signcfthetiimes

[signcfthetiimes]

"you'll work yourself to death." (From Satine to anyone) @seccndchances

the phrase echoed in his mind, sharp and familiar, a reminder of the sacrifices he had made over the years, the compromises, the guilt he carried like a second skin. his jaw tightened as he studied the person in front of him, their concern thinly veiled beneath frustration. it was always easier for others to see the cost than for him to admit it. he straightened, his movements slow and deliberate, before meeting their gaze with a quiet, stubborn resolve. "if that’s what it takes," he muttered, his voice low but firm, "then so be it." the words hung heavy in the air, carrying with them both defiance and a hint of resignation. "the town has just had a tragedy and i have to help."

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"yes, i would like reassurance," emma said. she of course had confidence in her own skills, but the witch's magic was the concern here. "but that would be impressive if you could. yes, let's do this." emma instructed bex to sit on a chair in front of her. once they were both comfortable, emma glared into her eyes, glamouring her. "reach inside yourself. think of that mental wall. whatever is blocking your magic. break it down." the air around them was tense and emma could almost feel the magic. she continued to stare at bex. "you are a witch. magic is in your blood. the only thing stopping you from casting it is yourself."

Bex went about the rest of her night as best she could, trying to work past the nerves revving around in her system. This was it. Her only chance to get her magic back. Bex knew she should have called Hasani to get him in the loop, but she couldn't risk him trying to talk her out of it. Thankfully, the hours had passed quickly, and the vampire had returned. "Of course I can do this." She huffs out a heavy breath, brows furrowing in determination. "I can perform something easier first, if you're so concerned." The witch was slightly concerned herself, but she was desperate for this to work. "I don't need a week, get my magic back, and you can walk out of here when the sun rises." It wouldn't be too long until dawn. "I need the sunlight for the spell, anyways." Bex leans back, stating down the vampire. "So, are we going to do this?"

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@envicd

violet didn't really know why she was letting this happen. she guessed at this point she was just trying anything to feel something again. anything. but as she was pressed against the alley wall, with the man's hands running up her side under her shirt, mouth against her neck, violet felt nothing. she was completely zoned out. looking deadly straight past to the entrance way. vi knew that she wanted to stop this before it got further. wanted to stop it. but her body was stiff and mind was elsewhere. all she was thinking about was os, despite the touches on her right now being nothing like his. making her feel the complete opposite to what he had done.

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the way he tried to play up his charm was predictable and annoyingly effective, not that she’d ever admit it. "oh, don’t worry, i wouldn’t dream of doing that. you’re more like a bull in a china shop anyway." her lips curved into a smirk, but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. she rolled her eyes when he admitted he’d push his luck, leaning back on the couch with an exaggerated sigh. "yeah, i figured. you’re the type who sees a line drawn in the sand and decides to dance right over it. but keep pushing, and we’ll see how long your luck holds out." at his comment about her being hot cordelia’s brow shot up, her mouth opening slightly in mock disbelief. "confusing? oh, poor dean. am i distracting you from all your rule breaking plans? how tragic for you." but despite her sarcastic tone, there was a faint blush creeping up her cheeks, and she quickly busied herself straightening a pillow beside her to hide it. she was just about to scold him for being so smug when he hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. cordelia let out a small squeak of surprise, her hands instinctively landing on his chest to steady herself. "excuse me!" she glared up at him, but her tone lacked its usual bite. "what's with the manhandling?!" but she didn’t move away. Instead, she adjusted herself beside him, leaning back slightly with an air of reluctant acceptance. "fine, you win. but only because i can’t trust you to behave without constant supervision. not because i actually want to sit here." but that was a lie, as she settled herself beside him comfortably and hoped he couldn't see there was a blush creeping up on her cheeks still. "now eat your pie and be good."

He huffed out another sigh, knowing damn well she wasn't going to let him get away with much. "Don't you dare bambi me." He frowns, but there's a small hint of a smile underneath. He wouldn't admit it just yet, but he found the way she chewed him out pretty endearing. "Yes ma'am." He sighed in agreement. Dean would much rather stay in her place than the dump he currently rented. "Don't play, you know I'm going to push my luck." He had to resist the urge to wink at her. "You need to stop being so hot when you yell at me, you're confusing the hell outta me." He retorts back as he sets up the damn coasters before settling both the dish and beer down. He picks up the pill bottle again, taking a dose as instructed with a swig of beer. He makes it quite obvious when he sets it back down on the coaster. Dean looks over at Cordy as she sits, frowning slightly. Despite knowing he would get scolded for it, he hooked an arm around her waist and hauls her over to sit closer to him. "You can't supervise me from so far away."

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i won't let anything happen to my family. - V to anyone @divincechoes

lo’ak stood firm, the words echoing in his mind like the beat of a war drum. his jaw tightened, a flash of guilt and determination coursing through him. he thought of tuk’s laughter, of neteyam’s steady presence, of kiri’s quiet strength, and of his parents’ unwavering love, even when it felt like he was always the one getting them into trouble. "me neither, but sometimes things are out of our control." he didn't want to think about it too much. he missed his family more than anything.

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halsin had held cat close, his strong arms wrapping around her in a way that promised both warmth and safety. he could feel the tension in her body slowly ebbing away as she melted against him, her walls breaking down bit by bit. her vulnerability was not something he sought to expose, but rather to cradle, to protect. when she spoke, her voice was laced with a bittersweet mix of humor and sadness, and it tugged at something deep within him. "you are not uncaring," he had murmured softly. "your stoicism is a shield, not a definition of who you are. and even shields need rest." her laugh, tinged with sorrow, was a sound that made his heart ache. he’d known such defenses himself, the way they masked pain, the way they carried weight no one else saw. "you are welcome to crash on my couch or in my arms," he had said with a faint smile, his voice a low rumble of affection. and for that moment, he stayed, letting her lean into him, offering nothing but his comforting presence. then, without hesitation, he tilted her chin up slightly and kissed her. a soft, deliberate kiss that spoke of patience, understanding, and a quiet, unshakable devotion.

It felt nice to be held like this as she felt her body instinctively melt into his frame. It did, however, ultimately feel uncomfortable to be so vulnerable in front of him. "You're right, I don't see it." She sighs softly, sinking further and further into his embrace. "You know me, stoic and uncaring, and here I am almost sobbing in your arms." There's a soft laugh, but it's filled with an underlying sadness. Cat lets out a soft sigh as she felt the kiss atop her head, slowly getting used to his touch. She didn't dare to entertain the thought that she liked it too. "Don't say that. You'll have me crashing on your couch at this rate."

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spencer tilts his head slightly, his brows knitting together as he processes her words with the precision of a man used to analyzing everything. he doesn’t immediately respond, his lips parting slightly before pressing back together. the weight of her pain settles over him, and for a moment, he’s silent. he looks down at his hand, fiddling with his ring. "i wouldn't do that," spencer replies softly. but eventually he takes it off, placing it in her hand. she clearly wanted them. "then we'll sell it. split everything equally." not that he really cared for the money, but he doubted cat would want it all. "but can you just promise you'll look after yourself? i don't want to see you in here again." looking like this, in a hospital bed.

Cat holds out her hand, still refusing to make eye contact. "If it no longer holds importance to you, I'd rather keep it." Her voice is monotone, devoid of any recognisable feeling. It was her only coping mechanism. "The idea of it ending up in a dump, or a pawn shop, makes my stomach churn." She dares to flicker her gaze at him from what he said next. "Spencer, I will set that place ablaze if I step foot inside it again." There's a small pained infliction in her voice. "I know it doesn't mean anything to you, as you said it's all fake--" She pauses, having to slow down her breathing. "But I don't get that same luxury. Everything was real for me." Her words are sharp, determined to make him understand. "It doesn't matter to me what you do with it, but keep me out of it."

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cordelia tilted her head, giving him and exasperated look. "dean, this isn’t a museum. you’ll get the grand tour later, when you’re not wobbling around like a baby deer trying to walk. so sit your butt down and behave, okay?" she crossed her arms, raising a brow as he groaned about the rules. "yeah, rules. and you better follow them if you want to stay in casa chase." she smirked when he called himself fragile, leaning down just enough to meet his pouty expression head on. "fragile? no. reckless? absolutely. you might as well have a sign that says, ‘handle with supervision,’ and guess what? i’m the supervision." but when he smiled up at her like that, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered, cordelia’s resolve wavered just a little. she rolled her eyes to cover it, brushing imaginary lint off her sweater. "flattery will get you almost everywhere, dean, but don’t push your luck." at his question about coasters, she let out a dramatic sigh, gesturing to the coffee table. "yes, of course you need a coaster. what do you think this is, some frat house? there’s a stack of them literally right there. use one, or so help me, i'll make you eat that pie off the floor." she pointed at the coasters with a playful glare before plopping down on the other end of the couch, tucking her legs beneath her.

He didn't have much time to look around her apartment before she escorted him straight to the couch. "C'mon, I want to look around." He pouts, glancing from side to side to take in what he could glance at from his seat. "Rules?" He groans, slumping down further into the cushions to exaggerate his dismay. He folds his arms across his chest as he listens to her, nodding his head begrudgingly as she lists everything off. "You're acting like I'm fragile, Cordy." He takes the bottle of pills from her, frowning as he looks down at the label. As if he was actually gonna read anything on it anyway. "Oh, now you're talking my language." He grins, setting the pill bottle down as he takes the dish and beer from her hands. "Oh, I've taken pills with much worse than beer." He states as if that information should reassure her. "You're too cute, thank you." He smiles up at her, staring at her like she was a goddess standing right in front of him. She was to him, after all. "Now, before you kill me, am I allowed to put this down on the coffee table, or do I need some fancy shit like coasters first."

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her hand moved into his hair, something violet had discovered comforts her. she thinks back to the moment, trying actually remember it clearly. she had mostly blacked all of that out as best she could. "he wasn't with them. at least, i'd never seen him before," vi responds. it had always been the same four people. violet had overheard them talk about how it could only be them because if someone found out they'd be dead. she had always hoped that one person would find them. save her. like some stupid fairytale. "and he... he said something to me. that... that he was here to help or something. i don't know. it was all so blurry. i was so panicked." but she could never justify it. not leaving him there like that. the guilt always crept up inside her at the thought. but she couldn't have been sure. it was probably just a rouse anyway. after all, it was a kill or be killed world. but at least violet knew os wouldn't judge her.

A strange sensation washed over him, one that he couldn't exactly describe. All he knew was it caused that pain ridden ache in his chest, exactly where his scar was. Something felt eerie and he was trying to fit the pieces together. "He didn't hurt you?" Os more so repeats her words than actually asking a question. "What makes you think he was there to help?" He felt some repressed memories sparking back to life, and he did his damn best to not show it. He didn't want Violet catching on to his sudden change. "I mean, he was with the people who kidnapped you." He states curiously, trying to fish for more information. "You shouldn't regret it, bastard deserved it."

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"of course. because i actually know how to balance my social life and work. unlike some people," she says, rolling her eyes at him. she knew how much vander worked. cordelia reminded herself to force him to take a day off soon. "oh yeah, i've got my full memories back alright." she knew that both her brothers weren't actually her brothers. but that didn't mean she wanted to cut ties with them. "all of them weird. like that time i was princess of a hell dimension. or ascended to be a higher being. or died. now that was really fun." cordelia's tone was light, but she did frown at the last part, considering she'd been trying to black that out. "do you have yours back yet?"

“i think we’ll both live.” he teased, nudging her just a little. what kind of brother would he be if he didn’t mercilessly tease his “perfect” sister? “busy as usual.” vander replied sarcastically. how his sister ever found free time was beyond him, but then again, vander never really stopped working, or at least it felt that way. “work, and more work. with all these memories returning, people need a nice place to feel safe…or to drink their sorrows away. my place provides a bit of both.” he shrugged. the last drop was no fancy establishment, but it had its charms. “speakin’ of which, I’ve been meaning to ask you about your memories. any weird ones been turnin’ up?”

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"suuure you are. that's why you're here drinking with me," ivar jests back. but then what did that say about him? it was all banter anyway. "dating thing, you? and how's that going, huh?" he was skeptical. but that's also because ivar himself never did a dating phase. was glad he didn't have to with evette. because he wasn't good at it.

"Down, boy. Bad dog." He snickers before taking a swig of his drink again. "Piss off, I'm a real catch." He grins confidentially, enjoying the banter between them. "Those were hookups, okay?" He rolls her eyes. "Her and I are doing the whole dating thing, alright? She's different...and my god is she gorgeous."

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"i'm a damsel, i'm in distress, i can handle this." natasha to anyone @divincechoes

daryl looks up with that half-annoyed, half-amused expression. "damsel, huh? alright, you do you. but don’t go actin’ all tough and independent, then expect me to swoop in when it falls apart." he leans back. "ain’t my style to babysit. so, good luck with... whatever this is." he shakes his head, muttering as he looks away. "can’t tell if you’re stubborn or just plain crazy..." but he also wasn't one to doubt whether she could actually handle it or not.

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shoto’s gaze didn’t shift from the scorched beams, but his shoulders tensed at the sound of her voice. he hadn’t realized someone was behind him, let alone listening. his thoughts had been too loud, drowning out the faint crunch of her footsteps on the ashy floor. he didn’t respond right away. instead, he let her words settle in the space between them, weighing them against the gnawing guilt in his chest. finally, he spoke, his voice low and even. "i’m not trying to drag myself down. it’s not... about pity or self-blame." he let out a slow breath. "it’s about what i could’ve done." he turned slightly, just enough to glance over his shoulder at her. his expression was calm, but his eyes carried the weight of everything he wasn’t saying. "i had no reason not to be here," he continued. "i could’ve come." midoryia would have been here. another reason the other hero was better than him.

Had Thalia followed the other into the rubble? Yes. But it was more so to make sure the other didn't accidentally hurt themselves. Burned out building were notoriously unstable and the young demigod had enough guilt weighing on her. She didn't want to add ignoring someone wandering into a potentially dangerous location. It wasn't until she heard him speak, did she feel a slight bit guilty following him in.. He was just looking for a place to vent, the very same frustrations that were weighing her down as well. "Don't put this place on yourself." Thalia spoke up, "It will do no good besides dragging yourself down." She should know it was a fatal flaw for most demigods, especially those of the big three.

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"so far, yes," emma says. in all honesty, os was the best she had. he could be ruthless and obviously she liked that. "yeah, i do. but something tells me you're not going to. so are you going to tell me what made you so late or keep me in the dark?"

"Yeah 'cus I'm reliable." He huffs out a sigh. This was going to be a long night. "What?" His brows raise, confused. "I don't know what you're even on about, I don't have a look like that." Did he? How the hell would he. "...You want me to pout or some shit?"

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"she's not my girlfriend, but yeah, i would," ivar responds. he let out one laugh at os's issue, clapping him on the shoulder. "damn. maybe next time you'll have the guts to kiss her sober." he would never understand their situation, considering it was clear they had feelings for each other. "see, i knew there was a reason we're friends. for violet, of course. can't let people know you have empathy or anything," ivar jests. "but yeah, she's fine. she was a bit shook up but seemed to forget all about it by the end of the night." he can't help but smirk again.

"Yeah, you'd ditch me the second your girlfriend calls." He rolls his eyes, folding his arms against the bar and leaning his head down. "Madeout with Violet, next morning she can't remember anything." The words come out as a laugh, still in disbelief over it. "Oh please, outnumbered just makes it more fun." He lifts his head up slightly, glancing over at Ivar. "...Is she okay?" He pauses. "Asking for Violet, she'll want to know, obviously."

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"my, my, miss sharma," he drawls, his voice rich and low, laced with unmistakable mischief. "if i didn’t know better, i might think you’re attempting to provoke me. but then again, provoking me does seem to be your favorite pastime." he leans in ever so slightly, the space between them charged, as though the world had shrunk to just the two of them. his gaze dips briefly to where her fingers had traced his lips, and his voice softens, though no less teasing. "rest assured, i am not one to shy away from proving myself... adept, no matter the endeavor. but tell me, kate, are you quite prepared to be bested again?" his smile deepens, though the glint in his eye betrays something more tender beneath. but then anthony pauses for a moment. "did you just call me my lord?"

Her lips parted, she reaches over and traces the outline of his lips with her finger, unable to focus on anything else as he speaks. "From what I have since learned about you, it does not seem to be the only talent you have, though I would not have been surprised." Kate jokingly retorts with a smile playing on her lips as she leans in as well. "Though I cannot help but agree my lord, I can assure you, debates are not the only thing it is good for."

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ariella didn't know much about flowers. only herbs and plants. flowers weren't exactly edible. but she knew which ones had medicinal properties. she did live in the forest after all, so needed to know these things. "that's nice. it's good to have interests," ariella says enthusiastically. "do you have a favourite flower?"

"Most flowers have hidden meanings depending on the cultural context applied or even where the flower originates from." Elain had found peace within gardening. It had been her escape during her time within the shack. It had been her solace. Flowers were easy, people weren't so . "I used to study them when I could, it made the world seem easy. I could probably spout a bunch of random facts about any piece you pick out."