keep walking

if you're going to stay, your eyes will be on me. [indie oc]

[wxnderbitch]

xbnormal:

As the strange girl took in the presence of the other, something heavy weighed on her chest. Was that – emotion? Certainly not – she had never been able to feel things. Not like normal people, at least. Her tears were often reserved for the dead, and Katarina was very much alive. And standing in front of her. Her face seemed eerily similar – it was like walking into a museum and seeing everything out of time. Her home was no longer Katarina’s heart – it was a foreign place, but her own heart wanted eagerly to return there. “Yes… it has.”  It felt like her soul was barely in her body as she spoke the words. She was disconnected from her head, messy and confused and oddly expressive. Her brow drew forward ever so slightly, those bright eyes of her glistening with unnatural emotion.  “Three years, was it?” Kitty’s voice trembled slightly, very odd for her typically monotonous tone. It almost sounded  like she was in pain. In all honesty, she had planned to leave everything about her old life behind her – including Katarina, including her brother. But now that wandering witch was in front of her again and she didn’t know what  she was supposed to do. She had thought that perhaps this would be easier, that perhaps her strange brain would tell her there was nothing to feel this time around either. 

Katarina’s mind was swimming. Should she question Kitty’s motives? Right off the bat? Embrace her? She hadn’t been too in touch with her feelings lately, but she was sure that was and understatement for Kitty. The girl looked to her new-found companion, searched her eyes for something, anything. To her surprise, she found it.  “Yes. It was. Perhaps the longest three of my life.” She slowly drew closer yet to Kitty, suddenly noticing the shrinking gap between them. She paused, looking again to the something in Kitty’s eyes. “Unless you aren’t done running?”

[xbnormal]

It had been three full years since they had seen each other, but Kitty was well aware that Katarina had been searching. She  had always been evading, but not any  longer. Katarina had the advantage on her – she had determination. She would find her here in approximately three minutes. Both of them would stare  for a few moments as they took in the situation. Then they would formally  reunite.  Putting down her cellphone, Kitty looked towards the door. As the heavy black  doors pushed open, Kitty straightened her posture. Against the light she could make out the image of the other. The cafe seemed like a good enough place to meet the other. Kind of… romantic, if you will. Fitting for their relationship.                      “Katarina.”

[wxnderbitch]

Pushing open looming doors, unsure of how to feel or what exactly to expect, Katarina placed herself in the room. Before she could turn her gaze, a familiar voice rang in her ears. It was the voice she had been chasing for too long. “Katarina.” Her eyes widened and, with a slow, tired motion, she swiveled her head, letting her body jerk around after. As tears of realization pricked her eyes, words fell from her mouth, her mind two steps behind. “Kitty? You’re... It’s really... been a long time...” She was unsure if the tears spilled from her eyes or were blinked away as she strode towards the other girl. She outstretched an arm, but, unsure of where to touch, recoiled.  “It’s been a terribly long time.”

[xbnormal]

Kitty would lift the container lid, revealing a large pile of dirt. She would let her pale fingers sink into the soft dirt, retrieving a few photos from the bottom.  ❝ It’s dirt from graves. And these are pictures. ❞ That’s really all there is to it. She doesn’t have much to show, this is probably the most eventful piece on her room.

[wxnderbitch]

“That’s interesting. Do they have any special meaning to you?” Katarina didn’t want to talk about this. She was sure she would find this interesting if she was in the right mind, but her attention was utterly diverted. Someone would hit Kitty? Looking at those bony fingers, littered with small flecks of dirt, she found it harder to keep her cool. So maybe bringing it up another time would come sooner than she thought.

[xbnormal]

Avoiding eye contact, noted. Arms crossed, noted. She was angry. Angry at what? Her? That was always the hard part, finding out  where the anger was directed. Really it was hard to find where any emotion was directed. ❝ At times, yes. But do not let yourself be consumed with fury. I do not hit her back, so it is okay. ❞ Kitty got off the bed and retrieved a small container, her instinct urging her to change the conversation. ❝ Would you like to know the contents of this container? ❞

[wxnderbitch]

She looked up at Kitty from her seat on the bed. ‘I don’t hit her back, so it’s ok’? Katarina didn’t want to let to topic drop, wanted to explain how untrue that statement was, but it was clear that Kitty was looking for a change of subject. (Had she made her uncomfortable? That was new.) She’d have to bring it up another time, and look into this girlfriend before then. Trying to make herself relax, though she was still more than a little upset, she responded. “Sure. What’s in there?”

[xbnormal]

❝ Towards multiple people, but it is also directed to me at times. I do not blame her though. Even my own brother has trouble loving me, I can only imagine the task is harder for someone not bound by blood. I am aware that I am difficult to deal with, so It’s only to be expected that she has slight outbursts. ❞ Her brow only slightly furrowed as she spoke, almost as if the words didn’t make sense to her either. Somehow the demeaning words felt wrong on her tongue. She shook off the thought – now was not the time to battle her ego. Sitting on the bed, she tucked her curly, wild hair behind her ear.  ❝ I permit you to sit if you wish to do so. ❞

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina placed herself lightly on the bed next to Kitty. She folded her arms, looking straight ahead at what must have been the must appealing wall in the world. “And just to be completely, without a doubt clear, these outbursts are not only physical, but deliberately directed at you?” Katarina decided now that she had her emotions sorted. She knew what she felt now was rage, and she seethed with it. She expected that Kitty experienced abuse in one form or another, but never like this. If nothing else, she imagined that the bruises Kitty wore from sport-related incidents couldn’t all have been accidents. Katarina steeled her will and decided preemptively that she would wring this alleged girlfriend’s pathetic neck.

[xbnormal]

❝ Sometimes. She’s been visiting me less lately. ❞ Kitty contemplated whether or not she should share the details of her girlfriend’s behaviorisms – Katarina was rather… protective. ❝ She’s nice. A bit brash and violent. I think she means well though. I can’t really tell because I’m unsure of how love works. In a sense of being able to feel it. ❞ Lately, there’s been more hits than kisses. Little marks and bruises that Kitty passed off as sports related injuries when Katarina asked. From the movies she’s seen, that usually implied that the relationship was coming to an end. Hollywood  was all about dramatics though. Kitty didn’t want to jump to any conclusions.

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina felt her eye twitch at Kitty’s explanation. Her eyebrows drew a little closer, but she tried to force back on a nonchalant expression.  “When you say ‘brash and violent,’ do you...” she contemplated her words, “Towards who, exactly? Or in what circumstance?” Katarina felt something welling up inside her. Distress? Worry? Anger? She couldn’t quite pin it, but she knew that it was not a good feeling. She thought back to her comment on the marks on Kitty several days prior. That only caused the feeling to intensify.

[xbnormal]

She walked the rest of the way in silence, though she did let Katarina continue to hold her hand tightly. The atmosphere of the dreary town only grew heavier as they approached the house. In the exact time she predicted, they were standing in front of the small shed like structure. Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew the key and unlocked the door. Pushing the door open, she revealed a rather unexciting interior. It was composed of smooth wood, a small dresser and a vanity lining the walls. Books were stacked high in the corners of her room. In the middle of  the floor was a small bed, barely big enough for two. Right by her bed was a pair of pastel pink underwear and Kitty quickly went to pick them up.  ❝ Aside from my girlfriend, I almost never have anyone in here. Sorry for the mess, though I suppose since we both possess underwear they shouldn’t fluster you. ❞

[wxnderbitch]

Much of Katarina’s excitement quickly left her being. A girlfriend? Since when? She tried to not let the news dampen her mood, and stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her. She examined the contents of the room. She could ask about anything. What Kitty's books were about, where she got her vanity, anything, really. But, of course, there was only one thing she truly cared about in this instance. “Your place is nice. It’s cozy. Does your girlfriend come by and visit you... often?” She hoped she did a good job of keeping her voice level when asking. Why hadn’t Kitty told her sooner? Did she not understand what holding hands could imply in such a situation? Knowing Kitty, it was entirely possible.

[xbnormal]

❝ It’s just outside my brother’s house. If we walk at the national average speed, we should arrive in approximately five minutes and thirty two point five seconds. If we walk with a brisk step, we should be there in three minutes and thirty five seconds flat. ❞ Her shack was nothing to write home about – her brother constantly asked if she wanted to move back into the main houses, but she would always decline the offer. More often than not, her dreams were bitter and she would awake with a scream. Her brother does more than enough just keeping her fed and keeping her three outfits washed. It’s a lot to do for someone you loathe, and kitty knew that well.

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina focused on the feeling of Kitty’s hand in her own. She was a little embarrassed to say anything, but she pushed herself.  “I’m excited to see the place where you live, so let’s be brisk.” With little room for argument, she tugged on Kitty’s hand and increased her pace.

[xbnormal]

She noticed the spark in her heart rate. As she moved to pull her pale, bony hand away, Katarina held it tighter. Most felt their heart race when they were in fear of her, but Katarina’s heart raced when she was close to her. It was a confusing concept, since the witch obviously wasn’t fearful of the ginger. Perhaps she was excited? Did Katarina get excited because of hands? What a strange woman… ❝ We will go to my shack. It is a quiet place for most people… ❞ Never for her, though. People always made comments on how eerie it was, how terrifyingly quiet – but to her, it was never quiet. It was filled with the voices that only existed within her own head.

[wxnderbitch]

Just as Katarina thought she might have her pulse under control, it skipped again. She’d heard Kitty refer to her shack before, but this was the first time she had been invited there. Getting to see where Kitty lived... she got even more excited at the idea of it. She didn’t expect it to be glamorous; she was simply flattered and overjoyed to be invited to get a closer glimpse into Kitty’s life. “Is it far from here?” She mentally prepared herself to memorize the journey so she could find her way again.

[xbnormal]

❝ I feel inclined to warn you that one against an entire town in a fist fight has very weighted odds. ❞ Kitty paused, running her tongue over the inside of her lip as she calculated her words. ❝ Though I suppose if I were to play in line with the seeming fancy you hold for me, it would be two against an entire town. Though the percentage of success would rise only a decimal of a whole. And barely that, might I add. ❞ Katarina shouldn’t be fighting any battles because of any cruel words about Kitty, though. Slipping her hand into Katarina’s, the lanky teen began to walk forward, leading the blonde. ❝ Let’s depart. Voices never stop when you request they do so. ❞

[wxnderbitch]

After a brief pause, Katarina fell into step with Kitty. She looked down at their hands.  “Uh. Yeah. Right, definitely. Where are we headed now?” Katarina held tightly onto Kitty’s hand, the fingers feeling cool on her now overheating palm. She tried to calm herself by taking deep but quiet breaths because, for God’s sake, Kitty always noticed the smallest things. She expected that Kitty noticed the jump in her heart rate already, though now she tried to steady herself for her own sake.

[xbnormal]

They were talking about you. Kitty rolled the words around in her head until she made sense of them, not wanting to tarnish her reputation for having constantly thought out and intellectual replies. It was not the words that confused her, but more so the sentiment behind them. Compassion was very foreign to Kitty. ❝ We are both aware that occurrences following your description are hardly atypical. Perhaps they said something regarding your own habits in the process. If my intellect is correct, one is more  likely to react to stimuli aggressively if their own  ego is involved in said stimuli. ❞

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina heaved a sigh. She wasn’t sure if it was at Kitty’s words or at her own realization. “I’m sure you’re right, that people will take insults at themselves worse, but no. They didn’t say anything about me. Despite my lurking around you for as long as I have been, the townsfolk haven’t quite caught on yet. Though after that...display...I just made, I’m sure they will.” Katarina chuckled bitterly at the prospect. It had been a while since a large group had focused on her. She wondered if the attention would feel nice.

[xbnormal]

❝ You hit them. By the redness of your face, this was not a planned strategy upon entering the conversation. What spurred such a spontaneous outburst of physical aggression? ❞ Kitty eyed her company closely, wide eyes as piercing as ever. She hadn’t been close enough to hear what they were talking about, but she did overhear her name a few times. In this town, however, that was no surprise.

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina turned to face Kitty, not surprised by her question. She moved closer, using the paces to calm her annoyance at those she had just assaulted. “They were talking about you. And not in a kind or pleasant way, I might add.” People always spoke so poorly of Kitty. Katarina had seen entire towns come to a mutual dislike of a person before, though she always wrote it off as a problem not her own. But after spending a longer amount of time here, where it happened to one she commonly conversed with, she was beginning to lose her apathy towards it.

[moparulisulis-archive-deactivat]

A rough century would probably be a better term. Drearily, the soldier glanced up. God his eyes felt heavy. He needed caffeine.  “Depends. Do you have something to wake me up?”

[wxnderbitch]

Thinking nothing of the man’s comment, (if she was asking his time, he should surely receive something in return) she turned to the barista. “You heard him the first time. We’ll take a single and a triple espresso. Extra cream on the single, if you would.” Katarina then turned back to the man. “So?”

[moparulisulis-archive-deactivat]

“God –” He was so tired. So fucking exhausted but he really didn't want to sleep. “Give me caffeine – or something to keep me up.”

[wxnderbitch]

Katarina looked over to the stranger seated a few chairs from her. Even at a glance, she could tell he must have quite a story. With her interest piqued, she spoke, “Having a rough night? Or something more?”

[xbnormal]

“Was there something else you wished to ask me? It is rare one only approaches another for a brief meeting or exchange of names. While your aura does radiate something off in a social manner, there is much more  curiosity bouncing in your being.” She should be doing something productive. This simple banter was distracting. There was intellect to pursue, feats to overcome. There was also homework to do but it shouldn’t take that long. 

[wxnderbitch]

“Oh, of course! I was just hoping to strike up a conversation, maybe learn more about you. Something tells me you won’t care, but you can learn more about me too, if you like. Can we walk?” Katarina took a step towards Kitty cautiously, wanting to not ruin the moment. It had been weeks since she had heard about the life of anyone more interesting than those with problems as trivial as not being able to stock the right brand of soda in their store. She didn't want to scare off anyone who might be able to bring her interest to anything more than indifference. 

[wxnderbitch]

xorangeflickerbeat:

“Well I suppose you would not be the first to utter those words.” The teen would pull up her falling suspender, examining Katarina closely. Outcast. Nomadic. Restless. Somewhat neglected as a child. All of these things, but also hiding something. It was apparent from the way she covered her face to the expression she wore. Too young to be some kind of spy – perhaps mutation or mutilation. “I’m Kitty.”

Katarina relaxed slightly, but made note to not get too comfortable. People almost always veered for a reason; and she didn't miss the analyzing gaze resting upon her. “I’m Katarina. It’s nice to make your acquaintance.” Kitty. What a queer name. She wondered if there was meaning behind it.

[xbnormal]

wxnderbitch

[xbnormal]

“You’ve been trailing me for quite some time. Your physique – the way your breath draws in and out – it is obvious you wish to speak with me. I now request you to state your business.”           So obvious. Humans were so obvious. What a fickle species all of them were. But would that imply she was also fickle? Kitty couldn’t decide. Instead, she turned around to face the long haired blonde, her expression as vacant as always. 

[wxnderbitch]

“State my business? I’m... If you have to know,” she paused, “I thought you looked interesting.”  Finally, the girl spoke to her. Katarina had seen this girl, seen the way people veered from her on the streets and was instantly intrigued. Though she was beginning to doubt the girl would pick up on her tailing.