this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
This little mission was unamusing and made Anair’s skin crawl, his senses were on high alert as he carefully picked his way through the streets of The Hovel as it was so adequately named. Bandages wrapped along his arms and neck in another reminder that he was to be careful less his father show disapproval…not that it was the man who’d done this. Anair was beginning to realize his blank stares of indifference unnerved the man but what was Amais expecting when he’d created him with a lack of understanding emotions. He made a soft ‘tsk’ noise before pulling his mind from those thoughts knowing it was no use to think of them at this moment when he had a job to-do. He’d been pulled to the side today when he’d gotten back from bandaging himself up only to be told he would be going back out on another mission. He’d been assured this one would be easier than the first and less hazardous. Leviathan…while it did seem to keep the newer members relatively out of harm’s way and out of the darker parts of the organization…his apology clan, that didn’t change the fact they wouldn’t look a gifted horse in the mouth.
He was a weapon, a tool created for them after all and for the longest that was all he’d ever known but soon…soon that would change. It had to…right?
Blairs comforting presence pulsed in recognition of the downward spiral his thoughts were beginning to take. However, instead of agreeing that she should walk with him he brushed her hidden concern aside and pulled himself back together. Reminding both of them but mostly himself that they were on a mission and it was better if they were as unnoticed as possible. As it was his clothes already stuck out because of the fact it was in better condition than most of the people here.
Anair looked back down at the paper he had in his hand, a messy scrawled address written across it by a man he may have intimidated for the information. He had been sent to look for someone, Ravost Callows, and apparently, he’d once been a client of someone named Anass Falkhoury or some such. He’d hunted down this Anass by going to past clients until one of them finally opened their mouth about where he could be located, now he was on his way there. His gaze looked up at the building he found himself at once he did reach it and gave the building a calculative stare before making his way in. Ignoring the people who loitered the halls and anyone who tried to stop him thought twice after being on the receiving end of a frigid look. He stopped in front of a door and looked down at the piece of paper once more just to ensure he had the right place even though he must have looked at it a thousand times by now. Plastering on one of his more non-threatening smiles he knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer…if anyone would.
it's easier when you know you'll be fine on your own
Anass didn't even life in that building anymore, but what he did do was still keep tabs on it. Mostly to make sure his ex-clientele wouldn't mess around with his old neighbors - there were some kids in those apartments. He didn't want to be found and simply moving had shockingly done a really good job of that. So when Poppy had informed him while flying about, that she'd spotted what may have been his address on a piece of paper, he was upset and concerned.
He'd managed to spot the stranger, it really wasn't that hard honestly. He followed at a safe distance pretending he was heading in the same direction, which wasn't hard. At one point he simply took the back route back to his apartment complex and waited inside the empty apartment via crawling in the cracked open window. He still had a copy of the key because this place was a shit hole and no one was trying to rent this place. He figured though eventually he'd find it filled and then and only then he'd toss the key.
For now though it was serving it's purpose and that was good. He waited for the approaching footsteps, then managed to open the door right before the knock could land. He leaned on the doorframe in the most sultry fashion he could (which was a feat in of itself if he was honest) while remaining the look of a rather bored teen. Which he basically was.
"So it's weird because I actually don't even live here anymore you know, and you don't look like an ex-client, so who the fuck sent you?"
Anass spent his time examining his nails while trying to keep his emotions in check. He was trying to turn over a new leaf for fuck's sake.
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
The brunet allowed only a momentary slip in his mask as a flittering of surprise crossed his face upon the door suddenly opening before his knuckles touched the frame. However, it was quickly and smoothly replaced by the goofy grin his lips generally curled into as a matter of habit—he could still remember some of the clan members stating how creepy it was because of its emptiness—and he merely watch the younger male at the door. His head tipped to the side in a curious fashion as he waited for the dark-haired male to finish speaking before he chirped up, “I actually didn’t know you no longer lived here. I was just asking around and I was given this address.” All of which was the truth, there was no real lie within those words because he hadn’t known the male didn’t live here any longer. While he had been asking around and had been given the address they now stood at. See? He was totally capable of being honest and truthful…to a degree.
He cocked his head to the side a bit more in an almost canine manner, tuning in to the amused interest his familiar now radiated. He could practically see how she’d be sitting in front of the male with her tail curled delicately around her paws, purring softly as she’d contemplate the almost aggressive way he spoke.
Anair could practically feel her eyes on him as she tuned in to his musings about her but he quickly tuned back in to the male in front of him before she could distract him anymore than she already had. He offered the hand he’d been about to knock on the door with as he introduced himself…somewhat, “The name’s Anair. It’s a pleasure to meet you…Anass, correct?” Something within his goofy smile sharpened just the slightest as his gaze settled firmly on the other male, he took a step closer to the other but tried to keep his body language as non-threatening as possible. “Perhaps we can go inside to talk? I’d hate to have people in our conversation.” The tone he used made it seem as though his innocent question was less harmless suggestion and more of a direction.
it's easier when you know you'll be fine on your own
There was nothing Anass hated more than chatty clients. He took a moment to assess the situation before him, with a slow drag of his flirtatious gaze. He wondeered what this could possibly be about anyway, what kind of trouble he could - or rather his clients could have - managed to cause someone.
His lip curled when he realized he really didn't even care?
And then that happened.
That vague domineering speech pattern, the extended hand. Anass also took a step forward after a moment, leaving them nearly nose to nose, and his eyes went half lidded. A sultry smile passed his face, falling into a routine he was clearly very used to judging by the suddenly very sad and tired glint in his eye. He reached forward and danced his fingers against this supposed Anair's palm, sliding them forward until he had a rather weak grip on his hand. Overplaying his submissive role. This was all a game after all, one Anass wanted to make clear he was real flippin' sick of playing at this point.
"That would be correct."
The direction though? Anass's eyes sharpened into shards of broken glass, glittering in the weak light filtering through the dirty building. This was his territory, and here he was a wild and unpredictable animal. Kind of cornered if he was honest, which just made the sharp grin he gave to Anair even worse. He leaned in close, their noses brushing, and allowed his gaze to slowly drag over Anair's features.
"The only people who are graced with that opportunity are the ones who pay for it. So I'd suggest you either get out or pay up, but darling be warned I'm not the cheapest whore on the street."
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
Things were going…unexpectedly.
One thing Anair was not accustomed to and didn’t entertain was flirting or…the other thing. So, when the younger male sidled up to him and opened his mouth, the brunet was very tempted to take a step back. However, other than the marginal rock back on his heels to give him some space from the possible sultry look he didn’t move. Although, he certainly tried to ignore the way the hairs on the arm of the hand Anass took stood on end and traveled up his arm. However, then Anass opened his mouth and Anair’s eyes wanted to narrow slightly and the aggressive way he spoke. Options began swirling through his mind but the most tempting one was reaching out and showing the other male just how he’d pay for his…time. The abrasive way he spoke turned Anair off significantly and made his skin crawl enough that he’d wanted to put the male in his place.
He was just about to reach out when soft tinkling laughter manifested next to him. Shadows slowly reached towards his side, gathering and compressing until finally by his feet was Blair’s rather large form. Gunmetal blue eyes flickered between them before resting on him with an amused look, “Play nice, Anair. What’s wrong with giving up some money for information.”
Amber eyes settled back on the male before them as Blair went sniffing about easing her way between the other’s legs as she let off purrs like a steam engine…damn traitorous feline. Looking back at the male with a clearly unfazed expression save for the quirked eyebrow as he slipped his hand out of the other’s grip he once more gestured towards the apartment. “Again, I repeat…perhaps we should go inside and discuss things privately.” He’d pay for the information if what he got was worth it, he wasn’t new to bribery but he certainly hated having to do things that way. He gave the man a smile, this one a little sharper than the first one he’d given to show he was growing impatient. “My time is precious you see just as I’m sure yours is.”
This was the last time he would ask nicely while suggesting he would pay the man for time spent…if he was refused…well then there would be no Blair to save anyone.
it's easier when you know you'll be fine on your own
Anass felt as though he could practically see the train of thought going on within Anair's head. He waited, seeing if he'd take the bait with raised brows, before his familiar appeared. The cat was an attractive thing, one of those larger cats that Anass was actually pretty fond of. He'd never managed to afford a pet but if he started taking more missions, he might just invest in a feline friend. Poppy was nice and all but she didn't really count, she was practically an extension of himself. Then she (she?) wove between his legs and he nearly lost it, gaze snapping to the feline and fingers twitching.
"Oh...."
He seemed entirely absorbed by her now, and moved to bend down before hesitating.
"Can I pet her? Do I ask her that? I'm new to this shit man..."
He furrowed his brow and waited for a response, but in the meanwhile motioned and moved for Anair to enter the empty apartment. It was a bit chilly due to the windows being cracked open, but he didn't care about Anair's comfort at this point.
"Whoever told you my time was precious was an idiot. My time is to be bought. But whatever, come on in we'll talk. I still don't know why you're here but I'm not even technically a prostitute anymore so..."
He wondered if he could pick the cat up.....he really wanted to....
He cooly glanced up at Anair with a bored expression, body language lax and non threatening now. Make yourself smaller to make the other feel more alpha. Play the sub. Let them think they're in control. He managed to shift all of them into the room and closed the door behind them with a definitive click, locking the door for extra insurance against other intruders. He continued to stare down at the cat, wondering if he could just....reach out....
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
What was it about people and cats?
For once he let his features crumple into confused annoyance as he watched the male instantly melt under Blair’s practiced ministrations. She shot him a smug look while entwining herself with his legs and he rolled his eyes, entirely done with this mission as of two seconds ago. However, Blair was soaking up the attention and she only too happily entered the apartment when Anass moved aside to let them in. The brunet considered just standing out in the hall to be spiteful before swallowing back a low growl and entering, ignoring the way his hairs stood on end when he heard the lock click. If things took a turn for the worse, he’d be fine. So, he merely relaxed his body as he strolled around, eyes scanning the complete empty apartment until he finally rested his back against a wall opposite of Anass.
“You may pet me.” Blair purred only too happily, stretching up to lay her paws on his hip so that he could reach her better even though she was frigging huge as was. Anair quirked an eyebrow at her but said nothing as it was her right to allow people to touch her or not. However, that didn’t mean there wasn’t a mild tightening in his chest and a slight tensing in his muscles that made him ready to pounce if this guy suddenly became hostile towards his familiar…for a moment he was reminded of the madness that overcame his mother when her familiar was gone. However, before he could think too deeply on it he brushed it off and considered the pair as he spoke up absently, “I’m very uninterested in any past services in selling your body. What I am interested in is some information you might have.”
Amber eyes finally looked up to lock on the other male’s face and he allowed another mask to slip into place, this one a little friendlier but less jovial. “I am to understand that you once had a client by the name of Ravost Callows. Rather wealthy, educated fellow…a good water user.” His head cocked to the side as he debated what to tell and what not to tell. “He took something…something important and I need it back. I was told you might know his last whereabouts.”
it's easier when you know you'll be fine on your own
He was granted permission and he swore his heart skipped a beat. He gently pet the feline and scratched at her ears, making sure to keep his movements slow and methodic. He hardly paid any mind to the subject of his current aggitation, surely if he gave the information he'd be left alone right? He weighed his options, there really was nothing he wanted more than to just go home.
So he dropped his act.
The fluid and flirtatious thing went away, his shoulders dropped, he scowled darkly. He was, for all intents and purposes, now just an angry young adult who was sick and tired of this bullshit.
"Rav? What a fuck face."
He passed a hand over his face, feeling phantom sensations of hands on his hip, his throat, his wrists. Rav wasn't the kindest of clients but he paid well for being discreet.
"I mean did you check with his wife? He lives in the residential district on top of that hill, big house you can't miss it. That or one of his antique shops, you might have better luck there. I'm just an ex-prostitute, not like I'm his secretary."
He rubbed a hand over his throat as he reminisced, frowning as he couldn't really....give anymore information than that.
"Unless like...he might be seeing someone else. He got pretty mad when I told him I wouldn't be keeping it up. I moved shortly after so he might still come around if provoked but that's on you."
It wasn't the best information he'd ever given out but...it was all he had this time around.
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
Anair watched as Blair soaked up the attention she was getting, every once in a while she’d direct the male to where she wanted to be pet or scratched. All the while purring like some overbearing engine that had no intentions of stopping and was simply revving even louder each time. The feline familiar was always only too happy to be given the attention she felt she deserved and he was reading smug all through their bond. She was going to be insufferable after they got out of here and their business was done with this…Ravost guy. He could still remember how pissed the clan member had been when they told him the assignment and what the guy had taken. It hadn’t been said outwardly but the member had given enough clues to let him know he wanted the guy to learn a lesson.
The brunet’s attention was caught when suddenly the young man’s body language changed completely and he found himself appraising this new person. The thing that struck him the most as per usual was that his body read aggressiveness now instead of the relaying of forced flirting or at least so it appeared. His stance tensed just a bit more but Blair seemed to still be quite comfortable with her new friend so he didn’t feel the entire need to call her back to him…yet. However, he was intrigued by the way he spoke of the man and his reactions. His body language told him something had happened between them and that he wasn’t entirely a supporter of it. Prodding gently, he asked, “I’m guessing he wasn’t a client you were very fond of.”
While there was humor in his tone there was a sharp calculating look in his eyes that said he was taking his actions into account and reading them. However, the other male began to give him more information than he had been expecting to get and for a second his mask slipped far enough that his jovial smile sharpened into something a bit more predatory. Pleased that he had several venues to chase down but the one that interested him the most was the wife…perhaps he should pay her an innocent little visit. He corrected the grin and softened it once more, shaking his head as he chirped happily, “You’ve been most helpful. This is the most information I’ve gotten and highly useful. Thank you for your cooperation, Anass.” He stepped forward towards the male, reaching out his pocket and taking out some ridiculous amount of money without bothering to look at it and handing it over to the male. “Payment as promised for taking up your time.”
He turned, making a small noise to call Blair to him so they could leave. He was about to reach for the door when a thought caught him and he paused, turning around slowly and reaching in his other pocket as he took a few steps back towards Anass. Offering a card out to him he said, “This is how you could reach me…in case this Ravost does decide to become a thorn in your side after my…inquiries.” This time he waited to make sure the younger male would take it granted it’d be up to this Anass whether he kept it or not.
it's easier when you know you'll be fine on your own
Anass focused his entirely attention on the cat as he spoke, not wanting to face the judgement of some idiot in his old apartment asking about his old life. He thought back to those nights, when it was warm and he was pliant as he needed to be, under the ministrations of another.
"The ones who pay for discreet services tend to have the heaviest hands, and that's all that matters in the end. Can't take more than one or two or you'd be dead, but some of the girls down the streets manage four to five. It's amazing."
Amazing in a sickening way that was for sure. He blinked slowly and regarded the cat, his hand still. He jerked himself back into reality and kept petting her, at least until the money caught his eye. He took it without a second thought, shoved it in his pocket to count later and didn't seem phased really by the seemingly exorbitant amount being given to him.
"Sick."
Was his only resonse. He eyed the other as they prepared to leave, but raised a brow as he paused. Then he was being handed a business card, and the words Silvertongue were on the tip of his, but instead he took the card and slipped it into his other pocket. He swept his gaze over Anair again, nodded before grabbing the door with a smirk.
[attr="class","text"]A lonely speaker in a conversation, Her words are swimming through his ears again. There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
[attr="class","windysapphire"]
The brunet listened to the male for a second, not letting what he was thinking show on his face because he honestly couldn’t say what he was feeling…except maybe a little sick. He considered what he was being told, his gaze going above the younger male’s head in a thoughtful manner before settling it back to Anass’ face and deciding he wasn’t going to comment on that particular part of his life. The young man had said he no longer did those things anymore so there was no reason to bring it up any more than it already had been. Besides…it was his life and other than the part Ravost played in it, there was no reason for Anair to show any interest in it or even sympathy so he left it alone and let it die.
Money was exchanged rather easily and in an all too blasé manner not that Anair really minded. The easier it was to get out and do his real job now, the better it would be for him to get home and begin relaxing…or plotting ways to get free with the least amount of backfire from Leviathan. A part of him was aware that the sooner, the better. For now, though he should be on his way to pay Ravost’ wife a little visit but when he reached the door…some small part of him that wasn’t as cold as his parents would have liked him to be if they knew turned back around. The card offered was a direct way to contact him, a sure way that he always responded to. It had only had to be used twice before this…and only one of the people had actually used it but it was better to be safe than sorry. Anass took it and something within him uncoiled and he allowed himself to relax, turning back around to leave and exiting through the doorway.
Anair paused when he heard Anass speak up, looking over his shoulder and giving the male a considering look. He allowed the slightest smirk to curl his lips and leaned forward into the other male’s face a bit, amber eyes considering the others face for a moment before he said simply “If there’s a need, that’s how you can contact me…but my time is precious, Anass.” With that he backed away, giving Anass’ hand an expectant look before making his way out of the apartment. He’d said all he’d needed to say and time would tell whether he’d meet this particular young man again.
