#starrybeginnings

[ktarsims]

And some other outtakes of Candace getting abducted. I told you I took a lot of these. Okay, I’m done now...

[ktarsims]

Candace hauled herself back across the street to her new ‘home’. “I don’t even know the status of this ‘home,’” she muttered to herself and sighed. ‘Maybe I AM tired. Also I should probably eat...’ She went inside and to the kitchen, to make herself something to eat. Once it was made she stared at it, not actually feeling hungry, and then put it in the refrigerator for later. ‘A bath. A nice hot bath.’ She went upstairs and spent some time soaking in hot water. She felt calmer after that, and decided that what she really needed was a bit of perking up. ‘I’ll have a chat with Azrael.’ 

Feeling that this was definitely the right choice, she went into the spare room upstairs where her magic mirror was installed. “Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” A ghostly face appeared in the mirror, “You know it’s you, my dear, but need we really always start out that way?” Candace grinned. “It’s been a rough day, Azrael. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to hear it. Apparently Aunt Tabitha was a big deal at this school when she was here. I haven’t found out precisely why yet though. Also apparently there’s sometimes a waiting list to get into the school. And this town has a curfew. A CURFEW. The school is full of good looking guys though. So that’s a bonus.”

“Woah, woah. Slow down my dear.” Azrael, as usual, cut to the interesting bit immediately, “Full of good looking guys, eh? Perhaps there’ll finally be some ROMANCE in the air!” Candace smiled. “Let me tell you all about them...” but before she could continue, Azrael interrupted her, “Don’t look now, but something is happening out on the street.” Candace raised an eyebrow. Azrael very rarely interrupted her. She looked left out the window and saw that he was right... there were some strange lights in the sky. “That’s interesting. I’ll be right back, Azrael, I want to see what this is.” She ran back downstairs and out the front door to get a better look.

[ktarsims]

Candace waited inside the door of her home until she hear the officer’s car driving away. Then she crept quietly out her front door, to the mailbox. Her memory was still vague and unclear, but she very clearly remembered that it was imperative that she return the bicycle. She must make arrangements for that immediately. Having done so, she went inside and ate her dinner, still trying to piece together a clear picture of what had happened.

‘Seriously though... he’s warning me for being out after curfew like 5 feet from my front door? What kind of draconian measure is that? He also said someone told him to come here. Did one of my neighbors report me? I remember.... lights... and talking to Azrael... something to do with Binye?’ She sighed. ‘I’ll ask Azrael tomorrow.’ She was too exhausted to go summon the mirror spirit again right now.

She climbed into bed and was soon fast asleep in spite of her still questing mind.

[ktarsims]

While Candace was still lost in oblivion, an officer showed up on the sidewalk. As she was teleported back down from the space ship, he stepped forward and caught her as she was woozy on her feet and led her to his patrol car a few feet away. Candace’s first conscious thoughts were scrambled and incoherent. At the moment, she only remembered that somehow her day had gone horribly wrong.

When she opened her eyes, she was sitting in a police car parked on the street in front of her house and there was a concerned looking... fairy? standing outside the open door and watching her. She was so confused that no words came, and she just stared at him blankly. He directed a query at her, “Are you feeling a bit better now, ma’am?” Candace blinked and started to nod, then stopped and took an internal assessment before replying, “I seem to be okay, officer, thank you. What are you doing here? Or rather, why am I in a police car?”

As she took a deep breath and tried to remember what had happened or what she had been doing before, the officer frowned slightly. “Well, miss, I was hoping you might tell me how you came to appear out of thin air on the sidewalk here where I’d been told someone was lurking about out after curfew. Were you taking something you shouldn’t have and managed to black-out or something?” Candace instantly felt affronted, and fought to not be biting in her response, “The last thing I remember, OFFICER, was being inside my house getting ready for bed. I’M the victim here. You say I appeared out of thin air? I was under the impression that magic wasn’t allowed here.”

The police officer looked nonplussed at her attempt to turn this around. “Now see here, miss. There was no one else about. I came looking for a teenager out after curfew and probably up to no good and you appeared in front of me, barely able to stand and clearly the worse for drink or drugs or something equally debilitating. We have a curfew here for a reason, and you need to respect that. Now, since it’s your first time, I’ll let you off with a warning and take you home. Whereabouts are you staying?”

Candace was starting to vaguely remember something about lights out the window that Azrael had pointed out to her. She gave the officer a morose look and then pointed behind him. “I’m staying right here. I clearly didn’t stray far from home.”  The officer gave her a wry look. “Or at least, you set up in advance a way to return. Alright, let’s get you back into your house, and I don’t want to catch you out after curfew again.” He escorted her to her front door and watched her walk in.

[ktarsims]

Memorialized on canvas.... okay, I’m realllly done now. I swear.

[ktarsims]

Have some outtake shots of Candace getting abducted. xD

[ktarsims]

BWAHAHAHAHA... Ahem. I mean. Poor Candace.

[ktarsims]

Candace continued to try to exit the beam of light, even as she was lifted higher into the air. She tried casting magic too, but it fizzled out and failed to produce any results. She also wondered why none of her neighbors were coming out to investigate her yelling and screaming. ‘Are they all in on it? Is this a test for people new to the town? Why THE #@$(@#*$ am I stuck in a beam of light that I can’t get out of and being hauled up from the street like a naughty kitten?!?!’

Candace took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Clearly, all her frantic efforts to escape were an exercise in futility anyways. She was unable to actually turn around to look at the space ship that was beaming her up, but the expression on her face turned angry. “You #@$*#* aliens don’t know who you’re messing with. I do not forget, I do not forgive, and I WILL make you pay for this... this... INDIGNITY!”

She was feeling quite sorry for herself, and muttering dire imprecations under her breath, when everything went black and she knew no more. Her last tenuous thought beforehand was a vague image of the possibly alien girl she’d met at school.

[ktarsims]

I took a LOT of screenshots of this... so have some others.... 

[ktarsims]

Outside, Candace stepped into the street to get a better look at the mysteriously twinkling lights, and then gasped when she spotted a glimpse space ship through the camouflage. ‘There ARE aliens around here!’ When the light from the ship lengthened to envelop her in a column of light, she frowned. ‘NO. No no no no.’ She turned to walk out of the light, but found it wasn’t possible for her to do so.

Her mind groped for reasons this might be happening to her... and then whispered fiercely, “Universe, I SWEAR I will return that bicycle. I SWEAR it. I’ll do it right now!” She made another attempt to walk out of the light. The edge of the circle was just as unyielding as on her first attempt. “Aunt Tabitha, may you rot in peace, I curse the day you decided to name me the beneficiary of your will. Why didn’t you leave me a GUIDE for this #$#@$&#*( town? Is THIS why there’s a curfew?!”

Candace’s voice grew louder as she alternately pleaded and swore curses. No one else came out to see or hear what was going on though. Her voice grew strident as her feet started to lift from the pavement.

[ktarsims]

Candace felt her anger melt in the face of this utter lack of defiance. “I... it really has been a very stressful few days. Four days ago I never imagined I’d be coming here or even knew that this school existed. Everyone I speak to, practically, has been ‘informing’ me all day about things I don’t know or missed because I wasn’t present for the morning gathering at the school today and I only arrived in town yesterday.”

Olive nodded, “I do think it’s perfectly natural. And please, don’t be offended at my random Edgar Allan Poe quotes. They just slip out sometimes. He’s my favorite author, and I think you bring him to mind because you’re just so lovely. It’s like he said, ‘That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful.’ “ Olive gave a slight smile, “Also it IS pretty late and it sounds like you’ve had a lot of stress in the past few days.”

While the compliment was touching, the sympathetic tone threatened to raise Candace’s ire again. ‘I do NOT need your sympathy. I am more than equal to these circumstances.’ She fought to keep her glare from returning, “Oh, that was a quote? I’ve read some Poe, but I’m not intimately familiar with all his works. That’s... thank you. That’s a rare compliment.” She glanced at the window and noticed that it was now full dark outside. “I suppose I should be going soon. Heather mentioned a curfew.” Olive rolled her eyes, “Yes, I think it’s rather silly, but they do seem keen on enforcing it ‘for our own good’. You should get some rest. I’ll see you at school tomorrow?”

Candace nodded as she looked back at Olive, who was holding the door open for her, “Yes. And this time, I’ll be there ON TIME.” Olive smiled, “Toodleoo then! See you in the morning!”

[ktarsims]

After stowing the bicycle, Candace took a few steps to the door of the house right next to hers, and knocked on the door. A cheerful looking girl with a smile already on her face opened it a few moments later, “Oh hello! It’s my beautiful new neighbor! I saw you move in yesterday. Won’t you come in?” Candace walked in to a shabby chic little house where the furnishings seemed oddly in sync with the individual that was living here. She was pleased to instantly receive a compliment without having even asked for one, so after looking around for a moment, she commented, “It’s fascinating that your living space seems to uniquely reflect you. I’m Candace, by the way. Candace Miranae.”

“Oh. I forgot introductions! I’m Olive! It’s so nice to meet you. And thank you!” Olive beamed. “I’ve done my best with it. It’s nothing fancy, but it should see me through the years at school here.” Candace nodded sagely, “Sometimes we do what we must. You are one of my fellow students then? I don’t think I saw you at school today.” Olive gave a wry smile at this, “Well, this is a school for the talented and gifted, and my mother always told me I was lacking in talent so I’d have to make up the lack with a lot of hard work. I had my nose to the grindstone reading the first chapters of the books they handed out for the various subjects.”

Candace suddenly remembered that one of the things listed in the packet of papers that Benjamin had printed out for her had been a list of books and the classes they were associated with. Which, in her daydreaming, she’d neglected to go pick up from the main school office. He’d told her exactly where to find them, and she’d forgotten all about it. She looked back at Olive, “Oh. I’m afraid I was so excited to meet my fellow students today I completely forgot to even pick up my books. And the class president was so nice about printing me out a copy of the list and telling me where to find them, too.” She looked mildly chagrinned. “Well, I’m sure I’ll be able to catch up. I DO have a lot of talent, it’s why my great aunt Tabitha wanted so much for me to attend this school after all.”

“I wonder, if I hang out with you enough, maybe some of the talent will rub off?” Olive grinned, and then intoned, “I remained too much inside my head and ended up losing my mind.” Not recognizing the quote, Candace was about to take offense when Olive continued, “You met Benjamin? He is nice, isn’t he? He helped me get my books too,” Olive gushed, “He even helped me find the books on Edgar Allan Poe in the library.” There was a brief silent pause as she fell silent again and then Candace, seething, DID take offense, “You think you’re better than me just because I forgot to collect my books? Don’t think he likes you just because he helped you. He probably helps -everyone- because it’s part of his JOB as class president!”

Olive actually took a step back, and raised her hands in a conciliatory manner. “I didn’t mean what you seem to think, it’s just a quote that came to mind by my favorite author...” Candace cut her off, “It’s been a very difficult couple of days, what with attending aunt Tabitha’s funeral yesterday morning, moving to a new place, trying to remember all the requirements I’m under! I think forgetting a few things is perfectly natural!” Olive backed off a few more steps, but remained silent this time. Candace glared at her, but after several moments, she was astonished that rather than getting angry at her, Olive seemed to be merely waiting for her to calm down with a concerned look on her face.

[ktarsims]

A better photo of Bailey Swain...

[ktarsims]

Sighing deeply as she left Heather’s house, and feeling her fellow females were sometimes more difficult to get to know than the males, she wandered to the house next door to Heather’s place. After a few moments, the door opened and a girl she’d definitely seen at school stepped out onto the porch to greet her. As she came out, Candace put her bright smile back on and said once again, “Hello! I’m Candace Miranae. I am staying just over there,” she once again turned and pointed to her house across the street, “and I just came over to meet my neighbors and classmates. I think I saw you at school earlier today.”

After a moment of obvious reflection, the girl smiled warmly, “Oh yes, I think I remember seeing you briefly also. My name is Florence. I think Faith mentioned to me she’d run into a late arrival. You’re right across the street? We should get together and share meals sometimes! Oh! But why I am keeping you here talking on the porch? It’s a bit nippy out tonight, isn’t it? Would you like to come in?” She re-opened the door and gestured inside.

Candace stepped in and looked around with genuine appreciation at the cozy interior in black brick and blue carpet with warm wood furniture, and an actual stove-pipe stove in one corner of the room. “Oh, this is lovely! It must be so warm when the nights are cold, too.” Florence smiled back, “Yes, I was lucky to get it. My mom helped me stalk the listings until we managed to rent this place in particular. I love the wood and stone everything is made out of.”

Candace nodded appreciatively. “I can’t really imagine what that must be like,” she stated matter of factly. “My Great Aunt had arranged for my housing far in advance, it seems, and I knew nothing about it until about 3 days ago.” She tilted her head to one side and considered. “I haven’t actually asked, but I think she might actually own the house I’m staying in. Or owned it. I wonder if that means that technically I own it now? Or I will own it?” She trailed off, staring into the distance a bit.

Florence tilted her head inquisitively, and then said, “It sounds very confusing!” She smiled and gave a very soft chuckle, making it clear it was a joke. Candace focused on her once more. “You know, it IS, rather.” Then the two of them laughed together. “I’ll be glad to hear all about it sometime, but you may want to head back home soon. Curfew is at 9pm, and you don’t want to be caught out after curfew.” Candace blinked. “Curfew? There’s a curfew here?” Florence nodded, “Oh yes, for anyone under 18. They say it’s best for youngsters not to be out after-hours, for their own safety.”

Candace thought back over her day. She herself was a witch. At least one fellow classmate was a vampire. She thought she’d caught a glimpse of a werewolf at school as well. And yet, magic was ‘not a fit subject for studies’. What an interesting, odd, and sometimes confusing town. She wondered if there were mysteries to unravel here. She addressed herself to Florence again, “Well, thank you very much for letting me know. I suppose I ought to be going then.” Florence showed her back out and bid her goodnight.

Outside, Candace looked around, and then nonchalantly swiped Florence’s bicycle before heading back across the street. It looked like the lights in the house next to hers were still on. She’d stow the bicycle and then make one last visit before curfew time.

[ktarsims]

[ktarsims]

Name: Florence Withers Species: Werewolf Created by: @owly-sims Ain’t she lovely? Thank you so much for sending me this fabulous teen to use in this game! <3 Bicycle: bbb Ladies Stigma Mountain Bicycle (white) Traits: Computer Whiz, Good Sense of Humor, Nurturing, Coward Part-time Job: Babysitting (Saturdays) After-School Activity: Computer Club Color: Black Food:  Hamburger Music: Indie Sign: Capricorn