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Feb. 26th, 2021 07:28 pmSimon had been staying with Richard - at least he thought he was. He hated that he had more of a sense of the younger man ever since discovering Howard's birth certificate - the photos of him with a woman who was not Jackie Strand. The sense of shame and anger at his father's actions, offending his mother in such a way...he shouldn't have been surprised.
He has to sort this out for Alex's sake.
That thought snakes into his head. Sort it out with his brother. He and Cheryl were twins. They shared a womb and had - up until their teens - been connected. Coralee had thrown a wrench between them but he still loved her and Simon...
Simon.
How to reach out to him.
So he prepares waffles, cereal, a few other breakfast choices he thinks his younger brother might like before pouring himself a pot of tea and inhaling and then-
God he felt ridiculous.
Simon. I have breakfast ready.
God. He refused to think "Do it for Alex" but that was his motivation. Face up to the Strand secrets. No more bullshit.
He has to sort this out for Alex's sake.
That thought snakes into his head. Sort it out with his brother. He and Cheryl were twins. They shared a womb and had - up until their teens - been connected. Coralee had thrown a wrench between them but he still loved her and Simon...
Simon.
How to reach out to him.
So he prepares waffles, cereal, a few other breakfast choices he thinks his younger brother might like before pouring himself a pot of tea and inhaling and then-
God he felt ridiculous.
Simon. I have breakfast ready.
God. He refused to think "Do it for Alex" but that was his motivation. Face up to the Strand secrets. No more bullshit.
The Magnus Tapes PSL |
Aug. 30th, 2020 08:28 pm[Richard Strand does not like to be in London. It feels too close to something that he is in direct opposition with. His family has never been friends with the beholding. They dig, they research, they find artifacts. The Strands have always been of the Buried and to have such an alliance with the Beholding...
Well. Howard Strand would be rolling over in his grave and that would be worth it for it alone.
It's important to show strength whenever Elias arrives. Both their respective families insist on it and while every fiber of his being burned to deliver the Buried's ritual of Elias Bouchard-
No. Pardon. Magnus -
Could deliver all their wishes...
Well.
He never let his thoughts waiver beyond that as he stepped into his town car. The strands had been working with Jonah Magnus since he was born. He was very sure the man - Elias - knew more about his bloodline than he did. That he know about Cheryl working in mining and ore. That he knew about himself the avatar apparent who had tried to kill her by burying her alive and his ex-wife...
Why was he thinking about this? Knocking on the doors of the magnus institute he sticks his hands in his pockets and directs Elias's secretary to say that Doctor Richard Strand from the Usher Institute is here.
And then he waits.
When the man arrives he smiles despite everything. It's like seeing a worthy opponent on the field.]
I sincerely hope I was interrupting something very important.
Well. Howard Strand would be rolling over in his grave and that would be worth it for it alone.
It's important to show strength whenever Elias arrives. Both their respective families insist on it and while every fiber of his being burned to deliver the Buried's ritual of Elias Bouchard-
No. Pardon. Magnus -
Could deliver all their wishes...
Well.
He never let his thoughts waiver beyond that as he stepped into his town car. The strands had been working with Jonah Magnus since he was born. He was very sure the man - Elias - knew more about his bloodline than he did. That he know about Cheryl working in mining and ore. That he knew about himself the avatar apparent who had tried to kill her by burying her alive and his ex-wife...
Why was he thinking about this? Knocking on the doors of the magnus institute he sticks his hands in his pockets and directs Elias's secretary to say that Doctor Richard Strand from the Usher Institute is here.
And then he waits.
When the man arrives he smiles despite everything. It's like seeing a worthy opponent on the field.]
I sincerely hope I was interrupting something very important.
Vampire PSL
Jun. 23rd, 2020 08:38 pm[Richard Strand cuts an impressive figure. The Strand Institute is a name amid paranormal circles. He fosters skepticism. No one needs to believe in the paranormal because the Strands have been a part of that community for hundreds of years. Alex Reagan is getting considerably closer than he'd like to this secret. She talked to Cheryl who had asked her to ask him about Bobby Mames, about their family history. About the week when he disappeared.
When he'd changed.
You look young for a man closing in on his sixties. That he'd pushed his daughter Charlie away for the sake of protecting her for the bloodlust that stirred inside him, From discovering Coralee was a vampire herself...
Sitting in the studio he clenches his fists, resisting the urge to be angry. He's in his familiar suit, finely pressed white shirt, and a solid black tie with a light blue gem in a tie clip.
His hands are folded staring Alex Reagan down when she enters - his unnaturally bright blue eyes focused on her.]
...Why did you call my sister?
When he'd changed.
You look young for a man closing in on his sixties. That he'd pushed his daughter Charlie away for the sake of protecting her for the bloodlust that stirred inside him, From discovering Coralee was a vampire herself...
Sitting in the studio he clenches his fists, resisting the urge to be angry. He's in his familiar suit, finely pressed white shirt, and a solid black tie with a light blue gem in a tie clip.
His hands are folded staring Alex Reagan down when she enters - his unnaturally bright blue eyes focused on her.]
...Why did you call my sister?
Richard Strand's one bedroom is a well decorated and modern apartment. It looks like it belongs to a sort of grim college professor. There is an air of melancholy over a large portion of it however save for the living room and the kitchen.
The living room is stocked with books - none of which Richard's read (moving into the place). It's got old gaslight lamps. There's a radio and a desk and it look to his interest like his house back in Chicago, and his father's house in Seattle.
Richard's bedroom is surprisingly modern with a closet and a rug and an attached bathroom. The bedroom is the only space with a bathroom. There are a number of green plants in blue pots in the bedroom, and in the kitchen, but the kitchen is probably Richard's favorite place.
Richard's kitchen is surprisingly green, despite the black fixtures. Unlike the rest of the apartment it has a positive and light air about it. He spends a great deal of time here, and it's got all the modern fixings.
The living room is stocked with books - none of which Richard's read (moving into the place). It's got old gaslight lamps. There's a radio and a desk and it look to his interest like his house back in Chicago, and his father's house in Seattle.
Richard's bedroom is surprisingly modern with a closet and a rug and an attached bathroom. The bedroom is the only space with a bathroom. There are a number of green plants in blue pots in the bedroom, and in the kitchen, but the kitchen is probably Richard's favorite place.
Richard's kitchen is surprisingly green, despite the black fixtures. Unlike the rest of the apartment it has a positive and light air about it. He spends a great deal of time here, and it's got all the modern fixings.
CHARACTER NAME: Doctor Richard Strand
CHARACTER SERIES: The Black Tapes Podcast
[OOC]
Backtagging: Yes.
Threadhopping: Yes.
Fourthwalling: Yes.
Offensive subjects (elaborate): As long as we talk about it, if you want to do something broach it with me.
[IC]
Hugging this character: No. Unless you're Alex Reagan.
Kissing this character: No. Unless he knows you very very very well.
Flirting with this character: You can try, but he will either be very dumb or shut it down.
Fighting with this character: Absolutely, just prepare for it to be over quick because he sucks at it.
Injuring this character Yes. Let's plot.
Killing this character: Yes Let's plot
Using telepathy/mind reading abilities on this character: Absolutely! He'll have a permissions post for his own psychic abilities.
Warnings: Child abuse, demonic entities and perversion of religious ceremonies. Richard is not fond of overly religious people or people who believe intently in this. Murder, Apocalypse, Blood, Gore.
Richard is rude, selfish, arrogant- making that his facade against being hurt by people. Pretty much one of the few people who can get through to him is Alex.
CHARACTER SERIES: The Black Tapes Podcast
[OOC]
Backtagging: Yes.
Threadhopping: Yes.
Fourthwalling: Yes.
Offensive subjects (elaborate): As long as we talk about it, if you want to do something broach it with me.
[IC]
Hugging this character: No. Unless you're Alex Reagan.
Kissing this character: No. Unless he knows you very very very well.
Flirting with this character: You can try, but he will either be very dumb or shut it down.
Fighting with this character: Absolutely, just prepare for it to be over quick because he sucks at it.
Injuring this character Yes. Let's plot.
Killing this character: Yes Let's plot
Using telepathy/mind reading abilities on this character: Absolutely! He'll have a permissions post for his own psychic abilities.
Warnings: Child abuse, demonic entities and perversion of religious ceremonies. Richard is not fond of overly religious people or people who believe intently in this. Murder, Apocalypse, Blood, Gore.
Richard is rude, selfish, arrogant- making that his facade against being hurt by people. Pretty much one of the few people who can get through to him is Alex.
(For Deerington)
Apr. 8th, 2020 10:59 pmIN CHARACTER
Character Name: Richard Strand (Doctor)
Canon: The Black Tapes Podcast
Canon Point: End of Episode 212
In-Game Tattoo Placement: Right forearm
Current Health/Status: Stressed out/Dealing with the reappearance of his wife and the news that she seduced him to try and get access to his genetic line in order to produce a child.
Age: 60
Species: Human
Content Warnings: Murder, Child Endangerment, Demons, Violence, Blood, Assault, Abusive family.
History: Doctor Richard Strand is a paranormal researcher, an avowed skeptic, and President of the Strand Institute. He's been the subject of Pacific Northwest Stories "Black Tapes" podcast for about 2 years at the behest of podcast host Alex Reagan - a reporter doing a deep dive into his "unexplained" cases dubbed the "black tapes." as well as his personal life - to his chagrin. Her deep dives have changed his life however, revealing information about his family history, his marital history, and possibly his family bloodline - and the destiny he would have to live with.
Richard Strand's story begins at 7. Born to an unnamed mother and Howard Strand, a paranormal researcher and scientist, Howard began to take an interest in his son's education at 7. Howard would frequently travel, collecting antiques all over the globe. He would return with gifts, jewelry and diaries for Cheryl,and arcane objects and books for Richard. They weren't a particularly close family, so Richard welcomed a closer relationship with his father. Howard's interest in his son began to turn darker - going from neglectful to abusive. Richard frequently earned his ire, beating him when he showed any sign of belief in anything mystic - beating skepticism into him.
Richard's mother passed when he was in High School. With Howard Strand still away, their mother's death left Richard the head of his household. . He still had a life, he had a best friend in Wayne Coates from his home town. He was simply serious. He was never the center of attention until Bobby Mames disappeared. He hadn't been close with Mames, but the disappearance of the boy frightened his mother. Desperate to heal her and help her, Richard began to research the boy's disappearance. In doing so, he used his remote viewing ability for the first time. Strand rode his bike throughout the small town of Summerville, his home town, until he found the boy lying in a stream. Strand would later describe to Alex Reagan as actually seeing the boy's ghost, pointing at his corpse. Strand would claim that he had imagined it, refusing to acknowledge his psychic ability.
Finding Mames body led him into contact with the police (not for the first time in his life) but it furthered his desire to discover scientific reasons for paranormal activity. He would leave for Yale, applying his intelligence to doctors in Religion, mythology, and psychology respectively. He has a PHD in psychology and graduated at the top of his class.
CORALEE AND HER DISAPPEARANCE
While in college, Strand would meet an unnamed woman with whom he'd sire a child. He had his daughter Charlie, and despite a desire to be a better parent, he was still uncomfortable around her. He and Charlie would meet Coralee Jacobson in grad school. The two of them would hit it off instantly. He eventually asked Coralee to marry him, the two of them planning to move to a college town and teach together. They tried to start a family, but Coralee took her under her wing. Everything seemed perfect.
That was when Coralee began having affairs and acting strangely. After a drunken night the week after they met, Coralee had been behaving herself. Years Richard began to suspect that Coralee was having an affair. Heading to Big Surr California, the two began an argument about an affair with Coralee leaving him behind and walking along the highway. Strand went after her but was unable to find her. She was reported missing, and Richard became the primary suspect in her murder. He was eventually cleared, but assaulted a psychic assigned to the case and disappeared for five days in the process. He had taken Charlie into the woods, attempting to use his psychic gift to find her. He was unable to locate her, plunging him into depression.
That same year, Richard got news of his father passing. Overcome with grief and confusion, the stress took a toll on him and on his family. He threw himself into finding Coralee as a means of coping with both.
Charlie took it personally, blaming him for being unable to find her mother. She emancipated herself, moving to live with Coralee's parents. Respecting her wishes, Strand stayed away from her and worked to repair his reputation. He threw himself into his work, founding the Strand Institute and making a name for himself in the paranormal community. He quickly gained a reputation for being standoffish and misanthropic, but paid his employees well, offering a million dollar reward for proof of supernatural activity. In doing so he collected a series of VHS tapes, that he could not yet scientifically explain. It was his paranormal work that led him to meet Alex Reagan.
Alex Reagan and The Black Tapes
Strand met Alex Reagan after she left eleven calls for him. He allowed his publisher to arrange an interview with her, happy to explain that Alex's connections to the paranormal were deserving of skepticism. He was critical of his fellow paranormal investigators and taught Alex about frauds in the community. Alex became fascinated with his black tapes and arranged an investigation into them. STrand teamed up with her to try and redirect the course of paranormal discourse towards applying more reason to paranormal research.
Strand grew closer to Alex, becoming annoyed when she spent time with paranormal researcher Tannis Braun in 1.07. Developing a close relationship, their relationship has been tested by Alex's desire for the truth. Despite providing his expertise to the cases they both investigate, Alex began to dig into his own history. Strand, in an effort to cover up his legal issues, had lied about his relationship with Coralee, as well as keeping his daughter's existence private. Alex's investigations soon uncovered both, rapidly dragging Strand's friends and allies into the spotlight. Alex interviewed all concerned, learning more about Doctor Strand's backstory and family history.
Despite being annoyed and angry, Alex's investigations soon uncovered facts about Coralee. Coralee was alive, posing as her old roommate to visit a PO box. She sent coded messages to the podcast trying to talk to her husband and relay that she was still alive. Between the final episode of season one and the beginning of season two, Strand disappeared for six months. Refusing to contact the podcast, he returns 'looking like the unabomber' and claiming that Coralee was taken by a cult.
Things only deteriorate further from there as strand continues investigating the black tapes with Alex. Alex's investigations pull more information from Strand. The two begin investigating his father and his efforts to investigate the order of the Cenophus and it's assorted companies. Alex and Strand learned that Howard Strand, Richard's father, was involved in trying to prepare his son for something called "the mantle of the dragon" and that his family had connections to the cult of Tiamat. During their investigations, both Alex and Strand learned about the order of the Cenophus's actions and their plan for using everything the black tapes had revealed to end the world. Alex began to suspect that Strand's black tapes were connected. Strand didn't address it, becoming obsessed with finding Coralee. While Alex put together that the order was using music to open a portal to hell, Strand attempted to trace Coralee's wearabouts. He became withdrawn and worked ceaselessly on it until the two of them were kidnapped.
By Coralee.
Coralee revealed to Strand that their relationship was a lie. She was sent to watch him and prepare him, because he had an important role to play in the end of the world. She fell in love with him despite this, and ended up leaving him to try and protect him and Charlie. Coralee apologized and revealed the root of the order of the cenophus's plan. The Deva Corporation had been working with the order to try and bring about the end of the world, creating the Axis Mundi, a place where they could stage the concert that would end the world. Prior to arriving in Deerington, both Alex and Strand were confronting an email from a previous source that offered a series of numbers. Those numbers were the studio's IP address, pointing to the end of the world beginning with the Black Tapes podcast.
CRAU History and Impact: N/A
Personality:
To understand Richard Strand you have understand Howard Strand. Howard Strand was a scientist and a skeptic who believed that the church was manipulating people by using the threat of demonic activity to turn to the church to believe in God. He believed that the church had allowed something called the Order of the Cenophus to flourish to do this - and dedicated himself to the pursuit of that truth. Richard Strand is very much his father's son.
Richard Strand is a skeptic. He was raised with his father's devotion to the truth. Howard tried to bring him into his world and encourage him to follow in his footsteps. Living a life dictated by facts and logic, Strand is willing to do whatever it takes to have people listen to it, but there's a darker reason for his devotion to science and the truth. Strand psychologically and physically abused his son, trying to drive home that the paranormal often has scientific roots. He grew up initially loathing his father before accepting it and recognizing that Howard Strand should not have had children.
Determined to be the complete opposite of Strand Sr, Richard is caring, compassionate, and despite being a misanthrope and unable to be around people wants to spread reason to the masses in an effort to try and quell the fear humans initially feel. His mind is focused on the idea that if he can bring reason to paranormal research humans will be less afraid and they can advance as a society. He buries his decency out of a combination of childhood fear and a desire to further that mission.
That's not to say he can't be arrogant, vain, and rude. He knows he's smart and he cares about his mission and his reputation. His daughter called him an asshole rightfully, but he demonstrated a degree more understanding then his own father by allowing her to be emancipated and not fighting her on her desire to see him. He loves deeply and is a little bit of a romantic, but he's been burned out from exploring that thanks to his experiences with Coralee.
On the Paranormal
As discussed, he's a skeptic. Having experienced paranormal activity since his youth, he initially wanted to fight the monsters. At 7 years old he scared that he believed the "Tall men" were a threat to his family. His father beat him for that and encouraged Richard to pay attention to his studies over ridiculous flights of fantasy. He is often dangerously skeptical - refusing to put the pieces together even when it means that people he cares about could be in danger.
He's familiar with the religious and mythological aspects of most ghosts and demonic activity. It's a large part of his personality. Consequently, he's able to provide rational explanations for everything The Black Tapes crew encounters. He is so unwilling to accept the paranormal that he'll squash those dreams and interests for other people. Both Nic and Alex frequently complain that he takes the wonder out of life, despite his claims that there is plenty of wonder in the world without believing in the supernatural.
On People and Family
Richard Strand is a misanthrope because of an excess of tragedy in his life. As a child he was a fighter, dedicated to protecting his younger sister and his mother. He accepted his father's behavior, but desire to help his mother and sister. As Strand grew up under his father's strict punishment, he became serious. He was still a part of friends group, but he never put himself in the spotlight. That's changed, now that he's developed a professional reputation. He is arrogant and wants people to take his views seriously, sort of mirroring his father's behavior with other people. Alex accepts this, but she has that in common with him - the desire for respect and the center of attention. The two butting heads has left Strand in a compromised position. When Alex begins digging into his history he finds himself vulnerable. She begins bringing down the walls around him.
The walls are thick however, and it takes until the end of season 3 for him to truly start to open up to her. He has been profoundly hurt by Coralee's betrayal and the trauma of his previous history. This is why he is willing to retreat rather then hurt others.
On himself.
Strand has very few hobbies. He was asked to be on the Podcast Chopped!, indicating he has considerable culinary skill. Other then that, he is behind on pop culture in many areas and prefers to sit at home with a good book and a glass of tea, or scotch as the mood takes him. He's not much of a drunk, drinking more as the series progresses. It's nothing substantial however, he has enough demons in the form of his latent psychic ability.
Strand is so in denial about his skills, he has allowed his muscle to atrophy. Coming from a family gifted enough to earn the attention of the Deva Corporation and Cenophus, has taken an unconscious toll on him. Being unable to accept parts of himself thanks to his father, Strand refuses to use his gifts.
The scientist is also arrogant and vain. He's accepted that, throwing himself into the work for a reason.
Abilities/Powers/Weaknesses & Warping: Canonically, Richard is suspected to have a minor psychic ability. Richard has denied this strenuously but the Order of the Cenophus's interest in his bloodline, as well as the Deva Corporation's interest indicates he has psychic ability - though he'd refuse to acknowledge it.
In this case it manifests like eleven's powers from stranger things in a form of "biolocating" or remote viewing. Strand and Alex Reagan encounter a patient named Simon Reese who can physically transport his body to different locations, enabling him to leave the mental hospital he was housed in.
Canon evidence indicates that Strand's family bloodline was of similar interest to the Order of the Cenophus as Reese's. Therefore it can be assumed that Strand also has some degree of psychic ability. Strand can explain this away by saying he approached each place logically - but that doesn't change the fact that he saw Bobby Mames indicate his own final resting place.
Evidence points to Strand at least having some psychic ability that may have atrophied. During Coralee's disappearance he tried to use this gift to no avail, without performing the same sort of acts that he did when trying to find Bobby Mames. That leaves him to believe he doesn't have abilities as opposed to actually having them. This is supported by Reagan's interviews with his childhood friends who claimed that Richard behaved incredibly oddly before finding the boy's body.
In this case, Richard's abilities manifest as biolocating like Simon Reese's. Biolocating, or remote viewing gives him the ability to gain impressions about a target - slipping into a trance like state with the aid of maps. When he finds the item, object, or body indicating where it is.
He also has canonically seen Ghosts, or at least demons in the form of the Tall Pauls, demonic entities serving The Order and the Deva Corporation. It is presumed that he sees demons and ghosts, or at least that he developed this ability as he got older - at least until 16. This leaves him with the opportunity to have the ability grow in Deerington, given opportunities to use it. This is canonically supported by Tannis Braun who sees ghosts and demons as well. Braun claims that anyone can do it, but some people might have more skill with it. Strand, and presumably the Strands, are some of those "naturally gifted" people. So. It boils down to:
bilocation/remote viewing: He can sense where objects/people are with a great deal of effort.
See ghosts/demons. Strand has been able to see Tall Pauls and demons since he was at least 7 - clearer then anyone else. He's simply convinced himself that it's not real. In Deerington it might get worse.
ON POWER NERFING Richard's first power nerfing comes in the fact that he refuses to believe he's psychic. He finds it all ridiculous and has justified every single instance that he's done something extraordinary by basing it on the human condition and logic and observation.
His abilities won't work against Sodder or in-game events. He'll have a psychic permissions post once he accepts his abilities (which will take quite a bit of time) and every interaction will be plotted out meticulously.) thinking about trying to use them in such a way will make him sick.
He'll also only be able to find people within a 10 mile radius of his location (IE - 10 miles around himself.) and doing so will exhaust him considerably.
Inventory: Coralee's Tiamat ring (She gave it to him at the end of 212), His unabomber flannel shirt (red and black) with a white undershirt and a pair of jeans and timberland boots. His glasses (he needs to read). He also has a fountain pen in royal blue. His wallet with at least 300 dollars in cash, credit cards and no personal photos.
Writing Samples:
One
Two
OUT OF CHARACTER
Player Name: Carolyn
Player Age: 32
Player Contact:
![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
carolynsgeekout on plurkOther Characters In Game: N/A
In-Game Tag If Accepted: Doctor Richard Strand: Carolyn
Permissions for Character: Permissions Post
Are you comfortable with prominent elements of fourth-walling?: Yes.
What themes of horror/psychological thrillers do you enjoy the most?: Loss and overcoming loss. Despite the negative subject matter, Horror always ends on a positive note. People overcome, find love, and always end up surviving the worst of the worst. It's also a chance to explore people into falling into darkness. The divisions of human nature are explored in simple terms in horror.
Is there anything in particular you absolutely need specific content warnings for?: Nope.
Additional Information: Very Excited!!
[Alex had never asked why he was afraid of food poisoning. Especially when it was a legitimate fear. The kind of fear that made him actually shudder with revulsion. When he'd been in college he'd had a bit of a 'stoner' roommate. The guy had stayed up late and been fond of cooking crap he bought at the discount store. That had been part of the reason had pushed himself into cooking and teaching himself how to cook. The guy was fond of tossing things in pots and seeing what happened.
That had some dark sides that he hadn't been anticipating when he came home to find their shared bathroom covered in vomit with the man on the floor dead, or close to dead. At least he'd thought he'd been dead. Common sense and medical training overrode his disgust. He'd barely survived and ever since then he'd been wary of everything he ate, drank - paranoid about it. Animals he interacted with too. Part of the reason Charlie had never had a dog.
He liked animals, just. Viruses and diseases spread easily and that was why - in following Alex - he had been genuinely angry about the dog.
He didn't deal with werewolves. Werewolves weren't even discussed and his so-called colleagues thought people who brought them up were crazy. Humoring Alex seemed easier - if demons were real, why not werewolves? -
But the surprisingly large, surprisingly nasty dog that had sunk it's teeth into his side when he'd shoved the podcaster out of the way. One hospital trip and several stitches later she'd taken it upon herself to take care of him -
Until he pushed her out.
He felt awful and tried to explain it was because he felt sick, alternating between flushed and freezing. Methodically going through his body, setting a watch on it so to speak, he ruled out rabies but he had an appointment to go back in a week thanks to a slowed heart rate and...
And something was wrong. Mostly because he'd been craving something rare for most of the week and to his absolute horror he'd eaten the raw steak he'd been saving for dinner. Blood dripped down his cheeks and chin and his teeth felt loose after but that had been - he presumed - the strange stupidity.
So he'd been taking iron tablets but -
Food poisoning.
He had made himself a nice blue cheese salad for dinner and puked it all back up. And he was thinking about the steak he had in his fridge, his side aching. He looked up, sniffing. Alex was here.
Weird. She said she was coming. You're being an idiot. He flipped through his book again, fighting another bout of nausea and the ache in his side. The knock happened what felt like hours after he smelled her -
(You are lying to yourself. She was coming.)
opening the door.]
Careful around me. I feel awful and I think I might have caught some kind of flu.
[Outwardly, one of the things he hasn't noticed is that same unabomber look she might have been familiar with. His eyes are red behind his glasses, clearly irritated. Wrapped in a warm robe, he gestures.]
I think I picked out a good tape for you today though. If you're interested.
That had some dark sides that he hadn't been anticipating when he came home to find their shared bathroom covered in vomit with the man on the floor dead, or close to dead. At least he'd thought he'd been dead. Common sense and medical training overrode his disgust. He'd barely survived and ever since then he'd been wary of everything he ate, drank - paranoid about it. Animals he interacted with too. Part of the reason Charlie had never had a dog.
He liked animals, just. Viruses and diseases spread easily and that was why - in following Alex - he had been genuinely angry about the dog.
He didn't deal with werewolves. Werewolves weren't even discussed and his so-called colleagues thought people who brought them up were crazy. Humoring Alex seemed easier - if demons were real, why not werewolves? -
But the surprisingly large, surprisingly nasty dog that had sunk it's teeth into his side when he'd shoved the podcaster out of the way. One hospital trip and several stitches later she'd taken it upon herself to take care of him -
Until he pushed her out.
He felt awful and tried to explain it was because he felt sick, alternating between flushed and freezing. Methodically going through his body, setting a watch on it so to speak, he ruled out rabies but he had an appointment to go back in a week thanks to a slowed heart rate and...
And something was wrong. Mostly because he'd been craving something rare for most of the week and to his absolute horror he'd eaten the raw steak he'd been saving for dinner. Blood dripped down his cheeks and chin and his teeth felt loose after but that had been - he presumed - the strange stupidity.
So he'd been taking iron tablets but -
Food poisoning.
He had made himself a nice blue cheese salad for dinner and puked it all back up. And he was thinking about the steak he had in his fridge, his side aching. He looked up, sniffing. Alex was here.
Weird. She said she was coming. You're being an idiot. He flipped through his book again, fighting another bout of nausea and the ache in his side. The knock happened what felt like hours after he smelled her -
(You are lying to yourself. She was coming.)
opening the door.]
Careful around me. I feel awful and I think I might have caught some kind of flu.
[Outwardly, one of the things he hasn't noticed is that same unabomber look she might have been familiar with. His eyes are red behind his glasses, clearly irritated. Wrapped in a warm robe, he gestures.]
I think I picked out a good tape for you today though. If you're interested.
