NOW YOU SEE ME

A whispering breeze, an extra shadow, that creak on the floorboards. Ever wonder what that was? Meet me, Claude. The invisible man. Now run along, I don't like strangers.

[baltharino]

[intuitivegray]

invisi-grouch​:

World on Fire || Claude & Sylar

“A Vanessa Freeman.” Claude answered, falling into almost an old routine as he gave the quick run down. “And her boyfriend. Kay.” The invisible man listed the names, almost mulling over them. “She’s an art student. Parents will disown her if they find out — cute.” Claude sighed, the story being all too common. People liked buying into the rhetoric, and thanks to Senator Shelby those words were having real life consequences. “So she’s doing the smart thing and moving on it before it can bite her.” 

They walked through busy rooms, bustling with life that couldn’t see them and were far too focused on their own details. Claude had gotten used to it, but he could see it still held some interest for Gabriel. 

“Now. What do you mean mishap?” Claude asked suddenly, keeping a wary eye out as he launched the question. “Life’s full of mishaps — you’ll have to be more specific.” The Invisible Man held the hotdog the Gabriel had put in his hands, taking a casual bite since it seemed a sorry thing to waste. “And what about you? You’re back.” He raised his eyebrows, questioning. “Back and for no apparent reason? I don’t believe it.” He chuckled. “Unless you’ve talked to Claire and she’s worried.”

Sylar nodded, chewing his hot dog slowly as Claude spoke. Sometimes it still shocked him how far he’d come. It wasn’t long ago that he was killing people like this instead of hiding them from hunters or politicians. A small part of Sylar still wanted to give into the hunger. 

“Typical.” He growled, tone clearly full of anger at the fact this girl had to hide her abilities. Despite the growing hunger, Sylar knew what it felt like to have family despise you for being different. His own mother had tried to kill him and he still struggled with that now and again.

Claude’s question pulled him out of the thought and made Sylar quirk a brow as he turned to look at the old man. “I’m not sure.” He shrugged, lips suddenly turning up into a grin. “That’s how Abigail described it when she called me. Said you needed help.”

[invisi-grouch]

Claude gave him a surprised look, taking a moment to fully register what the man was saying. Gabriel was no liar; and Claude had no reason to think of him as one. Still, for a brief moment he wondered if the younger man had simply gotten it wrong or had been hit on the head. Last he had spoken to her, Abigail wanted nothing to do with Gabriel and wanted even less to speak about the topic. 

“Abigail?” He repeated, raising an eyebrow. This had to be good. 

Then he scowled. “What did she mean I need help? I always need help.” The invisible man grumpily referred to the little project he had going, ignoring the fact that Gabriel had intervened in what could have been a messy altercation. “Only the help is bloody hard to find.” He added in his traditional sarcasm. 

All these people kept worrying about him but it was rare enough that anyone stuck around. Claude was fine with it, but it just came across as slightly annoying that they would just stick their noses in his business whenever they wanted as well. 

[lilac-rph]

   My 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 are…                          𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕪.

[intuitivegray]

invisi-grouch​:

World on Fire || Claude & Sylar

Claude looked as if he wanted to argue. Arguing came naturally to him and had become over the years one of his favorite past times. Still, he could shut up in an emergency and the Company had not failed wholly in instilling at least some form of discipline. The invisible man pulled a face, irritation clearly visible. 

A quick shrug as he gave a sweeping gesture with his hand, silently implying Gabriel ought to lead the way. Without another word the Invisible man quickly activated his ability, disappearing from view in a matter of seconds. 

He hadn’t forgotten the ex-serial killer’s annoying little quips and still intended to say something about it, only now they had to escape first. 

Still, it was good to have a friend in the situation. Claude had always taken the opportunity to be open to Gabriel’s help, knowing that helping others could only help the younger man. Gabriel needed the chance to be useful; to be needed. A purpose. Claude understood that sentiment and happily released the reins. He would have welcomed the other man’s help with his own operations, but Gabriel had been adamant about going his own way at the time. Now he was back, and Claude couldn’t help feel curious about his reasons why. 

Sylar raised a brow at the other man. His hesitance was irritating, even if it was just for a moment. But when Claude finally gave a shrug and motioned for him to lead the way, Sylar nodded and briskly walked in front. 

It only took them a few moments, taking a few twists and turns through the building and people’s apartments or offices. Being invisible definitely had its perks and although he didn’t use it without purpose, it was still amusing to see everyday things that people did that went unnoticed; pick their nose, flirt with people they weren’t married to, steal money. 

When they exited the building, he led Claude through the kitchen of a restaurant and into the backseat of a cab that someone was exiting. After a few lights, someone hailed the taxi and they exited the other side, coming up near the New York Public Library. He snatched a few hot dogs from a vendor and set on the steps, handing one to Claude. 

“So…who is it and why are we moving them?”

[invisi-grouch]

“A Vanessa Freeman.” Claude answered, falling into almost an old routine as he gave the quick run down. “And her boyfriend. Kay.” The invisible man listed the names, almost mulling over them. “She’s an art student. Parents will disown her if they find out --- cute.” Claude sighed, the story being all too common. People liked buying into the rhetoric, and thanks to Senator Shelby those words were having real life consequences. “So she’s doing the smart thing and moving on it before it can bite her.” 

They walked through busy rooms, bustling with life that couldn’t see them and were far too focused on their own details. Claude had gotten used to it, but he could see it still held some interest for Gabriel. 

“Now. What do you mean mishap?” Claude asked suddenly, keeping a wary eye out as he launched the question. “Life’s full of mishaps --- you’ll have to be more specific.” The Invisible Man held the hotdog the Gabriel had put in his hands, taking a casual bite since it seemed a sorry thing to waste. “And what about you? You’re back.” He raised his eyebrows, questioning. “Back and for no apparent reason? I don’t believe it.” He chuckled. “Unless you’ve talked to Claire and she’s worried.”

[clxirebennet]

invisi-grouch​:

Secrets Revealed || Claude & Claire

When Claire asked him point-blank what was wrong, Claude’s initial instinct was to deny anything was at all. Only both of them would know that was a lie. He paused, still weighing the option in his mind despite the known outcome. The invisible man was private by nature and the last decade had worsened that trait until it seemed to just happen even when there was no need to. 

He bit his lip, glancing to the side briefly as the question came at him. Claire was tenacious. She wasn’t the type to let something go. Even if he barked and snarled like a hell hound.  

He wanted to do that now. He wanted to be alone. 

Still, he couldn’t find it in himself to do it. Maybe it was the fact that she gave a damn and was actually genuine about it, or that he was just exhausted from how often these things came back to roost and weigh on him. Claude shook his head slowly, putting a heavy hand on her shoulder in some sign of gratitude as he smiled sadly. “Nothing you can help with love.” 

Claire’s eyes searched his face as she waited for him to respond. Others would have thought Claude was ignoring them or intentionally being rude. But Claire knew better. He wasn’t always the type to share his feelings. Running away was what he did best, though thankfully, he had been getting better lately. 

When he finally answered, the blonde sighed again and tilted her head to the side, examining him for a minute. 

“Maybe, maybe not.” She replied, rolling her lips and reaching up to touch his hand on her shoulder. Whatever had been seen was clearly weighing on him. “Either way, you can still help me.” Claire hesitated, looking away as she thought. What would he do what she asked him what was on her mind? Run away? Get angry? Both?

After another long minute, Claire looked up at Claude, meeting his eyes. “Who was she to you? And why is she so familiar?”

[invisi-grouch]

As expected, Claire didn’t budge. 

Claude didn’t want to admit it, but in some strange sense it was comforting she was one of the few people he knew wouldn’t give up despite him digging in his heels. His hand slowly dropped, leaving her shoulder as he continued to weigh his options. He wanted to shrug it off, to lie. But, things were different now. 

So much had changed and at the same time hadn’t. 

He turned around, walking a few paces away but resisting the urge to disappear. Claude still remembered how she’d begged him, with tears in her eyes not to leave. To open up to her, to talk with her. 

Biting his lip he still struggled with the idea of what to do --- everyone seemed to think it was so damn easy to just start living normally again, to trust anyone again. But here they were, and Claire refused to let go and would only keep coming at him for answers again and again. “She’s --- someone I cared about.” Claude finally said over his shoulder, finding himself fixating on the grass in order not to have to think about what had happened. “Someone I couldn’t keep safe. She’s ---,” He gave a tired shrug. “She’s Rosie.”

He hadn’t said the name in years, and it felt strange.

[endiness]

[lukas-musings]

    He’s 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 but he ᴛʀɪᴇs          He is ɢᴏᴏᴅ but he 𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠

         He is 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 on himself

      He is broken                 & 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬 for help

        He is 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑦 but he’s ᴋɪɴᴅ

        He is 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑦                         Most of the time

[odasmusings]

     You can’t get to ᴛ ʜ ᴇ ᴍ unless you get through ᴍ ᴇ . 

[clxirebennet]

invisi-grouch​:

Secrets Revealed || Claude & Claire

An invisible hand suddenly pulled her back, just as a careless cyclist crossed her path in what would clearly have been an unfortunate mishap. Claude had gone to the park hoping to find some time by himself to sort out his thoughts and feelings; only a certain family always seemed to be able to find him when they put their minds to it.

Claude knew better than most that the bike and rider would more than likely have been something minor to Claire, especially if all she had gone through was taken into consideration. Still, he didn’t want her to hurt unnecessarily. 

It was that stupid bleeding heart of his that made him act now, revealing where he was when he had no desire to be found. 

He sighed slowly, letting himself grow visible since the jig was up anyway. “You always walk around so cross-eyed?” Claude asked, making it plain he was in a foul mood. Another release of air as he relented, only slightly. “You hurt?” 

A sudden hand on her shoulder made Claire jump slightly as it pulled her back just in time to miss a bicyclist. She watched the man on the bike for a moment before sighing heavily and turning around to face Claude as he became visible.

He looked tired and worn out, more so than usual. It made Claire feel a bit bad for seeking him out, but she needed answers. People had kept too many secrets from her for far too long and Claire was sick of it. Even after all her conversations with her dad, he still kept things from Claire. It was beyond infuriating.

Claude’s tone made her frown slightly. This wasn’t his usual attitude, not that she’d expected it after everything that had happened a few days before. “Of course I’m not.” She replied, eyeing him a little wearily. After a minute, she sighed and crossed her arms. “What’s wrong?” Claire knew the answer, and his reply would probably be sarcastic, in Claude fashion, but she had to ask anyway.

[invisi-grouch]

When Claire asked him point-blank what was wrong, Claude’s initial instinct was to deny anything was at all. Only both of them would know that was a lie. He paused, still weighing the option in his mind despite the known outcome. The invisible man was private by nature and the last decade had worsened that trait until it seemed to just happen even when there was no need to. 

He bit his lip, glancing to the side briefly as the question came at him. Claire was tenacious. She wasn’t the type to let something go. Even if he barked and snarled like a hell hound.  

He wanted to do that now. He wanted to be alone. 

Still, he couldn’t find it in himself to do it. Maybe it was the fact that she gave a damn and was actually genuine about it, or that he was just exhausted from how often these things came back to roost and weigh on him. Claude shook his head slowly, putting a heavy hand on her shoulder in some sign of gratitude as he smiled sadly. “Nothing you can help with love.” 

[intuitivegray]

invisi-grouch​:

World on Fire || Claude & Sylar

“Yeah, release the bloody pigeons.” Claude half-muttered in answer. He took a moment to feel his pockets, as if trying to remember if anything had been forgotten in the whirl-wind that had overtaken them in the last few days. One moment, Claude had been moving Specials. The next – things had backfired far too closely for his own liking and Gabriel had showed up out of nowhere. 

The invisible man was grateful for the help, if a little confused how Gabriel had known when to show up. 

He hadn’t seen the ex-serial killer for some time. Claude wasn’t normally the type to get too hung up on people not keeping in touch. He himself believed that strong friendships could survive a little absence and be picked up again later. What little Claude had heard had been in a word – good. 

“Yeah, right. Let’s get to it.” Claude sighed, “How do you want to do this?” He asked, genuinely open to the other man’s input. He considered Gabriel not only a friend, but an extremely capable individual. That, and he had healthy respect for the many abilities at Gabriel’s fingertips. 

He raised a brow at Claude, intrigued that the man had given in so easily to releasing the pigeons. After a moment, he opened the cage and watched as the birds flew out in a rush, their wings causing a slight gush of wind on the roof. 

Another few minutes past as Sylar watched the old man rummage through his pockets looking rather nervous. “I heard about your little…mishap.” He mused, canting his head to the side with a raised brow. Clearly, he was disappointed in Claude’s mistake and had thought the man knew better by now. 

Somehow, the two had become close friends over the past few years and Claude’s trust in the ex-serial killer still confused him at times. He looked around at the invisible man’s question, listening intently. 

“Not here.” He could hear agents coming and the two of them needed to make it out before coming up with a plan to move anyone. Besides, Sylar still had a few questions for Claude, though he had a feeling that he already knew the answers. 

[invisi-grouch]

Claude looked as if he wanted to argue. Arguing came naturally to him and had become over the years one of his favorite past times. Still, he could shut up in an emergency and the Company had not failed wholly in instilling at least some form of discipline. The invisible man pulled a face, irritation clearly visible. 

A quick shrug as he gave a sweeping gesture with his hand, silently implying Gabriel ought to lead the way. Without another word the Invisible man quickly activated his ability, disappearing from view in a matter of seconds. 

He hadn’t forgotten the ex-serial killer’s annoying little quips and still intended to say something about it, only now they had to escape first. 

Still, it was good to have a friend in the situation. Claude had always taken the opportunity to be open to Gabriel’s help, knowing that helping others could only help the younger man. Gabriel needed the chance to be useful; to be needed. A purpose. Claude understood that sentiment and happily released the reins. He would have welcomed the other man’s help with his own operations, but Gabriel had been adamant about going his own way at the time. Now he was back, and Claude couldn’t help feel curious about his reasons why. 

[clxirebennet]

Secrets Revealed || Claude & Claire

@invisi-grouch

Henry still hadn’t come back and Claire had given up on waiting for him. She was now more concerned with what she’d seen during that nightmare incident while at the school. There were so many things that had happened between her dad and Claude that Claire had never heard of before. There were even a few thing she’d seen of Claude’s past having to do with a little girl. One that wasn’t her, but seemed oddly familiar.

She had tried to give him a few days to be alone, knowing how Claude would react after some of those things being revealed. But now Claire needed to know. Clearly there was so much about his past that she still didn’t, but wanted to, know. 

It took her a few hours, but Claire found herself standing in the middle of Central Park, coffee in hand, hoping to run into Claude. His usual places, like the Deveaux roof, were empty. Part of her was worried that maybe he’d left the city, but with everything going on, Claire doubted he’d do something so careless. 

[invisi-grouch]

An invisible hand suddenly pulled her back, just as a careless cyclist crossed her path in what would clearly have been an unfortunate mishap. Claude had gone to the park hoping to find some time by himself to sort out his thoughts and feelings; only a certain family always seemed to be able to find him when they put their minds to it.

Claude knew better than most that the bike and rider would more than likely have been something minor to Claire, especially if all she had gone through was taken into consideration. Still, he didn’t want her to hurt unnecessarily. 

It was that stupid bleeding heart of his that made him act now, revealing where he was when he had no desire to be found. 

He sighed slowly, letting himself grow visible since the jig was up anyway. “You always walk around so cross-eyed?” Claude asked, making it plain he was in a foul mood. Another release of air as he relented, only slightly. “You hurt?” 

[intuitivegray]

World on Fire || Claude & Sylar

@invisi-grouch​

The two had been keeping in touch on and off over the past few months. Ever since Sylar had inherited Claude’s ability, it became so much easier to move other Evos and stay hidden. 

Now it was Claude’s turn. The invisible man could normally getaway on his own, but Sylar had the powers to made it happen without a hitch. They were moving a few others as well, but he had no idea who they were. The old him wouldn’t have cared about these people. He’d use the opportunity to take their powers in a rather bloody way. But now? Sylar was still making up for all the damage he’d done.

“Well, old man.” Sylar muttered, his lips quirking up slightly into a smirk as he glanced around the rooftop. “Are you ready? Or should I release the pigeons?”

[invisi-grouch]

“Yeah, release the bloody pigeons.” Claude half-muttered in answer. He took a moment to feel his pockets, as if trying to remember if anything had been forgotten in the whirl-wind that had overtaken them in the last few days. One moment, Claude had been moving Specials. The next -- things had backfired far too closely for his own liking and Gabriel had showed up out of nowhere. 

The invisible man was grateful for the help, if a little confused how Gabriel had known when to show up. 

He hadn’t seen the ex-serial killer for some time. Claude wasn’t normally the type to get too hung up on people not keeping in touch. He himself believed that strong friendships could survive a little absence and be picked up again later. What little Claude had heard had been in a word -- good. 

“Yeah, right. Let’s get to it.” Claude sighed, “How do you want to do this?” He asked, genuinely open to the other man’s input. He considered Gabriel not only a friend, but an extremely capable individual. That, and he had healthy respect for the many abilities at Gabriel’s fingertips. 

[ifoundsammysshoe]

[thegoldenaura-blog1]

July 16 - Bryant Park

[thegoldenaura-blog1]

invisi-grouch:

Feeling the need himself to detox after the fiasco yesterday, Claude had come to the park in search of some peace and quiet. He didn’t like many people, and spending time among so many he disliked was just irritating. The only high point had been hanging about Jenny. For another human being—-Jenny was alright. 

He almost growled under his breath, feeling a wave of annoyance come over him as he heard another voice. No way anyone knew he was here unless they were an Evo, and that lot was attracting a fair bit of trouble these days. 

He allowed himself to blend back into what she could visibly see, not bothering to hide how annoyed he was. “If it gets rid of you.” He answered, lounging comfortably on a park bench as if he owned the place. “Right. You’ve seen me. Amazing.” He said, sarcasm strongly resonating in his tone. Claude was always more than stand-off-ish to strangers. It saved the trouble of them having to get to the acquaintance stage, where people were expected to ask after one another and such rubbish. Claude didn’t have time for it. 

Aundi then saw a man fade into view on a park bench right next to the tree she was under. She stared at the man with a very perplexed look. She didn’t know whether to be shocked by the fact that there was an invisible man just walking about or by the fact that he was being so rude to her. She was going with both but didn’t understand the need for the rude pseudo introduction.

“Thanks, it is amazing,” Aundi said genuinely praising herself. She then gave a very smug smile toward the very grumpy man. “Do you normally walk around invisible or is that only when you’re hiding from the general public?” Aundi asked a sassy edge to her tone.

Aundi then got up from her spot on the ground and stood. She adjusted her mat so that it was now horizontal. Once she stepped back on the mat, Aundi then began some lite stretches. Just because there was a rude man around who could turn invisible, didn’t mean it was going to stop her from cleaning her aura. After she finished that she went into her first yoga pose; the vriksasana or the tree. “Hey, maybe you should try this. It may make you less grumpy,” Aundi said to the rude man.

[invisi-grouch]

“D’you normally stick your nose where it isn’t wanted?” He countered, for no more particular reason than the sake of pure argument. “If they’re half as annoying as you are I’d say I’m justified.” He snorted, watching her suspiciously until she started setting down her mat. Then, he glared. 

“Oh --- come on!” He exclaimed, irritated now. He muttered something under his breath, shaking his head. She was just doing this to annoy him now, he just knew it. He had been here first after all and she just so happened to decide to do her thing after finding him here? He doubted it. 

[invisichick-blog]

July 15 - Evo Protest

[invisichick-blog]

invisi-grouch:

“Got bored playing hide-n-seek with you.” Claude answered, shooting off a reply. “Can only stay hidden so long. Gets boring when they can’t find you.” He was somewhat proud of that. That despite all the younger Invisible Woman’s bravado, she hadn’t been able to find him. “Chin up. You’ll get better.” 

That was the art of staying hidden. 

“Bloody hell, these people are pissed!” He exclaimed, somewhat amazed at the turnout. 

Jenny pouted slightly at him and shrugged. “Well, I had no idea we were playing hide and seek. It’s a little difficult to seek someone when you don’t know about the game.” She raised a brow at him and shook her head a little. “Hopefully next time I’ll find you faster then.”

Turning to the crowd as Claude spoke, Jenny sighed heavily. “Yeah. What did you really expect? There are government agents pissed about us protesting and Evos pissed about the latest tracker update from a few months ago. It’s not gonna end well.”

[invisi-grouch]

“Gotta keep up.” He nodded, glancing again at the crowd. He didn’t like the fact everyone was out here, all in the open and in plain sight. He’d seen several guys that he’d pegged as government agents already, and where there were agents bad things had a tendency to happen. 

When she spoke again he turned back to her, squinting slightly as she talked about trackers and people being pissed. “I don’t expect anything.” He said bluntly. “That’s why I’m never disappointed or surprised.” He raised a brow, “They’re pissed sure. Good reason to be. But. This isn’t the first tracker people have stuck in us, and at least they don’t kidnap you to put it in. Most of the time anyway. Guess it just depends on how pissed both sides get and who decides to hit first.” He grumbled. 

[thegoldenaura-blog1]

July 16 - Bryant Park

@invisi-grouch

After all the stress that Aundi has received from being at that protest the day before, she had needed some time to herself. So today she was at her usual place when she needed to clear her head and relax; Bryant Park. She had brought with her a mat that she uses to meditate with and set up in a secluded area around a shady tree.

After some deep breaths, Aundi was ready to begin her meditation exercises. Focusing, Aundi began visualizing a white light. The white light hovered above her head then slowly started to descend down into her head and down the rest of her body. Her intention with this exercise was to cleanse of the aura of all the stress and negativity she had gathered from yesterday. Meditation also helped strengthen Aundi’s ability as it helps her aura open up to the world.

After awhile of cleansing Aundi sensed something strange. An aura that was not her own that was not too far off from her.  Which was weird because there wasn’t anyone in this area of the park when she had arrived. Aundi then opened her eyes and saw no one. Shocked Aundi called out to see if anyone was around as she could feel the aura but not see a person. “Come out, whoever you are? I know you’re there.”

[invisi-grouch]

Feeling the need himself to detox after the fiasco yesterday, Claude had come to the park in search of some peace and quiet. He didn’t like many people, and spending time among so many he disliked was just irritating. The only high point had been hanging about Jenny. For another human being----Jenny was alright. 

He almost growled under his breath, feeling a wave of annoyance come over him as he heard another voice. No way anyone knew he was here unless they were an Evo, and that lot was attracting a fair bit of trouble these days. 

He allowed himself to blend back into what she could visibly see, not bothering to hide how annoyed he was. “If it gets rid of you.” He answered, lounging comfortably on a park bench as if he owned the place. “Right. You’ve seen me. Amazing.” He said, sarcasm strongly resonating in his tone. Claude was always more than stand-off-ish to strangers. It saved the trouble of them having to get to the acquaintance stage, where people were expected to ask after one another and such rubbish. Claude didn’t have time for it. 

[invisichick-blog]

July 15 - Evo Protest

@invisi-grouch

“Well hey there, old man.” Jenny snickered at Claude when she saw him a few feet away outside the city hall building. He looked like he was getting ready to kill someone, which last she’d check, wouldn’t have been so far fetched. 

“Long time no see. What brings you back into this part of hell?”

[invisi-grouch]

“Got bored playing hide-n-seek with you.” Claude answered, shooting off a reply. “Can only stay hidden so long. Gets boring when they can’t find you.” He was somewhat proud of that. That despite all the younger Invisible Woman’s bravado, she hadn’t been able to find him. “Chin up. You’ll get better.” 

That was the art of staying hidden. 

“Bloody hell, these people are pissed!” He exclaimed, somewhat amazed at the turnout.