Jaiden Price
xxxDo we need somebody
xxxJust to feel like we're alright?
xxxIs the only reason you're holding me tonight
xxx'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
The next few days that followed were as uneventful as anyone would have pictured. Jaiden had all but locked herself in her room once more and mainly refused to come out unless it involved taking a shower or eating with Markus and Violet. She tried so hard to make things go back to the way they were, how they used to be between her and everyone. But ever since the night at the meeting, things became less normal. She saw Alex less, which wasn't entirely all bad. But not seeing him with Phoenix, like he had always been was odd, but she figured they were just dealing with things and wasn't going to pry into it much. She learned not to get involved in other people's things. And being the recluse that she was, it wasn't very hard for her to stay out of other's drama and personal issues. As much as Jaiden wanted to be able to see her old friends again, something told her to just stay to herself. Stay in her room. Stay away from the others and no one else can get hurt. If no one can get hurt, then nothing bad can happen, right? At least that's what she kept telling herself over and over again. Even after the accident all those years ago that brought her to Greythorne in the first place, didn't have this type of effect on her. Is this what losing someone she cared about felt like? It had been so many years that she almost forgot what it felt like to lose someone she cared about..
Jaiden found herself in an even darker hole than she was days prior, and it seemed to only be getting worse. Withdrawing herself away from everyone and anyone. Even Markus was slowly not having an effect on her. Even though he wasn't the best company in general, he was trying, and Jaiden could see that. She could see what everyone was doing, and how they were trying to help, but she only felt like a burden and it made her push them further and further away. If she didn't have anyone close, then no one could get hurt. At least not by her. She could feel herself retreating further into her old mind set, and it was slowly starting to eat away at her. Jaiden knew it wasn't a healthy substitute for hiding her pain, but she didn't know what else to do or how to talk about it. Everyone else had their own problems, and she didn't want to push her own onto others, not again. It was today that Markus told her that he was going to make sure that she got out of the house. She had no say in the matter and that it would be like old times, with old friends. That they'd be going out for a few drinks, and that it would be good for her. Get her out of the house, and have her with people she could trust. That, and she knew what Markus and Rosie were thinking. If things went downhill, they'd all be together and no one could get hurt. Or at least as minor of casualties as they could afford.
As ever begrudgingly as before, she agreed. It could perhaps be a good time and she did miss her friends. So, why not? She had gotten dressed after taking a shower and did as minor of makeup as she could afford to. She knew it would be a few hours before anyone arrived before they'd leave, and she was content to stay in her room until then. But a soft knock alerted her to someone wanting to get in, so she let them in and it turned to be Violet. Simply asking for help as she wanted to make some snacks before people got here. Jaiden agreed and the next few hours had been spent making small baked goods, like muffins and cookies. It was the first time in weeks that Jaiden actually had a good time and didn't feel like entire garbage. They had finally finished making all the snacks when the doorbell went off the first time, alerting them to someone finally arriving. Markus had gone to the door to let Violet and Jaiden clean up the kitchen, and as he came back they saw that Rosie had arrived first. After small talk and some light-hearted jokes between Rosie and Jaiden, she could feel herself smiling a little as some of the others arrived, like Phoenix and even Neden who showed up shortly after the others. But it didn't last long as talk of the situation had arisen when Travis finally arrived to the house. The mood had dipped slightly as he made a joke to Neden about it being his pass and welcome into the patrol unit. Jaiden didn't entirely hear what they said in turn as Jaiden excused herself into the kitchen. She could feel her heart beginning to race, the last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene. Was even the simplest mention of hunters easy enough to set of her panic and anxiety? Jaiden didn't know, but all she was able to do was try and calm herself down.
Markus Valegood
xxxThe world was on fire and no one could save me but you
xxxIt's strange what desire will make foolish people do
xxxI never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
xxxAnd I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you
The next few days that followed were as Markus had figured they'd go. Interrogating, questioning, and none stop on guard duty of making sure the Hunter didn't escape. To give credit where it was due, the Hunter didn't go down easily and had put up well enough of a fight. Well, from what Neden said the Hunter had put up a fight, which resulted in his arm having been broken in the ensuing fight. From what little information they got, which wasn't much of anything, it was safe to assume he was with the Hunters that attacked the night of the festival. Markus knew they would come back, they always did, and he was prepared for it. Until this small incident happened. He knew the others would be mad when they found out about it, and sure enough, some were. Especially Rosie. He knew she was going to be angry when she found out, and it's why he had wanted to wait to tell her. But Neden had to go and open their mouth and make mention of it. Which, sure enough, led to him receiving an earful from the short siren. And sure enough, he did.
But as time passed he was able to explain more to Rosie, mainly that he was going to tell her. He just wanted to tell her when he had everything set in stone, and nothing could go wrong. All that mattered now was that they had a small plan, they just had to figure out what to do. It was when Rosie told Markus of her idea, of having Travis talk to the Hunter that he was put further on edge. He wasn't sure what to think, he didn't have the best feeling towards Travis and he didn't know what the human would do. And the last thing he'd plan is to trust a human, with someone like a Hunter. It only took much talking from Rosie and even Neden to see their reasoning, and how it could be an advantage for them to let Travis talk with their new guest. Which, he finally agreed. And now he found himself in his small home, in the woods, with what seemed like half of Greythorne in his home. He didn't mind it, it was just having so many people at once in his home. Markus casually sat on the couch in the living room, petting the dog as more people slowly filled his house.
Markus silently watched as everyone talked and caught up with each other. That was until the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He watched as Rosie walked over to the door and opened it, letting someone walk in. At first he watched in silence as Rosie came back, with Travis. A lump formed in his throat as he watched the human make his way in his home. He was about to question how he knew where he lived, then he guessed Rosie had told him. He eyed him in silence for a moment, before Travis asked Neden if he had been accepted into the patrols. Markus just silently rolled his eyes as he stood up, "Still debating. It's Neden's choice on the matter. Now, does anyone have any questions or things to say before Rosie starts this thing until we can leave?" he questioned.
Violet Marsden
xxxI'm scared to live but I'm scared to die
xxxAnd if life is pain then I buried mine a long time ago
xxxBut it's still alive
xxxAnd it's taking over me where am I?
Days had passed since Violet had her conversation with Alex, and she knew the last thing he said to her before they separated ways was utter bullshit. She knew he wasn't going to keep his word, or even think about it. He was Alex, and the only person he cared about right now was himself. She hoped that what happened had helped change him, but with everything that happened, she knew he was on a downward slope, and it wasn't a good sign. They were all on self-destructive spirals, some more than others, but Alex was one that worried her more so than the others and she wasn't exactly sure why. She never really cared for Alex, and why should she have? He was nothing but mean and rude and hurtful to her for years on end, and then the attack happened and...Just ruined it all. She didn't know why she felt the way she did, and wasn't sure of the cause. All she knew was that things were different than they were before, and it wasn't just what changed in her. Which, she still hadn't figured it out. She had gone to the library countless times over the past few days and even stayed at the library over a few nights. She didn't think that the town's library had anything in search of whatever she was looking for, whatever it was. But it was worth a shot. Anything about the supernatural, particularly ghosts and the occult. Anything that had to do with a spiritual realm. Anything that could explain what had happened, but nothing. There was nothing. She doubted the library would have knowledge on anything that was seen as forbidden or too dark for common people to know.
All she had to go off of was necromancy and dark magic in that realm of things. Which, was a start and had some books back at Markus' house that she borrowed from the library. But even that wasn't enough for her. She had one other place to go and she didn't like it. There was one family in Greythorne that would possibly help her with any questions she may have, but that would require her to have to talk to someone she wasn't the biggest fan of and if she was being honest, she wasn't in the mood for his current bullshit. All Violet knew now is that she found herself waking up in bed, lying there silently, or as silent as it could be if those damned voices would leave her alone. They were always there, always just out of hearing range to hear what they were saying. A constant, nagging echo that never left. Even in her sleep, she could hear those still soft voices, egging her on to someplace she didn't know where. After a quick shower and change of clothes, she ate with Markus who quickly left to do some short patrols. While Markus was gone, Violet crept over to Jaiden's door, and gently knocked. She doubted she'd get a response, as she seemingly never did. But this time, she got a quiet, "Come in." from the other side. She smiled and pushed the door open, and entered the room. It was somewhat dark, except for a small light in the corner that lit the room up enough to see. She saw Jaiden on the bed, sitting silently.
Violet stood in the doorway for a moment as she thought of what to say, biting her bottom lip for just a moment, "We have people coming over later, as you know, and I was wondering if you'd want to help me bake? I could use the help, as well as the company." she said with a small smile. She was being genuine, as well as wanted to help Jaiden get out of her current funk and go back to being that socially awkward self, not this self-hating version. Violet was all but pleasantly surprised when Jaiden said sure, and the two got to preparing the food for later that day. They spent hours preparing the cookie dough and mixture for the muffins, all with some trial and error. Burned a few batches and even somehow got a few stuck to the ceiling, which they promptly ignored. After some time, Markus had finally come back home to the disaster that was his home. After playfully yelling at the two, he helped them clean the kitchen as well as he could, ignoring the batter and food scraps that somehow got onto the ceiling. Soon guests made their way to the home and were welcomed in. Violet silently sat on the couch, eating some of the baked goods that they had made as Markus' dog Coco ran about the house before she found herself cuddled up on the couch. After some small talk with Rosie and the others, Travis found his way in.
Violet found herself silently staring at him, watching his every move. She couldn't even fake a smile or laugh at his attempt of a joke with Neden who was sitting on the opposite end of the room. Violet just simply glared at him, nothing ever felt right about him, and every time she saw him she felt cold. More so than usual. All she was able to do was sit in the chair, petting Coco as the others talked, feeling out of place as usual.
Neden Isimir
xxx'Cause I could touch a hundred thousand souls
xxxBut none of them would ever feel like home
xxxAnd no matter how far and wide I roam
xxxYou're the only one I'll ever know
The days that followed the meeting were a mix of uneventful and eventful. From what seemed like endless patrols, to accepting new members into the group, and showing them the ropes. It was something that they liked and didn't mind doing, especially when Markus was busy with his own things at home with the girls. Everything aside from that minor hiccup with the Hunter, was rather pleasant and smooth going. From making short and quick patrols during the day to making sure everyone had been put where they should during the nights, everything had gone by so much smoother and easier. Everything seemed to be going like a dream, until Neden had heard some soft whispers of a meeting at Markus' home. They had never been to the Lycan's home, nevermind really having spent much time in anyone's home as Neden simply lived among the Spriggans and tree-folk of Greythorne. While it wasn't a common occurrence for people to live without a home in Greythorne, it wasn't an unwelcome sight. As some preferred to be with nature itself over living in four walls.
Days came and went and finally, the day arrived. Neden was on the roof of the town hall, simply sitting in silence as they observed from above. Like a bird of prey, they silently sat in place. Their eyes scanning the town from afar, something that they had done for the past year. Preferring to be an overwatching spector, rather than someone that deliberately interacted with the townspeople, unless they really wanted to. Not to say they weren't a people person, they were, just not many people were a fan of their theatrics and over the top personality. Which, was perfectly fine, but at the same time left Neden wanting a sense of companionship rather than being lonely. Which, is why Neden tended to live with the tree-folk and faeries, as they tended to put up and go along with their dramatics.
As the sun finally began to go down, Neden found it was time to go. After giving one more look over the town from their spot, they hopped off with ease. A small plume of dust spread across their feet, dusting themselves off Neden began to make their way towards Markus' home. Finally, after a rather long and silent walk through the woods, they finally arrived at a very small, and oddly humble home. After knocking on the door, Neden was let in. Giving a small hug to everyone as they passed by, and some small talk before grabbing a small plate of food, and sat in the corner. Neden's head snapped up when Travis gave a small comment on him having been accepted into the group since he was here. After finishing off the brownie that Neden had been in the middle of eating when they were questioned, Neden simply dusted the crumbs off their hands as they spoke, "Consider this your initiation, Travis. Even then, I get to choose." they said with a somewhat cold and unamused tone. "Besides, I'm not sure a human would be capable of what we need to get done. But maybe you can prove us wrong." they quickly rattled off as they ate a chocolate chip cookie, giving Violet a small wink of approval.