#{bottled void}

[accursedobject]

@bottled-void

uhh. hey. am i. in the way?

[kat-hawke]

A black cat crossed the Director’s path. 

It walked a few paces back, trailing the shadow sewn to her heels. Unbothered, it seemed, by how long it spent unnoticed. And when the Director’s attention finally fell on the feline, it paused. Offered an eye-crinkling grin that belied an inkling of sentience. It padded up to the woman and craned its neck. A bronze tag glistened as it dangled from the collar- ‘Calcifer’. And tucked in its collar was a rolled letter addressed to Kat Hawke herself. 

The feline stayed long enough to see the letter in the Director’s hands before taking its leave.

Director,  Development on your request is progressing apace. The first trial will be ready for testing within the next week or two should I receive a few necessary reagents. If you could please provide a sample of Gromsblood and Lichbloom, preferably in the plant’s entirety, I would be most appreciative.  Best Wishes,  M. Park 

As she made her way around the outskirts of the city, Kat paid no heed to the feline that trailed behind her, its persistent presence becoming increasingly bothersome by the minute. After nearly an hour of this unwanted companionship, the Director let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Without hesitation, she turned on her heel to confront the creature, determined to put an end to its incessant following.

"Fuckin' wot?!" She snapped as her gaze pinned the cat to the cobblestone, the rolled letter coming to attention shortly after.

With a scowl etched on her face, she observed the furry creature saunter away as soon as the Director received the letter. Without wasting any time, she unfurled the letter and scanned through its contents, her eyes darting back and forth as she absorbed every word.

"Gromsblood and Lichbloom," Kat muttered to herself. "Off-continent plants, of course. Fortunately, I know someone who can procure these harder t'find things. No fuckin' number is listed. Does she want just one? Three? Five?"

She let out a frustrated sigh and folded the letter in half before putting it in her pocket. "She'll get her fuckin' plants an' plenty of 'em...," she muttered.

[@maxparkhurst]

[kat-hawke]

To Rattle the Chains

Kat stood upon the stone outcrop, the gentle breeze rustling her hair as she gazed out over the serene park. Her eyes drifted across the vast open space, listening to the one-eyed alchemist below as she collect a bowl of soup from a street vendor just below her perch. Their gaze meeting for a brief moment in silent understanding.

With a covered bowl in her hand, Max respectfully approached her, acknowledging her position. "Director," Max spoke as she settled on the stone, holding the bowl carefully in her lap.

Kat's attention turned towards the bowl in the alchemist's lap, her curiosity piqued. "Is the soup for actual consumption, or some sort o' experimentation?"

"I don't play with my food," Max scoffed, tapping the lip of the bowl. "Augustine is watching the shop this evening. Thought I'd fetch him something."

"How kind 'n sisterly." The Director muttered, feigning interest.

Max clicked her tongue in jest, "I do try," she replied, turning towards the promenade below. "Business or pleasure, Director?" the alchemist asked with a smile, gesturing to the people below.

A curt snort forced through the Director's nostrils as her lips flattened at the corners. "As much as I love jokes about pleasure everyone seems t'make... Do I ev'a make an appearance in public for anything other than business, Miss Parkhurst?"

"Suppose not." Max hummed in agreement. "You'll have to excuse me, Director, if I so wish to cushion your professional demeanor with a bit of light-hearted banter."

A faint smirk curled the edge of Kat's lips, "Th' absolute audacity," she muttered before scanning the area. "A quick word, however, is my business here. I'll try not t'bend your ear for too long. Wouldn' want the soup t'go cold."

Max nodded understandingly, "Certainly not. Cold soup makes for a terrible meal," she quipped, raising a brow. "You have my attention. Unless you'd prefer a more quiet place to speak business?"

Shifting her attention fully toward the alchemist, the Director gave her a knowing stare. "When do I eva enjoy public crowds or the noise?"

"Fair enough," Max chuckled, rising to her feet with the bowl held securely. "Lead the way, then."

Kat motioned vaguely as she turned on her heel, leading Max to a quieter spot for their discussion. Choosing the longer route to ensure none were tailing, the two made small talk on the newly re-opened shop that the Parkhurst siblings had acquired. Whether or not the Director truly cared was uncertain, but the long walk to the far corner of the graveyard in silence would have been less than ideal.

Navigating beneath the vine-covered trellises, she approach one which held a tub of water and a handful of fish. Gloved hands rested upon the weathered rim as she stared down into her reflection in the water. Sinister thoughts and whispers of self-loathing began to stir in the deepest recesses of the Director's mind.

"I trust things have been goin' well with Sherwood's potions?" She inquired without looking away from the water.

Max took in the scenery with a subtle nod. "More or less," she remarked, turning to lean against the trellis. Her myopic gaze traced the vine's path upwards, tongue tapping against the backs of her teeth. A sigh eventually fell from her lips. "I've been researching the technicals behind the curse along with corresponding treatments. The result is just a lot of theory and postulation, though, without a real test subject."

The alchemist's fingers drummed against the bottom of the bowl. "All that to say— I've only a trial sample to offer."

As she gazed at her reflection with disappointment and disgust, Kat let out a low hum from behind her lips. Shifting her focus to Max, she leaned back against the water tub as her arms crossed beneath her bust. "Ian serves as the primary test subject, being th'only worgen in our crew," she explained. "But that's no' th'only reason for our conversation. There's something else that doesn' require Sherwood or anyone else's involvement."

Max's gaze snapped back to Kat, and the corners of her cordial smile twitched upwards. Revealed the faintest hint of a fox's wicked grin. "Then, at your word, I'll have the first samples delivered to Mister Sherwood." She paused, head canted as she recollected her smile. "You've my attention and discretion, Director."

Kat raised her hand for a brief moment before nestling it back into the opposite elbow with a shallow nod at Max's initial statement, a silent green light to deliver the trial potions to Ian. "Good. I need somethin' t'do th' opposite of wot Ian's potions will do. A concoction that will, let us say, uncage the beast within someone who is afflicted, rather than calm it."

Max's brows rose to meet her hairline as she incredulously blinked. "Might I ask why?"

The Director maintained her solid expression as she looked the alchemist back in the eye. "You may not."

Max clicked her tongue. Then nodded. "Fair enough."

"I do no' plan anythin' of ill intent. If that is of concern." Kat offered in a monotone.

A hum escaped the alchemist in her breath. It sounded more contemplative than condescending. "I am paid to craft potions and maintain discretion." She summoned her cordial smile and offered it to Kat with a slight inclination of her head. "What you do with my creations is beyond my concern. Though, I appreciate the reassurance nonetheless."

Max's shoulder rolled in a subtle shrug. "A lot of frivolous fluff to say I trust you, Director."

"Trust is generally earned, no' given, but I appreciate th' statement all th' same." Kat chuffed with a quick roll of her eyes.

"Fair enough. I'll begin work on your request as soon as I am able." Max replied before her brow raised once more to voice a slight concern. "This will require more valuable herbs and reagents, so you know."

"Send me th' invoice and I'll make sure it's taken care of. Either that or a list of th' reagents 'n herbs and I'll arrange a delivery." Kat dismissed the matter with a shrug, unbothered by the financial impact it may carry.

Max's warm smile lit up her face ever so slightly. "Wonderful. You can expect to hear back from me soon," she said, pushing herself away from the trellis and tilting her head inquisitively. "Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?"

"No, that's all," Kat replied, gesturing with two fingers towards the path. "You should go before the soup freezes."

"Of course." Max chuckled softly and started down the path, waving briefly over her shoulder. "Enjoy your skulking, if that's what you prefer, Director."

The Director let out a low, grumbling sound, lips pursed tightly as her gaze narrowed. "I do not skulk," she muttered, glancing briefly at her reflection in the pool before heading off in the opposite direction.

[ @maxparkhurst ] [ Mentioned: @ian-sherwood ]