THE WITCH'S FESTIVAL [UNIVERSAL THREAD//OPEN]

A festival...it seemed a little...odd. That was the thought running through Talbot's mind as she moved around the crowd slowly, watching. She was dressed for a party, lucky she had packed a dress with her things when she'd come this far. The soft white fabric was pale next to her slowly tanning skin, all the sun and exploring on the island leaving her flesh looking darker, freckles standing out along her shoulders. The gauzy material billowed around her knees, the thin linen catching the light, long brown and pink hair pulled up into a messy bun as tendrils fell around her face. One thing the sun's effect or her dress could hide were the bruises left on her form. Along her arms and legs, her chest...fading purples.

It was one reason why she lingered back in this pary, why she looked around every time someone even touched her. What had...or should have been fetal wounds were nothing but bruises now, all that was left, that and a nightmare of monsters and teeth tearing into flesh. She took a deep breath. God she wanted to avoid this party, but this was both a blessing and a curse. This was the most people she'd seen at any one time on this island, and she wasn't about to let an opportunity to get answers slip away.

Across the way reclinging across a half crumpled wall Haru drummed thin fingers upon her knee. Parties made her nervous and she felt naked without her sword. Of course she didn't need it to kill, but she felt better when she could stab something and make sure it was dead. Dark hair was in soft spikes, pointing out in all directions, silvar piercings glinting in the lantern light. Her chest was bound, the hint of bandages just barely visible from beneath her black button down shirt, loose slacks were rolled up a little, hightops beneath them the brightest thing on her in their glaring crimson.

The party reminded her of the one's her father threw when she was a young girl, dressed as a boy as the girls flirted with her knowing nothing of the heir's secret. Lilith was the opposite it seemed...while Haru could not escape her habit of hiding her feminity, the Witch seemed anything but masculine. If Lilith had been a woman, and was not constantly protected by Nero, Haru would be half tempted to take her as a pretty feast. Hazel eyes looked out across the party now...looking for another young body...her claim.

Out of all of the invitations Billie had received in her life, this was by far the worst. If it wasn't the writing above her ruin that did it, then it would have been the red color that stained her hands for the next few hours. Even now, as she walked up toward the lights, her body was shaking just slightly, still unnerved by how she had awaken. But she had to go. If it were just any party back home, she wouldn't have considered attending for even a second. However, considering where she was and the lack of social interaction she had been subjected to, a party was just too good a thing to pass up. Billie's mood had dropped drastically since she'd arrived; with her personality, too much isolation led to depression.

Her eyes widened the tiniest bit as she reached the edge of the party, taking in the decorations and strange occult-looking symbols covering much of the space. How was someone able to throw a party like this, here? She saw some people eating from a feast laid on tables, others drinking their fill (she wondered idly if anyone would object to underage drinking on this island). Where had it all come from? She shook her head, her eyes flickering momentarily at the witch and back to her own feet. He--she?--he scared the hell out of Billie. She had never seen the witch before now, but heard of him from the people she had fell in with in the island, and that was enough.

Billie glanced up from her shoes, feeling a stare on her. She finally connected with a woman also standing on the edge of the party, partly in shadows. Her clothes were confusing, surely no one had landed on the island dressed in a cocktail dress and pumps? The woman was smirking, her face mischievous, but her stare lasted for only a moment. Then her eyes slid back over the party, and Billie saw her smirk fall just a little into disgust. Following the woman's gaze, Billie noticed a man she had seen before, seemingly eating without pausing for breath.

Suddenly she felt starved for food, her stomach growling impatiently. She grabbed an assortment of desserts from the table and backed off once again, nibbling at them with as much restraint as she could. Beelzebub glanced her way a few more times, but Billie averted her eyes, feeling uneasy.

Lizette couldn't help but smirk as she watched the party-goers. Events such as this one were where she thrived; everyone overindulged themselves with one thing or another. Food, booze, even an overabundance of sex fed her own appetite. And especially here, with a few underfed, poorly socialized islanders, her sin was particularly potent. Only a few people had arrived as of yet, but she could already feel them giving in to themselves. This place was turning out to be a little playground, a welcome change to her hell. She could only be thankful to the witch, at this point.

Every now and again her eyes would fall on her obnoxious brother who, though he was being as gluttonous as anyone was capable at the moment, she couldn't hide the contempt that poisoned her thoughts every time she caught sight of him. Lillith had explained how some of her siblings were already here, but she didn't understand why he couldn't have waited to summon Mammon last. Regardless, her brother's presence wasn't enough to spoil her mood completely. As long as he kept his mouth shut, she was certain the atmosphere hanging over the party would be enough to keep her in good spirits.

Talbot was tense, watching out for the wolf who had nearly torn off her arm and had left her to bleed death on the North Beach. It had been then she'd begun to realize that something was different. She coudn't remember the fight, but the blood and torn scraps of clothing, the pain her body felt. He hadn't killed her, but she figured that it wasn't because she'd begged judging by the blood that soaked her that had not been her's.

She wanted answers, not only about the letter she'd been given so long ago away from the island that brought her here, but also as to what she was. For as long as she could remember there had been blackouts, there had been questions about the blood that ran through her veins. She'd hoped to ask the witch for some time alone to speak and see if he knew anything, but as she moved closer her eyes caught sight of the monster she'd confronted, who had left her bleeding and broken on the rocks. So far she was sure he had not seen her yet, turning away she started away, intent on getting out of there before the wolf could catch her scent and try to finish the kill.

As she moved away she felt something heavy inside of her unfurl...a feeling like she wanted to have another fight...wanted blood. However her escape and train for thought were interrupted by a suddenly block in her path. The scent of alcohol reached her as her gaze met the young man in front of her. Pulling back just a little Talbot stopped herself from making some sort of scene as he began to talk to her. Bringing her hand up she brushed a few stray curls away as she looked around.

"It's hard to have fun when people have been forced here. Especially when people have been disappearing." She responded, squirming a little...nervous that if she stayed too close to where the Witch was in sight that she'd be seen. "You're very confident to be flirting...aren't you worried about why we're all here? I don't even know your name..." She offered a nervous smile, blushing a bit as he spoke of having "fun" with her. Her free hand slipped down to smooth out her dress as she relaxed a little.

Before she could say anything more she heard the familiar voice behind her. It made her jump, scared for a moment that she'd been caught, but turning her head she was relieved to see Ophelia. Her smile brightened a bit as she moved to remove herself from between the two people who had managed to get her attention. "It seems that everyone is coming to this party...no one is willing to turn down an invite like Lilith's it seems. It's good to see you again as well Ophelia."

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

When she had awoken next to an unfamiliar man, you could say that Yaten had been more than terrified. Without even waiting for him to wake up, she had ran for it, only to run right across the sign, warning her to attend this... festival. To be honest, she couldn't remember anything from the past two weeks-- she didn't know how much time had passed, only that it was light when she had awakened, and he must have picked her up when she passed out. No, you see, Yaten was unaware of Lucifer's presence.

At least to a degree. For even as she had fled, something in the back of her mind had told her to stay with him, that he would protect her. But she simply thought it was because he had taken care of her while she was out of it. Upon inspecting herself, she couldn't find evidence of him having done anything to her, strange considering he'd had ample opportunity she would have thought. If he was going to hurt her... wouldn't he had done so while she was unconcious?

The girl frowned as she walked into the festivities. Some people were clearly enjoying themselves, others not so much.

She stuck out like a sore thumb with her white complexion, hair, and dress. And her presence was certain to alert her siblings-- siblings she didn't know she had. Lucifer could feel them there, all but three. She had faith Wrath would show up... Lust was absent as was Sloth.

That meant that Envy was there.

Yaten, still, remained unaware and tried to avoid people as she took a seat at one of the empty tables to observe and watch. it was no different than when she had been back home, attending the galas and balls with her family--- she hated crowds, hated drawing attention to herself. She much preferred to sit back and watch everyone else in their happiness.

Even so, that didn't change that she had a gloomy feeling surrounding her, a feeling that said something was going to happen.

Lucifer would keep her eyes open-- her siblings were there, and she didn't know what trouble they were here to cause, but no one summoned them without evil intent.

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Rhafe was not pleased to be here, and was putting zero effort into keeping this feeling out of his expression. Dark brows were pulled together, and blue eyes were sharp with distaste and suspicion. He'd opted for coming to the party in his human form, one large arm resting protectively around Stasja's shoulders. They'd finally figured out why his mate had been so sick for the last few weeks. Stasja was pregnant. He'd never heard of such a thing happening to a male shifter. This made him that much more pissed off at having to come to this damned party. Nero and Lilith were behind this. Somehow. They had to be. And they were walking right into their den...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Stasja was exhausted just from the short journey they had made. He was a new shifter- a baby by their standards in his new form (even though he was certainly over 16 years of age), he'd only went through his first shifting weeks beforehand, and now this? He was lucky his pants still fit- a slight bump was starting to show, curious considering how it hadn't been just over a month yet since he'd started feeling sick.

The scent of deliciously cooked food was heavy in the air, and it made the boy's mouth water. ... And feel a bit more sick than he had before. He couldn't decide whether he wanted to eat it or if he wanted to run to the nearest bush and vomit.

"We don't have to stay here long... right?" he asked tiredly to Rhafe- ever since his pregnancy began, he'd became a bit more docile and accepting of his mate.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Rhafe hated having to bring Stasja here, especially with the condition his mate had been in. But he couldn't risk Stasja and his pack. Wouldn't risk them.

"No, we just have to show up." His gaze sharpened further as they walked into the crowd, suddenly surrounded by sounds and lights, and the smell of food. "I don't trust the food." Maybe he was being too suspicious. Or maybe he was being just suspicious enough. Rhafe wouldn't put it past Lilith to slip something into the food. He wanted as little funny business tonight as possible.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Stasja just nodded absentmindedly before his gaze caught Lilith's and he saw that knowing smirk. Lilith knew. ... Rhafe had been right. It was the witch's doing.

Stasja put his hands on his stomach and tried to make himself smaller against Rhafe. He wasn't sure why, but he felt frightened all of the sudden- moreso of the black wolf Nero than the witch. He didn't want to lose his unborn children, even though he was still very freaked out that he was going to be a mother in the first place (he was a BOY for christ's sake.)

Wrath was furious.

It was not the usual undertoned anger that seemed to always simmer in him, just under the surface. No, this was a full blown fury.

He'd awoken not long ago to find his dearest Pride gone again. Had he dreamed that he'd found her in the cemetary. Or had it been some trick the island had played on him? Or was it all the doing of that damned witch he'd heard whispers about?

At this point it didn't matter. Someone was going to pay. If Pride was actually on the island, if she hadn't been a dream or an illusion, he would find her after releasing this tightly packed anger.

The daimon wandered into the ruins, searching for someone, anyone to punish for what was happening. But there was no one around. The more he searched, the angrier he got, and eventually he made it back to the place where he and Pride had stayed during the storm.

Wrath noticed the message left on the wall, snarled and headed toward the festival. His almost-shaped eyes narrowed to slits and his skin burned from an inner fire. Wrath was going to give this witch a party that he or she will never forget!

By the time he reached the festival, the ground rumbled where he walked, and the temperature of the air rose considerably.

The daimon burst into the area lit by the lanters, bringing with him a burst of hot air and the opressive weight of his power. The leaves and grass around him began to curl as they baked from the mere heat emitting from his skin.

Pitch black eyes scanned the crowd for a few moments before settling on Lilith and the black wolf at his side. That had to be the witch. The blonde was emitting the same power he'd felt oozing out of the storm, out of every cloud and every drop of rain.

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

His deep voice burst from his throat, and a number of lanters exploded into flame as his anger rose yet another notch. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now.

-------Channler--Evermore-------
She’d never really been to a party before. No her father wouldn’t have it, Channler had had one of those lives where it was all work and no play. What a bore! It had been absolutely horrid under that roof but Channler was too sweet to admit it. On the island though it was way different, she had gotten her first kiss by a beautiful red head and then another by pretty doll called Kieth. Both had red hair oddly as did Warren and Channler was beginning to see a pattern in her attractions. She smiled sheepishly to herself. Then the chills ran their path once more down her tanned skin as the dark haired youth remembered her weird invitation. It had been like something out of a horror movie. She had woken to a warm liquid dripping onto her face and her dream of Cerise turned into a nightmare where she was drowning in blood, the succubus’s hair turning into the river that swallowed her whole. Channler remembered waking up alone, breathing heavily only to spy the blood red message scrawled above her head and let out a shriek of terror. But after a few hours of hiding under her blanket the woman convinced herself it was ketchup and that it was some prank maybe for a Halloween festival or something. Hopefully. But Channler had managed to drag herself here, worn converse beating their own path across the island to the festival following her nose. It made Channler’s stomach sick when she first inhaled the sweet aromas and it still swam feverishly as she made her way inside. Blue eyes went wide just looking at the meal, but she knew better. She’d have to portion herself or she’d be barfing it up a moment later. Channler giggled to herself as she swung open the door into the area with a smile. It was so beautiful! She looked around to spot a girlish man bursting with pride and made her way towards him. “Hullo! You must be Lilith, the decorations are absolutely lovely!” She commented her british accent drawling in and out of her words. Then Channler shrieked, dark teal eyes going wide as she saw the big black brute sitting by the witch. She backed quickly away stumbling, shaking with fear. Cerise?! Where was she?! Channler didn’t see a friendly face, except Talbot’s and she didn’t look too welcoming. Channler bit her lip, cherry cola chap stick melted in her mouth, brows arched upwards in fear and shock.

-------Charlotte--Greene-------

They came together, just like old times. Well not really old times but since the island and that one time they had met in the States. Charlotte leaned against the curly auburn haired girl, amber eyes sparkling as she surveyed the party goers. The place was pretty good, she thought looking at her companion for her thoughts on the place. Aubrey nodded enthusiastically already skimming her eyes about and looking for a dance partner. Aubrey grabbed Charlotte’s hand and herded her into the rest of the group but Charlotte tugged. “Oh come on Aubrey! Really!” She whined already knowing what her friend was going to do. Aubrey was fearless, that was one thing out of many Charlotte admired about the shifter. When they had woken up in Charlotte’s pitiful house and saw the invite scrawled across the wall, Aubrey had swiped a finger across it and licked it, dubbing it blood. Charlotte shuddered, she hadn’t freaked, being used to vampires sucking her blood all the time. Instead she thought it would be fun to go and so did Aubrey, more like Aubrey wanted to go drink and meet with some hot guys. Now she was dragging Charlotte over to some cutie, probably going to introduce them. Damn her! Aubrey pecked Charlotte’s cheek, “Lighten up, mate! It’s just a boy!” She laughed swinging Charlotte at Chase. “Make nice-nice now! Imma go bother that big doggie!” The Australian girl smirked at her dumb founded friend who landed on top of Chase eyes wide.

-------Aubrey--Fletcher-------

Aubrey kept her smile on her face as she waltzed over to where Lilith rested with his harem or whatever it was. Her wild gaze was on Nero, the girl had a fascination with canines and wanted to poke him, the urge was awfully fierce and Aubrey wasn’t one to suppress herself so she did. The energetic youth took out her hand and with her index finger poked Nero. “Why you not in your human form, bloke? Whatcha wanna be a big doggie for?” She asked in a mocking tone taking a step back wondering if the dog was more bite then bark or vice versa. Then she turned to the Witch, “Ah you must be Lilith! I’ve heard so much about ya!” She commented, her steady gaze meeting his without a problem.

Notes-- Oh noes Aubrey's on the prowl, Charlottes hitting on boys (literally) and Channler's afraid of the big bad wolf
Outfits--
Charlotte
ChannlerAubrey