only death can part us now

[patrols]

Comments

[reallygoodlie]

Or, more infernal. The magic that did this? I wouldn't trust. Who would do this for you?

( It's the kind that worries him, like Elsie. )

Yes, actually. A friend made it big in London. I try to go once a year or when a job takes me there. My husband... ( Is alive, gods willing. ) has a big, raucous family, so sometimes I leave him to his own devices. I fear what he's gotten into without me.

( Or, if he's the reason Avery is back. But, what would his connection to Elsie be? )

Do you know the Azumas?

[allstone]

[Elsie stalls at the first question, because sure, there is an answer to that. But he wouldn't. Neither he nor her mother would do that to her, given how she died.]

I don't think they would do that to me. And it depends on how long I've been dead. But I have a twin brother, and my mother is still alive. She is a powerful witch, but he doesn't have magic anymore.

[Because it's complicated and a long story.

But she is pleased to hear about his friend in London, that's certainly a good place to start. And she does also hope that his husband is alive. But when he says the name "Azumas," something about that does ping (15).]

The name does sound familiar. Is that your family?

[reallygoodlie]

( He's always in with witches, it seems. But, he died by a witch's hand. If he remembers correctly. )

In-laws. And then some. I'm also in business with them.

[allstone]

Ah. Well, Jack did go to school with an Asa Azuma. Unsure if he's related to your Azumas, but Jack liked him well enough. We met once when our boarding schools had a joint event.

[Gender exclusive schools meant she didn't spend much time with Asa, he seemed like he was a good friend to her brother and that's what matters.

What she doesn't realize is that she's giving away that she's been dead a very long time.]

[reallygoodlie]

Directly. He's one of the Azumas. I don't work with him as much as his other brothers, but he moved to a sleepy California beach town.

( He got away from the business side of the family business. )

If you ask him, he's the black sheep.

[allstone]

And if I'm asking you?

[Jack also sees himself as the black sheep, but she knows that he will do what's expected for his family, whatever it takes.]

A California beach town does sound like it would suit him though.

[reallygoodlie]

If you're asking me, I am - it's always the in-law.

( Even though he is an exemplary Azuma, Liena doesn't think so. )

I think if he could, he'd only surf, drink beer, and stay away from the fray.

[allstone]

[That seems to be Liena's loss and Elsie's gain.

Before she can comment on Asa's life choices further, however, they find themselves coming to the edge of a park. The street lights allow them to see, so she douses the orbs, and she glances through the city with a frown.]

I do think this is London.

[She leans forward, seeing a familiar shop on the street corner and she brightens.]

Oh! I know where we are. We're not far from my father's firm.

[Only it's not necessarily her father's firm anymore but she doesn't know that yet. Details.]

[reallygoodlie]

That makes very little sense to me, but I suppose if I'm alive at all, I shouldn't complain.

( Or, wonder. )

He's a lawyer?

( And, okay, so they're in familiar territory for her. But, why is he here? )

[allstone]

He is. Jack plans to go to law school as well. Or, planned, depending on how much time has passed.

[It seems like it's been quite some time, but she didn't spend much time in London, if she's honest.]

It's this way. If nothing else, they'll probably let us use a phone at least.

[reallygoodlie]

That's ... a good question.

( And it worries him, now. He'd like to find something that will show him the date. )

Or, have access to the date. Will you being there be a shock?

[allstone]

Perhaps. But I don't think it can be avoided.

[After all, they are back from the dead.]

I'm sure it'd be a shock to your family as well.

[That being said, if he wants to check out the date, there is magazine stand on the street that might have a daily tabloid of some kind with the date.]

[reallygoodlie]

Not if we want the help.

( And the answers. He agrees. )

Quite.

( Oh, as he passes it, he will, scanning the magazines or for a newspaper. (5, LOL) )

[allstone]

[No newspapers, but he can check the dates on the magazines that will put them in roughly April of the year after he died. He can gauge that he's been dead roughly less than a year.

As Elsie slows to also look, her face pales some.]

I suppose we should probably be more careful with me.

[As she has been dead a good fifteen years.]

[reallygoodlie]

Maybe I can go in first? Is there someone there - your twin brother, maybe? I could try getting him outside.

( He deserves to see her. )

[allstone]

[She nods because if it's been fifteen years:]

It's probably more likely him at the firm than my father.

[But yes, that's a good plan.]

Perhaps I wait in the lobby and you gauge ... how complicated this will be?

[reallygoodlie]

Here.

( He holds the magazine out. He's not worried about stealing from a magazine cart this late, not when they need to not make a big scene. )

To cover your face.

[cheetham]

[Elsie nods, taking the magazine from him, before leading him the rest of the way to the firm.

Meanwhile, at the firm of Alston, Bastoke and Courcey, Jack does not look up from his desk as his wayward intern happens to cross in front of his door, but that doesn't stop him from calling out all the same:]

You're not paid by the hour, Ms. Merlyn. You're free to head home once business hours are done.

[upskill]

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Alston, but believe it or not, I like the quiet here. It makes for a better study environment than living with my brother.

( So, she's not working? So, that's okay? )

Also, I could say the same thing? I mean, you're probably salaried, it's late...

[cheetham]

[Well, so long as she's not working. If she's working then she's devaluing her time and that won't do.]

Ah, but I am a partner, which means I have other revenue streams for one, and for the other am required to do paperwork.

[His least favorite part of the job, to be sure. He does look up at her at this point, and offers a small smile.]

I also will be leaving in the next thirty minutes or so, so unless Edwin is still puttering around his office, I would advise you to make your way home yourself or be locked in for the night.

[upskill]

Paperwork. Yikes. The one factor that might determine me really going into any profession.

( Paperwork is a bummer. )

Creepy way to put that, but I can also take a hint. Fine, I'll pack up my things. As long as you actually leave. I'm working with the honor system, here.

[cheetham]

[He smirks before nodding.]

I will meet you at the door in thirty minutes. Also check in on Edwin and make sure he isn't here.

[Edwin Courcey is, he's using the quiet of his office for his own purposes, and they're going to need him later so it's better he's here. But the quiet, lanky blond man is buried over a pile of books behind his desk if JR wants to knock on his door and give him the thirty minute warning.]

[upskill]

( She will nod and indeed knock lightly on the door to give him the thirty minute warning. In the meantime, she will collect her things and let her brother know she'll be on her way home.

In the empty lobby area, Avery approaches the turnstile before the security person stands up from behind the desk. He lets him know that he doesn't have the credentials, but he's trying to find Jack Alston. No, he doesn't have an appointment. And he forgot his ID. Well, passport, he hedges.

He gets a (nat 1) at trying to convince this guy to let him up. )

[allstone]

[Fortunately for Avery, several things happen at once. As he's arguing with the guards, Edwin Courcey meets JR on their way to the door, making polite small talk with the young intern as go, but as the elevator opens and they make their way into the lobby, Edwin catches sight of something that makes him stop in his tracks.

He's looking past Avery, to the young woman who is playing with a magazine and trying to be inconspicuous. But Edwin recognizes her in an instant and he stumbles forward, confused.

"That ... that's not possible."

Elsie's attention is drawn by the sound of the voice and at first she doesn't recognize him. Her old childhood friend is much older now, looking more like his mother but also his father at the same time. Her eyes widen when she realizes and she tenses.]

Oh, Edwin.

[Edwin blinks glancing from her to Avery to JR and back to Elsie again, before gently taking JR's arm. "Ms. Merlyn, will you please go upstairs and let Mr. Alston know that he will need to delay his departure and we will be joining him in his office shortly."]

[reallygoodlie]

( "Oh," Avery says, letting the security guard continue their harsh words before leaving him there. Or, maybe being followed, he doesn't know, because he heads back over to Elsie, ready to - do whatever's needed.

"I'll head right back up," she says, knowing he's seen a ghost. )

So much for not making a scene. ( Avery apologizes, ready to stand next to her. He can vouch. He can shoulder whatever's about to happen. The security guard who followed him over to her falls silent as something occurs to them. Like they recognize her from... a picture or maybe one of the firm newsletters they're CC'd on? )

So... that's why we need to speak to Jack Alston.