charlie hall

"It’s your time, Nick. Your one chance to have fun before it’s all stolen by them, the adults, with their cruelty and endless rules, their can’t-do-this, and can’t-do-that’s, their have-tos, and better-dos, their little boxes and cages all designed to break your spirit, to kill your magic." - Brom, The Child Thief

[charlottexhall]

Strength: Something they struggle with

If all fae have a devilish quality about them, Charlie had always been accused of an inability to temper those traits. But she had been born with the stickiest fingers of the lot, and frequently found herself in trouble from stealing from local villagers, picking up fallen items from her sisters and simply never returning them. No one in her bunk could leave their things out on the dresser or nightstand, because it had been a sure way to wake up with it missing the next. But anything that shimmers catches Charlie’s wandering gaze like a fish to a hook. The Tenebrae, her sisters had hoped, would teach her discipline, but, if anything, she’s only been taught fear of exposure. And it keeps her hands in her pockets more often than not.

[charlottexhall]

Death: Someone they really miss

Charlie misses her sisters dearly, because she had not known a day without them prior to being shipped off to America. It could be why she’s attached herself to Lilith, a strong woman reminding her of the ones she had left behind. She thinks she misses Ailis the most, a quiet fae that had been born a few days after her. And if Charlie had always been scolded for her mischievous qualities, Ailis had always been ridiculed for being too serious. How that made the two of them the closest sisters, Charlie still couldn’t say.

[charlottexhall]

The Moon: Something they fear

Growing up in a large family, Charlie fears abandonment more than anything else. She had grown up strong, a staff pressed into her chubby little palm as a child and she had been taught carefully on how to fight, how to defend herself. Death isn’t something she ever learned to truly fear. Not when many had deemed her greatest ancestor the goddess of the dead in certain cultures. But sisterhood had always been important, and growing up in that kind of camaraderie left her fearful of losing the people she loves, of being unworthy of them. Late at night, she wonders if she isn’t, if that’s not one of the reasons they had sent her here.

[charlottexhall]

The Hermit: Favorite way to spend a day alone

Charlie prefers to be in the midst of people, even if that just means sitting in a room quietly with someone else. She’s accustomed to constant racket, even a room filled with the steady breathing of sleeping women. She has never lived a life of solitude and never plans to. The few times she finds herself alone, she likes to spend it training, replaying lessons in her head from when she was a girl so she feels like she’s pack home instead of on foreign soil.

[lilith-arali]

It’s impossible not to laugh, not with how proud the woman sounds, and perhaps it’s a warning sign that she already sounds overly energetic. The thought of any fae on caffeine sounds like some recipe for disaster. Charlie perhaps to a greater extent, but if she’ll only end up an annoyance to half their housemates, Lilith doubts she’ll find it anything but funny. Though it’s hard enough to irritate her even on her worst days. “Just don’t break anything irreplaceable.”

[charlottexhall]

Charlie pushes off the counter now that there’s coffee ready to be consumed and she turns to Lilith with a wrinkle of her nose, a minor scoff in the back of her throat as she remarks, “Do we even have anything here irreplaceable?” Perhaps some pamphlets, but she’s not in the habit of drinking coffee and rushing around the library ripping apart tomes and books. Or setting anything on fire. And that one vase she knocked over in a rush had only happened once, and she fixed it the best she could. Any cracks that could still be seen she had just willed anyone not to see it. Good as new. Snagging a mug from the counter that Lilith had graciously fetched for them, she grins widely at her companion, “Hey, I limit my intake, okay? I could’ve made like twelve and then you’d really be worried.”

[poisonous-killian-blog-blog]

“I am unwilling to waste my time.” He says simple, crossing one arm over the other in the hopes that this physical barrier will keep him from smashing her into a wall. “I assume you have nothing better to do than to see if you can torment me, Charlotte. Tell me, is this the highlight of your day? You do look like you’re enjoying yourself.” Killian knows there is probably no one Charlotte hates more then him in this house, but having her explain how much she dislikes him, spend her breath on something he doesn’t care about anyway should be mildly entertaining.

[charlottexhall]

She probably does have better things to do, but she had chosen, on this day, to cause Killian a bit of grief. And she’d feel less guilt over stealing from him than anyone else in the house. Would probably catch less grief for it to, considering she wouldn’t be swiping things from Ethan’s office, or causing annoyance amongst the locals. There’s a little glass container in her palm that proves she’s been trying to be a good girl for her Tenebrae overlords. “Not the highlight,” she confesses to him with some feigned innocence he’s sure to see right through, “But it’s pretty high up on the list for today.” With a large, cheeky grin, Charlie drums her fingernails against the glass vial.

[lilith-arali]

She situates herself next to her, lower back against the counter and elbows resting against its surface while the coffee brews. “Stop it. You’re making me curious and I’m too lazy for a mystery right now.” Which isn’t completely true. Chances are it’s someone about a mission, which doesn’t interest her unless it’s one she’s sent on. The possibility that it’s about a missing brother is only marginally more interesting to her, because she was never privy to the reason for his disappearance. It’s a curiosity, but not one that keeps her up at night. She doesn’t know that the same could be said about Samson. “Is it almost done? How many cups did you make?”

[charlottexhall]

Charlie simply shrugs the topic aside. Samson hadn’t wanted to talk about it with her and if she usually presses for information with others, she knows he wouldn’t bend to her prying. And it seems like a far more lucrative business in being on his good side than his bad. After all, she needs him to cover her back if they’re put on a mission together. And vice versa. Instead, the coffee is more interesting for now than anything that could’ve happened on that phone he had up to his ear. Steaming, dark liquid begins pouring into the pot and the redhead’s grin widens in delight. “Five,” she confesses to her friend proudly, “I made five cups.” They were supposed to all be for her. She’ll share, however.

[samsonxgray]

A genuine smile crosses Samson’s face at the words. It’s nothing he’d really expected, genuine worry. Mostly people simply think the worse. He nods his head, ready to alleviate that worry. “No ex to be demonic,” he tells her and while it’s not something he openly shares with people, he isn’t ashamed of it either. Relationships have just never worked out for him. He’d never had the time, even in high school. Maybe it just simply hadn’t been in the cards or maybe Sam just found it easier to be on his own. Or hard to let people in. “And yes, everything’s okay.” 

[charlottexhall]

Charlie’s expression doesn’t shift when Samson admits to no ex around to be demonic. She just shrugs her shoulders, lips curling into some thin line of a smile that might be agreement before she tips her head to the side in contemplation. “Actually, I think I could say the same,” she admits with a small laugh, nose wrinkling at the prospect because she had dragged her fair share of men to their beds, but she had never held their hand and called them ‘love’. It matters little to her when she couldn’t name a woman in her life that hadn’t done the same prior to sailing across an ocean. And she believes the Tenebrae is not the place to nurture something like a relationship. Instead, she nods her head once, willing to drop the subject. “Good. As long as you’re alright then.”

[poisonous-killian-blog-blog]

Killian wonders in the very back of his mind what exactly she was referring to as ‘cute’ considering there was no possible way that adjective could be used to describe him. Perhaps she was better at half-truths and sarcasm than he was, but then again, her kind spent more time sucking up to mere mortals, and that meant more time wasted on petty conversations. “I won’t waste my time trying to explain something so complex to a simple thing like you.” In all honesty, time was of the essence, he was usually more careful, and he had to let some of the less harmful substances evaporate to get a more dangerous sample, but Seelie Fae didn’t understand the art of poison. 

[charlottexhall]

Charlie snorts out a laugh at the suggestion she’s simple. Seelie Fae are far from simple creatures. She’d argue they’re more complex than the Unseelie. That they’re ruled by more complex and diverse emotions than just malice. But arguing with Killian is a waste of time, although usually an enjoyable waste of time. It’s always a delight to watch his temper boil when she’s able to get under his skin, but the most mild irritation she causes him is still a joy. “You’re unwilling to explain your own stupidity for carrying around a vile of poison uncapped?” she mocks, arms tightening behind her back and fingers smoothing over the glass container in triumph, “And you call me a simple thing.”

[lilith-arali]

“Figures.” She scoffs at the answer, though it’s no more serious than anything else that’s left her lips. As sects go, this one is fairly in order, though somedays that only serves to bore her. France was more exciting. But the redhead in front of her always promises entertainment, and it won’t bother her either way if that’s a thing that involves destruction. It still puts some glint in her eye, stretching up to open the cupboard and fetch them both mugs. “Well then, I hope that secret phone call is very important.”

[charlottexhall]

“Sounded it,” Charlie calls out to her companion, back flat as she stretches out to balance her chin atop the back of her hands to watch the pot of coffee brew. And it fills the kitchen with the sweet aroma of the flavor it promises. She can feel her mouth water. Humans had good taste sometimes. And if she’s ever allowed home, relinquished from her duties as Tenebrae agen, she’ll bring her sisters back a coffee maker so that they could experience the treat too. And then the castle would be filled with a hundred little bouncing faeries, and the image makes her smile wider. “Apparently whoever it is had nothing and they need to report in if they hear anything,” she informs Lilith of the few details and it’s only after the words are out of her mouth she wonders if Samson would be angry with her.

[samsonxgray]

“Alright,” he nods and he doesn’t apologize for it or try to make excuses. It is none of her business. And if some people in this sect get away with prying into other’s affairs, Samson isn’t someone who lets people get away with it when it comes to his own. And while he likes her well enough, they’re not close. And she’s no one he would tell what was going on to. It’s nothing personal. He has no problem working with her or her kind. It’s simply there are too many things that can go wrong. Too many avenues this can go where he’ll never get what he’s looking for and it’s not a risk he’s willing to take. 

[charlottexhall]

Samson’s simple response breaks a large smile on Charlie’s lips. So he wouldn’t confide the phone call to her, and for now she’s fine with that. Even if her curiosity still burns hotly with the desire to have her hand in everyone’s business. In everyone’s purses. But the smile does soften while she studies him, that quiet strength of a more civil individual. “You’re okay though, right?” Charlie questions, Scottish lilt thick in her voice, “You’re not like being hounded by some crazed demon ex or something, right?” Whether they’re good friends or not, the people under this roof are still her people and they’ve gained her loyalty just by that one factor.

[lilith-arali]

The flash of red hair provides a more immediate answer, but the yell that follows has her stalling in her footsteps, some look of mock horror on her face. Though if anything she feels the opposite, the fae in front of her ranking among her favorite people in the house, if not firmly holding the number one position. And it’s likely because she reminds her too much of one of her sisters, a thought that only aches on hr bad days.  “Oh no, no, no. Who let you?” She shakes her head before she starts stalking towards her, still shaking her head.  “Where’s Ethan? Where’s Samson? Who’s supposed to be running this place?”

[charlottexhall]

Charlie’s left giggling as Lilith stalks into the kitchen after her, painted cardboard fire at her heels, because the redhead knows the woman isn’t truly angry with her. Especially when the scent of hot coffee fills the air with an addictive aroma. The questions make her shrugs as she leans forward, arms folding atop the counter and chin resting on her forearms as she watches the dark liquid brew before her eyes. “No idea. Probably making a secret phone call. And no idea,” she answers with honesty, her tone disinterested when she’s minutes away from a fresh pot of coffee.

[poisonous-killian-blog-blog]

The flash of red hair is enough to flare his temper to an ever hotter magnitude. Just a look directed towards Charlotte is enough to make him curl his fingers into fists. It’s in the superiority complex she probably has stuck so far up her ass it eventually reaches her brain. Even her accent brushes him the wrong way. Setting aside the burning pain he feels as the poison he had been carrying in the vial seeps into his skin, he bares his teeth for half a moment before answering. “Why don’t I pour the rest of this on you and you can answer for yourself?” Of course, by this point, she already knew that if he had been capable of harming her, he would have done so already. Still, imagining half of her face melting off her skull was a pretty image to have in his head.

[charlottexhall]

The suggestion only causes Charlie to smirk up at Killian, brow quirked in irritation despite the smile because it’s his mere presence that causes her blood to start to boil. He’s a filthy creature, malicious to his core and she cruelly wonders just how much effort goes into painting his face into something more natural, to pass as something with a conscious. The Unseelie are too controlled by chaos for her taste. And she couldn’t be blind to the fact it’s in her breeding, that she hadn’t ever known a single pixie or fae who thought highly of the little devils. They snap first, and never ask questions. “Cute,” she responds tartly, lips pursed in distaste but her fingers tighten their grip upon the little jar she had stolen from his room and that fixes the smile back on her face, “And why are you carrying a vile of poison around uncapped?”

[poisonous-killian-blog-blog]

Jasmine. Jasmine. Where the fuck had he put that fucking jasmine? Perhaps the look on his face did not betray how frustrated he was, considering a scowl was his normal expression, but today there was a significant amount of tension rolling off him in palpable waves. There was no other option than to descend into the gardens to see if there was any there. Of course, his mood was only improved when he turned a corner, pushed into another body, and spilled the vial onto his forearm. Killian looked down at the substance on his skin, smoking faintly on his skin before looking up. “You idiot.”

[charlottexhall]

Charlie’s always had sticky fingers. It’s why she’s here under the Tenebrae’s rule, but she knows that’s not the only reason. The Tenebrae wouldn’t just take in a mischievous little fae because her sisters had asked them to. She’s powerful and she knows it. Excellent teacher, even better fighter. There’d always be a need for individuals like her. Rounding the corner, she bumps into a more solid figure and the jewelry covering his wrists and collarbone jingle melodically from the collision. Usually she’d scowl at something like him, something, she thinks, is unwanted. But, for now, there’s a coy smile pulling at her lips, eyebrows raised at the mess on his arms. Instead of apologizing, she keeps her hands tight behind her back to keep a tiny, glass jar out of view. “Woah, woah, woah. What’s the rush?” she asks sweetly, Scottish accent thick on her tongue.

[lilith-arali]

The smell greets Lilith the moment she opens the door, the familiar aroma lifting her head and drawing her attention. Small luxuries are a thing she savors, food and drink more of an indulgence than they are a necessity. Not when it’s not what she truly survives off of, and if that makes her one of the monsters to some, she’s unconcerned with it. But she’s always had a preference for dark roast and that’s what it smells like now. “Who made coffee?”

[charlottexhall]

Charlie’s ear might twitch in recognition of the door opening and the voice that greets her is probably the most familiar tone to her. She had taken to many conversations with Lilith, if only because she thinks the woman has more of a sense of humor than most of the people here. Except Gale. But, sometimes, Charlie’s more concerned with protecting Gale’s ears and there’s not a worry for something like Lilith. Something more eternal. Poking her head around the doorway she grins widely at the woman, eyes bunching until she can’t see as she shouts “Meeeeee!” at her. The last place she had called home hid the coffee machine from her, but no one had stowed the device away yet in this house. And she’s already energizes by the fumes.

[samsonxgray]

“That’s my own business,” he says, but it’s not in a mean way. It’s polite and said with a smile on his face and that’s the way he’s going to keep it. Ethan expects him to follow orders and if he ever breaks the rules, he’s not going to flaunt it in front of anyone. He likes people in this mansion, but he only trusts one of them. Two on a normal day, but it hasn’t been a normal day for months. He leans forward and it’s blatant when he changes the subject, but again, it’s polite and friendly and it’ll stay that way because that’s how he operates. “What were you going to the kitchen for?” 

[charlottexhall]

If Charlie typically attempts to assert herself in the personal affairs of her companions, it must’ve been because of some coding in her DNA. Something that swore that kind of meddling to all fair folk. But she likes to think her kind, the daughters of a legendary warrior, do far less meddling than some of her other kin. They are teachers, fighters. Only few can say they’ve bested a Scathach woman in battle. Or in bed, although more could claim sharing expanses of skin than war wounds. She smiles at Samson, tipping her head to the side to fire the answer back at him, “That’s my own business.” There’s nothing malicious in her tone and it leaves her with a more genuine smile painting her lips and an over-exaggerated sigh. “Fine, since you’d rather be boring I won’t ask anymore about your mysterious telephone call.”

[samsonxgray]

Samson tips his head back, giving a nod at the words. At least he can use it to distract her from the phone conversation she’d overheard. It wasn’t something he was supposed to be doing, he wouldn’t deny that. But explaining it to someone was crossing the line. Ethan knew what he did in his spare time. Knew the case he worked despite being told to leave it alone. It didn’t mean he had to go out and make it public that he disobeyed orders and got away with it. “Yeah, alright. Where were you headed?” 

[charlottexhall]

“The kitchen,” Charlie answers honestly, but there’s still a fox-like smile painted upon her lips and Samson wouldn’t get away so easily without confiding in her. Riddles and word games are her line of work, an adapted trait all fae had to learn if they wanted to survive and be successful. It’s a cure not being able to lie to get one’s way. It’s a gift to be able to twist sentences into something spell-binding. “Who were you talking to?” she fires back, eyebrows lifted in curiosity and smirk tipping the corner of her lips. Samson had always been more of a private individual and why she wouldn’t fault him for it, it wouldn’t stop her at trying. And whether it’s just to sate her own selfish questioning or to know him better, it doesn’t much matter to her.