[EP/GP] Today is Check-In Day

[st_illunsmeared]

When the fifteenth of the month came and went without any new arrivals, most people logically supposed that there would be no new arrivals that week, or that the pattern they believed they'd found was false after all.

Kitty Pryde, Caroline Forbes, and Phryne Fisher were decidedly not most people.

Between them, they agreed it would be best to keep a watch for a few days following the fifteenth, on the grounds that, often enough, holidays interrupted regular schedules, which would reassert themselves again at the next instance. If "keeping a watch" had required them to do anything out of the ordinary, they might have been somewhat less sanguine about it. Might have, as they were not, after all, most people. Yet since their routines, almost invariably, had them in public places, working and people-watching, it required no special effort on their part to be alert for new arrivals.

So it was that Phryne had taken up a table in the lobby cafe to read and hold court, while Kitty took an extra shift tending bar, and Caroline tidied up and labeled the boxes of decorations from Valentine's day "for next year's residents" on the morning of the sixteenth and again on the seventeenth--and not one of them were surprised when, in early afternoon, newcomers began to arrive.

Comments

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_unning]

Alcuin took the card somewhat hesitantly, but put it into the slot and was surprised to see something light up. He turned the handle and opened the door.

The room was large, and... well. Ostentatious. The floor was dark red, and furniture and trimmings red as well. Large red flowers adorned the white walls, a pattern that put Alcuin mind of marques, of the flowers of the Night Court. There was a large bed, adorned in white and red as well, and a couch that appeared to be made of red velvet. It had an air of... an attempt at romance, but just too much, far too much.

The room felt a bit like what someone who did not think much of Servants of Naamah might think would be an appropriate place for them to entertain.

He looked back at Vax. "Are... all the rooms like this?"

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_abby]

Upon the opening of the very red, very floral room, Vax'ildan squinted against the force of the decor.

"Yes, they are," he reported grimly. "Some better, some worse. But all of them overdone by half." He bravely forged ahead, a man used to helping himself where he hadn't been invited. Vax moved into the bathroom to start Alucin a bath and see about cleaning off the bloodied blade. "At least yours only has the one bed."

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_unning]

"Why?" Alcuin asked, stepping inside and having a closer look at the trappings of the room. It was truly hideous. It also made him think that this is the sort of thing someone outside Terre d'Ange would imagine would be appealing to a D'Angeline.

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_abby]

Vax'ildan had got the tub stopped and hot water flowing, giving the blade a splash in one of the stone-accented twin sinks to rinse off the worst of the red. Then he slipped his black blood-scrubbing rag from its place on his person to buff off the remainder. And yes, of course he had a blood-scrubbing rag for his weapons on him at all times. He was a professional.

Because every time I wake, I stare across the foot of my bed to see the mirror image of my side left painfully bare where my sister ought to be.

He looked up into the mirror of the second sink to observe Alcuin in the larger room beyond as he answered. "The empty beds seem to attract restless spirits. They haven't done any outright harm, but it's one less thing for you to worry over."

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_unning]

Alcuin decided that now was not the time to question that too much. There were too many questions. "I see," he finally said, and then joined Vax in the smaller room.

"This is... remarkable," he said, seeing how the water simply came out of the wall.

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_abby]

It was as well, if Alcuin didn't ask more about the spirits. Vax really couldn't have said much more about them, save for his own limited experience.

"Isn't it a fucking marvel? They call it indoor plumbing," Vax shared as to the water fixtures, laying aside the cleaned blade on the counter to rest. He turned on one tap of the sink, and then the other. "It brings your water either hot - or cold. Here, for hands or small jobs - there for bathing," he nodded at the shower and tub.

He moved to push the lever on the toilet. "The toilet is for your waste, ones and twos," he didn't bother mincing for delicacy. "Flush it away when you're done and it's like it never happened."

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_unning]

Alcuin's jaw dropped. He looked truly stunned. "That is... yes. Remarkable."

He leaned over and ran his hand under the faucet. The water was indeed warm.

He looked up and saw his reflection in the glass. He looked... well. He looked as if he'd nearly died. He gingerly pulled his shirt up and then off, the blood soaked mess of fabric falling the floor at his feet, leaving his back and the marque covering it to Vax'ildan. But he was currently concerned with the thin white line that remained where the stab wound had been. He ran his fingers over it in wonder.

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_abby]

Vax'ildan wondered if his own expression was similar to the awe Alcuin had shown for the plumbing, as he stared at the massive, elaborate tattoo that had claimed Alcuin's fair back. He'd had a brand of his own on his back, until not so long ago, to show whose property he'd been. But that had been crude and small and ugly in comparison to the stunning tree the boy wore.

"I should leave you to your rest," he said after a few moments. Yes, Vax was curious about the tattooing. No, he didn't think it was fair to make Alcuin answer such gawky personal questions when he was still a mess that looked as if he could fall over at any time. "But most of the residents here are friendly enough. And I'm in 204, only a couple of doors down. If you need anything at all."

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_unning]

Alcuin turned then and looked at him, his face awash in gratitude.

"I... I cannot thank you enough," he said. Even those words seemed inadequate. He nearly reached out to touch him, embrace him even, but was having trouble reading how the man might react to that.

"I look forward to seeing you again when I'm a bit more myself," he added, and offered him a small smile. The words were a promise, as much as anything else. He felt he owed him a great deal, and he hoped that what little he had to give in return would be welcome.

Re: for Vax (Greeting)

[st_abby]

The blonde was well and truly beautiful, but Vax'ildan didn't confuse Alcuin's good fortune in the looks department and gratitude for not being dead back in the cafe with anything owed. He had done his duty, and would have done even if it hadn't gone to such a gentle soul.

"I'd like that," is what Vax ended up answering. "And Alcuin," he offered with a bit of his own rueful smile, as he moved to leave. "Welcome to the Madonna Inn."