It's close to sun setting and Ben texted Logan with this place's address. The occult shop has a sign of 'CLOSED' already in place, but the front door was left unlock, as said in the mesage. Inside, at an armchair is Ben, in his usual tailored suit. In front of him is a goblinoid creature holding a tea saurcer while, in the ogre's hand, lies the tea cup from where he sips calmly. Perched above the man's head, on the armchair is a crow made of the purest darkness and with eyes of the bloodiest red. The room is filled with the scent of burned herbs. Probably due Ben's mantle. Probably because this is the natural scent of the place.
Logan's arranged to meet with Ben to find out more about the Wyrd goings-on, and he's told Haruki as much. The mentor has brought along his mentee. Logan is wearing a pale blue ringer t-shirt with dark blue rings, a stylized vinyl logo with '1976' in the center of the shirt, along with jeans and blue and white vintage-looking Adidas. He has a blue field jacket over the ensemble.
The light and shadow around him announce his presence. "Hello, Ben," he says, usual grin in place. "Thanks for meeting me. I brought along Haruki, since I think this business is relevant to all of us as Custodians."
Haruki's dressed all studiously, for they are here on business, which means a smart shirt and slacks, nice shoes, everything perfectly tailored to him, stylish, well-styled hair and he's wearing glasses, not that he needs to but everyone knows GLASSES MAKE YOU LOOK SMART! And Haruki's trying everything he can to look smarter than Ben. He's going to win! He's Japanese and everyone knows ASIANS ARE SMART!!! He's here with Logan because Logan is his mentor and Ben is his rival and it's important that Ben doesn't steal Logan away. Or something! He nods serenely at what Logan says, and peers around the room curiously.
Ben nods and gestures to both of them with his free hand, the black one, to the couch/armchair."Please feel free to have a seat. Do you accept tea? It's Hibiscus'." He says with his usual cold, serious and plain voice. Though, he does looks a little bit less arrogant and intimidating than usual."A friend of mine gave me permission to use this place so we're safe from prying eyes."
Funny, Logan is dressed so much more casually than his student. But then again, Logan is a Californian. Casual is what they do. "I'll try the tea," he says pleasantly, sitting down. "Thanks." A quick look around and a grin as he comments, "It's pretty cool. I'm surprised I haven't been here before." To Haruki, "Did you know about this place?"
"Yes." Haruki replies to Logan. "I know about all the occult stores in the local vicinity. I will have the same as Logan to drink. Thank you." He is trying so hard to be precise and formal.
When both guests accept Ben's offering of tea, the goblinoid creature heads to the coffee table and prepares two teas. The creature is a bit slow and clumsy, but manages to deliver it without any accidents. All the process is watched by Ben with a casual look as he sips from his own beverage. The tea is not otherworldly amazing, but it's also far from being bad.
"So. What can I do for you?" The Witchtooth asks as his wicked eyes go from Logan to Haruki. This one gets a longer look, though.
Logan can't help but watch the goblinoid for a moment, his eyes full of questions. But it's apart from the business at hand, so for now, he keeps it to himself. He takes the tea with his usual big grin, samples it, and quickly puts it down again.
"I'd love to know what you've learned about the recent strange happenings. The bell we all heard. The lights." Logan's eyes widen. "What's going on out there, Ben? I'm sorry I've missed so much."
"Thankyou," Haruki says to the Goblinoid. He has questions too but he doesn't voice them. He stays close to Logan. The tea is raised to his lips, and then placed down. But he's being good, being quiet.
"It's all recorded at the Library by now, but in a short version the bells was, in another place and another time, the announce of an arriving Fae. He came after a group of Lost that arrived at this place looking for shelter. This Freehold called The Barrens, along with this group of Lost, attacked the Fae and teared two of his titles off. One was set deep into a mine in the north. The other one was sent to south. Both burried to be forgotten. The foxfire, though, is another event. My scouting party found giant and modified versions of the lightsippers from the Everdark area of the Hedge. They soaked a lot of light and something from our very souls, as my partners said. One of them exploded at that the moment. I'm not sure how these two things are exactly related, but they are. I'm still doing some field researches and will come up with it all when I'm ready." Ben explains it all calmly, pausing here and there to let the info settle on his audience's minds. When he's ready, he grins faintly and sips from his tea.
Haruki listens to what Ben has to say. He shivers as if something just walked over his grave. He listens. He's being very good at keeping quiet though.
Logan, on the other hand, sits perfectly still, one finger pressed to his lips, nodding a little on occasion. His blue eyes are keen and watchful, the light around him moving, intertwining with the shadow. "'Something from your very souls'?" He pauses. "What did that /feel/ like, exactly?"
Ben ponders for a moment at that question."It's not like when you're out in the Hedge and steps aside from a Trod. The thorns tear a piece of your soul for real. No. That's more like if the lightsippers were capable of sipping from out life essence. Here, look." He says and pulls away a part of his suit's jacket and shirt to show his neck. It has a bruise in it. As if something had hit in hard."This was in a time space of 5 minutes. Made by a normal lightsipper. I don't want to know what would happen with someone gets lost in the Everdark." He then adjusts his outfit and sips again.
"What's a lightsipper?" Haruki asks.
"Creatures in the Hedge that drink light," Logan says, leaning in to get a better look at Ben's bruise. "/Gosh/," he exclaims. "That is some bruise. So, do you think all of this is related to that Keeper? The one who got his titles taken?" He looks between the other two, assessing.
"It looks like a hickey." Haruki says. Oops. SOmeone was meant to be on his best behaviour. "Why do they eat from people then? Why not just give them light to eat? And how's this connected to everything?" He's not following at all.
"I'm not sure how this is all connected, but I have some ideas in my mind that requires further investigation from my associates and I. But I can tell you that the two stories have some similarities and everything brings me to believe that The bell we heard weeks ago, the foxfire and the giant lightsipper do are all connected." The Autumnal ogre says firmly.
Logan looks at Haruki, smiles, and nods along. But he seems a little perplexed by Ben. "Who are your associates, Ben? We're fellow Custodians. We should be included." He grins, showing off all of those very white teeth. "In fact, I insist."
Haruki smiles back at Logan. He's looking somewhat confused by everything, not really following along.
"Sorry, Logan. I'm going to share more of my research as soon as I got home tonight. I still didn't since my field trip this morning. I need to analyze it all and see how the new information connects to what I already have cataloged." Ben explains calmly calmly, but looks slightly concerned and tense."I don't know the proper way to follow the Custodians rank system, but I'd like to discuss it with Kip, my mentor, first before making any public announcement so we don't cause any unnecessary or false alarm on our Freehold."
"I'm not suggesting you make a public announcement," says Logan. "Simply that I'd like to be involved in the research, and I'm not quite sure why you don't want us to be. But, I understand." He rises to his feet, reaching forward to pat the Ogre on the shoulder -- not seeming to care if that could mean losing a hand. "Everyone has their own way of doing things, of course. You should do what makes you comfortable."
Haruki rises to his feet in order to follow Logan. There's no patting on shoulders for him though.
"I believe I'll need help very soon. I'll come for you when it's time. For now, I prefer to keep it to myself, Logan." Ben says ignoring the touch of the other man at all. But he does really sound sorry."Have a good evening the two of you." He then adds a moment later and nods his head in a farewell.
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