pleasure & pain

"Speak of the devil, look who just walked into the room." Sebastian Norwood. 139. Incubus & stylist.

[hacker-heaven]

Sitting in her normal booth in the cafe the young redhead clicked away at her computer. To anyone else she probably looked like one of those hipsters writing the “Great American Novel” but that was not her in the least. No what she was doing was far more challenging and ten times more illegal. Katherine probably wouldn’t even help her little hacker if she got caught trying to hack into the council but she didn’t care. With all the bullshit surrounding their town right now she needed to know for her safety and her brother’s.

[sebastiannorwood]

Sebastian wasn't too keen on cafés - if it wasn't the large amount of people that put him on edge, it was the awful smell of the coffee they brewed in those ridiculous machines and the extortionate prices they were sold at. Taking a deep breath the man looked around for a seat, holding nothing but a small packet of shortbread in his hand. None of the people in there had a particularly strong sense of anything about them, though there was one girl sat alone at a booth that took his fancy. If anything, he might be able to siphon something off as she continued writing at her computer without anyone noticing. Placing his hand carefully on the table as he attempted to peer over her shoulder to see what she was doing, he forced a smile unto his features and relaxed. From what he could sense, there were no rogue vampires hanging about wanting to feed on him.

"What's that you're writing, my dear?"

[maureenxlance-deactivated201510]

It was a shame. Very much so. It was a realization that he didn’t know anything about the gala either…at least about the same amount that she did. She pouted her lips briefly, before sighing, nodding softly, her hands tugging at one particular strand of hair. She nodded at him, her eyes meeting his briefly, resisting the urge to bit her bottom lip. "Well. Clary is Clary. Still the same her, of course. She seems to be…happier these days so I guess that’s good for her. She’ll probably make a pie for you, now that you’re back in town. And I don’t think so—then again, I don’t read the paper much. I really should." 

[sebastiannorwood]

Sebastian felt nothing towards the events of the gala - he didn't much care about the Mercer girl and what had happened to her, so his sentiment was only verbal. There was only thing that the incubus cared to think about when remembering the events of the gala, something that he daren't ever speak about for both Lance's sake as well as his own. If any more attention was brought towards the vampire, he would undoubtedly be the target of the other's anger.

As he looked up to meet the young girl's gaze, Seb's tongue flickered briefly over his lower lip, teasing her briefly. He found great amusement in watching her struggle with the aura that he carried with him everywhere, as many people did - his self-restraint was only put into play thanks to the fact that Clary would quite frankly bray him if he did anything to Maureen. "That's good to hear," he smiled, nodding towards her, "though pie? Gosh, I didn't think she'd be that happy to see me."

[roleplayawards]

Finally Friday. I’m so ready for the weekend.

[sebastiannorwood]

"The weekend? What's so good about the weekend with the curfew in place, anyway?"

[blairehargreaves]

"Well, not with that attitude, you won’t be having a good time,” she said pseudo-sternly, before laughing lightly. “Besides, where’d you run off to to warrant a Welcome Back party?”

[sebastiannorwood]

"Well excuse me, I think we both know I could have a good time any time I wanted, attitude aside," he smirked, shrugging his shoulders a little. "I went back to New York, figured things would be a little different now than... back then, and I can't say I was pleasantly surprised, either."

[dakota-lowe]

Well, whatever you decide to do, remember to keep an eye on the time. I’m sure someone told you about the whole curfew thing, right? 

[sebastiannorwood]

"Yes, I have indeed heard about the curfew. When did this come about? We're all adults here, aren't we? Does anyone stick to it?"

[marjorieives]

"Que? Why wouldn’t I be invited? You know how much I like to party." Antonio frowned, smoothing his mess of a hair. 

[sebastiannorwood]

"You're not quite a party animal though, are you Antonio? Perhaps a nice haircut could change your entire personality... I've heard it happens to some people."

[claricelance]

"It’s not babying! I only offered food, Sebastian Norwood. Do not make me put this pie back in the fridge. Oh my goodness, I was worried sick about you, but I’m glad you’re doing much better and have come home. Hush now, there’s no need to thank me. Go on, take a bite."

"Heh, nothing really beats home, doesn’t it? Even with the murderers and colorful people living here, this is very much home. And The Atelier couldn’t do better than you. Speaking of The Atelier, do you think I need a trim?"

[sebastiannorwood]

"It is babying Clary, whether you want to admit it or not," he chuckled, glancing quickly towards the fridge - he wondered what other things Clary might treat Maureen to, though he figured that there would be some sort of sustenance for her kept in there too. Maybe if he could just take a peek...

"You were worried about me? I think you'd be the only person here other than Katherine to ever admit to that. Bless you, Clary, you really are something of a saint among your kind." Sebastian hushed for a moment to take a quick bite out of the food that she'd placed before him.

"Oh, nothing can beat this place - as much as returning to my roots was fun, the lack of murderers was particularly distressing. And oh my, the Atelier didn't seem to do too well in my absence, did it?" His eyebrows peaked upon his forehead as he looked at her hair, tilting his head as he examined it. "I think just a trim would do fine - a new style completely wouldn't suit you, Clary. The whole middle-aged woman look suits you perfectly."

[maureenxlance-deactivated201510]

She had met Sebastian only once or twice before—she did have to get her hair done at least every once in a while. And she had to admit; he did a fine good job of it too. She ran her fingers through her natural curls, nodding in agreement with him. He had a point. She just wished she could get some information. "Yeah you’re right. I wish I knew everything though. Clarice..er, she made me leave the gala.  I didn’t really see much of anything." 

[sebastiannorwood]

The young woman wasn't anyone that had ever sparked Sebastian's interest - she was far too naive for him to tolerate from time to time, but he could admit that she had her uses. "That's a shame - I too had to leave early, so I missed all of the fun that went down. And being away for everything else that's happened here in Ashbourne, I feel rather out of the loop. Has Miss Irving reported any of it in the Chronicle? I must pick up a copy at some point." Raising a hand to scratch the back of his head, Sebastian smirked for a moment as he looked at the girl. "How is Clarice anyway? I haven't seen her in far too long."

[katherineirving-deactivated2016]

"The rumor mill doesn’t stop grinding when you leave, dearest Sebastian. Currently the vogue is with believing that the Council is covering up murders and that our murderous friend is scampering around town like a homicidal mouse, but it’s all bullshit. Unfortunately most of the people here are too jaded and naive to not give it credence, but what can you do?" She sighs, shaking her head at the situation and what she remembers of what has been done to the Atelier. "Serefina is coming back soon, I’m sure between the two of you it can be put to right again. Mundane? Well, I can promise you that it’s at least not mundane here. You’re all recovered as well, I trust?"

[sebastiannorwood]

"Oh, does it not? How truly surprising." Sebastian scoffed, though truly he had not expected things in Ashbourne to just stop after he'd left - it had to make its own fun whilst he was away, didn't it? Such a strange town it was indeed. "Covering up murders? Now, I'd have thought that would be a story worth investigating. What are you covering in the Ashbourne Chronicle if not this 'bullshit' as you so lightly put it." He raised an eyebrow - had something happened to the Atelier while he'd been away? A sharp inhalation of breath was far more than enough to address his discomfort. "A month's worth of badly cut hair certainly does sound like a disaster, my dearest Katherine. I'm not surprised that Ashbourne has been struggling in my absence. Though I am fully recovered, yes. In truth, I was physically well on the morning I left - has there been news on our good friend Mister Thornburn?"

[dakota-lowe]

I understand. So, now that you’re out of it, how do you plan on celebrating?

[sebastiannorwood]

"Well, a drink might be nice... or something to eat, yes... a feast would be a wonderful welcome home present."

[blairehargreaves]

"Well, if it was…why not just throw one for yourself?"

[sebastiannorwood]

"Because where on earth is the fun in doing things for myself? I'd rather save myself the embarrassment, honestly."

[dakota-lowe]

Is it all sorted out now?

[sebastiannorwood]

"Alas, no. But I wasn't prepared to spend another month or two suffering such nonsense."

[adammallory-deactivated20161113]

If he hadn’t gotten stuck in a conversation with Mrs. Abbington about using salt as a protective charm, he wouldn’t have missed the bus he had been trying to get, and if he hadn’t missed that, he was fairly certain that his phone wouldn’t have died in the meantime and thus made it fairly obvious that he would be late meeting up with George for dinner. He honestly didn’t want to bother anyone, but he had to, so when he stepped off the bus, he tapped the shoulder of the nearest person that didn’t look like they might murder him for asking and smiled to soften the request. "Hi, my phone just totally died on me and I was wondering if you would mind letting me borrow yours for a sec? I’m definitely going to be late and I don’t want to freak out my boyfriend."

[sebastiannorwood]

Buses were not Sebastian's scene. At all. The mere thought of them sent shivers down his spine, though his journey back to Ashbourne had been filled with them. It had taken him quite a while to recover from the trip and had thus found himself delving into the nearest off licence in order to find something to fulfil his hunger. While it had been mere hours since his last feed, there was something that tickled at the pit of Seb's stomach; he craved more. Upon being tapped on the shoulder in his bid to escape the bus station, Sebastian groaned internally and switched to his formal, fake-friendly demeanour. "Yes, I don't see why not, will you hold onto my coffee while I search for it?"

[dakota-lowe]

It was meant to be one. Where’d you run off to anyways?

[sebastiannorwood]

"New York. Family business - terrible stuff, almost completely and utterly tedious."

[dakota-lowe]

…Whatever helps you sleep at night. But if it helps, I’m sure you were missed.

[sebastiannorwood]

"Thank you for your reassurance, dear. While I wasn't aware it was needed, I'll take it as a compliment."

[maureenxlance-deactivated201510]

She could tell he wasn’t exactly happy about the information, but then again, neither was she. She thought that was entirely too early, and when he made his joke, she stifled a giggle; her teeth found her bottom lip, biting it in an attempt to not laugh out loud. She thought briefly about the email, ignoring the chill that went down her spine. "It contained  a video that went funny. A voice….saying something about two bodies found. Kind of freaked me out." 

[sebastiannorwood]

The visible signs of her reluctance to let herself laugh in front of him were something of a treat to Sebastian's eyes. A thought struck him suddenly, and as he glanced at the girl the realisation kicked in: this was Clary's relative, wasn't it? Releasing a breath that he hadn't been aware was being held, he nodded slowly at the revelation of what had the email had contained. "Bodies, hm? I'm not surprised - you'd think with everything happening that someone would take the chance to try and terrify people with it even further."

[maureenxlance-deactivated201510]

"Well for starters, we have a curfew. And after the Christmas gala, everyone’s been on edge. Not to mention the weird email we all received a few days ago. You have missed quite a bit." 

[sebastiannorwood]

"A curfew?" he murmured, the outrage somewhat evident in his tone of voice. "It seems we're being returned to middle school." Grimacing at the mention of the Christmas gala, Sebastian's hand absently ran up to adjust the scarf that sat snugly around his neck. Despite there being no trace of the attack, he could still remember exactly how it felt every time he glanced at it in the mirror. "An email? What did the email contain?"