video; un: mr. chandler

[lupusintus]

[ Not long after getting to the Welcome Diner and gathering his thoughts, he flips on the device to begin what will surely be one of the hardest things he's ever had to do. He hasn't bothered to clean himself up much but, with Daniel's help, he probably doesn't look like a serial killer anymore. Still, it's obvious the man has been through hell. ]

My name is Ethan Chandler. I-- [ He swallows, then begins again. ]

Last night, something wicked prowled through the streets and attacked several residents. It was me. I don't look as I did last evening and, despite what I said, I can't recall who I encountered or what events took place. I change, you see, when the moon is full. I can't control myself; God knows I've tried.

[ He lets out a sharp exhale, grimacing when it aggravates some of his injuries, but powers through. ]

Ever since my arrival, I've done what I could to make sure I couldn't hurt anyone, taken precautionary measures to restrain myself so this wouldn't happen. But it did. Something happened last night, and I made a mistake that put people here in harm's way. The blame rests entirely upon my shoulders and mine alone.

I'm not deserving of your forgiveness, but I'll ask for it. If you encountered the wolf last evening, please, reach out to me here. The phones are impersonal and I would prefer to extend my apology in person, to look you in the eye when I give it.

[ Now, to another pressing matter: ]

Mr. Gray and Miss Ives were present before and after what happened. I can't contact either one of them. I've tried.

Comments

video; un: mr. chandler

[lupusintus]

[ That's a face he remembers, belonging to a man he spoke with at great length during the Halloween fiasco. Ethan closes his eyes for a moment, as if that alone might erase the wounds he gave him.

He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again. ]

How bad did I hurt you, Mr. Gadling? [ He doesn't answer the first question, Hob shouldn't be concerned about his well-being when he's the one who attacked him. But he's sick with relief that he didn't kill him. ] No, nothing.

[100more]

[ Hob remembers enjoying Ethan's company at the bar. It's still a shock to know that he was the creature that attacked him.

When he's asked how badly he was hurt, Hob cracks a smile, and sees no reason for Ethan to torture himself for it. Obviously, he feels bad enough already. Compiling guilt on top of guilt doesn't actually amount to anything. ]

I'll have you know I spent a lot of years as a soldier. I've had worse.

[ But Hob is still more concerned with the missing persons. One in particular. ]

Do you think you.. harmed them?

[lupusintus]

[ He sees what he's trying to do, he gets a half-hearted smile. ]

A fellow soldier loses interest eventually even if their unit doesn't move on. You can't live to fight another day if you fight a losing battle.

[ The wolf being distracted by something else last night had been pure dumb luck, normally it doesn't stop until the hunt has concluded. But he doesn't have to say that, Hob probably knows how luck he was.

Almost too quickly: ]

No, not Miss Ives. I don't know about Mr. Gray.

[100more]

You sound like you know a thing or two about being a soldier.

[ The quick response about Vanessa seems to indicate Ethan is sure about that, which is a relief to Hob. He just hopes that's truly the case. ]

Are you aware that Miss Ives has some very powerful friends?

[ Yes, Hob fears for you a little, Ethan. ]

Ones that will not be happy to hear she went missing after encountering you.

[lupusintus]

Cavalry. I joined in 1882.

[ Oh Hob, he's met several of these friends, he's still recovering from his heart attack. ]

Very aware, Mr. Gadling, which is why I'm asking for their help. If anyone can help me find her, it's them. Miss Ives has a way of drawing interesting people in. [ This is his kind, gentlemanly way of say weirdos, Hob. Demons, Dream Lords, Superhumans.. ]

[100more]

That must have been an interesting time to serve.

[ Hob had been out of the soldiering business for a long time by then, though he went back to it again during the 20th century.

Hearing that Ethan has already reached out to those who would be concerned does seem to ease Hob's apprehension. Perhaps Dream is already aware, then. And since Ethan is not asleep, suffering some endless torment, things must have gone well enough. ]

That's a good idea. If there's anything I can do to help, you need only ask.

[ Though Hob is not really fit to do much of anything until he recovers. ]

[lupusintus]

Interesting isn't the word I would use; the battlefield was bloody and unforgiving. As they usually are.

[ He'll conveniently forget to mention that he killed his commanding officer for boasting about them nearly wiping out an entire Apache tribe and then deserted. A story for another day, maybe. ]

I do have a request. When you're feeling up to it, I'd like to meet up with you. It won't change what I've done but when I ask for forgiveness, I'd rather be able to look someone in the eye.

[ A video call is not what he had in mind. ]

[100more]

[ Hob doesn't think further apology is necessary, but he understands the need to do something proper. ]

If you insist. You can stop by my flat any time. Dream might be here.

[ Just in case Ethan is worried about that at all, Hob mentions it and sends along his address. ]

[lupusintus]

[ Soldier to soldier, Hob, it's a mission now. ]

I do. I don't want to aggravate your wounds any further. When you're able, I'll come to see you.

[ Dream? It doesn't take long for him to put two and two together. Was that some kind of nickname between friends? .. oh, fuck. ]

That will save me another trip, then.

[100more]

Another trip? Did something happen between you and Dream?

[ If Dream encountered the werewolf, Hob was not aware. Dream certainly didn't seem injured, which would be highly unusual. ]

[lupusintus]

He was the one who told me to be more forthcoming and I chose to do otherwise.

[ Granted, that was just in regard to Vanessa, but he did ask him for his help. ]

He was also the first person I asked for help to find her. His name was one of the first that Miss Ives gave to me when I arrived.

[100more]

Well, you are welcome here.

[ At least as far as Hob is concerned, and it sounds as though Ethan and Dream are working together to search for Vanessa. ]

Stop by when you're ready.

[ Hob sends along his address in a text. ]

[lupusintus]

[ He really wants to reiterate the fact that welcoming a werewolf is a bad idea but, as he has a feeling Hob will hear none of it, he refrains. Maybe he can argue the point when they meet up. ]

I will. Thank you, Mr. Ga-- Hob. [ He'll certainly be thanking him for his mercy and keeping Loki from killing him outright during their visit. ]

[100more]

[ But it's not a full moon, so it's fine to entertain a werewolf, right? Hob thinks so.

When Ethan uses his more casual name, Hob smiles. ]

I'll look forward to seeing you.

[ooc: new thread is here! ]