Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

“Oh, um-. Yeah, let me just-. Hang on.” Gawain stumbled over his words for a moment before a light source flickered on up near the ceiling.

Unlike the ghostlights Lewis often produced, which had a fiery appearance, this light felt much more…modern (almost like the soft glow of a headlight on a dreary highway), despite hanging from the branch of what looked like a tree growing through the wall. It acted as the ‘sun’ of a sprawling mural of stars and galaxies seemingly painted on the ceiling, and if one stared long enough, they might see the painted stars twinkle.

The cabin itself, in the light, was a one-roomed octagonal shape, with dark shades drawn across the wide windows, and a scattering of comfy-looking chairs arranged around the floor. Up above, there was a railing outlining a second floor loft ring, and a tight, spiraling column of stairs on the far side of the room. One of the Reptilitones - the surly one Lewis had smacked - zipped up these stairs, and slithered along the tree branches to curl up near the light source, glaring down at the humans all the while.

“Impressive…” Mystery commented out loud as he hopped across the threshold - followed by Lance - and sniffed at the leg of the table Arthur had walked into. “How long has this been standing? At least a decade, I’d estimate.” Gawain didn’t respond, and quietly teleported to a swing chair across the room (far away from the door). Lance gave Arthur a small nudge towards one of the couches.

“Everybody take a seat.” He ordered, though his tone was a little more subdued, now. “It’s time we all talk.”

Lewis slunk into the cabin, followed by Vivi, who who danced in delight, and then spun in circles, marveling at the ceiling.

"It's like being at Hogwarts!" She gushed, she caught sight of the foreboding form of the glowering Reptilitone and cooed at him, "Aww scowly baby~ Are you the Dragon guarding the Castle then?"

Lewis shook his head fondly at the girl's antics, and then gently took her by the shoulders and steered her over to where Arthur was now sitting obediently, looking bashful. The two set down on either side of their boyfriend, Vivi still lost in the splender of the Cabin. Lewis on the other hand, was solely focused on Arthur. Pinning the smaller man with a searching glare.

Arthur turned three shades darker red and coughed, squeaking out a feeble, "I ran into the table..."

Instantly Lewis calmed down, wrapping an arm around Arthur’s thin shoulders.

Vivi beamed over at Gawain, "This place is beautiful~!!"

There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays [Open RP]

Christmas didn’t happen in the forest.

Some years, it didn’t even snow. The trees remained barren and brown, and the stillness and silence born from hibernating animals only made their imposing shadows feel all the more isolating.

Gawain had grown used to that, eventually.

He’d learned to forget the sounds of a crackling fireplace and glasses clinking in the next room; grown to ignore the longing for family and friends and feeling  h o m e. He’d lost all that the moment his brakes had failed….and after twenty years, Gawain had come to accept that he could never have those things back.

….but then he did.

He had a home again, and a family. He had his brother back, and his uncle, and two potential siblings-in-law and a weird talking-dog-uncle to boot. He never had to go back to the forest again; never had to spend years upon years floating about unseen and unheard just to feel at home again. It was…it was…

….quite alarming, actually. Wasn’t he supposed to feel happy about this? Why, then, was he feeling…afraid, of all things?

The lights on the tree cast a soft yellow glow throughout the living room. So late at night, they were the only light left on. No-one living was left awake to need anything more. Gawain sat silently on the couch with his arms stretched out across the back, staring at the tree as if lost in thought.

“…you can’t sleep either, aye?” The ghost spoke up. “Too excited to wait until morning?”

Arthur froze, nearly jumping out of his skin, then squinted through the dim light to see his older brother lounging on the couch.

Brightening up, he walked over to him.

“I didn’t think anyone else would be up…” he glanced around suspiciously, “Uncle Lance isn't up is he?”

Arthur would rather avoid any lectures about how he needed to get more sleep…

He turned back focusing on his brother.

“Merry Christmas by the way, it's past midnight now.” Arthur smiled, “As for excited… well I guess so… was never really big on Christmas. Didn't even really celebrate it till I moved in with uncle Lance…”

Christmas had always been a lonely affair for Arthur as a child. His parents would usually go out to some Christmas party, while he stayed home with a babysitter, later, when they're relationship worsened, they'd go to separate parties, and Arthur would sit home alone, and watch TV all night.

It was never a big deal until Lance took him in.

Lance Kingsmen changed Arthur’s whole outlook on life, not least of all on Christmas. Arthur could still remember the bewilderment he'd felt being drug out of bed early Christmas morning and taken out to see a small pine tree in the corner of the kitchen, all decked out in lights and garland with several brightly wrapped gifts below.

He'd just stood there blinking in honest confusion. Because what even was this? A Hallmark Movie? He'd been even more bewildered when Lance had pushed him down beside the tree and then flopped down beside him, urging him to unwrap his gifts from Santa.

‘Santa? But Santa's fake. Everyone knows that-’

‘Now just you hush that mouth! You want coal in your stocking next year? Now hurry up and start ripping that paper!’

And so he had, beaming excitedly as he'd unwrapped what had turned out to be the components of his first tool box. Most of which he had kept good to this day.

It had been a great if confusing day. The rest of the workers had come at one point, despite it being their day off, and Arthur had attended his first ever Christmas party right there in the shop of Kingsmen Mechanics.

Arthur smiled fondly at the memories, and sat down beside Gawain, pulling his legs up under him.

“What about you?” He asked, turning to look the ghost in the eyes, “You excited for today?”

Arcane Solutions [Open RP]

“So long as that was the only spirit haunting this place…yes.” Vivi slowly closed the tome in her hands. “We can go home.” Lewis blinked down at the yellowy blob that was Arthur. Maybe he shouldn’t have looked directly at the exorcism.

“Hey, Artie, would you, uh, mind driving back to the hotel?” The ghost asked. “I’m still kind of seeing stars…”

“Sorry, Lewlew.” Vivi apologized. “You should be fine in an hour or so. The spell only leaves lasting damage if you’re the target, I promise.”

They'd left then, going back to town to their hotel to rest, Lewis had gone into his anchor for a while to speed his recovery. (Something that always unnerved Arthur abit.) And Vivi, Mystery, and Arthur had eaten dinner, and gone to bed.

The next morning everything seemed like it was back to normal. Lewis was hovering near the dresser, cuddling with his Deadbeats. He was in his human form, hair covering his eyes. Arthur had hurried over, startling them, but Lewis had recovered quickly, and drew him into a hug.

Vivi had fell out of bed an hour later, moaning like she was about to die, and demanded coffee.

Arthur had reluctantly crawled down out of Lewis's lap, and gone to call for take out, which he'd then gone to pick up, Lewis wanting to stay with Vivi.

It was fair. He'd spent an hour cuddling with Arthur, it was only right that Vivi got her cuddle time as well. (And frankly before she'd had at least two cups of coffee, cuddling was about the only thing she was capable of.)

After Arthur returned, and Vivi had inhaled her breakfast, and liquid energy supplement. Arthur had drug Mystery out of bed with the promise of bacon, and sausages. The dog had dove face first into his meal.

Arthur for his part nibbled at a piece of toast, claiming that he still felt full from dinner. Nobody believed him, but they resolved to pin him down at lunch.

The return to the mansion was dull, other than the smudge marks on the wall and broken windows, the only exciting thing to happen was Arthur tripping and tumbling down the stairs. Lewis had darted down after him, catching him midway.

Lewis had taken Arthur back to the van and patched him up while Vivi called the client to give them the all clear. They'd arrived shortly after and paid them, and the gang was finally able to leave for Tempo.

☆☆☆☆

Two weeks had passed since then. And Arthur was currently seated in the back of the church, waiting for the afternoon sermon to end.

Religion was a sore topic for him. Not because he didn't believe, ( he literally lived with a Wraith and a fox demon after all. Spirits were definitely real. No doubt. There were probably gods too. (It would be just his luck)

No the sore spot was that the religious people he had the most contact with, where crazy cultists.

Cultists who wanted to make him a blood sacrifice, or use him as a vessel to resurrect their god.

Like those crazies Vivi had stolen the book from...

Arthur shuddered, and pulled himself from his dark thoughts. He forced all the terrifying memories down and focused completely on what Father Chorale was saying...

☆☆☆☆☆

The service finally ended, and the parishioners filed out, several greeting Arthur warmly.

Lance Kingsmen might have been a grumpy old dwarf, but he was well respected in Tempo. And everyone had been very supportive when he'd taken Arthur in. The fact that Arthur was over all, a good, helpful, well mannered, young man, had gone a long way to endear the boy in the townsfolk’s eyes as well.

He waved goodbye, smiling, and then got up and wandered down the aisle to where Father Chorale was seeing out the last of his congregation. He waited patiently for the elderly man to finish, smiling as the clergyman made a joke, and then closed the doors.

“Well now, young mister Kingsmen, what a pleasant surprise to see you here today!” he smiled, his dark eyes shining merrily. “You’re the only one who actually comes in and listens. Usually Lewis and Vivi wait outside."

Arthur shrugged, “it's hot outside. Besides, the stories are kinda fun to listen to, even if I don't always understand em.”

Chorale chuckled, “Well if you ever have questions, you know where to find me… Now, I suppose you're here to ask if I've heard about any supernatural problems, hmm?”

Arthur’s smile became strained, “Yup. Vivi's starting to get restless. And it's never good for anybody when she's bored…”

“That bad huhn?” Chorale asked sympathetically.

“She told us that she's always wanted to go skydiving. So Lewis has been working all morning to convince her nor to jump off the apartment roof with a bedsheet.” Arthur deadpanned.

“ Good heavens!!” the old priest exclaimed in shock. He hurriedly took out a memo pad, and started going over recent complaints from the parishioners with Arthur.

☆☆☆☆☆

Arthur started down silently at the address Father Chorale had given him. He'd just finished writing a text to Vivi about it. It was for a vacant building up state which was purportedly haunted by violent ghosts, who driven the last owners out.

Arthur shivered. Violent ghosts where his least favorite thing next to-

A van came screeching around the corner and squealed to a halt beside him, the door flew open, and two robed figures lunged out, grabbing ahold of the young man roughly and dragging him back inside kicking and screaming.

-next to crazy cultists!!

Arthur whimpered as he was gagged, and forced down onto his stomach on the floor, the larger heavier men holding him down.

And patted him down roughly for weapons.

The leader calmly typed out a ransom letter, and sent it along. Then turned to look down at their captive.

“Well now, my tender little lamb. Your friend’s transgression aside. I do believe we had unfinished business hm?”

Arthur whimpered again, squirming desperately. Amber eyes wide, he glanced around, but saw no way to get out.

He was doomed.

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Mystery sighed and flopped over sideways, honestly, he loved Vivian, but that girl was such a handful sometimes! Thank goodness Lewis had managed to distract her with making sweets.

Suddenly Jasmine Thompson’s cover of “You Are My Sunshine” started playing from the direction of the couch, where Vivi's cellphone lay.

Mystery's ears perked up at the familiar ringtone. Arthur must have found something out at the church. Thank goodness!

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

“Too late. That was really, really gay.” Lewis cracked a smile as he looked back at Arthur. “Don’t worry, Artie. I’ll be okay.” He promised. He hoped these spirits weren’t about to make him a liar….but if anything did go wrong, he knew Piani and her fellows would keep Arthur out of harm’s way.

“Wait in here, alright?” Lewis floated towards the living room. “Hopefully, this won’t take very long…”

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“Hmmm….” Vivi propped her chin in her hand as she began scanning the last book for anything useful. “What about those tomes we confiscated from those Burned Roots cultists a few months ago? I didn’t get a chance to look through those things. Did they have anything useful?”

Arthur watched worriedly as Lewis left, several ghosts following him into his bedroom. Arthur almost gave into his urge to follow, and cling to him.

Panini, sensing the young human’s anxiety, began stroking his hair, effectively distracting him.

Arthur sighed, and chuckled weakly, “I'm that obvious huhn?”

The little ghost cooed sympathetically.

Arthur sighed sadly, and refocused on the now closed bedroom door.

Panini glanced over at one of her fellow Deadbeats fretfully, “Go and lock the front door please. The last thing we need is for the landlord or one of the Peppers to walk in right now.”

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Mystery stopped to consider. Then brightened up.

“It just might. Burned Roots were obsessed with resurrecting Asmodeus on this plain of reality. Before they decided to try using a human vessel, they probably would have been preparing a ritual to strengthen spirits.”

☆☆☆☆☆

The ghosts filled Lewis's room, over a dozen previously unseen ghosts. All of them were extremely low level, Deadbeat like, little ghosts, there was even several so weak that they could only manifest as multicolored orbs of light, bouncing along the ceiling, or slowly drifting down to the floor, only to shoot back up a moment later.

All activity and sound stopped the instant Lewis entered the room. One of the orbs shooting clear through the ceiling in surprise, it slowly melted back down into the room, and hovered with the rest around the ceiling light (Which amusingly enough was also round.)

The little spirits who'd followed Lewis in, shut the bedroom door to block the view of the nosy human, and then flew forward to join the rest in staring at him.

One slowly raised above the others to Address Lewis.

“Greetings, I'm Sonata, we apologize for coming to you so suddenly like this. We were not aware that you haunted an inhabited house. I hope we haven't inconvenienced you too badly...?” The small ghost greeted, obviously a bit nervous to be addressing such a strong spirit.

Up by the ceiling light the orbs start to vibrate gently, glowing brighter with nervous energy.

Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

The spirit cradled in Gawain’s arms started to hiss and growl at Vivi, but the ghost clamped a hand firmly around her jaws, and the spirit around his shoulders firmly shushed its sibling. Be nice! The blue girl wasn’t the one they had to watch out for!

“Vivienne, please, remember your volume…” Mystery shook out his ears, and scratched at one of them to ease the ringing. “Yes, fine, the cat’s out of the bag: This is Arthur’s brother.” The canine turned a pointed look up to Lewis. “Now, if we could all come here and talk about this calmly, please?”

Lance tightened his hug around Arthur for one moment longer before pulling back, but only to arm’s length. He looked over his nephew’s shoulder at the cabin that took up most of the clearing, wearing a thoughtful look.

“…s’it furnished in there?” Lance asked out loud as he nodded his head toward the cabin. Gawain didn’t seem to understand, at first, and stumbled over his answer.

“Um…yeah?” He shrugged as Chopper wiggled in his hands, displeased at being silenced. “Be pretty lonely if it was just an empty shell…”

“Alright then.” Lance nodded his head, and gave Arthur a small, light shove up the porch steps. “Everyone inside.” He ordered. “Now. We’re gonna sit down all professional-like and get everything straight before anyone thinks of driving anywhere else.”

Arthur winced at the term “drive” and stumbled up to the door with all the grace of a drunken llama, and then froze looking down at the knob in trepidation.

He'd been here before, and it hadn’t ended well…

He glanced back over his shoulder at Lance (Who was RIGHT behind him. Jeez!) He glanced down at Gawain’s Little Lizard Deadbeat, that was still curled around him. He gulped, hand reaching out to hover above the door handle.

Finally, sucking in a deep breath, he squeezed his eyes shut, and grabbed hold of the knob.

…Nothing happened, no shock, no orange lightning, nothing.

Slowly opening his eyes, he stared down at the door handle. Tentatively, he twisted it, and released as the door opened, swinging in on squeaky door handles.

He shot a glance back at Gawain, as he walked in, only to trip over his own two feet in the dark cabin, and stumble straight into the corner of a table.

“YOUCH!!”

Outside twin cries of concern went up from Lewis and Vivi. Lewis immediately demanding to know what happened.

Arthur hopped around a bit, then squeaked out a pitiful little, “I'm okay!” Before curling in on himself and whining.

That was just his luck. Oh that hurt.

There was a resounding BAM!! And the whole cabin shook.

Vivi's voice floated in from outside.

“Huhn, I see! It's warded from intrusion all the way around… fascinating… But Lulu baby why didn't you just use the door? It's wide open.”

There was a muffled groan and muttered curses in spanish.

Arthur looked towards the door in concern. He glanced down at the Reptile ghost who was glowing, providing a bit of light in the dim cabin, “Are there lights in here anywhere?”

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

“They want to talk to me?” Lewis reached one hand back behind him, and - even though he lost his grip on his density after a few seconds - managed to give Arthur’s arm a reassuring pat.

“Piani, stay with Arthur, okay?” Lewis requested. He then lowered his voice a little. “I’ll talk with these guys, but I don’t wand any of them coming anywhere near Arthur until I know what they want.”

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆●●●●●☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Vivi flipped the last page in her book, and her expression twisted into something sour as she forced herself to close the tome carefully, and set it aside with the rest.

“Are there any other sources we can try?” She asked, even as as she opened up one of the last few books. “Nothing in my library covers a curse like this…”

"Of course. None of is would let him come to harm." The smallest Deadbeat sang, nodding, indicating to where all of Lewis's other bonded Deadbeats had all come closer, having sensed Lewis's command. They were already gently herding the unbonded ghosts out into the living room. Leaving only Lewis's Deadbeats in the kitchenette with them.

Panini floated around her master to where Arthur was. She wrapped herself around the human's thin shoulders.

"We will protect your human." She trilled. Nuzzling Arthur, a gesture the young man returned.

Arthur for his part had only understood Lewis's side of the conversation. The Deadbeat's reply sounding like nothing more than musical notes. Still he understood what was going on.

He wasn't horribly nervous. They were just Deadbeats after all, and he had his own little group of bodguards. But he was a bit concerned about Lewis going our of sight right then. They hadn't checked to see if his fighting powers still worked yet. Still, again. Deadbeats, but still...

"At the risk of sounding really gay; be careful Lewis." Arthur, joked lamely.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆●●●●●☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

"The problem is that it's not a curse. It's just a charm." Mystery said, "if not for the unpleasant side effect of loosing his ability to interact with solid matter, the charm would be great... really breaking the charm isn't really even an issue. We just need some way to make Lewis more solid... a book about the Fae wouldn't hurt either."

He looked around around the large store room. Duet kept a lot of occult literature. There very well have been a book in that very room.

"Focus strengthening spell, and more info on the Fae if we can find a reputable author." Mystery said.

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

“Hopefully next time, I’ll be able to help you…” Lewis tried to close the door behind them, and though his hand resisted more against the wood, he still couldn’t apply enough force to move it. The ghost frowned, and the Deadbeat helpfully nudged the door shut until the lock clicked.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆●●●●●☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

“Thanks, boss!!” Vivi grinned as she scurried into the room, eager to begin leafing (carefully!) through the old books. “Come on, ‘Stree. Let’s get to work!”

Arthur turned to reply, but stopped looking around.

There were nine milling Deadbeats in the kitchenette alone. Out in the a joining living room there was over a dozen.

"Um, hey Lew buddy... did you get more of these little guys? Starting to look a bit crowded in here." Arthur laughed nervously.

Six more floated in through the wall. And three more came out of the bathroom. They floated around calling out in their musical voices to one another.

Arthur just stood there blinking at over 30 tiny Deadbeats that were now sharing their apartment with them.

He had known that Lewis had collected a few more familiars. (There had been an uptick in the number of wandering spirits around town lately, and the weakest spirits usually would try to bond with a stronger spirit in order to stay safe. ((Because there was such a thing as Cannibalistic ghosts who would absorb weaker ghosts in order to gain more power. Terrifying as that was to think about.)) And Lewis was one of the strongest entities around. So naturally he was a magnet for the little guys.) There was just one thing...

Several were the traditional purple with gold heart emblems on their chests. (Proof of their bond with Lewis.) But the rest were an array of different pastel shades.

Unbonded spirits... over thirty unbonded spirits, haunting their apartment...

Arthur's smile become quite fixed.Now, he wasn't frightened persay. After all these little guys were mostly harmless. Barely having form at all. Buuuut...

There was over thirty ghosts haunting their apartment.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆●●●●●☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Mystery and Vivi had both gotten to work sorting through the old books.

Duet had done a great job of repairing them.

Mystery might not have felt completely comfortable around the proprietor, but they were certainly a master of their craft.

The one Mystery was pawing through was mostly about wards and protection charms. Nothing so far on curse breaking though... though, Lewis's problem wasn't a curse (Even if it seemed like one to the poor man.)

Mystery sighed. His kits had terrible luck. Lewis and Arthur most of all. But Vivi was no stranger to it either. It worried him. He was responsible for them. He'd claimed Vivi the day she was born. And added Lewis, and later Arthur in turn. He'd sacrificed quite a few tails worth of power to keep them alive. (And even then he'd failed poor Lewis. Scarred Arthur. Because he was a fool who hadn't sensed the demon hunting his kits until it had been too late.)Still the way that the supernatural seemed to be drawn to these three young humans was actually quite alarming. At one time he'd been afraid that he was luring the danger to them.Then Vivi had shown her first spark of magic, and he'd realized that she was drawing them herself. The fact that the girl went looking for such troublesome things only made Mystery's job all the harder, especially when the girl was prone to over excitement and tunnel vision.

Lewis had practically been thrumming with untapped magical potential when they'd first met him. (Whoever his birth family had been, they had most likely had a long bloodline of magic users. He was too strong to be a fluke.) He'd only become stronger in death. Every new familiar adding to his pool of power. And yet despite that, Lewis was at his core, a sweet, gentle boy. Initially hurt and rage had almost destroyed him. But he'd made great strides towards becoming the kindhearted young man he'd once been...

Arthur was a strange case. The boy had absolutely no magic of any sort. He was as normal a human being as they came. And yet despite that, he attracted more trouble on an average day, than any cursed being Mystery had ever met in his 900 years on the planet. He was a magnet for spirits looking to possess a human body. The boy seemingly had no mental fortitude against such intrusions. But beyond that, he was also constantly tripping, falling, getting caught, kidnapped, or just ending up hurt. He needed constant supervision to keep him safe.

Mystery was getting nervous just thinking about all the calamity that might have already befallen the boy while he was away. And right now Lewis really wasn't in any condition to help protect him...

Maybe splitting up hadn't been the best idea after all. They should probably try to hurry. Mystery didn't trust something rediculous not to happen. Not in this town. Not with his danger prone kits.

His fur was going to fall out. If he didn't rip it all out from frustration first. But woe be it to the next fool who tried to harm his humans.

He still had four tails left, and he'd use them all if nessisary...

Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

The Reptilitone curled around Arthur’s arm eyed Lewis with an almost tangible wariness, but despite the intense look in her yellow eyes, she made no move to hiss or snap her teeth. Instead, she did her level best to lean away from the other ghost without letting go of Arthur, like a cat who didn’t want to be touched.

Mystery skidded to a stop in the grass at Arthur’s feet, and circled him once, as if making sure all was well. Once assured that his charge was fine, the canine moved on to Gawain, and repeated the process. Gawain, for his part, seemed to calm down around the disguised kitsune, and the growing gale threatening above began to taper off into a light breeze once more.

Lance, hot on Mystery’s heels, stormed right up to his youngest nephew, and pried Lewis away with one arm.

“The next time I tell you to leave something alone, you leave it alone. Got it?” The old man growled up at his nephew. Then, without waiting for Arthur to actually answer, he pulled the young man down into a tight, uncharacteristic hug. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again, boy…” Lance glanced sidelong at Gawain. “Either of you.”

Arthur froze stiff for a moment, before tentatively returning the hug. Still expecting to be hit soon. He wouldn't blame any of them for beating the crap out of him for all this. Least of all Lance who he'd been actively lying to...

Lewis had stepped back and was scowling petulantly at Gawain. He hadn’t missed what Lance had said though.

So Lance was in on it too. Both Lance and Mystery had allowed this a ghost to just haunt his boyfriend for who knew how long.

Lewis's eyes narrowed. Was this the thing that possessed Arthur in the cave?

But no. It couldn't be. Even Mystery wouldn't be so arrogant to allow the one responsible for his death and Arthur’s ongoing trauma to keep hanging around.

Still Lewis wasn't happy with it.

"A wild Vivi suddenly appeared, she used shock."

Lewis jumped ten feet straight up through a tree branch. And then, hovering there, he looked back down at the sweetly smiling face of his girlfriend.

"It was super effective~" she purred, giggling. She then left him pouting, and skipped over to Gawain.

"Oh my Gaaawd~ You look just like Arthur!!! So cuuuuute~" The girl gushed.

Lewis landed and growled angrily, all set to storm over.

Arthur looked up and scowled at the girl, "Vivi no! Don’t flirt with my brother, that's weird!!"

Vivi about deftened them all with the resulting excited squeals.

Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

The blond ghost made no reply. He seemed all too stunned from watching the aggressive orange spirit be knocked aside so easily - as if it were something he’d never imagined would happen.

The one wrapped around his shoulders began to bristle and hiss at Lewis in its sibling’s place, and the one in Arthur’s arms made a dismayed wailing sound…one that was nearly lost beneath the increasing howl of the wind that was cycling slowly around the campsite, bending trees into an ominous choir of creaking trunks and snapping branches.

Slowly, Gawain turned his eyes back to Lewis, and for just a moment, a skeletal scowl flickered across his projected face of flesh. Alright, wraith, if you wanted a fight-

“Lewis, STOP!” Mystery shouted above the din as he scrambled out of the van on short little dog legs. He knew his kitsune form would only frighten Arthur all the more, and they needed more calm in this situation, not less. “You don’t understand the circumstances! Either of you!” At his heels, Lance followed, no faster in his own short stride.

Damnit, but he knew he should have scrapped that bike years ago! It was a bad memory at best and a cursed keepsake at worst….but it had been his eldest nephew’s last great project, and he just hadn’t been able to let it go. Not after the rest of the family fell apart like it had.

Mystery shouting didn't phase him. Lewis was far too angry to even really hear him. The former Revenant bore down on the ghost poised to attack.

He raised and brought down a flame wreathed fist.

Only to stop dead as a smaller blond inserted himself between the two ghosts.

"LEWIS PLEASE STOP!!!"

Arthur.

His Arthur.

Less than an inch from his fist. Visably wincing in pain from the heat.

The flames died instantly, and he just stood there for a moment looking at his tiny, suicidal boyfriend. Whose whole torso was about as wide as one of Lewis's fists.

'Idiota.'

The blonde was standing there in a protective stance in front of the offending spirit, another of the small lizard ghosts wrapped around him.

'Idiota.'

"Lewis listen to me! Gawain isn't bad! He didn't kiddnap me or anything... Actually he was trying to make me leave earlier, but I wouldn't lis-"

'Idiota...'

Lewis reached out and grabbed hold of him, pulling him into his arms, cutting him off mid babble.

"I-Idiota... Idiota estúpido!! ¿Por qué harías eso? ¿Tienes un deseo de muerte? ¡Podría haberte matado!!!" Lewis scolded, slipping back into his native tongue from stress. He hugged Arthur to his chest.

He'd nearly killed him. AGAIN. This time by accident. But Arthur had nearly died! His fist had nearly punched a hole straight through him!

Arthur huffed a sigh of relief, and leaned into Lewis. Petting the small lizard deadbeat in his arms to try and sooth the poor thing.

Then of course he realized that Lewis really wasn't okay.

He looped an arm around the ghost’s middle.

"It's okay big guy. I'm okay."

"Idiota estúpido..." Lewis murmured, skull buried in Arthur’s hair.

"The stupidest idiot." Arthur agreed cheerfully, "But I'm your idiot, so it's okay right?"

Lewis didn't laugh.

Arthur's smile fell, and he tensed.

He glanced over at where Mystery, Vivi, and... Uhoh.

Arthur gulped at the sight of his uncle.

Oh he was so dead for all of this...

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

The Deadbeat made an affirmative chirping sound and threw a dramatic salute with its stubby arm before diving back through the apartment door. There was a moment of silence, and then a soft scrabbling sound from within, before the doorknob started to turn, and the door began to creak open. The Deadbeat poked its body back out through the now ajar door, wearing a proud smile.

Did it do good??

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“Looooong story…” Vivi pulled a face. “But the short version is: We had an encounter with one of those mischievous grey fae that resulted in a very inconvenient curse upon Lewis, and we were hoping these tomes might be able to help us in undoing it a bit faster than intended.

“Would it be alright if we took a look at them?” She asked. “We don’t need to take them off site, per say. Mystery and I can take our own notes.”

"Great job! Thanks buddy!" Arthur said making his way inside.

"See Lewis? A loophole! It's not ideal, but until the curse wears off, you can just have these little guys help you out." Arthur said, stepping into the kitchenette and setting down the groceries greatfuly.

He rubbed his aching biceps, and the area around his prosthetic port.

"Oww, remind me later that I need to make us a cart." He moaned, wincing.

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"You know I'm always happy to help. Take as much time as you need." The shop owner replied, unlocking the storeroom, and motioning them in, "I do hope you find something to help poor Lewis."

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

“….” Lewis’ sulky expression suddenly turned thoughtful. “I…don’t know.” He admitted. He tried not to bring the Deadbeats out in public with the group, as many of them were just too mischievous to keep a low profile in the public eye.

But they were home, now, and there was no-one else on the street, sooo….

A little pink blob with yellow eyes poked their head through the door with a tiny chirp, responding to their master’s silent summons.

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Vivi shouldered open the door to the book store, and held it open with one foot for Mystery as she leaned inside.

“Heeeey, boss!” She called out into the shop. “It’s Vivi! Do you still have those dusty old books from the Tallahassee shipment in the back?”

Arthur smiled at the little ghost. Now that they weren't trying to heard him to his certain doom, the mechanic had actually grown very fond of Lewis's tiny familiars.

"Hey lil guy! Anyway you could open the door for us please? Lew-Lew and the door knob are fighting again." Arthur joked, trying to keep things lighthearted.

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Duet emerged from the shadows to their left, so silently that Mystery hadn't even noticed them.

Mystery huffed, unamused at the bookseller's antics.

"Why Vivian what a pleasant surprise to see you here on your day off." The owner said in their same, monotonous drawl. They turned to eye Mystery with their one visible eye.

Over at the counter, Chloe scoffed softly, her souless white eyes, (that always sent Arthur leaping away into people's arms whenever they turned on him.) Narrowed resentfully in Vivi's direction.

"The books you seek are indeed still in the back store room. I've just finished repairing the bindings. Might I inquire as to why the sudden interest?" Duet drawled in the same bored, seemingly uninterested tone, despite the intrigued look they were giving the bluenette.

Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

The sudden appearance of the angry fire wraith startled Gawain and the Reptilitones, and the one in Arthur’s arms wrapped around him like a snap bracelet in response. Gawain himself almost seemed to teleport straight back to the cabin’s front porch from Arthur’s vicinity, with the second spirit still wrapped around his shoulders.

The forest canopy began to rattle and moan under the strength of a sudden gale. Though the sky remained blue and clear, the wind howled as if bearing down with an oncoming storm.

The third Reptilitone, however - who had been hovering near the cabin window on her watch - hissed angrily and darted forward, snapping her needle-like teeth in Lewis’ direction as a warning display.

To say that Lewis Pepper was simply furious would have been an egregious understatement.

He was angry, he was confused. He was terrified out of his skull, that they were going to be too late...

Lewis had spent the day doing minor cases with Vivi. Exercise a haunted jukebox at Spud's Bar and Grill, assess a supposedly haunted statuette for the local pawnshop. (It wasn't haunted, but it did seem to have a sort of draw for spirits. A lure then.) Vivi had placed a warding charm on it, and promised that they would come back later to disenchant it. They'd then stopped by the church for some new holy water, and news about any supernatural problems from Father Chorale. Then met up with Lance Kingsmen, who'd been picking up some parts he'd ordered for the garage, and headed out of town, the van following Lance's car.

They nearly made it to Kingsmen Mechanics when they saw the giant four tailed fox running down the side of the highway, with absolutely no regard for human passers-bys, and worst of all: no sign of Arthur anywhere...

So they stopped, and soon learned that there had been a ghost haunting Arthur. A ghost who Mystery had known all about, but never once thought to clue them onto. A ghost who had been cozying up to Arthur for years. The true identity of Arthur’s mysterious "Lunchbreak friend" whom Lewis and Vivi had both teased the blonde about multiple times over the years. A completely unknown, untested entity who may very well have been a demon or lich for all any of them knew.

Mystery hadn't told them about the ghost.

NO.

Instead he'd only told Arthur.

Their poor, kindhearted, naive Arthur.

Who'd then gone, and confronted the spirit ALONE, out of some misguided sense of friendship. Giving chase (ALONE when it had fled. (On a bike who's very mention had sent the even keeled Lance into a blind panic.) Because that motorcycle wasn't in any condition to be driven. Should never be driven, shouldn't have even been capable of being started.

Vivi had stopped Lance from taking his own car, rightly guessing that the old man was in no fit state to drive. All of them had piled into the van, leaving the car along the side of the highway.

Lance seemed to know just where to go, and after one viscous tongue lashing, Lewis hadn't questioned it. Or anything really. Hyper focused on finding his idiota boyfriend before something horrible happened to him.

This was a horrible time for their Pollito to suddenly decide to be brave.

They'd reached a forest, and turned down a disused side road, following a single tire track of a motorcycle, which snaked it's way down the center of the road. Arthur had never been on a motorcycle before. Thought he'd gushed about them often enough. It was a wonder he hadn't crashed the blasted thing. (Though judging by the grim look on Lance's face, Lewis had a sinking feeling that the old man expected Arthur to.)

Lewis's rage at the ghost, as well as his frustration and fear for Arthur had skyrocketed until "he" was the one who was having trouble staying on the road.

Vaguely he'd heard Vivi trying to sooth him. But tunnel vision had fully taken hold by then.

He was going to find Arthur, and if that filthy spirit had dared harm so much as one hair on his Estrellita's head... He'd do the "exorcism" himself. Consequences be d*mned...

Instead of a crash though, the gang had found the bike, innocently parked along the side of the isolated road. No sign of any accident.

...No sign of Arthur anywhere either...

That was until Vivi had pointed to what appeared to be a cabin, just barely visible through the trees. Lewis had charged off immediately, ignoring everything else. He had to find Arthur.

He had to protect Arthur.

He'd failed to in the past, and paid a horrible price in return. But Lewis would gladly suffer a million more deaths personally if it would keep Arthur or Vivi from harm.

He'd burst out of the treeline into the clearing, eyes immediately zeroing in on his small, trembling, crying boyfriend, and the soon to be nonexistent spector, who'd wisely moved away from said terrified, potentially hurt boyfriend.

Lewis flared his power, flames rising, as he started towards the disgusting vile beast who'd dared lure his Arthur away from home to this place to do who knew what to him.

A small familiar, a lizard spirit of all things. Came out hissing, daring to try and stand between him and his intended prey. He’d swatted the weak underling away like a fly. Continuing to advance on the now cowering worm who'd taken his Arthur.

"Any final words before I reduce your soul to vapor pendejo?"

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

Lewis continued to hover anxiously for the last few blocks to the apartment, and finally remembered to put his feet back on the ground when they reached the front porch.

“Here, let me-…oh.” The ghost’s face fell when he hurried up the stairs to get the door for his boyfriend, only for his hand to pass clear through the handle. Lewis’ shoulders sagged. “Nevermind…”

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“Me, too…” Vivi admitted. “A few fae trying to blend in and just live life is fine, but if more of them start showing up to mess with humans? This town is going to implode.” She hummed thoughtfully.

“Maybe we should ask Duet’s opinion, too…I know they like to stay out of the way of drama, but maybe they’ve heard something from the supernatural rumor mill that we haven’t yet.” She added.

Arthur smiled up at him patiently, "It's okay. At least you didn't melt the door handles this time!"

Back when Lewis had first started living with them again, the ghost’s temper had lead to some rather amusing situations.

One time, Lewis had come home upset with something that one of the clients had said about them being second rate. Angry, he'd grabbed the door knob, only for them all to then watch in mute horror as it started glowing cherry red, and dribbled down onto the ground, and set the carpet on fire.

Arthur smiled wider, his boyfriend was so adorable...

Lewis was a ghost with phenomenal supernatural abilities allowing him to alter the very fabric of reality. He had conjured himself a gigantic haunted mansion, and then turned a normal semi into a terrifying phantom truck. But the thought to simply will a door to open never occurred to him.

If the roles were reversed Arthur knew that he would never physically lift a finger again. He’d just kick back and let his magic do the work. That or-

He stopped smiling and stared at Lewis searchingly for a moment.

"Hey, are the Deadbeats affected by the curse too??"

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"That's a good idea. I know Arthur would prefer not to get involved with the supernatural, (and frankly given his track record with it, I'd prefer that too.) But Lewis on the other hand now has access to a whole new world of information from other spirits. And seeing as he himself is such a powerful one, being a former Revenant and all, it means that he'd have a lot of influence to push around." Mystery said as they reached the Tome Tomb, "We should try and have him start trying to reach out to the other nonviolent spirits in the area."

Arcane Solutions [Open RP]

“So long as that was the only spirit haunting this place…yes.” Vivi slowly closed the tome in her hands. “We can go home.” Lewis blinked down at the yellowy blob that was Arthur. Maybe he shouldn’t have looked directly at the exorcism.

“Hey, Artie, would you, uh, mind driving back to the hotel?” The ghost asked. “I’m still kind of seeing stars…”

“Sorry, Lewlew.” Vivi apologized. “You should be fine in an hour or so. The spell only leaves lasting damage if you’re the target, I promise.”

Arthur looked between the two, anxiety rising, but then pressed himself to Lewis's side, pulling one of the gentle giant's huge arms around his shoulders.

"Of course I will Big Guy." Arthur said softly, voice warm with affection.

He glanced over at where Mystery was still sniffing around. Apprehension clear.

"I think we'd better hold off on finishing the job until Lewis is better. Let's head back, get some take out, and rest awhile." he said looking back over at his girlfriend seriously.

Confrontation in the Cabin [Open RP]

The Reptilitone nosed Arthur’s hand when he stopped petting her spines, and made a drawn-out, almost whiny sound. She rolled over and reached for Arthur’s hand with tiny claws, hoping to coax his attention back to her.

Gawain took the silence as a bad sign, and his shoulders visibly drooped.

“I know I probably should have told you sooner….much sooner…b-but it took me so long just to get home…!” The ghost stuttered. “By the time I could get back to down, it had already been ten years, and you had your friends and Lance and mum and dad were gone and no-one would talk about why-”

Arthur made a Valliant effort to push down his negative emotions.

>>Oh so you're just gonna ignore me? Okay.<< snide, sharp, painful. Arthur nearly winced.

((Too bad negative emotions made up like 99% of his being. And thus only really left when they wanted to.))

>>But don't come crying to me when this thing kills one of our friends, or Lance.<< the voice hissed angrily. Arthur swallowed at a lump in his throat.

He started to pet the lizard ghost again. Guilt and fear gnawing away at his insides.

>>cause I'll just say that I. Told. You. So.<< poison dripping from each word.

Yeah he was gonna have nightmares for this... All sorts of worst case scenarios, served up via his subconscious for daring to try, and ignore it...

He tried to focus on what Gawain was saying. Tried to make eye contact, though his fear and uncertainty were palpable at this point.

>>Cause he's lying to you.<< the voice continued sneeringly.

Arthur fought against the voice, pushing it down, and thinking about what Gawain was saying.

>>You're going to regret it.<< the voice hissed, with such malice that it made Arthur's insides shrivel.

He was trembling really badly now, anxiety once again on the rise.

He tried to keep focused on the ghost in front of him. Tried to make sense of what he was being told.

'10 years? Why so long?'

>>BECAUSE HE'S LY~ING!!<< anger, so much anger, Arthur quivered, nearly whimpered out loud.

He swallowed hard, tears welling up in his eyes despite his best efforts to not cry again.

He opened his mouth to try and ask-

And Lewis Pepper skull blazing, came bursting into the clearing.

"ZOWIE!!"Arthur yelped grabbing the Reptilitone in a tight hug.

>>At last, my hero appears~<< purred the voice with a viscous glee that made Arthur’s stomach curl.

Arthur paled, looking between Gawain and his enraged best friend.

"Oh Sh*t."

Ghostly Glitching [Open RP]

“Sure thing, Artie.” Lewis watched anxiously as Arthur balanced all of the groceries. He’d tried to help once or twice already, but his hands kept phasing through the bags.

“We can alternate series for each episode, instead of just binge-watching all of one.” The ghost suggested. His footsteps momentarily faded out as he floated a few centimeters off he sidewalk, nervously watching Arthur wobble along. “That might help keep us from getting tired of seeing the same thing.”

"Good idea, that way maybe we could squeeze in a movie, or two as well." Arthur agreed.

So far so good. Other than his usual mother henning, Lewis seemed to be doing much better.

As they approached the apartment, Arthur took a short break. Caring six bags of groceries wasn't a terrible burden, but from downtown to their apartment was mostly up hill.

He might have hauled around heavier parts at the garage. But Kingsmen Mechanics was both vastly smaller, and level grounded.

Still, they'd all agreed that if they wanted to keep it up with their unhealthy diet of junk food, then they had to start walking more. This had been mostly for Vivi's sake, as Lewis was already on his feet all day at Pepper Paradiso, and Arthur couldn’t seem to put on weight if he carried it a bucket... Much to the continued umbridge of his doctor.

And now it was completely for Vivi's benefit. Because Lewis was dead, and Arthur usually had to be reminded that only his arm was mechanical, and the rest of him still needed to eat. So-put-that-wrench-down-and-get-in-this-kitchen-right-now-Kingsmen.

Mystery and Vivi more then made up for Lewis and Arthur’s shortcomings though. Hence the frequent trips to get more groceries.

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Mystery hurried along beside Vivi. Hoping to every higher power out there that no policeman, or animal control officer happened by, and noticed his lack of a leash. (He'd shredded the last one Vivi had bought for him with vindictive glee.) That being said, getting a ticket, because he refused to be trotted around like a show pony just because some uncultured swine had run wild in the past was frankly, outrageous, and disgusting.

Mystery thought back to the incident in the coffee shop again and sighed, "I can't say I'm happy with the sudden influx of supernatural interference here in Tempo lately. I know you might be excited to see all of these creatures, but the fact is Vivi that it's not a good thing that so many supernatural beings are are bringing themselves so close to humans again. While fae disguising themselves in order to move freely among humans isn't particularly odd, the fact that they did magic in the middle of a well populated area is very disconcerting. I'm frankly getting uneasy about it all..."

Arcane Solutions [Open RP]

Lewis scrubbed the heels of his palms across his eyes in a futile attempt to clear his vision, and squinted down the hallway. All he could see was a dark, smudgy shape plastered to the far away wall at the end of the line of broken windows.

“Sure looks like she did.” The ghost breathed a sigh of relief. It would be hard enough to explain the broken windows to the client. At least with the malicious specter gone, the property damage could be minimized.

Arthur practically keeled over in relief, then wobbled over to check on Lewis.

"Good work with breaking those windows Big Guy~" he said, reaching out and petting Lewis's arm. He turned back to look at Vivi.

"Okay ghost is gone! Mystery solved! We can go home now! Right?"

Mystery shook his head in fond exasperation. And wandered down to investigate the patch of wall, just to make sure that there was no harmful residual energy still floating around.