shun the light

Lucia allows herself the moment of weakness in the kiss before she allows Heron to pull away, breathless. She grins, shrugging. "I don't care if they were here." Maybe she should. Booker would kill her in a heartbeat, Valka would want to carve her up for stew.

But she lifts the piece of jewelry to show Heron, reluctant to remove it for fear of turning to ash and dust even here in the hunter's home -- she does move closer, however, so she can inspect it.

"What's first is you tell me what needs to be done to serve the rest of your ilk." She grins, wide like the predator she is. "The ritual is fairly straightforward, though dangerous. Kore had to practically drain me of my blood to make it into the stone."

#heron

heronyearwood

Heron doesn't have a whole lot of time to react, even with what's given, but she feels her back slam against the wall and it radiates through the whole of her; as a normal human it might have been enough to crack something, but with the magic ink that gives her something of a ward against inhuman powers, it only righteously rocks her.

Lucia's voice is soft and quiet, and the choking clicks escaping from her mouth might resemble protests, but Lucia's grip is tight.

A free hand finds a stiletto of needle-sharp thin wood as she scans the room, the dim light of her office, whose currently blinded windows betray rims of daylight outside, making her already widened eyes pop more open at the realization.

"Augck... shit..." she manages to gag out. She raises the pin of rosewood but feels Lucia's other hand catch her wrist, and though she offers a modicum of power against it, the crushing sting of the Vampire's grip sees the weapon clatter to the floor. The grip on her throat loosens just enough for her to grasp at air; eyelids aflutter as the corners of her vision oscillate between dark and light. "I suppose you heard about the - guh... kid. Really it was just a side job this is a little extreme." That buys her another tightened grip, and she grips at Lucia's wrist again, eyes staring into hers, as if to dare her, as if to say, 'go on then, do it.'

She can feel Heron's throat bobbing against the palm of her hand, and hears the clatter of her thin stake hit the ground. Lucia loosens her grip to hear what the hunter has to say, only for the words to make her bare her teeth - fangs elongating as she does so.

Hunger has never once been a burden for her, but here and now she feels that pang in her stomach, the drought at the back of her tongue and her throat that tells her she wants nothing more to sink her fangs into this woman and drain her dry.

There's a hint of a smirk that comes after the snarl fades when she realizes Heron is looking at the blinds, at the sunlight crashing through and illuminating her features. "Things are a'changing." Lucia laughs the words out, as she grips at her wrist.

Without the fear of a stake sliding through her ribs, she leans forward, letting her fangs slide against Heron's neck - a promise of what's to come, showing her that she will sate her hunger here and now.

"If you knew I'd hear about it, then you should have told me yourself." Lifting her head, she makes eye contact again, eyes narrowing. Her grip doesn't fall away, but she does use it as leverage to bring herself even closer, their lips brushing against each other's.

"Did you have to use what I gave you?" She doesn't wait for an answer before she closes the rest of the distance, taking Heron's lips in hers. Chaste at first, then more fervent - desperate. "You should have told me first, my darling."

#heron

closed starter for: @heronyearwood

With the bracelet on her wrist, Lucia has enjoyed drinking in daytime sun ever since she parted from Kore's shop - day in and day out she's wandered the sidewalks and watched people go in and out of stores -- all types, types she hasn't had the pleasure of knowing in centuries now. The early birds and what have you.

She doesn't think it will be easy to get used to or that the novelty of it will fade anytime soon, but there are things that need to be done. Namely, a little visit to a private investigator with some unfinished business.

Lucia doesn't knock when she enters, simply opens the door and strolls in as if she owns the place-- She allows Heron a moment to react before she's using her speed and strength to be in front of her in an instant, pinning her against the wall by the throat.

"Did you think I'd forget?"

#heron

Kore lets out a quiet groan as they roll their shoulders and neck, loosening the tension from being hunched over for so long. The smell of pizza is tantalizing, and the witch steps over the body on their floor without a second glance. A year ago, they would have told Lucia to leave it, dealt with the cleanup on their own if only to be able to perform the rituals they craved, but it's hardly an issue anymore. Their head spins with how quickly things have changed in the last few months.

They inhale two slices of pizza before their appetite is satiated, and they go back to making minute adjustments to the machine. As time ticks by, the crystals begin to form under pressure, a deep blood-red that they've never seen in a natural gemstone. As the last of Lucia's blood starts siphoning through the tubes, Kore's eyes gleam as she faces the woman. "Pick a piece you'd like to wear," they gesture around the store. "Something you wouldn't mind wearing every day."

As Lucia looks around, Kore carefully finalizes the process, turning up the flame on a burner to harden the stone. Once complete, they carefully pull it out of the solution it's been suspended in and clean it gently. It sparkles in the palm of their hand and Kore can't hide the excitement from their face. It worked. "Find something you like?"

Lucia moves from the devices and looks around for something that catches her eye-- she hadn't really thought about what she'd want to wear from here on out, but now faced with the decision she gives herself the time to look while Kore finalizes the rest of the magic and the gemstone. Her fingers trace over designs as she looks before she deftly plucks one up - a bracelet with sort of a snake design where the gemstone will sit neatly in its open mouth.

"This one, I believe." She approaches, holding the unfinished piece of jewelry between two gentle fingers and drops it into Kore's waiting hand and watches as she sets the gemstone into it and any other touches that need to be done.

While she's never one to be nervous, when she slips the bracelet on, there's something stirring and anxious within her gut-- It doesn't feel like anything has changed, and with Kore looking at her seemingly expectant, she walks over to a window and slowly pushes her arm through into the sunlight.

Nothing happens.

The best anticlimactic moment she'd ever experienced. With a bright grin, she turns to Kore. "I believe you've created the first of many pieces that will change our species for the better." But she doesn't stop there, and moves to step out fully into the sun, warmth on her face for the first time in centuries, if only to prove to Kore that it truly is working.

#kore #end /

🫂 - My character's response to someone assuming our characters are dating. (Birdie LOL)

"..The rat? No."

#answered meme

♾️ - A random headcanon about our characters' relationship. (kore)

Their relationship could very easily just be called a 'working relationship', with a few perks. The perks are simply: "You do magic for me, and I'll get whatever dead things you need." Lucia sees Kore as nothing more than a means to an end, though she does wonder if that could change.

#answered meme

sntsatticus

"Uncle Markus is never right about shit, don't give him credit," his words are a whisper, really ⸻ perhaps just a little more than. Brows furrowed and wholly unprepared for receiving visits, Nikko had opened the door expecting to be faced with another of Kiri's admirers ⸻ preparing himself for the awkwardness of it. He feels completely unprepared for this; being eye to eye with his sire, saying words faster than his brain could process.

"I haven't." He desperately wants to feed, the need so overpowering his knees tremble at times ⸻ but he remembers the angry eyes watching him, mangled faces screaming how could you. He blinks. "I can't. Lucia, I can't hunt." The mere idea of it sends shivers down his spine, but he still grabs his jacket. He doesn't know why he is so eager to follow orders, even when he stomach hurts thinking about killing someone.

"I murdered sixteen people when I turned, that I know of. I can't ⸻ I can't eat, Lucia. I see them all around me. Their faces, their ghosts. I can't... I will loose control again, if I do."

"You can and you will." She levels her gaze at him, frowning at his refusal - but waiting for an explanation. Lucia turns once he grabs his jacket, and pulls her own tighter around her waist as they walk together through the grounds of Westriver.

"Nikko." She begins, almost exasperated - but keeping her tone as soothing as possible. "Blood lust is a normal thing to experience as a vampire. Your proclivities before being turned have transferred over -- You've been detoxing, yes?" Rhetorical question, that.

They walk for a bit longer before she gestures to Nikko to sit at a park bench. Lucia doesn't relax, instead staring down at him and his mannerisms. "And you believe you can't eat without losing control. That simply means you need practice with someone who will pull you off. That's what I'm here for."

#nikko

Kore doesn't bat an eye as Lucia kills someone in their store, lifeless body slumping over near the scrap metal. She trusts that Lucia will clear up after herself, and if she doesn't, she knows a few vampires she could think of to help. The smell of baked bread and melted cheese is almost enough to distract them from their latest train of thought but Kore ignores the hunger that always comes with using their magic. A small, inconsequential price to pay.

They scribble down notes furiously, muttering a few thoughts under their breath. The process for creating a lab-grown flux crystal is complicated, and she doubts that Lucia is interested in the technical aspects of it all. They pluck out bottles and starters, mixing chemicals together not unlike a mad scientist while they pull together the necessary contraption.

Soon enough, Lucia's blood is siphoning through the machine, crimson ichor dripping slowly from a glass pipette into an opaque, light blue solution. Heat and pressure are slowly applied and Kore fiddles with the settings, making minute adjustments for nearly an hour before they are satisfied. They roll their shoulders and neck to alleviate some of the stiffness and glance over at Lucia with a bright gleam in their eye. "Now we wait." The process would take several hours but she doubted that either of them had anywhere else they wanted to be in this moment.

Finished with her meal, she simply watches as Kore works -- magic and science melding into one tool here underneath their fingertips. It's fascinating to watch, though Lucia would not ever be able to make heads or tails of it.

An hour later, she's told they need to wait even longer-- but again, nothing she minded. It would be worth it, once it's over, to see the sunrise again, feel its warm on her skin. She would be able to do so much more, experience so much more. Be herself again -- A chance she'd not gotten in centuries.

"By all means." She gestures towards the pizza she'd ordered, "Have your fill while we wait. The body will be dealt with when I leave."

And so they do wait - by the time it looks like the process is almost complete, Lucia is leaning over the implements, watching the process with fascination. "I believe we're almost there, my dear. What now?"

#usfw /#about: headcanons

🫶

🫶what does after care look like for them?

Aftercare for her is a nice meal, a glass of wine, and a warm bath. What she does for aftercare for others is to make sure that they're warm and comfortable-- usually by providing robes and blankets after a particularly intense scene.

👀how do they feel about voyeurism? exhibitionism?

Exhibitionism is a no-go, but voyeurism is an absolute yes please. Especially if she can command them while watching.

#usfw /

🕒what’s the longest time they went without engaging in sexual activity with a partner? [masturbation doesn’t count]

Realistically, probably a few years? She goes in fits and bursts, and if she truly feels the urge -- Lucia will find someone to scratch the itch if it's problem. More often than not, she prefers to have some sort of connection with someone ( it absolutely does not have to be romantic, hate sex is fantastic. )

#usfw /

closed for: @sntsatticus where: westriver gardens

Unfortunate that she'd had to find out second-hand about Nikko's whereabouts and what he'd been up to through her boss, but what will be will be. Lucia doesn't mind so much the trek out to Westriver, and also has no anxieties about knocking on the door of the Stephens' home.

When she finally catches sight of Nikko, her lips press into a frown. "It seems de Villiers was right." It's what she says instead of a greeting. She presses her fingers into her temple, with a sigh. "You look like you haven't eaten at all." She has no way of knowing to be sure, but it's a good segue into why she's really here.

"Your mothers are surely excellent teachers, but there's a difference between learning from a family member and learning from the one who's blood turned you-- I assume that's me, no? We're going hunting. Get your things."

#nikko

Kore watches as Lucia slices her palm and begins to drain her blood into the vessel setting before them. The small charm, deceptive in its unassuming nature, had held the key to what vampires have been wanting for centuries, and they would be the one to finally make it work. Witches and vampires alike will remember that they had managed to bridge the divide that had existed for as long as vampires had.

They had warned Lucia beforehand that they would need as much of her blood as she could spare. Magic always came with a price and it was fickle enough when it came to Kore's powers.

"Sit. Wait. Summon a human to feed on. Whatever you want as long as it's quiet," Kore murmurs as they carefully pour an amount of Lucia's blood into a shallow copper bowl. Their fingers tremble slightly as they set the chalice aside, still filled with most of the blood the vampire provided, but their focus is on the bowl that they have prepared.

They slide their fingers into the bowl, dipping just the tips in Lucia's blood and they hold their breath. For a moment, they think that Lana's attempt to break through whatever block is just another in a long list of failures in their attempts to grasp their magic again. They can feel the answers brushing against their mind, and they gasp, eyes opening wide as their jaw grows slack.

"I see," they whisper, even as it seems like their gaze is caught between worlds. Snatching their hands out of the bowl, Kore wipes them messily on their shirt, uncaring about the stains while they reach for a pen and a pad of paper to scribble out the words that echo in their memory.

"Hostiam sanguinis in sole ambulare. A sacrifice of blood to walk in the sun." Their eyes sparkle as they look up at Lucia, a triumphant grin that borders smugness on their face. "Ever had a lab-grown gemstone before?"

Exhausted and starving, Lucia's fingers fumble on her phone before Kore even suggests summoning someone. Funny word, that. But she still taps in an order for one of the local places. With the sun being so high in the sky, she can't do much more than that. For now.

Despite the feeling of her muscles rubbing against bones and skin so vividly, paper against marble, she finds herself smiling at the idea that they're going to finally break part of the curse vampires have been saddled with.

While she waits, she watches Kore do their thing, tilting her head. Before they reach the final 'aha' moment, there's a knock. Lucia moves to answer it. Food for two.

The pizza box is set on one of Kore's counters and she quickly compels the human to step in, sit down and be quiet. It's not messy, but it isn't quick either - for Lucia to drain the poor delivery person from his essence. The lifeless body is dropped on the floor and Lucia leans back - somewhat sated - as she feels the blood pump through her veins. "I'll clean that up once we're done."

'Ever had a lab-grown gemstone before?'

Her eyebrows raise. "No, but please show me."

closed for: @witchkore when: the day after the art gallery grand opening

Finally. The last piece of the puzzle, right there in front of them. In between the two of them sits a chalice of sorts. "I suppose now we just - complete the spell, then?" There is, of course, apprehension. On her mind is the possibility that this might not work. Messing with the natural order of things has always been something to be afraid of, but she's not afraid.

If anything, she's excited for what this new life might bring her. If it works, she'll see the sun for the first time in an eternity. The sunrise, blue skies, crowds. She reaches for the knife on the table and cuts into her palm, holding the knife there to allow blood to drip into the chalice until it's full.

She'll need to feed after this - her skin already feels papery, and a sluggishness overtakes her. An obscene amount of blood is filling the cup, and she staggers forward and grabs the table to hold herself up.

"What else do I need to do?"

When it comes to those in Reardon, yes, usually their questions could land them all in trouble if they were exposed. But that is also why they have their own little network of contacts. After all, no one would suspect a sleepy little jewelry repair store tucked away on a quiet side street.

Kore quirks their head at Lucia's proposition and waits for her to continue. Puzzles are their specialty, both mundane and magical, and already the promise of a challenge stirs in their blood. When the vampire reveals the true intent of her question, their eyes grow wide in surprise. They certainly hadn't been expecting that.

"I've heard of a few who have tried. Usually witches aren't too fond of those who make an attempt," they reply slowly. After all, it would be directly working to give an advantage to the vampires. But not all vampires are their enemy, Lucia being one of them that she considers a friend. "What do you know that I don't?"

She doesn't know much - really. But there's been talk of it, and she wants to use it to her advantage. Lucia keeps to herself and listens to the stories her girls tell for information, but as for what's going on in the rest of the city -- it's all lost in the ether, in one ear and out the other. Not that people tell her much of anything these days.

"I've been told there's some research that takes it from lost cause to working theory. I just need a witch with skills and intelligence to work on it."

There is, of course, the issue of payment: "Whatever you'd like in return, if we get it working, will be yours. Just name the price."

lcblanc

She hums distractedly, pacing around Lucia's office as the takes a look through the window at the girls scattered outside, practicing. Lucia's care for the girls is admirable, more than she can say about the idiotic owner of this place. And her sharp mind is something that Narcisse appreciates, the sole reason she's here at all. "Lucky girl." She teases.

Shrugging lightly, she sits, picking on one of the pieces laying about, inspecting it with mindless interest. "Murder, with a touch of torture."

"There's this hunter... Booker, he's been here for a while... I'd even say he's handsome if you can ignore the permanent scowl and the whole 'I hate you vampires' deal he's got going on... not that big of a deal, except he decided to show up at Aoife's store." She goes on, a dangerous glint on her eyes as she mentions her wife. The rest of her story with Booker doesn't need to be revealed. "And his daughter is in town, cute family reunion, she's an artist." She knows Lucia will understand what she's hinting at. If anything, Narcisse only needs the security of knowing there will be more on her side so she can do what she wishes.

Murder and torture does pique her interest a bit. Lucia finds herself sitting up a little straighter as she listens to Narcisse speak. The name doesn't ring a bell, but that's really no surprise. She listens with a slightly blank face, only her lips twitching a bit as she prattles on about this.. Booker.

There will be pieces missing, and Lucia doesn't care to know them. The less implication the better.

"And you wish to - Take advantage of the fact that she's an artist." There has to be more to this. She moves to rest her chin in her hand and narrows her eyes. "What do you need me to do?"

#narcisse

sntsatticus

lucia mazzoni, @luciamazzoni

He wonders if Persephone weeps when Spring is over, on her way down the railroad tracks ⸻ through the gardens, through the rivers. To the place where the sun doesn't touch, warmth doesn't reach. Persephone in the garden, borrowed time, borrowed life. Or maybe she is brave; head held high in the face of Death. He knows there can be braveness in crying, but he doesn't feel very fearless in his sorrow. How do you grieve for yourself? ⸻ He could barely help the spirits do it, and now he is only one soul in the Styx. The pang of utter anguish in his no-beating heart nearly makes him lose his balance ⸻ standing around the corner of the Satin, in nothing but an old worn tee and his pajamas pants. It has dinosaurs on it, and he would feel extremely ridiculous had his head not been heavy by dread.

Besides, he knows Persephone doesn't put on her fancy dresses to go back in her cage.

But Hades loves her, doesn't he? It is why he kidnapped Persephone from her gardens. Lucia, on the other hand ⸻ She tolerates him. His blood ⸻ his witch blood, running so powerful and deep in his veins he could still taste it, even days after it was poisoned ⸻ was his only ace in this game. Would she want him around now, where his blood is nothing but ash and his teeth twitch when he catches a whiff of life? He is not worth keeping around anymore. Fuck. If she sends him away, he hopes she does it fast. He doesn't know how long he can keep his mind straight. He feels himself slipping, the longer he stands here; outside from where blood is surely pumping, by lust and desire and ⸻

He gulps. Perhaps sneaking out of the house wasn't a good idea. There, surrounded by the scents of his parents and familiarity, it was easy to ignore the hunger. Here, he feels his claws digging into the skin of his palms. His entire body trembles ⸻ vibrates when he looks up, green eyes ⸻ dark red ⸻ finding her when she leaves the back door. "Hey," he calls, moving so slowly towards her. He doesn't wanna leave the shadows. "We need to talk. Something happened and I ⸻ Well ⸻ I ⸻" Fuck, this was easier in his head. He can feel the heartbeats coming from inside, the voice in his head getting louder and louder and ⸻ "I need to get away from here. From them."