Liam ✒ 002 ✒ the fog and plot thickens

[prowallflower]

Who: prowallflower and anyone!
Where: Espoir, wanderin' wherever
Style: first
Status: very open!

[The fog didn't bother Liam in and of itself. The dark shapes that moved through it-some of which were recognizable and many of which were not-were what made his heart occasionally thump and his blood pressure rise and rise. The fog itself he knew was a very

Comments

[stickinmypants]

[The fog is fucking grating on Gokudera's nerves this is not very hard to do. The smoke from the cigarette permanently drooping from his lower lip is lost in the haze in the air.

[In addition to being an annoyance, it's also decreased his visibility. He can't see shit and that makes him jumpy any time someone passes, because he's not even aware he has company until they're practically on top of him - at which point he's swearing and reaching inside his pockets for his bombs.

[Such in the case when a poor NPC wanders too close]

Watch where you're going, bastard! [Gokudera barks. When he got no reply, Gokudera growled. There's the familiar hissing and red sparks of flame as he ignites several sticks of dynamite in both hands, brandishing them at said bastard. Watch out, Liam. You're in the company of a Smokin Bomb]

[prowallflower]

Wait!

[Liam might not be the unfortunate NPC, but he's close enough to the ensuing danger that he can't just stand there and watch (or run away, as would be more appropriate considering what the strange man is holding). He reaches out a hand instead, not quite touching the other's arm, but he isn't far from it. His expression is horrified-- aghast! Such violence is never necessary off the bat!]

Please calm down!

[stickinmypants]

[Oh, hell no! Even almost touching is way too close to his personal bubble and Gokudera immediately refocuses his attention - and his bombs on Liam]

Don't touch me, old man! [Gokudera snarled, cigarette smoke fuming angrily like his temper]

[prowallflower]

Old...!

[Well! Liam knows that he's of a respectably adult age, but he's no ancient geezer, thank you very much! He simply acts like one.

And he's pulsing backward now, raising his hands in not-so-mock surrender.]

Why are you attacking men on the street!

[thebutler_epic]

[Sebastian pauses at the side of the unpaved road long enough to open his time piece and confirm the hour, mentally calculating how much time he was able to alot for shopping, as well as the hours that remained until dinner. He had already planned out the menu, and had only to acquire the fine grade meat he required for it. Only the best, freshest ingredients for his young master

[prowallflower]

Good day.

[The answer comes out sharp and instinctual as Liam's shoulders raise and tighten against his frame. No jumping, but some surprise at being spoken to so abruptly. He takes a step closer if only to make sure he can see the other clearly.

Liam almost decides to move on right then and there, but he hadn't expected to see another person walking on their own.]

Are you... looking for someone?

[A strange question to have, yes, but it's what comes to mind.]

[thebutler_epic]

[Sebastian chuckled, straightening to his normal height and still smiling at the stranger, eyes bright even in the fog slipping intangibly between them]

Ah, no. I am headed to the shopping district.

Forgive me. [Another formal bow, proper introductions staged properly] I am Sebastian, the Phantomhive butler.

[prowallflower]

Liam Lunettes.

[He returns the bow in kind, sure that Sebastian hasn't realized their stations aren't that far apart in so short a time.]

A servant of the Barma household, working under Duke Rufus Barma.

[Liam completes the introduction with a small, uncertain smile.]

I'm also working with the police, so if you have any questions of that nature...

[bandersmash]

[Lily actually didn't find the shadows and fog frightening at all. Rather, she found it rather interesting. Sometimes, she'd think she'd seen Lotti or Fang within the blanket of fog, but apparently it was only an illusion. Or was it? Her childish curiosity was all over it.

However, the next familiar figure she saw was different. Even if he was going to disappear, it was still nice to think that he could be alive. So that's why... With a big, happy smile on her face, Lily runs and lunges at him for a hug. Personal space, what is that?]

LIAAAAAAAAAAAAM! ♥

[prowallflower]

[Liam goes stockstill as if frozen by some spell or sudden, intense drop in temperature. He's rigid-- not moving an inch. Possibly not breathing as that little girl wraps her arms around him. The weight of her momentum initially carries him back a step, but only that far.

Is this some joke of the fog's? Is he being tricked, or--?]

Lily?

[A meek word from such a tall man.]

[bandersmash]

[Aw, she couldn't topple him over. Oh well, Lily was too busy being glad to see him. She looks up at him cheerfully, though she made no effort to let go of him. Her smile was neither murderous nor deranged; it was warm and bright, as if she was meeting an old friend who had gone away for a long time. Which isn't too far off from the truth, in her perspective.]

I'm so happy that you're alive! I almost didn't believe it when you called my name in the woods, but... I guess it really is true! Yay!

[prowallflower]

Called your name...?

[He doesn't recall doing any such thing, but the fact the child isn't attempting to stab him at the present moment is a good start to their reunion. The Hare's contractor takes a moment to fully regain his balance and tentatively sets a hand on the little girl's shoulder. A gentle attempt to push her back.]

[prowallflower]

Right?

[He'd begun to turn as he heard the name called out, but the fog was too thick to stop one man from being walked into by another. Liam steps back a handful of paces and then steadies himself, straightening the front of his Pandora robes out of instinct and classy propriety.]

Sir, are you quite all right? Did something spook you?

[Standing straight-backed, Liam looks to the direction the stranger had presumably come from, but there's no seeing more than a few feet any which way, now is there?]

[prowallflower]

[Liam thoughtfully considers the last few figures he'd passed while walking along, but he can't recall a one of them being of that description. A short shake of his head follows the conclusion.]

I don't believe I have. Has he done something...?