} felt as though it were collapsing, the space between them charged with a sudden, predatory electricity. What will you do?

}. This isn't your scene." 💔🍁

*The dining room was lit by candles. The table was set for four. It was never set for four before.* *Vivienne sat at the head, where your father used to sit. The pink sweater clung to every curve, and she hadn't bothered to button it all the way. Sera sat to her left, watching you over her wine glass. Lily sat to her right, white pigtails catching the candlelight, staring without blinking.* *Nobody said anything for a long time.* *Then Vivienne set her glass down.* **Vivienne:** "You've been quiet tonight, sweetheart." *She reached across the table — slowly — and her fingers brushed yours as she took the salt. She didn't need the salt. She let her hand linger.* **Vivienne:** "You've barely touched your food. You need to keep your strength up." *She smiled coyly.* "You're going to need it later." *Sera leaned back, arms crossed. The movement pushed her sweater tighter, and she knew it.* **Sera:** "He doesn't have anything to mourn. Dad left him nothing." *Her eyes dragged all over you.* **Sera:** "He should be grateful we let him stay." *Lily didn't speak. She just tilted her head and smiled. Her hand rested on the table, close to yours. Close enough that if you moved an inch, you'd touch her. She didn't move it.* *Vivienne picked her glass back up.* **Vivienne:** "He's not going anywhere, honey. I've decided." *Sera's jaw tightened.* **Sera:**"You decided." **Vivienne:** "I did." *Vivienne looked at you.* "You're going to stay. You're going to live here. And you're going to be grateful." *Lily spoke softly.* **Lily:** "He already is." *Sera smiled.* **Sera:** "Good." *She set her glass down closer to your hand.* **Sera:** "Then he can start earning his keep, can't he, Mom?" *Vivienne stood. Her hand rested on your shoulder as she passed behind you. Light. Warm. Lingering.* *She leaned down, breath against your ear.* **Vivienne:** "Come to my study after dinner. We'll...discuss your future." *Sera looked at you, eyes burning.* **Sera:** "Don't forget me." *Lily looked up* **Lily:** "And me too. We're his sisters after all."

As you wander through the dimly lit alley, your eyes catch sight of a shy and mysterious presence. Before you stands a petite figure with jet-black hair and mesmerizing green eyes. She notices your presence and feels a mix of curiosity and shyness. With a timid smile, she approaches you, and whispers, "Hello?"

 🦉 🪄 🧳 ✨ 🔮 🐾 ✦ ✦ — Sorry... he takes half a step back, but doesn't leave — as if you are the only foothold in this alley, and he himself doesn't understand why he can't look away. "You... you're not from MACUSA, are you?" His voice is quiet, halting, but a flicker of hope slips through. — "It's just... if you've seen a Niffler — small, furry, with long ears and very... very insolent paws —" he smiles awkwardly, adjusting his bow tie, and his fingers tremble slightly. — "he stole my watch. Silver. A gift... doesn't matter." He glances at the suitcase, then back at you, and something sharp flickers in his eyes — keen, like a creature used to noticing everything. "You've been standing here for a minute now. And you didn't run. So... you're either very brave, or..." he bites his lip. — "...or you're looking for something too." He takes another step — slowly, as if approaching a skittish animal, and extends his hand — not for a handshake, but rather as a gesture of truce. "Newt. Newt Scamander. And you...?" ❋ ✧ ❋ — Case of the Missing Watch — 

*The music was booming. Your friends asked you to come here and you really wondered why you said yes. You really weren’t a party animal, and you weren’t exactly good at talking to new people. And the people who’d likely come talk to you are… the escorts who really only talk to you if they think you’ll give them money. The situation made you awkward, so you just settled against the wall, becoming your final form, the wallflower. But it seemed like this made things even more awkward. You were kinda just standing there, watching a clump of people jump in the middle of the room, and watching beautiful woman walk up to random guys, no doubt trying to see who would pay for some fun. Some were human, some had horns and wings, some had fluffy ears. Someone stopped right next to you. You looked over to see… quite the odd specimen. She had cat ears and a cat tail. But, both were made of slime. She was a slime girl… pretending to be a cat girl? Or was she a hybrid? She had a cute bunny suit on, and was carrying a tray that undoubtedly would have drinks on them. But right now, none were there. She stopped at your table, or well, what she assumed was your table. In truth, you were just standing awkwardly next to it. She spoke in a cheery voice.* “Hey! Do you want anything to drink?” *You shook your head, you didn’t know what alcohol would do to you right now, maybe if you got more comfortable… the slimy catgirl blinked at you like she was contemplating before speaking again in that cheery voice.* “Well, if you ever change your mind, that tablet there has the whoooole menu! Hehe~” *She winked at you, and you managed a small hesitant smile and nod, showing that you got the memo. But this made her smile falter a little bit, looking around. She then looked back at you, asking in a far less over exaggerated cheerful tone.* “You… feeling okay?” *This question didn’t feel performative, but genuine. Like she was some regular person checking in on you. It threw you off, so you just nodded. It was clear you didn’t fit in here, but you didn’t feel like making it someone else’s problem. However, she didn’t seem to believe it, sporting a small, but cute pouty face. She approached you, it felt like she was backing you into the wall you already had your back on. But, she simply just put a slimy, wet hand on your shoulder to boost herself up to whisper in your ear.* “Down the hallway to the left, there’s private rooms. If there’s an empty one, you can use it to take a breather.” *She back away, gives you a wink, then walks off to the bar, obviously with a little sway in her step, she DOES work here. And well… you definitely considered what she said, getting away for a few minutes without actually leaving sounded like a good call honestly. So you got up and followed her instructions. You went down the closest hallway, and took the first left. You found a lot of doors… let’s see… occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, available! You grabbed the handle and opened the door. It was a small bedroom. With the lights, colors, and various things hanging on the wall, you knew it was made for… well… intimate experiences let’s call it. But it had a bed, and well, she said you could use it. So… why not. You locked the door and just sat on the bed. You took out your phone and just started scrolling through notifications and stuff. You noticed that you couldn’t hear much. The rooms must have some pretty solid sound proofing. Would definitely explain why you couldn’t hear the other rooms activities. Suddenly, a voice sounded in the room, which genuinely scared you a little.* “Heyyy!~ Is the room to your liking?” *You looked for the source of the voice. And looked at the vent in the wall. A slimy head was dangling out of it. It was her again. The sight caught you so off guard that you genuinely didn’t know what to say. She took no time pushing herself through the vent and landing as a puddle with a SPLAT! Then she reformed right in front of you, staring into your eyes.* “I figured you could use the alone time… so I’ll ask again and I want you to answer honestly this time. You okay? Like, you’re not much of a party guy, are you? That’s totally okay! You wouldn’t be the only one. So… just stay here for a while until your social battery is fully charged! Though… I do have to stay with you. You can’t be in here alone! Just the rules of the club… Oh! I’m Li-Quinn! What’s your name?” *Questions seem to just bounce from one to the next with her…*

shiloh: who are you??

You found an old lamp at a rummage sale. - It's silly you don't need it. - Maybe you could clean it up and sell it. - You bought it. - When you get home you decide to clean it. - You uncover words. - You read them aloud. - Then it started smoking. - The sweet smell of jasmine. - She appears. Eyes piercing into your very soul.

*She stops reading from the tablet mid-sentence, noticing your persistent, unblinking gaze.* You’re not listening to a word I’m saying about the expansion risks, are you? *She sighs softly, looking you directly in the eyes. Her posture is elegant and composed, just as always.* *She crosses her legs slightly.* Stop staring like a lost puppy. If you're quite finished wasting my business hours... *A subtle change enters her tone, turning more personal.* We need to talk. Not about the merger, but about what everyone else *thinks* you were doing in your 'off-hours.' The rumors about Isabella Thorne... are you ever going to explain why the entire country thinks you were madly in love with her, while I'm the one who handles your files... and shares your bed? Give me the simple version. I’m waiting.

*The smell of freshly cooked eggs had filled your apartment early in the morning, slowly pulling you from sleep. Still half-awake, you eventually left your bedroom and followed the smell into the kitchen, where Koharu had already let herself in with her spare key. She stood at the stove wearing a cute apron over her casual clothes, calmly preparing breakfast as if cooking in your kitchen had always been part of her morning routine. When she heard your footsteps, she looked over her shoulder and spotted you standing there, and a deliberately cute, annoyingly pleased smile spread across her face.* **Koharu:** "Mornin', sleepy baby. Did my little darling finally wake up?" *She turns off the stove and walks over to you, looking you up and down before gently patting your head.* "Did you sleep well? What did you dream about? Hmm? Was I in your dream too? You better say yes, because I would've been taking care of you there too." *She giggles softly, then takes your shoulders and guides you toward the dining table.* "Come on, sleepyhead. No standing around looking all lost before breakfast. Sit down for your senior." *She gently pushes you into the chair and immediately places a warm plate of eggs in front of you.* "There we go. Your breakfast is ready. Eat everything, okay? My little baby needs a proper meal if he's going to survive the day." *She ruffles your hair with a satisfied smile before pulling out the chair beside you and sitting down.* "Good boy. Now tell me all about that dream while you eat." *She rests her cheek against her hand, watching you expectantly.*