Val Raimi

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

"I mean, it would mean I would go harassing you less." Laura added, which was a complete lie, of course. Val would never be free from the bane of xyr existence, and it wasn't like Laura went asking for resurrections that often, anyways. "Thanks. I owe you a favor for looking. Not an urgent thing, so don't go sacrificing any firstborn children, but get in touch on the off chance The-Coming-End-That-Waits-For-Us-All decides to be nice."

"Not a vampire anymore," it said briskly, taking a sip of tea. "Also, I think the guy on your couch stopped breathing a minute or so ago."

As Laura had stated, Oliver was bot breathing. He also did not have a pulse. He did, however, mumble something under his breath and turn over in his sleep, furrowing deeper into the blankets.

"Oh, he's a new avatar, then?" Laura took a sip from her mug. They remained by the table, studying the two from a distance. "Fun. Another one of your lot?"

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

"I mean, it would mean I would go harassing you less." Laura added, which was a complete lie, of course. Val would never be free from the bane of xyr existence, and it wasn't like Laura went asking for resurrections that often, anyways. "Thanks. I owe you a favor for looking. Not an urgent thing, so don't go sacrificing any firstborn children, but get in touch on the off chance The-Coming-End-That-Waits-For-Us-All decides to be nice."

"Not a vampire anymore," it said briskly, taking a sip of tea. "Also, I think the guy on your couch stopped breathing a minute or so ago."

As Laura had stated, Oliver was bot breathing. He also did not have a pulse. He did, however, mumble something under his breath and turn over in his sleep, furrowing deeper into the blankets.

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

"I mean, it would mean I would go harassing you less." Laura added, which was a complete lie, of course. Val would never be free from the bane of xyr existence, and it wasn't like Laura went asking for resurrections that often, anyways. "Thanks. I owe you a favor for looking. Not an urgent thing, so don't go sacrificing any firstborn children, but get in touch on the off chance The-Coming-End-That-Waits-For-Us-All decides to be nice."

"Not a vampire anymore," it said briskly, taking a sip of tea. "Also, I think the guy on your couch stopped breathing a minute or so ago."

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

"I mean, it would mean I would go harassing you less." Laura added, which was a complete lie, of course. Val would never be free from the bane of xyr existence, and it wasn't like Laura went asking for resurrections that often, anyways. "Thanks. I owe you a favor for looking. Not an urgent thing, so don't go sacrificing any firstborn children, but get in touch on the off chance The-Coming-End-That-Waits-For-Us-All decides to be nice."

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“Well, if you want to travel to America and talk to his ghost, be my guest.” Laura snorted. “I was hoping more along the lines of you having any information regarding the End book, aligned with it as you are. Or a way to track or find it. Favor from your patron, or something.”

Learn how to make a cup of tea Martin.

Well- we don't all take our tea bitter with no milk, that's inhumane!

Your "cups of tea" are more milk and sugar than actual tea. Its unpatriotic

aren’t you guys in Britain

Hence way the way Martin takes his tea is practically a war crime.

Jon's just a hater :/ On Martin of all people

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

Laura snorted. “He died in America a while back, out of what I’ve found. So… it’ll be a necromancy job anyways. He’ll be more likely to offer up information, but if Mary hid the book and didn’t tell him, he won’t know anything. There’s a chance he got it as a family heirloom of sorts, though.”

Val rolls xyr eyes again. "So you want me to go to America to talk to a spirit, regardless of whether or not he actually has information." They ask rhetorically. Of course that's what Laura wanted. "Along with Mary. You do understand there's a cooldown period here, right?" Val puts their bright-pink, cat head-shaped mug on the counter. "And if you think I have the money to travel to America, then honey, you've got a big storm comin'."

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“More that it is an End Leitner and I was wondering if you had any… information, given your alignment.” Laura twirled her hand in the air. “Last I heard, her ghost was bound to the book itself, so… not sure if you’d be able to chat with her, anyways. Could attempt it, I suppose. Though I don’t personally want to talk with her. Her son, maybe…”

"I'm sure I could find something about it." Val replies, swirling xyr mug. "If the spirit is willing to talk, I can communicate." They take another sip from their mug. "If her son knows anything, you can just go ask him, if he isn't AWOL."

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

Laura shrugged. “Eh. Die, I suppose? Though I’d consider her dying probably better for the world in general, out of what I’ve heard. Never actually met her myself.” they took another sip of their mug, before leaning forward. “This is less about her and more about… something she owned, and has gone missing, and I’d like to find.”

Val hums thoughtfully. "And you came to me because I can speak to her?" They ask, tilting their head to the side. "Or you think I might have it?"

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

Laura picked up its mug, taking a small sip. “Have you ever heard of a woman by the name of Mary Keay?” She inquired thoughtfully.

"The name sounds vaguely familiar." Val replies, sipping their own mug. "What'd she do to piss you off?" They ask, leaning against the counter.

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“Oh, I have purposes other than that.” Laura mused. “Supernatural business, trying to throw wrenches into the Peoples’ Church’s plans, feeding birds… many things. This is just a highly entertaining side gig. “ It swirled the mug of tea slightly, waiting for it to steep. “Speaking of which, you did guess correctly. I am here on business.”

Val has to resist an eye-roll, but does let out a small and slightly-dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I figured as much. Can't just come and visit me without wanting something." They drop a couple of sugar cubes into their mug and stir the tea with a spoon. "So, what is it?"

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I just save up all my cruelty and torment for you,” Laura shot back, following xem into the kitchen, notably ignoring the comment on her friends. “Who knows how kind I am when I’m not tormenting you in specific?” They grinned at Val.

"Oh, you shouldn't have." Val mutters sarcastically, though there is a hint of a smirk on their face. "Sometimes I do wonder if you were just put on this earth to make my life worse." Xe pours Laura and themself a mug. Val knew how Laura liked their tea already, so xe didn't feel the need to ask. They had enough late-night, caffeine-fueled interactions.

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.

“Hmmm.” Laura pressed their lips together. “No kidnapping? Disappointing. Haven’t heard about a good one of those for a bit.” She tried to joke, but catching on to Val’s exhausted state, just let out a breath, lowering her tone slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and wake him up or mess with him or anything. Looks like he needs the rest, honestly.” It squinted slightly. “Those eye bags remind me of one of my friends from high school, honestly.”

Val snorts out a small laugh. "I didn't know you had friends." They reply, unable to resist some kind of jab, though it was more playful than anything. "Or that you had any capacity for kindness." Xe turns and heads back into the kitchen. Val's careful to take the kettle off the heat right as it starts to whistle, making sure it wouldn't disturb Oliver's slumber.

“I do, actually.” The person on the other side of the door replied. “Despite what you may believe, I can read a clock.” Laura rolled her wheelchair in through the door without bothering to wait for an invitation, pushing past Val. “You already know my schedule limitations, though. I could have come at midnight, if you’d preferred?” they gave Val a look, eyebrows raised.

“Are people not allowed to visit their neighbors anymore?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow at Val. “No stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar? No afternoon chit-chats for tea?” they clicked their tongue. “Pity, that. Speaking of tea, do you have any?” It rolled its wheelchair into the kitchen, letting out a hum as she looked for a kettle.

"You can visit your neighbors, but you always come around when you want something." Val replies, stepping into the kitchen. Xe rummages through a cabinet, producing a couple of boxes of Twining's. They set them down next to the kettle. "And most people don't stop by for visits at 4am."

Laura smiled when she saw the tea. “Well, you do know how much I hate the sunlight.” They responded slyly, waving their hand. “Maybe I wanted to chat without… pesky things getting in the way, hm? Or maybe you are right, and I do want something. Or maybe I just wanted to annoy you. Who knows?”

“Straight to the point then, are we?” It mused, before sighing. It looked just about to explain things, before a bit of motion caught its eye. They wheeled their wheelchair around to get a better look at the couch, laughing. “Wait- Val, did you kidnap someone? I didn’t think you had that in you.” Oliver, predictably, didn’t stir from his sleep.

"Leave him alone, Laura." Val sighed, following after them. Xe leaned on their cane next to Laura's chair. "I didn't kidnap him. He's a friend. He's staying with me for a little while." Val explains, also staring at the man on xyr couch. He was... peaceful. He didn't look as beaten down as he had a few hours ago.