Semper Ardens (seance au)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/26347579
Edward Archibald Tuttle III -- known to his friends simply as “Ned” -- was only expecting one man to arrive on his doorstep that night, not two. His group of friends and acquaintances had already gathered in the formal dining room, rearranged substantially to accommodate the crowd. Word of Master Kell Maresh’s spectacular previous performance had spread through spiritualist circles like flame through a match factory, and suddenly the whole of polite society was beating down his door for an invitation. With some rigorous vetting and Kell’s express approval, Ned had handpicked the lucky few to attend that evening.
It had been arranged through Kell’s brother, a genial but precise young man whose cash allowance and parentage were often the subject of gossip. Ned liked him well enough and did well to follow through on all the demands -- One table with one chair, no hand-holding or humming from audiences, no requests from guests (they can make personal appointments for that), and absolutely no scientists with a mind towards disruption.
Only Kell and a focused audience.
So Ned was indeed very surprised to see Master Kell on his doorstep with a second man. A man who only weeks before had tossed his front parlor beyond recognition. Not as tall as Kell, but broader and more alive than Ned recalled him being. His eyes actually had color to them -- a lightly faded evergreen. His hair, on the other hand...
“Good evening, Mister Tuttle,” Kell began with uncharacteristic cheer. “May I introduce my partner for the evening, Mast--.”
“Holland Vosijk,” Ned supplied in a faint voice. “Yes, I recognized you from before… I thought you said he was dead, Master Kell.”
Kell blinks, eyes flickering as he thinks. “I don’t believe I did.”
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