[sub]A collab Feat. [@Aerandir], [@Meiyuki], and [@shagranoz][/sub] [h1][center]An Unlikely Meeting[/center][/h1] It was the black of a moonless night, just the kind of time Phagora loved. Unfortunately, it was the only good thing about her situation right now. Nobody had responded when she arrived at the castle, so she was stuck looking for her new coven. She looked into the darkness and saw someone, but she couldn't make them out. Was this a member of the Bloodrose Coven? By the Pit, she wished she had a torch or something for light! Alexina, after a rough morning of dealing with her feelings for Lorelai and how it seemed the Dark Lords were playing with her feelings, she wasn't at the top of her game keeping watch.She sat about four hundred yards away from the group, basking in the darkness, taking in the sounds of the night. She sighed a massive sigh, trying to rid her self of her lonlieness. She heard someone moving, that was not a animal of the forest. Perking up she looked around, her eyes cutting through the darkness as she caught the form of an outsider. Cursing herself she rolled off the tree log she was sitting on and morphed into a cougar, and zipped away farther into the shadows...away from the form's eyes. She rounded the person and came up just behind them and to the right, high in a tree branch where she sat for a moment to gain a better look. Did that person just transform into a cougar? Phagora was no fool; she knew magic when she saw it. She called out, "I mean you no harm, fellow witch. My name is Phagora Schwartz, and I seek to speak with the Bloodrose Coven. Perhaps you know where they can be found. Maybe you are even counted among their members yourself." Having had no dealings with shapeshifters, she had no idea if the witch could talk while transformed. At the very least, she could be led to her destination. Behind her, her wolverine Irontooth sniffed the air, unsure what to make of the newcomer. Alexina paused for a momont. She wondered if it would be wise to hear this....witch out or just kill her now as she had the upper hand. She morphed back to her human form, while still sitting on the branch above the girl as she did while as a cougar. [color=00a651]"How did you hear of us?" [/color]She asked coldly, She made sure the branch and leaves covered her. Perhaps she would pinpoint where she was...but with the foliage, she wont see her....exactly. She looked to the wolverine behind her. She could have easily asked the wolverine for the info as well. But she felt that it would not be nessissary. Ah, so she was a Bloodrose after all. Finally, Phagora's searching was at an end. Not that eight hours was a long time, but still. "I heard of you from my father, the demon lord Phagoriel." The response was rather cold. Phagora was angry with him, and for good reason. The least he could have done was warn her he was wagering her services. "He made a bet with Lorelei Von Strauss and lost. Lorelei apparently gets to claim my eternal servitude as her prize." She rolled her eyes. "Now, will you take me to her, or do I have to keep looking by myself?" Alexina was silent for a moment.... She wouldn't know Lorelai was apart of this coven any other way.[color=00a651] "Wait here....[i]Phagora[/i] [/color]She growled. She wasn't really mad at the witch...but more at her self for being seen. She jumped from her branch to another, morphing back to a cougar and zipping away from camp, rounding about and coming from a different direction, just in case. Once she made it back to camp fairly quickly she stopped off at Lorelai's carraige...she hesitated for a moment... the last thing she wanted to see was any evidence of Lorelai and Vespa...nightly activities. Biting her lip she looked up to see Sousiel standing infront of the door. She morphed back into her human self and looked Sousiel in the eye.[color=00a651] "Is Lorelai awake Sousiel? There's a witch asking for her." [/color] Sousiel's head perked up at Alexina's voice. "Why? This witch have a weird crush on mistress too?" Sousiel shook her head. "Whatever I'll get her, gimme a bit huh?" With that she turned to the carriage and quietly entered. Shortly after the sounds of someone moving about could be heard. Alexina narrowed her eyes at Sousiels comment. Her hands flexed as she wanted to scratch the demons eyes out. She let out a breath to calm her self as she looked away. He couldn't believe it, he should have never let the stupid thing sleep in his sock in the first place. Taran had almost crushed the pint sized lizard when he first walked in the tent. In a moment of weakness, he allowed the thing to stay in his sock and the next thing he knew, the creature had taken up residents on his finger. Whenever he tried to pry the darn thing off, it would dig its sharp little claws and teeth deep within his finger. Taran didn't want to hurt the creature, but he also didn't want it ...on him. With a frustrated sigh, he left his tent, all around him. He spotted Alexina off in the distance and near Lorelai's carrige. Then an idea came to him. Taran hurried off to the woman, lizard and all. [color=708090]"Hey...Alexina?" [/color] He asked, "[color=708090]You speak...animal right?" [/color] Alexina's green eyes flashed as she looked at Taran... he asked a very odd question... [color=00a651]"Yes....."[/color] She said hesitently. [color=00a651]" Why do you ask?" [/color] Taran held up his finger, totally unaware that he was walking into the middle of something...kind of important. [color=708090]"Well,"[/color] he said, holding up the finger that the lizard had perched on, [color=708090]"Could you tell it to get off? I don't want to hurt it, but it's not letting go either,"[/color] The lizard let out a small chirpping sound, as though it knew it was being talked about. The door to Lorelai's carriage swung inward as Lorelai stepped out. She was dressed in her ritual garb, a skin tight black leather cut from succubi, on its seams dangled small charms of demons she'd dominated over the years. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she looked around. [color=00aeef]"What's going on again?"[/color] She was about to answer, Taran but Lorelai came out. She quickly said, [color=00a651]"I...I'm sorry to bother you Lorelai... But there is a witch who's name is Phagora. She says that she is bound to you by the bet you won with Demon lord Phagoriel. I normally wouldn't have bothered, but she knew you by name." [/color] [color=00aeef]"Ah, so the old bastard wasn't kidding about the offer of his youngest daughter then?"[/color] Lorelai let out a small sleepy giggle. [color=00aeef]"Very well, lead on Alexina."[/color] She paused a moment as she realized Taran was there. [color=00aeef]"Taran...what are you doing?"[/color] She looked to the small...lizard that had taken up residence on the young boy's finger. [color=708090]"Ah,"[/color] Said Taran, looking back at the lizard on his finger. [color=708090]"It...won't get off....but this seems more important, so...I'll just....put it back in my pocket for now,"[/color] He said, sheepishly, shoving his hand, and the lizard, into the pocket of his pants. She couldn't ignore it anymore. [color=00a651]"Take it out of your pants right now!"[/color] She whispered horsely... After a moment though she blushed and cleared her throat.[color=00a651] "I mean....the lizard...I mean the.....Ooooo" [/color]She walked over and pulled his hand out of his pocket and raised his hand to his shoulder and whispered softly to the lizard, comforting it as it released it's tiny claws and stepped off his hand and onto his shoulder. She then quickly said,[color=00a651]"Don't ever stuff an animal into your pocket."[/color] Half angry that he did that...half angry if not more that she said...those earlier things. Her face beet red.[color=00a651]"She was just terrified... Idiot. "[/color] [color=708090]"But.... I found it in there,"[/color] He said, trying to look at the lizard that was now sitting on his shoulder. [color=708090]"Besides...she? She's the one who crawled in my sock and then into my pocket. If anyone is the victim, I am. Don't yell at me,"[/color] She looked to Lorelai and back to Taran and growled out of irritation and embarrasment. [color=00a651]"Just shut up..." [/color]She turned and started to walk towards where she left Phagora in the woods. [color=708090]"I made her angry? Didn't I? I should...apologies for...whatever I did,"[/color] he said partly to Lorelai, but mostly to himself before following after Alexina. Two witches came through the darkness towards Phagora. They approached slowly, as if they were nervous about her. Phagora wasn't surprised. She and her mother had had several conflicts with other covens. Other witches could be just as dangerous as hunters, if not more so. She didn't recognize either of them by sight, but the infernal blood flowing in her veins screamed at the sight of the one on the left. That would be Lorelai, then. Phagora knew of the Von Strauss family history; they were far more renowned and infamous among witches than her own line. "So, Madame Von Strauss. It seems I am yours to do with as you wish. Shall we settle this verbally, or do you desire a blood contract? I'm quite fine with either, personally." Lorelai examined the witch. [color=00aeef]"I believe verbal will serve, we know the results of treachery don't we?"[/color] Lorelai stepped forward. [color=00aeef]"Offer me your blade and service, in exchange I swear to be generous and never cruel, but stern of hand and task. That work for you?"[/color] "Hmm." Phagora thought for a minute. "Promise me that you will teach me what you know of magical lore as well, and we have an agreement. The rest is more than I expected you to give, in honesty." She waited for Lorelai's response. If she said no, it would reflect badly on her father, and she knew damn well who he'd take it out on. [color=00aeef]"What I know will take you a lifetime to learn, but I suppose we've got that don't we?"[/color] Lorelai offered a small smile. [color=00aeef]"I wasn't entirely sure your father was serious when he made that offer, or that the daughter he promised was a witch. So I'll be kind, you're no demon to be used and thrown away when they're no longer convinient. I'm too old for unneccissary cruelty anyway. So we're agreed, speak your oath then."[/color] Alexina had stepped out of the shaddows behind Phagora, At the womans counter proposal she was surprised, that she was asking for more, even though her life was forfit to Lorelai. But even more surprised that Lorelai agreed to go with it. She said nothing though...it wasn't her business. Phagora pulled an old iron knife from her pocket. "I swear to serve you with my magic and my blade. My life is yours, until such time as it ends or you no longer desire my service." Phagora punctuated her statement by slicing her palm; Lorelai would know that no demonic individual could break an oath sworn on their own blood. Just to calm any fears the old witch might have. She would be the best winnings Lorelai would ever have from a game of chess, that much was certain. [color=00aeef]"Good good. Now, head to the camp and pick an empty carriage to ride in, we're headed to a castle and expect trouble."[/color] She turned back towards the foilage they come from. [color=00aeef]"We'll see how good that blade of yours is soon enough won't we?"[/color] By the time Taran had caught back up to Alexina, the ceremony was over and the witches were returning towards the camp. [color=708090]"Alexina, look, I'm sorry I put the lizard in my pocket. Please forgive me, I won't do it again," [/color] it was then that he noticed Phagora having joined the group. [color=708090]"Oh, hello. I guess you're new?"[/color] It seemed strange to him that Alexina and Lorelai had simply wandered off into the forest and came back with a new witch, but...that is what happened with him? Wasn't it? [color=708090]"Don't take this the wrong way. I don't mate with just anyone, unlike Al," [/color] Oh, by the Pit! She hadn't even given him her name, and he was going on about sex! How embarassing! Then again, most of the men she knew had no shame about it, either. He was just one more of the same. "Yes, I'm the newest member of the coven. My name's Phagora. Oh, and don't worry about the sex. I can assure you, that won't be a problem." She shook her head in disgust. Really, a witch should have better control on themselves than that. Lorelai smirked at Taran's comment. [color=00aeef]"Believe me Taran, not all of us are interested in whatever man-hood you've managed to accumulate." She made her way back to her carriage. [color=00aeef]"Some of us have much more interesting prospects waiting for them already."[/color] [color=00aeef]"We'll speak more in the morning Phagora, I need my sleep just like most everyone else, never mind the fact I hardly get it."[/color] Lorelai pushed her way back into her and Vespa's carriage. Sousiel resumed her place as her guard. Alexina groaned and covered her face at hearing Taran spout off his new found knowlege so given to him by Alphonse. Great Just great. She gave an exparated sigh and moved over to Taran. She grabbed him by the ear and pulled him away. "Just ignore him...he's.....special..." She added as she shoved him behind a carriage. She followed suit and in a hushed tone [color=00a651]"What are you Saying Taran! Stop making a Fool of yourself." [/color] Taran frowned at the woman [color=708090]"It is important information,"[/color] He said, thinking it over. [color=708090]"But...if it makes you uncomfortable I'll stop if..." [/color] he pretened to think it over. [color=708090]"You never allow me to be sent on another 'mission' with Al again," [/color] Alexina watched as Lorelai walked back to her carriage...frowning slightly before looking back to Taran.[color=00a651] "I don't have control over that Taran... Just....don't believe everything he says! PLEASE?" [/color]She brought him into the coven, his actions reflected her no matter how you looked at it. [color=708090]" Isn't he my better? If only slightly? Aren't I suppost to take him at his word?"[/color] He said. [color=00a651]"Not EVERY Word...esspecially about Lorelai or I wanting to.....do it with you."[/color] She said with an exparated sigh. [color=708090]"It sounds worse when you say it," [/color] his own cheeks turning a little red. [color=708090]"Fine, for you, I will stop," [/color] He gave a little bow before heading off to his own tent. Lizard and all. [color=708090]"Wait. Does the Lizard have a name? ....I think I have to keep it....[/color] Alexina growled at his innocence... but when he said he would stop she sighed with relief. saying thank you softly and mostly to herself. He then asked about the lizard again...[color=00a651]"That's something you have to figure out.... She likes you though..." [/color] [color=708090]"Her name is Dragon, I can tell,"[/color] with that he vanished behind his tent flap. Phagora made her way to the camp in silence. It was much better than she expected. It seemed that the Bloodroses had some way of making a good deal of money. She found an empty carriage and went to sleep. Tomorrow, she'd get a chance to show them what she could do. Perhaps they had a fine deer for her to use as a sacrifice, or at least a nice hare...