Halloween GP

[londoncallingmods]

The weather today had been fairly pleasant, a mostly sunny day wedged between fairly grey ones. It wasn't warm, but the chill was minimal for this time of year, and there wasn't a drop of rain in sight. As night crept in, however, the streets slowly faded from sun kissed and painted in autumnal colours, to foggy and damp. An odd thing, really, since the forecast had predicted a clear and pleasant night.

It wasn't normal fog either, it was denser, thicker, and it carried an distinct scent, like cinnamon sugar and chestnuts. It was so thick it seemed to drain the streets of their colour, leaving the wold desaturated and grey. More importantly, anyone with a bit of magic in them would sense, quite quickly, that it wasn't of this world. It crackled quietly with power, dark and heavy. Unfriendly.

It was around nine pm that the local police stations began to receive calls, things they assumed were pranks at first, but soon began rolling in so quickly and frequently that it seemed something more was afoot. The evening news spoke of mass hysteria, warning people to stay indoors. Conspiracy blogs were lit up with chatter of chemical warfare, and some 'airborne drug'. There were reports of people seeing everything from long dead loved ones, to killer clowns.

Though despite the nervous chattering of talking heads and twitter addicts, most people were paying the supposed danger no mind. Clubs and bars on every block were blasting music and throwing costume parties, people were out with friends, wandering the streets and looking for a fun time. It may have been Monday, but that didn't seem to be stopping many people from enjoying the holiday.  

For the most part, everything seemed fine. ...The crowds and groups remained oblivious to the danger of the fog. ...It was only those who slipped off on their own, to have a quick smoke, to get some air or head home early. They were the ones in danger, they were the ones who's darkest fears seemed to emerge from the thick fog. 

Around 10pm, reports started to come in regarding a body found in Whitechapel, cut open wide and left to bleed out. No prints at the scene, no signs that anyone else had even been there. The CCTV footage had somehow been rendered useless, glitched out and blurred. A trouble echoed by every other security camera on the street. It was enough to set twitter and the internet off all over again, with talk of how the things seen in the fog might, somehow, be real.

(Happy Halloween! The fog is bringing fears and spoops to life! You can make the creatures and fabrications of the fog as personal or general as you like. Whatever works best to spook your pup. If, for any reason, you don't want your pup to see any spooks, that's totally fine too. It's not a required plot. Unlike last year, this time around the creepy things your pup might see can harm them and do real damage. Though they will vanish in the morning. If your pup is sensitive to magic in any way, they might sense that this magic is distinctly fae. If you have questions about what you can or can't do, just ask in slack! Though really, the only limit here is your imagination. Remember to check with other players before doing anything that might seriously hurt their pup, ect, ect, and have fun!)

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[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was heading home, and given that cabs were, unsurprisingly, scarce tonight, and the tube was even more dodgy than usual, he was walking. For the most part he'd done well, keeping near enough to other groups that the fog couldn't single him out. Eventually, however, he'd wound up alone. ...That's when he'd spotted House, struggling to his feet.

"Greg?" he called out, not sure what he was seeing. His vision was far from perfect as it was, but in the fog it was even worse.

[drfeelbad]

House got a hand on the motorcycle and managed to pull himself up a little. "For fuck's sake Fin, watch out for the - " He couldn't even bring himself to use a word, instead gesturing wildly as one of the smellier of the zombies got closer to Fin.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin turned to look, then took a step back.

"Oh... Well, that's not very nice," the fae said, sacrificing his vision to use his magic to freeze the creature in place. The world went dark for a moment, but his imperfect vision returned a beat later, allowing him to see the others approaching.

"I suggest we go inside," he said, offering House his hand and doing his best to remain calm.

[drfeelbad]

House grabbed his hand, barely able to get up since he'd twisted his other ankle slightly in the fall. "Fin, what - " His voice cracked a little as he looked up and saw vampire-pale James walking towards them.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wasn't sure there was an easy way to explain 'evil fog', and so he didn't yet. Instead he put an arm around House to help him walk.

"Don't look at them," Fin urged. "We just need to move."

[drfeelbad]

"But - " House looked over his shoulder. He ignored the dead once-pregnant woman coming towards him, and looked behind her. "James?"

But the smile that gathered on his dead(?) friend's face was barely human.

"Fuck this," he said, turning back to Fin and trying to walk. "Yes, move move."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin held on tighter, tugging House towards the nearest building.

"Your place?" he asked, hoping he was headed the right way and that they weren't about to wind up cornered on a stoop.

[drfeelbad]

"Yeah," House said, glad that he'd been almost home. Hopefully his bike would still be there intact when this was over. Whatever this was.

He didn't look behind him again but he started to hear voices. "Dr. House... doctor... Greg!"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Do you have your keys?" Fin asked, glancing back and then tensing a bit as one of the creatures started to rush towards them.

[drfeelbad]

... he would have if they hadn't been in the bike when he crashed.

"Shit," he swore. "Uh. I'll distract them and you run back? In the bike ignition..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hesitated a beat, then nodded. His vision was far from perfect, but he supposed he had a better chance of getting there and back than Greg.

"Don't distract them, I'll be fine. Just... Be still and quiet," he insisted, hoping for the best as he took off towards the bike.

[drfeelbad]

House was so intent on watching Fin to make sure he was okay that he didn't even notice the extra quiet zombie approaching faster than the others.

He looked up. "Hi," he finally said to zombie James. "You've looked better. Do you want to eat my brains or is this a social call?"

Zombie James grinned, mouth impossibly wide, and House punched him in the face. Ow.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wove between some of the shambling figures, scrambling to House's bike and grabbing the keys- Only to feel a cold and heavy hand on his shoulder.

It was enough to make Fin scream in shock, before he twisted away and started rushing back towards House.

"Greg?" he called out, just barely making out another figure standing too close for comfort to the other man.

[drfeelbad]

House's head whipped around when he heard Fin scream, and was relieved to see him running towards him.

"Hurry!" he yelled, just as zombie James grabbed his arm.

"Oh for fuck's sake, Jimmy!" House yelled, trying to keep fear at bay. Because it was all so fucking ridiculous. Right? Zombie James used his arm as leverage to lean towards him, and House honestly wasn't sure if he was about to kiss him or rip his throat out with his teeth. He decided not to take the chance.

With all the strength he had in his arms he wrenched the body away from him and pushed as hard as he could. House watched as James tumbled down the stairs and almost into Fin as he came up them.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin swore when the body nearly crashed right into him, and he tossed House the keys as he stumbled up the steps and then turned to look out into the fog and the multiple shambling creatures headed their way still.

"Bloody hell," he said quietly. He'd been seeing strange things all night, and encountered a few nightmares that could scar a man for life, but- This was just weird.

"Zombies?" he asked Greg. "...Really?"

[drfeelbad]

House stumbled towards the door, glad that his flat was at the front of the building, and he wished he'd thought to tell Fin to grab his cane from the holder under his bike. But he had another in the apartment.

"They're not just..." he began, but then was fumbling with the keys in the door. He glanced over his shoulder as he saw the body at the foot of the stairs get up just as the others joined him.

They rushed inside and House immediately leaned against the door. "Fuck."

[prince_of_nymphs]

It was dark, and Fin was a touch disorientated at first, but his magic helped him adjust to the darker space and he found an awkward smile.

"Probably shouldn't shag a zombie," he said, pausing and then realising he wasn't certain where he could even take that joke, since Greg hadn't known him while he'd been dead. ...So much for attempting to lighten the mood.

Smile faltering, he reached past Greg to turn the locks for the other man.

"At least zombies aren't typically very bright? We should be safe inside. ...Just a bit trapped."

[drfeelbad]

For a second, House blinked at him, confused, because he thought it might be a joke about James, but then Fin would have no idea...

"They didn't seem to have weapons," he said, deadpan. "Nor be particularly strong." He limped over to the mantle and pulled down a bottle of whiskey, opened it up, took a swig. "They were patients. Mostly."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin looked confused, then frowned a bit as he realised what House was saying.

"Patients you lost?" he asked quietly.

[drfeelbad]

"That I diagnosed incorrectly, or too late," House confirmed. "Wasn't expecting reanimate corpses though." He put a hand on his thigh as he sank down onto the piano bench. "I have an extra cane in the closet there, would you mind grabbing it for me?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin nodded and started to turn to fetch it- Then paused.

"I- I could make the pain go away for a while, if you like. I've got more control over my power lately. I think I could make it last longer now."

[drfeelbad]

House looked at him for a second... and then nodded.

"If they manage to bust down the door you probably want me to be able to run too."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Glancing at the door, Fin really hoped it didn't come to that.

Making his way over to House, he sat down beside him and reached over to rest his hand on House's thigh. His magic was far more focused now, and a gentle heat spread slowly through the man's leg, creeping slowly and removing the pain. His vision went dark for a moment, but once he was done easing the doctor's pain, it slowly returned.

"Better?" he asked quietly, flinching when there was a thud against the door.

[drfeelbad]

House's eyes were close, and he let out a slow, heavy sigh. "Yes," he said softly. "Yes. Thank you."

He flinched too, and looked to the door.

"One of them wasn't a patient," he said. "One of them was my best friend." Could be the one at the door right now. "Is it a bad idea to drink?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin looked over at him, slightly milky eyes focused on the doctor for a long moment.

"I think a drink is a perfectly sound choice right now," he said softly.