sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

[Iona blinks at Michael and then rolls up her right sleeve so that her crystal arm can be revealed. The normal appearance is shed and the veins and crystalline parts glow softly, illuminating the space around them.]

That better?

[There are times when Iona is unaware of how much she outpaces people. She has to admit, there was no need to drag Michael into this type of "community service," and even Oren raised a brow when she suggested calling him over. Did she have a real reason?? One, she didn't want him to be alone all the time (she remembers that painful look when he replied to her about that).

And she honestly liked his company as well. Oren will always be there, but Michael was new and introducing him and finding out new things with him made her look forward to the upcoming days.

Now, she just needs to work on not scaring him too early.]

[The glow of her arm is soft and comforting, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of the building they're in. He exhales, forcing himself to bask in what comfort she's trying to provide him. He's appreciative. He really is.]

Yeah. Sorry, I'm a little jumpy. This is my first time dealing with creepy stuff like this.

[Well...]

Other than the wendigo. But that was a more "run for your life" situation than slowly "exploring an abandoned building at night" situation.

It's okay! I mean, anyone would be unsettled by all of this.

And... Um. Well...

[She's reluctant, or rather uncertain about how to voice her thoughts at that moment.]

Michael? If you ever feel like I'm going too far or too overboard... Don't hesitate to let me know okay?

[He blinks, looking at her, not expecting to hear her say such a thing. He quirks a brow, and decides to ask for clarification.]

What do you mean, going too overboard?

[He didn't think she was ever the type to be worried about that.]

[She shifts back and forth on her feet, putting her opposite hand over her right arm as they move forward.]

Like... I get myself, you know? I really like being pumped up and putting all my energy into doing things even when it tires everyone else out. And like, I kinda forget that sometimes people aren't always leaping headfirst like I do because I'm kind of...

Blockhead.

[OREN IS VERY RUDE]

[He gives Oren a sideways glance and makes the wise decision to not comment on the "blockhead" bit. Not his place, though he'll subtly disagree with it given his next statement.]

I envy all the energy you have, Iona. If you "tire" people out, it's just because they can't match your enthusiasm. That's what I like about you.

[Ironically, he says such a thing so easily, not only to dissuade her uncertainties, but because it's true.]

[Her arm might have flickered for a second as her eyes widen slightly. And then she looks down at her feet and waves her bottle back and forth rather energetically (or rather, nervously)]

Oh, c'mon! You really think so? I mean, I appreciate you saying that! I mean...!!

[Saying that he likes her so easily?? Iona can be that upfront too, but it's rare she finds someone else who can say things in a way that was sincere without having energetic bursts. It was a like a calm and warming feeling that washes over her before she even realizes it.]

[If he had realized the embarrassing implications of what he had said, he might not have offered the statement so easily. (Not that he would be so quick to say that he doesn't not like her, but certainly he'd never be so bold to say it with such certainty.)

So her nervousness is baffling to him, as he merely thought he was giving her a compliment concerning her character -- but he chalks it up to her uncertainty about the subject in the first place.]

I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true; so don't worry about being "overbearing" with me. I think it's refreshing, compared to what I'm used to.

[She calms down for a moment to look at him curiously.]

If you're sure then... I don't want to pull you into any danger without being certain that we'd protect you.

[He shakes his head at that, frowning just a little.]

I don't want you guys to worry about that sort of thing. I've made my decision to be here, you know. I could have just said 'no'.

[He's working on himself, in his own way. He needs to be more courageous in a lot of things -- most of them personal -- but what better way to start than an old fashioned ghost adventure?]

And... I mean, even if I'm more or less useless when it comes to the supernatural, I want to be here to make sure no harm comes to you or Oren.

[His powers to stop time have been nothing but a burden since he discovered them, but now, ever since he's met Iona, he feels as if they might not be so useless after all if he can protect her with them, never mind how fleeting the opportunities may be.]

[Uuuuuuuuu. Her cheeks puff up again and even in the low lighting of her arm, there's something that could be called a blush as a reaction towards his words.]

That's... Ugh, you're so nice! Everyone thinks I'm nice, but you're really nice!

[She's about to keep walking, but Oren puts a hand on both of their shoulders to stop them. Iona looks up at Oren and he in turn points up ahead.

There's a white misty looking figure in one of the doorways.]

[He chuckles lightly at her reaction (Is he embarrassing her? That'd be a change) and opens his mouth to add something--

But he feels a sturdy hand on his shoulder which makes him stop, and rightfully so. Michael gazes off to where Oren is pointing to see what appears to be a semi-transparent white figure in the doorway. He freezes, the hair on the back of his neck standing up.

He's not sure what to do and is eternally thankful that Iona and Oren are here with him. He sets his jaw and swallows, and then speaks in a hushed tone.]

...Is that... what we're looking for?

[Iona nods keeping her eyes on the ghost.]

Yeah... Seems like a calm one though. It hasn't noticed us although you should be safe with the charm on you.

[The ghost is stationary for another minute before it glides away silently. The chilly atmosphere seems to increase though meaning...]

That means there's probably more up ahead.

[And she takes a step forward, bottle over her shoulder. Her strides are confident and practiced, not an ounce of hesitation.]

Stay close to Oren! I'm gonna go check it out.

[He's snapped out of his stationary state when Iona steps forward, and he reaches out to grasp her by the wrist without even thinking about it.]

Woah, hey-- You can't just go scope things out by yourself. I'm not here just so I can stand by uselessly.

[Whoop, that pulls her back. Iona blinks and looks down at his hand on her wrist and then back at Michael.]

Ah... Hm. Okay, you can come with! Sorry, almost left you both behind there.

[THIS IS FINE!!]

[He lets go of her wrist, breathing out a relieved sigh. She really is headstrong, isn't she?]

Don't forget that we're here to back you up, not just to stand here and look pretty.

[A half hearted attempt at levity (though in Oren's case, probably more accurate)]

All right, let's go. [He's got his bottle ready, too!] No need to rush through it.

You're right.

[The witch pauses and without looking at Michael, she gives him a pat on the shoulder.]

Thank you.

[Her crystal arm flickers again...]

[In the flickering light of her arm, Michael feels a wave of... something. It's not quite embarrassment, but very akin to it, and he feels the need the clear his throat for no real reason and keep his gaze on the doorway ahead of him.]

...You're more than welcome. [It's spoken softly, but easily heard in the abandoned building, which echoes all sounds with ease. Michael shifts his weight, then takes a few steps forward.]

So to recap, just hit any problematic ghosts on the head with our bottles, right?

Yup! If they ignore us, it means they have other business and I leave that up to specialists who can actually talk to them. Problematic ones, we give them the 1-2.

[Speaking of which, it's getting colder as they go through a door.]

Well! Guess we got a pretty big lot here!

[And indeed, it looks like a bunch of ghosts, some curled up on the ground, some flickering in and out like static while covering their arms, mouths open in a shrieking manner, but with no sound coming out, there's one ghost that keeps going back and forth through a wall.]

[Iona's cheery demeanor is contrasted by Michael's cautious one; he looks at the ghosts, almost bewildered by how many there are -- but more prominently, he feels another chill run up his spine. Many of them are, for lack of a better word, plain creepy.

He speaks more quietly than usual, once again contrasting to his friend's openness.]

This is like something out of a horror movie. I... feel kind of bad for some of them.

[Iona nods in agreement.]

Yeah. They can't help being in this kind of state.

[She pauses as she gingerly steps around one ghost laying still on the ground.]

It's kind of weird, but I still think of them as alive in a sense. Cause you know, they're still haunting places and existing if you get what I mean.

[It's rather melancholic to bring it up to begin with, but she's sounding particularly thoughtful.]

[Michael reflects her thoughtful tone, along with a tinge of sympathy.]

Existing with most of the world just passing them by.

[Melancholic indeed.]

None of these ghosts look hostile to me, either. Did we miss something?

Hm. Probably? These guys are gonna have to go at some point, but that's not my job although...

HEY. BUDDY.

[Iona walks up to the ghost that's shuffling back and forth through a wall and...

... Whacks it over the head with her holy water. It freezes and then dissipates into thin air. None of the other ghosts seem to mind or if they do face Iona, her magic arm and her wielding a bottle with powerful contents seems to keep them away.]

THAT'S doing that guy a solid.

[the nicest witch]

[Michael nearly jumps again at Iona's exclamation, startled. He stands by and watches her konk the unwitting ghost over the head with the wine bottle, wincing for some reason as she does. He watches it dissipate with visible curiosity.]

I can't tell if it appreciated it or not. But... I guess being stuck in a loop isn't much better.

[He's not sure if he's so bold as to do the same as her, but at this point he'd do it to a hostile ghost without much hesitation.]

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