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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 6, 2019 22:07:35 GMT -5
โHi, Derek,โ Romi greeted him and put on a smile. Not an act, she was genuinely happy to see him safe and sound after the events of the previous night. While she could hide the circles beneath her eyes with a bit of makeup and skill, she couldnโt deny the very real worry that plagued her over this strange manโs well being. Less than a day of knowing him and she was already stressing herself out over him, so uncertain was she that he had even made it home okay at all. She was tempted to ask him about it, but remembering what Winter had said, she doubted he would have a clue.
โItโs good to see you,โ she settled on instead, adjusting the straps of her backpack as she moved out of the way to speak to him. Someone nearby said her name and waved. Without turning away from Derek, she waved back. Winter wanted her to leave Derek alone, to not tell him anything else about what was going on with him or why. To hide the truth. It went against her better nature to do so, but maybe it wasnโt her place after all. Sheโd been thinking it over all night. Still, that wouldnโt mean she would abandon him. Putting her research on hold, she said, โI didnโt get to eat breakfast before I left this morning. Do you want to grab lunch with me? I think the cafeteria is pretty empty right now.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 7, 2019 11:41:26 GMT -5
"I-it's good to see you too," Derek replied, and he did mean it. Even if yesterday had been taxing on him, seeing Romi did bring a small spark of hope to him. After all, she knew about the supernatural world. Yeah, he wasn't looking forward to what this new knowledge was going to bring with it, but surely Romi would be able to help, right?
"U-um, sure. That is, i-if you don't mind," he said to her offer of getting lunch. He had made himself a small breakfast, but that had been early in this morning. He could go for a meal. The only problem was that he didn't really have much cash on him, and he didn't want to make her pay for his food. He'll figure something out. He waited for her to lead the way before falling into step beside her.
There was a moment of silence from him before he was able to find his voice. "I-I'm sorry for yesterday," he told her. "I didn't mean to have a panic attack, although I should have figured it would happen. A-and I'm sorry for just leaving without warning."
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 14:59:50 GMT -5
โI donโt mind at all,โ Romi assured him as she rested a gentle hand on his arm and fell into step beside him. She thought it was sad, how unsure of himself and others he was, that he thought she would mind his company when she was the one to invite him in the first place. Poor guy needed some good friends to lean on and after last night, she was convinced that she could be that friend. At least, one of them.
Softly, she splayed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a sympathetic smile. โHey, thereโs no reason to be sorry, Derek. Not for the panic attack or leaving. I think I should have told you a little more carefully,โ she said as they reached the front doors of the cafeteria and pushed the door open for the two of them. At the front stand, she handed the employee enough money for two meals. โIโm happy youโre okay and I want to help you figure this whole mess out. Itโs not going to be easy, but I wouldnโt abandon you to figure it out on your own.โ
Derek deserved a nice treat and after the previous night, she was more than okay with buying him a nice lunch. She knew that Winter had warned her to stay away, but this was Derek and he was too gentle to abandon, so she refused to do so. Winter could be angry if he wanted to be. โIโm going to be careful from now on, but if you have any questions, let me know. Iโll try my best to explain them better.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 8, 2019 16:39:26 GMT -5
The touch of her hand, while gentle and friendly as it was, still caused Derek to flinch slightly. One would think that after spending so much time in public places like school, he would learn that physical contact here was not done with any intention of anger or harm. Yet dodging blows, or trying to at least, had become an instinctual reflex reaction whenever something or someone moved his way. As uncomfortable as he was with it, he didn't move away or try to move her hand from him like Winter had done.
"Still, I just kind of left you to deal with us with no warning," he muttered. He didn't need anyone to tell him that Winter had stepped in whenever he retreated to their inner world. Winter had been co-hosting with him the entire time he had been talking with Romi. Naturally, it'd make sense for him to be the one to take over. He was about to reply to her offer of help when she led him over to the counter and saw the amount of money given. Instead, he stated, "I-I can pay for my food." However, even as he said it, he knew that it would do no good. The money had already been given, and, again, while Romi might have been a sweet girl, he knew better than to try and argue. Arguing means you got beat. Romi might not harm him, but his instincts told him not to make her mad.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 18:09:00 GMT -5
Every flinch made Romiโs heart ache. Each time Derek shied away, each time he showed the most basic signs of having lived a painful, agonizing life โ her heart broke a little more. He was so sweet and while Winter was a tad intense (to put it nicely), she assumed that he was doing what he believed to be right in order to protect himself and the others. To them, she was a random witch, nothing but a stranger. They knew nothing of her and other than what Winter had confessed to her, she knew nothing of them. Didnโt stop her from wanting to know.
โItโs cool, Der. Really, I mean it. It was different, but that doesnโt make it bad.โ She picked out a seat for them in the back, so that they could talk without being overheard, before she addressed his quiet protest. The face she made was close to a pout and her voice took on more of a coo. โAw, sugar. Itโs my treat for scaring you yesterday. Besides, youโre my friend, and friends buy each other lunch.โ
One roast beef sandwich and a small side of chips in hand, she sank down into the old, cushioned cafeteria seat and regarded Derek while munching on a mouthful of food. After a quiet moment, she added, โI mean, I want to be your friend. Winterโs, too. I know he doesnโt like me much, but thatโs okay.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 8, 2019 18:20:55 GMT -5
Friend? The word, while one that got tossed around a lot by those around him, had never been used towards him before. It almost stunned the boy when she said it. After all, he hadn't spoken to her for, what, an hour at most? Was that even time to become friends? Winter would say no, but, then again, Winter was not one in the mind set to make friends. Winter liked his isolation, Derek didn't. While the companionship of his alters were welcomed and greatly appreciated, the boy did want to know what it would feel like to have others he could talk, to hang out with and forget his own problems for a while.
Sinking into the seat opposite of Romi's, Derek took his food. With the scent of it filling his nostrils, his stomach gave a soft rumble, welcoming the chance to eat, yet he hesitated a bit. "Y-yeah, b-but don't take it personally. Winter doesn't like anyone," Derek told, offering a small, wavering smile to the girl before it disappeared again. "I-I don't know what he said to you, but I'm going to go ahead and apologize. He's rough, and that's putting it mildly. Protective to a fault is probably more correct."
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 18:37:18 GMT -5
The apology startled a little laugh out of her, light and airy. It wasnโt funny so much as it was blatantly obvious, which she found amusing. Her smile didnโt waver at all. โWell, I donโt blame him. He has every right to be super grumpy,โ she decided and sipped her drink, red-painted nails shining in the orange light from overhead. โYou donโt have to apologize for what he said. Iโm not angry, not at you or him. He said what he thought he needed to.โ
They had met only yesterday. Knew one another for less than twenty four hours. Yet despite that, Romi would consider Derek a friend nonetheless. Winter, too, though she knew he would reject that title viciously out of a need to protect them from the outside world. They needed someone, though, and it was clear to her that they had no one to fill that role. It might be too early for Derek to feel comfortable hanging out for long periods of time, but Romi was all smiles and confidence when she asked, โI donโt know if you have plans or if youโll be busy, but thereโs going to be a carnival right outside of campus tonight. Would you want to come with me?โ
Or if it would be Derek at all by then. Winter would undoubtedly leave at the soonest opportunity. She thought Derek might enjoy an easy night of fun, though.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 8, 2019 19:03:47 GMT -5
Derek's surprise wasn't too hard to notice. "So he told you?" he asked, awed by this fact. "Winter doesn't usually like to talk to people, let alone tell them anything." Of course, he was assuming that it was only the physical abuse that was mentioned. He had no idea of the true depths of it, nor much about the demon aspects of things. Still, whenever he tried to convince Winter telling someone about it, the older boy would refuse. His reasoning was always that no one would believe them or that they wouldn't care. After all, if they couldn't see the signs of it on their own, then why should they have to point it out to them? Derek never tried to argue further, knowing that there was a grain of truth to Winter's words. That didn't mean he didn't wish he could talk to someone anyway.
He had just taken a bite of his own sandwich when Romi's invitation made him pause once more. Of all the things she could have said, offering to hang out with him wasn't even on that list. "A-are you sure?" he asked. "I-I mean, D-Dad doesn't like it when we're out late, s-so I don't know if I'll be able to stay long. I doubt you'll enjoy it much with me around."
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 19:32:24 GMT -5
(( Derekโs dad: *Exists* Romi: How dare u, fight me ))
โWinter seems like the kinda guy to keep to himself, but yeah. He told me a bit. Just what I needed to know,โ she murmured, leaving out the full truth. She promised Winter she wouldnโt tell him much more and she meant it.
Oh, Derek definitely needed to spend more time with Romi. She would show him exactly how wrong he was about that statement, that his company could be nice and enjoyable. Proving it to him became her newest goal in life, alongside finding a way to prevent him from living with a horrendous beast of a demon. More goals than she made in the majority of her lifetime, if she were being honest with herself. โI wouldnโt have invited you if I wasnโt sure,โ she said, playfully gave him a wink from over the top of her cup. โI think Iโll enjoy it better with you. Iโve never been to a real carnival before. My parents were pretty strict when I was growing up.โ
As for Derekโs sorry excuse for a father, there came a slight twinkle of mischief in Romiโs gray-blue eyes. โOh, donโt worry about your dad, sugar. He can fight me if he thinks Iโm gonna let him punish you for being out late. You deserve to have some fun. Weโre gonna go on rides, play games and eat junk until we get sick!โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 8, 2019 20:08:32 GMT -5
(XD I can just imagine this tiny witch scolding the demon that is his father, no fear whatsoever. XD)
Derek could only stare at her as he processed all she said. What was he to do? Anger his father, which he seemed to do anyways no matter what he did, or anger a witch, whom he knew next to nothing about? Sure, Romi didn't seem like the type that would be quick to anger, what with her cheery personality, but one could never tell at face value. That deep, ingrained fear that molded him into obedience told him it would be a horrible idea. What if he had a switch? Winter would be fine, but Sam? What trouble would he get into? Would Romi even want to deal with the six year old? He didn't know how much Winter had told her about their DID, so did she even know about him?
Yet that longing for a friend mixed with the kind smile of the young woman before him, made him think that maybe, just maybe, he could get away with this one time. He didn't know how she would be able to actually fight his father, especially if he was a demon like he had so recently confirmed. The boy couldn't live with himself if she got her because of him. Regardless of that, Romi still invited him, still wanted to experience the carnival with him, someone she just meet and a possible demon himself. She even promised to help defend him if his father caused problems. It was all he could do not to ask "Are you sure?" again. Instead, he muttered, "I-if you think i-it'll be alright, t-then s-sure."
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 21:03:49 GMT -5
(( Lmao thatโs exactly how itโll be, she fears very little ))
โI wonโt let you get into trouble over a night of harmless fun. Youโre an adult and you should be able to decide what time you come home. Your dad shouldnโt have any say in how you spend your nights. Thatโs why I left home,โ Romi confessed and leaned forward on an elbow, picking at a scratch on the wooden tabletop. โMy parents always wanted to be the ones to say who I could hang out with, where I could go and when I needed to be home. If I was even a minute late, they would ground me and I would have to wait weeks to go out again. I got sick of it. I mean, I love them, sure โ Iโm just happy to have some space, you know?โ
Romi was an independent, outgoing woman. She liked people, enjoyed socializing and getting to know others. Exploring new places and experiencing new things. Under the strict rules of her disapproving parents, she couldnโt do that, no matter how much she loved them. It must have been awful for Derek, to fear going home over something so trivial as staying out late as an adult. In a different sense, she could relate a little, though certainly not to the exact same extent. Derek clearly had it much, much worse. โI can pick you up in my car around eight or nine, if you want?โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 8, 2019 21:44:43 GMT -5
(XD I can't wait for any kind of confrontation between her and his father.)
Derek glanced down at his food as he listened to Romi talk about her parents. Honestly, he wouldn't mind the strict time limit set upon him, or the rules of who he was to hang out with and where. If rules was all it was, he could follow them. It was what happened if he didn't follow the rules that had him scared. It was the unpredictability of his father's moods, the feeling of walking on eggshells whenever he was home. No, if his father was just strict, he would call that an improvement. "I-I'm not really supposed to be unsupervised for long," he told him. "DID isn't exactly something you can trust yourself with, especially when you don't now what's happening at all times or have control even when you do. I can easily get into trouble at any moment if I don't have someone to help keep an eye on me."
Mainly, that concern was more geared towards Sam. While the Little was the most protected, it was already clear that he suffered the most mental trauma. The boy could easily fall into any number of anxiety attacks or have severe PTSD if not watched. One moment, he could be fine, and the next, curled up in a corner somewhere unable to breath. Not only that, but having a child in an adult body often lent itself to Sam thinking he can do whatever he wants to do. He's not to blame for that thinking; he's simply acting as any child would, and that's why he needed to be supervised.
Romi's offer to pick him up brought him back to the conversation at hand. Quickly, he shook his head. "N-no! I-I mean, I-I'll be around the campus. I-I can meet up with you somewhere around here. I think that'll be easier," Derek told her. The last thing he wanted was for her to be seen near his home. If his father knew of her, of what she was, who knew what he might do.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 8, 2019 22:03:54 GMT -5
(( Choice words and punches will be thrown lmao ))
โYou wonโt be alone. Iโll admit that I donโt know a lot about DID or what it means to have it, but I can promise you that Iโm going to do my best to learn. Iโm happy to be more informed about it,โ Romi offered, picked up a small crumb of bread from what was left of her sandwich and shredded it into smaller pieces unconsciously. She wished she had gotten the chance to actually check out some books from the library earlier. The internet was an option, of course, but it could be entirely unreliable when it came to medical knowledge and she would rather stick to the old fashioned method of researching. โI know we just met, but I wouldnโt let you get into any serious trouble. Not if I could help it. Thatโs what friends are for.โ
Truthfully, she did have little to no experience with children, despite how adorable they were and how often she cooed at the babies in the nearby park on her morning runs. Romi wanted to be a mother โ someday in the very distant future โ and when it came to kids and people who deserved her attention, she could be quite patient. She hadnโt met Sam yet, but she hoped that when she did, she would be able to watch out for him.
At Derekโs strong refusal to be picked up, Romi was momentarily confused, until she recalled Winterโs words from the night before. If she picked Derek up, their father would know about her and it would likely lead to a confrontation. Of course he would be afraid of that, since he must have been tiptoeing around his fatherโs anger all his life. โOh, thatโs okay. We can meet up in front of the library, since itโs in the middle of campus. Is that okay?โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 9, 2019 19:15:12 GMT -5
(I'd be sad if they weren't. XD)
"I don't know much about it either," Derek admitted. "I-I haven't really had the time or the means to really talk with anyone who would be able to tell me a lot of the specifics. But, um, I could try and t-tell you what I know, or how it a-at least works for our system. T-that is, i-if you would like.โ She might prefer to do her own research since his knowledge was limited to his and his altersโ experiences. DID was different for everyone, that much he knew, so there really wasnโt one good source of information when it came to the disorder.
Her agreement to meet at the library was meet with the slight, but visible relaxing of Derek's posture. "The library works," he said, nodding. He was planning on going back there anyway whenever Romi had to leave, for surely the woman had other things to do than talk with him the rest of the day. Now, especially, if he was going to be out later, he would need to take a nap. It was a good thing the librarian there had long felt sorry for him and allowed him to sleep there whenever he needed it.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 11, 2019 13:19:08 GMT -5
(( Should we skip to later on? I can get a post up soon! ))
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 11, 2019 19:34:44 GMT -5
The air was cold and crisp, the campus sidewalks empty, as Romi made her way to the library front. Hands shoved into her pockets beneath thin gloves, dressed in a comfortable sweatshirt and jeans. She spent the short amount of time between saying goodbye to Derek and now catching up on a bit of research. Lucky for her, the library did have a couple informative psychology textbooks; Derek knew his condition best, though. Not every case of DID was the same, according to most professionals. It was a case by case deal, so she was prepared to pay attention and tread carefully until she got to know Derek and the others better. All of it would be a serious learning process that she was more than willing to go through, if it meant giving them a shoulder to lean on.
Speaking of the devil, it was as easy as breathing to spot Derek, even from the distance. Her breath came out in small clouds as she grinned and waved. โHi! Itโs cold out here, hope you havenโt been waiting too long,โ she called as she hopped up the stairs, the clack of her high-heeled boots loud against the stone. โSorry it took me a minute. Last minute homework, boring stuff, yada yada.โ
Her goal was to make this a fun night for Derek (and whoever else happened to pop up and take his place). Winter would likely ditch her if he showed up, but she could still try. Besides, all of them deserved to have a chance at a little fun and relaxation.
โHave you ever been to a carnival?โ Romi asked as she began to walk, smile wide and bright. She was excited to be able to give him the opportunity to get away from his awful father, if only for a night. โIโve heard itโs a lot of fun. What do you want to do first? I can buy you snacks and tickets, so donโt worry. I have plenty of money, so donโt be shy about asking, okay?โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 11, 2019 20:44:34 GMT -5
Derek didn't have as much of a productive time as Romi. While she studied and researched, he had headed back to the library. The two must have taken different routes or she must have made a few stops before reaching the building because he didn't see he when he arrived. When he got there, he was greeted by the elderly librarian at the front desk, spoke very briefly and told her he would be in the back room if that was okay. As always, he was given permission and promised he wouldn't be disturbed. He had been coming here since he started college, and, after winning the sympathy of the librarian, Mrs. Smithers, had been given the back room as his unofficial resting/hiding space. DID was torture to one's energy levels, and on top of everything else he had going against him, the boy could fall asleep just about anywhere. So after the third time of being caught napping in the corners of the man rooms, he had been offered one of the smaller rooms in the back used for meetings by other people to be his designated private space. She had even provided him with a bean bag chair and blanket to use. Of course, Sam loved it and it was the child's favorite place to color. Since he was going to have a long night, Derek knew he would need all the energy he could muster. Long story short, he had spent the time away from Romi sleeping.
The only down side was that the library closed at six. When the closing hour approached, Derek was gently woken up by Mrs. Smithers and was told that he would have to leave. He thanked her and gathered his things. The boy left the library with the librarian, but instead of leaving entirely, he sat down on the steps and settled for the next few hours. The weather was getting colder, and he was sorely prepared. He was dressed in jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes, and a thin and worn jacket that had seen a life-time of use even before he got it. It did little to keep out the cold, but he did his best to ignore it. Especially when he spotted Romi finally walking towards him.
"O-oh, no, I haven't been here long," Derek lied, and for once hoped he sounded somewhat convincing. He attempted to return her smile, but the action was awkward at best. "N-no, I haven't been before, and I-I don't want to waste your money. I-I can buy things for myself if I w-want them."
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 11:18:58 GMT -5
โItโs not a waste of my money. Besides, I invited you out, so itโs only polite to pay. At least, thatโs what people do back home. Not that you canโt pay for your own things, I just like to be friendly,โ she said, tapped a single finger against her chin thoughtfully. Back home, people were also pretty judgmental, so she couldnโt say with confidence that she learned a lot of good things from her hometown. At least some of the rules about politeness and courtesy were good enough to follow. โThis will be fun, then, I think. Since neither of us have ever been before and this is our first time.โ
In the distance, lights twinkled like stars through the darkening twilight, like guiding beacons. In shades of red and gold, multicolored and flashing. Music drifted through the air, upbeat and cheerful, a melody that Romi didnโt quite recognize. An intense, electric feeling hung heavily throughout the night โ a static shock that jolted Romi wide awake, alerted each and every one of her senses. Made her feel alive. It was the cause of magic, flowing naturally through the ground beneath her feet and into all that it touched. Trees and flowers, animals and people, all fueled by its powerful influence. The older Romi grew, the better she could connect with it, though to this day it still sent a chilling rush of excitement through her veins. Autumn was an important time for witches, as it held the autumnal equinox and this year, a harvest moon. Times when the lines of natural magic were strong, the veils between worlds thin. Humans knew a bit about it โ partially why they celebrated Halloween โ but they didnโt understand the significance of it.
โAw, sugar, you look like youโre freezing,โ Romi said kindly. Outside beneath the chilly dark sky, Derek looked cold. It was an easy task for Romi to tap into the magic scattered throughout the earth, easily within reach. She used it to warm the air around Derek, though the hand she reached out didnโt physically make any contact. โAny better? Let me know if you need it to be any warmer.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 12:14:13 GMT -5
Derek sensed the same energy in the air as they drew closer to the carnival, but he reacted to it differently than Romi. For starters, he wasn't even sure what he was feeling. The flashing lights and growing sounds of the crowd and music set up the atmosphere as chaotic. There was a buzz in the air, something living, something hectic. Perhaps it was just from all the people, he thought. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it wasn't altogether pleasant either. He glanced about them, realizing very quickly he wouldn't be able to look at the flashing lights directly. They were enough to flare his anxiety, and it was already bad enough for being out late. He wasn't about to take any other risks. So instead, he focused on the people around him. Unlike Winter and Sam, crowds didn't bother him. Yeah, he didn't know how to interact with them, but he didn't mind being in the midst of people. Everyone he saw appeared to be enjoying themselves, so maybe it wasn't going to be too bad.
At Romi's observations, the boy opened his mouth to tell her he was fine. However, he didn't get a chance to when the air about him warmed. He looked to her and noticed her extended hand. "W-what did you do?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He hadn't seen or heard her do anything, though it would have been hard to hear much in the noise of the carnival.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 13:40:58 GMT -5
Romi enjoyed the buzz in her blood, the energetic wave that flowed over her in the only way that magic could. Humans felt nothing, but those of the supernatural races โ from witches to werewolves to vampires, even to demons โ would be able to sense it. Not all creatures could use magic, but they could feel it, as it was a part of all life.
โOh, itโs just a little heat charm. Not really a spell. Itโs basic magic. Spells are for more complicated things,โ she explained with a small shrug and smile, basking in the cheerful sights and smells. She loved people, loved crowds and places where people flocked to have fun or spend time with friends. Many of her kind did not and throughout history, displayed a bad relationship with humans. The Salem Witch Trials were particularly brutal, as were the witch hunts in Europe, but not all humans could be blamed. Besides, not every witch had good intentions. Some were just as bad as the most evil humans. She enjoyed telling Derek about the rules of magic, though. โLike if I want to travel somewhere fast, I could make a portal, but that would require the proper materials and a powerful spell. If I just wanted to be a little warmer or cooler, itโs as simple as using a bit of magic and a small charm.โ
Also, debunking stereotypes was pretty fun, too. Witches in fiction and popular media were pretty far away from the truth. She let out a small laugh as they approached the front stand. โYou wonโt catch me using a wand, though. I donโt think there are many witches who use them nowadays. It wasnโt a very popular trend. We donโt ride broomsticks, either. Thatโs a myth. I prefer my car, actually, but portals are okay too.โ
When the man in the booth looked at the two, his gaze was narrowed and beady. He hardly blinked when Romi purchased two tickets, though he flinched away sharply at the slight brush of their hands.
โRude,โ Romi muttered as she held Derekโs ticket out for him to take and passed through the small front gates, her frown small.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 15:43:56 GMT -5
Derek nodded slightly and stared at the air in front of him. Or, tried to. He was trying to see if there were any notable traces of the charm, but air was air. If there was anything to indicate the presence of magic, his untrained eyes could catch nothing. "And you c-can just do this whenever you want?" he asked. She hadn't said anything, simply raised her hand. For all he knew, she just thought the air warmer and it happened. Then again, he assumed that's how magic worked in general.
As she continued with her explanation about the typical stereotypes regarding witches, he turned his eyes to her. "No wands, no broomsticks," he echoed. His whole definition and image of witches was being drastically changed each moment he spent with Romi. It wasn't a bad thing, though. Well, learning about her wasn't a bad thing. What it meant for him that brought him to be learning about her was the bad thing. But he refused to think of that now. He wasn't a demon. Not tonight anyway. He could push those worries away and try to focus on the here and now.
Derek watched as Romi paid for their tickets, noticing the reaction the man had when coming into contact with the young witch. He frowned slightly and followed her into the carnival. "W-what was that about?" he asked.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 16:38:49 GMT -5
โAs long as I donโt use too much magic, yeah. I can use it whenever I need to,โ Romi answered brightly, though she chose not to specify all the ways that witches could be prevented from using magic. Cold iron cages and willow ash circles were powerful ways to trap a witch, although sometimes purified salt would do the trick just as well. Witches were mostly human, though, so apart from having magic many things like holy water and silver still held no effect. โI try not to use magic a lot, though. Little charms are easy but bigger spells wear me out. Potions are more my specialty.โ
What was the manโs reaction all about?
Did her breath smell that bad or did she have something on her face? She didnโt know why he would flinch away so badly, unless maybe he really didnโt like people. Her metaphorical hackles were raised, though. A deeper feeling settled low and heavy in her gut: suspicion. โI donโt know,โ she admitted, but she put on a smile and shrugged. Best not to worry her newfound friend with her strange gut feelings. โMaybe heโs having a bad night. Oh, look over there, Derek! Isnโt that teddy bear adorable? He looks like you.โ
The teddy bear in question was gigantic and fluffy, with dark button eyes and a little round nose. Sat at the top of a row of other stuffed prizes, to be won and given to anyone who could knock down the most bottles. Perhaps it didnโt really look like Derek, but both were adorable, so Romi didnโt see much of a difference.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 16:49:46 GMT -5
It made sense. Casting spells would be like any other physical activity, he would imagine. There had to be a give and take system to make sure no one person could do the impossible. It was just the specifics of how it worked that were unknown to him, and he doubted he would be able to understand it even if he asked about it. Instead, he chose to ask, "Potions? What kind of potions?"
Derek took her reply to the man's reaction without argument. If Romi figured it was something to do with the man's night so far, then that was what it was. He had plenty of other things to worry about than someone else's reaction to physical contact. He glanced in the direction of the teddy bear she pointed out and tried to see how it looked like him. "I-I guess," he muttered, not seeing the connection she was. Other than both having brown "hair," the similarities stopped there. Of course, he didn't view himself as being very cute or adorable, so her line of thinking could not be followed by him. "A-Are you going to try and win it?"
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 17:25:30 GMT -5
(( Romi @ bad people: Iโll turn you into a frog Romi @ teddy bears & Derek : I need to hug and cuddle you forever ))
โAll kinds of potions. Some are for luck and some are for strength. A lot are medicines. The stronger potions take longer to brew โ weeks, sometimes months. Love potions take like a year and a half to make,โ Romi listed off as she eyed the fluffy teddy bear above and approached the game booth. It wasnโt very crowded, perhaps not the most popular game or maybe it was just too early for most people to waste their money on senseless prizes. She had never made a love potion, but there was a witch a couple hours away who specialized in making them for multiple customers. Romi disapproved of using them, quite frankly. It was wrong to try to force another person to feel love, which needed to come naturally or not at all. The council of witches and warlocks wouldnโt outlaw it, though, even if they should have.
A finger tapping on her chin, the woman turned a mischievous grin at Derek over her shoulder. โI need that bear and I will name him Derek The Second,โ she announced as she glued herself close to Derekโs side and stood in front of the booth. She paid for a single round, grabbed the ball, and tried to aim for the nearest row of bottles. With magic it would be easy, but there was no fun in that, so she threw it with all her strength. And missed by a longshot. When she looked at the game director, he simply shook his head to indicate that, nope, she hadnโt won anything. She pouted at Derek. โBut the bear,โ she repeated and gestured up at it. โHe looks so sad up there. I need to hug him, Derek.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 17:49:54 GMT -5
(See, but that's a logical and fully acceptable response to those two scenarios. XD)
So all of those kinds of potions were real then. He knew fairy tales were fond of including a potion or two in their plot. Well, he supposed it was to be expected since everything else was apparently real. Still, the thought of potions and magic was a bit much for him to take in all at once. It would take time before this kind of information would feel like reality not not some weird dream.
Her need to have the bear and name him after himself was strange to say the least, but having dealt with Sam, who had a total of six stuffed animals he named (one which was in his backpack at all times in case the boy needed it) was one he couldn't really judge. But why name it after him? Derek glanced over at Romi as she stuck to his side, not really sure what to do in response. "D-do you want me to t-try?" he asked, figuring that was what he was supposed to do, right? The guy was to win the prize for the girl? Granted, that was usually for dating couples, and they barely knew each other. Still, if she wanted it that badly, he would give it a shot. He might not do any better, but he could try.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 18:06:46 GMT -5
(( True lol, sheโs forever going to be convinced that Derek is just a teddy bear and Winter is his grumpy teddy bear lookalike. ))
โYes! Win that bear, Derek,โ Romi cheered and made a little clapping motion with her hands, as giddy and cheerful as any other girl at the carnival would be. Although, most girls here were on dates with hot guys and she was hanging out with a demon boy (albeit it a very cute one) that she met the day prior. That didnโt make it any less fun, just a little strange. Granted, strange might as well be her middle name at this point in her life. Wasnโt like she didnโt deal with the odd and unusual every day of her life anyway. โI need that bear. Derek The Second is going to be the king of my stuffed animal collection.โ
The man behind the counter looked less than thrilled at having the woman be so determined to win, but he willingly handed over another ball to Derek and unnecessarily added a monotone, โYou get one try. Knock three bottles down and you get a prize from the top shelf. Two bottles and you can pick from the lower shelves. One bottle gets you a keychain.โ
Romi made a slight face and put her hands on her cheeks. โA keychain? That will never be as good as the future King Derek,โ she huffed, though she knew it wasnโt that big of a deal. If they didnโt win, oh well. She would find another giant bear somewhere else to name the same thing. If it didnโt mean stealing, she would just conjure one up, but objects couldnโt just appear out of nowhere. They had to come from somewhere and often it was random.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 19:01:51 GMT -5
(Derek's the teddy bear, Winter's the actually grizzly bear, and Sam's just the adorable baby bear that will never grow up. XD)
Despite the strangeness, Derek found a small laugh bubbling forth. It was as if he had a female version of Sam right before him. He had only known the child to be this excited and determined for a stuff animal he particularly wanted. If he formed an attachment to in on sight, it was impossible to leave without it, which was how he managed to get four of the six stuffed animals he owned now. "I think Sam would get along with you very well," he commented, taking the ball offered to him.
The concept of the game was simple enough. Throw the ball, knock over the bottles, gain the prize. Derek, however, had never partaken in any sort of sport in his life, so he wasn't entirely sure who well he would fair. Even if he hit one bottle, it would be better than he was expecting. Possibly looking like the least athletic person in the world, he pulled back his arm and tried to take aim. There was a moment of pause as he braced himself for failure before letting the ball fly.
Two things happened that equally shocked him. The first was that he had, in fact, been able to knock down all three bottles. The second was that the force behind his throw had been been greater than he had anticipated. The ball had seemed to hone in on the bottles, sending them flying pretty violently in all directions. One bottle actually hit another tower and caused to more to fall on accident. Derek stared in shock at the results, pretty sure that he couldn't have thrown that hard.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Oct 12, 2019 19:45:30 GMT -5
(( Makes perfect sense. Theyโre like the completely different version of the Three Little Bears lol ))
Two things happened, all at once.
The man behind the booth jumped at the sudden, violent way in which the bottles scattered upon impact and Romi, in her excitement, was overcome with a dizzying sense of dread. It crept up her body like chilly, ice cold fingers, gripped her spine in a bone-crushing grip that threatened to break and tear. Her mind reeled at the instinct to run, hide, run. Was it the unexpected force of Derekโs throw that set her on edge? She wasnโt a jumpy person. She didnโt scare easily. Yet it was the same hackle-raising feeling from earlier, moments ago, at the carnivalโs entrance.
It felt like there were eyes on the back of her head.
She risked a glance over her shoulder, into the crowd, and found nothing of interest. Couples holding hands, bright lights and steam drifting from a nearby snack stand. Slowly, her attention returned to Derek, and she gave him a massive grin. Back to being happy, she didnโt want to worry him over what might be nothing. โSee? I knew you could do it,โ she squealed happily and clapped her hands together. โLook at you, youโre a carnival game master!โ
โHereโs your prize,โ the man mumbled, wide-eyed, as he practically shoved the teddy bear into Romiโs waiting arms.
Romi instantly latched onto the bear, hugging it tightly and giggling. โI hope we get along. I mean if he likes stuffed animals as much as I do. I have a huge collection back home that I couldnโt bring with me,โ she said, examining the bear. โAnd now I will name you King Derek the Second, the fluffiest and most adorable bear in the entire world. Not as great as the real Derek, but a close second.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 12, 2019 20:09:10 GMT -5
(Lol, yeah. XD )
Derek's gaze lingered on the space where the bottles had once been standing, even as Romi jumped in excitement beside him. Winter had moved forward in his mind, alerted by the sudden change, but the other boy didn't try to take control. It was clear he wasn't happy by what happened, but he didn't jump forward. He was, however, keeping closer tabs on things. The problem was, Sam had also followed him. The child was drawn out by the lights and the prizes, yet he wasn't trying to take control either. His thoughts were crowded, but he was still the one in charge.
Blinking, he slowly turned his head to look at Romi in time to see her take the teddy bear into her arms. He felt off, but he wasn't exactly sure why. Was that normal? Was that what always would happen had he ever tried to throw things on purpose? Was it something supernatural? The boy, dazed and confused, could only look back and forth between the now destroyed stack of bottles that the poor guy behind the counter was starting to put back together to the hand that threw the ball.
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