#ondine feng: threads

[exmcrtis]

location: the commune

closed starter for: @ambercast (raziel)

she knew she shouldn't be at the commune, but as of late, ondine found it hard to stay away. she'd gone too long without seeing finch, and she figured integrating a visit with him into her weeks would be good for morale. she'd managed to avoid danger for this long, so she may as well take advantage of the streak.

stepping out of the garden now, deen nearly rammed into someone, side-stepping them at the last minute. "sorry about that," she chuckled, her smile wide as she met their gaze. "gotta be better about looking where i'm going, i suppose."

[exmcrtis]

on a rare night when she didn't have joei, ondine had blindly wandered into the sasquatch. maybe it was just her way of escaping for a bit, surrounding herself by people but not really talking to them. she'd been blankly staring into her drink when the voice beside her made her jump, an easy smile spreading on her lips. "probably the latter, given my past experiences," she teased, glancing around until she found the set of eyes around her. "none of the above. but, if you'd like, you could join me? maybe they'll stop staring if they think we're meeting up."

huntsvillestarter / open to all / carrie kingston setting: the sasquatch

It was weird to be back in town like this. Part of Carrie thought she never would be back at all— that she’d grown past it— but look how that turned out. She sipped on a beer, not really knowing why she decided on that of all things, until she noticed a stranger staring at the person beside her. “Hey, you either have an admirer or someone may be trying to kill you,” she said, laughing a little. “You need me to play partner, inference, or wingman?”

[exmcrtis]

location: deen's house

closed starter for: @estherwestfall

"i think i need a new hobby." the words came out in a grumbled sigh as ondine collapsed onto the couch, her head falling into esther's lap. they'd settled into a more than comfortable life together, and deen never went to bed feeling like she was unloved or not cared for. her heart was incredibly full, but even on her best days she wished absinthe could be there with them, she just didn't voice it aloud for fear of bringing esther down with her.

"i thought about getting some legos for joei because i found some at auntie em's the other day, but then i realized that that hobby would be more for me and she'd think of the legos like candy. she already drinks dog water, she doesn't also need to be eating blocks, y'know?"

[exmcrtis]

location: the commune garden

closed starter for: @backmaskcd (finch)

ondine knew they shouldn't visit the commune, knew that it was dangerous to go back and visit. but they hadn't seen finch in what felt like years, and checking in with him was something that they'd promised to do before life got so crazy. they'd managed to pass joei off to esther, making some sort of excuse about needing to go to work for a while. they didn't feel great lying to their partner, but it was for a good reason.

"hey, baby bird." ondine's voice was soft as she came upon finch, her lips tugged into a smile. "i almost didn't recognize you, it's been so long."

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @estherwestfall

joei was splashing happily, and deen was grinning the entire time. she'd taken the toddler to the lake once or twice, but seeing her interact with others while squealing with delight just hit different. with a happy sigh, deen looked to esther, reaching out to squeeze their partner's hand gently. they'd sworn off town events, but somehow managed to make an exception this time around. she was glad they had.

"look at how happy she is," she cooed, motioning towards their daughter. "almost makes the crowd worth it, right?"

[exmcrtis]

cai. the name almost sounded familiar, but deen couldn't put a face to it. "they have no right to go through your things, and whoever told them they could had ill intentions." deen let out the breath they'd been holding, eyebrows furrowed. "did you write about sin in that journal?"

koda was confused as deen stepped closer and almost stepped back but didn't, instead answering her question. "their name is cai, he went through my journal and apparently made copies of it so even if i got it back they'd still hang the information over my head."

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @ghostsbrokenbyfairytales (koda)

"joei!" deen called out to her toddler in what could only be described as a grumble. she'd only looked away from her daughter for two seconds, her grasp loosening just enough that she could run full tilt towards another person, loudly babbling dada the entire way. now that deen was caught up with her, she bent down to scoop joei up, her head shaking in disbelief. "i'm sorry about that. she learned to say one whole word and that's all she c--- woah." it was then that ondine looked up to find a familiar face, though it was slightly different. they were the spitting image of joei's father, and suddenly deen felt confused. "i...can see why she tried to pinpoint you as dada now. have you ever been told you have a doppelgänger?"

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @estherwestfall

if you had told ondine feng years ago that they'd be sitting at a table and playing 'go fish' with esther westfall, they would've called you crazy. but ondine's instinct was to be friendly first and foremost, and while their relation to esther could be considered complicated, they chose not to think too much about it. they needed all the distraction they could get as of late.

with a sigh, they placed their three of hearts down on the table, sliding it towards esther without second thought. "i think we both know that you're about to win this game. pretty sure joei would do better than i am at this point."

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @backmaskcd (finch)

bucky's felt like the only safe meeting place when it came to visiting with their friends from the commune. ondine had a bad feeling in the pit of their stomach, doing everything in their power to avoid their own stomping grounds for fear of something tragic taking place. but they couldn't be without their friends for very long, and as soon as they'd run into finch, they somehow convinced him to spend time with them.

"the food here tastes better than at home," they teased him now, fingers twirling their glass around on the table. "but i think it's because there are people here who can hold conversation as opposed to home, where my only source of socialization is a one-year-old." ondine paused, their cheek resting against their knuckles as they flashed finch a sweet smile. "thank you for spending time with me."

[exmcrtis]

the smile made ondine's lips tug into one that was similar, her shoulders lifting to her ears in what could only be described as delight. "of course it's okay! i never mind having any sort of company. i kind of prefer it if i'm being honest. otherwise i look like a complete fool." she shifted her plate closer, making room for the other. "thank you for joining me."

where: pop & lock

with: anyone!

nabi slides into the booth on the opposite side of the other, flashing them a wide smile. "hi!! sorry, i just noticed that you were sitting by yourself and i hope it's okay, but i feel like food is always better with company." she sets her own plate down, an order of fries along with a strawberry milkshake.

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @callofthxvoid (celia)

"sorry, i'm sorry." ondine's words came out in a sigh as she breezed through the diner, joei nestled on her hip and distracted by the toy in her hand. "i coudn't get ahold of buttons before my shift, and i couldn't leave her at home alone. i promise she'll be super quiet." it was an empty promise, and as ondine shot her boss a guilty look, she set her baby down in a nearby booth, shoving the napkin holder in her direction. "i won't make a habit of this, either. i just...lost track of time and then everything fell to shit all at once."

[exmcrtis]

closed starter for: @containatrocity (absinthe)

"joei, please don't play in the dog's water bowl. i just gave you a damn bath and i don't want to do it again." and although ondine's words were scolding, she couldn't help but watch her daughter without moving. the toddler was starting to take on a mind of her own, getting into every little thing that she could and giving ondine a run for her money. they were both adjusting to life in town, secluding themselves as often as possible unless ondine had to go to work or pick things up from the food market. she wished it didn't need to be this way, but it was, and she was determined to make the best of it.

hearing a knock on the door now, ondine pushed herself up from the floor, grabbing the toddler by the overall straps and hoisting her up and away from the water. "you're all wet. of course you're all wet." and despite her sigh, the young mother managed to smile as she opened the door, revealing absinthe behind it. suddenly she felt relieved, their presence always having a calming effect on her.

"thank god. your child is testing every last ounce of patience that i possess, and i think you're the only one she'll listen to. we're in a rebellious phase."

[exmcrtis]

listening to absinthe speak was a hard pill to swallow. ondine would follow them blindly pretty much anywhere, but now that they were nestled alone and speaking in hushed tones, they felt their mouth go dry immediately. they'd packed their whole lives up to leave the commune at sin's request, and while they had yet to fully regret that decision, hearing that sin had done things that may change things made deen's heart pick up. she wasn't free from her own sins, of course; she'd gone back to the commune multiple times at this point, even enduring their own run-in with raziel. so could ondine really be mad about anything absinthe did? the short answer was no.

"sin," they finally sighed, reaching for their hands to give them a firm squeeze. "we've all made mistakes. we're all currently making mistakes, if you want to think about it deeply. but esth and i...we miss you. we want you. whatever you've done, i know i can find it in my heart to forgive you if it means having you back."

Why are you apologizing? Where is Absinthe supposed to start? The distance, the paranoia, he knows its founded- there is no good in what comes from the places that created him- Koda had failed, fled, and was seeking him to save him from the Brotherhood- They weren't part of it, anymore. Maybe Raziel wasn't either. But he was still of their ilk, surely- a need for power and control that if slighted became dangerous. In league with Quinn's beliefs- and the knowledge that the God she might worship is more present here than Absinthe's own... There is danger looming, he wanted nothing more than to protect the people he loves from it- But in his desperation he has deprived them instead, of their friends, of the truth, of being able to tell the truth. It exhausts him, he can't imagine how Deen feels- this is his grand cross to bear- he's pushed it onto them, in turn.

Their lips meet again, longer now, and Absinthe tries to take comfort in the familiar, the taste of them against their lips. "I love you. I miss you." Is managed into the space between. "I- I do not think I was wrong in my concerns, but I have done things that only made things worse for us in my pursuit of ensuring your safety, Esther's safety, Joei's safety- in my desperation to keep the three of you some... esoteric idea of away from harm I... caused it. For that alone I should be apologetic." Their voice breaking makes the cold knife of guilt twist more firmly in his stomach.

It's not much further from the hustle of main street- the remains of a building deemed un-salvageable after the earthquake the shattered backdrop for the rest of this conversation. "I- I know we have not... discussed anything of permanence... at- at least not with me. I know that you and Esther have... each other, and I am comforted to know that there is... stability, for Joei, and someone to call home for the two of you- But I am sick with myself with shame for what feels like I am betraying you- the very thing I chased you from the commune over, so terrified of what they could do I- I nearly found myself in their bed, and-" He winces, stepping back slightly. "I am a poor excuse for a servant of God, and a worse one for a lover. I do not deserve it, but I- I would ask, if I am still worth the trouble, that you hold me solely. That my home ends where you and Esth do.... I- I'll be speaking with them today, too. Telling them the truth. A-all of it. And should they still have any fondness in them for me after seeing the blood on my hands- I- I will be asking them the same. I cannot do this alone, anymore. I don't think Absinthe ever could."

[exmcrtis]

deen was always one to follow directions, which is why she didn't hesitate to break off a piece of that cake and pop it into her mouth. "oh. my . god," she muttered, a hand held over her mouth while she chewed. "what the fuck did they put in this? this could become a problem so fast."

who: Ondine ( @exmcrtis )

"Oh my god you have to try this" Carmen said after taking a bite of the slice of apple cake she'd gotten with her coffee. She slid the fork through it again to get another bite onto it, before holding it out to Ondine, "Here"

[exmcrtis]

the past few weeks had seen twists and turns that ondine had never expected to see in her life. she was under the impression that she'd live in the commune until the days she died, that joei would grow up there and meet new people and make new connections. but that had changed at the drop of a hat, and while being around esther had felt like it was touch-and-go for a while, she was glad that wasn't the case anymore. this was a change that didn't feel like it was so daunting.

the mention of father jacob made deen freeze. she wasn't so quick to trust just anyone with joei, but if he came recommended by esther, he couldn't be so bad. at least she hoped he wasn't. "well," she began, eyes glancing in her daughter's direction before she looked back to her friend. "if you trust father jacob, then he must be a good one. but you have to be the one to warn him about how feral joei is, because nobody ever believed me when i give them the whole monologue. i think if it comes from you, it'll be taken more seriously."

In a way Ondine was right, Esther's attempts were forced. But it was more the force of trying to be social, trying to be someone the other could call a friend when Esther knew she wasn't good enough, would never be good enough. They were but a failure of a person and a good-for-nothing pill addict compared to Ondine and their sweet, kind nature. But still, she had promised Absinthe she would try to make a friend, and Ondine was one of the only people they felt worth trying for. They returned the smile, nodding. "Oh, no argument there. It's no contest."

At the question she bit her lip in thought. It was a little intimidating, how easily the other could list of the names of people they could rely on for times like this. "Maybe," they started slowly "we could ask Father Jacob?" It was more of a question than a suggestion. "He's really the only one I can ask." Esther looked down at her hands, for once feeling shame at admitting she had no one else in her life. With Absinthe they didn't have to say it aloud, he had known her for so long that it was obvious she had such an empty life. But saying as much to Ondine was.....embarrassing, vulnerable.

[exmcrtis]

leaving people behind at the commune had left deen feeling torn. joei would always be their first priority, but even as they had packed up that last bag and closed their door for the final time, it had felt like their heart shattered in a million pieces, and not even the strongest superglue could fix it. the look on finch's face only furthered that feeling, her fingers squeezing his tightly for reassurance, though she didn't know if it was for him or someone else. "i'm gonna do my best to make it feel like nothing has changed, okay? if that means having to come find you every day and take up a few moments of your time, then i'll do it. i know you can't leave lavender, and i don't want you to leave lavender, but you also need to take care of you. let me help you do that however i can."

He kept his eyes trained on the tabletop even as she moved. Part of him was so deeply sad, and the other part of him was so mad for making other people feel bad for the choices they needed to make; so he decided to lean into that part and pack up his sadness for another time. "I know," he murmured, tilting his head very slightly so it was pressed against hers. "I know you have Joei to think about." He finally looked over at her, eyes shiny, but teeth grit. "That would be nice; or, at least, just knowing that is nice." He wasn't sure if he'd ever actually take her up on it - it felt far too much like intruding on someone else's home - but the sentiment was nice. "I can't leave Lavender though. She's really struggling, and she needs me there."