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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 10:12:29 GMT -5
Carlos, washed and dressed in the unassuming, yet very fine, clothes Destler had laid away for him, ventured into the cellars with no little trepidation.
He might change at any time. There was a corpse who may or may not love him huddled in the bed they'd lately shared waiting for him. He'd eaten a cat. His career was severely impaired by the fact that he might grow claws and a tail in the middle of "La donna e mobile."
Now, he had to go find a man named simply Julian who lived in the cellar and could possibly fashion his dead lover a mask.
There was one point in Carlos' favor, and that was the knowledge that he would not get lost down here. He was certain of that, somehow. He wandered the dank corridors and found himself by the lake. His senses, while far duller than in his lynx form, were still heightened from what they once were, and the tang of the damp filled his nostrils unexpectedly.
"Julian?" he called out softly, feeling very foolish.
((It just occurred to me that Carlos doesn't know about Destler/Julian.))
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 10:20:51 GMT -5
*Julian frowned at the sound. It was too close to be unfamiliar and calling his name. Silently, he stepped outside, finding a man by the lake. Someone half-familiar, if only he could place him. He stared as the man wandered aimlessly. But eventually, his curiosity got the better of him. Without revealing himself, his disembodied voice echoed off the damp cavern walls.*
"Who is it that seeks Julian?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 10:32:18 GMT -5
Carlos started at the sound, and suddenly it was not strange that Erik knew Julian but that two such beings existed independently in the cellars of the Opera.
"My name is Car--Christopher Huggins," he said, the name sounding almost unfamiliar after all this time. "I was told by Erik Destler that I might enlist your help on his behalf."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 10:39:17 GMT -5
*There was a long silence before Julian emerged, not really looking imposing at all, just a tall blond-headed fellow walking towards the newcomer with eyes filled with reluctant curiosity.*
"You know Erik Destler?" *He didn't look like he was completely ready to believe that. He was obviously hiding something.*
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 10:56:41 GMT -5
The young man who appeared might have been attractive, was it not for the uncanniness coming off him in waves.
Then again, Erik was hardly normal, and Carlos recognized something in Julian that reminded him of his lover. Which was disconcerting, to say the least.
"I do," he said. "I live with him."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 11:00:58 GMT -5
*Julian thought briefly on the intimate time he had shared with Destler, the comfort he had offered, but...he had said there was another he was enamored with.*
"You are his lover." *He answered plainly, no judgement only an inquisitiveness.*
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 11:24:24 GMT -5
"What business is that of yours?" Carlos demanded more shortly than necessary. The man was certainly very rude! But he did not deny it.
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 11:29:02 GMT -5
*Julian looked a bit surprised at the man's vexation, but let the comment pass. After all, it was hardly the point of the conversation.*
"And why is it that he sent you here, to find me?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 11:41:22 GMT -5
Carlos gathered himself, wary of another "attack" from his own body. That probably wouldn't help matters.
"He has... It's his face," he said. "Something has occurred which has taken even what he had away from him. He cannot resort to the methods he once did to present an acceptable face to the world."
Or me.
"He wished me to ask you to make him a mask, of some sort. He said you had some facility with such things."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 11:53:09 GMT -5
*Julian froze briefly. It was certainly not what he had been expecting. Not that this man's invasion of his mother's domain was expected in the slightest.*
"Did he give you the specifications of what he was desiring?"
*He arched a calculating brow.*
"Why is it that he did not come himself?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 12:04:26 GMT -5
"He is... weak," he said at last. "Not ready, after his ordeal, to present himself." The thought made him feel unexpectedly protective. "Perhaps he did not wish to offend you with his appearance." He frowned slightly. "How is it you know him?"
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 12:24:49 GMT -5
*Julian didn't like the thought of this other man asking the questions. He should be the one answering.*
"He lives in the cellars as well. It was inevitable that we should meet some day."
*He pressed on.*
"Did he give you the specifications, or not?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 12:44:49 GMT -5
"Er..." He looked at Julian. "I did not measure him. But I can tell you, relative to your own face. You are like enough, in some ways, that a comparison is possible."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 12:53:13 GMT -5
*Julian processed the statement, then lowered his brow.*
"That is not exactly what I meant. I was curious what material, function and design he was requesting."
*He added.*
"Though, I would appreciate the other information as well."
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 13:13:12 GMT -5
"Ah," he said. "Sorry." The man's speech was odd, and despite its precision, Carlos had some trouble knowing just what he meant. "He was not specific. It is merely to... allow him to converse unseen. I don't think it matters, as long as..."
As long as I can look at him without him seeing what he is in my eyes.
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