ceaseless

Beckett was finally starting his job at the pool in the next couple days, but until then, he was trying to paint as much as possible. He knew he wouldn’t have as much time after that, and as much as he wanted to be doing art more often, he was certain he wouldn’t be able to get a job as an art teacher so soon after moving to Hollow Grove. However, painting more often meant that he was suddenly convinced that he’d forgotten to get the paint off of his face before he left the house to get some coffee. “Uhm, excuse me…” He said to someone nearby. “Do I have paint on me? I thought I felt something on my cheek…”

Jonathan had been primarily engrossed in work at the local industries and aggravated by the latest town update regarding the Clave. To him, it was hardly anything. They might as well have no announced it at all if you asked him, nothing would change what had transpired the night of the Blood Moon after all. As he was taking one of his usual shortcuts, mind running a mile a minute, his feet only suddenly halted at the sound of potentially being addressed, a brow raising at the question. “I — don’t believe so…what building were you painting?” He curiously asked, one could never be completely sure anymore.

Ivan had heard the news, of course he had, he was pretty certain at this stage everyone in Hollow Grove had.  He also knew there’d be a hell of a lot of residents who would be shaken by the announced trial for the Clave members.  The newspaper was still sitting on the table in front of him outside the cafe and he used it to extinguish his cigarette - right on the picture - before immediately pulling out another one.  “And so justice will be served,” he spoke idly.  “Won’t change a fucking thing.” 

Finally, from hearing the remark in passing, it seemed that someone shared the same sentiment when it came to the recent developments with the town’s Clave announcement. With how much he’d been planning, yearning for revenge against them, this was a disappointment. “You’re right. It won’t.” Jonathan gave a nod in agreement with a huffed sigh to the other. “They think it will be from just merely saying something for once, but this is hardly any step in the right direction.”

@jcnathanknight

The news that the Clave members were heading to trial had brought back far too many unpleasant memories of that night,  the sounds of the screams around them, the way Madge went lifeless in her arms… trying to find Jonathan and telling them that she had gone. She still dealt with the guilt daily, wishing there was more that she could’ve done to help Madge, despite the number of reassurances she’d had from so many people around her that there wasn’t much she could’ve done for the woman. Months on, she still felt it, and she tried to move on, even if only for Jonathan’s sake. Now the news that the trial was happening had it all flooding back, and she knew that she needed to check Jonathan. To keep his mind off it, or at least try. “Hey… you doing okay?” she asked as she entered the room he was in, “Maybe we should go out tonight, go for dinner somewhere?”

With a hand running over his features, Jonathan remained aggravatingly occupied with many plaguing thoughts since the Clave news had been released. It had taken the town this long to put into any semblance of action? A trial would hardly be worth anything if you asked him. More effective methods should be set. Yet, nothing would bring his sister back. Hearing Emma’s voice coming from the doorway, Jonathan instantly shifted. “Hey, yeah. You?” He had her, she’d understand without further explanation when it came to the anguish of that fateful night. Though Emma’s following suggestion had him sitting further upright, moving to step towards her with a nod. “Let’s. How about the Harbor?” He wanted to treat Em to one of the finest, and a familiar, tranquil place for them. Arms moving around her middle, his lips met hers. “I love you.” It was a reiteration of their recent confessions, that no dismal notice could keep him from forgetting.

Maggie’s phone had been ringing off the hook since the announcement that there would be a trial of the Clave members. It was time they put the issue to rest, and this was the only way it could be done, but it meant there would be a lot of sleepless nights ahead for the original. She was sat, for once, outside the Society Cafe, coffee in hand and a newspaper that had been left discarded on the table when she sensed someone nearby. “Sorry, did you want this?” she asked, holding the paper?

Jonathan was fuming, conflicted to say the least. He’d spent the past few years in town doing his research on the Clave and with what they’d taken from him rather recently, was this measley trial going to be even enough? Was testifying even worth it? Yes, it was a start for the town to say something, but there had to be much more efficient ways. Amongst his thoughts, he absent-mindedly spotted his aunt and sat across from her, noting the newspaper in her hands. “I’m good, trust me. I assume you’ve heard more than enough too?”

He had been back all of two minutes when he’d seen the news about the Clave attacks, sighing a little as he threw the notice onto his desk, stepping down into Nina’s as he glanced over the crowd. The Clave was still on his mind, the aftereffects of Blood Moon still in his mind. Finally, he settled on something in particular, brows contorting in confusion. “What the fuck is going here hm?” 

Knowing that Nick had once again ventured into town from another lengthy vacation, Jonathan routinely had to go and see for himself. “Don’t know why you’re making that face, you should be used to these interventions by now.” He mused as Nick approached, brow furrowing. “But I suppose that also depends on how long you’ve been back.” Jonathan added in reference to the latest town notices.

“…But you’re super young and tech savvy– oh wait, it’s you. I forgot momentarily that you’re an old man.” she teased, “Oh god is it like when they get old people into the high school so the kids can like, teach them Word and stuff… it is isn’t it, admit it.”

“You know, for a split second, you were just about to gain more points in my book with that young remark.” Jonathan countered in jest. “Yeah, sure. As much as I’d enjoy going into detail over those technology ‘teachings,’ I’d much rather hear about your potions and all.”

Dylan rolled her eyes, waving a hand. “Not that you know of,” she counters with a mischievous smirk. Truthfully she shakes her head. “I don’t know a lot of them, actually. I haven’t really been paying much attention to music for the last year.” Being on the run could do that to you. The only thing you’re focused on was staying alive. “Maybe,” she drawls. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened at Dylan’s answer. “What that I don’t know of exactly? Explain or your curfew will get shorter.” Although despite his constant harping on the young werewolf, finding common ground was always a plus. “Good, you and me both. I don’t blame you.” The past year had been chaotic. To say the least. “Does that mean they aren’t around and you want to stick with me? I’m flattered.”

She couldn’t and didn’t want to keep the smile off her lips as she partly wondered why it had taken her so long. She’d become more guarded then she realized, they had been through so much together that she had often found herself worrying that she would say the wrong thing. “We really should’ve just… not waited.” she murmured with a small smile. She fell quiet at his suggestion, a small smile still playing on her lips as she realized what he was asking. “You really wanna live with me ?” she chuckled a little, pressing her lips against his. 

“Yeah.” Jonathan nodded in agreement. “I just..I didn’t want to lose you again.” He earnestly admitted, meeting her eyes. That year had been difficult, and since they’d gotten together, he didn’t want to take the risk to mess anything up again. She made him happy in a way he’d never been. And the fact they shared the same sentiment on the matter made any reservations fade away. As a grin remained playing upon his expression, he first took the time to kiss her in return for a long moment before answering. “Only for you know...give or take..an eternity or so.” Jonathan mused. “If you want to live with me.”

“Oh, I reserve the right to judge, absolutely. At least the important stuff, the fashion, the bad choices.” she replied, hoping to make it clear that if there were dark moments in Jonathan’s life, and she had no doubt that he did, you couldn’t live as long as they had without them, she wouldn’t judge. “I don’t have a favourite nephew, no idea what you’re talking about.” she replied with a chuckle, before she indicated for him to follow her. “C’mon, let’s introduce you to some of the greatest.”

“Well, I know nothing about fashion, I’ll give you that. That’s you and my mother. But you’re going to have to define bad choices, important stuff, that is, if we ever do have a conversation that long.” Jonathan mused, there had only been one in his life that had come close. Put their multiple thousand year histories together though and who knew. “And here I thought I had a favorite aunt.” He scoffed  in mock disappointment before footing after her. “I must be, if you’re taking me to meet these people.”

He chuckled. “Me too-the others can go on home.” Besides, that was all who he came for. The others…well, they were so terrible that he had to cringe whenever they came on stage to perform, Whoever can stomach this new-fangled music, Val applauded them, but it wasn’t for him. He didn’t even know what it is or if he could categorize it as music at all, but it was terrible.

“You can say that again.” Jonathan grinned, holding his beer bottle up for a cheers to that statement. He had to shake his head, taking another sip. The only way to remotely stomach this sort of music. “I’ve only vaguely heard a few of these names in passing every now and then, don’t know or care otherwise.” He scoffed. “Hopefully Elvis is going to be coming on soon.”