Log:He's Never There, But He's Always There

The Tall Man 2014/08/11 Sasha Hunter 3

Elvis Presley Diner

The Elvis Presley Diner has chrome plated everything, booths, tables, chairs, menu's and even curtain blinds! Pictures of the famous Elvis Presley are plastered all over the walls, along with imitation records and posters that depict an era that is still loved today. Waitresses dressed in typical 1950's style dress bustle along tending to their customers. Cooks wear the sailor white hats that was common for that era, while entertaining the patrons with fancy flips of burgers and other infamous foods.

Hunter is sitting in the rear corner booth of the cafe, left elbow on the table propping up his chin while the right hand twirls a pencil idly. He has a class french book and some paper in front of him that he's looking at. His backpack rests under the table at his feet. There's a cup of steaming coffee with infinite refills near him, and a plate of chili cheese fries that has been partially nibbled. He looks...tired. His eyes are dark and his lids are very heavy. From time to time, he takes very long blinks, followed by a swig of coffee. He rubs the bridge of his nose, trying to wake himself up, then goes back to scribbling while his hand keeps his head propped upright.

Hovering over him is a transparent yet dark, shadowy cloud with black tentacles snaking out of it.

With a jingle the bell over the door rings. (What is it with old 20th century style and bells over doors, anyways?) Into the bright and shiny chrome palace that is the Elvis Presley Diner steps a familiar figure dressed all in black. Sasha stands in the doorway for a moment as his gaze sweeps over the room. As it comes to rest on you, the Russian youth's gaze seems to sharpen. The youth's ever present smile sets into a slight grimace as he saunters (or is that stalks?) over to your corner booth.

Hunter blinks and looks up towards the door idly at the sound of the bell. And then he drops his pencil. o O (Oh shick. What's he doing here??) There's no where to hide or disappear to. He looks down at his papers, really hoping somehow that Sasha didn't see him. Very unlikely, though. He picks up his pencil and scribbles more on his homework assignment.

Sasha continues on towards the table then once he reaches it the youth just sits down without a word. He glances at your food and homework then his attention focusses fully on you. It is an intense look of concern and irritation all mixed into one. Sasha remains silent throughout.

So much for that hope. Hunter's eyebrows raise as he looks up from his homework and smiles a little. "Hey, cousin...um, want some chili fries?" he offers nonchalantly.

Sasha reaches over and takes a chili fry. He slowly eats it as he continues to look at you. When a waitress comes by, he says, "I will have a cherry Coke, please. Thank you." His tone is polite but distant to the waitress and he never looks at her. His eyes only rest on you.

Hunter squirms only very slightly and takes a very long blink. "So. How's it going?" he asks innocently as he stares back down at his french book and starts scanning the page. He'd hoped he wouldn't see Sasha until this Tall Man thing was sorted out, but Raven hasn't really inspired his confidence on that front. He hadn't even had time to really absorb the whole Sasha = Harlequin thing or how to really even deal with that. So he just plays dumb. And hopes Sasha doesn't connect the dots with him.

Sasha is silent until the waitress returns with his cherry Coke. The youth picks up the drink and takes a sip of the drink with his right hand as he rummages with hisa left hand in his messenger bag. Sasha pulls out a small leather bound book that may be familiar and places it atop your homework. He then reaches back into the bag and pulls out an ornate silver and crystal wand and places it next to the book. He still remain silent.

Hunter blinks at the objects placed in front of him and sighs slightly, closing his eyes and letting his head droop forward. His hair falls forward and covers his face. So he knows. "What's this...?" he asks quietly.

Sasha runs a finger over the surface of the table in a complex pattern. As he does, the surrounding sounds become somewhat muffled. Sasha then says in a surprisingly gentle tone, "How did you come to be marked by the Tall Man?"

Hunter blinks and looks up at Sasha in surprise. "You...you know about that?" he tries to place the surprised card. He looks a little nervous. "Of course...Master of the Dark Arts, right? The card says it all." He lets out a sigh. "I went with some friends on a hiking trip out in the woods around Creekfield. We just wanted a day off to have some fun. Nothing weird happened. Then later on, we started hearing about students disappearing after being in those woods..."

Before you can add anything, Sasha holds up his hand in a Halt motion. "No, you are not surprised. Nor are nearly as nervous as you are pretending to be." He leans forward to look you directly in the eye. "You are a superb actor, Hunter, and normally I would be fooled. But not today. I have had ravens watching you all day. I know you are more than you seem. Just as I am." His tone is still gentle. "I am worried about you and that overrides all other concerns though. I need the truth if I am going to help you."

Hunter looks up at Sasha like a dear caught in headlights, holding his breath as he listens. Finally, he lets the breath escape in a sigh. "I'm being honest. About what happened," he adds the last part. "I went out hiking with some friends and came back. Nothing seemed amiss. There was talk of students disappearing, and kids blaming it on the Tall Man, but I didn't take it seriously. Until about a week ago, when...The Tall Man started showing up in -my- photos."

Sasha nods slightly. "I see. Does he get closer in each photo? Say, if one was taken right now and then one a few seconds later?"

Hunter nods softly. "A bit more slowly than that," he says, looking tired and pallid. "At first, he was really far away. Just in the distance. Easily missed. Out of focus. Now? He's a lot closer. Last night, he was maybe ten feet away and a lot clearer." He taps the table nervously with the end of his pencil in a nervous gesture. This one being genuine. "But when I look, there's nothing there. He's never there. But he's -always- there," Hunter starts sounding paranoid and a little crazy, glancing over his shoulder and out the diner window at the dark street. "I see him in my sleep..." he says with a hard swallow. By the looks of it, he hasn't really slept much at all.

Sasha nods as you speak then says, "Well, that is its nature, to slowly drive its victims mad. And in a way, it is with you." He gestures towards you. "I can see its mark hanging about you, Hunter. I imagine it is more like its true form than the images of it." The youth then adds, "And I think we can arrange for you to get some sleep. Without nightmares." He grins but it does not reach his eyes. "No one harms those I care for. Not even an urban legend."

Hunter tears his gaze from the window and looks to Sasha, not so surprised that he can see it, but surprised about the offer of sleep. "We can? Well, more like...you can..?" He rubs his eyes sleepily and lets out another sigh as he notes Sasha's forced smile, debating whether to call him on it.

Sasha nods firmly. "Yes, I think we can. At least a few hours." He picks up the book and the wand and stows them back into his bag. "Do you think you can sneak me into your home? You will be most comfortable in your own bed I think, yes?"

"Thanks, Sasha," Hunter finally says weakly and with some relief. "I...I just need to sleep...get my head on straight...stop seeing -him-," he says with closed eyes and haunted tones. His head dips forward a little.

Drip...

A drop of blood falls to the table. Hunter's nose is bleeding. Just a thin trail.

Hunter gasps and jerks upright with a start, opening his eyes wide. He must've dozed off.

Sasha's eyes flick up to the mark behind Hunter with a frown. "Oh, do not tempt me, creature," the youth says in a hard voice. He then reaches into his bag and pulls out a handkerchief. "Here Hunter. For your nose." Sasha then looks around to make certain no one is looking. His fingertips touch the blood as silver-blue light suffuses the droplet. After a moment, it is a hard little stone, blood red in color.

"Huh? Oh...that again...shick," Hunter says sleepily as he grabs the hankerchief and cleans himself up. The first wipe just smears it a little, but the second and third clean it up. "Right, you were saying...um. Sneaking you into my home would be difficult." He glances at the strange stone Sasha creates, then looks up into his eyes questioningly. "What's that for?"

Sasha picks up the stone and bounces it in his hand. "To help create a circle to keep out spirits." He pops the stone into the air then catches it and makes it disappear. Sasha then says, "Well then, let us return to my humble abode. Hmm, no, probably not a good idea. I know, a hotel."

Hunter nods slowly and slides his homework sheets into his book before snapping it shut. "Okay. Yeah. That works," he says hazily, trying to keep his mind focused. He leans down and slips his book into his backpack and zips it shut, then takes a long swig of his coffee.

Sasha picks up his messenger bag then slips out of the booth. "Follow me, Hunter." The youth takes you by the hand as he speaks.

Hunter grabs his backpack with one hand and blinks in surprise as Sasha takes his other. He slides out of the booth, shoulders his backpack, and follows. Occasionally, he glances down at the hand holding his.

Sasha guides you out into the cool night air and then down the street. After a few blocks, he turns down a side street into a slightly more rundown part of the quarter. An old motel is squeezed into an old building on a nearby corner. The two of you go through the darkened bronze doors and enter...a very nice looking lobby. The bulding is much nicer inside than outside. It is tastefully decorated in an early 20th century style. Sasha brings you over to the recpetion desk where he inquires in his thick Russian accent, "Any messages for Borodin, room 402?" He flashes a key card at the clerk as he speaks.

The clerk says that there are no messages and then inquires after a glance at his computer if Mr Borodin would like his usual late supper sent to the room. Sasha says Yes, then leads you over to an elevator.

Hunter looks up at Sasha questioningly. "You, uh..stay here often, then?" he asks curiously as they head to the elevator. He looks around to appreciate the decor. Appearances aren't always what they seem.

Sasha shakes his head as he slots the keycard into a very modern keyreader and the elevator begins to smoothly rise. "Not ofter. But I have a number of bolt holes around the city and beyond. This is just the closest." He looks over at you and grins. "I did not think you were up for a long hike tonight."

Hunter grins back weakly. "You're just full of surprises. And you thought correctly," he says as he leans against the wall of the elevator.

Sasha murmurs softly, "Do not fall asleep yes, Hunter. If you do you will not like how I wake you up." His tone is firm but gentle. Before he can say more, "The elevator doors open with a muted ding." Sasha takes your hand again and leads you down the dimly hallway to room 402. He opens the door with his keycard then gestures you inside. It's a small one bedroom suite with a sitting room. It is tastefully if expensively decorated. "Alright, let us go on into the bedroom. You will get ready for bed. And I will get ready to make certain you sleep easily."

He adds, "There are toileteries in the bathroom including toothbrushes. Help yourself."

Hunter straightens up and follows Sasha as he's led by the hand. "Right. I'm awake...I'm awake," he says blearily in unconvincing denial. He was getting awfully comfortable up against that wall. He looks around the room as they enter. o O (Wow. All this and the school in Harrisburg, and he still reads fortunes at the Neko Cafe...? Guess business ain't -that- bad.) He stifles a yawn with his free hand and nods. "Thanks, Sasha. I'll go do that." Another sleepy yawn and he gently releases Sasha's hand and heads for the bedroom, loosening his school tie as he goes. He sets his backpack by the bed, then stretches his arms out a little, hoping that will wake him up. Glancing to the bathroom, he nods once. "Ah, right...thanks," he says with a slight smile. Stepping into the bathroom, he flips on the light and closes the door behind him. Soon the faucet's running along with the sounds of brushing teeth.

In the meantime, Sasha takes an amazing amount of stuff out of the messenger bag. He begins to set up a very complex warding circle around the bed. There are various items: lavender scented candles are lit and placed at five points, some wind chimes that tinkle quietly in the air conditioning are hung, several small round mirrors are set up to reflect the light of the candles up and down and back and forth in a web, and last, a dream catcher that barely fits in the mouth of the messenger bag is brought out and hung over the bed. The youth looks at the preparations and then waits for Hunter to come back out.

Hunter finally steps out of the bathroom with a freshly washed face and brushed teeth. He's taken off his school tie and starts to slip off his sneakers, but left everything else on. He raises an eyebrow at the setup. "Wow, you were...busy," he says as he looks at everything and takes it in. He yawns again and shakes his head to try and ward off sleep. "Thanks...for going through all this for me."

Sasha nods to you. "You are welcome, Hunter. Are you going to sleep in your clothes?" Sasha ask this as he takes the wand back out of his messenger bag.

"Um, well...I was thinking that, yeah," Hunter says. That question finally causes a slight blush. Although it's not like Sasha hasn't seen him in swimming trunks, and boxers aren't all that different, he realizes.

Sasha nods gently, "Alright, then climb on into bed. Get comfy under the covers and we will begin." He then smirks. "Somehow I did not imagine saying those words to you in this context. Ah well, another time."

Hunter blushes a little more. Perhaps there's still hope, despite their secrets. He nods a little and heads over to the bed, dropping his sneakers off by his backpack before crawling into the bed and pulling the covers over himself. Just the act of laying down makes his eyelids droop considerably. "Yeah, me neither," he confesses quietly as he gets settled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. He's so tired he doesn't quite realize he said that out loud. He turns his head to look at Sasha. "Is there anything else I need to do for this?"

Sasha smiles slightly at your sleepy confession. "Nothing that I cannot wait a few more years for, cousin." He walks over to the bedside and then places a hand on your hair. "This should cause you no discomfort, Hunter, but if it does, let me know." The youhtful mage then brings the wand down on to touch your head then your heart as he whispers something in some unknown language.

Hunter thinks drowsily. o O (He...called me cousin still. Isn't he mad at me? He's got to know I've been lying to him...). He looks up at Sasha and nods once as the russian youth touches his hair. "Alright, I'll let you know," he says softly.

Sasha smiles widely as the mark disappears for now. The youth then invokes Morpheus and Somnus to grant Hunter a good night sleep. And for the Zoryas to watch over him and guard him from spirits. Once the ward is active, Sasha murmurs, "Now go to sleep, Hunter. I will be right here." He gently touches the teens' hair again then goes over to a chair nearby. The Russian youth begins to croon a soothing song, a lullabye perhaps, in Russian as he watches Hunter fall alseep.

Hunter nods softly again. It doesn't take much to make him want to comply. His eyes start to drift close. "Thanks...cousin..." he murmurs gently before his eyes finally slide shut and he lets out a tiny sigh, falling into a peaceful sleep.