undergrounds | August Adventures: A Catch-All Post.

[A - Injury]

He'd panicked.

It was the only logical thing to do at the time. He'd gotten lax and cocky, going so far as to try to read a discarded newspaper at a public bench and someone had recognized him. And alerted the police. Considering how fast they were on him, Sirius still considered it a miracle he had gotten away. He hadn't even had the opportunity to shift into his faster form.

He'd launched himself into the first back alley he saw, hoping for a moment where he could undress and shift but that wasn't likely. His pursuers were determined, he'd give them that but Sirius's desire not to return to prison spurred him on and eventually he lost them. But not before he'd had to jump a fence and land funny on his leg. He'd sat in the alley for a long time, breathing hard and waiting for the police to catch up. But they didn't and finally he could breathe.

But not for long. The moment Sirius stood up, he knew he had a problem as pain shot up his leg. He'd definitely done something to some part of it. Assuming it was just a twisted ankle, Sirius had limped off to find somewhere a little closed off where he could rest.

That had been a weekend ago, and things still hurt. Sirius knew he would have to do something about it.

[B - Safehouse]

The events at the beginning of August served only to remind Sirius that he was in a pretty vulnerable position. He needed somewhere a little safer than the back alleys of London if he was going to get anywhere. He needed a safehouse of some sort. It didn't have to be big or particularly comfortable, but somewhere that he could stay if he needed to keep out of sight for a while, or at least rest for a couple hours without worry.

Not entirely sure how this place was going to manifest and assuming that he would know it when he saw it, Sirius wandered the streets of London, looking for something that might just work or just inspiration.

The fact that he's currently a large black dog certainly won't draw any attention now would it?

[C - Hillingdon]

It's been a long time since Sirius has been here.

Even though it's been a long time, the streets still seem familiar to him, as if he never left. He's not sure why he was reluctant to come back. Perhaps the presence of his family or just the fact that he let his connections to the Hillingdon Clan slide. He'd never sat well with the insular nature of things.

However, things had changed and Sirius had to see if his name still had any sort of weight around here. Surviving on his own was only going to get more difficult, especially since he was finding it very difficult to lay low. If he could just find someone he knew from the old days, convince them, maybe he might have a chance. It was a slim one and he was prepared to bolt the moment things went south.

But for now he had to try.

[D - Wildcard]

Feel free to set up something completely different.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She 'sits' next to him as he eats, dwelling what he's told her so far. "The connections still have to count for something, won't they? Especially since the hunters wouldn't mind another pair of hands to help them out."

Their numbers weren't alway that much ever since Clara ran across them years ago but, recently, they've been quiet thanks to a lack of active members in their ranks and other things getting tied up. Maybe they'll be willing to look the other way if he could help or find a way to change his appearance.

Oh! That other part! "Do you-- Do you think you can find a way to change your appearance? For a limited time at least? So you can meet with others or go out without trouble?"

"I'm hoping so. Depends on if anyone I knew from back then is still around. They should be, pretty stubborn the lot of them." He pauses to take a few more bites. "I just hope my name's not complete mud."

Between his alleged criminal status and undoubtedly things his family have said about him, Sirius does have a few reasons to be concerned.

"You know, I hadn't really thought about that. It probably would be a smart idea."

It would probably give him a slightly cleaner appearance as well. If he shaved and cut his hair maybe? Just finding a place to do that might be tough.

"Fingers crossed in that regards! No one should be left all by their lonesome when they have somewhere to go." Maybe she's speaking from experience. Maybe she isn't.

Whatever the case, she's determined to help no matter what.

"We can start here if you want! The employees' only lounge has a bathroom and someone usually leaves their cleaning things here. You can freshen up for a bit." She pauses and adds quickly, "Don't worry about any mess. I'll deal with that."

She's, more or less, become conditioned to clean any mess she sees so this won't be a problem. Once again she finds herself thanking the existence of the ghost gloves.

Sirius nods, figuring that at the very least, he could wash up and try to improve the general disheveled look he'd managed to develop. He glances down at his leg.

"Is it alright for me to walk on it now? Or should I wait a bit more?"

"You should walk it out," Clara answers after thinking it over. "Test to see if my work will hold out for you."

It should. Hopefully. It's been a while since she's done this but an old dog never forget its tricks.

She 'stands' up from the chair and glides over to his side, ready to grab hold of him in case he stumbles or has too much difficulty. "Whenever you're ready."

It takes Sirius a minute to psych himself up, since sitting down and allowing the weight to be taken off his foot has been a huge relief. But after a mental count to three, he hauls himself up with a wince. His foot still hurts and he's reluctant to put weight on it but the bandage helps. When he finally does put weight on it, it doesn't feel as wobbly as it has.

"Looks like you've still got it," he says, taking a few tentative steps.

She smiles at the compliment, more relieved than proud that her bandaging will live to see another day or three. "That's good to hear! They should last long enough until you see someone proper.

"... If you can," she also adds, remembering that he's a fugitive on the run, accused of something terrible. Now that people were more aware of his presence, he'll have to be careful. "I'm sorry this happened to you, Sirius. This really isn't fair."

"Hasn't been fair for a while," Sirius admits, "But still, I appreciate it. I'm sure there's someone out there who can help me."

He still has that strange doctor's card, so he might have to look for him if it gets worse. Hopefully this will be enough, if he can just find a place to lie low again.

"I better go clean myself up."

"You should. I think there should be a razor or something like that," she told him as she floats to his side but lets him move all on his own. He can do it. She knows he can.

"--Oh!" An idea forms in her head as she's about to leave him be, wondering why she hadn't thought of it before. "Maybe I can pack you a few things while you're freshening up. So you're not emptyhanded while leaving here."

She'll make sure the items won't be missed or can be glossed off if found missing. She wants to help Sirius, yes, but she also doesn't want to be a pain for the poor staff here.

"Alright, but only if they won't be missed. Although, food's probably best if you're going to pack anything."

He can live without the essentials, has been managing without them for the most part, but food could get hard to come by sometimes. And there was only so many times he could go dumpster diving as a dog.

While he's in the washroom, he considers his options. It's been a long time since he looked in the mirror and he's a lot scruffier looking than he'd thought. An absolute mess really. He searches around for a pair of scissor. At the very least, this beard needs a trim.

While he takes care of himself in the washroom, Clara busies herself over at the kitchen to take some things she hopes the others won't notice.

Food they have to throw away today since it was baked yesterday for one thing. Breads, scones, sandwiches are a good thing to tuck away in the small knapsack she found in the lost and found box after poking at it a bit around said box. An untouched bottle of energy drink that's been left in the employee's fridge for a while so she thinks no one will miss it. There's also a bottle of water or two to put in, sneakily.

And, just in case, a roll of bandage wrapping and some painkillers. There. That should help him for... A week? Two weeks? She hopes long enough until he finds a place to settle down properly.

Sirius emerges from the washroom looking slightly cleaner than before. Still rather scruffy but that look is probably going to take a while to disappear. Or maybe he can try to make it look roguish? Maybe. It's not too drastic a change (not wanting to make too much of a mess), but enough that it probably won't 'cause people to do a double take.

Although he'll probably continue to lie low just in case.

"Suppose I should be on my way," he says, glancing at the clock.

Clara has the bag ready for him when he's out of the washroom, placing it on the counter and taking off gloves to rid herself of the itchiness that has been bothering her for quite a while. She's been wearing them for too long, lately. She really needs to stop being so dependent on them but, for now, the itching is worth helping Sirius out.

"It's dangerous to go alone! Take this!" She smiles at him, nervous but hopeful for him. "Take care of yourself, okay? You know where to go if you need a pair of invisible hands at the ready."

"I will, or at least, I'll try to. Believe me, I don't try to get hurt on purpose."

Putting himself into situations where getting hurt is a distinct possibility is another story.

"I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Thank you again, Clara."

He wishes he could offer more than just thanks though. "If you need anything, you can let me know."

August Adventures: A Catch-All Post.

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