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Post by severin moran on Mar 17, 2013 20:48:22 GMT 1
It's been-...God, it's been ages since he's been to London. It's changed. More cabs. More buildings, though they're a lot more generic. Tall boxes of grey concrete and glass. He feels a bit out of place. That's normal, he tells himself with a mental dismissive gesture. Not a big deal. He'll be fine once he finds him.
Will he be disappointed? Seb had completed his schooling for the most part...so would he be mad that Severin had ducked out after only his second year of university? He ignores the dropping sensation in his gut, staring around the park with his lip pinned between his teeth.
Hyde Park. Not exactly a good place to start looking. None of the letters he'd sent to Seb's old address had been answered. None of the emails or the text messages. It's like he dropped off the face of the earth after coming back from Afghanistan. It was pathetic to hope that he'd just run into him in the street and be invited back. What if he didn't want to see him? What if he'd forgotten about Sev, even though his younger brother had spent every day with the older man on his mind.
He's...he's got enough money to keep himself for a while. Enough for a week or so in a cheap motel, but when the money runs out he's not going back. No matter how much Father yells or Mother cries. As much as he begrudgingly loves them, he can't stand them. Couldn't stand being under their thumb and being the good little boy that Sebastian wasn't. He tightens his hug on his duffel bag, staring around, looking and feeling lost.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 17, 2013 21:46:28 GMT 1
Jim Moriarty had decided that he needed some fresh air. After dusting his flat and sending off a few important emails and orders he had left the building, now in tourist disguise, sipping from a paper cup. The hot beverage soothed his anger a bit over the fact that he yet had to think of a good plan to get Moran out of prison. It irked him that he could not think of any legal way to force the sniper’s release even though he was more than certain that he was being held prisoner in a not fully legitimate way. He had not been able to gather all information yet and unfortunately Moran did not keep any sort of diary. What did happen that the other man had grown so careless? The only answer that made sense was that it had to do with one of the Holmes’ brothers. But one was dead and even Moran wouldn’t be so foolhardy to go after the Ice Man.
So, no, there had to be another reason but what could it be? With an annoyed sound he took another sip from his paper cup, almost scalding his mouth but he hardly felt it, mind already busy with the problems at hand. Of course he had to see Moran. The man had been in prison for most of the time he had disappeared. But he couldn’t very well disguise himself and just sneak into his cell, dressed up as a vicar. The idea made Jim snort. “Are you willing to repent, my son?” he muttered then sighed. The idea was hilarious but not very practical. And these matters were too serious to treat them lightly. He needed to find somebody who had a reason to go there.
Unfortunately nobody in his organisation had any ties to Moran, not even as a close friend. And the sniper would surely threaten bodily harm if Jim would dare to approach his family. So none of the options at hand seemed usable and others had yet to be found. What he did find however was a young man standing there in the middle of the way, carrying a duffle bag, looking like a lost puppy. Adorable. Jim couldn’t help but grin slightly but as he walked closer the grin slipped and was replaced by a curious expression. Maybe it was because his mind was filled with thoughts of his sniper that there was a sense of familiarity about the stranger. How old was he? Somewhere in his twenties if Jim was not mistaken. Caring little about the young man’s personal space he quickly approached him, getting a bit too close for Severin to be comfortable with it.
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Post by severin moran on Mar 19, 2013 20:43:30 GMT 1
The boy hadn't even noticed he was being watched until his space was thoroughly invaded, stepping back and collecting his bags to him. He tried to think of something to say. An apology? Scolding the stranger for nearly walking into him? He supposed it was his fault for being in the way. This was, after all, a public area.
"Oi," he said, almost indignantly. "I mean- I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming." He shifted uneasily, bags held tightly in his hands, hoping that the man would be on his way rather than stop to cause problems. He didn't want to make trouble.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 19, 2013 20:59:47 GMT 1
Adorable. Moriarty couldn't hold back a quiet chuckle as he took in the other man's reaction. A bit familiar even. Just as he had expected it. Of course the chances for such a meeting were minimal but sometimes even consulting criminals could do with a bit of luck. Or was it fate that had brought them together? But no, Jim did not believe in silly superstition. There were just raw facts and calculations. A chance meeting could happen at any time and this one would prove to be more than helpful if the young man would be cooperative.
"No need to be sorry." he replied then with a bit of a lilt to his voice, "I guess you are a bit lost, are you not? Jim Moriarty, hi." He didn't offer his hand but the tilt of his head was enough of a hint that he saw his words as a greeting that was expecting answer. " You haven't been to London in a while. Maybe even looking for somebody? Hmm... Let me guess. A family member? Sibling? Older than you I'd say." He started to rock on his feels as he waited for Severin's reaction to his words.
Unlike Holmes' he didn't call what he was doing deduction. It was just simply reading people. A nervous twitch, a glance to the side, a light flush of red to one's cheeks... Everything was usually too easy. And he would not explain his method. The secret was what made it so useful. "Maybe I can help you? I'm somebody who fixes everything..."
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Post by severin moran on Mar 19, 2013 21:19:52 GMT 1
Severin didn't introduce himself, finding that he didn't trust anyone who was suddenly so friendly and amused by his discomfort. He'd rather not get caught up in something he wasn't prepared for.
"Lost...? No, I'm very familiar with London." He purposefully avoided addressing the bit about looking for an older sibling. He didn't believe in psychics, even though he'd done extensive reading on the psychology and physiology behind such phenomena. Nothing on him said 'Assist me, I'm looking for my big brother'. So this person obviously knew him. Somehow.
"I don't need things fixed, thanks," he replied, trying to keep his tone pleasant, though he'd been more than put-off by the experience so far. He began to walk away, hiking his bags up further. He felt like this wasn't going to end with the man letting him leave.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 19, 2013 21:53:10 GMT 1
"Are you sure?" the smaller man's voice sing-songed. So the other one wanted to play hard to get? That was rather adorable. And annoying. He had no time to waste and the young man would provide him with the perfect opportunity to figure out where and how exactly Moran was held. The prison was large and even with him hacking into the CCTV things would get tricky. He also needed somebody to relay a message to his sniper. But maybe the other man was not the right person to do so even if Moriarty was certain he was not mistaken about his identity.
Humming to himself he didn't move to follow him, instead he pulled out his mobile, thumbing through a few messages. "Pentonville prison." he said then in a matter of fact voice, licking his lips slowly. He had no use for beating around the bush. "Oh and please, don't bother asking how I know. It is part of my work to know. And if you want to see him you should stop running away and maybe listen."
Jim looked up from his mobile, looking over to Severin. "I mean..you're a smart kid, aren't you? You wouldn't want your brother to be disappointed in you. I doubt you have any place to stay nor much of a mean to afford anything but a dirty room over a seedy bar. You're coming with me." And with these words he turned to walk into the direction of the exit.
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Post by severin moran on Mar 20, 2013 20:45:03 GMT 1
Severin was mad. Who did that? Just walked up to people and spewed information as though it were common knowledge and just walked away? He didn't have time for this. He shouldn't have come here. It was idiotic for him to have thought that he'd just find Seb out of the blue. Lips pursed, he stared after the man, still for long moments before he followed Jim Moriarty's retreating back.
"Why are you doing this? Why does it matter to you?" He trailed behind as closely as he could without actually being within arms length, staring at the back of Moriarty's head as though he could pry the answer out of it without having to subject himself to further conversation and scrutiny. "You don't seem the type for charity, so there must be a very different reason than you telling me out of the goodness of your heart."
He decided, on further inspection, that he didn't want to know. As polite as the man had been up until stating that he was coming with him, he seemed to be dangerous. And danger was something that Severin was quite happy to avoid, thanks.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 20, 2013 21:05:45 GMT 1
Of course there would be more useless questions. Jim gave an exasperated sigh. He rather disliked those but he guessed he would have to deal with them for now. "Why? He works for me." he finally replied, not even turning his head back to Severin, as he knew the young man would follow him. And that fact made him smile in a rather satisfied manner. Of course he was aware that the man could change his mind any second but for now his curiosity had gotten the better of him and he wanted the information about his brother.
"And I want him back. He's not worth anything to me while behind bars. And you are looking for him anyways. So I guess you'll be working for me too from now on. At least until we arranged his unscheduled release." Staring at his mobile he suddenly stopped abruptly and just as abruptly he turned on his heels and looked up at Severin who most likely almost would have bumped into him.
"Unless you are afraid. But it would surprise me to hear that his brother is a coward. Unless all you inherited were your good looks and nothing else." Knowing how tense the young man most likely was he allowed a soft, soothing smile to slip on his lips, his entire demeanor changing, voice just as soft as he continued talking. "I'm really sorry if I come over as too harsh but I'm very worried about him. You see he's very important to me." To emphasize his words he placed a hand on his chest, knowing that the young man would most likely draw the completely wrong conclusions from this gesture.
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Post by severin moran on Mar 20, 2013 21:55:14 GMT 1
Working for you...? He'd shuddered internally at the thought of being at such a man's command. He stopped just in time to avoid running into Moriarty, staring down at him with some confusion. He wasn't afraid. Just wary. And anyone who wouldn't be when approached by someone like Moriarty was an idiot.
"Oh." Seb had never struck Severin as leaning that way... But it's not like Severin really felt it would be a big deal. So, his brother was in prison, working for Moriarty, as well as being in a relationship with him? He'd missed a lot while he was at school.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 21, 2013 22:43:02 GMT 1
The 'oh' coming from the young man almost caused Jim to drop the act again and break into another burst of laughter. This was terribly amusing- to him at least. He enjoyed messing with people's minds and even more so when they had no clue about his true self or what would happen next. The soft smile turned into a pleading look then he lowered his gaze a bit. "I'm sorry. I guess I was a bit..rude. I know I'm sometimes off putting but..I'm just terribly worried about Sebastian. I have no means of reaching him and I just want to pass a message to him. Surely you understand that?"
He didn't wait for Severin's reply though as he looked back up, taking a deep breath. "So..please come with me? I'm sure Sebastian would want me to take care of his brother too so... You can sleep in the guest room and tomorrow I can bring you to Pentonville so you could speak to him? I..I mean if you'd want to." The cold commanding presence had been exchanged by a soft almost shy one and the sudden changes were rather jarring and confusing. Not that Jim cared much. After all this meant that he'd keep the young man confused and on the edge.
Turning back around he gestured towards the road. "Let..let's hail a cab, yes? I'll show you my flat and Sebastian's room. And if you have any questions for me then, please, don't hesitate to ask."
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Post by severin moran on Mar 23, 2013 22:29:18 GMT 1
Sev nodded, giving himself over if it meant he could see Sebastian. The mention of prison had nearly stilled his heart. He got into the cab without any fuss, bags clutched to his chest.
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Post by Moriarty on Mar 23, 2013 22:55:53 GMT 1
Jim allowed himself the tiniest of smiles when Severin complied. He somehow had the feeling that the young man's usefulness would not be over after he had helped him to get Moran out of prison. For now however he needed to bring him home and instruct him exactly on what he expected him to say and do. After all he couldn't have the younger Moran throw around his name in public so easily. He was still dead and he needed to keep that status a while longer until everything was back on track.
Sitting next to him in the cab he gave him a wide Cheshire smile. "Don't worry... Everything will be alright. You can trust me." he said then with that soft and soothing voice, taking in all of Sev's features once again. Ah yes, it would definitely get interesting.
((Thread to be continued in Conduit Street- Welcome home))
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