stop! ghost time (open post)

[warmheartedly]

JULY 21; COFFEERS' SHOP (LATE AFTERNOON)

Clara doesn't always snoop around the city and sometimes her work isn't always needed in the school. Sometimes she likes to stay in the shop. Sometimes she enjoys listening to idle conversation of the customers, not really listening in on them, that'll be rude, but nonetheless enjoying the buzz of activity the shop has during their busiest hours.

And sometimes that isn't enough. That's when she goes over and pokes around the lost and found box, seeing what's there and if anything is something that belongs to a current patron she can give back to without them looking. It's there that she finds a pair of marigold gloves during her search and about them draws her to them... Naturally she reaches out to and concentrates a bit to have a goodish grasp of it to see if there's a nametag anywhere when she notices a peculiar thing:

It feels... solid under her touch, real and tangible without the strange numbness to her fingertips she's become accustomed to at this rate. It takes her a second to realise what this means. She can touch them! She can hold them! She can do it with ease, most importantly of all.

Oh, what an exciting day for her as she mutters one little apology under her breath and zips off to the back of the shop with her new item. Already she has a little million ideas for them popping into mind, the excitement of the discovery along with the possibilities just enough to drown out her guilt for taking something out of the lost and found box that isn't hers.

JULY 25; AROUND THE CITY (ALL DAY)

After the last few days of activity, Clara decides it's time to be both proactive and to use her gloves to her advantage.

She'll now be found in areas that she usually doesn't snoop around in her attempts to glean information: The darker parts of the city, the seedier alleyways of the town, and etc. She'll peek through windows and go through walls, doing her best to stay invisible and quiet as a mouse while going through things with a newfound ease thanks to her gloves. (When she can bear the itching for long as she can, of course. Goodness do they chafe her skin.)

From Haringey to Hackney to Waltham Forest and then some, she'll be exploring and peeping into a lot of people today if she can. It's risky but she does her best. If she's to be a good observer of information, she needs to dig deep and hope she finds some things out, see what's going on in the heart of the city.

[ OOC: Or make your own scenario in your comment! Prose and brackets welcomed! A note, though, is that only one person can step in to help Clara get rid of the medium that she'll run into on July 25.]

Comments

JULY 25; AROUND THE CITY

[necromancynow]

Faust, seemingly oblivious to the spectral presence, slipped through the crowd in the early morning. He produced a small metal key from the jacket and entered the door of a medical clinic -- not without a bit of difficulty, however, since he was holding a paper sack in one arm. The bottom of the sack was leaking through a bit with something damp inside.

The sign on the door remained flipped to CLOSED. The lawn outside was dying.

What was he up to...?

[warmheartedly]

This is more than she bargained for when she took a turn over here.

Backpedaling, she retreats to the corner to hide herself, forgetting her abilities for a second, and can only hope he didn't notice her there.

It doesn't seem to be the case as he goes into the clinic without acknowledging her presence or noting her presence at all. Then again he did have to carry that faintly ominous sack of his and make sure he didn't drop the contents.

... She's going to regret this but she's curious to see what he's up to. Moving forward, she takes note of the clinic's state and decides she should go around the back and hope there's a window she can peer into first or any signs of others there to know how many people she needs to watch out for.

[necromancynow]

Strangely enough, there were no windows in the back. Clara would find that she could easily get in through the back by phasing through if she so chose. Inside she'd find a sparse-looking hallway, and then...

Well. It seemed as though there was something preventing her from proceeding further. Someone had put a line of salt along the wall, all along the inner rooms of the clinic. She could certainly hear something, though. Someone speaking.

"One day," sighed Faust from the other side of the wall. There came the sound of something heavy and wet hitting a counter. "One day, I'll have the answer..."

[warmheartedly]

Besides being a little fearful over the lack of fire safety measurements, Clara phases through the wall to investigate the matters and soon finds herself in a literal dead end thanks to a generous use of salt in the hallway.

Oh dear. Days like these make her wish she had the ability to carry at least one item. Like a ghostproof phone to call the others.

She hears a man speaking and falls quiet, hoping to know more about what the question for this missing answer was. Did it have something to do with their last encounter... ? She hovers closer, close as she can thanks to the salt, and cants her head to the side in hopes of catching more sounds that aren't wet and heavy eeurgh.

[necromancynow]

"They 'politely declined' my project proposal," Faust continued. "They said it didn't fit with their vision. Too distasteful, too gruesome, too ghoulish. They didn't call it that in so many words. But I know."

"Hypocrites," he hissed, voice suddenly intense. A string of invective followed, spoken in German.

[warmheartedly]

She didn't understand the language that's being said but she has a feeling that he's aiming it at whoever 'they' are and what he has to say isn't very nice. Whatever happened did not endear the people to him.

Now to the heart of the matter: They? Who exactly 'they' are? A coven he's with? A group he's aligned for now? No. That doesn't sound right. Night Council... ? She isn't too sure, there are a lot of groups to pick from, so she simply files that information in the back of her mind for now.

What's he doing in there with the contents of that sack he brought in? It makes her almost wish she could actually smell again but her ears still work. Can she hear anything about it?

GHOST GLOVESSSSS

[goroesi]

Maera barely catches a glimpse of Clara rushing off to the back of the shop, and she's immediately curious. What on earth could be going on back there...? After glancing around, she casts a small illusion spell and heads towards the same hallway herself. If anyone looks at her, they'll see an apron around her neck and hopefully won't question why she's heading into what seems to be an employees-only area.

"Clara? You in here?" she asks tentatively as she looks around for her friend.

HELLO YESSSS

[warmheartedly]

"Maera! Hello! I'm over here."

The door of the broom closet swings open and Clara pops out her head, a big smile on her face as she continues to twist and turn the doorknob. It's done with more ease and control than Clara has ever shown in the last ten years. Perhaps it has something to do with the sunshine yellow gloves she wore since she certainly did not pass away wearing those.

The brightness of the colour certainly matches her smile, sunny and happy, as she leaves the closet and waves at her friend. It's always to nice to see a friendly face especially since she had something to share. "Look! I found these in the lost and found box!"

[goroesi]

"They're... very nice?" She laughs hesitantly, still not fully comprehending the excitement on Clara's face. She's about to ask what there is to be so happy about - and then it clicks.

"Oh my goodness, you're wearing those. But- you're a ghost? How are you doing it? Oh my goodness, Clara, they look so lovely on you!"

[warmheartedly]

She's glad Maera caught on because she finds it difficult to put her words into something resembling a coherent sentence thanks to her excitement.

"I'm not sure but! The gloves! It has something to do with the gloves." Let her prove it. She takes one glove off and sets it on the ground before trying to make a grab for the doorknob. Her hand that wasn't in a glove phased right through since she isn't concentrating. "I didn't-- I don't know-- It's amazing!"

[goroesi]

"So you can touch things now! That's basically what's happening here, right?" Maera claps excitedly, then clasps her hands together. "Where did you get them from, Clara? Do they have whole ghost outfits too?"

AROUND THE CITY (JULY 25; LOCKED TO AZULA)

[warmheartedly]

Oh dear. She got herself into a bit of a pickle.

Her exploration of Haringey had proven fruitful when she left the area, knowing more about what's going on between the vampires and werewolves and why that part of the town is being fought amongst the two. While she stewed over the information she's gathered up, trying to commit it all to memory, she didn't realise a medium spotted her during her trip and was now following her.

Until now, of course, as she narrowly avoids being trapped in a binding circle. She's already stuck here thanks to their earlier magic spells, keeping her from zipping back to the safety of the coffee shop. Last thing she needs is her cage to get any smaller.

She's in a bad part of Waltham Forest so she has a feelings her shouts for help will go unnoticed or outright ignored but it wouldn't hurt to try as she avoids the witch's magic and spells and what nots. This is not what she had in mind when going out today! "Excuse me! Excuse me! Help! Witch!"

[divinerighttorule]

Some people -- or creatures -- have little fear of 'bad' parts of town. A fae, especially, comes and goes as they please. At least where they are allowed to do so. A thing that still gets under her skin. However, that can be dealt with later. For now, this is much more interesting.

A ghost calling for help. And a witch playing a dangerous game.

"In need of a little help?" Whether the medium can see her or not... that's anyone's guess. But Azula's made herself known to the ghost, smiling darkly from the shadows. She tilts her head a little. "I might be able to assist."

[warmheartedly]

At this point, Clara has phased herself into a wall, period, and is refusing to come out until the medium has passed by her. Not likely since she can still hear them coming her way, each step ominously louder and louder in her ears until--

Another voice and an offer. She almost doesn't think it could be possible, the turn of good fortune, but she really would like to believe in it."

"Oh!" Her voice, nervous and hushed, comes from the wall since she's not coming out just yet. Not until she's sure that she's safe from the dangers of being forced through the afterlife. "Could you? I-I'm just passing by here. The neighbourhood! I'm just passing by the neighbourhood and would just like to go back home now. I'm not causing any trouble or anything! I swear!"

[divinerighttorule]

"Of course."

Doing favors was wonderful. It left someone in her debt, and even a ghost had many uses. Even if one of those uses couldn't be a meal right now.

To deal with the medium, well.

First things first. Best to see if this could be done easily.

"I don't suppose you know their full name, do you?"

[warmheartedly]

There's a sigh of relief but she doesn't come out just yet. She's only going to leave when she knows the medium has left.

"No! Of course I don't know their full name." It doesn't occur to her why such a strangely specific question would be brought up. "I was minding my own business when they came out of nowhere, throwing spells at me like it's going out of style. I know they're a Midnight witch. The magic is dark."

July 25; Around the City

[reticence]

Faolan doesn't really have any particular agenda for the day. In between cases, no clients on the book for the afternoon, he finds himself with free time and well. He's never really much cared for the idea of such a thing. Mostly perhaps because he doesn't really know much what to do with himself when it happens. Not really having that many hobbies, not really much for staying idle, he finds himself wandering. Coffee at this shop, breakfast at another. Finding a seat to sit and enjoy both before wandering more. Idly staring in shop windows. Finding himself lunch. He supposes that this is time that people who had friends might call some of them up and get together to do something, but he's never had that luxury. Not since moving to London, at least. So he'll have to settle for this.

It's around two o'clock, and he's no closer to finding an answer as to what to do with himself than he had been at the start of the day. He seems... Well, lost would be one way to put it. And yet how does one manage to look lost while sitting in one place and knowing exactly where they are? However that happens, Faolan is managing it.

(ooc: let me know if this works/if you need me to change anything? :'Da I AM EXCITED TO FINALLY GET THEM TO RUN INTO EACH OTHER i'm sorry it took me this long!!)

[warmheartedly]

Coffeers' Shop is busy today thanks to the hour, students free from their classes and people taking their breaks mingling with one another as they talked and laughed and gossiped. Generally having a good time having a good time with close friends and loved ones.

Except for Faolan and someone noticed. A young woman, with bright red hair and pretty blue eyes, spots the man all by his lonesome and felt some pity for him. It didn't seem right to leave him all alone. Excusing herself from her gaggle of friends, she takes her untouched coffee and plate of muffins to approach him with a friendly and bright smile.

"Excuse me," she calls out. "Is this seat taken? It's a little hard to find a seat."

At the same time, Clara just happens to phase through one of the walls and spots the Redbright student interacting with someone she doesn't know. Oh! What's Bianca doing here?

She best investigate, she decides as she moves closer to see what's going on but not to be noticed by either party just yest.

[reticence]

Faolan startles slightly. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him, especially not a pretty young woman who is obviously looking for more than a seat. He's not quite certain how much of a conversationalist he's going to end up being, not with how he's been feeling lately, what with all these strange urges to go after flies or squirrels, or the particularly intense way he's been focused on his night hunts lately. But he's not going to turn her down. Turning her away from the seat would look more suspicious than anything. Even if he's pretty sure that she doesn't really need to sit with him, and that she could find another spot, if she really wanted.

"What? Oh, uh. No, go ahead." Well, it's not the greatest, but it's not nothing, he supposes. At least he hasn't been rude. Yet.

[warmheartedly]

The young woman smiles at him and is more than happy to take a seat along with him, unable to stop herself from catching Clara's gaze when she spots the familiar ghost who approaches her to see what this is all about. She smiles at Clara's direction and looks back at him.

"Sorry if this seems sudden and all," she laughs, rubbing the back of her neck. The witch is a social butterfly, always eager to meet people no matter what the occasion or who the person. Sometimes it works out and... sometimes it doesn't. Let's hope this is the case of the former. "It's pretty busy at this time of the afternoon."

"I don't think I've ever seen you here before. And I'm a regular, so!" She takes a sip of her drink, something heavy in sugar and creams that makes Clara nearby comment on with some disapproval. ("That," the ghost mutters dryly, "doesn't really help you stay awake, you know!.) "Trying something new, huh?"

[reticence]

"Something like that," Faolan says, fiddling with his drink slightly before realizing that she's going to talk to him regardless of what sort of a mood he seems to be in, so he should at least try and make an effort, here.

"I like coffee," he says, nodding down to the drink in front of him. A perfectly respectable, traditional flat white, no sugar or added flavoring. He probably could have had something even stronger, but it's not going to be the only coffee of the day, and with his nerves already shot, why tempt fate. "Thought I'd check it out. I get around the city a lot, it's useful to know where all the good coffee spots are."

July 25th (night if you're okay with that?)

[mygame]

The Nogitsune has established quite a few hideouts, places where he can lay low for a few hours or the night if he has to. So far, he has only avoided going into werewolf territory, most likely due to their sharpened senses. The one that Clara finds isn't in any of the 'settled' territory but next door to Greenwich Park which lingers under no one's control.

The things that sit around on the crude ledges that serve as shelves are of the cheap but flashy variety, gilt instead of gold. Little wonder considering the creature that hoards the shiny things once came from the low class of labourers. When it comes to rhinestones versus real gems, the Nogitsune doesn't have the skills to know which is which. All he knows is that he likes the pretty flash and spin of unique (to him) things.

He takes a look over the abandoned flophouse room as he rises from his daytime sleep. A too human yawn comes from the inhuman creature as he runs a hand through his hair and looks over his trinkets. A stolen cellphone in particular draws his attention as he tries to understand what the hell a 'touch screen' even is.

totally cool with it!

[warmheartedly]

It's been a long evening for her. After the altercation with the medium and running across Akane, she's more than eager to finish the rounds and head back to the coffee shop to 'rest' herself. She doesn't need to sleep but it doesn't hurt to take a break and--

Oh, she thinks, noticing the flophouse out of the corner of her eye as she makes her way out of Greenwich Park. I never did check in there before, have I?

Uncomfortable as she is to investigate this on her own, especially after the near exorcism, she knows she can't let an opportunity pass and ventures to investigate the place. So far nothing is there, mostly empty rooms and remnants of questionable activities down here. She's about to leave when she hears a yawn coming from one of the nearby rooms and she freezes at first.

Who could be here of all places at this hour?

She ventures further and does her best to be quiet by phasing through the rooms to both get their closer and to not be spotted faster. It would have almost worked too if not for the fact she doesn't notice a cat sleeping on top of an abandoned dresser in the room she's going into as she creeps on closer. She goes right through the poor animal and the cat does not take it well.

Heckled and angry, it lets loose the loudest reeeooooorw! she's ever heard in her life.

"!!!! Kitty please!" Too late, she knows, but it can't hurt to try and shush the cat?

[mygame]

It didn't hurt, especially from the Nogitsune's point of view. A slow fingertap sound accompanies the creak of wood signaling that the vampire now knows he's not alone. Instead of calling out or making any further noise, the creature goes as silent as it can. Whatever (or whoever) has invaded his territory won't be leaving alive in his opinion.

It is only a matter of time before he reaches where she is, the creaking of the battered door being pushed open the only sound accompanying his arrival. Right up until the blasted cat hisses at him. The irritation at being disturbed by a flea-bitten cat of all things is written all over the Nogitsune's face, teeth dropping down as he hisses right back at it.

"Stupid cat."

Wood cracks as he rips the knob out of the old door, throwing it at the animal. The cat, thinking better of this whole thing, proves to be the smart one by running for the nearest non-vampire blocked exit. Even as his teeth retract, the Nogitsune looks around the room one last time. His head lifts, scenting the air like an animal would for any sign of someone else lurking about.

[warmheartedly]

Clara winces at the poor cat getting almost hit like that and she almost calls out for the cat to watch out for the flying projectile. Knowing she'll expose herself to him like that, she's forced to cover her mouth and just hope the poor feline doesn't get hurt. She'll feel awful if the cat got hurt because of her carelessness.

Nope. The cat manages to dodge it and runs off to a nearby hole on the wall to get out. A sigh of relief in her head--

--that turns into a little gasp of shock when she finally pays attention to the other person and sees the fangs before they retract.

A vampire. Given her last experience with a vampire not connected(?) to a nest, she wasn't feeling up to. Seeing him look around for any more signs of others is really nervewracking.

No one but a cat here, she assures him in her head as she stays invisible while not taking any chances by moving to the next room. Let's see what he's here for. Hopefully there won't be anyone else here, animal or human.