If you're one of us (Xantha)

[Deleted]

December 2025

Mavis didn't have much, in fact, she could fit all her possessions in a duffle bag and a backpack. She did have some larger things that she stored at school, but she remained fairly mobile. She had been, as she did most weekends, working in a popular spot in London, selling small paintings, drawings, and even doing characterchures for tourists. She made a decent buck from this. As she worked, she noticed a good friend of hers, slipping something into her tip jar. The small piece of paper was well known. She knew that it contained an address.

After it started to get late, and people cleared out of the area, Mavis cleaned up her stuff, placing everything back in her bag and fished out the paper from the jar. As expected, it contained an address in it. Stashing the tips she had made, she started on her way. grumble grumble Well there it was. She'd have to stop to get some food. She hadn't eaten since that morning. She had both her backpack and her duffle with her, sleeping on friends couches only worked for so long. Luckily one of her nice friends had also given her breakfast before she handed out earlier.

Mavis made her way to a cheap fast food chain and ordered some items from the "value menu" usually value meant cheap, but low quality. It was find. She could afford that. And luckily still had some money left over, not much but some. She took the bag, thanked the workers and was out the door. She had somewhere to be.

It was late by the time she arrived at the address provided. She slipped around back, finding that door unlocked, as usual. She slowly opened it up and peaked in. "X?" She whispered "I brought some food." Slowly entering the dark residence she softly closed the door. Really hoping that the other girl had made it there first. Mavis didn't mind squatting, but she always felt nervous about it.

@xantha

[Deleted]

Xantha had found a perfect place to squat. It was more of a residence than usual industrial type building and by some shape or form of magic they had the perfect floor for her to practise on. She'd even found a way to charge her phone and little bluetooth speaker so she could actually practise the routines she needed in order to get where she wanted to be in life. If only they could have the place for longer than just a tiny little while. She'd dropped the address off for Mavis, one of her closer friends on the streets. While she knew her friend was more of a couch surfer type, Xantha never felt comfortable sleeping in the homes of strangers. Maybe it was a sense of never actually feeling welcome in them because her own father hadn't even wanted to take her in when her mom got sick. She didn't want to depend on others since she was too used to being disappointed. Yet Mavis was the kind of person she'd learned to depend on as much as she could.

She wouldn't have noticed Mavis arriving if Spot hadn't warned her. She'd been having the music on, although a bit soft, in order to practise and until Spot had gotten into the room and loudly announced the arrival of Mavis she hadn't realised the girl was actually nearby. Unlike Xantha, Mavis wasn't too comfortable squatting. It made sense since there was a far greater risk in squatting than there would ever be in couch surfing. Xantha always let the girl know the actual risks of any place they came by rather than let her discover when the cops showed up. So when Spot told her that her friend was there (otherwise he would probably have attacked rather than come up to fetch her) she rushed down the stairs with a big smile on her face. "Mavis! You made it!" She said happily, running over to the other girl and giving her a quick hug. "They have a perfect floor upstairs and oh my gods, do I smell food?" She got distracted as she could almost feel her stomach contract at the smell of food. It felt like it had been weeks since she'd eaten but of course it had only been two days. She'd stolen her food back then and had almost gotten herself caught so she'd had a bit of trouble. Her ankle had healed weirdly fast but she wasn't quite sure if she wanted to spend too much attention on that detail.

"Tomorrow is audition day so you have to humour me and point out every tiny little flaw in my routine." She said and then heard her belly grumble again. "After dinner." She conceded, biting her lip. She wasn't sure what it was but whatever it was smelled incredible. "I'm feeling good about this one though. It doesn't pay great but it might be enough for a very small studio with leaky roof we could share. It'd be nice if I didn't have to squat any more for a while. At least while production runs." She was pretty sure affording utilities was going to be a different story but something was a whole lot better than the nothing they currently had to deal with. Not to mention they could possibly even buy food rather than steal it because money had run out. It almost seemed like a dream come true, as long as they could agree not to bring any potential partners home because shutting the other out for a private tumble was not a classy thing to do in their situation.

@mavis

[Deleted]

Mavis and Xantha understood things about each other that very little could. Not having a place to call your own because you were following your passion was something the two girls could relate to. While they didn't spend all their time together, the two girls were still close. Having alternative places to stay also helped Mavis stay on the move. Staying in one place for too long always made her feel uneasy. She found herself waiting for someone to find her, sent by her father. She wasn't sure if she would ever feel permanently safe again.

She walked into the place, looking around. She had seen the Kneazle Spot, so she felt more at ease. Her friend rushed towards her and she hugged the girl with a smile "Good to see you" She said while the girls embraced. The girl mentioned food and Mavis lifted the bag, it had a decent amount of cheap, greasy food, and the bag was starting to show it. "Enough for a feast." Both girls were hungry, that was a sad reality of their lives. Food didn't come easily.

"Tomorrow is audition day so you have to humor me and point out every tiny little flaw in my routine. She gave a laugh, food was always first "Sounds good, food first, then I watch you dance. And maybe I can get some good gesture drawings while you practice." Mavis was a good artist, but she always was up for improvements. Figure drawing was a fun class, but drawing someone who was constantly moving was more of a challenge. She fixed that with doing quick gestures, or sketches for practice and later reference. "You'll do great. You're an amazing dancer" She encouraged her friend. She liked the idea of having a more permanent spot to live. And her friend understood her concerns, so her name didn't have to be anywhere involved in it. And if she still felt uneasy, her friend would understand her wondering some before coming back.

@xantha

[Deleted]

Xantha was really hoping to land a job soon to be able to afford the both of them an appartment. X didn't trust a great many people and even less people were trusted to stick around. She could usually count on people to act the way she anticipated and that hardly involved being there for her when she needed somebody to count on. While Mavis had some clear issues somewhere in her past, Xantha understood that it wasn't something that concerned her or that she needed to worry about. It mostly meant Mavis got a lot more nervous than most about certain scenario's and well, Xantha had been giving it more thought of late. The two girls were similar enough and actually looked alike somewhat. With her dad being out of the picture she'd asked her mother for a favour and her mother had obliged. It had involved some forgeries but her mother was still angry with her father for leaving her and had actually found breaking the law to be amusing. It had been very expensive and both Xantha and her mother had saved up quite a bit of cash to make the gesture a reality.

So Xantha had a nice big envelope in her backpack that held her only possessions and was slung in a corner of the room. She pulled a face of pure desire at the bag of greasy food. It was so unhealthy but it smelled so good! She groaned slightly. "You're an angel Mave." She muttered as she motioned towards the blanket she'd put on the floor. It was the closest thing they currently had to comfort. She dragged the other girl over to the corner and pulled out a candle in triumph. "I got decorations. It's only one candle but it'll do. No electricity here I fear but there is a fire place so we could try to make a fire for tonight. I already boarded most of the windows up for a little privacy." It was cardboard curtains but she knew precious little people in this particular neighbourhood would care to begin with. Hating law enforcement was a pretty default state of mind here. It would be a pretty comfortable night with Xantha's standards, which already said a lot. Comfort was a luxury and a warm hearth to sleep close to wasn't a given in their life. She lit the candle and placed it on the floor beside them, opening her backpack up.

She pulled out a pair of cardboard plates she'd lifted from the supermarket a while back. It was better than eating off the floor and a lot lighter than actual plates, plus they didn't break as fast. "A feast fit for kings and queens." She said as she pulled out a bottle of pop and some plastic cups. "I've been saving up so it might be completely flat by now but it'll taste better than water." She said, motioning to the bottle. She then sat quietly for a moment so they could split the food and get a bite in. She sighed in pure delight as the first food entered her mouth. "Perfect." She managed to get out despite having her mouth completely full.

Xantha grinned and then wriggled in excitement for a moment. "Mum told me she'd get a big canvas for Christmas so we can maybe make a painting together. We're both basically broke but it might sell nicely if we could make a fun collaboration out of it." Xantha said, licking her fingers after almost every bite. It was like trying to savour every molecule of food that they had and it was delicious to actually have a full meal for a change. "But we also got you a little something else." She said as she pulled a small box out of her bag, very flat and slightly bigger than card sized. She handed it over to Mavis. "I'm not sure exactly what the details are but in case you ever end up in trouble with the cops..." She let it trail off. Inside the box was a fake ID that claimed her to be the sister of Xantha along with a short note that had a handwritten note from Xantha's mum with the promise to lie for her about the fake ID. Pretty much a promise to somewhat adopt her as a daughter in front of law enforcement. It was the best they could do but at least she could hide a little bit better now.

When Mavis reassured her she was an amazing dancer, Xantha smiled a little. "I just hope I'm good enough to make the chorus." She said and shrugged slightly. It wasn't easy to land a part in any show, not even the chorus. She'd dedicated herself to this for years and wasn't about to give up because she hit a few snags in the road. First the chorus and eventually supporting roles or even a main part. That was the plan. Standing out by fitting in until you achieved the perfection required for the part you wanted. "I'm getting us a studio if I land the part. Less moving about would do us good, not to mention a meal every single day." She smiled at the mere idea that it could be within reach. It was just fabulous to consider that. To consider life could be a little more stable in the future.

@mavis

[Deleted]

Mavis was cautious. She had to make sure that her family couldn't find her. Maybe she wouldn't mind so much after she could consider what she did a "successful career." Even then, she was still sure that her father wouldn't accept it. So, she had to keep running. That was one reason she signed her work with a different name. She didn't tell many people the details about her family. It was for her protection for the most part. The less people who knew who and were she was, the better. Luckily he was still based in Paris, but she had siblings, and she knew her fathers associates who all wondered around the areas.

She beamed as Xantha called her an angel. "I know." She said showing off a little. She moved the the blanket, dropping her duffle and backpack next to X's stuff. The only reason Mavis had more, was because of art supplies. Her friend brought out a candle and Mavis Oohed at it. They had to be careful when squatting. She also mentioned a fire place and maybe lighting a fire for the evening. With the colder weather settling in, heat was important, and Mavis didn't have very warm clothing to speak of. "If you can find things to burn, I can defiantly start a fire." She knew just the spell, she just had to be careful not to let X see anything. She knew that the girl wasn't magical, and so Mavis had to keep the secret.

As her friend lit the candle, Mavis opened the bag filled with their feast. She accepted one of the cardboard plats and set the bag between them. "That it is may it fill us. I'll let you pick first." She felt like, in a way, her situation was better than Xantha's. Mavis had other friends that allowed her to sleep on their couches, and who helped give her food. X didn't have that, so Mavis always did what she could to help her friend feel loved. She pulled out a bottle of soda pop and Mavis felt herself getting excited. "You spoil me X." She had had fancier beverages in the past, but this was special. This life was different, and she was happier now. Even if she was sitting on a blanket, with only a candle for light, eating the cheapest food that they could find, and flat soda. Life couldn't be better. Well, it could, but she was not going back there.

Mavis took a bite of food, it was amazing. Not eating most of the day did that. Food just tasted better. "Mmhmmm." was all she could get out, because she had taken quite a large bite. She listened as her friend mentioned that her mother got a large canvas. Those weren't cheap. "That's amazing! Let's do it!!" She spoke after taking her second large bite. Her words were barely understandable as she tried to keep food in. But she knew that the girl would understand her.

As Mavis chewed her most recent bite of food Xantha gave her something. Unsure, she set down her food and took the small box. With eyebrows furrowed, she opened the box that her friend had given her. She saw the ID, and with tears in her eyes she read the note written by Xantha's mother. As tears fell from her face, she moved and hugged her friend. "Thank you so much." Her voice cracked. This was the nicest gift that she had ever received. After the embrace, Mavis returned to a seated position and resumed eating her food, placing the note in a special pocket in her duffle, and adding the ID into a wallet that she kept in her bag.

"You'll get in" She reassured her friend again. She knew that Xantha was a great dancer. And while she couldn't guarantee that the girl would get in, attitude showed in auditions. She saw plenty of dancers at school, and knew that professionals could smell your insecurities. "A studio sounds amazing. I could paint more than just at school, maybe enough to get in a galley and sell." It was always nice to dream.

@xantha

[Deleted]

Xantha was pretty sure she could find things to burn. Finding things to burn was usually rather easy. There were news papers, there was trash and branches and wood. She might have to do a small scavenge in the neighbourhood after dinner but she was sure she could manage to gather enough wood to get a small fire going. Otherwise stealing some wood was always an option. Tonight was a night to celebrate after all.

At the option to pick food first, Xantha had picked a hamburger with bacon because boy did she miss eating bacon. It was a bit of a small luxury but that didn't change the fact it felt like a huge victory to her. Just the simple fact they had bacon on their burgers tonight. She also grabbed a chicken nugget as she set out their plastic cups and opened the bottle of flat soda pop. It was almost strange that this felt like as much of a victory as it did, considering they were eating fast food on a blanket on a cold hard floor with only a candle and a bottle of flat soda from plastic cups but both girls had lived in better conditions. For Xantha they had been happier days that she resented for the ignorance she'd held. For Mavis things were different, as she seemed a lot happier with the life she had now. Xantha had guessed that her family life hadn't been too great if living on the street was better. Xantha hadn't really had much of a choice in the matter.

Things like table manners were not a thing when there was no table around for the manners to apply to. The girls didn't care about talking with their mouths full as they considered themselves lucky enough to be able to do so in the first place. They were both fluent in 'rude and uncultured' in terms of table manners and Xantha chuckled slightly at how silly they probably sounded to people that didn't understand them. Being with Mavis was one of the few ways that Xantha felt happy in the simple and free way that she once had, even if it came from shared worries more than carelessness.

She was glad that Mavis was so happy with the gift. It clearly moved her and Xantha smiled a little. She'd never thought about having a sister her age but Mavis kind of felt like the sister she never had known she needed until they'd met and became friends. It sounded only right to her that she'd be adopted into the family, sort of. It wasn't legal by any means but it was more about the sentiment. Her mother had never met Mavis but Xantha knew she didn't mind. She couldn't be thrown in jail since her health was too fragile. At worst she'd be under house arrest and that was not too far from her current situation for her to care. Xantha at least knew she'd gotten the bad ass genes from her mother. Xantha shrugged but she was smiling brightly as Mavis thanked her. "We're practically sisters now." She said with a little smile. "In an illegally legal way. Considering we've been looking out for each other lately it only seems right. You're the best friend I have." She smiled and chuckled at that statement a little. "You're pretty much the only friend I have. I want you to know that means something, even if I don't have a couch for you to crash on."

Then Mavis reassured her that she'd get in and be part of the chorus. It was reassuring but Xantha still pulled a face and nodded. "Not if I don't practise. First thing after dinner I'm going over the routine again. Secure a future for the both of us." It wasn't about sharing money so much as sharing space. They were perfectly capable of doing so, they'd proven that plenty of times. "Besides, I know you'll be good for your part of the rent when you can actually make and sell art more consistently. You're as good at art as I am at dancing. All my art is just abstract." She said with a laugh. Her art wasn't half as good as that of Mavis but she didn't really do it for a living. She just liked being silly and dipping her hands and feet in paint before dancing over a canvas. If the choreography was right it could give some pretty fun results. That was why the girl always went for larger canvasses. It gave her the space she needed to actually make art the only way she really knew how to, by dancing. She was certain that combining the artistic eye of Mavis with her own personal dancing on canvas style would be able to create something truly unique and interesting, especially since Mavis might actually be able to put in more of a vision than a random dancing routine. That was something to consider when they actually had the canvas though.

@mavis

[Deleted]

Veela's were known for their beauty, but they also had the ability to conjure up fire. Now, Mavis wasn't able to do this, but fire spells worked well for the girl. She figured it was because of her mothers side. And with how cold it was getting, a fire sounded amazing.

Mavis started to set out the food that she had got, and told her friend to pick first. The girl picked a bacon hamburger and some chicken nuggets. She in turn took the remaining cheese burger and chicken sandwich that she had gotten. There were some fries to, so she put them in the middle for both to share. They had so little. Many couldn't imagine how they could be so happy, or say that they lived good lives. And while they did want better, such as a place to call their own, they were still happy. Both girls situations were different. Before, Mavis had everything. And she would still have anything she wanted as long as she gave up her art. That was just too high a price to pay, and she was done being though of as just a pretty face.

One of the best things was stuffing your face and not worrying about who was watching, and what they were seeing. She had been raised to, talk, walk, sit, stand, eat like a lady. And when she left, she left all of that behind her. True, she still had the knowledge, and some habits had been hard to break, but she wanted to focused more on being happy, not being proper. Plus, she still got thrill from breaking everything that she was taught to do.

The gift that Xantha gave her was nothing short of perfect. She hoped to never need it, but she would always be sure to have it with her. Mavis was the youngest of a number of half siblings, and one brother. But she wasn't close to any of the, especially after what she pulled. She often times felt as if her friends were her family, and now she could prove it, in a not so legal way. Xantha talked about how they were practically sisters already, and it was because she was her best friend. "This is the best thing that I have ever received." In a way, it gave her more freedom, which was what she always wanted. "I have something for you too. It's no where near as amazing as this." She still couldn't believe the amazingly great gift that Xantha had asked her. With eyes still teary, she shuffled through her bag and pulled out an art board that she had been working on in the free time she had between classes and making money.

On the art board, was painted a pair of dance shoes that Mavis had studied and drew while watching her friend practice. It had been painted using oils, and had thick and thin parts. Oil's weren't cheap, but she already had them, thanks to some of her classes. She handed her friend the art board that had been signed with the name Lilith, as she signed all her work. "When you get that job, and can finally afford a place, you have something to mark it as yours." Both girls didn't have a lot, and art to hang up often felt like a luxury that many couldn't do. But as an artist, Mavis could just create it. It wouldn't be worth anywhere near what many wealthy families had hanging up, but it was personal.

Mavis laughed, "Sounds perfect" She loved watching Xantha practice, and it wasn't just because she could get some interesting body shape sketches. The girl was good, even if no one else saw it. She mentioned Mavis being able to more consistently create art, and that sounded great to Mavis. As much as she liked drawing silly, cartoon styles of tourists, she really wanted to do something more serious. "Ooh, that reminds me, There's going to be a student art show and I've submitted some of my works to be in it." She crossed her fingers "Just waiting to hear if any of them were accepted." She believed that she was talented, but you couldn't make someone else see that. And putting your art out there was intimidating.

@xantha