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]

'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."

[just_aces]

Charles was shaking with the effort it took to keep still as Edwin approached, though he couldn't help but lean into the touch when it came, a whine like a distant buzz saw building in his chest, just vibrating there, trying to keep quiet and still because he knew that much, remembered it maybe.

Though even as Edwin looked for a way to remove the muzzle, threads unfurled from the rope around Charles' neck, coiling up and around the muzzle, not to reinforce it, but apparently to dull the points of those nails, Edwin couldn't remove another mark of ownership, but being there, close enough to reinforce his own, was apparently enough to alter them a little and Charles sagged forward into Edwin's hands as soon as he was able, blinking up at him again despite the fact that -were he standing instead of sitting- he'd be able to rest his chin on Edwin's shoulder without having to crouch.

[uptightboy]

Edwin watched as the golden threads helped at least a little about the torture device. He was holding Charles's head in two trembling hands, feeling like he had failed him. With a shaky breath, he leaned his forehead against the Hound's head. He could feel how warm he was... alive, in a way. Which was ironic, considering how much Charles wished to be alive.

"No, no, your owner is here," Edwin started, shaking his head a little, still leaning it against Charles's. "You are mine, you are my friend. You..." he swallowed thickly. "I love you, Charles. I will not let anybody take you. Not Death, not a witch from Hell."

"Does that mean you are ready to demand the Hound for yourself?" Lady Goode asked from where she was standing still outside the circle. "Ready to face the charges of theft?"

Edwin closed his eyes and nodded, not letting go of Charles.

"I am," he said.

[just_aces]

If those burning-ember eyes could be said to go watery, they definitely did, blinking up at Edwin again at the closeness and the statement, because that definitely felt right even despite memory seemed to indicate otherwise.

He knew this place wasn't home, and his head was spinning because he knew he should be wedged in beside the stove, careful not to lean against it even when it was cool unless he wanted to sear himself on the iron, but there were also memories of a cluttered office, full of all kinds of interesting things and a much more comfortable place to sit, right on the edge of a heavy wooden desk, and that felt right despite what he knew.

The Lady had nodded once at Edwin's answer, "Very well. We shall make the arrangements. The hound will stay here until such time as the trial can commence."
Daphne looked for a moment like she wanted to argue, but knew better than to actually do so, shooting Edwin a look while Lady Goode was focused on him before she started having to take notes on who all needed to be contacted to get the wheels rolling on something like this.

[uptightboy]

"I will stay with him," Edwin insisted, not even looking at the witches.

"That is out of the question," Lady Goode snorted. "The laws say it needs to be separated unit the trial. Thank god, otherwise he would have to stay with its original owner." Which wasn't the best scenario and Edwin could agree with that. But he didn't like leaving Charles here with these people...

"So I cannot see him?" he asked.

"I just told you, boy," the Lady huffed. "He was going to be kept in a safe room here-"

"No," Edwin snapped so suddenly even he was surprised. He didn't let go of Charles but he turned toward Lady Goode. "He was imprisoned by a witch I do not feel it is right he is staying on such grounds."

It must have been horrible to transform, to finally be reminded of everything, Edwin wondered. He also did not trust the witches to take care of Charles properly. Not if he wasn't allowed to see him.

"Then what do you suggest, detective? There are no places on this plane neutral enough to hold a Hellhound," the Lady challenged. Edwin licked his lips.

"Not on this plane, no," he said. "We happen to have ties to the Afterlife's Lost and Found Department."

"The Lost and Found?" Lady Goode frowned. Daphne let out a happy gasp, immediately stifling it. "Is that right?"

"If you let me contact them-"

"No, I will. Because if you are bluffing, boy, there will be no trial here."

"In that case please ask for the Night Nurse in charge, and tell her the agency needs her help. I believe relaying the situation to her would be the most productive," Edwin said, raising an eyebrow. Somehow arguing with a witch was... kind of relaxing. It occupied his mind from the fact that Charles will not be with him for a while. For the first time in their afterlife...

[just_aces]

Charles had settled again, just leaning heavily against Edwin's side, eyes having dipped closed again, that previous distant whine having settled into something that was too rough to be a purr, but not enough of a threat to be a growl, but it was something content regardless, because for the first time since getting thrown back into this shape -and having those magically-repressed memories slammed back into a mind that wasn't really equipped to process them- nothing hurt. There was a dull ache, in places, but no pain, and the relief was enough to make him drowsy.

Though as Edwin tensed, his eyes slid open again, gaze shifting to the witches beyond the edge of the circle, the magic distorted them, and he knew he wouldn't be able to get through it, but if they were upsetting Edwin he'd figure out a way even if it hurt. Really it was only the fact that Edwin was right there, close and talking to them and not giving any indication that he actually needed to attack that kept him still and mostly relaxed.

It wasn't even a half hour later that the Night Nurse and a pair of attendants had arrived, and as they'd been appraised of the situation they all managed to keep surprise off their faces, and the Nurse herself was as brusque as ever, greeting Edwin with a short nod, "Agent Payne." Her gaze slid to the Hellhound once again sitting upright in the circle, because things had gotten interesting again after a short while of nothing much going on, "And I see Agent Rowland is feeling more himself again."

Charles knew that voice, and had the unexpected urge to sass her, but wasn't quite sure how at the moment, so instead he just cocked his head, looking for all the world like an inquisitive puppy, which shouldn't have worked for something as large and sharp-edged as he was.

The Night Nurse nodded once again, "Well, we shall be taking him back to the office."
Charles knew her, and knew that even despite the faint memory that he'd attacked her once, knew that she didn't actually mean him any harm, but he still looked to Edwin for confirmation.

[uptightboy]

Edwin truly, honestly, terribly wanted to call the Night Nurse 'Charlie' just for Charles, as he could not. But instead, he just greeted her with a nod. He was also only mildly surprised that the Nurse knew what Charles was...

"Well, this is unexpected but still good news. I'd have hated to house a Hellhound under this roof," Lady Goode remarked.

Edwin turned to Charles too with a heavy heart. He was trying to pep talk himself during this half hour to prepare himself for the absence of Charles. Which was going to be horrible. He was forced to stay at a strange place, with strangers, without the only person he trusted. His only comfort was that Charles was going to be in good hands with the Nurse in the Lost and Found. That was a safe place.

Edwin opened his mouth to tell Charles to go and felt like something was stuck in his throat. His hand was resting on the side of the Hound, never letting go. His fur still smelled like Hell, and it still put a strange buzz in Edwin's nerves, but this was still Charles. And there was a tiny, tiny chance that he wasn't going to see him again. And now he had to tell him to leave.

"Charles," Edwin forced the word out, patting the hound's head. He looked at the collars and the chains and the muzzle and he absolutely hated that he had to see his friend like this. Maybe for the last time. "Go, go then," Edwin said finally, his voice breaking. "I shall see you soon, right?" It would have been more effective if his hands weren't still holding Charles in a death grip.

[just_aces]

The truth was she hadn't known, not really, though like Edwin she'd suspected something was up, because Charles had very nearly been a vengeful spirit, only still very much in control of himself, which those on the verge of turning poltergeist -or worse- weren't.

But to her credit she'd known better than to react with surprise, only confirming that yes, the boys were indeed contracted agents of the Lost & Found department before gathering herself and her retinue to collect Charles.

Charles' ears picked up at Edwin's touch, wholly focused on what he was saying, though the order was in opposition to the way Edwin was still clinging to him, and he wasn't sure what to make of that, he didn't think Edwin was waiting for him to do something wrong, but he couldn't be sure, and so for the moment he stayed put, though he'd started trembling, because he'd been given an order, but he wasn't following it, and it was only the Night Nurse's exasperated sigh and terse: "Quick-sticks, let's go, we can't hold up the Department's operations all day for something like this."

Charles looked to her and then back to Edwin before inching himself away from the other ghost, waiting for the retribution he didn't think was actually coming, but couldn't quite shake feeling like it was going to.
The Night Nurse sniffed once at the mess of muzzle and collar and golden halter, shaking her head, "We'll have to do something about this back at the office." It was the closest she could get to kindness, if the Hellhound that was Charles was going to be kept on neutral ground, she was going to make sure there were no undue influences on him while he was there.

Daphne was waiting, holding Charles' backpack to hand it off to Edwin when he left, except that the Hound leaned in to shove his whole snout into one of the straps -as he couldn't exactly catch it with his teeth- though it was enough to startle the young witch into letting go of the bag with a quiet, "Oh, well, I suppose it is yours."

[uptightboy]

As Charles inched away, Edwin slowly let him go. He put his arms around himself for a second, only to turn away as he felt his eyes too filled with tears for safety. He quickly wiped his eyes and followed Charles.

"The bonds stay," Lady Goode warned the Nurse. "Do not tamper with the asset, it needs to stay as it is until the trial."

As Edwin was reaching for the backpack and it being snatched away by Charles he almost laughed.

"I suppose there should be nothing wrong with having it with you," he said quietly. Right, the only thing that could have reminded him of Charles was also taken away. But that was fine. Edwin had all the intention to raid the witches' library and stock up on research and information for years to come. Maybe the week won't be enough for it... or at least he hoped. He hoped to keep occupied and not scream in fear the moment he lost sight of Charles.

[just_aces]

"Not to worry, the bonds will remain." The Night Nurse replied, though there was something icy under her tone that made Charles pretty sure that the actual temperature in the room had dropped, but far from being concerned by that, it was something he recognized, it was something that made him want to smile, though he couldn't quite work out how to do so in the current shape, especially not with the muzzle still tight around his face.

She was careful, however, only to take hold of the halter instead of the collar, not that the iron would do her any damage, but she wasn't going to put the pressure of it against Charles' skin. She gave Edwin another nod even as her assistants once again fell in behind her, giving space for Charles' new bulk between them, "Agent Payne, I will be by your office this evening for closed-case debriefings, as usual." It wasn't that usual, nothing they had a set schedule for, but her tone, as it ever did, brooked no argument.

Another nod to the witches in presence, "M'lady Goode, you know how to contact the Department if needed." That said, she led Charles and her entourage back through the still-open door to the Department, letting Charles stay in view as it closed instead of leading him away immediately.

[uptightboy]

The Lady's mouth became a thin line as she was narrowing her eyes at the Night Nurse. Though, she said nothing back.

Edwin watched as Charles was being led away and knew that this was the right decision. He will be safe there. This was the best-case scenario under the current circumstances. The remark about debriefing was... new, however. But Edwin didn't show any signs of surprise or confusion, he just nodded.

"Indeed, Miss, I shall be there on time," Edwin said, sending a look at the witches. He may have to stay in this mansion but that didn't mean he couldn't go back to the agency when he had important meetings with the Night Nurse daily.

"Charming lady," Lady Goode huffed. "Now, we will start the preparations immediately. Daphne will brief you on the details, detective. Welcome to our humble mansion for the next week. Hopefully less."

"Cannot wait to get acquainted, Lady Goode," Edwin nodded. "But I am looking forward to leaving the most," he added.

[just_aces]

The comment about looking forward to leaving had Daphne biting back another smile, clearly she'd already decided that she liked the two of them, but it was clear where her loyalties lay. But that didn't mean she had to be rude, especially considering that the Lady had appointed her Edwin's chaperone and liaison for the duration, which was clearly going to be a test for her as much as anything else.

She chattered, gently, as she led Edwin off to the guest wing -the east wing of the manor- giving him a brief history of the coven and the area, the sort of thing that was given visiting delegations from other covens. At the foot of the stairs she debated only briefly before moving upstairs instead of down, she knew ghosts didn't necessarily need creature comforts, but felt like a room with a window would do Edwin some good, especially as the view from the upstairs rooms covered a good section of the neighborhood, "Any supplies you need will be provided, within reason, you're a guest here, not a prisoner, though any outings, even just back to your office will be with a chaperone, which will be me, unless the Lady is given any reason to reconsider the appointment."

[uptightboy]

If Edwin was honest he barely paid attention to what Daphne was saying. All he could think about was Charles and if he was alright. Which he was, he knew that. But being away from him... it was difficult. It was also difficult to accept that Charles was truly a creature from Hell. There was no doubt about it anymore. And Edwin felt a little unsure about it all.

When he was led into the room he looked around, mostly to try and gather his thoughts.

"I am a ghost, I do not need much," Edwin remarked, rubbing his fingers as he looked out the window. It was a great look at a prettier part of London. Not unlike the neighborhood he would have grown up in if his family had moved into their city residence. He will request Daphne to grant him access to the library later. And he had no complaints about her visiting the agency with him. As long as the witches were working to bring this horrible case to its end...

[just_aces]

Access to the library and archives wasn't unrestricted, but it was at least at Daphne's clearance level, which as Lady Goode's assistant was relatively high. He couldn't remove anything, even just up to his room, but as Daphne could continue her own administrative work from anywhere in the manor, she was fine staying there with him as long as he liked.

Later that afternoon, she even gently reminded him of his appointment back at the office, which as he couldn't mirror there would take some travel time, and she didn't want him to miss it, as it was -apparently- a standing appointment with the Lost & Found Department.

She was actually a little enamored of the office and everything in it, keeping her hands respectfully to herself, "Oh, you two have been at this for a while." There was something wistful and even a little awed in the tone, though if she had anything else to say it was interrupted by a flare of light around the office door, which swung open and stayed that way, the honey-sepia of the Department behind it as the Night Nurse bustled through with a stack of folders.

Still visible behind her was the Hellhound that was Charles, just laid out on the floor beside her desk, head cushioned on the backpack that was almost invisible under the size of his skull. The muzzle and the collar, as well as the still-glowing rope halter weren't gone, just shifted around a little, into some kind of harness, almost the same as for a working dog, but he was clearly unharmed, if bored.

[uptightboy]

Edwin was used to reading books in far more unconventional places. So he welcomed the library and yes it could take his mind off of things. Although it was a bit weird to have a chaperone. It wasn't like having Charles around. It was more annoying. But if anything had rubbed off on him of Charles was that he was trying to be... less offending with people who couldn't help doing their jobs.

"We are officially partners since 1990," Edwin pointed at the door to their sign, explaining just how long they had been to this.

When the Night Nurse arrived, Edwin was ready to face whatever she wanted. But then he spotted Charles behind her. And everything made sense suddenly. Edwin's throat tightened as he was watching the hound being bored and not in pain. It had only been half a day and he already missed him so much. Edwin had no idea it was going to be this bad.

"Is he alright?" Edwin couldn't help but ask, raising his wide eyes at the nurse.

[just_aces]

"He's well enough, mostly he's slept. A transformation like that is," she paused, well aware that Daphne was there and probably so she could relay information to Lady Goode and the coven, "taxing, especially when one is unprepared for it." She wasn't saying anything untrue, and wasn't explicitly pointing fingers, either.

She set the files on the desk, drawing up a chair because going through with the legitimate reason for her visit was the only way to ensure they could keep doing it, "I expect he'll be back up and getting into everyone's pockets tomorrow. Making a regular nuisance of himself as only he can."

[uptightboy]

Edwin bit at his lower lip, unable to look away from Charles's form. He wasn't angry at the witches anymore. He was only worried. But... but he did feel comforted by the presence of Charles, even if it was through a door. He went to sit by his desk.

"This may take a while, do be prepared," he told Daphne as he sat by his desk, pulling up the notebook he wrote the case notes. He wanted to tell the Nurse to keep Charles safe, to care for him, to give him a ball if he wanted, or to let him roam and run about... But he didn't. He couldn't. The pen in his hand was trembling as he opened his notebook, and looked at Charles again through the door.

He could talk for hours about closed cases if needed. Maybe until the dull ache in his chest got better... Though he wondered if it ever will. If he himself was also muzzled in a way when Charles wasn't there to take that weight off of him.

[just_aces]

The case review in and of itself didn't take long, mostly because the Night Nurse had an innate sense for when something would be obviously stalling for time and when it wouldn't, but she did give a very clear, "Same time tomorrow, then." For Edwin's benefit as much as that of his chaperone, before departing, as if needing to keep up with business as usual was the most important thing even with an impending trial.

The next evening Charles was in the same spot next to the Night Nurse's desk, but he had a young boy leant against his side, apparently fully asleep, one grubby hand curled tight in the fur of his shoulder the other thumb securely in his own mouth. Charles' head was up, ears forward and alert, though he couldn't help the one fitful wave of his tail as he spotted Edwin through the open door.

By the third day -wherein Charles was seen in passing being chased by a girl with a pillowcase cape and a cardboard sword, only to keel over on his back with his feet kicking in the air when she actually managed to poke him with it- Daphne had realized the actual reason for the appointments, but as her instructions were only to report if the hound was brought back to the mortal plane -or if Edwin left the mortal plane- there was nothing wrong as far as she was concerned, and nothing for her to report. That was also the day that the Coven confirmed that Lower Parliament would be available for a full trial and also that the witch was, indeed, still in Hell, and official forms were filed for her conditional appearance at the trial.

[uptightboy]

Even if they didn't start out without hiccups with the Night Nurse, Edwin is terribly thankful for her help. He had no idea what he would have done if he couldn't have checked on Charles from time to time. It was still hard but seeing that Charles was doing well, and somehow returned to himself, even if he was still a hound, could put some ease into Edwin's chest.

The days were long, and slow and no amount of research and reading could make it better. Especially after Daphne and Lady Gooden confirmed that Charles's owner was still around. And wants her hound back. Which could have meant that she would be able to escape Hell. A rare thing to do.

And finally, there was a day appointed for the trial. However, Edwin was warned it may last multiple days due to the sensitivity of the issue. What he also was surprised by was that many others were also summoned as witnesses.

As they walked into the 'courtroom' with Daphne and Lady Goode, Edwin also had to realize that this case was apparently public, or way too many people were allowed to watch from the gallery. The room was huge as if they wanted to shove a smaller arena of some kind in the middle. And it did look like that with all the people watching from the gallery all around. None of this was helping about Edwin's nerves.

"Yes, buckle up detective, this is going to be a bumpy ride," Lady Goode said, taking a drag from her cigarette.

[just_aces]

The night before the trial there was no case review, as anyone who had been summoned as part of the trial -which included the Night Nurse- was meant to have no contact with either Edwin or Charles' original owner for a minimum of twenty-four hours just to make sure no information could be passed along that would aid either party.

The witch, still referring to herself as the Duchess Nocturna -not that she'd ever held an actual title- was accompanied by a pair of Hell's finest, or at the very least their least-busy, as her release was conditional, only for as long as the trial lasted, the only difference was that if she 'won', Charles would be returned to Hell with her.

Edwin, of course, had the Coven behind him, represented by the Lady Goode and Daphne, both smartly dressed.

While Charles, with the chain and muzzle as well as Edwin's glowing halter-rope returned to the way they'd been, with the latter cushioning the potential damage from the former, was kept in view of all parties, one of the Department's actuaries at his side, as the Night Nurse had received a summons and was no longer considered a neutral party even though the Department as a whole was. The circle he was in wasn't fully-glowing, but was still enough to keep him from jumping anyone, not that he seemed like he was going to, sitting straight, alert and aware and, perhaps most surprisingly, sporting Charles' trademark compass-star earring low on his left ear.

The gallery was an impressive collection of the London supernatural community, ghosts, shapeshifters vampires, and other curious parties and the whole thing was being presided over by Old Bailey himself, an impressive, gaunt figure in his magistrate's wig and robes. He raised both hands for silence before commencing, "It isn't often that we here in the Lower Parliament see the return of a case handled by others, but it isn't unheard of. Though the time passed since the initial case is... impressive." His voice was resonant in a way that made him easy to hear and understand even despite the size of the room, "Lady Goode, if your Coven's historian could relate the reasons for and outcome of your Coven's case against the Duchess, as a reminder for myself and the council?"

[uptightboy]

There were so many people. So many. All with the ability to see ghosts. Edwin had to realize that this may have been the first time that he was being witnessed by this many pairs of eyes since he died. His knees were shaking by the time they reached their designated spot on one end of the room. But the sight of Charles calmed him a little, especially the little dangling earring. It definitely wasn't there when they parted the last time, which was curious, Edwin wondered.

Once again, Edwin had to realize how much he had come to rely on Charles. He missed his presence from next to him, missed seeing his back in front of him as the other shielded him from everything and anything... Especially as he had to look at a witch from Hell, with two demons occupying her. The whole room smelled like the stairs of Hell, and Edwin could have sworn he could feel cold.

"Certainly, Your Honor," Lady Goode answered and motioned to one of the ladies accompanying them. Edwin had heard some of the things the trial was about but listening to the full list of what went down about thirty years before was... a lot. Calling the Duchess's work dark arts didn't even come close to what she was actually up to. Necromancy was one of the main things and the reason she was caught in the first place. Apparently, there was a taboo against using such powers on a dead witch, but Duchess Nocturna had no problem with it. Murder, torture, illegal summoning, sacrifices of the most horrid kind, that was all Duchess Nocturna. Edwin felt sick by the time the historian got to the conclusion of the trial all those years ago. Execution by being burned alive and all her possessions taken. The Hound kept separate as it was already too risky to send it back to Hell with its bonds being still so tight with its owner. The Hound was supposed to be human for a while, and the Coven had left it to Death to deal with it once its time would come. But he ran away and that complicated things.

Edwin licked his lips looking at Charles once the old trial's reminder was done. Knowing what kind of owner he had just made his heart break more. And it made him scared for their future too.