everyonelives | as we pass through arrangements of shadows

If he's not dead, like you said ( werewolf hearing ) then rescue. It's a rescue until it isn't. Be methodical. Be smart. Barnet will play into your passion. He practically trips over himself for the desperate.

( harsh words, tai.

the elevator doors open. jackson gets a (6) for spot )

[Yeah, the problem is that Kieran is never not desperate. The nature of her life has made her desperate - and more to the point, it's what's made her brother desperate. They're already well past that point.

But she doesn't disagree with him, so at least there's that. Unfortunately, she's not really doing much better for spotting things (7).]

( While it's obvious where a meeting might be taking place, neither Kieran nor Jackson recognize any faces milling about in front or inside the conference room. They're waiting for something, at least. )

[Waiting for something might be a good sign - she scans the room as she makes her way closer to the nametags, before a familiar face catches her eye (12). She pauses and taps Jackson on his shoulder, pointing towards "Alan" across the room.]

He was in your file, wasn't he?

Yeah. Longtime time listener, long time caller. Alan Parker. He looks even sadder in person.

( If that's possible. )

[She grabs one of the nametags, scribbling down her name on it, before passing the pen to him.]

This guy has a tendency for the pathetic, right? Think you could help me play it up?

( Ugh, he doesn't like being pathetic, but he can treat someone like they are. )

Yeah. Easy.

( He does have sympathy for what he thinks she's going through, from the stories Julian told. )

I'll follow your lead.

[It's not hard to fake the symptoms. She saw it all too well with her father, feels them on a bad day, when the magic isn't enough to keep her going. Taking Jackson's arm, she grips it tightly, like it's the only thing she's using to keep her balance. She lets her legs wobble, casting off the determined facade she puts so much energy into and allows herself to be vulnerable.]

Let's find a seat.

( Well, she's definitely ready. )

Yeah, lets.

( Her holds her up, gripping just as tight, helping her past some people milling about. They successfully get Alan's and a few other's attention on them as he leads her to an empty seat. )

[Shakily she lowers herself down into the chair, looking a bit pained. She wants to be the most pathetic person in the room. She wants to make them feel threatened, and hopefully they'll be curious enough to come offer up some information.

Hopefully she's selling it (14).]

( She oversells it a bit too much for Alan's liking (16), but she does keep his attention. Perhaps not for the best reason? Jackson may also give him a face for his efforts.

The people who are sitting look more like they're praying, than waiting. Almost like there might not be an actual meeting today. )

[She looks over that situation, eyes scanning the room as she tries to figure out what people are doing. Whoever the nearest ~~cultist~~ participant is, she turns to get their attention.]

Is he coming today?

( Marjorie turns her head, barely shakes it.

"Maybe not. He does. He usually does," she listlessly answers. "There has been no sign of him or Michael. But, Phil usually coordinates?" She frowns. "It may be that he is the only one running things today." )

It's unusual for - ( what does this group call him? ) him not to be here?

( "Quite," she answers. )

[She makes a face before leaning back in her seat.]

My brother thought he might be able to help me. He seemed really excited about it.

[But they've clearly missed their window so puts on an uncertain face.]

I guess we'll just have to wait for the next one.

Do you want to check on Scott and the others?

( Is this a dead end? Phil still seems pretty damn interested in Kieran's act. )

[Yep, she notices. She considers for a moment, before shaking her head.]

No, Julian said to wait. Let's just stay a little while longer.

( Like he's following a script, Alan Parker finally approaches the 'ailing' witch, moving past her at first, to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for your patience. Tonight is a night for introspection, as the Baron has other business he is attending to. Feel free to use the room, to help each other, to listen. And if anyone has any thoughts, or questions or anything on their mind, they can come to me themselves. I'm the next best thing."

He concludes his little speech, remaining at the head of the long table. )

That felt direct.

Edited 2022-04-04 22:13 (UTC)

I love directness.

[Really, if you want this to come at you, Alan, all the better for you. She puts on the uncertain face as she glances to Jackson with a nod, before summoning up some fragility to struggle across the room to Alan, doing her best to look small and unassuming.]

Hi. You're filling in for the Baron?

( With a savvy (17), Alan Parker knows what's coming, and, isn't surprised when family members come out of the woodwork. Usually, they are one and done with their victims, but an old stubborn witch got greedy. And he hasn't checked in all day.

"Kieran. Mr. Whittemore." He smiles like he wants to help them, but it just comes naturally to him. )

My brother said that he might be able to help us.

[She's not going to bother figuring out how he knows their names. That's not important at the moment.]

Are you sure there's no way we can talk to him?

( Jackson lets her take the lead.

"If he were talking to me, you'd be talking to him. But, he's decided he doesn't need me anymore." At least, he thinks so. "He has your brother."

[Well, we're playing those cards? That was almost too easy.]

Can I see Julian, then? If he has him, there must be something he wants.

( "I don't know where he or your brother are. He cut me loose. But, what do I know, I'm just the conduit."

Not his friend, or even colleague, but used like everyone else was used. )

[She knows what a conduit means. Enough that she can catch the magic behind the meaning (16). When you're a bloodworker, conduit spells can be your bread and butter.

She also might have considered it for her own purposes but turned it down. If she's going to feed off of someone else's life, she might as well become a vampire. At least they're honest about it.]

Was my brother a conduit too?

( "Only in name only. A real c -- o next Tuesday," he sighs, clearly resigned. "He was used, like me, like them all. Except, Barent tapped into something primal with your brother, something unending. A well of hopelessness he discovered. The average person he drains and leaves for dead? Won't sustain him, not like Julian can. He's carrying a lot underneath. Lying to himself enough that I got enough of a foothold and the Baron wedged his way in. And now he's in the wind and I get to be Alan Parker," he spits out, tsking.

"He isn't looking to drain your brother, but he drained the connection I have to him. Enough that alarm bells went off across the covens." )

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