77th_emo_earl: (Not!brothers)
Titus Groan ([personal profile] 77th_emo_earl) wrote2012-01-30 10:06 pm

[For Steerpike] Till the least of the last is dust...

It's been some days since the poster went up in the main room, asking for any information on the whereabouts of Titus Groan, and some might think the trail is going cold. But the only thing going cold is the weather.

At some distance from the house, well into the woods, well past the Stone Table, Steerpike might find something disturbing: a lump with longish brown hair, protruding from the deep snow. There might be a foot sticking from the drift several feet away.

It's as disturbing as it sounds, and it's likely going to take a while to find the rest...

Title taken from the Schoolmasters' verse, aka the lyrics for the main title theme for the BBC miniseries. Primarily for Steerpike, but given the condition that the body is going to be in, it's likely to turn into a limited mingler...

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-02-02 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Steerpike was just going about, taking a long walk for himself. He's not had much action of late, his life, in fact, feels almost normal, though he occasionally wonders where the annoying half-brother went.

It must be fate.

It must be irony.

At any rate, he'll stumble upon the hair. And after a moment of vague horror.... he'll start digging.

[identity profile] 77th-earl.livejournal.com 2012-02-03 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
As he digs deeper, he'll uncover a very familiar face, though by now, it's gone pasty-white, the skin like cold, damp ivory to the touch. The eyes are half open and cloudy, but the face is unmistakable.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-02-03 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Well, for once in his lifetime....

Steerpike is going to SCREAM.

Like a girl.

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-02-05 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
Jacquel has been combing the woods, in dog form, sniffing at the snow -- which helps him to cover more ground quickly. But hearing that scream, he lifts his ears and scampers off in the direction of the sound. Before he gets within eyeshot, he phases back into human form, stepping into Steerpike's line of sight. "Sir, are you all right?" he asks, concerned.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-02-06 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"--- d----- d---- dead."

Is all that Steerpike manages, pointing at the corpse.

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-02-07 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
He follows the direction of the young man's pointing hand. He's found bodies in just about every condition imaginable. Dismembered in the snow is a fairly unusual one. He steps closer, kneeling down, and carefully turning the head over to examine it. "Was it someone whom you knew?" he asks. He hasn't met Titus, but the thought crosses his mind that this may well be their missing young man.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-03-10 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Aye," is what Steerpike finds to answer, for a moment.

And then.

"He was from Gormenghast."

And no-one hurts him.

Except me.

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-03-11 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Were you both from there?" he asks, simply acquainting himself with the young man. He really doubts this young man is the killer: no one reacts to a body like that, if they'd had a hand in the murder. From a deep, inner pocket of his coat, he takes out a short, wooden stake with a twist of orange plastic tied to it, and pressing it into the snow, marking the location.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-03-11 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Aye," Steerpike replies. "He was the Earl. I was the kitchen rat. I think we'd have been happier, though, had our places been swapped."

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-03-12 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Rather a bit like Mark Twain's 'The Prince and the Pauper'," he says, reaching into another deep pocket of his coat and taking out a black plastic bag, unfolding it. "Do you know if he had any enemies here?" he asks.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-04-01 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Steerpike has no idea who this Mark Twain of yours is, Jacquel.

He'll have to go read, though.

"None," he lies.

Seeing as he's one.

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-04-08 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
Luckily, this is the nigh side of the hall of judgement and Jacquel can't see Steerpike's intent, though that paucity of words is a little odd. "None that you know of?" he asks, laying out the plastic bag and opening it.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-06-07 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Steerpike takes a bit too long perhaps to make up his mind, but his answer is perhaps more earnest than he would like it to be.

"Aye," he says, again.

He's trying not to look disturbed, but he is.

[OOC: And in the spirit of wrapping up things, how about we assume that they bring back the body, without too many questions being asked, and call it a wrap?]

[identity profile] death-dawg.livejournal.com 2012-06-08 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
That works for me! Jacquel has also ruled out Steerpike as a suspect: he's too unsettled to have had a hand in what happened; that and he feels a certain amount of sympathy for the young man: no one needs to see that.

[identity profile] not-snake-bite.livejournal.com 2012-06-08 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
Great, thanks! <3

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-03 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Hisoka and Misa tramp over the forested hills, crossing streams and occasionally little snowy open fields. They find the place where Rudy dumped her body and where she was resurrected. But they do not find Titus or any trace of him there.

Eventually, it becomes clear that they aren't going to. "I bet he deliberately picked a spot far away from here," says Hisoka, wiping a smudge off his face with his sleeve. They have been literally beating the bushes. "How are you doing, Misa?"

[identity profile] eyeofjustice.livejournal.com 2012-02-04 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Misa may pant a little, but she isn't complaining. This is important so no whining.

“I'm fine.” She sighs. “Figures he would.” The Bastard.
Edited 2012-02-04 05:16 (UTC)

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-04 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I hope the sonofabitch broke his back lugging people all the way out here," says Hisoka. "Too bad the wolves left him alone." Pause. "You walked all the way back by yourself, after you came back to life?"
Edited 2012-02-05 04:25 (UTC)

[identity profile] eyeofjustice.livejournal.com 2012-02-06 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Misa shakes her head. “...Well, not really. A nice but kinda rugged man named Malcolm found me and guided me back to the Mansion.”

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-07 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"That would be Malcolm Reynolds? I've met him. I'm glad he was there for you."

Hisoka looks around and sighs. He picks a direction that seems likely, looks at Misa with quizzical uplifted eyebrows, and starts walking that way. He has an idea that if Titus isn't here, the next most likely area is anywhere in the region of the stone table, or perhaps some distance beyond. That whole area's got restless and sometimes violent energy, and murderers other than Muraki could have an affinity for it.

A couple of miles farther on, they are now walking on relatively flat ground, between pine trees with their cold turpentine scent. They have passed the stone table. Hisoka thinks to say aloud, "So, are you sure you want to keep looking with me? You know what we might find." If she says yes, Hisoka won't try to dissuade her. He thinks people have a right to decide these things for themselves.

Hisoka's eyes are sweeping the snowy ground as they go...

[Can has Dead Titus now, pleeze? XD]
Edited 2012-02-08 05:08 (UTC)

[identity profile] 77th-earl.livejournal.com 2012-02-08 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Off to the right, he might spy something long and narrow sticking up from the snow. Approaching to inspect it, he'll discover it's a human thigh bone, stripped of most of the flesh and heavily gnawed, clearly by something with large, sharp teeth.

[identity profile] eyeofjustice.livejournal.com 2012-02-11 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll be fine..." Misa assures him. But after walking for some miles, Misa may suddenly find that bone.

"Oh my god..." She turns away, holding back tears.
Edited 2012-02-11 23:57 (UTC)

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-12 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
Hisoka walks to stand by Misa's side, looking down at this pitiful remnant of a human being. He has no doubt whatever that the bone belongs to Titus.

He sighs heavily, drops his satchel, kneels down and opens it. It has the tools and materials they need for this grisly task. He pulls out a plastic trashbag, pulls on rubber gloves, and bags the bone carefully. "Misa?" he says, "I'd like to...leave this here for the moment, and come back for it a little later." He stands up, sheds the gloves, goes to a tree and cuts a narrow branch, sharpens one end to a point, and plunges it into the snow beside the bag. He ties a broad strip of bright orange plastic tape to the top of the pole, so that he or any other searcher can spot it easily.

Then he goes to Misa, and if she allows, lays a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I want to keep searching. But you don't have to do this. I'll walk you back home if you want."

[identity profile] eyeofjustice.livejournal.com 2012-02-13 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
Misa looks at the bone in the bag, or the better word could be, 'can barely stand to look at it'. If only he'd listen... this would have never happened. Then Hisoka gives her the option to leave, she asks:

"Have I done enough to help, Hisoka?"

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-13 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, Misa. You've done a great deal. I owe you, and we all owe you. Come on, let's go back."

He has to return to the barn anyway, and get a cart or a wagon or something. The rest of Titus is probably around here somewhere, and Hisoka thinks it would be a good idea for the searchers to have a vehicle in which to haul all of him back in one trip, if possible.

And he doesn't have time right now to remember combing through that tangled heap of broken and blasted metal that had been the bridge of the Mary Rose, his first ship in his second life, for his dead crewmates. Or, for that matter...the cargo hold of the Queen Camilla, in his first life. There is too much work to be done.

He gives the forest a quick glance all around...keeping in mind those toothmarks, which his is pretty sure are wolf. His shotgun is already unslung and loaded, and carrying it in one hand, he takes Misa's other hand (again, if she allows), and turns for the shortest route back to the house.

[Nice thread, both of you! @_@ FTB after your next posts?--if either of you wants to post again.]

[identity profile] eyeofjustice.livejournal.com 2012-02-14 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
On the way back, Misa may start to cry.

Titus didn't have to suffer for that... monster. He didn't.

FTB. I wonder how is the agency going to break the news out with everyone in the mansion...

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-15 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Good question!]

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-04 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Hisoka wants to search the forest stretch between the lake and the stone table. At the moment, however, he is concerned with checking the lakeshore trail for footprints, since if Rudy got this far, he likely stayed on the easiest path for as long as possible before turning into the woods. The going is fairly easy near the water, but for a person carrying a burden, the rolling woodlands between here and the table could be a little rougher.

"See anything, Neville?" he calls.

[And this thread is for Neville.^^]

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-02-06 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Neville is weary, not of searching but of worry for the missing Titus. He's weary of the constant battle with evil, but too single-minded in looking to consider the greater picture of good versus evil. What matters is finding Titus. At hearing his name, he turns to Hisoka.

"Nothing at all. I was hoping you had good news."

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-07 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
"I wish I did. How are you doing?" Neville looks like he's holding up, but Hisoka knows that experience with death doesn't really make it easier the next time.

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-02-07 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd be better if I'd found anything at all, but not even a single clue. Or anything out of place," Neville sighs. "Is Aramat's attacker still locked away?"

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-07 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
"He isn't exactly locked away, but for now, he won't be going anywhere." Hisoka has a canvas bag slung over his shoulder, and one thing in it is a thermos and some cups He pulls them out. "I'm frozen, myself. Want some hot coffee?"

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-02-14 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
"That's brilliant, Hisoka. Really, thank you," Neville answers, looking at the cups with relief. "I'm confused -- did Aramat have two attackers or one? And did she know Titus in any way or is this random?"

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-15 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
Hisoka pours and hands the first cup to Neville. "There was Gunji, and before him, something else. Interestingly, it was Gunji who volunteered that. I don't know if you've ever met him. He's like a grown-up feral child, if you've ever heard of the phenomenon. Like a wild animal, sometimes playful, sometimes fierce, sometimes just baffled; however, he has some language. His talk is rather strange, but he can make himself understood, and he's observant. He says she smashed the mirror in her room and ran, that she was already terrified and fleeing from some person or entity when he encountered her in the hallway. He admits he killed her, so he is not trying to get off the hook."

Hisoka sips his own hot coffee. "You did read the letter she left on her desk? I don't think she was hallucinating. I think that what she saw was real in some sense. So, was it a demon, or what? Dr. Muraki thinks so, and he's somewhat knowledgeable on the subject, and he knew Aramat. And as for the connection with Titus, if there is one...of course they had to have known each other at least a little -- from the play production, if nothing else. Aramat liked pretty boys, and he was attractive. I can't imagine she'd have passed him up." He takes another gulp of coffee. "But, Neville, there's more..."

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-02-21 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Neville gratefully accepts the coffee, curling his fingers around the cup and simply soaking up the warmth for several long moments. "I have met Gunji. When we fought the wolves. He seemed to be under the elven lord's command," he reflects, sad to know the creature had lost control. Sad that Aramat is dead. Sad over the whole sordid mess.

He wonders if Aramat was actually in a sexual relationship with Titus or merely flirtation, but he doesn't ask -- at least not yet. "More?"

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-21 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Hisoka first completes his thoughts regarding Aramat's slayer. "Gunji respected Feanor, who gave him a new set of rules to play by." Literally. A new game. "But he forgot them, or forgot to remember them, since the elf king wasn't around. It's a problem." Hisoka sips his own coffee.

Then he holds his coffee in both hands (as Neville is doing), suddenly feeling his fingers to be chillier than they were a moment ago. "When we were interviewing people who knew Titus, a young woman named Misa Amane told me that she was sure that a man named Rudy Cooper murdered Titus. The reason she was sure was because he murdered her, fourteen months ago. He dumped her in the woods, and about four months later she was resurrected. She tried to warn people, but I don't think anybody believed her story."

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-02-26 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"No one believed her?!" Neville is shocked, incredulous. "This agency couldn't have formed fast enough," he sighs. "I knew self-policing was too idealistic. Too good to be true, rather." He drinks from his coffee. "It's a wonder more crimes aren't commited and going unpunished, unsolved."

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-28 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Moved left to avoid post crush.^^>

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-02-28 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes," says Hisoka. "We don't have the kind of community organization it would take to police ourselves -- idealistic or not. And after listening to Misa, I've begun to wonder what ELSE might have happened, or be happening, that we don't know about? This is just like the prison, small enclaves of people who don't share information with the others, liberally sprinkled with individuals who don't share information with anybody." He pours himself another cup and gestures to Neville's cup, to ask if he wants more.

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
Neville gladly offers his nearly empty cup to Hisoka, wanting more coffee. He has a decidedly different chill now, with all this new information. "The Agency needs someone in charge of keeping files on cases, whether proven or alleged. We might find a pattern to help prevent this from happening again." He's not volunteering though as that is not his strength, but he can still see the need for it.

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
"I agree," says Hisoka. "And I certainly would be interested in that project. I keep notes anyway. But maybe we need one person to organize a filing system and keep the folders in one place. It doesn't have to be me, although I will do it if no one else volunteers. Maybe Phoenix Wright? -- since he's a lawyer and must be used to keeping his own files. Or maybe we could recruit somebody new who has related or similar experience?"

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Neville shrugs. Administration was never his cuppa, even though he sees the need. "I trust you and Tsuzuki to find the best person for the job," he says, nodding. "I feel really poorly about that girl who no one believed." He sips his coffee, all the while frowning.

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
"I do, too," says Hisoka. "And she had to live with Rudy in the same building, after that. It's horrible."

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
Neville agrees completely. Part of him wants to go find her, hug her and promise her she'll be protected from now on. But until Rudy is found, no one is safe. "What's her name again? I'll try to keep an eye on her."

[identity profile] in-summer-leaf.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
"It's Misa Amane," replies Hisoka. "She's small, blonde, and dresses frilly, unless you catch her on one of her Goth days. Brown eyes. You may have seen her around, even if you don't know her." Hisoka will try as well, but he, too, knows there is a limit to what they can do.

[Okay if we wrap up? Unless you can think of anything else they should discuss?]

[identity profile] killedthesnake.livejournal.com 2012-03-05 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"I haven't seen her," Neville replies, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I appreciate all the information," he murmurs, finishing his coffee and returning the cup to Hisoka gratefully. "I'm going to keep searching." He tips his head to Hisoka, heart too heavy to manage a smile, before setting off again.

[fade! ^^]