A TOTAL RUSH

"C'mon, it's a total rush and you know it." faye / eighteen / witch / casino host

[diameade-deactivated20180417]

@atotalrush

It had taken far more work than she would have liked to admit to find out where Faye Chamberlain lived. Faye was good at getting exactly what she wanted, and if that meant staying off Diana’s radar and maintaining her freedoms, she had done a very good job. But Diana was no fool, and she had resources of her own. So as she knocked on Faye’s door, a bottle of rum in one hand, Diana shifted her weight a little nervously. 

So things weren’t going smoothly with anyone in the circle, but she’d half expected that. And Faye had warned her too, in her own way. Still she found herself drawn to her circle members, looking for them wherever she was. And now, though she wasn’t eager to admit it either, she needed Faye’s help. Not with anything big and witchy and dangerous. She needed an outfit.

As the door swung open, Diana smiled. “Hi Faye,” she said, holding up the bottle she carried and waving it side to side. “House warming gift?”

[atotalrush-blog]

While some people stood firmly against living on their own, Faye didn’t. In fact, she loved it. She enjoyed the freedom of coming and going as she pleased. There was no one around she needed to clean up after or vice versa. Though, at times, the silence did feel a little deserted. Alas, it was nothing Faye couldn’t fix with some music, other sounds or the companionship of good friends. Mostly Melissa, who was always game for just about anything (within reason). You know, unless she was in one of her moods. Nevertheless, Faye could vouch for the single-living lifestyle. Or so, it worked for her. And the best part of it all was, she got to pick and choose who she invited over. Which meant if she wanted to avoid certain people, she could. All she had to do was neglect to tell them where they could find her. And wah-la! People like her clients or just simple acquaintances who she had no interest of seeing more than she needed to, couldn’t bother her here.

Speaking of access... or lack thereof, among her list of people who knew where to find her, Diana wasn’t one of them. Which could only mean one thing when Faye opened her door and was unexpectedly met face to face with the Primadonna herself. “Let me guess.... Melissa,” Faye declared as she considered who would have told Diana where to find her. She didn’t place much faith in Diana as the resourceful type. (As in: capable of finding her on her own.) Then again, Diana had her moments. And maybe the time away had changed her in ways none of them knew. “Alright, fine.” Faye sighed. A cue that she was going to give Diana the benefit of the doubt. Mostly because she had already read her mind and brought booze. It was a start. "You can stay. If,” Upon taking the bottle off Diana’s hands, Faye waved it by the neck in front of her face, “you keep up. And no circle talk. Especially if it involves the woes of a scorned, former mafia solider. It’s my night off.”

[armstrong-jakes-deactivated2016]

Her words, spat with anger and frustration, had the hallucinating-male pause in his wake of destruction. It was only then when he noticed what he’d done – the flipped table, and the mess he’d made; both physically and emotionally. “Fine – I’ll get out.” he breathed heavily as he stared her down, clenching his jaw. “Between you and Diana forming alliances with vampires, what would I need you guys for?” kind of hypocritical on his part, due to the fact that all this mess was made after he decided to join a vampire’s mafia. He just felt like he had no other choice, the same way he felt when he joined the witch hunters. In fact, it was in this moment of revelation that he really saw the comparison. He yet again was rebelling against his circle and it was because of a death in his family – the same death that he thought he closed the casket on. But Nick wasn’t gone, that he knew. This place, this purgatory or whatever the hell it was, it had him. The City of Darkness retained lost souls and it was up to Jake to find his brother. He owed it to him. After years of pushing him away and fighting with him, he owed it to him to do everything in his power to save him.

“You know, I thought you and I – I thought we weren’t so different. You’re a bitch and I’m a jack ass, because it works. But hanging out at Marcel’s club, having drinks with him? That’s cute even for you, Faye.” She knew about Marcel – he’d told her about Marcel and what Marcel and his witch did to him. He was sick – maybe dying; and Faye was out taking shots with the beast, celebrating. “I had plans…. But neither you nor Diana know a thing about working together, it’s no wonder your little coven never worked out.” Behind Faye, in the window, Jake saw something: a man – no a vampire, peering in through the window. “Who was that?” Jake again brushed past Faye with physical contact as he flitted for the window and looked out the cloudy glass. 

“You have ‘em watching me? You’re his spy? That’s why you were talking with Marcel. You were telling him about me.” Jake’s eyes closed as the thoughts stirred on a migraine. Small, agonized sounds was building up in the back of his throat as he used the window to help keep him up. “Who’s your other friend?” Jake swiftly moved across the room and grabbed the coffee table by the leg and broke it off for a weapon – a stake. “Call him in here, now. Get him in here, Faye. Call your dog. I am not going to be followed anymore.” Jake was pale and sweating from a fever, his accusing eyes, glossy and mean. “What do you and Diana have planned against me? What did Marcel give you guys? Hm? Power? He changed you. You’re him, you’re a monster. That was stupid, Faye. I know you wanted to have your own power, but this was not the way! You saw what it did to my brother!” Jake pushed her up against the wall with his forearm against her chest and the stake raised in the air, “Show me! Show me what he did to you!”

[atotalrush-blog]

She had half the mind to ask him where he was getting his info. But, in the end decided it no longer mattered. Jake was now fully aware of her little pow wow with Marcel at his club. Though, contrary to Jake's own misguided beliefs -- Faye wasn't "hanging out" with Marcel. She wasn't consorting with his enemies. She wasn't betraying him. She was doing what she had to in order to dig herself and him out of the hole he dragged her into. He drew targets on their backs, not the other way around. "What are you talking about?! You've seriously lost it. You should just go--" Despite being a little shaken up by his outburst, she hid it well and stepped over the debris brought on by his tantrum to lead him toward her front door. She wasn't going to entertain his conspiracy theories anymore. She tried to be supportive and it wasn't enough. So now, she was doing what she had to do. Doing what was necessary to avoid the backlash of his reckless mistakes.

How she was getting blamed for any of this was beyond her. As she stood in front of the door, prepared to open it, she saw Jake's periphery jump to the window where he claimed to have seen something. Or rather someone. But, when she glanced outside the window herself, she saw nothing. None of the vampires she met and developed friendships with knew where she lived. It was possible Marcel had her followed but she hardly ever got that sneaking suspicion. Any time he's spied on the two of them before she's gotten an eerie feeling. A hunch that just told her something didn't sit right. But now, she didn't feel any of those things. Nothing 'off' so to speak. "There's nobody out there," She tried telling him. But to no avail. Jake barely paid her any mind as he brushed past her again.

She didn't want to admit it but he was starting to scare her. In a maniacal, irrational sort of way. She didn't know how to deal with him. And a part of her wished she could just cut him off. But that was certainly easier said than done. "What?!" Faye spluttered at last. "Who told you that?" She didn't bother denying nor admitting it. At this point, trying to argue or convince him of anything was useless and a waste of her time. There was no reasoning with him, not when he was like this. Completely out of his mind.

That much being further confirmed when he broke off a piece of the coffee table and positioned it like a weapon. Whatever "other friend" he was talking about, she had no clue. Usually her vampire friends, especially those of the male variety weren't made aware of her involvement with Jake or really the rest of their circle. So, she honestly was at a loss as to who he was referring to. "You're speaking in riddles. There's no one after you Jake. It's all in your head. Just,--" she took a cautionary step forward. Her arms were stretched out as she tried to get him to hand over the makeshift stake, "--give me the stake. Then we can talk." -- Of course, her efforts had failed. You couldn't reason with someone who was so far out of touch with their own reality. Besides, before she knew it, he slammed her against the wall. And her only instinct was to fight back. To use m a g i c. Just like she'd practiced.

Thus, her gaze focused on the stake in his hand. She used the strength and power of her own mind to knock it out of his grasp. And the clinking sound to follow as it hit the floor was just the momentary distraction she needed to push him off of her. She watched as he staggered back and immediately grabbed the stake that had fallen on the ground. She never intended to use it on him. It was more so a sign for him to take her seriously. “If you calm down, we can get you help. I know someone who may have a cure. And he’s not working with Marcel. But, you have to trust me.”

[alicentrism]

[darkdimensiongossip-blog]

Damon should never kiss anyone. It's gross.

Damon, 

Stop kissing alive girls. 

[atotalrush-blog]

[wickedwaysx-deactivated20160718]

Another day, another paycheck to be earned. Kol never imagined that his afterlife would include working for a living like some commoner human back in the living world, but he wasn’t the one making the rules down here. Fortunately, he caught onto the way of life in this hell dimension rather swiftly and had even managed to build his own black market empire selling various magic and dark objects. Most of his clientele consisted of rich folk looking to lay down a nice check in exchange for something rare and powerful to put on display in their fancy homes. Others, he was sure, had different ideas for the magical objects they sought from him. Given his vast knowledge and experience with witchcraft and the various objects created from it, he usually had a pretty good guess. Whatever they did with it once they left his establishment though was their own business.

Approaching one of his men just outside his office, for lack of a better word, Kol is informed of a new client awaiting his services and expertise inside. “I suppose duty calls then,” he comments before dismissing his employee with a nod and stepping past him. When he slips inside, he finds the young brunette described to him standing among his inventory. From the looks of her, she wasn’t the typical client he had grown used to dealing with. 

Wearing the usual smirk as she finally takes notice of his presence, Kol steps forward to greet her. “Affirmative. I’m Kol, this is my business,” he confirms, gesturing with an arm to the various magic artifacts and herbs surrounding them before returning his attention to her. “I assume you’re here to place a request or to buy something particular. Either way, it doesn’t come cheap. So tell me, darling, what is it I can do for you?”

[atotalrush-blog]

Admittedly, Faye knew she was in way over her head. Considering, she knew nothing of the threat or dangers his family imposed on endless, innocent victims over their centuries spent on earth. Faye was never one to judge a book by it’s cover. All she cared about was the cure she came for, and his expertise on all things witchcraft. If she had to sell her soul to the devil in order to protect herself and finally get ahold of the dark magic she felt she earned and desired, then so be it. Whatever “cost” he expected her to pay, she came to him willing to offer. Of course, she wouldn’t sell herself short in the process. “You’re Kol?” She wondered aloud. Honestly? She expected someone older. Maybe someone a little wiser. Not that he wasn’t. She didn’t really know him well enough to vouch otherwise. But, he just looked so....... 

It didn’t matter. Faye never completed the thought. Her attention was instead, pulled towards his onward greeting. During of which, she couldn’t help noticing his accent. The European drawl which resembled another stranger’s with whom she’s met recently. A gallery owner, named E-something. There was a resemblance there but she didn’t make it her business to pry. "So they say,” She confesses with a lively smirk. He had a reputation. One that extended into both good and bad spectrums. Faye would ultimately decide for herself which side she believed he fell on, if any. But for now, her prime focus was on their business deal. Much like his seemed to be. “Two things. But, for starters... maybe an antidote to this,” She paused to dig into her jacket pocket and fish out a yellow sticky-note. On it were a list of symptoms inflicted on a friend of hers as punishment, and all due to a magical hex. The symptoms ranged from: hallucinations to night terrors, to hot and cold sweats, and even extensive bouts of anger and destructive violence. She realized finding the remedy she was looking for, was a long shot but it was worth the try. “There’s more to it but, they’re the most common. You got anything to fix that?” By now, it was obvious she wasn’t asking for herself. Given, it didn’t take a genius to see that she was in perfect health.

[towelgirl]

@atotalrush

Lexi had an odd habit of grabbing those by the wrist and rushing towards the excitement. Perhaps it was the last bit of childlike wonder in her, but as Faye and her approached Fangtasia, she couldn’t help but fill with pure adrenaline. Her obnoxiously high heels clicked against the pavement as they approached the lit sign. As her eyes widened (as they usually did when they approached one of her favorite places to be), she instantly dropped the other girl’s hand before twirling in front of the bar itself. 

“Welcome to my home,” she laughed, expanding her hands widely. “Mi casa is su casa!” Her shoulders shimmied with excitement as she rapidly stepped through the door. She was prepared for a night she’d never forget (or at least she’d try not to with alcohol in tow). 

[atotalrush-blog]

Much like the other patrons of Saints and Sinners, Faye had taken a shine to Lexi. Some of the best people she’s met since she settled here in the Dark Dimension and joined forces with either through business, pleasure or recreational enterprises, have been vampires. It was their lack of inhibition that enticed Faye. The bigger the thrill, and the higher the risk of danger, the better in her eyes. In all honesty, she didn’t know what to expect when she walked into another bar run by a third-vampire authority. Fangtasia was much more wild and unkempt than what she was used to. But, in a good way.

'And while Lexi performed a graceful pirouette into her house of untamed madness, Faye caught herself smirking with utter delight. For her, it was sure to be both interesting and enlightening to see what goes on in her new friend’s natural habitat. She recalled Lexi informing her once that she was a dancer. And from the looks of it, there were two types that made up Fangtasia: the strippers and the go-go dancers. Though, which profession she fell into, she wasn’t sure. “Remind me again, why you trade all of this--” Faye paused to point and twirl her finger at their incoming surroundings, “--for cheap beer often hand delivered to you by a binge-drinking-killjoy-Cassandra?”

[screamsource]

Maybe he’s just laying low at home.

[atotalrush-blog]

Will be on to do replies tomorrow prob. Work’s been keeping my busy but I’ll get a break tomorrow so I’ll do my best to get some things done. I’ll also answer messages/inboxes. Feel free to hmu for plots or just to chat any time!

[faye-chamberlain]

[stefansalvatored]

[atotalrush-blog]

@jake-ass LOL the last two words

[archiveblog0101]

[atotalrush-blog]

@wickedwaysx

[kol-calamity-blog]

I Need Entertainment

[kol-calamity-blog]

ANONYMOUS TIME!!!! (or ask in character!)

HYE have you ever?

FMK fuck marry kill

KHC kiss hug cuddle

NML a night, a month or for life?

AMA ask me anything

HON hot or not?

WWY well would you?

WYR would you rather? 

TOD truth or dare?

SMW ship me with?

TOT this or that?

WIS who I ship? (with myself, or with others – specify) 

or anything else hilariously entertaining you can think of!  

[atotalrush-blog]

@wickedwaysx

For days, Faye sought out a solution to her problem. A cure to the cancer which was slowly but surely putting a real damper on all of her fun. After asking around, her sources led her to an underground playhouse where a highly esteemed trickster who excelled in the dark arts had, resided. Word on the street was, a former witch and now original vampire had been the only person with a natural gift for kemiya. A magical practice that allows witches to change the elemental foundation of any object or magically imbue creations with harmful supernatural properties, creating dark objects and weapons. Such practice was known to cross the balance between magic and science, utilizing aspects of both. Not to mention, this highly-esteemed stranger was notorious for studying a wide range of magic. From ancient voodoo to thaumaturgy to tantra to alchemy, and even necromancy or expression. His skills ranged all across the board and Faye could admit that just his reputation alone was enough to entice her. Along with the fact that he may very well be the only person who could help her find a remedy to the hex placed on her good friend. His name, much like his black market operation, was quite difficult to track down at first. Hence, why it took Faye longer than she would have liked to finally arrange a meeting with him. Ontop of that, she knew she had to prepare. It was clear he wouldn’t offer up his services for free and his expertise came at a pretty hefty price. But, Faye had been willing to pay it. In fact, she was almost too thrilled to. As the thrill seeker inside of her, just couldn’t walk away from an opportunity to meet the mysterious honcho face to face.

As one of said honcho’s men led her into the heart of his underground lair, Faye felt herself growing overwhelmed with excitement. For so long, she coveted a connection to dark magic. She was even envious of her former circle members who were both born with it and though, didn’t seem to appreciate or even want it. It was unfair that such colossal gifts were wasted on witches who failed to embrace their full potential. Not for Faye. She may not have been born with dark magic, but there were still ways she could gain it for herself. And this vampire was her only hope.

As she stood in a room full of antiques and dark objects, medicinal and recreational herbs, she heard footsteps approach. When she turned around, she caught a glimpse of an unknown, handsome stranger. And somehow just knew that he was the one she’d been looking for. “Are you him?” She wondered aloud. She needed him to clarify it for sure.

[armstrong-jakes-deactivated2016]

“Oh? Did the carrier-pigeon not make it?” Jake sneered on his way in, brushing up against her as if to further agitate the girl who obviously just finished primping, and for what? “Big date?” Jake’s tongue was acidic, speaking deridingly, but also with a hint of jealousy. Jake plopped down on the couch and kicked his feet up on her coffee table. His green eyes were cloudy and in slits, daggers aimed at the vixen’s heart. It was obvious he had something on his mind – restlessness was apparent in the way his arms were tightly crossed and his shoes tapping to an unheard beat. 

“You look even sluttier than usual,” he cracked a smile, placing his feet down on the rug as he leaned forward. “Who’s got you all dolled up?” his words were mocking as he stood up and came around from the small table, in which he left shoe-marks on. There wasn’t a handful of people who could get beneath the sultry-brunette’s skin, but Jake vainly knew he was one of the only ones who could. He knew she cared about what he thought, she couldn’t help it —he was her drug of choice long before experimenting with Nick’s garden of secrets or Devil’s Spirit.

“Look, I know what you did.” He was looking right at her but then something behind her, on the wall, had him distracted. There was a shadow behind her, with giant wings; what the hell did Marcel do to her? He could remember a girl that Marcel found off the streets, hiding from the sun. He turned her into one of his dancers at the club, and she had these giant devil-wings. He turned her, he turned Faye, and made her like him. “I knew it,” tears brimmed his eyes at the thought of betrayal, “You was with Marcel. You’re worse than Diana, you know that? This entire circle—it sucks!” There was a whispering, a faint sound, a tormentor —Faye’s voice, “You are a shitty witch and an even crappier hunter, you couldn’t even last here”, — “What? What did you say? Screw you, Faye!” Jake turned around and flipped the coffee table.

[atotalrush-blog]

On cue, she flashed him a sardonic smile as he perused past her. His intent to graze her in the process was noticed and acknowledged with an inaudible scoff. To say that things with Jake were a bit unsteady as of late, would be an understatement. He was paranoid and capricous all the time. There was no telling which version of him she’d get at any given hour. Though, tonight he seemed crossed. And evidently jealous. Hence his question and the comment regarding her appearance. Leave it to Jake to show up when she was feeling confident and twist the knife inside her heart which summoned back all of her insecurities. He got under her skin in ways other’s never have. Part of knowing her so well, meant knowing what would hurt her. But, Faye refused to let Jake poison her the way he used to when they were together. Their relationship wasn’t healthy. Jake was notorious for scaling between that quintessential hot and cold temperature. He was all fire or all ice. Up or down. A walking contradiction that she once could never get enough of. Yet, times have changed. And Faye finally realized she deserved better. For awhile, Jake seemed like he was willing to try for them. But in the end, it was nothing but the same old. And yet despite the fallout, Faye still cared enough deep down to stand by him. To assist him in his search for Nick, to hear him out when the going got tough with Marcel and his gang. Jake seemed to have forgotten all of that now that he was paying for his own mistakes. And he wouldn’t be Jake if he didn’t take her, or the rest of their circle down with him. Go figure.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Faye toyed, whilst conjuring up one of the snarkiest smiles she could muster. She pointed a finger lazily in his direction, trying her hardest not to fuel his spiteful demeanor. It took effort on her part, the competitive streak inside her just itching to spruce. Until eventually, she couldn’t help herself. He had no right to barge in here the way he did. Not after she’s been doing everything in her power to help him. Even when he didn’t directly ask her to. “I see this curse has finally infected your brain. Perhaps, you should consult with a doctor. Or maybe a healer. But, no wait, --” Faye paused to tap her chin thoughtfully and delicately with two fingers, as if miming her train of thought, “--You’ve already done that. Maybe miss runaway’s just not up to snuff. Not that I’m surprised.” Upon giving a shrug, Faye turned on her heal to swipe her bag off one of the end tables in her apartment.

When she eventually looked up, she caught Jake making a beeline straight for her. Though, he stopped as if struck by some new hallucination that was taking him over. Faye was already well aware that they were getting worse but she didn’t know how to stop them. And hell, maybe it wasn’t even possible. “Wanna try enlightening me, then?” She retorted as she waved a hand in front of his face to test whether or not he was still stuck in one of his dark trances. He was. Though, it stopped after a few seconds and he carried on with his slew of accusations. None of which surprised Faye. She assumed either Jake caught her or someone else did and ratted her out. She didn’t suspect that Marcel himself had anything to do with Jake finding out about their little encounter. “Excuse me?!” Faye spluttered, part disturbed and part amused by Jake’s indictment. She was pleased that he slipped up and had said Diana’s name first. That way Faye didn’t have to. “Since when do you seek out Diana for help, anyway?” There was a more direct question she wanted to ask him but didn’t. On behalf of not getting the chance. Before she could say much more, Jake had full on lost his marbles. He flipped her coffee table and nearly flung it at her in the process. She had to dodge out of the way to avoid the impact. “Have you completely lost your freaking mind?!” She shouted. At this point, she decided she was over his shit. She wanted him to go. “Get out!” She ordered, pointing to the front door. She could feel the adrenaline in her veins pumping, as her energy was being tainted by him. Enough was enough.

[theothersalvatorebrother-deacti]

“Rumor has it that politeness gets you a lot farther,” he shrugged his shoulder, rolling his eyes to the comment. No matter how much time she had spent in his bar, it never changed the demeanor she had. If anything, it grew her personality to be more and more entitled, using a sarcastic tongue as a way to get exactly what she wanted. “Kill ‘em with kindness, you know?”

 With one brow raised above the other, he took another long sip from the bottle. “Not today,” he answered bitterly, pulling his mouth away from the bottle. “Actually,” his hand pointed a finger her way. Faye had prior knowledge well enough to know that there was some sort of history between them. Annoyingly, it seemed everyone had this type of knowledge. “Let’s agree to never bring up her for a very long time. She’s not worth the breath, unless,” turning back around with a grin. “It’s playing another one of those fine little tricks you just pulled on me towards her..” 

[atotalrush-blog]

What little charm he had, vanished as soon as he started on an old-school lecture about politeness. This discourse coming from a guy who just called her a bimbo. Faye could admit she’d grown bored of the conversation the second he failed to keep up his end of the sparring. He was a whole lot more fun when he didn’t care about whether or not he offended whoever he was talking to. “Don’t play any of those counterfeit cards with me. We both know you’d simply kill them over doing so with kindness. Soft’s not a good look on you, trust me.” Not that she gave much thought to what was a good look on him. So far, not much. But, the last thing she needed or wanted was an emotional bartender who felt inclined to share every detail of every woe he’s ever had.

Thankfully, the conversation took a turn when he redirected their joined focus onto his ex flame. Faye didn’t know the extent of their relationship or lack thereof. Just what Elena confided to her once after Faye made a passing observation. “What’s in it for me? -- Aside from the free booze.”

[screamsource]

What are you saying, Noah’s the killer?

[atotalrush-blog]

@jake-ass

HAHAHAHHA would this not be jake about adam tho?

[crowned-beast-deactivated201612]

   “A witch,” Marcel spoke the word as if it were something enticingly dirty. When the vixen took down her second shot, Marcel smiled as if approving of her self-proclaimed title as ‘the fun one’. A curious smile shaped his lips as she then spoke of Jake and the mistake of making him an ally. “Guess you’re speaking from that ‘been there done that’ line you gave me?” his curiosity continued as the bartender offered them a third shot. He deviously wondered how well this Faye-girl could hold her liquor. She seemed as if she had this out-in-the-open wild side about her; dressed in a leather jacket and a up-for-anything kind of look in her eye. 

   “Spying? Oh, you make me sound so insidious” he chuckled quietly, licking the alcohol from his bottom lip. “You’re probably aware of this by now, but you have a doppelganger down here with you. A girl, Hayley, who I’m somewhat affiliated with. You see, there was this devil of a man. In fact, he wasn’t ever really a man to begin with. Born a wolf, turned into one of the very first vampires. He was psychotic, unbridled with paranoia, and OCD with having to kill anyone he thought didn’t like him. A killing-spree was his morning exercise. Now, he met a girl, a wolf, with your face— and they had a child together. This demon, this hybrid— he wanted my city to raise this kid in. So him and his family began killing my people and tearing my home apart. I retaliated by sending him to a prison world with a magical-dagger. Now, back to your doppelganger— I imagine her and his family would want revenge. So when I saw you talking to Jake, I thought— my god, no.Then I learned you wasn’t her, but you continued to intrigue me nonetheless. You live in a district, Red Light, which rivals Kitsune. I’ll admit, I’ve become as paranoid as my fallen friend, the hybrid. But I’m not half the beast he was. He’d have taken your head off already, just for thinking you were in alliance with his enemies. But me? Well, it’s like I said, I’m not half the monster he was. I just wanna talk…. make sure you don’t end up like Mistake Armstrong.” 

[atotalrush-blog]

Perhaps, drinking with the enemy wasn’t her most lustrous idea. But in all truth, there was no better way to get to know him. Alcohol was like truth serum. Have enough of it and you’re sure to spill all of your deepest, darkest secrets. The great Marcel Gerard may have seemed like an open book to many but there was more to him than what naturally meets the eye. And if anyone was going to dig a little deeper, or try to read between the lines, it was going to be Faye. “Something like that,” Faye admitted. She traced the rim of her shot glass with one manicured finger to gather the lingering moonshine before sampling it with her thumb. In the process, the bartender refilled their glasses without having to be told. It was almost like he was compelled to stand there and keep pouring until the boss, which would be Marcel, said to ‘stop.’ Faye wouldn’t put it past him if that were the case. He seemed to be at the head of the ball’s whole-entire orchestra.

As her thoughts continued to scatter, she silenced herself by taking one final shot. Three was enough. Surely, she could handle more but it wouldn’t necessarily assist her in the investigative work she set out for herself. The alcohol had already created a warm, dull buzz which allowed her to remain hushed as he began his abbreviated story-telling. He was right to assume she did know of her so-called ‘doppelganger.’ Faye had yet to cross paths with Hayley but from what she heard, the girl wasn’t very good at making quality-style impressions. In some ways, it spurred Faye’s propensity for salubrious competition. What Hayley lacked, Faye made up for. And even surpassed. Which only fueled the young witch’s ego. Not that she minded. When he inevitably got to the part about some psycho wolf-vampire-demon-hybrid-person, Faye perked up. She remembered Jake telling her a similar story after he first joined Marcel’s crew. But, for the sake of not getting him into any more trouble than he was already in, Faye acted as though it were the first time she’d ever heard it. “And here I thought our very own Snow White princess and her evil-twin sister Rose Red had a lot of baggage,” The reference would be lost on him but maybe not. Depending on how much Jake did or didn’t share with his former mafia-family. Either way, Faye was referring to Cassie and Diana, two members of her circle who were born with dark magic unlike herself. Faye tried not to sound so bitter about it but, she was. “Well, I can assure you, Jake and I have very little in common these days. At least when it comes to our allegiances. I may not be the biggest advocate for staking claim on any sort of commitment but I know what side I’m on and it’s never the losing one.” A smirk took hold of her lips as she swung one leg over the other to cross them under the counter before turning on her bar stool to face him. “Interesting nickname you’ve given him. Seems almost fitting.” A part of her felt bad for seemingly dissing Jake but another part found it kind of therapeutic. “What happened to him, anyway? You give him the boot and suddenly he’s spiraling. ...” She didn’t think she needed to clarify what she meant. Though, she would if she had to. She was mostly grazing the topic of his curse. Maybe something Marcel shared could give her an idea of how it works and maybe how to cure it.