they regard the untouched glass with the faintest curl of disdain curling their lips, using the edge of their nail to push it across the bar. " they rarely care, " selene agrees lowly, " but that's the nature of mortals. always so easily overwhelmed. as you know. " far younger than they, but with hints of shared history from proximity of longevity. a sweet face that had seen events too young of an age. she rose from her seat with an unhurried grace, dropping a few dollars onto the bar despite the service. " leave it. let's go elsewhere. there's no need for both of us to suffer when there are other places that offer what we want. "
* ⸻ they did know the nature of the mundane despite the length of time it had been since their transformation. the rise and fall of civilizations from the fickle nature of the human, confused and often needing a guiding hand to not throw everything into chaos. " they can't help it. " vivi responded but that was the extent of her good will towards them. something to be studied like insects under a microscope then set free to make their own bad choices. they stood immediately, putting their goblet down onto the bar to follow. a being older than her was rare and she had come to realize that selene's taste was impeccable and to be trusted always. " do you have another place in mind ? "
the corner of his mouth twitched, forcing himself not to give into the outward amusement that seems to come anytime rayvin decided to pay him a visit. " i'm not nice, " he muttered, though it was exactly something someone too nice for their own good would say. " i'm ... cordial with people. there's a difference. " spoken low so that the mundane wouldn't overhear as he slipped a cup under the espresso machine, movements practiced for her usual. of course she'd ask for something sweet while scolding him in the next breath. " brown butter pecan cookies, gingersnaps, brookies, and some almond short bread. you'd like the gingersnaps, and, no i didn't notice. " nor did he think that she was right about it. " they come in all the time to talk to me. it's not ... " teddy trails off when he realized that maybe she was right. " i don't assume people mean it like that. "
* ⸻ " you would help a baby bird learn to fly if you could. " she didn't mean in the literal sense, despite her also seeing him trying to imitate flapping so a pigeon could get stronger. rayvin meant in the way that since she had met theodore he seemed to attract people that were broken in some way and then attempted to bandage them despite his own scars. " they were hitting on you. you don't assume people mean it because, for some reason, you seem to forget how you look. " objectively attractive and even though she preferred the fairer sex, she wasn't blind to how or why someone would make a fool of themselves to get his attention. " gingersnaps and a brookie. i need to make a good impression today. "
she shot a withering little look over her shoulder, but minty couldn't help the way that her lips twitched too. " hush, dove. " the wolf had been trying her best to help out the baker, but she could see the way that they were flustered now that the mistake had been pointed out. " the issue with that is they'll turn my studio into a playground and i can't deal with that today, " answers as she grabbed the box with a thanks and nod of her head, " so some lucky customer will wind up with flowers and a cupcake. just in time for valentine's day. you should run an actual special like that, actually. "
* ⸻ dove raised an eyebrow a little, but it didn't stop their amused grin. " you don't want to run around with children today ? what have you done that's tired you out ? i never thought i would see the day. " even when they had been younger, araminta had been a fountain of endless energy that flowed like a fountain. " all it took was children for you to admit defeat ? what will you do when you have your own ? " the question posed lightly since they didn't know if their sister still wanted a big family like she wanted to before. their own mind had been changed after being turned, and it could be the same. " i was going to run a valentine's day special, but that is also a good idea. i have your bouquet ready, i think you'll like it. "
aurora frowns, not fully grasping their words. because she can be blocked ⸻ standing in front of one's eyesight is blocking, isn't it ? but a part of her words are true. the sky can never be blocked. not completely. her eyes try to find the moon in the early morning light ; sometimes the shape can be seen, though it is not the astronomical phenomena that the nephilim tends to seek. but dovia is right ( again ). the moon is constant ; venus, not so much.
❛ my godmother always looks to the moon. ❜ though aurora fails to see the why. ❛ why do you look for it ? ❜
* ⸻ it was a new habit for them to look up to the sky to search for the things that never changed, but they weren't sure how to say it without needing to go into further explanation. " many things often change, but the moon doesn't. even when it's not visible to us its pull still has an effect on our surroundings. " they felt like they sounded like a fortune teller or tarot reader with the follow up, but the truth was now more obvious than ever. " your godmother might look at it for the same reason, or to track its cycles. "
cosimo raises his eyebrows, but he's not even going to pretend to be surprised. most of them do not value their natural lifespans, not until it's too late. they poison their bodies each and every single day ⸻ no wonder they taste like crap. ❛ i do not, but it doesn't sound like i'm missing out on anything. ❜ he remarks, words accompanied by a dry chuckle. ❛ just mundanes? why not switch to, i don't know, faeries, celestials, anything that might taste nicer than that? ❜
* ⸻ they shook their head in agreement. " you are not. " there wasn't much that could be offered aside from a source of food and entertainment, the latter the reason why vivi enjoyed places such as nevernight. " have you ever attemped to get a fae to do anything ? the mind games become tiring after a while, especially when you're already hungry. the same with celestials. i enjoy my blood with consent rather than compulsion as some others do. " no judgement was in their tone, it just wasn't their preferred method. " i would assume if you were hungry you wouldn't necessarily want to play games with your food, but perhaps you would enjoy. "
open starter / @ central park near an ice cream stand, mid afternoon @startyourdescent
the fae could feel her patience slipping very close to the end of the line, expression one mirroring horror at the display before her. sticky little hand prints on the mother's legs, another child running circles as if they had the zoomies, the third chattering a mile a minute to anyone in their line of sight. " you're welcome to go before me, " offers as another approaches, selfishly going to use their body as a buffer between herself and the terrors that had the very real ability to ruin the rest of her day. " i don't believe that the stall has what i want, and need to choose another. "
* ⸻ vivi watched as if this was one of the latest shows they had stumbled upon, unsure if they were amused or annoyed by the display. a thumb twirled the daylight ring upon their middle finger, their eyes moving to nailah before back onto the woman that was struggling. " do you need help ? " vivi offered quietly though unsure what they would do. aside from compelling them all to quietly leave the park, but the glare they got in turn actually surprised them. blinking as they watched the woman stalk off with the kids in tow, shock still etched in their features when they turned back to nailah. " for once, i'm not sure what i said to cause offense. "
the shadowhunter reached out before the patron could, picking the glass up from the bar with a small shake of her head. " we've already talked about this. one drink an hour otherwise we have to escort you out again. i'm trying to help you. " kaia admonished quietly with another shake, before her eyes landed on another. " hi ! are you ready to order ? we have some new specialty cocktails right now. "
* ⸻ her glare was a pointed thing and held on the person making kaia's job harder than needed. there weren't many that rayvin considered herself to be protective of, but she'd seen the little angel enough times and listened to her speak enough to know that she was one of the few that didn't deserve any harm to come their way. " what are the specials today, love ? " she asked once the fussy patron had quieted down, smiling at the other woman. " are they actually good or are you being forced to say so ? "
Her shift had started early, tidying up the dressing room and setting out snacks for any of the dancers that wanted them, it wasn't an official role but Leyla had come to enjoy checking in on them all - helping out with any dance injuries or routines, making sure there were snacks and water out and just occasionally making sure those who got a little handsy knew exactly how many weapons she kept on her at any one time. Once she had everything sorted, she started her official job behind the bar. The Shadowhunter slipped her leather jacket off and tucked it behind the bar, close enough that she could quickly grab it for much-needed cigarette breaks, but there was no way she could wear it all night while rushing around.
By the time she had done all that, the club had started to get busy, the hum of voices and music blending together in a way that calmed her more than she liked to admit. She grabbed a shot glass, pouring out vodka and taking the shot before turning over her shoulder with a smirk, nodding toward @startyourdescent, "What can I get you?"
* ⸻ the throng of people parted as she got closer to the bar, heels clicking slowly as she stepped down from one of the many stages. " the usual. " club soda with lime and a dash of simple syrup, non alcoholic as rayvin preferred on the days that she came to victrola to watch. every time that rayvin came for that purpose there was a reason and some type of visitor that was going to make an appearance. " also make two old fashioned with extra orange slices and an ice bucket with at least three bottles of champagne. they'll be needed for the second vip room. "
mismatched eyes follow their gaze and a dry chuckle falls from his lips. ❛ fair enough. ❜ most of the people that enter nevernight come here for a reason ⸻ and cosimo has his own for providing a common ground for it, even if he rarely ever participates in the silent chaos that often takes place. there are exceptions to the rule, but only on special occasions. ❛ in that case i do hope you enjoy your night. ❜ or the person that they have been eyeing.
* ⸻ " i hope so as well. they aren't as tasty as they used to be. " humans in general with all of the new drinks, drugs, and things that made their blood bitter and taste as if it had ash in it. " more . . . like animals. you know what i mean ? " their gaze went back to cosimo before vivi allowed a laugh to escape them. " i guess you wouldn't know, nevermind. went from a very nice steak to chicken tenders. "
❛ big sky or not, i'm still trying to see it. ❜ the nephilim watches dovia sidestep the bench, measuring and cautious. her hands settle on her coat again, fingers curling around the fabric. ❛ are you trying to see them too ? ❜ the question comes out plainly, in reference to the stars.
* ⸻ " yet there isn't anything out here that can block it. " their shadows had been contained now despite how dove had started to feel better being able to see them. they were easier to control then, but there was something about the other where they felt that they needed to be careful. " yes. though not a certain one and i care more for the moon itself. always there and doesn't blink out, easy to find again. "
open starter / @ one of the bars, late evening, @startyourdescent
her lips twisted from the first sip of her drink through the straw, the second a confirmation of what she'd figured out. " excuse me. i asked for a hugo spritz. this is aperol. " the confused look she was met with further showing that her flitting through new york to places she'd either only visitied once before or not at all wasn't worth the trouble. " do you like proescco ? " selene asks the nearby person, sliding the drink carefully over towards them. " it's already paid for. it can be put into a different cup. "
* ⸻ " they often know the difference but have no mind to care. " vivi cared little for sparkling wines, and understood the desire for something different. the red wine that they had purchased for the night was too sweet for her tastes, but she had yet to find anything that the bar offered that suited her needs. very little was a good substitute for blood, let alone a wine as dry as needed. " while waste is never the best option, it may be left there for the bartender to drink at close. we will have to go elsewhere, darling. "
open starter / @ dog eared, mid afternoon, @startyourdescent
he'd been listening for the better part of an hour, nodding along to one of his patron's enthusiastic retelling of a book that he'd recommended to them. teddy's attention had started to drift, though, nodding intermittently. their enthusiasm was infectious enough that he didn't quite have the heart to stop them, but as a person opened the door and the bell jingled signaling their arrival, his smile grew a little bit wider. " i'm sorry, i have to help them. we can talk more about it tomorrow, same time, " voices before there could be any push back. " welcome in. can i help you with anything ? "
* ⸻ " you're too nice for your own good, theodore. " she had little care that the former patron still stood there and slid into the empty space left in front of the counter. " i would like a caramel macchiato and what new treats have you made recently ? " that was scores more important than anything that over zealous fool could've been speaking about. rayvin glanced back once they moved ( it took longer than it should've for them to recognize the dismissal for what it was ), leaning in closer. " you must stop giving people hope that they'll be able to charm you. did you not notice that they were hitting on you ? "
open starter / @ one of the bakeries, mid morning, @startyourdescent
" no, yeah that totally ... makes sense ... " the wolf trails off, mentally counting what the employee had just told her. " because if five plus five is ten ... then it makes sense you got twenty, yeah. " needless to say, minty was confused. her attention shifts to the next person in life, offering them a smile. " do you want a cupcake ? i've got ten extra and not only do i not need all that extra sugar, neither do the kids they're for. " she could only imagine the mess that en pointe would turn into, the visual enough for her to shudder in horror. " vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. pick your poison. "
* ⸻ their amusement was heard in the way that dove chuckled from behind their sister, trying to keep a straight face yet failing. " it makes sense. " they echoed minty's words when she saw the perplexed expression, nodding to validate what had been said. sweets hadn't ever been her preferred snack, preferring savory and that hadn't changed despite everything, but that didn't mean patrons at her shop wouldn't appreciate it. " i can put them out at the store. ten lucky customers will be able to pick. or, you could allow the children more sugar. it won't be yourself that they go home to, so what's the harm ? "
the nephilim sits on a weathered bench by the east river, the city lights shimmering across the dark water like scattered stars. her hands curl around her coat, gaze fixed on the horizon where the first hint of dawn rises ⸻ the pale glow of the morning star catching her attention. but the quiet is ruined when a shadow falls, someone leaning too close, too casually. aurora's eyes flick up, sharp as she regards the other. ❛ you're blocking my starlight. ❜
* ⸻ she hadn't gotten used to the addition of the shadows yet. dove had used to laugh at people that would say the moon and the silence of the night made things better, but it was the one of the few things that had helped recently. they kept their face turned up to the sky as they walked slowly without trying to get anywhere specific. when the voice rang through the air all the darklighter could do was chuckle. " the sky is big enough that i seem to doubt that. " dove responded but walked around the bench that she'd unintentionally paused at regardless.
the devil's nightclub could easily result in sensory overload. the air is thick with perfume and secrets, the music loud, the wine too sweet to resist. cosimo leans back against the wall, amusement evident on his features as he watches it all unravel exactly as planned. it would be entertaining enough to stay like this for a while, to observe and gather information, but life seems to have different plans. mismatched eyes find @startyourdescent's as they approach and he tilts his head in potentially feigned curiosity. ❛ and what can i do for you tonight? ❜
* ⸻ they watched the crowd with an idle eye, inhaling lightly as they ticked off the features that she saw. they enjoyed having an easy to access blood source, the other downworlders that enjoyed the rush but there was something to be said about the innocence of mundanes that never remembered. " i hadn't expected to stumble upon the owner tonight. lucky me. " vivi's eyes moved to cosimo for a moment before looking back to the snack that smelled better than the others. " but there is nothing you can offer me. "
( ryan destiny / 415 / she + her ) ⸻ rayvin atkins has emerged in the shadow world. the warlock is built on the bones of the click of heels in empty hallways, lipsticks in deep, matte colors and black candles flickering and casting shadows. behind closed doors, whispers insist their allegiance belongs to the downworld. only time will tell where their loyalties really lie, but one thing is certain : the descent into hell will be easy for the mannequin.
001. full name: rayvin marie atkins. nicknames: some people could get away with ray. date of birth: august 10th. age: 415 looks in her twenties. birthplace: unknown, has always lived in new york. home: a brownstone in manhattan. gender: cis woman. pronouns: she & her. orientation: bisexual & biromantic. occupation : owns victrola. languages: many. relationship status: single.
002. faceclaim: ryan destiny. hair: natural black. eyes: dark brown. height: five feet, seven inches. build: slender. dominant hand: left. godly parent: nyx. deadly sin: greed. heavenly virtue: diligence. label: the mannequin. personality traits: resilient, aloof, calculated, observant, flaky, rigid.
003. rayvin grew up with half a story missing. her mother never spoke about her father, not even a lie to soften the absence. whenever rayvin asked, her mother’s expression would shutter, and the room would fall into that heavy, warning kind of quiet. so rayvin learned early that some questions weren’t meant to be answered, and some truths weren’t meant to be shared. her childhood was quiet. her mother worked nights and slept through the days and left rayvin to navigate life on her own. that felt more like a waiting room than a home. she moved like a shadow even then, slightly out of sync with the world around her. she left home at seventeen, no longer willing to pretend with the woman that only saw her father's face. she drifted through the city until she found someone that felt familiar in a way her mother never had. another warlock that had taken her under his wing since a warlock without a mentor and gone unchecked could be a disaster. unknowing that he was an infamous name in the downworld that was known for helping people but at a cost. she never knew what the cost would be for her, as he never came to collect. the centuries she spent under his tutelage growing her magic and learning control culminated in her becoming known as his assistant, where if other people sought him out, they knew to come to her. victrola became like a second home base to her after she purchased it, building it up to what it is now through the use of some magic and people that owed some favors.
004. potential wanted connections are open and not limited to
( laura harrier / 35 / she + they ) ⸻ dovia clarke has emerged in the shadow world. the darklighter is built on the bones of soft curls pinned with flower blossoms, handwritten notes tucked into bouquets and pale pink lip gloss and the scent of peonies. behind closed doors, whispers insist their allegiance belongs to no one. only time will tell where their loyalties really lie, but one thing is certain : the descent into hell will be easy for the flower child.
001. full name: dovia calanthe clark. nicknames: dove to most people. date of birth: february 13th. age: thirty5, recently changed darklighter. birthplace: new york, new york city. home: an apartment in brooklyn. gender: demi woman. pronouns: she & they. orientation: pansexual & panromantic. occupation : owns thorns & petals. languages: english, french, passable italian. relationship status: single.
002. faceclaim: laura harrier. hair: natural black. eyes: dark brown. height: five feet, nine inches. build: slender. dominant hand: right. godly parent: hebe. deadly sin: greed. heavenly virtue: chastity. label: the flower child. personality traits: sensitive, conflict averse, forgiving, idealistic, passive, nurturing, creative.
003. dove is the eldest daughter in the clarke family, and knew she was the golden child. she excelled in debate club, not because she liked arguing, but because she loved understanding people. she was the girl who could dismantle an opponent’s logic with a smile and then help them carry their books afterward. she spent her weekends horseback riding, hair braided with wildflowers, posture perfect, laughter echoing across the fields. she was graceful, composed, and quietly competitive but would still hand her ribbons to her younger sisters because they looked better in them. after high school, dovia moved to new york city and attended barnard college, majoring in environmental studies with a concentration in plant sciences. she loved the city, but she missed the quiet of home. after graduating, she worked at a few floral shops, apprenticed under a botanical designer, and eventually opened her own shop. thorns & petals became her own escape that she turned into her home away from home. when she heard how things became strained and the sudden absence from one of her younger siblings, she threw herself into improving the store. she relied on the stability for her sanity and felt like things were coming together, until they suddenly weren't.
the night she was turned into a darklighter is a blur. she remembers shadows and whispers above everything else, and waking up fundamentally different. knowing nothing of the various supernatural species in new york prior, she's had a hard time adjusting to her new powers but thorns & petals is still the constant that keeps her sane.
004. potential wanted connections are open and not limited to
