a brimming glass of spiders

[bivariant]

WHO? Everyone.
WHAT? House parties.
WHEN? During the first three weeks, but after the banquet and House Chchai's demise.
ANYTHING ELSE? If characters have specific actions they'd like to take direct them here. Jumbled mess of a post plotting post is here.

Comments

[inconstantly]

William...?

[The name catches John off guard. He hasn't heard his new friend's true name yet, despite meeting with him in person multiple times by now. As the name lingers he matches it to the face of the only person it really could belong to.]

Oh, you mean Louis. [Calling William by his alias is just confusing. The network name is much easier.] Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while either. Would you like me to check on him?

[thoughtimight]

William.

[ Her reminder comes with an easy laugh. Louis is so unfitting of a name. While it will surely keep him safe here, she refuses to let it merge with any idea of the only person here that is truly real. After all, this could all turn out to be some long and vivid dream.

When she does wake up there is only one face she can say with certainty that she will see again. ]

Yes, I think it's about that time. His vitals are public.

[inconstantly]

Shouldn't be hard to find. Even without the BCE I have a bit of a nose for these things.

[He taps an index finger to the side of his nose with what he hopes is a reassuring smile. With a gentle kiss on the cheek in parting John slips back into the thick of the party, intent on bringing William back to Dolores. It shouldn't be long. With any luck they'll be deep into drinking games in a few minutes.

But he is gone for far longer than anticipated. When John returns it's in a rush, temporarily polished appearance knocked out of place. The shock doesn't leave his face as trembling hands grab for Dolores' shoulders.]

William- [He knows he's not supposed to use real names here, but anything less doesn't begin to touch the gravity of the situation.] I saw him- I saw him die.

[thoughtimight]

[ She barely recognizes John when he returns. The man's face seems to have changed entirely, falling into a gaunt and longer expression that doesn't match up with the sly smiles and air of perpetual confidence. She reaches for his hand immediately after they touch her, making an effort to ground him by laying her palms on top of his hands firmly.

When he speaks it's as if he's hurled something vile in her face. She not only retracts her hands but retreats back a few steps, her expression wounded. ]

That's not funny, John.

[inconstantly]

I'm not trying to be funny.

[His voice is quiet, subdued. It's more than reasonable for her to take a step back and he doesn't try to chase her.]

When I found him he was speaking with the matron. I couldn't quite tell what it was about. But something between them [He doesn't quite know how to explain it, especially not in this state.] upset her.

I did my best to interfere, Dolores. [The charade seems of little use now.] I was too far away to physically stop anything but as soon as I saw the state of things I conjured a spell to make her release him.

But it didn't matter.

[Chalk up another failure to John Constantine.]

[thoughtimight]

[ It's strange to hear such a festive man speaking so low. The panic registering in her head causes her to continue to stumble backwards. There's no one to recognize to hold on to anymore. She bumps into a couple behind her and turns sharply only to be confronted with more unfamiliar faces. While the urge to apologize hits her, she can't seem to find the words.

Her eyes widen and well with tears but Dolores otherwise seems locked up in her actions. Her breath catches and suddenly turns into a panicked flurry of gasps. She can't jeopardize the operation in any way. Hunched like a wounded animal, she starts to slink away for the nearest hall determined to get away from the crowds even if she has to crawl. ]