#task 19

                                     ---------------------------------------------   

As he grew into an awkward, gangly teenager, he started to put the pieces together. He’d be left alone some evenings while they went to mysterious meetings passed off as work-related, despite being long after dark and all the way in the main District center. When his grandmother became sick and moved in, there were arguments about whether or not she was a weak spot, a liability. If she’d be better off with someone else. Alder tried not to think about whether or not they’d had the same arguments about him.  He knew long before they died that they were rebels, acting in a small, grassroots group in Seven hoping to grow a new revolution. For a secret organization, most in Seven seemed to know something of it, whether it be in quiet whispers in school halls or exchanges high up in the trees during working hours. Alder wasn’t stupid, he worried for them, but never thought it would take them away from him. There were always larger threats that seemed ever present living as they did- work accidents, hunger, sickness, Reapings.  Alder went to school as normal on December 5th, 115. He shoved his usual breakfast in his mouth as he ran late, tried to squirm away from his mom’s hug and muttered something about it being embarrassing. His dad called after him to be good, he loved him, and Alder rolled his eyes on the way out the door. It was the last time he saw either of them, and looking back, he felt he should have known. His mother’s touch had lingered a few seconds longer than usual. His dad usually said when to expect them home.  The only thing left of them after the Peacekeepers crushed the uprising in the lumberyards were ashes and his mother’s wedding band. After their deaths, he’d sit up, awake, staring at the smoldering ashes of the fire in their small furnace and turning it between his fingers. How could they do this to him? Risk themselves like that if it meant they might leave him? How could they abandon him here to figure this all out alone? As he grew, though, he slowly began to understand. He continued in school, but had to work long hours at the end of each day just to get by, feed himself and quickly deteriorating grandmother. Take out tesserae. Go hungry some nights when it just wasn’t enough, only to get scolded for underperformance at his work, at school. Panem didn’t care about him or anyone else in Seven.  It wasn’t until he was Reaped and in the Games that he fully understood what his parents had risked themselves for. The luxury and excess of the Capitol threw into sharp contrast the poverty at home, that he found knowingly in the eyes of the other tributes. Panem had chosen him to die for no reason except pleasure and control they did not earn, they did not deserve. He was a plaything and an example, they intended to make a public execution of him for his parents’ transgression of wanting better for him. 

Qhuinn Qhuinn was excited about the project with Skyler. Even though she wasn't technically a student and didn't have to participate in things like this, she enjoyed it. As long as they didn't come with some kind of evil twist. And she assumed that this one didn't, as what could the school possibly fuck up about an interview? Maybe she was being naive, but it seemed like a perfectly safe thing. So she and Sky settled on a date and decided to meet at her house. After getting her questions together and making sure there were plenty of drinks and snacks to get them through the day, as well as new toys to amuse Remus and Luna, she settled down to wait to Sky to get there.

 Skyler Skyler was always ready to spend time with Qhuinn, and this was no exception. The interview seemed like a fun thing to do, and she wasn’t at all nervous or wary. This was Qhuinn, after all she was someone that Skyler considered a best friend, and she trusted her immensely. She had slid into a comfy pair of camouflage sweats and a T-shirt she’d ordered with a picture of Doc on it, flipping his upper lip upwards. She arrived at Qhuinn’s, knocking on the door, bouncing gently on the balls of her feet.

 Qhuinn Per usual, Remus's bark preceded any knock that she got to her door. Grinning, she got up and ruffled his thick white fur, the made her way to the front door. So far today had been a good day, and she hoped that things stayed that way so that she could enjoy her time with Sky. "Who is it? Huh boy? Who do you think?" She asked the Samoyed, as he bounded at her side. Opening the door, she greeted Skyler with a grin and a hug, chuckling at her shirt. "Oh my god, that's great. C'mon in!"

 Skyler Skyler beamed at her friend, returning the hug, before stepping inside. “Hey!” She giggled. “And, thanks. I thought it was pretty perfect,” she teased. She of course, then had to run her fingers over the Samoyed’s fur. “Hello, to you, too, handsome,” she giggled. “I do hope you have snacks,” she teased Qhuinn. “Preferably something sweet. Maybe, some chocolate? Yes?” She giggled. “How’ve you been? And, thanks for doing this with me!”

 Qhuinn "It's hysterical, makes me want to get something with my goofball's faces on it too" Qhuinn laughed, giving the blonde one more squeeze then leading her into the kitchen. Where a small but tasty little spread was laid out. "But of course! I've got chicken salad and croissants if we want sandwiches, some pretzel bites with beer cheese, and of course some cupcakes and brownies, which should take care of the chocolate thing" She teased. "I've also got some lemonade, and we can make margaritas and order pizza if this goes into the night" Qhuinn grinned. "Oh I've been good thanks! What about you, how's Dom?"

 Skyler “You should!” She laughed. “We can be horse twins.” She grinned widely as Qhuinn listed off everything she had ready. “This is why we’re friends,” she teased. “You’re all kinds of prepared! I could start with a sandwich and lemonade, for sure. But, don’t doubt for a second that I’m not going to try everything,” she teased. “I’m good, too! Dom is really good. I’m so happy, and it’s nice to just feel like I’ve got a home again, you know?”

 Qhuinn "And we could get one for Emilia too! The horse sisters" She giggled, of course instantly loving the idea. It would suit them all perfectly. "Well, you know nothing makes me happier than feeding everyone" Qhuinn smiled widely, taking two plates and handing one to Skyler. She put a sandwich and cookie on her own. Her appetite was actually good that day, but she didn't want to make herself sleepy by eating too much. Today she needed to alert. "That's so good to hear, I'm glad that you're safe and happy with him. He's a really good guy. But I know I don't have to tell you that" She teased.

 Skyler: “That would be amazing!” She grinned. “Everyone would be jealous, I’m sure,” she giggled. She took her plate, and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, before finding a good spot to take a seat. “And, yes. He is. I feel as though I’m very lucky,” she grinned. She took a bite of her sandwich, humming happily. “This is amazing,” she giggled. “I almost forgot why I came here. Almost,” she teased, before opening her bag, and pulling out her pen and paper.  

 Qhuinn: "You're both lucky to have each other. I know how hard it was for you when Griff left, and if I'm not mistaken Dom lost someone too didn't he?" Qhuinn asked, taking a bite of her own sandwich. She already has a nice long tumbler of iced coffee next to her but took a lemonade as well. "It's good to see you two taking care of each other. Plus..the sex must be phenomenal" She giggled teasingly. When Sky took out her pen and paper, Qhuinn smiled brightly. "Ah yes! Gotta remember to mix work and play" She giggled, firing up the laptop that was on the table. "Do you wanna go first? We can take turns, alternate questions?" She suggested.

 Skyler:“I feel the same,” she agreed, nodding. “I try real hard not to take what I have for granted. If losing Griff taught me anything, it was to cherish the good things, you know? I know he wouldn’t want me to be lonely and sad or anything like that.” She smiles softly at her friend. Then, she burst into giggles. “Oh, yes. The sex is definitely phenomenal,” she said. “There are zero complaints there,” she grinned. “Now, you better not turn this into a twenty questions, sex version,” she teased, giggling harder. She nodded, and grinned. “That sounds fair,” she said, before humming a little. “Okay, first question, then. “Do you have a song that you really relate to? If so, why?”

 Qhuinn: Qhuinn's gaze lowered at that, and she nodded with a sad smile. "I know. When Clay left, I didn't know what to do. But I got through it, with friends like you. And now he's back! Maybe one day, you and Griff will cross paths again too" She mused, reaching across the table and giving Sky's hand a squeeze as they laughed. "Oh..I can only imagine. Dom looks like he would know how to show a girl a good time in bed" She grinned, before they both decided to get down to business. With she and Sky though, she was sure there would be much more laughter. "Ooooh...that's a good one!" Qhuinn tapped her lips and thought for a moment, then smiled a bit. "Shake it Out, by Florence + the Machine. I've, you know..been through a lot in the last decade. Losing my family, being bit, and..what happened to me with that. And even though I try to stay strong and positive and more forward..I have a really hard time letting go of the past. It's something that I need to work on. But we're all a work in progress, right?" Qhuinn laughed lightly, before things got too dark already.

 "Okay, my turn! 'Of all your memories, which stands out most clearly?''

 Skyler: Skyler nodded, obviously understanding what her friend was saying. “I firmly believe everything happens for a reason. Even the crappy stuff makes us stronger, you know?” She smiled softly. A real laugh escaped, though, at her next words. “Oh, you’ve got that right,” she teased, giggling. “Dom is a fitting name,” she smirked. At her response to the question, Skyler took down some notes, smiling (if a bit sadly) at Qhuinn. “That’s amazing,” she murmured. “And, you’re right. We are all works in progress. Our past or present are not things we should be ashamed of.” She smiled softly at her.

 “Oh, gosh. This will be a surprise, I’m sure,” she laughed. “But, my first riding lesson. I’ve always loved horses, but it wasn’t until I learned to actually ride, that I realized just how freeing it could be! It’s my happy place,” she smiled.

 Qhuinn: "Yeah, I like to think that too. I may not feel stronger some days, but I know that I am. I feel like I've grown a lot as a wolf and a woman in the last few years" Qhuinn nodded, then laughed as well. "Oh yeah? Now that sounds like a story there. I may have to ask you a few more questions for extra credit" She teased. When she caught the hint of sadness to Sky's smile, she reached over and gave the woman's hand another squeeze. "You're right about that. I'm not saying I'm perfect, because I'm far from it. And I have done things that I'm ashamed of. But I can at least say that I've learned from them"

Qhuinn smiled widely at Sky's answer. "Oh yeah..that is so you" She teased. "I think that's wonderful though, and I can totally relate" She giggled. "So what's my next question!"

 Skyler:“Well, if it means anything, you’re one of the strongest women that I know,”

She smiled. She laughed out loud at Qhuinn’s teasing. “Naughty wolf!” She teased right back, shaking her head. “And, don’t you worry. None of us are perfect, but I like our imperfections. Makes us more interesting,” she shrugged.

“Oh, yes! I got sidetracked,” she laughed. “I blame the horse talk. Okay. Who was your best friend growing up? Do you still keep in touch? If you lost touch, what happened?”

 Qhuinn: Qhuinn flushed a little at that. She never thought of herself as strong, or at least not as strong as she could have been. So it was always nice to hear when others found her that way. She blushed and giggled when Sky called her naughty, but didn’t deny it. Dom was a sexy man, and the two of them had had their share of flirtations. “Yeah, they really do. Plus I’m the last person to judge anyone for their imperfections” Qhuinn laughed when Sky said that she got sidetracked, sure that that was going to happen to them both through the day.

“Well, it was a great answer” She agreed, then tilted her head as she contemplated her next question. “I think..my younger sister Meghan was my best friend. I had other friends but no one seemed to get me the way that she did. She died when I was fifteen though but..I like to think that we’re still close. I still talk to her a lot” Qhuinn explained, her smile soft. She was quiet for a moment, then gave Sky a brighter smile. “So! When you were young, what did you dream your future would look like?”

 Skyler: Skyler giggled, grinning at her friend. She knew there was a reason the two of them always got along. It seemed to her, that they had some very similar world views. It had always been easy for her to connect with Qhuinn, and she had always been glad that they had become friends. She listened to her talk about her sister, and she smiled softly. “She sounds like she was an amazing woman,” she said. “And, I guarantee you that she hears everything you say.” She wasn’t a very religious person, by any means, but she did like to think that those who passed, weren’t truly gone.

Skyler laughed a little at the next question. “Well, that may depend on how young we’re talking, but I went through a period where I thought I’d be an Olympic rider. Granted, they dream started off including a unicorn, which was before I knew about supernaturals,” she laughed. “But, I suppose it’s kind of changed throughout the years, as life has happened. But, I’ve always thought I’d end up doing something with people. I’m a social being, and I’ve always wanted to make a difference somehow.” She shrugged, smiling. “Your turn. If you could change one life changing experience, which one would it be and why?”

 Qhuinn: “Thanks Sky..that really means a lot. I know some may think that it’s unhealthy that I still talk and write to her, because it’s like..I’m not letting her go or something. But I have. I know she’s gone, I know that talking to her isn’t going to bring her back. But it makes me feel at peace, like she really is hearing me” Qhuinn smiled gently at the blonde, not at all surprised that her friend understood. They always had seemed to get each other.

Qhuinn was quiet and let her friend formulate her thoughts on her next question, but she couldn’t hold back her laughter at the unicorn part. “An Olympic unicorn rider..I like it” She teased. “I think you could totally make that a thing. But you will make a difference Sky. You’re an amazing person, how could you not!” Qhuinn smiled brightly, then contemplated her next question. “I wish..that I would have fought harder to save Jackson. I know that he had gone feral but..I can’t help but wonder if I could have helped him if I had had more time. I miss him a lot, I loved him even though I know that I probably shouldn’t have. God..everything that I’ve said has been such a downer! You sure you don’t want another partner?” Qhuinn laughed softly, shaking her head. She cleared her throat and took a sip of her lemonade, giving herself a minute before she gave Sky her next question.

“Tell me about your family. Do you have siblings? If so, are you close to them? Do you have a good relationship with your parents?”

 Skyler: “I really could, couldn’t I?” She giggled. “I could be the best Olympic unicorn rider, ever,” she giggled. She grinned a little at her friend’s words, nodding. “Well, thank you!” She said. “I really do try. I won’t say I’ll be the next president or something, but if I can help at least one person, I’ll be happy.”

She listened to Qhuinn’s words, and smiled softly. “If I know anything, I know this: you do everything you can for people you care about. And, I think that’s what matters most. No one can say that you don’t try,” she said softly. “And, no. I’m glad I have you,” she said matter-of-factly.

“I don’t have siblings,” she said. “As for my parents? Well, it’s my turn to be a downer,” she chucked. “I was close to my mom, but about the time my abilities hit, she took off and never looked back. And, my dad? He doesn’t get it. And his love is very conditional. He’s actually why I ended up a slave here. He cut me off, because I didn’t do what he wanted.” She shrugged a little. “I like to think my real family is the one I make,” she said.  

“As for you, when was the happiest moment in your life?”

 Qhuinn: “Okay, if that isn’t an actual category, it should be. With all of the unicorn stuff cropping up in the last few years? They could make a killing! Get with it, Olympics!” Qhuinn giggled too, thoroughly enjoying their time. In spite of the downs of some of their answers. Life wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and she was grateful to have someone like Sky to celebrate the good times and bad. “Hey, if you ever do run for President, you can count on my vote. And you’re totally right. I get hard on myself, because I’m supposed to be so ‘powerful’. But I feel like I don’t do enough. I do what I can though, always” She murmured, glad that the other understood.

Why Sky started to speak, Qhuinn could tell from the woman’s aura that it wasn’t going to be a happy answer. Reaching across the table, she took her friend’s hand a gave it a gentle squeeze, then began to type. “I..can relate to a lot of that. And I’m so sorry that it happened to you Sky, you didn’t deserve any of that. I couldn’t agree more though, I found my family here too. Like you” She grinned, then laughed lightly at the happy question. “Oh you’ll like this one! It’s the day that Meghan and I were given our horses. To this day, I still don’t know how our dad got them and why. But..I felt like it was the first time they actually saw me, and knew what I needed. Absinthe was my best friend and the best gift I could have ever been given. I miss her, and Meg’s horse too” She smiled softly.

“So! Are you more of an idealist or a cynic? An optimist or a pessimist?”

 Skyler: “Well, I’m glad I got at least one vote,” she giggled, grinning widely at her friend. “And, you do plenty. I promise. You do so much more than many around here, and that counts for so much.”

Skyler smiled at her friend, and squeezed her hand back. “Thank you. I know that’s true, but it still hurts. I get envious of those whose parents love their kids unconditionally, because I feel like that’s the way it’s supposed to be. But, on the other hand. I wouldn’t trade the friendships I’ve made here for anything, so I guess I have something to thank them for.”

She grinned at Qhuinn’s answer. “That sounds absolutely amazing!” She said. “I would have been ecstatic, too,” she giggled.

“I would say I’m definitely an idealist and an optimist,” she said. “I like to think the best and that anything can happen, even with all the crappy things that go on.” She smiled.

“Do you believe in true love?”

 Qhuinn: “Oh I think you’d get more than that. If I know Dom, he’d find a way to vote for you like..five hundred times or something” Qhuinn laughed, giving her friend a fond look. “Thank you, that means a lot. I’ll always wish that I could do more, but I am proud that I’ve stayed true to myself for this long”

Qhuinn sighed, nodding at Sky’s words and knowing so much how her friend felt. And not just because of her abilities. They had been given shit that no kid should have to deal with. “I know what you mean. I think..when you didn’t have that growing up, it really does make you value your friends and the family that you’ve made even more. You picked them, and they picked you. That’s a pretty strong bond, right?” She pointed out, grinning at Sky’s answer. “I had a feeling you’d say that. And that’s one of the reasons why I love you” She teased, wishing that she could share her friend’s outlook a little more often.

At her question, Qhuinn’s face softened into a gentle smile. “Yeah..I do. I really, truly do. It may be confusing, and..I may still be scared to let myself go. But I’ve felt love, and I’ve been in love. And it’s truly miraculous. I miss that feeling” She admitted in a whisper.

“Okay, be honest… are you easily influenced by others?”

 Skyler: “Yeah, you’re probably right about that,” she chuckled, grinning widely at her. “And, I completely agree. If anything, I’m glad I got to pick out my little family.” She smirked a little. “Well, if you thought I’d say I was a pessimist, I’d think I was doing something wrong,” she teased right back.

Skyler nodding, smiling at her friend. “Well, I think it’s the confusing and scary part of love that makes it exciting. And, I have no doubt that you’ll feel it again,” she smiled.

“Honestly? Probably, to an extent. I mean, I like to think I’m independent,” she said. “But, I’m a people pleaser, and sometimes, I find myself doing things in order to make people happy. Things I might not normally do. You know?”

“Okay, how do you manage your anger or hurt towards someone?”

 Qhuinn: “I can just see it now, horses running free along the White House lawns” Qhuinn teased, holding her hands out in front of her as if clearly picturing what she was describing. Which, of course, she was. “Oh yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t expect anything else, and it’s one of the many reasons that I love you” She told the blonde sincerely, with a warm smile.

Qhuinn gave a thoughtful hum at Sky’s words, though there was really nothing exciting about knowing that someone was going to be hurt, no matter what she did. She easily shook off those thoughts though, putting her focus into her friend’s answer.

“Oh yeah..I know for sure. I think we’re a lot alike in that respect. But I think you’re far more independent than I am. And I’m so glad that Dom doesn’t try to suppress that part of you” At her question, Qhuinn let out a small laugh. “This probably won’t be any surprise but..I have a tendency to internalize a lot. Especially hurt. I just..” She sighed a little, tucking a loose wisp from her ponytail behind her ear. “I usually think that I deserve it. That I did something wrong, and deserved to be hurt. So for that reason I’m usually much faster to forgive than I should be. Anger can be a lot of the same. I don’t want to lash out and lose control, and to hurt someone. So I just..deal with it. Push it away. Unless you’re messing with someone that I care about, then it’s on” Qhuinn explained, with a low chuckle.

“Okay!” She took a deep breath, then smiled. “When it comes to your thoughts and feelings, are you an open book or a locked vault?”

 Skyler: "Oh, my god, that would be amazing," she said, giggling. "I can see it, too. See? We were destined to be besties, if you ask me," she grinned, winking at her friend playfully.

"That's honestly something I love about him," she said thoughtfully. "He is a great dominant, and I'm proud to call him my master, but he lets me just be me, and that's something I wouldn't trade for the world, really." She bit her lip a litle bit, nodding. "Yeah, that's not surprising at all," she admitted. "I think we're a lot alike in that sense, too. When it comes to protecting myself, I just keep to myself. But, when it comes to someone I love, I can be a hellbitch," she laughed.

"I think I'm a pretty open book," she said. "I mean, I won't go out and tell the world that I'm upset or whatever, but if someone asks, I don't do the I'm fine thing. And, if someone asks my opinion on something? I don't mind giving it," she laughed. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"Okay, do you have any recurring dreams, and do you think they mean anything?" she asked curiously.

 Qhuinn: “It would certainly add some fun to the place. That’s it, you have to run now. You can’t get me all excited then change your mind” Qhuinn giggled, loving all of the stuff that they had in common. Even if they were qualities that she didn’t like about herself. Skyler carried them with strength and grace, and made her feel a little less alone. “That makes me so happy. You have such a spirit, and it would break my heart to see someone try to squash it. That would be one of the times when you would see my own hell bitch come out” She grinned. “There’s been times when..I’ve almost lost control. And it scared me, even though it was for someone that I loved” Qhuinn sighed, then grinned softly at Skyler.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing. You’re honest, but still like your privacy. I wish that I could stop the whole ‘I’m fine’ thing.” At her next question, Qhuinn gave another small smile. Sky was probably wishing she had a different partner by now..

“Yeah, I do have a few. Some are nice; when I see my sister, and get to talk to her. And others are..not so much. They’re the night that I was bit, and the night that Clay killed Jax. I think..that I reply them in my mind so much, even in my sleep, because I’m looking for what I could have done for things to have turned out differently. But I know that that’s no possible..because this is how things were supposed to be. I miss Jax..but he’s finally at peace” Qhuinn murmured, lifting her chin and giving Skyler a brave smile.

“So.. when you want something, do you dream about it or do you take action?”

 Skyler: Skyler smiled, nodding. She honestly felt so lucky to have a friend like Qhuinn, and she knew she wouldn't trade their friendship for anything. "Well, let's hope we don't ever see the hell bitch," she laughed. "I like you just the way you are." She smiled, nodding. "I get that. "I'm glad, though. That you have what control you do have," she murmured.

As she listened to her friend talk about her dreams, she watched her curiously. "I mean, it makes sense. Those are big moments. I think it would be weird, if you didn't dream about them, or if you didn't think about how things might be different," she murmured. "OUr subconcious parts are very...interesting, I guess you could say," she said. "It doesn't like to just leave things be."

"Honestly? I try and take action, but more often than not, I dream about it. I tend to not have a lot of faith in myself, that I can do things on my own, for myself. Coming to this school and then choosing to stay was a huge thing for me, because it's not in my usual character."

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?"

 Qhuinn: “Oh I would totally smack a bitch for you though. You’re more than worth it” She giggled, her smile warm. Qhuinn would totally thrown down for any of her friends, and Sky was firmly in that category. “I’m glad too, even though it’s not all just me. I’ll be forever grateful to Clara though, for doing this for me. It’s nice to feel like I can semi-function like a sorta normal person” Qhuinn chuckled.

Even though she didn’t want to upset her friend, Qhuinn couldn’t stop the tears from shimmering in her eyes as she spoke of her recurring dreams. It really didn’t surprise her either that they continued to come up, and that Jax was the main link. He was her making, they shared a bond no matter what fate had had in store for him. “Yeah, that is very true. And Jax and I had a bond. I just wish..that I could somehow see that he’s okay. I want to know that he’s at peace now, you know?” Qhuinn supposed that she could have asked Mercy, but he’d put himself through enough for her.

As Skyler answered her question, she reached across the small table and hugged the blonde. “You should have more faith in yourself hon, because you’re amazing. But you know I get that.” She chuckled. “I think it makes sense though, you know, to do both. You don’t lose that desire to dream, but you stay grounded too” She mused, then looked thoughtful.

“Australia. It just seems so..wild, and interesting. Like..the perfect place to go when you just want to have as many adventures as you can handle. And that’s what I’d love. I’ve done the food study thing in Paris and Seoul, and it was amazing. But I want to just..hug a koala and learn to scuba dive and take more pictures than I’ll know what to do with” She laughed.

“What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

 Skyler: "Awww, I feel so honored," she giggled, grinning at her friend. The image of her slapping anyone, something she wasn't sure she could get out of her head, now. She nodded as her friend continued on. She wished there was more she could do for her friend. She wished there was something she could tell her, to give her that closure. But, she wasn't one to say things just to make someone feel better, if she didn't know if it was true or not.

"Yeah, I certainly try," she said. "It's sometimes a tough line to walk, you know? I want to be spontaneous and dream big, but I don't want to lose control of the day to day stuff, too. You know?" she smiled. "I guess it's good to have a middle ground."

"Oh! Australia would be amazing," she grinned. "They've got all kinds of animals." She giggled. "If you go, I want all the kangaroo pictures you can muster," she teased.

At her question, she had to take a moment. "Oh, gosh..probably the mountains where I'm from," she said. "Especially in the spring, when the green is starting to show, but there's still snow on the tip tops. I love it," she said. "It's so pretty, and so serene."

"Okay, this is kind of morbid, but I thought it was an interesting question," she said, chuckling. "Are you afraid of death? Why or why not?"

 Qhuinn: “As well you should. And I know, the idea of me slapping anyone is pretty funny isn’t it?” Qhuinn laughed as well, guessing that was what had her friend erupting into giggles. She gave her friend a grateful smile, squeezing her hand before going for a generous swig of coffee. “Yeah I totally get that. You’re one of those special people though Sky. You can easily do both” She assured her, then grinned widely.

“Oh I know! It would truly be a photographer’s dream, you know? That, or an African safari. I would be astoundingly lucky to do either” She nodded, giving Sky the time that she needed to answer her next question. And she had to smile softly at the answer. “That sounds so beautiful. If they’re anything like the mountains in Vancouver, then I would have to completely agree with that answer” She chuckled.

At Sky’s next question, Qhuinn had to give her a rueful smile. “I think you can probably tell by now that I don’t have a problem with the morbid” She laughed lightly, then chewed at her lip a little as she thought. Really though, it was a no-brainer for someone like her.

“Yeah..I do. Because I don’t want to leave the people that I love. I..feel that I have so much to live for. Love, a possible future and family with someone that I find myself finally opening up to. Maybe it’s selfish but..I don’t want to give that up. Now or ever” Qhuinn smiled softly, as she pictured Quinten’s face in her mind.

“Okay!” She laughed a little, shaking herself out of those thoughts. “Keeping with the same theme, if you knew you would die tomorrow, what would you do today?”

 Skyler: "It really is," she said, giggling. "You're like the least violent person I know, so.." She trailed off a little, grinning even more.

"Oh, that would be amazing!" she said. "If you ever go on this grand adventure, I want to know all about it. And, I want to see all the pictures." She smirked a little, biting her lower lip. She couldn't help but think about what it would be like to just be able to travel around the world.

She listened to Qhuinn's answer, and she nodded. A little smile crept across her lips. She could understand completely where her friend was coming from, surprisingly enough to her. "I get that," she said, nodding. "Really, I do. There's a lot going for us here. I know I don't really want to give it up, either."

"I'd spend all day with Dom, Doc, and Edgar," she chuckled. "I'd pig out on bacon and Oreos. I would just want to remember it, you know?" she murmured. "I'd want to be with my little fam."

"Okay, I have one more for you. Do you have any secrets that not one person knows? Would you be willing to tell what it is?"

 Qhuinn: “Yeah, sometimes I have to wonder if I really am a wolf. I think I’m more like a tame little lap dog” She giggled. Qhuinn knew that she really could use all of the vicious strength that her species gave her when the situation called. But she hoped that it never did.

“Oh you know you’ll be one of the first that I send pics too. And when you and Dom travel the world together one day, I want to hear all about it too” She smiled brightly. Qhuinn knew that it would happen, Sky and Dom were going to have an amazing life one day.

Qhuinn gave her friend a grateful smile when Sky unsurprisingly understood. “Yeah..there is. There’s bad, so much bad. But if you let yourself feel it, there’s also love and beauty and happiness. I’m so glad that you’ve opened yourself up to those, and found them” Qhuinn brought Sky’s hand to her lips and pressed a sisterly kiss there, then listened with soft eyes as the blonde answered her question.

“I think that’s the best answer for that kind of question. That’s all I would want to do too, just be around the people that I love” She agreed, then frowned softly at her own question. “I..do. I have two actually. There’s one that..I don’t really want to say right now. Because it’s something that I’m really struggling with, and need to come to terms with myself before I tell anyone” Qhuinn explained, then gave a smile that was glowing. “The other though..I want to shout it from the rooftops” She giggled. “I’m in love! With Quinten. And..it’s terrifying and wonderful and..everything else that love is” She let out another laugh, feeling a rush of relief at saying it out loud.

“Okay so..I have two more for you. Because I’m extra like that” She giggled. “First is, how would you describe yourself in one word? And the other is, what do you want to tell me or anyone else about you?”

 Skyler: "You really are," she giggled, grinning widely. "I picture you as one of those soft, fluffy dogs. Like a spaniel or something," she grinned.

"And, of course! You will hear all the dirty details," she teased. "Along with all the fun adventures, too," she giggled. She honestly couldn't wait for such a day, and she knew it would happen someday.

"I think you're right," she said, nodding. "I do my best, and I try to just live every moment like it's the last. You know?" she smiled.

"Of course," she nodded, as her friend continued. "No pressure. You don't have to say anything, unless you want to." She smiled gently at her, but that smile quickly grew into a grin, when she spoke about Quinten. "Oh, my god! That's so exciting and wonderful. I'm so happy for you!" she said. "After this, I need to hear all the deets," she teased, giggling.

"If I could describe myself in one word, it'd be: equestrian," she said. "I know that may be cliche, but I feel like at the end of the day, that's who I am. If I couldn't ride, I don't know what I'd do. And, as for your other question.." she paused for a second. "I guess, I'd have to say, that despite my outwardly happy go lucky self, I've been through the ringer a time or two," she said. "And, I have a motto. When you get bucked off, you get right back up. It's a little silly, but I do apply that to my every day life. I work hard to not let the bad stuff tear me down, and that's why I put on the happy, silver linings side of myself," she smiled.

 Qhuinn: “I always say that’s what drew me to Remus, he’s my wolf twin” She laughed, glancing over at the Samoyed with clear fondness, when he lifted his head at the sound of his name. “Oh you know I’ll want to hear everything. It’s gonna happen for you one day Sky. I may not be able to see into your future or anything, but I can promise you that much. You’re going to have an amazing life, because you deserve it” Qhuinn insisted, smiling warmly at her friend.

She gave Sky a grateful look when the woman didn’t pressure her. She adored the blonde and considered her a trusted friend, but even the ones closest to her, Quinten included, didn’t know how bad she really felt most days and how much it scared her. A soft blush replaced her brief look of worry when Sky got so excited over Quinten, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“It is amazing! And..so scary. I think I’ve been in love with him for a long time now. I was just confused, and terrified of losing someone again. But then, this summer, we went to New York and..everything just seemed clear. I knew that I didn’t have to be scared with him. He’ll never let me fall. So I took the chance, and told him how I felt” Her tone was soft as she spoke, her gray eyes dreamy.

Qhuinn’s smile brightened as Sky answered her last questions, her approval obvious. “I don’t think that anything could suit you better. And really, that’s a motto that everyone could adopt. You wear it well” She grinned, leaning across the table to hug her friend. Looking at her laptop, she chuckled softly. “Hey I think we’re done! What do you say to margaritas? We deserve it!”

 [[ Woooo we did it lol! We can wrap this up and move on to the ooc part if you want? ]]

 Skyler: "Aww, yes! He totally is your wolf twin," she giggled, grinning a little bit at her friend. Her grin only grew, as Qhuinn continued on. "Well, in that case, I promise to take notes, so you don't miss out on a thing," she chuckled, biting her lip a little. She honestly believed her friend, but there were times she watched herself, because of how things had ended with Griff. She liked to prepare and protect herself.

As she spoke about Quinten, the blonde grinned even more. She couldn't hold back, and she leaned forward to give her friend a hug. "Ugh! I'm so happy for you," she said. "Really. You deserve this and so much more. I can't wait to see how you two grow together!"

"And, yes! I think it's definitely time for some margaritas and fun," she giggled. "We gotta swap all those dirty details, after all," she teased, winking at her. She smiled, putting her things away. "I'm glad we did this," she said. "Really."

 Lecia: Yay I’m so proud of us, we’re doing awesome lol! Thank you so much for being the best :D  So here’s my first ooc question: If you have multiple characters/OCs, who is your personal favorite?

 Jenna: Me too! We got it done! Skyler is probably my favorite, even though I love all my babies. One of my first tumblr rp characters ever was a variation of her. I’ve tweaked and changed her up since then, but she holds a special place in my heart.

Are any of your muses based on real people in your life? If so, who?

 Lecia: Ha that is very much like me with Qhuinn. And no, not really. I think that I have a little of myself in each of my muses, either my own qualities or qualities that I wished I had lol. I have to say though that Ciaran’s dad jokes and overall sense of humor is a bit inspired by my husband and youngest son!

Okay! Is there another AU or verse that you would like to explore with Skyler? If so, what?

 Jenna: Haha I love Ciaran and his dad jokes.

This one was it, really. I hadn’t done a supernatural verse with her before, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to throw her in the middle of it, while still keeping her human.

What’s the most common thing that makes you lose muse?

 Lecia: They have become quite infamous lmao. Aww that is really cool that you found a way to do both!

Hmm..there’s usually a few different reasons and they all affect me pretty equally lol. Time is a big one, if I don’t feel like I have time to dedicate to a muse, they can slip away from me. And also if I just feel like they’re stuck and not moving forward and I can’t think of anything new for them, or if for any reason I’ve had to deal with a lot of anon hate or getting crap for whatever reason lol. I’m pretty thick-skinned but stuff like that can really get to me sometimes if it gets my anxiety up.

Is your muse inspired by any other fictional character? If so, who, and what drew you to them?

 Jenna: Ah, yes. I can definitely relate to that. I tend to worry if I feel like people are always waiting on me.  I think a lot of RPers feel that way.

Most of my characters aren’t, but Dakota definitely is. I always loved Faith on Buffy, and never felt like the character got the attention she really deserved. So, I kind of took the idea of a misunderstood character who had a complex history of fighting between being good and bad, and came up with Dakota. That was part of why I have them make and female faces, too. As a bit of a symbol of they really haven’t fully found themselves.

What helps you strengthen muse?

 Lecia: Yeah absolutely! That’s why I’m always understanding when someone worries about taking too long or having muse issues. We’re all there at some point and need to help and not hurt each other lol. And I love that! Dakota is a great character.

Character building tasks and questions help a lot, as do events because it always gives you a chance to do something new and a lot of times interact with new people. Looking for pictures/aesthetics and doing memes may seem like a small thing but they can help as well. And just talking to people can really help too, because you know you’re not alone, and others can have really good ideas that I may have never thought of!

What made you start writing this muse?

 Jenna: That makes sense! I love all the memes and tasks too. It helps me figure out things I didn’t know about my characters lol.

I’ve always loved writing, and before RP, I’d have all these ideas, and nowhere to put them. I had a friend in highschool introduce me to the idea of rp and we did it together for years, before I got the confidence to join a group. Most of my muses get sparked from a basic idea, that I just want to put down somewhere and rp is a great place to let a character out, because you never know what could happen when they interact.

Do you have a muse that you’ve used in more than one RP/AU/etc. Who is it? And why them?

 Lecia: That’s awesome! It really is a great creative outlet isn’t it?

Well, I do have Qhuinn, Daisy, and a version of Ciaran in another RP that I’ve been in for years but the verse is very similar and they’re the same species there too. I have had Abbi and another character who ended up being my inspiration for Qhuinn in another RP from when I started about..god seven or eight years ago lol. It was a mythical/supernatural creature based and also happened to take place at a school. This was when RP’s on Facebook were still a thing. That seems like a hundred years ago lol.

Is there anything character-wise or writing style-wise that you can’t stand?

Jenna: It is! And omg I love that you did the whole Facebook rp lol.

My biggest thing is definitely godmodding. I don’t mind a little here and there, but I’m not a fan where it turns into a character being basically indestructible or something. Character-wise, I can’t stand characters who seem too perfect, if that makes sense. Ones that can do no wrong or ones that never seem to go deeper than what they are portrayed as. I like complexity lol.

Have you always been a writer?

 Lecia: Yesss I think it’s one of those stepping stones that everyone has taken until ‘graduating’ to Tumblr lmao. I totally understand that. I personally love flawed characters, both to play and interact with. If you’re already perfect then unless there’s a fall from grace, there’s no room for development lol.

In a way, yeah! I’ve always scribbled since I was little, I’d write little skits for me and my cousins to put on for our parents and grandparents lol. I never really pursued it all that much in terms of further education but I enjoyed writing little short stories through junior high and high school, and even dabbled in fan fiction before I got into RP lol.

When is the best time for you to sit down and write replies?

 Jenna: Awww that’s adorable lol. I was kinda the same way. Lots of dabbling for fun, really.

I’m pretty flexible since I work from home, aside from a few days here and there, when I work for my neighbor. But, probably mid morning or mid afternoon are my least busy times, since all the animals have been fed, chores that need to be done are done by then.

Do you enjoy coming up with headcanons for your muses? Or do you find this to be a hard task?

 Lecia: Hehe yeah you just have to take time when you have it, I totally get that.

I have to say a little bit of both. It can be a lot of fun and really help with muse, especially when there’s other characters involved. But then sometimes it can be really, really hard to come up with original things for six characters, and to try and make them all unique and interesting lol. If it’s something based on a specific question, like with a meme where I have some sort of direction, it is easier than just coming up with something out of the blue. Like those ‘tell me three interesting things’ or ‘what are five of your character’s quirks’? I cannot do those lmao. I really struggle to come up with something.

Do you listen to music while your write?

 Jenna: Lol I know what you mean. A lot of times my quirks or whatnot, end up being very similar lol.

I do! Music helps me get into the mood for a character. I’ll listen to different types for each one. If I’m not listening to music, I’ll have something on Netflix or something. I can’t write in silence lol.

Is writing important to you, or just something to pass the time?

 Lecia: Exactly! I’ve even Googled kinks and personality traits, when I get stuck lol. And same here. My house is of course never quiet, so when it is it’s unsettling and I actually can’t concentrate.

Again, I say a little bit of both! Hobbies can be important, if they’re something that you’re passionate about. Since I’ve scribbled since I was little, I would say that it’s certainly important to me lol, even though it’s not something I’m going to be making a career out of. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could be professional role players though huh lol?

How many drafts is a paralyzing amount?

 Jenna: Oh my god, if we could get paid to RP, I’d be rich lmao. That would be absolutely amazing.

I don’t know that I have a set number. It kind of depends on what all is going on at the time. There have been times I sat down and did a whole bunch without a problem, and there’s times where that same amount just seemed to be too much, so I just did a couple at a time. The main thing is, I don’t want to spend all day filtering through them, and not get a chance to do other things.

Do you feel like you build relationships with those you write with?

 Lecia: If only we could find a way lol. And same, I know how that is. I have a tendency to overload myself because I want to interact with as many people as I can.

Absolutely! There are some people here who I’ve known and written with for probably six years now. We’ve just stuck together and it’s wonderful! There are people who I interact with personally outside of the rp and some who I’ve even met, including Z! The rp’s that I did before I moved to Tumblr weren’t adult themed so I did write with some older teenagers, many of whom I still keep in touch with to this day and it’s amazing to watch them grow! Some are even married now and I just feel so old lmao.

How would you describe your muse to someone about to meet them, in person, for the first time? Would you like your muse as a person if you met them in real life?

 Jenna: I love that! I know there are people I wouldn’t be friends with otherwise, if it hadn’t been for RP. It’s a great way to get to know people with similar interests.

That would depend on the muse. Most of them, I wouldn’t have a hard time describing, as they’re kind and fun to be around, etc. I would also like most of them. I’ve played a few though, that I probably wound lol. Raven, I wouldn’t want to know in real life, and I’ve played one other muse in a different RP that was horrid,  but I think a lot of mine would be fun to meet in real life haha.

How do you tend to handle drama that starts IC, but then begins to feel more personal?

 Lecia: It is wonderful, I’m so lucky to have met so many amazing people through this. More than I ever imagined lol. Haha! I get that. Grace would intimidate the crap out of me in real life.

Ohhhh man, that’s a really hard one lol. I am such a wimp, and try to avoid conflict as much as possible, sometimes sadly even to the point of doing something that doesn’t make me or my muse happy. And I’m a people pleaser too, so it breaks my heart when I upset someone, whether it be as a member or an admin. We’re all adults though and luckily things like that hasn’t happened often. But I of course try to talk it out as best as we can, and find a way to resolve things. And I try to keep in mind that sometimes things simply can’t be resolved no matter how hard you try and how much you want it, and when that happens, you have to take care of yourself and step away.

Do you enjoy putting your muse through angst? What do you think would break their heart the most?

 Jenna: Yeah I get that. I like to think I can talk to everyone if there’s a problem and 99% of the time I can lol.

I love angst. I like pushing my characters to their limits and seeing what they can handle. Each of them has their limits. With Skyler, she’s a people pleaser so her biggest fear is disappointing those she cares about, so occasionally it’s nice to put her in that position lol. But that’s why when we do the event and stuff, I always sign my characters up for them. Because very rarely do they come out completely unscathed.

This is my last one lol. If you could have an unlimited number of muses in a game, how many do you think would be your limit?

 Lecia: Haha I love that! And it’s very true for me as well, especially those where the muses are put under a spell. I love exploring something that’s completely out of character for my babies lol.

Ha! I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’m at my limit lol. When I used to do Facebook and Chatzy based rp’s, I could have up to ten or twelve characters. But there were no activity checks, replies could take a minute or less. There’s a lot of ways where it was much easier to have that many characters on that type of platform. But with Tumblr things are so much more detailed all around, and that makes it harder for me to have that many characters. I would definitely be in danger of neglecting someone, or people waiting on replies from me for longer than they already do lmao.

Omg!! I can’t believe we did this! Thank you so very much for being such an amazing partner. You made this so easy and it’s been an absolute joy to have you as a partner! I have one more question because I’m extra that way :P

Is there anything else that you want to add?

 Jenna: Lol at least you know your limit!

Awww, I had a great time being your partner and I’m glad we got it done! It was a lot of fun hehe.

IC questions:

1.   When you look in the mirror, what do you see? I see..a man who’s sometimes more human than anything else. Someone who makes and has made mistakes, done some shit that he really regrets and hurt people along the way. But I also see a man who tries. Who loves and protects fiercely, atones for his mistakes, and does the fucking best that he can. I may not like what I see every day, but shit..who does? At least I’m finally seeing someone that does deserve to be happy and loved.

2.   Do you believe it’s okay to tell a lie and under what circumstances? I’m trying to be a lot more open and honest. In the past, I’ve kept things from the people that I love, and it wasn’t right or fair. So yeah, truth is always the best policy, when possible. Little white lies though, they are sometimes needed. Like..I may tell the Administration that I’m gonna punish a mouthy slave, but everyone knows that’s bullocks. Sometimes you do gotta just tell people what they wanna hear.

3.   Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I think I’m a fair mix of both. I am a social person, you gotta be if you’re in the line of work that I’ve been in for decades. Plus I just like people, if they ain’t assholes. But when I want my solitude and a little peace and quiet, you best let me have it.

4.   If you could describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? I’m a man who hasn’t always had an easy life and sometimes makes mistakes, but through it all I always try to be a good, just, and..fucking hilarious man.

5.   If you went to Hogwarts, which House would you be sorted into? Ah..I would say Gryffindor. I like to think that I’m strong, and brave. And I’ve had my share of incidents that started with ‘hold my beer’.

6.   What lie are you most likely to tell? Around here? That I’m gonna be a bigger asshole than I actually am, if it means that I’m getting to protect someone, somehow. Back in the real world? I don’t really know. But it would likely be something meant to protect someone as well.

7.   Which do you find more appealing: to be loved, to be admired, or to be feared? Why? To be loved. I don’t give a shit about being admired, or feared. But love..it really does give you a purpose. And at the risk of sounding sappy as shit, it does give life meaning.

8.   Do you have any pet peeves? Uh..embarrasingly enough I could list a bunch. I try to be a tolerant man, but there’s just some shit that gets under my skin, you know? Gum smacking, people who don’t take care of their pets or pick up their shit when walking. Drivers who have no fucking clue where their turn signal is or how to get out of first fucking gear. During the time of Blockbuster, assholes who never rewound the tape before returning it. Drunk people who think they know fucking everything, including how to walk when they clearly can’t. I could go on but I won’t bore you.

9.   If you could go back in time and undo one of your own actions, which would it be? Why? What I did to Atticus. I hurt him so badly, I completely broke his trust. And that’s something that I will regret for the rest of my days. If I could take it back I would, just so I could spare him that hurt. He did nothing to deserve it. ( @voulez-vousatticus )

10.What kind of people do you value more: those who are loyal to you or those who are useful to you? Why? Loyal. I like to think that I don’t use people, that’s crap. And it ain’t like I expect anyone to be loyal to me and no one else, or any shit like that. But aye, I do value loyalty.

11.Be honest… are you easily influenced by others? I try not to be. I’m a packless wolf, who’s always owned his own business and answered to pretty much only himself. So in lots of situations in my life, I ain’t ever really had anyone to influence me. But..I think it can happen to anyone, in certain situations. I’m sure I ain’t immune to it happening to me.

OOC questions:

1.   What kind of anonymous questions are your favorite? I like ones that are actually related to some kind of character development, or are more about Ciaran as a person than ‘ship/gossipy stuff.

2.   Are you prone to go a few days without responding due to life/personal reasons/lack of inspiration? Absolutely! I’m a mom with two boys, and things can get busy sometimes. Summer is an especially crazy time for me, but there are also a lot of weekends when I’m not able to get on.

3.   Have you ever deleted/abandoned a muse before? Sure have. It can be really hard, but that’s just how things work out sometimes.

4.   Do you listen to music while your write? I do, or I watch TV/movies, or YouTube videos with my kids. I’ve had to become a master of multitasking, or I would never get anything done.

5.   Are there any languages besides English in which you think you could comfortably roleplay? I’ve never tried but with the right resources I may be able to. There’s really no particular language that I think would be easier than another.

6.   How many drafts is a paralyzing amount? That’s a hard question because I’m used to a lot. Sometimes I can have between ten and twenty per character. So I guess anything more than that?

7.   What aspect of your muse’s personality is most important to you? What aspect of your muse’s personality do you think is most important to them? Is it the same? Why or why not? His strength of character and protectiveness. And Ciaran would say the same. He’s certainly not a perfect man, he’s made his share of mistakes in his life. But one of the things that’s always held strong is that he is a good man and that he tries to do right. And if he loves you, he will lay down his life for you.

8.   Do you enjoy putting your muse through angst? What do you think would break their heart the most? I wouldn’t say that I particularly enjoy it all the time? But I think that it’s good for character arc/development, and it is needed to keep things realistic. Nothing is perfect and happy all the time! The thing that would break his heart the most though would be hurting/losing Kai, or hurting anyone that he cared about. ( @lvstwxtch )

9.   Is there ever been a time when you’ve had to drop a roleplaying partner because you’ve found their writing style exhausting? No, luckily I’ve never really experienced that. I consider myself to be a very patient and tolerant person, maybe to a fault at times, but I always try to be open and give people a chance, and to try and talk out any issues instead of just flat out dropping.

10.How much do you proof-read as you are writing vs. proof-read at the end? It’s a little of both. If spell check catches something, I do tend to correct it as I’m going. But then at the end, I do try to read things over as well unless I’m really pressed for time.