Demimonde Logs - Jan 7/17

(Jan 7) 14:17:00 [Reymund] It was a long ride to Primrose Garden. London was a terrible city for cycling, with it's filthy, crowded streets and foul-mouthed coachmen, but it had always helped Rey clear his head. The wind in his face and the hiss of the tires upon the cobblestones never failed to chase his worries away. Not today, though. Madame Buchanan was finally well enough to see him... the first time since the fire, and everything else that had transpired that night. In the days since, Reymund had been getting his affairs in order. He knew what was likely waiting for him: death or imprisonment. If he was lucky. Yeva had pressed a comforting kiss into the side of his neck before his departure, whispered a word of encouragement, and then he was off. The doorman admitted him into the building and took his coat. Rey scrubbed his glasses clean of dust from the ride, took a deep, grounding breath and crossed the marble floor to the salon, where Madame Buchanan would no doubt be resting up and taking tea. He knocked to announce himself and waited patiently in the doorway for her to admit him, hands folded behind his back to keep them from trembling.

(Jan 7) 14:21:22 Elsie was sat upon the couch beside the fire, her arm still bandaged and healing from the fire. Tea and silverware set to one side of her, with a crumpets and other baked goodies displayed upon the tray that sat atop the small table. She was dressed in typical attire, a dark gown that framed her body, her hair however was down rather than it’s typical fashion of being up. Eyes watched the flames dance with bemusement while she recollected visions of that night at the bakery. Things that didn’t make sense, which she was still unsure if truly happened or not, and of course her previous conversation with Edmond which had been rather off putting once again though he had agreed to maintain some contact with the Society so mistakes wouldn’t happen like that again. It was the butler who would show Reymund, and after announcing the male’s arrive, Elsie angled her head to peer toward the doors. She remained seated however as eyes alighted the Dr’s frame. “Reymund.. A pleasure as always..” She responded, a gentle smile toying on her lips.

(Jan 7) 14:40:57 Reymund took a quick glance around the salon, pale eyes darting left and right before finally settling back upon the Lady beside the fire. No sign of other agents. That was a relief. He cleared his throat softly when Elsie called him by name. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Indeed. Good to see you up and about, Madame Buchanan.” The butler shut the door behind him, and suddenly they were alone. Could it be a trap? Could he possibly make it out of there alive if it _was? Reymund was truly in the belly of the beast now. There was no turning back. He straightened up a bit, steeling himself mentally, and did not make any move to sit down. He intended to die on his feet... if it came to that.
(Jan 7) 14:41:06 [Reymund] “I...” he began, waffling, not really sure how to broach this particular topic. He'd had it all planned out in his head but all of that had vanished the moment he'd seen her sitting there beside the fire. She was looking at him curiously, waiting for him to speak... and by God, the very words had turned to ash in his mouth. Another deep breath. “A life for a life,” he said, finally meeting her eyes. His expression was hard and unreadable. “I pulled you from that fire. If you spare my life and let me keep on living as I have been, it would make us even.”

(Jan 7) 14:48:44 [Elsie] A puzzled expression danced across her features as she peered toward Reymund who seemed almost at odds with himself. She was about to ask what was wrong - as something clearly was, when he began to speak. The puzzled look deepened to confusion as he brought up the fire and it truly took a moment to process just what he was saying. Indeed there were parts of that night she just didn’t remember. Parts that she believed were truly just hallucinations based on the situation on the whole, her injuries and the like. “Even?” She questioned, her brow quirked quizzically. “What do you mean, you saved me? You were there? I thought all of that was part of my imagination, the burns and such.” She remained quiet for the moment, moving to though to stand as she did her body angling toward the fire as if to part take further in it’s warmth. “That night is all very fuzzy to me. There are moments that are blank. And then there are moments that simply make no sense at all. I do recall hearing your voice…” she paused again, taking in a deep breath and expelling it through lips in a long drawn out manner. Angling her head, she peered his way, eyes narrowing as if to look right through him. “I remember there was.. A beast. I thought I had made it all up until Mr. Dagenhart and I spoke. He mentioned something bear-like. Are you telling me, that that was real? That that was you?”

(Jan 7) 15:03:29 [Reymund] “Yes.” The answer was immediate, scarcely before Madame Buchanan had even finished her question. “It was me.” There was no point in denying it any longer. Eventually she would have put the confusing tangle of memories together and figure it out... this was he way of getting ahead of it. There were others who knew... the Lieutenant, Aralee, and Happy Jack to name a few: allies and close companions all. Reymund's reason for his admission was mainly to protect them. They had protected his secret for well over a year and they would likely be punished when this all came out. “That is why I'm here today: to confess my condition and to explain the many reasons why I am worth more to this Society alive than dead.”

(Jan 7) 15:13:39 [Elsie] The words, It was Me.. sunk. Her breath hitched as she was quick to now put the pieces together. If others knew of this, those being the Higher Ups there was a chance that Reymund would lose his position. No, not a chance. They would take him and experiment upon him and worse. He’d not be a member of the Society but one of it’s many… She stopped the thought and closed her eyes allowing the moment to sink in. Her hand instinctively resting against the flat of her stomach given by the attire she wore as if to stop the nausea that threatened to rise. He was one of the very beasts they hunted. Though the cure.. Simple pennies began to drop within her mind and as her eyes opened she turned around to peer toward the man. “Who else knows of this?” She asked - her voice lowered to a whisper, her eyes unrevealing in their emotion. Stepping closer to bridge the distance between them, she paused just a mere foot away. “Edmond was there that night. I believe we can trust in him to not speak of it. He barely believes it was real.” She began to speak almost to herself, as it trying to compensate for the difficult situation they now faced. “Your fiance? No doubt it aware of this? Oh.. Your marriage..” Spoken almost sadly. He had his whole life ahead of him. He had found love. He had saved her. He had pulled her from that burning nest of vipers. And Edmond too. Putting himself at great risk.. That was no monster.. and considering her own dark secret, one she’d told no one… She waited to hear his answer, giving herself more time to rationalize things in her mind.

(Jan 7) 15:28:48 Reymund was acutely aware of what happened to the monsters that fell into the Society's hands. He himself had put more than one under the scalpel, in the name of science and the betterment of mankind. How else could he had developed the serum that kept him docile when the change came? Despite constant battles with Lord Forsythe over allocation of Society funds and which project was approved for funding, he had created something that – while not a cure outright – prevented the pure animal terror and rage that turned a werewolf into an insatiable killing-machine. “Yeva knows,” he replied softly. “Of course. She helps me, actually... she makes sure I can get out of the city on the full moon.” He shrugged and managed a weak smile. Truthfully, Miss Winter had made the entire ordeal bearable... perhaps even pleasant, in a way. Who else knew? For now, Rey would not say a word. He would not be responsible for signing Walter's death warrant. Or Jack's. Or... he thought of Aralee and his stomach turned over. Never. “I've been infected for over a year. No attacks, no accidents. Not only that, but it has been a boon to my research.” He thought of late nights at Rowan Garden, taking advantage of deserted labs to make high-quality X-rays of his own lupine physique. Unconventional, but effective. But one question remained... one that Madame Buchanan had not addressed. “Are you going to have me killed, my Lady?”

(Jan 7) 15:36:49 Elsie noted he spoke of no others but her mind was efficiently intelligent to know, glean from his words that there were others. Though that was neither here nor there. Obviously those who made decisions, the Higher Ups were unaware or he’d not be standing there before her. But it did put her in a difficult spot. Then again, she was in a spot of her own, entirely at her own doing. She could not be a hypocrite. “We.. “ she paused as she moved her hand allowing it to come to rest atop his shoulder. His question inciting a lump in her throat and the Lady rarely ever cried. Forcing it back with significant effort she continued. “.. We all have our demons, Reymund.” The use of his first name wasn’t uncharacteristic for her but she felt it was required now in order to express what she truly needed to. Not as a member of the Society but also as a friend. “I would not have you killed. Nor would I have this spoken about again within these walls. Your secret I shall protect as well as I can. Unless I feel that anyone within our ranks is at danger because of you.” She took a pause. “I must protect them at all costs, but in that protection as a valuable member of the Walpurgis, also applies to you.” She squeezed his shoulder. So young. So intelligent. Perhaps in a safer place they could discuss this further. These walls had ears - and she’d not risk his exposure. “You saved my life. I would not have you hurt, nor would I like to see you struggle with this ailment, but you are no animal to me. No, indeed not. You are I would hope, not just a member with me, but also a Friend.” Lowering her hand she allowed it to drop to her side while she offered the male a smile that danced across her features. “We shall speak no more of this here, however. Another time you can tell me more.” With that she straightened her shoulders, putting her faith, her trust in the man.

(Jan 7) 15:46:46 Reymund flinched when her hand settled on his shoulder. She would feel him tense up. But her words... they soothed him somewhat. He had always known that she was a good woman – a great woman, truthfully – but to hear her assure him of his safety were like a beacon in the fog. The scientist exhaled in a shuddering sigh. He hadn't realized that he was holding his breath. “Thank you,” he said, tone sincere. “I knew what I was agreeing to when I took the oath, Madame Buchanan. I intend on keeping my problem under control. To be honest with you... I think it has made me a better man.” And it had. While once he would have howled for the extermination of all non-humans with the rest of them, his experience had made him more aware of the plights of many of London's creatures. When she moved to leave, Rey made a polite bow. “Yes. Of course. Please get your rest. I'll leave you to it.”