tampered | Log / Ongoing

Log / Ongoing

When; Friday, January 8th, day
Rating; G, most likely... But up to PG-13 if Keats shows up.
Characters; Robin (

illuminedcraft), Amon (

orbo_knight) and maybe Keats later on (

disregard_death)
Summary; Amon is here! Robin is happy. Amon is... Amon.

Robin stared in disbelief. That had been... Amon. A smile broke over her face as she clutched the device to her chest. Quickly, muttered a fast good-bye and flew through the office, grabbing her coat and pausing for a moment to give herself a once over before pulling on her gloves and heading out.

Seconds later, she scooted back in the door and rummaged Keats' desk. Pulling out a notepad, she scrawled a quick message: Amon is here. I'm meeting him at the fountain. Be back soon. Once more, she took off, her skirts in a whirl.

A stair, a hall, in no time she was out on the street, in a quick clip towards the fountain, stopping every couple of yards to hop up from the curb with her neck craned, trying to spot him. "I hope he stayed put."

Breathlessly, she rounded the fountain and came to a screeching halt just over a foot away from a tall, dark, familiar figure. He had his back to her and she grinned, opening her mouth to speak when he whipped around to face her. Her breath caught and she stepped back instinctively, mustering a quiet. "Hi."

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Amon had turned the device off after his brief conversation with Robin. Knowing she was here at least relieved one of his worries as he surveyed the area surrounding the fountain. This city was an unknown quantity he planned to find out everything he could about, given time.

"...Robin." He turned when she stopped moving, his eyes taking in her appearance before he stepped towards her.

She clasped her hands behind her back and bowed her head slightly. "Amon."

As she looked up at him, she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry if I worried you. Did you... where you missing me at all?" Robin blinked. "But... wait.. maybe..." Her head tilted. "Yes, it's quite possible, what with the discussions of time I've heard..." She cut herself off abruptly when she caught the curious look Amon was shooting her way.

"No matter. I'm just glad you're here." She looked around them. "Anyway, this place is called The City. And there's... a lot for you to catch up on."

"...Then why are you waiting? Show me where you're staying and start talking." His words weren't as sharp as they sounded and he took a few moments to study her before looking past her. "You've been here how long?" He had noted her words about missing her, although they made little sense since she'd not been gone as he recalled.

Robin blinked then continued on, her mood still chipper. She nodded and started back in the direction of the offices. "I've been here..." She ticked off fingers and she thought it over. "Hmm. Nearly six months."

She turned toward him, still keeping pace, though she was now having to take two quick steps to keep up with his single long, loping one. "So you really didn't notice I was gone?"

Without waiting for his response, she straightened and pointed to the center of the square. "That's the carousel. It's always moving. We don't know too much about it, but it... has an energy. Oh!" She touched her forehead with a quick fingertip. "And did you notice the ticking at all? It's harder to hear when you're around others--thankfully--but it's everpresent and has something to do with all the oddness around here."

She nodded as Amon jerked his head to confirm which direction they should turn. "There are people from so many different worlds. Humans, of course, and demons, and ghosts, and... witches." Her expression became more solemn, but her bright smile quickly returned and she rushed on. "But no one else from our world except for you and I. Not that I know of, anyway. No... members of our old team but definitely none of the... others here. So, I suppose that's a good thing?"

"They have a lot of things--even a church, which is wonderful--but, it's still not like home somehow. Oh, and you'll have to get a job. They've got this kind of money here... I'm working for Keats, but we're really not making all that much. Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask him."

Amon listened as they walked and slowed his pace a little to keep to hers as she led him back in the direction of the office she'd mentioned. He filed away the information she'd provided, one eyebrow arching at the mention of being here six months before he spoke. "..Demons and ghosts?"

Humans were enough of a threat but if these other types existed here, they'd have to be even more careful. Solomon apparently didn't exist here which was one less worry, but Robin's power wasn't infinite and without an idea of what they might have to combat here, it left them both at a disadvantage.

"..Do you still have your glasses?" An innocuous question really but given how that had influenced the use of her powers, it was rather important at least here. He had no idea what sort of dangers this city posed and under these circumstances, every weapon at their disposal was a necessity.

The mention of a name caught his attention and he paused. "You work for someone doing what exactly?" Amon's gaze shifted to Robin again as he spoke waiting for her answer although another question "Tell me about this Keats as you call him?"

"Yes, I have my glasses," Robin muttered flatly, with a slight pout. "Keats is... Keats is a writer. And he does some investigative work, a bit like a detective. And, I work for him... as an office girl. Tidying up, doing some research, just little things like that. He sometimes visits the Underground searching for I don't know what, but he won't take me."

She sucked the disappointment from her voice and gave Amon a half frightened look from the corner of her eye as where this line of conversation would go next. "... Not that it's a problem: it's the type of place you certainly wouldn't want me in, anyway."

"He's a very sweet, good man." She added. "He's been kind to me." She skipped up the stairs and stopped to wait for him. "He gave me a pet rabbit."

Amon noted the change in tone as well her voice when she'd mentioned the underground. "At least he seems to have some sense." was all he said when he spoke finally although he didn't sound exactly happy. He moved up the steps and paused outside the door. "What sort of things does he investigate?"

She resisted the urge to retort. How bad could the Underground really be? Well, most likely pretty bad, she thought to herself, but still. She was curious.

Robin pulled out her key and unlocked the door, jiggling the handle until the tumbler moved. "I... don't quite know. A little of everything? He's writing an article right now. I haven't asked him what: I've been too busy reading."

The door swung open to reveal the little office suite, a shabby but spotless place thanks to Robin's care. "I'm not sure if he's here right now, but he'll be back. He always comes back."

She stepped inside and hung up her coat. "Would you like some tea?"

Amon followed her inside taking in the office before he moved to take a seat. "Reading?" He questioned before taking another look around the office. "And tea is fine." He'd have preferred something else but that could come later.

"What else can you tell me about the city?"

Robin nodded and put on water to boil. "Reading. Keats has a degree in literature. He's been recommending some books to me."

She pulled a cup down from the cabinet then wandered the room as she waited.

"The city is run by these beings called deities. Not the God of our world, but... deities. And they set... curses on us. All the residents are generally friendly. A few seem dark in the soul, but most are trying to band together to get by. Because of the curses.

Interesting the silver lining in things sometimes."

"..What sort of curses?" Amon shifted in his seat and turned to watch her. "How much information do you have on these other residents aside from this Keats?"

"Not much... I'm sorry." Robin rushed back to the stove as the tea kettle whistled. "I've been trying to investigate but it's been hard to concentrate, and the curses..."

"Which you asked about, right." She nodded and brought him a steaming mug. "Well, all sorts. I think... hmm... once we were all in... Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest outfits and the fountain ran with beer. Another time, hmm, our ink scribbles came to life--Keats fought off two of them for me. And once I..." She glanced at him and blushed hard as she sat down. "Once Keats and I ended up trading bodies for the day." She looked away and cleared her throat. "I've heard there's even worse ones, too. Not all the residents end up with the same curses."

"Why have you had trouble concentrating? You were rather focused on investigating at home." Amon took the mug from her and let it cool a little before he sipped from it.

"You ...switched bodies.?"

"Yes, yes I know I was... but here... this world is just so different. It's taken a lot just to get acquainted with this world. And I don't know where to start. Back home I had... well, assignments." She scooped down and picked up a little one-eared rabbit that hopped over to her, smiling as she patted its fur.

"Yes." Robin sincerely hoped Amon wouldn't press her for details about that curse.

"It may be different in some ways, but people don't change, Robin." Amon set the mug down, his attention shifting to the rabbit before returning to her. "What other sorts of things have happened here, aside from the curses?"

Robin sighed. She knew how out of character she had been since coming here, but sorting it all out... and alone. She stared at the rabbit who looked back with a blank stare.

"Well... People have come and gone: new people arrive every day and then sometimes people disappear. I know there was a murder. There's been some villains here and there trying to cause trouble. And the police force is relatively ineffective. And once..."

Now Robin was beginning to realize the problems she was facing. The world here was so big and so many unknowns... it was like the walled city back in Toyko multiplied by ten. "Once the world here almost broke apart. We could see through the barrier to our homes. Those of us that tried to go ended up buried alive. I didn't go, but I looked. I saw... I saw... the old team."

Except Robin's vision through the barrier had revealed only one person.

Amon listened, letting her finish before he spoke again. "First things first. Tell me about the murder and we'll go from there." He was curious about the other things she'd said but it could wait. "Who died? How did it happen?...Do you know any details?"

"All right. Well, it was a young woman... were there two? The first one, I remember, was a witch herself. It was attributed to one Rip Van Winkle. She was captured. And I don't know if it was her... or another... but a few people complained of receiving boxes with organs over the holidays. The details I really don't know. The police have them?" Robin cocked her head, her eyes shifting as she searched her memories. "And a man named Sorrow. He's a... ghost."

"Did the witch have a name? What do you know about this Rip Van Winkle?" Amon sighed and paused turning his head to look at her again. "Are the reports available to the public?

...A ghost? Like Yoshioka Aki? or an actual.."

"An actual ghost." She responded quickly. "Well, I mean, you can see him and he... does he have a body? Maybe? Seems to." Robin's attention wandered and she refocused. "But he's dead. As for Ms. Van Winkle, I know little, except she seems to be... crazy. The witch's name is Willow. I've only met her once, maybe twice, over the network. I heard a rumor she was back to life, through a deal made to the deities. The reports... should be? I didn't check, I..." Robin hung her head.

"I'll be honest, Amon, I've spent more time trying to figure out how to get home than learning this world. I'm sorry: I've let you down."

"Considering the situation we were living in back home, I think this world is a bit less of a danger at least until I know more. What sort of power has this witch displayed, if you know.. And is there anyone you know of who might have knowledge about this Rip van Winkle?"

Amon paused and sighed before glancing over at her. "If we figure out what is causing the things that happen here, it might assist in finding a way back."

Robin sat for a long time considering Amon's words. She had never thought about it that way, any of it. For all her wisdom and power, she was still so young.

"You're right, Amon." She smiled over at him then set her expression back to something more blank and business-like. "I never really saw Willow perform any acts with her powers. And... hmm." She thumbed through her network device. "Valentine? Hellsing? Heard of anyone with those family names?"

"If she's shown no powers, there's no proof she is a witch." His voice was dry as he leaned back. "As to the others, I do not but we can find out about them, I'm sure."

"She said she was a witch." Robin huffed impatiently. "And everyone treated her as such, and... well, she was a witch. And she wasn't ashamed..." Robin trailed off, staring down at her rabbit. "There's quite a few people here who are witches and don't seem... mmm... they seem almost proud. Or at least, accepting."

She nodded and moved on. "Yes, we can. It will be nice to work with you again, Amon."

"Tell me about these other witches, then since you seem to be familiar with them."

Robin felt a twinge of guilt.

"Well, first, they come from all different worlds. Some seem similiar to our world, others don't. I... don't know many of them that well, just skimmed some of their entries on the network." She stumbled over what she wanted to say next.

"Some have done evil, I'm sure, but many more seem to be... good. Kind, friendly... One calls himself a wizard. He's... he's my friend." She fidgeted with her dress and waited for Amon to respond.

"..Do they have names, Robin? What do you know about them personally? I appreciate they've been kind to you but that doesn't really answer my questions."

"I... why do you want to know? What are you looking for, Amon?"

"I want to know what and who you've been spending your time with. I'm not an agent of Solomon now, Robin, but I do have a reason to want to be aware of who you associate with." His voice had a faint edge to it as he stood from the chair and walked over to her, leaning down.

"Do you not recall my words when we were in Headquarters?"

"Yes, I remember." She whispered. Her eyes were wide with some complex of emotions she couldn't get a handle on and it took her a moment to remember his question.

"I spend most of my time with Keats. The writer. He's... he's a Guardian. If you want more, you'll have to ask him: his world is quite different from ours. The wizard is named Harry Dresden and he runs a magic shop in town. There is also Penny. I don't recall her last name but she is human and maintains the welcome center. I told you of Sorrow, the ghost, and there are a few I've talked to over the network but never met and I don't remember their names but everyone... everyone's on the network you may look for them."

Amon lifted a hand resting it on the chair beside her head. "Is there anyone else you know by name and consider a friend, Witch or otherwise, Robin?"

"Besides you?" The words slipped out before she could catch them and she felt her cheeks burn up with a blush. "No. No one else here, that I can think of."

His expression softened slightly at the color on her cheeks before he closed the space between them. "Good to know." His fingers shifted to cup her cheek lightly before he kissed her briefly, keeping it chaste.

"I want to meet this Harry Dresden," He straightened and returned to his seat "And Willow and the other one you mentioned. We should also look into this Hellsing and see if they have any useful information."

Robin realized how tightly she was holding onto her chair. She breathed slowly and relaxed her grip. "Of course. I'll keep an eye out for them. And, we can go to City Hall in the morning, if you want?"

".....Where do you sleep?"

Robin stared and then pointed in the direction of a door across the room.

"It's a suite. There are bedrooms. That one is mine."

"..Two bedrooms?" The question was quiet as he placed the now empty mug down.

"Yes." She smoothed down the skirt of her dress, noticing the rabbit had long since hopped off. She cleared her throat. "There's two beds in mine."

"How many beds in the other room?"

"I don't... hmm... one? I think."

"...Then we will likely have to rearrange the sleeping quarters here."

"I..." Well, he had a point Robin sighed. "We can discuss it with Keats when he returns."

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Log / Ongoing

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