Leon Vincent (voodoowho) wrote in st_margarets, @ 2015-01-30 18:35:00 |
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Entry tags: | character: leon vincent, character: lilie hoch, location: around town |
Thread: Rites
WHO: Leon Vincent & Lilie Hoch
WHEN: Friday night
WHERE: Camden post office, The Raconteur
Leon only had fifteen more minutes before the post office closed for the night and he was rushing. The new vampire didn't fade into mist to transport himself faster to his destination this time, and he didn't run at faster-than-human speeds from St. Margaret's to Camden. He told himself it would not be the worst thing if he had to wait until tomorrow to get to the safe deposit box to retrieve his stashed items. It wouldn't be the worst thing if he had to wait another year. Another decade. Because the things waiting for him in the box were things from his past life. They were going to be reminders of all he used to be.
After the curse that had sealed Leon away from his sacred items and prevented him from sustaining his connection to the Loa, thus weakening his magic and his ability to keep his guards up and the evil spirits out, Leon had taken the precaution to store back ups in Camden. The idea was that if he were ever unable to return to his dorm at Hydra House that he'd still be able to perform his rituals and commune with the gods. The box, Leon hoped, had been left untouched when the Houngan came and took all of his personal and holy relics after Leon had been turned into an abomination to the Balance. Much like the active voodoo doll of Mickey that Leon still kept safe, these items would need to be properly disposed of before they could be effectively disabled.
Leon had waited a month before he felt ready to face this task, and he'd tried to explain the importance of it to Andrei, more through feelings that were communicated through their bond than with actual words, and his sire had given him the confidence to go.
The road turned and Leon rounded on the town, walking at a steady pace towards his goal. He'd just pick them up, he thought to himself. Pick them up and carry them back. He didn't have to deal with them until tomorrow, but he could at least pick them up.
The post office worker was closing up as Leon stepped up to the door. He hesitated there, just outside the door, taking a step back. Maybe he should have asked Andrei to come, after all. Andrei always made him feel stronger. Steady. Even when he was feeling the heartache that always came when he saw Mickey laughing in the hall with his friends. Not because he was upset that Mickey was doing well, but that he knew he was not. This face Mickey wore to class was not entirely accurate. Leon didn't dwell on it for long, but he knew that if Mickey had been there with him that walking inside to retrieve the last pieces of his past life wouldn't be so bad.
Unfortunately, Mickey had become one of those pieces that had shattered when Leon's world changed and he needed him the most.
Leon made the final steps inside, bracing himself and ducking past the clerk who gave him a dirty look for coming in last minute. The row of safety deposit boxes were in the back and in a separate room and Leon was in there with his key for only a few minutes before he emerged. The clerk watched him leave and Leon didn't look up or even glance at the human as he pushed the door open and walked out onto the cold streets again. The cold blast of air against his skin should have been restoring, but it was just wind.
The canvas satchel was pulled over one shoulder, the strap across his chest in a familiar way that Leon used to wear it. His voodoo days were done, but there were some bones he still had yet to bury, both literal and metaphorical. The bag hung heavily, Leon's fingers closed around the strap that crossed his chest and he tried not to think about the contents. Tomorrow he would be the undertaker and bury the past once and for all.
Leon's long legs carried him down the sidewalk back towards the school. It was a Friday night and the town's small population still gathered around town during the weekends. There were movies to see, parties to go to, bar tabs to fill, and music to dance to. But Leon walked alone, looking forward with a steady gaze and no mist of warm breath leaving his mouth like the other pedestrians.