ℕ𝕠 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑

𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕤 𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝 𝑜𝒻 𝕨𝕠𝕖𝕤, 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪. 𝕦𝕟𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕟 Đ₳Ɽ₭₦Ɇ₴₴ 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪, sʇǝɹɔǝs 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕜𝕖𝕡𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕟𝕥, 𝕓𝕖𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕥 [Multi-muse Blog|Written by Leo]

[imogenkol]

The Armand Energy™️ of this photo

[priquintana-deactivated20241209]

PRISCILLA QUINTANA

[scarsrcmain]

LOCATION: the jersey devil FOR: @stxinedpxges

There wasn't much that shook Alfie Maddock, trained to put on a brave face even with the championship game on line when all hope seemed lost. Even now, in the wake of disappearances, sacrifices, and mysterious packages being sent to his apartment, Alfie went about his everyday routine as he usually would, stopping at The Jersey Devil for a much needed after practice beer and continuing to keep his cool.

That was until he spotted her from across the bar. Desiree. He been back in town for years now, and yet it still somehow never got easier running into her, a reminder of just how long it had truly been since his glory days. Back when he had been known as the captain, the heart and soul of Helltown's championship baseball team with all the promise to go pro, and now he was just some guy, from some small creepy small town, who worked at a local gym in town and coached high school kids on the side for some extra cash.

The sudden eye contact made his stomach drop, and Alfie ducked for cover, practically dropping to all fours behind the pool table, pretending as if he hadn't seen her at all. 

[stxinedpxges]

The familiar buzz surrounded her as she stood at the bar waiting for her drink. The place filled with the usual faces and some that Desiree would probably not be able to recall their names if asked. It was not often she went for a drink alone, she never struggled to entice somone to join her but today she found that she hadnt even asked if anyone wanted to grab a drink. She had just left and ended up at the bar.

The bartender placed her drink down and she thanked them with a small smile and payed for it with a quick tap of her phone. She picked the drink up and took a sip, eyes flitting around the bar. Perhaps someone was here that could keep her company whilst she nursed her drink.Thats when her eyes locked with him.

Alfie. They had a history, a little bit of a messy one at that and despite his return years ago the two had danced around each other at a distance, keeping it civil if not a little strained between them. Desiree rolled her eyes as he ducked from view and let out a small huff. This was ridiculous.Grabbing her drink, she marched over to where Alfie was attempting to hide. ❝Is the view better down there?❞

[stxinedpxges]

DEVIN CHOUDHARY.

coming home, your muse finds this taped to their front door. there is nothing else with it, just a card. something about it feels familiar, but you can’t pinpoint exactly what it is… 

[stxinedpxges]

DESIREE CAVARETTA

you come home from work, from a long day, from whatever adventure the day had taken you on … full and well prepared to spend the rest of your evening alone. however, you notice your mailbox’s flag is raised. you collected the mail earlier, didn’t you ??

opening the mailbox, you find a large, brown folder inside. it’s paper is worn, smeared with ink and … what looked to be blood and other unknown fluids. squinting at it, you notice a stamp on the front, with some very familiar information. 

it looks like a label from a laboratory. did helltown have one of those??

the name … the DATE. that’s the day they went missing. you’d never forget that date, even if you tried.

frantically, you tear open the envelope, expecting more given the folder’s large size …. only to notice the only thing inside is a small business card. 

“the eternal brotherhood lab corporation: eternal spirits in eternal forms.”

please make this submission public.

[antoinettefms]

"i figured i should just let it out there as soon as possible..." antoinette chuckles, shaking her head to herself. "i've actually almost texted you about it, i just didn't do it since you're driving and--" she grimaces, frowning to herself before she finally reveals the thing that she had been thinking about, something she's promised to stop doing yet still struggled to do so. "i...i slept with vicente again..." she sighs, eyes focused on the glasses as desiree started pouring wine for the both of them. "we bumped into each other at the park the other way while i was out for a run and he was taking roxy out for a walk...roxy didn't let me out of her sight and just--" she pauses, now taking the glass to have a sip. "you know what happened next..." she then puts the glass down, her hands now covering her face. "it's...i know i said i won't do it again, it's hurting the both of us but i--" i miss him.

[stxinedpxges]

Desiree finished pouring their drinks and pushed Toni's glass along the counter towards her, Desiree knew they would both need it. Antoinette struggled to make her point at first, her gaze focused on the wine rather than Desiree but Desiree gazed at her intently waiting for her to spill what was on her mind. This was typical of them, if Toni hadn't had gotten into a mess then no doubt Desiree would have, it was there thing, they were messy but she probably wouldn't have it any other way. She took a sip of her wine, almost choking on it when Toni said what she had done. Desiree gulped back her wine and stared at her friend. ❝Oh my god! ❞She finally exclaimed when Toni finished her story, covering her face.

Desiree wanted to grab her friend and shake some sense into her but that would have been no use. Plus Desiree could hardly judge her (at least not fully) for who she chose to jump into bed with.❝-you miss him? ❞ Desiree hazard a guess as Toni trailed off ❝Babe, you can miss someone....but you can also not jump back into bed with them...❞

[thclastlight]

How many fed off the same delusion. Wasn't that the way with religion? Everyone believing in something because they were told to. Not because it was what was right, because they were easily swayed. Convinced of lies. Some might say she was the same. "It is a powerful thing," Scarlett nodded, a solemn look on her face. Iit makes you wonder how many more there are. It could be half this town, for all we know."

[stxinedpxges]

❝Theres power in words and the affect they can have ❞ He nodded in agreement, knowing that words could be weapons in the wrong hands and all it took was some clever charisma and those words could have people do unspeakable things, as the town had very much witnessed. ❝There are hundreds of unanswered questions in this town, this will just be another one. I don't think we will ever know whats truely going on. ❞

[thclastlight]

He couldn't read her expression, changing and shifting as fast as recognition had set in. He knew he owed her an explanation, he new he owed her apologies, but there was a time and place for that, and it wasn't now. Glad she was in agreement, Uriah gave her a curt nod, his eyes darting around them. This was a lot to take in, and he knew it would not be easy to get over, though admittedly easier than it would have been before he'd left town to begin with. At least he knew his daughter was safe at home... but he would feel better knowing Rowan had gotten out already.

"I have no idea," he admitted, but he started to walk, tugging her along with her hand on his arm, looking for any area where the trees seemed to part wide enough for a pathway. "I think this is the way I came in. C'mon." But he couldn't be sure. It was too disorienting, people running every direction, some of them on fire. His thoughts as soon as it started unfolding still stood strong. What the fuck?

[stxinedpxges]

Both were clueless, but then Desiree imagined most people here were, the events sending everyone into a frenzy and all logic or reason going out the window. She let him walk ahead, tugging her to follow and she held onto him, he was her only option right now and any feelings she had towards him she had to push aside. Her focus had to be on getting out of here and ideally without becoming a victims of the flames that roared around them.

❝Any direction is better than staying here ❞ She said, as she followed him further. There was no telling where they were heading but Desiree hopped if they walked far enough away from the events unfolding, that they could have a moment to focus and figure out how to get out. They both grew up here, once the chaos was out the way she was sure they'd get themselves out. They just had to get past everyone else. ❝There? ❞ She pointed up ahead, there was a small clearing she spotted amongst the chaos, although she could tell if it would lead them out of the woods or further in.

[f0olsgld]

𝙾𝙿𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙴𝚁 ! LOCATION: the jersey devil, 11 pm or so @helltownhqstarters

𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 world was unfolding around her, maia couldn't help but find herself possessing little trust for the news outlets on the television. with helltown, there was always more to the story. call it cynical, call it protective distrust -- but the woman knew most in helltown could certainly agree with the sentiment. unable to attend the bonfire due to a lack of childcare and a general sense of disinterest for most social situations ( despite enduring a rather front facing job ), the events that followed had left her with so many questions. and so, while her daughter spent the evening at her aunts -- maia found herself spending her time searching for answers at the bottom of a bottle.

" so like.. are you just as confused as i am about what the hell is happening in this town? do they put something in the drinking water? " the woman mutters, bringing the bottle of beer she's been nursing to her lips. fuck. she had relocated her and isabel here because she thought they'd be safe. so her daughter could be a kid, without the constant need to look over her shoulder. how could she have been so wrong? while maia ordinarily appears calm, the gentle resting face she wears becomes one engulfed by fear. " i donno... there's just nothing i hate more than needing to constantly watch my back. "

[stxinedpxges]

Desiree scoffed a little at Maia's observations. She couldn't even count the number of times she had experienced this kind of conversation. Those newer to town unnerved by the going's on and wanting answers, those who had been here their whole lives unable to shed any. For people like her it was normal , for those that were newer it was not and there wasn't anyway to overcome that or explain it. ❝I would have been more confused if something hadn't had happened ❞ Desiree confessed, having recovered from the events of that night she had almost brushed it aside, it was the only way she could survive this place.

Her drink empty, she gestured to the bartended for another and he nodded in acknowledgement. ❝There's certainly something in the water, the air, the soil...that's Helltown for you ❞ She shrugged, picking up the drink the bartender had set in front of her, thanking him with a nod. ❝I wish I could say there was a way to not have to watch your back, but unless you are upping and moving, there will always be a reason too❞ She let out a small laugh ❝Reassuring right? ❞

[lewis-tan]

[On auditioning for an older role.] “You can look at it as an obstacle or you can look at it as, ‘I already know there’s one reason I won’t get cast, so I can really go for something.’ If they’re happy to see you regardless of what the age is, don’t make it a problem. Just do the job.”

[antoinettefms]

the second antoinette hears desiree's voice, she puts down the wine bottle and opener on the kitchen counter and heads to the door. "please tell me they didn't fuck up my tonkatsu with spicy curry." antoinette pouts in greeting, helping the other dancer carry the bags of food back to her kitchen. she knew she needed this, spend time with one of her closest friends outside of their workplace. she's well aware that desiree would be disappointed that she found herself back in vicente's bed once more, but knew that she had to tell her, at least. "so...something may have happened..."

[stxinedpxges]

The two unloaded Desiree's arms, setting down the delicious smelling food and the wine. She let out a small sigh, glad to not have dropped anything on the way in. She went to go grab two glasses but stopped in her tracks to turn back to Toni.

"so...something may have happened..."

They hadn't even started their evening and already Toni had something to say. Desiree raised her eyebrow and tilted her head towards her friend. ❝babe...we haven't even opened the wine and there already something I need to know? Oh this can't be good ❞ She said, shaking her head and turning to retrieve two wine glasses. ❝I'll pour, you start spilling❞ Desiree insisted, grabbing the nearest bottle of wine.

[stxinedpxges]

▷"Rosé flowing with your chosen family"

❝Babe!❞ Desiree called out as she let herself into Toni's place. Her hands full as she pushed the door open with her hips. ❝I'm sorry I'm late. There was a delay with our food. You'd think they'd have our order down by now ❞ Desiree called out as she kicked the door shut behind her and headed towards the kitchen. She had there usual takeout order and a couple of bottles of wine ready for their usual girls night together and after they day she had she couldn't wait to crack open and unwind with her favourite person. ❝I got plenty of your favourite❞ She called out, hearing the other woman approach.

[cloudbtw]

Open Starter

Location: Some park or place with a walking trail, somewhere in Helltown

Time: Approx. 12 AM

Alastair had never really been one to fear the dark; in fact, his fascination with all the things that most people were afraid went bump in the night made it rather the opposite. The habit of taking midnight strolls had started when he was quite young, and it had continued into adulthood, even despite the fact that he had never seen any of the things he had sought to see with his own two eyes. He found that there was a peace that came with the quiet that bordered on absolute silence, and there was inspiration to be found within the shadows that obscured the sight of nearly everything that fell beyond where the light of his old oil lantern could reach. And, in his opinion, the sun was entirely too bright to be enjoyed most of the time anyway.

There was very little about walking in the middle of the night that caught the man off guard or took him by surprise by this point, with the amount of experience he had participating in the activity, but the one thing that did still manage to surprise him was that it was significantly more common to run into others taking their own walks amidst the shadows than one might expect it to be. It was rare for any interaction to occur between Alastair and his fellow night time wanderers beyond an exchanged glance of mutual understanding, which was why he was a little surprised when this time he felt compelled to speak to the figure approaching the direction from which he was walking. Still, he indulged the impulse nonetheless. "Well. Are you out enjoying a midnight stroll like myself? Or are we, perhaps, seeking a temporary escape from something?" He asked curiously with a light and almost playful tone. It was rather straight to the point, but whatever their answer, he had this sense, this intuition, that there was the makings of a story behind it; and he had long since learned to always trust that intuitive sense whenever it arose.

[stxinedpxges]

She'd finished work earlier than usual. Of course to most people a midnight finish was late but Desiree was used to it and it beat some of her later finishes by a good few hours.She had changed into something more comfortable, said good bye to her colleagues and politely declined a lift home before setting off. She was only about a fifteen minute walk away and despite the late hour, she figured she'd chance the walk home. There was something calming about walking at this hour, the quiet was peaceful which probably made her sound crazy as most people would find it eerie. But it had become so normal to Desiree that it unfazed her. What did phase her however was when the figure walking towards her spoke up, causing her to jump back in shock.❝motherfucker!❞ she cursed, as she tried to regain her composure. ❝The only temporary escape, is my heart out of my chest ❞ She explained, furrowing her eyebrows at the man. Who the hell thought it was smart to strike up a conversation in a darkly lit path in the middle of the night.

[asa--holland]

He can't help a small laugh at that. Inked fingers tap on the almost plastic-looking vermillion food court table, and he releases a breath. "Old malls, when they used to have all the different shops and actual food carts... um, I imagine those would've been fun to live in. Maybe not this. I hope she doesn't actually... would be very boring, I think?" Asa can't help but ruminate on it though. "I didn't get to enjoy much of that, though. The hey-day of the 90's mall. I bet it was lovely."

[stxinedpxges]

❝Stranger things have been known to happen in this town. Maybe boring is exactly the right way to survive it here❞ She mused with a slight shrug. She chuckled a little, locking her phone and slipping it into her bag. ❝I bet. Although i was a toddler back then so im sure i was amused by the simplest of things, even a mall like this ❞

[esmexmaddox]

Josh’s eyes, dark and intense, met hers as she called his name. He could see the fear etched on her face, her body trembling with the weight of the chaos surrounding them. The bone necklace he'd just dropped seemingly standing out like a sore thumb. "Hey," he said softly, his voice steady despite the turmoil. He stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her lower back. "You're right, we need to get out of here but I don't know.. everyone is panicking and it's dangerous, we could get hurt.." His gaze flicked to the crowd, the mob growing more frenzied by the second. He pulled her closer, he didn't want her to somehow disappear.. for somebody else to take her away, one of those masked people.

[stxinedpxges]

She calmed ever so slightly, a friendly face amongst the chaos was enough for her to attempt to ground herself. But even she couldn't steady her nerves completely. He stepped closer, a hand moving to her back and she bit her lip as he made a very valid point about their current predicament. He pulled her close, the familiar warmth of him radiating against her, the sound of a heart beat thumping although she couldn't tell if it was hers or his.❝What should we do? ❞ She asked, looking up at him before looking around at the craziness around them. They couldn't stay here but also leaving wasn't going to be easy.

[thclastlight]

It wasn't unusual for someone to ask Scarlett if she was paying attention, her mind often drifting to other places, sometimes feeling like she was in a different universe entirely. Others didn't see the things she seen, hear the things she heard, especially when she was stoned. Today she was sober though, as she had been since the bonfire, dreadfully so, awaiting word from her God. Awaiting reason. Awaiting purpose, awaiting her next move. "Isn't it sad?" She asked aloud, answering his question with a question of her own. "To think that there are people so delusional." Well, she was one to talk.

[stxinedpxges]

Her attention slowly drifted back to him although even he could tell she wasn't all there, but then he figured she never fully was. He nodded at her words, he could think of copious more to describe the situation ❝Very❞ he said in agreement, taking another sip of his drink ❝I think whats worrying is how many fed off the same delusion. That that many people could be persuaded to... ❞ he trailed off, sighing. It was although thing to judge as an outsider and the events were harrowing to say the least.

[thvndrstorm]

               shadows cover rowan’s countenance for a moment,   digesting devin’s words,   her mind drifting to helltown and its peculiarities   —   he’s right,   joyous and this town have never been synonyms,   and that’s exactly what puts her so on edge.   a soft,   low hum of agreement is the only answer she gives to it,   expression slowly turning amused once more at his input.   a chuckle shakes her throat,   and a nod adds to her agreement before it becomes verbal.     "  yeah,   i was thinking more or less the same,  "     stone slabs and candles and blood sound a lot like her idea,   gruesome at it is.     "  maybe we’ve watched too much television or read too many books,   but seriously,   if it isn’t like that,   i don’t even wanna be sacrificed.  "     they joke,   taking a new swig from their beer.   they feel dizzy already,   eyes engrossed in the fire for long periods of time,   limbs slightly numb.   exactly how they need to feel to bear whatever this shitshow is.     "  but seriously,   devin,   if it comes to that,   you need to get out,   you need to,   you know,   survive to write that book about all of it,   become a best-selling author,   and all that fancy shit.  "     she can see him making it,   sacrifice or not.   there is something inside rowan that simply envisions it in him   —   the success,   the recognition.   things,   in her opinion,   he and his talent vastly deserve.

[stxinedpxges]

❝Great minds, thinking morbid thoughts ❞ he chuckled as the other agreed with his hypothetical sacrificial theory. ❝take that back, no such thing as reading too many books ❞ he tutted, sipping his beer, the alcohol now flat and warm, from his closeness to the fire and the slow pace in which he was drinking. ❝but if it isn't something like out of the books or movies then its just not befitting of us❞ He set his beer down, giving up on the drink ❝don't forget immortalising you forever on the pages I write ❞ he added, a small blush forming as they once again hype up his ability with the written word. Her vote of confidence in him was always pleasant to hear and if wasn't for the mysteries that kept him in the town he could confidently say it was some of the residents that would keep him here. ❝all that fancy shit❞ he repeated, a grin stretching on his face. ❝If i can't get you out of here, I of course will do my best, but promise me you'll haunt me?❞