meet me in the afterglow

[lcngstcryshcrt]

Maximus froze when he heard the declaration from the young woman, suddenly realizing that he didn't recognize her, and slowly turned from the cupboard, letting it close much more gently than he had been doing a moment before.

"Miss, I think you're definitely in the wrong apartment. Here, let's figure out - woah!"

His sharp eyes caught the wobble in her stance and he reached out, sliding an arm around her waist to help steady her.

"Careful now!"

[prettypixii]

"Okay--maybe you're right." She declared in a defeated huff, a few scattered strands of her hair being blown to the sides of her cheeks from the exhale. "I should've known, Peri likes the apartment practically below freezing. and--it's so warm here..." she wasn't sure if she had just noticed the heat or if it was due to the alcohol streaming through her veins. Either way she had a hard time hiding the flush of her cheeks as the stranger seemed to catch her before she tipped over the side of the couch--or worse.

and the scent of this apartment, so different from the apartment she shared with Peri. It always smelled of pine needles, a winters night, the fresh batch of snow. here, she couldn't put her finger on it but it was pleasant nonetheless. "you smell good." tink blurted, smiling wide as she beamed up at the stranger. "sorry for, the uh intrusion." gods, sober talia was going to be mortified of this exchange in the morning. that's if she would remember it at all.

[lcngstcryshcrt]

@evermorehqsstart

"By all means, make yourself at home," Max muttered, clicking the front door to his little apartment shut with a hair more force than necessary.

"It's not like usually friends let someone know if they're dropping by or anything."

He brushed past the kitchen table, grocery bags rustling as he lifted them onto the counter and began putting away the items, slamming the cupboards and fridge door to emphasize his annoyance.

"How did you even get in here?"

[prettypixii]

The voice of a stranger startled the tinker fairy so much that she practically jumped right out of her skin. However the reaction was a bit delayed due to the amount of alcohol in her system. She furrowed her brows, taking in her surroundings as she folded her arms firmly across her chest. That would make sense why Peri wasn't here...but she didn't want to be wrong. "Um, this is my apartment." Even in a drunken stupor she was still as stubborn as ever. She really shouldn't have let the lost boys convince her into a drinking game.

"It was unlocked, Peri always leaves it like that in case I come home late." Like, tonight. There was a slight wobble in her stance and needed to brace herself against the couch to keep steady. God, the world was starting to spin and she didn't want to argue like this with a complete stranger.

[watcrfairy]

LOCATION: somewhere outside FOR: open !

Blue mittens lifted to shield her face from the inevitable burst of snow, but her opponent's throw fell just a bit too short. "Uh oh!" Hands dropping by her sides, Sylvie burst into a fit of laughter, already amused by the pun she had yet to voice aloud. "It looks like you might have... mist me!"

[prettypixii]

"Hah-Hah, very funny. Sylv Always with the comedic timing." The tinker fairy wanted to pout but Sylvie's laughter had been contagious as ever. "Just remember next time you might not be so lucky." Talia taunted with a mischievous grin. "Besides, this isn't fair. Snow technically counts as water so you already have the advantage."

[thebrightsidc]

LOCATION: dessa's place FOR: @prettypixii

"It's not that I don't want to talk about them," Dessa continued, placing a mug in front of the victim of her rambling before settling into her seat, blowing the steam away from her own. "You know I'm worried, all I do is worry. I just... I don't think Rose would want us sitting here feeling bad for her." If Zarina did, well, she wasn't sure, but that didn't stop her from worrying about her as well. "Tell me something. Good, bad, preferably good. What have you been up to?"

[prettypixii]

Talia eyed the mug before letting her shoulders droop in exhaustion, exhaling out a large breath. The pixie didn't have much of an apatite or a thirst for life since their fairies friends went missing. yes, even zarina though some stupid codfish seemed to think otherwise. Talia nodded taking in dessa's words. "you're right." she murmured softly, palms finally wrapping around the mug like an old friend as the memory of rose flittered through her mind. talia's thoughts were quickly interrupted by dessa's next line of questioning. biting her cheek before letting out a humorless laugh, now deciding she was actually thirsty to avoid answering. "I don't think you'd be happy with me if i told you."

[sewingshadowsx]

closed starter @prettypixii location: outside of neverland

wendy was a coward. she had found herself outside of neverland more and more these days, wanting to see peter, but too scared to tell him all that she has done since discovering he was alive. her selfish heart was confused and as much as she wanted to be honest to him about her predicament....she just couldn't. so she stood outside of neverland, torn, lost in a way she hadn't expected to find herself, and too scared to step inside. just as she was turning to leave, a familiar blonde started approaching the bar.

the very sight of her brought a new wave of nerves to her system. not because of the fear of being caught in suspicion, well a little bit of that, but because she knew the blonde with the fiery eyes did not really....care for her, to put it lightly. wendy was always conflicted about this. she hadn't ever done anything outright to upset her, but that didn't mean her actions were all innocent in her eyes. she didn't know how to make her think otherwise since the woman's mind was made up on what kind of person wendy was already, but she still wanted to try to find some sort of peace with her.

"tink?" she called out lightly to her, taking a step closer towards the direction she seemed to be heading. "tink? is that really you? you're here too?"

[prettypixii]

Talia knew that little wendy bird resided somewhere in town, peter had already gave away that much. And what luck too, leaving their home in neverland just to find her here. In a place they couldn't escape from. Talia already had her mind made up about Wendy when she first stole the spotlight from her, but now there was a completely different reason for the fairies hatred. She couldn't go home.

She had been fortunate enough to go without running into her this long, but of course all good things must come to an end. Hearing her voice sent Talia into a screeching halt, debating if she should stop or just keep on walking. Biting the inside of her cheek until she finally on impulse turned around and found her feet deciding for her.

"yes, and why isn't everyone's favorite little darling." Talia couldn't help the venom that leaked from her voice as she approached. yes, what a darling she was! all the lost boys thought so, even peter was blinded by her unremarkable personality. I guess believing in magic was enough for their friends, but not for tink.

"Why don't you go find Peter inside. He's been looking for you. Dragged all the lost boys with him, just to find you."

[wildcstwinter]

open starter: @evermorehqsstart !!

the moment he saw the list . . . james hook felt the earth stop moving. whilst time always stood still with his lack of clocks still in possession of their arms , it truly felt like everything around to him had come to a standstill. a deadly quiet.

zarina was missing.

at first, he hadn't known how to react, sat behind his desk with his jaw locked and his grip on his phone so tight it was a miracle the device didn't bend from the pressure. then, the anger came; blinding, hot, searing . . . like water striking hot coals. each moment that passed was more kindling, more fuel, added to what would soon become a raging inferno. the heat of the flames was burning his skin from the inside out, his breaths jagged and uneven, his anger silent as he sat in his chair — stare focused and concentrated on the font her name was written in. processing , but not really. the reality of it hadn't fully sank in , and gods help whoever was around when it did.

the man knew well how deep her hatred went , how she despised him with everything in her being , but he'd be damned if he didn't burn the town to ash searching for her. hook would tear the earth apart , layer by layer , until he found her.

hearing the bell above his shop's door as it swung open, the man's head flew up, eyes burning a hole through the silhouette of the figure who had walked in. he knew it was early in the day, but as far as he was concerned, the shop was indefinitely closed.

" we're closed , " hook barked, fury licking at his words, feeling the glass of his phone screen whine and creak under the pressure of his grip. then, realizing he could source information from the other, he rose from his seat behind his desk, flying around it, boots making warped wood creak as he stormed out from the sanctuary of his office and into the lowlight of his shop. " — what do you know of this damned list they sent out ?? this better be some kind of bloody fucking joke."

[prettypixii]

after coming back from terence's place, checking up on the lost boys, and re-reading the list over and over again until the names were engraved into her cornea and retina. it was obvious to the pixie what she had to do, even if the venture was useless she had to ask, she needed help.

ending up the doorstep of hook's shop, she flinched slightly at his response to her presence. she was probably the last person he wanted to see, especially after their last argument but she had no other options left. due to his tight lipped expression she could only assume he was feeling the same as her. talia wrapped her arms tightly around herself, as if acting as a barrier between her and james and the grief that was wanting to avalanche out of her. "I wanted to ask you the same thing." the pixie wasn't as strong as she obviously put on because the tears were already silently cascading down her cheeks. "I need you to help me find them. I'll give you anything you want. Please." she pleaded desperately,

[sparrxwmxn-deactivated20250525]

Usually Terence rose with the sun. Usually he enjoyed the warm light trickling through his front window as he had his cup of coffee, sometimes reading, sometimes watching a new show, before heading out to figure out what to do with himself for the day.

Last night he'd lain there, staring at the ceiling replaying his interaction with Molly at the fair, over and over, trying to reconcile feelings of guilt stabbing at him. He knew he didn't need to feel guilty. Talia had people. She didn't need him. He was allowed to enjoy hanging out with other women.

He slogged through his morning routine, getting so absorbed in his latest manga that he didn't notice the clock ticking closer to noon, then twelve thirty, and almost one, when he heard pounding on his door.

"Who in the world?" he wondered aloud, trotting down the stairs to answer it as his phone started to ring.

Tink

He yanked the door open, phone in his hand, startled to find the caller standing in front of him.

"Tal? What's wrong?"

[prettypixii]

Talia didn't even give him time breathe before her arms were wrapped around him in a tight embrace. "thank god you're okay." she mumbled against his chest, tears stinging her eyes as she held onto him like he was an anchor against the storm. it was hard for tink to be vulnerable like this but because of the circumstance the floodgates were opened.

pulling away slightly she tried to wipe away the few tears that had managed to escape. "didn't you hear? rosetta disappeared, zarina too...we had our qualms but i'd never want anything bad to happen to her." she shook her head in disbelief of it all. ending the call, and quickly pulling up the mayors psa on her phone and handing it to terence. "it's like a chunk of people missing right now, what the fuck is going on." she gulped, meeting his eyes. "when i saw the names i was scared you were gone too, i just had to know."

[thebrightsidc]

📱sms → talia !

dessa: are you alright? are you still in town? dessa: i went by your place, but you weren't there. dessa: please, please answer me when you can.

[prettypixii]

talia: i'm still here, i promise! i just stopped by terence's place talia: after that psa i've been trying to collect intel on all our friends, zarina and rosie...I can't wrap my head around it... talia: im glad to hear from you!!! are you okay??have you heard from slyvie or vidia?

[prettypixii]

starter for: @sparrxwmxn

location: terence's apartment.

today had started just like any other. talia slept in, cursing under her breath when she picked up her phone and realized she slept way past noon. pulling herself from bed she slid into something comfortable before heading out to get coffee. scrolling her phone aimlessly while she waited in line when an article caught her attention. the mayor's psa about a handful of missing persons recently. talia glanced at the list first, her chest tightening as she read the name one by one. then one name popped out above all the rest and talia felt her hands began to tremble. rosetta. she was missing? it didn't make sense, now her thoughts became rampant. what about her other fairy friends, the lost boys? what if they weren't accounted for either? talia left the line and felt her feet running before she could even think. finding herself at terence's apartment. knuckles knocking rapidly in succession against the front door as she waited impatiently. "please answer the door, please." she pleaded already pulling out her phone with her free hand and frantically dialing his number.

[prettypixii]

MSG — Peri ❄️

talia: peri?? are you at the apartment?

talia: please tell me you're home (@wildcstwinter)

[wildcstwinter]

swiping her tongue across her ice cream cone, peri hummed in thought, boots kicking up clouds of overly packed dirt from the relentless trampling of carnival-goer footsteps upon it, ceruleans surveying the terrain as if trying to find a ride to point out. in truth; peri was not big on rides. her stomach could not handle it ; she much preferred the ground.

" who said i wanted my horizons broadened ?? " peri mused, looking to glance over at her twin — her sister , god that still felt weird — and offering her mirror and smile. " i much prefer the safety of the ground. where there is ice cream and no risk of death. thankkkkk you very much. "

[prettypixii]

"said just like a winter fairy, maybe we can settle for the teacups instead." talia teased, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth in disappointment. however the smile faltered after she said it. she knew peri was raised in evermore, it being all she had ever known. talia had her gripes with pixie hollow but she couldn't imagine a fairy never being able to experience it. pixie hollow didn't feel like home as much as neverland did, but it was a home nonetheless. "have you ever wished to see it?" talia paused, looking through her blonde side swept bangs at her twin. "pixie hollow, i mean." she didn't mean for the conversation to take such a serious turn, but she was curious.

[prettypixii]

location: evermore summer carnival.

starter for: @wildcstwinter

talia was still getting used to the whole twin thing. it was strange but honestly it made her feel less alone. everything about peri she was beginning to adore, which in turn gave talia more grace in how she felt about herself. the fairy wanted to know everything about her twin, ranging from her favorite things to the smallest insignificant details. it was also just fun sharing and realizing common interests considering the two were like polar opposites of each other. yin and yang. "okay, so what's your favorite ride? and if you say any of the kiddie stuff we're going to have to broaden your horizons girlfriend."

[prettypixii]

location: evermore summer carnival.

starter for: @sparrxwmxn

"ugh, I don't know how anyone can stand to eat this stuff. it just gets everywhere, and it's sticky." talia made a face as she wiped the cotton candy fluff from her index finger and thumb and swiping it against her jeans. despite her grumbly complaining, she was having fun. when she found terence at the darts she decided to tag along, whether he wanted her to or not. that was just the way talia was. her gazed shifted from her hands to his facial features, softening as the carnival lights reflected off his skin and eyes. "i know we just ate but would you ride one of those crazy rides with me? y'know the fast ones that spin you around until it makes you want to puke."

[prettypixii]

location: neverland.

starter for: @sparrxwmxn

Hook had gotten under the pixie's skin more than she cared to admit. Watching Peter bounce around the room like some flamboyant god--all eyes were on him, they always were. Talia couldn't pinpoint what she was feeling. Jealously, anger, resentment? Not to mention Wendy Darling was wandering about somewhere within town. It seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke. Talia lifted her head, leaving the view of the lost boys awful singing behind and finding someone from home. well, home but not home. Terence, immediately her throat became dry, needing to pick up her refreshment to drown the numbness that began to take over. He was one of the only fairies in pixie hollow that could understand her--and maybe even if he didn't completely, he listened. However Talia wasn't on a winning streak with old pals from the past. She had burned a lot of people, especially when she abandoned pixie hollow for neverland and peter pan. She knew she probably hurt him--she always ended up hurting everybody. So maybe this was stupid, her feet moving towards him before she could even think, mustering up some liquid courage to speak to him. The pixie came from behind him, lifting herself up on her tip toes to tap him on his shoulder. Before he could even turn around she was already speaking. "Are you lost? Because the Terence I know wouldn't be caught dead at a place like this."

[plaguedpirate]

oh, how he missed the fire that came from the hellcat that was peter pan's most prized possession. after all, if talia thought she were anything to the man besides a trinket, she was a fool. why else would she have been cast to the side, replaced by no more than a lousy thimble ?? then again, this was peter's entourage hook was dealing with here... brilliance was necessarily a required skill for inclusion. ❛ my sincerest apologies, talia, did i touch a nerve ?? ❜ he inquired, though the apology was in no means genuine, wickedness flashing in his teeth as he bared them in a cruel grin. he listened, he leaned in, he drank in her words with a stronger thirst than the one he had for the drink in his hand, the cube in his glass resting still as he made no effort to move from his place. one tilt of the head, one curl of the lip, one flick of the brow and she'd shut down; she'd return the dam to its position and leave his intrigue to fall victim to a drought. the captain could feel her rage as it blossomed, the heat radiating off of her much smaller frame, anticipating the destruction that might come in the wake of her explosion with an eagerness that almost had him vibrating. hook tapped his thumb on his tumbler, as if resembling the ticking of a time bomb, anticipation swelling inside of him. there it was, the trigger word; DARLING.

it was hard not to laugh, not to explode in maniacal amusement as the blonde leapt from her stool with aim to flee. hook didn't hesitate to follow when she did, and talia should know him better than to think he wouldn't, tossing a few large bills on the bar and saluting the barmaid before turning on his heel. his hand pulled his jacket from the back of his chair as he did, feeling like a kid who had just been told he had free reign in the candy store. this was the youngest the man had felt in twenty-two years. ❛ this isn't neverland anymore, ❜ hook called out after her once he was outside the bar, not wishing to get physical unless the situation absolutely demanded it, stalking behind her but not too fast so as not to catch up. he shrugged his jacket back on, his pace steady; ❛ — and you would be a FOOL to continue to remain loyal to someone who has proven time and time again that he does not value nor respect you. we have a new neverland before us, tink, and i know what you are capable of. ❜ of course he did — zarina had given him all the information about the fae he could have possibly wanted, and whilst he had vowed never to hurt zarina... her friends weren't part of that arrangement. certainly not tinkerbell.

[prettypixii]

talia was a ticking time bomb as she flung the bars doors open and practically sprinted out of there. almost debating flying away but what a waste of pixie dust. shoving the sweater over her head and pulling the fabric of the hem down harshly as she continued walking, almost genuinely surprised hooks voice called after. without hesitation, she whirled on her heels to face him. face flushed and fuming. god she wanted to scream, punch that stupid smirk off his face. as if it wasn't infuriating enough to be stuck here and now here she was playing cat and mouse with a pirate. "you think I don't know that??" she shrieked in frustration, arms flailing at her side to exaggerate her point. wanting to take a step back, to further the distance that already lay between them but she couldn't. "so, what then? huh?" her voice trembled despite how loud she was being. "say i tossed peter to the side. what do I have without peter? I am NOTHING without him." this was pitiful, and the fact that she was baring every insecurity in front of the enemy was even worse. silver was teetering at the edges of her eyes. run, just fucking run talia. "do not speak on my behalf, you haven't the faintest fucking idea of what i'm capable of hook." the words came out bitter, and borderline threatening. peter and the lost boys usually fought their own battles. and while tink helped with offering the boys pixie dust not a single one of them truly knew the beast that lurked beneath.

[plaguedpirate]

whilst hook had interacted very little with the fairy, perhaps once or twice when she was out having a fit about something dear ol' peter had said, he knew very well how short her fuse was. getting the fae to fume was like putting oil in a hot pan, and in this moment, hook considered him quite the chef as he stirred the very pot she seamed to be drowning in. ❛ now now, talia, that's no way to speak about your fearless leader, is it ?? ❜ he tutted his tongue, lifting the hand not nursing his drink to wag his pointer finger back in forth. hook was mockingly scolding her, a condescending tone dripping like thick syrup from each consonant he spoke. his amusement only sparked further as she silenced herself, still showing a loyalty to the man despite her clear upset with him, and while that was an admirable trait to the captain — he wished she had devoted herself to a more worthy messiah. ❛ you know, continuing to protect him even in his absence showcases that you hold him in high regard, firefly, ❜ the man drawled, his accent wrapping around his words like a serpent, coiling tight. sitting up, he leaned forward, offering her a tilt of the head as an almost harrowing smirk settled upon his lips. hook lowered his voice to a deep, almost harrowing whisper, taunt heavy on his tongue. ❛ the darling girl, miss belmont. i don't need you to tell me that's why you're here. we both know well that pan would have never left his garden of eden had the girl not gone missing... and his little bed bug surely wouldn't stay behind to wait for his return.❜

[prettypixii]

he was really going to make this difficult wasn't he? she wasn't sure why she expected any different, this was hook we were talking about here. they couldn't fight with swords and shields like back home so now they were both retorting to the gnashing and gnarling of teeth. the fae lifted her gaze from her drink, chin pointing towards her shoulder as she met the pirates stare again. "just because peter is our leader doesn't mean every call he makes is a good one. I'd be the first one to tell you that." sure, at the time it felt nice being a team looking for wendy. one for all and all for one or whatever bullshit nibs was spouting out, but after getting stuck here the fae's feeling once started to shift towards sour again. "of course i do." her voice was soft, and she was saying it without thinking. the words just pouring out like an open wound that hadn't quite healed yet. "i didn't belong in pixie hollow, i don't belong HERE. but peter, in neverland...it was nice to play pretend. feeling like i belonged. that i mattered." the way he closed in, talia sitting poised and picturesque in front of her predator. the name darling, the way it fell off his lips sent a radioactive shock through her spine. the sparks in her eyes igniting as that rage began boiling once more, feeling as if her skin was turning flush in response. "it's always because of the darlings. peter risking his skin for the darlings. doing something stupid for the darlings. getting us trapped her because of the darlings!" she barked, not being able to control her tone, even amongst the stares that started to pile on the two. "look, i don't need this. you, peter, and most certainly not the fucking darlings!" talia shifted off her seat, swiping her creamed color sweater that was beneath her and shoving into the crook of her elbow. "have fun rotting here like the rest of james." she hissed bitterly before spinning on her heels and making her ways towards the door.

[snxwpixie]

open starter : @evermorehqsstart !! location: the park

peri loved the winter — it was a given, obviously, she was a frost fairy after all. her favorite thing to do besides spend all of her time at the ice rink was spend time at the park, especially when it was covered in a fresh blanket of untampered snow. amongst the kids sledding and the residents of evermore going about their business, peri was strolling along the paved sidewalk, resisting the temptation to re-frost the entire thing. it just looked so much better when it had ice atop it. speaking of ice, as peri looked up, she noticed an individual struggling to maintain their balance. guess they had missed a spot. rushing over, the blonde reached out to grab the other's hands, holding tight so they wouldn't fall over. ❛ i gotcha !! ❜ peri assured, offering a smile as she looked up at them, a sympathetic look of concern ornamenting her features. ❛ — i suppose they did a bad job paving the sidewalk, huh ?? ❜

[prettypixii]

since her conversation with hook, it was safe to say talia hadn't been in the best of moods. she was really trying though to keep her temper from boiling to the surface. she just needed to calm down--and taking a walk seemed to be the best idea. at least the weather was brisk enough that all she could think about while walking was that she wished she had brought a heavier jacket instead. but if anything talia was clumsy, her balance slipping away from her as her feet tried to grip a surface that wasn't covered in ice. falling might've sent her overboard, but luckily she felt the grasp of another set of hands. only seeing a flash of blonde hair at first before she was finally able to steady herself again. "thank god." the fairy exhaled, laughing at the strangers words, lips parting as she were about to speak. until talia's eyes met the others. it felt like she was looking into a mirror. the same hair, the features...for a moment tink froze, wondering if she had been dreaming. there was just no possible way--maybe it was just a coincidence. "d-do i know you?" was the only thing tink could think of to say.