#chatzy: metzli bernal

[drowningisinevitable-retired]

There’s Shroom For All || Group

TIMING: Current, late evening PARTIES: @evebrennan, @detectivedreameater, @shroomsbysolomon @deathisanartmetzli @riseofmurphy @drowningisinevitable SUMMARY: It’s mushroom szn, babeyyyyyy CONTENT: Drug use (mushroom ring), drug manipulation, Lydia plot mentions

It was the last major ring of the season, which meant that the celebration was in full swing. The night was well underway, and yet it was not dark, the glow from various creatures and people and lights keeping the area lit and warm in spite of the autumn chill. It was a time of celebration. It was a time of revelry. It was a time of togetherness, of bond making. The last ring was always special, and many fae had come from all over to experience it. Some came from New Hampshire, Vermont, Canada, even, the allure of White Crest’s sense of fae community drawing them.

The mushroom ring itself was giant, and there were plenty of people already inside, laughing and talking and laughing some more, drunk and high off all kinds of feelings. Glamours were, for the most part, gone, washed away as if the moonlight had dripped onto them, horns and leaves and fur and antlers and a variety of other inhuman features out and proud for all to see. After all, what did they care of humanity? The humans here were well under the circle’s thrall as soon as they stepped into it, bound to whoever had been lucky enough to step across it with them. There were drinks. There was revelry. There was life. All who entered the mushroom ring were bound to enjoy it, whether they wanted to or not. Such was the way of the mushroom ring.

Mina was overwhelmed. There were a lot of people, many of whom were in the nude, many of whom weren’t, but all of whom seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a lot. It was almost too much. Even Mina’s ears had been able to pick up the sounds of merriment and noise making that was coming from in the woods when she and Caoimhe had parked, and there were so many people, and she wrung her hands, trying to get rid of some of the nerves. She had a lot of nerves recently. Mina was practically vibrating with them. “This looks..” she said quietly, pausing, like a lot, “like a lot.”

Metzli didn’t realize what they had stumbled upon on their run. They had expected to see strange things. It was White Crest after all. But…people, faes and humans in the nude? Glamour down, and everything revealed? That was a total surprise. The only thing stranger was that it was so bright that it felt like day. And that made Metzli almost scramble for cover until they looked back up and saw the moon.

Without thinking, feet walked towards it, as if they were being beckoned forward. Metzli didn’t mind once they were aware, and they continued forward. A distraction was a distraction. But just as they were about to step over the boundary, two familiar scents registered, and they looked around. Mina and Caoimhe had to be nearby, but they couldn’t see them. They didn’t bother to look very hard. Whatever was happening in the ring was far more interesting.

The day had been spent in quiet contemplation, mushroom-dotted back leaned against the Tree’s trunk, opposite the offering he had brought that morning. As the sun began to set, a new sound struck up—one that was not the typical orchestra of the forest. Curious, Solomon got to his feet and pressed a hand to the trunk as if to say goodbye, then wandered off into the twilight. Dusk turned to night as he lumbered along, heavy footfalls thumping, thudding, crushing dead leaves and abandoned twigs that had fallen from his cousins’ tops. The sound, so strange at first, became somewhat familiar. Voices, many voices. Music, laughter… gaiety. Interest piqued even further, the leshy did not feel compelled to activate his glamour, instead following the lights until he stepped directly into the large clearing where all the fae were gathered. Towering over many of them, the nymph hung back, overwhelmed by the sheer number of them. He’d been to one gathering like this before, but this one was even larger and louder. Masked eyes were drawn to the ring of mushrooms that sprouted from the ground, and joy sparked in his chest. He watched, delighted, as people of all types stepped carefully over the boundary to enjoy what he now knew was an extremely intoxicating experience. Perhaps this was some small part of his reward, after all?

It was so much. Caoimhe could hardly remember the last time she’d seen anything like it; it had to be Ireland. If this were years ago and her mother had been there, there would’ve been a human somewhere with a violin, giving the best performance of their lives. And as much time as Caoimhe had spent running, it had never been this. The community, the fun. The feeling as though, no matter how far she went, there would always be something like family to fall right back into, given the right circumstances.

The right circumstances happened to be one doozy of a mushroom circle. Caoimhe was nearly bouncing on her feet as they approached, so excited for something so familiar and fun she almost missed the nervous buzzing beside her. It wasn’t until Mina spoke up that Caoimhe looked over, finally pausing at the way she was twisting her hands together.

“Hm, it is, but...you’re not alone.” It was almost, almost, the best part. She glanced over at the circle, at the fae and others laughing and dancing inside. “If you’re uncomfortable, we don’t have to step in. That’s an option, okay? But we’re here, and it’ll be fun, if we do.”

They didn’t have to go in. Right. Okay. This was okay. Mina was okay. She was totally okay with this. And, really, she wanted to go in. Or, at least, she was telling herself that she wanted to go in. Mina wanted to have fun. She’d been a little starved for it for most of her life, really, the concept of fun. And the last time she’d walked into a ring hadn’t been bad. It’d actually been alright, despite the fact that she’d almost killed a werewolf and ended up with the worst tattoo in the most embarrassing place. But she’d be aware this time! It’d be okay. She was going to be aware, and she was going to be careful, and she was going to have fun. “I want to do this,” Mina said, and her voice sounded a lot more sure than she was in all actuality. She wanted to do this. She wanted… to understand what she’d been missing out on for most of her life. If this was something that was a part of who she was, then Mina wanted it. “I do. I… don’t have to get undressed, do I? Because I– I don’t think I want to do that.”

Marley was nonplussed when the disturbance call came in, but she was the only officer on duty who could go check it out, and that was how she'd ended up standing outside a mushroom ring of all things, in the middle of the woods. Great. This wasn't a problem she could deal with, but it also wasn't a problem that was going to solve itself. As far out in the woods as this was, it was the elderly couple in the cabin a few miles back that had called it in, complaining about noise and "some sorta disco orgy" in the woods weren't going away. Marley rubbed the bridge of her nose and she stood back, trying to decide what best to do here. She could probably easily put the old couple to sleep and let the fae have their festivities-- who was she to interrupt?-- but for some reason, her feet wouldn't move. She just kept staring.

Finally, as she tried to move back, she bumped into a woman with a rather nervous looking girl next to her. "Fuck, sorry," she mumbled, fumbling to put her glasses back on.

Foot stepped over the ring and there was a strange feeling immediately. Like a tether was attaching itself to them and grew taut too fast. It was dizzying, it was confusing, it was…something Metzli paid no mind to as soon as a new distraction appeared in front of them. Everyone was just connected and inebriated in a way they had never experienced. Even clubs in the seventies weren’t as crazy as what they saw. It was too much then, and it was too much now. They stumbled back, put their hood on, and shut their eyes tightly to readjust themselves. Metzli hadn’t even noticed that Mina was directly behind her until they scowled down at whoever ran into them.

“Mina? Caoimhe?” Their face was covered by the shadows of their hood for only a moment. The lights from inside the ring were too powerful to keep their face hidden. The hood was more for their comfort anyway. Then just as jarring, another familiar face registered. “Marley?”

“No.” Caoimhe laughed, though it was a fair question. She couldn’t speak for anything that might happen once they crossed into the circle, she could only hope that Mina had some fun with it. That was the point, after all. “Just...deep breath, you only have to do what you want to do. If you need to leave, ju– oh!”

A woman bumped into her, decidedly not fae in an area swimming with fae. Caoimhe wondered at the look on the woman’s face, how it looked a little like how she felt. There was something magnetic about the circle, there always was. It was hard to say no once she was standing right beside it. There were humans in the circle, of course, there was something to be had for everyone. Some may have even gone in of their own accord, others–

“How dare you.” She grinned, tone light, crooking a thumb over her shoulder. There was a tree in the clearing; the woman was out of place. Caoimhe kind of wanted to keep her there. “You here for this?”

She glanced sidelong at Metzli of all people, though she wasn’t entirely surprised. They seemed to be everywhere. “Well, it’s really a party now, isn’t it.”

Fan-fucking-tastic. Seemed everyone knew each other, but the only person Marley recognized was Metzli and she wasn't eager to run into a vigilante cohort in the middle of the woods. "I was just leaving, actually," she grumbled, glaring over at the vampire, "and you should be, too." Did they not know what being in a mushroom circle did? Marley only knew because of-- well, she really didn't wanna think about her right now. She shook her head and slid her glasses on and pocketed her hands. "Just try and keep it down," she mumbled, knowing it was of no use to suggest. She glanced at the younger girl. "Don't do anything stupid," she added on.

Finally gathering the courage to move out of the shadows at the treeline, Solomon wandered farther into the clearing. His antlers rose high into the sky, skull almost glowing white in the moonlight as he moved through the other attendees. His pace was slow and deliberate, careful not to run into (or step on) other fae as he made his way toward the ring. “Excuse me,” he breathed, his voice raking like branches on a windowpane in the heads of those nearest to him. Once at the edge of the ring, the leshy took a delicate step over it, relishing the high that immediately flooded his senses. Sinking to the earth as others moved out of his way, Solomon lowered himself into a crouch and closed his eyes, grinning to himself as he just listened to others around him enjoying themselves. He’d missed this, as much as he enjoyed the Tree’s company.

“Okay, okay, okay,” Mina muttered, more to herself than to Caoimhe or the other woman or even Metzli as she looked at the ring and then all the Fae. People. Lots and lots of people. They were people. Mina could feel them, that strange bond that all Fae seemed to share thumming through her system, making her antsy. It could be a comfort if she learned how to let it She wanted to let it. She did finally cock her head to the side as she looked at Metzli. “This– I– You really probably shouldn’t be here,” she told them. Though, really, there were plenty of non-Fae around, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. The boy that Mina had entered the other ring with seemed to enjoy himself. Maybe this was something for everyone. She wished she knew more. Faerie rings weren’t exactly common knowledge, though. All Mina had ever known was to not enter them on purpose, and now she was blatantly disregarding that. She watched as a leshy lumbered forward, and she looked up at him. “You’re– Hi.” She looked back at Caoimhe. “Right. Okay. Just–” It was like jumping off a waterfall. She just had to do it. “Right.” And Mina stepped into the ring.

Caoimhe wondered at just how okay Mina looked, but watched her step through regardless. It was going to be fine. It was going to be fun. She’d come out to have a good time, but she found herself honestly invested. It was Caoimhe who’d pulled her out there, who’d suggested coming in the first place. And hell if that wasn’t disorienting. These were things she stumbled upon alone, somewhere new, somewhere that didn’t mean anything to her. None of it, none of them, were supposed to mean anything to her.

“You know.” With Mina in the ring, and with every intention of following her, Caoimhe turned to look at the only person she didn’t recognize. There was some safety in that, right? “The best way to make sure none of us do anything stupid is to stay, keep an eye on us.” With her hands tucked away and only short sentences to offer, Caoimhe wondered if she should just salute and walk away. “Might actually enjoy yourself, if you’re open to it.”

When looking at Mina after she stepped into the ring, the tether from earlier pulled harder and all they wanted to do was listen to whatever she might say next. What the fuck? They disregarded this thought immediately though, and rolled their eyes at Mina. “I can be wherever I want. This looks interesting enough. This doesn’t really seem up your alley, though.” Metzli retorted with a scowl and pulled their hoodie over their head more.

Looking at Marley, they flipped her off and stuck out their tongue. “Listen, you should live a little. Heard these things are fun. Besides, you heard her, with me, it’s a party now.” Metzli grinned and waved Marley over. “Caoimhe is right. She’s pretty smart. You should listen to her.”

The light was what had initially peaked Murphy’s interest as paws padded silently across the forest floor. Triangular ears were pricked forward, nose high in the air as she stalked towards the weird sensation. For a moment the wolf had considered turning back, something in the air seemed to warn against the way forward. And perhaps she would have, had she not come across a familiar scent. Metzli. At that point worry over took instinct, and so she crouched ever closer to the ground, the white of her coat helped her to blend into the brightness the closer she came. Once she finally came to the source, Murphy felt her hackles rise. Every inch of fur stood on end as she took in the scene; human and fae nude and unhidden in euphoria under the light of day that somehow seemed to permeate despite the moon high in the sky.

A conglomerate of scents took root within Murphy’s snout, and just as the intrigued animal prepared to step into the mess, it paused. A warning had loomed high in the wolf’s mind, of a phenomena it had heard of but never seen. It took a step back, only to feel something, perhaps someone, bump into it. That small movement was enough to tumble Murphy into the false daylight, her shift abruptly ending as her physical body joined the chaos. Nude, green hues took in everything around her, before they rested on the person responsible for her indoctrination. “Son of a bitch.”

Marley watched the young girl step over the line and realized she, too, must be fae. Her eyes went back to the older woman, who was trying to coax her into going in as well, playing at her responsibility to keep others safe. It was her job, she supposed… and it was easier to keep people out of trouble if she stuck around. Logically, Marley knew going into a fairy ring was a bad idea. But at the moment? She felt like she didn't care. Something was pulling her towards it, and something was pulling her towards the woman. "You seem familiar," she said to Caoimhe, "have we met?" Moving closer to her, closer to the ring. There was no harm in sticking around for a little bit, right?

She shot a glare over at Metzli, but didn't respond. "You do this often?" She asked Caoimhe instead.

This felt a lot different than when Mina had stepped into a mushroom ring. Which to be fair, that ring was back in February, and, now that she thought about it, probably not nearly as potent. This, though. It was so much and everything and nothing at all, and Mina felt like she had all the control in the world and none at all. Like she’d given up control of herself in favor with a connection to the world that she’d never thought possible. And her pupils were dilated, and she felt like she’d had too much caffeine and something warm and wonderful. And maybe that was why everyone was taking their clothes off; because, despite the autumn chill, she was beginning to feel warm, uncomfortably warm. She thought about taking her clothes off. She wasn’t going to take her clothes off. Instead, she stumbled back over to Caoimhe and Metzli and the leshy and the other woman, and there was someone else that had just stumbled out of the brush, and that was fine, and everything was fine, and everything felt electrified, and Mina didn’t know what to do. She would have asked Caoimhe if it was supposed to feel like this, but she was busy, so she looked at Metzli instead, looking up at them and cocking her head as she asked, “What does it feel like to you?”

Wherever her eyes landed, it was not the true source of whoever had pushed Murphy into the ring. Instead, all she would find was a root protruding from the earth, waving at her like a hand before it slithered back into the dirt. To her left Solomon still rested in his squat, watching the werewolf with an amused glimmer in his golden eyes. “Thought you could use a little… push,” he explained in his deep, rumbling voice. “Welcome. I do not have a mother, but if I did, I bet she would have been a bitch.” Sitting up, Solomon held out a massive hand to her. “Lily,” he said, giving his false name, “and try not to overthink it. Just… have fun.”

“Hey!” Finger guns felt a touch juvenile, but Caoimhe still threw a grin Metzli’s direction. She wasn’t necessarily on a mission to force anyone into the circle, but she was flattered nonetheless. “Metzli is pretty smart themselves, you should listen to them.”

But it didn’t seem like much more was needed. The woman took a step closer, and Caoimhe could almost feel the edge of the ring, how many steps she’d need to get them through. There was always a feeling of breathlessness just before, anticipation blending with nerves and excitement in the perfect way. “I don’t think we’ve met.” She offered a hand, “I’m Caoimhe, and...no, not necessarily. Once a year, if I’m in the right place at the right time.” She took a step towards the line of mushrooms, “Sticking around?” And she stepped through.

Turning to face Mina again, Metzli blinked several times and a euphoric weight began to settle. Skin vibrated and everything began to hum and buzz. A smile tugged at their lips and they had to touch their face to feel it, make sure it was actually there. What they felt was akin to an out of body experience, but they could see everything in a way they hadn’t before. “I feel…free. But also like…my clothes are constricting.” The tether grew stronger again and they stepped closer to Mina, pupils dilated and boring into her.

Sight buzzed in a similar fashion to their skin and they let out a shaky breath that they didn’t even need. “How do you feel?” Metzli wanted to know, needed to know. They didn’t even look at Mina as they asked, their focus waning and bouncing from Marley, to Caoimhe, to the giant tree, and then to Murphy. Murphy? Thoughts were too fast though, and they looked back at Mina. Eyes were red now, letting themselves go slowly.

Green hues glowered in the direction of the looming fae. Though their body was in a crouch, they still rested above Murphy. “You might not be the son of one, but you certainly are one.” Though she felt the ire from being thrust into a situation she was not comfortable with, and did not want, it was clouded by the music and gaiety around her. Despite her desire to be angry, to round on the fae she now faced, her body took things into its own hands and pushed a giggle forth from her mouth. It was such an un-murphy-ish sound that her eyes widened in shock. “Lily,” The name rolled over her tongue lavishly. The fae were truly a sight to behold without their glamour; beautiful, unique, powerful. Everything that seemed to be the very embodiment of nature, and this one was no different.

With another giggle Murphy bounded in their direction, her feet hitting the soft earth with enough speed and force that the dirt beneath her path flung out from all directions until she was situated directly in front of the fae responsible for her predicament. Lily. Instinctively, prompted by the freeing music and warmth that enveloped her, she reached out to delicately touch a horn. Almost as soon as her fingers had made reverent contact they were pulled back and a squeal of delight parted from between full lips. “I guess since you thought I needed a push that must also mean that you’re responsible for showing me a good time.”

“It’s really warm,” Mina said, and, yes, it was definitely very warm. And free. She didn’t know if free was the right word. She felt like she was falling and there was a pool of water below her, so she knew everything would be okay, but there was still that sense of falling. She was still falling. It was a good kind of fall, though, exhilarating, reminding her of the first time that Bex had kissed her in the parking lot of the Stacked Deck, and she hadn’t been able to think then, and she wasn’t really able to think now. “I feel– I feel like– You’re very close, can you step back, please?” And then she was laughing because, really, they were right. Free. She’d never felt this free, and she didn’t know what to do with it. She wanted to enjoy it. She wanted to fully experience it. She… wanted Bex. But not to be there because the non-Fae all seemed to have a strange look in their eyes, and Metzli now had a strange look in their bright red eyes, and there was a very, very tiny part of Mina that worried that look wasn’t a good thing, and maybe Bex shouldn’t experience it. But this was still fun! And she wanted to have fun! And Mina was having fun!

Marley glanced around before her eyes landed back on the woman. Caoimhe. Quite the name. It was a nice name. Marley watched her step into the ring and felt that something familiar again, but everyone around her was stepping in, and they were all laughing and happy and didn't Marley deserve that? No, she didn't think so. But she wanted it. And that was enough. She took the last step forward and into the ring and reached for the other woman's hand as she did. Something more tugged. She felt it inside her like a rush. As is she'd just consumed a fear that was greater than any other. It filled her up and made her arms tingle and she did something she never did-- she smiled. "Wow," she breathed, "does it always feel like this?"

Her anger fell on deaf ears—or rather, ones that did not comprehend the insult. The attitude was quick to fade, of course, once Solomon bade her a jolly evening. Almost immediately, her mood perked up and she came hurrying over, drawing a delighted laugh from the leshy. His head tilted into her brief touch, a hum following quickly on the coattails of her laughter. “A good time? Of course, of course… though I would argue, simply being here is a good time.” He breathed a sigh of relief, glancing up at the sky. “You know,” the leshy added thoughtfully, “I can think of something that is a very good time that you could help me with! But that would require leaving here, and I would like to… to stay a little while longer…” Pushing his hands into the dirt, he willed the sprouting of a ring of flowers, and as they grew taller, they began to intertwine into a circle. Once they’d fully bloomed, it was easy to pluck them all free of their stems at the same time and lift the little crown of flowers up to place it gingerly on the wolf’s head. “Cute. It suits you.”

Step back, please. “Yes, I can.” Metzli replied and obeyed with no retaliation. The tether was tighter and it demanded to be felt. It demanded that they stayed close. As close as Mina would let them. The feeling to want to listen was infuriating and against everything that made up their being. But that was quickly overshadowed by the sheer amount of warmth they felt. Mina was right. It was so warm. And without thinking, if it was even possible to think at that point, Metzli removed their hoodie and threw it to the side. As always, they had a binder on.

“I feel really good. Really weird, but good. My body is shaking. But…I’m not scared. I’m excited.” Metzli chuckled and paced around, running their hands through their hair and tugging. It felt good to do so. They needed to do more. They needed to act on all of the impulses they had. But there were too many to pick from, so they had to just settle for standing in one place until something moved them.

It still took Caoimhe a little by surprise every time, no matter how many times she stepped into a circle. That warm giddy feeling, the way it started in her chest and spread until she couldn’t stop smiling. She wondered if it ever would, if one-hundred years would pass, then two, then...then she looked to the Leshy and she thought maybe it wouldn’t. Maybe this would always be a thing she could have, no matter where she ran. It was familiar but not, warm and tingly, and of course she’d keep her clothes on, but the glamour was gone after only a moment.

Her eyes found the woman who’d stepped through just behind her, and she was smiling, reaching out for her hand. Caoimhe thought she looked nice, when she wasn’t telling them to keep the noise down. And, oh, this was going to be fun. “More or less.” She rocked back on her heels, pulling in a breath, “Like warm and exciting and–” And words, Caoimhe couldn’t find them. “It’ll be fun. We’re going to have fun, uh…you know, I never did catch your name. Just! Just your first name.”

Marley stared, eyes wide. She remembered why this was familiar, eyes stuck at the woman's glamour dropped. She stared at her, unmoving. The gleam of her skin, the opalescent sheen of her hair, sparkling like diamonds. She remembered why this was familiar. "Lydia." The name left her throat in a breath. She remembered now. The woman, the monster, who, almost a year to the day, had given Marley something she'd never thought she could have. Marley remembered reading the newspaper, the police reports, about the woman named Lydia Griffin and what she'd done. She remembered how the woman, the monster, had convinced Marley they were the same. Had convinced Marley that she didn't need to be ashamed of what she was, who she was. The monster who had shown her a kindness and compassion and understanding no one else ever had. The monster who was cruel and kept people for herself. The monster who had loved, but was a monster all the same. The monster who showed Marley, convinced Marley, in all her undoing, that the only thing Marley would ever be was a monster, too. A monster that could love, but was a monster all the same.

"Marley," she answered as the tug inside of her demanded her to. "My name is Marley. Just Marley."

“It’s– It’s– Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s what it feels like!” Mina said, nodding quickly. “It’s weird but good and nice.” And it was also weird and good and nice the way that they listened to her almost immediately, and Metzli hardly ever listened to Mina. So that was a welcome surprise. All things about this were becoming welcome surprises, and Mina wanted to experience more of it, feel more of it. And it was nothing for her hands to become webbed and clawed, and it was nothing for her to take off her jacket and roll up her sleeves and get rid of her shoes and feel the earth underneath her feet. And this was as far as she’d go because excitement didn’t mean confidence, and Mina still had a lot of nerves, but they were happy nerves. When was the last time that she’d felt this happy without it being weighed down by stress and anxiety and fear? She didn’t know. She couldn’t remember. This felt foreign but natural, so natural, and then Mina was laughing again. “This is awesome.”

Caomhe knew that look. She’d never really needed a mushroom ring to get that look. Something tugged at the back of her mind, like she should be uncomfortable, like she should be stuffing her violin into another box, submitting a two-weeks, and leaving. But she wasn’t. She was warm and she was happy and it wasn’t like she hadn’t already known. This one, this one would go away. Eventually. This one’s name was Marley, and she had smiled, and some strings weren’t permanent, not really. “Well, just Marley. It’s a pleasure to meet you..”

This was going to be fun. It was. She looked around to find Mina, with Metzli just outside the circle. She didn’t look panicked. Everyone was accounted for, and she let herself fully settle, no room for anything else. This was going to be fun.

Metzli marveled at Mina, watching her scales form and listening to her grow enlivened. They’d seen her claws before, her scales on her arms, but never this. They’d never seen her so free of anxiety. “Whoa…” Breath hitched and their head whipped to catch Caoimhe’s glamour fall. “Holy shit…you guys—you look incredible.” Their smile continued to grow and they had to tighten and release their fists to keep themselves grounded. It was so much at once, but they didn’t want to stop experiencing it. “The stories don’t do the actual experience any justice.” Staring at everyone for only a moment longer, they walked towards Caoimhe and tapped her shoulder.

“You look incredible, Caoimhe. Amazing. Beautiful. Powerful. You—sorry.” Metzli was rambling, filled too much with energy from whatever was permeating within the circle. There was so much life. So much. Flowers blossomed and so too did everyone around them. It was like everyone was letting go and becoming one. They couldn’t wait for what was to come.

[kallmekitty-retired]

A Vampire and a Werewolf are Already in a Bar and Happen to Grab a Drink Together || Metzli and Kitty

TIMING: Before Metzli goes to Mexico PARTIES: @deathisanartmetzli and @kallmekitty SUMMARY: The title kind of says it all. CONTENT: No warnings!

Metzli found themselves in Dell’s Tavern, the same bar they’d visited with Nadia. They were trying to pick themselves up with a drink in their hand. By the time they get to the next round, they forgot the context of what they were even trying to do. It was a number of things, really. Avoid more fights and killing, forget the foreboding eyes on them, and dilute the pain. All of it only being temporarily fixed by the pouring of a drink. As if a broken thing could sip on their so-called elixir and make themselves new. Metzli knew it was pointless, but it was better than what they were doing before, it was better than sitting at home and finalizing their plan to go after Eloy by asking friends to help. Not much left to do but gather supplies and ask. Tonight though, they’d just relax. Let themselves get lost in the chatter, drinks, and music. Just one more night.

Thoughts were interrupted when the bartender, Nick, returned and asked if they needed another drink. Metzli answered with a nod, but prompted him to wait as their eyes scanned the room. Locking onto a red mane next to them, they pointed and said, “Put her next drink on my tab.” Maybe it’ll spark an interaction, a friendly conversation, a distraction. They weren’t looking for much more than that. Not when they felt so drained and…connected to another. Nick left without another word to pour the drink and brought back their whiskey neat in a matter of seconds. “I’m Metzli, but you don’t gotta talk to me if you don’t wanna. Just trying to be nice.”

Sometimes, folks playing at Dell’s needed a drummer, and Kitty was always happy to oblige. She liked playing, always looking for an excuse to do it. Drums were a killer way to release some steam, and Kitty was almost all pressurized steam waiting to explode since she’d been turned. Still, live bands typically had drummers if they needed them, so she was more often than not out of luck most nights. But the music was good, with or without her, and the food was good, and she liked the drinks well enough.

She’d just finished up a drink when the voice of the person next to her addressed her. Kitty looked over at them, curious by their lack of heartbeat and the smell of dried, dead blood that clung to them. “Mighty kind of you,” she said, offering them a smile. “I’m not one to turn down a nice drink and nice company.”

“Ah, que divertido," Metzli mused and raised their glass to Kitty. She smelled of dog, a smell that they had actually grown used to and even fond of. White Crest truly was just nothing but supernatural creatures. It seemed like humans were the true anomaly of this town. They swiveled their seat to face Kitty fully and raised a curious brow while returning the smile. “Don’t know if I’m nice company, but maybe you can decide if I am. Looking for some nice company myself.” Nick placed a drink of whatever Kitty was having before and walked away once again.

The music thrummed in the bar, even making the seats vibrate and drinks ripple. A small solitude. That was how Metzli saw it at least. Especially after Nadia helped make it into that kind of space with laughter and drinks. They hoped perhaps maybe this stranger could provide a similar comfort. “And what’s your name?”

“Cheers,” Kitty said, raising her glass to them. She then shrugged. “I mean, most people’re nice company. Even shitty people. I’m a bit of a people person.” Kitty liked people. She liked talking with them, laughing with them, sleeping with them, fighting with them. She’d always been a bit of a wild child, too. That’s what her family called her. Really and truly? Kitty just wanted to have fun. In any way possible.

“Name’s Kitty,” she said, finishing her amaretto sour that she’d been sipping on and picking up the new one that was brought to her. She ate the cherry first, listening to the music. She’d had a love/hate relationship with music when she’d first been turned, the loudness of it quite literally knocking her on her ass in the beginning. Now, it was more manageable. Still loud, still a lot, but she didn’t feel like she was going to pass out from it. “Nice to meet you, Metzli.”

“Shitty people can be nice company? I beg to differ, Kitty. But, we can agree to disagree.” Metzli said with a light tone and a toothy grin. Though they were a little dejected, there was no way for Kitty to know since she didn’t know them. She didn’t have to either, and there was a comfort in that, and the company she could provide them. Despite the small injuries they had, they hoped she wasn’t put off by it, especially since they could smell her inner wolf. Injuries like theirs had to be common, at least, that’s what they thought.

Taking a quick sip, Metzli relaxed their shoulders and mused aloud, “What brings you here tonight? Surely not the music. Maybe it’s the sliders? They’re pretty good, but I don’t really have a sense of taste. If you catch my drift.”

“Well, I like talkin’ and fightin’ and everything in between, so any company’s nice company,” Kitty said easily, smiling back at them. She sipped on her drink, trying not to be too perplexed over the scent of dead blood. It was such a strange smell, though. All of the undead she’d been around before, and there were so many in this town, typically didn’t smell like dead blood. Fresh blood, yes, the scent reminding her of bad memories, but not dead blood. She wondered if it was from them.

“Hey, don’t be dissin’ on the music. It really ain’t that bad,” Kitty said, laughing. “Sliders are real good, too. Drinks’re nice. Folks are cool. It’s as nice a place as any bar in town, I think.” She looked them over again, head cocking to the side. “Yeah, I could sorta tell. You didn’t strike me as the kind to like sliders too much.” She tapped her ear, insinuating that she couldn’t hear their heartbeat.

“Fightin’?” Metzli playfully mimicked Kitty’s accent and let their smile grow bigger. “You looking to pick a fight or are you content where you are? ‘Cause I’ll be honest, I’ve done enough fighting for the week. If you couldn’t tell.” Hands gestured to themselves with a chuckle and they sipped idly on their whiskey. Meaningless pratter was something they enjoyed now. Whether it was with friends or strangers, it didn’t matter. They had learned that conversation could bring new opportunities for a number of things.

Tapping their nose, they replied, “Yeah, I figured you’d understand. You and I don’t typically get along, but oddly enough, I’m a part of a pack. Didn’t even think that was possible.” Shoulders shrugged languidly as they distracted themselves with another drink. “How long you been in White Crest? Pretty sure I would remember your face if I had seen it.”

“Yeah, fightin’,” Kitty said, letting the Southern drawl thicken like molasses. “Nah, I’m pretty content. I don’t go looking for fights much these days.” So the blood she smelled was theirs, then. She put an elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. It was easy to relax, even with all the sights and sounds and smells coming in. Kitty’d always been a social person. She liked being around other people.

Wrinkling up her nose, Kitty said, “That Twilight bullshit’s actually real?” she asked. She’d never bought into the whole vampires vs. werewolves thing, and now was no different. Maybe they were just trying to pull one over on her. “Never gave a shit about stereotypes, anyway.” Raising an eyebrow, she added, “You’re doing better than me, I guess. I don’t really don’t do the whole pack thing.” Twirling a strand of hair around her finger, she brightly added, “A few weeks! I’ve just been kinda ramblin’ for awhile, and I ended up ramblin’ on here.”

Metzli couldn’t help but let out a genuine laugh as Kitty thickened her accent. “Man, I haven’t heard an accent like that since I traveled through Texas. In the 1900s mind you.” The last part was hushed, knowing the wolf would be able to hear just fine. Keen senses had their perks. And Metzli loved being able to talk with someone about their nature so subtly, surrounded by people who could so easily be meals. People who had no idea things like them existed.

“Some of that Twilight shit is real. Don’t know what started it all, but I never believed in it like my master did.” Metzli grimaced at the mention of Eloy and their subsequent submission to calling him master once again. Anger heated up their chest, but they didn’t show it. “I don’t do the pack thing either, but we have a profound connection. It’s like a family. A chosen one, you know?”

After a refill was requested, they leaned in and tapped their glass to Kitty’s. “Welcome to White Crest, then. I’ve been here nearly a year. It’s a nice place for people like us to settle.”

“I’m not Texan, I assure you. We’re bad, but we ain’t that bad.” Kitty took a sip of her drink, thinking about that. Metzli was old. Especially if they were around in the 1900s. They didn’t specify when, but any time in the 1900s was a while ago. If it was the 80s, or 90s, she figured they would have said that, but, no. 1900s. What a strange concept. It wasn’t like Kitty was new to the magical world, but she was used to magic and really kind of farming magic at that. Country magic. She was backwoods even to spellcasters. What a thought.

“Yeah? What of it’s real, then?” Kitty asked, genuinely curious. Who threw the first punch? Did it even matter? Was it all folklore. Hatfields and McCoys type shit full of hearsay and who knew what else. “Master?” she added, not liking words like that at all. She shrugged, though, at the mention of a pack, a family. “Sounds kinda cool.” She had a family. She loved her family. There was no need to have profound connections. Surface level stuff worked just fine. The last profound connection ended up with her eating him.

Clinking her glass with Metzli’s, Kitty grinned widely. “Thank ya. It’s an alright town. Sure ain’t home, but, I don’t know. I could dig it for a bit.”

“Yeah, they called me a lot of things when I got there. I only stayed for a day, but it was enough.” Metzli gave an amused look at Kitty and laughed. Racism had always been a problem, from the moment they stepped foot in the states. It had gotten better over time, but it was still an issue. One that grew worse once they no longer conformed to the gender binary. People always had things to say, even when no one wanted to hear.

“I wasn’t there at the beginning of the rivalry. All I know is that you smell like wet dog and master always said wolves were our enemies. Never bought into it, though. Didn’t see the point.” Clearing their throat, Metzli realized they had said it again. Master. They felt so weak for doing it once, but twice? That was just plain pathetic. “Sire. N-not master. Habit. The man who changed me.” A mutter, a painful and dejected one. Eyes were vacant for a moment, but they pulled the light back in.

“Never really had a home or family to compare, but I like it. First place I ever really spoke to anyone and made friends. Had kept to myself up until a few months ago.” Metzli said with a sigh, smiling softly at Kitty.

“Well, that’s a little less southern hospitality than it shoulda been,” Kitty said, but, well, that was the way things were sometimes, wasn’t it? Bigotry, racism, all the nasty little phobias that people used to spew out hate. Kitty was from a small town; she knew what that shit looked like. She loved Cold Water, but folks could be just as bad there as they were everywhere else. Sometimes the world was just shitty. There was no reason for it.

“Oh, so you’re not that old, then,” Kitty teased. Then she frowned at them bringing some of her hair to her nose. “Liar,” she muttered. “I only smell like that when it rains.” She didn’t really buy into it, either, the whole natural enemies thing. No one was actually natural enemies. “Right, okay, a sire. I’m a little new to all of this.” It was a lie, partially, at least. You didn’t grow up in a house full of spellcasters without knowing a few things, even if you were in the backwoods. She didn’t know shit about vampires, though. Or werewolves, really. This was supposed to be a fantasy. Turns out, this shit really was a horror show.

“Yeah? Sounds great,” Kitty said. She meant it, really. What Metzli had now seemed a lot better than what they had before. She raised up her glass, smiling genuinely. “To you, then. For making friends and a family and shit.”

Laughter bursted out before Metzli could stop it, “Yeah, not that old!” It was stifled with their hand, but chuckles slipped past fingers anyway. “God, it feels good to laugh. You’re really good company, Kitty.” Words were genuine, untainted by lies of any sort. Kitty had an air about her that was unmistakably personable. She drew people to her, and it wasn’t even just her good looks. It was her humor, her laugh, her ability to lighten the mood. People just wanted to be near her. Even Metzli could see that.

“Yeah, sire. He kinda fucked me up. You know how you guys sometimes have alphas? Well, he tried to be that. But like, a really fucked up, power hungry version. Made us call him master and do as he said or we’d get punished. That fun stuff, you know?” Metzli shrugged, doing their best to show that it wasn’t a big deal, even though it definitely was. A stranger didn’t need to be bothered with that. For her, the words needed to be displayed as simple fact. “Shit like that happens quite a bit, but it is what it is. To friends and family and shit, right?”

The bartender returned, and Metzli couldn’t help but let the flirt in them guide their actions. Kitty’s drinks were put on their tab and they slid some money to Nick. “Take this as a welcome to White Crest. What brought you here anyway? I’m nosy and looking for some distractions. So, spill.”

“I mean, you could still be old, but you’re not old as dirt, I’m guessing,” Kitty added, laughing a little herself. This was why she went out: drinks and company and unwinding from a long day of working at a diner where the smell of cooking food never properly seemed to leave her nostrils, even after taking multiple baths. “I mean, really good might be a stretch, but I don’t get too man complaints.”

Sires and alphas and bears, oh my. It almost made Kitty wan to roll her eyes at the cliche-ness of it all, but she couldn’t possibly, not with the words that were coming out of Metzli’s mouth. “I–” she didn’t know what to say. “That sounds like shit.” What the hell even was that? People like that, roaming around out in the world free to do whatever the fuck they wanted and getting away with it? Fuck that. Kitty hated the idea of that. “Ain’t really a reason for it, but yeah, I guess,” Kitty muttered. “Shit happens.”

Kitty drank a little faster than she normally would; amaretto sours were usually meant to be enjoyed, sweet and cool. She gulped at it, though, before smiling back at Metzli. “Thanks. Nice enough place to be.” What brought her here? “I’ve been makin’ my way up the East Coast for a while now, I guess, and this was as nice a place as any to stop. Not much further north to go, at this point, unless I just wanna completely disappear into the ocean.” She laughed.

“Some people choose that. Disappearing into the ocean sounds hella refreshing. Could spend a while down there, I think.” Metzli thought about it, being surrounded by the water and the creatures that lay below the surface. There was no need to breathe. Sure their skin would soak up the water and wrinkle, but at least they’d have some respite from the approaching danger.

A similar respite could be found in Kitty’s laughter. One they didn’t have to sacrifice their skin for. All they had to do was let the words flow for her to intake like a good book. For now, all she needed was the first chapter, the first book of many if she chose to keep reading. “Whatcha got for the rest of the night? Just this? I think I might have a pretty lady coming over to keep me company, but I also have a roommate that joins in on our movie nights. You can join too, if you want. You’d fit right into our special friend group.” Metzli smiled and finished the whiskey that was topped off for them. It burned in a satisfying way, the way whiskey was supposed to. At least, the way Lagavulin was supposed to. It was a sipping whiskey after all.

“Don’t feel obligated. Just trying to give you some of that northern hospitality.” Metzli winked and stood up from their stool. “Whatever you choose, here’s my card. Would love to hang out again.” A card was pulled from their jacket and handed over. Metzli Bernal, Art Curator. Crest Works Art.

“Speak for yourself. I’ve got that wet dog smell thing to contend with. Couldn’t imagine dealing with it 24/7,” Kitty said breezily. Nah, disappearing into the ocean wouldn’t do. She supposed she start making her way out north when she couldn’t stay in White Crest anymore. This was Kitty’s big adventure to see the country, to find herself after losing someone important to her. As she told her mama, finding oneself was tricky business, and it wasn’t something she could do at home. Not if she didn’t want to risk eating her folks.

Kitty set her glass down on the table and scratched the back of her head. “Damn,” she said, “that’s a real nice offer, and I wish I could take you up on it, but I’ve got a date.” She grinned. “With my bed. I’ve got an opening shift at work in a few hours, and I’d like to at least try and sleep a little.” And, really, if she was a little unsure about being around multiple people, then that was her business and hers alone. Kitty was very good and burying any sort of negativity and putting on a good face. It was one of her defining features.

“I do appreciate it, though. You’re northern hospitality.” Kitty finished her drink before putting it down again and standing. She should probably head out, too. She did need to sleep, eventually. Sooner would be better than later. She took the card from them. “Thank ya, Mx. I’ll hit you up.” An art curator. A vampire and an art curator. Kitty supposed that, really, art was kind of an immortal pursuit.

[humanmoodring-retired]

Hungry Eyes || Metzli & Nadia

TIMING: Last week.  PARTIES: @deathisanartmetzli & @humanmoodring SUMMARY: Metzli is drawn to a strange sepulcher in the cemetery. Nadia was out. for. a. walk... bitch. It’s all fine. CONTENT: A lil gore.

Finding a fresh higher vampire was proving difficult, and it was really starting to irritate Metzli. With how stupid newly turned vampires were when it came to biting people and doing stupid shit, they had hoped it would be like walking outside and stumbling into one. But no, as always, it could never be that easy and they had to walk way longer than they’d have liked. “God, this is bullshit.” They rubbed their face in frustration, watching the air from their words dance in the cold. “I should just go home. This is so fucking stu—” A red aura caught their eye and they craned their head to get a better view. “Whoa…” It was the Sleeping Sephlechur, something the vampire had never encountered before.

Metzli stepped forward, completely enraptured with the bellowing mist. Their eyes were consumed by it, pupils becoming mere dots as their eyes flowed red and fangs extended. Upon touching the thick air, they burst into a swarm of bats, coming back together almost instantly. They groaned loudly from the shock, falling to their knees and crawling backwards from it with wide eyes. Their skin buzzed from the new energy, and they stood once more, staring and shaking.

Nadia always seemed to end up in the cemetery late at night. Sometimes it was on accident, but sometimes it was on purpose, her body drawing her out to places where she could hear people, hear the dead. Even if they were just whispers in the back of her skull. It was better to end up in cemeteries on purpose than it was to wake up there after sleepwalking. She preferred it this way.

But it was cold, and Nadia figured she’d leave soon. She was burrowed into her jacket, her head covered in a beanie and her hands shoved into her pockets, her breath coming out in puffs of air. She was just about to turn around when she saw someone on the ground, familiar and startled looking, not too far away. “Metzli?” she called out, unable to keep the concern out of her voice. “You know, I know that vampires in cemeteries is kinda the cliche, but this is sort of ridiculous.”

Metzli stood there, unmoving and staring at the mist as if it was their lifeline. Nadia went unnoticed, a mere muffle in the background of buzzing in their ears. They reached out once more, losing their hand in the opaque red. Their body burst again, but this time into a dense gray fog for a few seconds before coming back together. The buzzing grew along with their hunger. It was only then that Nadia’s presence was registered in the deadliest of ways. Her heart, the blood running through her veins made their throat constrict with thirst. The control they would normally have was completely lost, making their eyes hungry and predatorial as they turned to face Nadia.

A low and guttural growl vibrated in their chest as they crouched and bared their teeth. Metzli was giving Nadia a nonverbal threat, a promise that danger was right in front of her and they wanted her blood. They leapt forward, tackling their friend down onto the cold ground, into a heap of thrashing limbs.

It was Metzli, but it wasn’t. That was what Nadia noticed first. They’d never looked at her like that, the way that a predator looks at its prey right before it goes in for the kill. It was terrifying. Nadia was experiencing real fear, not just a spike of it that sometimes occurred when she woke up somewhere that she wasn’t supposed to be, or when she had a nightmare, or when she was walking to her car late at night and could have sworn something was watching her. No, this was real fear, cold and lingering at the back of her neck before it moved throughout her entire body, increasing her heart rate, making her hair stand on end.

“Metzli, wait, sto–” Nadia cut herself off with an oof as she was knocked to the ground, Metzli on top of her with fangs glistening in the streetlight. Oh, she was fucked, wasn’t she? She was fucked. It probably wasn’t helping, the way that her heart was pounding in her chest, loud and clear. Metzli didn’t even seem to see her, their eyes feral and unfocused on who she was. They only cared about what she was, it seemed: a meal.

The person in front of Metzli wasn’t Nadia, no, it was just another source of food. Kill. Bite. Eat. That’s all that circulated in their vampiric mind, only utilizing a single track. There was no derailing their focus to eat. Nadia could push back, try her best to keep her friend from biting her, but they weren’t her friend anymore, and they definitely weren’t themselves. The Metzli that had all the control and wisdom of a vampire that had lived many decades was gone. What was left was a monster that pinned an innocent woman’s arms down to secure access to her throat. And just as fangs were about to meet skin to finally sate the thirst that tightened their throat, a loud and authoritative voice of a woman called out, “Hey! Get off of her!”

Metzli looked up, eyes crazed and hungry, and was struck with a bolt to their shoulder. A loud and pitiful yelp ripped from their throat as they were thrown back by the force of the weapon. With the energy from the mist, they flipped back onto their feet and ripped the arrow from their shoulder, only to have it replaced with another and be forced back to the ground when the ranger stepped on their torso and readied a stake. “All right, fucker. Your time is up. Good riddance.”

Nadia was prepping to die, to become another ghost in a cemetery full of them, and she felt fear fade into something else, something sad. She didn’t think Metzli was going to be okay with this, once they snapped out of it. Or, they’d know they weren’t supposed to be okay with it. They’d learned a lot, even without a soul. They knew when something was wrong. She thought, at least, they’d know that killing their friend was wrong. Sharp fangs were positioned at her neck, close, so close, too close, but they never pierced it. Instead, Metzli was jerked off of Nadia, and she sat up.

She wasn’t expecting the hunter with a bow. A bow? Hunters used bows? Was this a slayer, vampire hunter, something else? Was it even a hunter at all, or just a citizen that thought they were doing something good? Nadia didn’t know, but she scrambled to her feet. “Hey! Hey, take it easy! They weren’t gonna hurt me!” A lie, such a fucking lie, but it didn’t matter. She wasn’t gonna stop. “Total misunderstanding, dude. This is, like, for a movie. We’re working on a movie. They’re super in character, right? Look at those contacts.”

“So in character that they’re bleeding coagulated blood?” The ranger rolled her eyes and pushed Nadia back, shaking her head and throwing her crossbow to the side. “It’s a monster, okay? I’m sure it made you believe otherwise, but in the end, it attacking you, was always gonna be the result. Now, let the profess—” She was cut off by the twisting of her leg, falling over with a scream. Metzli snarled and rushed to get above her, fully ready to rip out her throat, but suddenly, their pupils dilated, returning to a normal size. They blinked several times and screamed as a knife stabbed into their side.

Metzli clambered to a sitting position and scooted backwards as fast as they could. “What the fuck is happening?” Their head whipped to look at Nadia worriedly, quickly looking back at the ranger who was already pointing their crossbow at them. “Hey! Wait! No! Nadia, what’s goi—” The click of the trigger made their instincts activate, catching the bolt before it could pierce their body. Its point hovered over their sternum, and their breath hitched in surprise. “Oh fuck. That was close.”

“Hey, sometimes, people bleed funny. You can’t just judge someone for a blood condition,” Nadia said, and then she yelped as the knife was shoved into Metzli’s side. “Hey!” This… wasn’t going well at all. She could feel the hunter’s hatred, her entitlement, the lack of fear as Metzli had her by her throat before they seemed to come to their senses. And Nadia could see it, the way they came back to the present, so unsure about what was happening.

“Oh, fuck. Fuck,” Nadia said, moving towards the hunter as they fired the crossbow. “Metzli!” But they caught the bolt. They caught it before it hit its mark, and Nadia breathed out a sigh of relief. “Listen, listen, I appreciate, like, the help. Sort of. Really cool of you to try. But everything’s fine! Totally fine! Maybe stop trying to murder my friend, please? I hear vampires turn to ash, and, like, I’m not in the mood to wash these clothes.”

Nadia was trying really hard to prevent any more damage from going to her friend. Metzli really needed a break from getting hurt, from being in the middle of constant danger. They wondered if this was what it was like to be Bex. And then the ranger aimed her crossbow again, and they scooted back more. “Look, if it was any other day, I wouldn’t have attacked. But that thing!” They pointed toward the Sleeping Sephlechur, urging the ranger to look at it. “As soon as I touched it, I lost myself. I wasn’t me.”

The ranger’s eyes narrowed, and she sucked her teeth, agitated. “I—fuck.” It felt like they had to do something to fix the situation. Locking onto her leg, Metzli raised their hands in a peaceful gesture and started to back away. “Let’s go, Nadia.” There was no way she’d be able to run after the two. She was incapacitated, and as long as they ran with cover, they’d be fine. Putting pressure on their side, involuntary tears filled their eyes, blurring their vision. Memories of Eloy surfaced, but they utilized the panic to grab Nadia’s hand and run away.

Looking over to where Metzli was pointing, Nadia noticed the crypt. She’d never seen it before in all of her nightly walks, not here, not in this spot. It was strange. Nadia felt strange, but there wasn’t really any time to think about that as she felt the hunter’s intent before it seemed to waiver, and then Metzli was pulling her away, dragging her out of the cemetery with them. She still didn’t know what had happened, but she’d seen the look on Metzli’s face, how they hadn’t quite been there.

“Hey, hey, slow down. I think we’re good,” Nadia said, panting as she tried to keep up with the much faster vampire. Her arm felt like it was going to be jerked off, and she needed a moment, just a moment, to catch her breath. “Metzli, please. Just– Just a minute, please.”

Metzli’s feet stopped moving, itching to keep going. But Nadia’s heart was going too fast and she was breathing so hard. They knew they had to give her a minute despite how badly they wanted to get away. Being hunted was something they were used to and knew too well. “Waiting a minute can mean death. These guys are relentless to things like me. And I—” Their eyes looked at the ominous crypt and a sharp shiver crawled down their spine. “I attacked you.” Inside, they felt so empty, completely unaffected by the horrible thing they were so close to doing. But they knew they had to be better. Focusing on their well-being was selfish, but being selfish was what came naturally.

“Sorry about that. That thing made me feel so weird,” Metzli stared at their hands as they shook, still buzzing with energy that was dark and insidious. Despite the wounds they had sustained, they felt drunkenly powerful. “What were you doing in a damn cemetery anyway, idiot? Don’t you know there’s things that go bump in the night out here?”

“Yeah, that… probably didn’t look too good, in her eyes,” Nadia said, and she would’ve probably sighed, but she was breathing a little too hard for that. She leaned forward, hands on her knees. “Like, if you’d gone through with the whole murder thing, you know I would’ve haunted you, right? Like, I totally would have made the rest of your undeath super annoying. We’re talking all kinds of inconveniences.” She’d gotten pretty good at moving stuff around during her brief tenure as a soul without a body. She figured it wouldn’t be hard to relearn that shit.

“Do you know what that was?” Nadia asked. “I’ve never seen a crypt like that before, and I’m a frequent nighttime visitor of cemeteries.” She raised an eyebrow. “Whole fucking town’s full of things that go bump in the night. I can’t really imagine a cemetery being that much more dangerous than anywhere else.”

“You need to do more cardio. And you say ’like’ too much.” Metzli chided, feeling too antsy about the possibility of a hunter coming after them again. Nadia’s comments weren’t appreciated the way they should’ve been at first, but they eventually budged and let out a short chuckle. There had been more than enough time for the hunter to catch up if she really wanted to get them. They relaxed a little and ran their hand through their hair, grazing their scalp with their short nails. “I would’ve annoyed you just as much. You can barely tolerate me now.”

Metzli looked at the crypt again and the hair on their neck stood on end. Something was so wrong with the energy within it, something so sinister. “I don’t know what it was, and I don’t want to find out. It made me feel good…too good. And not the fun kind, at least, not for people who bleed.” Checking Nadia with their eyes, they made sure there wasn’t any real damage, but quickly shifted their gaze when the two locked eyes. “I guess that’s fair.” They smiled awkwardly, letting it shift to a mocking one. “So…still can’t sleep? Missing my bite?”

“I used to run a lot more, but now I save that shit for when I’m being chased, and I like to think I’m a much happier person for it,” Nadia said back. Maybe she did need to do more cardio. Her running included doing it late at night and in boots, and it rarely lasted that long. Mostly, now, she just walked. “And I don’t say ‘like’ too much!” She said it a perfectly reasonable amount. It was a better filler word than ‘um’ or ‘uh.’ Nadia would stand by this. She snorted. “I could just disappear if you annoy me back, but I can inconvenience the shit out of your life.”

Metzli might not want to know what the structure was, but Nadia kind of did, in sort of a passive way. She didn’t think she wanted to experience whatever fucked up shit was going on in there personally, but she thought it seemed interesting. “No, probably not the fun kind,” she mused. She looked back at them, shrugging. “I’d sleep about the same amount if I was undead, probably,” she said. “It… comes and it goes. The sleeping decently. Too many bad dreams, memories, whatever.” She raised an eyebrow. “Why?” she asked, her tone matching theirs. “Needing my blood?”

“You do say ‘like’ too much. I’m the one having to listen to you.” Metzli pinched the bridge of their nose and bent over to hug themselves with their free arm. Their side was still bleeding and starting to hurt more. Their hand shook with black goo all over it and they grimaced at the sight. “Why would you annoy me so much? You in love with me or something? Did I finally woo you?” They forced a feign smile that did little to convince that they were okay. Luckily, there was plenty to distract the two.

Metzli looked back at the crypt and shook their head as they shivered and tensed. “We don’t sleep. Just meditate, really.” They responded bleakly, “I need blood, but yours doesn’t taste very good.” It was a small tease, but it brought a small, real smile to their face. The night was difficult enough, they didn’t need to deprive the situation from light conversation. “Besides, doesn’t the idea of me biting you after what just happened, scare you a little?”

“Listen, I’m in my own fucking head enough,” Nadia grumbled. “I think I know how much I say ‘like.’” She watched them carefully. Aside from being knocked to the ground, Nadia was okay. She wasn’t sore, wasn’t bruised, wasn’t hurt anymore than normal. But Metzli’d been through it. She rolled her eyes at them, playing along. “Oh, yeah, annoyance. One of the truest signs of love.” She shrugged. “Annoying you’s too fun. Plus, I’d have to see Yuca again. I can’t just abandon her. That’d be fucking rude.”

“So, yeah. Same amount of sleep, then,” Nadia joked, but it was dull as she followed their gaze to that crypt. “Wow, rude. You’ve never complained about the taste before.” She looked back at them, tearing her eyes away from the thing that had made their friend behave not just soullessly but ferally, and that seemed like a dangerous combination. “Not really. That was scary in the moment, sure, but fear’s, like, a temporary thing. Spikes of feelings, not permanent. I’m not scared anymore.”

“Yeah, I did. That’s why I sent you that meal prep box. You need better nutrients.” Metzli rolled their eyes, and walked away. Their side was really hurting, and it made them anxious. Eloy, even while dead, still had a hold of them. Knees buckled, but they kept walking. Eyes began to sting from the welling tears and they rubbed them. They really needed to stop being emotional. “You should be scared.” Every word trembled, everything they had been dealing with came to an epicenter in their chest, and they were on the brink of lashing out. Hurting people is what they did best. As hard as they tried to be a decent person, they just couldn’t seem to help hurting people.

“Fear is a constant thing. Rage is a constant thing. Some emotions just stick.” And they did. Fear was constant for Metzli now. The powerful and fearsome vampire they once were was gone. Even after they utilized that version of themselves to completely eradicate Eloy. “I’m heading home. You should too.”

Sighing, Nadia caught up to them, and, when they started to stumble, she picked them up, putting their arm around her shoulder. “I’m not scared anymore,” she repeated. Whether it was the truth or a lie, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter one bit. What mattered was her helping out her friend after they seemed to be having a rough go of it. It didn’t matter that they’d almost tried to attack her. Hell, it didn’t even matter that they likely didn’t feel any remorse for it. They were hurt. They needed help. Nadia could help. It was all that simple.

“Then I’ll just have to be unafraid for us both,” Nadia said. “Shouldn’t be too hard, huh? White Crest at night’s, you know, no biggie.” She started walking them back towards their home. She knew the way. “Fucking freezing out here, thude. I dunno what you’re doing out here, but I’m not in the mood to stay out here any longer than I have to. Do you have coffee at your place? Hell, I’d be down for just some hot water at this point. I’m just in desperate need for something warm.”

Nadia wasn’t going to leave them alone, and Metzli would be lying to themself if they said they didn’t appreciate it. Without even thinking, they surrendered to her touch, and leaned in. They trusted Nadia, so having her close brought them actual comfort. “Okay,” a small and defeated agreement, giving into what she offered. As much as they wanted to be, they just weren’t strong enough to be alone. But maybe being vulnerable and accepting that was a different kind of strength.

“I was trying to get ingredients for a soul spell. But it’s whatever…Yeah, I got coffee.” Metzli answered with a wry smile, continuing to lean on their friend and walking a little awkwardly. “Let’s get you into some heat.”

Nadia was really fucking grateful when Metzli didn’t protest, knowing she couldn’t have fought a stubborn vampire, even an injured one. She raised her eyebrow at the mention of the soul spell, wondering just how far along they were getting with that. She hoped they succeeded. It seemed like it was something that they really wanted, really needed. “Heat, please. And then you can tell me about your spell, and I can pretend like I know fuck all about magic, and we can put hot sauce in your coffee and see if that does anything. Maybe put hot sauce in my coffee. Might be fun.” And she kept them at a steady pace, letting Metzli lean against her despite their extra height. This would be fine. It would all be fine.

[drowningisinevitable-retired]

Training Grounds || Metzli & Mina

TIMING: Friday Night PARTIES: @deathisanartmetzli & @drowningisinevitable SUMMARY: Metzli and Mina meet in the woods to train. CONTENT: Domestic abuse mentions, emotional abuse mentions

Metzli walked carefully towards a clearing that Mina talked about. Her scent was all around it, giving them the impression that she frequented the area. Everyone had their special spots, and they supposed that this one was hers. Something familiar around someone she didn’t really know, which made sense. They didn’t know what the training would entail, but they were ready to accept whatever was thrown at them. That’s what fighting was like in real life anyway. Unpredictable and chaotic. Needing to be adapted to. Something that they hadn’t done up until recently, and before then, it had been several decades.

Passing trees and brush, a familiar silhouette came into view. Mina. “Hey…” Metzli waved sheepishly, wearing their hood as there were still residual slivers of sun they were protecting themselves from. Under the safety of shadows, they removed their hood, revealing several bruises and cuts. Most of them had already healed, but were still unsightly nonetheless. “Hope you’re ready for an ass-kicking ‘cause I certainly am.” They gave Mina a small smile in an attempt to lighten the energy. They doubted it would help, though.

Training hadn’t been much more than running at all hours of the day and night lately for Mina, and, while that helped to scratch at the itch she perpetually had to move, to get up and get out, it wasn’t quite the same as proper training for a fight, the feeling of exertion and adrenaline that Mina didn’t realize she’d probably been sort of addicted to for the first twenty-odd years of her life but was quickly realizing that she relied on. But this was safe, wasn’t it? Fighting with a vampire that was probably relatively ambivalent to her existence in the middle of the woods was very safe. At least, she was sure that Bex saw it as much more safe. So she loaded up a duffle bag with equipment and put on her workout clothes and headed to the clearing, waiting for Metzli to arrive.

When they got there, Mina was already unpacking and equipping some of her gear, attaching throwing and combat knives to her thighs, to sheaths on her arms. Her arms were even bare, exposing the significant amount of iron burns and slashes that littered them like hash marks that she often kept covered. She looked up at Metzli when they arrived, watching them reveal their healing cuts and bruises. Mina knew that whatever happened to them must have been painful if they were still healing. “Hi,” she said, giving them a small smile back. “I suppose I’m ready for one. It’s been awhile.”

The scars were the first thing Metzli took notice of, but they didn’t let their eyes linger. Instead, their gaze went to the the knife holsters on Mina’s appendages. For someone they had seen to be small, she looked quite powerful and prepared. Metzli on the other hand went with nothing but the knife they had retrieved from Anselmo during the ambush. They had gotten a sheath for it like the one they used in the clan. It clasped to the inside of their waistband. Made for easy retrieval and was what they knew. It felt fitting to train with it, and hopefully kill Eloy with it. “Your gear is nice. I only have the one knife, but it’ll do. Any rules before we begin? Besides, you know, not actually killing each other?” Their head tilted curiously before turning to survey the area. Tranquility was in the air, for now. Soon it would be interrupted by small stokes of violence and training.

Finding a tree to lean on for a moment, they removed their hoodie to give them more flexibility to move. A binder covered their chest, but still managed to show their tattoo. The bandages Bex had wrapped were still tight and clean, but would most definitely need to be changed out after they were done. But what really stood out were the sheer amount of scars that were strewn all around. Long and deep, laid onto them well before they were turned. Metzli walked back towards Mina after throwing the hoodie to the side and released all the tension in the body. Training was a good thing, training would make them stronger. “Just let me know when you’re ready. I am.” They gave Mina a nod, a polite one to signal that even if she wanted to surprise attack them, they’d be ready for her. It was a tactic they were used to. Reflexes were important to exercise. Especially when it came to reflecting real-life scenarios.

“I have a lot of knives,” Mina said quietly in response to her gear. She didn’t know if they knew that she was a hunter, that she’d been raised to be a hunter. Mina had insinuated it, and she knew that Metzli knew she was capable of taking down vampires and other monsters, but Fae didn’t typically do things like this. So she added. “It’s mostly old hunting gear. I can lend you some things if you’d like them. I have silver, iron, a combination, stakes… Probably a lot of stuff at my house that I haven’t gone through. You’re welcome to whatever if you need it.” She cocked her head while looking at them. Maybe she’d gotten too used to Morgan, to training against an undead, because all she said was, “I think, as long as we don’t kill each other or do permanent damage, we should be fine.”

Mina flexed her left hand, letting claws and webbing form, and she took a knife in her right hand. She was careful in her observation of them, the way they moved, the scars on their body. Vampires didn’t scar, not really, not like that. Nothing that left marks like that. Metzli had been fighting long before they were turned, she was sure, and likely in different ways than she ever had. Her upbringing was fine, all things considered, for the kind of lifestyle she had. For her, scars were just lessons. They were just lessons. Metzli’s looked far more painful than any lesson had any right to be. “Okay,” she said by way of letting them know that she was ready. Mina kept her stance relaxed, light on her feet and ready to move. “I’m glad you asked me to do this,” she said, voice conversational as she threw the knife at the right side of their chest as hard as she could. “I’ve been feeling a little stir crazy.”

“Like I said, my one knife is fine.” Metzli said, blinking and revealing red eyes. Details sharpened and senses heightened. Not by much, but it felt like a sheer veil was lifted and made everything a little clearer. “No permanent damage, got it.” Another nod, this time a little more stern in reaction to Mina’s change in energy. She was light in her feet, but the look in her eyes changed. Her energy made the corner of their mouth twitch. Seeing this side of her was refreshing. She was more than the anxiety she perpetuated, and although a part of them already knew that, there was a difference in theory and finally witnessing it.

Time seemed to slow as Mina made the first move. Metzli saw the attack as a possible distraction, given the tone in her voice, so they treated it as such. Watching the trajectory of the knife, their body turned, and their left hand followed it and grabbed it. The whistling in the air only stopped momentarily before continuing as they finished turning a full circle. As the knife returned to Mina, they ran right behind it and lunged for her legs. Normally the tactic would be in defense, but Metzli knew they’d have to learn offense better given what they knew the clan focused on.

“I’ve been stir crazy myself. But I’m also angry—” Metzli was interrupted by their own grunt as their body impacted with Mina’s. “So looks like we’re both winning with this.” The two landed on the ground, and Metzli rolled to get a little distance between them, knowing the knife made contact somewhere in her arm. Her retaliation would be stronger after seeing even just a little of what Metzli could do. They were sure of it.

Taking a knife to the arm wasn’t going to cause Mina to cry out or stop calculating her next move, if that was what Metzli had been attempting. They were fast and focused; no more throwing knives directly at them, then. If she threw a knife, it was going to be using it with the environment. She jerked the knife out as she rolled off the ground, for once grateful at her continuous and almost habitual use of iron sometimes in the way it managed to cauterize the very wound that had been made.

It was nothing to get herself standing again. Mina’s balance was already good, and it had been improved by years of gymnastics. She lunged on her own, lashing out with sharp claws and raking them across skin before almost immediately leaning back, falling into a back handspring to get away from them immediately after her attack. Strategies against vampires were to find a way to get to the heart as quickly and efficiently as possible. “I don’t really think there’s anyway to lose, here. Unless one of us accidentally kills the other. That might be rather unfortunate.”

There was no cry of pain when claws penetrated skin. Adrenaline was running so that everything was numbed. Body kept moving, reacting and maneuvering around to find a vantage point. Mina was quick and efficient. A very good opponent for a vampire. “I don’t take that as losing. But I’m not one to take the easy way out.” Metzli responded with a little more excitement in their voice. Legs moved them forward, squatting to send them in the air. And just before launching themselves, their hand gripped the earth to gather a trick. A dirty one.

Dirt was flung into Mina’s eyes, and Metzli took the chance to kick her shoulder before landing and lunging forward to tackle. In the midst of it all, they managed to unsheath a knife from her thigh and land on top of her. With a knee on each side of her, they pinned her down and dug the knife into her side. The blood made their pupils contract, but focus didn’t budge. Pulling out the knife to use it again, they weren’t surprised when Mina blocked their attack. In fact, it made them smile.

The last time Mina had a knife in her side was when Frank was trying to kill her, and then he was trying to kill Bex, nearly succeeding, probably part of the reasons that she had heart problems now, and it wasn’t Metzli that was on top of Mina anymore. It was him, and he was still alive, and she had to kill him before he could kill Bex. Mina jerked her knee up and into an abdomen then hooked one of her legs out and flipped them. She couldn’t see the body below her through the dirt in her eyes, but she could feel them, and clawed hands went up and dug into a cold neck, sinking in and planning to rip out a throat

Just barely blinking the dirt out of her eyes, Mina finally noticed it was Metzli beneath her and released, pushing herself up and away from them, returning to a defensive stance and watching them on the ground. Her heart was pounding, her breath coming in fast and she bunched up her shirt and pressed it to the wound, but she stayed on guard. No more claws. She used her free hand to grab another knife. This wasn’t Frank. He was dead. She killed him. This was just training.

The urgency, the absolute ferocity in Mina’s movements alarmed Metzli. There wasn’t a chance to counter or struggle as claws dug into their larynx. When she halted her attack and backtracked, they tilted their head in confusion. “What happened to not holding back?” Black sludge seeped out of their mouth, making their voice wet and thick. They spit to the side, abhorring the taste of their dead blood. Without hesitation, they sprinted forward, making themselves a blur. Her heart was prominent in their ear, the blood agitated their vampiric traits. All movement much more erratic and unpredictable, but still very much controlled.

Utilizing a new strength of theirs, they threw a voice behind Mina, Bex’s voice. A distraction to get her to turn around just as they threw her own throwing knife into her thigh. Gaining the advantage, they rocketed forward and leapt to wrap their legs around her neck, twisting their weight and getting her back to the ground. The sweet scent of her blood was overwhelming. Just one bite. Metzli shook their head to regain composure and held Mina in a headlock with their legs. It only took a few more maneuvers to pull her into their chest with legs wrapped around her waist and arms locked.

One bite. Just one. Metzli’s mind repeated over and over again. The thoughts beckoned their teeth to her neck. Growing closer still, they stopped and shoved her forward. “St-stay back! I need a moment.”

“I’m not trying to kill you, remember?” Mina panted out, eyes focusing on their blurry movements as she tried to pinpoint where they’d go. The sound of Bex’s voice jerked her head around, though, before the stabbing sensation of a knife in her thigh made her realize her mistake. By the time they wrapped their legs around her, Mina already knew she was hitting the ground, so she relaxed as much as possible to lessen the impact, allowing them to knock her to the ground and wrap around her.

Mina was just about to shove the knife still in her hand into their abdomen before they shoved her away. She took in their red eyes, sharp fangs. They’d been about to bite her, she realized. Somehow, though, they’d stopped themselves. Mina, for her part, was grateful for the reprieve. She wouldn’t be able to go on much longer if they kept fighting like. They were quickly approaching the point of potentially killing Mina from bleeding out, soon. She could fight through pain; she couldn’t fight through passing out. “‘S fine. Take your time.”

Holding themselves back took a lot of effort and a lot of resolve. Something they had built up over the years to aid their attempt at existing around humans. But this wasn’t just lounging around humans. This was a fight, where instincts were on high alert and bleeding caused the need for feeding. Metzli growled at Mina, losing themself a little. Before they lunged at her though, they bit their arm. The pain brought them back long enough to give Mina a command. “Blood bag. Hoodie. Please.” They bit their arm again, this time latching on for longer, to prevent them from going after Mina.

Neglecting to attack was a difficult thing that not many vampires could control. But Metzli had been starved by their master plenty of times to know how long they could hold out. It taught them how to endure the hunger, how to combat it and manage it until they could sate it. Fighting it only made their body bite back at them, but they weren’t going to give up. Not when their friend’s partner could be in danger. It was the right thing to do.

Looking between Metzli and the hoodie, Mina walked over to it, barely limping as she searched for the blood bag. She tossed it to Metzli, watching them catch it. But she kept her distance, eyes wary and watchful as she considered them. “You should have healed a little more before we did this,” she told them, her voice conversational as she watched them feed.

Not turning away from them, Mina pressed down firmly on the wound on her thigh, stemming some of the bleeding. She’d need to soak for at least most of the day tomorrow to get some of the wounds to even partly close, something she hadn’t had to do in awhile. But she appreciated the workout, even if they’d gotten to a point where Metzli wanted to eat her and she’d seen them as the boy that she’d killed.

Metzli was thankful for Mina following their instruction and getting them the blood bag. The effects were practically instantaneous as they consumed it in its entirety. “Thanks, Mina.” They muttered. Their body fell back into the ground and they relaxed as their hunger was relieved and their body began to heal. Once they had a moment to rest, they sat up and made their way over to Mina to check on her wounds. “Are you all right?” Their hand pushed hers away, knowing their cold skin would provide more relief in the moment. “How was that for the first round?”

Their attitude was much more light, finally being able to manage their vampiric instincts and not need to fight their needs. They had eaten, and there was no longer a need to eat. “I’m sorry for almost losing it, Mina. I know I should’ve waited. But…” Metzli paused, feeling helpless and a little pathetic. But they needed to be honest. “I needed to start as soon as possible. I don’t know when Master is coming.”

Tears began to fall, but they looked away so that she couldn’t see. “I couldn’t wait any longer, you know? Did I even do okay?”

“Don’t thank me,” Mina said immediately, the words second nature at this point. She froze as they touched her, not tensing but not moving, before she wiped some of the blood on her pants and started unstrapping the sheaths from her arms. “I’ll heal,” was all she said by way of how she was doing. She wasn’t expecting the stabbing, but, then again, she was the one that threw the first blade. It was possible that they didn’t realize that she didn’t heal as fast as them, either. Really, it wasn’t a bother. She’d dealt with worse. “I think it went fine.”

She cocked her head at them. “I wasn’t saying that you needed to wait because you almost bit me,” she said. “I said you should have waited because you’re still healing, and being at peak health is what you need if you’re going to take down your sire.” Mina refused to call the creature a master. It wasn’t their master. “If you want to train, I can show you actual tactics and moves that might be better than just fighting. This doesn’t have to just be sparring.”

Mina wasn’t sure what to do while they cried, concern marring her features as she took them in. “You did fine. Really, you’re not a bad fighter.”

“Right. Fae. Still taking some getting used to.” Metzli admitted as they continued to apply pressure. They knew it was wrong that they almost bit her, but they ultimately felt nothing in regards to guilt or remorse. The two of them had done exactly what they had set out to do: spar and train. “No, Mina. It’s good I fought in this state. Mast—Eloy—My sire will attack when I’m at my weakest, or will ensure I get to that point before he makes an appearance. That’s just how he works.” A sharp sigh slipped past their lips and they shut their eyes to think for a moment. To get strong enough was going to take even more work, and there wasn’t a set amount of time so that they knew they would be ready. It was all just a guess-work.

Metzli locked eyes with Mina and furrowed their brows as she complimented them. “While I think you have tactics that are effective, I think I just want to refresh myself in a fighting sense. This will be mostly a mental fight from Eloy.” Their gaze averted away, trying to formulate a proper sentence. When they managed to finally put words together, red eyes met Mina’s. “I just know I have to be ready for him. And I will be. Even if I have to face him alone, I’ll be ready.” Gesturing to their scars, they scoffed. “As you can see, I’ve dealt with assholes like him my whole life. Now it’s time to get rid of him.”

“It’s fine,” Mina said. It wasn’t like she knew how to use thank yous against people. But it was better to be safe than sorry. She’d rather not have anything against them, accidental or not. “But you’re at your weakest right now. Your head was almost taken off, you told me so yourself. So why wouldn’t you take the time to recover some before he gets here? Vampires heal relatively quickly. You could heal if you wanted.” She cocked her head to the side. “Then you can’t let yourself get weak.”

Vampires weren’t that impressive, not really, not to Mina. But, then again, maybe she had a preference for zombies because of Morgan and a bias against vampires because of a slayer girl that she’d known years ago. Whatever the case, she asked, “Has your fighting been effective against him before? Frankly, you should just light him on fire if you can’t stake him.” She didn’t understand that, the hold that a sire had on the vampires they turned. She wondered if it was just a Metzli thing, something psychological that happened to them from all those years with such a monster. She wondered if it had something to do with what their life had been life before. “You got those before you were turned, didn’t you?” she asked. She wasn’t going to ask them to elaborate, didn’t care to, really. She didn’t like talking about her own, so she couldn’t imagine that someone else would. “Get rid of him, then, but make sure you’re ready. I think if you try to take him on too soon, it’ll go badly.”

“There isn’t time to recover!” Metzli barked out unexpectedly. Fear was motivating them. They could lose everything they worked for. Having risked it all by running away, they were willing to do anything to keep their new life. And if they ultimately couldn’t keep it, they were resigned to the idea of letting go of that life so that would at least be preserved for the people they had built it with. “You don’t get it, Mina. You just don’t get it. I’m sca—” They cut themselves off and turned around so they wouldn’t have to look at Mina as they explained. Seeing her reaction, good or bad, wasn’t going to help.

New strength was found to utter secrets. Mina was a fighter. And if she was going to train with Metzli, then she needed to understand why they were training this way. “I’ve never had the chance to fight him before,” their voice was smaller than before, taking on a sort of dejection that was built on years of agony with Eloy. “Sires can control you. And he made sure to build on that. Yes, I got these scars before I was turned. My parents loved their lashes and locking me away in darkness for days. And you know what? He loved it. He used it against me. He made it worse.” It took a few moments of rocking back and forth before Metzli could continue. For the first time, they were not only admitting something to someone they barely knew, but themselves too.

“He became my parent. Similar, but so much fucking worse.” Metzli choked back a sob and pulled their knees to their chest. “So, it doesn’t matter what state I am in physically. I just need to feed that drive, and build on it until it’s unbreakable. Get it yet?”

“If you think I don’t understand being scared or spending my entire life having to fight for it but never really being able to, then–” Mina’s words were quiet, and there was really nothing else to add to that. They didn’t know her. She’d made that clear to them before, and it was startlingly clear now. They didn’t understand her, and, up until this moment, she didn’t really understand them, either. She watched Metzli even if they wouldn’t look at her, and she took in their words. “If you’ve never had the chance to fight him before, then surely you must realize that you need to do whatever it takes to be prepared for him, mentally and physically. You can be motivated by all of the drive in the world, but if you’re physically incapable of holding yourself up after a few minutes of fighting, then it’s nothing. It means nothing.”

Mina was controlled her entire life. All of it, from as long as she remembered. She knew that. She was aware of that, even if she didn’t always think it was a bad thing. She didn’t mind it, sometimes, the tiny voice in her head often telling her that the best thing for her to do was to allow other people to tell her what to do, who to be, how to act. Every scar was a lesson in all of that, training exercises that wanted her to be better, do better. Because Mina was bad, and she’d never be good, but she could at least try to do better.

It would be too much to tell Metzli any of that. They didn’t want to hear about Mina, and, truthfully, she wouldn’t even begin to know how to tell them. They didn’t want to relate to her. She wouldn’t try and force it. Instead, she said, “He was awful, and they were awful, and no one deserves any of that. It was cruel and wrong.” She reached out to them, wanting to comfort but unsure how. “You can’t see him as that, though because seeing him as that monster makes you emotional. Make the drive unbreakable, but take care of yourself as well. If you let emotions overwhelm you, this won’t go well, and if your body fails you, this won’t go well. I’m just trying to make sure you can see that, too.”

“You’d be surprised by my resolve.” Metzli laughed a little, not amusedly but dejectedly. “I know you understand a part of it. I know you know scared. I’ve seen it in you. I can see it in the way you move.” Turning, they finally let their crimson eyes meet with Mina’s and they even leaned into her touch. Mina was someone they could trust to not kill them at least, and physical touch was something they’d notice actually calmed them. So they let her touch them, grounding their thoughts and helping their panic reduce. “You make sense. And maybe I’m rushing everything, but it just feels like there’s no time. And now…now I have so much to lose. I…” Words got stuck in their throat, not wanting to speak with honesty.

Pushing through, they continued, “I’m actually scared to die. For the first time. To not be able to live and love everything I’ve gained. That love has made me a little reckless I guess.” Metzli sighed dejectedly and looked at the blood that still dripped from their throat. It was beginning to hurt to speak. “I won’t lose. I’m too stubborn and egotistic to let my body give out. Would look bad, you know?” Humor was returning slowly, but there was still a mixed cocktail of negative emotions. The taste was bitter and burned their chest.

“You’re not bad, Mina. Definitely gave me a run for my money. And you’re making awful sense too.”

“I don’t think I would be,” Mina said, a slight smile on her face that didn’t meet her eyes. “I don’t. That’s why I’m telling you: you can have all the resolve in the world to kill someone, especially if they’re threatening someone you love, but if you can’t get up, it means nothing.” She wasn’t really there with them, in that moment, but bleeding out with her leg in a bear trap as a boy pulled a knife out of her side, threatening to go after Bex next. Mina would have dragged herself after him, even if it killed her. The only thing that stopped her was that she physically couldn’t.

“Caring about things makes dying seem a lot more scary,” Mina murmured. She patted their shoulder, feeling a little awkward from the way they leaned into the touch, but still trying. “I think that love can make you reckless, and it’s certainly not rational, but… it helps, I think, to have priorities, things to actually fight for.” She lightened up, smiling back at them easily. “It would look rather bad, yes. Who else would flirt with my girlfriend?”

Blinking against the compliment, Mina added. “You’re not bad, either, Metzli.” She could still feel blood leaking from her thigh. “I… think I’ll be feeling this for the next few weeks, at least.”

Nodding, Metzli paused for a few moments and let silence fall between them. Love. Something they didn’t think they would ever feel. And maybe it wasn’t actual love but genuine fondness for the people in their life. Even Milo was someone they’d die for. He was a part of them now so an attack on Milo or even Bex was an attack on them.

Mina joked and there was a genuine laugh. “Oh come on. She flirts too. But I doubt she even realizes it. She loves the hell outta you.” They gave her a side smile that slowly faded into an expression of seriousness. “I hope you know, even though I’m scared of dying now, I’m not scared of dying for Bex. She’s adamant about helping and I’ll protect her with my life. I didn’t know loving a friend was possible, especially for something like me.” Metzli didn’t avert their face this time, wanting Mina to take their words as a promise. They sighed and finally relaxed once they felt like Mina understood.

“I’ll be feeling this for a few days.” They pointed at their neck, which already had a bite that was halfway healed. “I’ll be more healed for next time. But you gotta admit. For someone not at their peak health, I had sick moves.” Metzli was attempting to lighten everything again.

“Not surprising,” Mina said, smiling. “I don’t think she realizes it, no.” She placed her hand over her heart, now beating it’s normal, steady beat. “I believed for so long that I couldn’t love anyone, not like that, and then she was there, and I just– I don’t know how it’s possible to love anyone as much as I love her, but I do. I do.” She shook her head at them. “I know you’ll protect her, but I’d rather you didn’t die for her, all the same, if you can help it. I don’t think she’d forgive herself for that.” She thought of all the other things that Bex blamed herself for, the things that kept them both at night. She’d rather Metzli didn’t add to that.

“Yes, well, I was intentionally preying on the weaknesses that I already knew you had because you’re injured.” Mina didn’t add that she didn’t see them when she first dug her fingers in and planned to rip. Some of their black blood was still under her nails, crusted up and dry and gross. “That’ll be good. Maybe, next time, if you could help it, I’d like to not leave here with the worry that I might potentially bleed out,” she said dryly. “Or, at the very least, remind me that’s what we’re doing and I’ll pack a first aid kit.” She looked them over, scrutinizingly. “You’re not terrible, and you hold your own, even injured.”

Metzli smiled warmly at Mina and patted her hand at their shoulder. “I know you do. And I don’t want to subject her to that, but I think this world deserves a Bex in it, and so do you. I’m more disposable. But I’ll definitely try.” Standing slowly, they began to put their hoodie back on, wincing a bit as they did. It would all ache so much later, but the training was worth it.

“Sorry,” Was all Metzli could say as they looked at the wound on Mina’s side and cleared their throat. “I was kind of losing myself. That’s why I opted for a hold and pushed you away. I am pretty good with control, but I didn’t want to push it.” They coughed, black gunk spattering onto the ground. The more they spoke, the more it hurt. “Let’s bring a first aid kit next time, or maybe even a referee.” Their gaze fell onto the treeline, and they pocketed their hands, looking back at Mina for a moment. “It’s cool that you did this. Can’t wait for next time.”

“You’re not disposable,” Mina said, pulling away as they put on their hoodie and moving back to her own equipment, packing it up meticulously, cleaning off the blood and grass and dirt. “I’d appreciate it if you did.” She shrugged as they apologized. “It’s alright. I’ve dealt with worse. I’m a little rusty, too, I suppose.” She winced as black blood came out of their mouth. “Both. Maybe both.” she shouldered her bag and winced as it slapped against her side. “I’m looking forward to it, too.” And she was. It was strange, that she meant it, that she was looking forward to getting beaten up on a regular basis again. But it had been so long, and she missed this, the feeling of controlled adrenaline, of being able to move as she pleased. It was nice. She gave them a wave and started leaving, headed to her car.

[drowningisinevitable-retired]

Roses are Red, Mina is Blue|| Metzli & Mina

TIMING: Current PARTIES: @drowningisinevitable & @deathisanartmetzli​ SUMMARY: Metzli’s being soft for once after getting drinks with Bex. Too bad Mina decided to step outside and ruin it. CONTAINS: Vampire compulsion.

The urge to message Bex was high, but Metzli refrained from doing so. It seemed too desperate, it seemed absolutely pathetic. Why did they want to anyway? Frustration consumed them, even guilt began to inch its way in. Regardless, they couldn’t get the conversation Bex and them had. The similarities, the pain, the longing. Two sides of the same coin.

On a whim, it was decided that a small gesture would suffice. The message was obviously a forlorn one, and waiting around just felt wrong. Metzli decided that having a small bouquet of roses would be perfect. But they didn’t have her address, so they did the next best thing. Sniffed her scent out, and went on a mini scavenger hunt that led them to her doorstep.

With the bouquet in their grasp, they made their way to the entrance of a rather nice place and began to get it all settled on the doormat. This was perfect. This was the right thing to do. Right?

It was one of those nights that made Mina’s skin itch, like she had to do something, anything, to get it to go away. She should have just gone to the backyard and gotten in the pool, maybe do a few laps, but the pool seemed small, sometimes, and she felt closed in, even if she felt comfortable. Sometimes, it was better to be out of the water, to feel the burn in almost-human lungs as she pushed and pulled air into her lungs.

Mina should have just stayed in the backyard. She shouldn’t have gone anywhere. She was still reeling from that warden’s near attack, right there in broad daylight, as if he hadn’t a care in the world that people would see them. No, he did care; he had wanted it, almost seemed to crave it. The look in his eyes haunted her. So did his words. She couldn’t get them out of her head, but she couldn’t stay at home. So, even if it was late, and even if it was dangerous, and even if a part of her knew she should stay in the backyard, Mina quietly put on running clothes and headed downstairs to the front door.

Only to be stopped as she opened it and found a person waiting there with flowers. “Oh! Hi, sorry.” She didn’t know why she was apologizing. It wasn’t like she bumped into them, and they were on the doorstep of the house that she lived.

The door opening abruptly startled Metzli. In the midst of setting everything up, they had forgotten that Bex had a girlfriend, and that that said girlfriend could live with her. Fuck. They fell back onto their ass, but gathered themselves back up quickly. Dusting themselves off was crucial. Getting their favorite suit, a beautiful lilac one, dirty was out of the question. “I, uh. Um,” They stuttered like an idiot and began to grow angry. Bex’s scent was all over Mina, and the anger grew. Why? It took a second, but they finally managed to wave off the rogue emotion.

“I’m Metzli. I was just dropping these off for Bexley. We got drinks the other night, and uh…yeah…” Metzli’s tone became dry and even, managing to move on from the stuttering mess they were earlier. Confidence was key here now that they knew how gorgeous Mina was. They wanted to intimidate her. For what reason, they didn’t know. At least, they didn’t want to know.

“And you are?” Metzli asked, now clasping their hands behind their back and leaving the roses in front of the door.

“Nice to meet you, Metzli,” Mina said, the words a reflex. It wasn’t that it wasn’t nice to meet them. She didn’t know them. In truth, it was more confusing that anything else. She didn’t understand what they were doing at the house, especially not with flowers, especially not with flowers for Bex.

And then Mina remembered why their name was so familiar; they flirted online. A lot. With a lot of people, including Bex. And Mina had known that Bex had gone out to meet with someone, and she hadn’t asked questions because she trusted Bex. She trusted Bex more than anyone. Even if there was a strange, attractive person delivering Bex flowers. Even then. Even then. She just kept telling herself that.

“That’s very kind of you,” Mina said, her voice quiet. She smiled a bit hesitantly, unsure and confused and not really sure if that was the right thing to do. “I’m Mina. I was just… going for a run. Sorry to interrupt you.”

Mina looked stiff, she looked confused, she looked…insecure. Smiling politely, but really out of their realization, they waved their hands in dismissal. “Nonsense. This is your home, after all. You sure you want to go out at this hour? Pretty thing like you could get into some nasty trouble.” Metzli felt like they had the upper hand. They wanted to get under her skin, but how would Bex feel about that? Wait. Why did they care? Fuck that!

“I guess you two are serious. Living together y todo. I wasn’t sure at first. Especially since the drinks felt more like a date. Wasn’t ‘til the end when she finally mentioned you.” Metzli couldn’t help themselves. “But you are gorgeous. I can see the appeal.” Arrogance radiated in every word, but they didn’t care. Pocketing their hands, they looked back up to the house and took a few steps back to really look at it.

“Is Bex home? Maybe we can hang out while you go on your little run.”

“I run at this hour relatively often,” Mina said. And any hour, really. Whenever the need hit. Whenever she felt like it. Which… sometimes she didn’t like to talk about how often she felt that itch to move and get out. To run. It was a lot, though. So much. Too much. “I’m not particularly worried about trouble.” After all, she’d been attacked by a warden in broad daylight. She wasn’t going to let anything happen to herself again, not if she could help it. She owed Bex that. If there was one thing Mina allowed herself to be relatively certain in, it was that she could get herself in and out of trouble just fine.

Eyes widening a little bit, Mina had to process Metzli’s words. There was a touch of warmth in her chest, something comforting and soft, over the fact that Bex even mentioned that they were dating at all. There was something equally warm, maybe even warmer, and kind of bitter at the word “date,” though. She didn’t quite know what to do with that. How would she know what to do with that? “I-- well, yes, I mean, yes. We are serious.” Mina was more serious about Bex than she’d ever been in her entire life. Sometimes she even thought that Bex felt the same. Sometimes. She hated the doubt that creeped in. “I… I appreciate that.” She couldn’t tell if it was a compliment.

“She’s-- I-- Yes,” Mina said, stumbling a bit. “She’s home.” Mina had just seen her. She’d told her goodby. She said she’d be back soon.

Skittish. That’s the word that kept coming to Metzli’s mind as they observed Mina and watched as she began to crumble. It felt good to do this, like they were able to control the situation a little. “Why are you stuttering so much, Mina? You seem a little scared even, but it’s not that, huh?” It was a bit presumptuous, but as they always did, they put on a show. And this one in particular was a horror short.

“Tell me Mina,” Metzli’s words became a little more stern, holding a thrall behind them, compelling her to listen carefully, to do as they said. “Are you scared you’ll lose Bex? If so, why?” Gathering sensitive information would prove valuable this time. They’d be able to actually use the information, instead of feeling too close to it. Mina was nothing like Metzli, the two couldn’t relate, they couldn’t be similar. Bex was who they cared about—no, not cared in that sense of the word. Cared in the sense that she was—she was—they didn’t know yet. But they’d figure it out.

“Scared?” Mina asked, her voice going higher. She knew scared. She was constantly scared, one way or the other, and she’d been so afraid of so much her entire life. Not being good enough, not acting human enough, becoming the monster everyone always told her that her kind would always be. She didn’t know if this qualified as scared, but it was something. “Sometimes times I think too fast and talk to fast and it gets-- it gets…”

But Mina’s words trailed off as she listened to Metzli, her jaw going slack as their words wove through her head like a promise. She felt bound to answer this person. “Yes, yes I’m scared. I’m so scared,” she said, the words spilling out of her like they’d make her sick if she kept them in. It was like she’d told too many lies and couldn’t control herself anymore. And she couldn’t make it stop. “I��m scared that she’ll wake up one day and see that I’m not worth it. I’m scared that she’ll see me the way I see myself. I’m scared that she’ll get taken from me, that someone will take her from me, that I’ll have to watch her die and keep watching it, and I won’t be able to do anything because I never seem to be able to do anything.”

It was the truth that was making Mina feel sick this time, and she brought her hand up to her mouth, covering it and trying to keep it closed. She didn’t know what was happening. She hoped she’d be able to play it off as a sickness if Metzli started prying. Or maybe she could just disappear into the ground from everything that she’d just told a complete stranger.

Metzli knew they had hit the jackpot. Boy, oh boy was Mina giving them all the information they desired and then some. “Put those hands down,” They commanded, wanting to siphon more out of her. “What are you anyway? A monster just like me? Must be if you think you’re going to have to watch her die. Must be if you run at this time of night with all that confidence. Answer those questions.”

Arms crossed Metzli’s chest as they got comfortable. “Oh and, no running. You’re going to stay right here and answer all of my questions, got it? Say yes.” Their smile turned a little wicked before falling for a moment. Were they doing something absolutely wrong? No. Why did that matter? They’re evil. It’s what they did. But it felt different. This would inevitably hurt Bex, wouldn’t it? Did they care? Yes, they did. But they wouldn’t let themselves.

“Goddammit! What is she doing to me?” They exclaimed suddenly, hair brushed back with their hand. Saying that out loud wasn’t intentional, but they couldn’t take it back now.

This wasn’t a promise. This wasn’t one too many lies gone wrong. Mina had never been compelled, but she’d met enough slayers to know what it was. That didn’t mean anything, though, as her hands lowered without her wanting them to. She clinched her jaw for only a second before she just couldn’t, her tongue betraying her once again. “I’m a nix, a freshwater fae prone to living in lakes, streams, and rivers, even though I’ve been staying in a pool for the last few months.” She had to stop herself from giving them all the different ways that she knew how to kill nixies. “Yes, I’m a monster. Of course I’m a monster. I was raised to kill monsters and be better, but we’re all just monsters in the end.” And she still believed that, as much as she didn’t want to. As much as it hurt.

Mina couldn’t even lift her feet. She stayed rooted there in the doorway, her hands clenching at her side. “Yes,” she said quietly. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She tried to slow it down as much as she could, but it felt like a useless endeavor. It was crawling upwards, lodging itself in her throat. She looked at them. “What do you think she’s doing to you?” she asked, her head cocking to the side. She wanted them to stop asking her things. She wanted them to go away. She wished she’d gone to the backyard instead.

The sound of teeth grinding filled Metzli’s ears as they attempted to retrieve any composure they had left in their reserve. “A nix? Oh, how delicious,” They wanted to continue, to make her feel even worse, but the words wouldn’t come out as confidently as before. “You—” Fuck. Words escaped them now. This couldn’t continue. An internal battle was brewing and they had to leave. What Mina told them was enough, for now.

“Nothing. She’s not doing anything. Go back inside. Take the roses to Bex. And just…just hold her close, okay? Say you will.” The words were strained, forcing their way through gritted teeth. Whether Mina told Bex what they had done was up to her. Being a cruel and horrible monster was what they did best anyway. It was best that Bex figured that out quickly.

“Goodbye, Mina.” They muttered, turning and beginning their trek back home. The cover of night would help them think, it would help them hide, even from themselves.

There was something about being called delicious by a vampire of all things that made Mina tense as she prepared for a bite, a tear, a slow draining of blood. She’d heard that Fae blood was sweeter due to the lack of iron. It had been good lures, when she was young.

But the blow never came. Mina could move again, her body bending down to pick up the flowers. She held them carefully, gently in her arms, both as if she was worried that they would reach out and grab her and as if she didn’t want to do anything to damage them. She didn’t know how to feel about what just happened. “I-- I will.” She said. She was shaking. She couldn’t stop herself from shaking. She turned in the doorway, starting like she was going to head back inside and head up the stairs to the girl that she loved and hoped loved her, wanted desperately to love her, but she stopped. The effort of fighting against the compulsion made her tremble all the more, but it was nothing compared to breaking a promise. Her heart was still beating, that was what mattered.

“Goodbye, Metzli,” Mina said, the words choking themselves out of her. Then she headed back inside, the flowers in her arms and a lie on her tongue about how she’d found them. Bex didn’t need to know that she’d met Metzli. Somehow, Mina wasn’t worried about Bex being the focus of the vampire’s ire.

[drowningisinevitable-retired]

A Fae and a Vampire Walk Into a Bar || Metzli & Mina

TIMING: Current PARTIES: @drowningisinevitable & @deathisanartmetzli​ SUMMARY: A fae and a vampire walk into a bar. This can only go well. CONTAINS: Vampire compulsion, domestic abuse mention

It wasn’t curiosity that led Mina to meet with Metzli at the bar. It wasn’t anger, either, or disdain, or hatred. She didn’t know them, had only met them the one time. And, whether or not they expected her to hate them, Mina just didn’t. She couldn’t. They had helped Bex and, in their own way, seemed to care about her. At the very least, they were fascinated with Bex, which meant that they weren’t going to kill her. That was all that Mina really needed to know about them.

But they wanted to meet with her, and they wanted… to prove something, so Mina agreed, and now she was meeting them at a bar that she could only assume catered mostly to vampire clientele, if the name was to mean anything. Fae blood was a delicacy to some vampires, so she’d have to be careful not to spill any, but she wasn’t afraid as she waited, a few minutes early, near the bar entrance for Metzli to come.

The gallery was especially busy today, so much so that Metzli didn’t have too much time to get ready before meeting up with Mina. Nonetheless, they made a fashionable ensemble consisting of a button up only buttoned to the bottom of their sternum and chinos. They could smell Mina from the parking lot and smoothly glided towards the Bloody Stake’s entrance. “Hello, Mina.” They said, as cool as a fall morning.

“I know you’re probably nervous. I did some research on your kind and my kind’s...fascination with your piquancy. Nothing will happen to you as long as I’m around you.” Metzli assured, smiling warmly and opening the door for Mina. Being nice was important, even if they weren’t sure if that would last long.

It wasn’t hard for Mina to see that Metzli was an incredibly attractive person. They were well-dressed, they had a nice face, and there was a certain charm to them that she could appreciate. And even if they were a vampire, they were kind enough. Not to her, not really, not after compelling her to spill her secrets in ways that she never would have before, but they were kind to Bex, and that was what mattered. Even if it was probably because they just wanted to sleep with her. “Hi, Metzli,” she said, smoothing down her skirt.

She returned their smile. “I’m not particularly nervous, no.” And if the small lie burned her stomach, just a bit, then it was fine. “I’ve been around vampires before, but I do appreciate that you’ll be looking out for me.” It wouldn’t do to be the cause of a feeding frenzy in a vampire bar. Especially when there were so many, and the likelihood of her making it out of such a situation was slim.

As the two walked in, several eyes whirled around to see the new patrons, eyeing Mina up and down. On instinct, Metzli wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to them, asserting that she was not to be touched. There were a few groans and eye rolls, but entering went off without a hitch. Letting Mina go, they waltzed to the bar and asked for their special cocktail, notifying the bartender to put Mina’s drinks on their tab. “I’ll meet you at the booth. Order whatever you want.”

The Bloody Stake wasn’t incredibly busy, even for a Sunday night. Definitely more people than Metzli would like, but that’s just due to their lack of social interaction. After compelling some young vampires to leave the booth furthest in the back, they took a seat, needing to be able to see the exit from their location. Their leg bounced as they waited for Mina, and they sipped on their cocktail. Fangs were elongated and eyes were red, staring at their fellow patrons to make sure none of them made a move towards her. Bex would not be happy if anything happened. Not at all.

Between the people staring and Metzli touching her, Mina couldn’t help her body’s reaction. She didn’t quite tense, but there was a moment where all she could think about was the best way to get Metzli off of her and then use the closest object (in this case, a table, so she’d have to break off the leg of it) and shove it into their chest before taking on the rest of the bar. These were the kinds of things that always played through her head. She was trying to make it stop. It was a work in progress. At least she didn’t go through with it.

Mina ordered a vodka cranberry and waited, her fingers tapping against the bar as she felt eyes on her. Too many eyes on her. Finally, her drink was ready and she took it before scanning the bar for Metzli. When she found them, she walked over. She slid into the booth across from them and folded her hands into her lap after she set her drink down, waiting.

“First, I’d like to officially apologize in person for my little…game during our first meeting.” Metzli began, not sure if they truly meant their words. Apologies weren’t something they did until recently. They didn’t feel sorry, they didn’t care if it hurt Mina or scared her. But it was the logically right thing to do. “I don’t particularly care about these things, but after meeting Bex I’ve been attempting to be more aware of my actions.” At least that part was true, “Sometimes I can be reckless, and even cruel due to not having a soul.” They shrugged, sipping on their drink and leaning back and resting their arm across the back of the booth.

Their clan tattoo was fully exposed, a black ankh with three strikes through it. Eyes finally averted away, no longer acknowledging the nix and the vampire. “But that’s what this little get together is for; so you can see that I’m not so bad. Maybe we can even be friends.” Metzli smiled widely, giving a friendly gesture with their drink.

Mina cocked her head to the side, considering Metzli’s words. “You have an interesting idea about what games are,” she said quietly, but she quickly added, “I appreciate your apology, though.” She wondered just what it was about souls that made people believe that, just because they didn’t have one, that it meant that they could do whatever they pleased. What even was a soul, anyway? She didn’t know. She always wondered. “Why did you ask me all those things?”

The real question that Mina wanted to know was if Metzli had planned to kill her before they left. She toyed with her glass, turning it in her hands before she finally took a sip. More vodka than cranberry. She didn’t particularly mind. “You… really want to be my friend, then?” she asked, more than a little unsure. “Because it’s not-- It’s not that I think you’re ‘so bad,’ as you put it. I genuinely don’t know you.”

Why did they ask her all those questions? Metzli didn’t like the answer. Or at least the one they had deduced from all of the past events. “I wanted to get inside your head. After I learned that little trick from my master, that was my job. Gather sensitive information that can be used in the future.” They chugged the rest of the drink, gesturing for the bartender to bring them another, while also requesting two special shots and one regular shot for Mina. If they were gonna do this, they needed more alcohol.

“But now I have no use for the information. I should probably be frank…” Metzli paused, receiving all the drinks they had ordered, and grabbing the cocktail first to sip on. “I don’t know what I feel for Bex. We have had similar pasts. Much too similar. And if you’re connected to her and she loves you, I can’t entirely find it in me to…ruin her happiness.” They felt naked being this transparent. Feelings were utterly wrong.

“I don’t understand feelings, and I don’t feel very many anyway. But I can understand things. I can listen and try to do things despite not being motivated by emotion. At the very least, I’m trying to.” Metzli took one of their shots, and moved their second one to their side while simultaneously moving the regular tequila shot to Mina’s side. “If I’m going to be Bex’s friend, I might as well be yours too.”

“I don’t think you learned anything all that sensitive,” Mina said, quietly. “I think that most people that know what I am also probably know how I feel about it. Sorry that I couldn’t give you anything better than that.” She watched them drink curiously. She’d never seen vampires drink anything that wasn’t, well, blood. She wondered how hard it was for Metzli to get drunk. She wasn’t inclined to ask, though.

“I appreciate your frankness,” Mina said, though this wasn’t exactly new information to her. It wasn’t a lie. It still tasted bitter. She took a sip of her drink, not quite gulping in the way that Metzli had, but making sure that she could taste it. “I think that-- that we can agree, on not wanting to ruin her happiness. All I want is for her to be happy.”

Biting the inside of her cheek, Mina grabbed the shot and took it. It had been awhile since she’d had tequila. “I think that trying is good,” she said tentatively. “I-- I must admit that I don’t know much about vampires and souls. Is it that you don’t have emotions or that you don’t have empathy? Because a lack of understanding and care about others’ emotions is not the same as not having emotions, I don’t think.”

“It was information I didn’t have before,” Metzli shrugged. “She deserves it, unlike most. Unlike…monsters.” They muttered the word into their drink, though they knew it was probably in vain. Exceptional hearing from both sides would prevent anything from going misheard. Their whole body was tensing. Coming here was a mistake, hell, telling Mina any of this was a mistake. Nonetheless, they continued the conversation.

“I don’t have empathy,” Metzli answered flatly. “Without it, connecting with others is difficult and I can sometimes even be cruel. There are others who are more than just cruel. Believe it or not, I’m one of the good ones. Even if…I’m not a proper vampire.” On the brink of a buzz, they were a little more open now, and much less apprehensive about the information they gave. It was getting easier.

This interaction was like night and day; Metzli was honest to god trying. “I think the lack of understanding and not having emotions can go hand in hand. At least, that has been my case. Without emotions or empathy, I didn’t have a want or need to under—“ The conversation was interrupted by a man, a blood-thirsty man who interjected himself into the conversation to hit on Mina, most likely hoping to have a bite. Metzli’s red eyes darted to him and they stood to hover over him. “Don’t you fucking think about it. She’s mine.” They growled, dangerously close to the man’s face. It was better to pretend that Mina was their property for now. Vampires were territorial, and they hoped Mina understood. Without another word, the man backed away slowly and left.

“She deserves everything good,” Mina murmured. “I just want to give that to her.” And maybe she’d fail. Maybe she’d screw it up and hurt Bex and make a mess of her life, but that was the last thing she wanted to do. Mina would sooner die than hurt Bex intentionally, and she didn’t know what she’d do if she did it on accident. She’d never hurt Bex. She only wanted to make her happy.

“But you connect with Bex,” Mina said. It wasn’t a question, just an observation, a statement of fact. They might even connect with Bex in a way that Mina couldn’t properly understand. There were a few similarities to her and Bex’s upbringing, but there were also hard lines. Bex’s parents had hurt her intentionally, and Mina knew that everything that she’d grown up with had only been to teach her, even if it had been wrong. She could acknowledge how a lot of it was wrong. “What do you mean, not a proper vampire?”

Mina had been staring at the man that walked up to her and attempted to flirt rather dispassionately before Metzli had growled out at him. She wanted to protest, to tell them that she could more than take care of herself, that if she took the time to reach down, there was a knife strapped to her thigh, the holster over her tights but under her skirt. But she could understand what was happening. Mina kept having to remind herself that she couldn’t take on an entire bar’s worth of vampires, and Bex wouldn’t be happy with her if she tried.

They gave Mina a single nod, agreeing with her and listening to every word. She loved Bex, more than anything, more than her very life. Even Metzli could see that, they could appreciate that. “It seems you do. Hell, I’ve been with married women. It was way too easy to seduce them. But not Bex. She’s completely happy and well taken care of.” Every word was honest, not needing to lie or even mess with Mina.

The interruption came to a close quickly and Metzli winded down, settling back into their seat. “Sorry. Have to make them back off with a show of dominance.” Hands brushed through their hair and they sighed so they could continue.  

“I do connect with her. I wish I didn’t. Mostly for her sake. I deserved my treatment, I deserved all of those punishments. But not her.” Metzli murmured and motioned for more shots, which were promptly brought to the table. At this point, they didn’t care about the source of the blood in the drinks. Anxiety was high and the question had long ceased to enter their mind. “My master never considered those with souls or those willing to commit acts of kindness as proper vampires. When he sired me, he made sure to drill that in.” Two shots were taken in quick succession and they pushed another towards Mina. “You don’t have to take that. It’s just an offer.”

Ducking her head, Mina smiled, small and timid but happy, pleased. It was nice to be told that she was doing an alright job at literally the one thing she cared about. Still, she raised an eyebrow. “You go about seducing married women?” she asked. She was more focused on the other vampire, her eyes following him cautiously as he walked away. Metzli relaxed, and Mina attempted to, but she felt coiled up, tense. Still, she was good at pretending, at least, that she wasn’t about to lash out, even if it probably made her appear more anxious. Mina had spent a very long time being trained to appear as non threatening as possible.

“I don’t think…” Mina paused, considering her words. “I know that she didn’t deserve it, but I doubt that you did, either, especially not if your situations are similar. No one deserves to be treated like that.” And, oh, this wasn’t something that she’d been expecting, to feel sympathy for someone that had forced her to speak when she hadn’t wanted to, who had attempted to antagonize her, but she did. She really did. “There isn’t really a sort of thing as a proper vampire. Except for a dead one, my dad used to say.” She paused. “That was a joke. I don’t think you should be dead. I’m sorry. My point is that your sire was wrong. Kindness isn’t bad. It’s good. It’s what makes us… not monsters.” She looked at the shot for only a moment before she picked it up and downed it. “And I appreciate the offer.”

Metzli felt a tickle in their throat that slowly became a chuckle, completely amused with Mina’s comment. “No, I don’t go around seducing married women. They just turned out to be married, which is clearly not my fault.” They let their head fall back as they laughed some more and sipped on their beverage. Oh, they were much looser now.

“You don’t know the things I’ve done, Mina. A vampire doesn’t just randomly become soulless. They willingly commit a heinous act so horribly against their morals, that they lose it. Even if they were tricked. So yes, in the end, that treatment was valid. I’ve come to terms with it.” Metzl’s voice was one filled with both regret and sorrow. Their tongue was a loose cannon, and they could do nothing as the words just fell out.

Luckily though, Mina made a joke that they could grasp onto. Grasp it and run. “Oh! That’s a good one. Your dad wasn’t completely wrong.” A boisterous laugh slipped through, and Metzli couldn’t help but hold their stomach. “Whether I die or not matters very little to me. So I appreciate that joke.” A warm smile developed, but it strained back into a neutral thin line as they picked up on a conversation that included descriptions of both Metzli and Mina. Their brow furrowed, but they didn’t want to overreact. “Would you like another?” A hand gestured to the empty shot glasses in an attempt to dissuade any questions.

Mouth ticking up into a small smile, Mina said, “I suppose you’re right. Though, perhaps you might want to check with them on their marital status next time, just to be sure.” She could feel the two shots and the mixed drink starting to work their way into her system, warming her in ways that she’d grown relatively unfamiliar with. Mina had a high tolerance but rarely drank. She was a little out of practice.

“No, I don’t, but I could say the same to you,” Mina added quietly. “Up until very recently, I thought that all people that weren’t humans didn’t really have souls. I don’t think that means you deserve-- deserve whatever happened to you. No one deserves that. No one.” And she was sure of that, if little else. No one deserved to be mistreated. Wasn’t that what she was trying to stand for, now? Protecting all people? Because they were people, she and Metzli, even if she still struggled with that thought sometimes. And even if she’d killed someone, and even if they were a soulless vampire, then they were still people. Even bad people were people.

Mina frowned. “He was wrong.” Because he had to be wrong, especially about that. If all vampires were better dead, then that meant all zombies were better dead, all werewolves, all Fae. Mina. She needed him to be wrong, to have made a mistake, to have been ignorant. “That wasn’t a good joke.” Because the alternative meant that everything she’d been taught was true, and the only thing she could be good at was to be a monster that killed other monsters. And she’d never been able to do that right. “I-- I’ll take another, yes. I could-- I’d like that.”

“That shouldn’t really be my job, in all fairness. If someone’s in a relationship, they should turn down my advances, just as Bex did.” Metzli took what they could get most of the time. Whether the person was married or not didn’t matter unless they were extremely adamant about it. Besides that, they didn’t particularly like being a part of drama and would generally walk away at the mention of a relationship.

With their lips formed in a thin line, Metzli pondered for a moment and then finally spoke, “I guess you’re not entirely wrong. I just have different views on life than most people. Human or not, death is inevitable.” They paused, knowing a nerve was struck. Mina was a little upset, and they didn’t want to push her. “Monsters can be human too. I guess my point is, some people do deserve to be erased. Species doesn’t matter.” Waving to the bartender, he brought over more shots and Metzli smiled at Mina. This meeting was turning out to be even better than they had anticipated.

“I think…I think you and I are more alike than we realize. Though, you are a much better person than I am. Maybe one day I can be, but I doubt that’ll ever be the case. You deserve happiness, just as much as Bex.” Metzli murmured into their shot before taking it and glancing at the group of whispering vampires one more time. They were plotting something, something to get Mina. With a groan, they pushed Mina’s shot towards her and moved to her booth and draped their arm around her. “Listen carefully, take the shot and act normal.” They began to whisper in her ear, knowing the prattle in the bar would cover them as long as everyone else was distracted. “We are gonna have to get out of here, but we have to be quiet, okay? We’re both gonna hate it, but kiss my cheek naturally if you understand.”

“I suppose that’s fair,” Mina agreed. “Though, it might get messy for you if some sort of… jilted? Jilted lover comes after you. I can’t imagine that’s an incredibly pleasant experience.” Though, she supposed that could have been her, if Metzli had continued trying to pursue Bex, if she knew how to properly be jealous. It was hard to be jealous, at least from a distance, when she still didn’t think that she deserved Bex, when she’d probably never think that.

“I think you’re right about the-- the being more alike. But I don’t know if I’m a good person. I mean, I try to be a good person, and I want to be a good person, but sometimes I don’t really know if I’m a person at all, so how could I possibly be a good one?” And maybe Mina was rambling, just a little, just a bit. She couldn’t really comprehend what they were saying. Not really. She knew that some humans were bad, but to call them monsters wasn’t something she could get, even though she’d been told that so many times before. Humans couldn’t be monsters. They didn’t have sharp teeth or claws. Sometimes, they were just bad, and they needed to be stopped. But they weren’t monsters.

Freezing as Metzli slid into the booth beside her, Mina could only listen as they spoke to her. She downed her shot and kept her eyes focused on the table in front of her, even if she was using her peripheral vision to scan the crowd around them. This wasn’t good. Smile, she told herself, so she smiled, something small and easy like she’d been told something funny. Mina couldn’t lie, but she had learned to school her body language as needed. She turned her head and gave them a soft kiss on the cheek. Yes, she understood. They needed to get out of here. She couldn’t take on an entire bar by herself. Not with only one knife, at least.

Mina had been taught similar rules and ideas rooms as Metzli had. They were more catered to her species, but they were similar in nature. So Metzli just nodded. Even if there were slight differences to their views, they didn’t care to morph hers to theirs. This drew them in, solidifying their intention of being her friend. Even if they were a little jealous of her. None of that mattered right now though. They had to fight through their buzz and escort the two of them out.

“Perfect. Let’s go home,” Metzli tried not to grimace at the affection, simply smiling and returning it with a gentle kiss to Mina’s forehead before sliding out of the booth and helping her out. Their grip was firm as they placed their arm around her waist and guided her to the bar to close the tab. Several looming presences lurked behind and they moved her in front of them to whisper in her ear, “When I turn to compel them, run. Don’t look back for me. I’ll be fine.” No sooner that they had said that, they turned.

It was hard not to be stiff while playing this game when Mina had gotten used to something real. Forced affection had been her life for so long, and now she had something that was real, but this? It felt like a backslide. A necessary backslide, but a backslide all the same. This was just a necessity. Metzli didn’t really care about her, and Mina didn’t know what to think about them. Still she followed their lead.

Until they tried to get Mina to run. “Absolutely not,” she whispered heatedly, and maybe the alcohol really had gone to her head as she frowned at them. “You can’t compel all of them. That’s not how compulsion works. So I’m not leaving you.” She had a knife, and she was a trained fighter, and, well, she had claws and sharp teeth, too, if she needed to use them. She wasn’t just going to leave Metzli to fend for themself in a bar full of hostile vampires. That would be cruel. She didn’t want to be cruel.

Mina needed to get out of the bar, and what Metzli had planned would most likely upset her, but her getting hurt would upset Bex more. “Mina, you are going to run as fast as you can. You are going to run until you get home.” Their voice carried their power of compulsion, forcing Mina to act against her will. “I know how compulsion works. I also know that I can handle this group of young vampires. Now, go and run home.”

Turning back to face the crowd, Metzli growled and pushed Mina. “You,” they pointed at the man who flirted and started all of this. “Tell your guys to stop this.” He did so, but the group was dead set on their mission. They really didn’t want to fight a bunch of amateurs, possibly getting banned from their favorite bar. It would be no problem and it would probably even be fun, but there were too many risks. Most of them included Mina.

It took a second for the compulsion to kick in as Mina simply stared at Metzli, her mouth slightly agape and her brows furrowed together. “That’s-- that’s-- I can handle-- You can’t make me--” But they could. It was hard for Mina to fight against things like this, subtle suggestions that were often tied into willpower. She wanted to blame it on being Fae; after all, she was constantly affected by subliminal persuasions by promises. Of course she’d be affected by vampiric compulsion. Still, she didn’t want to go. She didn’t. She wasn’t going to.

Metzli pushed her, and Mina’s feet were forced to move as she stumbled, her hands scraping on the bar floor. Her palms were skinned, a smear of blood left behind as she picked herself up and started running as fast as she could for the door. Someone stood in her way, and she jammed her knee up into their groin, hand wrapping around the back of their head as she forced them to the ground. She looked back at Metzli, still trying to fight against the compulsion even as her body tried to force her toward the door. Her nose was going to start bleeding from the effort of it, if she wasn’t careful.

The altercation snapped Metzli out of focus from the group of men who were trying their damndest to be intimidating. Pupils dilated around them, including their own as the smell of Mina’s blood trailed into all of their noses. Fuck. The last thing they wanted to do was smell her blood. It made their mouth water, it made them growl at Mina for a few moments until they pulled themselves from their instincts. “I told you to run, Mina!” Marching towards her and the man moaning in pain, Metzli thrusted the door open and ushered her out of the door rapidly.

“Run home. Run as fast you can before they’re on you. Run, Mina. Go home…!” Metzli exclaimed, compelling her again. They yelled in pain suddenly during the compulsion as they were struck over the back. The force pushed them out of the door, and they managed to hold onto the door handle so they could hold it closed. Once Mina was far enough away, they would book it to their car, or maybe just run straight home.

“I can handle myself,” Mina snarled back at them, but she was already moving through the door. It wasn’t right to leave them. She couldn’t leave them. She was surrounded by fangs and red eyes, and she couldn’t even reach her knife so her claws came out, her teeth sharp. But she couldn’t stop herself from moving, her legs aching from the effort to not run. She had such a long way home. At least she ran fast. She looked at Metzli, her claws digging into the flesh in her palms as she tried to fight. She couldn’t. “You better be okay,” was the last thing Mina managed to say before she broke into a sprint, her legs towards her home.

And away from her car.

Finally, Mina gave in and left, much to Metzli’s relief. Once she was far enough away, they ran towards their car, letting go of the door that was shaking vigorously from the pounding. Even with being tipsy, they managed to get their keys out, but they weren’t fast enough. Several vampires leaped onto them, scratching and biting for mere moments. A voice was thrown from the alleyway, sounding like Mina, calling out to Metzli. In a frenzy, the cluster of vamps booked it towards the alleyway, hoping to get their fill from a woman that wasn’t there. With a huff, they struggled to their feet and got to their car. Coagulated blood covered them from the several injuries they sustained, but they found safety in their car, and Mina had gotten away. The vampires headed in the wrong direction and would probably not realize it in time. Feeling relaxed, they closed their eyes to rest until they were healed enough to drive home.

[humanmoodring-retired]

When Will My Reflection Show Who I Am Inside? || Metzli & Nadia

TIMING: Current, but, like ~at night~ PARTIES: @deathisanartmetzli​ & @humanmoodring SUMMARY: Fun house mirrors are neither fun nor reflective of the people that they show. CONTENT: Domestic abuse, panic attack

The last time the carnival was in town, Nadia was possessed. That seemed to be a running theme in her life, a joke that she wasn’t in on. Something would happen. How the fuck would Nadia know? She was possessed during that time. When was it? Doesn’t matter. She was probably possessed. Or recovering from being possessed. Or gearing up for a possession. Who knew?

But Nadia was doing the damn carnival thing, now. There were so many fucking people. Too many goddamn, fucking people. It was almost overwhelming, and Nadia stopped, hands deep in her jacket pocket, trying not to look too caught up in the emotions of the people around her before she focused on the literal dead spot next to her. That. The nothingness. She had to just… focus on the nothingness. She looked at the person where the nothingness was and shrugged. “It’s alright, I guess.”

“All right? This was your idea, Juicebox.” Metzli nudged Nadia with their elbow and looked around the clusters of people. So many meals, yet they were unable to touch a single one. A tickle in their throat surfaced only for a second, and they swallowed it back. “What do you even wanna hit up first? I’ve never really been to one of these. Not in America. We had tianguis in Mexico. I wasn’t even allowed to go to those. Had to sneak.” Shrugging, they gestured forward and looked around for something interesting. They figured it wouldn’t take long, considering the sheer amount of fae blood they smelled.

Metzli was on edge, not necessarily feeling like seeing Nadia was a bright idea. Eloy’s minions were definitely watching, they could already feel the cameras snapping their shots. But they needed to get out, do something that wasn’t fighting. Their body was too tired, face and torso bruised and cut from their late-night outings. A break was in order, just for tonight, maybe just for a few hours, and then it was back to their punishments. Hiding their exhaustion and overall disdain was difficult, but it didn’t really matter now. “Anything catching your eye?”

“I’m peachy,” Nadia said. She was fine. It was just a bunch of people. She’d been through far worse than a fucking carnival. Though, she did feel the need to tack on, “When I was younger, like twelve or thirteen or something, I didn’t know I was an empath. I just thought I got overwhelmed in crowds. So, like, there was this one time we were at a circus, and I went with my parents. Fucking catastrohpic. Such a bad idea. I had a fucking panic attack.” She shrugged. “So, yeah, like, this kinda shit’s a little overrated, you know.”

Nadia didn’t have to be able to feel Metzli’s emotions to tell that they were tense, likely still unsure about whether or not this was a good idea. But Nadia didn’t really care. “Chill,” she said quietly, knowing that they could hear. “Just, like, live your life, alright? Unlife. Whatever.” She looked around. “This is your carnival experience, thude. Think about what you wanna do. I know the candy apples might not be your thing, but who knows? They might have fang-friendly options around here.”

Metzli shot Nadia a glare and growled quietly at her, “I am chill. This is my chill.” Features softened though, grateful that Nadia used their preferred term. It was still so strange to have someone respect that aspect of them so easily. Behaving like a petulant child was their default when they were irritated or angry. Expressing themselves wasn’t so easy, it wasn’t allowed for so long that their emotions usually came out in small but juvenile bursts. Swallowing thickly, they shot their head around to find something, anything for the two to do.

“How about that?” Metzli pointed at the Hall of Mirrors, a little more relaxed now. Mirrors would be easy for them to take. They didn’t have to do anything but look at a glass image that didn’t stare back at them. Eyes met with Nadia’s, and the colorful lights glowed on her skin, danced around in a flurry. It reminded them of Macleod, and how colors of the television danced off of her in a similar fashion when she spent the night making them feel safe.

Throat tightened again, not out of hunger, but out of something else they couldn’t really decipher. They couldn’t think about that now, though. Like Nadia said, Metzli needed to chill.

Laughing, Nadia said, “Oh, yeah. You’re real fucking chill, Metzli.” It was much easier for her to tease them like this, to show them that she wasn’t particularly intimidated by their growls and bad attitudes. She’d learned pretty easily that she didn’t have to give into childish outbursts. If they were gonna attack her, they would, and she’d deal with that, later. Otherwise, they just needed to lash out, sometimes. She’d let them, even if she wouldn’t humor them.

“A hall of mirrors?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at them. “I mean, sure. It doesn’t look that busy. Isn’t that gonna be, like, kind of lame for you, though? Since you don’t have a reflection and everything.” Though, really, Nadia was just fine with going to the Hall of Mirrors. Hell, there was no line. She could get a small reprieve from being around people before finding something else to do at the carnival. There were way more people here than there were typically at the library or even the bar.

Eyes rolled and Metzli flipped Nadia off as they tread forward to the Hall of Mirrors without bothering to look back. Her steps were heard easily enough and they thought aloud, “Figure I should start with something easy if I’m gonna be here. There’s too many damn snacks here. Uh, I mean, people. There’s too many people.” They sucked their teeth at themselves and stopped at the gate right before the gatekeeper stopped them. In the midst of their building tension, they didn’t realize they had sped up their walking, leaving Nadia a little behind. Foot tapped rapidly, waiting for her to catch up.

“Sorry.” They apologized weakly, not truly meaning it, but doing so out of social obligation. Once Nadia had successfully gotten to the gate, the entrance was opened for the pair to walk through and begin their experience. Metzli felt a strange energy from the gatekeeper, not liking the ominous nature of his existence. Mouth opened to make a snide remark, but they were ushered forward and were inside before they managed to.

“There’s a lot of fucking people here,” Nadia muttered, looking around and shoving her hands further into the pockets of her jacket. Too many people, and everyone was feeling something. As Metzli walked ahead, other people drifted in closer, allowing Nadia to feel excitement, anger, fear, joy, all of it bordering on overwhelming. She didn’t feel much of anything from the person in front of the attraction as she made it to the Hall of Mirrors, but she didn’t pay him any mind as she followed after Metzli.”

“It’s cool,” she told them. It was already much quieter in her head, and Nadia appreciated that as she walked into the Hall of Mirrors after them. She could tell Metzli was about to pop off something, but she was more focused on the fact that she could see Metzli’s back in one of the mirrors in front of them. Which… should not be happening. “Uh, Metz, I don’t think these are normal mirrors.”

“What?” Metzli whipped around quickly and got startled by their image. They yelped in surprise and stumbled back, falling in the process. “W-what the fuck?!” Scooting back until they felt Nadia behind them, they rambled intelligibly. Finding words was impossible as their brain struggled to comprehend that they were seeing their reflection. Narrowed eyes noticed a change forming, like a thick mass inside the mirror, but focus was ripped and brought to Nadia.

Metzli stood up quickly and got behind Nadia, similar to when a child does when they are full of fear. “That’s not supposed to happen. How is this—okay, Bookworm, you know things, right? Explain this.” An answer was demanded, not even considering Nadia may not even know much of anything on vampires. Hell, she asked Metzli questions about vampires plenty of times, so they were subconsciously aware of the possibility.

Clearly, Metzli wasn’t expecting to see their reflection, either. Nadia could barely make out the rapid combination of English and Spanish in their words as they tried to piece together what was going on. “Hey, Metzli, it’s okay. Todo bien, si?” And she didn’t know if it was okay or not. It sure didn’t fucking seem okay. But if she could reassure them then, sure, yeah, she’d say it’s okay.

“I know things,” Nadia said slowly. Sort of. She sort of knew things. She knew the feeling of an exorcism, and she knew not to promise people or say thank you, and she knew that vampires didn’t have reflections except in carnival fun houses. “I don’t know this. I… This is a little outta my wheelhouse. Going off what you’ve told me, vampires don’t have fucking reflections.” Nadia reached behind her enough to pat them on the shoulder before walking forward slowly, peering into the mirror. “I wonder if it’s made out of some sort of material that you actually can be reflected back in. I mean, you show up in water, right? And you can have your picture taken…”

Nadia’s Spanish was unexpected, but the way it soothed them was too. It immediately caused their mind to focus on the women in front of them walking forward to the mirrors. Following closely, Metzli tensed at the sight of what seemed like hundreds of them. Experiencing their reflection in such a way was completely foreign and caused their instincts to be on high alert. That’s why, when one of the mirrors on the outside of their vision began to morph, they growled and crouched down to attack.

It seemed like the mirror melted into its new picture, fluidly changing and taking shape. The other mirrors began to ripple too, one by one. The same picture as the first. Their mother, holding them down, and their father giving one of the final lashes. The basement came into view and Metzli screamed. “No! Please! No!” They fell to the ground again and crawled backwards, straight into another mirror that brought the horror of the dark basement closer to view and they cried even harder.

“Ya no. Por favor. Me voy portar bien. Lo juro.” Metzli repeated in a trembling mumble over and over again. Their whole body shook, pulling their knees to their chest, and taking the shape of a small ball on the floor. “Lo juro…lo juro…”

“Easy there, Fangs,” Nadia said as Metzli crouched and growled and seemed almost feral, but she couldn’t particularly blame them. She didn’t know how she’d react to seeing her reflection in a mirror after so many years. Hell, she could barely stand seeing herself as it was. When your own reflection reminded you of someone else, someone you hated, it was best to just not see it. So that’s what Nadia tried to do. She tried to not see it.

She couldn’t help but glance in one of the mirrors only to see a memory that haunted her. Herself, a few years younger, grinning with bloody hands leaving imprints on her bathroom sink. Her eyes were panicked, but her grin was large, depraved. Nadia looked away as soon as she heard Metzli scream. She hated the relief she felt, but at least she didn’t have to look at herself.

Walking over to Metzli slowly, her hands in front of her with her palms exposed, Nadia murmured. “Todo bien, Metzli. Ellos no pueden lastimarte.” They can’t hurt you. She didn’t know what Metzli was seeing, what had caused them to react so horribly, but she knew it wasn’t good. “Don’t look in the mirrors. Cierra… tus ojos.” It had been a stupid long time since Nadia had to do anything but read Spanish. Her father would be so annoyed with the way she thought too long over the words, but, really, he wouldn’t have been surprised. She never spoke Spanish with him, anyway. “Tus ojos,” she said, and she put one of her own hands over her eyes. “Don’t look in the mirrors.”

Nadia’s voice was completely muffled, not by any physical force, but the pure panic that clouded every one of Metzli’s senses. Fear quickly turned into anger, fueled by the instinct to eliminate any threat. Fangs emerged as Metzli didn’t listen, couldn’t listen to Nadia and heed her suggestion. They rose quickly and lunged at one of the mirrors but halted at the sight of Eloy behind them. Fearful eyes, their own eyes, bore into themselves and they whipped around to try and attack, but nothing greeted them except for their lone reflection.

As Nadia remained where she was, covering her eyes, Metzli desperately searched for a way out. But there was only a parade of them and the ongoing rippling changes of whatever hell it wanted to show them. Except, it didn’t. And for a brief moment, they saw themselves standing in the field of the ranch and they let out a choked laugh. Emotions changed just as quickly as the images, though, and a new one formed. Despite Nadia’s pleas to cover their eyes, they didn’t. They had to keep looking. Macleod was holding them, kissing them. And then it went back.

“No!” Metzli yelled and saw themselves being shoved into the basement again. They practically begged for the previous vision, backing away before tripping and falling. Bracing themselves for the impact of the mirror, it never came. Simply put, they just continued to fall backwards into it. “Nadia!” A hand reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her with them into the unknown.

“Metzli, it’s not real!” Nadia said, and she kept her eyes down and covered, refusing to look into the reflections, to give in. Until she heard them moving around, and her head snapped up. She caught her reflection, and it was… nice. She was standing at a podium wearing glasses (she wondered if that meant she finally gave in and bought glasses), pointing to a board and holding up a book. It was nice. The Nadia in the mirror looked up and smiled before frowning at something behind the actual Nadia.

She whipped her head around and watched herself being exorcised. It wasn’t any easier the fourth time. Then, Metzli was calling out to her, and Nadia looked at them long enough to see the panic in their eyes as they reached out and grabbed her. Nadia wouldn’t have been able to pull away even if they didn’t have super strength, their backwards momentum dragging her along into the mirror. And where it should have shattered it instead gave away, rippling around them like water without being wet. “Oh, fuck,” Nadia said as they were ingulfed in darkness.

The familiar room surrounded the two, the unforgiving darkness and violent cold jolted Metzli to a state of panic. Nadia and them were in the basement. Head jerked up to look at the door at the top of the stairs. Streaks of light came through below, interrupted by shadows walking past. “No...no, no, no, no…” It smelled horrid and rank. Buckets were in a not very far corner, where they were forced to relieve themselves and rotten food at the end of the stairs. It was small, but it was their hell. Metzli knew better than to scream. That only caused more lashes. It is best to never be seen or heard. Their mother always said that, so that was how they lived.

So Metzli dropped to the ground and sobbed quietly to themselves as they rocked back and forth, running their hands through their hair and tugging at it. “D-don’t make any sound. They’ll get mad.”

“It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real,” Nadia muttered, over and over again, because this was the inside of a fucking mirror, so of course it wasn’t real. It smelled real, though, and it sounded real, and looked real. But it wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. They’d fallen through a fucking mirror. Shit like that wasn’t real.

Nadia hooked her hands under Metzli’s arms and began pulling at them, getting them to sit up and then tugging on them to stand. If they didn’t, though, she’d drag them. Nadia didn’t give a fuck. They were gonna get out of there. There was a door, a reprieve, and she began to move towards it, throwing it open.

They were outside, and it looked almost like the carnival, except it was much hotter. It was a dry heat, even at night. Nadia looked around the carnival, and she felt thirteen again, and there was too much. Too many people, too bright lights, too much noise. She let go of Metzli, her boots tripping over a rock as she held her head. “Fuck. Fuck. Not real. Fuck.”

Metzli begged Nadia to not open the door. Opening the door meant more punishments, more pain. Aching legs moved them forward to try and stop her, but she had the door open faster than they could react. The images, the surroundings, all of it changed before them and they stumbled as Nadia let them go. Now it was her falling apart, and Metzli was the calm one, catching her before she hit the ground. They nodded at her, silently agreeing at first and then finding their voice. “Not real. It’s not. We have to get out. Come on, Nadia.”

Wrapping their arms around her carefully, they picked her up and ran as fast as they could out of the crowds. Metzli knew what a panic attack looked like, and Nadia was having one, or she was about to. Her heart was beating so fast and she sounded terrified. They attempted to comfort her,  “We’ll find a way out. We’ll find it.” Whether their words would actually help, they didn’t know, but the least they could do was try. She had, for them.

There was a break in the crowd, and then they were in what Eloy called, The Starving Room. “Oh no, no, no, no.” Metzli grew worried at the sight of vampires, all of them starving. They tried to find an exit so they could get away. All of the creatures were pulling their chains to their ends to try and reach the pair, the hunger making them feral. The hallway finally led to a door and Metzli threw their back against it to rip it open. Upon falling through, they both fell into a new environment, one Metzli couldn’t recognize at all.

“I’m fine,” Nadia said, her heart pounding. She couldn’t catch her breath. It felt like too much. Too fucking much. She couldn’t even differentiate everything that was coming in, overwhelming her. Now, she knew it was other people’s emotions. Before, she’d had no idea.

And then it was quiet. At least, it was quiet in Nadia’s head. The sounds of starving vampires was decidedly not quiet as she watched vampires pull against chains. What the fuck was this? What was this place? What was happening? What the fuck was going on with the goddamn mirrors?

Nadia and Metzli fell, and she caught herself, her pavement digging into her palms as she looked up to see an alleyway. She watched as red hair disappeared behind a corner.

“Brook!” Nadia’s head jerked around to watch her own self, several years younger and drunk, stumble after the redhead. But that wasn’t Brook. Nadia had been stupid, so fucking stupid, to mistake her friend for that bitch Cordelia. She knew what happened after this. This was the first night in a long series of forgotten nights and forgotten years. She looked away. “We’ve got to get the fuck out.”

Strangers walked in the distance and Nadia called out an unfamiliar name. This was for her now. Metzli finally gathered that the mirrors created images from the person’s memories, or something like that. This was something that was from deep within Nadia’s mind, and it plagued her based on her body language and tone of voice. “Y-Yeah, we d-do.” There was no way to steady their voice and Metzli wasn’t going to attempt anyway. Finding the exit was the only thing that mattered. Their eyes widened when a door caught their eye, and they quickly grabbed Nadia to pull her up. Bolting to it, they dragged her by the elbow behind them in hopes of the door being their escape.

“We just have t-to keep trying. We have to. We—there’s got to be a way out!” Metzli’s body didn’t make impact with the door. Instead, just like before with the mirrors, their body rippled through a thick wall that felt like going through glue, before landing on the hard ground. Nadia landed on top of them and they recognized their surroundings again. They were back where they started, in the hall of mirrors.

Metzli scrambled to their feet and continued to pull Nadia with them to the exit. “Fuck this place. Fuck this place!” The fresh night air hit their skin and they let go of Nadia’s arm as they fell on all fours, finally past the gate that was no longer manned.

Nadia didn’t have time to properly comprehend that they’d made it back into the Hall of Mirrors before Metzli was dragging them both out into the evening. She breathed in fresh air, gulping it into her lungs. She never thought that she’d be happy to experience the cool crispness of Maine autumn air. Anything was better than that dry, oppressive heat. Anything was better than that dank, rotten air in those basements.

Not quite falling over, Nadia stood with her hands on her knees, panting. “Fuck all of that,” she said. She looked at Metzli and went over to them, putting her hands under their arms and starting to try and drag them up to stand.

“Get up,” Nadia told them. “Get up. We can do the falling apart thing later, soon, but not here. We’re gonna get the hell out of here.” Away from those fucking mirrors, at the very least. Nadia wanted to get away from those mirrors. Maybe even get some shitty carnival fool. Whatever. Just get them away from those mirrors, those memories.

Their whole body shook uncontrollably and it was an internal battle to continue. To work past the failing use of their legs, of their arms, of their whole body. But Nadia was right, it wasn’t the time to fall apart. So Metzli picked themselves up and took Nadia’s hand, squeezing it softly. Ensuring to themselves that she had to be real. Everything else they saw wasn’t. But Nadia was. “We’re leaving.” Fingers interlaced together, and they hoped Nadia wouldn’t pull away. They needed to be anchored, to feel someone they trusted close to them. Feet moved, and they walked straight for the exit, crying and not looking at anyone who could possibly stare. And so many eyes did stare. The weight of their eyes tugged at their skin, but that weight dispersed the second the two reached the outside perimeter of the carnival.

Legs failed once more, no longer stepping forward. Metzli looked somberly at Nadia, cheeks stained with tears. The lump in their throat cracked their words, but they still tried to speak, “What now?”

It was much easier, now, to try and ignore the influx of emotions (concern, apprehension, amusement, others) that was assaulting Nadia than it had been when she was younger. She focused instead on the void that was Metzli, on the fact that they didn’t feel like anything at all. If she wanted to know their emotions, she had to read their face, watch their expressions. And they were clearly tired and overwhelmed, and Nadia could get that. She got that.

Looking over at them, Nadia kept her eyes soft. She didn’t let go of their hand. They seemed to need it. “There’s no one around that I can feel. We can just, like, chill for a minute if you want to. Or go get a drink, or just hang out.” She shrugged. “I’d rather not be alone right now, if it’s cool with you.” And if she was saying that more for their benefit then theirs, that was no one’s business but Nadia’s.

“That was shit,” Nadia said quietly, knowing they could hear. “That was real shit, but the night’s still young. We don’t have to end it there, and we don’t have to talk about any of it if you don’t want to. Or we can. But it’s up to you. Just know that we don’t have to leave it there, okay?”

“I don’t want to be alone either.” Metzli croaked. Pain was written all over their face, and even though they were facing Nadia and looking directly at her face, their eyes avoided hers. The mirrors reopened old wounds, ones thought to be fully healed and scarred. But they were only infected by the illusion of ‘time heals all wounds.’ It didn’t, and it never does. Not when you use your own veins as thread to have the hurt sewn into your skin.

Even as their emotions continued to bleed, they couldn’t actually look at Nadia, but they smiled warily at her kindness. “I’m sorry you had to see…my stuff.” Metzli struggled to find the right words. Especially because they weren’t even sorry that she had to see it. They were sorry because of how ashamed they were of their past. They struggled with the idea that someone got to not only witness, but actually experience their shameful past. And they even struggled to let themselves go forward, but they did it anyway. Both of them needed it, so Metzli let go of Nadia’s hand and wrapped both arms around her. It said everything they couldn’t, and then some.

After a few moments, they muttered, “We won’t leave it here. Let’s go get a drink.”

Nadia shrugged. “I’m sorry you have to deal with all of that on your own. That’s not the kind of stuff that people should shoulder on their own.” She blinked as Metzli wrapped their arms around her, and then she returned the hug gently. She patted them on the back and waited for them to be the first one to pull away. Metzli needed it. Hell, they both did.

“Drinks are good. I can do drinks. Maybe Dell’s? They’re sliders are wicked good, and I’m actually hungry for something greasy. I think it was the carnival food, but I’m not going back in there for the time being.” Maybe Nadia would check it out again at some other point. Not now, though. For now, the two of them needed to get out of there.

Panic attacks and ghosts. Nadia couldn’t help but feel grateful that was what the mirrors showed them of her life. She didn’t think she could do another exorcism. She didn’t think she could do being thrown out of her own body. It was better to feel too much. It was better to chase ghosts. “Can you taste things if they’re, like, really strong? Because I bet if you put hot sauce on things, it’d help.”

Metzli pulled away and nodded at Nadia, very into the idea of going to Dell’s even if they’d never been a patron there. “Sorry,” they muttered and rubbed the back of their neck sheepishly. Drinks and some nearly tasteless burgers sounded really good. Having Nadia’s company to talk about nothing or talk about everything made their anxiety lessen and they smiled.

“I don’t know, but I guess we have to try now. I’ll buy the drinks if you buy the sliders.” Metzli nudged Nadia towards the parking lot and walked closely to her, not wanting to stray too far away. Her presence brought a certain lightness, one that they would expand on and take with them to the bar. The night wasn’t over, and there was plenty to do to remedy what had happened. There was enough night to bandage the wounds and start anew.