maskormenacelogs | Stranded in this spooky town...

Entry tags:

Stranded in this spooky town...

WHO: Yomiel (

vengefulshades) and Yuri Petrov (

purgation)
WHERE: Yuri's new apartment in Heropa
WHEN: Tonight
WHAT: Yomiel hitches a ride and spooks the judge.
WARNINGS: Just ghost dickery! >:(

[Darkness falls, and while that would mark the end of a busy day for most people, Yuri is a far cry from most people.

When he arrives home—the elevator doors open and offer direct admittance to apartments for the tenants in this building, Yuri's being on the tenth and topmost floor—he discards his keys upon the hallway credenza and peels off his suit jacket which is hung upon a peg on the wall. He leaves the light off as he wanders down the hall. Packing boxes, all untouched, still decorate the floor space. Everything smells of cardboard and fresh paint and pine cleaner, and in comparison to the staged home he saw a couple of weeks ago with Jayden, the lived-in feel is noticeably...lacking.

It's the quietness that Yuri revels in, however, and the privacy. He wouldn't return to government housing if he could help it, not now. And with his job going well for him, it doesn't seem like he will have to.

At the end of the front hall he makes a sharp left and turns into the study. So far, it is the only room in the apartment (aside from the kitchen and one bathroom) which has seen any kind of proper setup. He makes a mental note to put a lock on the room in the near future, but for now he has no need. The light is flicked on and reveals a simple work space consisting of a sturdy desk, a filing cabinet and a series of shelves. What looks like it could be a short wardrobe stands next to another door that leads to an en suite washroom (that Yuri may or may not take on as a renovation project down the road).

After a long day at work, most people would get something to eat or drink, but Yuri sets his briefcase down upon the filing cabinet, his phone upon the desk, and takes a seat, promptly turning on his laptop. It should be no secret now where the lines under his eyes come from; he seldom rests at all, even on his own time.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yomiel was an expert at biding his time. Ever since his death, he had existed in a state of constant awareness. He did not rest. He did not sleep. He didn't even daydream. The past ten years had played out for him in excruciating real time, and he was sure he'd be crazier than he probably already was if he didn't find ways to entertain himself. Whenever his thoughts get dark or he gets the urge to do something bad, he tries to stave it off by alleviating his boredom.

He dialed Yuri's office number and stayed there a few days, poking around in the computers and traveling from floor to floor, using the judge's office as his "base." He watched Yuri go about his business, listened in on phone calls, and did some general spying.

Yomiel spent much of that time congratulating himself on not abusing the information he had the potential to learn. These people were lucky that his goals were so self-centered and not aimed towards world domination or something else stupid like that. Just imagine the potential he had...

It was similar avoidance of boredom that had him hitch a ride when Yuri left, possessing his briefcase just as he was leaving. He waits there until the briefcase is set down, and then he takes a look around the room.

Jeez. This guy's a workaholic, isn't he? It reminds Yomiel of his days as a programmer.

Just for fun, he waits until Yuri is seemingly engrossed in his computer before abruptly opening one of the drawers of the filing cabinet with a loud crash, and a flutter of papers dislodged from the force.]

[To say that Yuri is startled by the crash would be an understatement.

His body tenses and then, like a spring, uncoils with surprising reaction time. He is up from his chair in one smooth and fluid motion, the barest flicker of bright blue in his ordinarily pale green eyes as he observes papers fluttering around his study, his heart beating quickly. When no immediate threat (paper cuts aside) is perceived, he relaxes a little, though it is still several minutes more before he begins to collect the papers, organize them in hand, and approach the filing cabinet.

It appears level...so what had caused the drawer to bang open suddenly? A faulty clasp, perhaps? It wasn't uncommon for furniture to become damaged in major moves...

Probably the cause, or that's what he tells himself as he sets to work flipping through folders and dutifully refiling the papers that had scattered around the room. When he is done, he closes the drawer, opens it, and then closes it again, seemingly convinced it is secure. And with that, he returns to his computer, but not without casting a suspicious look in the direction of the cabinet once more, as if expecting it to spitefully spit out its contents again.]

[Yomiel has a silent, spiteful little half-a-laugh at his reaction. It's really no wonder ghosts have the stereotype of scaring people for fun. From Yomiel's experience, they don't have many other options.

By the time Yuri is finished cleaning up the papers, he's moved over into the computer. Rather than poking around inside of it, however, he's more interested in getting a reaction out of Yuri. Up comes a word processing window, and with the click-clack of keys a complex ASCII drawing of a smiley face appears.

Then at last he speaks directly to Yuri, as he had before.]

Sorry about that, Mr. Petrov. I just wanted to see what you'd do.

[Yuri is about to log onto the imPort network when a word processing window opens on its own. Anyone who has been inside Yuri's computer or phone (anyone being Yomiel exclusively) would know that he keeps a very secure system, one that even the best of hackers would have difficulty contending with. So, when Yuri sees the smiley face keyed out on its own, it is understandable that he should look a little irate, natural that he should shut the lid of his laptop and rise out of his chair...

...and expected that he should recognize his antagonist as the same man who made a nuisance of himself in his work office not that long ago, even before he "hears" that voice.

At first, Yuri doesn't respond to Yomiel's apology. The idea that he could have been just getting home from an outing spent as Lunatic or that he might be about to address the network as the vigilante occurs to him, and it becomes very difficult not to snap bitingly at the ghost.

He manages with a short, abrupt reply after a couple of deeply inhaled breaths through his nose.]

And you have. What do you want?

To talk.

[He goes quiet after that, picking up a moment later.]

I get bored. Then I get bad ideas. I find that talking helps me keep myself occupied, sometimes. Stave off any bad ideas I may have.

You said you wanted to keep me from hurting other people, didn't you?

Yes, I...

[He does want to keep the ghost from hurting anyone, it's true. His preferred method would be to rub out the other man's existence, but as he still isn't quite sure how to go about that, offering up his time is...well, the least he can do.

It is only that he never expected to be intruded upon in his own home. In fact, virtually every day in the office he finds himself wondering if Yomiel is there, but things have been silent for a little while now and no contact from the ghost was attempted. Yuri was almost starting to think he'd disappeared on his own, when...well, when this happened.]

I merely expected a little warning first. And before you get smart, I do not consider the mishandling of my filing cabinet to be a warning.

[For all that he sounds cross, a note of curiosity enters his voice a moment later, his knitted brows relaxing upon his forehead, jaw unclenching.]

What bad ideas are you referring to?

That's fair. And my apologies. I don't usually sneak, really...

[Liar.

He's still residing in the computer for now, still toying around with the ASCII drawing as though doodling on a piece of paper.]

When you're like me, you get bored and restless. It's only natural to have thoughts of things you could do to stop being bored.

Of course, when you're like me, your thoughts aren't always... good ones. Or even sane ones.

[Does recognizing your own insanity make you sane? Yomiel's never figured that one out.]

It may surprise you to hear, but most of the population experiences intrusive thought patterns at one time or another.

[Not untrue.

Individuals with certain predispositions or mental health problems experience them more often, but everyone encounters stray thoughts now and again, most of which are inexplicably random in nature, and even sometimes violent. They don't necessarily mean anything, however.]

In your case...I do not doubt boredom is a factor, but it could be that there is more to it than that. Perhaps it will help you to talk about these thoughts you are having? I have...time. Plenty of it, as you can see.

I'm sure there's more to it than that. I've gone nuts. There is no doubt in my mind about that.

[It's scary being able to trace how far he's fallen since his death. Having slipped so far, but still having the ability to recognize and chart out the differences between himself and what he's become... that is truly terrifying.]

I have more than one person to talk to here, if I start to feel restless again. So I haven't acted on anything. There isn't anyone here I feel the urge to target anyway, for the most part.

Back home, not so much, unfortunately.

Surprisingly, you claim certainty when most with prevalent mental failings could not do so. What I mean is, for an insane individual, you are awfully sound of mind...all things considered.

[Yuri's eyes wander the room before he decides it would be entirely better to take this conversation out of his study. Approaching the light switch, he flicks it off and exits the small room, coming to stand in the mixed living and dining area. Where can he navigate in his own home that might not give Yomiel too much leeway with his personal belongings?

He studies the balcony doors before deciding that going out there would be a terrible, terrible idea given the ghost's reputation. Even if they are on relatively good terms with one another, it would still be inviting the other man to make more of a nuisance of himself. Maybe.

Or maybe he will enjoy the view? Yuri does, after all.]

So you have been having these thoughts with regards to persons not presently here? That is much less problematic, for sure...

Maybe death gives you a kind of clarity with things like that.

[After all, he has no chemicals to be imbalanced or anything else to interfere. Just himself and his own little thoughts.

When Yuri gets up and moves, Yomiel follows him, finding a path through the house from object to object to go where he goes. He can still speak to Yuri as long as he's close enough, and he makes sure to do so.]

Sometimes. Other times it isn't specific. When I think of things I can make people do, or the kind of trouble I can cause.

I already punished those people at home. Here- I am able to hold back because they didn't do anything to me.

Aside from being alive while I'm dead, anyway. But that's hardly their fault.

That may be so. Admittedly, I haven't any experience with the matter. Where I am from, people do not return from the dead. It is very final. [He adds as an afterthought:] You would like it.

[After a moment, Yuri goes against his initial decision to steer clear of the balcony. He approaches the doors, unlocks them, and steps out into the cool night air. They're high up, or as high up as one can expect to get in Heropa, which is not a very large city. The view is...far-reaching and bright, spotted with city lights like fireflies on the horizon. Decorating the balcony itself are several plants, one in particular which sits potted on a very pretty iron stand.

Yuri leans against the railing, resting his forearms on the bars. When he speaks, it is quietly so as not to cast suspicion from any neighbors who might choose to listen in.]

No, that is hardly their fault at all, and in some cases, there are probably those who would trade places with you if they could, for whatever reason. Probably, it is better that it's not so simple. Too many would take advantage where you seem...well, limited in your want to do that. [And Yomiel is, really. He shows considerable restraint for someone in his position.] Still, I have to ask. This punishment you speak of, does it have anything to do with the incidents you mentioned earlier?

[He is, of course, referring to the murders Yomiel mentioned.]

[Yomiel quickly takes up possession of the plant, since it's close and convenient. Not that Yuri will know where he is without him saying so.]

I appreciate the vote of confidence.

[He's had his moments, but for the most part Yomiel really hasn't capitalized on the chaos he could cause if he felt like it.

Speaking of moments, when Yuri mentions "punishment," he goes quiet for a moment.]

There was nothing else in this world that could ease my pain. No way out, no hope, no respite. So I decided to take revenge.

Didn't I deserve at least that much?

[Instinctively, when the ghost falls quiet, Yuri looks around as if doing so would answer for him the question of whether or not Yomiel is still there. It does not, and he finds his answer only when the other man pipes up once more.]

...You are asking the wrong person, I'm afraid. I don't believe in vengeance, that it is the answer to anything. Therefore, whether a person is entitled to it or not is really not a question I consider, because the answer will always be...no.

That said, you thought you were entitled to it. That's all that matters. So...what did you do?

That's because you don't know what it's like to be left with absolutely nothing. I kept to myself for five years after I died. I tried everything I could, but nothing helped. I was desperate to feel something-- anything at all.

[It was a long time ago now, but he can still remember the way it came over him- the inhuman urge for cruelty that grew out of all his resentment and anger and sorrow at his condition.]

I told you about the day I died. The inspector who interrogated me, and the detective who chased me and cornered me. Right?

[That's because you don't know what it's like to be left with absolutely nothing.

Yuri seethes inwardly at that remark.]

Yes. You did. I can already tell there is more to the story. Go ahead, then; I'm listening.

[In Yomiel's point of view, absolutely no one has ever come close to being as miserable as he is.]

The last thing I saw before I died was that detective's face, and his gun pointed at me. I remembered him clearly even after all those years. I lingered, suffering and alone, and that detective went on with his life like nothing ever happened. Like my death didn't even mean anything.

It went like that for five years. Then I got the idea-- that I could make him suffer like he made me suffer. I could let him know what he'd done to me. Maybe then he wouldn't forget what he'd done.

I would never have been capable of it when I was alive, but I somehow convinced myself that it would make it better for me if I did. So I did it.

I went to the detective's house and I killed his wife.

[Oftentimes, the point of view of those who have suffered tragedies is that theirs is somehow greater than those experienced by others. Yuri isn't about to argue one way or the other, but he is still very tempted to address the point that Yomiel is making assumptions about him based on knowing very little at all, and that those assumptions are terribly far from the truth.

But he doesn't. Mostly because if he did he might have to acknowledge the truth, and he doesn't want to talk about his father or his abuse, or the life he could have had that he was denied, or the life he took himself when he was only fourteen.

It's much easier to focus on Yomiel's story. On the wife of the man he claims to have killed. An innocent. Yuri should feel outrage or disgust. But at the moment he feels nothing. Maybe it shows in his voice.]

How did you do it?

I shot her.

Not me personally, obviously. Their little girl liked to build little contraptions. Rube Goldberg-type things, you know. I manipulated it and added a gun. It turned into one of those interesting locked room murders.

She didn't really deserve to die. But that detective had to know what he did to me. He had to feel the same way I did.

[His tone is cold, reasoned, and very matter-of-fact, just like his decision to kill Jowd's wife had been.]

Little did I know the detective would go as far as he did. He thought his daughter did it. I never expected him to turn himself in and take responsibility for his wife's death. He spent five years rotting in prison and he even begged for the death penalty.

In the end, maybe he really did understand what he did to me.

[He may as well have pulled the trigger, the way it sounds. It turned into one of those interesting locked room murders. The lack of remorse is stored for later reference.]

What happened to the little girl?

[He's curious about whether or not the Manipulator cared enough to take note of her after he was done using her.]

The little girl? Nothing happened to her. She was taken in by the detective's protege.

[Who just so happens to have been the OTHER little girl from Yomiel's past-- the one he took hostage.]

That one little gunshot was all it took to take down the detective. I think, now, perhaps the detective really did feel remorse for what happened to me.

The inspector, on the other hand, showed no such remorse. Not in ten years did he even once think about what he did to me.

Edited 2014-09-21 21:51 (UTC)

I see.

[He exhales a heavy sigh, his eyes closing.]

What did you do to the inspector?

It took me five more years to get the chance to face him. I wanted to meet him in person, you see, so he could look into the eyes of the man whose life he ruined all those years ago.

[There is unmistakeable glee in his tone.]

I made him call the justice minister to out himself as a traitor... something I made up, see. He was always so obsessed with his record. His perfect, spotless record. He always wore a long white coat to exemplify it. I was the only stain on that record and he tried to keep me hidden away all those years.

So I shot him in the head. And it made a big, red stain on that nice, white coat of his.

[The Manipulator paints a very vivid picture, and behind closed eyes, the details lay themselves bare. The only things that are a little fuzzy are the faces. After all, these are people Yuri has never met and knows nothing of; there is no way for him to know what they look like.

But he has seen the way red bleeds blindingly bright into white. He expects that what he imagines that coat to have looked like when the Manipulator was done with the inspector is not a far cry from what it really looked like in the end.]

Did you feel better for it?

[Yuri runs his hand through his hair, pushing the long, tousled locks out of his eyes so that he might give his balcony a fleeting once over, but there isn't any physical sign of his guest.]

Or were you back to square one once you had your revenge?

[He doesn't answer for a moment.]

That was only about an hour before I came to Heropa.

But if you must know-- I did feel better. Briefly. But now I'm still here, and still in the same state as before. So in the grand scheme of things, it didn't help me very much.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject