74; dictated/action [ backdated to early afternoon ]

[gottaknockhard]

[Today is typical, as they all are for a magic castle. Bumps in the road don't usually stop Spike from falling back into his routines. He does get out for a good portion of the day, despite what some people may suspect; and if that leads to a nap on the couch in the lobby, he doesn't see how that shouldn't count.

It's when he wakes up, rather abruptly ending an elusive dream he was only in the middle of, that he slowly remembers the schedule he's put himself on. He should be hungry by now. Yet for some reason, before the prospect of lunch motivates him, he thinks of Frodo and how distressed he was before he disappeared. -- Nothing really bothers the little guy, so seeing him like that leaves an impression. Considering this, it's not unusual that that sort of thing would come to mind.

When he sits up, something in the corner of his eye catches the light from the afternoon sun. Curiously, he takes a closer look, and finds a small round band of gold inexplicably sitting at the foot of the couch.

... Weird coincidence.]

( Fro- )

...

---

[Just as he begins to set up the filter, he stops. Something about the way the light hits the metal, he can almost hear it, a soft hum that distracts his attention from the journal. Transfixed for several seconds, he reaches for it, only vaguely remembering Frodo's warning after he slips it on his finger.

And he blinks out of sight.]


(ooc: That damn ring...)

Comments

action; later

[gottaknockhard]

[Just outside the castle grounds, a man materializes out of nowhere, fallen over and breathing hard. The usually cool demeanor seems to be struggling with the weight of the object in his hand, which he smothers in his fist.

Unable to verbalize what he experienced, or unwilling to, he doesn't reach for the journal again. Instead he quickly straightens, casts a glance over his shoulder, and starts heading towards the woods.]

Action

[rose_of_battle]

[At first, Sheena's not sure she's seen what she's actually seen, but yes, that's Spike, on his knees and looking...disoriented? Upset? She's not sure which word describes it best, but seeing it makes her worry and she starts after him, calling out.]

Spike! Hey! Wait up!

[gottaknockhard]

[For a second, Spike has the impulse to run at the sound of his name being called. As it is, he acts like he doesn't hear her at all and keeps up his pace, hopeful that she'll be discouraged and leave him.]

[rose_of_battle]

[Sorry, Spike, but Sheena's not only stubborn, but also pretty confident in the power of her voice, so she's pretty sure you heard her.

When he doesn't stop, however, she knows something's very wrong and picks up her pace, her voice growing even more strident.]

Spike! STOP!

[gottaknockhard]

[He stops instantly once it's clear he has to, and turns his head towards her, like she's the one acting strangely.]

Sheena. Hey.

[rose_of_battle]

[She doesn't stop until she catches up to him, slightly out of breath and her concern clear.]

"Hey", yourself. Why didn't you stop when I called? Is everything okay?

[gottaknockhard]

[There's a glint in his eye as she gets near, and he nods too quickly.]

Everything is, yeah.

action; later later

[ensorceler]

[ The woods are vast in places, and surprisingly sparse in others. It hardly matters, because trying to find prey is useless, it seems. Maybe she would have better luck with Vereesa, but Anne herself has been more and more aware or her own physical prowess...and the faults that need to be purified. This is not like a hunting trip with the king.

Spike is not who she expects to find, though they aren't so far from the castle at this point as she's returning. Remaining astride the borrowed mare, the special saddle of yore allowing both legs draped over one side elegantly while keeping her secure. Her clothes are modest this time, though, with thinner skirts, sturdier boots, and a longbow strapped near, about as useful now as her black onyx jewelry.

Anne's lips purse at the sight of him, and it could be as difficult as ever to know if it's from pleasure or disgust. ]

Whatever are you doing stumbling about like a drunken beggar? I believe the taverns to be in the other direction.

[gottaknockhard]

[How did she sneak up on him?

When he sees who it is on the horse, he curses quickly under his breath. The woods would have ideally been empty. He had assumed they were when he somehow found himself heading there.

If Spike's hands shoved deep in his pockets were anything out of the ordinary, she may think he's hiding something. He's careful not to let on to what he's carrying. Not to her. He stands up straighter, mind jumping from one thing to the next, but putting a sudden importance on what he says in response.]

... Are they? I must have gotten turned around.

[ensorceler]

[ Him shielding with avoidance is hardly anything new or suspicious by now, but the location it. He is hardly one for nature, she thinks. She was joking, but could he actually be that drunk? ]

Need you assistance in your return? There is room still.

[gottaknockhard]

[He grins sharply, willing to let her believe her assumption so long as she keeps her distance.]

That's alright. I could use the walk.

[ensorceler]

[ She scoffs, one arm waving dramatically behind her to the woods beyond the small clearing. ]

There is nowhere to go, and so you walk for pleasure. You do not think to invite me?

[gottaknockhard]

[His smile strains more by the second, and he turns over whatever it is in his pocket. If she turns her back...]

You're right, I should have thought of that.

Action

[nothingtobelieve]

[He's out because he's often out these days, dislike of the castle and a lack of anything better to do leading him to wander.

Usually, he finds nothing to his liking. Today, however, that doesn't seem to be the case. He smiles a little to himself when he catches sight of Spike.]

What a coincidence.

[He'd been thinking of his old partner since the little anonymous rumor had appeared in the journals, and maybe it's those thoughts that have distracted him enough to not notice that Spike is not quite himself]

[gottaknockhard]

[That assessment would be an understatement. At best, he seems extremely distracted, but at the worst...

It seems like a fitting moment for Vicious to materialize out of nowhere. Spike even smirks, amused that he came to the same conclusion.]

What's that?

[nothingtobelieve]

I was looking for you.

[For all that he sounds casual, though, his stance has shifted, slightly on guard, slightly wary. Something's off, bur he can't tell yet if it's something he needs to be concerned about.]

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike doesn't seem in the least bothered. There's only so many reasons he could be looking for him.]

And you found me all the way out here.

[nothingtobelieve]

Maybe it's fate.

[Although he doesn't believe in such things. Still, it's hard not to appreciate the coincidence.]

[gottaknockhard]

[He tilts his head, thinking it over.]

Sounds better than stalking.

action;

[bronwe]

[ There was perhaps a reason why Gollum found it so easy to trail them all the way from Moria to the slopes of Emyn Muil, even despite his sneaky ways. The Ring is like a beacon to a moth and he is the pathetic insect inexplicably drawn to random directions, stumbling through the hallways with eyes hollowed from lack of sleep. Just then, he stops dead in his tracks, feeling a sudden chill running through his body. It feels like wanting, craving something that no longer is, and he thinks-- yes, it must be here.

His voice is stern but hollow. ]

Who is there?

I hope this is ok <:

[gottaknockhard]

[Wherever Spike may be, he hears only a dull pulse of a voice over the roar of the shapeless shadows that he's found himself surrounded by. In fact, it's very possible that he passed right by Frodo on his way out without even noticing, far too distracted by the crowded spirits of the castle that suddenly seem too real.

The grace he usually has seems to fall by the wayside, and he stumbles by the door that came before he was ready for it. The rush of this underlying world overtakes him before he can begin to put the pieces together.]

yes!

[bronwe]

[ His heart is jumping into his throat by this point. It's so close, so close. He could almost touch it and then everything would be alright. No more sleepless nights when he has his precious thing back. Even with the Ring's pull, he can't be sure where he should go, stumbling clumsily after Spike while squinting at the thud echoing from the door. Is it hidden behind there?

He tries to sound sweeter even as his deceit makes his stomach churn. ]

I know you are there. I have been you. I can help.

[gottaknockhard]

[He doesn't so much distinguish the words, but the sudden feeling that he should keep going pushes him to his feet. If it's magic, or if a veil has suddenly lifted, he can't discern between the two.]

I can't hear you. [Like calling out into a chasm. Who knew this was what he was hiding?]

[bronwe]

[ His eyes widen and he takes a step back at the sound. Is someone really there? He thinks he knows that voice but pushes aside the thought as the Ring's evil trick. Spike would never. He tries to push down the anger now rising in his chest as he steps closer. ]

I know what you are. [ A thief. ] Take it off. Now. Take it off!

[gottaknockhard]

[The shadow becomes a little clearer, almost enough to recognize. Frodo... Take what off? What was he doing with a ring like this? But he's standing now, and the door is tempting when the spirits are starting to interfere with his concentration, getting closer. Converging. Suddenly everyone is interested and too aware of his presence.

He shoves the shadow back and opens the door, hoping to get away from all of them. Then he can breathe again.]