Hellhound AU

[just_aces]

Sometime round about 1900, a witch summoned a hellhound as a familiar.

He didn't mind it, hellhounds are loyal after all, and if some of her spells left him tired and drained, well, that was what he was there for, to keep her from using too much of her own energy for things. That and to eat the souls of her victims, sometimes.

But then, in the early 1970s, she ran afoul of a much stronger coven.

She was quite quickly banished to hell, but the hellhound couldn't be allowed to go with her, because, well, hellhounds are loyal and she was powerful and would have been able to use him to escape.

So the hellhound was made human, figuring that sixty, seventy, even eighty years if he was lucky would be enough time for the witch to have been consumed, so that even when the human-that-had-been-a-hellhound died, and Death herself realized that he was definitely not where, or what, he was supposed to be, she'd send him back.

But then one Charles Rowland kind of fucked up that whole plan by dying young and immediately running away from Death herself.

So the ghost-who-was-the-boy-who-was-the-hellhound has no idea what he was, or still is, under it all.

But, after a trip through hell to save his best friend (Hellhounds are loyal, after all) and time spent in a familiar position -though not a familiar kitchen- after that has been enough to knock a few things loose...

Comments

[uptightboy]

Edwin did wonder why he was actually fine with a heist. But as he felt warmth bloom from where Charles nudged him, he knew. Discovering what Charles was threatened to change what they had. So Edwin maybe wanted it all to fail... maybe.

He watched as Charles walked to the closet to get the board game, and Edwin stopped to let himself feel this for a moment. This emotion wasn't entirely fear, not yet. But close to it. It didn't numb him just yet but it made him... a bit aware. Hellhounds belonged to Hell. It was their home. Even if Charles's owner was still alive, it may have been sealed, but it still meant that there was a chance Charles needed to return to Hell...

There was a chance Charles would leave at the end of this and that scared Edwin more than Hell itself.

"I see you are ready to be conquered once again," Edwin said at last with a playful eyebrow.

Battleship was a fun game. Not for the impulsive. But Edwin liked to use it to study Charles's habits, and he was doing it pretty well if he could say so himself. Sometimes he deliberately missed some of his hits just to see how Charles would react. It was a fun game. It did entertain them until they were ready to visit Newt.

As they arrived at the small pharmacy, Edwin wished they could play Battleship forever.

"So, we are here for charms and supplies and just inquiring about witches on the side, yes?" Edwin asked Charles, to make sure they knew their plan.

[just_aces]

"Oh just you wait, I'll best you one of these days." He wouldn't, and he knew he wouldn't, strategy was never his strong suit, but that was beside the point at the moment, which was to try and get Edwin to stop running off with the worse possible outcome when they didn't have any solid information yet.

Mostly he was just glad that Edwin let the game go on instead of trouncing him immediately as he occasionally did, since they were meant to be using it to pass the time.

Upon arrival at the pharmacy he nodded at Edwin's confirmation of their task, "Yeah, figure easiest way to ask about witches is ask about who he contracts his charms through, that we might need some in bulk, not that we're trying to take him out of the loop."

[uptightboy]

"Good idea, Charles, let us lead with that indeed," Edwin nodded. Then he looked at the door. It was like a door of any other small, older business in London. Almost charming really. And they could have walked through without problem but Newt had certain rules for not-living customers. Namely that they shouldn't just walk in, and they must ring the bell three times, no less, no more, three times. This way he could prevent any heart attacks that would get him when meeting spirits, as he always said.

So Edwin rang the bell three times, waiting for the door to open. Thankfully, they didn't need to wait long. A man slammed the door open, setting his glasses as he looked at them. Giving the impression that he had not slept at all... or changed clothes in the past three days.

"Boys, welcome! It's been a while," he greeted them, motioning inside. "I almost thought you forgot about me. Do you boys get my weekly flyer with the new offers?"

[just_aces]

Charles couldn't help but smile, the man's half-manic demeanor always made his own easily-excitable nature seem tame by comparison, "Yeah, it has, we were, uh, unexpectedly abroad. Back now, though, and I know we usually do, though I've not seen one since we got back."

The smile hitched higher just a little as he moved to lean one hip against the counter, keeping out of the way, "If you've got a spare I'll have a look, Edwin's the one who knows what he's after." That much was no different than how they usually did things, and the fact that Charles was just a little more alert than usual was easily chalked up to the fact that they were employing something that was half subterfuge.

[uptightboy]

"Abroad? Now that sounds like an adventure. Where were you, in Brazil? I heard the nagas as acting up lately, I wondered myself to go check out what the fuss is about..." Newt rambled as he grabbed a handful of flyers to toss them in Charles's hand. "There, bring them to your office. Maybe some of your clientele also wants to get their juice."

Edwin crossed his arms as he was waiting for Newt to stop talking for just a second...

"Why would we go to Brazil, we have no cases there..." he wondered out loud. But then he shook his head. "Doctor--" he started but he remembered how Newt hated being called that. So with an eyeroll, Edwin started again. "We are here on business, Mr. Newt."

"Oh sure, yes, everything's on the house for you boys. I owe you a lot after all. So, what do you need?"

"We need some..." Edwin started, his gaze flickering to Charles for a second. "Well, we found ourselves out of protection charms. Premade ones."

"Aah, you need the witchy ones, don't you?"

"Precisely. And, well, a lot."

[just_aces]

Charles had been about to mention that it had been America, but decided against it as Edwin answered the more pertinent question of why on Earth would they go to Brazil, and glancing up from the flyer in his hand -which he'd only barely been paying attention to in the first place- he gave a nod, "Yeah, like, bulk order kind of a lot."

He shrugged one shoulder, drumming his fingers against the strap of the backpack, "Ran out of the emergency stockpile, I'm usually better about keeping on top of inventory, making sure to pick up a handful of replacements even if I've only used one or two." Which was true, or at least true enough that he could say it without his voice hitching the way it did when he was trying to make something up.

It was definitely easier to follow Edwin's lead and just interject as needed to bolster what he was saying. And it was easy because that was how they did things anyway as often as not and while other regular acquaintances might notice something off, Newt wasn't likely to.

[uptightboy]

"Well boys, gotta say you got me there good. I don't have that amount on me right now but I can give in an order for you-"

"It is quite urgent," Edwin started, looking at Charles again. He was never good at pretending. His disguises did most of the work for him. "I suppose they are made by witches, yes?"

"Yes and those sweethearts work fast, so in a week or two I could get you your fix," Newt said but Edwin stepped closer to him.

"Maybe they have some already made? If we could ask them directly, that would be wonderful, and quite effective."

Newt narrowed his eyes, looking between the boys.

"Are you trying to get my supplier? Is this one of your cases?"

[just_aces]

Charles nodded then, spreading both hands in a sort of 'what can you do?' gesture, "You got us, don't get me wrong, usual stockpile is gone, but yeah, we need them in a rush for a case."

He flashed his most winning smile, "It'd just be this once. You know you're our favorite." Which was maybe laying it on a little thick, which was why he added, "And not just because of professional courtesy discounts, either." This was where things could get dicey and he knew it, but he also knew that Newt liked them, which he was pretty sure had as much to do with their following his sometimes esoteric rules as it did with anything else.

But they, or Charles at least, followed those rules because he actually liked Newt in turn, which would just run this all in circles, which was why he bit his tongue to keep from rambling on further.

[uptightboy]

Before Edwin could panic and give them away too soon, Charles stepped in. So wisely, it was Edwin this time keeping quiet. When it came about people liking them, Charles did the better work.

Newt took a moment, eying Charles but then burst out laughing. Almost manically.

"I thought you're after witches now! What a stupid idea, sorry about that, I like those ladies you know. I swear one of them has the hots for me but stupid coven rules forbid her to make a move or something."

"Mr. Newt, the charms..." Edwin tried to hint, letting out a tense sigh.

"Right right, lemme give you a name and address. Tell them I sent you," Newt searched around his cupboard for paper and pen, scribbling the name and address on it. Then he handed it to Charles. "Lady Goode is the one you need for the charms."

"We appreciate the help, Mr. Newt..."

"While you're there can you ask Daphne if she likes me?"

[just_aces]

Charles laughed in turn, mostly relief, just nodding as he accepted the slip of paper, with an easy, "Cheers." Before folding it over twice and pocketing it, "No promises, but I'll see what I can do."

A smile was turned on Edwin then, "Any other supplies we need to top off while we're here? Save us a trip later? I know I'm going to need a jar of oak ash, but other than that haven't used much of anything lately." It was, theoretically, the kind of thing they could make themselves, but it was easier to get it already measured and weighed properly. The paint jar was still half full, even after two new circles, but Charles believed in being prepared when he had the chance.

[uptightboy]

"Maybe she just can't say it directly or something..." Newt muttered, mostly to himself, before turning his attention back to Charles. "Coming right up! Figured you'd need some if you need that many charms for your secret mission, so tell me all about it when you get back! And... please get back!" With that, he disappeared into the back room to get the ashes.

Edwin let out a useless breath, walking up to Charles with a little smile. They succeeded, which was great. Trick is tricked... or something like that. A moment later Newt got back to them not one but two jars of oak ashes, also carrying what looked like... a rose.

"Here," he presented it to Edwin. Who blinked at him in alarm.

"Oh, no, no, no, not for you, for Daphne. This is a rose that never withers, just like my love for her- or is that too much? It's too much, isn't it?"

"I um..." Edwin frowned, looking at Charles for help.

[just_aces]

Charles shook his head, "Don't know the bird, can't say what's too much, but, that's definitely the kind of thing better delivered personally and not by, y'know," a loose gesture between himself and Edwin with one hand, "courier. Wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, yeah?" In a rare moment of understanding, however, he was quick to add, "But maybe let us do some recon first? While we're there?" A little shake of his head, "If we get the chance, obviously, got to stay on mission as best we can."

There was the full-beam charming smile again, "Which means we'll have to get back so we can relay the information, right?" Honestly he was a little worried about how smitten the man seemed, but he couldn't be sure if it was the result of magic or if it was just that they'd never seen him interested in someone before.

[uptightboy]

"Are you serious, Charles? We will be there to... for business and not on personal matters," Edwin frowned. "I also do think these things are better to be handled personally," he added pushing the flower back to Newt's hands and taking the jars instead.

"Oh, wow, you boys are saving me here again if you find out what she thinks, really!" Newt exclaimed as if he didn't hear Edwin at all. Or... most probably didn't want to. "Thank you, thank you!" And he went for a very enthusiastic handshake which Edwin got out of as soon as he could, only for Newt to catch Charles with it.

[just_aces]

Like something out of some kind of Three Stooges routine, Charles immediately traded the handful of fliers he'd been given for the ash jars so that he could tuck them away into the backpack, like that circular hand-off was something practiced, something that could so easily turn to slapstick even as he spoke, "We'll do our best, we're going on business after all, like I said, gotta stay on task, but that doesn't mean we can't use a little bit of getting-to-know-you as a distraction if we need to, yeah?"

The jars were already stowed by the time the handshake came his way and the grin ticked up higher as he returned it, shouldering his backpack again, "Look, this is the kind of thing that might take a few days, so maybe keep mum about it until you hear from us, yeah?"

[uptightboy]

"Sure, sure whatever you want but- Wait, so I could be part of the case?" Newt gasped, holding the rose that remained in his hands to his chest.

"You already kind of are," Edwin frowned at him, a bit unsure what to do with all the fliers in his hands suddenly.

"This is so exciting, now it's gotta be good news you bring. So, go go go, do your case, and report back if love is true or if I'm going to die alone! I'll keep your secret to the grave!"

"That is not why we are..." Edwin was trying to say as Newt was already ushering them out through the door.

[just_aces]

Charles, likewise, managed to not only get the fliers back, but also hand them back to Newt on the way out the door, taking advantage of the man's fluster to do so without drawing attention to it.

It was only when they were halfway down the block that Charles' composure finally broke and he laughed, shaking his head, "This is insane. This whole plan is insane." He wasn't spinning out, but it wouldn't take much to send him over that edge even with trying to reel himself in a little. He pulled the slip of paper out of his pocket to pass it over to Edwin, "Here, better if you keep this, innit?" Not because Charles was likely to lose it, but because he might deliberately misplace it, which was worse.

[uptightboy]

Together with Charles, Edwin also let out an amused huff. Right, this was mental. The whole thing.

"Why, I did not expect to be asked to act as kind of matchmakers. I doubt we ever had a case like that," he wondered out loud as he took the paper. "Maybe the Case of the missing ring in '04 was the closest," he huffed and looked at the address and name in his hand.

The address where their next clue lied. And the key to Newt's romance.

"Do you think..." Edwin started but as he realized what he wanted to ask he just stopped, clearing his throat. It was better not talk about romance, it would only bring up sensitive topics. "So, we got our next clue. How should we proceed? We must consider that they may be able to tell your nature, Charles. So we must be careful in our approach."

[just_aces]

The amusement dissolved almost as quickly as it had set in, and Charles just nodded at that statement and slowed his pace, turning to look at Edwin, "I hate to even say it," which was to say he hated to suggest leaving Edwin without immediate defense and backup if it became necessary, "but it might be safer for you to go it alone. At least for the first run, yeah?"

He shook his head, "If Esther figured it out, anyone who was actually involved is going to know right off." Another tight little head shake, "And there's no good will come of that." He ticked options off on his fingers as he relayed them, "They'll keep me in a vault somewhere until they can figure out what went wrong, or they'll change me back and keep me around for spell components, or they'll change me back and send me back to Hell because Hellhounds ain't supposed to be on the mortal plane."

There was no proof that anyone involved with the original trial was still alive -there was a good chance, certainly, as it hadn't been so long ago, but no proof- or even that they would do anything other than be mildly puzzled how Charles in his current state had happened, but apparently Edwin wasn't the only one who would run off after the worst possible outcome on a whim.

[uptightboy]

Edwin came to a stop as Charles turned to him. He nervously rubbed his fingers together on one hand as he was listening to Charles. The boy said out loud what he didn't want to. That this was one of those operations he had to do alone.

"I shall waste no time then," Edwin nodded, looking at the paper in his hand. He licked his lips nervously. It wasn't like they didn't do some things alone but it was rare. Doing a mission alone was even more so. "Let us regroup in the office once I am done."

He considered it for a moment. Witches were no small threat. And this was a sensitive issue. And... yes it put him in unease especially after dealing with Esther. But this was also about Charles's safety. He looked at Charles again nervously.

"I will find out if that trial was the one we need," he said determined. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say more yet he hesitated in moving away. Maybe it was just difficult to go on separate ways, no matter what.

[just_aces]

It was a reflex to catch that nervously-curling hand, pressing his fingers to the back of Edwin's hand, gentle and firm, "Two hours. Then I'm coming after you." Sure, it was his idea, or at least his concerns that prompted the split, but with witches involved there was a lot that could go wrong in two hours, but he was doing his best not to think about it, because he knew Edwin would need time to do this carefully so as not to give them away.

Which he knew Edwin would probably have an easier time of just in general, given Charles' own tendency towards impulsive decisions, not the kind of thing that would help in a situation that needed more than the usual amount of subtlety. Even still, knowing it was the right call, it made something clench uncomfortably in his chest.

[uptightboy]

If Edwin had a breath it would have caught in his throat as Charles took his hand. But he wondered if it wasn't the exact thing he was waiting for, maybe a little selfishly too.

"It shall be alright," Edwin assured quietly. He looked at Charles holding his hand and he didn't want to let go. But not because he had to go to some witches. He just didn't want to let Charles go. "I still do not think I will ever learn boxing, however," he added to lighten the mood. He squeezed Charles's hand.

"I'm going now," he said, with a small, determined nod. "In two hours, then."

[just_aces]

There was an actual twitch of a smile at that declaration, giving a little shake of his head in turn, "Nah, we need to teach you something proper sneaky instead." He gave Edwin's hand a squeeze before releasing it, "But that's for later."

He took a reluctant half-step back, "Two hours. Back at the office."

He was going to walk back himself instead of mirroring, because while the office was the one mirror that he could reliably find, he knew he needed to burn off some of the nervous energy building its way up his spine, and walking to the office was a better way to do that than pacing the office once he got there.

Though he would undoubtedly be doing that too while watching the time tick down.

[uptightboy]

With a sigh, Edwin took a look at the address again. Then turned to go. He knew the area the address pointed to. It was one of the nicer districts of London. The agency also worked on some cases in a few of those fancy, old houses. Though as Edwin was standing right in front of the mansion's door he could tell it was enchanted so people wouldn't find it, only if they purposefully wanted to come here.

Edwin took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He was a ghost, yes, but dealing with witches required manners and rules and an immense amount of luck. And Edwin didn't count himself lucky.

The door was answered by a younger-looking woman, looking quite alarmed. Which was not a good start. Edwin politely greeted her, introduced himself, and apologized for calling on them so suddenly. He namedropped Newt which made the young witch smile, and actually let him inside.

"I take it you may be, um, well acquainted with Mr. Newt?" Edwin started after the witch introduced herself as Ms Daphne. He knew that Charles would definitely try to be true to his promise and at least try to see if Newt's affections were hopeless or not.
"Oh, no, we are only business partners," she smiled. "But he is funny. Come, I will introduce you to Lady Goode."
Right. Edwin had no idea how to handle that. What did that mean? Did that mean she was interested? Not interested...? He set his jacket straighter and walked after Daphne further inside the house. It seemed empty but Edwin was sure multiple witches were living or working here.

"This may be a slightly odd suggestion but I am only a stranger here, showing up and demanding to see Lady Goode. I was expecting to be treated a little, well, less polite," Edwin said instead. Daphne chuckled.
"You have bad intentions then, love? If yes, the Lady will know and we'll torture and kill you, ghost boy," she smiled. "We're not afraid here, only you should be. And that doesn't mean we're not civil."

Well, that certainly put things into perspective. Not that Edwin was here to eliminate anyone and yet if he had skin he would have goosebumps.

Daphne lead him to a room on the second floor, where an older, blonde woman in a black, elegant dress were seemingly waiting for them. She was holding a cigarette between her fingers, raising an eyebrow at the pair as they approached.

"Look at that, and here I thought we all have to die before this house becomes haunted," she snorted.

"Lady Goode, I presume," Edwin nodded politely but aware. "I am here on behalf of a client of mine. I am a detective working on case."

"Right, you're one of those ghost boys running around, dealing with the dead," the Lady said.

"You know us?" Edwin asked, unable to mask his alarm at the fact.

"Only the gossips, ghost boy."

"It's like meeting with a celebrity," Daphne giggled.

"That's enough, Daphne. Please, make us some tea, I'll have Mr. Detective in the office for questioning." With that, Lady Goode walked inside, expecting Edwin to follow. The boy swallowed, looking at Daphne for a second before walking in the office too. The door closed behind him and Edwin did feel multiple magic energies swirling. But one thing he clocked was immediate. The whole room had iron in the walls. No ghost could come in or leave, only through the open door. And that realization did not put Edwin to ease at all.
"Am I a prisoner?" the boy could not help but ask.

"Only until I know you're not a threat, boy," the Lady huffed and sat behind her desk. "So, tell me, what does a spirit reeking of Hell have anything to do with us?"

"Hm," Edwin huffed, setting his collar straight. He couldn't help thinking that it was a good call Charles wasn't here but he still wished to have him by his side right about now. "My question is concerning an older case. A client of ours is interested in some details that are not disclosed in the almanac, thus I wish to access your archives, or better, you may be able to help me personally."

Lady Goode narrowed her eyes and nodded Edwin to continue. If the boy had lungs he would have coughed by how thick the smoke was getting. Instead, he licked his lips and went for it. He brought up the debate in question, mentioning that the banned witch's belongings were not disclosed.

"And why do you of all ghosts want to know about those belongings? Who was your client again?"

"That is classified--"

"Just like the information you're seeking, love. So, what are we going to do, hm?" By this time, Daphne has returned with tea and biscuits. And when the door opened, and Edwin was thinking about bolting for worst case scenario, he realized he couldn't move from the spot he was standing. Daphne didn't offer him tea either because ghosts can't have tea she said, and left. Edwin felt his knees tremble as he faced Lady Goode again.

"I did not mean to--"

"Whatever you did or didn't mean, boy, we are still having a problem. Because you see, I was there at the whole thing. Still young, mind you, but even then I knew that if that bitch was dangerous and that trial was a bloody nightmare. So, once again, little detective, who is your client?"

"Ah, so now we start the torture part of imprisonment," Edwin huffed.

"Honey, this is only the interrogation part, think about that again when I get the iron chains."

[just_aces]

Charles did make it back to the office, but that anxious energy hadn't dispersed as he'd expected it to, and checking the time he knew Edwin had probably only just arrived at the address. Which was what set him to pacing the office, only startling briefly when the postman arrived, but even sorting the mail could only keep him distracted for so long.

Especially when for a few long minutes he felt distressingly like he was forgetting something, or like something was missing, and then there was a moment of relief from that unease, just long enough to make him sure that it was something external and not his own anxiety about not having Edwin at his side -or more importantly: having sent Edwin into a potentially dangerous situation alone- before the anxious feeling slammed back into him again.

He had no way of knowing, of course, that this coincided with Edwin being entirely surrounded by iron only to have one of those lines broken briefly before being put right back into place. What he did know was that he needed to find Edwin, shouldn't have left him to face an entire coven alone in the first place, and he could kick himself about that later, once Edwin was safe again.

He knew where he was going, at least, and much as Edwin had noticed earlier, he realized that the place wasn't supposed to be easy to find, but that was hardly going to stop him. He did know enough not to come in as an active threat, however, he had that much sense. He had his bag, which had the iron knife and the cavalry saber, along with a few other things, but as he had yet to replace the cricket bat, there wasn't a weapon tucked into his jacket for once.

He was grim-faced and resolute all the same when he rang the bell, and while he wanted to barge right in as soon as the door was open, he knew he needed to step carefully here for Edwin's safety as much as his own, and his fingers tightened on the strap of the backpack slung over his shoulder as he introduced himself with: "My name is Charles Rowland, you lot have my partner, and I've come to get him back." Even though he hadn't crossed the threshold yet there was some kind of compulsion that had him adding: "I shouldn't have left him to come here alone in the first place." That he tried to keep behind his teeth, but couldn't quite manage.

[uptightboy]

Daphne hummed as she was looking Charles over from the door.

"So you're the other one, eh? The other, hm, ghost boy," she frowned. There was obviously something else she wanted to say as he was looking at Charles. But she stayed silent for a moment. "Well, I'd love to invite you in but you need to wait here for a bit. Stay. Put..." And with that, she closed the door and hurried to fetch the Lady.

Edwin was aware he could not hide his distress anymore. But the thing was he wasn't afraid of torture, and pain. He was afraid of giving Charles away. His absence also filled him with anxiety. Because right now, even without the binding, he realized he wouldn't be able to run. Not without Charles pushing him toward the door. It just made him realize more how much he was depending on Charles.

"So?" the Lady raised an expectant eyebrow.

"I only need to know the list of her possessions, that is all," Edwin started when the knocking came.

"Lady Goode, the other half of the dead boys are here," Daphne said through the closed door. Edwin immediately looked toward the door as if Charles would be standing there. He had the urge to shout Charles's name but he just whispered it.

"The other one?" Lady Goode frowned.

"He says he shouldn't have let his partner come here alone. He's by the entrance," Daphne said. Edwin frowned. Why wouldn't they let Charles in like him...? For a moment Lady Goode also seemed to ponder that exact question. "Should I let him in?"

Edwin was aware he was looking like a rabbit in high grass, just trying not to move or look at anybody. What was Charles doing here?!

"Yes, bring the boy in," Lady Goode decided at last. Daphne confirmed and went to fetch the 'other ghost boy' for the Lady.