this night, walk the dead in a solitary style (for Lara)

[doublethepain]

Spencer doesn't have many choices in the way of clothing when it comes to digging up the local cemetery. This certainly isn't something he's ever done before, nor is it something he ever thought he would do but for reasons he still can't quite explain to himself, here he is. He's dressed in the closest to all black as he could manage--his coat is a little too big for him but it always has been, it had been an early birthday gift from his mother before she'd died--and equipped with a messenger bag full of books and a shovel.

It's getting to be dark out and he can't see anyone else around but he feels more out of place than usual as he waits for Lara.



He has no idea whether they'll actually find this supposed spellbook they're looking for but the thought that it might really exist has Spencer rocking on his heels, buzzing with nerves and excitement. He just hopes that they don't get caught.

Comments

[asharpertongue]

Somewhere deep down a knot of tension unwinds and Lara smiles, glad her friend is still that and that he doesn't think she's a monster.

She huffs a laugh and shakes her head. "I think we need witches for this one. But we can study it at least. Forewarned and all that."

[doublethepain]

"You know, it turns out I know a few more witches than I thought I did," he tells her with a wry smile. "It almost seems like I'm really the only non-mystical person left in this town."

He knows that's not true, couldn't possibly be, but even if it was, he's not sure he'd mind it all too much. It's a valuable thing, he's realizing, not to have to go about life hiding who he really is.

[asharpertongue]

She snorts a laugh. "The Thorntons would argue that intensely." It's interesting to have this freedom with Spencer now. She can tell him all kinds of things she wouldn't have before.

She looks at him sidelong. "So who else do you know or suspect of witchcraft or being another species?"

[doublethepain]

He supposes that's not news to him, considering all he knows about the rivalry and the subsequent curse. Still, it's strange how different his outlook is now that he knows as much as he does--which he suspects isn't very much at all, though he hopes that will change.

He meets her eyes, his own widening a bit at the question, and he shrugs. "Is this the part where I'm supposed to shake my head and act like I have no idea? Because if people are trying to keep things like that a secret, I wouldn't want to betray anyone's trust. Unless you already know everything there is to know about anyone, which I wouldn't put past you, by the way."

[asharpertongue]

Lara chuckles. "You're not far wrong. I know a lot of secrets but I'm very good at keeping them." She waved a hand. "Riley and Val say I should write names down, give it to them to spell and keep it safe, but that feels dangerous."

[doublethepain]

Spencer finds it just a little amusing that Lara has simultaneously claimed to be able to keep secrets while at the same time revealing Riley and her sister's involvement in the whole matter. He'd already known about Riley, she'd given him a glimpse of what she can do, but he hadn't thought about what that might mean for Valeria Jung. Lara has as good as confirmed that Valer--Val--is a witch, too, and Spencer supposes it makes well enough sense.

"Keeping all the names in one place certainly comes with some risk, if the wrong people were ever to get their hands on it," Spencer agrees. "Besides, I imagine there are some people who don't want to be found out, not even by other witches or sirens."

[asharpertongue]

The little smile from Spencer at the mention of Riley was quickly followed by surprise at the mention of Val and she realised she'd accidentally outed her friend. She cursed herself inwardly. God damn mist, throwing her off her game.

"You're right. Plenty of people. Better to keep it all in my head I think." She smiled at him. "And I realise I just messed up there. Please keep Val's situation to yourself until she or her sister mention it. They won't mind you knowing but...just in case."

[doublethepain]

The nod he gives her is earnest, understanding, and he wouldn't have dared to even dream of talking to anyone else about the Jung sisters' abilities to anyone out of this car. He doesn't even really know who he'd tell, after all; the only other person he talk to consistently is Cosette, and he's not sure how much she knows.

"Don't worry, Lara, your secrets are all safe with me." She knows that, he thinks, and it's why she had been so quick to tell him the truth about herself. She could have passed it off as a trick of the mind, a strange effect of the mist, but she hadn't. "Having you be the one to tell me these things, it's-- well, it's helpful. I'm not sure how well I'd have taken it from someone I respected less."