#avdaciter

yong sun didn't need to be anywhere for hours, the sun had barely fully risen yet. so of course the dragon was painting, no noises bothering him, only surrounded by the gentle sounds, crickets and rustling, in his garden. surely there were others walking about portum, creatures of all times living there. but in his own personal sanctuary, his loved ones were sound and sunni wasn't expecting anyone else for a couple of hours, at least. a new scent interrupts his senses, pulling him from the canvas in front of him, to follow the scent of dried fruit and green tea. he looks down one of the flower less paths to see aurora walking towards him, saucer in hand. ❝ could i convince you to sit for five minutes?, ❞ he asks while taking the teacup from her, cupped in a paint stained hand and sipping with a deep hum. ❝ are you having trouble sleeping? ❞ he makes room, pats a spot on the grass in attempt to have her stay for a bit. its too quiet for rory, but sunni had always enjoyed the peace and quiet — once he got used to it and it wasn't so jarring. but instead of waiting for the gorgon, he pushes into his free hand and stands, putting an arm around his oldest and dearest friend, leading her back inside. ❝ i can help if you're worried you'll wake sol. ❞

Her fingers practically danced along the aged edges of yet another row of records, delicately lingering between two like she was searching for something in particular. There was an art to it, the same art she had when sculpting or cooking or reading in braille, but different in the sense that these thick paper sleeves were currently inaccessible to her. But that was what made record shopping exciting, especially since Heng had acquired the record store and they'd brainstormed a system, of sorts. Fate had to guide her hand.

One deep, centred breath later, she pulled one record up from the bin, then held it between both palms in the careful sort of way a seasoned record collector always did. Especially for something that felt so aged.

"How about this one?"

It was getting late. And the moon...well, it was getting full. Skylar had never been so irresponsible. You would think that after twenty-something odd years, she'd stop making this one monumental mistake. But she was becoming loose at the seams and that was clear as day. "Get a grip, Skylar." She muttered to herself through clenched teeth, her neck rolling as she resisted the shift. Just a couple more minutes. Just a few more strides and she could give into the snow moon.

hansa didn't have many traditions in her life. not anymore. a connection whose only tether was random phone calls here left her distant from her parents; no matter how much the gorgon missed them. missed her mom. she was the one who kept little things alive for hansa. and though years of store bought dumplings could never live up to her mother's, they were something to enjoy when they talked on the phone during the lunar new year. this year was a little different though. there was complete shock when hansa called earlier in the month, asking for a recipe — she'd never been one for the kitchen. but if anyone was to help her recreate her little dumplings of joy, it was linus. hansa's only request ( insistence, really ) was to let her buy the ingredients. the ryeo household became quite comfortable to hansa over the past few weeks. which was a shock to her given how her first visit ended. she was sure it'd be the last. even worse, she didn't expect to see or hear much from linus anymore. maybe leo was the bridge, she wasn't sure, but linus still kept her close. closer, lately. as soon as the door shuts behind her, shoes are off, coat and bag are dropped in a small pile on the floor, and her pets make their way through linus' home. she leaves her mess, only bringing a bag to the kitchen where she finds the wolf. ❝ hi. ❞ she kisses his cheek and puts the things down on the counter. ❝ i got all the things on the list and ... , ❞ one hand grabs his while the other reaches in her back pocket, pulling out a red envelope, placing it in his hand. ❝ i have one for leo, too. ❞ she waves it but sets it aside. ❝ where is he? ❞

charvitha really did love an 'i told you so', moment. maybe the council wasn't behind everything, but they certainly weren't who they pretended to be. this town wasn't what it promised, either. but in the midst of everything, the siphon left her personal feelings buried. for now. bisma and fang were always by her side and the young girl had seen quite enough of what her mother could do. she didn't need to know the monster lurking within charvitha that well. how she ever made such an earnest child was still a mystery, bisma pulling her wagon through the messy streets with fang by her side. she had such determination, vitha couldn't help the smile she wore. it was wiped away, noticing kareem in the distance. bisma seemed to notice too and waves as they near him. she gives vitha a questioning glance. ❝ be careful with his leg, ❞ she gives bisma a nod and the girl takes off, with fang a soft trot at her side. she hugs the other witch on their good side. 'we're bringing coffee and snacks to the clinic. want some?' charvitha sighs as she nears and gives bisma a gentle smile. ❝ how about you give us a few minutes and then pour us both some? ❞ it felt odd to be standing out there, the reminder of the bloodshed still everywhere. ❝ how's theo? ❞ maybe he could see she wasn't the enemy anymore, they just had some slight ... differences.

benny knew he told the gorgon no a million times and yet always knew when it was coming. it was actually kind of nice, having someone that saw something in his passion and efforts, regardless of the surliness that came from him whenever she began again. this night was different, though. when she called about needing help with something, he knew it was a rouse; a way to get him in private so she could start her nonsense. ❝ don't even start with whatever bullshit you came up with, ❞ he gives her a pointed look while walking in, carrying a couple of bags. ❝ actually, you can. ❞ there's a glint of mischief in the shifter's eyes, wondering what she had to say, this time, anyway. ❝ but, while you give your little speech, i'm cooking and you're eating. that, or i'll go. ❞

sasha didn't mind working alone, they did like to have someone to bounce ideas off of from time to time. however, cars? pretty simple for the genius. they still didn't like being alone — not in portum, at least. but they were at the shop by themselves for the moment, blasting music to keep their busy mind quieted while scribbling out some plans. even with their senses, they get so wrapped up they don't hear someone approach until they're in front of the desk. sash lets out a little scream before turning the music down. ❝ i don't think i can have a heart attack anymore, but you almost gave me one! ❞ their head shakes, eventually giving a nervous smile. ❝ so what can i do for ya? ❞

aurora reminded jaime of his sisters and he fucking hated it. annoyingly trying to get him to do things with her — for her. he'd scowl whenever she walked into the back of spell & bourbon — where he was currently plating a couple of desserts for a table. but it was always fun to get to do something a little more experimental. he'd never give them the satisfaction of making his work there official though. ❝ were you at the firehouse today?, ❞ asked while handing over the plates to a server waiter and telling them to be careful. ❝ i swear you don't stop. ❞