Atlantic

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Meena pulled away as he did and did the same, looking him over. She let out a little huff, almost frustrated with herself for letting this get to her in the moment. While yes, over the years she’d witnessed so much that she had to grieve people and places, but it was always after the fact. She knew it was because this was so personal, and it did nothing but make her heart go out for all the people she’s helped over the years even more. “I’m okay. I’m glad to see you.” Admittedly, he’d been on her mind since it happened, worried for him since she knew he’d be out doing the same as her. Her arms tightened around his shoulders as he pulled in her once more. “We’ve gone through these things before.” She nodded, pulling away once more as she composed herself. “We should keep moving, yeah?”

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Meena was out trying to heal and help as many people as she could, and this wasn’t the first big healing she had done that night. The first was when everything had started, near the docks. She could already feel exhaustion coming over her, but she was determined to help more. Meena was a rescuer; she’d seen plenty of bloodshed and chaos, but this was now her home. Her sister’s and friend’s home, it was so different and so personal, and she knew this would stick with her the rest of her life like other tragedies had in her past. But she just had to keep it together. 

But when she saw someone else’s hands move over the wounded to help her, she almost lost her focus entirely, seeing it was Benji. She let out a breath of relief and had to remind herself she needed to keep it together, and seeing him gave her a small energy boost, and when they were finished healing the other, and he was helping her up, she immediately threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “Are you okay?” 

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It took him just a second for him to wrap his arms around her middle, relaxing near instantly with her around. “I asked you first.” Benji laughed, only pulling away to look her over. “I’m okay, tired. But I’m okay.” He held her close once more. “You holding up okay? This is a lot.” 

When the other was stable, he offered a sad smile and a hand to help her up. “You okay?” 

Of all the ways Priya had expected the carnival to end, this certainly wasn’t it. She felt a panic rising within her, a worry. Her people were here, they’d trusted her in bringing them here, she’d told them they’d be safe… And yet here they were, amongst chaos… She was so stuck in her thoughts she hadn’t even realized someone was speaking to her before she let out a breath, trying to snap out of it. “H-Help.” She answered, shaking her head of the fog that’d surrounded it. She’d be a shit leader if she just turned tail and ran. “How can I help?”

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Watching her react, Benji only managed a sympathetic smile and nod. When she asked how, he paused. “Without sounding completely rude, do you have any kind of power that could help heal? If not we can snag some stuff from one of these booths to help with the healing. With a pause, he turned again. “I’m Benji. Are you hurt at all? I’m an asshole who didn’t think to ask that first. ” 

“Hm?” Ignas hadn’t even realized he was looking in anyone’s direction, much less staring right at them, not until the other spoke. “Oh, sorry.” He looked away for a moment as the other asked if he was okay. If he were honest, he would say no. All Ignas wanted that day was to run away from his thoughts, which was honestly part of why he was at the carnival to begin with- to distract himself. The anniversary of every terrible thing that happened before the island was coming up- losing his brother, being excommunicated from his old coven… it was a lot- even after all these years. “Yeah. No worries.” He shook his head before pushing himself off the booth he was leaning against. “Enjoying your night?” He hoped to redirect the conversation before the other continued questioning him. 

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“And here I thought you were going to buy me a drink or something.” Benji only laughed, watching the other for a few seconds more before turning back to his own drink.”Decompressing. Today was long, if I’m being honest. I don’t know people keep up with the festivities every day.” The witch took a long sip of his drink. “You do anything fun lately?” 

“It’s been a couple months Benji, I think I’m plateauing. “ Jackson mused as he looked over to the other male. “ I’m trying though. It’s just easier to throw people out of a bar than asking for phone numbers. “ He added before running  hand through his hair.  “ Yeah I kind of wish the food wasn’t so expensive, seems like robbery, but otherwise I’m good. What about you?”

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“Where are you eating? Are you okay?” Benji moved over, sitting beside the other with a laugh. “You’re doing great. Give yourself time dude. And if you need to eat- you’re more than welcome to come over. Steal food from my apartment.”  He hummed, watching the man. “I’ll give you a key if you need.” 

Meena tried to contain her excitement, but she ultimately failed. The brightest smile on her face as she moved, grasping his arm that was linked with hers with her free hand. “Really? I’m so serious. Very serious about it.” She assured him. She’d always wanted a pet but never allowed herself to adopt one because she was constantly traveling. But here, on the island? She could finally do it. She finally had her own space, and for the first time in years she actually wanted to settle somewhere.

“That sounds like the perfect plan!” She smiled up at him again.

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“Duh.” Benji only smiled, walking toward the ferris wheel and other rides now. “Selfishly I’m going to make sure you bring her to the clinic every so often so I can see her. But yea. She’ll hang out with me tomorrow and then we can get her ready to go home with you.” Benji only laughed, watching Meena for a few more seconds. “You’ll have to come up with a cool name for her though.” 

✿ ☀ ✿ ☀ ✿

Harley was enjoying the fair, but he also loved the beach. And he needed a little bit of a break from the excitement of the fairground, anyways. He was hoping to get a little bit of a ‘listening’ break from hearing people. However, he was very used to being around spoken communication for hours at a time that it didn’t really bother him when someone on the beach started talking to him. There weren’t many other sounds on the beach, so Harley understood him even without any warning that he needed to pay attention. He turned his attention from the ocean in front of him to the fair behind him. “The fair? Yeah. It really is. I’ve never seen so many supernaturals in one place just having fun, you know?”

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The witch nodded, his attention turning to the other with him now. “Are you okay? I mean...I came out here to just- get away from all the noise and all. It’s a lot sometimes.” 

The carnival was so loud, Xavi found herself overwhelmed and starting to get a headache. She decided to head towards the beach, transform if it was safe, and go for a swim. At the very least, she’d find herself with a little peace and quiet finally.  It was disappointing then, when she got there only to find someone else in her favorite spot. She was prepared to just find somewhere new when he started talking to her. “Incredible?” She questioned, then looked at the fair in the distance. It did look kind of pretty from further away. But she wasn’t going to admit that. “Sure, if by ‘incredible’ you mean annoying and bright. Then yeah, it’s pretty fucking incredible.”

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“Alrighty then grumpy gills.” Benji hummed, watching her for a second before watching the crowds from a far once more. “I just meant...the harmony of it all.” The witch then clarified, “The people- all interacting. I’ve seen the bad of species interacting. It’s nice to see the good finally.” 

Jackson had been on the island for a few months now, but there was still some part of him that never fully let his guard down. He was still somewhat nervous that he was going to be around someone who knew him from his past negative actions and come to collect. Being able to just sit off to the sit and feel like he could breathe was a relief for the shifter. He let out a sigh; running a hand in his hair before hearing the familiar voice of one of the few people Jackson didn’t feel on edge around. “ I don’t know if I’ll ever be used to it”

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“Give it some time, you’ll grow comfortable.” The witch spoke, watching the other for a few seconds. “Make some friends, start over, that kind of thing. It all takes time, Jackson.” He shrugged, “Are you at least having a good time?” 

Meena gasped softly at the mention of the kittens. Meena had a great love for animals as well as people, and when Benji had offered to let her meet the kittens he’d rescued, she couldn’t possibly turn it down. In fact, there was one she was even considering adopting herself. “I might just have to come by again tomorrow, then! I hope they find the best homes. I love them all and I want the best for them.” She almost pouted, thinking about how cute the little cats were. 

Meena followed Benji’s gaze, and when he spoke again, a wide grin pulled at her lips. “Well consider me your buddy! I love everything about these kinds of events, I think they’re so fun! But what do you want first; find the fried Oreos or go on one of the rides?”

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Benji’s laugh escaped him, shaking his head. “I’ll save the little one for you if you were serious about taking her home.” Selfishly, he thought watching her with the kittens was the cutest thing. And the little one was his favorite.

“Let’s do rides first. Work up an appetite,- then maybe snacks and the bar?” 

@paradisusstart​​

“Well lucky for you my goal is to find as many sweets tonight as possible. This shall be a quest we take on together!” Meena chirped, her grin growing as she moved to stand beside him, holding out her arm for him to link with hers. “That is, if you don’t mind me stealing you away for a bit.” She added as she took a glance at the clinic’s booth behind them. 

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Benji linked arms, walking with her for a bit. “Today I’m all yours, tomorrow those kittens you helped rescue me from are getting adopted out.” The witch was focused on the crowds, and the lights. “I suppose I’d be more willing to ride something if uh, I had a buddy?” 

Closed starter: @benji-howe​

Meena lived for this kind of thing. She loved parties and celebrations of any kind, especially with the line of work she was in. For years Meena studied to be a healer, going to different covens with some of the other rescuers to help heal and rebuild families after their covens had been attacked. So, looking for the good in life and people was something Meena always tried to do because of all the bad she’d seen in the world. So, even with few friends on the island and her sister off with her own friend, Meena was wandering around and enjoying the carnival herself. She had no problem being alone. She knew she could enjoy herself either way, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t get excited when she spotted Benji amongst the crowd. “Hey!” She chirped, smiling brightly up at him, “You didn’t strike me as someone who would like this kind of thing.” she teased him lightly.

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He was meant to try and hold an adoption event at some point, Benji wandering around and just trying to scope out his booth. The clinic had someone else promoting today, but tomorrow he’d show with his litter of kittens to try and find them homes.  When the familar voice filled his ears, his smile grew. “I’m a sucker for fried oreos, and cheap carnival games what can I say?” Benji turned to meet her, smiling. “I just haven’t found the booth that makes the oreos.”