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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 12, 2019 11:29:01 GMT -5
Raising his head, pressing one hand to the bridge of his nose as the minor cuts healed along his face and hands. It looked like he'd been in a glass storm. A could shards were in his hand and he used the other to extract them. The cuts closed up almost at once behind them. Across his face, it looked like someone was wiping away the cuts and bruises. "Mostly my pride," Myrnin rasped, shaking stray drops of blood from his hand. He stood up straight with a slowness that resembled that of an old man. There were several visible cuts under the torn fabric of his shirt and pants, but those were healing up as well. The clothing remained just as damaged. He stumbled over toward Hange. They'd nearly brought the wall down on top of them by the look of it. He crouched down, rubbing his hand through his mangled hair. It was shorter than it had ever been - he'd been growing it out - and now was about the length that the men of this day and age seemed to wear it at. It was curling up in random directions, or the longer parts hung in waves. He could feel it under his hand, but he was looking at Hange instead, checking them for other injuries which they had missed. "You'll be okay," he said, reaching out and tapping them on their nose. "Careful. Did you hit your head? I don't know anything about concussions. Not how to help with them anyway." He looked down at their wrist and frowned. "I'll find something to split it, if you want." He stood, glancing through the opening to the kitchen. Hange had nearly made it into it, thanks to their trajectory. He walked into the kitchen, reaching for two handles at the same time. Multitasking, he opened the refrigerator and one of the drawers next to it. While he grabbed a bottle of blood for himself - he assumed it would work whether it was from the House or not - he also grabbed something that he could use as a splint. Then he walked back to Hange, taking a swallow from the bottle while he broke the handle off the wooden spoon. "Thith worth?" he asked, voice muffled around the bottle he was holding in his mouth.
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Post by <Raintalon> on Sept 13, 2019 19:30:10 GMT -5
Hange watched the wounds heal before their eyes, tilting their head as their attention was drawn to that instead of the stabbing pain in their wrist, and the duller pain everywhere else.
“Your healing rate is extremely accelerated,” they pointed out, stating the obvious. “Titans do the same thing. If you hit them somewhere other than the nape of the neck, they begin to regenerate almost instantly. I take it vampires have a similar trait? Ah - “ they added, interrupting themself, “yes, a splint would be helpful, and no, I don’t believe I have a concussion. But if I do, it certainly wouldn’t be my first, so not to worry either way.”
As Myrnin got up, Hange shifted their position a little, wincing as they dragged themself from the rubble. They could already tell they were bruised to hell, but again, that wasn’t unusual for them. When you wind up bruised and battered at least once a week, you kind of start to acclimate to the soreness. Probably not something they’d have to worry about, if they took up Myrnin’s offer......
“Oh, yes, that will do,” they said, gritting their teeth as they extended their arm. “I could do it myself, of course, but it will almost certainly go faster if you’re willing to aid me.”
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 14, 2019 0:34:27 GMT -5
"Yes," answered Myrnin, beginning to look around and finding a first aid kit that was Claire's rather than his. It had tape in it, for things like this he guessed. He didn't know that much about actually helping with injuries very well. But he thought he knew how to do this. "Usually I don't splint anything, " he said with a frown. "Your Titans sound similar to us. There are ways we can be killed, but the quickest and surest is to remove or head. Or silver, which is also deadly to the young vampires. Hurts worse than anything for us older ones." He was frowning at the thought as he lined up the wood to their wrist. "Still not sure why silver in particular harms. Unless you buy into the line of thought that it is a pure metal and thus can only damage the impure." He snorted as he added onto the splint. "Perhaps it could damage Titans as well. Silver, that is." He leaned back, eyeing the splint up and down. It looked about as good as it was going to get. He could hear the blood flowing through Hange's hand and it didn't sound impaired by the tight bandage that kept it firmly in place. Turning back to Claire's first aid kit, he pulled out a bottle of painkillers and passed them to Hange. "Read the label. I could drink the bottle and be fine. You would die. Don't take more than two." It was the best he had with the dosages correctly labeled for humans. He stood, looking around and assessing the damage to his clothing. The lab wasn't actually his, so the project he had destroyed should be fine. "Incoming," said a voice from above, very suddenly. "Eh?" asked Myrnin, looking up. "Oliver's not looking happy," Frank said. "He just called and left a very nasty voicemail." Myrnin flinched and glanced away. "Hange ... you might want to prepare your patients.:
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Post by <Raintalon> on Sept 14, 2019 8:41:27 GMT -5
Hange stretched their hand out and examined Myrnin’s splint as he talked, admiring the vampire’s handiwork. Interesting that he knew how to make a splint when by his own admission, vampires didn’t use them.
“That sounds like pseudoscientific hogwash,” they said bluntly, as Myrnin brought up the idea that silver was ‘pure’ and therefore harmed vampires. “In my experience, nature gives no thought to purity or impurity, those are concepts we created for ourselves, for better or for worse. Usually, for worse. But I believe I am preaching to the choir in this area, am I not?” The ability to be blunt and to the point was one thing Hange enjoyed about talking to Myrnin - with a lot of people, you had to present your opinion as nonthreateningly as possible, or risk that they become offended and close down dialogue altogether. But Myrnin never seemed to mind the loud nature of their opinions, nor did they take any offense to his. It was a good rhythm, they supposed.
They caught the bottle of painkillers one-handed and turned it over in their palm, reading the label with no small amount of curiosity. “We have nothing like this in my world,” they commented, opening the bottle and, with some difficulty thanks to their splint, pouring a couple of the pills out into their hand. “You eat this, and it numbs the pain, correct? We use plants, sometimes crushed and dried, for such a purpose, but never have I thought to use such a concentrated method of delivery. Fascinating.” And with that, they downed the painkillers, curious to see what their effects would be.
But oh? What was this? Myrnin had tensed suddenly as Frank came to life, and they tensed as well, watching his face carefully. He seemed...more irritated than frightened, and Hange themself was more curious than anything. Who was this Oliver? He was clearly bad news, whoever he was. “Trouble on the way?” they suggested, tilting their head.
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 14, 2019 18:03:55 GMT -5
They were preaching to the choir, but Myrnin didn't mention it. He was focused on the new situation which Frank had just communicated. Myrnin held no doubt that silver was not what it was because of some belief in its purity. But he had a feeling that Hange would find the scientific mystery interesting. Claire and he had many different studies - related to vampires and not - but lately they had been focusing on the vampires mental and telepathic abilities as well as the conditions of their blood. Hange had their own world conditions, but he was curious if Titans had other weaknesses. He didn't think it could be silver. That was far too similar. But he liked getting them thinking. They certainly did the same for him. Still, Frank's words had his attention on the far wall. "Trouble with a slightly large T." The wall was empty, but after a second something seemed to happen with the plaster. "Did I mention I have portals hooked up?" He hadn't. He didn't even know if portals seemed possible for them. But they existed, and on the other side he could see the figure of Oliver with the background of his office. Oliver hadn't changed since the day he died. His hair was streaked with grey, making his hair look like someone had poured salt and pepper over it. He appeared in his late 30s. He also appeared very annoyed. As soon as he entered the lab, he completely ignored Hange and instead slammed into Myrnin, pressing him against the back wall. Myrnin didn't flinch, but he did tense, eyes flashing red. "Can I help you, Oliver?" he asked. Oliver didn't pay attention to him and instead Myrnin saw a touch of fang at the corner of Oliver's mouth. Myrnin's eyes flashed red tinted over his usual green. "Hum?" It took a second for Oliver to get over the intimidation which clearly wasn't working on Myrnin before he switched to actually explaining, "Did you kill them?" "I'm going to need a broader hint than that," pointed out Myrnin. "And you're wrinkling my shirt." Oliver dropped Myrnin from his grip, taking a step back. "You are," he said. "Under suspicion for attempting to change multiple humans into vampires ... resulting in their death." Myrnin stiffened, suddenly looking over at Hange, then back at Oliver. "*What?*"
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Post by <Raintalon> on Sept 15, 2019 18:49:02 GMT -5
Hange’s jaw dropped as the wall first warped a little, then opened up completely, offering a perfect view to someplace that definitely wasn’t nearby. “Ahhhhh! What kind of - “
But their barrage of questions was interrupted as Myrnin was slammed against the wall, and in a moment, their entire personality seemed to shift. The usual curious light left their eyes like a candle blown out, and in an instant, they were across the room, blade aimed at the new vampire’s throat. Their expression was serious, but not frightened, as they leveled their gaze at Oliver, trying to gauge what his reaction might be.
“Excuse me, but that is a friend of mine,” they said icily, their voice deep and echoing off the confines of the lab. They’d heard what he’d said. They’d clear it up with Myrnin later, whether it was true or not, but as a rule, they didn’t much like people attacking their friends. So that came first.
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 16, 2019 14:53:45 GMT -5
Oliver reached out, apparently very unconcerned that a sword was being waved in proximity to his neck, and in a movement so fast that it was almost impossible to react to and equally difficult to see, the blade was bent then snapped with a sharp crack. It was clear that with the single glance Oliver had timed things exactly as he'd wanted to. The pieces rained around Hange's hands, nearly missing them. "Don't mess with things you do not understand," Oliver said, voice even and steely. His hand returned to his side, blood coating the palm of his hand and the pads of his fingers. The movement had been swift, but it had still had a cost. Myrnin brushed off his shirt and shot a sympathetic look at Hange. Oliver didn't really care if Hange was a friend or not. So far, they hadn't actually done anything to impress him. And Oliver didn't treat you with respect until you'd earned it. And clearly Myrnin had spent his respect points recently. Or Oliver was stressed. Probably both. When Oliver was stressed, he got more snappish. "They do, in fact, understand. About as much as I do at this point." Oliver raised a disbelieving eyebrow, but Myrnin ignored him. "Hange, this is Oliver. Oliver, this is Hange. Now please do start over on that thing you said before. What happened? I thought you were tracking down a rogue vampire - not bullying answers from the general population." Oliver sneered a bit - (wow, he really must he stressed, thought Myrnin) - and tacked on, "I don't think this is business your 'friend' should hear." Myrnin could see Oliver's eyes dart toward Hange's wrist and he was suddenly thankful that he'd given them a bracelet. House generation or not, if this was a good imitation of Oliver (or maybe him actually blinking in?) than Oliver would still question whether or not Hange was a resident if they didn't have the bracelet. Still, Myrnin could see Oliver stiffen as soon as he saw the symbol on it. "Yes," Myrnin said, voice even. "I am handing out those some times. You were saying? I have no problem with Hange hearing classified Morganville secrets. It's only you who has problems with trivial things like that." His voice was sing-song. Almost mocking. Oliver breathed out, then very, very carefully said, "It's not a rogue vampire. It can't be. The pattern has gotten too wide." Myrnin straightened, then glanced at Hange hesitantly. "It has?" He looked at Oliver for a second and then explained to Hange, "For the past four month, it's come to Morganville - or at least the Council of me, Oliver, and Amelie - that humans were being killed. Four, to be exact. I wasn't aware that they were ... attempts. I just knew that most of them were below the age that humans can be safely turned." Myrnin's eyebrows knit together. "Has there been a fifth? I suppose I have to assume that this one is also young?" Oliver's face told it all. Myrnin leaned against the wall that he'd been shoved against mere minutes before. "Oh dear ... Not that I blame anyone for pointing fingers at me. I mean ... I know how to change someone of course, but that's really all the evidence you have. I seem to remember you did practical tests until you could figure it out by yourself. Different times does reverse things." The words were flung at Oliver the same way the accusation of Myrnin's guilt had been flung at him. But Myrnin continued, "Anyway, it's outside of Morganville borders. Murders that draw attention to Morganville are of a bit more import." Myrnin scoffed. "Information, Oliver. You don't have enough." He pushed himself away from the wall. The House had mimicked his worlds own trouble. He might as well think on it. He started to pace. "It being a rogue vampire is possible. But then they're being very sloppy. And ... specific. The pattern is too broad. We would have found attempts which faded for reasons other than age. No, my bets are on a vampire who knows what they're doing. And wants to send a message. This is too specific a style. In which case, you're right to look at me." Myrnin grinned a bit. "I'm all about sending messages. Flaunting knowledge. But you're forgetting I'm confined to Morganville, Oliver." Myrnin sank into a chair, legs kicking out. "Apart from a trip every other century, I haven't left the confines of the border." He glanced at Hange. "Thoughts? Am I missing some clear proof of my guilt?"
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Post by <Raintalon> on Sept 17, 2019 8:24:38 GMT -5
Hange stumbled backwards, flinching as a shard of steel made contact with their hand, but they recovered fast, and when they did, a smug grin began to creep its way across their face. Oliver clearly had no idea who they were, or where they were. This could be fun. “Oh my, so dramatic,” they said, eyes flitting to the vampire’s bleeding hand. As his gaze moved to their bracelet, and Myrnin pointed out their immunity, their smile widened. For all his intimidation, Oliver’s hands were tied.
As the conversation moved on, they sobered up a bit and listened carefully, moving the pieces of the puzzle around in their brain to make sure they’d seen it from all angles. This may have been a simple House generation of the vampire’s world, but this mystery could be interesting to solve nonetheless. Besides, this child-killer sounded like a worthless example of a person, and that sealed their impression that Myrnin was most likely telling the truth. Oliver had the wrong suspect.
As Myrnin called on them, they were silent for a moment, eyes narrowed as they thought their answer through. “Mm...well, do you have an alibi? Since this is a serial killer with a distinct pattern, if you can be placed somewhere for certain during the time of even one of the murders, you would be absolved for all of them beyond reasonable doubt. Or am I mistaken, Mr. Oliver?” they added, their light eyes moving to pin the other vampire down.
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 17, 2019 11:08:30 GMT -5
"In theory," said Oliver stiffly. Myrnin knew that theory. It was that there could be more than one vampire and they didn't have to just be his killings. But 'in theory' Oliver would accept the alibi. Myrnin shot Hange a grateful glance. It was just a matter of actually thinking up an alibi. "Does my trip to New York count?" he asked suddenly with a grin. "Frank … what's today's date?" Was he right in his theory? It took less than a second before Frank rattled of a date in September. The date was the same one which Myrnin had left. Myrnin leaned against the wall. "Interesting. I wonder if the House actually knows what's happening back in my world or if it's just inventing a scenario. Either way, I can't be blamed for this murder. I've been in New York for the past three days. Even if this body old, it can't be that old." But that alibi only held up if this murder matched one back in his own world. He didn't think he had one for the others - they didn't have enough information about their time of death. But for now it would do in his mind. He just wasn't sure if the House would accept an alibi based on itself. Myrnin's eyes narrowed as he studied Oliver, wondering what it would be. But this House version of Oliver seemed to take this answer and his frown deepened. "Hum," was all he said, like this was just the beginning. Myrnin rolled his eyes. But that seemed to settle whatever requirements this part of the room had. The scene dissolved.
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Post by <Raintalon> on Sept 17, 2019 16:14:45 GMT -5
Hange returned Myrnin’s grateful glance with a smirk - this was fun, and they were more than happy to get him out of a jam if they could. Then, they turned back to watch Oliver, curious to see if he would accept the alibi or decide to make things difficult. Judging from the ‘hum’......he was going to make things difficult.
But they never got to see what it was he was going to say, because the room slowly began to dissolve away again - everything blurring and fading out into just colors and shapes for a moment, and then coming together again, but this time in different colors and different shapes. Familiar ones, they realized after a moment, with no small bit of disappointment.
“Well...” they said, giving the empty living room a cursory glance to see if anything had changed in their absence. It hadn’t. “It seems that this is where we get off.”
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Sept 17, 2019 16:34:05 GMT -5
"You make it sound like a train," said Myrnin. But he sounded a bit disappointed as well. He was about to turn back to Hange, maybe to engage in a conversation, when he blinked out.
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