Omecay Onninay, The Aterway's Inefay

an RP/ask blog for Anton Papierwaite and Dr. Norrington from "Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse"

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

yep... still on hiatus

Mun here... Ugh, I feel terrible because a couple of weeks ago I got a message asking if this blog was dead. I said no and I was planning to start updating it again very soon... Unfortunately as you’ve probably noticed I couldn’t make that happen.

There’s a lot going on in my personal life right now, meaning I just haven’t been able to carve out the time or get in the right mindset for answering the asks in the backlog. It sucks because I really do want to pick up where I left off on those, but with so many things clawing for my attention at the moment it honestly hasn’t been possible.

So I think Papierwaite and Norrington will be back once things settle down and get more stable for me. As for when that’ll be, I’m not sure, but I do hope it’s sooner rather than later. My deepest apologies and thanks. Steve Purcell once said “Sam & Max always return”... I believe that’s true for not only the duo themselves, but all the other characters in their world we’ve come to love as well. Until then!

Also, RIP in &#$%ing pieces Telltale. Those bastard sellouts got what was coming to them.

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Is the blog dead?

(Mun here! Gosh no, in fact I was planning on having Papierwaite and Norrington return from their rather extended trip sometime next week! I’ve just had a very busy past... man, like 6 months already? I’m sorry it’s been so long! But now I’ve finally got some time again so rest assured, the boys will be back real soon!❤︎ ) 

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

I haven't forgotten what you did, Anton. I'm coming for you.

“O-Oh, well, would you look at that! It seems Dr. Norrington and I need leave the country on, err…. urgent archaeological business! Immediately!”

“What?! You can’t be serious!”

“(Look, think of it as a vacation! You keep saying that I need one!)”

“(Ugh… Fine….)”

“See you in a couple of months, everyone!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

You a top or a bottom, necromancer?

“They are not asking… what I think they are asking, non?”

“Considering the sorts of inquiries you’ve received so far, I would assume the worst.”

“Ugh… The virgin question was bad enough, but this is over the line!”

“Honestly I can go either way, depending on my partner’s preferences. Not to mention, tentacles allow for multitude of additional options.”

“W-Why are YOU answering?!”

“At least this way they receive some form of return.”

“THEY DIDN’T NEED TO KNOW THAT AND NEITHER DID I!!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Anton, what were you like as a kid?

“Well… I suppose I was a very studious child, taking interest in subjects such as literature, history, culture and of course Yog-Soggoth and sorcery from a young age.”

“In other words, you were the socially awkward type who preferred books to people.”

“You are exaggerating! I will admit, I was… introverted. However, making friends was difficult with how often Mother and I moved. Growing up, we lived in many, many different countries! I learned almost a dozen languages before I was thirteen!”

“Yet ironically, communication still wasn’t exactly your area of expertise.”

“So what if I lacked the motivation for such things? You would too, knowing there was such a high chance you would simply have to leave anyone you became close with….”

“I suppose that’s true, and you have become more outgoing since your youth. Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement. You could certainly work on your assertiveness.”

“And who’s fault is that?!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

*puts Santa hat on Norrington*

“Oh my, how delightfully festive! My sincerest thanks!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

*walks under mistletoe with Papierwaite and Norrington* Heh heh heh, I did say watch out didn't I? ;)

“!? E-Erm…!”

“*chuckle* I have the distinct feeling this may have been their plan all along.”

“Really…? Uh, what I meant is… um...

*AHEM* I am truly flattered! Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what to do, or say… You see, it’s been such a long time since I–”

“Just KISS THEM already, you blithering fool!”

“AHH! ALRIGHT, FINE!!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Happy holidays guys! Watch out for any mistletoe Papierwaite, if ya know what I mean. ;)

“A-Ah, thank you…. It is much appreciated! And I am afraid I know exactly what you mean. Doctor Norrington is, oddly enough, quite fond of the winter holidays and insists on including them as part of the seasonal decorations.”

“I’m not sure what you find so unusual about it.”

“You’re an Elder God! You don’t find that a little… bizarre?!”

“Not at all. I appreciate spending the tail end of your planet’s celestial rotations with celebrations of generosity and togetherness, and the warm, inviting atmosphere it prospers. It always makes me feel rather… sentimental, if a little melancholy. I do miss Junior and the rest of my family back in the Dark Dimension….”

“I… apologize, Master. But still, is the mistletoe really necessary? It’s such a… garish tradition.”

“Oh, and you say I’m no fun! Well, if you don’t want the kisses, I’ll be more than happy to receive them instead~”

“I-I never said that! It depends on who is kissing…!”

“As if you can afford to be picky.”

“Hmph!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite, how did you become the museum's curator?

“Ahh, now that is a fantastic question! Since my youth, I have been quite involved in fields such as Egyptology, earning many PHDs in archaeology and history along with much prestige in these communities! I have just always preferred the title of ‘Monsieur’ to ‘Doctor’…”

“To each their own.”

“Regardless, it was through extensive study of the Pharaoh that I was able to unravel the secrets of the Sphunx, and build the model that tested whether or not one could enter The Tomb of Sammun-Mak to retrieve The Devil’s Toybox!

After the summoning went, um… how shall we say… not as expected? I called upon my connections to once again help me locate the remaining Toys of Power. I–”

“We.”

“… Yes, we, spent many years traveling the globe, searching for hundreds of objets de pouvoir… until it became financially unviable. That is when I resolved to become a museum curator, and let whip-wielding, leather-clad adventurers do all the Toy gathering work for me! Because, as they are always saying, ‘it belongs in a museum’, non?”

[askhell-llc]

Jurgen found it much easier to focus on his host pouring tea than to even attempt to piece together his thoughts. His mind was still a mess, and the familiar empty feeling began creeping up on him once more. He felt dizzy and nauseous all at once; the eerie Egyptian décor gave him a terrible feeling of déjà vu. The wreck of an office reminded him of his father’s, and even his own. Everything around him was a sickening reminder of the life he tried so hard to forget. He decided studying whatever Papierwaite was doing was the only way to stay sane (or at least as sane as he could be, given all that was happening).

“So…” he began, desperate for a distraction.

“Want to tell me about yourself?”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite finishes pouring cups of herbal tea for himself, Norrington and Jurgen and sits down at the desk of his office, across from his guest. He hopes the vampire will possibly change his mind and have some, as bloodless or not it might help to calm his nerves. The sorcerer isn’t usually this hospitable with others he’d just become acquainted with, but again, there was a sort of a immediate connection between himself and Jurgen due to their similar situations. Enough to want to make him try to feel comfortable, at least.

“Um, well… I’m not sure how much there is to tell, really…”

“Your history with the Brotherhood might be a good place to start, so our friend here has some additional context.”

“I… suppose…”

That’s not really where Papierwaite would like to begin, but he honestly doesn’t have any better ideas.

“My mother was a member of the cult back in France in the 1860s, luckily she learned of their corruption and managed to escaped before I was born. Still despite her warnings that I stay as far away from them as possible, she remained a faithful devotee of Yog-Soggoth,…”

He doesn’t realize how he trails off into a melancholy expression suddenly, thinking about his mother again. It’s been a while since she crossed his mind… and how much he really does miss her, in particular.

[askhell-llc]

“I see…”

Jurgen was a smart man, and he was particularly good at reading others (when he put the effort into it, anyway; Jurgen was never one for closeness). He watched as the curator’s expression drifted into one of sorrow and chose his next actions carefully. He struggles to relate to Papierwaite; Jurgen, at his core, never really missed his family or friends. He missed what he used to be or what could’ve been. He missed the opportunities. He enjoys the freedoms the modern (Brotherhood-less) era has to offer, sure, but at what cost? His life?

He sighs.

“Well, I was an antiquities student in the 1850s. I was originally just studying the cult itself, but the promise of acceptance was just too tempting to refuse. Next thing I know, I’m in Egypt. I make it to the tomb only to be bombarded with curses and suddenly…I’m trapped in a wall for fifty years.”

Jurgen slumps slightly and rests his head in his hand, defeated. This was embarrassing, dwelling on his past failures.

“FIFTY YEARS!” He emphasizes before continuing. “I manage to escape, only to become a vampire in the end. And well…I won’t go much further than that. I’ve said enough.” He smirks to himself; he thought that last line sounded cool. 

That and he knows he’s talking too much.

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Thankfully, their guest’s tale manages to snap Papierwaite out of his gloominess. This Jurgen guy...

He’s really dramatic, the curator can’t help but think. Then again, the moment that thought crosses him he’s reminded of his own flair for showmanship, not just prior to the summoning but also in regards to the recording of the museum’s self-guided tours and of course, the children’s puppet shows... possibly thanks to Norrington, always aware of his thoughts and bringing that reminder to the forefront of his mind.

Speaking of which, the Elder God quickly pieces together something that catches his attention.

“Hmm... Given the time frame, by any chance, would this Egyptian tomb happen to have been the one of the Pharaoh Sammun-Mak?”

As this was the location of The Devil’s Toybox, which both The Brotherhood and Papierwaite individually sought at this point in history, it seems likely. Still, it would be quite the amusing coincidence if the incident which caused Jurgen’s vampirism came from seeking the Toybox and happened to occur in close proximity to his own summoning, not to mention Sameth and Maximus’s retrieval of it on Papierwaite’s behalf.

[askhell-llc]

Jurgen found it much easier to focus on his host pouring tea than to even attempt to piece together his thoughts. His mind was still a mess, and the familiar empty feeling began creeping up on him once more. He felt dizzy and nauseous all at once; the eerie Egyptian décor gave him a terrible feeling of déjà vu. The wreck of an office reminded him of his father’s, and even his own. Everything around him was a sickening reminder of the life he tried so hard to forget. He decided studying whatever Papierwaite was doing was the only way to stay sane (or at least as sane as he could be, given all that was happening).

“So…” he began, desperate for a distraction.

“Want to tell me about yourself?”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite finishes pouring cups of herbal tea for himself, Norrington and Jurgen and sits down at the desk of his office, across from his guest. He hopes the vampire will possibly change his mind and have some, as bloodless or not it might help to calm his nerves. The sorcerer isn’t usually this hospitable with others he’d just become acquainted with, but again, there was a sort of a immediate connection between himself and Jurgen due to their similar situations. Enough to want to make him try to feel comfortable, at least.

“Um, well... I’m not sure how much there is to tell, really...”

"Your history with the Brotherhood might be a good place to start, so our friend here has some additional context.”

“I... suppose...”

That’s not really where Papierwaite would like to begin, but he honestly doesn’t have any better ideas.

“My mother was a member of the cult back in France in the 1860s, luckily she learned of their corruption and managed to escaped before I was born. Still despite her warnings that I stay as far away from them as possible, she remained a faithful devotee of Yog-Soggoth,...”

He doesn’t realize how he trails off into a melancholy expression suddenly, thinking about his mother again. It’s been a while since she crossed his mind... and how much he really does miss her, in particular.

[askhell-llc]

“Hello…?”

Jurgen wandered into the museum after-hours. He decided early on that this meeting would probably work best with no one else around, and if he just so happened to drain these men of the blood in their bodies, well, it would just be a fun awakening for other the employees in the morning. 

Why am I so nervous?

“Hellooo?” he called again. “Dr. Norrington?”

For the first time in over a century, Jurgen was feeling the same apprehension he felt the day he boarded that train to Egypt. If his heart was still beating, it would’ve been pounding. He was leaving everything behind in order to gain some sick sense of salvation that fateful day; now, having lost it all, he had nothing more to lose.

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

For whatever reason, Papierwaite felt far more at home in the museum than he did in his actual apartment, meaning he typically tried to find any excuse to work late. This was one of those nights, but not one where he fell asleep at his desk like he usually did. Instead he’d actually head home for once, leaving the office and locking the door behind him.

That’s when he turns and notices the fashionable European vampire nervously standing near the window of the main floor. It scares him half to death, or at least it would have if dying were possible after becoming fused with an Elder God. He supposes this is what he gets for ignoring Norrington’s advice towards hiring a new security guard.

“A-AAAH! W-What are you doing here? The museum is closed! I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to come back in the morning…”

[askhell-llc]

“NO!” Jurgen demands. He quickly sizes up the gentleman in front of him. “Listen here, little man. I’m looking for a Dr. Norrington. Are you him? You’re a lot more…pathetic than I was expecting. Are you perhaps the Papierwaite fellow he mentioned?”

Jurgen sighed deeply. He was surprised, more than anything, at the clear lack of intimidation the man in front of him gave off. And the museum’s apparent lack of security. 

He wrung his hands together. Somehow, being confronted with someone he could easily take down made this all the more nerve-wracking. It wasn’t like he hated taking down puny opponents; who doesn’t love an easy victory? The problem was that he didn’t come here for temporary satisfaction; he came here to put a century-old grudge to rest. He regained his composure and looked into the curator’s eyes.

“Sorry. I…I really need to speak with the doctor. He told me he knows something about the Brotherhood of Yog-Soggoth. And I need…closure.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite sighs heavily and rubs his temples as soon as Jurgen mentions Norrington. Of course, why isn’t he surprised? His master must have been using the phone or computer while he’s asleep again, obviously without telling him. Which leaves the question of who the heck is this foppish, pointy-eared fellow (who dares to call him pathetic, even!), and why has Norrington been talking to him about the Brotherhood? At least the sorcerer is about to get an answer.

“Ugh, yes, I am Anton Papierwaite, the museum’s curator. If you’re here to see Dr. Norrington, I can get him for you, but I warn you, what you’re about to witness might be a little…. disturbing.”

To which Papierwaite very much hopes Jurgen doesn’t take the wrong way while he starts unbuttoning his jacket, followed by his dress shirt and flipping his necktie over his shoulder. This reveals a dark bluish-green, eldritch mark covering his chest, as a similarly tentacle-faced head with small claws emerges from it, now looking up at the vampire with glowing yellow eyes.

“Ah, you must be Jurgen. Pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I must say, you’ve arrived somewhat sooner than I expected. Proof of your dedication, indeed.”

[askhell-llc]

When the small man began removing his clothing, Jurgen instinctively moved away. He was no stranger to having a lack of shirts especially, but in his defense he had a gorgeous body worth showing off. This man…not so much. Any more thoughts about Papierwaite’s downright sad body soon faded when his eyes locked with those of the creature in front of him.

Jurgen was a confident and arrogant man. Even in his days of living, he enjoyed bragging about whatever latest daring and grand expeditions he and his partner were going on. It was very rare when the boastful Jurgen Aleshire had nothing to say. This, however, was one of those rare moments.

Not knowing whether to scream or laugh or cry at the fact this “Doctor” was some tentacled creature, Jurgen slowly looked up to stare Papierwaite in the eyes once more.

“Yes, I-I am Jurgen. Please pardon my words but, what the [bleep] am I looking at? You’re Norrington? You’re the one I’ve been emailing? You’re the one who-”

And then it hits him. The tentacles, the eyes, the rituals, the worshiping; it all came flooding back. Jurgen’s mouth gaped in disbelief. He swallows and rubs his temple before looking into Norrington’s eyes again.

“Are you…Yog-Soggoth…?”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

“None other. Now, I assume you have a myriad of questions which–”

“He isn’t the only one!” Papierwaite interrupts curtly. “Who exactly is this pointy-eared fruit?! How long have you been talking to him, and why did you invite him to the museum?!”

“Settle down, Papierwaite! Have a little patience and I’ll explain the situation to the both of you!”

“Ugh… Fine,” the curator sighs and rolls his eyes. If it wasn’t so frustrating, it’d be impressive how someone literally attached to his own torso manages to keep him out of the loop.

“This is Jurgen, a FORMER member of the Brotherhood to whom I extended a reassurance of faith after he died for their cause, which in this case I assume means having succumbed to vampirism.” Norrington makes sure to emphasize how their guest is no longer part of the cult, before turning his attention to the German. “As for why I am currently inhabiting this plane of existence, in a significantly depowered form and fused to the body of an ethnic sorcerer, it’s as I mentioned previously. About a century ago, Papierwaite attempted to summon me through use of The Devil’s Toybox, which has since been thankfully annihilated. However his conjuring skills were infantile, and the effort would have been entirely doomed to failure had it not been for the unintended assistance of a psychically gifted adventurer, whom he’d hired to retrieve the Toybox from the pharaoh’s tomb.”

[askhell-llc]

Had it not been for the utter shock of it all, Jurgen normally would have a thing or two to say at Papierwaite’s passing “fruit” comment. For now, though, Jurgen’s mind was more preoccupied with the situation at hand.

“I need to sit down…”

Jurgen cupped his head in his hands and stumbled back to the support of a nearby wall. He slumps down slightly before regaining his thoughts.

“I-I see…”

A beat passes. He exhales.

“So you’re the god I worshiped? The one I sold my life away to? I’ve been waiting for this moment for centuries! The things I had planned to say to you; the situations I acted out in my head! The idea that I could finally find…some closure. But now, faced with this…” He motioned to Norrington’s current state. “I have…nothing. I’m…as empty as I started.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Surprisingly, it isn’t Norrington but Papierwaite that speaks up first in response. “Yes, well how do I think I feel, actually summoning Yog-Soggoth and ending up like… this!?”

Though the Elder God almost comments in response to that, he ends up deciding against it. Instead he waits to see what his host does next. Call it a hunch, which sure enough turns out to be correct, because after a moment Papierwaite approaches Jurgen with a look on his face that’s possibly…. sympathetic? Maybe?

“Listen, the Brotherhood took someone– I mean, something that… meant the world to me. After that, I also felt like I needed… guidance. For Yog-Soggoth to show me the way. And you know what they say, ‘be careful what you wish for…’”

Again, Norrington nearly retorts, except this time Papierwaite continues before he gets the chance, as though the sorcerer is already one step ahead of him.

“However… I suppose we could be worse off than to have someone like Dr. Norrington to help us. Whether or not he can, I understand why he tries. But the path to Hell is… as they say, good intentions, yes?”

Damn, Papierwaite. For once, Norrington has no comeback. He can’t even bring himself to correct the man’s mangling of the phrase. He’s too legitimately impressed, and dare he even say… proud?

[askhell-llc]

Jurgen was never an empathetic man, even when he was alive. Compassion was never his strong suit, and he learned from a young age it was easier and better to keep one’s emotions to himself. Feelings created attachment, and attachment only resulted in loss. The last time he got attached, he ended up dead.

But now, staring into the eyes of his former god and his odd companion, Jurgen was overwhelmed. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Jurgen Aleshire began to cry. He didn’t even realize it at first; suddenly he just felt his eyes become wet and cold streaks run down his face. His cool (or at least he thought it was) exterior was broken.

Jurgen swallows and begins to pick himself up. He laughs and wipes at his eyes with the palm of his hand.

“I apologize that you have to see me like this. I believe you two mean well, for the most part; I suppose for it won’t kill me if I have to spend more time reflecting on this…blemish on my past. I mean, I am already dead.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

“It is alright, do not worry much about it. To be entirely honest, I understand what you’re going through...”

After all, it’s pretty much exactly what Papierwaite himself also experienced more than a century ago, in the immediate aftermath of his faulty summoning. Which is another part of why again, despite having just met him, he’s able to empathize and tell Jurgen something he probably needed to hear. It’s definitely helping him to further understand why Norrington made the offer for him to come here and meet with him.

The two of them have more than a few things in common, it seems.

“As my host put so... astonishingly well, this is a difficult truth to swallow, so rest assured we think no less of you for your display of emotion.”

“Would you perhaps like to... come into my office for some tea? I know you’re a vampire, but just in case you still like to drink things without blood, I suppose... Well, it’s an offer.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Wait- Dr. Norrington- if you KNOW for sure he's not a virgin, does that mean you've witnessed it first hand? I didn't know the Elder Gods were into that sort of thing.

“That is… not what I intended to imply. I simply meant that in our symbiotic state, I’m aware of certain things, that being one of them. In fact, Papierwaite’s first sexual encounter would have been long before my summoning, assuming it was with his former–”

“So help me I will bind your claws like a lobster if you do not STOP THIS INSTANT!!!”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

“W-WHAT--!? How dare you ask something so... so personal!”

“Well, perhaps if the first answer is yes, it appears whoever is asking the second question has a possible interest in helping you to change that. *chuckle* Though you’ll have to forgive him if you do plan on pursuing courtship. He’s been, how some might say, ‘out of the game’ for quite some time.”

“SHUSH!! I’M NOT, ALRIGHT?! Ugghh... This is humiliating...”

“I can confirm he’s telling the truth, by the way. My previous comment was merely in jest.”

“But, e-erm... Thank you? If that was meant as a compliment...”

“If you do actually wish to ask him on a date though, let me know. I’ll be more than happy to privately send you his number.”

“YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!!”

[askhell-llc]

“Hello…?”

Jurgen wandered into the museum after-hours. He decided early on that this meeting would probably work best with no one else around, and if he just so happened to drain these men of the blood in their bodies, well, it would just be a fun awakening for other the employees in the morning. 

Why am I so nervous?

“Hellooo?” he called again. “Dr. Norrington?”

For the first time in over a century, Jurgen was feeling the same apprehension he felt the day he boarded that train to Egypt. If his heart was still beating, it would’ve been pounding. He was leaving everything behind in order to gain some sick sense of salvation that fateful day; now, having lost it all, he had nothing more to lose.

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

For whatever reason, Papierwaite felt far more at home in the museum than he did in his actual apartment, meaning he typically tried to find any excuse to work late. This was one of those nights, but not one where he fell asleep at his desk like he usually did. Instead he’d actually head home for once, leaving the office and locking the door behind him.

That’s when he turns and notices the fashionable European vampire nervously standing near the window of the main floor. It scares him half to death, or at least it would have if dying were possible after becoming fused with an Elder God. He supposes this is what he gets for ignoring Norrington’s advice towards hiring a new security guard.

“A-AAAH! W-What are you doing here? The museum is closed! I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to come back in the morning…”

[askhell-llc]

“NO!” Jurgen demands. He quickly sizes up the gentleman in front of him. “Listen here, little man. I’m looking for a Dr. Norrington. Are you him? You’re a lot more…pathetic than I was expecting. Are you perhaps the Papierwaite fellow he mentioned?”

Jurgen sighed deeply. He was surprised, more than anything, at the clear lack of intimidation the man in front of him gave off. And the museum’s apparent lack of security. 

He wrung his hands together. Somehow, being confronted with someone he could easily take down made this all the more nerve-wracking. It wasn’t like he hated taking down puny opponents; who doesn’t love an easy victory? The problem was that he didn’t come here for temporary satisfaction; he came here to put a century-old grudge to rest. He regained his composure and looked into the curator’s eyes.

“Sorry. I…I really need to speak with the doctor. He told me he knows something about the Brotherhood of Yog-Soggoth. And I need…closure.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite sighs heavily and rubs his temples as soon as Jurgen mentions Norrington. Of course, why isn’t he surprised? His master must have been using the phone or computer while he’s asleep again, obviously without telling him. Which leaves the question of who the heck is this foppish, pointy-eared fellow (who dares to call him pathetic, even!), and why has Norrington been talking to him about the Brotherhood? At least the sorcerer is about to get an answer.

“Ugh, yes, I am Anton Papierwaite, the museum’s curator. If you’re here to see Dr. Norrington, I can get him for you, but I warn you, what you’re about to witness might be a little…. disturbing.”

To which Papierwaite very much hopes Jurgen doesn’t take the wrong way while he starts unbuttoning his jacket, followed by his dress shirt and flipping his necktie over his shoulder. This reveals a dark bluish-green, eldritch mark covering his chest, as a similarly tentacle-faced head with small claws emerges from it, now looking up at the vampire with glowing yellow eyes.

“Ah, you must be Jurgen. Pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I must say, you’ve arrived somewhat sooner than I expected. Proof of your dedication, indeed.”

[askhell-llc]

When the small man began removing his clothing, Jurgen instinctively moved away. He was no stranger to having a lack of shirts especially, but in his defense he had a gorgeous body worth showing off. This man…not so much. Any more thoughts about Papierwaite’s downright sad body soon faded when his eyes locked with those of the creature in front of him.

Jurgen was a confident and arrogant man. Even in his days of living, he enjoyed bragging about whatever latest daring and grand expeditions he and his partner were going on. It was very rare when the boastful Jurgen Aleshire had nothing to say. This, however, was one of those rare moments.

Not knowing whether to scream or laugh or cry at the fact this “Doctor” was some tentacled creature, Jurgen slowly looked up to stare Papierwaite in the eyes once more.

“Yes, I-I am Jurgen. Please pardon my words but, what the [bleep] am I looking at? You’re Norrington? You’re the one I’ve been emailing? You’re the one who-”

And then it hits him. The tentacles, the eyes, the rituals, the worshiping; it all came flooding back. Jurgen’s mouth gaped in disbelief. He swallows and rubs his temple before looking into Norrington’s eyes again.

“Are you…Yog-Soggoth…?”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

“None other. Now, I assume you have a myriad of questions which–”

“He isn’t the only one!” Papierwaite interrupts curtly. “Who exactly is this pointy-eared fruit?! How long have you been talking to him, and why did you invite him to the museum?!”

“Settle down, Papierwaite! Have a little patience and I’ll explain the situation to the both of you!”

“Ugh… Fine,” the curator sighs and rolls his eyes. If it wasn’t so frustrating, it’d be impressive how someone literally attached to his own torso manages to keep him out of the loop.

“This is Jurgen, a FORMER member of the Brotherhood to whom I extended a reassurance of faith after he died for their cause, which in this case I assume means having succumbed to vampirism.” Norrington makes sure to emphasize how their guest is no longer part of the cult, before turning his attention to the German. “As for why I am currently inhabiting this plane of existence, in a significantly depowered form and fused to the body of an ethnic sorcerer, it’s as I mentioned previously. About a century ago, Papierwaite attempted to summon me through use of The Devil’s Toybox, which has since been thankfully annihilated. However his conjuring skills were infantile, and the effort would have been entirely doomed to failure had it not been for the unintended assistance of a psychically gifted adventurer, whom he’d hired to retrieve the Toybox from the pharaoh’s tomb.”

[askhell-llc]

Had it not been for the utter shock of it all, Jurgen normally would have a thing or two to say at Papierwaite’s passing “fruit” comment. For now, though, Jurgen’s mind was more preoccupied with the situation at hand.

“I need to sit down…”

Jurgen cupped his head in his hands and stumbled back to the support of a nearby wall. He slumps down slightly before regaining his thoughts.

“I-I see…”

A beat passes. He exhales.

“So you’re the god I worshiped? The one I sold my life away to? I’ve been waiting for this moment for centuries! The things I had planned to say to you; the situations I acted out in my head! The idea that I could finally find…some closure. But now, faced with this…” He motioned to Norrington’s current state. “I have…nothing. I’m…as empty as I started.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Surprisingly, it isn’t Norrington but Papierwaite that speaks up first in response. “Yes, well how do I think I feel, actually summoning Yog-Soggoth and ending up like... this!?”

Though the Elder God almost comments in response to that, he ends up deciding against it. Instead he waits to see what his host does next. Call it a hunch, which sure enough turns out to be correct, because after a moment Papierwaite approaches Jurgen with a look on his face that's possibly.... sympathetic? Maybe?

“Listen, the Brotherhood took someone-- I mean, something that... meant the world to me. After that, I also felt like I needed... guidance. For Yog-Soggoth to show me the way. And you know what they say, ‘be careful what you wish for...’”

Again, Norrington nearly retorts, except this time Papierwaite continues before he gets the chance, as though the sorcerer is already one step ahead of him.

“However... I suppose we could be worse off than to have someone like Dr. Norrington to help us. Whether or not he can, I understand why he tries. But the path to Hell is... as they say, good intentions, yes?”

Damn, Papierwaite. For once, Norrington has no comeback. He can’t even bring himself to correct the man’s mangling of the phrase. He’s too legitimately impressed, and dare he even say... proud?

[askhell-llc]

“Hello…?”

Jurgen wandered into the museum after-hours. He decided early on that this meeting would probably work best with no one else around, and if he just so happened to drain these men of the blood in their bodies, well, it would just be a fun awakening for other the employees in the morning. 

Why am I so nervous?

“Hellooo?” he called again. “Dr. Norrington?”

For the first time in over a century, Jurgen was feeling the same apprehension he felt the day he boarded that train to Egypt. If his heart was still beating, it would’ve been pounding. He was leaving everything behind in order to gain some sick sense of salvation that fateful day; now, having lost it all, he had nothing more to lose.

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

For whatever reason, Papierwaite felt far more at home in the museum than he did in his actual apartment, meaning he typically tried to find any excuse to work late. This was one of those nights, but not one where he fell asleep at his desk like he usually did. Instead he’d actually head home for once, leaving the office and locking the door behind him.

That’s when he turns and notices the fashionable European vampire nervously standing near the window of the main floor. It scares him half to death, or at least it would have if dying were possible after becoming fused with an Elder God. He supposes this is what he gets for ignoring Norrington’s advice towards hiring a new security guard.

“A-AAAH! W-What are you doing here? The museum is closed! I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to come back in the morning…”

[askhell-llc]

“NO!” Jurgen demands. He quickly sizes up the gentleman in front of him. “Listen here, little man. I’m looking for a Dr. Norrington. Are you him? You’re a lot more…pathetic than I was expecting. Are you perhaps the Papierwaite fellow he mentioned?”

Jurgen sighed deeply. He was surprised, more than anything, at the clear lack of intimidation the man in front of him gave off. And the museum’s apparent lack of security. 

He wrung his hands together. Somehow, being confronted with someone he could easily take down made this all the more nerve-wracking. It wasn’t like he hated taking down puny opponents; who doesn’t love an easy victory? The problem was that he didn’t come here for temporary satisfaction; he came here to put a century-old grudge to rest. He regained his composure and looked into the curator’s eyes.

“Sorry. I…I really need to speak with the doctor. He told me he knows something about the Brotherhood of Yog-Soggoth. And I need…closure.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Papierwaite sighs heavily and rubs his temples as soon as Jurgen mentions Norrington. Of course, why isn’t he surprised? His master must have been using the phone or computer while he’s asleep again, obviously without telling him. Which leaves the question of who the heck is this foppish, pointy-eared fellow (who dares to call him pathetic, even!), and why has Norrington been talking to him about the Brotherhood? At least the sorcerer is about to get an answer.

“Ugh, yes, I am Anton Papierwaite, the museum’s curator. If you’re here to see Dr. Norrington, I can get him for you, but I warn you, what you’re about to witness might be a little…. disturbing.”

To which Papierwaite very much hopes Jurgen doesn’t take the wrong way while he starts unbuttoning his jacket, followed by his dress shirt and flipping his necktie over his shoulder. This reveals a dark bluish-green, eldritch mark covering his chest, as a similarly tentacle-faced head with small claws emerges from it, now looking up at the vampire with glowing yellow eyes.

“Ah, you must be Jurgen. Pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I must say, you’ve arrived somewhat sooner than I expected. Proof of your dedication, indeed.”

[askhell-llc]

When the small man began removing his clothing, Jurgen instinctively moved away. He was no stranger to having a lack of shirts especially, but in his defense he had a gorgeous body worth showing off. This man…not so much. Any more thoughts about Papierwaite’s downright sad body soon faded when his eyes locked with those of the creature in front of him.

Jurgen was a confident and arrogant man. Even in his days of living, he enjoyed bragging about whatever latest daring and grand expeditions he and his partner were going on. It was very rare when the boastful Jurgen Aleshire had nothing to say. This, however, was one of those rare moments.

Not knowing whether to scream or laugh or cry at the fact this “Doctor” was some tentacled creature, Jurgen slowly looked up to stare Papierwaite in the eyes once more.

“Yes, I-I am Jurgen. Please pardon my words but, what the [bleep] am I looking at? You’re Norrington? You’re the one I’ve been emailing? You’re the one who-”

And then it hits him. The tentacles, the eyes, the rituals, the worshiping; it all came flooding back. Jurgen’s mouth gaped in disbelief. He swallows and rubs his temple before looking into Norrington’s eyes again.

“Are you…Yog-Soggoth…?”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

“None other. Now, I assume you have a myriad of questions which--”

“He isn’t the only one!” Papierwaite interrupts curtly. “Who exactly is this pointy-eared fruit?! How long have you been talking to him, and why did you invite him to the museum?!”

“Settle down, Papierwaite! Have a little patience and I’ll explain the situation to the both of you!”

"Ugh... Fine,” the curator sighs and rolls his eyes. If it wasn’t so frustrating, it’d be impressive how someone literally attached to his own torso manages to keep him out of the loop.

“This is Jurgen, a FORMER member of the Brotherhood to whom I extended a reassurance of faith after he died for their cause, which in this case I assume means having succumbed to vampirism.” Norrington makes sure to emphasize how their guest is no longer part of the cult, before turning his attention to the German. “As for why I am currently inhabiting this plane of existence, in a significantly depowered form and fused to the body of an ethnic sorcerer, it’s as I mentioned previously. About a century ago, Papierwaite attempted to summon me through use of The Devil’s Toybox, which has since been thankfully annihilated. However his conjuring skills were infantile, and the effort would have been entirely doomed to failure had it not been for the unintended assistance of a psychically gifted adventurer, whom he’d hired to retrieve the Toybox from the pharaoh’s tomb.”

[mostlynaturalhistorians]

Hey Papierwaite, how angry do you have to be before we get some REAL arcane power out of you? We all know deep down you can be quite the tough customer, what changed?

“What are you talking about? Nothing has changed! I am still, exactly how you said, highly formidable with my great chaos magicks!”

“Hm, maybe I am holding him back a bit too much…”

“What?”

“I apologize, Papierwaite. Perhaps I’ve been too restrictive in allowing you to flex your proverbial arcane muscles. It’s no wonder you haven’t felt confident enough to take on any necromancy work in quite some time.”

“Wait… Really?”

“Really. I’ve wished to teach you caution, not cowardice, and I regret any possible misdirection in that regard. Consider this a promise that from now on, I will make more of a concentrated effort to encourage menacing yet responsible sorcerous practices.”

“To admit that is… quite noble of you, Doctor. Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. Tomorrow we’ll begin your training, first thing in the morning. Make sure you go to bed early and rest well tonight, which means no working late!”

“Now I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing…”