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Klaire Henriette:
Klaire's home was in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. One story, nice lawn, bland colors for the most part. Kids playing in the neighborhood after school. It was intentionally average in every way it could be. Which made it the perfect place to live for Klaire. Rook was staring intently out the front window at some of the children. Slightly sad he couldn't play street soccer with them. He could chase that ball so good!
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Rook's attention would likely be grabbed by the plain-looking sedan that pulled into the driveway, followed by the emergence of a familiar-looking Mastigos with one of those reusable shopping bags in hand. Jay was going for a rockabilly look this particular afternoon, rocking some black jeans, white shirt with a red jacket over it and those chunky black glasses he sported from time to time. He smiled at the pup as he approached the door, rapping a 'shave and a haircut' knock to properly announce his presence.
Klaire Henriette:
The great thing about having a dog, is no one will ever sneak up on you by car. Especially those EVIL mailmen.
As soon as Jay steps out of the car, Room barks happily, tail wagging. He then runs to the back of the house to fetch Klaire. A moment later, the Sleepwalker opens the door.
"Thanks for coming Jay. Glad you could make it." Rook sits patiently behind her, tail wagging as approximately mach cute!
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Thanks for having me." He replied with a smile, stepping inside when allowed and giving Rook some good pats, the faint scent of feline on the Warlock possibly catching the pup's attention. "Brought some dessert to go with the pasta you mentioned you were making."
Klaire Henriette:
Rook sniffs the Warlock, and is immedietly BETRAYED! This one is snuggling other fuzzies!!!
"Thank you, the water is setting up to boil now. I have a habit of underestimating how long things will take when cooking for more than just me. I will admit I'm usually lazy."
She heads back to the kitchen, moving to stir the sauce and add the noodles. "How has your day gone?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"No worries. Cooking is as much a journey as anything else, usually with something tasty at the end of it." He said with a smirk, following her into the kitchen and pulling the boxed tiramisu from the bag. "It's gone pretty well so far. Was at the cafe for opening, then worked with one of my students for a while. Want me to stick this in the fridge for now?"
Klaire Henriette:
"Exactly. I figured food is as good of an excuse as any to have talks over. Then if the talk is good, there's food to snack on. If the talk is bad, at least there was food."
She lowers the sauce to a simmer, the noodles still needing another minute.
"Go ahead and put it in the fridge, yes. Music student, or otherwise?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Exactly." He nodded, popping the dessert into the friend before finding a convenient bit of counter to lean against. "Music, one of the singers I've been working with for a year or so. She's been doing great."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods, turning off the stove and pouring the noodles into the strainer.
"I gotcha, you're getting autographs to sell when they're famous right? Thats what one of my high school teachers used to say."
A small smile as she grabs bowls and serving utensils.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Maybe, or at least one to hang on the wall of the studio." He chuckled, moving to help get the table set up as needed.
Klaire Henriette:
It was set up quickly, she let him serve himself first so she could feed Rook some kibble.
"See, I think I'd like that option better to remember them by." She served herself after him and sat down.
"To not keep you too long, how safe do you feel about talking about the Mark II's here?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I'm here to bolster other people's work and not try to milk them for my own fame, as I see it. I tried that once before and burned a lot of people in the process, so I'd rather grow the garden of my legacy and see how it blooms on its own."
He took his plate with a quick "thank you", thinking a moment on the question. "I can do a quick cone of silence around us if that would make you feel better."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods. "Part of why I like you Jay. You look out for those around you."
She looks around. "I feel safe within my home, but they will pay more attention to you than me, and they know I am part of the Free Council. I want you to feel safe here."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I do my best." He replied with a small smile, nodding as she continued. "I feel safe enough, but thank you for the concern. You haven't had any more run-ins with them since, I hope?"
Klaire Henriette:
She shakes her head. "Luckily not. I did talk with Charleville, and he..." a solid few second pause to remember to be nice, "had a few ideas. To be honest, after threatening and injuring my dog, I am more than ready to do something to stop them."
Oh yeah...and she was exploded and was half dead...but Rook was hurt.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Good." He nodded, sitting back in his seat as he looked her over. "What do you have in mind?"
Klaire Henriette:
She takes a breath. "Charleville is an Acanthus, so time magic, yes?" A pet to Rook who comes over. "And the Mark II's are piloted. Its enough that my telepathy works on them."
She grabs parmesean. Everyone forgets it on the first bite, and continues. "Charleville will host a street concert of some kind to attract the Mark II's, and while distracted, I can pry into their heads. Supposedly the Seers tend to overlook things they believe are beneath them, including Sleepwalkers." A bit of a mystified look follows. "And then Charleville can rewind the whole thing, so that we remember but no one else does." She lets him take it in and ask questions.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah nodded along as she spoke, smirking as she mentioned the time rewind. "I like it. Something similar happened a bit back when two of the local Lost were attacked by a Seer agent and things were rewound so the attacker could be captured."
"And it is sadly true that some look down on non-Supernal magics." He added, doctoring his pasta with the parmesan before trying some and nodding with approval. "Never understood that outlook myself."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods, glad he is along with it. "Fox apparently did a similar thing, apparently with a bug. That was what sparked his idea. The current questions are where the Mark II's are being kept, and what their connection is to Marsbase Hermes. Before the explosion I saw what we think was Hermes within the base."
She looks him over. "Now that Ive told you why, I have a favor to ask. You're allowed to say no, I have someone else in mind if you aren't willing."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Ask away."
Klaire Henriette:
She frowns. "I know Charleville must know what he's doing, after all he is the Synic of the Free Council...but I have also only met him once. I want someone I know I can trust there as well, as at least a 'just in case something goes wrong'. I know you have a lot of your plate, and I'm asking a lot from you to stick your neck out like this, but I do trust you."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah smiled warmly at that, giving her a little nod. "I'd be more than willing to go with you on this. I'm thankful that you think that highly of me."
Klaire Henriette:
"Thank you." She nods politely. "Plus...you are a master of Mind. Having you there while looking through thoughts would be a boon. I do think quite highly of you. Between you and Bones...I've come to realize what I was missing before I joined."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"True enough. I should be able to keep anything I have cloaked so it won't be noticed." He nodded, the smile firmly in place as she continued. "Finding a welcoming community is always a plus. I'm glad we could be that for you."
Klaire Henriette:
Her own smile stays on her face for a long moment to eat a bite. It also serves as a point to think her next sentences through.
"Of course...the hope is that it all goes according to plan, and Charleville can rewind most things, keeping us safe."
A slight pause to study Sirius's face. "What are your thoughts on Charleville?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I haven't dealt with him much directly, I'll admit. Seems like a decent guy all around, though. What do you think of him?"
Klaire Henriette:
She frowns, displeasure on her face.
"I can't place it, but I didn't like him at first. I tried to relax later on, but it felt so forced to me."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Hmm." he nodded, mulling for a moment. "Can't say for sure what happened there, but no one vibes with everyone right off the bat. Sometimes it can take a while, or not happen at all."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods slowly, taking another bite to pause the talk.
"I tend to struggle to vibe with others, unfortunatly."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Been there, if you'll believe that. Was pretty shy when I was a kid, and moving around all the time didn't help much in the friend-making department." He snuck a couple bites of his pasta in, waiting until he was done swallowing before continuing. "Do you think that stems from anything in particular?"
Klaire Henriette:
"You... as shy? That seems the opposite of what you are now. Although...I never moved in K12 education."
She hesitates at the question. "The telepathy most likely. Being able to hear others thoughts and not knowing his to control it is not helpful to any kind of relationship. Romantic or friend wise."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"If you asked my old guidance councilors I 'blossomed' in high school, also known as I stopped worrying about what other people thought of me and found myself through music." He smirked at that. "I also opened up to myself about not being straight and that took a lot of weight off...barring the whole 'parents disowning me when they found out later' thing anyway."
"Makes sense." He nodded quietly. "Especially when you can't necessarily explain why you know certain things."
Klaire Henriette:
She gave a pained smile. "That took me until college. Parents weren't all that happy either, although I think they hated me loving Ylva more. She...I miss her greatly right now, and still hate the...the...thing that took her." A venom in her voice not heard elsewhere at Ylva's Gentry.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I can imagine. Does she have a hollow that connects to things on this side? Might be a way to see her, at least."
"Right there with you. What Polly got put through - what all of them went through, honestly - is beyond horrifying." He shook his head, frowning deeply. "That shouldn't have to happen to anyone."
Klaire Henriette:
Klaire nods. "Yes...actually there was something with that the day the Mark II exploded...I've tried to keep it close to the chest."
A nod. "I don't know all the details but...it played off her addictions, broke her down. None of them deserve that."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Oh?" Cue a curious arch of the eyebrow, followed by him miming turning a key over his lips and tossing said key over his shoulder. "Willing to listen if you want to share."
"I know enough about what happened to her that it's her story to tell rather than mine. To be honest she seemed shocked that I was willing to put up with what she has to do to keep herself sane, but that's never been a problem for me." He smiled softly, his fondness for his partner clear as crystal. "She's always been worth the effort, no questions asked."
Klaire Henriette:
She looks him over, a slow nod, answering the other part first. "I haven't been able to see her enough for that yet. I tend to read far too much into things, its my job after all. But right when she was starting to trust me with this...that damn news story came out."
A deep breath, centering herself. "She was in her safe space, they're called hollows, yes? She...wanted to check on me after the explosion. She didn't want to be on this side hust in case the Mark II's could find her. I...wasn't thinking through the pain, I went to hug her...and it just felt wrong. Like a moment of impending doom...and I managed to stop myself." She shakes her head. "I did have a chance to see... what she looked like to the other Lost. I feel so sorry for her."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Well, hopefully everything will be cleared up and you can be together on this side of things soon." He nodded, listening quietly as she explained what had happened. A mix of curiosity and concern formed on his face, with another small nod punctuating the end of her explanation. "That's...interesting. Not too surprised, considering how alluring that place is supposed to be, but interesting nonetheless. Glad you were able to resist the lure, as it were."
"I've seen Polly behind the Mask and it's...something else. I was knocked completely speechless the first time I saw it, although in a good way."
Klaire Henriette:
"Narrowly, I am glad I was able to stay away. I do hope she can stay back on this side soon."
There a long moment of a smile. "Ylva was...adorable. I understand a bit better where she wishes to be touched, and what I can do to help her. Its a struggle when I can't feel her tails near me, or where her fur is."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Right? It's really strange knowing that there's something there but you can't interact with it without effort. With Polly she has these little tendrils of light that come out from her that are semi-autonomous." He smirked a touch. "Which, between you me and the lamppost, worked their way into my nimbus on the most recent step up the Watchtower that I took."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods. "My best guess is Ylva would be a Kitsune. I didn't want to ask that night, she was more worried about me being hurt... thanks again for the healing."
There's a long pause. "Nimbus was explained to me, but not the Watchtower, or how Polly can affect it?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"You're welcome. And apologies for not cloaking it, by the by; was more focused on getting you patched up in the moment."
"It's my personal euphemism for strengthening my connection to the Supernal. The Watchtowers are the points in the Realms that we connect to them through, basically a focus point that allows for us to reach the Supernal and Awaken in the first place. As for the nimbus she didn't influence it herself per se, but she's become a large enough part of my life that I think it's starting to reflect that."
Klaire Henriette:
A dismissive hand wave. "Bones caught it early on. I'm glad you patched me up."
She considers it for a minute. "So a Watchtower is what helps you Awaken by focusing you? Similar to meditation then?"
A smile at his description of the nimbus. "Thats rather sweet, I'm glad she means so much to you. Its...like the Shadow Names almost? Reflecting the part of us that we want to be known."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Kind of." He rocked his hand in a so-so fashion. "It's like an anchor point within the Supernal Realm in question, something that the soul can track to across the Abyss and imbue itself with to maintain the connection that Awakening provides. As we strengthen that connection we're able to do more with magic in general, increasing our ability to master different aspects of it and making it easier to use in general. That also comes with some drawbacks, primarily in the form of Paradox getting much sharper teeth when it rears up, but it's usually a decent trade off."
Klaire Henriette:
"I understood...a third of that. But it makes you stronger mages in return for more drawbacks if I get the gist?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Pretty much, and if you want me to clarify the parts you didn't get I'd be more than happy to."
Klaire Henriette:
"The Abyss and Paradox. I've heard the trends a few times, but they are just buzz words to me."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"The Abyss is a lot of things, and also nothing, and the antithesis of truth all in one nasty bundle. It is what reinforces the Lie, the source of the blinders on humanity to the possibilities of magic. It exists between the Fallen World and the Supernal, and Awakening allows one to bridge it and reach the other side. Paradox is the whip of the Abyss upon those who push too far with their magic, twisting the truth of the Supernal as it overpowers it. How potent it is can vary, and the more in touch with the Supernal you are the harder it can hit, but it can also be contained with cost to the physical self rather than allowing it to manifest."
Klaire Henriette:
"So it's the gap between us and where the Exarchs went... and punishes those who use too much magic. Is that why Bones always has nosebleeds?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Less 'too much magic' and more 'reach beyond their current limits' with a certain spell, but for the most part." His eyebrow arched at that particular question, though, giving a little nod. "Most likely. They've mentioned how heavily their daily spell load-out has been, so I wouldn't be too surprised if additional casting was causing issues on that front."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods along. "So there is a limit to how strong Mages are...its just well beyond anyone else. Bones seems to have quite a bit active, the Mark II's knew about a Dr. Shanks when they took me out to a club a bit ago. I am just assuming they are being careful and know their limits."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"One can hope, but I may talk with them on that if it's a common problem."
Klaire Henriette:
She shrugs. "If you think its necessary. You know better than I do. Just don't tell them it was me please. As much as they spoil Rook...I do enjoy our friendship." Rook plods over at his name, setting his head RIGHT on Jay's lap. The look is clear: you betrayed me with other floofs, gimme foods.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"No worries, I'll keep that to myself. I've seen her cast often enough in semi-public spaces to make the worry for it valid from me alone."
He smirked at Rook inserted himself into the conversation, giving the pup some good proper scritches. "I have a feeling he's wanting a bit of this." He looked to the pasta then to Klaire with a chuckle. "Is it alright if he has some?"
Klaire Henriette:
She nods. "I've...seen it as well. Part of why I asked you before him."
A stare and disappointed look at Rook. "I'd appreciate you not. Bones has been feeding him, and I'd rather not him get used to being fed people food."
Rook gives the biggest puppy dog eyes. Shes starving me! See!
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Oh you're fine." He said to Rook with a smile, continuing the scritches. "You wouldn't like it anyway."
Klaire Henriette:
He seems to know when hes been foiled, he huffs and goes to eat his kibble.
She smiles. "Thank you."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Welcome." He smiled in return. "I have a cat and I keep an eye on his diet as well, so I know how it goes."
Klaire Henriette:
She sighs. "Rook has learned that Tommy is easily bribed. I'm no longer running on fumes, but I don't have the energy to constantly watch that either if we are at Maddy's."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"That's a boundary worth setting, honestly. He's your medical assistant as much as he is your pet, and he needs to be in tip top shape to take care of you."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods. "Exactly. I've tried once or twice, but haven't put as much effort as I should into it. Especially at Maddy's in front of others..."
She frowns. "Speaking of Maddy's, I met a younger mage who made me question a few things. It was a wonderful personality read but brought up several thoughts."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Oh? Do tell."
Klaire Henriette:
"A lot of it was normal things. How I view friendships, who is close to me. Instability in my life...as is most people's lives. But the one that stuck out to me was what she described as a storm. It boiled down to I've had recent troubles, but they were light, and I have grown stronger for future trials."
"At first I knocked it...Ylva was taken, I joined the Mages, the Zimmerman dissapearance, and then getting blown up was...all of a shock and has taken time to adjust. But thinking about it more...no, it hasn't shocked me to my core. Ylva being taken was the worst thing that has happened in...so very long, but she is back with us and she trusts me, which is all I can ask for with the circumstances. The Zimmerman dissapearance has been a pain in my ass, but we are dealing with it, and Ylva is currently safe. And being blown up....well...I was ready to walk around in pain until someone convinced me I needed to stop self loathing, thank you by the way." Theres a smile in his direction. "However..."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"You're welcome." He nodded, smiling a touch in return before making a 'go on' motion with his hand.
Klaire Henriette:
She sighs. "I can't help but feel I was forced into the Mages. I am enjoying where I am at now, but something still bothers me and I can't figure it out. Something still feels like I don't belong and I was better off on my own. Which I know for sure isn't true."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I can understand the lack of choice being grating, especially when you've worked by yourself for so long." He gave another nod. "You're doing a fine job of finding your niche among the consilium, in my opinion, which will hopefully help that feeling fade as well."
Klaire Henriette:
She frowns, of course the solution meant effort. Darn life having to be that way.
I am trying, but I'm not sure where my niche is. If I could make a comment that doesn't leave the room?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Of course."
Klaire Henriette:
"Would you consider me a cop in my line of work?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He started to reply but paused, taking a moment to think. "As a private investigator you are connected to law enforcement in ways that might make some people uncomfortable. I don't see you as a cop directly yourself, though."
Klaire Henriette:
"Kaylee, the young mage, seemed to think she would get in some form of trouble around me when she admitted to breaking the law. When I walked in to meet Charleville, he was high during a meeting I was staying over. I agree with ACAB, I real do, there is some serious corruption and abuse of the system that if I had the sway, I would absolutely love to show some cops the roght way to treat others."
A deep breath. "But I can't help but notice of the few Free Council members I've met, I feel like they percieve the world so much more differently than I do. And not just because they're Awakened and I am not."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"They likely do, and that's no failing of yours either. You do the work you do to help people who can't be helped otherwise, and that's a worthwhile venture."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods, looking relived. "Exactly. The people I work for...they have family or friends missing. Having someone like me there that can...find and reunite them? I've had so many thankful messages in my time...thats how I contribute."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"And a fine way to do it, in my opinion."
Klaire Henriette:
She gives a faint smile. "Im glad you think so."
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