Scientific Curiosity

[Storyteller]

Every
"You know, I never said you can imprint your *** on my couch. Don't you ever rotate spots, or turn the cushions around?" Every asked, her hand pressing firmly against her shoulder. Behind her, the dwelling door shut with a thud and sealed off the damp smell of fungi that she'd become accustomed to. After returning her tome to Micah to the Eyrie, it was simply easier to stay close to Gullsborough; the dwelling had similar decor and held a familiarity that she preferred. "I'm going to start charging you rent." She teased.

Mayhem
turned his head to glance at her with a cheeky grin and a shrug, "I can't help it, I feel comfortable around you, Eevee. I spent time hanging around that Internet Cafe; but, some lunatic kept throwing me because he couldn't keep his hands off my hot bod when we don't even know each other! You were worried for me to, weren't you?" He batted his long eyelashes over those large bambi brown eyes. "That's why now I can't go outside. At all. Ever again." Or so he says, but, that was a life if all. Dante would force him to at least attend business meetings. And Every would surely force him to at least go see his businesses now and then so Dante wouldn't be doing everything by himself. This woman, rude. She definitely respected that thrall more than she respected his master. "You look worn out today too?"

Every
"Rudy." She said, having checked through his memories the first time it had been mentioned. "He's a Worthington, like us. If I remember right, he was always in the Bait and Tackle shop where I like to go fishing." A roll of her eyes were evident at his dramatics. "Well, unlike you who sit inside all day, I go out and about." Every lifted her hand, wiggling red fingers at him. "I stepped in a poison trap and turret. Missed one, got hit with the other because I was distracted and didn't see it." As she spoke, the wound was healed. "How's the tinkering going?"

Mayhem
blinked, "I don't care who he is, he just needs to stop getting handsy. At least buy me a drink first, yanno? I'm not that kinda guy. I want names before someone starts putting their hands all over me." Jayd wiggled his eyebrows at her. Oh yes, he was being dramatic with the jokes. But, that's what Eve enjoyed about him, usually. Jayd was good for making the mood lax if nothing else. "Want me to get the first aid kit? The tinkering is the same as always. It's kind of just ... Cathartic for me. Been doing it so long, I could do it with my eyes shut." He patted the spot on the couch next to him for her.

Every
"No, I healed it." A roll of her shoulder followed, showing just that. "You'll have to suggest to him a drink before getting handsy. I don't do messaging." She smirked, her lips twitching in amusement before giving a shake of her head. "Did you make a new creature today?" She asked, lifting her eyebrow briefly before moving to take a seat on the couch. "Hacking, killing things. Those could be cathartic too."

Mayhem
nodded to her response about having healed it. Eyes following her. He snickered at her joke of messages, giving a roll of his eyes. No thanks. To her question about a creature, he shook his head, "Nah, not really. Just making the same old, same old to replenish the store stock." Which is to say, more of the regulars like a cat or a dog just with a different fur design or eye color this time compared to a special order. "I spend my time doing that first one too." He grinned, cheekily. That was such good behavior for a business owner that should be well behaved for the public. Lord if that ever was found, he had a hobby of hacking. "Killing, I'll leave to you."

Every
Every could only give a shake of her head. It didn't make any sense, his aversion to killing things. In Harper Rock, there were many multiple creatures that someone with a decent rifle and sword could kill. "You know, it will not hurt you to learn to defend yourself, Jayden. Even if you and Dante go shoot creatures to sell their ears. Guns are simple, you just point and shoot. Use a power like deadeye, and you can't miss." Her eyebrow lifted, her leg lifting to be tucked underneath herself. "I'll even get you a little one, nothing massive like I carry."

Mayhem
shrugged, "You've already gotten me weapons. I dumped them on Dante. He doesn't mind murdering. You remember the kind of life he had to live." Jayd had told her given Dante said he didn't mind Every knowing. "But I don't like that kind of thing and even if he says it doeesn't phase him, I don't see any reason to have him still living that kind of life when he works for someone like me... Besides." He gave her his dopey, half grin. "Why do I need to learn how to do that kind of stuff when I'll always have you?"

Every
"Yeah, Locryn is around again." Using her nail, she began to clean out from underneath her other nail. "It isn't murdering, Jayd, when their souls cannot return back to their bodies. They aren't like a Romero movie where you get bit and die. They die from any particular cause, they get back up." She gave a soft shake of her head. "Because, even if I can summon you at moments notice, it doesn't hurt to learn. Besides, you should get out and try to gain some physical tone. It's not like I'm asking you to go out and dance."

Mayhem
snickered, "Dancing would be preferable. We could cut a rug." He leaned over to peck an affectionate, brotherly kiss to her cheek, "But, sure, sure, maybe one of these days, I'll treat it like a Resident Evil game and go shoot some of the living dead, raaargh." He gave her a teasing, goofy grin. "So, putting aside my oh so necessary need to get out ---which you've been hounding me for years. Want to give me another update on your going ons?"

Every
"I have to fight with you to do that, too." She pointed out. "You don't leave the house with the exception of business meetings. And that is because I have to threaten you with physical harm as does Dante." The sigh escaped past her lips. She shifted her weight. "You'll cave eventually." A smirk lifted against the curve of her lips while she waited momentarily. "I'm gonna start summoning you at random." Every then shrugged her shoulder. "What's there to say? Velveteen removed me from Tytonidae, I'm trying to figure out what steps to take next. There's an ancient vampire wandering around the Quarantine zone supposedly, to whom I aided by extension to be released." There was a list of things to go.

Mayhem
shrugged, "Well, we've got our own **** to do. We're adults with lives to run. You'll fill your time up even without. And we can always harass dad." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively; before, tilting his head in contemplation, "An ancient vampire on the lose in the QZ, huh? Be still my heart, you do care about me! I love getting to learn new things, I just might go out after all to go poke around there." Was he actually stupid enough to do that? Probably not. Was he that curious a person? Definitely. He loved to study and tinker and figure out how things worked and solve the riddle and mystery of things.

Every
"You know, hearing you call him dad is still creepy." Every crinkled her nose a bit. Her foot bounced at the mention of their **** to do, a nod being given. She hadn't forgotten - the plans had been in motion and she wouldn't admit that she felt somewhat better about being removed from the faction. Tytonidae had been gone for so long, the city had evolved. Changes had been made, as reluctant as it was to be said sometimes. "Yes, Theodosia. You remember what I told you right?" She knew he had issues with telepaths. "I could still show you her past."

Mayhem
listened in with an amused expression, nodding at her question; before his face and body visibly tensed her offer. It took an audible release of air that, while it was true vampires didn't need it, Jayd's psyche needed it to stay composed at the idea of a telepathic invasion, "...Yeah, go for it." Telepathic invasions drove him up the wall; but, his curiosity was enough to make it tolerable, especially with it being Eve and the fact she actually had the courtesy to request instead of just invading his mind.

Every
She was a bit surprised, to say the least. The offer had been open for months, and Jayden had always declined. "Just a warning... you're going to see, hear and feel everything I did." Even though he had agreed, Every knew he hadn't experienced death. He hadn't felt the bullets graze his flesh like she had, nor the shock of it all. The pain wasn't pleasant, but Every's memory was always clear. "If you want, too, you can always see Lea's version of it, too." Memories, she knew could be adjusted - but there were different sides of the story. "It'll start from the beginning." As she spoke, Every reached out mentally as if she were to use mindspeak. It started with the key in her hand, as she was sitting on the same couch they were presently.

Mayhem
shoved what had priorily been in his lap off and onto the floor at his feet carefully so he wouldn't end up throwing it off in the process later, preparing by grabbing at his knees and bring his legs up to sit indian style. Shutting his eyes to focus on the process and keep calm through it, with a low hum of response, "..Mmm, yeah, you can... have me see that later..." He wasn't trying to sound so distracted; but, as she could very well guess... It was a bit disorienting for him.

Every
"I'll ask her to stop by, sometime." She said distractedly before she reached over to set her hand on his shoulder. It was an effort of reassurance that he would be safe, that nothing would hurt him in the present and that it was just a memory.

Mayhem
offered up a small, strained smile compared to his usual goofy half grin. But it was still a smile nonetheless to show that he was fine. Most of the faces he recognized to varying degrees in this memory. Some he did not. Though, the more important factor weren't the people but the situation that was being presented... "...Sounds great..."

Every
"You see why I was a little aggravated after the week I spent in the shadow realm." She frowned. It would play out like a movie set in surround sound. She knew the time period was important, but Every made sure to focus on important pieces. The ancients memories - shown to them like quick clips - in particular as she knew them to be important to him. He would hear the telepathic messages between the women, where silence filled the video footage that others refused to hear the conversations. The debate.

Mayhem
offered her up another weak smile, trying to crack a joke about the situation to ease it, "...For an old lady, she wasn't bad lookin'." He sighed, "Yeah, I can see your aggravation... A bunch of this situation was... pointless violence when proper protocal for scientific exploration should have been in place to handle such an uneasy situation..." He gave an uneasy flinch, "But I guess that's just my pacifist nature talking when everyone else would rather think with their guns than their brains."

Every
A shrug of her shoulder was given. "It wasn't even just the pointless violence. We had no tangible evidence that the shadow realm reached down that far and even then, you shoot and kill ancient vampire, you piss off said ancient vampire and have it come haunt your *** for eternity." Every rolled her eyes. "Micah and Velveteen agreed with Ariadne. The one who shot at the mummy." As she stood up, the petite shadow made her way to the kitchen. It didn't take long for her to collect a can of Mountain Dew for Jayden and poured a glass of blood for herself. "I'm not even going to bother showing you that, but essentially, I did wrong." A shake of her head was given afterwards while she returned back to the couch, offering him the drink. "Honestly, looking at it, I'd change methods but I don't know what I'd do still. I got information out of her, and I hope she keeps to it." Every frowned, "Do you remember the Administrator? The guy who set the CrowNet after Crow fell?"

Mayhem
furrowed his eyebrows in something akin to a glare. He knew that it was more than just the violence. But, that was always admittedly the first fault of stupidity he'd point out in the behavior of the people around here. "They were wrong. Making any kinds of moves before you have a good look at your playing field is a folly that only those who want to fall will commence with. Of course, you're right to not trust that old lady all the way; but, ..." He sighed and took the drink lifting it up in a silent thanks, not even going to continue on with that tyrade of thought. They both knew when Jayd had a tangent of thought it could go on for awhile. "Yeah?"

Every
Another shrug. It stated the extent of her opinion, really. She didn't particularly care for the violence - after all, Every had been fully prepared to have her gun in hand within moments. She hadn't trusted Theodosia, but there hadn't been as significant as damage to the city as one had believed. Compared to everything else, it had been rather tame in the city. There hadn't been paladin arriving at every door. Rumors were simply rumors, people who claimed the government would bomb the town were delusional and likely quick to wear tin foil hats. "He's connected to her somehow - at least I suspect it. As is Bancroft's master, that one I know for sure. I don't know how, but I suspect lineage. Appraising her - she gave me a headache, Lea too. But I could sense the different auras."

Mayhem
nodded, "This is... interesting. It really needs to be mapped out. All the little details need to be noted down... And even if she is a crazy old lady, she's the crazy old lady with a lot of hidden knowledge. While things should have gone differently... You did great, Eevee. It's more stupid to make enemies out of people that you can stud--- I mean learn from." He totally wasn't going to say study like the ancient was something he could tinker with.

Every
The shadow sighed. "She is not a science experiment and chances are she'd flatten you before she'd flatten me." Reaching over, she smacked him upside the head before mentally reaching out to Amalea telepathically. 'I shared the information with a friend of mine - Jayden. He said he'd be interested in hearing your side of the story.' The words were soft, as all her telepathics were.

Amalea
The red-head eyed the Hildr as it moved towards her; her sword swung in a circle in her hand as she waited for it to amble closer. The soft telepathic was unexpected bringing a momentary frown to Amalea's lips as she quickly dispatched the critter before her. Of course. The two should be told together, no? Your place, I presume? Her reply was equally soft as her sword was wiped and returned to its rightful place. She started heading for the closest transit as she awaited the reply.

Mayhem
whined, rubbing his head. Though it was all just playful dramatics as it always ways, "I know she's not a science experiment! Besides, for all you know, she could meet me, be enchanted by my boyish charms, and the world of answers would be opened to us. People like me usually." He wiggled his brows.

Every
"...You expect the best, as always. Such an optimist." The shadow gave a shake of her head, stretching out her leg before she took a drink of her blood. As Amalea answered her, Every replied, "Yes. We're in the dwelling. Doors open to you." To Jayden, she said, "Lea's on her way. Please don't embarrass me."

Amalea
On my way, she replied quickly as she stepped onto the proper train given it had just pulled into the station; its timing was impeccable. Hopping off at the correct station, she made her way to Eve's place and let herself in. "Hello," she called lightly as she closed the door behind her, locking it out of habit.

Mayhem
chuckled, sipping his Mtn Dew. "Is it optimism, is it really? I grow on people." Which really meant, they both knew he was just full of **** and made a joke or sarcasm out of everything. "I'll be on my best behavior." Which was in and of itself a joke. Though, for the time behind he'd be well behaved. Because he'd settle for glancing at the woman when she came in and giving her one of his general half grins and a wave. "I believe I know you from a dream, you're perfect." Well, there went the behaving. He was cracking jokes about the memories Eve showed him. Of course, he'd also vaguely seen the woman at social functions before, but there were so many faces in a city. Still, that wouldn't negate the smack he'd receive.

Every
Her expression showed her grimace before her body did. "I'm not responsible for him." She thought to the red head before reaching out and twisting Jayden's ear. "What did I say about embarrassing me?" She sighed, "Excuse him. He is a child at heart. Lea, meet Jayden. Jayd, this is Amalea. I will not protect you if you irritate her and she slaps you." Every warned. But then gave a shake of her head, "She's able to project her memories due to my ability. So, you'll be experiencing it first hand once again."

Amalea
An eyebrow raised at the comment from whom she assumed was Jayden. It wasn't the first cheesy line the red head had heard and likely wasn't to be the last either. Inwardly, she had to give him a bit of credit; it was one she hadn't heard yet. "No worries, she thought back with a mental chuckle. Amalea smiled politely as introductions were made, "Nice to meet you." She laughed softly as she feigned being offended, "Moi? Slap someone?"

Mayhem
winced, though it was more for show than anything. Despite how much Eve wanted to beat him sometimes. She was rather gentle with him in comparison to how she was with dealing with others. And Jayd just had the tendency to play at being a kicked puppy, "Sorry! Yeesh." He grinned, that dopey half grin of his in both apology and greeting at Amalea, "Nice to meet you." Though the grin didn't hold for long though he tried to keep it up. The thought of another telepathic encounter was visibly tightening his body, despite the attempts to keep a friendly demeanor on his face. He chugged down the rest of his Mtn Dew like it were a beer to get ready for a wild ride.

Every
She muttered something under her breath that would sound similar to drama queen under her breath before she gave a small smile, despite herself. She was clearly relaxed in her dwelling, surrounded by people she trusted and cared for. "Yes you. You're as pft as I am when it comes to some stuff. You just hide it better." A smirk graced Every's lips before returning it back to her usual expression. "Jayd's got nerves when it comes to telepath powers - long story, I'll tell you another day. But he knows this is the best way we can show it and explain the whole thing. Plus, it'd be good for him to see what happened after Locryn and my own memory slipped."

Amalea
Amalea flopped on the open spot on the couch as she listened to Eve banter with Jayden. A nod was given to the comment about the male's nervousness with telepathic powers; it was something she could understand given the nature of the powers. She certainly agreed with it being the best way to show another. Body cams be damned. "Absolutely. Where should I start?"

Mayhem
nudged Eve; but, pat a hand on her leg before turning a smile at Lea. Scratching at the back of his neck, unknowingly, in one of his tell-tale anxiety habits. Though, all things considered, he was a lot calmer than he'd usually be. That could be accounted to the fact he was in a safe environment; and, if Eve trusted her, he would to. "From the beginning is fine. Its always good to see things in different perspectives."

Every
Every considered breaking out a few shots for the allurist - then decided otherwise. She was very fond of the rug that Velveteen had given her when the woman decorated her place and it was one of the places she'd brought from the Eyrie. A twist of her head looked towards the owl imprint on her doormat - that, she supposed, would have to go eventually, however. "That's where I started. You'll be glad to know he agrees with us regarding you know who." As she got up that time, Every headed into the kitchen once more to replenish her blood and grab Jayden another soda. Ever the hostess, she paused to pour Lea a glass of wine before returning to the others, and then setting their respected drinks in front of them. "Just remember, Jayd. They're memories." She said, eyeing him. "If you need to her to stop, tell her. Deep breaths." After returning to the kitchen briefly, Every chose to sit down on one of the bean bag chair's she'd added to her collection.

Amalea
The red-head nodded quietly at Jayd's comment. Well, the beginning of the situation at hand, anyway. "You mean she-who-shall-not-be-named?" she queried in a light tease. Settling back, she let her mind wander as Every headed into the kitchen, organizing her thoughts. A grateful smile was given to the shadow as she set a glass of wine before her. Turning to Jayd, she gave him a small, reassuring smile, "I've only done this a handful of times, but everyone's survived." She paused a moment, her nose crinkling lightly, "In order to understand some of what occurs, especially after the actual meeting of the ancient, it'd likely be helpful if you knew Doc was my biological father."

Mayhem
looked like a rabbit staring at a fox at her joke; before, his face broke into a bemused and amused grin. He'd have to crinkle his nose in response to that statment though, ".... You have my condolences." He did not like Doc after what the other had done to Satine. Not that he'd hold it against her for being born to the man.

Every
"We all have family members we don't like or desire." Every commented, "I mean... my cousin stripped down to his birthday suit at his own event." She suppressed a grimace. The thought of Grace briefly went through her mind before it was shoved out of the corner. Crossing one leg underneath herself, Every ran a finger over the rim of her cup. It was times like this that she'd wished she'd been able to collect her key from the door before she'd left. There were pictures, of course, but it didn't really show the age of anything even if they had memories straight from the source. A brief shudder rolled through her spine as she recalled the slaughter before she took a drink.

Amalea
"Thanks..." The red-head sighed softly as she reached forward to nab the wine glass. "True that." Her nose wrinkled again, "I remember that. That was definitely an experience I have no interest in repeating." She took a sip as she watched the pair for a couple moments. Setting her glass down, she looked at Jayd, "Don't hesitate to call time out as Eve said. It might be... intense. It all started with hunting in the Labyrinth." Reaching out, she let the memories flow as if they were words being sent by mindspeaking. She started with the moment she found the key. Her disbelief at finding one of those precious artifacts. Her excitement to show Doc and Az. Of being pulled from her teleport back to the Labyrinth and to that mysterious door. How Ari and Eve both moved in front of her. How their discussion with Theodosia went complete with all the images she showed them. Her anxiety and disbelief at the reactions of the others.

Mayhem
shook his head at her re-emphasis of Eve's time out warning. He's the one that wanted to let his curiosity be sated. He'd stomach it all. "... It's fine. Just... A surreal feeling. Allurist and all, yanno? I think." That is what Eve's called him before, if he recalls right. Not that that actually has anything to do with sensitivity to said emotions Allurist tend to have, it more so dwells on his tendency to get overloaded by them.




------------------------------
This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the location omitted area. Participants and rewards were: Every earned 2906 RPP. Mayhem earned 2643 RPP. Amalea earned 902 RPP.