InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Maintenance reprogramming."

Bellum Anon (bellum_anon) wrote in bellumlogs,
@ 2010-04-27 23:02:00

Entry tags:

plot: fables

Who: Everyone!
What: Transformation Plot Post
Where: All over.
When: Moonrise on the 28th.
Warnings: All kinds, I expect.

The moon slipped up past the horizon full, round, and white. Its effects had been predicted, though perhaps not fully believed by the residents of the building.

Moonlight streamed through the windows of the building, washing the city in pale light. For the tenants of Bellum Letale, where ever they were, scattered in the night, it had a tangible effect.

Change rippled through the building, much as it had over a month before. But this was not simply a twitch in the fabric of things, gone in the blink of an eye. It was a rolling change, gradual as the moonrise, tangible, and, in some cases, likely terrifying in its inexorability. People became what they were, what they ought to have been, and what they weren't.

The moon was up, and trouble was about to run high in Bellum.

[Notes: Remember that the events of last month still apply-I.E, those who became vampires will be vampires when they take on their fable form, the Frog Prince will still be human after being turned back last plot, etc. Whether the fables are aware a month has passed since they were last around is up to the players. This log posted with the anon account so that the mods do not wake up tomorrow with 100 notifications in their gmail. Go forth and plot!]

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The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-28 10:46 pm UTC (link)

Iris had a long, long day. The library shift had been quiet (a rarity, actually, something that surprised her when she began that job) but the coffee shop one had been a nine hour hell of demands and aching feet. She got home early, having worked the night before through, and she didn't even bother changing before she fell asleep on her couch, convinced she had until midnight to worry about Irene Adler.

When she woke, she found herself hungry--and also not herself. Irene smoothed down the layers of her pink day dress, and after some thought, discarded the straw hat that covered the rich auburn of her hair. She felt refreshed from Iris' nap, and surprised at the amount of lingering memory the woman had of the last month's experiences. Iris and Irene, rather than coexisting, practically blended into one person, so much so that Irene was hardly disturbed at her present whereabouts, nor by Iris' concerns about this evening. Irene made a soft ohm of thought with her soft lips, and then, shaking her head at the complications, sought out the apartment key before she left #202 for the lobby.

Despite the concerns of Eliot, Micah and Iris, she had no real desire to visit anyone in particular, and though she wouldn't have said no to Mr. Holmes' presence, there were many fish in the sea even when one was not fishing. Train rustling, Irene secreted the key in a pocket and drifted gracefully down the hallway, wrap over her arm. Perhaps there was someone to see, or somewhere to go. She would like that.

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The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 01:23 am UTC (link)

Eliot had spent the day trying to distract himself. It proved to be a more strenuous task than he had expected; neither the mountains of books nor the sunny outdoors could keep him occupied for more than an hour or two. What he wanted, no, what he needed was a case, but there was not a single one to be found, thanks to his own handiwork.

By five, he had given up on distractions and taken instead to staring morosely at the calendar on the wall across from his battered old chair. Whiskey and cigarettes kept his hands occupied, but made for even worse company tonight than they had in nights past.

Fuck, he muttered out loud at one point, this might even be an improvement. Eliot shook his head, capping the bottle and pushing it far away from himself. Talking to himself? He was really starting to lose it now.

You might have a chance yet, old cad.

And just like that, without any other sign or warning, Sherlock Holmes had returned. Pulling himself out of the comfortable old chair, he straightened his waistcoat, put on his hat and made for the door. He was a man on a mission, and there was nothing that could stop him until he found her.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-30 01:41 am UTC (link)

In the lobby, Irene had put her wrap down on one of the velvet chairs very intently not looking up at the one remaining camera she knew to be there. Here counterpart's interesting feelings on being watched did not extend to Irene; she was a mistress of the theatre, and she was accustomed to being watched wherever she went.

When she heard the step on the stair she was inspecting the hem of her dress as she lifted it above her ankles, trying to figure out if there was a good way to alter it so that it resembled something more like Iris would wear. When she turned her head and caught sight of Holmes, she dropped her skirts immediately, because she was not being alluring on purpose, and a show of ankles was quite daring even for a lady of the theatre. She blushed (unfeigned) and pretended she had not just been examining her clothing. "Good evening, Mr. Holmes."

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The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 02:32 am UTC (link)

Holmes was out of breath by the time he reached the lobby. He had stopped by Irene's apartment on his way down, and when that had proved empty, had even tried Watson's. He caught her scent well before he hit the lobby, that intoxicating aroma he couldn't get enough of.

"Miss Adler," he said, dropping his eyes to the ground as he doffed his hat to the lady. Holmes showed no sign of having caught sight of her ankles (propriety demanded it be so). "I hope you have been enjoying this beautiful night." Now that he had found her, Holmes knew he certainly would.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-30 05:24 am UTC (link)

"I am planning to," she said, with a most equivocal tone but a sparkle to her eye. "Though I was trying to find a way to manage it while I was dressed quite so... distinctly." She smoothed down her dress. "My counterpart would be most disapproving." She tipped her head, auburn coif gleaming in the lobby lights, as if questioning whether he might be so generous with his counterpart's thoughts. She did not underestimate Sherlock Holmes; her dress was slightly ruffled from being worn while lying down, and she had pins in her hair for the hat that used to be part of her ensemble. Her shoes were not the kind meant for traversing long distances. She had a strange little smile that he might never have seen on Iris' face, perhaps because it was so natural. He would learn much from Irene's expressions, because she was much less likely to control hers than Iris. This made the latter extremely nervous.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 06:00 am UTC (link)

Holmes cracked half a smile and stepped forward. "Something tells me it will not hinder you in any way. I believe," his grin grew as Eliot's modern memories clarified themselves in his head, "the locals will simply think you are headed to a masquerade or costumed party of some sort." Sherlock Holmes was unconvinced Irene Adler would be unnoticed no matter what she wore, but he felt the dress should not prevent her from walking outdoors (with the proper escort, of course) if she so chose.

A tell-tale glint came to his eye, a look Watson would know only too well. He knew Warren Eliot would be infuriated with what he was about to do, but that fact simply fueled the fire for Holmes. "Your counterpart can rest assured, Eliot also thinks you look lovely."

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-30 06:15 am UTC (link)

Irene glowed with pleasure. The blush gave her color that complimented the pink dress, and she looked positively girlish for a brief moment before she sobered again and stepped forward to meet him, taking the arm that she knew would be there for her, even though the gesture was positively familiar for both of them. Irene was unmarried and unescorted, so it was even more unconventional. Victorian mannerisms said Irene should be blushing from five feet away and looking at her shoes. She tipped her chin up toward him. "I do love a masquerade."

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The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 06:36 am UTC (link)

Holmes looked just as please as she wound her arm through his. He knew better than to expect someone as remarkable as Irene Adler to be discouraged by societal norms, not when the society no longer existed, and certainly not when there was an opportunity for adventure at hand. In his estimation, Irene was the type of woman who went out and experienced life for herself instead of waiting demurely by the sidelines, which made her the only woman whose company he wished to keep tonight.

The grin returned, as it was sure to several times that evening. "If that be the case, shall we?" He gestured towards the door with his free hand, his mind already considering the places they might see on their expedition tonight.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-30 06:44 am UTC (link)

She was so pleased to be in his company that she had to actively prevent herself from giving his arm a squeeze and pressing much nearer than was strictly necessary. She maintained the proper distance with only her arm drifting lightly over his wrist and the bend of his elbow, and let her eyes sparkle with amusement. "Did you have somewhere in mind, Mr. Holmes? You are not going to use me as some horrid distraction on one of your cases, are you?" Her tone said she'd absolutely adore that.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 07:46 am UTC (link)

"I can make no promises, Miss Adler," he replied cheekily, pushing outwards into the cool night. "Cases come when least expected." Not that he had anything on his plate, of course. Eliot had been working on something a month ago, but now there was nothing. Even Eliot's interest in the woman beside him had changed from suspicion to curiosity. No cases, no violin, no opium, no Watson. How did Eliot manage to survive?

Holmes brought them to a halt at the end of the street. "Would you prefer modern marvels or more traditional entertainment?" Even though he didn't frequent such places, Eliot was perfectly aware of where exactly they were. At times like these Holmes found it very useful to be occupying a brain almost as sharp as his own.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-04-30 03:44 pm UTC (link)

Irene paused a moment to pull the wrap over her shoulders. The dress wasn't made for an evening out, but it would do very well, and as he said, no one would know the difference here, at any rate. She watched the cars as they moved by, not frightened or astonished but fascinated nonetheless. Iris was a constant disquiet that she easily brushed aside, and Irene was quite determined to enjoy herself in this starnge world, thank you very much.

"I haven't the slightest what signifies 'traditional'," she replied, almost jovially despite the nip in the air. "I fear I am not dressed for hiking a great distance, however." She weighed propriety with fact for a moment and added, airily, "I would not say no to a bit of tea, on our way." Iris bought things at discount at the coffee shop, and she had not eaten after her shift because they happened to sell out of sandwiches that day.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-04-30 08:53 pm UTC (link)

"The things you and I would be familiar with, such as the theatre or the opera." Holmes would not have minded a boxing match either, but Eliot did not know where the good kinds would be. "Tea, however, sounds perfect. Something black and strong, perhaps." Holmes has personal experience with addictions, and it was obvious to him what would happen if Eliot went for too long without caffeine.

Luckily, Eliot's memories were filled with locations of tea houses and coffee shops, and there just happened to be a very nice one a few streets away. Ignore the impulse to pull Irene closer to his side (only to keep her warm, of course), he steered them down a side street. "My counterpart says that there is a brilliant tea house nearby for us to go too. You are not too cold, I hope?"

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

nightmrholmes
2010-05-01 01:12 am UTC (link)

"I am feeling adventurous today," Irene replied, breezily. "Something modern and daring sounds very nice." Iris had no particular taste for anything modern or daring, and Irene was in the mood for a change. She thought Iris should be too, but obviously she did not say this out loud.

She listened to his suggestion of tea with pleasure, and though secretly she would have preferred a nice hot pasty, she could hope that the tea house was stocked and Mr. Holmes was feeling generous. Otherwise she was going to need to nibble and pretend it was adequate. "Not at all." She smiled up at his courtesy, and found herself quite warm enough, indeed.

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Re: The Lobby, evening around 8 PM.

deductively
2010-05-03 05:02 am UTC (link)

Holmes grinned. "I know just the thing then." Eliot's memories told him of a street filled with theatres and playhouses, which would be just the thing for a beautiful night such as this one. "We can experience the 21st century stage and all its wonder."

"This tea house is one of his favorites. The scones and sandwiches are almost better than the tea itself." The only things in Eliot's system right now were nicotine and alcohol; food was an exciting prospect. "And from here, we can simply take a yellow... car, I believe, to the street named Broadway. It's the local equivalent of the London West End."

The tea house was exactly where he had anticipated it to be. Rushing forward, he held the door open. "Miss Adler," he bowed to the lady, before following her indoors. The smell of hot tea and warm bread greeted them, and Holmes could not have been happier at that moment. He had a beautiful lady at his arm, and had finally found a place that reminded him of home. What more could he need?

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