recklessly hopeful

Darling, it doesn't matter how strong your gravity is, you were always meant to fly - even if you haven't quite figured out how yet.

[aliceislittle]

“Today has been way too long, to say the least,” Alice huffs to herself as she pushes through the front doors of the police station.

[aliceislittle]

fly me to the moon

[aliceislittle]

astrobrit:

                  —–“Well, there’s some water in the Keurig if you want to pop a pod in there. Or my parents sent me some nice English tea, and the kettle’s already on. Choice is yours.” 

Theo’s heart felt light as she mentioned her mother baking for him. Mrs. Little was a wonderful woman, and her kindness was infectious. She was the sort of woman who truly embodied what someone would consider when referencing a matronly figure, and he was glad that they seemed to still want to have him around. After all, she made more cookies for him while he was dating her daughter than his real mother ever did. Not that it was much of a loss, considering she had a horrid habit of burning everything. 

He sat down next to the telescope, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. Her inquisition only brightened the look in his eyes, and the astronomer took to framing the telescope as if he were a telemarketer. 

                    —–”This wonderful piece happens to be one of the most high-definition, high-powered telescopes out on the market today. It claims to be able to view past light pollution, but we’ll see how effective that truly is. Thankfully our lord and savior Amazon allows full refunds.” Theo smiled brightly and turned to Alice, tilting his head to the side. “Anyhow, what is it that you needed to show me in person? Was it cookies? Because that alone was worth it.”

“One of these days I may become a tea drinker, but today is not that day,” Alice said with a laugh as she walked over to the Keurig and started it up to make herself a cup of coffee. Leaning against the counter as the machine started up, she listened to Theo ramble on about his fancy new telescope. “Sounds pretty neat-o,” She said, grabbing a cookie and walking over to examine the telescope. It seemed to be very high-tech and if it could do what Theo said, it would be pretty amazing.

Finshing off the cookie, she couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as he asked about what she wanted to show him. “No, the cookies were just a bonus. What I need to show you is outside, also you might want to go to the bathroom before hand because you are going to freak out,” She laughed and started towards the door, not waiting for him to follow. 

It was a relatively clear night out, and thankfully not very busy either. She didn’t particularily want to broadcast her new abilities to the whole world. In fact there were very few people she wanted to tell specifically - Theo being one of them. Her parents? Not so much. They would probably freak out, which was something she was not prepared to handle. Theo would be excited, amazed and probably a little scared, but interested all the same. 

[aliceislittle]

fly me to the moon

[aliceislittle]

astrobrit:

Theo’s parents had sent him a care package from England, full of everything he missed. Proper sweets like Aeros and Cadburys and Tunnocks, Hobnobs and Digestives, some proper English tea, some well-packaged Irn Bru, and the one gift that ages like fine wine – a multitude of socks. Of course, there was an essay’s worth of a letter included, as well, detailed specifically about the many aspects of life in Ipswich by his mother. In short, things were well; father’s gout was improving, John’s daughter Amy has grown a few inches, the ladies at the luncheon persisted in their gossipy oligarchy of elite socialites, and one of his obnoxious school mates had made it to the Premier Football League. 

They did this every now and then, just as a reminder that they existed. With it, they tended to deposit a hefty, hefty sum into his bank account, which Theo humbly appreciated. He had given up fighting them over it, and has conceded to allow them to pay him through, stating “well, stargazing doesn’t pay very well, now does it?” Couldn’t blame them; they were right, after all, and Theo knows it is said without malice. 

So, with his new funds, he decided to order an excellent, new, high-powered telescope that he had been eyeing for some time. It claimed to have the ability to surpass light pollution, and a younger Theo might consider that to be objectively false. However, knowing that strange things are possible, he didn’t quite hold to his skepticism like he used to.

He was just finishing up the assembly when he heard knocking on his door. Like a dog, he leaped from his seat and trotted to the door, swinging it wide open with an even wider smile upon his face. 

                    —–“Alice!” He exclaimed excitedly. Theo looked down at the package she was holding and beamed. “Cookies!” He exclaimed again. The astronomer beckoned her inside. “Come on in. We’re nearly done with the new telescope!”

Alice smiled at Theo’s excitement. She’d never really been a science person, or a math person for that matter. It all seemed to go over her head, but she did appreciate the idea of it. The stars that went on and on forever, taking shapes in the sky, the planets with amazing names so different from earth. She also enjoyed listening to Theo talk about the stars. He got so excited that it radiated off of him, making it impossible for those around him not to be excited as well.

As a scientist, she hoped that he would be excited about her powers as well. How could he not be? She hadn’t quite managed to master them yet and had the scrapes to show for it. But little by little it was getting easier to control. Mostly she was proud that she could essentially levitate without thinking, walking was now obsolete. 

“Straight from Mama Little,” Alice said with a laugh, stepping through the front door. “So what’s so special about this telescope anyways? Not that you need a reason to be excited, but you seem especially smiley right now.” 

Tossing the cookies onto the counter, she turned to him with a smile, hands on her hips. She was trying to think of a way to surprise him with her newfound abilities, shock him just a little bit for her own fun. “Have anything good to go along with these cookies? You know I’m always up for a cup of coffee,” She smiled and opened up the container. The cookies were still warm, and perfectly baked. Everything her mother did was perfect. 

[aliceislittle]

fly me to the moon

After departing Morgan’s house, Alice’s brain had been whirring with new information and excitement. She had to tell someone about what had happened - the important part at leasts. Her ability to fly. Theo was the obvious choice, they were practically siblings. She wasn’t sure how much she should tell him about Morgan, but she knew she needed to share her new abilities. He would be thrilled, or terrified. Probably both. 

Walking up to Theo’s front door, she re-adjusted the box of cookies in her arms. Her mother, after finding out Alice was seeing Theo, had insisted on sending a couple dozen chocolate chip cookies. Even though Lorina was no longer around, Theo was still a part of the Little family. It was nice to have him around - it was like they still had a connection to Lorina through him. 

Thankfully the bruising had faded on her side and Morgan had done an excellent job of healing her up, much to Alice’s appreciation. She didn’t need anyone worrying about her - or going protective big brother on her. “Theo!” Alice called out in a sing-song voice as she knocked on his front door, a mischevious smile on her face. 

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

morganpooley:

                  —–”All signs point to the Violet Sky. Think about it: the sky lights up in a burst of violet, the source of which is a nearby government facility. The next day, people start noticing they’re developing abilities, and a strange fog has encircled the town, which I think is them keeping the truth inside; caging us from the rest of the world.”

Though Morgan’s expression was altogether sane and calm, her eyes were alight with excitement. The only other person she’s shared her thoughts with was William, who had a habit of occasionally drifting off while she spoke. It was hard to blame him, considering half of his vocabulary consisted in grunting. She often wished for a true protege, someone she could teach from the very beginning of their transformation. Indoctrinate them with her beliefs, and lead them to the truth.

                   —–”My biggest theory is that the strength of one’s powers relies solely on their connection to the town. For example, the Bates and the Pooleys were some of the original founders of this town. For that reason, we have great abilities. However, an outsider…or rather, someone who may not be of the town or, perhaps, the state, may have a smaller ability. Perhaps they can only control cheese, I don’t know. Or grow cat ears – only cat ears. Nevertheless, I believe that all abilities are useful. And yours…well, dear Alice, you have achieved that which exists in dreams.”

Alice’s eyes grew wider and wider as Morgan spoke, the ideas rolling over and over in her head. It all made sense, everything made perfect sense. The violet sky incident caused this - that the fog kept the town hidden from the rest of the world. Everything was clicking into place. Maybe part of her had always known these things, or at least suspected them. But she’d been too distracted by her own life to really pay attention. Had she been so dull and focused as not to notice them?

“That would explain a few things at the station...” Alice said, eyes wide still as she frowned in thought. Morgan’s next idea made a bit of sense, but she wasn’t entirely sold on it. Your ties to the town making the strength of your power? “I guess that could make sense, but I haven’t met that many people with powers so I couldn’t quite say. But I have lived in Bluebrook my whole life, or I suppose my family has been here for a while...” She trailed off again in thought.

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: Sure. I'm setting up my new telescope at home. I've got pizza, too.

Alice: Whatta nerd...OMW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: ...

Theo: Send a pic?

Alice: Nah it should be a surprise. Meet up later?

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: What's the first?

Alice: It'd probably be better if I just showed you ;)

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: Yes, a true miracle! lol

Theo: Her name is Elanor and she's beautiful and sells honey and chard and is beautiful

Alice: This is the second most exciting thing to happen this week.omigod.

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: I've asked a real, human lady out on a dinner date.

Alice: Really!???????????!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

Alice: OHMYGOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aliceislittle]

New Text Message;

Theo: Hey sorry I missed your last text, I was at work

Theo: I have some interesting news though!

Alice: What?

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

morganpooley:

Morgan shook her head and raised a hand, as if to passively silence Alice. 

                    —–”Do not worry, dear Alice. I’m merely poking fun. And you’re welcome. You took quite a hit, you know. Some internal bleeding and a few bruised ribs, I believe. I fixed you up, though. Free of cost.”

The witch winked at the young woman, smirking still. She obviously took pride in the fact that her abilities have improved the state of another. It was much unlike her ancestral calling, which was more predatory and harmful as a whole. There was a desire, of course, but she continued to throw herself into the essence of a matronly figure, even if just once.

                    —–”It’s not crazy. Not anymore.” Morgan adjusted herself in the chair so that she was straight, and appeared as confident as she felt. “I’m not sure how many of us are out there, but I expect it’s, at this point, close to half and half. And I don’t know why it happened, or what causes it to choose who to affect, but we must accept how we change in life, regardless of magic or age or anything, really. I have my own theories, but there’s no telling what the truth is at this point.”

Though her side ached a tremendous amount, Alice realized it wasn’t hardly as bad as it was last night. Morgan had really healed her, and well at that. That was amazing, how far did Morgan’s powers go? She’d said before that her powers were nearly limitless, did she mean it? “That’s amazing, how far do your powers really go?” Alice’s curiosity got the better of her as she continued to examine herself, taking note of a few bruises and red splotches. 

While Alice had been tentative at first, she was slowly warming up to Morgan. This woman could have harmed her at any point, but she hadn’t - she’d done the opposite, she’d healed Alice. 

“I suppose you’re right - but half and half? That’s sort of crazy...” She trailed off, contemplating the rise in crime and the oddity of the instances. “What sort of theories do you have? Does it have to do with Violet Sky?”

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

morganpooley:

Morgan chuckled and crossed her legs, leaning back into the chair. Alice made a great point, she would have to give that to her. However, when has the hospital here in Bluebrook ever done as much as magic could?

                    —–”Well, you’re welcome for saving you a ridiculous bill, for one. And two, what happened to you isn’t exactly hospital material, wouldn’t you say? The flying bit sort of negates the necessity of western medicine; you needed attention from someone with magic.”

Morgan extended her arms and gestured at herself, smiling from ear to ear. It was clear that Morgan was very pleased with the situation, and appeared much calmer and happier than usual. It almost made her seem like a normal, approachable person. Well, almost.

                    —–”The main reason is that  it would have been better for you to wake up to someone who has answers. I’m sure you’re contemplating a lot now that you’ve discovered your abilities. It isn’t easy discovering the truth of who you are – a truth that always existed, but laid dormant within you, leaving you unwitting and in shock. I understand that, and i’m here to help.”

Alice listened quietly to Morgan. Which in and of itself was abnormal for the blonde, who wasn’t known for ability to be quiet or have any sort of patience. But the points the woman in front of her made rung true. Her breath caught in her throat as Morgan mentioned the bit about flying. How much had she seen? Obviously it wasn’t phasing her. Which made sense - Alice recalled their brief meeting and the woman’s...abilities. 

“I apologize, I didn’t mean it to sound...that way...thank you, thank you so much,” Alice said slowly, a smile falling across her face, making its way up to her eyes. Even getting hit by a car couldn’t keep her down. Jesus christ, she could fly. Nothing could keep her down now, figuratively and literally. 

“You’re totally right, I mean - this is crazy. It’s crazy isn’t it? How in the world was I able to do that? I mean I’mhappy I did - or I could be in much worse shape - but...” She trailed off, her thoughts going a mile a minute. Brow furrowing, she contemplated what this meant for Bluebrook. “How many people in Bluebrook are there - like you and me I mean?”

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

morganpooley:

The bedroom Morgan had settled Alice into was one of the fancier guest bedrooms – first impressions and all. The long red curtains were inlaid with gold filigree, matching tassels sweeping along the dark hardwood floor. The bed was a simple four-poster, with a wooden canopy instead of fabric. Burgundy drapes – not nearly as fancy as the window curtains – were tied back against the posts, opening the room up to the guest who now occupied it. Everything felt as if it was pulled from a castle, at least in Morgan’s mind.

The enchantress had made a temporary home for herself in the love seat by the door, medical supplies surrounding her. She had spent the night fixing whatever injuries overcame young Alice; internally with magic and externally with medicine. As Alice regained consciousness, Morgan looked up from her phone and smirked. She made her way over to the seat by the bed and sat, plastering a warm expression on her usually cold appearance.

                    —–”You shouldn’t move too much. You were hit by a car, after all. Could be worse – you could have landed with all of that momentum on the ground. Thankfully my…associate was nearby to retrieve you.”

“Morgan?” Alice said in surprise, watching the dark haired woman move from the love seat to sit next to the bed. That was certainly not that person she expected to see after everything that had happened. But it set her mind at ease to at least see a semi-familiar face, one she had talked to before. Yet some part of her wasn’t entirely sold on the woman - recalling their previous conversation about....powers. About Bluebrook. It was that moment that the magnitude of what had happened came rushing back, she’d flown. She’d done something so amazing, it almost made up for getting hit by a car and...and what had happened with Rye. 

Why had Rye attacked her anyways? She hadn’t thought the girl could be so - aggresive. They’d only had one conversation before, but - she had thought the other girl kind of liked her. “Your associate? Well - that is a good thing. But why am I here, and not at the hospital?” She asked tentatively, the question at the forefront of her mind. 

Lifting herself up slightly, she attempted a grateful smile at Morgan. Was this her house? It must be, she was a Pooley after all. 

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

morganpooley:

ROSE

After some time had passed since the car wreck, Rose was still left unconscious. The music continued to play through the stereo until her playlist ran out and stopped completely. Her car was now totaled, and the now unconscious journalist was bleeding from a minor head wound. It would later be determined that she had endured a concussion from the impact, though the regret of having injured and – to her knowledge – possibly killed the only person who endured her at the police station, the single kindest individual she’d met in this ridiculous town, and one of her dearest friends.

MORGAN

The heiress felt a buzzing in her dress pocket, and felt her curiosity piqued at seeing Rye’s name pop up. She quirked a brow, knowing fully well that the girl was on a time constraint. Hopeful at seeing some results, she unlocked her phone and was…well, definitely not surprised. In fact, Morgan was extremely elated at the sight of the familiar member of the police force suddenly flying. What in the name of advantageous skills…

After texting a quick – and, to be self-serving, quite hilarious – response, Morgan immediately summoned a portal to the icy bridge, and effortlessly stepped over to the other plane. She startled to see the totaled car and the bleeding driver, as that was definitely a forgotten detail in her exchange with Rye. Upon closer inspection, Morgan rolled her eyes to see the familiar face of the journalist. 

                    —–”Jesus Christ, when isn’t this woman? No, never mind. Christ.” 

Morgan opened her phone and send a brief text to William, asking him to retrieve the small annoyance and deliver her anonymously to the hospital. Once that task was completed, Morgan walked over to the unconscious body of Alice Little and chuckled deeply, feeling her blood rush through her. The heiress whipped around to where Rye was standing, her eyes wild with excitement. 

                    —–”This counts as ‘one exceptional individual’. Congratulations, you’re off the fish hook.” 

Morgan cackled wildly at the pun and grinned from ear to ear, taking a hold of Alice before opening a portal under them and into a guest bed within her manor. And, as if evaporating in thin air, the portal vanished.

As if it wasn’t enough to actually be able to fly, Alice’s unconcious mind gave her dreams of flying. One would have expected nightmares after the evening Alice had had, but her mind seemed to want to allow her to enjoy this small yet stunning victory. She could fly. The happiness of her dreams were brought crashing back to reality as her conciousness returned - along with screaming pain.

The nighmare vision, the car, shock and darkness. Those were her last memories. Which explained why everything seemed to hurt. At least she wasn’t on the cold ground anymore. That was another question - why wasn’t she? And if she wasn’t still on the bridge, where was she instead?

Willing her eyes to open, Alice glanced at her surroundings. It wasn’t the hospital - or home. She’d never been here before, some gut instinct was telling her that wasn’t a good sign. But whever she was didn’t appear to be an immediate danger. It looked like any other room, a bed, dresser, window. 

“Hello?” She called out, attempting to move before recalling her aching body and staying put.

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

freelanceflower:

Rose felt truly fulfilled for the first time in a long time. She showed her family some of her (tamer) articles, such as the legalization focus piece which got printed nationally. Everyone was so proud of her, and to be so appreciated by the people around her, surrounded in warmth and comfort was a wonderful thing.

She waited until night to return to Bluebrook, hoping to avoid the majority of Thanksgiving traffic. Not that people here celebrated it as much as they used to, after all, but it was still a celebratory get together for many. She turned her heater on high, her music on even higher, and set off down the road.

Rose turned onto the Smith Creek Bridge, humming along to the music when she noticed – a little too late – a familiar figure in the middle of the road. Something wasn’t right, though, and the Empathy within her screamed caution. Though it was too late already. 

                    —–”Alice!” Rose yelped, slamming on the breaks. Unfortunately, the bridge was notorious for becoming icy in the winter time, and Rose found herself and her beat-up car coming in contact with such. Her tires locked, breaks squealing and beginning to fail, and no matter how intently the journalist tried to pump them, it seemed pointless. Rose frantically threw the wheel to the side, though the attempt to fishtail away from the woman was of no use, and the sliding momentum of the car simply redirected the impact against her, instead impacting in a way that would force Alice off of the bridge. 

A split second passed, and such an impact came, forcing Rose’s car headlong into the side of the bridge, the journalist’s head knocking against the glass window and knocking her out as the airbags deployed.

Everything happened too fast. How did walking home turn hopelessly wrong? The images in her head, was that because of Rye? Alice couldn’t begin to think through the terrifying turn of events that were her evening. Her mind could only focus on one thing, escape. She needed to get away from here, away from the terrifying images, from the people. Some deeper part of her knew Bluebrook wasn’t the same as it once was, but she’d been in denial for a while. Even after the incident with the boy, even after everything she’d seen at the station. 

Her feet pounded on the pavement of the bridge, solid ground beneath her. But the feeling of movement didn’t put her stomach at ease - or her mind. Everything hurt - not her body, her soul. It felt as if her insides were screaming at her to do something, something very specific. If she was honest with herself, this feeling had been buried at the pit of her stomach for a long time now. She had been able to push it away, but being forced to rely on her base insticts allowed it to rise up into her chest. 

Alice was moving quickly on the bridge, but not quick enough. Headlights flashed and tires screamed in anger - and she felt pain erupt through her entire body now. Thrown off the bridge, she couldn’t help the scream that escapes her lips. Part pain, part - something else entirely. Alice looses control over that feeling that rose to her chest. Her body screaming along with her voice, she waited for some sort of impact - more pain than she already felt. Cold water, hard earth - but neither was felt.

Instead of falling to the pull of gravity, Alice stays afloat, continues sailing backwards - up instead of down.Confusion at the situation overtaking the pain springing up in her sides and arm, Alice realizes her eyes are closed and opens them. What she sees shocks and confuses her, another scream escaping her lips. Alice isn’t falling, she’s flying.

[aliceislittle]

fight or flight

[aliceislittle]

ryechosis:

Rye held on, she knew it would come back to bite her that Alice knew her name. She knew she was being reckless, but this was an order, this was desperation. She found that as she stole the sanity from the woman’s mind, she could imagine the faces of every person that had thrown her out, every time the door had closed shut behind her without even a wave goodbye as she was shipped off to another home.

Not again. Never again.

Rye held on tighter until she heard the tell-tale sound of a car coming over the bridge. Giving Alice one last wave of her power, she released to woman and ran off down the other side of the bridge and into the park in hopes of finding more victims.

Alice could feel every ounce of her body screaming at her to run, to go, to do something - anything. But the horrors taking place before her froze her in place, making her breath come in short gasps. The oxygen couldn’t reach her lungs, her legs just wouldn’t move. But just as quickly as the terrifying visions had begun, they ended, leaving Alice with a feeling of whiplash and a desire to move as fast as she could as far as she could - immediately.

Bag falling from her shoulder and breath coming in short gasps, she turned and RAN. Disoriented and confused, Alice ran without direction or thought - not even noticing the car coming down the road. Eyes blinding her because of the stinging tears and cold air - she felt something rising inside of her. Was she going to throw-up, or was it something else?