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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 1, 2020 13:38:08 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2020 13:38:08 GMT -7
Maria was having a grand night. She'd gone out to a new club outside London. She'd gotten a bit bored of her usual haunts. It was almost nice going somewhere where she knew no one. She'd been drinking and dancing all night. It was great. Though, no one was really worth while, as far as she'd noticed. She'd let quite a few men buy her drinks, so she didn't know who it had been, or when but there was a point in the night where she just... felt off. Her chest started to hurt, breathing a challenge. Stumbling she broke away from the others dancing, and headed to the bathroom. The world spun, no doubt from her extreme intoxication, but something more was at work. THis couldn't be just alcohol. Maria knew how alcohol affected her body.
She'd felt this once before. Back when she'd first started working at Club Indigo. Someone had slipped something in her drink. Thankfully, one of the bartenders had noticed quickly, and intervened, helping her out and kicking the man out. She hadn't been this drunk though. The affects were... worse. She felt like she was trying to breath through water, each breath painful. She could practically hear her slowing heartbeat. Someone had slipped something in her drink. Some sort of drug.
Maria stumbled, but managed to make it to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She at least knew not to let anyone else in with her severely altered state of consciousness. She leaned against the wall, eyes closed and tried to breath. Tried, desperately to catch her breath, but her chest just tightened, refusing. She slid to the ground, the room a spinning mess of chaos. Dear god, what did they give her? That didn't matter much though, because right now she needed some major help. Fumbling her phone out of her pocket she opened an app she'd downloaded once but never used. Never thought she'd ever need it. It was one of those apps that, if used, would text a certain contact in your phone and pinged your location.
Maria set the phone on the ground after, her eyes closed again as she sat on the bathroom floor, leaning against the wall. Desperately trying to breath and hope the spinning would stop. She didn't know which symptom was the drug, and which was alcohol at this point. But either way, it was bad.
Several kilometers away Rhys' own phone would pink, announcing a text. All it would say was "SOS", and then an address.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 1, 2020 15:47:15 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 1, 2020 15:47:15 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Rhys sat on his couch, having just kicked off his shoes and putting his feet up on the coffee table. It was a quiet night and probably for the first his week he'd decided to stay in and catch up on some reading. He was due for some assignments soon and needed to fit in some research into his busy schedule of only slightly immoral self-indulgence. Last night he'd gone out, drank some whiskey, made a new friend and then went on his way. The exhaustion had caught up with him today, however as he just hoped that the drink he just poured himself and the reading would send him off to sleep. However, in the stillness of his flat he heard a noise. A buzzing noise. Rhys realized it was probably his phone that was on his nightstand, vibrating against the wood.
He closed his book and sat it down on the coffee table and he and his drink went to retrieve the cell phone. An unread message waited for him and he saw it was from Maria, well he supposed it had been a few days and normally about that time he would just show up at her place but he actually hadn't been in the mood. Another drink or two and some brooding would have normally taken care of that but there was a message. However, Rhys put his glass down on the nightstand as he stared ad the words on the screen SOS and then an address. His brow furrowed and the only thing that came to mind was concern, she never texted him unless it was for that, so there had to be something wrong. Without hesitation Rhys stuffed the phone in his pocket, went back to the living room to put his shoes back on, grab his jacket from the back of the couch and grab his wand. He pulled out the phone again, the address wasn't familiar to him but he he'd been nearby before--that would have to do.
Wand in hand he stepped outside and walked a few feet away from the building before apparation with a crack. When he reappeared he found he was about a block from the address listed on the phone, and he made his way quickly toward what he assumed was a club based on the noise level. Rhys approached the noisy building, the bouncer didn't card him and just nodded. His hair had grown a bit and his beard made him look a little older than he was. Standing inside he touched his arm where his wand was holstered for easy access, something always needed when he was at work but helped outside of that. It was a bit crowded but it was nearing the end of the weekend, still he walked around casually and catch sight of her. Rhys pulled out his phone again, clicking the call button and holding it up to his ear to see if she would answer, but it kept ringing until voicemail was reached.
Again, he felt it. The concern, the trepidation. And he could feel it, that something was wrong and she was here. He asked the bartender if they'd seen her, describing her eyes and her features--knowing they would have most certainly noticed the half-veela. He had asked the 4th bartender and was about to use a spell when he suggested to check the ladies' room. Of course, why hadn't he thought of that? Well, how often was in a situation like this? Rhys couldn't say he had been very often. He walked over to where the bartender had pointed to and saw a door indicating it was the women's restroom, trying the door he felt it was locked and he knocked. "Maria?" There was no answer but he had a feeling he where he needed to be. Pulling out his wand "Alohomora." And the door clicked open.
Rhys entered and she was in the corner, her phone on the ground next to her. Closing the door behind him he knelt down in front of her. "Maria, hey, tell me what's wrong. Its Rhys." He spoke, a little loud for all the music in the building, though it was muffled some by the door. "Maria. Tell me what's wrong." Again he spoke sternly, holding her shoulders and trying to look at her face. If it wasn't for the heavy breathing he would have assumed she was just way too drunk, but this was different. "Did somebody give you something? What happened?" Either way he couldn't leave her here so he grabbed her phone and put it in his pocket next to his own and tried to stand her up, putting his arm around her waist to try and help her stand up. Once he felt like he had her stable he grabbed his wand, "I'm sorry about this, but I need to get you out of here." Rhys knew side-along apparation wasn't fun sober, let alone in this state--whatever was wrong with her. Rhys made sure he had a good hold on her before he apparated them back to his place.
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 1, 2020 16:49:25 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2020 16:49:25 GMT -7
Maria didn't know how long she sat there. Hoping the spinning would stop, or that her chest would stop hurting, or that maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to breath normally. What the hell had she been given? Whatever it was, it wasn't reacting well with the alcohol already in her system. Alcohol itself was a "downer", and the drugs used to roofie someone were also "downers". When you combined two downers, together, especially in large quantities... Well, there was a reason all the drugs had warnings against combining with alcohol. It was a dangerous cocktail. The phone buzzed by her hand, but she barely even twitched. She heard it, but it was like through water.
Maria didn't hear the door unlock, or someone enter. The drug had reached it's full strength and it was like all the energy had been sapped from her. She didn't even react when he first spoke, eyes still closed and trying to breath. It wasn't until he spoke a second time, his tone a bit different that her eyes fluttered opened. Unfocused, hazy. Trying to focus on the person speaking, but it was so hard to tell. Rhys... right? The dark hair.... It had to be. He demanded to know what was wrong, but her throat felt dry. Her eyes started to close again, as if being lulled back under the effect of the drug, but he spoke again and her eyes reopened. What was he saying..? What was he asking? It took a painfully long moment for her mind to catch up. "Roofie..." she mumbled, her word sluggish and forced. If she'd been in her right state of mind right now, she'd feel like an idiot. This was why she usually didn't let people buy her drinks unless she could watch them or she was somewhere that was familiar so she could trust other people to watch for her. Tonight she'd been feeling far to reckless and confident. And she was playing dearly for it.
Maria's head and stomach spun and knotted when he moved her. She let out an almost whimper, wanting to fight back against the motion but she couldn't muster the strength to stop him. Getting pulled to her feet, despite his support, made the spins ten times worse. She visibly paled, almost blacking out from the motion alone, but managed to remain conscious. At least being on her feet made it a little easier to hear him. Sorry about what?
That question got answered real quick as her whole body lurched. As if being dragged through water. What little breath she'd managed up until that moment was knocked right out of her. While she'd been pale before the side-along apparation she was almost sheet white now with a tint of green. She leaned heavily against him, trying to keep her balance. "Don't..... don't.... do that..... again...."
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 1, 2020 17:30:09 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 1, 2020 17:30:09 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Rhys heard her response roofie and he let out a sigh, it wasn't ideal but his first instinct was to check for signs she had been hexed or cursed in some way, did she drink a potion with side effects? It could have been anything. Roofies wasn't something that Rhys had ever encountered or been around, he'd heard of it of course. It was a substance that wasn't unique to muggles, it did pop up in the magical community as well unfortunately. He just had to get her out of this place where she was obviously a target and he, as a random man, carrying a woman who looked almost passed out was not a good look. There was a CRACK that was probably muffled by the loud music in the club and they reappeared in front of Rhys' flat, the absence of sound so suddenly hurt his ears a little bit but he was more concerned with Maria who was holding on to him trying not to fall over.
Rhys knew the apparation would be rough, but it was his instinct to get her somewhere she could sleep this off. His arms went around her to hold her up "Sorry, it was the fastest way to get you out of there." Again he put an arm around her waist to help her walk to the door, he opened it and put his wand away. Now that the door was open he pick her up properly, she was hardly in a state to walk safely even with his help though he supposed any movement was uncomfortable. Walking into the flat he kicked the door closed and walked over to the couch where he had been sitting early and laid her down as gently as he could manage, she was already looking pale and a bit green and he didn't know how to not make it worse at this point. Still, he knelt down near her head "Do you know who did this to you?" Rhys knew what roofies were used for and how Maria had ended up locked in a bathroom instead of with whomever had drugged her he would have to ask her about later, but regardless of who they were to one another he was glad that hadn't happened. The thought was distressing.
Still, he assumed she had been drinking as well which meant tomorrow would not be great for her. In the meantime he supposed he would just try and help as you would someone who'd way too much to drink. His wand was still on him, he summoned a large glass and muttered a spell for water--she was going to need it, and summoned the small trash can that was usually in his bedroom. While she settled he stood and took off his jacket and placed his wand on the coffee table, kneeling back down near her. It was another interesting moment though. Rhys had been called before, the few times he wasn't drinking himself, to help with someone in an over-inebriated state. But those were friends, Maria was....well he didn't know and why she called him was a mystery to him, but a question for later. He wasn't sure if she was going to answer his question, her speech had been very slurred.
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 1, 2020 21:39:52 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2020 21:39:52 GMT -7
The one previous time this had happened Maria hadn't been drunk. It had been terrible, of course, but it hadn't been this bad. She tried to think of what drugs could have been used, but her brain was too foggy. She knew the most common ones, as the dancers at Club Indigo were all versed in them so they could keep an eye on each other. Unfortunately, it was blasted hard to diagnose yourself.
Maria took a shaky breath as he moved, leading her into his apartment and then to the couch. Maria's steps were shaky, relying on Rhys' support to stay on her feet. It was... reassuring. Knowing that he was holding onto her, supporting her. If there was one person she knew wouldn't take advantage of this situation, it was ironically Rhys. Maybe it was because he at least knew part of her past, and knew things about her that she didn't share with others. If she was going to appear weak in front of anyone, it might as well be someone that had already seen that side of her.
It took a moment for Maria to realize that they were at his apartment. She was sitting on the couch by the time she realized, and he was asking her a question. She blinked at him, trying to focus on his words. "....." Her chest was starting to hurt from how slow her heart beat felt and how difficult it was to breath. Like a heavy weight on her chest. Weakly, she finally shook her head just a little. No. The whole night was a blur, so many drinks that she wasn't even sure who any of the people had been. She lay there on the couch, draping her arm over her eyes and letting out a heavy breath. "-Don't...." she started, though it was a fight to get the words out. She needed to tell him what to watch out for. "stop breathing..... fall asleep..... -et..... get help." She hoped, that, while it was jumbled he'd get the message. Either of those symptoms would mean potential overdose. As long as neither happened, her body would (eventually) get rid of the drugs.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 1, 2020 22:51:01 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 1, 2020 22:51:01 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Maria was dazed, Rhys' brow was furrowed in concentration as he hoped she would answer his question. Retaliation toward the offender wouldn't undo what had been done but the concept of consent was important to him. He'd had choices taken away from him too many times in his own life, he didn't like to see it happen. She shook her head, this told him that she was able to understand him though with everything he supposed there were limits to her awareness. Her breathing seemed labored, which concerned him. The combination of substances must have caused that. Rhys looked away for a moment, he wondered what he could do. It was an unsettling feeling to feel helpless, that his only course of action was inaction as far as he knew but he looked back when she tried to speak.
Again, he looked focused. She only spoke a few words but he tried to make sense of them. It couldn't have been any different than any puzzle he encountered, right? Through her labored breaths she spoke, stop breathing, fall asleep, get help.. With her breathing so erratic he concluded it was the main concert at the moment. Her struggling to breath would get worse if she didn't stay awake, which meant Rhys was in for a long night. The fatigue he had felt earlier had disappeared when he received the text, ever since they both had gone from knowing enough about one another to knowing something from their deep and dark selves Rhys could say they were probably friends. And contrary to popular belief Slytherins did have the capability for loyalty especially to a person. It was still something he hoped differentiated him from someone like his father, where he would sit here and help instead of only looking for opportunities that helped himself.
He took a deep breath and sat on the ground next to the couch, he was tall enough to where he could still see her face and she could see his. "Alright, I'll sit with you." He'd make sure she was okay, or drag her to St Mungo's otherwise. Her arm closest to him was over her eyes while her other hand lay on her abdomen. He reached out and put his hand atop hers, as a way to let her know he was still there. Whatever Rhys was feeling at that moment wasn't registering as all he felt was focused. "I'm here."
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 1, 2020 23:07:39 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2020 23:07:39 GMT -7
Maria knew that it would be a rough night. The drugs alone were making the side effects of the intoxication far worse, and adding their own. Then once the drugs and alcohol left her system she’d be in for the ultimate hangover. She should have considered how he might feel about having to keep an eye on her, but that hadn’t really crossed her mind yet. She’d just known that, when roofied you needed to be near someone you trusted. Because right now? You could probably talk her into anything. If she hadn’t been so drunk already that is. At the very least, her inhibitions were completely shattered. That was why drugs like this were called date rape drugs. Because they made the person very susceptible.
There was a soft pressure on her hand and almost instinctively she shifted her hand a little, lightly clasping Rhys’s hand. He better not take it personally. She just wanted the contact right now. To help ground her. Totally had nothing to do with feeling like absolute shit and wanting some sort of comfort. Nope. None at all. ”Say something.... anything...... too quiet....” Maria wanted something to focus on. Something not the spinning, nausea, or difficulty breathing.
Maria uncovered her eyes, blinking the spots away as he came into focus. Sitting next to her. It couldn’t be comfortable. But there he was. With her, as if standing watch. Her stomach turned though it wasn’t just from the nausea This time. She put her arm back across her eyes, closing them again. ”... Sorry...” No doubt she’d ruined whatever planned he had tonight.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 1, 2020 23:37:29 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 1, 2020 23:37:29 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Rhys felt her hand move, not away from him as he might have expected from her all things considered. There was this unspoken game they were playing already where any contact that wasn't in a heatful moment was rebuffed. The thing was it just happened, Rhys never did it on purpose and neither did she but once it was realized then it was gone. So, Rhys touching her had innocently he almost expected Maria to pull her hand away from his but she shifted to loosely grab it instead. Rhys only felt slight relief as it was a sign of life as well. Humans were creatures of comfort, even them. Rhys and Maria had found in one another a fellow person that preferred comfort in a specific way, and that way wasn't talking about, it wasn't even acknowledging it but just physical expression of all their dark emotions instead. They were never supposed to know why but now they did.
She spoke again, still slurred and in a daze--asking him to speak. Rhys paused, he didn't know what to say but he watched as she moved her arm to unblock her vision but then she put it back just as fast, apologizing afterwards. Though he didn't know what she was apologizing for specifically, but even having only known her in this capacity for this long he could only imagine she hated feeling this way let alone in front of him. "It's alright." He cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say and it was moments like this he drew a blank. His intellect was telling him to just recite facts, maybe a potions recipe or what passages he had randomly memorized from Hogwarts: A History but he suspected that would not help the goal of keeping her away. So, what was the next best thing? Well, he supposed he could talk about himself.
Rhys took a breath, "I um, ahem, you know all the qualifications to be a Curse Breaker you can also be an Auror or even a Hit Wizard I think." Rhys began, maybe she remembered or maybe she didn't. "I meet all of them I think, I applied during my last year at school." Rhys paused again, why was was this the first fucking thing that popped in his head. "They didn't take me. I'm not sure why, but I have a guess." Again he cleared his throat, staring at the side of the couch. "Anyway, Curse Breaking worked out better. I get to travel, see interesting things, get whiskey from different places." He said with a small smile, even if she couldn't see him.
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 2, 2020 15:00:49 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2020 15:00:49 GMT -7
Maybe it was the drugs and alcohol talking, but Maria didn't feeling like "acting brave" right now. Like she was above the world, and nothing could hurt her. Like needing people was beneath her. And it was. Most the time. Except, you know. When someone decided to mess with Maria and she wasn't able to defend herself. It was a tough pill to swallow, but Maria really didn't know who she would have turned to otherwise in this situation. Adonia, maybe? But they weren't really... sentimental. Sure, Adonia was Maria's oldest friend, but they didn't go to each other for comfort. Viola was just a memory in Maria's mind now. Daniel... Well, Maria hadn't seen Daniel in a while as he was busy with his girlfriend. That ruled out everyone (alive) that Maria had really felt close to on a deeper level. Though, she was close to Rhys. As much as she wouldn't (or rather, couldn't) believe it.
Maria focused on breathing, listening to him speak about curse breaking, aurors, and hit wizards. The words were a jumbled mess in her head, trying to form into understandable sentences but partially lost in translation. "Shame... could have... made for fun... roleplay," she muttered as he said they didn't accept his application. Even on a serious topic such as that, she'd somehow twisted it to be sexual. Though, to be honest, that was most definitely the drugs talking. Lower inhibitions. "Ugh, don't.... listen to me..... not right mind...." She let out a heavy sigh. "Didn't.... Didn't know you... curse breaker." She hadn't really considered what he did for work. Obviously, he knew at least part of what she did, but they'd never outright talked about it.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 3, 2020 0:04:50 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 3, 2020 0:04:50 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Rhys realized she didn't know what he did for work but he also realized that he'd never brought it up. Even that first night he'd mentioned traveling and that was about it. Even with all that was happening to her she tried to crack a joke and he couldn't help but half smile. She wasn't wrong, but he figured she was probably trying to distract herself. Really, him talking about himself felt odd as he wasn't really one to do that but she needed some kind of distraction and anything else he thought about wouldn't keep her awake. "I suppose we never do much talking..." He commented, trailing off a bit. It made him wonder, being here with her in such a state why had she called him. He had joked before that after the incident with the Howler they were friends now but it had been something he had actually thought about. That wasn't what Rhys had wanted, in had enraged him those first few times how easily he'd lost his inhibitions around her. The comfortable sense of control he'd been used to had just gone out the window and the anxiety was left behind when he calmed. Were they friends now? Rhys wasn't sure how to justify it when his friends never left him so incensed.
"I travel a lot." Rhys continued, she had asked him to keep talking so he did continuing on about Curse Breaking. "And it can be a lot more dangerous than it sounds sometimes." It was the adventurers dream job but also one who wanted to escape, Rhys knew he was the latter as much as he didn't want to admit it. Despite desperately wanting certain things in his life he almost pushed them away--love, family, security. The one flaw in his armor and ambition, where the balance between risk and reward was too high. He'd already lost one great love out of an extreme fear she would leave him, and he stayed alone since it was easier that way. "Schedule is flexible though, which is good for my uh--you know." Even at twenty five Rhys found he had tough time saying the world out loud, werewolf, the verbal expression of such things was different than just knowing. He knew he had put his hand on hers as a comfort, but it served a dual purpose as he continued on with personal details. It was rare for him to let someone in so willingly, but for now he pushed that thought aside.
"I'm actually not usually home this time of year, I'm usually home for the Holidays." The quarantine had altered his work schedule, fortunately he'd worked so much over the past seven years that a decline in work hadn't effected him severely. Gave him more time with friends and his siblings he didn't see as often as he liked. Although he didn't date much he still had entanglements. Maria was one of them, when he was feeling particularly frustrated and or solemn or just had a fight with his other entanglement. It was a strange cycle--Maria helped him act on those feelings, the ones he usually bottled up. Deva was.....well she was someone who he hadn't been able to let go and selfishly he indulged that as long as she would let him. Rhys did care for her even if did nothing but upset her. Rhys paused for a second, would she remember what he was telling her? It was a risk but even if they weren't friends he couldn't see Maria betraying him with this information. "When I was a kid I always wanted to play Quidditch too. But I guess I was just more interested in books."
Rhys took his time talking to her, just so he wouldn't run out of things. He talked about how he was raised in an Orphanage that wasn't bad but while his physical well being was fine, his emotional was hardly addressed. School had surprised him because he found friends in unlikely people such as those victimized by his father, who didn't hold that against him while others judged him unfairly for his existence. He didn't talk about his siblings, figuring she'd rather feel like this than hear him talk positively about his sisters who she hadn't gotten along with. But, everything else was fair game. He talked about how he'd actually dated someone in his sixth year but hadn't given it a chance. She would respond now and then and ask her easy questions to keep her awake and talking, the hours seemed to melt away.
[time lapse thingy]
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 5, 2020 9:54:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2020 9:54:04 GMT -7
The night was.... rough to say the least. As the drugs and alcohol worked their way out of her system. There were a few near scares where Maria had almost fallen asleep, but a rough shake was enough to bring her back to consciousness. His talking helped keep her foggy attention, giving her something to focus on instead of just how shitty she felt. The water and trash can had also been smart ideas, as after an hour or so Maria had started throwing up, her body finally going into overdrive to try to expel the drugs. Then, the chill had started and that had been no fun at all, her body unable to decide if it was hot or cold and going from one extreme to the other.
It wasn't until around 5am that the worst seemed to have past. Maria's stomach finally settled and her breathing was back to normal. Her heart rate started to pick back up to a normal pace, and the chills past. The fog in her mind started to lift. Maria was used to late nights, but this particular night had left her thoroughly exhausted. So, when her head was clear enough to finally know that it was passing it was a welcome relief (probably to Rhys as well, bless his soul for staying awake with her).
They were still out on Rhys' couch. Though uncomfortable, that's where Rhys had put her when the night started and that's where they'd stayed. Though, Rhys had eventually joined her up on the couch. Her back was against his chest, his arms around her. Maria would like to think it was because she'd last had chills, and he'd just been trying to help her stay warm. Though, she hadn't complained or tried to move away when her head cleared.
Rhys' breathing was slow and even. Was he asleep? He deserved it after last night. Maria, despite severe exhaustion, couldn't fall asleep. The pounding in her head was making damn sure of that. It was like her head was being squeeze tightly, and then also being hit with a hammer at the same time. Ugh, the double whammy of alcohol and drugs. It was bad enough to make you reconsider doing either ever again (though lets be honest, it wouldn't stop her drinking).
"Thanks... Rhys...." Her voice was barely even a whisper. She didn't want him to hear, but she also felt a need to thank him for what he'd done for her.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 5, 2020 16:04:46 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 5, 2020 16:04:46 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
It had been a long night, Rhys found he actually had a lot to talk about in his attempt to keep her awake until everything started to pass through her system and she was out of any danger. There was a lot that Rhys had kept buried for his own sanity and there had been a sense of relief when he spoke about his time at the orphanage and how he'd been stuck there till he turned 17 which had been about a week before the start of his seventh year and then he never had to go back to that place again but then after he graduated there had been a sense of loss. School had been somewhere he belonged and now he was in the real world, no home, nothing. Rhys brought up friends from school, since Maria hadn't attended Hogwarts he wasn't sure if anyone he was familiar with and even a mention of Deva although he didn't mention their ongoing affair. A few times Rhys had to shake her awake gently, the effect of the drug and alcohol still slowly wearing off until she finally started throwing up. It wasn't anything that bothered Rhys and thankfully with magic messes were easily cleaned up and if it got it out of her system then that was best. After a while though she had turned feverish and though Rhys probably had some potions around for that with the state of her stomach it wasn't a guarantee that should have kept it down.
Her shivering had concerned him and this action had served a dual purpose, he wasn't very comfortable sitting on the floor and this way he could monitor her easier and hopefully help her be more comfortable. Rhys had stood up and slid onto the couch behind her so she was against his chest. She felt a little warm but hopefully his body heat made her more comfortable. By this point her breathing had steadied and he was less concerned about an overdose, although he supposed it was entering the dreaded hangover stage. It wasn't going to be any hangover like he'd ever had and hopefully she never would again. Rhys settled and at least here he could feel if something was wrong, if her breathing slowed or anything like that. But the combination of not having slept a few nights now, being off the floor and her body heat against his had tested any ability he had to stay awake himself. Maria had been right when she'd said he 'slept better with someone close'. After holding out as long as he could he felt himself slip into an exhausted and almost dreamless sleep. The nightmares had been bad this past month and he couldn't figure out why, the only thing different was the potion but he couldn't think why that would cause an issue.
Rhys suddenly twitched or jerked slightly and he opened his eyes. It was the same feeling as when you were falling asleep and your body jerked you awake for no reason. Though he opened his eyes, not sure what time it was or how long he'd been asleep for though his eyes felt dry so it couldn't have been for very long. Instinctively, he looked down at the woman in his arms--she was breathing still, good. He wasn't sure if she was awake but he moved his arms a little tighter around her, he didn't know why but probably just as a reminder he was still there. "You awake?" He whispered, she would need her rest now that she seemed past the worst of it. "How you feeling?"
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 5, 2020 16:33:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2020 16:33:28 GMT -7
Rhys really was asleep, thank god. She just listened to him breath, feeling him draw each breath. It was soothing. While maybe not with others, Rhys wasn't known for being "peaceful" around Maria. When he was asleep was the most peaceful Maria ever saw him. And currently, that peacefulness was a welcome relief. She counted his breaths, focusing on it instead of her own pounding head. Perhaps it would eventually help lull her into her own, desperately wanted, sleep. But alas, Maria knew sleep wouldn't come easily. Despite her severe exhaustion her mind was wound up too tight. Like a spring ready to explode, but unable to. The pressure was excruciating.
Then, a jolt. If they hadn't been so close Maria might not have felt it. She opened her own eyes, painfully blinking in the apartment. The morning light starting to peak through the curtains. It hurt, and she squeezed her eyes shut, head pounding even harder. "Yes..." She wanted to be sarcastic, or muster up some other response, but that was all she managed, her throat dry from her body's rejection of any sort of liquid. His second question took longer to think through. She shifted just a little, snuggling back into his chest and burying her face in the couch cushion. "Like I'm going to die," was her muffled response.
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rhys alexander greyback
HOGWARTS ALUM WEREWOLF CURSEBREAKER ECHO
1,138 posts
played by vanessa
the air around me still feels like a cage
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last online Mar 28, 2024 1:27:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 5, 2020 21:44:04 GMT -7
Post by rhys alexander greyback on Oct 5, 2020 21:44:04 GMT -7
you're just a ghost of blissful feelings a cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
October 12, 2025 @maria
Rhys was exhausted, but he felt surprisingly calm but that could have been because he had just woken up and he was a bit groggy since the duration had been so short. Still, despite the couch not being the most comfortable place he still felt...comfortable. Rhys heard her respond to him, albeit the pain obvious in her voice. He felt her shift and closer to the side of the couch where she responded to him in the same tone as before. Again, he couldn't imagine what a hangover from that combination of things must have felt like so he stifled the urge to chuckle at the sight before him. Rhys just had to remind himself it wasn't a comical situation, someone had tried to target her in order to take something--to take advantage. He wasn't naïve to think that it didn't happen or attempt to happen but it still sickened him nonetheless. Rhys reached a hand up to rub his eyes, he could only imagine how the shadows under eyes looked but he would be fine. Knowing she was fine made him feel a bit more relaxed.
"If you think you can keep it down, I think I have a hangover potion that might help a bit." Rhys said, his voice was low as he had noticed how she had responded to the light sneaking into the living room, it was likely the same with noise. Rhys shifted a bit again, she was snuggled into his chest and he hesitated to have that change. "Um, we can move to the room if you want. Less light and you can rest." He wasn't sure if it would make a difference but he could keep an eye on her there easier than in here and she could sleep this off. Moving might have been asking a lot, but he'd help her if she would let him. Something told him she would. This was the first night they'd spent together that didn't involved sleeping with one another and her usual façade and mask wasn't up. Maria was vulnerable, her usual defenses had been brought down as shown by where they were at that moment. She had woken up in his arms and whether it was because she physically couldn't or didn't want to she didn't immediately leap away as she usually did. Still, he didn't think too much about it at that moment.
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last online Mar 28, 2024 16:41:55 GMT -7
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Oct 6, 2020 9:01:07 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2020 9:01:07 GMT -7
Rhys moved his hand. The spot where it had been a moment before chilled, as if missing the physical contact. Maria closed her eyes and tried to focus on something else. It wasn't hard when you had the worst hangover of your life. His comment, while much appreciated, just reminded Maria of how shitty she felt. Oh, she wanted a hangover potion, definitely. But, the "keep it down" part was the real problem. Her stomach knotted at the thought of trying to drink something. While she knew it would make her feel better, he was right to wonder if she'd even be able to keep it down. Maria didn't respond immediately, wondering herself if she dared. "....ugh.... later." She finally grumbled. Just wasn't a good idea right now.
If she could sleep, she would. Just fall asleep against him. Knowing that, for once in a very long time... she wasn't alone. A strange feeling. One she'd never expected to have around Rhys. They had a purely physical relationship, after all. If she wasn't in so goddamn much pain, she might have been appalled at herself for being in this situation. She would have run away. But she didn't have the strength or will to change any of this. Didn't think about the fact that he was seeing her in such a vulnerable state. So, his suggestion of moving to his room was, momentarily, annoying. She was comfortable here, why change it? Though the prospect of less light was too tempting. "Okay..."
Sluggishly, Maria sat up, moving slowly to stop her head from spinning or stomach from knotting even worse. While the alcohol and drugs and worn off the nasty hangover was just as resistant to movement. She planted her hands on the seat cushions, as if to steady herself and took a few deep breaths. This was definitely going to hurt, her head pounding much worse now that she was upright. "Oh, god....." she muttered under her breath, "Definitely... Definitely going to die..."
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