huntercam

[huntercam]

closed starter for: @reidhalstead

The marks on Elyse's neck were obvious, and even before they'd made it 'official', Cameron found himself jealous and overprotective of the woman, though she could handle herself in most cases. Against a vampire like Reid, though, Cam wasn't sure what to make of it --

The last time they'd met, there was the underlying idea that he might be the one to put the suffering out of his misery, and here they are.

Tonight is not a friendly meeting between old friends. It will not be a tension-filled moment of wishful thinking for times that could have been, for journeys that might have taken a different path. Tonight was a hunt. The goal isn't to kill him, but to bleed him dry until regret colors his features and the city is safer for it.

The bite marks on Elyse were mismatched - and he's not a stupid man - he knows there's another, but this is the first step.

"Reid. I hear you've been busy."

[huntercam]

KHAOS GRAND OPENING

Having been invited by AJ as a VIP, Cam makes his appearance with @elysiumkerr on his arm. While he may not enjoy the magical tricks on display, he's more than happy to support Elyse's exploration.

[huntercam]

- AJ ;)

[huntercam]

“✉” (declan)

Send “✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT.

3 years ago. The anniversary.

[text to: declan] I think you'd like Port Leiry. It's beautiful even on the days when the sun doesn't come out. The beaches are cold, so I can't imagine it would treat you that well, but the salty air on them might make you feel.. alive, for lack of a better term. [text to: declan] There are also just so many places here in the city that I can imagine you frequenting, whether it's the flea markets by the docks or this arcade that I passed on the way home. [text to: declan] It's not often I find myself thinking about you, which I suppose is insensitive. I know you'd understand if I said it to you, though. You always understood, even through my difficulties. [text to: declan] Your grave isn't here, but I found myself going to the market anyways to pick up a flower. I left it near some driftwood on the beach. There were no words to say, because by this time, I must have already said them. I just imagined you sitting there with your sketchbook. [text to: declan] I hope that the time we had together, you enjoyed being my brother - for all my faults. [text to: declan] I'll call Devon, instead, I think.

[huntercam]

“⁇”

Send “⁇” for a DRUNK text.

[text to: reid] Did you know my brother? [text to: reid] He's alive.

[huntercam]

It's almost like a repeat of New Year's Eve - a specter come to haunt him, to try and remind him that he is very much still human. Or rather, has humanity. Cameron stares at a vision of his past, looking much the same as he did only a few months prior. But whole, not shimmering, not flickering.

"..hello." He's unsure, simply because there have been no other sightings that he's aware of and he does not want to deal with a door opening to the other side. Witches with god complexes are tricky enough to deal with - and there's a reason he doesn't paint them as often.

There's just something so real about this. So he moves from his desk, and brushes his fingers across Declan's lapel - when they don't pass through, he nearly jerks back from the shock of it.

"Excuse me?"

who: @huntercam where: exquis, cam's gallery

The first thing Declan does is find Devon. She's his first thought - is she okay? Is she still in Colorado? Did she finish school? His inability to place importance upon himself keeps him from wondering if the way she's aged is actual passage of time or if it's because of the grief she's had to carry. But then he puts himself in her shoes, and that thought comes anyway. He hugs her so, so tight, his bones tremble.

The second thing he does is find Cam. He's made a name for himself here, with Exquis. Pride fills Declan's chest - he always thought Cam was meant to do great things. He was always meant to flee the nest first, move on to bigger and better things. It's why Declan doesn't truly resent him for leaving when their mom died; perhaps a part of him wanted to live vicariously through him. It's not as if Declan could go anywhere with his condition pinning him there.

No, he wasn't meant to spread his wings or do anything, really, and so it's fitting that his twin was able to.

The gallery suits his brother. It's all Cam. All the grotesque, the macabre, the unsettling, the questionable, but oddly enough he feels at home, because it all has a piece of Cam in it. In every brush stroke, placement, and lack thereof, he sees his influence and eye.

Declan finds Cam's office, where he pokes his head through the door. Cam has been impacted by time too, it seems, because the what Declan sees in front of him doesn't match the picture that stared back at him from the mirror earlier, not by a long-shot.

"H - hey. Hi. Hi, Cam." He's nervous, but only because he feels bad. Is it inconsiderate of him to want to be in their lives again after being dead for so long? He certainly thinks so. They've moved on - they've been unburdened. They're free of him. But he's also grown a little selfish in his death, apparently, because he needs them. "The funeral wasn't too expensive, was it?" He wonders if Cam came back for it or if Devon had to arrange it on her own. Cam would've come back, right? He feels a little ill for even questioning it.

[huntercam]

texts with @elysiumkerr

[ Elyse ] hey cam, quick q [ Elyse ] what are we?

[ Cam ] I’m sorry, what?

[ Elyse ] like what are we doing, me and you [ Elyse ] this thing [ Elyse ] it's a good thing but I just want to know what you think it is

[ Cam ] This feels a very inappropriate conversation for texting. [ Cam ] I suppose - [ Cam ] Not quite dating, but just about there. [ Cam ] What were your assumptions?

[ Elyse ] Sorry, I'm at work right now and like, didn't want to wait to make an appointment with you [ Elyse ] I didn't think we were dating either but, like, these sessions aren't nothing to me, you know? [ Elyse ] like I love the academia of it all but also I'm hot for teacher 😉

[ Cam ] So, we’re on the same page. Mutual attraction.

[ Elyse ] You really know what a girl likes to hear, huh? [ Elyse ] Yes, mutual attraction. [ Elyse ] Does that like… are you good with that?

[ Cam ] I’m better with my hands. [ Cam ] Maybe I’ve not been clear enough, then. [ Cam ] The entire reason I wanted to teach you was to be with you. Dating, fucking, however you’d like to take that. I’m sure every assumption you’d make would be true. [ Cam ] In short, yes, very ‘good’ with that.

[ Elyse ] mmmm yeah you are [ Elyse ] aww, you liked me for more than just my art? [ Elyse ] So like… boyfriend is such a silly word. If I call you my mentor, with all the privileges appertaining thereunto, that's okay? [ Elyse ] would you like me to call you something more?

[ Cam ] You know you’re charming and gorgeous, there should be no surprise there. [ Cam ] Mentor is fine, boyfriend is silly but also works. [ Cam ] More can be negotiated under other situations— no? [ Cam ] And if ‘boyfriend’ is silly to you, I assume ‘girlfriend’ is as well?

[ Elyse ] No surprise, but it's nice to hear it from someone else every now and then. [ Elyse ] I mean, I can work with boyfriend! I just… feel like you're too dignified for that. [ Elyse ] you can call me whatever you'd like tbh [ Elyse ] situation specific, i guess. especially if it's a fun situation

[ Cam ] I’ll add it to my to do list. [ Cam ] Dignified? No, I like being called boyfriend. Or partner. Whichever. [ Cam ] I have a few ideas for fun situations— but I would rather discuss those in person, preferably with safe words.

[ Elyse ] I can think of a few more things for that to do list [ Elyse ] Okay, see, this is why we have this talk. I never would have guessed. But you can be my boyfriend, and I can be your girlfriend. Capeesh? [ Elyse ] I have no idea how that's supposed to be spelled [ Elyse ] i promise we'll save the good stuff for in person [ Elyse ] this was just… i dunno, it occurred to me. slow day at work [ Elyse ] i'd much rather be in a fun situation with you

[ Cam ] You’re top priority everyday, don’t worry. [ Cam ] It’s not the first time an assumption has been made that I’ve disproven— that being said, also glad to have had this talk. You just took me off guard, as you so often do. [ Cam ] I can come by, if you like? Break up the monotony.

[ Elyse ] top priority huh? [ Elyse ] Well, I know you value your privacy and all. sorry I misjudged, but thank you for letting me in [ Elyse ] gotta keep things interesting, you know? [ Elyse ] i'd love to see you, if you're not busy ~

[ Cam ] I see what you're doing. :) [ Cam ] It's not a problem. I'm honored and proud you'd want to call me boyfriend. [ Cam ] I'll be on my way shortly.

[ Elyse ] don't threaten me with a good time~ [ Elyse ] or do, i like it when you do~

[huntercam]

"Lavender - when using too much of it - in drinks or desserts - can taste like soap." He corrects, his voice a careful neutral, but his expression never changing even as she speaks. Halfway through her tirade, Cameron looks up and flicks his gaze over the bottles on the wall. There are a few things particularly interesting, drinks he's had before. Liquors that had been too much burn, or left an aftertaste that felt like he was going to be brushing it off his tongue for the next week.

When Gemma's finished, he simply blinks down at her, refocusing his attention to her. "You seem to have quite the annoying customers." It's in his tone that she's wrong. "Not quite, but the effort was slightly admirable."

This is where someone might offer the girl a smile, but Cam does not. Instead, he allows that to sit - "Knob Creek 18, then. One ice cube."

Listen, Gemma is well aware of where she is and knows exactly what this place is. But god forbid a girl crave a bit of delight, a bit of fun, perhaps a touch of whimsy in these trying times! Often whimsy is tiny plastic cocktail swords, and sometimes it is pretty lilac drinks. Fucking sue her. So she’s not surprised by the response she receives, he certainly doesn’t have to be rude about it though.

“Didn’t your father tell you to never look a gift horse in the mouth, or whatever the fuck that saying is?” Gemma sighs, pulling the drink back from his hands, rolling her eyes, then mumbling under her breath. “It’s not soap, it’s gin.”

“Let me guess – you’re a bourbon guy, and like a little bit pretentious about it. Like you’re not shelling out for top shelf, but you’re gonna ask for something more niche, then scoff when I tell you we don’t fucking carry it like you aren’t well aware of the kinda place you just walked into. So do you want me to just name all we have or can you read the labels for yourself and save us both the trouble?”

[huntercam]

Cameron takes in a deep breath when he feels Elyse's weight on his back, draped over him in a way that would settle any nerves if he were feeling them. "I thought as much." He confirms, turning his head towards her, a hint of a smile on his lips. There is that slight disappointment on his face - but it's not directed at Elyse, more so the situation they've found themselves in. It'd been some time since he'd had a werewolf subject to paint, but.. ah, well. He'll find another.

He presses his nose and lips to Elyse's hair, breathing her in and nods, just once. "As you wish."

When he moves and pulls out of her touch, it's a gentle movement - unlike his methodical ones to harm or bind this woman in front of them. His hand lingers on Elyse's shoulder as he stands and takes a step back, leaning against a wall with his shoulder.

"Hello, Autumn." Even as he looks at her, he's studying her - her form is of no interest to him, but he looks at her as if she's an experiment of sorts or.. perhaps a model in a life-drawing class. Memorizing the way the silver saps at her, the way her teeth bare in pain. "I take it you're a long way from home."

Far enough out to not ravage Port Leiry, he supposes. His expression shifts from studying to bored, and he moves once more to finish packing up his things -- leaving out the key for the silver chains. "You can unlock her, if you like, Elyse."

Elyse stares long and hard at Autumn. She's not really staring to enjoy the nudity, though that's not not happening. There's something fascinating about seeing her friend -- she's sure this is her friend here -- bound and bowed on the floor. Cam doesn't make mistakes. There's no way he would have abducted a regular person. She saw what he was willing to show her. It's all a part of the lesson.

Elyse knows mercy isn't exactly part of the syllabus, though.

Cam's disappointment stings, but there's a line the girl isn't willing to cross yet. There are lots of lessons to learn -- they don't all have to end in death. At least, not this one. Still, Elyse winces a bit as her mentor moves to unload his gun. She looks down at the herbs in her hand, then back to Autumn. Werewolves have the world's deadliest allergy, huh?

"The silver in the bloodstream wouldn't poison them lethally?" she asks with a genuine curiosity as though her friend isn't the one chained, safety up for debate. "I would have thought these would work the other way around." Elyse inhales, watching the man approach Autumn. The herb burns her skin as instructed, and the artists watches the flesh redden with anger. It doesn't immediately begin to knit itself back to health like the vampires did. Intersting. Autumn wears the pain well, as panicked as she is. Again, she wonders how long the other was hiding this from her -- sure, it's not a first date kind of conversation, but of all the wolves in the woods...

Fascinating.

"No. No, we're not killing her," Elyse confirms, feeling and fearing his unspoken disappointment. The girl moves to where he's crouched and wraps herself around his lowered form. Elyse puts her face next to his, staring first at Autumn, then at Cam. She breathes in the scent of him, nuzzling closer -- half an apology, half a plea. "She's -- Autumn is -- important to me. But I won't waste this lesson, all the effort you put in. Let me deal with her?"

Her eyes flicker back to Autumn, wearing the other half of the apology, the other half of the plea.

Be fucking cool, I'm going to save your ass.

@huntercam @autumnshowell

[huntercam]

soundtrack - cam and elyse

stitches by orgy

that kinda needle drop just suddenly starts playing with no build up at their first kiss

[huntercam]

soundtrack

machinehead by bush

what plays when cam finds out reid's been turned, and their re-meeting at the junkyard a year ago.

[huntercam]

Sweetwater is a haunt that he doesn't frequent as often as he reasonably should. It's good for connecting with the rest of his ilk, but he prefers his gallery and the dungeon club beneath it. The choice of music that filters through the tinny speakers and wafts around the rest of the people here a little too old or tired to enjoy pop of this nature (himself, included.) makes his lip curl when he hears the lyrics.

"Lavender?" He looks down at the glass, fingers gingerly wrapping around it. Cam had come for his usual bourbon, but he's curious as to what this girl is playing with. He brings it to his lips and grimaces slightly. "Too much for me. It's soap."

He sets the drink down and slides it back to her. "Have any others requested this or simply placated you?"

where: sweetwater when: a random monday evening who: gemma & open ( to whomever would reasonably be in this bar )

Monday’s are not particularly wild at Sweetwater, and perhaps that’s why Gemma’s on the bar alone, and utterly bored out of her mind. She’s spent nearly $10 on the touchtunes already and delivers truly memorable performance of Mamma Mia complete with a soda gun microphone. But that can only entertain a girl for so long ( and the few customers were starting to give her That Look after the third Sabrina Carpenter song in a row ), so she generously relinquishes control of the music and decides to play mixologist instead.

“Here, try this!” Gemma slides a purpley looking concoction in the prettiest glass she could find over to the lucky patron who’s just sat at her bar. “It's an Aviation, only Dad doesn’t have crème de violette, so I used this lavender simple I made for lattes instead, and it looks basically the same. Wait!” She scrambles, remembering the garnish, and tosses a luxardo cherry into the drink, violet liquid splashing lightly. “Ok now it's perfect.”

[huntercam]

Cam's eyes flick immediately to Elyse's face - then down to Autumn's - and back up to Elyse. His usual neutral face slides down into a frown. How unfortunate that there's recognition here. People are bound to have friends of monsters. Hell, even he has his own he's friendly with. It just throws a wrench in the night's plans.

He runs his tongue over his teeth, thinking for a moment. The wolf's begging is grating, but she's panicked and practically reaching out for Elyse's help. "Alright. You two know each other." It's not a question, but there is palpable disappointment in his tone. He turns from the two of them, over to his supplies sitting nearby.

He lifts the gun, pops the chamber, and unloads it. "These will be of no use." The bullets are held up for both of them to see - he's showing off a bit, to make sure that this wolf stays scared. They're made of the same material as the chains. "A silver bullet - aka silver in the bloodstream - will weaken her considerably, but the herb in your hands, Elyse.. that's how to ensure death." He's teaching as he goes, packing up most of his things.

When he's done, he walks back to the two calmly and gently takes it from Elyse. "Simply pressing it against the skin will burn, but not kill. She would have to ingest enough or be dosed with it otherwise. A small enough dose will knock her out."

Looking down at Autumn, he crouches down to her level to make eye contact. "I think this is a good teaching moment for you both." And he drags the herb lightly across her face, watching the skin sizzle - slightly different in the way verbena burns the vampires. "So, Elyse, are we killing her?"

He already knows the answer, but wants to hear her say it. If he's right, then they'll simply have a lesson and let the wolf go.

@elysiumkerr

They've done vampires before -- that was fun. Even if it makes Elyse feel a little uncomfortable knowing that one day Cam could have her friend Birdie on the chopping block someday. Hey, at least vampires can heal. But the werewolf... it's something different.

He's warned her about the wolves, how wild and untamed they are. They can't be reasoned with -- Elyse understands, it's like trying to discipline a dog. But worse. Still, Cam made the capture easy and the artist is thrilled for another lesson. The chains, the herbs, the maximum security space. There's still a thrilling sense of danger at the approach. When the monsters look undeniably human.

"Yeah, we definitely don't sell those at Eden's Apple," Elyse laughs, delighting in Cam's dark humor. It feels like a secret only they're sharing -- them, and the captive. She wonders about the teeth, and if a werewolf's mouth is anything as dangerous as a vampire's. A moonlight bite is damning, but when they're howling and gnashing and crying for help...

"Wolfsbane. Makes sense," Elyse repeats, grabbing the bundle of herbs he's prepared. "Yeah, I want to see how a body weakens. How the wolf withers." Their captive is laid low before them and there's a scientific curiosity growing, growing as she looks over the bound, naked form. But when Cam draws the hood down, the artist's eyes grow wide, full moons taking in the sight of their prey --

"Holy shit, Autumn?"

Elyse looks back between the girl and her mentor. If she perhaps had more sense she'd have hidden her recognition, but... Really, Autumn? She twists the herbs in her hand, trying to swallow down the curiosity, morbid as it is, and a sense of... is that guilt?

"Uhm... ah, wow -- fuck. This is awkward."

[huntercam]

He does. "I've heard of it." He rubs his thumb and index finger, the leather of the gloves almost squeaking together as he does so, thinking about the information she's laying out before him. "Baliol is having a fair just after the next full moon.." Information she likely already knows.

Cameron doesn't think that the owner will be anymore forthcoming with him if she hasn't opened up to Heron. They're both.. a lot, but Cam has no issue admitting that he isn't the most sociable, likable person to talk to. Which is why most of his hunts remove the human element entirely.

"I can take a look around separately, see what I can find." He muses, but she continues and it's not exactly the proposition he expects-- so h leans forward, intrigued. "The mayor? The human mayor? What do you suggest we do?"

"We don't really have the resources for an all out offensive, so no, this is smaller scale. Do you know Retrocity at all? Some... video arcade on Baliol." She slides a set of phials across the table. "Werewolf attacked it, I'm ninety-nine percent sure, and if you look into it, that wasn't the only thing. There are reports around it for months now, consistency is spotty at best. I have a few names to check in with still but it's like something is magnetizing disasters to that place. Owner's not forthcoming but I don't like werewolves, Cam, you know that. Vampires are, they're whatever. Reasonable things, and that makes them predictable. The packs do good enough managing their own in this armpit so this one's either young or full on rabid, and looking into police reports from the last year or so it might have been at this for a while."

She drums her nails on the table. "And that's just my current look-in. The Mayor's making some kind of play I think we should get on, faction lines between your club and my club be damned."

[huntercam]

"Unfortunately, I don't think it would have been possible or safe to capture one before they were able to shift back into a human," Cameron begins his lesson, opening the door for his student to step through. To be safe, he shuts and bolts the door behind him -- Werewolves are a unique monster to contend with, much more dangerous than vampires.

He snaps his leather gloves by pulling them taught down his wrists. The magic tattoo on his palm burns slightly with the proximity. The wolf is crying out for help, and Cameron heaves out a sigh. There's really no sympathy here for the girl, but it is an entirely different game. This is a monster. And he needs to be sure Elyse knows that.

He points to the chains holding her in place - "They're made of pure silver. Not viable for human chaining." A smile, then, as if making a joke. "But for werewolves, it's perfect. The pain holds them and saps their strength." He rests a hand on the girl's head, over the bag, rubbing her as if she were a dog.

"Wolfsbane is their other weakness. Verbena for vampires, silver and aconite for wolves. Yes?"

Cameron slips the hood off, and keeps his hand resting on her hair, holding her head still. "Would you like to do the honors with the herb?"

@elysiumkerr

darkness

who: ????????????

Consciousness finds her, but the pain finds her first; there's a dull stinging burn in her neck and her chest that threaten at the edges of some far-flung dream. Danger. Is it the bear? No, the bear is dead. Is it the mother? No, the mother is dead.

She can see, but she can't see anything, her face is hot and close and she can't smell anything through some heavy scent that soaks whatever is sitting over her face. Her head shakes as she realizes the world. She's Autumn. Her wrists burn, weighted down by something that's cold and acidy as it raws her skin. Get up.

Her heads pounding, and feels shackles pull at her, dig that burning sensation in deeper with every move as she groggily pulls at whatever shroud covers up the rest of her indecency - naked but not. She can't tell if it's a robe, or a blanket or... "Help!" Her mind sparks the word like tinder, voice hoarse enough that it barely sounds like herself. and she can taste dried blood on her lips and at the corner of her mouth. She pulls at her hands, finds they don't move, and its like every ounce of strength she's grown accustomed to has been sapped out of her. Painfully, she recognizes all of this weakness.

She tries to cry out again, pulling at her chained arms behind her back, every struggle reminding her that they don't just bind, but bite, too. "Help me!" No sight, scent is scrambled; she's only left with touch; can only feel binding cold metal burning above the pin's and needles of her extremities, can only hear the sound of her own ragged breath.

@huntercam @elysiumkerr

[huntercam]

closed starter for: @heronyearwood

Heron had caught him on one of his rare moment's existing outside of his home, his gallery, or his club. A meeting, she'd said, to discuss the matters of Port Leiry. With many of their number missing, dead, or simply dwindling - Cameron was a bit.. nervous about what that meant for the Brotherhood's order and the future of their station in the town.

He leans forward, gloved fingers wrapping tightly around his styrofoam cup of coffee.

"What's the deal, then?" He murmurs, bring the cup to his lips for a sip. It burns his tongue and his throat on the way down, but the magic underneath his gloves starts the process of etching the membranes back together. Slowly, but not as slow as it would be for someone normal. "No all out offensive?"

[huntercam]

Her smile does nothing to sate the urge to rip her apart here and now - hands on her ribcage, pulling them apart to touch the insides of her. Blood red, bleeding, raw meat hot and wet against his hands. He sighs into the kiss, a desperate groan on his lips.

Cameron truly had not expected her to return the fervor he felt, to press up against up or to hear her to ask for more. He makes a raw, grumbling sound at the back of his throat. Want, need, a sense of urgency building up within his chest. It's all-consuming, this odd warm sensation. Something like affection, if he were to linger on it.

"Elyse." Her name on his lips is not some call to the heavens. It's not him begging her for release, like he might if they were prone, pressing into each other. It's said more like a warning, like if he starts he might not ever stop. The violence she wants from him is violence that makes his fingers shake and his blood boil hot, pumping down down down.

He takes a sharp inhale of breath against her, pressing harder into the kiss to swallow up her words, bruising and biting. He can't hear more from her, lest he lose control.

And yet, still he gives her what she wants - his fingers squeeze into her throat. Cam is careful, fingers pressing against veins and arteries to block the flow of blood, but not the flood of air. Pulling back just slightly, "You tempt me." His voice has gone hoarse, "From the moment you stepped into my gallery, I wanted nothing more than this." His grip tightens. "I knew there was something in you, in your vision, the art you create."

Elyse breathes deeply as Cam's hand curls around her. She feels her lungs expanding with cool, crisp air, the subtle shift of her flesh pressing back against his fingers. The electricity in her body feels grounded by his touch, and she feels herself pouring into him.

His other hand crawls its way up her throat and she sharply inhales. Elyse's pulse thrums against his finger, more alive than the creature they killed together. Her heart beats, beats, beats -- and as much as she taunted the beast over his need for blood, she still needs it too. She wonders just what would happen if he were to...

The question is stayed with a half-kiss to the corner of her mouth, under which Elyse can feel herself smiling. "God, Cam --"

Her moan is half-caught in her throat by his firm hand as she turns herself further into him. She wants to melt into him, wolfish with hunger as her tongue licks a feverish stripe against his skin before Elyse challenges him back with another kiss of her own. She's pushing against this grasp, though he's undeniably stronger than her. Is taking a life always this... thrilling? Unraveling? She has to remind herself, the man was already dead when they got here. They simply transmuted his state of death into something less. Something lesser. Her voice gets low, soft, breathless.

"Do it."