[x]

The pun was enough to both have Atieno narrowing their eyes at Neff but also letting out an amused huff.  It’s so damn obvious that it comes back around to be kind of funny.

“Yeah, yeah. I would know.. huh.“

Perhaps they should have seen that coming, given Neff’s history with puns every now and then.

Still, they did seriously listen to her comment about adjusting to this life she had going on now. Such changes were never particularly easy so they couldn’t help but hear her out.

“I get how it would be hard to adjust. You’d think 2 years is plenty of time but.. as you said it’s also very much not. So there’s still so much for you to take in, learn about. And having a deity that’s not helpful in the least only makes things more difficult.“

“I mean yeah it makes sense that it would still be exhausting. You can get a better understanding of why she is the way she is while still being kind of over it. Especially since you’ve had to figure out so much about yourself in the meantime.“

It was something simple planned  for the two to spend a night out. For him and Neff to go out and just hang out together at a nice restaurant and dress up in formal attire. He made the reservations and time, making sure it was fine by her and what days was good for her. Preparing before heading out to pick her up, using one of the many cars available to him and anyone else really in this organization. Nice night out, a taxi wasn’t fitting for this. Dressed in the usual black dress shoes and pants, with a black vest and purple button up. Nothing too new but his hair had a different look. Tied back in a high ponytail, his bangs slicked back to stay out of his eyes said for a few strands. It was rare he dressed up for something he genuinely wanted to do and he was going to go all out here. 

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Credit: KEVIN PAGÈS

//  As Minato hesitates in front of the café, the people who pass by cast him an irritated look as they maneuver past him. Of all places, he didn’t think a shrink would exist with no advertisement to speak of and he was far from a person who’d trust the word of mouth but at this point he was desperate. 

   He entered the store, spotting the person in question seated near the back of the café. He swallowed and approached, putting his school bag down as he sat. Across from him babbled a blonde covered in piercings and his neck weighed down with spiritual amulets that had it’s gold paint chipped off. 

   “ I heard you can enter dreams? ” Minato enquired, sweat covering his brow. He rubbed his eye, decorated with dark circles. 

   The man gave him assurance, producing a cheap glass ball from his duffle but not before presenting him with a piece of paper. Monthly payment. No guarantee. 

   He picked up the pen. If it could make it go away then money is not an issue...

Andrew couldn’t help but, be in awe at her work. He was still convinced she was going to become famous one day. How could he not with how skilled she was? 

She was mid sip when she notices the door opening, holding that position as she watches him emerge and close it behind him. She stares at him for a good few seconds before putting the mug down, pausing said video, and removing one of the pads of her headset from her ears.

"So how many times now does that make you coming out of the closet?"

❝     nine or ten times at th’ least here.     ❞          his  reply  was  effortless,  though  he  was  partly  surprised  that  he  was  in  neffs  house.  his  key  usually  spat  him  out  at  locations  he  felt  safe  at  a  distance.  he  was  half  expecting  shibuya  but  this  was  america.  he  hadn’t  connected  the  fact  that  he  had  wanted  to  see  neff  as  to  why  he  was  here,  yet.  the  fact  he  didn’t  feel  sick  immediately  and  that  he  wasn’t  having  any  strong  adverse  effects  to  using  his  magic  for  long  distances  was  a  tribute  to  the  growth  of  his  power  (especially  of  late).  

once  he  was  sure  the  lock  did  it’s  job;  he  carefully  pressed  away  from  the  door  and  backed  up  to  watch  it  intently.  there  was  a  loud  crashing  sound  that  reverberated  through  the  walls;  like  something  had  run  against  it  and  stammed  into  the  door  which  made  the  witch  run  into  neffs  kitchen  to  find  the  salt  in  the  cabinet.  sliding back  into  the  hall,  he  slid  to  his  knee  and  laid a thick  line  of   salt  down along  the  door  to  keep  the  entity  that  was  following  him,  out. 

❝     shit- shit- shit- shIT- SHIT--       ❞