THE UNHOLY

vuvuzela huh ?  expression wrinkles ,  and he fast shifts out of his lazy sprawl on the couch to a far more confrontational sit -  ‘ petit-potato-potatas to you too ,  einstein !  i’m listenin’ ,  ain’t i ?!  what more do ya want ?! ‘  that smirk was really throwing him off —  even so ,  it was too much to expect every guy to kiss georgie’s high-heeled thanksgiving shoes on the buckle .  isaac could live with leaving the halls to themselves so long as it meant he himself could be left alone all the same :  were he granted so much as the velvet sofa his two buttcheeks had already left a solid print on ,  he would’ve been satisfied .  

‘ i take it fuckin’ up gonna be let off as easy as a light slap on the wrist either … ‘  ah ,  talk about a pain in the ass .  murder just wasn’t as fun with too many rules and punishments .  ‘ s’still better than the streets fer now ,  i guess ,  so i’ll take it …  ya got anymore ‘tips n’ tricks’ to n’ insult me with ,  georgie ,  r’are we finished here ? ‘

“Do not call me that again, you cur.” The gaze that Joseph was giving the other was unnaturally blank and still, as if he had frozen in time. In other words, he was already pissed and done with this disrespectful asshole. Then the expression broke into a small smile as he rose and walked to the large camera in the corner of the room. “Well, I am a photographer. Shall I take your picture? Smile.” Setting it up and aiming with fast, practiced movements, he turned the crank and soon picked up a black and white photo, casually waving it in the air to cool. “Hm. Turned out well.” 

Fingers loosened almost immediately when the opposing grip tightened, the action being perceived as a mild - albeit serious - threat. And those claws certainly didn’t help Cornell think otherwise. So he followed; slowly at first as he gave the possible path of escape one last look before it vanished in the growing darkness, only to pick up the pace when Joseph spoke.

“Goodness no, I would never!” That would be opening a whole new can of worms. This Miss Nightingale could possibly be an issue herself, but if she was, certainly it would have been known by now. Right? Such thoughts were pushed aside when the door was closed behind them, confidence in a possible escape sinking further with each step. At least the parlor appeared comfortable…

“Ah… Yes, thank you.”

He wasted no time in walking to the couches, careful to sweep his tail aside to avoid sitting on it. Small talk, okay, he could do this… but how much information would be considered too much? It was already plain as day that Cornell was far from human, so anything beyond that would be trivial to the average person. And yet Joseph… He seemed to be far from ordinary himself.

“There isn’t much to say really.” A shudder cascaded along his spine, causing Cornell to gingerly hug himself despite the damp clothing. "I travel and offer my services as a medic to those who need it. I enjoy making my own tea blends as well…”

“And you? From that wall, I feel it is safe to assume you enjoy photography.”

The flames roared to life, starting to warm up the otherwise cold room. “Oh, you enjoy tea? I shall put a pot on then. I hope you don’t mind earl grey.” Humming cheerily as he went about his task, Joseph waves his hand. “Ah, yes, I am a photographer. Would you like me to take your picture? I’m sure you’re photogenic.”

As the kettle was placed to boil, he walked back over to the couches and sat in the one opposite from the other, crossing one leg over the other. “So, you’re a doctor then? Just like Mademoiselle Dyer. I’m sure you two would get along, talking about... medical things.” 

‘ woah-woah-WOAH ! ‘  this guy starts touching and talking ,  the scythe retracts ,  and zack’s hand fast tries to clamp over to keep too much from spilling out from the other’s mouth ,  but he’s too late :  the wink causes him to detach nigh-immediately ,  confusion and disgust contorting wrapped features and wrinkling his nose .  there’s nausea that he holds in and tries to digest ,  but shit -  everything from head to stomach to nervous wobble in his legs feels like it’s spinning and giving out .  ‘ …  what the shit are you goin’ on about ?! ‘  he growls ;  he’s not even going to try to discern or even recall half of that .  ‘ see ,  this’s what i mean !  crazy shit just won’t stop happenin’ and you can’t quit yappin’ !  ‘you understand ?’ well that’s great ,  ‘cause i sure as fuck don’t !  if y’can’t even tell me what’s goin’ on then just keep it shut n’ show me the way out ! ‘  as much a plead as he wanted it to be a threat :  oh ,  if only ,  but real looneys didn’t feel fear . 

Cichol was used to charming and endearing himself to people with his cheeriness, wit and silver tongue, but... well, it didn’t seem like the other was the type to be receptive to that at all. Clearly not a Game player, huh? That was alright though-- Cichol wasn’t about to get offended by his crassness-- after all, he did have many a contact among London’s criminals and opportunists. Though at least they heard about his reputation enough not to be rude at this point.... oh well. 

and seriously ,  must he ?  isaac foster isn’t impressed by the frilly ,  cotton-candy-colorful mess that’s supposed to be a serial killer’s mentor .  there’s a careless skepticism that makes itself clear on his expression as the other goes on :  rules ?  tips ,  tricks ?  whatever ,  was this supposed to be his first murder-rodeo ?  zack’s not sure whether or not he should have come bearing questions :  wants to say  ,  i know what i’m doing ,  but he thinks it over ;  comes to the conclusion that he doesn’t ,  at least not completely .  ( so he’ll stay relatively quiet ,  aside from the fast ,  impatient tap of his foot on the ground ,  and he’ll listen . )

‘ … yeah ,  i got a question .  s’it true i can really kill all i want without anybody comin’ for me here ? ‘  priority as always :  the police .  ‘ tips n’ tricks ain’t really my style either …  don’t think i’d want ‘em from a walkin’ nickel .  just tell me what i gotta know ,  and make it nice and slow and simple ,  so i can understand . ‘

Joseph couldn’t help the deep sigh that escaped his lips. He was already anticipating the migraine that was going to come from having to deal with the other, and they’ve barely spoken a few sentences to each other. “You’ll certainly be allowed to do as you please... within the limit of the games. The manor is a no-kill zone, so do try to contain yourself in these halls, yes? But no, the police won’t find you here. They’ve certainly tried in the past, but this manor has been declared off limits and a lost cause for a while now, I suspect.”

A deafening pounding echoed in Cornell’s skull as his heart practically slammed up against his rib cage, trying desperately to free itself and flee this potentially dangerous situation. Unfortunately this feeling didn’t resonate through the rest of his being, as the unicorn could only take a single step backwards before the other male stopped - “guarding” the exit.

Cornell looked over his shoulder now, crystalline eyes wide and darting between the room’s entrance and Joseph as if trying to plot a course for escape. Futile? Surely if he reached the outside he would be able to outrun this man? Yes Cornell was a coward, pitiful as Joseph put it, but he at least had confidence in his stamina. Unless it was true and this man had an ace up his sleeve…

Hesitantly did he finally turn around, hand trembling ever so slightly as it extended to take hold of the other’s in a weak grip. Safe was the last word he’d use to describe this place.

“C-Cornell. My name is Cornell.” 

“If I may ask… Why can you not let me leave? If it is because I trespassed then I am truly sorry.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Cornell. Come, let us relax in the parlor, shall we?” Gripping back tightly on his hand, Joseph hummed a little tune as he walked, bringing them both deeper in the manor. “If that were the reason, then that would be awfully heartless of me, would it now?” As if in on some inside joke with himself, he gave a little chuckle. “However, it is not so much that I cannot let you leave-- surely nothing would happen if I were to overlook your presence, as long as you didn’t start snooping around. I suppose... it is merely a whim of mine. It would also be good of me to inform Miss Nightingale of your presence, but well... I’m sure she already knows. You will be good company for a while regardless, yes? Ah, here we are.”

“Must I?” Giving a sigh and holding his head as he was informed that yes, he must, Joseph rolled his shoulders. “I suppose it is my turn... even if I’m sure Monsieur Jack would be a better fit with... the new hunter. Or perhaps even Monsieur Leo. After all, he has experience with children... Ah, yes. Excuse me. I shall get going, then.”

“A-Ah!”

To say he hadn’t nearly been scared out of his skin would be a lie. This building had looked relatively abandoned from the outside, the only thing hinting otherwise being the lights which glowed ominously at the manor’s entrance and it’s door left ajar, so hearing someone’s voice was startling to say the least. Not to mention their appearance– Of course Cornell wasn’t one to talk given his own complexion and hair color, but there was something about this man’s eyes that gave him the heebie jeebies.

“N-Neither?” Oh Gods what did he step into? “Forgive me sir,  I’m not here for any of… that. I was merely looking for a place to wait out the rain.”

“I’ll just… show myself out. I did not mean to intrude–”

“Hmm? Neither, you say?” Briskly walking towards the other, he startled sauntering around him slowly, as if a predator stalking trapped prey. “A survivor, then. Pardon me, I don’t doubt that you are simply some unlucky passerby with no idea what’s going on-- but now that we’ve met, I can hardly let you go so easily, can I?” 

@xltruistic.

LONDON ?           Stolen by bats– bats ??      Zee Captain???

     Link’s head spun from such information, fingers rising to become TANGLED within honeyed locks. He was notorious for getting into all sorts of trouble, true, but this? This was one for the history books, a PARAMOUNT accomplishment for one Hero of Time. Sapphires roamed about the area once more, taking in the sights, the scents, the people, and coming to the realization that he, under no other circumstance, would ever find his way back to Hyrule without the help of one willing to aid him.

     Link couldn’t do this alone, not when nary a single sight or person was FAMILIAR to him– That would be absolutely mad. He needed help.

     “I… I don’t really know a lot of what you’re talking about…” He began, having always felt that putting HONESTY first and foremost was the best course of action to follow. “… A-and nothing about what you said is familiar to me, at all… but if you could help me get back home, I would be eternally grateful.” How exactly they would go about in doing so, was beyond him, but he held hope that this strange man would have a TRICK or two up his sleeve on the matter.

     “Please… could you help me get back home, Lord Cichol?”

“Oh dear-- no need to look at me in such a cute, pitiful way my handsome man. I would be happy to help you find your way to this High Rule-- and in fact, I would love to come with you! It sounds like a lovely place to visit-- Ah, though I don’t know how your sun feels about foreign intruders waltzing in on your soil. Is it a very lawful, orderly place? Physics all in order, no differently-mortal entities about, and a strong separation between dimensions and other such existent yet is-not places? It would be an awful vacation if I were to spontaneously combust and die after all, especially if it’s in a more permanent fashion. 

Oh-- look at me rambling on again. I do apologize. For now, how about we take time for supper, or perhaps dinner if you’re hungry? I know of a lovely little place right here in Veilgarden. Come, come.” Hooking his arm around the other’s elbow, he cheerily tugged the other towards the restaurant in mind.