Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "it unscrews the other way."

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

Entry tags:

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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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-04-29 01:30 am UTC (link)

"But she... she never sends anyone up here. Ever!" Surprise wrote itself over her features, and she stepped further back, pulling the door open to her place, the furnishings more like that of a castle tower than a young woman's apartment. Rapunzel pulled the rope of hair over her shoulder, arranging it with an unconscious move as she waited for Dorian to enter.

Something deep within recognized him slightly, but that ingrained naivete pushed it down to where she couldn't and wouldn't worry about it, simply trusting that what he said was the truth. "It's... I don't get many visitors. So this is somewhat exciting!"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-04-29 07:30 pm UTC (link)

He recognized her, of course. It was an otherwordly kind of attentiveness, recalling Trenton's own exploits from behind a submarine's periscope. Dorian certainly felt more self-aware than he had the last time that this had happened. For him, there was no confusion. No muddled realizations about who he was or what he was doing here. He was Dorian Gray, and this was his playground.

Some elements, despite his distorted memories, felt out of place. The long rope of thick, golden hair was new. Her dress was.. not fashionable by his terms. There was no corseting or stringent laces, no bustle and no heeled boots.

"Exciting, yes" Auto-pilot, he nodded in agreement with her before taking a step over the threshold of her apartment. Familiar ground, yet not.

"Why would someone as beautiful as you, my lady, not see many visitors?"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-04-29 10:46 pm UTC (link)

Her bottom lip was bit between her teeth as she watched him, the way his eyes swept over her, and she suddenly felt somewhat self-conscious, as though he saw more of her than she was rightly comfortable with. Hands fussed with the front of her dress, giving him a nervous, shy smile, unused to company, to any sort of interaction beyond the small amount received from the woman who had kept her trapped for most of her life.

But then he was entering, and Rapunzel's eyes crept up to his face, uncertain how to proceed. The only man she had ever known before had called to her from the ground below her window, from a world so far away from her tower-cell. "My... my mother is very protective," she said quietly, casting her glance off to the side, studying the floor. "She fears someone will take me away." There was a pause, just a heartbeat, and those blue eyes were back on his face.

"You're not here to take me away from this place, are you? Are you... my prince? The one who called to me from the grounds below?"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-04-29 11:20 pm UTC (link)

Prince? Dorian frowned, as that term didn't seem to fit into what he knew of himself. But then again, why couldn't he be a prince? He certainly looked pleasing enough, was charming enough, had money and important blood. By all means, Dorian could be a prince if he so decided. Who would tell him no? Nobody told Dorian Gray no.

"I could surely take you away from this place, my lady." On the polished heels of Edwardian boots, he crept nearer. He sought out her fingers from the draped sleeve of her garment, and brought them to his mouth for a complimentary kiss. While formality allowed an introductory kiss to the back of a lady's hand, Dorian's was almost lascivious. A little wet and lingering, as if he was sampling the taste of her skin.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-04-29 11:33 pm UTC (link)

Cheeks flushed a tender shade of pink, highlighting the apples of her cheeks as she watched him lay his lips against her hand. Fingers curled against his, and finally, she couldn't hold back the small laugh of enjoyment that left her. "You... you would do that? Take me away from here...? From this... this prison she keeps me on?" She sounded hopeful, a little afraid, but that hope and desire to be free of her keeper's bonds overruled any hesitance she might have had.

Steps were taking towards him, closing a bit of the distance. "We would have to hurry though," Rapunzel urged him. "If we are to get away, we must hurry before she returns. She... I don't know what she would do if she found out!" Her voice was hushed, dropped to a tone where eavesdroppers would not here. It hardly came to her that only moments before he had said he was sent here by her mother. All that mattered now was that innocent desire to be free.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-04-30 06:33 pm UTC (link)

While it occurred to Dorian that he must have approached this apartment with some express purpose, it was lost and forgotten now. All prior intentions replaced by this new endeavor of leading a young woman astray. Out from the bonds of a protective mother and into.. well, whatever trouble they should find.

"Of course, I would," he assured with a seemingly genuine turn of his charmer's smile. He backed toward the door once more and extended his arm to her. "Let us hurry, then,"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-04-30 10:54 pm UTC (link)

Several seconds were spent worrying at her bottom lip as she looked at Dorian, at the arm extended to her, wondering if this was right. But when all was said and done, it seemed to be an opportunity she simply couldn't pass up. So Rapunzel grabbed the fabric of her dress and pulled it up slightly so she wouldn't step on the hem and moved towards him, linking her arm into his.

"And we must be fast before my mother returns! She won't be pleased to find out..." But judging by the smile on her lips, she was hardly feeling bad about escaping. In fact, she looked more than a bit excited!

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-01 06:01 am UTC (link)

He enjoyed the glean of excitement in her eyes when they discussed her coming rebellion. Although her state of dress was quite confusing, Dorian found that it did not deter from the young woman's beauty. It might have added to it; such a unique series of traits. Like the way she blushed at the mere idea of sneaking out, or at least that's what Dorian perceived her rosy-cheeked thrill to be mounting from. There was something wrong with that level of endearing innocence, it needed to be violated.

"Your mother will not stop us, or find us," He assured when he took her arm. In all actuality, mothers were never anything of a concern to Dorian. He guided her out of her cell and into the hallway, letting the door to 906 swing closed behind them.

"Where shall we commemorate your freedom, my lady? Upstairs or down? In?" His eyes shifted to her with confident ease, "Or out?"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-01 01:31 pm UTC (link)

Blue eyes were wide with excitement as she let the door to her room close shut behind her, careful to sweep the long rope of hair away so it wouldn't get caught or stepped upon. "I... I don't know," she said, pressing close to his side, her lip bit between two rows of white teeth. Rapunzel looked this way and that, unsure of this world beyond her doorway.

"I've never been out this far. So I must deign to let you decide, sir," she said softly, tilting her head up towards him, those blue eyes bright, curious and open to the world around them. "Wherever you deem best for us to go. I'll put my trust in you."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-01 04:22 pm UTC (link)

He found it so curious that this woman had never been outside of her own home. If she was the product of an obsessively protective family, the outside world could be daunting. She perhaps needed a bit of coaxing into the direction he preferred. "My house," at once the wording seemed wrong, but he brushed on, "is upstairs."

He was already leading her for the stairs, careful to not trudge on the heavy rope of her hair. "Why has your mother kept you inside all of this time? I would surely have enjoyed seeing you before this."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-01 04:40 pm UTC (link)

"So close...?" Rapunzel looked up towards the ceiling, her brow furrowing for a moment, somehow wondering how she missed others living so near if she had always felt so isolated. But almost as quickly as the thought came to her, it left in the same breath, her attention drawn back towards Dorian. Her other hand came up to rest upon his, fingers curling there delicately.

"My mother has always been very protective of me," she started, letting him lead the way up the stairs, the train of her dress and the tick rope of blond trailing behind her. "She told me that there was a woman and a man that were trying to get me. To kidnap me. They claimed that I was their daughter, so she was only trying to protect me from harm." There was a pause, a slight pull of her lips downward. "At least I believe that's what she was trying to do. She rarely visited me, and always gave me strict instructions to never let anyone inside!" Laughter erupted from her then, and she looked up towards Dorian.

"She would be so furious with me if she knew what I was doing right now! I doubt she would ever forgive me, and I wouldn't put it past her to simply brick up my room so I might never leave again!"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-01 05:19 pm UTC (link)

"It does seem rather close," he agreed with her assessment, although his low tone of voice reserved the words more for himself than her. Dorian felt certain that he knew all of the neighboring manors and houses. He knew all of the dignified families, and even many that were not of the aristocracy. While those might not have been his neighbors or even his peers, Dorian found that many of them were more adept at having a good time.

Of course, he remembered that things were not as they seemed here.

"Well, if that is the case," returning to the moment with an eager, dapper grin, Dorian turned to his companion as they ascended the stairs. "You might just never have to go home." Or, at least not until he tired of her.

"I don't know if I could bear the idea of someone as beautiful as you kept behind bricked walls."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-01 05:37 pm UTC (link)

Colour pinked her cheeks at his compliment, and she ducked her head slightly so as to hide the embarrassment she felt at his words. "I am nothing of the sort, sir. There's no need to offer compliments to one like me." Her arm tightened slightly around his and she looked up the stairs, doing her best not to meet his gaze for the moment. His words touched her, things she had not heard before from the woman who kept her captive, and so she was not used to them. Only in her very dreams would someone talk to in such a way.

"Besides," she said, lifting her chin slightly as she tried to regain some of her composure, though the flush of her cheeks only deepened. "I don't even know your name, sir."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-01 06:13 pm UTC (link)

"Don't you?" He tilted his head with the question, finding it hard to believe that she did not know of him. Not merely because he was Dorian Gray, but because he'd arrived at her door with the knowledge that he was looking for her, even if now he could not recall anything about her or who she was.

"My name is Dorian," he offered rather than wonder over the same, unending tangle of thoughts. "And your's, lady?"

It did not take them long to reach the penthouse floor, he scaled the steps with the ease of familiarity. The door to P4 was unlocked, and upon being opened, it offered the comfort of nostalgia. Where Trenton's penthouse was stark details of black and white, it was now quite different. Everything was polished oak with furniture colored deep as wine. It was a typical Edwardian style of parlor, with high backed chairs of thick, emerald tapestry and a wide spread of tasseled rugs.

"Would you care for some absinthe?" The whole reason for venturing up here, of course.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-01 06:43 pm UTC (link)

"Rapunzel." A smile crossed her lips then, looking towards the door as they reached the top of the stairs. "It's good to meet you, Dorian," she said after a moment, but then she went silent as the door was opened, revealing the rich interior that was so much unlike her own domicile.

She unhooked her arm from his, stepping forward unaided to look around just a bit more, going so far as to crouch down to run her fingers over the nape of the thick rugs. "It's so... so gorgeous in here," Rapunzel whispered, looking back towards him when he spoke again. "Absinthe?" Rapunzel rose then, hands clasping in front of her.

"I have not heard of that. Is it a bread of some sort? Something you make yourself?"

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-01 09:45 pm UTC (link)

He leaned into the sturdy, polished beams of the living room wall, surveying the way Rapunzel marveled over the carpeting. The walls were decorated with traditional portraits and painted landscapes. Not his portrait, of course, that was hidden away in the bedroom for not just anyone to see. His attention diverted briefly to the opposing side of the rug that Rapunzel was petting. On the other side of the table, there was a large stain. Black as ink, or maybe foul blood. He tried to remember where that had come from, and frowned.

"Bread?" Stepping over to her, Dorian took the woman's clasped hands and turned her away from the rugs, away from that ominous stain.

"No, no. It's a beverage. Something to be enjoyed with only the most cherished of company." Dorian drew her to one of the plush, brocaded chairs and gestured for her to take a seat while he drew a bottle and appropriate glasses from a sterling and oak wine cabinet.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-01 10:01 pm UTC (link)

There was no protest as he led her away, having not caught sight of the dark stain that had caught Dorian's attention. As soon as his hands had grasped her's, her attention was solely upon him once more.

She couldn't help the smile that came to her as she took a seat upon one of the plus chairs, a sigh escaping her lips as she settled in to the comfortable piece of furniture. "And you already consider me such company?" Rapunzel asked, watching as he gathered the glasses, the bottle that was pulled from the cabinet. "Though I'm flattered that you would want to share something like that with me. Very... very flattered."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-02 08:25 am UTC (link)

"Nobody has told you what a breathtaking creature you are?" Dorian was preparing the drinks, which was an in depth ritual involving melting sugarcubes through the slots in an absinthe spoon. Despite the process, he paused with his question. It was not voiced as a further compliment, but rather in a tone that was genuinely perplexed. He was accustomed to everyone complimenting him at every turn, and while that practice might not have been typical, Rapunzel was beautiful. It made sense for her to know it, as he knew how wonderful his appearance was to the general public as well.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-02 04:09 pm UTC (link)

She shook her head at his question, watching in rapt attention as he prepared their beverage. The green liquid was bright, something she had never seen before in her life, and she couldn't help but be held somewhat fascinated by it.

"Mother... didn't talk much to me like that. She actually didn't talk to me very much. She just said that she had a lot to do, and didn't have time to... cater to my boredom." Her lips twitched in a small smile, though it faded rapidly, her gaze brought back to watching Dorian prepare the drinks.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-02 07:13 pm UTC (link)

He grew quiet when she explained her mother's busy schedule, and how it afforded no time to cater to the young girl now seated in his parlor. Dorian wasn't sure that he understood that, people always seemed to take time for him. Perhaps the mother was truly too busy. But how busy could a woman be? Women in Dorian's field, their lives revolved around attending the theater, getting fitted for new fashions, and high tea. What else was to be done?

"Well, it matters not. You're here now," he explained with a dismissive flourish when he turned to her. There was a drink in each hand, and he closed the gap between them to hand Rapunzel her's. The liquid in her goblet shimmered bewitchingly, the color a brilliant chartreuse.

"Tell me, are you an actress?" Dorian had a special fondness for actresses.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-02 08:53 pm UTC (link)

For Rapunzel, a world other than relative captivity and little interaction was, unfortunately, the norm, and she saw little wrong given that she knew little else. The attention Dorian paid her, his conversation, his very company, was a treat unlike any other.

And then the drink was placed in front of her, that brilliant colour almost hard on the eyes. For a while, she was transfixed by it's beauty, but then his voice drew her attention once more, her hand curled around the goblet. "An... actress? I... know not what that is, unfortunately. I am only my mother's daughter, nothing more."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-02 10:13 pm UTC (link)

When Rapunzel admitted to not knowing the importance, or even the meaning, of actresses, Dorian pinned her with speculative eyes. "Your mother's daughter? Is she an important woman?" Dorian knew that people were often revered for their lineage, which would explain why Rapunzel was satisfied with being nothing more.

To lead by example, he sampled a deep taste of the absinthe. It was bitter, herbal, and heady. The taste alone was a rush. He then lifted his goblet toward her in a gesture of cheers.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-02 10:20 pm UTC (link)

"I... I don't know. I've lived in the same room for as long as I can remember, Dorian. I've never even been outside to feel the grass on my feet." She seemed embarrassed by the confession, her eyes cast down as she looked into the depths of the drink he had given her. And then there was nothing more said as she lifted it to her lips, taking a sip of the rich liquid, the sweetness of the melted sugar touching her tongue, the herbal taste that followed. As she pulled the glass away from her mouth, she met Dorian's eyes again, tongue sweeping over her lips to catch every bit of the liquid.

"It's... it's very different," she said after that first sip. "I've never tasted anything quite like this."

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9th floor, right at midnight.

cyprian
2010-05-02 10:38 pm UTC (link)

"Have you never thought that there was a world of experience outside awaiting you?" He sank into another chair situated across from her own.

"The grass on your feet, yes, but the more visceral pursuits, as well... the hunt for pleasure; complete with things like the taste of absinthe and, most importantly, my company?" Dorian smiled from over the rim of his glass at her, taking another taste. There was something boyish in the grin, but his eyes held her with more serious interests.

"I think you'll enjoy it," he assured, potentially meaning the absinthe or something pertaining to himself.

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9th floor, right at midnight.

nineteen_stars
2010-05-02 10:44 pm UTC (link)

"Does a fish think about the world beyond their pond if the pond is all they know?" she asked in response, her shoulders shrugging up the slightest bit. "I had thought about it, yes, but... never very often. I never thought I'd have a chance to leave, you understand."

Another sip was taken as he continued to speak, her eyes fluttering shut at the heady taste that danced on her tongue, the strange sensations that were starting to run through her body. "If these experiences were to be taken away now, I believe that my life would be sorely lacking now that I have met you and... imbibed in such a treat as this drink and your company." Her lips curled in a small smile, another sip taken, a soft sigh of enjoyment escaping her.

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9th floor, right at midnight. -

cyprian, 2010-05-02 11:02 pm UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

nineteen_stars, 2010-05-02 11:08 pm UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

cyprian, 2010-05-02 11:39 pm UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

nineteen_stars, 2010-05-02 11:44 pm UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

cyprian, 2010-05-03 01:47 am UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

nineteen_stars, 2010-05-03 01:57 am UTC

9th floor, right at midnight. -

cyprian, 2010-05-03 02:57 am UTC

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