visions

[tenacious-finnian]

I don't need to decode your visions to know what that's about.

It's never a good sign when your head is scrambled, Violet. You may not be my version, but I know this situation all too well. Would you like to do a breathing exercise with me? Maybe it will get you to focus a bit.

[violetxjameson]

You knew me well, nephew of Helena.

No, it's never a good sign when my mind's on the fritz. I can't sleep, I can't think, I can't concentrate on what's real or what are visions. A breathing exercise...that would be helpful, Finnian.

[isabel-bishop]

It doesn't, but that's easy enough to make it. Do you have a tolerance to them? I know a guy who basically needs an elephant tranquilizer to put his ass out.

[violetxjameson]

I used to take them a long time ago, but the amount no longer works, so maybe a little. You mean Azriel Delacroix. Visions of him scream just as loud as the goddess. The painful unraveling is spinning faster and faster with each passing moment. Good things remembered become bad. Yet, bad is good for him.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I would like to think I'm not so dense that I could understand the substance of whatever book I pull, but I also know that this isn't really about books.

I'm surprised you're talking to me if I'm being honest, malen'kiy tsvetok.

[violetxjameson]

You were always too clever for your own good, but no, this isn't entirely about books.

After some time to do more thinking than I wanted, I realized how unfair it was placing the expectation things would go back to the way they were with us. How angry I was, while somewhat understandable, doesn't seem important knowing what we know is about to come. And I needed to apologize before I lose the chance or I'm too...emotionally incoherent. Henrik is about to come for me soon, Val. He'll take me, do unspeakable things, and while that doesn't compare to the fate of dying, I need you to see your happiness means more than us being together. Robin makes you happy, I can't stand in the way of that.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Not that I dislike the fact that there are multiple libraries, but did all their books have to be so dry?

[violetxjameson]

Substance depends on the perspective of the reader. And the mistake judging a book from its cover.

I made that mistake more than once.

[isabel-bishop]

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

[violetxjameson]

Does that list include sleeping drafts, by chance? I keep having nightmares seeing his face.

[tenacious-finnian]

Sleepless nights, countless tribunals, and tracking down errant council members lead to a barely functioning coven, but it's functioning.

[violetxjameson]

A coven on the verge of collapse again when he comes through the door. Spiked heads, bloody battlefields, a dead goddess at a high price.

Sorry, my head's scrambled.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

Interrupting my 'me' time better be good.

[violetxjameson]

The Queen Mother was overenthusiastically insistent, assassin of Sloth. To be clear, I'm not in the market for a babysitter.

[seer-nikolai]

So am I.

If there is someone you truly wish to blame, then blame your parents, as it was their lineage that spawned your abilities, but it won't make you feel better in the end. I know this is where I should be vague, compelled to some cosmic partial secrecy, but you deserve better than that. Henrik's death is assured, already in motion, just not quick enough. He's coming for you, Violet. I have seen the horrors he will inflict on you myself, but your family and friends, even the vampires you have befriended, will come for you. You will not be in his hands for long, and I will be there waiting for you at the end. Even the darkest of nights have a bright dawn on the horizon.

[violetxjameson]

Trust me, I've thrown my parents the blame ever since their actions sent them both to their executions. Why am I not surprised he would come for me in the end? Mikki said he would if I didn't fly under the radar, and continuously maintaining a friendship with his children was another act tempting fate pushing that much closer. Nik, I know the unwavering relentlessness of our abilities and how one cannot change their destiny. Never once would I consider endangering the realms for my own selfish gain, but I am expected to sit and wait while a vampire destroys me from the inside out. You, the twins, even the vampires staying at my side should fill me with relief, yet that does not erase what Henrik will break. What part of myself will die.

[seer-nikolai]

Such is one of the many downfalls of our abilities.

It is about him, but it's not your fault. None of this is your fault. You are a rarity, and with the timelines converged in the way they are, he would have found you regardless of your affinity to be friends with his golden son.

[violetxjameson]

I'm sorry it's put a dent on your honeymoon.

How is the fact just being what I am not my fault, Nikki? I know rarities are irresistible for someone like him, but I have seen what Henrik's done to the thousands of women in his crosshairs. To Mik's mother, to the twins', please don't tell me I end up like them.

[seer-nikolai]

I know you've figured out the motivation for my return to the city, Vi.

It's the burden we carry on our shoulders.

[violetxjameson]

I would've seen such motivation if it was anyone but me, big brother.

If this is truly about Henrik, I set it in motion, didn't I? Meeting Mikael?

[beau-baird]

So... a lot of people's futures are being altered in ways that are outside the gods' designs. I'm used to thinking of every outcome, every way to proceed forward to victory, but there's never a way to prepare for every single thing that could ever happen, even though I know that. Do you see why he's back?

[violetxjameson]

It's not the way it should be. The resurrections, the rifts, it's breaking the realms further than what a goddess can create. I've tried burrowing deeper and claw my way toward the reason, but it's completely blank. My abilities should extend to at least see why. That only really happens when-...I'm involved. Oh, god. Beau, I think he's here because of me.

[fiendishly-sterling]

I know, you don't need to be his cheerleader. I know how hard it is to live in our family, but the fact is, Pricky Micky never even tried, and before you say that I didn't try either, you try growing up with someone who looks in your direction like he tried to digest rotted blood, and you wouldn't bother either. Take it from me, if you're more of an asshole, people tend to stay away from you instead of walking all over you– you should try it. I'll teach you all my tips and tricks during our little club meetings.

[violetxjameson]

I don't need to, but I want to. I'm kind of like Switzerland in that way, on his side and yours. I wasn't pointing fingers at who's to blame for the serious lack of communication in your family, Sterling, it's difficult being nice to a sibling who stamps all over you so cruelly. A fair point...I wouldn't mind being more of an asshole. Had a few practice runs with my brother, actually, I probably should apologize for stomping around the house like a brat who didn't get her way. Then again, assholes don't apologize, do they?

[varya-kuznetzova]

Those who call gifts a blessing never live with the downfalls and side effects and are shortsighted. Ah, Nikolai– Time's firstborn and my personal savior. I saw that he is in town again, and he does not move without reason. His coming back to the city is no small thing. I may not have your particular skill set, but I have many spells and remedies that can help you during this time. Would you like the voices lessened or temporarily gone?

[violetxjameson]

I would love to switch places with anybody who throws me that sympathetic garbage and see how they fare. My brother tends to make his appearance when the city is on the cusp of mass destruction, but I usually see the reason for him coming. There's just static. You would be a lifesaver for the help, Varya, your son once spoke of your generosity. As much as I prefer wishing the voices gone, diminishing them would be best. I don't want to miss anything important if it gives me some clue how this ends.

[beau-baird]

Most powerful of voices... Henrik and the goddess that my grandfather has been working on taking down, Bellora, no doubt. The only brothers I know who have joined the dark side are the Foxwoods, apparently joining my grandfather's plan with his Knight. It's the beginning of the end, isn't it– that's why they're so loud?

[violetxjameson]

The goddess has stolen another witch for her army, an apprentice with abilities doomed to help Bellora dominate. It was not Azriel's destiny, but many factors shifted and made it so. Beginning of the end none of you will ever prepare yourselves for, not even the strategic minds of House Gluttony. Something's off...Nikki shouldn't be here.

[beau-baird]

Is it anything in particular you're hearing, or is it just a jumbled mess?

[violetxjameson]

Only the most powerful of voices are beaming through the dark. The voice of chaos belonging to godly creatures and his. They only grew louder when the brothers joined the dark side.

[fiendishly-sterling]

It's not like our father made it easy for us to get along, but it's not all on Henrik, either. All of us know what's coming at the drop of a hat when it comes to disappointing the powers that be. I would be lying if I said that my anger wasn't the main motivator for throwing him at our father's mercy. Seeing them happy while we suffered? It got the better of me, but it was for our safety, too, and at least you're in good company. Petty Asshole Club, population two.

[violetxjameson]

It's not easy for Mikki to care too, you know? Tell me you wouldn't keep your own family at a distance when your father's done nothing but use anyone you were close with against you as a form of punishment. I can't speak on Robin's personal motivation leaving you and Evangeline under the care of heavy-handed siblings, Sterling. You've a right to be angry and protect yourself. Maybe you taking away my pain made me a little less sympathetic about the bed he's made, but I'm tired of my good nature giving others a free pass to take advantage of me. It's an ultra excusive club, we'll have meetings every Saturday.

[varya-kuznetzova]

Some abilities seem more like a curse at times, don't they? Have you seen anyone who can help level out the voices?

[violetxjameson]

And you hear some call it a blessing. The only person who came close to understanding is away on his honeymoon, but he's back earlier than expected. Other than that, no.