Makayla Anderson

It was so sudden. So sudden, so fast and yet so slow at the same time, that it felt so surreal.

When the other wolf backed down, Bryce calmed down. When he was a wolf, he was harder to redirect. It was the one time each month where he didn’t have to care too terribly about being polite. This was his spot, he marked it too. There was a whole forest for others to hunt in. 

A quiet whine sounded between them. An apology. No one had been around here, so she felt it was a safe, private place to take a moment. The moon glowed brightly over the clearing, hanging directly above and between the both of them. Mak looked up towards it, the light cascading over both of them. Her eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment, wishing someone far away a goodnight. 

There a smile comes back to his face as she offers herself as a listener for his woes, but if they ever get to know more about each other, she will quickly learn that Trevor is one of those fake extrovert. Saying that he keeps things close to his chest is an understatement. It’s probably more the likes of keeping things buried deeply into his chest. “Thank you for the offer.” He replies politely. He laughs then at her last comment. “Both you and I have done a lot of growing it seems them. We’ll cross path again, who knows, maybe I’ll be the one to become the ears you need to talk to.” He returns.

“Me? No, no.” He chuckles, correcting her. “And sorry, I meant my family had been around for generations prior to the great war. So three centuries of Wei.” He explains. The only thing his family has done for the Memorial Park, is be in it. “I was learning about my new powers. All elysians and chthonics understand their powers, but not many truly know how to use their full potential. I’m grateful for the opportunity.” It’d been a very generous gift from the Alpha. “I’m glad you found a way out before the cracks were sealed. Sometimes, I think about those who didn’t get a chance, and are still stuck there.” He means it. If those people are still alive, he can only imagine the horrors they must face all the time. Do they still have hope of being rescued?

For the slightest moment, Mak had found herself doubtful. Not of the man sitting beside her. But of herself. She was quite serious and sincere in her offer to be a friend and an ear for others. But she often doubted if she could hold onto those friends she found, the connections made. What if she fucked it up? Or what if she went home and never returned? While it all weighed on her, it still only felt right for her to offer kindness and comfort to others. Especially when she’d received it more often than she deserved in this life. “Anytime.” She responds with a real smile. At his words, she chuckled. “It really does. It makes me so grateful to...be here.” To be alive, she meant. But that felt wrong to say. “Maybe. Though you might dislike me or be mortified by the end of a conversation about my trauma.” She laughed. 

“Ohhh...” She said in understanding. It made sense, especially since she’d hadn’t crossed paths with him before. “Wow, that’s pretty cool. So kind of like a school or something for the supernatural to safely learn about their new abilities. I kinda wish there was something like that for new wolves around here.” She had had a rough time in the beginning of time as a wolf. It slowly got better, and she was better at controlling herself, but there was still so much she needed to learn. “I am too...” She admitted softly, feeling guilty as she thought of all those lost, both in and out of the rifts. “I...think about that all the time.” It was true, she almost always had dreams or random thoughts about her experience, which then turned into wondering about those who never made it out. 

“Well, glad you got something you enjoy that can support your new life. I’ll try and stop by while I’m still lucid sometime. Want to be myself to try what you’re baking.” He bumped her lightly with his hip as she teased him and winked up at him.

“I’ve never let you onboard the Seawolf!? Well then. We’ll have to fix that and take some time to catch up then won’t we? I’d take you out on the water tonight too, but the bilge pump started acting up when I came back in. So she’s floating where she won’t sink if she takes on water until Abbs or I can diagnose the issue.”

Mak grinned. “Me too. It’s been going pretty good. I’m very lucky.” Mak nodded, reaching into her clutch and giving him one of her business cards, just in case. “I wantr that too. I’ve missed you.” Her words were genuine, though her smile was a bit awkward. It was so weird how much they’d both gone through and how they hadn’t seen each other in so long. 

Memories || Erebus & Makayla

Weeks had passed since the annual gala. Erebus had attended as usual, presenting an outward willingness to engage with other citizens and their grief. Truth be told, he had not wanted to be there. He had not been enthusiastic. So it was with a particular irony that he’d decided to return to the Memorial Garden today. He stepped through the trees, settling at a bench beside a particularly exuberant fountain. The bubbling cascade penetrated the silence joyfully. He sat, sourly wiling away the morning, a large coffee in one hand, a cigarette in the other. 

He did not mourn those who had fallen. He could appreciate them, but he could not feel the pain of their absence. What he felt instead was preoccupation; the evening had unearthed unwanted memories, which seemed most unwilling to leave. It was very tiresome. It was instances like this that made him particularly miss being a vampire.

@makrosea​ 

Mak had not returned to the memorial since the night of the Gala. She’d been awestruck then with how gorgeous it was and how beautifully it honored all who had fallen in the city. It made her wonder just how bad it had been after the rifts had opened, what devastation had occurred and what creatures had come through. The thought of what she’d seen in the rifts brought a chill down her spine, she hoped they didn’t have to face what she had. But she suspected they had, maybe even worse. Unsure why, she found herself buying a small bouquet of flowers to honor those lost during the attack, and her own husband, and taking them back to the memorial. 

Planning to lay them against the fountain, Mak made her way back. Down the path and through the trees, the walk to the center was quick. She gave herself a few moments pay her respects to those of Covaire, before she quietly spoke to Stellan in his language. It was a quick chat, the young wolf expressing her love and mourning for her husband, before she set the roses in place and stood to exit the way she’d came. Coming around the side towards the benches, Mak paused, surprised to see the particular male back here. “Erebus? Hi there.” She spoke softly. 

“I appreciate it.”

“A bakery, huh? That sounds like something you would choose to do. Me? Most of the same. Do some maintenance and paperwork and see to clientele when I’m me. Got to go out on my yacht and go do some fishing this morning for the first time in a while. Caught some decent Red Snapper. You’re welcome to come by and have some after the Gala.”

Mak smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You’re welcome.”

Truth is that joy is contagious. So while he’d originally been the one excited to meet her, her joy at his comments and light mood, makes him happier. Trevor laughs then, his smile turning even more boyish than before. When he smiles like that, it’s easy to forget that he’s well over a century. “I know, I know. I’m awful like that—keeps me awake at night sometimes.” He replies in jest.

His smiles does disappear as they continue to talk playfully for a short while. “I lost many, almost all. So thank you.” He replies, his face now sombre due to the amount of people he’d lost during the last great war. He lets the subject die down, because he doesn’t want to talk about it. He prefers to mourn in private.

“Yeah, it is beautiful. It’s the first time I get to assist. I know the money has helped many businesses, and what they’ve done to the Memorial Park is breathtaking.” He means it. Not that it’d been bad before, but now, it felt so serene. “I have. Since I was a very young kid. The chinese side of my heritage has been around since the first years of the city. Wolf civilians. Then my mom met my father in Wales, they fell in love and she sired him. They came back to Covaire a few years after my birth. But I’ve been away since the end of the war for training and only came back in the second half of last year.” The it hits him, the rifts. “You got dragged into a rift——— I am so sorry. I’m happy you made it out alive though.”

Mak cant keep the delight, and still slight embarrassment at the praises, from her face. She really was not expecting anyone to come up to her tonight to discuss her work, let alone sing her pastries praises or share how much joy it brought them. It brought little butterflies to her stomach, if she was being honest. She laughed at his declaration. “Guess you’ll have to work on it.” She teased, a grin on her face. 

Mak noticed his expression shift, the smile becoming less bright before disappearing. She wanted to bring it back, to lighten the mood. She reached out and places a comforting hand on his harm and giving a slight, reassuring squeeze. “I know we just met, but....if you ever feel like talking....well, I’m a decent listener.” A pause, then she laughed. “Never thought I’d get to be here and actually say that to someone. I used to be an awful slave and never used to listen to anyone. But I promise, I’m better now.” She hated who she used to be, but at least she learned from it. 

Maks eyes widened a bit. “You helped with all this?” She sometimes couldn’t believe she missed so much in the city. And gained so much outside of it’s walls. “That’s awesome. I cant even imagine what it must have been like in it’s early years.” She’d probably have been killed quickly back then if it was as ruthless as she thought. “That’s really cool. What kind of training were you doing?’ She’d always been curious what other residents do outside of the city when they’re not living within their walls. She wondered if others experiences were as crazy as hers. His apology saddened her smile a bit, Mak fighting to to keep the knot forming in her stomach from rising. “Thank you. But it’s okay. I did manage to find a way out eventually.” Had she not had Baltazar’s help, she probably wouldn’t have made it out at all. 

Bryce was territorial, but he knew better than to start a problem during the full moon. The wolf just wanted to eat in peace, and maybe chase a rabbit or unfortunate human that crossed his path. He was by no means big like some of the other wolves, and he did run on the skinnier side, but Bryce’s teeth and claws were still sharp. 

He held his ground as the other wolf approached, taking their warning growl as a challenge. 

Mak wasn’t looking for trouble. No, just a little privacy to mourn, missing her family a bit more this full moon. She’d had every intention of lingering around this area to hunt, but it looks like someone else claimed the area. The growl she let out was only meant to stop the other from approaching, but it seemed to do the opposite. 

As the wolf kept coming close, Maks fur bristled, her teeth bared ready for the threat. Only when she recognized who it was did her posture relax, the young wolf taking a step back and going down in a show that she wanted no trouble. 

Jing Lei was taking some time to get something at Covaire Grill, a usual stop for him after he was done with grading his classes’ biology papers. The chthonic would otherwise have gone to Veggie Roofs to get ingredients for some more traditional Singaporean cuisine. But he didn’t feel like cooking today, and JJ and her staff made good food. He was currently tucking into a chicken wrap with a side of sweet potato fries when someone grabbed his attention.

Originally posted by yeahthatsinteresting

“Don’t just stand there. There’s plenty of room at this table.”

Mak decided tonight was not the night to cook dinner. She’d had a long day of prepping a a few custom orders and trying out new recipes on the side. Before she even realized it, it was closing time and she hadn’t eaten anything that didn’t contain sugar or frosting or cream filling. The shewolf was craving a cheeseburger and some fried pickles. So she found herself at Covaire Grill, ready to stuff her face. 

As she was waiting, her hungry gaze slid to the customer who was enthusiastically enjoying his meal. Before she realized she’d been staring, he’d noticed, and all Mak could do was blush with a growling stomach. “I was just waiting for my order. Plus, I’m pretty sure my hunger might get the best of me and I’ll eat you out of here.” She chuckled. 

@covairecitystarters​ **please one muse per person <3** 

The night was warm, and the sound of wolves howling echoed through the city. Bryce always took both the night after and the night of the full moon off from work. It was the only time the pack seemed to come together and it was only for one night each month. The wolf was happy to be out and about tonight, enjoying the weather and the camaraderie of a full moon. 

He broke off from the pack to hunt, straying a little closer to the city. The wolf was hungry for something to eat and his nose lead him to a possible meal. He stopped in his tracks when he heard a noise, unsure if it was a meal or someone else. The all black wolf sat up straight, his pointy ears going back as he bared his teeth in a silent snarl. 

Mak didn’t think, even after all of her full moons, that she’d ever get used to running and hunting with others. She ran with the pack, at the end of the group. The sounds of paws padding the earth and pants and howls filled the air around her. It was a nice, warm night out and it brought Mak a sense of calm. 

After running for a while, she broke off from the others, trotting through the woods to a secluded clearing outside the edge of the city. The wolf looked up to the sky, right at the full moon. The light breeze rustled her fur, and she let out a long howl. Though it would never be heard, it was a message to her family, who were safely tucked into their beds, asleep in the middle of the night back home. The message was meant to convey her love for her daughter and the rest of the Vikanders. Satisfied as the howl faded into the night sky and merged with the others around the city, the wolf turned and began trotting back. Only the scent of a newcomer had her growling lowly in warning. 

If the woman had thought Trevor was excited moments ago, he’s now almost radiating light and happiness with how brightly he’s smiling. He thinks about her offer of paying for a moment, considering it carefully, before he says—"How about, if it’s a family recipe and you decide to use it, you give it that name I pick that honours my family?“ He counter-offers. Truth is, Trevor doesn’t need any more money, but his family’s legacy is important. And if he’s to be the last one with his name in Covaire City, he’d like the recipes to carry it with him.

"Pleasure is all mine really. And nice to meet you Mak, head baker of Piece of Cake. If we go official———I’m Trevor Parrish, archivist at the Dominion.” He chuckles with her as they shake hands. “I am truly sorry for the ones you lost.” There’s genuine pain in his eyes, reflecting the one she’s unknowingly projecting to him. He appreciates the distraction that her questions brings. “Single ticket.” The one person he would’ve enjoyed at his side tonight isn’t there yet, and might never be. “I’m happy to sit for a short while.” Then, he’d like to pay his respect to Edgar and his family. “I assume you came with Piece of Cake?”

Mak beamed at the happiness radiating off him, his smile bringing butterflies to her chest. Since being back, she had questioned if it was the right choice. Especially with her family at home. But now, seeing his reaction and the joy he was expressing, she felt like she made the right choice giving this home a second chance after all. “Well..” She thought about it for a moment, it felt wrong not properly compensating him, but what he was asking for was easily doable. It didn’t seem like enough, but she got the feeling trying to pay him wasn’t up for negotiation. “You know what, you drive a hard bargain.” She joked, laughing as the two shook hands and exchanged their pleasantries. 

“It is very nice to meet you, Trevor Parrish, archivist of the Dominion.” She teased lightly, appreciative for this moment of funny, awkward first meetings. “Thank you...” She said softly, her chest feeling tight and heavy at the memory. “I hope you didn’t lose a loved one too, but if you did, I’, sorry for your loss as well.” It felt awkward but right to make sure those here knew that the cities losses were not forgotten or overlooked. “I’m glad to have a friendly face for company.” She offered, her smile back as she led him to her empty table and pulled out a chair for him. “Yes, I did indeed. And they either aren’t all here yet or they’re mingling.” She chuckled. “They did everything so nicely.” She commented, looking around at the extravagant banquet hall. Turning back to Trevor, Mak asked. “Have you lived in the city long? I was here for years before I...well, the rift. I feel like there’s so many new faces and upgrades.” The young shewolf still felt a bit disoriented since being back and trying to adjust to life in Covaire once more. 

“I can’t even imagine what Hell, or wherever those things came from, is like, and I don’t want to. The little I remember from the attack was losing Lucy and the severe burns I got at some point during the attack.” He remembered more, but those memories he kept close to his chest. Nobody needed to know what else he’d gotten up to or who’d gone missing because of it.

“The same to you. Seeing old friendly faces definitely helps. And, if there is any person who has deserved the benefits of their efforts and a promotion, it’s you Makayla. You were definitely one of mine and Lucy’s favorites. So what have you been up to since you got back?”

Mak cringed. “It wasn’t fun, I can tell you that.” The memories of her ordeal brought a knot back to her stomach and an ache to her chest. She took a slow, subtle breath in as he recounted his ordeal, her heart breaking all over again for him. Her hand came to rest on his arm. “I’m so sorry.” 

She offered him a small smile, nodding as he spoke. “It really does. I’m glad to see you again, Vincent. I missed you.” The young wolf let out a chuckle, blushing slightly. “Deserving? Probably not. But blessed? Absolutely.” Now she let out a an actual laugh. “You were one of my favorites too.” She glanced around, casually watching the other attendees as she ponders her answers. “Settling in, getting my footing running the bakery, and just....enjoying life.” She smiled. “What about you?” Though she already knew, he was a friend and he deserved the casualty of this conversation.