TP - LOVECRAFT

[impacter]

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WEEK 1 DAY 1

[ohrlyeh]

[Lovecraft is trudging along the corridors, winding and waxing, and doing his best to ignore the rumors. All this undue attention is making him itch, so he's beelined to somewhere quieter, which would be...well, where the graves are.]

[He's just curled up in front of his one like a black cat in a makeshift bed, only opening up a weary eye when he hears Solomon come closer.]

What is it.

[impacter]

[Lovecraft earns a quiet chuckle in response as pinstripe pants come into view, Solomon crouching down to be closer to his speaking level.]

Napping again at a time like this, Lovecraft?

Are you sure you're feeling alright?

[ohrlyeh]

[He turns his head only to give the most dreary sigh in the world.]

I never feel alright.

[impacter]

"Never" is such a strong word. Surely that's not completely right.

[Jokes aside, he does keep his tone gentle.]

You can't let the ennui take you so, or who knows what that bastard Father's going to do with you. Is something on your mind?

[ohrlyeh]

I don't want to be here. I want to be home.

[Why....why does he have to go from one job to....whatever this is? He almost prefers a job.]

But I don't understand this...task. The flowers. It seems silly.

[impacter]

It seems our dear and gracious Father wants us to get to know each other, for better or worse. Silly is an understatement.

[But refusal meant annulment, and annulment.... well, they all felt exactly what that meant with Don. It twists Solomon's chest a little to think of the same being done with such a timid, depressed man.]

I'll take it you haven't bothered to start it with someone yet?

[ohrlyeh]

[Maybe its better to be annulled. But then again, that seems so uncomfortable. So awful.]

[He makes a little noise.]

Mmhm.

[That's a no, good sir.]

[impacter]

Well. I, for one, would like to not see you peeled apart like an onion just yet.

[He can't pick this man apart and figure him out if he's dead of god-induced explosions.]

Would you like some help?

[ohrlyeh]

[His eyes swivel back to Solomon, assessing him. He still doesn't really trust anyone here, yet.]

Have you done it, yet? Is it...hard?

WEEK ONE - SATURDAY POST TRIAL

[impacter]

[It's rather late in the evening when Solomon drifts by the pool for the first time since their arrival. No need to really risk it when he didn't want his seals on display for the entire world to see. But that was a moot point now.

He steps in, pace pained and unsteady with shaking breath. What injuries he's gained are joined by quite a bit of new bruising now open to the air, mostly across his front and blossoming against his neck and parts of his face.

Lowering himself takes some effort. But at least for now, he gives himself a moment, dipping his legs into the water with his hands loosely wrapped against Something in his lap and his eyes following the ripples. Lovecraft had to be around here somewhere, but... maybe he could continue his search in a little bit. Just a little.]

[ohrlyeh]

[Something ripples in the water, before, like a dark shadow, it rises to break the surface-]

[Only to reveal the pale face of Lovecraft himself. By the looks of it, he is still fully clothed. How long was he down there for?]

Solomon.

[He intones...before noticing the wounds.]

What...happened?

[impacter]

[Oh. Well, he sees the shape, but for it to be Lovecraft???????]

I... ah. Hello, Lovecraft. [He sounds rough, buddy.] No wonder I couldn't find you. I wasn't aware you were taking a swim.

Ah, nothing. Nothing. [A weak wave of his hand - lifting it does reveal he has something plush in his lap, though! It is very colorful] Some disagreements after the trial, nothing more.

It's going to heal eventually. No need to worry about it for tonight.

[ohrlyeh]

Yes. I like the water.

[He moves to the side of the pool, draping his arms over the side so he can peer up at the man, and...oh! His prize.]

You heeded your promise. [There is a rare smile on his face.] But disagreements...was it him. Fandaniel?

[impacter]

I don't like to owe favors for things I've requested, so it was the least I could do. [He'll hold it up for a better look. It's shaped like a cake slice! It probably has a smiley face on it too, who knows, but it sure is cute. Solomon will make sure it stays nice and dry for now.

At the guess, he just raises a hand as though to halt the question, before shaking his head.]

Who it was can stay between them and myself. I can lick my wounds without getting anyone else involved. Besides, it was a bit of a personal matter, and I don't want to drag the Troupe through it.

[ohrlyeh]

[It really is cute...little cake guy.]

[Still, the plush doesn't keep the curiousity he has out of his features. Could a personal matter really cause this much fallout?]

I noticed...Nishi was. Mad at you, too. You shouldn't...make enemies. Solomon.

[impacter]

[A weak laugh.] I have a knack for it, I'm afraid. Even here.

I can't control how others will perceive me. The most I can do is just stay true to what I believe is important, even if how I need to get there is a little... unconventional at times.

Have you ever had an enemy, Lovecraft? Someone who was against you, but that you still had to stand up to, because it was important to you?

[ohrlyeh]

...

[He thinks for a long moment.]

There's really nothing...important to me. So no.

WEEK 3, TUESDAY

[ohrlyeh]

[The Lovecraft that comss across Solomon in the rose garden is ever so slightly different - more miserable perhaps, a weight on his shoulders.]

[He regards the mage coolly, sitting in the field of flowers.]

Have you...retrieved what you have lost?

[impacter]

[He's in new duds this week! All settled among the roses with a pen idly flicked in his fingers, eyes tipped towards the uncanny sky - an exhausted reprieve from patrolling the school. From the back of his neck, black spreads up and out under his skin like ink dripped on a paper.

He hears Lovecraft, and his face turns to meet him. Smiling. Tired. Very tired.]

Yes. With no small amount of embarrassment either, ahaha...

How about you?

[ohrlyeh]

I know what I am, now.

[He did get new duds, but is not wearing them now. Only his regular trenchcoat.]

[He comes over, puts a clammy hand over that blackened neck.]

What is this...?

I forgot his hand is all bandaged up too whoops its been a long week for sol

[impacter]

[Ah. He's not expecting the touch, but the surprise on his face dims when he realizes exactly what Lovecraft has seen.

He sighs, uninjured hand lifting to pat Lovecraft's arm.]

The consequences of a contract, Lovecraft.

I'm not in any pain from it. Pay it no mind.

[ohrlyeh]

...

[His hand doesn't leave that spot of skin.]

I thought our...abilities didn't work here. Unless this is something done...before you came.

[impacter]

You're correct. They don't.

And no. It was not. [Even though that seal has, in fact, been on his neck since the very first trial.]

[ohrlyeh]

[He removes his hand, squats down beside him. ]

Then tell me of it. If it troubles you so.

[impacter]

[The silence stretches.

The pen flicks in his hands.]

...

What do you know about Sika Madu, Lovecraft?