chasing butterflies (ｔｅｓｔｉｎｇ)

[mephitical_kitty]

Leydi had awoken that morning with an odd feeling – the same feeling she had gotten when her parents wouldn’t be joining her or her siblings and again when said siblings lied about them being fine, that they would catch up with their baby sister…but they never did. Something was off, but what it was wouldn’t register until mere seconds later. What had truly caught her attention had to have been what was in the sky. Without any second thought, she’d shot up and nudged Gavin sharply. Hopefully not giving him a painful jab in the ribs in the process and despite not wanting to be horrible about whatever pain she caused him, she hoped her friend would bolt up soon. Once they had cleared town then they could check on the damage she had given him as a wake up call. Except, they had to go. Now. From where Leydi stood by the doorway, getting a vantage view of people already scrabbling at getting out. Truly, it was all they could do. Those flying weapons had left ugly orange streaks in the sky and soon it would rain down. Her fingers twitched spasmodically as she went into overdrive – her brother and sister used to tease and say that she moved fast when necessary and this was one of those times. Being a bit of a scout – and minor tracker – did that to someone. Being prepared. No matter what. Maybe people thought she had lost it and categorized the young ginger by being ‘insane’ for preparing for something that could possibly never happen. But did they not know by now? That anything that could go wrong would...no matter how much time it took to happen? Yet, still, her sack sat at the door, laden with what would hopefully be useful. How long the ‘usefulness’ would last, however, was another thing entirely.

“Gav?” Voice ringing out with urgency and a small hint of fear.

Hand hovering over the doorknob that had lost its shine over time, even when they first received this home the knob had looked weather beaten. Heart pounding in ears. Mentally the countdown began in her head. Thirty. Where was he? Twenty – nine. They were closer than most to the entrance than Shalebridge. She never minded. All those times scaling over walls and getting out just scouring around for things that would come in handy later. Twenty – eight. They didn’t even have time to dawdle, so where was he?

There would be no way that she’d leave without him, he was her only family left, a surrogate brother; despite the two having been married. It just wasn’t that kind of relationship – truly, it never had been – but Shalebridge and its stupid laws. Still they had gotten along. Only as brother and sister and not as two people who actually loved one another in that way. By now they knew things about each other, Leydi would stick up for Gavin in a pinch and have to half dragged away so as not to start a fight and he trusted her instincts one hundred percent. No matter what. Even if people weren’t fighting over one another to get out of town. Had the morning been different then he would go with her, maybe even suggest that they look for their friends and tell them. Some didn’t quite believe in the young ginger’s weird ability. All those times though, with her family, before anything horrible would strike she’d always get a vibe, almost like a jitter down a spine that no one could explain. For Leydi, though, it was natural. Second nature. Jitter down the spine and she shot out the door like one of those rockets in the sky. Even if that happened, Gavin would trust her; he never questioned her vibes, like right now when he finally popped up beside his ‘little sister’ and she breathed a sigh of relief. Twenty – seven. He wasn’t about to question or even allow her to go on by herself, no, they had to stick together…and they would.

Shalebridge had been home…had. But it would be reduced to nothing in thirty seconds flat. Maybe twenty – nine now, or was it closer to twenty – five? She had lost count from watching the massive fray outside while waiting for Gavin; as some means of vainly keeping calm. Notably not the best idea on her part, but what else was she supposed to do? The young woman made a motion that they needed to get a move on and they flew out of the house. It would no longer be ‘theirs’ once it remained smoldered and in rubble. People were struggling, fighting almost, to get out. Leydi pushed on. Gavin could keep up, he’d be alright, and he would be. She could be five steps ahead and he’d still be tailing.

Part of her wanted to turn and see what kind of destruction would follow in the wake of the metal crashing down on their town. The other part urged her not to turn around either from fear that her legs would stop or being blown back by the blast. Don’t turn around, don’t turn around, don’t turn around, silently chanting to herself while people continued to push all around. Leydi could get out easy. That was the thing about Shalebridge’s inadequate defenses – if the right person came along then the town could be easily breached. Except she never took the same route twice, until it rotated and a fast get away was needed both ways, a few of their powers that be within the town got upset with her a couple of times. Getting in and out of town like it was nothing. And for her, it really wasn’t.

“Don’t stop,” she finally told herself, “just go through the routes without a falter. Which is the fastest? With all these people…” trailing off as others around continued with their struggles, after a few steps it stopped. As if half were mesmerized by what was happening or others had lost all their adrenaline. Dammit, why are you stopping? Her mind snapped. Leydi drove on after realization washed over that her legs had actually stopped all the while hoping that Gavin hadn’t stopped, or noticed her falter. Crap. How much longer ‘til impact now? Heart hammering in chest.

A sharp, shrill whistle cut through the air and Leydi actually paused for a moment, heart still pumping as wonder washed over. That hadn’t been the missiles. Eyes lighting up, Gavin! He was the only one she knew that could whistle like that. Shooting over towards where he’d signaled her, eyes growing wider, she knew that path, more of a trail really, but they could weave through that and be away from town. How many seconds now? Sixteen? Fifteen? Shaking head, no, she couldn’t think about that. Legs carrying her a bit past Gavin while wondering how he knew about this trail, had he seen one of the old maps’ she’d marked back in the house…?

“We can cut through here; I’m not sure how far it’ll take us though. Hopefully far from this mess,” gesturing behind them at the large hunks of metal that had begun their descent. Crap. Crap. They really needed to get a move on now. Leydi hoped that they’d make it before it struck down. Still, how far out would one need to be not to get killed, let alone harmed by anything from whatever those things had in them? Everything would be gone. The town, what had once been their home, a safe haven. A shiver shot down her spine. A safe haven. No one really knew how many were left out in this wrecked and desolate world now. The blast impact had shocked Leydi despite her and Gavin being far away now, still she’d tumbled down a ravine. Dammit. How had she forgotten about that? Putting arms up instinctively to shield her face. Those scratches hurt, but how it must’ve felt to be caught in the blast back in what was left of Shalebridge. Eyes screwed shut while reprimanding herself not to think such things.

Gavin yelled something. Was he asking if she was alright? Actually, that could have been it, but she still wasn’t sure, heck, the fall hadn’t been that far down; still felt like someone had unmercilessly clawed at her arms, though. Leydi wasn’t sure, lying beneath that ravine now with her head tilted up towards the sky. She was fine and Gavin would be okay too since they made it out of the town. Now, about getting out of the ravine, except something held her back, still looking up at the sky with glazed eyes. How strange that something utterly destructive could paint the sky in colors that would look as though it were just beginning with the dawn. Letting out a sigh of relief before everything went dark.


❇


A breeze brushed across her face and for one calming moment, Leydi swore she had merely just dreamt the whole thing up. It wasn’t as if someone would actually send missiles to destroy a town and kill anyone residing within it. Something tugged on her arm. Something. Out of instinct the ginger’s arm shot out only for her hand to be caught by a firm grip.

“Calm down, Leydi,” a familiar voice grunted.

Blinking a few times while trying her hardest to swim out from the thick fog. Almost shooting up before getting a gentle, firm nudge to remain flat and not upright. Her head pounded, what was underneath her hair – had she really had such a massive fall? Was she dead? Damn. Gavin would be pissed.

“What is this?” another voice asked, causing Leydi to actually shoot up this time.

A dark haired female peered at Leydi while inspecting one of her many weapons – the pistol sword, the thing was useless, really, but it could be dual as a sword when needed.

“A pistol sword. Where are…?” Trailing off suddenly while realizing exactly where they were. The gas station that she and Cielo had found months ago. No one knew where the gas came from to keep the town up and running, not that any of them were complaining at the time. Which meant less time for them to keep an eye on either of them sneaking out and going through multiple red marked areas that would prove dangerous for any normal person, except they weren’t normal. They went out seeking things, answers, sometimes and other times just scrounging for useful things. In their search they’d both stumbled upon the abandoned gas station with its still full pumps. Taking surroundings in, even chancing a glance towards one of the muggy windows and being met with a car parked outside. Gas. Cielo had come out for gas when Shalebridge withered away to nothing.

“Where’s everyone else?” She asked instead upon deducing where they were; the weapon being handed back and rubbing at her suddenly bandage covered irritated arms.

Cielo and Gavin exchanged a look. What were they not telling her?

“Well, let’s hope they remember. In the mean time, Leydi, there’s a few canned foods that might still be good here, the bread I’m not too sure on. There’s water here somewhere that should be alright. Possibly some medicine, we can put that into your pack, since I found an old canvas bag that should be fine for the food, we’ll split the water with whoever has a pack…” Cielo trailed off while Leydi half paid attention. So the others were alright, potentially, but they needed them to get here. Which meant going through some rather interesting obstacles if they didn’t know the way like they did. Finally giving a nod before pushing herself up to trail up and down the aisles in search of what could help them now that they had no place to return to now.


××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
bychufothermuckerstrikestrikebychufothermuckerstrikestrikebychufothermuckerstrikestrikebychufothermuckerstrikestrike
fillfillfillfill❝xxＬＥＡＶＥ ＹＯＵＲ ＳＨＯＥＳ ＡＴ ＴＨＥ ＤＯＯＲxx❞

[mephitical_kitty]

Even at twenty – two, Kylie Olivia Newell was still wrapped up in her parents’ cold, iron grasps. Sure, they cared about their daughter, but after she had turned twenty – one they had let go of it all being ‘going through a rebellious stage’. That didn’t stop the Newell’s daughter from bouncing to and from one job, exploring what she could without their hawk eyes following her every move. In the beginning it’d been fine, truly, but now it was getting ridiculous. Why not have one of their sons’ take over the family business instead of her? Kylie would admit that she sure as heck hadn’t a clue what would need to be done let alone how to handle that amount of stress. (Which had been one of the reasons she suspected that drove people to even consider drinking in the first place.)

Earlier in the evening everything was going smoothly, truly, it was, that much Kylie could vouch for. Her parents weren’t being overbearing like when their daughter stilled lived with them when she still had to devise ways of sneaking out just to get some fresh air from all the insanity. Her father and mother had kept a respectful distance, though, they still kept an eye on her making sure that their daughter wasn’t getting into any mischief. Kylie rolled her eyes, Right and what am I gonna do? Drink far too much before spilling out secrets that aren’t meant to be shared? Yeah, thanks for the confidence there, you guys, she thought bitterly before setting flute glass down. She needed to be sober for any confrontations and not just the kind with her parents.

Their first mistake had to be the allowing of alcohol, but it was a stupid function, so of course there had to be some kind of alcoholic beverage. Her nose wrinkled thinking how lucky some were that it wasn’t hard liquor, but still, did that make much of a difference? No. No, it did not. Not everyone could hold in their drinks which meant that some got tipsy far faster than others. Really, how low – or was it high? – tolerance did they have? Every hour it got worse. Their second mistake had to be their own daughter attending, not that she did anything wrong. The young adult finally drew the line after getting hit on by yet another drunk, who would leave with not just the gift of having a pounding headache in the morning, but having a nice red mark adorn his cheek for acting out in such a manner. Her parents hadn’t even noticed as they were caught up in their own ‘work’. Typical.

No one noticed how the Newell’s daughter exited or if they had, they certainly said nothing about it. Kylie wasn’t a brat – not by a long shot but she’d had enough of being treated as though anyone could come up and just about do near anything. Her first stop had been to the one place that could be considered ‘home’, the apartment building a good few streets down and away from where her parents were. It wasn’t shabby or anything, but worked well in keeping her sheltered from the elements for nearly four and a half years now. The key had only gotten jammed twice not four times as it normally did being hailed as a record of sorts in the young woman’s mind as she went inside to change out of the pinching heels and uncomfortable dress into something more…suitable. Tee and jeans. That was all. Kylie had set off, allowing her feet to take her wherever and ended up at the amusement park. David. He’d be able to help. Maybe. If he didn’t give another smart a** comment as was his usual way of giving ‘advice’…if it could even be considered that.

So, there she was, inside of an amusement park well after closing hours – wasn’t this considered as ‘trespassing’? – whatever, David was here and at least that stubborn, hardheaded jerk would hear her out. Nearing his usual spot before pinching the bridge of her nose, of course he wouldn’t be sitting right there. Where else…? Her head snapped over towards the carousel where she saw the musician sitting on one of the many animals.

“How was your day?” Kylie asked, nearing David; she didn’t want to yell halfway across the amusement park, lest they both get thrown out or worse wind up in jail. What an interesting night it would’ve been then.

David merely grinned, waving a wad of bills at her, “Mine was great.”

Right that very second Kylie wanted to reach out and yank that grin off his face. It wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t, she reminded herself over and over while reprimanding herself for wanting to hit him…not that he didn’t deserve a good hit every now and then.

“Screw you,” she muttered.

“What’s your deal?” he asked, brow arched.

“Oh, well, let’s see,” twisting auburn locks around her right shoulder, “my parents are still trying to get me into the business and I was hit on by three drunks. People who cannot handle alcohol should not be allowed to drink the stuff,” was her irritated response.

“Well, I don’t know about the whole business thing, but a pretty girl like you, hanging around drunks? C’mon, it’s bound to happen.”

Kylie’s expression changed within a split second, from angered to unamused once his comment caught up with her stressed out mind. What did he just say? If he was attempting a pep talk then he started out in the horrible direction. She arched a brow in return while silently assessing him, had he lost his mind? Voicing her opinion, “You called me ‘pretty’, are you really you?”

“Relax, I’m not callin’ you for dinner.”

“What the…? Oh, screw you.”

Rather than stick around listening to anymore strange nonsense that he had to spew out that not only made little sense, but had no underlying message of help. She should’ve known better than coming to David for such things except it just happened and he wasn’t a bad person…half the time. He opened his mouth as though he were about to say something else, already walking off while shaking her head ‘no’. Instead his laughter rang out in her ears as he tried to compose himself long enough to call the redhead back. No way would she stick around for another weird question or piece of advice, if any of it had been advice to begin with. If David called after then she sure as heck didn’t hear him.

Slowing pace, the young woman stepped up onto the carousel and traveled around for a few moments before stopping. Head tilted curiously, a jackal? Running a hand over its head for a brief second as if deciding it’d be alright, half shrugging as she carefully sat down on the jackal’s back. Odd. Carousel animals were always, well, different, but this had to be a first. Now that she thought about it there were a few others that appeared strange. Perhaps the designer was a fan of all things peculiar? Sigh escaping pale lips while her head dipped, maybe it wasn’t all that bad that it was just her and David around, if they were lucky no one would know that they had even been here come morning. Thoughts suddenly cutting off as something shifted. Nose crinkled in confusion, she was sitting and nothing could…

Kylie flew off of the jackal, heart racing as the creature began to take form. Damn, had she really drank that much? No, she barely touched anything, right? Heart hammering in chest while searching mind frantically. There was no way she could be drunk, but that would make it so much easier to explain what was happening. Or hallucinating. Eyes wide, mind reeling and suddenly blaming David. There was no way…

Pale blue eyes met a hard glare. Oh, oh God. It would be so much easier if she were drunk right now and imaging all of this. Somewhere, someone yelped and it took a few seconds for the redhead to realize it’d come from herself. Why was he glaring? It wasn’t as if she knew he was…well, human? Would that even be right? Heck, he was a jackal just a second ago – apart of a carousel! Stomach twisting, was she going mad? He was human that much could be gathered from the Air Force jacket he wore and surely a carousel animal had no use in wearing that kind of clothing, let alone any kind of clothing. Which meant he had to be real, except it was late and maybe her mind was playing tricks on her, but…with too many thoughts going in and out at once her head began throbbing and she stumbled back, hands hitting hard ground, stinging and pulsing. When had she stepped off the carousel? Eyes still fixated on the guy who had just suddenly transformed. “What?” was the only word she managed to get out as the male continued to glare at her.

{ ooc ; permission from vamp & chu to move about their characters a tad.

[mephitical_kitty]

to do list;;

current list ;;
Mistakes & Revenge - - Ais // 50%
WTTNA - - Leydi // 0%
Missing Persons - - Veronika // 100%
celeste la via - - Brianna // 100%

'waiting list' ;;
Missing Persons - - Ralei
ADS - - Cailey
Howl - - Robyn

[mephitical_kitty]

Barely making a sound as soft footfalls gently pattered on the ground. Sooner or later she’d have to reveal herself and preferably in a manner that wouldn’t attract a lot of attention. Drawing in shallow breaths while thinking of something – anything else – but the weather, how her feet ached or how horribly all would go wrong within a few seconds. Ducking behind a dark building just as dark tendrils began to loosen from her body and fall away as though shedding a heavy winter coat; faint traces of wispy blonde hair could be seen, a few strands were loose from the tightly twirled messy bun atop her head. The few strands that had caught free clung to her neck and a few plastered onto cheeks. The young woman drew in a shaky breath before a cough shook her petite frame.

A sigh of relief left her lips until another cough escaped. “Ridiculous,” voice low and scratchy in her aching throat. Of all the things, it had to be coughing – coughing – that would do her in. Otherwise she could’ve just continued on her merry way without anyone none the wiser. But she had slipped up earlier due to cough shortly followed by a sneeze. Even though no one could see her, the young blonde was actually vainly thankful for not being seen, even as a few eyes wandered around in curiosity at who could have possibly caused the actions. Just a mere plus of literally blending in. “This sucks,” muttering as a few scarlet drops pattered onto the ground. She swore, one hand clapping over her nose and the other on the grimy wall to keep her upright. “Just had to say something, didn’t I?” Finding that the smell of iron was overwhelming from her attempts of keeping the nosebleed contained. A few drips escaped through tightly grasped fingers, dribbling down hand and onto the faded scarf around her neck. Squeezing eyes tightly shut, pleading quietly for the nosebleed to stop. It didn’t help that the weather made her feel out of it, she really didn’t need lack of blood to add onto the dizzy sensation that buzzed around. A faded memory flickered behind clamped eyelids.

The scene unfolded naturally as if she were merely asleep, dreaming and not vainly attempting to keep herself upright with one shaky hand while the other pinched at her nose.


‡


A young blonde girl had gone around quietly, unnoticed, slinking about in the shadows while her parents talked. There were many things discussed that completely went over the young girl’s head. What? was the only thought that crossed her mind. Her mother and father looked troubled and all she wanted to do in that moment was burst from her hiding place to go over and hug them. Nose wrinkling lightly at how sad her parents looked when something was upsetting. A small squeak escaped from pale pink lips as a tiny hand pinched at her nose, eyes suddenly watering. Why was her nose bleeding? What was going on?

“Rena?” Her mother looked in the direction where little Rena stood, knees now wobbling as she tried not to outright sob at the newfound terror that came with her ‘curse’. There were rules on how to keep out of sight, making any sound was one of them. Though, in that moment she felt that that particular rule could be bended due to the circumstances. Especially since there were so many things that were not quite known to her yet. Like how using far too much of her ability would turn her cold towards people or how her father had had to gently shake her once to make sure she was alright due from overuse of the ability she had inherited.

Yet, in that moment, none of that mattered. Just this once, just right in that moment, little Rena could be weak and show how vulnerable she was. What else was there that she had yet to learn? Little by little shadows began to peel away as her mother stood up to get some tissues while her father looked at her with troubled eyes. Tears continuing to stream from her own until finally stood up and hugged his daughter, “It’s alright, it happens.” Despite the soothing words, Rena felt that this wouldn’t be the last time, yet keeping one hand firmly pinched on her nose as she burrowed into her father’s arms.


‡


Rena opened bleary eyes, blinking away unshed tears. Crying never got anyone anywhere, silently reprimanding herself. Fighting against coughing once again as she drew her crimson stained hand away from her nose which gently crinkled at the dried aftermath. Eyes glancing down at already ruined scarf, huffing Rena gathered the material up in her hand and gently dabbed at the bottom of her nose to rid of any other unpleasantries. Shaking head as though to get the clingy strands to let go before giving up and taking careful steps to exit from the dwelling place she’d ducked behind. Hands shoving into pockets, striking blues glanced around. Where to go from here?



{ooc ; sorry it's kinda...eugh. also, can edit if need be. e we;



© layout leafy llamas

[mephitical_kitty]

⊰ . THERE'SAGAMEIDON'TWANTYOUTOKNOWOF
THATISNOTTRADITIONALFIRE▬▬▬x▬▬▬ ▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x▬▬▬x
ohshitigotabagofmilkyways!!!never played it safecannever played it safecannever played it safecannever played it safe
TINDER CYLINDER. they're not gonna call it that a*****e↙ ↙
christianbalechristianbale❛xxxA PAWN IN AN EMPTY CHESSBOARD
christianbalechristianbalechristianbaleMOVED AROUND BY A HAND OF A FOOLxxx❜

Oh dear, God, was the only thought that passed through Ronnie’s mind. What was this? A punishment? Why were warmer inclimates such a hassle? Personally, she’d rather be in Alaska right now, hell, if her body was able to take it she would’ve even gone for the Arctic. Except this Georgia weather had already made her irritable, it didn’t help any when Brody pointed out that she’d wind up making herself a liability – what with protecting another person and all. Well, thanks for the help, she thought bitterly, arms crossed. Back leaning against the outside of the apartment. If she smoked – which she didn’t – then now would be a good time for a cigarette.

Being pinned as ‘look out’ certainly wouldn’t have been her first option, but, no going back now. What else was she gonna do? Other than play what she considered “vulture” – watching people that came and went. If someone looked at her weird, oh well, so be it. Anything but sitting in the van. Not wanting to be outside only made matters a tiny bit worse. Ronnie pushed away from the wall she was leaning against and headed over towards the entrance, having had enough of standing.

Anyone passing by would probably get the wrong idea. Unlike Brody who looked awkward with his choice of wear – a hoodie and sweat pants to her knowledge – she stood out with the casual wear of dress and heels. It’d suck if someone decided to chase after her and ask what it was she happened to be doing. No one knew how difficult it was to run in heels, but for some weird reason, Ronnie kept them on hand. Perfect projectiles. ( She’d “accidentally” thrown a pair at a rather drunk man once. Not that anyone exactly wanted to prove that. ) Well, damn, maybe a cigarette would’ve been alright. Or caffeinated beverage. Then no one would ask what she was doing standing outside rather casually...or at least look less peculiar.

Now that she thought about it, their cover would only last so long. Getting a hold of information about said building hadn’t been difficult, minus the fact that she had to pretend to be moving in at one point. Claiming that the building was unstable after that, though? Yeah, they weren’t going to have much time. Actually, it had been a pain in the arse convincing quite a few people that it was, indeed, unstable. And now here were three people traipsing around the ‘unsafe zone’. Oh, they were gonna be screwed if someone noticed. Which brought up a few flags over the course of their lovely little mission, not that any complaints were heard from her end. No one had called in about anything ‘suspicious’ or tipped off the authorities that something might be up. Still, that didn’t ebb away the uncomfortable feeling.

Adjusting Bluetooth on ear, tugging some hair out of the high ponytail on her head. People who eavesdropped was another thing that irritated her to no end; the only thing that helped was that the street was practically empty. None of the other SOTO members would probably come near her for a few minutes, not that she particularly blamed them. Who’d want to get their ear chewed off? Head hitting the side of the building. The first and second floors had better damn well be cleared. She went through three times for good measure. “It’s a wonder you’re not OCD,” the dark haired female muttered to herself before biting out the comment that likely went unheard, “Oh, sure, question my abilities.”

Eyebrow quirking, well, great. “Do you need help or not?” Biting out the question, pushing herself up, dusting off hem of dress; turning towards the entrance. Hearing snippets of comments as her heels clacked on the floor, something about whoever they were looking for being a cross dresser was truly all that the dark haired woman caught. Both eyebrows shot up then. Well, that was...different. Ronnie really didn’t want to know how they’d even come up with that solution. Alright then, not quite something she wanted to know, but it wasn’t like she could turn off the stupid device without missing something.







⇝ Location ; Georgia; outside of apartment complex
⇝ Company ; Physically - no one
⇝ Feeling ; Irritable



{ ooc ;; unamused ronnie is unamused. also, will edit as needed. e we;;

[mephitical_kitty]

AND IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES
does it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxx
does it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxx
does it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxxdoes it almost feel likexxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxYOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE?
OHHOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE AN
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxOPTIMIST ABOUT THIS?

It had happened in a blur, which probably made matters worse once the situation set in. The brunette had very little time to actually take in the damage around her before going into the fight. For so long, this place had been her home and she didn’t want to see it destroyed. Her hand reached around her neck, grasping for the necklace as she dodged out of the way, not even bothering to apologize because they were all trying for the same thing – to save this place. Hand gripping the thin chain, working at clasp; a staff suddenly taking place of the small charm. Eyes sharp and movements unyielding as she jumped into the battle. A few times she had to use air attacks, not that it did her any good, being around so much fire; as it was more than likely to fan those flames rather than put them out.

The whole time she kept telling herself that it wasn’t real. Except the destruction going on around her had to be, otherwise the foliage and cabins burning, smoke emitting from all around. This wasn’t a dream, she knew that the second she had practically been flung aside for the first time, landing in an awkward position and letting out a painful gasp as dots danced behind her eyes. It was a struggle just to get up, feeling that some part of her had to at least have gotten fractured, or worse, there were broken bones she wouldn’t know about until later. Still, she got up – with some difficulty – and continued on trying to save the one sanctuary she had known for so long. There were very few she could help, it hurt turning a blind eye to the younger ones, telling herself over and over that someone would get to them before she could. Besides, she wasn’t one for healing, nor at helping to get anyone to safety; much less take care of herself as well.

Her heart had thrummed, taking in the damage. There wouldn’t be much hope left in saving this place, not right now and possibly not for some time. Through her stubborn will, however, she kept on fighting until the pain in her hand became unbearable, no doubt she was possibly loosing blood, or worse, it was a fracture. Blood she could deal with, but not a fracture. For a few minutes that was all that her focus was on, falling back, trying to keep an eye out for anyone that could need that last second of help – even if it was a blast of air in the direction of their enemies – she would do it. Besides, there weren’t that man y of them left now. So focused was she on taking a mental headcount of all who still remained that she never noticed the hit until it was too late. There was an aching sensation for a few moments, more dots behind her eyelids.

Everything had been bleary for a few moments; the brunette figured it had to be from getting her head knocked on a few times. Or at least being thrown, tossed to the side like some child’s old toy. It took her mind a few seconds to catch up, to allow her to blink the spots from eyes and just stare up at the cacophony of trees. A groan escaped her lips just as the smell of smoke wafted through her nose. Rolling over and gagging, keeping low to the ground for a few seconds even as the smoke continued to build up. Squeezing electrifying eyes shut and counting to ten before glancing around at surroundings, not a dream. She jumped into an upright position and came to the only conclusion she could – it was time to go. There wasn’t anything else that she could do here and while she back peddled away, swallowing down the lump in her throat; she knew when it was time to go. Time to call it quits. Even though part of her really didn’t want that to be an option. But what else could be done…?

The trek to the new destination had fled all senses, for some reason she felt as if she’d possibly been on ‘autopilot’ half the way there. Managing to keep composure up before collapsing in the Big House. Loose strands that had escaped from her messy bun now falling over her face, earrings tickling cheeks, and the notion of knowing that she probably looked a bit worse for wear crept up in her mind. There wasn’t a mirror – that she was aware of and certainly wasn’t going to spend her time looking for one either. Despite the fact that Clare was one of those few who didn’t quite care what they looked like, but at that moment she wasn’t sure if she wanted to see how she looked. Probably just like a little kid’s lost doll, musing somewhat bitterly.

Eyes flicking around, surveying the others as slim fingers fiddled with the tiny silver scepter around her neck. Almost scooting away from Trevor when he offered his help of healing, Clare gave in because the aches in her right wrist felt rather familiar to being either broken or fractured. There was nothing he would be able to do about the bruises that were littered about on her arms and possibly one somewhere on the side of her face, mumbling a ‘thanks’.Mind wandering while flicking wrist in a circular motion as if that would keep anything unwanted away. In doing so, Clare nearly missed their newcomer, eyes staring a little dully at the blond; reverie suddenly snapped. Blinking once, then twice to clear the groggy look that must have been plastered across her features. Half shrugging more to herself than towards anyone – not only was she not hungry at that precise moment, but felt no desire to go outside. Still, maybe a little fresh wouldn’t hurt...

[mephitical_kitty]

It had been a crazy internal debate, mostly along the thoughts of: Should I do this? What happens if I don’t go? Which barreled down into a nice mental argument before the redhead had smacked her forehead lightly against the wall of her bedroom. She adored her friends, the few she had, but for the love of everything constellations, what the heck made someone want to go to a warehouse? And an abandoned one at that? This caused her to question her friend’s mental sanity more than once leading up to this day, not that she’d actually speak a word aloud. Which in turn somehow caused her to think of things that couldn’t even happen – like dancing zombies (not that they had a problem with that one, there weren’t any magic violins or cheesy scary movies around for miles); alien attacks, suddenly being thrust into the future over night...just basic normal worries. These were just a few of the bizarre thoughts that went through her mind. Possibly due to worrying over this so much. Not just that, but getting up to this point had been rather tooth and nail. Forget her overactive imagination charged by old B – Horror flicks or watching too much of particular science fiction shows.

The situation had been tooth and nail from the get go, honestly. This was, in part, due to her parent’s disbelief. Not that she could blame them because really Heather was the least social person in the family unless a function of some kind was involved. At which point she had to ‘play nice’ and refrain from potentially slugging someone in the face for either a lewd or rude comment. Which meant she could understand why her parents had given her weird looks as if their daughter had a third eye. Or had done something equally offensive. Either way, she couldn’t blame the skeptical looks her parents gave her. Backing up the claim had proved difficult as well. Possibly her only saving grace was that her parents knew Kayla and her brother, Lucas. Otherwise, someone would have had to bail her out of her house and bypass the lock system that could probably put a secure bank vault to shame.

Heather had fidgeted with her car keys out of habit, both of her parents were likely still sleeping. And her? She was up at about exactly two in the morning now and all she was doing was just staring at the alarm clock before its numbers flashed across her room before letting out that tired, warping sound. It was actually set for three, but she had jumped awake at one – fifty from not being able to sleep. With that time she just shuffled around, gathering her things. Bag slung over her shoulder with sleeping bag tucked under one arm Heather began to leave her room to make the careful descent of the stairs. Halfway towards the door after snagging some smuggled snacks, was a light turned on and the creak of wood being worn down on fall upon her ears. “Frack,” was the only word that left her lips before slipping shoes on, bolting out of the house, door slamming behind her. “So screwed, so screwed, who in their right mind wakes up at almost three in the morning? Oh, right, my parents…and me, apparently.” Bolting towards her truck, sliding in effortlessly as the keys went into the ignition and she pulled out. “This sucks,” the last word came out in a sing – song voice. Her parents might change the deadlocks. Yup, change system, locks and keys. Lovely way to start the night, er, day.

Even though neither of her parents came out to see who was in their drive the redhead still felt that her truck was making far too much noise. Or could’ve just merely been that the neighborhood was eerily quiet. It felt as if her heartbeat had jumped into her throat and it took everything she had to keep composure. This shattered quickly when a familiar tune filled her car. Luckily no one was there in the passenger seat to hear the undignified shriek that escaped her lips. Pulling over, fumbling for phone in bag, she pulled it out, brown eyes scanning the text. All her mind registered was coffee. Not just any coffee…a frappe. That was all it took. Coffee was like magic to Heather.

To: Kayla-Bear
From: Heather
Ah, frappe ~. You’re amazing. c’:

Needless to say, that was the extra push that Heather needed to make it the rest of the way to the warehouse. It took an extra two and a half minutes to debate where to park her baby. If there was one thing that Heather liked, besides getting a caffeine fix, it was her truck. Which meant friends or no; she didn’t not want it to get scratched up. Pulling up she noticed that Luke, Liam and Kayla were already present. Turning ignition off before opening her door so she could see them better, legs swung over the side of the seat and swinging. The prospect of coffee certainly propelled the next words to come out of her mouth otherwise she would have just been content to help and not just sit and watch. “Hey, you guys need some help? Or should I just threaten the boys?” Grinning as she rested elbows on knees. Of course they’d likely need help, but it was far too early for anyone to be functioning properly. Still, didn’t mean she couldn’t pick a little bit.

[mephitical_kitty]

sorta old post
( ♛ ) Arkwright University || o/a
word count ; 895

The morning hadn’t been horrible – it could be worse, the brunette young woman considered – thus far the reading that she had done that morning due to getting up early, or well…earlier. She still wasn’t sure about her fellow house mates sleep cycles. Or maybe it was because her cat had pounced her at unnatural hour and demanded that he be fed. After getting him situated she had sat down and began shuffling the cards in her deck before doing a personal reading. This was something that the young Hawthorn barely allowed herself to delve into. Normally it was readings for others, not for herself, never for herself. Perhaps, she considered later after Smokey had situated himself onto her lap, absentmindedly scratching at an ear, that it was just nerves. Honestly, the last time she had done a reading was a few months after the incident when she had vehemently denied wanting to step foot outside. Shaking hair from eyes, recalling how her brother had worried for her.

She had gotten dressed after, running through everything that needed to be done for the day. There were a few spells she wanted to get around to mastering, the few in particular that were giving her a hard time, but she considered as she pulled her shirt over her head; it made since. Learning was something that came easily to all Hawthorns’, mastery of whatever that something was, however, was another story. Mastery involved a combination of intense concentration and repetition; which in turn caused the stubborn will not to get up. Carefully applying a new salve onto her arm while recalling a particular backlash from a few days prior. “Get it together, Clari,” mumbling to herself while Smokey mewed at her. A sigh escaped her lips as she gave her cat a reassuring head rub before plopping down on her bed to put her shoes on as she mulled that over, it made sense, of course and she wasn’t one to brag about what she could do or flaunt. That was one thing that she didn’t like – people flaunting what they could do or thinking that they were better than someone else. Just the mere thought caused her nose to scrunch up.

After being rather satisfied with the reading she had truly begun her day – heading out to start classes. Making sure to conceal her familiar beforehand and shoo him back to her own room without much fuss. Normally the routine was akin to some bad comedy routine, but this morning Smokey behind, Clarie figured it was his way of telling her that he wouldn’t mess with her until she stopped beating herself up from the constant practice to mastery whatever it was she was working on. Letting out a rather indelicate snort as she headed towards class. Her morning classes, for the most part, had gone rather well. Then again, she had two Literature courses – one that was required and just an extra one because of the time that she got up in the mornings. Once class was over she had gathered up her things and resolved to find some place quiet to just sit down. Besides, there was a spare hour and she wasn’t going to waste it, maybe she’d snag a snack on the way. At the time, it seemed like a good idea; shaking her shoulder to situate her bag while adjusting grip on the books encased in her arms.

Unfortunately, while walking down the semi – deserted hallway, what with her attention focused on keeping her things together and not what was in front of her; she had bumped into someone. A squeak of shock left her lips as she stumbled back two steps, Clarie’s head snapped up to see who she had collided with. Only for her eyes to be met with someone from House Selene. For a few seconds she just stared, almond eyes focused on the guy with her mind working overtime to recall who he was. His name was forgotten seconds later when the hairs on the back of her neck stood up as her mind chided her that this was someone from House Selene. Words that were not befit for a young lady began to spew from her pale petal lips in Latin. Stupid reading, stupid deck, stupid everything. There was a mention of something happening today. Biting back a snarl while swearing that she would not touch those cards unless someone forced her to (which would be rather unlikely). Yes, about as unlikely as running into someone, nose lightly scrunching up as she sniped at her conscious to shut up. “Is the ground so horribly interesting that you have to look at it instead of where you’re going?” Clarie asked, although it sounded more like a hiss. Moments later she regretted it. With her luck he’d probably think she was the true definition of a witch with a capital B. With that thought in mind she wondered if anything else could go wrong before biting her lip, no, she couldn’t think that. With as much force as she could muster she combated the negatives with some positives. Now would not be the time to tempt fate. Mouth still clamped shut she stared at him, weighing her options – take off, apologize or wait. Apparently her feet made the decision for her because she stood planted firmly to the ground.

outfit | thoughts: Foot has been inserted into mouth. | with: manny | location: the halls | ooc ; blargh, kinda short. can edit if need be.

[mephitical_kitty]

an old post.
☢ { ＴＯＸＩＣ } {zombies/super powers} (o/f)
word count ; 777

Ohh boy yo⊰XoNow ↰↰ the ☁ dark ☁ begins to ↑↑ rise ↑↑ Ohh boy Now ↰↰ the ☁ dark ☁ begins to ↑↑ rise ↑↑
like you☈ Save your breath, it's ➙far➙ from ➙ ✗over ✗
like what you see so won'tLeave the ➙ lost ➙ and ☠ dead ☠ «↶behind↶»
XO BABY LOVE ME LI▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋▋


yNow's your chance to run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance to run for cover
anNow's your chance to run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance to run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance to run for cover
on iNow's your chance to run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance to run for cover OOHH BBOOYY Now's your chance to run for cover



“You risk being torn apart, no matter what it is. What do you think it would take to be accepted out there?”

Her eyes were momentarily blinded by filtered light with mind frantically working out where exactly this place was. Things began clicking into place as panic began setting in.

They didn’t want some intelligently worded answer, just some sign that the young brunette would show any outward emotions. Emotions. That’s what they were trying to hone at that exact second. What made her tick? What caused all those little things to just build up before letting go? The driving force behind whatever it was that they’d done to her. After some time they had figured it dealt with their ‘perfected’ success. For some time, however, she had forgotten how exactly feelings, well, felt.

After that time when they had attempted giving hope in the form of a small creature before destroying it. Siren hadn’t even had a chance to identify what exactly it was before it had gotten crushed. The mere fact that it took almost three grown adults to tackle her down said quite a lot. Needless to say, they never used that tactic again. Each time it was something different – test how she felt that day: anger, sadness, rage, anything that would get a rise and boost up whatever it’d been to add to whatever tests there were going on. No such rage came out after the first test.

Their point wasn’t getting across which mean that they’d switch tactics soon. She had already braced herself for whatever talk it would be this time. Unfortunately, Siren never saw them as ‘living’, just faceless. Perhaps that came off as cruel, but where she sat, it certainly didn’t seem that way.

“What do you think?” Folded hands in a prim manner, watchful eyes set on her. ‘I think you’ve lost it,’ were the current words silently resting upon her lips.

Now they wanted an answer. Switch and bait tactic, clever. Siren tilted her head for a moment as though thinking of what to say. “Wouldn’t outside be better?”

The tone had switched then, everything had gone dark. There were screams and she swore she could smell something distinctly metallic before hands reached out…

It had happened again, chopped up nightmares only to wake up with a nosebleed. Siren had let out a rather interesting choice of vocabulary before gently rolling from her sleeping place before putting head between knees. Nightmares weren’t frequent, but coupled with nosebleeds had some other frightening driving force that the brunette couldn’t quite place. Her shaking had diminished by the time the blood had clotted; small frown gracing her features upon finding that a bit had gotten on her jeans.

After a few nights the dreams – nightmares, what have you – were starting to put stress on Siren. All she ever saw in sleep was complete and utter calming darkness, which apparently happened to be the norm; or so she believed it to be. When the dreams started morphing into other things it began morphing from pleasant to less so. There were a few nights she wouldn’t sleep at all, or would have a repeat of what happened then, a nosebleed, or wake up crying. Maybe it was childish, minus the fact that she didn’t quite enjoy how surreal half of them felt. Especially when getting torn into got involved.

She had toppled over sideways for a moment, weighing pro’s and con’s about not showing up until later. Someone would eventually drag her out. But then what? Her tasks were kind of limited, unless someone needed patching up or quick routes. Chin propped on knees, almond eyes taking in rather dull surroundings. Chin propped on knees, almond eyes taking in rather dull surroundings. Shaking loose strands of hair from eyes before getting up, concluding that if she sat for a second too long then she’d run the risk of falling over sideways and napping away the day.

Feeling a tad unsociable she felt that the best course would be to head away from where everyone would be converging. Or, the area where she assumed they’d all be at. Jogging over towards where the pond, half skidding towards a stop when she noticed someone else already there. Chewing on lower lip before deciding that company wouldn’t hurt. “So,” she asked, after settling herself on crouched knees, “what brings you here?” Part of her hoped that she hadn’t startled Maze. Except, in her mind, it seemed close to impossible for such a thing to happen to him. If it were she probably would’ve fallen into the pond with all sorts of clumsy grace from shock.

[mephitical_kitty]

old post
⋮ ❜◞↯ spread your wings◝｡ [o.a]
word count ; 1,222

Rora was nervous, which was evident as she had already twisted her hair over one shoulder and started to nervously nibble on her lower lip. If her brother were anywhere around her, then he’d poke fun at her for being such a bundle of nerves. Except he wasn’t, which made Rora feel conflicted. On the one hand, she didn’t have to worry about her older brother’s relentless teasing of her habits, on the other it would have made her feel better. One would assume that she would be fine with this change of events; what with having moved around for most of her life. Except she couldn’t ever get used to the feeling. How could one person be so wracked with nerves? The thought seemed impossible and hilarious, she shouldn’t be feeling like this, but she was. She always managed to nudge the butterfly sensation in her stomach away for the longest time. It was a gift, being able to ignore the tingling sensation that swept over her as she answered questions or remained quiet when there were flaws – potential or not – pointed out within her work. Giving all of her attention wherever it was needed at the time. Now, however, she wasn’t so sure. “It’s not like I’m going to be sucked into a vortex,” she mumbled to herself. Although maybe that would be more bearable than sitting in an uncomfortable position for what felt like hours. Though, to be fair, it was her own fault for wanting to sit cross legged in the passenger seat.

“Keep it up, dear,” a gentle voice chided from the driver’s seat. She had almost forgotten that her mother was in the car due to the pleasant silence that they had allowed to envelope them. “And you might just break that pen.” For a second she felt as if her throat had closed up. Her habits were difficult to break – from showing blatant signs of nerves to being downright furious – of course the pain in her right hand would have gone unnoticed had her mother not commented on the hold that the redhead had on the writing utensil. After a few seconds she relinquished her hold. Really, what was she so worried about? A moment of silence passed before her mother spoke up again, “I don’t know why you’re acting like this. Shouldn’t you be excited?” Truth be told, she should have been excited. Elated, even. Yet she hadn’t felt that except upon finding out that she would be attending Milestone Camp. How someone such as herself had been accepted was beyond her own understanding. Still, it was an opportunity; one that she probably felt would be better felt in quiet. Rora had already accepted that she had had her moment of excitement and all that there was in place of it was this uncomfortable feeling curling around in her stomach.

The rest of the ride towards the camp, mother and daughter remained quiet. Rora actually quietly thanked her mother for that, unsure if she’d be able to deal with any other questions. Pen scratching against paper caused the tranquil silence to disappear, but neither commented on it. All she had to do was keep her mind off of things and the best way to do that was to write. Just write and keep going until the flow had stopped. That she could do, with small details pouring out from her fingertips, into the pen and breathing life onto the crisp white paper. Only twice did her nose scrunch up at being interrupted from a hitting a small bump or being jostled.

So absorbed in her little world that Rora missed when they arrived, not even the engine being cut caught her attention. It wasn’t until her mother gently nudged her shoulder that she looked up with bleary eyes, readjusting her glasses as striking brown eyes met hazel. “Yes?” Blinking once then twice to get over how faded her eyesight felt. Her mother gestured at their surroundings which caused Rora to sit up straighter. Snapping notebook shut, pen tucked safely between slick cover and mass of pages as she got out to get her luggage.

“You’re going to fall over,” her mother chided, hand resting on cheek as she stared at her daughter from the opened window.

“Don’t jinx me!” Rora hissed as she faked looking appalled at the very idea of tilting over from just a small breeze; though a smile flittered across her lips. A faded duffel bag slung over one shoulder as her hands gripped onto the other bag. Bidding her mother goodbye while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Time to find her lodgings.


∞


Finding the cabin had proved just a tiny bit difficult for Rora as she tried to take in as much as she could at the same time. Eyes scanning over surroundings before snapping back to glance at bright metal numbers that claimed which cabin she had been looking at. After getting fed up with having some sunlight bounce off the metal towards the glasses perched on her nose, she had adjusted the glasses so that the lenses rested atop her head. Squinting for a few seconds as her sight readjusted while Rora muttered something about having to change to contacts later; nearly missing the 2 on one of the cabins. Doubling back, brown eyes locked onto the door. She just stared at the door probably afraid to actually go inside. Shaking the feeling away she figured knocking would be a good way to see if someone was already in there and she certainly didn’t want to go barging in if there happened to be someone else settling inside. Rora waited ten seconds, counting quietly before she pulled out the key that she had strung around her neck with a metallic chain; slipping it off she slid the key into the door’s lock and nudged it open with her hip.

“Well,” Rora breathed, not expecting the sight she was met with. Gently setting one bag on the floor as she closed the door, “This is different.” Half nodding to herself as Rora came to the decision that she could deal with this for the next three months. Ultimately deciding upon one of the bottom bunks, since the last thing that she – or any of her cabin mates, really – needed was potentially falling from one of the top bunks and breaking some bones. Setting her bags atop the bottom bunk she had chosen would be her bed as she rummaged around in the smaller of the two bags, producing what she was looking for with a tiny, “Ah ha!” Putting glasses away before allowing a few eye drops into her eyes. Blinking back the stinging sensation while tears formed at the corner of her eyes. “Glasses are meant to be worn when driving, Rora,” she muttered once the sensation had passed. After chiding herself she got to work with putting her things away, stowing cloth bags beneath her bed once satisfied with how she had put everything away. Securing key back around her neck, tucking it into her shirt as she flopped back on the bed, an arm covering her eyes; wondering what she could now. Maybe go and explore, that was, if whoever else she would be rooming with showed up within the next few minutes.

location ; cabin two | company ; no one| attire ; summer | ooc ; blegh.

[mephitical_kitty]

old post
ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ғɪʀsᴛ sɪɢʜᴛ
word count ; 2,219

The day before she was supposed to leave, her friends had all but kidnapped her. Even though they had told her out right stated, “This isn’t even a kidnapping, what’s wrong with wanting to spend time with you before you leave?” Which, for Camryn, immediately translated to: ‘Yes, we are kidnapping you, deal with it.’ Her only guy friend, Ryan, had known about the events that were to transpire and had all but lost it when she was whisked away. All she could do was hiss at him angrily as he used the wall to support himself from toppling over. For the first time in what felt like a long time, she was not pleased with him. A little warning could have sufficed. Not that he would grant her that after what had happened last time. Which was like a weird version of playing ‘Where’s Waldo?’ while she had ducked in and out of various stores for cover. Unfortunately, this time, she was not given that luxury.

After being unofficially kidnapped by her friends – who had dragged her around so she could look presentable. All the while Camryn had complained a little like a child didn’t want to be messed with would, which was embarrassing to admit now, but it was true. Despite not wanting to be messed with the day before her flight – admittedly all she was going to do was nap to get some sleep in because her nerves would keep her awake the whole way. Camryn had pouted and been just a tiny bit upset about losing a nap, but her friends had good intentions. However, she didn’t want them to go overboard on her behalf. There were some things where she drew the line and would do on her own. She actually had to shoo them away for those things, convince them to get coffee, do something – anything – because she didn’t want anyone else to be around. At least for those requests, they had complied, even though after they continued to fuss like mother hen’s. Their reactions had amused her enough to calm down just a bit. There were a few things that she insisted on – hair, nails and dress. She was none to pleased upon being outvoted for getting her nails done (which was an odd experience as not once in her life had Camryn ever even had a manicure.) However, she had won out on the hair and dress.

Getting her nails done had been a bit of a nightmare (luckily she had healthy nails, but it still felt uncomfortable to actually have someone, other than herself, of course, do her nails.) Afterwards, it had taken thirty minutes to convince her friends to do her hair, granted it wouldn’t be overly lovely or anything, but in the end they had agree, if only by that point she was starting to get worn out.

“You should see your family,” Annette had suggested; Camryn could feel her friends’ eyes on her back as she went over her checklist one last time to make sure she had everything.

“To say what?” She practically sighed out.

“I’d want to know,” Natasha had commented, before hastily adding, “I mean, about this. It’d be like common courtesy, right? Besides, knowing your parents…”

Camryn had merely shaken her head, lightly batting at her friends hand when she wouldn’t stop playing with the matching salt and pepper shakers. Something to take her mind off of what would transpire, especially since they all knew that Natasha had a point.

In the end she had agreed, hugging both of her friends as they whispered their well wishes. Which was how she found herself in her parents’ living room a good thirty minutes later while her stomach suddenly knot up, she had kept her shaking hands under control by clasping them tightly.

Her mother had been the first to speak up, “I really don’t understand.”

Before any words could leave her mouth, her father spoke up, “It’s her decision, dear.”

Camryn hadn’t expected her to, if she were being honest, she hadn’t expected either of her parents to agree with it. Despite her father looking somewhat conflicted he had made no ill comments and for that she was grateful. Neither of her siblings had said anything and she wasn’t sure whether to be sick to her stomach or grateful at that revelation. Either way, she was leaving tomorrow and there was nothing to be done about it. The decision had been made; there was nothing to be done about it now. The paper that had been sent that had the time was neatly folded and tucked safely into her wallet. Yet another reminded that in a short time she would be marrying a completely stranger. Biting lip as she told herself silently that she was had her reasons for doing this, quite certain that someone else felt the same way.


‡


Her flight had arrived on the twelfth of June, which would give her ample time to not only get ready, but gave her a chance to get acquainted with the city. A feeling of relief had washed over her; at least she didn’t get jet lag, only an uncomfortable feeling of being unbalanced for a few minutes and all was fine. After going to the hotel and getting a little settled into what would be her room for just a short amount of time, Camryn had gone out afterwards; mostly to have something else to focus on so she wouldn’t be stuck in her hotel room the whole day worrying. The thirteenth had proven to be relatively calm. More so than she anticipated. That particular day was merely to make sure that everything was ready for tomorrow. Her eyes had fallen on the dress, she was actually doing this.


‡


She had been up at seven – thirty, eyes staring at the ceiling. Silently counting backwards from twenty only to awake three minutes later. Rolling over, her eyes focused on the wall now, full well knowing that there would be no more sleep that she would be getting for the time being. With that realization the covers had been flung back and she’d gotten up to get ready. Halfway through drying her hair, there was a rapid succession of knocks on the door to her room. What was peculiar was that she wasn’t expecting anyone. Chocolate brown eyes had narrowed for a moment, that knock was familiar.

Before realizing it, Camryn had taken long strides over and had all but flung the door open, a little taken aback to see Annette and Natasha staring back at her with grins. Before she could ask what on Earth they were doing, Natasha had brushed past and started to gather up some make – up as Annette only offered a sheepish shrug. That alone told her whose idea this was. How Natasha was functioning at this time was one thing that piqued her curiosity but decided not to ask.

“What are you two doing?” Camryn really had no idea what they were doing here. She had honestly thought she would see them at the reception. Not well, here, in her room.

“We’re here to help?” Natasha supplied as Annette finally allowed herself to come in.

A small sigh had escaped her lips, whether her two friends noticed or not they either didn’t point it out or take notice. Even though it was still early, she would take all the help that she could get.

“Do you have a sixth sense for this?” Camryn joked as Natasha muttered something about not having the right color. Rummaging around in the make – up bag that was laying beside the brunette on the bed. “I’m starting to think so,” came her response before letting out a rather sharp ‘Aha!’ upon finding the right shade of eye shadow. It took quite a bit for Camryn not to squirm away, despite insisting that she’d be just fine without any make – up, except for the fact that Natasha had offered. Annette had let out a rather unladylike snort at their friend’s comment. “Please,” she said, rolling her eyes, “she’s completely lying. Apparently this ‘sixth sense’ only kicks in when you or I are involved,” as though to make her point, she had gestured at herself then Camryn who started laughing. In that moment her nerves had dissolved. Even as Natasha scolded her to stop because she was ruining her concentration more.

Her preparation had been finished just in time as Annette had been on the lookout for the car while Natasha just fussed before getting her hands swatted away. The ride over to NYC Church of Christ had been rather quiet, on her part at least. Listening to her friend’s idle conversation, getting an occasion pat on the shoulder. Neither of them noticed that her hands had begun to shake and she just fervently hoped that she didn’t have an anxiety attack. That was the last thing that needed to happen today. Even with the fact that she would be getting married in a few minutes had been looming over her head. Both of her friends had flanked her as they walked towards where the bride’s dressing room was situated. It had taken three different voices – her father’s, Annette’s and Natasha’s to snap her away from the reverie that she had situated herself into without realizing it. Offering a sheepish smile to her father who merely gave her hand a gentle pat.

“Don’t trip,” Annette muttered, a hint of humor in her voice, just enough for the two of them to hear. Her head had snapped over towards her friend, a clear unamused look on her face. Suddenly left alone with her father, a shaky sigh escaped from her lips as he merely took her hands in his and gave her a reassuring look. They didn’t need words, ever since she was a child Camryn and her father always had an odd way of silently communicating with one another.

However, as he slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, he muttered, “You’ll be fine, Camryn.” Her throat suddenly felt as if it had closed up, biting her cheek to keep from crying. She knew the second she left the care of her father’s hold, that she would no longer be Camryn Genevieve Tegan. The revelation felt peculiar. Her focus had not been on anyone else, other than her father and the groom, everything else seemed to blur out for a few moments; feeling her heart beat quicken.

All too soon she had left the safety of her father’s hold and was standing beside the man who would soon become her husband. Attention focused on the officiate, while stealing small glances over at the dark haired male. “Camryn, Louis’ loved ones want you to know that he will always take care of you. He will write you songs, he make you laugh, and most importantly, you will never have a dirty house. Even though he can seem like an idiot, you will often find that he will surprise you in the best of ways, and fill your life with music and art and his shining personality.” Blinking brown eyes a few times, that was interesting. Somehow, those words were enough to put her at ease, if only a little. Heart suddenly plummeting upon the realization that her own information would also be shared. Her ears heated up at the thought of what was going to be said about her. Stomach twisting up in knots, her parents and sister had the decency not to say anything borderline embarrassing. Her brother and friends, however…

True to what her mind had assumed, she had been totally embarrassed by their words, but it didn’t show on her face. Despite the color rising in her cheeks with each passing second. Part of her wasn’t sure who to cause physical harm to first, her brother or her ever – so loving friends. Other than feeling as though her throat had closed up and an uncomfortably new found embarrassment, everything else had gone fine. They had exchanged their vows even as the humiliation had ebbed away. For the most part, the reception had gone fine. Before she even had a chance to introduce Louie to her family they had practically been bombarded. “Sorry,” she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Part of her sort of wanted to introduce them on her own, while another part of her was actually a little bit grateful that they had come over. She wouldn’t even have known what to say, let alone where to begin. At least meeting Louis’ family had been calmer, or at least, Camryn had figured it was – compared to her own ‘family meeting’.

The reception had come to an end, she almost didn’t notice had it not been for her brother and sister hugging her and her father wishing her well. The words between her mother and herself had felt almost strained, but neither of them commented on what she had done. For that, she was thankful. At last she would make the trip to their new apartment. Face suddenly flushing with color, it felt strange to refer to Louis as her husband; it was just something that would need getting used to. Hands gently clasped she wondered what exactly she had gotten herself into.





OUTFITxx LOCATION: nyc church of christ xx COMPANY: family && louis shayxx OOC: akdflsdf. done. if i need to edit tomorrow, er, today, i will.
and dress will be linked later too, 'cause i'm done. (/sleep here i come. ; w; ;;;; )
also, typo's are more than likely generated from sleepiness. mehh.
also, edited.xx

[mephitical_kitty]

⊱ fragile line of fate ━ ღ [open&accepting 1b]
word count ; 1,272

wendy lillianna rowe
daughter of hermes

Her hands were fiddling with a lock, twisting, twisting, and twisting; not even bothering with the combination. The whole situation seemed kind of hilarious, her – Wendy Rowe being nervous about something. Though, ‘nervous’ was being generous, truthfully. It was more that her hands needed something to fiddle with – it’d taken her mother quite some time to hide actual safes lest her daughter actually break into them (not on purpose, of course, never on purpose.) Given that she had received the news, her mother had left her daughter alone, as if to give her a few minutes to work everything out…frustrations included. Ruffling brunette locks Wendy finally gave up on fiddling with the lock as she bit her lip in thought – all things considered it could be worse. Somehow, even with that thought in mind, it did very little to give her a speck of a ‘bright side’ to look for. Or at, for that matter. That part she had gotten from her mother, except now, she had troubles with thinking up what could be considered as ‘good’ to be taken away from all of this. Then again, perhaps it could be the mere fact that she just was momentarily blinded. Again her thoughts tugged at how it could’ve been due to not seeing yet. Sometimes when something unexpected happened – like now – Wendy wished she at least would’ve gotten her mother’s optimism.

The letter set at her side, slightly crinkled but no more worse for wear. Her brown irises trailed over the parchment picking up words every now and then while her hands still worked at the lock. There were no qualms on her end about returning to camp, but marriage? Surely she couldn’t have been the only one who stared at the letter only to endlessly question. A small click brought the brunette’s attention away for just one second before she allowed the heavy metal to fall into her lap before going for another lock. Most people had their vices when they worried, for whatever reason, hers’ had always been locks – probably due to being able to have something to do and keep whatever happened to be running around in her mind from what had currently been bothering her. “Candy would be better,” biting the words out and wishing for a chocolate bar, but that wouldn’t be happening…not any time soon. Locks were easier to deal with and a constant that she could always find. Eyes trailing away from the letter towards her luggage; wouldn’t be too long now.

One hand gripped at her hair with the other slowly releasing the lock. The sound of the heavy lock hitting the floor breaking her away from the sour reverie she had dug herself into. Despite being grateful for the few seconds of space her mother has given her it is the lock thudding against the hardwood floor of her room that brings her back. She doesn’t even glance at her mother and in return she is not given words of encouragement or anything that can soothe the turmoil that’s ricocheting around inside her mind; besides, besides it’s just enough to feel her presence. A few more minutes pass before her mother takes the incentive to make the first move towards her to point out what time it is and Wendy has draw herself back together once again. Now is not the time to be spacing out. There will be time later for gathering thoughts and being a space cadet, but when the time calls for it. “You go through locks like a kid goes through chocolate,” her mother joked, maybe as some means to shatter the tense atmosphere that no doubt curls around her daughter like a well worn jacket. Wendy bites her lip from commenting on how their minds seem to think alike when it comes to these matters; instead she stands up and helps gather up her luggage. Making sure her mother is the first one out of her room before she takes a few steps, folds up the letter and slides into her back pocket. The weight feels reassuring, only a bit, but its extra weight is what cements how real this all is.



… time skip

The drive there was nothing short of pleasant; Wendy didn’t want to talk – what would she even speak about? – so her mother respected that and allows her to go on multi – tasking between crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Her multi – tasking has long since become commonplace by now which bothers her mother very little as compared to the first time she attempted to write in a moving car. She hides a smile as music from the radio fills in their silence, remembering how her mother wondered how someone could possibly be stuck in a car for what seemed to be hours and hours while writing or reading as if it were nothing. Before they reach the camp, her mother constantly points out that Wendy has placed the same number in a row or block that already has that number. “Are you kidding me?” she squeaks while her mother laughs and the eraser just makes a mess of the current page she’s attempting to finish. This goes on for a few minutes, the two bickering in a mild manner about how it is or is not possible – Wendy tried to give her argument points that make sense, such as her mother not being able to read let alone take her eyes off the road just to see what it is that she’s doing; her mother, though, refutes and points out that it could very well been a mistake, plus, “I just glanced.” The car eases to a stop as they finish up their argument (her mother wins) and her brown eyes take in the forest surrounding the camp.


She makes to get out of the car, the letter crinkling in her back pocket; her mother touching her elbow causes her to pause. “We should be lucky that you didn’t inherit my stubbornness,” at this Wendy lets out a small laugh. Regardless of not inheriting the stubborn gene it’s more the insistent gene – that drives her not to give up and keep attempting at finding some solution. That much has always been true as a smile curves on her lips, wondering how, exactly she should feel about being, well, not stubborn. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Her mother lightly bats at her elbow as they both got out to retrieve her bags from the trunk. Adjusting faded duffel bag on her shoulder keeping a straight gaze ahead in the process of shoving the small books into her bag. “I’ll see you when I see you,” are the words she hears before starting off only to turn around biting back a grin as she says, “You were right, about the nine.” Stepping away towards the camp the young woman resolves to attempt at fixing those mistakes in the first puzzle she attempted.

Walking into camp is almost surreal, but the sights that greet her are as though she has been away from a distant friend for far too long. Despite the circumstances it felt nice to be back, shrugging mostly to herself as she continued on towards Hermes cabin. On her way to the cabin she nodded in greeting towards the sparse few that were outside milling about. Upon reaching the cabin Wendy drew in a breath, wondering for a split second if maybe, just maybe, she was the first one there. Shoulders’ drooping after opening the door and finding out that she was not, in fact, the first one there. Still, better late than never, so they say.




location ; hermes cabin | company ; - - | feeling ; intrigued | ooc ; blegh && can edit if need be.

[mephitical_kitty]

intro post
Bℓαcк Mαgιc ♔♔ // ACC // 1M
word count ; 2,284

Heather Sauveterre had still been in a state of perpetual shock, of course not allowing the emotion to cross her face; more out of her own worry about how someone would react if they were to ever find out that she – Heather June Sauveterre – could ever be put into such a state. Plus she didn’t want anyone questioning her, what would happen if someone saw her shocked? No, no, that wouldn’t do. The decision had been made with the outcome of her being chosen which meant that someone must’ve seen something in her that she herself hadn’t seen within her twenty years of living. Yet, no matter how many times that mantra passed through her mind it didn’t stop her heart from palpating. Shaky fingers brushed at her skirt being extra careful not to bunch the lovely fabric wondering how her sisters were doing. She wasn’t one for ill thoughts, nor were her sisters, but she couldn’t help but wonder how they were feeling about all this. Maybe if she inquired about contacting her sisters to see how they were, maybe she would be able to...maybe...

The maid had been mostly silent on their quiet trek towards her new room, how odd that sounded. Heather had attempted at asking a few questions, nothing too vague or personal, but curiosity had always gotten the better of her at times. For all her vain efforts being met with nods or a wave of the hand, causing her to blow a loose strand of hair from her eyes. Could someone truly be so quiet? Or was there just something she had been missing? So wrapped up in her own thoughts that she’d almost bumped right into the woman, immediately an apology left her lips, “I am so sorry, are you alright?” The woman merely smiled not all perturbed at nearly having the young woman careen into her, though the abrupt stop had more or less caught the blonde off guard. Her throat constricted momentarily at how lovely the room looked with its chosen earthly tones and felt a pang of homesickness. Heels tapping lightly against the floor, almost as though afraid that if she didn’t enter that it would disappear right before her eyes. She felt eyes on her back but not once did she dare turn around as her tentative steps continued in an almost rhythmic dance that only her mind knew.

There was absolutely no doubt that the room was lovely, almost like her room back home. Except she had been moved to another wing some time ago after her parents discovered her climbing about like a child swinging from a tree. “Oh,” the word left her lips at the sight of the balcony once the memory had wormed its way into her mind’s eye, “It really is lovely.” Turning so that she had a better view of the rest of the room – the bed, which had been outfitted with light shades of green; eyes sweeping past that and drinking in the wardrobe and dresser, marveling at how well the greens and smidges of tan blended so well with the rest of the room. She started at her reflection in the mirror, how had she missed that? By now the maid had stepped in, having gently closed the door behind her and it didn’t escape Heather’s keen eyes at how the maid appeared worried for a moment before the words left her lips, “Are you alright?” The young blonde opened and closed her mouth, words did not flow out the first time but gathering up her wits and drawing in a deep breath, “Yes, I am so sorry. It’s just…I’ve only ever been graced with hand mirrors. My sisters were always around whenever I approached their vanities,” she explained. It hadn’t been out of bad luck or any nonsense like that, just more precaution after having broken an ornate mirror as a child. Her parents had been livid, yes, but were more content with their youngest daughter not having harmed herself on any broken shards.

“Would you mind if I asked what was wrong?” running a hand along the sheets on her bed. The maid appeared as startled as Heather had the moment her eyes had met the mirror seconds prior. “Miss,” she dropped into a perfect courtesy and she had half the mind to tell her not to that it wasn’t necessary. Except that it wasn’t her place to be saying such things, thus she let it go. “I’m not…we are not to be speakin’ with the princesses.” A soft smile crossed Heather’s lips, softening her face, “Please, if it’s alright with you, I’d very much like to speak freely with you. If you happened to be worried about me telling someone, I promise you I won’t.” The maid appeared contemplative and Heather worried for a moment that she had potentially overstepped some boundaries – with her luck, she may just have. Perhaps it would be better if she spoke and the maid just continued on with how she had answered her while leading the young woman to her room. It appeared that that would be the choice, or perhaps she would only speak when necessary. Very few words passed between the two of them after that and Heather couldn’t help feeling a little dejected, continuously reminding herself that perhaps it was for the better.

Heather couldn’t help feeling that her ensemble matched her current emotions and demeanor. Twisting slightly so that she could get a better look in the mirror, breath hitching once more. She hadn’t noticed the back, why hadn’t she noticed the back? The bodice had been fine, yes, upon further inspection she found that the back was indeed lovely and well, showed some of her back. Was that appropriate? Words stuck in her throat, would this be alright? No, don’t worry; all is well, chastising herself while taking care not to ruffle the white roses that had been woven with careful expertise into her hair to look as though it were a crown. Rather than mess with the roses, her fingers instead sought out a silver band inlaid with gems set to match the dress – how ironic. Her elder sister, Jemma, had given it to her for her nineteenth birthday and for some odd reason she’d thought to wear it. Even now it brought a sense of calm as she twisted the ring left then right, then left again before scolding herself and settling it back into its proper place. “I will be alright,” whispering to herself, placing a soft kiss on the ring for luck before leaving the safe confines of her room. Now was certainly not the time to fold in on herself, back home she had been one to speak children out of doing something that they shouldn’t – with a pinch of help, of course. Regardless, now wasn’t any less different, minus everyone in attendance not being children. Clearing her mind, drawing in calming breath as she stepped into the ball.

Heather had been well versed in balls since she could walk, though not being able to officially join in on any until she had become of age. This certainly wasn’t any different except that she couldn’t quite recall the last time she’d been to one. Being as gentle as possible with the medal she had received almost as though if it were as delicate as a robin’s egg. Silver glinting once it hit the light just right, obviously the judges must’ve seen something in her – everyone seemed to be. Actually she’d been rather grateful at receiving the silver, if she were being truthful then gold or bronze would have done just as well. The silver, though, allowed her to go in the beginning and get it over with. Butterflies were dancing in her stomach when someone had announced her name, but once she sat down everything just fell into place. Composing herself in a manner befit of a princess while allowing herself a little enjoyment, scolding every few seconds to not be so rigid; yet through all that she managed and with just a blink of her eyes she was dismissed. Relief swept through her like an autumn breeze as she went back to dancing, getting to know as many people as possible and managing to excuse herself so that the sweets could be sampled and she could explore. Once the clock had struck six Heather found herself right back where she had only been moments ago with hands clasped to hide her nerves as the winners were announced. Her name had been called while her light eyes had swept over the other two that had already had their names broadcasted within the room more out of curiosity than malice. Nearly missing her own name before she snapped back just in time to be swept up for an interview accompanied with head – shots.

Afterwards the young woman had retired back to her new room after all the excitement. What would she do now? Sitting on soft sheets as her hand absently ran across the fabric, within her short time within her new room she had gone back to an old routine of sliding her fingers across bed sheets. There were still festivities going on but Heather wasn’t quite sure if she wanted to go back. After all that fuss over her portraits and having someone interview her; for lack of better words it had come across as interesting not to mention a tad tiring. Her own home got publicity, yes, but she always strayed from any form that could take her picture. “Perhaps that’s for the best,” muttering, eyes trailing down towards her ring as a shone from the light in the room. The woman who had taken her picture had commented on how photogenic Heather was, but deep down she wondered if she told everyone that. “Hm?” Blinking light eyes drawing back to the present as Jemma stood in front of her, “Yes?” The woman sighed, almost as though she were used to someone being wrapped up in their own thoughts, “Your bath? Oh, Miss, what have you done with the roses?” It was an innocent enough question regardless Heather wasn’t sure if she wanted to answer except that she hadn’t been raised to be a liar. Fingering her somewhat limp hair, “Jemma I took them out.” The maid gave her a perplexed look as the young woman bit down on her lip. She had long ago gotten used to people helping her, but growing up she wanted to do as much as possible for herself; so in her thoughts that she had managed to extract the flowers without damaging any of them. Gesturing towards her right side where the white flowers sat, “I was hoping to keep them, to leave out. To dry?” In the short time that they had gotten to know one another Heather watched as Jemma’s face softened, mumbling about princesses being silly, after that she didn’t say anything even as she gathered up the flowers with a delicate hand and placed them somewhere else; upside down Heather noted with a twinge of a smile. The maid’s demeanor changed after that, reminding the young woman of how her elder sister, Amelia, would round on her as though she were a mother duck scolding her duckling. At that a full smile crossed her lips at that thought biting back a laugh as Jemma commented about her ward under her breath.

The bath had done wonders for loosening her nerves as she surveyed the bathroom. Listening to the water drain away while she dried her hair before going through those familiar motions of braiding her hair. Well, what to do? Jemma had left quite some time ago, possibly in making sure that Heather wouldn’t go and do anything else with half her mind. So far, however, they appeared to be getting along; if the maid’s saving of the flowers was anything to go by. Air changing from bathroom to bedroom, warm to cool as she approached her bed; unable to fight a sigh that escaped her petal pink lips. Eyes staring at the pajama’s, reminding herself that this was nothing new, this was something she was used to. “So much for that,” slipping into her new set of clothes. Some part of her wanted to be rid of the clothes despite being used to such luxuries. Would it hurt? Getting a look at herself in the mirror before making a rash decision. She would still be within the palace’s dress code, but she could not wear the matching set that Jemma had set out for her. Promising that she’d apologize later as she slid on a nightgown, sweeping silky robe from the other set that had been laid out with such care; perhaps if she’d hid her nightgown with it no one would really notice. A girl could hope, slipping into a pair of soft slippers. Brushing at the material while her mind went through the events that had just transpired. There had to be somewhere she could go and no matter how desperately she wanted to go back outside – if only to see get out of her room – she reminded herself that that would not be possible in her current attire. She didn’t particularly feel like embarrassing herself at the moment even if that meant staying in her room; yet, what else was she supposed to do? Sitting back on the bed with a tiny huff of a sigh, it probably would have been best to stay in the ballroom. After all that excitement, however, she felt some time to herself was needed which meant that chance had long since come and gone.

l o c a t i o n :: her room xxxxx c o m p a n y :: no onexxxxx o c c :: can edit if need be. D: edited






made by the lovely Bittersweet Cupcakes ~

[mephitical_kitty]

intro post
keys & promises
word count ; 1,004
original post date : 08/10/15

Henley

“Miss?” a voice called out.

Vision bleary and head swimming, what was going on? Why did it feel as though someone had lit a fire from within her body? A shuddering gasp slipped past her lips, what was going on?
“Don’t try to talk, everything will be alright. They’ll…” an uncomfortable sensation suddenly rushed into her ears. Drowning out anything else that the person had to say. A few tears squeezed past her guard as the realization struck that everything would most certainly not be alright. This was it, this was her end. At the back of her mind an incoherent thought tugged, Didn’t get a chance. Whoever had found her continued speaking in a calming way and it helped very little that almost every other word filtered out now with ears ringing.

An insistent tugging from her conscious almost got the blonde to drift off, How nice it would be to simply…sleep.

“Hey, hey, no,” someone else joined in with the first person, their tone sounded urgent. A part of her felt that she knew this person but her mind refused any acknowledgement as it continued beckoning little by little of offering a reprieve from the horrible pain that engulfed her body. Hands pressed down on her abdomen which as a result caused a pained hiss to escape. “Henley, stay awake.” Henley felt that urge to whine like a petulant child demanding to know why and how come? Sleep seemed far better an option than this struggle of maintaining awareness. Despite not voicing her concerns almost afraid of what would happen if words even slipped past…would there be more blood? It took effort in keeping her eyes open and warding the ghastly image away.

Henley had managed in banishing that particular image away right as her body chose that moment in shutting down. Before going completely under the young bartender swore that she heard someone scream her name.


… t - time skip !


Light blue eyes fluttered open before squeezing shut, the patient drew in a breath…eyes suddenly snapping open at that recollection. An oxygen tube was no longer attached to her person with gentle beeps still filling her room with little noise. Whatever else she had done alerted the nurse on duty who swept in like a fluttering bird.

“The young man you had down for your contact came once he got the call. Honestly, I don’t think he would have signed the papers.”

Contact? Papers? Her mind struggled with the pace going on around her.
Oh. Oh. Head suddenly snapping towards the nurse, flaxen locks swishing, “What?”

“He appeared rather distressed. Actually, he left and then returned with someone,” Henley bit her thumbnail, glancing at the nurse who appeared distressed about not remembering anything else. The thought of someone else seeing her in such a state, close to death no less only made way for worry.

Henley nearly screamed from a torrent of emotions – he came when she needed him most. Someone had apparently accompanied him after he no doubt saw her worsening condition and she didn’t fault him for that. Had the current situation been reversed then she certainly would have done the same thing. Still, he came when she was on the brink of death. Another emotion scrambled for attention, guilt, seeing as she hadn’t meant to cause him any emotional pain. She hadn’t even thought twice about putting him down as her contact truthfully. Of course there were others except during the time of filing out needed paperwork she had honestly latched onto the person she trusted above anyone else in her life. Which was saying a lot, as there were few and far between the in so called family department. Thus if anything ever happened out of her own control then she at least knew someone would take care of what needed to be done. Another reason why he had become her primary choice and no one else. Except he hadn’t signed away what little life she thought would never get again because of an incident that more or less escalated at her work place.

“Still,” the nurse continued as Henley stared with wide owl eyes, “you should consider yourself lucky. No one thought you would live through the night. Seeing how as someone had to be on watch when you coughing so much.” She wanted desperately to point out that nothing in her life could even remotely resemble ‘luck’. Instead her mouth remained firmly clamped shut while questions rampaged on – of course she knew what had happened, how she got here but what truly bothered the young woman was the course her health had taken. Death should have claimed her not that long ago, yet here she was, alive as though the incident hadn’t even occurred. Resisting from pressing against where the wound that had landed her in the ICU was turning focus towards nurse instead. Scolding herself for not being more attentive even if she had survived by some miracle her mind still had trouble comprehending everything that had happened. “Coughing?”
“Yes, you had a mild reaction to the transfusion we gave you.” Brows furrowed as she shoved thoughts away of nearly being killed twice in one night. Almost dying a second time from blood that was meant to help her. Morbid thoughts aside she had to know, “Is he…?” The woman paused momentarily before shaking her head. Henley’s spirits sank a little, of course he wouldn’t stay. After all hospitals weren’t preferred. Lost in her thoughts at last nearly missing how the nurse came back with a slip of paper in hand.

“He did leave a number,” accepting paper with shaky hands.

“May I…?”

It took two failed attempts before she finally allowed assistance from the nurse to get to the phone. She managed to stay upright after that even with her legs feeling more like gelatin than actual flesh and bone. Flinching only once at how loud the dial tone felt, Please pick up, please pick up, her grip tightened around telephone.


{ ooc ; no, it was really good! augh, sorry mine's kinda ehh. canedit,though. Dx

[mephitical_kitty]

intro post
[ THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY ]
word count ; 1,260
original post date : 12/10/16

XXXXXX█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █xI'M BLEEDING OUT
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxso if the last thing i do is bring you down
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxso if the last thing i do is bring you down
chufothermuckermadethisformephitical_kitty↘ ↘ × (I COUNT MY SINS) :: & closemyeyes
fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill ▬ ▬▬ Cassandra Teagan Rowan
fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill fill ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

The start of the day is interesting - to say the least. It’s already well past closing time and Cassandra feels as if someone has been attempting to use her skull as a drum. There’s a lot to get done and seemingly little time. With head resting on the cool counter top, one of her employees passes by and taps her shoulder - more to make sure that she isn’t asleep. It damn well wouldn’t be the first time (nor the last, no doubt) that the brunette would have fallen asleep and not realized it. Being a night owl certainly has its perks...minus the peculiar napping spaces, of course.


“Don’t worry, ‘m alright,” she mutters while the employee seemingly saunters off.


A moment later and there’s a cool glass being pressed against her crossed arms and she chances a glance up, momentarily cross eyed before gazing at the glass.


“It isn’t alcohol.”


“Didn’t ask,” she shrugs, picking up the glass.


“So.”


Cassandra doesn’t say anything while the young man fidgets, probably trying to figure out how to word what he’s going to say. Cradling her chin in the palm of her hand before he gives up, shoulders hunching, “You’re tired.”


“So is everyone else,” absentmindedly sweeping a hand around them. This is the thing about “them” - those who choose to work late and even graveyard shifts. Tired is a word that thrums through their veins and doesn’t cease until they actually get rest. Except, of course, Cassandra has long since gotten used to the hours. Has been since the keys were handed down to her.


“I meant more than usual, Cass.”


She doesn’t say anything, just spaces out for a few moments - there are few things that get by Cassandra Rowan and as of late, college students seem to be making an art of getting alcohol without being carded. How is that happening? The last thing she wants is for the place to get shut down because some under age kid needs a drink. Sure, she was there once, but then when the old man was in charge it was either get a glass of water or a smack on the back of the head, if they were lucky. Carding was not an issue before; sure, there are under age kids but she honestly had no clue if they were that dense or stupid for pulling out a fake ID. To make matters worse, though, having one employee move and another quit on short notice certainly did not do her any favors. Regardless, she considers it either sheer dumb luck or the universe being kind that it’s just been risky college kids so far. There haven’t been any fights or anything too drastic since that last incident.


At least they aren’t all idiots, she muses, rubbing the ring hanging around her neck out of habit.


The dull buzz of shuffling and whispering snaps the brunette from her reverie as the piece of jewelry slips from her fingertips; gaze now narrowed at some scribbles on her wrist. Why were there…? She flinches before flagging down the guy who had slid the glass of water over to her moments ago and reaches out for his wrist while mentally chiding herself for not having one. Tilting head at a somewhat awkward angle, breathing out a sigh, “Good.”


“You alright?” the bartender asks once he has his wrist back.


“Just peachy, just checking the time,” flashing a smile while resisting the urge to smack head against the counter top; ignoring the good natured barb that the bartender mutters as he walks off to finish his morning routine of making sure that everything is in order before prepping a few things for when they open again that night.


Running a hand through brunette locks as a tired sigh escapes her lips. Quite frankly it’s amazing that she has yet to lose her mind. On the bright side, after getting a good look at the time she knows for a fact that there’s more than enough and no need to panic. What kind of business owner is she for nearly missing an appointment with a potential employee?


Honestly, what’s wrong with me? pinching the bridge of her nose while taking a moment to observe how lively her employees are. If only there were an ounce of that within her body, that’d be something. Though, considering how there are now openings, it isn’t surprising that she feels as though she’s losing her mind.


Picking up the glass and taking her leave from the bar while making a few rounds to remind those left to let her know when they’re leaving so she can officially lock up before heading towards her office.


After settling in the chair and adjusting the current flow of light, she gets to work - looking over documents and any paperwork that needs to get done. There are a few things that catch her that causes a double glance; nothing that will cause grief, thank goodness. Her mind gets lost within the ebb and flow of neatly written, printed words with occasional numbers floating past. A knock on the door startles her from being lost within another reverie, “Come in.” The door opens and the person stands half in and half out and it takes a few embarrassing moments for her to realize that it’s the DJ before he says, “I’m the last out, Cass. Need anything before I leave?”


Leaning back in her chair, wondering if anything else needs to be done. The last she saw of Nathan he was cleaning and stocking the bar, no doubt he’s left if it’s just Ian now. Shaking her head before a thought occurs, “What time is it?”


“Early,” Ian snarks without any hint of malice.


“Real cute,” she quips not missing his words - “Invest in a watch Cassie, damn!” - before the door closes and she rolls her eyes. Glancing back down at the paperwork before things start blurring together which is more than enough to prompt her to shut and lock the place down until much later. There isn’t much to do, other than checking over a few things - Cassandra is not much of a perfectionist, although her employees swear up and down that it’s possible that their boss may have OCD. Regardless, she does a sweep, heels clicking across polished floors as her keen eyes take everything in and once there is no doubt that nothing is out of place or missed does she shrug on her coat and gather up the needed materials before heading outdoors.

Wrapping arms tightly around herself beginning the trek to the cafe. Keeping the goal of coffee in mind to ward off the cold that swirled around. A few more blocks and she’d be there. Momentarily pausing when her dress swished around with the wind, laying arms flat at her side; settling on shoving papers under one arm and hands in the pockets of the comfy pea coat.


Nearly skipping in delight once the building came into her line of vision, instead keeping composure as the warmth replaced the cold. Breathing in the scent of brewing coffee as she made her way to the front to place an order and indulging in a small impulse buy in the form of a small snack. Cassandra’s mind wondered once she found a table, tapping nails against manila folder knowing good and well that tonight was going to be a long night, but damn, coffee and a new employee would be so worth the exhaustion later.







LOCATION ;; Elixir - - Cafe // WITH ;; Staff/Employees - - no one in particular // APPAREL ;; comfortable // OOC ;; bah, sorry this took so long and is kinda clunky. can edit. ; w;