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[kobes]

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un: t.laughlin; evening after party

[holyposition]

Firstly, I hope you're safe. I haven't seen you at the hospital so I assumed you were, but still.

Second. Can I ask you a very stupid and inappropriate personal question?

Not because I'm a pervert. But because the library gave Hawk a list of gossip items and I want to know if they're yanking his chain.

[kobes]

Hi, Tim, yes. I'm safe. Why wouldn't I be? People are in the hospital??

[Did someone go home with a hot hot stranger and completely miss the entire wolfman thing? Yes.]

Gossip items? Again?
You can ask me anything, I won't get upset.

[holyposition]

You went home early.

There was a beast. It was like something out of a movie. A wolf that stood on two legs. It attacked people. It was awful.

[ Not thinking about that right now. Not the important part. Tim sends a photo of nine scraps of paper with vsrious runors on them, ranging in nastiness. ]

Is the one about you true?

[kobes]

I did, yes. I was
Preoccupied.

[And now he's worried.] Who's been hurt? Are they okay? Are YOU okay? Do you need anything? Is it still out there?




I think they match fine, but that seems to be the case in all the rooms, not just mine. I'm not an expert in decor, but they look matching?

[Not a clue. Not the slightest clue.]

[holyposition]

That’s not

It means the hair on your head and the hair not on your head. Lower. If you get what I mean.

I think it’s gone. And I’m okay. Hawk is hurt, but he’ll live. He’s knocked out on pain medication right now. Which is good, if he saw me taking pictures of this he’d break another rib trying to get up and chase me around.

[kobes]

Oh.

That's a stupid way to ask that. And why does it matter? It doesn't seem nearly as scandalous as eating babies or stabbing people or whatever you've redacted.

But yes, its all pink. It's always been pink. I don't dye my hair.

Hawk is your [Meaningful pause.] companion from your world, right? I have more painkillers in my room, if you run out. I've been stockpiling everything.

Well, his input would be helpful, if he's open to giving it. Either this place is watching us or someone is feeding things to the Balfours, and I don't much care for either option.

[holyposition]

No, it’s not a scandal compared to the others. But it’s invasive. They seem to enjoy things like that.

Took out one I knew was a lie. For focus.

That’s him, yes. The medication he’s getting is doing the trick, but thank you.

He wouldn’t even share this with me while he was awake, he thinks he can do everything himself. And he’s paranoid about being watched, but I think we’re past that. Any entity powerful enough to bring us here would already know who we are. Chose us for some reason. Why us, out of everyone, in every place and time period? Of course we’re being watched.

[kobes]

I suppose, yeah. There are much worse things they could say about me.

So there are lies AND truths in the list? Interesting. Why is that, do you think?

Is Purgatory still your main theory? [From anyone else it would be sarcastic, but Koby means it genuinely.] I'm still trying to sort out why us. What's consistent about everyone here, why we were chosen, why we can't leave.

Then again, I tried that the last place and I didn't get much of anywhere, but I was admittedly distracted.

[holyposition]

To throw us off, I imagine.

It is. I just don't see how any human could do all of this. Though I think my understanding of what it's all for will have to go through some adjustments.

Distracted by what?

[kobes]

I guess that makes sense. So the point is to embarrass, whether it's true or not. Maybe they feed off our discomfort? Like vampires.

It could be witches. It was witches the last time. [Koby, it isn't witches.]

Well, I was a seal. That took up most of my time.

[holyposition]

That would explain some things, but there's enough discomfort in the regular world. They wouldn't need to do all this if that's all they wanted.

I haven't seen any satanic imagery other than the jokey stuff at the underworld party. Probably not witches.

A seal.

[kobes]

Maybe it's about this place, then? Portia said something about portals and the house being ancient. Maybe we're feeding the house.

No, you're probably right. Witches are a bit more ostentatious.

A seal, yes. A pink one.

[holyposition]

For what purpose?

The animal.

[kobes]

To keep it compliant? Or maybe the Balfours get something out of it. They certainly have enough money and now, apparently, magical powers.

Correct. Part-time. I was a selkie, technically? Do they have those where you're from?

[holyposition]

You think the manor is a living entity?

No we don't. Not for real. Just in fairy tales.

[kobes]

Maybe? I know it sounds ridiculous, but at this point I don't think we can disregard anything for being too "out there". Especially if people are getting hurt.

I don't think we do either, really, but that was sort of the theme of the entire place. Fairy tales. It was sort of nice, actually.

[holyposition]

I didn't believe in half-man/half-wolf beasts until very recently either, so I guess not. How crazy is it that the house being alive is a better theory than a government plot?

I'm glad you're human again. After the other night, I've had enough of monsters. Even friendly ones.

[kobes]

Honestly if it were the government I'd expect a little less bodily fluids, but maybe I'm naive.

Me too. Are you SURE you're okay? Even if you weren't physically hurt, that sounds like a terrifying experience.

[holyposition]

I think you're right.

I am. I'll feel better when Hawk's out of the hospital, but I'm alright. It's just given me a lot to think about.