i'm only human

"i can turn it on, be a good machine. i can hold the weight of worlds, if that's what you need." female. seventy. business owner.

[victorxblake]

The human contact made the hairs on his neck stand up. He wasn’t used to it anymore, it made him tense, unnerved him. The last time he felt a human’s touch had been his wife. He’d even managed to avoid giving Lizzie a send off hug before she left. He’d begun to isolate himself even before he left Camelot. His own coping mechanism. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. It happened. It’s over. Now I’m here.”

He already lived in the past more than he wanted to with reoccurring dreams, nightmares, and hallucinations (that were all being battled with alcohol.) Shifting uncomfortably on his feet, Harvey shoved his hands back into his pockets and walked around the shop, looking at nothing in particular. His mind was elsewhere.

“I can’t help but wonder if they knew about her all along,” Harvey added quietly. Truly, she was his best kept secret. He didn’t tell Eve, Orion, or even Lizzie. Made damn well sure his tracks were covered whenever he went home to her. And she ended up dying because of his own stupidity anyway.

“You two would have gotten along wonderfully, I imagine.”

[evelynsroses]

Evelyn could tell the touch bothered him, so she withdrew her hand. She unconsciously crossed her arms as she watched him start to move about the shop. She let him have his space, partially out of guilt, partially because she had a feeling it was what he wanted. She would let him be the one to say, not decide for him, what he needed. He was really the only one that could say.

“They always seem to have their way of knowing things,” she said absently. This was a bit on her own experience, a bit on Orion’s, and agreeing with what Harvey said about his own. They’d known about her parents back in the day, they knew about ever moment in her life before her “death,” and they knew exactly how she worked. It had shoved her into disappearing, but in the end she felt like she should have said something more to the others. Maybe they could have gotten out just like her. “It’s unfortunate that they have the wrong person making the decisions over our lives.”

“I imagine so as well.” She kept herself from saying something about how it was a shame she never got to meet her. They both knew it was a shame without her having to say it. Besides, it was far deeper than her relationship with the woman she never met.

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

A faint, cold smile crossed his lips in response to her demand. What they’ve done to you. Something inside of him wishes it were all a lie. He can still feel that loyalty that was so deeply embedded into his every fiber of his entire being. And it disgusts him, the cold smile turning into a sneer. He can feel tears threatening to burst, thinking about the mission. Thinking about how close he and Rosalyn were to celebrating their 20th anniversary. But he held them back, taking a deep breath. When he spoke again, there was absolutely no emotion in his voice.

“They sent me on a mission. Rogue spy had more information than Camelot knew what to do with it. Information that was never supposed to get out. It was a chase around the world. Long story short, I tracked him down to some small city in India.” Harvey swallowed, walked to some counter that encased beautiful jewelry that no doubt cost a pretty penny, fingers ghosting the glass. “Gave me a choice. Listen to what he had to say or watch my wife get shot in the head. I listened. When he was done, he gave me another choice. Save the city or save her. I saved the town. He shot her. Blew up the city anyway. And shot himself.”

When silence fell, a single tear also fell and hit the glass. Back toward Evelyn, Harvey discretely wiped the tear off the glass and turned back around towards her. He shrugged, as if it weren’t a big deal. But it was and the hole that he managed to staple close for a bit had tore wide open. “They didn’t know what I knew until I ran. Had to make sense of it. Now I have and.. I’m done running.” That probably wasn’t true.

Harvey laid it out. Evelyn couldn’t expect less from him, though considering the time lost between the two, she was a little surprised that he opened up, but it was what she asked for. Camelot had done something to him. It wasn’t direct, but that was how it’d always been. They’d lead her to join the ranks, they’d killed her parents. They trained their agents to act without question. That had to have been what sent Harvey after the rogue spy in the first place. She could count herself lucky. She’d managed to get out and save her family. But the truth was, that wasn’t the truth. She’d gotten out, yes and the Abbots were alive yes, but Harvey was family and in her absence, he’d been effected.

Sadness crossed her face that reflected how she felt inside. She wanted Harvey to know that she was worried about him. Stepping around the counter, she moved closer to him until she reached out and touched his arm. She rubbed with her thumb a little before she let go and brought it back down to her side. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, but it felt like it echoed among the things in the store.

[evelynsroses]

karinxpercy

So many people have told me that. I don’t see the appeal.

    ➳ ❝ Oh, it’s terrible, but in the most endearing way possible.

[evelynsroses]

karinxpercy

Karin nodded in agreement for a moment before saying, “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve seen that movie.”

    ➳ ❝ That’s really a shame. Die Hard is quite the guilty pleasure of mine.

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

Finally, eyes raised to meet a gaze that was pointed toward the ground. She was as real as the swiss-knife he felt in his pocket. Older, but real. Jaw set, Harvey swallowed back a lump that had began to form in his throat. Thirteen years and he never imagined he’d ever see one of his greatest friends again. 

“As far as I can tell.” He answered in a light tone, thinking it would be ironic if Camelot had followed him here. Then he, Catherine, and Elizabeth would be in the utmost of trouble. A flicker of a smile ghosted his lips for just a split second. Then he felt hollow again, his voice showing it as well.

“I’m surprised you even still care.” The words weren’t meant to be hurtful. He didn’t even mean to say them. They just… Came out. Side affects of the drinking, most likely.

There was a relief that spread through her when he said he was the only one, but that only made her more worried for his wellbeing. Who would’ve known what were to happen should more have come. She knew deaths in the very least. Camelot would want all of them gone, but it would be a cold day in hell if she didn’t go down taking several with her. She would expect no less of Harvey or Orion.

She expected bitter words, but it didn’t stop her from sighing at the statement. Honestly, she was just as bitter with herself every day and she could say she wouldn’t change a damn thing, but in thirteen years you have a list of the tiniest details you’d change. Letting Harvey believe she was dead was one. Not bringing him, Lizzie, and Orion with her at the time was the other.

She moved to the register counter that wasn’t too far away to store her gun and left the flower with it. It was time to think of the best words. Even if she’d had thirteen years to prepare herself, it would still be a difficult task. She never imagined this moment, no one ever did. This was the thing to happen in movies not real life. But wasn’t her life just some crazy movie?

After a moment longer she looked up at Harvey. “Of course I care, I never stopped,” she said honestly. “You know damn well I wouldn’t ask you if I don’t care.” Her words weren’t meant to bite back, but she certainly wanted to make it clear that thirteen years didn’t change anything. “I want to know what they’ve done to you.”

[evelynsroses]

moodboards: 1/? { mood : violence }

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

Had he not recognized the voice, Harvey would have pulled the wooden gun off of the wall and shoved the barrel into her neck. Instead, all he did was stand as still as a rock, his neck hairs all standing upright. He had to be going crazy, now. Catherine was dead. She’d been dead for thirteen fucking years. Maybe if he didn’t turn around, she’d go away.

What have they done to you? Her voice rang through his head, making him flinch. Nope. Wasn’t going away. Her question brought a swell of emotions that began to stir in his chest. It forced him to take a deep breath before he could even think to answer. So many questions, so many feelings. None of them good. Because all he could think about now, was the time before everything went to shit.

Harvey’s jaw tensed, fists tightening in his pockets. He didn’t dare turn around. “I could ask you the same thing, Catherine.” And though his heart felt like it was running a mile a second, his voice was oddly calm.

    ➳ It was really happening. The life she’d mostly left behind was coming back, but she couldn’t tell for now if it was to haunt or not. And something was far from right. It wasn’t quite what she’d initially thought with him being here to kill her. Kill her, Lucien, Orion, and Oliver. No, this man before her seemed off for another reason.

He’d experienced loss. It was in his manner and she’d noticed the facial hair. This loss was a great loss. And it made her feel angry, sad, and guilt all at once. She should have gotten more of them out in the beginning. She could never have imagined this.

Carefully, she walked around him to the door and flipped the sign closed. She avoided his gaze, but turned to face him. ❝ They did a great many things, but I imagine less than what they’ve done to you. Are you alone?”

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

@evelynsroses​

Aldyria. What a quaint town to settle in. Not too high profile, but not too low profile, either. It was perfect, for him. Though, perfect was just a word that was tossed between Lizzie and him before he actually moved to the town.

Today was the day he had an interview at the Aldyria Chronicle, though it wasn’t until a few hours. Having nothing to do before that, Harvey decided to take a walk on Main Street. Hands in his pockets and glasses balancing on the tip of his nose, Harvey noticed a small antique store in the corner. Being a fan of antiques, he began to walk towards the store, curious about what it would be holding inside.

The first thing that caught his eye was on old, wooden rifle from World War I. It brought back a memory of seeing it hanging in his grandfather’s living room, and a smile crossed his face. It faded quickly though, for the next thing that caught his eye was an old, wooden chair with a leather seat. It looked exactly like the chair he and his wife sat on before he was forced to watch her die. Quickly, Harvey turned around. Clearly it was a bad idea coming inside the antique store, his heart feeling like it was leaping out of his chest. It was time to go.

    ➳ The back of Rose Antiques was never dirty. And by back, it wasn’t the back back, but where customers were allowed. Evelyn maticulously cleared the dust constantly and there wasn’t any to be found. It was easy to do during the week because it was rare there was ever more than a handful of customers that came through the door.

When she heard the bell on the door however, she did her usual walk to the front to greet the customer, but as soon as she caught a glimpse of who it was, she turned to the nearest isle. The man looking over the prized World War I rifle was so very familiar. It had been thirteen years, but she knew him so very well. But this wasn’t a happy sighting. They knew. They knew she was there. What if they knew Orion was there. Lucien... No they wouldn’t have him.

The refurbished desk in the back had a table cloth over it. It was to distract people from buying it. Because what it also had was a gun locked away in the middle drawer. Just for emergencies. She retrieved it, slipping the key into her pocket after using it. Casually holding her gun at her side, she picked up a fake flower from one of the vases on display. Something unusual to focus on at least for now. She went back on her path to the front of the store and laid her eyes on him once again.

Something was strange. This man wasn’t the same. If she weren’t experienced, she would assume it was because he was here to kill her. No, something else was wrong and she was sure he wasn’t expecting her as much as she hadn’t expected him. ❝ Harvey?” she questioned in a concerned tone that was reserved for a collection of people, but a selective collection at that. “What have they done to you?”

[evelynsroses]

gillianlockwood

     — ❝ In fact I do. It’s an old recipe of my gran’s. And for dessert, ❞ Gillian smiled, motioning towards the bottle of wine in her bag. ❝ And pumpkin pie in the spirit of Fall. ❞

    ➳ ❝ That sounds lovely. Though after the salt instead of sugar mishap with Lucien last year, admittedly I’ve not been too fond of pumpkin.

[evelynsroses]

mrkylesmith

“Yeah, but if I pretend I’m in England, or something, it fits. It’s all about using your imagination.”

    ➳ ❝ I’ve been trying to imagine this town is England for years now. That’s not about to work now.

[evelynsroses]

mrkylesmith

“Then you gotta know that it’s always five o’clock somewhere.”

›› ❛ But that is where the song is flawed. It still isn’t five o’clock here. ❜

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

“His, or yours?” He didn’t mean for it to come out spiteful. She just caught him on a bad day…. As if he ever had any good days anymore.

›› ❛ His. ❜ Evelyn answered quickly, and honestly. It would forever be his above hers. ❛ I said his, I meant his. ❜ There wasn’t enough apologizing she could do that wouldn’t make her leaving Camelot look like anything less than selfish because that had been what it was.

[evelynsroses]

victorxblake

Harvey let out a sigh after he put his flask back in his pocket. “Have you come to lecture me, or is there something else you need to discuss?”

›› Evelyn shook her head before she took a seat across from him. ❛ I’ve come to discuss the situation with my nephew. No one outside of who already knows, isn’t to know he’s my nephew, nor is he to know what I was. It’s for his protection. ❜

[evelynsroses]

karinxpercy

“I’ve got nothing else to do?”

›› ❛ Not even sleep? ❜

[evelynsroses]

mrkylesmith

“Too early for what? A drink. It’s never early for that.”

›› ❛ I’ve been here long enough to know, from a certain song, that 5 o’clock is the correct time for it. ❜

[evelynsroses]

karinxpercy

“Not if you’re planning on staying up all night.”

›› ❛ Now, why are you doing that? ❜

[evelynsroses]

harveystanford

“It’s never too early for some scotch, Eve.”

›› Evelyn knew why he was drinking this early, so she didn’t say anything about it. She felt so guilty over it though she never had a hand in it. ❛ It can be. ❜