themorbidsocialite | A Marsh Guest

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A Marsh Guest

Bugsby's Marshes were home to a wide and varied array of micro- and macroorganisms, the biodiversity one of its most notable features. Yes, a great many of the creatures were incredibly dangerous, but wasn't every environment filled with such risk? Surely, all one had to do to avoid assault was avoid bothering the various animals. Surely.

This was how the Morbid Socialite- Mori- found himself in the depths of the marshes, gathering samples of water, plant life, lichen, and insects to start his research. He was too busy marking notes on a variety of mushroom to notice the eyes on him. The thoughtful hum to themselves and the squeaking of tall boots, worn to avoid staining the hems of their trousers, were enough to hide the sound of something treading through the muck. They only noticed the disturbance when the bugs they'd been surrounded by had scattered. He turned and his eyes widened, finding a second pair staring into his.

"Oh, bloody 'ell."

Screaming echoed across the marsh, likely reaching at least someone's ears.

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"It's no problem, it's been great to have your company and being able to share dinner with you," Maven said, the look on her face showing she was sincere in this. Despite how the evening started, she was happy to have Mori over as company.

Speaking of, as they passed through she stopped beside Mori's bag. She had thought to pick it up for them given how heavy it was, but after her indiscretion earlier she kept her hands to herself and let Mori handle it.

"It was a lovely dinner and a lovely evening both, even despite the start. Now, you wouldn't happen to also have bath towels as well? I would hate to stain your guest room bedding, should something happen in the night."

He briefly considered the bag as well, but left it where it was. The thing most damning was already found and he trusted the Maven and the Devil not to take it nor anything inside. It was merely his status as a relatively sane man that they were scared of injuring. Now, the hand was out of the bag, so to speak.

Seeing as Mori was not taking the bag, Maven continued leading them into the hall, "Of course, we can stop at the washroom along the way, there should still be some fresh ones in the cabinet."

As Maven stopped by the bathroom to get the towels, she paused in thought as if to think of how to word her speech before she said, "Also, Mori... if you ever need help, I might be able to assist. I admit, there's a lot I'm still learning, but I have a laboratory at the university that I regularly use to conduct research. Some of which is... questionable, I'll admit." She glanced down at her permanently tinged nails before continuing, "But if there's something I can do to assist you with... with Persephone, I would like to try."

While Maven was not aware of the reality-shattering extent of Mori's goals and designs, it wasn't hard to see the basic desire they had to bring their daughter back. That, at least, was something she could sympathize with and, while she didn't know what all she could do to help, if there was something she would like to try.

Mori faced the Maven, eyes searching her gaze. If she was serious... If she was willing and understood what he aimed to do... In all fairness, however, it was difficult even for Mori to say what he aimed to do. What direction was he going? Had he even started walking yet? Would it get him to his destination?

They cut eye contact and considered. "I... don't know that there's anything you can assist me with just this moment, but, when I have a plan, I shall inform you. Does that sound agreeable?"

Maven nodded, "Of course. It's preferable to have a plan rather than try to go in blindly, after all."

She lead Mori to a guest room. The thing both of them immediately noticed was a little salt weasel sleeping on the pillow of the bed.

"Oh, there's Snowdrop!" Maven giggled, "Should have guessed she'd be in here."

Mori laughed lightly, limping over to the bed. "Hello, friend," he said softly, hoping not to wake her. If he quietly held up his hand to her nose, maybe she could run the sniff check without even stirring. He would wait to sit on the bed until she could confirm he was welcome in the same space. No use invading her personal space and getting woken up to scratches and teeth marks.

Snowdrop didn't react at first, then began to sniff Mori in her sleep. She did lift her head, her red eyes half opened, only to place it on Mori's hand and snuggle into it.

"Snowdrop is very friendly in general," Maven said with a smile, "The first time I met her I was walking through Tyrant's Garden, and she came right up to me. Climbed right up to my shoulder and everything!"

Mori smiled, giving Snowdrop's cheek a little scratch with his thumb. "Oh, I think we're going to get on quite well. She really is very sweet. Do you mind if I share the bed, sweetheart? I'll be stiff as a board, I promise. No rolling over atop you."

Snowdrop stayed still a moment, enjoying the scratches. Then she got up and made herself comfortable on the side of the bed, giving Mori room to lay their head.

At this time Pepper also darted into the room, leaping from a nearby chair to the bed with the nimbleness of an urchin leaping from roof to roof.

Maven laughed as she handed Mori the towels, "Looks like you have a bunch of little ones who want to rest here with you tonight."

Mori laughed and got seated on the bed. "Well, the more, the merrier, I say! I hope you don't mind that I'm accidentally stealing your pets."

With a careful stretch, Mori sighed. "I think I can take it from here. I don't think I can thank you enough."

Maven laughed at that, "Trust me, this isn't even half the animals that come through, I will probably still have some coming to me. Oh, that reminds me though!" She went to one of the drawers and pulled out a face mask, handing it to Mori, "Given our efforts to learn the Correpondence and the Academic's warning to start sleeping with face masks, it's always better to be safe than sorry."

"Ah, thank you. I do appreciate it." Mori slipped the mask on, sliding down to his neck to it could be affixed before laying. "I would rather like to not lose use of anything else in the next twenty-four hours, so this should be handy."

"Good night, Jane. I hope you sleep well and with no nightmares."

Maven nodded, turning to leave as she said, "Good night Mori, I hope the same for you. Sweet dreams." She shut the door behind her and left Mori alone with his two new sleeping companions.

Mori rubbed his neck as he considered everything. Careful of his stitches, he gave another stretch and carefully maneuvered his legs under the blanket, towel positioned underneath. He reached over and gave scratches to both animals, gentle and affectionate, before pulling the mask up over his eyes and attempting to sleep.

What a day.

Maven changed into her nightgown and got prepared for sleep. Devil had said not to wait up for him, which likely meant he planned on hunting the rest of the night. So this left her alone with her thoughts.

....

Mori kept the mummified arm of their dead daughter in their bag and is planning to use it to resurrect her.

Maven spent a little while staring up at the ceiling, her mind a swirl of thoughts and feelings on all that had transpired. Thankfully, the Spoiring she had drunk earlier helped eased her into sleep eventually.

Despite the swirling thoughts, blurred only slightly by the haze of good wine, Mori was out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow. If there was anything more to think about or remember, it was either gone or would have to wait until morning. There was no waking this man until then.

When Mori would next wake, it was well into the afternoon. The animals were currently playing with each other around the room, playing a game of chase and light play fighting.

To say Mori had slept heavily would have been an understatement. He had slept like the dead, if the dead were particularly drooly or often had their entire hairstyle be made up of cowlicks. The experience, pillow marks on his face included, could best be described as one hell of a sleep. He observed the window and, realizing his brain could not yet tell time by level of light alone, reached for his pocket watch. Which also happened to be away.

Because he had put it in his bag.

His bag, which was out in the Maven's living space.

It was likely worrying that it took a moment to remember, firstly, where exactly he was and, secondly, why exactly he was there. Likely even more worrying to realize he would have been okay with most of the options, had he not landed on the correct one.

Mori yawned and wiped some of the crusted drool from his mouth with his shirt sleeve before remembering this wasn't his shirt. A pity. He went to check his wounds at the same time he listened for anything outside the door.

There were voices out in the living space. It sounded like Devil was back and him and Maven were conversing. But Mori was a door and a hallway away from hearing specifics.

Mori took approximately ten minutes to get up and get to the door, ignoring the injuries and praying they didn't get worse in his sleep. The hangover made his head throb with the change in height, so he had to take a moment by the door to let it settle before opening it.

Mori traced a hand along the wall as he limped down the hall, stopping before he could be seen.

"So did you leave the other marsh wolf body?"

"Nah, I dragged that to Audrey."

"Ah, of course."

"I figured, probably a treat after the usual sorrow spider-"

There was an anthropod chittering noise.

"Not you Mimosa."

"Well, hopefully this new one hasn't been dead too long and will be an okay specimen."

Mori came out from the hall with a smile, only barely more put together than he was getting out of bed. "Good morning, you two. I hope you've slept well." He's leaning against the wall still as he takes in the scene before him.

Maven was sat at one of the small tables. She seemed to be attempting to pick a lock. Not a lock TO anything, just some random padlock, as if she was lockpicking just for the sake of lockpicking.

The more unusual sight was over where Devil sat on the floor. He was playing with a sorrow spider, (likely the Mimosa Mori overheard him respond to), tossing the cat-sized creature glim which it would pick up and form into different shapes. He was still very dirty and messy from the hunt.

Maven looked up from the padlock, standing up and going to Mori, "Good morning! Well, actually it is the afternoon now, but it doesn't matter! How are you feeling?"

"Afternoon? Goodness, I must have needed the sleep." Mori looked around the room, reorienting himself with the layout of the house. "I'm feeling better. More blood than wine in my veins now, I would hope. I do hope I haven't overstayed my welcome. I may summon a hansom back into the city, soon."

"Okay, I'm glad you're feeling better," Maven said, a look of relief spreading over her face, "And I can assure you that you're always welcomed here! If you want I can make you a sandwich or something to eat before you head home. Oh, also, Derek has something to give you before you leave."

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