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laurelgavaris · 4 years

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set: july 4th-5th (buck moon) location: sol dance studio and green ridge park what: it was suppose to be a night indoors at the dance studio for the gavaris coven and leon; however one of the coven members never showed up, which caused the head priestess to worry and ask for help from those she trusted and had by her side to find rosa, and they did, unfortunately, they did. | @choileon & @miles-easton

tw: death, injuries

Laurel Gavaris

Another full moon, one that she did feel like herself instead of having her magic against her.Laurel had invited her coven members and Leon to gather at the dance studio, so they'd be around for spells and to protect each other in case anything wrong happened with the wolves during the full moon. She was setting the table with candles and food, leaving the room's center empty so they'd be able to form a circle and engage in their errands when people slowly started to appear. She smiled and greeted all of them, moving closer to a particular one. Looking at Miles, she smiled. "Well, and here we are again. It's really nice to have you all here, there's just Leon and Rosa missing and we can start."

Miles Easton

He paced. He looked out the window occasionally as the clouds parted and moon became visible. Miles didn’t have any concerns. Not many, although something he couldn’t identify kept nagging at him. The witch shrugged it off to being told they would stay inside on this evening. Back home the coven met in outdoors, elements be damned. Then again, at home there were stricter territories for werewolves, leaving a town for witches and humans to wrestle over.

Laurel approached and the severe look on his face softened. “Leon?” He repeated. Leon had some fair points and opinions to make at Litha about covens. Miles couldn’t blame Leon. Nor did he care what others wanted, needed, or felt obliged to pursue. “You sure? Oh-- I brought an old grimoire along. There is a protection spell I wanted to show you in it.” A bookmarked thought. An offer he wouldn’t be able to make anywhere else.

Leon Choi

Leon sighed. Despite his problems involving covens in the past, they still held a heavy influence on him, that resonated to these days. On the other hand, Leon knew that his priorities had changed this time around and he was making an effort to trust Laurel with this. If she ended up disppointing him in the end, oh well, it would just be another one to add to the list. Nothing he couldn't handle. But full moons meant headaches and blacking out and, taking last month's moon in consideration, great discharges of energy that could potentially hurt someone, so, might as well side with someone that could fully hold him back. So when Laurel invited him, he said yes. Reluctantly, but still.

He tried to be on time, but the rain made traffic worse, not to mention, some roads were closed, so his Uber had to make a few detours here and there. Finally, he arrived, dark hues searching her among the people from her coven and when Leon spotted her, he made his way to Laurel. "Hi..." He waved one hand, before shoving it back into his jacket's pockets, his gaze moving to acknowledge Miles too. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be late. Apparently some streets are blocked. I think maybe because of the rain? Hey Miles, how is it going?" He didn't know the man was part of Laurel's coven, but at least it was someone else there that he knew. "Hope I'm not too late?"

Laurel Gavaris

At the mere question of why she'd invite Leon for their coven meeting and, what seemed to be a concerned tone at his question, Laurel raised an eyebrow. Why wouldn't she be sure about it? "Why— Yes, I'm sure. Is there something I should know?" Because so far, through conversations with Leon and the time they spent together, he seemed honest, and bluntly transparent with her. But could she be wrong? "Anyway, that's great. Thank you for bring the grimoire and sharing it with us, I knew there was a reason why I thought you were a great addition to the coven," she replied, a genuine smile resting on her lips as she touched his shoulder gently.

And then, she turned, her hand sliding down close to her torso while her attention was now Leon's. "Not at all! That's not a problem." She tried to reassure him so he wouldn't feel bad about being late. "We still need to wait for Rosa before we begin, but we can start prepping everything. I'll try to contact her again. If you have her phone, could you try texting her too?" She questioned Miles. Laurel didn't want to sound worried, but no sign of a member of her coven during a moment is Astoria where everyone was missing was... worrying. "And, hey, all of this is alright to you, right?" She questioned Leon, knowing how he felt about covens.

Miles Easton

“I meant… are you sure we can’t wait for them.” Because one of them was running up to the door. Maybe Laurel was more on edge than usual too. “I’m also very good to have around, yes.” His smile grew wide and broad. Assuring.

Everything would be fine.

He passed a ‘hello’ and a wave on to Leon. “It’s going well, I’m glad you made it.” The weather did seem tricky out there. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to set up a few things, it won’t take but a moment.” He held his phone up for Laurel to see, to know he would text Rosa. Which he did, as soon as he turned and walked to the circle outlined in place for the coven members.

Everything would be fine.

If Miles knew anything about Laurel it was that she would relax and be in her element walking Leon through the paces, or showing him the hospitality of the coven was in full force. Or… whatever she was doing. Miles liked to have things to do. Needed to stay busy. And there was a slow cyclone of activity beginning to spin inside the dance studio.

Leon Choi

"Is everything alright?" Leon's gaze went from Laurel, to Miles leaving them, then back to the woman. His paranoia kept telling him to run and not look back... not that Laurel had ever given him a reason to doubt her, but he was starting to feel anxious with eyes on him (which, would have been perfectly reasonable to have, since he was a newcomer, but still) and having Miles leave like that to set up a few things didn't help either. It was nothing personal. Not against the other man or Laurel, it was mostly Leon fighting his inner demons.

He didn't realize he had followed Miles with his gaze and ended up looking around the room, to people chatting (some in spanish, others in English), until Laurel asked him that and he had his attention drawn back to her. "Ah... yeah. Yeah, it's fine." The second part of his phrase sounding more reassuring than the first. "I'll probably just look, if that's okay. I'm not sure if my energy will help this time... No discharges of energy as of yet, so that's a good thing, right? Is Miles the Head Priest with you?"

Laurel Gavaris

At the sight of Miles walking away, Laurel kept a soothing smile on her lips; something that was more directed at her own self. Trying to keep herself centered and knowing that someone being late, didn't mean that they had disappeared and she should be worried. But what if? Oh my god, what if? And before she'd go through a whirlwind of thoughts, Leon brought her back to reality. "Yes, it is. It's just Astoria... last full moon wasn't the safest one so I worry. It's usual."

And it was, inside that room there were people she cared enough to help run away from a country and those who wanted to belong in a coven, to be part of a family. They were her family. Grabbing her phone while she was focused on everything on her surroundings she tried Rosa once, twice, three times and nothing. A sigh. Again, Leon made her got away from her own mind, walking around the room hoping he was following her. "We'll probably just go through a protection spell, practice a little bit and be in connect to Mother Nature as much as we can while inside this studio. And, no, no," she chuckled. "He's one of newest members in the coven. It's just me as a head priestess for this coven, and so far, I hope it's been enough."

And she just wanted to go through that, to show her members that they were safe, but there was this gut feeling that something was off and she couldn't just ignore it. "Am I being paranoid? She's probably okay, right?"

Miles Easton

As the final preparations were attended to, Miles kept his phone out on a table in sight. The longer he waited to hear the familiar buzz and ping of a text, the deeper the furrow on his brow became.

Rosa’s singular defining feature was early arrivals. So early in fact that it annoyed Miles and he had tried to beat her a few times to a meeting. But no, there she would be sitting, waiting, and well ahead of the game. He wanted to give Laurel and Leon space to talk, but as he soon found himself running out of the ‘what ifs’ of why the excessively (and annoyingly) punctual coven member hadn’t shown up.

“I’m sorry, but ah.” He approached Leon and Laurel again, shooting a quick glance out the studio windows before looking at the two. “Rosa has not responded to my texts. Seems it a bit weird, yeah? Should I make a run by her house and check in?”

Leon Choi

There wasn't much to be said, and Lean noticed always being quieter when around Laurel. Part of him didn't have much to add, and the other part worried about saying the wrong thing around her and have yet another person ganging up on him and calling him childish. He got it. He understood his actions weren't the best and he was trying to change his ways. The mention of last month's full moon caused Leon to scoff, knowing fully well how dangerous it had been. "At least the rain doesn't seem as bad as last month's." Which meant that hopefully, his body's reactions to it would be different too.

He bobbed his head as she explained Miles' situation and it made sense that a new member would try and be helpful. Leon would've done the same if he knew beforehand how things worked at Laurel's coven. He watched the interaction between the two, only voicing his thoughts when he felt worry in their voices. A coven member running late was that much worrisome? "It's probably the traffic. If she's not wearing a cloaking spell, which, I don't see why she should be, why don't you guys try a tracking spell? Like I said, people are taking detours because the streets are blocked and maybe that's her case."

Laurel Gavaris

Laurel had to be the most centered person in the situation, she couldn't allow hypothetical scenarios to cause her distress and eventually propagate her worries on everyone surrounding her. Taking a deep breath, her eyes searched for Miles firstly: "The protection spell. How does it work? Would it keep everyone already here in the room protected? Because in case we're right, and Rosa is in trouble... I can't worry about anyone else but her. I need some certainty that they'll be alright, you... all will be alright."

A sigh, her fingers brushing against her hair. In her voice she could show certainty but her worriness was clear through her body language. "And we can do the tracking spell, yes. We can find where she is and in case it's nowhere near the studio. I'll find her. I'll go after her." It didn't matter if it was raining, if the world was ending out there. Rosa was one of the few that trusted Laurel ever since the beginning and she'd do anything to keep her promise to protect Rosa. Anything. Even if so far the disappearances only happened to werewolves and shapeshifters, she didn't want someone from her coven to be the first one to be part of the list. "There's a crystal on top of the table at the back of this room, or I have a mirror at my office. Either way, we can go for a scrying spell."

Miles Easton

All at once there was a lot to do. “The tracking spell is an excellent idea, Leon.” His attention turned to Laurel. “And the protection spell is easy enough. Everyone else is here, all they have to do is gather in a circle. I can show you how to lead it. The spell takes only a few minutes and will provide protection for everyone who participates, at least for tonight. It’s a short lived spell, but very powerful.” Rosa’s absence opened a space for Leon to join as well, if he chose. “We should take care of that first, yeah? Making sure everyone will be safe for the night. Then consult your mirror.” The urgency to find Rosa was understandable, however there wouldn’t be much meaning in it if the rest of the coven was left vulnerable.

A question for Leon. “Would you be able to perform the tracking spell?” The coven was stocked with more than Miles knew about, so certainly anything Leon needed would be at his disposable.

Leon Choi

There was a reason why Leon thought Miles was a Head Priest alongside Laurel. The way the other man moved around, giving his input and sometimes taking the lead wasn’t something Leon recalled happening at his former coven. Things were much more hierarchical there, leaving almost no room for others to offer anything. Much less to take the lead at times, hence why he was always turning to Laurel out of pure instinct.

Chances were, Leon was going to say he’d be going home for the night. With the rain being regular showers rather than a nasty storm, his headache was bearable. It sort of felt like he was invading their privacy somehow and he was ready to tell them he was going home, but then Miles asked about the tracking spell and he fell quiet for a second or two. “Ah—“ Leon rubbed the back of his neck, feelings his ears warming up with the pressure of having those set of eyes on him. “I haven’t done one in a long time, but... I can try.” His words didn’t feel like a question, which surprised Leon in a way. He realized that he wasn’t afraid of using whatever it was growing inside him if it meant helping someone. “I’ll have to read the spell though. Rusty is an understatement...” He shot an apologetic glance at Laurel, not wishing to put more weight in her shoulders in case the tracking spell didn’t work.

Laurel Gavaris

It took her just a couple of seconds once she left the room to grab her mirror and head back to the room. And that was when Miles' voice reached her attention, nodding in agreement. It seemed a lot like the spell her father once taugh his coven when she was still in Guadalajara, so she'd know that this would be safe, it gave her security enough that she wouldn't worry about anyone else. "Okay, we can do this. I can do it." She'd prioritize everything in the right order, first she'd take care of the members who were there and after that, she'd look for Rosa.

Now, her light hues searching for Leon's, she reached for his hand just to grab his attention before grabbing her phone, searching for a picture, any picture and showing her phone's screen to Leon. "This is Rosa, so you can know who you're looking for. Her name's Rosa Diaz, and I can do this with you, okay? If you want to, we can do it together, to search for her while going through the tracking spell. I just need to do the protection spell first." Moving closer to the center of the room, she didn't need to share words for the attention of everyone else to get to her. "Due to what happened in the previous full moon and for everyone's safety, which is something I've been aiming for since Litha... besides our amulets, we'll go through a protection spell. We don't know what's happening out there and all of us deserve to be safe." And that was when she finally searched for Miles, so they could start the spell, all together.

Miles Easton

Leon sounded on board with the tracking spell. Laurel had a fire lit under her. Reassurance wasn’t a skill Miles possessed. Sentiments felt cheap and empty. “We can do this,” he reiterated, more to solidify the several steps of the plan they had all created to locate Rosa.

After a few moments gathering everyone in a perfect circle, Miles slipped the grimoire into the head priestess’ hands. A hum and buzz steadily began to color the circle. The energy of the coven and magic of old words from a spell book ignited a ring of fire around the group that quickly disappeared without a trace once protection had been cast over everyone within.

The tension in the room did not dissipate as fast. Miles could really use a drink. Obviously it wasn’t the time.

And he tended to barrel through such situations with action with a personality too dominant to take a back seat. The situation with Rosa kickstarted a buried desire to be helpful rather than the usual self-serving Miles.

So he would assist, or not, in whatever way was needed. “Nice work.” He commended Laurel with a smile and an inconspicuous brush of his fingers over hers as he took the book of spells back. A light acknowledgement, a little admiration considering the spontaneous decisions being made. Leon was nearby and Miles called out. “Ready?”

Leon Choi

Truth be told, Leon was feeling a little overwhelmed right now. All of these people, all of the unwanted responsibility placed on his shoulders, someone missing (which made him pick up his phone and check in on MJ), and then Laurel grabbed his hand, which was enough to focus his attention on one spot. Rosa. The brunette with thick, wavy hair that was smiling right next to Laurel in the picture she was showing him. Silently, Leon took the phone from the brunette’s hand and pinched the screen to zoom into the woman’s face, committing those features to memory before handing the phone back to Laurel, but gently grabbing her wrist before she walked away. “Hey. We’re here for you, okay? We’ll find her. I promise.”

He knew better than to make promises like that, but Laurel had been kind enough to take him in and help him while expecting nothing in return, not even that he would join her coven, so, in so many ways, Leon wanted to pay her back... even if it involved making promises he didn’t know if he could keep. He followed Miles and Laurel, stepping in to help form a perfect circle and channel his energy into this spell, to help power it up, knowing it was the only thing he could do.

When Miles turned his attention towards Leon, he nodded, moving to another part of the room so he could focus on the tracking spell. This should have been easy... tracking spells were taught to beginners, he knew that much. He opted for the crystal, since he knew his abstract magic side hadn’t been all that much trained, even back in his old coven. He would leave the scrying mirror to Laurel if she chose to.

Leon sat down on his heels, a map of Astoria placed in front of him and a crystal hanging by a delicate chain on his hands. He closed his eyes, trying to get a clear picture of Rosa in his head while chanting some things in old celtic. He focused his energy on the crystal, guiding his hand over the map. Leon didn’t know how much time it had passed or for how long he had been sitting there with the crystal circling a certain spot of the map, but he couldn’t get more specific than that. “I—sorry...” He looked up, finding Laurel and Miles’s gaze. “This—“ his finger circled an area of the map. “Was the closest I could get to where she is. Does she live around here?”

Laurel Gavaris

The energy emerging from the room made her almost get chills while their powers became one during the protection spell; there wasn't much she could do at this point for each person in that room, but she would do what she could. When Laurel finally opened her eyes, she kept her gaze for brief seconds at everyone in that room, they had been people she fought for back when it all started and nothing had changed now. Closing the grimoire, she handed it back to Miles; a minor grin appeared on her lips as a mere touch of his hand brushing against hers was felt, she murmured a thank you and then, reached closer to one of her best friends to ask her to be in charge while they would be away. Because Laurel knew that there was a high chance this wasn't heading to the best case scenario.

And then, her concerns were confirmed. "She doesn't live close to Green Ridge Park, at all." A sigh. "I'm gonna go after her. I just need to know she's safe or else I won't feel tranquil. I'll take the mirror with me and I can try to do a spell on the way there. And I need your help, it would be completely naive of myself to go out there alone." And then she stopped for a second, it was one thing to ask that for Miles. He was part of the coven, but with Leon, there was a difference at making him take the risk of being out there, during a rainy full moon night. "I don't know what's happening with the wolves and I'll understand if you don't want to go, but if you'd like to help, I'll be grateful. But this is not your cause, so know that I won't be mad or disappointed if you decide to stay."

Leaving the scenario for a moment, a few words were shattered with her coven members but nothing about a missing member, at least not until she had more information. Laurel grabbed her purse and her car keys, the latter being handed at Miles. "Can you drive?" She questioned him. "We're good minutes away from the Park, so if there's no one in front of us at the streets, make sure to go as fast you can."

Miles Easton

Leon began to concentrate on tracking the missing coven member. A hush fell over the room, the type of silence fraught with apprehension. Fear and worry. A huge amount of pressure hanging over Leon, swaying back and forth like the crystal held over the map.

There was a break through but not an optimistic one. In a park, in the storm, under a full moon. In a town filled with unpredictable werewolves. The danger was clear. So was Laurel’s determination to find Rosa. A decision he would’ve argued against if he were in his old coven.

‘Can you drive?’ The answer varied by context. Miles didn’t have time to explain why he did not have a license to drive. They would all find out soon enough. He took the keys, nodded, and had a quick look at the map Leon held on to.

The jeep whipped around another corner, tires squealing, a plume of smoke left behind them. Miles narrowly missed sideswiping a parked car. His instruction was to drive fast, and so he did. He glanced at Leon. “The park is coming up on the right.” A few more blocks, but wait. “Leon, could you try the tracking spell again?” There were a few ways around and into the park, and Miles wanted to get them as close as possible. "Where should we stop?" And then to Laurel: “Do you see anything at all, if she’s still there?”

Miles had some skill with scrying mirrors too. In seeing the dead. Probably not the best time to bring it up.

He punched the pedal rather than brake at a stoplight. The park loomed in sight. The branches of trees hung low weighted by all the rain. So dark. No sign of life.

Leon Choi

If Leon were smart enough, he would've taken the opportunity and gone home as soon as those words left Laurel's mouth, but he had made himself a promise to stop running away from everything, so of course he had to say yes. Well, at least, if he died, he'd die with a clear conscience.

He sat on the backseat, letting Miles and Laurel take the lead and wow, if he wasn't already traumatized of being inside cars, this would probably make him fear for his life. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out of it for a bit... "I---no?" He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "So--sorry, but that was the best I got." Which, he knew it wasn't much, but it had got them there. And it made Leon sink further down on his seat.

Once the car came to a stop, Leon stepped out, hands in his pockets which found his phone and he switched on his flashlight. "Laurel... if you want, I think now it would be a better time for you to use the mirror. Or maybe you'll do a better job with the crystal now that we know she's around here. It's better than going around yelling her name."

Laurel Gavaris

At that point she didn't care about her car, the speed, red lights or anything but Rosa. Laurel felt numb towards her surroundings, all she had her light hues focused at was the mirror she was still holding onto, as she enchanted in a lower tone: ostende mihi illum quem quaero. And it didn't take longer for her to see Rosa, crystal clear in front of her. Not alone, definitely not alone. And the fear in her eyes perhaps was the reason why, not only Laurel's heart skipped a bit, but she also almost lost control of the spell. "We're definitely close." She shared, knowing that despite how dark it was outside and the rain didn't help at all, they were close. At least, they were already near the park.

In the mirror in front of her there was some light which helped her recognised the woman's face, and that flick of lights were soon noticed by the witch flashlights. "Rosa... she's— not alone." That was all she said before moving her attention up for a second, the brief second she needed to notice a lighy between a few branches. She could've reacted better, of course she could. However, those were desperate times, and with that Laurel raised her tone, demanding the action. "Stop." She waited for the moment she could finally get out of the car, "it's Rosa, I know it's her. I can feel it... her fear." and run. "Rosa!"

That section of the park was pitch black, the trees created shadows that caused her to always assume she was close when she still wasn't; Laurel forgot about werewolves, any danger, anything. Her aim was Rosa, and Rosa only.

Miles Easton

The best Leon had was no. OK, fair enough, Miles told himself and took a breath. Driving was every bit as stressful as he thought. Laurel began an incantation in Latin and he was tempted to glance over until he heard they were close.

Miles knew only fast and stop in terms of a car, but somehow managed to slow to a roll. The outline of images in the park were there, but shrouded in shadows. The trees, swings, a slide. A path disappearing over a bridge. Laurel told him to stop and he did.

Laurel was out of the car before the others. Miles reached into the back and grabbed the only things he could think to before leaving the studio. A flashlight, and luckily Leon had brought one as well. A ceremonial silver dagger. Just in case.

He stepped out and turned on the light and swept it back and forth before catching the coven priestess’ image ahead. Oh. Fuck.

Miles saw a light too other than his own. Out in the distance, in the direction they all headed. Laurel was long gone, far out ahead. Miles turned to Leon. “We stay together.” He said, firm and slightly annoyed, walking faster until he broke into a sprint. The other witch has run off. They all split up and they are done for.

Leon Choi

“Shit—“ Leon tried reaching for Laurel but she had already started running, and Miles was right, they should stick together. “Yeah, no... I know.” He kept (or tried keeping) his phone up so they could see better the path where Laurel had gone to.

He came to a halt when he found Laurel kneeling over a body, and he would swear that he wouldn’t be able to take that scene out of his head. “L-laurel...” he breathed in, slowly taking steps closer to her. “Laurel... let’s... let’s call the police.” He crouched down, resting his hands on her shoulders, then looked over his shoulder. “Miles... Miles, call the cops, man. We uh... we need to report this.”

Laurel Gavaris

"No, no, no. Rosa," Gravity wasn't her friend at that moment, and Laurel instantly felt her knees colliding against the ground. When she got to the young woman, there was no one around her, but she still could swear that she was being watched; her body was shivering and she wasn't certain if it was due to the cold, the emotions coming to surface as tears would stream down her face or the fact the person who did this to hear could still be around. "Lo siento mucho Rosa. Te fallé, te dije que te protegería y te fallé. Desearía haber llegado aquí más rápido, Rosa, te juro. Lo siento mucho." And that was all that was pounding over her head the moment she finally found her. That she was sorry, that she should've done something and that she had failed someone who counted on her. Laurel wanted to hug the woman, to do something, if possible even bring her back to life, but there was nothing she could do but closer her eyes.

And that was when she noticed she was no longer alone. Laurel heard Leon's voice and instead of facing towards both men, she just continued on the same position, silent, still looking at Rosa in front of them. Dying by herself, alone in the woods, what a horrible fate for someone who had always seem so pure, so loving. Had it been a wolf? Someone else? Even if utterly impossible, had it been Anselmo? "Call them." She cleaned her tears, still unable to stare at them, but still wearing a firm tone to hide how broken she felt.

Miles Easton

Miles and Leon stayed only a few footfalls away from each other. Even from a distance they both could tell Rosa had been found, but not in the way anyone had hoped for.

The brain wanted to conjure magical thinking, to ask if the witch was okay, when clearly she wasn’t. Miles could see the grief-stricken heave of Laurel’s shoulders as she knelt beside Rosa with Leon there to comfort. Rosa’s body showed signs of a struggle, a fight too much for a lone witch. She hadn’t survived.

But there were no signs of what a full moon could compel to stalk the woods at night either. Blood, but no claws, no bite wounds...

Leon and Laurel were telling Miles to call the police. He pulled out his phone and dialed while looking around. Were they even alone? Was whoever did this to Rosa watching, waiting to pick off more witches?

“We need to get back to the car,” he said, the rest of a thought interrupted by a 911 operator answering. Miles wasn’t often at a loss for words, but in the plummeting degrees of a sudden summer storm he stumbled, trying to remember where they were directionally, becoming impatient with requests from the person on the other line. “Yes, I’m certain… please, just please hurry,” he urged.

The rain began to let up. It was so quiet he couldn’t hear the wind at all. Only an unsettling stillness and murmurs from Laurel. “The police are on their way, and an ambulance.” Miles paused, and then walked over to kneel beside the other two. He rested a hand on Laurel’s forearm. “Go back to the car, both of you.” A glance between the two."I’ll wait here.”(edited)

Leon Choi

“Laurel...” Leon, gently rubbed her arms, trying to pull her up from the ground, but not wanting to force her, especially when she seemed to be going through a lot with her friend. “We should get up.” The problem was that he didn’t really know how to be that person for others... he didn’t know how to comfort others, but since Laurel had been nothing but good to him, he was putting an effort for her sake. “Laurel... come on. Let’s go”. He gently tried to pick her up from the ground, glancing over at Miles.

At least the police was coming, but it would be an annoyance to get their statements, but hopefully they would figure out what happened to Rosa. He didn’t know Rosa, but nobody deserved to die like that... alone in the dark and left in the middle of the woods. “I don’t think we should split. You said that yourself.”

Laurel Gavaris

It was almost as if her eyes couldn't see past Rosa, and the conversations around her echoed in her surroundings but the words uttered by both men didn't keep her attention for far too long. However, she felt their touch, the pressure of both Leon and Miles' hands over her arm and forearm; she didn't feel so lonely because of it. "Okay, thank you," she pressed her hand on top of Leon's arm. Her thoughts were still haunting her and there was a turmoil of feelings that didn't cause Laurel to feel as present in that moment as she could but still, Leon's words caused her body to automatically respond to it, moving up, feeling the breeze against her skin, this time not as smoothly as she usually was grateful for. It made her feel alive, and she didn't like it.

Laurel had never been one to deal so well with death, her first encounter with it was when she was too young to compreehend but still old enough to feel the pain, with her siblings wasn't so difference, but this one had a change of perspective. And that was the reason why, when she finally took in everything that both men had shared with her and when Leon's words: I don’t think we should split, got to her mind, she turned to face them. "I just lost someone because they were alone. I'm not leaving any of you, I'm not losing anyone else. We'll leave here if we all leave together and if any one of you try to tell me otherwise, I'll use my power to make you agree with me." She sighed, feeling weak but standing still and with her head held high. And then she faced only Miles for a second. "I'm your leader, I've been through worst in life. I can deal with this, I can wait here."

Miles Easton

‘I don’t think we should split. You said that yourself.’ That was before they ran ten seconds into the future and found a dead witch. “I know what I said. Things have changed.” They were all in danger now, and Miles had a host of comments to make. It wasn’t the time to fight over it, so he wrung as much emotion out of his words he could and delivered them as calmly as possible.

Because they were all thrown by what they saw and the implications would be seared into their minds. His own mind was reeling with so many questions, so many responses, so many ways to ensure no one else ended up like Rosa.

Laurel got to her feet. He’d never heard her say a n y t h i n g at all like she did then. Would she dare use her power to keep them there? She was his leader, what?

Miles had a convenient way of going completely numb in a crisis. Clinically minded, focused on the facts, and the true jolt to the system would be processed later. A blip of anger crossed his features. Staying there, standing in the middle of the park to be another target for whoever did this to Rosa, was absolutely stupid……

Laurel was feeling everything. Leon was trying his best to help. Rosa was dead, and the rumbling of a fight he was suddenly desperate to have with the two witches standing there would best be saved for Rosa’s attacker.

The three were also protected by the earlier spell.

Miles wanted to exhale a breath that felt stuck in his chest held since he stepped out of the car. But he stayed silent. He broke the tight gaze held on the others to set the flashlight on a nearby bench, kept on so the police could locate them.

There was a dark secret he’d never shared with his coven or anyone in Astoria, had never planned on doing so. Could he still do it? Could he hear Rosa, could she whisper to him the name of who or what did this to her?

Oh fuck this is not how he ever wanted this to go, but. He turned back to Leon and Laurel. “I… might be able to still talk to Rosa.”

Leon Choi

Leon didn’t like the predicament he had got himself into. He had promised to be less of a coward, but at what cost? Getting involved with other people’s businesses, possibly being forced to go under investigation from the police, and all because he wanted to show Laurel that he cared. He almost snorted at the thought... this wasn’t some sort of test to take the pretty girl to prom. It was a stupid crush anyway, he shouldn’t have to prove anything to anyone and yet, his feet weren’t moving. Instead, he was staying put, because it mattered to Laurel, so, he found out, it mattered to him to.

“No offense, man... but Rosa died because she was alone.” His hand slid down and he took Laurel’s hand on his own, drawing circles upon her skin, probably to make himself calmer rather than her, but if it worked on her, then it was both their luck. “We’re stronger if we’re together. We can channel our powers to make ourselves stronger and even do another protective circle, just the three of us. Whatever got to your friend might still be out there...” And of course, he wouldn’t say it out loud, especially since he had just began his studies once again, but he wanted to stay behind and protect Laurel and Miles too.

His brow arched up at Miles’ words. Wouldn’t he need the things Laurel had ready when they contacted the ghost that was bothering Leon? “Like—a seance? Wouldn’t we be able to see her if she was still around?” His gaze went from Miles to Laurel.

Laurel Gavaris

Her hand moved through her hair showing her frustration for a second. That was the exact moment that she could mourn, that she could pour out emotions that they moment they left the scenario, she would no longer focus on them. That was the only moment she'd show her vulnerability and how much a loss would keep her over the edge; and in case someone doubted that, her previous words had been a good example of it.

But then, almost as if there was a switch within herself, she bottled up the sadness and how worry she was because what Miles had shared changed her focus and at least, Leon's touch over her hand kept her centered. "Okay..." That was when she decided to at least walk closer to where Miles was standing, her light eyes staring at him and trying to have the best glimpse possible of his demeanors due to the gloomy setting they were at. "Rosa's just died, she'd need to have more strength and practice to show herself to us," Laurel replied to Leon once he questioned the young brunette. "And we'd be able to see her if she wanted us to see her, even with the spell they have to, somewhat, want to be seen. Or the witch should have practiced enough to be able to make them appear to the living." That was her explanation, or one she had been taught throughout those years.

"Which means... you can force her to be here?" And that question was directed at Miles. "Wouldn't it be too soon? What if we confuse her and she thinks she's still alive?"

Miles Easton

“You’re right, Leon.” Soooo painful for Miles to say to anyone. Standing in the circle with the coven casting a spell had occurred less than a half hour ago and yet it seemed so far away. An invisible cloak of protection clung to their shoulders just as the rain did. Leon was also right in that Rosa had been alone, for some unknown reason, on a night when no one should be. If she had only been at the studio...

“It’s not a seance exactly.” His eyes lingered for a moment on Leon, catching himself before finishing the thought. Miles began to realize that the longer he spoke, the more frustrated he would become. It was not the time to suggest dark forbidden spells to reach a deceased witch. Law enforcement would soon arrive. His best bet was to be agreeable. Slide through the arrival of the police on charm and with concern for the events of the evening. Make sure the two witches with him stayed alive.

And then he would go home to reach out to Rosa himself. Alone. To see what she could tell Miles about what happened in the woods.

Laurel spoke, still shaken but with a steely core holding her upright. Being the leader she said she was. “Of course. Let’s forget I brought it up. And be here for Rosa now.” He stepped to Laurel’s other side to look down again at the witch they had so desperately searched for. Miles rested a hand at the dip of the priestess’ spine for a few seconds of further assurance. He wasn’t sure if it was a comfort or not. “You didn’t fail anyone tonight.” Words meant even less, but they were all Miles had in such a fucked up situation. Laurel said she was strong, she had been through worse. She wanted to be there, and that was what they would do.

The idea continued to play over in his mind. Damn. What in the hell was Rosa doing out here?

Leon Choi

When Laurel moved, Leon decided it was about time he let go of her hand and instead of standing there, looking as lost as he did, he shoved his hands in his jacket's pockets and followed her, standing closer to Miles as she did too. He was more than used to seeing dead bodies, so Rosa in itself, didn't bother him. What bothered him was knowing how upset or uneasy those around her had been due to her death. Again, it was just like he'd read it somewhere: death didn't happen to you, but to everyone else around you who were left to pick up the pieces you've left behind.

Even though he heard what Laurel had explained to him, Leon still kept his eyes on the corpse on the ground, mostly because he was trying to think of all the possible scenarios that would paint them as the criminals. They had a solid alibi... they had been at Laurel's studio and had plenty of witness to that, and Leon had taken an Uber from his place to the studio, so he also had that to prove his innocence. Unlike Miles or Laurel, Leon didn't have a reason to be there. He wasn't a part of Laurel's coven and he didn't know Rosa, so he needed to look after himself. Crouching down, Leon used his phone's flashlight to point at Rosa's hands... he wished he had something to lift up her hands and check if she had skin under her fingernails other than dirt. Hopefully some blood, too. Any trace of DNA that would lead to her killer.

"She didn't die easy..." He mused, mostly to himself, seeing the dirt under Rosa's nails. Her jeans had a rip on one of the knees, which could mean a sign of struggle too. Standing up, he saw the flashlights at a distance and waved his own, waiting for the cops to arrive. As some marked the scene as a crime scene, others took Miles', Laurel's and Leon's statements. They were advised not to leave town and make themselves available for further investigations, before letting them go.

#astoriaevent3 #( full moon: buck moon. )#( c; miles. )#( c; leon. )#death tw #( chat. )#( transcript01. )

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