it's all a bit tragic, isn't it?

“They say Disney World is pretty magical, but I don’t the people who say that have ever attended an event put on by your sister,” he laughed. Zatanna went out of her way to make both her stage performances and the Christmas Market a magical experience all around and she delivered on that. “I’ll probably be working the markets as well. Preparations are underway as we speak.” He just hoped things wouldn’t go as completely off books as they had for Halloween. “A dinner should work,” he nodded. He was sure the others could keep Zatanna distracted long enough for him to finish the project. “If she tries to leave early, you can just bring up something John did and that’s guaranteed to make her stay a while longer,” he laughed. John was always up to something stupidly dangerous. He tried to cover his tracks, but somehow always fell short. “I’ll be sure to pass down the name to Charlie and see what she knows about Mr. Rivera. Maybe he can finally find so peace somewhere and leave you to yours.” He smiled and waved off the compliment. “Protecting this place and humanity was what I was created to do. I just wish my Father hadn’t left it in such a bad condition when I inherited it.” There was only so much damage that could be fixed.

\\

“I’ve never been to Disney to test that theory but I doubt they have anything actually magical going on there. Unless someone hide some artifacts in the bushes.” Blayze almost finds that funny if that were the case — something hidden in plain sight but doesn’t think that would be entirely accurate. “Nothing compares to what my sister does and if anyone tries to claim differently is just lying.” Maybe Zach would try saying his shows were better but that’s a subject for an entirely different day to tackle. “Oh yeah? It’s always good to start planning early for the holidays. I look forward to working the markets with you!” It’ll be another opportunity for the two of them to bond even further at least. Dinner is always chaotic in the best of ways ( unless his parents were involved ) since so many personalities coming together makes for some interesting stories. “Oh, John will definitely do the trick if we need to keep Zee busy. I have so many stories … how do we pick just one … something for me to sleep on later.” He doesn’t need to figure it out right now. It makes him laugh though at the thought. He can envision it. “Thank you for that. I’m sure my brother will be pleased too since he’s living with me now.” He does believe in compliments, of course, even if Michael is waving it off. “I’m sorry, dude. It wasn’t cool for your dad to leave you to pick up his pieces.”

“Eh, it’s alright,” she waved a hand. “no harm, no foul. i’ve processed it all in therapy anyway.” she still hated puppets, but at least now she knew why she hated puppets. “john wanted to destroy it but honestly eternal imprisonment is a more fitting punishment. he can sit there for the rest of time and think about what he’s done.” as a puppet, he couldn’t die. not in the same sense that humans could. besides, if she incinerated the puppet, she still didn’t know if there was an off chance that he might find a way to possess another object. “baby cthulhu grows into adult cthulhu,” she laughed. “how about something safe? i’m sure there’s something cuddly and vicious at ambrose’s pet shop that you can adopt. i can see you with…” she tilted her head and tried to picture him with an animal. “a lama,” she grinned. “the kind that spit violently. points if it spits in john’s direction.”

\\

“No better punishment than making someone live eternally as an object. They’re alone with their thoughts and can’t quite escape what they’ve done. It seems fitting for someone that awful.” It reminds him of how his parents would turn people into paintings — wondering how many they kept that way but never asked out of fear of finding out one in their home used to be someone. Maybe they were both thinking about what would happen if anyone tried to burn the puppet. He would either die or his soul would live on in another way. “Okay … that is true. You got me there. Why didn’t I think of that?” Blayze might just be too much of an airhead at times. However, the laughter that comes out of him when Zatanna suggests getting a llama is the best thing he has heard all day. “The mental image of John fighting a llama … is too good.”

🐺🐺🐺

Ambie chuckled at his twin plenty of people couldn’t understand how he was the older of the two of them. “You’d think they’d get the whole twin thing and realize one of us had to come out first unless Mother was asking to be destroyed” He teased looking at his brother smiling softly. “You are such a baby face too even with all your little facial hair” He mused placing a kiss on Blayze’s cheek. before taking a seat next to his brother on the couch. “Well nothing should be plain and simple when it comes to us, We must always strive to be extraordinary and outgoing I like to say.

\\

“No! I don’t even want to begin thinking about us both coming out at the same time. It sounds like something out of a horror movie.” The vampire admits while shaking his head. The mental image needed to go. He might be desensitized to gore and whatnot after drinking blood for so long but that’s just gross. Blayze might be on bad terms with their parents right now but still doesn’t want to picture their mom like that but a smile quickly finds its way back to his face. It was difficult to stop himself from doing so when Ambrose was smiling too. “Is that a good thing? Oh no … this means I’m going to have a baby face for the rest of eternity.” Curse his immortality. “I wouldn’t want to be plain. I prefer being eccentric even if that means people stare from time-to-time.” Maybe more like all the time.

“Ah, you know, just one of those many repressed childhood fears that turns out to be legitimate,” she laughed. “oscar hampel. he was a popular puppeteer back in the day. my dad turned him into an actual puppet and locked him away when i was a kid because he tried to kill me. dad wiped my memory of it, and i thought that was the end of that but then oscar got out and tried it again. he’s locked inside the vaults at shadowcrest under heavy warding.” as long as she was alive, she would ensure he never left his warded prison. “maybe he is afraid of hell, but living in a loop like that is hell in and of itself.” she couldn’t imagine the ghost was happy being afraid of its own shadow. she hoped charlie would be able to help him move on at least. if she couldn’t, well, then the winchesters had ways of doing things too. “we are not summoning cthulhu,” she laughed. “don’t even think about it.”

\\

Blayze doesn’t know what he expected out of the story but that sounds like quite the traumatic experience. He knew there was something suspicious about puppets. They gave him the creeps but why were there so many bad guys trying to use puppeteering part of some evil scheme. “I’m sorry for bringing it up. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to go through something like that.” He takes a mental note to practice some spells in some of his spare time just by chance this asshole got loose somehow. Blayze wouldn’t mind getting to hurt him for all the pain he caused his sister.  “I’m glad he’s locked up tight and can’t reach you anymore.” He means it, of course. The expression on his face seemingly changes when Zatanna says that he shouldn’t think about summoning cthulhu. “What if there’s a baby cthulhu out there somewhere? Can we summon baby cthulhu?” There’s other universes that they know of so why wouldn’t it be possible? He knows his sister might not budge but he tries anyway.

“Ay, there’s enough bad magic going around. Let’s not go summoning anymore hell spawns. Zee’s done enough of that. We’ll get you signed up for tinder or something to pass the time,” he laughed. The last thing this city needed was more demons or angels. “Well then I’ll consider it an honor to be landed on,” he chuckled. He knew Blayze was just buttering him up, but he wasn’t gonna say no to a compliment. “You’re right. It’s different when it’s involuntary and you can’t change back. I imagine you’ll be keeping to your human form for a while after this.” He knocked back the offered shot and set the empty shot glass back down on the table. “I’d say that hit the spot,” he grinned. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend the night than with a few drinks, some pizza, and his best mate.

\\

Blayze can’t help laughing at the thought of how reckless summoning demons to play a game would be but with his own luck they wouldn’t be too interested in playing fall guys or whatever is popular these days. “You’re probably right. There’s enough going on in this city and I shouldn’t add to it.” He could hear his parents disapproval in the back of his mind. They might have disowned him but their lessons are still ever present. He also thought having a break from his other form would be a good idea. “I know it’s over but I’m still worried I’ll get stuck again if I transform. It’s silly but my brain won’t shut up about it.” Maybe drinking some alcohol would help ease those nerves. Blayze downs the shot in one go, and places the empty glass down on the table. Yeah, that would do the trick. “You read my mind. Another? I think I really needed this after everything.” His hand reaches to pour another round before eating some of the pizza sitting in the cardboard box there. It’s good way to unwind that’s for sure. The vampire takes a swig of the second glass, pacing himself more this time. “So … what kind of pizza did you bring?”

🐺🐺🐺

Amrbose was beyond happy to know that he’d always have someone by his side, he loved his twin with everything in his heart. He never knew loneliness because Blayze was always near he was lucky to have a sibling who loved him no matter way. “I will always hold those three minutes over you after all what kind of big bro would I be if i didn’t huh? you always loved being the baby anyhow” He teased before thinking “I love Balefire, Balefire Graves works perfectly, I can’t wait to see what we can find.” 

\\

“I love the confusion on people’s faces when I tell them you’re older than me. They look at me so bewildered. ‘But you look the same age!’ It makes me laugh every time, quality entertainment.” Blayze teases with a grin while looking at his brother. They’ve been through a lot over the years together. “I do enjoy being the baby, you got me there, Ambrose.” He sticks his tongue out playfully as he leans back in his seat. “Balefire it is then! I’m quite happy with our name choices, unique just like the two of us.”

🐺🐺🐺

Ambie smiled he always liked how unique his name was compared to others, it was one of the few Graves traditions that he didn’t mind being part of. It strange to think if anything in their lives would be normal given just what they were now after all the attacks. He worried for his little brother especially given that he’d never live as long as Blayze, while being a wolf enhanced his otherwise human lifetime it still wasn’t fully immortal as a vampire. He hopped that he could at least maybe find one good vampire that could look after his brother for the rest of his life. “That’s how it is, I’m the eldest even by 3 minutes” He mused smiling shaking his head “only because I watched out for you” he mused before nodding his head “It works though that is more a girls name, what if we pick a boy?” 

\\

It does break Blayze’s heart whenever the thought of seeing all his loved ones leave him comes to mind. He doesn’t think outliving everyone will be something that the vampire will ever be prepared for. He would be thankful for any amount of time that he’d get with his brother but a world without his family in it sounds lonely. Maybe this is why Blayze is afraid to fall in love — he doesn’t want to watch them die too while he doesn’t ever age a day. “You’re always going to hold those three minutes over my head, aren’t you?” Deep down he doesn’t mind at all, obvious by his playful tone that’s paired with his words. He starts to think of some ideas for names that would fit a boy. “Balefire? Abaris? Divayth?”

🐺🐺🐺

Ambrose smiled softly he loved being near his brother that wasn’t something that could ever change. Even his time spend in the woods with his wolf pack part of him felt the ping of longing for his twin while away. He was grateful for his pack taking him in and showing him the wolf side of himself but part of him wished that his brother could get the same experience with a kind vampire. But how could try trust anyone? so far the one’s they’d run into were nothing but another nest to kill less they try and hurt others. “I know I’m adorable, after all I get everything first then you come second” He teased his brother chuckling softly. He was glad that he didn’t have to live alone here in New York. “Of course we will Blayze, and I love that idea it should be something as creative as ours, so it can feel like it fits in with the family” he mused looking at the other “Astra?” He mused looking at the other wondering what he’d come up with.

\\

The Graves family tend to name their children after the unusual, something more unique than everyone else. Blayze never minded as he enjoys being different. All his life experience made the man kind. Which makes him wonder if there are other vampires out there like him. There must be, right? Not that his twin would trust them at first.  Blayze doesn’t want to get hurt again so he is thankful for now they look out for each other. How many can say that their twin is their best friend. “Oh, so that’s how it is?” Blayze laughs for a moment. “I don’t mind coming second to you. Just means I can get away with my shenanigans easier.” His lips showcase a playful grin. Maybe this is how the vampire always finds trouble. “Astra is a perfect name. Astra Graves has a nice ring to it and it’s well for our family.”

“Honestly I’m not sure. This is my first time in here.” Ororo looked over at the guy who was speaking to her. “And I’m not much of a coffee person anyways. I perfer tea.” 

Ororo hadn’t been in town for quite some time and she felt a bit like a stranger. She knew she had to head back to the school but she had decided to stop and get something to eat from a nearby diner. She walked inside and sat down at a booth before picking up a menu and looking at it. 

\\

“Do you think they have good coffee here?” Blayze decides to ask while looking over at the only other person sitting in the diner. While the beverage wouldn’t really do anything for him aside from keep him awake, he likes the reminder of the days when he were Human. Besides drinking only blood is boring and he’d miss a good burger and pizza too much.

“Gotham, oh I have heard things about that city.” Things didn’t need to be elaborated on, everyone knew what was said about Gotham. Lorna was curious to visit one day. Long into the future though, when she knew how to properly kick ass with her powers. No one was she walking into that death trap without a proper weapon. “Let’s give it a try.” Lorna had tasted a fair assortment of different drinks before, she happened to like whatever was closest and cheapest. There wasn’t many that had made an impact on her, maybe that would change with his Negroni. 

\\

“It’s a very interesting place I feel like it’s difficult not to hear about things that go on there.” Blayze knows that there’s a certain reputation that comes with the place but there was always some kind of party to be found. Which wasn’t always surrounded by the best people but now wasn’t really the time to get into that. “You looking to visit sometime? I could tag along and show you around.” The old stomping grounds but this is also assuming that they become friends after this. Blayze always needs more of those. “Yes! Excellent.” He turns to the bartender with a fanged grin. “Two Negroni for us please.” Now all they have to do is wait for them to be poured for them. He’s kind of excited, taking the glasses when they’re given to him. Blayze passes one to his new friend and takes a sip from his own. Bitter as promised but he has always liked this particular drink. It wasn’t ordered often but it’s always a nice treat.

🐺🐺🐺

Ambrose loved Blayze since the moment they came into this world, it was normal among twins how they become inseparable. Nothing worked he or Blayze always found their way back to one another through whatever means possible. He smiled softly glad to have this time with his brother again, he was grateful for the time spend with his pack but he missed his family more then he probably let on. “You are my adorable baby brother,” He mused kissing the other’s head softly before looking around “I’ll always be here to protect you, you know that Twinnie” He replied before looking at the other chuckling “I do so love being spoiled Blayze, true, I can’t wait to have one, running around with us. We should what names you’ve got? what route should take? mythological or normal?”

\\

Blayze and Ambrose have always been inseparable. When they were children the younger twin had been keen on crying if they were separated. He was better about that now in their adulthood but not back then — known to scream with his tears until he was allowed to tag along with Ambrose. It made a smile instantly appear on his face when reunited with his brother and didn’t remember what upset him so much. Their parents surely didn’t like it very much but Blayze didn’t think about that at the time. All he could think about was wanting to go wherever his twin is going. “Alright maybe I’m a little adorable but that means so are you.” The grin obvious on his face while looking over at the other after he kisses his head. What did he do to even deserve having a sibling that was so kind to him? Their dynamic could have gone sour after their parents disowned him but it didn’t and that means everything to the vampire.  “And I’ll always protect you. We’ll spoil each other as we always do. I’m thinking we go with a magical name … seems fitting for us don’t you agree?” Blayze can’t imagine anything else feeling so right. “Let me think ...”

“I don’t think there are many parties as glamourous as this one.” Then again, what did she know? Lorna didn’t typically run in this circle, as far as she knew, this was per-normal. If it was, it was something she’d be all too interested in getting used to. The high end life, it was pretty nice. At least, she would assume. “Bitter.” She said. “I’ve always been big on bitter.” Bitter apples, candy, all the type. 

\\

“You’re right about that, especially back in Gotham.” Which is usually where Blayze ran off to growing up to find the next big party to attend growing up. He never really had the taste of luxury but his family was well off enough to never struggle with paying the bills. “I know just the perfect drink to get you. Perhaps a Negroni?” Assuming that the woman likes gin but it’s the first bitter cocktail to come to mind.

🐺🐺🐺

“you were adorable, the last time you were that small we both we tiny and in need of protection.” Ambie mused moving to hug his brother tightly they were never separated it seems much like old times especially after their time spent in other forms. He knew Blayze didn’t share the same connection to his bat form as there wasn’t anything super primal about it compared to his wolf. even now he could feel it purr at the fact he was close to those he loved once again. He wanted something similar for his twin so badly but he didn’t trust vampires, if they hurt his baby brother again he’d burn this world killing every single one. “that you do, you learned from the best of course, we shall it will be our early birthday gift to ourselves, though I still need to spoil you with something.” 

\\\

It feels strange to think about ever being a child, such a long time ago at this point. Their birthday is approaching soon and Blayze doesn’t feel any dread about turning another year older this time. He accepted that his physical appearance won’t ever change even while everyone around him will. He could have picked anything to be his other form but settled on a bat. It felt the most natural to him and his first change came without warning even. “Adorable you say? I don’t know about that ...” If any other vampires approaches him with promise of bringing him to be part of their clan or simply show him the ropes ... maybe his family wouldn’t trust them not to hurt Blayze. His twin at least wouldn’t and he doesn’t know if he trusted them either. He doesn’t need other vampires to feel whole, having his brother and the rest of their loved ones is enough. “And I’ll spoil you too. The dog is just a little something extra for the both of us. We deserve it after the year we’ve had. Should we brainstorm some names?”

Fangs. Just what had Lorna walked into? Though, she knew she wasn’t getting herself into somewhere homely and safe when she noticed the thrower of the party was called Lucifer. Still, she was all too ready to defend herself if need be. However need not be as of yet. Regardless of his fangs, she didn’t know if he was a danger or not. She’d remain open minded until something turned her otherwise. “Not so bad, I see.” Different lifestyles, it must be. For Lorna, this party was more than she’d ever known. To him, it wasn’t so bad. She’d never felt so sheltered before. “Yeah, a drink doesn’t sound so bad.” She agreed. “Any recommendations?” 

\\

Blayze isn’t that kind of vampire, never directly feeding off of another since the thought makes him uncomfortable. Even a creature of the night has standards, okay? He doesn’t believe in hiding part of himself, especially at a place like this where maybe there would be more freedom in being himself. He doesn’t want anyone to think that he would be dangerous but always welcomes questions if people has them. “Usually the parties I go to aren’t as glamorous.” He chuckles a little while heading toward the bar, pushing his way through the crowd a little with a gentle shove of his elbow. Blayze didn’t really have any business partying so much at a young age — maybe craving something outside of his parents strict rules. “It all depends on your tastes. You like drinks sweet? Or maybe more bitter?” It would help him pinpoint what suggestions to make as they approach the bartender.