[undarkest timeline] oopfsb: watchers always make lists

[stilljustandrew]

He needs to write that list. He promised Matt.

Watchers always make lists.

Abilities

can take on the form of any individual dead or formerly dead

can (apparently) know anything known to the dead

can sometimes interfere with magical energies so as to disrupt spells aimed at it directly

can give abilities such as superhuman strength or clairvoyance to its chosen followers, while transforming others into Harbingers

can appear and speak to one individual while remaining unseen and unheard by others present

has claimed the ability to pull people out of hell (unconfirmed)

can communicate with people through dreams nightmares

Known Strategies

winning followers through promises and/or corruption

impersonating close friends / loved ones, to deceive and mislead (esp. if the individual is not known to have died)

appearing as close friends / loved ones / enemies without keeping up pretense of actually being them, to stir up strong emotion and cloud judgment

passing misinformation / interfering with communication

damaging morale through constant harassment, esp. of those in fragile emotional/mental states

Andrew hesitates, then adds under that last: On more than one occasion the First has attempted, often but not always successfully, to talk people into murder and/or suicide.

He stops and looks at it for several minutes, trying to decide if that sounds melodramatic.

"You okay?" asks Jonathan's voice behind him.

He turns before his mind catches up, and stutters "Y-yeah."

Jonathan's sitting there on the edge of his bed, looking sad and sympathetic and even a little indignant on his behalf. "He dumped you, didn't he. I'm sorry. That sucks."

Andrew closes his eyes. "If you wanna talk to me," he says unsteadily, "stop looking like him."

"Sorry," says another voice, ruefully; when he opens his eyes, it's Ava Wilson sitting there. "Better?"

"Not much." He turns back to the list, shoulders hunched as though he could hide what he's writing.

"I mean it, though. I am sorry. Especially since it kinda was actually my fault? I called it wrong, I figured for sure he'd stick it out with you."

Andrew's fingers close hard on the pen. "Did you want something?"

She laughs. "What? I told you I'd be back. But listen, if this isn't a good time I can always come back later."

"Yeah," he says to the paper. "Do that. Please."

A pause, and then sounding pleased: "Well, since you ask so nicely. Sure. Just -- one thing before I go?" She pauses, and then when he doesn't respond goes on, her tone shading into concern: "Don't ... don't let it get to you, okay? If he's not gonna be there when you need him, he doesn't deserve you."

Silence. Andrew waits, then slowly lets a breath trickle out.

Then freezes, as his own voice breathes wickedly into his ear: "He deserves me."



When he turns to look, the room's empty.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

He swallows.

"Did it?"

[nita_callahan]

Rueful: "No. Not really. Nothing we didn't already pretty much know. It's an asshole and it wants you."

[stilljustandrew]

He nods, and tries to suppress a shiver.

"I don't even know why it wants me. I didn't even do it all that much good back then."

[nita_callahan]

"Evil's got a real possessive streak. In my experience, anyway."

Asmodean -- Blodwen -- Sitri -- the Lone Power -- hell, V, too.

"And that," she adds, suddenly fierce again, "is not our fault."

[stilljustandrew]

He gives her a swift uneasy glance, and his voice is small again when he says "I know."

[nita_callahan]

Deeeeep breath, Nita.

"Sorry." She rubs a hand over her face. "No -- sorry. I'd just rather be mad than scared."

[stilljustandrew]

... Oh.

It shouldn't feel better, to realize that Nita's scared too. It shouldn't be reassuring. But it's doing something to lighten the shrinking heaviness of a few moments ago.

"No, it, it's okay."

[nita_callahan]

She shakes her head, frustrated, at herself more than anything.

[stilljustandrew]

"I mean --"

He can't quite articulate why, even to himself, but --

"-- I'd rather not be the only one who's scared."

[nita_callahan]

"--Oh. Yeah. That -- I get that."

[stilljustandrew]

(Somewhere in his head, Matt's voice: I'm sorry, this must be really hard for you.)

He looks away, blinking.

"We should ... we were going downstairs."

[nita_callahan]

"Yeah. Yeah, let's go."

She gives one look over her shoulder, glowers, and then heads for the stairs.

[semicharmed]

Matt is at a new table-- one covered in books, notes, herbs, and other magical bits and bobs.

He's bent over a leather band, trying to figure out how best to attach a curve of gleaming wire. Every so often, he'll consult one of the books.

There's a tall mug of coffee at his elbow, still steaming.

[stilljustandrew]

He's also not directly facing the stairway, which means he doesn't see the two of them emerge.

Andrew comes to a halt as soon as he spots Matt.

"... Over there," he says, and indicates the table with a gesture of the head.

[nita_callahan]

Nita follows Andrew's glance and blows out a breath.

"All right." She takes the list from him. "You wanna just wait here, or--?"

[stilljustandrew]

He looks across at Matt again, and a lump thickens in his throat.

"Um," low-voiced. "I think, yeah."

[nita_callahan]

"Okay. Hang tight."

She gives him a quick smile, meant to encourage, and makes her way across the bar.

... She's not exactly stomping, but her stride is sure purposeful.

"Hey, Matt," she calls as she approaches.

[semicharmed]

"--Oh."

Matt looks up quickly.

"Nita, hi. Want to try my latest effort?"

He holds up the leather band, wireless. A series of holes punched into one end seem to allow for easy adjustment.

[nita_callahan]

"In a minute."

She drops the list onto the table in front of him.

"You should read this."

[semicharmed]

As he takes the paper, Matt realizes he can touch it, ergo Nita's real.

Maybe they should develop a secret handshake.

Abilities

can take on the form of any individual dead or formerly dead

"Oh," he realizes, "this is Andrew's ...?"

[nita_callahan]

"Yeah. That" -- she glaps a hand at the list -- "really does not get across what an asshole it is."

[semicharmed]

Matt is skimming-- interfere with magical energies, communicate with people through nightmares-- and so it takes him a moment to realize the implications of what Nita's just said.

Then, ruefully--

"You met it too?"

[nita_callahan]

"Yeah." She rubs her face. "Could've been worse. Still wasn't fun."

[semicharmed]

"That ... about summarizes my experience."

He frowns up at her.

"Wanna talk about it? Or sit?"

[stilljustandrew]

Over by the stairway, Andrew's found a spot to lean against the wall and watch the conversation, while trying not to look like he's watching.

In practice, this means looking at the bar or at the Observation Window, stealing quick looks at Matt as furtively as though he could be made to put them back.

It also means an ache in his chest that he can't get rid of and doesn't know how to explain to himself.