closed rp post

[readytosee]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐞

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i know i know the situation's strange...

[readytosee]

The Pacific North West doesn't really agree with Casper Darling. It's foggy, and damp, and chilly, and all manner of things Darling does not enjoy. But the Lake House office isn't sharing their data again, and while Director Faden is busy cleaning up after The Hiss, Darling is curious to know more about Alan Wake.

He'd been tangentially curious about Wake since the first Bright Falls AWE. A powerful parautilitarian, possibly, with the power to rewrite reality to suit his own needs. Well, he'd certainly made a hell of a mess of the FBC's reality in trying to escape the one he seemed to be trapped in, so here Darling is. Standing at the edge of Cauldron Lake and trying to make sense of it all.

"All right, lake," he sighs, exhaling mist in the cool evening air. "Tell me your secrets."

[obscurissime]

Scratch doesn't care for Bright Falls all that much either, but it's important to the lore that's become Alan Wake that's become, well, him. Scratch can't deny that he enjoys giving people possible glimpses of the lost writer, helping cultivate stories of hauntings or unsettling behaviour. He sees people come and go. The people tend to be suits more than fans (fans of Wake and fans of unsolved mysteries alike), which is very curious indeed. Scratch tends to be scarce when they arrive.

This man, though, seems different. He doesn't exactly look official but there's an air about him. A whif that maybe only he can pick up because of the otherworldly thing inside him, maybe.

"Do you think it'll answer?"

He saunters up, hands in the pockets of the expensive jacket he's donned to fight the chill.

[readytosee]

"Oh!" Darling jumps a little, startled at the voice suddenly beside him. Perhaps he'd been concentrating too hard on the lake, on his thoughts, and didn't hear the man approach him. He's bundled against the weather, as well, wishing he'd brought a hat with him. Perhaps a scarf.

"Apologies, I was... woolgathering. Who knows, really. I'm sure the world speaks to us in ways we're not able to understand, but we can keep trying, anyway. Sorry, um. I'm not on your property, am I?"

[obscurissime]

Scratch allows himself a brief moment to smile, pleased at the spooked reaction for a brief moment before he lets his expression school back into something more neutral.

"Not mine, no. I don't think anyone wants the burden of owning it."

He glances at the man, raises his eyebrows a bit.

"Most people are too scared to come this way once the sun starts setting. Apparently all sorts of things lurk around here."

[readytosee]

He finally turns to face the man next to him, and it gives him pause. He hasn't seen a lot of Alan Wake, that's true. Photos in his file at the FBC, headshots on the back of his novels. The odd interview he'd skimmed through to see if Alan showed any hints of the sort of power he exhibited, but nothing he'd come across had given him any answers.

He'd never seen the man in person, of course. However.

"Um, sorry," he stammers, rubbing at his ear a little. A nervous tic. "Thought for a moment I'd seen a ghost."

[obscurissime]

The smile returns to his face, something almost sinister behind it if anyone cared to look too close. Perhaps it's just the way the setting sun is casting shadows or the overall eeriness of the place and the smile is perfectly normal.

"Maybe you have."

It's enough to tell Scratch that the man is familiar with Alan Wake. He gets the feeling there's no pretending here. He could, certainly, it'd be easy to spin the appropriate story, but eventually it would get fussy. Why, if he's Alan, would he still be here and why would he not let people know he's alive?

"Like I said, strange things in these parts." He slips a hand free from his pocket, holding it out in a gesture of greeting. "I'd introduce myself but my name is ... Incomprehensible to human ears."

[readytosee]

"Well that's certainly an intriguing introduction." He takes the man's (?? possibly a man) hand in both of his, clasping it firmly with a warm smile. "Dr. Casper Darling.

Is there something I should call you, then? Something I'm able to pronounce, hopefully."

There's a sharpness to that smile. Or maybe it's the hint of pointed canine that comes with it, the icy blue gaze staring back at him. But rather than put off, Darling finds himself curious.

"No, you're not a ghost. I've seen ghosts. But you are... something."

[obscurissime]

Well, Casper Darling is enthusiastic, to say the least. But Scratch isn't put off, at least not yet. It's quite nice to have someone excited to meet him, the real him.

The smile stays on his face.

"They tend to just call me Scratch. What are you a doctor of, Casper Darling?"

[readytosee]

"Scratch it is, then." After the hand shake, his hands go back in his pockets to try and warm them a little.

"Oh -- goodness, of quite a few things. I have degrees in a few branches of physics -- theoretical and otherwise. But my fields of study primarily rest in alternate realities, paranatural abilities, and thoughtform entities. Which is why I'm here, actually. Strange things lurking, as you said."

don't you wanna just wake up dark as a lake | crime boss AU

[readytosee]

Casper putters around the kitchen, after he's a little settled into his post-work routine. Down to his suspenders and shirtsleeves, tie undone. There's pasta on the stove and a sauce simmering so things will come together when Alexander gets home.

He knows his partner has an important meeting that might run a little late, so he might not be in the best mood. Depending on what way the meeting goes. But it's fine, Casper isn't above a little chemical concoction to help him relax a little. One does what one must, in business and in love alike.

[obscurissime]

His meeting does run late, and it's not the sort of meeting conducted in boardrooms with department heads. It's the sort of meeting that ends with him wiping his hands clean in the sleek black car that's taking him home. He's not necessarily in a bad mood, per se, but he's agitated all the same as he steps inside.

Most of the annoyance comes from the fact that he's had to ruin a perfectly good suit jacket, which he shrugs out of as he seeks out Casper.

"God, I need a drink."

Hello, dear.

[readytosee]

"Well fortunately, I can provide that." Casper kisses his cheek and hands him a glass with a few fingers of whiskey. He'll make a different drink in a bit, if need be, but right now he's just gauging where Alexander's mood is, first.

"Dinner's nearly ready, but I can bring it out to the living room, if you'd rather relax."

[obscurissime]

"All you need is an apron and you'd be the perfect little housewife."

Since Casper's so close, Alexander tugs on one of his suspenders, giving him a kiss in turn before letting the suspender snap back just a touch too hard.

"Get yourself a drink, too. I hate drinking alone."

He doesn't. Some days he only wants to drink alone, but there isn't any rhyme or reason to his moods.

[readytosee]

"Maybe for my next birthday." He lets out a quiet oof at the suspender snap, but he picks up own glass, touching it to Alexander's.

"Cheers. You look tense. Did things not go the way you wanted?" Casper's expression is sympathetic, and he rubs a hand over Alexander's chest in an attempt to smooth ruffled feathers.

[obscurissime]

"Mm, or my next birthday."

After all, no one really knows about those muscles lurking under the hundreds of layers that Casper wears, and it's certainly one of the reasons Alexander enjoys him so much. That, and the way Casper is so keen to placate him. Lots of people go out of their way to try and keep him from blowing up, but no one has the same degree of attentiveness.

Alexander takes a drink, swallowing it down.

"No. But I gave them a reason to reconsider their stance. I'm sure they'll come around by tomorrow evening."

[readytosee]

"Good." Casper sets his drink down so he has both hands free to undo Alexander's tie. His partner can be moody, and mercurial, but it works, between them. Because Casper has become attuned to Alexander's various moods and eccentricities, and has started learning how to handle them, when needed.

With chemicals, if necessary.

"You can put that behind you for today, then. Come sit and let me finish dinner, and you can unwind a little."

[obscurissime]

Who cares about dinner? He'd tell Casper to forget about it, but, well, he likes when Casper dotes on him so much. It's his little reward to his dear scientist, letting him finish up dinner and play house.

"Sure. Don't take too long or I'll get lonely."

Alexander takes his drink into the living room, sitting in an armchair to scroll through the day's news. It doesn't take long before there's the unmistakable sound of the aforementioned phone being thrown across the room.

baby you can go wherever you like...

[readytosee]

Seeing Alexander on a rather less-than-professional level has been quite the whirlwind. His wardrobe has certainly gotten a makeover, since his very generous employer likes to see him dress a certain way. And who is Casper to refuse? It's not like it hurts him to wear a nice suit now and again.

And now here he is, being whisked away to parts unknown for a long weekend. Sitting in Alexander's plane with a cocktail, feeling rather luxurious.

"Am I allowed to ask where we're going? You sent me the packing list, so I'm guessing not the beach. Not that you really seem like a beach sort of fellow."

[obscurissime]

Alexander doesn't really do relationships. It's not entirely because he isn't interested in them, it's just that most people are only good for a few nights of fun before he gets bored or they piss him off. Casper Darling, though ... Alexander knew there was something about him right away, and for once he's almost excited at the idea of having someone around.

At any rate, Casper so far hasn't minded the rumours or the odd mood swing or even being manhandled in the bedroom. So far, so good, and Alexander has been eager to spoil him from the onset.

Speaking of being manhandled, he reaches over to brush his thumb against a bruise peeking out over Casper's collar.

"The sun and I don't generally get along. And I'm not going to ruin the surprise for you."

[readytosee]

"I burn fairly quickly as well, so I'm not terribly upset about that." Darling smiles and nudges his foot against Alexander's with a small but rather cheerful smile.

He's not used to being spoiled like this. Dating Zachariah was never really dating, either. Just a mutually beneficial physical relationship. But this does feel different. Deeper, already. He and Alexander click in a way he hasn't felt in quite some years.

And being manhandled in the bedroom has been quite spectacular, really. He hums at the touch to his neck, tipping his head a little for better access. "I'll have to invest in better concealer, I suspect."

[obscurissime]

It's ... Nice. Casper seems to feel so at ease around him, and he can't help but wonder about the possibilities that presents. For now, he smiles a little, pressing his thumb a little harder against the purple spot.

"I like it better when everyone can see it."

He sits back, taking a sip of his own drink.

"We still have about six hours before we land. I hope you have something to entertain yourself with."

[readytosee]

Ohgod, that's something to get used to again. The constant needwant that comes with this honeymoon phase of things. He leans into the touch, but then it's gone and Casper exhales slowly, sipping at his drink to gather himself again.

"Hm, yes. Well." He clears his throat a little, glancing out the window at the clouds as they pass. "A few books and things, of course." Some read-and-toss thrillers (nothing by Alexander's brother, he'd heard about that around the office) as well as a few academic journals he'd been meaning to thumb through.

[obscurissime]

Casper glances out the window, Alexander keeps his gaze fixed on Casper over the rim of his glass. As for himself, he'll probably sleep for most of the flight. The white noise of the engines whirring creates a nice calm for him, and he enjoys the stillness that comes with being in flight.

The nap can wait, though. He sets down his drink and moves away, looking through something until he finds a newspaper and a pen. Then he takes a seat beside Casper.

"Would you help me with the crossword if I asked nicely?"

He doesn't really need the help, but he wants to absorb as much of Casper's attention as he can.

[readytosee]

"You know? I'd be absolutely delighted." Casper sets his drink aside as well and leans close so that he can look over the crossword with Alexander. Honestly, he's still a little intimidated by the man, and he's eager to show how clever he is. That he's worth keeping around.

And besides, he's more than happy to give Alexander his full attention. For as long as he demands it. "Do you do crosswords often? I enjoy it. Keeps your mind sharp."

[obscurissime]

Alexander hums in response, putting one arm along the back of Casper's seat and setting the newspaper on the table in front of them. His fingers absently (purposely) brush Casper's shoulder.

"They're fine to kill time. I get bored easily."

Mostly he's moody, and often the smallest thing can set him off and ruin his enjoyment of something as simple as a puzzle.

"The present company helps."