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Klaire Henriette:
Klaire was walking on the path that lead through the forest. Frusturated, shaking slightly. Fuck, she lost control and look what happened. It was because Titania taunted her...then blamed her. That's one way to set off anxiety. She was breathing heavily, trying to focus...but her mind was swirling.
Thespis:
Thespis got out of Maddy's and did some walking, was he looking for Klaire, maybe, who knows. When he found her he leaned against a tree, "You need to get some thicker skin." he says simply
Klaire Henriette:
Her skin was a strange shade of red, like a rug burn across all her exposed skin. Which was a lot because she dressed light for once.
"Really? Really? That's your opening line?"
Thespis:
he shrugged, "Yeah, it is." he walked down, "She wanted to get a rise out of you, and she got it, so, who won in there?"
Klaire Henriette:
"I start opening up for the first time in a decade to a group other than my lover and her family and get burned. Are you going to sit there and chastise me or did you come here for another reason? If its the first I'd rather you just leave."
Thespis:
"I'm not chastising, just offering advice," he raised his hands in mock surrender, "I think it was more the choice of person to open up to, she's an old one, and the older they get the more. . .apathetic they get." he offered, "Yeah wanna know a core belief of us Warlocks?"
Klaire Henriette:
"I didn't say who I was opening up to. In fact, it was you I was opening up to, and now I see that was a mistake. You need to work on your advice, you're almost as bad as I am."
Thespis:
he blinked, "You faced adversity, ya got burned, learn from the burn, that's the wisdom of mine, humans get wiser from hardship and trial, I'm sorry if my views on what teaches stung, I genuinely am interested in your growth ok." he offered a hand, "Do over?"
Klaire Henriette:
"What I've learned, yet again, from being burned is to not trust people. This is no different than high school. I think you should leave my growth to myself and Sirius, because frankly yours rather sucks."
She crosses her arms, and winces slightly at the raw skin.
Thespis:
he retracted the hand, "Ok, fine, fine." he said, then a shift in tactic, he's a Mastigos, if he can't help by being friendly, then be the antagonist. "Be that way, be the little rich girl who can't take criticism." he says a tad disdainfully, "If you get burned, why fucking try right, hell, people only like you for your dog." he sneered, "Go back home, run away like ya did from the Council, but know this, if you can't handle someone being a tad impolite, then what are you going to do when someone comes around who genunly wants to destroy you, you're one of us, you're at war with the Seers, hell your Partner has foes, gonna run and leave her to them too?" he sighs and then walks off, was he cruel yes, did it hurt him a bit to say that, yes, but if it helps her grow it's worth it
Klaire Henriette:
She just stands there in shock, every barb a slap in the face, and she has to lean against a tree.
"I don't know how the hell Kenzie or Tommy put up with you. Kenzie already seems at her wits end, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're part of the reason Tommy needed a damn break."
She glares, but there's no energy behind it...she knows she's lost here.
Thespis:
he smiled as he walked off, good, she's not beaten yet, then he shifted it to a frown and turned around to face her, "If you don't want to be that way, then grow, don't just try to redirect this." his eyes seemed to shift, when she looks in them it's like. . .water, just her own reflection staring back at her, something something cold dead fish eyes, "You're in the Pentacle already, that proves you have it in you to improve, people won't be there to hold you hand forever, if you fucking hate the woman you are then crush that woman and evolve."
Klaire Henriette:
She looks away, hating him but seeing the truth it in.
"Leave. Just....go."
Thespis:
he took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, lighting it, "Evolve Klaire, I don't like being wrong about people." he said before giving a puff and walking off
Klaire Henriette:
She waited until he was gone to sit and have a mental breakdown. The usually stoic sleepwalker finally crying. She eventually texted Jay for help.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
After a bit of back and forth via text Jeremiah blipped into existence in the clearing Klaire had chosen for her breakdown, the look of concern already present on his face growing immensely as he saw the state she was in. "What happened?" He asked as he crouched down beside her, looking her over.
Klaire Henriette:
She had a chance to cry, but her eyes were still puffy. She was curled up against a tree, back against it, and several nearby bushes had been flattened in a radius around her. After a second he could tell the tree was leaning back too.
She shakes her head and taps her temple with a questioning look.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded quietly, shifting to sit down beside her and offering a hand for her to take if she wished. "Go ahead."
Klaire Henriette:
Klaire nods, taking the hand and reaching out with her mind. Easily able to secure the connection.
< It's...a bit long if that's okay?>
She closes her eyes, emotionally exhausted.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<No worries. Take all the time you need.>
Klaire Henriette:
< I was at Maddy's, and Thespis joined. The talk went smoothly, talking about my family, his trip back home...and eventually Ylva's new center. He asked how he could help, and after mentioning food staff I remarked how I had seen Vincent there...maybe a few hours ago.>
A glance towards her phone and then the night sky, realizing how late it is.
<Thespis worried of ill intentions...but I assured him Vincent was just attempting to feed people, turns out he enjoys cooking. All of that to say....I mentioned not fully trusting the Kindred, right as Titania entered so that was the first thing she heard.>
She paused, clearly having more but wanting to see if he had questions or comments on her anxious rambling.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah nodded quietly, letting a little puff of air out of his nose at the mention of Vincent. < I have my own thoughts on him, I'll admit, but that's more for his behavior rather than him being a vampire.>
<Ah hah...and how'd she take that?>
Klaire Henriette:
<As do I. Ylva seems to like him somewhat...but he also does not respect boundries very well. Especially to the fact that he openly flaunts he's a criminal...and I am one step away from a cop.>
She shakes her head.
<Titania knows I have an adversion to...talks of sex and the like. She mentioned it directly to see my reaction, and commented a few times how she enjoyed tormenting me. I...lost control and my telekinesis flared. I threw my pancakes at her...which she laughed off and commented again on it...then how I should be expected to control it. I apologized but...I felt...I don't even know. I teleported out after.>
She wipes her face as another tear falls, the normally stoic Sleepwalker struggling. She paused again
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Agreed. He continued flirting with Polly after she gave him a firm no on New Year's Eve which rattled her stability something fierce; still pretty sore at him about that.>
He frowned as she continued, giving a little nod. <She was purposefully triggering you, you're allowed to be upset.>
Klaire Henriette:
She frowns.
< I see...I wasn't aware of that. The Lost's stability is something we should all be careful about, especially since his partner is also Lost.>
She shakes her head.
< I know...I was also upset at myself for losing control. I just felt like I was trying to open up a little...and then got hurt for it.>
She looks back along the path, maybe checking to see no one else was there. Or someone else wasn't there.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
< I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Opening yourself up like that isn't a bad thing, even if some may take advantage of it. The people who do show themselves to be someone you don't want to be around.>
He spared a glance back as well, an eyebrow quirked up. <Expecting someone else?>
Klaire Henriette:
< Indeed. I just chose the wrong person. Thespis...followed me. I thought at first it was to check on me...>
She shakes her head, and shakes a bit herself. This was what rattled her.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He let out a slow breath, giving her hand a gentle squeeze to help center on the here and now. <What did he say?>
Klaire Henriette:
<He started off by saying I needed thicker skin...I informed him he needed to work on his advice, and that I was fresturated that opening up hurt me yet again.>
She squeezed his hand.
<And so he proceeded to pick apart my insecurities and that I should work on being a better person.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Right...> He nodded quietly, thinking to himself a moment before continuing. <That is a bit of a trademark of our path, admittedly, prodding the sore spots in one's perception of themselves to inspire growth. He has a harsher tact about it than I do, it seems.>
Klaire Henriette:
She winces.
< I see... it was back to back slaps to the face.>
A pause.
<Do people only like me because of Rook? I wouldnt be surprised.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
< It's not the only reason, no.> He shook his head for emphasis. < I'd bet he did it out of respect for your potential, which I see as well. Coming up on you when you were already raw - mentally, emotionally and physically - and continuing to badger you wasn't the right way to go about it, though, at least in my mind.>
Klaire Henriette:
She nods slowly.
<Okay...okay. It just...hurt, a lot. I was expecting compassion and recieved the opposite.>
Then out loud, a little raspy.
"Thank you...for coming out here."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
< It usually does, but the pain can help to spur change and grow in new ways.> He gave her hand another squeeze, smiling quietly as she spoke. "You're welcome; I'll be here any time you need me. Want me to patch you up, by the way?"
Klaire Henriette:
<Not to mention I don't take criticism well.>
She readjusts against the tree, still raspy like someone who just cried their heart out.
"I just want to not be crying. I'm...mostly better from the teleport." Her skin was a little bit red but that was it.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Figured I'd offer." He nodded, massaging the back of her hand with his thumb. "What about it makes it hard for you to take criticism? A concern about being judged, something else?"
Klaire Henriette:
She goes back to the mind, taking hard.
<Family trauma, or memories of middle and high school. I was the rich kid, and daddy's little girl...a lot of expectations there.>
She shakes her head, rolling her eyes at the mention of her father.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Yeah...know how that goes.> He gave a reassuring look. < It's a lot of weight to have on your shoulders.>
Klaire Henriette:
She pauses, nodding.
< I think...it reminded me of middle and high school in a way. I was...the weird rich girl, and so didn't make many friends.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Mmhmm. Did you have the 'I have to show what people want me to be rather than the actual me' mental conflicts as well?>
Klaire Henriette:
Her eyes squeeze shut and a pained nod.
<Yes. Very much so. I am certainly a people pleaser.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded quietly. <That's the hardest part to deal with, honestly. Being true to yourself can be intimidating, but stepping out from that facade was one of the best things I ever did.>
Klaire Henriette:
She sighs and nods.
< I think thats been one of the reasons I've been struggling with the Mages. I knew who I wanted to be on the mundane side, but I don't know who to be on this side without upsetting people.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<The simple answer is 'be yourself', but I know getting to that point isn't always that easy. It's a journey, but one worth making in the end because it lets you be comfortable in your own skin.>
Klaire Henriette:
A slow nod.
< I'll try...and will likely need some pointers along the way.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Of course.> He nodded with a small smile. <Always happy to help.>
<On that note,> he glanced around them briefly. <Need me to get you home? Would rather take you myself then you making the jump.>
Klaire Henriette:
She nods.
<Yes, please. I'm not sure I can focus enough anyway. If you can get me closer to Fairhill that would be appreciated, I'm certain Ylva, Astrid, and Jenny are all getting worried.>
Jeremiah Hamilton:
<Fairhill...alright. Can just jump us to my place and I can drive you north from there.> He moved to stand then offered her a hand up if she needed it. Once she was ready he focused his will on bridging the space between the woods and the cadre's sanctum, giving her hand a little squeeze. <This may feel a little weird...>
A moment later Klaire felt the sensation of falling backwards for a brief second or three before the pair appeared in the back garden of the sanctum, conveniently popping in under the overhang for the door heading into the building. "And voila." He added with a smirk, looking her over to see how she felt after the shift.
Klaire Henriette:
She looks a tad off balance at the shift, not used to others doing it for her, and she looks down at her arms to see they...well aren't hurt.
"Thank you...I may ask for some water as well please. Also...do you smell strawberries." She smacks her lips and looks around in confusion.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Of course, come on in." Jeremiah opened the door for her all gentlemanly-like, an eyebrow arching at the question. "I don't, no..."
Klaire Henriette:
She steps in thankfully, shaking her head, withdrawing the telepathy.
"I don't know. It smelled like that at Maddy's too. I don't know....also, where are your cups? I don't know the kitchen that well."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Interesting..." He let that thought ruminate as he led her into the kitchen, grabbing a large cup for her from the cupboard and filling it with water for her. "When did that start, out of curiosity?"
Klaire Henriette:
She holds up a finger to chug the water first. Crying made you dehydrated.
"Today? Well...yesterday at this point. I was wondering if I ate something bad or the like. Or cravings, but I had strawberry pancakes at the wafflehouse so it may just be that and the teleport."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Maybe, but if it's coming up around places with active magic it might be tied to that." He said with a grin, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "We'll have to test it out later."
Klaire Henriette:
Her brow furrows.
"I'm not sure, and not to ruin your excitement but a bit too tired to care at this particular moment? Not to be harsh but...I am quite tired. We can try it later."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"No offence taken." He offered her the glass, giving a little nod. "I know you're worn out after today."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods, drinking this one as well.
"Thank you. I appreciate it. Unless you have some...low energy explanation right now. Which I am assuming you don't or would have offered it."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Well, you've developed other abilities through exposure in the past." He replied as he leaned against the counter. "And we did take you on the Path recently, and this seems to have started after that. Can't say for sure, but it's a possibility."
Klaire Henriette:
She nods.
"I'll pay attention when things happen, but yes, that could be a good explanation."
She puts down the empty glass.
"Would you mind taking me home?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Sounds good." He nodded, grabbing the glass and putting it in the sink before leading the way to the front door. "Onward and upward."
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