Amatiramisu

To Hold Back The Dark

I'll drop a character sheet tonight! It *is* the start of the work week for me so I'll probably start playing at least by sunday if anything tho!

EDIT: okay maybe not tonight, got stuck makin dinner for two hours haha - i'll try for tomorrow!!

To Hold Back The Dark

Oh hey, is this still accepting? Seems like a good time, especially if it's something I can just drop quicker posts in

✨Beyond The Veil✨

Alicia Tenebris

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Location: Cracked Fang • Time: Nightfall

Interactions:Dom @Oso, William @Theyra• Mentions: N/A

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She failed to look him in the eye - she still couldn't, she found. As Dominic spoke to her, she did listen, however. "Find the people asking the wrong questions..." She echoed. "I think I follow." She affirmed, eyes still averted as she backed away. God, he was intimidating, she thought as she barely suppressed a shudder when she turned her back and made for the rear of the makeshift chapel. She joined William this time, standing beside him as she awaited the conclusion of their Church session. 'We will not let you down', he had said. Yeah, damn right, Alicia thought. It's all our asses on the line.

"You heard him. Hunt smart." Alicia whispered to William as the session came to a close. "Looks like you're my ride-along. Or the other way around. Whatever." She grumbled as she walked ahead of him, joining the throng of Lycans slowly easing back into the Cracked Fang itself. "All I'm asking for is that you watch my back and don't talk to me too much, you got it? This is off-contract for me, but we're still just coworkers."

She crossed her arms, dimly realizing Tessa still had her jacket. Oh well. As they stepped into the fluttering light of the bar, Alicia found them a small table - too near the center of the building for her usual liking, but the place was more packed than usual for obvious reasons. Sitting across from William, she idly gazed over the menu as if she didn't already have it memorized. "Alright, so, cards on the table. I haven't been around Blood Market Row. Not my usual haunt - you familiar?" She asked, but without waiting for his answer, continued. "That being said, I have an idea what we're looking for to start with."

She leaned back, kicking her boots up on the table as a lycan waitress growled at her nearby. She shrunk, and sheepishly lowered her legs, coughing awkwardly. "Dom uh... Mentioned people asking the wrong questions. While we could start with the youngbloods and fresh recruits, most of them are gonna tell any old weirdo on the street to fuck off. What we need are people like informants and fixers." She said, leaning forward now, her gaze refocusing as she fell into a flow. "Dom said there's someone - singular - looking for as much information on the pack as they can, but instead of playing Where's Waldo, we should probably try tracing back through any resources they might be using to GET that information, you know?"

She waited on William's answer, and clicked her tongue as she collected her final thoughts. "Guess my only question is do we roll out tonight, or wait 'til the day. Gotta weigh relative safety against time - longer we wait, the more chance that asshole has to slip the net. Because by now-" She met William's gaze. "They definitely know we know. We know and we're looking for them. If they felt confident making a move on Logan like that, then they're probably ready for reprisal." She rested her cheek on her palm, idly tapping her nails on the tabletop. "So that's my pitch. We cast a wider net, try and figure out who has and hasn't been talking to this shitter, and narrow down from there. Blood Market Row's a place to start, but we don't have to go by Dom's word alone. Except for the whole... Play it smart thing. I don't wanna get into any fights even with you - no offense."

"And uh..." She continued, before holding out her hand, straightening her back and mastering her expression in some fascimile of professionalism. "Nice to finally work with you properly. I guess." She conceded. Wouldn't do to be TOO much of a bitch to the dude she'd be working with for the forseeable future.

✨Beyond The Veil✨

Alicia Tenebris

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Location: Cracked Fang • Time: Nightfall

Interactions:Dom @Oso • Mentions: N/A

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Alicia's stomach turned as Dominic's fingers coiled around the silver handle of the gavel. The sickening scent of burning, rent flesh crossed her nose. She wasn't particularly fond of the show he put on for this - but she'd be the last person to question it. At least not out loud. The gavel slammed on the table and shocked her from her own train of thought, the sound like a rifle's report. She unconsciously leaned in as he declared Church in session, lowering her head in almost instinctual deference. She hadn't taken a seat, choosing to remain standing in her spot away from the others - not too far from the loud gaggle of youngbloods. Her gaze flickered to them - still sitting politely like children scolded by a father whose patience had run out. Or whose patience hadn't existed to begin with, she mused momentarily.

"Don't look at me. Don't look at me. Don't look at me." She mentally pleaded as he began to sweep across the room, but their eyes met. She shrank instinctively, but her heart fluttered in trepidation. "Don't say it. Don't fucking say what I think you're gonna say."

"Logan… Our brother-"

Alicia's blood turned to ice immediately as her suspicions were immediately and wholly vindicated before Blackmoor had finished his sentence. Arms crossed, she clutched her arms, the jacket's leather creaking under the tension of her grip as she ground her teeth. His words turned into white noise for a short time as she ran over the possible outcomes of this night in her head. This had to mean war - or at least some kind of response. It'd be in kind - an investigation leading to an assassination. Eye for an eye. But the Fangs wouldn't be content trading Logan's life one-to-one. There was gonna be a lot more blood involved than that.

"I need you to dig. Do you hear me? I need all of you to help me figure out who did this to our brother." He commanded, and she suppressed a click of her tongue - out of equal parts respect and fear of repercussions if her displeasure was made known. The investigation work - that wouldn't fall on her, right? There were other scouts in the pack, many of them in some ways more loyal and more motivated than her, but...

Her gaze narrowed as it fell on the spot where the gavel had struck the table moments before. She felt it too - the overwhelming howl for retribution bubbling in her throat same as the others. Logan was good people. He'd been one of the only ones who recognized some of her anime figures when he'd stopped by on business in the past. Though she couldn't muster the same righteous indignation as many of her packmates around her, this was a cut she shared with the people who'd taken her in. But it didn't run deep enough, it didn't-

"They forgot to teach'em to never mess with a man's family..." Lucian cried, and she sighed in reluctant agreement. She nodded as he warned the pack not to travel alone, and gave a meaningful nod to William in appreciation for his earlier escort. With everything said, she'd probably ask for a ride back to the apartment at least as she pushed off the wall, the session seemingly coming to a close. She'd happily hide out at home and wait for the pack to reach out if she was needed.

Yet before she could take a step, she froze as she watched Tessa sink to her knees, wailing in agony for her lost brother, and Alicia's gaze froze on her. A wave of shame roiled in her gut for even considering ducking out, and she hated it. Here was someone who'd lost someone so close to her it was like a part of herself was shorn from her very soul - and even as distant as Alicia wanted to be in the moment, she couldn't ignore this one. So it was with a deep, steeling breath, she straightened her back, let out a low, bracing growl, and lifted her gaze to Dominic.

"Gimme an escort, and the address of that warehouse. Can't send out the muscle til we know our enemy - or whatever." She said. Her voice carried across the hall with an authority she either didn't know she had - or had forgotten about as a vestige of her old life. "I don't need you to draw up a contract for this one. It's on the fucking house." She growled. "You know how I operate. I'm not gonna start picking fights with any asshole that smells a little bloody. I'll get you your names, Blackmoor."

She stepped forward, clearing the hall, and shed her jacket. She leaned down and gently draped it over Tessa's shoulders. They weren't exactly friends, per-se, but it still sucked seeing her break down like this. Tessa's bubbliness usually got on Alicia's nerves, but the sight of her in the moment stoked a sisterly instinct.

"Blood's still gotta be fresh-ish, right? There's no way Logan went down without a fight. If anyone's gonna pick up whatever scent's left, you know I'm your girl." She said to Dominic as she stepped back, giving Tessa a little room. "Focus your energy on getting everyone in line, 'specially those fucks." She said, throwing a thumb over her shoulder at the rapidly shrinking loudmouths behind her. "But no matter how riled up we are right now, we approach this tactically."

She closed her eyes, and turned on her heel, and opened them, scanning the room for any sign of consensus. The worry that everyone would be ready to burst into the night and turn Halcyon's streets into rivers of blood was a real concern for her. She glanced, almost nervously, over her shoulder at Dominic, searching to see if he shared it.

✨Beyond The Veil✨

Alicia Tenebris

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Location: Streets of Halcyon, making for the Cracked Fang • Time: Dusk.

Interactions:William Connors @Theyra • Mentions: N/A

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Alicia tapped her finger against her arm, as she anxiously awaited William's return. "C'mon dickhead, in and out..." She muttered. Ordinarily she wouldn't mind the wait - the lest time spent interacting, the better, but that sensation, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end, she wanted it gone ASAP. It was making her antsy and restless. So it transpired, when her phone buzzed in her pocket, she nearly leapt out of her skin as she jolted with a small "Yip!"

Nervously glancing about to ensure nobody'd heard her, her heart sank as she beheld William just rounding the corner in time to catch her. She slouched a little, then cleared her throat and straightened her back as she reached for her pocket. "Sec." She said as nonchalantly as she could muster, and her already pale complexion went ghostly as she read the notification.

"Church." She said breathily, holding her phone screen out for William to see. "They're calling Church. Sick timing, huh?" She asked, a rueful tone in her voice as she pocketed the smartphone. "Thinking we'd better eat while we walk." Alicia said as she turned on her heel, already digging into the bag and producing the styrofoam container that held her dinner. She glanced over her shoulder as she re-looped the bag over her wrist and pried the box open. "Don't think we'll get a chance to sit down."

Balancing the styrofoam box on her forearm, she swirled chow mein about the shitty disposable chopsticks, and slurped as they started off towards the Cracked Fang.

It was a blissfully uneventful walk, as the sun finally dipped behind the highrises of Halcyon as the pair made their way along the avenues that marked Gutter's End. Alicia's nose wrinkled as they slipped past a homeless encampment, but she made sure to subtly let the remainder of her spring rolls fall in front of a tent as they drew nearer to the Cracked Fang. Stopping a moment to collect herself, she looked over her shoulder to ensure William was nearby. She could smell him, of course, but the visual confirmation just felt necessary to assuage her anxieties.

"Look, normally I don't give a fuck what my... Coworkers think." Alicia began, choosing her words carefully. "But fuck it, penny for your thoughts? Any idea what it could be?" She asked, as she adjusted her jacket nervously. "The announcement was pretty sudden, don't think I've heard Blackmoor call Church on such short notice before. Usually get like... A day or two's notice, y'know?" She tutted. "Just got a bad feeling. Call me paranoid, or whatever, but I know my role with the pack and if it's something major-"

Her eyes narrowed as she peered at the neon sign of the Fang - several of their kin were already beginning to spill inside. "-Well, y'know the scouts are the first to catch strays before the real fighting starts." She concluded with a barely perceptible snarl in her voice. "Fuck it. Whatever. Let's get inside. And uh... Thanks for walking me, I guess." Alicia murmured.

She paused at the bartender, trading a couple bucks for a shot of whiskey, swiftly knocking it back and nodding in thanks as she ducked out to the back exit. Another Lycan held the warehouse door for her, and she clicked her tongue in acknowledgement. The interior felt heavier and gloomier than she was used to tonight, as she sidled up against a back corner. She still felt awkward sitting with all the others. She watched William slip inside behind her, and nodded in his direction as she settled into her spot, to hear their leader preach again.

Hello dere

alright the joke in your name is pretty good

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tight, I'll be at work through the week after wed anyway so you guys have plenty of time! I'll get started on a sheet for you in the interim!

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

I am very interested - is this still taking applicants?

What Are You Listening To?

✨Beyond The Veil✨

Alicia Tenebris

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Location: Golden Wok • Time: Dusk, bleeding into the evening.

Interactions: Staff & Patrons, William Connors @Theyra • Mentions: N/A

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"Yeah, extra spring rolls. Thanks Shan." Came the voice of the Golden Wok's regular, Alicia Tenebris. She brushed a lock of white hair from the side of her face as she pulled her jacket hood back, absentmindedly tapping at her phone, scrolling her social media feed while she leaned on the table nearest the counter where a young man was presently doing his homework. She tutted as she hesitated on a particular post and rolled her eyes, angrily tapping out a reply before shoving the device in the pocket of her torn jeans. "Fuckin' anime-only tourists. You shouldn't have opinions if you haven't read the manga..." She griped under her breath.

"You shouldn't get that mad at strangers on the internet all the time." The studying youth beside her casually stated, his gaze not drifting from the laptop. She swallowed hard, embarassed he'd even heard her, and ignored him pointedly as she planted her palms on the counter, watching distractedly as the staff busily prepared her order behind the plexiglass.

The scent of the braised duck wasn't what was making the lycan's nose itch. She felt a twitch in her ear as it picked up something... Off - and she clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was off the clock, it probably wasn't her problem. Probably. There was a tension in the air that she really didn't like - and she nearly yipped when, in her reverie, the bag crinkled on the counter. Sheepishly, she nodded to the girl at the counter and shrunk a bit as she backpedaled out of the door.

The air was heavy tonight with something she couldn't place and it set her nerves on edge. She found herself feeling a rush of paranoia, eyes flicking to and fro scanning the passersby as she walked, sticking close to the edges of the buildings and making herself as small as possible, avoiding eye contact anytime it threatened to connect.

She rubbed her temple - no amount of trying to distract herself daydreaming about anime was taking her focus off that... Sense. "No no no, it's my day off..." She quietly whined to herself, her gaze flicking up along the length of the road that would have led to her apartment and this week's episode of 'Long-Haul Trucker-san In Another World?!' - her favorite this season.

She hesitated at the intersection. Halcyon had been a bit of a shithole - she learned that well enough over the past several years - but something big was about to blow up and it made her hackles rise and set her on edge, even more than her typical paranoia and hyper-awareness generally did. "Fuckin' Fangs..." She thought to herself, as she began to make her way towards their shared hideout.

That's what it was, she dimly recognized. That primordial feeling, that sensation that a member of a pack got when one of their own is in danger or distress. There was a familiarity to that sensation. She'd been slowly integrating with the Fangs long enough that her instincts were beginning to line up with the others.

That itch had started just yesterday, but she'd done her damndest to ignore it. Today though, just this evening, it began to compound. The pack was pissed about something, and though she had no idea what, she was feeling it.

Rounding another street corner, Alicia's eyes narrowed and she sighed. She wasn't the new kid anymore, but it still felt a little odd running into the others in the wild, so to speak. She tutted, and held up the bag of takeout with a finger, placing a hand on her hip as she clicked her tongue twice to get his attention. "Dickhead." She announced, face to face with William Connors. She regarded the other Lycan with the quality of a coworker who really wasn't looking forward to overtime.

"Dinner time for you too?" She opened. "I was just about to head back, but something feels off tonight. Dunno if you're reading it too, but I was about to make for the hideout." She explained. Hesitating a moment, she chewed on her lip, choosing her next words. She'd really prefer making the trip solo, but Halcyon wasn't friendly to loners. Just walking to the corner store at night usually puts her on edge. Having a bruiser at her back might be smart. "Grab your shit and walk with me."

She noted the confused look on the older Lycan's face and tutted with an added eye roll. "Look, you've been with the Fangs longer than I have. Something's itching at you right now, right? Something bad happened and..." She cleared her throat, noting the volume in her voice as she stepped closer, lowering her tone as she raised her gaze to look him in the eye. "Quick trip to the hideout, make sure everything's chill, and we can fuck off back to our business. Sound good?"

She stepped back and leaned on a lamppost, as she dug into the bag and rifled about for a spring roll, crunching into it and wiping her fingers on her coat. "Quick twenty minute sidequest. Just could use the backup if my instincts are right, you feel?"