drailcdx

[drailcdx]

"Christ all-fucking-Mighty." Lydia murmurs, quickly stepping inside and closing the door behind her. she'd seen a lot in her days. gunshots, lost limbs, hell, literal hell as she held someone's head together with her own hands, there wasn't a lot you could do to shake her. but this?

this was out of her realm. this might even be out of her world.

Try. a voice whispers behind her and though she knows no one is there she can only take a guess as to who it is, a sense of reassurance and calm filling her. "Okay..." she swallows and nods. "Okay." it's more a response to the voice she's sure only she can hear but she sets her bag on the ground, making a quick assessment before speaking. "Cricket... Are... Are you okay? Does anything hurt?" she asks, gesturing to the markings.

They didn't know what to do anymore. Not that Cricket had ever had a clue about what was wrong with them, but it was getting worse after the night at the masquerade. They'd practically attacked someone else, marking them both in the process, and felt a unnerving sense of dread that bubbled underneath the surface. Or maybe it was their own fears about the way the magic had reacted to someone it had taken as a threat. So faced with limited options, and marks that looked like scars all over their body, Cricket texted the one person they hoped could help explain something. Or help get rid of the marks. Cricket heard the knock and the sense of dread was overwhelming, answering it quietly and stepping back so no one outside of the apartment would be able to see them except for Lydia.

[drailcdx]

a quick assessment of what she can see, and it isn't a lot, but the girl looks unwell. she can sense the despair, the solemn energy as it radiates from behind the door, and then pushes into her as the front door cracks open and tallulah speaks.

she clears her throat, nodding a bit, a gentle grin tugging on her face. "I believe you," and it's the truth, lydia isn't in the business of telling other people how to feel about their situation. "but people are worried, and to be frank, I'd feel better if we could at least chat?" she shrugs. "See if there's anything I can get for you or do for you" sometimes, reversing the need and placing the desire on her versus the other person takes the pressure off; sometimes, she doesn't get so lucky.

"I've been at this for awhile so I know a trick or two." she finishes with a small laugh and a bob of the head.

she hadn't really ventured outside since the masquerade, when someone else's magic had practically forced her own out, an ugly set of events that had left tallulah scarred. the blonde had tried everything - scrubbing, make-up, salicylic and hyaluronic acid, her own nails to pick at the skin and yet...nothing. it spidered up from each finger, following the veins and arteries within her forearms, stretching just beyond the elbows before disappearing completey. many would say it was invisible, tallulah so pale that such scarring was difficult to see but, she knew it was there, and that's all that mattered.

a knock on the door brought her out of scratching, the marks red on her arms, blonde hair lank and clipped up, skin sallow and eyes wild. maybe if she sits still enough, the person will go away - no. another knock. a nurse? she rises from where she's sat amongst the covers on her bed-come-couch, moving over things littered on the ground and half opening the door.

she's pretty, red hair, fresh faced. tallulah despises she look so good when she herself doesn't.

"let me guess, fitz sent you?" he's the only person who'd care enough to do so. "i'm fine,"

[drailcdx]

She nods, watching the puppy curiously watch Goose, the older dog simply yawning and deciding to lay in the cool grass while they talk. "Yeah... I do know... We were running in the woods by my house and... I don't know I think hunters laid bear traps? We don't even have bears in the area and—" Her voice gets high pitched for a moment but she stops the rant and simply takes a breath. "He ran through some leaves and it snapped on his leg." She looks to the bandaged nub with the prosthetic. "So now we just walk and take many breaks."

"Oh, yeah?" Aspen watched the other pup curiously, keeping their own Australian shepherd, Ace, between their legs and back from advancing on the other dog, despite their clear desire to play. "What happened? - If you don't mind me asking, of course." She had brought it up herself, after all. "Ace is a friendly pup. He might be able to help him feel a little more comfortable? But I dunno, I hear ya if he needs some time to recoup. We're all a little like that, ya know?"

[drailcdx]

It couldn't hurt to get a second opinion on the house. Since Aisley came over and since almost everyone else had something to say about her house, it seemed like a good idea. Her grandmother had been pretty spiritual, and while Lydia wasn't a big believer, it might put her learned suspicions to rest.

She shushes the howling dogs, sending them to their beds before answering the door. Her polite smile immediately turns into a scowl, eyebrow raised. "And what of it?" She shoots back, eyes going from Chester to the man at the edge of the woods, rolling her eyes. "Sorry, hold on." She pushes past him and starts yelling at shadowy figure in the treeline to get off her property as she does every evening before motioning for Chester to head inside with her.

"He's so annoying. I've called the police and they say he's never there when they come." An eye roll as she closes the door behind them with a loud creak and thud.

@drailcdx ft. lydia

location; lydia's apartment

it's not like his ability was a secret, chester advertised the thing for money on a flyer and on online message board for interested parties. people calling to meet was therefore common, the witch once again turning up to somewhere unfamiliar and knocking on the door. should he really be doing this, without the safety of an amulet around his neck, blocking spirits from simply entering his body without permission? reduced to the vessel he was always meant to be. he knocks on the door of the given address, tired eyes looking at the redhead who opens it - lydia, the email said. "you live here?" the note in his voice is accusatory, chester had sensed the vibes of the place from down the street.

[drailcdx]

for: Tallulah ( @cryiinglikecassandra ) location: Tallulah's place

How she got into the business of house calls is beyond her. Maybe it was the fuckin kid she was taking care of for a moment before she had to dismiss herself. Too much bias against his mother. He isn't a bad kid, but sometimes you have to recognize when situations affect you and your care. She thinks of Fitz and wishes his well being into the world before knocking on the door of her new patient. Well, pseudo-patient. She'd heard of Tallulah but they hadn't officially met yet. But if her injuries were as bad as Crickets they were going to be very close by the end of this. A few moments goes by and she knocks again before calling. "Tallulah?" She asks, listening through the door. "It's Lydia... Nurse Lydia Reagan... I was told you need help?"

[drailcdx]

for: @glitchfms location: cricket's place

Backpack of supplies, heart beating a little faster than normal when she got the text from Cricket asking for some assistance— she was worried. Not that Lydia wasn't friendly, or didn't extend her knowledge, she made it pretty clear outside the hospital she was no one's caretaker but her dogs. So it took a lot for someone to ask her for help. Her knuckles hit the door in a few strokes and she steps back to wait for Cricket to answer, fingers playing with a loose string on her duffle bag.

[drailcdx]

for: open! location: nightshade park

"No, he's... Touchy right now." Lydia soothes, leash wrapped tight around one hand, the other on his collar. "Since his accident on our run, he's been a little off. But he's getting better." She gives him a rub behind the ears, which settles the pooch momentarily, long enough for her to look up. "So, sorry, but no, he's not accepting pets at this moment. But soon, maybe!"

[drailcdx]

It's always a question of whether or not someone knew how to waltz, she has doubts he does, but she appreciates he's willing to at least try. Historically, it was like pulling teeth to get partners on the dance floor with her, as if the act of not knowing was something to be ashamed of. This time, a small, but pleased smile, actually forms across her face as she takes his hand. She can feel the grief that lingers on him, but she wonders how much of that is her projecting since Johnny himself seems charismatic. Even keeled.

She turns to face him as they enter the dance floor, hands going into their position on his body, head tilting. "Do you know how to waltz?" She finally asks. Lydia has no problem leading, but she also doesn't want to make assumptions.

[drailcdx]

It's moments like these she wonders if she should keep inviting people over. Company was nice, it helped her feel less alone, like she had a community again, but rarely did anyone return for a second visit. The house just... Bothered people. Lydia was used to it, she grw up in the home when it was dark and wall to wall with plants and all sorts of things her grandmother kept around. She thought she made it more inviting but she figured maybe there was more work to be done.

The question prompts her thoughts to pause, lips pursing as she thinks and slowly shakes her head. "Like.. In the house? I mean yeah, it's a creepy old house with creepy neighbors that like to wander in the woods during the dead of night." She laughs briefly before chewing on her bottom lip and speaking again. "Look... My grandmother... I love her... Loved her." She corrects, smile turning solemn. "But she was..." She sighs, shaking her head and adjusting on the couch. "She was a sick lady. When I was little, like... Maybe six or seven I was so convinced I could bring things back to life. Birds, plants, I think a cat once, childhood imagination right?" She starts. "But towards the end there, my grandmother had latched onto this idea that it was a gift to be passed down. And I mean she... she went off the rails a few years before she passed but when she was really demented towards the end..." She stammers but stops herself from sharing too much, putting a grin back on her face. "I don't think she could bring people back to life, but I do think houses hold memories. And this house? It's old. It's got a lot of memories." Her own expression softens. "I can turn on more lights if it makes it less scary."

Aisley lifted her eyebrows even as she took a seat in one of the chairs. “Interesting,” she allowed, keeping her tone cool and steady. Her fingers moved in tiny circles and lines, nothing more than restless motions to the untutored, but she traced out runes of protection and shielding. The house bothered her, the feel of the watching eyes much like a branch scraping across a frosted pane of glass.

If Lydia could feel it, sense it, did she possess some magic? She’d never indicated such, but then again, people didn’t always know of their own gifts.

Well, she would simply have to push forward and see if she could draw out a few answers.

“Lydia, has anything unusual ever happened to you?” Aisley asked, soft and gentle, though her eyes stayed focused on the younger woman. “Or around you? Something that you couldn’t explain?”

[drailcdx]

Impressive. Withheld judgment, Lydia isn't shocked he knows, but she is pleasantly surprised. It's rare people, especially her male counterparts, know the steps. It just isn't taught outside of WASP cul-de-sacs and debutant gatherings. He gives her a heart warming story and something about the closeness with his grandparents warms her heart. It feels familiar. Lydia laughs with him at the memory, she can practically see it in her own mind. Somehow, someway, it's like she's standing in the room as small children giggle and point. "That's very sweet of your grandparents." She comments, moving with him letting him take the lead and simply feeling the beat of the music.

"Classic story; my dad's a lawyer and my mother's a politician. It would have been obscene if I didn't attend all the adolescent preparatory classes for good manners and how to sit still and be quiet." She chuckles, rolling her eyes a bit. "Dancing happened to be part of that. Modesty and all that garbage. It helped that I was in ballet. But I was, and have been, a ballet dancer for as long as I could walk." She sighs, remembering her grandmother helping sew her very first pair of pointe shoes. "Were you close with your grandparents?"

As they made their way to the dance floor and their hands found the appropriate placements on each other's bodies, Johnny couldn't help but count his lucky stars that he got to be the one who shared the first dance of the night with her, and moreover, that it was a waltz that she was asking of him. His mind seemed to travel through the currents of times and space itself to bring him the memory of his gran and grandad teaching him the waltz in their living room in preparation for his first school dance. Of course, on that occasion, the learned skill hadn't proven to be of much use, and had in fact, been the cause of a considerable amount of embarrassment and suffering. But this? Well, this almost seemed like it was the universe's way of making good on the promise of his gran all those years ago, that he would be glad he'd be glad he'd taken the time to learn when a pretty girl asked him to dance.

"Actually I do." He replied to her question, a bit of his amusement from the reflection he'd just had showing through in his features, whilst he took the lead and began to steer them in the signature 3/4 time that was standard of the waltz. "My gran and grandad insisted on teaching it to me when I was twelve, to get me ready for my first school dance. Kids in my class all laughed at me when I tried to waltz with Susan Hannigan." He chuckled and shook his head at this memory as they continued moving to the music. "What about you? How'd you learn; where and when? I know you said you're a dancer, but tell me more about it." He asked this of her with earnestness and a genuine interest in hearing more about her; to learn as much as he could get her to share about herself, was, in that moment, his heart's greatest desire.

[drailcdx]

It's always a question of whether or not someone knew how to waltz, she has doubts he does, but she appreciates he's willing to at least try. Historically, it was like pulling teeth to get partners on the dance floor with her, as if the act of not knowing was something to be ashamed of. This time, a small, but pleased smile, actually forms across her face as she takes his hand. She can feel the grief that lingers on him, but she wonders how much of that is her projecting since Johnny himself seems charismatic. Even keeled.

She turns to face him as they enter the dance floor, hands going into their position on his body, head tilting. "Do you know how to waltz?" She finally asks. Lydia has no problem leading, but she also doesn't want to make assumptions.

He repeats her name like it matters and she'll admit, it's got her attention. Her palms are rough in comparison to hers, a steady grip up until he lets go, she gets flashes of his life prior to this. At least, she thinks she does. Maybe she'd just had more to drink than she thought but the energy he presented was different from where he'd been, she could feel it. She couldn't explain it, but she could feel it transfer from his palm to hers.

Tongue runs along her teeth as he speaks, lips pursing as she debates his offer. Being alone isn't new, and it's something she's grown fond of. But there's an invisible push that tells her she should just say yes for once instead of being so damn introspective. "Well, Johnny." She repeats his name back to him, deciding if she likes how it sounds leaving her own mouth. "I'm a dancer... Ex-dancer. But I haven't danced all night." She clears her throat to fight an unbecoming pout off her face. "I'll keep talking to you, if you come waltz to this song with me."

[drailcdx]

He repeats her name like it matters and she'll admit, it's got her attention. Her palms are rough in comparison to hers, a steady grip up until he lets go, she gets flashes of his life prior to this. At least, she thinks she does. Maybe she'd just had more to drink than she thought but the energy he presented was different from where he'd been, she could feel it. She couldn't explain it, but she could feel it transfer from his palm to hers.

Tongue runs along her teeth as he speaks, lips pursing as she debates his offer. Being alone isn't new, and it's something she's grown fond of. But there's an invisible push that tells her she should just say yes for once instead of being so damn introspective. "Well, Johnny." She repeats his name back to him, deciding if she likes how it sounds leaving her own mouth. "I'm a dancer... Ex-dancer. But I haven't danced all night." She clears her throat to fight an unbecoming pout off her face. "I'll keep talking to you, if you come waltz to this song with me."

Her words prompted an easy laugh to rise out of Johnny and he nodded his head appreciatively, whilst he took her hand as she offered it and gave it a shake. "Lydia..." He repeated thoughtfully, the corners of his mouth twitching in a threat of breaking out into a dreamy smile; it was a pretty name for a very pretty girl. "Name's Johnny. Johnny Haven. It's not much, but it's mine" He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders as he released her hand that he'd held onto up until then. "But you know something Lydia? I've gone all around this place tonight, looking for someone who could keep my attention. And standing here talking to you? Well, I have this funny little feeling that I'm not gonna be looking anymore. Unless, of course, you would rather that I did?" He posed the question earnestly, not having any desire to force his company upon her if she wasn't as interested in continuing what they'd started here as he was. "I'm not gonna be offended if you would rather that. Disappointed? Absolutely. But not offended."

[drailcdx]

Lydia lets out a low whistle at the turn, giving Crickets hand a squeeze as their fingers find each other. She clicks her tongue at the compliment, waving it off with her hand. "I'm so glad." And she means that. The redhead knows very well how it feels to be in a room full of joy and not feel the same. "Just remember to feel it while you're here." She chuckles, giving a nod as she starters to wander, linking her arm with theirs. "It's been so long! The hospital's been so chaotic and with Goose being injured it's been crazy. But tonight has been good! Seeing the town pull out the stops is a breath of fresh air."

Cricket smiled as they spun slowly for the other, feeling more like themselves around Lydia even with the steady worries they had about attending at all. With the other, Cricket knew they could be themselves and not worry so much as they offered a bit of a smile before they were holding the other's hand. "Thank you, but your outfit is gorgeous." The other looked radiant. They nodded. "I think so, I mean, I am. I've been worried all day that I wouldn't so I'm trying to come to terms with everything being better than I imagined. What about you? I don't think I've seen you in ages."

[drailcdx]

It's obvious that Aisley can feel it too, the presence that always seemed to loom in the matriarch's house. Lydia used to hate it as a kid. She'd sometimes find herself waking from nightmares as a kid, calling for her grandmother to come save her from the dark. She clears her throat as the other woman joins her, putting on a smile at the mention of gardening.

"God, tell me about it. I've seen some sad vegetables." She laughs, falling onto the couch after flipping on a couple more lights, patting a spot next to her. "I'll have to ask around then. The dogs can only eat so much pumpkin before they look at me like I'm torturing them." She cranes her neck to look at the sleeping pooches behind her before coming back to Aisley, thinking a moment before finally speaking.

"This house has always been like this, in case you were wondering."

Aisley followed her inside, pausing as she took in the temperature of the house. Her brow furrowed, but she remained silent for the moment. Usually she would presume Lydia preferred it chilly, but given her decision to light the fire, that didn’t seem to fit the situation. Something played along the edge of her senses, a hint of a scent or a sound that she couldn’t quite make out. If she were still a child or apprentice witch, she’d likely be running out of the house to seek her elders to do a cleansing.

Something seemed to hang over the house . . . something outside of Aisley’s expertise.

“You might also consider selling some,” Aisley informed her, wandering into the living room as she continued to try and determine what she was sensing. Lydia had never spoken of anything regarding magic, nor had she approached the covens – at least not to Aisley’s knowledge. Did the younger woman sense it?

“There are lots of folks in town who don’t – or can’t – handle their own gardening,” she continued. “They’re usually open to buying or bartering for fresh.”

[drailcdx]

Despite being a spectre himself, Mac didn't believe in ghosts. Not really. Lived too long, seen too much other crazy shit, there was usually an explanation for everything. Yet, standing before him, was a ghost of times passed. A decade he'd long let go of, his first taste of a life doing something he believed he actually enjoyed. At first, he isn't sure who it is he's talking to, but flashes of a face in the crowd every Friday night, young and eager gazing up at him while Mac looked from behind a microphone into a sea of angsty youth. Maybe Rowen wasn't surprised, but Mac sure was. "Oh. Hey." The scent of old club basements and sweat and blood wafts through his nostrils but it's just a trick of his mind. "Likewise. It's rare I see someone from an actual lifetime ago."

who: @drailcdx ( mac ) where: just off the dance floor in the club

Adelaide was a vision in green, gliding across the dance floor with yet another suitor for her time and they too would be disappointed when their dance was up. He could wait his turn, though he also knew that it was his heart out there with her even if he was not. As he moved around several others dancing, Rowen was content to find himself in another spot to pass the time as he sought a familiar face in the crowd. It was not one that he'd known for long but a glimpse of a moment in time. They were forever frozen on the film of his camera but seeing them there now, it was not only him that kept them as a moment in time. So did their vampirism. Rowen moved towards them, drawn in as he had so many years before as a much younger photographer at heart and falling a bit in love with everything that he photographed/ "I would say I'm surprised to see you here, but it has been a few decades since the last time that I was surprised. Perhaps I should count myself lucky that you're here."

[drailcdx]

A charmer? Coming to her doorstep? Her upper lip raises out of habit, half smile half snarl as her eyebrow also quirks up. He speaks like he's straight out of some fairy tale book she's sure her grandmother read to her as a child, and while she'd normally call his bluff on the manners; she can tell it's genuine. Lydia had a natural ability to tell when people were well meaning or not, it made her good at her job, it made her good with people. She nods at his reasoning, giving him a once over, arms crossed over her chest before she decides she'll humor it.

After all, she didn't get dressed up for nothing.

"Well," Lydia clears her throat, fighting off the smile that threatens to break the composure she's worked so hard to maintain, eyes going back to the party goers for just a moment. "I suppose since you're in a rock and a hard place, I can forgive you for your transgressions this one time." A tease on her tongue before she finally extends out a hand to him. "Lydia."

As much as he might have wanted to stick with Atlas for the whole of the night, Johnny knew that his friend had played a part in bringing this entire event into existence, and that he had a lot of people he needed to talk to. That was fine by Johnny anyway, since the man, with an easy charm and charisma, had never had much trouble with finding people to strike up a conversation with when the need arose. He flitted around the venue, exchanging pleasantries and bits of laughter with various patrons, in search for a conversation or a person that captured him entirely. It was still with the echo of laughter upon his features from a conversation that had entertained, but not captured him, that his eyes landed on such a someone; a beautiful dame with hair like the setting sun that stole the breath from his lungs for a moment.

A girl like that could only be alone by choice, he knew, but was that because she didn't want the company of anyone, or simply because, like Johnny himself, she hadn't yet found the person whose company she actually wanted? When she turned and spoke to him, he flushed but quickly regained his composure and offered her a nod of his head in acknowledgement of the truth in her words. "You're right, and I apologize for that. Truly." He said with an incline of his head and a hand on his heart. "But see, I ain't the type of man who likes to deny himself the chance to admire true beauty when I see it. So, I'm sure you can see the trouble here: I was torn between my nature and my manners. And while it's no excuse, I'm afraid that I couldn't seem to pry my eyes away from you no matter how much I knew that I should."

[drailcdx]

He'd be lying if he said there wasn't a pang in his hear wishing he was one of those yuck couples. At one point, he would've been, but time and fate and whatever else you want to call it has a funny way of changing. Zach lets out a soft laugh before he takes a sip from his drink, giving a thoughtful nod to her statement. "Hey, power to ya. Everyone's got their own goals."

Open Masquerade Party "To be honest, I don't know why I'm suprised," Faith says as she watches the couples on the dancefloor, "I mean this sort of thig always makes people all love-y and yuck," she chuckles a bit, shaking her head, "I'm just here for the chance to look hot and the booze of course."