sixwordstories | (no subject)

Ah, Chicago! Great city. *grin* 'Specially during the epidemic of 1913. Great year.

I wasn't around then... were you? What was it like? *a beat* Why was it especially great then?

ooc: With the risk of repeating another mun... SQUEE!!! Ahem. Now I must rewatch the film too.

Yeah, babes. All them deadbeats ready for the takin'. Business was boomin'.

ooc: BJ proposes that we all have a sleepover and watch the film together. *faceplam*

Your business involves people's deaths? How so, what is that you do? *see that fire in her eyes? That's curiosity for you. Hey, this girl works for the Department of Mysteries... THAT? is too good to pass up!*

ooc: ... That idea is too tantalisingly tempting to actually explain. *so would wish* Aye, that wouldn't be bad at all. lol! *cheers*

Hold on, got a card 'round here somewhere. *digs through his pockets, dropping various items on the ground. Eyeball, miniature tennis racket, travel-size 'Handbook for the Recently Deceased', snake ...*

Ah hah! Here ya go! *hands her the dusty card, one side of it singed black, having clearly been a casualty in a fire at some point. It reads, 'Betelgeuse: Bio-Exorcist'.*

ooc: Don't encourage him! *G*

*his inventory might have startled just about anybody. But NOT Rose Weasley, related to the owners of the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, thank you! Although she does stoop to pick up the book and leafs through it* This is... interesting.

*blinks and takes up the card* You... exorcise spirits from living creatures? *frowns* Their own spirits?

ooc: LMAO ok... if he's up to some continent-hopping. Alas, unlike my muse, moving around isn't THAT easy.

Huh? Hey! *snatches The Handbook from her* You wanna get me in trouble or somethin'?

*shakes head* You got it backwards, babes.

ooc: He probably would be, haha. Next think you know, he'll be perving from behind your mirror.

Why? Is it something you should not have? I've known a few ghosts, really, and a poltergeist. And a few people who've actually returned from being dead. I don't think any of them have mentioned such a handbook, but it makes sense. *a bit doubtful* Maybe none of them got to really reading it...

Hmm? Would you care to explain?

ooc: *giggles* Man, that would be interesting!

No, it's somethin' you shouldn't have. Dead guys only, babes. *shrug* Prob'ly not. Ain't the easiest thing to read.

I get livin' things outta dead people. See?

Well I don't have it. *gives him a look* So... what kind of dead are you? You look more substantial than a ghost.

*narrows her eyes at him* I think you need to give me more information in order to see... like, examples could help? *no, resisting a good mystery? Upset, broken, running away... don't matter. She just cannot resist.*

You aren't s'posed to read it neither. You get your copy when you bite the big one.

Poltergeist, babes.

An example? Alright. You're dead and say you've got a century of haunting to get through. Wanna change your tenants? You call me up. Do ya get it? I help the dead get rid of the livin'.

*eyebrows quirk sceptically* Well just... if you want me not to read something, keep it hidden. It's not like I even do it on purpose, it's a reflex. *shrugs* Besides, that is interesting. Considering that I work with prophecies and ... other items connected with the line between living and dying, as often as not... Well, I don't think it will hold that much of a shock for me.

*half-winces, well, Peeves is... still up to his usual tricks and she's not TOO fond of him* Should've guessed.

*bemused* Huh. I do get it, actually. D'you get a lot of work? *can't help herself, really can't* And what do you charge? And how does one call on you? Just in case I encounter a ghost who wants that, mind you. Though most of the ones I know are rather content living where they do, with all of the professors and students. Not necessarily with all the remaining ghosts, mind you, but no issues with the living ones.

... Prophecies, huh? *shrug* Maybe not until you've crossed over, babes.

*frowns a little* What's that supposed to mean?

Hey, what is this? Twenty Questions? *snaps his fingers and a pile of flyers advertising, 'Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse' rains down on her* That's all you need to know, babes.

Maybe. I've people to ask about that. And ghosts. And another poltergeist. *she actually slightly smirked* Using the Bloody Baron against Peeves was something my cousin James perfected... And I learn my lessons well. I shall be asking.

Well poltergeists are ... you have a certain... air about you. And you think you're undefeatable. *shrugs* As if people will try to beat you. Simple spells manage to counfound you and the effect can be pretty amusing.

*catches a flyer* So... what's the question to which your name is the answer? *come on. Know-it-all have to get around to procuring information somehow, right?*

*grins, if a little darkly* Then you've been dealin' with second-rate poltergesits, babes. You just try usin' your little spells on me.

How you call me and what I charge.

*shrugs* I wouldn't, not unless I needed to. And, well. One day if you drop in on Hogwarts, you can give Peeves a try and see if he is indeed second-rate. *a beat* You might be right.

*eyes narrow* Well if I have ghosts acquaintances who need a bio-exorcist, I'll keep it in mind. Or do you have something you do for those who aren't ghosts yet too?

*busies himself with conjuring a cigarette and a lighter, puts it between his lips* Hmph. Might do that. Give the guy a lesson in scare.

*takes a drag, exhales slowly* Whatcha gettin' at, babes?

Do. I'm sure he'll enjoy the company. *a beat, but to be fair* Just don't forget... he plays dirty and knows the castle probably better than anyone. And the castle may sometimes join his efforts, if considered appropriate.

*doesn't quite choke, hey, she's smoked too, just twists her mouth, but there is a spell to get the smell out of her hair and robes, so...* Just curious, you know. I mean, I'm not a ghost, and fascinating as that book seemed to be, I'm not overly eager to trip over, not for the next century or so. So I was just asking, is getting living people away from ghosts' haunts all that you do. And, does it pay reasonably?

*grins, only a little manically* That sounds like a challenge to me, babes.

*holds the ciagrette between his lips and open his jacket again, fishing out The Handbook. Takes the cigarette, and casually scratches at his cheek with the same hand, studying the cover* Hmm, I guess. And I'd love to give it to ya babes, but next thing I know, you're out there exorcising unsuspectin' ghosts and whatnot. *small shudder* Ugh. It ain't pretty, let me tell ya. *Fishing much?*

Nah, I'm what you might call a Netherworld handyman, babes. I can do any job, just that this - *gives the flyers on the floor a small kick* - is my specialty. As for how it pays ... Let's just say it gets me by.

Hmm, well. Maybe it is. *see, growing up among and watching over 40+ cousins and siblings... has its benefits* I think you'd find Hogwarts... interesting. *and will probably run away from the madness there - screaming. Try hiding in there, with all the portraits tracking you!*

*holds her chin in her palm* Mmm, I don't know. There was that one who was terribly unkind to poor Nearly-Headless Nick... I might consider HIM. *squints back at Betelegeuse* But maybe not. See, witches and wizards have lived reasonably at peace with ghosts for centuries. I wouldn't dream of disturbing any of 'em. *eyebrow quirks* Of course, I'd only want to read it, not even own it, since you probably need it a lot. *... BOOKS!!!*

Have you ever considered a more permanent employment, or does a freelancer just suit you better? Oh, sorry, asking again... but still. Hogwarts has a ghost teaching... *well, he's an exception, technically, but still, a fact*

*grins* Sounds irresistible, babes.

Hey, don't even kid about it. It's not funny. Like me talkin' about scoopin' you're stomach out with a spoon while you're asleep ... or somethin'. *flips nonchalantly through the first few pages* Nah, I don't need it. This is for the recently deceased.

Not unless you're makin' me an offer. *grin*

*nods* Oh that it is.

*tilts head ~~just trying to read upside down the fast-moving pages~~* One may wonder... what kind of exchange would be reasonable for something like that... I mean, I wouldn't ... use it, as such.

Well. I was just... suggesting possibilities. Getting by is not the same as doing well, and doing well is not quite the same as being well-off...

*snaps it shut* Oh, I dunno about that. It could get me into a lot of trouble, an' I mean a lot so ...

*frowns* ... This better not be some charity deal. I don't need it. I've got everythin' I ever wanted an' more.