#self paras : ileana whitlock & orion kugler.

[longroadhcme]

SELF PARA : Ileana Whitlock

FEATURING : Evelyn Whitlock, Orion Kugler (mention), Sev O’Connell (mention) & Miscellaneous NPC’s.

LOCATION : Ileana & Orion’s Apartment

Life in McKinley had been going relatively smoothly thus far, which was more than she was ever expecting. A pleasant surprise, of the highest order. But, with that, meant, there was one thing always present on her mind. When was the other shoe going to drop? Sure, things were still relatively complicated, particularly where Orion was concerned. The curse, keeping them from being together, was ever present on each of their minds, as of their conversation earlier that day. It wasn’t six hours earlier, where she sat in a coffee shop with the man with whom she loved, telling him that she wanted to really focus on getting this curse removed. To finally be able to indulge in one another in every intimate way that was ripped from them. Emotional intimacy was great and all, but even if she could just place one kiss against beckoning lips, maybe she would feel a lot better about their standing.

So, following her time with him earlier that day, she’d decided to swing back to the apartment they shared, for he was likely off to a shift at work, and she was busy job-hunting herself. It wasn’t a comforting feeling, knowing Orion was quickly getting his life together, whilst she was struggling a little more to find her footing in McKinley, but she was mostly chalking a lot of that up to the fact that her mother was the one doing this. That there was a large amount of guilt washing over her. If it wasn’t for her, Orion wouldn’t be in this position. If he’d only fallen for another woman of their coven, and maybe they could’ve stayed in the place they once called home, in Salem. Though, there was more than one reason as to why they should’ve gotten out, and that was surrounding their distrust of magic, and all that came with it. It’s why each of them were branded, scarred, and generally traumatised by those that ran the coven. Orion gave into his magic on more than one occasion, encouraging Ileana to do the same, ultimately causing them to fall in love, bonding over their passion for witchcraft and all that it entailed. Not a relationship that Ileana’s mother encourage, by any stretch of the imagination.

Tapping away at her laptop, the red headed witch was busy looking at potential job listings, but there just didn’t seem much that got her excited. Though at this point, it was more for the money than anything she’d seemingly enjoy. So, that barista job at a local cafe was beginning to look really nice right about now. Before deciding anything, she shot Orion a quick text to check if it was something she should take up, even just temporarily.

[ TEXT : 5:24pm ] : Found a barista job, part time, but it’s better than nothing, right?

She didn’t know it at the time, but that timestamp on her phone was going to become very important. In fact, it would be the last text she sent, before her phone would become damaged beyond repair, and left behind in an empty and very questionable apartment. Items thrown around, and obvious signs of a struggle.

For, following that text, there was a large bang at the door, and before she was even able to answer it, the door flew off it’s hinges. Magic. Whoever it was, was very much like her. However, the last person she expected to see walk through said doors, was an all too familiar face. A face with whom she’d run all the way from Salem, to hide from. Her mother. Evelyn Whitlock. “Daughter.” She called out, almost aggressively. Why was she using magic? Was she that desperate to get Ileana back? Or was all of their rules nothing but a ruse? Was she practicing magic this entire time, and thus becoming stronger, whilst the remainder of her cult remained malleable and weak in comparison? Nobody to truly challenge her? Whatever it was, the younger witch did not have time to figure it out. She stood there, looking at the woman who raised her, whilst a few others entered behind her, all of whom she recognised from back home. And, all she could think right now was, ‘thank God Orion isn’t here’, for she knew this was going to go one way, and one way only. She was out-manned, especially given her lack of know how with regards to magic, she was still learning.

“Where is Mr. Kugler? His mother is missing him dearly.” Evelyn commented, but of course, Ileana remained tight-lipped on the matter. Well, initially, before her response seconds later. “We seperated. Figured it would be harder for you to track us. But, clearly that wasn’t the case. ‘Cause here you are, mother.” Of course, not true in the slightest. But, the less her mother knew of Orion’s location, the better. Let alone the fact that his mother was the reason why they had managed to escape. Or, was her comment about his mother, a dig? Was she aware of her involvement? It was safer not to dig. Right now, anyway. Not until she knew further details, about what her mother knew and what she didn’t. “I suppose you’re here to try and bring me back?” A nod immediately following on her mother’s part, looking as smug as ever, as those behind her, looked like they were ready for just about anything Ileana threw their way. And whilst she wasn’t going to go down without a fight, she had a feeling it was a needless venture. She knew this wasn’t going to end in her favour. In the meantime, she just needed to make it obvious that something had gone awry, so when Ri inevitably returned, he would be aware this wasn’t just her picking up and leaving. For, she would never. Not without him.

And with that, before much more could be said, Ileana let rip. Immediately throwing the first metaphorical punch, as she tried to use the little magic she was familiar with at this point, but it was unfortunately not enough. Not with the number of them surrounding her. “You’ll have to kill me, before I go back there.” And unfortunately, it sounded like it wasn’t too dissimilar to what they had in mind for her betrayal. It was too much. The power. She was too weak. Her nose beginning to trickle with crimson, as she ultimately began to fall to the ground, the apartment in disarray as each of the items were damaged in one sense or another. But, right before she ultimately succumbed to the exhaustion, she did manage to call one person. Someone she knew could track her. Who could find her. “Sev!” It was repeated on a few occasions, each time, her tone decreasing in strength, until it became nothing but a whisper, her head falling to the floor, eyes closing, as she knew for when she eventually would awaken, this is not where she would be. However, had she just unexpectedly dragged an unwilling victim into this situation, luring him to danger, by calling to her whitelighter? Despite it being his job? Only time would tell.