#para; rowan

[introvertidocronico]

[acircusfullofdemons]

had a powerpoint night with my friends and decided to do mine on my ocs aka I just rambled about their designs a bunch. I've showed off my ocs to them before and it always surprises me how much they remember ... both of them were like "yeha no I definitely remember you talking about Calypso & Rowan they're super familiar to me" so. at least I don't have to worry about what my legacy is!

[thelizaxevans]

closed - @lonelyhcart

where - library

Liza had the day off work so she figured she'd drop by the library for Wes' break so she could surprise him with a little lunch date with her and Elise. To kill some time though before it was his break time, she perused some of the aisles, mentally cataloguing some books to check out in the near future when she turned a corner and nearly smacked into someone (or rather, they almost smacked into the stroller).

"Shoot, I'm so sorry! You okay?

[thelucexcaldwell]

closed - @lonelyhcart

where - luce's apartment

Lucinda had a day off and now she was bored. Bored and frustrated thanks to her stupid ass father telling her she should just stop playing games and come back home which just tanked her mood. And when that happened, it could go south quickly. So to keep herself occupied she reorganized her entire living room to prep it for Christmas and ordered herself some Chinese food- probably way more than she needed to. So clearly she just needed to share it.

Running back to her living room she pressed up close to the wall and grabbed the walkie talkie she had there, even banging on the wall for good measure before speaking into it. "For the love of god say you're there. I have food and wine and I'm lonely!"

[sollucets]

Tell me, mortal: trick, or treat? (For the ask game!)

how do YOU know im mortal 😈

(ask game!)

for the first time i’m going to tell tumblr at large about magic pirates!akkaye, in hopes that someday ill actually try writing it,,,

akkaye magic pirates is my au baby that i birthed in june of this year already, have completely outlined and have just been…. sitting on….. since then,,,,. im hoping that, once only friends is over and i finish my shorter wips and we’re in a painful longterm firstkhao show drought, i might have the courage to try. ive never finished a longfic (sideeyes oowu, which is episodic and Still unfinished) and i really dont want to be a disappointment again 🥲

the premise goes like this:

in a fantasy land populated by people with elemental magic powers (somewhat a la a:tla but not entirely so), our akk belongs to a somewhat isolationist & strict fantasy land called suppalo, where he is a newly-graduated lieutenant captaining a little ship. he was a prodigy in school & graduated with honors as the protege of a famous admiral, chadok, and is now gaining experience so he can move up in the world.

at the beginning of the story, the mission he was on is briefly derailed & he’s charged with transporting a prisoner, somewhat unknown pirate ayan sukkhapisit, to a prison on land. as their voyage goes on, he’s charmed despite himself by the talkative lil shit, spending longer and longer talking through the bars in the lamplight about their magic and their families and their lives; and then, a day before aye is meant to be put in prison, he disappears from akk’s ship with only a note left behind, indicating that he’d never been held prisoner against his will.

what did he want? where did he go? only the outline knows

here’s a little bit of what exists of it:

[dollypardonne]

en garde! prêts? allez!

closed starter for @clemencetaught.

there was little that chaeyeon knew about patrick. the two of them were a pair of reticent beings, dancing on the chances of points of agreement. they had a lot in common on the surface, as far as she knew, which makes either a wager for harmony or a clash between them. aware of her nature, however, chaeyeon banked on the latter to more likely happen. he seemed like a man of the law, fancying himself as a gentleman, while she was closer to being the enemy of it. her body language told it all; the way she lunged, the way she stomped the ball of her foot against the ground, the beats she had blown. if this was a bout, she would have gotten plenty of yellow cards already as it was hardly a conversation anymore, with chaeyeon's insistence and multiple feints only being countered by patrick's parries. the dry training's engagement ended with his derobement in reaction to chaeyeon's attempt to command the blade.

[littlcfreaks-archive]

"i should have believed what everyone said about you - that i couldn't trust you." a stony gaze settles on the other, mouth in an unwavering straight line, "so? what do you have to say for yourself?" @drnkdazed

[familiar-finn]

Finn found himself stuck in the castle with the full moon rising. Probably for the best, he figured, since Krovs Town was way more open for wolves to come crashing through the streets. At least in the castle there was magical security, magic consultants, and guards to defend the residents inside should any wild wolves come running in. Normally he wouldn't worry, but Spring Mischief and the possibility of first-timers left the demon mildly concerned. Even with his magic back at his disposal for the moment, why take the risk? He didn't need to find himself in a fight this evening.

However, it seemed to be his unlucky day and he wasn't even hit by that spell. Or was he? He didn't remember feeling anything weird and he'd had a pretty decent day so far. It appeared that one werewolf – evident by the scent of him and the fact that he was ripe with a rage distinctly brought out under the full moon – was still inside the castle walls when he shouldn't be. Finn remained perfectly, which was odd for a demon who thrived on wrath and violence, as he approached Rowan.

"'Ello there, howya doin'?" the familiar addressed him casually. Ugh, if only he wasn't under this temperance spell, he'd be drunk on this slave's rage. It had to be a slave judging by the collar around his neck, Finn knowing that female body wasn't this one's true form with all the magic flying about. "Are ye lookin' for the doors outside the castle? I don't think you should be in 'ere, moon's comin' up real soon though I'm sure you know that."

@outer-banks-trash

[millerbrick]

@rowan-durum

"You're the older brother, right?" What a nightmare these District 9 tributes had managed to get themselves into. Miller could scarcely stomach the thought of being in the arena with Mason or Smith. Once again, it reminded him to be grateful that his brothers were safe back home and away from all this. "What's your plan? Are you trying to save your brother, or?" It was none of his business, but curiosity got the better of him.

[r41nb0wk1tt13s]

Someone rly just said transspecies isn't a transid bc they don't "fetishize" it and then half their posts are them horny posting like I think you just want to be superior while stepping on the people who's community your profiting off of <3 fucking loser

[theartofruling]

Reunited with a Ghost || Rowan Self Para

Who: Rowan Hartwell + Jayden Hartwell

Where: Southland Palace

When: End of March

Rowan was not a fan of bed rest, but it was made better with her cat Cleo keeping her company. The transfer of power had gone to River as she simply sat in bed, resting. She heaved a sigh because Markus was working, River was working and she was really missing her mom, knowing she would be having another child and her mother wouldn't get to witness it. She had dismissed her Ladies in waiting for the day. Even Scarlett was out with her dad for the week. She was utterly lonely in the moment and she knew it was her suped up hormones in this magical pregnancy. Cleo cuddled closer as if she could feel Rowan’s emotional shift. “Mama, it’s not fair that you don’t get to be here. It’s not fair you don’t get to see your granddaughters.” She could feel unshed tears stinging the back of her eyes. 

Just as she laid down, her body shaking with the sobs of grief that no matter how long it had been still hit her like a wave crashing against the shore, she heard a knock on the door. “Jade,” a familiar but unwelcome voice called out rushing over to her. “My sweet baby. I’m here.” 

Rowan recoiled at the sight of her father’s mistress, and Cleo stood taking a defensive stance in front of Rowan. Not many people on the staff knew he was still alive but Bianca did. And that wasn’t all she knew. She and Raymond were an item. It was knowledge that Rowan detested knowing and even more so detested the woman. “Bianca, get out of my room. And never in your life call me Jade again or I swear to the suns and sands I will rip your fucking heart out with my bare hands.” The vitriol in her voice was familiar. But it didn’t sound like her. It sounded much like her father. Even to her own ears, she could recognize how much like him she could be. 

It caused a chuckle from Bianca, and she stroked Cleo’s fur as if she were familiar with the cat. Cleo, the traitor, relaxed into the touch as though this was familiar. “You sound just like him. Ray, will be proud to know you have it in you.” 

“Why are you here, Bianca?” 

“Jade, you have a gift that not many share listen. It’s not Bianca. Her body? Yes, but it’s your mother. I was here watching over you when you started to cry. I went to Bianca and she agreed to let me in to take over to…hold my baby one more time. Or she said for as long as I want.” Tears rolled down Bianca’s face and Rowan really listened. It was true. She heard the two conversing in her consciousness. Her mother was really here. 

“Mama?!” Jayden Hartwell was really back in some form. “So it’s true? The Veil is down? For how long?” 

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to waste a minute. Can I climb into bed with you? I know you’re grown but I want to hold my sweet child who’s carrying a baby of her own.” 

Rowan nodded and Jayden climbed into bed with her wrapping her arms around her. Cleo settled in front of Rowan resting her head next to Rowan’s tummy. “Mama, things have been so hard. I don’t feel like I’m leading. I feel like I’m existing. Doing everything wrong. I haven’t even started trying to renew the peace treaty and I don’t know if it’s possible. And I don’t know if I’m being a good wife or mother because you’re not here so I can’t lean on you. Why weren’t you here! Why didn’t you try to be here?! I got married without my dad to walk me down the aisle. I had a baby and I was so scared and I just wanted you to be there and you weren’t! And now I’m having another one I…” Rowan sobbed and it felt like her heart was aching with a mixture of anger and grief. 

Jayden stroked her hair, holding her tight. “I know, and I’m sorry. I don’t know who is responsible for my death Rowan, but I’m sorry I didn’t fight harder for you. Rocky isn’t here?” 

“No. Since your death she travels and I think Ryan hurt you for the throne. Without River I would be a Hartwell alone. You and dad prepared me for a full family. You never prepared me for this! To have so little family and to do this without you.” She knew she shouldn’t waste this time with anger but she had been holding on for so long. 

“My sweet Jade, I’m sorry. But you’re not alone. You have River. You have your father. You have your daughter, your husband. You aren’t alone.” She stroked. “You could also have Bianca if you let her.” 

“Mama, don’t make me throw up! Can you stay? At least long enough to meet Markus and the babies?” 

“I don’t know how long the veil will be down. But as long as I have Bianca’s approval I’ll be here.” She paused as if she was listening to something. “She said I can stay as long as I want.” 

“Okay,” Rowan said quietly. Her mom began to hum a song that would calm her when her anxiety. It lulled her right to sleep in her mother’s arms once again. 

Sleep felt surreal and happy. Until a familiar pain hit her in the stomach and she groaned. Her hands went to her stomach and she felt a paw there too. “Cleo I’m okay. I think it’s just,” she paused as another sharp pain came. She didn’t know why she was trying to get out of bed, scrambling she doubled over with pain. 

“Rowan get back to bed! Where are you going? What’s wrong?” Her mother asked. 

Her pregnancy was being sped up one last time. Her water breaking contractions coming far too fast to be normal. “Get Markus, Mama! Tell…tell the staff to call Vada. The baby is coming!”

[introvertidocronico]

Jimmy 🏳️‍⚧️

[acircusfullofdemons]

CHARACTER FLAW TAG GAME

I found this and thought it might be fun. Unfortunately, I don't know who started/made it. But anyway, all you have to do is bold whatever "flaws" apply to your para(s)!

CALYPSO

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

ELLIOTT

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

JANE

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

JORDAN

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

ROWAN

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

TOBY

absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | pushover | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self-martyr | shallow | sociopath | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | nonathletic | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

TAGGING: @paraesthetics @sugarcoatedsadism @ohnoesmytacos @fallingmaddlyinlove @fourhearts-paracosm @daydreaming-memories @daydream-ideas

[eloiscs]

' pues, sí... le comenzaba a decir a sus amigues que era suerte de principiante para sentirse mejor, pobre ' finge limpiar una lágrima falsa de su mejilla. ' seguro soñará conmigo e intentará comprar algún objeto caro para sentirse mejor ' niega suavemente, porque honestamente, en su cabeza así es como todas las personas con dinero solucionaban todo. y, de ella tenerlo, también lo hacía. ' ¡la serie de la niñera! ¿no? ' quizá la estaba mezclando con algo más pero nombre se le hacía muy familiar. ' con esta cantidad de dinero podemos comprar algo, ¿vienes? ' la invita, girándose para que tuviese en frente el lazo del corset. ' un poquito solamente, ¿si? '

no sabe si es por todo el discurso contrario, pero se marea un poco tratando de seguir el hilo a narrativa. ' menuda sorpresa que se debió llevar. ' la risita comienza a hacer un cosquilleo por su garganta. ' me alegra que lastimaras su orgullo. ' habla con total sinceridad, imitando su hablar en un susurro cargado de complicidad. no había algo que detestara más que una persona capaz de subestimar a otra. ' fran fine. hay un capítulo donde usa algo así. ' entonces alza el bolso con forma de corazón, como si pieza fuese suficiente para que se hiciera conexión. ' lo considero como un plus para tu victoria. ganaste $ 500, te mereces poder respirar bien. '

[dollypardonne]

c'est supposé être un fauve.

the office text and the conversation that came after kept chaeyeon mulling over for days to come. she was as deeply rooted as shaken, as she was on the day that the dreary little surprise had slipped through the lips of her love. she remembered looking in vague pain all around the top of the room, drawing her breath two or three times over as if with difficulty, that she might have been standing at the bottom of the sea and raising her eyes to some faint green twilight. the question was weighed, but in a manner quite detached and almost helpless. she remembered smiling at sumin in the desolation of her own surrender so complete that she'd floated into clearness. or was it a darkness so obscure and appallingly alarming that it looked innocent on the surface, making it almost disarming. chaeyeon's real thoughts was kept not from a failure of frankness, but because there were fears on every side. for someone seemingly so stoic, deep into the pits of her hardihood were complex and overwhelming emotions. it all just happened to hide behind the grit and guts everyone identified her with.

for months leading up to years, she had been haunted by the shadow of something she hadn't quite figured out yet or, rather, admitted to herself. she couldn't put into words what would be a credible picture of her state of mind. it's just that— well, what usually got her out of this slump was an extraordinary flight of heroism. evidently, from these ponderings to even come about, that hasn't been demanded of her for a formidable stretch of time now. in turn she's allowed herself to squirm in a pool of denial—whether subconsciously or the other—that she was fulfilled in this arrangement. this one between her and her long time paramour. but she could, at the very least, confront the fact that sumin is conspicuously independent, or perhaps out of reach even. in ways, it was chaeyeon's intention to keep that as it is, against her heart's wishes. she knew all too well the sinister manners that cruel occurrences sneak into her life once she abandons this rigid control.

it was difficult, nevertheless. even the people that existed in the background very sparsely decorated her life to look like what it was anymore, what it used to be. it's all been a tangle of strings, with none of them truly being attached. this dangling array was but a humdrum, one that rotted her brain into compulsive career decisions; though not necessarily a change, but more of an addition to the solitary profession that was chosen for her as a child that she couldn't exactly quit whenever she wished. not even faking a death could do it, and again it was hardly an option as she took on one of her first sorry conditions of futile heroism; that is, her vow to save the little legacies of her orphanic misfortunes, who were aware and united in the cause. chaeyeon has people—kids, the most bereaved and loveable creatures of the world—waiting and counting on her. at this point, it was a promise only her passing, whether fabricated or authentic, could break. she wasn't going to let that happen if it can be helped.

to cut to the chase, being surrounded by body-destructive vices made her thrive and there was nothing more dramatic, chaotic, and sex-filled than a venture into being in a band of intermediate fame. the kind that was popular enough for photographers to approach and cool enough for groupies to form around: underground. talent didn't really matter too much in this equation (though she was very much musically inclined and gifted), and chaeyeon, despite being the cretin that she was, if nothing else, was categorically handsome and charming. it doesn't take her long to have people gathering around her, all vying for a smidge of her attention. but amid these elements, no one and nothing would attract her more than someone who knew how to keep their mystery.

and arrested her attention was when a figure so anomalous struck her sights in the middle of the crowd. her bandmate teased her on the way off the stage about the sudden behaviour. it was evident that she had found herself a bounden slave over a stranger, who notably kept her gaze throughout the set. for several days ensuing, the beauty from the audience of that night was never to be seen again. none of her peers seemed to possess any recollection of the person either, not even the friend who had pointed it out. chaeyeon could only blame it on the hectic and stressful days in and outs that came with playing. she let it go for that reason, and it was nothing more than a phantom since this internal affirmation. though, with hesitation, she admitted that much of the peculiar gloom which has afflicted her could be traced to this origin. perhaps sumin had noticed it as well. chaeyeon was much too fixated to notice anything else, but tight lipped enough to never strike up a conversation about that moment. she was busied in earnest endeavours, intended to alleviate this melancholy of hers.

-

a sensation oppressed her, the deadening of the mind and the senses, then her eyes shut in one unceasing radiation of gloom. she hadn't realised becoming unconscious but once she awoke, there was just this immensely long tunnel. she sat up, knowing in the pit of her stomach that the journey couldn't be accounted for and especially once she gave her surroundings a good look-around. the light at the end seemed artificial as well, and the more she squinted at it the more noises started to creep closer until they had swallowed her. for that split of a second, she had become transported to the same moment. that same night, like some groundhog day effect. her instinct this time was to drop her bass guitar in the middle of their performance, emitting a loud bang and a feedback to boot, and making the audience halt in their rambunctious dancing and twitching. chaeyeon had every intent on confronting this specter plaguing her everyday, weaving through the crowd until the enshrouded figure, wildly singular in its terror and beauty, was in close proximity. an eerie silence enveloped the two and instead of words exchanged, it was only stares.

chaeyeon could see this person's mouth open, very slow in its movement and when the chatters coming out became audible, it was nothing but static and feedback.

"dude, you good?" asked the vocalist, drawing the soundcheck to a stand, and it was as if she had been snapped out of a solitude she had so long endured. she even recognised their presence as a relief, and it showed on her features.

"y— yeah, my bad," she responded. "we can take a break if you need it." chaeyeon could feel the bitterness in these words, even if not planned, but she struggled to reason off her inattention without sounding insane, thus leaving things as it is. "i'll go have a smoke."

she made a swift exit, grabbing her double breasted leather coat and picking out a pack from its pocket on her way out of the non-functioning emergency exit. as she pulled a stick with her teeth, filtered end between her lips, and rummages through every other pocket for her lighter to no avail.

"shit." she spit out, the cigarette muffling the word that came out of her mouth.

she became quickly distracted from her smoking mishap when a cat with a black coat so sleek and shiny happened to peek through the corner of the alley. chaeyeon thought back to her missing cat, who either died from a street accident or something worse; like being unable to size up to a real feral cat, from having been primarily domesticated and pampered, and losing the fight as a result. chaeyeon's first instinct was to approach this cat. once close enough, she lowered herself to its level and offered the back of her hand, laid languidly as to make sure she didn't seem like a threat. but unsurprisingly, the cat bolted out of sight. patience, she thought to herself. you suck at having it. her agitated mind sputtered out. she lifted herself off the ground, peering solemnly where she suspected the cat ran off to only to find the person who had imprisoned her curiosity.

"it's you!" chaeyeon stood still where she had stopped. "me?" the stranger responded, finding hilarity in chaeyeon's unsually forward attitude. "am i supposed to know you?" "i don't know, maybe? i'm just part of the band you probably came to see. no big deal." she cried out sarcastically. the stranger could only scoff in answer. "you need this?" a lighter had been flung out after a pause, to which chaeyeon would be completely nonplussed. an irrepressible tremor gradually pervaded her frame, but only until the other pointed at her mouth. "oh." "oh." a nervous laughter burst out of her. "right, right." her hand made this continuous circular motion on her chest, as if to soothe herself from the self-inflicted superstitious paranoia. "forgot about that." "well, see you around." before chaeyeon could even say anything back sans the abrupt 'wait' that instinctively shot out of her lips, making her cigarette fall down onto the wet pavement, the stranger had disappeared into the fog of the winter night.

"fuck." she said under her breath before dejectedly heading her way back into the backstage. "this is worse than looking for my cat."

a fierce blow of a whirlwind shut the door forcefully right behind her, reeling her back inside in a rush. too many weird things in one night, she thought to herself, finally finding the series of events prolonged enough to sober her out of this new obsession. she couldn't say now what determined nor guided her. for a moment, she could only wish for peace and quiet. that she definitely pursued, at least for the night, abandoning the rest of the setlist bound for the show. but it wasn't long into the night until the thoughts had started back up. this stranger's spell was so magnificently scattered that it followed her to bed. and as if on cue, a shadow in the form of a feline came into view through the curtain draping the window. she shot up from where she laid, tiptoeing forward and resting her knees gently on the couch placed on the sill. upon opening the window, she found the same black cat that she had failed to befriend and it seemed comfortable, so much so that it welcomed itself to her house.

"god." she said to herself, hands to her hips. "am i really about to adopt another stray? are you wolfgang's henchman or whatever?" it meows in response, the tone of it giving the impression of dissent. "oh, well, my bad. you two aren't related at all." she spoke in a high-pitched voice, more than she would have with wolfgang, as she gave it some sratches on the neck. "well, i'll count to 10 and if you don't leave then you're stuck with me." the window was left open to give it a chance to determine its fate, which was full freedom or partial freedom with occasional treats, and judging from the lack of motion from the cat, it seemed to have made its decision. "stuck with me, it is."

[introvertidocronico]

Angel Rahimi ✨