LoFi Hip Hop

The full moon that had passed was worse than the ones she had gotten used to. Not to mention the fact that she had missed the rendezvous but the fact that they had lost one of their own and she hadn’t been there. Did she think that her being there would have stopped what happened from happening? No, probably not. She was still learning. But at least she could have tried. Valentina knew that keeping herself safe and making sure she didn’t hurt anyone was the most important but it didn’t stop her mind from going to places it shouldn’t. Once she let herself wallow for a few days, and to give everyone else their own space to grieve, she sent a text over to Naomi, asking her to come over for some pizza and beer and to talk about everything. She was relieved when she agreed and got to work making sure everything was ready.

Valentina still had a few minutes until the pizza would be here, when she heard a knock on her door. She moved to open it, knowing who would be on the other side. Seeing Naomi’s face, she gave her a small smile before moving aside. “Hiya! Thanks for coming over. I just felt like I needed some company.”

🍜 Carnivore/Pescatarian/Vegetarian/Vegan/Other? What kind of diet does your character have?

Valentina tries to eat healthy. After years of having what she ate judged and being told that she couldn’t leave the table unless she ate what she was given, she decided to throw it all away when she moved to Astoria. So while old habits die hard, she treats herself a little more than she probably should and probably also eats too much pizza.

📰 - An obituary for your character was found in the local paper this morning. What did it say?

Valentina Calderon was a beloved pack mate, musician, and streamer. She will be remembered for her never ending energy, her infectious laugh, and how much she truly loved all of her friends. In her life she did her best to reach out to others and made sure to make every moment count.

⚠ - What has your character almost done that made someone talk them out of or convince them not to do it?

location: honestly anywhere! open: @astoriastarter​  /  new encounters or established connections!

“okay, okay. i know it’s totally stereotypical for a witch to have a black cat, but just listen, alright. i saw him on the shelter’s facebook page. someone family adopted him two weeks before halloween, then dumped him back there three days after. like…they just wanted him as a spooky halloween prop or something. how awful is that? meanwhile, he thought he had a home. the poor little dude. so yeah, i went and adopted him. his name is nano now. and he ain’t going anywhere ever again. ——-want to see pictures?” because she has many. oh so many. ashling hadn’t even had him two weeks, and her phone was pretty much filled with photos of him. 

Valentina laughed, shaking her head. “As long as you love him I think that’s all that matters. Who cares if it’s stereotypical? You did a really awesome thing! If I had more time I would totally do the same. More people should be like you. I would love to see pictures. Only someone heartless turns down cat pictures.“ She brushed some of her hair away and moved so that she could see her phone better. “Nano is such a cute name! I was at an adoption event once and all the names they came up with for the adoptee’s were so clever and cute. How’d you come up with his name?”

Her words caused him to raise an eyebrow, while doing what she had told him too a couple of seconds later. Finding the spot to anchor the chains he was holding, while making sure that the chains were indeed tight around her wrist, just she hold him it should be, he continued with their conversation. “Oh– how long has it been ever since you were bitten?” He didn’t know if this was the kind of subject she was eager to talk about with someone she barely knew, but James wasn’t thinking straight, he just wanted time to pass by, to know he should walk away as quickly as possible when it was time and lock inside back in his office until he was safe to leave. Or just get to his car and drive back home because she wouldn’t need him once she was turned right? Best case scenario, she’d be fine on her own going through her transition and worst case, he could be attacked. James didn’t want to find out which case this situation would lead to.

“Okay, please let me know if it’s all good. If you feel that you’ll be able to remain trapped once you turn…” or else he’d have to adjust it one more time. James remained far from her as he said he would, grabbing a chair to sit by and checking the time on his phone. Finally reminding himself that he should text Kara, a little lie that he was alright so she wouldn’t worry about him. And, above it all, that Maya wouldn’t worry about him.

-

Valentina pulled her lip between her teeth. How long had it been? If she was honest, she tried her best not to think about it. It just made her think about how foolish she was and how she had changed her life by not thinking. Though now with the knowledge she had, it didn’t bother her as much as it used to. Even if she could go back in time, she would probably do most of what she did again. Maybe not the hiding out from everyone and pretending what had happened hadn’t happened. But everything else, yeah. “A little over half a year I think. Honestly with everything happening it’s been a bit of a wild ride.” She laughed though she felt herself wince a bit as he tightened the chains up. Not thinking about it was for the best. She was never someone who liked to be restrained and even though she knew it was for her own good, it still made her initially want to get out of the situation.

“I think they’re good, you might want to double check them but that’s just because I’m a perfectionist.” Valentina tugged on them experimentally and they seemed to hold well. “I know you said it didn’t matter but it does to me. You didn’t have to do this and I appreciate it. I hope I’m not going to worry Santiago too much.” She sighed and slumped down, all of the energy she had spent finally catching up to her as the adrenaline faded.

The snarl set them on edge, which given the circumstances almost had Sahid jump out of their skin and hide behind… anything really. Probably the nearest person. It also happened that the first thought that came to mind for Sahid was to look at someone’s lips to follow the words, meaning the snarl was almost burned into their memory. But soon the person snarling started talking. They cocked an eyebrow and took a sip from their coffee hoping to settle their own nerves. “I’m okay, coffee is still here,” they said, shaking the cup a little. “Uhm, can I ask about the snarling?” They had met some people who were Werewolves, they were certain of that, but not actually had a talk with one about their werewolf-ness. Perhaps today wasn’t the best day to do that, but also… they didn’t pause before they did. 

Valentina offered another sheepish grin, taking her own sip of her coffee as she let them speak. It seemed like this moon was definitely testing her already. She just had to work harder and think through things before she just let her body do what it wanted. “Good! I would hate to have ruined your coffee. I know how I can be without it.” A small laugh bubbled out of her as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Oh, uh sure. Not many people want to know, others think they already know. But as is probably obvious, I’m a werewolf. And there’s a full moon tonight so I’m a bit on edge. I’m usually a bit less hot headed. Just a bit though. Anything in particular you wanted to know? Hopefully I can be of help.”

“This is the least I could do. Know that there’s always a black space in my list of things I should do to be more helpful, it’s part of my personality, Valentina. But you don’t know me aside from me being the boring mayor,” he chuckled. A nervous chuckle, but still it was part of the sentence exchanged with her. Mostly because he really would always think he wasn’t being his best self to others, trying his best to make them feel better than he’d feel about himself or about what he did to help his own self. The irony. Maybe that was why it was so easy to be out there during full moon nights instead of inside of his house where he’d be safe and comfortable. “Let’s go, then.” He grabbed the box, noticing that it was heavier than he was assuming it was. But it made sense, they were probably stronger once they changed into wolf form. Something he could ask Santiago or Zoey in the near future, because it didn’t seem to be the ideal conversation with a werewolf who was about to change.

The walk until the council chamber was mostly silent, that lack of words being rarely pierced by the sound of small conversations they were able to exchange until there. “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I’ll be helping you anyway,” he opened the door, allowing her to get inside. “I think we can chain you close to the stage and I’ll stay here close to that emergency exit. So in case there’s indeed an emergency, I’ll be able to leave quite easily.” Quick steps to place the box on top of the stage, waiting for her to find herself a comfortable position before he’d try his best to be helpful, holding one of the chains on his hands. Noticing now how awkward that situation was. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise you. Until I have to, I’ll be here. I can offer you my company and random subjects that we can talk about. It’ll keep my mind busy too, so it might be a positive situation for me as well. Okay, walk me through it.”

Valentina couldn’t help but keep lightly scratching at her arms to keep her distracted from her own racing thoughts. She let her lips pull into a small smile. There really wasn’t anything funny or even amusing about the situation her mistake had now put them both in, even if he was being so very gracious about everything. If she was in his position would she have behaved even a fraction as well as he seemed to be doing? She didn’t know. It was hard for her to know if she would even be the same person if their positions switched. But thinking about that now did neither of them any good. James’ voice brought her out of her own mind as she turned towards him with an uneasy smile.

“Okay, that sounds fine to me.” She followed behind him, trying for a moment to make herself comfortable before giving up. There really wasn’t much more she could do to be comfortable. It was gonna hurt when it happened anyway. Everything in her wanted to just get up and walk away from the situation, take her chances with what was happening outside. But luckily her rational side won out and she nodded up at James. “Sorry, this is the first time I’ve had to do this. I’ve been nervous about shifting since I got bitten but I think company might just take my mind off of it.” Valentina pulled her lip between her teeth as she tried to remember how she had been told this went. “Okay I think you have to anchor the chains to something on one side and then the other to my wrist. Make sure it’s tight as it can be. Don’t worry about hurting me. Then the same on the other side.”

“Funnily enough, no. I don’t think I would be. Even though from what I’ve said it may seem that way. While I don’t think I would have chosen this for myself, especially how it happened, it’s given me a lot. When I left home, I left everyone and everything behind. I had nothing. I’ve made a life here and have friends that I love but I didn’t have a family. Santiago, Naomi, and everyone have all been so kind to me and I feel like I’m starting to build a family again. I care about them so much and don’t want to let them down. Without being a werewolf I don’t think I would have gotten that feeling ever again.”

“Oh well... honestly they aren’t good ones. I mean sure there are upsides to being a werewolf. I feel stronger- I am stronger. Everything is just more focused and intense. But I still don’t feel comfortable in my skin. I’m afraid of myself. Of what I could do. I’m sure it’ll pass in time but it’s so hard to imagine. I’m glad to have my pack. Without them I don’t know how or if I could have gotten this far.”

“Hmmm. Yes. I think so. I mean while living alone is nice, I think I like having someone else around. Having someone to share space and moments with would be nice. I miss it. But I don’t think I’d ever say anything to them. I’m surprisingly bad at that stuff outside of being playful. Then no one has to take you seriously. Even if you are serious. It’s easier that way. That got a little off topic didn’t it? Sorry.”

James wasn’t expecting the night to be easy, but he wasn’t expecting that either. He had an agreement with Kara that they’d update each other whenever needed, hourly if possible about their whereabouts and in her side, about Maya as well. If their child was safe and in bed, sleeping, having more dreams than nightmares as she deserved. Now, he wondered how he’d tell his ex-wife that he had encountered a werewolf on his way.

“Of course, we keep some chains at the storage room. Come on in,” after everything he had been through believing someone so openly perhaps was the mayor still being naive. But, thankfully, he had met Valentina once, months ago during an event and there was nothing about the young woman that made him perceive her as someone he should be wary of. “The full moons lately haven’t been anyone’s best friend. Let me know if there’s anything else that I can be helpful aside from chaining you up.” He found a joke in there, he kept it to himself. Maybe it was his nervousness trying to make a joke out of everything, that’s usually how he reacted while under pressure, while his anxiety would make his heart beat faster and he didn’t know how to fill up an awkward silence. 

Locking the door behind them, since he was the only one inside the city hall anyway, aside from security, he motioned towards the storage room, grabbing a box of chains. “I can take you to the council chamber, it’s a wide room, and I can stay with you in there until you tell me you should no longer have company. The room is big enough that it’d take you awhile to try to get to me if you ended up setting yourself free.” He exchanged those words already hoping none of that would happen.

Valentina pulled her lip between her teeth, using the pain of it to keep her grounded for the moment. She hated asking for help. It was getting easier with Santiago and Naomi and Zoey there offering help when she felt she needed it but every once in a while there was that nagging voice that reminded her of her mother telling her that she was being a burden on everyone. That she should be self-sufficient by now. After giving James a small nod, she followed him inside, her arms wrapped around herself. When he spoke it seemed to break her out of her own thoughts and she gave a half-hearted huff of a laugh. “No, you can say that again. I’m lucky to have an Alpha who is amazing and makes sure we’re alright. Though I can’t get through to him, which is strange. You’re already doing so much for me. You don’t really have to do more.”

The click of the lock made her heart leap in nervousness but she knew it was necessary. In a moment she had calmed herself back down but now the pull and stress of the change grew ever closer. “Sure. yeah. Whatever you think is the best. I...” She let herself trail off for a moment. Did she trust herself to be able to  know? Maybe she would just have to. Since she had become a part of the Bodden pack, the thought of shifting alone wasn’t one she wanted to think about. Even if he wasn’t pack, he was someone to keep her from letting her thoughts make everything worse. “I don’t want to put you into an uncomfortable position but company until it gets to close would be really nice. I’ll tell you when I’m uncomfortable but if you want to leave at anytime, please do.” Val gave him a sad smile and waited to follow him.

Location: Cafe in Birchwood Date: 31st of October, morning @valcalderon​

Sahid ordered a double espresso using as little words as possible, fidgeting through the act of getting coins to pay for it. They felt incredibly anxious. Full moon was night, and their first experience had been fine, yet they had been warned about the next one. And they had absolutely no idea what to do with that warning. Luckily they didn’t have to work today, although perhaps the work might’ve been able to distract them. Because right now their thoughts were all over the place. They walked over to take their coffee, turned on their heels and almost bumped into someone who happened to be standing behind them. “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t see you!” they said quickly. “I-uhm, not paying attention as I should,” they added, jittery. 

Valentina could already feel the ache begin to set into her bones the moment she woke up. The last month had almost made her feel normal. Made her feel like it was possible the last few had all been a hallucination. She didn’t really believe that, but she would be lying if she said that she was disappointed that it didn’t happen. So with the new aches and the knowledge that tonight she would have to surrender complete control and hope that her pack kept her in check, she was a bit of a nervous wreck. Hopefully going about her normal routine until the meeting time would keep her a least a bit more calm. She had ordered her coffee and picked it up, deciding to take a picture of it and send out a tweet to her followers, reminding them of tonight and to be safe. Val had just hit send when she felt the bump. She kept all of her stuff in check but she felt her mouth pull back into a bit of a snarl but only for a second before she recovered. “No! You’re fine. I wasn’t paying any attention either. Sorry from growling at you, literally. I shouldn’t be typing up a tweet in the middle of the café. Are you alright?”

set: saturday, october 31st  location: in front of the city hall availability: closed | @valcalderon​

James knew he shouldn’t be there. He heard that from friends, Kara… not his daughter because Maya wasn’t aware that he wasn’t home. He tried to remain calm and stay at home, but it was nerve-wrecking to simply wait. The mayor had a few errands he had to deal with and while all of it could wait for the moment he’d head back to the City Hall on Monday, before he could think things through, his path led him there over a Saturday night. It was the best place to take a peak at whatever would happen out there as well if needed. It became an habit — with the exception of the two past full moons —, to be at his office, with a glass of whiskey and pondering over the issues that would come along with the beautiful satellite shining bright at the sky. 

He was going to call Maya to say goodnight to his child, but the signal was terrible indoors which make his start way outside. But before he could meet the cold night out there, he noticed someone close to the door, which made his heart skip a beat; consequences of traumatic past events. “Hey– I’m sorry, are you okay?” He asked as he slowly opened the door, hoping that he wasn’t wrong for doing so.

Valentina was usually very good about time management. It was often something she prided herself on. She built out time for her Dj-ing, her regular gaming streams, as well as time for working out and social time. Usually she could deal with hiccups and road bumps in her plans, they were often her favorite things in her day. But after having a fairly long conversation, she had gotten to the studio late. After that she just couldn’t put her mind into her work. So many questions were in her head, not to mention the fact that Leon still hadn’t answered her text. A lot of her time was spent just laying on the floor, mulling over her own thoughts. Before she knew it, her eyes had closed and she had fallen asleep.

Her alarm on her phone didn’t wake her up, but as she looked around with her sleep blurred eyes she caught a glimpse of the clock. She was late, very late. Val sent off some texts to Santiago and tried calling when those didn’t go through. Nothing was working. Just as she began to panic she remembered what she was told to do in an emergency. City Hall. She could only hope that she could make it. 

When she finally caught sight of the building, she sighed in relief but knew this was only the first step. She had to hope someone was inside and could help her. Valentina heard a vaguely familiar voice and almost could have cried in relief. “Yes- well no. Physically I’m totally good but I lost track of time. The moon is coming and I need to get chained up. Can you help?”

@choileon​

Val (8:30pm): Hey! You’ve been MIA for a few days, I’m just checking in and making sure you’re alright. If you’re busy that’s cool. You know me though haha.

Val (9:20pm): Okay, so I waited almost an hour and I feel like that’s a fair amount of time before I text you again. You’re not trying to break my heart are you? :(

Val (9:21pm): Also that was obviously a joke. But I am a bit nervous, please text me?

Val (10:05pm): Now you’ve made me look up sad cat gifs. Gosh. You’re a real heartbreaker.

Location: outside City Hall Status: Open ( @astoriastarter​ ) 

Roxelana was running late and she knew her client was waiting. Her hair wasn’t fully dry and she swore her skirt had a stain on it. It didn’t matter though, this meeting was only going to be quick. She glanced down at her phone just in time to see it ring for the tenth time. Ro unlocked it and held it up to her ear. “Yeah, I know. I know. I’m on my way. Are they there yet?” She asked. “Well, tell them I’ll be there in two minutes. I can see the building now….” A paused. “Yeah, there was no parking.” She told them. 

She hung up and went to put the phone back into her pocket. Instead, it slipped from her hands and came crashing onto the sidewalk a few feet in front of her. Ro sighed and shook her head. Great, this was great. She thought to herself as she reached for it. Someone got to it first though. “Oh!” She exclaimed. “Hey! That’s mine. It just… flew right out of my hand.” She chuckled and held her hand out for the phone. 

-

Even though Leon no longer worked at the coffee shop, Val still preferred to stop and pick up coffee rather than making it at home. Was it a bit frivolous? Sure, but it was one part of her routine that she just couldn’t give up. She had decided to pick up a couple of coffee’s for some of her friends that she was on the way to meet.  One of her favorite things was to see people’s faces light up when you did small things for them. 

Valentina’s mind wasn’t really on what was happening in front of her until she heard a sound she knew all too well. As it skidded to her feet she picked it up, hopping it wasn’t broken for the sake of the other person. She looked up at the woman with a soft smile. “Good news is that it’s not broken!” Val reached out to her with the hand with her phone. “I think we’ve all had days like that. No worries, I’ve gone through a couple that way.” Her face scrunched together as a thought crossed her mind. “Hey I know you look super busy but do you want a coffee? You look like you could use a pick me up.”