[Introduction: Jack Benjamin] Escape from the living death

[true_n_the_dark]

[Spoiler (click to open)]He'd done it. Jack had asked his own father to kill him, to order his execution. Thomasina had said, "Your father wants for you a living death, to brick you into a wall with someone who loves you - who you can't stand the sight of... until you produce an heir, which Silas will take, and raise right this time

Comments

[killedthesnake]

Neville looks like a happy man. It's a good look on him. He's got plans for dinner and a evening walk with Zhane; yes, it's a date. One he's really looking forward to, actually. As he comes down the stairs in a jacket and tie, he's not in a rush because he's early. He wants to make sure dinner is still ready. He'd cooked a lasagna earlier, leaving it in the oven on warm, with a note for his fellow Mansion-ites to please not eat because it was made for a special occasion.

Jack can run into him on the stairs or in the kitchen. He'll likely be his usual, friendly self.

[killedthesnake]

"No one knows the answer. The Mansion seems to choose, and it's just - random. And people come from everywhere. And all times," Neville answers with an apologetic shrug.

"If you come from a more modern time, most technology doesn't work well here. If you had any kind of special power or magic, this place mutes it. In a way, it's an equalizer," he adds. "Just don't be surprised if you meet someone that lived 100 years before your time. Or 100 years after."

[true_n_the_dark]

Maybe, Jack surmises, maybe he actually did succeed in killing himself, and this place is just the weirdest hell possible.

"I'll take my chances," he says.

Pause.

"... so you really never heard of Shiloh and King Silas?"

[killedthesnake]

The names might sound vaguely familiar now that Jack's mentioned them again, but Muggle history and mythology was never one of Neville's best subjects. He shakes his head. "No. Sorry." He probably even sounds like he means it.

"Do you have any other questions about this place?" Because he has zero answers about where Jack is from.

[true_n_the_dark]

The truth is, Jack is shell-shocked. He can't encompass it. "... how did I get here?" he finds himself saying.

Implications are rushing through his mind - he may never be king, but he was never meant to be king.

He'll never see his mother again.

He'll also never be able to make up for anything he did.

[killedthesnake]

"Magic? The Mansion decided it wanted you? Fate? Find whatever works for you because there's no clear answer to it," Neville admits. He has a date with Zhane, and he's getting worried about being late. Of course, he hates to just leave the new guy in confusion.

"There's no way to leave. People have tried. Over and over." He glances around the foyer, and then looks back at Jack with an encouraging smile. "It's not so bad though. You'll be shocked how quickly it feels like home."

[true_n_the_dark]

"I really hope not," because home is really not all that desirable right now.

Jack catches the eye movement, and says, "... someone waiting for you somewhere?"

He's going to want to see you again, Neville. You painfully remind him of the only person he could he himself with, ever. Nevermind the commitment: it's delicious pain, he'll want more of it.

[killedthesnake]

Jack gets a shy smile. "Yes, actually. I have a date soon," he answers honestly. "But I know how overwhelming all this is for you." He looks at Jack, making a conscious decision to help. "Let me tell you where I live. I also have a greenhouse around back of the Mansion. I'm often there," he adds. "We can talk again soon? Or if you have a problem or question, you can come looking for me."

[true_n_the_dark]

Joseph, so much of Joseph all over this man, Jack's eyes start to water.

"-- yeah, I will," he says emotionally. "... don't let me keep you."

We can wrap and resume on other post? :-)

[killedthesnake]

Neville can't help but notice the emotion. He worries for this man. "I know -- I know it's difficult at first. It was for me too," he'll say quietly. "If you don't look me up soon, I'll have to find you." He offers a friendly smile before taking his leave.

Fade? I shall send him along with others! <3

[true_n_the_dark]

Fade! <3