Open Starter for @maudxlytton Location: Outside Baba Yaga’s Tent Timestamp: Directly after the séance
To say Polly had been affected by what had just happened was an understatement - they were downright terrified, utterly disturbed by what they had just witnessed. It wasn’t the spirits that were the issue. If anything, their dealings had seemed friendlier than most. At least their messages from the other side came in the form of warnings - but it was the knowledge that the warnings were needed at all, that others before them had heard and ignored them, and that their own choices were leading them down the same path. It made everything happening seem more real, every shadow that danced in the soft glow of the lanterns that lit up the tent that much more sinister.
They couldn’t be alone tonight. It was stupid, at best, but even if they wanted to, Polly wasn’t certain they could manage it tonight. They knew they had a way about them, something that made others want to extend a helping hand in their direction. Usually, they could hold their head up proud, and say that they didn’t need it, they could get along just fine, thank you very much, but not tonight. They needed the comfort only the company of others could provide.
The detective was a familiar figure to Polly by now. Where they were loathe to ask others for help, Maude made it a little easier - perhaps it was the fact that helping was her job description to begin with. Unlike most of the other coppers down on Commercial Street, there was something about Maude that Polly trusted, that had them stepping out of the gloomy and darkness and scurrying after her as she left Baba Yaga’s tent.
“Miss Lytton?” they called out, soft enough so as not to startle, keeping a safe distance away until Maude invited them closer. “Are you heading back to Commercial Street?” They pressed. “Would you- would you mind if I came with you? Only I don’t want to go alone, you see.” They bit their lip, pondering what had happened inside the tent. “Don’t worry if you’re not heading to the station, though. I don’t even know where you live.”