Havenwood, NY

It had started Wednesday when renovations in the store and flat next door began. In hindsight (ha!), Declan should've known things would get progressively worse as the solstice drew closer, but more often than not the more attention you gave a spirit the more power you gave them. At least, that had been his experience. Things were always different here in Havenwood. Perhaps it was the leylines, perhaps it was the fact that the town sat near a faerie portal. Who really knew? What started out as harmless cold spots, wall scratching, and lights flickering had progressed to object displacement and then object throwing as of that afternoon when Declan had jumped into action.

He had been playfully flirting with Ms. Lautari in the shop as they were returning items to the shelves when he sensed a book careening toward them. Declan grabbed Prudence, narrowly avoiding the book but the two had crashed into the nearest bookcase as a result, disturbing it's contents; A small cauldron toppled off the top shelf, using Declan's head to cushion its fall. Suffice it to say, it appeared as if the witch would need stitches after the gifted woman had cleaned the gash on his head so off the two went to Havenwood General.

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After being on the run for three days straight and dropping in on his childhood friend—Literally—Ben slept for nearly three days straight once he'd gotten settled at Anya's. Not only did the injuries he incurred falling onto Zee's roof take its toll, but the silver in his body had nearly sapped everything he had. Ben only woke long enough to use the bathroom or eat or drink something at Anya's insistence. When he finally opened his eyes on the third day, it was to see a sun high in the sky filtered through a pair of sheer curtains. Relief flooded through him. He had half-wondered if the last three days had been a dream and now that he was awake to see it, the feeling of safety that went through him like a wave threatened to nearly overwhelm him. In that moment, he wished his twin was there because he sure as hell could use a hug from Alex. Someone needed to tell him it was okay now. Someone needed to pinch him. Deep down, though, he knew this feeling was only going to be temporary.

The Taiga would come for their pound of flesh. Especially if they knew not one, but two, that had escaped their clutches were residing in the sleepy little town of Havenwood. At this thought, Ben heaved a sigh and turned his attention to the room.

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Declan had found early on in his rather long life that a routine helped combat the feeling of hopelessness that sometimes plagued him; When the years and years ahead of him became too much. When he could concentrate on the next step and ask himself, What next?, life tended to be a bit more bearable until he got out of his slump. That Monday morning, however, would prove to be a dreary one judging from the blissful sound of rain assaulting his windows. Most would take the weather as an unpleasant sign, but Declan loved the sound—the feel—of the rain.

Loaf Around, the local coffee and pastry shop, was right across the street to The Nameless Page so he was hardly soaked by the rain but there was enough falling from the sky that when he crossed the threshold with a spring in his step, Declan had to shake some of it from his coat. Hearing footsteps, the witch side-stepped out of the way as he took a moment to assess his surroundings. With the rain creating white noise in the background, helping to filter the day-to-day sounds from outside, Declan could hear the routine sounds better inside.

He could hear the clatter of baking sheets being stacked in the kitchen despite the door being closed; He could smell the dough as it was worked and molded into what would be delicious creations for the afternoon crowd; He could smell and taste the salt in the air along the sugar from the cane that was used or the various berries for jams and filling. The smell of coffee beans was ever present, underlying, and pungent; A coffee lovers dream. Laughter toward the back, where you ordered, told him the usual morning staff were present. A smile curved his mouth; In all, it was a typical morning and with a swing of his cane, Declan moved toward the counter to order his usual.