Lights Up

Marina Aster. 24. Grad Student. 

[marina-aster]

ignas-langston​:

-

Ignas nodded as she pressed against the door to step out, and he followed close behind as he muttered, “You’re brave, Collins.” Collins. It was a nickname he’d given her when they first met at the bar. She’d asked for a Tom Collins, and he teased her for ordering it. They became friends rather quickly, but he’d never thought this friendship would be leading him into something like this just a few months later. But he cared about Nora, knowing she meant so much to Marina. And Marina was his first close friend on the island. 

Ignas followed her lead as they both made their way in the direction of the carnival, surveying the streets of the town to keep an eye out for hunters. It brought back somber memories for him. The last time he encountered hunters it’d cost him his coven and they’d killed his brother. He would do anything to keep Marina from losing Nora. “Any luck trying to get ahold of her yet?” 

A small smile tugged on her lips at the nickname. It was remarkable how one word could bring her so much comfort, the little, playful reminder that he had her back. She was so used to watching her own back, and watching out for others, it was nice to have someone look out for her. “You too, Iggy.” Her own nickname for him. She couldn’t remember how it started, she might’ve just said it initially to see if it would get a reaction out of him and it stuck. 

She pulled out her phone from her pocket as he spoke, wondering the exact same thing. Marina froze in her tracks when she saw Nora’s name pop up on her phone, a bright, relieved smile broke out on her face when she saw the words ‘I’m okay.’ 

“Oh thank god.” She held onto his arm gently as she sighed in relief, afraid her knees might give out from under her with the surge in emotion, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “Yeah.” She glanced up at Ignas, her relieved grin almost splitting her face in half, “She’s okay. She’s looking for a place to duck into right now.” She typed out a quick response, trying to figure out where her sister generally was. She took a deep breath, releasing some of the panic she’d been holding in her chest, leaning slightly against him as she watched the three dots that told her Nora was typing, and mumbled to reassure herself, “She’s okay.”

[marina-aster]

Mars - Nor

Nora: I'm at his house. He's got the light on for others too if they need help. I was going to shower and then help him.

Nora: *location*

Marina: Okay. I'm on my way.

Marina: Love you, Nor. Be there soon.

[marina-aster]

ignas-langston​:

-

Ignas watched her, his heart going out to her as he listened to her speak. He understood this all too well. He quickly glanced back at the bar and the few patrons behind him before looked back to Marina once more. “Fine.” Ignas let out a huff as he let go of her wrist. He quickly dug into his pocket and found his lighter, flicking the lid off and igniting it before closing it back and gripping it tight in his hand. “I’m coming with you.” He knew there was nothing he could do to stop her, so he decided he would go out with her. “But we have to stick together. Okay?” He asked as he rest his hand on the doorhandle at the bar’s exit, a look of determination on his face. 

She watched him, head tilting slightly in confusion as he searched his pockets. Marina’s features softened and her panic eased slightly at his words. As much as she wanted to tell him to stay there, be safe, her mouth just wouldn’t make the words. Selfishly, she didn’t want to be alone. She was terrified and Ignas seemed to be one of the few people on this island who made her feel at ease. Plus, she had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to dissuade him if she tried. 

So, she nodded, her little, grateful smile returning to her face for a moment. “Stick together.” The shifter repeated, “Yeah, okay.” She turned towards the door, but paused for a moment to look up at him and say, “Thank you. Really. You don’t have to, but-” She paused, words tricky from how shaken she was, “I’m really glad to have you here.”

When she faced the door, she took a breath to get herself ready to face the world outside again. A look of determination settled onto her features as well, she pressed on the door, muttering mostly to herself, “Let’s do this.”

Once they were outside, Marina scanned the area, trying to figure out where to go next. She could go away from the carnival, and the chaos the rallied around there, but the likelihood of her sister being there was slim. Nora was there buying snacks when everything went down, so she probably wouldn’t be much farther away from it than she was now. “This way,” She said, putting on a brave face as she walked back in the direction of the carnival. 

[marina-aster]

Mars - Nor

Nora: I'm okay- I found Doyle.

Nora: Please stay home, you shouldn't out either. I'll be okay.

Marina: I was already out, heading home from the library and got caught at the carnival.

Marina: Don't worry about me. I have a friend making sure I'm safe.

Marina: Where are you guys? I'll be there soon and we can go home.

[marina-aster]

Mars - Nor

Nora: I'm okay.

Nora: I'm trying to find home but I'm definitely lost and the chaos isn't helping so I'm just going to find somewhere safe and I'll let you know where I'm at?

Nora: Are you safe? Is Alex?

Marina: Oh thank god.

Marina: Okay, find somewhere to duck into. A restaurant, store, anything. Just get out of the chaos. Send me your live location when you can and I'll be there in minutes.

Marina: I'm okay, I don't know where Alex is. He isn't picking up his phone.

Marina: It's going to be okay, Nor.

Marina: I love you.

[marina-aster]

ignas-langston​:

-

Ignas’ brows furrowed as he watched her, listening to her, and hearing the panic rising in her voice. “Oh Marina…” He breathed, understanding all too well what that awful sinking feeling was like. His little brother was killed by hunters years ago, and he could never forget the panic and grief it caused. Ignas got a little lost in his head, only snapping out of it when Marina moved towards the door again. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Ignas moved towards her, gently grabbing her by the wrist and stopping her. “you’re not going out there alone… are you?”

.

Marina glanced up at him when he pulled her back. If anyone else were to do that, she would rip her arm away and fight them to the best of her ability, but with him, she knew he just wanted to help.  So she stood there, trembling a little from her distress, and nodded in response. “If I have to, yeah. Absolutely.” She gave him a small shrug and a small smile, as reassuring as she could muster. There was no second guessing for her. If Nora needed her, she’d go to hell and back for her. “I have one job, to protect her, and I’m failing.” Her little, sad smile, dropped softly as she spoke. She looked down at her wrist, then up at him, nodding gently as if to say, Let go. Please. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” 

[marina-aster]

Mars - Nor

Marina: Where are you?

Marina: There's fire and explosions and it's crazy out here.

Marina: Are you safe?

Marina: Nor PLEASE pick up.

Marina: Dear god PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PHONE where are you?!

[marina-aster]

ignas-langston​:

-

Ignas’ eyes searched her face as he listened to her speak, he felt his heart ache slightly at her words, worried about what she may have seen. “Yeah.” He breathed, “Yeah, I’m okay.” He nodded, looking her over as though to make sure she was okay, but it was then that he realized her sister wasn’t with her. “Wait, where’s your sister?” He asked, knowing they were close to each other and always together.

.

Marina shook her head, brows knit together in panic and worry. “I don’t-” Her breath caught in her throat. The feeling of nausea she felt running this way, searching for her little sister rose in her as the sirens outside seemed to make the world feel like it was closing in. “I don’t know.” She tried to catch her breath, but panic made it more than difficult. “I have to go find her.” The shifter’s hand dropped to his, giving it a gentle, thankful squeeze, before letting go. “Thank you for making sure I was safe, but I have to go. She might be in trouble.” She stepped back towards the door, mind already set on going back out into the chaos. 

[marina-aster]

ignas-langston​:​

Ignas was working that night, and as usual for the past few weeks he heard the sound of fireworks going off in the distance, but he worried something was wrong when they sounded… different? Not long after there were sirens blaring through the town and chaos ensued. He wasn’t sure what to do but he knew he wouldn’t just sit there and do nothing. With a bar full of people, he decided to take precautions and lock up so no one could come in- not until they had a more answers. If someone wanted to leave, he’d let them but being completely ignorant of what was going on outside, he figured he would be the best option to stay inside. He kept by the door, stealing peeks out the window, hoping to get some glimpse of what the hell was going on, and that’s when he saw her. Amongst all the chaos, he noticed Marina. Breaking his own rule, he unlocked the door and swung it open. “Marina!” He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the bar, closing and locking the door behind her. “Are you okay? Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Her breath caught in her throat as she was dragged into the doorway behind her. She hadn’t realized where she stopped, or who had grabbed her, and let out a surprised, “Oh fuck-” as she lost her footing. When Marina glanced up and saw him, she felt the fear melt away a little bit. 

“Oh my god- it’s you.” She huffed, placing her hand over her chest as if that would help ease the adrenaline that ran through her like an angry swarm of bees, and the other on his arm, gripping his sleeve gently as she tried to bring herself back to the present. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s crazy out there, Igs. The carnival was on fire, people were trampling over each other. I think I heard some explosions that didn’t come from the fireworks and...” She had been walking home and decided to pass through the carnival for one last glance before it went away. She was a little over halfway through when the chaos erupted. “It all happened so fast.” She blinked a few times, trying to rid herself of the memory that seemed to be burned into the back of her eyelids. “Are you okay?” 

[marina-aster]

Marina felt like her legs were made of jello as she ran down the street, trying to find her sister. Her phone wasn’t working well, and she felt absolutely helpless as she scanned the dark streets. The occasional person ran by her, away from the chaos of the carnival, but nobody she knew. “Nora!” Marina called out for her sister, her heart pounding against her chest. “Alex! Anyone?” She paused in front of the door to the On The Rocks bar, surveying the area once more before calling out, “Nora!” 

@ignas-langston​

[marina-aster]

alexander-evanss​:

-

Alex was almost surprised when he saw Marina walk through the door, figuring she would be out with Nora. Alex nodded as she spoke, understanding that it wasn’t her thing- it definitely wasn’t his either. His heightened senses often left him feeling overwhelmed in crowded places, so he typically tried to avoid them altogether. He supposed other shifters simply got used to it all, but he couldn’t ever get past it. He needed things to be calm and quiet.

Alex began to return to his book, thinking their interaction was over, despite wishing he had more to say to her. There was almost a tension between them at times, and he felt almost a bitterness towards her but there was another part of him that genuinely wanted to know her. He had a sister- a twin, and he’d only just learned of her existence six years ago. But even as exciting as that could be, there was also that part of him that wanted to put up a wall and shut her out to keep from getting hurt. And just as he was thinking of that wall and how it should be going up in that moment, she asked to sit with him. Alex looked up at her once more before gently nodding. “Yeah. Go ahead.” Alex watched her as she sat across from him, and he couldn’t decide which would be less awkward: sitting in silence or saying something else- anything else. “Are you reading for school?” It was the first question that came to his mind, and he mentally slapped himself for not thinking of a better one, but he asked because he wanted to see if they were alike in any other way than merely their appearances. He had always been a bookworm and decided then that it would be nice if his twin liked to read as much as he did.

Marina breathed a small sigh of relief as she pulled out the chair and slid into it. Things had been pretty tense between them, and she didn’t know what she could do to make it any better. It felt like she had this wall around her that made it hard to let anyone in, no matter how hard she tried to break it down and actually be open with people. 

At his question, a soft laugh escaped her lips, “No, not today. I decided it might be a fun idea to get lost in-” she opened the cover of the book, reading off one of the reviews, “A high fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast.” She looked over at him and shrugged with a small smile, “It was this or The Inheritance Game. Something fun and kind of... mindless, I guess? If that makes sense.” She closed the book, looking down at the book in his hands. “What are you reading?” 

[marina-aster]

alexander-evanss​:

nora-aster​:

​

.

Nora’s face flushed, swinging the book at her brother and looking at him. “Alexander, here, has a girlfriend.” She was quick to spill, “who is gorgeous, but like… is not the nicest. At least to me. And he’s been keeping it from us!” She huffed, smiling now at Alex. “I told him repayment was coming out tonight, I was actually going to text you.” @alexander-evanss​

-

Alex watched the girls as Marina threw her arms around their younger sister. He didn’t know too much about either of them, but he could see how close they were and how excited they seemed to be with each other, and there was always a tinge of jealousy and sadness that followed him when he was with them. He could’ve had the life they had. The three of them could’ve grown up together and been close, and he could’ve known his little brother, (whom he hadn’t even asked about yet). Life could’ve been just as easy for him as it was for them. But Alex quickly shoved those feelings aside reminding himself that if he hadn’t lived the life he did, he wouldn’t have met Charlie.

And speaking of Charlie, at least he and Nora were already tormenting each other like real siblings. “Wha- no. I mean… yes, she’s my girlfriend and she is gorgeous and mean but you’re just redirecting.” Alex looked to Marina before he continued, “she’s been hanging out some asshole of a shifter.” His tone was playful, but he was genuinely a bit concerned. He never thought he’d feel so protective of his siblings, especially with something like this, and if he were honest, he almost felt it was none of his business- that he shouldn’t get so worked up over it because it felt strange to take on the big brother role now at twenty-four rather than having that role his whole life.

@marina-aster​​

.

Marina glanced between the two of them, left speechless for a moment. What on earth had she missed? “Oh- Okay- uh.” She laughed, turning to Alex, “I definitely want to hear more about this gorgeous and mean woman. Wait-” She remembered back to her encounter at the library with a tiny, blonde, gorgeous, mean woman. “I think I might know who it is. But we’ll revisit. And don’t think I’ll forget.” She gave Alex a playful, pointed look before turning to their little sister. “But first, asshole of a shifter? What is this? You haven’t told me about anyone, Nor. Who is it?” She looked from Nora to Alex, silently pleading to be caught up.

@nora-aster​

[alexander-evanss]

nora-aster​:

“No rides. Cheesy photo ops, snacks and games are a go though. Deal.” SHe said it quick, so he couldn’t back out before stealing his book and using a sticky note to mark his page. Nora walked away with it cradled to her chest, triumphant in nature, “I can text Mars too! Let her know I’m holding your book hostage for your love and affection?” 

-

Alex may have been getting himself into more than he really wanted to but before he could argue with anything she said, she was stealing his book and continuing with their plans. “Is holding it hostage really necessary?” He let out a playful huff as he moved beside her to walk with her. “Does Marina know about him?” Now he was just being annoying, even though he did want to know more. 

[marina-aster]

She had made her way to the carnival, finally ready to face the hordes of people and eat a few tasty treats. A bright grin grew on her face when she saw her siblings and quickly made her way over.  She wrapped her arm around her baby sister’s shoulders, catching only the very tail end of what they were talking about. “Does Marina know about what?” 

@nora-aster​

[elloraxkhatri]

Ellora couldn’t stop smiling as she walked through the fairgrounds, excitedly taking in all the sights and sounds. From the rides to the games, everyone looked happy and it was infectious–and made her happy that this would be going on for days because it then gave her time to indulge in every single bit of it all. 

But with so many options, she didn’t even know where to start. Like now, standing in front of a snack stand with so many options it was a bit overwhelming. “Part of me wants a funnel cake. Part of me wants cotton candy. But there’s fried oreos?” She laughed, shaking her head as she looked to someone else nearby. “Any suggestions on where to start before I just go overboard?”

@paradisusstart​

[marina-aster]

She glanced over when she heard the voice, immediately recognizing the woman from the bookstore. A small, slightly relieved, smile tugged on her lips when she realized it was a complete and total stranger talking to her. “The oreos are a must. Absolutely start there,” Marina laughed. “If they’re anything like the ones from the fairs we had back home, they’re incredible.” She looked to the stand, a fond smile spreading even further on her face. “They’re surprisingly filling though, I’d recommend bringing a buddy on your carnival food adventure.”  

[xaviam]

@paradisusstart​

“Not to be that person, but none of these rides look particularly safe….” Xavi pointed out, arms folded as she looked at the pendulum ship ride in front of her. “They make this stuff to like…easily fall apart when they wanna take it all down, right? Why would anyone be dumb enough to go on it?”

[marina-aster]

She hadn’t realized she wandered into the carnival until she was deep in it. Marina thought it might’ve been a second saturday type of thing, like they had back home, where people would wander the streets in flocks to see artwork across the city. 

But- no. She was at the carnival. 

She had stopped near a lamp post near a ride, watching it as she got herself ready to wander through the crowd and find her way home. When the pretty woman to her left spoke, she was instantly brought back to the present. “Oh absolutely,” Marina laughed gently, glancing over at her, offering a small shrug, “Because everyone likes to feel invincible, is my best guess. They hear about scary stuff in the news, but it couldn’t happen to them, right?” She looked back up at the ride, making a slight face at how it wobbled. 

[alexander-evanss]

Open starter: @paradisusstart​

It was almost surprising that the library was even expected to be open while there was so much going on in town with the carnival. So many people were talking about how excited they were about it for weeks, but while Alex understood why, he personally couldn’t feel the same enthusiasm for it as everyone else. So, he was perfectly content sitting in the library all night as the rest of the island enjoyed themselves at the festival- even if there were only a handful of people to even stop by. With all his work done, he sat behind the desk with a book of his own, just waiting for the time to tick by until he could leave and go to Charlie’s apartment. At this point, he wasn’t expecting anyone else to come in for the rest night, as the past few hours it’d just been him, but he glanced up over the pages when he heard someone coming, watching them for a moment as they began to browse the shelves, before returning to his book, but only for a moment before asking, “carnivals aren’t your thing either?” He wasn’t usually one for small talk, but he was just curious why anyone would want to spend their time in the library rather than out in town (even though he preferred it himself). 

[marina-aster]

Marina was surprised to see her brother when she rounded the corner, armful of books in tow. A small smile cracked onto her face as she shook her head. “Yeah, no. Not really. Nora has always been the one to like those kinds of things more.” It wasn’t that she didn’t like the excitement, or hate fun or anything of the sort. She was just... an introvert? And being around so many people for an unknown amount of time just seemed like a little too much for that night. 

Marina took a step towards the table, gesturing towards the empty seat across from him, asking with a gentle playfulness, “Mind if I sit with you? I promise to be quiet.” 

[marina-aster]

kate-avery​:

Kate was looking forward to a day on the beach, normally she would bring Devon with her, but the boy had a lot of energy and would want to run around the sand and jump in the water and Kate would get nothing done, not that she didn’t loved every second she spent with him, they were very precious to her, but she needed some time to make sure everything on the island was going well.

 On her purse she had some papers, one were documents for her to read and of course, she had her drawing book with her just in case inspiration struck it. But before she could sit down and focus on the documents, someone bumped into her and Kate looked up, smiling she moved down to grab a paper that was on her leg. “Is okay, I hope you didn’t lose anything important.” She said, offering the paper she grab to the woman.

.

“Just journaling,” Marina laughed gently, taken a bit off guard with how poised and regal this woman was. She was used to the people on the east coast, didn’t really acknowledge anyone, perhaps a little rough around the edges. Usually with a huge chip on their shoulders. “So nothing too valuable, maybe a penny or two worth of thoughts.” She took the paper, a grateful smile on her face. “Thank you.” 

The shifter glanced over and saw the documents that the woman had brought. “I can try to hunt down a paper weight for yours if you want. The wind is out for blood today.”