InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "give me some vampire"

Ichabod Crane (no_superstition) wrote in indarkness_logs,
@ 2010-11-02 00:41:00

Entry tags:

!complete, 2032 11, ichabod crane, simon tam

RP: Books
Characters: Ichabod
Time/Date: Evening, Nov 1
Location: Outside the library door
Warnings/Rating: None
Summary: A new fear, as if he needed one.
Status: Open

Books had been a staple of Ichabod's life for so long that he simply took their presence for granted. His apartment in New York had been littered with them, shoved in every conceivable location that he could find. Overhead beams as well as the ones on the walls served as makeshift shelves; tables, even window sills- well, any that were not round held precious manuals and texts that drove his creative mind. There was also his ever-present journal, a place where he could write his thoughts and search for patterns among the scattered notes and drawings. It was an important part of his organization.

Not to mention that small blue book, so dear to him that he carried in his coat pocket; it was something he did not want to be without.

Today though, that same small blue book kept him from wearing his coat, and while he was not one for "casual" attire before others he could not bear the thought wearing the coat and having that book so near to him. Any book. In fact that morning he had brought a certain discomfort with the idea of even touching the book he had found to use as a journal, which he kept in a drawer near the bed. It was a feeling of dread that made his heart race and his hands tremble; it was foolish! He needed to get past it, he could not shun such a thing for long- Katrina would no doubt notice very quickly.

In a bid to overcome that discomfort he made his way to the library, determined to shove open the doors and prove to himself that his fear was irrational. It was no less than he had done in the past, and he rubbed his palms together as he considered what he was about to do. Ichabod lifted his chin and tugged on the hem of his vest as he straightened. It was now or never.

With an unsteady hand he pushed open a door to reveal shelves lined with books. Harmless pages sitting bound on the shelves; knowledge waiting to be learned and mysteries to understand. It was overwhelming, and strangely terrifying. Without another moment's hesitation he turned away and withdrew his kerchief from his pocket, covering his mouth as he took deep breaths. It was a terrible thing to be afraid of, but he knew that he could not enter that room. Not right now, and he knew this was the work of their captors- but how? Were others affected by such strangeness too?

(Post a new comment)

can_swear
2010-11-02 01:52 pm UTC (link)

There was probably something a little ironic about the situation, and later, Simon would reflect on that. As it was, he'd had Lily in the infirmary earlier that afternoon, asking about her sudden and inexplicable fear of doors. They both understood it had to do with their captors, that it was something artificially implanted, and as such there wasn't much he could do for her.

All the same, he'd made plans to head to the library later to see if maybe there was some book planted there that he could read to help those afflicted. While he doubted it, he was harboring a sliver of hope. Ever since they'd been moved here, it did seem like things were a bit ... easier. As if this was a phase two and they were loosening the restrictions to see if the remaining (and dwindling) group of captives could find a way out.

It was probably wrong to hope, but Simon did all the same.

Crossing the lobby from the infirmary, he started toward the library only to pause when he saw the man standing in front of the library door, looking a little distressed. Simon's brows elevated, and he could only assume the man had been affected like Lily had ... and he wondered if it was doors, too, or something else entirely.

"Evening," he greeted the man quietly before he gestured behind Ichabod toward the door. "Is ... ah. That is ... are you all right?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 12:14 am UTC (link)

Ichabod straightened when he heard the voice of the other man, and nervously worked to fold the kerchief as he prepared to pocket it. "I'm fine, thank you," he replied with a quick but nervous smile. "Good evening, sir."

He wondered if he was blocking the entrance to the library, and he moved out of the way. "I apologize if I kept you from the library, I have lingered too long before the door; please do not let me keep you from it." He could not bear the thought of re-entering, though he knew he needed to. There was no reason to let such an unreasonable fear claim him, and although this time he was not curled up in his bed it was embarrassing enough. It could not be allowed to overcome him.

The paleness of his face revealed the truth though, and there was no hiding that, even from a stranger.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 01:48 am UTC (link)

Simon nodded slowly, and he debated whether or not to call the gentleman on his ... untruths. He hesitated for a moment, shifting his weight and lifting his arms slightly to cross them over his ribs.

He was still extremely awkward with conversation, especially with people he didn't know or those who hadn't approached him for any sort of advice. He wasn't adept at giving unsolicited advice, but he also didn't think anyone here should be suffering unduly. More than they were already being made to, at any rate.

"Ah," he tried as he attempted to line up words in some semblance of coherence. Maybe he was assuming about the fear. Maybe ... the gentleman had suffered something else, but ... it seemed like a phobia to him. "I'm Simon Tam," he introduced himself, unfolding his arms to offer the guy a hand. "I'm ... well, one of the doctors here." Perhaps the only one, now; he hadn't seen Dr. Banner lately.

"If there's ever anything I can do to help ... don't hesitate to ask," he prompted in a somewhat leading voice.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 02:50 am UTC (link)

So the man was a doctor; that built a confidence in Ichabod and he relaxed just a bit. "Dr. Tam," he replied as he extended his own hand and offered a small bow at his neck. "Ichabod Crane, sir. I am... was... a Constable, though it means little in this place."

The fact that he was speaking to another man of learning was a comfort; perhaps not everyone who was here was without a care for anything. "Of course I return the offer, if there is anything I may assist you with, please do not hesitate to ask."

For a moment he remembered Katrina mentioning assisting this man in the infirmary during the earthquakes. "I believe you have met my fiance, Katrina. She had told me that she had assisted during the earthquakes; she does seem to have a talent for healing."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 02:55 am UTC (link)

Simon nodded. "I've ... she mentioned you," he agreed after shaking the man's hand.

"No, titles do have a funny way of falling off when there isn't a way to ... exercise them. My ... captain doesn't exactly have anything to captain around here," he added with a slight smile. Doctor, at least, was transferable. He could treat people here.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Simon replied, a little belatedly before he glanced toward the library. He studied the door for a moment before he glanced back to Ichabod.

"This ... might be a little invasive on my part, but are you ... really all right? It seems our captors have started up their games again; were you among those inflicted?" His brows lifted slightly, eyes squinting a little as he awaited Ichabod's response to that question.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 03:09 am UTC (link)

The smile fell just as quickly, and he licked his lips as he considered his answer. How could he confess such a silly fear?

"I... find that I am not entirely myself," he replied softly, glancing around them to see who might be nearby, just in case. "But it is no illness. I imagine you have not been affected, since you ask."

It was good to know everyone was not afraid, and in truth he was quite curious as to what others feared- if that was the issue.

"I would not confess as much to others, and I have not told Katrina. I thought it to be something strange, your question is almost a relief." A strange relief, but one nonetheless.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 03:14 am UTC (link)

So that was, he guessed, a round-about way of saying yes. "I, personally, haven't been, no. But I know of at least one other who is ... ah. Now possessed of a fear she didn't have before, and I'm sure before the weeks out, I'll hear about several more. Maybe an even dozen. It's hard to say with them."

Them, of course, referring to their oh so kind captors.

"It's not ... doors, is it?" he inquired. He didn't think that was the case, but he wasn't going to assume. For all he knew, their captors had decided to make a handful of people terrified of doors. Or doorways; even Lily wasn't certain exactly which part she was afraid of.

All the same, he knew she'd mentioned removing the doors from her room.

"It ... should probably only last the week," he offered sympathetically. "Whatever it is."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 03:31 am UTC (link)

So there was at least one other; it was a twisted way to torment them, but at least it wasn't deadly. Not yet.

"No, it is not doors," Ichabod replied; that must have been what the lady was now afraid of, and what an inconvenient fear it was. "Nothing here seems to last more than one week, and for that I am grateful. I hope this will not get worse, just as other... events have."

With luck, that was; as he had said, there was no predicting what their captors would do next, or to what extent.

"Is that why you are here?" he asked as he motioned toward the library. "To research, or might this simply be a happy coincidence?"

He sincerely doubted that they would leave information for them, but there was always the chance that they would tease with hints or ideas.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 03:37 am UTC (link)

Simon wondered if it was something embarrassing, and wondered if it was ... books? The fireplace? Window seats? It didn't really matter, he supposed, save that he didn't want to inadvertently introduce the element triggering the reaction into Ichabod's sight.

"She said ... that it seemed to vary. She could get through the doors this morning, but couldn't go back through them later ... but she made it into the infirmary after that." It was weird, but it wasn't as though he expected anything here to make sense.

"So if things follow, then I'm sure yours will fluctuate as well over the course of the week. If ... it becomes unbearable, I could try to give you some sedatives, so at least you could sleep through the worst of it. Otherwise, I'd just recommend avoiding ... whatever it is."

Simon nodded to the question. "I don't honestly expect to find anything, and I think anything I did find would be useless in this situation, but I have to at least try," he admitted.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 04:18 am UTC (link)

Whether he liked it or not, Ichabod would be faced with that fear due to the books that he kept in the room at the minimum, and his own desire to overcome that fear.

"I cannot let this pass," Ichabod responded as he drew himself up. "I will face my fear, and I will defeat it. I refuse to allow it to cause me to be unable to function, and I would prefer to fight it without the use of medicines."

He was proud again, that declaration helped to steel his determination and he nodded sharply when he stated that he would face his fear.

"Please, do not allow me to stand in your way, and I offer my assistance should you wish for it." Who knew, perhaps he could be of some help- perhaps he wanted no help. It was not within him to let it pass without offering, at any rate.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 04:24 am UTC (link)

Simon's lips parted and he wondered if there was any point in explaining that it wasn't something that he could likely overcome that way. Their captors had done this, and it wasn't likely to be undone by sheer force of will. But ... this was only the first day. He'd give it time before offering his unsolicited medical advice.

"All right," he said instead, and he was content to let it go at that. Well, almost. "If you change your mind though, you can get in touch with me on the network or stop by the infirmary. I'm usually in there," he added with a gesture toward it in case Ichabod didn't know where it was here.

"If I come across something you can help me with, I'll be sure to let you know," he promised with a little smile. He would, if there was something he could use a constable's skill for ... but he doubted he'd find anything to begin with.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 04:48 am UTC (link)

Ichabod had his moments when his determination made him just a little more hard headed than he truly needed to be, but that was one of his personality aspects. It certainly was not a flaw- not one that he would admit to.

"I will do that, thank you," he said. "I cannot imagine it becoming unbearable, since it is not a danger to my life." The last was said with a sense of levity- somewhat. The sight of a book could never compare to his first encounter with the Horseman after all; this was a perfectly natural item, and he was not. There was nothing supernatural about any book he had ever touched, and he doubted that any such thing existed.

Then again he had not believed in ghosts or spirituality, and what did that earn him?

"Please do," Ichabod replied as he stepped out of the way. He may not have known what he could do to help, but he had no reason not to offer. "I may not be a doctor, but I may still be of some assistance. I am an investigator, and perhaps that may be of some use to you. I am not a man who can stand idly by and allow others to work unassisted if I might by able to help."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

can_swear
2010-11-03 04:59 am UTC (link)

Simon nodded slowly, itching to explain how it could become unbearable and render the man gibbering in a corner, but that hardly seemed like something to go on about on a first meeting. He'd give Ichabod time to adjust to the situation and when (if ... there was no promise that he -- or any of them -- would be reduced to that) it happened, he'd attempt to help him then.

"Of course," Simon agreed before he offered the other man a nod before gesturing to the library. He rested his hand on the knob and wondered if he should wait for the man to clear out before going in, but ... well, he'd just be quick about it.

"It was good ... talking to you," Simon said slightly awkwardly before he drew the door of the library open.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

no_superstition
2010-11-03 05:24 am UTC (link)

A polite nod. "A pleasure," he replied, and he stepped back as Simon opened the door, and he paled once again at the sight of all those books. "Enjoy your search," he said in a tense voice as he backed away, and turned on his heel to leave in a great hurry.

He needed to tell Katrina what was going on, and he needed to clear the books out of his site in their room. It could not get worse, or so he thought. The idea of being gibbering in a corner....

It had only happened once before, and that was different. There was a certainty that it would not happen again- or it might have been a foolish hope, but time would tell.

Ichabod hurried away, his quick walk quite stiff as he headed back to his room to sort out his mind, his thoughts. He only hoped that he would not faint as a result of any fear, but he already knew what the likelihood of that was; better to hope that no one was present when he did.

(Reply to this) (Parent)