[Open Post] When the Wolves Come Out of the Walls...

[77th_emo_earl]

For the first time since his abortive attempt at escaping back in November, Titus no longer feels so much at home in this place. Something nasty has come out of the woodwork, and he's wondering now if trying to escape was the better course of action. He cannot be alone, not after nearly harming himself, and so he's headed for the kitchen, hoping to find *someone* who hasn't been affected by this madness...

Backdated to the night Morgoth tried to break his mind

Comments

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"..... gross," Robin replies. "Good on you resisting it." Pause. "-- you feeling alright?"

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I am shaking like leaves in a hurricane, but I am whole in body," he says, sinking down on a kitchen chair. "Though now I fear for my safety in this place."

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"It's a fair point," Robin replies seriously. "Should take it this way, though: how long have you been without feeling unsafe, here?"

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I have dwelt here in peace since I first awoke here late in the summer," he says. "Unless one counts that night in the autumn when a giant insect pursued me through the garden." He glances away, somewhat embarrassed to admit to something that cowardly. "But that is not so terrifying as something unseen reaching into your mind and taking control of your body."

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

.... "Ah, yeah. Yeah, that's creepy as fuck," Robin replies.

Happened to him, once.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He hesitates, then asks, nervously, "What manner of being can do such a thing to a man, to reach into his head without so much as a by-your-leave and then to tamped with his will?"

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"An evil one, what else?" Robin shrugs, but his demeanor indicates how unhappy he is.

This is making him think of one thing.

Tumulus.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"But what is it called? A demon? There were no demons in Gormenghast," he says. Part of his mind mutters something about the human variety, but he pushes this thought aside.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, demon's close enough, if you use the meaning of a fallen angel," Robin replies. "Mustn't be that bad, if you don't have any of those, where you're from."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps that innocence was a good thing, but it did not help me to brace for an attack like that," he says. Then with a dry smirk, he adds, "Or rather, there were demons in my world, but they came in human form."

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Ah, well those exist everywhere," Robin replies dismissively. "Human nature, all that."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"It still did not help me to know how to brace for such an attack," he says. "Does this manner of horror happen often?"

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Well, it's been a while, but it's not the first time," Robin replies, frowning.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

Titus blinks, looking worried now. "There have been attacks before this? Do such things happen often in this place?" he asks, wibbling now, and trying to hide it, but for the moment, the mask of nobility has fallen and the scared young man beneath it is showing.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, once a year, less, maybe? Though considering who we're talking about, I wouldn't bank on patterns," Robin replies unhappily.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"That it is not a frequent occurrence is a small blessing," he says. "But that it happens without warning is little consolation. Is there some means that a man might arm his mind against him?"

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"There's hypnosis, I guess. Can put up a couple roadblocks that way," Robin says offhandedly.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"And do you know of someone who could perform that ritual?" he asks.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

Robin smirks. "I just miiight."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I would appreciate that, if you could guide me to them, whoever they are," he replies, relieved to hear this.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Heh, I think I can swing that. You busy now?" Robin asks.

He'll help, but he can't resist playing a bit of a trick on Titus.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"Busy? Not this evening. I don't think that there is any chance of sleeping tonight after what transpired," he says, not knowing what he's getting into...

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Alright. Why don't you hang out here, a minute, and I'll go fetch the guy, how's that?"

Robin's plan is to go fetch his pendulum, rather.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I can be patient and wait, and after what befell me, there is no risk of me wandering away," he replies, relieved to have someone's assistance.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

A touch later, Robin reappears, looking smug.

"So I'm told you need a hypnotizer?"