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]

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.

[just_aces]

Charles was practically vibrating with tension, only belatedly realizing the runes woven into the edges of the welcome mat he was standing right on. That 'stay put' wasn't something he'd be able to disobey even if he wanted to, trying his hardest to let go of some of the tension so that he'd be able to move again when he could, when he needed to.

He was still managing to keep calm at least, when the girl came to retrieve him again, realizing only halfway up the stairs that he really didn't like how quiet the place was, he couldn't hear any sound from outside or inside, despite knowing there had to be more than a dozen witches living and working there, along with the knowledge that even though it was a quiet neighborhood, he should still be able to hear the traffic outside.

It wasn't enough to make him skip a step, but it was enough that he noticed.

Almost all that tension slid out of him again when he was led to the office, "Edwin!" He moved forward only to be drawn up short in the doorway by his backpack, as if it were caught on something, leaving him tugging futilely and reflexively against it for a moment even as the woman -the Lady Goode he assumed- gave an entirely put-upon sigh, "No weapons allowed in the office, child. Leave it on the side table."

The choice was keeping his weapons or helping Edwin and that wasn't a choice at all, he didn't even argue, just swung the backpack off his shoulder and onto the table before darting forward to Edwin's side, barely resisting the urge to take his hand, fingers curling tightly against his own palms, voice quieter than usual but trying his damnedest to sound calmer than he felt, "Should've known as soon as I said it that splitting up was a bad idea."

[uptightboy]

"Charles!" Edwin called when he saw the boy at the door. He wanted to go to him, but he still couldn't move from his spot. It was either a hidden binding circle or Lady Goode had her magic work in mysterious ways. Edwin couldn't tell, there was just too much magic in that room. "I told you I can handle it, you shouldn't have come!" Edwin hissed once the boy was close enough. Despite the fact that he was so relieved and he wanted to hold Charles for comfort, instead, he was just wringing his hands. "Now you put yourself in danger," he added quieter, a little softer.

With the backpack outside, and Charles inside Edwin had no illusions that they were severely outnumbered. The heist right about now seemed a far better solution but they made their bed now they have to lay in it. However, the sudden silence from Lady Goode wasn't a good sign in Edwin's interpretation.

"Come in and close the door, Daphne," Lady Goode ordered. The witch apprentice nodded and stepped in, closing the door behind her. Edwin set his shoulders, leaning closer to Charles without even noticing. His attention was on the Lady. There was a pause of silence in the office before she spoke.

"So, would you like to kindly revise your tale about a client, detectives?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Charles.

[just_aces]

It was reflex to reach over and press his fingers lightly against the back of Edwin's hand once he started grinding his knuckles together, "So business as usual, then?" He replied to the comment of putting himself in danger. Just taking an exaggerated deep breath once he had and just hoping that Edwin did the same. Ghosts didn't need to breathe -and with the definitely magical smoke in the room it was probably a bad idea anyway- but it was the one way he knew to get Edwin calm and centered again.

The woman's question caught him off-guard and he had to fight the half-hysterical bubble of laughter that was rising in his chest, which he mostly managed by pressing a hand to it, "I'm the client. It's my case." It was sheer luck -and Edwin's analytical process- that allowed that statement to be true. There was a case card on the board with his name on it, no matter what else happened, this was an official case and while the agency and the coven didn't operate in exactly the same realm, it would still be a matter of professional courtesy not to interfere.

Did he think that was actually going to save them here? Not really, but it was worth a shot if nothing else.

[uptightboy]

Charles's touches felt like little sparks against his spectral skin, leaving invisible flowers behind. Edwin closed his eyes and took a deep breath to try and calm down. It was so simple and yet he needed Charles to remind him of it. Or, well, ghosts didn't need to breathe but Edwin needed Charles like air. Splitting up was a stupid plan, indeed. Business as usual...

After another heavy pause, the Lady took a long drag from her cigarette and then put it out in the ashtray on her desk.

"Now we are talking, gentlemen," she nodded and got up from her seat. "Being truthful is one of our core principles and it is always a pleasure to have it followed by outsiders," she smiled as she leaned her hips against her desk, crossing her arms.

"I do hope that means we get the same courtesy then," Edwin remarked. Her only answer was an eyebrow raise before turning her attention to Charles.

"So you followed your partner here because you didn't want him to come alone." It wasn't a question but a statement. "Are you always by his side?"

[just_aces]

He wasn't sure what to make of being spoken to as if Edwin wasn't right there, and that was mostly, he realized, because he was used to people addressing Edwin that way, as if Charles was just the backup.

"Yes." It was almost a question, shaking his head a moment later, "It was my idea to split up, and I realized it was a stupid idea maybe a half hour in, because yes, I'm always there. We don't go anywhere without each other, haven't for ages, not unless there's no other option."

Or if it was by force, as with the Cat King whisking Edwin away for hours, or getting dragged back to hell, but she hadn't asked about specifics, and he knew better than to volunteer information that hadn't specifically been asked for, especially when dealing with witches. Truthfully he wasn't entirely sure that he hadn't already given too much, but he wasn't used to taking point, not really, and wanted to make sure he didn't seem like he was hiding information.

[uptightboy]

Edwin pursed his lips. It was indeed new for anyone to address Charles like that. Diplomacy was his thing and the rest was for Charles. Dealing with people, with feelings, that was for Charles. Bedside manner, that was Charles. But business was Edwin. And he did not feel comfortable with this new scenario. Yet, he was approving of Charles's answer, it was enough for these witches. It must be enough.

"We are best mates, if you must know," Edwin added when the witches were once again all too quiet.

"I'm sure you are," the Lady raised an eyebrow. She was clearly contemplating something - either to share information or hide the fact that she still had no clue about them.

"Now, the list of items?" Edwin insisted, with a raised eyebrow. Lady Goode looked around as if to look for another cigarette but in the end, she turned to the boys again.

"Look, I have a feeling you already know what at least one of those items are, detectives. I'm only baffled you'd bring it back to us," she said. "A Hellhound is a powerful familiar to possess. So, what is your true intention? If you wanted to give it back to its owner you wouldn't have come to us."

If Edwin wasn't a ghost he would have gone pale for sure. So it was true. Their theory. Witches could see a Hellhound. And the Lady also deducted that Charles may have been that particular one from the trial. If they weren't careful, Charles could be taken away any minute...

"We only wished to know what happened," Edwin said, stepping a bit in front of Charles, as much as his binding let him. "I have been looking for clues about Charles's true nature since the moment we met. It is clear now that he isn't a ghost and if there is anything--"

"You wish to have a Hellhound for yourself, is that it?" Lady Goode accused. The question was so shocking that Edwin couldn't even comprehend it.

"What...?"

"A beast like that is for magic and protection. Someone who has been through Hell must know how immensely valuable an asset like that could be."

[just_aces]

Something about being referred to as 'it', caused Charles' insides to twist uncomfortably, he knew it wasn't anything physical, not really, but it was enough to have old hurts rising at the back of his mind, enough to stoke the anger that always lurked there, far closer to the surface these days than it had been before, and the suggestion that he might be returned to the witch who'd had him before just added fear to the mix. It was 'beast' that was enough to make him snap, "Oi, leave off! It's not like that!"

He was dimly aware that he was raising his voice and did his best to bite back the bitterness rising in his throat, because the last thing he needed to do here was let his anger get the best of him, "I picked him, right? Back when I died, nobody told me I was this all-powerful thing, I was just a scared kid, and Edwin stayed, he didn't have to," he caught at Edwin's hand again, needing the contact to settle himself, feeling a little like his edges were starting to blur, "probably shouldn't have done, all said, but he did. He was kind to someone he didn't even know, how was I supposed to just let him walk away after that?"

He knew they weren't on trial here, but they were undoubtedly being judged, assessed in a way that made his skin crawl, but he forged on, he wasn't sure he could stop talking now even if he wanted to, "He needed..." the words tangled together because honesty was the best thing here, but there had been a lot of things Edwin had needed, someone to look out for him, someone who could protect him, someone who could remind him that he was still human even despite those decades in hell, finally what escaped was: "A friend," that was a word that sat wrong on his tongue, but not in any way he could make sense of right then, "someone to watch out for him, yeah?" That was a little better, but he didn't have time to sit and pick over what he should be calling himself in relation to Edwin instead of a friend.

"That's what I've been doing since, that's the only thing I could do." He shook his head, a tight movement, swallowing hard again, "All we was trying to do here is make sure I won't be some kind of danger to him."

[uptightboy]

It wasn't about that. This witch was so far off the mark that Edwin couldn't even retort anything. Yes, Charles was protecting him, he was valuable but not in a way as a tool was... It wasn't like that! He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but then Charles spoke.

As his hand was caught, Edwin grabbed on too, tight and firm. Partly for himself, to remind himself that, yes, they were together and partly to support Charles. To calm him, if needed.

"Charles," Edwin whispered, looking at the boy. It wasn't worry he felt, not really. He supposed it was the silly thing that made him fall in love with this boy, whatever he may be in nature. "Charles..." he repeated when he saw the other's image blur, just enough to be noticeable. Just for a second.

After Charles spoke, there was yet another strange silence in the air. But Edwin didn't mind. How could they ever thought that they could do this split up? Right, no. They were the Dead Boy Detectives and they worked together, ran from Death together, no matter what.

"I see," Lady Goode frowned, her eyes narrowing at Charles. Probably spotted the same thing as Edwin did. "No, you are not a danger to him. That's the good news. The bad news is, you are still a danger to others, with a secondary master who barely knows what he's doing. You do realize I cannot let you walk away until we are absolutely clear what happened to you, right?"

"Why would we should be responsible for your mistake?" Edwin started. "If Charles was so dangerous, then why would you let him escape the first place?"

"Well he was supposed to return to Hell after his death, now, wasn't he? And then a new master came along," Lady Goode spread her arms. "We believed we lost the Hound but now it is clear it was stolen."

[just_aces]

That note of warning, of actual concern in Edwin's tone, even though it was just Charles' name was enough to have him pulling himself together a little better, swallowing back that anger and fear and forcing himself to remain calm even as the witch continued talking about him like he was a family heirloom, or secondhand luggage, not even something as important as a family heirloom even despite the claims of his value.

He didn't flicker again, though he was pretty sure it was only Edwin's hold on him that kept him from doing so, especially at the follow up.

Something about all of that, though caught his attention, and as much as he wanted to be angry all over again at the idea that he was stolen, as if he hadn't followed Edwin of his own accord, even despite Edwin's own protests, what he actually said, quieter than before was: "What's the point of making me human in the first place, then? If I was only supposed to return to hell, why not just send me back right away? What difference would sixteen years make?" It didn't even occur to him that he was supposed to have had a full human life, five or even six times the number of years he'd had, because that was still a point of contention for him in general.

[uptightboy]

"Sixteen years doesn't. Try sixty, or seventy," Lady Goode snapped. "It was a way to keep you away from your original master, Hound," she said and walked over to one of the bookcases in the office. Edwin couldn't see what she was doing but it was clear it wasn't a key she used to open the case. She took an old file, opening it as she walked back to her desk. Before she continued she looked up at Daphne who was standing by the door. "This information I'm about to relay to all of you is confidential. Any of you tattle, I will know, and there will be consequences."

"Yes, Lady Goode," Daphne nodded. Edwin remained silent, holding onto Charles's hand.

Not waiting, the Lady opened the file.

"She wasn't part of our coven, your previous master," she said. "She was dealing with dark magic, real nasty spells. Raising the dead and collecting souls. Did you know that tortured human souls carry an immense amount of magical power? Well, for those who know how to harvest it, that is." Edwin's gaze flickered away for a second. Lady Goode continued to list the atrocities this witch was committing that led the coven to try and eliminate her. Torture, murder, seeking out powers that shouldn't belong to anyone... summoning Hellhounds. "Hellhounds are capable of eating souls, basically kill a ghost. It fuels them. And what fuels a Hellhound helps its master."

Edwin frowned. With everything Charles remembered he didn't dare to imagine what kind of life he must have had back then.

"The thing is, with dark magic, that it consumes the witch. It gave her a life that isn't a life anymore. So after she was put on trial and executed, we were sure she went to Hell. Exactly to the place she picked her cursed familiar," Lady Goode continued, waving her hand. "My sisters couldn't have let a freshly executed witch reunite with their Hellhound in Hell. That would be disastrous. So," she looked up from the file at Charles. "It was made human. To live a long, long life, and then it was up to Death to sever the bonds between it and its owner and send it back to the parts of Hell it came from."

[just_aces]

"And then I went and mucked that all up running off with the first person who was kind to me." He still hadn't let go of Edwin's hand, holding on like it was some kind of lifeline, an anchor keeping him where he was supposed to be instead of drifting off into nothing.

The confirmation that he was, in fact, a Hellhound, and some long-dead necromancer's familiar was somehow less important than the fact that they still seemed intent on separating him from Edwin, and he wasn't going to let that happen.

He shook his head again, not sure if the ringing in his ears was something that was actually happening or if it was just the stress of too many things happening at once, and even still he managed to come up with an actual question, "If she's gone, or still in Hell, what's the problem with me staying with Edwin? We've already managed it for thirty-odd years now with no problems."

Of course, he hadn't actually passed through Hell himself during that time, and only belatedly realized that probably changed things, and not for the better.

[uptightboy]

Edwin was also aware that the conversation was suspiciously going in a way that would end up with them having to split up. He held Charles's hand tightly as if they would drag him away any moment. Though he couldn't help sending a look at the boy mentioning the 'no problems' part. It wasn't entirely true...

Lady Goode closed the file to aim all her attention to the boys again.

"The problem is that nobody has ever heard of a Hound choosing its master," she said. "They are summoned from the pits of Hell for the sole purpose of destruction and sent back when their owner dies. You have no place on this plane and I can barely believe I'm arguing with you about it."

"You cannot send him back!" Edwin said before he could stop himself.

"You're right, I can't, not with it being tied to you. But this is something I've never seen or heard in my life and we need to investigate it. You need to understand. It isn't against you, it's for our safety." She huffed, putting the file on the desk. "You have no idea what that witch was capable of, even from where she is right now. You're found. It could mean she's also aware of that. And if she's aware you stole from her..." the Lady trailed off.

Edwin licked his lips nervously. This took a turn he didn't expect.

"So what will happen now?" he asked.

"An investigation," Lady Goode said. "First we need to know if the original bonds were severed. Then, we assess what this is," he motioned to the boys. "And then, we decide what will happen to the Hound."

[just_aces]

Charles knew he didn't actually need to breathe, but right at the moment he was starting to feel like he couldn't, and that definitely wasn't going to turn out well, already struggling to keep himself calm again, the hot, prickling anger had almost entirely been taken over by a cold, heavy dread at that point.

"And how long will that take? The investigation?" He wasn't shaking, not yet, but he felt it coming, this was all too much and he'd known it would be before they even started, which was part of the problem. He'd done this to himself, just as surely as painting himself into a trap earlier, that had simply been annoying, and boring, this was actually terrifying.

Somewhere along the way he'd actually laced his fingers with Edwin's, not about to let him go easily. He still managed to keep his voice steady and audible, if definitely quieter than before, that creeping fear trying to choke off the words, "And how do you test those original bonds?"

[uptightboy]

Ghosts can't be warm or cold, and yet as their fingers are interlaced, Edwin swore he felt Charles's hand go cold. He wished he could hold his hands in both of his, pull him closer, and tell him it would be alright. That everything will be fine... Because it had to be.

"A few days, maybe a week if we are too busy," the Lady sighed, rubbing her forehead. "There are only a handful of witches who can assist me in this. It depends on their schedule."

"We are detectives we cannot sit around and wait for you for a week until you decide what to do," Edwin tried.

"Tough luck, detective, tell that to your client," the Lady sighed. "I will try to speed it up the best I can," he assured. "As for the bonds, you're going to have to come with me, Hound."

"No," Edwin frowned, yanking Charles's hand.

"The faster we get this done the earlier we know what to do with you," the Lady pointed out. Edwin hated how she was right. He opened his mouth to insist to go but the Lady spoke before him. "But, it may be better if you came too. Well then, after me, gentlemen."

With a snap of her finger, Edwin felt the binding spell put on him release him. He let out a sigh, looking at Charles as the Lady passed them toward the door.

"Charles, are you alright?" Edwin asked quietly.

[just_aces]

Charles had let out a strangled: "A week?" Even as Edwin objected to the same, and there was some measure of comfort in knowing that they were, as always, on the same page about that.

He swayed a little when the binding spell was released, just clutching Edwin's hand tighter and giving a little shake of his head at the question, "Don't know, do I?" His jaw was tight enough that his teeth were grinding, an effort to keep them from chattering. He knew what was happening, it was the same thing that had happened a handful of times since he and Edwin had started their partnership. It was like his spectral form, whatever he was made of now, remembered the last time he'd been truly afraid, and set him back to that state whenever fear overrode everything else.

It was reflex to reach for his backpack where it had been left on the table outside, even as Daphne -bringing up the rear- shook her head, "Leave it, we'll make sure your belongings are returned to your office." Everything about what was going on here was unprecedented, but she knew she could promise that much, it was the only way to make sure balance was maintained.

[uptightboy]

Edwin knew that look too well by now. While they may have hidden a few things from each other over the past thirty years this was one thing Edwin knew. Charles had a death grip on his hand and truly, it made Edwin want to run for the exit and drag Charles with him. Just like that first time from the attic.

He did feel nervous when the backpack had to stay, however, but he understood the idea of it.

"It shall be alright, Charles," Edwin whispered, hoping that his words would bring good luck at least. As they followed Lady Goode, Edwin somehow felt more eyes on them despite having seen nobody on their way.

The old witch led them to the lower, underground level of the house. It looked there were multiple rooms there too. The Lady led them to the one with an iron door... Entering it, Edwin almost huffed out loud. It looked like an old-timey dungeon, straight out of those movies Charles loved to watch. With a few bookcases around, iron chains lying in the corners, with dark, stone floors and walls. It was buzzing with magic, however.

"Oldest room in the house, perfect for strong spells like the one we are about to perform," Lady Goode smiled, almost proudly as Daphne closed the door. "Tell your Hound to get in the middle of that circle," she told Edwin.

Edwin frowned, looking around.

"What circle-" But as Edwin asked it, the circle in question started glowing in the middle of the room.

[just_aces]

Charles knew they were being watched, and probably tracked, if he had to take a guess he'd bet that all work in the house had come to a standstill even, and mostly he just wished that if they were going to stare they'd own up to it and do so out in the open. It occurred to him on some level that the desire there was probably to do a head count and a threat assessment, easier to work out an escape if they actually knew what they were up against, but that realization didn't fully surface before they were in the basement and that theatrically-set dungeon.

He only barely flinched when the circle flared to life, and was about to stomp forward, because fuck waiting to be told what to do, he could make his own decisions about where he wanted to stand thank-you-very-much, but good sense seemed to catch him at the same moment, not getting any further than a half-step and not yet letting go of Edwin's hand.

One thing he knew was that in spellwork intent was often as important as anything else, sometimes moreso, which was why, despite the tightness in his chest, that feeling that he couldn't breathe even if he wanted to, he kept still, taking another slow breath before asking: "Is it important to the spell that he tells me to?"

[uptightboy]

"Oh right, you are sentient," Lady Goode frowned as if she was reminded of that fact just now. "Well, of course, you can choose to go out of your own will but..." she trailed off. So much for honesty, Edwin thought.

"Charles," Edwin pulled Charles back to him, not wanting to let him go either. Especially not when he was panicking. "They want me to send you there because it could be dangerous. Or horribly unpleasant," he said, sending a look at Lady Goode. "We can refuse, Charles, we can figure something out."

Edwin, however, knew that this method was probably the fastest way to test what the witches wanted. And that was fine... but he didn't want to do it for the price of Charles's safety. And he didn't want to be the one ordering him to do it.

"It's not dangerous," Lady Goode assured. "But not pleasant. The bonds are what make it... bad. If it helps, it's been a long time, the bonds may not be there. So, hurry up."

Edwin bit at his lower lip, turning to Charles again.

"Do not listen to her. We have time," he said softly but it let his voice tremble. "Charles, I do not want to send you there, that is not right."

[just_aces]

Charles had turned to face Edwin as the other drew him back in, he was still tense, but at least he wasn't shaking with it any longer. Apparently having a clear directive and a plan was enough to ease some of the panic even if it wasn't a plan he liked.

"Do we have time, though?" That was the biggest concern, really, that his control over his current shape would continue to deteriorate, that he would just continue to erode into being more fully what he was -apparently- supposed to be.

He tried for a smile and only mostly managed a grimace, "I survived the Night Nurse dumping me into the worst bits of my life, twice, even, this can't be worse than that, yeah?" He couldn't be sure whether it would be or not, but the fact that he was using full sentences again was probably a good sign, as was the fact that the chill of his hands had receded to just his fingertips, though he still hadn't let go of the near-deathgrip he had on Edwin's hand in turn.

His voice dipped, just a little, even though he knew they would be overheard regardless, the room wasn't that big, "I trust you more'n I trust them. If you really think we've got a better chance on our own, we'll go." That was really what it came down to, what could they manage on their own before everything came crashing down around their ears? What went unsaid was that he also trusted Edwin to send him into the unknown if it came to that, he always had.

[uptightboy]

'Do we have time, though?' Charles asked and Edwin let out a defeated breath. They may not. If whatever was happening to Charles continued it would hurt the both of them, maybe irreparably so. He watched as Charles was trying to smile, finally seeing when he was forcing it. It was so obvious and Edwin wondered how he could miss it before Crystal came along to point it out. His heart was breaking.

"The reason we are here is because we came up short on our own," Edwin said, a little defeated and angry about that fact. He didn't let go of Charles's hand but he reached up to set the lapels of the boy's coat and straighten a few of his pins as he was thinking about what to say, or more like, how to say it. He was worried, immensely. "Go. It is only another test of courage, I suppose. Not unlike the Haunted House Haunting in '06."

[just_aces]

That got an actual smile, thin, still a little unsure, but genuine enough, nodding once and sniffing, scrubbing the back of his wrist across his nose and nodding again, "Yeah. Just like that." He knew full well that the Lady's patience was being tested, but that wasn't going to stop him from proceeding as he usually would, "Won't be two shakes."

He gave Edwin's hand a squeeze before turning, eying the still glowing circle before squaring his shoulders and striding right into the middle of it. He had enough time to register sensation that wasn't quite pain but wasn't really anything else either before the human form was stripped away.

His face and back elongated first, followed by his limbs, which was something that sent him pitching forward even as something that wasn't quite fur and wasn't exactly wisping smoke erupted in a wave from his spine around to his front, the sound was probably the worst part, like someone cracking their knuckles on a much larger scale, along with something undeniably squelching.

The whole process took maybe ten seconds and by the end of it there was a creature that looked more like a wolf than a dog, or even like the churchyard grim Charles had tried to befriend back when they'd first started the agency, before that little church and the small graveyard behind it had been relocated.

He was weighed down not just by a long-corroded iron collar, the chain attached to it worn through in places but not fully severed, leading off past the edge of the circle into the ether, but also an equally time-worn muzzle, apparently leather, but with short hobnails along it, the points all turned inward where they wouldn't actually make contact with his face unless he moved. But, more important, was the coil of glowing gold, like Edwin's string of a binding spell made large enough to hold a Hellhound, looped around his neck, under the iron like some kind of buffer.

[uptightboy]

Edwin had a hard time letting Charles's hand go, and when his hand was empty he had to first them. Only to start wringing them a moment later. Lady Goode and Daphne both walked next to him and he wasn't sure if it was for support or just to have a better look at the happenings inside the circle.

Edwin heard Daphne stifle a shriek with her hand next to him as Charles started to change. He froze, too. The transformation was horrible, every sound was like a little blade into Edwin's chest. And when the creature was standing in front of them in all its glory Edwin felt tears in his wide eyes.

"Well, shit," Lady Goode sighed, crossing her arms.

"I've never seen a Hellhound in person before," Daphne whispered, her voice trembling. And Edwin could understand. The creature in front of them was massive and frightening. And it reeked of Hell. He... reeked of Hell.

"See? That's what you're playing with, detective," Lady Goode commented.

"It's still him," Edwin said in a hollow voice. But he could not hide his shock, nor his fear. They were so close to Hell, so terribly close. It really clicked now and maybe that was the Lady's plan. To let Edwin know, to let Charles know, what he was. "It is still Charles, we... we are best friends."

"Why is it muzzled?" Daphne asked.

"Those are his bonds to his original summoner. Still going strong," the Lady answered. "But there's the other one. That golden little thread, barely there. That's the new one."

Edwin barely listened though. He took a step toward the circle, even if everything in his body told him to run in the other direction. But Charles looked like he was hurting.

[just_aces]

He just lay there on his side for a few long moments, eyes closed, breathing slow and steady as a bellows, otherwise unmoving as he listened to the conversation outside the circle.

That was, of course, until Edwin moved closer, which was when he blinked slowly. His eyes weren't Charles' usual warm brown, but like glowing embers, clearly focused on Edwin all the same even despite the lack of iris or pupil to give some indication of just where he was looking.

Perhaps the most interesting thing was that gold thread growing thicker once he registered that Edwin was actually there, or maybe due to Edwin's proximity, it was hard to say which, or if it was some combination of the two. It had grown as thick as a proper halter rope by the time the Hellhound that was Charles trundled to his feet, head still low, trying to duck under the weight of the muzzle somehow even as he leaned closer to the edge of the circle, closer to Edwin, though he came up short against it just as he'd done with the one he painted himself into earlier.

Though this time instead of just laughing about the bruised knuckles, it was enough to have the nails inside the muzzle pressing into his cheek and snout, which in turn had him reeling back to sit upright, blinking at Edwin again, clearly confused by this turn of events, head dropping low and shoulders hunching up in a way that was decidedly Charles, who stood in the same way when Edwin snapped at him and meant it.

[uptightboy]

If Edwin was honest, when Charles looked at him his fear didn't go away. It got worse. He had seen eyes like that in places he rather didn't want to remember. He hated this. He hated to be reminded that that creature was Charles there...

"Charles," Edwin whispered as the other was trying to move closer. He reached his hand toward him but as the circle stopped Charles he pulled it back too. He saw the muzzle work and hurt Charles and then the way he looked at him. As if it was Edwin who... "No, no, Charles, no..." Edwin stuttered and before he knew it, his body moved.

"Edwin!" Daphne gasped, reaching for him as if she wanted to stop him.

"Stop that boy, do not go into the circle!" Lady Goode hissed frustrated but Edwin was already halfway in. He was reaching for Charles's muzzle.

"I cannot watch him being hurt by this awful device," Edwin said before he grabbed onto the muzzle, looking for a way to take it off.

"I understand your frustration but that bond will not come off, it is a sign of ownership," Lady Goode stomped her feet. "If you want the Hound, you need to talk to its owner about it."

"But, the golden rope..." Daphne pointed out. "What does that mean?"

"It means this will be a complicated trial," the Lady grumbled. "We need to call back a witch from Hell."