[For Steerpike] Till the least of the last is dust...

[77th_earl]

It's been some days since the poster went up in the main room, asking for any information on the whereabouts of Titus Groan, and some might think the trail is going cold. But the only thing going cold is the weather

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[not_snake_bite]

Steerpike was just going about, taking a long walk for himself. He's not had much action of late, his life, in fact, feels almost normal, though he occasionally wonders where the annoying half-brother went.

It must be fate.

It must be irony.

At any rate, he'll stumble upon the hair. And after a moment of vague horror.... he'll start digging.

[77th_earl]

As he digs deeper, he'll uncover a very familiar face, though by now, it's gone pasty-white, the skin like cold, damp ivory to the touch. The eyes are half open and cloudy, but the face is unmistakable.

[not_snake_bite]

Well, for once in his lifetime....

Steerpike is going to SCREAM.

Like a girl.

[death_dawg]

Jacquel has been combing the woods, in dog form, sniffing at the snow -- which helps him to cover more ground quickly. But hearing that scream, he lifts his ears and scampers off in the direction of the sound. Before he gets within eyeshot, he phases back into human form, stepping into Steerpike's line of sight. "Sir, are you all right?" he asks, concerned.

[in_summer_leaf]

Hisoka and Misa tramp over the forested hills, crossing streams and occasionally little snowy open fields. They find the place where Rudy dumped her body and where she was resurrected. But they do not find Titus or any trace of him there.

Eventually, it becomes clear that they aren't going to. "I bet he deliberately picked a spot far away from here," says Hisoka, wiping a smudge off his face with his sleeve. They have been literally beating the bushes. "How are you doing, Misa?"

[eyeofjustice]

Misa may pant a little, but she isn't complaining. This is important so no whining.

“I'm fine.” She sighs. “Figures he would.” The Bastard.

[in_summer_leaf]

"Well, I hope the sonofabitch broke his back lugging people all the way out here," says Hisoka. "Too bad the wolves left him alone." Pause. "You walked all the way back by yourself, after you came back to life?"

[eyeofjustice]

Misa shakes her head. “...Well, not really. A nice but kinda rugged man named Malcolm found me and guided me back to the Mansion.”

[in_summer_leaf]

"That would be Malcolm Reynolds? I've met him. I'm glad he was there for you."

Hisoka looks around and sighs. He picks a direction that seems likely, looks at Misa with quizzical uplifted eyebrows, and starts walking that way. He has an idea that if Titus isn't here, the next most likely area is anywhere in the region of the stone table, or perhaps some distance beyond. That whole area's got restless and sometimes violent energy, and murderers other than Muraki could have an affinity for it.

A couple of miles farther on, they are now walking on relatively flat ground, between pine trees with their cold turpentine scent. They have passed the stone table. Hisoka thinks to say aloud, "So, are you sure you want to keep looking with me? You know what we might find." If she says yes, Hisoka won't try to dissuade her. He thinks people have a right to decide these things for themselves.

Hisoka's eyes are sweeping the snowy ground as they go...

[Can has Dead Titus now, pleeze? XD]

[in_summer_leaf]

Hisoka wants to search the forest stretch between the lake and the stone table. At the moment, however, he is concerned with checking the lakeshore trail for footprints, since if Rudy got this far, he likely stayed on the easiest path for as long as possible before turning into the woods. The going is fairly easy near the water, but for a person carrying a burden, the rolling woodlands between here and the table could be a little rougher.

"See anything, Neville?" he calls.

[And this thread is for Neville.^^]

[killedthesnake]

Neville is weary, not of searching but of worry for the missing Titus. He's weary of the constant battle with evil, but too single-minded in looking to consider the greater picture of good versus evil. What matters is finding Titus. At hearing his name, he turns to Hisoka.

"Nothing at all. I was hoping you had good news."

[in_summer_leaf]

"I wish I did. How are you doing?" Neville looks like he's holding up, but Hisoka knows that experience with death doesn't really make it easier the next time.

[killedthesnake]

"I'd be better if I'd found anything at all, but not even a single clue. Or anything out of place," Neville sighs. "Is Aramat's attacker still locked away?"