sacrificial lion

Chayse Blanc, 18, your average teenage witch. "Monsters will always exist. There's one inside each of us. But an angel lives there, too. There is no more important agenda than figuring out how to slay one and nurture the other."

[sabrinanevian-blog]

“You say that like I’m supposed to feel bad for it,” she chuckled. It was something she’d heard thousands of times before. And maybe it was true, being the Elder-to-be was pretty damn close to being a princess. Of course there weren’t any dragons around protecting her castle. If there were, maybe Samantha Ashe would still be alive. At his words, Sabrina cocked her head to the side. “Now how exactly did you know I worked in the Infirmary? I haven’t even told you my name yet.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“For sidestepping my humble request, or for being Coven royalty? Because there’s no way in hell you should apologize for the latter.” Under normal circumstances Chayse would have panicked that he had given himself away, but even if he hadn’t arrived already knowing who she was, he would have figured it out. The young witches gossiped at a rate to rival most high schools. “My tour guide might have pointed you out on my first day here. Among other people, obviously.”

[wxtchingphoebe]

The slight smell of smoke filled the air and she felt herself being jostled as students brushed past her, though held her ground. Looking at Chayse, she gave him what she hoped to be a welcoming smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you then, newbie.” Phoebe stuck out her hand for him to shake, and then added, “Usually it isn’t that… eventful here. But with clashing personalities and the death of a familiar, everyone seems a little wound up.” She explained quietly. 

[chayseblanc-blog]

Chayse stood his ground against the wall of exiting students threatening to pull him away from her, slipping his hand into hers. “Yeah, you too.” At the mention of the familiar he nodded in fake sympathy, near certain that kill wasn’t the doing of one of his own. “I’ve noticed a certain...tension. Did you know the girl? Do you know anyone with a grudge against her?”

[sabrinanevian-blog]

“Well, would you look at that. New boy’s got game. I might just take you up on that offer.” The witch smirked, secretly thrilled. It wasn’t like she would actually go to dinner with him. She had way too much work to do. But he was cute, she’d admit that. Might be fun to play around with him a bit. “A part of me wants to urge you to just try the fun stuff anyways, but we’d rather not have you destroy parts of the house,” she laughed.

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Might? Ouch. You cut me deep, princess.” The nickname was full of sincerity, the closest royal comparison he could come up with for her position of almost power. He shook his head lightly in protest, avoiding magic in whatever way possible. “I’ll stick to my strengths instead. I’m guessing you wouldn’t be happy if I sent you enough new patients to form a baseball team.”

[delacerdas-deactivated20170702]

“It’s both of those things.” He hated coming off as unenthused about The Guard, but… He was. There was nothing remotely fun or enjoyable about working. Maybe it was time to request a transfer. “No problem.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Can’t wait to earn the real story, then. New people aren’t privy to the usual gossip. It’s a real bummer.”

[dizzyxizzy]

Izobel was not happy to be herded out of the library. She hadn’t seen what happened, but all of a sudden, there was smoke and everyone was being directed towards the doors. She sighed leaning against the wall, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. When they were let back in, if they were let back in, she’d just pack up her things and go. But, she had to pass the time until then, and turned her head towards the unfamiliar face next to her. “I mean, it’s been extra eventful lately, but normally there’s always some student getting some bit of homework wrong causing some disturbance.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

Chayse tried to suppress his cough from breathing in the first wave of acrid smoke, not willing to give himself away just yet. It took a bit of willpower, but he managed. “I suppose. What about you, stranger? Ever set anything on fire on a homework assignment gone wrong?”

[wxtchingphoebe]

Phoebe was fond of the quietness that the library held, and after everything that had happened to her, she found herself visiting the place more often. However, the small fire had disrupted her time of peace and felt a little bit irked and annoyed. Shuffling out of the library with her bag, and cutting a look towards the newcomer, who had spoken up after the incident, Phoebe let out a small sigh. “In a house full of clashing personalities and whatnot, it’s bound to get interesting in here from time to time. You’re new here, right? I haven’t seen you around before. But on the off chance that you have seen me walking around here or talking to other people, it most likely wasn’t me, but my sister.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Fresh off the boat,” Chayse confirmed, taking in another deep breath tinged with the smell of smoke. At least he had managed to go unnoticed in all the chaos. And it let him find out how a handful of witches functioned when their routines were disrupted, which was valuable information. Or at least, that was how he was going to play it if Lucie ever found out he set a fire in the library. “I haven’t seen anything that resembles you yet around here. I’m Chayse. New recruit.”

[delacerdas-deactivated20170702]

“Who knows. I must have some secret sense of duty that compels me to serve.” Or Elders that aren’t forgiving. Cris arched his brow as Chayse spoke, not knowing what you needed was part of the growing process. “You’ll find it. People always do. If you need help with anything, let me know.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“That sounds like a boring and false story,” Chayse replied easily, unable to piece together a story where someone as unenthused about his work as Cristian went into it willingly. Familial pressure, most likely. “I will. Thanks, soldier.”

[sabrinanevian-blog]

Sabrina chuckled, “I’ll make sure to wear one soon, just for you.” Well, how wonderful. Someone new who wasn’t a complete asshole or scary as fuck. This could be fun. “Oh, yeah. There’s dozens of shape shifting spells. Even one in this old thing, if you want it? There’s even a spell in here that turns other people into crazy stuff.” 

[chayseblanc-blog]

Chayse flashed a blinding white smile at the offer. “You’re too kind. If you’re wearing it just for me do I get to pick the activity? Dinner sounds promising.” He hesitated for half a second, the offer of magic tempting and terrifying at the same time but the later eventually outweighed the former. “I’ll try my luck with basic spells first, I think. Although crazy stuff sounds like buckets of fun.”

[derek-thayer]

“I’m phased by it, so you’re wrong.” Derek retorted. “Do you know how much information would be lost if this place burned down?” Not to mention, all his notes from the past few days of research, still sitting on the desk inside.

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Years and years of it, I’m guessing. Maybe you should space it out. Or keep it in a fireplace box or something. I’ve just arrived, so don’t get mad at me for your own flawed layout, broody.”

[derek-thayer]

Derek shot him a withering look. He had been standing close to the door, resisting the urge to run in there and help the librarian put out the fire. Even if it wasn’t his shift, he did work there, so why not? He was debating the likelihood of someone trying to stop him from entering when he heard Chayse speak. Derek turned over his shoulder to glare at the man. “This isn’t a joke,” he snapped irritably.

[chayseblanc-blog]

Chayse put his hands up defensively, though his smirk remained firmly in place. They would have to agree to a difference of opinions - the fire was the most hilarious joke he’d seen here so far. “Something spontaneously caught fire and no one seems that phased by it. That’s pretty funny to me.”

[eviebrxnnan-deactivated20160723]

Being ushered out of the library because some moron had set a fire indoors was the highlight of this hectic week. In fact, Violetta was starting to wonder if life in the coven was ever simple, calm or if it was a constant whirlwind of chaos. She had to remind herself that she was here for specific reasons and that to everyone else here this was normality, that they weren’t as shocked as she was and that somehow despite evidence to the contrary, the situation was under control.

“I couldn’t say but it sure would be less eventful, if some people learned to control their abilities.” She retorted, snidely.

[chayseblanc-blog]

“True.” His own abilities had never been flexed, and he wondered if they would fade with time if he constantly bottled them away, or if they’d grow stronger and overflow at the most inconvenient times. “And what’s your ability? What sets you apart? Firestarting?”

[blackcatisms]

“Third fire in the library this month.” Shaking his head, Brandon couldn’t help but let out a sigh. What a great way to set back his day. All he wanted was so get in, get the books from the back that he needed, and leave. But of course someone had to set a fire in the library. 

“At least nobody died.” He snorted in dry humor, thinking of the irony in that statement.

[chayseblanc-blog]

“At least most of the older books are fireproof.” Or so he heard in passing, protected by ancient spells so they couldn’t be so easily destroyed. Chayse needed to learn protection spells to their core if he could ever hope to get around them. He arched an eyebrow at the callous joke, surprised so soon after a death it would be so casually thrown about. The death of a familiar made no difference to him personally, but everyone else seemed torn up about it. “Not in fire, no.”

[sabrinanevian-blog]

“Oh believe me, I do.” Eyeing the newbie carefully, she began to grin. “Well spells do tend to be tricky. Gotta be careful not to turn yourself into a goat… So how long you been here?”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Well barring a dress code or Halloween, it’s a sight I may never get to see, and I’m a lesser witch for it.” The teasing was effortless, but his heart thumped extra hard against his chest at the word witch applied to himself. “Is there a spell for that? I wouldn’t mind a wolf or something that could swim. Couple weeks, give or take.”

[delacerdas-deactivated20170702]

He snorted. “Things like this only seem to happen while I’m on duty so I’m not sure how official that makes it.” New people were always a mixed bag so he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but thus far, Chayse seemed pretty cool. “How are you settling in? Finding everything that you need?”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Why’d you join the guard, then? You don’t really seem to enjoy it,” Chayse pointed out the obvious. “I don’t...really know what I need from this place yet, but I think so. Everyone seems exceptionally nice, at least. And the food is hard to complain about.”

[foxyemilian]

“Oh yeah? Did you grow up in a retirement home?” He teased, “And I was born and raised here. Emilian Fox, pleasure meeting you,” he said, putting his hand out for the other witch to take. 

[chayseblanc-blog]

“Worse. Home schooled.” Which was close enough to the truth. Everything he had learned, he learned from his sister. Chayse slipped his hand into Emilian’s with a grin. “Born and raised, huh? You must get restless. I’m Chayse.”

[sabrinanevian-blog]

Sabrina nearly laughed, the idea that people had of this place was hilarious to her. “We’re more of a frat house than a prestigious academy.” At his question she inspected the book, a frown forming on her lips. “A spellbook. Unfortunately not the one I needed, though.”

[chayseblanc-blog]

“I can tell. Although you guys should think about going the other route. You’d look amazing in a blazer.” Chayse glanced at the spine of the book with a smirk. “Wish I could be of help but....spells aren’t really my strong suit.” Or rather, he picked them up too quickly and it terrified him, so he stopped.

[foxyemilian]

“Something like that, yeah,” he said, wishing that to be true. The fact that the Elders were as clueless as their students didn’t make things any better. “Aside from all the chaos, are you liking things here?”

[chayseblanc-blog]

If the madness was all one giant test, Chayse would feel a little more at home here. There were plenty of times where he had been trapped or thrown into a training scenario by his family without warning. “Yeah it’s...it’s interesting. I’m not used to being around so many people my own age. Can’t really complain. How long have you been here?” Of course he had studied up on everyone of importance before arriving, so Emilian’s face wasn’t new.