Alex/Odette/HectorG. Sunday, 29th Jan, 1943
[11:16] Odette di Benedetti had followed the path, seriously considering whether or not sating her curiosity was worth the hike. However, at the last turn, she found what she was looking for and broached the gates slowly, cautiously.
Odette shifted her brolly to the other shoulder, allowing her a clearer vantage point for peering beyond the gates to see what was inside.
[11:20] Alex wandered back through the hedge maze with a wide yawn as the day wore on, approaching time for lunch. Not that they particularly relished any of the flavorless 'food' the asylum served its patients, but they were already uncomfortably thin as it was, and the orderlies would be cross if they had to come hunt them down out in the yard. They held their sketchbook clutched in their left hand, long blonde locks whipping around their shoulders in the light breeze as the walked along with a distant look in their eye and a song on their lips.
"Ich bin dein Nachtgespenst
Dein süßes Nachtgespenst
Ich weck' dich, wennde pennst
So oft, bis du mich Liebling nennst..."
They exited the hedge maze just in time to notice someone nearing the gate, casting a curious look in the beautiful stranger's direction.
[11:29] Odette di Benedetti was not exactly creeping, but was moving slowly as she peered through the posts of the fence.
Her pale head would cant to one side, her curiosity piqued further as a distant voice was softly singing a familiar tune, even as it seemed to get closer.
Before she could help herself, Odette found the remainder of the stanza tumbling from her lips, her voice soft and melodic as she weaved the notes into the lyrics:
Sei bloß nicht so erschreckt
Du wirst nur aufgedeckt
Und wennde aufgedeckt
Dann wirste wieder zugedeckt
Steig' ich durch's Fenster ein
Reizt mich kein Edelstein
Nein, nur dein Elfenbein
Reizt mich allein
Ich nehm' als Nachtgespenst
Kein Stückchen mit, was glänzt
Ich brauche wirklich nur
Fahrgeld retour
The last lilting notes faded as the face fame into view and Odette's black gaze absorbed the long and tangled pale hair, patched eye, and frailly thin form.
"Hello..."
[11:30] Odette di Benedetti (moirraah.flanagan): *came into view*
.
[11:38] Alex blinked in surprise when they realized that the stranger was singing the song along with them, their eye widening with a smile of pure joy spreading across their lips. It had been so long since they'd had someone that actually enjoyed the music they liked back home, and though they couldn't quite remember all of the lyrics, they still gladly sang along with her while wandering over to meet her by the bars of the fence. They turned to rest their hip on the small stone ledge until the song was finished, a soft pink blush tinging their pale cheeks as they finally greeted her. "Guten tag, meine dame~" they chimed, only to blink and look a bit apologetic when she greeted them in english. "Oh, ahm, g-good day..."
[11:44] Odette di Benedetti 's own smile deepened in mimicry, quite unexpectedly, as the other broached this massive iron fence.
Her velvet rasp was softy, but sure, as she responded in German, her dark eyes dancing with what could only be construed as self-deprecating mirth at the words,
"Sprichst du Englisch? Ich fürchte, mein Deutsch wäre beleidigend. I am called Odette.", which she quickly punctuated with a tiny curtsy.
[11:51] Alex chuckled softly and gave a small, quick nod as Odette asked if they spoke English. "Well enough to get by. I am told I have improved in my time here." Five years locked in a building with very few others who could fluently speak their language had that effect. As Odette introduced herself with a curtsy, they'd bow their head lightly in return. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alex." Glancing between her and the massive structure behind them for a moment while gripping their sketchbook to their chest, they wondered, "Are you here to visit someone, Frau Odette?"
[11:54] Lulu Sinclaire (lulu.jaynesford) is offline.
[12:02] Odette di Benedetti 's pale head shook to answer negatively, her gaze sliding with Alex's when they glanced up at the building.
"No, no. I was...hrm. Curious. I do apologize if that sound gauche. I was wondering what this building is as it sits atop the city."
The diminutive woman shifted her umbrella once more, careful to keep the sunlight off her skin- because anyone with skin as pale as hers would burn in a moment- and reached up to hook the fingertips of one hand around the bar closest to her.
Those starlit black orbs danced across Alex's lovely face, taking note of the scars and dark circles, but also the pretty pink cherry blossoms in their hair, as well as the sketch book in their hand.
"Do you....do you live here, Alex?", she'd ask, trying to be delicate if it called for it, but curious about the blonde with the beautiful blue eye.
[12:18] Alex: lofted their shoulders in a delicate shrug as Odette explained that she'd only come up this way out of curiosity for what this imposing place might be. "This makes sense. The building and the hill cast a shadow on the island like the hand of a sundial. I would wonder too. If I did not already know." Their eye followed her fingers as they wrapped around one of the iron bars, before flicking back towards her face, dazzled by the gleaming lights that flickered in the air around her, like she was standing out against the backdrop of a cityscape at night. "This is the Eumenides Sanatorium, Frau Odette. And it is open to the public, if you wish to see more. Only the upper floors are restricted to staff, patients, and visitors." They explained, but then blushed with a faint look of shame falling over their features when Odette asked the obvious question next. "Ah... y-yes. I am... a resident here. But d-do not worry, they do not let anyone dangerous out into the gardens." They hastily tried to reassure her, afraid
[12:18] Alex of scaring off their new conversation partner already. Though their gaze seemed unfocused, as they glancing at other things around her that may or may not be there, flickers of faint, brief visions that they tried to put out of their mind. Some of them... surprisingly salacious, which only made them blush harder.
[12:37] Odette di Benedetti peered at Alex, her head shaking once more,
"Oh, goodness. No. I am nor worried, Alex. I don't frighten easily. Besides, in my life, I have found the maddest people to be the sanest.", she murmured.
Something in the way they looked at her made her feel as if they were reading a book, or researching something- that occasionally perusing-but-distracted glance before speaking.
"Danger is relative. I don't think you any more dangerous than I could possibly be, but I appreciate the care you are taking in explaining.", she offered with a cheerful smile.
When the color rose in Alex's cheeks, Odette blinked fathomless black eyes at them, also noting the tiny acceleration of their heartbeat, then the deceleration as if something momentarily flashed through their mind.
"I will come in and you can show me around next time, yeah?", she added, trying to distract from whatever might be making them uncomfortable. Odette reached out, mentally, a small halo of effort trying to discern Alex's mood, her biggest question being
[12:37] Odette di Benedetti was something she did making them uncomfortable.
If they were aware, they might feel the sensation of a warm touch in their psyche, not intrusive necessarily, but just a brush of curiosity.
[12:49] Alex offered Odette an appreciative, if half-hearted smile in return at her reassurance that she didn't think any less of them for their current place of residence, though the smile faded somewhat as they realized Odette could tell that something was off with them regardless. Odette would sense self-consciousness and anxiety when she reached out with her empathy, though there was a blush of embarrassment underneath. No discomfort towards Odette though, and the warmth she pushed their way did seem to help settle their mind a bit. "I would be happy to." They smiled sweetly about giving her the tour another time, but a look of uncertainty fell across their features next, staring at her shoulder and biting their lip, perplexed. "Frau Odette... You have a... little... ant. There's an ant on your shoulder..." they mentioned, tapping their own shoulder to indicate where. "How odd..." Of course if Odette looked, there would be nothing there. Just something on her mind, perhaps.
[13:09] Odette di Benedetti eased back, her gaze sliding over Alex's features as they relaxed, When they smiled for her, the effect was such a delight that she offered the same in return, a small bounce on the balls of her feet at the promise of a tour the next time.
Odette released her gentle inquiry of her new acquaintance, pulling back her intent and settling into a comfortable space with Alex until the other mentioned an ant.
Odette turned her pale head, expecting to see an insect on her shoulder. When she didn't, her eyes slid down her own sleeve, pondering that it may have continued on its wayward journey, then to the ground before she looked back up to Alex with a pluck of curiosity tugging at her pale brow.
"It must have....crawled away...", her velvet rasp drifted off as she took in their expression.
Ant. The golden ant?
Odd....she had been thinking about him.
But...how would Alex have seen that?
[13:09] Hector: humming his way up the winding path. He volunteers at the Asylum and it's slow at the Pub today. Drinking on a Sunday afternoon doesn't tend to be a big thing, so it's a good day to check on the people that are locked up. He's absolutely covered in ghosts today. He has his normal three, including a little girl with pigtails holding a bunny rabbit, a man that's only a shadow in a bowler hat, and a drowned woman dangling by a rope, bloated and choking. There's a couple of old men strolling with him, chattering, there's an undead dog with a broken neck like he was hit by a carriage, and there's a woman with a baby stroller. Of course, only those who see the dead could see them, but there's a definite sense of them and a feeling of cold. There's a bit of lingering old dead around him, along with the scents of cigarette smoke and alcohol, but not to the point he smells gross or homeless, just...probably an alcoholic or at least someone that enjoys his whiskey. From his lips is a deep lovely hum. He has a
[13:09] Hector: wonderful voice and it's almost hypnotic. He hesitates at the gate, seeing individuals there. This was a bit unusual.
Alex blinked and tilted their head with confusion when Odette didn't seem to see anything, their gaze snapping back to her shoulder to see that whatever had been there was indeed, now gone. Worry crept in that they might have just been hallucinating again, but they quickly forced on a nervous smile and nodded quickly in agreement with Odette's assessment. "Ah... j-ja. Must have scared it away..." they mused, before suddenly becoming distracted by the sight of what seemed like a sizable crowd following someone up the road to the asylum gates behind Odette. "Another lovely voice..." They murmured as Hector's humming reached their ears, offering a faintly curious smile to the man as he paused by the gate. "My goodness, you brought so many friends. What is the occasion?" They wondered towards the stranger, only to get a better look at those in the group behind him and freeze up as they realized their mistake. spotting the broken necks and vague, shadowy figures among the party. They'd seen enough of the like to
[13:21] Alex realize that some of what they were seeing might not actually be there for everyone. "Ah... hah, I joke of course. There are only..." Some of them lacked outward injuries, which made it hard for them to tell, "A few of you..." They had to guess.
[13:34] Odette di Benedetti certainly noted the humming coming from a distance behind her, though she did not turn right away.
When Alex's attention was snatched from their conversation, she'd turn to watch the taller, dark man advancing on the gates of the asylum.
Her pale head canted just a bit, a small nod greeting the other as the distance was closed.
Alex's statement about the other bringing so many friends tugged a frown into her brow, and her head swiveled back to Alex.
Those dark eyes perused the darling face for a heartbeat before she'd turn back to the man.
"Good day to you.", she'd chirp in her warm-honey rasp.
"I am called Odette.".
It was almost said as a distraction for Alex, for she had seen the appearance of something emotive but unclear on the sweet face.
Nevertheless, she offered the merest ghost of a smile to the man with her introduction.
[13:36] Hector: quirks a brow as he comes to a stop, the individual behind the gates having seemingly noticed the crowd. This wasn't unusual actually. Many people in the asylum saw his crowd. Maria, the little girl, especially enjoyed coming to speak to some of the more seriously impaired. The dog as well, he brought for the purposes of cheering some people up. There were those who saw the dead that just...were not safe outside those walls. It wasn't their fault, such was seeing the dead sometimes. Hector was an alcoholic and he'd tried to kill himself on more than one occasion. He'd been on that side of the bars before, he understood. "I sing and tell stories for the people here. Afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you. New to here or just new to me?" The little girl in pigtails would phase through the gate, moving over to curtsy low to Alex. /'I'm Maria Julia Gloria Sanchez! Pleasure to make your acquaintance. This is Mister Bunny!'/ She held up the big stuffed bunny. Hector cleared his throat and gave
[13:36] Hector: the ghost girl a little half shake of his head. Maria huffed and rolled her eyes, but went about her business, playing hopscotch with herself up and down the little walkway to the asylum door. He nodded to Odette. "Good day Lady Odette, I'm Hector, Hector Graham. I volunteer here. Are you...wanting to visit this individual? Seems a little uncomfortable to be looking through bars like this. Would you like to stroll the maze or have a seat inside? I'm sure it's not entirely what you'd like, but as long as I'm with you, you two don't have to..." Motions back and forth through the bars.
[13:50] Alex: noticed the strange look they'd earned and knew almost immediately they'd misjudged how many of the group were actually there or not, another withdrawn, self-conscious look overtaking their features, though they thoroughly appreciated that she didn't linger on it. Still, they seemed completely unable to tell the ghosts apart from the living unless they looked obviously dead, as far as Hector could tell, but they offered a smile to Hector himself, especially once Odette greeted the man, which confirmed that he, at least, was probably there. "Ah, ja, I have heard of your visits. I am sorry though, I have always been..." They paused, biting their lip and glancing off towards the ground. "Occupied, when you visited before. I am Alex. It is nice to meet you." they explained in their thick German accent, before their bright blue gaze fell to the young ghost who approached the bars with her stuffed rabbit, a bright smile crossing their scarred lips as they leaned forward a bit to address her. "Guten tag, Liebling!
[13:50] Alex It is wonderful to meet you and Herr Bunny too~" They waved after her when she skipped away.
[13:56] Odette di Benedetti 's smile did not deepen, but was genuine when the man introduced himself and explained that he volunteered here.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Graham. What a lovely gift you bring to those here. They are lucky to have you.", she'd intone cheerily.
To his question, she'd offer,
"No, not today. But, soon.", her black eyes returning to Alex's face with a knowing grin. "T'is a date for Alex and I.", she'd tease, her black and starlit eyes giving them a wink before she returns her attention to the lone man with the cigarette smoke wafting from him.
When Alex spoke to a child she could not see, it dawned on her that, not for a single moment, did she doubt that Alex was seeing something she could not.
Was that the reason they were here, behind the massive and chiding steel bars of the asylum?
"I must depart, sadly. I am supposed to see a man about a gown.".
The diminutive woman did not elaborate, but she did take a step back, a hand lifting in a wave to her new friend Alex, and then to the
[13:56] Odette di Benedetti volunteer Mister Graham.
"Alex, I will see you in a day or so, yeah? Then I can tell you where I found the ant.", she'd murmur with a tender smile.
Turning toward the path she'd come up from, Odette began the descent back into town, muttering the address to one Mister Kyuu's shop as she went.
[13:59] Hector: nods to Alex. "Nice to meet you, Alex. No worries. I'm only here on certain days and times, so if someone has other things to do..." Makes a sort of 'yadda yadda' motion before shoving his hands into his pockets and looking to Odette with a smile. He tilted his head when Odette said she needed to see a man about a 'gown.' There was only one person she could have meant. Absently he reached up to touch his neck beneath his turtle neck and then grinned. "Tell Kyuu that Hector said 'hi.'" He chuckled before reaching for the gate and pushing it open without any resistance. He stepped inside and shut it tightly behind him. "Can I escort you back inside Alex? Or would you like to take a walk?"
[13:59] Storyteller whispers:
Eumenides Sanitorium
Unawakened humans that witness Masquerade-breaking events begin to hallucinate on these grounds. Whether these hallucinations are auditory, visual, or both and the content of them is up to the player!
[14:06] Alex smiled shyly and let out a sheepish laugh, rubbing their cheek at Odette's teasing about having a date planned for her next visit. They waved after her as she stepped back to take her leave, and tilted their head with a curious blink when she spoke of finding the ant they'd mentioned earlier, though they truly had no idea what she could mean by that. "Oh, ah... Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Odette..." They called after the pale beauty as she descended the road back towards town, before turning their full attention on Hector once more. for a moment, as he passed through the gate, they thought they noticed the vague suggestion of shadowy wings trailing through the air behind him, calling to mind stories they'd heard from other residents with windows that faced the back yard, of a phantom they'd witnessed there sometimes. They'd put it out of their mind for now though, stepping up to follow alongside Hector towards the doors with a delicate smile and a nod. "I will follow you. Would not wish to keep you from the
[14:06] Alex others."