Xander's Cross, Oregon: a small town ringed with forbidding mountains and misty forest. The sky may be gray, but the townspeople are welcoming to people of all kinds...and things that are not quite human as well. Here the native shifters, aliens, werewolves, and witches live in peace. They have yet to find out the new business owners encroaching on the land are also vampires.
The peace has been broken by murder, however, and things in Xander's Cross are about to become quite a bit darker.
Welcome to your new home.
is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?
August 20, 2020
The mayor, Rowan Starkwood, was found dead less than a mile from his home. Rumors say his body was mutilated, but the state of the body has not yet been released to the public.
Post by Lauren Garcia on Apr 27, 2021 23:57:51 GMT -5
She'd finally done it. She'd finally told someone about Edmund. The son she'd had taken from her that was somewhere out in the world, not knowing who she was. She didn't realize she was shaking as bad as she was until she tried to open the shop door and missed the lock several times. "Respira, Lauren." She scolded herself, letting her eyes roll up to the sky, before she took a deep breath. When the key finally went into the lock, she turned it and unlocked the Silver Willow. She crossed the threshold and was welcomed by the strong scent of plants. Instantly, she felt better. Reaching down she flipped the "Closed" sign over to "Open" and then walked further into the store.
Walking behind the counter she put her bag down and ran a hand over her face. A soft mew sounded before there was a black form jumping up onto the counter. She felt Bagheera push his head onto her arm and she reached over to scratch the black cat behind his ears. His loud pure beginning to fill the air. "Hi buddy." She murmured softly. A faint smile was on her face but it didn't last before it fell and she turned, starting to head to the back to make herself some tea while she prepared for some orders to be picked up.
She came back out a few minutes later with a steaming cup of lavender tea, for her nerves, and returned to her perch at the counter. She then reached down under the counter, and pulled out the bottle of Crown Royal she kept for certain occasions and poured a splash of it into her cup to really help with her nerves. Josie had to work her magic before Lauren could take her case to the police, and bring forward what she knew about Rowan's secrets. Helping with what she could with the research part he'd had her do. If his death and the research she'd done were connected... It made her uneasy. Who would be next?
She took a sip from her Tea, mindlessly petting Bagheera with one hand before she sighed in frustration and took a swig of the whisky. She made a face, before she started to put it down under the counter just in time as a customer walked in. "Welcome to Silver Willow." She called, though her voice was softer, and lacking her usual somewhat cheer she might have had, as she had a lot on her mind.
Post by Maisie Faulkner on Apr 29, 2021 21:42:04 GMT -5
Maisie practically bounced into Silver Willow and took a deep breath of the lovely earthy smell inside. She loved coming here to the shop, although her familiar, Tobi, always seemed to make excuses to avoid it. This time he was napping in her backpack--or at least he had been until Maisie wiggled him awake. He meowed his complaint as he stretched and leapt out onto the floor of the shop. Maisie didn't bother to watch where he ran off to--she trusted him to wander where he liked.
"Let me know if you find anything you want, Tobes, I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind."
She herself waved to the girl at the counter with a grin. "Hey Lauren! Mom sent me with a list of things she needs, but I always like to wander, so I'll come up there when I'm ready." She was already moving down an aisle, touching the leaves of each plant she passed.
Post by Tobias Blackwell on Apr 29, 2021 21:50:08 GMT -5
Ugh, what an ugly way to wake a man. This whelp was lucky he didn't get seasick, or he'd have left a nasty mess in her stupid backpack. Brat.
While his young witch was wandering away from the front, ready to peruse every item in the store, Tobias had awoken to the familiar smell of a herbalists' shop...with one exception. The sharp scent of whiskey caught his attention immediately, and he was smart enough to know it must be coming from the woman at the counter. He left Maisie's bag as quickly as he could.
Sure he'd avoided talking to Lauren since she got back into town, but drinking whiskey right after opening the shop? Something must be the matter, and while he may be spiteful and an expert at holding grudges, he was also an expert at protecting the people who mattered to him. And against his better judgment, and perhaps her own wishes, Lauren Garcia mattered to him.
Still, in his feline form, he wound his way around displays and shelves to the front of the store and jumped up on the counter. This close, he could tell the smell was coming from her cup, but the scent lingered on her, too. He squinted at her for a moment before deciding to speak up. She'd known him long enough she oughtn't to be startled by a talking cat.
"Rough morning, Mistress Garcia?" he asked, a knowing smile audible in the words if not visible on his current face.
Post by Lauren Garcia on Apr 29, 2021 22:19:09 GMT -5
Lauren's dark eyes looked up to see Maisie Faulkner, a small smile appeared on her face at seeing the girl. She'd babysat her once upon a time when her mother would be out of town, considering Maisie had a babysitter of her own that went everywhere with her. Still, she liked the girl enough and a pang entered her chest. Immediately thinking of Juniper Starkwood, and the news that might destroy her and her mother.
Guilt began to course through her and she took a sip of her tea. "Let me know if you need help, Maisie!" She called after the girl. For a moment forgetting her babysitter since she hadn't spoken to him in over eight years. The moment Tobias hopped up on the counter, she jumped a bit. Bagheera froze, eyeballing the other feline suspiciously. If it wasn't for the fact one of the cats could actually speak, and Baggy's greener eyes, you wouldn't be able to tell the two black cats apart. Bagheera settled himself on the counter. He was a friendlier cat, part of the reason why Lauren let him wander around the shop. He was curious mostly, and with Lauren's hand on his head, he staid relatively still.
It'd been a long time since she'd seen Tobi, as a Cat and in his other form. Ten years to be exact. Once she'd returned home two years ago, she'd stopped attending coven meetings. Sticking to herself and focusing on her work, and he'd apparently made an effort to avoid her. Their last...discussion, had certainly caused a rift in an another wise good friendship. And as she stared in those Bright eyes of his, she felt that guilt and self hatred coming in like a tsunami. "You could say that." She said quietly with a bitter smile. Glancing at her tea before she took another sip of it. She could feel the sting of those infernal tears once more.
Her dark eyes glanced up to where Maisie was in the store, and once she was sure she was out of ear shot, she leaned in a bit closer to the Cats. Despite their falling out, Tobi had always been there for advice, and she was certainly in a position where she needed it. "Can you stay after Maisie leaves?" She asked him quietly. She closed her eyes for a moment, as if she was struggling with something, which she was, and then took a deep breath before she opened them again. "I would like to speak with you about something." She told him quietly. An almost pleading look entering her eyes.
Post by Tobias Blackwell on Apr 30, 2021 23:46:23 GMT -5
Tobias wished he didn't feel that pang in his chest at the look on her face as she admitted the difficult morning. Apparently, "rough" was an understatement--she had the look of someone who'd just lost someone they loved, the look of someone whose world was falling apart. He wished he could tell Maisie to just leave without whatever it was Maria had sent them for, so he could talk with Lauren immediately, but he knew better. If he made any indication she should leave faster, the idiot girl would be slower on purpose just to annoy him. Sometimes he could be amused by her ridiculous antics, but now was not the time.
"As you wish, Mistress."
Thankfully, Maisie seemed to get bored fairly quickly--she was already making her way toward the register with an armful of items--a few sage bundles, one with lavender and cedar, and a large amethyst cluster.
"Maize, did your mother ask for the amethyst?"
The guilty look on her face told him before she even opened her mouth.
"You don't need it."
"But I've been having nightmares! I want it for a protection spell!"
"You have plenty of amethyst in your room already, girl. Put it back."
"But--"
"Back."
The girl shot him a baleful look and slunk away to put the crystal back where it belonged.
"Greedy child. Magic isn't just about sparkly things…" he grumbled under his breath, batting one of the sage sticks around while they waited for her to return empty-handed.
Once Maisie had been rung up, she beamed at Lauren and blew her a kiss. "Thanks as always, big sis! I'll be back if these don't get rid of whatever nasties are hanging onto the trunk mom brought back."
Tobias waited impatiently for her to leave. She turned to him with confusion when she stopped at the door, but he just stretched and settled in more comfortably on the counter. Maisie thankfully took the hint, shrugged, and left them alone.
Immediately after she was gone, Tobi hopped down from the counter and changed back into himself to lean his folded arms onto the counter and his long legs way out away from it as he looked curiously at Lauren.
"So, then, Mistress Lauren...What seems to be the problem?"
Post by Lauren Garcia on May 1, 2021 1:01:39 GMT -5
Lauren didn’t really think about what she’d asked Tobias. Their last conversation had ended in her telling him she hoped he choked on a hairball, and slamming the door promptly in his face. She hadn’t wanted to hear the advice he’d given her then. Yet now...years later… He’d been right. So very right. She owed him an apology and a big one at that.
She was thankful when he’d seemingly accepted, and that so far he appeared to not let their last disagreement get in the way. It’d been so long ago...She’d been a teenager. A small smile of gratitude appeared on her face, and she nearly corrected him to just call her Lauren. She knew he called everyone 'Mistress", but it had always felt...weird. Off, in a way at least when it came to her.
Her dark eyes fell onto Maisie as she brought her things up, and started to find the brown wrappings to wrap her bundles in. Lauren had them wrapped and bundled in no time, smiling in amusement to herself at Maisie and Tobias’s small bickering. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed it... Maisie was now the age Lauren was when she used to watch her. Ten years… Ten years had just blurred on by… She gave a small shake of her head, and sighed to herself as she turned back around with the bundles, sliding them over to Maisie and quickly rang her up with the cash register.
Lauren smiled widely at Maisie as she gathered her things and started to leave. Giving her a small wave. “Tell your Mom I said hi!” She called back to her. She waited several seconds before she moved around the counter, ignoring Tobias for a moment as she flipped the open sign over to closed. She was a fool for thinking she would be able to work today with how stressed she was. She wasn’t going to be able to think straight. She ran her hands over her jean capri’s and walked back around the counter, this time to see Tobias in his human glory leaning against the counter. His cat ears were the only thing that stayed from his shift.
She stared at him for a moment, frozen in place as she re-familiarize herself with that smug mouth and those dark intelligent eyes. Had he always been that handsome? Maybe she just hadn’t noticed before because she’d been so gaga for Rowan at the time. But she certainly saw it now.
His question brought her back to reality and a bitter laugh filled the air, that turned more strained as she tried desperately to not just break down right there. She walked the rest of the way to the counter and took her mug with the tea, downing half of it. Not caring if it burned her throat. She set it down, and then settled her dark gaze on Tobias.
“Have you ever unleashed a whole can of worms onto a small town before?” She asked him curiously. Being a hundred percent serious despite the small smile on her face. Sensing her distress, Bagheera made is way over to her, and she picked him up to hold him in her arms. Petting him on instinct to calm her. “And that can of worms had the knowledge to destroy a whole family? Make them question everything they once knew? Cause…” She took a small sigh as her brows furrowed in concern, as she beat the tears back. She didn’t want to think of the pain she was going to cause Laurel and Juniper. “A great deal of pain to them?” She asked quietly.
Post by Tobias Blackwell on May 1, 2021 1:21:26 GMT -5
“Have you ever unleashed a whole can of worms onto a small town before?” Definitely yes. A sly grin grew on Tobias's lips.
“And that can of worms had the knowledge to destroy a whole family? Make them question everything they once knew?" Still yes, but his smile was fading for a look of confusion.
"Cause...A great deal of pain to them?” And now his concern was clear as he straightened up and crossed his arms, all traces of playful flirting gone. His gaze dropped for a moment to her dumb, ordinary cat, which was now in his way--every instinct he had was telling him to take her by the shoulders and demand she explain whatever she was hinting at. Whatever had her day drinking and nearly crying in her shop.
He looked back up to meet her eye, and spoke slowly, firmly, leaving no room for argument.
"Lauren. Don't take me 'round the garden path, tell me what's the matter. Are you in danger? Did someone hurt you?" He took a step closer. His cat ears lay black flat against his head as his inflection became more venomous, and his canines glinted in the light as he nearly snarled the last few words. "If anyone so much as laid a finger on you, I swear I'll make them wish they were never born."
He hadn't meant to get quite so vehement, but he couldn't help it. Lauren was a good person, better than him for sure, and she'd always had a kind heart. It was one of the things he'd liked about her when she was young. Here she was, all grown up, a beautiful woman...and still too sweet to stop the others from taking advantage of her.
Post by Lauren Garcia on May 1, 2021 1:50:04 GMT -5
Dark eyes glanced up from the space she’d been staring at when she’d asked her questions to meet Tobias’s gaze. Just in time to see that smirk fade as his whole demeanor changed, and if he was in his cat form, he’d no doubt be puffed up to the nines.
She watched him, suddenly growing anxious as he stared at Bagheera and then met her eyes. As he moved forward, Lauren froze. She’d never seen him like this before, this...angry. And it was for wasn’t it? She didn’t fully understand, other than he still must have thought them friends? His reaction scared her a bit as his ears flattened and she saw his lengthened canines. His threat stirred something in her, and was a blow to the dan that was keeping the tears back. She was standing suddenly, moving quickly towards the back room where she disappeared. She hugged Bagheera tight to her chest, as he let out a concerned meow, and once she was away from the prying eyes of the shop windows, she let a strangled breath out as she started to pace.
She could hear Tobias coming in after her, relentless as ever. Telling Josie had been one thing, the woman needed to know for the case. It was different with telling your lawyer about what had happened, then telling a long time friend. She felt nothing but shame and was disgusted with herself. Would Tobias say the same thing if he knew? But telling Tobi would be easier than telling her family, and far easier then telling Juniper now wasn’t it?
Lauren felt the rise of a panic attack, and the plants in the back room reacted to her. She set Bagheera down so she could grip the work table, letting her head drop as she took in a few steadying breaths. “You were right.” She spoke. Her voice hoarse, before she repeated it. “You were right, those years ago.” She looked up to look at Tobias, just as her face began to crumble. “I was stupid. So very very stupid Tobias.” She whispered as her voice cracked. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly from the AC. She gave a small shake of her head, as she felt the tears start to fall. “I had an affair with Rowan Starkwood. At Seventeen.”She said with nothing but disgust in her voice. “I didn’t end it until two years ago.” She confessed. Showing just how far her stupidity had gone, but it didn’t end there. “And what’s worse-” She felt her throat starting to close up as she fought back a sob. “W-we have a son, and he’s hidden him from me. For seven years." Lauren's heart was breaking all over as she thought of Edmund. Her head tilted to the side slightly. A look that read "do you understand now?" Crossed her face, in reference to the phone call she'd given him all those years ago that she'd quickly hung up. She'd nearly told him then, right after Eddie had been more. The look soon crossed to despair with the next bit of words. "And now Rowan's dead." She whispered. The hammer hitting the nail home in her coffin of secrets. "And I don’t know where he’s hid my baby.” She whispered. Rowan didn’t have to lay a hand on her to destroy her. He’d done just fine with his pretty words and manipulation tactics.
She sunk to the ground then, bringing her legs up towards her chest as her arms wrapped around her legs and she began to sob.
Post by Tobias Blackwell on May 1, 2021 19:22:13 GMT -5
Of course, he followed her into the back room--he wasn't letting her stop at that. His grip on his own arms tightened and he gritted his teeth as he prevented himself from snapping at her and trying to force her to speak up more quickly.
He could practically smell the distress radiating off of her, and he knew better than to try and push her until she broke. It wasn't his goal to hurt her, after all, even if he suspected that the first step to her feeling better was to spit out all the poison she'd been holding inside her for gods only knew how long.
His eyes were narrow, and his face schooled into blank attention rather than fury as he listened to her speak. He nearly waent to her as tears started to tumble down her cheeks, but he held off, not wanting to cross the boundary she'd clearly set between them the last time they'd spoke. Why was she blaming her self for whatever this was? What had happened those years ago, when she called and hung up again? Where had she vanished to?
“I had an affair with Rowan Starkwood. At Seventeen.” She said with nothing but disgust in her voice. “I didn’t end it until two years ago.”
Tobias nearly gagged. That was who'd been monopolizing her time, pushing her to do things before she was comfortable, forcing her to keep their relationship a secret? This was why she'd cried in his kitchen ten years ago? That sick bastard, she was a child! She was beautiful, certainly, he wasn't blind but he was respectable enough to not touch a girl who hadn't come into her own yet. Clearly, the late mayor hadn't held the same scruples.
“And what’s worse-” She felt her throat starting to close up as she fought back a sob. “W-we have a son, and he’s hidden him from me. For seven years." Tobias hissed. There was that phone call. She must have called him when she had the baby. What had she...what had she wanted? If he'd been home, instead of out at the park with Maisie, would things have gone differently?
"And now Rowan's dead." She whispered. The hammer hitting the nail home in her coffin of secrets. "And I don’t know where he’s hid my baby.”
That traitorous bastard. That disgusting worm of a man. If he wasn't already dead, Tobias would be on his way to strangle the man with his own entrails. To manipulate her like this was bad enough, but to take a child from his mother? That was beyond anything else. He hoped that Starkwood was burning, wherever he was.
Lauren sunk to the ground, pulling Tobias from his thoughts of revenge. Shit. He'd been so focused on the past, he hadn't been adequately watching her in the present. He crossed the room to her side in two long strides and dropped to his knees in front of her. With a gentle sweep of his long fingers he pushed her hair back with his left hand, and slid his right hand under her chin to tilt her face so he could look her in the eye. His hands may be gentle, but the look in his dark eyes and the tone of his voice were hard as steel.
"Listen to me now, Lauren Garcia. You are not to blame for that man's twisted actions. You are not stupid. You are not broken, nor dirty, nor any other unkind thing you may think. You are free of that relationship, and now you're free of him for good. We'll find your son, and you two will find a new end to this story. Do you hear me?'
Post by Lauren Garcia on May 2, 2021 17:05:33 GMT -5
She didn’t realize how much she’d been holding in until the flood of tears and sobs just poured out of her. Ten years, she’d been keeping this secret and it was finally out. She’d finally told someone, and the wave of emotions that filled her were both relief that she didn’t have to keep it in anymore, but as well as realizing the shit storm that was going to be caused because of her secrets.
She held her legs tight to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible, but Tobias was having none of that. She felt his fingers brushing her bangs back, before he was raising her chin, and she looked at him through blurred tears. Her bottom lip quivering as she tried to keep her self under control despite how much she wanted to just cry.
The look he gave her made her shy away a bit, afraid she was about to receive a scolding. Either for being so stupid, or for not telling him sooner. What she received was completely different. His words that this was not her fault made her want to cry even more, even his reassurance that they’d find her boy. She reached up to grip his wrist gently, as a look of despair crossed her features. “I’m a homewrecker Tobias,” She stated. It was the truth, she’d willingly entered a relationship with a married man. “He was married, and yet I didn’t care. I’m going to hurt Juniper when the news comes out and Laurel...” Her voice cracked. “They just lost him, and to hear what I did? What he did?” She gave her head a small shake before her head dipped down again. “I’m disgusted with myself.” She whispered. She glanced up at him again as she choked back another sob. “I am stupid. I was stupid to ever think there wouldn’t be consequences, and this is my punishment.” She said vehemently. And because she couldn’t fight them anymore, her shoulders began to shake as her body became wracked with sobs.
“I-I’m going to be a murder suspect Tobias.” Her hand tightened around his wrist as she leaned her forehead against her knees. “There’s so m-much more than an affair he was i-involved in.” She admitted. No matter how Lauren looked at things, she was in trouble.