[holo | Sanctuary] Wonderful muggle things

[apackofone]

One moment he is running through the forest of Serbia.

There are howls and screams following him, inhuman despite the lack of moon in the sky. His muscles burn from running but he forces himself on, needing to get outside the edges of their territory. If he can just make it to the edge of their territory, he will be fine.

Screeching phantasms rush up from behind, shrieking his position to his hunters. He blasts them as fast as he can to silence them, to buy himself those few extra strides that get him ever closer to safety.

One moment he is running, bursting through the shimmering wards that mark the territory. The next he is letting himself fall, whispering for the magic to rip him away and back to his hotel in the middle of the Muggle townstead.

That isn't where he lands.

There is a distinct lack of smoke, dust and noise in the next moment. And far too much light to be his hotel. Or, indeed, the townstead, which is still mostly relying on gas and goodwill to stay lit at night.

But there is a lack of angry, murderous werewolves, so all in all, it isn't worst place he could be.

He sits down, deciding to get his breath back first. A pat down reveals his situation. "Bugger." He's lost his compass (which he didn't need anyway), his map (which probably wasn't going to help right now, all things considered) and his last bar of chocolate (which is a pity, because he really could have used that). But he still has his wallet and his wand, so the important things were taken care of.

"Right. Well. There's no door," he murmurs. "And a big... pointy... thing on the ceiling. Muggle thing. And another muggle thing! Wonderful. I wish I had been to school in the last ten years or so and I might know what that was." He rubbed his stubble thoughtfully. "No one's trying to eat me. And there's nothing hosing me down, tying me up or screaming in my ear, so it could be worse. However I have no food, no water and no idea where I am. That's less wonderful. But I have a wand. So they don't want me harmless. But they can interrupt my apparation, which means they probably consider me with a wand a negligible threat anyway. Merlin's beard, I have spent far too long on my own if I'm thinking out loud without knowing if I'm being listened in on. Hello out there? Could you let me out, only I've got some rather important business to get back to, thanks awfully."

Comments

[buffy_slayer]

Oh hey, another new arrival.

Buffy leans over and, trying not to fall off the couch she was currently sprawled upon, grabs her tablet to respond.

"Sorry, mister, you're kinda stuck." This is accompanied by a wave and a somewhat cheery smile -- maybe that would make the bad news go down a little more easily.

[apackofone]

"Person!" Remus jumps to his feet, spinning on the spot and blinking. "Astral walking person... Okay." He shrugs. "Well, I suppose I'm safe in here, but eventually I think I'm going to get hungry and I can't conjure food from nothing. Where are my manners? Remus Lupin, a pleasure to meet you." He bows his head, gaze cast to the floor.

[buffy_slayer]

"Hi there, Remus, welcome to Taxon. I'm Buffy, one of your fellow... well, prisoner isn't quite the right word."

This is mused upon for a moment.

"Fellow lab rats, I guess. If you're getting hungry, pick up the tablet -- it'll open the magic door that leads to the outside and to a more well-equipped part of civilization."

[apackofone]

He's quiet a moment, taking in her words. "Am I trapped here?"

He looks around, but he sees nothing like a tablet, smells nothing like medication or chemicals or ingredients either, face lifted and inhaling slow and deep. "I don't understand, I'm afraid."

[buffy_slayer]

The sniffing is an odd thing - Buffy leans forward and tries to get a better look at him, but the angles and the way the light is falling...

"Hey. I don't want to freak you out, but I can come down where you're at. Would... would that work for you?"

[genequeen]

"Ummmm. Hi."

Madelyne is wearing the smiling happy calm face, "Have you managed to get out yet?"

[apackofone]

"Yes, yes, I have, thank you." It's a brief moment where she reminds him of someone else and then he gives a gentle smile. "It's all very modern, isn't it?"

[genequeen]

"It is, actually, yes. It is a little more advanced than where I'm from but everyone has differences here, or so I'm learning. What's your name?"

[apackofone]

"Remus. Remus Lupin, yes, like the flower. I'm from England, originally, though I was in Albania until about fifteen minutes ago..." He looks about again. "Which this most certainly isn't."

[genequeen]

"Hi Remus. I'm Madelyne."

There is another more genuine smile as she introduces herself, "And, no, this isn't Albania. This is Taxon and I regret to tell you that you've been kidnapped."

[location: Wilde]

[thepersianyouth]

When the sun comes out and warms the very air one breathes, Bagoas likes to go for walks despite the chill. He can feel the changes in weather keenly, being accustomed to much hotter climes, and knows from watching other people, bracelets or none, that he has a tendency to bundle up.

No matter. The sun is out, dancing on the water below, there's a clement breeze tickling his hair across his face no matter how many times he tucks the errant curls behind his ear. His earrings, which are a new acquisition from the market some days past, jingle softly in the wind.

It is a small comfort, but one he clings to; to feel more like himself again can never be a bad thing.

Re: [location: Wilde]

[apackofone]

In a lot of ways, Remus doesn't really want to be out wandering around. He's probably in shock and he's feeling rather alone here, but he can't stop his base need to map out the territory.

Which led to the strange scent that got up his nose that he's been following ever since. When he spies the child, he pauses to watch a moment, feeling old looking at the young adult walking by the river.

[thepersianyouth]

Were Bagoas aware, he might protest being deemed strange; though on the other hand, when one feels like a fish out of water, perhaps one truly is.

Every day he bathes, scraping off the dust of his new living arrangement; every day he coats skin and hair in a light layer of almond oil to keep both supple and pleasing to the eye. Every day he applies kohl to his eyes and eyebrows...and yet, it would seem, no habit is quite enough to be rid of the ache.

Being so far from home, not even the sprinkling of rosewater helps.

Perhaps vanity is a curse, after all, in such a place as this. But no matter: at least he can enjoy the beauty of the city, wherever he finds it.

[apackofone]

Remus watches for a while longer then decides the worst he can do is end up in an argument and decides to go and be sociable.

"Hello," he calls, voice friendly and an amiable smile on his face. "You know, I always dreamed of having long hair that softly curled, but I think some people are better suited to carry it than others, and at my age, it would look a bit silly."

[thepersianyouth]

Four years have passed since Bagoas crossed the threshold into what is commonly thought of as a dangerous age for eunuchs; now too old to be considered beautiful by some, his value decreasing each day; not yet too old to dismiss a compliment. He soaks it up like sunshine though startled, turning big brown eyes on the stranger's face. A fraction of a second is all it takes, he's looked his fill, then averting his eyes.

The man's eyes are kind, if tired, his face drawn and a touch gaunt. His stance matching his tone of voice; relaxed and amiable.

Part of him remembers what happened the last time unknown (unknowing) men approached him, and hopes he won't be presented with insults once more. "Perhaps you are not wrong in your observation, sir."

[video]

[killtheparty]

If Party Poison looks half asleep, that's because he is--he's somehow managed to sleep through this entire thing, but it doesn't stop him from pinging the guy. It's the strange words and even though he's never heard of him and he looks kind of like a librarian, there's still a very, very slim chance. Maybe it's a different time.

"Look alive, sunshine. Y'found your way out yet?"

Re: [video]

[apackofone]

Remus visibly picks up at the friendly words and tones, smiling warmly. "Yes, thanks. Outside in sunlight and fresh air and all of that sort of thing."

[video]

[killtheparty]

"Welp. Sorry your welcome wagon is us." A shrug. "But at least you're a lot less frazzled than most. They do the whole--"

He brings his hands up, wiggling his fingers.

"Whooo, oh no, this isn't generic-magical-land! Generic-name-no-one-recognizes, are you there? And then they kinda just cry."

Re: [video]

[apackofone]

"I'm not much of one for tears, honestly. And there's no point calling for people, I'm a bit of a lone wolf in that regard. Work alone, travel alone, live alone." He shrugs, almost apologetic.

[video]

[killtheparty]

"Keep lookin' alive like that, you'll be fine, Sunshine." Party salutes and--yup, that's a wink.

"Name's Party Poison. You want in on the loop feel free to hit me up."

[brokenoptimism]

Why would anyone try to eat you. That seems a bit foolish."

There's a pause, little Charles sitting on the side of his bed, peering at the holograph on his tablet with rapt attention.

"You really shouldn't talk to yourself, you know. People react poorly to it. Especially when you talk about cannibals and wands."

Another pause, and he tilts his head curiously before leaning in closer.

"Are you lost? There are a lot of lost people here."

[apackofone]

Remus looks to the child, tucking his wand away out of sight. "Yes, I know. I'm not used to having anyone else around, so I talk to myself instead." He leans in himself, head canting. "I am bit, yes."

[brokenoptimism]

"It's okay. I was lost too. Well. I still am. You have one of those bracelets too don't you? The silvery one on your wrist? Anyone who gets lost here has them. They help us to talk to each other."

He had sought out as much knowledge of this place as he could gain from others. His thirst to learn was nearly unquenchable and this place served as an unending mystery.

"I think you are in the city. It's a bit away from here, but you could come here if you wanted. We have food and lots of beds."

[apackofone]

His enthusiasm made Remus smile. "Thank you, but I'm not sure your parents would be too happy that you invited a strange to come and live with you. I might be terribly dangerous."

His gaze dropped to the bracelet. "And... yes, I do. And a metal thing from the room I arrived in."

[allthatlife]

"A muggle?" asked Martha. She should have been focusing on answering his questions, of course, but she'd never heard that particular phrase before. During her time in the TARDIS, the Doctor's insatiable curiosity had rubbed off on her.

"We can't let you out, I'm sorry. We're all trapped."

They were all prisoners.