#unfortunatesculs

[hexbent]

Playing bodyguard was never Salem’s favorite thing to do, but when Farryn had asked him to keep an eye on her friend because of the suspicious aura that was steadily growing around her bakery, he’d felt it necessary to oblige her request. The white witch had taken him in and tended to his wounds, after all, be them self-inflicted or not, and so he owed her a favor. He was a bitter old cat that harbored more than his fair share of pent-up anger and resentment, but even he was capable of recognizing and appreciating kindness. Besides, he was hopeful that the young woman would be of use to him in the future and he wasn’t in the business of burning bridges.

There was only one customer ahead of him when he’d entered the bakery, Salem’s all-black wardrobe clashing heavily with the light, airy feel of the shop decor. He looked out of place, shopping for cute cupcakes and baked goods in a place like this, but it really hadn’t crossed his mind. He was simply going to place an order, ask a few questions, assess the situation, and then follow up with Farryn with his own opinion. Before he’d even made it to the first step in his plan, however, he was already being halted. His pale, grey-blue gaze fell upon the woman behind the counter as the customer in front of him moved out of his way, the jingle of the bell sounding behind her as she exited the shop with a box of sweets in her hands.

Salem’s gaze locked onto the beautiful blue eyes that belonged to the familiar face before him, shifting only to trail through the soft maze of dark brown waves that cascaded down over her small shoulders. He felt his chest tighten with a strange feeling, completely foreign to him. It was a bizarre mix of intense sadness, joy, grief and utter disbelief, and he didn’t even know how to begin processing such a thing. It had been so long since he’d seen his darling Evelyn’s face, but he could never forget it. Especially not when it was looking right back at him...

‘Holy FUCK.’ Rosalie commented, finding herself equally as tongue-tied by the striking resemblance. This woman was the spitting image of the woman that Salem had been betrothed to so many years ago.

Without a single word, Salem finally managed to unfreeze himself from his spot in the bakery, turning on his heels and swiftly leaving the shop. He’d returned to Farryn shortly afterwards in the form of a black cat, clearly distraught but with no real explanation to his behavior. It wasn’t until much later that he’d gone back to visit Genevieve for the second time after suffering an intense mental breakdown and recollecting himself. This time, however, he approached her on four paws just as she was closing the store up for the day. He could only hope that she was a cat person, because the thought of having to converse with her was simply unbearable. Physically, he didn’t know if he’d be able to. Even looking at her now made him want to fall to his knees.

He started by meowing to get her attention, allowing her to pet him and even pick him up if she so pleased, and then he followed her all the way to her home with hopes that she would allow him to go inside with her. Incognito wasn’t how he’d expected this mission to go, but he supposed that the mission had changed anyways when the woman that he was supposed to be playing bodyguard for had turned out to look just like his late fiancé.

@unfortunatesculs​

[narcotlcs]

@unfortunatesculs​ Whether it was denial or optimism, Felix wasn’t overly concerned with the fact that they’d crash landed on an island. He figured a rescue team would come with them sooner or later. It was cannibals being thrown into the mix that really complicated things and made survival increasingly difficult. It had only been night two when a group of the flesh eaters had so boldly came to inspect the camp they’d been setting up, and it was only a matter of time that they returned again today. In the meantime, while there was still sunlight left, everyone had been keeping themselves busy with different tasks to help out. Shiloh was collecting things in the forest, Bellamy was cutting down trees, and Jake was...Where was Jake? He hadn’t been all too vocal. Pushing the door open to leave through the stone fence the group had built, Felix’s hand slipping into his pocket to store the bottle of meds he’d swiped off the shelf, he soon spotted Jake crouched down in the near distance. Because they were in a clearing with the forest in front of them and the beach behind them, it made it fairly easy to keep tabs on each other. He wondered if Jake was perhaps tracking something--or investigating a plant he’d found to see if it had any useful properties. He seemed to know what berries and mushrooms were safe to eat and which ones were poisonous. After passing the pond outside of their base, it didn’t take long for him to catch up.

“What’re you looking at?” Felix asked, coming to a slow to stand behind Jake. There, towering over top of the crouched figure, he realized that he was holding a bow in his hand and had been preparing to draw back on the string. He hadn’t been looking at a plant, but rather for an animal. Little did Felix know, his movements ended up scaring the rabbit away and it had bolted deeper into the trees. They were slippery little creatures. The one he’d been holding earlier (which he’d retrieved from one of their traps) had jumped right out of his hands. “Hunting? I finished up what I was doing, so I’ll help. I don’t know how to use a bow though.” It was never too late to learn, right?

[shadowsforstars]

@unfortunatesculs​

It was the first day of survival in the cannibal-infested forest, and so far Shiloh hadn't been able to find her place in the group in terms of usefulness. She wasn’t the strongest, nor the fastest, nor the smartest, and that didn’t leave too many options open for her. It wasn't as though she was incapable of being helpful though, but rather that she was out of her element and needed some guidance in the right direction to find where she could fit best. First impressions were still being made, but she'd been able to tell rather quickly that Jake knew what he was doing, and she hoped that by observing him, she would be able to learn a few things. How he had the skills that he had, she didn't know, but it was clear that he had some sort of extensive knowledge on living so minimalistic, judging by how quickly he'd began to set up the necessary preparations for their survival. While Bellamy had taken to guiding Felix on building the foundation for a shelter, Shiloh had found herself off towards the edge of the clearing with Jake, collecting sticks and various other materials to craft themselves some torches. With night looming in the near hour and the temperature dropping, they would need light and warmth. Her initial instinct had been to simply light a stick on fire, but she was glad that she hadn't attempted it or said the thought out loud, because it seemed that there were more steps involved in doing it properly, such as wrapping the end in fabric first. That made sense, she supposed.

In a struggle to snap off a small branch from the handle of her torch, Shiloh had accidentally smacked Jake across his arm with the long stick, just after he'd lit his. Her eyes grew wide for a moment and then she reached over, patting him on the arm. "Sorry. You were on fire." She lied, clearing her throat. "You're not anymore." A sad lie, and a very obvious one, but a humorous attempt at an apology no less.

[portectorisms-a]

The nights had proven to be far longer than the days upon this land they had happened to get stuck upon. The smell of sea water had started to burn his nostrils by day three and eventually when their temporary base no longer served for the purpose the needed or the safety that came with it, the had chose to move closer to the burning smell of the sea. There's a sigh that escapes worn lips as he crouches down in front of the small makeshift fire he decided to make in the comforts of the log cabin they had started to build on the small island just off shore, near the marooned yacht. It was a good idea if he had overlooked the sharks and the fact that they seemed to have such a keen scent for blood, they hadn't cared if they breeched the land in front of them. Which, Bellamy had assumed was the reason there had been three dead sharks upon the beach not far from their location. Still, the nights proved to be cold when the wind would pick up and the rain waters would fall. Bellamy hadn't minded, however. These conditions were something he had grown used to when on the battlefield or on a mission. Survival was easy when it meant only looking out for oneself. This time, however, he had others to take care of and he wasn't about to let Felix or Shiloh die due to something so silly. Hazelnut gaze shift toward the walkie that was attached to his hip, the familiar sound of Jake's voice drifting over the speaker, letting the eldest Blake know the other was on his way to the small island on the raft. A light smile shifts the corners of his lips for a brief moment of basking in the idea of not being alone but then the realization of his company had struck him.

"Thanks." Bellamy's voice comes off gruff when his gaze settles upon the other male as he enters the log cabin. There's a light smile that graces his worn features and he pulls the dark blue jacket a little tighter around his broad torso as the bite in the wind picks across the skin of his cheeks and hands. Tonight was going to be another bitter one and he had hoped the others would be joining soon for the warmth and protection of what they had been working on. Surprisingly, Felix and Shiloh had proven to be resilient. Wanting to get things done sooner rather than later and that was something that Bellamy could appreciate. "So you mind if I ask what the forest taught you that you lived in on your own?" He wasn't trying to be rude, nor did his voice hint as such things. Instead, he was rather curious. They both had a similar skill set. Both knowing how to hunt, to fish, to gather food amongst the forest floor. They knew how to skin animals and clean fish, but they came from different backgrounds. Different walks of life that even by look, someone could tell. Bellamy draws a breath then, gaze shifting back to the fire. "Don't take Felix's shortcut, by the way. The sharks have proven to not give a fuck that we're on land. They'll breech themselves for a bite."

[pigtrapped]

@unfortunatesculs​ // x

The Legion were one of the most suspicious type; unpredictable. Arguably also one of the more threatening lot in this place because they had the one thing no one else had. They had each other.

With that said, however, they were the few Amanda actually was on somewhat speaking terms with. Not entirely because they were the few who can actually hold a conversation, but merely they at least did have a sense of wit about them. She had to admit, they were smart.

Which is why Amanda agreed to hear whatever sort of scheme Frank had up his sleeve. There was the immediate sense this was something more than just some petty idea with something to do with the trials or other survivors or some dumb shit like that. This was something big - serious.

Arms were crossed, both due to the cold and also the mere reserved nature Amanda always held herself. Her weight shifted entirely to one side, hair down to obscure the scars upon her throat and cast shadows about her face. Seemingly timid, but her face still held all the coldness of a killer, with the eyes being alight with genuine curiosity.

When he’d begin to drop what his plan was, her head tilts slightly forward to the side, eyebrows raising slightly, giving a look to him as if she thought he was insane. Because he kind of was in her opinion. Yet, she didn’t outright refute him. She’d let him continue.

Her body shifts again, arms shuffling with themselves as chapped lips pursed, eyes reaching the floor. 

‘I bet…you want out of this place, right? You don’t want to be sheep to something that doesn’t give a flying rat’s ass what you want.’

A question that could have been asked long ago. A question that now holds a different answer. She does want out of here. She’s wanted out since the start. This place was a personal hell - she got little to no enjoyment from what she’s been now forced to do, least not anymore. Not for a long time. But, it’s not something she hasn’t been conditioned to. Although, she can’t imagine getting out would be any better for her anymore, but, anywhere is better than here. Than the isolation. Than the killing. The reminders. The failures.

But, could they really try and defeat this thing? Could it really be possible? This thing seemed like some sort of untouchable beast. Capable of the sickest punishments, getting out pleasure with such torment on both sides. If things go wrong, if anything happens, they could end up in a much worse situation than this. But, then again ... Amanda didn’t very much want to play sheep anymore. Not again. It was that drive - that term... Survival instinct. It is what would give her the incentive to work for a change. To fight.

Eyes move to reach his again, brows knit together, a look of determination steeling on her visage as her shoulders straighten. A sharp inhale is taken before she gives a stern nod. “Alright. I’m in. Tell me what you got.”

[gecsha]

→ summoned by @unfortunatesculs​ .

THE LADY WAS KNEADED FROM EMPYREAN FLESH, skin pleasantly pale and silky as if it had never known a single day of work in its life. The contrast between her fingers and the tattered boy clutched between them amused her. 

It was so pitiful, so entertaining ------ he struggled harder than most for his freedom, only to be captured by the queen of the underworld herself, all without an ounce of effort. Poor thing collapsed the moment the governess’ malice glanced his way. It was hardly sporting, but...

Not even she could bring herself to demean his efforts. His strength lasted longer than countless adults, filthy but hardy, that lost their minds the moment she willed them to. Brains were very soft, she had come to learn; they melted at the slightest heat, froze at the slightest cold, and completely lost their shape at the slightest distortion... Such determination in his little body reminded her of the girl that once lived within her mirrors.

Now there remained only one question: was the respect he garnered enough to win him his life?

A gentle shifting from palm to cage, rags on gilded silver, the quiet click of a lock. The Lady spoke, fleur-laced vocals carrying a silent order ------ wake up and listen. She need not command him twice.

❝Tell me how you escaped your room, and I shall treat you as well-behaved boys ought to be... Continue your insolence, and you shall receive the punishment you seem to desire...❞

[shepcwer]

▌█ ∵  🌙   ∵ █ ▌   The slam of her shoulder into the door once, twice, three times before it finally gave way was frustrating. It should've been fixed by now, her dad said it would be and yet two weeks later and the damn thing was still jamming up. Sighing her hands carefully adjusted her hair before looking inside the house. It was quiet mostly which meant Anne was probably out finishing errands and James was probably 4 or 5 bottles deep at the bar by now. Which left it to Tanya to make dinner. Again. It was getting frustrating especially with adding another person to the list, not to say Tanya didn't like Megan, it was nice to have a little sister around now but it was frustrating that she had to be more of a mother than a sister to her sometimes. Lost in her own grievances with her family she nearly ran right into Anthony. Stopping herself short by just a mere inch. ❝ Jesus.  ❞ A hand to her chest before letting out a slight exhale. ❝ Sorry Anthony, I was out of it there for a second. ❞

Genuine apology falls past her lips with a sympathetic expression before pausing for a moment. Weighing all the ideas and memories of where everyone said they would be today, because of course it was Tanya they needed to tell not their mother. ❝ Hey is it just you here right now? I know Dennis was hanging out with his friends and I assume Megan is with mom. If you want instead of eating some of moms trashy leftovers we could go catch up at the diner. I have some extra money from the last few shifts I pulled so we can get whatever we want  ❞ To be honest she was getting home later and later each night. She was picking up more shifts there trying to make more money or spending time with Vince. Either way she did feel a sort of guilt with leaving her brother on his own with everyone else. It seemed like most days they were the only two with their heads screwed on straight. ❝ It’s been a long time since it was just the two of us doing something together might be nice. Sibling bonding or whatever. ❞

                                  @unfortunatesculs​ ♥’d sc for tanya

[alurazearchive]

{continued from here}

Alura wraps her arms around Lillian, nuzzling into her hair, and murmurs, ‘I hear you had a big day’. She strokes her fingers up and down the woman’s back gently. ‘How were they?’

@unfortunatesculs