Linnea Liddell

Linnea had needed this reprieve in her life. She had been surprisingly stressed out by the carnival attack despite not being hurt. It was the overall chaos about the situation that had gotten to her, especially when the witch realized she was less help in a crisis than she had originally thought she could be. The best way for her unwind was to work. Linnea was at her happiest when she was writing and composing. Being able to sing and perform seemed to be a safety net for the witch and there was only one person she wanted to do all of that with. She sat behind the piano before calling out to the vampire with a smile on her face. She adored Cassian but the two had a very playful way of interacting as writing partners. “ Are you going to sit with me or is this your way to telling me you want to do something else?”

@paradisusstart​

If there was one thing this island did well, it was bars. Chandler was constantly trying somewhere new out and was only just starting to narrow it down to a few favorites. Tonight’s adventure had not been one of them, with only so-so mixed drinks. Walking some distance away from the doors, he pulled out a cigarette and put it between his lips. He knew he should quit, or at least switch to vaping, but he’d been telling himself that for years with no success. Tonight wasn’t going to be the night he actually stopped. He dug further into his pockets, searching for his lighter to no avail. “Fuck.” He muttered to himself, then noticed someone walking by. “Hey, you got a lighter I could borrow?” He asked.

After the chaos that had happened from the carnival Linnea finally felt as if she could breathe. Things were starting to get back to normal and the witch finally had a clear head to be able to work and more importantly have fun. After her second drink she went out to get some air and call back her friend, and it was clear the island was good at recovering from things. She heard someone speak next to her, pausing for a moment to register what he hade said before reaching into her jacket. “ Yeah, I should” She replied before moving to the other pocket and finally pulling out the lighter. “ Here you go. Sorry about that. I couldn’t find the damn thing. Haven’t seen you around before. Linnea” She added before introducing herself

.

While he smiled at her words, he couldn’t help but be a bit worried for his friend. There were so many vampires who hadn’t had much to eat, and witch’s blood might as well have been a tray of cookies to them. But, he didn’t let the worry show. Instead, he laughed gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, his own somewhat subtle way of being protective. 

“Better now that you’re here, beautiful.” He replied in his own playful tone, while keeping a steady eye on the departing vampire. “You know I’m not against being an asshole in the right situations, but that guy really didn’t know how to read the room.” He looked down at her, a gentle, fond smile pulling on his lips, though his brows knit together in concern, “What are you doing here, love? Are you okay?” 

“ I wish everyone was as excited to see me as much as you were, because it never fails to make me smile. “ Linnea began as she looked over to the much taller man. “ I’ve noticed. He was asking to get thrown out. We all need that extra help right now” 

Linnea could tell by the way Cassian moved her that something was up. She felt as though despite still being new to the island, she believed she knew the man in front of her well enough to know what he was thinking. After all there was a strange sort of intimacy between people who wrote their thoughts and feelings together through music. “Cass, I swear I’m okay I’m just here to help if I can, But believe me I’m no fool. I know my blood probably would taste sweet to some people around here. You don’t have to worry about me darling”

The days after the attack, Cassian wasn’t sure what to do with himself.

He wished he could heal others like the witches on the island, or do something useful like that. He had spent the night of the attack helping those who were injured get to the triage center, helping the witches where he could when they needed anything. Mostly, he was there to hold the injured person’s hand and hum little songs to them as they were being worked on, to distract them and to hopefully lift their spirits a little. He’d lived through enough tragedy and violence through the centuries to know when to push back the coldness in his heart and actually try to help. 

In the following days, Cass helped clean up the island, and seriously thought about helping rebuild the docks. The sooner the island could get supplies again, the better. 

Now, the vampire waited in the line for his blood ration. He heard a commotion a dozen feet away, a vampire going off at someone, upset that they didn’t get more blood in their ration. As if they were the reason the explosions had went off and the blood needed to be rationed in the first place.

He looked to the person who was being screamed at and was instantly reminded of when his parents would go off at his siblings. “Absolutely not,” He left the line, not caring about the long wait he’d need to go through again, and approached the hostile vampire. 

“Hey,” He said sternly, placing a strong hand on the hostile vampire’s shoulder as he placed himself between them. “That’s no way to behave, now is it?” He leaned closer to the vampire’s ear, his tone low and sharp, “Take your ration and leave, if I see you behave like this around here again, I’ll chop off your favorite appendage and feed it to the rats.” With that, he shoved them in the direction of the exit. “Now, get out.”

Once they were out of sight, he turned to the other behind him, features softening a bit as he looked at them. “Are you alright?”

@paradisusstart​

Linnea never thought she would be in this sort of situation. She had lived in her own little bubble that had been in New Orleans and never ran into any of this level of a disaster when she traveled. However, she seemed eerily calm when faced with it. She knew how to help with healing and while it hadn’t been her main area of expertise, it was within the Liddell family itself. She knew how to help when she was needed. she had been standing at the side of someone who had been horribly burned and supporting someone who was far more skilled than she had been, when a familiar voice had caught her attention. 

She got up from her spot and watched silently until Cassian broke up the situation. “ Look at you being a night in shining armor” Linnea replied with a small smile, perhaps the first one she had made all day. “ Everything good?” She asked looking at her friend as the situation seemed to be dealt with and the other person had left with a grateful smile on their face. 

This was weirdly triggering. The chaos, the screaming, the blood. You could’ve told Benji this was the pits all over again, and he’d believe you. But regardless, it was go time. “Let’s get moving.” Benji spoke quick, taking two steps into the action before turning back and realizing that the other wasn’t following as quick as he hoped. He turned back, stepping toward the stranger. “You either need to follow me and help or go home. No shame in either choice. But standing around here doesn’t make this situation any better for anyone.” @paradisusstart​

Open starter: @paradisusstart​

It was almost surprising that the library was even expected to be open while there was so much going on in town with the carnival. So many people were talking about how excited they were about it for weeks, but while Alex understood why, he personally couldn’t feel the same enthusiasm for it as everyone else. So, he was perfectly content sitting in the library all night as the rest of the island enjoyed themselves at the festival- even if there were only a handful of people to even stop by. With all his work done, he sat behind the desk with a book of his own, just waiting for the time to tick by until he could leave and go to Charlie’s apartment. At this point, he wasn’t expecting anyone else to come in for the rest night, as the past few hours it’d just been him, but he glanced up over the pages when he heard someone coming, watching them for a moment as they began to browse the shelves, before returning to his book, but only for a moment before asking, “carnivals aren’t your thing either?” He wasn’t usually one for small talk, but he was just curious why anyone would want to spend their time in the library rather than out in town (even though he preferred it himself). 

As soon as Linnea got her fill of the carnival, she knew she needed to head home before she made any foolish decisions. She had matured quite a bit in the last few years, but she loved a party and celebration so it was easy to get swept up in it.  She started to head home and realized the library was on her way and she needed to pick up a few books. Why not kill two birds with one stone? She thought to herself as she entered the building and began to look around. She stopped her walk as soon as she heard a voice and offered him a smile. “ Oh they are very much my thing, Too much of a good thing can be a problem though. I also needed to stop by and this was on the way home”

-

“Right?” Meena laughed, understanding that all too well. Meena was simply considering this a cheat day. “Funnel cake? Now that’s something I haven’t had yet tonight. I say just live a little and go for it!” She laughed again as she looked over at the other once more. “I’m Meena.” She grinned.

Linnea’s smile grew at the other woman’s agreement to the idea of a funnel cake. It had been forever since she had one, but now that she smelled the combination of batter and powdered sugar it was stuck on her mind. “ Honesty, the moment I saw there was a stand I knew I needed to get one or three at some point tonight. “ Linnea smiled. “ Yes a hundred percent. Worry about this stuff tomorrow. Linnea. It’s nice to meet you. “ 

Open starter: @paradisusstart​

Meena leaned against one of the booths as she picked at the cotton candy in her hand, taking in her surroundings of all the different booths for games and fair foods, all decorated in neon lights. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to an event like this, but she was ecstatic! It made her feel like a child again. “I’ve had more sweets tonight than I have in years!” Meena laughed, speaking to the other beside her. “I can’t help it, though, it’s my favorite thing about carnivals and this is my first one in ages! Enough about me, are you having a good time?” she smiled at the other as she popped a small piece of pink, sugary fluff into her mouth before offering some to the other as well. 

Linnea wouldn’t say she particularly had a huge sweet tooth but when in Rome. Wherever she lived she would embrace whatever was around her. Whether it was partying or drinking and now food on the island. It was also impossible to deny the sugary smell that had taken over the booths and games. She had to indulge in it and she was grateful someone else had the same idea. “ Honestly, it’s pretty addicting. The minute I think I’m full there’s something else that comes into view. ‘ Linnea laughed, “ I’m actually having a great time. I haven’t been to a carnival in while. I’m also debating how much a funnel cake would affect my urge to also get a beer”

Linnea sat on a bench feeling the suns rays hit her as the islands weather seemed to always feel perfect to what she was craving in that moment. Moving to the island had probably been the best decision she could make considering her career and wanting to ensure the safety of her family. It did stall her career a bit however though and Linnea had spent the last couple months getting settled but not singing anywhere aside from in her home to pass the time. She really needed to network more if she was going to be able to do what she loved so much. “ I don’t know, I’m trying not to be picky about places, because I just want to get on a stage again, so I’m really open to any place willing to let me sing” Linnea explained with a smile. 

@paradisusstart​

It was a pretty slow night at the Moonstruck Pub. Harley didn’t mind too much at first, it gave him an opportunity to organize and deep clean behind the bar. But cleaning was easily one of the least exciting things about his job, so he mentally begged for a customer to come in. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the door to the tavern open and a figure walked in the door. Finally, a customer! “Can I get you anything to drink?” Harley asked. He signed as he spoke, a habit he picked up a long time ago. It started off as a way to let clients know he was deaf (with varying degrees of success), but quickly turned into something he did without thinking about it. “Our special right now is the Colorado Bulldog and if you like coffee, I totally recommend it.”

Linnea had been trying her best to avoid drinking lately. She knew that when she was bored she would party more, but the witch didn’t want to fall into bad habits so soon after moving to the island. However with her pace finally fully decorated and all of the cardboard boxes gone she felt like celebrating and treating herself a bit. As soon as Linnea opened the door, she was greeted with just an overall warm and inviting feeling. She smiled as soon as she was greeted and noticed the signing as well. She was really rusty in ASL but still wanted to be able to communicate back in both languages, “ Sorry if I mess up a bit. “ She began signing as she spoke. “I’m honestly intrigued by the suggestion. You had me with the mention of coffee, but what else is in it?”

“I had a child today ask me to turn him.” Thomas hummed, settling into his cup of coffee with a smile. “Nothing was wrong with him, he was visiting his brother. But he thought we were cool.” The doctor could only shake his head, “10 years old, marched right into my office while I was working on a research presentation like he owned the place. ” It amused him to say the least. “A kid like that is going to mean business when he grows up- I’m telling you.” 

With a smile, Thomas settled into the bar seat at Deja Brew with a smile. “Anyway- What do you recommend from here? I’m exploring.” 

@paradisusstart​

“ You gotta hand it to children; when they have their minds set on something they can go above and beyond what you think they will do. “ Linnea replied with a smile on her face as she glanced at the owner of this pretty wild story. “ I don’t really know you first hand but I will agree with him as a whole we all are pretty cool” She knew the pair of them were different though but all of the inhabitants of the island in Linnea’s opinion were beyond cool. “ I would love to see what kind of field they go into. “ 

“With the witches having taken care of winter, I think it’s only appropriate that the shifters take care of the summer season.” Marc spoke, smiling a little. “Barbecue’s, lake swimming parties, movies over the water..” He grinned, watching the other for a reaction. “Obviously all are invited.” 

@paradisusstart​

Linnea was unsure as to why she was being used as a sounding board for this idea. The witch was still relatively knew to the island and she obviously wasn’t a shifter. However, the singer smiled softly at the inclusion of everyone being invited. It made her realize how much more harmony existed in this one small place than most of the places she called home over the years. “ I was a little concerned why I was being approached with the idea, since I’m a witch, but I do like it quite a bit. Who doesn’t love outdoor movies and good food? Good music is probably a given too?” She asked before a smile fell on her lips. “ I’m still not used to so much harmony in one place, but I love it” 

Jamie knew he shouldn’t be so taken aback to see her. It was not as if the island was unavailable to anyone, and who didn’t find a fresh start in a new modern society enticing? Yet the idea of having to relive an old relationship while grieving the loss off his wife and child was.. painful to say the least. And yet he wasn’t the type to be a dick and brush her off simply to save his own feelings. He chuckled a little at her statement, shaking his head, albeit only a few times as anything more would cause more head pain than he already had going on. “Please don’t worry about it, my shoes will dry and I’ll help you clean it up.” he said, wondering why she hadn’t used a spell to evaporate the coffee already. It was so strange to see her again.. especially given that he was sure he had left her somewhat hurt when he and Charlie had abruptly decided to move to Europe as reports of witch hunters had scared them off. He’d known London couldn’t be safe for long, and he had felt bad not telling Linnea the full story or heck, starting a relationship when he knew he couldn’t stick around.. Murmuring an incantation as he ran his hand over the air above the spill to make it evaporate, Jamie lifted his sunglasses from his eyes. “I look good? Huh, thanks. Didn’t know hungover could look good. I’m okay. Not at my peak but managing. How about you?” 

Linnea knew that she was staring a lot at Jamie in that moment, but it was just so surprising to see him here in front of her. Their split hadn’t been the most amicable even though she didn’t carry any bad feelings about him over the years. Everyone had their reasons for doing things and she hoped he had a good reason for what had happened and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Still, she knew she was looking a lot, one cause it had been a while and two because he was still just as handsome as she remembered. “ Yeah but I am normally not this clumsy, Jamie. I feel like I’ve got off on the wrong foot so to speak” She joked before her expression changed into a look of surprise at him using a spell to clean up the mess. They had spent a lot of time together despite the brevity of their relationship and yet being a witch never came up on both their ends. She didn’t use her powers often because she had a huge family back home and didn’t want to bring them drama. “ Wait what?” Linnea replied with a laugh as she noted his actions once more. “ This whole time- I hadn’t realized you were a witch too” She replied finding the humor in the surprise. “ Yes you look good. You’ve always looked good Jamie, even hungover. I distinctly remember both of us being hungover within the first 24 hours of meeting “ She added with another smile. “ I’m okay. I’ve been working on music still and was in New York for a while, till I heard about here. I figure I could work on things without making waves for my family around here. Is everything okay? “ They had split in such a weird manner but if something was wrong, Linnea was always the type to offer an ear.