log; closed; and everything changes

[tainted_loyalty]

When; Friday afternoon
Rating; PG
Characters; tainted_loyalty, deathofdelilah, allinhishands
Summary; Riff gets sick. Alexis and co. decide to... help him.
Log;

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[allinhishands]

It would be unfortunate for something to happen to Riffael when he could provide him with aid. Of course it would also be unfortunate to lose a valuable tool. So he'd been keeping track of the manservant's movements, deciding that today would be an opportune moment to...collect him.

Lingering in the shadows with Jezebel, Alexis watched the young man heading back for the Opera House. He was weak in this moment. It would be the perfect time to strike.

"Just knock him out, Jezebel. We can take care of him once we have him somewhere safe."

[deathofdelilah]

Jezebel nodded, pulling a small jar of chloroform and a rag from the pocket of his coat. "As you wish," he said, dousing the rag heavily.

He moved quickly while staying in the shadows, keeping his footsteps light enough that Riff shouldn't hear anything suspicious. If he caught Riff off-guard, this would be incredibly easy. And even if Riff decided to fight back, he doubted there was any chance that Cain's manservant would prevail -- the weakness in his body was telegraphed clearly through his movements.

[tainted_loyalty]

He didn't hear it immediately, but after a time, the constant repetition of his own footsteps became clear. Riff paused, eyes narrowing, and glanced around. There were other people on the street, but none were looking at him. He did not see the man in the shadows, but instinct told him to be wary. Tense and suspicious now, the weight of his purchase balanced in his weaker arm so he would have the other to fight with if it became necessary, Riff walked faster.

[allinhishands]

A dark and dangerous smile curled his lips as he watched his eldest son move like the predator he was. Slipping through shadows to get to his prey. It was beautiful in its own way. He'd raised him well. Alexis couldn't be more proud of how perfect his son had become over the years. When he was obedient like this, when he was the monster of the shadows.

Pulling out his pipe, he lit it so he could enjoy the smell of it while he waited for Jezebel to finish his task.

[deathofdelilah]

Following Riff was easy enough; even with his increased pace, Jezebel kept up easily. No passers-by seemed to think anything strange of him walking down the street, always staying the same distance from his target. They were all too preoccupied in their own affairs to think the soaked rag in his hand strange.

For the moment, he had to wait for Riffael to move to a less populated street. One or two witnesses might be manageable, but a crowd would be less so.

[tainted_loyalty]

He paused again, uneasy, and this time, Riff caught just a glimpse of that long, pale hair before Jezebel could step out of sight. It was immediately recognizable.

Riff froze, eyes narrowing, and turned to look right at him.

[allinhishands]

Oh dear. Jezebel had been seen. Just what was he going to do now? This was proving to be entertaining enough. A prelude to the first act of this grand production he was putting on. Smirking, Alexis moved through the crowd, blending in perfectly. An easy enough task since his son was the one with the features that stood out.

[deathofdelilah]

When Riff realized he was there, there was a moment where Jezebel simply stood there, returning his gaze. All the while, a smirk slowly crept across his face.

And then he dashed, moving quickly through the street towards him. There was no use in hiding his presence any longer, but giving chase would still serve him well -- Riff was weaker and unlikely to run as well as he could in full health. And giving chase might panic him into running somewhere more advantageous.

[tainted_loyalty]

Riff had no intention of running. He dropped his purchases immediately, reaching into his coat instead for the revolver he kept on him now. It was always best to be prepared, knowing the sorts of dangerous people the City harbored now.

Pointing the gun calmly at Jezebel, he only raised his voice enough to be heard. "What do you want, Doctor Disraeli?"

[allinhishands]

A gun. How quaint. Alexis wove his way through the crowds until he was behind Riff. There he removed his glasses so he could clean them with a cloth from his pocket. The manservant was just as prepared as he expected him to be.

"Just to talk," he said, announcing his presence. Of course shooting him would mean that Riff would be the one in trouble, caught by the police. There were conveniences to being an unarmed man.

[deathofdelilah]

Pity that Riff had brought the gun, but nothing insurmountable. Especially with so many witnesses around, while Riff faced two men who seemed to carry no weapons. He idly wondered if that might attract a bit of attention.

"From what we understand," he said slowly, watching Riff all the while. "You have not been faring well, Riffael."

[tainted_loyalty]

That voice--too familiar, too close sent a chill down his spine. Riff whirled immediately, hiding the wince that came with the sudden motion, and cocked his gun. It didn't matter to him right now what the passes-by thought. He was aware of what these men were capable of.

"Your concern is truly touching." For a man who was usually mild and polite, his tone was downright venomous.

"However, I have more important things to attend to than conversation with you, so if you'll excuse me." When neither of them made a move immediately, he lowered the gun just slightly. People were beginning to gather. Surely Alexis and Jezebel would not do anything overt right in the middle of a crowd.

[allinhishands]

"You need a doctor," Alexis announced so that way people around them could hear it. It would soothe their nerves and they would probably think Riff was insane from something. It would explain why the two were trying to calm down a man with a gun.

"As you know, Jezebel here is a highly trained physician. He can see that you are taken care of."

It was amazing how quickly he could get a crowd to side with him. Even the murmurs had turned to hoping these two men would be able to take care of the one with the gun. The one who was clearly the most dangerous of the three.

[deathofdelilah]

Jezebel tilted his head, his voice as calm and reassuring as possible. Not that it would fool Riff for an instant, but it would certain help the image being built for those listening in -- by all appearances, it was one lone madmen against two unarmed Good Samaritans.

"I've helped you before, Riff," he said, his voice the right volume to be overheard. "When you were ill months ago, who was it that put you right? I know how to treat you."

[tainted_loyalty]

"Things have changed, Doctor," he replied frigidly, the obvious implication being Alexis's arrival. "I do not desire your aid."

He did not want to involve the passers-by, but he wanted to be cornered by these men even less. He was not well enough to run, not effectively, but the weapon-- He would chance it. He aimed the gun at the former Earl of Hargreaves' forehead.

"I'm afraid I am not in the mood for idle chat tonight. Please get out of my way, Lord Hargreaves."

((OOC: SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY. D: RL happened. is happening. I might be slowish, just to let you guys know. ♥ ))

[allinhishands]

"It's really a shame that you had to force my hand. And when I only wished to help you."

Alexis didn't move away, not at all afraid of the gun being pointed directly at his head. He was far too calm about the situation. However, with the tale he'd spun, it was clear that the people thought this insane man simply did things like this. Often.

"Jezebel, if you would," Alexis instructed, telling his son to make his move now.