# THUNDERSTORM .

resentment⠀ roars ⠀inside⠀ me ⠀like ⠀ a ⠀thunderstorm ,⠀ it⠀ keeps⠀ me⠀ awake ,⠀ it⠀ also⠀ keeps⠀ me ⠀alive .

[thvndrstorm]

🌩️   THVNDRSTORM         ⸺         dependent  roleplay  blog  excusively  associated  with  helltownohiohq  .  written  in  quiet  sighs  and  stumbling  phrases  by  awkan  (  thirty - one  she + her  lesbian  living  with  a  fuckton  of  anxiety  in  the  gmt - 3  tmz  ) .

ROWAN  BAKER         :         thirty   .   she  +  they  demi  woman   .   bookbinder  @  helltown  public  library   .   asshole  lesbian .

[mournfulroses-00]

thinking abt when someone rests their head on your shoulder and suddenly you're barely breathing because you don't want to disrupt their comfort by moving. will never get over how there can be so much love held in silent gestures.

[thvndrstorm]

♡   @macabr3s .

[macabr3s]

[  ✰  ]     STATUS:     closed    [  ✰  ]     TIME  &  LOCATION:     helltown  public  library  ,  morning [  ✰  ]     WHO:     emiko  &  rowan  (  @thvndrstorm  )

[     PROMPT     ]      “  if  you  got  mad  and  killed  a  guy,  i  would  be  your  alibi.  ”

            “  i  think  you  should  be  more  concerned  about  what  made  me  mad  and  not  that  i  killed  a  guy  .  but  thank  you  ,  i  appreciate  it  .  ”  places  her  hands  over  her  chest  in  a  touching  manner  .  “  and  i  hope  you  know  that  i  would  be  your  alibi  if  you  got  mad  and  killed  a  guy  .  like  …  you  need  someone  to  help  you  bury  the  body  ,  i  got  you  .  ”  there’s  truly  nothing  emiko  wouldn’t  do  for  rowan  .  “  i  won’t  even  question  it  .  you  probably  had  a  good  reason  !  ”

[thvndrstorm]

               rowan  suppressed  a  laugh ,  only  the  faint  traces  of  an  entertained  smile  tugging  at  her  lips  evidence  of  the  amusement  she  felt  at  emiko’s  words .     "  i  wouldn’t  be  concerned  about  it  because  whatever  it  was  i  know  you  were  right  about  it ,  "     she  retorted ,  her  face  suddenly  permeated  by  feigned  seriousness .     "  that’s  why  i’m  offering  myself  as  an  alibi  because  fuck  the  reasons ,  you  were  right ,  what  you’d  need  at  this  point  is  a  good  defense  and  i’d  be  there  to  provide  it ,  my  love ,  "     and  maybe  all  of  this  was  a  joke ,  but  rowan  was  painfully  genuine  about  her  words   —   she  would  go  to  the  ends  of  this  earth  for  emiko ,  would  do  anything  to  keep  her  safe  (  and ,  in  this  hypothetical  case ,  out  of  jail  for  killing  a  guy  who  clearly  deserved  it  ) .     "  you  know  if  it  were  me  killing  the  guy  and  you  helping  me  bury  the  body  i  wouldn’t  need  an  alibi ,  right ?   we’d  do  such  a  good  job  together  i  would  never  get  caught .  "     she  was  sure  of  it .  emiko  was  her  better  half ,  and  that  thought  was  exactly  what  had  prompted  her  to  say  the  stupid  thing  about  the  alibi   —   she  suddenly  felt  so  overwhelmed  by  the  affection  she  felt  for  her  friend ,  she  couldn’t  help  letting  her  know  about  it  in  the  weirdest  way  possible . 

[thclastlight]

She nodded, the sad smile that rested on her lips unchanged as they walked towards their destination together. The question was one she hardly knew how to answer, and it stung; he had never gotten old enough to tell her, or really show her what he liked, beyond fruits and silly songs. He would've been a beautiful person... but the keyword was would've. "How I wish he'd had the chance to figure that out," she stated, eyes trained ahead of them. And with that, Scarlett seemed to shut it down, the sadness in her eyes replaced with a sort of glossiness as she gestured towards the sounds of people nearby, amongst the trees. "I believe we're here."

[thvndrstorm]

               the answer she receives is a punch to the pitch of her stomach,   it hurts like that,   and it leaves her breathless like that.   she couldn’t even phantom the pain a person could feel—   a mother could feel at such a loss,   so she doesn’t even try,   only silence,   reverent and understanding,   permeates the ambiance for a long moment.     "  i’m truly sorry,  "     is the only thing they mutter after it,   wanting to say more yet being interrupted by their destination unfolding in front of them.   they feel reluctant to go in,   however,   scarlett’s company gives a sense of strange security that encourages them to go on.     "  uh,   huh.   here we are,  "     a small smile,   still tainted by the sadness left by their previous conversation breaks its way into rowan’s features.     "  are you ready to face this madness ?  "     because she’s sure nothing short of it they will find in there.

                                                        𝙵𝙸𝙽𝙸𝚂𝙷𝙴𝙳.

[diwatafms]

diwata wanted to press on it a bit further, test rowan's patience even more, yet at same time, they didn't want to take longer than they should. it was just addicting, desperation in her voice as she struggled to speak, word out how badly she needed them. it was a sight diwata watched and made sure be ingrained in her memory for as long as it would allow her. "mhmm, and here i thought you have faith in me, ro..." they then slipped their index finger to pull her rowan's thong to the side, and immediately was met by the scent of her arousal, and it was enough to drive them mad, and before it even processed for them, diwata swiftly tugs rowan's underwear, hard, this time, the sound of it being torn apart echoed through the alley, though their focus wasn't even on that, as their mouth watered at the sight of her dripping core.

they finally surge forward, not giving rowan enough time to react, mouth finally making contact with her throbbing cunt, tongue instantly making sloppy movements as if they've lived in drought, starving and thirsty for god knows how long. that's how it felt like for diwata the moment she finally gets a taste of rowan, gripping tightly on their thighs, her other hand reaching up for her tits, not forgetting to fiddle with her pierced nipple. the mechanic lets out a deep groan, eyes shut, focused on having rowan and every last drop of her.

[thvndrstorm]

               it didn’t matter   —   the taunts,   the teasing,   the upper hand diwata clearly had in this game.   none of it mattered the moment her thong was ripped from her core,   the sound reverberating through the empty alley.   she didn’t even think about the fact she would have to go home bare under her dress once this was over,   not when right after she got stripped under diwata’s piercing gaze their mouth finally,   hungrily met her core.     "  holy sh—  "     a moan broke the curse,   everything but subtle in the silence of the night,   and her hips immediately snapped forward at the sensation.   it was maddening,   the way the woman on her knees devoured them,   the way her tongue lapped at their folds making their eyes roll to the back of their head.     "  oh,   fuck,   baby,   yes,  "     rowan groaned,   dazzled with pleasure,   one of her hands against the cold stone wall of the alley,   trying to keep her upright,   and the other swiftly traveling to diwata’s head,   threading fingers in soft hair to pull in a desperate attempt to get her closer.     "  m-more,   fuck,   dee,   please.   faster.  "     she begged,   hips undulating against the face between her trembling thighs,   searching for more pressure,   more of the feeling,   more of anything diwata was willing to give. 

[diwatafms]

and there it was, the word that diwata has been waiting for the second she's touched rowan inside the tap house. diwata, please. the mechanic can barely hold the reaction to themself, a subtle smirk as they've started to leaving small kisses along her thigh, avoiding the spot where rowan needed them the most. "mhmm. go on, baby..." she murmurs, her breath hitting her clothed core, eyes trained on the other whilst she continues to speak, or at least tries to, struggle evident in her voice. diwata was struggling herself, practicing a little bit more restraint, wanting to give rowan what she needed badly, yet she needed to wait just a little bit more, even though the scent of her arousal was making in hard for her already. "easy?" the mechanic squints at the way they've proceeded to talk, gripping on both her thighs this time to stabilize the way she stands.

"you're mean for wearing this and thinking i can't walk the talk, rowan..." diwata whispers, mouth now latched on the insides of her thighs, nipping and suckling on her skin hard enough to leave marks, only for them to see, hand sliding away from one of her thigh, calloused fingers finding their way to her core, only separated by a thin fabric that diwata themself wanted to just rip badly. "s'this all for me?" they ask, circling their thumb against her underwear, feeling just how dripping she is for them, of course, diwata knew, yet there was just this need to hear it from rowan herself.

[thvndrstorm]

               a sliver of worry had seized rowan for a moment after her admission,   fearing she would be denied due to her boldness,   to the arrogance of her statement.   yet diwata remained there,   on their knees,   exquisitely looking at her through her long eyelashes,   mouth latching onto the skin of her inner thighs,   making whines of need get stuck in her throat when they get close to where rowan desperately needs them but not close enough.   as diwata’s hands still her hips,   the cries trapped until then finally find their freedom from the confines of her throat   —   it’s too much,   the way she’s being touched,   the way she’s being mandhandled as if she were a toy.   it pushes her to insanity,   it makes her drip with want.                "  i never—   god,   i never thought you wouldn’t… you—   you wouldn’t be abel to,   i—  "     i did it precisely because i knew you could,   they want to say,   but the stimulation is too much,   the desire is too overwhelming and they can barely speak properly,   only aware enough of the last question to nod eagerly,   aching with desperation.     "  y-yes,   yes,   baby,   you know it’s for you.  "     the reply stumbles in a pathetic moan,   followed by a uncouth thread of curses when diwata touches her where she needs it the most at last.     "  oh,   my god,  "     she chokes on a groan,     "  dee…   please,   fuck,   stop teasing.  "     i need you,   is implied on her plea,   and she uses the last of her functioning braincells to command,     "  take them off,   baby,   fuck,   rip them if you want but please—  "     fuck me.

[diwatafms]

"oh, i know they aren't for me." diwata whispers against rowan's skin before her lips makes contact on her neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses, whilst her fingers continues to toy with her piercing through the fabric of her dress. "yet you, showing them off like this?" she proceeds with a hum, the grip on their hips now tensing whilst she slips her leg between her thighs, needing to feel how bad they needed her. "i absolutely think you're mean for that, ro." diwata then moves back, hand on her chest pulling away, leaving only enough space between the two of them, yet only for a moment as she wanted to give rowan a little show, perhaps push their buttons a little more by pulling the strap of her dress from her shoulder, then runs her tongue against her thumb, before her hand retreats to its previous position, this time, slipping it under and fabric this time, circling it against their pierced bud in a rapid pace. "it's mean when you think i can't do anything about it when you try and pull this, baby." diwata takes a deep, shuddered breath before moving close, capturing rowan's lips for a kiss, muffling the sounds leaving it, as she countered with ones of her own.

the kiss was so needy, so sloppy, that it took a lot in diwata to pull away as they were feeling lightheaded. wordlessly, she lets go of the other and slowly gets down on her knee, not wasting another second as her lips make contact with her clothed thighs, eyes feigning innocence whilst she look up at rowan. "am i still mean for doing this?" she utters in question, already adjusting rowan's position with her putting on of their legs over her shoulder.

[thvndrstorm]

               there were very few things that quickly turned rowan baker’s to jelly,   but diwata’s self-confidence and the velvet in their voice when they talked to her like this was definitely on top of the short list.     "  i wasn’t—   i didn’t—   dee,  "     the nickname in itself is a plea,   not yet desperate but surely and unavoidably heading there under the trail of kisses being left along the sensitive skin of her neck.   it’s the way diwata touches her,   really.   so assured and firm yet also so soft in a way that drives her insane.   the way her fingers seem to know exactly where to push and pull,   were to press and how.   so it’s unavoidable,   in the end,   the way her hips move when a thigh gets shoved between her legs,   the despair with which they wave against the firm muscle pressing against her center,   the way the contact eliciti a chorus of pathetic moans   —   it is driving her to madness,   all the stimulation has every one of her nerves alight like a bonfire and the way she responds to the kiss  (  desperate,   eager,   absolutely hungry  )  is nothing but pure evidence of it.                "  diwata,   please,  "     they beg again,   dignity be damned,   when their lips part and they’re left breathless and starving for more.    a heady  jesus,   fuck  falls from their kiss-swollen mouth when the mechanic gets on their knees,   a sinful sight that makes rowan’s hips buck in anticipation,   the ache between their trembling thighs almost unbearable.     "  god,   baby,   i—   i…   no,   no,   you’re not mean,  "     you’re gorgeous,   she wants to say,   but they don’t do this like that.     "  i was,  "     she finally admits,   wetting her lips,   hips still moving almost unnoticeable when her leg being thrown over diwata’s shoulder makes a new wave of desire ignite her bloodstream.     "  i wanted you like this so badly,   you’re so… so easy,   baby,   see ?  "     and maybe acknowledging it is a mistake,   but she can’t help holding to the last straw of power she holds.

[diwatafms]

diwata was definitely hooked with every single reaction she gets from rowan, and for her to have the other like this, she knew she had to channel a lot of patience, as much as wanted to take them the second she saw their outfit. the way they trembled was enough to feed into how she craved for her, badly, even how she brings out the frustration of rowan, only giving her the delicate amount of what they truly needed. there was just something about all of this that had diwata not being to stop messing with rowan the way that she can. "oh, am i now?" the mechanic couldn't help but chuckle at rowan's words as she takes the first hit, not being able to hold it long enough when rowan decides to have it for herself. "i should be the one saying that...you know?" she breathes out, one hand now on her side, slowly slipping it down their waist. "how would you explain this to me, then, hmm?" she asks, once more, an eyebrow raised as she leads them to the closest wall, eyes trained on their brown hues, grip tightening briefly.

"don't think i've noticed, ro." she murmurs, her free hand on rowan's cheek, before sliding down her chest, and that's when diwata looks away to stare at the metal piercing through her dress. "i'm not the only one being mean here." they take a deep breath, thumb circling against it through her clothing, leaning close, as their lips finally makes contact with her skin, one of the things she had been aching to do since rowan arrived.

[thvndrstorm]

               everything about diwata is intoxicating at this point,   which is unnerving,   since the touches had been so mild,   so innocent in the eyes of another.   yet rowan baker knows better,   she’s been here before,   she knows the game even if she fails at playing it every time.     "  yes,   you are,  "     the reply is a breath,   heady and low,   akin to a rumble full of desire.    and then her body is arching into the new caress,   into the way diwata’s hand moves southward and rowan’s entire body aches.   in a desperate attempt to contain an undignified noise,   she bites down on her lip and shakes her head,   slightly,   silky locks of ashen blonde bouncing with the motion.     "  i—   i’m not…   i’m not mean.  "     she tries,   she really,   really tries to be coherent,   but the way she’s lead into the wall,   the way diwata handles her is ending every single one of her braincells,   leaving room for one thing and one thing only in the confines of her head.

               “  oh,   god,   dee.   fuck.  ”     finally,   the moan she had been holding back slips through her lips the moment diwata’s digits make contact with her nipple throught the fabric of her dress,   a shiver running down her spine and settling between her legs in palpitations that had her squeezing her thighs together.   and she gets it,   in that precise moment,   what diwata meant.     “  th— they’re not there for you,   honey…  “     maybe not in the beginning,   maybe diwata was not the reason she got the jewels on her sensitive buds at first,   but they can sure be now,   they can be whatever diwata wants,   whatever it takes for them to keep touching her.     “  please…  “     she begs then,   all breathy and needy and wet between her legs. 

[diwatafms]

if rowan only knew how diwata was already aching to touch them the second they laid eyes on each other, how they immediately felt the need to down the rest of their drink, concealing the effect of the outfit they were wearing for tonight. but of course, diwata isn't giving them the satisfaction of knowing that, not when they have the upper hand, for now, and they intend to keep it for as long as this lasts tonight. her smirk gets even wider at how the slightest of her actions earns a reaction like this, and admittedly, diwata is addicted to it. she stares at their lips this time, intending for rowan to know that she's more than capable of handle it. "careful?" she asks with an eyebrow raised. "you and i both know..." she pauses, slipping her hand up, not even by an inch as she leans close enough to whisper on their ear, her breath softly hitting their skin, not giving any damn to whoever was witnessing this. "careful is not my thing, ro. but...when did i ever leave you dissatisfied, hmm?" before rowan could even respond, diwata pulls away, taking a swig of her drink. "now...finish that one." she says whilst getting up from her stool. "i'll be out back." she continues, then heads towards the back alley of the tap house as she fishes for the cigarettes and lighter in her jacket's pocket, knowing it's wouldn't be long until rowan decides to follow her.

[thvndrstorm]

               diwata’s voice is suddenly like a siren's song,   it calls to her in a way she can’t resist,   it makes goosebumps erupt in her skin,   under the scarce layers of her skimpy clothes,   and all she can do about it is bite her lips and lean into the touch that’s driving her mad.   god,   at what moment before all this started she thought she would have the upper hand ? they’re not able to speak,   not when diwata does it so close to them,   lips brushing the shell of their ear sinfully,   so alluringly they’re afraid the grip in their glass,   the only anchor they had found,   would turn the vessel into pieces if they keep closing their fists around it.     "  never.  "     she finally replies,   and it’s almost a whine,   but she has enough dignity left still,   and it only comes out raspy and low,   breathed against the skin of diwata’s cheek.   said dignity,   however,   is thrown out the window at the order falling from the mechanic’s lips,   because the moment it is uttered and diwata gets away,   she scatters to follow her,   legs shaking and lips swollen under her teeth.    it’s infuriating,   again,   to find them there,   as if they hadn’t made a mess out of her,   yet her pride is a powerful thing and she manages,   somehow,   to look composed when she speaks again,   the chill breeze of the summer night putting a slight damper on her quelching need.     "  you are…   really mean.  "     she utters huskily once she’s close again,   not as close as before yet enough to tear the cigarette away from diwata’s hands,   letting it rest loosely between her lips.     "  i think i need it more than you do.  "

[diwatafms]

"you know me." a short, but a response that would be enough understood by rowan. diwata was well aware of the fact that even though this setup was communicated between them in a way that they haven't even discussed at all, not even once. perhaps it was one of many reasons why they were hooked on the other like this, words didn't need to come to play, and words weren't exactly diwata's thing. "and what about it, ro?" a subtle smirk on diwata's lips form as the slight changing in rowan's breathing for a moment comes unnoticed, even though it was quickly covered up by the confidence laced in her words. "so cold..." the mechanic glances down for a second, thumb tracing patterns along their skin, the thought of her hand to slide up further making her smirk. "i hope you don't mind." without a warning, diwata gently squeezes rowan's thigh, looking away to order herself another drink.

[thvndrstorm]

everything else quickly disappears from rowan’s mind at the contact, a touch that even over the flimsy fabric of her high thighs can make her feel dizzy with want. diwata’s hand is clearly, achingly not cold, and the heat it emanates moves up the length of her legs, settling aggravatingly between them. " i notice… " she barely manages, tongue suddenly thick and heavy in her mouth. her hands grip the glass between them tightly, knuckles turning white for a second before relaxing. " i don’t mind, no. as long as you know what you’re getting int— " their words are curt short in a silent gasp, suddenly and embarrassingly the moment diwata’s hand squeezes, and their thighs clamp together on instinct, a soft, breathless god falling from lips so dry they can’t help but keep wetting them, biting them so slowly it manages to look sensual. " careful, boy, " even short of breath, she teases, legs relaxing once more, enough to open a little. whore, her mind whispers in a voice that’s not hers, but she’s too gone to care about slanders engraved on her mind through the years. " you really think you can handle where you’re going ? "

[diwatafms]

"insufferable, annoying, pain in the ass....i can switch languages so we won't run out of insults. come on, ro, you can do better than that." long story short, it was a dance only the two of them knew how to do, and as much as diwata resists, as if they even try, there's something about rowan that keeps them latched. perhaps, it was part of diwata's personality, get into people's nerves, just enough to elicit just a little bit of annoyance from them. though with the other, it was always laced with something else, ends with something else.... "and have me lose some time doing the same thing in return? nah." she smirks, not hiding the fact that she was eyeing her from head to toe, licking her lips at the sight. "you can still appreciate the view, it's not going anywhere." and just like that, the mechanic's hand without hesitation, puts their hand on their thigh, as they down the rest of their drink.

[thvndrstorm]

               "  oh,   i appreciate your faith in me,   that’s so thoughtful of you,  "      immediately,   rowan replied with a painfully evident sarcastic lilt,   the beginnings of her smirk turning into a gentle smile when the bartender approached with her order.   she shipped from the glass moderately,   tongue darting out to catch the rebellious drop of beer threatening to slip past her lips.   then,   smirk back in place,   fully this time,     " please,   as if you weren’t doing it already.  "     which was exactly what rowan had intended to happen when they chose their attire for the evening   —   the not so subtle glances,   the barely contained desire,   the promise of something more they weren’t able to ask for yet,   but that it was granted to them anyway every single time they aimed for it.   breath hitching in her throat at the sudden contact she felt,   rowan’s gaze fell to her thigh,   tongue peeking out once again to wet her suddenly very,   very dry lips.     "  what is wrong,   darling ?   is your hand cold or something ?  "     after clearing her throat,   she asked,   somehow managing to sound unbothered and teasing simultaneously.

[diwatafms]

LOCATION: atlas tap house FOR: everyone @helltownhqstarters

it was a thursday night, diwata knew they've got things to take care of tomorrow but they aren't needed until the early evening. so she was by the bar, nursing her....third? fourth? mug of bavarian lager. she would do the drinking at home but she couldn't stand how quiet it gets sometimes, given she had been living by herself for the past couple of years now. she downs the rest of her drink and gestures the bartender for another when a familiar someone from distance catching their attention. “are you just gonna stand there for the whole time or are you going to join me?" diwata says without looking up, as she takes a sip of her drink.

[thvndrstorm]

               it’s infuriating,   truly,   the way diwata gets under her skin.   how her behavior annoys her but also tugs at the corner of her lips in a knowing gesture she’d rather keep to herself.   it gets worse when they get caught with their guard down and their brain barely keeps them from stuttering an answer.     "  you’re insufferable,   you know that,   right ?  "     they retaliate with a huff,   gingerly sitting down on the stool right by diwata’s side.   a raised hand calls for the bartender at the other side of the counter and they order their usual black beer before turning to their unexpected company again.     "  what if i wanted to appreciate the view a little longer ?   don’t i have the right to take my sweet time doing so ?  "

[asa--holland]

LOCATION: Helltown Mall STATUS: Open ( @helltownhqstarters )

Asa stands like a corpse reanimated just slightly wrong - a tattooed man in an oversized collared shirt with eyes as dark as brackish water. Some fictional scientist's necromantic mistake that fits in just a bit too well in Helltown, Ohio. Despite the Irish lilt to his voice, the eyes that jitter as if he's waiting for someone to tell him he doesn't belong here, what's he doing here, he shouldn't BE here... he is here. In the skeleton of an old mall. And somehow, it feels like home.

The food court is empty, but there's tables, and he's decided to sit for a moment. "How many people d'you think actually... come in here in a typical day? Think you an' I are the only ones I've seen. Well, besides that Nepalese shop's lovely cashier who said I smelled nice."

[thvndrstorm]

               amusement colors rowan’s countenance slowly,   it creeps from the base of her jawline to the rest of her gesture hidden behind a handful of soaked fries.   she knows her reply to this and it makes her chuckle before she can even verbalize it.     " look,   man,   i wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you,  "     if it weren’t to keep him company in this strange arrangement of partners in something they have.   even back in the day,   before she left town,   the only reason she came around the place was to get tattooed   —   she’d always hated capitalists symbols with a boiling passion.     "  but i don’t know,   sometimes it’s like this,   empty as an abandoned town in the middle of route number-number,   and others days it’s bustling with… well,   at least back then,   when i still lived here,   it was.  "     they’re erratic in their answer,   not truly interested in the topic,   so they decide to go for something that actually picked their attention.     "  but what about that,   uh,   lovely cashier,   is it the first time you see them ?  "

[macabr3s]

[  ✰  ]     STATUS:     closed    [  ✰  ]     TIME  &  LOCATION:     helltown  public  library  ,  midday [  ✰  ]     WHO:     theo  &  rowan  (  @thvndrstorm  )

            she  flips  her  hair  over  her  shoulder  and  saunters  into  the  library  .  normally  ,  theo  wouldn’t  really  find  herself  here  .  she’s  more  of  an  e-book  person  .  nevertheless  ,  the  mayor  had  tasked  her  with  a  mind  numbingly  boring  task  (  but  when  is  it  not  ?  )  of  retrieving  some  documents  at  the  local  library  .  she’ll  pause  at  the  entrance  ,  eyes  searching  for  the  library  assistant  only  to  realize  they  must’ve  left  .  so  she  settles  on  the  next  best  person  .  “  well  hi  darlin’  .  ”  a  southern  drawl  easily  rolls  off  her  tongue  .  theo  leans  up  against  the  desk  in  front  of  her  .  an  impish  grin  surfaces  when  she  realizes  it’s  rowan  .  “  is  the  library  assistant  here  ?  or  am  i  so  lucky  to  be  graced  by  your  wonderful  presence  ?  ”

[thvndrstorm]

               favors  were  a  thing  rowan  baker  granted  easily  only  in  the  workplace  —  a  space  so  quiet  and  often  lacking  demand  that  sitting  outside  her  office  for  a  few  hours  was  rarely  a  chore  every  time  it  was  asked  of  her .  however ,  there  were  always  exceptions  to  the  easiness  of  it ,  and  today ,  of  all  days ,  it  came  in  the  characteristic ,  annoyingly  too  familiar  drawl  of  a  southern  accent  greeting  her .     "  oh ,  god ,  "     the  groan  was  as  unavoidable  as  the  scowl  that  crowned  the  ending  of  her  eye-roll .     "  no ,  she’s  not .  so…  i’d  recommend  you  to  come  back  in  a  few  hours  because  whatever  it  is ,  i  can’t  help  you .  "     it  was  beyond  them ,  the  way  they  instinctively  answered  to  theo’s  presence ,  the  way  their  body  reacted  to  it  with  an  irritation  that  exceeded  the  one  that  often  drove  them  at  the  sight  of  those  they  couldn’t  tolerate .

[sunset-fms]

LOCATION: rowan's place, hours after summer solstice FOR: rowan baker @thvndrstorm

the next hour sunset has spent in that people that reminded her of a not so distant past, all she did was try to leave it, attempting to take belkis and ekin-su with her, even though she knew it was something they would want to stay for...something that reminded them of home. what she has kept thinking about, eventually when she was helped to get the hell out of the bonfire by scarlett, where masked people ran towards their demise is that...she wasn't meant to kept alive by the twins. it was just that she was special to them, that their whole lives, they had a bond that she was spared by them.

her mind was running a thousand miles per hour when rowan eventually found her and took her back to their place, as it was the closest, and sunset didn't want to remain outside any longer, struggling to put to words on hour she was feeling, mostly giving the bookbinder only short responses, nodding or shaking her head at their questions. eventually she has passed out on their bed, exhaustion taking over, and somehow the sleep she had that night was just...full of peace and quiet. her mind itself has given up overanalyzing the situation back then, whether she was supposed to be dead or not. all she could focus on as she was slowly waking up, was the coziness of rowan's bed, how safe she felt compared to most of her life. how warm and safe she is in *their arms*, and unconsciously, with the need to feel it more, sunset turns around to face the brunette, clinging as close as she could as her face gets closer to their neck, breathing out a sigh before she was about to slip back deep in slumber once more.

[thvndrstorm]

               a world of disaster and heartbreak and disappointment later,   rowan had finally found her.   terrified out of her mind,   shaking like a leaf,   and alone walking god knows where.   but they had made it,   with their heart shattered in pieces after the ugly revelations from the friend group they once upon a time considered their family,   rowan had found sunset,   and the sight,   despite the harshness of it,   was such a comforting one she couldn’t make anything but grab her trembling hand and guide her home.   you’re gonna stay with me,   you’ll be safe there,   had been the words muttered as she dragged her along,   as her fingers threaded with sunset’s.   they had lied her on the bed carefully once in their apartment,   tucked her in carefully,   and had planned to let her rest there when sunset’s hand grabbed theirs again in a silent plea.   it had been a quick decision to stay there after that,   to discard the idea of taking the couch   —   both of them needed the comfort,   the company,   and rowan was too exhausted and too broken to deny her and themself this.                 the peace she felt when morning came was one rare for what had transpired the night before,   and it took her a moment to realize it was the warmth between her arms,   the body tucked safely against her side what was giving her the sensation.   half asleep,   they smiled,   even through the bitterness that the memories slowly coming back put on the back of her tongue.   she inhaled deeply,   recently baked cookies and popcorn,   and her arms instinctively tightened around the soft frame they were surrounding.     "  hey…  "     they greeted,   realizing sunset was stirring as much as them,   and suddenly,   as warm air hit their neck,   their body stiffened.   that was dangerous territory.     "  hey,   good morning…  "     the words were a soft murmur as she put a little distance between them,   nothing too excessive,   just enough to drive sunset’s lips away from her skin.     "  did you sleep okay,   love ?  "

[hearttsck]

She’s in two places at once, half here and half gone. She feels someone pick her up, concerned voices – Rowan, Josh, “Austin?” She asks for him out of habit, but it's not his eyes blinking down at her. They are out of the woods, near a gravel lot rarely used for anything other than teenagers hooking up, and she supposes an event like this. All those screams, are they still screaming? Still burning? The effigies, and then – the effigies.

“Tillie!” She snaps back into the moment, twisting in Josh’s arms as Poppy struggles. “Put me down, I have to go home! My daughter, they know, somehow they fucking know and I need to get to her, help please!” @thvndrstorm

[thvndrstorm]

               to say everything was a mess would’ve been an understatement because everything around them undoubtedly was.   what put rowan’s nerves on end,   though,   was the fact between the four of them a mess was unraveling too   —   austin was too drunk, too focused on poppy and josh for a reason rowan couldn’t pinpoint.   and poppy,   a few seconds ago silent and lost in the shock,   was now screaming for tillie,   making it harder for josh to drag her away,   to compel her to move along them.   tillie,   rowan thought,   right before processing the rest of her words.     "  tillie ?  "    she asked,   confused,   although still managing to drag austin’s bulky body along.     "  wha— what—   poppy,   who’s tillie ?  "     they already knew who tillie was  (  my daughter!  ),   yet the question fell nonetheless,  almost at the same time their gaze did on josh.     "  what the fuck is she talking about ?  "       /       @austinparker .

[macabr3s]

            she  brings  the  cup  to  her  lips  to  take  a  lengthy  sip  .  shoulders  relax  as  she  lets  the  warm  liquid  envelop  her  .  “  i  disappear  for  nearly  twelve  years  and  come  back  to  the  beginnings  of  a  cult  .  ”  it  comes  out  harsher  than  intended  but  she’s  with  people  she  trusts  .  and  is  she  really  wrong  ?  there  are  so  many  unsaid  questions  .  and  she  doubts  any  of  them  will  find  any  answers  .  now  more  than  ever  does  emiko  should  get  a  move  on  leaving  .  why  does  she  feel  compelled  to  stay  longer  than  necessary  ?  she  meets  rowan’s  heavy  gaze  ,  a  hint  of  worry  is  present  in  her  eyes  but  nonetheless  ,  answers  their  silent  question  with  a  light  nod  .  “  but  do  you  think  we’ll  actually  get  answers  ?  god  ––  who  knows  how  long  they’ve  been  living  here  ?  i  swear  this  town  wasn’t  always  this  …  freaky  .  ”  gaze  settles  on  josie  ,  a  sympathetic  smile  on  her  lips .  “  guess  it’s  a  pretty  bad  time  to  be  new  in  town  ,  jo  .  ”    //    @josiesfm

[josiesfm]

❛ i'd rather shorten my overstayed welcome, if i'm quite honest. ❜ she does not want to be ' new in town ', no matter how grateful she's been to have found like - minded people in emiko and rowan. she means no disrespect to the story of their town and its community, but after tonight, and after an abrupt reunion that occupies her mind almost more than charred bodies, every fiber of her is begging to go back to known territory. yet, it's like she's frozen in place, the warmth of the cup in her hand not nearly enough to crack the ice. ❛ i think it's more fair to ask, do we want answers to this in the first place . . . ? ❜ the question, from her of all people, is shocking. but what they need and what they want are two different things. growing up blind to reality had been the driving force she's used to make her way here ; she needs to break cycles of lies, unearth the truths people are entitled to. but maybe she sees now how the bliss of ignorance could be tempting — does not want more trauma to add to tonight's event. and the root of what happened tonight can't be pretty. ❛ because we could get some. them coming out publicly like this means they want us to find out. ❜ — @thvndrstorm

[thvndrstorm]

               slowly,   quietly,   rowan  exhales  at  emiko’s  tiny  nod   —   nothing  else  is  needed  between  them,   and  a  sense  of  relief,   even  if  it's  mild,   invades  her  insides  like  a  warm  bath  of  honey.     with  the  steaming  cup  of  tea  untouched  in  her  hands,   rowan  falls  silent  after  their  friends’  questions,   a  hoard  of  their  own  making  its  home  within  the  still-shocked  walls  of  her  mind.     "  look,   i  don’t  know  if  i  want  answers  as  much  as  i  want  to  flee  this  town  again.   i  mean,   i  know  it’s  always  been  a  lil’  bit  freaky,   but  this  is  borderline  too  fucking  much.  "     she  mutters  then,   after  a  long  silence.   but  is  it  too  much,   is  it  enough,   truly,   in  the  face  of  their  siblings’  pleas ?   the  fact  she  isn’t  making  her  bags  right  at  this  moment  instead  of  having  this  conversation  tells  more  about  it  than  rowan  wants  to  admit.     "    but  …  did  they  really  come  out  publicly  if  we  don’t  know  who  they  are ?   for  all  we  have  they  could  be  fanatics  wanting  to  make  an  impression,  "     although  that  doesn’t  make  sense,   either.     "  or  mental  people  too  convinced  about  …  whatever  that  was  for.  "     a  hand  finds  her  face,   rubbing  at  it  frantically  for  a  moment.     "  i  don’t  know,   i’m  just—   why  isn’t  getting  the  fuck  out  of  here  an  option  again ?  "       /       @macabr3s .