Eleven | a monster without a name

[strike_you_out]

[Phone | unfiltered]

Mr. Liebert, you have a book for me?


[Action |  726 Anderson Lane.  After the call has been made, Slugger awaits the arrival of his schoolteacher, much to the soon-to-be-dismay of Edward.

[Also action |  That evening, there comes a knock on the door at 1451 Mitchell Road. If no one should answer, Slugger will do the honorable thing and invite himself in by stepping right through the front door.]

Comments

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[At the implication that he's a troublesome student (not one of them has seen real trouble yet), Slugger merely sits tight and wears an expression that gives nothing away. Not that much can be seen, anyway, beneath the overreaching bill of his cap.

When Edward mouses into the room after Susan, Slugger's shadowy gaze wanders to rest upon him.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Johan doesn't even glance over, still looking at Susan as he answers her.]

Oh no. He hasn't been trouble at all.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it. A proper education is important for a child. And it is, of course, my responsibility to look after him here.

[She can allow a smile with that statement. And, perhaps, there is a bit of an underlying meaning to her words.]

Would you care for anything to drink?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward glances back at Slugger, trying to gauge the little demon.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Edward will find said little demon's face too obscured beneath his cap to be readable. However, he appears to be following Susan's instructions to behave himself.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Johan however nods understandingly, and yes, he did notice that.]

Of course.

And yes, I'm trying to give the children something of an education in my class. We're a little limited I'm afraid but at least they should come out of it knowing a little bit more.

A drink would be lovely. I'll have some water if it's not too much trouble.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

Precisely what I think. Some of the children are adamant about learning absolutely nothing at all. It's a bit more difficult to teach them without them actually catching on.

Hardly.

[And Susan rises and turns to leave, giving Edward a warning look as she does so. She can feel him squirming even with her back turned.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Okay, Edward. Calm down. Calm down. You can hold down the fort while she's gone, right? Right.]

...so. Johan. How are things? It's been a while since... last we talked.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Now that Susan is gone, the sinister smirk resurfaces. Slugger waits in anticipation to see what happens here.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[His appearance only, slightly changes but it shows his amusement.]

Oh yes. We were talking about your childhood weren't we? Or perhaps that was when we were discussing your views on loyalty here...I can't seem to recall.

I'm quite well.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[There is the sound of bustling from the kitchen. Then some silence. Evidently, Susan is preparing something else for her guest.

Or perhaps she's standing in the doorway, completely invisible and watching the three conversing carefully. Yes, this is probably more likely.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I---

[He chuckles awkwardly, clearing his throat.]

That's good. Glad to hear it. It's... good to see that Slugger's in the hands of such a... capable mentor.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Loyalty? Slugger looks to Johan with a quizzical expression but continues to be silent. Like Susan, he's chosen to remain a spectator while the picture paints itself. He has yet to learn of Edward's plans and of what happened at the Smith's house.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Johan's expression is unchanged, calm, polite, with a very slight hint of dark amusement. Focussed on Edward.]

I'm glad you think so.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

((Please feel free to skip over Susan until such time as she returns.))

[She continues to listen to the conversation, keeping in mind that she had only about a few minutes before Johan would get suspicious.

She had an excuse prepared, of course. It just wasn't one that could provide her with much time.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward clapped his hands together, clearing his throat once more.]

So... You brought a book, you say?

[Trying to make small conversation.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Slugger can answer this one, which he does with a nod and an eerie glimmer in his eyes.]

It's about monsters.

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

Yes.

Would you like to see it?

[The book in his hands appears to be a picture book. It also appears to be written in another language. Can you read Czech, Edward?]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Unfortunately, he cannot. He squints, unable to make much sense of it.]

I'm afraid I can't read it. Is it German?

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

No.

[Why yes, that is all he's going to say on the topic.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...I see.

You say it's about monsters?

Appropriate.

[The biting insult comes out before he can really stop it.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't seem to think it's an insult.]

Do you think so?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Did he say that out loud?! ...no turning back now.]

Yes. ...all things considered.

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

Do you know a lot about monsters Edward?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...in a manner of speaking.