anthrcpcphage

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn, hands in their pockets, wandered down the street after a long, satisfying set at Envy. They’d been so wrapped up in the music and crowd that they hadn’t noticed the slight chill in the air until they stepped outside. The evening breeze carried with it a familiar scent—freshly baked pastries mingling with the crisp air. As they passed the café, they spotted Kai out front, tinkering with some lights, and couldn’t resist the impulse to step closer. They leaned against the railing, eyeing the setup. "Well, if you’re competing with the witches, you’ve got some serious work ahead of you,” they called out with a grin, voice light, teasing, but curious. Emersyn glanced up at the twinkling lights, taking in the festive atmosphere that was starting to fill the air, the quiet café taking on a more magical, welcoming vibe. “But I’ve gotta admit, you're on the right track,” they added, watching Kai’s work.

open to all ! / location : outside hallowed grounds.

the change of weather brought a change in ingredients. pastry fillings were different, new items were added, and kai reveled in the gentle smells in the air as he sat out in the cafe during a quiet afternoon. usually, the merman would be walking around, chatting up customers, but the very few sitting inside today seemed to be enjoying their solitude. instead, he bides his time out front, deciding to finally put some lights out. ❝ i can never quite outdo the witches' business, but maybe this will be my year, ❞ he says at another passing, stepping back to take a glance at what he's done so far.

[anthrcpcphage]

Composure had never been Emersyn’s strong suit around Eloise. From the moment they first met, she had unraveled them without trying, leaving them haunted by every glance, every word, every fleeting touch. Eloise had embedded herself in their mind like a song they couldn’t stop humming—a maddening, beautiful melody that refused to fade. They’d spent years trying to forget her scent, the soft rhythm of her heart whenever they entered the bakery, the fleeting thought of whether her blood would taste as sweet as her smile. Obsession wasn’t foreign to Emersyn—it was their curse—and Eloise reminded them just how consuming it could be. Now, with her so close, her voice dripping with want, restraint was no longer an option. Her fingers slid along their jaw, the ghost of her touch sending shockwaves through them as their lips parted on a shaky exhale. Her challenge—you talk too much, act too little—landed like a spark to dry kindling, and Emersyn burned for her. “You’ve been undoing me since the day I met you,” Emersyn rasped, their voice unsteady, edged with desperation. The game was no longer Eloise’s alone; they were a willing participant, incapable of anything but surrender. Their hands moved instinctively—one settling at her waist, pulling her flush against them, the other cradling the back of her neck like she might disappear if they let go. When Eloise leaned in, her lips teasing theirs with a maddening dance of almosts, it was torture, sweet and unbearable. Her breath fanned their skin, her nose brushing theirs, and it was all Emersyn could do not to shatter right then and there. And then she snapped. Her groan, desperate and raw, pulled a low sound from Emersyn’s chest as their lips finally met. It wasn’t gentle—it was years of tension exploding all at once, a hungry clash of mouths that left no room for doubt. Emersyn sighed into the kiss, their body pressing closer, hands gripping her as though to anchor themselves to reality. She was fire, and they were lost in the blaze. When they broke apart just barely, Emersyn’s forehead rested against hers, their breath mingling as they spoke, voice low and wrecked. “You win, Eloise,” they murmured, their smirk tinged with something darker, almost reverent.

               desire  has  never  been  a  foreign  sensation  to  eloise  dawkins,   she  had  seen  its  face  early  on,   when  she  was  still  young  and  sweet  and  innocent,   at  the  dawn  of  her  fight  between  childhood  and  womanhood.   she  had  learned  to  desire  as  strongly  as  she  had  learned  to  feel  any  other  thing,   as  shamelessly,   yet  her  wants  had  never  been  a  craving,   not  until  emersyn  at  least,   not  until  the  first  time  their  eyes  had  descended  upon  her  and  their  gaze  felt  like  a  thousand  embers  touching  her  skin.   it  drove  her  insane,   how  it  worked  on  her,   how  even  now,   slowly  and  loaded,   their  attention  falling  down  past  her  lips,   to  the  place  where  her  pulse  thrummed  like  a  herd  of  a  thousand  horses  seemed  to  ignite  fire  in  her  veins.                  “  you  talk  too  much,   act  too  little,  ”     she  whispered  then,   want  closing  its  griddy  digits  around  her  throat,   making  her  choke  slightly  on  her  words  as  her  hand  climbs  to  their  jaw  and  tortorously  slides  to  the  back  of  their  head.     “  i  think  you  need  a  little  help  with  that,   don’t  you ?  ”     voice  low  and  sinful,   eloise  pulls  them  to  her,   her  touch  gentle  in  a  maddening,   demanding  way  that  shows  its  weakness  in  the  tremulous  exhale  that  escapes  her.                she  toys  with  them  for  a  moment,   lips  ghosting  over  emersyn’s,   nose  nuzzling  against  theirs  in  an  agonizing  dance  that  ultimately,   in  her  own  game  of  temptation,   makes  her  snap.     “  fuck  this.  ”     she  groans,   breathy  and  slightly  desperate  before  finally,   finally  ending  the  distance  between  them  in  a  kiss  charged  with  years  of  pent - up  desire,   a  soft  clash  of  lips  that  makes  her  sigh,   setting  her  whole  body  alight.

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn had been heading to their usual spot, the streetlight just dim enough to give them a clear view of the stars whenever they took their break. But the voice—soft, thoughtful, drifting into the night—stopped them mid-step. They turned, their gaze falling on the figure beside them, face upturned to the sky. A smirk tugged at the corner of their lips as they leaned against a nearby lamppost, the faint glow catching the edge of their sharp features. “She knows,” they said, their voice low and edged with quiet amusement. “How could she not? The way people write sonnets about her, beg her for answers, swear she’s pulling their strings?” Their hands slid into their pockets, head tilting slightly as they followed Juniper’s gaze to the moon, full and radiant above them. “You’re right, though—she’s maddening, isn’t she? Always watching, never saying a word, but somehow she’s got us all wrapped around her light.” They glanced sideways at Juniper, the curiosity in her eyes catching their attention. “Do you always talk to the moon, or is it just tonight?” They chuckled softly, the sound warm but teasing. “Not that I’m complaining. She’s probably the best listener any of us have.” They extended a hand, a spark of mischief dancing in their eyes. “Emersyn,” they introduced, breaking the quiet. “Figured I should introduce myself before you think I’m just some creep eavesdropping on your love letter to the moon.”

who: juniper & open [ 0/5 ] where: wherever you'd like.

whenever  the  full  moon  came  closer  ,  juniper  often  found  herself  looking  at  the  sky.  it  was  one  of  life's  big  mysteries  ,  something  she'd  never  been  able  to  work  out  and  that  had  intrigued  researchers  for  centuries.  it  had  been  the  one  light  she'd  had  in  a  past  life  and  as  much  as  she  considered  herself  a  woman  of  facts  she  could  appreciate  the  romantic  mystery  of  it.  "do  you  think  the  moon  knows  the  power  she  has  over  us  ?"  it  was  said  to  no  one  in  particular  ,  though  she  cast  a  quick  glance  to  the  side  at  her  companion  ,  wondering  if  such  things  moved  them  as  well.  "i  mean  ,  she's  so  strong  and  has  had  the  most  clever  of  people  confounded.  i  want  to  know  if  she  knows  all  she  does  to  ,  or  for  ,  us."

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn was making their way to Envy, the bass from inside already pulsing faintly down the block as the sun dipped lower, painting everything in shades of amber and purple. They were lost in thought about their set tonight when they nearly walked right into someone—a flustered photographer muttering an apology and glancing back at her camera with a quiet sigh. Emersyn stopped, catching the tail end of her words. "Rough day?" Emersyn asked, flashing a crooked smile and taking a small step back to give her space. They shifted the bag on their shoulder, tapping it lightly. “My day is just starting, actually." They followed her gaze to the camera screen. "Got a tricky subject, huh? Gotta say, that’s commitment, shooting out here with everyone buzzing around. I’d probably lose my patience after the third 'accidental' photobomb." Emersyn chuckled. "Name’s Emersyn, by the way. I’m just down the block at Envy,” they said, jerking their thumb in the club's direction. “DJing tonight, actually. So if you’re looking for a place to unwind after your masterpiece is done, first drink’s on me.”

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 , open to all.

frustration paints her features as another person walks directly through her shot, body stiffening in an attempt to keep her mouth shut. they're all apologetic which she appreciates but wished she could be a bit more assertive — like she used to be. it was meant to be a simple photo highlighting a local business in town, but the flow of it's residents in this more populated area was heavy. and as yet another person passes by, riley lays her chin atop her camera and offers a friendly smile in passing as a response to their neighbourly wave. maybe they thought it was a video and were reaching for their five seconds of portum times fame, in which case riley would look silly more than anything, assuming the kindness was directed toward her over the camera she had perched on a tripod. with one last attempt, they capture the business and detach their camera, beginning to turn for their bag, eyes glued to the screen to ensure it was an exemplary shot. nearly colliding into another body after stepping without looking, riley gasps quietly. “ fuck ... ” they say in a startled whisper, fingers lifting immediately afterward to press over their lips for the cuss word. “ sorry, you just spooked me is all. i didn't see... ” riley rushes to find an appropriate response, a light pink hue burning their cheeks. scrambling to conceal her very mild embarrassment, riley quickly glances down at the camera screen again and lets out a disappointed sigh, the cascading light from the setting sun creating an image that was difficult to see. “ i hope you've had better luck than me today. ”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn chuckled, crossing their arms as they watched Jasper fuss with their costume. “Oh, come on, a little death-defying adventure never hurt anyone,” they teased, leaning in just enough to emphasize the joke. "But hey, no arguments here—I'll gladly take rigged fair games, even if they're not as riveting." They flashed a grin, nudging Jasper again, gentler this time. "Tell you what, let’s make it our mission to win one of those giant plushies. We can’t let you walk away empty-handed, especially if it’s a prize that’s almost your size." Emersyn’s smirk softened a bit as they caught Jasper’s shy smile, "Think you’re up for a little friendly competition, or am I winning that plush for myself? Also, what stall should we check out?”

it  was  a  miracle  jasper  had  lasted  that  long  in  the  first  place.  the  countless  changes,  being  chased  through  the  woods,  being  turfed  from  their  home  to  move  halfway  across  the  world.  they  weren’t  about  to  throw  that  all  the  way  in  the  name  of  thinly-veiled  ‘fun’.  “i  would  really  rather  avoid  death,  if  i  can.” the  nudge  had  jasper  stumbling  to  one  side.  they  smoothed  their  dark  cape  over,  checked  that  the  collar  was  popped  and  covering  their  neck,  fixing  the  hair  that  always  seemed  to  sit  like  an  unruly  nest  atop  their  head.  “yes.  okay.”  a  small  smile  lifted  the  corners  of  his  mouth,  something  that  could  have  been  easily  swallowed  by  the  darkness  if  emersyn  hadn’t  been  paying  attention.  “i  like  the  sound  of  that.  we  should  do  some  games.  i’ve  seem  some  really  cool  plushies  that  are  almost  as  big  as  me.”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn let the piece of funnel cake melt on their tongue, holding Hansa’s gaze with a smirk that bordered on a challenge. "What I hear?" they echoed, voice dropping into a playful murmur as they leaned in, just close enough to catch the faintest hint of her smell. "I don’t just hear things, Hansa—I interpret." Their eyes trailed over her face, taking in the familiar structures. They stayed close, their fingers grazing the table as they leaned even nearer, voice a low, teasing drawl. “Besides, I know you love to keep me waiting," Emersyn murmured, their gaze drifting down to the funnel cake in her hands, then back up to her mouth, watching every small movement. "And maybe patience isn’t my strong suit… but for you, I’ll manage." The smirk softened as Hansa’s smile crept in, "So take your time," Emersyn added, tone gentler now, but still layered with something unspoken, almost daring. "But you know I’m holding you to that ‘whatever I want’ bit.” They winked.

❝ or maybe that's just what you hear. ❞ it wouldn't be the first time emersyn heard what they wanted versus what hansa was saying. but she left that thought reserved for herself, not wanting to get into how words had gotten twisted between them in the past. hansa's silence is extended as she takes a few bites, eyes never leaving emersyn, despite how close they get. ❝ i don't know if you noticed but ... i'm still eating. ❞ part of her wanted to scream that she wasn't just going to drop what she was doing to follow them around and keep them entertained. her lack of attentiveness towards the vampire was part of the issue before. but if you give too much, you'll get too much taken away. ❝ and i'll be damned ... hopefully not eternally ... if i let you or anyone else knock it over with your pansy ass screaming. ❞ hansa tears off another piece of her funnel cake, but this time feeds it to emersyn, more of a way to silence them than to make some cute gesture. ❝ you're immortal, em. you can wait a few minutes so i can finish my funnel cake, and then ..., ❞ her eyes roll but she allows a smile to creep onto her face, ❝ and then we can go and do whatever you want. ❞

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn raised an eyebrow, feigning a wounded look. "Adulterated? This is festive," they quipped, holding up the pumpkin-spiced concoction with a grin. "Just because your tastebuds are in constant mourning doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t enjoy the holidays."

They took a dramatic sip, pretending to savor it before dropping the act with a smirk. "Alright, alright—maybe you have a point. Even I can taste that they burnt the beans. But hey, if you know where to find the real stuff, lead the way."

Emersyn fell in step beside him, tossing him a playful look. "How have you been?"

walking through the crowd, taking in the atmosphere of the fair, sebastian is actually quite relaxed. he's got no work, no obligations — gets to just enjoy the atmosphere. originally, he felt a little guilty over not volunteering for any stall, but seeing how the place is thriving, and knowing it would have been decidedly unenjoyable ( and exhaust him for work tomorrow morning ) he has assuaged that feeling.

he turns at the familiar voice, catching a glimpse of the cup in their hands. “ i dunno, i think you did that to yourself, ” he says with a mischievous smile. “ this is the consequences of drinking adulterated coffee. ” says mr i like my coffee black as night with a taste to match. although it's possibly because he's burned his tastebuds too much to get anything out of something weaker. “ that stall does burn their beans, though, i won't lie. ” though he's impressed emersyn can actually taste anything wrong with it other than the sugar. “ c'mon, i think there's a better stall this way. ”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn let out a low, amused chuckle, eyeing Jasper’s costume with a smirk that softened at his obvious discomfort. "Terrifying? Nah, that’s just character-building," they teased, tilting their head toward the towering, rattling structure above them. "But hey, I get it. Not everyone’s got a death wish on their Friday night.”

They leaned in, nudging him lightly. “Besides, you’re in good company. We can be ‘terrified together’ or whatever." Emersyn glanced at him again, trying to hide their grin. "Tell you what—skip the teacups and just hang with me. There's always the haunted house, bad entertainment, and games to win.”

werewolves  were  strong,   but  they  were  far  from  immortal  —  and  jasper  understood  that  more  than  anybody.  he  stared  up  at  the  rickety  old  ride  with  wide,  terrified  eyes,  flexing  their  fingers,  flinching  whenever  the  cages  creaked  above  them.  honestly,  if  koda  hadn’t  wanted  to  attend  the  halloween  fair  that  year,  jasper  would  have  been  happy  snuggled  on  the  couch  with  a  good  book  ;  instead  they  were  overwhelmed  by  the  thick  scent  of  unfamiliar  food  and  the  screams  of  fairs  goers  that  were  —  apparently  —  enjoying  themselves.  it  was  a relief  when  somebody  else  spoke  up,  somebody  with  their  head  screwed  on  straight.  “i  don’t  know  why  you  would  pay  money  to  go  on  something  like  that.  it  looks  terrifying.”  they  adjusted  the  collar  of  their  costume,  a  cheap  (  and  rather  inaccurate  )  vampire  outfit.  “i’m  not  even  brave  enough  to  go  on  the  teacup  ride.”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn’s grin grew sharper as Eloise played into the flirtation, but the lighthearted game they'd always danced around felt heavier now, charged. This was the pull they’d spent so long resisting—the way Eloise drew them in like a flame they couldn’t look away from, and it terrified them. Every time they were together, Emersyn found themselves caught, captivated, teetering on the edge of something they knew would consume them whole. They’d held back, kept the line firm, knowing all too well the chaos that would unravel if they gave in, the way their past obsessions had spun out in flames. But tonight, that resolve was thinning to a breaking point. Sitting beside her, Emersyn felt the closeness like a dare, each centimeter between them charged. The rhythmic pulse of her heartbeat drummed through their heightened senses, intoxicating. Eloise leaned in closer, her eyes sparking with challenge, and Emersyn’s gaze flicked to her lips, that same hunger gleaming in their electric blue eyes. When Eloise murmured, "What are you gonna do about it?" the invitation was unmistakable, and the temptation too much to resist. The veneer of caution slipped away, and Emersyn leaned in, gaze dropping to the base of her neck as they breathed in her scent, steadying themselves for what they both knew was coming. Fingers ghosting up her neck, they let their lips hover near hers, a wicked grin playing at their mouth. "I can show you better than I can tell you," they murmured, voice thick with barely restrained desire.

               eloise  looked  at  them  for  an  instant,   the  turn  of  an  amused  smile  uplifting  the  corner  of  her  lips  at  the  chaotic  tint  of  emersyn’s  answer.   she  shook  her  head,   tore  her  eyes  away  from  them  without  a  verbal  response,   slight  bewilderment  touching  her  expression,   and  swallowed  hard  when  the  vampire’s  smug,   messy  attitude  made  something  warm  pool  low,   low,   low  on  her  abdomen.                   it  was  always  like  this  with  them   —   a  pull  she  felt  as  intensely  as  the  magic  running  through  her  veins,   maddening,   unavoidable  even  when  she  never  fought  against  it.   she  could  feel  it  everywhere  every  time  they  were  near,   and  as  the  gondola  moved  higher  and  emersyn  closer,   her  body  gravitated  inevitably  toward  them,   lessening  the  distance,   making  her  heartbeat  race  as  a  mad  horse.   crimson  climbed  her  cheeks  when  she  realized  emersyn  could  probably  hear  it.     “  you  challenge  me  to  admit  it  as  if  it  was  a  difficult  task,  ”     eloise  countered  despite  the  slight  embarrassment  coloring  the  softness  of  her  face,   a  small  yet  playful  smirk  quickly  replacing  the  feeling.    “  of  course  i  like  to  be  hunted  down,   i’m  a  witch,   after  all.  ”     she  joked,   as  usual,   with  darkness  shadowing  her  humor.     ��          then,   as  emersyn  stretched  and  their  arm  ended  behind  her  back,   eloise  couldn’t  help  but  roll  her  eyes.   although,   if  she  was  honest  with  herself  (  and  she  was  always  honest  with  herself  ),   she  didn’t  know  if  it  was  due  to  how  basic  the  gesture  was  or  the  fact  she  fell  for  it.     “  you’re  so  dramatic,   i  bet  it  was  you  being  stubborn  that  couldn’t  …  satisfy  your  sweet  tooth.   since  my  employees  are  great  at  suggestions.  ”     she  retorted,   challenge  clear  as  day  in  her  tone.   she  knew  emersyn  wasn’t  talking  about  her  sweets,   precisely,   and  she  barely  suppressed  a  shiver  at  the  thought.     “  i’m  here  now,   though,   so  …  ”     she  closed  the  distance  a  little  bit  more,   eyes  traveling  over  their  face,   taking  them  in,   eating  them  whole  with  a  single  look  the  moment  her  appreciation  stopped  on  their  lips.   her  eyelids  fluttered  as  slowly  as  the  movement  of  her  tongue  wetting  her  suddenly  dry  lips  when  her  gaze  went  back  to  the  sparkling  blue  of  their  irises.     “  what  are  you  gonna  do  about  it ?  ”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn’s grin grew as they took in Theo’s easy charm, the playful pout only making their interest sharpen. "Maybe I’m just drawn to the mystery, darlin'," they murmured, voice low and laced with flirtation, "or maybe it’s that southern charm you’re throwin' around so easily."

Their gaze lingered, taking a sip from their own cup as they maintained eye contact. "You say you’re not the fairytale type," Emersyn continued, stepping in a bit closer, "but if that’s true, then what’s got you casting spells around here, making people fall right into your orbit?"

They held Theo’s gaze with a devilish spark, savoring the tension between them. "So… Theo," Emersyn drawled, letting the name roll off their tongue slowly, "What's your big plans for this fair tonight?"

           it’s  one  of  the  few  nights  she  allows  herself  to  let  her  hair  down  just  a  bit  ,  figuratively  speaking  of  course  .  after  breaking  away  from  her  friends  so  that  they  could  all  enjoy  the  fair  before  meeting  up  once  more  ,  theo  helps  themselves  to  a  cup  of  mulled  wine  .  the  witch  glides  through  the  crowd  ,  greeting  familiar  faces  with  a  charismatic  smile  or  two  .  and  as  the  nearest  opening  comes  clear  ,  another  approaches  her  .  

“  and  what  makes  you  say  that  ,  sugar  ?  ”  a  casual  southern  drawl  rolls  off  right  off  her  tongue  .  she’ll  bring  her  cup  to  her  lips  to  take  a  leisurely  sip  .  “  i  ain’t  the  fairytale  type  .  ”  brows  are  raised  in  amusement  before  taking  their  hand  .  “  but  nice  to  put  a  name  to  your  face  .  and  here  i  am  thinkin’  i  already  met  everyone  in  town  .  suppose  i  might’ve  missed  some  ,  ”  lips  just  out  in  a  playful  pout  .  “  i’m  theo  .  last  name’s  on  a  need  to  know  basis  ,  ”  the  witch  will  joke  .  “  any  reason  why  i’m  suddenly  met  with  your  acquaintance  ,  emersyn  ?  ”

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn leaned in, fingers deftly snagging a piece of the funnel cake as if it were the most natural thing in the world, bringing them close enough that Hansa would have to lean back if she wanted her space again. They feigned a wounded look, eyebrows raised with dramatic innocence.

"You make me sound like some kind of womanizer," they murmured, even as the faintest smirk betrayed them. It wasn't entirely untrue, and yet… Emersyn had never been the cheating type. With Hansa, they’d been consumed, borderline obsessed. When it ended, it had hollowed them out in ways they still didn’t let themselves examine.

Their gaze softened slightly, only for a heartbeat, before that familiar mischief sparked back. "C’mon, let’s hit up the haunted house together?" They straightened, pretending to shiver, their grin widening. "You know I get scared easily.”

The irony wasn’t lost on either of them. Emersyn, who could laugh in death’s face, leaning into Hansa with an exaggerated, faux-frightened look, hoping she'd take the bait—if only for old time’s sake.

hansa felt safe with her one sided view, able to take in every little expression change in emersyn's face as they moved in closer. she let's the vampire try their sell, her light laugh muffled. ❝ oh so you're gonna try to play at the romantic in me? you're hopeless. ❞

again her eyes roll, but she mentally admits, the mask is an inconvenience right now. not with emersyn. no, hansa would make a mental note to carry it around for whenever she saw them — just to piss them of in return. but she wasn't going to let her avoidance ruin her funnel cake. as it arrives, she finally pulls the mask off, letting her eyes settle into a glare on the vampire's face. she gives a pleasant thanks to the counter person, but is easily flipped when her attention is on em. ❝ if you think i'm sharing, you're sadly mistaken. ❞

her words hold no truth as once they sit, she moves the funnel cake between them, allowing for emersyn to reach if they want. however, she's not moved by their words; it's rare for hansa to believe things similar to what she's heard before, knowing too well how those spill their deceptions just to draw others in. ❝ i'm your favorite, for now. ❞

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn’s grin widened the moment Hansa’s sarcasm hit the air, like a cat toying with a mouse it knew far too well. They leaned lazily against the food stall counter, elbow propped up as if they had all the time in the world to bask in her disdain. “Aw, Han,” they drawled, voice smooth as silk and twice as infuriating. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you actually missed me.” Their dark eyes gleamed, unapologetically trailing over her masked face. They plucked a piece of napkin off the counter and fiddled with it absently, as though her insults rolled off them like water. “But come on,” they added with a teasing smirk, “what’s a night like this without a little reunion, huh? Think of it as fate. Me, you, and… deep-fried dough between us. Romantic, right?” “Besides,” Emersyn continued, voice lowering just enough to feel intimate, even in the bustling crowd, “I like it better when I can see your pretty face. Masks are overrated.” They tilted their head, letting the playful malice in their expression simmer just beneath the surface. “You’re right, though,” they added, as if confiding some great secret. “I do have the whole town crammed up for my entertainment. But…” They leaned in just a fraction closer, the smug curve of their smile sharp enough to cut. “You’ve always been my favorite show.”

hansa picked up on emersyn approaching seconds before they were beside her. if she hadn't been waiting for her funnel cake, she would have ditched it altogether, just to get away before her night was ruined. but hannie wasn't going to give up sugary fried dough anytime soon and instead simply covered her face with her ghostface mask when they other approached.

❝ of course i missed you, ❞ tone dripped in sarcasm, ❝ can't you tell by the look on my face? ❞ of course she knows that's not possible, while staring directly at em, her own expression completely hidden. it was the best thing about wearing a mask on halloween; too bad she didn't have it on before she was caught. ❝ you have the entire town all crammed up for your entertainment, and still can't help yourself? typical. ❞ now she's just being mean, hoping it will sting enough to wipe the smugness of their face.

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn’s grin was all sharp edges and bad intentions, the kind that promised trouble with no apologies. "I enjoy irritating the right people," they drawled, their voice low and smooth, almost a purr. "There’s something satisfying about watching them squirm—like they can’t decide if they wanna punch me or kiss me." They tilted their head slightly, electric blue eyes glinting beneath the flashing fairground lights. It wasn’t just a habit—it was a sport. And, more often than not, Emersyn found themselves pushing the wrong buttons with the wrong people. But hell, wasn’t that half the fun? The gondola lifted them higher, the hum of the fair growing softer beneath them. Emersyn’s gaze flicked to Eloise, a playful smirk tugging at their lips. "Yeah? Should’ve come and said hi," they murmured, leaning in just enough for their breath to brush her cheek. "But nah, I get it—you wanted me to hunt you down, huh? Admit it. You like a little chase." They flashed a grin, toothy and mischievous, eyes flickering with a teasing light. It had always been like this between them—flirtation sharp enough to cut, a game that neither seemed interested in ending. Emersyn thrived on it, and from the glimmer in Eloise's eye, they suspected she didn’t mind playing along. They stretched out in the gondola seat, draping one arm casually behind her like they belonged there. "So, where’ve you been?" Emersyn asked, voice slipping into something softer, more intimate, like they weren’t in the middle of a crowded fair but a stolen moment in the dark. "I stopped by the bakery the other day, and you weren’t there. I have to say, it was… tragic. No one else could satisfy my sweet tooth." Their grin deepened, bold as ever, testing the line but never quite crossing it. Not yet, anyway. "Good thing I found you tonight, huh?" They tilted their head, giving her a look that hovered between charm and challenge, waiting to see how far Eloise would let them go.

               the  smell  of  cotton  candy  had  followed  her  for  the  entirety  of  the  night,   making  her  feel  safe  and  joyous,   childish  in  a  way  that  warmed  her  within  and  took  her  to  a  past  where  grief  wasn’t  a  thing  she  knew  about.   that’s  why  she  loved  these  events   —   the  cheerful  energy  bordering  on  messy,   people  laughing  bosterously,   getting  drunk,   getting  kissed,   made  her  forget  about  the  baggage  she  always  carried  with  her.   it  made  her  happy,   oblivious,   it  gave  her  peace  despite  the  frenzied  vibe  that  often  embraced  them.                as  the  night  unfolded,   eloise  made  her  way  to  the  ferris  wheel  for  the  fifth  time,   after  enjoying  her  also  fifth  …  plastic  cup  of  wine,   feeling  the  buzz  of  the  alcohol  running  through  her  veins  making  her  giddy.   then,   a  small  tumult  called  for  her  attention,   crowned  by  a  growling  man  that  was  easily  silenced  by  a  deep,   silky  voice  she  would  recognize  anywhere.                it  took  her  by  surprise  nonetheless   —   she  was  expecting  to  meet  a  lot  of  people  during  the  night,   to  encounter  a  bunch  of  those  she  already  knew,   but  she  had  forgotten,   for  some  reason,   that  it  also  meant  them.   them  with  their  intoxicating  presence  and  their  gorgeous  countenance  and  their  fucking  attitude  that  turned  her  into  mush  everytime.   eloise  smiled  despite  her  astonishment,   recovering  quickly,   and  rolled  her  eyes  at  the  vampire’s  audacity.                “  you  really  enjoy  irritating  people,   don’t  you ?  ”     the  question  fell  from  her  lips  with  a  breathy  laugh,   slightly  incredulous.   emersyn  often  had  that  effect  on  her,   even  though  eloise  was  great  at  masking  it  behind  a  flirtatious  smile  and  light  conversation,   she  felt  it  squeezing  her  insides  anyway   —   the  wonder,   the  appeal,   the  fucking,   unavoidable  watering  of  her  mouth.   it  drove  her  to  insanity  sometimes,   yet  she  delighted  on  it  too  much  to  try  to  avoid  it.     “  it’s  good  to  see  you,   too,  ”     she  relented  at  last,   shaking  her  head  in  amusement  as  the  gondola  moved  to  let  others  take  their  sits.     “  although  i  think  i  saw  you  earlier,   mixing  and  all  that  fun,   cool  stuff  you  do.   which  was  great,   by  the  way,   you  did  good.  ”     the  praise  came  easily  as  it  often  did  with  them,   as  everything  was  with  them.

[anthrcpcphage]

The hum of the Halloween fair buzzed all around Emersyn—the scent of kettle corn thick in the cool air, distant bursts of laughter, and the colorful lights of carnival rides casting shifting shadows across the streets. Their DJ set had ended a little while ago, and now they drifted through the fair, hands in their pockets, half-considering sneaking off. But then they spotted her. A person with a face too striking to ignore, moving through the crowd like she didn’t quite belong to it. Her dark hair glinted under the warm, flickering lights, and there was an elegance in her posture that contrasted sharply with the chaos around her. Everything about her stood out. Without a second thought, they closed the distance, slipping easily through the throng with the kind of fluidity only a vampire could master. When they reached her, Emersyn tilted their head, a playful smirk already tugging at the corners of their lips. “You look like you just wandered into the wrong fairy tale,” they said smoothly, the faintest trace of amusement in their voice. “Lucky for you, I’m great with lost things.” They gave her a brief, casual once-over—enough to be noticed, but not obnoxious—and then extended a hand, the grin deepening. “Emersyn Volkov. Thought I’d introduce myself before I let the night get away from me." @macabr3s

[anthrcpcphage]

The metal cage of the ride groaned as it swung back and forth, rising higher with each pass. Emersyn stood at the gate, arms crossed, eyeing the contraption like it might fall apart at any second. The sign read “Thunderbolt”—some sadistic mix of a pendulum and a spinning wheel—and it already creaked like a relic. People were strapping in, giddy with thrill, but Emersyn just arched a brow, that signature half-smirk tugging at the edge of their lips. “Looks like a real quick way to meet your maker, huh?” they muttered under their breath, not expecting a response. @silkeared

[anthrcpcphage]

They weren’t sure why they’d decided to wait in line—haunted houses were all the same. Fake screams, cheap jump scares, and rubber masks that smelled like sweat. But boredom had set in, and besides, where else would they go? Home? That wasn’t happening anytime soon. The cold October breeze tugged at the collar of their red button-up, making them tuck their hands deeper into the pockets of their slacks. Emersyn shifted their weight and glanced toward the front of the line, then back at the growing crowd behind them. “Slowest damn ghost story I’ve ever been part of,” they muttered under their breath. The group ahead shuffled forward a few steps, and Emersyn followed with a low sigh. They glanced toward the person next to them—stranger, familiar face, it didn’t matter—and offered a lopsided grin. “Think they’re just waiting for one of us to drop dead of boredom before they let us in? I mean, if that’s the twist, it’s pretty genius. Save on props.” Their tone was dry, but the glint in their eyes gave away the mischief they lived for. @thx-rangxr

[anthrcpcphage]

Emersyn leaned casually against one of the wooden tables set up near the food stalls, nursing a pumpkin spiced latte that had long since lost its warmth but still carried the putrid sweet, spiced aftertaste. They quite hated it. The fair buzzed with the hum of chatter and laughter, and just as they took another slow sip, a familiar figure caught their attention from the corner of their eye. Sebastian. The barista moved through the crowd with the same demeanor Emersyn had come to recognize during their frequent visits to the coffee shop. Without missing a beat, Emersyn called out, voice smooth and relaxed. “Hey, man, it’s good to see ya out on the other side.” They grinned around the rim of their paper cup, lifting it in a lazy salute as they pushed off the table and took a step closer. “This shit is rank. You wouldn't happen to know a stall where I could get a decent cup of coffee, would you?” @writtcn