=========-< << The Seventh House Cafe - Back Room >> >-=========
The back room of the cafe is more lounge than break room. The warmth of exposed brick continues here on all but one wall, and that one has been painted with an image of La Sirena done in painstaking detail. The lighting back here is low, giving a relaxed atmosphere that is further aided by the low couches and the plush pillows that provide seating. Dark wood flooring is barely glimpsed through those piles of pillows and the richness of Persian rugs in jewel tones. A few tall, narrow book cases hold tarot cards, crystals, and books on both matters of the occult and tea in equal measure.
A narrow set of stairs leads upstairs, to the apartment above. The door is kept locked, and sigils have been carved into the dark wood.
Jack hasn't been seen much in the last week or so - but there's still a lot of work after the fire, so he's just been very very busy. But he gets here as soon as he can when Avalon asks him to come, and he's dressed in civilian clothing - not working, not yet anyway. Maybe he's got a day off again. "Av?" he calls as he opens the back door, peeking inside first.
With all that's been going on, Avalon hasn't expected to see all that much of Jack. But certain things are also Important, which is why the call comes. When he peeks his head into the back room, she's seated on one of the low couches, jotting something down in that leather book that she had with her at Homepage. There's a furrow to her brow, but when she looks up, there's a smile that comes with it. "Hello, Jack," she offers as she gestures him in. "Please, sit."
Jack closes the door behind himself and flashes a friendly and warm grin at Avalon before he sits down opposite of her somewhere, leaning forwards on his knees - he's a bit twitchy, like he's had too much coffee or too many energy drinks, eyes widely alert. Probably been having too little sleep lately. "How's things?" he asks first, studying her closely. He's gotten into the habit of keeping an even closer eye on friends, after Cerise's circumstances.
By all senses, Avalon looks as she normally does. There's even the usual cup of tea on the table beside of her, still warm. "They've been good. But you've not been getting enough sleep, Jack." There's a little tsk as she says it, eyes lifted to his. "But the news that I have, for your friend? It is not the best kind."
Jack sinks back into the seat then, letting out a deep sigh, squinting at Avalon with eyes that turn grimly determined. "I wasn't expecting good news," he says tiredly. "Thanks for doing this - I ask a lot of you," he admits, "but you seem about as stubborn as I am. Don't you hate it when people tell you you can't help someone?"
A soft laugh comes, and Avalon gestures with a hand. "I absolutely hate it. And I hate it more, when it's the truth." She gives the man a sympathetic look, and scoots forward on her couch. Far enough, so that she can lean forward and put a hand on his knee. "I'm sorry. But the Cerise that you knew, that the things in that purse belonged to? She no longer exists."
"I figured." Jack doesn't seem the least surprised about this. "She was taken, and they put a copy in her place." He leans closer and smiles wryly. "But she /does/ exist. And she shouldn't be wherever the fuck she is, now. What did you see?"
"They did," Avalon says with a small nod. "And the poor thing didn't know. I almost feel bad for them sometimes, too." A squeeze of his knee, and the witch lets out a sigh. "Nothing. I can't push past that barrier between Their world and Ours. The key to that is the Cerise that they left behind, I think. She's probably the only one able to find that out." She looks down, and gnaws on her lower lip.
Jack frowns darkly at this. He rubs his jaw, thinking hard. "She seems clueless," he mutters - but as was clear the last time they faced the fake Cerise, he seemed ready to have a tough interrogation. "But yeah, if whatever took Cerise, also put a copy here - there must be some kinda link right? Who could we ask about it? Or you think the fair folk... I mean, the fairies, they got this covered, really?"
A glance up at Jack, and then back down. Her hands move, so that she can fold them together in her lap. "It's what They do, yes," she says softly. "Sometimes, at least. They don't always leave someone behind, I don't think. But..." She takes in a breath, slow and deep. "I can't help beyond that, Jack. Even telling you what I have might be a risk."
"Well, fuck them," Jack grimaces - whether he means the Gentry or Changelings in general, it's hard to tell. Maybe both. "I refuse to believe there is nothing I can do. Or that there's no way to get a message through to her, or something." He gets up, starts pacing like he always does when he gets agitated enough, which always happens when he feels helpless. "You /sure/ you couldn't push through? Maybe a psychic could. Clairvoyance. Mind reading. The two combined, maybe. But I don't know any around here."
Those dual-colored eyes watch Jack as he paces, and Avalon leans back into the couch. "Perhaps there is. I...don't think that I could push through, without putting myself at serious risk. If They have her, Jack, I don't think I can reach her. But maybe a psychic could, yes. Or someone skilled with Dreams. Talk to Alexander - he might know someone. Someone more than human."
Jack glances at Avalon, in surprise. "Which Alexander?" Apparently he knows more than one, but since he only knows of one they both know, he adds; "C.B.?" He shakes his head. "Maybe, but I've went to see him twice lately and he barely talked to me. He seems to have his own issues. No, I know who to ask. I got some options."
"That one, yeah. And if he doesn't already know, he probably should. And that kid at the bookstore. Kip? It's going to break his heart and he's probably not going to believe you, but..." Avalon lifts a shoulder, a small shrug. "I wish that I could help more," is said quietly, genuine, "But there are forces in play that I'm not able to go up against."
"I haven't tried going up against them yet." Jack says this with all hints of his stubborn nature, crossing his arms over his chest. A vessel at his temple is throbbing. He just can't let go. "Fuck."
"Just...be careful, Jack. Or you'll find yourself in a similar situation as Cerise did." There's a tinge of the ominous in Avalon's voice at that, and her face is serious when she looks to him. Watching that throbbing vein. "It...it's awful, I know. But I hope that wherever she is, she doesn't stay for long."
Taking a deep breath, Jack nods once at Avalon. "Thanks again. I appreciate it. You know me, I will keep doing /something/." He'll pester people, probably. That's about what he can do, on his own. "Alright," he adds, glancing at his wrist watch. "I'm gonna go see my cousin, she wants donuts. I'll see you soon, alright?" He manages a smile, relaxing a little. He has a course of action at the moment, at least.
Pushing up to her feet, Avalon comes close to Jack. Squeezing his arm, much like she did his knee. "Of course. You know that I'm glad to help, when I can." She lets him go, and bobs her head in a soft nod. "I hope that you figure something out. And you know where to find me." She gestures to the building, as a whole. "Stay safe out there, my friend."
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