dust in the wind

“I’m sorry Cay, I really thought you’d have gotten my messages before this, you sure you’re good?”

“Ofcourse, it’s all fine, I’ll catch you next week, ok?”

“Next week for sure, thanks for being so understanding,”

“Ofcourse, ofcourse! And congrats on the twins, tell Becca she has my best,”

“You got it,”

Hanging up with a quiet sigh, Cayden pocketed his phone and rubbed the back of his neck with uncertainty, he had been up all night getting things ready for a book event at this little local book store, he’d even made a few batches of cookies, but the owner’s wife went into labor and apparently Cayden was rushing so much that he hadn’t checked his phone before leaving….

Now he had a trunk full of cookies and nothing to do with them…. and he had a feeling eating them himself wasn’t the best idea in the world

So, opting for another terrible idea, he smiled at the first person he saw walk by and called out to them

“Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to be interested in free cookies, would you?”

@hollywoodundeadstarters​

-

Lydia had been shopping for make-up, which really was the same as working for her almost. While she got most of her make-up at her job itself, she liked to have her own collection to supply with. She got a lot from sponsors, but every now and then she would still go to the stores, see what was trending, what people liked to buy. She’d also gotten a few new items for herself, just to try at home. With her bag in hand, she was on her way to get something to eat when someone called out to her. 

Maybe there was a higher power at play, because she had been feeling hungry, or at least peckish for a snack, when a stranger out of nowhere asked her if she wanted free cookies. She stopped on the street and looked at him curiously. “You’re giving out free cookies? That seems too good to be true. Are they, like, happy cookies or something? Not that I’d say no to that either. Still, I probably shouldn’t trust strangers handing out cookies in Hollywood. You eat one first,” she dared.

“Well, give it time and you just might be able to do such a thing with me…” The vampire almost purred at the others words. The vampire couldn’t help but be entertained by the ghost and found herself only drawn into her being. She was attractive and there was a world of wisdom in her eyes. “Then spend the time with me, we’ll have our fun and you can catch me up to this world…” she beamed. “Well, then we need some other form of fun for you then, you can just enjoy in the body side of the body shots?” she offered in an attempt to cheer her up, Unsure how to be around those that were potentially sad. 

-

“I have nothing but time,” she grinned, enjoying the prospect of that. It was always nice to have something to look forward to, no matter how small a thing it might be. It made eternal existence more bearable. The vampire was not only beautiful, but she seemed adventurous, curious. Those were traits Lydia could appreciate. It made her almost live vicariously, seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, as if it was exciting and new, and not just the place she had existed for the past many decades. “I do enjoy the body part of body shots,” she laughed. “I miss the alcohol part, but the body part was always my favorite.” Walking up to the bar with the vampire in tow, she ordered some tequila shots for them before looking around for a free table. Finding one nearby, she gestured for the vampire to lay down. “If you please.”

“Wouldn’t you know it, I’m a bad girl. People like to have me restrained” she purred out. “Oh I have much catching up and fun to be had. If you get bored of scaring others, you can be my guide?” she offered, giving a little flourish of her fingers. The vampire nodded at her and she smiled “Yes, yes…Good, little spook” she hummed, gesturing for them to head over to the bar “Can you drink, the other ghosts did not tell me whether they could or not?”

-

“I can imagine,” Lydia grinned. “I can definitely see the appeal of a beautiful woman like yourself in handcuffs.” Even if she’d rather see the vampire cuffed to her bed than herself in the middle of a crowd. “I hope I never get bored of that.” She always wondered what she would do with her life when that happened. Sure, she had her job, but that only took up so much of her time. “But I’d love to be your guide. I can always use more fun, for sure.” She shrugged at the question. “I mean, I can to keep up appearances, but it doesn’t do anything for me. I don’t really enjoy it, it doesn’t taste like anything, doesn’t get me drunk or anything.” She couldn’t help the small frown on her features as she spoke.

Duri was beyond frustrated. He kept phasing out and was struggling to keep himself solid for any amount of time. It was exhausting and, if he were being honest, the party wasn’t as much fun as he had been expecting. Seeing all the couples together was breaking his heart and he decided he was going to leave before the sadness grew into something darker. Not knowing what would happen made him wary more than anything. He decided to challenge himself to walk out of the venue in solid form but quickly blinked out when someone was about to run into him. With his form flickering, he scowled and sighed heavily, wondering if he would ever get the hang of things when suddenly he felt the presence of… something.

Looking around in confusion, he spotted a woman, but wasn’t quite sure if the feeling was coming from her presence or not. “Are you…” he flickered out, losing his solidity, before making a frustrated noise and forcing himself back to solid, “Hey… can you… are you…” what should he even ask? @ghost-lydia​

-

Lydia was having a surprisingly decent time. She was always ambivalent about parties, part of her living for these moments of breaking the mundane of her existence, another part hating that she could never quite participate as others did. She couldn’t drink, she couldn’t eat, she couldn’t connect. It had been one of the better parties so far, though. She had been tethered to someone she actually liked, so the two hours had passed quickly - a little too fast. She was starting to get frustrated that she would reset soon, debating if she should just call it an early night or come back here after, when she heard someone speak to her.

Looking around for the source, she spotted another ghost. It wasn’t surprising, as they were quite common in Hollywood. What was a bit surprising though was the way he flickered back and forth. She knew what it meant, having seen it before - having been through it before - but it wasn’t that often she ran into new ghosts. “I am,” she confirmed, stepping closer to him and placing a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I know it’s frustrating but it will get easier. Try to focus on your surroundings. What do you see? What do you hear? Smell?”

Hera looked down at the cuff and nodded “Probably could yes, though I’m apparently not an expert when it comes to getting myself out of things” She mused, a little joke for herself. If she couldn’t laugh then what could she do? “Hmm I see, I see. Well, you would think, but I have missed two centuries apparently so I have a lot to keep myself entertained and much to learn. Do you wish to make out to break the ice?” she offered.

-

She looked curiously at the vampire when she said what she did, not sure what she meant. “You been in handcuffs a lot before?” she joked. The polite smile on her features dropped into a small ‘o’ when the woman said she had missed two centuries. “How? That sounds... horrible. But at least also like you have a lot of amazing things to look forward to trying?” she said hesitantly, always opting for optimism - at least when it came to others. She wasn’t as much of an optimist when it came to herself. At her question, Lydia let out a laugh before realizing the vampire woman was serious. “Oh. Sure. Why not?” It was a party, after all, and she was a beautiful creature.

Hera looked down at the cuff on her wrist and then at the cuff on the wrist belonging to the ghost “This does not make sense. Couldn’t you just get yourself free from this?” she wondered, giving a little tug for effect before looking back at her in confusion. “Though I like the curious nature of your willingness to participate. Was it getting boring haunting others?” she wondered, coming closer to the woman- always curious about the dead. She’d convinced herself many times that ghosts had kept her company when her box had been left in the cellars of the covens homes up and down the country. Ghosts were far easier to hear when others listened for them.

@ghost-lydia​

-

Lydia wasn’t really sure how to feel about being tethered to a vampire, but she supposed she might as well make the most of it. Looking down at her cuff, she shrugged. “I could, though you probably could as well.” Unless there was magic involved, of course. Lydia wasn’t sure whether it was curiousity as much as it was obligation to the society that had her currently cuffed to a stranger, but she did like to think it was a mixture of both. “Haunting others can admittedly get... repetitive. I like the challenge of keeping it fresh, though, coming up with new ideas to keep it interesting. I’m sure you can relate? I’d imagine life can be dull at times for your kind too, with how long you live.” 

.

“Yeah, still pretty fresh I know,” She said with a gentle smile as she looked at the other woman. “You know I like it, most of it anyways. It’s really different from where I’m from. A lot more lively and busy, but also I’ve noticed people here are kind of selfish, and self-involved. I don’t know sometimes it just seems that a lot of people want to fake so they can get whatever they need. But it’s pretty, plants, and roads and clubs and stuff. We don’t have that under the sea.” She explained with a shrug. “Lydia, that is a pretty name.” 

-

Effy cleared her throat and began to try and calm herself- needing to not show herself up entirely with her emotions. The ghost hummed at her words and only laughed some more to herself. “Oh the non believers are even better, you can really feed off their fear and then laugh as they try to rationalize. The day I get bored of haunting others is a sad day for us all.”

-

Beck chuckled and nodded. “I’m sure he would like someone a lot cuter than me as company. If you don’t mind. I’m more than happy to give you a private tour.” The man went to the sink and ran his hand under the water. “Much better.” Even if it wasn’t the salt water he was used to, the water definitely made him feel better. “Are you ready to go? The sick patient is right through this door. We’ll cheer him up and then go for the tour.” Beck soaked a napkin and clenched it in his fingers. 

-

“I don’t know, I think you’re plenty cute,” she argued with a shrug, a smile on her lips. “A private tour sounds even better than the public one I had expected. I’d love to.” She headed over towards the door excitedly. “I’m ready. I can’t say I have all that much experience with sea creatures but I’ll do my best,” she grinned, before catching a whiff of his scent. “I imagine you must have way more experience, being one of them.”

.

Delphina found something oddly comforting in the conversation with the other woman. She found that most people, even back home were very uninterested, or maybe afraid to discuss death, but Del always sort of felt it was a necessary conversation, because it usually was coupled with one about living. Which was something Delphina was not interested in shying away from. “Uh-uh, I haven’t Well I’ve only been on land for a year. So maybe I have….and didn’t even know it,” She realized with her eyes growing wide with wonder.” She listened as she talked about how a lot of the lore surrounding ghost was wrong. “Well that makes sense. It’s very cool to officially meet a ghost though. I’m Delphina by the way.” 

-

“Only a year?” Lydia said surprised. She had been stuck in Hollywood for almost a century. It was enough to drive anyone insane, bored out of their mind. It was hard to imagine being so new to this place, to still find wonders and surprises here. She couldn’t help but envy the girl for that. “How are you finding the city so far?” she asked curiously. “Very different from the ocean, I’m sure.” Being close to water meant Lydia had met several mermaids before, but she was still glad to meet this one, as she liked her spirit, her optimism. “It’s very cool to meet you as well, Delphina. I’m Lydia.”

Effy almost froze at the question and she cleared her throat “Oh no, I never think about that I-….I don’t wanna be freaking out the morning dog walkers by going around my grave” she said carefully, the ghost trying not to get emotional- even though the champagne glasses behind her began to quiver and shake, the glass close to shattering, showing that Effy wasn’t in control of her emotions in the moment. “Oh see, now that’s a golden one” The ghost grinned “I love doig the subtle ones where it builds up over time like that, drives them half mad…” she snickered. 

-

It was clear that there was something more to Effy’s reply. Lydia didn’t miss how the glasses behind her started to shake, but this wasn’t the time or place to delve into such a heavy topic. “Of course not,” she replied with a sad smile, playing along. “It would be quite the shock for anyone, I’m sure.” She grinned in reply to Effy’s grin, nodding. “It’s definitely fun, especially to those people who believe but still don’t know about us.” 

“Ah, sorry, you’ve come at a bad time. The tours are closed today. One of the sea lions, Jarvis, is sick today so I was taking the day off to nurse him. Unless you’re here to get covered in sea lion slime. I mean I’m not judging, it’s pretty good for the hair. I’m pretty sure I would’ve gone bald long ago without the stuff.” He said as if he could be teasing, but also a little serious, as he stood up. “He’s such a big baby since he isn’t feeling well, so i have to feed him a bottle every few hours. It’s fucking ridiculous.” Beck grabbed the bottle he was waiting to warm up on the small heating plate on the counter and hissed as he let it fall back on the counter. “God clucking narwals. That smarts. Reminder to self, don’t pick up hot bottles.” @hollywoodundeadstarters​

-

Lydia had lived in Hollywood for most of her life, but there was still a lot she hadn’t seen and done. Recently, she had started to be more active, do more things for herself, tired of being coped up at her hotel. Of being stuck. So here she was, ready to meet some sea animals, only to learn it was cancelled. It was hard to be upset, though, when the reason was a sick animal. “That’s too bad. Is it serious?” she asked, before letting out a laugh when he joked about sea lion slime - at least, she hoped it was a joke. “Yeah? I mean, hey, I already have pretty great hair, if I may say so, but I’m always down for trying new things. Does that mean I can get a private tour, if I agree to not suing if I’m covered in slime?” It was sweet, how much the man seemed to care about the poorly sea lion. She jumped slightly when he burned himself on the bottle. “Run it under some cold water,” she suggested. “The hand, not the bottle.”

What most didn’t realize about Nim was that the older she got, the more bored with the world the siren found herself becoming. Which meant that she found challenges, even small ones, very enticing. It was a great break from the lull and dull of her every day life. She might have a certain spice to it being a pop star that could choose to be constantly on the move if she wanted, but all lives ended up in some kind of routine. And routine was boring. Expected. Now Lydia in all her ghostly glory was not the least boring. “I have to say, that does sound preferable.. though it must make us all seem quite out of our minds to you.” she noted, licking her lips as her eyes wandered freely up and down the other. “I must be a decent actress then. I often wondered how my prey must feel when I lure them in. Can’t say I’m overjoyed at the role reversal but I’ve never been one to find my desires something to be embarrassed about.” she shrugged a bit, stepping even closer. “Won’t you play with me for a bit? I’ll make it worth your while.” 

-

“Oh, definitely,” Lydia laughed. “That’s the fun part, for sure. Seeing everyone act completely insane. The ways that people have approached me tonight are definitely... creative.” She wasn’t even all that used to people finding her attractive - she knew she had been, once, but she had gotten older, especially for Hollywood who valued youth. So it was almost flattering to have so many give her attention - even if it was just due to the moon. “You must be,” she agreed. “I had one guy who just came up and growled at me, drooled all over me. Literally. I can appreciate you being more... refined.” She knew the other was a siren, simply because of her ties to the Vallas family. It also made sense, there was an almost otherwordly beauty to the woman. A seduction that only came from those who made a living out of it. “Does that make me the predator tonight, and you the prey? I do enjoy that idea. How does it work? I’m afraid my singing voice isn’t all up to par, but I can chase you around the estate, if you wish?” She tilted her head at the siren, as if she was considering her proposal. But in truth, she saw no reason to turn her down. The woman was beautiful, and the night was filled with opportunities. Why shouldn’t Lydia partake, even if she was dead? “I do like the sound of that.” She made herself corporeal, leaning out to trace her fingers along Nimue’s arm. “Hopefully I’ll make it worth yours as well.”

Tilting her head at the brunette, Nimue found herself able to draw on her curiosity despite the overwhelming sensations her body was experiencing from the moon. “Tell me whats it like for your kind on a night like this?” she asked the other, positioning herself very close to her yet not trying to touch as she wasn’t sure where the other was at. If you touched a ghost and they didn’t want you to, all you would find was air.. Which left her with a disadvantage that was.. unusual for the siren. Quite the challenge it might be to get this one to play. 

@ghost-lydia​

-

It was amusing to see someone who was usually so confident in herself, someone who belonged to the Vallas name, be unsure of herself. Lydia was sure the siren could have anyone in the room that she wanted, yet she had somehow decided to seek out the ghost. It was flattering, really. Turning towards Nimue, she considered her question for a moment. “I suppose it is like watching porn in some ways. You’re not in the movie, yet you can’t help but be aroused at the sight of the ones who are. You’re a bystander, almost. I’m not so sure I’m missing out though. I can join in, if I want, yet I’m not a slave to my baser instincts either.” She looked at the siren curiously. “You seem awfully in control of yourself?”

Nodding while taking ahold of her hand he huffed “I knew they were hunters, I fucking knew it” He said with a frown “I was telling Andie earlier about how all those papps were staring too much, or even more than usual” He looked around them and frowned when he saw some of them “We really should get out of here, Lydia”

-

Effy nodded at her words “I mean. you’re kind of worm food, just in a layer of concrete now. At least that’s what it is for me, it’s depressing as Hell each time I go back…” She mused, only then giving a grin when a kiss was pressed to her cheek, feeling like she could do anything. “Possession of objects, freaking out a bunch of people in a department store by making them think the mannequins were alive and coming for them….Gave me endless amusement. What about you?”

-

“Right,” Lydia hummed in agreement. It was strange to think about what her body might look like at this point. Her features grew sad at the mention of going back, something that would never fail to upset her, no matter how much she should be used to it. “Do you ever visit your grave?” Hearing Effy talk about her best prank ever made managed to put a smile back on her face, however. “That sounds hilarious. We need to do that together someday. Mine? Hmm. I don’t know if it was the funniest necessarily but the one that gave me most satisfaction was when I was haunting this horrible woman who made my job a living hell, I would move the heads around on her dolls, or put them in her bed while she was asleep. She was so freaked out. It felt like karma.”

.

Delphina listened quietly to the woman as she spoke. “I mean, I like perspective more than others I heard. Back home it seemed like everyone else was telling me that I should be more afraid of things up here. It is a lot more different than where I’m from but…living life afraid doesn’t seem like living much to me.” She nodded in agreement as she rolled her shoulder blades back, trying to tilt up her chin a fraction. Her next comment made Delphina’s eyes widen even more. “Oh wow,” she said astonished before looking around and lowering her voice. “You’re really dead? But you look so pretty and fleshy.” 

-

“Exactly,” Lydia nodded. “You can be dead tomorrow, yes, but would you want to spend you last day afraid or actually living?” Being afraid was a waste of time, but then, perhaps it was easy to think as much when the worst possible thing had already happened to you. Lydia chuckled at the mermaid’s reaction, lowering her own voice as well. “What, you’ve never met a ghost before? They’re not that uncommon, especially here in Hollywood. As for being all ‘pretty and fleshy’, first, thank you, secondly, there’s just as much wrong lore out there about my species as there likely is about yours. Humans tend to get many things wrong,” she said.