![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The beach was a wonderful place to go fishing. Early in the morning when no one else was around to disturb or startle the catch, all you had to do was wait. You put your bait in the water and just wait.
Normally Joseph preferred to do a bit more scouting and research before he fished, but desperate times called for semi-desperate measures. So far everything in town had gone as well as could be expected and he didn't imagine it would change anytime soon. Not that he would be here much longer.
Joseph just needed one more catch, a few days to prepare it, and then he would be on his way. Speaking of catches, he adjusted his glasses as he glanced down the beach, noticing someone coming this way. Making sure he looked properly disheveled; wispy hair blowing in the wind and his tattered robe loosely tied about his waist, he stumbled a bit aimlessly as he blinked owlishly as he looked around.
"Hello?" he called out. "Hello? William, where are you? William, is that you?"
Normally Joseph preferred to do a bit more scouting and research before he fished, but desperate times called for semi-desperate measures. So far everything in town had gone as well as could be expected and he didn't imagine it would change anytime soon. Not that he would be here much longer.
Joseph just needed one more catch, a few days to prepare it, and then he would be on his way. Speaking of catches, he adjusted his glasses as he glanced down the beach, noticing someone coming this way. Making sure he looked properly disheveled; wispy hair blowing in the wind and his tattered robe loosely tied about his waist, he stumbled a bit aimlessly as he blinked owlishly as he looked around.
"Hello?" he called out. "Hello? William, where are you? William, is that you?"
no subject
Date: 2014-06-19 09:06 pm (UTC)And the man keeps talking. The man is responding. If this is anything like her movies, her tv shows, the more he monologues the more time she can postpone any inevitable horrors. She has to keep the connection. Her charisma flows out of her like pheromones, in an odd way it's a relief after bottling it up for so long.
"Joseph? I'm Corrine. Corrine Flynn. I grew up along the beaches where you found me. But I don't think I've ever seen you before. Are you from Siren Cove?"
Just keep talking. Keep him talking. After the binding, the desperate struggle, the dragging in that godforsaken bag, there's an odd and terrifying tranquility in the exchange of words. Is this the calm before the storm or after?
She worries at any moment its all going to break. That she'll lose her nerve. That she will break down. That this moment of calm will break. She just wants to see Leslie again. And Lou. And Alfie and Lara and even friggin Riley Jung and the librarian and that man Joel she dumped her muffins on and the muffin maker and everyone that is safe and away from this and goddamn it maybe even her mother. and it shocks her that this is on her mind over Hollywood. God damn it why did she ever leave there? She was supposed to be safe here. Her jaw starts the shake and a tear escapes. Only one. But even that is too much. The dam will break at any moment.
"W-what else do you do? W-what do you like to do?"
no subject
Date: 2014-06-19 10:20 pm (UTC)"And I like to read. There's nothing quite like a good book. I'm rather fond of those new e-readers, hundreds upon hundreds of books at your fingertips in such a tiny space. Truly marvelous."
He can't remember the last time one of his victims asked him about himself. More evidence that she was special, that she was unique. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would be worth keeping around past this. Heaven knew his partner was not decent conversation.
"What about you? What do you like to do?"
no subject
Date: 2014-06-20 01:02 am (UTC)And Les. She swore she'd never leave him again. She can't. She can't. She swore to herself she'd befriend Riley. Promised Lou she would reach out to her parents again one day. That she'd have the chance to make Lara proud. This can't end here. Oh god, is this where it ends!?? She knows she's about to hyperventilate. She's forgetting her poise. She can't. She has to play the part. Damn it. She can not fall apart. She has to be the great Corrine Flynn once more; not the mess she's become.
Then his words start registering. Books. Reading. Asking about her. The shift in his eyes from desolate cold to something of interest. She has to keep up the act. And this - she can work with. "I'm an entertainer." Not an actress. He might be suspicious of that. "I'm a storyteller. A performer." She silences her mind and looks straight into him. "I bring things to life." Take that. you killer. Monster! She wants to spit in his face. But she smiles, instead. Soft, interested. Everything that says she wants to hear more of what he has to say.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-20 08:28 pm (UTC)Joseph meant it, he did, but there was no doubt that his capacity to truly find anything lovely was terribly diminished. He had little interest in movies and music, though authors were storytellers of a sort. Perhaps he could have her write a book for him, a new story that was only his. Yes, yes, that is what he'd do.
"I'm sure that we kind find a way for you to make use of your talents. It would be a terrible waste otherwise."
no subject
Date: 2014-06-20 09:18 pm (UTC)"Your books. I could bring your books to life. Read them aloud, perform them. Give you the stories like you've never had before. Give you your own stories..." The words sound pitiful when they escape her. She realizes. She's clinging to glass straws. But his eyes still look at her with interest. She is no longer just idle prey. Corrine starts to hum the melody again. Makes it seem casual, like she's doing it for herself. To calm herself. Not to lull him to her graces. It's a game of survival and she is not some field mouse. But the melody takes her by surprise when she recognizes it. When the notes start to connect. 'My Funny Valentine'. That, here. That being the song deep and surrounding him. It is twisted in a way she can't fathom.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-20 10:32 pm (UTC)"But new stories, written or performed just for me, that might be worthwhile. A modern day Arabian Nights, so to speak."