Fantasy The Restart Rehab

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Nora

By the time Yuu and Nora got to the party Delphina was already gone. The party was so busy and most everyone was drunk so no one mentioned a crying Delphina. It was a little odd that she didn't see Delphina but she didn't give it much thought, she was probably off with Raven or something. So Nora tried to have a good time at the party, she had Yuu to hang around with still. He and his friends drank so Nora started to drink with them. Turns out, Nora was a bit of a light weight. Two beers in and the girl was buzzed, five beers later and a shot of something gross the boys made and she was drunk.

Nora ended up kissing Yuu. She also ended up asking him to come home with her. They took an Uber to her single dorm. Nora drunkenly confessed her feelings to him, one thing led to another and they hooked up. Thank god they were together when the morning news hit. Delphina's jeep was found empty 80 miles away from campus. Her phone was left in the car along with some personal effects. The cops on the case said there appeared to be a struggle on the beach and ruled that Delphina was kidnapped.

Things around campus became dark and depressing for the next few months. Delphina was kidnapped, Raven wasn't talking to them about anything. The bullying got worse. Nora started to get harassed more once her ex's suspension got lifted. The search for Delephina was slowing down, they couldn't keep pouring man hours into it when there was no leads. Everyone from the party was questioned. Delphina's parents were a mess, Nora spent endless hours with them to try and comfort them. Delphina's father wrote a letter of recommendation to Harvard Medical School for her, told her that she needed to do great things.

Nora never expected to get accepted to Harvard. That was huge for her. Nora reassured Yuu that their relationship wouldn't change, she loved him.

One year later

Medical school was easy compared to maintaining a long distance relationship. She still adored Yuu and loved him, but the time difference plus the busy schedule? It was so hard to talk to him on the phone regularly. Most of the time they got to text but it wasn't really the same. As much as she wanted to fly out to see him but she just didn't have the time. She felt like a terrible girlfriend, and an even worse friend to Delphina. Nora was too busy with her life to look for her but not a day went by that she didn't think of her pink hair and smile. The distance didn't dull that pain.

When Raven contacted her to come help look for Delphina she hesitated. Did she have time? Why look with him? Raven shut them out. But it was Delphina. Maybe if they were all together they could find her. When would they have the opportunity to do this again? Plus, she did miss Yuu. This would give him a chance to see him and find her friend. Nora apologized to her professors and, after an insane amount of pleading, got a week off. She got the ticket and told Yuu. He was busy when she landed so she told him she'd just meet him at the hotel.

Today was the day. Nora stood from the Uber and gave a small wave to the driver as she dragged her forest green suitcase behind her as she walked in. The bellboy took her bags, Nora checked in, and Nora walked to the conference room to wait for everyone. I'm here, see you when you get here babes, xoxo. Send. When were the others going to be here?

 

[Colt Voltage]

Everest

The party was fun, life was going to be okay. He didn't even notice Delphina running away crying. The day after? The world was different. Delphina was gone. Her disappearance became national news. Then it became a kidnapping. Everyone from the party was interrogated. Honestly, Everest felt like a failure as a teacher and a friend. He should have been there to watch over her but he was too busy enjoying the party.

Time marched on and Delphina still wasn't found. Castor, Yuu, and Viola graduated. Soon after Nora left to go to Harvard. Castor moved to Texas to play for the Cowboys, Viola stopped speaking to him. From the rumors she had moved on from him and gotten engaged, Everest just wanted her happy. He . Marisol ended up testing out to get her associates, and Raven refused to speak to anyone. In a blink of an eye everyone was gone. Once upon a time ago he was fine with being alone. He was born and raised an orphan, it was something he was used to. Now? Now walking around campus making meaningless conversation with random students made him feel lonely. Having no one to text, no one to talk to, he missed everyone. Hell, he missed being on the run with them. He missed Viola most of all.

Everest had slipped into a deep depression. Then one day he received a strange email from Marisol's mom- she had wanted him to go talk some sense into her daughter. Everest went and visited Marisol. After one visit he made the decisive decision to take a leave of absence from the college.

---

"You still sure about this?" Everest held the door open for Marisol as they walked into the hotel Raven had told them to meet up at. "We could go back to one of your cases. Didn't another rich woman hire you to follow her husband? Those are your favorite." This meeting made him nervous. Yes Everest wanted to find Delphina but what could any of them do? They don't know who took her or where they took her to. Plus, seeing the engaged Viola? He wasn't ready for that, hell he wasn't sure he'd ever be ready for that. Everest walked to the counter to check in, watched the bellhop take the bags, and took his key before making his way to the conference room.

"Nora?" Everest couldn't help but smile. "Welcome back. How has Harvard been treating you?" For the past year Everest hadn't seen anyone from the group save for Marisol. Hell, they were even roommates for the time being. He helped her with paperwork and her PI cases. "So Raven and Yuu aren't here yet? Don't they live locally?"

 

[Sir Damien]

Castor

Delphina's disappearance really shook everyone to the core. She was always so happy and bubbly and cheered everyone up, she even was able to warm Raven's heart. At least he still had Marisol and the others. Well, that was until Viola got engaged and Nora went to Harvard. Raven shut everyone out. Luckily right before he graduated a recruiter from the Cowboys came, had Castor sign with them. After graduation he promised Marisol he'd get a hold of her after training camp, social media and phones weren't allowed because they had to focus.

Training camp went great, he was on top of the world. This was his dream. He tried to get ahold of Marisol as soon as he could, and when he couldn't contact her he called her mom. It was then he found out what happened to Marisol, how she got a serous infection and her leg had to be amputated. Castor blamed himself. If he had been there nagging her about her leg maybe it would have never been infected. If he was there to at least listen to her on the phone maybe she would have said something about it. He didn't deserve Marisol.

Castor slipped into the comfort of booze. Football practice, late night of drinking, repeat. It drowned his sorrows and he didn't have to think about Marisol. Instead he started to become angry, getting into fights at bars and what not. Soon the drinking and fighting turned to daytime and Castor started to fight with his teammates. He was given the ultimatum to leave the team or go to Rehab.

So, fresh out of rehab, Castor was joining the others back in Portland. His therapist thought it would be good for him to rekindle his lost friendships. Thankfully this was downtime for the team so he didn't need anymore leave time. "You can do this. Three months in rehab and therapy? You're strong enough." Castor took a deep, calming breath as he checked in and got his key. He had to get to the conference room.

As he approached the conference room his heart beat faster than it did when he was fighting. He was extremely nervous. What if Marisol was there already? With another deep breath he walked into the room and looked at everyone, his eyes avoiding Marisol. "I, uh, good to see you guys..."

 

[ZombieBaee]

Marisol

Delphina's disappearance made everything that had been going well suddenly completely fell apart. Everyone got distant and Marisol thought she was handling life well but apparently she wasn't. Marisol's health was declining rapidly, at first she thought the pain in her leg was normal, she had kind of been overdoing it since she left the hospital. But one day the pain just got too bad for her to handle and she finally called her doctor, as soon as she described her symptoms she was called an ambulance and rushed to the ER. The staff that worked around her was amazing... tried everything they could. Maybe if she hadn't been an idiot and said something sooner they could have said something but, Marisol was already suspected as a sepsis case and the leg under her brace was necrotic. They ended up having to amputate her from the mid thigh town that night.

Marisol had made the decision not to tell anyone about what happened to her... the one person that she really wanted to talk to, to have to help her through all this... he was unreachable. And she would never forgive herself if Castor did something stupid and fucked up his opportunity because he was worried about her. This could wait until after his camp.

The only issue with that was... being cut off from everyone? Especially someone who had become your best friend... really put you in a funk after getting part of your body taken away. Marisol's mom grew concerned and decided to bring Everest into the picture. That was when Marisol got the idea. Going to classes was too hard when she was just now learning to walk on her prosthetic. Marisol was doing great... she could test out of the remaining credits needed for her associates and she could pass her PI exam! She just needed someone to help her with the adult sides of a business. Everest was the most adult human she knew! Beyond Viola but that was another ship that had sailed.

The two began renting a house in Portland and turned the upstairs into their living space while the downstairs housed their PI business. Cheesy neon sign and all.

"Oh stop whining Everest, there's a million trophy wives out there who are ready to give me my money, our money, every hour of the day. Plus I charge a daily rate, might as well take my time right? I'll get a few photos of the sack of shit later tonight to prove I at least did something today." Marisol limped passed Everest as he held the door open. The year had changed her attitutude, it was more crass and rude than before. It also changed her appearance. Marisol's characteristc yellow hair was now cut up to her shoulders and straight bangs hung over her forehead.

She was scared to see everyone again too... she wasn't really sure who knew about what happened to her or what they thought.... plus she hadn't spoken to Castor in forever... "Hey kid!" Marisol saluted Nora before setting her camera bag on the conference table and looking around the room. "Wow Raven really wanted to be impressive huh? Jackass." Just as Marisol finished speaking the door opened to reveal Castor and her heart squeezed in her chest, he wouldn't even look at her... and he looked not great. Was football really kicking his ass that much?

 

[ZombieBaee]

Yuu

That party was legendary for multiple reasons.

Delphina went missing that night, some idiot frat boy threw an empty keg off the roof, Viola then dragged that frat boy by his ears out of her house and the power of alcohol finally gave Nora and Yuu the courage to stop lying to each other. Maybe it wasn't the best start to a relationship but at least it finally started. Yuu was elated for a few hours... then it was ruined by the news of Delphina's car. No one knew what happened that night, no one really knew why she even left the party in the first place, or why! Raven completely removed himself from the group after that and wouldnt speak a word to any of them no matter how many times Yuu asked him. It was clear he knew something but what?

Yuu graduated and... nothing happened. He knew he was never going to be good enough for professional but he was hoping for at least someone to look at him, maybe get onto a development team or something. But no sane coach would scout him with an injury like his on record, sure he was cleared to play but that didn't mean one wrong hit wouldn't instantly end his career. Instead the university threw him a pity job offer of assistant coach. Yuu accepted, what else was he going to do? Follow Nora to Harvard and distract her? He was pathetic but he wasn't THAT pathetic. No instead he would take this job, live in a shit apartment and drown his loneliness in booze.

When they got this invite from Raven, Yuu was pissed. Went on a bit of a bender, then completely cut it out to get okay for the time Nora was here. He had been doing a swell job of hiding his new hobby from her. It partially felt like lying but the other part of it felt like keeping her from loosing her mind when she was already super stressed and busy. He liked that part.

"I do live locally yes, but constantly underestimate traffic." Yuu smirked as he walked in, instantly running up behind Nora and throwing his arms around her waist and squeezing her tight. Right now he didn't care that others were in the room. He missed her so much that it almost didn't feel real that she was here.

 

[EclipseRosee]

Viola

That party created a lot of trouble for Viola; her parents were pissed, the school board was pissed, Delphina was missing and all of her friendships were crumbling around her. Viola felt terrible but... Delphina going missing was low on her list of current worries, their little group knew something the cops didn't. Delphina was a mermaid... she was probably in the ocean. As much as it killed Viola... she couldn't do anything about it! They had just spent so much time and energy keeping that girl alive and then she disappeared on them without a fucking word!? It was aggrivating! It left Viola with so much shit to handle! The school blamed the party, claimed hazing or bullying or some shit. Thankfully, Viola's parents got the sorority off with more community hours but that meant Viola would have to pay that favor back.

As soon as graduation came, Viola's parents cashed in their favor. Viola would be running for city commissioner and would be announcing her engagement and fake long term relationship to the young new mayoral candidate of Langley, WA. A year ago? Viola would have told them to shove it, that she didn't need their support because she had others but... now that wasn't true. Everest was someone she wanted to count on and be with. But he had made it clear that it wasn't going to happen. So her and her new lovely fiance moved into the small charming town and began their facade of a life.

When Raven's invite came, her fiance wasn't happy. Viola had quickly turned from a strong woman with big ideas to a political pawn and trophy girlfriend. He was controlling and mean, behind closed doors the two of them were absolutely nasty to one another. But Viola needed to find Delphina and figure out what the fuck was so bad that she was willing to destroy everything.

"Oh fuck you Dean, you're a full ass grown adult you can make something for dinner. Or better yet call your new little assistant. She's so willing to help you in other way's I'm sure she would be thrilled to play house for the week." Viola spat into the phone as she walked the hallway to the conference room. She looked every bit the pretty little public figure, blonde hair was tied back in a perfectly curled pony tail with a red ribbon. She wore a tight black dress with cap sleeves and a pearl collar with a pair of red pumps on her feet. A few people murmered as she walked passed them with a small head nod. Once she made it to the conference room she opened the door and strolled inside, phone still against her ear. "Oh right because I'm an idiot I completely forgot. Anyways. See you in a week! Try to choke and die while I'm gone." The line went dead and Viola shoved the phone into her purse with a triumphant smirk. "Sorry about that everyone. Relationships sure are hard sometimes right?"

Viola moved into the room more before taking a seat at the table and glancing around at everyone, her eyes lingering on Everest for maybe a moment too long before she let out a heavy sigh and reached up to let her hair down and rest her arms on the table. "Where is Raven anyways?" ​

 

[KAYDEN]

Raven

Raven's brain didn't understand emotion and relationships very well, that was something everyone know. When Delphina explained everything to him, he still couldn't fathom the idea that love was more important than her doing her best! He loved her too! He knew that! But he needed to not be something that got in the way of her hopes and dreams! He didn't want her to grow to hate him because she caused her to get off path! It was all things he wished he would have said to her but her anger and sadness completely broke him and caused him to escape into his own mind. Raven didn't even notice that Delphina had run away and left the party until it was too late. The whole night he drove around town and called her non stop to try and talk to her but he finally gave up, assuming she needed time to cool off.... it wasn't until the morning he found out how wrong he was.

For a while Raven pretended like his life was going normally... in reality he was saving his money and isolating himself from the others. The cops were never going to find Delphina. Raven had waited until night and snuck into the "crime scene" the moment he found the necklace he knew exactly what happened. He couldn't very well tell the cops so instead he came up with his own plan.

Raven quit his job and cashed out all of his assets to buy a house boat and a marina spot. He lived there. He studied there. He didn't leave. Every moment was spent searching and studying ocean currents and coming up with his plan to find Delphina. Raven was the one who deserved to remove himself from the situation.... she didn't have to leave her friends and family. They clearly loved her. Once he found her... he would move on. Go find another job across the country. He would be okay, his family and him weren't very close.

Today was finally the day, Raven took a cab to the hotel and had all of his papers and maps in tow. Once at the hotel he made his way into the conference room and dropped all of his things on the table without a word. Raven looked rough, his hair was a mess and he was wearing a pair of track pants and a hoodie with sandals. Far from the normal composed man that he once was. "So." He started without even saying hello, "I bought a boat. I have a course set. I tracked down the woman who made the necklace for Delphina and she enchanted it to glow when we get near her but... the oceans huge." Raven was going on like a crazy person when he finally turned to look at everyone. "She-she's not going to want to talk to me if I find her... that's why I can't go alone.... If you guys aren't there I think she will just run again."

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Nora

What in the Hell happened while she was gone? She was only gone for a year, she tried to keep in touch with everyone, but between school and the hospital she was working 100 hours a week. She didn't see the changes happening to everyone. Everest and Marisol were buddy buddy, Marisol was missing her leg, Castor looked ashamed when he should have been on top of the world, and Viola looked like a mayor's wife. Then there was Yuu. Yuu looked terrible. He looked thin, pale, and he had the faint scent of alcohol on him. Was it on his clothes or his breath? "Hey, Yuu." Her heart ached for a moment before she turned around to give him a tight hug. Yes, she was ecstatic to see him, but she was more worried about him. Was he sick and didn't say anything to her? Nora should have never left him, not after graduation. He assured her that he was doing okay though, he was an assistant coach! Sure it wasn't the professional league but he was happy...right?

As much as she wanted to interrogate everyone and try to solve all their problems she didn't have time. Raven was slamming through the doors and dropping his things off on the table. Was that Raven? Did he snap and lose his mind? Her fingers laced together with Yuu's as she listened to Raven ramble on. "Raven why would Delphina run from you? She loved you. Are you going to finally tell us why she ran? What makes you think she's going to come home? It's been a year, if she wanted to come back I'm sure she would have come home by now. I mean we all miss her like crazy too, but I'm not going to force her to come home. What if she's happy? Do you intend on catching her with a net or something and forcing the necklace back on her?"

Nora gave a long sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. This was more stressful than medical school. "I'm more than willing to go on this wild chase, I just feel like you owe us an explanation."

 

[Colt Voltage]

Everest

When Castor walked in a piece of his heart broke for the man, they were siblings once upon a time ago. Castor was skinnier than the last time they saw each other. He didn't look as bad as Yuu did though. Everest tried to get ahold of him after graduation to see how he was doing but it just never happened, he was preoccupied with everything going on with Marisol and the business. He thought Yuu would at least be confiding in Nora how he felt.

In walked Viola and his heart swelled. She looked gorgeous and confident. And she was telling her fiance to drop dead? His brows furrowed together slightly. That wasn't a good relationship, he could tell already. Everest quickly swallowed down that feeling and smiled his brightest smile. Regardless of their situations he was still thrilled to see her. "Viola. While I don't know what wishing someone dead is like I do know it is wonderful to see you again." He wrapped his arms around Viola and gave her a tight hug. He missed her, he didn't care if she was getting married or not. "You look beautiful, did you do something with your hair?"

When Raven barged into the room he sighed quietly and dropped his arms from around Viola. Everest moved to the table to look at the maps Raven had made while he rambled on. He really did draw up a map on where they'd be going. This was what he had been working on? "Are you doing this for her or are you doing it because you feel guilty? She's a mermaid, they're happier in the sea. Asking her to come back just to live out a human life is like clipping a bird of its wings." Everest let out a long sigh. "I'll come and help you guys find her but I'm not forcing her back. You don't get to make life decisions for her though, Raven."

 

[Sir Damien]

Castor

A few months ago if you put Castor in this exact situation he would have broken down and sobbed like a baby. He failed Marisol. He failed to keep her safe once more and he failed to be there to support her in the aftermath. That was what Castor tried to drink away. Through rehab he had to come to terms with what happened, he had to face his demons. This was a whole hell of a lot more than he expected two days out of rehab. The sight of her made him want to break down and cry but he bit his tongue.

By the time Castor worked up the courage to say something to her Yuu was coming in and swinging around Nora. "You look very energetic, Marisol." Stupid. He was stupid. That was the only thing he could think to say though. Next came a new Viola, one telling her significant other to choke and die. She was engaged to someone other than Everest? Yikes. He must have been drunk when that happened.

In came Raven and Castor felt even more lost. This guy looked like one of those crazy guys you see on TV. He even lived on a boat now? Drawing maps? "The fuck did you do to her man?" Castor was connecting the dots finally. "Yo Raven did you yell at her or something? I know I've been a tad preoccupied but if I would have remembered anything I would have told you guys. You fucking shut us out and didn't tell us shit! And you just expect us to come with you on some gallant adventure to save her? News flash, she ran away. It's not like she's drinking herself to death, she's actually enjoying her freedom. I'd rather be a sea serpent than a human anymore too. Human bodies are so weak and fragile." Castor was getting pissed off. His fists clenched and he took a long deep cleansing breath.

"Fuck it. Let's go find her so she can tell us to fuck off. Want me to call the cab?"

 

[ZombieBaee]

Marisol

Energetic? Yeah she supposed she had quiet the spring in her step, literally. Marisol eyed Castor strangely for a moment before her attention was drawn away by Viola entering the room. The girl looked amazing and her tongue had certainly gotten sharper. The two of them had been close once but when everything went down they kind of fell apart. Marisol watched as Everest went and gave her a hug and her heart broke a little for him. The two of them had grown pretty close as friends, Everest was like a member of her family at this point. She knew all about how torn up he was about Viola, even if he didn't admit it. The two had an unspoken understanding that Castor and Viola were just topics that they didn't bring up. Kind of like Voldemort. Marisol moved her gaze back to Castor and gave him a lopsided smile, "Yeah and you look like you died a third time and came back."

Behind her the doors burst open and Marisol turned to see a crazy looking Raven. "Man who gave this fucking asshole caffeine this morning?" She listened with mild interest as he spoke his plan to all of them and rolled her eyes a few times. She agreed with the others! Just let Delphina do what she wanted. Sure, Marisol would LOVE to be sure that Delphina was safe and happy but there was clearly a reason she ran away.

Then Everest spoke up and Marisol nearly choked. "Hey now!" She reached over and clamped her hand over his mouth. "You're busy! And Raven can afford our costs. Even if I gave the loser the friends and family discount. Plus you guys are right. If I've learned anything chasing down people the past few months it's that people who run off are usually pretty content with staying away." Marisol finally let her hand drop and crossed her arms across her chest. Conflict was bubbling in her chest, on one hand she wanted to be there for Delphina.. on the other hand Raven was a prick for cutting everyone out.

"Fine!" Marisol growled when even Castor joined in before dropping her arms and storming over to Raven, snatching the necklace out of his hands before tossing it to Everest. "But Nora's right. You need to give us an explanation. And you're not calling the shots from here on out, this whole thing seems more beneficial to you than to Delphina and that necklace gives you too much power."

 

[ZombieBaee]

Yuu

Yuu could see it in Nora's eyes that something was upsetting her and he could only assume she could already tell that he wasn't in the best of places. He had showered and brushed his teeth like six times but it seemed to be a plague that followed him as of late. Thankfully the others joining them and Raven's blubbering was able to distract her for now. It wasn't that he was in favor of lying to her, it was just better this way right?

"Of course he yelled at her, he's always been a prick." Yuu grumbled from where he stood besides Nora and listened as everyone continued to speak. Castor had a bit of an outburst that caused Yuu to flinch a little at the alcohol comment. Could he smell it too? Yuu didn't think he was that damn bad! "Of course he expects us to help him. His fucking guilt has been eating away at him for a year now. Look at him? He's become a fucking laughing stock at the school. The best and brightest who quit his job and sold all his things to live in a stationary boat. Comical really."

Yuu glared and watched as Marisol moved to snatch the necklace from Raven and something clicked in his brain. Oh.

"Guy's we're all missing a key fact here. While I mean everything about this lunatic. If Delphina ever wanted to come back... she couldn't. The necklace got left in her car. I mean she couldn't chance someone seeing her right?" Yuu sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck before looking over to Nora. "At least we'll be together right? A little romantic mermaid hunting cruise?"

 

[EclipseRosee]

Viola

When Everest hugged her, the entire ice queen facade fell and she gave in to the hug. It was so nice to actually be around people that even gave the slightest shit about her and even Everest’s simple compliment made her heart swell like it hadn’t in the past year. “Just some highlights... and it feels powerful to wish someone dead.” Viola pulled back a little and smiled, “It’s great to see you too.”

When Raven burst in and Everest’s arms fell from around her she frowned slightly but tuned into the conversation.

“When you contacted me you made it sound like you KNEW where she was and KNEW she wanted to come home!” Viola kept her volume quiet but her tone meant business. “Do you even know how busy I am? What I went through to get this time off?” What her fiancé did when he found out about her little trip? Viola instinctively reached up and gently touched her cheek before letting her hand fall and growing quiet.

The others spoke some more and Viola raised a brow at Marisol and Everest. They were an odd friendship.

“Well I hate it but you’re all right. And god no Castor as if I would take a cab. My driver is downstairs, he can take all of us without our own vehicles to the marina.” Viola gave one last glare before grabbing her things and turning to the door. “Well are we going or no?” I​

 

[KAYDEN]

Raven

Raven had known he was in the wrong, it had taken him a while but he had gotten there. It wasn’t until everyone was in one room grilling him that he really broke though. Ravens face went red as tears started to fall from his eyes, his fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles were white. He had messed everything up for everyone...

“I messed up so badly. Delphina... when we got back. After the hospital she dropped some classes and I confronted her about it at the party. I just didn’t think she was doing it for the right reasons....” Raven let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his wild black hair. “At the time I felt like if she compromised her education because of personal feelings she would end up regretting it and hating me. The conversation didn’t go well. She ran and I just... I never found her.”

Much to ravens shock, everyone was willing to help. Well, kind of. Marisol was being typical and everyone had their own holdbacks but could he really blame them?

“I just want to get her the necklace back. And make sure she’s safe... so at least one day she has the option to come back if she wants.” Ravens head hung in shame as Marisol took it from him. “That’s fair. I’ve done nothing to prove myself to any of you. Not for a long time at least.”

Castor offered to call a cab and Viola jumped in to take over.

“Here’s the address. I have enough food and water for a 7 day trip but once we’re on the water we’re on the water. I advise everyone is prepared for that.”

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Delphina

Over the course of the year Delphina traveled to try and escape her memories. She ate when she needed to and slept when she was tired, the rest of the time was spent swimming and exploring the oceans. Remembering her friends at this point only caused her pain. It was impossible for her to turn back and see anyone, it was an unbearable pain. They were happy in their past lives and humanity ruined everyone's happiness, she left her necklace behind for a reason. Swimming was the only thing that put those thoughts at bay. Though, even swimming free as a mermaid couldn't make the girl smile anymore, humanity had taken that too.

Two days after everyone boarded the boat she had made her way into the Pacific ocean. Typically the bubblegum pink haired girl avoided the surface, the last thing she wanted was to die again. So when she heard a faint, unfamiliar humming in her ears she stopped swimming for a moment to look around. The sound was in the distance and it came from the surface. It was calling her though, and deep down she had a gut feeling what it was.

With all this time by herself Delphina had convinced she would be living the rest of her life alone. Everyone had someone to care for them save for Delphina and Raven. But...the chance to see any of them just one more time. Raven wouldn't be there, he had the perfect life and he didn't want her messing it up. Maybe it was Yuu and Nora?

Despite the unknown Delphina swam. And swam, and swam, and swam. The closer she got the louder the hum and the harder her heart beat. After probably hours of swimming she reached the surface and peeked the top of her head out of the water, her pink and blue fin keeping her afloat at the top of the water. It was a house boat. Her long lashes bat a few times before she pursed her lips for a moment."Nora? Yuu? Did someone call me here?"

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Nora

The two days could have been a nice trip, but unfortunately Nora was stressed out about Yuu the whole time. Every time she asked he either dodged the question or insisted she was fine, and it concerned her even more. He wasn't fine, and he didn't look fine. They were soulmates and best friends, right? Nora knew when things were wrong. Still, they finally had some time together. While they were on the boat waiting for something to happen with Delphina's necklace she tried to catch up with her friends and spend as much time with Yuu as possible.

It was coming to the end of the second day and Nora was finishing up dinner for everyone. After a good stir the lid was returned to the top of the saucepan before she turned to Yuu. "So they're hiring an assistant coach for the hockey team at Harvard. If you're interested we could get an apartment or something together. We could be like, an actual couple." Her thin fingers ran through his light hair before resting on his pale cheek. "At least consider the job, okay? I think a fresh city would be good for you." Nora wanted to address this on her visit, she hoped being there in person convinced him.

Suddenly she heard their names being called and she let out a small sigh. "Who is it?" Nora flipped the stove off and walked out of the door to the deck, freezing when she seen pink hair at the edge of the boat. "Delphina?" No way, Raven's necklace trick worked!

 

[Sir Damien]

Castor

In his first life he was scum, in his second chance he struggled to learn to be a good person, and in his third life he was a coward. Several times he tried to approach her and several times he bailed. What could he say? Apologize for not being there when she needed him the most? No, Everest was there for her. This was why he drank, he was a failure. But Castor didn't go through three months worth of rehab to act a damn fool. He'd address her before they got back, he just had to figure out how. So, until he did, he hid up in the drivers perch of the houseboat. Watching the ocean was keeping him calm.

The trip had been giving Castor goosebumps for some reason, and it wasn't until the second day did he realize why. There was an announcement on one of the radio's as the sun began to set, the coastguard was calling everyone to warn of a large storm coming through. "The fuck?" This boat wasn't equipped to survive a storm. Ocean blue eyes narrowed at the radio as he rose to his feet and walked to the door. Had Raven taken weather into account when planning this trip? Either way they had to turn around, they couldn't keep going directly towards a storm.

"Raven?" Castor ran down the stairs to look for him. "Raven man there's a storm coming, we've-" The words didn't finish coming out, his eyes settled on the pink haired mermaid. "Shit, you actually found her."

 

[Colt Voltage]

Everest

It had been a year since Viola left. Marisol and him had set up the detective agency, he had poured his being into building Marisol again. That was his new life focus, so why did Viola's presence bother him so much? It's not like even if he had said anything to her things would have changed. He wasn't poor but he also wasn't some big wig mayor, he couldn't give her the world. That woman deserved the world. So why the hell did it piss him off every time he thought about her soon to be husband?

The boat was a terrible place to be stuck when you had this many personalities and emotions. There was no where to escape, it was either inside the boat or on the deck. Sure there were rooms like the bathroom and bedrooms, but everything was cramped and there was no breathing room. Not for this many people. Thankfully Everest brought some tea, in hopes to break up some of the tension. "I'll tell you I never knew how much I would miss wifi. Or just service in general." He let out a small sigh, smiled gently at his background image of a selife of him and Viola at the party, and deposited the phone back into his pocket.

"Tea is done. Marisol. Viola." He handed the two women mismatched mugs before leaning against the wall of the boat, quietly sipping the tea. Castor had been hiding the last few days but he came down when he was hungry or thirsty, Raven was lost in his own world, and it seemed like Nora and Yuu needed some time together. At least the two of their souls ended up together. Silently he scolded himself, though just in time to hear a familiar voice from outside the door.

"Be nice, it's nice to see her alive." Everest nudged Viola gently before walking out in time to hear about the storm. "This boat sounds like it's going to break with some of the waves when it gets windy, it's not going to hold up in a storm." His dark brows furrowed and he glanced over at Delphina. "Hop aboard girly, we've got to turn this boat around."

 

[EclipseRosee]

Viola

Viola quickly learned that she did not have her sea legs, though she supposed that made sense with what she could remember about her old life. Do to this her two days on the boat so far were spent blocking calls from her fiance and downing Dramamine like her life depended on it. Honestly she wasn't quite sure why she was even wanted on this trip but she welcomed the idea of getting away from everything but... its not like she was close with Dephina. Of course Viola cared about the well being of her friend but it seemed like Yuu and the others would be much more capable of talking her into returning. Plus, Viola's party was when everything tuned to shit.

For now Viola was lounging on the couch in the cabin of the boat and was watching the ocean outside of her window. The sound of Everest's voice caused her to jump slightly before she turned her attention to him and took the tea with a small thanks. Outside the open door she heard conversation start, which wasn't inherently odd, but the subject matter sounded urgent. Everest made a comment at her before heading outside and Viola scoffed. She could be nice. Quickly she made her way outside after pulling on a cardigan over her pajamas that she had been living in. "Woah." Instantly the sound left Viola's mouth as her eyes landed on the pink haired woman peeking out of the water.

Viola glanced over at Raven, partially expecting the man to finally break apart. The others were commenting on the storm and Viola felt her stomach turn. "Right, yes, we can all talk without needing to die because of it." Viola looked up at the sky and frowned slightly before looking around at the others, "Well, let's move with some urgency people. Lovely to see you Delphina, I look forward to talking to you more. Inside." Maybe she couldn't be that nice.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Marisol

Seeing Castor again was... awful. Being stuck on a boat with very little space was even worse. She did want to say "thankfully" he was hiding up in the drivers perch but... thankfully he was. The year everyone was apart was hard and confusing for her as a person, her health was traumatic and she didn't have the person who was her number one supporter. Marisol at first understood, refusing to tell him because of her own need to support Castor but... once their bootcamp was over he never reached out to her. That hurt when she was already hurting... And suddenly Everest appeared out of no where to pick up the pieces of the broken person she now was.

All Marisol wanted to do was just have a normal conversation again but even that felt like an impossible feat. Plus was now really the time? They were supposed to be focusing on Delphina and so far all she could focus on was trying to not break apart again.

"Hmm? Oh, thanks man." Marisol smiled brightly up at Everest as she took the cup of tea from him and took a quick drink before hissing loudly at the burn. "Jeesh! What did you do boil it with lava?!" She put the cup on the side table and began sticking out her tongue dramatically as the Viola and Everest suddenly left the room, causing Marisol's eyes to go wide. "H-Hold up!"

Marisol quickly joined the others and stood behind Everest as she peered out around his shoulder between him and Viola to see the situation, apparently they had found Delphina and there was a storm rolling in according to Castor. Viola was already heading back inside and Marisol eyed her for a moment before stepping forward and rolling her eyes before opening the trunk on deck that was full of towels and life jackets. She grabbed a few out and walked over to the edge of the boat, pushing the ladder off so it fell into the water and waving down at Delphina with a grin. "Long time no see girly! If you don't mind , want to come hang for a while? I promise I wont let any of these degenerates force you into anything you don't want to do. I'm kind of a badass now. Well and Everest helps." She chuckled and faked a flex of her muscles as she held the towels in the air.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Yuu

"I-Sure." Yuu swallowed in response to Nora's sudden comment on the job... it wasn't that he didn't want to live with her, be with her. It was that these last two days were already showing him how unhealthy he had been living without her. He was already becoming aware of how badly he was doing... how could he still be like this and be with her? She didn't deserve a man like this. She deserved someone strong and worthy of how bright of a person she was. Yuu wanted to do better but... he didn't even know where to start. "I'll look into it for sure." Yuu plastered a smile on his face before pushing off from where he leaned against the counter and planted a quick kiss on Nora's head as she stirred the dinner she was making.

Suddenly Nora left and Yuu raised a brow, following her and leaning in the doorway as everyone slowly gathered. Seeing Delphina made him want to jump and scream and cry all at once but if everyone crowded her, he was terrified she would run again. Thankfully Viola was already leaving and Marisol seemed to be trying to do a good thing? Trying.

"Del!" Yuu gave a grin and stepped forward, clamping his hand on Raven's shoulder maybe a little too tightly as he spoke, "Marisol's right. Nora made a hell of a dinner, we'd love for you to come join us."

 

[KAYDEN]

Raven

Raven was understanding of the fact that everyone blamed him, he blamed himself. Honestly he was just thrilled everyone was willing to go along with his plan, even if the other's hijacked it. Hell that might have even been for the better. As much as he wanted Delphina back with them, in any way shape or form, he also had to acknowledge that this mission was partially selfish, he wanted to see her safe... he wanted to apologize and beg her to come back but... for the past two days Raven had fought mentally with himself about what he would do when, IF they found Delphina. Finally he had decided he would stay quiet and let the others talk, if he got the idea that she was truly happy in the ocean he would eat his words and let her live her life hating him like he deserved.

That idea however, went out the window the moment he saw her. Never had Raven believed they would have found her, rather she found them, on day two of their trip. Raven had just been standing, watching the water and smoking when the blob of pink started to show on the waters surface. At first he thought it was his eyes playing cruel tricks on him but soon she was there. Peeking up from the water and speaking in a voice that caused Raven to nearly choke as his heart fell into his stomach.

Raven couldn't even form words before everyone else had joined them and the others were talking to Delphina while Castor called for him and mentioned a storm. "Huh? A storm? There wasn't supposed to be one. I-I'll go set course..." Raven stopped and looked back at the water as Marisol dropped the ladder. This... this was for the best. Letting the others handle this would cause Delphina the least amount of pain.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Delphina

While seeing everyone was amazing and made her smile for the first time in a year she was also wildly confused. Why were they all here? Why was Raven here? Sure she was thrilled to see them. Life under the sea was incredibly lonely! Delphina couldn't pretend to be a regular human but she also wasn't able to be a regular mermaid. She was just some lost soul at this point. "You've always been a bad ass, Marisol."

Once she took the pendent it was around her neck and her pink fin and scales were replaced with two human legs. It also meant she needed clothes. Thankfully Nora led her away to get changed, though she did steal another glance at Raven before she was inside. He wasn't even going to greet her? Even Viola had said something to her... Maybe he was still mad at her.

Soon she came back in black shorts and a green tee, her waist long pink locks tied up into a bun at the top of her head. After she hugged the girls and Yuu she was able to sit down and try to enjoy the spaghetti Nora had made. She was pretty quiet throughout the meal, there was so much tension in the room and she could tell it wasn't all coming from her. Before she left everything was going great for everyone save for her and Raven, and even that had been fine before she dropped her classes. However she felt like asking what happened to everyone would only cause trouble.

Delphina gave them all an honest answer. For the last year she had been swimming from ocean to ocean by herself trying to figure out where her place in the world was now. Thunder cracked in the sky and lightning was shooting across the sky, rain beginning to pour from the dark cloudy sky. "The waves are going to be rough tonight so make sure you guys stay inside. And maybe get some sleep? You all look exhausted."

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Nora

Things were going great! Too great, actually. Yuu agreed to apply for the job but for some reason he still looked like an injured puppy-err, fox. Delphina was back, but she wasn't the same bubbly girl that they had come to know and love. At least she was here and they knew she was safe! Nora was counting today as a win for their friend group. And thankfully dinner got along about as well as their last few meals on the boat.

After the slightly awkward dinner Nora cleaned up the cabin, periodically glancing between Delphina and Raven. This whole thing was his idea! He wasn't going to talk to her at all? "I didn't fly all this way just to see you torment yourself. You both keep looking at each other, you're driving me insane." With that said she gave him a smack on the back before making her way back to the others. Delphina had said something about everyone looking exhausted and Nora couldn't help but agree, she just hadn't been able to work up the courage to say anything.

"Right, well don't disappear anywhere tonight." Nora walked over to Yuu, ran a hand through his hair, and smiled at the others. "See you guys in the morning." With that said she went to the bathroom to toss on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Raven had his bedroom in the back, and the hallway had two bunk beds built into each wall. The small cramped space really made it hard to confront Yuu about what was wrong with him, but since they found Delphina so soon she'd have a few days to ask him before she had to fly back.

For now though, she'd lay in bed finishing some of her homework on her laptop.

 

[Sir Damien]

Castor

Who the Hell would have guessed that Delphina would actually show up? Marisol was moving to help her on the boat while Castor stood back with Raven and glanced at him for a moment. How was he keeping his cool? He had broken down in tears just asking for their help, and now that they actually found her he wasn't going to talk to her? "Good idea." He watched as Raven made his way to change their course, but it was too late. The storm was starting and their only option was try to get away as fast as possible. Unfortunately the storm was heading towards the mainland too.

After dinner Castor just sat on the couch while the waves rocked the boat. Storms weren't for everyone but for some odd reason the combination of the water and storm seemed to calm him. "Yeah yeah yeah, sleep. Got it." Slowly the dark haired man stood to his full height and stretched out his arms. "Raven why don't you keep your pink haired guest company, I'll go check on the weather. Marisol, would you like to join?" He had to tell her about why he couldn't be there for her but he wasn't ready to say it in front of all their friends. That he was a failure as a friend, that he had turned to alcohol to bury his guilt and feelings. He knew she'd forgive him and that's why it hurt so bad! He'd never be able to forgive himself for not being there for her when she needed him the most.

He gave her a small smile and zipped up the black hoodie he wore. Castor grabbed a bright yellow poncho from under the sink before he handed it off to her. Maybe she didn't want to talk to him? It'd be understandable, but he hoped that she'd want to talk. Slowly he moved out the door and onto the slippery deck, walking up the slick stairs to the drivers cabin area. He already knew the weather was going to get worse, he just needed somewhere private to talk.