So tear me open, but beware—

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Who: isntyourfriend, chainedraven, and ishisfriend.
What: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. (This is relevant.)
When: July 27th, late in the afternoon.
Where: Somewhere near house 53.
Summary: An encounter with an "enemy" draws out a certain chain, but it doesn't seem to belong to any of the contractors in the village. Maybe it's another random enemy... Or maybe it's not.
Rating: PG-13.

[There are random monsters showing up all over the village, you say? Here's Elliot Nightray giving a damn.

A little chaos in the village would not prevent Elliot from doing the things that he or his servant wanted to do. They're just monsters, after all, and Elliot sure as hell isn't afraid of them. As long as he had his sword, he would be fine. He could protect himself, his servant, and anyone else who might need it.

That had been Elliot's reasoning for venturing out today. But of course, it's not monsters or being a hero that's on his mind right at this very moment. Instead, it's flowers. He is in the backyard, staring down at what should be a garden, but no longer appears to be.

Hmm... Something isn't right.]

Comments

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He's hesitant. He didn't really need Leo's help—he's not that tired, or even badly hurt—but in the end, he doesn't decline it. This is why he had a servant, after all. His servant's closeness is vaguely irritating, but he doesn't complain about that. Despite feeling a little dizzy still, Elliot follows after Gilbert, leading the way for him and his servant.]

[chainedraven]

[When he gets to the door Gilbert first checks to make certain that the house actually is the house and nothing is lurking in wait, then steps back and holds the door open for the other two. He's watching both of them intently enough that he's almost staring, but he doesn't say anything, not yet. After all, he isn't quite certain just what he wants to say, if anything at all.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[Leo's used to staring (people always stared, that's why he'd grown his hair out) but he's too far from caring to actually give a damn at the moment. He murmurs when they reach the doorway for Elliot to be careful and when they pass Gil, he nods again— or did he? It's brief enough for it to go unnoticed, but that's his way of saying thanks.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot mumbles at his servant's warning (Stop telling me what to do!), and makes his way inside. Once there, he tugs his arm, a sign for Leo that he'd like to go back to his room, completely unaware of the fact that there might be things they need to talk about.]

[chainedraven]

[Gilbert lets them walk for a moment, bringing up the rear of the small group, but when he notices Elliot trying to turn away he finally speaks up to stop him.]

Elliot, I—

[...a plan which he probably should have thought about first, because now he has no idea what to say, so he'll just stand there and look worried and awkward.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[There's a chance that Elliot might want to speak to his brother, so all Leo does is steady him as he looks over at Gilbert. The look on his face is almost annoyed-- does this have to happen now?]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He turns to regard his brother when he says his name, and he waits for him to finish, but there's nothing. So he impatiently inquires—]

What is it?

[chainedraven]

I—

[He hesitates again for a moment, then finally just spits it out.]

I've seen that Chain before.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot will probably feel Leo stiffen hostilely, though he still doesn't say anything. Don't be ridiculous, Gil, you weren't around when Humpty Dumpty almost killed Elliot. Did he, what, read books?]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Which one?

[He can't mean Raven, that would just be silly. So he must mean the one they fought, right...?]

[chainedraven]

Humpty Dumpty. The... that's....

[He can say it. Really. He just can't look at Elliot at the same time.]

That Chain is believed to belong to the Headhunter.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot doesn't need this. He doesn't need this. He just wants to-- retreat into a room with books until Elliot is better and not so absent-minded.]

Master Gilbert, could I have a word with you?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot's the one who stiffens this time. He's hesitant to speak, almost like he's unsure of what to say, or perhaps... perhaps more like he's forgetting something.]

The Headhunter...?

[Had Gilbert seen something he hadn't? He's acting so strange. And Leo, too—Elliot turns to him when he addresses his brother that way. What's wrong with him all of a sudden?]

[chainedraven]

[Gilbert nods in response and opens his mouth to speak again, only to close it again and give Leo a startled look that slowly turns more suspicious.]

What is it?

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

Can this wait till later? All of us are rather shaken at the moment. [And just at that last word, his glance flicks towards Elliot, as if deliberately indicating him.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

No. It's fine. [Elliot frowns, pulling his arm away from Leo and looking up at Gilbert.] When did you see that chain?

[chainedraven]

[No. It really can't wait until later, judging from Gilbert's frown, though he's torn between being relieved and disappointed when Elliot insists on having him continue.]

It was shortly before I found myself here, when... I think you said it hadn't happened to you yet.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[Leo would really rather it wait but the moment Elliot pulls his arm away from him, he shuts up. Why now?]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He has no idea what he's talking about, but he doesn't care about that. What's more important is...]

That's not what I meant. When did you see it here?

[chainedraven]

Here?

[Now he just looks confused.]

I hadn't seen it here before today.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Today?

[Elliot is equally confused. He had seen it today? For some strange reason, a part of him felt like he should know what he was talking about, but...]

Where?

[chainedraven]

[Now 'confused' is starting to turn 'concerned'.]

A... few minutes ago?

Elliot, are you sure you're all right?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

What? That wasn't...

[He knows what he's talking about. He knows he knows. It's like when you want to say something and the words are on the tip of your tongue but for some reason, you just can't remember what those words are.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He puts a hand to his head and tries to think. He knows for sure that he had blacked out for a minute or two there—the worst possible time, too. Hm.]

I must have missed it when I blacked out.

[That would explain it.]

[chainedraven]

But you were—

[And he stops. Blinks. And frowns.

And then he takes a step back with a shake of his head, no longer looking at either one of them.]

You should probably get some rest.