Pomp and Circumstance (OPENOPENOPEN)

[JACK THE RIPPER]

Mephi, myself...

Victor had made the necessary small talk with the new mayor for a few minutes before they had parted ways, the Mayor with his lady and Victor with the strange, loose-jacketed man that had approached him. When tapped on the arm, he turned to the man, recognizing his face... though he didn't remember ever meeting him.

"I feel like I know you from somewhere... Are you in the restaurant business?"

Victor glanced down at his pocketed hands and decided that offering a handshake was unnecessary. "On the side, yes, but I do tobacco. Wholesaling. You know." He shrugged and then put on a smile. "Griffiths, and you?"

He spared a glance over the man's shoulder, feeling something make the hair on the back of his neck stand up, and his eyes were instantly pulled to a woman that had evidently already been staring at him for quite awhile.

Her face was white as a sheet, though her arms were a bright pink, and she looked as if she was getting very sick. She seemed to swell every time she took a breath, as if every breath was labored. He raised an eyebrow, curious- until he looked her in the eyes. Never, ever had he been more scared than at that moment. Her eyes held the look of horrific realization, and he knew she knew... even though he had never seen her before in his life.

With a pause, not realizing that he had completely missed everything the man was saying, Victor stuttered, "I-I have to go. Excuse me," very softly before pushing him aside and disappearing into the crowd. Just to get away from her.

[dahlia]

Dahlia's stomach burned as if it was filled with hot led. Terrible cramps began to surge all up her abdomen, without any reason whatsoever. She'd seen him, and he had seen her, and he knew that she knew, and she could tell.

Never.

Never had she smelt so much death, despair, hatred, and fury on someone before. His scent was filling the whole room, and she wondered how anyone here could even breathe with him there. Were they so blind? Were they blind? There were many other people in this room who had the distinct scent of hatred and death on them- including Damien- but this one was proud of it; he was cocky, masquerading as a gentleman, when what he did degraded and destroyed every beautiful aspect of a human life, which he enjoyed taking with a sexual, animalistic need.

And he had been so close to Damien! So close to him that something great had leaped in her chest, though she couldn't tell at all why; she had wanted to grab him so badly. Just get him away from that... that... man?... he had been talking to. The moment the monster had lain his ice eyes on her, though, she had been sucked of all her energy, as if he was feeding off of her. In that moment, she could see everything in what seemed to be a looking glass- his fear was her fear, and all the pain he had caused was suddenly her pain.

As soon as he was gone, she grabbed Damien's arm sharply, trembling like a small child. She had not even noticed poor Ms. Eyre waving to her. She could still smell the terrible, gut-churning scent of murderous, animal rage that caused her to at once feel the need to be sick. Her stomach rumbled, then, to confirm her feelings; a hollow, frantic sound.

[mephi]

Damien was wholly confused at Griffiths' sudden need to leave the room, and he'd realized he hadn't even been listening to him at all. He sighed. Maybe it was him, and he just emanated an offputting attitude. Or perhaps he had become bored.

He shrugged, and just then he felt a meek hand gripping at his jacket. He turned to see Dahlia leaning against him, looking awfully frightful and pale, even more so than she normally looked. "Dahly, Dahly what's wrong?" He felt her forehead for good measure, and she definitely had a fever. "Are you alright?" He held her close, though she probably would have pushed him away under normal circumstances.

He pulled her to the side and began walking out of the room, heading toward the bathrooms, because he knew she probably needed it. He was worried, but he'd never show it on his face too much, or else she'd think him a sap! "What do you need? Tell me, and I'll go get it! Water? Ginger Ale?" He bent down a little and let her lean her weight on him.

He just hoped it was nothing serious.

[dahlia]

FOR MEPHI :3

She attempted to convey to him that she would be fine, that she got sick a lot- but telling him anything was extraordinarily difficult. As if he would learn sign language. As if she could whip out her notepad and write something when she could barely keep herself from vomiting. If they had already had the dinner, she probably would have ended up ruining his nice suit, and embarrassing him in front of his snooty crowd. She could just see that cold man laughing at them.

Pushing him away gently, Dahlia tried to support herself on the wall next to her. I'llbefineI'llbefineI'llbefine, I can- exhale- doooooo this... But things kept coming to her, like aftershocks. Meaningless names and dates, little flickers of deaths that did not belong to that man, or to anyone... yet.

With a slight lurch, she inched into the ladies' bathroom, trying not to upset her stomach too much, and avoiding the mirror by all means possible. It wasn't a good idea to look in mirrors when visions this strong came on. Trying to act composed, she pushed open a stall door, but almost instantly shed her composure in order to spit out the molten hatred bubbling in her throat.

[JANE EYRE]

Tag: Claudius

[/right]

"Claudius, then. Would you like to sit down?" Jane motioned to the open seat to her left. She knew he already had a seat up but Mayor Tormei but if she was going to sit and talk to her, he might as well be comfortable. Of course, he would return to his chosen seat when the dinner was actually served but, when Jane glanced at the table and saw Tormei with a young woman, Jane didn't know if that would be the most comfortable of situations. Jane remembered being present when Blanche Ingram had been with Edward and could recall the feeling of unease.

"You're friends with Mayor Tormei, then?" Jane asked. Small talk, her instructors at Lowood had told her, was essential in social gatherings. It passed the time, made people feel engaged, but did not allow for in depth personal stories unless said stories were 'amusing anecdotes'. Since Jane had none, she figured she would have to give the reigns over to Claudius. He had more experience in such gatherings so it wouldn't be a bad thing just to let him run the encounter. Jane needed to learn how to behave and even though Claudius Chandler may not be the best of role models, it was better than nothing.

Perhaps she could contact Lady Catherine de Bourgh about learning some etiquette...

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

Tag: Jane

"Claudius, then. Would you like to sit down?"

"Sure," Claudius replied, sitting in the seat Jane proposed and setting his wine glass on the table."Thanks."

As Jane glanced up at the top table, Claudius took a sip from his wine glass, lucky for Hector once again. As Jane turned her attention back to him he set the glass down again and likewise turned his attention back to her.

"You're friends with Mayor Tormei, then?"

Claudius grinned again and nodded.

"I might go so far as to say I'm one of his closest friends," he replied, clearly relishing the significance of this adopted title. "We've known each other for twenty years or more. We met when I visited his bookshop and things went from there, as far as I recall."

Claudius had wanted to appear intellectual by visiting the museum, and here again he tried the same thing by mentioning his interest in books. That and he knew saying 'We met in a bar fight' would be a bad idea.

[JANE EYRE]

Tag: Claudius

[/right]

"Twenty years is an awfully long time to know someone," Jane said. To her it was, she wasn't even 20 yet herself. "Were you good friends from the beginning?" Jane thought that Claudius and the mayor were an odd match. From what Jane had seen Hector was always composed and calm whereas Claudius was far more lively. Jane had always assumed that people associated with others that were similar to them but it didn't seem to be the case with Tormei and Claudius.

Then again, Jane was friends with Kitty. They were total opposites and got along quite well.

The waiter came back around, asking Jane is she wanted anything else to drink. Jane shook her head, indicating that water would be enough. Relentlessly, the waiter offered to show Jane the wine list anyway. "I don't drink," Jane said by way of declining. She couldn't drink, she was far too young.

[mephi]

Tag: Dahlia

When he heard Dahlia lurch her guts out into the toilet, Damien knew he had to go in there to help her out.

But it was the ladies room! What if someone else was in there! He didn't want to add Peeping Tom to his list of social disturbances that was already a mile long. He shifted back and forth on his feet, looking all around to be sure no one was watching. He was more than worried about Dahlia, but he had a reputation to keep up!

Though, once he thought about it, an act like that would only cement his reputation. 'Eh. Fuck it. It's Dahlia, for God's sake!' He entered the ladies room with confidence, and strode to the stall where he heard Dahlia hacking her stomach out. He opened the door, and kneeled beside her. He rubbed her back, and almost asked her what she needed. Then he remembered she couldn't talk. He looked behind him and saw a paper towel despenser, and went over to it. He grabed one and wet it, wringing it out.

He brought it to her and pulled her thick mass of hair back from her forehead and placed it on top. He held the hair in his hand like he'd seen mothers do to their daughters in movies, and waited patiently for her to finish, dabbing her forehead every few seconds...

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

Tag: Jane

"Twenty years is an awfully long time to know someone,"

Claudius laughed at this statement, surprised Jane had said it. Twenty years was a long time, but surely that wasn't the first thing that sprang to mind when discussing this particular relationship.

"I couldn't agree more," he said, in means of a response.

"Were you good friends from the beginning?"

The CEO nodded again, lying smoothly as he made his reply.

"That we were, Jane. We have a very similar taste in books-"

He would have said more but he was distracted by the arrival of the waiter and the subsequent altercation between the man and Jane. His surprise clearly showed on his face as Jane declined the offer of the wine list, and as the waiter moved off he made this sentiment known.

"I don't drink,"

"You don't drink?" Claudius replied, his tone clearly conveying his incredulity. "Jane, forgive me, but exactly how old are you?" Not to mention the fact this was a party (albeit a rather official and important one). To Claudius drinking was pretty much the main purpose of every party he attended.

[JANE EYRE]

Tag: Claudius

[/right]

Jane shook her head a bit sheepishly. "No, I don't drink," It seemed to be a staple in America, alcohol at every gathering. Back in England, even though Jane didn't attend many social events, she knew that alcohol wasn't required.

"Jane, forgive me, but exactly how old are you?"

Jane was a little surprised at the question. What did her age have to do with anything, really? A conversation could be had regardless of age. Unless Claudius was one who was overly fond of drink then it shouldn't be an issue. "Oh, well, I've just turned 19," Her birthday passed without event a few weeks back. Jane had treated herself to a cupcake bought at a local bakery and that was about it. The rest of the evening had been passed grading art work from her students for summer school.

Jane looked back across the room and concern flooded her for a moment when she didn't see Dahlia. She still had to say hello and hoped that she hadn't run off just yet.

((poor dear, she's a bit oblivious about some things))

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

Tag: Jane

"Oh, well, I've just turned 19,"

Bloody hell was the first phrase to enter Claudius' mind as this piece of information was divulged to him. Only just nineteen, and to be worth so much? That aside, nineteen years old and she didn't drink? Something was wrong with this picture in Claudius' eyes.

"Oh," he said, at last, having the decency to look a bit embarrassed for asking the rather personal question. "It's just...you don't look it."

It was then Claudius noticed Jane's looking back across the room.

"Something wrong?" he asked, not sounding all too concerned but still concerned enough so as to be polite.

[JANE EYRE]

Tag: Claudius

[/right]

"It's just...you don't look it."


Jane laughed at that. She knew that was true. Having been malnourished for so long had left Jane with a small body and a face that seemed to have been frozen in her young teens. She looked young, younger than some of her students, and was only barely starting to mature. "Perhaps not, but I certainly don't look older,"

"Something wrong?"

Jane looked back at Claudius. "No, it's nothing. I had noticed someone I knew earlier and I can't seem to find her anymore," She didn't know Dahlia very well so she didn't know if disappearing was a normal occurance for her. "I want to make sure that I at least say hello to her," Jane explained. She wondered if Dahlia had seen her. 'Oh well' Jane thought. 'Best to take care of the situation herself'.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

Tag: Jane

"Perhaps not, but I certainly don't look older,"

To this Claudius said nothing; she'd looked older to him, not just in her demeanour but in her manner of speech and the fact she had a teaching job. But he thought it wouldn't be smart to point this out.

"No, it's nothing. I had noticed someone I knew earlier and I can't seem to find her anymore. I want to make sure that I at least say hello to her,"

"Oh, right," Claudius replied. "In that case, I think I'll leave you so you can say hi when she comes back without me being in the way. Is that okay?"

Without waiting for a reply, Claudius stood, wine glass in his right hand.

"It's been a pleasure, Jane.I'm sure we'll speak again later, yes? Enjoy the party!"

And with that Claudius Chandler was about to return to his seat. But rather than doing so he decided to mingle a bit, as the others were doing. Besides, at this point he was more interested in his wine glass than the promise of food.

[JANE EYRE]

Tag: Dahlia, Damien

[/right]

Jane watched Claudius waltz off, more than a little confused about what just happened. Instead of just sitting there and thinking though, Jane saw the waiter heading in her direction again so she decided that it would be a good time to take a trip to the ladies room. Jane rose from her seat and slipped through the heavy door into the ladies room. She stood at the sink for a moment, she could hear someone being sick. Moving forward slowly, Jane looked into the stalls. One was held open by a man who Jane remembered meeting in Central Park and the girl bent over the toilet was-

Dahlia!

"Oh dear," Jane rushed forward. "Dahlia? What happened?" She couldn't get in the stall because of the man and that bothered her a bit. She wanted to help her friend but had no way of doing so.

Turning to the man, "What can I do to help?" Jane asked.

[mephi]

Tag: Dahlia, Jane

He was surprised when he heard a voice behind him cry out Dahlia's name. Damien turned and saw a woman he recognized from Central Park. It was the one who ruined his perfectly good sandwich! The nerve of her...

No, she was worried about Dahlia, not seeing him again. He looked worriedly at the hurling woman, but figured they must have known each other, or else Jane wouldn't have been so worried. He needed help, he knew that... But she would just get in the way, wouldn't she? But were they friends? She was a woman, so she'd probably feel more connected to Dahlia, and help her better than Damien could.

"Um..." He looked back and forth between them, at a loss of what to do.