Grave digger, grave digger | October Catchall

[lasergrenades]

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout October
Location: Around Keeliai
Situation: The spooky happenings has everyone a little on edge, and Devin is having an especially bad month.
Warnings/Rating: Death, possible mentions of violence and abuse. Will specify as needed.


A. [Pepper] KPD | Throughout October | Open

The uptick in crime doesn't leave the KPD extraordinarily busy, but between the rise in illegal activity and the strange, unsettling things resulting from the odd planar activity, things are definitely more tense. Pepper tries to just focus on work, but occasionally she'll do something slightly odd around her desk, such as tossing grains of salt over her shoulder. She does try to keep the superstitions out of the office, for the most part, but the creepy incidents are more distracting than she'd like. Sometimes, she's actually quite cheerful, and begins decorating some areas of the headquarters as though nothing is amiss.

B. [Pepper] Jade Dojo | Mid October | Bakura

Pepper has taken to spending some nights over at Bakura's apartment lately, complete with having claimed one of his drawers for some of her things. The concerns over the planes thinning hang over most of the city, but nothing explosive seemed to be happening, and really she ought to be more accustomed to ghosts and spectres given who she's dating. Lounging around together under the blankets seems like a good option to distract from anything unsettling, especially as the temperature starts to drop since cold weather is not at all Bakura's favorite.

C. [Pepper] Earth Sector | Mid October | Raine

So, ghosts. Yeah. That's-- that's a thing that's happening. That's a thing that's currently happening to her, along with lots of other people in Keeliai, and it's unsettling and scary and also... kind of amazing, in some ways. She hasn't seen her mother since she was six, and a ghost is still better than nothing, and everyone at the house has something going on, so instead of rambling her panic/excitement at Tony and Gene and Bakura all month, she goes to visit Raine. It's been a little while since they've just hung out, and if anyone can help her find some more calm about this situation, it's her friend. She knocks a little hesitatingly on Raine's door, glancing at the redheaded ghost over her shoulder with a nervous smile.

D. [Devin] Sky Sector | Early October | Open

The chill in the air doesn't both Devin at all; England was cold and misty for no small part of the year. The sudden shift is a bit odd, but that was par for the course in this city as far as he could tell. He spends part of his time continuing with his mapping routine, and while he's at it he considers more seriously where he might move to. Devin has very few possessions, so one of the smaller lodgings made available to Foreigners would be ideal. He's more aloof and even irritable, avoiding extended conversations and familiar faces.

E. [Devin] Metal Sector | Mid October | Open

Devin returns to the Metal Sector to test his memory of the streets partway through the month. The tension in the city is evident wherever he goes, and while he's not immune to it, routine has always helped. That is, of course, until he spots two faces he hasn't seen in over a century, and his blood runs cold. He stops abruptly as their attention turns to him, frozen in what can only be described as fear. This is dread he doesn't even know how to hide - so he runs, darting away in a blur and only halting when he's half a sector away and hidden in an alleyway.

F. [Devin] Turtle's Head | Mid-Late October | Open

His family hasn't ceased haunting him no matter where he goes, and now it's all five of his siblings as well as his parents. The sense of calm at the turtle's head helps a little, but Devin keeps away from anyone else who's there, finding as secluded an area as he can. He's shaken in a way he hasn't felt in years and years, and he's giving very serious consideration to leaving the city altogether in an effort to distance himself from it's inhabitants and battle with his panic in peace. If anyone decides to interrupt the spectres currently following Devin with abusive, personal diatribe, they should be prepared to deal with a nasty vampire. See: cornered animal.

(OOC note: Let me know if you want a specific starter, or feel free to write up your own!)

Comments

C

[ruinsprofessor]

"Pepper." Raine opens the door with a harried sort of a smile. "It's good to see you-- I've been a little concerned." This month has been... difficult for some people, and while she does generally think Pepper is capable of coping with whatever life throws her, that doesn't mean Raine isn't going to be concerned.

She stands aside, and only then notes the trailing ghost. The corners of her eyes crease faintly. "...I see. So that's why you're here?"

[lasergrenades]

Honestly, Pepper hadn't been sure exactly how Raine might react - strange things have been happening all over the city, and she's not the only one with ghosts following her around.

"Well, partly," she says, waiting to enter until it becomes more evident that Raine is okay with this. "I, um, also wanted to just talk. But-- well, you met my dad. Now you get to meet my-- my mom," Pepper manages, still torn between joy and sorrow about this whole situation. "Since you're awesome, and she's awesome, and that kinda seemed like a good combination."

The woman over Pepper's shoulder has a soft, knowing smile on her face, red hair tumbling down her shoulders. Her eyes are bright blue, and there's a sense she can understand how uncomfortable things are.

[ruinsprofessor]

...Raine appreciates the praise, she supposes. She closes the door behind them mutely, watching Pepper's mother-ghost and wondering.

She's moved into the kitchen, glancing about for any signs of an -- interloper -- before reaching for the tea-things habitually. "I'll make tea." Considering, as she sets the water on the stove to boil. "Are there any other family members to expect?"

She may be a little rattled, she reflects ruefully, steadying her hand as she measures tea leaves.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper knows Raine well enough to tell that something isn't quite right, but whatever it is hasn't taken obvious shape. She trails after her friend into the kitchen, though her mother remains just beyond the threshold for the moment. The woman's expression is calm, if a little concerned - she's not unobservant, even like this.

"Not that I know of," she answers. "No one else who'd matter quite as much, anyway." Pepper goes to fill up the kettle in order to assist with the tea-making process. "Is this-- okay? I mean, both of us being here; I can come back later, or mom can... go wherever she and the rest of them go, for a little while."

A

[ninjainviolet]

Despite the rise in crime--among other things--Sheena's not at the KPD to report any trouble. She's stopped by to check on the supply of gels the officers have, and that's when she sees Pepper and her decorations. She had immediately liked the girl from the first moment they had spoken--though they hadn't done so in a long time.

Time to correct that.

Smiling, Sheena approaches. "Would you like a hand with that?"

[lasergrenades]

Pepper looks down from the slightly rickety stool she's standing on while she pins some paper ribbons to the wall. The redhead grins broadly when the voice turns out to be attached to Sheena.

"Hey! Sure, why not," she replies, holding out a roll of ribbon. There's a stack of other decorations on Pepper's desk. Then, slightly sheepish: "It's a slow day at the office. How's it going? Tea shop busy with the chilly weather?"

[ninjainviolet]

"Hey!" Sheena says in return, her own smile growing wider in response to Pepper's. "You look like you're having fun," she continues, taking the roll of ribbon from her. Tilting her head, she lets out a light chuckle.

"Do you want it to be busy? Because I can go do something illegal if you want," she offers jokingly before nodding.

"Yeah, it has been lately." Today is her day off, but she still checks in. "The weather is affecting everyone one way or another." Which may explain why the station is slow today. She holds up the ribbon.

"So, where should this go, and is that stool safe?"

[lasergrenades]

The redhead giggles. "Then I'd have to arrest you or fine you or something. Not so much fun when you're doing it to friends," Pepper tells her, stepping down from the stool. "The fog is a bit weird, but I don't think anyone will mind a chance to cool off after this summer. Well, except for Bakura, but he grew up in a desert."

She assesses the rest of the room, considering places empty of decoration. "Pretty much anywhere along the walls. There's more detailed stuff after the ribbon - I wish we had fake spider webbing. And yes," she adds, amused. "The stool is safe. One of the legs is just a little shorter than the others. No idea why, it's just always been like that."

F is for fish....again :P

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis concentrated on the peace, ignoring the two spectral hounds circling her. She could hear them in her mind, growling accusations and distant threats, yet tempered by Hila's presence. The ka lay curled around her as she meditated, large head on her paws, watching the dark specters as they moved, their eyes glowing red. Valdis didn't realize Devin's presence until Hila nudged her arm. Her eyes opened, head turning in the direction of the sour emotional state of the Vampire.

Valdis let the colors of the world fade into the shining lights of souls. Kedan, Hila and that tiny flame inside of Devin lit up brightly, but the Hounds and the spirits following the vampire remained dark. Soulless creatures wouldn't register on this plane, she supposed.

Hila stood, curling back lips to show teeth to the Hound that she deemed came too close. Valdis, now missing her backrest, uncrossed her legs and got up, still watching Devin. The two ghost Hounds followed her gaze, then bounded away, not bending a blade of grass or sending any dust rising as they moved.

beautiful

[annihilist]

If Devin were in a clearer state of mind, he might have noticed Valdis as he approached Tu Vishan's massive head, but being trailed by the ghosts of his family had him severely unbalanced. This wasn't the first time he'd visited, given that the spectres seem bent on harassing him as long as possible.

He found a patch of rocks and scraggly vegetation away from the area most people visited, sinking to the ground and covering his face with shaking hands.

The seven shades drifted more than walked towards Devin, surrounding him in a semi-circle. “Failure,” murmured one. “Abomination,” another. Bits and pieces of old conversations, things they’d told him a century ago. “Go fetch me a snack, little brother; make it a blonde.” Devin closed his eyes and tried to drown them out of his thoughts. The eldest-looking woman nears. “You were supposed to be our triumph, and you are nothing but a disappointment.”

“I’d tell you to go to Hell, mother, but you’re already there,” Devin snapped back, finally collecting himself some. “You deserved what you got.”

Re: beautiful

[redlightgreenlight]

If the Hounds had been able to affect their surroundings, Valdis might have felt more concern as they bounded across the shell toward the vampire. As it was, She walked after them, unwilling to let them out of her sight, Hila by her side.

There is much tension in the air, the wolf commented.

"I've noticed." Valdis replied dryly.

The comments from the ghosts trailing after Devin floated to her on the breeze, barely audible, but less concerning than the aforementioned tension.

"Devin?"

The two Hounds circled back, turning to lurk behind her, silently watching.

[annihilist]

Devin's head shot up at the sound of Valdis' approach, like he was suddenly expecting to be attacked. His gaze darted from her to the ghostly hounds and Hila, and then to the dead vampires around him. The seven of them turned to look at the new arrival, disdain clearly written in their features.

"Go away," he growled. He didn't want Valdis to see him like this, much less anyone else. She had the unique ability to understand just how deeply his family was affecting him, no matter how much he hid it. He detested that she would be able to feel that they scared him like he was still a child, even buried under the anger at what they had done. "This has nothing to do with you."

A is for Apparition :P

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis hadn't spoken to Pepper in awhile and was just about to walk through the door to her office when she saw Pepper toss something over her shoulder. She knew things were getting weird, but this was new.

"Is that salt, Pepper?"

Excellent alliteration

[lasergrenades]

"Uh." Pepper had the good grace to look a bit sheepish. "Yes? It's a superstition thing. I thought about making a ring around my desk but I have to walk around to do things, and then I thought about trying to make one around the entire headquarters but the problem just keeps getting bigger that way, so I figured a few grains here or there when the hair on the back of my neck goes up seemed like a good compromise."

Re: Excellent alliteration

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis arched a brow, trying very hard to not appear as amused as she felt.

"I know it's a superstition thing." Kind of like people thinking Holy Water would deter certain parties. "Is it helping?"

A slight pause.

"If not you could try paprika."

[lasergrenades]

"Uh... 'helping' might be an exaggeration, but I figured something is better than nothing. Most of the ghosts that've been showing up apparently aren't all that nice."

Pepper blinked for a moment. "Paprika? Why? Also I don't know if there's actual paprika in Konryu but there's probably something similar."

E!

[purered]

The dark alleys in Jerusalem's Lot held little danger to Klaus when he'd lived there. The dark alleys of Keeliai were even less potentially exciting, so Klaus had little reason to expect any kind of conflict.

Until the one person he really wanted nothing to do with came barreling down the alley as though he had all the legions of hell nipping at his heels. The man had stopped, clearly hiding from something and Klaus's brow furrowed, a feeling of deep suspicion welling up in him.

"Mr Parker," he called, managing to keep his tone neutral at least. He owed Devin the benefit of the doubt, even if every fiber of his being was reluctant to actually give it.

"Are you quite alright? You look as though you've seen a ghost."

E is for ehehehehehe

[annihilist]

Devin had been listening intently to his surroundings in case he was being followed, but even so he'd only half-registered that anyone was approaching. Being taken by anything resembling surprise was a death sentence where he was from, and he actually jumped slightly.

His face was pale even in the shadow of the alley when he turned to Klaus, fright poorly hidden on his face. "That would be an apt description," Devin replied, a little breathlessly. "Or maybe a more preferable one, if my options are ghosts or the spell that brings Foreigners here taking an especially sadistic turn."

E is for ETERNAL SUFFERING

[purered]

Klaus's frown only deepened. That wasn't suspicious at all.

Or potentially alarming.

"So I would assume you saw someone you are not on good terms with?"

If it was another vampire, Klaus was more than prepared. If not, well. Klaus could, at least, hear Devin out. The... man (and it was very hard to think of him as a man and not some ever changing monster) had been very different than the impossibly powerful ancient creatures Klaus was more familiar with. There was still a flicker of humanity there.

F. time for suffering

[iseeall]

Like the people native to this turtle said, it had taken around a day for his eyes to finally calm down and function properly. It still left Leo with a bad taste in his mouth and a need to get out and wander just to see what this place was like a clear his head.

The fact that they were really on the back of a turtle was amazing, and Leo had taken a trip to the turtle's head just to get a better look with his eyes. Unfortunately along his leisurely stroll he happened on a rather disturbing scene from a ways away: a bunch of rather translucent people were bothering another man with a red aura. That honestly should've been a warning, but he looked very little like a typical blood breed and the specters weren't being friendly.

His feet thought before his brain did and ran him over to where he was in full view of the taller man and his entourage. "Hey! What makes you think you can just bully people like that?"

Eeexcellent

[annihilist]

Coming out to the turtle's head was maybe more of a miscalculation than Devin realized; it was more populated than he'd like, but he was just trying to find some semblance of relief and privacy and he couldn't actually stay holed up in the Hotel forever. He had responsibilities, and more to the point, the turtle's head was still quieter than the city itself.

The last thing he expected out of coming here was a young man he didn't know racing to his defense. Devin turned, uncharacteristic fear in his eyes, and glanced from Leo to the ghosts.

One of the shades who shared Devin's height and build sneered at the intruder. "Children are expected to listen to their elders," his father hissed.

"This has nothing to do with you, kid," Devin cautioned. He balled his hands into fists to get them to stop shaking. "Just an... unwelcome reunion. Move along."

[iseeall]

Leo suddenly being the focus of both the strange vampire-like man and the spectres made him suddenly wonder if this was a really good idea. It probably wasn't, but Leo was now frozen in place and he couldn't run away.

"I..I can't just do that. Friends don't talk to each other that way. And if-if they're your family, that's even worse!" He'd never say anything like that to his little sister no matter what happened. Even if he disagreed with his parents on things, they would never act like that either. Children weren't tools. "Leave that guy alone!"

B)

[denyamenti]

At this point, Bakura's been spared any (extra) ghostly visitors, and that's just fine by him. He isn't sure whether it's simply a randomized bypass, or if it has something to do with his existing cadre of haunters, but the dojo has been as quiet as it ever gets.

The cold -- particularly in the early mornings -- is met with resigned ire and mild grousing about seasons being too short, and for all his preference for rising early, those are the times he's likely to put it off as long as possible. Diabound is curled up at the end of the bed, smartly knowing just how near he can get without accidentally getting a stray foot in the scales.

"Your turn," he said, in the back and forth lazy game of questions. "Where is a place you've always wanted to go?"

[lasergrenades]

Pepper was not as much of an early riser as Bakura most of the time, so she wasn't going to complain at all about claiming more of his morning hours.

"Ooh, hm. I guess Middle Earth doesn't count." She raised a hand towards the ceiling, imagining home through her fingertips. "The Galapagos. Did you know a bunch of the penguins on earth are tropical? Anyway, the penguins are cute there, and it's islands without the traffic and the skyscrapers."

There was a pause while she considered her next question. "Mm... Favorite landscape? Hard mode: not the desert."

[denyamenti]

Galapagos, Bakura mouthed in amusement at the word. “I didn’t know that,” he answered about the penguins. “I thought they were only where it was cold. Or in zoos.”

He hmm’d a bit at her next inquiry. “Then somewhere tropical, on a large beach... there’s something about so much water and greenery and sun all in one place.”