The Indomitable Lexicologist

[This is a tumblr for the Fallen London character Alistair Silverthorne. I am open to RP interactions, if you so desire. Fallen London is © 2015 and ™ Failbetter Games Limited: www.fallenlondon.com. This is an unofficial fan work.]

[alys-silverthorne]

Driskill surveyed the busy street before him, looking for suitable targets. It had been months since he had last picked pockets, and he had long since given it up as profession, but he was feeling bored and mischievous today. He spied a shock of curly red hair amid the crowd and gave an impish smile, knowing that he had found his first victim.

It was not at all uncommon for people of any sort to be targeting Alistair. Indeed, it was something they were used to. It came with the territory of being notable, they figured, and often, they preferred to be a target than anyone they cared about.

It was not difficult for anyone watching them to realize they were inconspicuously armed quite well, and beyond that, that they knew what they were doing with a blade. A flutter of black silk ribbon on their arm proved that fact quite well and kept most people at bay… unless they wanted to try to earn that Ribbon.

They weren’t, however, often expecting pickpockets. Deadly assailants were more their concern than the loss of a few echoes or other loose small change items they might carry, but it would still be an endeavor to truly sneak up on the ever-wary Lexicologist on their way home.

[OOC: you do realize, fellow player, that uh. Alistair is no true friend to devils or anyone that calls them friend? This might be… interesting.]

[edward-driskill-blog]

Driskill strode silently through the bustling crowd, pressing his way towards the Lexicologist. As he approached them, he noticed the black armband and began to reconsider his choice of mark. On the one hand if he was caught, he would likely be riddled with holes that would take weeks to recover from. On the other hand, if he didn’t get caught he would have quite the tale to tell later tonight at the Singing Mandrake. He decided to throw caution to the winds, and with one elegant motion brushed beside the Lexicologist and palmed the contents of their pockets.

[alys-silverthorne]

A few pieces of cardstock that were likely calling cards, a bit of glass full of organic shapes and angles, the rounded smoothness of a scattering of Moon-Pearls, the clinking feel of some sort of coins, and, as an added bonus, a pale hand snapped about his wrist nearly as tightly as steel cuffs.

They stared at him through their Cosmogone glasses, their eyes an indistinct stormy darkness behind them, as they came to a sudden stop in that crowd of bustling people and held him there beside them.

They did not speak, merely watched him with an oddly blank expression. Perhaps they wanted an explanation from him, or perhaps they were waiting for him to make the first move, but either way, their other hand was out of sight and curled around the handle of a blade. They would not be caught out defenseless in this again.

[edward-driskill-blog]

Driskill let out an awkward laugh. “Please excuse my clumsiness. I suffer from a slight case of virtigo and occasionally loose my balance. If you could please let go of my hand so that we can both be on our way.”

[alys-silverthorne]

They were quiet still for another moment or three, considering his response with a slightly raised eyebrow. Something about that expression made it quite clear they did not completely believe him. Then, they sighed softly and let his wrist go free, stepping back as they did so.

“My apologies. London is not the sort of city that inspires confidence or trust in one’s fellow citizens.” That voice was refined, tinged with the edge of a foreign home, and quite polite. “There are many people who do not have kind intentions towards others. I hope you do not run into those sorts when you find yourself afflicted so.”

[alys-silverthorne]

Driskill surveyed the busy street before him, looking for suitable targets. It had been months since he had last picked pockets, and he had long since given it up as profession, but he was feeling bored and mischievous today. He spied a shock of curly red hair amid the crowd and gave an impish smile, knowing that he had found his first victim.

It was not at all uncommon for people of any sort to be targeting Alistair. Indeed, it was something they were used to. It came with the territory of being notable, they figured, and often, they preferred to be a target than anyone they cared about.

It was not difficult for anyone watching them to realize they were inconspicuously armed quite well, and beyond that, that they knew what they were doing with a blade. A flutter of black silk ribbon on their arm proved that fact quite well and kept most people at bay… unless they wanted to try to earn that Ribbon.

They weren’t, however, often expecting pickpockets. Deadly assailants were more their concern than the loss of a few echoes or other loose small change items they might carry, but it would still be an endeavor to truly sneak up on the ever-wary Lexicologist on their way home.

[OOC: you do realize, fellow player, that uh. Alistair is no true friend to devils or anyone that calls them friend? This might be… interesting.]

[edward-driskill-blog]

Driskill strode silently through the bustling crowd, pressing his way towards the Lexicologist. As he approached them, he noticed the black armband and began to reconsider his choice of mark. On the one hand if he was caught, he would likely be riddled with holes that would take weeks to recover from. On the other hand, if he didn’t get caught he would have quite the tale to tell later tonight at the Singing Mandrake. He decided to throw caution to the winds, and with one elegant motion brushed beside the Lexicologist and palmed the contents of their pockets.

[alys-silverthorne]

A few pieces of cardstock that were likely calling cards, a bit of glass full of organic shapes and angles, the rounded smoothness of a scattering of Moon-Pearls, the clinking feel of some sort of coins, and, as an added bonus, a pale hand snapped about his wrist nearly as tightly as steel cuffs.

They stared at him through their Cosmogone glasses, their eyes an indistinct  stormy darkness behind them, as they came to a sudden stop in that crowd of bustling people and held him there beside them.

They did not speak, merely watched him with an oddly blank expression. Perhaps they wanted an explanation from him, or perhaps they were waiting for him to make the first move, but either way, their other hand was out of sight and curled around the handle of a blade. They would not be caught out defenseless in this again.

[alys-silverthorne]

[I’m not an artist. I wish I was sometimes. I’m alright at coloring, but lines are a bitch. Those lines aren’t mine, by the way. It’s a base thing I have with a lots of little add-ons that sometimes are half-right and mostly are wrong in this case. The fingers were too short and the ears too long and the chest too big, but I squidged things together because I’m also alright at edits. I never actually even tried to edit the ears down, I now realize.

They say a picture is worth a thousands words. I’ve written probably several thousand words about this character and it’s difficult to translate that to an image. Is that the color I actually imagine when I say ‘indigo-shaded’? How do I make sure people realize that despite the fact they are depicted with breasts in this, they aren’t a woman? [they aren’t a guy, either] Is that enough white to show they’re more white-haired than coppery-red-haired now?

I don’t even want to contemplate their scars or tattoos, but that’s the next step. Man. Starting at trying to art is hard when you’re a lifelong writer.

But hey, at least there’s this thing for you all to reference that isn’t like two years old now. That’s something at least. Was that the point to this post? Maybe? Perhaps. Maybe I just wanted to vent a bit, too.]

[deepdarkmarvellous]

Delicious Friends RP Starters

Culled, clipped, compiled from the deliciousfriends RP chat, a bouquet of starters for your RP blog. Reblog as an askbox meme, so someone can send out a number and start a scene, or simply lift the prompt of your choosing to write and start a scene of your own. Be creative, be clever, be canny. (Or … uncanny). 

“My bat delivered the wrong message to the wrong person and that person is you. You haven’t read it, have you?”

“You nearly knocked me off the Flit!”

“We met in a honey-dream. Why are you climbing that Parabolan tree? That’s mine.”

“You outbid me at an auction of proscribed and seized literature.”

“You tried to pickpocket me, and now I’m giving chase.”

“Your newspaper wrote an unflattering article, and I’m writing a strong letter.”

“You invited me to your house for dinner, but is this pork? It tastes odd. Where did you get this meat.”

“I was honey-mazed all night and woke up on your fainting-couch, I don’t know you.”

“Somebody hired me as a private investigator, and you’re the prime suspect.”

“I have fallen off/out of my vehicle of choice, and you’re either helping me, or laughing your ass off.”

“I think I saw you perform at Mahogany Hall, can I have your autograph? (That may not have actually been you.)”

“You insulted my ship and I can’t let you get away with that.”

“Yes, hello, stranger, could you please let me into your house, I swear I don’t have constables on my trail or anything.”

“An elderly tomb colonist is drunk and challenging you to a fist fight over me.  What the hell.”

“Why do you keep showing off your tattoo?  It’s making high society people faint from the shock of skin.”

“You have an orange.  From the Surface.  And you keep trying to defend it from everyone who wants to steal it.  (And I’m just trying to get you to share because it’s been so long.)”

“We’re both at the Empress’s court and holy crap am I bored.”

“I’ve got no tickets at Mrs Plenty’s Carnival, you saw me eying the attractions, and gave me yours.“

"I’m challenging you to a duel. Not that kind of duel. Meet me first lamp-light in the Square of Lofty Words.”

“I’m challenging you to a duel. That kind of duel.”

[alys-silverthorne]

[have at. I struck out the only one that would not really work all that well for Alistair, but feel free to wrangle me into a scene or seven. I am less inclined to some, as an aside, but hey, I’ll try ‘em anyway. I can’t promise they won’t falter, so keep that in mind.]

[alys-silverthorne]

Driskill surveyed the busy street before him, looking for suitable targets. It had been months since he had last picked pockets, and he had long since given it up as profession, but he was feeling bored and mischievous today. He spied a shock of curly red hair amid the crowd and gave an impish smile, knowing that he had found his first victim.

It was not at all uncommon for people of any sort to be targeting Alistair. Indeed, it was something they were used to. It came with the territory of being notable, they figured, and often, they preferred to be a target than anyone they cared about.

It was not difficult for anyone watching them to realize they were inconspicuously armed quite well, and beyond that, that they knew what they were doing with a blade. A flutter of black silk ribbon on their arm proved that fact quite well and kept most people at bay... unless they wanted to try to earn that Ribbon.

They weren’t, however, often expecting pickpockets. Deadly assailants were more their concern than the loss of a few echoes or other loose small change items they might carry, but it would still be an endeavor to truly sneak up on the ever-wary Lexicologist on their way home.

[OOC: you do realize, fellow player, that uh. Alistair is no true friend to devils or anyone that calls them friend? This might be... interesting.]

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

“That would explain the noise.”  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

“Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

That first little flicker of movement drew Alys’ complete attention away from the puns and wordplay. They moved away from the wall a step or three, watching the shape without truly looking at it. No need to let the Jack know she’d been seen.

The sharper movement combined with the shriek made them react without conscious thought, launching themselves forward to whirl defensively between Sereno and the oncoming Jack. They were armed now, seemingly as if by magic, with a blade in each hand and were more than prepared to defend the young man while distracting and incapacitating the female Jack if need be.

They’d done this before, apparently, that much was very clear.

[cunninglingua]

’-goes the Weaa!“  Sereno’s voice hit a high note as the scream rang out, spinning about on his heel towards the direction of the sound.  One step, then a second, before Alys’s ears were filled with the clash of steel on steel and the incensed noise from the woman attacking.  Each swing brought another proclamation of name and another attempt at attacking Sereno with Alys in the way.  Sereno at least had the sense to keep just out of the Jack’s reach, staying right behind them.

[alys-silverthorne]

There was a fluid grace to the way they moved, making it far easier than Sereno might have expected to stay behind them. Perhaps curiously was the clear lack of any sort of noise from Alys. It did not matter what the Jack did, even if she managed to catch them with her blade, which she likely might have. Alys still did not tend to place much regard on their physical body when it came to defending and protecting others. There were things to be learned from that silence in the fight, in the face of pain, if he knew enough of London, things of rings and ribbons, perhaps.

They pressed forward, pushing their advantage against the woman. She didn’t have as much by way of skill. Most Jacks didn’t. They just had sheer rage and fury. Still, they were hampered by trying to protect another, and trying not to hurt the woman behind the Jack. All they needed was an opening to knock the woman unconscious. Finding the right one was simply proving to be difficult.

[britetimes]

If anyone wants sips of cider ask me now. Because on April 7th, I am going for the Heptagoat. Even if that means selling my cider for 14 overgoats. I am going for it. So if you want a sip of hesperidean cider ask now or forever hold your peace.

[alys-silverthorne]

[I have been curious about seeing what happens with a sip of cider for a long time. Alys~Silverthorne, if you get a chance, pretty please?

Also, I do believe you might be a touch mad.]

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

“Depends on your desired result. The tapestry you’re weaving is quite a lovely one, but indeed, it isn’t much towards what we were setting out to do. I would love to hear more about your verbal or written talents if we have the time, that’s for certain, just as I’m certain you have them.” They spared a glance at the young man himself before turning their gaze back to the surrounding areas. 

“I wonder what brought you here,” they murmured under their breath. “I wonder why you stay.”

[cunninglingua]

"True."  Sereno cleared his throat quietly, looking up and down the street.  "It might be just easier to do this.  You’ve been to Mahogany Hall at all?  Some of the urchins backstage are prone to whistling a tune that is about as catchy as the flu…"

He started to sing, loud and as bubbly as champagne, “Up and down the alleys of Spite, up St. Dustin’s steeple, that’s the way the boatman rows, Pop!” He clapped his hands for emphasis, something out of the corner of Alys’s eye, behind and above the young man shifting, “Goes the weasel!”

"All around Prickfinger Waste, Smiles is stabbing people, and after them in double haste, Pop-"

The song was interrupted by a shrill, infuriated shriek of outrage.  The movement became a full-blown dash heading right at the source of the improvised lyrics.

[alys-silverthorne]

That first little flicker of movement drew Alys’ complete attention away from the puns and wordplay. They moved away from the wall a step or three, watching the shape without truly looking at it. No need to let the Jack know she’d been seen.

The sharper movement combined with the shriek made them react without conscious thought, launching themselves forward to whirl defensively between Sereno and the oncoming Jack. They were armed now, seemingly as if by magic, with a blade in each hand and were more than prepared to defend the young man while distracting and incapacitating the female Jack if need be.

They’d done this before, apparently, that much was very clear.

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

If Alys weren’t distracted by maintaining a straight face and also keeping an ear towards noises of anyone on the approach, perhaps they might have recognized those hints that pointed to someone else of a bilingual nature. As it was, it might have to wait until they weren’t drowned in puns and wordplay.

“You sure know how to stitch together a phrase,” they said with attempted solemnity. “Perhaps it is a skill you could teach Jack, and with his current skillset of ripping and cutting, he might make a fine tailor.”

[cunninglingua]

"Well, I hem and haw sew much with English that I have to learn something about how it’s put together!”  Sereno, on the other hand, was grinning bright and broad, the pale curve almost like the crescent moon.  As he joked and jestered, his voice warmed up to echo down the street, eyes bright and his back straight.

"It’s a madcap tapestry of words!  So many stories and tales that could be woven!  I love it"  Sereno spread his arms out helplessly, keeping a firm grip on the rosary in one hand.  “But then again, I suppose the word isn’t thready for that sort of story either…  And I’m sort of needling to stay on topic, now don’t I?”

[alys-silverthorne]

“Depends on your desired result. The tapestry you’re weaving is quite a lovely one, but indeed, it isn’t much towards what we were setting out to do. I would love to hear more about your verbal or written talents if we have the time, that’s for certain, just as I’m certain you have them.” They spared a glance at the young man himself before turning their gaze back to the surrounding areas. 

“I wonder what brought you here,” they murmured under their breath. “I wonder why you stay.”

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

There is a stifled choking sound from Alys and a hand goes up to their face, thumb and forefinger rubbing gently at the bridge of their nose. They murmur something briefly in a non-English language - if Sereno knows Italian, he might recognize it as a small prayer for luck and good fortune and patience - and they turn back to look at him. “…that would do it quite readily.“

A deep breath and they lean quietly against a building-front in the middle of the narrow street, arms crossed at their front and yet quite clearly at ease. “If you’re thinking mouthy puns, I’d be wary of his teeth, you know. Sharp as Grandma’s, and all the better to eat you with because of it.”

[cunninglingua]

Sereno’s laugh echoes down the street as he fingers the rosary thoughtfully, standing a few yards from Alys as he spoke.  ”Gets a bit snippy, tooth be told.  You’d think it’d stab-ilize after a while, but no, it just keeps cutting deeper and deeper.”  Once he gets to talking, his voice echoes well enough.  His accent holds an odd brogue, American, with something else coloring it.

"It’s quite the kris-is, I wonder how Smiles keeps it up."  It’s hidden in between the sounds.  Familiar, but the vowels felt confined, as if he knew them best closed away.

[alys-silverthorne]

If Alys weren’t distracted by maintaining a straight face and also keeping an ear towards noises of anyone on the approach, perhaps they might have recognized those hints that pointed to someone else of a bilingual nature. As it was, it might have to wait until they weren’t drowned in puns and wordplay.

“You sure know how to stitch together a phrase,” they said with attempted solemnity. “Perhaps it is a skill you could teach Jack, and with his current skillset of ripping and cutting, he might make a fine tailor.”

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

“Have you now?” There was a faint sound of surprise in the question. “You are very much full of surprises, and not at all what I was expecting when I warned you away from this street.” They glanced back at him slightly. “How do you propose to draw the Jack’s attention, then?”

[cunninglingua]

Sereno lets out a quiet, sheepish laugh.  ”It isn’t on my skin besides a few scars, but I did dockside for a time, including one of the labor disputes.  But that’s off topic.  I was thinking the most obvious way.”  He held up a finger.  ”Puns.  Especially ones that cut to the quick, so mouth-related ones.  Smiles and smiles of them. Jack won’t grin and bear it.”

[alys-silverthorne]

There is a stifled choking sound from Alys and a hand goes up to their face, thumb and forefinger rubbing gently at the bridge of their nose. They murmur something briefly in a non-English language - if Sereno knows Italian, he might recognize it as a small prayer for luck and good fortune and patience - and they turn back to look at him. “...that would do it quite readily.“

A deep breath and they lean quietly against a building-front in the middle of the narrow street, arms crossed at their front and yet quite clearly at ease. “If you’re thinking mouthy puns, I’d be wary of his teeth, you know. Sharp as Grandma’s, and all the better to eat you with because of it.”

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

They blink, once, twice, long and thoughtful, those indigo-grey eyes of theirs staring down at him easily. Are those eyes a darker shade than he first saw them to be? It must just be a trick of the light.

“No one deserves to be afraid…?” they echoed quietly, almost questioningly. They eyed the rosary wrapped about his hand briefly, reconsidering their unspoken thoughts and near orders. “…has it finally come full circle? Is it now my turn?” A brief sigh, a touch of melancholy in that sound, and they glanced up at the roof of the Neath. Seeking guidance perhaps?

“The point is to incapacitate. The woman might still be recovered from Jack’s clutches. Whatever else you do, do not touch the blade with your bare hands.“ With those words, they moved off down that narrow street confidently, easily, and oddly unworried.

[cunninglingua]

Sereno tilts his head, but he shakes his head instead of asking questions, following in Alys’s wake.  His booted feet make the barest tap on the cobblestone.  If Alys was less trained, his steps could have been mistaken for the patter of water.  But the faint scrape of sole on stone and the whisper of swinging, polished metal proclaims that he was following closely.

"Noted."  His voice has fallen to something quiet and thoughtful.  "Should I be bait for this?  I’ve antagonized Jacks before."

[alys-silverthorne]

“Have you now?” There was a faint sound of surprise in the question. “You are very much full of surprises, and not at all what I was expecting when I warned you away from this street.” They glanced back at him slightly. “How do you propose to draw the Jack’s attention, then?”

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

“A Jack can be anyone who can pick up a blade. A man, a woman, a child, a Clay Man… likely even a Rubbery Man. I’ve never seen one, but I wouldn’t discount it.” Alys glanced almost idly at the slight man, then back down the street. “You or I could even be one, if we aren’t careful enough.”

They considered for a moment, then nodded. “Perhaps you might allow me to escort you home, whether through the safer paths or not… and perhaps even stop someplace for a warm drink. You look somewhat like you could use the warmth.” There was something in that patiently calm voice that said without words that only the second part was truly negotiable.

[cunninglingua]

"I’ll cut to the chase here."  Sereno shakes his head.  "I have time, I just would prefer not to take a different path.  If there’s a Jack, I’d prefer to help."  He takes out a golden rosary from his pocket, slipping the loop of the ankh onto his right ring finger and wrapping the chain about his knuckles. 

He locked eyes with them, the left an eerie shade of green.  “No one deserves to be afraid.”

[alys-silverthorne]

They blink, once, twice, long and thoughtful, those indigo-grey eyes of theirs staring down at him easily. Are those eyes a darker shade than he first saw them to be? It must just be a trick of the light.

“No one deserves to be afraid…?” they echoed quietly, almost questioningly. They eyed the rosary wrapped about his hand briefly, reconsidering their unspoken thoughts and near orders. “…has it finally come full circle? Is it now my turn?” A brief sigh, a touch of melancholy in that sound, and they glanced up at the roof of the Neath. Seeking guidance perhaps?

“The point is to incapacitate. The woman might still be recovered from Jack’s clutches. Whatever else you do, do not touch the blade with your bare hands.“ With those words, they moved off down that narrow street confidently, easily, and oddly unworried.

[cunninglingua]

"You might not want to go over there." The words were quietly said but very clear, even through the bustle of the crowds. It was an interruption, a likely unwanted intrusion, but where the man was going was rather unsafe. "I was stalking a Jack, but I've lost her. I saw her duck that way before I lost the trail. Best not to chance it."

"That would explain the noise."  Sereno stated with a far more even voice than his appearance indicated, shivering and clutching his coat close to his thin frame.  “I didn’t know Jack could be a lady.  Then again, if Jack can be a clay man…”  He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, I have to get home, and this is one of the safest routes.”  He looks down the narrow street again, then back to the speaker.  “And if it’s Jack, I’ll have a run-in anyway.  I might have been a bit of a pest before.”

[alys-silverthorne]

“A Jack can be anyone who can pick up a blade. A man, a woman, a child, a Clay Man... likely even a Rubbery Man. I’ve never seen one, but I wouldn’t discount it.” Alys glanced almost idly at the slight man, then back down the street. “You or I could even be one, if we aren’t careful enough.”

They considered for a moment, then nodded. “Perhaps you might allow me to escort you home, whether through the safer paths or not... and perhaps even stop someplace for a warm drink. You look somewhat like you could use the warmth.” There was something in that patiently calm voice that said without words that only the second part was truly negotiable.

[alys-silverthorne]

A package arrives, delivered by two white ravens holding the twine wrapping the gift in their talons. The present is a silver filigree chain with a locket that opens to reveal space for three small portraits. Accompanying it is a letter. "Dear Alys, I thought a book would be rather dull for a bookseller. Instead, in honor of your recent nuptials, I send this. I do not know if you wear jewelry, but perhaps one of your partners does if you do not. Merry Christmas to you. Sincerely, Sir William"

They make a small noise of surprise at the visiting ravens, and moreso at the gift in their talons. They hadn't been expecting anything from anyone, really. They relieve the ravens of their burden, even as one grouses at them. "Your friendship is clearly valued by Sir William, if he's willing to inconvenience us for your gift."

They chuckle faintly. "Apparently it is, more than I expected. Give me a moment, I'll make it up to you. I have a white raven of my own... I think I can find a treat for the two of you." They disappear for a few minutes, and return bringing with them a small tray. There is meat on it, of a variety that ravens particularly like, as well as a bowl of mixed seeds and fungus - if perhaps the white ravens were of a sort that do not seem to want to eat meat anymore. "Relax for a while, before you return. Warm your wings. I do not mind."

They unwrap the gift, and are visibly even more surprised. It was a beautifully constructed piece, and the spaces to personalize it... They wondered if he had known of their artistic talents. They take a few moments to pen a short note in reply and then inquire if one of the ravens might be willing to take it back to him, since, after all, they were heading that way anyway.

Provided the note gets back to him in one piece, it reads: "Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift. I do indeed wear jewelry, but I may have to change what I wear to accommodate this, as well as make the miniatures to fit inside it. Neither of which is something I am against doing

A gift in response may take some time for me to think of, but I shall have to find one for you in response to this. It may not come in time for Christmas, though. Do you perhaps have a birthday soon?

I wish you all the joy this Christmas season. May it be merry and bright.

With warmest regards,

Alistair Silverthorne"

[failbettergames]

THE FALLEN LONDON CHRISTMAS CARD MASTERPOST!

[failbettergames]

UPDATED! See the end of the post…

Tell your friends you are thinking of them this festive season. (Not necessarily what you are thinking of them.)

Send them a Fallen London Christmas card! 

Sign up to Fallen London for free and join us in a web-based game of choice, consequence, greed and villainy.

New players: You will need to turn any contacts you have into acquaintances in order to send them a Christmas card. You need to send a calling card to a contact before they are acquainted with you.

Make some fast friendships while the false stars twinkle with Christmas spirit!  Seasoned players: If you were acquainted with accounts that have been deactivated, you should now find that those accounts have been removed from your acquaintances, giving you room in your heart to accept new ones. 

Your stock of cards will be replenished weekly by Time, the Healer.

Reblog this post if you want to exchange Christmas cards with other players, and we’ll come back and update the list regularly.

So many friends! Some we recognise from Hallowmas, and plenty of new ones besides. Delightful.

Send calling cards and Christmas Cards to:

Added 2 Dec: Violet Stars, Dr Cameo “Scary Teeth” Thurlow, Gabrielle Benoit, Groyard Mayatt, Daphnia, Courtenay, Arthur Galliva, katerina_the_privateer, Ceysila, Leraika, Cretaza, flap, Apathetic Nonsense, Ignus Englehart Broody, Alzar, Hester McGillivrey, Ivy Chandler, Armand le Boucher, Christabel Falcke, Avis Webb, narcissus_echo, theodore_gylden, Samuel Blake, Iris Savine Mercatur, Dante Ardasian, devineDerivative, Muraena Added 3 Dec: Cruz Merida, Leander Callahan Payton, Sharenius, HarpGuy, Bartholomaew, lucid_seraph, Garrett Volcuris, DukeLawliet, Vodenicharov, aetherGeologist, alnath_olduvi, Naptha, RosenRoth, Wade O, Raloph, Jaime Kordek, icecheetah2, Margaret Ashton, Galatea LaChance, Odessa Reyes, OpalineHeresy, blader4411, NatalieHarmonia, badpatient, Nocculi

[alys-silverthorne]

[I can try to trade Christmas cards, if I can keep up. Alys Silverthorne, if you please. I may even add relevant messages~]

[alys-silverthorne]

OWL

They are quiet for several moments, watching the candle flicker. “Curiousity, you ask. So simple, and yet so difficult. I do a lot for curiousity’s sake. I have done a great many potentially idiotic and foolish things.”

More thoughtfulness, then a gentle nod. “Not long after I ventured into London, I realized I’d gained the attentions of a particularly melancholy curate and his sister. I spoke at length with them quite often, and even visited their home more than once. I slowly came to realize… they perhaps had more in mind that just talk.”

They gave a wry smile. “I made the choice to allow them to pursue me, and to pursue them in return, instead of my normal action of avoiding and rebuffing. I’d not felt anything more for another person than fond appreciation in over three years. Not that I felt more for them, but I was just plain curious if I could even engage in and pursue such an act.”

They shook their head, oddly amused. “It came to fruition one night, and it… certainly was enlightening, both about myself and about them. Indeed, I could do such, but… what was the reason for it? More like a day of merciless teasing than a time of relaxation and release like I figured it ought to have been. After that, I decided not to bother with such things again, not unless I felt something for that person.”

"I did not figure such to ever happen again." A gentle wave of their hand, and their smile turned quite wistful. "Even now, there is underlying guilt for that act. For being deceptive to ones who were quite kind to me in many ways, in effect bedding them under false pretenses, as it were. Beyond that, some amount of guilt for indulging in the act itself." A sigh. "I was raised in the Catholic faith, after all.”