The situation is grave [Open]

[necromancynow]

A: Faust's clinic, Lambeth:

Patients that had other options did not visit Dr. Faust. His bedside manner was impeccable during the day, of course, and his medical knowledge was near-encyclopedic. But often he looked as though he had not slept in days and there was a strange, distant component to his manner that had been present ever since the loss of his wife some years ago. And his touch, even to ordinary patients not overly sensitive to the supernatural, made the flesh crawl in inexplicable fashion.

But of course there were many patients that did not have other options. Faust opened the door to the waiting room, peeking his head through with a mildly encouraging smile. "Next?"

B: Night visits

Faust was out at the graveyard, peering down into a freshly-dug grave in the Earth. Empty, as of yet, but he preferred bodies that had had time to... settle. He looked over his shoulder at the skeleton trailing behind him. It was carrying a shovel and spade.

"Over on the east side, if you please."

Time to do a little grave robbing.

Wildcard:
Feel free to make up your own! Faust's been in London for a few years and hands out business cards for his clinic on occasion, so your character may have heard of him by reputation :).

Comments

[entitles]

"Oh, you're right about that. And I can't say I approve of them, either, given the fact that they want to tell me where I can and cannot open my doors," he said with a scoff.

[necromancynow]

"Meddling, two-bit conjurers," Faust said bitterly. "Hypocrites."

The part about the doors might strike him later. For now, however, he was too incensed to much care.

[warmheartedly]

That does sound very strange. It makes her frown, trying to think of any reasons why it'll be so hard to contact her spirit. Maybe she's really gone but, at the very least, communication with her from the other side should be possible.

Right? She'll need to ask someone about this later.

"Only for now! I'm sure you'll be able to speak with her soon!" Stay positive! That's Clara's advice even in the wake of a man trying to bring back his missing love. Yeah. "I hope this doesn't sound redundant but maybe you can also try her full name and her special nickname if you had one for her? Just a thought. Maybe I'm speaking nonsense to you."

[necromancynow]

"Her special nickname..." The way Faust repeated the words was distant, as if he were struggling to regain memories of some long-forgotten time. Or perhaps struggling not to remember.

Suddenly, he buried his face in his hands, slumping a little where he stood. He still remembered tiny details about her, little snippets of memories that came less and less frequently to the fore as the years passed. But when they did surface, they were more than he could stand. Her favorite flower, the way she sipped at her tea. The dress she'd bought and never worn.

"I miss her so."

[warmheartedly]

Oh God. Oh God. How does she-- What if he-- There are no words to describe the level of alarm she feels for him. Panicking a bit, Clara is at loss at firston how to respond. Clearly she said something wrong and feels awful for since he needs to deal with the repercussions of it.

Poor man has been through so much as it is and it makes her heart go out for him.

Enough to have her drift closer to see if there's a way to comfort him while the skeleton continues to do his work out of the corner of her eye. She pays them no heed despite her reasons being here in the first place, wanting to help the man here somehow.

She doesn't touch him just yet, having no clue of his stance on personal space and wanting to be careful, and tries to suss it out carefully. "I'm. I'm sorry. It must be very hard to be in your position. I'm so sorry, I am."

[necromancynow]

Faust took a moment to try and get himself back under control, to somehow fit the overspill of emotion safely back into place. "I know. Thank you."

He took a deep, sighing breath. "Sometimes it's the small things that make me remember. Then it's as if it happened yesterday. They told me it's supposed to get easier with time. But it never does."

Then he looked back up at Clara. "You're very kind, you know."

[entitles]

"Annoyances," he said casually with a wave of his hand, "They'll realize who they've crossed in time."

[warmheartedly]

"It doesn't from my experience," she observers, recalling the few (and too many) times that it's happened in the past. "The most I can really say about it is that, sooner or later, you'll be able to not cry most of the time when they come to mind."

His comment takes her by surprise and she blinks, needing a moment to respond to that. "Ah... Thank you? I was just hoping you're okay is all. Others would do the same thing if they were here, I'm sure."

[necromancynow]

Sooner or later. Maybe. But he doubted it. As he doubted that others would care much about him.

"You're welcome. But now I think... I should get back." The skeleton lumbered back toward them, satchel in hand.

[necromancynow]

"As long as they stop interfering with my business," said Faust. He had been wondering if anyone was up to the challenge of pushing back the Circle. Certainly he hadn't the time to devote to such a campaign.

"Lambeth has escaped their notice so far. But it's been a bit uncomfortable of late."

[entitles]

"We fae do not intend on letting them tell us what to do. daybreak, the Council...if they refuse to lessen their restrictions they will feel our wrath," he said, "There is another coven, too, that opposes them, but that is their business, not mine."

[warmheartedly]

Ohhhh poor Henrique. He's going to have a headache when he checks on this part of the area later when he comes by doing his rounds.

Still, she realises that she should leave the man be and she nods to show her respects. "Of course. Better you get moving before someone catches you and your friend. Just-- Take care, okay?"

Much as she's still cautious over all of this, she doesn't want anyone to get into trouble.

[necromancynow]

"I will," said Faust, wobbling a little as he turned to head toward the exit. "Thank you. I'll... thank you."

Hopefully, he didn't run into anyone on the way back.

[necromancynow]

"Hmm. That coven up in Enfield, is it?" Faust blinked slowly, thinking it over. "Midnight witches aren't exactly known for their propensity to stick together. Not recently."

"Your encroachment into Daybreak territory means that the restrictions on my own research will be eased. Yes?"

[warmheartedly]

She has so many questions to ask him still but she can tell he either needs rest or something else for his plans. Perhaps the latter.

The best she could do now is leave him be and head to the direction of the grave, trying to delay the inevitable findings of his work here. It's not much but hopefully it'll be enough in the long run. She hopes he'll be fine.

[entitles]

"As long as it doesn't harm us, I've got no concern about what you humans choose to do," he said.

[necromancynow]

Well. Not exactly a shining endorsement of the fae's intentions, but Faust thought he could live with that. "More or less what I must deal with now, then."

Lambeth was a dangerous place, but at least it was safe from the meddling of the Daybreak witches For now. He looked appraisingly at Balem. "Perhaps if they are busy with you, they will be less inclined to turn their attention to other matters."

[entitles]

"Busy with me! I'd crush them in a second, long before they could be considered busy," he said, eyes glowing bright white for a moment, "But they will try and prepare for me, futile as their efforts would be, yes."

[necromancynow]

Oh, well. Someone had a bit of a temper. Faust could empathize, seeing as how he occasionally completely fucking lost it.

"Interesting. Is it your intention, then, to eliminate them from power?"

[entitles]

"There was a time when no one would dare meddle with the fae like they are. But we've gotten a great deal more secretive since then. I think they need to be reminded of our power," he said.

Which meant yes, he absolutely intended to eliminate them from power.

[necromancynow]

How very ambitious. But Faust took Balem's insistence to mean that the fae were indeed mounting a concerted effort rather than simply moving in on a whim. This could be good news.

"They must be... concerned, then. Especially if you're considering to make another move this month." Though Faust didn't generally concern himself with politics, he was rather gratified by the idea of those Councilites sweating for once.

"Would you happen to need any help?"

[entitles]

"We may very well be," he said, although it wasn't his place to divulge the plans of any other fae in full detail, "And we would certainly appreciate it."

[necromancynow]

"Well, it may be a bit difficult to do so without specifics. But I'll keep an eye out, hmm? Perhaps we can help each other."

And throw a wrench or two in his enemies' plans.

[entitles]

"Of course. As long as you're not moving in on us, obviously," he said, "You won't, will you?"

[necromancynow]

"I'm only interested in one thing," said Faust, "And that is furthering my magic. I fail to see how getting myself entangled in a conflict with the fae would help in that regard."

He hadn't survived in London this long by sticking his neck out for no reason, after all.