—checkmate

“You did. But, you forgot, I don’t listen to you,” He said teasingly, grinning over a her, before quirking an eyebrow as she mentioned how exciting her life used to have been. “Really? What was the old Ava’s life like then?” He asked curiously, wanting to know more about her. “I told you I’d take you already, didn’t I?” He chuckled, grinning over at her.

“I get it,” He said with a little shrug, knowing what she meant, but still feeling weird about it all the same. Taking her hand, he gave it a little squeeze back. “Mhmm, sure you did,” He chuckled, shaking his head over at her in amusement. “I’ll think about it,” He said teasingly, knowing he’d eventually take her up on it.

Nate let out a laugh as she rambled on and on, smiling over at her before he noted, “You’re cute when you’re overthinking things, you know that?” He glanced up at the sky and grinned up at the view above them before turning back to her and saying, “Clouds like that mean it will probably rain sometime today or tomorrow.” It would only be a summer storm, but he couldn’t help but be amused by how she found beauty and optimism in something when he saw clouds and rain.

“You’d what now-” Nate trailed off, eyes widening as Ava went on. He couldn’t help but feel shocked by everything Ava was saying. Sure, he had an inkling that she liked him, but nothing could have prepared him for this. Letting out a breath, he leaned back in his chair processing. If he was being honest with himself, he wasn’t quite sure how he felt yet. This was all new to him. A part of him looked over at the girl beside him and thought she was off her rocker, but another part of him couldn’t help but smile whenever she was around. He didn’t know why he kissed her. He was just reacting. Following his gut. Or at least he had thought it had been his gut. But then again- “Yeah. We can see where this goes,” He said with a nod after he had given it some thought, turning back over towards her. The corner of his lips tilting up as he took in her nervous expression as she sat there fidgeting with her ring once more. “I don’t know what I want yet,” He admitted, leaning over and tucking a stray strand of her hair back behind her ears as he spoke. “But, I know I like kissing you?”

“Maybe you should more often. You know it wouldn’t hurt you to listen a time or two.” Telling him with a smirk across her face. “You to know about old Ava?” She was genuinely shocked that he had asked, she sit there flabbergasted for a moment. “Okay— I’ll tell you about old Ava’s life. Well she was witch who loved magic, it was basically another limb to me. It also helped that I had rather noisy powers? I had clairvoyance and teleportation so I was everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. Plus I knew everything because I saw it. I use to love just sitting there and seeing the future.” Smiling as she recalled her magic, while she did miss it she knew it would never be the same now. “Old Ava actually wore colors. I know it’s hard to believe, but I was a pretty bright person in general expect if we were out doing some family business stuff. Then I wore clothes that generally blended in because that’s my talent. Blending in to the point that nobody actually notices me and I can just come and go without anyone batting an eye.” She had mastered the art of being invisible in a crowd of people like no other. “Also fun fact I rarely wore heels. I lived my life in flats up until right after I turned. At that point Ava Bishop didn’t feel enough anymore. I cut off all my hair and it was black for a while. I just— I needed to change everything about myself because it was too hard to cope with the fact I’d lost everything again.” Taking in a sharp breath, she stared straight ahead at the nothingness in front of them. Dipping her nails into her palm, she focused in on the pain in her hand to keep from crying. “It’s been three years, but it feels like a life time ago. My hair is grown out, the color has long faded, I have new clothes, a new life, but— as much as I don’t want to be invisible I still am. I just find new ways to be invisible because it’s really the only thing I know and that I’m really good at. You know other than maybe lifting your wallet, but that’s a whole different story for a different time.” This was already a lot of over sharing, the last thing she needed to add to it was her families life of crime. “You did. Trust me I’m ready for it. Shoe shopping is pretty much my happy place.” It had to at least be happier than pouring out her feeling in a car and risking rejection.

Keeping ahold of his hand for a long moment, she relaxed slightly. “I totally didn’t. Why would I want to dance with you anyways, Nate Hastings? You act like I might like you or something.”  Finally releasing his hand, she put both go her hands back in her lap, she smiled over at him. “No, you’re going. This isn’t a discussion.” Telling him firmly, she looked over at him to let him know that she was serious.

Feeling a blush creep back up her cheeks, she continued to stare up at the clouds not saying a word. “Really? Hmmm. Well rain is usually calming and nice.” She pointed out, then finally looked back over at him. “I wouldn’t mind it raining for a few hours as long as we’re inside.”

“I’m sorry— I overshared.” Realizing from his tone and facial expression that she had went too far, she sank down in her seat some. Praying that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole at this point. “Wait what?” Ava questioned with confusion, she looked over at Nate like he’d lost his mind. “Are you sure about that because five minutes ago I was expecting you to jump out of this car. Really Nate— if you’re not sure and don’t want to see where this goes I’m not going to be mad. I just want the best for you.” Even though it would hurt in the end if he rejected her she was a big girl, she’d get over it eventually. What she wouldn’t get over was him doing this when he didn’t really want to. “Okay— I appreciate the honesty.” Nodding at his words, while it wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear she was willing to accept it. “I mean that’s a start.” Putting her hands to his face, she she gave a laugh. “How about we start with that and work up to the other stuff if it’s there?” Reassuring him once more that it was okay, she leaned in and met him halfway. Pressing her mouth back to his happily for a quick peck, she slipped her hand to the back of his neck. What was suppose to be a quick peck turned into a deeper kiss, Ava had to remind herself to not push too far. Pulling back from the kiss, she nodded slightly to herself before settling back in her seat. “So we can pick this up later, but how about right now we go get those shoes you promised me?”

Evie: EMERGENCY. 911.

Evie: I POURED TOO MUCH SUGAR INTO MY BROWNIE BATTER SO I ADDED EXTRA EVERYTHING ELSE TO EVEN IT OUT AND NOW I'VE GOT FIVE DOZEN BROWNIES ALREADY BAKED AND TWO MORE BATCHES IN THE OVEN.

Evie: i'm being overrun by chocolate 😩

Ava: I'm sorry I'm late on this I was busy with the wedding.

“This little girl came into the bookstore this afternoon, and she looks at me and goes, totally deadpan, ‘was your mommy a giraffe?’ I didn’t want to burst her bubble or anything, so I just said yes. I’m not 100% sure how I should feel about this right now.” 

“I mean I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s not like your mom is actually a giraffe? I mean she’s actually a person so don’t read too much into it. Although if you feel bad about lying to the little girl don’t, her mom will explain eventually.”

“I’ve got to get better at compulsion so I can attempt to compel him to leave, not just me alone but to actually leave.” She sighed. “No, it’s not up soon unfortunately. I mean I love my place, just hate him. It’s not too far from the radio station, and it’s not a dump…I don’t know if I’ll ever find something that great again.”

“If you want I can compel him to just leave? Compulsion was the first thing I really learned as a vampire.” Offering to Alexa just incase she wanted to take her up on it, she make the neighbor disappear for good. “I mean as long as he’s not on vervain he can just disappear.” Making a poof gesture, she smiled over at Alexa. “I’m sure we could find you something, but seriously if you don’t want him there he can just disappear. I’ll help you.” 

Cain: Oh okay then. That's cool.

Cain: I always put blood on the food. But you know since you want to make it difficult, we don't even have to talk we can eat and watch tv.

Cain: Girl that was not my generation. I was born nearly 80 years ago...that was a 90s reference...what???

Ava: Wait are you upset? I'm sorry.

Ava: Me being difficult is your favorite thing about me. Remember I'm your hell beast?

Cain: I'm a dad?

Cain: So you don't want dinner? But you want me to ask about your day...you're weird.

Cain: Nope, wrong before Miley there was Diddy. The originator of can't stop, won't stop.

Ava: Are you now? Last I checked your sperm wasn't used to create me.

Ava: I mean are you going to put blood on the food? Because then I may eat. Otherwise there's no real point we might as well have a glass of wine or blood and talk about my day.

@lunaxshaw

“Anywhere with the original families is still a hell of a lot safer then other towns,” he replied automatically, his loyalty to the Greyson’s at the forefront of his response as always. He had been loyal to them since birth, he would continue to be loyal until the day his heart stopped beating. “Bombing or not, it’s still a hell of a lot safer to stay where they are.”

“Is it? I mean I feel like the first place people would want to attack is where the originals are. I mean it’s like great for them because they can’t actually die.” Pointing out with her arms crossed over her chest. “I mean probably, but hey. Who am I to judge I’ve only lived here a year and a half. I’m guessing you’re close to one of the original families?” 

Zane had been washing his car earlier and once he was done, he’d realized he needed some things for the Inn and he also needed coffee. He’d taken the trip all the way into town, not realizing that he was shirtless until he saw the no shirt, no shoes, no service sign. As he stood in front of the door, he looked at the person about to enter and said, “It says no shirt, no shoes, no service…do you think they’ll make an exception for me or am I just fucked?”

Ava desperately needed a break after trying to plan both Founders Day and Sophia and Vince’s wedding, on top of all her other regular work. While coffee didn’t do much for her anymore, it was still comforting to have. As she made it to the coffee shop she turned her head at the voice, she raised her eyebrow. As much as she didn’t want to be that girl her eyes drifted down to his stomach and back to his face a few times while trying to process what he’d said to her. “I’m sorry what did you say?” Ava asked, she kept her hand firmly on the door. “Are you wanting to go inside too?”

Alexa had been out and about when she caught glimpse of her least favorite neighbor. The one that often called the cops on her if her music was a little loud. She was sure it wasn’t the music, but rather he just didn’t like her in general. She rolled her eyes and said aloud to the person next to her, “Is it wrong that I was wishing my neighbor could have just disappeared or left town when all the shit went down? Or he could have gotten caught in a circle of fire?”

“I mean probably, but it’s also acceptable if you have a shitty neighbor.” Ava said with a shrug, she took another drink from her iced coffee. “Although if he was caught in a ring of fire it wouldn’t have done anything and eventually would have burned out, then you’d be in the same spot. Hoping they disappeared or left is probably the best option.” She pointed out. “Is your lease up soon? I mean worst case you can just break it early and move.” 

Logan had tired of the dance floor after four songs in a row with people he didn’t even remember switching up. They just danced into range and then there was someone else. Not that he minded at all, it was nice to mix it up! But he needed another drink and as he headed back to the bar he noticed that his spot had been taken, his drink moved to the side. 

“You know, touching someone’s drink could be seen as an act of aggression,” he said with an easy smile and a light tone. He wasn’t there to cause any trouble after all. 

Ava generally was against meeting clients in bars, but this one had insisted that they meet in one. Despite her better judgement she’d showed up, only to have the client be over thirty minutes last. Taking an empty seat at the bar, she moved the drink that was half finished out of the way with the back of her hand. “Can I get a drink? I don’t care what. Just anything.” Handing her card over to the bartender, she settled back into her seat before she checked her watch once again. 

Ava turned to look at the man that was now next to her and she raised an eyebrow at him. “Is it now?” Nodding her head before she pointed towards the drink she’d moved out of the way. “Let me guess this is yours? You know you shouldn’t leave drinks laying around at a bar. That’s how you get drugged. I mean I could have totally put something in your drink while you were away.”

At her comments about eternal youth, Ronnie made a face. “Okay Elizabeth Bathory, it’s not like ghosts are going to suck your soul and bleed your youth from you. So they play with a few lights and walk around in the middle of the night? I personally want to hang with a ghost more than I would would a lot of people in this town.” She had a few people she would trade for a ghost any day of the week, but that wasn’t the point. “Unfinished business or not, I want to hang with Casper for a few and I think I deserve that in life.”

“Who is Elizabeth Bathory?” Ava asked curiously, while she’d heard of a lot of people over her time this one was a mystery. “Also I’d have to be alive for them to suck my soul out and bleed my youth from me.” She commented, she took a drink of her coffee. “At least I can see the people in town and know what they’re doing. Ghosts tend to be wild cards. With the people on town I’m more on far with them strength wise, so it’s slightly less scary than someone who I can’t touch.” She pointed out, she gestured to the room of people around them. “Plus if I wanted to have someone who can walk through walls and freak me out I’d just call Ally.” Remarking to Ronnie with a shrug. “I mean if it’s Casper sure. I wouldn’t mind being the real life Casper and Wendy, but i’m pretty sure it’s kind of a sad life. Given the fact he can’t ever be alive. Wouldn’t it be sad to never really be able to hang out with that person because they can’t touch anything?”

“Correction, what you used to steal.  What I still do. Just because you decided to take a break from the family business, doesn’t mean I have,” Ally said with a little shrug. Ally had only taken a break from it once and look what that had gotten her? She was criminal, born and raised, and she was proud of it. She loved the thrill of completely a job and she loved how Cain didn’t try to stop her.  She wasn’t her without it. Without stealing, without the rush, she would be her anymore. It wasn’t just a coping method for Ally. It was who she was in her bones. And she loved it more than anything. Every time she did a job, she felt alive and closer to their parents than she could. “It’s why I’m a thief. Can’t judge you when they do it too,” She said with a shrug. Shaking her head as her sister reminded her of her mortality. “And? There’s an easy solution, Ava. Called Vampirism?” She told her sister softly back, knowing her sister wouldn’t like that option- the fact that Ally might one day willingly give up her powers. But, Ally, love her sister with all her might, didn’t care. She loved being a witch, she did. She loved her powers almost as much as she loved to steal. But, what Ally had learned, the realization that had been forced upon her the second that man had put his hands on her, was that what Ally cared about more than being a witch, was being someone who survived. Ally wasn’t like her sister. She loved magic, but had never cared to be mortal. She had become power hungry and selfish with age. And whether she stayed with Cain or not, whether they could make it work, didn’t change that. “I know what it entails, Ava. But I’m not the type of person whose going to sit around getting old while the person I’m with stays young. Call me selfish, all you want. But, it’s just not me.” Ally glared over at her sister at the comment. “Don’t make me ground you, Kiddo.” Ally glanced over to the little glass figure in Ava’s hand and gave her a nonchalant shrug. “Of course. I got your back little sis. You know that. Always.”

“I wasn’t implying that you had to.” Ava correctly, she shrugged lightly. What Ally still did stealing wise was her business, considering the family they came from she didn’t have a right to judge. “It’s not that I wanted to be out of the business it’s just that the thrill of it was gone. It hadn’t been there for a long time so I’ll live with stealing and taking what I want here and there. It’s been working out for me nicely so far.” She barely wanted for anything anymore, it was all purchased or bought by those compelled or those she stole from. “Yeah, but you’re also family it’s different. You’re not some outsider I have to tell about our lives, they are. Most outsides aren’t Cain and just accept this lifestyle and take to it. Plus then I have to get into the story of our crazy sister and it’s like falling down a habit hole of crazy.” Just thinking about Alina made Ava feel uncomfortable, she felt like the more she said her name the more it was going to end up summoning her to town. “Oh—“ She realized she hadn’t even considered vampirism a solution to Ally’s mortality. “I’m not calling you selfish? Why is that the first place you assume I would go?”  Questioning Ally with a raised eyebrow. “I get wanting to turn to be with those you love. It’s not selfish, it just is what it is. I just didn’t realize that is what you wanted. I mean we’ve never really talked about you turning.” She pointed out with a shrug. “If you want to turn I respect your decision. Did I think I only had like eighty more years left in life? Yeah, but I’ll take longer with you. There’s nobody else in the world I want more time with other than you.” Reaching out, she gave Ally’s hand a squeeze. “You can’t ground me, Old Woman.” Replying back with a smile, she continued to play with the figure for a moment before putting it back on her desk. “And I have yours. I just want you to know that. No matter what you choose down the line I’m always going to support you.”

Cain: Your life is always interesting because it's yours

Cain: SO I always want to hear about it.

Cain: Should I make you dinner and ask you about your day too?

Cain: Can't stop, wont stop.

Ava: That is such a dad thing to say.

Ava: I mean we can skip dinner and just ask about my day.

“Okay. Then don’t treat me like one. Got it?” He told her, giving her chin a little nudge as he spoke. “Okay, okay,” He said, laughing even harder as she hit him lightly on the arm. “I think you need to re-evaluate your definition of exciting,” He joked, grinning over at her as she spoke.

“Yeah, no. How about we don’t word it like that?” Nate told her, wrinkling his own nose at the thought of just being referred to as a dog. “Never said it was. I’m hanging out with you, now aren’t I?” He pointed out, giving her another shrug, followed by the slightest hint of a grin. “Um… you? Literally a second ago. But, if you want to pretend that it didn’t happen, we can go right ahead,” He chuckled, shaking his head over at her as he spoke. “Maybe not. But I think you underestimate her love of free concerts,” He teased. 

“So you think I’m pretty?” He called back, grinning as he left the car. “Oh really? Name one?” He pointed out, knowing fairly well he was one of the more least favorable people in town. “Ha, ha, very funny.”

A laugh escaped Nate’s lips as he pulled back from the kiss and heard Ava swear under her breath. He waited until she tossed the sheet off of her head before turning and asking her, cheekily, “Oh. I’m sorry. Can I help you?” He grinned, not bothering to hide his amusement by her reaction. The second Ava’s lips pressed back against his, he wrapped his arms around her waist and crashed his lips back against hers, not bothering to hold back this time. He took her in, before finally pulling back and letting out a breath as he glanced over at her, a smile spreading across his lips in amusement as her cheeks grew bright red in embarrassment. “Uh…,”He paused by her question, giving her a slight shrug, before turning to look and her and asking her simply. “It’s depends, I guess? What do you want to happen next?”

“Got it.” Keeping her eyes on him to let him know she was serious about this. As much as she wanted to confirm he wasn’t a nobody to her now was the time, especially when it involved her feelings being mixed in. It was the last thing that Nate needed to add to his plate. “I thought I told you to stop laughing.” Narrowing her eyes playfully, she held up her first to let him know that she’d hit him again. “Trust me my life has been exciting enough in the past. Let me get excited over shoes for a while.” Grinning back at him and she gave him a wink.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant because you’re both now half wolves. I’m sorry—“ Apologizing quietly, she reached out and took his hand. Giving it an easy squeeze as she apologized, sheet her thumb rub over the back of his hand in the homes that it’d help comfort him. “I guess you are.” Rolling her eyes at his words before offering a shrug of her own. “No I was not taking about dancing with you, just going with you and dancing badly myself.” She pointed out with a smirk. “Please do not make me go with you sisters, that’s weird. Come on. If you go with me I’ll go to some country thing with you, Deal?” Putting out her hand to him as she offered up a deal she knew she’d later regret if he accepted.

“Umm…” Feeling herself turning slightly red as she panicked and tried to play it off. “I mean you’re like attractive and would I be attracted to you in a general like physical sense I mean sure like—.” Panicking more while she rambled on, she knew her face was as red as a lobster at this point. “I mean like I’m sure someone in this town likes you I mean it’s not like you’re not hot.” The more she talked the more Ava realized her error, the fact that she hadn’t even answered his question. Putting up her hand in a stop motion in front of his face to signal for him to not even make the comment she sure he was dying to make. “How about we just change the subject? I mean I think you’re right there’s clearly no fan club and we should just move on. I mean look at this beautiful weather around us. We should talk about that.” Looking anywhere but at Nate while she pointed up to the sun and clouds.

Ava had expected a lot of things, but Nate replying back to the kiss was not one of them. Moving her hand from his face to the back of his neck, she deepened the kiss when his arms went around her. Biting her bottom lip as they pulled back, she settled back in her seat. Despite how flushed her face was turning in the moment, she didn’t dare move her eyes away from him. “Oh.” Shifting in her seat so her back was against the door, she was facing him. “I mean—“ Opening her mouth to continue to speak, but she was at a loss of words. While she’d liked Nate for a while she’d never expected anything to actually happen, figured she’d just end up pinning over him until one of them eventually found someone. “I don’t know.” Admitting honestly, she locked her dark eyes onto him. Sitting there quietly for a long moment, she rested both of her hands on knees. “I like you a lot, but I never thought anything would happen and I would just sit here quietly until you met someone you liked. Once you did I just kind of hoped I’d move on. Have I thought about kissing you? Obviously.” She continued to admit out loud, she put both of her hands to her face as she continued to ramble on. “If you just want to be friends I’ll bottle the feelings up and we can pretend this never happen.” As much as Ava didn’t want to pretend this never happened, she understood that someone else in this had emotions beside her. “If you don’t tho— Ummm…” Stopping once more, she put both hands over her face while she took in a deep breath. Preparing herself for the rejection that was bound to happen. “If you don’t want to take it back when you’re ready and more settled with this whole werewolf thing, I wouldn’t be against seeing where it goes. I mean I get that this could go nowhere and you not like me or it just not be there on your end. I mean I get it and I respect it. No matter what I still want to be there for you and be your friend. I mean you’re kind of my best friend anymore and I really don’t want to lose that.” Ava knew at this point she was beyond rambling, she fought back the urge to play with her rings once more. “I know I’m talking a lot at this point, but it boils down to I want this.” Gesturing back and forth between them with her finger. “And I want you.”