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Hidden 7 days ago 7 days ago Post by FernStone
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FernStone One Again Addicted to Pepsi Max

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The Doppelganger


Interactions: Elijah @Theyra, Quill @PatientBean, Elena @Qia
The Cozy Bakery


As Elijah reappeared, there was a split second where it looked like it was going to avoid it again. Its body started to contort to avoid the direct blow, trajectory of its claws changing from towards Elena to towards him. But it was hurt and in a battle of wills with Loni as her Black Lux clashed against it.

The spear embedded right into its chest. It stared at Elijah, lips still pulled up into a creepy smile even as the life left its eyes.

This is just… the beginning…” It whispered, before going limp. Its body slumped to the floor, losing the resemblance to James until it could only be described as… generic. Not quite recognisable as anyone. Almost like clay given human form.

It was dead.

Loni could tell immediately, the bright spot disappearing from her vision. The barrier dropped and her eyes went from pitch black to their normal brown. Her face was pallid and her body shook slightly. It only made the bright blood on her shoulder more obvious. But she barely noticed it. She just felt numb.

Too much Black Lux.

Mama… maamaaa!” Luciana’s large eyes spotted the dead body, and she started wailing. Ear piercing screams filled the bakery as she hid her face into Loni’s stomach. Her terrified crying snapped Loni out of the post magic stupor enough to tightly hug her daughter to her.

"Sh, sh, is okay, baby, you’re safe," Loni mumbled. She supported Luciana with her good arm, other hand gently caressing the back of her head. She winced, the pain from her wound worsening without the adrenaline and pure apathy that came with her Black Lux. It hurt so much… and it was cold. But holding her daughter close made her feel warmer. "He ain’t a person- c’mon, Mamá’s got you. I got you, baby. It ain’t gonna hurt you. Shhh. It's all over."

Luciana didn’t stop crying, but she quietened down in Loni’s arms. Loni looked up, over her daughter’s curly head. Tired eyes found the others in the room. She looked almost detached… her voice flat as she spoke up.

"Thank you for gettin’ it. Can someone help me with… this…" She looked at the deep claw wound on her shoulder, then at Elena. Hopefully she could still help with the bleeding…
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Hidden 7 days ago Post by PatientBean
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PatientBean Hi, I'm Barbie. What's up?

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Interactions: Elijah (@Theyra), Elena (@Qia), Loni @FernStone)




Quill spun on her heel as the entity whispered its threats behind her before she turned back in time to see it slit one of the woman's throats who attempted to do the same to her. Quill had faced death before. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, though this was just as intense. Thankfully it was short-lived as it appeared weakened from attacks against it. Quill watched as one of their own put an end to it. It gurgled out a passing message.

This wasn't over.

Quill let out the breath she had been holding, unsure if there would be any more danger coming at them. When she was sure it was safe (or relative to that) she turned back to the backrooms of the bakery to search for a first aid kit. She wasn't paying so much attention to anyone else at that moment. Once she found it and ensured it had some of the supplies she would need Quill grabbed it and ran back to the woman who had been injured. The customer fighting her was a lost cause.

Quill set the first aid kit down and got to work. "Admittedly I am not the greatest, but I have watched a lot of Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs so I can manage until a more professional person sees you." Quill observed the injuries, cleaning them up as best she could before wrapping them. As she worked Quill's eyes fell on the young girl with her. Quill made eye contact and smiled warmly. "Your mom is very brave. And so are you. You know what that means? It means being scared and still doing the scary thing and this was pretty scary huh? Can you make sure your mom takes care of herself later for me?"

Once finished, Quill stood up. "Ok that should hold for now. I'd ask how you are but I think I know the answer." She turned to Elijah and the others with her. "So all this," Quill said, gesturing to the destruction in the bakery, "is in my wheelhouse. I can get it cleaned up and taken care of if need be, but I am going to need someone to fill me in. I came here to find someone and found something else."
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Hidden 7 days ago 7 days ago Post by Qia
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Qia A Little Weasel

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Interactions/Mentions: Luciana/Loni @FernStone, Elijah @Theyra, Quill @PatientBean


Elena halted abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest as the doppelganger materialized before her, effectively obstructing her retreat to the sanctuary of the circle. Its grotesque grin expanded unnaturally, revealing a row of razor-sharp teeth glimmering like tarnished daggers in the murky light. A swell of nausea twisted in her stomach upon sighting this, overwhelming her with a wave of dread as the reality of her vulnerability washed over her, leaving her feeling exposed and powerless in the face of this sinister apparition.

From the depths of the circle, Luciana's delicate sobs penetrated the oppressive atmosphere, serving as a fragile lifeline that beckoned Elena back from the abyss of her terror. She understood that she needed to escape, that every second counted. Yet, the monstrous figure loomed ominously in front of her, its claws catching the dim light as it raised them with malice, the seconds elongating into an agonizing eternity, suffocating her resolve.

“What a sweet gesture,” it jeered, its voice saturated with contempt and insincerity. The sound reverberated through her, sending a jolt of ice coursing down her spine, making reality feel like it was teetering on the edge of obliteration. In an instant, the creature had the power to extinguish her life, as well as Loni, and perhaps even little Luciana's, in a single, merciless strike.

Yet, in a shocking twist, the doppelganger hesitated.

Its clawed hand quavered suspended in the air, its unnatural eyes flickering with a flash of an unexpected emotion—anguish. Elena's astonished gaze darted to the creature's arm, where the gaping wound from Elijah’s spear appeared more pronounced. The monster's previous aggression faltered as its movements slowed, the strike directed at her becoming sluggish and painfully obvious in its intent.

In that pivotal moment, instinct surged forth, shattering the paralyzing grip of fear that had anchored her in place. With a swift, decisive motion, Elena ducked, the lethal swipe narrowly missing her and allowing her to scramble backward, her boots slipping on the sugar-dusted surface beneath her. The adrenaline coursed through her veins as she fought against the disorienting haze of panic, determined to reach safety more than ever before. Because she had a chance.

Just as Elena began to twist herself toward the sanctuary of the circle, a blur materialized in her peripheral vision. From nowhere, Elijah appeared, his spear driving forward with deadly precision, the tip aimed squarely at the creature’s grotesque form. The spear seemed to cut through the air itself, its momentum a razor-sharp promise of salvation. For a heartbeat, the world froze, her gaze locked on the gleaming weapon as if it carried the weight of all their hopes.

The doppelganger’s unnaturally oily black eyes flicked downward to track the spear’s trajectory. A guttural snarl tore from its throat, echoing through the bakery like the wail of a predator caught unawares.

All the while, Elena’s instincts screamed at her to move, but her body remained paralyzed by the visceral collision of events—Elijah's sudden appearance, the monstrous howl, and the impending clash that promised either victory or utter catastrophe.

Claws lashed out lethargically at Elijah, even as the spear plunged with brutal precision into the doppelganger’s abhorrent body. The impact was horrifyingly visceral and was followed by the creature’s guttural screech as the spear struck true. The doppelganger's repulsive form convulsed violently in response to the puncture, and for a fleeting moment, Elena feared it might somehow elude its grim destiny once more. However, as reality reclaimed its hold, the creature's body slumped to the ground, its sinister grin diminishing into a pallid, lifeless mask as it uttered its farewell: “This is just… the beginning…

As the doppelganger collapsed, the suffocating atmosphere within the bakery seemed to lift, as if the encroaching darkness had inhaled its final, rattling breath. The creature’s disfigured features melted away into an otherworldly visage, rendering it unrecognizable and no longer bound by its perverse impersonation of humanity. Elena's chest heaved as she surveyed the lifeless entity, a tide of nausea crashing through her at the grotesque spectacle. Even in repose, the sight of the thing seemed to instill a deep unease within her.

Suddenly, Luciana’s heart-wrenching wails splintered the tenuous silence, and Elena whipped her gaze toward the little girl, her heart constricting at the sheer terror in Luciana’s cries. The cry yanked her from her stupor, urging her to take a cautious step back toward the protective circle as Loni, visibly worn and wounded, enveloped her daughter tightly in her embrace, murmuring soft reassurances that sought to soothe her. She made sure to grab the torn bag this time, taking careful steps toward the descending barrier to avoid spilling the rest of its contents.

Elena’s gaze was first drawn to Loni’s wan complexion as she got closer, the noticeable tremor in her hands, and the vivid red stain unfurling across her jumper. She knelt beside her, her heart filled with concern and determination.

“We’re safe, thanks to you,” Elena whispered gently, her words intended to soothe both mother and child in that moment of fear. Relying on instinct, she placed a calming hand on Loni’s uninjured arm, her own fingers quivering ever so slightly with apprehension. “But we should probably take care of that injury now,” she continued, gesturing towards the jagged claw marks marring Loni’s shoulder.

Before Loni could voice any objections, Quill materialized with a first aid kit in hand; her swift and assured movements helped to alleviate some of Elena’s residual anxiety. In a moment of clarity, Elena handed over the sugar just as she started applying first aid.

“Combine this with the salt and press it into the wound—it should help to stem the bleeding until better help shows up,” she said.

As the other woman finished with the first aid, Elena then did her best to answer her inquiry.

“I… don’t know everything,” she admitted, her tone cautious. “It showed up looking like someone else. Started messing with people’s heads—turned them into puppets, basically.” Her brow furrowed as she glanced toward the lifeless body on the floor, now reduced to something unrecognizable. “Whatever that thing was… it wasn’t human. But I guess you figured that out already.”
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Hidden 7 days ago 7 days ago Post by Theyra
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Theyra

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Elijah Tower

The Cozy Bakery
Downtown North District
Interacts: Loni@Fernstone, Elena@Qia, Quill@PatientBean


Finally, the monster was dead and Elijah's gambit bore fruit. He watched while keeping the spear steady as the creature died but, with one last word. “This is just… the beginning…” Once whatever it had collapsed and it turned into something generic looking. Did he pull the spear from its dead body and capped it and it turned into a pen and Elijah stored in on his person.

Then he turned to the group and watched as Quill applied first aid to the wounded mother and as ask her questions and later Elena saying what she knew. He spoke his piece to Quill, "I was just here to get some food... I do not know why this monster attacked this place. Especially, during the day, all I know is that it was impersonating a man named James and the owner seemed to know James and I mean the real one." Elijah looking back at the doppelganger's body and then at the group. "I am guessing the real James is dead and this thing took his place but why I do not know."

This monster, Elijah thought, feels like he should know what it is but it is escaping him. A shapeshifting paranormal that can impersonate humans... it sounds familiar to him but, he has not way of knowing unless he remembers or finds a book on the subject. Which he does not have access to one. Either way, it is dead and the spear claims another kill in its long history. But thinking on what the monster said, maybe the spear will have more kills in the future. An unease thought if more was coming.

But, Elijah snapped back to reality and as he remembered that another life hangs in the balance. The injured mother and after Elena spoke, he knelt down to Loni prepared to move her. "We should get her out of here now before she bleeds out and I think there is a clinic nearby that can help. I can take her there if anyone wants to come along with me to make sure she lives than come with." Elijah looks at Quill, "I know our answers may not be the best but, she needs help now and that is all I know. So unless you need more... I will be getting her help now."
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Hidden 4 days ago Post by FernStone
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FernStone One Again Addicted to Pepsi Max

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Interactions: Elijah @Theyra, Quill @PatientBean, Elena @Qia
The Cozy Bakery


"I just did what I had to." Loni looked at Elena with a pained smile. The hand on her arm was nice, another source of warmth along with the trembling child in her arms. Even if she was shaking too… It was a nice comfort.

Loni shifted Luciana to the side so she was out of the way for Quill to tend to her wound without protest. She did her best to stay strong, biting her lip to hold back a pained wince. She didn’t want to scare Luciana anymore than she already was… It was just pain. She'd been in pain plenty of times before. Like when she broke her arm when she was fourteen and her Mamá had been too tired to fully heal it... Loni did her best to ignore the sharp, constant throbbing in her shoulder and her own panic. Stay calm for Luciana, just think about other things- she bit her lip harder, blinking away tears.

"Hey, hey, it’s alright," Loni murmured as Luciana hid her face against her the moment Quill made eye contact. She gently rubbed her back and offered Quill an apologetic smile. "She’s right, you’ve been very brave… and you’ll watch me, won’t you? Can you be even braver and look at the lady who helped Mamá out? Tell her you’ll make sure I take care of myself?"

Luciana slowly turned her head around, tear filled eyes staring at Quill for a moment. Then she nodded, though it was difficult to tell how much she understood. Loni leaned over and kissed the top of her head. She gave Quill a slight smile. "Thanks a lot. The creature was an Apparition… if y’know what that is? They’re like… ghosts, but not. Made outta magic. That’s why mine worked on it. I dunno about who he was… the owner, if she’s alright, probably knows more. She spoke like she knew him right before it got all creepy."

She tried to look around for wherever the owner had gone, but gave up as the sudden head movement had her vision swimming slightly. Quill would be more able to find her… She couldn’t help much beyond her Paranormal knowledge. And she hadn’t seen something like that before nor had she heard about it from her Mamá when she was alive.

That wasn’t important for her right now…

Loni nodded when Elijah said there was a clinic nearby. There was… One of Momo’s. She only remembered cause she’d been in the area before when Luciana fell and scraped up her hands and knees. Loni had rushed her there in a panic… and she’d been fine. She’d ‘overreacted.’ But this time wouldn’t be, and she knew she’d get good treatment there thanks to being a Twin-Hill coven member. "I dunno if it’s the one you mean… there’s one not far… St Alexia’s Practice I think. If I’m lucky there’s a magical healer in… even if there ain’t, I ain’t gotta pay, since I… know the owner, I guess. It ain’t far, we can walk, I ain’t gotta car or anythin’. And it ain’t like I’m dyin’... my body should hold up that long."

She considered calling Momo… then decided not to. She couldn’t after using so much necromantic magic. The clinic was nearby and the wound was patched up enough that the bleeding didn’t seem as fast. She knew her own body well thanks to her Green Lux even if she had no spells to actually heal it. She had time to get there... hopefully. She did. Definitely, not hopefully.

"D'you mind supportin' me? I should be alright when I'm up," Loni asked Elijah. Even if it was fairly clear that was what he was there to do… she didn't just want to make assumptions. Then she looked down at Luciana. She could probably pull back on the front carrier she had for her and get her in… But what if she fell and hurt Luciana? That would be worse. "My bag too… it's over by the window…"

She then turned to look at Elena again, expression turning pleading. She didn't want to burden someone else, and she knew Luciana wouldn't be happy but she just couldn't support her like this… not until she got her shoulder sorted. She was in enough pain that it'd be a struggle supporting herself. "Can you carry her for me? I'm sorry I ain't able to, and you already held her so she'll freak out less."
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Hidden 24 hrs ago Post by NoriWasHere
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NoriWasHere

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Downtown North District: 09:21


Freya was shocked when the monster began its rampage. She was useless in this situation unless she somehow distracted the beast, giving her a fifteen-minute window to bake something with her magic and then having someone else force-feed it to the monster, thus causing it to explode outwards in a violent rain of blood and viscera. Freya looked at the ragtag group and knew instantly that there were far too many South Siders here for any sort of plan requiring thinking to work. No. No Freya would need to take charge. Freya would need to defend her shop. And Freya knew just how to do that. In the back room, a singular baseball bat was infused with Orange Lux and it yearned to be used. It was a trinket she bought on a cheap vacation up in Harbin. The bat would be able to banish the soul of whomever, or whatever it hit in a single swing. Freya thought for a brief second if it was actually magic or if it was simply a scam she fell for. On one hand the man looked strong, sturdy, and capable of producing such an artificat but on the other she did accidentally hit several people on the way to the airport with the bat and none of them died. Still, if there was a chance it could protect herself from the monster….and the others, it was something she needed to grab. Someone had just returned from her backroom with salt in hand so she knew she could find the time.

As the monster sprung it’s attack on one of the patrons Freya ducked into the backroom, accidentaly tripped on her own foot, fell face first into the hard floor before darkness.

Several moments later Freya’s eyes blinked open again. An intense headache greeted her and she groaned as she pushed herself back to her feet. She had no clue how long she was out, nor why she was in the backroom. She looked around and saw the door to the front of the store. That’s right! It was the start of the workday! Freya knew she was supposed to be outfront. And she knew she remembered seeing some south siders in the lobby. And she knew she was the only person working the front today. Who would stop them from stealing her stuff? Who would keep them from making her place dirty? Freya stumbled towards the door, pushed it open, walked through, and then saw the dead monster on the ground and the group standing around discussing what happened.

“What are you…….What did you………..” ‘South Siders’ Freya thought to herself, “What happened to my bakery?” Her voice was slightly slured, and one of her iris’s were blown while the other was normal sized.
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Hidden 10 hrs ago Post by FernStone
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FernStone One Again Addicted to Pepsi Max

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Interactions: Elijah @Theyra, Elena @Qia
St Alexia’s Practice


They were on their way out the door as the owner reappeared from the bag… and Loni was glad. Even injured and out of it as she was she recognised that look. The disdainful look. She was so used to dealing with it… but she couldn’t right now. And didn’t have to… the woman staying could.

It wasn’t a long way to the clinic but by the time they reached it Loni was beginning to struggle. Blood began to seep through the bandage, dark red staining the white. She was even paler and leaning on Elijah more heavily than she had been when they first left.

St Alexia’s Practice was a smaller clinic, with a warm atmosphere upon entering. The reception and waiting room’s walls were lined with comfortable looking chairs in muted blues and greens. Plants were dotted about the place, and natural light came in through wide windows. It lacked the normal clinical feeling. It was quiet, with only a few people sitting around waiting.

“Welcome, may I take your name- Oh!” The receptionist paused her normal speech as she looked up from her computer at their entry. Her eyes immediately went to Loni’s shoulder, with blood blooming across the gauze, then to her pallid face. She seemed to press something. “We don’t have the facilities to treat you, but we can stabilise and transfer you to-”

"Alondra Rodriguez, work for… Moriah Motta… Twin-Hill," Loni interrupted, gritting her teeth. She was magical and she could get the magic treatment.

She didn’t hear anything else from the receptionist, but suddenly a nurse was there ushering her through.

"Can they come-"

“Of course.” A calm but firm voice, more physical support, and they were all rushed into another room. There were two hospital beds, both unoccupied, and Loni was immediately put onto one. Seats were set a distance away from both beds, if Elijah and Elena wanted to sit - close enough to the bed without getting in the way.

The nurse immediately started checking her vitals, before moving around to remove the bandages. It revealed the nasty gash underneath. Loni squeezed her eyes shut, tilting her head away. She couldn’t look at it. Her chest heaved up and down in sudden panic. What if they didn’t make it in time, what if-

“Alondra? I’m Lia Amato, I’m here to treat you. Can you take a deep breath for me, please? It will make things easier.” Someone else spoke, and Loni turned her head to look at her. A young, darker skinned woman with neat braids pulled back into a ponytail. The doctor… no, magical healer, probably. Did healers bother getting medical degrees? Probably not. Did it matter?

As Loni started to calm her breathing, Lia’s hands came up to hover over the wound. Her eyes flickered over to the others in the room. “Are they?”

Loni nodded. The hands over her wound started to glow… and with it came excruciating pain. It was as if the claws were in there, tearing her flesh apart from the inside. She bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood so that she didn’t scream. It hurt, it hurt-

“The wound is stabilised.”

The agony was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Loni dared to look down… it was still there. A gaping wound. The bleeding had stopped, but it was still there. She looked up at Lia in shock. The woman smiled slightly.

“Would you like the rest healed immediately, but painfully, or slower with less pain?”

"S- Slower…"

With a nod, Lia got back to work. Her hands glowed a soft green, and this time it was warm. The pain was no worse than the pain of the injury… no, it was alleviated. Slowly Loni’s muscle started to creep inwards, stitching back together.

Once the spell was cast, the healer stepped back. She spoke louder this time - still to Loni, mainly, but now so the whole room could hear. “I’ve healed the wound enough that there’s no further risk. It will take ten to fifteen minutes to fully heal, but it will be another thirty until you regain all the blood you lost. I recommend you stay until then. I’ll come back to then to ensure there’s no other problems. There’s a button beside your bed you can press for help.”

She then turned to Elena and Elijah. “If she starts to look paler, be sick, or just look worse, make sure it’s pressed.”

With a nod, she turned around and left. The nurse stayed for a little longer, making sure Loni got water and a blanket to cover herself, before excusing herself when she wasn’t needed. Efficient service… Loni was happy enough for them to leave. While she was fairly certain the healer was a coven member, she didn’t actually recognise her…

"Thank you for helpin’ so much." Loni turned towards Elena and Elijah, ensuring the blanket covered the wound that was healing layer by layer. She didn’t want to scare Luciana any more than she already had…

Though Luciana was barely looking at her. The little girl had been quiet the whole time, clinging to Elena and hiding her face against her. She trembled, and was quietly sobbing. Terrified, still.

"Luciana, baby…" Loni whispered, reaching out with her good arm. Seeing her like that was more painful than the injury or the healing. It hurt her heart… she just wanted Luci to be safe and happy.

Luci’s head turned slightly, still clinging to Elena. She whimpered, reaching out for her mother. “Mama.

They were close enough that Loni was able to take her hand at least. She looked at the other two with a weak smile. Then she started absolutely rambling. "You don’t hafta stick around if you don’t wanna… I’d appreciate the company, but I get we’re basically strangers! I just really ‘preciate all you’ve done- oh, if you ever come across danger like that again in the North Side and you ain’t got help, try get to my workplace… Sin Sisters, this side of the city… it ain’t too far. Just go and say you know Loni Rodriguez. If I ain’t around I’m sure my boss’ll help- she’s my coven leader too, and there’s plenty of people that can help. Healin’, fighting’, anythin’ really…" It was for Elena more than Elijah, since he was the reason they were even still alive, really. "Hopefully there ain’t any more of those things, though."
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Hidden 2 hrs ago Post by NoriWasHere
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NoriWasHere

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Gideon’s office on the top floor of the Hollow Tap is an unexpected blend of rugged practicality and understated charm. The space is dominated by a large, polished mahogany desk, its surface meticulously organized with a leather-bound planner, a fountain pen, and a crystal decanter of whiskey. Behind the desk, a high-backed chair upholstered in deep brown leather exudes authority. Shelves lining one wall hold a mixture of books, old ledgers, and trinkets that hint at Gideon’s dual nature—framed photos of loved ones sit beside curios from his more questionable dealings.

A set of large windows the entrance to the bar, which lights up the room even with the overcast weather outside, allowing the frames to cast long shadows across the room. A vintage record player sits on a side table, soft jazz emanating from its brass horn. In the corner stands a coat rack, from which hangs his coat as well as several others. They belonged to men who crossed him recently. They entered the room, but quickly found out that they would never leave it again. Gideon reflected on the lessons he learned from those men. Never trust someone who has broken it before, never relent on your positions, and when someone tells you that they mean to do you harm you need to believe them.

Gideon knew that Ioan was waiting for his meeting, but he wanted him to wait even longer. Not for any reason in particular but when it came to business, appearing busy was important. Gideon is unsure what to make of the businessman. He seems like he could be a liability. Still, it was important to have this meeting all the same. Right after him, it was one of those mountain people. They had become a regular at their bar and Gideon had spoken with them a few times. Their call today was unexpected but Gideon wanted more influence in that community anyway so this meeting was more urgent than the first. Gideon poured a glass of whisky from the decanter and swirled it around the glass before taking a long, heavy drink from it. Time to begin the day. He walked out of his office, glass in hand, and went down to where Mr. Ioan was waiting for him. It took a few minutes for him to reach the location before he spotted him.

“Mr. Ioan,” he greets, his voice deep and smooth. He had a wide smile on his face as he looked towards the man, sizing him up as he did. “Welcome to the Hollow Tap. Come up to my office—we’ve got some things to discuss I presume.” Stepping aside, he gestured with a hand to invite Ioan to follow along before he spotted Marco running towards him.
“Boss, the job went south. They’re calling in help, Vin needs me,” Marco paused as he raised up a medic bag.

“Mr. Ioan, I know you have been waiting but I must reschedule. If you wanted to wait I will be back before long,” Gideon paused as he looked over to Seren, “you too Seren. Food and drinks are on the house if you wait.”
Gideon took off towards the door, followed by Marco who tossed him a car key, and four more members of the Hollow. The five members piled into a large pickup truck and the tires squealed as it accelerated away from the bar. Gideon grabbed the Jaguar and quickly put it into gear and followed behind soon thereafter.

Seren walked up to the bar and sat down and grabbed a menu. They looked it over before they pulled out their phone, and opened ticktok. On the screen was one of the more recent ticktok trends, where two people would play rock, paper, scissors. The winner would take a bite of food, while the loser would need to run laps around whatever area they were in. When they got back from the laps, the two would play rock, paper, scissors once again. Seren looked towards Ioan, and smirked. They wanted to record the video later on, maybe rope Bryn or Elara or anyone else into it, but something drew her to Ioan. Maybe he was willing to give a silly ticktok trend a chance.
“So. You’re meeting Gideon today as well? What skeletons in your closest is he taking care of today,” Seren

Nearby - Vin is dying.


As Vin and Paloma worked together to let in the apparition, Malik walked over to the two phone to his ear. “Okay, two minutes out? Okay. How is Vin? Oh,” he paused as he suppressed a gag as he looked at their ruined body, “they’re not great, not terrible. I would say the faster you get here the better the odds of….what? Yes I know I am not a doctor…why would you say that? If you had…okay, okay, just get here faster and then you can decide if I am an idiot or not. How’s that sound,” Malik stopped as he ended the call, “you colossal piece of shit motherfucking North Sider. Jesus fucking christ the nerve of that guy.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked towards Palmoa and thought of what her angle was. Was she trying to get in the good graces of a gang for a reason, or was she simply someone who was in the right place at the right time? Regardless, she was a person of interest to Malik and Malik would keep an eye on her going forward.

“Vin, help will be here shortly. Gideon is staying back, but Marco and a few of the boys are on their way. Marco will get you patched up,” Malik paused as he placed his hand on his hips, pushing his coat back to reveal the holstered gun. His eyes shifted back to Palmoa, “so. What’s your story? Who’s your apparition?”

The sounds of tires screeching interrupted the conversation. Malik shifted his eyes and saw a large pickup truck speeding down the road, swerving to avoid cars as it did, and it quickly made its way towards their location. As it drew closer he could see that the front five seats were all packed with people, and the bed of the truck held a couple more. He smirked as he motioned for Palmoa to follow him as he walked closer to the outside walls of a nearby building. “Alright, Vin, help is here. You doing okay?”

Before Vin could answer the truck screeched to a stop in front of them. The door to the passenger side opened up and Marco stepped out. He was taller than the rest of the crew by a significant margin, standing somewhere between six foot five and six foot six. He wore a simple black leather jacket overtop a simple black button up shirt. The outfit did not hide a large muscular frame underneath as Marco kept the top three buttons unbuttoned. To the casual observer he was peak masculine energy. He had a large bag with a large white circle with a red cross inside, no doubt packed with medical supplies. He looked at Vin and sighed.

“Aaron, we still clear on any responses,” Marco asked as he looked towards the driver of the truck. He had a tablet in his hand and his eyes scanned the various windows open on it. He held a thumb up in response. “Everyone else, get inside and make sure whatever caused this is dead, check the damage, and if anyone is alive inside get them some compensation for their trouble.” Marco looked at Malik as the crew sprung into action. “You take the girl inside, I’ll get Vin put back togethert again,” he paused as he tapped the bag.

“Oh no. No, no. Vin needs your magic,” Malik responded with a stern look.

“Do they though,” Marco asked as he looked at their friend and sighed. He knew that Malik was right but he was not ready for what that entailed.

“I think you know the answer,” Malik responded with a sigh.

“They just need some stitches I think, like I said on the phone you are not a doctor. I am. I can totally use my actual medical degree to-”

“Marco, you fucking insecure piece of shit North Sider,” Malik started before he sighed, “just DO IT.”

Marco sighed as he dropped the bag and clasped his hands together. Marco’s magic revealed itself with a sudden burst of shimmering light around him, casting rainbows across the area and raising him up into the air. His one knee rose up while the other leg stretched out completely, his hands spreading wide. The rustling wind suddenly shifted in tone, as if a faint melody of some upbeat, glittery music echoed in the air from some unseen source. His clothes dissolved into golden sparkles, leaving his body wrapped in a glowing silhouette. An enormous crescent shape formed behind him, spinning and fragmenting into smaller cresecens that circled his body. Multicolored ribbons shot out, wrapping around him like vines that weaved themselves into an outfit. The ribbons converged on his bare chest as an emblem—a full circle—appeared over his heart.

The ribbons swirled down to his legs, where they became thigh-high boots with an ornate pattern, and then across his arms, forming bracers engraved with three runes, one fire, one water, and one wind. The water rune began to glow with a pink color. Finally, a skirt materialized in a dramatic flash, a layered affair of pink and white, shimmering with an almost metallic sheen. Despite its overt femininity, Marco's broad shoulders, muscular frame, hairy arms and legs, and stubborn scowl remain unaltered. Still, the transformation was kind enough to at least give him some compression shorts underneath the skirt. Strangely, the skirt seemed immune to the wind and did not react when it pushed against it.

The finishing touch was the wand that appears in his hand. It was topped with a crystal shaped like a crescent moon. The air sparkled with tiny motes of light as he landed back on the ground, his boots clicking against the surface with a pleasant tone. He groaned, his voice laden with irritation, and muttered, “Every. Single. Time.”

Malik stifled a laugh as he looked towards Palmoa again. “You…you can unfreeze her now.”

“Fucking hurry up,” Marco growled back as he raised up the wand and it began to glow with a green glow.

The sound of another car pulling up broke the silence and Marco sighed as he looked back to see Gideon getting out of the Jaguar. He raised an eyebrow as he saw the completed transformation. “You never get used to that,” Gideon said in a surprised tone, “Vin, Vin you will be okay. You finish the job?”
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