atlasxmoretti

[atlasxmoretti]

Walking the line between what he wanted to do and what he thought he should do didn't often happen, but this was one of the rare cases. Vivienne always seemed to know exactly what to say, and while he enjoyed being reminded that he could be tempted by such things, there would always be a little voice in the back of his mind telling him all the reasons he should resist.

"I speak only the truth, Vivienne." Atlas chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Maybe someday the motivation will find me, but I don't think today is that day."" He said, the tone of her voice causing him to smile perhaps a little too suggestively. But, he quickly stopped himself as they approached her house.

Having run into Vivienne had made for a far more interesting evening than Atlas had thought he would have. He always enjoyed running into familiar faces, especially when he came home. Vivienne was someone who had a way of talking, of acting, that reminded Atlas of the finer things in life. He watched her as she started up the steps to her door, closing his eyes gently and smiling as she kissed his cheek, the coldness of her lips leaving a reminder even after she had moved away. "And thank you, Ms. Beaufort, for allowing me the pleasure of your company."

Atlas stood there as Vivienne went up the remaining steps and into the house. He lingered for a moment, before turning to walk back to his own home.

END.

Vivienne’s eyes sparkled mischievously as Atlas spoke, his words laden with restraint and temptation in equal measure. She enjoyed the game they played, his hesitation only adding to the allure. There was something intoxicating about unraveling the self-control of someone so steadfast, especially when his resolve was teetering on the edge.

"You flatter me, Atlas," she murmured, her voice a soft purr. "But I think you're far more capable of beautiful trouble than you give yourself credit for. You just need the right… motivation." Her crimson lips curved into a knowing smile, and her hand brushed against his arm as they continued their leisurely walk toward her home.

As they approached the door, Vivienne slowed her pace, the warm glow of the porch light casting a soft halo around her dark features. She tilted her head to glance at him, her expression softening just enough to hint at genuine gratitude beneath her playful demeanor. "For what it's worth, I do appreciate your company tonight. Temptation aside, you've made the evening far more bearable than I anticipated."

She stepped up on the lower step of her steps, her heels clicking softly against the stone, and placed a light kiss on his cheek. The gesture was brief but deliberate, her cool lips leaving behind a whisper of her presence. "Thank you, Mr. Moretti," she said softly, her voice laced with a sincerity that was rare for her. "For indulging me."

With that, Vivienne turned, her hand resting momentarily on the doorknob. She cast him one last glance, her smile a mixture of charm and mystery, before slipping inside and letting the door close behind her.

[atlasxmoretti]

"You're right." Atlas said, though he didn't really believe it. He stayed on the move to make it feel like he was doing something. Too often, he felt like he'd only put bad things out into the world, so travelling around, helping out packs across the world, it felt like he was making up for what had happened up at the peak that day. However, it was nice to hear that his presence at home was welcomed, that he would always have family to come back to. "I can't argue with that. There's something about seeing so many familiar faces that has always made this place feel like home again."

Atlas chuckled, shaking his head. "I find it hard to believe you could ever scare anyone off. There's nothing wrong with being excited about love. Honestly, that's how you know you're in it." His expression softened as Beau spoke about Jay. He remembered that feeling fondly. "Hold onto that. It's the best feeling in the world, and it doesn't come around all that often." He knew Beau would do exactly that. "Please, you give me too much credit. All that you are, and all that you've done and accomplished is because of who you are." It was moments like this that reminded Atlas why coming home was so important.

Returning his attention to the menu, he nodded his head. "Yes, I think we should. Order whatever you like, it's on me."

Beau's smile softened as he listened to Atlas, a certain warmth settling over him. “I think you’ll like it, taking things slower for a bit. You’ve earned that, you know? And I can’t imagine Raven’s Peak without you. It’s always felt like you belonged here, no matter how much you’ve traveled.” He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the edge of the table. “And selfishly, I’m glad you’re sticking around. It feels like old times again—well, better times, anyway.”

His cheeks flushed faintly at the mention of Jay, but he didn’t shy away. “You’ll definitely meet him. I mean, if I don’t scare him off first by hyping it up too much.” He let out a soft laugh. “I think you’ll like him. He’s...steady. Like, the kind of steady that makes you believe everything’s going to be okay." Beau leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. “It means a lot to hear you’re proud, though. I don’t think I say it enough, but you’ve been kind of a touchstone for me. So, yeah. I’m glad you’re here, Atlas. Really glad. And I hope you stay awhile."

Beau looked down at the menu for a moment. "Should we order?"

[atlasxmoretti]

It wasn't uncommon for Atlas to visit the cemetery when he came home to Raven's Peak. What was strange though, was that it had taken him so long to actually get there during his latest visit. He'd been back in town for months now, and he hadn't been able to bring himself to visit his wife and his children. Coming to visit always reminded him of all he had lost. Sure, his wife had lived a long and full life, as had his children, but that didn't make their absence any easier to deal with. He missed them so much, and as he wandered through the cemetery he couldn't help but wonder what they were think of things if they were still alive today.

But, it wasn't something he could dwell on. It would only make staying that much harder, and right now Raven's Peak was where he needed to be. His sister was here, his oldest friends were here. Things were happening that they couldn't explain, and leaving now would be a bad idea.

After placing bunches of flowers on the graves of his family, he made his way back towards his car. He'd made it almost all the way back when he remembered something and suddenly turned around to go back. Almost immediately, he bumped into someone, and despite his best efforts to catch not only himself, but the woman as well, they both ended up on the ground.

"I'm fine. Are you okay?" He asked, his tone somewhat amused until he saw the state the woman was in. "Are you alright?" Atlas asked again, this time a little softer.

where : hemlock cemetery. who : open.

The morning air still had a bite of cold, and the sun's rays were not yet high enough in the sky to melt the frost that had settled over the grass. With every step she took through the solemn graveyard, a soft and satisfying crunch followed, though Emel took no notice of the beauty of the cold surrounding her, mind preoccupied with thoughts much too heavy for so early in the morning.

Her parents weren't buried in this cemetery, nor was her older sister. And why would they be? It had been nearly twenty years since the fire happened, half a continent away from this town. Half that since she'd visited the tomb where they lay, and yet, for some reason she had yet to find an explanation for, Emel felt closer to them here than she ever had in the city she'd thought was her home. There was a pull she couldn't explain that brought her back to this location on mornings when she was not working.

Her feet stop at a gravestone she does not recognize, marked with the name of a stranger she could never have known. The overgrown lichen and ample moss covering the stone suggest that this stranger had not been known by anyone for a long while, and the sadness that had already begun to overwhelm her becomes nearly suffocating at that moment.

A deep breath, in and out, as her gloved hands clenched tightly at her sides, nails nearly breaking through the black leather as she attempted to ground herself. Control had been hard to learn for so long, and Emel was slowly beginning to realize it was a near-unending journey. It cracked, and her fists started to shake, and then she walked away as quickly as she could.

Or, she tried to, at least. Maybe it was the blur of tears in her eyes that obscured her vision, or perhaps someone upstairs had simply decided peace was not in the cards for Emel on this day ( or any day ); in her haste to leave, she ran, literally, into someone who had been arriving and nearly took the both of them down to the ground.

“Holy shit, I am so so sorry. Oh my god, that was completely my fault, are you okay ? I am so incredibly sorry,” even before she can process who she’s bumped into, Emel is already stumbling over as many apologies as she can in the shortest amount of time.

[atlasxmoretti]

"Time to catch my breath is definitely needed, it's been far too long. Part of me thinks I've missed being still after being on the move for so long. It'll be interesting to say the least." Atlas wasn't sure how long it would take for him to get the itch to get back on the road, but he knew that Raven's Peak was where he needed to be right now. Especially with so many people he cared about congregating there. Home was where he needed to be, so home was where he would stay.

Outside of his sisters and the Morgraves, there weren't all that many people left in Raven's Peak that Atlas felt truly connected to. Beau was one of them, having known him for many years, watching him grow into the man he had become. He was proud, in a weird sort of way, and to hear that Beau was glad to have him around filled him with the same warmness that he felt when he was with his sisters. "I can't tell you how glad I am to be able to catch up with you more, and to taste-test some of your recipes. And hopefully to meet the man who has you so enamoured."

Beau’s smile widened as Atlas spoke, his warmth radiating through every word. “I’m glad to hear that, really,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “You deserve some time to just... be, you know? To reconnect and catch your breath. I think it’s easy to get caught up in everything and forget how important that is.”

“I’m really glad you’re sticking around for a bit. It feels like everything’s been moving so fast lately, so having you here? It’s like... grounding, you know?” Beau reached for his drink, his gaze softening as he looked at Atlas. “And while you’re here, don’t be surprised if I rope you into taste-testing some of my new recipes. I might need a second opinion on a few things I’m working on.”

Beau hesitated for a moment, then added, “But more than that, I’m glad we’ll have the chance to catch up properly. You’ve always felt like family, Atlas, and it’s nice to have you home for a while.”

[atlasxmoretti]

There were few people who had the ability to rattle Atlas, but Vivienne was certainly proving to be one of those few. Though he was good at keeping himself composed, something he had learned to do over many, many years, he made an extra effort to keep things playful only, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. He knew what Vivienne meant to Victor, and the last thing he wanted was to let himself trip and fall for her charm. And Vivienne was incredibly charming, and Atlas knew that she knew it.

"No, not anymore, not for a long time." There had been a time, back when he was a human, when he was in love, that self-indulgence was something he partook in quite often. But, since the loss of his wife, he'd made a point to limit himself. Fun was good, but getting attached was dangerous. With his seemingly endless lifespan, finding someone to spend time with who wouldn't just be a blink of a moment was difficult. He wasn't naive to the fact that Vivienne was also immortal, but he didn't want to find himself getting attached to someone who was involved with someone else. Especially when that someone was a Morgrave. The Morettis and the Morgraves had not long settled their differences for the most part, and Atlas didn't want to be the reason that fell apart.

But, with the way that Vivienne pressed closer, the way that her hand lingered in his, Atlas found himself starting to crave the trouble that she was trying to tempt him with. Swallowing hard, he tried to push it from his mind. "I have no doubt in my mind that you are a master of that particular art. I'm sure you have a way of making the most beautiful trouble one could possibly imagine." He was more tempted by the minute, and even with willpower as strong as his, he was starting to struggle.

"The mess we could make could be truly awe-inspiring, but I can't help but to think of the consequences. A fatal flaw of being so virtuous, I suppose." He said, letting out a short laugh. To his core, he was still the gentleman that he had been taught to be, and as much as he would enjoy an evening with Vivienne, the repercussions weighed heavily on him. "However, I'd be lying if I were to say that I wasn't tempted by your most generous offer."

Vivienne tilted her head, her lips curling into a sultry, almost predatory smile that hinted at the chaos brewing just beneath her calm exterior. Her steps slowed, deliberately drawing attention to the measured sway of her movements as she let Atlas's words wash over her like a teasing caress.

"Oh, darling Atlas, if I may," she purred, her voice like velvet dipped in honey, "if you're looking for a bad influence, you've stumbled upon a masterpiece of mischief." Her dark eyes sparkled with a wildness that seemed both enticing and dangerous, as though she were daring the world itself to cage her. "Self-indulgence isn't a strong suit of yours, you say? Such a pity. A man like you, with such restraint… such potential—what a waste of sinless perfection."

She pressed closer, her cold hand lingering in his warm one, her fingers curling just enough to send a shiver up his spine. "But don't worry," she murmured. "I am an artist in turning potential into indulgence, and I have a particular fondness for painting my canvases with trouble."

Her gaze dropped to his hand, which had squeezed hers moments ago, before snapping back up to meet his eyes. "You see, trouble isn’t just an act—it’s an experience, a thrill that leaves a mark. And with you…" She tilted her head, studying his face as though trying to decide what sort of chaos he might crave, "...I think we'd make quite the beautiful mess together. Don’t you?"

Her smile widened, her expression teetering between charm and madness. "Now, tell me, Atlas—how deep into the dark are you willing to venture? I assure you, the fall will be exquisite. And perhaps," her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "a little criminality is just what you need to loosen those virtuous binds of yours."

[atlasxmoretti]

"I couldn't think of anything more perfect." There was something to be said about the way Elizabeth saw the world, and how she came up with the perfect pieces for certain spaces. What she described fit the aesthetic on Nouveau perfectly, and Atlas couldn't wait to she what she put together. At her touch, he smiled and lowered his eyes for a moment. "That will be an image that I will carry with me." He said with a slight smirk. "And a promise that I have every intention of making sure is kept." He returned her toast and sipped his drink, knowing his night was better for having seen her.

END.

“I’ve always been a fan of miracles,” Elizabeth laughed. “But I’m going to go with the Northern Lights for the Nouveau, all mysterious and alluring with beautiful blends of glass and the shadows of the midnight sky.” Her finger traced over his jaw before she tapped him on the chin. “But yeah, all the golden drenched beauty of Tuscany for you.” Her smile widened as she straightened up and reached over to pick up her wine glass. “It’ll be my promise and reminder of our planned trip,” she informed him with a little toast before drinking deep of the wine.

[atlasxmoretti]

Atlas could sense the shift in Anitta, and he knew he had to do something to turn it around. "But that doesn't make it any less of a victory. The fact that we're all still here, I think, is our biggest victory to date. The things that we have handled to get here, small victories that make up a much larger one. It matters, Anitta. All that we've been through matters. All that's left to come our way, it matters. And we'll get through it, no matter what it is, because that's what we do, it's what we've always done. Together."

He meant every word he said, and he hoped that Anitta could see what he was trying to get across to her. "Now, let's get ourselves another drink and add this evening to the list of small victories, shall we?"

~~*~~

The implication, or at least how she understood them, was that they hadn't been a family for a while. He wasn't exactly wrong. While she desperately clung to the idea that she could save her siblings from any sort of distress, the truth was she couldn't. Most people, mortal people, feared death. That was the ultimate loss. But for her family and the Morgraves, it was becoming the reverse. It was truly living they were afraid of because at some point, they would have to go on without the people around them. Everything around them was so temporary. Everything but the curse that kept them in this endless cycle.

"I'm not sure what more we could tackle to be honest," she was letting her melancholy overtake her, and at a party no less, "Even a victory is temporary since we'll out live it."

[atlasxmoretti]

"You do, and honestly that's something I've always admired about the two of you." The love that Adelaide and Rowen shared was one that Atlas had always hoped he would find for himself. Sure, they had ups and downs, but who didn't? They always found their way back to each other, and that was something Atlas found incredibly commendable. When Rowen asked what had brought him back to town, Atlas shrugged. "I had this nagging feeling that I needed to come back. So, I did, and that's when I found out that demons had made an appearance in our not so quiet town." It had definitely come as a surprise, and it had more than a few people on edge. "I could ask the same of you, though. What brought you back? Surely it couldn't have just been my sister. In all the years I've known you, I don't think I've ever seen you back here. At least, not for a very long time."

"Never enough of one." His own cross to bear, so to speak, as he leaned back into his seat with the glass that dangled from his grip as he took in the other's company. "But we always manage to find each other when we need to," he added, though he'd never thought it would mean coming back here again. In all their time together and apart, Raven's Peak was a place that stood outside of their worlds as long as they were together as he kept his presence from there for as long as he could. It did not last nearly as long as he thought as he poised a bit of a question on the tip of his tongue. "So what brought you back? I'm sure you've been asked that a few too many times before, but I know it's the one question that I've been asked more than others. However I did have one individual ask me if I were an original." He added with a bit of a laugh at the thought. "Imagine that."

[atlasxmoretti]

"I figured I was about due for some fresh air. It feels like I've been cooped up in my house unpacking for weeks." It had been a long time since Atlas had settled anywhere, so it had come as a surprise to him to discover just how much he owned. For years, his life had been packed away in boxes, and during his travels he would send the odd box back home. What he hadn't realised was how this boxes had started to add up.

Atlas took a seat on the bench and leaned back, talking in the area around them. "What brings you out to the park today?" He asked, making polite chit chat. The last thing he wanted to do was distract the man from whatever it was that he was doing on his phone, but he'd always been a chatter, so he just couldn't help himself.

Ivan was in no way enjoying the scenery, but he at least was outside and getting some sun. He had to remind himself to do things like that sometimes. His hobbies were all indoor kind of things, and with the kids all grown and out of the house, there was really nothing forcing him to go outside. Nothing except his health, of course, which was why he was sitting outside, phone in hand, watching as the bids kept coming in during the final hour of the auction.

Stupid eBay, Ivan grumbled to himself and drank from his coffee cup. It was supposed to be a dying platform, why were so many people on here bidding on this particular cabinet? Losers, he thought, and bid on it again.

“Oh!” He looked up, surprised when the other addressed him. “Not at all, go right ahead!” He scooched over on the bench to make extra room. “It is, isn’t it? The weather is perfect.” He drank another sip of coffee. “What brings you out here?”

[atlasxmoretti]

As soon as Neylani started speaking Atlas could tell that she had all but written him off. It was disappointing. Not because he was looking for someone to spend forever with, but because he had been hoping to enjoy this date for what it was -- a date. But, it seemed to him that she took some issue with the pairing, and that was sure to cast some sort of shadow over what he had hoped would just be a fun outing.

He nodded his head. "Understood." He wasn't about to pull out all his usual moves if they weren't going to be welcome, and Atlas wasn't the type of person to force anything on anyone. So, if Neylani didn't want this to be anything, that was fine with him. "If you'd rather not do this, I'd understand." Though it seemed that she thought their friends hadn't been serious about the match up, Atlas hadn't seen it that way, and he still didn't. He'd been prepared for a nice date in the park, maybe followed by some dinner. This was obviously not going to be that. He'd lived a long life, and he'd given up on finding his forever a long time ago. However, he did find himself feeling lonely from time to time, so he had at least hoped that maybe he could find some good company to spend some time with. "What I mean to say is that I would hate to intrude on your afternoon with Rupert."

Her leg crossed over the other and foot bounced in the air as she waited, even as she spotted Atlas Moretti coming down the walk. Neylani just automatically assumed the man was only crossing through, so she barely offered more than a tight smile of greeting as he was expected to move on. That is, until it became obvious that wasn't the case.

Oh, absolutely not. This man hadn't aged a day in all the years she'd known of him, despite being the same species as herself. He was from one of the original founding families -- all of whom had somehow found an everlasting elixir of life. Which meant he would never grow old and he would never die, while she would. This man needed to get himself a partner that would last as long as he would.

Ney stood up, and looked over to where Rupert was pretending he was camouflaged. "His name is Rupert -- thought he'd like to get some sun today but, apparently he'd rather play hide and seek." Her attention returned to Atlas himself. "Listen, before anything else is said here," her tone came off more businesslike than she intended, but that was typical when she was 'handling' an issue, "it's clear that nothing will come out of this." She gestured between the two of them. "You're a handsome man, and I certainly respect you and your family a great deal for what you've done with Raven's Peak, but obviously this is not.." Ney laughed a bit, finally seeing the sad humor in it. "I think our friends weren't really being serious -- maybe they're even trying to tell me to lighten up. But I've always been an upfront person that doesn't like to waste people's time, so.."

The sheriff hugged herself and managed a nicer smile. "That all came out aggressive, sorry. All I mean to say is, I'd be happy to get to know you better so we can become friends." Quite frankly, this already put the nail in the coffin -- dating just wasn't for her. She understood it shouldn't be taken so seriously but, why not? The point of dating was to find your person to be with, so it should be taken seriously. Most men she encountered, never understood why she was so cut-direct. In the end, it was to save them both from putting time and effort into someone that just wasn't going to work out, for whatever reasons.

[atlasxmoretti]

Nothing brought Atlas greater joy than seeing the people he cared about happy. As he looked at Beau, took in the way see seemed almost shy to be talking about Jay, Atlas could tell it was the type of love that didn't come around all that often. Part of Atlas envied Beau for what he had. He'd had two loves in his long life, both of which were long since passed. He missed them dearly, but still held out hope that maybe he would find someone someday. Until then, he was perfectly content with seeing those around him as happy as Beau was. "Good, I'll hold you to that."

His travels kept him busy, and it wasn't often that he stayed in one place too long. It was how Atlas liked it, but coming home this time was different. "It was amazing, truly. Even for someone as old as I am, there is still so much for me to learn. It's been quite the experience, and I've enjoyed every moment of it." A fond smile spread across his face as he recalled his more recent travels. Atlas had made a lot of good friends, and he hoped he'd get the chance to go back and see them again soon. "I'll be staying for a while, the foreseeable future at least. It's been too long since I've had a decent amount of family time, so I plan on making the most of it while I can."

Beau beamed as Atlas spoke, feeling a little shy at his words but grateful all the same. Atlas had always been kind to him—one of those people who made you feel like you were worth something just by being yourself. Beau ducked his head a little, feeling his cheeks warm at the mention of Jay. “Thanks, Atlas. Jay…well, he makes me feel like the luckiest guy alive. I still can’t believe sometimes that he’s actually mine.” He rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a soft laugh. “And don’t worry, you’ll be first in line to try out those new recipes.”

He perked up, genuinely interested as Atlas shared his recent travels. "That sounds incredible, really. Seeing so much of the world and helping out different packs? It’s important work, and it suits you. But I get it…coming back here, it’s like stepping into a memory but different, you know? Things change, but there’s always that sense of home." Beau tilted his head at the older werewolf. "Are you planning on staying awhile?"

[atlasxmoretti]

The news about Noah took Atlas by surprise. "He was? By who?" Surely that wasn't connected to the fog. But, how could they be sure of that when they didn't understand what had been going on as of late. Things in Raven's Peak were seemingly changing daily. The old rules, what they had always known to be true, it didn't matter anymore because something more was going on. It was frustrating to not understand the cause, but Atlas was confident that with so many of the original families back in town, together they could figure it out. Or, at least come closer to getting answers.

"Maybe not, but if there are some Ravenlock descendants running around, maybe if there are a few of them, they could conjure up that kind of power together." It seemed like a stretch, but if the Morettis and Morgraves were back, it wouldn't be strange for some of the Ravenlocks to have found their way to town too. They might not have been the same witches from back when the stone was broken, but they still had Ravenlock blood. It was worth a shot, even if it was a shot in the dark. "That's understandable, but maybe it's something to try. This town has already taken so much from all of us, I don't want to allow it to take any more."

~~*~~

"That and this ridiculous fog," she rolled her eyes. She hated not having answers. She hated not being in control. She hated what the town turned her into. But this was where her siblings were right now, and she felt they were truly threatened. Even if she couldn't see the enemy. "And apparently Noah Morgrave was attacked and nearly killed. That was surprising news." For a few reasons that Anitta felt her brother would catch whether she said them out loud or not.

"I can't be sure," she sipped at her drink absently again, "And there aren't any witches alive with the kind of power we had back then. I'm not sure they'd be able to see it as we did. Plus," she bit her lip and sighed deeply. She didn't want to say it lest it manifest some long forgotten karma that she'd never actually outlive, "I'm just not sure if there are any witches I trust anymore. But I truly hope you're right," she nodded. Somewhat assured by her brother's words, "Together we could."

[atlasxmoretti]

It wasn't that Atlas tried to be a smooth talker, it was something that just seemed to happen. On more than one occasion, it had managed to get him out of trouble. In other occasions, it had gotten him into a lot of trouble. Right now, though? He was simply talking in the hopes of maybe impressing the woman next to him. "I'm glad to hear it. Just say the word, and I'll make good on what I've said."

He let out a soft chuckle. "No sob story is ever the same. People all experience things differently, it doesn't take away from the fact that it can still be hard just because other people have been through the same or similar." There weren't many things that Atlas hadn't seen or heard about in his long life, but that didn't mean he would ever not be a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on when someone needed it. "But, if you're sure, the offer is always there." He looked over to give her a reassuring smile before looking back at the road.

At her question, Atlas nodded his head. "Surprisingly, yes, I am. It's been a long time since I've stayed in one place this long, and I can't say I ever imagined Raven's Peak would be a place I would ever find myself settling again, but it has been nice so far. A lot of familiar faces, and plenty of new ones." For the first time in a long time, Atlas could see himself making his home in Raven's Peak again.

Maia laughed, knowing that if she didn't like Noah or her job so much she would have switched in a heartbeat. Atlas seemed like a smooth talker and she found herself wondering what it would be like to work for him, among other things. "Well you definitely have piqued my interest, I'll tell you that."

She quickly waved his concern off. "It's best if I don't think about it, to be honest. But I have no doubt you're a good listener. Plus it's nice to know that even though you've been around a lot longer you probably heard the same sob story before." Maybe people didn't change as much as they thought as time went on. Maia quickly grinned when he said they should take the scenic route. "Good, I was hoping you'd say that." She settled in, turning to look at Atlas more. "So are you enjoying being back in your home town?"

[atlasxmoretti]

"I don't see how I couldn't agree." Atlas chuckled, shaking his head. The life he lead was far from exciting, at least by Vivienne's standards he was sure. "Oh, and do you have intentions of helping me with that? I'm not sure I could think of anyone better suited to helping me find some trouble than you, Ms. Beaufort."

The slightest hint of smirk appeared on his face at her words. "When you've lived as long as I have, finding any kind of trouble that I haven't found myself in before is rather difficult. But, perhaps with the right bad influence, I could manage it." Atlas was sure that Vivienne had no issues with finding ways to keep things interesting, and if she wanted to include him in that some time, he'd be a fool to say no. "Self-indulgence has never really been a strong suit of mine, which I'm sure comes as no surprise to you. But, I'm open to suggestions."

His warm hand gently squeezed Vivienne's cold one as they continued to walk. He could see what she was hinting at, and if he was being honest, he was tempted. But, it would make for a tricky situation considering Vivienne's ties to the Morgrave family. "Well, if it would be criminal, it would be remiss of me to not take you up on whatever you're offering. I am an upstanding and law-abiding citizen after all."

Vivienne laughed, her lips curving into a smirk as she let his hand settle over hers. "Well, I do aim to keep things interesting—boring is the curse of an endless life, wouldn’t you agree? Besides," she murmured, her voice low and playful, "I think a little trouble would suit you, Mr. Moretti. Just a touch, nothing to tarnish that pristine reputation you’re so proud of.”

She glanced up at him, the faintest glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Staying out of trouble… how very noble, though I dare say a bit disappointing." She squeezed his arm gently, teasingly, as they walked. "You’ve managed to avoid it for so long, but have you considered… a little indulgence might do you some good? After all, how often does one get to stroll through the night with such charming company?"

Her gaze lingered on him, the invitation clear but wrapped in a veil of her typical dramatic flair. "Besides," she added, raising an eyebrow, "if you’re in need of excitement, it would be positively criminal to let me slip away tonight without at least tempting you.”

[atlasxmoretti]

Stepping inside, Atlas turned to smile at Noah. He was glad to see him in good spirits after such a successful event. It wasn't even his event, but Atlas was still riding the high of the evening. "Well, I have to disagree with you there, but I did come here with every intention of celebrating, so I'll take it only if it means we'll get this bottle opened sooner." He said with a chuckle, motioning to the bottle in his hand. "Considering all I've heard about the last event that took place, I'm glad that nothing like that happened during the reopening."

It wasn't his first time in Noah's house, so Atlas made way through to find them some glasses so he could pour them a drink. "How's business been since? I imagine the regulars have all returned." He said when he found the glasses. "I've seen a few new faces at Nouveau, and I'm almost certain it's thanks to you."

All things considered, Noah didn't think there was a better way for Midnight Mirage to be brought back to it's former glory and celebrated with all of Raven's Peak. The town had truly shown up for the event and things had seemed to go off without any issue. Noah was proud of what he'd been able to achieve in such a short window of time, even if relaunching a silly little business didn't seem all that important when he considered the bigger picture of his life as a whole.

Finding Atlas at his door, Noah couldn't help but smile appreciatively at both the champagne clutched in his hand and the words spoken. "I don't think I could have asked for it to go any more smoothly than it did, so I definitely have no complaints. It's good to have Mirage open again." He steps back, offering space for Atlas to enter his home. "The success is at least in part to you and your staff, too. It seems only right we celebrate together."

[atlasxmoretti]

Atlas smiled as Beau talked about what had been going on with him. He'd always had a soft spot for Beau, ever since they'd first met. The Wolfsongs were like family, and so Atlas was always interested to know how things were going for them. Today, he was focused on Beau, but at some point he would make sure to catch up with Nathan as well. "Well, I certainly hope that I'll get to sample some of these new recipes." He smiled, lifting his eyes from the menu in front of him to look across as Beau.

His smile only grew as he started talking about Jay. "That's great to hear, Beau. Truly. There's no one more deserving of that kind of love than you, so I'm glad to hear that you've found it." Atlas was a romantic at heart, even though it had been many, many years since he'd had a love of his own. "Me? I've been well. Travelling around, working with packs around the world. More recently, I've been travelling around the states, but now I've found myself back here, and admittedly that feels a little strange. But, I'm glad to be back, and it's nice to see so many familiar faces around."

Beau couldn’t help but smile as he settled into his seat across from Atlas. It was great to see him again after all this time. “Thanks for inviting me,” he said, glancing around the country club with its polished decor and inviting atmosphere. It felt special, a nice change from their usual hangouts.

He picked up the menu and pretended to study it, but the truth was he was more excited about the company than the food. “Oh man, where to start?” he chuckled. “So much has happened! I’ve been working on my baking a lot more, and I might’ve even experimented with some new recipes,” he said, trying to keep it light. He really only told Atlas and Mollie about his baking. He knew no one else would really understand his call to the sweets, but them.

“And of course, there’s Jay—everything’s been a whirlwind with him. I think I’m falling harder every day.” He paused, taking a sip of his drink, his expression softening as he thought about Jay. “But enough about me! How have you been? It’s great to have you back in town.”

[atlasxmoretti]

It wasn't uncommon for Atlas to offer a few free drinks on the rare occasion that he found himself behind the bar. It wasn't common practice, he knew that, but he'd always thought that it helped with keeping people coming back. It hadn't failed him yet.

"An excellent choice." Atlas said with a smile as he started making the drink. "So, what brings you in tonight?" He asked, making polite chat as he worked. He wasn't in it for the tips or the money, he'd always just enjoyed making sure that people had a good time. "I don't think I've seen you in here before, are you new to town? Or maybe I just haven't been around, which is entirely likely. Though, I think I'd remember a face like yours."

Rosita settled onto the barstool, ready to kick off her night with a drink. She didn’t even have to wait—almost immediately, the bartender approached her and offered a free drink. Now that was service. She couldn't tell if the charming voice was part of an act to rake in tips, but it didn’t matter; it was effective. It didn’t hurt that he was strikingly handsome, either. She already decided he’d get a generous tip—Rosita was many things, but selfish with her money wasn't one of them. She had more than she knew what to do with.

She also didn't know the man owned the bar, ''How nice of you,'' she said, a smile playing on her lips as she considered her choice. ''A martini, extra dirty,'' she added with a playful wink.