#aoimoku

[sutadasto-blog]

“You think me blind, imouto?” Both ancient spirits; she the older card and it the older soul, yet there seemed a playful edge to the dragon’s words. Wise and knowing were but mantles Stardust had learned to inherit, to bear alongside Red Demon’s and his brute strength and Ancient Fairy Dragon’s kindly soul. Blue had known it before all, still young of eye and short of wing, a fledgling dragon spat out from the maw of creation. They were family beyond family. Blood beyond blood.

And still she thought to dupe one known to be wise.

A kindly smile flicked up at the edge of Stardust’s lips, warm and shot through with brotherly affection. “I see your eye on them, and theirs on you. It would take a spirit as bullheaded as Red Demon’s not to see the beating of your heart.”

@aoimoku​

[melodiouswhite]

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rewritten - Ch. 61

Chapter Sixty-One: Everyday life

.

“Ah, Dr. Faust!”, Dr. Lanyon said, “You're here for your appointment?”

“No, I want to learn how to dance ballet”, the German doctor retorted sarcastically.

Lanyon mock-gasped: “What, you can't dance ballet???”

“I don't need it in my everyday life, so why would I learn it?”

“Point taken. Do sit down. So, tell me, how have you been?”

The alchemist arched an eyebrow. “Do you want a typically English answer, or-?”

“An honest one.”

“Breathing is unusually hard lately”, Dr. Faust told him. “Must be the asthma and the permanent after-effects from smoke poisoning.”

“If you don't mind, smoke poisoning from what?”, Lanyon queried.

“The Thirty Years War. Everything was on fire back then. Then there were the witch hunts – I can't even remember how many times they tried to burn me at the stake.”

“Oh my god!”

“The 17th century was that brutal, Dr. Lanyon. Don't mind it.”

“But I do!”, Lanyon protested. “And don't act so nonchalant! If you're not traumatised after those horrible experiences of war, I seriously have to question your humanity!”

Dr. Faust sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose: “It's long in the past. And I'd rather not talk about it to you. I may be able to look into your mind and hear your thoughts, but that doesn't change the fact, that I hardly know you.”

Trust issues. That was something Lanyon was more than familiar with.

“You're right”, he gave in. “Let's talk about it no longer. Right now, the more pressing issue is the surgery.”

.

Lady Summers was filing her therapy protocols.

A tedious task, but it had to be done.

More than often it took hours to sort everything into her abundant folders, of which some were thicker than the others. The countess always sorted her folders alphabetically and the protocols and notes inside them chronologically.

The one she was working on right now was the newest folder of her friend Victor Frankenstein – it was one of the biggest ones in her archive. After all, he had been alive for almost 130 years, she had known him for over forty years and the man had a lot of issues, some of them impossible to get rid of. Victor was a complete mess (and kind of a tool) and most of it he had brought upon himself. Sometimes Lady Summers couldn't help but question, why they were still friends. Probably pity and a tad of sympathy – they had been through the same torture all those years ago.

With a sigh, she finished filing the newest of her notes and protocols. She would need a new folder for Victor's case and he already had six of them.

All of her friends had several folders, even Dr. Jekyll, who had been her client for only a few months (then again, he had more problems than most of her clients).

Lady Summers closed the file, put it back into the shelf, went downstairs and prepared to go out.

It was Monday evening, when she would habitually visit the local police stations and prisons.

Not because she liked going there, but because the police liked to spare themselves the trouble of actually doing research by employing her mind-reading abilities. They tipped her handsomely for her service and that was the only reason, why she cooperated with them.

But that didn't stop Lady Summers from taking her frustration out on them for not using their own brains. Really, was it too much to ask, that they just did their job and deduced their cases without the help of a civilian?!

Her butler helped her into her jacket, cloak and shoes, Aoimoku handed her her parasol and they went on their way.

Marie would handle everything in the meantime.

When the three arrived there, Lady Summers gave a curt nod to the porter, before entering the building.

Almost everyone in the room turned to look at her and there was some mumbling from one or the other.

“Good evening, inspector Grumman”, she greeted the oldest of them.

Then she turned to the youngest man in the room: “I see, you're new. Well, good evening, officer Joyce. I hope your wife is feeling better?”

She almost laughed at how the young man stared at her for solid five seconds.

But then he recovered: “U-uhm, yes. M-my wife is feeling better, thank you. But how did you know my name and that she was sick?”

She smiled sweetly: “I'm Lady Summers. It's a pleasure to meet you. Anyway, inspector”, she turned back to Grumman. “I assume you have new-”

“Oh, good evening, Lady Summers!” Another inspector stepped forward and she withheld a groan, when she recognised D.I. Blackwood.

“How good to see you, Milady! If I may say, that's an exquisite dress! You look queenly toni-”

“Yes, yes”, she interrupted him, “words are cheap and so are your attempts at flattery. Let's get started, shall we?”

.

“Thank you so much for your time, Dr. Jekyll”, the woman sighed in relief. “You truly are one of the best physicians I have ever met.”

“Oh, stop it, Madam!”, Jekyll chuckled. “One of these days the flattery will get to my head and I can't possibly let that happen! Who knows, what that would do to my judgement! Anyway, you don't need to worry. It's just a common cold. Be sure to keep warm, drink lots of herbal infusions (peppermint, sage, lavender and ginger, mixed with honey, do a world of good against a sore throat), rest as much as you can and be sure to air the room regularly. But if it gets worse, be sure to send for me. Have a good day and get well soon!”

The woman nodded and saw herself out.

Jekyll took five minutes to air the room, before calling the next patient in.

“Good morning, Mr. Blake”, he greeted the man. “Oh dear, I see the pollen season is taking its toll on you.”

Before the man could answer, he sneezed violently into the room.

The Doctor couldn't help but frown. “Mr. Blake, how many times do I have to tell you to please sneeze into a handkerchief or into the crook of your elbow! It's common decency!”, he added pointedly, when the old man opened his mouth to nag.

This is going to be a long, long, week.

.

“Alright, Sir Carew”, Utterson spoke to his elderly client. “Is there anything more you have to discuss with me?”

“No, no”, the old politician chuckled. “This is all for now. Thank you kindly, Mr. Utterson. You're always such a big help.”

“It's always my pleasure”, the lawyer replied. “Before you go, I heard that you're going to retire from the Parliament?”

“Ah, yes”, Sir Carew confirmed. “I'm beginning to feel my age, I must admit. I'm planning to retire into the country, once I am retired and my daughter has got married. And once that day comes, I would be happy, if you could assist me in ordering my possessions.”

“I will gladly do so”, Utterson promised. “How is your daughter anyway?”

Carew smiled: “Ah, she is as darling as ever. To be fair, it worries me how many suitors she has. You can never know, if they just want your daughter for her beauty, if they truly love her.”

“Well, I have no children, so I can't really relate”, Utterson stated.

For a second he wondered how an old man like Sir Danvers Carew could have such a young daughter (she was not quite twenty), but then he remembered, that Carew had adopted her.

Maybe my own memory is getting rusty.

“By the way, how is Lady Summers?”, Carew inquired out of the blue, startling the other. “After all, she was quite ill used at the royal gala over a month ago.”

“Oh. Her Ladyship is fine”, Utterson told him. “In fact, she visited her father-in-law in Cornwall earlier this month. She returned to London a week ago, you can visit her yourself, if you wish. I'm certain she will be delighted to have tea and crumpets with you.”

“Oh, wonderful”, the older man cried in delight. “Really, that baron was such an animal towards her! She could have died from internal injuries!”

“Hm, she had the good fortune of several capable physicians being there as well”, the lawyer pointed out (wishing Carew would stop talking about that accursed gala already).

“Indeed. The Lady always had fortune on her side – then again, fortune favours the bold. And speaking of them, how are they? I seem to recall, that they are intimate friends of yours?”

“You could say that”, Utterson confirmed, albeit apprehensively. “We have known each other since our school days, so we're very close.”

“Well, give them my regards and my thanks for being such good friends to you and to the countess. And while you're at that, won't you give my thanks to that young brown-haired man, who saved my daughter from that scoundrel's clutches? What was his name again …”

“Mr. Hyde”, the lawyer supplied.

“Right! Anyway, give him and Dr. Jekyll my thanks. As Lisa's father it put me quite at ease to see two gentlemen help my daughter out without ulterior motives.”

Utterson nodded. “I will let them know next time I meet them. Have a nice evening, Sir.”

Then he saw his client off.

He didn't ask, whether Carew remembered, that Hyde was the very same man, who had almost killed him the year before and if yes, how he was feeling about that.

I will just have to ask Lady Summers, he decided. I pray she will be willing to enlighten me, because something about this is making me anxious.

[draginhikari]

Kari Azuresol - Gunbreaker and Dancer - Duality “She fights with sheer aggression and determination in Azure Metal on one side, yet Grace and control in gaudy garb on the other.   If my daughter is known for anything it’s embracing everything that she is... contradictions and all.” - Yukinao Aoimoku

[roku-mtg]

AOIMOKU FURAWAZU

Blue eyes flowers. Another cursed sword.

Who ever got the courage shall strike it to their own eyes. If you are worthy, it will be yours. If not, your eyes will turn blue and your mind is eaten by the sword.

[fox-mother]

MinaKushiTazz + 💛 👀

NAME: Uzumaki Aoimoku (Mika) GENDER: Female APPEARANCE: Much like her mother, Mika is a petite redhead. She was not born with her father's blonde locks but rather her mother's crimson tresses. She does bear the big blue eyes of her father and she covers her whiskers with makeup. She has a smol fang in the right side of her mouth. FACECLAIM:��

PERSONALITY: Mika is a bright, bubbly girl who often gets into trouble with her mothers and father. Nevertheless, she is a kind child who would do anything for her family. Her brothers always come first. POWERS / ABILITIES: Mika inherited Kushina’s chakra chains, harnessing their power by the time she begins her career as a kunoichi. She also has naturally enhanced strength, courtesy of her mother's genetics. MISC: - She is a twin. - Her favourite colour is purple and she likes cats - Her nickname was created by Tazz, why is unknown. - She was top of her class in the Academy like her brothers, continuing the tradition of her family getting top scores.

-------------------

NAME: Uzumaki Menma GENDER: Male APPEARANCE: An almost carbon copy of his father, Menma is a taller blonde. He shares his mothers indigo eyes but retained his father's blonde locks. His cheeks are decorated with whiskers that he doesn’t cover-up. FACECLAIM: 

PERSONALITY: His personality is much like his father’s. He is a quiet child who focuses more on his studies than he does making friends. He picked up on Tazz’s personality as well, being quietly affectionate to those he loves. POWERS / ABILITIES: He learnt his fathers hiraishin by the age of 8, being able to master that and complex sealing jutsu by the time he reaches genin rank. He does take lessons from Tazz and he learns whatever she is willing or able to teach him. MISC: - Menma is Mika’s twin brother. - His favourite colour is blue and he prefers wolves. - He doesn’t have a nickname like his other siblings and prefers going by his given name. - He refers to his parents with honorifics rather than informal names like all his siblings. - He has long since surpassed his father in terms of academy grades and rank climbing.  - He is a genius, much like his father. Unlike his father, Menma has learnt everything he possibly can and no longer enjoys learning anything. 

-------------------

NAME: Namikaze Tsukinoko (Noko) GENDER: Female APPEARANCE: A somewhat average height blonde with big green eyes- courtesy of her parent's eye colours. She always has her hair in pigtails to appear cute and unassuming to those around her. Noko has her earlobes pierced on both ears and she has a helix piercing in her left ear. FACECLAIM: 

PERSONALITY: She’s hardheaded and resolute, determined to do whatever she likes and whenever. Often seen as gloomy, Noko prefers the quiet and darkness to crowded places. She’s intelligent and isn’t afraid to tell you so, being incredibly proud of herself and her achievements. POWERS / ABILITIES: Noko carries one significant ability. She, like her mother, bears the Kekkai Genkai of the Kurookami Clan. She’s bonded with a spirit wolf of her own, Chinotsuki and she is a master of kenjutsu- specifically using two custom blades made for her. MISC: - She is the middle child of Tazz and Minato. - Her favourite colour is forest green and she prefers dogs - Her favourite sibling is Menma, only because he is quieter than the others. - She gets jealous of her siblings easily and become irate fast, a trait that is not seen in either Tazz or Minato. - She is intelligent and passed the academy with the top scores from her class.  - Despite being the daughter of the Hokage, Noko doesn’t like being treated differently and will let everyone know that. 

[saemi-the-writer]

I love reading your stories and headcanons! You're amazing! Could I request a headcanon of Lady Summers?

Thank you! And sure you can!! I love Lady Summers (Swords)!

Lady Summers belongs to @melodiouswhite​

(sorry I HAD to xD )

1: sexuality headcanon 

She is canonically asexual :) . Before it was confirmed, I thought she could be demisexual.

2: otp 

Summers/Lanyon ! also Summers/Swords

3: brotp 

Summers/Aoimoku (more like SISotp here!), Utterson/Summers/Jekyll, eventually I could see her really getting along one of my OC -for my incoming story- but I have yet to see before confirming it.

4: notp 

None so far? -except all the incestuous ones...

5: first headcanon that pops into my head 

If you want to try and seduce her, you should ask for the blessing of her most faithful companion first!

Random seducer: “Would you let me walk you outside? How about a stroll together?”

Lady Summers: “Of course, but first, let me find my chaperon.” *draws her sword out* “She never leaves me, and refuses to let anyone get too familiar with me. I hope you understand.”

(The man already ran off.)

6: one way in which I relate to this character

Having a good and loving relationships with my close family, but a very tense one with other relatives. 

7: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character

Nothing?8: cinnamon roll or problematic fave?

GODDESS  Lovely badass fav!

[asktherewrittencast]

Lady summers,,,, do you see hyde as a son ( or even a daughter XDD)

Lady Summers: He’s like a son to me. As for daughters, I consider my youngest half-sisters (Aoimoku and Alma) as such. Although sometimes Mr. Hyde does remind me of a tomboyish girl. ^^

[cannibalic]

AIRESU QUICK NOTES:

Fourth ward born and raised.

Twin brother of Jiggy.

Is a bartender at Helter Skelter.

Works directly under Itori.

Is a clown.

Is part of Itori’s ANIMALS project.

Has a koukaku kagune.

Stands at 6′2.

Is usually quiet and doesn’t speak unless spoken to, but will be more open with those he works with, sees around the bar, or those who he considers close.

Is heavily protective of those he cares for, doesn’t let things slip when it comes to their safety.

Is the one to hold a grudge until death.

He dropped out of high school during the first couple months, after getting into a fight with some older ghouls and becoming terribly injured his mother believed that he needed to spend more time training in order to become stronger to protect himself, her, and his sister. This is how he started to develop a kakuja at a mere age if fourteen.

When he had gotten into the fight with the older ghouls, one had ripped out his left eye, causing extreme damage to his face. Since Airesu was in such a weakened state when it had happened, his RC cells were too busy keeping larger wounds closed and so his eye ended up not healing correctly, leaving it in a scarred state. The eye itself is usually covered out of embarrassment since it’s discolored and such.

For a ghoul, Airesu makes great drinks.

Airesu’s kakuja had finished developing when he was nineteen and he had joined the clowns ranks at around sixteen, his sister following in pursuit. He didn’t become a member of the ANIMALS until late nineteen. 

His rating given by the CCG is SS~.

He can play the piano and sing real well, isn’t a bad dancer.

He’s really literate, spends his free time reading, writing, and trying to piece together ghoul history.

CCG title is Aoimoku.

[bluesakurablossom]

Much is obliged and I do look forward to teaching you what I know and I do hope our next encounter will be delightful and accomplishing. Mata o ai shimashou, aoimoku *bows with respect giving you a caring smile*

- Sakura

Kon'nichiwa honourable Leonardo-san i wanted you to know that it is an honour to be in your presence and I do hope you enjoy your time here in tumblr and it brings much happiness *bows with respect and gives him a caring and genuine smile*

Good afternoon Miss Blue and thank you. Do you speak Japanese? I wonder if you could teach me the basics. You see, even though we were trained in ninjitsu we were never taught the language beyond instruction. Rather, we were encouraged to learn Spanish because of the first neighborhood we grew up beneath. It was the primary language spoken and we found it helpful. Mikey in particular has a talent for tongues. Do you also? We should discuss Japanese lessons in the future, but only if you’re interested @bluesakurablossom.

                                                 ~ Leonardo  

[askceokaiba]

oh heres a nick name " 青い目の龍 " it was also translated into "Aoimoku no ryū" as how its said

Thank you for translating Japanese for me. I wouldn’t have understood it otherwise.

[melodiouswhite]

Mr. Utterson: Who wants to go to the beach?

The Flamels, Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, Mr. Enfield & Aoimoku: I DO!!! :D

Lady Summers: Who wants to get up the pole?

Mr. Hyde, Dr. Lanyon, Dr. Faust & Alma: I do!

[draginhikari]

Kari Azuresol Facts #5 Color / What’s in a Name?

Kari was originally born into the Aoimoku Family as Hikari Aoimoku, but was called Kari by her father and mother.   The name translates to Light Blue Eyes.   However, when she lost her memory of her parents and was separated, she only remembered her nickname her parents gave her which is how she would be known by everyone going forward.

During her childhood, she was raised on an island to the south of Othard and was taken in by the leader’s family and befriended his son, Shadros.   The father was unwilling to adopt her for a number of reason so she never inherited their surname.   Instead, her friend suggested the surname, Azuresol.   A Highlander Hyur name that translated to ‘Blue Star’

As both her name suggest, to say Kari is obsessed with the color blue would be an understatement.   She is heavily known, and teased for, for dyeing anything that can be safely dyed in very bright and colorful blue hues and have closets full of the dyes she uses.

((Little bit of trivia on the Non-Character side.  Since I played in 2.0 and the Au Ra weren’t available till 3.0 release, I was playing another character at the time based on my OC and I already pretty known for overusing blue in my color schemes.   So, when I first created Kari, I leaned pretty heavy into the existing joke and literally name her Hikari Azuresol which just means Light Blue Sun.   When I decided to detach her from being similar to my OC, Dragin Hikari, I shorten her name to Kari instead.))

[asmallbirdinmayy]

I’m just going to answer these right away, no one leaves me messages anyhows, and I’m a bit bored. So yeep.  Do you prefer writing with black or blue pen? Black.  Would you prefer to live in the country or the city? City. Until I’m older and want drive with my own yellow killer :)!  If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Cello.   Do you drink your tea or coffee with sugar? Only coffee has sugar. Tea, black! Unless i’m having one of my moments and I need to have my tea drenched in sugar and (almond)milk!  What was your favourite book as a child? Harry Potter.  Do you prefer baths or showers? Showers.  If you could be a mythical creature, which would you choose? Probably a dragon. (I usually just picture myself surrounded by mythical creatures, not actually being one.) Do you prefer reading paper or electronic books? Paper! (Sorry Tree’s!) What is your favourite item of clothing? Either jeans, or a hoodie!  Do you like your name? Would you ever change it? I used to hate, but I can deal with it much easier now I think. No I don’t think I would!  Who is a mentor to you? erm, this is a difficult question... I have a list of people that inspire me. But I wouldn’t say I have a type of mentor specifically.  Would you ever want to be famous? If so, what for? Meh, not as much as I used to.  Are you a restless sleeper? eh, Time is an illusion.  Do you consider yourself a romantic? I like the idea, But i’m not really myself.  Which element best represents you? Aluminium  Who do you want to be closer to? Aoimoku Do you miss someone at the moment? Yes, Tell us about an early childhood memory. The first time I attended Youth Group at Five Points. I didn’t want to go, But my mother made me. I was glad she did because that’s where I met my first and childhood best friend. We both hated it!  What is the strangest thing you have eaten? I usually don’t tend to eat strange things, It’s all a matter of perspective I think.  What can you see outside your bedroom window? Well, in this house, my old room, I could see the woods.  What are you most thankful for? breathing.  Do you like spicy food? Yes :)  Have you ever met someone famous? I met Brad Swaile!  Do you keep a diary or journal? I’ve tried for years! I think Tumblr’s the closest to that, if you’d count this as a journal. aha. And I suppose I do still jot down a few things in one of my journals. But it’s not everyday or what ever maybe like once a month when I think about it.  Do you prefer to use pen or pencil? Pen for writing, Pencil for Drawing!  What is your star sign? LEO!  Do you like your cereal crunchy or soggy? Crunchy on the outside, Soggy in the middle to scoop up with the leftover (Almond)milk! (Also depends on the cereal)  What would you want your legacy to be? erm, No idea, ask me this in another couple of decades.. Do you like reading? Yes!  What was the last thing you read? Well I’m currently reading The Handmaid’s Tale. Last this I read before that was a story written by a friend. I’ll also be currently reading Le Morte D’Arthur for a while <3!  How do you show someone you love them? I have difficulty with the love topic. Do you like ice in your drinks? sometimes. In cocktails, sometimes, in icetea sometimes and no in soda usually. What are you afraid of? To many things.  What is your favourite scent? Books, Gas, Wood, Something burning, Oil paint. Do you address older people by their first or last name? First. If money was not a factor, how would you live your life? I would travel, get things good and sorted at home, and have the best me room! Do you prefer swimming in pools or in the ocean? Ocean What would you do if you found $50 on the ground? eh, depends on the situation and where i’d find it, and who was around me. Have you ever seen a shooting star? Yes.  Did you make a wish? Yes. But I stopped because to many seemed to come true in ways I didn’t really expect. Like in a book or movie.. Not even kidding..I don’t make wishes anymore.   What is one thing you would want to teach your children? To read as soon as they come out of the womb.  If you had to have a tattoo, what would it be and where would you get it? Well, I’m thinking one of my next ones will be either, Big Ben Design, a mam/daughter tattoo, words of some sort, something on one of my fingers maybe. Maybe to get always written under my deathly hallows? too many ideas floating around. Maybe I’ll do a Sleeve :O aha.  What can you hear right now? A Journey in the Dark, By Howard Shore  Where do you feel the safest? Either in arms, or Ninanen.  What is one thing you want to overcome/conquer? Myself If you could travel back to any era, which would you choose? Either the 19th century, or Tudor’s time.  What is your most used emoji? xD What is your favourite season? Why? Fall! Because the bugs disappear! The leaves turn Yellow, and all sort of wonderful colours! The air starts to get crisp! You can wear hoodies without dying of heat! Thanksgiving and Halloween happen in this season! and they’re my favourite Holidays. (Thanksgiving, just to spend time with family and eat all the delicious foods!) And Halloween because, well it’s halloween! Samhain! Pumpkin everything! It’s also been when most of the biggest moves I’ve done have taken place.  How would you spend your ideal day? Curled up in someone’s arms, cuddling for a while. reading, eating, enjoying life. Walking the streets of a city street, or the countryside taking pictures. Getting lost.  Describe yourself using one word. Yellow What do you regret the most? To many things.  Invent your own word. What does it mean? Kardiaren, Heart’s desire. Also a town name in Ninanen, 

[fox-mother]

Main Muse: 

Uzumaki Kushina

Sub-Muses:

Uzumaki Aoimoku (Mika)

Uzumaki Menma

Sōda Uzuki

Uzumaki Marihito

Uzumaki Ayano

Uzumaki Tsukiyama

Namikaze Jihibukai (Kai)

Uchiha Yoshiaki (Aki)

Namikaze Tsukinoko (Noko)

Yoshinaga Shikei

At any time you may ask for them for asks or threads BUT they are not primary muses and Kushina will- by default- be the one to answer asks unless you want someone else.

[kpopfanscanrelate]

[melodiouswhite]

Quiet

(Lady Summers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde struggle to cope with their immortality, as their loved ones pass away one by one. But they find comfort in their friendship.)

Most people found that with the end of Victoria's reign, it was finally time for progresses that hadn't been made before.

It was December 1926 and many things had changed.

While she was all for progress, she was a child of the mid-19th century and this new era seemed so foreign to her. So fast. So fleeting. So different.

Women had won the right to vote.

Medicine progressed like never before.

The Great War had ravaged the whole world just a few years earlier and changed everything.

She still could see the scars. In form of shell-shocked soldiers, of people who found no work, because of the poor economy, of invalids, who were reduced to begging in the streets.

She had more patients than before – most of them traumatised from the War.

She had buried herself in her work as a therapist. It was all she had left.

For Lady Summers, the beginning 20th century was a time of grief. After decades of wearing no mourning attire, she had returned to wearing nothing but black.

Her villa, which she had loved ever since she had moved in, had grown quiet.

While she hadn't aged a day, her servants had and most of them had passed on by now. The fact that most of them had been her half-siblings made this even more painful.

Philippine had been the first to go.

The night nurse had always been of delicate health. So it had been no surprise, when she had succumbed to scarlet fever (proving once again, that scarlet fever was no children's disease).

Her older sister Julie had died a few years later.

One day the Frenchwoman had styled Lady Summers' hair not with her usual braids and fourragères, but with a fashionable, beautiful and complicated style. It had been the last time – a farewell gift, maybe. Aoimoku was now the one to do her hair, as the Countess hadn't hired a new stylist. It just wasn't the same.

After that, they had died like flies. Some of the losses were worse than others.

The worst was Marie.

The cheerful and hardy Austrian day nurse had been one of her closest servants and the oldest of her half-siblings. And she had been her closest confidante, even closer than Aoimoku. But tough has she was, she had been the last of her deceased servants to pass on. Just a month ago, she had died at the age of 80 – the only one of her servants to die of old age so far.

Lady Summers had sat beside her elderly younger sister's bedside, as she had died.

“I know that you have lived a long time, but it still seems too soon”, she had whispered.

Marie had laughed faintly: “Now, now. Don't be sad, because it's over. Be glad, because it happened. I'm content. It was … a beautiful life. Being your nurse … and your little sister … was more than just … a great honour. It was a gift from Heaven.”

And with a last feeble squeeze of the Lady's hand, she had fallen asleep forever, smiling.

Just the memory made the Lady's heart bleed.

Of her over a dozen servants, only three were alive now: her butler Sameer Singh, her first lady-in-waiting Kurogawa Aoimoku and her driver Sean O' Connor.

Sameer, just like herself, hadn't aged a day. She attributed that to his Rakshasa heritage. He was more demon (or spirit, or whatever those beings were) than human. But it was a comfort, that he would always be there, her loyal butler.

Aoimoku was 71 years old now, but still held herself with a unique grace, elegance and nobility. The wrinkles and the grey strands in her raven hair had in no way tarnished her beauty.

Sean had gone from being her coachman to being her chauffeur, as Lady Summers had traded her coach for a car. Probably better. He was 76 now and his hands were too stiff from rheumatism to hold reins. His red hair had grown thin. Lady Summers dreaded the day when she would no longer hear his cheerful singing and see his goofy smile.

The only other one of her half-siblings still alive, was Alma, who was now sixty years old, but had never been part of the household. The half Irish, who had once caught everyone's eye with her fire red corkscrew curls, ice blue eyes, red lips and tall and slender figure, now looked more like a crazy old witch (she was even keeping cats – Aoimoku hated them).

Lady Summers sighed.

There were other losses she hadn't recovered from – maybe never would. Coping with loss had never been her strong suit.

Most of her friends and family had passed away as well and each loss had been painful.

Of course her former father-in-law, Lord Summers, was long gone. He had lived on to eighty-two, a feisty and kind old man.

Her brothers-in-law were also gone, the last tie to her first husband.

“Say hello to my darling copperhead from me”, she had asked his oldest brother Edward, the last of them to go – a hardy gent like his father.

He had responded with a toothless laugh and a twinkle in his eye (so much like James): “Will do.”

Gabriel John Utterson, her oldest and best friend in England, had passed away of old age fifteen years ago. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, his lover(s), had been left behind to grieve.

But the worst loss was Dr. Lanyon.

Her dear soulmate.

Shortly after the incidents in 1886, they had entered a morganatic marriage with Queen Victoria's permission.

But he had been a bit older than her without having her immortality.

And he hadn't wanted to be immortal either. She had accepted and understood, but it still had broken her heart.

He had passed away in 1910 at the age of 80.

He had been long ill before, so it had only been a matter of time. He had died awake and promised her that, if rebirth really existed, he would meet her again one day.

“Auf Wiedersehen … my lady, my love, my wife …”

It had been sixteen years now and her heart was still as shattered as it had been back then.

Lady Summers didn't know the future, like her dear half-sister and her old friend.

Lanyon had always kept his promises, but the lady just didn't know, when “one day” would be.

It could be tomorrow or in a hundred years and the thought was unbearable. Worse, her old friend Johann (who now called himself John in response to the anti-German sentiment) had implied, that it was closer to being a hundred years.

So the only thing she could do was wait … and grieve.

It was so quiet in her house… so empty.

It was unbearable.

“Sahib?”

Her butler's voice tore her out of her spiral of depression.

Sameer truly had the best timing.

“What is it, Sameer?”, she asked.

“Doctor Jekyll is here to visit you”, he announced.

Suddenly she felt a surge of relief.

“Show him in then.”

The butler left the room and returned with a tall, blond Englishman.

Dr. Jekyll hadn't changed at all – he was still the dignified, handsome gentleman she had met more than forty years ago.

“Hello, Henry”, she greeted him and stood up. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”

They had been on first name basis for a long time now.

“Actually, I think I do”, he replied smiling. “Hello, Luise. I would ask you, how your day has been so far, but your facial expression sort of gives it away.”

She chuckled bitterly, but invited him to sit down.

“Do you want some tea and cake?”, she asked. “It's tea time anyway.”

“Yes, please.”

Sameer saw this as his cue to make his way down to the kitchen. He returned with a full tablet for his mistress and her friend, before seeing himself out.

“Do help yourself”, she invited, “My new cook is quite a good one.”

Dr. Jekyll was obviously a bit apprehensive, when he tried the muffin, but his face brightened up quickly.

“Oh, they're scrumptious!”, he exclaimed, “Your butler must have a really good eye for picking your servants.”

“He certainly does”, the Lady agreed. “Then again, he is part Rashasa. They can see and are aware of things that are beyond human comprehension.”

Dr. Jekyll chuckled: “I remember how you and he identified the impurity in my special salt. Speaking of which, I have never thanked either of you. Had you not found out, what was different in my first badge of salt, ohhhh boy! I don't know, if Edward and I would have learned in time how to properly share control of our body. Sooner or later he would have overpowered me without even wanting to and without the proper formula, I wouldn't have been able to transform back. And what's more, you two helped me learn to shift without my formula.”

Lady Summers nodded: “Yes, that was fortunate. Don't forget to thank him personally.”

Suddenly she sensed Mr. Hyde stirring inside Dr. Jekyll's conscience.

“Did somebody say my name?”, the androgynous, guttural voice piped up.

Dr. Jekyll just rolled his eyes, but the Lady smiled lopsidedly.

“Hello, Edward. Did you sleep well?”

“Eh, it was okay. Hi, Luise.”

“Speaking of sleep”, Dr. Jekyll spoke up again, “How has yours been?”

She sighed and didn't answer.

It wasn't necessary.

After more than forty years, the Doctor knew her so well … and he was one of the few friends she had left.

His face became sombre. “It's so quiet here without Marie.”

“It is”, she whispered. “It really is. Without all of them … and so empty …”

She didn't bother keeping her act up and broke into sobbing.

“I … I miss them so!”

Soon his arms were around her and she was crying into his shoulder.

Lady Summers didn't cry often. It just wasn't in her nature.

But she had been strong for too long now.

It seemed to be the same for Dr. Jekyll; at some point she felt his body shake and knew that he – no, she could hear Hyde sob too – that they were crying with her.

This way they sat, hugging each other and crying together.

They wept for their lost loves, their dearest friends and all the other familiar faces, which had one by one faded away, wept because they could never follow (they had promised to Gabriel and Hastie, that they would never end their own lives), because almost everything they had once known and loved was gone and because all they had was each other.

Sure, there were the three alchemists and Victor and Adam and they all knew the pain of losing someone dear. But these five had chosen immortality; they had wanted it, had strove for it.

Luise and Henry had never wanted to be everlasting, had never asked for this cursed existence.

When they finally stopped and withdrew, a glance at the clock told her, that they had wept for three hours.

“Are you feeling better?”, he finally asked kindly.

She nodded and blew her nose. “A little. And you?”

“Me too”, he replied.

“Me too”, Hyde echoed from inside Jekyll's head. “Holy shit, we three really needed that, huh?”

“Indeed so”, the Lady sighed. “Listen, you two, I have never apologised.”

Dr. Jekyll tilted his head in confusion. “Apologised for what?”, he inquired.

“For doing this to you”, she explained softly. “It's my fault that you're ageless and immortal now. I know, you never asked for this cursed existence.”

He smiled gently. “Hey now. We know you didn't mean to. In this moment, our life was at stake and if it hadn't been for your blood donation (and that of Gabe and Hastie), Edward and I would have died. And maybe … maybe it was supposed to come to this. Maybe it was fate, that Edward and I should remain on this earth and keep you company, my friend. Anyhow we're both glad that we can finally return the kindness and sympathy you have given to us all these years.”

“Couldn't have said it better”, Hyde agreed.

The Countess chuckled hoarsely.

Dr. Jekyll patted her hand. “You know, I'm glad that we three are together in this. I know what loneliness feels like. But when you and I can just sit together as old friends, the silence becomes so much more bearable.”

Finally she smiled back. “Yes, I suppose it does.”

A knock on the door made them look up.

In the doorway stood Sameer, with a table cloth, and the Lady's new nurse, holding a carafe of water.

“It's time for dinner”, the butler reminded his employer and laid the table.

The day nurse nodded. “And we saw you crying earlier, so we thought you might want some water afterwards?”

Lady Summers laughed: “Thank you two, that's quite considerate. We could indeed use some food and drink. Ah, and bring a second set, Dr. Jekyll is staying for dinner.”

The two servants nodded and saw themselves out.

Dr. Jekyll turned back to the Lady. “Isn't your new day nurse the granddaughter of your hairstylist?”

“Indeed”, the Lady confirmed, “She even looks a bit like Julie. But in her personality she comes more after her grandaunt Philippine.”

The Doctor chuckled: “Mademoiselle Desmoulins never truly left you, did she?”

“No”, the Lady answered fondly. “She didn't.”

“And you know what? Perhaps your butler is right about the reincarnation thing. I think someday we will see them all again, in one form or another. We just have to wait for that to happen.”

His trusting smile warmed her to the bottom of her soul.

Yes. They just had to wait.

All of their friends and loved ones would return one day, because true friends never truly left.

And then Luise's and Henry's homes wouldn't be quiet and empty anymore.