KazAlkemi

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Hallway —> Lounge
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon followed suit and grabbed the same items as Ralph. It wasn’t that they were hungry; the concept of eating right now didn’t make sense to Rhi, but they were surrounded by people eating. It would be strange not to have the items in front of them.

Rhi followed Ralph over to a group of people. They knew Sam from conversing with them the night before, but they didn’t really converse with the other two. Rhiannon nodded briefly to the group, standing there awkwardly with their pastry and coffee.

”Make plans? And do what? Play pool while Renee’s body sits in the freezer?” Rhiannon asked, clearly still grumpy. Maybe they did need to eat.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Hall of Ancients —> Laveau Hall, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills: N/A

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Annika watched as students started to file out of the hall, making their way to the dorm rooms. At least they would all be travelling to the same area. For now, Annika returned her focus to her coven. She smiled at Finley, pleased to be asked about one of her hobbies.

”I work with all types of metal. I’ve worked with iron lots, but I do prefer precious metals. It’s more of a stress release for me,” Annika said brightly.

She pulled out her dorm room key, examining the hourglass shape once more. ”Which dorm are you in?” she asked the others who remained. ”Should we all head that way?”

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Location: Hall of Ancients —> Laveau Hall, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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Callaghan was turning to escort his coven mates out of the hall when he felt the familiar weight of an arm settling on his shoulders and lips on his neck. Cal turned his head slightly to see Barty and smiled lazily.

”Mmm, now that sounds like a perfect set-up. Did you pull some strings to manage that?” Cal joked. He gestured to the two who stood in front of them, his focus shifting back to them. ”Of course, but first I have to help my coven mates to their rooms. Cassiopeia, Willow, Luna… this fine specimen is Barty. Nicholas’s twin, if that wasn’t apparent,” Cal chuckled. ”Now, we should be going. Much to see and all that.” Cal lifted Barty’s hand to his lips, planting a light kiss on the witch’s knuckles before removing their arm from around his neck. ”Won’t you join the little tour?” Cal asked Barty, hoping he would.

Regardless of Barty’s decision, Cal led the group down the hallway towards the dorm rooms. He answered what questions he could or gave little details here and there. You see that classroom? I accidentally set Professor Mikkail’s robes on fire…. Oh, that staircase there? It likes to change on you. Keep an eye on it…. Oh, haha, that scorch mark is from where I accidentally on purpose threw a fireball at Cohen….

Cal enjoyed conversing with new people and getting to know them. It seemed like a small amount of energy to give, and gave the added benefit of seeming friendly when really he was just trying to get information out of them.

”And here we are. Laveau Hall. Everyone’s dorms are here, with one dorm on each floor. Willow, do you want to show me your key, then we can find your door. Or would Luna like to take over now?” Cal asked, smiling at the familiar before he looked at Cassie. ”We’ll help Willow before we discover our own dorm, hmm?” he said with a wink.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills: N/A

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Annika studied the map more closely, her coven mates voices fading into the background. She combed through the guides and visuals to try and search for a pattern. ”....into madness and beyond…” Sariel’s voice floated into Annika’s head. Mmm, these instructions were sure to bring on madness of their own, she thought to herself. Of course, Annika was well familiar with madness and objects, including rooms and stairs, moving like they had a mind of their own. She would enjoy this challenge before the real one.

Annika looked up, beaming when Dysphoria leaned close to her. Annika jumped and looked at Dysphoria, remembering that she was still sharing a room with her coven mates. Annika’s face flushed.

”Oh, no, I mean, I do I just.. Uh… I’m not that used to be around others, and when I am I tend to be more of an observer than a talker,” she said, smiling apologetically.

Rohan spoke then, and Annika turned her attention to him. So he liked making things, too, and by the sounds of things, they would be making something themselves. ”What is your preferred medium?” Annika asked Rohan. ”I prefer working with metal.”

Roll Request

Is Annika able to figure out a pattern or some way to solve the correct path to reaching the classroom? She would have done some research into the school via Jack before she came, research skill +1 if that helps/or is allowed here

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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Callaghan chuckled from Nicholas’s response. ”Mmm, alright. I won’t call you sister, unless you ask me nicely,” he teased before turning his attention to the others in the group.

Cal stepped forward, looking to the two new additions to the group. ”You won’t want to miss his gatherings. Trust me, they are legendary, and make for a good ice breaker. Like Professor Mikkail said, I am Callghan, and it’s alright if you are charmed by me. I won’t let anyone else know,” he said with a wink. Cal held his hand out to Cassie to greet her first.

”So, you like the pin. Do you like dragons?” Cal asked, making friendly conversation with their new coven members. He was always friendly, even if he was distrustful.

Cassie’s attention returned to Cal as he came and spoke to her. ”Okay Cassie, don’t freak out. Play it cool. This is someone that’s going to be in your life for a while it seems. He needs to know you can be chill.”

Cassie attempted a ‘cool pose’ but failed. She wanted to run but that was weakness. Watching every romantic comedy and every romance book prepared her for this.

She took his hand and shook, squeezing it harder than she would have liked. Then loosening it to the point where it nearly fell off. ”Callghan, nice to meet you. I’m Cassiopeia or Cassie. Please call me Cassie! I mean, yes, that would be nice. Dragons you said? Dragons are cool. Cool, cool, cool dragons. Didn’t know they were a thing until just now, but I am rolling with it.”

Cal’s smile slowly widened the more Cassiopeia spoke. She seemed rather nervous, but Cal honestly found it endearing. He rested his other hand over Cassie’s when she finished giving him the death grip. ”That’s good. You’ll discover a lot of unknowns here that make rolling with it better. And trust me, dragons are cool,” Cal said with a wink. He released Cassie’s hand and took a step back, looking between Willow and Cassie. ”Can I escort you two to your dorm rooms?” Cal offered, feeling extra friendly.

Cassie’s heart skipped a few beats. He wanted to see where she slept? Golly things were moving fast! ”That would be great.” Cassie looked over to Willow to see if she wanted to be taken there. She didn’t want to assume.

Cassie pulled out her key. ”I believe this tells me where that is?”

Cal glanced at Cassie's key before looking at Willow. ”That is the theory,” Cal said with a cheeky grin. ”Your key will match a lock on one of the dorm room doors. Luckily this year the dorms are all within the same wing. So we won't have to wander far to find each other,” Cal said with a wink.

Cassie blushed a bit. ”Good to know. I wonder who I am rooming with. Hopefully someone kind like you. I only know of how college works from movies and tv shows and I imagine a school like this is vastly different than those.”

Callaghan chuckled, shifting his weight as he took in the school around him. ”In some ways it is quite the same, the major difference would be having a dragon for a professor. But there is an unwritten code about this place. One you'll learn if you come to that party tonight.” Cal looked back at Cassiopeia, his smile softening.

”Oh! I haven't even looked at the key I grabbed earlier,” Cal said. He patted down his pockets, his solo shirt opening slightly from the movement as he searched around for the right pocket. Once he produced the key, he looked at Cassiopeia’s and grinned.

”Well, looks like it's our lucky day. Dorm mates and coven sisters. How poetic.”

Cassie eyed the key and fought an urge to yelp. So that meant she would be sharing a bedroom with Cal. And that meant they would need to change in front of each other. Unless the rooms were cordoned off. ”Oh would you look at that! How fortunate! Wow okay, that’s a thing. Cool, so cool. So…..what are the rooms like? Or is it different this year? Just so I know what to expect maybe, perhaps.”

Cal's grin turned mischievous as he took a step closer to Cassie. ”Definitely not like it is in those college movies you've seen. It's one large room, three beds, no separate doors or walls. However, there are gendered washrooms, so you can feel comfortable changing there before coming to bed at night. Unless you need help changing.”

Okay, her face was definitely red now. ”Oh that’s great. No, that’s totally fine. I can put my own clothes though, thank you.” She stopped herself from progressing down that line further. ”Well, I look forward to learning more from you then Cal. I am sure you have a lot of experience I could benefit from.”

Cal's eyes roamed Cassie's face, noting how red she was getting. His eyes skimmed lower to see just how red she was. ”I look forward to teaching you what I know, Cassie.” Cal met her eyes again before taking a step back. ”Shall I show you the way to our dorm now then?”

Cassie looked back at Willow. She didn’t want to leave her behind. ”So long as we can all go together. If they are as close as you say.” She also didn’t quite trust herself to be alone with Cal. Not at the moment, anyway.

”Of course. That will give us all some time to get to know each other. We are part of a coven after all.”

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Hallway
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon grinned when Olivia gave them quiet instructions to get to the library. They followed Ralph, eager to get some information and answers.

Luckily they came across Eleanor quickly. Rhiannon waited for Eleanor to give them Renee's information but the old witch just stood there frowning at them.

”Seriously? Eleanor, the family deserves to know. Someone died or did you forget that already?” Rhiannon was trying and failing to not get worked up again.

“I am aware,” Elenore says, her voice cold. “I also do not believe that you are the appropriate people to inform someone that their loved one is dead.”

”If anyone here was closer to Renee than Rhiannon I’d be surprised.”

“What was her last name?” Elenore asked Rhiannon. “What city is she from? Other than being a teacher, what do you know about her?”

Rhiannon shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. ”I was the last one to see her alive. To know her rather than what she represents. Are you going to inform the family today? They deserve to know, especially since you made sure no one knows we're here.”

“I will be informing the family. What do you mean that I made sure no one knows you’re here?” Elenore looks confused. “Did you not take time off of work? Did you not tell your family you were traveling?”

”Traveling, yes. To some island off the coast of France? No, because we weren't told in that letter. And we have no way of contacting anyone while here since everything has been down due to that storm. Not to mention the blackmail,” Rhiannon grumbled.

Elenore looked increasingly upset, and when Rhiannon said blackmail her jaw dropped. “Several things, first the letter distinctly said that the event was taking place here at the Chateau. Second, I cannot control the weather. I am sorry that you cannot contact your family and friends, however, there is nothing I can do about that. Lastly, what do you mean by blackmail?”

Ralph shifted, he was frowning. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going either. Yes, he had taken the time off, but he just hadn’t said where he was going or why. Rhiannon hadn’t been there when he had talked with the others about the blackmail, she was being blackmailed too? That was a lot of them, at least four of them now. Half of the people here were being blackmailed for sure.

”Several of us got notes in our rooms when we first arrived. They all hinted at knowing something about us, and our past. Something most of us wouldn’t want other people to know about.”

Rhiannon's eyes widened. Why did they say that? This wished they could pull that statement back. They didn't want to answer a lot of awkward questions, but then Ralph announced he and others were being blackmailed.

”You’re being blackmailed, too? What the hell is going on here?” Rhi asked, turning back to Elenore in anger.

“I do not know anything about this blackmail. Show me.” Elenore seems to be holding back anger of her own at Rhiannon’s rage.

”Ya, like I'm going to show you what I'm being accused of,” Rhiannon said, crossing their arms.

“Then leave me be. I have things to attend to. I will not allow this death to stain this event. You are welcome to do as you may, within reason, be a polite guest.” Elenore turned and went down the stairs to the lower part of the ballroom where there were decorations she had been working on the day prior.

Ralph sighed, ”Come on, lets find Millicent and Sam. I don’t know where Miguel is, but the four of us were talking last night.”

Rhiannon's jaw dropped. Was the event really that important to her that a death wasn't going to stop that freight train of a woman?

Rhiannon huffed and crossed their arms. ”She is unbelievable. I can't believe she still wants to go through with this.” Rhiannon turned to follow Ralph, still upset by this whole situation.

”I think this is the only thing she does,” Ralph said quietly heading into the lounge where mostly everyone else was. His stomach rumbled at the smell of food. He had forgotten and it felt weird to eat right now but others were.

Rhiannon could understand a business-as-usual mentality. Hell, they often felt that way when it came towards her career and getting the job done, but it was Renee. The schoolteacher had gotten to Rhiannon.

Rhi walked into the lounge with Ralph and paused. They looked around the room, taking in the people who were eating and drinking. The thought of functioning normally bothered Rhiannon. They didn’t think they could eat, or that they were supposed to.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Hallway
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon stared after Elizabeth as she walked away. ”Unbelievable!” Having a pompous attitude was one thing but to be annoyed because someone died in your house? What, did something like this already happen to them?

”She is absolutely ridiculous. Let's just go find Eleanor. Which room is hers?” Rhiannon asked the maid.

The grief Rhiannon had felt earlier from Renee's death was quickly turning into rage, and it came across clearly not only in Rhiannon's tone but their body language as well.

✨ Under Black Stars ✨

Annika gasped when her vision shifted. It became sharper, and although she could still see colours, it was in different shades. She knew Nochella had given her a gift, and aside from the outright awesomeness of that, something resonated deeply within her, like she was always meant to see through the eyes of creatures.

The house Annika had grown up in always shifted; this was something Annika was no stranger to, but what she saw before her was more. She knew it wasn’t right. Annika swallowed uneasily, took a step forward and looked around. The child was never one to shy away from things, but she knew to be cautious as well.

As the house moved, collapsed and reformed on itself, it reminded Annika of a Van Gogh painting. The way the structures bled and swirled on each other, creating a brief glimpse into something that didn’t seem right to Annika.

”What is happening?” Books appeared in the room, fading in and out. Annika reached out to touch one. It seemed to pulse brighter before Nochella’s reaction reached her, and Annika pulled her hand back. The books faded, but Annika saw the rhythmic pulsing more clearly. It was like a heartbeat.

Was she in the centre of the Everdark? The part of her strange world that fed the rest of it? ”What do you need?” Annika asked, taking another step forward.

Annika had often talked to the shadows around her growing up, imagining worlds and other things that sometimes the Everdark created for her. Other times, the strange land seemed like another companion for Annika. It was living, alive with dreams and opinions. When she was younger, Annika asked a lot of questions, but as she grew, she learned observation could be more important than constantly talking. Whatever was going on, the Everdark wanted her to be a part of it. Annika just didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills: N/A

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Professor Marino seemed passionate, intense. In some ways, she reminded Annika of her adoptive father, but no one was quite like Jack. Not even Annika.

Annika shifted her feet, feeling a sudden pain of inadequacy. Thankfully, Marino’s teachings pulled Annika from her darker thoughts. A mystery? Madness? Annika understood those clickbait words. She felt especially connected to them.

She took the piece of paper from Professor Marino and scanned it over quickly while the professor continued to talk.

Jack had made sure that nothing held Annika back, whether it be metaphorical chains or real ones. Annika wasn’t scared of this challenge; in fact, she was invigorated by it. She wanted to go find this lab now, start working to uncover whatever mysterious task was set before them for the term. Her dorm room and the need to unpack, completely forgotten.

This was by far her most favourite birthday yet.

Roll Request

What's on the paper!?! Research skill (+1) if needed to help her understand it

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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Cal slipped some of the hors d'œuvres on the table before him into his mouth, savouring the unique taste the food at Strange Academy seemed to have. His eyes brightened from Professor Mikkail’s correction, and Cal chuckled.

Callaghan felt Nicky’s presence before hearing his words. Cal shifted his attention back to the room, scanning until he found the familiar form of Nicky’s twin talking to a new student.

”Mmm, I can work with young and dumb,” Cal said, looking back at Nicky. The reassuring touch was welcomed. Nicky was careful with his words, saving conversation for important moments, but he was even more careful when it came to physical contact. Cal appreciated every subtle touch or moment Nicky provided, but Cal had also come to appreciate the uniqueness of Nicky and his twin, Barty. Cal knew if his company wasn’t wanted, the twins wouldn’t even bother. Mikkail’s voice drifted back in, forcing Cal to look away from the way Nicky’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

New magic? Callaghan leaned in closer to his mentor, absorbing every word with relish. To be a part of Mikkail’s coven, Nicky by his side, and discover something new that they get to record for future generations was the entire reason Cal existed in this moment.

Cal chuckled at his professor’s own excitement. ”I think your sitting room will provide the perfect ambience for starting our journey of mystery, Professor. I’ll bring my mother’s book and we can discuss the writings after.” He took a few more hors d'œuvres and looked at Nicky, smiling at the matching pin.

”Should I call you my sister as Headmistress Harkness suggested?” he teased.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Hallway
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon stared at Elizabeth, very confused about the woman’s attire. They cocked their head to the side, trying to figure out the reason behind the sun hat. The confusion shifted to frustration and annoyance when Elizabeth started to walk away from them.

”Oh? Does Felix have Renee’s address? Her family’s contact information? You know, since she’s dead and her family has no idea she’s here? Since no one knows any of us are here? Why is that, by the way, hmm? Seems stupid now. Renee’s dead, and Elenor can’t even give us the time of day?”

Okay, so maybe Rhiannon felt a little more than sadness at Renee’s sudden death.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills: N/A

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Annika was staring at one of the statues, wishing she had brought her notebook with her, when the door opening pulled her attention. She listened closely to the Head Mistress’s words, trying to remember if her father ever mentioned Agatha Harkness. She remained lost in thought until she felt the tug on her shirt where the pin materialized. Annika admired the artificer symbol, eager to craft and make something with her hands.

The sound of her name being yelled quickly drew her focus back. Annika quickly hurried across to the centre of the room where Professor Marino stood. She didn’t think they would be launching into lessons so quickly. Annika hadn’t even located her dorm room or unpacked her things.

She glanced at her fellow coven mates, smiling and nodding at them before she focused on the professor, eager to learn from her.

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Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:

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”I can’t get a read on it,” Cal rumbled, the annoyance clear in his voice as he scanned the room. The hall doors suddenly opened to admit Agatha, and Cal rolled his eyes. Strangely, at the same time, his connection to whatever was making his predatory instincts flare went away. Cal frowned, leaning more on Nicky now that Barty shrugged his arm off.

Callaghan listened to Agatha’s speech simply because he couldn’t not listen. It was within his nature to soak up as much information as he could from anyone in any setting. It was an addiction really. Due to this focus, Cal didn’t notice Nicky tense up. He only knew something was amiss when suddenly the twins' presence was gone. Cal glanced at Finley before sliding closer to them in an effort not to draw more attention to the sudden disappearance of two students. It wasn’t the first time the twins had done this vanishing act with no notice or explanation.

Cal moved to talk to Finley, but they quickly wandered off due to Professor S calling for them. Cal sighed, glanced at the pin on his shirt, and stepped away from the empty space to join Professor Mikkhal.

”What are you planning on teaching us this year, Professor M?” Cal asked, scooping up some refreshments.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Hallway
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon let Ralph help them along. They grabbed onto his hands mechanically and started down the hallway. They were halfway to their room when Rhiannon clued in to where Ralph was trying to take them. They froze and pulled back.

”No, no I can’t…I can’t!” Rhi shook their head and stumbled back a step. ”That was where we were…we… I can’t go back. I need air, I need.” Rhiannon looked around frantically, searching for a way out, for somewhere to run.

”Okay, okay, they said we can go outside by going through the ballroom.” Ralph went back through the foyer and through the doors that led into the ballroom. There was a set of stairs on the far side that allowed someone to go to the first floor. On the first floor was a set of doors that exited into the back yard.

Rhiannon nodded and practically bowled Ralph over to get outside. The shock of the rain and wind woke them up, and they stood there for a moment before taking a deep breath and turning to Ralph to speak. ”Does anyone know what happened?”

”If they do, they haven’t said anything. The doctor guy, Tony, took a look and when asked he didn’t give a definitive answer of what happened. I don’t think that is his normal job. Like I think he doesn’t do post-mortums.” Ralph explained, he kept back a few feet on the porch so that he was protected from the rain.

Rhiannon looked away from Ralph and stared into the rain, looking towards the lake. The rain pounded on the water, reminding Rhi of the puddles they had run through with Renee less than 24 hours ago. God. It had only been a few hours since they left Rhiannon’s bed. ”This can’t be happening, not again” they mumbled.

Ralph had to make a choice here. Say something, ask what they meant, or let it drop. Let Rhiannon be alone with their thoughts. He wasn’t sure. ”Do you...I want to help, but I don’t know what to do.” He admitted.

Rhiannon turned to look at Ralph. Between the stress they felt and the look of earnest hopelessness on his face, it was only seconds before Rhiannon started to cry. They stumbled forward, burying their face in his chest, bawling. They didn’t know why it was affecting them so much, but everything hit at once.

Ralph wrapped his arms around Rhiannon. He didn’t mind letting them cry into his chest. He squeezed them just a little and rubbed their back with one hand. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just letting Rhiannon cry. What could he say? Sorry? That would be terrible. It’ll be okay? That was a lie. There was no fixing this. ”It isn’t your fault.” He decided. Unless Rhiannon had pushed Renee down the stairs themself it wasn’t. It couldn’t be. He would take the risk of telling Rhiannon it wasn’t their fault.

Rhiannon sniffed and pulled back from Ralph. They rubbed their hands across their face, suddenly tired again. ”We had been drinking…I should have pushed her to stay… if I had pushed more she would be fine.”

”You couldn’t have known.” He told them, holding their shoulders. ”If you had known I’d be impressed, you’d be psychic. Are you psychic?”

Rhi wrinkled their nose to keep from smiling. They shouldn't be smiling. ”Not last I checked.”

”Then it isn’t your fault,” he said sternly. ”It sucks, it is tragic. Fuck I can’t imagine what you’re feeling, but don’t feel guilt. It seems like you two had a good night. That means her last hours were good.”

Silent tears started to fall down Rhiannon's face from Ralph's words, memories swirled around in their head and they nodded. ”But now what? We can't get a hold of anyone to let Renee's family know…no one knows we're here! Fuck,” Rhi swore as well. They moved out of the rain but refused to walk inside yet.

Ralph winced, that was a good point. ”Okay, after we leave we’ll go find her family. They have to report it anyway. They’re trying to get cops. Elenore has to know things like her address and stuff. We’ll find out and go.”

Rhiannon nodded. ”Let's go now,” Rhiannon said, feeling more determined now that they had a goal to focus on.

”Alright, so first we find Elenore and get Renee’s information.” He offered his arm for Rhiannon.

Rhiannon glanced at the offered arm but waved it off and walked back inside. ”Let's go.”