Alex Cyprin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
littlehart) wrote2016-02-27 08:09 pm
littlehart) wrote2016-02-27 08:09 pm
CERBERUS PATH: EPISODES 03 & 04
The hinges of my front door squeak as it swings open and before I can yell to find out who it is...
Cyprin is standing at the threshold of my kitchen, flushed and suspenders askew.
Cyprin: "[PC name], are you alright? I came as fast as I could!
***
My boss is in my kitchen.
Player Character: "You called Cyprin?!"
Cerberus: "You told me to call the emergency contact! I just dialed and Cyprin answered!"
Cerberus is still right in front of me.
I'm practically pressed against the cabinets. And Cyprin is staring.
PC: "I..."
They step forward and Cerberus springs away from me.
He busies himself with the already chopped potatoes.
(If I can keep from blushing, I might get out of this with a shred of dignity.)
Cyprin: "You look... well."
PC: "Much better than a few hours ago."
Cyprin: "H.E.R.A. got the official call about the attack right as Cerberus contacted me. It was quite a mess."
PC: "There was a Keres there."
Cyprin: "We know it was Disease. She wasn't at the headquarters attack."
(That explains what was happening to all of the kids. How horrible.)
PC: "Who called it in?"
Cyprin: "Hermes. He saw it happen while approaching the sealed gate."
(Hermes said he'd left! I knew there was something up with him.)
Cerberus: "Lucky he came back. Are all those kids doing okay?"
Cyprin shakes their head, frowning deeply.
Cyprin: "That's why I was so surprised to see [PC name] awake. All of them are hospitalized with proper care, but none of the children have woken up."
(Why did I wake up?)
Cerberus: "That... that's not right. This is all because I got distracted."
His shoulders slump.
PC: "Oh, Cerberus-"
Cerberus: "If I focus, I can find the Aura trails of the Keres. Wherever they go, they leave traces behind because they're so powerful."
He takes my hands in his, giving them a firm squeeze.
Cerberus: "Thanks. You stay safe, okay? We can't keep stoppin' trains. People are going to talk."
Our fingers clasp tight together before Cerberus pulls away.
He slips past Cyprin and out of the kitchen.
They clear their throat and I realize my face is burning up.
(Gods, why?)
The food is put on hold. Cyprin and I settle for tea and some muffins I'd made earlier in the week.
As soon as there's a lull, their hand settles on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Cyprin: "Are you sure you're alright, [PC name]? You look a bit peaked."
(Better than being the color of a tomato.)
PC: "I'm a lot better. Just sort of tired."
Cyprin: "When Cerberus called, I was expecting him to tell me something terrible had happened to you. He seemed incredibly concerned."
PC: "I'm glad so many people have my back. I'll try to leave off the death-defying for the rest of the week, though."
Cyprin lets out a soft, dry laugh.
Cyprin: "Please do. I need some time to catch up."
Concern shines through Cyprin's face, but so does a touch of pride.
PC: "Today and yesterday have been... intense, but I actually like being in the field. It feels like I'm really accomplishing something important."
(Although I might need some better shoes for last minute getaways.)
Cyprin: "The taste of adventure tends to do that to people."
PC: "It sounds like you know from experience."
Cyprin: "You could say that."
Setting their teacup aside, Cyprin reaches into their pocket and pulls out a ring.
A round opal glitters in the center of a silver band, flanked by tiny diamonds.
Cyprin: "I know enough to be sure that if you're going to be on this case, danger is going to come right your way. Once it starts, trouble has a habit of not stopping until it's solved. This will protect you. From Aura attacks, and from the natural abilities of creatures like the Keres. It's one of a kind."
PC: "Cyprin... where did it come from?"
Cypring: "There's plenty of artifacts tucked away behind H.E.R.A.'s doors, waiting for a time of need."
PC: "Thank you so much."
The ring fits perfectly.
It's probably an enchantment or something but I barely even feel it after it's slipped on.
Cyprin: "That said, I don't want you using that as an excuse to spend the day chasing monsters. After all, it's still the weekend."
PC: "I'm planning on sleeping in on Sunday."
Cyprin: "And I'm glad to hear it. I'll see to it that you're paired up with a senior agent at the start of the week. Someone who can tell you all the tips and tricks in the field."
PC: "Great. Thank you."
They stand up, gently straightening their suspenders.
Cyprin: "I should be getting back myself. The phones are probably ringing off the hook."
PC: "They always are."
Cyprin: "True enough."
Jovial smile in place, Cyprin gives a faint wave before heading for the front door.
They quietly close it behind them.
I take a moment to examine the ring, marveling at the way it shines.
There's not a single bit of tarnish.
PC: "I wonder if May knows I'm okay."
(With my track record for scaring people in my life the last couple of days...)
(I should probably call.)
She picks up on the second ring, sounding a bit harried.
May: "[PC name]?"
PC: "Yes, it's me. I'm okay."
May: "Oh gods, I've practically been climbing the walls since Cyprin left. They rushed out like someone had set their suit on fire. They told me to hold down the fort, but there's no one else in the office."
Cyprin is standing at the threshold of my kitchen, flushed and suspenders askew.
Cyprin: "[PC name], are you alright? I came as fast as I could!
My boss is in my kitchen.
Player Character: "You called Cyprin?!"
Cerberus: "You told me to call the emergency contact! I just dialed and Cyprin answered!"
Cerberus is still right in front of me.
I'm practically pressed against the cabinets. And Cyprin is staring.
PC: "I..."
They step forward and Cerberus springs away from me.
He busies himself with the already chopped potatoes.
(If I can keep from blushing, I might get out of this with a shred of dignity.)
Cyprin: "You look... well."
PC: "Much better than a few hours ago."
Cyprin: "H.E.R.A. got the official call about the attack right as Cerberus contacted me. It was quite a mess."
PC: "There was a Keres there."
Cyprin: "We know it was Disease. She wasn't at the headquarters attack."
(That explains what was happening to all of the kids. How horrible.)
PC: "Who called it in?"
Cyprin: "Hermes. He saw it happen while approaching the sealed gate."
(Hermes said he'd left! I knew there was something up with him.)
Cerberus: "Lucky he came back. Are all those kids doing okay?"
Cyprin shakes their head, frowning deeply.
Cyprin: "That's why I was so surprised to see [PC name] awake. All of them are hospitalized with proper care, but none of the children have woken up."
(Why did I wake up?)
Cerberus: "That... that's not right. This is all because I got distracted."
His shoulders slump.
PC: "Oh, Cerberus-"
Cerberus: "If I focus, I can find the Aura trails of the Keres. Wherever they go, they leave traces behind because they're so powerful."
He takes my hands in his, giving them a firm squeeze.
Cerberus: "Thanks. You stay safe, okay? We can't keep stoppin' trains. People are going to talk."
Our fingers clasp tight together before Cerberus pulls away.
He slips past Cyprin and out of the kitchen.
They clear their throat and I realize my face is burning up.
(Gods, why?)
The food is put on hold. Cyprin and I settle for tea and some muffins I'd made earlier in the week.
As soon as there's a lull, their hand settles on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Cyprin: "Are you sure you're alright, [PC name]? You look a bit peaked."
(Better than being the color of a tomato.)
PC: "I'm a lot better. Just sort of tired."
Cyprin: "When Cerberus called, I was expecting him to tell me something terrible had happened to you. He seemed incredibly concerned."
PC: "I'm glad so many people have my back. I'll try to leave off the death-defying for the rest of the week, though."
Cyprin lets out a soft, dry laugh.
Cyprin: "Please do. I need some time to catch up."
Concern shines through Cyprin's face, but so does a touch of pride.
PC: "Today and yesterday have been... intense, but I actually like being in the field. It feels like I'm really accomplishing something important."
(Although I might need some better shoes for last minute getaways.)
Cyprin: "The taste of adventure tends to do that to people."
PC: "It sounds like you know from experience."
Cyprin: "You could say that."
Setting their teacup aside, Cyprin reaches into their pocket and pulls out a ring.
A round opal glitters in the center of a silver band, flanked by tiny diamonds.
Cyprin: "I know enough to be sure that if you're going to be on this case, danger is going to come right your way. Once it starts, trouble has a habit of not stopping until it's solved. This will protect you. From Aura attacks, and from the natural abilities of creatures like the Keres. It's one of a kind."
PC: "Cyprin... where did it come from?"
Cypring: "There's plenty of artifacts tucked away behind H.E.R.A.'s doors, waiting for a time of need."
PC: "Thank you so much."
The ring fits perfectly.
It's probably an enchantment or something but I barely even feel it after it's slipped on.
Cyprin: "That said, I don't want you using that as an excuse to spend the day chasing monsters. After all, it's still the weekend."
PC: "I'm planning on sleeping in on Sunday."
Cyprin: "And I'm glad to hear it. I'll see to it that you're paired up with a senior agent at the start of the week. Someone who can tell you all the tips and tricks in the field."
PC: "Great. Thank you."
They stand up, gently straightening their suspenders.
Cyprin: "I should be getting back myself. The phones are probably ringing off the hook."
PC: "They always are."
Cyprin: "True enough."
Jovial smile in place, Cyprin gives a faint wave before heading for the front door.
They quietly close it behind them.
I take a moment to examine the ring, marveling at the way it shines.
There's not a single bit of tarnish.
PC: "I wonder if May knows I'm okay."
(With my track record for scaring people in my life the last couple of days...)
(I should probably call.)
She picks up on the second ring, sounding a bit harried.
May: "[PC name]?"
PC: "Yes, it's me. I'm okay."
May: "Oh gods, I've practically been climbing the walls since Cyprin left. They rushed out like someone had set their suit on fire. They told me to hold down the fort, but there's no one else in the office."