exorcist-tess

[exorcist-tess]

Tess glances down at her borrowed dress, absolutely baffled.

"They have no idea I'm in basketball shorts under this, huh?" she mumbles to herself, blushing from the attention.

“HELLO!!!! And welcome to the Golden Shores Beach Day Awards Ceremony! Today we’ve had some AWESOME competitions running throughout the day, some that weren’t even planned, but we were so impressed we just had to shout a couple of you out!” -🐭

“This feels similar to what the kids would call bullying-” -✨

“But in a kind and rewarding way of course because we’re so proud of everyone’s joyous nature today!” -🐭

*Ellen rolled her eyes. Today was a shit show and anyone with eyes could tell that. Someone literally died and the High Seraphim who was supposed to be doing awards was no where to be found. Not to mention that… person Seraphim Adina was running around with for half the day was definitely a sinner. And honestly, there were several other halos that were suspect throughout the day as well! Calling attention to it would have caused a panic though so she let it slide but seriously? Joyous nature Penelope?*

“There were several moments we’ll be highlighting, so keep those clappers warm and ready to get to applauding! Today was a great day!” -🐭

“First we’d like to congratulate all of the sandcastle builders. There were 76 entries this year! Thats the most we’ve ever had compete during this event, and the competition was hot! With over six thousand votes turned in, it’s a surprise we even got the votes all tallied up in time!” -🐲

“Would have been a lot harder if you hadn’t set half of them on fire, but what do I know?” -✨

“Please, when you’ve been called, come to the podium to be recognized and receive your award. So without further ado, third place belongs to… number 34, Dahlia!” -🐲

“Our second place was a tight win, only a little over thirty more votes seperately these two placements! Second place was… number 33, Delia!” -🐥

“Our first place winner was an absolute landslide. This sand castle was entered a bit later in the day but still managed to get quite a lot of attention for their scenes from the skies! This castle was a masterpiece coming from an unsuspected source. With a tallied vote of 1256 votes, the winner of the sandcastle building competition is… number 68, Shamira!” -🐭

*Ellen remembered counting votes and laughing as she sorted through the paper slips. At least a third of them were all in Emily’s flowing cursive. But honestly, she loved Emily and if she was willing to turn in over 300 votes for the guardians castle, she would gladly count them. Even if said guardian would have won without any of them*

(( @exorcist-dahlia @exorcist-delia @askshamass ))

[exorcist-tess]

((OOC))

Finally got around to drawing Tess' original beach fit before she had to change!!!

[exorcist-tess]

((OOC))

Finally got around to drawing Tess' original beach fit before she had to change!!!

[exorcist-tess]

That's a damn lie, but Tess blushes regardless. The robe drags the ground behind her like an old sorcerer's cloak, but... It's something. It's Sarai's... It's... a gift?

She smiles slightly, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you. You're a good... friend, Sarai. I believe in you."

Sure. That can be the word for it. A friend who apologizes and wants to be better. A friend she actually trusts now. A friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

Tess nods, but she's still intent on fidgeting nervously. This simple, mundane conversation has been way too much information to process already to be quite honest. The Commander has a fiancee, someone who doesn't find her completely insufferable by principle alone, and not only that but she's a busking, coffee-making winner? Weird. Heaven's gotten strange in these past few years.

"Well, uh, it was... Nice to meet you. Sandy, was it? No, fuck— Sadie!" Her face flushes in embarrassment. "I, uh... I... Oh man I screwed that up... I'll see you later!!"

Hiding her face in her hands, she flies away in complete humiliation.

Howdy! I reckon you must be one of Lute’s coworkers? The uniform is kinda hard to miss, haha. Anyway, I don’t believe we’ve met! I’m her fiancée, Sadie. *She extends her arm for a handshake.* And you are? -🔥

@ask-sadie-morgan

Tess can't help the confused look that crosses her face, brows furrowing slightly. Lute? With a fiancée? Like, as in someone actually likes the commander enough to marry her? It's the same feeling as finding out Adam was married... Twice.

"Oh, uh... It's nice to meet you? I'm Tess," she says, awkwardly accepting the handshake. "And I wouldn't say coworkers. She's more... My boss, I guess."

Should I say congratulations or condolences?

[exorcist-tess]

Milan.

The name made her stomach drop. Right, Milan was... Oh God, what did Sadie call her? Some human slang term? Tess couldn't quite remember. What she did know for sure, though, was that Milan and Sarai definitely had something going on between them. And she didn't think it was familial like it was with Ava.

She tried to stifle the tiny sigh that threatened to escape her lips. This wasn't the time to pine.

"Yeah... It will be hard. But it's not really an option. If you love her, then... Say something. Let her know. Before it's too late."

Why couldn't she take her own advice?

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

Tess sighed. She wasn't sure if Sarai knew that she'd overheard that conversation, but... Ava is a friend. There's no sense in lying.

"Ava's sweet, he's just used to getting hurt and wants to protect himself, I think. But, you know, you're still family. You can make things right, you've just got to talk to him. Show her you care. That you still want to be her sister. Because right now, no offense, but he still thinks you're an elitist bitch that doesn't care about him either way."

When she folded her arms, they almost disappeared entirely into the sleeves. She tried not to let it show on her face how embarrassed she was.

"Not that that's entirely true, but... That's how he feels. At least from what I've... seen, I guess."

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

Tess pursed her lips, habitually glancing behind her as she chewed her bottom lip nervously, suddenly feeling like she'd once again said the wrong thing. She's really bad about that, huh?

"I didn't mean it like—" No, she definitely did, but it's not her fault Sera doesn't like her! Whatever, just... Change the subject. Answer her question. She's trying.

"I'm... Managing. How are you?"

She once again glanced at the garment Sarai had handed her. Normally, she'd just layer the cover-up over her shirt, but with the stain still damp she was afraid of ruining Sarai's nice clothes she'd so graciously let her bother. Sigh. Here goes nothing.

Using her wings as a sort of shield, Tess quickly pulled the ruined T-shirt up and over her head. Her wings were too small to cover everything, but she kept them up until she could replace the shirt with her borrowed change of clothes... Which had to be at least 10 sizes too long for her. It made her blush, noticing how the hem of the robe dragged the sand.

Damnit, I look like a nun.

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

She's... She's actually being... decent? Tess realized a little too late that she was definitely gawking as Sarai handed her the garment.

"Sorry, I just... didn't think you liked me." She attempted a light-hearted laugh, but the sound was more fake and hollow than anything. "I thought that was just a Seraphim thing, I guess. Sera doesn't like Exorcists either."

She stared at the cover-up in her hands for a few seconds, pondering the change, then glanced up again.

"You don't seem like her, though. You're... actually nice."

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

Clearer than before? The hell was that supposed to mean? But, then again, it was hard to even focus on the Seraphim's peculiar words when she was so... So...

Oh God she's taking off her cloak!

Tess quickly covered her blush with her wings, squeezing her eyes shut momentarily. Maybe this was a dream? A really weird daydream? But when she opened them... Nope, this was definitely real, and Sarai was definitely handing her the robe.

She glanced down at the black T-shirt she'd been wearing, now stained by the ice cream, then back up at Sarai, trying not to focus on the bikini. "A— Are you sure? I wouldn't want to take... Um..."

Fuck, what had she been saying again? This was not the time to get distracted.

"Which, not that the whole... ensemble... doesn't look good— Great, I mean. You look great. Really great."

"...What am I even talking about?"

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

Great. Once again, Tess was going to leave an interaction with Sarai covered in whatever the Seraphim had been consuming. She tried to stifle a sigh, but she still couldn't escape the feeling that everyone was looking at her and the ice cream splattered across the shirt she probably shouldn't have worn anyway.

At least Sarai was being nicer this time...

"Yeah, it's— wait, you remembered my name?!"

Admittedly, Tess was super late to the party, but in her defense— Yeah, no, she just didn't want to come if she's being honest. There's no defense in being awkward.

Looking out at the sea of people, she couldn't help but let that nervous feeling grow. Everyone else on the beach was in swimwear. Should she have bought something new? She figured a T-shirt and shorts would get the job done but now she was panicking and starting to overthink again.

Who does she even talk to here? The plan had been to find Ava to ask about the rat and how he's been doing since The Incident™, but all of the figures in the crowd blurred into a mass of indistinguishable wings and and halos. Who else was there? She didn't like Dahlia, Lute, Milan... Sadie was alright, she supposed. Maybe she should find...

Bam!

She was on the ground again. Why was it that every time they met it had to go this way? Looking up from her resting place of shame in the sand, Tess spotted none other than Sarai, whom she'd just bumped into... Again.

"I swear that's not a habit, I just have awful luck!"

@exorcist-tess

Startled by the bump, Sarai dropped her seaweed-flavored ice cream onto Tess.

"Oh! You!" She exclaimed, "You...I know you. We've met before! It was...Tess, correct?"

[exorcist-tess]

for @informist, Avery

[exorcist-tess]

Should Tess have left before all that went down? Maybe. But the moment Milan came onto the scene, she froze completely, watching in disbelief and still feeling that protective streak she's felt over Ava all night. That's Sarai's... what? Girlfriend? Then who is Carrots?? This is all so confusing

Once the two angels have gotten their final remarks out and she realizes her cue to go, Tess takes a quick peak inside of the quiet room. There are a few people there she recognizes, and at least one or two she could trust enough to make sure Ava doesn't fall over and die. She waves sheepishly at Timpani in particular before popping back out and letting the rat back on her shoulder.

"Alright, then... I'll see you around, yeah?" She says awkwardly as she gives the rat a tiny pat on the head, more to reassure herself than anyone. "Bedtime for the little one."

Ava staggers through the crowd, bumping into strangers as he tries to run away. All he wanted to do now was see Timpani. She knew that they were in the designated quiet zone, and that sounded very good about now. The last thing he needed was another explosive argument.

His vision blurred with hot tears, he bumped into a fellow Exorcist head-on. As he fumbled backwards, he saw her face and the color drained from his.

“Mierda.”

God, not her. She was one of the last angels he wanted to see. Why did this have to happen to him?

@exorcist-ava

Ava, love, you look absolutely horrible. Dahlia looks him over with a disgusted scowl. One of her hands rests on her hip, her expression growing more disgusted the longer she looks at Ava.

Still sticking with this 'masculinity' bullshit, I see. Didn't I tell you, femme suited you much, much better.

[exorcist-tess]

"Oh, well... That I don't really know either, I guess. I don't remember it, at least. Adam just... started training me one day."

It's... a little more complicated than that, but Tess figures that's not really something you get into with strangers. So she folds her arms to avoid nervous fidgeting and changes the subject.

"What do you do?"

Howdy! I reckon you must be one of Lute’s coworkers? The uniform is kinda hard to miss, haha. Anyway, I don’t believe we’ve met! I’m her fiancée, Sadie. *She extends her arm for a handshake.* And you are? -🔥

@ask-sadie-morgan

Tess can't help the confused look that crosses her face, brows furrowing slightly. Lute? With a fiancée? Like, as in someone actually likes the commander enough to marry her? It's the same feeling as finding out Adam was married... Twice.

"Oh, uh... It's nice to meet you? I'm Tess," she says, awkwardly accepting the handshake. "And I wouldn't say coworkers. She's more... My boss, I guess."

Should I say congratulations or condolences?

[exorcist-tess]

Tess nods along, listening intently as Ava rambles away. Once they reach the entrance to where the designated quiet place is being held, she pauses outside of the door, letting him lean against her for stability.

"Well, I mean... If you're in the market for some new family... I don't have one either." She shrugs, or at least attempts to, though it's difficult with Ava leaning on her shoulder. She doesn't mind, though. It's nice to feel... needed, for a change.

Ava staggers through the crowd, bumping into strangers as he tries to run away. All he wanted to do now was see Timpani. She knew that they were in the designated quiet zone, and that sounded very good about now. The last thing he needed was another explosive argument.

His vision blurred with hot tears, he bumped into a fellow Exorcist head-on. As he fumbled backwards, he saw her face and the color drained from his.

“Mierda.”

God, not her. She was one of the last angels he wanted to see. Why did this have to happen to him?

@exorcist-ava

Ava, love, you look absolutely horrible. Dahlia looks him over with a disgusted scowl. One of her hands rests on her hip, her expression growing more disgusted the longer she looks at Ava.

Still sticking with this 'masculinity' bullshit, I see. Didn't I tell you, femme suited you much, much better.

[exorcist-tess]

Tess decides not to comment too much on Dahlia — she'd already witnessed enough of that bitch to last a lifetime. But... The "princesa." She's painfully curious.

"Sisters, huh?" she thinks aloud, but instantly regrets it. Fuck, she shouldn't be bringing that back up. "She seems... Rude."

Ava staggers through the crowd, bumping into strangers as he tries to run away. All he wanted to do now was see Timpani. She knew that they were in the designated quiet zone, and that sounded very good about now. The last thing he needed was another explosive argument.

His vision blurred with hot tears, he bumped into a fellow Exorcist head-on. As he fumbled backwards, he saw her face and the color drained from his.

“Mierda.”

God, not her. She was one of the last angels he wanted to see. Why did this have to happen to him?

@exorcist-ava

Ava, love, you look absolutely horrible. Dahlia looks him over with a disgusted scowl. One of her hands rests on her hip, her expression growing more disgusted the longer she looks at Ava.

Still sticking with this 'masculinity' bullshit, I see. Didn't I tell you, femme suited you much, much better.

[exorcist-tess]

Tess purses her lips, shifting awkwardly.

"Most are. Commander was, I think." She sighs. There's no way out of this conversation, is there? "I... Was not. Still-birth or something like that, when a human dies almost instantly. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I guess growing up here isn't too different from being Heavenborn."

That's... A lot of oversharing. Tess instantly bites her tongue.

"It's fine, though. I'm an Exorcist now."

Howdy! I reckon you must be one of Lute’s coworkers? The uniform is kinda hard to miss, haha. Anyway, I don’t believe we’ve met! I’m her fiancée, Sadie. *She extends her arm for a handshake.* And you are? -🔥

@ask-sadie-morgan

Tess can't help the confused look that crosses her face, brows furrowing slightly. Lute? With a fiancée? Like, as in someone actually likes the commander enough to marry her? It's the same feeling as finding out Adam was married... Twice.

"Oh, uh... It's nice to meet you? I'm Tess," she says, awkwardly accepting the handshake. "And I wouldn't say coworkers. She's more... My boss, I guess."

Should I say congratulations or condolences?