The Institute Starters

[the-institute-starters]

Welcome to the TI Starter Blog!

Starter Blog Rules:

Reblog or link to your open starter on this blog. Do not post closed starters to the starter blog.

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If copying and pasting a starter to a new thread for tracking, you must comment on the starter that you replied to so that admins and other players know how many replies a starter has received.

[xavier-lennon]

Xavier counted his coins, dropping the metal objects one by one into a small pouch. He still looked a bit stunned, as well as he should have. 10 bucks were a fabulous amount of money to find scattered on the ground. He made out nearly 5 different currencies, all scattered around from where people once lived and – he suspected – escaped. Maybe the recent change in administration was finally enough reason for them to leave. It was most surprising, however, that just as Xavier started to feel more like himself, the world around him became unfamiliar. He had not yet bothered to check if any of his friends stayed.

Pensively, Xavier threw one of his coins into the water. A superstitious person would take this opportunity to make a wish but nothing came to mind. Yet when he turned around, he discovered that he was no longer alone. His eyes gazed upwards briefly as if to check whether someone was perhaps up there who listened, even when nothing was said.

“Sorry”, Xavier then turned towards the other person. “I barely heard you”

[ava-montgomery]

Ava licked her lips a little as she clutched her bag in one hand. She wasn't really sure what she was expecting, but she wasn't expecting this. Things felt different. She flared her nostrils and inhaled deeply.

"Well," she whispered softly. "Here goes nothing."

She chewed on her lower lip and began to head to her assigned room, while she looked down at her new phone. She was busy scrolling, when she bumped into someone. An involuntary growl rumbled through her, before she looked up.

"Sorry," she said, if a bit huskily.

[institute-domruthingham]

Dom was back in the cells. Damien had left, he was broken once again. Since returning to the cells he had barely left his bed. Not for classes, his free time, he even missed Christmas. He was in no mood for the season of 'joy'.

He couldn't keep doing this...Falling for people, trusting them, only to have them leave. He didn't want to feel broken anymore. He didn't want to feel at all.

Suddenly he sat up in his bed he had been laying in for the last month. "That's it!" he exclaimed suddenly remembering how he dealt with the trauma he received from his father. Sure drugs were hard to get here as a slave but there were plenty of men to pleasure him. Forget the pain with pleasure. No feelings. Just sex

He looked at his phone and realized it was his free time. Perfect. He got up, his legs wobbling a little, not exactly used to standing again but it didn't take too long to remember. He quickly made his way to the showers to get cleaned up before picking out an outfit that showed quite a bit of skin. Some lowcut skinny jeans that were ripped exposing his thighs and a baggy shirt he cut up into a crop top. He looked in the mirror to check himself out. He never liked what was staring back at him but at least he looked reasonably fuckable in his opinion.

Once he was satisfied he made his way out of the cells and out into what he expected to be another hot island day but was instantly hit with the chill of winter. His whole body stiffened up as he stepped into a pile of snow. "What the fuck?!" He shouted as he looked around to see a sheet of snow covering the island. "Hey you!" he shouted to a passer by "Why the fuck is there snow?! This is a tropical island isn't it?"

[handsonluc]

It’d been a while since Luc had shifted, letting their bear out in the world to do what animals do best. Just like a pet, a shifter’s animal required enrichment and socialization, and it was starting to show in Luc’s temperament that they had not been very attentive to the bear’s needs. The short fuse, his anxious smoking habit, the incessant craving for sushi, they were all indicative of an impending, involuntary shift. At least, it would be, if he didn’t give it what it wanted soon. 

Eager to placate it, Luc put the finishing touches on some smaller projects around the campus and called it an early day, opting for a hike up in the North Shore. Which, according to the campus map, should have been secluded enough to provide them with a little bit of privacy.  Finding a nice bit of wilderness, Luc stripped down from his thermal wear, shivering involuntarily from the brisk winter breeze. “The shit I do for you,” he huffed under his breath, getting down to his birthday suit. Just as quickly as they’d undressed, Luc changed, his comparatively smaller frame giving way to his massive bear form. It wasn’t a painful process, at least not anymore, and if it ever had been, the memory was lost on him. Bounding through the tufts of snow like a kid on a snow day, Luc wandered through the dense forest, leaping through soft mounds of snow until they came upon a clearing. Curious, the bear stalked further onto the property, cautiously at first, and then determined when they spotted a nice little patio set they could curl up on for a bit. The snow was clear here, and with the bit of respite it provided from the snow, the bear decided it would be a lovely little place for a nap. When Luc woke up several hours later, it was to the sound of someone gently trying to shoo him. His first human thought was that engaging with a bear was kind of stupid. His second, that he should probably change before they decided to take more drastic measures. Snatching up the long lounge chair cushion, the bear wrapped it around his waist and shrunk down to Luc’s much more modest six foot four frame. “Sorry, uh…” Luc held onto the cushion for dear life. “...don’t call the police?”

[the-institute-starters]

... i can't even lie... i just wanted to use a shirtless gif.

[winters-lust]

Drinking Buddies | Open

Winter was trying something new. She had a new home, a new perspective on things and she was hoping for a new attitude. She marched herself into the basement, utterly surprised but overall happier with it's new design.

She certainly felt less like she was picking up a prisoner.

When she was deep enough inside that most of the rooms could hear her she called out using magic to carry her voice where it could not naturally reach, "Would anyone like some time out of their rooms? I'm going drinking and I can take you with me if you'd like."

She wanted company but she wasn't going to force anyone. She would put out the offer and if anyone wanted to take it she'd happily see them to the bar and back to their cell... well, room now... safe and sound. She was in a process of rebalancing her morals and this didn't cause any aching guilt in her gut to it had to be some kind of step forward, right?

[the-institute-starters]

Anyone want a taste of the new and mildly improved Winter? She's still figuring things out but it should be a good time for whoever joins her.

Answer to original please :)

[pretty-boyelliot]

Elliot hadn't seen snow in years, and when he looked out of Noah's window and saw his world engulfed in the white wonderland, he thought he was initially dreaming. A quick hand out the window confirmed it was cold enough, and he dashed out of the house, past the pets and a sleeping Jackson on the couch to indulge in the cold. It felt so good, he felt like a kid again! Obviously, he didn't have much to bundle up with, but a quick run into town granted him some of those free coats Headmistress promised (for himself and the other two in the house) and some winter boots. Elliot wasted no time heading to the quad, initially wanting to take his camera, but opting to wander around and take in the sights in childlike wonder felt better. Someone passing by on a shoveled path gave him a mischievous idea - rare, for the incubus - and he crouched down to roll up a snowball. He threw it far, in the direction of that someone walking, true surprise hidden under a slight giggle when it hit them square in the back. "Sorry!" he called. "I didn't think that would hit you, at all!" @the-institute-starters

[layla-dubois]

New Collar, who dis? | Open

Layla added a quiet place to study to her extensive list of the things she missed about living with Jody. The comforting silence of the living room while Jody read beside her was perfect for her concentration. The warmth and comfort was so calming for a mind at work.

By comparison, the library was too cold. It was quite busy today as many prepared for tests before winter break. Each chair had already been claimed by another student. It look three passes for Layla to be sure there was no room for her before she abandoned hope. She hated the idea of studying in the even colder slave study room under the Delecaille House.

Layla finally settled on enjoying the sunshine while she could and found a spot in the Quad. There came her next distraction. Open as it was, Layla's eyes kept wandering to the dancing satyr fountain spurting water. Before she knew it she'd begun doodling the satyr dancing with a familiar pet dog who'd just left the island.

This wasn't helping her classes. She had to focus. Layla tore out the page and placed it to the side. She tried to renew her attempts to study, unaware of the wind taking her page off the table.

[the-institute-starters]

Guess who's back on the slave market!?

[daisyxlynch]

The last few days had passed in a fog. Dhani had had to leave in such a hurry that they'd barely had a chance for a proper goodbye. Simply a decision that she should stay and finish her doctorate and a promise to find each other when she graduated and then..he was gone. Six years. They had been together for six years, and now she was alone. Violet and Lily were gone, and she hadn't seen Dakota in weeks. The sunny witch wasn't one to wallow in self-pity but that's exactly what she had been doing. Today though she finally showered and shed her pajamas, putting on her most cheerful sundress and taking Topaz outside with her to work in her garden. Baking had failed to cheer her up so maybe this would work. After a while it did, and when someone passed by her cottage she was able to give a small smile and a half-hearted wave.

"Hi, pretty day today huh?"

[fire-starterdylan]

This time of year always made Dylan antsy. It had been seven years now since he set that hell house on fire and ran out of it barely standing, but now he was totally not okay! The pinnacle of optimism, self-reliance, and healing. Fuck those Milwaukee therapists, he was fine. So fine, in fact, that he signed himself up for four fights that night at the Foxhole, and he won every single one of them. He sort of blacked out during the shift, not remembering how he did until his hand was lifted in the air and he saw the bruises and blood on his opponent. Dylan made a point to avoid himself in the mirror too, knowing by the tenderness around his eye and split lip told enough of a story without him needing to remember the gritty details. Rarely did the elemental find himself at a bar, but this was a special occasion and when someone sat on the stool directly next to him, he sent a slight glare out of the corner of his eye - continuously wary, with his bruised fist around his whiskey glass. “I’m not moving, if space is what you’re lookin’ for.” @the-institute-starters

[handsonluc]

Fuck.

They’d really stepped in it this time. 

How was it that they always managed to stumble into something absolutely fucked? For a moment, Luc allowed their mind to wander back to the trailer park, and sort of smiled. Deacon would say it was because they ran their mouth off too damn much. Which was fair enough, they wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t applied for the vacant Head of Maintenance position.

They laid there for a long moment, staring up at the spotless white ceiling, not a yellow-ish water-mark in sight, and pondered on their new situation. So what? They got a fancy new phone, some nice digs, a relatively cushy job on a tropical island? It wasn't prison. At least not for them. And Luc wasn’t a saint by any stretch of the imagination. He’d hurt people, sometimes just to hurt them, other times because he was told. How was this place any different? Luc shot up, sitting up straight like they’d just risen from the dead, and tugged at their long curly locks.

It wasn’t. They had a place to sleep at night and a bit of pocket change, and all they had to do was their fucking job.

Fishing around in their coat pocket, Luc pulled out a sealed pack of cigarettes and slapped it against their palm before pulling the cellophane off, ‘waking up the cancer’ as Deacon used to call it. Luc was supposed to quit, but then again, Deacon wasn’t supposed to lose his goddamn mind and fuck off into the Oregon wilderness, so what difference did it make? Promises were bullshit and these weren’t actually going to kill them anyway.

With an unlit cigarette in their mouth, Luc meandered aimlessly through the halls until they stumbled upon an exit door that led out into the humid island air, it was sweet and warm, and smelled nothing like home. 'Thank fuck,’ they thought, feeling around their pockets for a lighter, the searching growing more and more frantic the closer they came to the realization that they didn’t have one on ‘em. “Fuck.” A trek back to their suite might as well have been a herculean trial without a smoke first. “‘Scuse me, uh –” Luc waved a hand to get their attention. “You got a lighter on you?” The cigarette bounced up and down as they spoke. “I promise not to fuck off with it, scout’s honor.”

[thaliaxmoore]

Thalia was a little sad to see the cells being restored. She had enjoyed the company of Grace and the others. The large house reminded her of home, even if the host had been much nicer. With her own room and helping with the chores, she had began to like this new ‘normal’. That things would eventually go back to how they used to be was no surprise but disappointing, nonetheless.

“I can’t believe I wasted an hour out there”, the red-haired woman frowned deeply upon returning to her cell. Quite a few of her belongings had been destroyed. The cells were more modern and spacious now, though it would take some time to get used to the new look. “I looked like a fool waiting for this Master”, Thalia elaborated at the questioning glance from the other person. “I don’t even know who it was, but my presence was apparently no longer required. I shouldn’t be mad but… Why not cancel?”  

[institute-domruthingham]

Dom had been in hiding since the takeover and the loneliness had been starting to get to him emotionally. He wondered out of Damien's house and looked around watching happy couples walk by, the smell of smoke no longer in the air. They didn't even seem the slightest bit upset by everything that happened. Good for them. He sighed and wrapped is baggy cardigan around himself a little tighter as he walked towards the bar. Where else would he go. He didn't really want to make friends, he just wanted to be around people again.

He shuffled into the bar, not caring that he looked like he just got out of bed, his hair a mess, bags under his eyes, baggy cloths. In his opinion he was still one of the best dressed in the place, though he could feel people looking at him, the other patrons were not used to seeing him with so much skin covered. Dom quickly stuck his middle finger up to all the people staring at him before making his way to sit at the bar.

"Give me whatever will get me drunk fastest." he grumbled not really caring that it was only 11am. "Put it on Damien's tab." he added before laying his head down on the bar counter, just listening to the sounds of people talking around him, he was so focused on all the voices that he didn't hear someone sit right next to him.

[scarlettxmcknight]

Red Light, Green Light || Open

Scarlett was pissed. All she did was make one offhand comment to some asshole master and now thanks to this stupid new Dragon's Den app her new collar was lit up in red for all to see. "This is so stupid." she muttered bitterly. She did everything she could to hide it, pulled the hood of her sweater up over her head, and pulled her hair down around the collar. She didn't have enough time before curfew to go find a friend who could do the punishment, so she just had to hide it until she reached the cells. Then she could text someone and figure out a way around this annoying new process. Scarlett rushed through the hallways and quickly turned a corner, only to crash hard right into someone. "Ugh, dang, sorry. You good? I've really gotta get going." she barely checked in with them or registered who it was before she started to move around them to get to the cells.

[fayeth-araven]

Everything looked so fun and amazing, from the decorations, the things to do, the food and she really liked the costumes some were wearing, really out of all the festivities she came to know since being here Halloween was probably the one she enjoyed most, and really everything going on really make all the bad things that went down lately , just go away. She was happily eating some cotton candy, seeing how she'd look with diffrent colored hair, right now she had some shade of magenta and she kinda liked it honestly. She noticed someone close by "Are you having fun?"

[freddie-buckley-deactivated2024]

To say that Freddie wasn't best pleased was an understatement. He hadn't wanted to leave his mum in the first place, and to arrive somewhere that seemed to be some kind of active warzone and immediately be collared and degraded was... Well, it felt pretty bad. He'd thought about demanding to drop out immediately and go straight home, but what would he say to his mother when he got there? The money that they would be on the line for alone was vomit-inducing, and there was little chance of him finding another placement elsewhere. All told, the fact that when the administration had got to the last item on the list: magical creatures, Freddie had taken the revelation like a champ. He wanted to hit things, hit people, but pissing people off immediately felt like a terrible idea. Instead, he'd taken himself to the beach with his sketch book, hoping he could sit in splendid solitude for a few hours before being obliged to process what was happening to him. He huffed, blowing bits of eraser off the paper as he worked. It was angry, abstract pencil marks, almost like a cave painting in its construction of shapes, people made out of harsh triangles, layered on top of one another to convey movement. He paused a moment to look out across the water at the horizon. What the fuck had he got himself into now?

[dark-sirenparis]

Paris had missed the island. He loved islands, he was born on one - the water surrounding, the beaches - the slaves were a nice touch. This place had changed, his car taking him through wreckage and remnants of sad buildings. Demanding the driver loop him around to his previous business, his old house - both of which he was planning on getting well acquainted with as soon as possible - he was relieved to see they were still standing. And it appeared it was under new management... good to keep in the back of his mind.

It took him no time at all to get himself situated in the apartment. It was nice, he supposed, but the New York suite he had was nicer. That must have been the point, to get them out of there into their own places. He wanted nothing more than to stretch his legs out after the journey, to maybe take a swim in the ocean for a bit. Boy, did he miss Selene, though. This place wouldn't be as fun without her, but he'd sure try - he was planning on visiting her as often as he could. Paris sat himself in the sun, feeling the warmth on his face with a relaxed smile - before shadows kept coming in and out of his view. "Excuse me, I've had a long day and I would prefer my sun without your body blocking it." He waved his hand, as if to shoo them away. "So go on, now." @the-institute-starters