#neylani 002

[zeke-bennett]

LOCATION: Hawkins Reception WHO: @angstfactory

Zeke spotted Neylani and immediately straightened up, suddenly very aware of both the turtle in his hands and how fast his heart was beating. The lights reflected softly off the polished floors around them while music drifted through the crowded room, but the second he saw her, everything else blurred out a little. Trying and failing to act casual, he walked over with a crooked grin tugging at his mouth. “Okay, before you panic,” he started quietly, carefully lifting Rupert slightly, “I found your escape artist.”

His expression softened when he held the turtle out toward her, looking weirdly proud of himself despite the fact he’d spent nearly an hour chasing Rupert through gardens, hedges, and under catering tables. “Pretty sure he was trying to ditch the reception before the rest of us,” Zeke joked under his breath before glancing back at her again.

[mikael-blackwood]

LOCATION: Neylani’s House WHO: @angstfactory

No longer could Mikael handle the strict schedule of William Blackwood, his father.  After returning to Raven’s Peak, he felt alienated by his father who expected him to work on the ranch the moment he came home.  At first, it was fine, he needed something to keep his mind off the breakup.  However, it was not the life he wanted.  Growing up on the ranch, Mikael hated it.  Always preferring to assist his mother in the cleaning or cooking of the house and leaving it to the rest of his siblings to do the manual labor outside.

When he finally admitted he no longer could handle the work, it was a simple decision after that.  His father gave him the ultimatum, if you live under this roof you will work on the ranch while his mother tried to reason between both men.  Unable to come to a solution, Mikael started to pack a suitcase.  Things had to be bad, only a suitcase with a few change of clothes and a small bathroom bag.

Although he had many friends who would welcome him with open arms, he knew he had a place at Neylani’s.  With the suitcase being pulled by one hand and the bathroom bag held in the other, he walked up to his friend’s door and knocked.

As she cracked the door open, he looked like a lost little puppy on the verge of tears.

“I know, I said I didn’t need a place.  I jus–,” Mikael pressed his lips together for a moment, doing his best to hold in his emotions.  “Can I stay with you?”