elysian.

Damien Graves

[chacswins]

can you try to be a little less judgmental? / marcus @hoggleswart

"I physically cannot." Damien says with an air of absolute sincerity. He is the self-proclaimed most judgmental person he knows. "I am in Ravenclaw after all," He pops a grape in his mouth. "It goes against everything I am."

[chacswins]

ACCEPTING !

YELLOWJACKETS SENTENCE STARTERS

[dearlumos]

Cara’s lips quirked slightly at his first remark, a quiet acknowledgment of the truth in it. “I guess some things don’t change,” she mused, letting her gaze drift over the bookshelves before settling back on him. But then he said it—I was just starting to feel like it was getting lonely here. And for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. The words hung between them, unspoken yet understood, and something in her softened. Her fingers traced absent patterns against the book’s worn cover. “I’m glad they’re okay,” she said first, because she knew that mattered. And you? She studied him, taking in the weight behind his words. “And you’ll be better,” she added, quieter but certain. A beat passed, and then—because she never was one to let the air grow too heavy—she let out a breath of something between a sigh and a small laugh. “Maybe we both just have impeccable timing.” She hesitated, then with a small, knowing smile, added, “Or maybe Fate knew something we simply didn’t—or couldn’t admit.” Her fingers finally released the book as she shifted slightly toward him. “Join me for a cup of tea? We can talk about books, or—” her lips twitched, playful now, “anything but fate, if you’d rather.”

[chacswins]

Ah, fate. The damned thing. Fate never usually was on his side, he actively worked against it most of his life truth be told. Maybe now he can let it work and maybe, for once, he won’t be scared. He smiles at her musing, then again when she finally looks at him again.

“I’ll be better.” He repeats, perhaps he’ll believe it as well. Damien leans lightly on a bookshelf and pleads in his thoughts for it to not tip over. “Oh, definitely fate. Finally lost its patience and pushed us back together, I’d say.”

He laughs gently and nods. “Happily. Anything but fate, I beg of you.” He moves out of the way so she can go in front of him. “We could talk about the utterly random array of books you’ve picked out."

[dearlumos]

A soft laugh escaped her, quiet but genuine. "Maaaybe," she admitted, tilting her head slightly, her words dragging on as she considered the thought. "Or maybe I just liked the idea that when we finally ran into each other again, it’d be on our own terms. Not that I’m complaining." Her gaze flickered over him, something unreadable in her expression before she offered, just a little softer, "I’m happy to see you." His next words made her hesitate, fingers brushing idly against the cover of the book that still kept her hands occupied. "I didn’t know I was either," she admitted, huffing out something between amusement and thoughtfulness. "I stuck it out, finished my training, but… France was starting to feel a little lonely." She let the words settle before offering a small, almost self-aware smile. "Guess I figured it was time." She hesitated, a moment before continuing— part of her worried if she hadn't, their conversation might just fade away in the same light they had. "How's the family by the way— and you, how are you?"

[chacswins]

"Ah, understood. Though, you do have to admit that the library is quite fitting for us." He smiles a bit as she laughs. He realizes quickly he forgot how much he missed the sound of it. "I'm happy to see you."

Her next words settle and Damien feels this heaviness in his chest. For years, he has run from everything and anyone. Then he finds Cara and they're forced apart against his best efforts. "I was just starting to feel like it was getting lonely here." He admits. The unspoken, before you've arrived now, he allows to hang in the air. "They're...okay. They're okay now. I could be better I suppose, but alright all things considered."

[dearlumos]

Cara’s fingers lingered on the spine of the book she had just picked up, a familiar motion that grounded her despite the surprise his voice brought on. “Damien.” His name fell from her lips in a near whisper, leaving an unmistakable trace of something deeper beneath the surface. She met his gaze, her expression softening only slightly, as if the moment had pulled her back into a place she wasn’t entirely ready to revisit. “I was starting to think I wouldn’t run into you again.” She allowed the words to hang there, carefully neutral but with an underlying sense of relief—maybe for herself, maybe for him, but it was hard to say. “Though I guess I should’ve known better than to expect that.” Her eyes flicked toward the rows of books, as if she might find something else to focus on— she didn’t. She was there with him, and whenever she was in his proximity, he somehow seemed to capture all of her attention like a gravitational pull. She couldn’t escape, not that she wanted to anyway. “Didn’t expect to find you here, though.” She offered a small, half-hearted smile. “At least not today.”

[chacswins]

Perhaps it was his pessimism, but Damien truthfully did not think he would see Cara again - or that she would want to see him. They parted on uncertain terms, not quite bad at all.

"Were you hoping to find me a different day?" He asks, attempting a joke. He was nervous suddenly. His palms felt hot, it was embarrassing. "I didn't know you were coming back."

[chacswins]

After Damien's reappearance, he long accepted that he may never be in another relationship again. He even felt undeserving of one. How couldn't he? He essentially abandoned Luca, the apparent love of his life. What business did he have falling in love with someone else? Subjecting them to the same fate? None.

Then he went away to France for his fellowship, there he met Cara. The logic that the Ravenclaw's are known for completely left his mind, he fell before he even realized what happened. He subjected her to the fate when his father died and he left back for London. A day hardly goes by where he doesn't think about her. Today was particularly painful, for reasons he couldn't attempt to process. So, he goes to a library, one he knows she would like, to feel less like a piece of shit.

What he did not expect was to find her there already. There she was, amongst the wizard history books.

"Cara?" Her name comes out as a breath, a plead.

@dearlumos

[chacswins]

The pep in her voice almost makes Damien jump, he nearly fell asleep standing up in line multiple times. He sighs heavily and becomes one of those customers that only looks at the menu when their next in line. "Uh-" He manages eloquently after a beat, "A lavender latte, oat milk, and as many espresso shots you can fit in ethically and morally. I'll take eight ideally, but I can deal with less if it gets you in trouble."

[rebuildeds]

as annoying as they were in theory, clementine appreciates the moment's breather she gets when a customer takes the time to peer at the menu. it could be more irritating than it is, given the line that is behind him and the myriad of tasks that have to wait until there's no line, but she's come to learn that any break is a break. she eyes damien as she finishes up the drink for the other customer and hands it off.      “ okay. ”    her knee-jerk response would have been to deadpan say ‘you are not getting eight shots of espresso’, but she pulls it back.   “ morally, i can fit three. if you're willing to pay for it, i'll give you two shots of espresso on the side as well. ”    a pause.     “ that, in theory, could be for someone else. ”      it wasn't really any of their business as baristas how overloaded on caffeine people wanted to be, but clem was sure management would be getting on her back about giving away shots of espresso for free.

[chacswins]

He takes a victory where he can, given the horrific chains of events of his day. Watching the line behind him grow, the appreciation he has for her even entertaining this request grows.

"Alright, that works." He responds with a slight shrug. His tone is almost defeatist, but he takes out enough cash to pay for it all and extra as a tip. "Would I be pushing it if I asked for a chocolate croissant?"

[dearlumos]

Nisrine let out a soft hum, tilting her head as if considering his words. “ No real life, no substance — harsh, ” she mused, amusement lacing her tone as she glanced back at the bookshelves behind her. “ Guess that means I should be questioning my own, then. ” A smile lingering on glossed lips. Her gaze flickered back to him, intrigue dancing behind dark eyes. “ But I do like the sound of a coffee and tea shop, ” she admitted, taking a small step in the direction he pointed. “ Is this you trying to steer me toward a better bookshop, or just a clever way to get me to grab a drink with you?” A smirk tugged at her lips before she added with a playful lilt, “ Or… maybe you just want me out of your hair so you can have all these books to yourself. ” She let out a light laugh, teasing but unbothered.

[chacswins]

"Harsh, yes. It's true though." He doesn't elaborate much. To Damien, it should be explanatory why this store's inventory is lacking. "If you're not always questioning your life, I'm jealous."

Damien chuckles lightly, then shrugs. He appreciates the teasing, but his heart's not in it. "I only want to steer people to a shop with taste. If you want to buy me a drink, by all means."

[hopcflowered]

a small slither of her soul had wished rowan would appear at the back door of the cottage right now, a shimmering beacon of light to warm this pair of grieving souls. life wasn't like that though, she was lucky enough to have her brother back from the dead, she shouldn't be so selfish. "i'm sorry . . ." apologies always slip from her lips when she finds herself overwhelmed, the prickle of tears shine in her eyes as she shakes her head. "i know . . . i know, bas is a gift in this family." a hand lifts away from the table to wipe at her wet eyes, a small smile pushing at her quivering lips. "i'll believe you for now, damien, but please. i need to see the house again."

[chacswins]

"Sorry for what?" He asks with a chuckle, a vain attempt to lighten the mood a bit. Once he realizes that she is crying, he gets up fast enough to make the seat leg scratch lightly on the tile. Gently, he wraps an arm around her. and lets a beat pass after her statement. "Okay." He kisses the top of her head. "I just...I don't know if I can go inside."

[dearlumos]

she was so zoned in, always finding comfort near books. she almost didn't hear him. she caught the last part though. caused her to lower herself from her toes, settling back on her heels as she turned, brows twisting as she looked at him before a small smile broke her demeanor. " i hate to say it, but - are you pouting or is that real advice? " she presses, smirking through the question with a breathy laugh following. " if so, do you have any better suggestions of where i could go? "

[chacswins]

"Very real advice. " He lies, though it doesn't come out very natural. Though her laugh does ease his discomfort with being exposed so easily. "It's charming, I'm sure. But these are books that are for people with no real life, no substance. There is one down the way." He points to his right. "Much better, has a coffee and tea shop in it as well."

[hopcflowered]

"oh rowan . . ." her heart clenches, the hand nearest damien's unconciously lifts to rest over her chest, as if it could stop the pain she had hidden away from rising once more. a deep breath, a moment to hold her eyes shut and push back the tears, a pat on the chest. you're okay, mo. rowan's voice still echoes now, as if she were beside her like damien was. sliding the hand from her chest down her face, moira sighs. "how did we get to this point, damien? and do you think we'll ever be . . . fixed, for lack of a better word?"

[chacswins]

"Mo..." His voice trails off. The realization that he never processed Rowan's death properly hit him like a truck. It wasn't fair, he thinks. It never was. Processing emotions might have become a skill Damien has improved on, he still hates it. Every voice in his head was telling him to get up and go, but he stays. He shoves his hands under his lap to hide their shaking. "I don't think we'll be fixed, but maybe...maybe we'll make better lives for ourselves. Then, the past will stop hurting so much. You've already gotten a great start with Basil."

[dearlumos]

location : parkinson & flint III wedding ( event 046 ) open to : all ! ( @startertms )

events with her family were not part of her favorite past time, sure she was well practiced in it but she did not choose to begin splitting her time between worlds solely to please her fawley family. so, instead of arriving with her family as a whole like they intended, nisrine opted to arrive separately. even with all that considered, she would be lying if she’d voiced any distaste for this event — she hasn’t, of course and would save said words for the special couple to hear personally, if she had any. instead, she plans to observe and enjoy as much as she can — they do have a free bar, right?

just like that, the universe had answered her silent question, with a small turn of her chin — there it was. . the bar. her eyes lit up, her smile matching as brims etched upward at the sight. perfectly manicured digits drummed lightly against the bar top. ‘ espresso martini, please. ’

her attention draws to her side as she awaits the martini, eyes drawing towards the person standing beside her. “ are you here for the bride, the groom or both ? ”

[chacswins]

Damien somehow managed to lose Luca in the crowd. He turned away from her for one minute. After a while of trying to scan the room to find her, he managed to find a bar instead. So he parks himself on a stool until Luca turns back up, knowing sooner than later she will find him again. He wasn't exactly having fun without her anyway.

"Uh, - is neither an option?" He half-heartedly answers. The cocktail he ordered arrives in record time. "Just a date, thankfully."

[chacswins]

"Hm," He muses for a moment. "Who would I be if I didn't?" Without the grief, without the guilt, who was he truly? He was close to figuring it out while in France, he thought. Now he's back and that answer feels farther away than ever. "Hey now-" He chokes back a laugh, he appreciates that they are at the point they can at least joke like this. "I manage fine!"

[hopcflowered]

perhaps it was for the best for the family home to be sold, to leave behind all the absent memories of cold rooms with even colder eyes glaring down at children brought into a loveless family. and yet, she feels the nostalgic pull of curling up into her brother's bed on stormy nights, of singing with rowan when their parents were too busy to care, of those shining memories that are still held dear to her swelling heart. her gaze moves away from her brother, to the leaking tap and the crack in the window above the sink of her home. "do you remember when i spilled that paint we weren't supposed to have? do you think the stain is still there?" eyes flutter shut before shaking her head and returning her focus to him. "i know . . . i know you need to sell it, i know it needs to go and it needs to be rid of our lives finally. but . . ."

[chacswins]

Despite the heaviness in the air, he finds himself smiling anyway. "Probably is, I haven't ventured that far in to the house. Do you remember when Rowan snuck her boyfriend she wasn't supposed to have in the house? The dent in the windowsill is still there." The topic of Rowan always leaves him with a rough feeling like a cactus stuck in his throat. "I know...I know."

[chacswins]

Tap. Tap. Tap.

All Damien could focus on was the gentle tapping of his fingers on the bookshelf. He was looking for a book in particular, one for research, yet he completely forgot it. Physically he was there, mentally he was a million miles away. His eyes had a thousand yard stare until he managed to feel the presence of someone around him.

"Don't bother." He says after collecting himself. "It's all shit picks here, anyway."

[burnedglory]

Ron wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing here if he were being honest. Needing to get out of his dreary-looking flat, he had decided to entertain himself so far by going into town and visiting all the shops and stores. He had wandered in here as it was his next stop down the street — plus, it also reminded him a bit of his days at Hogwarts, when he, Harry, and Hermione would camp out in the library to research or study. Hermione always had to drag him there, he remembered. He’d always avoid the library if possible.

So to hear this voice as he shuffled around, hardly paying attention to the titles of the books he was looking at, made him chuckle. “Could’ve used that tip before I walked in here,” he joked half-heartedly to the stranger. Ron knew that he probably wasn’t going to pick up a book here anyway, he wasn’t a reader, but it was still something to do.

[chacswins]

"Right, well I wish there was a sign on the door." Damien plays along with the joke, but he doesn't quite care. He genuinely begins to look at the books around him and stifles a bit of chuckle. They actually were shit picks once he actually looked at them. He shook his head. "Better one down the street."

[chacswins]

Tap. Tap. Tap.

All Damien could focus on was the gentle tapping of his fingers on the bookshelf. He was looking for a book in particular, one for research, yet he completely forgot it. Physically he was there, mentally he was a million miles away. His eyes had a thousand yard stare until he managed to feel the presence of someone around him.

"Don't bother." He says after collecting himself. "It's all shit picks here, anyway."

[woesbegone]

she isn't usually able to sneak up on him like that. say what you will about damien - and luca tends to, forever torn between cruelty & sympathy, never quite sure which way to go - he's perceptive, and luca reads his distraction as something emotional. maybe he's just isn't expecting to see her there, or anyone, but she manages to lean her weight against the book shelf beside him before he even notices her presence, let alone acknowledges her. "noted," she tells him, unbothered, entirely uninterested in the selection available. instead, "moping around all alone, handsome?"

[chacswins]

Luca does seem to have a knack for finding Damien in a form of distress, one way or another. He tries to laugh, but it doesn't come out right. He shifts so he is facing her, but not quite looking at her. "Yes, well - I couldn't go too long without moping. It was beginning to feel alien."

[hopcflowered]

all she can do is smile softly at his teasing, love may have its ups-and-downs but it brought her basil, so how could she ever be against the notion. there's a noticeable shift in her soft features, the rosy cheeks and bright eyes sour at the mention of the house. the family home. the memories she held there were often surrounded by the absence of their mother's love and the harsh cut of their father's voice, and yet a small part of her heart aches at the thought of selling it. slivering like shining cracks between the bad memories hold the good ones, all featuring her siblings. in a quiet voice, she utters " . . . do you?"

[chacswins]

A large sigh leaves him, his chest suddenly itches. He does not want to have the conversation, he absolutely does not. Damien needs to, with all of his siblings. "I do." He says with conviction. "I can't keep it, Moira. I just can't."