paradisalost | (no subject)

Who: Jacob Black & Abel Nightroad
What: Talking about freaky talking books
When: Christmas... Eve? Yes? No? What?
Where: The Nightroad ~~Nightclub~~ ~~Pad~~ ~~Bar & Grill~~ Residence
Rating: G

Jacob had never considered himself one to believe in legends, magic or anything that couldn't be logically explained. That kind of stuff was for fun or for kids, but definitely not something to be taken seriously.

So when he had gone home and torn apart the apartment looking for a book with his name on it, he expected to find a plain, ordinary diary filled with useless entries from his childhood. He hadn't ever cracked it open; remembering the past was embarrassing more often than it wasn't. If it meant putting some minds at ease, however, he'd humor the possibility that the book could very well be magical in nature. As far as he was concerned, the only magic that would happen would be if he didn't set the book ablaze from embarrassment.

He was wrong.

The first thing he'd noticed was that the handwriting--the multitude of handwriting--was not his. None of it was his. Nor were the voices he suddenly heard. Page after page, each with a different voice. Words appeared out of nowhere, and he found himself snapping the book shut. It just didn't make sense.

He opened it one more time, flipping through pages until he found what he was looking for. The very same words a total stranger had written in their own book now appeared clear as day in his.

Well, okay then.

He huffed, closing it and stuffing it in the inside pocket of his jacket. He promised he'd show it to Abel when he found it, after all. Of course, when he had first agreed, he was sure that there would be some sort of explanation for all of this. Now Jacob found himself with even more questions than before.

He walked across the hall to the next apartment, and knocked on the door.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Abel neglects the journals for now... instead reaching for his cup and simply settling for keeping it on his lap. There's a long stretch of heavy silence, weighted; he's thinking... debating, but...

It's only a matter of time before something strange happened to Jacob, too. These people were everywhere, and... better he walk into this with as much knowledge under his belt as possible. He wasn't sure what would happen, from hereon out...

"...there was a girl named Nanako, Jacob." The name should be familiar for obvious reasons; their youngest daughter bore the same namesake. "She has one of the books. Lilith and I went to see her."

He knows well enough how unique the name is, especially in Paris, and he shifts in his seat as Abel speaks. His brows furrow with confusion and concern.

"I met a girl named Nanako, just the other day. She's small, short brown hair in pigtails? I thought it was just a coincidence that she'd have the same name." He leans forward more. "Abel, she knew my name. And the whole time I was talking to her, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was familiar somehow, like I'd met her before."

But the fact that the Nightroads went to visit her?

"What happened when you met with her?"

He hadn't needed any additional proof that this girl was tied to this other... place, this other life, they had been a part of -- but it solidified with certainty that Jacob had been with them, too. Nanako wouldn't lie; if she knew him... then that meant...

...

How many others...? How many of the faces he's surrounded himself with in this life in the city... were tied to that 'other life?'

The shock is clear in his eyes, some revelation that had opened even more doors to additional possibility... and it takes a few moments to process before he can gather his wits together enough to respond.

"...we've forgotten something very important," he says quietly, almost absently, still half-lost in thought even as he answers. "That girl... as soon as I saw her open the door..."

He shakes his head, focusing on Jacob across from him seriously. "I don't know how to explain. I don't know that we can find an explanation, even if we tried... but these people--" He holds up the journal, "...are tied to us. Nanako... I remember taking care of her. I remember Lilith and I taking her in, and her being beyond precious to us, Jacob. Remember making a mess of the kitchen cooking pancakes and reading her bedtime stories. I remember it, even if... I can't remember where, or when, or..."

Lord, it sounds insane... but it's true. It's true, God help them, it's... just... true.

His own memories have yet to resurface, but the familiarity is there even if rather vague at this point. Still, Jacob can't deny the concern and belief in Abel's eyes. As close as he is to the Nightroads, he's not about to doubt him for a second.

He exhales, bringing a hand up to rub at his face. He isn't sure what to say at this point, or if there is anything he can even do. All he knows is that a lot of people have been telling him he has forgotten something, and now it suddenly makes more sense.

"Do you think she or anyone else can tell us what it is? Jog our memories a bit more? I'm gonna be honest, I thought this was all just some BS coincidence, but I mean... I'm not gonna doubt you. You've never steered me wrong before."

Right?