[And it'll be a few more years before that news comes. Jaqueline will be slightly better at keeping in touch, if nothing else for a lack of someone to talk to. She moves out of her rooms at the compound, which affords her enough privacy to upgrade from text messages to phone calls.
But she still doesn't leave. Max holds her in place like a magnet, and she won't apologize for that.
But then they do find David - more specifically, Jaqueline finds David. She manages to get out of Damian Jericho that David was found and exorcised but naturally did not want to return to the coven that had him possessed in the first place. He also gave her a name: Ezra Adin. It doesn't take much to find David after that.
The problem with David coming back, again, is that Jaqueline is clearly not considered. Jaqueline's father is furious that the Gainors are allowing David to go through with what he considers a farce of a wedding, spitting in the face of the Melrouxs good grace. He takes it out on Jaqueline, as she is the one available, which leads to her being a little ... out of it at the wedding. Not incapacitated or unable to make her own decisions, but slightly shell-shocked.
It's for that reason that she almost thinks she's seeing things. Tucked back in a corner, there's an unfamiliar face that is also so incredibly familiar at the same time. As David and Ezra work through their vows, her eyes are in the woman in the back corner.
As they filter out to the reception, Jaq peels away from her brother and parents and wander through the crowd to find that woman. She follows her, up into the balcony of the rental space, to where it is quiet and they won't be seen, at least not right away, and asks the question she probably shouldn't ask, but will.]
( Her hair has been dyed more auburn, but it's her. Under the sunglasses and all black, it's the woman she remembers.
Eventually, she gives up on finding David. She has to focus on herself. But, she finds even that's not enough. What she does realize is that once she stops trying, once she lets the universe come to her, things do fall into place. She makes friends she otherwise wouldn't. Allies she still has to this day. One ally keeps tabs where she needs, along with everything else they track.
Route-witches have several talents, only one of which is unlocking the cheat codes to get you somewhere faster. Another? Tracking.
She knows when David surfaces almost when Jacqueline does. Well, physically. She knows David has beaten the possession. That's the first thing. But not where or how.
And then there's a wedding. Someone loyal, someone still in the colony's employ reaches out. Knows about her friendship.
She can't not go.
Sierra doesn't look back as she's followed out and up the stairs, slipping behind the curtain of upstairs storage. There weren't enough guests for it to be treated like a balcony, or they'd be in full view right now. She turns back, taking off her sunglasses and her oversized hat. Her hair is different. Her lip is purple. But it's her. )
If you asked me, you dodged a bullet. He's always been his own brand of difficult.
( One she's loved in her own way. But, not one that would mesh well with Jaq. )
[Jaqueline likely should have some kind of response to that. Should have a witty rejoinder to match Sierra's dry comments. But the fact that she's here drowns out everything else.
She's here, and Jaqueline is finally free.
She glances over the edge of the balcony, making sure that no one is focused on or following her, before stepping closer, closing the small distance between them, and kissing her deeply.]
( Skipping banter and pleasantries. She can do that. Losing herself in the abandon, she keeps Jaqueline there for a good ten to fifteen minutes, long after the last of the guests have made their way to cocktail hour. Jaqueline won't be missed.
Not like Sierra's missed her.
Coming up for air, she lifts her head up and slides further down the pew to give Jaqueline room to sit back up, too.
She rights her own clothing, turning her skirt back around so it's facing the right way. But, because Jaqueline hasn't said anything, she doesn't actually know what to say. So, she focuses on getting dressed again, retrieving her belt from the ground a few feet away. )
[It feels good to choose something for herself. She knows that here will still be attempted suitors and her mother's "well-intentioned" nudging, but she knows what she wants.
She'll play the difficult daughter if she gets to keep it.
But as soon as the high fades and Sierra moves away, she has to ask the question she knows she won't like the answer to.]
( She digs into her discarded bad and holds a familiar stone up.
She's not actually here.
Well, she is, but it's more advanced astral projection because of her phasing gifts. She's as here as much as she's in Nepal right now. Her hand drops with a sigh. )
There's a brief moment of disappointment that as tactile as she may feel, she's not really here. She thought they might have more time to determine what their next steps are. She swallows, before glancing away, continuing to redress herself.]
( And she doesn't know how she would, anyway. He just got married. He has someone new watching his back. It's not her job anymore. )
I'm free. For you. For however long. ( Something she hasn't done, she decides to - as a gesture. She can know where she is. She should. Her in case of emergency. Break glass. Jaq is her in case of emergency. ) I'm in Nepal.
Some days. It's better than India. Smells better. I miss Shanghai. Not Moscow.
( She's been all over. )
I was thinking Australia next. There are... branches of a British coven there - I think I may want to start laying some groundwork. I don't know. I never left with an actual plan. David's returned. ( But she can't. ) Would you? Meet me in Australia?
[Jaqueline's eyes narrow, because she does know what the Knightsbridge coven means to the Colony (17). The Melrouxs don't slouch in making sure their children know their history.]
If we want things to change, we have to start at the beginning.
( It's accompanied with a small shrug. She's had a long time to think about what comes next, be it her own solo path, or something else. For now, this could be a good angle.
This is the first of several she'll find. Some better than others. )
She's always encouraging you to do your "outreach." Use her words against her.
( Especially when she then decides it's her idea. Jaqueline is good at getting her mom to ask her things she needs or wants to do, she just picks and chooses when. Maybe now's a good when. )
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somanyadjectives) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
everyonelives2025-07-26 07:05 pm
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[And they're far enough in that the emotions don't feel as much like a heavy weight around her neck.]
I miss you.
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I'm sorry I left like that. I should've included you. Been honest. I was terrified. To be honest, I'm still terrified.
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[Is it too much to hope that when she does, she'll come back?]
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Maybe I was the broken one all along
Do they miss me?
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[Aside from being mostly true, she doesn't want to be the one to carry their messages for them.]
Your dad's been in his lab a lot.
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I should miss them.
I miss you.
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I'll let you know if there's any sign of David.
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But she still doesn't leave. Max holds her in place like a magnet, and she won't apologize for that.
But then they do find David - more specifically, Jaqueline finds David. She manages to get out of Damian Jericho that David was found and exorcised but naturally did not want to return to the coven that had him possessed in the first place. He also gave her a name: Ezra Adin. It doesn't take much to find David after that.
The problem with David coming back, again, is that Jaqueline is clearly not considered. Jaqueline's father is furious that the Gainors are allowing David to go through with what he considers a farce of a wedding, spitting in the face of the Melrouxs good grace. He takes it out on Jaqueline, as she is the one available, which leads to her being a little ... out of it at the wedding. Not incapacitated or unable to make her own decisions, but slightly shell-shocked.
It's for that reason that she almost thinks she's seeing things. Tucked back in a corner, there's an unfamiliar face that is also so incredibly familiar at the same time. As David and Ezra work through their vows, her eyes are in the woman in the back corner.
As they filter out to the reception, Jaq peels away from her brother and parents and wander through the crowd to find that woman. She follows her, up into the balcony of the rental space, to where it is quiet and they won't be seen, at least not right away, and asks the question she probably shouldn't ask, but will.]
Is it you?
no subject
Eventually, she gives up on finding David. She has to focus on herself. But, she finds even that's not enough. What she does realize is that once she stops trying, once she lets the universe come to her, things do fall into place. She makes friends she otherwise wouldn't. Allies she still has to this day. One ally keeps tabs where she needs, along with everything else they track.
Route-witches have several talents, only one of which is unlocking the cheat codes to get you somewhere faster. Another? Tracking.
She knows when David surfaces almost when Jacqueline does. Well, physically. She knows David has beaten the possession. That's the first thing. But not where or how.
And then there's a wedding. Someone loyal, someone still in the colony's employ reaches out. Knows about her friendship.
She can't not go.
Sierra doesn't look back as she's followed out and up the stairs, slipping behind the curtain of upstairs storage. There weren't enough guests for it to be treated like a balcony, or they'd be in full view right now. She turns back, taking off her sunglasses and her oversized hat. Her hair is different. Her lip is purple. But it's her. )
If you asked me, you dodged a bullet. He's always been his own brand of difficult.
( One she's loved in her own way. But, not one that would mesh well with Jaq. )
no subject
She's here, and Jaqueline is finally free.
She glances over the edge of the balcony, making sure that no one is focused on or following her, before stepping closer, closing the small distance between them, and kissing her deeply.]
no subject
Not like Sierra's missed her.
Coming up for air, she lifts her head up and slides further down the pew to give Jaqueline room to sit back up, too.
She rights her own clothing, turning her skirt back around so it's facing the right way. But, because Jaqueline hasn't said anything, she doesn't actually know what to say. So, she focuses on getting dressed again, retrieving her belt from the ground a few feet away. )
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She'll play the difficult daughter if she gets to keep it.
But as soon as the high fades and Sierra moves away, she has to ask the question she knows she won't like the answer to.]
How long are you staying?
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( She digs into her discarded bad and holds a familiar stone up.
She's not actually here.
Well, she is, but it's more advanced astral projection because of her phasing gifts. She's as here as much as she's in Nepal right now. Her hand drops with a sigh. )
As long as you need me to be?
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There's a brief moment of disappointment that as tactile as she may feel, she's not really here. She thought they might have more time to determine what their next steps are. She swallows, before glancing away, continuing to redress herself.]
Are you going to see David before you go?
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( And she doesn't know how she would, anyway. He just got married. He has someone new watching his back. It's not her job anymore. )
I'm free. For you. For however long. ( Something she hasn't done, she decides to - as a gesture. She can know where she is. She should. Her in case of emergency. Break glass. Jaq is her in case of emergency. ) I'm in Nepal.
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[Her power has been growing. Astral projecting from that far is a feat.]
That sounds ... peaceful?
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( She's been all over. )
I was thinking Australia next. There are... branches of a British coven there - I think I may want to start laying some groundwork. I don't know. I never left with an actual plan. David's returned. ( But she can't. ) Would you? Meet me in Australia?
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The offer is tempting. She would have to concoct a reason to be there, but she could, maybe with a little wiggle room.]
Let me see if I can talk my parents into it.
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( She has to start somewhere. )
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[Jaqueline's eyes narrow, because she does know what the Knightsbridge coven means to the Colony (17). The Melrouxs don't slouch in making sure their children know their history.]
The Knightsbridge coven as in our original coven?
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( It's accompanied with a small shrug. She's had a long time to think about what comes next, be it her own solo path, or something else. For now, this could be a good angle.
This is the first of several she'll find. Some better than others. )
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Mom will have other plans, but I think I can talk her into it.
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( Especially when she then decides it's her idea. Jaqueline is good at getting her mom to ask her things she needs or wants to do, she just picks and chooses when. Maybe now's a good when. )
(no subject)