(s)ex-vampire

inari raith. california. love is strong enough.

[ever-evelyn]

Hiatus

Hey everyone,

As some of you might have noticed, my replies have become less and less frequent lately, and I’ve been prioritizing some storylines over others almost exclusively. 

This is because I simply don’t have time to get to everything I’d like to in DFRPG - and plus, I’m not finding that I’m enjoying what I’m doing as much as I used to be. I tried adding new characters and excitement, new storylines, and so on, but the magic isn’t really there for me right now.

Lately, I’ve been putting off posts and stories, compromising my writing in ways I don’t feel I should be, and even getting into arguments that make IC issues OOC issues. That’s not how I like to be, and I think it’s a combination of real-life stress, overinvestment in the futures of fictional characters, and a resultant loss of perspective on what’s important.

So, I’m taking a break from Tumblr. It’s not permanent. I’m sure I will be back. I don’t know exactly when, but it’ll be sometime after things have calmed down with school and work, and after I’ve had time to gain some perspective back. Until then, I consider all of Evelyn, Inari and Mia’s threads paused, but if you prefer to simply think of them as dropped, that’s perfectly okay, since I can’t say when I’ll feel up to coming back.

This isn’t about any one person or storyline or even the DFRPG community as a whole. It’s about me looking at how things are going, and deciding that I need to step back and remember what I came here to do, and find the drive to get back to doing it. It’s been a while coming. 

For what it’s worth: This is one of the best, most capable, most engaging RP communities I’ve ever been part of. You guys are excellent to the fullest extent of the law (and then some). 

See you all around - hopefully sooner rather than later. 

[t-raith]

Blood Ties

It wasn’t until everything was winding down again that Thomas found himself back on the surface, breathing in the fresh air. He carried the coat draped over one arm with a top hat tucked against his chest, and his staff was nowhere to be found. The sun was nearing the horizon, casting the sky in pale shades of blue and pink.

Justine was around, he recalled, and he reached for his phone to text her and find out whether she needed a ride or if she wanted to come by later or if she’d already gone home and was sound asleep by now, but his hand stalled midmotion at the sight of somebody very familiar among the gradually departing masses.

“Inari,” he said, the name falling quietly from his lips in startled surprise. He blinked, then jogged over to her, raising his voice to call out to her again. “Inari!”

He fell in step beside her and glanced at her profile. She looked so different. Didn’t she? Or was the impression only the product of her flawed memory? Would she look like his older sister in a few more years or was he imagining things?

He hadn’t even seen her all evening. And yet, she’d been present–along with his brother and his mother. All of the good ones had turned up to the questionable gathering, and none of the others. How very unexpected.

“Hey,” he said, flashing her a smile and wondering just what he was supposed to do now. She was the only little sister he had, and he felt like he barely knew her. He hadn’t seen her in the better part of a decade at all. For nearly her entire adult life. He wasn’t sure that he even knew how to be a big brother. “Uh, do you want a ride? Something to eat?” It felt surreal, to be a little bit concerned over rejection. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk since you flew in. Do you want to come back to my place for a while? We can catch up.”

Catching up; that was a thing that normal people did, wasn’t it? He didn’t know how that was supposed to work. They had texted on occasion, but he didn’t really know anything about her life. He wasn’t sure she’d want to tell him much, either. He was even less sure of the reverse. But somehow, trying felt important.

@inarious

[inarious]

Thomas, of course, looked exactly the same.

She hadn’t known he’d be here – she supposed she wasn’t terribly surprised. Nor was she surprised that he didn’t tell her about it, given the kind of event it had turned out to be, but he knew she used the Paranet, right? The party had been all over it. Maybe he’d just hoped not mentioning it wouldn’t make it seem like something worth bothering with.

Maybe he hadn’t thought about it in the context of her at all.

He wasn’t dressed the way she’d expected. That was a little funny. It made her smile as she looked at him all the more genuine. She liked Thomas, and she didn’t have many brothers. She was glad to see him again, more than anyone else. Certainly more than Lara – whom she was still putting off speaking to – or any of the sisters, or Father.

“Hey, you,” she said, stopping them to reach up for a little hug and a peck on the cheek. “I didn’t know you’d be here. Didn’t you get my texts?” She thought she’d sent some after landing – hadn’t she?

“Yeah,” she said, smile widening. “We should talk. If you’re, y’know, sober enough. And you aren’t expecting any company.” Thomas, she was sure, would know exactly what she meant.

This could be nice. Brother-sister time might be exactly what her night needed, even if it ten-years-post-trauma and with both of them in costume.

[healingtraveler]

"The present tense of regret is indecision." (inarious)

“I don’t know about that. I have seen many people make their decisions in the moment, without any consideration, and come to regret it later.”

[inarious]

“But if you don’t act, you can’t accomplish anything. Some decisions have to be made… maybe not right away, but quickly. 

Sometimes, life only gives you the moment. Don’t you think?”

[healingtraveler]

“Each moment comes from another moment, which comes from another, and another, and so on, each moment born of a different decision.”

“There is always a choice.”

[inarious]

“Maybe – but then why would anyone act now, if they could just act later? There are some moments more precious than other ones, right?”

[inarious]

Little Patch of Heaven (Masq; Open Starter)

[inarious]

“I think, if you get the chance, you should travel as much as you can,” she said. “There’s no substitute for it. Changes the way you see the world. Especially our world.”

[miaswordmaiden]

“Yeah, no kidding. At least this place is kinda exciting!” Mia shrugs. “Cincinnati. Not too far. Parents still worry, but that really can’t be helped.”

Mia grins at Inari with a nod. “Yeah, that’s the plan, Just- money, ya know?” Her eyes trail over to the cemetery. “Still, easier with magic friends. Ways, and everyone and their dog in this community is loaded.”

She brings her face back to the other girl. “Have you known about magic long? Are you a wizard?”

[inarious]

“I know,” Inari said, offering a sympathetic nod. “If wishes were horses and all that – I know if I could, I’d spend less time working in Cali and more time other places.” Not that there was anything wrong with California, but she did long for travel, sometimes. She had dreams of going away somewhere with Bobby, someplace quiet and beautiful. Not forever; Inari needed the city. But for a little while.

That sort of thing took money. Money her family admittedly had, but which she was unwilling to ask them to spend on her behalf. If she was gonna get ahead in the world, at thirty years old, she ought to be doing it herself.

“I’m not a wizard,” she said, shaking her head. “Not even a practitioner, really. I guess I’m a hanger-on. Or an expat from the mundane community. The world wasn’t spicy enough for me.”

Those were all lies, except the first part. But they were lies she was used to telling, and she told them well.

[radiantresource]

Confess your characters feelings about mine on anon

[planetearthe]

IMPERSONATE MY CHARACTER IN MY INBOX I WANNA SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK OF THIS LIL SHIT

[inarious]

Little Patch of Heaven (Masq; Open Starter)

[inarious]

Inari laughed. It was a beautiful laugh, melodious and upbeat without being too bright. 

“Actually, yeah, I’m from here, but it’s my first time back in a long while,” she said. “I live on the West Coast - San Fransisco. We’ve got magic, but nothing concentrated like this. Plus, a lot more Eastern influence, which is pretty cool, but you forget just how impressive the classics can be.”

“And you?” she said, flashing a smile. “You a native or a transplant?”

[miaswordmaiden]

“That’s cool!” Mia says immediately, grinning openly at the girl. “I’ve never been. I haven’t done much travelling at all, actually.”

She shakes her head, smile still in place. “I’m going to school here, but I may stay once I’m done. I’ve made a lot of friends and I don’t have much waiting back home.”

Though, if I keep making enemies then maybe a move will be helpful…

[inarious]

“Hey, there are worse places to settle down,” Inari said. “Where’s home, if you don’t mind my asking?”

She leaned back a little on the bench, grasping the back edge to prop herself up.

“I think, if you get the chance, you should travel as much as you can,” she said. “There’s no substitute for it. Changes the way you see the world. Especially our world.”

[saltwaterbuck]

"Uhh -- excuse me, but, I think you're wearing my coat."

“Huh? Oh, shit. I’m sorry, I’m sorta fashion blind.” Oisin looked down, stripping the coat off quickly and handing it over, “I guess the coat check people got our numbers mixed up. Do you have mine?”

[inarious]

“Neither did mine!” Inari said, smiling a little. “It’s a habit I started. At one of my old jobs, people were always just kinda taking clothes at random at the end of the day. I lost two jackets that way.” She shrugged. “Putting the labels on things didn’t really help, but, it did make me feel better.”

[saltwaterbuck]

Oisin snorted, “I’ve lost a few pieces of clothes. Well, not lost. Anyway, old job, huh? What’d you do?” He adjusted the strap of his old messenger bag, grinning.

[inarious]

“I worked for a porn studio,” Inari said. “As a production assistant, not an actress. Then for a fashion magazine. But the crowd was largely the same, either way.” 

She smirked a little, saying it. People never really expected that answer. She’d long ago stopped just calling it a ‘production studio,’ or something equally vague. What was the point? 

[inarious]

From the storyline with @shadowxwithachoice.

[inarious]

Undisclosed Desires (Lash/Inari)

(@shadowxwithachoice​ | gotta theme)

Well, there were worse ways to meet people.

Maybe not less unusual ways, though. Upscale lingerie shops were one of the things she’d most been looking forward to about Chicago. She’d hoped to go shopping with Orchid, but it hadn’t worked out - something about Orchid’s girlfriend needing a little more than the usual aftercare - so she’d just gone on her own. 

She’d ended up in a sorta-vintage place off the main streets. It had great pieces, and though it was a little pricey, she’d decided almost right away that she had to get something. Choosing had been a lot harder, and that’s when she’d met the blonde woman, peering through the same racks and displays. And, normally, it would have ended there - the woman made a suggestion, a great one - and Inari took the clothes and flirted a little. 

Then she said she knew Inari’s family. 

That she knew Harry Dresden.

Inari wasn’t sure if she believed in fate - or in chance, for that matter. This was Chicago, and things like that happened in Chicago, in her experience. As best she could tell, there was no deception on the woman - Lash’s - part. Some people might have found it hard to trust somebody who suddenly seemed to know you and happened to be where you were, but Inari figured, if Lash had had harmful motives, they would have become clear rather quickly.

After all, the Raiths weren’t the kind of family you survived playing the long con with.

Plus, she was gorgeous. And she’d seemed to like Inari’s own suggestion, though she’d still been contemplating it when Inari left the shop. They’d agreed to coffee the next day; Inari only had a couple days left in Chicago, anyhow. There had still been a little flirtiness to the conversation, too, so between that and the whole revelation-of-hidden-knowledge-about-the-past thing, Inari was actually pretty excited. Besides, lust was a good way to dull fears about the kinds of things she might learn. 

She showed up at the appointed time and place - a small coffee shop not far from where they’d met, with a similarly up-market, vaguely outmoded vibe - and waited. She wore the new lingerie beneath her jeans, jacket, scarf and shirt, with black heels and a big, white leather purse. She’d gotten Lash’s number, so she kept her phone out on the table just in case, though she focused out the window rather than on it.

[inboxideas]

Give my character relationship advice.

submitted by pageofstuffilike.

[inarious]

[inarious]

still a little worried

It’s just that I’m not exactly supposed to be public knowledge, right now, because of my situation.

If Harry trusts, you though, I guess – I feel like I should ask you to prove it somehow, but I don’t know how that’d even be.

[shadowxwithachoice]

I know, and I have told no one of you, I assure you.

You can ask whatever you like, or you can ask him about me if you see him.

[inarious]

thinks it over

Tell you what. Let’s go for coffee, you can tell me the whole story, and if I like what I hear, maybe I’ll put those on. grins

[inarious]

[shadowxwithachoice]

I am glad you like it.

Actually, I know your siblings, through the wizard Dresden, and I have heard a fair amount about you.  I thought it fit.

[inarious]

no longer flirty and sly

now somewhat disconcerted and sly

You know Harry Dresden?

…you know my siblings? You know who I am?

Who are you?

[shadowxwithachoice]

I… was very close to Harry for several years.  Less so, lately…

Smiling

Anyway, he told me about several of his cases, including the one where he met you.

[inarious]

still a little worried

It’s just that I’m not exactly supposed to be public knowledge, right now, because of my situation.

If Harry trusts, you though, I guess -- I feel like I should ask you to prove it somehow, but I don’t know how that’d even be.

[inarious]

[inarious]

sly grin

Probably?

Well, it’s an honor to be selected.

Can I ask what drove you to pick out that piece? 

[shadowxwithachoice]

I am glad you like it.

Actually, I know your siblings, through the wizard Dresden, and I have heard a fair amount about you.  I thought it fit.

[inarious]

no longer flirty and sly

now somewhat disconcerted and sly

You know Harry Dresden?

...you know my siblings? You know who I am?

Who are you?

[inarious]

This is beautiful! Love stuff like this.

…how did you know? 

Also, hi.

[shadowxwithachoice]

I don’t think we’ve met directly.  Hello.

[inarious]

Inari Romany; nice to meet you… 

So, do you always introduce yourself via lingerie suggestions?

…‘cause it’s working for you. 

[shadowxwithachoice]

I’m Lash.  Nice to meet you, too.

Not always, but occasionally.  Actually, this is probably the first time.

[inarious]

sly grin

Probably?

Well, it’s an honor to be selected.

Can I ask what drove you to pick out that piece? 

[inarious]

Inari Masq Threads

So, I know I’ve been delinquent in replying to Inari threads even moreso than on Evelyn and Mia. Therefore, if you have a Masq thread with Inari, I will not end it on the 31st. We can keep going as long as you’d like.

Of course, if you would prefer it end, please let me know and we can work that out, too.

[inarious]

This is beautiful! Love stuff like this.

…how did you know? 

Also, hi.

[shadowxwithachoice]

I don’t think we’ve met directly.  Hello.

[inarious]

Inari Romany; nice to meet you... 

So, do you always introduce yourself via lingerie suggestions?

...‘cause it’s working for you.