Role-playing page for pg. 140! X3

Disqus

Home

Notifications

kcolled

The Role-playing Scientists

Following

Role-playing page for pg.140! X3

220 Comments

RBDECEPTICON17

RBDECEPTICON17

@rbdecepticon17 a year ago

Sorry for the late post everyone, I was wrapped up in a lot of post-Infinity War emotions. ^-^'

But I do wonder what new problems Henry will have to deal with in these upcoming pages?

-From RB. X3

Recommend 6  Share

Best

Newest

Oldest

Back to Top

Sort by Oldest

Avatar

Elaina Hyde • a year ago

RB

that is basically incest

and I do not like it at all (i also dont like. shipping but thats not the point i dont mind that part its the gross ships part of it)

please keep the shipping to a minimum on the main page because I don't want to have to read that every time I wanna post something or read other rps

no thanks

•Share ›

Avatar

RBDECEPTICON17  Elaina Hyde • a year ago

Elaina,

No one is forcing you too look at ships that may contain some mention of ships. If you don't like it, don't look and move along.

Also it's fictions and pseudo-incest, thank you very much.

•Share ›

Avatar

Elaina Hyde  RBDECEPTICON17 • a year ago

1. you know i go by leo so thanks um

2. it's kind of on the main page, so I'd have to scroll past it every time I want to rp on the main page or read some other person's rp, like I said earlier. Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only person uncomfortable with a ship like that.

3. It doesn't matter if it's fictional, promoting things like that in a fictional way will make people who do things like that in real life will feel more comfortable about doing it

4. Don't Loki and Thor hate each other? Even if it wasn't incest, it'd probably be abusive in one or more ways.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

RBDECEPTICON17  Elaina Hyde • a year ago

Okay okay, I get it, you hate the ship and don't like me for bringing it up. But could you kindly not act like it's going to cause a problem. It's a fictional ship, it's not going to lead to someone actually doing something incestuous in real life. Now let's calm down, move along and not speak of this again. Okay Leo?

•Share ›

Avatar

Elaina Hyde  RBDECEPTICON17 • a year ago

Well, the thing is, we've had a conversation about abusive/not okay relationships before. And I said the whole "shipping bad things fictionally will make people who do the bad things feel more safe doing them" (which is actual proven science) and you agreed with me. So why are you disagreeing now? I don't want to calm down, because I've said that multiple people are uncomfortable and you refuse to change things even though you're supposed to be the temporary peace-keeper and main page-poster.

•Share ›

Avatar

RBDECEPTICON17  Elaina Hyde • a year ago

I just mentioned the ship by name alone, Leo, so stop acting like i'm forcing this ship onto people. If you want to hate me, fine, but i'm not wasting my breath with this conversation anymore. So go on...report me.

•Share ›

Avatar

Elaina Hyde  RBDECEPTICON17 • a year ago

I didn't say you were forcing the ship on anyone, and I didn't act like it, I was just saying that people are uncomfortable with you constantly talking about weird/not okay ships. The Jekyll and Hyde shipping stuff is okay since you warn us and people ship that in this fandom, so no one is freaking out too much about it, but you constantly talk about your ships that are 1. not okay and 2. make people uncomfortable. I don't hate you, I just wish you'd be more considerate (since this is the MAIN PAGE that people post on and you're leaving stuff on it that people don't like) and I wish you'd think about what you say more. You've said that you don't like making abusive ships, and you've said things that agree exactly with what I'm saying, and now you're turning around disagreeing and I'm pretty annoyed with it.

Also, the whole "go on...report me" is so much playing the victim card it's not even funny, and I've dealt with people doing that to me so many times, so don't try. I don't hate you, I'm not going to report you, I'm just annoyed that you're changing what you've said and that you're allowing that to stay there even when 1. asked to remove it and 2. you have been placed in the position of somewhat keeping peace.

You don't have to keep talking about it or to me, but I'd appreciate if you'd still change what you wrote because it's a gross ship, even if you only mentioned the name.

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Elaina Hyde • a year ago • edited

Hey, soooo.......wow. I...see a lot hurt feelings and miscommunication here.

Let me just calmly say I have no dog in this fight.

I like both of you and wish you both well.

The only things I can bring to the table here are to say:

1) I've not yet seen Infinity War, so please no spoilers, hee

2) I'm familiar with the Loki and Thor of marvel comics. Loki in particular has been through many incarnations therein. Loki and Thor are not related by blood. One of Loki's incarnations had a major crush on Thor, particularly when they were youths, though Loki didn't reveal it at the time.

3) Giving links to fanfiction of a ship or cluttering up the TRPS main page with said fanfiction--that would be offensive, or at least inappropriate to the discussion board. The mere mention of a ship, however, is honestly not that big a deal, in my opinion. Heck, Mz. Hyde has done so on multiple occasions, depending on what she was shipping at the moment. She's even posted Thor and Loki videos, which I personally found amusing and not offensive.

4) I'm aware this is just my opinion--I've done my best to voice it diplomatically and back it up with my comic-book-nerd facts and previous precedent on this forum. Take all this as you will. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

5) Let's treat each other well.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((RBDECEPTICON17 ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

RBDECEPTICON17  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

So should I stop posting my fics on this page and keep them to other sites? I've never heard anyone say that I couldn't. ^-^'

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  RBDECEPTICON17 • a year ago • edited

I suppose I should have been more specific and said "inappropriate fanfiction" rather than simply "fanfiction"--you have my apologies. And by "inappropriate" I mean unrelated to TRPS, which yours certainly are not, being as Jekyll/Hyde-centric as they are. For example, posting Pokemon fanfiction here would be odd and inappropriate. No worries.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

RBDECEPTICON17  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

I see. Thank you for the clean up, 86, and i'm sorry about the mess mentioning 'that ship' made on this post. :(

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  RBDECEPTICON17 • a year ago

Hey, you had no way to know. No harm done, in the long run.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais • a year ago

(( Poor Henry, the trilogy ;-; ))

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais • a year ago

(( chatterghosts Masks, mayhem, and maybe murder. Hopefully not now. Maybe now..

Tairais:

The foxes served to part the sea of courtiers so that the other trio could follow close behind, unhindered. Their destination was a small stage, ostensibly for use by another band or orchestra.

The five of them ascended the small flight of stairs adjacent, and so it was they stood removed and above all the other people in the room.

The Seneschal took her place at the front of the stage and was flanked by her two fox-faced attendants, the man dressed in night and the man in the likeness of a moth falling a respectable distance behind.

She spoke then, with a voice as light and wry as the autumn wind:

"I will not stand on ceremony, as I imagine we are all aware of the nature of this address in some form or another."

She cast a passing glance over those assembled as they drew closer to hear her speak.

"There will be agitation from my decision to allow the two newcomers to stay. They are, after all, representative of the change and transformation associated with our Court. It would be little fairness indeed to repay their company with the door, yes?"

There was a great deal of muttering- mostly pleasant, though with the occasional jarring sound of discontent.

The Seneschal continued, unhindered.

"Regardless of their origins or ties in mortality, they are each as Other as we, and I expect each and every member of my court to behave as such."

She smiled, and it was sharp, sphinx-like thing.

She and her company departed the stage without another word, dispersing into the crowd to mingle and charm.

The moth and the man cloaked in night each gave the crowd their own glance before stepping into the crowd together as if one entity smiling and talking with the Fae beneath their masks. ))

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Elias pressed just a smidge closer to the wall as the Seneschal completed her address and departed the stage.

Newcomers?

You don’t suppose it might be—

I’m hoping not.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

The sleepy, low murmuring quality of the room returned like the buzz of wings trapped against a window.

The moth and the man clothed in night were nowhere to be seen, but their presence was felt along with so many others. Quieter, in the sense that they did not speak as loudly, or shine so brightly, but rather they caught all in their magnetism, for good or for ill.

Such was the way of the Fae. Such was the way of the Courts. Such was the way of creatures such as they.

Some few of the courtiers left shortly after the Seneschal, returning to the main ballroom where the faint stirrings of a new waltz could be heard in their beginning. The moth and his cohort held court with a small circle of the Fae, each of their costumes their own sort of starlit splendor.

The room spun with dizzying light and sound, and Carnevale drew ever on.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Huxley felt out the room’s inhabitants with a dark shudder, and then squared his shoulders in cold discomfort.

Elias, it’s them. The Seneschal’s newcomers. t’s Hannibal and Will.

The unexpectedness of Huxley’s voice in Elias’ mind, not to mention the meaning of the words he spoke, caused a sharp, flinching movement: Elias tensed and moved backward further automatically, now practically touching the walls. Huxley- I— are you absolutely sure?

Yes.

What do we do? Should we get Charricthran? interjected Oliver fearfully.

Don’t make a scene. Stay still and stay quiet. We can keep communicating like this as long as you stay calm. We’re going to wait to see where they go.

And then what? Follow them? We need to get Charricthran—

He was the one who said he can’t enter. I’ll try to call out to him, but we can’t just leave and let them get away.

A chilling thing, words strung out upon Huxley’s very soul, attempted to reach something that Charricthran could hear — some frequency, world, anything. It knew not where it went, but was held out only on hope.

Charricthran?

see more

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

I'm here. Somethin' up? Everyone alive an' well?

Charricthran spoke with members of the combined Courts on autopilot, following the dance of words in the air even as he took a few turns around the dance floor at a handful of their requests.

Wer'Vemud shifted underneath his skin, a great sleeping beast on the verge of waking.

Silent words passed between them, and all the while they listened, waited.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Hannibal and Will are here, in this room, Huxley returned quickly, a thrumming feeling of gratitude attached to his words.

Elias was silent to the world around him, every breath tense and short. Anything?

We’re talking about it right now, give it a sec. His voice carried a chiding sort of tone, similar to a parent scolding a child.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Charricthran blinked in surprise, the gesture largely hidden by his mask. He barked a bite of laughter that melded seamlessly into a conversation he could only half-tell he was having over a glass of wine and sparkling emerald eyes.

Charmin'. Bloody charmin', tha'.

He thought as quickly and quietly as he was able, plans woven together through smears of color on a blank canvas. He hadn't expected either of them to be at the event proper, had only expected to hear Whispers of where they had gone.

They couldn't dare cause a scene here, there were too many people who would side with the two of them. It would be a close enough fight on its own between Huxley and Elias, nevermind if Irsluna and her lot were somewhere near and watching.

He stifled a shudder and refocused on the task at hand.

Right, so. Keep an eye on them- they'll likely wander out this way to waltz before the evening's over; Hannibal's a soddin' romantic an' won't be able ta resist an' whatnot. Between the three o' us, we should be able ta keep tabs on where they exit, an' once we're outside I can take ta the sky and guide ya from there to follow 'em.. wherever they're stayin'. Now, tha's assumin' they didnae get here through a Gate, but I know where all o' those are 'n where they go, so we'll burn tha' bridge if we get ta it.

I assume it goes without sayin', but don' let 'em outta your sight, an' for the love o' everythin', act natural as can be. Be each other's conversation partners if ya must, waltz with each other if you've gotta, but not doin' anythin's as bad as doin' somethin' wrong, see?

Charricthran smiled at a passing waiter and snagged a new goblet of wine, turning his efforts back into charming the various members of the Day Court before him.

Always with the appearances, always with the costumes.

Near Huxley and Elias, the Fae known as Quanrris and Thaeuros stood beside Hannibal and Will. The former were regaling the latter with some sort of dramatic tale, and the latter were laughing politely along, arms linked in partnership.

The strains of the waltz grew louder, calling several more of the Fae to the ballroom. The scent of perfume lingered in the air like a London fog, thick and cloying and dizzying in its power

Hannibal and Will made no intention to move. Perhaps they would for the next song, perhaps not.

Charricthran felt the hands of a distant clock tick ever downward, felt the shift of sand beneath his feet as it tumbled into an hourglass.

He kept the rest of his thoughts to himself, but they brought a wry smile to his face nonetheless.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Where Huxley stood, he could see two particular problems: first, there was Hannibal and Will, arm in arm mere feet away as they laughed along to some story Huxley didn’t bother tuning into.

Standing just ahead of him was Elias, the second problem, who was standing stiff as a statue. At any second, it seemed, he might take matters into his own hands and unleash the grisly energy that had been building inside him since they arrived, since the idea of killing Hannibal and Will became more than theoretical revenge, since Artemis at the castle. It was fit to ruin everything they’d been doing, all their efforts to destroy Hannibal and Will once and for all, and Huxley couldn’t allow that.

Stay calm. Just talk to me.

They’re right there, Hux, I can’t just sit here—

They can’t be killed here, or you’ll get killed too. Just talk about something, anything, act natural because you’re doing the exact opposite right now.

Anyone staring dead-on at Elias could see the way his face flit through so many emotions in one moment: hesitance, regret, fear, anger.

Then he took a deep breath, and his face smoothed into something relaxed, a practiced ‘natural’ state. He spoke quietly, “I apologize for my silence, it’s— well, it’s been ages, and it’s so rare we see each other outside of events like these. How have you been?”

Huxley smiled, sharp and gleaming. It was polite conversation at best, but it would work to both distract Elias and keep them looking relatively natural.

Thank you.

Why are you so serious about this?

What can I say? You’re rubbing off on me.

see more

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

It was fortunate that Huxley and Elias entered into conversation when they did: No sooner did they turn to each other in a pantomime of politeness than the man cloaked in night cast a wary half-glare over the assembled crowd as his partner continued to regale people with their wit and charm.

Once more, those terribly piercing blue eyes didn't come to rest on Huxley and Elias. Whether or not it was due to the costumes or due to their blending in remained unknown, but ultimately irrelevant: they had escaped his notice nonetheless.

After several further rounds of conversation, the pair's company took their leave, and the moth-like man leaned down slightly to whisper something into his partner's ear. The both of them laughed after a moment, lower than before but infinitely more genuine, and began to make their way back to the main ballroom with their peers, heedless of the whispers trailing after them like so much silk.

They passed by Huxley and Elias with hardly a glance.

Charricthran continued sipping wine, continued changing faces, changing costumes, changing roles, reaching further and further from memory to stitch them close, lest someone recognize him and blow everyone's cover.

All the while he smiled even as anticipation curled in his gut and ran down his arms like the breath of a thunderstorm.

So many parts to play, so very, very little time.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Huxley and Elias continued their ‘conversation’ as they followed after Hannibal and Will, never too close but never out of sight. Huxley spoke of his interest in the waltz all the while, dull but casual, something of a reason for their exit. Any time Elias seemed to even hint at a slip in their charade, Huxley would turn the conversation’s topic around as subtly as possible, if nothing else to give Elias new material to work with. It kept them going, back and forth, on towards the ballroom where the music boomed and Charricthran waited.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Charricthran, for his part, kept an eye on Hannibal and Will as they took their places on the main ballroom floor. He nearly laughed into his mask when he noticed their costumes.

Trust Hannibal to stick to symbolism above all else.

He started to scan the crowd for Huxley and Elias, only to be interrupted by a naiad asking if he was looking for someone, prompting him to abandon the search in favor of maintaining the illusion that he was simply there to party.

Hope you've wandered back towards the main hall proper-like: they're on the floor, now.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

We’re both watching from the corner, no worries.

They were, in fact, both standing near a farther end of the ballroom, their idle chatter tucked away as they focused seemingly on the sway of dancers - though Huxley watched Will on the edges of his vision, and Elias never let his eyes drift too far from Hannibal.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

The waltz lasted for several glittering minutes, minutes that Charricthran had to half-ignore in favor of not upsetting some noblewoman from the Spring Court he honestly couldn't be a*sed to remember the name and title of. As with all things Fae, it was otherworldly in its graceful fervor, and as with all things Fae, Charricthran would have been perfectly content to ignore it in its entirety if there wasn't something important going on within.

Regardless, he managed to free himself from the woman's absolutely appalling sense of manners and secrecy (she was almost certainly going to lose her True Name if she kept up like that) and join the crowd of those watching the dancers, almost directly opposite of Huxley and Elias, even though he could hardly see them over the rest of the music and Songs filtering through the air.

When the waltz ended, he had a moment of clarity before the dancers started to merge into the sea around him, a handful of which recognized him and beckoned him into conversation. With an external smile and an internal snarl of frustration, Charricthran reached out to Huxley as he caught a glimpse of Hannibal and Will leaving behind him.

Huxley, you an' Elias are gonna have ta describe which doors you're leavin' outta, cos I jus' got waylaid by a buncha folks I cannae afford ta upset by blowin' em off. I'll catch up with the lot o' ya as fast as currently possible- shouldn't be more than a minute or two behind if I can help it.

Hannibal and Will walked arm in arm towards an archway decorated with browned vines and twinkling lights, unfortunately all but directly to Charricthran's back. Their heads leaned close together, as if in private and thoughtful conversation with one another.

No one but the three of them payed any attention to their departure, lost in each their own revelry.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

By the time he’d gotten Charricthran’s words, Huxley had already begun rotating toward the archway, and had started doing so the moment Hannibal and Will were behind Charricthran. Elias came slowly behind Huxley, and the two met up not much a ways behind Hannibal and Will, linking themselves similarly to the latter as they started up their conversation from before.

Behind you, there’s an arch with lights and old-looking vines. We’re a little bit behind, but we can still see them.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

The hallway out of the ballroom turned from paint to plaster to brick, and then finally broke into a simpler archway trimmed with white. A barrier of sorts shimmered in the frame, translucent and swirling like a soap bubble blown from a ring, and as Hannibal and Will stepped through, the barrier shook and rippled as if it were trying to pull them back into the ballroom. In a moment, they were through and crossing the same plaza that Charricthran, Huxley, and Elias had first crossed after the gondola. It was virtually unchanged, despite the hour and a half or so that had passed while in the clutches of the Faerie Courts.

Charricthran didn't respond until he had made his excuses and taken his leave some three minutes later, his words taking on the murky quality of something spoken underwater with the distance.

Understood, I'll be behind you in about half a minute so long as no one else ambushes me. Be my eyes and ears until I can, yeah? Where're they headed now?

1

•Share ›

Avatar

chatterghosts  Tairais • a year ago

Huxley and Elias passed through in silence, though the latter only seemed to be doing so out of a stiff discomfort. The two of them walked closely together as they crossed the plaza and fell into the same rhythm of footfall, eager to stay near one another as they were to constantly keep Hannibal and Will in sight.

We passed a gateway. We’re in the same plaza we entered before, just after getting off the gondola. How far away are you? It’s getting hard to hear.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  chatterghosts • a year ago

Space and color stretched and snapped and warped before him as he casually stroll past the Gate to the outside world. In between one breath and the next, he had shed skin for feathers and arms for wings, slicing through the air.

His voice became clear with the snap-crack of radio static breaking and falling away.

Above ya, or gonna be soon.

A raven soared over the tile shingles of Venice, beady eyes cutting a pathway through the revelry.

It was easy enough to find Hannibal and Will and, behind them, Huxley and Elias, though the latter pair was difficult to focus on, taking the hazy quality of smoke. Trying to figure out where they were going, however, was a different matter entirely, and the two of them were not so careless as to talk when anyone on the street could be listening, even without meaning to.

Might have to follow them for a bit, either til they get ta another Gate or til they're somewhere empty enough ta make eavesdroppin' a sight easier. Don' suppose they said anything of note ya happened ta hear, did they?

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais • a year ago

(( Nyx Silverfang The return of Regret

Nyx Silverfang:

Nyx nodded her understanding at his first comment, all too familiar with that particular breed of wariness.

“I’ll come with you,” though I don’t know if I can stand—this should be fun.

“At least at the Society, it’s strangers who...” might try to display me at the grand expedition, doing tests and taking notes for all the world to read, “...probably won’t do anything bad without asking.”

Tairais:

Charricthran frowned slightly.

"'F you're worried 'bout others an' trust me slighter than ya do 'em, I've a room that cannae be entered by anyone save myself at the present moment. Elsewise I'll take ya ta whatever room ya fancy."

He stood slowly, as if his body were some heavy machine for which every instruction created a delayed response. Hesitantly, he moved to stand by Nyx and offered an arm to help her up, uncertain how much contact would be welcomed, if any at all.

"Could also jus' carry ya, if ya don' feel like standin' but wanna head back. Could stay here an' jus' watch over you too. All sortsa options, see?"

(its your fault shes changing again, and its your fault you cant do anything about it burning hair feathers and silk.)

He smiled against the press of memory on his heart, wry and just a little bit helpless, attempting to comfort more than anything else.

(Overcompensating. Just a little bit.) ))

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Nyx Silverfang  Tairais • a year ago

"Not any more worried than normal," answered Nyx with a shrug, though she was grateful for the offer and accepted the hand up, careful not to strain herself nor move her injured arm overmuch.

It was with only a slight wince that she shifted her weight for Charricthran to bear the brunt of and the motion was both controlled and gradual, as if she feared it'd be too much for him to handle.

"The... protected room sounds nice, if we could head there," She decided, finally letting the tension drain from her.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Nyx Silverfang • a year ago

Charricthran took the extra weight easily- or at the very least, if it caused extra strain, he was careful to keep it from showing or being felt as he wrapped an arm around Nyx to steady her.

"Rightio. Hang tight, don' open your eyes, an' ignore any whisperin' ya might hear for the next few seconds, yeah?"

With that, he reached out with his free hand and twist the air around them, shadows blurring all things as he traveled across the edge of The Other. It was still half-formed, still recovering as he was, but it was solid in the way that stepping stones across a river.

He knew better than to trust the stillness of the air, or the ghosts of the London cityscape around them. He could hear the distant echoing screech of the Amuulzhaanir, after all.

In the space between a single slow breath, they emerged in the attic he called almost-home, the wards humming softly, faintly shut behind them as he walked into solidity once more.

"Ya can open your eyes now. Where d'ya want me ta put ya: Floor, chair, or couch?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue • a year ago

Anyone here interested in role-playing with Ezekiel? :)

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Pyrogue • a year ago

(sorry the red death is taking so long but I think we're in the home stretch now.)

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

(( Richard's currently taking a big old nap, but if you're up for Mr. Featherbrain, Charricthran is totally up to say hi! ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

((sure! You wanna choose a topic/whatever?))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

(( How does Ez react to a sudden talking raven colliding into a window he just so happens to be walking near and said raven asking to be let in before it's eaten by a harpy sound? Cos that's the first idea that popped into my head XD ))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((Oh dear is char okay? XDDX))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

(( He'll be f i n e XD ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((Tai, you lied, he is not fine XDX))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

(( Nah, he's fine. If he wasn't fine he'd be throwing up acid all over the floor XD ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((I don't find that reassuring in the slightest. XDX))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

(( Well that's not myyyy fault now is it? :P ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Tairais • a year ago

((XD Well I can't exactly blame Char for it! DX))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

(( Nup, blame his little sister for screwing up his anchor, since that's the source of all his non-bodily woe XD ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

((I think he'd be... curious, to say the least. IDK, I just kind of go with it, RP-wise))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

(( Fantastic. Have a sudden bird. ))

Doors were inconvenient things at the best of times- windows too, for that matter. Barriers in general were a nuisance, because it meant focusing on circumventing them when he really only had enough focus to maintain even a semblance of solidity and normalcy.

Which is how he found himself crashing into one of the many windows of the Society, rather than through or under it as he was usually wont to do.

He cast a dizzy glance over his shoulder to confirm that Ella wasn't still chasing after him like a bat out of the Nine Hells, then tapped at the glass frantically, hoping that literally anyone was there to let him in.

He called out to the figure he thought he saw (but it could have just as easily been the play of shadows in his still not-quite-focused eyes) behind the window with a beak curved into a smile full of teeth.

"Hey kid! Mind lettin' me in 'fore I get eaten ta death? I'd be much obliged."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

Ez spun around, looking for the source of the voice. He put his book down.

The window of his room was closed for once, and a raven was tapping its beak on the glass pane.

“Sorry?”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

He stopped tapping for a moment and tilted his head in consideration.

Huh. So there was a person after all. Fantastic!

"Would ya kindly let me in so's I don' get eaten by a bleedin' harpy? Much as I'm fond of her, I have no desire ta meet her teeth on a personal level."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

He decided not to question it. Eyes wide, he made his way to the window and unlatched it for the bird.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran hopped down and out of sight of the window just as a red-and-black streak tore across the sky, gone in the blink of an eye.

He ruffled his feathers with a weary sigh, tugging a handful of askew ones back into place before he fixed Ezekiel with another smile.

"Ta, kid. Give me a few moments ta catch my breath an' I'll be outta your hair, yeah? Bit too much excitement of late, can't keep it all straight."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

It took him a moment, but he thought he recognised the voice, come to think of it.

"Forgive me if I'm wrong, but... you're Charricthran, right?" he asked.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

"Aye, tha's me. Resident featherbrain an' general nuisance, but a useful instance o' both. An' you're Ezekiel-also-known-as-Ez, yes? I remember ya."

His head hurt. He tried not to think about it too much and focused on the conversation- it was likely better than whatever was hiding from-and-in the hurt.

He tilted his head once more, thoughtfulness flitting across beady eyes.

"You're the one with the plague-knowledge, yeah?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

Ez frowned again for a moment. "I am,' he replied. "Why do you ask?"

As he spoke, he picked up the book he had been reading and replaced it on the bookshelf above his desk.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

His wings rose and fell in the approximation of a shrug.

"Jus' wonderin- knew-know a few Ezekiel-Ez's in my time, didnae wanna get 'em mixed up, 'specially 'cos one o' 'em is-was a shape-changer, an' they could've jus' as easily looked like ya if they wanted ta. That one specialized with illusions, hence the distinction."

Charricthran sighed, and as the sound left him in a slow rush, his form half-melted, half-fell into a puddle of iridescent almost-tar. The puddle stretched outwards, then upwards into the humanoid form that was more familiar to Ezekiel.

He stretched his arms out in front of him, hearing the snap-crack of memory popping his spine and elbows for him.

Wordlessly, he gave Ezekiel a half-bow, a wry smile on his face.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

He looked impressed with Charricthran's transformation, to say the least. As for the notion of a shape-changer that could impersonate him -- a little unnerving.

"So... what's the story with the harpy?" he asked.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, using the motion to disguise the fact he was desperately trying not to sway on his feet.

"Well, see, Ella 'n I're friends normal-like, 'cept I'm pretty bad with talkin' when distracted, an' she gets a titch enthusiastic with her temper. She don' mean anythin' by it, but it does spell disaster if you've an aversion ta claws an' teeth. I'm fair certain she's jus' teasin'-like, but y'know." He shrugged. "Don' wanna take any chances, me."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

Ez nodded. "Right."

Noticing something off, he raised his eyebrows. "Are you okay?"

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

"Yup, jus' fine an Jake- bit outta sorts, but only cos' I'm still a bit jittery from havin' ta fly for my bleedin' life as such."

He raised an eyebrow in return, hands falling to his hips.

"How's about you'n kid, hm? You settlin' in well?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

"Ah, well... I suppose so. I haven't completely set up my things yet-" He gestured to a half-unpacked suitcase in the corner of the room. "-but I've met a few other lodgers."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

"Anyone interestin'? For tha' matter, anythin' ya wanna know 'bout the place I can provide? Tend ta have a unique sorta view o' those kinda things, see."

He leaned against the now-closed window, idly casting a glance outside. He didn't fancy trying to walk while his skin was buzzing and snapping, otherwise he likely would've left by that point. It was, after all, a sight strange to stand in someone else's private quarters without a direct invitation, and doubly so if you'd come through the window.

Ah, well. Cannae be helped.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

He thought for a moment. "Not really," he replied.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran shrugged with shoulders instead of feathers.

"Fair 'nough."

He was silent for a moment after that, and broke it with a grin and a slight cough.

"Well, I'm gonnna get myself outta your hair an' all tha'. If ya need anything, don' hesitate ta shout an' all tha'."

He waved a hand dismissively, took a step forward, then paused with a puzzled, slightly amused expression as the world swam in color and a faint buzzing sound.

"Huh."

He didn't have time to register his wry smile falling off his face, as he was busy falling to the floor himself.

There was only silence as he landed, face-first on the ground.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

"Goodb--"

Ez was cut off as Charricthran suddenly fell to the floor, and he took a step forward -- more of a reflex action than anything -- toward the man. "A-are you alright? Do you, er, um...?"

He didn't need to be blamed for another disaster that happened in his room; the Red Death scare had been quite enough, thank you.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran gave a shaky thumbs-up from the floor, otherwise not moving.

"I appear ta have once more forgotten how legs work. Don' mind me 'less I pass out here in a hot minute or so."

His hand fell back to the floor with a soft 'thud', where it lay as motionless as the rest of him.

"Might've pushed myself a bit much there- I'm like a bleedin' ragdoll."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

He folded his arms behind his back awkwardly. "Can I help you up?" he asked, holding out a hand for Charricthran to take.

((I really want to draw this scenario))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

(( XD You are absolutely more than welcome to. ))

Charricthran sort of half took, half slapped his hand into Ezekiel's, as if unable to tell just how fast his arm would move.

"Ta, kid. You're gonna haveta pull me up probably, but fortunately for you, like this I weight maybe twenty pounds soaking wet."

He was in the weird halfway-place between being solid out of instinct and being nothing out of truthfulness, and it pinched at him like so much sand in his eyes, biting and worrying.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

Ez nodded and pulled Charricthran to his feet.

Charricthran hadn't been lying -- he wasn't heavy at all.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran shuddered for a few seconds as colors brightened, splashed against the outlines of their objects and spilled into everything like tar and water and blood, mixing and separating until they dimmed into something approaching normalcy for his tired eyes.

The tremors ceased as he settled on his feet again properly. He dropped Ezekiel's hand with a thankful, if sheepish smile, then stepped back out of his personal space.

"Sorry about tha', really."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

"It's fine," he smiled, before pausing for a moment. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Richard around recently."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

Charricthran's smile dimmed into a smaller sort of expression, trying to be pleasant but still clearly worried.

"Kid got really sick a few weeks back. Took him homeward so he could heal away from all the stress o' the Society- tryin' ta heal in a buildin' where things go wrong at least once a day ain't exactly healthful, see?"

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

"Sick? What happened?" he asked, before stopping himself. "Nevermind. I'm sorry if I'm being too nosy, or anything like that. He seemed nice, is all."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

His smile flickered at the edges, almost trying to brighten.

"You're fine, kid. The two o' us were visitin' his homeland for a bit an' he wandered off inta the snow for a few hours too long. Always has had a bit o' a disposition towards gettin' and keepin' colds, so he managed ta freeze himself somethin' bad. Should be as right as rain here in another week or so, though!"

Charricthran sounded almost like he were trying to reassure himself more than Ezekiel.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Pyrogue  Tairais • a year ago

He nodded. “Right.”

There was silence for a moment.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Pyrogue • a year ago

The silence stretched just shy of what was considered awkward before Charrithran shrugged.

"Right, well. Gonna go ahead an' hoof it while I'm still relatively sure of how my legs work! Thanks again for openin' the window, sorry for fallin' all but on ya, an' like I said, if ya need anythin', don' hesitate ta call for me."

With that, he took several shaky steps to the door, went through, and was gone with nothing more than the faint smell of decaying leaves.

(( I feel like I always end up short-changing people on these impromptu rp's, but I don't know what else to do ^^" Still, I had fun! Hope you did too :P ))

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886 • a year ago

((Helen Jekyll A continuation of The Note/Murder=Not the Best Answer/Ravens/The Painting-Portal))

Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 • a day ago

It took little effort to move the painting as it swung up easily like a trapped door, revealing a window-like portal with just enough space to crawl into the small and narrow room beyond, which contained only a bed, an armoire, and a curtain on the back wall.

One could hardly walk between the two pieces of furniture, so close were the walls.

Helen had risen to see for herself what had caught Lewis’s attention, but stopped short at the sight of the room that lay on the other side of the picture.

“My word... Is that...Catt’s room?” She asked, stunned.

There was no mistaking it—she knew that particular portion of the Society’s basement well.

Jekyll1886 Helen Jekyll • a day ago

"I don't know--I've never been in Catt's room," Lewis confessed. "But if it looks like it to you, I daresay so."

Helen Jekyll Jekyll1886 • a day ago

Slowly, Helen approached the opening between rooms and, after a beat of hesitation, stuck her hand through.

When she was met with no resistance, her breath hitched in her throat.

“How...long has this been here? Did you know about this?”

Jekyll1886

"To the first question: I don't know," admitted Lewis, still holding the portal's hanging door open.

"To the second: I only know about it for certain now, as I can see it for myself." He stuck his head through to get a better look at the room beyond, then withdrew, being careful not to drop the hanging door on Helen. "I've suspected it since the aftermath of last year's Valentine's party, but couldn't prove its existence. That is, until now--with your help. I'm sorry I didn't share my suspicions earlier--I had no way of pinpointing where it was, and didn't wish to alarm you or come into conflict with Catt unnecessarily. I hope you can forgive me."

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

"I... I'm not upset with you, Lewis, just," Helen shook head and retreated from the opening, arms coming to wrap around her stomach, "I'm overwhelmed, is all..."

I've had that painting up for years, this... entrance could have been there the whole time... To think, there's always been a secret passage hidden away in my own room...

"...I think I need to speak with Catt, to ask if she... I would like to hear if she has an explanation for this."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Lewis gently lowered the hanging door back in place after Helen withdrew from the portal it covered. It looked a perfectly ordinary painting once again.

Helen spoke of being overwhelmed.

"Understandably," he commiserated as he put his arm around her to comfort her.

She spoke further, and he nodded.

"Naturally. Perhaps it would be best if you two discuss the matter without my presence adding fuel to any potential fires," he suggested gently.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I think that'd be for the best," Helen agreed with a faint smile, leaning into the embrace, "Not that you'd be unwanted by myself. I'm only afraid of upsetting Catt unnecessarily, as having two people approach... does make things seem rather confrontational."

She gave his hand a light squeeze, then pulled away.

"I'll go now to see if I can find her and make some sense out of everything."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"That it does," he agreed, returning the squeeze.

"Best of luck. I'll be in my office, should you need me."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Helen nodded once, then set out to find her friend Catt.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais • a year ago

Charricthran didn't like asking people for favors. He'd seen too many instances of those favors turning to debts turning to pain and grief to care much for them.

That being said, he had next to no knowledge of human anatomy, and the less time, energy, and focus he had to spend on maintaining that frozen bubble of time around the kid, the better. He was tired, he was hurting, but more importantly, so was Richard: the sooner the kid was up and running, the sooner he could heal and figure himself out, the sooner he could go on to living well and proper.

At the very least, that was his hope.

It was this hope that brought him to a door he would have most likely never visited on his own. Really, the only reason that he could find it was by drawing upon half-formed Whispers and the vaguest of impressions of shadows against light.

He knocked, and he waited.

(( MillieGriffin ))

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

A few seconds later Millie opened the door looking like she just got out of bed but still tired.

"Charricthran, Hi. What brings you here?"

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran offered a small smile.

"Heya, Millie. Sorry ta wake ya- Strictly business o' a sort: How are ya with regrowin' organs? Askin' for a friend."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

"It's fine, wasn't sleeping." Millie waved off, "Regrowing Organs...? Well it depends on the organ and the amount of time I have to do it. What kind of organ does your friend need? Also does he have any special conditions I should know about? Allergies, heart conditions, just anything that would inconvenience my work if I don't know about it now."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

"Time's not so much an issue for a couple'a reasons, but the kid needs a heart- human, male. No allergies 's far as I know, no heart conditions 'sides the fact he's holes in his, an'... Yup. Hope ya don' need his blood type or anythin', cos I've not gotten around ta learnin' how human ones work."

Distantly, Charricthran chided himself for not learning this sort of thing on his own time, then chided himself for chiding himself: He had no way of knowing, so it was what it was. No point in getting upset over it.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

"Hm... Well then it sounds like a simple issue--er well, to me it sounds simple. And since time isn't as big of a factor, (though I don't know how that can be for what sounds like a serious condition), but I can cloan a brand new heart in about two to three weeks, though if there's a chance of fixing the heart he already has I could do that within the day."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran was both amused and reassured by Millie's confidence in the matter, and very glad to hear there was a possibility of Richard being revived this day.

"I'd assume there's a chance o' fixing the heart he has, 'cept as I said ta myself, I have bugger all in the way o' human anatomical knowledge. Jus' my own an', well, that ain't relative, cos it's a mess. Anyhow, I'm assumin' you're gonna need me ta take ya to him, yeah? Need me ta come back later, or is now a good time?"

He kept his eagerness under a smile of nonchalance; the last thing he wanted was to stress Millie out when she was going out of her way to be kind to someone she barely knew.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

"I'll just need to grab my portables, should only take a couple minutes." She answered then made the snide quip, "seeing as since the red death scare I've had to be ready for more emergencies..." Obviously aiming the remark at the one responsible for that affair, she immediately reverted back to her original composer after that.

"I'll just be a moment." She assured him before going back in her room without closing the door to grab her things.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran gave a slow blink, a mixture of shock, horror, and indignant astonishment trickling onto his features as he remained rooted in place. He vaguely recalled the term, having read the collected works of Torke's dimension's Edgar Allan Poe, and what he recalled was... decidedly not good.

"The who tha wha' now? Act'ly, y'know what? Nope. Don' wanna know. Take your time, I'll jus' be out here marvelin' at how bleedin' ridiculous this place is sometimes."

Svabol malai dronilnra batobot tenpiswo, vur svanoa sart-tairais shilta si svent astahi?

I dunno, butcha can soon's I find out myself, 'less they have a bloody good excuse.

His other half flashed its teeth in a savage grin, then shifted back into silence, leaving Charricthran alone with the increasing desire to start cackling madly.

Honestly

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

Millie promptly returned with a leather doctor's bag of her tools and other essentials for such a task.

"Okay I'm ready." She announced as she closed the door behind her.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

"Rightio, 'en. Jus' take my hand, close your eyes, an' don' open them 'til we stop moving. Same deal as every other time you've traveled with me an' whatnot."

Charricthran offered Millie his hand, wiggling his fingers with a sharp-toothed smile.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

Millie grabbed his hand with both of her's, squeezing it tightly as she tightly shut her eyes.

"Okay..."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran walked them both sideways, and the whisper of wind over grass and of water over rocks rose to a fevered pitch, breaking with the sound of voices speaking in a cacophonous mess of otherworldly tongues.

This process lasted only the span of four heartbeats, but it echoed and ringed even as he stopped moving and they arrived in the same apartment that Lewis had slain Blizgulis in.

"Ya can open your eyes now," he said, dropping Millie's hand, "Richard's in the guest room, back here."

He led her into a room with two rustic-looking twin beds and a sitting area off to the side, painted in light blues and whites to reflect the harbor-side view.

Richard himself was little brighter than the white trims, a sickly pallor to his skin. The air hung heavy in the room, like a breath held too long. It was fitting in the most disconcerting of ways, then, that Richard's chest did not rise and fall with the tell-tale sign of life inherent to every human being.

"He's still alive, don' worry. Wouldnae ask a heart o' a corpse."

Charricthran stood at the foot of Richard's bed, a distant stare crossing over his features.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

Millie didn't let go of his hand even after they arrived, the whispering was still ringing in her ears... Or were those voices from her own head now? She couldn't stop shivering as she tried so hard to calm down and keep the bad memories from sufficing, it's gotten where she hates that type of travel. She remaind silent as Charricthran took her to the room where Richard was even after Char stopped talking Millie could only nod.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran shook his head to clear the glassiness from his vision, glanced at Millie out of the corner of his eyes, then gently squeezed her hand.

"Walkin' through The Other spook ya? I'll take a different way next time- shouldn't be as... intense. Sorry, kiddo."

He fell back into silence for a handful of moments before looking at her properly.

"Want me to leave the room while ya work, or d'ya need me ta stay an' help somehow?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

MillieGriffin  Tairais • a year ago

Millie felt apsoluty pithatic, she was only glad Griffin wasn't here to see her cowering like this she didn't even want to think about what he would say if he saw her like this.

She she pried herself off his hand as she did her best to speak as calmly as possible.

"I... I... I'm fine with either one... Wheather you want to help or not is up to you..."

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  MillieGriffin • a year ago

Charricthran tilted his head thoughtfully before shrugging.

"I'll be nearby if ya want me, then. Rather not make things worse, see, but if ya need an extra set o' hands, they'll be there."

He moved over to the sitting area and folded himself into one of the chairs, picking up a worn, leather-bound journal sitting on the table in front of and pulling a pen from his pocket as he went.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Catt and Helen had had their talk some few days past, Hela was coming along, the Red Death was a thing as yet unheard of within the walls of the Society, and Lewis was in his office, glad for a touch of normalcy--well, as normal as the Society got, anyway.

In the past two months, he'd designed and helped build a collapsible flamethrower and its fuel for Elias, watched Charricthran get kidnapped, found his way home from Germany, pulled in a favor with Marguerite, let Hela kill him, taken her back to the Society, left her in the care of ravens, pulled in a favor from Harry Jekyll--his colleague in another dimension--that resulted in a deadly vampire-alien hybrid being freed, designed and constructed an anti-fae gun and forged and etched its ammunition, come to Char's aid, dealt with Blizgulis, and helped Helen discover there was a space fold in her room.

In whatever moments he could spare, he'd produced and, now, provided product to Griffin and Roland to sell in order to pay his rent. He'd be able to pay the landlord on time only if the batches he'd just completed sold well these next two weeks.

With all that going on, he'd understandably not had much time to devote to his "extracurricular" pursuits. All the work had been necessary, of course...but all work and no play made for a particularly cranky Weir who sat jotting down plans for Edinburgh in his journal--plans he'd have to put on hold until he could afford a bloody train ticket.

He appreciated the momentary calm, naturally. But that didn't stop him from wanting to walk out of the Society, grab a drink (or several) and a shag (or several), and hopefully get into a barroom brawl (or several)--never mind the fact that it was not even noon.

((Tairais ))

1

•Share ›

−

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Circumstance often guided Charricthran to where he could be of the most help, typically with the help of certain Whispers or simple instinct. As with all people, though, sometimes he was simply in the right place at the right time, with no extenuating factors to hold accountable.

It was a good day for him-- for once, as of recently: he'd been able to keep a solid form for much of the day, hadn't had too many headaches, hadn't fallen into the clutches of memory or imagination, and it'd been relatively quiet.

Of course, quiet meant he could think, which was how he found himself checking in on Richard, visiting a few contacts (within walking distance of the Society after the trip to Richard nearly short-circuited his brain with guilt-worry-fear), and talking to the ten ravens that had taken care of Hela in his absence.

It was also how he found himself at Lewis' office door shortly after, only a slight hunch to his shoulders instead of the sorry state he'd been in the last time he knocked on the door.

Taptaptap.

1

•Share ›

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"Yes?" answered Lewis, finishing a note and snapping the book shut. The word nearly had the tone of an impatient "What?"

"Come in," he added, schooling himself back to some semblance of his typically personable persona.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Charricthran took note of Lewis' tone of voice with an internal frown. Externally, he maintained a pleasant countenance as he opened the door and stepped in quietly; not quite smiling, but not quite neutral either. Warm, certainly.

"Heya Weirmrith. Was in the area, felt like droppin' by. What's shakin', an' how so?"

He shut the door behind him and propped his hip against it casually, crossing his arms.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Nothing, thank God. For once.

"Just, ah...finished up some notes while the ideas were fresh."

He put away the small, leather-bound journal, took in a breath, and let it out, trying to be glad to see his friend.

He sincerely hoped nothing more was amiss.

"How are you?" he returned, the warmth there but the affect a touch flatter than usual, the smile genuine but not nearly so vibrant as normal.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"I'm better'n usual, but you don' sound 's such. Look a bit tired 'round the edges o'-" Charricthran gestured to his face, unable to remember the right words. "Dout ehaism. Which is fair, considerin' literally everythin' about the past few... months, really."

He trailed off into thought, breaking the momentary silence with a wry smile of his own.

"Tell ya what, this is a jailbreak if ya want it: know a.. 'charmin'' sorta pub through a Gate if ya fancy a drink or ten. My treat."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Charricthran spoke, and Lewis shrugged.

"It is what it is."

Char spoke further. Weir's brows raised and eyes widened, a lopsided, teeth-revealing smirk of a smile quivering onto his face at the idea.

"Aheh. Ah." He schooled his expression into something more neutral, noting his own reaction as he considered the offer's pros and cons.

A release of a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"I daresay that's an offer I shan't shy from, if you feel up to it. Yes. Just let me lock my office," he said, rising with a barely restrained eagerness, a jittery sense of anticipation.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran's grin brightened and turned fond at Lewis' reaction.

"Wouldnae have offered it t'ya if I ain't gonna be up for it- ain't fair else-wise, yeah?"

He stepped back through the door so that Lewis could lock it, mentally running through a map of the surrounding area on the far side of the Gate to ensure there would be no more unsavory company than what could be dealt with via a bar stool to the face.

His smile turned back to the sharp sort of wry, a mischievous twinkle in his eye: doing that always produced a particularly satisfying 'thunk' courtesy of the target's face.

But he digressed. They had to get there first, after all.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Quickly, Weir locked his office and pocketed the key. He scanned the surrounding hallway to make sure no one was coming.

"'Coast is clear--let's go!" he said with a furtive look that bordered on giddy.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran snickered and began to stride down the hall with renewed purpose, all but losing that tired hunch of his.

"C'mon then! Ain't slowin' down for anythin' but a meteor, if that!"

He led the two of them through the streets of London, ducking and weaving between alleyway and side street until they came across a deceptively simple archway pressed into the back wall of a public house. It looked for all the world as if it had been boarded up, yet Charricthran barely hesitated long enough to grab Lewis' hand and pull them through.

On the other side of the wall lay Madrid, sun-kissed and bright in all the ways that London wasn't with all its pea-soup fog. Dropping Lewis' hand, Charricthran stepped past the edge of the alleyway and admired the hustle and bustle of the Puerta del Sol, grinning at the memory of sunlight falling on his skin.

Charricthran glanced at Lewis over his shoulder.

"Welcome ta Madrid, Weirmrith. One o' my favorite places in this world o' yours! Pub's jus' 'cross the plaza."

He fixed his gaze back in front of him and pointed out a small, square building crammed just in view behind several other, far more impressive pieces of architecture. Really, the only reason the pub was in any way noticeable was due to the large mural of what could have been a macaw or a parrot on the side of it, and the bright scarlet lettering announcing 'El Pajarojo'- a clever way to name 'the Red Bird'.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Weir broke into a smile at the familiar sight of the city around them.

"I've not been to Madrid in ages," he remarked.

He closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the warmth of the sun on his skin.

He let out a breath that was half relieved sigh as he opened them.

"Lead on," he said with a ready grin.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran all but bounded through the sea of people like a particularly eager fish, sunlight glinting off his hair.

The bar was cramped and slightly dirty, but they had a number of beers on tap and a fair selection of wine and spirits to boot: it was a place you went to get plastered half a seas over, not for socializing or slumming it with the rich sort of people.

The place wasn't quite packed, as it was still midday, but there were enough people in there to create a low hum of conversation that lent itself to the close atmosphere.

Charricthran caught Lewis' gaze out of the corner of his eye and grinned wryly.

"Two things: One; Table, bar, or booth, an' two; How much Spanish-and-or-Catalan d'ya speak?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"We'd need Catalan for Barcelona; my Spanish ought to be sufficient for Madrid," replied Lewis. "Now...let's get a drink," he said, heading for the bar.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Charricthran nodded towards the burly man polishing a glass behind the counter and spoke in a lowered murmur as they approached.

"Barkeep on deck's from Barcelona, 's why I asked. Speaks Spanish plenty fine, but if ya wanna win favor with him an' get him ta use the top shelf stuff, try Catalan."

He punctuated the sentence with a wink, pulled together a quick glamour of hair slicked back into a ponytail, brown eyes, and relatively normal teeth, then caught the aforementioned barkeep's attention with a wave and a grin.

The barkeeper glanced up and broke into a smile, apparently recognizing Charricthran favorably.

<<"Ah, welcome, Sebastián! Who's this?">>

Charricthran chuckled, a merry twinkle in his eye as he spoke with near-perfect Catalan, matching the cadence and rhythm of the bartender's voice just enough to suggest competency rather that nativity.

<<"This, my dear Mateo, is a friend of mine in desperate need of a good drink. Or twelve- we'll soon see, yes?">>

<<"Should I send for the police ahead of time for whatever sorry fool of a b*stard decides to pick a fight with you this time?">>

Charricthran shrugged lazily, and grinned again as he propped both elbows on the bar.

<<"That depends on whether or not you want to run a betting ring again. How's business been?">>

Mateo laughed and exchanged a handful of pleasantries with Charricthran before excusing himself, facing Lewis with a smile and a quirked brow.

<<"What can I get you then, friend of Sebastián?">>

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Charricthran mentioned "the top-shelf stuff" being tied to Catalan.

"Looks like it's bottom-shelf for me, then," replied Lewis quietly in a low voice.

I cannae speak every bloody language under the sun, he silently groused, a little irritated despite himself. We could've gotten top shelf in London, if you're buying, he thought of--but not to--Charricthran.

Then Weir saw--and heard--"Sebastián" converse with the barkeep. Though Lewis couldn't speak Catalan, he could well understand it. He was relieved to know the man apparently didn't mind a barroom brawl, and that (Lewis presumed) he'd likely not make a stink if one broke out--if Weir were observably on Charricthran's side.

OhthankGod.

He heard mention of a betting ring and was unable to suppress a grin and a low chuckle.

When asked what he'd have, he answered, "Brandy de Jerez."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Mateo poured drinks with enough casual showmanship to be lively but not gauche, flipping a few bottles in the air with a lazy grin as he poured both Lewis' brandy and mixed some sort of cocktail for Charricthran.

That done, he slid the glasses down the counter to their respective people. Charricthran instantly took a sip from his, giving Mateo a thumbs up as he did so.

Mateo chuckled, then left Lewis and Charricthran to their devices as he served up drinks to a handful of other patrons, contributing to the low hum of chatter in his own way.

After a moment, Charricthran snagged a bar stool with with his foot and perched on it, wordlessly offering the one next to him to Lewis as he took another sip.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis picked settled himself on the stool and took a sip of the brandy, savoring it.

Some few sips more, and it was gone.

He gave a soft exhale, a grateful and relieved half-sigh.

"Un brandy más, por favor," he said to Mateo when the latter had tended to his other customers.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Mateo chuckled and slid the bottle of brandy towards Lewis much in the same manner as he'd slid the glass his way earlier.

<<"Take the bottle- if Sebastián brought you here of all places, then you're likely in need of it, no?">>

Charricthran lifted his glass in a bemused half-salute, and Mateo went back to polishing glasses.

From the far end of the bar, a decidedly greasy sort of man lifted his gaze from his glass and narrowed his eyes at the bottle now tucked by Lewis' elbow. His voice was coarse with drink as he called out a challenge.

<<"What're you going and getting a bottle for, huh? Bet I could drink you under this bar even half-pickled as I am. The bottle's wasted on you.">>

Charricthran and Mateo shared a bemused, slightly knowing look, the former taking a sip of his drink and the latter quirking an eyebrow as he glanced towards Lewis.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"[That I am]," confessed Lewis.

He looked eagerly at the bottle of brandy, and had just begun to reach for it when the greasy man interjected his opinion.

Wanna bet? thought Weir as he fixed the man with his gaze.

Actually... he reflected, that's not a bad idea.

"[I'll take that bet]," said Weir with a smirk. "[Fair warning--I'm Scottish.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The man slapped down a fistful of jingling coins onto the table and nodded towards them with a half-snarled smile.

<<"I don't care if you're from the moon! There's never been someone able to drink more than me!">>

This bravado brought cheers from his drinking companions, some of who pitched their own coins to the pile. When this was done, the greasy man locked eyes with Mateo, who shrugged and pulled out two of the glasses he had just polished with a smirk.

<<"Are you going to be drinking yourselves to death with the brandy, or...? Just so I know how much to charge the loser for, you see.">>

The greasy man and his companions broke into raucous, drunken laughter at this.

<<"Let him pick his poison, I don't care!">>

Charricthran said nothing, merely glanced around the room to note all the entrances, windows, and various improvised weapons. He only just managed to hide his toothy smile behind his glass as he continued to savor his drink.

He didn't know what this creation of Mateo's was, but he loved it something wonderful. Somewhat fruity, somewhat smokey, and there was probably some sort of bourbon hiding in there, but it wasn't enough to get him drunk unless he downed several of them like shots.

Mateo had only needed to see that once to never allow him to get pickled in his bar again, and considering all the havoc he tended to wreak while sober, that was saying something.

(Then again, he was fairly sure the scorch mark over the doorway was his, so perhaps Mateo was right to be... 'cautious'.)

Mateo looked to Lewis again and laughed a warm, rumbling sort of thing.

<<"You heard Camilo, the choice of drink is yours. I would ask that you keep from drinking my business into an early grave, though.">>

Charricthran barked a laugh at that.

<<"Weren't you the one telling me that you only have this place open out of boredom?">>

Mateo tutted at Charricthran, shushing him as he shook his head.

<<"Come now, Sebastián! You give away all my greatest secrets, for shame.">>

'Camilo' and his group laughed at this as well. Frankly, they seemed to be laughing at just about everything by this point.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Weir quirked a feline smile as he addressed the assembled.

"[Brandy it is.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

<<"Brandy for the mad fools sitting in front of me, then!">> Said Mateo as he poured drinks for both contenders and slid them down the bar. Camilo didn't bother with savoring the drink as Lewis had the first time, and simply knocked the contents of the glass back as if it were a shotglass, a smug look on his face.

The glass returned to Mateo with a wild curve and would have fallen to the floor had Mateo not caught it with a lazy sort of grace. He placed it back in front of him, and from the look of the gesture, it was easy to tell that that sort of thing happened often to him.

Where Camilo downed a whole drink, Charricthran simply took another pull from his and waited for things to unfold. A handful of the other patrons scattered at the tables along the edges of the room started to take notice, eyes occasionally darting back to watch the contest.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

While Weir earlier had sipped his brandy to savor it, he now picked up his glass and nonchalantly downed its contents in one go.

He looked at Camilo with a smile both smug and playful, then back to Mateo as the latter refilled their glasses.

Things continued in this fashion until their seventh drink, which Lewis imbibed without incident.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Things were not without incident for Camilo, who was a sight more tipsy than any of his fellows had realized. Even if the had realized, though, it likely wouldn't have been enough to back the lot of them down from what was almost certainly an easy win of a wager.

Understandably to those fine fellows, it was rather a shock when Camilo downed his seventh drink, belched, smiled, and then fell face-down next to his glass on the bar.

Those same fellows fell silent with him, but only for a handful of moments.

<<"You killed him!">> Came the outraged, if not entirely thought-out shout. <<"I'm gonna kill you!">>

Charricthran reacted to this with a snort, causing the rest of the group to fix him with hostile stares. He rolled his eyes and savored the crack of energy down his spine as someone else snarled at him.

<<"We'll kill you too, Sebastián! You're the one that brought this guy here.">>

Charricthran simply fixed the group with a raised eyebrow and shared another glance with Mateo, as if enjoying a private joke.

<<"The first person to jostle my drink gets a broken kneecap, maybe two. Bugger off.">>

He went back to his drink and watched as the group of five shifted angrily, torn between their two targets.

The man that had shouted first-- Miguel Something-or-other-- decided for all of them by taking an absolutely abysmal swing at Lewis. Charricthran's cackling snort of laughter from the side brought an angry flush to his mustached face.

<<"What's the matter Miguel? Seeing double because you can't hold down a drink?">>

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"[He's passed out drunk, not dead]," laughed Lewis as Miguel missed him without Weir even having to dodge.

Lewis grabbed the bottle and finished the last of the brandy in one grand swig.

As the alcohol of the eighth drink hit his bloodstream, he sighed in contentment, feeling truly relaxed at last.

And now a fight? Goodness me, is it Christmas already?

Now-empty bottle in hand, he pivoted on the barstool as he casually swept Miguel's legs out from under him and came to stand.

"[Who's next?]" he asked with a grin.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Miguel shakily got to his feet behind Lewis, clutching onto the bar for balance as two of his cohorts exchanged a glance and rushed towards Lewis, the one on the left grabbing an empty bottle to use as a club.

Mateo sighed and shook his head with amusement as the rest of the patrons in the bar started to take notice, some of the more... enthusiastic ones looking perilously close to joining in.

Charricthran slid him a coin and nodded at Lewis with a smirk, and just like that there was the glint of money changing hands, the sound of bets being made, and a chorus of drunk cheering on top of it all.

He shot a swift kick at the base of Miguel's spine and tried not to snicker too hard as the man sank like a sack of bricks, staying down for good that time.

About the time that happened, the man to Lewis' left swung the bottle towards Lewis' face as if he were wielding a bat instead, whereas the man to his right took several stumbling steps and made to tackle him.

Charricthran picked up his drink and held it closer, just in case.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis simply sank into a low dash forward, allowing the bottle-wielding man to hit the would-be tackler and the latter to tackle him while Weir slipped clear.

"[Anyone else?]" Lewis nearly purred.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The answer to that particular question was a bar stool flying through the air between Lewis and the fourth of Miguel's five friends. The fifth looked utterly uninterested in the fight going on, and even raised his glass to Lewis in a half-salute.

The message was simple: he wasn't stupid enough to get involved.

The same could not be said for ragged-haired mess of a man who had thrown the stool, who bellowed out his challenge to Lewis as he threw the stool, completely and utterly peeved.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Lewis went with the momentum of the stool and caught it, set it down, and looked to the thrower in question.

"'Mon, 'en," he challenged with a beckoning motion, the words not Spanish but their meaning clear.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

The man shifted into a drunken rendition of a boxer's stance at that, swaying slightly on his feet but still considerably more together than his cohorts had been. That was, of course, until he took a step forward, slipped on someone's spilled drink, and went crashing into the bar beside him.

Much like his fellows, he didn't get up once he hit the ground. Several other patrons did however, some breaking up into brawls of their own, a handful more ducking and weaving their way towards Lewis with varying hungry smirks on their faces.

Charricthran surveyed the scene with amusement and ducked as a bottle went flying past his head.

"You certainly don' bloody waste any time causin' the fun sorta chaos, hm, Weirmrith?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

At the drunken boxer knocking himself out, Weir blinked, then burst out laughing as he pointed at the fool.

"'Needtae get back before teatime," he answered Char with a smirk and a shrug, even as more men entered the fray.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Let me know if ya feel like invitin' your new friends so's I can figure out how ta get 'em through the Gate, yeah?" chuckled Charricthran as he nodded towards the newcomers.

Four more men in various states of a bedraggled nature tried their luck against Lewis, surrounding him in a kind of half-circle: The first ended up the farthest to the left and jabbed at Lewis' jaw, the second aimed a hopping sort of kick to Lewis' stomach and shot wide much like Miguel had, the third tried to get an elbow against Lewis' sternum, and the fourth and rightmost aimed a punch to Lewis' rib cage.

It was, to say the least, a very chaotic scene. Charricthran noted that Mateo had disappeared into the kitchen- most likely to warn the kitchen staff to be mindful of drunks looking for knives.

He downed half of what was left of his drink in a single swallow, relishing the gentle burn against the music of a bunch of drunken fools having a good time thoroughly wrecking sh*t.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis chuckled at Charricthran and leaned back and right to avoid the jab at his jaw and the elbow aimed for his sternum. Weir snickered at the silly-looking kick, but the punch caught him square in the right side of the ribcage--there was simply nowhere to go to avoid it.

Even as Lewis grunted in pain, instinctively, his fist shot out to the side to punch the successful attacker square in the face with a sickening yet satisfying crunch. It opened to grab him by the hair and sling him past Weir and right into two of the other three men.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran watched the only person to have landed a blow on Lewis fly into a heap on the floor that had far too many pairs of limbs.

"I'll give that a solid nine out o' ten for execution." he said with a dry, drawling tone.

The only man to have not to get a crash course in how gravity worked was the man who had swung at Lewis' jaw. Charricthran thought that said man showed an almost remarkable lack of creativity by trying to punch Lewis in the jaw once more.

He chuckled with an almost fond sort of exasperation: in fairness, it was probably a bit much to hope for a creative sort of fight when half the participants could barely walk and-or see.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis leaned out of the way without a thought, used his left hand to grab the man's forearm, and yanked the brawler in close to meet a wound-up punch of Weir's own.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran set his now-empty glass down just in time to watch the kid crumple like a paper bag and join the dozen or so bodies already on the floor. It was about this time that Mateo returned as well, pausing in the doorway to watch for a moment before shaking his head and staring out at the handful of broken chairs with a bemused and resigned expression.

The other brawls had mostly settled themselves out by this point, the victors staggering back to their tables and drinks, many sporting freshly-blackened eyes.

Mateo jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the enlarged pile of coins that had somehow managed to remain untouched throughout all that chaos.

<<"I believe that's yours, friend-of-Sebastián. It's not like anyone else is sober or conscious enough to collect it, yes?">>

Charricthran snickered.

<<"If there is, I don't think they're gonna touch the stuff anyways.">>

Mateo laughed and nodded his agreement, pouring Charricthran another cocktail upon noticing the empty glass. Once more, when he was done, he turned his gaze to Lewis, a smirk playing across his features.

<<"Care for more drink, or were those nine and that half-bottle enough to quench your thirst?">>

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Seeing no one else to fight, Lewis turned to look at Char and the barkeep. Weir's eyes widened at the size of the pile; he happily strode over and pocketed it.

"[I'd like a glass of sherry, please]," he said as he sat down at the bar once more.

"[Is this a typical day here?]" he asked, amused.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

<<"Bar fights happen more often than not, especially when folk like Sebastián decide they want to come and turn things upside-down.">> joked Mateo as he poured Lewis' drink and slid it his way.

Charricthran nearly snorted his drink up his nose in a fit of amused indignation.

<<"You act like I purposefully start fights for fun! I'll have you know I sat here the entire time and only spoke once to the lot of them, so there.">>

Mateo glanced at Lewis, then at Charricthran, then at all the patrons passed out on the floor.

<<"Certainly. Whatever you say, Sebastián, whatever you say!">> Mateo wagged his dish towel at Charricthran for good measure, causing Charricthran to laugh more.

<<"What, he sends well over half a dozen people to the ground, and I'm getting told off for laughing at those sorry souls? This is injustice- injustice, I tell you!">>

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis chuckled before taking a sip of his drink.

My, but the Spanish are skilled winemakers, he reflected, pleased.

"[The way I see it, those souls volunteered for an early siesta.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

<<"It's just as well- Miguel would've tried to turn the entire bar into a battleground in a few more drinks otherwise. Believe it or not, this is much calmer than what usually happens after Miguel's mouth gets the better of him.">>

Mateo snagged the now unattended glasses from the far end of the bar and set them on a tray, shaking his head again.

<<"A siesta indeed. You are a funny sort of man, friend.">>

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

"Lewis Weir," he introduced himself, pronouncing the first name somewhere between "Lewis" and "Luis".

"[You've a very good selection here, Mateo.]" He raised his glass and took an appreciative swig.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

<<"Thank Sebastián for that- he gave me names, I gave the names a series of friendly conversations until they gave me what I wanted. Couldn't have done anything without them.">>

Charricthran rolled his eyes with a huff of laughter.

<<"What is it with you people and giving me all the credit? I gave you one. A single name and the fact she might consider your offer. You did everything else, kid.">>

Mateo laughed and waved Charricthran's protests away, and the latter simply rolled his eyes and went back to sipping his drink with a fond smile.

<<"Regardless, any friend of Sebastián's is a friend of mine, especially when they bring me such quality entertainment.">> Mateo gave Lewis a half-salute and a broad smile. <<"A pleasure to meet you, Lewis.">>

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

"[Likewise, Mateo.]"

A chuckle.

"[It's been some time since I had such fun, be it drinking or brawling]," he confessed with a grin. "[If you want to run a betting pool on me again in either capacity, just let Sebastián know--I'd be more than happy to drop by.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

<<"So long as it's not the two of you together, certainly! I think the whole of Madrid would pay to try and best either of you alone as it is- I don't want to imagine what would happen with the two of you versus the city.">>

Mateo laughed deeply before giving Charricthran a look that was equal parts jesting and hopeful (for the extra cash was always appreciated).

<<"Still, I am sure that Sebastián will be more than willing to oblige for two friends, yes?">>

Charricthran snickered and shook his head in fond exasperation.

<<"Lay it on a little thicker, why don't you? Still, since it's a win for everyone, of course I will.">>

He waved Mateo away when he made to fill Charricthran's empty glass for the second time, unwilling to lower his inhibitions or focus any further than they were already. Mateo simply shrugged and poured himself a glass, the patrons of the bar subdued in the aftermath of all the chaos.

Mateo paused, then grinned as he took a sip of his own sherry.

<<"How did you and Sebastián meet, Lewis? I have always wondered if he's as interesting outside of Madrid as he is within, and, forgive me if I am rude, you do not look as if you are from the area.">>

Charricthran made a face as if he wasn't sure whether to splutter a protest or smirk, the result something wavy and narrow-eyed.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Weir chuckled at Mateo's joke, then sipped his own sherry.

"[I was inquiring after a mutual acquaintance when I chanced to run into him. He was kind enough to tell me where he was and why he wasn't home. We spoke now and again after that, eventually becoming good friends.]"

Another sip.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Mateo gave a little snort, then took a swig of his own.

<<"And so, we find my thought proven correct!">>

<<"Mateo, you didn't even tell us what you thought. You could be lying through your teeth, for all I know!">> came Charricthran's dry response.

Mateo simply grinned wider and took another drink. <<"You can hardly be the 'break someone's knees with a walking stick and set him on fire by sneezing through a candle flame' sort of interesting everywhere you go, naturally.">>

Charricthran snickered, raised an eyebrow, then shrugged lazily.

<<"What can I say? Your drinks bring out the worst in me in the best possible way, I'm sure.">>

Mateo raised an mock-affronted eyebrow of his own, downing the rest of his sherry in one go.

<<"Is that an insult to my drinks? How rude, and just after Lewis was so polite. Perhaps I should get his opinion on the matter, hm?">>

Charricthran simply smiled shrugged again, saying nothing more on the matter.

Mateo sighed, shaking his head.

<<"Unbelievable. And here I thought we were friends!">>

<<"I'm one of the only people willing to put up with you sober, Mateo: By your standards, that does make us friends!">>

The two of them broke into laughter at that, loud and raucous. Conversation from the rest of the patrons started to pick up after that, a fair bit of it grumbling about the noise.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Lewis couldn't help but laugh at their banter, though the story of Mateo and Charricthran's first meeting did sound like an interesting one.

"[How did the two of you meet, if you don't mind my asking?]" asked Weir between swigs of sherry.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Charricthran groaned and buried his face in his hands as Mateo's eyes lit up with a wicked sort of twinkle.

<<"I am so very glad you asked.">>

<<"Tell my family I love them, I'm going to die of embarrassment. You have too much fun telling this story.">>

Mateo shushed Charricthran and thwacked him with the same towel from before.

<<"Let me have my fun! I'm trapped behind this bar for eight hours a day!">>

Charricthran only grumbled in response, his wry smile not quite hidden behind his fingers.

Mateo spread his hands like a magician gesturing to his audience.

<<"Picture this: a warm, late summer's evening, a crowded Pararojo, and a handful of pompous rich fellows hoarding most of the far side of the room, insulting everyone they see and having a jolly time doing so. In walks an absolutely wretched mess of a man, clearly heartbroken, clearly in desperate need of a drink.

<<"I welcome him as a friend and serve him the strongest drink I can make, per his request. Meanwhile, those sons of lords or whatever they were only get worse, to the point where even I'm considering giving them a piece of my mind.

<<"That wretched mess of a man is silent, drinking away as calm as can be while that group gets louder. Eventually, the baron's son and his lot come over and sit down next to him, and they do the best they can to break his silence, poking and prodding and insulting.

<<"Nothing works until they turn their slimy attentions to my dear friend Ursula, who helps me on the busier nights. I'm far too much of a gentleman to repeat what they said to her, but not enough of one to tell what Sebastián did in response!>>

Mateo grinned brighter, his hand gestures growing more and more flamboyant as the story progressed.

<<"Sebastián picks up a nearby cane and prods each of them in the back to get their attention. Once they turned to face him like a bunch of clucking hens, he staggers to his feet and swings the d*mn thing upward like a golf club, and one falls with a shriek that would have better fit a little girl!

<<"From there, a proper brawl ensues- it's all I can do to keep my glasses from being used as weapons, since I hadn't the money to replace them at the time. Sebastián becomes little more than a drunken blur with a cane, bellowing curses to land with each blow.

<<"When the dust settled, it was only Sebastián and the baron's son at the bar, much like how you stood at the end of your brawl. Sebastián was the only one without blood, and the baron's son was squealing like a pig, threatening to turn his father loose on him, saying he was going to get the guards, all that rot.

<<"And you know what he says, this wretched man that I knew not the name of? He says "If your father's anything like you and your friends there, he's a pig. What do I have to fear from pigs, when all they do are squeal?

<<"Naturally, the baron's son takes a great deal of offense on his father's behalf and leaps at Sebastián with murder in his eye. Sebastián, on the other hand, just casually staggers to the side and swings the cane upward, breaking it and the baron's son's knee in one fell swoop.

<<"'See?' He says as the son starts screaming, 'Squealing. That's all any of you pigs do.'

<<"Then he turns, takes one step forward, falls onto a table, and belches, a gout of flame scorching the walls- and one poor soul's eyebrows- as if he were some great dragon. I rush to his side to see if he's not dead from it all, this great dragon, asking for his name and if he is still with us.

<<"He cracks one eye open, responds with a hearty 'Nope!', and passes out on the table. After I had threw the baron's son and his friends out, I put him in the cot I keep in the back for late nights. The baron's son never darkened my bar again, his fierce ego slain by the great dragon Sebastián!">>

Charricthran burst into laughter at the end of Mateo's story, his shoulders shaking with the force of it. Mateo laughed, paused, and then said, <<"Ah, yes, and when he woke up the next morning, he thought that I was his wife- a wife I now know he has never had-, vomited profusely, and then broke my nose when I told him he was in Spain, and not in London as he thought.">>

<<"In my defense... actually, I have nothing. Had nothing either, except for a terrible hangover!">>

Mateo nodded and grinned again. <<"And so, we became fast friends, and no one has ever made me laugh as much since!">>

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

By the end of the tale, Lewis had finished his sherry and wore a grin on his face.

"[That...sounds like a very amusing way to spend an evening. Though your poor nose does have my sympathies.]"

A church-bell began tolling somewhere distant.

"Damn, is that the time?"

He checked his pocket-watch.

Looking from Char to Mateo, he made his apologies. "[I'm afraid I must be going now]," he said, standing. "[It's been a pleasure, truly.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Mateo shrugged at the sympathies, then gave a little half-bow and a grin of his own in response to Lewis' apologies

<<"Likewise, my friend! Now that we have met, and now that we have decided you are ample fun for everyone not on the other end of your fist, be sure to come back as often as you'd like. Sebastián, don't keep the charming man all to yourself, you hear?">>

Charricthran took Lewis' cue and got to his feet, giving a small wave and another wry smile as he said his farewell.

<<"Wouldn't dream of it, Mateo: I'd never be able to get a drink in peace otherwise!">>

Mateo simply laughed, pulling more dirty glasses onto his tray. At the foot of the bar, one of Lewis' fallen foes stirred briefly with a groan, then fell silent once more.

Perfect timin', tha'. Dumb b*stards prob'ly wouldnae survive a round two o' all that.

They strolled back across the Puerta del Sol, back through the whispering Gate, back through the ever-labyrinthine streets of London until the Society loomed in front of them and they had crossed the threshold once more.

Once inside the main hall, Charricthran turned to Lewis and held out his hand, a single shifting, dark black-blue-purple-green feather within.

"Think I owe you one o' these, hm? Try not ta need it too much if ya can help it." he said softly with a smile.

see more

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago

Lewis nodded a goodbye to Mateo and followed Charricthran.

As the fallen foe stirred, Weir found himself glancing over his shoulder with the hint of a hungry look, a small smile playing on his lips.

It faded as the foe slumped back down and went still.

Lewis brought his attention back to following Char out of the Pajarojo and back to London.

Once they were inside the Society, Charricthran offered his feather.

Lewis was about to ask if Char felt he could afford to do so at this juncture, but realized he'd not have offered if he couldn't.

"Thank you," Weir said instead, accepting the gift and putting it safely away. "I'll try not to," he said with a chortle as he patted the pocket wherein he'd placed it.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Tairais  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

"Good good. Shout if ya need-slash-want me an' all- I'm gonna go try an' catch sleep, an' hope it don' last for four days if it sticks. Take care, Weirmrith."

With a wave and a handful of bouncing steps, Charricthran vanished down a hallway at random in search of a shadow sturdy enough to carry him to his attic without too much hassle.

He'd only just enough energy to give Lewis the feather; falling asleep was going to happen whether he wanted it to or not. At the very least, he'd be able to keep himself from wandering into nightmares, what with the alcohol in his system.

He'd deal with the resultant migraine later: The pain was worth seeing Lewis relaxed, especially after the tension he'd heart in his voice.

The thought left Charricthran with a smile as he stepped sideways into the darkness of his attic and slumber alike.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Tairais • a year ago • edited

Weir, meanwhile, went back to his office, feeling much better able to face the rest of the day.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

((Just as a reminder for myself [because I can't keep timelines straight to save my life XDX], this takes place after 'Painting is Discovered' and 'Catt and Helen talk', but before 'Lewis Finally Gets A Break' and 'The Red Death'



Helen stepped out of the workshop less than twenty minutes after she'd entered, having finished her discussion with Catt, and she closed the door quietly behind her.

There was a lot on her mind, and she lingered outside it for some time, attempting to process her thoughts.

That went... okay, I suppose. She decided with a half sigh, half smile, shaking her head.

With that, she set off to find Lewis and relate the conversation to him (he had said he would be in his office, hadn't he?), though she'd made it not six feet from the doorway when the world seemed to suddenly lurch beneath her feet.

She stumbled and froze, arms outstretched to either side.

Good Heavens, what on Earth was--?

Another set of convulsions rattled the very universe around her and she fell to all fours to regain her balance, a pressure beginning to weigh on her mind, building steadily and unrelenting.

She couldn't think now, couldn't move as Time itself seemed to slow so much as to move in reverse, coming to a wobbling standstill.

A sudden BOOM of air being hurtled aside by some explosive force reached Helen's ears and there was a sharp flash of agony that stole into her very essence, then... nothing.

Beyond where the woman laid unconscious on the ground and through the door she had shut, the workshop looked as if a bomb had gone off. Furniture shrapnel, broken tools, and dark stains of what appeared to be soot covered the room entirely, forming a series of roughly shaped rings which centered around some sort of big, brass frame with torn wire mesh strewn about and on it.

The Hatt, her signature accessory, sat on the far side of the blast radius, opposite from where the explosion seemed to have originated and undamaged except for the singe marks that resembled miniature black lightening bolts.

see more

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Just as Helen prepared to set off to find Lewis in his office, Weir jolted upright from his chair with a shiver.

He turned his head in the direction of what felt like a gathering bolt of lightning about to spring into life--

--only for the ground to vibrate under his feet as a BOOM rattled the Society.

Every nerve stood on edge, on fire, as the explosions metaphysical "ripples" passed through him.

Helen!

Panic shot through Lewis even as he took off running like a man possessed, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he sprinted through hallways, dashed down stairs, and rushed right to her side.

A surreal scene lay before him; he took in its details as if from a distance and yet all too painfully close. The entire area felt raw, bleeding, as if a great gash had been torn open, though in his current state he couldn't be sure if that wasn't merely how he felt upon seeing Helen's unmoving form.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Though she remained unaware of her surroundings, the slumber that Helen had fallen into was not a peaceful one, nor was it pleasant.

An endless stream of otherworldly voices spoke in her head, some in soft whispers, others in harsh screams, though even the quietest murmur held the same intensity as a shriek, each adding to the burden that was dragging her down, down, down...

It felt as if she was suffocating within her own mind, trapped in that swirl of words too numbered and alien for her to possibly grasp, unable to even think for the sensation of it.

Upon the floor, Helen furrowed her brow slightly, as if she were merely considering an interesting puzzle rather than suffering from the deep, searing pain that felt as if it was rending her soul in two.

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis checked her vitals, scooped her up, and sprinted away from the ugly scene.

He ran upstairs to the infirmary, laid her down, and held smelling salts under her nose.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Helen recoiled with a grimace from the acidic scent, a half groan escaping her, and she struggled to sit up at once with her eyes barely open.

One hand lifted to feebly nudge aside the bottle, should it near her nose again.

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis helped her into a sitting position but kept the smelling salts handy.

"Helen?"

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Though her shoulders were hunched with weariness, she glanced up without too much delay when she was addressed.

At once, a sweet, if rather tired smile spread across her expression and she nodded once in apparent greeting.

Her eyes, however, had grown darker and calculating in the half-moment before that friendly and sheepish flash of teeth.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Orrr...Helena. Or Helan. Whichever you prefer," he amended his statement, her energy signature her own but...wobbly, for lack of a better word.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She gave a tinkling laugh and half-shrugged in response, seemingly amused by his tone.

Her smile lingered throughout, warm and flattering, even as she swung her legs off the bed to try and stand.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He offered his arm for support or to brace with, as she might need.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She appeared quite pleased by the offer, accepting the hand up and leaning against him when she swayed on her feet.

At the question, she glanced about them quickly before pressing a finger to her lips, gesturing for him to bend down so that she could speak in his ear, her darkened eyes glittering with the promise of a secret.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He considered, then leaned down, keeping an eye on her sidelong.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Ever so gently, she cupped her hands around his ear, moving closer as if to speak into them... only to seize his ear viciously with the hand she knew was out of his peripheral vision and yank with all of her strength in a savage twist, nails cutting into soft flesh.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Hrrngh!" cried Lewis in pain as he flinched.

By sheer reflex, he threw a hard punch at her right nipple. Near-simultaneously, his left hand shot out to grasp the nape of her neck and hold her at a distance, his right winding back for...

...for...

He stopped. Took a breath. And did not close his eyes, which shifted from a deeper, darker green-brown to their typical moss hue.

He exhaled and lowered his right hand, still maintaining his hold with the other.

"Do not do that again."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

A pained yelp escaped her at the blow and she curled an arm over her chest, letting out a steady stream of harsh, guttural sounds. While the words were in no language Weir would know, one could tell easily enough by the tone that there were more than a few choice expletives being used.

When Lewis dropped his fist and warned her, she leveled him with a glare that spoke of a slow, agonizing death and spat out another handful of gruff words that could only be a threat of some sort.

Then, she gave him a sickly-sweet smile and aimed a kick at the inside of his shin.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis opted to take the kick, gritting his teeth when it impacted him but otherwise staying as he was...save for his grip, which tightened around her neck.

A sigh through gritted teeth.

"I'll grant you, you did try something different," he acknowledged, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.

"Kindly do not hurt me again. I cannot guarantee my next response will be a calm one."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Her eyes flickered in triumphant at the sound of the second warning, clearly taking his waning patience as a good sign, despite the added pressure at her neck.

So, it was really no surprise when that same sort of kick came at his leg once more, as if she was trying to be a pest.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He increased the pressure on her neck to the point that she passed out.

This done, he placed her on the bed once more.

He pulled out the smelling salts...and thought better of it, pocketing them.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

By the time she realized what Lewis was doing, it was too late.

Unconsciousness rushed to meet her as the supply of oxygen to her brain was cut off, along with that same all-consuming torment that seemed to claw and shred her soul into pieces.

Helen was drowning again in a sea of voices more powerful than her own.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

And now she's in distress again--bloody brilliant! he chastised himself as her soul cried out in pain.

Hastily, he re-administered the smelling salts.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She tipped her head up and away from the burning smell as she woke, wincing with a rather dazed look in her eyes.

This time, she didn’t try and sit up, merely passively watching Weir move above her.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Apologies," he offered as he put away the smelling salts.

"Are you able to speak?"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She seemed to be drifting somewhere between amusement and confusion at his apology, both becoming even more apparent when a question followed it.

With a rueful grin tugging on her lips, she spread her arms in a rather helpless gesture, responding with a series of odd chirps and bouncing syllables that seemed to say ‘Sorry bud, I’ve no idea what you’re trying to tell me’.

Evidently, she found their language barrier rather entertaining.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Lewis found it rather tiresome, but was glad she at least wasn't trying to attack him...yet.

He decided to test whether she would by offering his hand.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She accepted the help up without hesitation, sliding to her feet with steps soft and light as a cat’s.

Though Helen was over half a foot shorter than Weir, she held herself with a confidence that spoke of a superior height she simply didn’t have.

Quirking her head, she observed Lewis curiously, awaiting his next move.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Lewis motioned for her to come with him, and offered his arm for her to take as they walked.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

A soft smile broke across her features and she stepped forward, placing one palm gently on his forearm as she reached to take his hand in her own.

In the instant before her skin touched his, however, she snaked her foot around his ankle and tugged it off-balance, simultaneously shoving against his upper arm with the full intent to topple him over.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

Weir instinctively grabbed onto her to try to keep himself from falling, but to no avail--they both toppled to the floor, Lewis landing on his left side and his patient on her right.

"Bloody Hell!" he exclaimed as they hit the hard tile.

His hand snaked from her waist to her chest as he used it and his free foot to shove her away.

"Cut it out!"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Using the momentum of his push, she log-rolled back and sprang to her feet in a quick motion, seemingly unperturbed by his shout as she shifted into a defensive stance.

Now she was smirking at him despite the soreness of her side, a challenge glinting in her eyes.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Already vertical himself, Weir met her gaze.

"Do not push me," he warned her. For all the good saying that'll do.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She chuckled low in her throat, her lips twitching wider, and she dropped the stance.

With long, smooth strides, she approached, standing before him with a tilt to her head as she gauged his reaction.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He stood his ground, staring right back, assessing hers.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Seeming satisfied by his response, she raised her hand and waved slightly to ensure he was watching it, then slowly reached for the ear she’d attacked before.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He kept his gaze locked with hers and did not budge.

"Do not." It was the last warning he would give.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She paused, though she hadn’t done so before, studying his expression...before proceeding to simply continue the motion.

Her fingers brushed lightly over the skin of his ear with hardly anymore pressure than a sigh, painstakingly gentle.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"Kindly keep it gentle, and we'll be fine."

He still held her gaze.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She offered him a honeyed smile, shifting her hand to press now against his side that had slammed into the tile floor when they both fell. After that, she dropped her hand and touched the very tip of the toe of her shoe to where she’d kicked him prior. In both instances, she took great care not to cause him pain.

Finally, using her thumb, she slowly traced an “X” onto the center of Weir’s throat and said to herself with a chuckle, “Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid - le X marque le prochain bâton.”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

He raised an eyebrow.

"Sois sage, petit oiseau. Vous parlez à un chien fidèle, mais le loup attend."

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

“[Ah, so the dog can speak, wonderful.]”

She smiled again and rested her palm horizontally against his neck.

“[I think I’d prefer the wolf—At least the two of us would see eye to eye... Surely you’ve heard of ravens and wolves living in tandem? Such a beast won’t frighten me.]”

Her fingers curled lightly around his throat.

“[And for one supposedly faithful, you’ve put up quite the fight.]”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"[I said 'dog', not 'worm']," quipped Lewis. "[You can thank my faithfulness for the fact you're still breathing.]

"[And--trust me--you don't want an angry wolf right now. Things have gone to shit and continue to. I don't want to--]"

He stopped, caught himself, and laughed.

"Aheheh. [I should say 'I would later regret it if I were to' take out my frustrations on you]," he corrected himself. "[Part of me would very much like to, in truth. But you'd not survive it if I stopped holding myself back right now, given the amount of stress that's built up. And I would like you to live, despite your causing me trouble.]

"[Be warned, however, that if you pull something again, I will knock you unconscious, and you'll be right back in the Hell you so recently awoke from. A Hell which, by the by, you can blame on your friend, Catt. I don't know what she did nor why it's affecting you, but this faithful dog is the one who found you and revived you--twice. I'll not do it thrice.]"

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Would you look at that, self-control, self-worth, and honesty.

...

I wonder if he’s any good on a ship.

She released him once he’d finished, a new touch of respect in her gaze.

“[You speak fairly enough—Had I known you were a man of reason, I likely wouldn’t have tried to remove a chunk of your ear.]”

A chuckle.

“[Now, while I can’t promise I won’t try anything later on... Do know that I understand your terms.]”

“[So, if you find me finishing that nest of mine,]” She tipped her head to his neck, “[It won’t be because I don’t understand what may happen.]”

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

A chuckle.

"[It's because I am a man of reason that I've not removed a chunk of your nose with my teeth]," he admitted openly.

She spoke further.

"[Duly noted]," he said with a smile that bordered on a smirk.

"[Do you care to see the place I found you?]" he wondered aloud.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She laughed at his comment, her expression turning quite mischievous.

I would love to see you try—and if you succeeded, I’d make you regret it, She thought cheerily enough, though she didn’t voice it.

“[A tour would be stupendous, my good sir, provided it’s to neither a jail cell nor cliffside.]”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

Weir paused.

"[Do you not recognize me?]" he asked.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

((Disqus strikes again!))

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Tilting her head to the side, she studied him carefully for a long moment, gaze drifting from his head to his feet then back again.

“[Should I?]”

Sorry pal, if we met over drinks someplace, there’s no chance in Hell I’m gonna recall that.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"[I should say so!]" exclaimed Lewis, rather taken aback--her comment had wounded him more than any blow ever could. "[Do you honestly not--?]" he cut himself off and shook his head.

"[What do you remember?]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She half raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, taking a step back.

“[I’ve enough stories and memories to a fill a library or two—you’re going to have to be a bit more specific than that, or it’ll be a month before I’m through with even the synopsis.]”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

"[Do you...do you remember falling through the painting? Or meeting Elaina? Becoming friends with Catt? Our first meeting, with Lanyon there? The dinner at Sutton's? The trip to Glasgow? Moriarty? Last Halloween? Lepus? Anything?]" He tried to keep his tone neutral, not entirely successfully--concern and a hint of desperation crept in by the end.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“[None of that sounds familiar to me, but I can assure you, my head is far from empty of recollections.]”

Her response was slow and cautious as she noticed he seemed to be growing upset.

“[Have you considered the possibility that you may be confusing me for someone else?]”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago

A disturbing thought occurred to him.

"[Just a moment.]"

He went and quickly fetched a hand mirror from one of the infirmary drawers.

"[Here]," he said, proffering it to her. "[Tell me if you look as you think you ought.]"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

She paused, then took the mirror from him carefully, keeping her gaze on him as she did so.

Then, she glanced to the reflective surface and blinked in surprise.

“[Ah.]”

Reaching her free hand to touch her cheek, she muttered in the same guttural tones she’d used before, seeming to forget Lewis for the moment.

“[I can’t say that I do,]” She finally replied with a mirthless chuckle and shake of her head, tearing her gaze away from the stranger her reflection, “[Which I’m sure raises quite a few questions, but I can say with near absolute certainty... this probably wasn’t my fault.]”

...Even if most things usually are, somehow.

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"[Damn.]"

It's far worse than I thought.

Where...where is my Hela? My Helen?

My girl...

Bewildered, he felt a pressure, an ache creep into his chest, as if someone held his heart in their hands and twisted.

No. Nonononononono.

His mind was racing, threatening to tip from worry to panic to the beginnings of grief.

Has everything we've been through together all come to naught? Is she torn from me forever, her body inhabited by a stranger at the whim of--of...

...of...

...

His eyes darkened as realization dawned.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

She regarded him warily, approaching only a step or two as one would move towards a wild animal, her hands held out in attempt to calm him.

“[Easy there, buddy. I’m sure we can get this sorted out.]”

Her voice was soft and gentle despite her growing unease.

I really don’t want to find out if the best I can do is repaying some damage before you manage to snuff me out.

3

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Damn straight we will," came the low voice--more a growl than anything--more to himself than to her.

He didn't bother to translate as he suddenly dashed out the infirmary, brushing by her so dizzyingly swiftly she could feel a brief breeze in his wake.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

With a grimace, she glanced behind her to watch him speed off.

That could’ve gone so much better...

...

Ah, well... best to stick with the devil I somewhat know, rather than wait here.

Setting off with a loping stride, she sought to follow Weir and close the distance that had built between them during her moment of thought.

Hopefully that last comment of his wasn’t him telling me to go away...

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He returned to Catt's workshop--to his mind, the scene of the crime, of the egregious wrong committed by fate or--more accurately--"godlings", as he called them.

He called one now.

"AUTHOR!" he bellowed, the shout so loud it nearly vibrated the walls and could be heard on several floors. He picked up the Hatt, clenching it in his fist as he shook with fury. "Get your bloody arse down here! NOW!"

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

As she was only a short ways down the hallway, she heard his voice loud and clear, another grimace flitting across her expression.

I don’t think that’s a good sign in any language.

She continued forward at a brisk walk, though her steps began to falter as she drew closer to the room Lewis had entered.

What was she doing? Where was she? Who was she?

Strange voices in her head strove to answer the questions, but in tongues she couldn’t understand, each too soft to hear or so loud it made her want to cry out.

Dizziness pressed heavily against the back of her eyes as she clamped her hands over her ears and, nearly upon the doorstep to Cat’s workshop, she wobbled and slumped into unconsciousness with only a soft thump.

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

He turned at the sound, ears pricked; he bore only the barest outer resemblance to the Lewis she normally knew.

His heart sank to his boots as he beheld her listless form.

"IF YOU'VE HURT HER I WILL BLOODY WELL KILL YOU--DIMENSIONS BE DAMNED!" he roared at the sky, veins bulging from his neck, the Hatt forgotten as he rushed to her side.

He scooped her up, dashed back in the workshop, and laid her on the nearest available surface.

"Hela? Helen? Hela?" he half asked, half cried as he felt for her pulse, listened for her heartbeat, too distressed to get a proper read on her energy.

Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

With trembling hands, he tried the smelling salts one. More. Time.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago • edited

Her heartbeat and pulse continued quite steadily, nearly recovered from the fainting spell already.

The pungent odor revived her once more, and she woke with a soft groan, trying to sit up.

Then, her gaze focused on Weir and she froze, surprise plain in her expression.

Oh dear, just look at him... what in Heaven’s name happened?

“Lewis...” Helen reached to touch his cheek, concern furrowing her brow and shinning in her eyes. “Are... you alright?”

2

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

His eyes widened as she sat up.

She's alive she'saliveshe'salive!

But who is she?

She spoke. Touched him.

Relief and joy swelled in his heart and he half gasped, half sobbed as he took her in his embrace, holding fast, not daring to let go for dear life, lest fate suddenly wrest her away!

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

Helen exhaled quickly at his sudden embrace, but wrapped her arms around him in return just as fast, her heart aching at the sight of him like this.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay. I’m alright, Lewis. I’m here.” She assured him, rubbing his back in slow, gentle circles.

“Everything will be alright, I’m well and with you now, you’ve no need to fear.”

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Oh Helen! I thought I might've lost you!" he managed to get out, voice breaking on "lost", frame atremble. Unbidden, tears wet his cheeks.

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“I...”

Helen pulled back slightly, staring at him with a pained expression of worry.

“God Lewis, what happened?” She asked, then changed her mind, “No—never mind that, you don’t have to speak of it if you don’t wish to.”

“What’s important is that I’m in perfectly good health, and I won’t be leaving you anytime soon.”

She brushed the tears from his face, then squeezed him lightly once more.

“It’s alright now, Lewis, it truly is.” And if it doesn’t stay that way, I’ll make it alright.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"There--there was a stranger in your body! A bloody--another--

"Oh God, Helen! You talked to Catt and then you weren't you--nor Hela neither!" he exclaimed. He breathing was a little steadier and the tears slowed, but he was hardly less agitated, his eyes wild and haunted.

Belatedly, he remembered to try to take a few breaths to calm himself, though they sounded more like the pants of an animal recovering from a run for its life.

1

•Share ›

Avatar

Helen Jekyll  Jekyll1886 • a year ago

“...Oh dear...”

Her voice grew quiet at this new information, though she continued to try and console him with her embrace and soft touch.

The last thing she could recall was the world lurching and buckling about her, her vision fading, and then the biting agony that sank into the very core of her being as voices babbled and yelled and whispered about her.

“I... I’m afraid I can only remember very little from after my talk with Catt... and nothing of that nature, really, though...”

She hesitated, then shut her eyes.

“There were these... other voices, in my head... and pain...”

2

•Share ›

−

Avatar

Jekyll1886  Helen Jekyll • a year ago • edited

"Oh God," he said softly, his fingertips coming up to cover his mouth in horror.

He looked about them, at the ruined workshop, at Helen before him...and wondered when it would all come crashing down again. When the whim of powers beyond his ken would take her again, or put her through a world of pain.

"We need to go," he said hurriedly. "Quickly, before things go awry again."

Without another word, he scooped her up as if she were a bride or princess and bolted out of the Society, as fiercely protective and fearful as a mother with her babe.

He did not stop until he reached his flat, which he knew Malemi had warded to escape the notice of other Beasts. He could only hope they were similar enough to godlings that it would work against the latter, too.

He set Helen on the sofa and rushed to the door, locking and bolting it.

Only then did he allow himself to slump to the floor, worry and anxiety having taken far more out of him than any physical exertion.

1

•Share ›