[noun] tidal wave

(penned by kari)

[daluy0ng]

#𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐘𝟎𝐍𝐆. » dependent original characters for PORTUMHQ───penned by kari (26. she/they. gmt+8:00)

sariani adlawan, a twenty-seven year old werewolf working as a waitress at the old haunt.

⟫⟫ quick links: pinterest. playlist. introduction. wanted connections.

laon alcántara, a twenty-eight year old banshee working as a dj at envy.

⟫⟫ quick links: pinterest. playlist. introduction. wanted connections.

puriel crawford, a forty (physically, real age unknown) year old cambion working as a bouncer at envy.

⟫⟫ quick links: pinterest. playlist. introduction. wanted connections.

lucien westcotte, a thirty (physically, real age unknown) year old vampire, owner of midnight steep.

⟫⟫ quick links: pinterest. playlist. introduction. wanted connections.

paisley min liu, a thirty year old dragon, doctor at portum general.

⟫⟫ quick links: pinterest. playlist. introduction. wanted connections.

[daluy0ng]

closed starter for: dani tolentino ( @macabr3s ) location: viinyl

“i’m struggling...” sariani speaks up out of nowhere, holding two vinyl records up in front of dano who stood by her at the counter, it has been a slow day for the shop, that meant for the werewolf being able to go through records without feeling like a nuisance to other patrons while she decides which one she’s going to take back home this time for her to listen to. “so...erm..should i go for...chomp!! by latency, or...around the world and back by state champs? or it’s a bit too much? i want to have both so much...” she lets out a deep sigh. "don't you wish you have a roulette you can spin in your head sometimes?"

[flowsgold]

time: halfway through the night.   location: a few feet away from the bonfire.  status: open to all, 5/5 open spots.

the  aldersley  sits  on  a  log,  eyes  focused  and  fingers  steady  as  the  young  witch  makes  a  charm  bracelet  on  their  lap  ━━  it's  not  for  anyone  in  particular  other  than  the  brave  soul  that  dares  ask  for  it,  lian  supposes.  she  hums  a  newfound  tune  as  hazel  eyes  keep  themselves  on  the  small  beads  (  distracted  by  nothing  nor  no  one  )  .

that  is  until  one  of  her  favourite  ravens  arrives  at  their  side  with  a  small  bag  of  snacks  hanging  from  their  beak,  the  rustling  of  the  awaited  paper  bag  bringing  lian  back  to  reality  ━━  even  if  it  wasn't  what  she  had  asked  for,  nor  would  she  question  just  how  the  raven  had  gotten  it.

it's  when  lian's  eyes  leave  that  small  activity  that  she  notices  someone  else  nearby.  "whatever  you  think  you  saw,  it  did  not  happen."  for  all  they  knew,  the  raven  just  found  a  shiny  snack  and  perched  itself  on  the  nearest  log.  "but  if  my  words  don't  convince  you,  might  i  bribe  you  with  either  of  these?"  meaning:  a  charm  bracelet  or  whatever  snack  the  raven  had  brought  them.

[daluy0ng]

the werewolf could still feel her exhaustion lingering regardless of the sleep she's had after she had finally shifted back to her human form, one she wants to remember just in case such thing happens again. at her age, she should have at least a bit of control with it now, yet due to her being terrified of it...it suppressed something that was treated as a gift back then when she was with her pack. she feels like a lost puppy dog about it now. perhaps...she should talk to the other werewolves she's met in the past couple of months.

sariani was staring into space at this point, probably for a little bit too long until her attention was caught by a raven, which seemingly was communication with lian. she couldn't help but smile at herself as it brings such flashbacks of superstitions she'd used to hear from where she came from, she misses them sometimes.

right then and there the witch snaps her out of it. "sorry, i...that is just amusing to watch....i'm sorry." she says as she scratches the back of her head, giving the other a smile. her eyes then lands on her options, which makes her hum. "i'd take the bracelet, i think...it's so pretty. what is it for?"

[viragoisms]

it  would  have  been  cliché  to  say  that  her  touch  was  electric,  yet  there  was  no  denying  the  crackle  of  energy  that  surged  between  them  as  closed  in.  an  energy  that  was  built  upon  the  spark  that  had  been  growing  in  charge  over  weeks  of  coy  smiles,  lingering  glances  and  teasing  rejoinders.  the  kiss  was  soft  and  gentle  affair  first,  tentative,  as  if  paz  was  seeking  reassurance,  seeking  permission  that  this  was  real,  that  this  was  wanted.  that  she  was  wanted.  and  then  with  a  silent,  hopeful  agreement,  the  kiss  deepened. and  with  it,  the  world  around  her  narrowed  to  a  singular  point  where  their  lips  met.  as  if  paz's  entire  existence  was  focused  on  the  feeling  of  those  soft  lips  against  hers,  that  gentle,  all  consuming  exploration  that  sent  a  shiver  across  her  very  being.  a  silent  conversation  spoken  with  lips  and  tongues,  a  language  neither  of  them  knew  yet  understood  implicitly  and  intimately.  one  wrought  in  heat  and  tenderness.  her  hand  crept  up  the  back  of  paisley's  neck,  fingers  tangling  in  the  soft  strands  of  her  hair  as  she  pulled  her  in  closer.  needing  to  be  closer.  needing  to  erase  the  space  between  them.  and  for  a  moment,  a  singular  beat  of  a  heart  that  no  longer  could,  paz  felt  alive  again. when  they  finally  broke  apart,  with  a  slow,  reluctant  separation,  she  felt  dizzy.  her  knees  weak.  a  strangely  shy,  yet  victorious  smile  playing  out  across  her  lips.  gaze  searching  paisley's  for  a  reflection  of  the  moment,  of  her  desire,  of  her  own  vulnerability.  she  wanted  more,  needed  more,  yet  needed  to  see  that  mirrored  more  than  anything.  needed  to  see  that  she  wasn't  alone  in  feeling...  whatever  that  was.  "and  if  i  wanted,"  she  began  softly,  caught  in  the  paradox  of  trying  to  find  her  breath  despite  not  needing  to  breathe.  "if  i  said i wanted  more  of  that?"

[daluy0ng]

and like the cliche she points out in movies, it was as if nothing else mattered right at this moment, just paz and paisley, in this little bubble they've somehow created. it was that pull that lasted for weeks and neither didn't make a move, it was just all smiles and nod, a subtle hint of flirtation with every greeting at mornings she'll be there before her shift at the hospital starts. she had never left herself be lost in such feeling like this, it was as if free falling, but ending up floating in a space that brings such waves of good feeling instead of her stomach dropping.

she smiles at the ghost's question when both felt the need to break the kiss, smile forming on her lips as she stared at paz with a dazed expression. "then more you'll have, paz...i meant it when i said anything you want." and before she knows it, the dragon lifts her up on the counter and stands between her leg, hands running up from her thigh up to her waist, then back down. "i only say things that i mean." she murmurs, leaning close for another kiss, making sure their bodies are pressed against each other once more.

paisley breaks the contact and leans down to leave kisses along her neck, giving her thighs a squeeze, whispering against her skin, "and if you want me to stop right now...just say the word, alright?"

[fullmoonsky]

Skylar's expression grew serious as Laon yet again encouraged the wolf to take what was hers. All hint of teasing gone, she could feel her hunger for the banshee grow. It wasn't so long since they had been in bed together. But this...this felt different. She was different. Sky had never wanted someone this badly. "Let me take the aching away, then." Sky breathed, fervently returning the kiss with a certain neediness. Her fingers dig into the skin at Laon's hips as they lay kissing, somewhat tangled up in each other — and Laon's sheets.

Her kisses made their way downwards, along Laon's jaw and back into the crook of her neck where her scent was strongest. Sky could feel the heat rising in her body as her lips made her way to their desired destination, hotter and hotter until she could hardly bare it at all. She stopped at Laon's belly button, clasping a hand over her own mouth and letting out a small sound of pain. Her eyes met Laon's for just a moment. Her usual hazel colored eyes glowing a bold gold and orange color now. She rolled off of Laon suddenly, hitting the floor with a thud. She could feel her canines extend in her mouth

Here? She was going to turn here? "Oh, fuck!" She growled, pain shooting up her spine in an all too familiar way. It couldn't be a full moon. Could it? She'd just had a full moon! What had it been? Two weeks? And it was barely the middle of the day! Skylar scrambled to her feet and darted out the door without giving Laon a second glance, her feet taking her out the back door in a rush to get away from Laon. The wolf was taking over and it wasn't going to be pretty.

[daluy0ng]

it didn't take much for the werewolf to have laon surrender like this, to give control to skylar, have her the way she would like, immediately there was comfort, and trust that she knew she would not break, and it has given her such bliss, as if her skin was being set aflame with ever touch and kiss she'd leave along her skin. the banshee suddenly lost the ability to form a thought, except the name of the woman who had crumble laon's defenses down without much effort.

hips arch up at every kiss she leaves, fingers tangled in her hair whilst she struggles to keep her legs apart, making space for skylar, careful enough not to hurt her, and as she was able to really get deeply lost into it, skylar pulls away, which makes laon sit up. "sky, what—" and before she knew it, the werewolf was running out, which made her scramble into grabbing her shirt and pair of shorts, running after the werewolf, still bare feet.

"s-skylar!" she runs out of her door, following after the werewolf, not a care in the world for her safety, on what this may be, she only cares if skylar is okay.

[mystvcs]

❝ i'm gonna worry regardless, ❞ she waves off the other's words with a smile. sometimes those that seemed like they had it all together could use some help. adelaide knew that well. but she was glad to hear the vampire wasn't suffering like others. ❝ i enjoy a little morning meditation. ❞ or whenever she needed help silencing the voices. ❝ i think this is the worst of it, ❞ she motions to lucien's garden, where some plants are humorously big. ❝ i guess ... it's been kind of weird not being able to hear things, people. ❞ ghosts. ❝ not really much to complain about here. ❞ still quite knew, the hybrid didn't know how things were usually handled; all of it was shocking.

[daluy0ng]

"then i promise no keep you on track on how i'm feeling, adelaide...would that help put your mind at ease, even just a bit?" lucien asks with a gentle smile on their face, endeared by the worry she carries for them. they've kept people from a distance their whole existence until arriving to portum, slowly undoing that programming, and as of late, the nymph has become one of the people they now have close. "just...enjoying the peace in your surroundings, no? i may have to try that with you one of these days." a simple thing, yet they know it would help them in the best of ways, to keep them centered. "you can tell me anything, adelaide." they encourage her. "too quiet can attract more chaos in the mind. is there anything i can do to help?"

[spillcdmoons]

SETTING — the bonfire , unspecified location ( dealer’s choice ) , open starter

— I love pretending nothing is happening, it’s my favorite activity after picking up unsuspecting wallets and kissing sad, beautiful faces. — He commented to the person beside him, with a charming and playful demeanor. — What’s it gonna be for you today? We can talk about the weather and pretend nothing is happening, or I can pick your wallet when you’re not looking. I can also buy you a drink and offer a little smooch for your troubles. — He raised his eyebrows and put his hands inside his pockets, with a boyish smile.

[daluy0ng]

even with her other form suppressed, sariani's senses are heightened more than normal, so regardless of the fact that she has a lot of distraction around her, she knew that there was another werewolf close, and could also sense the mischief her carries. "zafer..." she turns to him with an amused smile, shaking her head. "i'm working right now and not drinking, so...i don't think any of your proposition would work." she goes on as she hands his drink over to him. "perhaps if you buy me food after my shift, we can just forget about this and i won't tell cal a thing. yeah?"

[daluy0ng]

closed starter for: rashmi thimmana ( @mad3wells ) location: bonfire!

paisley had been wandering around this little celebration, it seemed like everything's back to its place, patients they had at the hospital have their abilities working as it should be. she was sort of more relaxed, a couple of drinks in as her attention turns to the live music, perhaps having her attention on the performers at little to long that she wasn't aware of the impending disaster of her half-empty drink about to spill on to someone else. in which...almost happens, thankfully, she drops her cup on the ground instead. "s-shit, fuck, i..." she stops and stares at the woman, tripping on her words for a moment, then clears her throat. "jesus...sorry, i almost ruined what you're wearing with that..." she glances at the wasted drink, before at the phoenix before her. "that's...my cue to stop. are you okay? i didn't splash anything at least on you, right?"

[amcbrisce]

FRANKLY, DESPITE REGINA'S STATE -- puriel's playful declaration does induce a laugh. not just out of amusement, but insecurity. because frankly, in her nearly two hundred years of living -- she had never been unsure about anything. confidence ran in her bones, out her fingers, leaving a trail behind her wherever she went. she knows everything. every step, every breath. everything is calculated. but there is so much right now that is unknown. weather she'll be able to keep it together, if she can reign in the storm brewing inside of her. frankly, it's becoming difficult to tame. even for her. it's in moments like these that she somehow understands the innate human need for support. but what she still doesn't seem to understand -- is how a single person can have this much control over her. make her need so much, make her want by simply just standing there. from her experience, that was a service she offered others. but she herself rarely ever experienced it. " i -- " she tries at first. how fucking embarrassing. her weakness, the fact that she was falling apart in front of a coworker. even if, deep down, she had already acknowledged that puriel was so much more than that. " well.... i don't want to hurt you. " she speaks once more through a rugged exhale. a hand rest against the outside brick, a subtle reminder that she was still on this astral plane.

the crash is epic, desperate, and messy -- but the most beautiful of things are, aren't they? the moment their lips meet, regina realizes that there's such thing as more than one kind of hunger. more, more, more. the single word ignites her ears, and every second fans the flames. she doesn't even hesitate to deepen the connection, a hand snaking across puriel's back to meet her shoulders while the other finds a home around her ribcage. the rhythm is found nearly instantly. it was a sigh of relief, a taste of freedom -- something she realizes she thought she had, but not until now.

when she finally inevitably comes up for air, it doesn't take long for her to turn the tides -- puriel's back now pressed to the wall. there was nothing more devastatingly hot than a struggle for power. moments later, regina's lips create a pattern across her neck leading upwards towards her ear, before she speaks her first words in what feels like a blur. even if that first kiss said so much.

" meet me in my office. and when you get there -- lock the door. "

[daluy0ng]

it could be a spur of the moment, something that ignited a fire in the cambion, one that couldn't be put to words yet, but the actions that had been done by puriel felt like it was the right thing to do, especially with how regina looked as she cradled her face with her hand and had their bodies close, not a care in the world as she focused on bringing her back, feet on the ground and snapping her out of her fears. "you wouldn't ever hurt me. i just know it, regina..." she whispers quietly against her lips, in between the kisses. "i promise you that." anything that would bring her back from the river of thoughts she was getting herself drowned into, the cambion was dragging her out of it. an unspoken promise of i got you, no harm would be done. she knew she could take the vampire, at least restraint her just in case she goes out of control and let her thoughts take over and put people in harms way.

this isn't part of their little games anymore, not a little dance to the music that plays every night every single time they interact, not a couple of turns and chess pieces lost, their connection had reached another level as this chaos had just pushed them closer together, with whatever this is not defined yet, something that didn't feel like it needs to be, no pressure or weight on their shoulders, what puriel knows is...it was the comfort they give each other throughout this ordeal, not knowing when it's going to end, as nobody even knows how and why this started.

a gasp leaves puriel at the feeling of regina's lips against her neck. the regina she knew is back, she brought her back. worry was now replaced by a smug grin on her face, only nodding at regina's command and follows her to her office, perhaps giving commands to the other bouncers on her way up as she didn't want them to be disturbed. a few minutes passes and puriel has now joined the other, the click of the knob being locked immediately breaks the silence, and without any hesitation, she walks up and puts both hands on the vampire's cheeks as she pulled her close for another kiss, craving for that feeling once more. "tell me what you need, miss regina."

[daluy0ng]

"no...we weren't." sariani shakes her head profusely, making sure that linus knows that she was telling the absolute truth. "our parents love us so much, my father—we were his pride and joy, and even though there was so many of us, he...he made sure every single one of us knew that we were loved." she smiled longingly, as she recalls in her head how it was then the last time she was home. "i just...i...linus, i—" she takes a deep breath. "somebody lost their life the first time that i shifted. i feel like...i feel like i've brought so much...bad things to our pack from then on. i was...bad luck." she frowns, she knew linus would understand, someone who is a werewolf would understand why she'd think like this. "i know...it's...it's painful, it kept me up some full moons, but i'm just so scared, i don't want to hurt anyone again."

yet, his advice made sense. the more she was trying to bury the werewolf, the more it is going to be beyond her control. she had kept it away for so long out of her fear, out of not wanting to hurt anyone even again that she was hurting herself, killing herself slowly, even. "i...i need help." she admitted, looking down, shyness evident in her expression. "i really doesn't want to go out of control again...i don't..." i don't want to kill anyone. her hands find comfort from the warm coffee cup. "i'm sorry...it's...usually hard to talk about this with anyone."

[avdaciter]

Talking about personal things wasn’t easy. Let alone, talking about these types of things with strangers, but, Sariani did a good job. Jinwoo would actually commend her for it, but he wasn’t Jinwoo anymore. He was Linus, now. He was cold and distant and he definitely wasn’t an Alpha. He didn’t need to worry about anyone and yet, here he was, worrying about a stranger in need. “No, you don’t have to apologize.” He nodded, trying to feel and sound as supportive as possible. Jinwoo wasn’t that much of a touchy-feel person, so he would be unlikely of him to reach out and touch her hand.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and a text from a co-worker appeared on his screen, stealing an almost imperceptible groan from his lips. “Listen, I have to run, but why don’t you grab my number and we can chat?” He offered. “I have a little one at home, so I’m going to need to organize a schedule for it, but I don’t see why I won’t be able to run with you so you can practice your self-control.” It was the least he could do, wasn’t it?

He had never been the lonely, lost soul. Not until his wife died and he found himself at Portum’s doorsteps. A dire hunger for revenge, a darkness he couldn’t control and unable to be the man he used to be. Things were beginning to change. Maybe. 

                                             E  N  D  .

[m0rbidity]

CLOSED STARTER . @daluy0ng / laon alcántara LOCATION . the bonfire

It helped to have a face in the crowd — someone who wasn't her boss or that weird Irish bartender or her dead feckin mam. Íde had never really sang in public before, and certainly not in front of so many people. But she'd hit it off so instantly with Nieve, and Mei turned out to be just as cool. And Adelaide, too, though their first meeting had been... different.

Plus, what was the point of keeping her busted telecaster in the back of her hearse if she never used it?

Throughout their set, Íde searched for that face — for Laon, someone who she couldn't say she knew too well, but their meetings at the record store had always been memorable, and she found herself wanting. And midway through, she noticed it: just the briefest moment where they locked eyes, a quick nod that seemed to last a lifetime, and then it was over. Back to performing like some sort of ghost or demon was possessing her (which, knowing Íde, was somewhat on the cards).

After their set, though, she couldn't help herself. It took an embarrassingly short time for her to find the DJ in the crowd, cigarette already pressed between her lips.

"Huh. Fancy seeing you here. At the bonfire. Where everyone is,"

[daluy0ng]

laon doesn't really get to meet people much most of her life, or at least, get anybody that close to her, with how she had programmed herself to just leave when she doesn't feel like she should be there. that was something she had been trying to undo ever since she came back to portum, learning a little bit to let people it, and so far, she's had a couple of memorable interactions, with íde, the banter at the record shop a couple of times, whilst browsing for a new record to be part of her mix.

the bonfire was something she had looked forward to, especially the music performances it had in store. she loves live music, and hasn't been able to watch such in a while. as she was in the crowd, she spots a familiar face, which immediately makes her smile, it felt like a little fun fact she'd not known before of íde, and it was lovely to watch her perform, perhaps, only focusing on her during the performance.

the banshee went off to get drinks for herself and the oracle once her performance was done, and was just able to take them when she heard the musician speak. "well...something told me that i should be here...not miss the live performances, you know?" she says as she hands the cup over to íde. "and i'm glad i didn't." she gives her a grin before taking a sip of her drink. "you did so so good, íde. i...couldn't stop watching."

[scvntillas]

          nila  was  amazed  at  the  community  she  had  found  the  moment  they  stepped  foot  inside  portum.  not  only  meeting  a  lot  of  species  they'd  never  met  before  ,  but  also  dragons  who  had  grown  up  outside  of  the  community  they  had.  paisely  ,  as  well  as  their  high  strung  older  brother  ,  were  so  different  from  the  meek  ,  subservient  dragons  nila  had  once  called  family.  paisely  was  much  easier  to  get  a  handle  on  than  fletcher  though.  they  actually  seemed  to  enjoy  going  through  life  without  a  constant  headache.  "no  ,  please  ,  i  live  for  the  drama.  tell  me  everything."  nila  took  a  sip  from  her  own  cocktail  and  motioned  for  her  to  continue.  "i  do  want  to  know  how  much  work  you  actually  have  at  the  hospital  when  …  there  shouldn't  be  that  much.  aren't  everyone  in  portum  pretty  thick  skinned  ?"

[daluy0ng]

"it's just...some chaos after some person set stuff on fire on somebody's yard unprompted, others passing out due to exhaustion and lack of sleep because their abilities have kept them up at night, people who doesn't get sick...get sick for the first time, just the basics of fever, coughs and cold..." paisley goes off to explain, pausing in between to take a bite of her food and sip her drink. "it's...different compared to two months ago when i first got here. so everybody's been on their feet, at least make things for some people bearable, ones who are affected by what it is that's happening, you know?" she takes a deep exhale. "i'm just glad i still get to have some time off..."

[debonairs]

teddy , having very little knowledge on actual hospital procedures , simply nods , following along to her words as best as they can . with a quick hum of affirmation , they figured they should get the questions they had out of the way first — “ no , i think i should be good for a regular checkup , but just . . . i've never really done this before ? i mean , i don't even really know if someone like me has plasma to donate , ” — they chuckle nervously , only having seen a flyer without any meaningful research (if they could even do that) about what they were signing up for — “ it's alright . sorry if i was botherin' . but . . . yes ? i haven't been able to teleport , and i can't lift most of the things i used to , ”

[daluy0ng]

"oh," paisley pauses. "that, we can check. i can order a test for me so we can find out about that and then we'll also see if you're capable to donate, would that sound alright?" she gives them a reassuring smile. "you're not a bother at all, love. don't you ever think that, okay? it's a good thing you've come here." a lot of people had been coming to the hospital, especially when the shift after the fog had happened. "have you been feeling unwell? fevers, headaches, colds, coughs, anything? i just want to see if there's something else, besides...not being able to do what you can do."

[debonairs]

that certainly caught teddy's attention , eyes narrowing in her direction not unkindly , but more . . . confused than anything else — “ what do you mean reprogrammed ? am i being recruited for a robot army ? ” — there's a hint of playfulness in their words , but on the inside they're feeling a lot more relieved knowing it might not just be them going haywire . eyes grow wide at her admittance , mouth opening and closing in search of something to say — “ i— well , i was off to work , actually . not sure how useful i'll be if i'm not at 100% but i guess we'll have to see . i'd like that , though . just to make sure nothing else happens , ” — slowly but surely , they got back up on their feet despite shaky legs and started towards second chances .

[daluy0ng]

"teddy..." puriel chuckles at their words, shaking her head, sometimes, humor is just a way to cope with whatever portum has been going through with at this very moment. "have you ever had it checked? whatever you're feeling?" there's a sign of worry in her expression, this...whatever this is has been affecting everyone it sorts of different ways. the cambion offers her shoulder for them to hold on to. "come on, i've got you." she turns to him with a reassuring smile on her face. "you ever wondered how long is this gonna last?" she couldn't help but ask.

[viragoisms]

"well,  fucking  good  is  on  my  business  cards  for  a  reason,"  the  words  fell  out  of  her  mouth  before  she  could  even  register  them,  an  off-handed  quip  that  didn't  sound  quite  like  what  she  had  meant  them  to.  paisley  certainly  had  a  way  of  catching  even  her  off  guard.  it  was  a  miracle  she  didn't  wince.  say  what  you  will  about  paz  navarro,  but  say  that  she  is  nothing  if  not  resilient.  she  rallied,  flashing  that  damnable  smile  of  hers,  the  one  that  had  allowed  her  to  skate  through  her  unlife.  "you  know,  if  i  had  them."  not  quite  the  landing  she  was  hoping  to  stick,  but  it  was  a  landing. "we  did  do  a  lot  of  talking,  didn't  we ?"  thankfully  most  of  it  was  a  lot  smoother  than  that  little  fumble.  her  lips  parted  slightly,  her  smile  becoming  softer.  there  was  a  silent,  unspoken  question  in  the  air,  yet  it  was  one  already  answered  by  the  heat  between  them.   the  way  their  breathing  hitched.  a  dance  of  understanding,  a  tacit  agreement  to  enjoy  the  moment  without  the  weight  of  commitment.  no  expectations,  no  demands,  no  hidden  agendas.  slowly,  deliberately,  paz  leaned  in,  dividing  the  distance  between  them  an  inch  at  a  time  until  there  was  nothing  left.  it  was  a  surprisingly  chaste  kiss.  at  first,  at  least.  a  sounding  out  of  whatever  lay  between  them,  coupled  with  a  soft,  tentative  promise  of  so  much  more  if  they  wanted  to  pursue  it.  "how  about  we...  do  something  other  than  talk for a little bit,  hm ?"

[daluy0ng]

"and here i was about to ask for it...even though i already got your number since forever ago." for the first time today, paisley puts her tablet down to have all her attention on paz. this can wait, she thinks to herself, which...can be very uncharacteristic of the doctor. but with the ghost looking at her that way, who is paisley to blame?

"a lot, every single morning before i come to work. perhaps it's how i like to start my day..." it was as if paz has become part of the dragon's routine, all those...talks, their little banter, paisley staying a couple more minutes with a drink and pastry in hand. a slow dance with the ghost, as she'd like to think about it now, with music that doesn't seem to find its end, she is mesmerized, not wanting to pull away. paz has this captivating element in her, so captivating that paisley can only find herself leaning closer and closer.

hand finding its way on the small of her back, she gently, carefully, pulls their bodies closer, as she the one is now on her cheek. "anything you want, paz...anything you want." she whispers against her lips, before finally breaking the distance for a kiss, one she doesn't realize she had been craving for some time now.

[avdaciter]

The last few weeks had been a succession of ‘I don’t know how this happened’ as Station 13 answered more and more distress calls. One, had even brought Aurora close to an ex, but nothing compared to the sight of Puriel laying on some old lady’s flowers with their body half in flames, half not. They could still see the image clear in her head when the gorgon caught sight of the bouncer by the bonfire.

As she cradled Dina in her arms, keeping the small Daschund puppy warm, the lieutenant approached the bouncer and nodded towards their direction. “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step away from the fire, please.” Although she used her lieutenant’s tone, it was clear by her features that Aurora was merely teasing. “Hey, P. I don’t think we’ve spoken since the garden incident? You’ve been holding up alright, yeah?”

[daluy0ng]

puriel had been extra cautious of themself as of late, especially after the incident at some old lady's place and setting her garden on fire, puriel doesn't want to really destruct any kinds of property with her other form. she was relearning to control it again, as some nights she's still required to do somebody's bidding, a work she's sworn to do for the rest of her existence in exchange to what she used to have.

deep in thought, she sat by the bonfire as she focused on the small flame on her index finger, in her mind, talking to it, as it has its own way of thinking, when a voice snaps her out of it. "first time you've caught me off guard, if i'm being honest." she chuckles in response. "it is like learning how to ride a bike again." she pauses for a moment, before turning to the gorgon. "i've sent the old lady something to help with the shit i've left at her house, i still feel fuckin' guilty about it." she stands up and walks over to the lieutenant. "have you felt any kinds of different shit yourself?"

[debonheurs]

lulu  has  no  qualms  about  filling  those  silences  .  it  adds  to  luci's  self  -  made  charm  and  mystery  .  if  they  ever  spoke  a  lot  in  one  sitting  ,  the  mermaid  might  become  more  suspicious  .  start  asking  questions  .  the  pattern  snaps  as  comfortable  as  the  elastic  of  a  worn  -  out  pair  of  joggers  .  “  the  ghosts  have  been  going  through  it  .  and  also  everywhere  .  i  mean  ,  you  missed  some  wild  jungles  at  the  gym  .  let  me  tell  you  ,  nymphs  trying  to  do  cardio  instead  of  ,  like  ,  answer  the  call  of  the  nearest  freaking  maple  tree  ?  it  was  awful  to  clean  up  .  i  am  doubling  as  the  janitor  ,  make  no  mistake  .  ”  she  speaks  this  in  one  long  ,  near  whole  sentence  ,  and  then  takes  in  a  breath  until  she  can  near  feel  it  circulating  in  her  lungs  .  “  but  i  don't  think  you've  ,  like  ,  missed  too  much  .  it's  just  so  dramatic  and  messy  .  and  the  council  is  so  wack  for  what  they're  doing  .  ” or  not  doing  ,  but  lulu  didn't  want  to  sound  too  much  like  a  town  rebel  .  it  could  put  someone  at  risk  if  she  wasn't  careful  .  she  watches  ,  and  enters  that  brief  serene  state  as  she  does  ,  the  soft  puffing  of  the  milk  steam  over  dark  tea  .  “  i  keep  getting  scales  through  my  tights  ,  ” laments  she  .  “  and  want  to  practically  drink  the  sea  and  every  nemo  fish  i  see  .  but  i  can  deal  .  ”  she  waves  it  off  ,  gel  tips  clacking  against  one  another  as  she  does  .  “  have  you  been  feeling  different  ?  ” the  turn  of  phrase  interests  her  .  now  this  might  just  be  her  trying  not  to  freak  out  ,  but  it  sounds  like  the  conspiracy  that  there  is  more  going  on  that  can  be  sensed  .

[daluy0ng]

"well, if you do need my help, lulu...absolutely any kind of help, i can lend a hand at the gym. i just do not frequent the place because....you know how much i prefer spending some time by myself, especially the mornings." lucien do not tell people about it much, but one could see them at their balcony every morning, painting for an hour or two before they start their day to either run errands of work at midnight steep. "the council's response to this situation has been surprising and alarming...instead, now they're decided to proceed with the bonfire. i wonder if they are just sweeping these problems under the rug and distracting us all." they let out a deep exhale, the reputation of being a safe haven is starting to have its cracks, and anyone can notice it. "i take that you've been spending a lot of time in the water, then? does it help if you do?" they ask, curiosity evident in their tone. "i..." another deep exhale. "i have been keeping an eye on myself, i've not felt any kind of different...yet. nothing disturbing. though you know i have it all planned out...just in case."