voice; @elena » open

[otrazhenie]

Has anyone found a way to burn things yet?

[ The voice that comes over the network is clearly exhausted, an almost husky rasp to the words that are slightly muffled, as if her mouth might be covered by a layer of fabric. ]

Because I'd love to get rid of these damn flowers and burning them sounds really cathartic right now.

[ She sounds weary, frustrated, and a little bit sick. And for good reason: one of the perks of being a vampire is an enhanced sense of smell. ]

Alternatively, are there any magic users out there who could set up a ward or something to keep this smell out?

Comments

@hello, voice

[lunchbreaks]

Hello, Elena. Does regular fire not work? I believe it is still hot, even if it doesn't emit light. Otherwise there are several perfumes that might mask the scent, though I'm not sure if that would give you more of a headache.

If it helps, I think they are only supposed to bloom for two days.

[otrazhenie]

The lanterns are warm but not burning hot like they should be, so I figured fire is as messed up as healing here.

I'm willing to try anything at this point, it smells so bad in my room it's making me sick.

[ It takes a lot for her to admit that, to even make this call for help. But no one here is likely to really understand that. ]

[lunchbreaks]

I can come over with several strong perfumes for you to try. It's certainly not ideal, but if it's only meant to last a day or two...

[otrazhenie]

That... I'd actually really appreciate that, thank you.

action

[lunchbreaks]

Yes, I'll only be a moment.

[ About twenty minutes later, there's a knock on the door. ]

[otrazhenie]

[ After sending him her room number at the inn, Elena just... waits. Lying on the short couch in her living area, feeling more nauseated than she ever had in her life, each minute crawls by like an hour... So it's with gusto that she answers the door when there's finally a knock, recognizing the man on the other side from the church repairs despite never properly speaking with him.

She looks worse for wear, bruises covering her shoulders beneath the straps of her tank top and a bandage on her upper left arm, but there's still a cordial smile on her face. ]

Hi. I'm Elena.

[lunchbreaks]

Elena.

[ He quickly closes the door behind him in case she can smell the flowers from out there. ]

I'm Aziraphale. It's nice to meet you.

I brought--

[ He takes out a large satchel that seems to be full of nice-smelling perfumes and room sprays and fabreeze from the general store. ]

--And, ah--

[ He takes out a pack of surgical masks. ]

[otrazhenie]

[ Even in the bag, she can smell hints of the fragrances inside, and peeking in just lets more of the scents waft out. They're overpowered by the stench of the flowers that she can smell even inside, but maybe with the masks he's brought... ]

Thank you, Aziraphale. This is... [ She shakes her head and offers him a grateful smile. ] This is really great.

[lunchbreaks]

I hope so. I don't want you to get a bigger headache from all this--

--Ah!

[ He does take out a couple cans of gel beads he found at the store which proclaim to be odor neutralizing, as well as a small bottle of advil. Just in case. ]

I know how bad it can get from the smell.

[ He lived through uh, pretty smelly parts of human history. ]

[otrazhenie]

[ Her smile broadens and she even laughs, though it's not cruel or overly amused. One of those grateful laughs where you're not quite sure how else to express that seed of happiness within yourself at the generosity of another person. ]

I'm sure something will help. Where did you find all of this?

[lunchbreaks]

Oh, the store. Don't worry, there's plenty left on the shelves, and I assume you'll be returning product once the smell dies down.

[ Which - yes he probably got some nasty looks for hoarding perfume at a time like this but, you know. He's still feeling guilty and he's got a lot to make up for. ]