Josie Found Herself Rolling Her Eyes, The Same Way She Would For Her Step-father, But She Had No Time

she wasn't sure why, but each day she spent alive the quieter her mind became. when all her anxious thoughts washed away, it was much easier to be around others. even with darkness lurking in the shadows, eleanor believed that she was getting her life back. nursing a gin and tonic, she began walking around the venue. watching as people giggled as they told each other stories, ever since coming back from the dead, she felt so disconnected from the world. as if she wasn't meant to be here anymore. the thought made her shiver, knowing that she should be dead instead of at a party.

with her mind darting from one horrible scenario to another, eleanor managed to bump into someone who was also trying to stay out of the spotlight. "oh my gosh i'm so sorry." grabbing some napkins from her pockets, she handed them to the other. "i spaced out and wasn't paying attention."

open to all ! location: paradigm gardens event 002: lighting of the solstice @inaducursehqstarters

Heath sat on the edge of the gardens, doing what he did best: watching. His careful eye followed party-goers as he sipped beer from a plastic cup while seated on a fallen log. He wasn't working, exactly, but he couldn't turn off the need to observe. Besides, he wasn't really an engage in the social scene type of guy himself, so the outskirts were where he felt most comfortable regardless.

He kept his eyes peeled for any suspicious behavior, on the look out for the demon he and Ingrid were tracking, and eyes open for any of his other ongoing case subjects. Even off from work, there was no such thing as just enjoying an outing.

Would you rather always be two hours early or 20 minutes late? (eleanor)

"i'd always rather be early, because then if the event sucks i can leave early and it's no big deal."

open starter ⊹₊ ⋆ @inaducursehqstarters muse ⊹₊ ⋆ eleanor hildegard location ⊹₊ ⋆ the french quarter plots ⊹₊ ⋆ utp

everything was fuzzy. yet at the same time so vibrant, the whole thing gave her a headache, one she couldn't seem to shake. ever since crawling out of the grave, there were only two things on eleanor's mind, water and her fiancee. placing unruly hair behind her ears, she walked toward the french quarter in search for both. the thing was, she had no money on her. so to get any answers, the anxiously meek woman looked around for someone kind enough to notice she was in distress.

"excuse me, could uhh..." she trailed off unable to get the attention of another, sulking her shoulders forward. ellie's brain felt as if it heavy, as the bright lights strained her already blurry vision.

this was so easy, the way their fingers interlocked, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. a surge of warmth ran through her body, it being so intense that she also felt chills. she'd never felt this way before, like she was meant to be near someone and not because she needed to protect them, but because she needed to know more. for a moment, it seemed as if the two were floating on air, their bodies closer than most on the dance floor, josie's thumbs rubbed small slow circles on the sides of her waist as they swayed to the music. pure bliss, was the only way to describe the feeling that was bubbling in her chest.

a smile crept on her once pursed lips, noticing the way the others cheeks began to turn pink, or at least the part of her cheeks she could see. something which josie matched after the compliment benni gave. "thank you, i....." she was cut off, as screams began to replicate through the dance floor. looking the other in the eye, she began to speak sternly. "hey, we gotta get out of here. i saw a room with a big window in the back, everyone is going for exits so let's head that way." gripping benni's hand, she waited for a response, hoping the other would trust her.

" i won't step on your toes i promise, " benni joked with a gentle laugh. once their hands met, benni instinctively interlocking their fingers with the other's as she was moved closer. that pervious draw to the other woman seemed to only heighten as they were pulled into her orbit. as if there was some shift in benni's gravitational field and it was no longer the ground that kept her in place, but their intertwined hands. while it was an entirely knew feeling for the human, one that she would certainly investigate once it passed, for once, let herself just feel.

another soft laugh bubbled from her lips as the woman spoke once more. " my batting average isn't too shabby, " humor with the tiniest indication of deflection as the compliment brought the faintest hint of a flush to her cheeks. one that was mostly hidden under the mask resting over her features. " but, many are not as stunning as you. " even with the inability to properly see her under the mask, the comment was not hyperbole.

there were very few people who hadn't reacted with wide eyes and a dropped jaw as eleanor walked into the room, one of them happened to be felicity. this wasn't exactly that weird to witness when your family had done similar things for centuries. so despite all the anxious energy that filled the streets of new orleans, there was still this content energy that wasn't shocked by a person crawling out of her grave. right now, it was all that elle could handle every other type of environment overwhelmed her senses.

art was important to the gerard family, how could it not be when you've lived so many lives and seen it evolve? so as the two settled into comfortable conversation, the busy world around them began to melt. feeling as maybe the world didn't have to be as terrifying as eleanor thought. yet it couldn't be denied, the eerie feeling in the air that never left since the power went out, only to mysteriously come on. a chill ran down her spine, causing her eyes to grow wide. "sorry, i'm still adjusting to having a pulse." elle admitted, ever since coming back, she had become hyper aware of her heartbeat. the way it would quicken when someone gave her a certain look on the street. it caused her to feel vulnerable in such public places.

Felicity looked up and, upon recognizing the familiar face before her, a smile of recognition tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh, hey there! I'm sorry, I was so zoned in I didn't even notice you," she said apologetically, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Her friend chuckled softly, a warmth in their eyes as they responded, "No worries, you looked really focused. What are you drawing this time?" they asked, leaning in to get a better look at Felicity's sketchbook.

As Felicity eagerly shared her latest project, the two friends settled into an easy conversation, the bustling energy of the coffee shop providing a comforting backdrop to their reunion. In that moment, Felicity felt grateful for the interruption that had brought them together and looked forward to the shared moments of creativity and connection that awaited them.

@inaducursehqstarters

@cxrsedmuses

how are you feeling now that lizzie is finally back? (josie)

"i feel like i have a second chance at so many things. yet it's also terrifying because no matter how hard hope and i tried we couldn't bring her back. it will be better once i know what brought her back, or at least i hope it will. " @terroremarium

eleanor never actually made it into the ball, her nerves not allowing her to go any further than the steps, but with the events that unfolded she was now thankful. once seeing everyone else run, she decided to follow. there was one place she knew to go, the magic shop that she often visited before her death, a place she hadn't been in years. yet she knew the way and stumbled in, with messy hair and labored breaths. "yeah, i saw that but hunters they attacked the ball and everyone was running and i used to come here all the time so i thought it would be safe." the woman was rambling, a nervous tick some may say, but she had grown to just consider it part of her personality. "i'm sorry, really, i just need a moment."

fear swirled in her mind, wondering if everyone was safe that she cared for. then she began to curse herself for being such a coward and running away. tears filled her eyes and she allowed her shoulders to slouch forward in sadness.

open start ♔ @inaducursehqstarter location ♔ enchanted emporium bonnie's shop during 6/20 plot drop

something  was  wrong.  she  could  feel  it  in  the  very  air,  an  oppressive  heaviness  that  seemed  to  cling  to  her  skin ┈┈   weaving  through  the  magic  that  enveloped  them  all.     there  had  been  a  time  when  she  longed  for  simplicity ┈┈   when  lifting  feathers ┈┈   lighting  candles,  and  coaxing  plants  to  grow  were  the  pinnacles  of  her  magical  prowess.  she  reminisced  about  her  travels,  the  joy  of  discovery,  and  seeing  the  world  alongside  the  man  she  loved.  but  now,  especially  recently,  a  restlessness  churned  within  her  soul ┈┈   a  silent  call  from  the  spirits  that  echoed  in  her  bones.  they  sought  a  bennett  witch  ┈┈   and  she  felt  the  pull  keenly.  was  it  foolish  to  want  to  answer?

with  a  flick  of  her  wrist  ┈┈   one  of  the  tomes  flew  off  the  shelf  of  her  quaint  shop  on  to  the  counter  before  her,  its  pages  fluttering  open  under  her  magical  command.  her  eyes  narrowed  as  the  door  creaked  open  ┈┈   an  unwelcome  intrusion  into  her  sanctuary.  "pretty  sure  that  sign  says  we're  closed,"  she  called  out,  her  voice  laced  with  warning.  her  magic  ignited  at  her  fingertips  ┈┈    shimmering  with  a  readiness  to  be  unleashed.

eleanor had only been alive for a few hours, something brought her back to life and she was determined to figure out what it was. the first place on her list was the apothecary, ellie felt she was in danger and wanted to protect nikolas and herself from whatever may come. it wasn't until she heard a familiar voice, of her future mother in law, had she not died before the wedding. with wide eyes, she looked for something to hide behind, but caroline already saw her. "uhh hi caroline...i was hoping to not have this meeting out in the open, but here we are." she tried to smile, but every nerve in her body felt far to tense to move. "i don't know how i'm here...."

open ! @inaducursehqstarters location: outside stumphouse coffe !

after taking a sip from the take away cup of coffee caroline sighed as it tasted of old drip and not the caliber she'd been accustomed to the last few months in europe. that was the biggest thing she missed since returning home. the rest was overshadowed by the excitement to see her family in person after phone conversations and messages. " toto it looks like we're not in rome anymore, " she speaks more to herself than any passerby in particular after another swig.