homecoming

[valentin-kuznetsov]

My mother is captivating in the best ways. Oh, no need to explain– she and I will always manage to find time to spend together, plus she deserves to not fret over me at all times. You can return the favor. There will be a time in the not-so-distant future when I'm no longer here. I know you were there when her husband passed, before she found me. I want you to look out for her when I'm gone.

[orionxfuentes]

Indeed, it would be relieving seeing her worry less over her precious child. You talk of the swirling prophecy implicating your death, Val, well, while I connect with everyone else's voiced concerns that something like this can be avoided, the God of Death will come for us all if his realms calls to us. I know where I am needed even when my physical form is miles away, Valentin. If or when you leave the mortal realm behind...I will look out for Varya the way I have always looked out for Varya. You have my word, my boy.

[steadfast-hope]

Goodies and eating to my heart's content, then talking– that seems like a trap.

[orionxfuentes]

Cross my heart, dearest, it is not a trap.

Our moments together have been wonderous. Your mischievousness has done nothing but charm me and I know that alone sends sparks. We once entertained the idea of possibly crowning me, Hope. Whether a mere jest or something serious, I don't want to give you the wrong impression before this progressed further. My heart...it belongs to another. However, that doesn't mean I want you out of my life. I've enjoyed spending time with you, truly, and to keep your glow in my orbit as a friend would delight me immensely.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

That's a promise that I know you will keep, my friend. When she eventually gets called back home, you know we will be okay here if you visit her every now and then. I would hate for us to be a reason you felt you needed to stay.

[orionxfuentes]

Of course. I'm aware I am not prohibited from visiting Varya in her homeland or what reason have you, it is just that the coven is on the cusp of rebuilding slowly. Rhys could use my guidance and I do not wish to pull the Baba Yaga from her duties. She's always enjoyed her time in solitude and I hate being the cause disrupting that, however my desire wishing to see her would grow.

[steadfast-hope]

I'm turning into my favorite gluttonous brother with how much I love the food that doesn't consist of gruel.

[orionxfuentes]

A shame I never had the chance to bake goodies for you earlier, dearest Princess. Eat up and we can talk.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

I would go insane if I didn't stop for a few minutes to have at least one cup. You've been busy yourself. I haven't seen you much since Varya has been in town, either.

[orionxfuentes]

We all have our preferential vices. Ah, yes, well...I did make a promise to Varya that we would spend as much time together to make up for the time once lost. She is heavenly company and one I will cherish once she makes her leave again eventually.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I should have known that you two would have found a way to speak to each other sooner or later. My mother doesn't care much for people, so when she asks about the well-being of those not in my immediate family during visits, I take notice, so I have no doubt in my mind that between the vampires and her need to check up on me, my mother will be spending as much time with you as she can.

[orionxfuentes]

When your mother makes herself known in the city, I almost cannot resist magnetizing myself into her orbit. Make no mistake, Valentin, it isn't my intention to take all her free bonding time away from you. She would scorch the earth and slay many enemies to protect you, even when she is here under dire circumstances. I care about her happiness and you make her happy. I just hope I can return the favor.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

I have more tea if you would like to sit.

[orionxfuentes]

The coven is leaving you busy, my friend. You have time for tea at last.

[fiendishly-sterling]

It wasn't, and you might be the first person to actually drive me to off myself with your perpetual optimism– it's gross, by the way. Alright, so you managed to guess correctly, but that still doesn't change anything, Dr. Phil. The world doesn't stop spinning just because I'm tired. The days always click by, and I keep a death grip on the rungs of the ladder that our father has forced my siblings and me on because I know the moment that I slip, I'm dead, and so is my sister. I have to hold on twice as hard. Fight twice as hard. Have to carve out enough space for two in this fucked up life, and yet all I am is an annoyance. A waste of space to anyone outside of my sister and my father. Yet my Father sees me as his copy. His mini-me. Try to put an optimistic twist on that.

[orionxfuentes]

That would be an unfortunate happenstance indeed, my boy, so I shall attempt to tone down the optimism so you don't feel the need offing yourself. If you thought I am implying you are blamed for any survival method towards what your father's preserved as the norm, then you're sadly mistaken. We all take certain actions ensuring our lives remain intact, Sterling, we do such to keep our heads above the water. It's never about fairness or whether it's some cosmic punishment, but I hold onto hope there will come a day where you won't need to fight as hard. You are not an annoyance and you are not your father's carbon copy. If that were the case, I'd be dead very quickly instead of listening to you entertain my observations.

[varya-kuznetzova]

"Rhys is a good boy at heart, but he inherited every bit of the vindictive nature that I know my sister and I can carry, but I have hope that he will come out of it in the end if you're there to help him." It wasn't often that any of the Firsts lost themselves to their anger, but when they did, they went down in history for the wreckage they caused. Varya gave Orion a smile, slipping her hand to rest on the inside of the man's arm and pulling herself closer. "I would be beside myself if I said no to such a cozy offer, so I will gladly take you up on that."

[orionxfuentes]

"He is a very good boy, one I knew a long time ago, but it's my desire helping him see through the vindictiveness he inherited from his mother and dear aunt." Orion cared deeply about the First family, but he always developed a soft spot for the twins. Celeste provided stability while Rhys hovered the line between temperament flare-ups and establishing leadership qualities. He never treated the boy like a problem that should be fixed. "How that fills me with happiness." Looping Varya's arm through his, the witch guided them in the direction of his home, shortly arriving after a quick journey. He might not have lived in a fancy mansion, but it was a quaint house perfect for him and enough room to spare. Releasing his hold on the woman once they were inside, Orion waved a hand towards the fireplace where the flames immediately sparked before he ventured to the liquor cabinet, pouring two glasses and returning to Varya's side. "My favorite thing to wind down a day." Handing the woman her glass, he seated himself of the couch and patted the spot next to him, "Come sit with me."

[fiendishly-sterling]

You're like a beam of enlightening sunshine, and you're going to make me go blind just being near you and not in a fun way. I've also been around the block a few times, but you don't see me calling myself out as old as fuck, but I'll bite. What kind of hold do you think the old blonde fuck possesses over the fruit of his loins?

[orionxfuentes]

I'm still willing to take the compliment, but it's best you should find a pair of sunglasses just to spare yourself. It's merely stating a fact. Well...everything you have ever done, your choices, right down to where you are forced to be, has been decided by someone else. You'll perhaps wake up each day knowing there's possibility you will not make it until the next because of his fickleness. Some days, you sometimes wish you didn't. Instead, you and your siblings vie for the top, an uphill battle. I can see how tiring it is for you. Shutting down and becoming numb is understandable.

[fiendishly-sterling]

Ugh, gross. You're one of those inspirational type people, aren't you? No, you aren't included in that bunch, but I'm not surprised if you become one eventually. My father has that effect on people.

[orionxfuentes]

Inspirational, upbeat, a good listener, I am many things. I've been around the block when another threat descends upon our city and panicking does not solve the issue. It's of my knowledge exactly the kind of effect Henrik has, believe me. I know the hold he possesses over his children too.

[fiendishly-sterling]

Oh, look, you have eyes. Better to be entertained than running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

[orionxfuentes]

I do and I see a survivor. Does it look like I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off? On the contrary, I am completely unphased.

[fiendishly-sterling]

I always love watching people scramble around while I drink my coffee.

[orionxfuentes]

You are the entertained audience of the chaos happening around you. It's not an insult, just observation.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Luckily, I'll never have to see her upset. I don't think there will ever be a moment in which I don't miss her. Sounds like you've spoken to her recently– she's said those very words verbatim many times.

[orionxfuentes]

Smart young man that you are, I know you will not. I've spoken to her recently, indeed, and it's a statement very much true now as it was back then when I first met your mother. It seems she will be sticking around for a while and I'm hoping we spend as much time together as possible. When she's not at your side, of course.

[jadis-hawke]

At least I can look forward to not being bored from here on out.

[orionxfuentes]

And is what will happen truly enough to bring you happiness, Bellora?

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I would be embarrassed by the fact that my mother swooped in the moment I got a little upset if I didn't miss her.

[orionxfuentes]

She would be the one upset if you didn't miss her, my boy. You are her light, her everything, all that is green and good in her world.

[azriel-delacroix]

I wouldn't know where to start. Emotions and I don't really mix enough for me to formulate it.

[orionxfuentes]

I'd say start from the beginning, but I see how that is equally challenging. Emotions are typically tied to those we are closest to. Identify one person and then imagine a single string connected to them. What is your first thought when you look at them, feeling or otherwise?