Lewis.

"Have any of you ever been injured in fainting?" he wondered, mind already ticking away on ways to prevent or minimize the possible harm.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"A few times, but mostly when it’s not Emilia or I." Ashton was very expressive with their hands while talking, nearly beheading a few innocent plants. They began listing off in their fingers. "Stephen gets triggered by possible trauma, but his switches are relatively quick, sometimes he doesn’t even hit the ground before he’s conscious. Rosa is triggered when there’s something that reminds Emilia of her happy childhood, but that doesn’t happen often. And sometimes switches just happen, no rhyme nor reason to them. To answer your question, I have been injured a few times, but only mildly, as for the rest: Emilia usually gets the brunt of the fainting injuries, due to lack of coordination."

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis nodded.

"Perhaps Mz. Hyde could work something out with her as far as clothing which might better cushion the fall. Our night manager is, after all, a designer of some renown," he suggested helpfully.

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"She is? I’ve never heard of Mz. Hyde, not outside of the context of the Society, in my introductory conversation with Doctor Helen." They thought for a moment. "Well, the issue is when she switches in, so Mz. Hyde would probably need to work with everyone but Emilia. Besides, her dresses could likely cushion a battleship!"

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah. To be fair, she's more well known for designing dresses of an...avant-garde variety. She made quite a splash at the last Valentine's ball."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Valentine's ball?" Ashton queried, inviting more information.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Ah, yes. A yearly social soiree, complete with fine food and flowers, music and drink and dancing. Quite the grand affair. And rather delightful, given one enjoys that sort of thing. The point being, everyone dresses up. Mz. Hyde took the opportunity to showcase one of her latest creations, to great effect."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I look forward to going someday. What was the creation, if you don’t mind me asking?" Ashton was entrigued. Emilia, though she would 'fit in' among soirée, preferred not to move among so many people. Ashton, however, loved it.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"A magnificent, green dress, all satin and gauze, its lines artful, its hemline bordering on scandalous--for London, that is. It could easily have graced a Parisian dressmaker's shop of the more fashion-forward variety."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Sounds amazing! Not my taste, but I'll have ask her about it." Ashton finally looked at the page in the journal Emilia had indicated a while ago now. There were two tickets to a medicine show. They held onto this information, to use during a lull in the conversation.

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

Lewis smiled, glad to have provided information that might prove useful.

He followed Ashton's gaze, just as a matter of social habit, but glanced away when he realized they were looking at the journal, as he didn't want to be rude by reading something he shouldn't.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't read anything, don't worry."

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I trust you. Besides, there was nothing there except—" They flourished the tickets. "these!" They handed him one and examined their own. "I think Emilia intended for the two of you to attend a medicine show, though I can’t fathom why..."

((I can’t believe you’re talking about my goshdarn nerd with Helen, I’m so flattered.))

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Jekyll1886  Annieloo • a year ago

"Oh!" exclaimed Lewis, accepting the ticket. "My. That's rather good of her." He read the date and time on it. "I'd love to. Please do give her my thanks."

((Yep! ^_^ Also possibly working out that something unusual--well, more unusual than usual--is going on at the Society.))

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Annieloo  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

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

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

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Wizardblizzard • a year ago

((This started by being Christmas presents; Isabella gave Lewis and several others a leaf made of copper, and he gave her his notes on astral projection. But rather than have another heavily backdated RP going on, I've decided to make it be a conversation happening now for some reason, three months later. I like being in the same time-frame as everyone else as often as possible, and also it means that other people can freely get involved if they want to. Although then there's the question, if we decide to have some fun with the book too, of why she hasn't done anything about that before, but we could always deal with that question by ignoring it.))

Jekyll1886

"I must say, such realistic artistry in metalwork is a rare thing indeed."

Wizardblizzard

"Glad you think so," Isabella said, a proud smile lighting her face. "Tell you something, there's no metalwork about it, actually, or not in the usual sense. I made them myself."

Jekyll1886

"Not in the usual sense..." he echoed. His mouth formed a lopsided smile as a pleased--perhaps conspiratorial--look crossed his face.

"Magic?" he asked, quietly.

"You'd think so, but no, it's not. Sorry to disappoint you... although now you're giving me ideas... No, not magic, chemistry. Real, genuine chemistry. I found the experiment in a magazine and simply had to have a go! Electrotyping, is the name. In theory I suppose you could do anything so long as you could make a good enough mould of it... I should do that again some time."

((I have not tried this IRL, but I want to. Jekyll1886 your turn.))

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Jekyll1886  Wizardblizzard • a year ago

"Ah, how lovely!" Lewis enthused, sure to see the leaf in a new light when next he looked at it. "The end result is certainly good enough to be mistaken for something beyond the normal ken," he said with a smile.

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Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

((Helen Jekyll The Fox Continuation of the Sometime around Midnight RP.))

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

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

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

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

There was the sound of footsteps approaching the door to Lewis’s office, followed by a knock.

“It’s Helen.” A brief pause, weighted with aggitation. “May I come in?”

She could only hope that he was around.

((Jekyll1886))

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Certainly," answered Lewis.

He closed and put away the journal he'd been writing in.

"It's unlocked."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen entered at once, shutting the door behind her with a bit more force than needed.

“I just finished welcoming a new lodger in,” She said carefully, approaching the chair in front of Lewis’s desk.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Oh?" asked Weir. "You don't sound too pleased about it. What happened?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“They decided that I was worthy of hearing information of a rather confidential quality within twenty minutes of only just meeting me,” She answered as she sank into the seat and put her head in her hands, elbows rested on her legs.

“And that’s not even the half of it... The whole thing was a train wreck from the start.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Oh, dear. I'm sorry to hear that," he sympathized. "Who was it?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Their name was Ashton Logan, and they’re apparently fond of jokes in the wordplay variety,” She related with a cringe.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Ashton?" Lewis echoed. That's one of Emilia's...huh. Interesting.

"That's unfortunate about the wordplay. I do hope you let them know not to in future, and that they listened.

"By the by, what did they look like?" he asked, seeking to confirm it was the lodger he thought.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I don’t think it’ll happen with them again,” She sighed wearily, before sitting up to answer his question.

“They were just a bit taller than I, had black hair that fell to their shoulders, their eyes were green, and they put on glasses at one point or another...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That's...odd. I let in just such a new lodger when she knocked on the door, but her name was Emilia, and she didn't have glasses. I took her to Jekyll's office and we had a natter in the garden afterward."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen frowned faintly.

“But Emilia is...” She hesitated, then lowered her voice, “I trust you to keep this quiet, but Ashton said that Emilia was their host personality... How could we have each met them at the door?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Oh, good, she--or they--told you, too," said Lewis, relieved.

But Helen had a point about the door.

Different identities can't explain that away; I would have heard a second knock.

"I haven't the foggiest. Are you positively certain you met them at the--that is to say, did you specifically hear a knock, open the door, and let them in?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Yes, I’m usually the one to greet people at the door,” Helen confirmed with a nod, “I opened the front door at the knock, they said they were here to apply for the Society, and then I invited them inside.”

“You... managed to do the same with them?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Precisely the same," confirmed Lewis. "And, what's more, I'd have heard it if they'd come knocking again.

"And you took them to see Jekyll, too?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“After a brief trip to the kitchen, to get something for them to eat; They were approved and given a room not long after seeing him.”

Her brow furrowed deeply after she spoke.

“How could this be possible?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"It shouldn't," said Lewis with a shake of his head. What the Hell is going on?

"Perhaps we should ask Jekyll himself what happened."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I really do hate to bother him, but I think you’re right,” She agreed, exhaling heavily, “He’d be able to tell us whether he met Emilia or Ashton, or both of them separately.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Indeed."

They went to Jekyll's office and spoke with him.

To their surprise, they learned that not only had he greeted Ashton and Emilia separately, but had done so at precisely eleven past three in the afternoon in both cases. The fact that others in the Society had experienced a similar phenomenon--what with Helen and Lewis answering the same knock at the front door--was news to him.

This was, if his account was anything to go by, not the first time such a phenomenon had occurred. In point of fact, similar cases of multiple welcomes of the same person at the same time had happened every time a new lodger joined the Society.

Helen and Lewis were left scratching their heads as to what might be causing the phenomenon, however, for Jekyll could tell them no more than that.

"Well," Weir remarked to her as they walked back to Lewis's office, "at least we know we're not alone."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Yeah, I’m sure it was a relief for him to hear that too,” Helen replied with a note of sympathy.

For a time, she fell into quiet thought, waiting until they were entering his office once more to speak again.

“You know, this reminds me of another time I... think I actually experienced something like this myself.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Did you?" asked Lewis in surprise.

He shut and locked the door and settled himself in his chair to listen.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Yes, it happened when...” She took a seat, frowning as she sorted through her memory.

“You remember the time when Elaina had slipped some form of my formula into a roll of sorts, and gave it to my counterpart?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He nodded.

"Yes. I came running when I heard her cry out."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“Well, Helen revealed slowly, “So did Elaina, Mz. Hyde, and Catt. You and...” A flicker of disdain crossed her expression. “Radcliffe showing up were an entirely different situation.”

She touched a hand to her head. “I had thought that my memories were merely muddled from the chemicals, and hadn’t questioned it before now...”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Lewis blinked in surprise.

"I had no idea.

"Damn, how often does this sort of thing happen?"

Wait.

He recalled a terrible debacle involving Alice. One which had ended in tragedy.

Yet...yet she was perfectly fine, he knew it.

It's happened to me, too, he was forced to conclude.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“Often enough to be worrisome, which is to say, at all.”

“Do you think there’s anything that can be done about it?” She asked him soberly, “Or if it’s causing any harm?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"I...I really don't know."

He pondered a moment.

"A few different lines of inquiry occur to me.

"First, we ought to see if it's anything to do with anyone's research and experimentation here at the Society. Anything to do with...hm, either multiple dimensions or multiple timelines, possibly. Or both.

"If that doesn't reveal what's going on, I could try to get in contact with Harry Jekyll and ask him to keep a watch over the Society with his instruments. Perhaps, being in an entirely different dimension, they'll pick up something we've missed--get a proper reading on the phenomenon. Presuming he's willing to, and that it occurs while he's tuned to us.

"I suppose we could also ask round if anyone's experienced something similar, but that might alarm the lodgers prematurely, particularly if we've no data to analyze.

"What do you think?"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Helen nodded steadily in response to his suggestions.

“I do think that it would be best we don’t mention this to anyone we’re not certain can handle or... Or anyone who would spread the information.”

“I could easily look over what everyone is studying—I’ve made a bit of a running list—and talk to anybody who’s field of work might have some relation to this.”

“Some outside help would do us a lot of good,” She mused, “We likely won’t be able to see the forest from the trees if we're standing in the middle of it all.”

“Other than that... perhaps... we could attempt some form of experiment next time a new member comes around?”

“If you and I both greet them, and one of us... I don’t know, leaves a marking of sort, and not the other, we could see how it affects the building itself?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

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

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

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

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

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Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

((A continuation of a Familiar Face, the thread with Char, Lewis, and Hela! Jekyll1886 Tairais))

86: "That depends. Did you or your counterpart ever get a proper diagnosis for this and, if so, what terms did the doctor use?"

Response:

Hela shifted her gaze to peer at something beyond him, brow furrowing in recollection.

“The doctor hasn’t had a problem before, I don’t think, and I’ve only ever gone to the infirmary here, so, no second opinion, sorry,” She answered with a small shake of her head, focusing on him once more.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Ah. In that case, I shall have to go with my own diagnosis, from what I can gather here.

"You appear to be suffering from supraventricular tachycardia--essentially, the chambers of your heart are not filling and emptying with precisely the rhythm they should. I'd have to get you down to the infirmary to run an electrocardiogram to be certain, though."

He well knew how much Hela loathed the infirmary, but there was nothing else for it.

"It's a non-invasive procedure, thankfully."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Her face fell at his words, though not at the diagnosis.

“Do I absolutely have to?” She asked in a voice bordering on a whine, more than a little reluctant to be hooked up to some machine.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Not until you're able to stand, but yes," Weir answered. "A proper reading will enable me to compound the right medicine for you."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“If that’s what it takes... fine.”

A sigh.

“Guess I best not get ready to stand up for a good while...” Hela grumbled low under her breath.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Take as much time as you need," returned Lewis. "Better safe than sorry."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela laid quietly for about as long as she thought she could get away with, periodically having another cracker or sip of a drink.

Only when remaining in bed for so long had begun to render her rather restless did she allow Lewis to help her down to the infirmary to get the necessary tests done.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Once he'd run the EKG, Lewis was able to narrow the diagnosis down enough to pinpoint the precise problem.

"Well," he informed her as he unhooked her from the sensors, "you do indeed have SVT.

"The good news is I can, indeed, give you something to help prevent these distressing episodes in future. The bad news is you'll need to take the medicine regularly. There's little to be done once an episode's triggered save what we did today. Thankfully, it was a mild one. A serious one could make you pass out--or worse. Avoid stress and too-vigorous exercise where you can.

"If you do find yourself in the midst of an episode, cough deeply. That can sometimes 'reset' the heart's rhythm, presuming you don't push yourself further after that. A calm mindset should help you return to normal as well, as anxiety itself can also be a trigger, or worsen an incipient episode."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela heard him out with an expression of pure disbelief, the corner of her lip twitching upwards.

“You’re kidding, right? You’ve got to be joking.”

A laugh escaped her, laced with bitterness.

“You want me to avoid stress and remain calm, when half the universe is trying to kill me.”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Where and when you can," Lewis reiterated and clarified. "My hope is that the medicine should take care of it, but I need to compound it first, and it will need a chance to build up in your system--I'd say a just under a week or so.

"Until then, try to remain as calm as you can. Take measured breaths if you need to. Engage in a peaceful, renewing activity, like playing with Lepus. Lock your door if it makes you feel more secure--I did slip you a key."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

A blink, then Hela fished around in her pocket, pulling out the piece of metal.

“So you did...”

She tightened her grip around it.

“Alright, I’ll be a hermit for a week, if that’s what it takes... You’ll make the stuff taste decent, yes?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"I can whip up a sugar coating if you like," he confirmed. "Just swallow it, though--don't chew it. I'm afraid the inside will be rather bitter."

He thought on the logistics of Hela's room, Elaina's room...and the problematic door between them. What good would the secure lock on Hela's hallway door avail her, if anyone who hated her could come in through Elaina's?

"Hela," he put forward as the thought occurred, "I know you and your counterpart have been sharing quarters for some time. Would you like to have your own room--in particular, would you or she like to take Elaina's, since it's vacant? I could have the door to it fitted with the same lock you have now, so your key would fit both. And with the door between, you'd not have to go out into the hallway to get to the other room when it's time to change."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Hela solemnly nodded her understanding on how to take the medicine.

At his offer, she broke into a heady grin, shedding her moodiness in an instant.

“It sounds like Christmas come early, how soon can I move in?”

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"As soon as you like. I kept a spare of the lock to your door, just in case something happened to it," he revealed with a chuckle. "You could probably move your things over in the time it takes to install it."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Hela sprang to her feet, clearly feeling no more ill effects from her earlier episode, her whole frame animated.

“Then what are we waiting for? It’s about time I get my own place!” She exclaimed, grinning wildly, “Now I’m glad I never did anything to ruin the first one. “

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He had to laugh at that.

"I'll go fetch the lock."

He closed his eyes a moment, then opened them.

"Jamie and Rose are no longer in the hallway," he declared. "The coast is clear for you."

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She nodded her thanks before quickly slipping out of the infirmary, calling back as she went out the door.

“I’ll see you back at the room!”

Setting off at a brisk walk (even she knew running would be pushing it at this point), Hela made her way to Helen and her’s joint space to begin moving her things over.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis thanked Charricthran for his help.

Weir stopped by his office for the lock and the supply closet for the proper tools.

When he arrived, he found Hela in the midst of moving her things over.

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

((Whoops, bad Internet made me post twice ^^’))

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

In the time it took Lewis to retrieve what things he needed, she had managed to render her counterpart’s room a chaotic mess.

Every compartment lay open, spilling out their contents, and in the midst of it all, Hela sat on the ground leafing through a handful of papers.

A forest green sword scabbard lay tucked beneath her arm, currently forgotten by the Hyde, a little over two feet in length and its design simple.

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Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Alright, Hel--ah!" he cried in surprise at the sight.

"Where on earth did you get that sword?!"

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Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

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

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

“I...”

((Tairais))

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Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

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

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

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

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

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Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((Jekyll1886))

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