Chapter 11
Aug. 26th, 2009 07:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
simtopi11: History
Warnings: coarse/mature language, adult themes, abuse of ellipses.
Mr. Ternyck: Look at that. Drunk kids sleeping in the alley again.
Mr. Ternyck: HELLO YOUNG MISS, you are not allowed to be sleeping here at all hours of the night. If you please, get up, return to your dorm or I will be calling security!
Mr. Ternyck: Are you hearing me madame?
The girl on the bench was thin and pale. Her hair was matted and stringy and there was an overpowering stench of rot all over her.
Slowly, like a broken doll, she got up. Her own bones seemed to weigh her down.
She reacted suddenly at Mr. Ternyck as if she hadn't expected him to have been there. As she turned to face him, he balked. Her skin... her eyes...
Growling, the girl, or whatever she seemed to be, shoved Mr. Ternyck aside. Her strength didn't seem to match her rail thin form.
She ran off swiftly before he even knew what happened.
He couldn't comprehend what he saw. The girl was obviously very sick, but for some reason there was more than that, Mr. Ternyck was terrified.
It was as if he had just looked into the face of death itself.
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Rowan: So just to put it all in a nutshell...
Rowan: You're jonesing for my sister.
Gabriel: All I said was that she wasn't talking to me lately and that bothers me. But since you put it so eloquently, yes. In a manner of speaking.
Rowan: What manner of speaking. You either like her or you don't.
Gabriel: I don't know, it feels messed up. We went out once, sort of. And she's been in my dorm forever and I still barely know her. I feel like I know you better.
Rowan: We just happened to end up here at the Warehouse tonight and we're shooting pool. We ain't bosom buddies, dude.
Gabriel: It was a comparison. Anyway, something kinda... happened.
Rowan: You didn't....
Gabriel: No, nothing like that.
Rowan: Good. No offense dude, but last thing I want to think about is Willow having a sex life. Particularly not with you.
Gabriel: Whatever. I was hoping you'd have some insight into why she's not talking to me now. At least we've gotten to the "let's be polite" stage.
Rowan: How the fuck should I know. Women can be messed up sometime. Willow's no exception. She freaking studies all the time and even I don't know half the shit she's doing. I don't think she relates to real people very well.
Gabriel: She gets along with Jasmine.
Gabriel: And Adrian.
Rowan: Haha, Adrian. Sure she'd get along with him. He's tall, dark, athletic. And you're not. If you were a chick... and you'd sure make an ugly one... you'd be all over him too.
Gabriel: Yeah, thanks for that.
Rowan: She's been crushing on Adrian since she was a kid. If he's made a move on her now, I'd just cut the losses dude.
Gabriel: You're not helping.
Rowan: Was I supposed to? You probably wouldn't want to be with her anyway. She can be a bit of a witch sometimes.
Willow had been hoping the rest of her evening would be fairly uneventful. She had a lot to work on, and it didn't help that she found herself easily distracted by reading and re-reading the passages in the library book involving what her cousins called the Ressurect-o-nomitron. She thought back to her conversation with Carl earlier on in the night. She kept wondering who stole it and for what reason.
Unfortunately, others had different ideas for her evening.
No one said a word to her as they drove nearly half an hour away from campus. She could barely see anything outside the heavily tinted limo windows. They dropped her off fairly unceremoniously outside an old mansion surrounded by absolutely nothing.
They lined up outside the mansion. Some were familiar, many were not. All were wearing the emblem of the Landgrabb society. They were friendly, at least, when they greeted her and welcomed her to the Society. And Willow couldn't find anything to say except a meek and nervous "Thank you." Though she didn't know what she was thanking them for.
Willow: Carl?
Carl Anderson greeted her last. He was waiting for her at the door as the rest of his fellow members milled about before heading inside.
Carl: Congratulations Willow Marlen, I pulled some strings for you and you are now a member of the Landgrabb Society.
Willow: Are you joking? What made you think I wanted to be a member?
Carl: I assumed all that talk about that ugly sculpture was just an awkward attempt to gain my friendship so you can work your way into the society.
Willow: You did?
Carl: It worked. And I am at your service.
Willow: I don't want you to be at my service. I kind of want to just go home now, I don't have time for all this.
Carl: But... I thought this was what you wanted.
Willow: I think I specifically said this isn't quite what I wanted if you've been paying attention.
Carl: I don't think you're seeing the big picture. If you're a member, we have certain means at your disposal which can help make your life easier this year.
Willow: If you expect me to cheat my way through University, you're wrong.
Carl: It's not just that, Willow. You should be honoured, this Society is part of your history. Come with me, I want you to see something.
He brought her through the old mansion, which looked and smelled like it hadn't been properly cleaned in a long time. Members in their blazers milled about casually, studying, entertaining themselves or socializing. They seemed to encompass all social groups of University... frat kids, jocks, nerds. The Secret Society didn't seem to be that discriminating. Carl lead her to a dark chamber, where the walls were covered with musty wood panelling. Several portraits hung all along the walls.
Carl: These are all our members, past and present.
E. Marlen... K. Marlen.., she read.
Willow: Elf and Kestrel. My mom and uncle.
She couldn't lie to herself, this did intrigue her. She never really did pay much attention to her mother's stories about University, but she was still fairly certain that she never mentioned this.
Willow: This is so weird. My mom speaks at Global Warming protests and writes books about sustainable living. I never thought her the type to be a part of this kind of society.
Carl: Well, sometimes, like you, they are inducted without their knowing that they were being considered. Once they are, we take note of their family name. Their legacy has some clout with us. There are some advantages that we can bring to our members. Most make use of it, but some never do.
Willow: How many members do you have here?
Carl: We have quite a few. But not many have been inducted this year.
Willow looked around at all the smiling faces in this otherwise dark room. One portrait instantly grabbed her attention.
Willow: I don't believe this...
And even so, she couldn't help but to smile.
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Gabriel: Why can't I shake the feeling I'm supposed to be somewhere tonight.
Rowan: Got a hot date you're standing up?
Gabriel: Trust me, if I had a hot date, last thing I'd be doing is hanging out here with you. But I'm not exactly dateable, as you've already observantly mentioned.
Rowan: Your lack of self esteem amuses me. Quit being hung up on my nerd of a sister and find someone who'll actually get you laid.
Gabriel: Easy for you maybe.
Rowan: Fuck yeah it's easy for me.
Gabriel: All that, and modesty too.
Rowan: I'm not bragging. It's the damn truth.
Gabriel: I figured you weren't the type for committed relationships... with a single person.
Rowan: Nah. Tried it once. Screwed it up. I wouldn't recommend it, monogamy is overrated.
Gabriel: Auugh... no one told me it was chick rock night.
Rowan: What do you expect, it's a Tuesday.
The melodic chords of the guitar riff filled the club. The buzz of conversation died slightly as a soft voice began to sing. Her voice was as clear as a songbird's.
"All the world just stopped now
So you say you don't wanna stay together anymore
Let me take a deep breath babe..." *
Rowan: Aww fuck.
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Willow: What a strange place for a painting.
Carl: Not so strange considering. There used to be a door here. It lead to the room that kept that statue you asked about.
Willow: Why did they seal it off?
Carl: Maybe we'd better leave that topic for another time. It's only your first night here.
Willow: I really do appreciate you giving me the tour of the mansion, Carl. But all this touring made me thirsty... I can use a soda.
Carl: Of course! Anything to make your stay comfortable. Wait here, I'll be right back.
She leaned her ear against the painting. She wasn't sure why she did, maybe she could listen for any kind of indication that maybe the room was still in use. She didn't have any reason to disbelieve Carl about the device having been stolen. Still, she wanted to see it for herself. What if he was lying?
Carefully she looked around.
She's never tried the teleportation spell before. It was an odd sensation... like her skin suddenly became millions of little fireflies scattering away.
With a little bit of concentration, she was able to find her way through the wall into the dark, stone panelled room behind the painting.
Carl was right. The room was empty for the most part... and oddly very cold. There was one thing carefully placed on a pedestal in the corner and it wasn't the necromancy device.
It took a minute for her eyes to adjust. She leaned in close to take a better look.
Willow: That can't be what I think it is...
Willow decided right then and there that she needed to leave.
Carl didn't find her upstairs where he had left her. He noticed her run outside and quickly followed her before she got too far.
Willow: I think I better go, Carl. I mean, right now.
Carl: But I thought you wanted your soda...
Willow: Carl, someone's ashes are hidden in that room, isn't it?
Carl: How.. how did you know?
Willow: You keep dead people in this mansion???
Carl: Yes, there are dead people here. But there isn't anything nefarious about it. Their deaths were untimely accidents. All reported to the proper authorities.
Willow: They? There are more?
Carl: You know we wouldn't do anything to hurt you here. And has anyone ever told you how lovely you are...?
A shiver ran down Willow's spine as he tried to touch her. She quickly pushed his hand away.
Willow: No, and stop what you're thinking. I don't know what you guys do here but I don't think I want any part of it. I have to go.
Carl: I can show you why they died, Willow.
Willow's curiosity got the better of her. She followed Carl to the pen outside. She hadn't noticed that huge "plant" before in the rush of the society members crowding and greeting her. It was nothing like she had ever seen before.
Carl: This is the Laganaphyllis Simnovorii. There are only a few in the world, and we've been keeping this one here.
Willow: It's... it's incredible.
She was shocked to see it move. It's tendrils shuddered as the gigantic bulb of a head nodded in her direction.
Willow: It smells really bad.
Carl: We get used to it. It's an obligate carnivore so it needs to feed on meat every few days.
Willow: Simnovorii?? That means...
Carl: Yes. Once in a while... someone gets a bit too close.
The realization of it all hit Willow at the pit of her stomach. Whatever curiosity she had of this strange plant disappeared as a small sense of panic took hold.
Before anyone could say anything else, she was already running down the street.
Carl: Willow wait! It hasn't eaten anyone in a really long time.
Carl: And we can take you home! We have a limo!
Willow: It's okay, I'll walk.
Carl: But we're out in the middle of nowhere...
Willow: I need the excercise!
She didn't know how long she travelled. She was surprised at her own energy. But it didn't seem far until empty fields gave way to tall forests and some hint of civilization, though barely at best. There was what looked like an abandoned gas station where she managed to find a phone that worked.
Times like these, I wish I had a broomstick she thought.
Jasmine: Okay I'm coming to get you but only because I know you probably have a good story for being out there. Just don't go anywhere.
Clive: Everything alright?
Jasmine: That was Willow. She's stuck... somewhere. I don't know. She needs a ride. I guess I'm everyone's favourite cab service tonight.
Jasmine was a little glad that Willow had given her an excuse to bow out and leave. She wasn't particularly keen on spending the rest of the night either talking about Cecilia's haunted house adventures or even worse, Clara.
Clive: Be careful on your way home and give me a call if you girls get in any trouble.
Jasmine: This is Willow we're talking about, Dad. I'm sure we'll be okay.
Jasmine got into her grandfather's truck and pulled out of the driveway. Clive watched his eldest daughter leave. His youngest emerged through the garage door a minute later.
Cecilia: Dad, have you seen Morrison? I can't find him.
Clive: He's probably just taking a nap somewhere out back. He'll turn up, I'm sure.
Cecilia: I'm just a little worried. He always comes to me when I call.
Clive: Morrison's been doing fine all this time without you. He's a smart dog, he'll be okay.
Clive: It's late, you better get to bed. It's still a school night.
Cecilia: Whatever, Dad.
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Something that felt like a ball of lead began to form at the base of Rowan's chest at the sound of the voice that floated throughout the bar.
"Maybe I ain't used to maybes smashing in a cold room.. Cutting my hands up everytime I touch you..."
Gabriel: What happened to you? You look like someone just killed your puppy.
Rowan: C'mon, there are other places to drink. Let's get out of here.
"Caught a ride with the moon.
I know I know you well, well better than I used to..."
Gabriel: Hang on. You know, she's not that bad. And she's pretty hot too.
Rowan: Yeah ... that she is.
Gabriel noticed that Rowan seemed pretty tense right now. His eyes were now locked intently on the singer up on stage and his demeanor had completely changed. It wasn't the look of a captivated audience. It was more like the look someone gives someone they've been hung up on for a long time. It was the last thing Gabriel expected out of Rowan.
Gabriel: You know her, don't you.
Rowan: Uh huh.
"All the world is danglin', danglin', danglin' for me darlin'
You don't know the power that you have with that tear in your hand... "
Gabriel: Holy shit... you don't just know her. There's history, isn't there.
Rowan: Why don't you shut the fuck up.
Gabriel: Your one screwed up relationship.. that's her up there right?
Rowan didn't answer him right away. For once, he had nothing to say as he looked up at her singing her heart out on stage. She glanced up and saw him too, standing behind everyone else at the front of the club. She smiled.
He smiled back, but it was a smile loaded down with memory.
Welcome back, Meadow Thayer, Rowan thought. The song ended as softly as it began.
next » [ chapter 12: Dark and Light ]
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Notes:
* Lyrics are from "Tear in your Hand" by Tori Amos. Yes, this chapter and probably quite a few were written under the influence of girl music. Now you know my horrible secret.
* the portraits were created by dressing Elf and Kestrel (generation 2) back in their college looks. I got a little nostalgiac while doing that.They were actually members of the Secret Society. Gabriel's mother, Lydia, is also a member.
* I hope these conversations aren't too boring. I promise you action in the next few chapters.
* Meadow Thayer. That is all.
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Date: 2009-08-27 01:05 am (UTC)I can't wait to find out what happens next with Jasmine's father the whole Clara thing and what happens to Willow while she's waiting for Jasmine. This was a great update, as always.
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Date: 2009-08-27 02:30 am (UTC)Clara's full story may be drawn out over a few chapters, still, but I hope the next updates won't disappoint you. :)
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Date: 2009-08-27 05:37 am (UTC)Maybe Willow will talk to Gabriel about his membership to the secret society.
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Date: 2009-08-29 11:06 pm (UTC):D
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Date: 2011-07-05 12:56 am (UTC)Meadow and Rowan. Ah those two.... you probably already know what's coming but yeah they're interesting. ;)