Fiona Elodie Decker

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“I think we also both know that neither of us are really going to be out here shampooing our hair or passing conditioner. Hence the whole sharing a shower thing rather than taking separate ones,” Kai pointed out with a knowing look. His laugh only growing as he wove his hand threw hers and began to lead her up the stares. “Oh there are definitely heart-shaped tubes. Though if we’re doing a impromptu photoshoot, we’re probably go full bubble bath unless we want it to end up as a very rated R one…”

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Fiona grinned when Kai took her hand. Fiona followed his lead up the stairs and shook her head. “Bold of you to assume I wouldn’t insist on full bubble bath anyway,” she teased. “Where’s the fun in being holed up in a fancy castle if you don’t take advantage of all the amenities? Besides, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a clean heart-shaped tub? I love vintage theme rooms as much as the next person, but you never know what you’re gonna get,” Fiona pointed out. The seraph only felt a little bad for pulling Kai away from his room, but surely the party would be fine for a while.

🗡

“Always with the stairs!” Athena replied exasperated. “I pushed you like, once. And even if I did push you more then that I was a child!” Despite this being an argument they’d had a thousand times Athena felt tears start to weld up in her eyes. She quickly pushed them away with her palms before snatching Nara out of her sister’s hands. “He’ll do anything for treats,” she said before sniffling. “And his bites aren’t that bad. Sometimes when he’s aiming for Hollis he takes a bite out of me instead.” Nara began nuzzling against Athena’s neck, purring loudly. Athena felt her eyes begin to tear up again. 

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“The fuck? And was I, a martian?” Fiona shot back automatically, a frown puckering her forehead as Athena pushed her, then snatched the cat from her arms. If it weren’t for Nara, Fiona would have probably started yet another fist fight with her sister. Aunt. Athena. “Jesus, Athena, for someone who went to college you’re shit at using your words,” she added before she could stop herself. Fiona tilted her head, taking in Athena’s expression. 

“Are you really crying over this? You were fucking terrible to me, you rip the cat out of my arms, and you’re crying?” Fiona demanded, shaking her head before moving to go to the kitchen. “I’m getting you chocolate,” the youngest Decker announced. “You are clearly on your period, and chocolate will help.”

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Reina turned back towards Fiona. Her brow perking up slightly in amusement at the mention of a walking session. “You’ve got yourself a deal. But, just so you know, if we’re doing a session, I will be billing you later. I can’t just give out all of this good advice for free, you know?” She teased. “Shall we?” Rei added with a motion of her head as they began to walk towards the coffee place Fiona had just mentioned. “That’s good, right? Unless you were hoping for life to be a bit more dramatic or intense? And tell me more about Hayden and work? Do you think the two of you resolved everything there or? Okay, for one thing- You’re not a selfish bitch and your feelings are more than valid. Now, as for Hayden, Nolan and you, how do you feel like that dynamic has changed now? Not just with them dating, but also with the news of Hayden being your birth mom? I know it’s a lot of change to go through at once. And you and Nolan before were friends? What was that friendship like and how is it now?”

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“You have my health insurance on file for a reason. My credit card, too,” Fiona teased as she rose from her spot. “I think I’d like busy. I miss when I was still a ballerina and all by focus was on class and rehearsal. I had a purpose, a clear goal. It’s..less so, now,” she explained. “I mean..it’s all moot now, with her going to Toronto,” Fiona admitted, not really wanting to get into how much she missed her mom. “before, we were close. He’d check in on me almost every day. And he kept my stripper job a secret. And now..I guess he feels like another member of the family. And now..I don’t know..I feel like he could be like a step dad eventually, and I like that. It’s just a matter of if he’d want that too, y’know?” 

“And going back to the dance thing, I think that would be a really nice distraction to have again. I wouldn’t be able to really stress over this if I had nine to twelve hours of rehearsal a day, six days a week. Of course, I couldn’t be a seraph either which is why I gave that up to begin with.”

Fiona was bummed. There was no other way to describe it. Of course, she was glad that Hayden had an opportunity to pursue something exciting. It would be an important step for her as a seraph, and surely her mother would be received with open arms. That didn’t mean it wasn’t a little sucky that she was gone. It’s what brought her to the steps of Nolan’s apartment, a foil covered tray balanced in her arms. The best taco tray in the city seemed appropriate. Three layers, with tacos, chimichangas, flautas, and quesadillas arranged in a ring around three different salsas. What could be better?

Fiona used her elbow to knock on the door and called out, “Open up, or I’ll start eating without you,” the seraph threatened. There was no real bite to it, if she could be honest with herself.

If Fiona was honest, most days she loved her night job more than her day job. There was a special kind of gratification one got as a performer, and the intoxicating power of embodying someone’s fantasy for the time that she was on stage. Stepping off that stage usually saw her riding the endorphins from performing, but other times sent her crashing back into reality. 

This was going to be one of those crashes, Fiona decided, her smile falling as soon as she saw Theo. Her lips pressed into a line, and she was glad that she’d just performed. For Fiona, clothes were armor, and nothing made her feel as powerful as what she danced in. Her heels clicked as she made her way to the bar, leaning on it next to her ex. She asked for a glass of water before turning to the vampire. “Theo,” she offered, opting for civility instead of demanding to know why the hell he was at her work. 

It was the downside of seeing a vampire.

“Hey mom!” Fiona called out, waving as she approached Hayden. “How’s it going?” The youngest Decker moved to give Hayden a hug as she asked, giving her mom an extra squeeze. It was absolutely selfish, but she was glad that her mom still had some time from her normal job. Even with Fiona balancing the lessons she taught, shifts at Sinners, and duties as a seraph, it was a little easier to find time to hang out with the people who mattered most. Being able to meet Hayden for lunch was a huge perk. “This place is amazing, so I hope you’re hungry!” 

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Nara’s tail swayed lazily as he looked at Athena, though he was clearly content in Fiona’s arms. “How do you know I didn’t? Not like you would have heard it.” It was their usual sister bickering that easily transitioned into normal conversation. Athena snorted, “god-cheetoh, my goodness.” She reached over to scratch Nara under the chin. The cat blinked slowly, living the best of his nine lives with two people giving in affection. Despite the heavy sarcasm in Fiona’s voice, something about it hit a nerve for Athena. “Pretty sure our whole family gave us a complex, Fiona.” Christopher had messed her up a good amount. Athena couldn’t imagine the decisions Hayden had to make when she was fifteen but that didn’t change what she did to Fiona. Fiona grinned and Athena crossed her arms over her chest still a bit miffed. “I would wear him in a baby carrier if I didn’t look like a crazy person,” she admitted. 

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“What? He’s puffy, isn’t he?” Fiona pointed out. “That may be, sis, but I don’t recall Hayden ever pushing you down the stairs,” she shot back, grinning anyway. “Oh, that would be amazing! Then you could bring him to the agency for your shifts. Wouldn’t you want to visit us at work, Nara?” Fiona was gratified when Nara answered her with a meow. “See, he thinks so too.” The youngest Decker beamed up at Athena, not noticing that she didn’t seem to be feeling their usual bickering. “Do you think we could get him into a hoodie? Not for him to wear for a while, just long enough for a picture?”

@darkesthourstarters​

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“Sorry,” Reina quickly apologized as she glanced back at her phone for the fifth or sixth time in what now made the past hour. “It’s been blowing up like this all day. Clients who want to book in another emergency therapy sess after, well, everything that went down over Valentine’s Day. But, where were we? I’m all yours. I promise. Distract me?”

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Fiona laughed as Reina looked back at her from the therapist’s phone. “I mean if you want a distraction, what if we did a walking session? There’s a great coffee place not far from here, I go there for an after-session pick me up. Otherwise I don’t have anything super dramatic and intense. Work is good, and Hayden hasn’t shown up there again thank god. She and Nolan are working well, which is also good. I was definitely really worried about that, y’know? Like not to be a selfish bitch, but Nolan is my friend, too. I didn’t want to become a third wheel just ‘cause they started dating.”

@darkesthourstarters​

Delphina was at the shop today, working on restocking some of their “new issues” wall. She had her sketch book open behind the counter but as she placed the latest editions on the wall she would flip through a few pages. Deciding which ones she would want to pick up for herself. She heard the chime of the front door and lifted her gaze to give a friendly greeting to the person. “Hello,” the siren said making sure to step into their view so she was seen. “Anything I can help you find today?” 

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For all her interest in nerd-like things, Fiona wasn’t actually all that familiar with the world of comics. Peaking into a comic book store was a new experience, and she couldn’t help the bit of nerves starting to dance in her stomach. Fiona smiled as the person who called out stepped into her view, but the prickling at the back of her neck alerted her to their presence before she’d so much as opened the door. “Hi,” she returned the greeting shyly. “Yeah, I was hoping to get a figure or something like that for my-” friend? mom’s boyfriend? almost step-dad? fuck, that was complicated. “For someone I know. He’s super into a lot of like comic book stuff, but I don’t really read much. And I don’t know if you’d have anything, but I’d really like to get him something that has to do with the Lord of the Rings? It’s probably a long-shot, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to look, you know?” The seraph rambled as she looked around, half-expecting that she would be asked to leave given her lack of comic knowledge.

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“Well you probably had better friends than me,” Margot chuckled. Her friends from school were interesting, but she’d kept in touch with very few of them. The only people that managed to stick around in her life were her families, both blood and chosen. Fair weather friends were more disposable. Margot grinned at Fiona’s easy acceptance of a drink and waved over one of the cardboard-clad kids with a tray of jell-o shots. Once he arrived, she swiped a few off the tray and presented on to Fiona. “Bon Appetit,” she winked and loosened the jell-o in the plastic container before turning it upside down above her open mouth. She winced as she chewed, but swallowed as soon as she could. “God, I do not miss those,” she said before sucking on her teeth to get the flavor out. “Any other quintessential rites of passages you miss out on? Sleepovers, karaoke, beer pong?”

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“Grazie mille,” Fiona responded as she took the jello shots being offered. This much was familiar at least, and she let the alcoholic jello slip down her throat with ease. It wasn’t especially pleasant, but it was alcohol so that was good enough. “Mmm..wasn’t much for karaoke but i’ve never done beer pong. I grew up with older sisters so sleepovers aren’t anything new. And when I was younger, I’d crash at a friend’s house after shows.” Those nights were some of the best memories she had, and just thinking about the last time she could do something like that made her smile.  “I am vaguely familiar with king’s cup, if that helps any, but I do get the drift that the days aren’t supposed to end with everyone doing face masks and braiding each other’s hair.”

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“Hey! Look at me. I’m just as sticky as you are, I hope you know,” Kai chuckled, covering his hand over his eyes now that she was covered in beer herself as if to at least pretend to be a gentleman. That was until he cracked a peak between his fingers, shooting her a playful wink. “Probably would be, but times are tough out here in this castle, Fi. We gotta make do with what we have,” He couldn’t help, but tease some more, extending his hand out to her at the mention of a shower. “I think we both know that there is a shower in both of our separate rooms, I’m guessing that would be no, fun would it? So, come on. I know a place upstairs we can go.”

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Fiona rolled her eyes, but there was still a grin holding firm on her lips. The seraph shook her head when Kai covered his eyes. “Oh yes, an enchanted castle is totally making do,” she teased, taking his hand in hers. “No, not really,” the youngest Decker answered lightly as she moved to follow as Kai lead the way. “Isn’t it more fun with company? Someone to talk to while you shampoo your hair or pass you the conditioner?” An idea struck her, and she tilted her head up at him. “Don’t tell me there are heart-shaped tubs, because if so then we may need to do an impromptu photoshoot after we stop smelling like beer.”

Closed starter for @babydecker​

“Nara?” Athena called from the kitchen, hearing the cat meowing loudly in the living room. “You better not be getting into things!” Even as she spoke she she started towards the living room, abandoning the cup of tea and book she was reading. “Nara–” she jumped, surprised to see Fiona standing in the living room holding the fluffy orange cat in her arms. Nara kept meowing, as if he were saying look mom Fee is here. Athena took a breath. “Sis, I know the door is unlocked but you could have at least knocked.” Even with the knowledge that Fiona was, by blood, her niece it was hard– impossible even, to see her as anything other than her sister. Fiona had been her sister for twenty five years. Maybe in another twenty five she’d call her niece but till then she was still her little, annoying sister. “Do you need something?”

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Fiona let herself into Athena’s place, grinning when Nara was there almost instantaneously to greet her. The youngest Decker swept the cat into her arms, eagerly cuddling up to the fluffball. When she started asking him about her sister, he answered her back and she simply couldn’t resist. Instead of looking for Athena, or even announcing her presence, she was asking Nara about his day, thoroughly pleased as he kept meowing in response to her. Rather than answer Athena’s call, Fiona kept talking to the cat as she waited for her sister to join them. 

At Athena’s observation, Fiona merely rolled her eyes. “Right, because you announced yourself every time you broke into my apartment to steal my clothes?” It was a well-worn argument, one that came easily to her lips. “I wanted to see my god-cheetoh,  is that okay with you?” Fiona added, rolling her eyes as she cuddled the cat a little closer. “Jeez Nara, I’m glad you’re at least happy to see me. It would give me a complex if I didn’t have one already from all these years of being unwanted." Sarcasm laced her words as she shifted the cat in her arms. “He’s so soft, I don’t know how you let him go,” Fiona continued with a grin.

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He shook his head, “I told your mom I was going to find you and spend some time with you. She agreed it was a solid idea. So I’m all yours as long as you can stand me.” Nolan grinned, “You know that booth is the hottest commodity, right?” Was that a fact? Definitely not. But he sure thought it was a great time. Everyone always seemed to enjoy themselves and that was really all he could ask for, “I can try to run interception.” He laughed, “She’s like a hawk, ya know?”

Nolan’s hand rested lightly on Fiona’s arm as they walked through the halls, “I think we can find some cake. And if we can’t, then we’re going to make a cake.” He grinned, “You think they’ll let us in the kitchen?” Nolan’s brow quirked in mischief, “But first, let’s get those drinks, yeah?” He guided them both towards the bar, “Do you want a shot of happiness or just some straight booze?” He asked, “It’s your pick, birthday girl.”

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Fiona laughed. “You can’t say shit like that because we’ll skip this whole event and find a way to watch the marathon something,” she pointed out. Honestly, skipping the whole lovey-dovey bit of the event would be just fine for her, but it wouldn’t be all that fair to monopolize Nolan’s time. “God, my love life is about to become a thousand times more difficult isn’t it?” Even as she rolled her eyes, there was no stopping the smile on her lips. “I think we can break into wherever we need to,” Fiona answered with a shrug. 

When they got to the bar, the younger seraph grinned. “One of each for us both, happiness and vodka, please,” Fiona ordered before turning to Nolan. “And that’s just ‘cause you’ve got your booth to go back to, otherwise we’d be doing a row of shots. And since I’ve got you to myself for a bit, I was thinking we ought to plan out a few different movie nights y’know? We could get ourselves a nice little tradition going, don’t you think?”

The booth he and Athena was assigned was certainly interesting. To be quite honest, Hollis didn’t really know the rules of it and that concerned him. For a while, he just looked around the area to see if there was a more concrete set of rules around but he had yet to find them. All he knew was that there were locks and keys and he thought there should be a match for all of them.

But hearing Fiona’s statement, his brow furrowed, “Did you try them all?” He asked, tilting his head a bit, “I thought there should be a match for them all…I wasn’t told what to do if there isn’t.” Hollis didn’t sign up to a matchmaker. He doubted he would be any good at it. In fact, he was quite certain it would be disasterous, “I…uh…no, no snacks. But I can probably go find some if you need them…” He mentioned standing up. He turned his gaze towards Athena, who was handling the booth just fine, “What can I get you?”

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“Mostly,” Fiona fibbed with a shrug. She hadn’t gone around to every single person, but there were only so many wrong keys a girl’s heart could take. “I don’t know..chocolate maybe? Or is that too cliche. Chex mix isn’t super cliche but I don’t know if this place is too fancy for that sort of thing. It seems like it might be though,” the youngest Decker prattled as she slipped her arm through his. “But best not get separated, yeah? It’s a big castle so buddy system is best don’t you think? Also I’m pretty sure Athena would kill me if you got lost because you went on a snack run for me. And she’d probably kill us both if we didn’t get snacks for her, too, don’t you think?”

As she spoke, she took a step towards the door, as if she could fast-talk the werewolf out of the room without him really noticing that they were both absconding from the booth. “This place is pretty neat, no? And they’ve got so much to do. Have you been to the star room yet?”

Oh god he was so underdressed. He tried to fix his hair slightly as she sat down, hoping to tame any last minute fly aways. It didn’t matter though when Fiona sat down in her dress, looking like she did. He was in jeans. “Right, victim. I don’t mind at all no.” He raised his glass to her - a simple coke and rum - and smiled. “My name’s Joseph, I’m a doctor, and my favorite color is red. Your turn.”

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Fiona grinned. Straight to the point, and not even a hint of a flirt. Dr. Joseph seemed like a challenge. The seraph took a sip of her drink as she decided on how to handle him. “One for rules too, I’m guessing?” the youngest Decker teased, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. Rather than try in earnest, she decided to see if she could throw him off balance a touch.  “I’m Fiona, I’m a stripper, and my favorite color is green. My favorite thing to do at Christmas-time is go to the Brooklyn Zoo.”

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“Well, joke’s on you because I’d respectfully turn to face the wall like the gentleman we both know I’m not,” Kai teased back, before adding the qualm, “That is unless you’re working, because, well then, I’m a paying customer and can look to my heart’s content.” A goofy grin playing across his lips as he moved to wrap his arms around Fiona’s waist, pulling her towards him so that she could get as sticky herself as he just did. “Okay, for one thing, you’re stunning and we both know it and, for another, baby oil may be more effective, but then I’d miss out on doing this, now wouldn’t I?” He pointed out as he gave her a great big hug, smothering his abs up against her so that she could get the full beer covered experience first hand.

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Fiona laughed as he moved closer and pulled her in, only to shriek when their bodies met. “Kai!” she protested with another peal of laughter, “What the hell?” Fiona playfully pushed him away, shaking her head. “Now look at me! I’m going to need a bath,” the seraph snickered. “I don’t know, I feel like it’s more fun with baby oil.. At least I would be moisturized and not sticky,” the youngest Decker pointed out, resting one hand on her hip. “Please tell me you’ve got a shower or something around here. I hate being sticky.” She didn’t say it, but she also wasn’t especially pleased to be smelling like beer.

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“Even movies get it from somewhere,” Margot said with a sigh as more and more costumes started to have wardrobe malfunctions. “Have you really never been dragged to a party like this by your friends? I think most of the appeal comes from hovering around the legal drinking age and not having a fully developed pre-frontal cortex.” The rookie had a point though, it was proving to be pretty entertaining, especially as she watched some of her superiors goof around with only cardboard boxes and trash bags to cover themselves. “Entertaining might just be the right word,” Margot agreed. “Want to grab a shot to get the full experience? We just need to make sure we can stay clear headed enough that we don’t end up on the wrong end of a cardboard box. Something tells me the caution tape everyone’s wearing is a warning we should heed.”

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“No, my friends never really did..this,” Fiona admitted. ABC parties and seraphs just seemed..counterintuitive. Her dance friends would be a different story, but she’d parted ways with a good deal of them as they moved on to professional careers. There were only so many open spots in the city’s dance companies. The seraph didn’t comment on an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, whatever that was supposed to tell her. Maybe she’d ask Athena later. “Yeah, that sounds about right. A shot would make all this funnier, too,” the seraph added as she looked around the room. “Something tells me that this could be a disaster waiting to happen.”