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NOTE: This scene takes place before A Meeting with Marjorie
Asbolus:
A call was made from Asbolus to Lux to extend an invite to his humble abode, both due to a general want of company and to speak on curious matters. The address given was an apartment building west of the University of Philadelphia, with the Darkling waiting near the entrance for his companion's arrival.
Lux:
Lux arrives..... more or less on time. Not too much of a wait, at least. It's easy to spot Lux coming down the street, glowing brightly as they are. They wave as they trot closer, grinning. "Hey. Wasn't sure if I was supposed to bring anything--so enjoy some snacks." Asbolus gets a grocery bag full of... candy shoved into his chest. "Or I'll eat them myself, no biggie."
Asbolus:
Asbolus gave Lux a nod and a smile as he saw them heading his way, eyeing the bag curiously. Seeing what was inside he chuckled, taking the bag in hand before he led Lux into the building as he spoke, staying on the ground floor for the moment. "I may partake in a few. Things been going alright, I hope?"
Lux:
"Yeah, going pretty well." They follow him inside, giving an idle look around the building. "What about you?"
Asbolus:
The building wasn't anything in paticular to write home about, kept tidy but not overly fancy. "Well enough, all told. Got a ball or two rolling, waiting to see what comes of it."
He paused in front of the Service Personnel door, checking the hallway to make sure no one else was about before he gave the door three firm knocks. A moment later he opened the gate into the humble little hollow behind it, the main room simply decorated - comfortable chair, a collection of books on a small wooden shelf, a few pieces of art here and there - but still feeling well-lived-in nonetheless. Beyond was a small kitchen-type area with cabinets, a table and a few more chairs, which Asbolus made his way towards. "Take a seat where you'd like. Care for some tea?"
Lux:
Lux watches, clearly confused until it becomes clear the door is opening into a hollow. Lux blinks, brows raised, and follows him inside. "Oh, shit. I figured I was just going to your apartment. This is way cooler." They start moving around to examine things. And touching things. "Tea is good--lots of sugar?"
Asbolus:
"Still working on getting one on that side of the Thorns, admittedly. Was easier to get this set up at the start." He smiled a touch as he saw them start snooping around, setting the bag on the counter and pulling a jar of tea from one of the cabinet along with the cups and strainers for each. "Can do."
As tended to be the norm with hollows there was little in the way of electronics, but the selection of tomes was telling in a way: plays of both part and modern make, novels and non-fiction on a number of subjects, and a few of a more esoteric bent. There was another door on the far wall that was closed, albeit unlocked if checked, that led to a small hallway which housed two more doors.
Lux:
"I've been thinking about finding a Hollow," Lux admits. "But mostly so I have a place to paint and hedgespin. I can't imagine, like, sleeping in the Hedge all the time? It'd feel weird. I've been doing that some lately and ugh I hate it." They pick out one of the play books to flip through. "You're really into theatre, huh?"
Asbolus:
"It does take some getting used to." He nodded, going through the motions of filling a kettle with water and setting it onto a battery-powered hot plate to ready it for tea-making. After a moment what they said clicked and he looked towards them, an eyebrow arched. "Why have you been sleeping in the hedge?"
Lux:
"You hear about that protest at the Penn Charity Fashion Show?" they ask as they flip through the book. More skimming than actually reading. "There was this mob boss there--Joey Merlino. He was clearly talking to the police high ups, told them to clear out the protest. I miiiight have started a chant calling them out on their bullshit. Merlino saw me." They put the book back onto the shelf. "Supposedly they're not looking for me or anything right now, but people are paranoid so I've been keeping my head down and staying in the Winter Hollow some."
Asbolus:
"Ah...I see." He watched Lux as he leaned against the opening between the kitchen and main room. "You're welcome to stay here, if you'd like. I have a spare room that may be more comfortable."
Lux:
Lux smirks playfully over at him. "You want me to stay over? I haven't even had dinner with you yet."
Asbolus:
"True, but I'm always willing to help a friend through tough times." He replied with a small smile. "Causing trouble for a good cause is always laudable."
Lux:
Lux huffs in mock disappointment when Asbolus replies seriously to the question. "I'll keep it in mind. Might take you up on that. I don't really like sleeping around where a lot of people can just wander up."
Asbolus:
"Know the feeling. Part of why I carved this place out for myself the first chance I got."
Lux:
They step away from the book case, moving to sit in the comfortable chair, lounging comfortably. "You like being by yourself, huh?"
Asbolus:
"I do, I will admit. Been working on getting out of that habit, however." The sound of the kettle beginning to whistle turned his attention towards it, stepping back into the kitchen to pour the water into the cups and place the filled strainers inside to let the tea steep. "And to answer your earlier question I was, and am, into theater. Went to university for it, in fact."
Lux:
"I vaguely recall you mentioning you did theater stuff... before. I didn't realize it was still a passion. Do you do any acting? Why haven't I been invited to watch any plays, if so?"
Asbolus:
"Nothing since I got back, no." He shook his head, checking his watch briefly to note the time before returning to his spot on the wall while the tea did its thing. "My fetch is still very much involved in the local community, so getting back into it myself would bring up more questions than would be worthwhile."
Lux:
Lux slumps sideways in the chair, watching him for a moment, lips pursed. "Are you... like... close with your fetch? Isn't that weird? Do you miss acting?"
Asbolus:
"We have an..." He paused, mulling the best way to word it. "understanding. It is a somewhat unusual arrangement, from what I've heard from the others here, but antagonizing each other will do neither of us any good as I see it."
"I do, won't lie. Looking into way to turn what I learned from that into other fields, though."
Lux:
"I'm not sure if I'm... jealous, or creeped out," Lux admits, squinting. "...Wonder what fucking your own fetch is like," they murmur, more to themself than to Asbolus. Then they shrug. "That sucks, though. I'm sorry. What sort of other fields?"
Asbolus:
"Creeped out would be fitting. It's still an unusual thought to wrap one's head around, but I've made it work as best as I can." He gave them an odd look at the murmured statement, shaking his head before that particular thought lodged itself too deep. "Been looking into private investigator work, actually, although it'll have to wait until I have the proper paperwork to get the licensing and whatnot. Rather familiar with watching others and figuring out how they tick, figure that's a good way to apply that."
Lux:
Lux considers that a moment, watching the Hunterheart. "I could see you being a good PI. Both with acting skills and... your more natural talents." A beat pause. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle that?" they ask, softer, more serious. "It won't... impact your clarity? Hunting people down, as a job?"
Asbolus:
"It might, potentially." He nodded quietly, his own tone echoing their seriousness. "In theory doing of my own accord rather than at the behest of another may help on that front, but if it proves untenable I'll figure something else out."
Lux:
The Bright One's glowing eyes stay on Absolus for a long moment, searching his features. "Just... take care of yourself." They look to the side, fidgeting a bit in their seat. They seem about to say something, but cut themself off.
Asbolus:
"I will." He nodded, watching them for a moment after that almost-uttered statement. "What were you going to say?"
Lux:
Lux grimaces a little, arms crossing around their chest. "You still got the mark?"
Asbolus:
He nodded, tapping briefly under his left collarbone before ducking back into the kitchen to finish the tea preparation and venture into the main room, handing Lux their very-sugared cup before taking a seat beside them. "You?"
Lux:
Lux accepts the cup. Once Asbolus has sat down they lean over, and unless stopped they try to pull down his shirt enough to look at the mark. But if he stops them or says to, they draw their hand back. "Sort of. Tried burning it off, but it only half worked."
Asbolus:
He let them take a look without issue, the circular mark just as pristine as the day it had been made. "Thought about doing something similar."
Lux:
Despite being the one that had initiated looking, Lux jerks their hand back a second after seeing it, frowning deeply. "...I had to," Lux says softly, touching the center of their chest. "She was always able to... see through my mark. I still have the beacon's light inside me, but at least she couldn't... see. When I escaped," they say softly.
Asbolus:
He nodded quietly, taking a small sip of his tea. "I worried about that as well when I got back, that She might be able to...jack back in even though I was here. Think that's part of why I kept to myself at the start...just in case."
Lux:
"I think... if it was that easy for her, she would have done it by now," Lux says thoughtfully, sipping at the sugary tea. "So I'm sure it's... okay." They watch him a moment, then reach over to put their hand over his, squeezing. "You shouldn't isolate yourself like that."
Asbolus:
"True enough." He smiled a touch as Lux took his hand, giving theirs a small squeeze in return. "I know. Been working on it."
Lux:
Lux smiles back softly, keeping hold of his hand for another second or two before they let go and lean back, both hands cupping around the mug. "You have! I was proud of you, for coming out dancing. You should more often. And you should really look into acting. Maybe you could try to learn how to change your appearance? There's like... magic and stuff, for that."
Asbolus:
"It was enjoyable, I will say. Feel free to give me a call if you head there again and I'll join you." He nodded, pausing a moment at the mention of taking a more magical tact. "That's...not a half bad idea, actually. May have to look into it."
Lux:
"You should hit up Teagan. They know all about shape-shifty magic. I think they know a Contract, not just cause they're made of mirrors. I bet they'd teach you?" Lux grins. "Either way, I wanna see you act. You should do a monologue for me or something."
Asbolus:
"Worth asking, at least." He made a mental note, smiling in return. "Maybe."
"There was something else I wanted to ask you about, though. Have you heard of anything going on in the Court by the name of Dream-Catcher?"
Lux:
Lux blinks as Asbolus changes the topic, head tilting curiously. "Huh? No, not ringing any bells."
Asbolus:
"Didn't for me either, but when I went to go speak with the Steward recently about getting some new paperwork for myself there was a file labeled that on her desk. She seemed rather...concerned that I noticed it when I asked if there were any other projects she needed assistance with and made a point to move it out of view."
Lux:
"Huh." They look curious. "That is weird. But no--I haven't heard anything. She wouldn't mention it at all?"
Asbolus:
"No. Her pleasantries went rather brittle and she said she would be focusing on getting things handled mortal-side the rest of the year." He shook his head, taking a sip of his tea before he continued. "Struck me as very odd."
Lux:
"Hmmmm. I can do some asking around, if you want?"
Asbolus:
"Not opposed. May want to keep it somewhat on the down-low, though, if only because I don't know what she'll do if it gets back to her that someone's digging into it. I am very curious, though."
Lux:
"I'm not that good at subtle," Lux admits, shoulders lifting. "But I'll do my best to keep it hush-hush. Now I'm curious."
Asbolus:
"It may be worth speaking with Mearc about it as well, perhaps, to look at it on a more digital front. She had a number of other files on some of the more blatant gentrification attempts in town along with that file, which makes me wonder if the two are somehow connected."
Lux:
"Gentrification?" That certainly gets Lux's attention. "That is very interesting. I can probably do more on that front. I wonder if Dream-Catcher is the name of some mortal organization, or if it's fae... Or both!"
Asbolus:
"Potentially, yes. I can get you the list of the projects in question easily enough."
Lux:
"Please? I'll look into them. And definitely bring in Mearcstapa, if you're up for it." They look quite pleased at the idea.
Asbolus:
"Definitely."
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