taelor kittredge.

[ victoria justice | she/her | 26 ]  rumor has it that taelor kittredge has been seen wandering around town. they are a witch who is one of the survivors. they are known to be treacherous but deep down they are resolute. when it comes to the brewing conflict in new orleans they’re on the side of the queen's resistance.

       Jamie’s brow rose, attempting to keep up with the information he was being provided, but he was still a little skeptical about the things that went bump in the night in New Orleans. ❝ Yeah okay, I will never get used to this world ❞ he mused softly, pairing his words with a sigh, ❝ i’m sorry, Tae… I can’t imagine that’s exactly the easiest news to deal with. So uh, was that why she bailed? ❞

       taelor had grown up in the supernatural life, which meant that she’d always been used to talking about it -- jamie on the other hand, hadn’t. even after he’d learned of taelor being a witch, she’d done her best to keep him in the dark. ❝ trust me, i’m still not used to this world. ❞ she told her best friend with a laugh. ❝ i’ve learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to ramona. ❞ taelor admitted with a shrug. ❝ honestly? i don’t know. i haven’t exactly made time to ask that question. ❞

       ❝ I’m sorry, mija ❞ Ramona offered softly, which was a stark contrast to the usual edge in her accented tone ❝ but, I hope to change that. ❞ A smile lifted the corners of her lips, an expression that appeared faint but still detectable ❝ starting with diamonds ❞ she teased, encouraging a more so playful edge to her tone ❝ and all of your favorite foods. ❞

       The place she intended to take her daughter was only a block or so away as they left the jewelry store and fell into step beside one another.  ❝ So, are you going to tell me who you intend to gift that necklace to? ❞ she mused inquisitively, ❝ because I saw the look on your face when you were picking it out and I know that look. ❞  

       the apology that fell from ramona’s lips appeared to be as genuine as could be, which caused for taelor to smile delicately in response. ❝ i know you do. ❞ she hummed softly. her hum was quick to turn into a laugh at the mention of the diamonds they’d just purchased. ❝ diamonds and food -- the way to a girl’s heart. ❞

       the question that came from ramona’s lips next had taelor quickly blushing a pale shade of pink. ❝ i would try and deny it, but the fact that you’re my mother means you’d probably see right through me. ❞ she admitted softly, looking up at ramona. ❝ you had that look with my dad, didn’t you? ❞ the duo had never really talked about taelor’s father, but she’d always been curious.

       ❝ You aren’t that girl ❞ Cordelia stated confidently and there was an air of seriousness to her expression ❝ you’ve overcome some unimaginable things for somebody so young and never once have you let that bury you. ❞ With a slight shrug, the witch sat herself up a little straighter ❝ that’s the thing about going through something traumatic, you overcome it then you use it like it’s armor, because it shows every strength about you. You’re a survivor, which I hear is a common theme around here ❞ she added light-heartedly. Her features soon softened and a smile eased against her lips once again, deciding to direct the conversation towards lighter themes ❝ okay, now you have to spill. ❞ The witch playfully cast a glance back towards the cards atop of the table before adding ❝ or else i’ll just have to find out for myself. ❞

       ❝ there’s been a couple time i thought about letting it bury me. ❞ taelor admitted softly, looking down at her hands as her fingers fumbled together. there was likely no one else that she would ever admit such a thing to outside of cordelia. the elder’s words caused a sigh to escape taelor’s lips as she looked up at her once more. ❝ then why don’t i feel like a survivor, mama c? ❞ for a while she had felt that way, but something about her mother being back in town had taelor a little too in tune with her emotions these days. 

       the brunette found herself thankful when the conversation returned to a topic that she felt much lighter about. even having just talked about something so heavy, it was hard for taelor not to smile at the mention of raven kenner. ❝ relax, relax. there’s no need to go all detective on me. i’ll tell you everything you wanna know. ❞

       Jamie inhaled a sharp breath, before puffing air into his cheeks and eventually exhaling ❝ we’re talking about you, remember? ❞

       It didn’t take long for a grimace to fall upon his features, before shaking his head with a chuckle ❝ I walked right in to that one, huh? I’ll remember that next time. ❞ Jamie stretched himself out atop of the mattress again, resting his hand across his abdomen with a soft sigh ❝ i’m still trying to get my head around the fact that vampires exist. How can she uh, walk around in the sun? ❞

       The witches in his life had introduced him to the supernatural world slowly, which had probably been for the best. 

       it didn’t take much for taelor to get the hint and she quickly dropped the conversation about her brother’s love life. ❝ you one hundred percent did that to yourself. ❞ the brunette agreed with a laugh. his comment about vampires had taelor nodding in understanding. ❝ vampires and i don’t have the best history. ❞ she had elijah and the hand he played in her death to thank for that. ❝ witches can make something called a daylight ring for vampires. it’s basically a fancy ring with a magic enhanced blue gem in it that allows them to walk in the sun. ❞

       ❝ For now, ❞ Raven repeated with a laugh. ❝ We both have confidence that I’ll inevitably do it in the future, then. ❞ Not that she planned on forgetting important dates for the two of them, but she also wasn’t the best with that sort of thing and it was entirely likely that she might. ❝ You know me so well, and I don’t just mean because you knew I’d like the necklace. ❞

       hearing the other’s comment, taelor couldn’t help but burst into a fit of giggles. ❝ that’s not what i meant! ❞ she was quick to clarify, not wanting raven to think she had little faith in her. when raven commented about how she knew her well, taelor offered her a delicate smile. ❝ i like you, a lot -- which means that i make an effort to listen when you talk. ❞

       ❝ Only with the bad ones, mija ❞ Ramona hummed melodically, her heels clicking against the tiles as the pair made their swift exit. ❝ What, do you not trust me? ❞ The vampire thought about her words for a second, before a playful smirk appeared upon against her scarlet lips ❝ maybe don’t answer that ❞ she teased. 

       ❝ most surprises in my life are bad ones. ❞ the brunette hummed in a tone that had come out a little harsher than she’d meant for it to. she did however laugh in response to ramona’s comment about trusting her as well as her request for taelor not to answer. ❝ i think keeping that answer to myself might be best. at least for now. ❞

       Ramona dropped the weight from one hip to the next as she handed her daughter the bag with a sharp smile, knowing that there would be plenty more gifts where those came from. 

       Her daughters curious expression that so closely resembled her own caused for her amusement to grow as she simply shrugged and made her way towards the exit. Not before having glanced back over her shoulder to tease, ❝ you’ll see mija. I’d hate to ruin the surprise. ❞

       taelor could tell from ramona’s expression that she was in no hurry to disclose the location of where she planned on taking her for lunch and the vampire’s stubbornness caused taelor to laugh softly. ❝ i have a love-hate relationship with surprises you know? ❞

       ❝ She is ❞ Cordelia agreed before sighing softly, ❝ but nobody can blame you for wanting to protect yourself from being let down again. It’s a completely natural and rational reaction. ❞ Corey understood Taelor’s reasons entirely and would always support the younger witches decision. Taelor’s suggestion caused for light laughter to ease from her lips, before shrugging softly ❝ I mean, I probably could, but at what cost is the real question. ❞ As her emerald hues returned to the revelation of the cards upon the table, the strawberry blonde offered a playful smile as she peaked up at Taelor through her dark lashes ❝ this wouldn’t have anything to do with Raven, would it? ❞

       ❝ i don’t want to be that girl that lets trauma control my life, but it’s hard to shake it after everything i’ve been through, y’know? ❞ the brunette hummed with a shrug. the laugh that came from corey’s lips caused a softer one to ease from taelor’s own. ❝ the downside to being a witch, i suppose. most spells come with a price tag. ❞ it was a lesson that taelor had learned personally over the years. hearing cordelia’s question about raven, taelor flushed a pale shade of pink before looking up at her maternal figure. ❝ maybe? ❞

       ❝ Hey now, that’s just hurtful ❞ Jamie quipped playfully, before grinning at the brunette ❝ but my relationship isn’t exactly thriving, so you’re better off not taking my advice. ❞

       He feigned a grimace at her words and rolled his eyes, again playfully before chuckling at the brunette ❝ that is deeply unsettling, so thanks for that, but I stand by it. ❞ The knowledge that Taelor’s mother was a vampire did cause for a momentary silence to fall between the pair, before Jamie nodded slightly and murmured ❝ and uh… how are you finding that? ❞

       ❝ oh please. i know you better than anyone. you can’t fool me, jamie. ❞ the brunette mused with a clear smirk. hearing the comment about his relationship, taelor rose a curious brow in his direction. ❝ trouble in paradise with little miss roxy? ❞

       seeing that she had made him visibly uncomfortable, taelor offered her best friend a smirk. ❝ you’re welcome for that mental picture. ❞ she teased playfully. the silence that he offered her was expected and she took it as a second to regain her composure. ❝ it’s uh -- an adjustment. ❞

       ❝ Oh thank god.  Usually I’m really good at that, and I was going to be super embarrassed if I’d forgotten a date. ❞ Raven flushed, giving her head a shake in response but trying not to protest too much. ❝ Thank you, babe, ❞ she murmured instead, doing her best to accept the compliment.  Turning to check the sight of herself in the mirror, she gasped anew. ❝ Tae, it’s gorgeous. ❞

       ❝ don’t worry, you’re in the clear for now. ❞ taelor mused with a laugh. even if raven had forgotten an important date, she wouldn’t have been very upset with her. ❝ you’re very welcome. ❞ the brunette responded to raven’s thanks with a grin. she watched as the other admired the necklace from the mirror and taelor couldn’t help the smirk that fell upon her features. ❝ i saw it at the store and just knew that you needed to have it. ❞

       ❝ It understandable, Tae ❞ Cordelia hummed softly ❝ and it will take time” she assured softly, ❝ but it will get better. ❞ The protest that came from the witch caused for Cordelia’s laughter to increase before she shook her head and taunted ❝ says who? Time’s going too fast and I hate it. ❞ The witch tucked her legs beneath her frame and sat herself up a little straighter as she continued to assess Taelor’s cards before smirking as she pointed to the lovers card and glanced back up towards the brunette. ❝ It’s not all bad though. ❞

       ❝ i feel bad though, because she is my mother. ❞ taelor spoke softly, glancing down at the floor for a moment as she got lost in her thoughts. a part of her wondered if she was being too hard on ramona, but the other part of her knew that the vampire needed to work for her forgiveness. ❝ i’m sure there’s a spell you could do if you were really bothered by it. ❞ taelor mused as the conversation took a lighter turn. seeing the lovers card on the table before her, taelor’s cheeks flushed a pale shade of pink as she looked up at corey. ❝ i was gonna tell you... ❞

       Ramona accepted the bag graciously, before turning towards her daughter with a playful giggle as Taelor shook her head, ❝ oh please mija, don’t look at me like that ❞ her musing was soft as she handed her her daughter a bag of her own and added tauntingly ❝ maybe this will make you feel better. ❞

       Her smile remained as she nodded in agreement for her daughters words, ❝ perfect, I know just the place. ❞

       ❝ look at you like what? ❞ taelor questioned, faking an innocent smile in her mother’s direction. watching as her mother held out a bag in her direction, taelor took it without hesitation. she already knew what was inside of it and she also knew better than to argue with her mother about the gift. ❝ los diamantes son los mejores amigos de una chica. ❞ the brunette taunted with a smirk. when ramona mentioned that she had the perfect place to go for lunch, taelor looked over at her with a curious expression. ❝ and just where might you have in mind? ❞

       ❝ I mean - of course you can, I just wanted to make sure that I hadn’t forgotten something important, ❞ she confessed with a little smile, still staring at the necklace with wonderment. ❝ I don’t know if that’s true at all, but thank you for saying so, ❞ Raven beamed, looking back up at Taelor. ❝ Please - I’d love that. ❞ She swept her hair over one shoulder, ducking her head to make the task easier.

      ❝ no, you haven’t missed anything important. ❞ taelor promised softly. raven’s concern about missing something important to the pair warmed taelor’s heart more than she would admit. ❝ oh it’s absolutely true. you are stunning, raven. in case i haven’t told you that lately. ❞ taelor would take whatever chance she could to encourage the hybrid to see her worth. when raven agreed to let her put it on, taelor carefully removed the necklace from the box and draped it over raven’s neck before locking the clasp together. as she released the necklace, taelor let her fingertips brush against the back of raven’s hair before dropping her hands back to her side. ❝ there you go. ❞

       The immediate refusal to hand over her phone coaxed laughter from the male as he offered a playful eyeroll ❝ alright, fine. You win. But i’m helping you out one way or another. I happen to be a really good wingman. ❞ He wasn’t. He was actually terrible at it. 

       The agreement for them to move on brought with it some desperately required relief and with a soft expulsion of breath and a firm nod, he agreed ❝ it does. It really does. ❞  

       Taelor’s palm slapping against his chest had been anticipated and the action only caused for his laughter to increased as his body tensed defensively against hers, ❝ come on she’s like supermodel level hot ❞ he chuckled, before grinning at his best friend. He was mostly trying to taunt her, but there was a little truth to his words. ❝ Nah, i’m kidding. Mostly anyway. So what’s the deal and uh, how the hell does she look like she hasn’t aged a day? ❞

       a heavy laugh fell from taelor’s lips as jamie insisted that he was going to be helpful in her quest to admit her feelings to raven. ❝ you know that i don’t believe that for a second, right? ❞ taelor asked with a playful tone. 

       taelor’s reaction to his comment about her mother was one that she had produced numerous times when they were teenagers, so it was no surprise that she’d had the exact same one now. ❝ you realize that’s like calling me supermodel hot, right? ❞ the brunette inquired with a laugh. hearing jamie’s question about how ramona looked like she hadn’t aged, taelor let a sigh fall from her lips. ❝ one word -- vampire. ❞

       Taelor’s expression seemed to remind Ramona so much of her own, as she simply smirked at the brunette before offering a light shrug of her shoulders ❝ es nuestro secreto. ❞ It hadn’t taken long for Ramona to learn the power of compulsion and she certainly excelled at it. That, paired with her beauty was exactly how she managed to coax others into doing her bidding.

       Despite having been back in New Orleans and reunited with her daughter for a fair few months now, Ramona still wasn’t used to hearing Taelor refer to her as her mom. Each time she heard it, she couldn’t help but smile at her daughter as her features softened and she found herself reminded of just how fortunate she was. Ramona’s own mother had since made it clear that she hadn’t wanted her around Taelor, especially now that she was a vampire but of course, that wasn’t a warning that she intended to adhere to.

       Refocusing her attentions now upon getting her daughter exactly what she wanted, the vampire awaited for their haul to be prepared for them to leave with before using her powers of persuasion to manipulate the bill. ❝ Hm, where next mija? ❞ she teased, turning to face her daughter with an enthusiastic expression.  

       hearing her mother’s words, taelor just shook her head in amusement. leave it to ramona to play the system in whatever way she could. being a vampire just proved to provide the elder brunette with an added advantage.       

       taelor knew that her abuela didn’t want her spending time with ramona, but at the end of the day the vampire was her mother and she at least owed her the decency of getting to know her. they didn’t have to become the best of friends, but ramona was trying and taelor knew that she had to acknowledge her effort.

       taelor watched as the jewelry was packaged up and handed over to ramona, shaking her head in disbelief that they had actually pulled this off. when asked where they should go next, taelor pondered for a second. ❝ we could grab some lunch? ❞

       ❝ What’s the occasion? ❞ Raven asked curiously, wondering just what her girlfriend had up her sleeve.  She turned over on her elbows, watching Taelor run to her dresser and return with a small box.  There wasn’t an inkling in her mind what might be inside, or what she’d done to deserve a gift.  Carefully, slowly, she cracked the lid on the box and inhaled sharply. ❝ Oh my god…Tae.  It’s beautiful. ❞

       ❝ can’t i just buy you something nice because i want to? ❞ the brunette questioned softly as she fell back into the bed. the duo had been seeing each other for a little while now, but neither of them had ever actually inquired about making it official, which was something that taelor had hoping to change given she could find the courage to ask. ❝ it’s rather dull compared to you. ❞ she hummed softly, looking up at the beauty before her. ❝ do you want me to put it on for you? ❞