2019-09-03 - Precursors

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : How are you feeling?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Not great. Not terrible. Doing okay. I cooked ratatouille. Turns out it's simpler than you'd think. How are you?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Oh, hoh, maybe you are trying for a culinary career change! I should get my aunt to call you. How did the ratatouille turn out? I'm...busy. We can get to that in a minute but I want to know how you are first and what you've been up to.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :It's edible! It's actually tasty. Not amazing, perhaps. But tasty. I'm curious about your ellipses. So: I am recovering. I've mostly been listening to music, playing with the bird, and attempting to punch Easton even though I'm not angry at him.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :And cooking ratatouille.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: Once you're confident enough, you should cook for me sometime. And yes, I am shameless enough to suggest that to you, by the way. Ugh. I hate to explain my ellipses since you actually seem to-- wait, you did what to Easton?!

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :He asked me to. And I'd be happy to try and cook for you. I make no promises as to quality.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I don't even remember the last time anyone ever cooked for me, so absolutely no pressure. Why did he ask you to punch him?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I believe he thought it would help me work out some after effects from events. It did, a little. I also think he considers it part of proper male bonding? I get that feeling.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Well, there is a specific male stereotype in that two men can engage in violent fisticuffs in one moment and then have a beer together right after. Were the two of you shirtless when you did it? Asking for a friend.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :No. Although it was warm, so I suppose that might have been better. And it was whiskey, but otherwise...yes?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: Well, at least now you know for future reference. I love how you tried your best not to disappoint me with your sentence swinging from No to Yes at the very end. You are as ever obliging, Mr. Clayton.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :In the future, if I engage in violent fisticuffs with handsome men, I will do my best to ensure our shirts are off. ::smiley face:: Now, I've answered your questions, so - what have you been up to?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I could honestly care less about the other handsome men so long as you're the one that's stripped. Unless you're fighting Hugh Jackman, in which case, then yes, by all means. ::angel emoji::

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Anyway, I had a brief conference with the young Addingtons and Byron about the Ghoul affair but before I get to that, I wanted to tell you that Byron was attacked in his home. Remotely. His ribs were crushed, snapped one by one.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :(...)

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Is he okay?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : He's alright. He managed to call Lil, she was able to fix him. He was still tender when I saw him yesterday before I checked in on Minerva. He thinks the Ghoul through Thomas Addington did it, though I'm not sure. If the Ghoul wanted to kill him, why would he risk him surviving? Every life he's attempted to take, he managed to do so successfully with the exception of Miss Carr.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Fuck. I'm glad he was able to reach Miss Winslow. It doesn't match the Ghoul's current MO, it's true - he's always gone for the kill. There's remarkably little wanton sadism in his murders, it seems. They're bloody but he goes right for

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :(a long pause)

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :He's efficient. That's not efficient. But I can't say I understand the dead man.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I pointed that out to him but I don't know if it sunk in, though I don't think anything is beyond or beneath him. I wonder if Byron was a message. Erin Addington confirmed that the Ghoul's always listening while he's inside Thomas, so we have to assume that he knows we are looking for the box and the Three. And while I'm loath to say it while you're recovering, we don't have a lot of time. I believe Margaret intends to commit her brother sometime this week, if not sooner, or just slightly later than that. Thomas mentioned something about draining the fountain and doing it there.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I've been calling my local historical contacts, and burying myself in town artifacts from the days of Gohl's life and death, and then from the 60s. Oh. Easton was able to recall more details from his dream - he recalled what mortuary service was sent to pick up Gohl's bones in the 60s. Give you three guesses, but the first two don't count.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : My great-aunt's funeral home.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I didn't know Easton was dreaming about the affair. What did he dream about?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Got it in one. Must have been right before the place burned down, which makes me wonder if that's how the bones originally got lost. Maybe they burned the place down trying to destroy them. He dreamed he was his uncle, carrying the original coffin to the mortuary hearse.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : So he knows what the pine box looks like. Do you think if we can access those memories...maybe I can try and find it. Or someone else who's better at it can. Someone with a better range. We have a few options now.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Quite possibly. If it wasn't destroyed in the fire.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : We won't know unless we try. But like I said, we have options now.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I spoke to Minerva. She fielded the possibility of an exorcism and she is emphatic about the fact that Thomas cannot be killed, we would risk releasing him. She has started researching on the box and what it might take to construct it. Erin and Hyacinth Addington intend to carry on the research in Addington House, to see if they can find anything pertaining the box and the Three. I've reached out to Rebecca Carr about investigating Doctor Faust's home. Apparently she has a friend looking out for her who she intends to bring, who happens to be your friend, Itzhak Rosencranz. And in the event that an excursion to the Veil is imminent, I asked the Captain to assist.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Oh, good. And yes, I agree. Thomas can't be killed. Or shouldn't be. We COULD. It would just be the wrong thing to do. And good. Itzhak is competent and clever and trustworthy. I should ask August to come along. He's multi-talented, and he's solid. I trust him not to fly off of the handle or do anything regrettable.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I'm not saying we shouldn't try. Merely that the odds are good that the original coffin is out of play. But if we can confirm that, it would be good.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Right. Still his dream is valuable, I think. It at least tells us what happened to the bones in that nebulous time before they were interred. It'll give us a good knowledge base. I...

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : (. . .)

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Is something wrong?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : In the event that we need to cross over to look for answers, I don't know if I'll be able to go. But I've done my best to ensure that capable people can do so. Lilith and Byron have volunteered to join any excursions over if they need to happen. I think they'll be good.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :My last excursion into battle with Miss Winslow and Thorne involved them trying to kill each other, and attacking me. But...yes. I trust it will go differently this time.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I've spent enough time with them the last two days to be able to reassure you that they won't be turning on one another this time, believe me. They're as close as ever.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Do I even want to know how Dr. Glass is taking that?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : And I honestly think it'd be good for Lilith. She's angry over what happened to Byron, and over the Ring incident also. And I don't know...I honestly haven't seen Vivian by herself lately.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I feel like that's going to get messy before it resolves itself.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : That's all I have at the moment, I wish I could say I've got more, but I have to rely on the others now to do what needs to be done. And...I know. But human relationships are inherently messy and complicated and the heart isn't logical at all.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I'm just worried about the fallout. But they're adults. Mostly sane. I suppose they'll work it out, one way or another. The only other thing I have is tangential to the current situation. My doctor at the hospital. She used to work at the asylum.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : It will, but not without a mess. The heart will want what it wants and pain is inevitable, but...is it weird that I think it's a good sign? The hurt? It means something is real, and worth keeping.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : The doctor who discharged you?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I don't think that's weird.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :And yes.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : That's a very strange coincidence.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I don't think we do coincidences in this zip code. I'm going to take her to tea one day.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : To learn more about her former workplace?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : It would be helpful in your search for Miss Whitehouse.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :And her. She says she's not here to hurt people, and I read truth on her. It doesn't mean she might be the precursor to something that DOES want harm, though. Or that she might not change her mind. Potential enemies must be watched.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Wait, what? What makes you think she's a potential enemy? Or a precursor for a potential enemy?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :She worked at the asylum. Which means she was either actively participating or complicit in the torture of people like us for the Shadows.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : You never actually explained to me how you got to that conclusion...

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Miss Whitehouse has a connection with her twin. And is in communication with others who used to be there. It does not seem like a nice place.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : And through this connection, she managed to inform her twin that the facility is for Their benefit?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :It's over THERE, Isabella. Nothing good comes from over there. Dr. Marshall used to torment his young nephew with stories of the place - he likely drew young Easton into a lost place where he was strapped to a gurney and tormented. And that was his blood. What do you think he was doing to strangers?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : He did WHAT to Easton?!

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : How old w-

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : (. . .)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : If you're going to keep an eye on her, please be careful.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :I'm always careful.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Don't laugh.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : You're lucky you're not within range of me.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Oh?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Yes. Remember when Byron told you about my tendency to throw things that are heavier than paper? And this was even before you were ever interested in me.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Just aim for central body mass. I need the neck and everything above it for a while longer, yet.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I know, some of the best parts of you are there.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :If it turns out that she did hurt people. Fed them to the Shadows, or even just hurt them willingly without knowing about the Shadows - if she did that, but doesn't want to do it any more, do you think you would forgive her?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : It depends. It's easier to pass sentence on a stranger than someone familiar.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :Yes. What would it depend on?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : People are innately fallible, Alexander. I suppose it would depend on what she's been doing since then to make up for it.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander :That makes sense. At any rate, I will reach out to Thorne, see if he needs anything he'll deign to allow me to provide. I'll continue the research on my end, and hopefully, between all of us, we'll come up with something useful. I can contact Easton, ask him to talk to you about the dream.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : That would be helpful, thank you. I had a total of one half conversation with the man and he was largely there to see how the Captain was doing.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Anyway, I should let you get back to your ratatouille. Do you need anything in the downtown area while I'm out tomorrow?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I don't think so. But I look forward to seeing you again, Isabella. When I'm not in a hospital gown. ::smiley face::

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: I'll take you any way I can get you. Even with the hospital gown. Not with your throat cut though, I can do without that.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : You're a tolerant and patient woman. And I will do my best to avoid throat cutting.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Tolerant? Patient? You really must like me. I'll eventually knock those rose colored glasses off you know. But yes, please do.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : We'll see who disappoints who first, my dear.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: If we start competing on this leg, BOTH of us will lose. And my dear? So endearments are okay? How much whiskey did you drink?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Endearments are fine. They're not names. I only had a few swallows.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : So noted. I'll have to find one that's suitably embarrassing. ::devil emoji::

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : In all seriousness, it's adorable. I wonder sometimes if you were born in the wrong time.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I think you'd be more embarrassed calling me by a silly endearment than I would be hearing it. And...you do?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: Touche. I would never live it down, I think. And yes. Sometimes. It's not a bad thing. Especially when you converse with me, it feels somewhat like engaging a man from Victorian London in conversation. Not always, but especially when we engage one another intellectually.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I like it, before you think otherwise. Then again I noticed that about you from the beginning.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Oh good. Because the Victorians were kind of assholes, so I was confused. Well-dressed and polite assholes, but assholes.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: You think so? You don't think the assholeishness would eradicate the politeness completely? I don't think I've ever come across a nice asshole.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I have. Nice is different than good.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I don't know. I think they'd still get slapped. I think the slap factor will always be the proper gauge for that sort of thing.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Hm. I'll have to evaluate that, then. But, for now, I will wish you a good night's rest, and hope that I'll see you soon. Be safe, Isabella.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Goodnight, my

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : (. . .)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Nope, I can't even type it. ::laugh emoji:: Goodnight, Alexander. Be safe also, and I will see you soon.