hell hath no fury

The way she was speaking to him was getting under his skin, the words pricking like needles, stinging and sharp. What bothered him the most was how blasé she sounded about this all, how calm even. She had some right to be chiding to him, he knew that entirely. He had expected too much of her (  and maybe, just maybe, he always did ) and perhaps that was his own mistake. Like her, though, he was too proud to admit fault. The taste of ego burned bitter on his tongue and he turned his face away. It seemed there was a near constant struggle for power between the two of them. Any slip, any owning of fault, it was a chance for the other to claw their way higher at the expense of the other. It was an unwinnable battle. 

Dante knew all too well that they couldn’t undo this, their coming to Blackvale - there was in fact ration and reason to the man who so often tended to only react and respond, never taking moment to think before doing - but he could wish. It was an uncommon thing for him to want something so desperately, to consider something so naive as a wish, and yet the burning desire to leave clawed at his chest. They hadn’t been there long, but already it was stifling, but only because of the knowledge they now had of the town being a cage. His head was reeling at the idea of being trapped. It was unsettling, disconcerting. An animal could only be caged for so long before losing control.

“I’m not foolish enough to expect such a thing from you.” He scoffed, shaking his head. The idea of her saying sorry was almost comical. He wondered briefly if she could even feel remorse. In all his years, he hadn’t. Of course he had made mistakes, had caused issue, but there was no regretting it. There was no dwelling on problem. He just moved forward. It had served him well this far to live that way. “But maybe I should leave anyways. I don’t think I’ll gain anything from being here.” He took a slow step towards the door, his gaze fixed forward.

Dante would say he was only humoring her by looking back, but really he couldn’t help be curious of what she would say next. “Do you now?” He folded his arms across his chest before shaking his head. “Of all those stuck here, what do you think you can do that they couldn’t? What makes you better than the rest?” He asked, exhaling sharply through his nose. He would doubt her until she proved him wrong. 

"Walk out then. We’ll be seeing each other again soon enough. After all it’s a small, small town. You can’t avoid me forever.” Though even as she spoke the words, something akin to regret twisted within the deepest trenches of her stomach. For all her efforts to claim that humanity had long since been switched in the OFF position, only one had given her enough reason to turn it on once more and it was in there that her annoyance resided. That she could allow someone-- a man, no less, to warp her insides beyond repair with the singular notion of him venturing out the door never to return... It was preposterous; it was a fucking joke.

Words forced him to pause, however, gait falling short of the bathroom’s threshold just long enough to draw his attention away from whatever irritation he’d planned to drown himself in the second that he left. What makes you better than the rest? She nearly laughed aloud, as if the reasons weren’t obvious enough, narcissism rooted so thoroughly within her bones. The key difference lay in her natural inability to accept the status quo and resign herself to a path drawn up by another, a trait carried over from her human life into this brighter one. She blatantly refused to become another number on the Blackvale docket of creatures who’d stopped fighting against their fate.

“I’m not complacent like the rest of them. Tell me, when have you ever known me to be satisfied with anything?” Save certain... activities, which her quirked brow hinted towards if only momentarily. Drawing nimble fingers along the edge of the porcelain tub, she traced its lip almost absentmindedly as the cogs of her mind began to spin. “We just need the right witches and the right amount of leverage.” If magic had placed the barrier in effect, then magic could certainly lift it... Even if that window of opportunity occurred for only a moment, it was all they needed. “Which reminds me, there’s some bonfire tonight. A perfect opportunity for scouting out some new friends, wouldn’t you say?”

“You would.” Dante looked towards her, his expression blank before he pulled his gaze away with a scoff. It wouldn’t be a far stretch to say he was annoyed at the very least, but the two of them knew him far better than that. He was raging, seething silently where he stood, looking at her from behind a facade too cool to be genuine. Anger seared through him, through his veins, in his soul, and it would take time for him to forgive her for this ( though, maybe, he would never forgive her. instead, he’d just forget ). “I followed you here. I don’t care if you didn’t know - you should have. I trusted you to know better.” 

That meant something, it did. Dante was hardly affectionate in the traditional sense of the word, not the sort to hold hands or say gentle affectations in someone’s ear, and for him to utter trust in regard to Evelyn? Surely it was the nearest he’d ever get. “As tempting as that offer is,” he couldn’t help it as his eyes roamed over her figure, “I’d rather not.” He didn’t elaborate or expand on that. What good would it do? She knew why he was upset. Whether or not the blame really fell on her or if it were just a mistake, his frustrations were not unjust - and she was likely as irritated as he was.

But for him to deny something so physical between them? Uncommon.

“I suppose I’ll just have to go back in time and remind myself to check out the magical properties of every single place we plan to visit.” A cage. It was what Blackvale had become in the hours since her discovery that the rumors milling about the town were true--- no escape, trapped eternally, total loss of freedom; the confirmations each heralded a different sort of bitter complacency in the residents who dared voice them. The sort of restriction that Evelyn feared more than she let on with the masses, preferring to shroud herself in the promise of violence. It became easier to pigeonhole her own behavior than allow someone else to do so for her. “That was your decision, not mine.” She’d never granted him anything except the free will to do as he pleased, they were kindred spirits in that regard amongst others. Though now she had led him down a path of which neither party could return, even if they so desired... And God, did she want to get out of here. They both did. “Are you searching for an apology? Because you won’t find one in this bathroom.”

Nathaniel had never considered himself to be a man of luck, and the moment his gaze landed on those familiar features was but evidence of such a fact. How long it had been he wasn’t sure, most probably not long enough given she was but one of the few people that had a natural talent for bringing out the worst in him. A side of himself of which he had avoided for many years and counting. “Why are you here, Evelyn?” He settled for, opting not to bite the bait. “We both know you’ll grow tired of this quaint town and it’s occupants all too soon.”

The reaction caused Nikola to chuckle. She could only assume that the woman’s heart must have been as dead as her own. She seemed to mull over the possibility, but ended up nodding to the other woman. “It might increase to negative ninety. Negative eighty if it has a little..” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth trying to think of the term. “Cherry to it. Why do you want friends so much?” 

“And I suppose you want to be that friend?” Friendships, as a whole, were incredibly worthless. Constantine had very little use for people and he believed them to be easily discarded. Right now he was trying to avoid drawing too much attention to himself and advertize his true intentions. Pretending to be Carter Williams was becoming more and more aggravating as the days rolled by. “Death is an inevitable thing, so - might as well enjoy the time you have.” Constantine pulled his lighter away, reaching for his own pack and placing a cigarette in between his lips. When his own stick came alive at the tip, he inhaled heavily, letting all this smoke contaminate this poor guy’s lungs. The way she brushed the subject away made him chuckle. Constantine found it so ridiculous that after all this time, the supernatural community was still living in shadow. “Well, I’ve lived in Blackvale my whole life. It’s hard for things to go unnoticed. Like you -” He gave her a smile before blowing smoke to fill the space between them. “You look good, Evelyn. For a corpse”

"It isn’t about what I want.” Of course it was, any situation in which she accumulated another mildly useful body for her disposal would always be the pinnacle of Evelyn’s desire. “Death is only as inevitable as you make it.” Ominous were he a regular townsperson, but with every passing moment it became strikingly apparent that he conducted himself otherwise--- a diamond in the rough. Not an immortal, nor a dog, but something else entirely and that might have been just enough leeway to force her attention. “I always look good, otherwise what’s the point?” That had always been her game after all, a viper in red lipstick. “Do we know one another? I’ve met a number of people in my day, but your face,” features inclined to the side, perceptive hues raking him over as if to make a point, “is not one I can recall. And believe me, I wouldn’t forget it.”

Vienna’s pastel hues fell over the woman, considering her a moment before they rolled upward. The two of them were not close but had shared words on more than one occasion. It was almost difficult not to— Evelyn Brooks was not the type to hold her tongue or spare her mind for a stranger. “No.” Vee dug around the back pocket of her jeans for a second before she’d produce a tiny blue lighter. “A practical stranger has never been so rude as to tell me that I look like one miserable piece of work.” The woman passed the lighter. “But I bet this isn’t your first time.”

"Take it as a compliment, I also mentioned that you look like you need a friend. Miserable people often do.” Plucking the lighter from her acquaintance’s grasp, she offered up some semblance of an olive branch--- or at least, her own version. “If you didn’t agree, then I doubt you’d actually be giving me what I asked for.” With that, she tossed the little blue device back to Vienna as features spread into a rather sly smile. “Few things are my first time, beautiful.”

She’d been minding her own fucking business, a frown etched upon her face as she judges the way some human lives their life. So, not quite minding her own business - but it was close enough. Mackenzie is content, at the moment. She knows that her life is in capable hands, and she feels comfortable communicating with her King openly and concisely. But that still leaves the matter of the rules, and watching this festering turd of a mortal try to figure out how best to tie their shoes is driving her up a wall.

Honestly, she could put them out of their misery. It would be a mercy.

It is just as she is making up her mind that she is interrupted, and insulted. Blinking, she turns her head to cast a stare upon the offender. Her mouth opens to speak, but nothing quite makes it out. Instead, she pulls from her pocket a lighter, moodily passing it off. “Friends are rarely more than a disappointment.”

There is a pause had before she casts a judgmental gaze, “Has anyone ever told you that it is abundantly obvious that you over-plucked your eyebrows, once upon a time?”

"Friends are a waste of time unless they’re going to provide you with something.” She admitted openly, honestly as if confirming that the entire reasoning for approaching in the first place had been a ruse. It had. “See? You’re hardly a waste.” With that, she used the lighter to her advantage before tossing it back to the fellow vampire with a chuckle at the other’s insult. “Has anyone ever told you that it’s abundantly obvious that you still do? We all made mistakes in the nineties, sweetie. You hardly have an excuse anymore.” Inhaling until smoke filled formerly useful lungs, Evelyn took the briefest moment to appreciate a momentary reprieve from her throat burning in an entirely different way. “Let me know when you want to catch up on modern times, I’m not above charity work.”

“All the time.” This was the answer he gave followed by an uninterested shrug. Whoever this girl was, she was now attempting to engage him in conversation. It was happening a lot lately and Constantine attributed this to his new face. A pretty and approachable face. A nice change from the cold and ghoulish one he had been born with. He pulled out a lighter from his pocket. Flicked it. One, two, three times the charm. “You know smoking will kill you.” Among other things. “Unless of course - you’re already dead.” 

"Like I said, you appear in need of a friend.” Bright hues followed the alluring flame of his lighter, the cigarette caught between her fingers near beckoning for the heat. Leaning forward, she lit up only to exhale the remnants in an opposing direction, humor gracing her features as she attempted to swallow laughter at the very concept of dying a final time. “Color me terrified of the idea and add it to my growing list.” His addendum forced a momentary pause, shrewd gaze evaluating him for less than a heartbeat. “Only on the inside.” Better safe than sorry, albeit she couldn’t quite resist the appeal of confirmation. “What would you know about it?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t aim to please people. Friends are overrated.” The woman replied with an indifferent shrug. An unamused glance up to the other female with a flare of his nostrils. “Oh..” Nikola murmured and tapped her chin feigning contemplation. “I would say if it matters on your sparkling personality the rate is negative ninety-nine point nine percent.” She finally answered .

“Would you look at that, a woman after my own heart.” Black as it might be, Evelyn always possessed a particular affection towards those who were unapologetically self serving; kindred spirits and all that. People who drew their validation from the assistance of others never quite meshed well with someone of her caliber, although they made for encouraging little treats. “Does the rate increase if I get you a drink first?” Emphasis on get, since she acquired yet never bought. 

“On a number of occasions.“ Nathaniel answered, exhaling a heavy sigh as his expression shifted from that of the pavement to the familiar hues of the woman before him. Why was it that whenever he desired a few moments alone he could never get it, wishful thinking perhaps. “Certainly not half-arsed insults or else I suppose you would have paid in full.”

“Not lately no — then again I’d take miserable over being a bitter any day.” Brooke remarked, stifling a laugh at the other’s words. Though she wasn’t surprised, her resting face wasn’t exactly the most approachable. “Your guess is as good as mine, but I’d guarantee that cornerstone over there could give you a better answer, given you’re willing to pay for one rather than mooch of a stranger.”

“If I look miserable, my dear Evie,” the vampire started, painting on a grin even though her eyes held a dangerous glint, “it’s only because you decided to open your rotten little mouth. Has anybody ever told you — Your voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Makes me want to rip the vocal cords right from your throat.” Nevertheless, Iris produced a lighter, thumb rolling atop the metal to strike a flame, her arm spanning the distance to the other. 

"Oh, Iris. You never could dance this dance very well. Always so quick to jump straight into violence--- didn’t anyone teach you to play with your food before you devour it?” Not a singular ounce of fear etched itself into pallid features, the vampire more than a little aware of her elder’s reputation yet completely unfazed by the so-called terrorist of New Orleans. Inhaling sharply against the nicotine stick between her lips, she only removed it to press further and exhale into a cloud of smoke. “Thank you, now was that really so hard?” Another inhale. “I’ve heard a nasty rumor since coming into town. I thought you might just be the woman to confirm or deny it.”