go through the motions || VICTORIA

[MAKENZIE EVE MYERS]

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[style=width: 342px; height: 200px; padding: 3px 3px 6px 3px; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; COLOR: 414141; text-align: justify; overflow: auto;]Thump, thump, thump, thump...

Makenzie strangely enjoyed hearing the sound of her heart pounding in her ears as she ran. It seemed to prove she was actually getting some benefit out of the activity, although that much was clear enough from her lithe figure. Still, getting her heart rate up at least once a day was one of the goals she'd set for herself a long while ago, back when she'd run away from her father and his domineering ways. She hadn't really been allowed to go out and do what she wanted anytime that she wanted, adult or not. Though she'd simply say she preferred the cooler temperature that was likely the underlying reason behind her often choosing to run at night. Just knowing her father (and quite a few other people in her hometown) would disapprove of it simply made it all the more satisfying. There would be those that would argue a woman running after dark by herself was not the wisest decision and she supposed that was true enough but then again she wasn't your ordinary woman.

It was only early evening on this particular day though and the sun was still quite visible in the sky. Thankfully it wasn't too hot either or the activity might have been less enjoyable than it Kenzie was currently finding it to be. Honestly though nothing much bothered her when it came to going for a run. Rain, darkness, snow she really didn't care about the conditions just so long as she could get outside. It was something she'd started doing back in Kentucky after work to get her mind off of things and it soon became her go to choice for clearing her head. The Spa had been particularly busy today and she'd been booked solid with appointments from the time she opened to the time she left. Not that she was complaining about it seeing as a flourishing business is what she'd worked so hard to create. It did, however, tend to wear one out after a week of nonstop going going going not to mention the other responsibilities she had to her pack.

The whole incident with Harper getting kidnapped by the radical group had shaken her up a little more than she would have liked to admit. There had been a moment when she wasn't sure they would be able to get her out alive and she had almost met her end there ensuring all of her girls made it to safety. Wyatt Montgomery had proven to be a good ally though and came back to get her out just in the nick of time. She might not have cared much for the alpha of the male pack much as a person but her respect for him had certainly risen a bit after that day. Whether or not it was mutual she couldn't say but they had gotten on a bit better since then. Not that she was anywhere close to calling him a friend by any stretch of the imagination but it was a step forward at least. As much as she liked to think she had it all together there were times she knew that was hardly true. Though not every night since that day she had woken up the past two from nightmares about it. Ones where they didn't reach Harper in time or one of her girls was killed by the radicals.

It left her feeling unsettled even if she did realize they weren't real and it was all ok now. The best way she could think to clear that out of her mind was to throw herself into work and make sure she went for a nice long run every evening. Eventually they'd go away just like all of the other ones had through the years. Reaching an intersection she crossed it quickly while the traffic light was red, intending on taking a left and heading back to her apartment at that point. A sound caught her attention though and thanks to her enhanced hearing ability she caught the sound of words and the strum of guitar. Curious she took a right instead, heading towards where it was coming from and slowed her jog to a walk as she got close enough to finally see the person responsible for the music. A small group of people had gathered, some sticking around for a few minutes others appearing to have been there longer than that. All of them were enjoying the melody though it appeared and Kenzie stopped around the outer fringe of the group, leaning against a streetlight. The girl had a beautiful voice and it was easy to get lost for a moment in the music.

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[style=width: 290px; font-family: arial; padding: 4px; font-size: 8px; color: 414141; text-align: justify;]this template was tagged for VICTORIA/JURATE, it has ENOUGH WORDS. i just want to say HOPE THIS IS OK AND SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG <3. this template was made by gabby of caution

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[VICTORIA MOLLY HAGAN]

when we were young
[style=font-family: arial;font-size: 10px; color: #45484B; width: 250px; height: 200px; overflow: auto; text-align:justify;]Music was something that Victoria revelled in. It was an escape, a blanket of comfort as it had always been whenever she was in a bad place. Therefore she handled her guitar with the utmost love, something that she hadn't even shown her lover. Smooth, soft touches to the neck of the guitar and the strings, her voice accompanying the music. She was a pretty good singer, or so she was told.

She never really audition for anything, but she just made sure that people on the street heard her music. Marco didn't like it when she did that. But then, he didn't like many of the things that she did and Victoria wouldn't give something up that she loves for the fear that he was going to get violent. Or so Harmony advised. Sometimes Harmony seemed so real, like she was just there but from a young age, the girl knew she shouldn't talk to Harmony in front of people. They couldn't see her, yet she was so real.

The street was busy with people, and many looked upon her in curiosity as well as disgust as she set up. Really, she didn't quite need the money, but she just wanted to do this because she loved music. However, she could always use some extra money. She didn't work, not really, because it wasn't something that Marco approved of, but this was the thing that she did that was worth any consequences. With a small smile Victoria picked up her instrument, strumming a few chords.

Her dark hair was thick around her shoulders, blowing in the wind and in her eyes a little but she didn't need to see to be able to play. She knew the rhythms and the songs by heart, because she wrote them. Usually, her song writing was evident in the lowest points of her life. But not all of them were depressing. She didn't have any issues writing about hope, or happiness, or other silly little things that make her think about anything other than the things she wants to escape from. Sometimes she really wished that her parents were still alive. She genuinely believed that she could be happier.

None the less, she carried on with the music. She started her song, voice soft before becoming higher, hitting the chorus. Some people become shy when performing in front of an audience, but most of Victoria's life was to perform in front of an audience. To pretend that she was okay and that she was sane. She knew her diagnosis, but she didn't like people looking at her weirdly because of it so she tried as hard as she could to not drive people away from being out of it. It was hard sometimes, because she was lost between the two words, between Marco and Harmony and sometimes she just needed neither.

Victoria sang a few songs. Smiling brightly at those that came to watch her show. She didn't like to just stand there, she moved and danced with the little children who were happy to be able to mess about with some music around them. She looked like the epitome of happiness, but didn't the saddest people usually do? She had gathered quite the crowd now, her violet eyes meeting many of those around her on a personal level. Victoria sometimes really hoped that the violet meant something, and that it wasn't simply another thing that was wrong about her.

When she was done with her fifth song, she felt like having a break. With an apologetic smile, she put her guitar down, noting that there was a decent amount of money given to her in the guitar case. However, the next thing that Vicky knew, was that she had fell to the floor at the impact of someone shoving into her hard, and the sound of her guitar case being stolen with a clang of coins threw her off. It took her a moment to orientate herself into reality, and by then the thief was quite a ways away.

"Stop!" She shouted loudly, getting on her feet with the help of someone next to her, but she could only breathe a quick thank you before she was off chasing. With no avail though, and she didn't want her guitar stolen, so out of breath, she went back to the places where she had performed, a frown creased in her forehead as to hos someone could do something like that. Well, at least she still had her guitar, and she hoped that they were one of those people that stole for a reason. She could understand if they needed to feed family and all. But now she'd never know. She sat on the pavement, and bit her lip as she placed her guitar on her lap, just taking some time to breathe.

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thanks bby ♥

[MAKENZIE EVE MYERS]

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[style=width: 342px; height: 200px; padding: 3px 3px 6px 3px; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; COLOR: 414141; text-align: justify; overflow: auto;]There were times Kenzie wished she had some sort of musical ability or talent. Growing up she'd been given piano lessons, or rather forced to take them, and honestly she hadn't enjoyed them all that much. Most of that though she blamed on her teacher who was a stuffy old woman who insisted on teaching her only hymns or christmas carols and nothing more. She'd secretly learned a few different songs behind the woman's back but as she really didn't have any born talent it wasn't something she kept up with as she got older and she doubted she could play anything more than your basic beginner songs at this point. Singing was also not a strong suit for the young woman. Her voice wasn't horrible mind you but beyond being able to carry a tune well enough to perform decently at karoke night or what have you there wasn't anything spectacular about it.

This girl though, the one with the guitar, she had a beautiful singing voice. Smooth and full it was really quite enjoyable to hear. Clearly the rest of the medium sized crowd that had gathered thought so as well, some swaying with the tune, others closing their eyes for a moment to block out everything else around them but the music. A young couple in front of her leaned in closer to each other and the man wrapped his arm around the woman's shoulders, their hands finding each other and intertwining. A strange sort of longing suddenly ached in Makenzie's chest, suprising her actually. She had never been the type of girl who daydreamed about prince charmings and shining knights sweeping her off her feet. Didn't even believe they existed really, not from her experience at least. Yes there were good men out there she wasn't so cynical that she couldn't admit that much but as far as any of them coming for her, well it wasn't something she put too much hope in happening.

She had a good life going for her as it was with her pack, her spa and the friends she'd made here in the city over the last few years. Adding a man to that equation would likely make things more complicated than it was worth anyway. She couldn't actually remember the last time she'd been out on a real date. There was the man she'd met just last week at the pool. Cyrus Lennox was his name and though he'd been pleasant and a perfect gentleman she wasn't holding her breath. Purposefully shifting her focus from the couple at that point she returned her attention to the song still being performed until it finally came to an end. Deciding she had stood there long enough she pushed away from the street light and picked up her jog again figuring she'd head home and get some cleaning done at the spa. At a glance the place looked nothing but pristine but to Kenzie's eyes there were nooks and crannies that could use a good dusting out and tonight seemed as good as any for that chore.

She hadn't gone very far though, just out of sight of where the street musician had been performing, when someone came up behind her, pushing past her rather rudely and almost knocking her off balance. "Hey, what the hell-" She growled out in irritation as the stranger moved past quickly, appearing to be in a great hurry. The sight of what they were carrying was what caught her attention most intently, recognizing the guitar case that had been sitting at the singer's feet. What a bastard. Already pissed at being slammed into like she had Kenzie quirked an eyebrow upward. She could use a good sprint. Breaking into a fast jog she went after the thief who was going quite fast but was hampered a bit by the bulky case which worked to Kenzie's advantage. They had just entered a small park and the path split to go around a small fountain in the center of it which gave her an idea. Picking up her pace she went on the other side as the guy she was chasing, keeping her eye on him to make sure he didn't take off another direction. He didn't and her plan worked to perfection as she came out just ahead of him where the path merged together again, lowering her body into a slide of sorts and knocking his feet out from under him.

The guitar case went flying as he went down and Makenzie got back to her feet and ran over to grab it but was stopped short of walking away with it as the man grabbed the end of it, still not ready to give up it would seem. Yeah she didn't have time for this shit. Spinning around she landed a solid punch to his face and he dropped to the ground. Smiling with satisfaction only then did she notice the stares she was receiving from the other people around them. Shrugging she glanced at the man. "Asshole stole my friend's guitar case," With that she turned and headed back out the way she had come and as she got closer to where the girl had been singing earlier hoped she was still there. Ah, phew yes there she was. She appeared to be about ready to leave and Kenzie hurried up a bit. "Hey!" She called out, slowing to a stop beside the other woman finally. "I think this is yours," Holding out the case she added quickly, "Or at least I hope it is because I just slugged a man in front of about five children getting it back,"

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[style=width: 290px; font-family: arial; padding: 4px; font-size: 8px; color: 414141; text-align: justify;]this template was tagged for VICTORIA/JURATE, it has ENOUGH WORDS. i just want to say HOPE THIS IS OK AND SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG <3. this template was made by gabby of caution

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[VICTORIA MOLLY HAGAN]

when we were young
[style=font-family: arial;font-size: 10px; color: #45484B; width: 250px; height: 200px; overflow: auto; text-align:justify;]Vicky was in a dream world a lot o the time, that was no secret, but reality always shook her out of it. Thus, the man that had been running and stole her guitar, well, that shook her back into reality in no time. Victoria froze when that happened, not being able to move for the shock of the situation. Everything had been going so well, but it was like she was having a panic attack. Not because her guitar was stolen, but because the breath was knocked out of her like it had been all those years ago when she was only a child. It also reminded her how bad some people could be, and that shook Vicky with an irrational fear that she hadn’t felt moments ago. Her violet eyes followed the running man, but then she frowned, to watch a woman who she’d noticed stop listen to her, well, she seemed to be running after the man. Victoria watched intently, holding her breath to see what would happen, yet, to her surprise, she saw the man fall to the ground and the girl was taking the case, and Vicky felt like a weight was lifted off her chest.

That guitar certainly was important to her. It was the only thing that grounded her anymore. It was the only thing that kept any of her mind on this earth, and because she’s had it since her parents were killed, well, she was certainly grateful to the woman who did it without being asked. Her eyes were wide with wonder as the woman ran up to her, the other people having dispersed, And her hand shook as she raised it to take grip of the handle. “I ... um ...” She was at a loss for words for a moment, because honestly, not many people would have done that for her, let alone a complete stranger. “I don’t know what to say ...” She said, violet eyes looking straight at the girl next to her, taking in the black hair and the freckles on her cheeks. She was certainly pretty. A pretty that made her stand out as something special, though Victoria didn’t yet know what because she was oblivious to the world and the supernaturals in it.

“Thank you. You honestly have no idea how much this means to me.” Victoria smiles, warmly, a genuine smile because she was genuinely thankful for what she’d done. In her life, and in her foster homes, Victoria had only really seen bad; there were bad men hurting girls, bad ladies hurting the kids, her foster homes being less than desirable because people were just so bad. It was so rare to find good in this world anymore, that Victoria knew that you were supposed to grip it and hold onto it tightly just so it doesn’t escape you. She didn’t want the girl to leave without being thanked properly, and even though her grip on her guitar case made her knuckles turn white, Vicky wanted to thank her somehow. Maybe, if the girl wasn’t busy, she wanted to make a friend. Friends never came easy to her, she was too flighty for people to want to be friends with her. She flinched from touches when she thought it was Marco, and she pushed people away, but this girl had a goodness in her that Vicky wanted to see more of.

“I hope the kids didn’t get too scared.” She said, suddenly worried about the kids but she shook her head, the smile returning onto her features. “Would you have time for a coffee? My treat, as a thank you for doing such an amazing thing for me?” She asked, completely giving the girl a choice to say no if she wanted to, but Vicky would feel so much better about this if she had the chance to repay her somehow, and a coffee seemed like a good start. Victoria shifted on her feet, a little worriedly that she wouldn’t be able to show her gratitude, but the next thing she knew she was sticking out her hand. “I’m Vicky by the way, just so you know, and I understand if you must be on your way ...” She spoke softly, biting her lower lip uncertainly, but there was a hope in her eyes.

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thanks bby ♥