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#Post#: 719--------------------------------------------------
A Safe Place to Stay
By: Chance Date: January 11, 2025, 4:18 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/d8315012-c283-4bfb-bd11-1df455910b1b.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float]
Trey Whitman
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-info/staff/chance/trey-whitman-2/
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
App 3 | Dex 5 [Swift] | Echoes [Cold Aura] | Ambidextrous
[hr]
I woke up feeling like things weren't normal... and then I
recalled last night, or this morning to be precise, and all that
had come to pass.
I was quiet as I went to the kitchen to brew some coffee, and
when the brew was done, I walked outside onto the balcony with
it and my cigarettes, lighting one absently and sitting in one
of the chairs out there. It's a chill day, but I don't really
feel it despite being in pajama pants and a light tee. Well, to
be precise, I feel it, it just doesn't bother me.
I've never smoked in my apartment; I don't like the lingering
scent of it. Eventually, I should just quit, but the
incense-like aroma of a clove cigarette reminds me of days long
past, and I still cherish it, so I enjoy the clove and some
cold-as-hell air in my lungs, letting the wind rumple my hair as
it will.
Kaelin is an unexpected phenomenon.
I don't regret helping her, and taking her in. Pragmatically,
it'll mean changes around here, but honestly, I was ripe for
some changes in any case. I've been stagnant too long, stuck too
long in the same patterns and the same paths, and the
frustration of having spent decades without much magical
progress weighs on me more with each passing year. But this...
this is new, this is something that might teach me new things
with time and experience.
I am more than death, but much of that part of me was ripped
from my soul by my former mentor. I've tried for decades to find
my way back to it, but... I've never trusted anyone enough to
confide in them about what was done to me. Not even Graham, and
I trust him implicitly in every other way. It was a defilement,
one which stole so much of who I was, and there is little in the
way of clues and less hope about finding what I've lost.
I don't even care about vengeance at this point, as much as I
just want the whole of me together once more. Somehow, I think
Kaelin has a lesson or two for me on this, and I am not sure
why; all I know is that I dreamed of rich soil and a handful of
seeds, and nothing more.
I tend to write down my dreams when they stick with me, so I
two-thumb the summary into a journaling app I keep on my phone.
I'm not particularly worried about anyone finding it, because
the app is called 'Fragments - A Writer's Journal.' Anyone who
found it would just assume I want to write some creepy fiction,
most likely. Hiding things in plain sight is easier than hiding
them wholesale, I find.
Once that is done, I open the DoorDash app and consider ordering
food. I have no idea what she'd like for breakfast, and I am not
going to wake her to ask. She's been through enough; let her
rest as much as she can. I'm nocturnal anyway, so it won't upset
my schedule to let her sleep a bit more.
I ponder this some more, and then decide to order a few
different things and let her choose from among them. There's a
bakery-coffee shop that makes breakfast sandwiches all day as
well as serving up other tasty things, so I put in a pair of
breakfast sandwiches, some home fries, a pair of fruit salads,
and some other baked goods that will keep a day or two if she
doesn't want them right away. Eventually, I'll want to get some
ideas on her likes and dislikes, but for now, we'll just work
with things this way.
I add a quart of orange juice to the order. I don't need coffee
because I have plenty here, but I put in for some cinnamon-apple
herbal tea for her, remembering her enjoyment of a similar drink
last night. Sending the order in, I'm informed it'll be 25
minutes.
And then? I take my empty mug inside to get a refill, and then
park at the kitchen counter to make up an order for staple items
from the local big-box store. Bread, cheese, cold cuts, salad
fixings, milk, some honey and a few different sorts of herbal
teas... after examining the cupboard and finding it mostly bare,
I start to add some prepared things like premade quiches. I'll
ask her to take a look before I send it in, so I can get
anything she especially likes.
She's got to be starving by now. I know I am, and my stomach
growls to drive the point home. I'll reheat her food for her if
need be; I'm a master of the microwave these days.
What I do not do is check on her. I want her to know that her
privacy is hers completely, and that the door is an inviolate
boundary if it's closed. I'll still ask permission if it's open,
but even so, I want her to have a space that's entirely her own.
What a change life has given me... now, I'm considering someone
else's privacy in a place I kept largely to myself. The weird
part is, I don't mind having company here. If anything, it seems
to make the place feel more welcoming.
#Post#: 720--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: thesadiecat Date: January 11, 2025, 5:31 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/4a5ae87a-03ed-45e7-8387-aacb5d328494.jpg[/img][/float][center]Kaelin<br
/>Saint
Now winter has come and I stand in the snow
I don't feel the cold
And it's all that I will ever need to believe
One day I know we will meet again
In shade of a life to die for
[hr]
Persephone Incarnate[/center]
[hr]
Sleep had claimed me almost instantly; I hadn’t had time to
worry or fret over my circumstances before Hypnos’ touch closed
my eyes and stole my senses. The sleep was dreamless, dark and
complete, and uninterrupted. The kind of sleep that only the
truly exhausted get to experience. And it is restorative. None
come to wake me, there is no call for some presence, or
momentary appearance, where a goddess would be paraded around.
I am allowed to sleep as long as I need, which means it is
sometime in the early afternoon when I finally rouse myself.
No one is calling me lazy. No one is dragging me out of bed.
Last night (this morning?) wasn’t a dream. I am free…
The colors here are richer, deeper, and darker than the Estate.
Everything I touch, from the quilt and blankets as I smooth
them, to the loaned clothes as I fold them and set them on the
made-up bed remind me that everything is true. Everything is
real. We escaped. The Fates brought me to someone who could
help me. Someone I could trust. Someone who brought me home…
The day outside is bright enough to cause me to squint when I
peek out the curtains at the city beyond the windows. We’re
high enough here to be away from the noise, but the city is
alive in ways that make me joyous.
Trey is probably going to spy me as I slip from his guest room
into the restroom right next door, even if I am nearly soundless
with how cautiously I open and close doors. I needed to wash my
face to clear the last bits of heavy sleep from my countenance,
but also… I failed to braid my hair last night, and I need to
untangle the worst of it with my fingers. Persephone greets me
in the mirror, looking back at me, pleased with our bettered
situation.
She fades, and fits back into my skin as I venture out to
explore the scents of what might be food? I’m not fully aware
of the subtle change in my smile when I spot him seated at the
counter. He doesn’t look put out that I slept so long. Of
course, there’s an innocent part of me that doesn’t even think
that I’m still wearing his borrowed clothes, which just make me
seem even daintier than I am.
“Good…” I peer around for a clock, spotting one on the
microwave. My nose wrinkles a little in embarrassment at the
time. “Afternoon, I guess? Did you get some rest? I didn’t
mess your plans up, did I?” I don’t presume to sit, at least for
the moment, instead curling my toes against the hardwood and
hoping for the best. His plans are really our plans, but I
don’t really know if I’m allowed to say it that way.
Awkwardness at its finest, but I haven’t stopped wearing a shy
little smile since I spotted him.
#Post#: 721--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: Chance Date: January 11, 2025, 5:54 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/trey019.jpg[/img][/float]
Trey Whitman
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-info/staff/chance/trey-whitman-2/
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
App 3 | Dex 5 [Swift] | Echoes [Cold Aura] | Ambidextrous
[hr]
I hear Kaelin rustling awake shortly after the food arrives; I'd
put her sandwich on a warmed plate and covered it with a cloth
napkin to hold in the heat; at first, I'd tried to use a cute
little Forces effect to give it warmth, but I failed. Three
times. I don't know what's wrong with me this morning.
Distracted by hunger, perhaps.
I'm making short work of my own sandwich as she exits the
bathroom. She'd found a wide-toothed comb in there if she looked
in the medicine cabinet, along with a selection of small
toiletries. For guests, of course, not that any of it has ever
been actually used.
"Good afternoon," I reply with a smile once I've swallowed. "I
rested just fine, thanks. And nope, my plans are perfectly fine,
because I work nights at the theatre, so my plans today, before
that, are all around getting you outfitted and supplied with
whatever you need. I got you a few things to choose from for
breakfast; I wasn't sure what you'd prefer, so I have a
breakfast sandwich on a croissant, a fruit salad, and some
muffins and cinnamon rolls. The sandwich is there, staying
warm," I motion to the covered plate. "And there's orange juice,
and I got you an herbal tea. It's... um, apple and cinnamon, I
think."
All of these items are on the counter near one of the barstools
that serve as the dining table here. I've made short work of my
own sandwich; a small amount of it remains on the plate before
me, along with part of a fruit salad, and the second cup of
coffee is before me, almost drained, along with a glass of
juice.
The glasses for the juice, she might note, are water goblets
with a silver print of moon and stars on the glass. Tres goth.
The plates are your basic Fiestaware in a deep blue hue, which
seems to be the dominant color in the apartment.
"How did you sleep?"
My question is asked with the ease of someone who has asked it
before, when clearly, I haven't... but I'm doing my best to keep
things natural and easy so that she can adapt more readily. I
mean, being in this situation has got to be a little weird, even
if it's a vast improvement. Then again, this isn't the first
time she's been uprooted completely, and this time was of her
own choosing.
I'm a decently-large guy, and it just keeps hitting me how tiny
she is, especially wearing my clothes. If I'd had other options,
I would have used them, but there's something irresistible about
a woman in your too-big clothes, isn't there? I'm six foot or
so, broad across the shoulders, so I dwarf her quite readily
without even trying.
I motion her to the barstools to come sit, with a smile. Once
she's got herself situated with food, I explain, "My thought for
today was: we get you whatever toiletries you'll need, we get
you a phone, and we pick up about a week or so worth of the
clothes you'll need. We have a washer and dryer in the foyer in
a closet, so we can get everything clean right away. What sort
of things do you prefer to wear? It'll inform the decisions
about where to shop, is why I ask."
#Post#: 722--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: thesadiecat Date: January 11, 2025, 7:27 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/4a5ae87a-03ed-45e7-8387-aacb5d328494.jpg[/img][/float][center]Kaelin<br
/>Saint
Now winter has come and I stand in the snow
I don't feel the cold
And it's all that I will ever need to believe
One day I know we will meet again
In shade of a life to die for
[hr]
Persephone Incarnate[/center]
[hr]
There is food. He motions to the covered plate while listing
off all the things he’s brought in, and I sort of tip-toe over
in that direction. The tip of my tongue peeks out between my
lips as I climb onto the stool, while trying to decide what I’m
going to have first. The breakfast sandwich is a must, that
seems to be the warmest scent that I’m picking up, but the fruit
salad… I turn the little container of it, relieved when I sense
no compulsion to dig through it, I start gathering up everything
I want to try. Which is probably going to be a little bit of
everything. The muffins smell like orange-cranberry, and of
course a cinnamon roll, or at least part of one. The tea is
favored over the juice; that’s something he’ll learn quickly of
me, that I will always gravitate to tea.
“I must be in Heaven,” is the happy sigh that happens after my
first bite of the breakfast sandwich. There’s egg and bacon and
cheese in there! I would eat this a thousand times a day if I
could. It’s silly the things you realize you miss when you
didn’t get to have them routinely. I haven’t felt so alive
during the winter since I can remember.
I find a slice of a strawberry from the fruit salad and manage
to divert my attention away from the food long enough to answer
his question. “I don’t remember the last time I slept that
soundly.” The confession is light-hearted though. “I feel.. I
feel better. Like I can actually breathe for once.” It’s
weird, and I’m sure there will be moments that I’m going to feel
overwhelmed and overstimulated, but right now, I sound like I’m
ready to tackle anything.
Speaking of tackling anything, I carefully split one of the
muffins in half, vertically, so we both share the best part of
the top, and offer half to him. My eyes are going to be much
larger than my stomach this morning. I am not shy about
enjoying my food; in fact a bite of the citrusy goodness of the
muffin makes me kick my feet in joy.
A phone and clothes and toiletries. A big afternoon of shopping
and decisions. Having things that are mine again is going to be
a novelty that won’t wear off quickly. I should make a list;
but there’s honeydew in the fruit bowl! I suck the stickiness
off my thumb for a second as I think about what I like to wear.
“Dresses, skirts and fluffy blouses…. stuff like that… but,
vintage, I guess.” I’m probably not describing it well enough
for his sense of fashion to understand what I’m asking for. But
then, he’s a performer, in the theatre district, so I imagine
that he probably understands what I’m saying better than I do.
“I’m pretty girly, if I’m allowed to be.”
And I haven’t been allowed to be myself in a few years. Maybe
I’ll find my thoughts and tastes have changed once we get out
and about doing the actual shopping.
#Post#: 723--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: Chance Date: January 12, 2025, 7:31 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/trey019.jpg[/img][/float]
Trey Whitman
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-info/staff/chance/trey-whitman-2/
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
App 3 | Dex 5 [Swift] | Echoes [Cold Aura] | Ambidextrous
[hr]
Her delight at the assortment makes me happy. Looks like my
answer is that variety is the spice of life, so I'll be keeping
a nice selection of food in the house. It doesn't occur to me to
question why her delight pleases me so much. Maybe because my
soul is starved for nourishment these days.
"I'm glad you slept well," I tell her with a sincere expression,
my lips playing about a smile. "I don't know about heaven,
though... shouldn't there be more wings and eyes and people in
white with harps?"
Plus, my domain is... the other direction, darling. Not that she
has reason to know that for certain, yet. She has hints but not
the whole picture.
"But yes... you're free. I mean, if you chose, you could walk
out that door right now. I'd try to talk you out of it, but in
the end, I couldn't stop you. I mean, okay, I could try, but
then I'd be just like the others. And I'm not." A pause. "You
didn't flee one cage to end up in another," I conclude.
And now it's getting heavy, so I relent, watching as she splits
a muffin and offers me half. I accept with warmth, and enjoy the
battle of tangy and sweet in the fruit within, along with the
mild sweetness of the muffin itself. There is a sweetness to
domesticity, too, a joy to just these simple moments. I don't
think I'd realized how lonely I allowed myself to become.
I can picture her in pretty things from my youth, and I smile in
nostalgia, something I don't share just yet. I'm sure this is
weird enough as it is, so let's not bring up the 80-years-old
thing, mm?
"Okay, then I know which stores will be best. We'll avoid the
places with the concert tees and such, and go for the more
quality stuff. There's also a few stores that cater to vintage
styles new. Though I am going to suggest some heavy tights and a
long coat for the winter, if you prefer dresses. I don't want
you to freeze, but I do want you to have the things that make
you feel the happiest."
A pause. "Huh. I should set you loose in the costume department
of the theatre, too, you might find things you might want to
copy for yourself in the long term, and we have sewing machines
and equipment there." Now there is an inspired idea. She'll
probably love looking over those things.
#Post#: 725--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: thesadiecat Date: January 12, 2025, 3:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/4a5ae87a-03ed-45e7-8387-aacb5d328494.jpg[/img][/float][center]Kaelin<br
/>Saint
Now winter has come and I stand in the snow
I don't feel the cold
And it's all that I will ever need to believe
One day I know we will meet again
In shade of a life to die for
[hr]
Persephone Incarnate[/center]
[hr]
“Heaven is a relative metric.” There’s a slight air of teasing
at that. “One could say one’s gods choose what is akin to
Heaven. Today, I choose my Heaven to be found in earthly
delights, like a hearty breakfast, or exploring the city.” Both
of which get to happen in Trey’s company. Which, I’m happy to
find that the comfortable familiarity I felt last night hasn’t
evaporated into mist with the new day… er, afternoon.
Another piece of fruit is popped into my mouth and
contemplatively chewed while he agrees that I am free. I glance
towards the door as he mentions it. He’s not wrong. I could
just leave, at any point. Has the thought crossed my mind?
Maybe? Yes. But the reality of it is stark and scary. In just
a few hours, he’s helped bring to light all the reasons that I
was woefully unprepared for my escape. All the reasons that
someone, out there, would probably use to ensnare me again, to
trap me again. It’s why I’ve been so reluctant to be fully
truthful with him, about who I am, and what my internment had
entailed.
He accepts the muffin, and too late, I realize I missed an
opportunity to be in contact with him again. I could have just
brushed fingers against his hand, and didn’t. There is a joy
and comfort in casual contact that I’ve been deprived of for too
long. “You’re right, I didn’t flee one cage to find another.
And… I thank you for seeing that, for respecting that. But I
also realize, that I’m young, and… probably too trusting… and… I
can’t do this alone. I could leave, but… how quickly would I be
caged again? Either by the Hierophant, or by someone… something
much worse.”
It is a sobering thought. Something that for a moment weighs on
us both. But I shake myself free from the shadows, testing the
tea, and finding it delightful. “Mm, wherever you got this
from, knows how to balance their blends well.” The deviation
gives us permission to talk about other things. There will be
time for heavier conversations as we get to know each other, I
hope.
“Tights are a must, yes. Oh!” When I have a thought, my eyes
light up. “I’ve always wanted one of those woolen pea coats!
You know, like the British Naval officers used to wear in the
Second World War!” I may not be up on my popular culture
references, but he’s going to find that I’m well-read and
intelligent. Books have filled my world since I first learned
to read, after all.
I can see he has a thought occur because for a moment his brow
furrows, and then almost instantly clears. I chose that moment
to have another piece of muffin, watching him raptly as he
wonders aloud how I would find the theatre’s costume department.
Nodding, I agree, that I would very much enjoy that, but an
idea of my own follows quickly on the heels of his.
“Maybe I can eventually serve as an assistant to whomever runs
the department?” Maybe parlay it into a paying job, so I can
feel like I’m contributing somehow.
#Post#: 726--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: Chance Date: January 12, 2025, 6:39 pm
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"Oh, well, in that case, I think there is entirely too little
vodka at this table," I say with mirth. "Or maybe good wine,
that would be more Graham's line of expertise than mine, though.
I don't really know a good wine until I taste it. And even then,
I am not one of those people who can tell a fifty-dollar wine
from a five-hundred-dollar wine." I shrug and then laugh a
little, noting, "An oenophile, I am not."
I watch Kaelin as she considers my words; I fully expect that at
some point she'll want to test that theory. I want to make sure
she has cash on hand to get out of trouble if she needs it, so
that's another task I need to undertake, and soon.
"Well, I think you may be too trusting, perhaps, but I'm not the
sort to do you harm, so perhaps the Fates were looking out for
your well-being this time around? I wouldn't want to see you
caged again, or worse, by someone who did intend harm. But...
well." I hrm and pick a grape from my fruit salad and pop it
into my mouth, thinking. "You'll be able to take the time to
make your own decisions, without having to worry too much about
things. But I don't think you're as familiar with the place
we're in right now as you were the other places you've been more
recently. And cities have their own dangers... but I'm sure you
could figure that one out for yourself."
A pause. "Do you know how to defend yourself? Have you ever used
any kind of weapon? I do have some spare blades; if you know how
to use one, I could give you one to keep to protect yourself.
We'd just have to see which one felt the best in your hand."
I smile, then, pleased with myself for thinking of this amidst
all of the things I've been contemplating since Kae's arrival.
If nothing else, arming her will surely make it clear my
intentions are purely honorable, even to an outsider looking in.
I refuse to be yet another Euthanatos who betrays her.
She tries the tea, finds its blend to her liking, and I explain,
"All of this came from a bakery slash cafe that does the
sandwiches all day." I give her the name, and note that it's not
too far away. "They also do DoorDash in case you wanted to order
things delivered, like I did today. Um... right, DoorDash is a
delivery service, you pay someone to pick up your food and bring
it to you."
I keep forgetting she lived on a commune before she was in
Greece, however the hell she ended up there. Lots of ways it
could have happened, none of them pretty. But like her impulses,
mine are to try and keep things on the more cheerful side, to
make this time a good and pleasant one where we can bond as
friends. FRIENDS, I remind myself firmly.
Friends are a good thing.
"Tights, yes, and we'll do our best to find you a pea coat. I
wonder if the Nordstrom will still have them in stock?" Of
course my mind goes to the expensive stores; poor Kaelin is
going to have to have the tags hidden from her. "Well, someplace
will. I'll check some of the web sites, see if we can find them
in the store. Do you know what sizes you are?"
It's not a rude question; she's probably not had store-bought
clothes in a while, and it may take some experimenting to find
her what she likes... ooooh, I have an idea, but I don't know if
she will go for it.
"How would you feel about having a personal shopper pick some
things out in advance for you to look at and try on, within your
description boundaries?"
Sounds expensive. I should have soft-sold the idea a little
better.
"Huh, you know, that's a workable idea. And I'm sure there are
plenty of things we could find for you to do around the theatre
like that, as well. I mean, it's ultimately Graham's decision,
but he's got a good eye for talent and tends to be a softie for
a pretty face." I wink. "He will probably flirt with you, be
forewarned. He flirts like the rest of us breathe."
#Post#: 731--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: thesadiecat Date: January 13, 2025, 12:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/4a5ae87a-03ed-45e7-8387-aacb5d328494.jpg[/img][/float][center]Kaelin<br
/>Saint
Now winter has come and I stand in the snow
I don't feel the cold
And it's all that I will ever need to believe
One day I know we will meet again
In shade of a life to die for
[hr]
Persephone Incarnate[/center]
[hr]
He enjoys the concept of a definable Heaven, and points out
that my Heaven is lacking good libations. That his
chantrymaster, Graham, likes wine is a small fact that I tuck
away into my memory. Maybe it will be useful when I meet him.
I do want to make a good impression after all. I lift the waxed
paper cup with my tea in it, and offer it to him in a little
toast. “To liquor-lacking heavenly breakfasts, then.” It’s a
silly thing to toast to, but the lightness of the morning brings
those little moments.
Someone was certainly looking out for me this time. Either the
Fates, or Hermes himself, the confluence of events has managed
to keep me safe. I don’t feel attacked by his agreement that
I’m trusting. It’s a simple agreement, and he’s not condemning
me for it. I wish I could tell him that I prefer the dangers of
nature to the dangers of the city. I’ve not faced a city alone
in a long time. My attendants were always there as the barrier.
“With freedom comes time,” I agree softly. “And I feel safe
here, so I know I have a haven.” Here, with him. This time, I
fail to stop myself, and I reach out, to pat his arm, a gesture
of both thanks and comfort, that I retreat from after
completing.
“I know some basics. Enough, I think to get myself out of
sticky situations.” Spoken as someone who has never actually
needed to use those skills. I turn my hands palm up. “I had a
small athame, years ago, but…” Curling my hands into small
fists, I make a rueful sound. So many things are being seen
with more clarity… “the Hierophant never saw fit to replace the
one I lost. I would like that, to have something small,
functional..”
“Wait, they do that?” He explained the service before I even
had to ask. He saw the perplexed look, after all. I’m not
going to actively think about all the things I’ve missed out on,
or by how much I have ahead of me to learn. Because it’s
daunting, and intimidating. And add on top of that, Trey floats
the idea of a personal shopper to me. “They do that too?! And
they get paid for it?”
It’s more disbelief that causes me to shake my head, and less a
disagreement to the idea. I need a moment to wrap my brain
around that, before I can offer him an answer. “I know… my
measurements… if that’s what you mean?” They took them often
enough at the Estate to dress me up when Diogenes wanted to
parade me around. “And, it could save us time? Right? Having
things ready? It might be less…. overwhelming than having to
choose myself.” It’s the only indication that I’ve given that I
might be the slightest bit intimidated by what our day is going
to entail.
It’s a lot to absorb, and I don’t want to hit that wall too
quickly. I blush at being winked at, but also more because Trey
seems to think I qualify as a pretty face. Graham likes wine,
and flirts incessantly. I already expect to be a stultified
mess by the time I get to meet this chantrymaster, so I should
throw out the hope to make a good impression. Though, Trey’s
first impression of me was pretty disastrous, too now that I’m
thinking about it.
I start to tidy up the remnants of my breakfast. I ate a little
over half of everything I touched, but I’m intent on saving the
rest for later it seems. It’s all being tucked onto the plate
with the remaining half sandwich to be covered for later.
“I’m.. going to go get ready… or readier, at least.” Slipping
off the counter stool causes me to touch Trey again, a hand
briefly on his shoulder to steady myself for the momentary
free-fall before my feet touch the floor.
I need five minutes to stop overthinking, before I ruin the
whole day for both of us.
#Post#: 732--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: Chance Date: January 13, 2025, 1:15 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/trey019.jpg[/img][/float]
Trey Whitman
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-info/staff/chance/trey-whitman-2/
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
App 3 | Dex 5 [Swift] | Echoes [Cold Aura] | Ambidextrous
[hr]
I laugh at her toast lightly, and clink my orange juice glass
against her tea cup with a smile. "To breakfast! Favorite meal
of the day. I could eat breakfast food all day." I feel lighter
than I've felt in some time, as if some weight was lifted from
me as soon as I chose to offer my help. Is it that simple, that
I simply need to be needed? I hope it's more than that. It feels
like more than that.
She doesn't take my agreement with offense, which is good,
because I meant none. She is a rare and precious sort, and the
idea of someone defiling that angers me. It doesn't mean I think
she is incapable in the long run, just that she is
inexperienced, as everyone is at some point, and I would rather
she have more of her 'firsts' in a way that allows her to choose
freely and without fear.
That she feels safe warms me. My smile shows it, catches
something in my eyes that waxes a deep cognac-amber color. Their
color seems to deepen a bit at her touch, and there's a moment
of strangely shy warmth from me as she does.
Her reply about the knives gives me some confidence. "I'll bring
out a selection of the ones I don't use that I've made but never
sold. You should be able to find something you like among them;
a lot of them are meant to be ritual pieces, but they're
functional weapons as well. I'll also get you hooked up with a
concealed sheath for various places so you can always be armed
when you choose. Anything I give you will hold up in a fight."
I'm always armed, even when I don't have a weapon on my person,
thanks to Correspondence. I'll want to teach her that trick if
she doesn't know it yet.
"People do that, yes. There's a lot of busy people who tend to
have more money than time who want clothes to match their
aesthetic but don't want the bother of shopping. I thought
that... since it would be a selection of things in a private
room rather than a whole multiple-floor department store, it
would be a little less overwhelming. They also do alterations,
if you don't want to do them yourself.
"I'll just want an idea of what you want in terms of color and
style; I can assume some things from what you've said already.
I'll figure soft lines, softer fabrics, draping things rather
than too man-tailored? Also, I'll have them pull a few long
winter coats for you, because the jacket won't keep your legs
warm. Boots, too, like... dressy boots that go with skirts, as
well as other shoes. How much of a heel do you like?"
A little smile follows. "And personal shoppers are paid quite
well. I'll be paying for their time, but truth is, it's worth it
to have someone pre-sort through things, find things that would
suit you. They also have mail-order shopper services where they
pick outfits for you, mail them to you, and you keep the things
you like."
O Brave New World, indeed, eh?
"The stuff that would fit in at the nightclub will probably have
to come more from the vintage and specialized stores, but
really, you can wear almost anything in darker colors and fit
in." I do seem to know a fair amount about clothes, but that
may come from being around other performers a lot. "And yeah,
your measurements are going to be crucial. I mean, I could guess
a size, but I could be off, so that will save the shopper a ton
of hassle. And you a ton of sensory overload. I know this is a
lot to deal with. The most important thing is getting you
clothes to wear, personal items like toiletries, and a phone.
Anything else can wait if it needs to."
A pause. "Do you have a preference on underthings or should I
just let you choose those on your own? I know that's a bit...
personal, but I could just have her pick out a selection of
styles in the right size and bring those, too. What happens is,
the shopper brings all the clothes into a private room which has
a fitting area, and you try on the clothes, and don't have to
deal with a lot of other things. I learned about this a long
time ago from a woman I dated who was always busy, so she did
this instead of shopping on her own. I appreciated it because it
gave me more time with her. Of course, it didn't exactly work
out, but life is like that sometimes."
I shrug and offer a rueful smile.
"Sorry if this is overwhelming, but I think doing it this way
the first time will make it a lot less difficult. You've been
isolated, so crowds may be uncomfortable for a while."
She starts to tidy and moves to go get ready. "Take your time, I
still need to dress and make that phone call, so we have time."
I smile and steady her as she climbs down from the barstool, the
touch demanding nothing, just comforting even in its coolness.
As she retreats to the bedroom I'm already thinking of as hers,
I rise and head for the bedroom. I'd already showered earlier,
so all that remains is to dress, to make the call, and to do a
short, quick ritual.
I start with the call; after the details I try to give, they put
me on with the shopper directly, and I relate to her all that
Kaelin told me, including style, color, pattern, and so forth. I
ask her to include the entire outfit, including stockings and
tights for each and shoes, and make the reservation with my
credit card. We have some time to get there, so I'll probably
stop at the phone store first and get her phone done.
I then take my wallet and pull out all the cash and cards,
placing them in a stack atop a sterling-silver platter I use
specifically for this rote. I settle down onto the floor
cross-legged with the platter in front of me, and use the cards
and cash to create a circle around me, enclosing it with a total
of nine small stacks of items, both cards and cash. Numbers have
meaning, and nine is a number of completion.
Next, I take the knife I'd had sheathed at my back and describe
the circle with cuts between each of the nine stacks, one to the
next, 'connecting' them mystically. The circle is drawn, now,
with the power of the blade working to empower the circle. Then,
I focus, imagining forgotten items, things left in cars and
jacket pockets and the bottoms of tote bags without memory
attached. All of those forgotten items are part of the lost, and
as such, are part of my domain, in some weird way I cannot
understand.
With that, I begin to chant softly: "Forgotten and lost, left
behind wealth, come to this place and be remembered." I repeat
it nine times, again for completion, and draw my hand with the
knife up and around the perimeter of the sterling silver tray.
[quote]Wealth of Veles. Base diff 7, -1 for time spent, -1 for
unnecessary foci, -1 for quint. Diff 4.
Chance Request: [3d10t4] Roll: [9, 5, 2] Result: 2
extend, spending a wp
Chance Request: [3d10t4] Roll: [8, 8, 6] Result: 3
5 Successes: shitloads of Kae Kash![/quote]
On top of the platter, money and other valuables begin to
appear, piled atop one another haphazardly, rolling and flipping
as more comes. Loose change, bills of many denominations, gift
cards, jewelry, and other things all appear and solidify, as
real as they were before I snatched them out of their forgotten
places.
When I'm done, I begin to count and organize them, and I'm quite
happy with the haul.
[quote]Contents of haul:
$8,421 in cash, assorted denominations, including a bunch of
loose change
7 gift cards, including:
* Amazon Gift Card
* Starbucks Gift Card
* iTunes Gift Card
* Target Gift Card
* Best Buy Gift Card
* Home Depot Gift Card
* Nordstrom Gift Card
2 gold signet rings, one with gems, one sized for a small
woman's hand, one for a man's.
A silver necklace with a crescent-moon pendant, done in filigree
with moonstone insets
A lottery ticket, scratch-off, unscratched
7 Rare coins of assorted type and denomination
A dainty gold ladies' watch with a leather band[/quote]
I smirk and cut the circle to allow myself to exit, then take it
down, returning the money and cards to my wallet and the knife
to its sheath. I don't do this rote often, because you need to
have some time to 'prime the pump' to summon forgotten items
within a given radius of space, but this time was quite the
haul.
Finally, I go to the closet and select a lightweight burgundy
turtleneck and a black vest with black embroidery to go over it.
Today will be the leather trenchcoat, I think, just to work with
the ensemble. A pair socks, then a pair of dress boots with a
single buckle as the ornament follow, and once I've gotten a
belt into the trousers I'm wearing, I'm dressed for 'eccentric
rich dude,' which is pretty much what I was seeking.
I don't wear my usual amount of jewelry; this time I just put on
a simple thick gold chain and a pair of signet rings, one on
each hand. A gold watch completes the outfit. After a quick bit
of work on my hair, some guyliner, and a quick once-over to make
sure I look good in the full-length mirror, I gather my wallet,
phone, and keys, along with the platter, and head out to the
main room once more.
"Kaelin," I say with a smile. "I summoned you a nest egg to get
you started. Don't worry, none of this came from anyone needy.
The spell's made that way. It's just... money and things people
forgot. This necklace might suit you. And the ring, too. All of
it is yours."
I suspect she's going to object, but my smile is broad and
boyish; I'm proud of myself for this. Let's hope she accepts.
#Post#: 736--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Safe Place to Stay
By: thesadiecat Date: January 14, 2025, 12:24 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/4a5ae87a-03ed-45e7-8387-aacb5d328494.jpg[/img][/float]
[center]Kaelin Saint
Now winter has come and I stand in the snow
I don't feel the cold
And it's all that I will ever need to believe
One day I know we will meet again
In shade of a life to die for
[hr]
Persephone Incarnate[/center]
[hr]
It was the appeal of privacy that won me over on the idea. And
his acknowledgement that crowds might be a little much for me
right now. I lingered long enough to confirm his ideas of my
preferences, and expand on them a little. Heels are not my
friends, despite my petite stature; but otherwise I’m not overly
picky when it comes to things.
It isn’t until I’m behind the closed door of the bedroom that I
realize how easy I find it to talk with him, even about topics
that should be difficult. That questions of preference and
likes are answered with a measure of certainty, despite having
been robbed of choices like this for so long. This ease and
comfort should frighten me, but it feels like I have known him
for so long already. I can still feel the lingering coolness of
his fingers on my arm, just a brief touch, a simple gesture of
support, not done with intent to control or show possession, but
just genuine concern.
Getting dressed should be a simple thing, but I end up needing
all the time he’s willing to give me. It is a monumental effort
to even start the process. There are a few long minutes where I
ponder just asking him to cancel all the plans, so I can remain
sequestered and sheltered. It’s just fear. I know it’s fear,
and I know I can beat this. I just need to take that first
step.
That first step is as simple as changing back into the yoga
pants and borrowed shirt from the waitress. That momentum
nearly stalls out when I handle his jacket, the one I never hung
up; the one that I had carefully laid out on the end of the bed,
even when I retired hours before. It serves as the symbol of my
new life, because everything changed the moment it was settled
over my shoulders.
Instead of sliding into it, I simply fold it over my arm, and
bring it out with me. I think I’m ready before Trey is, despite
my lollygagging. I don’t have to occupy myself watching the
world at large beyond the windows, though. For once, not being
alone feels like a blessing, and I welcome the cooling influence
that comes as Trey joins me in the main room of his apartment.
Turning from the window to the sound of my name, I’m stunned by
just how good he looks. I’m grateful for the jacket I’m still
holding onto because it mostly hides the way my arms tighten
against my stomach.
The color of that turtleneck deepens the tone of his eyes to
something like freshly-turned loam. And then he hits me with
that smile, the first one that rings true, that lights his eyes
and turns him into something that tries to steal my breath. I’m
stunned by my own reaction, and my cheeks instantly suffuse with
bright pink. Don’t stare… don’t stare… You’re staring…
Dropping my eyes from that smile, I try to focus on what he’s
holding in his hands: just a stack of wealth in so many forms.
The sight of it causes me to just tailspin all over again, with
a series of false starts and aborted attempts to speak. For a
moment, memory overlaps with reality, as I remember a life long
before this one, where another cold figure plied me with
precious metals and gems. But Trey is much less aloof than my
memories of Aidoneus, more affable, more approachable.
“Things people forgot?” I finally manage to loose my tongue
after a few tries. I don’t reach for the platter as a whole,
instead, still holding his jacket against me like armor, I use
one hand to pluck out a little plastic card first, flipping it
over to read the brand name on the front, before tucking it back
into the pile. Then a second one, as I chew on my lower lip.
“This… is incredible.. you… thank you.. you didn’t have to do
this.” There’s cash in there too, as well as the ring he
mentioned, and the necklace. The necklace is beautiful, fit for
a queen.. fit for a goddess. He’s not wrong there. But it’s too
nice, too much… “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much money
in one place…” I try to laugh, even as I slip a few bills out of
the pile doing my best to not disturb it. “What am I going to
do with it all?”
He’s probably going to laugh at me. I am the little country
mouse in the city..
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