"You know, we could meet anywhere in the world. Literally. Somewhere more cosmopolitan. Maybe some natural light. You know..." Edward was speaking out loud, even though he couldn't see him yet. He knew he was around, but he couldn't see much of anything out here. See the pumpkins on the ground, make out the shape of the trees, his brain playing tricks on him, making the shadows look like monsters.
He felt a shiver going down his spine and put his hands into his pocket, turning around, not wanting to risk him sneaking up on him from behind. "...somewhere less creepy, how about that?"
Probably not in the spirit of it all. He really should not have come here, he most definitely should not have come alone. It was always easier to be confident when he was far, far away. Right now? Not so much. "I've got what you wanted!"
Jonathan didn't make himself obvious, just enjoying how easily unnerved Edward was. Jonathan enjoyed his powers, there was no denying that, all over flaws aside. He liked scaring people, he liked being undetectable and he liked to leave a lasting impact. All of which, he was very much doing. With a smile, he licked his lips and watched Edward from the shadows. "The book that belongs to me, that was taken from me, with no regard for what it may mean?"
These powerful types, the ones who got into centre stage and stood in the spot light, they trampled all over folks like him. And he hated it. That book was his, stolen centuries ago and back then, he had been willing to let it go because the odds of winning against them were low. But they were entering a new age of uncertainly and unease. Fear was powerful now - and so was Jonathan. He wanted his book back. All knowledge was collected by those who ruled this world and his book had counted but it was his and he wanted it back. He had, at least, asked nicely.
Glowing red eyes appeared in the dark first and slowly, Jonathan approached, his whole person finally visible. He wore his mask, looking more demonic than human. It was October, he felt he had to really bring it home. He held his hand out towards Edward.
"It wasn't taken." Technicalities mattered here. "You handed it over. I return it to you now." Even if he kind of didn't want to, now that he saw Jonathan doing his whole show, being as scary as he possibly could be. No way he was to be trusted. He looked away from him for a moment, pressing his lips together and gathering his nerves. He knew he had power over fear, that was kind of the point. However, he also knew that he'd rather be anywhere but here. It was unsettling. That was how it was meant to be, but knowing that didn't make it less so.
Edward finally took a deep breath, bracing himself as he held out a hand, letting the book appear. He presented it to Jonathan, assuming that'd be it then. "As you asked. Hope you're happy now."
"I did not hand it over from my own will." He had been smaller then, nothing worthy of note and merely a thought, nothing more. Nothing concrete. He hadn't had the choice to say no and knowledge was, of course, power. And yet, now he didn't feel so subdued. Now he didn't feel so afraid. He reached out and took the book. The moment he touched it, he disappeared from view. Even so, he kept talking.
"You like the dark, darling?" He did wonder what someone who sought knowledge felt when impeded by fear. Embarrassing? Or perhaps justified - it was a logical feeling, after all. "You ain't scared, are you?" Jonathan's voice was now behind Edward and when he turned, there was Jonathan, perched on top of the boarded up old well that used to sit among the pumpkin patch. He was all long spindly limbs, sticking out at jutted positions, looking almost skeletal in this light. "Nah, smart boy like you, not at all. You ain't scared of little ol' me either, right?"
"Fear is an appropriate response to any threat of danger, pain, or harm." Edward said that quickly, having turned on his heels to keep an eye on the man. Jonathan. The pumpkin king, the boogieman, the lord of nightmares. All appropriate titles, Edward found. "I'd have to be foolish never to feel any."
He'd also have to be foolish to outright admit to fearing Jonathan to his face. Seemed like a sure way to give him more power. Given who they were, what they were? It'd likely end up literally giving him more power. "I'm just here because we had a deal. Everything was handled to the letter, so there's no reason for me to be scared, is there?"
Logically, no. So he would hold on to that. "You really know your angles though. Congratulations, you put on a good show."
"Well, it's almost time, ain't it? Halloween. That's my day. It's my month. Fear is at an all time high - or, at least, it used to be." Now it was mostly joy and lust because everyone treated Halloween as a party time but Jonathan had plans. He was going to change it. Halloween would be the day he was at his peak, when he was powerful, when he could get whatever he wanted.
It was a shame though - just one day? Tsk. So boring. He wished it was every day.
"Folks like to party, fuck and drink so what is there to fear? My time to shine and no one is watching." Jonathan lamented as he flipped through his book idly, feeling a rush. There was something about Jonathan reconnecting to one of his most important tools, a piece of himself really - it created an uneasy surge of power that could not go unmissed by anyone near him. Jonathan's eyes glowed again as he looked at Edward. "Do you think of me on Hallow's eve?"
"No offense, but I've rather more important things preoccupying my mind." Edward smiled a fake smile, because he honestly tried to never think of him more than absolutely necessary. Just another way to give him power, wasn't it? He felt it coming from him, regretted handing the book over. He almost wished there was a way to take it back. "Well, good to know you'll have something to read. Maybe you can pick up some more books, diversify your interests."
Be slightly less spooky for a change. Edward crossed his arms, making an effort for it to look casual rather than a veiled excuse to essentially hug himself. He did not like this place. Did not like Jonathan. "Happy Halloween."
Maybe that was lacking enthusiasm. "I've things to do, so..."
There, clearly he read but he didn't really read outside of his interests. It was all dark, murky and horror filled. He was, after all, a nightmare. There was little else he could do. What was he to do? Daydream of summer days and merry times? That couldn't be. He was cursed with fear, it always had the most control. That was the way things were.
"It's Halloween, sunshine. Think of me, won't you? It'll be a good one. After all, it's Halloween: Everyone is entitled to one good scare."
"What a quote." A lot of quotes were entering his mind too, but none of them specifically helpful. Still, he often talked more than necessary, so he quoted anyway. "What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it."
He supposed that wasn't really making a point against Jonathan and anything else he was coming up with was equally worthless, so he finally just shook his head. "Happy Halloween. I'll think of you if I get scared." Would be hard to avoid. "See you around." Hopefully not.
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icebergloungers2022-10-26 07:20 pm
no subject
He felt a shiver going down his spine and put his hands into his pocket, turning around, not wanting to risk him sneaking up on him from behind. "...somewhere less creepy, how about that?"
Probably not in the spirit of it all. He really should not have come here, he most definitely should not have come alone. It was always easier to be confident when he was far, far away. Right now? Not so much. "I've got what you wanted!"
no subject
Jonathan didn't make himself obvious, just enjoying how easily unnerved Edward was. Jonathan enjoyed his powers, there was no denying that, all over flaws aside. He liked scaring people, he liked being undetectable and he liked to leave a lasting impact. All of which, he was very much doing. With a smile, he licked his lips and watched Edward from the shadows. "The book that belongs to me, that was taken from me, with no regard for what it may mean?"
These powerful types, the ones who got into centre stage and stood in the spot light, they trampled all over folks like him. And he hated it. That book was his, stolen centuries ago and back then, he had been willing to let it go because the odds of winning against them were low. But they were entering a new age of uncertainly and unease. Fear was powerful now - and so was Jonathan. He wanted his book back. All knowledge was collected by those who ruled this world and his book had counted but it was his and he wanted it back. He had, at least, asked nicely.
Glowing red eyes appeared in the dark first and slowly, Jonathan approached, his whole person finally visible. He wore his mask, looking more demonic than human. It was October, he felt he had to really bring it home. He held his hand out towards Edward.
no subject
Edward finally took a deep breath, bracing himself as he held out a hand, letting the book appear. He presented it to Jonathan, assuming that'd be it then. "As you asked. Hope you're happy now."
no subject
"You like the dark, darling?" He did wonder what someone who sought knowledge felt when impeded by fear. Embarrassing? Or perhaps justified - it was a logical feeling, after all. "You ain't scared, are you?" Jonathan's voice was now behind Edward and when he turned, there was Jonathan, perched on top of the boarded up old well that used to sit among the pumpkin patch. He was all long spindly limbs, sticking out at jutted positions, looking almost skeletal in this light. "Nah, smart boy like you, not at all. You ain't scared of little ol' me either, right?"
no subject
He'd also have to be foolish to outright admit to fearing Jonathan to his face. Seemed like a sure way to give him more power. Given who they were, what they were? It'd likely end up literally giving him more power. "I'm just here because we had a deal. Everything was handled to the letter, so there's no reason for me to be scared, is there?"
Logically, no. So he would hold on to that. "You really know your angles though. Congratulations, you put on a good show."
no subject
It was a shame though - just one day? Tsk. So boring. He wished it was every day.
"Folks like to party, fuck and drink so what is there to fear? My time to shine and no one is watching." Jonathan lamented as he flipped through his book idly, feeling a rush. There was something about Jonathan reconnecting to one of his most important tools, a piece of himself really - it created an uneasy surge of power that could not go unmissed by anyone near him. Jonathan's eyes glowed again as he looked at Edward. "Do you think of me on Hallow's eve?"
no subject
Be slightly less spooky for a change. Edward crossed his arms, making an effort for it to look casual rather than a veiled excuse to essentially hug himself. He did not like this place. Did not like Jonathan. "Happy Halloween."
Maybe that was lacking enthusiasm. "I've things to do, so..."
no subject
There, clearly he read but he didn't really read outside of his interests. It was all dark, murky and horror filled. He was, after all, a nightmare. There was little else he could do. What was he to do? Daydream of summer days and merry times? That couldn't be. He was cursed with fear, it always had the most control. That was the way things were.
"It's Halloween, sunshine. Think of me, won't you? It'll be a good one. After all, it's Halloween: Everyone is entitled to one good scare."
no subject
He supposed that wasn't really making a point against Jonathan and anything else he was coming up with was equally worthless, so he finally just shook his head. "Happy Halloween. I'll think of you if I get scared." Would be hard to avoid. "See you around." Hopefully not.