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[ The fact that he abandons what he was doing to move closer is unexpected, but it seems that speaking to her is as good a distraction as any. She continues to move away from the exit door, wanting to separate herself from that overwhelming noise, and so she meets him in the middle. It's definitely not as bad out here as it was in there, but her ears do still feel like they're ringing.
So it wasn't just her. Fern expected as much, but it's good to have some sort of confirmation, to know that she wasn't simply imagining things. She heaves out a breath and nods, taking the somewhat childish chance to kick at a metal can and send it clattering down the uneven concrete of the alley. ]
Neither do I. [ Who would, she wants to ask, but plenty of the people inside seem to have no issue with it. ] But I would imagine someone like you would find it even more bothersome than most. [ Given that he's psionic, as he put it. She can still barely believe that, but she also knows that it might mean something different where he's from. Or at least be a little less rare. ]
Do you have any idea what could have been causing it?
[ Maybe he has some way of sensing it, given the little she knows of what he can do.
She moves to the opposite wall and leans herself against it, shutting her eyes for a moment. She's still working on pushing down her frustration over how the attempt to apprehend Laszlo turned out. Of all the places that vampire had to come, it was here. ]
So it wasn't just her. Fern expected as much, but it's good to have some sort of confirmation, to know that she wasn't simply imagining things. She heaves out a breath and nods, taking the somewhat childish chance to kick at a metal can and send it clattering down the uneven concrete of the alley. ]
Neither do I. [ Who would, she wants to ask, but plenty of the people inside seem to have no issue with it. ] But I would imagine someone like you would find it even more bothersome than most. [ Given that he's psionic, as he put it. She can still barely believe that, but she also knows that it might mean something different where he's from. Or at least be a little less rare. ]
Do you have any idea what could have been causing it?
[ Maybe he has some way of sensing it, given the little she knows of what he can do.
She moves to the opposite wall and leans herself against it, shutting her eyes for a moment. She's still working on pushing down her frustration over how the attempt to apprehend Laszlo turned out. Of all the places that vampire had to come, it was here. ]
( since he is keeping the page turned toward her still, wanda takes a hold of the book and looks at it proper. just in time for him to describe it in his own words—specific words that seem fitting to the spider on the page. )
Shier, huh?
( yeah, she can definitely tell there's a relatability to them. she smiles softly at him, returning the book. it's his, after all. )
They never bit you?
Shier, huh?
( yeah, she can definitely tell there's a relatability to them. she smiles softly at him, returning the book. it's his, after all. )
They never bit you?
( a loud truck goes past them, so wanda doesn't get to reply to the (quite rhetorical) question of why would they?. this seems like a very henry thing, regardless, this connection he has with spiders.
there's also possibly the fact that if his powers had awakened as a child, 'communicating' to the spiders that he is a friend would have been rather easy.
wanda starts walking down the sidewalk, waiting for henry to follow along, as he speaks, before she asks, )
You have a sister?
( lore drop )
there's also possibly the fact that if his powers had awakened as a child, 'communicating' to the spiders that he is a friend would have been rather easy.
wanda starts walking down the sidewalk, waiting for henry to follow along, as he speaks, before she asks, )
You have a sister?
( lore drop )
[Still entirely rare, being a psionic hailing from his version of Earth. But not so rare as to be non-existent, just one of a handful, once. And now? One of less than that.
But that’s neither here nor there.
The metal can skitters down into the road, echoing as Henry gazes back towards the back exit of the building which he had come from. Right above it, a neon light buzzes, and he considers making it pop and crackle and break, but reigns that impulse in for now.]
If I had to guess? It would have to be another psychic. A powerful one. My own mind has its defenses, especially against mental manipulation like that — it’s no easy feat to override it.
[Maybe he should seek out the one in charge of the establishment, confront them about it. Learn more about them. He can keep that idea in his back pocket for now.
He turns his blue-eyed gaze towards her, assessing.]
In other words, probably not someone you’d want to confront without giving some thought to what you’d say or do first.
[Smiles, tilting his head.]
…Why were you in there? No offense, but you don’t really strike me as the “clubbing” type.
But that’s neither here nor there.
The metal can skitters down into the road, echoing as Henry gazes back towards the back exit of the building which he had come from. Right above it, a neon light buzzes, and he considers making it pop and crackle and break, but reigns that impulse in for now.]
If I had to guess? It would have to be another psychic. A powerful one. My own mind has its defenses, especially against mental manipulation like that — it’s no easy feat to override it.
[Maybe he should seek out the one in charge of the establishment, confront them about it. Learn more about them. He can keep that idea in his back pocket for now.
He turns his blue-eyed gaze towards her, assessing.]
In other words, probably not someone you’d want to confront without giving some thought to what you’d say or do first.
[Smiles, tilting his head.]
…Why were you in there? No offense, but you don’t really strike me as the “clubbing” type.
( it may be worrisome lore, but wanda sees it as nothing else but a reason to connect with henry some more. the fact that she died, that he had been taken away before it happened, it echoes a touch with her.
her brow furrows for a moment, lips twisting to the side, and she says, )
I had a brother, too. I was the youngest twin.
( huffing a little, trying to be brave (sure is more emotion than what henry showed talking about his younger sister), she wraps her arms around herself.
she hedges, )
...what was her name?
her brow furrows for a moment, lips twisting to the side, and she says, )
I had a brother, too. I was the youngest twin.
( huffing a little, trying to be brave (sure is more emotion than what henry showed talking about his younger sister), she wraps her arms around herself.
she hedges, )
...what was her name?
[ That seems like a decent theory, based on the little that they know. Once again, Fern can't understand how everyone inside the warehouse is apparently fine with having their mood altered against their will, but then again, people also imbibe things like alcohol willingly.
So, someone powerful enough to be able to push past the man's notable mental defenses. Fern doesn't like the sound of that; she sends a wary glance back in the direction of the building. ]
Is that your plan, then? To confront whoever it is once you've thought through your approach?
[ It's not as if Fern hasn't done similar in the past. To say nothing of Strahd, there was also the abbot. She knows firsthand that it's important to be fully prepared when confronting anyone with that level of power, and it would be no different here.
At his question, though, she scoffs and shakes her head. She doesn't even know what "clubbing" is, but setting that inside... ]
I tracked someone here. [ And there's no reason to keep it a secret, so she adds: ] A vampire who I suspected was up to no good.
So, someone powerful enough to be able to push past the man's notable mental defenses. Fern doesn't like the sound of that; she sends a wary glance back in the direction of the building. ]
Is that your plan, then? To confront whoever it is once you've thought through your approach?
[ It's not as if Fern hasn't done similar in the past. To say nothing of Strahd, there was also the abbot. She knows firsthand that it's important to be fully prepared when confronting anyone with that level of power, and it would be no different here.
At his question, though, she scoffs and shakes her head. She doesn't even know what "clubbing" is, but setting that inside... ]
I tracked someone here. [ And there's no reason to keep it a secret, so she adds: ] A vampire who I suspected was up to no good.
Oh?
[Oh yes, he feels that wave of emotion. Born of a true connection between siblings, unlike what he ultimately felt about Alice. Or rather, how he feels about any of his family now, their entire memory tainted by the shadow in his mind, heart, and his time in the lab.]
I didn't know that. A twin... You must have been close.
["Had" a brother.]
My sister's name was Alice.
[Oh yes, he feels that wave of emotion. Born of a true connection between siblings, unlike what he ultimately felt about Alice. Or rather, how he feels about any of his family now, their entire memory tainted by the shadow in his mind, heart, and his time in the lab.]
I didn't know that. A twin... You must have been close.
["Had" a brother.]
My sister's name was Alice.
Hm. Maybe. I hate not knowing what I'm dealing with.
[Moreover, maybe there is a part of him that hates not being the most powerful psionic in the room, because that means he relinquishes control; and Henry Creel does love his control when it comes to applying his powers to others. Not necessarily the other way around.
That last part, though... That totally derails him a bit.]
A vampire? [Now, given the nature of this world, this shouldn't surprise him. What's really curious is why Fern felt the need to track them at all.] Is there a bounty on them, or something?
[Moreover, maybe there is a part of him that hates not being the most powerful psionic in the room, because that means he relinquishes control; and Henry Creel does love his control when it comes to applying his powers to others. Not necessarily the other way around.
That last part, though... That totally derails him a bit.]
A vampire? [Now, given the nature of this world, this shouldn't surprise him. What's really curious is why Fern felt the need to track them at all.] Is there a bounty on them, or something?
Edited (you are NOT seeing me edit this ages later just bc i saw my grammar mistake helppppp) 2025-10-02 21:13 (UTC)
Yeah, we were.
( it's probably a good thing that, instinctively, wanda feels like putting up her walls now that pietro has entered the conversation. mostly because she's precious about her memories of him, but also to keep herself from growing emotional in a situation that doesn't quite merit it.
not while out and about, one spider book the intent for this meeting. alice is a name she'll remember, but if henry feels any way the same she does about her sibling (ha ha), then...
she prods at the book in his hands, as they continue along the sidewalk. )
I do hope you enjoy it. If I find anything else with spiders, I'll know who to get in touch with.
( it's probably a good thing that, instinctively, wanda feels like putting up her walls now that pietro has entered the conversation. mostly because she's precious about her memories of him, but also to keep herself from growing emotional in a situation that doesn't quite merit it.
not while out and about, one spider book the intent for this meeting. alice is a name she'll remember, but if henry feels any way the same she does about her sibling (ha ha), then...
she prods at the book in his hands, as they continue along the sidewalk. )
I do hope you enjoy it. If I find anything else with spiders, I'll know who to get in touch with.
[ Fern can agree with that sentiment, though he doesn't seem to want to admit to anything right here and now. Perhaps because he doesn't trust her to not point fingers if whoever is behind the mind control ends up injured or worse.
(Little does he know, she's an assassin by trade and doesn't lose much sleep over murder unless it's acted out on innocents.)
Either way, she lets it go to consider his question. A bounty...? She hasn't seen anything quite like that, though maybe she's been looking in the wrong places. She shakes her head. ]
... I have some history with vampires, and for the most part, they're scourges on society that leave a bloody trail in their wake. [ She won't get into her whole vendetta against Strahd unless he's truly that curious. ] We had a brief encounter at a diffusion zone, and then he happened to wander into my workplace. After that, I kept an eye out for his vehicle, which is... ostentatious, to say the least.
[ tl;dr: she's in it for the love of the game ]
(Little does he know, she's an assassin by trade and doesn't lose much sleep over murder unless it's acted out on innocents.)
Either way, she lets it go to consider his question. A bounty...? She hasn't seen anything quite like that, though maybe she's been looking in the wrong places. She shakes her head. ]
... I have some history with vampires, and for the most part, they're scourges on society that leave a bloody trail in their wake. [ She won't get into her whole vendetta against Strahd unless he's truly that curious. ] We had a brief encounter at a diffusion zone, and then he happened to wander into my workplace. After that, I kept an eye out for his vehicle, which is... ostentatious, to say the least.
[And she is so valid for this]
History?
[Now, there's a tale. What kind of history? The sort of history that makes her want to hunt and kill them? It must be a dark, twisted tale — and one he wishes he could hear.]
So you're saying this man is dangerous. Should I be keeping an eye out for any telltale signs of vampires? And what kind of vehicle?
History?
[Now, there's a tale. What kind of history? The sort of history that makes her want to hunt and kill them? It must be a dark, twisted tale — and one he wishes he could hear.]
So you're saying this man is dangerous. Should I be keeping an eye out for any telltale signs of vampires? And what kind of vehicle?
[ It's not as if Fern has said a thing about trying to kill said vampires so far. Tracking one doesn't mean she intends to kill them. And in truth, she didn't, though whether things would have played out differently without the calming effect, she can't say.
Either way, she's going to be careful with her words, especially with the knowledge that this man uses mind magic in some form. ]
Yes, you might want to take care. [ Though with how he was able to crush that dumpster with just a thought, chances are he could handle himself. ] As you can imagine, they'll drain people of blood to sustain themselves. Usually it's fatal. Most vampires are... [ She trails off. It's hard to be anything close to objective when talking about this.
She huffs out a sigh, letting her arms fall from his chest to her sides. ] They're usually quite vain, so they dress nicely, in some sort of finery. They're tend to be rather self-important, but what will stand out most is you'll only find them out at night. This one's car is... [ ...... ] an ambulance.
[ Her pronunciation of "ambulance" is slightly off. ]
Either way, she's going to be careful with her words, especially with the knowledge that this man uses mind magic in some form. ]
Yes, you might want to take care. [ Though with how he was able to crush that dumpster with just a thought, chances are he could handle himself. ] As you can imagine, they'll drain people of blood to sustain themselves. Usually it's fatal. Most vampires are... [ She trails off. It's hard to be anything close to objective when talking about this.
She huffs out a sigh, letting her arms fall from his chest to her sides. ] They're usually quite vain, so they dress nicely, in some sort of finery. They're tend to be rather self-important, but what will stand out most is you'll only find them out at night. This one's car is... [ ...... ] an ambulance.
[ Her pronunciation of "ambulance" is slightly off. ]
[ The truth is, Fern would have wanted reach out to see how Henry was doing either way, so she doesn't think much of the urge she gets to text him. It's been about a week since their harrowing encounter with the serial killer, and the word is that it's been caught and locked away. How much they can trust that, she doesn't know.
But in theory, Henry should be doing better by now. Still, best to check. ]
Henry, this is Fern.
How are you doing?
[ She hates typing, so he better appreciate this... ]
But in theory, Henry should be doing better by now. Still, best to check. ]
Henry, this is Fern.
How are you doing?
[ She hates typing, so he better appreciate this... ]
[There are not many people who text him lately. Or at all, the exception being the occasional check-in from Wanda. He half expects it to be her when his phone lights up, but when he picks up the device to see who it is, he cannot help but feel—
????
—to see the name "Fern" instead.
He, too, had wondered how she was doing. He was compelled more than once to send the first message asking where she was, or to send something completely unrelated that acted as a hello. But he chose not to. Decided whatever this was would go away; clearly he is just affected by their last encounter, how she saved him, helped him. He should feel indignant. A part of him does.
But the rest... he is strangely grateful, though he is chalking that up to this strange, alien feeling that almost feels binding.
How quickly he taps out a reply is telling.]
I'm fine.
[Pause. Send.]
My head hurts a lot less than last time.
[Longer pause. Send.]
You?
????
—to see the name "Fern" instead.
He, too, had wondered how she was doing. He was compelled more than once to send the first message asking where she was, or to send something completely unrelated that acted as a hello. But he chose not to. Decided whatever this was would go away; clearly he is just affected by their last encounter, how she saved him, helped him. He should feel indignant. A part of him does.
But the rest... he is strangely grateful, though he is chalking that up to this strange, alien feeling that almost feels binding.
How quickly he taps out a reply is telling.]
I'm fine.
[Pause. Send.]
My head hurts a lot less than last time.
[Longer pause. Send.]
You?
[ When a response comes in so immediately, Fern feels something — relieved? pleased? like some sort of pressure has been eased? — that normally doesn't strike her when she receives a text message. Again, because of the typing, texts tend to annoy her more than anything else. It occurs to her that she could just call him, but that also feels like too much, somehow. So texting it is for now.
Maybe it's because she thought he might just ignore her. With his frustration at himself that night, that quietly-stewing anger that she's starting to realize is maybe even the norm for him, it would have been easy for him to write her off or ignore her.
Especially given the secret he shared.
The messages keep coming in before she has a chance to reply. ]
So it's getting better.
That's good.
Did you hear they caught the killer?
Maybe it's because she thought he might just ignore her. With his frustration at himself that night, that quietly-stewing anger that she's starting to realize is maybe even the norm for him, it would have been easy for him to write her off or ignore her.
Especially given the secret he shared.
The messages keep coming in before she has a chance to reply. ]
So it's getting better.
That's good.
Did you hear they caught the killer?
[Once again, she is correct: a phone call might have been too direct, might have made Henry never pick up on principle (and uncertainty) alone. His pride is still a factor in this equation, even if it is being overshadowed by the strange satisfaction he's received after hearing from her.]
I did. Though I wonder if they've caught all of it.
[She'd know what he means, of course. How can one be certain that they've caught its entirety, when it was a creature that could split itself off into different beings, different consciousnesses?]
But as always, the morbid fascinates the public. I heard people are paying for interviews about encounters with it.
I did. Though I wonder if they've caught all of it.
[She'd know what he means, of course. How can one be certain that they've caught its entirety, when it was a creature that could split itself off into different beings, different consciousnesses?]
But as always, the morbid fascinates the public. I heard people are paying for interviews about encounters with it.
[ A phone call might have been too direct for both of them. For now, even if typing out each message might be a pain, it's scratching whatever itch that she had just fine.
And... an itch is what she'd been feeling, she's now realizing as the relief has set in from receiving his replies. What that's all about, she can't quite say just yet. ]
I wonder the same. This doesn't seem like a creature you can just toss in a cell and be done with it.
[ But it seems like the strange killings have slowed down. ]
I also heard about that. I'm debating giving one myself, if they're that eager for information.
And... an itch is what she'd been feeling, she's now realizing as the relief has set in from receiving his replies. What that's all about, she can't quite say just yet. ]
I wonder the same. This doesn't seem like a creature you can just toss in a cell and be done with it.
[ But it seems like the strange killings have slowed down. ]
I also heard about that. I'm debating giving one myself, if they're that eager for information.
[Scratching an itch. Yes, that is exactly the best way to describe it.]
No, because if they plan on keeping it in a cell and nothing more, then that's their first mistake. They should kill what they do have of it. Set it on fire until there's nothing left.
[Maybe this is not exactly a reply that surprises Fern. The Skinner had done more than just attack Henry unprovoked, but committed an even worse crime: harming his pride.]
And what, for the easy money?
No, because if they plan on keeping it in a cell and nothing more, then that's their first mistake. They should kill what they do have of it. Set it on fire until there's nothing left.
[Maybe this is not exactly a reply that surprises Fern. The Skinner had done more than just attack Henry unprovoked, but committed an even worse crime: harming his pride.]
And what, for the easy money?
[ It's not as if Henry is wrong. When it comes to a creature like this, one that could find a way to keep crawling back, there does need to be some sort of definitive end.
But Fern does suspect that his own frustration at his lack of contribution when it attacked them is also playing a part here. It's almost like she can feel it herself: that wounded pride of his. ]
I would not say no to the joolies either. My motorcycle is almost paid off. But if we're right and the killer is going to crop up again, sharing information on how it functions might make a difference.
[ She is not a fan of senseless death, herself. ]
But Fern does suspect that his own frustration at his lack of contribution when it attacked them is also playing a part here. It's almost like she can feel it herself: that wounded pride of his. ]
I would not say no to the joolies either. My motorcycle is almost paid off. But if we're right and the killer is going to crop up again, sharing information on how it functions might make a difference.
[ She is not a fan of senseless death, herself. ]
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