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[color=gray][i]It made him queasy, the scent of alcohol lingering on the breath of the stranger hovering over him.[/i]

He wasn't taller than him but his broadness made him feel giant-like in comparison to Simon's own narrowness, he had never felt so [i]cornered[/i]. His instinct in these situations had never been [i]flight[/i] though, not as it should be, he wanted to know [i]more[/i]. He wanted to know why this wild-eyed man had pulled him aside, he wanted to know why madness was burning behind his eyes. Whatever was happening at these parties in the Wilde Woods was going to be blown [i]wide open[/i] if he had any say in it.

The stranger spoke fervently, like a man at an altar, like he [i]needed[/i] to get the words out. It all made Simon sort of [i]hungry[/i] to hear more. He was about to inquire but he had no time before the man had grabbed him by his lapels and dragged him closer to him. His hand nearly went for his knife again but he restrained himself to listen to what he had to say. 

"[i][b]You need to burn them. Burn them all. Like rats.[/b][/i]"

The sentiment left an odd taste in his mouth. He wanted to wash it out with another question but again-- he was too late. The man had released him and he had fallen back in dazed confusion, staring up at the face of the man a breath before he turned and retreated. He heard the sound of his footsteps as he disappeared up ahead and he felt [i]indecision[/i]. He could pursue him, maybe even catch up with him but [i]then what?[/i] 

[i]What if he couldn't make him talk?[/i]

These thoughts spun around his head, a whirling, disorienting mess of indecision. He heard the sound of hooves as the carriage took off and realized he'd have to catch the next one anyway. So, without another moment to waste, he took off in pursuit of the man.

As soon as he started running, he realized he wasn't feeling up to it. Simon wasn't exactly what [i]any[/i]one one would call [i]athletic[/i]. Between cigarettes and a mainly sedentary lifestyle of writing and reading, he was [i]not[/i] much of a sprinter. This became glaringly obvious as he pursued the retreating madman through the alley. He wanted to shout after him, to beg him to slow down but expending even a bit of extra air on [i]that[/i] seemed like a bad idea with how he was [i]feeling[/i] already.

The man attempted to vault through a cluster of trashcans towards the end of the alley and by luck and luck alone, his foot caught and he fell forward. There was an audible [i]crash[/i] as he came down towards the ground, taking a few of the trashcans down with him. [i]Tough luck[/i]. Simon internally winced but pushed forward, catching up to the man in a few long strides and carefully moved one of the cans from his direct path. 

By this point he was out of breath and mused, discontent and [i]tired[/i] which he attributed to how his tone came across [i]strained[/i]. "[color=7ea7d8][b]Hey- I know you're scared, [i]I'm[/i] scared. I just need to know what I'm walking into. I need to know what happened to you. I'm not trying to corner you, I don't want any trouble, I just want answers. I need to know what's happening.[/b][/color]"

The man on the ground seems unmoved by his words, eyes wild and a hand clutching his arm close to him. [i]Wounded dogs were the most likely to bite.[/i] He took an almost imperceptible step back, but held his eyes, keeping his stance guarded. The man bared his teeth in a [i]smile[/i], the whites of his eyes were too bright in the gloom. Simon felt [i]uncomfortable[/i] as he stared at him but thankfully, the man started to [i]speak[/i] and he listened, resisting the urge to pull out his notepad and write it down immediately.

No need to test his luck any further, he'd have time to write it down on the way to the party.

[i]I wanted a mystery and I got one. I'm not sure why I feel so sick.[/i]

He inclined his head, drew another step back. He felt out of place and like he should take off, he had a carriage to catch, after all. With a new worry tucked behind his ear, he offered only a parting sentiment "[color=7ea7d8][b]Please get your arm looked at, that was quite a fall.[/b][/color]" And then he made to retreat, feeling somewhat shaken by the encounter.
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