#ravenspeakstart

[angstfactory]

FOR: OPEN

Since the weekend of the festival, Jesse was on the fast track out of there. The man already put the junkyard and its plot up for sale with a realty company in town-- he didn't care when it got sold, or for how much, they were given free reign to do whatever deal they felt was appropriate at this point. Just call him when the papers needed to get signed.

Packing wasn't an issue. He'd never unpacked, even a year out from when he first stepped foot in this godforsaken place. The guy already kept everything he owned -- which wasn't much -- in a couple of duffle bags and those were in the shitty travel trailer, which would obviously be coming with him.

No, his problem was the truck. Aisley's burst of magic a couple weeks ago had sent vines and weeds all throughout the junky property. Which included his truck, the one thing he relied on. At first, Jesse hadn't been too concerned about it. He figured-- bummer, but hey, he had time to figure out its issues and get it fixed, there was no rush. He might as well fix up the mint green 1960s truck while he was at it, like he'd always planned to, and make a real decent piece out of it. Then fucking demons came around and everything changed. Now, he was in a rush. Now, he wanted to go. And the truck's engine looked to be completely shot to hell.

"Fuckin'.. stupid.. shit.." Each curse was punctuated with a vicious yank-- he'd been working to remove the vegetation under the hood for a good half hour already, and it just seemed never-ending. As he grabbed one section that actually had roses growing out of it and tugged on it, thorns pierced through his grip painfully.

"FUCK!" Jesse screamed at the truck, at the vines, the thorny rose bush. It didn't matter that his hands bled, his back hurt, or that he hadn't gotten a restful night since. The man's frustrations and fear flared up into this emotional moment that saw him grab the nearby tire iron and viciously start beating any part of the truck that got in his way. He didn't care if that was counter-productive. He just need to break something.

[edenxmonroe]

LOCATION: Outside The Golden Spoon

It had been a long time since Eden had been on a date, but after a 'meet cute' with a nice guy downtown, she'd agreed to meet him for dinner at The Golden Spoon. She'd made a point to not arrive too early, not wanting to seem too eager to get to know him better, but when she had arrived there was no sign of him.

Deciding to wait, giving him the benefit of the doubt, another thirty minutes passed and she was still sitting there alone. Eden tried texting him, but her texts went unanswered. Eventually, she gave up, paid for the soda that she'd ordered and headed for the door. Feeling deflated, she wondered what she had done to make the guy change his mind, and her usual smile was nowhere to be seen.

As she stepped outside, she took a deep breath, letting her head fall back in frustration. "This was stupid, Eden. This was a stupid idea." She muttered, unaware that there was someone close by.

[fadedstarsfms]

who: you choose it's an open starter where: random street by the woods/pit

Briar had a lot on their mind recently after the festival and nothing they could do seemed to get them to calm down. After one of the many long days of self isolating, Briar decided that they needed to check out the pit for themselves. That maybe it would help them ease their mind. So once the sun set Briar set out to where she heard the pit was. However once there, doubt started to creep in.

Keeping her distance Briar just stood there staring at the pit that was now a crater, not knowing what to do next. It seemed normal enough but it was hard for them to believe that this was the cause of so much destruction and death. Which brought back the similar thoughts of was it really the demons that caused the blood on Briar's hands or was she truly the monster that the demons loved calling her?

All of Briar's inner alarms went off when her vampire senses felt someone nearby. Shit. She wasn't normally the person to just go off and explore things like this plus she didn't really want to be left alone with someone she could hurt. "Sorry. I didn't mean to just be standing here creepily." Briar called out, trying to at least let the other person know she knew they were there. "I'm a journalist and just wanted to check it out for myself. First eye account and all that." Which wasn't exactly a lie but it sure as hell wasn't the full truth either.

[riaxnunez]

LOCATION: Outside the bank downtown

After everything that had happened at the festival, Ria had spent a few days stuck at home get some rest after being patched up from the explosion at Midnight Mirage. The doctor had made her promise to take it easy, but sitting still wasn't something Ria had ever been good at. Plus, she had more than herself to look after, and thanks to not being able to work for at least the next while until she was healed up, she was more stressed than ever. Her car was wrecked, she had medical bills to figure out, and her bank account was getting close to being in the negatives. So, she'd gone down to the bank to try and figure out something so she could at least make it through the next week.

However, there wasn't anything they could do to help. Her credit was in the toilet, so they had let her down very politely. But, the politeness only made Ria more stressed, and as she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she let out her frustration. "Fuck! God dammit! Fucking fuck!"

Her outburst resulted in a few sideways glances from people walking by, and Ria quickly composed herself the best she could. "Shit, sorry, my bad."

[vampire-lucadiaz]

Open to all Location: Cop O Joy

Luca still wasn't sure what had brought him here. Sure, he wanted answers, but who was to say he would find them here? Sure he had a hunch but he had been wrong before. Even then having to leave his family behind left a dull ache in his body. While he was used to being independent maybe he could find a new 'family'. here.

Or not, either way it doesn't hurt to try right?

He stood behind the counter of Cup O' Joy as he prepared for the day ahead of him. He always enjoyed coffee in his human life, not that he really needed it these days he found some joy in preparing the drink. He still avoided going by the police station, reminders of the life he left behind, the life he never got to have.

Luca glanced up as the door opened smiling as he cleaned a coffee cup, "Hi, how can I help you?"

[kaixwinter]

LOCATION: Rhythm Realm

There wasn't much that Kai took great pride in, but his store was one of them. Being able to open Rhythm Realm on his own and somehow keep it running was huge for him. Especially since he wasn't the most friendly of business owners.

He was sorting through some customer orders when he heard the door open and close and without looking up he called out, "Instruments are up the front, records are down the back. Most importantly, you break it, you buy it. And before you ask, no, the Taylor Swift album is sold out. Clearly people in this town lack any taste at all."

[bayliequinn-medicinewoman]

Where: Golden Spoon

Who: Open for event

After the events that had happened at the clinic, Micah and Baylie had agreed to meet to talk things out. It was probably best that they did it in public, not that she thought anything bad could happen, but who really knew? The thought of bringing Kian with her crossed her mind. But, with the weather the way it was and not knowing how Micah would react, she decided it was best to keep him at home with the nanny. 

The thought about cancelling on Micah had crossed her mind, as she was on her way. But she wanted to try to make an effort, even though her head was telling her to do otherwise. She walked in, glancing around for the man before glancing back outside at the weather, grimacing. Even if Micah didn’t show up, at least she got a good meal. She wasn’t even sure if she would make it home, but she could go to the clinic for a bit waiting for the storm to pass. 

“I wonder if this place has alcohol,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. It could at least ease her anxiety a bit. 

[mikael-blackwood]

LOCATION: Cup O’ Joy WHO: Open

Around two months since Mikael had moved back in town and it seemed the town hardly changed from nearly twenty years ago.  The family ranch remained intact, the only difference is that the majority of the ten children have moved on from there.  At the moment, he wished he could say the same.  However, he tried to remind himself that he was fortunate that his parents were allowing him to stay in his old childhood bedroom he shared with three other brothers.  Although it wasn’t necessarily for free, his father had put him back to work after two weeks of self wallowing in his room.

Since he spent most of his time on the family ranch, he decided it was time to get out a little and at least try to get familiar with the people he left behind all those years ago and the new townspeople who had moved in since.  As he sat there in the sweet coffee shop, his eyes flickering down at his cell phone, something caught his attention in the corner of his eyes.  “Oh my gawd,” he smiled widely as he caught sight of someone he thought he knew.  “Hey!”  He called out, waving the person over to him.

[fangedamadeus]

One thing that he did that a lot of people seemed to judge a lot, was dipping the french fry in ice cream, but honestly, it was one of the best things that he tried. For those that judge, he will say, don't knock it until you try it. He used to find it weird too, before he gave it a try. He's not saying that he only ate it like that, there are times he only ate the french fries, but without the ice cream, wasn't as good, at least in his opinion. The exception was french fries with cheddar and bacon, those no other fry could ever top, "Don't look at me like that, it's actually really good," he told the person who was looking at him. He wasn't sure if it was for that reason, but he decided to playfully answer anyway.

[maevethewaterfairy]

where: Near Downtown

Who: Open to all

Maeve couldn’t believe there was so much to the human world that she didn’t know about. It was all so fascinating. Every day she felt like she was learning something new. She, however, did not like the fact that it was starting to get colder; even if she did enjoy the leaves changing the weather, getting colder was not one of her favorite things.

She wouldn’t let the cold bring her down, though. She had been spending most of her day teaching herself to bake. Humans really did like their sweets, and there were so many different types as well! She pulled out a batch of cookies from her oven and turned around to place it down, frowning when she realized that there was no more room on the counters. “Oh dear,” she muttered to herself. What was she going to do? 

“Wait!” she gasped. She set the baking sheet on the ground, grabbed a large tray, and placed an assortment of treats on it. She headed into town hoping to share her treats with others. Everyone liked baked goods, didn't they? 

She smiled when she saw someone coming out of a store and approaching them. 

“Hello, would you like a treat?” 

[gracie-cooke]

For: Open

At: Jukebox Junction

After a long day of dealing with movers, and assembling furniture, the young witch found herself at the first bar she could find. With a little bit of lipstick on, Grace settled at the bar with a cocktail. She was due for some celebration after all. Her home was coming along, she had her new job at the hospital starting and so far the town was quaint.

After sitting for a drink and mainly just people watching, she stood. Fully intended on making her way to the door, she stood from her stool a little too quickly. Catching herself, she turned to whomever was closest- "You're more than welcome to my seat- I think the bar tender has a generous pour."

[angstfactory]

OPEN, NEAR NIGHTSHADE PARK

POP! "Shit," the curse came as Neylani grabbed the wheel more fiercely, as the SUV suddenly bounced and jostled, the unmistakable of wheel axle against pavement loud. Carefully, she steered the vehicle safely off to the side of the road.

Of course this would happen in the dead of fucking night. Near Nightshade Park, of all places. With a strange, dense fog making visibility difficult.

Ever since the demons -- seemingly -- had been chased back to that sinkhole that closed in on itself, this weird fog had rolled in and persisted. It was far, far worse at night. And it made the place smell wet, which was at least a damned sight better than that disgusting rotten eggs they dealt with for weeks.

With a sigh, she climbed down from the truck. This was supposed to be her day off and yet, she had agreed to check on a noise disturbance because it was a family she knew personally. It wasn't anything serious-- she hadn't even gone in uniform. Now, here she was, stuck out there with a flat tire. Her wolf senses though, were naturally on high alert as she rounded to the back of the SUV. Neylani's hands paused on the spare tire hanging off the back, her brows drawing together in concern as she peered over at where she thought she heard something. That damn fog, though, made it so she couldn't see who or what it was.

"Anyone there?" A hand dropped to her pocket, to cover over a container of mace. Her pistol was in the console. She wasn't about to become some unfortunate victim featured on the next Dateline.

[drailcdx]

location: a closed store, late evening/night open to: everyone!

"What do you mean closed?!" She grumbles, flip flop clad foot tapping against the concrete, a sheen of evening summer sweat on her forehead as she stands outside the shop door in the street light. Was it late? Absolutely. Was she still used to the 24/7 conveniences of Chicago? Absolutely. Did she need to find a way to take care of the smell before she'd be able to sleep at night? Also, absolutely. She huffs and pulls her phone out of the pocket of her sweats, stepping to the side to get out of the way of someone's path, almost on the brink of tears as all the signs read 'closed'. "Don't do this to me now..." She wipes at her face, the street light flickering and drawing her attention for a minute. "Why is everything in this town so fucking weird?" Now she's just frustrated and talking out loud, maybe it's the heat, maybe it's the stress, maybe it's something else but she can just feel the tension unable to release in the back of her throat. "'Scuse me!" She flags down the passerby. "Sorry, uhm, do you know of anywhere here or nearby that might be open that can..." She laughs and pinches her nose to compose herself. "That can take care of a smell?"

[fadedstarsfms]

Who: Open starter! Where: Witches Brew Coffee House

"Shit!" Maia said a bit too loudly as she immediately started looking around her. She was in her second cup of coffee when she realized that she was missing something she very much shouldn't be missing. "Hey can you help me? I lost my daylight ring and frankly I don't want to be stuck in here for at least another eight hours." She asked the person next to her, desperation in her voice.

[riaxnunez]

LOCATION: Pantry Basket

Ria had been pacing the aisles of the store for a good thirty minutes, still unable to find exactly what it was that she was looking for. It had gotten to the point where she couldn’t even remember what she was there for, so she found herself standing in the middle of the walkway, staring at the shelves in front of her. “Have you ever really given much thought into how there came to be so many different kinds of chips? I mean, just look at them all. Who’s idea was it? Who looked at a potato and thought, ‘I know how to make this better! Slice it up nice and thin and let’s see what happens!’ Then there’s the flavours. Don’t even get me started on the flavours. Natalia asked for some roasted green pepper and sweet chilli flavour. Is that even a thing?”

[eleanor-moretti]

Who: Open Where: outside Town Hall

She wanted to say this place never changed. One century. Two. You could roll them up like carpets and tuck them away and this town, this bit of land wouldn't shift. But then that was a lie. It had changed, tangibly and inexorably and not always for the better. She'd rolled in over the weekend, lured back in by a few not so pleasant reports. Friends that left her voicemails about an odd string of bad luck; things that couldn't be blamed on a bit of vengeful magic. And then wolves that disappeared overnight. Raven's Peak was a tight rope and if things were tipping, she knew where she needed to be.

As she stepped out onto the main street, her nose caught the scent in the air. "Damn, this place reeks."