She is submerged, sat completely still on the tiled floor at the bottom of the pool. The slow, churning sound of the water is soothing to her ears as she lets her mind wander, her thoughts far away from Chicago and its many problems.

There is no need to breathe, so there is no need to resurface. The water would swallow her words so there is no need to speak. Her mind - the one thing she can let roam utterly unfettered - is hers completely, and there is no need to share it. Even if there are always eyes watching her, her thoughts, her dreams, are free. Noa sits in her little spot for some time, intending on staying for hours… but it appears there are other plans in motion.

The sound of a loud splash nearby hits her ears, and her eyes shoot open as she feels large hands grab her small shoulders and rip her from her meditations. She is pulled upwards, her hair covering her eyes, and she feels warm air and the smell of chlorine hit her as whoever it is reaches the surface and begins dragging her to the edge of the pool.

"Let me go!" She squirms in their grasp, their skin warm despite the clammy waters. Kine. She manages to push her sopping hair from her face and sees her "rescuer." "Julian! What is the meaning of this?!" The man pulls her off of his broad shoulder and looks at her with a frantic expression. He has been living in the mansion for a few weeks now, following her bonding him and enthralling him. He still isn't aware of the world of Kindred, though he is slowly acclimating to the otherworldly feeling this place held. Mostly his time is spent on himself, or focusing on her - the bond has that effect.

In Spanish, he stutters, "Y-you were under the water for so long. You weren't breathing." His dark hair was in his eyes and he is half-dressed - apparently tearing off his shirt to rescue her. "I-I thought you- oh my God I thought you were dead."

Julian holds her close, shaking. She can't help but relish the terror he felt at the thought of her gone, the adoration he possesses for her. It almost makes her smile, remembering how aloof he had been their first meeting… now utterly hers.

"How?" He gasps, "How are you still- you're like ice. We need to get you to a hospital-"

She shushes him softly, wrapping her arms around him and patting his well-defined back. Slowly she leans up, murmuring into his ear. "I'm alright. I'm fine. See? I'm here for you, we're okay now."

Julian shivers at her whisper, and he starts to carry them to the stairs out of the pool rather than the ladder. "Yes, we're alright." He repeats. When they reach the steps, he sits her down and his deep eyes look her over, still clearly confused as to how she had managed this feat. He wants to ask, but the bond keeps his throat closed. To keep her happy. Sweetheart.

She takes one of his hands in both of hers and holds it to rest on her chest. "You can ask."

He inhales deeply. His thumb brushes over the more inappropriate spaces before pausing - realizing her true intent. There is no pulse. "Are we dead?"

"Just me." She answers honestly.

Julian flinches at her answer, believing her, and his hand against her breast starts to move as if to pull away. His eyes are once again wide and frantic, a prey caught in a trap, and he so clearly wants to run away…

But he can't. His own heart will not let him. Their bond is too great.

Noa stares at him unblinking as he has this war with himself. It is so interesting to watch a person fight themselves so hard, to see muscles work beneath skin. To see them tense in fear. Those terrified eyes look to her lips as if to recall her crimson kiss - the contract that had sealed his fate.

"What's the matter, are you afraid Julian?" She asks quietly, looking at him from beneath her lashes. "Do you want to leave me now?"

"Nn-" He starts, shifting in the water. "No. I don't. I don't want to go."

"You don't have to go." She promises him, "You're not in trouble. I'll keep you safe, I'm going to take care of you."

"This place… it feels so heavy. It's like I can't breathe." The overwhelming feeling of death is always on this mansion, she isn't surprised he is so burdened by it. "You're the only respite I have. I hate when you go."

She preens at such a thing to say. She can't help it. She can't one bit. "But I always come back, right? I'm never gone for long."

"Yes." He agrees, but he still sounds unsure. "I want to go with you."

"I can't take you everywhere… but I can take you sometimes. On a condition."

He sits up at hearing that, "Anything."

Noa grins, girlishly delighted. He has not even asked how she is dead, his gaze is so fixated on her mouth. She will explain it to him soon. "Thank you. I am not the only kind of dead to roam this Earth, my love. There are others like me… and there are others that are a bit more truly dead."

Thankfully he is as theatrical as she is, for Joaquin appears right at her relaying of this news.

He is perched on the pool stair railing, crouched down and staring at Julian with a satisfied smirk. Relishing this control over the mortal as much as she is. "Hey."

Julian has no bond with Quino, and he lets out a horrified shout as he throws himself backwards, hitting against the edge of the pool and semi-pulling Noa with him. He begins to pray aloud, trying to close his eyes to not see the spirit in front of him. "No- no no no- this isn't real-"

"Julian." Noa shushes him again, taking his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her. He does so, opening his eyes and looking directly into her own, wavering just slightly due to instinct. "It is real. This is Joaquin. My true love."

The kine's eyes squint at her words, his eyebrows knit, apparently not so enthralled that he cannot put two and two together. Though he doesn't comment for the moment.

"For your condition: Joaquin will use your body sometimes to walk and interact with the physical world, but not all the time. Just when I need him to be present. It will not hurt. It will only feel like you're in a waking dream. Will you do this for me?"

After a brief moment of silence, he asks quietly. "H-he has already done it, hasn't he?"

She nods, "Yes."

"At the hotels. When we're in your room…"

"Every time." Quino says.

Julian swallows deeply, a lump in his throat. Clearly unhappy with this news. He wants to say no surely, but to say no is to lose Noa. And possibly his life. But he isn't so focused on such a trivial thing like his life. Not anymore.

"We get to be together more, if I let him use me." He wants to confirm.

"Hey man, you get to be with her way more if you let me do that."

Julian cringes at hearing Joaquin speak, and he takes Noa's hands and squeezes them tightly. "Of course. Absolutely. I said anything and I meant it." Noa can't help the grin that splits her face, so ecstatically happy that she can be more and more herself in front of others. No reason to hide, no reason to keep quiet. She pushes the hair back from Julian's face, and he doesn't look away from her as Joaquin immediately slips in.

"I am so, so happy you said that…" As the tendrils of hair are finally out of his eyes, both of her hands rest on his cheeks, and she looks dreamily into his gaze. Imagining looking into green again one day. "-my love."

Man the wraith mansion SUCKS. Context: Another write up from the Chicago Server I played Noa on. This is the "agreeing" of Julian becoming Joaquin's conduit to house his spirit when wanting to interact with the physical world. Julian is blood bond three to Noa at this point so did the poor guy ever have a real choice in the matter? Thank you all for tolerating my posting!

She didn't speak to Joaquin the entire car ride back to the apartment, and he didn't make an effort to start a conversation either, nor did he even cross to this side of the veil. In chilly silence, the two dead people eventually get back to the sanctity of Noa's apartment.

As Noa places her things on the accent table, Quino slips to this side of the Shroud, placing his feet on the ground for once. Noa clutches Nythanel’s rose to her chest as she looks for a place to display it. It won't be put into water, it will be beautiful and then it will die and remain beautiful still. She decides to put it in one of her decorative store-bought vases, removing the fake flowers and letting the rose stand alone. Joaquin grimaces at her for not just tossing the damn thing away.

She tries to let her anger work itself out in her head for a bit before speaking, but it was so hard now. Every button was pushed, and she wanted to cruelly bind him and toss him into something foul as punishment. She knows she shouldn't, she loves him so much, but he is so unbearable at times.

Noa opens her mouth, but he speaks first. "I'm sorry."

For a second she's not sure she heard right, she turns and looks at him with mild shock. His eyebrow raises, clearly a little insulted that she was surprised.

"I'm sorry, Noa. I reacted extremely bad back there. I interfered when you were just trying to get stuff cleared up with the m- with your co-worker." His arms cross and he's not looking straight at her.

She had bent over to place the rose in its new home, but she now fully rests her knees on the shag rug, sinking to the floor. Emotionally exhausted. Her hands lace on the coffee table and she sighs, "What exactly happened?"

He throws out his arms and does a big dramatic gesture. "Damn it I don't know, I got pissed off seeing someone give you flowers, I guess. A handmade vase? Who the fuck does that?"

"That's so extreme, Quino." She huffs, "You broke a handmade gift a potential ally was giving me as a sign of good will. Is that all it takes to set you off now?"

"Noa, I don't know if you've caught on, but this-" He gestures to himself with rigid fingers, eyes wild. "-fucking sucks. Yeah yeah, I can do some cool shit, but being dead BLOWS. I'm here but-" He goes to her and bends over to put his hands on her face, her body shivering from the chill, and he passes right through. "I can do fuck all. And if I wanna do anything with some weight I gotta sit inside someone else's body and just hope they do what I want. Maybe I can convince them to twitch if I try hard enough. God, if I wanna touch you, I have to inhabit the bodies of strangers and let them put their hands all over you..."

He runs a hand through his curls, making a noise of impotent frustration. "It's rough. You keep meeting new people, they're all hot and can do cool shit and provide you with everything you could want. Your world is getting so big, and I am just floating around you, unable to be a part of it."

They're quiet for a bit, and she watches him pace around the room like a trapped animal, trying to think of a way to respond. Anger once again deflated.

"You know I don't want other people for their looks or their powers. I only want you." Her face contorts slightly, "I don't like using these bodies as a conduit just as much as you."

"I can get over using the bodies, cause at least I get to feel everything when I do, y'know? But I see you talking to these power players, and they're looking at you and seeing what you can bring to the table. Ken, Ballard, the manlet and all his friends, even Kat and that fuckin' pretentious doctor. They're all gonna use you up and toss you out, just like the Family did with me. You're too good for them. We should've done what I'd said, run away while we could've but no, y-"

"Joaquin, please." She insists urgently, shaking her head. "I'm trying so hard to make amends to you."

"Yeah. I know. We're trying. We're practicing. We're studying. I know... you're perfect and do nothing wrong." He throws up his hands and flies off the floor, lingering below the ceiling fan. "After all the shit that's been done to us, what they've made us do... you're still theirs."

His back is to her as he appears to stare at something far off. And she's quiet, because she has been watched her entire life and didn't expect it to stop now.

She was her own, but her hands were still held by the council, Kenneth Brackston was her Sire and he must have her loyalty. Yes, he was right, the family has hurt her and made her do terrible things, but it has made her so strong. She was a full steam ahead locomotive, she couldn't stop, only advance. 

"I'm under a lot of pressure here, Quino." She murmurs. "I'm trying to keep my coterie informed and safe, satisfy the needs of my Sire, assist with running a company and its projects, meet and please the local Camarilla, trying to keep the Anzianni happy, trying to study my craft and get you back-"

He flips in the air and gives her a look. "Well you know my answer to most of that, fuck everybody else and get yours." But his expression softens when he sees how small she is, and he floats down to be at her level. Helpless in the face of her, though he would never admit it. "But I know you, always thinking light-years ahead of everyone else. Even at your dumbest bullshit you've already figured things out."

She snorts, then looks up at him, and they gaze at each other quietly. "I hope you understand me."

"I do. You're mine remember?"

"More like you're mine." She throws back, clicking her tongue. "And don't forget it."

He doesn't roll his eyes, possibly accepting his fate. "Fine Mistress, I'll be good."

"Please, the last thing we need is people discovering you because you got jealous of a flower. What we have is too strong for something like that to come between us." Though it was a really nice gesture...

 "Here, prove it to me."

"And how will I do that?" 

He leans in close, Noa's eyes still upon him, and he murmurs. "You need to break up with Cal."

She blinks. "You want me to break up with our conduit. Someone safely bonded to me who hasn't even had enough blood to get powers. Our conduit who is blissfully ignorant of all things dark and Kindred?"

"Yep."

"Joaquin, I don't understand. Does it not... feel good for you?" She rubs her forehead.

"Ha. Don't get me started on how good it feels for me. I crave it all the time, it feels so good." She's noticed, "call Cal" was becoming his normal go to wrap-up-and-lets-leave phrase. "No that's not it. Look at me Noa, is there something different about me?" He floats back and presents himself.

She stares at him. Not noticing anything out of place really. "Did you cut your hair?"

"No! I'm getting fat!" He pulls up the shirt adorning his caul, revealing a slightly pudgy stomach. Noa gasps slightly, Joaquin had been athletic in life and died physically fit. There were no defined stomach muscles, but a soft belly. It made him look a little older even... or perhaps he was just getting older? She kind of liked it actually.

"You want me to break up with Calhoun... because you're gaining weight."

"Look I'm not kidding. I was talkin' to some of Ken's people on this side. It's my powers. When I take over people, I can start taking on some of their looks. So, if you're doing the fuck on short, fat and British, then that's what I'm going to start looking like. I'm gonna  look like Uncle Arrigo if we keep doing this. No way, we're going to find someone hot, so break up with Cal."

"Joaquin, this is so petty. He's safe and perfectly serviceable for what we're needing. And hey, firstly, I don't mind your body like this at all, and secondly, when we find the right person for your spirit, it won't matter what your caul looks like then."

"Come on Noa, I just... wanna look good. It's already torture enough as it is floating around watching everyone... I don't want to also have my body starting to go just because you don't wanna shake things up a little here. You're the most beautiful girl I know, we don't gotta settle for Fuckingham Pale-Ass here." 

She shifts uncomfortably. "I don't know."

"I know, you don't like it. I hate it too, but it's what we have to do until we're really together again. It's like you said, we gotta keep practicing, right? Let's drop this dude and upgrade."

"Joaquin..."

"Come on Noa, after everything you've done, I think me asking for this is the absolute least I could ask for."

Noa grimaces and looks at the rose, completely silent. The flower is still a beautiful and deep crimson, not yet succumbing to its thirst. She hears Joaquin exhale and land next to her, and they look at the rose together.

"I guess in the end he was never going to be your new vessel." She admits, though she did enjoy her time with Calhoun immensely, even outside of the bedroom. "Maybe I could try dating around again..." The idea felt a little off, but it was more like shopping for toy rather than finding a life partner.

"Tinder."

"I'd like someone who can carry a conversation."

"People talk on Tinder, No-no."

She huffs, "Yeah I guess."

"Look, you gotta talk to the Ballard fuck soon right? I saw you eyeing all that muscle he's got around there, maybe ask if you can get a bodyguard or something. That way you're safe and we're both happy right?" He leans back, hands on the floor. "Then when I'm in a body again, easy transition back into what I did before. Lookin' good and protectin' my favorite girl."

There is a bit more time in silence, Noa's mind spiraling from all the strange disappointments and sweet elations this night has given her. "When you're in a body again Joaquin... what are you going to do first? I don't think I've asked you."

"Slap the fucking shit out of you."

She believes him. "I understand."

"And then I'm never letting you go again."

OKAY so context: This is from when I was playing Noa on a server taking place in Chicago, IL, USA. She had been Embraced into clan Hecata by the Seneschal - Kenneth Brackston . Joaquin here is her wraith servant - and her brother - that she killed herself because he had gotten in trouble with the family and she had been given the ultimatum: Kill Joaquin herself, or the Family does it. Sensing the family would do worse to him than just death, she did it - and now they are bound further than blood now. Joaquin and Noa's end goal is for Noa to gain enough necromantic power to perform a resuerrection ritual to bring Quino back to life so they can be together forever... but gaining power also means getting to meet beautiful new strangers. Your overbearing older brother looks like a lot less of a candidate for a life long partner when you meet Primogen, aspiring Thinblood upstarts, beautiful Banu Haqim.... it makes a Wraith feel unloved and inadequate. As frustrating as this server had been, I think mine and @thesixthplaneteer best work came from here! Thank you for dealing with all my self posting today!

Hello everyone! With help from @auspex, we are putting together the first Tumblr of Darkness Secret Santa event! This event is where artists may come together, submit their World of Darkness OCs, and we can all draw and exchange gifts with one another! Just a little fun to remind one another that we're a great community!

How to Participate: There is indeed a limited amount of time to sign up to make sure everyone has a fair chance! Applications are open 11.04.2024 and will be kept open until Monday 11.11.2024. - You will be submitting your World of Darkness original characters and link their reference materials so that another artist may draw them! Please make sure you have a link that someone may have open access to. This can be a Google Drive folder, your art tag on a social media, etc.  If you make a Google Drive, make sure your Secret Santa does not have to request access and spoil the surprise. In short, just make sure it's easy for your future gifter to look through! Please don't make it a treasure hunt to find out info on your character just to make things easier. When the applications close, we will then put all participants' names into a randomizer to assign everyone their Secret Santa! Auspex and I will make sure to notify you all as soon as possible as well as provide the reference links so that you can have as much time needed to get the artwork finished. You may go as crazy or mild as you like, but just be aware that artists of ALL skill levels are invited to join! Do not be deterred if you feel like you can't draw - that is the devil talking! Every work of art you make is amazing and any gift with heart behind it is wonderful. - For this year, we asks that the gifts remain art-only. Any medium is fine (digital or traditional) but writing, playlists, mood boards, or anything else won't be accepted. Those things are great, and maybe in the future that could be another exchange, but for simplicity's sake - keep it to art, please. If you want to add mood boards or playlists or write ups as little bonuses to your art - that is entirely up to you! - Please remember these works of art are gifts. This exchange is a community event where everyone is free to participate and share in the spirit of giving during this holiday season. Do not feel bad if you feel like you are not drawing as "well" as somebody else, and please do not make others feel bad if you feel like they're not reaching your standards. This is meant to be fun and for everyone who wants to try! We plan to notify everyone within the next day or two after closing applications, and you will have until 12.20.2024 to draw and submit your works back to Auspex and I so that we may send them to their intended recipient! If you know the person you have and would like to share early, we understand, but please if you would keep it off of Tumblr until the event is concluded just so everyone can be surprised! Once the event is over, have at it and post away! - Please respect the time and effort everyone is putting in! If you feel like something has come up and you won't be able to finish or participate after applying - that is fine. Just let us know as early as possible so that we can either inform your gift recipient or take you off the list.

You will find the application here: https://forms.gle/9VTyd4FsyENwjR4B6

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me (crownedinmarigolds) either on Tumblr or through my email - [email protected]. You may also reach out to auspex on Tumblr as well in case I'm unavailable! Thank you all for being a community I love and and I hope we have lots of fun trying this out!

Please reblog so all of the community may see and get to join in!

Hello all! Since there was some interest - I am going to try and put together a little World of Darkness Secret Santa for November - December! I think I will create a place to submit applications, keep it open a week, and then close it to prevent confusion and keep things orderly. The work allotted time would be for a few weeks/month after!

I will happily make a legitimate post closer to the date I'm thinking of, but I think rules are - you provide your World of Darkness OC you'd like artwork done for, and submit the appropriate reference materials for them with your application. I think submitting multiple OCs in one application would probably be fine for the receiver to have multiple ideas to pick from - but I wouldn't pressure anybody to draw group portraits unless they so chose to. You would be getting someone else's OC to draw! I think write ups would be amazing but I do know that writing would probably take a lot more planning work - so if you feel like writing that's awesome but I understand that's a little tougher to manage for Secret Santas! You'd probably really have to know the other person's OC.

If anyone wants to help out with some collecting and application management that would be really cool, feel free to message me! I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in collecting multiple applications so if anyone knows of an efficient way to keep track of doing that, I'm all ears!

No rush for anyone to get to work or to apply or anything! It's over a month away for my application date so please continue enjoying your Octobers! I just wanted to give a heads up!

@blood-bound here's the full game! There are walkthroughs with no commentary but they're not complete.