#cantfightmoonlight

[jacobsullivan]

closed starter - @cantfightmoonlight Elif & Jamie at Jamie's house in Shadow Lake in the hours following the masquerade ball.

Half a mile from the hotel, Jamie realized he didn't have to walk home. In a blink he stood in his living room, still without a coat. Thankfully his phone had been in his pants pocket, but his keys and wallet were still in the suit coat he'd given to Briar.

Briar.

Her name alone brought on a wave of nausea that made Jamie question whether or not he'd even be able to eat the late night door dash he'd ordered to his house before leaving the ball.

Maybe a shower would help, he thought, but the moment his eyes fell on his bed he collapsed in it. No shirt, belt off, and trousers undone. His mind as much of a mess as his heart, serrated into a million jagged pieces, yet still somehow beating for a woman who spared him seconds in what could've been their last moments on earth.

Breaking every bone in his body would've been less painful; death would have been less painful.

Jamie breathed in deep, feeling every wound of heartache and betrayal as air filled his lungs.

Maybe he actually needed to go to rehab. Love a more addicting, destructive substance than any pill he'd ever popped.

Somewhere in the haze he remembered the destruction he'd enacted. A truth bomb he'd hoped to handle more delicately, but in the face of death there was no time for a sugar coated truth.

Daphne's phone rang once then went straight to voicemail. A heavy sigh began the message then Jamie rambled through an apology and an offer to explain, to help. As much as he could, at least. It was better if someone else in the coven took the lead, like Poppy or Royce, or anyone who wasn't on a fast tracked trajectory to burning down his whole life.

That phone call and collecting their food when it arrived was all Jamie had in him until Elif entered his bedroom. He'd left the door unlocked for her and laid rotting in his bed, eyes glazed over, staring at the ceiling like somewhere in the white paint he'd find solutions to the fucking disaster his life had become.

"Hey."

[ofbloodandsnow]

// closed starter (@cantfightmoonlight)

News of attacks against council members had spread like wildfire across the town. With a horrible sinking feeling his chest, Sébastien kept running, straight to Celestial Hills. Please, please, please- If she was hurt, or, God forbid it, dead, he didn't know what he'd do. His lungs burnt with the effort as he sped past mansion after mansion, looking for that spark of recognition. There it was, the Moore Mansion, once looming and oppressive, now just a house. Ignoring the further tightening of his chest, he rushed in, vaguely waving his Clan-given red card at the security. "Meena?!", he called out, skidding to stop in the Foyer. Please let her be alright.

[moonsongchorus]

Who: Azra & Leyla (@cantfightmoonlight) Where: New Leaf Bookstore

Azra was hunched over a small table in the bookstore, a stack of titles already lined up in-front of her, each discussing werewolves and the different lore told about them through the ages. She had lived with her own magic for years and married a vampire, but the fae and werewolves running around Lunar Cove were still new to her--and the werwolves were top priority, what with her sister being one. Azra wanted to know everything she could so she could help and support Safiye in any way she could. It was, however, a lot of reading. She'd just stifled a yawn and was standing up to find another book when her gaze caught on a woman stepping into the shop.

Azra dropped the newest book on her foot.

Hissing in pain, she jumped on the spot, trying to shake off the pain without looking away from the woman. She looked different, but not different enough not to recognize her, even after all these years. "Eda?" she asked, voice cracking.

[kadiraksoy]

Text: Meena Raja

Kadir: 👁 found my 📲 Kadir: it was ⬇️ 🛏️ 🤦‍♂️ Kadir: what r u ⬆️ 2 Kadir: do u ❤️ 🍆 ? Kadir: a kid told me 2 send u 1

[msannadonnelly]

Where: Chai's House Who: Chai (@cantfightmoonlight )

Anna arrived at Chai's front door--or more realistically, paced outside his front door, wringing her hand together as she waited for him to answer. She had been trying to think of what to get him for a fortnight, and she had come up with nothing. She had a treasure trove of items to choose from, and that had been easy back at Christmas, choosing an expensive token to gift him. Now, it seemed pointless. His gifts were thoughtful and personal, and she had...jewels. Stolen items from past flings and marks were hardly the pinnacle of romance.

When the door opened, Anna took Chai's face in both hands and kissed him, hard. It was a long, deep kiss, and she even resisted the urge to bite him this time when she finally pulled away. "That is to remind you that you like me," she said. "I would appreciate if you would now hold onto that thought because I am a terrible girlfriend who has gotten you nothing for your birthday." She resumed her pacing, not realizing for another heartbeat that she'd said the world 'girlfriend' without that being something they had ever discussed. Anna would like it known that she was not someone who blushed, not someone prone to being embarrassed, nor particularly insecure--at least not in the ways people expected. She worked very hard to be someone aloof and mysterious and alluring, and this damned human was ruining everything. "God fucking damn it," she said, cheeks going pink despite her best efforts. "And now you are going to forget I said that." She did not stomp her foot this time--though the urge was hard to resist.

"I was going to buy you something, but anyone can buy you something, and what would you like? A car, a house? I doubt you'd take them." She was still pacing, talking quickly and frustratedly. "I was going to bake you something." Anna actually quite enjoyed baking, did it frequently, and cakes and cupcakes were some of her favorites to make. "But no one accepts food from fae." She paused as it occurred to her now that he might be one of the few people on earth who might not see her baking as a threat. "Damn it, I should have baked you a cake. Do you like cake? God fucking damn it, I don't even know what you like." She threw her hands up in the air. She liked him--liked him much more than she'd been prepared for--and yet she did not know his cake preferences. "And you--you bastard--keep doing these stupid, wonderful thoughtful things, making me the shrew who can't get her--" She paused. She was not going to say 'boyfriend' again and humiliate herself further. "--person--" She waved her hands in frustration. "--anything even remotely meaningful!"

Anna stopped moving, finally, and put her hands on her hips instead. "So would you please--and note that I am saying please--tell me what you'd like."

[antonioalvarez]

Who: Meena @cantfightmoonlight Where: Town Hall

Tony spun the chair across from the mayor's desk and sat on it backwards, his chest pressed against the backing, arms folded over the top. He could hear his auntie's voice in his head, chastising him for being so casual with the mayor--who she still treated like the queen of England--but Tony had spent far too much time with Meena (usually with a joint between them and not always all their clothes--to be too fussed). As far as he was concerned, Meena was a queen--that much was obvious--but she was also a person and deserved to be treated as such. "I hope you didn't miss me too much," he said. "After my heroic rescue and unfortunate detainment--" Hospitalization, but he'd been talking about it like he'd been arrested or kidnapped and held against his will. "--I am back with presents." Because they were in town hall, and because she was the mayor, he didn't pull the weed out of his pocket this time but did wink to let her know he had it all the same. "You look amazing, by the way."

[ghcstlydreams]

who: @cantfightmoonlight (jasmine) when: a couple days post february 14, 2023 where: so-ra's apartment

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Picking listlessly at her sandwich, So-ra stared at her kitchen tap. She should turn that off. She was supposed to turn that off. Should be conserving water and all that. Saving the environment. And still, she picked at her sandwich.

After the events of Valentine’s day, she’d taken the rest of the week off to recover. The antidote that Jas had given her worked well and most of the effects of the poison had stopped within the first couple hours after she’d be saved. She should find Jas, thank her for the help. There was a lot she should be doing. The sandwich on her plate was now mostly crumbs.

Her phone began to vibrate, the sound breaking her away from her reverie. Someone was trying to buzz her apartment number. So-ra hesitated, before answering the call. “Hello? Who’s there?”

[viclentxdelights]

who: @cantfightmoonlight -- meena where: town hall

“Madam Mayor,” Vincent greeted. The last few days had been difficult -- more than difficult, if he was being honest -- and Vincent was just getting around to checking in on the people he considered to be allies, friends even. He felt guilty about it, as if he’d abandoned them, but when danger had struck, his every thought had been on his daughter. Was still on his daughter. Maybe that made him an unsuitable leader. Maybe leadership demanded that he put aside all personal attachments and focus solely on carrying out his duties. It was a thought that had been rattling around his mind for a few days now, one that he hadn’t quite come to a resolution over. So, instead, he’d settled on doing the one thing that always could get him out of his own thoughts -- focusing on someone else’s problems. “You look like you could use a drink... Or seven.”

[ofbloodandsnow]

Squeezing her back, he just shrugged at the mention of the pack. "I know, I know. Look, if Noel joins, I will join, I promise but for now I just don't want her being alone." She was his sibling, he couldn't just join first and pressure her into joining if she didn't want to. The pack being 'family' was also more than daunting to him. He'd been there a year but still didn't know where he stood with Nico. Joining a pack with your brother-in-law as Alpha, surely there was some conflict of interest there.

Mentally shaking himself off, he made himself smile at her last comment. I wish you were right.

"Why are you the best?" She whispered out, moving to wrap her arms around her brother and ruffle the top of his head. "That's true, though that reminds me. What is with the two of you?" She asked, giving Tommy a playful shove. "You and Noel are making me look bad. Join the damn pack already. It's run by your literal family now."

"And yeah, yeah, it's cool. Even if you are still a dork though," She mused. A smile breaking across her lips as she promised him, "You couldn't even if you tried."

[ofashesandmoonlight]

Option A @cantfightmoonlight

Jas had just wanted to get away. The telepath was tired of overhearing mentions of her father, the dark coven leader and ominous serial killer's, name in other people's thoughts. She just needed a breather. An escape. So, the last thing she had been expected when she parked her car at the edge of the cliff side, bottle of whiskey in hand was that she'd stumble upon someone else out in what she often viewed to be her spot. Oh daddy. I wish you hadn't had to go so soon. Alexa's voice snapped her out of her own thoughts. The words tugging lightly on her heart strings. She had wondered the same sentiment a million times when it came to her mom. But, as she took a step back in an attempt to give the other some privacy, Alexa turned to address her directly. "Last I checked, you don't own the cliffs and I wasn't watching you. Believe it or not, you're not the only person who comes out here to be alone. So, want a drink or?"

Despite her bleak mood Alexia found an amused smirk beginning to spread across her melancholic features. "Everyone watches me." It was a statement of fact, one Lexi had come to loathe. Since her recovery any time she dared showed a bit of skin those around her stared. Often it felt like their gaze, redirected when she turned her own glare upon them, were burring holes into her skull. "It's not as vain as it sounds," a hand reached for the bottle, "If anything it's an ego crush." The whiskey is sharp as it slides down, a familiar and welcomed warmth. "I wouldn't mind the company. S'long as you keep your eyes from wandering." Another swig and the bottle is passed back, "We both know what I'm hiding from. So what's got you on the run?"

[alexanderharveywright]

closed starter for @cantfightmoonlight (Caleb)

location: Lunar Cove Beach in Sunny Harbor

The long way around to nowhere in particular but wherever their feet could take them took Alex's mind off the chaos of life. Which was the sum total of absolutely everything having gone to shit. There was no corner of his existence that complications did not occupy, that fear and worry had not taken root. He wondered often when a day of reprieve might come, but as problems piled up Alex lost hope that there would ever be one. Perpetually damned to fail, no matter how hard he tried. Unable to impress, help, or protect any of those he had vowed to do just that. After the resurrection, he'd fall from their family's favor. The town, his coven, was in disarray. Division rang from every rooftop, and he wondered how long they had until dissent filled the streets.

"Oh wow... look at that bird! You ever seen one that color?"

In the trees, nestled so close to the coast Alex could hear the waves, he was a young man again. Though he hadn't been close to his brother then. Time changed everything, and some of those things were good. In a forest of fantasy, or so he allowed himself to believe, reality's responsibilities faded into the hum of nature. There was a deep healing to be found in the Earth. As a healer, Alex had always felt its vibration. So much stronger than he could ever be and unencumbered by such trivial human things like grief, fear, and shame. A part of him thought he could stay here forever, wandering unmarked trails, watchings pretty birds sing.

"...tell me you didn't miss that squirrel! The chunkiest fella I've ever seen.." Alex continued, wondering allowed. "Maybe we're in for a rough winter.."

[moonsongchorus]

Where: In the Woods Somewhere Who: Anna and Chai (@cantfightmoonlight)

Anna dragged Chai by the hand into a small clearing. Laying before them, secluded by a wall of trees on every side, was a fairy ring made of mushrooms and within it, a picnic basket. "Are you ready to sacrifice your soul?" she asked, grinning as she walked backwards into the circle. She dropped her purse into the grass and its loud thump--much louder than a chapstick, wallet, or whatever else was usually found in a purse should have made--echoed around the clearing as she wove both arms around Chai's neck and drew him in for a kiss. She had spent much of the night before baking, exciting to be able to make food for someone who might actually eat it without fear, so the picnic basket was filled with pastries, cookies, sandwiches, and, of course, several bottles of expensive wine.

[altanonder]

"I'd imagine it can get... difficult at times." Between Silas and Alyssa, Altan knew Poppy had been given a tainted hand when it came to her parents, even Silas alone would have been enough to screw someone up for a lifetime. His brow furrowed slightly in return, hoping he hadn't inadvertently stumbled onto a sore spot, "I'd like to know more about you, I don't know all that much - but given how important you are to people I care about, I'm already taking that as a good sign. But, I just meant Poppy tends to believe she's trouble too, even in situations where it might not be true." He couldn't refute it entirely, but given how often he'd seen her take things to heart that were entirely removed from her or out of her control, he could imagine it being a similar trait shared between siblings.

"Not much, if I'm being honest? We're not the most open of families," She admitted, seeing how they all held the fact Silas had been in town from each other for one reason or another way back when. "Ah. That is... something," She pressed her lips together, not really knowing what else to say, outside of giving him a small nod. "Huh?" She blinked up at him at the mention of her siblings. "How much do you know about me, exactly?" She posed when he said that he had doubts it was the truth. Given that she was inadvertently responsible for the death of both her mother and one of her siblings, she wasn't sure how else you could refute it? "Yeah? Me too for the both of us."

[kadiraksoy]

Where: Sidewalk Sale Who: Bella ( @cantfightmoonlight )

"What do you think?" Kadir picked up a cowboy hat off one of the stands on the sidewalk and put it on. These things seemed very popular lately--maybe a sort of comeback or renaissance with the youth. He had seen this before, fashion coming around in circles, so his out of touch nature might drift back into the general consciousness before falling away again. Still, this had never really been his style. He set it back down. In truth, he wasn't all that interested in buying things, had never been much of a shopper. But he didn't mind browsing, walking around and getting the chance to chat with people as he became more and more accustomed to actually being a part of this town, of being a neighbor, a member of the clan, a member of a community who stayed.

But he was worried about Bella. He wasn't going to say it just yet, wasn't going to push her to talk if she wasn't ready to, but he knew things hadn't exactly been easy for her lately. That, at least, he could relate to. He had not exactly taken well to being a vampire either.

[msannadonnelly]

Where: Anna's Mansion Who: Chai @cantfightmoonlight

The last time Anna had been on a proper date, she had been going by the name Charlotte and had set her eyes upon a spoiled little rich boy with far more money than brains. The date had been, at the end of the day, a job, and so of course, Anna had been very good at it because conning and manipulating had been her life for decades: it was a matter of survival and Anna was, above all things, good at surviving. Before that, she had let her heart get involved from time to time--always a mistake--and she had had to run again the moment those few people who caught her interest found out the truth about her past. Of course, she'd had flings since then, one-night stands, and casual romantic acquaintances--what people these days called 'fuck buddies'--but she had to admit she was out of practice for real dating. Especially a date in which she was not playing a character or scheming for anything. A date she actually cared about.

She checked her appearance in the foyer mirror. The last time he had been to her place, they'd both been blood, paint, and dirt splattered, and she had had a tail. The time before that, she had done nearly everything in her power to turn him off and scare him away, and none of it had worked. So today, she was back in her normal attire: heels that would help bridge the gap in their heights, makeup, and expensive clothes. None of it was meant to impress, necessarily, (because he had proven himself to have the strangest taste and to be immune to her normal intimidation strategies) but because this was how she was most comfortable. The knives in her purse--and hidden in other aspects of her wardrobe--also helped with that, though for once, she hoped not to have to use them.

As he approached, Anna opened the front door and leaned against the frame, smiling despite herself as he approached. It was taking everything in her power not to ask where they were going or what he had planned. She was very curious to see what he'd come up with, but she also usually tried very hard to be the one in control at all times. She grabbed her umbrella off the stand by the door. "Just in case," she said. "You shall not be getting me out of my pants this time."

[ghcstlydreams]

who: @cantfightmoonlight (chai) where: C.O.N.S headquarters when: early morning

It had been a while since So-ra had entered the training hall. Too long, if she was being honest. Even with the recent killings, she’d been so sure that it wouldn’t affect her everyday life. Drama tended to find those that were heavily involved with the supernatural and although she was a member of the coalition, her life didn’t revolve around it. She preferred to be out in the forest and focus on what she could control.  

Twisting her hair up, she smiled as she saw Chai across the room. “Thanks again for agreeing to spar. It’s been ages since I’ve gone up against everyone and well, I think recent events show how much I’ve been lacking.” She ducked her head, busying herself with her gym bag and to hide the deeply bitter loathing that threatened to break her smile. It’s why she was here. She couldn’t be caught off guard again. Wouldn’t put anyone else in danger because of her shortcomings. She had to better.