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Post by jarahamee on Jun 19, 2023 0:59:58 GMT -6
The dog, which resembled a filthy longhaired german shepherd, watched his magic trick with mouth pursed, and ears forward and intent. The animal somehow seemed surprised as objects disappeared and reappeared.
The canine allowed itself to be tied by the handkerchief line, laying very still. Its wide eyes followed the magician but it remained quite cooperative, as if it was expecting to be leashed. The line of handkerchiefs made into a noose fit neatly around its neck at the level of the collar-abrasions, and after it perceived that it was ‘fastened’ it rose, scooting the rest of its very dirty body out from under the dumpster.
The animal shook itself off, scattering dirt, and closed its mouth. Its ears rose up and forward, eyes round. The creature was unblinking, offering the magician no obvious answers, before reaching out and gently pawing his hand with one of its large, dirty paws.
Unfortunately this was much less cute than he had hoped, and in fact smeared a little bit of blood from the ground down nail-beds onto his new friend’s arm.
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Post by hadopelagic on Jun 20, 2023 5:27:25 GMT -6
he stranger winced, but it was unclear whether he was more upset about his stained jacket or the dog's injuries. "Look at the state of your paws," he said. The thin man wrapped his arms around Cassius, as if he wanted to pick him up. However, after feeling the dog's weight, he gave up.
"You'll have to walk a little farther, I'm afraid," he apologized.
After grabbing the brown bag from his handlebar basket, the man lead Cassius behind the magic store, to a pastel pink door in the narrow alley. The door would've looked natural in a quaint cottage, not an old brick building. It had an elegant bronze knocker shaped like a lion's head and a flowerbox of blooming white petunias. A welcome mat on the ground read: BIENVENUE He put a skeleton key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door.
"It's not much," he said, "but it's home."
The pink door lead to a small kitchen, which was cluttered but well-appointed with pots, pans, and spices. Dried herbs hung in bundles from the wall, and an assortment of jars with unusual contents were arranged on shelves hear the fridge. Old recipe books, some yellowing with age, were stacked on one counter.
The man took a flowery porcelain bowl from his cupboard and filled it with tap water. Then, he put it on the floor in front of Cassius Dog.
"Why did you follow me?" he mused.
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Post by jarahamee on Jun 20, 2023 23:35:10 GMT -6
The animal trotted behind the magician as if it was used to leash-walking. It did not pull or steer him in any singular direction, but rather stayed at his side, somehow both alert and relaxed. The animal did not seem anxious or nervous, but quietly attentive.
When he placed the water bowl down, the filthy dog plopped down with a heavy THUD, pressing the bowl between both of its large paws. It did not so much as hesitate before lapping the water aggressively, splashing everywhere, including on the floor. It did not stop until it finished the entire bowl, then licked it clean afterwards.
The dog lifted its large ears and turned its head to look at him, but did not answer his question. Its face seemed as blank and expressionless as ever.
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Post by hadopelagic on Jun 21, 2023 1:38:25 GMT -6
The man used a dish towel and bleach to wipe up the spilled water, and then refilled the fancy porcelain bowl. "You're going to be trouble," he said, smiling with amusement. "Let's get cleaned up."
He took Cassius Dog to the second floor; along the way, they passed through a narrow living space with heavy velvet curtains over the windows, a densely packed bookshelf, an overstuffed love seat, and a record player. The walls were decorated with old posters advertising magic shows. THURSTON THE GREAT MAGICIAN, one read, and it depicted a devil whispering into the ear of a serious young man. Another depicted Harry Houdini in chains. HARRY HOUDINI ESCAPES!
On the mantle were more personal photos: in one, a boy and an elderly man walked hand-in-hand in the park.
After bathing Cassius in a lion-paw tub, the man ordered a steak through Uber Eats and served it to him on a porcelain plate that matched the water bowl, probably from the same set. Then, he checked his wristwatch and sighed heavily.
"Well. It'll be a late night, thanks to you. Come, Magnus."
Magnus was apparently Cassius Dog's new name. And the stranger's name was Pinkerton.
With that, the strange man reached into the paper bag from the pet supply shop. From the bag, he pulled ... A SECOND BAGGIE! It was the type pet shops used to transport fish, but instead of a fish, it contained a strange organism. An orange and white shell. A sea snail?
Pinkerton knelt and pulled back the carpet near the door, revealing a trap door.
"This can't wait until morning," he explained apologetically. Then, he opened the door and encouraged Cassius Dog to follow him down a narrow flight of stairs.
While the apartment was narrow, almost claustrophobic, the basement was massive, as if it spanned the entire length of the building. Much was shrouded in shadow ... but Cassius Dog would see a variety of bizarre silhouettes in the dark. Whistling, the man descended.
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Post by jarahamee on Jun 21, 2023 2:12:55 GMT -6
The animal studied his surroundings as he moved through room spaces. His gaze was vacant and free of judgement or intellect, and he seemed most interested in following his new friend. The animal seemed serious, and alert, but friendly and calm. The dog allowed himself to be lead into the bathroom, and dutifully walked into tub. While he was far from happy, he did not seem to be unhappy. During the bath, the dog revealed itself to be a neutered male, black except for the greying hair on its muzzle, legs, and chest. An incredible amount of dirt made its way into the magician’s bathtub drain; more than he likely could have expected or imagined.
Magnus seemed more than happy to receive a new name, and wagged his tail when he heard its new title. It was, in fact, a better name than the one he carried, and he would hope, a more accurate one.
He padded down the stairs after Pinkerton. When the snail was revealed, the animal reached out, as if to sniff at it, but made no effort to grab it, touch it, or otherwise interfere with the magician’s activities. He seemed completely unafraid of the basement and moved in step after his new friend.
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Post by hadopelagic on Jun 25, 2023 8:31:15 GMT -6
Pinkerton was also known as "THE MAGNIFICENT PINKERTON", according to a poster on the basement wall. Painted in the style of old-fashioned magic show advertisements, it depicted a flattering illustration of the magician; he flourished a wand, and several playing cards flew around his head, like a halo.
"No," Pinkerton said firmly when the dog tried to sniff the snail; he pulled the bag away quickly. "Very deadly. Bad dog. No touch."
His expression softened afterwards, and he gave the dog a friendly ruffle. Then, he walked across the basement, past mannequins and contraptions for his shows; past locked chests and shelves full of labelled boxes; finally stopping at the far end of the warehouse-sized space. He'd transformed the area into a well-stocked chemistry laboratory. There was an autoclave, a hood, a large sink, dozens of sealed bottles filled with liquids and powders, and scientific glassware.
Cassius would recognize many of the tools as useful in alchemy.
"I may not sleep tonight," Pinkerton said, while placing the snail on a sterile lab table. "However, you may nap on my coat."
And he folded his velvet jacket onto the ground outside of the lab space.
The magician would spend the night working. He'd handle the snail with a long pair of tongs, extracting venom and returning it to a tank. He wouldn't kill it for the venom; rather, he'd pester it until the cone snail lashed out with a proboscis.
"This venom," Pinkerton would conversationally say, "has no antivenom."
He'd work until sunrise, and fall asleep on his lab chair, with his head cradled in the crook of one arm.
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Post by jarahamee on Jun 25, 2023 8:45:50 GMT -6
The dog recoiled when Pinkerton spoke to him, ears pinning back against his head, but made no other indication that he had understood his words. It appeared that the animal realized he was being yelled at, but it seemed like nothing more. When Pinkerton told him that he would be working all night, the dog turned his head, first one way, then the other, before curling up on the coat for the rest of the evening. The animal made no attempt to investigate the magician’s work in potions, and appeared to quietly doze during his time in the laboratory. After the Magician fell asleep, the dog stretched and rose up off the floor, yawning hugely. He stared at Pinkerton, as if wondering if he would get up again. He carefully moved the jacket over the man’s shoulders, and then waited again to see if he would rise, before making his way up the stairs and towards the main floor. Then, the dog let himself out and back onto the street. He would have to call for pick up, but at the very least he had information, and a few major leads. Some time later that day, Una received a call; "Hello? Miss Bronte? This is Agent Lucidus. I have an update on your case and wonder if you can help with some further information. I know where your contact is staying, and who is protecting him.”
Una: “Already? You are incredible, Agent Lucidus. So the betrayer is nearby? I wonder if he wants to murder me, still. Why else would he be in Wathais?”
Agent Lucidus: “I am not sure. He is being protected by a human woman. It appears he is staying in a bathroom for now, under her house.”
Una: “How can I help? It will be a relief when he is dead!”
Agent Lucidus: “We.. aim to capture him if possible. I want to confirm his identity. I have already acquired a warrant, given the severity of your accusations.”
The agent did sound as if her answer gave him at least a few seconds’ pause.
Una: “I see! Well, I am not opposed to capture—it is a tragedy to lose any life, if it can be avoided—but he will be difficult to imprison. After a time, we must return to the depths. And my sister is very eager to kill him, as she received permission to carry out the execution.”
Agent Lucidus: “We may have to negotiate with your authorizing bodies to see what agreement can be reached. We have various sorts of confinement available, including that which is capable of containing Gods, and can provide special amenities if need be.”
“When the time comes,” Una said, “I can connect you with our Eldest Ones. We have no leader, but the Eldest Ones are wisest.”
She added, “There is a story of the First of Us, who is the size of a seamount. She Sleeps, they say, and should She Wake, a tsunami would cause havoc on land. I wonder if the story is true.”
Agent Lucidus: "I understand. For now, we should continue to investigate leads. If this being is an immediate threat, we may have no choice, but if we capture him, I see no reason not to negotiate with the Eldest."
Una: “How else can I help you, Agent Lucidus?”
Agent Lucidus: "I would like you to accompany me to the pet store. Perhaps you can become something innocuous and confirm the presence of this being. I will transmute myself likewise into an unthreatening shape."
Una: “I’ve been working on my Lounge Singer persona!” Una excitedly shared. “Lounge singers are extremely benign!”
Agent Lucidus: "If you wish to do that, perhaps you can leash my other form." Una: “Leash you? Ah! Will you be my … husband? Is this a joke about balls and chains?” Agent Lucidus: "Your dog."
Una: “Wonderful!” She laughed. “And what a relief! I don’t want to put a leash on a man.”
Agent Lucidus did not respond for a moment, then agreed; "That would not be as discrete as I might prefer. I will meet you tomorrow morning at (X address), with a note card for you."
Una: “I look forward to the pursuit of justice. Goodbye, Agent Lucidus. Goodbye, Beast.”
The next morning, Una heard a soft rapping on her front door at the appointed time.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 12, 2023 1:35:29 GMT -6
Cautiously, Una tip-toed to her front door and looked through the peep hole. The landlord had been ... worried ... about the state of her living room. In his opinion, there were too many bathtubs, the air was too damp, and the smell of fish, mildew, and salt was much too strong. "Get rid of the bathtubs," he'd ordered. "The bathtubs are a problem!"
And she'd promised to do as he said, right away!
But how could she live without the bathtubs? They were her favorite pieces of furniture, and they kept her skin moist and supple.
Fortunately, there was no landlord outside.
Rather, she saw a tiny black dog on her porch. A Pomeranian! With a cry of delight, Una swung open the door.
"Agent Lucidus!" she exclaimed. "You are much smaller than I'd expected!"
With a smile, she crouched and ruffled his ears. Una was dressed in her most average outfit: bike shorts and a t-shirt with a baseball logo across the front: two red socks for the legendary Boston Red Sox. She'd squeezed her feet into tennis shoes, and filled a grocery bag full of necessities: cash, a full water bottle, house keys, her phone, a steak knife (wrapped in a scarf), and a sturdy length of rope.
"Is Beast there with you? Are we a team of two or three?"
Considering the danger of the TRAITOR, she'd welcome all the help she could get.
"I do not have a car, but we can take public transportation or walk. In fact, walking has become my primary mode of transportation; I am very skilled at it these days. Through the night, I wander. Past closed storefronts and curtained windows. Through tunnels full of desperate humans, over bridges and through alleys."
Still worried that the landlord would catch her in a lie, Una glanced side-to-side and then closed her front door, locking it behind her.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 12, 2023 3:00:26 GMT -6
The tiny dog, which was, by her estimation, about ten pounds, had a cellphone on a cord around its neck. It carried a little card in its mouth with an address neatly written upon it, which directed Una to the pet store.
As Una pet him, the little dog balanced on his hind legs, front paws tucked up. He then reached out to paw her leg gently once.
At the mention of walking, the little dog barked once. The sound was high and shrill, and walked in front of her, as if to lead the way towards the subway. It was quite a walk from Una’s home to get to the petstore, and he would prefer not to run again.
For ease of movement inside buildings or on the subway, he leapt into her arms, but otherwise seemed more than happy blazing a trail and leading the way to the Traitor.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 13, 2023 1:24:43 GMT -6
Una unfastened the cell phone from Pomeranian Cassius's neck and put it in her grocery bag, along with the address card. Although she was tempted to give him a tiny peck on the head every time she held him during the journey, Una resisted. He was not actually a ten-pound dog, descendant of wolves, companion to humans. He was a human. And humans generally did not want to be kissed by near-strangers.
She did, however, give him skritches. He said it was OK.
After navigating the subway system (successfully, thanks to Cassius; Una could not read, and she therefore struggled to travel without becoming lost), and walking a couple blocks, they arrived at the address. The symbols on the street name were the same as the symbols on the card, and she'd learned numbers well enough to recognize "281" on the shop's door.
It was a pet shop, no doubt.
"Time to be undercover," Una told Pomeranian Cassius. Then, she swung open the door and let him follow her into the shop.
Cassius would see and smell the same shop owner he'd encountered earlier; the stern-looking woman glanced up from her phone and intoned, "Dog supplies in aisle B."
"Thank you!" Una remembered that "B" had two lobes. Quickly, she ducked into the correct aisle and knelt to whisper at Cassius, "She's human. I do not sense another of my kind, but it's possible for us to block attempts at mental connection."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 13, 2023 2:02:54 GMT -6
The little Pomeranian rushed around the room, sniffing everywhere for signs of the Traitor that Una had been talking about. The ten pound dog raised its tiny pointed ears, and made a very intent expression of concentration as it searched. Where was it hiding? Was the traitor still here?
If it caught scent of anything of interest, it rushed back to Una, raising onto its hind legs and pawing at the air with its tiny paws, before turning around and walking towards the scent of interest.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 18, 2023 1:05:19 GMT -6
Pomeranian Cassius--once again--smelled the traitor (faintly) on the door to the "out of order" restroom, as if he'd walked through the shop and into the mysterious room. As he started pawing at the door, Una stepped behind him.
"There?" she asked. Ignoring the sign (not that she understood it, anyway), she grabbed the knob and rattled it. "It's locked ..." She dropped into a crouch and whispered, "should I kick the door down?"
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 18, 2023 1:09:23 GMT -6
The dog shook its little head, and instead pulled a credit card out of Una’s pocket, dancing around on his hind legs to look cuter as he did it. He turned a full circle, then shoved it into her hand insistently, miming an up and down gesture while aiming his head at the door’s lock.
If they were lucky, and it was a terrible lock, it might be enough to open the bathroom door.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 31, 2023 1:49:24 GMT -6
Una delicately took the credit card from Pomeranian Cassius, and then she gave him a scritch. Clearly, she could use the card to open the door, which was locked with a metal bolt. She'd never attempted the maneuver before, but the engineering was simple enough. Kneeling, she wedged the card into the gap between the door and the jamb--it was a tight fit, almost too tight--and then wiggled it a bit. With her free hand, she tested the doorknob. Still locked. She shoved the card farther, forcing the bolt out.
Click.
The door opened.
The bathroom had been entirely remodeled into an aquarium; there was no toilet or sink anymore. Rather, shelves along the walls held glass saltwater cages, each filled with ... unusual organisms. Sea slugs, sea snails, brightly colored fish and marine snakes.
All of them toxic.
Cassius smelled the traitor in the room, but the scent was faint, as if he'd been there a couple days ago.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 31, 2023 3:15:37 GMT -6
The little dog ran around the room in a wide circle, sniffing all the aquarium rooms, and looking like he wanted to bark at them. He lifted himself up on his little hind legs to stare at the cone snail that Pinkerton had purchased earlier.
He then moved around in a semicircle where the Traitor had been. Had been, but wasn’t any longer.
Agent Lucidus as a small dog then leapt back into Una’s arms, and seemed most satisfied with what they had found, at least for the time being.
At the very least, they had evidence of the illegal pet trade here now.
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