Hunter Taylor-Evans

Hunter Taylor-Evans | 35 | Human | Unclaimed | Counter Attendant at Leather & Lace

[huntertaylorevans]

vinculafidelis​:

-

Eldrit gave a shrug and a sad grimace at the other woman, her eyes full of sympathy. “I’m sorry for whatever circumstances got you here too. I know your species didn’t even get the chance to a trial and that is beyond horrifying.” She said earnestly. 

“I’m cold blooded, so even as a human, all I wanted was layers and warmth. But now that the seasons are changing, that was another reason to come in here to get some help.” She explained, as she watched the woman organize the chosen items. “Hunter,” she repeated, committing the name to her memory. “That’s… That’s a very interesting name.” She blinked, tilting her head. She eyed the dressing room, “I just… I go in there and just… I try them on and see if they fit? What a strange concept, but I see the utility.” 

.

Hunter was slightly surprised by the apology – only the second she had received, though at least this one didn’t make her as emotional as the first. “Thank you. I can’t even say the lack of a trial was the worst of the horror.” Her hand ghosted over he stomach for a moment before she seized control of the motion.

She gave a light hum, “Yes I think the name gives some people pause. It’s a name though, not a prior job description, you know?” The dragon’s comments on the dressing room made her smile, and she walked up to it with Eldrit, opening up the room. “That’s pretty much it yeah. You have a mirror in here so you can see – but the mirror out here is a little better. And if you want a second opinion on how they look I’m out here too. And we can try some of the shoes too.”

[huntertaylorevans]

tianshihuang​:

“You don’t drink?” Tian supposed he shouldn’t have been shocked. It shouldn’t be unusual for a human in captivity to have no access to alcohol considering the expense and relative uselessness of providing it to them. “I insist you try something then.” He nudged the menu over to her, meeting her eyes as to tell her that it wasn’t optional. He wanted to buy her a drink and she was going to get one. “You can even order food if you’d like. I assume you haven’t eaten anything yet since I stole you from your dinner.” It would be no good if she passed out while he was feeding after all. 

“I did when I was younger,” She confessed. “Not even a teenager yet – but... but things in my life changed and I decided to stop.” He probably didn’t care about the reasoning but she couldn’t seem to stop herself from explaining that it wasn’t like she’d never touched alcohol. He nudged the menu over to her and she allowed it to slide beneath her fingertips, gingerly picking it up. If she had to, she supposed she would choose something sweet. 

“I would have thought I would – taste better without alcohol in my system?” She mused tentatively. “Oh - not yet, no. Thank you, Sheriff.” It didn’t make her any less nervous but she didn’t much want to pass out while he was feeding either. The food choice was easier than the alcohol was – though she eyed off a strawberry daiquiri thoughtfully.

[huntertaylorevans]

tianshihuang​:

Tian Shi picked up on the girl’s heightened heartbeat, sensing the fear behind her words. Still, she didn’t fight it. The girl knew her place and it pleased him that she did. He really wasn’t in the mood to deal with potential stubbornness. The occasional brat was fun but Tian had been feeling stressed lately and his temper couldn’t take someone testing it. Hopefully, the girl wouldn’t if she knew what was good for her. 

“Good, follow me.” He turned around and began heading towards the nearest bar. He wasn’t going to just jump her in the middle of the streets. Tian Shi had never been that kind of vampire though perhaps that was more of a cultural difference than anything. The idea of feeding behind an alleyway just didn’t fit with his sensibilities. 

When they arrived at the nearest bar, he got himself a table and gestured for her to sit. “Would you like a drink?” 

Hunter cast an almost longing look in the direction she would have gone – not that the gutters were pleasing exactly, but she had wanted shower and sleep. Too late for that now. Instead she followed him towards his choice of bar, glad instead that she had changed into flat shoes (though still cute.) 

Following him inside, she cast a look around and tried not to think about being surrounded before settling into the seat he’d gestured for her to take. “Oh – no thank you, Sheriff. I don’t really drink alcohol.” Not anymore, at least. Even if she sometimes had wondered if not being sober would be preferable. Right now she felt like she’d just end up tearing apart a label on a bottle or something of the sort. Hunter figured he’d appreciate it if she didn’t make a mess.

Was he going to feed from her in here then? Self consciously, she rubbed her neck, then pushed her hair behind her ear and watched him cautiously. 

[huntertaylorevans]

tianshihuang​:

-

Tian sighed, a little annoyed that the human couldn’t do anything for him. Still, it’s not like he could break in and he didn’t intend on using his power to force the owner to come all the way here to open up. The items would just have to wait until tomorrow. “If you’re here tomorrow, try not to close before I arrive,” it was a simple order and one he expected her to follow. 

He was just about to walk away when he decided that the girl could be of more use to him. “You’re done your shift, right?” If she was free, that meant she had time to come with him. “I need to feed and you’ll do.” 

A bolt of relief hit her – maybe she was going to get away with this. Not that she’d done wrong exactly, but it didn’t take much around here. She could always do her closing duties and then wait for him if he was going to be around the same time the next day. Hunter even managed a smile. “Of course, Sheriff. I’ll make sure to leave a note to let other attendants know you’ll be picking it up tomorrow too, just in case.” It was likely to be her but she didn’t want any of this falling back on her if one of the others closed.

And then the relief caved in. I need to feed and you’ll do.

Hunter bit the inside of her lip, wishing again that she could lie to him but that would be stupid. She was a lot of things but stupid wasn’t one of them. At least not to that degree. “Yes, Sheriff. I’m done with my shift.” She said, though she could hardly hear herself over the sound of her own heartbeat picking up, loud in her ears. He could probably hear it too, and would know the thought made her nervous. “Of course.” 

[huntertaylorevans]

tianshihuang​:​

Tian’s shift had lasted longer than he expected but he attempted to rush to the store anyway. He promised his sister that he would pick something up for her and hated breaking his promises to her. Even though the task could have been done by any servant, he enjoyed doing things personally. 

To his relief, he had caught the worker before she left for the night. When she spoke, he didn’t pay much attention, dismissing her words and greeting. “I am here to pick up an order for Councilwoman Huang. Did it come in?”

.

Hunter had the sudden, disheartening sensation of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. The order was in, ready to go but it was inside the store. And Hunter didn’t actually have keys. Briefly, she considered lying to him but that was probably even more foolish than telling the truth. 

Awkwardly, she cleared her throat, “Um – I did see it, Sheriff but there were no instructions to deliver it, or that it would be collected today and that I would need to wait. I’ve just locked up and – I don’t have a key to get back in.” Someone always let her in of a morning. She shifted uneasily, “If it’s urgent – especially for a councilwoman – I’m sure it could be arranged to get some keys here.” Hunter was pretty sure either way she was screwed, already fighting the flight instincts being around superiors (and supernatural beings) kicked off in her.

[huntertaylorevans]

themitchell-bonham​:

“Do you seriously think they’d notice..?” Mitchell said, unable to unmatch the softness in Hunter’s voice. He just couldn’t be rude like he was with everyone else…not when she was around. Maybe it was for the best that they didn’t have witnesses around. So he made an effort, standing up and walking up to the sink to splash some cool water against his face and reached out for the towel before looking up at her. “..it’s fine, keep it. I don’t want you spendin’ anything on me.” he shook his head, “..what have they got you doin’ this mornin’ anyway?”

.

“Yes. Yes I think they’d notice.” It seemed like if you ever thought you would get away with something, you were bound not to. Hunter watched him quietly, waiting. The two of them had more in common than she would admit to many, and she’d told Mitchell more about herself than she had most. With little prompting, after overhearing how he’d come to be in Firebrand. He would understand. That and she found herself needing to ask someone if they knew anything about her husband. She assumed he had met his end but she didn’t know for sure.

Hunter shrugged, “I start work soon. But I have enough time to stop for coffee or a pastry before I need to be there to change into work clothes and get started. If you don’t want me spending the money just on you, maybe you’ll share a pastry with me? I wouldn’t mind the company. If you have the time.” He’d know better than anyone else here that all too recently some important dates had passed and that was always a more difficult time of year. 

[huntertaylorevans]

kadewesson·:

☾

Kade took a moment to try and collect his thoughts as he stood before the woman looking and feeling utterly ridiculous with his dick and balls in his hands. Her cheek was already swelling slightly and she looked near tears. Instinctually he wanted to comfort her, reassure her in some way, or in the very least, find her something to cover up––but how the hell was he supposed to do that like this? Maybe he shouldn’t have been ashamed of his nudity, but given she seemed to be somewhat modest, it seemed the more respectful option. He turned his head so that his gaze fell upon the nearby door instead of her. 

“I’m Kade,” he offered with a huff. “Sorry to uh–meet you on such fucked up terms…” Uncertainty suddenly overtook him as his thoughts began to dwell on their situation. “I wish I could tell you what was going on,” he offered “But I really have no fuckin’ idea…”

☾

“They’re hardly your fault.” She said softly, studying the various things in the room while simultaneously trying not to think about what they were for. “I think I pissed them off. I just – it’s not...” His eyes were still elsewhere, so she used the back of one hand to wipe at her eyes this time. “It’s not like there’s a good time for this exactly. Today is just – especially bad.” It was much harder to hold herself together on days like this. 

A distraction was both welcome and unwelcome, since generally nothing could take her mind off what it was. There was a mirror, and she wandered over to it to inspect her cheek, unable to help musing on if it was two way. Then she returned to him, close enough that it was easy to keep eye contact – rather than the temptation or the sensation of being on display standing at a distance gave her. “Are you okay?” She asked now, even though he didn’t seem quite as distressed.

[huntertaylorevans]

kadewesson​:​

Since Kade spent most of his time in the Pits or training, he rarely found himself being rented out solely for pleasure. However, at the moment, he wasn’t entirely sure that was the purpose of this particular rental. On occasion he had been pampered before a fight, usually by someone looking to make money off him winning the match. But given the current circumstances, he doubted that was it either. He’d been stripped rather roughly and unceremoniously and locked in a room. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed between then and now, but he heard a commotion on the other side of the door. He strained to listen from his position in the back of the room, but stayed quiet.

Suddenly, the door opened and a naked woman was roughly shoved in. She sounded incredibly upset and looked scared, understandably so. Slowly rising from his seat on the floor, he held his hands in front of himself to shield himself from view and approached. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” he admitted quickly, a bit embarrassed about the situation. “You…alright?” Kade felt himself redden a bit as he averted his gaze politely. Granted the question was stupid, but it wasn’t like he could offer much in terms of aid.

.

She didn’t know what he was, but the collar told her enough to relax a little. He was being nice enough too, so she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Arm still crossed over her chest, she glanced around the room to see if there was anything to cover herself with – before turning her eyes to his. Directly to his. “I’m...” Hunter wasn’t quite sure what to say. Okay wasn’t right. Her cheek was stinging – probably red too but it wasn’t so bad she couldn’t get her mind off it. No the hardest part was the date.

“It doesn’t hurt much,” She decided on. “Today just – isn’t a good day. Not that it ever is for this but – especially today.” A tear spilled over and she turned her head to wipe it on her shoulder so she didn’t have to lift a hand and reveal herself. She should be used to nudity by now, especially after that party but despite all these years, it was still instinct to cover herself.

“I’m Hunter.” She introduced herself, “Have you – have you been in here long?”

[huntertaylorevans]

“Please – please not today. Can’t you please just give me today to myself?” Hunter asked, stumbling after the superior who held her by the arm. She could tell the begging was more of an irritation than giving them something to think about though which was.. unfortunate. The human wasn’t sure she could deal with it today, all she wanted was to go and find a quite spot to meditate on what today should have been. But she wasn’t that lucky.

Maybe she had used up all her luck in her wild youth. Pushed up against a wall, the superior urged her out of her clothes. “Please – not today,” She whimpered – and they were moving again once she was naked. A door opened and she was pushed towards the opening, “Please! Today is–” she cut off when the hand caught her across the face, stumbling as she was pushed into the room and landing on her ass. 

She heard something about coming back later, not having time to deal with hysterics – and then the door was shut in her face. Maybe that was better than nothing. Then she heard a noise from behind her in the room, jumping and crossing an arm over her chest before she looked for the source.

@kadewesson​

[huntertaylorevans]

Yawning, Hunter locked the store’s front door, sweeping her eyes over the place one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything before stepping out and pulling the door shut behind her. She listened to it click, tried it again to make sure it wouldn’t open and then stepped into the street – where she almost ran into someone.

He was familiar, though not comforting necessarily. A little prickle of nerves raced up her spine and made the finer hairs at the base of her neck stand up. Hunter resisted the urge to try smoothing them down. “Sheriff,” She greeted him nervously. “My apologies. I was just closing up after work...” For a moment she trailed off before stepping aside in the hopes he would allow her to go. “I should be getting back to the gutters.”

@tianshihuang​

[huntertaylorevans]

themitchell-bonham​:

Well, that sucked. Mitchell wasn’t exactly a morning person, meaning that he didn’t just wake up all ready to tackle the new day or with a will to live, for that matter. His attitude was more in the lines of try to avoid me at all costs, which was likely not gonna happen in this place. So..when the two feet came into a halt in front of his..humble abode, and his peace was interrupted, he couldn’t resist groaning faintly, green eyes travelling slightly up. “..c’mon, seriously? I haven’t even had breakfast yet.” he managed in a gruff voice. “What is it?”

“You’re gonna run late if you don’t get up for that breakfast. I don’t want you getting in trouble.” Hunter said softly. Sometimes it was easier for her to get through her days when she focused on the others. Worrying or helping in some way. Some of the younger ones she mothered. She leaned against the cell door, watching him for a moment before feeling her pocket. “I might have enough change to buy you a coffee, if you like?”

[huntertaylorevans]

vinculafidelis​:

-

“I… Yes, I suppose.” Eldrit said with an attempt of a smile that came out as a grimace at the mere thought of having to go around naked. It was horrifying. She knew about humanity’s stigmas on privacy and modesty. And she knew how in Firebrand a traitor’s body wasn’t their own. And now she was asking Eldrit about her chaotic arrival… She wished she could offer some kind of pleasant story she actually wanted to tell. She shrugged, “Um… I was being enslaved somewhere else. Aiding those Firebrand considered enemies.” She cleared her throat. “Before that, I was taken from my family.” She looked down at the floor, hoping she hadn’t overshared too much. 

She chuckled, “It’s all about appearances in the Council,” she confided, “And being on my boss’ good side has been very beneficial so far and I really want to keep it up.” She said sheepishly, looking around and trying to feel less overwhelmed by all the different options she could see on the shelves.

The dragon watched impressed as the woman juggled the boxes and navigated the items expertly. She was very, very impressed, she hadn’t even started reading about human fashion just yet. “I… Alright, yes. I can do that.” Clearing her throat, she gave her a grateful smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I introduced myself. Pardon me, my name is Eldrit. Again, thank you very much for your assistance.”

.

By those Firebrand considered enemies. The thought of humans enslaving her was a painful one. It seemed like it was all a big mess, if Hunter was honest. Her species hadn’t always been the kindest. They fought among themselves, let alone with other species. She recognised that, even if she didn’t agree with the apparent punishment. All that she had lost. “I’m sorry.” Hunter said softly, “Life seems to have treated all of us so unfairly.”

Hunter nodded slightly, “Well – I’m sure we can help with the clothing aspect of that.” She was glad to have it all out of her arms, offering up a small smile of her own for Eldrit. “That’s okay. I didn’t exactly introduce myself either.” In part because of her body’s natural alert system going a little haywire at the realisation she was speaking with a supe. “I’m Hunter. And you’re welcome.” Not just because it was her job, either, but because she was beginning to realise this was friend, not foe.

[huntertaylorevans]

fae-kheelan​:

Noticing the girl’s uneasiness he offered a soft smile “Don’t worry about it, I’m just teasing” he noticed the package and remembered his boss talking about it “Oh yeah you can leave it at the bar, the owner was the one who ordered” he said with a shrug “I’ll go with you in case there isn’t anyone there” with that he guided the girl inside.

.

A smile twitched at the corner of her lips in response, nodding slightly when he offered to go in with her. She didn’t know him well enough for his company to be safety, exactly but Hunter didn’t often go into the other establishments in the city. It felt like being too inside enclosed quarters with beings that made her on edge. 

She followed him in and over to the bar, handing off the package before looking up at him again. “Thank you.”

[huntertaylorevans]

paige-hibbins​:

-

She nodded when the other woman said it depended on her definition of the word. It made sense. ‘Okay’ definitely meant something different when you were a slave. “Well, I know I’m a stranger but I can lend you an ear if you’d like to talk about it,” she offered. She was pretty sure she’d get a no, but she could at the very least suggest it nevertheless. Maybe it was easier to talk about some things because she was a stranger. 

She perked up when the human said she was in luck, smiling genuinely. “Oh, yes please! That would be wonderful. It’s not often I shop, for obvious reasons, and I really fell in love with these pants.”

.

“Thank you. I don’t – not right now. But maybe one day.” There were enough anniversaries she struggled through on her own that one of them might require an ear being lended. Or a shoulder. 

Hunter nodded, “I get it. I’m just lucky I have a wardrobe for work.” Once in a while there was something she got to keep in more than just her locker here. “If you want to follow me this way, it’s right next to the dressing rooms and you can try the pants on once I’ve got them.” Leaving the pair they didn’t need on the counter for the moment, she stepped out and lead the way – going into a room for a few moments before emerging with the size 4 and holding them out. “I’m Hunter, by the way.”

[huntertaylorevans]

familiaralejandro​:

When she asked what he had done he shook his head “You don’t want to know, believe me” he said with a sad smile.

The moment he apologized he didn’t expect the girl to get so emotional and much less to hug him so it took a few moment foe him to hug her back, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly to him. He rested his cheek on top of her head and stroked her hair when he heard her sniffling “It’s okay, it was time someone apologized to you, we all need that for some kind of closure or so I’ve heard”

It surprised her, to feel it welling up in her that she didn’t like his sad smile. There was an instinct to do something to make that sadness go away – a feeling that was unexpected and caught her off guard as much as the way she soon hugged him.

But he’d wrapped his arms around her in return and she couldn’t help feeling a sense of safety in his arms. A reminder of times past. The fingers brushing through her hair made her relax a little against him and Hunter gave a slight nuzzle. “Then I’m sorry too.” She murmured, voice almost a whisper even though she was reasonably confident they were alone. “Humans haven’t always been the kindest either. It’s unfair that any of us are punished for what we are.” Even if the supernatural beings around her still often put her on edge, she was learning that they weren’t all the same. Perhaps she should have realised it long ago.

[huntertaylorevans]

fae-kheelan·:

Kheelan was helping with the cleaning of the bar, it was really a surprise given that the party wasn’t actually there but since they were understaffed because everyone seemed to have died after the party he had tp help, the thing was that the ones that weren’t dead came over were talking, he felt like a rude person for overhearing but it sounded like it was a good night. He was gathering some bottles when he heard someone behind him “If you wanted to sneak up on me you are doing an awful job at it” he said in a teasing tone.

@firebrandstarters

“I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you, Sir.” She said, her usual hint of caution in her tone when approaching any unknown supernatural being. “I had a package to deliver. From leather and lace.” She was holding the wrapped package to her chest like it might protect her. Was she tired too after the party? Yes. But there was no question she had to go back to work. At least the package drop off gave her a little time to herself. She supposed it was costumes or something like that – whatever it was, this was where she’d been told to drop it off.

[huntertaylorevans]

familiaralejandro​:

“Well, I think we can bond over that then” He said with a small self depricating smile. He pondered over what she said and shrugged “I wasn0t using them for something good so, I’m better like this, I guess”

“You mean before the war, right? Everything was caos for all the human. Being put into this live for just…being” He frowned, looking down “I don’t know if it’ll help but I apologize, for all those like me that might have hurted you in the past”

.

She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to him, knowing what had happened to her. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be anything good. “What do you mean?” Hunter asked gingerly, when he said he wasn’t using his powers for anything good, curious about what would have been something good.

Nodding when he asked if she meant before the war, she couldn’t help the way her eyes got wet and glassy. When he apologised, she almost dropped the items she’d been holding – sucking in a deep breath before blinking and making tears roll down her cheeks. 

No one had ever apologised to her before. And it was hardly his fault. Hunter was hugging him before she had even realised she was moving, items held loosely in one arm while her face pressed against his chest. After a few moments, she lifted her head to look at him, “They might have powers, and be supernatural... but it doesn’t seem to me that they were like you.” Not if he was here apologising to her. “But... thank you. I think – I think I needed that. Even if the hurt isn’t yours to apologise for.”