VANQUISHER.

Lack of insulation against early February’s chill doesn’t petrify him as it should, yet he shakes and swings his shoulders as if doing so will warm him…or keep him distracted from lunging. Werewolf’s footfalls leave no audible trace as he stalks two paces, eyes downcast and forced into slits that glow whenever the ‘CLOSED’ sign strikes them. Sokol shadows him, keeping tight enough to steer him from bumping into another stoop or person trying to squeeze by.

Trash piles so high, at this point it occludes the sun. The few pathetic trees the city attempted to plant are bent and suffocating. Their naked branches rattle like bone chimes when the breeze lashes. Joker watches those bare limbs chatter. Every few wavers he thinks he’s spotted an owl perched, looming; observing his candor and volatility.

For a moment, he only sees red. A vicious crimson screen drenches his field of view beyond the little cashier or…apprentice…whatever they are…guarding Biserka’s door during her off-hours. Once his right foot swings to pivot him, he peers beyond Libby’s head to see if he can spot the one-eyed owner through those beads. He narrows his eyes, takes another drag, then laughs so hard he coughs.

it  is  a  kindness  that  libby  would  deny  when  they  unlock  the  door.    it  groans  on  its  swivel,    jostling  a  muted  bell  and  the  sheer  black  curtains  cosseting  the  windows  on  either  side.    one  fell  of  fabric  gets  caught  in  the  jam,    tearing  ever  more  slightly  in  the  same  spot  it  always  does.    libby  stands  like  that  in  the  doorway,    peering  down  at  joker  and  his  dog  with  crooked  brows.

behind  her  comes  the  witch  in  a  plume  of  her  own  smoke.    ❝  elizabeth!    ❞  she  barks,    voice  rough  around  the  edges  and  firm  enough  to  hack  through  bone  if  necessary.    pearl  does  not  see  joker,    but  the  way  she  addresses  her  ward  insists  that  she  knows.    ❝  the  draft,    you  fool!    ❞  this,    in  joker’s  tongue,    as  though  she  speaks  not  to  libby  but  to  the  man  certainly  not  in  charge  of  the  chill  already  seeping  into  the  shop.    libby  makes  no  move  to  address  this  mistake  before  joker  can  enter.

❝  eugh!    ❞  pearl  smacks  her  lips  and  bustles  closer  to  the  entryway  until  she  can  take  in  the  dog  at  his  master’s  feet.    she  mutters  something  beneath  her  breath.    ❝  you  wreak  of  dread.    and  the  babas  who  dread  with  you.    ❞  libby’s  mouth  splits  into  a  heckling  sort  of  grin  and  they  say,    ❝  his  wife  just  had  a  baby.    new  parent  syndrome?    ❞

dialogue prompts from moon and the mars by kia corthron.

talking to yourself again?

we don’t need good. we need quiet.

where were you? before?

love your neighbor, but don’t let ‘em swindle you.

you sure got the gift of gab.

thank you for your all-important wisdom.

who would want to come live here?

you know what else is thicker than water? mud.

i like to pray by myself.

how come you’re standing in the rain?

the rich aren’t used to being inconvenienced.

the haves are afraid of becoming a ‘have less’.

i could go without your cheekiness.

our job is to survive, first.

luck, and milk, both eventually go bad.

you’re old enough to keep a secret.

i know a scarier story.

the way the world is, i think anyone not blind or evil must be a little crazy.

there’s only one way to win in this world: beat them at their own game.

you are the grandest medicine to start the day.

i don’t want anyone to see me like this.

i thought things were getting better. i’d convinced myself.

we must not despair, but demand repair.

i’m not impulsive, i’m decisive.

when we bring our minds and spirits together, we are a powerful force.

do you have everything you need?

you’re worth your weight in gold.

shame is a heavy load for someone so small.

whoever comes back from war calm and content, they’re the mad ones.

don’t spread ugly rumors, even if they are true.

be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice.

you don’t need to be blood-related to be family.

i’ve kept you waiting long enough.

there’s easier ways to get through life than letting people know all your business.

death in war is not tidy and dignified, but macabre and ugly.

that’s what growing up is: scars that scab, but don’t ever really heal.

you look more like ____ every time i see you.

if you wanted me to have the information, you would have given it to me.

love is blind, and blind is dangerous.

i was there all the time. with you.

i was pretty shocked to get your letter, out of the blue.

let me go ahead and tell you, i’ll be very angry if you say you’re sorry. i’m not sorry.

were you ever mended? ever whole?

i thought it might be a nice day to see my old friend.

- recurring npcs who may or may not pop up in threads

- comprehensive timeline of libby’s history with their mother

- information post about margaret’s business and work