Catching Fallen Stars

Evelyn Rose | 23 | Umbrakinesis | Mentions: Axel (dir)

It had been a week since those god forsaken envelopes ended up in her and Axel’s hands, and here she was - against her better judgment - with the only person who could've ever convinced her to do something like this. Being Enhanced in this world was already enough of a hassle, constantly hiding yourself away from society, either for self preservation or fear. There wasn't a paradise on the other side of this ironic rainbow, no pot of gold, nothing.

‘Maybe fool’s gold. We’re the dumbasses falling for the bait.’ Evelyn wondered if this could truly be the safe haven it claimed to be. On one hand, she hoped desperately that it was the case. But on the other, Evelyn harbored reluctant acceptance that this could very well end badly. The last time she had been around people like her, to this degree, wasn't as pleasant as this envelope’s promise. The mere thought made her mouth form a grim line, accentuating the already conflicted expression on her face.

The expression didn't last long as her eyes glanced back at her beloved friend scurrying around the floor of the limo like a rat. Though, she'd never tell him that. He always was a little odd, but in a way that she found endearing. Axel wasn't nearly as skeptical, odd for someone as logical as him, but instead excited. The hours she had listened to this man go over each and every article of clothing, toiletries, and even potential games to bring was enough to make anyone lose a brain cell. Perhaps the promise of paradise made him care a little more than usual about clothing choices, not like they were any different from what he usually wore.

Speaking of Axel, the poor guy was getting ready to sit up, but hit the back of his head on the small ledge holding the wine glasses and other various knick knacks. Evelyn’s lips curved into a small smile, and in rare moments like these, she spoke with something beyond nonchalance. “I didn't think your head could get any bigger, but I think there's a knot forming. Need some ice?”

Axel rubbed the back of his head and sat back on the cushioned leather seats, adjusting his glasses in the process and grumbled under his breath in response, as if he didn't hear Evelyn's commentary. This was a common occurrence, to be trapped in whatever line of thinking he had when researching or finding things out. If it wasn't for the fact Evelyn was close, she probably wouldn't have caught his mutterings. “There's gotta be… maybe…” She watched with a keen eye as his shoulders slumped in defeat, a quick exhale exiting his lips. “There's gotta be a camera or something, right? Because that whole “this is a bad idea” talk on the plane kinda freaked me out.”

Evelyn felt a seed of guilt burrow its way into her chest. From the moment they learned about this sanctuary, Evelyn hadn't been the most positive about it, to say the least. The vague writing, an undisclosed location, everything made her skin feel like it was crawling off her body, and she hated it. But Axel, he wanted nothing more than to learn more from other Enhanced, to befriend them. Isn't that what everyone wanted? A community to feel safe and accepted, with no worries. Perhaps she was being harsh… But it was only because she cared about the safety of her best friend. These past few years hadn't been easy for the duo, and Evelyn was doing everything she could to protect the only connection she had to this decaying world. “...I’m sorry. You're right. I think I’m just…” Terrified. “Nervous.”

“I’m always right, but it warms my heart to hear you say it. So uh, just gonna clarify that I would usually be your unpaid therapist after a statement like that, but look outside the window.” Axel pointed outside the window, his jaw practically dropping at whatever he was pointing at. A moment of confusion faded away the moment her eyes landed on what appeared to be Scarlet Manor, a name that fit it well. The roundabout driveway wrapped around a large fountain adorned in four gargoyles, each one facing a different direction like a compass. But somehow, the fountain couldn't compare to the grand building that was larger than any home she had seen back in Texas, the mere sight of such an abode made her mouth go dry. The fact her and Axel were meant to live there? A low whistle reached her ears as Axel joined her in staring. She had to admit, this was way more than what she was expecting.

It wasn't long before both of them were being handed their luggage by Mr. Walker, someone who was as much of a mystery as those envelopes. He seemed entirely average in appearance, shorter than both Evelyn and Axel, a wrinkled face, and a round apple-like form. He said very few words in the entirety of their meeting and remained silent the entire car ride there. Definitely odd, but Evelyn tried not thinking too much about it. She nodded her head in a small farewell as he got into the driver's seat without a word, watching the limo disappear. Axel was too busy studying the building's architectural features to notice how odd it was for that old man to say nothing to either of them.

Her chest rose with a deep inhale, allowing her jittery feelings to leave with the exhale. Evelyn could feel a gentle hand rest on the space between her shoulder blades and give her a few pats of reassurance. Looking over to see Axel’s lopsided grin helped ease some of the nerves. “No matter what's past those doors, we've got each other, right?” The taller woman reached up her own hand and ruffled his curls, a certain warmth in her expression. “More like I've got you. The moment something happens, I’ll throw you over my shoulder. Like a potato sack.”

Axel snorted in response. “I will throw the worst goddamn tantrum, don't try me, slim Jim.” The duo shared a laugh just outside those large oak doors, and with one last look at the outside world, Evelyn embraced the mystery of this large home and entered this infamous Scarlet Manor. She had no idea what adventures lay beyond the doors, but beneath the layers of doubt and apprehension, Evelyn let herself feel something else. Hope.

Soleil Ēostre Sinclair | 23 | Heliocontrol | Mentions: Indirectly: Axel & Evelyn

The Sun Princess hummed softly as she watched the trees fly by the window in the sleek, luxurious limousine. The sun burned brighter the more Sol stared at it, basking in its rays. Her fingers danced with a small, glowing solar snake-like figure, its radiant energy pulsating between her delicate fingertips. The rhythmic hum of the vehicle seemed to synchronize with the gentle melody she hummed. Despite the rural surroundings whizzing past outside, a serene sense of tranquility enveloped her, a stark contrast to the anticipation buzzing in the air. The limousine's interior had subtle touches of elegance, reflecting the opulence of her destination. The soft purr of the engine served as a soothing backdrop to her thoughts, lulling her into a state of tranquil contemplation.

It had been a little over a week since Sol received the letter inviting her to Scarlet Manor, now the newest letter was beside her, slightly singed. The edges of the paper curled delicately from the remnants of her powers she had summoned upon reading the mysterious message. Her curiosity piqued, she couldn't resist the allure of Mistress Morrigan's invitation. As the limousine glided effortlessly along the winding road, Sol's thoughts drifted to the possibilities that awaited her at the grand estate. It had been a while since Soleil had time away or changed scenery, and the prospect of exploring Scarlet Manor filled her with excitement. When she first received the letter, she didn’t even think twice before accepting. She had just returned from a night out at the bars, the letter sitting conspicuously on her table. Her stilettos echoed against the floor in her penthouse as she made her way to the letter. Sol could still hear her maid's cautioning words, advising her against attending. Yet, Sol was always the risk-taker, searching for something to fulfill her soul.

As she stared out the window, she found herself playing with one of her bracelets. Sol had adorned herself with an array of golden jewelry, adding a touch of glamor to her ensemble. Delicate hoop earrings dangled from her ears, catching the light as she moved. On her wrists, she wore a stack of golden bracelets, each one glinting with its own unique design. With every movement, the jewelry shimmered and sparkled. Her outfit consisted of light blue 90's boyfriend jeans, a relaxed fit with a rip at the knee and another on her upper thigh. Pairing them with sleek black platform heeled boots, their polished finish contrasted against the distressed denim. The denim came down over the boots, pooling slightly at the ankles, framing the footwear. Sol completed her outfit with a striking black strapless velvet corset, intricate floral designs that added a touch of femininity to her attire. The corset cinched at her waist, accentuating her curves and exuding an air of confidence and allure. She wore her hair in its natural beauty, large curls cascading around her shoulders, with a ponytail on top to give it even more volume. The effortless yet chic hairstyle complemented her ensemble perfectly.

Soleil’s solar-snake continued to slither around her wrist as she gracefully picked up a wine glass, her gaze briefly meeting Mr. Walker's before returning to the shimmering red liquid within the glass. He was studying her as much as she was studying him, a subtle tension lingering in the air. She noticed he glanced back more often when she had summoned her solar-snake. Perhaps he was wary that she might set the whole limo aflame with a mere flick of her wrist—the thought elicited a ghost of a smile from Sol. Not that she ever would, but the knowledge that she could made her more excited than it should have. Sol settled back into her seat, as she took a sip of the vibrant wine, the rich flavors danced across her palate. At least this Mistress Morrigan had good taste. Sol was accustomed to the finer things in life, the hustle and bustle of urban landscapes and the lavish elegance of high society. Being in such a remote and rural area was a stark change for the young woman.

As Sol's limousine approached the grand estate, her gaze fell upon the large and antique black gate with the initial 'M'. Thick stone walls, towering six feet in height on each side, stretched seemingly endlessly, emphasizing the vastness of the property. The twenty-minute drive past the gate only hinted at the expanse of the estate. She spotted two people already there, a man and woman with their luggage. Soleil’s heart picked up ever so slightly as she bit back a smile, the two seemed to know each other. Questions raced through Soleil's mind as she observed the other guests, so she wasn’t the only one invited - which made her even more excited at the thought of others' abilities. As the limo came to a halt, the solar-snake wrapped around her throat like a golden choker, burning brightly as it transformed into a statement necklace that adorned her décolletage. Its intricate patterns drew attention to her neckline, with each delicate detail catching the light, the necklace shimmered.

As Mr. Walker opened her door, with a graceful sway, Sol stepped out of the limo, her presence commanding attention as she took in the surroundings. She gently patted his shoulder with a soft "Thank you," her voice carrying a warmth that mirrored the sun's embrace as he handed her the luggage. That, she wasn’t used to, her lip curled slightly in disgust. She dropped her luggage beside her, taking a few steps away. The old man barely spared her another look - let alone a word - as he climbed back into the limo. Her attention quickly returned to the grandeur of Scarlet Manor. She heard the limo depart and closed her eyes, welcoming the sun’s rays as they bathed her in warmth and light. As the sunlight enveloped her, Sol felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins. Gods, she wasn't even nervous, despite being at this stranger's home. She felt more at home here than anywhere else.

Riku Azalea | Male | 25 | Geokinesis | M: Everyone already inside Scarlet Manor

There was loud banging. Loud, irritating banging. Light streamed through the accidentally open bedroom window and hit Riku's eyes directly. That made things so much worse for the waking man.

“Uegh.” Riku grumbled, shielding his eyes from the intrusive sunlight. He felt the soft breeze coming from outside and through the window, “Safety hazard..”

Riku pushed himself up and out of his cozy bed. He quickly but sleepily closed the window and pulled the curtains over it to block out the sunlight.

The banging seemed to dull, fade and eventually stop. However, it did turn into clanking and maybe a chair falling over?

Riku wasn't concerned, well… only a little. He quickly got himself dressed in his regular plain t-shirt, plain black zip up hoodie and black baggy pants. No need for shoes or anything, he was in his own house after all. And he would have to go all the way to the front door if he wanted them.

Azalea debated yelling down to the first floor but there wasn't any point to straining his voice if he was going there anyway, right?

The geokinetically enhanced being opened and shut his door, passing through it. On his way his way down the long but naturally decorated hallway and down the stairs to the opening room. The opening room was just a small bit of the house just after the front door, a small room that connected to two hallways together and could barely be called a room in itself.

Riku found himself in the kitchen, standing over a mess of many dirty dishes in the sink. “Chase..”

Chase was his neighbour, and Chase was another one of the Enhanced. They had become friends over the years and the hydrokinesis user even took on some of the same fashion Riku had, even if he wouldn't admit it.

Chase came over often, often enough for everyone to know they were friends if anyone bothered to pay attention to it.

Azalea sighed, “Chase, I hope you're planning on cleaning these up?” He made his way to the dining room, finding a very tired Chase sitting at the table.

He couldn't help his urges, he passed by Chase and ruffled his hair with a smirk. Only half intending to annoy his friend. On the opposite side of the table there was a fallen chair, presumably knocked over by Chase and hadn't been picked up yet.

“You should get more sleep,” Riku replied to his friend in a playful tone, with a hint of genuine concern.

He made his way out, out of the dining room and to the front door. He slipped on his boots, left the house and walked down his pathway with a yawn. This was a daily routine, he did this to check if there was any mail. Even on the coldest day of winter, he always did it.

Now, normally… normally there wasn't any since not a lot of people used mail anymore when they could just text, email, or even just visit him in person.

Today was seemingly different, because when he checked.. there was a letter.

“Hm, that's…interesting.”

❖

Days passed, everything was normal. His friend, Chase Corvin, had also gotten a letter and both decided to go. Of course, at different times because one of them needed time to fix his sleep schedule.

Riku made it to the airport alone, ‘huh. It's a pretty small place.’

He found a man holding a sign with the words ‘Scarlet Manor’ on them. Azalea was a bit judgemental about the man's clothing, it was… a bit much for him. Nothing needed to be fancy, in his opinion.

He listened as the man introduced himself, Mr. Walker was his name. Riku thanked the man for taking his luggage, even if it was his job it was still a nice act.

‘Seems a bit out of place.’ Riku thought as he got into the limo. He had a bit of time to be inside said vehicle, and it seemed.. empty. Another weird thing, it seemed like they were prepared for more than one person but only himself and Mr. Walker was there.

Azalea picked up the note carefully once he had spotted it and read it quickly and mentally.

‘Dear Riku Azalea,

I am overjoyed by your decision to give my home a chance. Worry not, for I have made it my personal mission to ensure that all of your needs and wants will be met. Not only by myself, but by my adoring staff. Please give Mr. Walker your kindest regards. I'll see you soon.

~ G. Morrigan’

“Huh,” Riku took a moment for himself after reading the note. “Seems nice enough. Wonder who this ‘G. Morrigan’ is.”

Riku looked out the window for a good chunk of the ride, until the vehicle slowed to a stop in front of what he could only assume was Scarlet Manor.

Riku got out of the limousine before the mysterious Mr. Walker could open it for him. Unfortunately he wasn't as quick to get his luggage and had it handed to him, Riku took a minute to thank the man once he had it all. It was just about 2pm if he had to guess, and when he took a moment to check his phone, his guess was confirmed.

Azalea sighed as the limousine sped off and left him alone there at the manor. He had no choice but to continue on and pass through the doors.

As he entered, he found two people. One was female, the other was male and they seemed to be having a pleasant time. There was another person who caught his eye, someone with dark hair. ‘I wonder if they all got the same message.’

There were more people but at this point he felt awkward, moving quietly to a place not far from the group but not close either.

Riku simply took his time studying the room, keeping an ear on the conversation and observing the people also kept in the room.

He could still smell her floral scent ; the smell of roses and peonies intermixed with the fresh morning dew with just a hint of upturned earth. She smelled like a fresh garden, it reminded him of how much she cared for that old greenhouse, she must miss it, he reminisced - I should get her some flowers, he thought absentmindedly. All he could think of was him giggling while dancing around her garden, the perfumed scent of flowers filling his nose as he made his mother a flower crown made of her prized roses. She never scolded him for it, and only cooed at it, and now that memory seemed so far away now. He could feel her softly stroking his hair and whispering soft words of comfort and encouragement while he cried into her dress like a child ; her soft warm hands, cupping his face with much more love than he deserved. He didn't want to leave her here, but she wouldn't let him save her - and he resented her for that. His hands gripped the dark blue sundress she wore with desperation, tears filling his eyes ; and his sight blurry due to his distress - yet, she only wiped his tears away, and shushed him, like one would do a crying infant and she pulled him closer and he clung to her d burying his head in her bosom. He could feel her warmth, and it made him even more sadder - she was here, in this gilded cage and yet he was about to be set free from it.

"My precious boy, why do you weep?" He heard the soft voice of his mother speak gently, her hands gliding down his hair in a comforting motion - stroking his hair lovingly and gently, "My poor boy, who loves his mother so much ; don't weep for me, dry those tears and listen to me." She cooed, and raised his head, cupping it gently in her hands - making him face her, and he could fill himself sniffle as he did so, her sapphire eyes shimmered in the fading sunlight, one could begin to see the sunny day grow melancholy as the soft droplets of rain began to fall and thick clouds began to hide the the sun. "Oh, my poor boy," his mother mournfully sighed, "do not worry for me, I am strong and will survive. It's you I worry for, you know what your father would do if he knew you came to visit me." She said softly, thumb gently brushing against his tear stained cheeks, "he doesn't have your best interest at heart. So you must go , go to this manor and find its purpose - you'll find people who truly will care for you and adore you as much as I do. You will find strong friends that will protect you when the time comes. So, my little one - please, be free." She said simply and calmly, and placed a kiss on his forehead, "and please don't hate me for what I'm about to do." She whispered sorrowfully and with a hint of remorse.

"Wha- what do you . . ." He said confusion in his tone, and before he knew it a bright blue light engulfed him and he could hear the last words of his mom say, "Mother loves you." And then all he saw was pure white. He could hear a dull ringing in his head, and faint voices around him. He groaned as his eyes fluttered softly, the voices becoming clearer, and they sounded. . . . concerned ? His vision was blurry, and he could barely see straight in front of him - he squinted his eyes to lessen the strain that was currently on them. What in the hell had just happened ? And he could hear a familiar voice, one older and sounding worried.

"Young Master!" The voice exclaimed, full of concern and he could hear the beginning of the fussings of the older man, "Make room ! Give him some air to breathe, if you're not going to help then stop gawking." He heard the man snap at what he assumed was the audience that had gathered. And he felt a gentle arm lead him to what he was presuming was a bench and he gave a heavy sigh while sitting down. Now that he was out of the light, his eyes were beginning to focus.

"Roland ?" He said tentatively, and he heard a relieved sigh come from the older man, a trusted friend of his family - and one who had attended to him since birth. He was more than just his butler, he was more of a father than his biological father could ever be. The older man's salt and pepper hair, and softened gaze was comforting, and the older man sat beside him - without saying a word and just put a hand on his shoulder. " The Lady wanted it this way, she knew you wouldn't come willingly - she just wants you to have the freedom to discover your power and use it without it being used or abused like hers was." The man said softly, not facing him - just sitting there, " your mother is a great woman, such a pity your father doesn't treat her like the pearl she is." He said distant, as if remembering something from long ago - the older man's forest green eyes somber for a moment before brightening up before looking at him.

"Are you ready to go, sir ? " Was the next question asked of him, and Maximillian wasn't really sure, but he has to be ready, for his mother.

"Yes . . ." He said lowly, uncertain and he wiped away any stray tears before saying, "can I have some shades, my eyes are still sensitive." his voice was abnormally low, but if Roland noticed the man didn't make a comment - and he appreciated that of him. He put on the pair of black and gold shades he was given by the butler and grabbed the luggage that seemed to have materialized with Roland.

"It seems the person who sent you the letter, sent their butler ahead of them," the older male said with a hint of interest and a quirk of a brow as he made his way to the elegant man with the sign saying " Scarlet Manor " in elegant font. The man put down the sign and gestures to the limo awaiting them.

Roland and the mysterious stranger gathered his luggage and placed it in the vehicle and he got in with his butler. He noticed a bottle of wine, and that peaked his interest - should he enjoy a glass ? He pondered, it was going to be a long ride and his nerves were pretty shot so, this should take some of the edge off. He used the provided wine tool to gracefully open the wine, and gingerly poured himself a glass. The vermillion liquid shimmering in the crystal wine glass that was provided, he hummed softly as he took a sip of the red wine ; he could taste notes of pomegranates, a slight tingling came over his tongue as it was slightly sweet - however, their was a slight spritz to it, indicating a higher acidity. He gingerly swirled the liquid around the glass, admiring the fluidity of it as he took another sip. This time he could taste some sort of cherry flavor, and this time there was a slight bitterness to the flavor which intrigued him - he didn't know where this wine was from but he definitely would have to find out from their host so he could get more of it. He could feel his nerves calming down, and he looked to see the clouded sky beginning to clear - just like his mind a semblance of peace and calm was coming through.

As they began their journey to the Manor, he watched absently as they passed by a few notable locations, and then the area became more rural ; it was rather densely wooded, with an assortment of trees, mainly different variants of maple trees and mighty oak trees. As he saw the greenery, he could feel his mood lighten as he noticed minor things on the journey - from the sunshine yellow of marsh marigolds, the kidney shaped petals being distinct even from a far sight to the delicate purples of lavender stalks he could see, and then he noticed more cultivated plants like hydrangeas and a butterfly bush which was alive with bright and colorful visitors. And not to mention he swore he saw a few hares darting through the bushes around the area, but he could tell this place had love as the atmosphere was warm and inviting ; not to mention the greenery seemed well cared for - and he could feel his mood brighten even more. The sun could be seen to beginning to shine even more as they prepared to arrive within the designated area, and as he got out - he gave a soft gasp, and admired the entrance of the Manor . It was historic and grand, and he was quite intrigued with the possibilities that lie behind those massive oak doors - and grabbing his luggage he prepared himself to enter through the doors and see what was held behind them.

"Goodbye Ronald, I wish you a good day." He said with a bright smile, the sun enveloping him as it shone brighter due to his inflection of happiness. And he gave a slight wave as the butler gave a soft smile and a bow, before disappearing in a puff of smoke, the trail soon whizzing around him lovingly before shooting off to an unknown destination. And he gave a fond smile at the vanishing butler, and then noticed the limo driver was already gone. Hm, must be busy - I forgot to give him a tip . . :

He then opened the doors and entered. He wore a rather polished get up, not really knowing what to expect for the occasion. He had a dry cleaned dress shirt, that was as white as it could be with a pair of charcoal black dress pants and shiny heeled Oxford dress shoes. The top of his shirt was slightly unbuttoned for a more casual vibe, but overall he was rather properly dressed. His hair was pulled back into a neat and tidy french braid, the edges of his hair carefully done to make sure his hair was properly done. The only rather unprofessional thing about his look was the two hoop earrings with the one dangling chain on each ear and the septum piecing he had in his nose. He noted that most were in a mixture of casual or formal wear, so he wasn't the only one to not know what to expect - the air seemed rather tense, most caught up in their own little bubbles and chatter. So he decided to not be rude and interrupt, but instead just wait for someone to talk to him. And so, with long and graceful strides the male made his way to a chair he found within this presumed fouyer.

He looked around the room - taking note of the people within it ; there seems to be an even amount of genders, four guys and four girls and one who's gender he couldn't quite place so he wouldn't want to misgender them, but otherwise it seems to be a rather healthy and even mixture of guests - strangers who could possibly become friends or even more than that. It was rather exciting ; he was drawn to the girl and boy duo who seemed to be chattering excitedly about the area, and he quite liked that lively energy. Then there was the girl with the golden hair, she seemed rather . . . interesting to say the least, but for now he could appreciate her beauty and confidence in herself. Then it seems a guy leaning on a pillar was rather interested in the blonde girl, hm, interesting - he filed that piece of information away for another day but he could sense the males discomfort from where he sat. He could feel a certain chill in the room and shivered slightly - this drew his attention to the woman with stark white hair, who seemed nervous despite the mask of indifference and stoic expression she bore upon her face. And then a rather interesting person, who seemed to be having an interaction with . . . no one ? but someone at the same time, how odd yet intriguing. And he really couldn't tell gender of the person so he just settled on them until he could ask for their pronouns for clarification. And then he noticed a woman with a soft smile, and he wondered what brought that smile upon her face - and he could only hope it was something good, because it seems that she was having good thoughts about this place. Overall, the energy seemed lively and seems to grow even more as he looked around. He could only wonder what this place could bring.

And for the first time in a long time, he smiled.