WHO: Pandora & Oedipus WHEN: Friday mid-morning WHERE: Pandora's apartment/Oedipus' antique store WHAT: The trouble with boxes
Pandora would have liked to have been the spontaneous type, but so much of her life revolved around one question: what about the box?
That damn box had been the bane of her existence and when she'd first woken up in this new land it had just been her and an unfamiliar chest which she knew was that ancient and dangerous jar. It had a personality of its own, that box, and Pandora swore sometimes that it was actually thinking. The idea was a little creepy, because she didn't want the box to be sentient. No one wanted that. It took different forms over the years but whatever it looked like it kept that slightly menacing feeling that drew Pandora right to it, something she didn't think anyone else could feel. No matter what it looked like, Pandora would find that box in a stadium full of things.
Their relationship was uneasy, Pandora and her little box of horrors. Because while she knew that (logically) hope didn't really reside inside it, it was hard to let that idea go. To Pandora it had been divine truth and not just some story. She remembered opening it, and she remembered the evils rushing out and the punishments that would follow mankind forever after, and the cruelty that women would have to endure because of her.
So spontaneity was out, and careful planning was in. Especially when moving houses. For the last eight years the box had been a very large trunk, heavy mahogany that felt like it was full of things but Pandora couldn't exactly open it to check. It must never again be opened and Pandora would keep it that way even at the cost of her own life. She'd caused all this agony the first time and she'd never let hope escape.
Pandora had two neighbors help her put it into the backseat of her car where it took up almost all the space, the rest of her things on a packing truck. She wouldn't risk the box being lost though.
Now she was in her new apartment and settled in, the box currently taking up a large corner of the spare bedroom. (She'd once tried keeping it in her bedroom but was sure that it gave her bad dreams. She felt like it watched her.) But when she walked into the box's room on Friday morning it was with a moment of heart-thudding horror that turned, very quickly, to the sort of frustration that made her want to scream at the top of her lungs.
The box, the damn trunk-sized thing of evil that two days ago had taken three people to shift into the car and had to be dragged up the stairs at her new building because of a lift being repaired, was now sitting happily on the carpet, an antique-looking box no bigger than a thick paperback.
It was a testament to Pandora's trials with the box that she didn't shout at it.
She did, however, leave the room very calmly (closing the door behind her) and scream into her pillow, letting loose a torrent of curses, before returning to inspect it. It looked like it could have been masquerading as an antique, but Pandora didn't know much about that sort of thing. She pulled the key from her pocket and, just like every other time, it had changed to match the box.
What Pandora wanted to know was what the box was pretending to be. Sometimes it turned out to be important in some way, but sometimes it just meant a new movie had suddenly appeared with it featured, which led to people spotting it in her house and asking if she was a fan. Perceptions seemed to be stronger on than box than on Pandora herself. She didn't think she'd changed much at all.
So Pandora searched the internet for New York antique dealers, finding a few in the nearby area and then putting the little box into her bag. Walking five blocks brought her to the first store and Pandora made her way inside, looking around for the owner.
Oedipus had just opened the store, there was still a pile of boxes of all the things he'd collected from his last apartment and travels from antique picks. Various things like furniture, trinkets and the unusual were scattered around with no particular order to those that came in (and let's face it no one had really come in). Even though he'd sent a call out to his usual buyers, he was still just too new. He'd just gotten the phone number and address listed online.
He'd tried this before, setting up shop, it had been years ago, but the absolute loss of hope in mankind and how much of a people person he really wasn't, It hadn't lasted long. Just a few years until he discovered the Internet and selling off of EBay. The unfortunate thing, which hovered over Oedipus like a black cloud was his damned curiosity. It nestled just over his head like a Jedi force and was never quenched. As much as he hid away from the rest of the world, he would always want to stick his neck out again. It was a wonder he hadn't broken it.
Coming out of the back room which was as unorganized as the shop itself (he had his own filing system) he tripped over the calico cat that had to follow him everywhere. It was almost as if she was married to his leg because she'd scream all day until he returned, and one complaint from the neighbors was enough. So, he'd brought her along, but now she was just in the way.
Scampering out from under his feet the cat landed to safety while he fell face down on the floor. He groaned with a string of curses before noticing they weren't alone. Instantly all the hair on the back of his neck stood up. His first customer. This could go horrible.
Standing he was back on level ground greeted by a blond. It wasn't her fault, but women in general just made him on edge right away.
"Hello," he said cautiously. Was she here to browse, pawn or sell. "Can I help you?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-01 05:10 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Hello," Pandora said, making her way over to him. The box remained in her bag, humming inside her head in a way Pandora could only read as an inanimate sort of displeasure at being shoved away in there. "I was curious if you would have a moment to look at something for me?"
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-01 05:25 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He squinted eyeing her for a moment, looking very much like an old man afraid to move from his step, even if on the outside he looked no older than thirty. He ushered her to the counter with a wave of his hand.
As soon as he stod behind it the cat jumped up on the counter, like she was some kind of guard dog. She seemed wary at first but then rubbed along the girls arm enticing her to pet.
He cleared off a free space, the clear counter showing the range of jewelry he'd fashioned upon. Some expensive, others nothing more than a grandmothers broach, little over a few hundred, but unique looking nonetheless.
"What am I looking at?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-01 05:34 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora had never been terribly good at feeling other people like herself, especially when her concern was on her 'gift' from Zeus. So the fact that this man was an immortal had passed her by.
"A box," Pandora said, drawing it out of her bag and putting it down on the counter. "I don't really know much, but I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it?"
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-01 05:41 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He felt that immortal vibe, but she wasn't hitting any clues. The box should have been the big flashing light, but as she pulled it out all he could think was how ugly it was.
"Family heirloom or just something you picked up?" he asked as he pulled it over towards him.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-01 05:48 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora tensed visibly at someone else touching what she had protected for centuries (she always hated other people touching it) but gathered herself as quickly as she could and let out a breath.
"An heirloom of sorts," she agreed with a nod, watching his face and trying to read his thoughts on it. Unless you're about to tell me there's a Made In China sticker stamped on the bottom, she didn't say out loud. Which would be just like it to mess with me.
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-01 06:20 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He turned the box over finding nothing by way of indication. It looked like driftwood. The only markings the brass or some metal decoration on it's edges and top. He blew the cobwebbed like dust on the top surface. He swore he could hear an eerie laugh creaking through those boards, then again his mind laughed at him constantly.
There was something creepy about it. He continued to give it close inspection. "Well, there's not much of a seal or engraving. It looks European that's for sure, but it could even be driftwood slapped together with some rusty hinges." It looked fake in all honesty.
His hand ran over the keyhole. "Could be a treasure box, jewelry, who knows." He pried to open it, it looked as if the hole had rusted over and just sealed shut by age alone, but it was no use. "Have the key?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-01 06:24 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "No," Pandora told him with a shake of her head, trying not to snatch it back and hold it close to her chest for safe-keeping. That box had made her completely paranoid, but not without reason. "I don't think it can be opened."
She prayed that he didn't have some sort of skeleton key for this sort of thing, or didn't reach for a crowbar. Either way she was going to have to dive across the counter at him.
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-02 03:59 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Oedipus lifted a curious brow. For some reason the knee-jerk reaction was to give her back the box and send her on her way, but he was too thick-headed for that.
"Why?" he spelled out carefully, still giving her that rather dumbfounded expression. "It's not like this is Pandora's box or something and the world is going to end," he laughed.
Something in her expression made him stop.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-03 08:42 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Pandora's box isn't a real thing," Pandora told him clearly (and uncomfortably) and then reached out her hand for him to give it back to her. She didn't want him having it any more but she felt like just snatching it away would be more suspicious. Who the hell was this guy? "Thank you for your help."
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-03 10:50 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Oedipus couldn't resist, it was a slap in the face when mortals seemed to think that it was all a joke. Not after the shit he'd been through, oh hell no. It was no joke.
"Sure it is, of course it's real. I know it's real. All of it's real. It's not like the fucking Easter bunny, though my luck that guy probably exists too."
How many seconds would it take for her to think he was crazy.
One.
Two.
Three.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-03 10:58 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "If you think it's all real then don't try and open that box!" Pandora snapped, suddenly reaching out and grabbing it, cradling it to her chest as she took a few deep breathes. Something here was very wrong but she couldn't work it out. It all just felt wrong.
"Who are you?" she demanded, "and what's going on here?"
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-04 02:16 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select His heart rate suddenly fluttered to an insane beat. Don't open it, that only meant one of two things. Either she was some ancient Greek like himself or someone just as crazy.
He sat silent for a few minutes just kind of taking in the moment, it made him a little uneasy. Actually, it made him a lot uneasy.
"Rex," he said out slowly. "Rex Ballis." Well, that was his 'fake' name.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-04 02:22 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora felt a little more relaxed (a little) now that the box was back in her hands. He'd given her his name and Pandora opened her mouth. "Pa-" she realised her assumed name was just her own bloody name anyway and stopped before saying, "Pamela."
She felt like he was looking right through her though. His name told her nothing.
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-04 02:48 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select It was then that he felt that immortal rush, and he stepped back a little feeling drained already. Was he always so blind? Especially, when it came to other Greeks?
"That you're real name?" he asked finding his curiosity drop kick him in the ass again. He was going to regret asking that wasn't he? His heart continued to pound. As long as she wasn't related he might be able to breathe easy again.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-04 02:53 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He knew. Pandora didn't know how, but he knew. And the only way was if he was like her, some fairytale caught up in the real world.
"Pandora," she told him, watching his face for reaction.
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-04 02:59 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Well, that should have been an easy guess, he was a thinker, hadn't that just been flashed in his face? Then again, he wasn't the king of obvious when it came right down to it.
Then it hit that he'd almost opened that damned thing, or tried. He laughed, a little too uncontrollable, almost nervous. "Well good thing I didn't get the crowbar," the laugh died, but the nervousness didn't.
He knew what was next. 'What's your name?' And that always had a range of reactions.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-04 03:17 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He may have laughed but Pandora didn't. If there was one thing she couldn't laugh about it was that damn box.
"You're not just some guy," Pandora said quietly as she watched him. "So who are you?"
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-04 03:27 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He felt defeated, like he always felt when that time came. His name used to be something he was proud of, but society and Frankenstein-type doctors had butchered it.
She'd all but pointed her finger in his face. "Can't it just be Rex? I prefer that name," his voice trailed off before dropping the O-bomb.
"Oedipus."
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-04 03:38 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Maybe he'd expected more of a reaction from her, but Pandora's own name had become synonymous with the fatal price of curiosity so she wasn't really in much position to start judging. She knew about him from plays though, and his name was familiar enough.
Pandora just nodded, still holding tightly to the box in her hand. "Well, Rex," she used the name he'd said he preferred, "thanks for taking a look at this. You said it doesn't look like an antique in your opinion?"
(Reply to this)(Parent) Sorry this was so late, I did nothing at all last night! [info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-05 05:56 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select She hadn't reacted terribly that made his heart race in both relief and disturbing, because he didn't know what the other person was thinking.
Taking a deep breath Oedipus turned his head to the side with a shrugged expression. "Not really, doesn't look like she's worth anything this time. What does it have a mind of it's own or something?" He laughed though he knew he probably shouldn't have asked.
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-05 10:38 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Actually, yes," Pandora just said, letting him laugh but certainly not joining him with that. "Sometimes when it changes it's important. Sometimes-" She looked down at it. "-it's not." Hopefully that meant this time it was just messing around.
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[info]a_freudian_slip 2011-04-06 02:54 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He stiffened up looking a little freaked out. Well that was generally creepy.
"Really," he stared at the box as if it would open it's own door like a mouth with sharp teeth and a grin. They may not be able to hear it but it was as if the dammed thing was laughing. "That's just weird."
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[info]pandoros 2011-04-06 10:04 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Weird doesn't even begin to describe the box," Pandora said, putting it back into her bag carefully to keep it out of the way and out of his eye line.