05 ▌action ; wonderland district

[creepinginmy]

[It's been almost three weeks since it happened. Since the little creature made a panicked announcement across everyone's seals with the discovery of the blood Jack and Cerbos left behind. Jack has been avoiding the Wonderland District from then on, too terrified of being seen and found suspicious for some reason or another. Little to no people

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( action )

[eventhegood]

[ Teagan has been exploring with mild bemusement the area since her arrival (and probably with less actual caution than she ought to have), particularly wandering the Wonderland District, as she was housed here and all. Although everything looks ... quaint and cosy, she can't help feeling a little trapped, like she's in a large glass dome. Back home, she always knew that she could run for miles and miles if she needed to. Here, she feels like there are considerable limits to how far she could go. Still, the oddities of this place quickly distract her from thinking about it too much

[creepinginmy]

[He turns quickly at the sound of the girl with a little jerk of his shoulders. Jack becomes an easy target when his mind wanders into a deafening silence at times. It's easy to rely on Cerbos to warn him when danger approaches and always an unpleasant surprise when he doesn't.

But there's a reason for the monster's own silence.]

[Well, would you look at that.]

What?

[eventhegood]

[ She starts a little at his sudden movement, a small, surprised smile crossing her face purely out of habit. Shrugging, she gestures absently, affecting a more relaxed stance. If he's really a monster, or something like that, he'll be able to tell what she is - she's counting on the reaction to that to help her decide whether to avoid him or not. ]

You were just standing there, staring, so I thought I might check that you were okay and all. [ A little pause. ] I'm sorry if I disturbed you, I didn't mean to.

[creepinginmy]

[Jack is still distracted when he hears Teagan speak again. The question was directed at Cerbos in a complete slip of his attention, quickly remedied by her answer.]

No. [He releases an exhale. 'What did you mean, Cerbos? Are you going to tell me?'] It's alright. I just let my mind wander for a moment.

[apathycary]

[ It is hard to believe something so gruesome could have occurred in the Wonderland District. Although Edel tried to keep up with the seals, the murmurs of murder seemed far-fetched for him to believe without a little suspicion. He had already enough on his mind, though. And in all fairness, the Wonderland District reminded him of a more charming, fairy-tale version of his own world.

It was calming in it's deceit.

He walked along the worn road back to his own place of residence, in his hands only a small book to keep him company. A journal where he kept his thoughts on plants, magic, and himself while staying here. If this was all a dream (or not) he would keep record of it. That's what normal people did, right? ]

[ He stopped short of bumping into a silent figure. Jack's sullen expression certainly did not go with the surroundings- but honestly, neither did Edel's. He looked to see if he could simply walk around him, and he rightfully could, but that just wouldn't feel right either. ]

Is... something the matter?

[creepinginmy]

[Considerably less absentminded this time, Jack barely recognizes the young man when he lifts his gaze to see him, guided mostly by the unusual shade of his hair. He makes no mention of their familiarity, however -- if he ever got Edel's name, it's laying somewhere in the back of his mind, half-forgotten.]

Just looking. [He shrugs softly, looking away at the spot on the ground where the blood would have been. Something deepens in his gaze, as if the sight is pulling him into another distant place. Jack decides to wash off any suspicions his paranoia says Edel might carry with him by continuing, swallowing uncomfortably.] I hear this is where it happened. The murder.

[apathycary]

--Ah.

[ He looks over, his slight change in body weight giving the impression that- yes. A murder must have really happened here, then. There was a mixture of grim surprise and worry in him, but it just as quickly quelled. There was no point in worrying about it now. ]

So it was recent... [ He kneel down to catch a better glance. No trace, no remnants of what could have been here... ]

... Whoever cleaned up afterwards did almost too good of a job, then.

[creepinginmy]

[He remains pensive, nowhere near relaxed, following Edel with his eyes. His attention shifts between the cleaned up spot and the witch.

It's one of those moments when he can feel himself clutching at straws for something to say. Somehow remaining quiet doesn't seem like the wisest option.]

I wouldn't know.

[caladcholg]

[The current Organization's number four would be be far better suited for picking up scents than her. It's been some time and Clare finds herself quietly adjusting to her surrounding. Once the anger and frustration has passed, it's replaced with honest curiosity. She's been "lodged" in this district, it only seems fair to check it out.

Or make rounds. There's something faint prickling on the back of her neck, something that stirs yoma blood that pulls her here. A scent ever so faint, the sliver eyed hybrid seemed to have zeroed in on a man standing there, a her back facing him. Wordlessly, Clare stops with curiosity and concern mounting.]

[creepinginmy]

[His focus is somewhere far away from here, a place no one can reach in the back of his thoughts, wondering about matters related to what he sees and concerns that have nothing to do with anything. He finally catches a glimpse of the woman's scent, brought to his attention by Cerbos' own warning.]

Who's there?

[caladcholg]

[The hybrid isn't sure what it is, it's only left there by a nagging feeling that she has to not leave. Still a few or more feelings waver; she tries to feel something out and yet... nothing too solid. If it's something dangerous, she can wait a few moments. For now, Clare will pretend to be the concerned resident in this district, just to get more of a feel. Those silver eyes don't blink and her expression never changes. The light doesn't help any, but cast an eerie reflection of silver in her eyes.]

Are you alright?

[creepinginmy]

[The lack of an answer doesn't bring him any comfort. He narrows his eyes, trying to make out her features in the darkness, his voice soft but wary.]

I'm fine. What do you want?

action;

[howkickassiam]

Man, every time I see you, it's like you're in an even more bright and perky mood, huh?

[ he's teasin', bro, he knows he's only met you once before, but he was on a walk and ambling on toward a guy he (vaguely) knew didn't seem so bad of an idea. ]

[creepinginmy]

[It takes him a split second to acknowledge that he's being spoken to, and Jack frowns in York's direction, slightly parted lips framing the expression. If anything, he just seems confused. He can barely recognize the man's face, let alone remember who he is.]

What?

[howkickassiam]

[ Raising an eyebrow at you now. ]

...You okay there?

[creepinginmy]

[His name's York. Friend of mine.]

[Jack remains quiet for another while, relaxing his shoulders.]

... Yes. I'm sorry.

[he clears his throat.] Hello, York.