Sirius Black (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
constantprisoner) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-06-11 05:45 pm
constantprisoner) wrote in undergrounds2015-06-11 05:45 pm
The boy is back in town
[A]
After years of imprisonment, freedom is amazing.
Even now, even though it's been a few days, he still can't get over the feeling of being back in the world. Being around people and breathing fresh air (as fresh as a city can manage anyway). Sirius trots along the street and back alleys, keeping up the act as a stray dog and generally trying not to be noticed. He'd forgotten how easy it was.
However, his ability to enjoy himself is currently at war with the realization that he's pretty vulnerable. It's been twelve years and he really has no information about what the city is like. He has no idea if he has any friends left, or if there's anyone in this city who would be willing to help him. He needs allies, he needs information, he needs clothes.
Food should probably be added to that list now. Sirius can't recall the last time he ate a decent meal. (not counting the garbage can he raided out of desperation).
For now though, he needs rest. He's been on the run constantly and all of that energy has finally caught up with him. He collapses under a tree in a park, and from a distance, it might look like he's dead.
[B]
Information and allies will likely have to wait for a bit until Sirius can reorient himself in the city. Clothes and food, however, are slightly more accessible. Thankfully someone's got their laundry out on the line, and he can smell a few things from a garbage that he would be able to stomach. Desperate times call for desperate measures that he's actually thinking of doing that a second time.
[ooc: Sirius can be caught doing either in Option B]
After years of imprisonment, freedom is amazing.
Even now, even though it's been a few days, he still can't get over the feeling of being back in the world. Being around people and breathing fresh air (as fresh as a city can manage anyway). Sirius trots along the street and back alleys, keeping up the act as a stray dog and generally trying not to be noticed. He'd forgotten how easy it was.
However, his ability to enjoy himself is currently at war with the realization that he's pretty vulnerable. It's been twelve years and he really has no information about what the city is like. He has no idea if he has any friends left, or if there's anyone in this city who would be willing to help him. He needs allies, he needs information, he needs clothes.
Food should probably be added to that list now. Sirius can't recall the last time he ate a decent meal. (not counting the garbage can he raided out of desperation).
For now though, he needs rest. He's been on the run constantly and all of that energy has finally caught up with him. He collapses under a tree in a park, and from a distance, it might look like he's dead.
[B]
Information and allies will likely have to wait for a bit until Sirius can reorient himself in the city. Clothes and food, however, are slightly more accessible. Thankfully someone's got their laundry out on the line, and he can smell a few things from a garbage that he would be able to stomach. Desperate times call for desperate measures that he's actually thinking of doing that a second time.
[ooc: Sirius can be caught doing either in Option B]
no subject
Then she calms down and soon feels awful for how much the man here needs it more. What he says is true: It isn't like there's a short supply of clothes the man has with how much of a horse he is for them. She almost wants to nod and look the other way but--
"Unfortunately, he would," she explains, looking ashamed of herself for needing to say this but she needs to tell him. So the man doesn't get into trouble later on. "Mr. Tuppen is the type who gets angry if kids play too near his home and calls the cops if the dog next door barks just once at night. He'll make a big fuss about it and force the poor watch to go looking around for any clues. So if you're resting here it could spell nothing but a headache for you."
There is a meaningful pause on her end. "... Though I do know he won't miss the shirts his children give him every birthday. They're in the laundry basket inside his house. Do you see the window to his kitchen? That's where it is. If you want... I could try and get you that if you can wait a bit. No one's here at the moment thanks to a block party."
Stealing is wrong but Clara likes to think it's for a good cause here. That and it's not like Mr. Tuppen will notice the disappearance of a shirt or two of something he loathes.
no subject
Thankfully he hadn't planned on sticking around long after getting a shirt. He considers the offer before replacing the shirt on the line. Might as well take an unwanted shirt than one that was going to cause trouble. He's done enough of that already, he's sure.
"Alright, you've got yourself a deal. You sure you don't need help?"
no subject
After that she phases through the door and soon she can be seen in the kitchen, looking around a bit before going through the laundry basket carefully as she can.
There's a shirt. Plain and white, innocuous and will not be missed by its crotchety owner. Okay. Clara looks up a the window and smiles at him before waving to show she's got it, taking the shirt and doing her best to keep a tight grip on it as she heads back to the door. Okay. Here comes the tricky (and frankly, silly) part.
She disappears from view then after a few seconds the doggie door can be seen being pushed forward as shirt is poked right through it. Since she can't phase through things while carrying things in, this will have to do.
... Honestly. If anyone came across the bizarre scene of a bedraggled man being menaced by the least terrifying Stephen King monster ever, they had a right to wonder what on earth is going on.
no subject
He looks in all directions, making sure that there's no one coming up the alley or a neighbour doing things in their back yard before wandering over and picking up the shirt. He looks at it, nodding approvingly. This will work for the time being. Now all he needs is a jacket and some shoes and he'll be set. But that will have to be somewhere else.
"Thanks," he says, pulling the shirt on. "I don't think anyone noticed."
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"You're welcome! It's made from very nice cotton too so it should last you for a while." She looks happy to have helped him out with this little thing. A little thing comes a long way she likes to think and he definitely needed the shirt more than the crotchety old Mr. Tuppen. Not that man would notice it missing. The man here gets a new shirt, Mr. Tuppen is not disturbed, and everyone wins in the end.
The man. That doesn't sound very polite to describe him as but she doesn't know his--
"Oh my! I almost forgot my manners for a second. My name is Clara." She's learned by now to not just give her full name willy-nilly to people who can see spirits. She's had enough of people trying to use her as energy for their rituals, thank you. "And you are...?"
no subject
He pulls on the shirt. It's a little big but that's fine with him. A shirt is a shirt at this point.
He hesitates a moment at giving his name. He wants to, but at the same time he has to play it safe. Granted it's probably out in the world that he's escaped, and he's not sure if there's much a ghost can do. If all else fails, he can run.
"Sirius. Nice to meet you, Clara." He even manages a smile.
no subject
"Hello Sirius!" So she does her best to be happy, giving a big wave in return. "I hope this helps you out. I saw a pair of old sneakers near the door but I don't think I can drag it by myself at this point. It's a bit exhausting trying to--"
Her voice 'gives out' at that point, hinting she isn't trying as hard to stay noticed around the living and she doesn't seem to notice it. Being around for so long, he probably just assumes she's always just going to be there with no questions asked. Her voice comes back though, thankfully. "--and that's why the doggie door looks that poor. Not the best idea to stick your hand through it."
no subject
"The shirt is enough, really. I don't really want to cause that much trouble."
He's been limiting himself to one item per house to avoid making it look like there's a thief about. Hopefully his plan's worked for the most part.
"Sorry, I missed what happened to the doggie door."
no subject
"He got drunk and tried to fit himself inside it one evening," she explains again, not questioning why he couldn't hear her and she's more than happy to explain again if he needed to. "He's quite... how do you say it? Unpredictable when he's under the influence. Not mean but more brash. Thank goodness for how strict it is for people to get weapons here."
Not that it could stop people like Mr. Sirius here, probably, from finding loopholes to the strict regulation of having a weapon. If he can see her, he probably do more than just speak to spirits and spooks who come across his way.
"I wish there was more I could help you with." She looks back at the house and frowns, knowing it probably isn't the best idea to try and take something from there again. "The most I can say is that these row of houses have better security than Mr. Tuppen here. There's that to watch out for, Mr. Sirius."
no subject
"Believe me, you've already done enough. I wasn't planning on hanging around here that much longer."
After all, he had enough clothes that wandering around wouldn't cause as much of a disturbance. Really all he needed was something to cover his face and he'd be alright for the time being.
"Thanks again for stealing the shirt."
no subject
More of a straight to the point type of person. Hence the attempt to enter his locked house through the doggie door. Her amused smile fades a bit as she looks around to ensure that they were still alone. They are but the block party can only go on for so long before patrol returns to normal or if a neighbour decides to return to their bed for a good night's rest.
"I hope I did," she muses, "And it's best I leave you be now before someone catches you here talking to yourself."
There's a moment's pause before she adds,"I--If you ever need help again and if you're interested, feel free to go to Coffeers' Shop in Harrow. That's where I usually am so if you ever need something to be stolen again, I guess I'm your lady for that."
no subject
He has enough rumours surrounding him already. The last thing he needs to start one about a clothing thief as well.
"Where'd be the best place to go from here?"
no subject
When he asks his question, she pauses while taking it into consideration.
"You mean somewhere to rest for the night?" That must be what he means. It takes her a second to think up a proper response and she soon points to a direction, down the street where the block ends, and says, "There's a church hall nearby. It functions as a nightshelter in the evening. It's a decent place to my knowledge and they're not overbooked so you can have a private room to yourself for the time being.
"When you go there, they won't ask much from you besides a name but you can put a pseudonym in if you want. It's for free too and you can stay there a few nights if needed."
no subject
Better than spending another night out on the streets anyway. He's had enough of those night and an actual bed sounds good. Especially since he has nothing but the (stolen) clothes on his back.
"I'm sure I can find it if I wander around for a bit."
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"It isn't hard to miss! Someone thought it was a good idea to paint the outside of it full of trees, happy animal, people holding hands. That sort of thing. Supposed to be a sign of community." Not all that subtle but the message was endearing and she could see
She adds, "If you're still there for a bit before you head over to the coffee shop, is it alright if I... Hmm... How do I say this without sounding strange? Check up on you? And see if there's anything else I can do?"
Clara is quite sure she sounds strange and looks embarrassed.
no subject
"Well, depending on the place, I don't know how long I'll be sticking around," Sirius replies, considering. It would depend on the location and if he could figure what his status was news wise. "But I wouldn't mind, if I don't drop by the coffee shop first."
no subject
Until she's assured someone is safe and well, she'll worry because she can't help but worry for people. It's in her nature to and, at times, she knows it can be overbearing for them to deal with it. No one likes a nagger pestering them about their lives.
A ghost nagger at that.
Clearly relieved he doesn't mind and accepts the offer, her smile is more open while she nods along excitedly. "Keep an eye out for me then in the future! I don't want to be a shock to you when you're minding your business and poof! I'm there."
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He has grown a little lax in his defenses, which probably isn't a good thing considering he's on the run. He can't help but smile, knowing he's got something of an ally (he hopes).
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She smiles back of course, the very picture of a friendly ghost as she nods one last time. "I'll see you around then, okay? Look after yourself! I hope we can meet soon."
no subject
Sirius returns the nod, and then quickly makes his way out of the yard and away from the house, with a quick glance behind him to make sure that nothing seems out of place. He'll check out the church Clara mentioned, but first he needs to find a way to hide his face.