LAWRENCE MURPHY
Vampire
Posts: 316
Age:
106
Occupation:
Bartender
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Penny Bartlett
Played by:
Jodi
how does he know who he even is?
Last seen Nov 20, 2024 15:54:32 GMT
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Post by LAWRENCE MURPHY on Sept 3, 2021 8:00:23 GMT
2nd March 2007 There would always be collateral damage in a war, he knew this better than anyone. His parents waged a fight with a group of vampires who took their revenge on Lawrence. The rules in the quarter were becoming stricter by the day for the magical community. He didn’t like most of the witches and warlocks in the city, but he didn’t agree with the rules imposed on them. No magic after dark. The vampires were running the city now, as they had been doing for a number of decades. At first Lawrence basked in this. He enjoyed being on top for once, instead of being viewed as nothing but a bloodsucking creature. But now the shine had started to wear off, leaving behind nothing but politics. The factions were constantly fighting for the top spot, and Lawrence was growing weary of it. Everyday would be a new problem. A new fight to be fought, and for what? So they can have control over the city. The covens had started to fight back recently though. It started with the death of one of the younger witches who was making her way home from work one evening to be attacked by a vampire. There were rules in place for vampires too. Only feed on the tourist. They were usually the ones piled with alcohol and had no idea what was going on. The easy target. Lawrence didn’t personally know the witch who was killed, but the pair had crossed paths a few times, exchanging words along the way. She too was 19 when her life abruptly ended. Snatched from her in an instant. Just how it happened to him over 50 years ago, except he had been given a second chance at life. This young girl was gone forever. He found himself in the burial grounds, not really sure as to why he was there. Standing in front of the deceased witches grave he sighed softly. He imagined this is how his parents stood in front of his hollow grave. No body lying beneath the soil as they pretend to mourn, though his mom did spill real tears at times. Her only son was gone. There were times she wanted him back, no matter what he was, but the coven. The oh so important coven. It was what drove Lawrence to stand against the witches and warlocks, but as he stood in front of the white stone he realised the need to get revenge would suffocate him eventually. After lingering for a few minutes Lawrence turned on his heel to head back out. He was treading in an area he wasn’t welcome. The non-existent hands of the ancestors on his back, pushing him out the gates as he walked. Their claws dug into his skin, whispering for him to leave. It made his skin tingling. As he dragged his feet along the ground he heard a quiet voice in the distance. Someone recruiting an incantation he hadn’t heard since he was a child. The same one his mom would use to contact their grandmother. The same one he tried to use on his new pet frog he found down by the lake that his sister later stood on, only to find it wouldn’t work on animals. He weaved through the grand headstones, towards the males voice. He lingered nearby for a moment, leaning on a nearby gravestone as he watched the stranger. “It’s ven el forte es cufe... not ven el forta es cufe” He called out, as he moved away from the headstone and closer to the male, “My mom would use the same spell to contact her own mom” NEMO AGNELLI |
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NEMO AGNELLI
Warlock
Posts: 54
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 1, 2024 22:01:49 GMT
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Post by NEMO AGNELLI on Sept 15, 2021 14:52:54 GMT
 ━ the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care ━
Maybe that’s why she chose Nemo’s dad instead and kept Nemo away from Emiliano as a child.
He tried not to think badly about their Alpha. It wasn’t fair. Emiliano did a lot for Nemo, and he knew he had to be grateful. He was grateful.
“Hey, mom,” Slowly, he found his way to the ground, unloading a backpack and the carefully transported piece of cake. Red velvet with cream cheese icing. Maybe it was morbid to eat in a cemetery, but it was their thing. And now, with Giorgia gone, he didn’t have anybody to share the tradition with. It was just Nemo, all alone, and that was his own fault. It was better this way━that’s what he told himself. “Brought cake.” And if the spell didn’t work, he’d just talk to her like this.
But he hoped it did. It was the first time he’d ever tried it, and Nemo was desperate. Twelve years without her made his mother God-like in his mind, put her on a pedestal she wouldn’t be on if he could truly remember what life was like. She was often manic and unreliable, and they wouldn’t have suffered as long as they had if it weren’t for her pride. But he couldn’t remember her like that━she was his life, his world, his hero. And she made the best damn birthday cake he’d ever tasted━that wasn’t ruptured by childhood memories. The paper plate he carried now wouldn’t hold a candle to his mom’s recipe, but that wasn’t the point.
Nemo opened his bag and set out the candles, lighting them all at once with a wave of his hand. He breathed slow and deep, concentrating on his mother’s face. Dark hair, bright green eyes, pointy chin. Her smile when he came home from school and babbled nonsensically about his day and the pieces of gum they shared. The same flavour he tucked between his molars and cheek now, tongue wedging it there to allow for clear speech. And, finally, he began.
“Ven el forta es cufe, ven el forta es cufe…”
But the more he repeated it, the less hope he had. Nemo swallowed thickly, beginning to feel defeated and panicky when a stranger’s voice broke him out of the loop. He gasped, jumping in surprise, looking up at the other man quickly. “What?” Nemo nearly whimpered, though the words finally penetrated his brain through the nervous haze. “Oh… uh, thank you,” And then he started again, this time with the stranger’s suggestion.
But it still didn’t work.
Upset, Nemo opened his eyes again, glossy, dark orbs flicking up to the stranger. “Why isn’t it working?” He croaked, nervously beginning to chew the gum still hidden in his mouth. “Did… did I forget something?” He asked, gaze moving down to his setup. The candles were supposed to be enough. Did he need something else? This wasn’t a spell he could ask his tutor about; he would’ve advised against it and then snitched to Emiliano. Hopefully this other man had more helpful tips than just pronunciation.
LAWRENCE MURPHY |   |
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LAWRENCE MURPHY
Vampire
Posts: 316
Age:
106
Occupation:
Bartender
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Penny Bartlett
Played by:
Jodi
how does he know who he even is?
Last seen Nov 20, 2024 15:54:32 GMT
|
Post by LAWRENCE MURPHY on Oct 5, 2021 19:12:22 GMT
When he first stepped into New Orleans everything was so exciting. It was a vibrant city ready to welcome every vampire with welcome arms, despite their past, but they were aiming to build some kind of army. There were the good vampires as well, the ones who helped Lawrence to deal with the bloodlust after spending decades with little to minimal control. They were the ones who taught him to only take a little, but not enough to kill. Stories of dead tourists wouldn’t paint the city in a good light. If the chaos was about to descend into taking the lives of young witches, who hadn’t even had the chance to live, then it was Lawrence’s turn to dip out. He wasn’t the one who killed her, yet he felt guilty. As thought there was something he could have done to stop it all from happening. This was only the start of his internal battle. A part of him wanted to embrace what he was but the other part was trying to cling onto the compassion that defined him as a human. The sound of the Latin words being muttered nearby brought him back to his childhood. Being dragged out to the burial grounds by his mom to speak with a dead woman he’d never met in person, having died shortly before he was born. He would awkwardly linger in the background making small talk with his grandmother, most of their chats focused on the coven and the future of the coven. Then he and Phoebe would disappear into the woods leaving the mom and daughter to chat amongst themselves. Once he asked his dad why he never contacted his parents the way his mom does, but the question was quickly dismissed and Lawrence was told to go and brush his teeth for bed. He never asked again, but his mom told him one night that some topics were never discussed. That was one of those topics. There were times he was itching to return to Canada to find where his parents were buried, or at least his mom. Sometimes he wished he could talk to his mom just one last time, without his dad in the background barking orders and imposing his strict rules. Just one last time to ask her did she ever want him to leave or was she just following the rules. The bullshit rules. This time he was lingering in the background as another attempted to contact the dead with incorrect wording. He watched carefully as the stranger recited the correct spell, but still nothing happened. Lawrence could sense the disappointment from the male. He took another step closer as he observed the surroundings. “It’s not a simple spell… or so my mom would tell me but she probably used ancestral magic as well” There was a chance the person on the other side didn’t want to be contacted, but Lawrence wasn’t about to add to the male’s disappointment, “Family member?” He nodded towards the stone as he lowered himself to the stranger’s level. NEMO AGNELLI |
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NEMO AGNELLI
Warlock
Posts: 54
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 1, 2024 22:01:49 GMT
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Post by NEMO AGNELLI on Oct 12, 2021 15:09:43 GMT
━ the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care ━
He cringed at the thought. Despite the rose-coloured glasses he wore when it came to her and his childhood, she hadn’t done anything to end up in Hell… right? While Nemo was usually focused on his own transgressions, he couldn’t help but think of his mother’s. Did she put him in danger? She had an option to not live on the streets with her child, but she chose to do it anyway. Nemo knew she was only keeping him safe from Emiliano, but… that’s where he ended up anyway. All of their struggles seemed pointless now.
Oh no, He thought, Is it because I’m mad at her now? And shook the thoughts free, staring up at the stranger with glassy eyes. Did he have the answers? Probably not, but he might provide a different viewpoint━people on the outside could do that. Maybe he could see something Nemo couldn’t.
He watched as the helpful bystander cast those blue eyes over Nemo’s belongings, seemingly checking each one, but didn’t provide anything more than sympathy. Yeah, he was sure it wasn’t a simple spell, but why couldn’t he do it? He thought he would have a good enough connection to his mom.
“Doesn’t being in a burial ground help…?” Nemo asked, voice meek, dark eyes blown wide, an innocence in them he somehow still possessed as if all he’d been through had not touched him. “My mom,” He croaked, motioning to the cake though it had no significance to the stranger, eyeing the candles, the rocks, the herbs. What else? “Should I have something else personal to her? I thought… being her son would be enough.” Nemo frowned up at the stranger, sighing softly.
“You’re a warlock, too, right?” But that should’ve been obvious. Why did he need to ask? Well… New Orleans was a big place with lots of magic and strange creatures. “I’m Nemo.” And a short pause, trying to cut off the teasing he just knew was coming, he used his voice to pile-drive through the conversation. “How did your mom do it? Did she do something I’m not?” That had to be it. Nemo was fucking up as per usual, and it could be fixed. He could talk to his mom━if he repeated it enough times in his head, then it had to work.
LAWRENCE MURPHY | no notes. |
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LAWRENCE MURPHY
Vampire
Posts: 316
Age:
106
Occupation:
Bartender
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Penny Bartlett
Played by:
Jodi
how does he know who he even is?
Last seen Nov 20, 2024 15:54:32 GMT
|
Post by LAWRENCE MURPHY on Nov 8, 2021 15:44:50 GMT
Lawrence was as clueless as to the warlock as to why the spell wasn’t working. Blue eyes cast over the selection of belongings the male had brought with him, as he too tried to remember what his mom would take with her. Over the years some of the memories had started to blur to the point where sometimes he’d forget what his mom’s voice would sound like. His dad's was a voice he’d never forget. Bellowing through the house that breakfast was ready, or more commonly that one of the children had done something wrong. Usually Phoebe, but he kept that to himself. Pushing his lips into a thin line as his dad yelled at them both for something his sister did.
“I’d say so” He responded, but there was a level of uncertainty in his voice. Burial grounds were something he avoided as it was a place he wasn’t welcome. Even as he stood there speaking with the stranger he felt uncomfortable. Out of place almost, which stirred frustration inside. He was one of them once, but the ancestors were quick to forget that as they were ushering him off the grounds. His heart sank a little as the stranger announced it was his mom he was trying to contact, but there were more questions thrown back at him. Did he have enough? Was Lawrence a warlock? What did his mom do? Fuck, he just wanted to help the poor male, but now he was starting to think he’d made it worse by involving himself.
Nemo— Interesting name. Lawrence gave him a short nod, “I’m Lawrence” He lowered himself further onto the ground so he was sitting, “And no… I’m not a warlock. I used to be but I was turned into a vampire” No matter how many times he said it, the truth still stung. Used to be a warlock. A bitter pill to swallow. “I never really paid attention to my mom doing the spell, to be honest, but something or someone could be blocking you, or...” There was a list of reasons why spells didn’t work, but he was sure Nemo knew this. “Or maybe you’re trying too hard you know, like being too hard on yourself and not having a clear mind” Like when his dad was looming over him when he was trying to practice a spell. NEMO AGNELLI |
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NEMO AGNELLI
Warlock
Posts: 54
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 1, 2024 22:01:49 GMT
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Post by NEMO AGNELLI on Dec 1, 2021 1:38:01 GMT
━ the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care ━
But then he remembered what it felt like to be judged and chastised himself for it. Lawrence had done nothing so far except help, and it was just awful of Nemo to immediately assume the worst.
“Sorry.” He smiled sheepishly, hoping Lawrence wouldn’t be too offended. “It’s just… I’ve never actually met a vampire. I don’t think we’re supposed to like each other, but you don’t seem too bad.” He tried to joke, laughing awkwardly and then worrying about being rude again. Nemo was generally shy, but the circumstances made it worse; turned it into rampant anxiety.
‘... like being too hard on yourself and not having a clear mind.’
Yeah, that sounded about right. Nemo found it hard to focus most of the time; his mind was always going a mile a minute, leaving him quiet (like now), making people think his brain was empty. That’s what Georgie and the boys told him.
Sighing, he looked down at the ingredients. “You’re probably right.” But then it dawned on him, and Nemo’s head was bouncing up, his previously gloomy expression brightening considerably. It was as if that light bulb above his head was visible. “Do you think it might work if I channelled through you? Would that… be okay?” He asked, desperation dripping from every word. This might be the only way he could talk to his mom, so Nemo had to try.
LAWRENCE MURPHY | no notes. |
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LAWRENCE MURPHY
Vampire
Posts: 316
Age:
106
Occupation:
Bartender
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Penny Bartlett
Played by:
Jodi
how does he know who he even is?
Last seen Nov 20, 2024 15:54:32 GMT
|
Post by LAWRENCE MURPHY on Dec 18, 2021 23:35:56 GMT
There was room to make a poor joke about how he had already eaten that morning, but Nemo looked concerned. His life flashed before his eyes as if Lawrence was about to attack him. The same reaction he had when his mom ushered him into his bedroom, telling him to keep the door locked and look after his sister. They were under attack from a group of vampires but apparently, everything was going to be okay. He too stood with his mouth hanging open, terrified these monsters was going to kill his family. His parents lied. Told their children the vampires were dead and they were safe. He broke into a smile, “Don’t worry. I’m not gonna hurt you. Plus I’m on your territory now” There was a city full of careless tourists waiting for him. “I don’t seem too bad for a vampire?” He quipped, a smile still resting on his face. He was right though, the pair weren’t supposed to like each other. He disliked witches and warlocks when he arrived in New Orleans, but being surrounded by vampires amplified his hostility towards the magic community. Beneath it all was just someone who was trying to fit in. He did the same with the coven, bending to their beliefs and morals. There was a low hum in his throat as Nemo asked to channel Lawrence. The obvious answer that came to mind was no, but he wanted to help the stranger in contacting his mom. “I guess so, but don’t tell anyone… please” Worried there would be consequences for helping someone on the other team. Slowly he approached Nemo before kneeling down next to him. He cast a glance towards the headstone for a moment, “No funny business” He warned, as he held his right hand out for Nemo to take, “Just give’er” A swift nod towards the headstone. NEMO AGNELLI |
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NEMO AGNELLI
Warlock
Posts: 54
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 1, 2024 22:01:49 GMT
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Post by NEMO AGNELLI on Jan 2, 2022 18:12:51 GMT
━ the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care ━
And he was funny━too bad his joke made Nemo’s stomach jump, eyes widening for fear he’d offended Lawrence. “No, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that━” But then he realized Lawrence was only teasing him and gave a soft snort at his foolishness for falling for it. It was a nice and friendly joke━not like the ones Emiliano’s sons subjected him to.
‘I guess so, but don’t tell anyone… please.’
His stomach started flipping in delight, so excited he almost forgot to respond. “Yeah, of course. Nobody even knows I’m here.” Very suddenly, he realized that was probably the wrong thing to tell a stranger━especially one that was a vampire. He could hear Emiliano chastising him for it… if he ever found out, which Nemo would make sure didn’t happen. There were two days of the year when Emiliano left him alone, and this was one of them… it didn’t mean, however, that he couldn’t yell at Nemo for it tomorrow.
“Thank you, by the way.” He said after a moment, clearing his throat and reaching for Lawrence’s hand. He focused harder then, as hard as he possibly could without overdoing it, squeezing Lawrence’s palm in his. Reciting the incantation, Nemo pictured his mom in front of him. He saw her smiling, walking towards him and wishing him a Happy Birthday, though there was no sound. All he wanted was to hear her voice, and yet he only received a sad smile before she faded.
“No!” Nemo shouted, forming a dozen tiny creases between his brows, eyelids wrinkled shut. “No, come back! Mom!” He begged, though it made no difference. In a matter of moments, she was gone, and all he had left was the gentle fizzle of magic, a slice of cake that was sure to go moldy, and a candle whose wick had blown out when the spell ceased to work. He had the vampire, too, whose cold skin provided no comfort in a cemetery that was already chilly in several ways. Nemo hugged him despite it, turning to collapse on the stranger and squeeze him, eyes burning as tears pushed their way through.
“I lost her,” He sobbed, “I saw her and then she left. What if I lost her for good? What if she doesn’t wanna see me anymore?” Nemo could endure years of torture via Emiliano and his sons, but this was one thing he could not bear.
LAWRENCE MURPHY | maybe wrap w yours? |
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LAWRENCE MURPHY
Vampire
Posts: 316
Age:
106
Occupation:
Bartender
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Penny Bartlett
Played by:
Jodi
how does he know who he even is?
Last seen Nov 20, 2024 15:54:32 GMT
|
Post by LAWRENCE MURPHY on Jan 8, 2022 17:05:50 GMT
A smile rested on Lawrence’s face as Nemo realized he was joking. He was quick to forget that vampires were considered a predatory species and some people did fear them. Lawrence wasn't here to hurt Nemo though, rather offer help in hand. From one ex-warlock to a warlock. The look of excitement that spread across Nemo’s face when Lawrence offered to help was touching. He detested the taboo surrounding vampires helping witches and warlocks (or visa versa). A group of people he once belonged to, almost the leader of, turned their back on him with ease. It didn’t matter when he explained he used to be one of them. All they saw were his darkened eyes and sharp teeth. He was given the decision to run or stay behind to be executed. At first, he laughed at the ultimatum, but his parents weren’t laughing. It wasn’t much of a choice though. Obviously, he was going to run. Lawrence remained silent, blue eyes focused on the headstone as Nemo recited the incantation. He nibbled the inside of his cheek, somewhat nervous for the warlock. He wanted it to work as well. But it didn’t. It failed and Nemo was looking to him for comfort. Almost stiff as Nemo leaned into him, tears spilling from his eyes. It took him a second before he eased up before placing his arms around the other man. “No… no, she’s not gone for good. No one on the other side is gone for good” Even his parents and sister were lurking over there somewhere. He had no desire to speak with his parents, but he ached to see Phoebe one last time. Just to say goodbye and tell her he was sorry. “There are a million reasons why you can’t make contact with her and I can assure you her not wanting to see you is not one of them… unless there’s any reason she wouldn’t want to speak to you?” Lawrence didn’t want to pry in the stranger’s business, but couldn’t exactly stand up and walk off. “You could come back tomorrow and try again?” He paused for a moment, “I can also come back and help you” He had nothing else to do with his eternal existence apart from pouring shots for the tourists of New Orleans. NEMO AGNELLI |
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NEMO AGNELLI
Warlock
Posts: 54
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 1, 2024 22:01:49 GMT
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Post by NEMO AGNELLI on Feb 8, 2022 19:24:53 GMT
━ the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care ━
“I… I dunno. Maybe.” He blamed himself for falling into Emiliano’s trap when she’d done everything to keep him away from the man, unwilling to put the onus on his dead mother. She appointed Emiliano as his Godfather if anything were to happen, and she had died from her lifestyle. He forgot all of that, though, having found habit in taking responsibility for just about everything.
‘You could come back tomorrow and try again? I can also come back and help you.’
Nemo leaned back, hope filling his eyes. “Yeah, I… I picked today ‘cause it’s my birthday and the anniversary of her death, but we can try tomorrow, too.” Today was supposed to be powerful for its significance, but he wouldn’t turn down another shot… even if it would end up with him falling on his face again. “Thank you, Lawrence.” And he meant it with every fibre of his being. “I’ll… meet you here the same time tomorrow? I’ll try to get out again. Should be able to.” But with Emiliano’s ruling, who knew.
He was more thankful than he could ever express for Lawrence’s help. Nemo stayed there for a while before cleaning up and going home, and he never did get to go back. The next day, he was questioned thoroughly when leaving the house, and Emiliano looked like a kicked puppy when Nemo said he was going back to the cemetery. He wasn’t allowed to leave, and later his magic tutor gave him a stern lecture on contacting the dead (prompted by Emiliano’s request, no doubt). He hadn’t been able to try his hand at the spell again, or even at gratitude sent Lawrence’s way.
LAWRENCE MURPHY | the end! |
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