CLOSED ♔ two of a kind and no one home

[behindcloseddoors]

WHO || Elena, Kyp, Spike
WHAT || Elena takes some lessons from the doppelganger
WHERE || Chicago, the Waldorf hotel
WHEN || July 13th, onwards, evening
HOW || Actionspam

[ With a surprising amount of overall support from the team, Elena gets the opportunity to return to the Waldorf without having to sneak around her teammates, to continue her 'doppel-lessons' from Kyp.

Of course, she doesn't get to go alone, and Spike has volunteered to play guard dog. The hotel is relatively quiet as they arrive this fine evening. ]

Comments

[imposturing]

Perhaps we should see if you're ready for your final test, then.

[notaroundme]

[Nervousness flutters in her chest, but she looks more excited than anxious.]

Really? [She nods.] Alright.

[imposturing]

[ he steps closer to her, right within her personal space bubble, and gently takes her chin, lifting it up and turning her face side to side. ]

This is going to hurt to try. But you have to be strong, and push through the pain, no matter what. The moment you back away from it, you'll lose your concentration, and the end result... [ he clicks his tongue ] might not be pretty.

[notaroundme]

[Her heart skips, the movement unexpected, but she doesn't flinch, looking up at him with clear eyes.]

You warned me about that a long time ago. [That doesn't mean she's not nervous, but she has to do this someday.] I can do this.

[imposturing]

Of course you can. You think I would have wasted all this time on you if I didn't know better? [ he moves a finger across her jawline slowly ] Touch helps make it easier, but eventually it won't be necessary. You're gonna try me first, since I'm right here to stare at as much as you need to. We've been through all the mental steps, so now you just need to exert the effort of will and hold it. Take it slow.

[notaroundme]

[The corner of her mouth curls up slightly.]

No, I don't.

[Her chin lifts a little as he traces his fingertip along her jaw, but she doesn't break eye contact, instead focusing on breathing, clearing her head for the task ahead. She knows that if she's nervous, it's only going to make this harder, and she needs to focus.

There's the smallest of nods before her eyes begin to move over his features, tracing every line, trying to memorize them beyond what she already knows from spending time here. Every detail is important, after all, if she's going to do this right.]

[imposturing]

Now. You need to force it, to begin. Think of it as you would controlling any muscle - if you tell your bicep to clench, it does. If you tell your hand to make a fist, it does. [ elena must make a concentration check and a will save \o\ ]

[notaroundme]

[Still, it's a muscle she's not used to flexing, but at the same time it's like she can feel it just under her skin. She remembers him saying that this was something her body would want, back when they first met. Maybe he was right.

She tenses, putting forth an effort of will, and tries to see if there's a reaction.

(Concentration 19, spent an action point, will save 24)]

[imposturing]

[ there's a reaction alright. it feels like her bones are trying to move under her skin, and the sensation is so troubling that it's only a great effort of will that keeps her from drawing back instinctively. her skin feels like it's pulling taut, too tight, as things begin shifting around very very slowly. kyp keeps his gaze on her, encouraging, but solid. ]

[notaroundme]

[There's a shifting feeling all over just below her skin, and though everything in her mind thinks it feels wrong, she pushes past it, because this is what she wants, and it's clear that her body is fully capable of doing it if she lets it happen.

She sucks in a breath all the same, because her heart is racing and there's nothing good feeling about it, but it helps that he's there, watching her, urging her to keep going.

The initial discomfort and unsettling feelings don't pass, exactly, but she pushes on ahead instead, focusing on how his features differ from hers, the length of his hair, how many inches taller he is, the pigment in his skin, the exact shade of his eyes. She's going to have to change all of it.]

[imposturing]

You're doing great. I know it's going to keep hurting, but don't stop, stay focused on me. [ annnnd make a fort save vs the HORRIBLE PAIN OH GOD ]

[notaroundme]

[(Fort save 15) Nothing like having your bones rub together and your skin physically stretch and your cartilage to mold itself.

She makes a pretty pained sound in the back of her throat, and she reaches to grab onto his arm. Not that her nails will leave marks or anything because poor girl is weak (Strength...5).

She manages to not close her eyes against the pain, though, through sheer matter of will (will save 22) and maintains eye contact.]

[imposturing]

[ he watches her with concern, but holds tightly onto her arm as she continues to contort. it's hard to realize when it's over, because the pain lingers for a moment, before she can even process that her bones and skin have stopped sliding around. ] ... If I didn't know better, I'd say that was hardly your first try.

[notaroundme]

[Just give her a moment. She's breathing a little heavy even as the starts to dissipate, though it still seems to tingle through her limbs.

Or...his limbs? Weird.

It's only then that she notices that her...frame of reference is a little higher, and instead of looking up at him, she's looking...straight forward. Weirder.]

It sure felt like it.

[Fucking ow.]

[bigbad]

[Of course this is when Spike finally wanders back in with a few beer bottles. He stops. Stares between the two of them. Then drops his beers and snaps his fangs out (intimidate 38).]

Which one is she?

[imposturing]

[ lbr it probably looks even more awkward with the way they're gripping each other, but one kyp looks up and over at spike, momentarily startled by his appearance, but then composing himself ] Relax, Spike.

[notaroundme]

[Wow, worst timing, Spike.

She released Kyp's arm as she looks over her shoulder, eyes a little wide and lips pressed together.]

Can you...put the fangs away, please? You're freaking me out.

[bigbad]

[Well, that answers that question. He shakes his fangs off (will save 19) and grabs one of the non-broken beers from the floor. He needs it tbh.]

So, I guess you've learned the trick of it, then? Probably should work on your acting...

[notaroundme]

[She breathes out, trying to release some of the anxiety brought on by that adrenaline rush. At least any lingering pain she'd been feeling was overridden by that. Geez, Spike.]

I guess so. [Hmph. Rude.] Can't I focus on one thing at a time? I didn't realize this was a test.

[imposturing]

It shouldn't have been, but someone's a little fang-happy over there. What the hell did you think I was doing that was so sinister, exactly, that involved us both looking alike?

[bigbad]

[Spike shoots him a glare that says there are ALL SORTS OF THINGS. And that's not even the point.] Just give a bloke a bit of warning next time.

[notaroundme]

I don't think either of us thought I would manage it the first time...

[She looks apologetic, though.]

Sorry?

[imposturing]

[ kyp turns away to go fix himself a drink ] You should try him, too.

[bigbad]

What is it with you and my face? If you fancy me, you could just say it, you know.

[notaroundme]

...Spike, it's because you're the only other person here...

[She's walking over as she says it, though.]