An Unexpected Invitation.

゚・。。・ ゚ ゚・。。・ ゚

Hope — Ashbury Heights

𐔌՞꜆.  ̫.꜀՞𐦯

WARNINGS: Manipulation, Suspicious Behaviour, Mild Psychological Tension, Unhealthy Power Dynamics.

☆ ゚・。。・ ゚ ゚・。。・ ゚★

Тгк: Шляпа токсика

You had devoted years of your life to studying anomalies, so it was hardly surprising that fate eventually brought you together with a journalist and writer whose goals largely coincided with your own. His determination to uncover the truth, study and understand the nature of the inexplicable, and eliminate anything that might pose a threat to humanity resonated with you as well.

Together, you had been through a great deal, faced dozens of trials, and found yourselves on the brink of death more than once. There were times when circumstances allowed all three of you to emerge unscathed, while on other occasions, you had to pay for yet another adventure with injuries, losses, and consequences that were not so easily forgotten. Nevertheless, once you had recovered from whatever you had endured, each of you continued on your own path. None of you intended to stop there.

There was still far too much left unexplored, far too many questions waiting to be answered. Among them, the Violet Land held a particularly significant place — a mysterious phenomenon whose nature and true intentions remained beyond your understanding. One thing, however, was clear: its existence posed a threat to the future of humanity, and it could not simply be ignored. Each of you sought to uncover its secrets in your own way, hoping to get to the very bottom of it one day.

However, it would have been foolish to assume that your group was the only one aware of its existence, determined to study it and put an end to it. There was also a far more influential revolutionary whose true activities remained unknown to your group.

Lambton was a wealthy and influential man whose true intentions remained a mystery to this day. His interest in Lynch was no less puzzling. In The Cursed City, Henry admitted that he no longer required his services, yet this did little to explain why he had maintained such a prolonged interest in the journalist.

Judging by his mannerisms, speech, and behaviour, Henry possessed not only an impressive command of language but also considerable organisational skills. His surname had English roots, while the origin and sound of his first name inevitably brought to mind the possibility of noble ancestry. Lambton himself preferred to describe himself as a businessman, innovator, and collector. The exact nature of his business activities remained unknown, but his wealth, influence, and extensive connections certainly lent credibility to such claims.

And, oh, did he ever enter your life unexpectedly, leaving behind anything but pleasant first impressions.

Your first encounter with Henry took place under rather questionable circumstances. He was the one who had arranged the kidnapping of your group — you, John, and Lynch — intending to use you to carry out an assignment of his own. Completely isolated, without your phones or essential supplies, you had practically no opportunity to refuse or seek help.

Your task was to infiltrate a research facility, retrieve samples of an unknown virus, and then show your findings to Lambton over a video call. After that, all you had to do was wait for evacuation. However, the three of you had no intention of handing the real virus over to Henry, fully aware of how dangerous it could be if it fell into the wrong hands. Instead, you prepared fake samples, hoping to deceive your employer.

Naturally, underestimating Lambton proved to be a mistake. He quickly uncovered your deception, along with your group's true intentions. Unable to obtain what he wanted, Henry ordered his men to dispose of you. It seemed that your acquaintance with him was supposed to end there, but the intervention of SCP Foundation operatives changed the course of events at the last moment. Lambton himself was arrested, his subordinates were neutralised, and the three of you were freed and taken home.

Still, that incident was probably only the beginning of a much longer story. Despite such an unfriendly introduction, Henry would remind you of his existence on numerous occasions in the future.

Even after your first encounter, Lambton did not disappear from your lives. Quite the opposite — it seemed he had never intended to do so in the first place. Henry continued keeping an eye on your group, carefully observing everything that happened and, judging by the circumstances, knowing far more about your whereabouts than he should have. The true extent of his influence was anyone's guess.

Another confirmation of this came during the events on one of the Atlantic islands. You, John, and Lynch found yourselves in an extremely difficult situation: hostile locals, unknown mutants, and a sea monster known as Cthulhu surrounded you. Things were rapidly spiralling out of control, while your usual means of obtaining help were gradually becoming unavailable.

Taking shelter in a clock tower, Lynch tried to contact the SCP Foundation. He was counting on his previous connections and the assistance of Colonel Sanders, only to learn that the man had died. Moreover, Foundation representatives refused to intervene, effectively leaving your group to fend for yourselves. With no other options available, Egor turned to the person he probably least wanted to ask for help under such circumstances — Henry Lambton.

And, quite remarkably, Henry already knew exactly where Lynch and his companions were. In fact, judging by his opening remarks, the events unfolding on the island had hardly come as a surprise to him. He met the request for help with his usual cold politeness, not missing the opportunity to gloat a little over his old acquaintance's predicament.

However, there was little reason to expect Lambton to help out of the goodness of his heart. Money did not interest him, and he dismissed Lynch's offer to work for him almost immediately. He wanted something more valuable. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement, Egor finally remembered the recently discovered Death Note — an object capable of taking the life of anyone whose name was written within its pages.

That particular offer changed the course of the conversation. Henry agreed to provide the necessary assistance in exchange for the notebook, but even then, he did not miss the opportunity to demonstrate his superiority. Before giving the order to begin the rescue operation, he demanded that Lynch make a simple request for help. It may have seemed like a meaningless formality, but it clearly mattered to Henry. Receiving what he wanted was not enough; he wanted Egor to personally acknowledge that he had no choice but to turn to him.

In the end, Lynch had little choice but to comply. After hearing the long-awaited words, "Henry, please help us," Lambton finally ordered a helicopter to be dispatched, warning that any breach of their agreement would have consequences for Egor's loved ones. His final remark sounded less like a warning and more like a reminder of just how seriously Henry took the agreements he made.

Several hours later, Lambton's men arrived on the island. They evacuated Lynch and his companions, and also picked up Dale, who had been trying to escape the dangerous location on his own in a boat. However, the deal was not yet complete: once they returned, Egor still had to fulfil his end of the bargain and hand over the Death Note to Henry.

After receiving it, Lambton did not settle for simply examining the notebook. He decided to verify its authenticity himself, testing it on one of his own guards. For Lynch, this was an unpleasant confirmation that Henry not only possessed considerable resources but was also willing to resort to rather questionable methods to achieve his goals. Egor had apparently feared until the very last moment that he himself might become the first test subject, but Henry chose someone else.

Having confirmed that the notebook worked, Lambton obtained what he had initiated the entire deal for and subsequently left Lynch's home.

Once again, Henry demonstrated one of his most characteristic traits: he never missed an opportunity to benefit from someone else's misfortune. Even when it came to saving lives, he somehow managed to turn the situation into a transaction in which he alone dictated the terms. For Egor, this incident became yet another reminder that asking Lambton for help meant agreeing to play by his rules.

Nevertheless, all of this was only a small part of how Henry Lambton had managed to make his presence felt in your life. And if we were to turn our attention to you personally, his interest took on a somewhat different character.

Yes, yes, his particular attention towards Lynch was already a subject of countless questions, but it would have been naive to assume that you had escaped Henry's notice entirely. He paid attention to you, even if he did not always make it obvious. Moreover, there were moments when it seemed that your presence brought him considerably more pleasure than he would ever be willing to admit, even to himself.

For someone like Lambton, such an attachment was probably unfamiliar. He was accustomed to keeping others at a distance, controlling the course of events, and remaining composed regardless of the circumstances. His position hardly encouraged sincere displays of affection, while his habit of calculating other people's actions left little room for spontaneity. And yet, in your presence, his carefully maintained coldness occasionally developed the slightest cracks.

He enjoyed your encounters. Even the briefest conversations, chance meetings, or simply having the opportunity to exchange a few words could brighten his day. Naturally, Henry would hardly describe this as sentimentality. He would probably explain his attention away as ordinary curiosity or an interest in your personality. After all, admitting that someone's presence had become pleasant to him would mean acknowledging something that could not be brought under his usual control.

That was why his fondness manifested itself in rather peculiar ways: in the extra attention he paid to your words, his willingness to prolong a conversation a little longer than necessary, and the occasional remarks directed exclusively at you. Perhaps he even found a certain satisfaction in observing your reactions, testing the limits of your patience, and subtly reminding you of his presence.

And while such behaviour might have seemed like yet another eccentricity of an influential man to an outsider, you were gradually becoming someone whose company Henry genuinely valued. He did not necessarily acknowledge it aloud, nor did he rush to give it a name, but he nevertheless kept finding his way back to you.

After all, even someone accustomed to controlling other people's destinies might have someone whose company they sought for no particular gain.

He might ask how you were feeling, inquire about how things had been going since your latest adventure, or casually mention something you had told him several encounters ago. And although each of these gestures was accompanied by his usual composure, there was still something more behind them than mere politeness.

Perhaps Henry himself had no desire to give his feelings a particular name. He simply enjoyed your company. He enjoyed listening to you, observing your reactions, and occasionally finding an excuse for another encounter. And considering his personality, the very existence of such exceptions to his usual rules already said quite a lot.

Unlike you, who approached his unusual attention with a certain degree of caution but nevertheless showed remarkable patience towards Henry's antics, your friends were considerably less welcoming of the situation. Neither John nor Lynch could ignore Lambton's peculiar attitude towards you, and every now and then, they would exchange rather unflattering assumptions about his intentions.

John, for instance, tended to believe that behind all those displays of courtesy lay yet another attempt to win your trust. In his eyes, Henry was hardly capable of feeling genuine affection for anyone without expecting something in return. Therefore, every gift, polite remark, or offer of assistance had to conceal some ulterior motive. He worried that one day you might find yourself caught up in someone else's game without even realising when you had stopped being a mere observer.

Lynch, on the other hand, approached the matter somewhat differently. Having known Lambton considerably longer, he understood perfectly well just how calculating the man was and how inclined he was to conceal his true intentions. Egor was reluctant to dismiss everything as mere manipulation, preferring to look for a deeper meaning behind Henry's behaviour. That did not, however, mean he trusted him. Quite the opposite: Lynch knew all too well how dangerous the man could be and therefore treated his interest with particular caution.

Ultimately, they agreed on at least one thing: Lambton was not someone who deserved unquestioning trust. And despite their differing opinions, their attitude towards you gradually became somewhat more protective. Whenever Henry appeared nearby, John and Egor would instinctively pay closer attention to what was happening, occasionally interrupting conversations or making sure you were not left alone with him.

Naturally, such protectiveness could sometimes seem excessive, especially when Henry was merely trying to strike up a casual conversation. However, your friends knew far too well who they were dealing with to allow themselves to become careless.

And Lambton himself seemed perfectly aware of these changes. In fact, it would not be unreasonable to assume that their wariness even amused him. After all, if John and Lynch considered it necessary to protect you from his influence, Henry might have regarded it as yet another indication of just how unusual his position within your group had become.

But let's return to the present. After all, the New Year is just around the corner! And it seemed that even you had finally managed to forget, if only for a little while, about work, endless adventures, and anomalies demanding your attention.

Lynch, John, Lily, Lucas, and, of course, you had gathered at Egor's country house, deciding to spend the approaching holiday in the company of those who had become genuinely close to them over time. The house was filled with pleasant pre-holiday bustle: someone was putting up decorations, someone was busy in the kitchen, while others had found entirely different ways to keep themselves occupied. Everywhere, there was a sense of the approaching celebration, and the usual atmosphere of tension and constant vigilance had finally given way to something calmer and more homely.

Once all the preparations had been completed, everyone gathered around the festive table. The conversations gradually quietened as attention turned to Egor, who was about to make a small toast. However, his speech never got the chance to reach a proper conclusion. At the most inconvenient moment, a knock sounded at the front door.

The unexpected guest turned out to be none other than Henry Lambton. Naturally, he had not come alone — several members of his personal security detail stood behind him. The silver-haired visitor explained that he had arrived with the most noble of intentions: to wish Egor, his loved ones, and everyone else gathered there a Happy New Year.

Needless to say, this explanation did little to impress those present. Especially John, who greeted the unexpected visitor with a pistol pointed at him and a few rather unfriendly remarks. Considering their previous history with Lambton, such a reaction was hardly surprising. Henry himself, however, seemed relatively unconcerned by the rather cold reception and maintained his usual composure.

Eventually, after a brief argument and several attempts to convince John not to turn the holiday evening into yet another confrontation, Henry was finally allowed to step inside.

His arrival, however, did not exactly delight the homeowner. Almost from the very beginning, Lynch began making it abundantly clear that his visitor was not welcome and would be better off returning from wherever he had come. Henry initially responded to these remarks with his customary politeness, but at some point, he finally allowed a hint of irritation to show. For a brief moment, his usual composure slipped when he reminded Egor of his recent intrusion into his private residence through a portal. Apparently, Lambton had no intention of simply forgetting certain things the journalist had done.

Nevertheless, he had no intention of starting an argument on a festive evening. Henry addressed everyone with his New Year wishes, then presented Lynch with a bottle of champagne. As one might expect from a man of such considerable wealth, it was an exceptionally expensive gift. Considering that Egor was not particularly fond of such drinks, however, the choice seemed rather peculiar.

And yet, it seemed that the visit was not about to end just there.

Instead of saying his goodbyes and heading for the exit, Lambton slowly turned in your direction. His attention, which had previously been focused mostly on Lynch, shifted towards you. The silver-haired man's face retained its familiar expression of calm courtesy, and there was not the slightest hint of haste in his voice.

Apparently, Henry had another reason for staying at the house. And perhaps his New Year greetings were far from being the only purpose of his unexpected visit.

Lambton watched the proceedings in silence for a little while longer, as though deciding whether to continue the conversation in front of everyone. Then he adjusted the cuff of his jacket and addressed you directly:

"By the way, would you mind sparing me a few minutes? There is something I would like to discuss with you in private."

"And why would that be?" John immediately interrupted, frowning. "What do you want from her?"

Henry slowly turned his gaze towards him. His expression showed neither irritation nor surprise — only his usual composure.

"I assure you, sir, nothing that warrants such an intense reaction."

"Yeah, that's what people usually say right before they pull something," John grumbled.

Lynch, who had been silently observing the exchange until then, spoke up as well:

"Lambton, if you have something to say, say it in front of everyone. I don't see why you need a private conversation."

"I'm afraid you're somewhat exaggerating the significance of my visit, Mr Lynch," Henry replied with a faint smile. "I merely wish to speak with someone who, as far as I am aware, is perfectly capable of making their own decisions."

His final words were delivered with particular emphasis. Henry looked at you again, waiting for your answer without rushing you.

"Of course, that is, if you don't mind."

You looked at him with slight surprise, studying his face for a moment as you tried to figure out what might have prompted Lambton to make such a request. Nevertheless, you agreed. Henry gave a barely perceptible nod, then instructed his security detail to remain by the entrance. He himself walked alongside you, leading you farther away from the house to a spot where the others would not accidentally overhear your conversation.

Henry chose a place where the others would be unable to overhear you, and only then did he reveal the real reason behind his request. For a moment, he seemed to be searching for the right words — something rather unusual for a man so eloquent.

"I must admit, I don't make invitations of this sort very often," he began, adjusting his glove. "But I would rather like to spend an evening with you outside of these... circumstances. Without Mr Lynch, his constant suspicions, and other distractions."

He paused briefly before adding with a faint smile:

"Perhaps over dinner. Naturally, if that is something you would be interested in. Consider it an invitation to get to know each other a little better."