Caia Sjöfrid

This wasn't the kindest version of herself. Atlas knew she was being blunt with the other elf but she never knew when Caia would disappear or when they would see each other again. The joking helpd but Atlas knew she struck a nerve.

Caia's eyes darted around Atlas' face as the elf brushed the hair from their eyes. This was as close to intimacy as they had ever gotten, which wasn't much, but it still caused something to stir in Caia's chest.

"Well let's hope you don't regret that when your poor messenger bird is carrying a novel length letter across the Atlantic ocean," she replied. Atlas didn't want to make this difficult for Caia. She was mostly surprised that they had stuck around for so long. It might have been the longest stint they'd had with the elf in centuries.

"They'll be fine. I'll send an extra hefty one," Caia joked lightly before they paused. They were not used to goodbyes, and especially not when they were being called out for simply disappearing.

"I think it's likely ingrained into their nature," the witch answered. She didn't really care about deities when there's an elf occupying their attention instead. Lian tilted their head as Caia leaned close, curious to see how forward the elf would be. The witch had always been a good distraction for anyone who needed it and now the elf would be her distraction for the night.

Vivian's senses quirked up at Caia's demeanor shift, curious as to why the ruins could have created such a response. "If there's one thing i've learned from living in this city, it's that nothing about it makes any sense. But maybe it's because we're not asking the right questions?" she pondered out loud in response. "I think the bigger question right now is why don't supernaturals know more about those ancient supernatural ruins. Especially with Artemis on our backs, I think if there are any answers to find, shouldn't we be the ones that find them first? What if there's something down there that they can use against us?"

Atlas had selfishly hoped that Caia would stick around this time. A cool history mystery could only keep the elf in one place for so long. They still just wished they had more time together. It left her with a heavy feeling in her chest, one that she couldn't swallow a round when the other elf spoke again.

"You're welcome to ramble as long as you'd like in your letters. I'd look forward them," Caia said with a smile, one they hoped looked more playful, or perhaps reassuring, to offset the sombre mood.

The witch found comfort in interactions like this. People fell in and out of lust very quickly but those moments were easier than a more permanent connection. With the elf's invitation, Lian took their hand and moved into the empty space beside them. They could feel the heat of their body and Lian leaned into it, still seeking a way to shake off the chill in the air.

Mira blinked. He tried to remember what it was like being a baby and the world was new. His first memories were full of fear and trauma. He didn't like remembering back that far. "Maybe. I don't know if I'd prefer it again or not." He smiled at the other. "I'm Mira by the way, I don't know if I introduced myself or not."

"Childlike wonder is not your cup of tea?" Caia asked curiously in return. Youth had been a much simpler time long ago. Caia was definitely not as fond of what their life had become since.

"You were one of the reasons I convinced myself to come back," Atlas admitted. Their childhood crush had been clear for centuries at this point and if Caia was leaving, they didn't need to hold back. Whatelse did this city still have for her? Her brother was happy, the theatre could go on without her. There was just Ayumu left and the spirit wasn't sure that was a good thing. Escaping again sounded very appealing.

"I even take the phone off the hook." Caia deserved the time away from egos and tantrums. They worked harder than any of the talent. She genuinely believed if not for Caia, the movie might never have finished filming. She leaned into the touch, resting her head on Caia's shoulder. "And I will share each one with you."

It would be brilliant to have some company. Daphne's original plan was to get some writing done while she was away, but having someone to spend time with would offer the sort of inspiration that staring at the wall simply couldn't compete with. Besides it was said that a bit of fun made work more fulfilling.

"That's sold me already. Any place where I can kick my feet up, wine glass in hand and not have to deal with actors will already be the absolute best," Caia grinned and leaned in to sling an arm around Daphne's shoulder. "Thanks, Daph. You're the best. Remind me to buy you about five bottles of wine while we're out there."

Viv mulled over Caia's words, shaking her head slightly. "I just don't get it. I understand wanting to preserve human life and all, trust me, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this, you know?" she took a careful sip of her blood as she met Caia's eyes again. "First those weird ruins opening up in the city, and now this? I mean, you can't tell me it's not all connected somehow. Now that my research lab is ahead on a few projects I've actually been thinking about getting a team together to survey down there. Maybe get some samples and run a few tests. Figuring out what was going on down there, might give us a key to what Artemis is trying to distract us from." Viv didn't know why she was saying this all out loud to Caia. Maybe it was the jetlag, or possibly feeling good to share her ideas out loud to someone who would listen.

"The ruins?" Caia's brows rose at Vivian's words, their heart rate picking up a tic. "What makes you think that it's related to Artemis? Seems like a stretch... What would humans know about ancient supernatural ruins?"

"No the temperature of the water hasn't ever been an issue for me. I can adjust easily." Mira preferred the water to be warmer, but didn't mind the cold. It helped to clear his head when it was feeling foggy like it was today. The nightmares from the night before were fresh in his mind. The elves from his childhood coming to find him finally after all these years. Taking him from his warm, safe bed and murdering him the way they had done to his parents. He shook his head as if to clear the images like an etch-a-sketch. Mira glanced down at the book in his hand and back over at the woman. "It's just for fun. I've mostly read non-fiction books throughout my whole life, so now I'm reading whatever I want. It's interesting how everything is so confusing for Alice while she's in Wonderland, but if you think about it, that's how things are for children all the time." He smiled and thought about how much he related to Alice in the book now, even though he was several hundred years old and most definitely not a child.

"Yes. Seeing the world for the first time. Being bombarded by the sights, sounds and colours. We've all been through that, but not many of us remember it once we get used to the world around us," Caia responded as they looked towards where the sun was rising and painting the sky all sorts of different colours. "It'd be great to be young again..." Something that would have been centuries upon centuries ago for Caia themself.

"Fine, I guess. Are you satisified that you've seen?" The elf asked. Something didn't quite add up but Atlas guessed it didn't matter now, not if Caia was leaving again. She wasn't sure what she expected, maybe more questions about the trip rather than an interrogation about her drinking habits. Maybe it was easier this way, she wasn't meant to keep crushing over someone who clearly had no interest over them.

"You'd leave V.C. again so soon?" Caia asked in return knowing that this trip Atlas just returned from was the young elf's first big one alone. They were usually much more of a homebody.

"Yeah, like Black..." She couldn't disagree that she was certain that there was something really fucked up going on and she didn't have enough evidence to do a damn thing about it. "I.. yeah," She hated being so much younger than most of the people she spent time with. "You're right," She leaned back her head resting against the bench. "I should let this be shouldn't I?"