jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Mm, yes, I did hear about that.

[Saw it, too. To hear that Madame Lofly scratched out his medical records in favor of her own commentary is also not a huge surprise. She does hate to see him rifling through her files.]

Oh? Will you be able to handle the anticipation? Mm, she certainly is. Wasn't she quite the sight when I told her who would be taking over Professor Haberly's position.

[And then he falls quiet a moment.]

You know, far be I to discourage your curiosity, but I can't help but wonder if you won't regret learning what it is you're seeking, Percy.

Anticipation makes the revelation all the sweeter! And mmm, oh dear. I suppose I ought to be on my best behavior then.... lest I get reacquainted with those tiles.

[ He smiles fondly at his plate, pushing some bread around to sop up the last of the gravy. He finishes it off in the silence, then settles himself back in the chair, lifting the glass for the last bit of wine in it. Pauses to study Maverick, then smiles softly. ]

When have I ever regretted learning something, Seamus? Every new discovery is a delight, every ending of a pursuit merely leads to another. I know you're old, and I know there are things about you that would take years to discover and pry out of you.

[ He lifts his glass a little and gives Maverick one of his actual smiles. The beam of sunshine. They're rarer now, hiding behind softer more polite smiles, but here at home with his friend, he can relax and drop the facade and smile in sheer joy. ]

I will never regret learning anything about you, for as many years as you will allow me to dig!

[Maverick huffs at that, softly and with amusement. He had a feeling that would be his answer, and thinks that he should maybe believe him, even if there are nerves deep within him that say otherwise.]

[After all, one of the biggest reasons he hides what he hides is so that he can have the life he has now. If who he was got out, then that would like be it for his quaint little Headmaster gig. He does not want to give it up just yet. It means too much to him.]

What can I say to such conviction? Very well, I won't stand in your way. I hope in the end, it will not disappoint you.

[With his plate mostly cleared, though somethings pushed around, he stands up. He will go over to a window where he has a few potion bottles sitting, catching moonlight. He will bring them over to Percy.]

Take these back with you, when you finally depart, they should be ready. And- I suppose I did have one question about the nature of one of your visions.

I know it won't, my friend.

[ The sheer idea that Maverick may, in some way, disappoint him after all this time is absurd. Percy doesn't just owe the man his education, or his years of being accepted and feeling at home, but he owes him his sanity. How many times was he unfocused and feeling lost across the ocean and then Mavericks letter would find him and ease the load? Too many to count, but all remembered.

He hm's softly with a little tsk at the state of Mavericks plate, but notes what he didn't eat. More to his journal. Then takes the potion bottles with with heavy relief, giving Maverick a grateful look. Perhaps he could have come up with something on his own, but sleeping potions are.... finicky, and Percy never could get them quite right.

Too little and light, and he risks them simply not working.

Too heavy, and he risks never waking again. ]

Question away. The ones that hit like fever I end up with little detail, but any of the clearer ones I can recall more with.

[ He very carefully tucks the potion bottles into the pockets of his outfit, then gestures for Maverick to sit again, scooting his chair a little around the table to be closer. ]

[Maverick hums in acknowledgement, then. That settles that. He would not turn his identity into some silly game without knowing that one day someone might finally win it. He has to be ready for what that will mean.]

[Of course he is happy to hand off the potions. It's true, they are not an easy formula to get right, and it requires a very practiced, experienced hand to brew. Better it left to him, who has made such things for centuries without much mistake. Give Percy one less thing to worry about making himself.]

[Let him take care of you-]

The one you saw of Lily, where she was sleeping. Can you recall much more of that one?

[ To be taken care of again is so odd when he's been the carer, but he finds he doesn't mind at all when it's Maverick. Who else better?

The question makes him huh softly and he closes his eyes, tilting his head back as he thinks, his hand curled to his chin. When he speaks his voice is soft, a little dreamy in memory. ]

She slept in a coffin of glass and hope. She was not dead but not alive. There was a piece missing? I think? I couldn't see it but I could feel it. Mmm.... that's all I can really recall.

[ He tilts his head back down and opens his eyes, giving Maverick an apologetic look. ]

That one passed like a fever. I'm sorry. The enemy may have kicked down the door to my third eye, but they didn't exactly leave a handbook.

[He listens quietly and seems to be making a note of something.]

[A glass coffin...]

[He looks up after a moment and then offers him a smile.]

No, that's quite alright. I'm merely ...testing a theory. Ah- the one of me, the one you recall of me being pinned down. Do you recall very much about that one? Perhaps the room I was in, though I believe you said you couldn't tell what had me trapped.

Edited 2025-12-27 06:53 (UTC)

... Oddly, yes.

[ And he always wondered on that one. Though it's not as clear as the one he saw of Maverick waiting for him, it's clearer than the other two. ]

I think perhaps because it is connected to you?

[ He closes his eyes again, focusing. Letting the memory come. He's silent for a while here before he speaks, and again, his voice is dreamy. ]

You were... mmm. Yes. I can't see what has you trapped, but it's heavy. It's heavy and it burns. It's pierced you. It's pinned you. You're screaming but it's not from the pain. Your mind swirls in chaos, you barely know what's around you. There's ... stone underneath you? Cold. You should be dead but it's missed your heart, so you continue. Portraits. Portraits on the walls around you. You hate them. You scream at them, curse them. They look like you? Are you? No.

[ His brow v's down almost angrily as if he feels the anger the pinned Maverick does, then suddenly opens his eyes, rubbing his forehead. It throbs painfully, clustered in the middle along the altered mark. ]

Ah.. sorry, it hurts...

[He listens with intent. He sees him fall back into that state, not quite a trance not quite a dream, but still much closer to those visions.]

[It's a lot of information, but he takes it all in, churns it over. It tells him a lot and he thinks he has a clear picture of the circumstance when Percy is suddenly opening his eyes and rubbing his head.]

[He's instantly up and at his side, bringing his hands to cup his face and quietly try and sooth him. Let him use what remains of his Vampire talent to ease his mind.]

Shh, shh, I am sorry for asking that of you. It did tell my a great deal however.

[He smiles a little.]

I think... your feverish ones may be less futures or pasts, but perhaps possibilities that could have come to pass. Divergent timelines.

[ Selfishly he will let himself be soothed, the aching pain fading away under the gentle touch to a dull ache, and finally into nothing. It's nice to be cared for again, to be soothed.

... Oh no.

He smiles at him and shakes his head gently, reaching up to take Mavericks hands off his face and squeeze them tightly. ]

Don't apologize! I'm glad to answer what I can, especially as I've never heard of prophecy coming from injury.

[ As Maverick explains, it makes Percy frown. Then frown harder. ]

I hope they never come to pass, those are quite horrible.

[ The black blot. The nothing. That one terrified him, awoke him screaming.

Let go of his hands, Percy.

He squeezes Mavericks hands gently again and lets them go. ]

I have never heard of seeing alternate possibilities...

[He'll make it a little worse by placing a gently kiss on his mark before he squeezes his hands back and steps away.]

I'm only aware of such things because I am ...acquainted with someone called the Curator. They are a powerful witch with the blood of the Saint of Fortunes. They can see into many, many of the threads that make up the past, present and future, often seeing many that could come to pass without knowing the true thread. Fate is, after all, ever shifting.

[He returns to his seat for a moment to think things over.]

Castle Maverick was the place I was pinned. Those paintings ...yes, I suppose if I found myself mad enough I would curse them. I recall the room with many of them having a large silver chandelier.

[He hums a little in thought.]

I have not seen that place in a thousand years.

[ It might be a gentle, friendly kiss to the forehead, much as the one Percy had given the top of Mavericks head earlier but it feels like a punch to the chest. It makes his heart ache and that embarrassing crush from his early years rear it's head once more. He thought himself over it!

He's quiet as he wrestles with that and listens to Maverick explain, bringing his elbow up to put it on the table so he can rest his chin in his hand. His eyes unfocus a little as he studies nothing, thoughtful. ]

Mmm, my blood line has no Fortune connection, I think? I am aware I'm distantly related to Lady Lily - as a grain of sand is distantly related to a star - and thus have some call back to the Saint of Life but I recall nothing about Fortune.

[ He focuses on Maverick finally, using his finger to adjust his glasses a little. ]

It did not seem a pleasant place, in that... ah well, timeline I suppose? I think the you of that line hated it.

[ He hesitates a little, the same finger rubbing along the side of his nose. ]

Do you hate it in this life?

[Hm, he seems flustered. He wonders what about.]

A witch's bloodline can have many intersections. For one to be as powerful as your magic often is, I would bet on there being another bloodline within you somewhere on the other side of your family. It could very well be Fortune. I would likely have to confirm with the Curator. I'd like to take you to meet her once you've settled, considering the intensity of your visions.

[Of course that question gives him a moments pause as he thinks it over.]

No, I have little love for that place. I may carry the family name, but you will find that they have long scrubbed me from their records.

[He smiles a little.]

Fret not, to them I was just a bastard, and to me, they're but dust in the wind. I don't even know if the family remains, or what has become of Castle Maverick in all this time.

Edited 2025-12-27 07:50 (UTC)

Hm! Fascinating! I will have to write my parents and see if they can find any of our old records. Perhaps take a trip myself to spend some time with them, and dig into our past. I know they both have a little magic themselves, though neither cares to further it.

[ Hearing that Maverick has no love for the place, or for his family, sits ill at ease in Percy. He scrubs his mouth with his fingers, worry pinching the corner of his eyes somewhat. And he'll confess his worries. ]

I hope it is simply a timeline cut short then, my friend, and not something that may occur in the future. If there is no reason to head back to that place, I beg you then to never return to it. I could not bear the idea of that fate happening to you.

[ If it still stands. Hopefully the local municipality has reclaimed it, or tore it down, or it sank away to never be found again. ]

I think they would be happy to see you, too, yes? You ought to do that when you have the chance.

[He could push back Percy's start date if need be, it won't be so big of a deal. Either way he huffs a little laugh to Percy's worries, shaking his head.]

I highly doubt that its something yet to pass. If I were to find myself pinned by that chandelier now, I would be capable of getting free very easily. The Seamus you saw was likely a still mostly Vampire.

[He thinks perhaps it would be nice if it's been torn down or reclaimed, but he really has no plans to return there. This is his home, not that place that never wanted him.]

As for the vision of Lily, you could say once a very long time ago, she did fall into a great sleep after one of her experiments went awry. Eochaidh and I nearly came to blows over it, but I was able to talk sense into him and we found out how to wake her.

Mm! They're well aware of my desire to return here and start my tenure first. Do not worry, we have kept in contact and I promised them I would visit come first break!

[ He's offered to let them come here, of course, but they're reluctantly and he understands. They're very simple and the idea of travel wracks their nerves.

With his friends admission, he exhales heavily and relaxes a lot, tucking away every bit of information he's given for later. Mostly Vampire, so what is he mixed with now? Can mixes occur? Through magic or something else?

He did seem upset over being only a semi-saint.... hm hm hm.

He oh's! softly to the information about Maverick and Eochaidh, thoughtful. ]

I'm glad for that, then. Let these merely be snipped timelines, and may I never see them again.

[ He hopes being home will curb them. After all, while there will be stress here, it wont be the same. So he smiles to Maverick, shakes his head. ]

Let's not speak of them longer? We have time yet before curfew kicks in, walk with me around the Spire ere then? I wish to reacquaint myself with my home once more.

I see, well, then I suppose that's that.

[It is likely that Maverick had also extended them the same offer, to have them see their boy come home, but his letter was much the same. Alas.]

[To his proposal Maverick grins. He'd be happy to walk him around, though Percy likely doesn't realize the kind of gossip this may start. How funny, Maverick does not intend to say anything about it.]

Of course, I would be happy to. Thank you again, for humoring my curiosity.

[He will get up to go and fetch a proper evening robe to walk around in, so he does not get more reactions like Percy's. Something that hides his small frame properly.]

[ Percy is absolutely unaware of any gossip that may start because of it. Surely it's just the Headmaster reshowing an old student around? Percy has been gone for a bit, after all,a nd there are somethings he should know now that he's a teacher and not a precocious youth crawling around in places he shouldn't be!

He snorts softly to the thanks and waves a hand. ]

Thanking me? Oh, my friend, when have we become such strangers as you'd thank me for indulging the same curiosity you encourage in me, that we have shared since I was a wee brat sneaking into your office?

[ He huffs a little laugh and stands as Maverick moves to find a robe, reaching up to take his hair out of the ponytail finally, scruffing his fingers against the back of his head with a sigh to get the hair tension to relax as it cascades out.

Saints, accepting this position is going to be the end of him. Fool on him for thinking his crush was done with. He offers Maverick a smile when he returns, however, pleased. ]

Ready?

[There we go, Maverick pulls on his robe and pulls his hair down so he can pin it back up a little looser.]

Not at all, but even my ego and recognize when questions could be weightier than some. You've just returned home, and I would have hated to sour such a thing with my prying eyes. It gladens me to hear that I did not burden your heart, after all.

[He meets him at the door, holding it for him to step out first.]

Let's be off, I suppose I shall take you to the things that have changed in your time away. You'll be happy to know that the science labs have gotten an equipment update, there's all sort of new gadgets and doodads in there.

[ Oh Percy's eyes light up as Maverick mentions the new gadgets in the science labs. He steps out and waits for Maverick to join him, and as they begin to walk he'll begin to fulfill his promise to give Mavericks ears a thorough wearing.

He speaks about the people he met. A doctor with a little girl who was turned into a Vampire sadly young, but whose the sweetest little thing. The doctor might contact Maverick shortly to enroll her, as he spoke often of the Spire and the Headmasters acceptance of all.

As they move onto the science labs, Percy debates with him over the newer equipment. Explains and demonstrates some of the things he learned in the field, which he plans to include in curriculum for older students. It'll be helpful to have that knowledge.

Just in case.

And he takes in the Spire with the same eagerness as he did when he first arrived. Observes what's new. What's been updated. What remains the same with nostalgia.

And he's blissfully unaware of any giggles from students as they pass, who cheerfully greet them "Good evening, Headmaster! Hello Professor!" then run off whispering loudly between them. ]

[As if Maverick would turn down a proper Yap session from one of his favorite people. From someone who's letters he's coveted for years, who gets antsy between them, who speaks poetically of him to anyone who will listen to him. Who spent the entire day of his return staring wistfully out of his office window until he got word of his arrival.]

[Lucky Lily is not hear to really rib him about it.]

[Either way it's a lovely night as they step through the halls and Maverick helps reacquaint him with his home. Shows him all the things that's changed and all that hasn't. Shows him the places he might not have known about now that he's staff. Listens to him talk of his curriculum, and approves. Nothing wrong with being prepared.]

[Field experience is invaluable, after all. But he does make a note to keep an eye on it, among other things.]

[He catches the giggles of students of course, he's used to such things. He does catch the eye of a few of them who are being particularly loud to give them a look. Come now.]

[But him taking Percy by the elbow to lead him around is probably not helping matters.]

[After about a week or so and once Percy has settled in, he will arrange the exam as promised. They have a room sequestered from the rest of the clinic that should keep any curious eyes away. Maverick will be waiting for him in a few loose robes.]

[ The week passes and it does absolutely nothing to ease Percy's crush. He hides it well, keeps his yearning locked behind the doors of his room and his ridiculous journaling. Keeps himself professional the best he can.

But spending physical time with Maverick has slowly become both his dream and his Hells on Earth.

The jokes, they time spent together making Percy's lesson plans and debating on what to approve and pass up on, the staff get together to welcome him with his eyes drifting constantly over to the Headmaster. The dinners as they go over the sleeping potions to tweak them to fit Percy better.

The excuses Percy makes up in his own mind as to why he has to be near Maverick on any given day.

Then it's time for the examine and Percy realizes he's dreading it. He has no doubt about his professionalism... if it were anyone else. But he worries he's going to make a fool of himself and Maverick will see right through him. And then what?

He exhales softly as he steps into the room they have set up and there's Maverick waiting for him. His nerves ratchet up and his heart lodges somewhere in his spine. It takes him a moment - think of the scar he saw - to calm himself so he can approach. Smiles. ]

I promise to make no teasing comments, jokes, or pretend I found a nipple on your back. I swear on my status as a Healer.

[Yeah, he is also kind of regretting allowing him to do this, but for a lot of other reasons on top of his embarrassing pining. Of course the worries and nerves he has surrounding what Percy will eventually figure out have not gone away. He knows what Percy has promised, but it will be quite something else for it be known.]

[He feels foolish for stringing him along like this, but at the same time he wants to be honest with him, too. To just tell him. Wretched.]

[He's untying the robe once he enters, focusing on that as Percy gets his wits about him. he manages a little chuckle to his words.]

Professional as always, I see. Shall I sit down? Perhaps you'd like me to lay on the table?

[He drops the robes unceremoniously, leaving him bare for Percy to examine. There's a lot to look at, of course. His body is thin, but not so thin that he is skeletal, just perhaps on the cusp of being concerning. His skin has always been pale and his body temperature has always run cold, but Percy will find he does not possess a heartbeat, nor a pulse, and that he breathes seems to be something he has trained himself to do to look normal, but he will cease it as Percy looks.]

[Of course there are the scars, the big one Percy noted on his chest that goes through his heart and then exists on his back. There are also a number of thin surgical scars that run all along his body. They resemble autopsy scars.]

[And if that was not enough for Percy to hone in on, there are also a small smattering of ...scales around his hips, scattered down his spine. They shine black and blue.]

Edited 2025-12-28 01:23 (UTC)

[ Any sort of flustering or embarrassment that might have arisen to Mavericks words dies the moment that robe drops and Percy gets a proper look at his friend.

His throat tightens and he silently steps forward. The thinness is worrying, but only because Percy knows that this was Maverick before he turned. Or... is he not eating enough blood? Or just eating in general, since Percy knows he's not fully Vampire anymore.

Those soft little distressed noises are back again as he gently touches Maverick. At least it's helping curb his feelings, as he lets his hands wander. Press against his neck, feeling along his jaw and along his arteries (no pulse). No breathing, and the same chill runs through him as before. Skin cold but not clammy. Simply no internal heat being generated.

Barely any muscle to him, his ribs aren't disturbingly prominent but he can feel them both on his chest and along his back. He can feel the ridge of his spine. His friend is skinny. Too skinny.

Are those scales?

But that's not what he's really making noises over. No. While he's seen the large piercing scar, the other ones take him by surprise and deepen his distress. ]

Oh, Seamus, what happened...?

[ He's done enough hands on physical surgeries to know surgical scars. He traces them, taking them in. These are lines that a pathologist would leave behind. Except their scars. Vivisection. ]

[And Maverick is remarkably calm as Percy assesses. Though it brings him no joy to hear him make those kinds of noises when he looks at his body like that. He raises his arms as needed, standing still unless Percy wants him to turn. He does not watch him, though, rather keeping his eyes trained elsewhere in the room.]

[He's never really been self-conscious about his body, but this might be the first time he's felt the strange desire to be guilty over it. For it distressing Percy so as he examines.]

[When he gets to the scars he figured he'd be the most worried over he huffs a little laugh.]

Oh, don't look at me like that, this one was entirely voluntary, I promise.

[Here, he will stand so that Percy gets the best view of them.]

Does the Vampiric Anatomy Diagram not carry my likeness?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject