[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.]
[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.
[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.
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...
[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.
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.
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.]
( 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. )
[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."]
("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? )
["Jonathan," Edwin begins firmly, addressing the security guard. "I can handle this from here." He's still studying Elsie's face closely, almost as though he's trying to catch the glitch, but he waits until the security guard steps away, before glancing over at Avery.
"My name is Edwin Courcey. I have many questions, but I feel as though they're best saved for upstairs, but I would advise you to measure your answers carefully. Jack will not take this well."
Elsie swallows hard, tucking the magazine into her chest.]
Is he ... how is he?
[Edwin tips his head to the side as he watches her, before shaking his head. "You'll have to see for yourself." He glances to the two of them before gesturing to the elevator. "After you."]
[Edwin leads the way upstairs and down the hall to Jack's office, what was once his father's office. He's currently leaning against his desk, looking annoyed, looking grown up in a similar way to Edwin, and Elsie takes advantage of the two tall men in front of her to hide herself from view as they step into the office.]
This better be good, Courcey, because I had plans this ...
[His voice drops off as Edwin steps to the side, revealing Elsie standing behind him. Jack's face goes pale, almost immediately.]
... What is this?
["The question of the hour," Edwin replies, though his eyes land on JR. "Ms. Merlyn, it is your choice if you stay or go, but safe to say anything you see or here in this office is not to leave this office."]
("I'll stay, if it's all the same," she says, staying back in the doorway.
For his first glimpse of Jack Alston, Avery sees a handsome man. One who's life may never be the same. )
You have no reason to believe this, though Elsie can corroborate it. The both of us woke up a mile or so out of town tonight. We've never met before. I don't know... why. And, because of that face your making... I can also confirm my loved ones would probably make the same one. She's alive.
[He glances to Edwin as he shuts the door to Jack's office, and Edwin nods. "I figured you would want to see it." He then raises his hands, in a series of definitive gestures. Elsie begins to glow, the magic sliding around her shoulders and it seems to pass whatever test Edwin is trying to assess.
Jack's face remains impassive as he watches (19), but when the ritual is complete and it's confirmed it's actually his sister, something in his shoulders slump.]
How did this happen?
["We don't know." Elsie shrugs. "We just woke up in the park."
Jack nods slowly.]
Are you in pain?
[Elsie shakes her head. "No. Whatever did this seems to have ... reset all of that."
Jack nods again, before swallowing hard and looking up at Avery.]
Avery. I died seven months ago in Las Vegas. Elsie went to boarding school with my husband's brother, apparently. That's the only connection I could find.
( And that was years ago. )
A witch attacked us. I don't know why. I worried my husband did something. To bring me back. But. I don't know what that would have to do with Elsie.
( JR stays silent, letting the family reunion go on without her commentary. Also, apparently, Edwin and Jack are witches? Now she has some stories for Mia. And her brother. Though, professionally, everything will stay behind these closed doors. )
["You went to boarding school with him. Asa Azuma?"
Edwin's eyebrows go up because he also does remember Asa, but he and Jack were certainly closer. Jack turns and studies Avery more closely, as Asa has a number of brothers but recognition clicks soon after.]
You're Elton's ex-husband.
[He moves on from that quickly. There's too much to do, and he doesn't plan on explaining that "ex-" anytime soon. He turns to JR.]
Ms. Merlyn, I know you are off the clock, but would you mind calling myself and my sister a car? We are going to be traveling to our family estate in Cheetham. Edwin has the address.
[Edwin nods and steps back to follow her out of the room to her desk. Once JR and Edwin have left, Jack turns back to Avery.]
Getting you back to Las Vegas is going to be a more complicated than I can manage this evening, even with my considerable influence, but do you happen to have someone in England that I may be able to reach out to on your behalf?
("No problem, Mr. Alston," she says, letting herself out to return to her office. She flips the light on and then moves over to her desk, grabbing her phone.
Avery narrows his eyes, because that drops like a lead balloon. )
Hannah. Hannah Navarro. If she's not traveling.
( He tamps down the worry he feels. Elton's ex-husband. Not husband. Not late husband. Ex.)
("My uncle is Oliver Queen and my best friend a vampire slayer," she shrugs as the dial tone sounds. "And my other uncle is an exorcist. Of sorts. Master of the dark arts, he likes to say, but I think he just worries about his influence on impressionable children," she says, before the front desk picks up. )
Probably better to summon her then dump me on her doorstep. I uh... don't have any numbers on me.
["That would do it, certainly." Edwin certainly won't debate that much. "I do appreciate your assistance. And if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to come see me in my office."
Jack nods, because fair enough. He fishes out his phone and pulls up Hannah's number.]
Hannah, darling, I need you to come by the office. ... I know, apologies for the late hour, but I'm afraid it can't wait. ... Yes, thank you. Text me when you arrive.
[As he hangs up, he looks over at Avery, pulling one of his business cards out of the card holder on his desk and holds it out to the other man.]
I do appreciate what you've done for me in bringing my sister here. If there's any way that I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
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[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.]
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( And the answers. He agrees. )
Quite.
( Oh, as he passes it, he will, scanning the magazines or for a newspaper. (5, LOL) )
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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.]
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( He deserves to see her. )
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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?
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( 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.
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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.
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( 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...
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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.
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( 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.
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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.]
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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. )
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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."]
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"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.
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"My name is Edwin Courcey. I have many questions, but I feel as though they're best saved for upstairs, but I would advise you to measure your answers carefully. Jack will not take this well."
Elsie swallows hard, tucking the magazine into her chest.]
Is he ... how is he?
[Edwin tips his head to the side as he watches her, before shaking his head. "You'll have to see for yourself." He glances to the two of them before gesturing to the elevator. "After you."]
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( He has hardly any answers, but he can answer them regarding himself at least.
Avery making his way to the bank of elevators and hits the button. Still on the bottom floor, he steps in. )
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This better be good, Courcey, because I had plans this ...
[His voice drops off as Edwin steps to the side, revealing Elsie standing behind him. Jack's face goes pale, almost immediately.]
... What is this?
["The question of the hour," Edwin replies, though his eyes land on JR. "Ms. Merlyn, it is your choice if you stay or go, but safe to say anything you see or here in this office is not to leave this office."]
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For his first glimpse of Jack Alston, Avery sees a handsome man. One who's life may never be the same. )
You have no reason to believe this, though Elsie can corroborate it. The both of us woke up a mile or so out of town tonight. We've never met before. I don't know... why. And, because of that face your making... I can also confirm my loved ones would probably make the same one. She's alive.
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[He glances to Edwin as he shuts the door to Jack's office, and Edwin nods. "I figured you would want to see it." He then raises his hands, in a series of definitive gestures. Elsie begins to glow, the magic sliding around her shoulders and it seems to pass whatever test Edwin is trying to assess.
Jack's face remains impassive as he watches (19), but when the ritual is complete and it's confirmed it's actually his sister, something in his shoulders slump.]
How did this happen?
["We don't know." Elsie shrugs. "We just woke up in the park."
Jack nods slowly.]
Are you in pain?
[Elsie shakes her head. "No. Whatever did this seems to have ... reset all of that."
Jack nods again, before swallowing hard and looking up at Avery.]
And you are?
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( And that was years ago. )
A witch attacked us. I don't know why. I worried my husband did something. To bring me back. But. I don't know what that would have to do with Elsie.
( JR stays silent, letting the family reunion go on without her commentary. Also, apparently, Edwin and Jack are witches? Now she has some stories for Mia. And her brother. Though, professionally, everything will stay behind these closed doors. )
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Edwin's eyebrows go up because he also does remember Asa, but he and Jack were certainly closer. Jack turns and studies Avery more closely, as Asa has a number of brothers but recognition clicks soon after.]
You're Elton's ex-husband.
[He moves on from that quickly. There's too much to do, and he doesn't plan on explaining that "ex-" anytime soon. He turns to JR.]
Ms. Merlyn, I know you are off the clock, but would you mind calling myself and my sister a car? We are going to be traveling to our family estate in Cheetham. Edwin has the address.
[Edwin nods and steps back to follow her out of the room to her desk. Once JR and Edwin have left, Jack turns back to Avery.]
Getting you back to Las Vegas is going to be a more complicated than I can manage this evening, even with my considerable influence, but do you happen to have someone in England that I may be able to reach out to on your behalf?
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Avery narrows his eyes, because that drops like a lead balloon. )
Hannah. Hannah Navarro. If she's not traveling.
( He tamps down the worry he feels. Elton's ex-husband. Not husband. Not late husband. Ex. )
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Jack nods because that is a name he recognizes.]
Ms. Navarro is a client. Would you like us to summon her here, or would you prefer we drop you off at her flat?
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Probably better to summon her then dump me on her doorstep. I uh... don't have any numbers on me.
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Jack nods, because fair enough. He fishes out his phone and pulls up Hannah's number.]
Hannah, darling, I need you to come by the office. ... I know, apologies for the late hour, but I'm afraid it can't wait. ... Yes, thank you. Text me when you arrive.
[As he hangs up, he looks over at Avery, pulling one of his business cards out of the card holder on his desk and holds it out to the other man.]
I do appreciate what you've done for me in bringing my sister here. If there's any way that I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
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