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Powers & Abilities of Lukas Greyson: As a bitten lycanthrope with Hawaiian witchcraft lineage, Lukas has various capabilities from both his family's mystical lineage and his acquired lycanthropic traits.BASIC POWERS:As the son of a Hawaiian shaman or "kahuna" and a well-respected white witch, Lukas possesses the three basic abilities inherent to all mages.* Spellcasting: Lukas can cast spells, manipulate energy, and shape reality through magical incantations. He is proficient in Hawaiian and Western magics.* Potion Making: Lukas possesses the ability to concoct potions with magical properties. Through his shamanistic lineage, Lukas is trained in creating various healing remedies. During the time of Lukas's birth, people believed in the importance of warding off evil spirits and protecting oneself from harm. Lukas is skilled in creating potions that provide protection from evil forces. * Divination: Lukas is skilled in various methods of divination, such as tarot reading, astrology, or scrying, allowing him to tap into the mysteries of the universe.INACTIVE/PASSIVE POWERS:Inactive or passive powers are magical traits whose effects are inward to the user and do not need to be activated, meaning that the power affects the user directly and automatically rather than causing some sort of outward change. Powers like teleportation and shapeshifting are considered active, even though they affect the user since the effect is not inward and instead allows them to achieve something.* Immortality: Lukas was cursed to "an eternal, unchanging existence" after a violent transformation caused him to decimate nearly his entire village. Due to his curse, Lukas has not been able to find an outright method which to end his life, despite numerous attempts throughout his many centuries of existence.** Rapid Cellular Regeneration: While he is not invulnerable or immune to the feeling of pain, Lukas's enhanced healing factor is significantly greater than that of any other magical species that he has encountered. Lukas has theorized that his immortal curse only augmented the accelerated healing capabilities of his werewolf nature. Lukas possesses a regenerative healing factor, meaning that he can rapidly heal and get restored to his optimal and full health/state at an extremely fast rate. Lukas heals from any sort of injury almost instantaneously, and if any part of his body becomes irreparably damaged, such as extraction and destruction of the heart, destruction of limbs, or decapitation and destruction of the head, Lukas will simply regrow the body parts or organs. The regeneration/healing factor is a process that happens unconsciously without the need for activation, resulting in a constant state of optimal health. Regeneration is a process that occurs in all biological entities, but a regenerative healing factor is much more efficient, seamless, and powerful. So much so that users can recreate lost or damaged tissues, organs, and limbs, sometimes slowing, or even stopping aging, something natural regeneration can never accomplish.** Immunity: With his immortality and enhanced regenerative healing factor, Lukas is immune to a wide range of magical powers and tampering. Lukas is also able to rapidly detoxify his body from any poisonous substances, making him immune to most forms of poisoning. Lukas's enhanced healing factor makes him immune to most diseases and infections, as his body is able to rapidly heal and repair itself. As a result of his eternal curse, Lukas is immune to spells or incantations that could normally reverse a curse. His unchanging existence renders him resistant to mind control or manipulation, as his mind is not susceptible to the usual influences of time and experience. His unchanging existence makes him resistant to telepathic and telekinetic manipulation, as his mind and body are not subject to the usual influences of time and experience. Lukas's accelerated healing factor renders him immune to silver, which is traditionally harmful to werewolves. ACTIVE POWERS:Lukas possesses various magical active powers through his parental lineage. Due to the circumstances of his transformation into a werewolf and the immense trauma of the various types of abuse that he endeared at the hands of his psychopathic former alpha, Lukas's innate magic was suppressed for several hundred years. After escaping from said alpha and eventually coming to find a balance between the beast and the man within himself, Lukas was finally able to reignite the spark of his powers as a mage. However, it should be noted that Lukas does not have access to his abilities as a mage while in a full lycanthropic transformation.- Mage Powers -* Elemental Manipulation: Lukas possesses the ability to control the elements, such as fire, water, earth, or air. Lukas has developed a deep understanding of the natural world, allowing him to manipulate the elements and sense changes in the environment.** Pyrokinesis: Lukas has the ability to create and manipulate fire. Lukas can produce more complex fire-based attacks, such as fireballs, streams of flames, or fiery constructs. Additionally, Lukas can manipulate the intensity and heat of the flames, allowing them to inflict more damage and exert greater influence over their surroundings.** Hydrokinesis: Lukas can create, shape, and manipulate water, including changing it from one state into another, such as producing ice. Lukas can control sources of freshwater such as from lakes, rivers, etc., but his ability does not extend to saltwater like the sea.** Chlorokinesis: Lukas possesses the ability to create and manipulate plants, including wood, vines, plants, moss, and parts of the plants, such as leaves, seeds, roots, fruits, and flowers. He can cause plants to grow, move/attack or even rise from the soil and "walk", and revive withered or dead plants.** Aerokinesis: Lukas can create and manipulate air and wind. Wind occurs because of horizontal and vertical differences in atmospheric pressure, and includes breezes, squalls, gusts, whirlwinds, zephyrs, gales, tempests, and hurricanes. Lukas does not know the full extent of his aerokinetic abilities, as he generally only utilizes the ability to blast back targets with a gust or gale of wind. * Smoke Teleportation: Lukas can teleport through a grayed swirl or puff of smoke, merging or dissipating into smoke and reappearing at another place from the same element. This ability can also be referred to as "Smoking".* Astral Projection: Lukas can project his consciousness, alternatively known as one's astral form, from his physical body, allowing travel to other realms, such as the spirit world, to communicate with spirits and gather knowledge. In most circumstances, a kahuna can communicate with their ancestors, seeking guidance and wisdom to help their community. However, Lukas has been cut off from his ancestors, due to the circumstances of his lycanthropic transformation and eventual curse of immortality.** Dream Walking: Lukas has the ability to project himself into the dreams of others in his astral form.- Lycanthropic Powers - 

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THIS GOING.IT IS STILL RELEVANT AND ONGOING.Trigger Warning for the content below.Hello everyone!You might be wondering what this is about. First off, let us assure you this is NOT a hatepage in the slightest. This is a group of people, an rp family, at their wits end.We don't really know how to start this because we don't make posts like these.But the best way we suppose is to just jump right into it.Starting December of last year someone made a profile of Sersi (as in Marvel's Sersi from Eternals)with the display name MESMER. And immediately began trying to pair with Dane.After that she deleted and we shrugged it off as some weirdo just trolling.But then it happened again and again and again, so many times.IT'S NOT STOPPED to the point it's become stalking, harrassment,bullying, and has even spread so much that we don't know exactly what to do.We need the community to see what we have been dealing with,and if anyone can help us identify them.WE NEED THIS NIGHTMARE TO STOP.We believe they are on our friends list and have a main suspect but we want to be 1,000% certain that it's them before collectively blocking that person.What you are about to see may be triggering to some so please view at your own discretion. There's context to character rape in one and the rest is the individual harassing of multiple people. Some of the people who went to speak to her have asked to remain anonymous and we are doing so to respect their privacy.  :: TRIGGER WARNING ::(( THIS IS THE MOST RECENT, AS OF TWO DAYS AGO. ))THERE IS PLENTY MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM.THIS IS BARELY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.We unfortunately have much more, but this is enough to get the point across.If anyone can help us figure out who this is we would be eternally grateful to you. This should not be allowed in the community and it IS ILLEGAL to cyberstalk someone. It's considered a class C felony. Yes, it's a felony.If you're the one stalking us and you're reading it, please stop. We've asked you to do so several times over. Others have asked you on our behalf to stop. No means no. You cannot force someone to pair with you no matter what it is in the comics or movies.If you do not stop there will be legal actions taken.https://cyber.harvard.edu/vaw00/cyberstalking_laws.html Anyone who comes forth with any information will be kept anonymous.We appreciate any help given and value your privacy.Anyone that comes forward with any info,your identify and information will be kept confidential and private. 

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 (𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀): ☆ You have one week to talk, you can do some banters, but you have ONE week to talk, no more. ☆ Will RARELY ship with original characters due to bad experiences, also, if your muse is younger than him? That will be creepy to me, therefore, refused. ☆ I will remove you if you ghosted me or play favorites on that site, also, if you were collecting users as well. ☆ NO MISANDRISTS! If you are one, move yourself out of my sight, block me even, i'll be in peace. ☆ You got a beef against me? Then, you will kindly keep it to yourself. Considering your friends as white-knights is what manipulators do, not sorry.

In theory, a cruise was everything that Lindy hated. There were people everywhere, around every corner. She lost a sense of control being out on the water, the blue waves surrounding the boat with only a sliver of land along the horizon. Still, Lindy was continuing her mission to live a semi-normal life alongside her past trauma. Her cabin was her safe haven, where she could find solace among all the chaos and excitement from families and groups. This was a part of her healing journey, a step towards reclaiming her life and finding solace and happiness after past trauma.On board, Lindy tended to keep to herself, but she got off the ship and explored the world around her when they got to port. She'd been reading up on everything she could do at Cococay, and it was obvious that swimming with the pigs was at the top of her list. Lindy was practically the first one off the ship when it was time. She followed the directions till she came to a guide who was as eager as she was to swim with the pigs, leisurely enjoying the cool water around them. The sun was warm on her skin, and the sound of the waves was soothing.Armed with a few apple slices, Lindy was slowly swarmed by the large animals. They were excited to get a snack, and she was thrilled to be able to scratch them between their ears. For the first time in what felt like forever, Lindy could truly shed the pain from her past and live in the now. She'd never smiled so big; she never felt more free. Little did she know that these slightly smelly creatures were precisely what she needed. They represented a new beginning, a chance for her to connect with the world again. She was slowly learning what true happiness was, and it started deep inside her core. 

My name is Eve and I am well known for dealing with tragedy and death, its something ive learned to cope with especially when im working on my research. Animatronics are suppose to be a joy for children and yet they've done a 360 into killing them or at least have something to with the disappearances. Thats where I come in...Freddys pizzaria isnt the only location with death and tragedy. There once was an amusement park called Five Nights it opened five days during the week and was a huge attraction until a bunch of kids disappeared. Now the park has been forgotten most dont speak about it except for me!If your interested in a horror storyline and be a canon to Five Nights at Freddy's add me im always down for mains and other connections. But please read my bio it's important to know who my character is beforehand and yes I am a multipara/novella writer.

0/10 Spots OpenAdams Morgan is a multicultural neighborhood centered on the happening nightlife scene around 18th Street. The stretch buzzes with eclectic bars, music venues and international restaurants from Vietnamese to Ethiopian, plus late-night pizza and falafel spots. Brick row houses, some brightly painted or featuring quirky murals, are home to independent bookstores, artisan cafes, vintage clothing shops and yoga studios0/10 Spots OpenGeorgetown is a charming area with Federal-style architecture, cobblestone streets and fashion and design shops. The dining scene is defined by upmarket restaurants and waterfront seafood spots, while nightlife spans boisterous college bars, traditional taverns and intimate live music lounges. Georgetown Waterfront Park has a riverside promenade and gardens, and there's a bike path along the C&O Canal. 1/10 Spots OpenJoint Base Anacostia–Bolling (JBAB) is a 905-acre (366 ha) military installation, located in southwest Washington, D.C. established on 1 October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The legislation ordered the consolidation of Naval support facility Anacostia (NSF Anacostia) and Bolling Air Force Base (BAFB), which were adjoining but separate military installations into a single join base, one of twelve formed in the country as a result of the law.1/10 Spots OpenDupont Circle is a popular residential neighborhood with lively dining and nightlife. Eclectic eateries, coffee shops, bookstores, dive bars and dance clubs cluster on Connecticut Avenue, while over on Massachusetts Avenue, stately buildings line Embassy Row. The Phillips Collection displays Impressionist and modern paintings in a Georgian Revival mansion.

Conan had been to the highest mountains of Asgard, the high seas of foreign waters, and the desolate deserts that sucked the very moisture from those unlucky enough to travel through such an unforgiving climate. Now he sought to do what his uncle had done back in Cimmeria: Forge Cimmerian blades so that they may be used to aid against the blight that was said to be approaching the lands to the East, so Conan sailed through unsteady waters to the very shores of this Westeros. The steel ingots that his people mined from the very mountains of Crom were smelted down and stacked into the belly of the longship along with jewels, coins, and other valuables that could buy him passage to the cold northern territory of this new land. The frigid air whipped through his shoulder-length onyx locks, as steely blue eyes fixated upon the high cliffs of his destination, or what he had hoped was Westeros anyway. Burly fingers lifted to rest on the pommel of his single-handed sword, alternating between gripping and resting on the leather wrapped handle as though familiarizing himself with the feel and weight of it every few moments. It was unnatural for the Cimmerian to not hold the blade as he felt the sword was an extension of himself, and this particular blade had been forged by his uncle and given to him on his 14th name day. "HO there! Rocks! I said rocks, you fool! Turn the ship!" Conan turned as rage roamed through his gargantuan body, but just as the captain was turning the boat to where it inched to the starboard side it was too late -- the jagged dagger-like rocks had torn through the wooden vessel, but Conan kept his composure and balanced each leather sandal upon the wooden deck to brace the impact proper. "Cimmerian! She's taking water, we must abandon ship." And with that, the Captain had dove overboard. Conan sneered at the cowardice of the Captain, carried his sandaled feet over toward the stairs leading up to the wheel of the ship, and reached in to curl his powerful hands at the spinning wheel. Battle-hardened muscles tensed and bulged out, as the Cimmerian fought the tide and the weight of the water filling the lower quarters of the ship. The mighty Cimmerian pushed against the forces of nature until the longship took enough water to where it stopped completely. But the ship did not sink, the hull had moored upon the sand. He had saved the cargo, but he would need to get creative if he meant to bring cargo ashore. Leaping down from the railing, the Cimmerian plunged into chilled and choppy water. Iron muscled limbs pushed through the ocean water, as he neared the shore, and pressed the sandal of his foot down upon the hill from which the ship had shored. He carried himself from the surf, feeling the waves striking at his back in an attempt to push him over. But the oak of a man wouldn't budge, and he brought a reassuring hand down to rest on the blade pommel just to make sure he was still armed before he made his way further onto the stranger's shores. His bare legs arms and chest felt the swirling sting of pebbles flying through the air, and Conan's eyelids narrowed bright cerulean eyes to slits, as he lifted up a hand to shield from the flying pebbles. He surveyed the beach and found some wood scattered along the sand - very likely from previous shipwrecks. The giant Cimmerian sniffled, and walked over toward the first twig, gathering up two good arms full of the burning wood. His bloodshot eyes found a cavity in the rockface and dropped the sticks at the cave entrance. Conan spent the next hour or so gathering what he could to make a fire, and then his trained eyes looked around the cave to find a stream running through it. His lips curled into a toothy smile, as he knelt down to find a pair of flint stones. He grabbed several large stones and placed them in a containment circle around the gathering of sticks. Wet black hairs veiled to the side of his scarred visage, as he began to strike the stones against the debris he found inside of the cave. Several bright sparks later and there was a whiff of smoke lifting from the pile - Conan waved his hand in front of the small burning ember and then waved his hand at the flame. Powerful lungs released controlled breaths over the flame, and it gradually grew to where a bright burning flame had begun to eat into the logs that were offered to it. Conan proceeded to add a few more dry twigs, and then the flame was beginning to warm his skin. He released a slow sigh from parched lips, as he dipped his hand into the stream beside him, and brought to his nasal passages to smell the bryne that it reeked of. "Crom's bloody teeth, I'm thirsty.." The wind howled outside of the cave, and Conan only focused on the fire to give himself that small semblance of comfort. If he made it through the night having not killed over from lack of food or fresh water, then he would be on foot to find some kind of civilization if any on this foreign soil. 

*** OOC ***What made you want to join Crime City? Are you currently in any other groups or own your own group?How much time per week can you dedicate to the group?We are site and discord base, what is your discord?What can you bring to the group?Are you mobile more or on a computer more?Whats your answer from the rules?*** IC ***First and Last Name:Face claim:Face claim Backup:Age and Birthdate:Hometown:Neighborhood:Neighborhood backup:Occupation: *** If you own a business please state if hiringAre you joining with spouse/pregnant/children:Any NPCs:3 positive traits:3 negative traits:Top Secret:3 fun facts about your character:2-4 Paragraph Sample in character:

No Drama OOC: I’m making this rule number one because it’s common sense. We are all adults it, so we’re all going to act like it. IC drama is necessary for most people to thrive on so keep it just that, IC. There will be a zero tolerance rule and anyone who causes any drama unnecessarily will be kicked from the group immediately.No Godmodding: Characters are meant to be able to freely move and do what they want to do. So unless you have a NPC and you control them do not control someone else’s character unless they give you permission. And even then respect the other person’s character and do what they would appreciate. Your answer is Willow bullies Spencer. Respect: This one goes without saying, we are a safe space, be understanding that people might take extra time to reply. Again, we are all adults, but the respect goes in the opposite direction as well. Everyone needs to reply if they have comments, DMs, etc. Even if it’s to say you are at your max and you can’t write, let the person know.Changes: We know muse can come and go, we’ve all been there, so you can change anything about your character. Every gets a free change pass for the first 72 hours. After that as long as you’ve been active for a month you will be allowed another change. Anything after can be changed every three months unless stated otherwise or approval from admin. If you read this far post a gif of your favorite from friends. Hiatuses: Again, life happens, we know things come up and if a hiatus is needed we ask that you either message the members page, or message either Spencer or Willow directly so we can make sure it’s properly documented. Hiatuses will be allotted after you have been active for a month and then we can allow up to two weeks, if more is needed we will work it out with you.Activity: This is the big one, because we are all about activity. It is required to do three statuses per week, weekly updates of owe lists, and then at least two replies per week. We will do monthly activity checks to make sure that everyone is keeping up. These activity checks will include screen grabs of replies, starters, status and any additional task of the month. Failure to do so will result in one warning and then you’ll be cut from the group.

Taken First Names:  Spencer Willow  Taken Last Names:  Montgomery  Davenport Taken Face Claims:  Max Thieriot  Bridget Saterlee Taken Social Media Handles:  @chaosoftheteam @thatlowlyfe Members current Occupations:  Navy Seal - Team Havoc  Informant/Stripper at DC Entertainment

Lucifer decided to take a joyride in his black Corvette he sped down the streets of LA breaking Soo many ways but knowing well that he wouldn't be chased by the LAPD he came to a stop when at a red light tapping to the music enjoying the time suddenly he felt a pistol pressed against Lucifer's head he looked slowly over to the man wearing a mask he smirked unfazed* well well  * before he could say anything the man who had muffled speech yelled * shut up give me your car and the money ! * With a smile * I am 100% certain you do not want to do this * he said smiling as he slowly stepped out of his nice Corvette suddenly as the robber tried getting in with ease Lucifer ripped the pistol out of his hand and broke it into two pieces he then grabbed the man by his collar and pinned him the car denying his car some on impact he smiled and showed his devil face the robber screamed for his life when he started to hallucinate terrible things hellish things with a sigh of satisfaction Lucifer stepped back but growled in annoyance when he saw the dented door * bloody hell look what you did * he grumbled in annoyance as he pointed at the door the frightened begged for Lucifer to not to hurt him with a wince Lucifer let go of the pathetic robber * Give Me all your money * Lucifer showed his firey red eyes to the man the robber flinched again and threw his wallet to Lucifer he smirked and red his id as he pulled it out to give that back to him sliding the wallet full of money in his suit jacket calmly and smoothly Lucifer  said with devilish tone * please do remember me Wallace * he grinned and sped away heading to a banquet with the city Mayor he was invited to attend this had made him late but he didn't care about that whatsoever and the Robber ended up running away from the scene running for his life.https://youtu.be/ngdSBRQH35Q?si=PWtXsE7zb0H8Mcvl

The digital alarm clock's harsh red numbers blinked mockingly as Hunter stared at them through bleary eyes: 2:37 AM. Beside him, Ophelia let out a soft snuffling noise and shifted positions, burrowing deeper beneath the mound of blankets cocooning them both in blessed warmth. Away from the chill December night air seeping through the old dorm's leaky window frames. Even in the shadowy dimness of their shoebox apartment, Hunter couldn't help but be transfixed by the way Ophelia's features seemed to almost glow, backlit by those faint crimson numerals. The normally bright constellations of freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and cheekbones were smudged into a burnt sienna palette in this half-light. Loose tendrils of chestnut hair fanned out in a haphazard halo across the pillowcase. In that bleary, exhausted state of half-wakefulness clinging to Hunter's consciousness, he marveled at just how damn beautiful his girlfriend - no, his partner, his other half, his everything - could manage to be even like this. Wrapped up in bunny-printed pajamas and drooling slightly, mouth-agape in the throes of a deep sleep. God, he was so bloody lucky to be the one who got to share this view. This private, perfect, peaceful vision of the woman who had turned his entire world upside down the moment she had first stepped onto that scuffed-up frozen pond back in elementary school all those years ago. Before Hunter could reign himself in, those swirling thoughts of adoration started escaping their confines as half-mumbled verbal musings. "Hey Ophs...you awake?" A noncommittal hum answered him, her shapely back shifting beneath the quilted blankets. "Do you ever wonder...I mean, just think about if things had been different for us?" Hunter continued in a hushed ramble, his voice cracking slightly from fatigue and the weight of his meandering theories. "Like, if we'd grown up in some alternate world instead of as skating partners? Do you think we'd still...you know, be a couple? Wind up together no matter what?" A sleepy tousle of red hair appeared from the fabric nest as Ophelia turned to regard him with one bleary emerald eye cracked open, brow furrowed in a mixture of confusion and exasperation. "Are you having those dumb midnight existential asthmatic thoughts again?" she groaned, clearly only half-registering his rambling queries through her haze of drowsiness. Hunter shrugged sheepishly, draping one thick arm around her narrow waist and tugging her plush form flush against his larger physique. The soft scents of lavender shampoo and crisp, clean linen washed over him as he nuzzled the crown of her head reverently. "Maybe..." he admitted, voice pitched lower against the delicate whorl of her ear. "Just can't seem to make my brain shut off at night sometimes, you know?" Ophelia let out a contented sigh as she allowed herself to be enfolded into the warm cocoon of his embrace, her eyelids already fluttering closed once more. "Well, keep those racing thoughts away from my end of things, West," she purred in a drowsy murmur. "Let me at least get some damn sleep." Hunter hummed an affirmative reply, nosing aside a few loose tresses so he could brush a feather-light kiss against her temple. He felt the tension seep out of his girlfriend's slender frame at the tender gesture as Ophelia sagged fully into his sinewy arms. For a few tranquil moments, the only sounds filling their shoebox apartment were the steady in-out cadences of their mingled breathing patterns, slipping in seamless sync with one another. One heartbeat melding effortlessly into the next. As it had since the first time they cautiously intertwined their gangly teenage limbs all those years ago. Hunter traced abstract, soothing patterns along the sliver of exposed skin peeking from between Ophelia's tank top and pajama bottoms. Allowing the hushed peace surrounding them to settle into his very marrow. Until... "You don't think we'd already be married by now?" he pondered aloud before he could censor his wandering thoughts. "With like...five kids at least? Or maybe an entire hockey team's worth of little ankle-biters running around, knowing us?" Ophelia groaned, cracking one emerald eye open again to shoot her boyfriend an exaggerated glower from the depths of her blanket nest. "For the sake of avoiding the very real possibility of smothering you with a pillow right now?" She settled the full force of her drowsy glare on the sheepish Hunter, pursing her lips in displeasure. "Go. To. Bed." Hunter couldn't help the low chuckle rumbling up unbidden from his broad chest as Ophelia swatted him half-heartedly. His smile only widened further as he pressed another teasing peck to the tip of her adorably upturned nose, eliciting a fresh disgruntled grumble. "Roger that, babe. Going to sleep now, just like you asked." As Ophelia harrumphed and shifted to get more comfortable against the solid wall of Hunter's torso, one last drowsy murmur reached his ears. "If we did have five kids, I'm telling you right now that potty training duty is ALL on you, pal." Hunter simply hummed a wordless note of wry acknowledgment, resisting the urge to rumple her tangled hair in playful retribution. He knew better than to push his luck tonight. So instead, Hunter cradled Ophelia tighter and welcomed the waves of exhaustion already dragging him back under into peaceful slumber, perfectly content to pick up their silly late-night musing at a later date. Perhaps in some future reality where five squirming little bundles did indeed call them Mom and Dad, and these quiet, intimate moments would ultimately seem like some long lost fever dream.

"I'm tellin' you, Lor, it's not like that with me and Ophelia." Hunter flopped back onto his bed with a huff, glaring up at the ceiling as if it had personally offended him. His older sister simply arched an immaculate eyebrow, settling herself onto the room's solitary desk chair. "You're protesting an awful lot for someone who claims there's nothing to actually protest about," Loretta needled, a teasing lilt to her voice. "Face it, little bro - you've got it bad for your skating partner. And from what I've seen, the feeling's pretty darn mutual." A dusky blush crept along the tips of Hunter's ears at her insinuation, confirming Loretta's suspicions even as he shook his head vehemently. "We're just friends, okay? Best friends. Partners on the ice and that's it." He scrubbed a hand over his face, reluctantly meeting her mirthful gaze. "Sure, maybe I think about...you know, other stuff sometimes when it comes to her. But who wouldn't? Ophelia's beautiful, talented, an incredible person inside and out. We click together like nobody else can." Hunter's expression took on a distant sort of wistfulness as he trailed off. But he blinked it away rapidly, reverting to his previously defensive posture. "Doesn't mean I'm going to go ruin the most important relationship in my life just to indulge those dumb passing thoughts, though. She means too much to me for that." Loretta regarded her brother shrewdly for a long moment, seeming to weigh her response carefully. When she spoke again, her tone was softer but still carrying an undercurrent of fond exasperation. "You know, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having...shall we say, more intimate feelings towards someone you clearly care for so deeply. Contrary to what you meatheaded jocks seem to think, it's possible to want both emotional and physical intimacy with a person." At Hunter's visible squirming discomfort, she raised a calming hand to halt his protests. "Hey, I'm not saying you need to rush out and basically propose to the poor girl or anything, OK? Just..." Loretta paused, trying to find the right phrasing. "Don't be so quick to completely shut down one aspect in favor of maintaining the other, you know? Especially at your ages." Hunter's brow furrowed quizzically. "What do you mean?" "I mean," Loretta clarified with a warm smile. "Would you want to tuck Ophelia in at night, maybe give her a soft kiss on the forehead as she's drifting off? Or wake up with her in your arms some lazy morning, peppering her face with gentle little kisses just because you can?" The question seemingly gave Hunter pause, fresh tinges of crimson coloring his cheeks as he clearly envisioned the scenes she described. But his expression remained uncertain, almost...wistful. "Well? Would those sorts of tender, romantic moments spent with your closest friend appall you so much?" Loretta pressed lightly. "Or would you cherish each one, if she felt the same way?" After a lengthy pause, Hunter finally exhaled a deep, shuddering breath - some of the built-up tension easing from his broad shoulders. "You know..." he began slowly, choosing his words with great care. "If Ophelia wanted that...to share that side of ourselves too...I don't think I would ever get tired of holding her while she slept. Of finding new constellations to map out in those radiant little freckles she always tries to hide from everyone." The soft smile playing across Hunter's lips held a sort of reverence, like he was describing something profoundly sacred rather than reciprocated intimacy. His eyes soon refocused on his sister, open and searching. "But how could I even know if she thinks of me like that? Ophelia means everything to me, Lor. If I screw up what we already have going for some stupid high school crush, I'll never forgive myself." Loretta held his stare for a long beat, her expression incomprehensibly warm and tinged with what seemed like pity. When she finally replied, her words were measured and carefully chosen. "Maybe don't completely rule out the possibility, is all I'm saying. Especially before you've taken the time to really look." She rose fluidly to her feet then, smoothing out her skirt as she made her way towards the door. "Who knows? You two kids just might turn out to be as epically, storybook-levels of made for each other as it already seems to an outside observer." With a last inscrutable smile tossed over her shoulder, Loretta slipped out of Hunter's room - leaving her younger brother alone to muddle over the unexpected turn their conversation had taken.

The muffled thwacks of fists pounding into well-worn leather echoed through the dimly lit basement gym. Sweat trickled down Hunter's bare back as he drove blow after punishing blow into the hanging heavy bag, grunting from the exertion. This had become his nightly ritual of late - working himself into a lather through whatever physical outlet presented itself. An attempt to expel the ever-simmering darker impulses lurking within before they could fully detonate. So consumed by the rhythmic violence, Hunter didn't even register the overhead lights flicking on until a familiar voice cut through the silence. "Jeez, bro. You keep wailing on that thing like it owes you money, pretty soon we'll need to invest in a new one." Hunter faltered mid-combination, chest heaving as he turned to face the intruder with narrowed eyes. His expression softened only slightly upon recognizing the figure leaning against the doorframe. "Lorey. Didn't hear you come in..." He swiped at the sheen of perspiration coating his brow with one taped hand. "Thought you had that work thing tonight?" His older sister shrugged one slim shoulder, pushing off from the frame to drift further into the makeshift gym. Even in her stylish pantsuit, Loretta managed to make the surroundings seem smaller by her presence alone. "Conference call got moved. I figured I'd swing by, see if my little brother wanted some company for once." Her lips quirked in a teasing smile as she nodded towards the punching bag. "Unless this particular opponent is providing more entertaining conversation than I could?" Hunter barked out a mirthless chuckle, shaking his head as he resumed battering the hapless heavy bag with a series of brutal combos. "Well, it's not much for memorable repartee. But at least this loudmouth knows to shut up and take his lickings without any backtalk." The strained attempt at sibling banter fell flat between them, both immediately regretting having given it voice at all. An uncomfortable silence descended, broken only by the dull thudding of Hunter's gloved fists kneading into unyielding leather. Eventually, Loretta sidled up to the mounted bag's opposite side, tilting her head appraisingly at her brother's handiwork. "You want to talk about it?" she asked in a gentler tone, all teasing pretense dropped. "Whatever it is that's got those demons rattling their cages so loud you're down here at..." She craned her neck to check her watch. "2AM on a Wednesday wailing on this poor defenseless thing?" Hunter's jaw muscle twitched, but he maintained his laser-focused state of percussive violence, refusing to meet Loretta's concerned gaze. "Not really, no." Each blunt word was punctuated by another thudding impact that caused the heavy bag to shudder on its chain. "Kinda the whole point of all this, Lor. Pound all that crap into submission without having to dredge it back up with talking." He could practically feel his sister's incredulous stare burning into the side of his skull. But Hunter refused to relent, refused to grant her entry into the storm front currently roiling within. Not out of any animosity for Loretta - she'd been one of the only tethers preventing him from spinning off into the ether entirely after...after everything went to hell. No, Hunter's reticence was more out of weary resignation, and a gut-deep fear of fracturing the fragile stasis Loretta's support had allowed him to maintain. So he poured every ounce of swirling anguish into demolishing his silent, unyielding foe. Each stinging blow chipping away at his internal agonies, if only for a few fleeting moments of impact. The tense quiet between them stretched onward, Hunter's ragged breathing and the cadence of gloves pummeling cowhide the only soundtrack. Until eventually, Loretta let out a soft, sad sigh of resignation. "You're killing yourself with this strong and silent routine, you know that right?" she murmured, leaning back against the nearest wall with her arms crossed. "Pretty soon there won't be anything left of you except that towering brick wall you keep insisting on rebuilding over and over." In his peripherals, Hunter watched Loretta's caustic stare morph into one of resigned acceptance as she studied his contorted features. As if realizing she had lost this particular battle before it even began. "Well, when you've finally beaten yourself stupid against whatever demon is riding you tonight, I'll be upstairs." Pushing off from the wall, she began heading back towards the doorway, steps heavy with disappointment. "Don't be a stranger if you start feeling human again and want to join the rest of us, Hunter." As her receding footsteps faded from earshot, Hunter felt something inside crumple and splinter - as if one of his ricocheting fists had slipped through his defenses to cave in his sternum. He staggered upright, chest heaving with exertion and eyes squeezed tightly shut against a sudden upwelling of bitterness. Before his mind could fully process the compulsion, Hunter had already pivoted and launched his boxing glove directly into the swaying heavy bag with a guttural roar of fury. The thick hide split apart instantly on impact, canvas restraints parting as an eruption of sand and stuffing splattered outwards like a light eruption. For a beat, Hunter simply froze amid the settling debris cloud and regarded the scene of destruction with hollow detachment. Then he slumped backwards until his spine thudded against the concrete wall behind him, sliding downwards to sit cradling his throbbing hand in stunned silence. And that's where Loretta found him nearly an hour later - slouched against the wall with his head tilted back in exhausted repose, tear tracks visible on his cheeks even through the semi-gloom.