undergrounds | stop! ghost time (open post)

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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?"

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."

More's the pity. But she doesn't say that. After all, there are still ways to deal with mortals who dabble in things they don't understand. Azula says nothing as the medium passes her by. Perhaps it's a good hiding place or perhaps the woman can't see her at all.

Azula steps out, then, and falls into pace behind her before lashing out her hand. The touch -- right at the base of the spine -- sends a jolt of electricity through the medium, and she collapses. Most spells can't hold if the witch is unconscious.

"That ought to do it."

"Goodness gracious!"

Clara doesn't see what's going on, thanks to hiding in the wall and all, but she hears cry of the person before it's cut short, followed by a heavy thump. Then silence that lasts only for a second but it's a second too long in her opinion.

She doesn't waste in any time rushing out of the wall, eyes wide and focused on the slumped form of the person who, seconds ago, was quite determined to catch her. There's a feeling of utter relief to see them down for the count along with guilt for feeling said relief because the person is out cold and probably for a good while too.

If they're out cold. "I-- You-- They-- The medium! Are they--"

There's almost a fear to describe it: Alive? Unconscious? Okay?

"They're handled, just like you asked."

Azula smiles as she says it. A calculated expression that is also extremely satisfied. It's a bit of a shame she couldn't kill the medium, yes, but that would be a little too messy and too complicated for the matter at hand. They wouldn't be a problem for this ghost.

Speaking of which. She hadn't recognised the voice, but the look is perfectly clear.

"You're a long way from the school, aren't you?"

That voice. Since it's no longer being muffled by the walls, Clara recognises the voice now and her confused suspicions are confirmed upon seeing who it is.

"--You." It's not said as a question but, rather, in a statement because Clara maybe old but she likes to think that she has a good memory for face. "You did this."

Clearly she's shocked, surprised that this is happening. She tries to keep her attention on the medium, unhappy with them still but she'll never wish for something like this to happen to the poor thing.

"Yes. I'm far from Redbright. I was... I was exploring is all. Didn't know it was such a crime with others here."

"I have a few talents, yes," Azula murmurs, flexing her fingers so lightning crackles between them. Just little sparks, more like static than anything. "That's one of them."

It's almost a shame she did just knock the medium out. It's always fun to watch the light go out of someone's eyes. To know that complete and utter triumph. But. Ah. Back to the point.

"Clearly, you attracted attention."

It maybe only a 'little' static to her but it's enough to make Clara gasp, eyes wide with some fear, as she moves around to try and shield the medium from anymore possible harm.

Not that it'll do much but it's the thought that counts.

"I didn't think walking down a sidewalk would warrant such a reaction." She needs to be more careful next time. It's a stroke of luck for her that someone else happens to be here. She looks back down at the unconscious person, nervous and tense at the sight of their almost too still form. "Will they be fine?"

"They'll recover," Azula says easily, shrugging her shoulders. Mortals really aren't her concern. Neither are other immortals, usually. "Probably with a bit of short term memory loss. Which works out quite well for you, don't you think?"

"Er..." It isn't a lie. When the medium wakes up, there's a good chance that they'll no longer remember where she is or remember her at all. That's good.

Isn't it? "As long as they're not too hurt... Thank you, by the way. I'm sorry if I sound ungrateful but I really am relieved you came in and help me."

"You're quite welcome," Azula says with a smile. Of course, there's a predatory edge to that look as she regards the ghost carefully. "Of course, as I'm sure you know, no favor comes free."

Ohhh that's a look she isn't comfortable with. She's. She's going to keep her distance if that isn't rude or anything. It possibly is and she's still going to keep her distance.

"I-- I suppsoe that makes sense," she says, agreeing even if, in her head, she shouldn't be for her own good.

stop! ghost time (open post)

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