do you believe in monsters?

Hope breeds eternal misery.

[darcy-reynolds]

[Darcy’s ready to start showing Faith where to place her hands when the girl says something else, and it has her looking up again. It’s not as exciting as the other stories she’d shared, but it seems more genuine and Darcy gives her a small smile, albeit a slightly sad one because it’s a reminder that no one really has parents anymore.] Yeah? That’s cool. How come you never learned?

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith looks away from her and down at the keys. Part of her wants to stop talking, but her mouth moves anyway. There's a hint of venom in her tone; she hated her mother for what she put her through.] She was rarely ever sober enough to teach me.

[alexcaverly-blog]

I can imagine. [That’s all she really has to say about it. She doesn’t want to think about how much she has put Bella through because she got distracted while driving. It’s her fault they crashed, her fault she got hurt, and her fault Bella is still feeling the effects of healing Alex in the pond. This is all her fault.]

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith nods slightly, getting the impression that Alex doesn't want to talk about it, but of course she doesn't. Bella had told Faith everything that had happened, and Faith wouldn't be surprised if she was blaming herself. Faith has been in her shoes before; the only difference is, Faith had refuses to care. Alex cares, and she shows it. Maybe Faith should take a page out of her book.] Anyway, whatever. We don't have to talk about what happened. You're both okay and that's all I care about.

[darcy-reynolds]

There was this old lady in my neighborhood who taught piano lessons, I’d go to her house a couple afternoons a week. She had this really nice old piano, and this really mean cat that would hiss at me. But I think that’s cause the first time I met it I accidentally stepped on its tail. [A smile plays across her lips at the memory and she looks down at the keys before she glances up at Faith again.] You ready?

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith listens with a smile, the memory seems nice, despite the mean cat. She looks back at the piano, attention on Darcy, when she asks her if she's ready.] Uh, yeah, sure. [She pauses for a second before they start, then goes into a story. It's not one of her crazy ones that Darcy had been so interested in; it's more of a genuine one, provoked by Darcy's story. It came out of nowhere; spilling out of her mouth, completely unexpected to Faith.] My mom used to play the piano.

[alexcaverly-blog]

[Alex just keeps smiling instead of laughing or chuckling because it hurts too much to do either of the latter. Her stomach may be healed, thanks to Bella, but that doesn’t mean it’s not super sore. The first two days after their accident, Alex’s wounds were seeping bloody water because not all of the water Bella used to heal her had been absorbed into her body. It spit some of it out, and that was pretty nasty. She’s just a nasty ball of pain right now.] I was unconscious. It’ Bella that should owe you.

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith cups her hands together and rests her chin on top of them, her elbows on her legs. She flashes back to when she'd seen Bella carrying Alex.] Yeah. It took all of her effort, I thought she was going to collapse. [She stops, the conversation had taken a somewhat serious tone, and she doesn't like that one bit.] 

[alexcaverly-blog]

[Alex scrunches her face in digust when Faith explains her reasoning. It’s more at the “it’s not my job” comment than the fact that her friend wants to poke her insides. Her expression fades and is replaced by a warm, genuine smile.] I just glad you’re here.

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith smiles back at her. So far, the visit isn't as bad as she thought it'd be; it had been daunting to her, but she supposed it was the idea of confronting herself that scared her the most. For now, she's enjoying the company of her friend, and that's what she chooses to focus on.] You didn't think I just wouldn't stop by, right? I carried you in, I think you owe me one.

[darcy-reynolds]

Oh. Uh. [The question takes Darcy by surprise, and she hesitates for a moment. She’d come down here to be alone, but that wasn’t doing much for her state of mind and she likes Faith, so after a second she gives the other girl a smile and nods.] Yeah, sure. Pull up a chair. [She scoots hers farther down the side of the piano, leaving space for Faith right in front of middle C.]

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith does as she's told, pulling up next to Darcy and glancing at the piano, vaguely remembering constantly convincing people to play it for her, but never learning how to do it herself. Maybe she should've. She smiles at Darcy, and it's geunine; she likes that the woman seems to like her outside of her interesting stories. At least, she isn't kicking her out.] Where'd you learn how to play? Or somewhat learn.

[alexcaverly-blog]

[Alex watches Faith sit down and get comfortable.] I’m as good as you would expect. Sore and in pain, but Hayley and Bella are taking good care of me. [She pauses.] Why did you want to touch my stomach and back? Are you finally realizing I’m more toned than you?

[thefaithchronicles]

That's good. [Faith says, relief clear in her tone; she hadn't doubted it, but hearing it out of Alex's mouth is a bit more reassuring.] No, I just wanted to poke my fingers through your holes. Not sexually, obviously, that isn't my job, but yeah. Anyway, I'm glad you're somewhat okay. Sorry I didn't come visit you sooner. [She doesn't give a reason why, because she honestly doesn't have one.]

[alexcaverly-blog]

[Alex raises an eyebrow at her friend. Whatever reason she has for wanting to touch her wounds is weird and she’s not even going to ask. She’s just glad Faith is here. She brought her into this room; it was just a matter of time before she came to visit, and now that she’s here, Alex realizes she’s taken too long. She should have been here the day after so Alex could see her, but she also understands that Faith still isn’t completely happy with having friends. For whatever reason, the woman still stays distant when they should be together.] No.

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith frowns, pretending to be disappointed. She grabs a chair and pulls it up to sit down on it. Bella's jacket is still on it, and the jacket is still bloody; she hasn't moved it, much like she's barely moved herself, since Alex has come in. She gets comfortable, and the way she speaks is slow, almost like she's procrastinating talking to Alex. Truthfully she's just scared of what might come spilling out of her mouth if she does.] Fine. How are you feeling?

[alexcaverly-blog]

[In all honesty, Alex hasn’t thought much about Faith since she’s been incapacitated, especially after her little adventure today. She’s been lying in pain since then, letting Bella take care of her without complaints, which is usually rare because Alex is stubborn when it comes to being taken care of. When Faith comes in, Alex blinks, looking up at her. She knows that she carried her inside, and she wants to get up and hug her, but she knows all too well that that’d be the worst mistake she’d ever make. The question that comes out of Faith’s mouth makes her laugh, which fucking hurts.] Ow. No.

[thefaithchronicles]

[The sound of Alex's laugh is relieving, even though it probably hurts. She's alive and kicking, and that's something - and she knows she's being taken care of well. Bella wouldn't allow anything but the best care for Alex. She's sure that if all this had happened before the end, Bella would be screaming at doctors, trying to get them to prioritize Alex above all else. They're lucky to have each other, and maybe, just maybe, they're lucky to have Faith in the mix, too.] Your back?

[darcy-reynolds]

[Darcy’s fingers pause over the keys and she looks up in surprise at the sound of a voice she hasn’t heard in a while. A quick glance to the side confirms that it’s Faith, and she manages a small, sheepish smile and a shrug at the woman’s comment.] Oh, uh…well I don’t, really. Took piano lessons for a couple years when I was really little, but all I can remember is Hot Cross Buns. And it’s off key.

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith walks over to her, and runs a hand over the top of the piano. It's been a while since she's felt one, she can barely remember the sound of music. It used to be the only constant in her life.] It's not bad. Can you teach it to me? [It sounds terrible since it's off-key, of course, but she could use the distraction.]

[lyves-deactivated20180210]

Visit Original Link

This will be my last confession I love you never felt like any blessing.

[darcy-reynolds]

[Darcy hasn’t forgotten her promise to Mike - or the rules - but she hasn’t been feeling herself since they got here she thinks the town is safe enough. And she can be back in the theatre in less than a second, and that’s what she tells herself when she pops open a portal and steps into the church. It comes almost as a relief, to be completely alone even if only for a minute or two. She’d never been particularly religious, but once she’s inside she doesn’t head for the sanctuary. Instead she follows a set of stairs and finds herself in a hallways with classrooms, clearly intended for young children. They’re all in the same sorry state as the rest of the town, but finally she spots something worthwhile and walks into one of the rooms. The old piano is coated in a thick layer of dust and it’s missing a few keys, but when Darcy presses down on one of them it produces a sound. One that’s very off key, but it’s good enough and she pulls up a chair. The few years of piano lessons she’d taken when she was younger had clearly been a waste, because now as she sits there the only thing that comes into her mind is ‘Hot Cross Buns,’ and so after a minute that’s what she plays, the tune barely recognizable on the untuned instrument but it’s nice to hear all the same.]

[thefaithchronicles]

[The sound of the piano is unsettling, but kind of calming at the same time. She'd seen Darcy walk down the stairs, so she wasn't concerned about who was playing the piano, but she doesn't go downstairs just yet. She'd come to the church, almost subconsciously, in search for some comfort after she'd met Alex. It's weird, because churches never used to comfort her.. she assumes it's just because its the building that seems the safest, maybe the calmest, too.

Finally, she moves down the stairs, not finding it hard to follow the sound of the piano to Darcy. She hasn't talked to Darcy in a while, butt it unsettles her to see the woman after what had happened with Alex, because she knows she cares about Darcy and would be just as fucked up if that happened to Darcy.] I didn't know you play.

[thefaithchronicles]

[The news had shocked Faith. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but she'd felt a pang of fear, of concern, when she'd learned that Alex had been hurt. She didn't have to say it to Bella when the woman had told her; Bella was able to read her like a book now, she could tell what she was feeling and what she was refusing to feel, and she'd known exactly what to say to reassure the older woman. Faith had spent the day in the basement of an abandoned building, trashing the entire place, destroying everything in sight. She'd left her mark when she finally left, her name on the wall, so anyone who from the group who came here knew it was her who had made the mess, not a monster or a wild animal. She'd just needed to get it out.

She knew Bella would be guarding Alex like a dog. Bella trusted her, and would let her in without hesitation, of course she would. It wasn't Bella's guarding that had made Bella wait so fucking long to see Alex. It was the fact that she cared about her, and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to handle the sight of someone she cared about injured. It was cowardly of Faith, but she wanted to run off, wanted to leave the group behind and not give a fuck about them or about anyone ever again. She wanted to be free of this damn "caring" thing. She had for so long, and it was so good.

It wasn't all good, she knew that, but she didn't want to think it. Finally, later at night, she worked up the strength to see her. She didn't walk through the town with fear or worry; instead she walked with hesitance, everything inside of her screaming for her to turn around. There were working cars around here, she could take some supplies, steal a car, and be done with it. No one would see her again, and she wouldn't see them. It could be freeing, it could be good for her, it could be not scary.

As she arrives, Faith slips on a pair of gloves, maybe to hide the shaking of her hands. She opens the door, first spotting Bella and only Bella. After Bella walks out to stand outside, Faith finally looks at Alex. The overwhelming urge to hug her and cry is paralyzing, but she swallows that down and approaches her wit her usual demeanor and tone to her voice.] Hey. Can I touch your stomach?

[fuckyeahlevony]

[audxciious]

[Johnny turns when he hears her voice and though it wasn’t a complete shock, he didn’t know anyone was there. He’d almost expected that Holly be there, though. She’d gone through his mind a time or two. Or three. It didn’t stunt him from thinking she was attractive, but it stopped him from saying anything. Or maybe that was the impending doom.] What? No. No bad news. I was actually thinking, “You know what’s good news? Demons.”

[thefaithchronicles]

[He looks him over, analyzing him, trying to determine the best way to get under his skin. It's her favourite part about socializing with new people, and probably the only reason she does so.] Oh, yeah. Love those things. Life of the party.

[audxciious]

[Johnny’s been trying to be the calm before the storm. But it’s not working and he’s jittery. He’s not ready for what Gideon has been talking about, now that it’s nearing them. The trail of bodies on the way here wasn’t a good sign, but Gideon survived and that was what Johnny needed. He liked some people here and he didn’t wish for any of them to die, but he’d try to save Gideon before anyone else, even if the man is only a little of his brother.

Johnny’s been pacing back and forth to get himself ready, to get blood pumping as if it was a boxing match happening in two minutes. It’s to keep his nerves down.]

[thefaithchronicles]

[Faith had been watching this guy in amusement for a while. She'd heard about the rumors for a while now, that shit was going to go down, but she wasn't really concerned. Faith wasn't the kind of person who worried about this stuff. She knew she could survive, that's what mattered. Of course, there was the worry she had for people she cared about, but she ignores that.

Eventually she decides to speak up, partly out of boredom, partly out of curiosity.] You're oddly jittery. Get some bad news?

[mason-sullivan]

Ever heard of knocking?

[mason-sullivan]

Yeah. Whatever. {She doesn’t seem to be the sentimental type, and he’s grateful for that at the very least. He wouldn’t be able to cope with a worried friend when he’s sure all they would do is demand he stay away from her.} Wait, you’re not gonna tell me your name first? I call that an unfair advantage or whatever.

[thefaithchronicles]

[No longer interested, Faith begins to walk out with the bat in her hands, but she stops and turns on her heel. Walking up to him, she says quickly and casually:] My name is Faith.