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This particular abandoned building on this particular night is a smaller one - a condemned apartment building that used to be a single family home. It's been sitting empty for ages, all the windows are boarded up, and there's rumors that it's haunted. 'Cause of course there are. It's probably not structurally sound anymore, the roof is half caved in which must mean that the floors are slowing rotting, but since when has that stopped anyone who's looking for an out-of-the way place to explore?
It certainly doesn't stop Finley. Especially with the rumors of it being haunted. Finley arrives in their usual baggy, plain, gray clothes--and mask covering their lower face. There's no lights on to guide them, relying on their Kindred senses as they carefully pick their way through the building, peering into shadows and closets, following strange creaks and groans eagerly. Though currently cloaked in shadow themself, as tends to be their natural state.
There's a heartbeat. Somewhere in the place. Not that Calamity's aware that they're projecting their presence to any vampire that might be close. And while the boarded up windows keep any firelight from being seen from the outside, even with the door mostly closed in this small room they've secreted themself away in, flickering orangey yellow light is certainly visible to anyone skulking around inside.
The faint thump-thump of a heartbeat makes them pause, looking in that direction. Knowing someone alive was in here made them more nervous than the thought of ghosts. Still, curiosity gets the better of them. They start creeping along quietly, Obfuscate masking their footsteps. The glow of fire makes them pause again, a flash of distress. But they continue on, close enough to peek into the room, if the door into it happens to be open or ajar.
The door is open an inch or two, and the person inside is far more interested in the flames dancing on their hands than the door moving. Their curly hair might be familiar, but they've taken off the ratty sweatshirt Finley's seen them in the last two times. Despite the gathering chill of evening, they're in an ill fitting tank top, and they turn their flame-covered hands over and back, seeming to marvel in the spectacle.
They lean in close to the doorframe to peer through the crack. This? Not expected. It's enough that Finley startles with a gasp--the gasp isn't heard, but the bang as their arm smacks against the door hard enough to make it swing open definitely is. Their eyes go a little wide, stepping back quickly into the hallway, ducking around the corner and pressing against the wall there.
The light illuminates the entire room for half a second, streaming out of the doorway - and then the whole place is plunged into blackness as Calamity extinguishes the fire. "Whosthere?" Calamity hisses. They sound angry, more than scared, and the floorboards creak as they stand and start to walk toward the door.
Finley presses tighter against the wall, frozen in place as their mind races, trying to decide whether to run or not. ...Running is probably the smarter option, but curiosity ended up winning. A split-second before Calamity moves through the doorway Finley lets their Obfuscate drop. They blink over at Calamity as they look into the hallway, eyes wide and still looking clearly unsure what to do--but resolved to let the awkward moment play out.
Calamity's heart is hammering in their chest as they peer into the hallway, their face a little pale and their freckles standing out. "Fucking - Finley? What the hell're you doing here?"
The Kindred is also looking quite pale as they take a cautious step back, further down the hall. "S...sorry," they slur, speaking more quickly than usual and thus their lisp more pronounced. "Exploring. Didn't mean... sorry. ...Hi."
"H - hi." They run a hand through their hair and take a (pretty shaky) breath. "You scared me." They let the silence hand in the air. How much did Finley see?
"Sorry," they mumble again, shoulders drooping. They continue to stare, barely remembering to blink. Even with the mask covering half of their face, the intent fascination mingled with a trace of fear is enough of a sign. They definitely saw something.
"...What?" They're defensive. "I like fire. Told you that, didn't I?"
"Didn't... say you controlled fire," they counter softly.
"'Cause no one believes you when you say shit like that...not even when they see it, sometimes. They usually just freak the fuck out - why aren't you freaking out?" They narrow their eyes.
Oh shit. They look panicked briefly, eyes flitting left and right down the hallway. "Nnnhh... Mm..." Their gaze settles back onto them, still wide-eyed. "It's.... ....cool....?" in a tiny voice.
"...Mostly the only people who don't freak out or think it's just some weird magic trick are people who can also do some sorta shit." They step out from the doorway. Without their sweatshirt on, they're thin and wiry, and they wrap their arms around themself as they speak.
"Mm..." Their brows crease, looking uncomfortable as the conversation is turned onto them. They stand very, very still for a long moment before finally nodding slightly in confirmation.
Calamity's eyes light up, and their teeth flash as they grin. "Really?" They take a few steps forward, their arms at their sides now. "What sort?"
Their shoulders hunch a little more, embarrassed and sheepish. "Mm..." But... after a moment they stand a little straighter. Then... disappear into thin air, leaving not a trace behind. Not even a shadow.
Their mouth drops open. "Holy shit?? Holy shit that's so cool." They're bouncing on their toes, clearly excited.
Finley doesn't move at first, just blinking at them. But Calamity's excitement makes them relax a little, even smiling behind the mask. They step around the psychic, giving a light tap-tap to their shoulder from behind. Of course when they turn around, there's nothing there.
Calamity squeaks in surprise, and jumps, putting a hand out to try to catch invisible Finley. They're grinning wide, and they look side to side, not really expecting to see anything.
Finley giggles, eyes creasing with amusement. They lean away from their hand, then darts down the hallway past them. This time they give a light knock-knock at the wall, watching to see if Calamity would try to catch them again.
Calamity jumps at the knocking (they're an excitable kid, apparently) and whirls before trotting down the hallway. They move quite silently for a regular old mortal.
"Where'd you go?" They whisper, and let out a quiet giggle.
Finley is starting to... have fun now. They watch Calamity, waiting for them to come closer--then darts further into the house. They don't bother moving quietly, letting the house creak. And occasionally giving another rhythmic knock-knock-knock at the wall. This is quickly becoming a game of invisible tag, and Finley is often giggling and making sounds of delight when Calamity gets close--not that they can hear them--because Calamity is definitely faster than Finley.
"This's why everyone thinks this place is haunted..." Calamity mutters with a laugh. They're trying to keep a little more quiet than Finley is, just out of habit, but they're grinning ear to ear as they lope down the hallways, following the creaking and the knocking. It's not long before they put on a burst of speed, reaching out toward the wall as Finley knocks on it.
Calamity's hand grabs something solid rather than thin air, this time--Finley's arm. Whatever power kept Finley invisible suddenly fades, appearing back to their senses. Finley is giggling softly, eyes creased with humor even though their smile is hidden by the mask.
"Okay, invisibility is way fucking cooler than my fire shit." Calamity's slightly out of breath, and fully bouncing up and down with excitement. "Never met anyone who could do that."
Finley giggles a moment more before regaining their composure, though their droopy dark eyes still appear amused. "Fire... is cool." They then start waving their hands around in... a... vaguely kung fuish way. Anyone who has seen The Last Airdbender might recognize what Finley is trying to act out, though.
"I mean yeah it's okay I guess." They're clearly understating for the humor. "Fuck, if I could - invisibility though. 'Zat...can you do anything else? Like for me, it's just fire."
They continue doing some... horrendously clumsy and wobbling fire-bending moves before letting their arms drop to their sides. They look back at them, then shake their head in reply.
"What're you...doing?" Calamity cocks their head, still kinda laughing.
Finley stares for a second as they realize Calamity isn't... getting it. "Mm... fire... bending? Last Air...Bender...?"
"Oh, that...that show? Right." It's their turn to be a little uncomfortable. "I didn't really...grow up watching TV. But I've heard of it?"
"Oh..." Their voice holds a slight frown to it. "It's... good."
"It's a cartoon, right?"
Finley nods, then pulls out their phone to start tapping at rapidly. They pull up a youtube clip to show them: https://youtu.be/TNI1OQ7S44Y?t=27
Calamity watches, entranced. "I wish I could do shit like that. I can like...control fire, but I can't fight with it or anything. Just like...kinda make it do what I want, most of the time."
Finley bounces a bit on their heels as they look between the phone and Calamity. They nod slowly. "Its... okay. Still cool..."
"Yeah it can be fun." They nod, and twirl their finger. A flame about the size of a candle appears, and Calamity walks it from finger to finger, grinning. "This kinda shit I can even do in public, people just think it's a trick."
Finley jerks back a little at the sudden appearance of fire, clearly startled. They're not getting close, but they do watch with fascination as it rolls over their fingers. "It... doesn't... hurt?"
"Nope!" They collect the flame on the tip of their index finger before blowing it out. "I mean...I dunno, I could probably find some sort'a fire that would burn eventually, but...haven't found it yet." They shrug.
"Hmm..." Finley looks at them thoughtfully for a moment, then nod. "Useful. Fire is... bad." A beat. "Not that... you're bad..."
Calamity snorts. "Thanks. I think. But yeah, fire'n I...have kinda always got along."
"How... long? Have you?" Finley lifts a hand to wiggle fingers.
"Uhhh..." They wrinkle their nose a little, thinking. "Uh. A while? Since I was a kid, I think?" It doesn't seem to be something they've thought about recently. Or maybe they've tried to forget it. "How 'bout you, 'n your invisibility shit?"
Finley looks anxious as the question is directed back to them. "Just... recently... Mm... A few months."
"Oh wow. 'N you're like...good at it and shit already. That's pretty cool."
Finley looks down, shifting their weight between their feet anxiously. "Had to... learn to hide."
"...Oh." They nod, understanding...something. "That sorta power...coulda been useful for me, too. But I figured it out. Are you still...hiding from shit?"
Their head shakes from side to side quickly.
"That's...good." A little nod. "It's um...I kinda like being able to control fire for like...fun stuff now. Even if it wasn't always fun. You know?"
Finley glances back up at them, considering a moment before nodding slightly. "Not being seen is... easier. Most of the time... Sometimes fun..."
"Yeah, there's a lotta time now where it'd be nice to just...not be seen. Even if I'm not...really hiding anymore."
The Kindred watches them for a long moment, sympathy in their dark gaze. They step forward, resting a hand lightly against Calamity's arm.
They jump a little at the touch, more in surprise than anything else. Then they flash Finley a small smile before nudging them. "'S cool to know someone else who's got psychic power shit." No dwelling on feelings here!!!
Their fingers jerk back when they jump, flashing an apologetic look. Though when Calamity smiles and nudges them they sway a bit, head ducking sheepishly. "Yeah... It's... cool."
"Does um...your family know about it?"
"No... Yours?" They start walking again, this time at an idle, careful pace.
"Nah. They'd think I was lying even if I told 'em though. But I don't talk to them anyways, so it's...not a thing." They shrug.
Finley glances back, then exhales a muffled breath. "I don't... talk to my family much... either..."
"Were...they why you had to learn all this...?"
"No," Finley assures quickly, brows knitting. "But... they don't... understand."
"Mmh." Calamity nods. "Yeah I...I don't let a lotta people know what I can do. 'Cause. You know. The whole freak out thing."
"Me... either." Finley fidgets nervously. "You won't tell? Anyone?"
They shake their head vehemently, their curls bouncing. "Fuck no. 'S long 's you don't tell anyone about me."
"I won't," Finley assures with relief. They extend a hand to them to shake on it, eyes creasing.
Calamity's hand is rough and calloused (possibly from extended bouts of handling fire, who knows?) and small, but their handshake is firm. "Cool. Yeah. This...this was fun. Even if we kinda scared each other."
Finley giggles, their own grip light, fingers long and thing. "We can... play again? Sometime? Maybe somewhere... bigger. More places... to hide?"
"Fuckin definitely. Maybe that big factory...building...thing on Willow Street? It's huge." and full of asbestos. and owned by the Nosferatu.
Finley considers that a moment. "Maybe... somewhere... else? Lots of asbestos... in there..."
"...Oh. Hmph." They make a face. Clearly asbestos isn't something they consider, when looking at places to explore. "I've been in a few times, it's really sweet...d'you have any place in mind?"
"Maybe the... place we first met...? It's big... and not too... unsafe?"
They think for a half a second, and then shrug. "Yeah, that works. No basement though, 'kay?"
Finley nods quickly in confirmation, raising their hands. "No basement."
"Awesome. I...I prolly should get outta here, I gotta run an errand." Errands at midnight? Weird, but okay.
Finley ain't gonna judge. Vampire and all. They step back, hands burying into their coats. "Text you soon?"
"Yeah, definitely." A quick wave, and they begin to trot back toward the room they were in.
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