Now Entering: Breezy, West Virginia

CHAPTER ONE

“5 coffees please, the others will be here soon”

“Any creamer hun?”

She sighed knowingly, “yes, lots please. Thank you.”

The pudgy waitress walked off with her notepad, never once looking up, or if she did, wasnt phased by what she saw.

She returned in no time with the coffees and the girl at the table muttered a thank you before turning to the jar of sugar at the table. Although she did lift the sugar with her hand, her spoon levitated as she flicked her wrist, stirring the sweet little rocks into the bitter dark void of her Waffle House mug.

Wait.

An eerie feeling crept up her spine. Who was watching her?

For the most part, she was alone, although the two men in the corner booth, obviously blitzed out of their skulls, gave her little reassurance.

“RAHH!”

Two arms wrapped around her middle suddenly from the booth behind her, causing her to yelp and send the spoon rocketing into the soft ceiling tiles, embedding itself with a soft ‘thunk’.

A fit of laughter erupted from the booth out of her field of view, but given the wheezes, she could Identify that laugh nearly anywhere.

Still rigid from the startle, she turned around and glared at the figure writhing with laughter in the booth. “Bunny what the Devil is wrong with you!?”

Bunny wiped a tear from her eye, “HAHA gotcha K! Man, for a malevolent being you sure are easy to scare.”

Bunny swung around into the booth beside K, placed a kiss on her cheek (a platonic ritual between the two that has been present for years) and picked up a laminated menu.

“The others going to be here soon?” Bunny asked, eyes scanning over the options of different waffles available.

“Yeah, Cyphus and Rose and Nola are all coming together tonight.” K panned, taking a long draw of her coffee.

The waffle house was at the very edge of the small town, next to the truck stop where vacationers and haulers would stop for lunch and gas and be on their way. There wasn’t much else in this area of town, no traffic lights, no other buildings, just the one main road that went in and out of Breezy, West Virginia in the span of about 10 minutes. Being close to 2am, however, the town and all its edges were virtually abandoned.

The cowbell above the door thunked, signaling someone else was here, and judging by the Crowd entering from the black of night, it was exactly who the two girls were waiting for. Nola finished tying her red-violet hair into a braid as she entered the threshold, careful not to knock her antlers on the sides. “Ew who let you two in here?” She joked as she took a seat on the bench across from the girls, immediately grabbing 3 creamers. Rose and Cyphus followed, Cyphus slithered to the waiting area and grabbed a chair to place at the end of the table. Her half-snake, half-human body never sat well in booth benches anyway. Her mottled skin seemed to enhance in hue and vibrancy as the plain black coffee passed her lips and she cradled the cup between her hands. Rose poured one creamer into her coffee and threw it back like a shot of hard liquor. It was often a hard gamble if Rose didnt have copious amounts of caffeine coursing through her veins at any time of the day. “You know Magic cant protect you from cardiac arrest.” Bunny mumbled into her barely touched coffee. She raised her eyebrows, and motioned her half empty cup in Bunny’s direction, “We’ll see when we get to that point.” She spoke with her characteristically neutral but sarcastic tone. The pudgy waitress came back, glanced up at the table consisting of 2 witches, a demon, a monster, and an urban legend, and sighed as she looked back at her notepad. Her fading red lipstick moved as she droned, “Yall ready to order?” As she tacked on her well meaning customer service smile.

The collection straight from a ghost hunting blog ordered their food, got refills on coffee, and began to wait. Bunny pulled off her dark red beanie- her favorite, as it fit her head and was made by a friend- and her large rabbit-like ears flopped out and instantly twitched, shook, and perked up. “Guys! You’ll never believe what I found at the thrift store!” She pulled her small backpack out from under the table, unzipping it, and rifling through the contents of the seemingly bottomless bag. Carelessly, she pulled out a rubber ducky, a lighter, a hairbrush, a large kitchen knife- K happened to glance over the second the knife hit the table, eyes widening and her face stuttering in shock before teleporting the knife to who knows where before Bunny or the staff could notice. After a large collection of miscellaneous objects have been dumped on the table, Bunny lets out a small “aha!” and pulls out a clunky, black box with a massive lens.

K’s eyes widened as she grabbed the box, “Holy shit is that an old Polaroid? Does it still work?”

“Yeah it does! I took a couple practice pictures with some film I bought for it! It works great! I wonder why someone would donate this?” Bunny mused while pointing the camera at her friends and looking at them through the viewfinder.

The waitress came back with the plates of their food, Dark Lunch as the group called it, (past a midnight snack, but before breakfast), and glanced up at the camera before placing Nola’s peanut butter waffle down in front of her.

“Polaroid, huh? Havent seen one of those in a long time. It still work?”

Bunny smiled and nodded as her ears flopped along with her head.

“I can take y'alls picture if ya want.” She offered, taking the camera as it was handed to her. The mishmashed family grouped together over the table and smiled, some making silly smiles and the others looking more stoic and calm. Right as the camera clicked and flashed, the door-bell thanked, and all 12 eyes flashed to the two police officers in the doorway.

“Evening Brady, Finchworth.”

“Evening Diane.” The taller officer spoke, taking off his hat and running his fingers through his cropped, though curly red hair. The two officers took the seats at the bar, the shorter officer staying quiet and opting to smile and wave at the monster mash, rather than speak up like officer Brady. “Good evening ladies,” Brady said with his comforting smile, “how darks the coffee tonight, Cyphus?”

Cyphus chuckled at the very accurate comment and mused, “almost as dark as the bags under your eyes, Brady!” He smirked and took a sip of the water the waitress brought him without asking. The entire town of Breezy knew Officer Brady was the glue holding the towns laws, domestic issues, and even acting as a court official. He works countless hours, works near constant overtime, and rarely has a day off.

The photo was finally printing out of the Polaroid. Bunny took it and shook it as she turned to her snake friend. “Oh leave him alone Cyph. Hes the hardest working soul in this town! Without him and the others Breezy would turn into Lord of the Flies in a matter of days.” She exaggerated sarcastically, but as she did, it was always with a grain of truth. “Hey, Brady! You guys made it into our photo!” She teased as she held it up and turned around in her booth to face the policemen.

“Oh honey we’re sorry, I could take another one for you? Hey is that a Polaroid?” He and officer Finchworth looked curiously at the little square photo.

“No, no! It’s okay! You guys are here nearly as much as us, you belong in the picture too. It’s good!” Bunny giggled and smiled at the officers and the photo before passing it around the table then placing it in her bag.

Around 10 minutes passed, filled with banter, chatter of the day, and consuming the unhealthy amount of cheese and hashbrowns they ordered collectively.

Seeing as everything was attended to, Diane, the waitress, leaned over the counter to speak to the men.

“Hows that case been going for you boys? Any new leads?”

“Not a one.” Finchworth shook his head and placed his somewhat round chin in his hand. “Just another call about holes in the ground.”

Rose looked up from her eggs and froze, listening.

“Another one?” Diane huffed, clearly empathizing with Finchworth’s frustration.

Officer Brady piped in, “yeah! The Eugene’s farm this time. Big, deep gashes in the crop fields that hurt the plants and the livestock. Everything is fine except the topsoil and earth is all charred and burnt. Sometimes the animals fall in and get hurt or they get burnt too. But theres no evidence of anybody. No kids with lighters or shovels, not a trace of anything.”

The air grew tense as Officer Brady’s eyes flitted over to lock with Rose’s now wide ones.

“What?” Brady challenged, with fear edging his voice.

“That’s been happening to other people too?” Rose swallowed heavily. “Its been happening on the edges of my property in the woods. My cats are afraid to go outside and my birds wont nest in the trees because they’re afraid more will fall.”

Officer Brady dug in his pocket for his notepad and pen.

Big K Energy

Bats, dogs, crows, beetles

Has a large weakness for dogs, especially afterlife/ghost dogs. She often visits pet cemeteries to call the dogs to play.

Is an demon !! (Salt is the enemy)

Neutral and dark color palette, wears majority black or dark colors, but isn’t opposed to lighter colors.

Is in fact a demon taking on a human form, but has strong doubts of the spirit world/afterlife/ghosts. Is very realistic and science based in her beliefs, (much like Christians vs agnostics)

She has been alive for hundreds of years, knows extensive history of the world, has witnessed the rise and falls of industries, and knows many languages such as Latin, English, Japanese, and Korean.

Musky and heavy scents appeal to her. Dark, cologne-y, woody.

Appreciates the earth, life, and things that are temporary.

Has an odd fascination with death, as she is (probably) immortal, often wonders what death is like.

Has dark night time energy, but values sleep and thoroughly enjoys the human experience of checking out for 10-12 hours. (This does not mean she likes the day either, she prefers to be inside doing things. Major homebody.)

Big Rose Energy

P L A N T W I T C H

Her familiars include birds, mostly local finches and songbirds, cats, and a snake or two.

Has a very green thumb, plants growing all over her home, and she tends to poke around in other peoples plants too, blessing them with a little green magic.

Intimidating Swamp recluse on the outside, chill swamp recluse (who enjoys friends and having fun) on the inside.

Is also an ancient being who is bilingual, speaking latin, English, Italian, and french.

Likes making new uses for used or found objects. She has MANY tips for storage in her cabin.

Listens closely. Although she is a powerful witch, she prefers to blend, but this Grants her access to knowledge most people wouldn’t think she knows.

Uses potions and tinctures for benefitting her plants and crops. She grows a good majority of the food she eats in her garden, whispers healthy her spells to her growing plants, and buries sigils with her new seedlings to promote joy and good intentions.

Simple color palette based on nature, muted, and gentle on the eyes. Greens, browns, whites, blues.

Enjoys time alone in her bog! She loves the little marsh creatures, especially the frogs and lightning bugs. (She is very glad she found a home in the swamp! It makes her happy!)

Makes her own wine & grinds her own coffee

Big Cyphus Energy

Trust issues, wandering mind, indecisive, tendency to need validation.

Is always working on breaking old habits and doing better for herself.

Needs to be warm! She’s a snake, idiot! Warm beds, warm coffee, warm house, warm clothes (someone to warm her heart?)

Loves her friends, even though she might come off a bit hesitant to open up.

Has a strong connection to animals, mostly reptiles (duh) and likes to keep them as pets. (She won’t keep a snake in an enclosure, however, her “pet” snake, Syrup, is a free range snake who comes and goes as she pleases, but always returns to Cyphus’s home at night when the weather cools down)

Is sometimes self conscious of her body, given her vitiligo and you know, snake body.

Loves yellows, greens, blues, and whites! Happy color palette!

Snake body is VERY STRONG. She often works out by stretching her Snakey muscles, climbing trees, and navigating rough terrain.

She sleeps in a canopy bed with blackout canopies. She can stretch out or curl up. She sometimes falls asleep on the support beams in her ceiling though, with her noodle body draped around the beams.

She loves coffee. Needs coffee. Constantly has it coursing through her veins. (She says it’s a heat source but has she heard of like, tea?)

Can have very stupid moments, but has the best intentions.

Big Bunny Energy

Rabbit? Cryptid Thing with wings? Bird? Who knows.

Looks like she belongs, or came out of, the late 80s. Loves 80s music, fashion, the aesthetics. Everything.

Is a cryptid/legend of the town itself. Some tourist named her “the breezy bunny” online and it stuck. She is loved by the town, and the town keeps her, and her friends, safe from amateur ghost hunters looking for their next article.

Obsessed with Halloween and scary things. Loves skulls, skeletons, ghosts, trick or treating, and the creepy vibe of it all. She loves supervising the town children when they go out for candy.

She lives in a small treehouse-like home, built into an outcropping/little cave of a large, rocky hillside, supported by trees who are older than the town. Her home is high off the ground, accessible by a less than ideal trail, rock stairs, or flying.

She sleeps in a hammock in the rafters of her home (she does have a mattress on the ground though, just in case)

Loves to explore feelings and thought. She observes humans and their behaviors, and she offers what she’s learned to her friends. She asked Dr. Shepherd at the clinic what it was to learn about peoples problems and want to help them, and he said it was called Psychology? Hm. That’s really interesting! She loves helping and making people Better!

Often wears blues, deep reds, greys, and blacks. Very calming color choices, but is not afraid of brighter colors!

Loves to make others laugh. Often jokes to help people through things, but had to learn the hard way when enough was enough.

She has some issues concentrating and getting tasks done, she has a lot of energy that needs to be released (tics & stims based off IRL mental illness) and she often taps, fidgets, and has trouble structuring her words.

K, her best friend, taught her human behaviors, English, and helped shape her into less of a cryptid, and more into something society wouldn’t balk at.

Is loyal, loving, empathetic, and wants to do her best to help and give to whoever she cares about.

Big Nola Energy

Voodoo witch!

Specializes in tarot cards, potion making, and spells. She also speaks spells and good intentions into her cooking.

Loves PURPLE ! Amethyst, lavender, flowers, anything!

Her hair is naturally red, but might be enhanced by her magic (and hair dye)

BIG into astrology, (is a VIRGO) she and Bunny always research astrology for their friends and the people they meet.

She is introverted and introspective, and can sometimes be difficult to open up and trust someone fully.

Loves practicing magic. She loves learning spells, whispering magic into her cooking, and speaking to the spirits and universe while doing tarot cards readings.

Although she is a witch, and will be alive for a long time, she is a very young witch, only being alive for roughly 40 years. She has not witnessed much rise and fall of the world around her. She has a lot to learn about practicing witchcraft, but is practicing a more modern form of magic, given that she is not several hundred years old. (a millennial witch for all intents and purposes)

she is rumored to be a rarity though, as not many redheaded witches made it to pass on their genes.

Her familiars include: cats, rabbits, and some butterflies and bumblebees.

She feels very connected to the moon and stars. She does her best work under the cover of night, but with the helpful light of the moon.

She has several home-done tattoos, with ink she whispers a spell to, and the tattoo forms on her skin. She doesn't know what it will be, but it is whatever she is feeling and needing at the time. (yes, it is just as painful as a normal tattoo, but much faster.) 

This is “The Breezy Bunny” or just Bunny! (she is the character based off of me!) She is a humanoid being (a cryptid LMAO), with features of a rabbit, and she has wings! She has large rabbit ears and rabbit-like feet. (her ears are pierced as well) She has some freckles, too. Her legs are very strong, as she loves climbing and jumping, and she usually jumps in the air and uses her wings to glide and help her stay up, rather than flapping them for takeoff. She is short/average height, standing at around 5′5, not counting her ears. She has a very grungey, goodwill, 80s and 90s, mashup aesthetic, her favorite clothing pieces being her jean jacket and choker. She is a unique and singular being, native to the woods of Breezy. She used to only be able to speak in clicks and chirps, until she met her lifelong friend, K, who taught her English and human behaviors. She likes to collect things, play on rocks and trees, and glide through the air at sunset. She is very inquisitive and she loves to listen, help her friends, and give assistance wherever it is needed, she also loves to observe and learn about humans, often making friends with everyone in town, and helping them with their problems. She is often the peacekeeper and comedian in the group, cheering others up and sharing her laughter with anyone who passes by.

another character addition to NE:BWV !! 

This is Nola, a humanoid-deer Witch, who specializes in voodoo magic, astrology, potion making, and fortune telling/ palm reading/ tarot card reading! She is a Virgo, and loves to use astrology as a means to connect with other people, and to herself. I designed her after a deer because deer can be incredibly symbolic and moving, but are very naturally graceful and delicate simultaneously. Her magic is really difficult to describe in short, so imagine a mix of “the shadow man” and “mama odie” from The Princess And The Frog. She has the power to call upon the spirits and beings from the other side to come to her aide when needed. She realizes voodoo can be very scary looking to someone on the outside, and while she would like to educate others that voodoo can be used for good, she likes the intimidation factor it gives her. She loves making tinctures, potions, mixes, and even using her talent for mixing things up into her baking and cooking. She is eccentric, grounding, and ethereal to all she meets. Although she has an untouchable, alluring persona, she is very sarcastic and blunt to her friends. She has massive, curly, red hair, small deer antlers, and dozens and dozens of freckles on her body, as well as a few home-done tattoos. She has a very whimsical aura, and is a grounding force for her friends, both here, and from beyond the grave.

This is Rose, a green/plant witch, who resides in Breezy. She has the abilities to speak to plants, work magic with them, and even summon them within reason. She lives in a cabin DEEP in the woods, where the river that runs through Breezy has little offshoots and makes marshy, everglade-y, swampy areas. Her cabin is elevated and she has a man-made pathway through the swamps and the forest. She loves to sit on her wide, vine-covered porch and talk to her marsh friends and familiars, like her Cats, frogs, and songbirds. She prefers to be alone, but she does enjoy the company of friends and her human boyfriend. She is an ancient being and can speak several languages such as English, French, Latin, and Italian. She has massive, long, curly hair, and two tattoos. Well, one is a swamp themed leg sleeve, and the other is a sunflower on her shoulder. She is naturally beautiful, with high eyebrows and delicate, yet commanding features that can seduce anyone, from human boys to mermaid girls. She loves the softness and power of art and music, and can often be found painting by her window while listening to gentle piano music. She also dabbles in coffee, both making and consumption. She grinds her own coffee, creates her own mixtures, and loves experimenting with different blends. She also loves tea and loves to turn her herbs into tea, along with the rest of her garden that she uses as her main source of food. She is very in touch with herself, her plants, and the earth itself. She is quietly loyal and strong, and she cares greatly for the friends who have proved themselves trustworthy to her.

She is half human, half snake, named Cyphus!

 The name is short for Ithycyphus, a genus name of a species of snake from Madagascar. (The IRL friend really likes snakes and reptiles). She has the ability to produce venom (from the short fangs she keeps tucked away unless as a last resort), and can use her massive ass snake body to coil around things (friends to hug, enemies to immobilize, we’ll see..) She has vitiligo and freckles, much like the snakey patterns on the rest of her body, and a small section of her head is shaved, above her heavily pierced ear. Although she prefers to stay at people-height, she can comfortably extend to about 12 feet tall, with some tail left for balance. She relies partially on external heat sources for warmth, much like her real cold-blooded counterparts. She loves sunlight, heaters, blankets, lamps, and her favorite: black coffee. She can be reclusive and a loner sometimes, but her group of friends knows how to help her shed her past skin and open up into the better version of herself. She has bright yellow-green eyes with slit pupils as well that often intimidates strangers. Her blood may be cold, but her heart is warm!

This is K, or Ka- Wait! I can’t tell you her full name! Humans and other mythical beings are forbidden from uttering demons’ names, lest they bring about death and destruction! She is an ancient (possibly immortal?) demon, who has been alive for hundreds of years. She speaks several languages, and has witnessed an insurmountable amount of history in front of her eyes. She has the ability to shape-shift to a certain degree, use telekinesis, and teleport short distances. She loves reading, learning, and obtaining knowledge about the ever changing world around her, especially the little part of the worlds history she missed happening. Despite being a homebody she does enjoy spending time with her best friend, Bunny. The wings, horns, and tail are virtually never on display, but she does have them if she chooses to bring them out (her wings are more for direction and steering rather than actual flight). She stands tall, lean, and slightly intimidating to the average  unknowing stranger. She is a realist based in science, and often questions her own existence, and has doubts about the afterlife/ spirit world/ and her role as a demon who roams the earth. With the changing of the world and society as she ages with it, she has taken a large liking to social issues humans concern themselves with, like the rights of mortals, especially how women are seen in human society. She is grounding, extremely smart, and passionate about the things she loves and enjoys.