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 Mattie Harris on Aug 23, 2020 21:03:04 GMT -5
She'd been making up excuses to go to the hardware store for a couple days now, looking for her evasive patient. The first day, she'd bought a hammer and nails, to hang her diploma and a few other things in her office. The next day was some paint to touch up the walls in her rental house (she was getting it cheap because she'd decided she didn't care what it looked like...turned out she did, once she had to look at it every day. The third day she didn't even know what she was going to buy, she was planning to make it up on the spot. Maybe lights or something? She wasn't all that sure.
She'd work it out, somehow, she decided, because she wasn't giving up on Paige Anderson even if it was the last thing she did. The woman had been through hell more than once, and boy could she empathize with that, even without her magic to help her. Not to mention that the other woman was her very first client, assigned to her right away when she began at the clinic. The army had already called her twice to check in and see if she'd been able to meet with her yet. She was doing her best! But apparently friendly phone calls and text messages with emoji were no match for the force of nature that was Paige Anderson. And she could live with that. As long as she got to her eventually. She certainly understood not wanting to talk about a personal trauma. Blake and her therapist were the only people who knew what had happened to her, after all.
Thankfully, third time really was the charm, because she spotted the woman she was looking for restocking a display of yard lights. Okay, she could work with that... She meandered over and picked up a light shaped like a giant red rose, chuckling softly because she couldn't decide if it was tacky or she loved it. Maybe both. She might actually buy it, at the end of this... Ooh, or the bird bath across the aisle! She'd never had a yard to decorate before. But she had a soldier to wrangle first. Here went nothing...
"Hey, what do you think? Tacky, or cute?" she asked casually, holding it up to Paige.
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 23, 2020 23:14:55 GMT -5
Paige blew a bubble with the gum she was chewing. Her breath smelling of spearmint as she hummed, restocking the garden section. Her sling had finally come off, and with that, it mean dad and Tuck were finally letting her do more than just cash register and paperwork. It gave her a bit more freedom back and she was clearly thrilled about it. Not so thrilled about having to wait another two weeks before she could shift whenever she wanted, but she had her arm back.
Her stocking was a tedious thing, so she let her mind wander. It wandered to a specific Doc that she’d all but trapped at the diner the other night. There was a snap of her gum suddenly as the bubble popped. Thinking about how rather tense their conversation had turned. They’d bared their souls to each other. Within ten minutes of that diner, they’d revealed their number one things not to talk about. There’d been so much tension in that corner of the diner you could cut it with a knife. Every emotion had been felt and shared, and it had been an emotional roller coaster. Paige pursed her lips, wondering how her next run in with Cal was going to go. It was inevitable as she was seeing him again in a week for her hip.
She let a deep sigh out, reaching up with one of the boxes of lawn lights, and winced, nearly dropping the box. Gasping slightly at the pain that shot down her arm. Okay, bad idea. Other arm. She told herself. Physical therapy would have to get started soon too. We can set you up here for physical therapy too if you want. Oooooooh boy Hunt…
There was a voice talking to her then, drawing her attention away from her thoughts. Her green eyes landed on the smaller woman. She didn’t recognize her, so she was either another new local she had yet to meet since coming home, an out of towner, or something else all together. Paige looked to see what she had in her hand and couldn’t help but laugh at seeing the rose. Finishing putting the last box on the shelf with her left arm, she tucked her long blonde hair behind her ears, and shoved her hands in the pockets of her carhartts. Carefully leaning against the shelf with her bad shoulder. “I think it’s so ugly it’s cute, which means it’s worthy of getting. But, my favorite,” She turned on her heel and walked down a few paces and picked up the most hideous looking chicken lawn ornament anyone had seen. She held it so she could see the bottom and flipped the switch. It instantly lit up and then she walked to the end of the isle. She looked both way to see if anyone was coming and then set it down in the middle of the outer isle, pointing the beak towards the lady. Paige chewed on her gum, her grin widening as she held a finger up to her to wait. Paige disappeared off the side then before she walked by the isle in front of the chicken. The shrill shriek of it “cocka-doodle-dooo” filled the air, and Paige was already laughing. “PAIGE!” Her dad’s voice shouted from the other end of the store, and her laughing just got louder. "With a customer dad!" She called back sweetly.
She picked the chicken up and turned in off, tucking him under her arm before she walked back to the woman. “Makes a good dual purpose light, and alarm.” She snickered.
Post by Mattie Harris on Aug 24, 2020 16:26:57 GMT -5
Mattie watched with curiosity as Paige showed off her "favorite": an absolutely hideous chicken light. She couldn't imagine why anyone needed a light-up chicken in their yard. But apparently there was more to it, based on the gleam in the other woman's eye. Mattie pushed the rose back onto the shelf and watched with her hands on her hips. This was interesting, really. Paige was avoiding the hell out of therapy, but here in the hardware store, she was happy to play little games with customers and chat with them without avoidance. So she didn't have too much social anxiety, at least not in general.
When the chicken crowed, Mattie nearly jumped out of her skin--and then about fell over laughing. She had to catch herself with one hand on the shelf next to her so she didn't wind up on her butt in the middle of the hardware store. When Paige's dad immediately assumed it was her, she laughed even harder, so that she could barely breathe. Oh my goodness, she was definitely going to like this girl. The only problem was that Paige was predisposed not to like her.
"Oh my goodness that's horrendous," she declared, still laughing, then paused for a minute, looked back at the chicken, and said with utter seriousness: "Obviously I have to buy it. You are a blessing and a gift for showing me this monstrosity."
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 26, 2020 9:54:03 GMT -5
Paige found the she liked the woman's laugh instantly, and couldn't help but join her in her laughing. It really was quite funny, and the jump scares it caused were the best. She was a giggling mess by the time she reached the woman, handing the chicken over to her. "Isn't it?!" She said in evil glee before cackling. There was a burst of laughter from her then at hearing what the woman called her. "Hear that dad! I'm a blessing and a gift!" She called out. Of course he heard her. It wasn't hard to hear anyone when you were an werewolf. "Of course you are Princess!" He yelled back, clearly distracted. Paige could faintly hear Tucker in the back going "And a major pain in the ass..." Which just forced her stand up a little taller.
"It's probably my favorite thing we carry in this store." She confessed to the woman, with a grin. "Any other hideous monstrosities to suit your fancy?" She asked. Paige's green eyes looked the small, and she was just realizing how small, woman over. "Doing yard landscaping?" She asked curiously. Meaning the woman was a local and Paige just hadn't met her yet. Talk about feeling out of the loop. But that's what happened when you pretty much moved out at 18 and lived on an Army base in Texas. The only reason Paige was even back in Xander's Cross and not just visiting was because they needed someone to watch her. So Ma and Pa's was where she returned.
"Not to be nosy, but I'm nosy"So a certain doc tells me....There was a slight curling of her lips. "You new around here?" She asked curiously. Canting her head to the side a bit while she placed her hands in her pants pockets. Her posture was relaxed. "If so I don't think we've met yet, I've been here forever so I know just about everyone, except," Her head tilted to the other side. Paige could feel that pack urge again. The fact this woman was so small instantly struck the wolf in her. Protect. We must protect smol woman. Especially if she was new in town and didn't know anybody. There she went again...making friends with strangers against their will. Not even two minutes yet of speaking to her, and Paige already wanted to just put her in her pocket and keep her there. Especially with that laugh of hers. "You." She said bit more gently. A smile gentle smile gracing her lips. "Family in XC? Or did you just move here? Passing through?" She rattled off, shrugging her shoulders a bit. "Sorry for prying," She gave her a sheepish smile. "Nothing real exciting happens around here, so anyone knew is like a world famous adventurer and must learn about all their adventures." She chuckled lightly.
Post by Mattie Harris on Aug 27, 2020 7:12:10 GMT -5
Other monstrosities?" Mattie echoed incredulously. "I don't think anything could compete with that one. But I do kinda love the rose." She put her hands on her hips as she looked back over at the shelf of lights and pursed her lips. Unless you've got...oh yeah. A friend for the chicken."
She plucked a box off the shelf and held it up: a flamingo with color changing lights.
And then there went Paige, off to the races with her questions all in a row. Mattie's eyes widened as she tried to keep up with all of them, and she laughed softly when the blonde had finished.
"Well I was gonna say you weren't nosy, and be polite, but that's a lot of questions! Let's see." She looked up at the ceiling as she tried to recall all the questions. "Yes landscaping, yes I'm new, although that's hardly a surprise. I'm renting a place a few blocks from here. And it depends what you mean by family, but I think Blake counts. He's the doctor--Or one of them, I mean? Over at Haven?" She was guessing Paige would at least recognize the name, even if she hadn't been back for long.
"But I don't know how exciting I am! I never left Cali before this. And I don't have any happy stories of my own, unfortunately. I mainly listen to other people's." She stepped a little closer and offered her hand with a smile. If Paige was looking closely, she might notice just a hint of mischief there. Mattie was wondering if just the name would be enough to give her away. She wasn't ready to give up the game just yet, though, so she left off her last name. And her business cards did say Matilda...
Post by Paige Anderson on Aug 30, 2020 14:13:39 GMT -5
"Get the rose, it's cute." Paige encouraged with a smile. She chuckled then at seeing the flamingo. "You can have Bert and Earnie for the yard now." She snickered. She smiled sheepishly as the woman began to answer her questions. She could just admit it. Paige was nosy. Hell, Cal had even told her so within a minute of having dinner with her. At the mention of Blake, her curiosity began to grow. She knew Blake? From what Cal had told her they'd come in from out of state a little over a year ago to start the clinic, and it had been Blake's idea. She didn't personally know him, had only met him once, but from what she knew of Cal he was under his protection.
It suddenly hit her then, that charge that witches gave off with their energy, and Paige was finally sensing it coming off the little woman. Interesting that the human doc was surrounded by mythics and had no clue about them. Or at least, that's what Cal had told her. The woman was continuing and then Paige caught where she'd come up from, as well as a few more interesting things. Like the fact she listened to people. She watched the woman come closer and saw that glint. She was trained to pay attention to things, to trust her eyes and her nose. She constantly had to be on alert, and there was very few things that got by her unnoticed. Because if they did, very bad, explosive things went off. She arched an blonde brow curiously at the woman. She didn't like that look despite how innocent the woman appeared, and the pieces were slowly starting to show themselves. She had the sinking suspicion that was more to Mattie to then what she was revealing. And if Paige had any guess, she was the head doc assigned to her that had been in the middle of a move, so they hadn't had a chance to meet yet. Well...She was here now. And if she was Friends with one of the docs at the clinic then it was very likely she was who she thought she was. So the question was...was she really here for lawn lights, or to innterogate Paige about returning her text and phone calls for an appointment?
"Paige," She smiled warmly at the other woman. Not wanting to give away her hunch that she was suspicious of her at all. Paige had a lot of practice in making it seem like everything was peachy, and that she was fine. She'd show Mattie just how fine she was if she needed to see it with her own eyes. She shook her hand with a firm, yet gentle grip before she released her hand and put her hands in her pants pockets. "Well Welcome to Xander's Cross Mattie. We're tiny but mighty." She smirked as she looked at the short woman. "If you like hiking I suggest staying on the trails, and don't mess with the uh... white deer." She warned her. Anyone who'd been in Xander's Cross long enough, especially the mythics, knew not to fuck with the deer. Especially the white ones. "They can be a bit aggressive." She informed her. "I'm sure you'll be able to make some happy memories here too. XC's got a good effect on people. Nice and quiet and just what people need to start a new." She added. It was a safe haven, that just drew those that needed that security in.
Post by Mattie Harris on Sept 18, 2020 18:30:54 GMT -5
Mattie felt the change in the air just as much as Paige felt her magic--she couldn't help it. Mattie had always been highly empathic, and having Paige's hand in hers was like touching a wire to a battery. Skepticism and curiosity washed through her for a moment as they shared a firm handshake, and passed just as quickly when they let go. Huh, guess the name was enough. Or maybe it was because she'd been so careful not to lie. Well, guess that meant the game was up. Time to come clean. She had been planning to fess up before she left, anyway.
"Believe me, I already love it here," Mattie answered with a smile as she picked up the flamingo and the chicken she was planning to buy. "I'm looking forward to staying. There's just one problem." The smile widened to a grin, and she could bet that Paige was already catching on. "See, I have this one client, who just refuses to make an appointment... You know, Paige Anderson? So I'll confess, I knew your name before we were chatting. I was kinda hoping maybe if you could see that I'm just about the least threatening person on the planet, probably, that maybe you wouldn't mind coming to chat with me again. Blake bakes, like, all the time, so there's probably coffee and cookies in it for you too. Or cheesecake. Ugh, that's to die for."
"I get it if you don't want to, but you're gonna have to see someone if you wanna get back to work. So if it's not me, I won't hold grudges, I promise. I can even help you find somebody you don't hate if that helps." She shrugged. "Plus I got this absolutely hideous chicken out of the deal, which is way more than I hoped for." She couldn't help giggling at that. "I can't wait to see Blake's face!"
Post by Paige Anderson on Oct 14, 2020 11:53:54 GMT -5
Paige didn't like the way that grin widened and her hunch was correct. As soon as Mattie said "One Client" She nearly grabbed her and dragged her out of the store and down half a block so her dad wouldn't hear her. She didn't need Ralf Anderson breathing down her neck about her health. Her parents knew nothing about the sort of shit she went through. They just thought she'd gotten injured heroically trying to save another. She had two purple hearts, one from the landmine and her most recent one being when she'd gotten shot protecting Greg. She should have let that lying, cheating, scumbag die.
Paige couldn't do what she wanted to do to Mattie, so she was forced to clench her jaw, tilt her head to the side and look at her with confusion. She was annoyingly already liking Mattie, but Paige wasn't going to budge. She was stubborn (thanks dad) and she refused to admit there was anything wrong. Because she wasn't. She was fine. "Well Doc, Hate to break it to you, I didn't make an appointment because I don't need one. I know it's protocol and all," Hear that dad? Everything was fine! She was fine. "But the docs in Iran said I was good." Paige reached out and patted her shoulder. "Thanks for the concern though. And I'm sure that cheese cake is to die for." She smiled at her.
"Also, you should take a picture of his face and then frame it so you can have something to laugh at every time you see it." She suggested. She kept her smile friendly. Before she took her hands and hooked her thumbs over her shoulders. "Well it was nice meeting you Mattie! Welcome to Xander's Cross. I gotta get back to work but It was nice chatting. Good luck with the chicken." Paige was slowly backing away from her fully intending of going around the corner and making a beeline to the back office.
last edited Oct 14, 2020 11:55:06 GMT -5 by Paige Anderson
Post by Mattie Harris on May 1, 2021 20:18:41 GMT -5
Mattie didn't miss the forced positivity in her maybe-client's face, and she pursed her lips as she listened to what the woman had to say. She knew she couldn't force the woman to take care of herself, but she wished like hell she'd just cooperate. What was it that she was running from? She clearly wasn't afraid of Mattie as a person, or therapy...but… Hm. Maybe it was more the idea that she was "sick" that was bothering Paige. She thought she was fine, and so everyone else ought to think so too.
The docs had very much not said that she was "good" though. She wondered if Paige had any idea what was in the report that was in a locked drawer of her desk that very moment.
Her disappointment was pretty obvious, although she kept it gentle. "Alright, I understand. But if you change your mind, I'm free any time. And I mean literally any time, day or night. I've got some insomnia of my own, so don't ever feel bad about reaching out." She smiled and waved with her elbow since both hands were full of light-up birds.
Post by Paige Anderson on May 1, 2021 20:46:27 GMT -5
Paige bobbed her head up and down nodding in understanding. "I will!" She said, though it was painfully obvious she wasn't. She was fine. She hated how everyone saw her as she wasn't. Go to war, see what it's like, come back and then tell yourself you're okay too. She wanted to scream at them all. Her mind went to her bedside table that had all her medication in it. The ones for the anxiety, the ADHD, the depression. All the things that were making her a functioning person was hidden away from the world. On the outside? She was normal. She had to be. She didn't want anyone, especially a shrink like Mattie, delving into the fragile, raw underlayers of what laid underneath those carefully placed barriers.
Her steps were swift as she all but ducked into the back office. Ignoring her dad that was behind the counter and the look he'd given her. I'm fine, Dad. Everything is fine. She willed him to believe. The sooner she got cleared for exercise again, she'd prove it. To everyone.
She was fine.
[End thread]
last edited May 1, 2021 20:46:41 GMT -5 by Paige Anderson