𝔽ABLE ℍEARTED

      IT takes everything gavin has to bite back the grin that threatens to split his face. carlos’ expression  ( the scrunched nose, especially )  is one of the cutest things he’s ever seen, though he chooses not to voice that opinion just now. carlos is a warm, reassuring presence next to him. a low, content hum resonates through his chest without gavin realizing it, and he’s smiling to himself. “what do you feel like ?  you know i’ll eat just about anything.” and eat a lot of it. he’s always had a--- healthy appetite.

that changed after the fablehaven series, when her and vanessa would hang out. vanessa also has very coarse hair, and she helped kendra become more confident about her hair. there’s no such thing as ad hair, and kendra shouldn’t let anyone think otherwise.

      “YOU need an extra hand on the supply run ?  it’s too late to head back to green roof now, and it’s better than sitting around.” the trick to not worrying about his family was to keep himself in constant motion, to find ways to keep himself busy. and, stuck in red doe as he is now, helping out on a supply run seems like the best way to do that at the moment.

      “WHY didn’t you get this checked out sooner ?”  bracken asks, pulling out his pocket knife out of a pocket to cut a wider hole in the already torn pants let. he clicks his tongue disapprovingly as he studies the wound before shaking his head. “i don’t know how you’ve managed to walk on it. now sit down and don’t move while i patch this up.”

      “GOOD to know,” she hums, eyes glinting with mischief and interest before she schools her expression back into one of practiced indifference.  ( she’s good at that, hiding what she feels behind a mask of deliberate disinterest. )  “it’s amazing, what people can get use to, given enough time.” she’s gotten used to the idea of being a magician after all, and that should say enough. she notes carter’s choice of beverage with a pointed look but chooses not to pass comment. she relaxes into her seat slowly as she takes in everything he says, taking an occasional sip of tea. “i’ve figured out most of the big stuff on my own, like the monster stuff. definitely never read about them in j.k. rowling’s books.” she’s good at that, research and figuring things out. good thing she is with her distrust of most everyone. “i just need help with the-- the finer points of magic, i suppose.”

      WARREN grinned, expression mischievous as he settled more comfortably in his chair. “between this comfy seat and pleasant company, i think that’s a risk i’ll have to take. if you don’t mind me staying, of course.” he places his small suitcase between his knees, stretching until he feels that familiar pop in his spine. sixteen hours in a plane will make anyone grateful for a bit of elbow room.

      BRACKEN is never fond of these sort of gatherings. he understands their necessity, but he isn’t a social creature by nature. too much time around people makes him antsy. if his sisters and mother can bare it though, co can he. “war has been a long time coming,” bracken responds after a moment. “the denizens of zyzzx have been enemies of my family’s kingdom since before anyone can remember. now, with them attacking our allies, it does seem inevitable.” he neglects to mention his father’s death at the hands of those monsters, as well as his imprisonment at the hands of said monster’s allies. there’s already enough gossip and rumors about both those topics. “i know the feeling. i love my mother and older sisters, but they tend to be very protective.”

      NAVAROG grins, a slow and distinctly predatory expression overcoming what had been a soft face. “Hardly,” he laughs, the sound cold and hard as metal ringing on metal. “You might have found me out, but guess what?” He spreads his hands out to either side, eyes glittering and smile positively wicked. “I’m not the only one. I have the entire weight of my clan behind me, and you’re what? A lone dragon guardian?” He sneers, mocking and coldly amused. “Step on my moment all you want, but you don’t stand a chance against us.”     //     @aniimvs

      “Agreed,” Navarog says, wary of anything hiding in the fog and shadows, the seemingly deserted buildings. “I d-d-don’t like it here. I have a b-b-b-bad feeling out here. We need cover.”

      “G-GAVIN. Gavin Rose.” Navarog introduces himself cautiously, not quite used to this persona he’d created yet. He wasn’t used to his human avatar, much less like acting anything less than a predator. Being vulnerable is the trick though, which is why he’s adopted a stutter. “Who are you?” He knows exactly who she is of course. Getting Gabriel around to his way of thinking will be the easiest way to collect the souls coming through this space. Convincing her will take time, but he can be patient when the time calls for it.

      “YOU sound a b-b-bit too hopeful,” Navarog observes, taking care to slip into his guise of Gavin Rose before responding. He blinks up at her and pushes himself up so he’s crouched on the balls of his feet. “and no, I’m n-not.”

gavin had never been one for physical affection. for all his parents loved and cared for him in their own ways, neither she or his father had indulged much in things like physical affection. and now, at auradon, most other students kept him arm’s length. he didn’t mind. maybe it was a dragon thing, maybe it was just a him-thing, but he was a loner by nature anyways. that was part of the reason he was so protective of the friends he did have. it was why he was willing to get in trouble in the process of sticking up for carlos. he patted carlos’ head awkwardly before returning the hug cautiously. he was stronger than an average human, and he didn’t want to crush carlos. gavin grinned  ( reopening his split lip. again. )  and let out a chuckle. “if anyone could pull off white hair, it would be you.” he shrugged, waving away the concern. “i’m fine. it will take more than a pair of prince charming wannabes to do any serious damage. just got a split lip and bruised knuckles.” gavin forced himself to sound casual, to focus on his stinging lip or aching knuckles. anything but the fact he had no idea what to do with this prolonged contact, the warmth of carlos against him.

      "I never thought that,” kendra soothed. “they remind me of my younger brother, seth, actually.” the weasley twins really did remind her of seth with their fondness for pranks and trouble. "my brother’s a lot of things, but he’s no thug. i don’t think yours are either.” after hesitating for a moment, she offered her hand. “i’m kendra sorenson.”

     “RUN!” Gavin snapped, grabbing Gabe’s hand and nearly hauling her off her feet as he led them to Fissure Gorge. He shoved her in first, following and pushing her until they were halfway in and safe enough from dragon claws and breath weapons. “S-sorry about that,” he apologizes as the scent of blood from her scraped elbows wells in his nose.

     BRACKEN catches the package and sets it down, carefully peeling away layers of cloth and examining the contents. “We’re set for now,” Bracken decides after a moment, head cocked as he runs through the mental list of medical supplies he has. He keeps the supplies meticulously organized, and it’s easy to summon up the list of what he has and needs. “You’re welcome, but I don’t think you should feel like you owe us anything. If any of us are going to survive, we need to work together and share what we have.” 

     “i’m sorry, but i can’t let you through,” bracken says, polite but firm, when the source of the noise makes herself known. “we need to keep this ward secure until we can confirm what disease is affecting out patients. that means no visitors, including relatives and friends.” not that he actually thinks she’s here for that, and he’s sure his expression makes that obvious. his statement stands either way.if this is another outbreak, they need to limit the patients’ contact with the uninfected, need to contain the disease.