forever young

Heather. Student. 22. Hebe, Goddess of Youth.

[elbenalana]

I don’t mind the rain every once in a while but every single day is such a drag. When it starts to rain more often than not, it takes its toll on my hair days. Ponytails are so basic, though. They’re nice if I’m running late which is hardly ever—of course—but other than that they serve little to no purpose for my life. And of course it is. Thank you for noticing. 

[heatherulia]

Staying inside because of the weather isn't particularly fun, either.  People seem to get cabin fever, especially the kids!  They're hard to wrangle in when they can't play outside.  I - oh! I'm sure you are very professional.  You're ... welcome, I think?

[lexterrae-blog]

December? Heather, I must be like an ostrich, I swear. 

Work has been busy, but it’s not as though I moved abroad. I should have picked up the phone to find out how you’re doing. 

For the most part? Tell auntie Hazel.. okay, that sounded much creepier than I imagined it to.  Is there anything you need to talk about? Do you want to come by the house later? We can catch up properly.  Are you still happy enough to be with the Hamiltons?

[heatherulia]

It was - it was very low key, just me and my parents.  I mean, graduating is a big deal, but the actual event was kind of boring.  No, no - it's okay! Really!  Communication works both ways.  I should have said something, too.

Auntie Hazel makes me think you're a witch or something.  Definitely old-sounding.  There's not really anything on my mind, but truthfully I haven't spent much time with people other than children in the past few weeks so adults hanging out would be a wonderful change.  The Hamiltons are fantastic; I honestly couldn't wish for better employers.

[elbenalana]

You’d think I’d learn by now. It’s the same every single year.  April showers don’t bring May Flowers…April showers just bring terrible humidity and even worse hair days. I hate wearing my hair up but I almost have to some days. 

[heatherulia]

I don't usually mind the rain, I think it's refreshing, in a way?  Like a cleansing kind of thing.  Bad hair days are just unavoidable for me; I just wear a ponytail most days.  Besides, I'm working with kids and it's better to keep my hair out of arm's reach.  But wow!  I keep talking about me! You have very lovely hair, actually.  I'm sure it looks good no matter what.

[lexterrae-blog]

College is over? When did that happen? I feel like I’ve missed so much these past few months. 

It’s been such a while since I’ve seen you. I’m sorry about that, Heather. Are you doing okay, apart from being busy? Are you still minding Julia? 

[heatherulia]

Yeah, around December I think?   The past few months have really flown by, though.

Oh, please.  Don't be sorry!  You have a busy work schedule, I totally understand.  I'm doing alright, for the most part.  I can't really complain.  I do! I still see her, nearly every day.  She's getting so much bigger.

[lexterrae-blog]

Apparently I’ve got a great sense of humour for a gal, but should go get my boss…

And how has your day been? 

[heatherulia]

Honestly?  Pretty stressful.  You'd think once college was over that I would have more free time on my hands, but I'm finding the opposite is true.

[chariotbonheur]

eat your heart | genevieve and heather

[chariotbonheur]

The glass of dark mauve clinked at the gold band on her ring finger as she lifted it off of the bar top. She swirled around the liquid, watching the magenta-tinged rims fade off into the clear glass. She picked up the blackberry scent, savoring the sweetness upon her first taste. With the slightest tilt of her chin, she ran her dark eyes along the girl beside her - whose fidgety posture, and attempt to bring as little attention to herself as she could, spoke volumes. Except, her identity was no secret to Genevieve, who returned to her wine, ruby red nails glinting in the bar’s light as she raised her glass and this time allowed more than a sip to run down her throat, welcoming the warmth it brought. 

9.30PM, she noted the time and watched the scene as a ghost hovering, she too wishing to melt into the background and study those around her. Her ears peeked, listening in on two hushed tones behind her, whispering their affections. Unlike the man to her right, speaking with a sinister tone into his phone, all the while gesturing wildly. Yet again, her neck burned, inaudible words carving into her skin. As if to itch the seering away, she ran her hand across the side of her neck, nails digging into her scalp, fingertips running along the scar there.

Heavy, rough rocks pushed at her chest from the inside, wanting to burrow through the ribs and flesh. Control. You are more than your instincts, as overpowering as they may be. You want bloodied hands and ripped clothes because that is you. You are chaos. Be control. 

Her eyes found focus on a dark figure in front of her, the bartender stood with his back against Genevieve, wide shoulders hunkered down over a the counter, arm pumping up and down as he sliced lemons at high speed. Her breath hitched when the man turned suddenly, face washed out, his mouth a black mass screaming out, “Control!”  

“Sorry about that,” the soft voice penetrated the hallucination. 9.32PM, the clock eased her tense posture, proving her sanity for the time being.  “I just …” She offered a tilt of her head, even a smile disguised as genuine to earn her a moment of trust from the girl- Heather, auction item #4. By force was how she pulled back the dark from clouding her eyes, wanting not to provoke but to bond. “No reason for an apology,” she paused and feigned a furrow of her brow for effect, “Who is he? You are waiting for someone, aren’t you?” 

[heatherulia]

Whatever thoughts or emotions had been going through the woman's mind beside her, Heather had been completely ignorant of them, so wrapped up was she in her own nervous apprehension.  She was beginning to feel a bit nauseous, and she shivered from a chill that had crept up unexpectedly.  It felt as though the more she tried to stay still and composed, the more she ended up moving and shifting in her seat, trying to find a way to cross her legs in her dress that was now looking vastly inferior to the likes that the upper echelon of Tartarus society adorned this evening.  

The woman's response to her muddled apology seemed friendly enough, but still left Heather ill at ease.  Compared to the glamour and mystery that this woman exuded, Heather felt horribly out of place. Her eyes widened when she realized her partner had spoken, and she frowned slightly, not sure why she would reach the conclusion that Heather might be waiting on someone. "Oh! No, no, I just - I'm not waiting for anyone," she started, emphasizing her statement with a shake of her head.  "I just came over to get a drink and ... to kill time, I suppose," she answered.  She looked down into her lap, embarrassed that she couldn't offer a better response.  There was no gentleman waiting for her patiently across the room, missing her presence at his side.  Heather had no plans to meet anyone outside the venue at midnight to share a secret meeting.  She was alone, and on Valentine's Day at that.

"I'm really just here as a volunteer," she added, feeling the need to fill the silence although unsure exactly what she should say. "A friend of mine asked me to help out with the date auction so here I am." Against my better judgment, she thought but didn't dare speak aloud. Her drink finally arrived at her seat at the bar and she thanked the bartender with a small smile and took a rather large sip of her gin and tonic. "Oh! Where are my manners.  I'm Heather," she added politely, her faux pas causing a blush to stain her cheeks.

She took the pause in conversation as an opportunity to scan the room, taking in the people settling in for the party, as well as the employees either serving drinks or taking coats, or even seating people.  It seemed no matter where you turned, someone was in the thick of the action.  Heather quickly looked back to the woman seat to her right, hoping she wouldn't perceive Heather's behavior as rude. "What brought you out to the party tonight?" she asked innocently, wanting to make conversation, reaching for her drink again.

[chariotbonheur]

eat your heart | genevieve and heather

Almond nails slid a twenty dollar bill across the table, eyes in a steady gaze forward. As the man reached for change, she let her eyes fall, dark lashes brushing the top of her cheeks. “Keep the change,” she grinned artificially, ivory teeth obscured by the dim light but somehow appearing as fangs to the now rattled man, who avoided meeting her stare as he nodded and mumbled for her to enter. Genevieve held her stance for a second, relishing in the sweatsoaked fear before her. Her feigned smile vanished, mutated into a cold clenching of her jaw as she stalked into the crowded hall; its air heavy with cologne and sweetened alcohol. 

Her mouth pursed somewhat at the decor, suprisingly tasteful and subdued for such a small town; confirming what she had been told of the night’s hostess. Ms. Elben had been quite of interest to him. Genevieve had yet to uncover the reason for his enthusiasm regarding the girl, though, she did not question his judgment. 

The back of her neck burned, implying she had caught someone’s interest. As she had been taught, her body spoke more than her words could ever do and as such, Genevieve opted for the bar. She moved in a slow pace, back arched and chin held high; yet not above the others. Her ashen dress, sequined at the chest, dragged across the floor behind her, its high-slit earning her more than a few ganders on the way; each one coiling her stomach while feeding her ego. 

“A glass of red, thank you.”

[heatherulia]

Perhaps Heather's anxiety about the evening ahead put her in fight-or-flight mode.  Perhaps she'd just had too much excitement for one day, or perhaps she just hadn't eaten enough that evening.  Whatever the cause, Heather felt jittery and unsettled, and considering present company, decided that having a drink wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.  As the date auction itself grew closer Heather could feel herself filling with dread, and a strong drink seemed like the perfect thing to calm her nerves.  Not more than one - she knew getting drunk could probably be the worst move she'd make all evening - just enough to relax a little bit.  The society people she'd never truly felt comfortable with were intimidating for her on a good day - they were downright formidable tonight.

As she moved to the bar, Heather's attention was caught, much like everyone else's in the room, by the mysterious woman in the floor-length gown who made Heather look at her own dress with dismay.  To Heather, she seemed to walk in with an air of importance mixed with apathy and she couldn't help but feel her interest pique by the woman she'd never seen in Tartarus before.  There was no way she was a town native, Heather was willing to bet money on it.  When the woman took a seat at the bar, Heather immediately second-guessed her own decision to get a drink.

After a few moments of deliberation, Heather decided to go ahead and order the damn drink, and quickly approached the remaining empty seat, ironically right next to the woman who had just walked in.  She settled on the seat as quietly as she could, and waited for a bartender to take her order. "Gin and tonic, please," she ordered quietly, so much so that the bartender asked her to repeat her order. "Sorry.  Gin and tonic," she clarified, her cheeks coloring in embarrassment.  Heather quickly looked over to the woman seated next to her. "Sorry about that," she said, although she wasn't sure why she was apologizing. "I just ..." she trailed off, waving a hand awkwardly.

[heatherulia]

Bring Me Black Roses | Heather & Open

"It's for a good cause, it's for a good cause, it's for a good cause," Heather muttered under her breath.  It had seemed like an innocent enough project at the time - who really attended date auctions?  She supposed she really ought to have looked at who was organizing the event - Alana Elben was not one to just throw something together.  By the time she realized this wasn't just a cutesy little event held in a church basement, it was too late to back out, and now Heather was going to auction herself off to the highest bidder.  In a place like this, she could end up with just about anyone, which was anxiety-inducing all on its own.  Even worse, she could be the one auctionee that no one would bid on, and instead of people bidding higher they'd have to drop their starting point lower and lower and ...

Why did she make such impulsive decisions?  She should have checked out all of the details for tonight's event before she ever agreed to it.  She should have taken more than thirty seconds to answer their question. Heather consistently fell into this trap of volunteering for things just to help out a friend.  She had always felt like a little bit of an outsider and so anytime someone asked her for a favor, she'd always agree, hoping this meant they were friends now, that this meant they liked her.  Obviously there were flaws to her logic, and she was starting to wonder if this also made her a bit of a pushover.  

She tugged on her sleeves self-consciously, and let her eyes wander around the room.  Heather was torn between longing for a familiar face and hoping no one she knew would be here.  She wasn't sure which would be preferable.  While she wished for maybe Poppy or Hazel, or even the Daniels to be around, just to have someone to talk to.  She'd only ever seen the famous Alana Elben from afar, and she was intimidated by the woman.  Heather rubbed her arm and walked over to grab a seat at a table, anxious as to how the night would proceed.  She was hoping for a best-case scenario of a pleasant surprise, but was fully aware that things could quickly turn sour.

[heatherulia]

The Finals Countdown | Heather & Zach

[mayorcelton]

Lacy, the new intern determined to go above and beyond what was expected of her at town hall, had been keeping his ear busy for the past 20 minutes, enthused about the dreams - dripping of naivity to Zach - she had about the future of politics in Tartarus. She was bursting at the seams with fervor for her hometown, prompting him to wonder if her cheeks had begun to ache from the never ending smile she wore. He wished he could distinguish his past self fluttering about in her engaged look, but knew it would never happen. He’d slid into this world, the world of countless of boards and committees striving for a better place for the townsfolk. He’d been thrust, perhaps even forcefully pushed at first, in this direction by no person in particular, just by the Celton legacy he felt a need to protect. 

A means to mask his upbringing perhaps, knowing what bringing light to it did to those who tried to helped - Brent, in particular. Of course, that had come later, when Zach was already working under his father. His work had a bittersweet taste to it, reminding him of the old days and giving him a chance to continually change the future. 

But he’d never been a Lacy.

Who had, judging by the sudden silence, gotten caught up in a stack of non-classified paperwork Betty had rustled together. Zach took the opportunity to fetch his lunch, greeting the owner of the coffee shop routinely and happily before ordering a salad and coffee. Not quite ready to return to the office, he scoured the room for empty seats. A grunt was heard from the corner, blonde hair peeking out behind a laptop. He moved across the floor, silently seating himself beside the woman and sipping at his coffee. “Computer problems?” He said in a quiet tone, warm smile directed at Heather.

[heatherulia]

The more she thought about the work she'd have to do to make this project someone presentable, the angrier and more frustrated Heather became until she was nearly on the verge of tears.  She hardly noticed the presence of the man in front of her until he spoke, and she looked up in surprised, face softening when she recognized Zach.  They had seemed to be running into each other fairly frequently lately, and as silly as it might have been she was starting to view him as something of a friend.  He didn't treat her like she was stupid, or someone to put up with; he along with Hazel was kind to her and seemed to trust her.  Heather wasn't an expert, but she would consider that friendship.  She never really had many people she could count as friends, but over the past year as she'd reconnected with Hazel and gotten to know Zach she'd felt that maybe that circle was widening slightly.  She gave him a smile accompanied by a wave as he sat down.

"Hey," she said by way of greeting, "didn't expect to see you here.  Busy day?" Remembering his question, Heather flushed and looked down at her laptop. "No, I wish it was just computer problems," she confessed. "That would be an easier fix.  I have some lazy group members, is all.  We're supposed to co-write a paper and I've only gotten the work from one of my four members."  She refreshed her email again for good measure, hoping a new message would magically appear.  There was nothing, and she ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "Did I mention it's due tomorrow?" she tried to joke, but her smile was tight and she knew it might have looked strained. "Sorry, I'm being dramatic.  It's just my last final and I don't want to have to worry about things not going right, you know?  It would be nice to finish on a good note."  In a few days she would be done with school almost entirely, and while on one hand she was excited to finally venture out into the real world and be a fully-fledged adult, she wasn't sure how well she'd far on her own.  In school there was a cushion; there were people around her own age, there was homework help available, and if something went wrong she could see a professor about it.  Post-grad, she didn't have any of those resources.

"How have you been?" she asked, changing the subject and redirecting her thoughts. "Any new crazy social events that you were dragged into recently? And how is the office going, anyway?" She needed a distraction from her work and this was the perfect opportunity. Heather took another sip of her coffee, belatedly thinking so herself she would probably not sleep at all tonight.  

[heatherulia]

The Finals Countdown | open

Heather huffed and took a sip of her coffee, the third one this hour.  Honestly, she thought, what was the point of a group project if none of the other group members would do their work?  This project would count for their final grade, and they were too busy partying to do any of the assignments they had said they would, let alone email them to Heather to compile into one document.  They had to prepare a presentation on ADHD and how it impacts children at different ages, and how to combat that in a classroom, and so far the only work Heather had was her own.  No one had sent her their work, no one had contacted her to let her know that there was any issue.  No one had said anything to her.  So she had camped out in a lounge chair at the coffee shop, pulled out her books and laptop, and had furiously started typing a draft for their paper.

She shifted her weight around on the leather chair.  All of the caffeine was starting to hit, and she should get up, walk a little bit and stretch her legs, but she couldn't.  If her group members didn't do their work, they would all suffer, and Heather was determined to keep that from happening.  She'd put too many hours in, studying and doing homework,  to get a GPA she could be proud of, and she would be damned if she would let a couple of people ruin that with their last assignment of undergrad.  As she hit her third additional page of work, her laptop made a pinging noise and Heather opened up her web browser to find an email from one of her group members.

"Hey Heather,

My work is attached.  Let me know if you have questions."

Heather opened up the document and read through his work briefly.  A high school freshman could have written a better paper than this member, and she let out a groan of frustration.  She'd have to add and correct his work, which would take even longer.  At this point, she wouldn't be surprised if the other patrons had been staring at her, but Heather was so stressed she couldn't even bring herself to care.

[heatherulia]

where the wild things are | heather and thane

[thanelovell]

Thane would be lying if he tried to deny an attraction to the blonde before him. She was lovely, yes, but also had this way about her. He couldn’t quite pin point what it was but he knew he liked seeing her, being in her presence—even if she seemed vexed by his presence—Heather made him feel normal but utterly different at the same time. He wanted to be normal, to be around someone like her and just be but he also felt an increasing need to keep his past secret for fear of scaring her off. It was a lose lose situation and yet Thane grinned as she held hands to her hips. “You make a cute Tink.” Corner of his mouth twitched up into a wider smile.

It would be foolish to think that he’d be able to hold his past at bay forever. You couldn’t really be put away for eight years and come back thinking a secret like that was something that could stay hidden…but was he so wrong in wanting to get to know the people of this town, that had never really felt like home. That maybe getting to know him would make them hate him less when the truth came out…not that constant belligerent drinking was a good impression but it was better than murder and he wouldn’t be the town drunk for much longer. He refused (also he was running out of money). That’s it? You choose now to have your stupid drunken realization moment?

He cocked his head through her pause but made no sound, though the crowd around them was loud enough for the both of them. So loud that he would have though he’d missed her answer if she hadn’t thrown a smile his way, one he couldn’t quite understand, and followed it with the words ‘never better’. Was this being blown off? It had been 8 years, but yeah, Thane was pretty sure that’s what this was. He took a moment to formulate his words but his mine fogged more as the alcohol settled in and he could feel himself over-thinking it. “Yeah. I would have—I could have…” A dry laugh, that was surely lost among the music. “I’ve been drunk.” A strange moment of truth. “Figuring out how to battle inner demons, and all that, so that I don’t have to keep avoiding lovely people like yourself.”

[heatherulia]

He kept grinning at her, like he was in on a joke that she didn't understand, and it was starting to drive Heather crazy.  How could he stand before her and act like they met for tea once a week?  She restrained herself from rolling eyes, remembering finally her manners.  Truthfully, Heather knew that Thane wasn't a horrible human being.  But she'd been rejected, and however small her embarrassing little crush had been, it still hurt that he had just blown her off and left.  Heather hadn't had much experience by way of dating, and it would be some time before her skin was thick enough to let things like never getting a phone call roll off her back.  She pulled a face when Thane complimented her, knowing that with her fair skin a blush would surely be visible. "Oh - I ... what?" she attempted a response, but it clearly was not the most articulate she had ever been. "You know who Tinkerbell is?"

Heather ducked her head and looked down at her shoes.  So what if he thought she looked cute?  She was cute, damn it.  It wasn't like he was saying anything she didn't already know.  An awkward silence fell upon the pair, while the world spun madly on around them, the other attendees of the Halloween party filling the room with their own conversations.  Someone behind Heather brushed past her, and the force pushed her forward a few steps closer to Thane.  The silence was starting to be uncomfortable and Heather desperately searched for something, anything, she could say to alleviate the tension.  Just as she was about to ask Thane how his night had gone, he spoke instead.

She listened, a little shocked, to hear how Thane had been spending his time, and for a moment she didn't say anything, afraid of saying exactly the wrong thing. "And how has that been working out for you?" she said after a beat, and immediately winced.  See?  That right there was the opposite of what she wanted to say. "What I meant to say," she corrected herself, "is that seems like a daunting task.  You know, inner demons and all.  Though I can't say I see how drinking might help." She smoothed out the hem of her dress nervously.  He'd just admitted something moderately serious, and Heather had made a mess of her response to him. "I, er, do you have anyone?  You know, to talk to?" She hoped it wasn't too intrusive of her to ask, but if he'd been honest with her then he might not mind too much.

[heatherulia]

where the wild things are | heather and thane

[thanelovell]

The room almost buzzed with the sounds of music and people blending together throughout the bar. This was technically his first party in eight years, though he was too young to really go to parties before he went away, and he was too busy drinking to fully appreciate this small moment, a milestone if you will, in his life. He’d made a promise to himself, a few years back, marking things on the wall as he kept his head low and stayed out of trouble, that he’d take time to appreciate the little things. The ones they didn’t give you in prison when you were convicted for murdering your father. He’d promised himself that he’d get his shit together and make a real effort to make a life for himself…but everything had gone to shit and he was having more trouble coping with the outside world then he ever though he would. Maybe he should have acted out, acted more like the killer he was, and stayed a while. It’s not like there was anything to get back to here. Not really. He’d tried to convince himself there was. That it would be better when he saw her…that maybe…

No. No. Alcohol was the easier solution and one he’d gotten quite good at obtaining, even if his funds were often low.

While Thane may have been a little buzzed he was still able to recall the first interaction he’d had with Heather. How comfortable Heather (and Julia) had made him feel right away. They were this breath of fresh air that sent a wave of calm over him and he’d enjoyed their little adventure greatly but then real life got in the way. It always got in the way and he’d left abruptly instead of diving into his past because she was nice. Really nice. And he’d be lying if he didn’t find himself grinning as he watched her. It wasn’t fair for a stranger to put his crap on someone like her. “You caught me.” A dry laugh. “Not much of the partying type. I do enjoy a good drink though.” That was obvious. Idiot. “Was gonna head out soon but then I saw you, figured I’d—” What? Say hi? Explain himself? “How’ve ya been?”

[heatherulia]

All around Heather, people were merry, drinking copious amount of alcohol and dancing the night away without a care as to how the next morning would go.  But for Heather, time slowed to a crawl, dragging on as Thane stayed standing in front of her. She rather wished for a hole to open up in the floor to swallow her whole.  She was still irrationally irritated with him, and the more she thought about it, the more annoyed she grew with herself.  Why did it matter what one person thought of her? This is so stupid, she thought. If anyone should feel awkward, it should be him. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, trying to play it cool.  Reluctantly, she admitted that he looked good, and that only irked her more.  She probably looked ridiculous, all dressed up with no one to go out with, and without really thinking about it she tugged on the ends of her dress.

Heather merely raised an eyebrow when Thane joked about being at the Red Door for the alcohol. "I'm sure you're not alone there," she said, cocking her head to the side. "Looks like half the people here only came out to get drunk.  But then," she paused, giving a small shrug, "that's sort of what Halloween becomes when you've grown up, right? An excuse to party all night long."  he raised her eyebrows again when Thane started speaking, cutting himself off mid-sentence.  She knew absolutely nothing good could come from hearing the rest of what he had planned to say, but curiosity did kill the cat.  She leaned forward as if to encourage him to finish his sentence, but caught herself and pulled back, resting her hands oh her hips.  

"I've been - I've been ..." Heather faltered.  The easy thing to do would say she had been fine and move on from there.  God knew it was the socially acceptable and expected response.  But the truth was, Heather wasn't really sure how she'd been doing.  Her relationship with her parents was still oddly strained, and more than once she got the feeling they were hiding something from her.  She'd barely seen Poppy since her relationship with Heath had progressed to something past a hookup, and if it weren't for Julia sometimes Heather thought she might even question her own permanence.  It's not like much else was really tying her to this town.  She realized she hadn't spoken in quite some time, and plastered on a grin she knew looked fake. "I've been great," she said quickly, "Never better.  How about you?  Haven't seen you in a while."

[heatherulia]

where the wild things are | open

[thanelovell]

Costumes had started to blur together and pretty soon the people in the bar looked more and more like the characters they were portraying than the faces that he’d dreaded seeing again. He’d lingered at the bar as soon as he’d walked in the door and nursed his apparent habit of drinking his problems away—not that he believed they’d go away, but they became so much easier to ignore once he hit the bottom of the bottle. Head in the clouds, body numb and tingling with warmth of the liquor; he felt like everyone else. Merry and willing to celebrate this holiday as if nothing in the past mattered. As if everything were normal. Whatever normal was. He was beginning to think there was no such thing as normal. He’d been out of the brink a while now and there was hardly a routine, or a feeling of belonging. Thane still felt alone and miserable. Maybe this was some kind of post incarnation syndrome where being established back into normal society wasn’t possible. There, he’d flourished (or so the paperwork says), here he’d hit a plateau of alcohol and misery. 

Shoulders tensed and he thumbed the now empty glass, lips pursing against the alcohol stained taste of his teeth, tongue pushing against the inside of his cheek. He could feel his heart beat slow, a wave hitting slowly that urged him to resist having another drink. He spun around to the bartender, a face familiar to him with a name he’d never bothered to learn and slid over the glass. Thane gritted his teeth and shook his head. He’d settle into a slum against the bartop and the chair he sat on and watch the bustling crowd before him. Then make an effort to swim through the crowd and pass out in the usual spot.

Eyes found their way to a green costume, adorn with wings and all. He narrowed his eyes and the image cleared up. Heather. Thane smiled, fingers strumming at the ends of his extended arms. He rose, steadying himself on his feet and poked his way through the crowd. Halfway there and he considered turning back, remembering his state, but he was eager to see and talk to her again. She was the very definition of normal that he was looking for earlier. He cleared his throat, the sound lost among the noise of the crowd, and aligned himself with her eyesight. “Er. Hi.”

[heatherulia]

Amidst the swarm of dancing bodies around her, Heather allowed herself to be lost in the movement of the crowd.  She swayed from side to side, allowing her head to fall back while she danced.  Her heart thumped in time to the bass of the song playing through the sound system, and the sounds and conversations from the people around her fell to a dull roar.  Her normal introversion and shyness disappeared.  Heather was surrounded by people who were all in their own worlds, so what did it matter what she said or did?  They certainly weren't paying her any attention.  She opened her eyes, just for a second, and saw a strangely familiar figure.  Sure it was a trick of the light, Heather blinked at him owlishly, completely missing whatever words he had uttered.  

When she realized that she hadn't imagined the person in front of her, and he was in fact waiting for some sort of response on her end, Heather nearly jumped from the surprise.  So, Thane was here.  Well, it shouldn't have been a shock.  The whole town was here, it seemed, and she was bound to run into him again sometime.  There was no real reason for Heather to feel irked, since they'd only ever met one time, but she just couldn't help it.  He cut out of a conversation they'd had with no real reason and then Heather hadn't seen him since, giving her plenty of time to wonder what she'd done wrong.  She'd reached the conclusion, with Poppy's assurance, that she hadn't done anything wrong.  He clearly couldn't be bothered and that wasn't her fault.

Heather crossed her arms, a subconscious effort to protect herself.  She'd wanted a night to relax and pretend to be someone else, and now it was interrupted. "Hey yourself," she said politely, though her tone was flat. What was she supposed to say, exactly? It's good to see you after weeks of silence?  Good to see you're still alive? "What brings you to the Red Door?" she said finally, figuring it was neutral ground. "You don't strike me as a ... reveler."

[heatherulia]

where the wild things are | open

Heather couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something different about Halloween this year.  Maybe it was the crackle of electricity she had felt all day, or maybe it was the itch under her skin, as if it were simultaneously too big and too small.  Heather felt a restlessness that she hadn't ever before, a need to be moving and a part of the action, a change from her usual self.  The air felt crisper, the colors more vibrant, and the blood was pumping so vigorously in her body Heather swore she could hear it.  Even Julia seemed different earlier in the day when they had dressed Julia up in her costume.  Bucking costume norms, Julia had insisted on being Peter Pan, and Heather had to admit when she saw the finished costume her four year old pulled it off quite well.  She was more than just dressed for the part, she embodied the youthful innocence and jolliness of the boy who would live forever.  She let out a soft sigh as she applied her blush.  If only there were a way to keep Julia that joyful and innocent forever.  Unfortunately, all of the best things had to come to an end, and she knew from experience that life was never quite the same after the veil had lifted from your eyes. 

Shaking the decidedly depressing thoughts out of her head, Heather went back to the task at hand of applying her makeup for the Halloween party.  She'd been something of a social butterfly as of late, flitting from this party to that event to this wedding and so on.  And every time there was drinking involved. "I'm turning into a lush," she muttered to herself, resolving lightly that she'd refrain from drinking tonight.  She knew she'd break that resolution.  She could feel it like she could feel the beginnings of a change in the season.  Heather wondered if she wasn't feeling a bit reckless tonight, and promptly decided it didn't matter. What was one night compared to the entire year?  She was allowed to be a bit mischievous.  Heather finished touching up her glittery eyeshadow and crossed her room to slip on her dress.  Poppy would probably have a riot if she ran into her tonight.  Tinkerbell, of all things, seemed especially fitting.  Heather took one last look in the mirror and smirked.  Tonight, she decided, would be a good night.

The bar was crowded when Heather finally arrived fashionably late, and when she stood on her tiptoes to look around she could see a medley of people all in different costumes.  Instead of searching anyone out, Heather took a few steps into the crowd and let herself blend in.  If someone wanted to find her, they would. 

[heatherulia]

As someone who's constantly surrounded by children, and as someone who is a bit childlike herself, it makes sense for Heather to dress up as the companion and protector of the little boy who will never grow old.  Tinkerbell it is!

[mayorcelton]

Up With the Birds | Heather and Zach

[mayorcelton]

He smiled fondly at Heather as she jumped at his apology. Zach had never put much stock into sexuality, believing it to be more fluid than firm in its ways. He’d mostly been concerned that the private aspect of the conversation had put her in an uncomfortable situation. “I know. Of course. I just thought maybe I was being a bit too personal.” Zach shook his head, “No, no, I don’t care who knows it. Tartarus is such an open and progressive town. I doubt anyone would care.” He paused before continuing, “sometimes I just forget to stay professional. I don’t think this,” Zach motioned with his hand between them both, “is just work but you know.” He smiled genuinely, fingers dancing along the glass in front of him. 

“You don’t have to be quiet. I would never ask that of you. There’s just one person who doesn’t know about my past yet, who I’d like to tell myself. She doesn’t know about my exes, we haven’t really had that talk yet,” Zach said chuckling. He glanced up at Heather, biting at his lower lip. “I’m not going to say her name but I think you might know already.” His eyes twinkled, a redness creeping up at his neck at the thought of Hazel. His eyes landed on the kitchen counter, the prints of them both still lingering and neither helping him stay focused. “If I don’t say her name, it’s not official, right?” Zach couldn’t keep the smile off of his lips but continued to stifle it as best he could. 

With swift movements he cleared the table of used plates, making space for dessert which stood safely in the fridge. “I made some cheesecake. I wasn’t sure what you liked,” he mentioned as he opened it and let the chill air escape it before closing it again. Grabbing a few smaller plates from the shelf, he sat back down with the cake between them. “What about you,” he began while slicing up a piece for Heather and offering it to her. “Any potentials out there? Anyone I need to threaten or at least try to?” He laughed, the image of him cornering someone for Heather and having his own ass handed to him. The most likely outcome.

[heatherulia]

Heather leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, disregarding how impolite that was considered in formal etiquette circles, and gave Zach a conspiratorial look. "I don't know about you, but I'm not sure this meeting is really professional to begin with," she said. "Planning a party off the clock for someone else doesn't seem like official business to me."  Maybe she was being a bit forward, or too personal now?  But then, Zach had felt it okay to share with her his romantic life, so maybe it was okay.  Truthfully, she felt honored that he was comfortable enough to open up about his personal life.  It spoke volumes about their friendship, and for Heather, who could count her friends on one hand, it was a very big deal.

"Well, in any case, I can assure you that I won't be gossiping about you," she said sincerely. "I always thought that people's love lives or their personal business was for them to talk about, not other people, you know?" she asked, face scrunching a bit.  It was the truth.  As immature or naive as Heather might have been growing up, she never saw the appeal of gossiping about other people.  If they didn't want to talk about something going on in their own lives, then it wasn't Heather's job to do it. Then Zach brought up wanting to tell someone and he looked like she was in on a secret and her brow furrowed because honestly she was just really confused at this point.  She had a small inkling that Hazel was the woman he was talking about, but who even knew at this point?  But then he made the remark about being official about she gave a small smile.  She hadn't ever fallen in love before, but she imagined that it could be a scary thing, to be so vulnerable to someone who could make or break your happiness.

"You made cheesecake?" she asked in disbelief, staring blankly at Zach as he cleaned off the table. "What even are you?"  She followed him into the kitchen, feeling weird about him serving their lunch.  It was very polite and kind of him, but Heather had always been taught to help out as part of being a houseguest, so she sort of stood awkwardly to the side while he looked through his refrigerator. "Do you need any help with the dishes?" she offered, feeling a little bit silly.  She followed him back into the other room and sat down across from him, trying not to salivate over the cheesecake. Then she heard him ask about her love life.  She gave a rather unladylike snort and held back her laughter. "Please.  There's absolutely no one," she said dryly. "Not even the possibility of someone.  Don't worry about me."  She wasn't upset about it, not at all.  It's just how things were.

[poppysstems]

With Hammers and Nails | Heather, Poppy & Heath

[poppysstems]

“Why Miss Nysion… I never knew you had it in you.” Poppy shivered at Heath’s close proximity, his breath on her skin. More than anything, she just wanted to kiss him in that moment. Even though it had only been a week since their last kiss at Julia’s birthday party, her feelings for him had done nothing but grow in their time apart. Rising on her toes, she smirked at him and tried her best to give him a seductive sort of gaze, though she didn’t have much practice and imagined she looked stupid. Forgoing that, she teasingly let her lips press against his, only for a moment before pulling back. “Well, Mr. Celton,” she drawled, setting a hand on his stomach and letting her fingers drag down suggestively before skirting them away, leaning back in for another kiss. “I am full of surprises…”

It was just as Poppy was about to prove her words that Heather entered the kitchen, Heath scooting away in embarrassment and Poppy’s eyes widening with chagrin. “Oh God, no, don’t go, Heather,” Poppy assured, feeling a sudden pang of guilt for basically having forgot that her best friend was just on the other side of the room all because Heath had come over. “But don’t you go either, Heath,” she turned to say, waving a finger at him in command. Hadn’t this been what she’d been desperate to figure out at that wedding she’d seen Alana at– balancing her life? Heather was her best friend and Heath was her boyfriend? romantic interest? fling? Whatever, and she was determined that things could work, that she could have both. “You don’t have to sit in the corner, and Heather, you don’t have to go. Come on, let’s watch the movie, alright?”

Does that make me selfish that I want both of them? She wondered idly, grabbing both Heath and Heather’s hands and dragging the two over to the sofa, pushing them onto the piece of furniture and plopping between them unceremoniously. “What did you end up picking, Heather?” she asked, just as Penelope decided to take that opportunity to jump into Heath’s lap. Poppy grimaced, reaching out with a stutter to swat the rabbit away. “Penelope, wait, hey, stop–” She couldn’t imagine Heath was the type to like pets, let alone a bunny, and her skin heated to an almost unbearable degree as she tried to shoo the unmoving rabbit. “Penelope,” she said, clicking her teeth. “Heath, I’m sorry, um…she’s kind of stubborn, ha, just ask Heather…”

[heatherulia]

She didn't see anything when she walked into the kitchen, but with the guilt-stricken look on Poppy's face and Heath's blank one, she was sure she had narrowly avoided seeing something that perhaps she wasn't quite ready to see.  Considering Poppy had been so set on her relationship with the oldest Celton remaining a secret, Heather figured they might have shown a little more discretion.  But then, was Heather really someone they considered to be the public?  Like she and Poppy always said, they were best friends.  They usually shared everything, and even though Poppy may have waited a while to tell her about Heath, she did trust her with the information.  But still.  From the way Poppy was acting now, Heather wasn't sure that she ever really wanted to be informed of this at all.  There was a part of her that wished Julia had never said anything in the first place.  

The way Poppy was speaking gave it away - she had all but forgotten that Heather was even still in the house, and a strange disappointed feeling came over her.  Shouldn't she be happy that Heath had shown up?  Why did she have this strange discomfort that Poppy was happy with someone?  Why did she feel so left out?  It was stupid, but standing there in the kitchen with them Heather felt out of place and so incredibly small and maybe it was the alcohol but she wanted to get out of there.  Unfortunately, Poppy chose that moment to take her hand and lead her back into the main room, where Penelope was still making herself comfortable.

Seeing Heath sit down by Poppy and knowing they were a couple, a unit that didn't need a third person, solidified Heather's decision that she should go home.  And watching Poppy get flustered because Penelope did what all bunnies do and hopped into Heath's lap wasn't something she wanted to be a part of for the rest of the evening.  It was clear that Poppy wanted to talk to Heath, probably iron out some aspects of their relationship with him, and she couldn't do that while Heather was over. "You know what?  I'm feeling pretty tired," she said, the words feeling funny in her mouth. "You guys enjoy the movie, alright?" she added with a tight smile, trying to be cheerful.  So her best friend wanted to spend time with a guy.  It wasn't the end of the world, no matter how much it felt like it.