JOHANNA BAI
Vampire
Posts: 63
Age:
731
Occupation:
Geography Professor at Whitmore
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Magnus Dane
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 5, 2024 18:42:09 GMT
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Post by JOHANNA BAI on Oct 29, 2023 18:30:03 GMT
The building already seemed to be close to abandoned by the time she locked up her office door. Jo glanced along the hallway, noting that all the other offices were already dark. Goodnights had drifted in through her half open office door as the others in the department had left, Frank heading out last in the company of his brother. It still gave her a little start to see the two of them together – only the different lengths of their beards leaving her to be able to tell the two of them apart.
She slipped her bag over her shoulder and started out of the building, her footsteps echoing down the empty hallway. It still gave her a start not to be heading home to her apartment too. She’d handed the keys back to the owner weeks ago, the little signs of a life-long lived and well-travelled packed up into boxes, furniture tucked away into storage or left behind for the new renters. What she’d taken with her had been added to the home Magnus had set up here with no idea that he’d eventually be sharing it with a part of his former life. Neither one of them had a clue when they’d come here that they’d find each other again, but once they had it was as though the centuries had melted away, leaving behind a life that was similar in some ways but so different in others. What was between them was certainly different and so much more than she’d ever imagined in those intervening years.
Jo smiled to herself as she fished her phone out of her purse and sent Magnus a message to let him know she was on her way back. The door that led out onto the parking lot aside the build swung shut behind her. Out here there was more noise, more life at least. This close to Halloween students were making the most of the holiday. There was music drifting on the air, whoops and laughs punctuating it. A couple of people in costumes went running past, leaving her shaking her head. They would light bonfires and feast (which meant long days in the kitchens for her before the celebrations), a wild time to ward off the spirits before the next day was spent in the church, praying for the saints and the souls of the dead. These days there seemed to be far more time spent focused on the former, and not so much on the latter – although she would on All Saints’ Day to light candles for Kaegan, for her sons and all who had come from them, for her parents. It didn’t matter how many years ago she had lost them, she still felt the connection there.
Close to her car – one of the last few left in the lot – Jo exchanged her phone for her keys. As a young woman now she’d have walked through quiet spots like this with them clutched in her hands, a weapon against the dangers in a modern world. She wouldn’t have needed them back in the 14th century, not when she’d been carrying a sword and had North Wind’s hooves as an added deterrent, and now … Jo puffed out a breath as she reached the side of her car and inserted her keys, now she could’ve been described as one of those dangers out there in the dark. Only she had always prided herself on keeping hold of who she had been as a human, not allowing those instincts Philippa had infused into her with her blood and a snapped neck to control her.
A reflected blur of motion in the driver’s side window had her spinning away from the car, her hand coming up to her chest as though her heart were leaping in it. Jo’s expression was wary, her muscles coiling in case there really was a reason she was going to need to defend herself right here on campus. A young man had joined her in the lot, a student maybe. Her hand peeled away from her chest to hold it out in apology as much as surrender. ”Sorry, you startled me,” she admitted, a thread of amusement to her voice as she squinted at him. She couldn’t have placed every face that had ever been through her classroom, not even here in Mystic Falls, but there was something about him that felt familiar enough to allay any worries. ”I guess you’re heading out for Halloween? Seems as though everybody on campus has started the party early.” Except for her. For Halloween itself they were staying home – Magnus had said something about an event the club was throwing, but he didn’t want Linc there, so he was keeping the boy home and she was more than glad to join them.
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JASPER ROMERO
Werewolf
Posts: 83
Played by:
haise
Last seen May 4, 2024 13:16:22 GMT
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Post by JASPER ROMERO on Dec 19, 2023 2:58:45 GMT
 ━ sun's up, i don't wanna fight the daylight ━
But with that freedom still came the strange emotion here and there of heavy suspicion. And with Ms Bai, that suspicion was just as strong. Sure, there were many supernatural creatures in Mystic Falls, as similar to Beacon Hills, the two towns were beacons for the supernatural to thrive in. Though, it wasn't something Jasper would confidently step forward - proclaiming a person to be a part of the supernatural - but there were times he was so tempted to do so.
Ms Bai didn't seem to be the type to harm anyone, but Jasper couldn't let the feeling go either. Of course, a senior in college - a werewolf at that - had more things to worry about, especially with the next full moon pending at any given time. But with Halloween around the corner, the Romero held his guard up, he just wanted to be extra careful. With most of the teaching faculty leaving at a suitable time, Ms Bai seemed to be the last.
Keeping on his toes and ensuring he remained quiet, Jasper kept an eye on her from afar, watching her actions and even where she walked. A few students already dressed had past by in crowds no less, but Ms Bai seemed uninterested - which was a good sign. Jasper kept the trail up though, and felt thankful to have also been dressed up when she turned to him. "I'm sorry to have scared you Ms Bai." Jasper began, a small but genuine smile raising to his lips.
She seemed to have been more afraid than him in that situation, and a small inch of guilt developed within him. Was he thinking too far ahead? Or too far out of the box? "Yeah..I'm just waiting for my sister and some friends to turn up..I think you know her? I believe she's in a few more of your classes compared to me. Hayden Romero?" Jasper never felt bad for using his twin as a conversation starter, considering the fact more people were aware of her compared to himself.
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JOHANNA BAI
Vampire
Posts: 63
Age:
731
Occupation:
Geography Professor at Whitmore
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Magnus Dane
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 5, 2024 18:42:09 GMT
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Post by JOHANNA BAI on Jan 5, 2024 18:55:52 GMT
Strangely teaching had come naturally to her. As a child she’d learned from her parents, occasionally a tutor would join one of their caravans, or would turn up at the house when they were back in Cambulac, but for the most part she would follow her parents around, drinking up all she could from them. She’d learned how to trade – and had a talent for it, which had made the journey to England possible years later – and how to read and write maps. It hadn’t been difficult to imagine herself taking her father’s place at the head of the caravan one day. Life hadn’t turned out that way though. Within a few short years her mother and father were gone and Jo had found her road changing for the first time. Jo supposed that in this town it was a common story, but how many could claim ties right back to the Great Khan’s court?
The wild and wonderful tales of that life had made it into her lessons time and time again over the decades she had been teaching – these days that was as far as she got to travelling herself, teaching others about just how big the world actually was. Jo wasn’t sure how many stuck with her students, but they all stuck with her. Fear, anger, love, happiness, sadness, all wrapped up around images of that long, long life.
Long before Philippa had turned her into one of the things that could go bump in the middle of the night, she had been a teenaged girl fleeing from her step-mother across territory that was dangerous for grown men, let alone for a girl. Without North Wind and Ananda she might not have made it when those dangers found them. These days she had just as fierce a kick as her horse had then, but it didn’t leave her immune to a fright every now and then – this was Mystic Falls after all.
Half recognising him after a moment, Jo began to feel the knot in her stomach slithering loose. Him knowing her name didn’t mean he wasn’t looking for trouble out here, but it was a little less likely. The corners of her mouth tipped up at the corners in a faint smile. ”It’s OK,” she reassured him. ”I should’ve been a little more prepared for all the costumes tonight.” Her mind had been elsewhere though, on the man she was going home to. Magnus had been a distraction since they’d reunited here in Mystic Falls, but since she’d moved into his home it had been a stronger pull than ever.
She brushed her hair back from her face, glad that what she was meant she wasn’t blushing bright enough for him to see it in the dimly lit parking lot. Jo stilled as he started to explain, her thundercloud eyes narrowing at him as she tried to place him again. Sister… It would’ve still been too many faces to sort through, but the moment he gave Hayden’s name the girl’s face came instantly to mind. She was smart, one of the students she’d expected would go far. ”I do know Hayden, yes. I should have seen the similarities. You’re …” It was something beginning with an S wasn’t it? No, she realised, her smile brightening as she plucked the name out of thin air. It was a J. ”Jasper. You’re twins aren’t you?” She’d had her boys spaced out over a handful of years, but they’d been thick as thieves. As a twin, she imagined Jasper and Hayden were even closer.
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JASPER ROMERO
Werewolf
Posts: 83
Played by:
haise
Last seen May 4, 2024 13:16:22 GMT
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Post by JASPER ROMERO on Jan 30, 2024 7:24:24 GMT
━ sun's up, i don't wanna fight the daylight ━
Forcing a slight wider smile as he showed that he was listening, eyes slightly wandered, taking in her appearance. Skin tight, clothes regular, and even her eyes. She was like any other regular person..except Jasper simply had that feeling that she was far from it. "Right." He began with a quiet chuckle. "Nothing calls more for chaos than a college Halloween party..or general frat parties altogether." The party scene wasn't particularly fun for the Romero to go to, but given his promise to Hayden to actually try and make more friends, he was attending more parties as of late.
As Ms Bai spoke again, trying to 'recall' his name just from Jasper saying his sisters name, he couldn't help but smile. "Yes ma'am. Jasper." He paused then before nodding. "I'm the older, smarter and more handsome one." It was evident that the two were fraternal twins, with their own issues given their long separation and whatnot but what did that matter. "Hayden mentioned about speaking to you if I have questions regarding slightly..older historical topics?..I do apologise for doing it right now of course..When are your faculty hours?"
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JOHANNA BAI
Vampire
Posts: 63
Age:
731
Occupation:
Geography Professor at Whitmore
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Magnus Dane
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 5, 2024 18:42:09 GMT
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Post by JOHANNA BAI on Mar 12, 2024 20:29:41 GMT
On a night that felt as odd as this one a smile would’ve been enough, maybe a few words to laugh off her surprise before she’d gotten back in the car. By now she’d likely be halfway home. A call to Magnus would’ve had her laughing about it already, his voice always a balm to her ragged nerves. Jo was glad to see him return her smile, but her fingers were still wrapped around her keys, as though she could get moving at any moment. Halloween and the expected celebrations back home would’ve been the easiest excuse for it, but she found herself almost brushing the holiday off instead. It was a thin line between pretending everything was just fine and allowing a hint of the fear even something like her could feel bleed through. College students weren’t likely to see that fear as a lesson. They minds were still developing, mistakes were bound to happen before they matured enough to see just what the consequences of their actions were like. That included Linc’s, she’d seen so much of her sons at that age in him, and now in Jasper too.
Jo’s gaze rolled in the direction of the dorms. Security would have one hell of a night trying to keep the campus under control. ”I’m glad times have moved on and the professors aren’t expected to chaperone those. I’d rather not be a part of the chaos,” she murmured, humour edging her voice. The circumstances might’ve changed, but parties were parties no matter where or when they were held. Things had been wild enough in a time where most leaned heavily on the teachings of the church, or the example of the King. In Edward’s case his wife had been the one causing the chaos, with a man who was practically her father-in-law and then with the woman who’d stepped in to try and protect him.
Jasper’s manners were rapidly making it clear that he was polite at least. Someone had raised him well and she’d had the same impression from his sister. He wasn’t without a sense of humour though. His description of himself had Jo letting out a low chuckle. She nodded slowly as she looked up at him. ”My eldest son always said the same thing. I’m sure your sister would argue it, the same way his brother’s did.” Using the past tense always left her throat aching. She’d play it off as her sons already being grown, like she was just talking about their childhood instead of men who had gone to their graves almost seven centuries before.
She hadn’t expected Jasper to launch from his joke into an academic discussion. Jo tucked her keys back into her purse, pushing back the thought of leaving. ”My main focus is geography, but there’s plenty of overlap. I can always recommend one of the other professors if you have a question I can’t answer. It’s OK, really.” Smiling at him reassuringly, Jo took a small step closer. ”Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 2 until 5. We can always make an appointment around my teaching if those times aren’t good for you. What did you want to ask?” Maybe it was something she couldn’t answer here, but she’d always tried to help where she could, as soon as she possibly could. Not dragging it out made it easier for all involved.
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JASPER ROMERO
Werewolf
Posts: 83
Played by:
haise
Last seen May 4, 2024 13:16:22 GMT
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Post by JASPER ROMERO on Mar 17, 2024 7:44:59 GMT
━ sun's up, i don't wanna fight the daylight ━
Smiling as Johanna went on, saying that her son would say something similar to his own description of himself, Jasper felt relieved, knowing that the sources of information he had been fed were somewhat revealing to be true in some way. Though, Jasper caught on Johanna's words, hinting that everything happened in the past. To an ordinary person it would just come across that the kids had grown up, become men of their own but...the Romero was still suspicious. "Boys will be boys right?..Are your sons in town with you also? Do they attend Whitmore?"
Feeling rather relieved that she somewhat bit into his bait about academics, Jasper kept up his smile, nodding away as she mentioned her main focus, the recommendation of other professor and her faculty hours. "That's fine. I just have a question about well..Mystic Falls and this area also. Since your focus is on geography I think..there won't be too much emptiness or gaps between historical and everything else.."
Jasper trailed off a bit, before deciding then that he would pull back on the facade. He was growing tired of keeping it up anyway. "How long have you been a vampire?"
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JOHANNA BAI
Vampire
Posts: 63
Age:
731
Occupation:
Geography Professor at Whitmore
Status:
It's Complicated
Partner:
Magnus Dane
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 5, 2024 18:42:09 GMT
|
Post by JOHANNA BAI on Apr 7, 2024 18:31:38 GMT
With the sort of trouble that happened in Mystic Falls, it was probably for the best that the school had started to crack down on security. Drunk students stumbling out into the woods that surrounded the school, especially on a night like tonight, were a recipe for disaster. In her own time her boys could probably still have found enough trouble to end up hurt, but as a mother she hadn’t worried about her sons being found torn to pieces by wild animals. It hadn’t been naivety that had stopped her from seeing. They had been different times and all of them had been blind to what was really lurking out there in the dark. Now she knew, Jo felt a faint shiver run down her spine. Lincoln had struggled against the boundaries Magnus had put up for him, but she felt reassured they were there. He wouldn’t be at a place like the dorm party, hopefully just at home with Cassie, sitting out the Halloween celebrations this year.
The corner of her mouth twitched slightly at Jasper’s words, her gaze returning to his. ”On the other side of that, I’m glad I don’t have to see it.” A quiet life with the man she loved would suit her just fine. The second man she’d loved. Moments like this, when she spoke of her sons, always threw her back to those times. As much as she would have loved to see her sons grow, to see her grandchildren grow, Jo knew that to do try and do so would only have brought trouble upon all of them. In the end someone would have noticed she wasn’t aging and would have come for her the same way they did Philippa. Smiling almost sadly, Jo shook her head at Jasper. ”Indeed. They’re not here with me. They’re in England, with their families.” A half lie, they had stayed there with them, with Kaegan. Now they were all buried in a place she had never returned to.
Changing the subject to her teaching was a relief. She had spoken of Kaegan and her sons to both Magnus and Lincoln, but speaking of them to a stranger was a strain. Jo had moved close to Jasper, opening up the discussion now just in case she could avoid waiting days to answer his question. ”I’ve been in town a few years, I might be able to help with that,” she reassured him. ”The local library has a lot of information on the town’s history too. Folks around here seem attached to it.” So much so that they seemed to celebrate it with events almost every single week.
She’d expected to offer up a couple of simple answers, things he could have found out himself, but instead Jasper hit her with the one question she hadn’t been expecting. Forcing herself to keep a straight face, Jo stood her ground. ”If that’s some reference to what happened here during the Civil War, then you’ll probably won’t like hearing that the story is just a local legend. There’s never been any vampires in Mystic Falls, not even on a night like tonight. Perhaps it would be better if you came to my office on Tuesday … if you have any real questions that is.” Taking a step back, Jo reached into her pocket for her keys again. She never should have stopped in the first place.
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