disturbia *

   “oh,” ari nodded, surprised - but almost overwhelmed with her sense of relief. she wasn’t going to be accosted again, it seemed, and they didn’t have to talk about her misjudgment, her deceit; and carter’s obvious reaction to it. however the topic that carter did want to suggest had ari feeling almost just as nervous; she nearly regretted choosing such a public place. it seemed dangerous to discuss something so freaky, but then again, what else did regular goth girls talk about?

   not that ari could ever pass as goth, even if she were to try.

  “yes, i believe that is a big importance to us, especially right now. if i were to be honest, i have no idea quite what i am doing, nor how it works. but i am willing to try,” ari clarified, hoping that carter would not bank too much on her abilities. 

“Yeah, well— I can help with that; my magic is uhm, do you know what necromancy is?” Was that a stupid question? She wasn’t sure— she just assumed most people probably didn’t just casually know what the hell a necromancer was. Her voice lowered to a whisper however, and she did lean in a bit, her dark eyes sparkling, sleek black hair pulled up in her signature high pony tail (did she wear her hair any other way? no).

“I know this is kind of sudden and random but, I didn’t want anyone to know in the beginning until I figured things out a bit.”

   salem provides limited enjoyment choices for someone like mason. while boston isn’t too far away and he supposes he can go back for quality entertainment, mason decides against it. something about the little town keeps him magnetically linked to it despite his beliefs that his aunt’s story about witches and real life magic will fall apart. while he is here though, he thinks he should make the most of it. 

   he leaves his friend’s house in favor of one of the public parks nearby. mason thankfully finds an empty basketball court and though it doesn’t compare with the ones he’s used to, it’s good enough. he lets muscle memory take over as he plays, enjoys the focus on his muscles rather than on his mind. he hopes for better nights of sleep as he takes out his energy on the court. it’s right then as mason worries that he makes a mistake and the ball bounces off the court. 

   “ hey there! ”   he says to the person who happens to be in the way of the ball.   “ can you catch that? ”

when: thursday, april 24th, evening

where: park on the outskirts of town

status: closed for @aidaxaman

This might possibly be one of the craziest weeks of her life— or at least in a long while. First the meeting with Genevieve, then her weird conversation with Ari and Maia, her strange night in the cemetery with Cole and then Aida suddenly disappearing, and honestly a multitude of other things. The mystery of who was behind the post submission and article still weighed heavy in her mind— but heavier still was the mildly terrifying possibility of witch hunters. The thought of them and what she had read about Joseph Bishop had been lurking in the back of her skull for days now.

Sighing softly, the Thai witch placed a badly rolled joint to her lips, the gloss flashing bright in the glow of the moon, inhaling the cannabis smoke mixed with tobacco; then exhaling back into the crisp night air. She was waiting for Aida— sure it was a strange place to meet, but there was a bit of awkwardness surrounding them due to current events. Many of the other witches were whispering about Aida and why she hadn’t been at the meeting, where she had gone, if she was involved or guilty in anyway- Carter didn’t listen to such nonsense. In fact it had made her a bit angry.

Was she hurt Aida had kept her out of the loop? Honestly a bit, but that didn’t mean she suspected her of anything— there was no way Aida had a hand in any of this mess. “I know it’s a weird place to meet and it’s late but, I kind of just wanted to relax and feel like a teenager smoking pot at the neighborhood park again—“ the necromancer began jokingly when she heard and saw the electric witch approaching. She took another drag of her spliff before awkwardly clearing her throat, leaning her back against one of the trees in the park.

“Long time no see.”

[Fast forward to the evening of Monday, April 27th]

Three days ago Aida had met Carter in this park with far less information than she had now. While it wasn’t necessarily a long time, three days was all it had taken for things to change for the 15 of them. The meeting Aida had attended at Lucrezia’s had started off tense and chaotic but by the end of it, she felt confident in the fact that they’d made some leeway. Things were on the right path surely. Aida had talked to Ari, came up with a plan to find out something more than what they already knew. Things seemed to fall into place.

Only, there was a gnawing feeling in Aida’s chest. Carter was like a sister to her, reminded her so much of someone she’d lost a long time ago and Aida wanted nothing more than to protect and be there for her. Sure she hadn’t known the other girl for too long but in the time she had, their bond had grown, like flowers blooming in barren soil. And Aida had seen Carter at the meeting, scared, unsure, angry, and worst of all defeated when it seemed like all the other girls were against her. She needed Carter to know that despite everything, Aida was on Carter’s side. Always.

Aida sits next to her, much like she had a few days ago, and lets her head fall on Carter’s shoulder. “Are you going to be smoking again today?” She teases, referring to the last time they’d met here. And truthfully, if Carter was, Aida might just join her. Right now she needed something to relax. Her head rests on Carter’s shoulder for a minute or so before she picks it up and looks at her. “Are you doing okay?” And it might be an odd question but it’s what she wants to know more than anything right now.

when: April 22nd, noon

where: Carter’s suite at the town Bed n Breakfast

status: Closed starter for @lucrezia-venus​

Perhaps she should get a real place to live- not the nicest suite at the town bed and breakfast, as it wasn’t like money was an issue for her after…inheriting her parents fortune after their murders…but for some reason she really loved the quaint little bed and breakfast. She loved the owner and her family, an elderly woman and her orphaned teenaged grandkids, they had sort of become a family to Carter as well- after all she was an orphan herself now. The sound of a knock broke her from her thoughts- caw! caw! Andrei croned in surprise at the sound, flapping his wings excitedly and hopping up and down at his usual place at the kitchen windowsill above the sink. “Quiet! I don’t know if she likes birds or not yet, so shoo!” she huffed at the raven, waving a hand threateningly in his direction before reaching to open the door.

It was only fair this time they met at her place after meeting at Luce’s last time- so far her relationship with Lucrezia had been a lot of- talking, and hanging out. That wasn’t bad of course, but Carter couldn’t remember the last time she felt so normal. Which was ironic because when the blonde and asian witch were together, their conversations never had anything normal about them. But Carter really wanted to trust the other, she was smart in a pragmatic and realistic way- smart in the exact way that Carter wasn’t- so the necromancer found herself highly valuing the other girl’s thoughts and opinions- so much so she often seeked the other out first. 

Swinging the lavender colored door open to her suite, #344, on the top (3rd) floor of the bed and breakfast. The interior was simple, a colorless, characterless studio apartment. The furniture was all in shades of blacks and greys- there were no decorations on the walls of the tables- the curtains were lacey and black. Its not that Carter had anything against color or- decorations…it just wasn’t exactly her thing. Whenever she tried to match colors and decorations and envision what she wanted her apartment to look like well…her mind went blank, unable to make sense of it all. So she left it simple, an empty canvas. 

“Lucrezia, hi, thanks for coming…” Carter stepped aside to allow the blonde to enter, suddenly self-conscious of how plain her place looked in comparison to the bedazzling and glamorous older woman. 

At exactly three o’clock she arrived suite #344 on the third floor of the local bed and breakfast with three things of note on her persons.  She felt quite suddenly inundated by the number and her Italian superstitions were having none of it.  “At least the room number varies,” she hissed, looking down at her feet with a shiver. 

It had followed her. The god damn rat had refused to leave her side since  the picnic a day prior.  It had taken half her energy to keep the vermin concealed the entire night (she still had to deep cleanse her Coach).  Now, she’d nearly given up.  If they were meant to be gathering and practicing magic, she could make peace with the idea this rat may be necessary. Luce didn’t like it, but she would suck it up.  Besides, it seemed no one would take notice of the charmed beast.

“I’m shocked you live here,” Luce noted, but it was not a judgement as much as honest. “Do I have to make finding you a home my next task?”  She’d been forced to adapt her outfit to the backpack slung to her shoulders, as it was the only item of fashion she had which could carry the Grimoire.   As she swept into Carter’s suite, she placed the bag delicately by the couch. “I’m sure I could figure out something more…accommodating.”

When: Sunday, April 26th, after both meetings, 11:00AM

Status: closed for @jupitersari

Anxiety. The emotion filled every crevice of her being, seeking into every atom of her reality. Perhaps she was being dramatic for no reason— all of this just in her head. But on the chance that it wasn’t— well, she was scared. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves as she waited for the fellow dark-haired witch to join her. She had arrived first unsurprisingly in way, already sitting at their table, drink and menu in hand as she waited. Patiently. Silently. You have to tell her before the seance— it would be wrong not to, she reminded herself haughtily. Lucrezia had made a valid point Friday night after the first meeting; her necromancing might potentially make a seance dangerous. She tapped her fingers against the clean glass cafe table, absent-mindedly scanning the menu a few times before setting it down, glancing around the quaint little restaurant. Where was she?

Where: Coffeebar (brunch café)

When: Sunday, April 26th, after both meetings, 11:00AM

Status: closed for @jupitersari

Anxiety. The emotion filled every crevice of her being, seeking into every atom of her reality. Perhaps she was being dramatic for no reason— all of this just in her head. But on the chance that it wasn’t— well, she was scared. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves as she waited for the fellow dark-haired witch to join her. She had arrived first unsurprisingly in way, already sitting at their table, drink and menu in hand as she waited. Patiently. Silently. You have to tell her before the seance— it would be wrong not to, she reminded herself haughtily. Lucrezia had made a valid point Friday night after the first meeting; her necromancing might potentially make a seance dangerous. She tapped her fingers against the clean glass cafe table, absent-mindedly scanning the menu a few times before setting it down, glancing around the quaint little restaurant. Where was she?

Did she regret Friday night? No. Did she forgive Ariadne? No. But did she want to know more about the witch hunters? Protect the others? Protect herself? Yes. And unfortunately for Carter’s personal grudges against the astral witch— her self preservation instincts were stronger than her anger.

   Though usually quite punctual, Ari had hesitated before entering the cafe. She couldn’t imagine how this little meet-up would go - the dark cloud that had hung over Carter Saturday, and their near-blows altercation from Friday still rang painfully in Ari’s mind. Never in her life, a privileged one she’d led, had someone come at her with such accusational venom. Even now, Ari felt nervous, reluctant to meet in private and choosing a public place for whatever would become the events of the late-morning. 

   Though usually quite punctual, Ari had hesitated before entering the cafe. She couldn’t imagine how this little meet-up would go - the dark cloud that had hung over Carter Saturday, and their near-blows altercation from Friday still rang painfully in Ari’s mind. Never in her life, a privileged one she’d led, had someone come at her with such accusational venom. Even now, Ari felt nervous, reluctant to meet in private and choosing a public place for whatever would become the events of the late-morning. 

   “Carter,” Ari greeted, slipping into the chair across from her. Her smile, though tense, was not cold - she was careful to remain looking poised, and relaxed. “Have you ordered? I do not feel hungry-” How could she, with the growing pit gnawing away in her stomach?” “But please, feel free to eat. I believe we have much to discuss.” 

“Hi-” She said snapping her head up from the menu, gently closing it and setting it aside as the astral witch approached and seated herself. There was an obvious air of awkwardness and tension, but Carter had no intention of attacking Ariadne- at least not today. “Yeah, uhm, I just got an appetizer, I’m still feeling a little weird after the last two days.” She responded neutrally, trying to keep her expression and tone void of any aggression or awkwardness. 

“Thanks for meeting with me to talk, believe it or not I actually don’t want to talk about your- confession. But rather, the seance thing.” She paused, taking a deep breath, should she just dive right into it? Just blurt it out? Get straight to the point? She had no idea how to broach the subject of her powers to Ariadne- mostly because she had not a sliver of an idea of how the other might react; so she had no way to prepare or anticipate- she was going in blind. 

Dark magic sleepovers are fun! Just be sure to take all precaution and be surrounded by your witchy friends at all moments.