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

[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.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[No way in hell. You don't mention the Headhunter and then tell him to go get some rest. Elliot sounds as irritated as he is.]

It wasn't one of those monsters? Like— Like that other chain we saw?

[chainedraven]

No. It wasn't.

[Of that he's quite certain. But he's still moving back and starting to turn away. Now he's the one who doesn't want to have this conversation.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[He told you, Gilbert. He told you to back off, but did he listen? Leo takes a step forward in case Elliot decides to do anything stupid, but until then, he won't make a move.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Both of them. They're both acting strange, and Elliot doesn't like it. He glances at Leo, and without giving it another thought, Elliot pushes past his servant, reaching out and grabbing his brother's arm to stop him from turning away.]

What were you going to say?

[Both of them were hiding something. It wasn't hard to tell.]

[chainedraven]

Nothing!

[Gilbert just scowls and automatically tries to pull away from Elliot's hand.]

It can wait until you're feeling better.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He'll let go of him, but only because he's tired. It's not worth the effort.]

I said I'm fine! Stop making that excuse!

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

You're not exactly fine.

[chainedraven]

[The look Gilbert gives Leo says that while he may be willing to delay a talk with Elliot, he most definitely wants to talk to Elliot's servant, and that as soon as possible.]

It can wait. We're not going anywhere.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot just... huffs. This is stupid, and they're not being very cooperative. But, well, Gil was right—they weren't going anywhere. And as long as that was true, he could bother them later. He needed to have a talk with his servant as well, after all. So he turns away from his brother and starts heading off down the hallway.]

I'm done with you two.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[And if Gil doesn't stop him, Leo will probably follow after Elliot (or at least, until Elliot decides to close the door in his face). At the moment, he'd just like to have some shred of normalcy.]

[chainedraven]

[Gilbert does consider stopping Leo for a moment, but finally just turns away himself. It's probably best if he gets his own thoughts in order before trying to talk to anyone right now, and he just hopes he doesn't run into anyone else.]