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Avery (Lost):
Avery was nervously standing out front, his blonde hair brushed over his face so that it was harder to see him, and his Mask enforced. He also had Nevertread covering both himself and his mentor, a nervous shifting from foot to foot, staring at this house that he has avoided for so long. He wanted to wait until night...so hopefully the children at least would be asleep. Also because it was quiet...and so some Contracts would work if it went poorly. And oh jeez they were so nervous and scared and...
"This...will keep them safe, yes?" Avery looked to Asbolus.
Asbolus:
"It should help, yes." Asbolus nodded, his own mask hardened for the first time in quite a while. He was dressed plainly but neatly, befitting what should hopefully be a casual conversation. "The more information we can get on what happened the better for putting a stop to all of this."
Patch:
Flashes through the window, barely enough for a regular person to notice, are easily seen by the Lost. The family was making things work. Kids and Avery were helping tend to the wife as she recovers. A walker visible as the wife sat at an electronic recliner. She was in much better health than the last time that Avery saw Avery's wife, and yet there was many days to go yet.
Avery (Lost):
Avery feels a pit of regret in his stomach, watching the walker.
"Their children are... awake. Olivia is hurt still... we can... come back later..."
Avery looked at his mentor's mask, still getting used to seeing this part of him. The Beast looked nervous.
Asbolus:
"We could, but we're already here. Best to pull that bandage off swiftly than let it linger."
Avery (Lost):
Avery looks tense, but nods.
"Thank you for... coming with. I'll... let them know we are here?"
Asbolus:
"You're very welcome." He nodded, moving along with Avery when he headed for the door.
Avery (Lost):
Avery gently holds Asbolus's arm, shaking his head.
"I want...them to have time to be ready too, please?"
Avery looked to Avery...the other one, and took a deep breath. Asbolus had done this before, those fleeting images.
Here, home, talk, safe, protect, nervous, kids.
All the things Avery wanted, but oh so limited in what he could ask.
Asbolus:
"Of course." He nodded, gently putting a hand on his shoulder as Avery passed those images on to his fetch.
Patch:
A picture of bread being kneaded, then in the oven, and the timer showing 30 minutes.
Avery and Asbolus could see Avery in the window starting to usher the kids towards the bedtime routine.
Avery (Lost):
Avery pauses, taking a shaky breath.
"I think...she wants us to wait for 30 minutes. So the kids can be asleep. I can hide us in the meantime?"
Asbolus:
"Feel free, if it won't be too much of a burden on you."
Avery (Lost):
Avery nods, walking just out of the range of the streetlamp, taking a breath. He thinks of his girlfriend, well, one of them, Vorpal, how the shadows surround her and are safe, and whisper to the shadows around him and his mentor. The shadows lengthen for them, inviting, offering sanctuary for the time being.
"I am...scared. I do not know why I am scared."
Asbolus:
"You're facing a literal part of yourself for the first time, so it's not that surprising. It was a shocking moment for me as well, especially being fresh out of the Thorns as I was."
Patch:
A flap of wings came towards the light.
Avery (Lost):
Avery takes a shuttering breath.
"Yes..I guess...that's it. Fear is...hard. I do not know how Autumn handles it."
Avery's head whips around, peering into the darkness. His head tilts in a corvid like manner and his eyes seem to reflect the light a bit more.
Asbolus:
Asbolus' attention also snapped towards the sound, eyes narrowed and his hand hanging gently at his side as though he was ready to pull a weapon that wasn't there.
Patch:
An owl swooped down and grabbed a rabbit that was about a house's distance away, and then fluttered away.
Avery (Fetch):
About that time, Avery's fetch, Avery, walked out of Avery the Fetch's home towards Avery and Bobo. Avery looked at Avery and frowned, then to Asbolus, and back, "Why do you look like me? Who are you? Why was my family attacked?"
Avery (Lost):
Avery stares at the owl, nerves running high. He shakes out his arms, and looks to the house, hiding a bit behind Asbolus as Avery approaches.
"Their name is Aubrey...and they hate me, so they are attacking you. Can...can we talk inside?" Avery looked to Asbolus for support.
Asbolus:
Asbolus stood firm, nodding to the fetch as she approached and asked some very understandable questions. "We mean you and yours no harm, I assure you. We only wish to talk."
Avery (Fetch):
"No. My wife is still in the living room. She can't do the stairs, so five feet from where she almost died, she is asleep in her chair. My kids are upstairs. I don't need them walking in on something like this..." she pulled at her white button-down shirt, and made sure the rolled up sleeves were still above her elbow, fidgets.
"Why is Aubrey trying to kill me, if you're a fake Avery?"
Avery (Lost):
Avery looks to Asbolus, and the out to the street, making sure there was no one within listening distance.
"We...we need to be quiet then. I am sorry Olivia is hurt. I...should have...I'm sorry." Avery leans against the car, taking a breath.
"Because...because I'm not the fake." Avery doesn't look at the Fetch, trembling. "And that...is why we can send...messages to each other."
Asbolus:
Asbolus rested his hand on Avery's shoulder once again for support, watching the fetch quietly. "I'm of a mind that Aubrey views you both as 'false' versions, seeing themselves as the true remnant. The bond you two share made you an easy target for getting to Avery, and she used that to her advantage."
Avery (Fetch):
"We ... you... how am I the fake? You're... they had ravens attacking me. Ravens! It was like a movie or a curse!" they sat on the sidewalk, curling up in a very familiar fashion, "I... no. I have a wife and kids. I am not the fake one."
Avery (Lost):
Avery looks to Asbolus, carefully approaching and sitting down, curling up. A mirror of the Fetch. The Lost was a few years older but...largely the same.
"Do you...remember that day at school. Mark...the bully. He...broke our pencil and...stepped on our art, and it made us sad. We hid in the art room...I...liked that art room. Its my favorite memory that I have...but I lost most of them."
Asbolus:
As the pair curled up into their respective balls on the sidewalk Asbolus sat down as well, staying close to them both. "In my mind you are as much a person as they are." He motioned briefly to the Lost Avery, keeping his eye on the pair. "You may have come to be in a different way but you have a life that you have lived, and in your case a family to tend to."
Avery (Fetch):
"I remember that," she whispered, "I remember that. Why do you know that?"
Looking up to Bobo, " A different way? Why am I the different one? You all have... you're doing things. I have visiions of being a bird in flight, or seeing... strange worlds. People that look like animals."
Avery (Lost):
Avery flinches, not liking having this talk and it was obvious. This Avery was clearly more anxious than the other.
"Thats me...yes. I see visions of...your life too. The...play I think? Last year."
Avery looks at Asbolus.
"I...you're..." a gulp. "I was taken by...something. You were put in my place...but I am...not upset. Just sad."
Asbolus:
"A replacement is often left behind so those who are taken aren't missed. Sometimes a strong bond is formed between the two, which is how you can share what you experience."
"I can assure you, though," he added, motioning between them, "that we wish you no harm. They intended on leaving you be to live your life unhindered, but Aubrey changed that with her attack."
Avery (Fetch):
"... What, are you trying to tell me aliens took you, but cloned you to make me, and put me in your life, with your memories? Why not just ... you stay here, and they study you that way."
Avery (Lost):
"It wasn't...aliens. It..." Avery flinches. "I was taken to...serve a purpose. I was His raven. He took my memories, so I didn't know how to...to leave. HE is the reason I'm being hunted, you're being attacked, and Olivia is hurt."
Avery's voice is full of anger, but tears are what fall from their eyes.
"I'm...I'm sorry. I wanted to leave you out of...of this. So you could...enjoy your life. I...I..." Avery shakes his head, curling tighter into a ball. "I'm sorry."
Asbolus:
Asbolus reached over to the Courser and gave their shoulder a gentle squeeze, offering what support he could before looking back to the fetch. "I know this is difficult to hear and wrap your mind around, and I understand the confusion you're feeling at the moment. I've been there myself, and we are both here for you now that you've been involved."
Avery (Fetch):
"... Who the fuck is He? Are you talking like God? Satan? He?"
Avery (Lost):
Avery's resolve crumpled, scooting back with Asbolus and shaking his head. He would not say the name. And it was clear the raven was...scared of whoever He was.
Asbolus:
"Some view them as gods, and in his particular case He took the trappings of one." He put an arm around Avery as he moved closer, looking towards the fetch. "They hold ultimate power in their own realms, and take others to use as their servants and playthings."
Avery (Fetch):
They frowned, and looked back at the house, then at the tree where all the birds had waited for the family.
"How... how do we stop them from doing it again?"
Avery (Lost):
"We...need your help...to stop Aubrey..." Avery looked up at Asbolus, then to Avery.
"I am a warrior...I will kill her to protect your family and mine...but I can't find her on my own."
Asbolus:
"Any help you can offer would be appreciated, and we will do our best to ensure that she brings you and your family no further harm."
Avery (Fetch):
"Kill!? You're a murderer?!"
Avery (Lost):
Avery shrinks, leaning against Asbolus.
"I am a protector... some beings are... evil. Very evil. Aubrey is a slaver... so yes...I am a murderer."
Asbolus:
"It's not an action taken lightly." Asbolus added, watching the fetch. "If she can be persuaded in other ways to change her course of action we will pursue them."
Avery (Fetch):
"...I'll them if they come for my family again. No one touches my family," in a very Avery way.
"...What can I do to help though, other than keep an eye out? I'm not exactly a warrior myself."
Avery (Lost):
Avery nods at the statement.
"I...do not want either of our families hurt...please trust...me."
Avery looks to Asbolus, glad its going...somewhat well.
"Was Aubrey...here? She looks like us with...dark hair...my age, not yours. Or was it only the ravens...when Ylva and I arrived it was...just the ravens."
Avery (Fetch):
"... There was someone. One of the neighbors," they point down the street, "was standing on the stoop. She's normally at work at that time of day, but was home. She had a black hoodie and the like. Maybe it wasn't her now that I think on it..."
Avery (Lost):
Avery looks to where was pointed.
"Were there... are there cameras... that face that way?"
A look at Asbolus, questioning and half starting to get to his feet.
"Maybe... for Relentless Persuit?
Avery (Fetch):
"I don't think so. Maybe the house as a Ring?"
Asbolus:
"Perhaps." He nodded to Avery, then looked back to the fetch. "If you don't mind us looking at that footage I would appreciate it."
Avery (Lost):
"I will be right back then."
Avery nods to the Fetch and as he steps off, into the dark, and he seems to disappear.
Avery (Fetch):
"Oh I don't, but maybe she does? Any home security we have was pointed at our house. "
Patch:
Then Avery sought for a feather....
It wasn't on the stoop. It wasn't on the bush next to the porch. However as they got down and investigated, they saw a strange feather underneath a garbage can two houses down, only a house away from where they were speaking to the fetch. It was white, and looked nearly identical to Avery's own. The mask over it made it look like a dove feather.
Avery (Lost):
Avery moves quickly, keeping an eye for any stray ravens or Aubrey's, and picks it up. Is it...could it be...just to make sure, they whisper under their breath to see if the loophole would take hold.
"Aubrey..."
Avery sighs in deep relief, rushing back to Asbolus, skipping in glee along the way. He had light-shy on, so let loose just a bit, but reigned himself back in as he returned, waiting for Asbolus and the Fetch to say whatever they were saying.
Asbolus:
"Which 'she' do you mean in this case?" Asbolus inquired, watching as Avery headed off before looking back to the fetch. "You're taking this well, as an aside. The first conversation I had with my other half was a bit more cantankerous."
Avery (Fetch):
"The Neighbor. Miss Elaine Roosevelt. She lives in the house where I see the figure. None of our camera go that way because they're for yard and property... So if she has anything, you'd have to ask her."
Asbolus:
"Ah...understood." he nodded, offering the fetch a reassuring look. "How are you feeling at the moment?"
Avery (Fetch):
"I'm... I'm fucking pissed off!" they jumped to their feet and shook their head, "Someone came after my wife, my family, becuase... whatever cult shit y'all are in."
Asbolus:
"Your anger is certainly justified." He nodded, moving to stand as well. "We will do what we must to ensure that doesn't happen again."
Avery (Fetch):
"What can I do to protect them?"
Asbolus:
"Be vigilant, as a start. I'll give you my contact information so you can reach out if something comes up. If we find more concrete information on their particular weaknesses we'll pass them on as well."
Avery (Fetch):
"Thank you... thank you both," they looked towards Avery, "I apologize for how I treated you ... it's... It's strange!"
Asbolus:
"Apology accepted, and it certainly is." He nodded with a small smile, glancing towards his protege and motioning for the Courser to make their way back. "Like I said before, though, you're handling it quiet well."
Avery (Lost):
Avery was hiding less of his...incredible fluidity. He is beyond human, but reigns it back in as he returns. He still speaks quietly.
"Aubrey was here. We can find them now." Avery holds up...well Avery sees a dove feather, Asbolus can see a white raven feather.
"Thank you...for helping us. I'm sorry your family was hurt...I didn't want you to be hurt. But...I will help stop Aubrey from hurting you or your family again."
Avery (Fetch):
"Thank you."
Asbolus:
"Is there anything else we can do for you at the moment?"
Avery (Lost):
Avery nods, taking a half step back from the Fetch to be with Asbolus, looking at the house idly.
Avery (Fetch):
"Are we good?" They asked quietly.
Avery (Lost):
Avery looks to Asbolus for a moment, then back at Avery.
"I think so...unless you need us for anything else...I hope your wife recovers well. If you need help...please let me know..."
Asbolus:
"I would say we are, yes." He nodded in agreement, looking between the pair. "And as they said, don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance."
Avery (Fetch):
"I should go check in the house. Thank you... " They get up and walk towards the house, dealing with the multiple info drops on them.
Avery (Lost):
Avery waits until they go, looking to Asbolus.
"Did that go...okay?"
Asbolus:
"I think it went as well as can be expected." Asbolus replied, watching the fetch head off before looking to Avery. "How are you feeling?"
Avery (Lost):
"Bad...I didn't want to...have to talk to them. Just leave them alone...but now they're dragged into this. And...after meeting them...I feel shaken, it's...weird to talk to them."
Avery looks down at the feather in his hands.
"But...I know what I need to do...and now...we have a good way to track Aubrey."
Asbolus:
"The first time is always a bit of an odd moment, especially with the circumstances as they are. You handled it very well, though." He held an arm out for Avery to come in for a hug if they so wished. "That we do. Shall we head back?"
Avery (Lost):
Avery takes the hug, nodding.
"I...tried...I'm bad at...people. but...I am glad you're with me."
Avery looks down at the feather, twirling it slowly, knowing Aubrey was still in the Hedge.
"Yes please."
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