She's got the devil inside

[neurotoxicity]

Who;Ivy, Mirror!Ivy, + YOU!
What; Running in the mirrorverse, Mirror!Ivy network post, and Mirror!Ivy around Aterat.
Where; Mirrorverse, market, tavern, network
When;Throughout the event.
Warnings; None so far, will update if things come up.
A. Mirror Mirror on the Wall

[ There were whispers. They prickled her ears and Ivy had easily traced them to the...mirror? A reflection should be a normal occurrence, it shouldn't be something that causes any sort of fear, and the image Ivy saw of herself chilled her to the bone. Instead of her own eyes she was met only with blackness and as she reached out it smirked revealing teeth longer than her own fangs. A touch was all it took for her to be transported to the Mirrorverse.

Where she was almost immediately met with a voice she had never wanted to hear again. A voice that she'd gone what seemed to be eons without hearing. The voice of her Master. ]

Ivy, girl, you have no idea how good it is to see you.

[ Whether or not it was really him didn't matter to Ivy. The only thing that mattered was getting away. The creature that wore the face of someone she knew was taller than Ivy, he had an imposing figure, an Egyptian cast to his features like a sort of ancient pharaoh, and a balding head. Fear rose up inside Ivy as she tried to finger for her cross as if it could protect her from him of all people.

She fell as he came closer and tried to scramble back. How pathetic that she was just scrambling like a frightened child. How completely pathetic. ]

B. Undead in the City (Mirrorverse!Ivy)

[ The Mirror version of Ivy on the other hand was having a wonderful time. Anyone who might be familiar with Ivy will note that she hasn't come out of the green building before complete sundown in days. However, once the sun has fully set she can always be seen out and about. There's more confidence to her walk than her old self ever had. Or perhaps arrogance was a better way of phrasing it. It was obvious by the way she simply pushed aside the natives that she had no concern for them in the slightest. In her own mind they weren't actually people. At the very best they were human and those were barely worth giving a second glance to.

For the most part, she makes her way through the market each night seeming to be in search of something very specific. Eventually, she finds her way to the Tavern where she seems vaguely disgusted. The heels of her boots clicked loudly as she took a seat with an exasperated sigh. ]

Give me whatever you consider your best drink. I feel like being amused. [ And so she'd wait, impatiently drumming her fingers on the table. She had no hope she'd be impressed. ]

C. Network (Mirrorverse!Ivy)

[ The Ivy that comes on the screen has fully black eyes and was distinctly lacking that silver cross she so often wore. Her expression was one of boredom plain and simple. When she speaks there's a silky edge to her voice, one that holds a quality of just being on the edge of flirtation. ]

I've found the local tavern somewhat...lacking. [ She rolls a shoulder and quirks a lip in a small smile. ] So, I've been thinking of starting my own little place. A small pizzeria where only the best is served. The best pizza, the best wine, and only for the best people. Sound fun?

[ She thinks it does. ] Maybe we could even add something a little more...spicy to the mix. [ Though that might be harder to do. ] If there's anyone out there that might want a job, I'll be looking. Just let me know your species and talents before. [ The most important part of course. ]

Have a lovely night.

Comments

B. Undead in the City (Mirrorverse!Ivy)

[gadaboutdetective]

[ Llewellyn had taken one look at the mirror that appeared in his house where it certainly hadn’t belonged, checked with his husband to see if he’d purchased and moved it in while he was at work, then put as much distance between it and himself as deemed sensible. They would talk about it later, undoubtedly, but for now he was going to get a small drink while he waited for the other to get off from work. He stopped into at the usual tavern he found that was the perfect distance between work, the shop, and home.

And, seeing his friend Ivy and unable to see her eyes from his current vantage point, he does what he usually does. Which was walking across the tavern and sit down in the neighbouring seat, plopping his hat on the counter and gesturing to the barkeep to bring him the usual. Smiling as he noted the almost impatience in Ivy as she drummed on the counter. ]

Evening, Ivy. They uh- forget to bring you your order or is there something on your mind?

[neurotoxicity]

[ Llewellyn was logical. Probably the smartest of them all. Ivy would probably have told him he was smarter than the rest of them if she wasn't...undead. Undead and unable to even find a tiny speck of concern for humans. They were just so easily broken and short lived. The idea that the other Ivy actually cared about them was just appalling. Really, it was better for her to be in the mirror world while this Ivy was out here. Less of an embarrassment for their kind.

She turned slowly to the man, her eyes still blacker than they should be, and gave him an exasperated expression. This was one of those friends of the other. Could she just play it off? It'd been too long since she'd needed to act human that she'd almost forgotten how. ]

Evening. [ Her voice was strange, more sultry than usual, and certainly with less friendliness than Ivy might usually give a friend. ] They seemed confused about my request.

[gadaboutdetective]

[ Llewellyn would debate that idea, if it came up… But for now? He was a little more focused on his friend who definitely… Did not seem like herself based on the look cast his way alone. He paused as she spoke, brow furrowing lightly and brows rising for a moment before settling. He was, at the very least, observant of details and between her eyes and her voice, there was something very different about Ivy. ]

Mm… What was your request?

[ He started, tilting his head slightly as he wondered if he should ask about her eyes. He wanted more information, first, though. ]

[neurotoxicity]

[ At long last the bar keep brought a drink with the facial expression of someone terrified of having gotten it wrong. The look on her expression as she glanced over what he brought definitely gave him the impression he hadn't gotten it right and so he scrambled off. ]

What he considers the best drink he can make. [ She sounded vaguely disappointed and yet with a slight tilt of boredom. ]

[gadaboutdetective]

[ Propping his chin up with a hand, he considers her overall demeanor again as he watched the exchange between the poor barkeep and his friend… ]

And you’ve, uh- decided it’s subpar before you’ve even had a sip?

[ Though, even he knew that taverns weren’t always known for quality so much as a companionable atmosphere and plenty of what they had to drink. It was still only an observation.

Finally, the detective has to ask. ]

You don’t really seem like yourself; you know. Is it really the alcohol or… has something else happened?

[ If it weren’t for her eyes, he’d ask if it was another poorly gone meeting with Harry again. ]

[neurotoxicity]

I decided it was subpar when I came in. [ She rolled her wrist to gesture around the place. ] It's not exactly the place you'd take someone for a good date. [ Or for anything. Ignore the fact that the actual Harry had taken the actual Ivy here before. That would be an absolutely disgusting thought for her to have. ]

Besides, I could smell what he was adding. [ And she hadn't liked the mix at all. Then again, asking anyone to give you what they enjoyed was almost setting them up for failure. That was the joke. At least it was a joke to her. ]

Quaint how he tried though. [ Humans and their trying. So exhausting. She turned her head to face him slowly and blinked with pupils that were just a little bit too big and then laughed. ]

Alcohol stopped having an affect on me a long time ago. But, to answer your nosy inquiry, no, nothing has happened.

[gadaboutdetective]

[ So the disappointing drink wasn’t it, and nothing happened… Presumably. His brow wrinkled lightly at her expression again, before turning and taking a sip of his drink. ]

I suppose I was being a bit nosy, but you, uh- should be used to that by now.

[ He commented absentmindedly, turning details he knew about Ivy over in his head. Then the details concerning the day’s events. Glancing sidelong again, Llewellyn wondered if he was about to get himself in trouble again for poking someone a little too much again… It’s not hard for the detective to develop the hypothesis ‘Weird mirrors with weird reflections showing up = my friends is not acting like themselves.’ ]

And you know I only do because you’re a friend and I was a little concerned, given the difference in your mood.

[neurotoxicity]

Should I? [ She tilts her head in an eerily slow motion. ] Does being used to it mean I have to accept it?

[ Here she'd thought those were two completely different things. Alas, it seems not everyone got the memo. ]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. There's no difference in my mood. [ Which was...arguably true. For this Ivy her mood was pretty normal. ]

[gadaboutdetective]

Mm… Perhaps not, but that doesn’t stop the other person from being concerned.

[ He eyed her as she continued, a frown slowly creeping across his face. ]

Alright, well… I’ve never seen the barkeep that nervous around you before, nor have I ever seen you set him up for failure. Sure, the drinks are subpar, but usually we meet here, anyway. And… Your eyes are not the eyes I’m used to seeing.

[ He finally came out and said it. Probably not a good move… But Llewellyn never made good decisions when he was concerned about someone. ]

c. Network

[harrythelizard]

[He has a sour feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watches her speak, frowning as she continues. He's reminded of the Red Court, when their flesh mask starts to slip and you can see the bloodshirsty demon yearning to get out, the animal they keep caged most of the time.

What he doesn't see is Ivy. Sure, it's a video screen, but there's not even a trace of her. Maybe he could know for sure if they met up.]

Hey, didn't Piscary run a pizzeria? I thought you hated that guy.

[neurotoxicity]

Why would I ever hate him after all he's given me?

[harrythelizard]

[Yeah, he'd known better than to believe this was anything good.]

I can see that. The porcelain complexion, and I love what he's done with your eyes.

[neurotoxicity]

Is there a problem?

[harrythelizard]

You just look like you've come over a little dead this morning.

[neurotoxicity]

Again, is there a problem with that?

[harrythelizard]

Yeah, and if you can't see that problem, then I know exactly what you've been afraid of.

[neurotoxicity]

I've never been afraid of this. I've always wanted it. I was chosen for it.

A. Mirror Mirror on the Wall

[walksbeside]

[This version of Harry tended to stay near the borders of their strange, ethereal world. It was there, he was sure of it, they would find a way to escape whatever being had been powerful enough to bind them to this place. Still, he made regular patrols of the city, or what passed was one here, and so he was close by when the sounds of panicked retreat caught his attention.

Ah, the empathic vampire spirits were hunting something again, were they? There weren't many things he hated more than the parasites that infested this place. If it weren't for them, it might even be pleasant with how easily this place shifted to bent will. It must have been a newcomer.

He stepped around a corner deftly, ebony staff leading, the crystal atop it, clutched in gnarled branches that looked almost like melted wax, shined with a dark light that did little to pierce the hanging gloom of the place. Magical energy wavered in nearly invisible ripples around the shaft of his weapon as he channeled his will through the dark wood. Unlike the weakling beyond the mirrors who wore his face, no words were needed as he swung the arcane weapon, releasing a wave of concentrated force on the spirit stalking Ivy, sending it flying with ease out into the oppressive darkness. He didn't hear it hit anything before it disappeared from view.

He turned in her direction, then, confident and maybe a bit excited. Violence always got his blood flowing. He was more fashionable than the weakling as well, his hair was neatly trimmed and combed, with a short-cropped beard he seemed to pull off well. His clothing was well-made and matched, and he sported a knee length black leather coat that was stylish rather than painfully western.

When he actually saw her, though, his smiled turned to something more akin to curiosity, though the excitement never wavered.]

You're from the other side. This is interesting. Sorry for the trouble with the leeches. They'll sink their teeth into anything they can scare.

[neurotoxicity]

[ It was Harry but it certainly wasn't the Harry she knew. He looked ever so slightly different (perhaps a bit...better if she were honest) and his scent was...stronger? Was that what she was picking up on? It was more defined, more sharp, and just a bit more...confident? It was hard to place as her own rush of fear and adrenaline had overwhelmed her.

She stood and straightened herself up, trying to give the illusion of being calm and composed though she imagined the display he had witnessed pretty much ensured that'd just be an illusion. ]

Thanks. [ She arched an eyebrow at his question, still obviously on edge despite him having scared off the fake specter of Piscary. ] Other side? What is this?

[walksbeside]

The pleasure was mine. [He tended to look for chances for violence in this place of gloom. There wasn't much else to fill the days, after all.] In more ways than one.

This, [He motioned around, at the looming missed and the oppressive darkness.] Is the world beyond your mirrors. That is how you came here, isn't it? Saw something like you, but not, you touched the glass and here you are?

[His eyes moved over her, pausing for a moment at the chain peeking out from under her collar, then moving back to her eyes for a brief moment before focusing on the bridge of her nose. If he allowed his wizard senses to pierce the veil and peer at her soul, what she may see wrapped tightly around his would inevitably drive her insane. It was just rude for a first meeting.]

You're much less dead than I'm familiar with, and living proof the soul really is important to keep around.

[neurotoxicity]

Is that-- [ she stopped herself as she noticed she'd taken a step closer to him. This Harry wasn't right and she'd made that mistake once before. Control yourself. Ignore his pressure. Ignore the memories of pleasure. Ignore the memories of Piscary. Ignore that she'd wanted to go to him despite how afraid she'd been. Why was she so weak?

She folded her arms across her chest defensively. ] Yeah, that's how I got here. [ By being stupid evidently. For just a moment she caught his eyes before they both seemed to dart away. Perhaps for different reasons, but the result was the same ultimately. ]

Less dead than you're familiar with? Then that was real? That thing exists? [ Some version of her with eyes that looked like her mother and her master? That was...unsettling. ]

[walksbeside]

[A small smirk touched his lips at her advance. He may have been a host for an otherworldly entity, but he still had mortal desires and Ivy was very good at inspiring him to react to them. He had to say, the addition of a pulse certainly helped, not that the sheer hunger of the undead creature she would become wasn't alluring, but warmth spoke for something.]

Of course it does. Isn't it inevitable? [Just like this, this elevated form of existence of his was inevitable, no matter how much that weak wizard on the other wise wanted to resist the pull.

He Who Walks Beside is.]

[neurotoxicity]

[ Something about the smirk unnerved her, but she resisted the urge to take a step away. Instead she just kept her arms crossed while she watched him both carefully and curiously. ]

I'm hoping not for a while. [ Actually, she'd been hoping not at all. But he was right: it was inevitable and being reminded of it from him stung. ]

[walksbeside]

Oh, so am I. Of the two, you are definitely the preferable one. She can be...well, predictable. Without a soul, there's only so many ways to pursue enjoyment, aren't there, and are you really even enjoying anything?

[He rolled his shoulder in a shrug, taking a step toward her, leading with that strange, blackened staff of his. The lopsided smirk is Harry's, but the mischief in his eyes is alien.]

They are some of the most underrated and powerful tools in existence, mortal souls, though I suppose you are a rare exception. You undoubtedly know the value of yours.

[neurotoxicity]

Undead vampires are anything but predictable. [ At least Piscary wasn't. If he was, things would have been a lot easier. But they were so manipulative in the ways they went about things that predicting them seemed impossible at times. Impossible and terrible.

She took a step back as he took a step forward and looked away from him. That smile wasn't one she wanted to look at too long. And yet... ]

And I'd do anything to keep my soul the way it is.