IC INBOX

[spelleton]

Available through calling, texting or network contact.

"Greetings, you've reached Ekkehardt Gehring. If you're listening to this, I'm probably busy. Try again later, or leave a message."

EKKEHARDT GEHRING
UN: HEMLOCK

STATUS: Graduate/TA. School nurse assistant.

ACCOLADES: I graduated from this academy 22 years ago. I've been rather boring otherwise.

BIO: I'm here to help treat whatever injuries you children can't just bounce back from. Try not to get into trouble.

© TESSISAMESS

Comments

[01/31] Hollow Plot

[yokeye]

[When he gets the call from Orihime, he's on his way out of Lumiere. Before he can ask what she's talking about, she hangs up. She sounded out of breath and worried. He runs back down the hallway and pounds on Ekkehardt's door.]

EKKEHARDT!

[spelleton]

[ It probably says something that he's become used to Toki's screaming already, but oh well.

He opens the door. ]

Ah, Mr Rikugou.

What happens to be the emergency today?

[02/14]

[yokeye]

[In the morning, there's a medium-sized box waiting for Ekkehardt outside his door. It's covered in red wrapping paper, sans a bow or anything else decorative. There's a small white card attached that simply reads - Thank You -. Inside, he will find a somewhat awkward-looking stuffed animal: a Japanese crested ibis.]

[hattersgonnahat]

[Even some time after Puella received a knife for self defense she still felt uneasy using it. Even after practicing with it, it...felt kind of wrong. It just wasn't a 'her' kind of weapon, you know? Or maybe, it was something else.]

[Hey wait--she's pretty sure she's seen Ekkehardt use knives before! Albeit only the kitchen ones, but with skills like that he probably knew a lot more. Maybe he could give some good pointers...or a bad pun.]

Hey Ekke?

Do you like killing people?

[Or she could waste no time at all]

[spelleton]

[ He stares at his phone, utterly flummoxed by this line of questioning before his common sense kicks in and informs him that there is literally no way she knows about his other job he's never told anyone about.

But also, what kind of question is that. ]

No.

Why do you ask?

[04/30]

[yokeye]

[Outside Ekkehardt's door is a small, flat, rectangular brown box, adorned with a glittery ribbon. The attached tag reads Alles Gute zum Geburtstag. Upon opening it, he will find a picture of the most adorable mustachioed octopus, along with a note in Japanese. It reads: "please pick up your gift in the common room". Should Ekkehardt choose to follow these instructions, he will immediately find his present. A six foot tall stuffed octopus with a felt mustache just sitting on the common room couch.]

4/30

[subconmodo]

[The delivery shows up right on time: Ekkehardt's yearly birthday bouquet of mourning lilies.

Only this time there's a card. A simple thing. A generic birthday card, blank on the inside save for Avery's hastily written signature. There's a gift card as well, though it's worth only 5 euros at the nearest big box store.]

[spelleton]

[ Lilies again, because if there's anything Atchison is punctual with it's being a nuisance, but the card is...new.

The monetary value isn't much, but Ekkehardt has never been one to care about amassing funds.

The sentimental value, though, is much higher than that.

He can't help but smile, genuinely, just a little. It's begrudging and faint, but he is touched. ]

[ Later that day, Avery will find a nondescript box on his desk with a perfect replica of a very familiar mask inside.

The only discrepancy is that the copy is made for an adult, rather than a child. If he decides to wear it, it will fit perfectly, and offer the same enchantments Ekkehardt put on the original.

There's a note:

"I was asked for a favour. Don't think too hard about it." ]

4/30

[unpocoloco]

There's a note left on Ekkehardt's desk, in an envelope. It features several small birthday related doodles and reads:

¡FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS, MI AMIGO!
Or whatever this counts as with guys like you and me.
Drinks on me tonight, and whatever else you like. I don't think I ever asked if you taste food at all, but if so, food, drink, and song. I'm bringing a guitar so you bring an idea of what you'd like.
I also found you these. I don't know which kinds you like or if you even like to change things up at all, but I thought, what the heck, if you don't like them you could probably find some use.
And don't worry, the box is safely glitter free.
-Héctor

It should be noted that while the box is glitter free, the envelope this note comes in is not.

The box on the desk contains a few different cravats. One in fancy white lace, one in black, a silk one in red, and something a little more cheeky.

[suddenlybees]

Ekkehardt!!!!!!
Hi!!!!!!
This is real important so get back to me ASAP!!!!!!!
I would like to trade a favor for a favor.
Pleeeeeeeeeeaaassee

[spelleton]

[ that amount of exclamation marks can only be kano, if the username tag wasn't enough. ]

What kind of favor do you need?

6/30 UN: G.Akechi

[foolishjustice]

Jailbreak, Yuya, and me are bringing Rikugou to the infirmary. He passed out in the woods after something happened at the pool that had Yuya worried for his safety.

[spelleton]

I appreciate the advance warning.

Do you know any other details about what happened to him at the pool?

6/1 UN: HisBurlyness

[talkstoposters]

So you had some stuff to tell me about Toki?

[spelleton]

In regards to special needs during PE yes.

If it's any other business regarding him then you'll have to enlighten me.

[ He's pretty busy and he finds it impolite to eavesdrop on people he's not planning to infiltrate or murder so if people arrange things without him, he has no idea. ]

06/18

[yokeye]

[Toki stands outside Ekkehardt's door, loitering for a good fifteen minutes before he actually knocks. Regrets it immediately. His palms are sweating and he's not at all looking forward this conversation.]

[spelleton]

[ Too late, Ekkehardt is nothing but punctual about answering anyone who comes to his door so there's Very Little Time to run away. ]

Mr Rikugou. [ He doesn't sound particularly surprised. ] What can I do for you today?

[fistsofchange]

[Lin wanders into the infirmary looking at Toki's student file.]

[spelleton]

Miss Lin. [ He looks up from his paperwork. ]

How may I assist?

7/1, text

[nor_iron_bars]

[Early in the afternoon, Ekkehardt gets some texts from Jail.]

hey, remember that paperwork you got pissed at me for losing?
turns out it was behind one of the workbenches the whole time, lol.
wanna come by the classroom and pick it up?
i could bring it, but i wanted you to see where it was in person so i have proof.
also there's a spider on it and i dunno if it's venomous, so having a medic here could be important.

[This would, regrettably, be a fairly typical text from her as a colleague, if not for a simple fact:]

[Jail turned in that paperwork yesterday. She accidentally set it on fire and needed a replacement copy, and tried to pretend she "lost it somewhere" when she asked him for one, despite the charred remains being clearly visible on her desk.]

[There's no reason for her to have a third copy, and definitely no reason for her to call him to come pick it up.]

[Either she's pulling a prank, or something's wrong. And normally her pranks are more subtle.]

[spelleton]

Again?

You lose paperwork behind those workbenches so frequently you might as well leave them there.

Maybe you could start a new ecosystem and use it for a class project.

[ If it was a prank, he doubts Jail would be so obvious. So it's probably something more serious, and if Jail considers it serious...

Well, he'd better go, hadn't he. So, he does. ]

It must be serious, for you to want to see me in private.

~idk, after last inbox thread & before prom

[yokeye]

[A rapid knocking sounds on Ekkehardt's door.]

Ekkehardt! This is important!

[spelleton]

[ Toki again. Well, at least he knows where to come if there's something happening, which is a small mercy he'll gladly take.

He puts his book on the desk in front of him and opens the door. ]

Hello there, Mr Rikugou.

What can I do for you today?

Some time on July 24th

[strings_theory]

So, uh. I got a question about something. Is my wrist supposed to look like this? [Oh, that's a picture of her left wrist. That is clearly not in a way it should bend. Real cool, Jolyne.]

[spelleton]

No.

What did you do to it to make it look like that?

Late July some time (after the last thread)

[yokeye]

[Later in the afternoon, there's a short rapping on Ekkehardt's door.

This is perhaps a big step for Toki, as he has come seeking advice before doing something potentially dangerous and/or stupid. As has been the custom since he returned, he's wearing a cat-themed child leash, and is accompanied by a personal guard.]

[spelleton]

[ This is a good step. He's encouraged by it. He might not be encouraged by the idea, but he'll take what he can get. ]

Ah. Mr Rikugou.

What can I do for you today?

September 3ish

[subconmodo]

[Once Ekkehardt frees himself of the sheer fuckery that has happened to his casket, he'll find a get well soon card on his desk.

Inside is a high quality glossy photo of Avery.

It's a selfie of him flipping the camera off. ]

[spelleton]

[ He takes one look at it, grabs his phone and basically just drags himself back into his casket because you know what, he's spent two weeks regenerating himself from nothing, a boobytrapped casket is not what he wanted to wrestle immediately after waking up. ]

What are you, five

Oct. 1st [text]

[yokeye]

[Mid-afternoon, Ekkehardt receives a picture of Toki sans leash, standing outside the Lumière dorm.]

Ekkehardt!
I'm free!
Also, I have something I want to do, but I want your opinion on whether it's a good idea or not.
d( ･ω´･+)

[spelleton]

[ He can't help but smile at that. ]

Congratulations, Toki.

Very well. I'm at your service. What would you like my opinion on?

Go home ekke you're drunk

[subconmodo]

It's a quiet night, not that Avery's complaining. Makes it a good night to get a little extra reading in, or to work on his propositions for Outland travel for his students in relative peace.

For a time, anyway.

its HIS turn to be a (relatively quiet) nuisance

[spelleton]

Normally, Ekkehardt would be hard at work, preparing for the month ahead. Processing paperwork, checking supplies...

But right now? He's had an amount to drink (not unusual) but he can actually feel the effects (very unusual) and so he's feeling more impulsive than usual. This, unfortunately, does not impede his ability to move silently when he needs to, or in this case, when he feels he needs to.

This is not normally a problem for anything. It is, however, currently Avery's problem when he suddenly has an intruder halfway in his room perched on the windowsill. Why would he use a door? Why would he knock? Questions like that are quite literally things that aren't occurring to him right now.

He doesn't say anything at first. He's wondering how Avery is going to react. He's going to find it amusing in any case, because everything is quite funny right now.

sometime after grimm's chat with jail

[fireindreams]

[Still drunk, still highly amused. But being drunk means he isn't as eloquent and so sticks with what will totally explain everything while asking everything.]

So.

[You're welcome.]

[spelleton]

[ The effects are wearing off somewhat, but he's still fairly intoxicated.

This doesn't stop him from feeling mildly annoyed at this whole business, however. ]

Something for you?

Some time after The Meeting; definitely during that week

[imyoubut]

[And here comes the post she was dreading having to write since she found out.]

I won't apologize for being rude to someone who wasted my time and tried to kill me.

However, I also want you to know that I am happy for you. You've never really been one for casual relationships, so for however far along the two of you are, it isn't difficult to realize you clearly care for him. Initially I had been simply teasing you when I first stepped foot on campus, but after thinking about it more, you do seem much happier here.

[But for all words on the page, she's not really getting to the heart of the matter. Kind of defeats the whole point of this text if she doesn't get to the point soon.]

...the point of this message is to inform you that I will do my best to get along with Avery Atchison. Also, that the two of you have my blessing. Neither of you need it to do as you wish, obviously, but I wanted you to know that it's yours all the same.

1/2

[spelleton]

[ ????????

he doesn't have a response to this at first because WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO SAY TO THIS ]

sometime in February

[fireindreams]

[Getting tickets for theaters that are showing isn't particularly hard for Grimm. The years spent as Troupe Master meant he had meet many people who run their own shows who often collaborated with him, or up-and-coming places that wished for an expert's eye to see how their performance would handle on that level.

So he's offered two tickets this time. Perhaps it's because it's the month of love and that just amuses Grimm. So to Ekkehardt he goes with the offer, although he's wise enough not to spring it on the man last minute.

Getting to the theater is not hard and it's just a matter of waiting for the show to start.]

I have heard they're rather excellent from a friend who has seen this, so I'm quite looking forward to it.

[spelleton]

[ He was surprised to be invited, but then again, it's Grimm, so why does he expect any less? The man always does things like this.

He's been in vanishingly few theaters. ]

I'm sure it will be interesting. [ It always is. If not, Grimm tends to make things so. ] Though I'm a little surprised you invited me. I'm sure you could have found someone more appreciative of theater.

February 14th?!?!?!

[subconmodo]

He's doing this. He's actually doing it. He can't believe he's doing it, but he is.

Avery glances down at the box in his hands, grits his teeth, and turns around, fully intending to call this whole, useless nonsense off and eat the contents himself, but something stops him halfway down the hall.

He can only groan and silently curse that remaining bit of weakness within him as he turns around and storms back to the infirmary.

In a single, chaotic moment, he wrenches the door open, chucks the slightly battered box of cherry cordials at Ekkehardt's head, and promptly turns around and leaves, sinking into the shadows.

[spelleton]

[ He lets the box actually hit him rather than dodging it or swiping it out of midair so Avery can have that little bit of satisfaction to temper his clear embarrassment.

~it's how he shows he cares~ ]

I have to now for the image

[hattersgonnahat]

[Sometime later after Ekkehardt no longer needed to use the trunk, wherever he decided to leave it last, it was now being occupied. Or at any rate there was the soft thud of the lid closing. Curious.]

[There is a muffled rustling inside if it can even be heard (or clattering of the objects inside), and a faint glow coming out from the crack. Puella was fine, the lid wasn't that heavy that she can push on it to get out. And perhaps she wanted to stay, if this turns into an impromptu game of hide and seek.]

[spelleton]

[ Ekkehardt generally keeps his trunk in his room, where it's least likely to be stumbled upon and have anyone ask difficult questions (that he doesn't particularly feel like answering, anyway). And because he spends little time in his room, he doesn't quite notice until some time later that it has an occupant.

Rather than flip open the lid immediately and ruin the fun, he settles down at his desk to read. ]

Hm. I wonder what that noise was.

During truth event

[subconmodo]

[To say that he's not happy about this would be an understatement.

But Héctor did say he needed to do this sort of thing and he needed to do so while he wasn't inebriated and as much as he hates this damnable inability to lie, if he's going to be saddled with this curse, he's going to use it to his advantage.

It takes every ounce of his willpower to knock on Ekkehardt's door.

It would be so, so much easier to run away and wait for it all to blow over.]

[spelleton]

[ The effect has worn off enough that he's feeling a little grouchy about the whole thing. While he hadn't said anything that could prove dangerous in the future, and truth be told being openly affectionate was nice, in its own way, he..

...Well, it's just hard to bear, when you live in half-truths and lies by necessity.

He's caught up in his own thoughts when he hears the knock, operating on autopilot as he gets the door. It takes him a moment to process who's there. ]

...Avery. [ He sounds surprised. ] What can I do for you?

[Action] After April Fool's

[emergensirations]

[There's a small muted knock on the door, coming from down low. They've never done something like this before. They've always worked alone for or with their host. But what else can they do?]

Are you busy, Sir?

[spelleton]

[ He's not sure if he'll ever get used to being called 'sir', but it is what it is, he supposes. He gestures at the door to open, and it does. ]

No more busy than I am normally. Is there something I can help you with? [ Kit just kind of comes right in to deliver things, so this must be the other one. ]