[OPEN] The Page and the Stage is the Cage

[witheredpeonies]

Who: Annabel Lee Whitlock and You
When: End of November
Summary: Carnival Aftermath, Daily Work, Other Chaos
Warnings: Will be noted in comment subject lines

1. Pandora had a pretty little box [For Jean]
It is a couple weeks after the carnival when she works up the testicular fortitude balls to find Jean, but she does, accosting him near the docks when the ship's returned to land.

"We...should talk?"


2. And wisely she kept it hid [Whitlock Needleworks]
Annabel's working on embroidering a length of ribbon for trim, sitting on the front porch of her home-slash-shop. It's a nice day, and she's enjoying watching the ebb and flow of people in town as she works. Do you need clothing mended or decorated? Now's a good time to catch her.


3. 'Til one day she couldn't resist [Ice Skating]
Annabel's managed to befriend exactly one Pokemon, a shiny Froslass that she's calling Ligeia. An ice/ghost type, they get along really well. Especially when Ligeia gets creative ideas.

There's a pond on the Leeds estate, and Annabel has obtained permission to let Ligeia freeze it solid so that she (and anyone else who gets dragged out for fun) can go skating. Find her bundled up skating lazy laps around the edge of the pond, or perhaps trying a couple turns.

(Note: Skates are 50B if you want to buy your own pair.)


4. Playing around with the lid [Wildcard]
Catch me at darkersolstice on plurk or discord to plot.

Comments

{And wisely she kept it hid}

[itsjustabaddream]

[ WOE! NEIL BE UPON YE. ]

Neil knocks on the door of the door of Whitlock Needleworks before letting himself inside with a wave. He's holding a grey tweed vest with a split seam. "Hello there, Ms. Whitlock! It's been a while. I hope I'm not imposing, I do have business for you."

[witheredpeonies]

"Dr. West. You're not imposing at all. I can guess exactly what you need, seeing that vest. Hand it over, that's a pretty simple fix."

She sets her embroidery aside, offering a soft, warm smile.

[itsjustabaddream]

Neil gladly passes the vest her way. "Ah, thank you very much."

He takes a seat nearby. "It was damaged in the Parade, I fear. Jean certainly gave me a run for my money! Not that I can remember much from being hypnotized, as it were, but I did wake up in a minecart, so I can only assume I died. It took me this long just to get all the coal dust out of the fabric, only to find it ripped."

[witheredpeonies]

"Ah. Yes, the parade. Two or three disasters ago."

She's picking out some thread to match the color of the vest, humming as she examines the damage.

"Always something going down."

[itsjustabaddream]

"Indeed." He takes a seat. "Although, I do believe I have something that will help in the works. It's a temporary solution that I am still testing, but it should be ready in December. Just in time for Givingstide! I'd be grateful to be able to give you the gift of a peaceful holiday for once."

[witheredpeonies]

"What, something to stave off demonic intrusions? Tell me more, Doctor."

She leans in, genuinely interested. (Is there anything greater than listening to someone brilliant infodumping?)

[itsjustabaddream]

"Well, I don't know how I can ward off the princes of hell just yet--- That's a bit above my paygrade. At least for now. But," there is an excited, almost mischievous glint in his eye and a sideways grin on his face, "I am currently developing talismans of protection that should, at the very least, take the teeth out of any encounters with infernal or abyssal forces. It will be some time before I can do something broad enough to protect the entire town, but a layer of protection for Ocularum members is a very good start. It's the biggest breakthrough I've had in years! Jon, Jean and Zelda have been a tremendous help in advancing my magical development. I can even personalize the items a bit!"

1. Pandora had a pretty little box

[restingslasherface]

Annabel I really hope you came emotionally prepared for Swag-Ass Jean. There's a new brand on their cheek, a skull & crossbones with a single tally mark beneath; the skin is blackened and scabbed, as if it was only just burned. They favor their (friend? Asset? Murderer?) with a sunny smile, their sailing bag slung over their shoulder. "We should, Comrade Whitlock! But first: are you well? Have you been attacked or coerced further?"

[witheredpeonies]

"I'm fine. No new troubles. That outfit is..." Lenore would look good in that, too. It's a good outfit. "...new?"

[restingslasherface]

"Yes! I can explain but would you like a more private venue?" Jean offers a hand to Escort Annabel, should she so wish it. "...In the aftermath, while I directed Zelda to you I didn't...your business hasn't left my lips, Comrade Whitlock. Not as of yet. It's. Yours. If I'm, hahaha, ha...if that makes...sense?"

[witheredpeonies]

"I haven't told anyone at all yet, either. I am certain some would immediately condemn me, if they heard what I did. I was trying to weaken one brother by invoking another. It is hardly the first time I've aligned myself with someone who's evil. I don't think it will be the last."

She accepts the offered arm, seeming to deflate visibly.

[restingslasherface]

Jean leads the way away, first by trolley and then to the bridge over the river. It's as private as they can get outside of someone's home.

Plenty of time to think instead of comment, too.

They hop up onto the railing and sit, doffing their hat. "Comrade...I understand, and I don't blame you. My concern now is harm reduction, to you and to the mission. I could go on and on about how you got less than nothing from your deal but it doesn't matter. Employers fuck people over. What else is new? But...I may have an avenue for you to pursue."

[witheredpeonies]

“Harm reduction…to me? I’m fine, Jean. Nothing happened to me.” There’s a defensiveness to her tone that doesn’t come from dishonesty, but confusion. She is fine. Right?

Ice Skating!

[hyliasblessing]

Zelda typically doesn't spend time near Leeds Estate, but seeing a burst of snow flurries on the hillside draws her attention. Before long she is heading up to take a peek.

Her Honedge, called Fi, floats over to Ligeia and swirls around her in a dance as an expression of delight. Perhaps they get on well?

"Oh! You've made a skating pond!" She grins, nostalgia glimmering in her eyes. "I haven't been ice skating since I was a little girl."

[witheredpeonies]

“They will sell or rent you skates in town, if you care to join me. I’d be delighted if you did, it’s been a while since we caught up.”

Ligeia twirls around Fi in turn. Happy little dancey Pokémon!

[hyliasblessing]

"I'd be delighted! I'll have to pop down to the town, but if you wouldn't mind waiting for me, I'll be back shortly."

It takes Zelda only a short while to come back with a pair of skates in tow, sitting down to swap them for her shoes before wobbling her way onto the ice.

"I-I'm quite rusty." There is a 99% chance Zelda is going to fall on her face.

[witheredpeonies]

"Here. Hold onto my hands. I'll skate backwards and help you find your balance." Annabel holds both hands out to Zelda with a warm smile. Surely there's no way this can go wrong.

[hyliasblessing]

Zelda laughs a bit bashfully, but does as instructed. She still feels unsteady. She could swear this was easier when she was little...

[witheredpeonies]

"I've got you." That's a soft promise, as Annabel leads Zelda. It's a little like a dance--a waltz, perhaps. Slow and steady and there's a gentle squeeze on one of Zelda's hands before Annabel turns.

'Til one day she couldn't resist

[apocryphalarchivist]

It'd taken some prodding to get Jon to do anything that wasn't his day-to-day busy work, but finally, he caved in. With the track record for horrible happenings, surely, if he stayed inside too long, he'd turn into some wretched cave creature. (The thought came as a joke, of course - but a split-second of it lingering too long had it feeling like a too-real possibility. Eugh.)

He isn't an avid ice-skater, of course - but with a rented pair of skates, he makes his way to the pond in front of the Leeds Estate, offering a wave as soon as Annabel comes into view.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting!" He calls over the short distance. As soon as he's close enough, he stops to sit on a bench and put on the skates, giving a nod to the Frosslass to the side as he does so. "A fine evening to you, as well. Grimmly sends his regards."

He brings his attention back to Annabel, calling over again, sounding a bit tentative, still, but considerably too far in it to flake out now.

"How's the ice? No cracks or any signs of trying to thaw?"

[witheredpeonies]

“None yet. Ligeia is watching it closely and can sure it back up if there’s any sign of weakness. And it’s hardly like you weigh enough to do more damage than me. Are you eating well enough, Jon?”

Gracefully, she skates to the edge of the pond to greet him, using her arms for balance. She looks like she’s used to this.

[apocryphalarchivist]

"I am, don't worry." A lie, but not as far as he's concerned - he'd never been particularly good at taking care of himself, so "well enough" was a low bar. "I'm sure Ligeia knows what she's doing, though."

With one final tighten of the laces and a check over them, he stands, unsteady; he's wobblier than he would've cared to be as he moves over to the lake, looking intensely focused on not busting his ass as he makes it over to the ice.

By the time he's cleared the short distance, he's letting out a huff of effort here and there, and he cracks a small, embarrassed smile her way. He's feeling a bit vulnerable in his clumsiness, but what else to do but try to take it in stride?

"Any unfortunate falls here stay between the two of us, alright?"

[witheredpeonies]

“Unless a doctor’s attention is required, at which point I take spectre form to fly back into town and get whichever one of them I run into first. Unless you have a preference. But don’t get hurt and there won’t be any embarrassment.”

This said as she lazily scribes graceful circles in the ice.

[apocryphalarchivist]

That gets a laugh out of Jon, as he finally makes it to the edge of the ice, starting a graceless slide as he tries to get his bearings. It wasn't exactly dissimilar to roller skating, but then again, what had it been since he'd done that - nine, ten years since he'd done any skating around his college campus?

"That's surely one way to threaten someone into being careful. I'll try my very best, of course. You seem like a natural at this - did you ice skate much, before everything?"

[witheredpeonies]

"It was enough of a ladylike pursuit for my father not to disapprove of." As she says that, she dials up the 'posh British lady' affectation for emphasis, rolling her eyes. "My chess playing was more uncouth, and my refusal to marry any man who couldn't defeat me at chess even worse."