Meandering through town (Open)

[ofcatsandfate]

Even out of the hospital and on his way to recovery, people still insist on treating him like he's fragile. He visited Siren Coven Wildlife Refuge and Zoo to see about coming back to work, only to be told he still has at least another week of leave and a psych evaluation before he can fully return to his normal routine. He understands, but he can't help but sigh and pout, even under his mother's fond, exasperated gaze, as he makes his way out.

He hates feeling so useless; he's making a decent recovery, thanks to both medicine and the potions and charms he's taken. He has several scars across his abdomen that seem to be more severe and haven't yet let up, even with the assistance of magic. His nose wrinkles as he tries, again, to make sense of that night; he remembers with clarity only a flash of silver and purple - everything else remains a blur. He still doesn't think he was stabbed, despite what the various tabloids across town say.

And now Moira is missing, presumed dead, some whisper, even if they won't say it to his face. He refuses to believe that; he can't lose another loved one. He won't.

He sighs, his thoughts heavy as he makes his way out of the zoo and in the general direction of the boardwalk. Perhaps the ocean air will alleviate some of the tension now building in his scrunched up shoulders and shaking hands, which he hastily stuffs into his pockets.

Of course, he doesn't make it more than several feet in that direction when various members of the press, especially eager after the events of the past two weeks, surround him, causing him to start and causing the trembling in his hands to spread to his entire upper body.

"Fabrice, what happened that night you were stabbed?"
"Do you think it was the Thorntons acting in retaliation?"
"Have you heard from your cousin at all during this past week?"

He tries to tell them to leave him alone, but words fail him. He feels as though he's swimming in shark infested waters. His breath starts to come in ragged when his beloved cats appear out of thin air, encircling him like a furry cocoon, hissing in the general direction of the paparazzi.

This, of course, only inspires more camera flashes, and Fabrice knows it's going to be a long afternoon.

(OOC: Find Fabrice dealing with the paparazzi or immediately after he escapes. I've been thinking about his character all day while at work and just wanted to make an intro post for him.)

Comments

[asharpertongue]

Osha sees Fabrice before Lara does. She's bounding off towards the crush of people surrounding the young man and his cats before Lara can process what she's seeing. When she realises what's happening and runs over, Osha is already herding people away from Fabrice by the expedient method of shoving her shoulder into the front most paparazzi and pushing them back into all the others.

Lara doesn't normally approve of doing this kind of thing in public but she gathers her will and wraps it around the crowd, drawing their attention. "Ladies and gentlemen. Please move away. This is private property and Mister Coombs has nothing to say." She sends the command through them like a shockwave and they stumble back, eager to do what she wants them to. They'll remember nothing in twenty minutes but a vague feeling of disorientation. It's more forgiving than they deserve, considering.

She turns to Fabrice. "Are you okay?"

[ofcatsandfate]

Fabrice is suddenly aware of a large dog bounding through the crowd, pushing them off to the side. His cats are immediately intrigued, floating down to investigate the creature, Lachesis taking an instant liking to the dog and starting to play with her.

When the woman speaks and parts the paparazzi, Fabrice is beyond grateful.

"I've been better," he admits, shuffling his feet. "But thank you for that."

[asharpertongue]

Lara smiles and looks him over. "I'm glad. They're vultures." She watches Osha bounding around the cats. "Do you want me to call her off?"

[ofcatsandfate]

"Vultures might be an insult to the actual bird, to be honest," he notes. As he watches the cats continue to play with the dog, he smiles. "As long as you and the dog don't mind some very playful cats, it's fine with me. They like animal companions."

[asharpertongue]

Lara snorts a laugh. "You might be right there." Osha comes bounding over and shoves her muzzle into Fabrices hand. "I think I may have lost her for good. Osha, be nice. They're a quarter of your size." Osha wuffed happily and went back to her new feline companions. "Would you like a coffee? I'm sure there's a cart somewhere around here?

[ofcatsandfate]

"She's a beautiful dog," he tells her, letting Osha sniff his hand before giving her a long and friendly pet. He smiles when she returns to the cats, jumping and floating around her head as they play together. The sight puts his heart a little more at ease. "A coffee would be lovely, yes," he nods.

[asharpertongue]

They make their way over to the coffee cart and Lara gets them both a drink. She points to a bench and they make their way over.

"I'm Lara Quinn." She holds out her hand for him to shake. "I'm sorry your welcome to the town wasn't a better one."

[ofcatsandfate]

He takes the cup of coffee with a grateful smile, sipping at it slowly as he eases down onto the bench, the dog and cats still playing together off to the side.

"Lara Quinn of Watersong, yes?" He says as he shakes her proffered hand. "Er, I'm not new, not exactly." He takes a long drink from his coffee before continuing, reveling in the last few seconds she doesn't recognize him or his name. "I'm Fabrice Coombs, you've probably seen me in the paper. But it's nice to meet you."

[asharpertongue]

She blinked at him. He'd changed a fair bit but she should recognise him. She heard the rumours of course but she didn't put stock in rumours.

"Of course I have but I tend not to put much stock in rumour. I prefer to make my own judgement. And it's a pleasure to meet you at last."

[bachjones]

So many cats.

Bach is sure the person in the paparazzi's nest can save himself, but no-one should bother a cat like that. He gets on his knees and moves through the crowd, trying to show them that there's a way out to comfort.

[ofcatsandfate]

Fabrice notices his cats start to follow a man crawling towards them on his knees. It's not the strangest sight he's ever seen, and he really has no room to talk himself, but it is odd. However, he still seems friendlier than the media, so Fabrice follows his cats over to the other man.

"Are you alright sir?"

[bachjones]

Bach looks up.

"The cats. I've never met a cat that enjoyed a rowdy crowd. I just wanted to .." This is dumb. "Show them a way out."

[ofcatsandfate]

"Oh, well, my cats thank you," he says as the each descend to give the other man a sniff. Clotho is the first to nuzzle against the other man, followed by Lachesis and, finally, a reluctant Atropos, who warms when she gets closer to the man and rubs her tail along his arm.

[bachjones]

"I can see that." He pats and scratches and loves the unconditioned love a cat can offer you.

"Are you okay, I guess that should have been my first question."

[ofcatsandfate]

The cats respond enthusiastically to the other man's attentions, purring and continuing to bask in his presence. Fabrice has to smile at the sight.

"I've been better, to be honest. But now that I'm away from the crowd, I'm okay."

[bachjones]

"They got what they wanted or did they suddenly grow morals?" He looks at the cats.
"They're all yours? Following you around?"

[ofcatsandfate]

"Well, Lara Quinn helped persuade them to back off. I imagine they've found another poor soul to gape at, though," he says, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Yes, they're all mine. Clotho, Atropos, and Lachesis. They're my babies, you could say."

[aoife_coombs]

Even though it was outside, Aoife still feels the tickles rise up in her throat and nose. Cats. Hairy things. Bother.

When she notices it's Fabrice, family, she feels even worse. Aoife should help, it's what Coombs do for those that belong with them. But Fabrice is on her side and someone might see it if she's talking to him. And the cats ..

Aoife covers her nose and mouth and just waves at him. Good luck, can't help.

[ofcatsandfate]

Fabrice sees Aoife and returns her wave with a sad smile. He knows she's allergic to cats and won't come over, and he understands that. He also knows she still carries some elements of the Coombs pride, which also makes him sad. He wants to help her, wants to provide a safe space for her considering all she's been through. But she'll never accept his help, he knows, and that thought also makes him sad.

[aoife_coombs]

Aoife feels relieve at Fabrice understanding. It's what he does, understanding. And waving is something she can do.

"Be safe", she mouthes, before turning away. Would he know anything about Moira, anything new? Aoife turns back. "Fabrice!"

[ofcatsandfate]

He is about to mouth 'you too' at his cousin before she turns around abruptly and shouts his name. He's very much surprised that she's even speaking to him.

"Aoife?" He asks, approaching her cautiously, wondering what could inspire her to overcome her allergies to call out to him.

[aoife_coombs]

She covers her mouth when he gets closer. "Moira?" It's almost a whisper.
"..do you know anything about ..?"

[ofcatsandfate]

"Unfortunately, I don't," he replies, looking down at the ground as shame washes over him. He hasn't yet been able to even attempt a scrying spell. "I'm going to keep looking though. She's tough, your sister. I have hope we'll see her soon."

[aoife_coombs]

"Oh. I thought maybe you ..because you have more ties to her." She swallows.
"Okay. Of course. If there's anything you need, or I can do.. she needs to be brought back home."

[ofcatsandfate]

His heart breaks a little at the tone of Aiofe's voice.

"Aoife, you know she loves you, right? I'm sure she'll be glad to see you when she gets back," he says, keeping the 'if' part of that sentence to himself. "But I'm going to try scrying soon, see if I can at least make sure she's alright." Still alive, he again adds silently.