The Queen Bee
Last Seen: Apr 23, 2024 20:53:24 GMT -5
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Post by Faye Chamberlain on Jan 22, 2024 17:04:48 GMT -5
Faye was in the middle of her Lucy Van Pelt impersonation when she realized someone was talking to her. She looked up, and saw a familiar face. At first, her facial recognition didn't trigger. Was this an exchange student? This girl was wearing headphones, and her clothing reeked of alcohol. Her amber eyes lit up as she realized who was before her, and she detangled herself from Raj.
"Hi Alex! Of course, let me come with you and help you get cleaned up." Her words were honey sweet, and she smiled at the younger girl. She was not about to get on the bad side of Siegfried Lange, especially now that she knew details of their history.
Faye walked the girl into the kitchen, idly picking dog hair off of her expensive romper as they walked. In the kitchen, next to the knife block set was a roll of paper towels on a dispenser. Carefully, she looked the girl over and tore off a couple of sheets in rapid succession, and handed them to her.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Tag Alex Lange
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The Dark Horse
Last Seen: Feb 18, 2024 22:23:43 GMT -5
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Post by Beckett Forsythe on Jan 22, 2024 23:30:52 GMT -5
Beckett heard the festivities long before he’d stepped foot on the Chamberlain’s property. The loud music and chattering immediately made him regret his decision to come. Usually a solitary figure, he found himself navigating through the pulsating heart of Faye's party with one all-consuming question: Why was he here? There was electricity flowing beneath his skin – an unscratchable itch that told him he needed to be here.
If he was anyone else in any other town, he’d have a smoke and chalk it up to anxiety. But he wasn’t just anyone. And New Salem was far from just any town. He’d always learned early on to trust his instincts. Rarely did they steer him wrong.
His stubborn resolve kept him on the periphery, an observer in the midst of celebration. Dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans, a vintage t-shirt and jacket, he blended in easily as just one of the guests. He stopped by the bar and grabbed himself a bottle of whiskey ignoring the upset looks from other kids. His gaze, however, remained sharp, scanning the crowd for familiar faces.
Adam. His gaze locked on him as soon as he came into view. He was back. Not that Beck even noticed that he’d left, cause he definitely had not. But it wasn’t just Adam’s return that had his interests piqued. It was the others that surrounded him. Some he’d never seen before, but others had been mainstays. Regulars that always congregated just outside the epicenter of activity as if they had a secret no one else knew.
Spoiler alert: they did. A subtle smirk played on Beck’s lips, a shield that concealed the uncertainty beneath. His sarcastic edge and stubborn demeanor were his armor, protecting the vulnerability that lurked beneath the surface. Beck kept his own safe distance leaning on a small tree just in earshot of the group.
It was all rather mundane. Adam fawning over Diana. Morgana being excitable. Faye being…Faye. Nothing surprising until Master Tools were mentioned. His attention perked up as he took a swig of the bottle he’d swiped earlier. As Faye went inside to help Alex, Beck pushed himself off the tree and approached the rest of the group.
“Well, well, well, finally making yourself useful, Conant.” He eyed the bag that he was holding. The electricity mentioned before seemed out of control. “Do I get a turn?” A grin formed on his face as he locked eyes with Adam challenging him.
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The Wyrd Sister
Last Seen: Apr 22, 2024 2:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by Alex Lange on Jan 23, 2024 3:07:09 GMT -5
Faye's voice and tone were lost on Alex, who was actually just reading her lips, because of how good those headphones. But, she noticed the smile, and then decided to smile as well... But she was preempted by Faye moving, which meant Alex smiled at nothing for a second. Alex typically smiled when others smiled, at least if she knew them. Most of the time, she wouldn't bother, especially now, when the opportunity had been missed. Alex followed, catching a glimpse of Beckett, which compelled her to stare, until she fully moved on and away with Faye. As they moved, she scratched her belly, looking around before coming to a stop inside the kitchen. Fortunately, she hadn't worn anything expensive. Though to be fair, most of her expensive clothing was decided upon by her mother and sister, who often had fun dressing her up like a living doll. Alex didn't mind. She didn't care about clothes, other than them being comfortable. But, right then all she had was a pair of black jeans, black VANS, and a pale blue hoodie... Which she decided to remove (along with her headphones), given the alcohol smell, leaving her in a simple white T-shirt. "Oh. I forgot." Alex mumbled, as if she had forgotten to deliver return a borrowed pencil to the girl. The corners of Alex's lips curled up, and brief view of her teeth was revealed, then everything slammed down and her expression was neutral. "You smiled, and I smiled, but you didn't see it. I hope you see it now." She explained, before wincing as the sounds of the world hit her, leaving her a little uncomfortable. The paper towels were accepted and promptly rubbed harshly over her face, making them split and tear at points, with some fibers remaining on her face, which she then slowly picked at. "Me hurt? No, I don't think so. I'm okay... Are you hurt? Do you feel hurt?" She asked, before looking at her cup with the drink inside. "A boy gave me this one, it's illegal for me to drink, but you can have it." She said to Faye, handing the cup over. "You can't spill it because, he gave it to me as a gift, so it's have to... It has to be consumed or used in the end, not spilled." That was a lot from Alex, but she had to get her point across, just in case a misunderstanding happened and the gift was discarded. Tag: Faye Chamberlain
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Heart of Gold
A heart of gold, as bright as flame
Last Seen: May 2, 2024 11:42:47 GMT -5
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Post by Morgana Shipton on Jan 23, 2024 17:22:50 GMT -5
"Beckett!" Morgana said warmly, her eyes lighting up with recognition. She kept the skull out of Faye's reach, simply by holding it over her head. Being the tallest girl on the street had its advantages, and she had played all four years of High School Varsity basketball. It felt alive in her hands, it felt similar to that energy she got sometimes when tapping into the native New Salem granite.
Before Adam could speak, she had crossed the space of ground between the lounge and the treeline, handing over the skull. She neatly placed it in her neighbor's hands, mindful of it's heft. Her cheeks were flushed for the earlier tussel, and her hair was mussed, but that did not seem to phase her.
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The Knight in Shining Armor
Blessed by Tides and Hearth
Last Seen: May 16, 2024 14:25:27 GMT -5
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Post by Adam Conant on Jan 23, 2024 17:57:34 GMT -5
Adam's tongue was working away at his back molar, where it could glide painfully across a sharp valley. It was a nervous tic, something he found himself doing during duress. This was going differently than he had hoped. He knew that bringing it here was the right choice - as the skull belonged to everyone - but playing hot potato with it was a move a little too far for his comfort.
His jaw set when Beckett came in, as it always tended to do. Stormy blue-grey eyes locked with wildflower blue ones and lingered a moment before he pulled away. Where had he recently seen eyes that color? Morgana was already crossing the distance, handing him the fruits of their labors. Crossing his arms, Adam leaned back against a tree and watched.
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The Queen Bee
Last Seen: Apr 23, 2024 20:53:24 GMT -5
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Post by Faye Chamberlain on Jan 24, 2024 14:48:58 GMT -5
"Me hurt? No, I don't think so. I'm okay... Are you hurt? Do you feel hurt?" She asked, before looking at her cup with the drink inside. "A boy gave me this one, it's illegal for me to drink, but you can have it." She said to Faye, handing the cup over. "You can't spill it because, he gave it to me as a gift, so it's have to... It has to be consumed or used in the end, not spilled."
Faye took all of this information in with patience, took the offered red solo cup from Alex, and set it down on the granite countertop. She smiled, this time with a bit more sincerity at the question. It wasn't often that anyone expressed concern about her, and she appreciated it. "I'm fine, Alex. Thank you for asking. I'm glad you didn't drink. It is probably beer, and that's an acquired taste."
She took the blue hoodie and folded it in her arms. "Would you like me to wash this for you? I have some clothing you can borrow." She gave it a sniff and wrinkled her nose. "Oh, it was definitely beer. I can get you a soda if you prefer?"
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The Wyrd Sister
Last Seen: Apr 22, 2024 2:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by Alex Lange on Jan 24, 2024 23:28:52 GMT -5
Alex looked at Faye, and decided that one was enough. "You're welcome. But I'm not gonna smile at you again. Sorry." She said, making it clear that she at least understood the code of smiles, and how a smile had to be answered with a smile. But, she just didn't really feel like going through that, and then having to hold it for some amount of time. In any case, people like Faye knew her, so there was no point in pretending too much. Only sometimes, when Alex thought it would make them comfortable. "No I'll wash it, when I get home, because it's... There's a way to do it, and neither me nor my mom showed you..." Alex responded, mechanically shaking her head. "And it's okay, because I have a T-shirt on, you see?" Alex pointed to her belly. "But if you feel like it's not good enough, or if you really want me to wear your clothes I can do it... But I don't want a soda. I didn't want the drink, he gave it to me, but I don't know why." The girl shrugged, before something came to her. "You said it was an acquired taste, does it have to be acquired? But no nevermind, not important." Alex wasn't really eager to drink, as most of her peers were. She just didn't get the appeal. But the topic was abandoned, as she decided it wasn't worth it. "I had the question. What is this party for? Is it someone's birthday? I heard it was at the end of Summer, but what is the occasion?" Tag: Faye Chamberlain
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The Dark Horse
Last Seen: Feb 18, 2024 22:23:43 GMT -5
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Post by Beckett Forsythe on Jan 25, 2024 0:20:56 GMT -5
The excitement of his entrance wasn’t a surprise. Despite his best efforts to remain neutral and at an arm’s length, some members of the group refused to take a hint or were too naive to know any better. Either way, it usually benefitted Beck in some way. His gaze stayed on Adam – the other boy’s obvious displeasure of his arrival only fueling the fire within him. The averted gaze told him all he needed to know.
He’d won.
And as Morgana approached with the prize, he gave an appreciative look. He’d felt it before she’d placed the skull in his hand. The power emanating from it was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. As soon as it touched his skin, the electric feeling flowing through him intensified. His eyes locked onto the skullLetting out and audible breath, his gaze returned to Adam. “Did you feel that, too?”
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Heart of Gold
A heart of gold, as bright as flame
Last Seen: May 2, 2024 11:42:47 GMT -5
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Post by Morgana Shipton on Jan 25, 2024 19:32:10 GMT -5
Morgana shifted her limited attention span momentarily from her cousin Adam to Beck, mistaking his comment as directed towards her. The dynamic between those two was always tumultuous, like water and fire constantly clashing. It saddened her to see how their once unbreakable friendship had transformed into such hostility over the years. She couldn't help but reminisce about their shared childhood, when they were inseparable, exploring the world with innocent curiosity. Brushing a lock of vibrant red hair away from her face, she responded to Beck's query. Her eyes glowed with curiosity and mischief, "I know, right? We haven't cleared it yet, so it's bound to have lots of energy stored up." She couldn't deny the undeniable thrill of curiosity that lingered in the air. The mysterious skull in his hands seemed to hold secrets waiting to be unraveled. Morgana's mind briefly wandered to Amethyst Armstrong, the missing link in their trio, who possessed a deep knowledge of crystals and their energy properties. "It's too bad Amethyst isn't around; she could probably tell us all about the energy qualities of a quartz crystal," Freya added, her tone tinged with a hint of regret for the absent friend who could have shed light on the artifact they now held.
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The Knight in Shining Armor
Blessed by Tides and Hearth
Last Seen: May 16, 2024 14:25:27 GMT -5
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Post by Adam Conant on Jan 26, 2024 19:24:05 GMT -5
Adam shifted his weight uncomfortably as the attention shifted from Beck to Morgana. His hand found solace in the small of Diana's back, her silken blonde hair brushing against his tanned skin. The touch was grounding, and he took a moment to exchange a smile with her, the corners of his lips curling in response. It was a brief reprieve from the brewing tension in the group. Then, as Beck posed his question, Adam tore his gaze away from the intimate moment with Diana and met the man's eyes. A sudden flip-flop in his heart caught him off guard, and he swallowed nervously. "Yes," Adam replied, acknowledging the peculiar sensation accompanying the skull's touch. He couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly at Morgana's playful antics, her curiosity and mischief evident in the glow of her eyes. He tossed another log into the fire, and watched as the flames danced. q1 "It was protected by earth and water," he continued, offering a brief explanation, his mind momentarily drifting to the smaller islands off the coast of Maine where he had discovered the artifact. "I found it on one of the smaller islands off of Maine, near Labrador." The weight of the revelation lingered in the air, adding another layer of mystery to the already intriguing artifact they held in their hands.
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The Queen Bee
Last Seen: Apr 23, 2024 20:53:24 GMT -5
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Post by Faye Chamberlain on Jan 26, 2024 19:39:52 GMT -5
Faye observed Alex's straightforward demeanor and couldn't help but appreciate the honesty, even if it meant no more smiles from the enigmatic girl. "You're never obligated to smile for me." Faye respected her authenticity, knowing that Alex didn't need to pretend for the sake of others, except occasionally when she deemed it necessary for their comfort.
As the conversation shifted to the spilled drink on Alex's shirt, Faye considered the reply, dismissing it with a casual wave. "No need to worry. If you're okay, then I'm okay," she replied reassuringly. Alex's indifference toward the soda and lack of interest in acquiring a taste for alcohol intrigued her. Alex wasn't a goodie two-shoes like her cousin, just someone who seemed to know what she wanted.
Faye decided to address Alex's curiosity about the party's occasion. "No reason, really. Just one last fun time before everyone gets saddled back down with school. Seeing old friends, meeting new ones... and it doesn't hurt that tonight will have a beautiful full moon. I want to dance around the bonfire later and make an offering to fire and earth," she explained, her eyes reflecting the excitement of the upcoming festivities. She stretched her arms luxuriously over her head in anticipation. Her ruby red tipped nails caught the light, glowing like flame. She flexed her long fingers like a cat, her honey eyes glowing like the cat who had just cornered the market on catnip.
As the conversation unfolded, Faye couldn't help but be intrigued by Alex's perspective on rules. Leaning in slightly, she asked, "Hey. Do you like all these rules? It doesn't sound like a lot of fun."
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The Dark Horse
Last Seen: Feb 18, 2024 22:23:43 GMT -5
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Post by Beckett Forsythe on Jan 26, 2024 22:53:59 GMT -5
It’d been a bit of a mystery to the group – why he and Adam had dissolved their friendship. Truth be told, he didn’t have all the answers, but he’d learned at a young age to take the hand you were dealt and deal with it. Morgana hadn’t learned that life lesson, yet. As much as he told himself he didn’t care, he hoped she never would. “Energy?” He huffed out a laugh as he looked at the girl. “I think you mean power.”
The skull had answers, but none of them knew the question or questions to ask. The feeling and the acknowledgement from Adam and the look in his eyes meant that this was the real deal. As Adam tossed a piece of wood on the fire with a look of annoyance, a grin formed on his face. “Uh oh, I think Dad’s mad.” He whispered not-so-softly in Morgana’s direction.
His attention moved to the skull. His eyes looking into the eyes of the skull as Adam briefly detailed his discovery. Labrador? The Black Mariah. It shouldn’t be so surprising, but to hold one of the Master Tools was something they’d dreamed of, but Beck never thought it was possible. “Please tell me it came with instructions.” He joked in another attempt to irritate Adam.
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The Wyrd Sister
Last Seen: Apr 22, 2024 2:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by Alex Lange on Jan 28, 2024 2:26:17 GMT -5
"Uh..." Alex blinked, unsure how Faye derived any form of well-being, from her own. Had some magical bond been formed, or perhaps it was just figurative speak... Or was Faye some kind of empath. "Well, however you do that. I guess that's good." She left it at that, before she put both hands in her hair, and ran the fingers through it to try and straighten it out. Meanwhile, she fixed her gaze on Faye, and listened to the explanation. "Faye... Threw a party for fun, fire and friendship..." Alex summarized, showing she at least understood the gist of the reasoning. The alliteration was also pleasing for her, so she found a little more appreciation for this event because of that. Naturally, no one else would really know about that, and she wouldn't say, but it was true. As she looked over for more connections and patterns, she was suddenly taken aback by Faye leaning in slightly. Two options, recoil, or reciprocate... Or remain as she was. She didn't feel threatened by Faye, and she felt like remaining in place would be a little off. So, she also leaned in, but she leaned in slowly, and moved back slightly when she felt as though they were too close. It ended up looking like a photographer adjusting her tripod, as opposed to a natural motion for some measure of intimacy or the like. "What rules? Which rules don't sound like fun?" Tag: Faye Chamberlain
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The Knight in Shining Armor
Blessed by Tides and Hearth
Last Seen: May 16, 2024 14:25:27 GMT -5
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Post by Adam Conant on Jan 29, 2024 20:06:49 GMT -5
Adam's storm-blue eyes sparked in the late summer night. Their dynamic had always been a tango of best friends turned rivals and something else, a dance they'd perfected in high school. It may be time to throw in a few new moves. When Beck shifted his attention to the skull, Adam couldn't help but smirk at the jest about instructions. He gave a dry, familiar chuckle.
Before Morgana could offer her quip, Adam cut her off with a raised hand, addressing Beck directly. "Did you look underneath for the big red button?" he asked drily. Then a familiar glint of wild mischief flashed in his eyes, or was it the bonfire? The embers sparked before them like they hit a dry pocket. They danced upward before them like snakes in the sky. Adam left Diana's side, slowly crossing the distance between them. He had been working out all summer on that fishing boat, and his shirt was just a touch too tight across his chest. He hadn't shaven yet, he had perhaps a slight dusting of red that had never been there before. His hair was curled underneath the plain fisherman's cap.
"Or hey, maybe it could be voice-activated," Adam suggested, his voice tinged with amusement. "Just imagine," he deepened his voice several octaves 'Skull, reveal thy secrets,' "
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The Queen Bee
Last Seen: Apr 23, 2024 20:53:24 GMT -5
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Post by Faye Chamberlain on Jan 30, 2024 13:07:07 GMT -5
Listening to Alex's summary of the party's purpose, Faye couldn't help but smile at the recognition of the alliteration. "Yes, exactly," she affirmed, pleased that Alex grasped the essence of the event.
As Faye leaned in slightly, she observed Alex's reaction with curiosity. She sensed no threat from Alex and was intrigued by her response. When Alex reciprocated the lean but with a cautious and deliberate movement, Faye understood. It was like watching a delicate dance of adjustment rather than a spontaneous act of intimacy.
"What rules?" Faye echoed, her voice gentle yet firm. "The ones that dictate you have to smile back when someone smiles at you or that you have to drink something offered to you even if you don't want it," she explained, her tone carrying a hint of empathy. "You don't have to follow those rules here. If you don't feel like smiling, that's perfectly okay. And if you don't want a drink, you're not obligated to accept it."
Faye physically shuddered. "I can't stand being told what to do, it sounds exhausting."
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