Porcelain, Ivory, Steel

The ones she had lost and the ones she had found And the ones who had loved her the most. The ones who'd been gone for so very long. She couldn't remember their names. They spun her around on the damp old stones. Spun away all her sorrow and pain

[willow--hale]

He smiled softly. “Your sister sounds like me,” Val admitted. “I’m more of the reckless, impulsive one who wants to get everything I want and get what I want.” he still does it to this day, even though lately he hasn’t been really impulsive lately. “Though I need to be more impulsive than ever, since I’ve lost that part of my life.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever done one impulsive thing my whole life,” she said. She glanced sideways at the man. “How does that work exactly? Without you, you know, killing everything in sight? I feel like if I let go I’m just going to drink someone dry.”

[willow--hale]

“I think so, but equally …. I may have let the whole wolf training slide a little,” she admitted, sometimes having difficulty channelling her strength. “That or my brother convinced a witch to make it impossible to open as a prank… wouldn’t put it past him to mess with me.” Dan, in particular, had taken well to life in Hollow Grove, enjoying living amongst witches in particular.

“What else are brother’s for right?” She smiled as she said it, even though it sent a twist through her heart. Jason had lived for pranks like that. “Wolf training huh? Would happen to know of any circles where a young vamp might get some training of her own?”

[willow--hale]

Patrik looked pleasantly surprised with the notion, though truth be told he wasn’t entirely sure it was something he would commit to memory just because he was still coming to terms with the idea that it was a needed skill in life.  If it was like everyone was saying surely he would already know how to do it?  When she mentioned the possibility that he could be an idiot he looked less impressed.  “You assumed right, I don’t think an idiot could speak four languages.”

“Four huh?” It was an impressive number, considering she’d only managed to scrap by on Bostonian English and a few latin words for her witchcraft. “I’m pretty sure having a talented tongue and being clueless aren’t mutually exclusive. No offense of course. It's kind of cute actually.”

[willow--hale]

“I ever tell you about the waitressing gig I took in New York?” she smiled, stepping into the room and taking a seat at the end of Willow’s bed. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the gloom, the darkness having become norm for her little sister in the weeks following her ordeal. “I needed the money, desperately, and I was struggling to get work as a bartender, so I applied to a few restaurants. Got hired by a diner in The East Village, a real shit hole ran by an even bigger shit hole. Anyway, on my second week there, I ended up spilling an entire plate of bacon and eggs and an entire jug of orange juice of a woman’s lap. I said it was an accident, but that bitch had it coming. So entitled, treating me like dirt just because I was working a dead end job. I got fired, obviously. Especially after the hissy fit she threw about me ruining her cashmere or some bullshit like that. But, yeah. Waitressing? Definitely not for me,” she smirked, absentmindedly picking at a wool throw that sat beside her on the bed. Kassia studied her sister for a moment, watching as she took a seat at her desk in the corner. The beautiful young girl had an air of sadness surrounding her that had seemingly replaced her once joyful spirit. Kassia wanted so badly for Willow to open up to her, to let her in. But she knew these things took time. She, herself, was the same following the death of their father. She just had to be patient. Willow would come to her when she was ready. “So, any plans today, Loey?” she asked, desperate to bring a sense of normalcy to Willow’s day to day, even through conversation. “If you’re free, we could have a horror movie marathon? Whip out the ol’ classics, just like we used to. I could even head to the bakery, pick up some snacks?”

She grinned at the story, tapping one of her rings against the ceramic edge of her mug. It didn’t take much to imagine her sister in a waitress apron scowling at every other customer. “I haven’t heard that one before. Do you think you just emit these snob pheromones? You know like they’re just drawn to you like bees to the honey?” She was sure she’d heard some similar story set in Portland or Phoenix. Her sister had chosen to live literally anywhere else in the country besides home. 

She shrugged at Kassia’s question. “It’s not like I can do much until the sun goes down. Not unless I want to become just another July barbecue. What do we got? Nightmare on Elm Street? The Shining?”

[emmasawyer]

“I thought that werewolf powers meant that struggling with corks were a thing of the past,” she muttered with an irritated frown, a light growl passing her lips as she struggled with the cork stopping her from relaxing after a long day with a glass of wine like she’d planned. “This is why I usually stick to spirits,” she grumbled. 

[willow--hale]

“I can take care of that.” She offered out her hand to take the bottle from Emma. She’d been working hard on controlling her new strength, something that came with a few broken cabinets and more than a few broken door handles. “Maybe you just got the crap shot of wolf strength.”

[rocioparadiso]

It wasn’t the strangest sight to see. Most of the wolves around here had bottomless pits for stomachs, she knew she had to make no apologies for ordering so much food,but there was something to be said about forgetting her manners. “Don’t– don’t judge.I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.” She reached in front of her and grabbed one of the little containers housing the pancake syrup, pouring it all over her bacon and smiling through a mouth full of scrambled eggs at her company. As she eyed their plate. “You gonna eat that?”

[willow--hale]

“The day I judge someone for eating is the day someone should just toss me into the sea.” Willow pushed her scone toward her, and leaned back in the diner. After a breakfast of A positive in her room she wasn’t very hungry. She was just testing out her palate. Blueberry scones definitely weren’t on the menu anymore. “Go ahead.”

[willow--hale]

corarcand

There would always be something comforting about the dark. It hadn’t always been that way. Back when she felt new and uncontrolled and chaotic, Coralie longed for the daylight, loathed the shadows to which she’d been confined. But time had a way of erasing that discomfort. The twenty-eight years she’d spent skipping over cobble-stone streets in broad daylight had quickly been overwhelmed by over eight-hundred skirting through shadows cast by moonlight, and she’d long since learned to love it.

Though new, Hollow Grove was proving no different. The raucous sounds of a party spilling out onto the beaches had her seeking stillness beneath the walkways, steps careful over the rocks. Coralie saw the figure before she spoke, neither seeming all that surprised. “Comforting is one way to put it.” She glanced out to the beach, smiling despite the mild sarcasm. “Certainly can’t fault anyone for having fun, and they definitely sound like they are.” She looked back to the stranger, smile still in place. “I’m Coralie. Sorry for disturbing you, it’s just…nice here.”

“Greatest hidden spot in the whole harbor,” she agreed. She shrugged off the apology, her gaze focusing on the stranger. She was a vampire, she realized, and it was a relief. Her throat didn’t water at her presence, and she didn’t feel the need to coil herself backward for once. The moonlight above was reflecting off the waves perfectly this time of year and with the warmth and the breeze she couldn’t have loved Hollow Grove more. “You’re new aren’t you? I haven’t seen your face around town. Well I guess I should say newish. I haven’t really been about these past few months.”

[willow--hale]

“You could?  Really?  It’s actually that easy?” Patrik asked, not quite believing her.  Of course the idea of using a washing machine had crossed his mind when he had started getting low on clothes, but he had then stood in the laundry for ten minutes staring at the machine and wondering why it had so many buttons.  “I mean I’m down for it if you want to.”

“I could,” she assured. She remembered briefly a memory of sitting on the edge of a couch and watching her father iron out the polka dot dress she’d loved as a child. His lessons both in life and witchcraft stuck with her despite the passage of time. She was thankful for at least that. “Of course I’m assuming that you’re not an idiot and know how to turn a dial and press a button, right?”

[willow--hale]

“Ye of little faith.” he smiled gently, “I hope I might be able to change your mind.” he glanced down at his computer and typed a few keys before nodding, “Ah, Ms Hale, are you fine with my calling you Willow?” he asked standing up casually, just seeming to be wholly calm as to the world around him.

“If you’d like to follow me through here then we can begin, can I get you a drink as well? Tea or coffee?” he asked leading her into a room decorated in muted tones of grey and blue a plush couch opposite a large armchair with a desk and filing cabinet at the back. “Please, do take a seat.” he added softly, making a small gesture towards the sofa.

She nodded, her arms drawn tight around herself as she followed him into his office. Everything inside was muted, all the edges softened. Her gaze took in all four corners of the room, flitting to the window, before she took a seat on the edge of the couch, arms still tucked around herself. 

“No, that’s fine.” She’d had a bag of blood before leaving her brother’s, careful to keep her stomach full. “I don’t - well I don’t even know if I like tea anymore. Coffee’s fine, but I haven’t tried tea yet.”

[samcarpnter]

[willow--hale]

“Oh, I know. They could be so much more annoying.” Haylee let out a small, barely audible chuckle, as she focused her gaze ahead; blue orbs never falling upon the people in the water, she was way more captivated by the moonlight. She could easily tune out the unnecessary voices, it was a skill she believed to be born with, yet she liked to keep the other girl company, as long as she was comfortable with that and didn’t wish to be left alone.

“That’s alright, I’m sure mine’s around here somewhere-..” She continued her search for the lighter, without really feeling the need to look down, until she remembered where she put it last. Narrowing her gaze to the pocket of her shorts, she quickly pulled the small object out, “Good for you. It’s a really nasty habit. You don’t need that in your life.” She offered her a small smile, before lightning the cigarette. “I can move away if it’s bothering you, though.”

She was grateful for the smell of the smoke when it came to her. As overpowering as it was, it masked the scent of sweat and underneath, blood that came from Haylee. It wasn't her first thought, but it buzzed in the background of her subconscious.

"No it's fine," she assured her. The smoke curled in the night air, twisting in loops. "It's not like it can do any harm now, anyway."

[willow--hale]

Ezra snorted. “I doubt anyone is trying to make the moves on me,” he said, though he thought of Mina then and found his cheeks going warm. “Actually, on that note, I have a date on Friday.”

"Humility." She scrunched up her nose, trying to keep her focus off the blood pooling behind his cheeks. "It's cute. Who's the lucky one that snatched you up? Do tell them to have you home before curfew."

[willow--hale]

He nodded, chuckling again. “True-then I’ll smell it all over the museum because one of my curators would buy Pumpkin Spice everything and try to get me and everyone else to have some.” It had almost gotten bad and to the point that he wanted to ban Pumpkin Spice during the whole fall season. “I used to do that too, way back when. Still do it now every once in a while.” Only when he’s completely drunk, though.

She hadn't considered the reality of the smell yet. All of her senses were so much sharper now. She could pick out her brother's aftershave from across the room. Maybe she'd find the whole season too overwhelming. "I never did," she told him. "Reckless. Impulsivity. That's more my sister's trademarks. You don't need two of those in a family."

[willow--hale]

“Theoretically I know there is and there is a laundry in my new house… but that would involve knowing how to use it,” he replied with a slight shrug.  “It’s just easier to buy a new wardrobe.”  Falling into thought Patrik reached up to scratch at his chin.  “I really should put out an advertisement for a maid or similar.  I still can’t believe my father never arranged one.”

Her eyes widened slightly at the stranger's words, but she covered it up quickly. She'd never met someone who didn't know how to work a simple washer and dryer. "Well they're not rocket science. I could teach you in less than fifteen minutes. You know, in lieu of Daddy dearest forgetting to take care of you."

[margaretqualleydaily]

margaretqualley 🍓photos by @brantleyg

[platinumpatrik]

“So I was just in Serendipity and they only had three shirts, two pairs of trousers and five pairs of underwear that were decent.  Do you realise how bad this is?” Patrik asked, looking absolutely distraught as he held up the shopping bags.  “My online order isn’t due until next week and I’m wearing my last set of clean clothes.” 

[willow--hale]

“You know I think there’s this thing called a washer and dryer that can fix that for you.” She looked the stranger up and down, an amused smile playing over her face. Fashion woes were far from her mind right now. She’d come out in the evening wearing a sweatshirt and some old jeans that might have once belonged to Kassia. It was comforting to see someone so distraught over it though. 

[willow--hale]

Tessa kept her gaze down, watching the girl beneath the boardwalk with a mild curiosity. She, too, breathed in the fresh air, eyes closed for a moment as she took it in. Much better than in Arizona, as much as she missed it sometimes. “I don’t know. There are worse ideas I could have than joining in over there.” She paused for a moment to gaze over at the party on the beach, before finally coming to a decision. “Would you mind if I just kept you company over here? It’s peaceful.”

She hesitated before nodding. As long as current company wasn’t related to her, or looking after her like she was a bit of chipped porcelain she didn’t exactly mind it. “Yeah, this is kind of my spot. Best place to rest if you want to go unnoticed.”