KazAlkemi

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

"In the most basic sense, yes. You're life is unwritten as it were," Christian said, smiling before he took another sip of his pop. He found the taste was growing on him.

Penny's words hit Christian harder than he expected. He shifted in his seat, finding that he liked Penny saying he was good, and that she didn't know what she would do without him. "You would have been fine," Christian insisted. "You're a survivor. My involvement wouldn't have changed that."

He watched Penny leave for the bathroom and sighed, rubbing his face and looked at the empty bed that was supposed to be his. Christian stood, walked over to the bed, and ran his fingers along the covers. He pulled back the mass of blankets and sheets, wondering what on earth a person needed with so many layers of bedding. It seemed excessive. Christian sat on the edge of the bed, pushing on the pillows when Penny came back from the bathroom. He watched her rearrange the pillows and did the same before he rested against them. He wiggled around until he found support.

"Oh, I suppose we could purchase some sort of weaponry. Training usually comes from being on-the-job, but we could run through the lore on the most common monsters. That'll give you something to start on, then we can hunt for signs of them or listen to the news as it would be. I could also let you know if there is a monster kill in the area if I end up reaping the soul," Christian offered. He didn't think he would be breaking any rules by doing that. At least, not any more than he already was.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Dining Room
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon finished the meal and set their napkin aside before leaning back in the seat with their glass of wine in hand. All of the patrons seemed to be having conversations here and there, getting to know one another. Rhiannon listened in, preferring to get their information this way. The consensus of the room, as far as they could tell, was that no one knew about this award before tonight or who nominated them.

Rhiannon tapped their finger on the outside of the glass, growing restless from sitting. It wasn't often Rhiannon found themselves in formal settings like this. Dinners consisted of them eating in the studio or running around the apartment doing a million other things at the same time. Rhiannon smiled, thinking about how they might prefer that chaos to this. There was something too secretive about this whole event that seemed less appealing than it did when they got the letter in the mail.

At the time, all Rhiannon wanted was some recognition, some proof that the pain of competing and putting their career above everything else was all worth it. But someone here knew something about them that they weren't supposed to know, and that could be a problem for their career. Rhiannon finished their wine and set the empty goblet on the table before scanning the table up and down on either side.

Who was it?

✨ Under Black Stars ✨

Fitful dreams plagued Annika while she slept. She couldn’t seem to settle after tearing so many portals through space and time, but when she opened her bleary eyes to see a cat staring at her and her father looking down on her, Annika smiled. She yawned and rubbed her eyes before sitting up and scratching the top of Nochalla’s head.

What did she learn? What did she learn? That she was weak, inexperienced, hot-headed, and vain? Annika looked over at the cup on her nightstand, watching the steam curl up into the air. The house seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her answer.

”I have a lot left to learn, but I am stronger than I think,” she answered, looking at Jack for approval.

The older Annika got, the vaguer Jack became in his responses. Annika had to constantly decipher his meanings and the lessons he wanted her to learn. It gave Annika the tools she needed to get acquainted with the Everdark and make discoveries on her own, but it also left her lost and unsure of herself.

The house creaked and groaned in response, seeming to shift with Annika’s thoughts.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Christian unloaded his bundle of drinks onto the table before he took the chair. He opened a bottle of Coke and took a sip, finding the taste crisp. He felt something tickle the back of his throat and fill his belly before dissipating. Interesting.

He looked at Penny for the first time since returning to the room. He smiled at her comfortable appearance and damp hair. He had to admit he found her more endearing and attractive like this. Wait, what? Christian’s face coloured and he looked away, drinking more of the pop before clearing his throat.

”Well, he is disappointed I didn’t heed his earlier advice, but because I didn’t, I’ve changed your story and mine. Without giving away too much and upsetting the Natural Order of things, every human's story is written out... How you'll live, how you'll die. There are some variations, but everything is relatively set in stone, so to speak. Because I interfered that day in the basement, your story changed, and because I remained, your story changed again. Death warned me that it would make life difficult, but it would be worse if I were to leave you now. So, I can stay,” Christian said, smiling warmly. He hoped Penny would be happy, even with the cryptic words. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to tell Penny her story. One, because he didn’t know it, and even if he did, that was a boundary Christian wouldn’t cross. That sort of information could have catastrophic consequences.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Christian looked up from his book when he heard the bathroom door open and Penny called out. Christian shifted on the bed and stood. ”Oh! Of course. Here, let me grab your things.” Christian set his book aside and gathered Penny's clothes and bag for her. He turned to find her standing there in just a towel, and it wasn't much of a towel.

Christian looked away, offering Penny her clothes. ”I could step out while you change,” he offered, ready to teleport from the room right then and there.

Christian wasn't embarrassed that Penny was standing in front of him basically naked, he honestly didn't mind. It was more the fact that he didn't mind and wanted to look at her that left him struggling. Luke's words from earlier filled his mind and he shut his eyes before clearing his throat.

”I think I'm going to go to a vending machine actually. Get us some water or something. Excuse me,” he said and quickly left the room.

Christian pulled the door shut tightly behind him and leaned against the door for a moment. He sighed heavily, running hands over his face. ”Just friends Christian, just friends.” He pushed away from the door and headed down the hallway until he found a vending machine. Christian gathered a selection of drinks, taking his time before he returned to Penny's room. He knocked on the door, deciding that was the safer choice.

It became more and more clear that Christian was developing stronger feelings for Penny. However, Christian didn't think that's what Death had in mind when he passed along the blessing to Christian. Then there was Luke, not to mention the fact that Penny's entire life had been upended. Christian didn't want to push Penny into anything, especially something that he didn't even think was possible. Then again he had just learned to drive and that was supposed to be impossible, too.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

”Well, I think it helped that I had a good teacher,” Christian said, smiling warmly at Penny. He followed her into the hotel, looking forward to a quiet night with his friend. After the excitement of the day it would be nice to relax in a nice chair with a good book.

Once in the hotel room, Christian saw the two beds and looked at Penny. ”Ah,” he said and chuckled. He sat on the edge of the other bed. It did seem rather fluffy and comfortable, and it was better to have two separate beds rather than just one. He was grateful Penny thought of it. He never would have.

”Yes, I think you'll want to hear what he had to say,” Christian said.

He waited for Penny to go to the bathroom and clean up before he left. Christian wanted to change into something a bit more comfortable and he could quickly do that in the space between worlds. A few moments later, he returned to Penny's hotel room. He could still hear the shower running and decided to relax on the bed that was his. Christian stacked up some pillows and sat back, opening a book and reading quietly while he waited for Penny.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Christian listened intently, committing Penny's teachings to memory. The concept seemed straightforward enough, but it was the application Christian was unsure of. Christian took a deep breath and turned the key. The car came to life under him and he felt this surge of emotion that had him tightening his hands on the wheels. Adrenaline and excitement. Ah, so that's what it felt like.

”Okay, ready.” Christian waited for Penny to leave before he turned the car, slowly but successfully and followed behind Penny.

It was slow going at first but soon Christian found his rhythm. Driving was rather uncomplicated. It was a simple and easy action of steering correction, acceleration, braking, and turning. Christian learned more in the small town with the traffic lights and stop signs. By the time he parked in the hotel parking lot and shut the car off he was feeling rather confident with his driving skills. Of course, there was the city to contend with the next day.

Christian got out of the car and smiled at Penny. ”How was that?”

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny was making a compelling case for getting Christian to drive. Besides, he was enjoying all these chances to have human experiences. It was something he had always wanted. Christian hung back while Penny said goodbye to her brother properly. He was still mulling over driving when Penny asked him what his decision was.

He smiled at her wryly when she used his nickname and looked at the car. ”Did you know there are over one hundred fatal car accidents in America per day?” Of course, Christian couldn’t die. But what if he hit someone, killed them and then had to reap them? Christian kicked the ground and sighed.

”Fine. Show me what to do,” he said, caving to Penny’s whims.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Christian grinned, pleased he was right and that Penny seemed so distraught over it. He had to agree with her on the marriage front. Not telling a family member something that important even though he declared he wanted to be closer seemed the complete opposite. As far as Christian understood it, marriage was a right of passage for humans. It was just as important as their birth and death day.

"I have to agree...he should have mentioned something in the last year." He pondered over the different reasons why Luke may have withheld that information but none of it made sense to Christian. Not if Luke genuinely wanted Penny a part of his life. The pressure on his hand pulled Christian back to reality and he smiled at Penny. "You can rant anytime," he assured her.

Christian nodded his head along, agreeing a proper goodbye was in order, but he stopped nodding when Penny asked him about his feelings about driving. Panic filled his eyes from the idea of being behind the wheel. He didn't move from his spot until the pull on his arm from Penny demanded him to.

"Can't we just call someone to come pick up the car?" he asked miserably.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

A wave of sadness washed over Christian while Penny spoke of her past, coupled with the sensation of child-like fear and confusion. Why her? Why them?

Christian's thumb started to rub against Penny's while she spoke. An unconscious action that may have been more needed for him than her.

”Pain and suffering are never easy emotions to deal with or forget about, especially when they happen to children. I can see how your brothers may have wanted to distance themselves from having to experience those feelings, not to excuse their behaviour towards you. Perhaps it is time to have the hard conversations, even if you may not want to. This same principle is applied to spirits wanting to cross over but can not. There is a moment in time or an emotion they are denying themselves and until they can embrace it, they remain lost. This is not a choice you have to make today, but it may be one you will have to make soon. I apologize for being blunt, but none of you know how to be a family. There are bound to be mistakes made and feelings hurt on the road you'll take, but if it is something you desire, it may be worth it.”

Christian may not understand the basics of humans like cooking, but emotions were something he felt confident in. Of course, even he got it wrong from time to time. He only hoped this time he was right, even if it was only a small amount. He did not like seeing Penny hurting, but Christian believed her journey was not meant to be an easy one and he was going to have to get used to that.

”You're a fighter, Penny. Which is why I think you can't stop caring about your brothers. It's certainly why you are still here. You got that second chance at life because you were ready to fight for it.”