hypnctics

[hypnctics]

though indy had been grown for a while now, her mother would never abandon the sense of pride she had at any and all of her accomplishments. the leanan sidhe was an avid reader of the paper purely to shout about her daughter's talents, showing every customer at the store whenever indy had something published. but there was a sense of dread with the potential of this latest article, that the girl might get too close to danger chasing a story. "i just worry-" adriana says gently, reaching out to give indy's arm a squeeze. "it was a terrible thing to happen. i wouldn't want you...exposing yourself to harm."

A slight smirk reaches their lips at the mention of their last article. One thing about them, they don't hold back - not when it comes to their job. While appearing quiet, possibly even shy, underneath the surface there's almost too much going on. "Don't worry, I'll send you the link or bring the paper right to you," just as though they were still a child, bringing home their artwork from school. At least now, in adulthood, the projects they'd bring home were sensical. "Would it be a bad thing if I did?" They question, completely serious with the raise of their brow. They weren't going to hint at what the topic of interest was, whether Adriana had guessed correctly or not. But they were curious.

[hypnctics]

though the queen would prefer to spend as little time on land as possible, it was a necessary evil to maintain the nixie position within afon vale. show face, be amicable, make allies. few saw through the facade of the genteel lady, mysterious and benevolent, to the calculated nature within - they were simply rewarded with her presence.

but one family had piqued her genuine interest, in their ambition and supposed willingness to make difficult, potentially cutthroat, choices. the moon's. over the years, ceridwen had become unlikely friends ( in as much as one could be when queen ) with the cailleachs and was a regular face at the small coffee shop they owned.

and with the latest revelation, of a murder, the queen finds it all the more imperative to make an appearance at sparrow. moving through the bustling shop, nodding politely to those that greet her, ceridwen hovers before the table hosting the eldest moon child. impatient words barked at her bring only amusement, not taken to heart like she might from a lesser person, bemused smirk alighting her features. "bad day ??" the nixie royal muses, seating herself opposite achara.

closed @hypnctics ( ceridwen )

location: sparrow coffee

achara is not anxious by nature, she never allows her nerves to control her. but since the news of a murder, for once in a long, long time she's felt so restless. murders are hardly uncommon news in a town thats filled with different specifies fighting for power. granted, after years of rules and peace treaties, they would not expect it, anytime soon, and certainly not so publicly. clearly someone is trying to send a message, but to who? that's what has her up at nights because not even her loved ones are safe.

so the callieach does the one thing that provides her a temporary sense of distraction, managing her family's coffee business. she's sitting at sparrow, a table off to the corner with some paperwork. her manger could easily do these mundane tasks, but right now she could use this to keep herself busy. it's the shadow casting on her table and her papers that causes mild irritation to flash through her. "do you mind? it's rude to crowd someone." she remarks without looking up. she's not really in the mood for company, well, perhaps one person she did wish to see, but like her, he's off working. when her intruder doesn't move, achara is forced to look up. however, the second she see's the nixie queen's elegant features, her annoyance is replaced with an amicable smile. "oh, your highness, my apologies, I thought you were one of these...mundanes."

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though guinevere's composure is maintained, the queen has long learned to read her children carefully - having had centuries to intuit every micro-expression on their faces. she could push, prod and pester, until the truth of it comes out. how her daughter really feels about what has been described as a rather gruesome end for the hanging man. but she won't. her eldest has earned the right to a modicum of privacy, of discretion, where her emotions were concerned. ceridwen can only hope that if she should need her, gwen knows that her mother would move mountains. "i do not have to do anything-" the queen does not take orders from anyone but herself. she steps forward, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "i choose to worry about you." thumb lingers gently at her cheek, before she draws her hand away. "will you come home ??" or, the unspoken question, are you as determined as your sister to stay away ??

no matter where she walked , her feet always took her back here . there was a comfort to be found in the waves and the smell of open water , she relished in the ability to appear as something she wasn't but gwen couldn't completely deny the nixie in her that demanded HOME . what was left of her food was packed neatly away with her shoes in the bag that hung at her side , wrapping her arms around herself the lullaby of it was broken by a voice . it was one she had four hundred years to know , she nodded before turning her complete attention to her mother , “ yeah . just wanted to get out of town for a moment . “ there was always careful consideration in the sentences she crafted , she was mother but she was queen before all else . ” you don't have to worry about me . "

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she waves away the compliment, a smile curving across her features. though she has lived numerous centuries, friends that she could rely on were few and far between and she is grateful to have gotten to know achara. there was an instinct in her, perhaps from never having had biological children, that drew her to those she felt needed her most and though achara was capable, strong and brilliant, adriana had seen the need for affection missing in her life. if anything were to have happened to the young woman at the festivities, there would have been hell to pay for anyone that crossed her.

canting her head at achara's words, the leanan sidhe raises a brow but does not pry. her friend would share her source if and when she was ready to. "please-" adriana nods, dismay clouding her expression. "the more we know..." the better we can prepare. the sentiment goes unsaid but she feels it. if this will lead to a breaking of the treaty, she needs a chance to get her loved ones away.

"thanks to you." she murmurs, her gaze softening at her friend. having adriana in her life seems to make most days for the callieach more bearable. sometimes she wonders what it would have been like to have a mother who was as warm as adriana. of course, preeda moon loved her children, she was a force to be reckoned with when it came it to her children, but the one thing she lacks was her ability to show affection to achara and her brother. she's grateful her brother is there, they both lean on each other and dotted on each other. the air is tight with the news, and though achara had a tendency to stay out these affairs it's hard not to think about it because it could have easily been one of her loved ones. "no, but there is someone i can ask, who might know more than any of us." the message written on the male's body had left everyone more rattled. "assuming he's able to and is willing to tell me."

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the revelry had gone on until the early hours and while adriana historically was one to keep going until she dropped, she had for once left at a decent time. this meant that she had long been in bed during the hours of the grisly discovery. even the next morning, not one to be glued to her devices, it wasn't until she'd opened the store and finally had a moment to herself that the leanan sidhe had actually read the article published by the daily draig.

a murder. ritualistic at that. adriana remembers well enough the last murders the town had experienced, and before that the war, she knows that any blood spilled risks becoming a tidal wave. her hands are steady despite the thundering of her heart in her chest, thumb scrolling over the article once more. there were so few details, not enough clarity. she was at least certain that it was not her daughter, or finn - but what about brynn ?? he was leanan sidhe. when was the last time she had heard from him ??

she's half way through finding the overseer in her contacts when her young manager walks in, looking visibly shaken. "no-" adriana shakes her head, stepping out from behind the counter towards him. "no apologies necessary, caro mio." the leanan sidhe says gently, hands reaching to cup his face. "i'm just glad you're alright." brows knit into a frown, lips pressed in a thin line. "have you heard anything more ?? i could not find a name-"

finn & adriana for @hypnctics

         finn was late to work, the news they'd woken up to had shaken him to his core and the young male found himself staring at his bedroom wall in a cold sweat for much too long before he finally realised they were supposed to be getting ready for work. the young púca loved a party just as much as the next person, but because of his early shift he'd decided to leave a bit earlier and after reading that morning's breaking news he was almost glad he didn't stuck around longer. the idea of finding something so gruesome or being around at all when this could've happened too much for the brunet to currently digest. walking into work they were quick to apologise, especially after taking up that sudden free day recently they knew being late to work wasn't exactly employee of the month behaviour. "sorry, news." they said, waving their phone in the air as if that'd explain it. "just spooked."

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she hadn't meant to sound hurt ( god forbid he thinks he has that effect on her ) ; but even the smallest measure of uncertainty has her overcompensating with teasing. "you mean you didn't plan on sounding like you wanted to make a break for it as soon as you saw me ??" the brunette quirks a brow, corners of her lips tugging into a wry grin. reclining in her seat, the fox leans out of the barista's way as they place her coffee on the table in front of her, quickly ordering another for milo while they're there. "hm-" rory muses, amusement alighting her eyes, her attention returning to the man opposite. "and who says i was talking about customers ??"

“ i didn't mean it like that , rory . ” realizing just how it may have sounded only when it was her voice that spoke up , although he would never admit it he liked the other's company . “ i just - ” didn't know it was you . the words hung in the air and milo resolved himself to give a little shrug before putting his mug down . dark hues stole a glance up as she spoke and a smile of amusement crossed his features , “ i'm NEVER one to reject free coffee . but . i had to prove that ebony is getting her money's worth out of me , and i couldn't leave you to deal with them alone . ”

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though ebony could be considered to have a haughty air about her ( and rory knew some of the other staff could talk about the woman being a bit of a hard-ass ) ; the brunette had always liked her. she took no shit and had high expectations but she had her team's back and trusted their judgment. she was the kind of boss that rory could get behind.

"don't worry, i've already given milo 'the look'" the púca chuckles, shaking her head. the bouncers at kings and queens were always fairly responsive; it took little but a disgruntled expression from her to have them throwing someone out on their ass.

grabbing a beer out the fridge ( she doesn't need to be told twice ), rory throws a glance back over her shoulder. "anything you need, eb ??"

A single brow raises when Rory speaks and slowly, she turns to meet her gaze. "Interesting," she hums, glancing back to the man. She trusted her staff to make their own calls regarding the patrons at the bar. She, herself, would take no shit and she wouldn't expect them to either. They had to know when to put their foot down. "If he causes you any more fuss, you know what to do." It appeared the man had wandered off anyhow but she'd keep a cautious eye on him. "Your shift is almost over by now. If you want a drink, I won't blame you."

[hypnctics]

art's laugh is warm, easy. comfortingly familiar. it's the kind that pulls a smile onto naveen's lips even before he can stifle it, grinning simply at the other man's joy. though the nixie's attention moves back to the passersby, nav's stays on him - lingering, perhaps too long, on the curvature of his cheekbones and the light downing of scruff that darkens them. purely for the portrait, of course. "i've noticed." naveen murmurs, the words slipping out unwittingly.

clearing his throat, he tears his gaze away quickly and stares at the page in his lap instead. the likeness is there but it needs the detail, the little things that make him art. pencil returns to paper, motion paving the way for delicate lines. i wonder what you think too. that gets his attention, eyes lifting to fix upon the other man again. what does he think ?? nothing that he can say aloud, that's for certain. "dinner-" he repeats, drumming the end of his pencil against the pad. "i'm easy. you do plenty anyway, pretty sure the flat would be a straight up dump if it weren't for you."

         art let out a laugh at the other's reply, eyes lighting up with glee as he looked at the other. "you got me there." he nodded, amusement clear in his voice. he chuckled once more as he let his eyes fall back to the people passing by, following each individual for mere seconds before snapping to the next. "sometimes i just let my mind wander." he continues, closing his eyes as he thinks of how to formulate his following sentence without it sounding too odd.

"sometimes... i wonder what you think too." the nix mumbles, a small frown coming over his face before he shakes his head slightly. maybe he shouldn't have said that. "what do you want for dinner?" he asks, instead changing the topic at hand as he looks back at the other with a questioning look. "i'll cook tonight, i feel like i haven't been doing enough of that lately."

[hypnctics]

@dxrkmeds / naveen & izzy

where: naveen's home

while most of his conversations ( or those happening around him ) have seemed to centre on the body in the woods, naveen can't help but be hesitant to bring it up with izzy. he's sure that the regulator has probably had far too many people wanting to discuss it with him - especially given izzy was the one to find it. but unlike the usual gossip and bandying of theories, naveen is more concerned with finding out if his friend is okay.

placing a bowl of popcorn on the table, the bean sidhe plops down onto the couch and grabs the remote. he's about to press play but hesitates, fixing izzy with an apologetic smile. "look before we crack on with movie night...i gotta ask, are you okay man ?? it sounds like it was a pretty fucked up-" he pauses, wrinkling his nose. "situation."

[hypnctics]

@dxrkmeds / rory & izzy

where: vale foods

the fridge was ( besides a jar of jalapeños and a bottle of ketchup ) utterly bare and while a plethora of takeaway menus called her name, the brunette knew that their bank balance required something more cost friendly. so instead of indulging in an oversized portion of malt & rock's heavenly fish and chips, rory finds herself lugging a shopping basket down the aisles of vale foods, staring resentfully at cereal boxes.

it's as she's weighing up the choice between muesli ( the sensible choice ) and coco pops ( the delicious one ) that rory catches a glimpse of izzy out the corner of her eye. terrible timing, of course, to bombard the regulator while they're just trying to do their food shop but she can't help herself. the lack of updates on the body in blodeuwedd is driving her crazy. "izzy, hey-" she calls out, making quick strides towards him. "you're still on the regulation council right ??"

[hypnctics]

@wvkcdlvly / rory & achara

where: kings & queens

since the news of the murder, there is a weight hanging over the small town - a tension that the púca has never experienced before. she is used to afon vale being idyllic, the perfect picture of harmonious small town life, a reprieve from the chaos of their life in new york. but now, something has changed. she can sense it, without knowing quite what it means, and she's not the only one.

pouring out two barti's on the rocks ( a day like today called for rum ) ; the brunette slides one towards her friend. she doesn't know much about cailleach politics, or what impact this latest death will have had, but from the air about achara she can't imagine it's been a positive one. "on the house. eb's can take it out my paycheck." rory attempts a half smile. "you look like you need it as much as i do."

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@appetitc / adriana & brynn

where: brynn's home

"what was that song you had on before ??" raven brows furrow, head tipping back against the headrest of her chair. "you know, the boppy one. a girl band of some kind." it may have been a few songs before this current one, she's lost track of which album they're on now. manicured fingers clutch her glass tightly, raising it to her lips to swallow down a mouthful of caipirinha ( she's back to reminiscing about her forays in brazil and reigniting her love of cachaca, so it seemed like an appropriate accoutrement to their meeting ). "i liked it, more than this anyway. it had something to dance to."

[hypnctics]

coffee, it was about the only thing that fuelled rory on mornings like this. it'd been a long shift at kings & queens the night before and she'd had some shitty customers ( creeps that sure as hell didn't belong in a bar like theirs ) as well as a pretty sleepless night. a triple shot was the only thing that was gonna cut it and sparrow had the best in afon vale.

pushing her way into the cosy shop, the brunette puts in her order and then looks around for a vacant table. hazel hues settle on a familiar face, sat alone with his head in a book. she hesitates for a moment, gaze lingering just a little too long, before he clearly notices the attention. shit. "don't leave on my account-" rory breezes, sliding into the seat opposite. "besides, i owe you a drink after last night."

location ; sparrow coffee ! open to all !

there were few things milo did when he wasn't at kings&queens or making sure mila wasn't getting into any trouble , and finding a table at sparrow with a book and a few hours to burn was one of them . perhaps it was him still trying to put together a puzzle no one had all the pieces to or it could be the lack of connection to the material . but milo found it increasingly difficult to find the concentration to read any of the words on the pages of the book in hand . he marked a stopping point by folding the corner of the page before setting it down and folding his arms on the table , milo closed his eyes and let out a slow exhale , trying to clear his head if not just a little . opening his eyes again he reached for the coffee mug before grimacing at the realization the contents had gone cold before taking a sip of it anyway .

" i'm getting ready to leave if you want to grab the table . " he mused when he felt eyes on him .

[hypnctics]

the leanan sidhe listens intently, warm laugh rising in her chest as her daughter drops hints about their latest piece. "if it is anything like the last thing you wrote then i don't doubt it-" adriana grins, giving indy's arm a gentle squeeze. "and i don't doubt that i'll love it, either." perhaps she was biased but adriana knew her daughter had a talent, she had always had a way with words even as a child. "you didn't write that article about the...the man they found did you ??"

Location: somewhere in afon vale. Open to Everyone.

"I don't know what you've been told but keep an eye out for my article this week. I can only promise you it'll be juicy," Indy smirks brazenly. They were always proud of their work, knowing just how much it took to get where they are in the first place. "And let me know what you think.. I worked really hard on it," they're sure to add. An obvious indication that they were also slightly sensitive to harsh feedback. Which they'd received on a number of occasions already.

[hypnctics]

with her remote classes done for the day, esme seeks any opportunity to get out of the house and clear her head. it's not that she dislikes her aunt ( the woman has done her best to take care of her after all ) but elena is barely an adult herself, a party girl at heart with an inability to hold down a steady job. which means the house is regularly home to miscellaneous men, the residual stench of stale alcohol and cigarettes, and a semi-comatose elena hogging all the couch space. better to get out and give her aunt a chance to recover; and get some fresh air.

it is automatic, the steps that lead them through their side of town and towards blodeuwedd forest. the verdant space had become their stomping ground over the years, the place that they could go to think and feel without consequence. though with the recent news, there is an added intrigue that draws them there.

their interest in blodeuwedd is not limited to the recent murder ( although that had certainly reignited their curiosity ) no, they were more focused on the history of the place itself. while they were a relative newcomer to afon vale, it had not taken them long to learn the tales of the war of the species, many battles of which occurred within the forest that encircled and bisected the town. it's the occultist in them that routinely draws them into the trees, as if among them they might find the answer to the one thing they desperately want.

they are lost in thought, wandering the path less travelled, when they hear the uttered expletives fracture the cool quiet of the forest. they follow the sound and soon find the fallen man, grappling onto a nearby railing. "shit, dude-" their mouth falls open, unable to repress the nervous giggle that bursts from their lips. bright eyes flicking between the man and his cane. "yeah totally, one sec." they close the space quickly, grabbing the implement from where it has fallen, to bring it to his side. "do you need a hand or-" they're not really sure what's appropriate here and don't want to seem condescending.

muses: ronan & [open!] location: outside of blodeuwedd

the day was taxing, as they tended to be for ronan ever since his metaphorical beaching. despite the ache settling down into his old bones, he was reluctant to go home. the first couple months of his stay in afon vale has been spent as a miserable hermit. as his spirits lifted, he found it less and less desirable to fall into old habits—even if he was still a hermit, relative to the rest of the town’s population.

ronan had been steering clear of blodeuwedd forest for a while. he wasn’t particularly ‘in the loop,’ but he read the paper near religiously. he’d heard about the gruesome sight they discovered. it was truly a damn shame. aside from the cove, the forest had become one of his favorite places to relax. now, he supposed, it had a bit of bad luck associated with it.

but the sky was clear and the day was perfect for him: just on this side of cool, where he could feel comfortable in a cardigan. he had his bag and a blanket, his journal, and a bag of veggie crisps (another delightful human creation, in his mind—right up there with writing paper and whatever it was that eased his back pain when he took two tablets with a glass of water). oh, why shouldn’t he have a day out? he hated to think of himself as some defenseless little thing. and death had never particularly scared him anyway, nor did he often fall victim to superstition.

yes, he’d have a day out, and maybe he’d find one of those delightful little skinks that skittered up trees in the forest again, the ones with the spots down their backs. mind set, ronan took off on the paved path towards the forest. he was feeling better already, he thought, making his way down a set of stairs. maybe he could finally finish transcribing his travels in the indian sea, the passage in his notebook remaining unfinished for quite a while. he only wished he could remember—

for the first time in a century, ronan exclaimed “ah, fuck!”

he’d slipped while lost in thought, one of his crutches sliding off the step earlier than he’d anticipated and tumbling out of his grasp. he glared at it with malice from the top of the stairs. luckily he’d caught himself, his free arm hooked over the rail and his other cane still firmly in place, but he was stuck in an awkward situation. blasted stairs.

“maybe this place is right bad luck,” ronan muttered. someone passing by caught his eye.

“sorry,” he said, sheepish, “could you grab that for me?”

[hypnctics]

YANDEH SALLAH as AMIE | EAGLES 1.02

[hypnctics]

the tightening of his jaw does not go unnoticed ; though it does little but amuse her. she does not need to be liked, only respected. and so long as the boy can hold his tongue, she will not be forced to cut it out. slight pursing of her lips, ocean eyes flicker over his frame before her expression returns to an impassive state. well, he is courteous at least.

"how are you certain they haven't ??" her head cants, although there is a teasing lilt to her tone. while she is certainly capable of ordering an execution, the gory display described in the paper is hardly her handiwork. and these were peacetimes, she could hardly officially sanction the death of another species could she ?? wry chuckle escapes her lips before her gaze drifts from the man before her, to the tree itself. "curiosity. concern. what else ??"

the tightening of his jaw does not go unnoticed ; though it does little but amuse her. she does not need to be liked, only respected. and so long as the boy can hold his tongue, she will not be forced to cut it out. slight pursing of her lips, ocean eyes flicker over his frame before her expression returns to an impassive state. well, he is courteous at least.

"how are you certain they haven't ??" her head cants, although there is a teasing lilt to her tone. while she is certainly capable of ordering an execution, the gory display described in the paper is hardly her handiwork. and these were peacetimes, she could hardly officially sanction the death of another species could she ?? wry chuckle escapes her lips before her gaze drifts from the man before her, to the tree itself. "curiosity. concern. what else ??"