m a k e a s h a d o w

Aurora hadn’t any ill intentions with people in this town, most of the people at the tail end of her fury had the good sense to leave at this point. So oddly enough, she was coming to Ana in peace and she simply wanted answers if she had any. “What have you heard on Tristan’s departure?” 

“I don’t know anything,” Ana answered honestly. “I heard he left. That’s it. He never said anything to me. I take it he didn’t really say anything to you either if you’re here. Sorry.” She hated that he left so abruptly. They were supposed to meet up in the afternoon for the sword lessons and nothing. Gone.

Hearing of her brother’s departure should have been a wait lifted off her shoulders but as most of Tristan’s actions tended, she was irritated by it. He was the one who had begged her to stay in Mystic Falls to foster their failing sibling companionship and yet,, off he went. It didn’t matter that she was planning on leaving first, she was the one who was supposed to have the dramatic exit! None the less, she was in search of people close to him and lucky for her, there were few. In a small town like Mystic Falls, it wasn’t hard to find who she was looking for so when she “stumbled” upon the petit witch she quickened her step, stilettos clicking on the floor unmistakeably, she was walking in pace right next to her. “Anastasia, do you have a moment? Phrased as a question although she was sure they were very much aware that she was demanding her time. 

Ana had wrapped up her shift at the grill for that morning and was grateful it served as a distraction from the fact people had evidently left town abruptly. Maybe she was right in trusting Clara. If anyone was up ditching anyway then what kind of bond was that anyway? Hearing the voice of Tristan’s sister she turned around almost ready to say she didn’t but she figured she’d entertain her. Not like she had an option. “Sure. What’s up?”

* “Are you saying I shouldn’t trust you?” She asked. “Just out for a walk. Woods are calming, don’t you think?” Fae questioned but kept her distance slightly. She knew Ana was a witch and a witch who spotted the mark on Ella. She didn’t want to get too close and have her disguise figured out just yet. 

“Sometimes I don’t even trust myself,” Ana pointed out. She was prone to a few bad decisions so she wasn’t always the most trustworthy human being. “Very calming.”

“Definitely. Lots had changed, but it’s still the same old Mystic Falls.” Molly chuckles. “I wasn’t adopted. I was a foster kid until I aged out of the system, so there wasn’t one of those big reveals Hollywood loves. I knew my whole life.”

“Same old place of trouble,” Ana mused as they walked. It was probably the kind of place that wouldn’t change no matter how much you wanted it to to be honest. “Oh, alright. Well did knowing make it any easier?”

“It looks shady.” She persisted. Perhaps slightly accusing, she was just telling her how it looked. Astrid didn’t know enough about magic to say what this was, though. “No…” She dragged the word out, narrowing her eyes. “Something’s wrong.” Stepping closer, her face washed into concern. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing,” Anastasia insisted. “I had someone that asked for a withes help. So like I said a friend of mine and I used to practiced out here so I figured I’d practice too so I could help out. Not like they’ve asked for any favors yet.” That was the short of it, but she wasn’t about to express exactly whom had asked for her assistance.

“Really?” Astrid narrowed her eyes as she looked around Ana, rather than towards her. “You think I don’t know shady magic when I see it?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Never mind what I’m doing. You asked me to give you a second chance… I hope you’re not proving to me that I was wrong in doing so?” Astrid had a gut feeling something was very wrong, but she hoped not because even after what Ana did to her, she had faith she had turned a better page.

“It’s not shady, Astrid. A friend of mine and I practiced out here a bunch. She left town now so I wanted to still try. The same spot seemed reasonable.” She felt a lump in her throat though as the woman pointed out the second chance she had been gifted. It wasn’t the only second chance offered though. Not anymore. “Of course not. Everything’s fine.”

* Fae could sense something dark brewing a mile away. It wasn’t hard to tell from looking at the girl that she was close if not already off the rails. “Can a girl not be curious anymore?”

“You can. It’s just not always wise to trust things in the woods,” Anastasia reasoned. She recognized her though so that put her at ease more than she would be otherwise. “What brought you out here, Ella?”

“Definitely. Men are messy and childish. Women should rule everything.” Clara replied. “The favors would only be some spells. Nothing that would put you in any major danger. Nothing that would hurt you.” Clara shrugged. It was a lie of course, but Ana didn’t need to know the truth. “And under my wing you’ll be protected. Not that you would need my protection with all the power that I can give you.”

Clara wasn’t wrong there she figured. Things were complicated when she had tried to help Dante. This demon, however, seemed to have a better control. She appeared to know what she was doing. “Ok...I’ll help,” Anastasia settled. She was curious and she couldn’t lie and say she didn’t want a touch of that power she had wanted before. 

“I’m happy to hear that.” Even though Cam didn’t trust Anastasia anymore, he was glad she was trying to do better. “It’s been a while since we spoke last.”

“Kind of thought I wasn’t a welcomed sight for a regular catch up chat,” Ana explained.. It was how they had spoken before that had convinced her she should just stay away. Even running into him she had been unsure. 

It was only by chance he came across the witch as he roamed the woods and he planned to use that to his advantage, instead of turning back around and leaving her to it. “That depends,” he responded, moving himself closer towards her, “On what you want.” this was the first time he had seen the girl, but he was still bold enough to throw a favour for a favour up in the air, to see if she’d take it.

“I already have it,” Ana responded as she turned to look at Marcel. “Better question is what you’re doing out here. Just for a walk or something else?” She was curious, but wary all the same. Ever since talking to Clara she found she had to be.

“sorry.” caroline said, shaking her head and wiping her eyes quickly. she should have just stayed out at home, because now she was crying in the middle of the grocery store, and anyone who could hear it from the other aisles probably thought she was insane. she was a police officer, she was supposed to be a reassurance for the town, and she couldn’t even keep it together. “i’m sorry. it’s stefan. he’s.. he’s missing, and i.. i don’t know where he is or if he’s okay.”

“Oh...” Anastasia frowned at the news. She’d spoken to Stefan a few times and he seemed like a nice person. It was sad to know that he in fact was not ok. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sure something will come up though and you’ll find him soon. It has to.”