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[marcoxdecastilla]

kai-dragoumis​:

The two were now in a perplexed situation concerning his younger sister.  Instead of losing his cool or even raising his voice, Kai just accepted it as is and questioned the man like any good big brother would do.  After all, he would never want to compromise Melanie’s happiness.  Nor would he want to hurt her in any way by scaring off the guy.  Although, he had to admit he doubted Marco was the type to run away from a challenge.  “Glad to hear it,” he softly smiled.  From what Kai could tell, the man was being honest and if he was treating his baby sister with the utmost respect, then he was alright in Kai’s books.  A smile formed, “yeah that would be nice.”  At his words, Kai raised a brow but eventually nodded.  “Sure, that makes sense.  Best run it by her first and then we can figure it out.”  And if she said no, he would have a whole different conversation with Mel.  “Sure, I’m usually available to do drinks.  Plus, I could use a guy’s night out.  So, I guess I’ll see you around?”

.

The other warlock seems slow to come around to his thoughts, and Marco is struck by just how odd this brother is compared to the two sisters.  He knows Melanie to be quick of wit, and though his interaction with Jezebel had been brief, the alchemist had not left it with anything short of admiration for the woman’s sharpness.  Malachai, however, is a different beast.  One of these things is not like the others.  “Absolutely,” Marco smiles, sliding his phone back into his pocket once Kai has tapped his phone number into the contacts.  “I suppose I could use one, too.  A mild one,” he adds.  “Anyway, I’ll let you know either way what Melanie says, and we can go from there.”  The alchemist collects his credit card and the new-member packet for the gym, before reaching out his hand to offer Kai a parting handshake.  “It’s very nice to meet you, Kai.  Thanks again...See you around.”  

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drdrago​:

  she knew on some level he was right but she truly feared jez, marco didn’t know what happened to jez growing up and mel guessed for the years she hadn’t been born yet it what could have happened but it still will never affect her the way it affected them. jez could hold a grudge if she really wanted to, mel didn’t want it to be against her but her words - nothing she could say would fix what happened. she just offered marco a nervous smile, running a hand through his hair. 

   “i’m terrified it will sound… bad. i never want to be bad not to my family and i can’t go back in time to fix what i did so now all i do is apologize. no explanation i have for any of them will ever make up for the years i didn’t speak to them.” melanie stopped speaking her head simply bobbed along to his words, open was what they needed to be with each other but she recognized her issues with the truth and finding a comfortability in telling that truth may not come about from a conversation with him – it was more a therapy thing. perhaps something she was telling herself to lighten the weight on him. “i think i lost my appetite so please distract away coco.”  

.

Waking up beside Melanie this morning had been like a dream; like some culmination of everything he’s been hoping and praying for since the day she’d walked out on him last Fall...but their subsequent conversation has brought that wave of euphoria crashing down in short order.  Their reality isn’t the fantasy Marco had allowed himself to imagine; they have a lot to work through between the two of them if their relationship stands a chance.  It’s daunting, in more ways than one, but the warlock is still convinced it’s worth the trouble and the heartache.  She is worth it.  He can’t do it alone, however, and right now it’s hard to know whether or not Melanie intends to meet him halfway.  Making amends with her family is something she will need to do for herself.  “All you can do is try, Mel.  Whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

He’d made the offer without expectation; had she told him to sod off so she could eat her omelette in peace, he would have left her to it, but Marco isn’t surprised when Melanie chooses option number two.  He hadn’t specified what that distraction would be, however, and frankly after the emotional rollercoaster they’ve just ridden he’s not exactly in the mood for the obvious.  “Okay,” Marco confirms, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek before he pulls away entirely and scoots out of bed.  “I’ll draw you a hot bath.  Do you want bubbles?”

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cassidyxbolton​:

As the two made their way through the field towards a secluded area, Cassidy felt on edge.  The imagery took him back to nearly a lifetime ago when he started using.  Cassidy dropped out of high school after his son was born with the plan to work on his GED and take care of his family.  Ultimately, he found himself coming to places like this with others around his age to use and hangout and the aura all around the two men brought back those shameful memories as he thought about how much Dusk had to go through while she took care of their son and he started spiraling.

The warlock sucked in a breath of air between his teeth, unsure what exactly he was trying to get across.  “I suppose, although I truly do believe that living by the rules as much as possible is your best  chance of staying clean.”  Some part of him wondered if he was the best candidate to be a sponsor given the fact he tended to pick and choose what steps he worked on.  The small screen of the man’s phone illuminated the dark area, he nodded in agreement with Marco’s assessment.  Cassidy merely nodded as he took the small case of pills and placed them on the ground.  Although Cassidy practiced some magic it has been awhile since he has done anything besides the basic spells.  And within moments, he started muttering words to himself and the pills were lit up in a small, containable fire.  “Never thought I see the day, I would do that.”

.

Marco takes a step back to give his new sponsor some space to work; watching as the other man pads over to the dirt patch and places the tin of pills onto the ground.  It’s a waste of perfectly good medication, and on some level the warlock feels a tinge of regret for their decision to dispose of the stuff in such a destructive manner--even if it is better than flushing them into the town’s water supply--though it’s a short lived notion.  Nothing good was going to come of those drugs, and he knows it.  Clearly Cassidy does, too.  This is for the best.

There’s a small flash of light as the contents of the tin are suddenly set ablaze by Cassidy’s spell; the pills burning far hotter and faster than any natural flame should have permitted.  In moments they are gone; reduced to ash.  “Means you’ve come a long way, yeah?” Marco observes encouragingly, ever the optimist.  He takes a few steps closer, slipping his hands into his pockets as he dusts through the remnants of the debris with the toe of his boot.  “So...I’ll see you here next week?”

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masterelric​:

The small no went unheard when Elric bit into his own wrist. Sure at this point, Elric could carry them both out but it would deplete his energy quickly. “Unless you’d like to ride on my motorcycle I will not be driving your car,” Elric stated and held out his wrist once more the wounds healing slowly. At this point, Marco was on a time frame and the threat of having to ride on a motorcycle usually made decisions easier. “It will be easier if you are healed,” Elric mumbled softly putting his wrist at Marco’s mouth.

Having addictive tendencies made everything difficult and with vampire blood being one hell of a drug Elric knew he was playing a dangerous game. “I promise I won’t give you so much,” Elric explained knowing how much Marco needed to make sure they could both get out alive. “We will have a lot of attention with my appearance, it will not help if I carry you out. I’d rather not be accused of your murder.”

“Ah,” Elric made the small noise knowing Marco couldn’t hear as he realized something. He’d always wondered why Marco’s coven smelled and tasted like almonds. Know what the coven used, it now suddenly occurred why there was a flavoring to his blood. Their arcane magic truly did taint them all the way down to their blood. Of all the tastes Elric had over the years he could say he did enjoy the taste of almonds.

.

He’s offered a bastardized Sophie’s Choice--drink the vampiric blood, or ride on Elric’s fucking motorcycle--and frankly he isn’t certain which is worse.  For an instant Marco is tempted to take his chances with the hunters instead.  His expression says as much.

“This is a mistake...” The alchemist murmurs to his friend, his tone dripping with preemptive regret; and yet contrary to the certainty in his statement he reluctantly reaches for Elric’s hand.  He can feel the buzz of his own arcane energy drawn to the vampire’s blood; a dangerous attraction that will surely be exacerbated once he’s tasted the forbidden substance.  There are rules against this sort of thing for a reason.  Still, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Elric is not wrong in his assessment of their current circumstances.  “Stop me, please.  Don’t let me take more than necessary.” Marco asks of him as he relents and takes Elric’s wrist to his lips.

The effect is near instantaneous; a sudden rush more potent than any drug.  Tendrils of the ancient vampire’s energy shoot through Marco’s veins like hot lightning, bolstering his own arcana and aiding his mortal body.  Blood loss and weakness from their ordeal temper his physiological reaction somewhat, but as the alchemist drinks, he begins to lose himself in the euphoria.  Weariness and exhaustion drift away, leaving Marco feeling energized; bold.  Thirsty for more.  He should pull away, some part of his still functional mind realizes.  He should, but when he tries he only feels his own fingers tighten around Elric’s wrist.  

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fxngsout​:

Once the other was out of the bike, he hopped off, and opened the compartment. He grabbed two of the bags, and left the rest of them for the other to carry, “One you probably won’t ever have again, right?” he teased the other, since he seemed scared as hell, he couldn’t imagine him ever accepting a bike ride again, “It was no problem,” he assured him, he didn’t mind helping him out, he didn’t have anything important to do that day, so it wasn’t a bother, “Wait, no, I can’t accept the money, you don’t need to pay me,” he placed the money in the other’s pocket, “Seriously, you don’t owe me anything.”

.

The warlock responds to the other man’s teasing with a good natured laugh, though he doesn’t hesitate to confirm, “I can’t say that I’ll be in any hurry to repeat it, no.  Once was definitely enough for me to learn where my limits are.”

Marco blinks, surprised when Sol not only refuses the cash, but actually goes so far as to reach over and deposit it into his shirt pocket.  “Well, if you won’t take my money, at least let me take you out for lunch sometime.  Here--” The alchemist pulls out his phone, bringing up the contacts screen before handing it to Sol, “--Put in your number and we can get something on the calendar.  I insist.” 

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drdrago​:

  “between you and i marco – jez is not friendly, she’s polite but with the shit we dealt with growing up and even the years when i wasn’t alive… jez grew up pretty much away from our family and coven, she and kai did. they each have their own issues but – just everything that’s happened in our past and my horrible move in not reaching out to her – she’s mad at me not you.” melanie knew it was helping nothing her words, she wasn’t good with things liket hat. explaining herself or the situation. it’s why she enjoyed surgery, the quietness of the room, everything being so perfect in those moments and you felt out of this world. 

   “because i love you, and i… wanted something to be mine if i’m honest. once i tell jez or told anyone about you, you weren’t just mine anymore. i would have to prove whatever choices i was making with you were smart, you’d have some unspoken pressure on you from all of them. that wasn’t fair to you and… it’s so shitty to say all of that but i – i don’t know if i can explain it any other way.” melanie wasn’t babied, sure she was praised but far from the baby of the family that was for sure. her lips twisted uncomfortably as the weight of her words slowly grew on her, feeling guilty for ever believing such things. “tell me how i tell my sister that without sounding like a horrible person?” she had to swallow down a lump in her throat, for a flash she felt hatred for how the morning was going. what a serious conversation in her home - her bedroom - she was going to sage her place after this. ”you know you throw a girl for a loop of emotions marco.” a dry laugh slipped out as she kissed the corner of his mouth. 

.

"I know she isn’t mad at me,” the warlock concedes, “And I don’t think she’s mad at you, either.  Not really.  Disappointed, sure.  Hurt, absolutely.  But Melanie, she’s your sister.  She loves you...and she’ll forgive you.”  Marco heaves a quiet sigh, shifting his body to sit upright once again; settling back in beside Mel.  He wishes the situation had not unfolded the way that it did, but that can’t be changed now.  The best they can hope to do moving forward is not repeat the same mistakes.

He can feel the tightening of his expression as Melanie’s explanation pours forth; frustrations at having been oblivious to her silent suffering for so long simultaneously at odds with a sense that he’s been hidden away like some dirty little secret that she might never have shared if circumstances hadn’t forced her hand.  It stings more than he’s willing to admit here and now, and he resolves to compartmentalize his bruised ego until he’s ready to deal with it.  “What does it matter how it sounds?” Marco asks softly, offering a reassuring smile as he points out, “You’re not a horrible person, and she knows that.  Put yourself in her shoes, cariño .  Wouldn’t you want the people you love to tell you the truth?  Maybe the two of you could use some time together; to remember how much you mean to each other.”  He doesn’t press the matter any harder; it’s clear enough that Melanie is upset and the peacefulness of the morning has gone far enough off the rails as it is.  They’ve said what they need to say about the matter, and the rest is up to Melanie to decide.  His restraint is rewarded with a kiss, though when it is offered he merely accepts without pushing for more.  One of his hands moves to cup Mel’s cheek in his palm; the pad of his thumb brushing lightly over her lower lip as he meets her eyes and asks, “Do you want me to leave you to your breakfast, or would you like a distraction?”      

[marcoxdecastilla]

What is something that scares you?

"It has recently come to my attention that I suffer from motorcyclophobia.  Yes, that is a real word, and it means exactly what you think it means.”

[marcoxdecastilla]

Have you ever had a relationship you kept secret? Why?

"Never anything of consequence.  I understand why some people do...or why they feel they must, but the dynamic between myself, my family, and my coven is such that there can be no grand secrets kept from them.  It isn’t our way; Cuervo knows everything.”

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Which is the place that you want to travel to the most?

"Until very recently, I have had the luxury and privilege of being enabled to travel virtually whenever, and wherever I wanted.  I’m ashamed to say that I might have taken it a bit for granted...but relative to most people’s means, I have been able to visit most everywhere I cared to go.  When I travel again, the appeal will be less about where I go, as it is who I am with.”     

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Are you a good wingman? Are any of your friends with their partner because of you?

"I think that term is presumptuous, but yes, in the spirit of the definition I suppose I am.  I don’t know that any of my friends have had long-term relationships owed to such efforts, but I’ve certainly helped to make things happen in the, ah, short term.”

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Is there something or someone you'd die for?

"Are you really living your best life if you don't have someone or something in it that you'd die for?  Which, obviously, isn’t to say that should necessarily be the first course of action.  Pragmatism is underrated in matters of life, death, and self-sacrifice.  Still, I suppose that’s all a roundabout, overly arduous way of responding to the question.  The simple answer is yes; there is."

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cassidyxbolton​:

With the drugs in hand, Cassidy could feel electricity going through his body.  It seemed odd, even after several years he still felt drawn to such things.  Once outside, it felt as if he could breathe a little although there still was that tingly feeling.  A brow lifted when he heard Macro murmur something, but he did not make any additional comments as they found a place to dispose of the pills.

Cassidy nodded, it was a bit shocking they were together for years.  Sure, he believed the whole dating aspect.  But years and nothing said about her family was a bit unnerving, but he kept his two cents to himself.  The man figured Melanie had her reasons, but it certainly makes things awkward with him being in town with the family being there too.  “Uh, I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with you,” he concurred.  Sucking in a breath of air, he chuckled.  “I for the most part go by the steps,” he explained.  “I have not found a higher power,” he told the other man.  “So, there is something I am not in agreement with but it helps other people so I can’t knock it either.”

Once they reached their destination, Cassidy stood there silently as he squeezed on the little container holding the pills.  “What was the plan again?” 

.

It’s difficult to recall the first time he’d ever taken a laudanum, though by process of chronological analysis he’s certain he must have been no more than twelve or thirteen; the age at which his alchemical education had begun to delve into the more complicated tiers of arcana requiring the use of such conductive aids.  It was simply commonplace in his discipline--just one of the many things a practitioner utilizes each and every time they work alchemical magic--as standard to him as someone else’s crystals and herbs.  Even now, Marco struggles to remember the way the opium itself made him feel; for him the substances’ effects had always been secondary to the sensation of the unbridled power it enabled him to wield.  Pure arcana coursing through one’s blood is an incomparable thrill.  That’s what he misses as he glances over at the small container of pills in Cassidy’s hand.  

The alchemist keeps pace with his sponsor, padding along in step until they have put enough distance between themselves and the high school to be comfortably out of view from any unwelcomed voyeurs.  “I think what you’re telling me is that the steps are more like general guidelines than directives carved in stone,” Marco observes, not displeased by the conclusion he’s drawn from Cassidy’s experience.  In the dimness of evening, so far from the parking lot’s glaring lights, it’s hard to see.  The warlock pulls out his phone and activates the flashlight, taking stock of their location at the treeline just beyond the furthest baseball field behind the school.  “The most efficient way to destroy them without contaminating the water supply is to incinerate them,” he replies, pointing to a bald patch of ground that seems like a safe spot for a small, intense, magically fueled fire.  “Do you want to do the honors?”

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kai-dragoumis​:

“No problem man, been here all my life.  So if you need any other suggestions, just hit me up.”  Although Malachai was one of the friendliest people around, he was not always the brightest and sometimes sarcasm went over his head.  A brow raised for a brief moment until it finally hit him that the other male was merely teasing him.

It took a moment for Kai to process the fact his baby sister was with someone.  Although it was Jezebel that acted as the parental figure with all the siblings, Kai still felt he had the big brother role.  “Yeah, sister.”  Right now, everything feels slightly awkward.  Kai was curious as to why Mel never mentioned him before, but he also didn’t want to get all over her case about her personal life.  The warlock nodded, “it is nice to meet you.  You are treating my sister right though?”  Although, what person would say no to their significant other’s sibling?  “Sorry, dumb question.  Just, she is my baby sister and I want her safe and with a good guy.  Don’t get me wrong, you seem like a good guy.  I just don’t know you yet is all.”  He started to ramble.  “Maybe we can all get drinks or something?”

.

"I will, thank you,” Marco tells the other; pleased to add yet another source for local information to his mental rolodex.  Of all the long-time residents he has met thus far, Malachai seems to be the most well versed in the outdoor offerings around town, not to mention quite eager to share.  There’s something charmingly authentic about the man; a rare lack of spuriousness that the alchemist finds incredibly refreshing--it’s not often these days that what you see is what you get.

It had been one thing running into Jezebel--Melanie’s big sister was surely intimidating in her own right--but there’s just something about a hulking beast of a man asking ‘are you dating my sister’ in a nebulous tone that has a way of setting even the most self assured person on their heels.  For his part, Marco manages to keep his head, though his relief may as well be palpable when Kai finally seems to accept the revelation for what it is.  “I wouldn’t dream of treating her otherwise,” Marco assures him honestly, though he’s really not sure what kind of fool would admit to not being good to the baby sister of the man standing before him.  “You’re right, we don’t know each other, but...well, maybe we could change that?”  Despite Melanie’s obvious attempts to shield him from her family, the warlock can’t help but be curious about the people in her life.  Clearly, her siblings do care about her very much.  He smiles, nodding at Kai’s suggestion, “I’d like that, yeah.  But I don’t feel like it’s my place to sign Mel on for something like this without her input.  Let me talk to her, first, and I’ll touch base with you.”  Marco unlocks his phone and brings up the form to create a new contact, before offering the device across the desk to Kai.  “If she’s not up for it, we can always just grab a drink together, you and me.”

[marcoxdecastilla]

fxngsout​:

The relief could be heard in Marco’s voice, he could tell that he couldn’t wait to be able to get off the bike. He wouldn’t say that he understood, because he loved to ride the bike, he felt free, and there was no fear at all, but that doesn’t that his fear wasn’t valid, he was aware how dangerous it could be, it was normal to be scared, especially when the person wasn’t used to it, “Alright,” he nodded at him, and after a few seconds, he stopped where the other told him to, “I bet you’re relieved that we finally arrived,” he teased him, a small grin on his lips, as he waited for his passenger to hop off, so he could do the same, and help him with the bags.

.

Indeed, Marco absolutely cannot wait to get off of the motorcycle.  As soon as the bike lurches to a stop where he’s indicated, the alchemist releases his deathgrip on Sol and swings himself off of the back to put his feet on solid ground with an audible sigh of relief.  “Well that was certainly an experience!” He admits, though there’s certainly no fondness in the words.  He can’t get the helmet off quickly enough, and once he’s returned it to Sol’s storage pack, he moves to collect the rest of his groceries from the other.

“Listen, I really can’t thank you enough for the ride,” Marco tells the other man, reaching into his back pocket to retrieve his wallet before proffering forth a couple of hundred-dollar bills and palming the cash into Sol’s hand.  “--For your trouble.”  he explains with a grateful smile.

[marcoxdecastilla]

*through gritted teeth* it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done. it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done. it doesn’t have to be-

[marcoxdecastilla]

cassidyxbolton​:

Cassidy merely nodded, all of this felt like a challenge and hopefully he could be of service to the man.  There were no guarantees, during his road of recovery before his near four years of sobriety he fell off the bandwagon countless times.  He would get clean for a few weeks, sometimes several months, but then would eventually get drawn back into that lifestyle.

“Works for me,” he responded.  No doubt, it was going to be hard for Cassidy.  It had been a hot minute since he had any form of drugs in his hands.  And despite the near fours years, there was that electricity running through him as he held onto it while they headed out the backdoor.

“And you two are together?”  Cassidy questioned.  Not in a rude way, just more concerned over the fact Marco had no idea what he was getting into when it came to the Dragoumis clan.  “Rory and Colman are siblings and her cousins.  There is a fuck load of Dragoumis in these parts.”  It did not surprise Cassidy in the slightest that Melanie didn’t speak about her family much.  Being friends with Jezebel, he knew they had a rough childhood and their family always had this aura about them that made people feel uncomfortable.  “I guess you will.”  Cassidy turned his head at the man’s question.  “No,” he answered honestly.  For the most part, Cassidy went off the program but making an amends to everyone seemed a bit daunting and accepting a higher power was not something he was willing to do.

.

With Cassidy’s concurrence, Marco pushes himself up out of his chair and steps over to toss his empty styrofoam cup into the garbage can as they make their way toward the rear of the high school cafeteria and out the door.  The night air is crisp and refreshing, probably moreso simply for the fresh absence of the several dozen recovering addicts they’d left back inside.  While some part of him misses the balmy, thick air in Houston, the alchemist can admit to becoming quickly enamored by these cool mountain evenings.  “Wolford really isn’t so bad,” He remarks absently as they walk, following along the footpath leading to the baseball field on the edge of the treeline.  The further from prying eyes they go to compete their task, the better.

Cassidy’s question is an expected one, but no less confounding given the circumstances.  Marco shoots his sponsor a sidelong glance, and a slight shrug.  “We were.  For a couple of years, actually.  We had a whole life together, before she left.”  He misses it, desperately, though the warlock is under no illusions that they can simply go back to the way things were.  “I don’t really know what we are, now.  I know what I want us to be, and I believe she wants it, too.  But she’s...She’s scared.  And I don’t think it’s because of me.”  The more he talks to the locals here, however, it’s becoming increasingly clear what the true reason might be.  The other warlock’s answer surprises him, particularly considering their exchange a few moments ago about the importance of following the steps, and Marco can’t help but huff a quiet laugh.  “So what you’re saying is that it is possible to tailor the program to suit one’s, ah, unconventional circumstances...yeah?  What was your method?”