Bones, Tomes & Metronome (Ariadne/Zodiac/Invite)

[Psyche]

He'd been at it for weeks now. The lithe ink covered man, looking like he was permanently celebrating Dia de Muertos....and in someways perhaps was, ran his fingers over the screen of the computer in his apartment as he viewed the varying local news articles. The screen routinely lit the dark room only to go momentarily dark as he slide to another article. It never took long to gather data when one has an eidetic memory. However, there was the subject of who was reporting on the incident that blurred the lines, and he wasn't going to find every angle of what actually occurred from out the mouths of humans. This was certainly a valid piece of the puzzle to know what the human interest was, but he needed alternative information.

Ari had been ... gone herself for a time, so she wasn't going to be able to spin up everything, though he'd made sure to get what info from her that he could. Admittedly, Psy didn't have many contacts left around who were awake, and he dare not go knocking randomly on doors around the Eyrie, lest he wake someone or ... disturb them. Yeah. No top floor.

The skeletal man pressed his finger to the power button as he stood, watching as the screen dimmed to black, as he sometimes wished he could just do himself and be done with some of this town's god awful predicaments. He had done enough of the meditating for now, though. Years within the plane of thought, simply existing and experiencing. Psy just shook his head and headed over to his closet, a wide grin spreading across his skeletal face. He couldn't very well go visiting his sibling in streetwear. No, she was a beautiful creature and it gave him opportunity to splash some flare. Besides, Ari always dressed so spectacularly, as well. Thumbing through the outfits, nothing came to mind off the top of his head.

Well....only one way to settle this. Fashion show! Breaking the fourth wall! FASHION!

There's a brand new dance but I don't know its name
That people from bad homes do again and again
It's big and it's bland full of tension and fear
They do it over there but we don't do it here

Fashion!

Turn to the left!

Fashion!
Turn to the right
Oooh, fashion!
We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
Beep-beep Beep-beep!

......


Yes. This outfit would work. Not too flashy, not too...I'm gonna run you over with my bike. Tossing in the last pair of leather wing-tipped shoes, he closed up the closet after and adjusted his jacket. Before exiting out the door of his apartment, he opened his top desk drawer and pulled out some of his specially grown signature 'Dank'. It grew beautifully in the dark, dank environment of his underground abode; and he knew Gypsy Lady would appreciate the gesture. Turning off the lights, he closed his door and started his way across the rope bridges to Ari's apartment.

Quoted lyrics from David Bowie - Fashion

[Ariadne]

Branched from the larger tree wound their way into her hut, cutting across the living areas and acting as support beams for the structure as a whole. The floor of the main room was covered in low set furniture, pillows, and various books and bits of technology. Sitting in the middle of this unusual nest, legs crossed, one hand on a knee and the other on a closed laptop, sat Ariadne, still and silent as if meditating.


The world in her head was in stark contrast to the more natural forms around her. In the stillness of her meditation, she allowed herself to slip into her network, untethered by modems, routers, or wifi. Free of the restraints of the physical world, her tools spread out before her in an endless series of virtual monitors, scripts, and codes. It was beautiful to her, all of the data and information she could desire... if it could be located, that is. She tugged at a string of data, what would be a file if she were sitting at a physical computer, and added it to the files she already planned to download from this expedition. This was the safe place. Safe from the humans. Safe from the Sirens and other unknowns who had decided to make themselves at home with the humans during her time away.


There was a gentle tug, nothing jarring enough to break her concentration, but just enough to shift her awareness to movement in the physical world outside of the hut where her body sat. Summoning a monitor, grey eyes registered a human form... skeletal? No. Tattooed. White jacket and a meticulously crafted head of ink.


Psyche.


He could find her in her hidden world if he wanted too. He had the skill and knew the pathways, but she didn't feel like making anyone search for her. Not tonight.


Wrapping up the files she had collected, she compressed them and downloaded them to her waiting laptop before slowly drawing herself back into her physical mind. Leaden feet carried her over to her bedroom, cold eyes moving swiftly from the flashy dresses that she used to wear for work events to some of the more subdued suites and separates that she kept for business affairs. Wideleg black pants, pewter top... simple Nothing that would draw too much attention if they stepped out into the city at large. Her hair she left down, because the she refused to compromise.


Having made herself acceptable by her standards, she stepped to the door right before Psyche would have knocked, inclining her head slightly at his anticipated presence. "Psyche. It is good to see you still awake."

[Psyche]

The skeletal character of man walked the rope bridges between the structure of branches, swaying side to side as he made his way to the hut that was his destination. Questions crept through his scattered mind, and left as quickly as they'd emerged. It was never really a concern if one were to be honest. He stopped suddenly and reached into his jacket pocket, removing a small dry erase board and annotating a question on it's surface, before quickly erasing it and repocketing the tiny tablet. This was his method to remember the important questions. His eidetic memory would capture them like an unforgettable polaroid. It also left no trace of what he may have been thinking should anyone find his little tool. Thoughts, fashionware designs, addresses, phone numbers, important data of any sort, he ensured to mark it down and save to memory before it might pass through the chaos of his scattered mind.

He stopped abruptly as Ariadne opened the door to her hut and addressed him. He suddenly realized that he'd forgotten to replace the batteries in his hearing devices when no sound escaped her lips. Pulling out the pad, he jotted down yet another note for himself. Examining eyes scanned over Ariadne, taking in her choice of ensemble, hairstyle, and general features. He gave a quick nod and smiled to her briefly in a flash of chesire smile.

"Pretty Ari is awake too. Since you've left the binary realm, perhaps you'd like to come and find out what is what? Maybe why is what? Who is who?" He gave a short laugh to himself at the latter question, thinking it probably sounded quite owl -like and how so very fitting it was. "Gypsy Lady always has answers. She watches much, since she talks so little."

He considered that Ariadne often said little, as well. Only when it was required. She didn't ever waste much time with idle banter or wagging of the jaw. It was a sort of robotic precision. It simply just wasn't efficient to waste words. He respected this.

"This. This is magnifique. No need to change. So, you'll come yes? I'd love to accessorize with you on my arm." He said with a wag of his brows and wide grin.

[Zodiac]

The sounds of happy chatter could be heard within the shop. It was Friday, and the day time staff (also known as living employees) were preparing to head out and not return till Monday. Paychecks in hand they would try to find a way to have fun and relax within the confines of the town turned prison camp they all called home.

One employee stood in the middle of the organized chaos. Making sure that everything the day shift had to accomplish was finished and done right. A couple moans were heard as the woman pointed to work not yet completed. She could understand their excitement and eagerness to be out and off, but they all knew their boss would not tolerate such sloppiness. It did not matter if the boss was nowhere to be seen (and actually hadn’t been seen in weeks) the woman spoke with her authority and if they enjoyed their jobs, they best do as she said.

Eventually, the workers left. Jennifer would fill in the gap between the day and ‘night’ shift. She was used to it after all these years. The first of them would be here in an hour. Once they all arrived, she could go in the back and figure up the dailies and check what needed to be ordered. The head over to the Teahouse and complete her loop of the day. This was her routine 7 days a week. It used to be 3 days, but recent events had complicated things.

Once she was sure she was alone, the redhead pulled a set of keys from her pocket and walked back to the rear of the shop. At the end of the hall to her right was a locked door. This was Zodiac’s reading room where her employer often read the cards or engaged in conversations with clients. Helping them figure out their lives or how to achieve certain goals.

A ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign hung on the door knob. It was pushed to the side as the woman unlocked the door and quietly stepped inside.

There was her employer. Floating about a foot of the floor. She was in a Lotus pose. Palms up to the ceiling. Head tilted back and her eyes closed in silent contemplation. Below her, an elaborate pentacle had been sketched on the bare floor. The burnt out remains of candles marked key points of the arrangement.

“Zodiac,’ she whispered softly as she pushed the door shut behind her. She had been this way for going on 2 weeks now. The woman knew some of what was going on, and knew her friend was slowly being crushed inside by what was happening in the town. Normally she spoke of it, but recently something had happened that put her into this spiritual shut down.

‘Zo.’ She said louder. Every night it was the same thing. Once day shift left, she’d do her best to try and rouse her. She’d scream, yell, stomp around. Once she brought a pair of cymbals to try and get her attentions. 'Zodiac!'

A final glance around as if there were others in the room, Jennifer waked up to the edge of the pentacle and leaned over so she was close to the girl’s head.

‘Angela.’ She was probably the only living soul left that knew her before and after her ‘accident’. They were friends then and they were still friends despite the unusual turns their lives had both taken on this path. ‘Angela, wake up!’

She stared at the face for a few moments. The lips moved slightly, but that was nothing new. Whoever the gypsy was talking to was not of this world. With a sigh, Jennifer stood up and left the room. Relocking the door behind her, she debated what could she do now. Perhaps other the girl knew might be of help, but as Jennifer understood things that list had grown incredibly small. Too many vampires fading into extended sleeps or vanishing without a trace. Her ‘daughter’, Iris, perhaps, but she hadn’t seen her in months. She had left messages for her many times but no replies.

She would have to get out her employer’s book of contacts and see who she could find. She imagined some of them would be pissed to learn a human knew how to find them, but it was a necessary risk to take.

[Ariadne]

Writing. The pad. She'd forgotten that their communication normally took place via a telepathic link because he couldn't hear. She was so hyper-focused on what she had missed about subtle interactions, cues, about him that she almost completely lost track of the words he was actually saying. what is what, why is what, and who is who. all good questions, but it involved leaving. Going to see... the Gypsy Lady? Her thoughts doubled in pace as she ran through the possibilities of who could be around still, and who Psyche could trust to tell them about current events.


There was a tingling that started at between her shoulders and worked up until it settles and seized at the base of her skull, corresponding with a tightness in her chest. She left the Tree for one reason and one reason only since her return, and that was to hunt. The idea of socializing, seeing some unknown female and working with her to get answers to some of the questions that has been plaguing her was terrifying. There was a gentle twitch in her jaw as it tightened, thoughts colliding in her head. She could stay here, safe in this hut, in her 'binary realm' as Psyche called it, or she could step into the real world again. Risk disruption and potentially find answers. Were the risks right now worth the benefits?


She collected herself, breathing quickly in an automatic calming response before she spoke into his mind. "We will go. If you trust the gypsy woman, I will go because I trust you, and we are in need of some information that I have been unable to find otherwise."

[Psyche]

The tattooed vampire tilted his shaven head at the response for a moment. A smile flickered across his lips before righting himself again, looking to the woman's eyes. "Trust the gypsy? Yes. Me thinks you too. She's wise...like Ari."

Taking her arm in his own, he started leading them across the rope bridges and to the elevator. Pale eyes wandered about the empty nest around them. He'd felt the presence of others now and then. He'd seen them on occasion wandering about the Eyrie, but still it remained far too quiet, even for one so accustomed to the silence. He'd sent out the questions he thought were important, and might resonate with the nest as a whole, but to no avail. The answers did not come. Response was not received. That was fine. He'd long been unreachable in his trance; wandering the realm of thought and dreams. He couldn't fault anyone else for doing the same, if that is what they were doing? There was no way to know without knowledge of current events and circumstances.

Psyche paused at the center of the bridge, high above the earth beneath their feet. A thought occured to him at the consideration of travelling by traditional means. He'd been out in the city the past few weeks, just as he was sure she had. Soldiers and cops littering the streets, zombies and mooncalves running amuck. Perhaps other, more expedient, means of transport would be advantageous until they had a better grasp of the current climate.

"Maybe we ought take the fast route to Pandora's Box? Yes? Bones tend to draw attention."

He took a moment to pass a few memories into Ariadne's mind.

A trip to the mall...


A ride on the transit...


Even just standing in the street...



Yeah. He wasn't exactly the hardest person to identify or remember if shown photos or a was in a line up. At that, still holding Ari's arm in his own, he concentrated on the destination and shared it with Ari, phasing through realities and teleporting to the front door of Pandora's. Looking over to the calm and collected woman at his side, he offered a nod. "Gypsy Lady..."

[Ariadne]

She assumed that her apprehension at leaving was palpable as she continued watching him, quickly grabbing her loaded gun harness and a light jacket to conceal it before she moved to join him, her arm joined with his. There was a time when she would not have tolerated touch. The mere thought of others in her personal bubble making her stomach flop. Part of the tree being nearly abandoned suited her need for minimal social interactions perfectly well, the other part where no one was present to answer questions or provide direction was about as unsettling as someone she didn't know trying to hug her upon a first meeting.


There was a vague registration of words that were not her in her head that stirred her from her own thoughts as they came to a slow stop, followed by a series of images, causing a nearly microscopic twitch of her lips as she caught up to where he was in physical time and conversation, nodding her assent to travel by supernatural means, though she secretly swore to hide herself and observe him on a subway trip in the near future. Location passed, she struggled to remember why Pandora's Box seemed familiar to her...


Mid-celerity, her mind was suddenly awash in purple when 'Gypsy Lady' and the shop name clicked. Not a stranger, but someone that she'd known some time ago, though admittedly not very well. The thought of being the only person in a social situation who could both hear and speak perfectly well caused the tingling that had settled at the base of her skull to intensify, thrumming powerfully as they materialized. The urge to turn back was powerful as she stared up at the sign for Pandora's Box. Her heart screamed at her to stay hidden... stay safe. Nothing and no one could find her at this point unless she willed it, or unless she made a mistake and put herself in a situation where she was exposed... in danger just by being.


Deep breath. Remember to blink. Blinking is normal and expected.


She reached for the door, opening it for him and nodding, blinking once in a smooth motion with the head nod and door pull in what she hoped looked like a natural arrangement of movements, her voice quiet in his mind. "Shall we go see Zodiac?"

[Zodiac]

It was a hunt of sorts. Seeking the elusive. The physical realm had only produced fleeting sightings. There one moment, gone the next. The cybernetic realms was filled with rumors and theories but nothing solid or of substance. This would not be solved with a photograph or a microscope, nor by force or arms .

That left the often mocked Metaphysical realm to explore.

Skills learned as a child (and still human) were dragged from the closets of her mind and encouraged back to life. Remembering how to put her mind into places and poses that could reach beyond the normal senses. It was harder now, not only from disuse but because her vampirism worked against her. She had discovered many things she could do in the past were now impossible or at least quite difficult due to her change of being. Normally she would have given up in silent defeat, but the game was too important now to simply surrender.

She had qualities most did not have. An iron will and stubbornness that would shame the most determined. The highly toxic mix of hallucinogenics and mind benders she took helped her break past the now normal limits she was forced to endure and allowed her mind and spirit to move on. To combat the vampire ability to shrug off such things quickly, a timed pump she had stolen from a hospital was strapped to her hip. Every 8 hours it would inject a new measure of her concoction into her veins to keep the windows open, so to speak, so she could press on.

In this state she followed lines invisible to naked eyes or electronic ones. Lines of the past were inspected, and some of the rumors and myths were proven and disproved. She had learned a lot about her prey. Had she discovered anything new in the process she could not say, but establishing fact from fiction helped a lot. At times she would catch glimpses of her prey’s mind, which suggested she too could do what the gypsy was fighting to do, but she avoided direct contact. She had made a sort of contact with this one once before in a dream, and she felt if their minds met in this she would know her with ease. Hunting one such as this demanded stealth and for the hunter to reveal itself to the prey would leave her at the mercy of said prey.

And as far as any knew, this prey had no mercy.

The past had been covered, now her push went to the future. Here it was more difficult to discern fact from fiction since the future was always in flux. All she could do is gather up the lines that kept repeating in the various ways the future could play out and puzzle out things from them. As she explored she would mutter a single word to keep her focused on the task at hand. It was so tempting to explore her own lines instead but she fought the urge. The fact that in several instances she saw/felt her lines and her prey’s lines converging was enough. Not many of them, but enough to make her concerned.

’Theodosia.’ the name echoed in her mind as her lips twitched in reality.

******

A couple of the night shift had already arrived, so when the door chimes sounded Jennifer did not jump right away to see who was there. When she did enter the front part of the building, she did a double take.

A skeleton walking? Considering how ******* weird Harper Rock had become it would not surprise her. Upon closer inspection it was not a skeleton, but a man who had chosen to be tattooed into one. He also had a fashion sense about him. He was accompanied by a woman who appeared to be wishing she was anywhere else but here. She wondered what had the woman so spooked, but then she thought of her employer hiding behind a locked door down the hall. They were both vampires. Being marked as a thrall had its perks at times and she had a faint sense about them both.

“Good evening,” she began with a smile. “And welcome to Pandora’s Box. How can I help you this night?”

Her eyes kept going back to the man. She had never laid eyes on him before and Jennifer was already over the tattoo job, but something kept pulling her attention to him. Something to do with Zo.

Then it hit her. Anyone who worked for the gypsy was amazed by one of the perks of being in her employ. Occasionally, those who enjoyed basking in the delights of cannabis would find a go bag of the stuff with their Friday paycheck. Jennifer got one whenever she asked for it. When she asked her once why didn’t she and the staff just fire up together, the answer was odd.

”Oh, I only do this with you, a couple close friends, and my brother– Mr. Bones.’ Zo replied as she passed back the joint they were enjoying.

Mr. Bones?

“Excuse me,” Jennifer spoke up. “Would you, by any chance, be the one the boss lady refers to as ‘Mister Bones’?” Normally she only spoke to the vampire customers as needed. Some were already angry they were being forced to deal with a human as it was, let alone be expected to answer a human’s questions. Absently, her hand reached under the counter and her fingertips brushed the handle of the gun hidden underneath as she placed one finger on the panic button. Worse things had happened in this shop than a vampire loosing his or her **** over being asked a question, but if this was someone Zo knew, then maybe he could help get her out of the 2 week long magical mental carpet ride she was doing. She had no desire to hurt anyone, but she also refused to be a deer in the headlights if things went South.

[Psyche]

A finger scratched at the gold rims of the sunglasses he wore over a completely tattooed face, accented by both bridge and septum piercings. His eyes watched the woman's lips carefully, though, as she asked her question of him. Mister Bones. A corner of his mouth twitched at this. It'd been years since Zodiac had first dubbed him with the moniker. One arm folded over his middle as the other remained raised up, fingers resting idly at his temple. The blue silk pants hung loosely, and well below the hip, on his slender frame. Briefly his mind wandered.

~~~~~

May 2014

Psyche knocked on his 'sister's' door for a visit. He'd finally brought himself to leave his subterranean palace of solitude after an extended period of exclusion for the nightly going-ons. He had recollection of their conversations over some recreational R&R through some of Zo's special stash.

~~~~~

He'd not long before that returned from the fade, and made mention that it had helped him. He was too young and inexperienced at the time to know that this was never the case with that realm of shadows. It'd taken a piece of him. A piece his already maddening mind could not exactly afford to give up any more of, but it took it all the same. Over the course of years in solitude, tapping into the realm of thought and dreams, he'd slowly lost much of his intellgible speech. It tended to come out in parcels, chaotic and jumbled. Other times it was completely lucid. Luckily, vocal exchanges had never been he and Zo's method of conversation.

Psyche's head gave a single affirmative nod to the woman. He got a strong sense of concern and fear radiating off her subconscious, and his eyes scanned about the shop with a new curiosity. My gypsy lady is gone?

There were too many odd things going on currently, and each one found to be more disturbing than the next. The quiet abandon of so many in a dark time; this was saddening, but not surprising. The chaos seeping into the mortal coil from out the tears of a widened rift; this was perplexing, but not distressing. The iron hand closing around the throats of immortal society by a government that understands little and fears most; this was expected, but it's acceptance was enfuriating. Zodiac, though....Zo had always been a rock. A monolith of indominable will and he'd expected, if nothing else, but to find her here.

"Only Hope remained there in an unbreakable home within under the rim of the great jar, and did not fly out the door....." He sighed a brief moment before turning his attention back to Jennifer. "Funny thing, Hope. Nitzsche said in reality it is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torment of man...Is Gypsy Lady tormented?"