exile.

She laughed, gulping greedily at the cool night air. Like most monsters, she felt best in evening, with a wash of darkness like an inky blanket over bare shoulders. Magic felt more powerful when the moon watched over it instead of the sun, and as a result she too felt as though she could race a lap around the circumference of the earth if she wished to. “So you’re friends with Rafael and Alarick? I thought of you as a woman of better taste.” Her grin was wide enough to indicate that she was kidding, and the sparkle in blue eyes and the little hiccup from too much to drink emphasized that nothing she said tonight could be held against her. “That’s what a pack is meant to do,” Lenny said with as much wisdom as she could muster. “When you no longer feel safe, it is time to leave. A lone wolf is a dead wolf, but so is one that is surrounded by those who would let them drown instead of hauling them out from deep water.”

+

“So you’ve met some of them already.” Demet takes the light jab good-naturedly, rather than get defensive. She knows that Lenny means no true harm or offense, likely only an effect of alcohol loosening the tongue. “Rafael is my brother, Alarick is our friend. They’re beta and alpha of the pack, respectively.” Katerina had been before, and while Demet never had a problem with the other wolf woman, she also never felt entirely comfortable around her. The fact that they waited until it was someone they trusted in charge of the pack before joining was no accident on the  part of the Yilmaz family. “I thank you for your concern, but that won’t happen to me. These people are like a family to me, and I know if I needed them, they would come to my aid at once.” Even Laila, she thinks, would defend her by nature of their pack bond, if nothing else. Her gaze turns towards Lenny thoughtfully. “They could offer the same to you, if you ever decide you’re tired of running on your own.”

     “That must be nice. My brother is also here.” But bringing up how they had not seen each other in a century and just recently connected felt like too much to reveal to a stranger. Especially because this woman probably had a much easier connection with her brother than Elif did, and that would only result in her getting jealous of it. “I wasn’t born here either, I was born in Turkey but I grew up in Quebec. And I just recently moved here. Everything’s still very new to me. But in general, I’m… not a big fan of packs.”

“It was deserved, they had hard lives and a hard end.” He would not elaborate—  both shame and sorrow were the reasons that he kept stories of his children closely guarded, he had sent them to the heavens that he had prayed for before life had grown hard enough to hull them out like it had he; but in doing so he had stolen whatever futures lay gilded before them. “As parents we try to do what is best for our children, and they reminded me that at the time, I was only human.” Sebiorn looked at her, offering a half smile, the most that he could. “Humans make mistakes.” Immortals did as well, but he liked to imagine that he had the wisdom of centuries to guide his decisions, to make sure that he did better with each pass. “I’m sure that it is not in the spirit of their memories, it is not their words, but the ones that our minds make up to be cruel to us.” He looked at her, “They tell us what we know, but wish not to hear. That is the true power of the eidolons, I suppose— they require no teeth nor blade to tear us apart.” He looked back at the trio of girls, whose heads were tilted back and whose laughter filtered through the park. “I’d like to be a parent again, to do it right this time. That sort of joy,” he gestured, “It’s infectious, it can fill a whole house.”

+

“I always wanted to be a mother.” She doesn’t know why it sounds so much like a confession to fall from her lips, something secretive that should’ve been locked away, but it does. Maybe it’s because of the fact that Demet knows she is undeserving to be one; that to even want it, to pass this gene of hers onto another little being, is an act of pure selfishness. “There was a time when I thought I would have the chance to be, but...” But then her world fell apart, and her sister died, and how could she possibly have her own child when she is responsible for the orphaning of her niece and nephew? “Well, you never know what direction life is going to take you.” The smile she offers is small and sad and wholly insincere, like throwing a splash of paint against an already cracked wall in an attempt to hide it’s flaws. She looks at him, then, really looks at Sebiorn; the kindness in his gaze, how gentle he’s always treated her, and wonders how quickly it could be turned away. “If I tell you something terrible I’ve done, will you hate me for it?”

@demetyilmcz​

     “You’re avoiding me.” It’s a statement, not a question, because Rafael wasn’t stupid – and he wasn’t blind either. Anyone with two brain cells would be able to tell that Demet had been trying to avoid him, and that only worried him more than the conversation that had lead to this distance between the two siblings. Now he had managed to catch her, arms crossed over his chest as he stared at her. “How are you?”

     “That’s too bad.” Thalia often thought art was wasted when it was hidden away instead of shown to curious eyes. It could mean so much to someone looking at it, and it could mean so much to know what others saw in it. But it probably wasn’t for everyone, she could understand that, too. “It’s really good either way. And if you ever change your mind, you can come to me. I know a few people. The art community is a wonderful thing to be a part of.”

“So you know the city well enough to guide me home,” Lenny returned, her lips formed in a broad, uncharacteristic smile. The drink would fade and she would lose her low snicker, but while she had the excuse she slung an arm around Demet’s shoulders, focusing hard to keep herself from stumbling. The question made her nose wrinkle and she shook her head. “Absolutely not, haven’t seen a real reason to join it.” Her own sapphire gaze cut over to catch the other wolf looking at her, making her smile wider. “Are you? I’ve seen some of those wolves, they don’t seem anything like you.” By that she meant that they were coarse, the energy was masculine— it was a far cry from the gentle spirit that continued to help her on her way.

+

“I suppose you could say that,” Demet replies, pulling her along. There isn’t much about this city that she doesn’t know by this point, or so she likes to think. While the werewolf won’t be signing up to be a tourism guide anytime soon, it does make it easy for her to navigate around. “I am, along with my brother. A friend of ours is the alpha.” She nods her head in affirmation, looking at Lenny. “I know it can seem a little bit like a boys club, sometimes. A little bit rougher around the edges. But they’re good people. I trust them, and I feel safe with them.” Which is something that can’t really be understated, in a city like this. Though her relationship with Laila is less than ideal, and she would like to have more women around, she doesn’t regret the decision to join the Argos pack. 

    “Don’t worry about it.” The truth was, Elif was trying to make more friends in Corinth seeing as she barely had any. And at first glance, this werewolf seemed nice enough. “Elif,” she introduced herself after getting into the car and starting the engine. “And no, you probably haven’t. I haven’t lived here very long and I’m not part of the local pack. I’m not sure if you are, but I’m guessing that’s where most werewolves meet.” For herself the pack wasn’t an option though, not after what she had endured with the one she grew up in in the past. “Are you from here?”

Her apology felt unexpected— it was something that he wanted to give back to her; she had nothing to be sorry for. He wanted to tell her that he had lead a life that had caused suffering to others, that he had deserved a moment in hell; but instead, he looked over, lips pressed together as he nodded in a solemn thanks. “Perhaps it was a deserved end, but it was a lonely one, regardless.” His whole world had fallen away, and Vince, forever out of reach. Hell was for other people, he had decided, and that he would not share with Demet— not that he had other plans. Humanity hadn’t suited him, but it was humans that were promised a fate that differed from the hellish trap that Persephone had bid upon her creations: she was a cruel mother to them, he would repay her lack of kindness by turning her back upon her if given the chance. It was the werewolf that spoke to draw him from his thoughts, and the tea warming his hands. Sebiorn sipped, looking at her in interest. Immediately, he knew what it was that she wanted to know about. The eidolons. For her sake, he would offer honesty, as it was that she seemed disturbed and that she needed it. “The dead had returned, just to haunt me.” Seb looked at her, “I was a father once, as good of one that I could have been when the world had been that young.” He let out a breath, “I no longer have children by birth, only by creation, but that night they reminded me that they would not so easily be forgotten.” Blue eyes cast towards her, wondering if she understood. “The eidolons take your most wretched pain, and they warp it to make you go mad. Whatever they said, it is not true to the spirit or memory they possessed.”

+

“I don’t agree with that,” she says, looking at Sebiorn. Not argumentative, that isn’t her place, but with a quiet assurance. The simple fact to Demet is that he could never deserve such a horrible fate, by virtue of his kindness. She felt delicate like glass sometimes, the wrong amount of pressure could leave cracks in her frame, but Seb has never been anything but gentle. “I’m sorry. I cannot imagine that torment.” A hand reaches out to squeeze against his wrist gently, to convey her sympathy. To be haunted by one’s own children must’ve been a terrible horror to endure, and Demet does not think she could have survived the grief of such a thing. Her own sister’s ghost had nearly reduced the werewolf to completely breaking. “Are you sure of that?” She asks quietly. The thought has been a plague upon her since the horrible evening occurred. Even if what he says is true, and the eidolon was not truly how Esma felt towards Demet — that does not mean it’s words were not true. “I do not think it was wrong,” she confesses, her gaze falling down to her lap. “Even if it was intended to hurt... even if it was not truly her thoughts or feelings. I do not think it lied to me.”

She’d likely sober up enough to walk herself home before they actually made it, but there was some comfort in having to rely on someone else— she leaned into Demet’s side, milking it, enjoying whatever attention she could steal away. It was a small secret that she was lonely; long nights at the fire hall spent watching Gwen from across the room paired with longer ones in her empty home made her hungry for other people in her life. She had never befriended another wolf since she’d left the first pack, not really, and it was nice to be close to someone who was just like her. “My hero,” she cooed, “I’m just ahead, next block over.” Her shoes, heeled boots, clicked along the asphalt. “Have you lived here long?”

+

Demet doesn’t mind the walk. It’s why she came out this evening in the first place, after all. Though she hadn’t been intending on company at the time, she can scarcely find herself willing to disagree with the request. Lenny is kind, and there’s an inherent safety she feels when in the company of other werewolves. “A few years now,” Demet says, nodding her head lightly. “But my family has been in the city for much longer.” For about seventy years now, there’s always been a few Yilmazs around Corinth Bay. Blue eyes linger on Lenny’s face as they walk, before she finally asks, “you’re not pack, are you?” It’s said only to be polite, as the werewolf is already aware of the answer. Though she supposes the other woman could belong to another pack outside of the city — she might only be visiting. 

@demetyilmcz​

      “I know we’re not exactly friends right now, but you should go bigger than that.” Maybe it was rude, but Thalia had caught Demet in a moment when the other didn’t pay attention to her surroundings it seemed, instead doodling her heart away. It was small, but an artist’s eye saw talent where it was hidden. “You have amazing talent. Some aspiring artists would kill for that.”

     “Brothers,” Elif simply said. Once upon a time Remzi also would have taken any chance to tease her, though cars were not really an option. Other things were. But times had changed, and the thought that this woman had a brother who would pick her up and tease her about it caused her to feel a bit of… jealousy? “It’s not as bad as it sounds. I can fix it for you in a day or two, depending on how bad the damage is.” Her words were meant to be encouraging as she noticed the look on the other woman’s face. “It’s not an inconvenience. I’ll drive you home and I’ll have your car picked up and brought to my shop. Then I’ll fix it and let you know when it’s ready. Sound good?”

who: @demetyilmcz​ where: safae’s wedding

It was the start of the wedding season and Rowan couldn’t be more excited about it, Demet looked breathtaking gorgeous and the phoenix didn’t hesitate to tell her so. The ceremony was small, close friends in attendance but she kept her artic hues opened for any inspiration that could come to help plan Noah’s wedding better. The band played music that wove through the air enchantingly, although the butterflies danced in her stomach she didn’t want to miss out on a chance to be with the werewolf next to her. She turns over her hand to reveal it’s open palm and offers her hand to Demet. “Would you like to dance my dear?”

Lenny grinned, reaching to tug at a stay lock of dark hair that frames the other woman’s face. Her concern sits on her features— she was a kind person, the sort that made it evident in the way that she looked, in how it seemed as though she had a life time of worrying over those in her life under her belt. “I’ll take a walk with you then,” she said decidedly, drawing herself to an unsteady stand, her lips still curved indulgently. “There aren’t many lady werewolves in this city, I supposed we have to stick together don’t we?” The alcohol would metabolize soon and she would find herself soberly walking home, but for now she was content to chase sweetly after the pretty raven haired woman. Her arm extended, elbow out for her new companion to take. “I’m Lenny, where are we walking?”

+

The woman’s offer is bold, and less of an offer than an announcement, really, and it takes Demet by surprise. Still, she can’t bring herself to object, when it’s true what she says that they should probably stick together. Though their numbers have grown more recently, there still haven’t been that many werewolves in the city, and even less that are women. Considering the only other one in her pack seems to have taken a dislike to Demet with no intentions of resolving it, perhaps it would be nice to have another one around. “Alright,” she says, nodding her head slightly as she reaches out to take Lenny’s arm. “Demet,” she offers in return, a slight cant of her head. “Where is your apartment? I can see to it that you make it there safely.”

    “Well, your brother isn’t here right now, but I am.” And unless her brother was a car mechanic, Elif liked to think she was the better choice. Many people thought they knew things about cars but actually didn’t. It was better to have a professional at hand, she’d gotten lucky that Elif drove by. “Sounds like your engine is overheating. There’s a few different possible reasons for that, but if this is the first time it happens, I think there might be an engine block. We’ll have to bring it into the shop, I can probably get it to start if it cools down long enough, but for safety reasons you shouldn’t be driving it anywhere right now,” she explained as she opened the hood and gazed inside. “Sorry I don’t have better news for you.” Glancing back up at the other, she extended a hand. “I’m Elif, by the way. Should I drive you somewhere?”