Quoth the Kraven

Saying that Eliza's face is the last thing John was expecting to see emerging from the mirror is the understatement of the century. Yet, he cannot deny that her red hair and green eyes appearing in place of a mangled ghostly visage is a relief, strong enough to allow him to catch himself before he can finish casting the spell.

The magical sigil simmers away, slowly vanishing in thin air, and the magician's shoulders slump, the tension draining from them. However, the frown on his face remains, even if it's not as deep and angry as his previous scowl.

"Woh in th' bloody Nines...Lass! I coulda 'armed yeh!" He exclaims, throwing his hands in the air and taking a few steps away from the mirror. "Jesus H. Christ, Eliza! Yeh can't jus' sneak up on folks when they're in a bleedin' 'aunted 'ouse!"

He runs a hand over his face, achieving only to smear the dirt covering it even more. A heavy sigh leaves his lips, mouth curling a little with a flash of worry as she gracelessly stumbles out of the mirror, but it's quick to go as it has appeared as the librarian picks herself up immediately.

"Well I didn't know it was a haunted house, now did I!" She throws her arms up in exasperation. Huffing and placing her hands on her hips, she's able to get a better look at him.

He looks like shit, more shit than usual.

"John, why don't you come with me. I can lead you back to my house and you can get cleaned up there. It's just about dinner time back home too, you're welcome to join me. If you want of course."

The tone she used indicates that while it is truly his choice, she highly recommends coming with her.

This was new territory for her.

She can't help the smile, he looks so cute eyeing the jerky. Eliza sets the box down on the counter, she'll deal with it later.

"Such a handsome boy," she gives him another scratch, "here you are love." She holds the treat close to him for him to take.

○○○○○ | ATTRACTION ○○○○○ | AFFECTION ○○○○○ | INTEREST ○○○○○ | LOYALTY ○○○○○ | TRUST

open

Slamming his head up and down headbanging to hard techno. Except he's hitting the table in front of him, deforming his muddy face with each strike. Little guys rockin' out.

Eliza stares at him, then puts her hand where his forehead is to prevent further damage.

𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 -

01. avoids eye contact or looking at the floor. 02. wringing hands together in silence. 03. fidgeting with the hem of their shirt, unable to stay still. 04. looking at receiver in long silence before looking away. 05. silently leaves a folded note on the table in front of the other. 06. touches the others arm but pulls back out of guilt.

𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 -

01. slams fist onto a table without saying a word. 02. exhaling sharply through their nose and clenching their jaw. 03. throws an object across the room. 04. crossing their arms tightly, digging fingers into their own skin. 05. pacing the room with heavy steps. 06. glares at the other with a clenched fist.

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 -

01. gently pushing stray hair behind the others ear. 02. resting their forehead against the others. 03. cups the others face with both hands. 04. pressing a kiss to the others forehead in silence. 05. lingering touches against the others face. 06. wraps their arms around the other from behind and rests their head on the others shoulder.

𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. wiping their eyes before someone can notice. 02. pressing their face into a pillow to muffle sobs. 03. pulls the other into a desperate hug and wont let go. 04. silently reaching for the others hand, needing comfort. 05. walks into the room with red-rimmed eyes and no words.

𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. spins the other around without warning in a hug. 02. links arms with the other and tugs them along happily. 03. provides the other with a handmade gift. 04. tackles the other in a sudden and joyful hug. 05. kisses the others cheek unexpectedly and grins.

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 -

01. backing away slowly and looking for exits. 02. hiding behind the other and peeking around. 03. flinches at sudden movement from the other. 04. presses their back against the wall with eyes darting around the room. 05. jumps at a noise and instinctively grabs the others hand.

𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

01. tucks a blanket gently around the other person's shoulders. 02. applies a bandage with slow and deliberate care. 03. brings them food and water and watches to ensure they eat. 04. runs fingers through their hair in efforts to soothe. 05. rubs soothing circles on the others back while they cry. 06. stays silently by the others side in support without saying a word.

𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠

@archaievist continued foiling a robbery from x!

“---Shit.”

. Brian’s upraised hands slowly lower, and he breathes out a heavy sigh of relief. The chill of fear crawling down his spine reaches his sacrum and he almost shudders for it, but he stands a bit straighter now that the knife is down. Not out of the woods yet. “I didn’t see the sign.” He insists. “Door was open, I didn’t think anythin’ of it, honest.”

. Granted he was probably going to shove a few books down his pants before he left, but he hadn’t been caught in the act. 

She's not convinced. Why would someone come into a bookstore at 9pm when the lights are off and clearly not open.

Eliza sighs, and curses her nature.

"Wait," she puts the knife away, "let's be honest here. I know you didn't walk into a dark shop on accident. Do you need help?" She's two seconds away from putting the kettle on.

"Come on, I know a place that does those fuck-off milkshakes with the, like, pocky and mini donuts and shit on the top. We'll split one, and it'll be cute, and fun. I'm buying."

She knows there will be no argument. With a sigh, she follows Piper as they walk to said shop. "Never had one before," she says softly. Friends are a new concept to her. But Piper stuck around, like a limpet.

Eliza is forever grateful for that.

"Piper," she looks down at her, "thank you."

For a moment, he thinks it’s only reflection; windowglass catching the lamplight strangely, fatigue making ghosts of color again. But then another bloom unfurls in the yard. Cornflower blue, foxglove violet, ghost-white lily petals.

"And you are a sweetheart," she gives him a kiss. "Always for you," she holds him close. She would cross the fae wilds if it would make him happy.