home of de laval

CLARA DE LAVAL. "got the midas touch." unlucky for you, i'm queen of the board. human. cfo. sister. née lee.

[theclaradelaval]

𝖈𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖆 𝖉𝖊 𝖑𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖑 ⟡ 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧. 𝐜𝐟𝐨. 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

pinned info to come...

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi nodded, she didn’t specify which college or if she’d met her husband there, but he could see any good college lad chasing an American woman, and Clara in particular was very beautiful. Her husband probably was very handsome as well. “Well then, that takes all my plans of warning you for British culture out, though, I apologise for the Brighton beach, I know it can be rather jarring to think of that place as a summer holiday spot.” Swimming there had always been met with warnings, and a thorough cleansing afterwards. Even in the summer, the place drew a funny crowd. “That beach brings out a fascinating part of British society.” 

He shook his head. “I didn't go to college,” he admitted. “At least, I don’t think I did.” He paused there, very few people knew his origin story, certainly nobody knew his real roots in the Brighton Mafia, and he’d made sure that no connections could be led there. He couldn’t fake not being from Brighton however, as much as he wished he could alter his native accent, it was hard, harder even under the influence of a few glasses of alcohol. “I’m officially an amnesiac,” he told her. “I’ve been able to get some memories back, but most of the things I did before I turned twenty-three are all locked away. So who knows, perhaps I did study at Oxford, at least that would be an interesting venture to look into.” Though he knew better, and he knew that even if he looked, he wouldn’t find anything. He did offer some reluctance however, some sorrow over the whole matter. He'd cut off his old life, and it was far more bloody and disorientating than the fate of being an amnesiac. He’d rather be a John Doe than to be his father’s son. 

Bodhi looked back at Clara only for a moment. Home-schooled, was the conclusion he drew, though the way she looked back at him, or away, he’d guess there was more to it. He decided not to ask, even if the investigator in him really wanted to know, he didn’t think he’d get an answer. Perhaps another time, without her son there to hear. “I’m sure you’ll do great, you’ll have plenty of stories to tell from all the places you’ve been? And you have a mom and an uncle from Chicago. Have you been?” he asked the boy. 

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "I was not exactly a California girl when I was back home so I'm not really missing sandy beaches," she offered in response to his apology. Certainly her own aesthetic, and perhaps her brother's as well, warned that the pair were by no means 'summer' people, at least not in the beach surfer sort of way. Clara actually genuinely loved living in the UK, and would likely miss the city, as city life had been all she'd ever really know. "Besides, the peer was fun, Ares perhaps feared for his life on some of the older rides but...fun."

⟡ Clara wasn't sure how many people she'd ever interacted with who had not attended college, or some form of formal training. Her brother, obviously, had not gone to college but he was young in his speciality and had barely attended school. That sort of talent couldn't be wasted on waited for college. Still, it occurred to her as she looked at him, smart sort of look to him, and clearly well spoken, that she had, through the way she had remained within her own class amongst society never interacted with anyone who, as an adult did not specialise in some way. Perhaps the small town really would be good for her.

⟡ "That is unfortunate," she offered of his memories, trying to determine his age from his appearance. He was surely at least in his late twenties or early thirties, so he had forgotten more than half of his life. It made Clara's stomach churn for all the times she wished to forget some of the ways her mother had spoken to her in her youth. "You seem a calm man, I think I would be much angrier," she noted, her version of a compliment. "It's admirable. I do hope, if you want to, you can get them back." Ares, of course, remained silent, the conversation feeling somewhat too large for him.

⟡ Ares nodded but his nose scrunched up a little. "Only like twice, I don't really remember going," he explained, his eyes going wide as he said it in case it was rude. "I mean, I do, it was just boring. We were only there for Grandma and Grandpa and they only wanted us to go to parties and Mum had to keep leaving me with the nanny." He had been younger than, so young he'd cry and throw fits stuffed into a suit. Clara and her husband had departed early on both occasions when Clara and her mother fought about Ares' behaviour. He was a child, he didn't need shoved into Tom Ford for some charity function about prostate cancer. "We visit Dads favourite places all the time though, and we've been to Greece and Bora Bora and France," he listed off. "I didn't need nannys there."

⟡ "Greece was fun," she agreed, smile on her face, glad that her sons memories were not all clouded in her absence but were able to hold onto happier moments. "I bet the first thing you'll tell your class was that you met a private investigator though, with fancy cameras, yeah?" she asked and Ares nodded with a grin, looking to the man guiding them.

[rclused]

✘  ✘  ✘

Every ounce of the night was beginning to feel off. Wading through the thick fog that would try to smother the lights from the lamps, and dampen the brightness of the moon that attempted to illuminate the night. It would almost taunt the man now, a sodden moon singing to the beast inside him. Begging for it as it claws and grapples at him, like his body is nothing more than a cage. Holding it in. Perhaps his hands the keys and ribs the lock, and he would pry himself open if that's what this took. If all he needed to do was leave himself in shreds, Nolan would do just that. Even if it meant he couldn't get himself back afterwards. It would be enough.

If someone knew the man better, they might have realised the panic that sunk into his aggressive words. The words of warning, because tonight, nights like these. They weren't safe. The long string of people showing up dead on Fenrirswood's doorstep seemed to be enough of an indicator for that. But apparently the woman shouting into her phone didn't seem to think that far ahead.

If monsters like Nolan could be out here, this close to their home. Who else could be?

He could smell the other wolf before he heard it's low growls breaking through the dense silence of the night. His fists clench at his side, the searing pain the only thing he can feel. The only thing he can concentrate on for longer than a second. The way his body screams to be a wolf once more. He should have known that it was going to come closer, that hunger or fear or something else that stained the night would take it over. It feels like it happens in an instant, watching the wolf one second in the fog. It's growl's the only sound of the night, and then he's watching it lunge.

Something of a yell, or maybe a growl left Nolan's own lips as he raced to push himself in the way of the woman who'd backed herself against the stairs. Skin against gravel, and claws and fur. A weighted mass on him as he pushes it off. Not all the way beast himself, but he knows it. He feels whatever this other creature is feeling. But as he stumbles against the ground, as his palms graze the road and he manages to push the creature away he feels it. The things that were clawing to be free from him before retract back into him. There's no more half way state, he simply is Nolan.

A man shouting at the wolf, a warning to leave. To back off now.

His breaths so heavy in his chest, one hand reaches back to the woman behind him, just to make sure she's still there. Make sure he's still the thing between her and the wolf. Demanding it to find its way back to the forest.

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Whatever the man was when he stood between her and the growling beast that was hidden within the fog Clara did not know. Her eyes seemed to betray her. The notion he was something beyond human, as her eyes seemed to indicate, with features that were certainly not human, felt like panic had simply seeped into all rational thought and was making her believe the protector that had been previously crude was more than man. Surely it was a belief no man would stand in front of a wild creature to protect anyone that she was seeing things that were not there.

⟡ The belief, of course, that it was all in her mind solidified itself when those features faded, and the growl she believed had spilled from him seemed instead to the large man shouting down at what was now very clearly a wolf. Oddly, to Clara's shock, the shouting, or whatever he had done before that she had most certainly not registered correctly, was frightening it. That idea - the idea that the wolf was scared of a man - felt as absurd as her imagining him more than human.

⟡ His hand reached back for her, Clara feeling it touch at her thigh, but with his gaze still ahead she knew he had not specifically reached for any individual part of her and took the gesture as one that needed assurance he had not been abandoned with the wolf. It was helpful regardless, the touch nudged her back into her own movement. Clara's hand grabbed at his, pulling on it with obvious insistence he not remain as close as he was. If the wolf was scared of him they needed to take that chance and run.

⟡ "Come on, we have to go," she insisted, her own knuckles whiter than her already pallid skin with how tightly she held onto him, dragging him towards her car. Not fast by any means, the Rolls was more aesthetic than speed, but it would be enough to get them away. "Please," she added, in case the man felt compelled to abandon her now, or to remain and fight.

[museinitalics]

"Move here?" The words left his lips quickly in his surprise from the declaration made by his nephew and the human's blue eyes darted onto Clara's for explanation but then landed back onto his nephew with a wide grin, his hand landing atop of his shoulders and squeezing affectionately, "Well, hell yea ya can babysit, like right now," he agreed with his sister's suggestion. "She just ate and all so why don't you two play fer now but nothin' involvin' bouncing around da couch, alright? I don't wanna clean up vomit from the neither of you," Mars gave his firm instruction then settled his attention onto his older sister.

"Now you, first things first," he stepped up to her, she was older but he was taller, once puberty hit he'd stopped being the 'little' brother rather quickly and his limbs stretched long. He held them out now to bring her into a warm embrace if she was willing for the action. "It's been a while, hm? Ya want a coffee 'er somethin'?"

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Ares grinned, proud in some way that his Uncle trusted him with his niece, even if the two adults were simply in another room. He very quickly got to attempting to entertain her, abandoning anything that did not seem to bring an immediate smile to her face. He had a lot to catch up on, not having spent as much time with his family as he'd have liked. Not as much with his niece, or his Uncle, his other Aunts, or his parents. It was hard not having his father certainly but it felt oddly nice to have his mother around as much as she was now, barely leaving his side.

⟡ Clara's own gaze lifted as he stepped to her, their eyes such distinctly similar shades of blue that despite the very apparent height difference, and the cosmetic work Clara had done, people could probably tell they were related. It took her a moment, admittedly, to understand he wanted the hug. The gesture on her end was not hesitant but likely he could sense, as the white fabric of her blouse's sleeves wrapped around his own black on black attire, that she was somewhat still. Clara was admittedly unsure if she'd hugged anyone recently beyond her son, even her husband. It was not just her son who she had become distant with and it stung her to realise that as she softly squeezed her brothers boney form.

⟡ "Coffee, yes," she answered before their families snobbery quickly fell from her lips without much thought. "Do you have an espresso machine?" Clara asked, because she half expected with how her bother had begun to live he'd have a French Press - or worse, instant. It wasn't intended as judgement, persay, but more of a disconnect to who had become over the years, which wasn't much better. She loved him, even if he handed her instant coffee, but seeing him, seeing anyone, had become harder over the years. Work consumed her, the desire to please their parents, and comfortability that everything at home would not change, she didn't need to worry on it. She'd been wrong.

⟡ Shifting in the direction of his kitchen she placed her bag down on the countertop, worn leather paler in certain areas. "She's so big," she commented on Marie Elena. "And yet it feels like only a few weeks ago Ares had been so little," Clara swallowed. "I must have missed both of their growth spurts."

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi looked back at Clara with a slight nod of his head, after all, he was a private investigator, most of his cases were catching people cheating. Though he would never install cameras in such places, no matter how much his clients begged him to do so. But he had the same thought, even if he could try to think like a child, he also knew for sure what the adults would be thinking. “Usually to in back alleys and places where people like to hide,” he answered. 

Bodhi couldn’t relate, having left his family behind, but he imagined that if he one day did settle down somewhere, he would pick a place where he had friends. “I know him,” he admitted, his smile warmer now. If she was the sister of Marsden, he could only imagine that she must know something. If she knew something, then he figured she would keep as close an eye on her kid as she could. He took a deep breath. “Well, here I was thinking you might not be that familiar with the UK, but I take it you’ve lived here for some years then? Or you’ve been to Brighton.” He hadn’t, not for years. “But yes, a beach boy,” he said with a smile. 

The investigator nodded, he was slipping. If he recognised the woman’s accent easier than the one from the kid, he wasn’t paying attention to the right things anymore. But he gave himself some slack, this wasn’t a normal case after all, this wasn’t a normal city. “I’d say it’s more a town with city rights, but it’s certainly less overwhelming than London. Makes me think most of Oxford, a fancy historical university, lots of green nearby, I can see why anyone would pick this place.” He turned to the boy. “Are you excited to start school here, young man?” he asked. He figured he could at least offer the both of them a friendly face, now that he knew enough of the city to guide them to their car. And he felt the need to look out for them too, partly because of Marsden. 

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Now he knew where not to hide, he would never get caught.

⟡ "I went to college here," unsure whether or not Mars had told the man about his own travels she thought it best not to make a deprecating comment about their parents. "Met my husband not long after, so I've only been back home to Chicago for trips," she explained, "but yes, I have also been to Brighton." Not exactly the most beautiful of beaches, in her opinion. She far preferred tropical beaches but trips with how work had become so consuming over the years did tend to be few and far between.

⟡ "Is that where you went, Oxford? Are we rivals?" Clara asked, the obvious implication that if he did go to Oxford and that meant they were rivals she had gone to Cambridge. "Not sure it would have been my first option if not for my brother," Clara stated because why would anyone bring a young child to a city of death. If she were smarter she'd have accepted that they just needed to be out of the city but she truly did not want her son feeling alone and trapped with her, at least having his Uncle meant he'd have some kind of escape.

⟡ He nodded, genuinely he was quite excited. "I've never been to real school before," he announced and Clara swallowed, her gaze shifting away like if he were to ask on this she would pretend she had not heard him.

[rclused]

✘  ✘  ✘

The night air was cool and bitter, nipping against his skin like daggers. Each gust of chill wind could have felt like it was burning, even now he struggles to catch his breath. His chest heaving with each gasp of air that seared his lungs. He was trapped here, inside himself, inside this night. The dense fog hazing streetlights, smothering houses and cars. The far off distance just figures and shadows moving against it. He wouldn't have risked coming here otherwise, into these streets on a night so illuminated by the full moon. Not when he's whatever he is.

Some half in-between state. He can feel it, like splinters stuck under his skin. It taunts him. This razor-sharp beast begging to be released, only he can't- he can't. Just when he thought he had it back, when he thought he had this freedom again- when he was finally free of picking at his bones until he forced them into the shape of a beast. Now it's tearing him apart again. Teeth sharp and glistening, his features twisting- morphing but not quite all. Not enough. And the hours leading to it have been agonising.

He thought he was alone on the streets, walking back to the forest, or his house, or anywhere. Nolan didn't think that far ahead when he left Nishant's, he couldn't think of much besides the ache that seared through his whole body. The way he begged it to turn. To change. But surely no one was stupid enough to be out wandering the streets on the night of a full moon after everything.

The voice made him jump, his hands already trembling, he barely turns towards the sound of the voice. "Fuck!" He groans out as he balls his fists up, not quite at anything the other person said, but more because it was the first thing his mouth managed against the pain.

"The fuck do you mean? What are you doing? No one wants to hear about your god damned domestic!" His words are sharp even for usual. "You shouldn't even be- I mean fuck go back home! You shouldn't be out tonight!" Really that stood for most nights these days, but a full moon, with fog this thick. With this, whatever this was happening. There was something especially off about the night.

[theclaradelaval]

⟡. The man's words are sharp, not something Clara had needed to interact with since her youth. Even as the anger held a hint of the familiar to them there was something...gutteral and commanding in a way that made Clara take a physical step back from him. Something was wrong in a way she didn't understand, surely no stranger would just speak like this to someone else on the street?

⟡ "I'm trying to go home," she insisted, a need to defend herself simply because of his tone even though she knew it was none of his business what she was doing. For all that it was his business she could choose to dance in the street singing Stevie Nicks loudly. The way he spoke though, and the energy to the air, seemed to make it feel like he was right, she shouldn't have been out, and she couldn't quite fathom why.

⟡ Taking another step in his direction, and that of her car, she continued. "I know it's late -," she began, however Clara was cut off in her attempt to explain herself, the distinct sound of a low growl coming from within the fog, lights on the street only able to illuminate a silhouette of what was inside. Once more Clara stepped back, ankle hitting the steps that lead into one of the homes on the street. She needed to get to her car but the thought felt very far away as her heartrate continued to rise.

⟡ Mouth opening partially, wanting to say something, that she didn't understand or to ask what was happening but her eyes stared at the approaching silhouette to the point she was frozen. The sounds of the man's anger were nothing compared to the aggression of the growl, Clara unable to connect this to any event in her life that would have determined how to respond. She was human, entirely human, so fucking oblivious to all but her own troubles, she couldn't process any of it, certainly not as the silhouette lunged.

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi nodded, it was sad. For one it was sad that she’d already been used to it, that something like this didn’t surprise her that much anymore, and secondly; it was sad for the people in Chicago. The missing people, the missing children. “Of course,” he said in return. “The numbers are nothing compared to the ones in the United States,” he admitted. Luckily he didn’t work there, he couldn’t imagine working there. 

Bodhi grinned. He could imagine the type of spy cameras that the little boy was thinking about, which was as far from the truth as possible, but it didn’t hurt to entertain him. “I can put them in places where nobody would care to look,” he told the kid. “They’re tiny and they see everything,” he said. 

Bodhi waited for the both of them to be ready to follow, before he set out at a slow pace, keeping the kid and the crowded market in regard. “In that case, welcome to Fenrir’s Wood,” he said, as if he was an official for the municipality. “So you moved for your brother? Does he by any chance have a very thick Chicago accent?” he asked. He looked down at the boy for a moment, then back on the road. He’d make sure they both got to their car safely. “No, I’m from Brighton, south of here,” he said, not sure if she knew that much of the UK as an American. But in that case it wouldn’t matter. “I’ve never been in a single city for this long for a case, but I guess Fenrir is my home now,” he said. "Not my first choice. Have you been to London?" 

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Clara covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh at what the man said he did with the cameras. It didn't sound as 'cool' to her as it did to her son, their minds going to two very different scenarios that they would be used for. Innocent Ares, still young enough to presume he could use them to catch thieves or his mother picking her nose, unaware they'd likely catch far more intimate things if set up in the right places. "Where do you put them?" he asked, like there was some specific place that was great for catching crime.

⟡ "Not necessarily for him but it was good to move somewhere we had family," was all she really said because to say what was happening with Ares specifically would only embarrass him in front of someone he clearly felt was cool. "Yes, my brother's accent is far thicker than my own, I'm guessing that means you know him," she laughed, Mars let it run free while Clara had been taught to restrict it a little, covering it up with that sort of mid Atlantic twang of old movies. "Oh a beach boy then?" she smiled, having lived in the UK since she was in college she did have sort of a firm handle on where everything was.

⟡ Another laugh came as he asked if she had been to London. "Yes, that's where we were prior, well, you know, near it, we had a place around Holland Park, but my husband grew up in Whitechapel," she explained a little, perhaps explaining her son's own accent that was far more indicative of growing up in London, and why some of his words had a bit of a cockney twang to them. "I suppose Fenrir will be our home too though, it's a city sure but not near half as overwhelming as London." She hoped.

[heliavaz]

“Ah, I see all the talent went to him then, it’s so unfair. I have no siblings, so I luckily didn’t have to share.” At the mention of work, Helia nodded, the two of them only knew too well what it was like to have your days filled. Her shifts were never shorter than twenty-four hours, though regular working days often already got up to twelve. Her only luck was her experience. “I joke too much about my intention to exercise, and how it is never more than a promise to myself. But, there are so many things I’d love to do more if work allowed it.” 

She chuckled, as they walked to the stand so she could deposit the skates and get her ID card back. “At least three or four, let us start with one so you know what it tastes like, it’s delicious though, I vouch for them.” She moved away for a moment, gave back the skates, got her ID, and then joined Clara again. “It’s basically spicy wine, but warm, it’s not cold enough for it yet, I find personally, but I don’t know if it will get much colder. I’m definitely not counting on a white Christmas.” She guided Clara through the crowds. “Do you have any plans for Christmas?”

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "Certain talents anyway," she mused because their parents had seemingly made sure all of them had an aptitude for something that made them worthy of investment. Clara was smart, practical and tended to do as she was told, despite the softness deep down. It was what made her own relationship with their parents so complicated, she just couldn't rebel the way Mars did. She wished they treated her better but also craved their love, even in adulthood.

⟡ "You probably end up getting exercise of some sort just working, I'm one of those sociopaths with a desk treadmill and a peloton bike," she admitted with an awkward sort of laugh. Clara didn't hold a figure in a vacuum, she had some naturally good genetics and was privileged enough to afford high quality foods and someone else to make them for her but it didn't negate the need to work out, or the desire, since her husband also enjoyed it. Pilates together was...fun.

⟡ Clara's eyes watched as Helia handed back her skates and got her belonging back before rising once again to catch her eyes. "Start with one," she agreed, stepping in time with the woman. "You don't think it's cold enough yet?" Clara laughed because to her it most certainly was, but it was perhaps partially her own fault, she should have brought a coat with her. "I'm hoping my husband is able to come here and we'll all open gifts at home and then with Mars but we may have to go to him," she admitted. "How about yourself."

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "I don't really think it's fair of you to hold it against me," Clara said, large iPhone pressed to her ear as her low classic heels stepped out of her brother's home and out into the street. She'd intended to spend the evening with her brother while her son played video games with his father but, of course, work came up and he was calling Clara to tell her that their son needed her home. "They're your parents you could have told them you wanted to come with us," she argued, not used to there being this tension in their relationship and her defences rising because of it. They both wanted to be with Ares but only her position allowed for it. "I get that," she responded as he pointed out that it wasn't quite so simple as asking, "but we didn't move to hurt you, did you want us to just keep doing what wasn't working?"

⟡ The argument was making her heart tight but beyond that it gave her tunnel vision as she stepped out of the home and began to walk down the street in the direction of her car, oblivious to the sights and sounds around her on that full moon evening. "I can't do this and drive, okay?" His sigh rang in her ears but as did his whispered 'I love you' and the exhausted sorry that followed, he liked it all as little as she did. "I love you too, I'll call when I'm home."

⟡ A beep rang as the call ended and Clara's thumb pressed on the lock button at the side, starting to throw it into the worn out purse slung over her opposing arm, eyes lifting from the sidewalk finally. Her icy blue eyes had their vision partially blocked by the fog that had been lingering about town as of late, all the woman was really able to see from where she stood was a man.

⟡ "You got something you want to say?" she spoke, the intention to be confident, to call him out for eavesdropping but unable to actually see it was shaky. "People have fights, it's normal," she asserted, her ears adjusting now as well, picking up on various sounds around her that didn't feel quite...typical...

@rclused

[topherromijn]

Topher leaned a little closer, as if there was a secret being shared between them and this little kid. They’d never believed in monsters, probably because they had grown up and already faced the worst when they were young. It was easy to see the real monsters in the world when you lost a parent to them. They listened to the little boy like they would to Merrin in the past, when they were still alive, and when they would happily talk about Witches and Werewolves. This wasn’t much different. “Oh, that’s so cool,” they said. “And which do you like to draw the most?” 

“I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends,” Topher decided, saying it with such conviction that they might even make it come true. “But if other kids ever give you a heart time, you give me their names and I’ll make sure they regret it.” Which was exactly what Topher had done when they were still in high school. They were a vengeance for any kid who couldn’t defend themselves. They had one best friend, and a whole lot of people who had no idea why their bully suddenly kept their distance. 

Topher’s eyes glinted, talking about motorcycles was their favourite subject. “I got an old vintage 1973 Yamaha Mx360,” they said. “Mine does look a bit like the Triumph Bonneville,” they said. Though they had to chuckle from the scratches. 

They nodded, biting their lip a little, it was itchy. “Not a lot, but it’s at Win Garage for whenever I do want to, the mechanic there has helped me a lot in fixing it. It’s the last thing my father left me.” 

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "Orcs because they have really big teeth," he announced with confidence, enjoying to make their teeth all different shapes and lengths so they all had their own personalities. Clara mostly thought it was nice how someone was willing to listen to him other than her husband, she just had to hope the children in the school would be just as open, she knew he had grown up so different to a lot of them and she regretted that perhaps she had inadvertently ruined his socialisation.

⟡ The idea of a grown adult threatening children however felt less appropriate. "That wouldn't be fair, you're probably way stronger than them, you'd beat me at arm wrestling even and I'm really strong," Ares asserted, Clara wondered mostly if it was a way for him to not think about the potential need for someone to protect him from kids but didn't say anything aloud. There was no need to stress him out as much as she felt it inside.

⟡ "You'll love when my Dad gets here, he'll be so excited to see it, right?" Ares asked his mother and Clara nodded softly, still unsure of when his father would arrive. It hurt her for them to be apart, she knew he had never wanted to be so far from them, it wasn't in his nature but for the moment it was his responsibility to complete what he had promised to his own family.

⟡ "Sounds like it's worth the effort of keeping it alive then, and nice that one of the mechanics is willing to help you fix it," she mused with a slow nod at the person opposite her. "How long has it been since he passed?" Clara asked gently, if such a question ever could be posed that way.

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi nodded. Still not convinced it was any good, because he feared anyone else ending up in a forest filled with bones, at the mercy of a murderer with a sword, or lost in the woods, never to be found. With parents never getting answers. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his own heart, the worry etched at the back of his mind. He’d been doing this job for years now, yet… this was the worst he’d ever got. He’d known about Magic for years, but now he was faced with the worst of it. “Fenrir is… not known for the amount of missing person cases,” he admitted. “But there are plenty.” 

Bodhi attempted to switch gears, to be calmer. As an investigator, he needed to keep people on his good side, if he wanted the answers. He swallowed. “I do, I have a very good camera with a very big lens, so I can zoom in as far as possible,” he told the kid. “And a few spy cameras as well,” he added. Once he’d used during the full moon months ago to spy on the Witches, hoping to catch something off - he hadn’t. 

He nodded at the explanations, not surprised, not surprised that anyone would get lost in a city like Fenrir, it was like Oxford, there was so much to be seen, yet… because there was so much, there was also a lot that one couldn’t really remember the important landmarks. “Probably,” he answered, not because he knew where it was, but because he figured he would be able to find his way. At least it meant keeping an eye on the mother and her young kid. Just to settle his own nerves. “The park is big,” he said. “It does make it easy to forget which place you entered from. I do know the spot where the most poppies are,” he admitted. This was a mission he could complete. “Have you been in Fenrir’s Wood long?” 

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "Well I'm from Chicago missing persons aren't uncommon," she responded, which was unfortunately true. Children's faces up by the entrance to stores, or as you walked into the bathroom, it was sad, but certainly not rare. Rarer it seemed were the results ever positive. It was, of course, only the positive ones anyone ever heard about. Still, it seemed somewhat noteworthy the man would mention it, Clara not intending to ask but assuming someone close to him had been involved in some capacity that he'd mention it where other's hadn't. Everyone else far more concerned with the deaths.

⟡ "Spy cameras? What do they do?" he asked, excitement ever growing in his tone as a heavy laugh was hidden behind Clara's closed lips. She assumed 'spy cameras' were not real and were rather the man amusing her son.

⟡ Clara's hand remained on her son's back as she stepped away from the line so he could hopefully guide them back to their car. "No, we just got here actually," Clara answered. "We needed a change of scenery and my brother lives here, we're hoping my husband can join us soon but his work is more hands on than mine so it might be just the two of us for a while," she explained, fingers scratching at her son's back because she knew he missed his Dad. "How about you? You homegrown to this city?"

[topherromijn]

“Really? What kind of things do you make?” Topher asked. Despite not being a kid-person, they did like talking with kids, it was easier and it was also very interesting. Kids ruled, they knew what they wanted from life, and they demanded it. Topher did look back on their time as a kid with nostalgia, when they felt like they had it all figured out.

They chuckled when the parent commented on the boast. “Very modest,” then extended more of a smile when the ‘competition’ was mentioned. They decided they liked this kid. “Smart though, you have got to see if there are people who might be good enough to learn from as well. I think healthy rivalry is good.” 

“No, I’m not really good at art, I can draw stick figures at best,” Topher said. “My passion is motorcycles.”  

[theclaradelaval]

⟡. "I can draw anything," Ares bragged, seriousness filling each feature on his face as though threatening her to dare him to do so. Clara gave a soft smile, her thoughts momentarily on her husband, on how he had so fortunately given their son something to be passionate about while she had not. It hurt a little, to know she had wanted to do better than she'd ended up doing and time felt like it was running away from her - would she ever have enough time to fix it? "Mostly though I draw faeries and elves and orcs and all the monsters that use shadows to hide themselves," he stated as though it were fact and he were informing her of some dastardly secret. "Dad says they're everywhere." Folk stories, nothing real. Silly little tales to put him to bed.

⟡ "Modest and imaginative," she confirmed, perhaps he would be a writer with all that creativity, living off familial inheritance and she could blame herself for that too. "I think he's pretty excited to make friends," she nodded, nails softly scratching at his back as he nodded in agreement. Maybe kids would be nicer here, maybe he'd fit in more.

⟡ "Motorcyles? Dad has one of those, what kind do you have?" he asked, pushing up onto his toes in excitement to hear what kind they had. "He has a lot but he mostly drives his Triumph Bonneville, it's black and has scratches from Mum's heels," Ares not sure which edition or year but he knew the scratches on it well, especially as he'd left one of them when trying to play with it.

⟡ "Do you work on them?" Clara asked, figuring it could be good to know for when her husband did eventually join the pair.

[museinitalics]

The knock was unexpected and it did take the man a few moments to make his over to it, calling out beforehand to whoever waited on the other side that he was, "Comin', comin', gimme a sec." He had been at the kitchen sink, patiently teaching little Maria Elena to wash her hands, a task they were constantly needing to reintroduce for young minds were oft forgetful and consistently uncoordinated but she was grasping it albeit slowly and waggled her fingers beneath the running water while Mars rubbed her sticky fingers and palms with a bead of liquid soap. Once she was all rinsed and her hands patted dry with a towel, he bounced her along the way to the front door, her laughter trailing along as they went.

He opened the door, thinking perhaps it was one of his neighbors or maybe a delivery person who needed a signature, certainly he hadn't been expecting to see one of his older sister's outside of his door and his surprise was immediate. "Clara!" Marsden exclaimed, wide grin forming quickly at the sight of her and his nephew, "What in da heck," mindful of his language around the young and impressionable youth though he didn't particularly mind swearing and did so often in front of Maria Elena, "are you two doin' here? Come on in," he stepped back and ushered them both inside, a free hand tousling his nephew's hair affectionately before gesturing for a hug. "And woulda just look at you, gettin' so big. When are ya gonna get taller than me, hm?"

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Ares' feet seemed to jump as he waited, excitement literally not able to be contained with in. Of course, the moment the door actually opened he tried to be cool, fidget shifting to just one ankle that seemed to bounce as he moved inside, feeling his Uncle's hand in his hair before seeing the hug offered and readily taking it. He wasn't sure when he'd last seen him, but he already felt his Uncle, but more so his cousin, looked really different from the last time. "Never," he responded, a slight twisting of his nose as he looked back at his mother whose height was only increased by her heels and imagining his presently absent father standing only a few inches taller. "They gave me short genes," he grumbled.

⟡ Clara shrugged, moving in to hug her brother in turn. "He says short genes like he's not going to end up the size of a linebacker," she stated, referring to her husbands broad shoulders that even in his far prettier youth were still like bricks on bone. "By the time that happens though, your little one will be dreading her own predestined height," Clara spoke, ignoring the question that would yield a more dramatic answer - 'what were they doing there?' Sometimes she was there mother to the letter.

⟡ Fortunately her son cared far less for tiptoeing around things. "We moved here, it's going to be the best," he announced, big smile on his small face that was interrupted when he pulled his nose up into a scrunch, smelling the place. "I can babysit because I know how babies work," he affirmed, an act Clara had told him that no, he could not do, a dozen times. "I know the best shows and how to warm the bottles."

⟡ Clara exhaled slowly, shoulders evidently tensed. "That's all there is to it, yeah?" Her sarcasm heavy but not cruel, a little amused by her son's decision on it. "He can watch her while we talk, at least?" she asked, figuring she should explain herself but not wanting to embarrass Ares in the process. He looked up to Mars, wanted to seem cool to him.

[heliavaz]

Helia chuckled, because Clara was possible right. She was very much enjoying her time. Her muscles were exhausted, but in a good way, making her feel lighter on her feet. "I only ever do this ice skating business during the market. I can say that despite having grown up in Brazil, I am a natural."

"All that food, I always attempt to go a few days in a row just so I can try out as much as possible without bursting. Are you good to walk?" she asked, smiling. "That sounds like a fine plan, I'd love to, I only need to bring the skates back to the rent boot. Even if you've eaten everything they have to offer, have you had their gluwein already? I have a friend who is from Germany and always makes her local recipe for the holidays, it's simply something you must try, if there is any space left." Her feet were cold, so she really could use a warm drink.

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "I'm envious, there is a reason Mars is the dancer in our family," she chuckled. Though she could see why Helia would be a natural while she was not. Both slender, they had differing physiques, especially given Clara's various chosen augmentations, she was not nearly made for such ease of elegance, certainly now a little too top heavy. "I figure how cold it is and how small this town is you could be doing it all year round but work probably gets the best of you," she acknowledged because in this regard they most certainly had common ground.

⟡ Clara nodded that she was good to walk, moving with the woman so she could return her skates. "I have not but no kid in tow? I have to try at least three or four," she said, Clara's own way of agreement. She'd been with her son constantly since they had arrived, not wanting him to feel the move was for nothing, that even here she would ignore him at every available opportunity, especially without his father who Ares was simply much closer to. Still, everyone needed moments away from that sort of pressure and adult conversation was much needed. "Lead the way," she requested.

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi attempted a smile, if he wasn't so high strung, he might've been able to pull it off, now it looked odd on his face. Kindness mixed with sorrow. "You're a smart kid," he noted. Smart and filled with attitude, if only that could save him if whatever was out there would come and get him too. He hadn't been able to find any records of kids going missing, those were usually returned quickly, but he feared it nonetheless.

He got back to his feet when the mother appeared, and he didn't worry a moment about being seen as a possible danger: he was a brown man in the UK, he would always be seen as a possible danger.

He nodded as the child explained the possibility. "Among other things," Bodhi said. He wasn't as British as most, too used to direct questioning, too much time spend on cases, too little on social interactions. "Fenrir's Wood is not the safest city in the UK," he explained, then produced his card. "I'm a private investigator working on the case of the missing students," he went further.

Her accent was familiar, perhaps because he'd met another person recently with the same one. "Where are you trying to go to?" he asked, taking lost as actually lost rather than roaming.

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "Not something I looked into until I got here," she admitted of the dangers of the town, obvious breath exhaled in the cold area appearing like smoke before her. The dangers were ones she'd seen when she surprised her brother and caught a look at the bruising he was covered in. Mars hadn't given her much of a clear story about what was going on but, even if he had, Clara had grown up with the masterful liar, lies usually made in playful jest now felt different, something off about the way he'd brushed it off. "I didn't know about missing children though, only deaths," she added, her hand moving from the small of her son's back to the curve of his shoulder, not a tight grasp but she did pull him near.

⟡ "Do you have one of those big cameras?" Ares asked him, like he hadn't even heard his mother say the word 'deaths,' far too focused on the idea he was in front of an investigator. Maybe he was like inspector gadget!

⟡ "Not lost lost, sorry," Clara brushed off with her free hand, chipped nails fluttering in the cool air. "Just lost like, I can't remember where we parked lost, still learning all the streets. I know we parked near what appeared to be an exit to a main road, and the area of the park said it usually was covered in poppies, except it's far too cold for them to be blooming, but which way that is, a little lost to me..." Glancing around for a moment as Ares' seemed to look the man over for private detective devices she eventually landed her gaze back at him. "Any chance you could point us in the right direction?"

[heliavaz]

HOLIDAY EVENT 2023 @theclaradelaval

Helia pulled the skates off of her feet with a sigh, her muscles felt nice and exhausted, but she'd skated her butt off, the early British cold not at all in comparison to actual snowy weather. But they pulled it off with the skate rink and the Christmas lights.

She got up to her feet again and stuck the skates under her arms, taking a few steps and smiling as her paths crossed Clara de Laval. "Hello love," she said. "Are you having a good time at the Holiday Market?"

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ "Not as much as you," Clara smiled, looking over the woman's skates and observing the way her muscles were still lingering somewhat in the activity she'd just been doing. A rather large part of her was grateful that her brother knew someone like Helia, that she didn't come to town solely knowing him but had another woman to interact with.

⟡ "I think Ares and I have eaten practically everything on offer by the town, he has my brother's stomach where as I feel like I'm about to pop, just cotton candy and pop corn going to spill out of me," Clara joked somewhat, usually at work only being reminded to eat by an assistant she wasn't the most prepared for this level of non-stop snacking. "He joined Mars and his little brioche for a little actually, if you want to catch your breath with me?"

[topherromijn]

HOLIDAY EVENT 2023 @theclaradelaval

Topher wasn't the greatest with holidays, with being jolly and friendly and generous. They didn't buy anyone Christmas presents, and any of the carols made them feel a little awkward. Instead, they'd decided to visit the Good Duck Art Gallery, despite all the art being made by kids, there weren't a whole lot of them running around. It gave the drawings a look of grandness, like these had been made by actual artists. They located a kid who they had seen before however, and hunched down next to him. "Hello there, did you make any of these?" they asked with a smile.

[theclaradelaval]

⟡ Ares looked up at the person who had spoken to him, he'd run ahead of his mother to the children's art to compare his own and the woman was apologising to everyone he had knocked on his way. The boy gave a shake of his head with a loud and exasperated sigh. "I haven't started school yet," he told them, like it was some sort of secret. "Next year I'll be starting school here and I'll have my art everywhere. I'm really good."

⟡ Clara softly tugged on the back of her son's sweater as she reached him, unsure of how many 'sorrys' she had just given out. "And modest to boot," she teased a little, her son smiling with pride and maybe a child's innocent ego at the person. "He insisted he come to tell if he had any competition for when he starts school." Perhaps too much of her in him.

⟡ "Are any yours?" Ares asked, looking from the children's art to more that was in the space, more that might have been the person's. Maybe they were there having a showing, it would have been cool for him to know an artist other than his father.