[IC] Spells in the Dark (18+ For dark and suggestive themes)

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab feat. @Aerandir, @Xathi, and @SillyGoy}

Lorelai, Sheevi , Alexina, & Vespa

---

Though Alexina was not near Elina nor Lorelai.... she knew that her stag was killed for the art of building the defenses... It hurt Alexina whenever one of the animals were used for such a horrible spell. She would much rather a hunter to be used but she understood that it needed to be done... She had come in after to clean up the mess left behind. Pulling the deer out and burying it as one would a human with a lot of respect.

The other witches did not understand Alexina, they didn't know why it hurt her so much and why she cared so much for the forest animals. They were her family... she grew up with him. She understood animals more than she did humans.

While she did this though, a small sparrow flew into the castle courtyard and landed on Alexina's shoulder. Chirping some new found information about the night before. One the Werewolf pack was defeated and scattered, by Fenros and some other well known hunters. But the good news was, that Fenros was bitten. The other news was that Lorelai paid a late night visit it to an old hunter she called Bobby. This alarmed her.... what did Lorelai want with that old nightmare? And She didn't kill him???

Her mood soured at the thought that a woman she respected was fraternizing with the enemy, with a well known hunter like Bobby and not killing him... sort of like Elina with Fenros... though technically she wasn't a witch just yet. She wondered on how she should handle this information. Should she talk to Medusa or go to Lorelai and get her version first?

"Yes, fine, just leave it there please." Lorelai gestured to her bedside table. The young witch deposited a small tray of food before offering a bow and leaving.

Lorelai was not accustomed to having many visitors in her tower. Mostly just Vespa and occasionally Alexina would drop by with a report. Elina however intended to fulfill her promise and ensure she got the 'proper care'. She sighed, the line of her sisters dropping by was not helping her thoughts.

She thought back to the kiss she'd shared with the silver haired Ruvina. Lorelai had been picking at that moment for some time. When she thought about Elina there was a certain warmth to her thoughts, she was certainly fond of the girl. Her thoughts about Vespa were starkly different however, while warm there was a selfish tone to them, she wanted Vespa, she didn't want Elina.

She sighed happily, finally some peace. For this moment anyway. Lorelai decided there was no need to inform Vespa about Elina's small transgression, it wouldn't happen again. No need to worry her love over something that wouldn't be an issue. She relaxed into her bedding and ate.

Sheevi starred in a melancholy fashion towards the bright white moon. The large luminous planetoid had always brought her a sense of security, even in her darkest of hours. Something about the way it shone and stared with it's single ever changing eye intrigued her, and in a way aspired her purposes. It was truly the perfect ruler. We could not live without it, it could live without us, hell even prosper more dubiously without the possible interference ages into the future by a civilization fresh and dystopian, the stars in line for the inevitable conquest. She strived to be like the moon. Independent and all ruling. A benevolent yet harsh and unrelenting overlord that sees all and controls all! Sheevi was breathing slightly overbearingly as she turned to make her way to the lady she was to meet with for an assignment.

Alexina decided to just talk to Lorelai, and after finishing up with her stag, she turned into a bird quickly and zipped up to the window just outside her room and reformed into her human form, if she were to walk it would have taken fifteen minutes, but now it only took two. She stopped at her door and hesitated for a moment... Lorelai...was a powerful and fearful witch. Which was why she respected her so.

She finally knocked on her door with a few quick soft raps and waited for her to answer...not knowing how tired she was.

"Come in, but if you're here to bring me more food I already ate." Lorelai sighed. "Tell Elina I'm fine."

She pushed the door open slowly and stepped in lightly, almost like a Ghost. Her bright green eyes darted around the room till she saw Lorelai in the bed. "I don't have any food. Only some questions." She said with a smile But then she realized that she probably is too tired for questions. Forgive me, I didn't know you were resting...should I come back at another time

"Alexina! I should have known, my servitors would have spotted someone else." With a small groan she sat up. "You know me, no rest for the wicked right?"

Lorelai gestured to an empty armchar. "Go ahead with your questions. It'll be good to have some company."

The brazen and obviously perturbed woman brisked to said seat and laid her body to a quick rest, indubitably exhausted as she peers at the unrecognized damsel accompanying Lorelai. "Who's the new one, Lorz?" , she stated with the knowledge that Lorelai ironically amused the brash nickname.

Alexina looked around the room after the witch who so quickly came in and sat down asked who's the new one. She was confused for a second....wait, was she speaking of her?!? She blinked a few times, lost for words. She knew she did not spend much time in the castle, but everyone knew her as the Queen of the Forest. The fact this little witch didn't was.....quite strange. "Excuse me? And you are?" The fact was that she didn't know many of the witches, especially the newer ones.

She glanced at her and back at Lorelai, apparently they were best of friends with that nickname she used.

Lorelai gave the scene an amused smirk. As tempted as she was to simply watch this play out she elected to pitch in. "Aren't you quite familiar with me Sheevi? Not sure if I like that."

She gestured between the two. "Alexina, Sheevi here's a newblood that is likely looking for something to do? And Sheevi this is Alexina, Queen of the Forest, she's been here a very long time, perhaps you should make a small apology?"

"Oh of course!!! She made an overbearing and seemingly sincere movement to kneeling at Alexina's feet and almost crying for forgiveness. " Please forgive me, Queen...I did not recognize you in this poor lighting!", she said quite pleadingly.

Alexina looked down at the witch who was obviously being sarcastic about this. Her eyes narrowed and while she held back slapping the insolent little witch. She hated being made fun of, or ridiculed in anyway. Something that happened in a village long before she was apart of the coven.

Taking a breath she then said, "Be careful walking the forest girl...."

She then turned to Lorelai, as if forgetting the girl's existence. "The reason I came here was to report some news from the woods. Apparently the werewolf demon was defeated last night..."

"As to be expected of the mighty Fenros." She flashed a grin. "Do take it easy on Sheevi here. Her brazen attitude is a form of affection I believe."

She stands and smiles a warm and playfully mischievous smile, extending a hand in solemn apology. "I can appreciate a woman who makes her high stature so obviously apparent. And I find it quite alluring as well, heh."

Alexina pulled her head back slightly at the flirtatious words that came from Sheevi, her emerald green eyes widened slightly as well. Not that she was repulsed, she was cute...she wasn't expecting the remark. She had even imagined being with Lorelai once upon a time, even it seemed like a dream to her once that there was something....but that was a long time ago. But she was with Vespa now, and she was slightly jealous about that.

Pulling herself back to the present she turned and took her hand, "Good to know...." She added, before turning back to Lorelai and continuing. "Apparently though Fenros was bitten in the battle....So I doubt we will have to worry about him anymore...Or at least you do not."

Everyone heard her voice first, yelling her lover's name, before her heavy footsteps on the stone floor became apparent. Her footfalls became louder and louder until abruptly disappearing by the doorway - at which point, the door was fixed to a ninety-degree angle in an instant. Vespa was there, her hand outstretched in the wake of her thundering entrance, and the look on her face was a mixture of incredulity, anger, and worry - all negative emotions.

"Lorelai!" she said, as she made way to the bed. Her gaze was transfixed on her lover's prone form and only that alone; neither Alexina nor Sheevi registered in her mind till she was halfway across the room. "Lorelai, you fool, you could have died! Why did you take Elina? You could simply have woken me up!"

She practically leapt to Lorelai's bedside and squeezed the latter's hands tightly. "My love, what got into your mind? Elina - Elina isn't fit to be a witch!"

"Vespa, can we perhaps save this a bit while I wrap things up here?" She returned her love's squeeze. "This is Sheevi, who I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting yet. Sheevi this is Vespa, our relationship should be relatively obvious at this point."

She turned to Alexina. "The Digards have wolf blood in their lineage-"

"Lorelai!" Vespa cried, not even having given Sheevi at least a polite look. "Maybe you can't realize it in your current state, but I am extremely worried about you! You - you conversed with the Devil himself. I did not even know the Betrayer himself was sealed in - oh God, my love!"

Sheevi stared at the pairing with perplexed disbelief at the spectacle of emotion and complex compassion she had just witnessed. She was blissfully unaware that she was still holding Alexina's hand in the greeting embrace as she peered. "What in the world are you so worried about...?!", she stated as she unknowingly clenched her palm tighter.

"The Devil!" Vespa said, finally glancing towards Sheevi. "My poor lover was almost taken by the Devil, and you don't know anything about it?!"

Alexina looked down at her hands and noticed her still holding Sheevi's hand and quickly pulled away. She was also surprised that Lorelai knew that he had werewolf blood in him. Well that shouldn't be surprising as she dedicated her body and soul in killing Hector Digard, the one who killed the rest of her family. She glanced up at Hector's sword which was displayed above Lorelai's bed like a trophy, the same sword Lorelai took from his bloody corpse and defiled the holy blade that was meant to kill Demons that Lorelai's family summoned. It would make sense that she would know their darkest secrets.

She also wanted to talk about Bobby, but she didn't want Vespa, who was clearly angry and worried about her to hear, only to add fuel to the fire that Lorelai would get. So she tried to say it slyly..." There also was mention of Bobby entering the forest...." She said softly while directing a piercing glance trying to say she knew it was her without the others knowing. "Apparently meeting with a woman."

Sheevi looked down at her red hand, then at Alexina, then the couple at the bed and realized this was not an affair of her involvement. "I-I suppose I should get going, Lorelai...possibly return at a more convenient time for my assignment..." She was obviously uncomfortable and seemingly intruding on the matter as she briskly stepped towards the still agape door. She looked to Lorelai, and decided to give a quick and sincere summary in her mind. "She's really nice..." She glanced at Vespa. "She's emotionally attached." She peers towards Alexina. "Oh I like this one." She makes a small and polite bow before swiftly exiting the door with a swoosh of rushing air and escaping to the courtyard to ponder her next move.

Lorelai looked at Vespa. "I'm very sorry for worrying you love." She smiled softly. "But I assure you I'm quite alright. Old scratch is hardly a match for an old witch like me."

Her mind quickly ran over Alexina's words. So she'd been spotted during her little meeting. "I'm sure his aged, rugged appearance has its charms. Or perhaps the woman simply needed a question answered, after all he's the most experienced hunter anywhere nearby."

It was obvious she wanted to finish her conversation with Vespa, but didn't want to appear rude. Her eyes pleaded for privacy as she turned to Alexina. "We should discuss it later perhaps?"

A pang of Jealousy ran through her, as she folded her arms across her chest... She narrowed her eyes, but not at Lorelai, or Vespa, Lorelai would quickly see that if she glared at either of them. She felt Vespa and Lorelai plastered the world with their love.... while she was alone in the forest.

She turned away to hide her face from Lorelai and said, "It seems that would be best..." She took a few steps before glancing back at Lorelai and Vespa, who seemed totally ignorant of everything besides the woman in front of her. Biting her lower lip as she reached the door she raised her chin up and walked through the doorway and slowly shut the door. She rested her back against the heavy wooden door. A sudden wave of tiredness overwhelmed her as she started down the stairs slowly. Too tired to transform and fly away.

Vespa so badly wanted to say, "What's her problem?" but she decided that it would be too rude. So instead she returned her attentions to Lorelai. "Scooch over," she said, as she joined her lover in the blankets. "Lorelai, tell me all about what had happened, and what you were thinking. Why Elina? You know how... weak she is. Things could have been worse; you were saved only by luck!" Under the sheets, she squeezed Lorelai's hand tighter. "Please don't do anything like that again. Don't make me worry like that again."

"I'll do my best sweetheart, but It wasn't luck that saved me. It was your sister's quick thinking and bravery, and my own infernal will." She leaned over and kissed Vespa's cheek. "Your sister will never grow if she isn't given the opportunity, she performed admirably and snatched me back from what might have been death."

"My condition is largely to blame on myself, rather than offering up the usual pact I rose to the Betrayer's bait. Why I decided to even attempt to bind the Lord of Illusion is beyond me, but I'm sorry." Lorelai grinned. "Could you find it in your heart to forgive me love?"

Vespa's looked of worry faded to a sweet smile that lasted throughout this sentence, "Well, you seem alright, but only after you explain to me why you were kissing my sister."

Lorelai's face immediate turned a bright shade of red. "I believe Elina said something about an...entry point? I guess it was required to heal me?"

At this, she raised a brow, killed her smile, and flattened the tone of her voice. "Is that the best excuse you can come up with for cheating on me, Miss Von'Strauss?"

Lorelai's eyes filled with tears, they didn't quite spill over here eyelashes, yet. "It is, I'm sorry love for my betrayal. I have no excuse other than the need for your sister's magic to function more effectively."

"I'm not talking about the first kiss. Elina told me everything. It's good that she's honest with me no matter what." Vespa leaned in even more, inching her head on their shared pillow. "I'm talking about the second kiss, Lorelai. There was... really no reason for that."

The tears in her eyes managed to spill down her cheeks, she hadn't wanted to worry Vespa about something that would never happen again. Confession is weakness, she'd intended to bury the guilt of that indiscretion and bear it alone. Yet Vespa was wounded anyway.

"I was scared, barely conscious, infernal power intertwining itself with my already-"

"Hush," Vespa interjected. Suddenly, the blanket was a crumpled, messy heap at the foot of the bed, and she was over Lorelai. "Don't cry. I don't like seeing you cry. But you'll have to make up for it. Here," she procured a small handkerchief from one of her waist-side pockets and dabbed away Lorelai's tears. When her lover was beautiful again, she leaned in and pinned her down by gripping her wrists.

"Lorelai, we're going to fuck. And this time, you'll be the one moaning like a bitch. You're mine, and you will always be mine, do you understand? Together, always. Okay?"

"Everything I am, and everything I will be is yours, now and forever."

The last few inches separating their lips were closed, and the two made love yet again.

[SillyGoy]

_{A collab feat. @Meiyuki the cutie}

Lorelai Von'Strauss, Vespa Ruvina & Elina Ruvina

After Vespa had thoroughly reclaimed what was rightly hers Lorelai drifted into a pleasant sleep. To be loved and to love was more precious than anything else her life had offered her, and she'd be sure to never release her iron grip on these feelings.

The next thing she heard was Sousiel's voice, her high, lilting voice was cut with a small dash of panic. "Mistress, Medusa's on her way up! She looks pissed." Sousiel set about retrieving Lorelai's discarded garments as the witch rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Is everyone going to use my room as a meeting place?" She'd been hoping to rest some after her ordeal, but it seems fate had other plans.

"My," Vespa said, snug under the blankets and with an expression just as tired and rosy as Lorelai's. "What could she want?"

"I haven't the faintest." With a groan Lorelai stood and began getting dressed. "Whatever it is it must be important. She rarely visits me up here."

"Let me get dressed too!" Vespa stood up after her lover. "I have no intention of having our mistress catch me naked."

Lorelai grinned surveying her lover's form. "Then you'd best head to the bathroom dear." She laughed. "Medusa's almost here, and she can hardly expect me to be fully clothed if she shows up with no notice."

Sure enough Medusa's heavy footsteps became audible as she neared the black iron door to Lorelai's bedroom. Vespa, meanwhile, had heeded her lover's advice and was quietly finishing the straps of her underwear in the bathroom.

The door flew open to reveal Medusa in her ritual finery. Her glare was hot as she looked about the room. Her eyes fell on Lorelai, who wasn't even half dressed yet. "Lorelai! Have you made any fucking progress on our vampire problem!? I've got two dead sisters just outside your wards!"

Lorelai winced slightly at her mistress' anger. Was she supposed to juggle everything? "I've got some leads, but these things take time Medusa."

"How much time!? Two dead Lorelai! Two!" Medusa stepped further into the room. "What are you waiting on anyway?"

"I've got very little information on these... Ruvins... I've sent away to a scholar that may know more, but I need to wait for a reply." She lied calmly, the truth was the 'scholar' was Robert Flint, and she hadn't yet recieved any information from the old hunter yet.

"Has it occurred to you that they might be related to the Ruvina's?" Medusa said sharply. "Surely Vespa or Elina may know something?"

"Vespa knows unfortunately little I'm afraid, and while the Ruvina's are supposedly decended from a family of the same name, the claim that these are the same Ruvins is highly dubious." Lorelai stood, finally dressed. "Besides, we can't exactly dig through the Ruvina library for information."

"And why not?" Medusa's glare bored into Lorelai. "Surely Reyna's missing her daughters right?"

"You know as well as I do that might not be the case."

"And I am loathe to return to my birthplace again," Vespa said, in the open doorway to the bathroom, fully clothed this time in a simple house gown. "Forgive me for my impertinence, mistress, but I'm pretty sure my mother would kill Elina and I the moment we are sighted by her."

Medusa looked at Vespa, her glare slighly diminished. "Even with a famed 'Von'Strauss' in tow?" Her voice became sarcastic as she spat out Lorelai's clan name. "However you do it, I expect a solution to our problem, and soon."

Vespa, who had ambled into the bedroom, stared at Medusa for a bit, before bowing. "If my mistress so commands it, my sister and I shall journey to our former home. Castle Ruvina's librarium boasts almost two millennia's worth of scrolls. Maybe we'll find something there."

Medusa's glare softened. "If it requires it." Her gaze renewed its venom as she turned back to Lorelai. "And it will unless someone comes up with something within the hour." With that she left the room, her footsteps echoing down the stairs again.

Lorelai let out a half-snarl, half-sigh, and sat down on the bed. "I'm sorry love, you needn't be caught up in this."

Vespa joined her lover by the bedside. "I'm frankly surprised by Lady Bloodrose's reaction. Is the situation really that dire? Perhaps we should just scour the forest, find their lair, kill them and be done with it."

"Mine and Medusa's relationship has been... strained of late, but I'll not trouble you with that." Lorelai's smile was a touch bitter. "So I've no idea of the true importance of this."

"The problem is we've no way to keep them dead. I've tried every hex available in the library, and several secret ones that demons treasure, and our captive's damnable regeneration continues to function." She stood. "I'm at my wit's end love."

Vespa closed her eyes and adopted a thoughtful look. When she opened them again, she was grinning. "Maybe that's not so bad," she said. "I'm pretty sure I've read something somewhere about using the pain and misery of others to further one's power. Imagine a whole rack of manacled, helpless vampires whose screams and moans would empower us. Two birds with one stone, eh? Justice would be served too."

It was Lorelai's turn to mimic her love's expression. She shook her head. "Our captive has eluded to the magical prowess of his lord. I fear that may be a trojan horse of sorts. Let them into our castle to have them harness their own misery to free themselves in our midst." She grinned. "Although that would be quite the ritual fuel wouldn't it?"

"It would." Vespa's smile faded then. "You know, Lady Bloodrose appeared to have made an immediate connection between my family and our new nemesis, the Ruvins. Just... what is up with that, you know? I really don't think I'm descended from vampires. That ancient family in my house's chronicles has been dead for too many centuries."

Vespa sighed. "She seems to be convinced that going to Castle Ruvina to find answers is the proper course of action. I really, really do not want to go there again. Mother... is a true aristocrat, so arrogant and jealous and proud. She threatened to kill my sister and I when we shared our first sacrifices instead of having one each - you already know this. I will never forget her words. They were laced with so much hatred."

She shook her head. "She is a powerful witch with an even more powerful temper - and she is also brilliant at holding a grudge. I... shouldn't have said 'my sister and I.' I don't want Elina anywhere near that monster again."

"I must admit that I've been wondering at the connection between your family and these vampires, blood magic, vampirism. It seems there may be a connection." Lorelai let out a small laugh. "Being vampires would in fact mean the Ruvin's are dead after all."

Lorelai took one of Vespa's hands in her own, squeezing gently. "You've become powerful as well my sweet. If it's time to settle this grudge you'll also do with me at your side." She smiled sweetly. "A mother's love is a strange thing, I wouldn't hold out any hope, but perhaps there's little to fear."

"As for leaving Elina behind...I will bow to your choice in this, but should she miss what may well be her last chance to face her mother?" Leaning in she grazed Vespa's cheek with a small kiss. "She may benefit from resolving whatever feelings she has kept buried."

Vespa smiled at the little kisses. "Maybe," she said. "I don't know. Part of me wants to tell her about this potential journey but I also know that she would beg to go back. And I don't think I'd have the heard to refuse. Oh, sister."

"By the way," her face suddenly lit up in a mischievous, catlike expression. "I really enjoyed myself earlier. Maybe I should be the dominant one more often. Your moans... they were like honey to my ears, my love."

Lorelai's face flushed as she giggled. "This body's all yours love. You can have it whenever, however, you want it." She kissed Vespa briefly before her expression sombered. "But I think this 'potential' journey is going to be required."

Vespa rolled her eyes. Considering how stubborn their mistress was, perhaps this reluctant visit to the Kingdom of Poland was inevitable. "To my complete dismay. Ugh." She stood up. "The last twenty-four hours have been really stressful. Join me for some tea, love? Let's cool off for a bit."

"That they have, although the last couple have been lovely." Lorelai stood and joined Vespa. "I suppose I could take some time for tea."

She turned to Sousiel, who'd been standing in a corner trying not to be noticed every since Medusa had arrived. "Prepare my effects for a trip would you?" Sousiel offered a quick bow before setting about packing some of her mistress' finery into a suitcase.

"Let's take our tea in the courtyard?" Lorelai began walking towards the door. "The air might serve to reinvigorate me some."

"I heartily agree," Vespa said, as she took her place beside her lover.

---

_{Some time later...}

Elina's room was lavish, befitting someone of her peerage and ancestry. It was spacious, and carpeted with fine, thick cloths and lavish furs. Wherever one stepped, their foot would sink slightly into the floor. At the center was a large canopy bed draped in the finest velvet whose curtains were embroidered by golden thread. One of the walls, opposite the doorway to the bathroom, was dedicated completely to her study with a massive bookshelf and an accommodating desk. Yet, whereas Vespa would have expected that desk to be empty and the inkwells unused, she was surprised to see an open tome there and some sheets of parchment full of her sister's personal notes.

"Sorry for intruding, sister," she said, peeking through the doorway, having opened it when she received no reply from her knocking. Lorelai was behind her, and she could see Elina tucked in and staring at her with sleepy eyes. "Oh, sorry. We'll come back later."

"No," Elina said, sitting up. She covered her mouth as she yawned. "No, it's quite alright. Did you need something?"

"Yes, well," Vespa fully opened the door then and stepped in. Elina and Luna, who was next to her, simultaneously cocked their heads in curiosity at Lorelai, who followed in her wake. "There is something you should know."

Lorelai grinned at Elina. "Yes, you see. We're planning a bit of a trip." She gave Vespa's hand a squeeze. "For the three of us. That is, if you'd like to come along."

"Mhm?" Elina listened attentively.

"A trip to Castle Ruvina," Vespa bit her lip. "We're going home for a bit."

Elina blinked once, twice - her expression was unreadable before saying, "Why?"

Vespa was frankly expecting a more emotional reaction. "Uh. Lady Bloodrose commands it. Do you... want to come?"

A smile suddenly curved the younger twin's lips. "Oh. I thought you were going to leave me behind. Sure, I'll come!"

"Alright. Brilliant." Vespa's expression was rather tense. "Just one rule - when we meet mother, let me talk to her first, alright?"

"There you go again, Vespa." Elina threw her legs over the bedside and stood up, displaying uncharacteristic energy. She was clothed in a fine nightgown, whose silken white cloth was sheer. The sun's rays, which slipped through the iron framework of a window nearby outlined her form and made her absolutely radiant. Her hair was a bit disheveled, but Vespa decided that just added to the overall effect: innocence and beauty, and perfection, even. Sometimes, under the right conditions, her sister would look like the finest work of art, and this was one of those moments. Her breasts, just faintly visible under her gown, looked extraordinarily adorable to her.

"I know you have bad memories regarding mother, but I'm telling you - she won't kill us. That's just silly. When do we leave?"

"That's up to Lady Bloodrose. Tomorrow maybe, or tonight if-"

"Tonight. We leave tonight." Lorelai looked at Vespa. "No sense in delaying, I have little confidence in finding what I need elsewhere."

"Well," Vespa turned to her sister once more. "You heard her. Tonight. Best you wash and get dressed."

Elina grinned. "Best indeed!"

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab featuring @agentmanatee}

Genoveve(Yeris) & Lorelai

Lorelai was relaxing in the coutyard while waiting for the Ruvinas to finish packing what they'd need for the trip to Castle Ruvina. She was getting tired, the last twenty four hours had been rough, and she'd been afforded little sleep.

Yeris quite enjoyed being in charge... well that was self evident in the way she viciously bullied the poor girl, but only the other souls and Genoveve herself knew this. But now, she was in complete control, as Genoveve's soul was just to weak to resist her, after being the one who sustained physical damage as well as her soul being tired out from trying to contain the spirits. Now, she was going to have some fun... starting with Lorelai, the Demon summoning whore... Yeris was suspicious the powerful witch could be on to her.

She had not found the witch in her room, but saw her dozing off in the court-yard. Silently, she crept up behind her, and very carefully and gently began to massage her shoulders, such stress relieving actions were in Genoveve's memory from the time with her mother... and Yeris couldn't pass up the chance to screw with the unaware witch

"Hmmm....Lovely." Lorelai's eyes fluttered open to the relaxing sensation. "Although I wouldn't let Vespa catch you doing that Genoveve, she can be a bit...possessive."

Lorelai smiled, Genoveve was hardly confident enough to simply walk up to her and touch her. So, the time came to speak to whatever foulness had taken hold of the poor girl. For now though, she'd play along.

Yeris had wished Lorelai had been less attentive, but it hardly mattered. She smiled in mock warmness down at the clearly tired Witch, "Oh, I'm certain she'll be fine with a small... massage hmm? You've done so much recently, when was the last time you treated yourself Mistress?", she dug her fingers in deeper into the tight muscled knots in her back, causing no doubt a fair amount of pain mixed with the pleasurable release of a massage, "And I don't think you could do without this mistress... so tense. If I didn't remedy these harsh knots who would? You really must loosen up, lest you hurt yourself.", she giggled at just how twisted up the girl was, and worked hard the hard knottd muscles.

Was this...thing trying to seduce her? Lorelai sighed internally, maybe she was just pretty while she was sleeping or something. "I have little time for relaxation lately, perhaps you're right."

Lorelai grinned, might as well get a massage out of this...thing before confronting it. She was also waiting for some insight into the creature's motivations, what did this spirit hope to gain from her? It was obviously powerful, so it behooved her to attempt to leave it and Genoveve at peace. With Genoveve in control of course. So she relaxed into the massage, doing her best to feign ignorance. For now, she'd wait.

Yeris smirked, then frowned in concentration, "Ugh, turn over! Here, let me walk around. Lie on your stomach, I'm sure your lower back is just as bad and like that it'll be easier.", with that she walked around the chair as Lorelai flipped onto her stomach. Carefully testing the girls limits, and straddled her legs carefully, putting her own up on the chair next to her before continuing the deep massage. "My, you don't just deserve this time you need it! Such deep knots dear oh dear... you know, being a Witch in the classic sense with my mother I learned many natural remedies lost to other witches. Made from herbs and weeds and such, I think I could make some of them, possibly they will help as well?", she continued to work hard at Lorelai's back, rubbing out the myriad knots and strains in the girls muscles, though it was difficult to do over her clothing... time to test it further, "I'm going to undo your back Lorelai, better to get at the knots... I simply must help you, the least I can do for my mistress after all."

"Sure, but first a question." Lorelai wasn't about to let anyone undress her. "When did you first possess Gevoveve?"

I knew it... damn ditz was to obvious... may just be a hunch though, Yeris cocked a fake look of confusion, "Possessed? How could I possess myself Lorelai? That hardly makes sense... you really must be stressed...", and slowly began to undo the girls back, to better 'get at the knots'.

Lorelai's hands moved behind her back to bar the creature's access to her dress. "I am stressed yes, but still sharp you see. Now, this can go one of two ways." Lorelai's voice grew hard. "You can tell me your name, and what you want...Or I can fill that girl's body with an army of demons and drag you out, and watch in pleasure as you die beneath my heel. The decision is yours, peace or war?"

Yeris hissed quietly... before returnong to her pleasant demeanour, "Oh everything would be so much easier if I didn't need to... oh well. I'll give you the same name I gave Genoveve all those years ago, Yeris. You can stop guessing what kind of Demon or whatever I am, I guarantee you won't get it. And please, I didn't 'possess' Genoveve... she invited me in.", she smiled cruelly, pulling her hands back, but still sitting on the smaller Lorelai, "Our... relationship is not that simple. Force me out, and I take poor sweet Genoveve with me, I'm boud to her in a... symbiotic relationship? Now, the many other malign spirits in her, they are possessing her.", she giggled at letting the summoner know just how deep the rabbit hole went.

"Now what do I want? Oh, thats no so simple that I can just explain it like that... you know Genoveve really does know superb massage techniques, and if we are going to talk honestly you may as well let me get at your back properly."

"Stay out of my dress, and you may continue. I'll not have Vespa wondering why I let anyone else undress me, even a little." Lorelai thought for a moment before continuing. "Don't be so comfortable in your safe, Yeris, I'll destroy you and Genoveve if it pleases me, just out of spite you see?"

It pained Lorelai to offer that lie, but it wasn't completely untrue. If she determined that Genoveve would be better off...Lorelai wouldn't hesitate. "So, tell me your goals, so that we might gain an understanding of one another." Lorelai relaxed slightly into...Yeris' continued ministrations.

Yeris gasped in mock surprise and offense, "Ah! So savage and brutal mistress! You'd end such a promising, innocent young witch as Genoveve just to spite some unknown entity? Oh my... though, what else should I expect from the Witch who hunted down Hector Digard for years in the name of vengeance hmmm? I suppose nothing is to vindictive for you is it?", Yeris almost hissed these words at Lorelai, knowing it would chew at her like a terrible tick.

Yeris huffed impatiently, "Really such a petty little witch that one hmm? I really don't understand what you see in her. Very well, but you won't get very well un-knotted with your back covered", she shrugged and continued her massage, simply trying to press harder to ovrcome the fabic between her hands and Lorelai's back. "Now, my goals? Hmmmm... well, generally more power, but I imagine you want specifics yes? Well... originally I thought about having Genoveve place herslef atop the coven, but Medusa is running it into the ground with the way she treats you and the others., she continued her ministrations, her hands finding and working the many knots hard. She had to, some were so deeply ingrained... stress at the top she supposed.

"Now though? I suppose get on your good side for the inevitable struggle coming, amass power, find someone for Genoveve and I to...mingle with. The same as you or any witch I suppose.", she was of course with-holding quite a bit... but she was calling Lorelais bluff.

"Medusa's under a bit of stress at the moment, it will pass, it always has." Lorelai wondered at the completeness of the spirit's admittance, but she didn't exactly expect Yeris to reveal everything immediately. "Get on my good side? Why not curry favor with Medusa instead? And I think Genoveve's mingling just fine with Laina, don't you?"

Weeks of built up tension slowly left her muscles as Yeris continued to work at Lorelai's back. She winced here and there as the creature used Genoveve's hands to push at particularly sore spots. It was somewhat amazing how much tension she'd become unaware of due to familiarity.

Yeris raised an eyebrow at the talk of Medusa's state passing, "Oh really? Well, tell me Mistress, will it pass before or after she tries to kill or banish you and Vespa? Ignorance does not suit a witch who deals in Demons, it'll get you killed. Even if it 'passes' as you say what will she do first? 'Hell hath no fury' and that old saying.", the deepest knots in the girls back were nearly impossible to get through the clothing, and Yeris scowled at that, "Why side with you? Well, Medusa just seems so... unstable? Thats it, powerful but... not someone I would follow for long. As for the mingling with Laina?", Yeris huffed exsasperatedly, "Won't last. One day you'll all wake and she'll be gone. Her type are always like that, all aloof and emotionless. Genoveve will surely be crushed poor naieve girl... and no one to comfort her but I and the many hundreds of other cruel spirits... how sad. Besides, Genoveve can do much better I think. And- ugh! You relly must let me get at your back, you stuffy clothing is stopping us from getting at the really deep ruts. I swear its just to open the back of your dress... no more."

"Medusa's hardly unstable, just passionate." Lorelai was saddened to hear Yeris echo her own concerns about Laina. Laina was a kind girl, but flaky and unreliable. Genoveve had invested so much into the girl, and to see it wasted. "We'll have to hope for the best between the two, but I'm always good for some comfort and a shoulder to cry on should she need it."

"Fine, but if your hands wander...I'll not be pleased Yeris." She allowed the back of her dress to be undone, although she was sure to keep an eye on where the creature touched. "Why don't me and you make a bit of a pact? Nothing too formal, but I think we're both interested in ensuring Genoveve makes the most of her abilities?"

Yeris rolled her eyes, "I suppose we will have to agree to disagree on Medusa then. Where you see passion? I see chaos, and unknown's, something far to... difficult to control or guess its moves to use or follow effectively.", she wasted no time in undoing the back of Lorelai's dress, exposing her pale flesh. Yeris quickly pressed the warm hands of Genoveve into her cool back, now able to get at the truly deep knots of stress, roughly working at them with Genoveve's skilled hands, working them out the way only someone with such experience could.

"Hope for the best? More like a miracle, its like asking a turtle to fly. They were and are doomed from the start, mark my words mistress... she'll leave. As for your 'comfort' and 'shoulder' I'm not so sure... Vespa may kill Genoveve out of pettiness,", Yeris giggled at the thought of tearing Vespa to shreds with Genoveve's body in front of Lorelai, "But she already had a mother Lorelai. I think you and I both know what Genoveve needs and its more than a little comfort.", she worked at the deep ruts hard as she spoke, they were taking much more pressure to work out. "A pact eh? What sort of pact Demon summoner? I am not some gullible forest spirit for you to trick, your terms?"

"While I can provide comfort, I'm afraid my heart lies elswere. Vespa'd never harm Genoveve for something so petty as that, she may be possessive, but she's every right to, and she's not petty." Lorelai winced at her eagerness to defend her love, but the words came out before she could call them back. While true, Lorelai didn't want to give Yeris anything to use against her. Oh well, Vespa's importance should be obvious anyway. "As for our pact I'm not looking to trick you into service. I just want to hear you swear that you hold Genoveve's interests, and a promise to work together to nurture the girl."

"And in return? Surely you offer more than 'I won't excorcise you', your smarter than that."

Lorelai smiled. "You're looking for a powerful friend aren't you?" Lorelai laughed. "Let's just say this would please me a great deal, Yeris."

Yeris looked up in thought as she continued her ministrations at Lorelai's back, working the tough knots of stress out slowly, one by one. "Well, Genoveve's interests are by and large mine anyways... and I'm the one who has gotten her this far anyways... fine, I'll take your pact and your friendship, with one more condition,", her hand found a particularly ingrained knot, and she leaned forward right next to Lorelai's ear, and roughly rubbed the knot out as she said, "You keep my existences a continued secrect... want to talk to me? Tell Genoveve and we can chit-chat... and know she is available if and when you will need such services as this, or the remedies I mentioned. So... want blood for this pact? Genoveve's nails are certainly long enough.", she laughed as she drew back, casually pressing one of the long nails into Lorelai's back, not quite enough to draw blood but getting close... she enjoyed teasing like this.

Lorelai was kind of getting tired of being seduced. Kind of. She reached down for her ritual dagger. "I'll draw my own thank you." She drew the cold steel across her palm, which bore several pink marks from similar ocurrances. A small trickle of blood answered the blade. "Now, let me up and draw your own payment."

With what appeared to be the last of the knots in her back, Yeris stopped straddling her, now simply sitting beside her, offering Genoveve's hand, "Take your tithe the boring old way then."

Lorelai sat up and turned to Yeris, it was unsettling to look into the eyes of the girl she knew and see Yeris' expression instead. She reached across and grabbed Yeris' wrist and open up her palm lightly with her dagger. Genoveve's blood welled up from the small incision. Lorelai placed her own bloody palm over Genoveve's and sealed their agreement. Either would know if the other broke it, not that they'd promised much.

Lorelai set about fixing her dress. "Now, would Genoveve like to join me on a little expedition? I'd like to keep an eye on the two of you for a little bit, you'll have to pardon my suspicion." She grinned. "Although if you've got other things planned I'll understand."

Yeris tapped her chin in mock thought, "Expedition where hmmm? Well, hardly matters. I've no plans here. Though, be prepared... when we come back I think Genoveve's little Laina may have left by then... and she is going to be distraught... and I can't comfort her with a hundred cruel and capricious spirits mistress., casually, Genoveve's abnormally long tounge rolled out of her mouth the lap at her own blood, Yeris shuddering at the taste, MmmmmMm~, So rare to taste witches blood when you are inside one ironically enough. So, where will we be travelling?"

"Castle Ruvina, and if Laina's gone by the time we return, so much the better. The sooner she leaves, if she's going to, the better. I'll do my best to comfort her." Lorelai watched Yeris lap up the nexture of Genoveve and her own blood tranquilly, no stranger to spirits, demons, or whatever that savored the taste of witch blood. She found she sheer delight Yeris seemed to take in it interesting however. "Have Gen pack what she needs for a trip and meet me here in a couple of hours."

Yeris curtly nodded and stood, Genoveve's tall body and long legs striding towards the door, "Can't wait to see the home of your lover Lorelai... perhaps she is stressed as well... maybe she deserves a little massage before we leave as well.", she giggled into her hand as she walked away, sure Lorelai understodd her cruel little gest.

Lorelai watch Yeris leave. This would be interesting, she hoped she wouldn't have to destroy poor, sweet Genoveve in order to get at...whatever Yeris was. Vespa certainly could use a massage. Lorelai smirked, 'You'll need to step up your game if you want to rattle me that badly Yeris' She thought to herself. Once Genoveve's frame was out of sight Lorelai settled back into her chair to continue her nap.

[Ellion]

Emiliah Hazelbrush and Fenros

As the group made it back to the to the Witches paradise, Bobby was standing by his bar, looking at them as they walked in, "Looks like ye all had a rough time.... with the pack."

Clay had left. The death of his partner was.... a little distressing. That, and he needed to get his own wounds looked at. Senna had, apparently, suffered a massive internal wound.

"You might say that Bobby," said Emiliah, her voice more than a little testy. "Seeing how you sent us out there WITH one of them. How could you not tell me?" Towards the end her voiced seemed almost a little hurt. Although Fenros hadn't done anything on the trip back, she wasn't about to let that sway her judgement. No. Bobby was going to have to have a very good explanation for all of this.

Bobby pulled his head back at Emiliah's testy tone. Realizing what she said, he rubbed the back of his head and "eh... I don't know....what yer talking a bout lass...." He glanced at Fenros, it was something he swore not to tell anyone unless given permission. Which made perfect sense....as it would make anyone a bit nervous. Fenros simply pointed to the bite marks left on his leather bracers.

"Bugger...." He hobbled over to a stool and sat down, looking at Emiliah and Emiliano. "It wasn't my secret to tell lassy." He looked at her with a plain look on his face as if that was all he was going to say.

Fenros sat down next to Bobby and let out a sigh of relief as he did, his side was still bleeding as Sophie came out. "Oh my goodness, look at all of you... you're all a mess... " She looked at Emiliah, who didn't seemed to be hurt, nor Emiliano but grabbed some clean cloths to switch out for Fenros's already bloody ones.

"Oh Dear.... who did this to you? This isn't a werewolf bite...." She said as she started to pull the cloth off, Fenros only nodded towards Emiliah,

"An over zelous Hunter." He said softly,

"Oh....Well you should have moved faster dear....of course she would have to strike as soon as she could." She said with a smile. Obviously not mad that Emiliah almost killed him, to her it was understandable. Having heard the first part of the conversation already. She knew he was part werewolf too. "Ill go get the water to flush out the silver."

"That isn't the type of thing you keep secret Bobby," she said, crossing her arms. "Sophie knew as well? You both let us go out there?" Emiliah shook her head. That was a different problem all on it own.

Her eyes narrowing at Fenros at his comment. "Over zelous? You were bit, had anyone else been bit, I would have downed them just the same. It is your own fault if I would have killed you, seeing how you chose not to disclose certain critical information," She took a deep breath. Looking back at Fenros "I guess my next question is, what now Digard? Are you planning on staying? Leaving? What are you going to do?"

Bobby folded his arms and was about to say something when Sophie piped in. "Of course I knew, I practically helped raised him, his brother and two sisters along with their mother Selena."

Bobby nodded his head, "Of course it's the type of Secret you keep! It was an oath with my best friend. Ye never break that. I trusted Hector Digard with my life, and Sophie's life as well. Even after finding out he was part werewolf. He never changed, nor did his kids...so it was something that didn't need to be shared. Because little pups like you would freak out. Why do you think this boy can lift such a massive sword so easily? Cause his mum fed him his vegitibles? HA!"

"Like I told you Emiliano..." Looking at the Parisi hunter, "This boy saved my life, and he was bitten then too!......Hence....why he bit the other wolf's throat out.... got a little to his head. First time being bitten and all. " He said chuckling to himself. Probably wasn't the best thing to say, as Fenros shook his head and covered his face.

When she then spoke to him he looked up. "Why are my plans so important to you?" He said with a raised eyebrow. "Does me being bitten change my plans?"

"Just curious..." She said, little out a sigh, her mind jumping back to the forest. "I guess, I have to admit, you are very powerful and useful. I want you to teach me how to banish demon wolves and demon...whatever else cannot be killed by mortal means," Emiliah seemed shocked at her own request. "Not...that this means I trust you...yet,"

Fenros looked at her for a moment with a raised eyebrow. "I can't simply teach you to the secrets of the melchizedek priesthood. You need to be ordained into the priesthood, much like a priest and bishop. And to my knowlege, only men is this priesthood passed onto."

He glanced at Bobby and he shrugged, "Don't look at me, Hector was the one who Ordained me....He knew more about the order than I do."

Emiliah could feel the blood rush from her face and then back to it as it turned a red color. "Well," she said with a disbelieving laugh. "I guess I finally see what this is about," her voice getting low with a vague threat to it. "If you wanted to be in your 'boys' only club so badly, you should have started with that," clearly, this wasn't the first time she had to deal with her being a girl being a bit of a problem. "All I can say is, good luck, I'll be waiting for the tavern bard to sing of the fall of the great Fenros, who died hunting the coven because he was too proud to think a girl worthy of his special powers," She could tell that she was starting to make less and less sense as her temper started to get the better of her. Her anger always made her.... a little irrational, since she almost never let herself get angry.

She got up, heading to the counter to get her bag of lavander. /She/ certainly didn't need him if he was one of /those/ type of hunters.

Both Fenros and Bobby rolled their eyes as she started to go off on it. "Emiliah..." Bobby started as he looked at her. "He didn' t say you couldn't....he said he didn't know if you could...." He looked to Fenros, "It might be in yer fathers book.... "

Fenros nodded his head but then said, "It would take her years though...." Looking at Emiliah, "Do you know Hebrew?" He asked very flatly.

Emiliah paused for a second, seemly torn on staying mad or coming back. But the chance to learn was too great and she soon returned to her spot. "A bit, basic grammer and words. I could have a basic conversation...and I...can read it, even if I don't always know what I am reading," she said, her father /had/ tried to teach her many different languges, but they were never something she looked forward to. "So, you'll try to teach me then?" She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice. "And, I'm hardly an old crow, I've got years left for learning,"

Fenros sighed... just what he needed, someone to teach. He was surprised a bit that she even knew Hebrew....or claimed to. "The only other woman I knew who could use it was my mother....but it was through my father....and the bond of marriage, was the only way she was able to draw upon it." He looked at her for a moment to see if she would freak out even more. But decided it wasn't worth the drama at the moment. " But like I said, to use it to the extent I can, I never heard a woman with the priesthood before, So this might not even work."

"Done," she said, crossing her arms, sitting back as though the matter was settled. "Let's get married, if that is what it takes,"

Fenros stared at her for a moment, lost for words, not sure what she really said. But a man in the corner stood up. "Wedding? I LOVE weddings....DRINKS ALL AROUND!"

Alltia perked up her ears and growled softly, "Like I would ever let that happen."

Bobby looked over to the man and said, "Shut up Jack!" Looking back to Emiliah a little shocked himself. "Yer serious lass?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be? If marriage will help me kill a demon, then married I will be. I'm keeping my last name though." Said Emiliah, trying to think if the church was still open or not.

Fenros patted Alltia on the head and shook his head. "No... We are not getting married. One, I don't even know you. Two....just no." He was thinking about Elina, but decided not to even go there... "You're a pretty girl, But I am not going to get married to you just because you want to."

"You were the one who even brought it up. We both know that things have been getting worse for a while. Anyone with eyes can see that. Right now, you are the only one who can fight those battles and you won't be able to fight all of them on your own," She moved forward in her chair. "And it isn't that I want to marry you, to be honest I'm pretty indifferent to that part. But I can fight and think about how you'll feel when people start dying, like Senna did, because there weren't enough as strong as you," She looked him dead in the eye. "If this is the best bet we've got, we have a moral obligation to take it,"

"It's not that simple!" Fenros growled, "You cant just marry me and suddenly draw upon it! It will take more time than that. " He looked away. Wondering why he even brought it up... "It just wont work, and don't dump Senna's death onto me, I told her not to go pick fights in the dark but she thought she knew better....THIS IS WHY I WORK ALONE." He said as he slammed his fist on the table. The recent death of his Best friend coming back to him like a suckerpunch. He stood up and winced in pain from the silver in his wound.

"I wasn't blaming you for Senna's death, you couldn't have known how...stubborn she is-was," She nearly jumped when he hit the table and stood up. "And like working alone would have worked for you tonight. Like you would have stood a chance without me covering your back the /entire/ time,"

He turned his head to her, "I've been through worse." He growled as he started for the door.

Emiliah stood up to follow him "Okay, you might have survived, but think how many more werewolves there would be in the world. Those two girls in the forest for starters. Don't even try to tell me that you could have fended off the wolfpack, fought the demon and saved girls. You wouldn't even believe that lie,"

Fenros stopped and hung his head, she was right of course, but he didn't admit it. He wasn't even really thinking on a retort, as he was wondering why he was so angry, thinking back to his friend who recently died. He was usually better at holding in his feelings. "ENOUGH." He said... He was silent for a moment, he didn't know what to say, he didn't even know what they were arguing about at the moment.

"I-I need to sleep... I cant think straight. " He said just to get out of there. He opened the door long enough for Alltia to slip through and slammed the door behind him.

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab feat. @Ellion, @agentmanatee, @Xathi}

Lorelai, Taran, Sheevi & Genoveve

---

He knew he should have been surprised. After all, castles were known for being large. Yet it seemed like all he had been doing is walking up and down stairs, through rooms and occasionally finding useful things, like the exit. He knew that Medusa was still expecting him to spend time in the forest with either Alexina or Lorelai, but Alexnia was nowhere to be found and he had still yet to meet Lorelai.

The sun was well past its peak by the time Taran wandered his way into the courtyard, where he saw a woman sleeping. At a glance, he could tell that this was Lorelai. But that left him with the struggle of how to talk with her. It was rude to wake someone resting, that much was certain, so....instead he took to still criss-cross a few feet away from Lorelai reading while he waited for her to wake up.

---

_Meanwhile...

Sheevi serendipitously paced through the castle halls, thinking and mumbling to her own morose thought processes. The entropy filled scene she had witnessed the night prior had fueled an intense chain of strange emotion and ponderous seclusion. How was it possible...to love somebody...? The "Vespa' witch she had seen hanging to Lorelai's side had intrigued her. As she neared the courtyard, approaching the fresh air and able to feel the rigorous breeze from her position, she calmed a bit and slowed her mind to a crawling passiveness, attempting to understand the feelings going through the witch's mind.

They were supposed to be heartless, right? Able to maim and murder and torture and break without hesitation, and slight enjoyment, right? How could an individual so utterly devoid of empathy love another...worry for another? It perplexed her. Then she thought of the other in the room. Alexina, her name was? She was quite obviously envious of the prospering relationship the two had. She could read it. She was, of course, able to read all of their thoughts. That was her calling. But simply reading, isn't understanding. She entered the courtyard, feeling the brisk cool air against her skin and sighed a bellow of releasing comfort. And from the corner of her eye she spotted Lorelai and....the nervous boy from the other day. "This should be fun.." , she mumbled to herself before beginning to make her way towards the docile pair.

---

_{Genoveve's room}

Yeris finally relinquished control back to Genoveve after packing the things she would require, "Now listen, Lorelai knows, but that does not mean you can tell her all about what I say understand? She may sometimes need to speak with me and when those times come-, Genoveve sighed sadly, "I know... let you take over, I know...", Genoveve secretly wished that Lorelai had excorsised Yeris but... she knew what that would mean for her... and shuddered to think about it. She sat on her bed, breathing quietly, simply resting after her ordeal but now conscious.

She finally sighed and sit up... she supposed she needed to have a conversation with Lorelai as... well her. So, she stood up, her travelling hood up and a bag under her arm, heading back to the courtyard.

Taran heard footsteps from across the far side of the court yard. He glanced over, to see who it was that was coming. He recognized Sheevi almost at once. He felt his face flashes a hot red as his book slipped from his hands, falling softly to the floor. "Sh-Sheevi," he said, "I ...didn't expect to see you. Here. In the courtyard,"

Lorelai's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Taran's halting speech. Turning her head she saw him cross legged on the ground a few feet away from her, and Sheevi approaching with her signature mischievous grin. 'What's with this? Am I becoming popular or something?' "I wasn't expecting anyone, especially disturbing my rest."

She slowly sat up in her lounge chair. "Some expedient explanations would be warranted, now."

"I-I," said Taran. "I was just watching you sleep-well, no I wasn't /watching you/...I was...waiting for you to wake up. I'm sorry, Medusa told me to find you," He finished, rather helplessly.

As she neared the pair, watching Lorelai peer at her through tired eyes, she dropped the grin and in place was a grimace of thoughtful uncomfortability. She neared Lorelai and sat next to her, something obviously on her mind. "Hello, Lorelai...and Taran."

Lorelai rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Watching me sleep huh? Isn't that a touch creepy? Even for a witch?" She grinned. "Medusa told you to find me huh?" She glanced at Sheevi, something was bothering the witch, but she'd have to play councilor later.

Genoveve walked slowly through the halls of the castle, not wanting to talk to Lorelai... afraid of what Genoveve may end up saying to her. She wasn't certain how... stable she was at the moment. Yeris controlling her body always left Genoveve... unstable and tired. Strangely enough Yeris was remaining quiet, probably giggling at her victory over poor Genoveve again. She entered the courtyard but quickly tried to hop back into the hall, peering carefully around the corner. She could see Lorelai in her chair, but she was no longer alone.

She was not sure what she should do now... approach and talk about other things? for now she simply watched as Sheevi and Taran talked to mistress Lorelai.

Sheevi sat back into the ridge of the courtyard step and relaxed, allowing herself to clear her mind in the comfy and sensuous air. She let out a more than suggestive sigh, that sounded a bit more like a moan, obviously intentional with the presence of Taran.

"Yeah," he said, his cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red. It was very distracting. Try as he might to not look at Sheevi right now, she kept creeping into his mind. "Ah, she....said to, uh. Ask you to take me to help you in whatever you might need,"

Lorelai arched her eyebrow at Taran's offer of aid. Or rather, Medusa's. "So she's pressed you into my service for the time being?" A smile curled the corners of her mouth. "Very well. Sheevi, stop moaning and pay attention. I've got a bit of a trip planned. To castle Ruvina. You're both to accompany me."

"You too Genoveve, you might as well come around, make some new friends." Her voice raised as she called the lurking witch, she'd felt Yeris' presence through the pact they'd made a few moments ago.

Genoveve shuddered as her name was mentioned, before the tall girl shyly stalked towards Lorelai and and Taran. She meekly waved to the boy, "H-hello... Taran... Mistress.", she clumsily attempted to curtsy for them, but seeing as she was in a not so-dress like garb the curtsy did not come off well. She blushed standing back up straight and cleared her throat, "Wha-what are you... talking about?"

Sheevi was too caught up in her calm stupor, she didn't hear Lorelai calling her name. She was however, mind deep in thought. Now that her head was clear, it allowed her to finally ponder the matter at hand with a sense of rationality. Was the coupling between Lorelai and Vespa platonic? Was it simply a charade? Was it an act of played emotion and..love? She didn't understand. And what of Alexina? What did she think of the oddly affectionate pair? And...what did she feel about Sheevi...? NO. Sheevi stopped her mind at that thought, suddenly jerking her body forward and panting, as if awakening from a bad dream. She would not have those kind of thoughts. She refused. As she looked around at the faces of those around her, she simply stated "Hi."

"Castle Ruvina?" asked Taran. "Is...that....like another coven?" Taran glanced over at Sheevi, who had seemingly just come out of a type of trance and at Genoveve, who had appeared from another corner of the court yard. He had yet to see her before, although there seemed to be an untold number of witches in the castle. He had come to accept the fact that he might never meet them all in person. "Hi Miss Genoveve, it is nice to meet you," he said, reaching out to take her hand and kissing it softly, before letting it drop. It was a bit impulsive and mixture of his oath and his raising coming into play.

"Genoveve, why don't you take Taran on a little tour of the castle hm? Make sure he packs everything he needs for a trip." Lorelai turned to Sheevi, who'd evidently suffered a bit of an outburst of...something. "Sheevi, stay behind would you?"

"Oh. Sure I guess..." , she said, displaying slight discomfort for the first time.

" I guess," Said Taran, thankful he had someone to show him back to his room as he followed Genoveve out of the court yard.

Once the two witch's footsteps had faded beyond earshot Lorelai turned to fix Sheevi with a concerned gaze. "What's going on with you Sheevi?"

"With me...? U-uh...nothing really..", she said, doubt and lies obvious in her timid voice.

Lorelai's gaze softened. "Listen Sheevi, I'm not just here for my own benefit. It's also my duty to ensure all the witches that call the castle home, and adhere to Coven Bloodrose bloom into the best witches they can become." She offered the witch a small smile. "If something's troubling you, you can share it with me ok? We'll figure it out."

She winces a bit, feeling honesty and good will in her mind as she eases up a bit. She knew subconsciously that she would have to drop her plans after this conversation, at least for a while, but she needed to get this emotion out. "W-well...I was just wondering, I guess...w-what does love feel like...?"

"Love huh?" Lorelai though for a moment before responding. "Love has many stages. It begins like all things, selfish. A desire to have someone for yourself, or to emulate the qualities you enjoy in them. It progresses from there into a desire to stand by them, through the trials of heaven or hell, and to see them shining at the end of it all."

"Love ultimately is a union of two people, body and soul. That someone else calling you home." Lorelai grinned. "But it's a little different for everyone I think. What do you feel Sheevi?"

She immediately places an expression of perplexion, light red blush forming on her cheeks. "M-me?! I-Uh...don't feel anything...t-that's why I was asking you, of course!"

"Are you sure?" Lorelai's grin broadened. "It seems to me that you might You needn't speak of who may have snaked their way into your heart Sheevi, but if you made yourself clear to me, I'd be able to advise you better."

"N-no, I swear! I was only asking because of y-you and Vespa! It seemed to be bothering Alexi-...nn-..." She trails off at the mention of the name, a forced look of disgust forming on her face, obviously fake. "The other one."

Lorelai laughed a little. "Alexina then! A good woman. Me and her almost did that dance ourselves back when I was a newblood." Her grin remained bright. "Then Vespa came along, and well. You see how things are now."

"Seducing the Queen of the Forest huh Sheevi? I have only one piece of advice." Lorelai leaned in. "Be direct, if you approach it from your usual manipulative angle you've no hope. Just tell her what you want, she'll respect that."

She is taken avast, sputtering and shaking her head and hands in absolute denial. "Pf-wha-NO! I do NOT have ANYTHING for HER. She's mean! And she smells like trees! And flowers! And I HATE flowers! And she is super NOT PRETTY. NOT AT ALL. All lies.

"Love is a reward for the brave Sheevi, not for those who hide." Lorelai stood, she had her own preparations to make. "And it will take you higher than you thought possible, make you stronger than you could ever be alone. But only if you're brave and decisive."

"Make your choice Sheevi, but never forget this moment when love, and greatness knocked at your door. It may not do so again." With that she turned towards the gates to begin her work, leaving Sheevi to her own thoughts.

Sheevi slumped back onto the surface behind her, sweaty and in disbelief at what the witch had just said. She couldn't even find the strength to recollect herself and fell into a tired and fluttering stupor on the ground. She was going to have to rethink her purpose in this coven, drastically. As she wisped her eyes closed and sighed a defeated but inspired breath, she proclaimed a single word. "Fuck."

[shagranoz]

So, this is the infamous Castle Bloodrose? It's a beautiful place. I think I may end up liking it here. Phagora Schwartz made her way up to the castle entrance. The young witch stopped, wondering if she should knock on the massive gate. Oh, screw it. My father told me about the beasts my new mistress bound to this place. Surely one of them will hear me and tell her. Her voice boomed out, "I am Phagora Schwarz! I am here to bind myself in service to Lorelei Von Strauss!"

And that was that. Now, all that was left to do was wait for someone to show up. Hopefully, it wouldn't take too long. Phagora was not the most patient of witches.

[Ellion]

Emiliah, Flint, Bobby, and Emiliano

Emiliah watched the door slam in her face as Fenros fled the tavern. Off behind her somewhere, Jack was quickly talking about the wedding , trying to convince Sophie that the tavern should provide the ale. "Bobby," said Emiliah, turning on him. "Where is he staying?"

Just after Fenros had exited the tavern Emiliano came in, looking rather confusedly in the direction of the large hunter before taking a seat at the bar and sighing quietly, "Bobby can I get a drink? I think... I really need one, seeing as someone died while I was holding them today... well that and you hiding the fact that Fenros is part fucking monster... so do you have hard liqour?"

Before Bobby could speak Emiliano came back and asked for a drink, after calling Fenros a fucking monster he narrowed his eyes. "Bar's closed for the night Parisi." Before looking to Emiliah. "I don't know lass, He just came into town only a few hours ago, he normally stays either here or.. well somewhere. He might be even sleeping out side tonight. Best to just let it be, Fenros, after being bitten can be a bit on the... emotional side for a while. Cursed blood running thicker through his veins or what not." Looking at Emiliano, "But he is not a fucking monster. Those's werewolves in the forest are. He uses his 'curse' to kill every bad thing out in the dark. Mostly ALONE, So before you start passin judgement on a man not knowing what he's been through, becoming the best hunter i've seen in a long time all while hiding who he really is because his 'comrades' would turn on him...fearing darkness in him."

He huffed, flexing his hands to calm himself down. He often thought Fenros as a son, and had dealt with this type of situation before....never liking what people said about him despite what he's done.

Emiliah looked at Bobby, chewing her bottom lip, thinking it over. "Well, I guess I'll just have to wait til tomorrow then," She said. "It is late, I'm think I better head home. See you in the morning Bobby," Emiliah reached over the counter to grab her bag. She gave him another look. "I really hope that you don't have a false belief in him being...harmless."

"I know he is Dangerous, But I also know his father taught him right, He knows where to focus his anger. Why do ye think he's called the Terror of Witches?"

At this moment the door opened again, and a cloaked figure walked in, His cloak looked old and faded, it used to be a dark green but now it looked like it was sunbleached in a few spots. He held a longbow in his left hand, and a wolf stood just to his right. He looked dark and mysterious in the doorway, his face covered by the cowl of his cloak. He took a few steps in and let the door shut, just after the wolf slipped in as well.

"Bobby.... You spreading stories of me now?" The man said as he pulled back his hood, revealing a young handsome man with blonde messy hair and blue eyes. He noticed Emiliah and gave his winning smile, "Hello there."

"Aw come on Bobby! I know you have liqour! I need some... I held a dying woman earlier Bobby...", it was then Emiliah declared she would leave, eliciting a tired shrug from Emiliano, who very obviously was more focused on begging Bobby to get him some hard liqour, "Hey, I never heard of Fenros hurting anyone who wasn't a witch. And if Bobby trusts him thats enough for me.", then the mysterious stranger entered, cloaked with wolf by his side, talking strangely to Bobby. Emiliano cocked an eyebrow at him as he revealed his face and smiled to Emiliah, causing Emiliano to sigh, "Oh yea, say hello to the pretty girl sure... Bobby can I please get some whiskey or bourbon?

Bobby shook his head at the enterence of the cloaked figured, he knew who it was, But Emiliano was still bugging him, if he was like clay he would just hound him. He quickly got a bottle and poured him a whiskey. "There, Im sorry the girl died..." He said gruffly as he pushed the cup to him.

Emilah glanced over at the man's greeting. "And...you are?" she said, looking him up and down, most of her friendlessness having gone with the wolves. A glance outside the window told her that they were now entering the later hours of the night, closer to morning now than anything. Well past the time she should have been in bed if she had any plans of hunting her witch again in the morning.

He swaggard forward saying, "My name is Flint. Flint Digard. " Before she would have the chance to say anything he quickly caught up her hand into his and gently kissed it, "It is rare to see such beauty, especially in a hunter. May I ask what your name is?"

The wolf behind him groaned and covered its face with it's paw, almost embarrassed at what it was seeing.

"Flint Diggard? Well, someone certainly enjoys his name." he said as he began drinking his glass of whiskey. He put it down and looked at Bobby, "Can I just assume that all the Diggard boys have the werewolf blood? Or is that just a Fenros type deal?"

"You mean to say," Said Emiliah, yanking her hand out of Flints, turning away from the man who had just introduced himself, instead rounding on Bobby. "There is more of them? What? Do they come in litters?" She gave a little exasperated sigh. Not that she had any room to talk about a number of people beloning in a family. For five generations, each member of her family had produced seven off-spring, who then produced seven off-spring and the seventh one always became a hunter. It also didn't help that there was an abnormal amount of males running around her bloodline.

Bobby nodded a few times, "Sort of... There three sons that came from Hector and Selena, two daughters as well. All the sons are formidable Hunters." Bobby looked at Emiliano and said, "Even the sisters are half werewolf... save the mother." It's passed down from Hector."

Flint blinked a few times, glancing back to his wolf who popped her head up, as they had a private conversation. He then turned back and asked, "Fenros was here wasn't he? Where is that overgrown bastard?"

"Three? There are three of them around?" Said Emiliah, crossing her arms. Three half-weres and Bobby never even thought to say that their existence was even possible.

Flint raising an eyebrow for a moment quickly added, "Yes there are. But you don't need to worry about the other two. " He leaned on the counter folding his hands together as he looked at her, "I'm the best looking one of the three." he said with a wink.

She raised her eyebrow at him, a look of concern crossing her face, "Well, that is nice. But I'm forcing your brother to marry me tomorrow, through emotional blackmail and vague threats if necessary. But, hopefully it won't come to that," She paused. "So, you can go be the best looking somewhere else,"

Damn. And Emiliano had been enjoying that drink, he thought as the last draught he had took sprayed out of his mouth as Emiliah declared her intention to force Fenros to marry her. "You're going to force Fenros to marry you? For what reason? You were about to kill him not but... a few hours ago!"

"If you aren't going to be here for the whole conversation, you don't get to ask questions," snapped Emiliah a little testily at Emiliano .

Flint pulled back surprised, Fenros was getting married? And FORCED? Those two words where not what he expected at all when talking about Fenros. He looked to Bobby who only shrugged..."Long story..."

His mouth dropped open and froze for a moment. He didn't believe it, esspecially because it was Fenros. Looking back to her with a big smile. "So you do admit I am more handsome than Fenros." He chuckled as he made an imaginary mark in the air as if marking the score.

"Seriously though... Fenros has had some fan girl stalkers in his day, none of which filled their fantasy to be the next misses Digard. Fenros has his eyes set on one and only one woman..." He said in an amused voice.

Bobby looked at Flint and gave him the stink eye. As if telling him mentally to not go into it. But Flint already knew better, he wasn't going to blab about it.

" You brother has pathetic leadership skills and poor forethought and bad logical reasoning, I'm not a fan girl. If he is hung up on cheating I don't care, he can go fuck and have litters of babies with whom ever he wants. Besides, I'm keeping Hazelbrush," It wasn't like they were in love, in fact, she would be happy to never touch him besides sparing punches. I was simply a smart move to make to keep the evils at bay.

He sat down, slightly confused at this woman's reasonings for marrying Fenros, His smile faded in a perplexed looked. "Fenros would never agree to that. It will break the covenants he made when ordained. When married he will only remained loyal to his wife...ONLY his wife."

Emiliano couldn't help but chuckle as Flint revealed the sad truth that marrying Fenros also meant she had no choice in carrying his progeny, "Well, looks like your clever plot will have to stop... unless you get Fenros neutered I suppose.", he chuckled, before noticing his glass was empty and offering it to Bobby to refill.

Bobby gruffed as he filled the glass again. slightly annoyed with the intteruption by Emiliano. He personally liked the idea of the two getting together, both strong hunters, imagine the child. "That would never happen. Would be a Fine baby though..."

Emiliah stared at the two of them. Just stared. "No."

"Well," she said, for the first time thinking her plan over. She didn't really want to make Fenros miserable the rest of his life if he really did love another. But, she also wasn't ready to give up on this idea yet. "Would another wolf make it better?"

Both Bobby and Flint look at each other, confused. "What?" They said in unison.

"The fact that he wouldn't get to be with his love?" Em made a sort of gesture that showed she was finally seeing the flaw in her plan. "Bobby, someone might want to go stop Jack before he plans the whole wedding himself," Finally admiting that she was infact not getting married tomorrow.

Flint only sat there, even more confused now, but he was glad she was finally not set on marrying his brother. Bobby decided to finally fill him in, "She wants to use the priesthood.... Fenros mentioned your mother was able to use it through Hector because they were married." He looked at Emiliah as she mentioned to tell Jack the wedding was 'off' He looked up from the bar and did not see him, only Sophie walking towards them a bit frustraited.

"I... Think that we might be too late....." Bobby said to Emiliah with eyes that said, Now look what you did.

"Um," said Emiliah, finally looking embarrassed. "We...might want to find him...before my father does," Scratching her head. "And...brothers...uncles... cousins...aunts...my mom... do you think he could take on 47 full grown men at once?" She paused. "If it helps, not all of them are hunters,"

Flint let out a full belly laugh, as tears came from his eyes. "This is too good." He found a half filled cup and took a swing from it. Imagining half a town chasing his brother out for getting friendly with a girl. That was his job.

Bobby actually looked worried. "Question is lass....Can they take him with an extra dose of werewolf curse in him?"

"Does his power work on pure humans?" she said. "I mean, I've seen it work on demons, but I felt nothing as he was working his voodoo. I mean, perhaps there is more to this power than that. But I also know that my father goes nowhere without at least a stone of silver on him," Emiliah, paused. "Even if he didn't know that could hurt him. What do you think they'll start using when they figure out it will hurt him?"

Flint dropped his cup on the table. " Fenros was Bit?" A bit of worry in his voice. Even more so when he heard that Emiliah knew silver would hurt him more. Surely news of a Hunter who was part werewolf spread like wildfire.

Bobby nodded, at Flint, who covered his face, "Shit..."

"Emiliah...hun. It's not his priesthood yer family has to be worried about. It doesn't effect them at all. Its the cursed blood. Normally Fenros is twice as strong as the strongest human, thanks to his blood. Imagine increasing that consintration of cursed blood. Probably his physical strength two to three times. There's nothing to worry about if he's left alone for the next couple of days...but if confronted, and threatened.... that's when you should worry."

"Well, all the more reason to find him first then yeah? I know a place he can hide until...you know... All of this blows over. I figured, you know, you could can tell him about it," the thought of Fenros being that powerful, if what Bobby was saying was true then, that wasn't a conversation she wanted to have in person. "He can't...change anyone. You said his blood is more consintrated, is that effected?"

Flint shook his head, " I doubt it, You should be more worried if he would break someones neck." He stood up. "Ill go look for him, Mishka will be able to find him faster." Mishka sat up and cocked her head at the sound of her name. "Lets just hope your family doesn't hear that he is part werewolf AND is marrying you. I doubt that would go over well."

"Well, Bobby should be more careful about who lets in his tavern. Maybe not Jack. Maybe we should go kill Jack? " She said, not that she really meant it. Only a little bit. "But. I'll admit that this was a little bit my fault and I thank you Flint for helping. If there is something I can do for you in the future, let me know,"

He raised an eyebrow when she said to maybe kill Jack. Kinda hoping she was joking. He assumed she was and said as they were leaving, "He's my brother, Even though I want to kill him I have to help him out....so... there is no thanks required." He looked at her, "But after this maybe we can grab a bite to eat. I mean, now that your no longer engaged anymore. " he said with a chuckle.

Emiliah blinked. "I can't tell if you are joking or not, so, have fun finding your brother,"

Featuring: @Aerandir@agentmanatee

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab feat. @SillyGoy@Wildeyes@Ellion@Aerandir@agentmanatee}

The Ruvina Expedition pt. 1

---

_{A quiet corner of the castle with plenty of booze...}

Clarissa slammed down her glass on the wooden barrel she and Alphonse had been using at a makeshift table. "I don't particularly want to get roped into fighting vampires, or werewolves, or whatever is out there in the damn forest at the moment, and you know all the good hiding places. So here I am, fucked up, in some dusty corner of this damn castle."

She glared. "You really know how to show a lady a good time, don't you?"

Alphonse stood next to Clarissa staring into his goblet, fidgeting nervously. Occasionally he looked up at her. "Yeah....I guess I do.... Uh, you know the secret hiding places don't stay so secret when you're loud and slam the cup." How in the hell did she convince me to get her booze? Alphonse thought to himself. He glanced up at Clarissa's prominent cleavage. He knew how.

Catching his glimpse she decided to torment the poor man a little. "You know...Lorelai's been running around working like a dog these past couple days....what do you think she's going to do to you when she finds you?" Her eyes twinkled with malevolence.

"Uh, probably put me to work." Alphonse took a long pull on his drink. "She'll probably take me out to murder someone or stare at them to find out if they need murdered. Or find out if they have family so that we can threaten to murder them if they mess with us. Lorelai is always a good time."

Clarissa let out a mean-spirited giggle. "I'm sure Vespa thinks so, but you? Me-thinks she might feed you to a demon this time. Have you seen her lately? Resting bitch face has a whole new meaning now."

"No, I haven't seen her. Because I know what's good for my health. If I hear her or smell her, I just hop up into the rafters where no one can follow, and I take a nap until she blows over. Kind of like a hurricane. It's done wonders for my blood pressure." Alphonse might have had a bit too much to drink, he was speaking more loudly than he should.

Indeed he had, they both had. Medusa's soft footsteps were lost on the two as she turned the corner. "Is that really a good long term strategy though? I mean...you are supposed to be working. Aren't you?" Her face bore an amused smirk.

Clarissa's eyes widened as she saw her mistress enter. "Y-yeah! That's what I was telling him! He...should be...doing...stuff?" She stood and slowly made her way out of the room as Medusa continued to fix Alphonse with her gaze. "Al...maybe we continue this...later." She fled while she had the chance leaving poor Alphonse to his surely grisly fate.

"Ah! Mistress, I was just....discussing my strategies when I'm on vacation." Alphonse decided falling into his own shadow would be unwise. "Am I supposed to be working? My briefing must have been lost in the mail." Alphonse tried to give her his most charming and sincere smile.

"Lost in the mail huh?" Medusa rolled her eyes. "It was probably lost when...I don't know, you didn't show up?"

"I'll make you deal that might save your life Alphonse, but it's going to be a lot of work, and I know how much you hate that." A small malevolent smile turned the corners of her mouth. "Maybe I'll let one of the Ruvina's sacrifice you instead?"

"As much I look forward to the sweet release of death, I do hope that it will involve a lot less of my blood on the floor before it actually happens then they'd allow me. What's your deal?"

"You're going to join Lorelai's little expedition." Medusa chuckled. "It'll be a nice little jaunt with all of your favorite witches, maybe a week or more, to the Castle of another witch renowned for her cruelty and savage treatment of her enemies. To steal stuff."

"That sound up your alley? Or should I tell Vespa the good news?"

"Ya know, I think I can stand to be around other people long enough to take someone else's things. Especially since it preserves my miserable existence a bit longer." Alphonse said, voice chipper and still holding his winning smile. "So I'll just go get in touch with Lorelai then? Pack my favorite sword?"

"She's likely out front in the courtyard. I recommend you hurry, lest I change my mind." She gave him one last look as she left the room.

Alphonse wasn't even corporeal the moment he was no longer in her vision. About time to save his own skin. Again.

---

_{Near the carriages, just outside the gate}

Alexina leaned against one of the carriages, absent minded of things going on around her as she held a squirrel in her right hand as her left hand scratched it's back and head. It made little puffing snorting sounds of pleasure. Her mind though was on Lorelai, and Vespa. She didn't know why it bugged her so much... but well it did. She thought once she had the attention of the young, beautiful and powerful Von'strauss... SHE even nursed her back to health after her glorious victory over the horrible Hector. Vespa just arrived and before she knew it, they were a couple without her even knowing and really having an explanation why. She simply let it be.... things happen for a reason, Nature taught her that, all of it. She just yet to figure out why...

Lorelai made her way towards the carriages, slowly. The past twenty four hours had been brutal, from defeating vampires, to clandestine meetings with old hunters, and speaking with the Devil. She let out a frustrated sigh, and it wasn't going to get any easier any time soon. Maybe she'd be able to sleep on the trip.

She spotted Alexina's form against the stark black of one of the carriages, her face broke into a small grin. Having Alexina along on this expedition would be excellent, she was peerless in natural environments. They also got along well, and having a good friend by her side would be most welcome. "Alexina! Good to see you. Did you need something?"

Alexina jumped slightly at Lorelai's voice. She growled to herself as she closed her eyes as she felt a tiny shade of red come to her cheeks as she realized she allowed someone to sneak up on her, She was usually never caught off guard. A sense of embarrassment for her slip up and sudden jolt made her fluster slightly before standing straight up, the squirrel ran up her arm to her shoulders hiding under her bright red hair.

Looking over to Lorelai she gave a big smile trying to push down her feelings of Jealousy and sadness, as if the smile would hide even the thoughts in her head unnecessarily. "Lorelai... Yes...um..." She stumbled as she gathered her thoughts and folded her hands over each other.

Suddenly her reason for talking to Lorelai popped into her mind and she quickly said, trying to get the first word in before Lorelai would surely ask why she was flustered. " I... well the animals told me something a little odd about a meeting in the woods last night."

Lorelai flushed, she didn't think Alexina's sentinels would recognize her out and about. Keeping news of some kind of meeting happening from reaching the Queen of the Forest's ears was impossible, but she'd hoped at least to conceal her identity.

"Yeah, as you know Robert Flint is an expert on the destruction of just about any night dwelling creature out there." She offered a small pained smile. "The Ruvin vampire we captured just won't die, I've tried all the hexes in the library, fire, mutilation, demonic soul mutilation, and yet his damnable regeneration continues to function. I'm at my wit's end Lexi...I was hoping he might offer some insights."

Lorelai sighed. "And he might, but Medusa's made it clear I'm out of time to wait, so this expedition."

Alexina looked down and away slightly as she used her pet name, No one really ever used that but her....and she would keep it that way...but it brought up a little of the feelings she tried to push down.

"Oh..." She said trying to pull herself back to it. "I was...worried, for a moment when you allowed that man to live. I had some...irrational fear that you were....doing something else." She quickly looked up to her and continued, "I mean you allowed that man to live, and obviously my creatures can't explain why....So I jumped to conclusions.... I'm sorry." She turned around and added, "Which is why I brought it up to you first, I knew I was just being irrational...I just wanted to be sure."

Lorelai let out a small rare giggle. It was rare for her to see Alexina flustered, and she had to admit it was cute. Also the thought of her and Robert doing...things was hilarious. "Thank you for coming to me first. With the way Medusa's been treating me lately I fear she wouldn't respond...kindly. I understand your fears, but this coven's my family. I'd never do anything to jeopardize that."

She gave Alexina a grin. "Besides, the thought of you chasing me through the woods to punish my betrayal sounds exhausting just to think about, Lexi."

She only nodded for a moment. Honestly she feared the fact that if she had to hunt down Lorelai for betraying the coven she would easily be defeated....and she probably could not go through with it if she tried.

Looking up to her she gave a weak smile, She loved the sound of her Giggle... it brought up her own spirits. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm sorry about my irrational fears. I...I don't know what came over me." She caught Lorelai's eyes with her own, which caused her pale skin to flush... such power, but hopefully Lorelai would only take it as an embarrassed blush.

She tried to change the subject. " So... why do you want me to come with you to...Vespa's home? Surely you don't need me there as well..."

Lorelai tilted her head, still grinning. "You're an extremely powerful witch, and a dear friend. I'd of course love to have you alon-"

Alexina perked up, her eyes widened at the sentence and her mind was jumping to conclusions well before she was interrupted, causing her to blush and suddenly feel as though a fire was burning within her. But the interruption of someone calling out to them caused her to cringe, instantly cursing the dark lords for allowing her sentence to halt. WHY? NO! she screamed in her head.

"Hey! Murder buddy! I haven't seen you in ages, I couldn't find you anywhere! I was wondering why there wasn't more work to do. It's sure a good thing I found out about this expedition or I might have missed it.I hear that it might involve not murdering people for once." Alphonse swaggered toward the pair. Smiling cheerily. Fake it till you make it, they always say.

Lorelai's grin immediately faded into a hard mask of contempt, mixed with the strong urge to end a life. "Alphonse, I don't see how you haven't found me, considering I've been doing our job. Running about the castle like an overworked scullery witch, and generally cursing your miserable existence."

She turned slowly towards the interloping witch. "So, have you come to meet your fate, or did you have something for me that might keep you from the inferno...again."

Alphonse's face paled. "Um... Medusa said that I got to live if I came with?"

"Did she now?" A vein on Lorelai's forehead suddenly became prominent, Alphonse was a talented witch. Why he decided to largely squander the plentiful opportunities to grow more powerful she couldn't divine. "I'm...so...glad you'll be coming along. After this expedition why don't we keep working together, closely? That way no such unfortunate mishaps occur, hmm?"

Alexina looked over to see Alphonse, she knew of him....as any witch would as there are now only two male witches in the coven. That tends to be noticed. But she never really spoke to him, for obvious reasons she stayed in the woods alone a lot.

She did have a new impression to bite out his jugular for interrupting Lorelai. She knew it was far fetched but a woman could hope. She glanced at Lorelai and said softly, "I may rule the forest....but there are some dangers still that lurk there... someone...." She looked to him and added, "Could easily be lost and killed by a Direwolf...It would be sad to tell Medusa that one of our party got hurt...possibly killed.... " As she stared at him.

"Well, between the two of us, I'm sure we'll make sure that no one gets caught by any mean nasties. Shadows are almost as pervasive as trees out there." Alphonse put on confident airs, but Alexina could likely smell his fear.

Lorelai sighed. "Well you'll have to sure to ingratiate yourself to the Queen then won't you?" Turning back to Alexina a smirk curved the corners of her mouth. "We wouldn't want such a talented asset to have any trouble. Now, if you were more reliable I'm sure Alexina would ensure your safety."

Alexina eyes lingered on Alphonse's for a moment, Her eyes burned with the desire to kill him right now for interrupting her brief moment alone with Lorelai. It almost looked like a Lioness staring at her pray. But suddenly she smiled at Lorelai as she looked at her and added, "Of course... Talented Assets will be protected." She said looking back at him. Her smile fading almost instantly. *

---

_{Meanwhile Taran and Gevoveve}

Taran followed the witch back towards his room. Not quite sure what he had been...invited, no...told to do. ""So....Genoveve," said Taran slowly, looking straight forwards, not that he knew what to say, only that he wasn't a fan of the silence. "Ah, how long have you been there?" He finally spat out when no other question happened across his tongue.

Genoveve did not know Taran very well... and to be honest? She couldn't say that she trusted him. Genoveve's mother had always said, "Witching is a woman's job, and it's women who have made great witches. Men become hunters... never trust men, particularly ones who claim to be 'witches'", so Genoveve was not sure how to feel about the boy. He seemed innocent enough, but she just couldn't shake her bad feelings. She almost jumped as he abruptly spoke, asking her how long she had been here, "Uh... uhm... how long... oh! Well, I got here a few months ago and... I think in a few more it'll have been a... year so... why-why do you want to know?", she just wasn't sure how to talk to him, men in general made her uneasy young or not, and he was the kind of 'witch' his mother had always seemed to despise so.

Taran finally looked at the woman, who seemed to be struggling as much as he usually did to come up with answers. "I was just...making conversation. At least, I think that is what you do when you meet new people, but I might be wrong," He was slowly starting to realize that many of the things that were 'normal' back home, didn't seem to have a place here. Perhaps people didn't make small talk out in the real world, although he could have sworn he'd seen others do it before. "I'm sorry if I offended you M'lady,"

Genoveve blushed in embarrassment at her reaction to such an innocent little question, had she hurt the boy, "Oh no, you didn't... offend me I just... you uhm... well how long have you been here, if we are going to... make small talk...", she was clearly having trouble speaking with the boy, even a bit more than other people, she of course knew why. She wondered what else to ask, "Uh, wh-why do you wish to come with us to... Castle Ruvina Taran?"

If you'd rather not, we don't have to talk M'lady," said Taran quickly, "I mean, like, not talk ever, because we might have to talk sometimes, but uh," He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but to answer your questions, well...Alexina found me...either last night or the night before that? I can't really remember and..." He paused, trying to think about how he was going to answer that next question. "Well, I don't wish too. I mean, I don't wish not to. I'm going because Medusa told me to get a mission from Lorelai and Lorelai told me to go. Isn't that why you are going?"

Genoveve chuckled slightly nervously, "No we can uhm talk...., she smiled nervously at him, "Well... I thought uhm... well..., Genoveve had actually not decided to go to the castle of her own accord, that was Yeris' doing. She had to think up something quickly, because from what Yeris told her We have nothing better to do you ditz which hardly helped in this instance. "I was... curious about the Ruvina family... that and I was attacked by that Vampire and I want to know if the Ruvina's have anything to do with it.", she wasn't sure she could not tell him now... she wanted to be honest with Taran about why it was hard to talk to him. "Taran you're a... man correct? Do... do you know why you were born a witch and not a hunter?"

"Ah, Vampires? You think this family sent vampires after you and...you want to go ...talk to them?" he said, mostly trying to process the question that had followed her answer. "Is it either or? But, no, I have no idea, I mean. To be honest, I don't even know who my birth parents are. And, don't make a big deal about it. I have parents and they are amazing, but they don't help me answer that particular question," He let out a little breath "I'm sorry, this is all very new to me, I don't think I've ever called myself a witch before....I guess right now," He licked his lips. "I don't...mean to pry, but...what brought you here...to the castle I mean?"

Genoveve thought for a moment... not because she did not know why she came to the Blood-rose coven, but because she had to make up a different reason, and lie to this boy's face. In truth, after Yeris had tricked Genoveve into allowing herself to be possessed by the many malign forest spirits currently in her the powerful entity had bullied her into finding a coven. Both to help with her protection as well as an easy way to gain more power. "Well... after I killed my mother and took her power in the family ritual I was alone for... awhile. And then I found Bloodrose and... it is safe here you kow?", there were of course other reasons, but even the ones she could tell other people she was holding back due to her not trusting the boy.

Taran tried to not let his facial expression change at Genoveve talking so....openly about matricide. "Well.....I get what you mean by...safe? I guess I was about to walk into a nest of hunters before I got here--Hey look my room. So...What do I need for this...trip to visit the alleged vampire queens," he said quickly, happy to change the subject.

---

_{Nightfall, around the meeting time for the trip.}
Lorelai sighed looking up at the stars. They were beautiful tonight, looming so close that one could easily get the impression that they might be able to reach up and touch them. What cruel god put those diamonds in the sky, glittering ever out of reach? Maybe that was supposed to be a lesson for mankind, real beauty will always be out of reach.

Lorelai hated the gods, and she truly hated few things. Children all, they sat in their realms above or below, comfortable to gaze on mortals and occasionally bestow the 'worthy few' with gifts. She smirked, Hector's 'god' hadn't been able to save him had he?

"Thinking about gods again Mi'lady?" Sousiel asked, she'd just finished laying out bedding in the sleeper carriage and packing away her mistress' things.

"Always could read me like a book Sousiel. Yes, thinking about how we've bound many self-styled 'gods' to our will. So self-important and arrogant, yet each bowed in the end." Lorelai took a seat on the floor of the open carriage, dangling her feet out the door. "Real power is earned through pain Sousiel. Pain hones the mind, tempers the will, and strengthens the body."

"Even the power of love mistress?" Sousiel ask smirking, it was her job to occasionally tease her mistress out of these foul moods.

"Especially the power of love Sousiel." Sousiel's eyes widened as Lorelai turned to her, entirely serious. "It's a sweet ache though. I'm beholden to Vespa now when before I only answered to myself. She may not command me in the way I command my servitors, but the thought of bringing her pain fills me with as much dread."

"H-how would you do that? And why?" Sousiel asked, coming to sit on the ground in front of Lorelai

"There are many ways Sousiel. I'll not be unfaithful of course, but I'm still not a good woman." Lorelai packed some tobacco into her pipe, a rare voice of hers, generally reserved for when she needed to clear her head. Lighting in she puffed at it a few times before continuing. "A heart's a fragile thing, most of my worries are irrational. I worry nonetheless though, perhaps it's the indiscretion with Elina that has me worried, maybe it's the trip. It will pass I'm sure." She smiled.

Sousiel nodded. "I can't believe Medusa would order this, and on such short notice. You know my opinion on the woman so I needn't state it again, but I fear she may use Vespa against you Lorelai...what will you do?"

Lorelai's small smile immediately darkened into a fiery glare. "If Medusa orders me to put Vespa at risk like this, or do something to hurt her in anyway again. I'll paint the fucking castle with the whore's blood, and hang her bloody corpse from the ramparts for the scavengers to feast on."

"You'd challenge her, without a plan? Surely you're not that arrogant." Sousiel was worried at her mistress' sudden rage, it reminded her of the old days.

"She's powerful sure, with the backing of the Elders. Her magics are vast and varied, but you know what I have that she doesn't Sousiel?" Lorelai's eyes sparkled with malevolence as a smile curved her mouth. "Hate, Sousiel. I've hated a man and killed him for it. I've burned villages down for it, I slaughtered an entire sect of the church for it. I've ripped would be gods from the inferno into the realm of man to serve me in satisfying it, and if Medusa would like to test my hate, the last thing she'll see will be my eyes, brimming with it."

"The Elders were children when the Dragon's Tongue stirred in the mouth of my ancestors. I killed my own twin, for her tongue, before I was even a witch. I grew up in the inferno and called it home. While Medusa was learning etiquette and magical theory I was blooding my blade. While Medusa cleaned a castle to prepare it for a coven, I'd already become a death omen." Lorelai's breathing was quick, her face lightly colored with rage. "If she wants to test me again, she'll discover what so many others have. I'm not some simple subservient witch, I'm a nightmare, and even my shadow has teeth."

Sousiel had been drawn in by her mistress' fervor, her eyes twinkling with pride at her lady's savage declaration. She jumped up and hugged her. "I was beginning to wonder where your pride had gone Mi'lady, I'm glad that we'll not endure her mistreatment any longer. I'll stand at your side of course. I'm sure Vespa will as well."

Had she come off as cruel to Taran? She wasn't sure how... ready he was to hear her talk about killing her own mother so coldly, but it wasn't like she hadn't tried to save her. Yeris had told her the altered ritual would do just that... of course she had lied but what mattered was that Genoveve had tried right? Right? She sighed as she approached the carriages, her sparse travel items under her arms. She was certainly happy the carriages appeared to have beds in them, seeing as she was still tired from her recovery and wounds, spirits could do wonders when it came to patching up holes. So long as Yeris kept them from tearing each other, and by extension Genoveve, apart. She casually tossed her light bag into the carriage, she didn't need much, growing up alongside her mother she knew how to get just about anything she needed from the side of the road along the way. She scanned the other carriages and was surprised to see Lorelai and Sousiel as the only other ones here, this was her chance to speak with Lorelai about the new... developments.

She quietly approached the two before quietly clearing her throat, seeing as they were currently hugging, or at least Sousiel was, "Uhm... greeting Mistress... I was wondering if we could possibly talk about uh... y-you know, the new information you have... gleaned from... uh..., she wasn't sure why she was being so non-direct about it, but it was most likely from Yeris's years of bullying her into secrecy.

The sound of Genoveve's mild alto voice broke Lorelai from her somewhat murderous reverie. She shooed Sousiel off of her and fixed her dress before responding. "Yeris? Of course. What would you like to talk about?"

She watched Sousiel walk off before speaking again, "Well I... do you have any questions for uhm, me instead of... her? Or, well I was just, wondering how long you knew?", quietly Genoveve almost wished she had tried to exorcise Yeris, consequences be damned, but that part of her was quiet... so quiet she could hardly even hear it.

"Yes actually." Lorelai examined the girl. "Are you ok?"

Genoveve shifted uncomfortably being asked if she was ok... what did that mean? I'm filled with hundreds of angry, aimless spirits what do you mean ok??!!, again, Yeris had beat such aggression out of Genoveve long ago, leaving her the passive witch she was now, "Well... what do you mean by ok? My wounds have healed... and uh, I am not to tired... is that what you mean?"

"You have been struggling with hundreds of spirits, and...Yeris for a while now. That can't have been easy." Lorelai smiled. "I just want to know if you're ok, and if there's anything I can do to help."

"Oh... you meant like that. W-well I wouldn't say I've been... struggling... Yeris always helped to, eh contain them. So they don't fight me often and... w-well I'm the witch I am today because of them and Yeris so... I suppose I'm... ok., she smiled weakly, the answer had been conditioned into her by Yeris. :So-so are you wondering about uhm... anything else mistress?"

"You still haven't told me how I can help. I can exorcise some of the spirits, maybe get rid of Yeris, although that would be dangerous." Lorelai gave her best supportive grin. "Just tell me what I can do, and if nothing else I'm here to talk to if you need it."

Genoveve's eyes widened as Lorelai talked of exorcising the spirits, and Yeris hissed internally, "conniving bitch! Does she really think you have the will to say yes? Tell her no! They are my power and yours, react hostilely if you can manage up the aggression.", she couldn't manage up such aggression, for the idea of being free of at least many of the spirits was intoxicating... but Yeris had said her piece, "Excor- n-no! They are... uhm... my power so no, and YEris is bound to me because of the ritual so... and I would never want to lose Yeris she is... uhm.... helps me make the right choices... , she spoke as Yeris had always taught her to.

"My," came another voice. Vespa's, to be exact. "What's this about exorcism?" She had just come out of the main gate, with the ever serene Elina trailing just a few paces behind her and to her left. Dressed elaborately with ribbons and truly wealthy finery, the two were carrying their lighter suitcases while everything else, which consisted of everything from half of the sisters' wardrobes to entire tea sets, was being hauled by a train of Lorelai's helpful servitors. It was clear that the two Ruvinas were unwilling to part from the daily extravagance of Castle Bloodrose on any trip. Aristocrats through and through.

"Hello everyone," said Elina, in that feathery, whispering voice of hers. Vespa, meanwhile, caught Lorelai's eyes, and returned her lover's smile.

Genoveve's face lit up at hearing Vespa and Elina approach, her mind starting to panic. What had they heard? They couldn't know! Yeris only wanted Lorelai to know! "Wh-what?! Oh uh... w-we were just dis-discussing demonic possession... I was interested in... possibly learning to bind demons or more powerful spirits like what... Lorelai does...", she hoped that was at least a somewhat convincing lie.

"Oh, I see," Vespa said, clearly uninterested. Instead of inquiring further, she just walked briskly towards Lorelai and gave her a kiss on the cheek. A faint rosy tinge hovered about her own cheeks. "Hi," she said. "You look good tonight."

"Please excuse my sister," Elina said, now beside Genoveve. She was shaking her head mildly at the tableau of the two lovers, letting her silver tresses softly fall over her small shoulders. Meanwhile, the sisters' personal luggage train was already storing their items in the carriages. "She can be like that sometimes."

"Do I? I'm feeling entirely out dressed at the moment." Lorelai favored Vespa with a grin. "You're looking radiant as always love."

Genoveve smiled weakly and looked down at the much smaller Elina, "Ha yes... I suppose seeing one's love can do that to you... I have not seen you in awhile Elina, how have you been?", at least Lorelai was supporting Genoveve's lie, whether the twins cared or not. "Uhm... which carriage will you be taking Elina? I believe I know which one your sister will be in.", she giggled lightly at her implication.

"Oh yes," Elina put a delicate hand to her mouth to cover her own little giggle. "This is Vespa's first taste of true love - she's absolutely drunk with it. So I'm giving her some consideration and taking any carriage that doesn't have Lorelai."

"We've packed quite a bit," she said, looking over towards her personal luggage train. The servitors were just putting in her personal tea set of fine, decorated earthwork that had apparently come from that distant kingdom of Cathay. "I do hope we aren't being too overbearing."

Lorelai arched her eyebrow at Vespa. "What are you expecting that you'd bring this much love? I've brought my spell work supplies and some clothes."

"We've brought those, and more. Why not travel as comfortably as possible? Are we not all nobles? Tea time," she said, "is very important. Speaking of which - would you mind bringing a few of your servitors along as assistants? To set the tables and clean up after us and such."

"I did most of my growing up in the pit love. You'll have to excuse my simplicity." Lorelai rolled her eyes grinning and squeezed her lover's hand. "And of course, they're only a call away."

Genoveve had not expected such... extravagance. She had thought when she had first arrived at the castle she had seen sure that was as rich as anyone could get... but this baggage train. Her mouth hung open a moment, before she gulped, thinking of her own meager bag, "W-well... you're certainly... prepared?", at Vespa's mention of 'all being nobles' Genoveve seemed to almost shrink embarrassingly... she had been born in a small hut in the woods. "I... suppose nobility... does that huh?"

"I suppose," Elina said, mildly confused at Genoveve's reaction. She did not know her fellow witch all that much, and much of their prior interaction had been random helloes and how-are-you's in the castle corridors. "What are you bringing?"

Genoveve looked away somewhat embarrassed now, "Oh uhm... well I... I brought uhm... I brought some clothes and, regents for... potions uhm..., she had really brought nothing else, she didn't need anything else... she looked at Elina who seemed confused,"I... I'm not nobility Elina... I was... uhm, not... born in a castle..."

"Oh," was the sound that left Elina's lips. She cocked her head slightly, her crimson eyes staring intently at Genoveve's cerulean own. "Where were you born, then?"

Genoveve nervously held her arm and bit her lower lip, "Well, I-I come from a long line of witches, possibly back to the beginning... even though we didn't keep records of it. My family always believed in the 'old ways' so when other witches began to... place themselves as nobles and royalty they... shunned them. I was born in... uhm... a small wooden hut deep in the spirit wood, where my mother had been born and her mother before her...", she blushed heavily, it was so much... lower than all the other witches, "And it was there I grew up... not in a... castle or mansion... no servants or really money at all..."

"Oh," Elina sounded. She blinked her eyes a bunch of times, processing this information. "I see." It was clear to her that Genoveve was finding the topic of her pedigree to be entirely uncomfortable, so she sought to change the topic as quickly as possible.

"That's nice." She had never lied so brutally before. "So what carriage are you taking?"

Genoveve pointed to the carriage where she had placed her things before looking back at Elina, "Y-you don't have to... lie Elina, I know I was born leagues beneath you in a... wealth perspective-

"What are you talking about? There is nothing shameful about being born in your class," Elina continued to lie. She was feeling rude and awkward at the same time, yet her expression remained incredibly neutral. Her instincts - and sudden bout of social anxiety - told her to get away from there as quickly as possible. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I shall be proceeding to my carriage."

She bowed and left, without even waiting for an answer. The carriage she was walking to was not the one Genoveve had chosen.

Lorelai shook her head at Elina's departure. "I was born in a castle, and promptly removed when I was...eleven I think?" She sighed.

"No, dear," Vespa squeezed her lover's hand, as a servitor politely opened the carriage doors and Elina, possessed of a queen's bearing, stepped inside. "Elina has no issue with... plebeians. It's just that, she absolutely abhors anything she thinks is sad."

Lorelai gave Vespa a quizzical expression. "I don't think there's anything sad about Genoveve's upbringing...other than her obvious shame...I suppose."

"Elina doesn't think like that," Vespa said quickly. "She simply finds a sense of guilt in that she grew up drinking tea from fine china while Genoveve got none of the sort."

"Strange, I'd think Genoveve's expertise with potions and medicine the more enviable myself." She shrugged. "No matter, but do avoid the term 'plebeians' in front of us common folk Mi'lady." Lorelai grinned and performed a small bow.

Vespa rolled her eyes. "Oh, you."

I... I'm not... I am not ashamed of my birth I just- well... you're all so... and...", she simply couldn't stand it anymore, the way Elina had lied to her face ostensibly to 'protect' her or something... the way Vespa had called her a Plebeian like such a thing was nothing. Even with Lorelai attempting to diffuse things with her words, even she had been born in a castle, cast out or not. Genoveve quickly sought to escape, retreating into her carriage... where she began to cry quietly. Not that she needed to be quiet seeing as the carriages were sound proofed.

---

_{The city of Welsthaven}

"....Remind me, who are you again, and why are we walking straight into a town full of hunters?" Said Taran, shifting his blade awkwardly back into its sheathe. "I'm positive that we are supposed to avoid those,"

"You're a dude." Alphonse responded casually. "Most hunters are pretty well convinced that we're exclusively female, so they don't look in on us too closely. So long as you stay relaxed, and act like you're just another tough come to cut up Witches, we should be fine. How good are you at holding your drink? That's the second most important part."

"I...don't know," said Taran truthfully. "My...family and village thought that alcohol was the devil's seed and lead to an impure life," There were lots of things that Fish didn't allow its people to do. Like wear the color purple, talk to strangers and live in anything but denial about the evils of the world. "Well, I guess we are about to find out,"

Alphonse stopped in his tracks and stared at Taran for a short time. He spent most of that time blinking. "You know these witches are going to make you into a cock slave right? They're going to run you ragged, and at first, you're going to think it's awesome. Then you realize how crazy they all are. Alcohol isn't the devil's seed, it's the nectar of Leathe that helps you forget."

"Cock? Slave? Like...Rooster? Rooster slave? I don't get it," He said, shaking his head. "Is... that what happened to you? Is that why they all find you....bothersome? Is it because you crow?"

"They're going to fuck you!" Alphonse said in a low voice, getting very close to be sure that no one could hear. "How long have you been here? How could you not know? These women are insane! They're isolated in their little castle deprived of any male contact, full of their own self importance and power, the moment they get access to a man, they dig their claws in and milk them for semen so they can make more of their weird little witch babies. Or use the act for power. Or something weirder."

"What? What are you talking about? Make...witch babies?" He said, trying to put context to what the man was saying. "Like...they want to ...mate with me?" Taran looked suddenly very alarmed. Before whispering "But...I'm not married to any of them, I haven't asked any of their fathers, where do I find their fathers?"

"Taran.....most of them don't have fathers. Not really, they aren't raised by men. These witches don't have much use for men beyond breeding. Unless you're one of the rare few to also be a witch. Then you're good for breeding and using your gift for their own will. So, I wouldn't count on marriage if I were you. You're what they call "class 'S' breeding stock.""

"And," Said Taran, his voice getting a little higher. "What does that mean?" His face clearly expressing the fact that his world have been upturned as he was struggling to make sense of his new reality.

"It means we drink." Alphonse clapped one hand on Taran's shoulder, in an attempt to be comforting. "Remember, we're here to find out about Hunter activity, so try to relax, and let me do most of the talking, if anyone asks, you're my apprentice. you will buy a pint from the bar, and drink it slowly. Here's five pence, it should be plenty." As Alphonse began guiding his apparently innocent companion to the bar.

Doing as his... mentor bid, ordered a drink, mostly trying to not draw attention to himself. After the liquid was poured in a mug, he took a swig of it, copying the motion of other men that he saw around the tavern doing. It took a second, but the brown liquid stung every corner of his mouth. His gut told him to spit the foul mix out. He could feel his face scrunch with distaste, but finally, he was able to get it down. "Why," he whispered under his breath to Al. "Did you tell me to drink that, are you trying to poison me?" But he let the topic drop, takening to pretending to drink, rather than doing the deed.

"So's," Said a voice on the far side of Alphonse. "I don't think I've seen the two of you 'ere before," There was a man, perhaps in his late thirties sitting at the bar, his drink, Taran noticed, was small and amber. It looked a lot better than what he was forced to drink. "The name's Teegan, who might you be?"

"Name's Al, this is my apprentice Taran. I thought this might be a good place to find a few weaker nasties to blood the boy on. Place doesn't seem to have too much trouble about."

"That'd be because you just missed it," Said Keegan. "There were a couple 'ol blood suckers running about here. But we chased them off," The man downed the amber liquid like it was water. "A couple of the 'ol boys went chasing off after them. Ya know how new hunters can be. Even some of the old ones. Off towards Castle something or other. But if you ask me, the kids can have their fun. People like us are too old, better to stay near the tavern,"

"You might be too tired for a good romp, but I've got to look out for the future generation. Sounds like a good chance for the boy to see hunters in action in large groups. We might be late for the action, but if we head out soon, we might at least catch some good stories." Alphonse downed his pint in one large draw. "But we can't very well be riding out in the dark drunk, we better stick around for awhile. Mingle with the locals." Alphonse elbowed Taran and walked over to a nearby table, another drink in hand.

Taran took his tankard with him, following Alphonse to one of the nearby tables. "I don't want to finish this," he whispered, sitting down, holding up the drink. "Why couldn't I have gotten what he was having?" He said, gesturing towards Keegan. "And, what now, that idiot basically just spouted everything we were looking for in a single breath,"

"Everything we were told to look for. There are other sights to see." Alphonse broke eye contact with Taran halfway through his sentence, following the swaying hips of a serving girl. "How do you feel about losing your cherry? I've got the gold for it, and they'll be gentler than the witches will," he said the last part in a hushed tone.

"Lose my what?" he said. His eyes following Alphonse towards the girls...rather...ample...ample hindquarters. He could feel his cheeks flushing red and decided to take a large drink of his ale to avoid answer the question. It was a mistake, and he once again felt himself fighting to keep the bitter drink down. "I-I do not think the witches would be...unkind. But... I'd rather...wait?" Personally, he didn't really care, marriage or not, but he felt very uncomfortable with Alphonse orchestrating the whole thing. When it did happen, he wanted it to be...special. With...maybe a candle. Taran would at least like to know the girl's name beforehand.

Alphonse shrugged. "To each their own. My advice, take your agency where you can get it. It's scarce enough as it is. Besides, we might be fighting monsters tonight, you wouldn't want to leave this world regretting not having a grand experience when you could have had it for a few coins, right?" Alphonse took another drink. "Also, put that marriage idea out of your head, it's a pretty lie at this point."

"You can't know that," said Taran, looking down at his mug. "Just because they just use you doesn't mean they'll use me," He pushed the liquid away. "Besides, I think you're just stalling. And I don't think that the Mistresses will like that very much,"

Alphonse let out a long sigh. wobbling a bit, the drink had apparently gotten to him. "Look, I'm not trying to destroy everything you believe in or anything. It's just that....everything you believe is dead. Right? You're not in your old village anymore, I just want you to know what you're getting into. And I complain a lot. These girls can help you out, figure out all the stuff that we have to deal with. I'm just trying to look out for you on the parts that they don't understand so well."

"I understand it just ....fine," he said, "Come on, we are going back now...you're being..weirder than usual," With that he walked with Alphonse back to the camp, where the witches were waiting. "Well," He said, walking over Lorelai and Alexina. Before being asked he said "I've learned three things tonight. The first, ale is horrible. The second, a group of hunters is tracking a group of vampires to a nearby castle. And third, apparently both of you want to mate with me," with that, he walked off to where he had set up his tent.

Lorelai's eyes widened at the mention of the third thing Taran had evidently learned tonight. "Wait...what?" She looked over to Alexina. "I'm pretty sure my preferences are...well known?"

Alexina's eyes were wide at the final thing as well...a hint of red on her face as she lifted her hand to her mouth to somehow hide her surprise. When Lorelai spoke to her she cleared her throat. " Um... Apparently not?" Looking back to the boy who retreated back to his tent then to Alphonse.

Lorelai turned her gaze to Alphonse, her surprise quickly being replaced with an expression of mild amusement. "Alphonse." Her voice was sickly sweet. "Where would little Taran have gotten the idea that me and Alexina wanted to...mate...with him?"

Alexina was already coming to the same conclusion before Lorelai spoke, Taran did not seem to be the one who would think up that kind of thing, let alone speak it. "Surely it wasn't you?........Alphonse... You would know better than to corrupt such a youthful mind?"

"Oh, sure, blame the cockslave for informing his brethren as to his ultimate fate. I'm going to bed." Alphonse attempted to stumble to his tent.

He didn't quite make it.

[Aerandir]

Fenros Digard, Flint Digard, and Emiliah's Hazelbrush overprotective family.

_{Less than an hour after Fenros escapes the tavern.......}

It wasn't hard to find the kid. Nor to round up enough men to get the job done. "Eve'ing Boy," called a gruff voice

Fenros was sitting by the forest edge, just on the outskirts of town. His head was pounding and his sweats were coming back more, it must of been the werewolf he was bitten by, it must have been bitten by Varoth... thus a more powerful strain of the curse. Alltia growled as the group of people came up to him, She could sense the danger that was creeping in on Fenros, she hoped her growls would be enough to scare the people.

He took a few deep breaths, as he had been doing this entire time after leaving Bobby's, "Evening..." He said as calm as he could muster.

"I take it your Fenros then?" said the man, coming even closer, the his brothers, sons, and nephews right behind him. "

"And If I am?" He said, his tone a little testy. Despite his effort to remain calm.

Fenros....we should just go, walk away... Alltia said, growling louder at the men and baring her teeth, her hair standing on end. GO AWAY! She said in vain to the group.

"Names Hazelbrush and a little sparrow told me that, yous think ya gettin married in the morning," The man took another step forward, a spear, very similar to Emiliah's in his hand. "TO MAH daughter," A few other voices could be heard making little sounds of anger. "Wut, wern't ya goin even ask me?"

Fenros glanced back to the father of Emiliah, His eye flashed in the moonlight, his green eyes a little more silver now. He could seem them more clearly, he knew it was because of the werewolf curse.... "No.... I wasn't." He said as he looked away, slowly getting up. He was much larger than most of the men here. "Because there wasn't going to be a wedding..." He said after a few more breaths to calm himself.

"Isn't gonna be a weddin? Why?" Said Emiliah's father, no where close to backing down just yet. "Is she not good 'nuff for ya?"

Great, one of those families... he thought to himself. He turned towards them and said, "No-"

"I know mah Emerald, she ain't stupid. Now that gives us just one thing here," The man's voice getting louder. "Ya touched 'er didn' ya?" the man's voice was now closer to a snarl, not in the least threatend by Fenros. "Lied to her with that silver tongue of yours. Perhaps we bettah cut it out,"

Fenros didn't liked to be inturrupted, one of his pet peeves. Esspecially coming from some hick hunter who was being irrational and throwing accusations around. His tone wasn't helping either.

Fenros dont! Just walk away, Alltia started but Fenros ignored her Or didn't hear her with his blood boiling.

"You are going to threaten me? For hearsay?"He took his sword off his back and slammed the blade into the ground. "I'd like to see you try..." He himself was locked within his mind. It was as if it was being taken over and he was a prisoner in his body. He didn't want to fight the men, he tried with all his might to calm himself down. For the first time in a long time.... He was afraid.

"Is that a challege boy? Are you sure you can count then?" Said Emiliah's father, motioning to the men that surrounded him. To be honest, he hadn't planned on this turning into a fight. More of a ...tough love, father-son-in-law bonding moment. Something they could....laugh about later on. But now it took on a much more serious note.

Fenros clenched his fists, his footing shifted ever so lightly. "I can count... I've dealt with more..." His thoughts turned suddenly to the castle Ruvina he took on the entire castle single handedly, killing all of the nightmares and the powerful witch within as well. A bunch of hunters seemed like childsplay.

"WELL WELL." A voice from behind the group suddenly shouted over the murmering. As they all looked they would see Flint walking towards him, his bow slung over his shoulders and his hands in the air. "Imagine to my surprise I come into town to find out my brother is engaged. To a very beautiful young lady...." He realized that might have not been the best thing to say, "...er from such an estemed family established here." He patted the closes man on the arm and paused...squeezed slightly. Turning his attention to the guy he pointed at his arm, "You work out?" Nodding his head in approval. "Impressive."

He suddenly moved on as if nothing happened, Shaking hands and patting shoulders as he moved right through the middle to the father of the group. "I was impressed and shocked to find out a girl could tame my beast of a brother, when I saw her, I knew with out a doubt it was she was because of her beauty... " He raised his fist and shook it to show emphisis. "...and Iron will for no bull shit I could see that Fenros was no match for her. "

He moved over to his brother who whispered through his teeth, _{"Flint.....what are you doing...."}

Flint smiled and whispered back_{Saving your and their ass...now shut up and breath.}

A few of Emiliah's extended family memebers seemed a lot less...ready to attack as Flint made his way around. There were others who saw him as just another bug to squash. "Wha I don't get," said Emiliah's father, one of those people who looked at him more like a bug than a soother. "Is your point. I already know my Em's far better than 'im. So, I doubt you came here just to watch yer brother die,"

"Point?" He asked as he shoved his hand against Fenros's Chest as he moved forward, His blood not liking being called inferior, But it was enough to hold him back . "Point is, that.... would you really break your daughters heart by killing the man she likes?" He paused a moment, after seeing how they didn't seemed to mind to kill him anyways he quickly changed what he was saying. " What happened was she SAID She wouldn't mind marrying him...fine stock and all, but a little too serious." He gave a nervous laugh and added, "APPARRENTLY some one over heard, was a tad drunk and miss heard her, wanted some more rum and got excited at the though of weddings. Didn't sit by and wait for the end of the conversation. Besiiides, Fenros would never just feel up a girl. He's a Virgin! Also not to bright in the head sometimes..."

_"Flllllint." Fenros growled softly.

Flint raised his finger, "One second big guy. Having a conversation with these FINE Gentleman. " He smiled again. "You see, Fenros was picked on for his abmormal size as a kid, the other kids in town would gang up and bully him, so after seeing a big group again, it brings back bad memories.... So you know...He got a little defensive, like you know you should never back a cougar into a corner....same rule applys for him."

By the time that Flint had finished his speech, even Em's father had lost steam in the mission. He seemed to think it over for a moment. "Well," he said finally. "Here's what I'll do. Tomorrow I'll go talk to Em and if she says a story that is even slightly different. I'm comin back for both ya balls. Not sure what I'll do with two pair, but I'm sure I'll find a purpose," He then gestered for his family to leave the boys. Heading back to town.

Flint gave an awkward thumbs up "Great!" Shiiiiiiiiit! His faux smile dropped as they were far enough away as he let his head drop back, and let out a "Uuuuuuugh.... We're boned." Not the fact that the fight will be in Fenros's and his favor...possibly, but the fact that their family Secret could be revealed to an entire town because of it.

He looked back to his older brother who was still had a sour look on his face. "What?!" He said shrugging his shoulders. "I had to save them some how from you. Take the hit in the pride once and a while, we really know what happened. You don't have to be Mr. Legend the ENTIRE time. Only dad could pull that off."

Fenros continued to breath slowly, " Flint..."

"What?" He asked simply.

"What are you doing here... I told you to not come here..." Fenros replied.

"Relllllaaax baldy, I just came to give you some news... you haven't been home in a while." He lied. "Buuut you need to cool off, so just sit here and take a nap, Ill come back and inform ya." He gave two thumbs up and smiled. "Good? Good." Before turning around and walking away.

---

Emiliah Hazelbrush, Flint Digard

_{Back at Bobby's}

The sky had turned a light grey and Emiliah was still at Bobby's. Not that she was waiting for anyone really. But with everything that had happened that night, she couldn't possibly sleep. She still wasn't quite conviced that it was her family that she should be worried for, so she wasn't. She wasn't really worried about Fenros either, because there was a good chance that he wouldn't be found. But still, she wanted to know that everything had been set right again. She had taken made a cup of tea, although it was now sitting cold next to her. It was strange to see the place so empty. Even the drunks had cleared out by this time.

Flint slowly walked back to the Bar, The bags under his eyes were growing more and more apparent. He walked with a slouch in his shoulders and his head hung down. "Man I could use a comfy bed right now... You know what I mean Mishka?"

Mishka looked up at her master and said, You mean you will let me sleep on the bed tonight? Her tail wagged slightly.

"Maybe....If you don't hog the bed again and pushed me off. like last time."

Her tail wagged more as she looked away, I don't know what your talking about.

When he neared Bobbies he noticed Emiliah sitting outfront. He perked up and despite him saying he was tired. He walked triumphantly towards her with a sly smile on his face. "Well... Nothing to worry about, managed to smooth..." As he said smooth he motioned with his hand to mimic the motion. "...things over with your family. "

Emiliah looked up at Flint as he spoke. A small weight was lifted out of the pit of her stomach. "Should have guessed my father would track him down," she said with a sigh, streching her sore muscles. "But, like I said last night...thank you. I know you said you would have done it anyway, with him being your brother, but still, you saved me a lot of trouble,"

He scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "Yeah... About that, I might have told a slightly different story."He said with a smile as if that would smooth it over." I said you would LIKE to marry him, because you know, he's a good looking guy and good stock and all that. Not that you wanted to marry him to gain the power of the priesthood."

Emiliah raised her eyebrow at Flints answer. "I'm guessing, by the fact that you are telling me this, that I need to know this story for future reference?" She then strugged. "I can't believe that my father bought that. But, as long as no one died, one does what one must," She then stood up, picking up her tea. "I suppose I should be heading home now, are you staying here or roughing in the woods like your brother?"

He lowered his head and held his hands together as if he was praying, "If you can do that, that would be great!" He looked at Mishka and added, "_{Yooourrrrfathermayhavementionedcuttingoffournutsifheheardadifferentstory.}"

He looked back to her and said, "Well i'd probably slip into one of Bobby's empty rooms tonight...well this morning. Unlike my brother, I tend to like sleeping in soft beds more often than not."

"Wait, what?" Said Emiliah a little shocked before letting out a laugh. "You know, he always said that is what he was going to do to any man he didn't find worthy, but I didn't think he'd actually threaten anyone with it," She shook her head. "Don't worry, your nuts are safe with me,"

Flint raised his eyerbows and perked up at her mentioning his nuts were protected with her.. "Reeeeealllly?" He said with a sly smile. "They are?" Leaning over onto the railing casually. "That's good to know."

Emiliah's smiled then vanished. "Not that safe," She was about to leave before rememebering a question she had from before. "Soo...how long until your brother calms down. Despite giving up on our marriage, I'd still like to see if there is a way I can get the power of the priesthood the old fashion way. Talent and hard work,"

He casually subconciously covered his nuts to her first comment. After hearing her question he took the few steps up to the porch she was standing on and sighed. "Not that I know of...And I just spent a year with a High priest of the order. It's not something you learn and practice like a weapon. It takes years of scriptural study, learning Hebrew, You need to learn how to listen to that little concious in the back of your head that warns you of danger and inspires you to do something."

He looked at her, "It's much like going into the church and becoming a Priest or Bishop. Yet....separate. I'm, not explaining this well...." He said chuckling.

"Still, if Fenros hadn't been here when that Demon Wolf attacked, we would all be dead or worse," She said. "Yes, we have talented hunters and fighters, but none of that mattered in the end, because, well," she shrugged. "And as I told your brother, I've got time to learn, but I also don't want to waste time doing nothing about it," She then shrugged. "I know that there is a chance that this might all be for nothing, but right now it feels like...a good thing to do," She then let out a little laugh. "Maybe it's my little concious kicking in already,"

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was. You don't need the priesthood to feel it, The scripture study and coming closer to Christ is only part of it. It helps you sense that easier. " He chuckled, he didn't think HE would be the one teaching it like the High priest he was with.

"I'm going to tell you now, I spent A year with a Highpriest of the order, and he knew his stuff. Like deep doctorine stuff, and yet I never heard in my year of study a woman recieving the priesthood. But they are able to use it to an extent through the bonds of marriage like Fenros said. It's not just Marriage though that create's the link, if the two didn't love each other or were unfaithful, they would not recieve the power. It's all based on how we, who have taken the upon the covenant, follow God's Commandments....Based off of that is how effective we are in battle against Demons. If we don't follow them, we are cut off untill we repent."

He scratched the back of his head, "I'm sure you're confused... I'm not a really good teacher." He yawned a bit. "I'm also super tired....soo that might not be helping as well."

"You know," said Emiliah, letting out a frustrated sigh. "You'd think that God would try to make it easier to kill demons if he wanted them gone so bad," She glanced back over at Flint. "And if you think the whole 'woman' thing is going to be the bit that stops me, it isn't. There was never a female hunter, until the first one," She shook her head. "But, I can tell you are exhausted, so, I'll let you get to your bed, g'...morning I guess now,"

Flint shook his head, the two arguments that were always brought up were brought up in one two sentences... he's met alot of people who have fell away from following god because bad things happen to them.

"Ill just say this.... With out the bad or the evil....we would never know what good was, thus never understand what came from our father in heaven. It's so hard to follow because he wants us to become better, because he knows the potential we have.... As for a woman...I often have come to think that they have a different power that men dont..." He looked at her. "That is to create life. Where men are often the ones who go out and destroy it... or banish it... women will always have that gift of creating life inside their bodies. Perhaps that is the power that was given to women....and why the priesthood was given to men to make them better."

He smiled, "Food for thought...G'morning Emiliah." He said with a slight bow of his head before walking away.

I'd trade that 'power' for demon killing any day of the week she thought to herself, heading towards her nearby home without a look back.

[Aerandir]

_{A collab feat. @Meiyuki}

The Bargain

Clarissa was making her way to Seren's Folley. She wasn't particularly happy about a trip to a hunter stronghold, but she knew the small town better than anyone else. Except maybe Alphonse, but he was running around doing Lorelai's bidding now wasn't he? Asshole.

So she was pleased to find her target squatting down near a small creek a mile or so out of the festering hunter's haven. The target, which looked like a small bear hunched over from his size had his head down, his hands rubbing the side of his head as if trying to rid himself of a migraine. His pet wolf was taking a drink from the creek, almost oblivious to it's surroundings. 'So this is the mighty Fenros huh?' She thought to herself as she approached.

"Hey there handsome." She spoke in her sultry, honey-soaked soprano. [color=2e3192]"What's a fine looking man like yourself doing here instead of driving the townswomen crazy huh?"[/coor]

Fenros paused in rubbing his temples when he heard a very sweet voice. He allowed his arms to fall into a lazy folded position, over the knees as he looked up to see a very...beautiful woman walking towards him. He blinked a few times and looked away. "Uh... I just needed to be alone. " He said, glad the darkness would cover the hint of his blushing cheeks. He had never been with a woman, of course due to his covenants, but still... a woman dressed as this woman was could make any man blush.

Alltia looked up and sniffed, backpeddling till she was by Fenros's side again. She didn't like the smell of her, but she often didn't like the smell of others.

"Alone? Now why's that?" Clarissa approached and took a seat close enough to the hunter for him to smell her perfume. "What has you looking so concerned?"

He looked back to the woman as she moved closer, because of his half blood he could already smell her...but because of the intensity of the fresh dose, he could smell it ten times more, he even could distinct what was in it...something he's never been able to do before, it was....intoxicating to say the least.

"Nothing has me concerned..." He said he couldn't very well tell her he bitten by a werewolf only a few hours before. That he was fighting the urge to snap some of Emiliah's families' arms for attempting to 'gang' up on him. Not even now...as his animalistic urge to...Mate. Was what seemed a hundred times stronger.

He tried to turn it to her..."Why is a...beautiful woman like yourself doing out here so late...it's dangerous near the woods at this time of night."

"Is it now?" Clarissa smirked at the man's nearly concealed lust. She'd see soon enough whether Fenros harbored any feelings for the twig-witch Elina. "Good thing I've got a strong, handsome man like you to protect me then." She stretched languidly over the clear spot she'd been sitting in.

He couldn't help but look, but as soon as he did he looked away, "You going to trust me? A stranger you just met..." He said trying to clear his thoughts on mounting this woman. Closing his eyes tightly, it was not how he normally thought... yet the temptation was so inviting...was was a beautiful woman, and it seems like she was throwing herself at him....not that he's had experience in the matter.

He looked back at her..."What if I'm the dangerous one." he said softly.

'Come on, either do me or don't' Clarissa thought to herself, a little frustrated. She didn't exactly want to play word games with a damn hunter in the woods when there was a warm castle waiting at home. "Maybe I like a little danger? I am walking the big scary woods at night after all." She let out a small giggle.

Fenros....What are you doing?" Alltia said as she looked at him. He was never like this normally, and frankly it worried her.

Fenros only looked at Alltia and back down, She was right, why was he even playing with this idea, he's not one to just be with a beautiful woman for a one night stand...it wasn't him...He did feel a sudden cold spot on his chest, glancing down at it he saw the necklace with the locket on it. Very feminine, and odd piece for a hunter. But it belonged to Elina, she had dropped it when she ran off. He still planned on somehow finding her.

It was that bit of memory that seemed to jog him back into his normal training of thought. He casually reached down and acted like he was grabbing something, only to put it into a small pocket on his chest, Then he reached up to his mouth and while rubbing his face, inserted a small amount of powder in his mouth, lavender mixed with peppermint to mask the smell.

He then smiled softly, " Well..." He said as he scooted himself over to her, real close. His eyes moving from her feet up to her face. "I am a dangerous guy..." he said, leaning over her more as he reached over and ran a hand along her arm and side, pulling her closer to him.

He leaned in closer, taking in a deep breath of her perfume before giving her a passionate kiss. His hands pulling her closely to him. He moved his hands up to her neck to caress her jaw as he pulled away, He then only smiled at her. As he was sure the lavender would take effect any second.

The kiss tasted like peppermint, which was pleasant. However, moments after it ended her mouth began to burn, along with a small knot of torment in her stomach. "Lavender! You fucker!" She stood sputtering, trying to get any traces of it out of her mouth.

The sight was very unlady-like, her hunched over spitting on the ground rapidly. "For fuck's sake, and to think I'm supposed to tell you where to meet your little Elina!" She continued sputtering. "Asshole, sack of shit, dog-fucker!"

Maybe she should have followed suit when Lorelai started taking small doses of lavender to increase her tolerance, but she didn't think she'd been exposed to a lethal dose at least. Once she'd gotten the bulk of it out of her mouth she turned to Fenros. "Now say you're sorry, and I'll lead you to your...Elina. Asshole."

While she stood up, he got to his feet as well He didn't expect the dose to kill her, as she didn't really ingest much of it. He reached for his silver dagger behind his back and made his way towards her but stopped in his tracks when she said Elina. Ignoring the curse's she sputtered out afterwards. It hit him like a ton of bricks, How did she know of Elina? No one knew of her, save Bobby and his family.

His anger boiled in him as he rushed forward and gripped her throat with sudden frightening speed. "How bout you tell me where she is and I WONT Slit your throat. " He growled as he placed just the tip of the blade to her soft skin. "What did you do to her!? Where is she?!" He said angrily, it wasn't helping that his sight was turning red as the curse was slowly taking over again.

"Slow down there boy!" She struggled impotently against Fenros' savage strength. "I haven't done anything to her, but if you kill me you'll never see her! You hear me!?"

He gripped her neck even more tightly, before loosening a little more. his mind conflicting whether to just kill her and take his chances or to let her go. "How do you know of her?" He said with a angry tone, but it was clear he was restraining himself.

"She's a sister in my coven." Clarissa was doing her best to remain calm, shadows stood from nearby trees prepared to rush to her aid if this got any more dangerous. She doubted her ability to kill the hunter, but she was a fast runner. "I talk to her almost daily, see her silver hair and crimson eyes whenever I want. So if you don't kill me it should be obvious what I have to offer."

He waited a moment as he debated his next move...Dealing with a witch never turned out as planned... yet this is the first real lead in finding Ellina he's had in over a year. After fighting back and forth in his mind he finally said, "What's the catch? I'm sure you didn't do this out of the 'goodness of your heart'." He did lessen his grip considerably, but did not move the knife. It seemed a little too easy getting this info.

"Come with me, talk to my mistress. She has a task for you, then you can have your little Elina or whatever." Clarissa offered her most sincere smile. "That's the catch, she just wants to talk with you, that's all."

He looked at her in the eyes for a moment... he wasn't liking this as of yet... follow her and meet her mistress, who is probably a powerful witch, where he was coming alone....despite Alltia. He debated it for a moment before letting her go entirely. Sheathing his blade he took a few steps back towards his sword that he had left planted in the ground after Emiliah's friendly family came to visit. "Fine....Where is she?" He said simply as he pulled the blade out of the ground and moved it to his back.

Fenros... Alltia started to say,

"Not now Alltia..." cutting her off.

Clarissa led Fenros deeper into the woods. They moved in silence, not like they enjoyed each other's company enough for small talk. Alltia followed a few paces behind, scanning the foliage for signs of an ambush. Eventually they came to a small clearing, it was bathed silver by the moon, while the rest of the forest was covered in inky black darkness. There stood Medusa.

She turned to the small group as the arrived. "Clarissa, I'm glad to see you were successful." Clarissa simply nodded as she made her way to her mistress' side. "Fenros, I have a task to offer you, there are vampires in these woods, old ones. The call themselves the Ruvins and are threatening my coven. Deal with them, and I'll allow you to choose between two boons."

Fenros looked at the witch who Clarissa moved over to and listened to what she said. "Two boons?" He asked simply, the rest was clear what she wanted..."What does this have to do with Elina? Is she ok?"

"I assure you, Elina is safe with her sister." Medusa drew a little closer. "Two boons. You see Fenros I have two things you want. One you hate, she slew your father, destroyed your hometown, slaughtered countless members of your order. The other you love, the sweet little Elina, who remains untainted still."

Medusa placed a hand on her chin. "I'm eager to see what you choose, Love? Or hate?"

He took a step towards Medusa, Von'strauss was here as well? He was shocked to hear this, the witch he's been hunting for years as well as Elina..." You mean to tell me you will just give either of them up if I kill these Vampires for you? Just like that?"

He thought for a moment.... as much as he wanted to save Elina, he also knew the right thing to do was to hunt down and Kill Lorelai Von'strauss as soon as he could... that it could save much more lives. But it had been a year since he lost Elina...and if she is a witch now, in this coven, every moment he delays is one more she would give in and use the dark arts like her mother did...

But he knew now that Lorelai was HERE. Within a few miles. Once he found Elina he could... "I I choo-"

"Silly hunter, I'm not going to give Elina to you, but I'll tell her you're here." Medusa chuckled. "And I won't destroy her of course. Lorelai I'll give to you, but that's because she'll simply eradicate you. You have no hope of defeating the last of the Von'Strauss alone little hunter, and you don't hunt with others."

"The Ruvins are no ordinary vampires. They carry an affinity for the Ruvina's magics, and as such cannot be slain by ordinary means." Medusa removed an insignia from her robes and tossed it to the ground in front of Fenros. "Now, since we understand each other a little better, what will it be?"

Fenros glared at Medusa. Of course there it was, the second catch. Clearly pushing him to choose Lorelai, and not even tell her about him, while still killing him with Lorelai...though he begged to differ on the subject on who would win. After she explained more about the vampires she tossed something, which he caught and only glanced at as she still spoke to him. He then spoke up. "That hardly seems like a fair deal. Just mentioning to her that I'm here? I'm sure you won't let her leave on her own accord as well...covens and their 'pacts' generally don't leave room for second guessing."

He looked down at the insignia again. She said they were related to the Ruvina's.... maybe... maybe if he went back to the castle...unlikely, as he burned the place to the ground. But there may still be something there.

"If I do this, you allow Elina to leave...on her own accord. That's MY Deal... I'm sure you will just send Lorelai after me anyways."

"Lorelai will be coming for you either way yes." Medusa grinned. "Very well, I'll also release her from the coven's pacts, but in addition you have to leave, and never return. That is if she decides to come to you."

Medusa extended her hand. "Do we have an agreement?"

"Only....if you allow me to see Elina...How am I to trust you to simply tell her? I can see you NOT telling her and telling me that she said no. " He offered his hand as well, "Only then will I have an agreement. You wouldn't be coming to me anyways if you didn't need me."

Medusa's head tilted. She was finished letting this hunter add terms. "How about if you don't take this deal...the next time you see Elina, she'll be hanging from a tree in the forest? I don't take my oaths or agreements lightly fool. That will have to be enough for you." Clarissa's eyes widened at her mistress' savage declaration.

"Do or die time Digard, what will it be?" Medusa's hand remained outstretched. Her eyes hard and unflinching.

Fenros narrowed his eyes at her threat, he did notice Clarissa's eyes and guessed...her declaration wasn't hallow. He took her hand and said, "If I find out there is one hair harmed on Elina... I promise you that ten Von'strauss's won't keep me from finding you and making you pay in your blood."

He took a few steps backwards and asked, "Any hints on these Vampire locations?" He said calmly.

"You breath would be better spent on threats to witches who saw something worth fearing in you." Medusa sighed. "The Glow Wood, to the north. There activity seems to be centralized somewhere near there."

Medusa turned and walked to near the edge of the clearing. "We shall see whether Elina chooses you over her sister and friends soon won't we? I look forward to that." She added before disappearing into the foliage along with Clarissa.

As soon as the two witches left the clearing, Fenros looked down at the insignia once again. His thoughts flooding with hope...hope to see Elina once again...and worry, that Medusa would not keep to her word. He slipped the insignia into a pouch behind his back and turned, making his way back to Seren's Folley.

He felt gross, as if he just made a deal with the devil himself. Yet as of now he couldn't think of any other way of Seeing Elina again...he was nowhere closer to finding their hideout...but they must be close by. The thought of that disturbed him even more, that they were so comfortable to a hot spot of hunters in Seren's Folley.

Fenros...we need to talk to Bobby...And Flint about this. Alltia said, not really knowing what to say. She never saw Fenros act like this. As far as she knew him, he NEVER made any deals with a witch. He usually just killed them and asked questions later. Her thoughts turned to this Elina...she wasn't with Fenros the time he met her, she was with Flint and Mishka on a hunt offering help there. But with Clarissa speaking of a white haired and red eye woman, she instantly thought back to the strange crystal forest where she ran into a woman of the same description.

Fenros only nodded when Alltia spoke to him, only catching what she said briefly as his thoughts were focused on Elina. He held onto the necklace around his neck...he knew he was being irrational... over a girl he only met and knew for a few months... but he didn't care. He made a promise...he intended to keep it.

---

_{In the woods on their way back to the Castle.}

"You'd really kill Elina over this?" Clarissa broke the silence by voicing what had been troubling her since they'd left the clearing.

"Of course not, but Fenros doesn't know that now does he?" Medusa patted Clarissa's shoulder. "You don't think I'd be so callous as that do you?"

Clarissa let out a sigh of relief. "I hadn't thought so, but you've been on edge recently. You can share whatever is troubling you with me Mi'lady."

"Lorelai." Medusa had known Clarissa for a long time, and it was true she needed to share her worries with someone, or risk insanity. "Lorelai grows more powerful with each passing day, and I'm beginning to worry that she might attempt a coup at some point."

"I see." Clarissa thought that if her mistress was so concerned about that she'd be wise to be kinder to the demon binder. "What will you do? Surely she's not thrilled with you ordering the expedition, you know how she dotes on Vespa and Elina...well mostly Vespa."

"I'll make plans Clarissa. I hope Lorelai's sense of loyalty will outweigh her anger, and I'll work to repair our relationship I suppose." She ruffled the younger witch's hair. [color=ed1c24]"Nothing for you to worry about overmuch Clarissa, but thank you for listening. It would also be pertinent to keep this to yourself don't you think?"

"Of course ma'am." Clarissa smiled happily. "I'm sure you'll sweet talk Lorelai back into her place. I don't like it when mommy and mommy fight after all."

Medusa laughed. "Mommy and mommy? I suppose that's kind of what it's like isn't it?" She grinned. "We'll be fine I'm sure, but if you would...maybe you could find out who would stand with who? Should the time come?"

"Of course ma'am." Clarissa stated as they finally made their way back into the castle. "I'll get to work right away."

[SunsetRoses]

Elizabeth C. James

@Ellion @Aerandir @agentmanatee

---

Elizabeth woke very late this morning, she could tell by the hustle and bustle she heard underneath her. With a yawn and a small smile, she stretched her way out of bed. She didn’t have time to prep a bath, so instead she ran some water through her hair and to clean herself she simply sponged herself down. If she had done that back in the manor, her mother would have threatened her life until she went back and tried again. She grabbed her splintering wooden hairbrush, and ran it through her hair until all of the tangles were out. This process took quite a while, however, because she hadn’t brushed it this well in four or five days. With a sigh she braided it, as she usually did, and put on her armor that sat comfortably on her body. When she had first gotten it (as a gift from her father) it had been one of the most clunky things she had ever worn. Now, after plenty of ‘work’ and everyday tasks performed in it, she found it quite easy to work in. Of course, she had gotten it repaired and resized plenty of times at the smithy, but other than that it was good as new. Once she was fully dressed she strutted down to the tavern beneath her room, and smiled at everyone she saw there.

It was rather early in the morning, so there weren’t as many people there, but she saw plenty of regulars. As her eyes scanned the room, she saw the other hunters at the bar, and she quickly stepped over to join them. She sat by Emiliano, who was already getting hammered. She wasn’t shocked by this discovery, because she was a heavy drinker herself, but she did make sure there was a bit of room between them, just in case he decided to throw up whatever was in his glass. She smiled brightly at them, and with a stretch she decided to ask them a question. ”Sorry I slept in so late, what have you guys been discussing? Was it important? Or just another round of bullshitting early in the morning?”

[Ellion]

_{A collab Feat. @Aerandir, @Meiyuki, and @shagranoz}

An Unlikely Meeting

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. "How did you hear of us?" 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. "Wait here....Phagora 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. "Is Lorelai awake Sousiel? There's a witch asking for her."

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. "Hey...Alexina?" He asked, "You speak...animal right?"

Alexina's green eyes flashed as she looked at Taran... he asked a very odd question... "Yes....." She said hesitently. " Why do you ask?"

Taran held up his finger, totally unaware that he was walking into the middle of something...kind of important. "Well," he said, holding up the finger that the lizard had perched on, "Could you tell it to get off? I don't want to hurt it, but it's not letting go either," 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. "What's going on again?"

She was about to answer, Taran but Lorelai came out. She quickly said, "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."

"Ah, so the old bastard wasn't kidding about the offer of his youngest daughter then?" Lorelai let out a small sleepy giggle. "Very well, lead on Alexina."

She paused a moment as she realized Taran was there. "Taran...what are you doing?" She looked to the small...lizard that had taken up residence on the young boy's finger.

"Ah," Said Taran, looking back at the lizard on his finger. "It...won't get off....but this seems more important, so...I'll just....put it back in my pocket for now," He said, sheepishly, shoving his hand, and the lizard, into the pocket of his pants.

She couldn't ignore it anymore. "Take it out of your pants right now!" She whispered horsely... After a moment though she blushed and cleared her throat. "I mean....the lizard...I mean the.....Ooooo" 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,"Don't ever stuff an animal into your pocket." Half angry that he did that...half angry if not more that she said...those earlier things. Her face beet red."She was just terrified... Idiot. "

"But.... I found it in there," He said, trying to look at the lizard that was now sitting on his shoulder. "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,"

She looked to Lorelai and back to Taran and growled out of irritation and embarrasment. "Just shut up..." She turned and started to walk towards where she left Phagora in the woods.

"I made her angry? Didn't I? I should...apologies for...whatever I did," 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. "I believe verbal will serve, we know the results of treachery don't we?" Lorelai stepped forward. "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?"

"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.

"What I know will take you a lifetime to learn, but I suppose we've got that don't we?" Lorelai offered a small smile. "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."

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.

"Good good. Now, head to the camp and pick an empty carriage to ride in, we're headed to a castle and expect trouble." She turned back towards the foilage they come from. "We'll see how good that blade of yours is soon enough won't we?"

By the time Taran had caught back up to Alexina, the ceremony was over and the witches were returning towards the camp. "Alexina, look, I'm sorry I put the lizard in my pocket. Please forgive me, I won't do it again," it was then that he noticed Phagora having joined the group. "Oh, hello. I guess you're new?" 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? "Don't take this the wrong way. I don't mate with just anyone, unlike Al,"

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. "Some of us have much more interesting prospects waiting for them already."

"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." 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 "What are you Saying Taran! Stop making a Fool of yourself."

Taran frowned at the woman "It is important information," He said, thinking it over. "But...if it makes you uncomfortable I'll stop if..." he pretened to think it over. "You never allow me to be sent on another 'mission' with Al again,"

Alexina watched as Lorelai walked back to her carriage...frowning slightly before looking back to Taran. "I don't have control over that Taran... Just....don't believe everything he says! PLEASE?" She brought him into the coven, his actions reflected her no matter how you looked at it.

" Isn't he my better? If only slightly? Aren't I suppost to take him at his word?" He said.

"Not EVERY Word...esspecially about Lorelai or I wanting to.....do it with you." She said with an exparated sigh.

"It sounds worse when you say it," his own cheeks turning a little red. "Fine, for you, I will stop," He gave a little bow before heading off to his own tent. Lizard and all. "Wait. Does the Lizard have a name? ....I think I have to keep it....

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..."That's something you have to figure out.... She likes you though..."

"Her name is Dragon, I can tell," 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...

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab feat. @agentmanatee}

Little Comforts

_{In Genoveve's carriage, shortly before leaving for the expedition}

Genoveve sat in her carriage, alone on the heavily cushioned couch alone, trying to quiet herself. She had been crying since Elina had... reacted to learning of Genoveve's extraordinarily low birth, even lower than the common folk. Her eyes were red, and tear stains could be seen on her cheeks as she had realized just how alone she was even in her own coven. Even Laina seemed to be... higher class, born in some nice house or mansion like all the others she was sure.

Had Elina really been so disgusted with her class that she could not even bare to share a carriage with Genoveve? Did she truly consider herself so high? Well, her baggage train certainly suggested as much, and the way she had... so coldly lied straight to her face. Like, she hardly even tried to hide it as a lie, as if Genoveve had not even been worth the effort. Wallowing in her own self pity she suddenly heard a light knocking at the door. Genoveve quickly tried to wipe away the tear stains but gave up and pulled her high collar up to obscure her face before responding to whoever it was, trying to keep a calm and consistent voice, "Wh-wh-who... who is it?"

"It's Lorelai...you want to talk a little?" Lorelai pulled open the door to the carriage. Seeing Genoveve's tearstained face she almost considered leaving, to give the girl some space. Deciding against it, she took a seat across from her. "What's the matter Gen?"

Genoveve sniffled as Lorelai let herself in, but had pulled her collar up and wasn't going to give in now, "Nothing Mistress... just... just some herbs I was... was dealing with...", it was difficult to retain her composure, even Lorelai who had grown up in the pit was born higher than Genoveve was... "D-did you... need anything mistress?"

"You needn't keep your pain from me Genoveve, I can see it anyway." Lorelai sat back. "We're not too different you and I. You were born in a hut in the middle of the woods, and grew up there. I was born in a castle yes, but it wasn't decorated or lavish. The Von'Strausses didn't believe in such frills, as a matter of fact believed that comforts like the kind the Ruvinas have grown accustomed to offered nothing but weakness."

"I'm not sure if I agree with that, but it certainly rings with a small amount of truth doesn't it?" Lorelai smiled. "I was kicked out after my first blood, to go with my mentors, and live in the woods until I was strong enough to claim the comforts I deserved."

Genoveve sniffled again as Lorelai spoke, and dropped her color back down, showing her tear stained face and reddened eyes. She supposed Lorelai was right... she was not nearly as different to her as Elina or Vespa, "I-I guess... I just... why does Elina seem to hate me for it?", tears started to fall again as she asked, "She-she just... rebuffed me an-an-and lied straight to my faace like I-I was not even... like I was some sort of b-b-beast or...", her shoulders began to shake slightly as she explained her agony to Lorelai, "D-does Vespa think like that t-to? Does she... she tell you how low I am our-our say I don't b-b-be-belong with all you n-... noble ladies?", she looked at Lorelai, terrified that the answer would be yes.

"Elina doesn't hate you, she just doesn't know how to talk to you." Lorelai patted Genoveve's shoulder across the small table between them. "Vespa hardly cares about your upbringing overmuch. She cares far more about a person's bearing. You're a witch Genoveve, we're a coven of witches that harbors some nobility, not an aristocracy with some witches."

Lorelai removed an intricate potion kit from a small bag she was carrying. It was made mostly of ivory and finely crafted glass. "I wanted to give you this. It was the first pretty thing I ever purchased. You don't come from money Gen, but you're a loyal and good witch." Lorelai grinned as she pushed the kit across the table. "Give this to someone when you buy your own. Everyone deserves at least one pretty thing."

Genoveve stifled her tears as Lorelai revealed the fine potion kit, and pulled it closer to inspect it. It really was beautiful, finely carved from ivory with the glasses carefully detailed and etched. She smiled lightly before looking up at Lorelai, "Th-thank you Mistress... its beautiful...", she stared at it a bit longer before speaking again, "Have... Lorelai have I ever told you about when I arrived at Castle Bloodrose? What it was like?"

"No I don't think you have." Lorelai sat back smiling, she was pleased that Genoveve seemed to like her gift. She hoped the girl would feel more like one of them. "I believe I was out when you arrived. Go on."

Genoveve nodded, "Well first... you have to understand what our hut was. This carriage,", she gestured about, "This is finer than... anything I had ever seen. And it is about just as big. After I killed my mother in the ritual, Yeris suggested I should... cut ties. So, I took what I needed and... left.", she pushed some hair out of her eyes before continuing, "After awhile Yeris led me to Castle Bloodrose and... it was like, nothing I had ever even imagined. It seemed bigger than even the woods had, or the tallest of trees. It was like... seeing a god or something, I was in awe... inside it was even more amazing!", her face lit up at the memory. "Silver and servants and... things I had never thought I would even see... does this sound, stupid?"

Lorelai chuckled. "No, not stupid, cute and a little funny though." Lorelai's laugh ended in a grin. "Tell me though, do you like it there? With us?"

Genoveve smiled, "Well... it's very different you know? Not to long ago it was only me, mother and the spirits... it's difficult to adjust. So many more people and... faces to remember. The food is all so rich and wine is so common it may as well be water.", she giggled at the memory of when she had spent an entire day drinking because no one told her to stop, "But... for the most part yes I'm happy! There's you, and Medusa who are very nice. And Laina of course, my first love...", she blushed slightly, "Though... its hard sometimes. I get lost... a lot. And sometimes I just get a bit overwhelmed though, especially with the... Ruvinas. How... how do you deal with all of Vespa's uhm... extravagances? I think I would get overwhelmed..."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, and I'm always around if you need anything you know." Lorelai was suppressing the urge to laugh again, but the image of Genoveve stumbling about the castle, hopelessly lost, drunk, was hilarious to say the least. "Vespa and me are alike too. I wasn't raised a noble, but over the years I've amassed a good deal of wealth, with my own hands. I even have a citadel in the inferno that me and Sousiel once called home."

"Things that you could have one day, if you wanted them. Your talent for potioncraft is prodigious." Lorelai smiled. "Not that we mind you simply enjoying the comforts we've provided, you're more than useful enough to have earned them."

Genoveve smiled shyly, "Oh no I don't think I could handle owning and living in my own citadel. I think my heart might stop just seeing the outside!", she giggled a bit, but then took on a more quizzical look, "Lorelai... I've been wondering, what exactly is your relationship with Sousiel? I know she's your familiar but she's like... a person... so..."

"Sousiel? She's my familiar, and has been since I was eleven I think." Lorelai was a touch confused at Genoveve's interest in her familiar. "We're...friends, master-servant, family, and everything else? I don't know, we've been together for what seems like forever sometimes. We're close, why?"

Genoveve seemed to be thinking, "I... I don't know she just seems... interesting? I've never met a demon before, dealing in spirits as you know and it's... strange how human she seems... she does not seem like the cruel hellion I was told demons were.", she exhaled sharply as she thought about it further, "Like... does she feel... feelings? Like us? Or is it all the hate and, lust and all the base stuff in her head?"

Lorelai grinned. "Yeah, she feels like we do. She also feels the twisted hate of the inferno. We're bound tight me and Sousiel, she's less demon than others, and I'm less human." She continued, proud of what she and sousiel had accomplished. "She's learned humanity's range of emotion over the years, and she's come to terms with it. She wasn't always so happy about it though."

Well... that sounded interesting, "What do you mean by that? Was she... frustrated with more emotions or... what do you mean she was not so happy about it?"

"Frustrated would be an understatement." Lorelai let out a small laugh. "She absolutely hated feeling remorse, or fear, or worse yet...Love."

And so the plot thickens! "Love? She felt love for someone? Who was it! Was it... you?", this seemed exciting to Genoveve, a demon learned to love huh? And hated it? She needed the details.

Lorelai blushed lightly. "It was me. We were both young, maybe sixteen at the time?" She shook her head a little. "Either way we were too young to know what was good for us, so me and Sousiel were each other's first love for a time."

Genoveve leaned forward on the table, very interested now, "What was that like??!! Falling in love with a demon?! Was it particularly... passionate? Or... hot?", Genoveve blushed lightly at her question, but really was interested in the answers.

Lorelai's blush deepened, but Genoveve seemed so interested, so she answered anyway. "It was one part what you'd expect, sweet, exploratory. And one part savage, hungry, consuming. That's about when my own demon blood began to stir, we were at each other's throats and...other things with equal fervor and frequency." Her blush now complete she asked her own question. "How about you and Laina huh? What was that like?"

Genoveve blushed almost as much as Lorelai was, seeing as her relationship was still very... fresh, "W-well Laina is very... strange. She came to me not even understanding what love meant just before we... uhm... well regardless she is a bit confusing sometimes. She hardly understands her own emotions and she often seems... distant or disconnected. But she is certainly... into it when it counts.", her face was now as red as Lorelai's, "But mine is still fresh... why did you and Sousiel end it? Does she still... I don't know... love anyone or was loving you too much for her?"

"It ended when we realized that it wasn't good for me." Lorelai's smile was a little sad. "Sousiel's intimacy was stirring up the demonic taint in my essence before it's time, and I think she still loves me. I still love her too, in a different way. We'll be together until the end though, and that is a huge comfort to me."

Genoveve nodded as Lorelai talked about how they ended it, but seemed curious still, "She... 'stirred up your demonic taint in your essence'? What... does that mean? And how? I suppose I don't understand how... a human and a demon would... uhm...", again Genoveve blushed, gulping quietly.

"We did the deed just like anyone else would I suppose." Lorelai's blush was as bad as it was going to get, so she didn't see any harm in explaining more. "Sousiel has all the bits and danglies she needs for such things after all. I don't know if you know this or not Genoveve, but I'm part demon. I was becoming less part demon than part human, so we had to call it off."

Genoveve's eyes widened, "Really? Your part Demon?! And she has... uh... the man... bits?", she looked about shyly as she said it. "So it made you... less demon or more demon with all the... time you spent together?"

"The longer me and Sousiel live, the more we gravitate towards half and half. Sousiel's a part of me, like a body part." Lorelai began attempting to explain. "However, age and wisdom are required to suppress the...darker impulses that come with demon-hood. Sousiel and I's naked escapades were hastening the process beyond my years and wisdom however."

Lorelai gave Genoveve a small wink. "Sousiel has whatever bits she, or her partner, wants her to have at the moment."

The end of her statement made Genoveve nervously giggle, "Uh so I see... uhm so it hastened the process? What would happen if... it wasn't with someone who was half demon? I may have been lying about you teaching me about demons but they are interesting... so what would happen if she had 'naked escapades' with someone who was not part demon?"

Lorelai shrugged. "I haven't the faintest, but I imagine it would just be...fun?" She laughed again. "My studies never quite made it to the consequences of demonic fornication...although perhaps they should have."

Genoveve smiled, "Well, if Sousiel ever finds someone else to... fornicate with I'm sure it would make for some interesting studies aye?", she tittered like a little girl at her childish joke, "Though, that may never happen if she really does still love you heh... would that be strange for you? Learning your familiar was heh, 'fornicating' with someone?"

Lorelai chuckled a bit. "I'd have to apologize immediately to the poor witch she'd managed to convince into it." Lorelai thought for a moment. "I think that would be strange, and a touch concerning. We're bound for life, so whoever she picked would be bound to me too, in a way."

Genoveve smiled at her, "They'd be bound to you as well huh? Well, having another witch 'bound' to you would surely be useful no? Let's gossip! Who do you think she could ever fall for other than you?"

Lorelai stroked her chin. "It'd be someone vulnerable, a little clumsy, that she could get interested in slowly. Someone she could corrupt a little, and perhaps enjoy corrupting them too much." Lorelai grinned. "If she wasn't a bit of a prude I'd say Elina, I'll bet Sousiel could warm her up nicely? You got any bets?"

Genoveve tapped her chin lightly, deep in thought, "Well from what you say I don't think Elina is for her, she is hardly clumsy or very open. Maybe..., she was really struggling to think of it, "Well, Clarissa is a bit of an airhead, but already sort of corrupted... hmmmm... this is difficult huh? I really don't have anything... you have anyone that isn't Elina? Or are we just waiting for her to make her move on the other Ruvina?", she giggled.

"Hmm...." Lorelai looked Genoveve up and down grinning mischievously. "You. Could be you next little Genoveve." She burst out laughing.

Genoveve blushed again as she giggled quietly, "Well, she'd have to pry me away from Laina first! No easy task, first love being what it is. Though I suppose I am her type according to you...", suddenly she covered her mouth as she laughed and leaned in close, "Maybe she is listening in right now, and already stalking me!", she started laughing loudly like Lorelai had been.

"I doubt it, I've got her grabbing some last minute supplies, but she could be." After their laughter had died down Lorelai grinned at Genoveve. "Feel better dear?"

Genoveve quieted herself as Lorelai asked if she felt better, "Yes... very much so Mistress. Thank you.", she smiled and put her hand on Lorelai's, I am happy that you are with me. Oh and one more thing, if Sousiel is interested tell her she will have to go through Laina!", she chuckled a bit more, she was happy she has such good companions.

"Sure thing." Lorelai flashed the girl one more grin as she climbed out of the carriage. "Hope you enjoy the trip, I certainly will."

She closed the door behind her, happy that Genoveve was feeling better.

[Aerandir]

Bobby, Flint Digard

Bobby sat behind his bar, his nose in a book with his eyes red. He looked more irritable than he normally did. With what happened last night, and reading up and trying to research Von'strauss's problem. He didn't get much sleep last night. It didn't help that Emiliano came in early to start drinking. He then heard Elizabeth walk down the stairs. Well lookie here... I imagine ye slept well lizzy? Y ee slept through the entertainment last night. A bit sour that she had a full night's rest compared to him. He closed Hector's book and stretched his back. A few loud pops could be heard. "What do ye want fer breakfast Lassy? He asked as he shuffled over to her side of the bar.

Suddenly a greyish wolf padded down the stairs and to the door, waiting for someone to open it. Sure enough after a few seconds it was opened, followed by a yell of a random person frightened at the site of a wolf inside town. Oh Bobby, I swear your beds get more comfy every time I come by. You must tell me were you get the mattress. Flint stood at the top of the stairs, yawning. I slept like a baby! he said mid yawn. His eyes groggy still, his hair slightly messy, but it only seemed to add to his charm.

He paused when he saw a new girl at the bar. "Well helllloooo you..." He said as his tiredness seemed to just melt away, as he slid down the railing landed gracefully a few feet away from the new girl. "Bonjour mademoiselle , vous êtes certainement la plus belle chose qu'un homme peut espérer voir le matin.." He gave his most dashing smile before bowing and taking her hand, "My name is Flint... Flint Digard. May I ask for your name? or is it Angels have no names, Only beautiful faces?" He kissed her hand gently.

Bobby blinked a few times at seeing Flint hitting on another female hunter. He often found it strange that Flint was even related to Fenros, or even Hector. His personality almost the total opposite of the two well known hunters. He was about to say something when his wife pipped in. "Flint dear, please don't slide down the railing, you can hurt yourself." She said as she walked by the two on her way to fill the bar with more mugs.
@SunsetRoses @agentmanatee

[Ellion]

@Aerandir@SunsetRoses@agentmanatee

Emiliah

It had been a few days since Flint came into town and for the most part, Emiliah had been rather...scarce. Most of that had to do with the large amount of time she'd been dedicated refreshing her Hebrew. It was never a language she had cared about, but she found that she could recall most of it fairly quickly. She also had spent a lot of time reassuring her father that the whole 'marriage' thing had just been a HUGE misunderstanding. There was also a small part of her that was also avoiding anything and everything with the last name Digard. Not that she was embarrassed or anything, more like...low burning angry. Not that Flint would have had any idea.

But the fact that she could 'create life' was hardly ever going to be compensation for not being able to kill demons or join the priesthood. It just wasn't fair. As far as Emiliah could remember everyone seemed to take her hunting as 'that thing she did' between leaving her parents house and finding a husband and starting her own family. At times, it made her sick to think that people, while they 'supported her' fully expected her to just....become a...rearer of children. Emiliah had heard that there were things that witches could do to leave one forever barren, although it was meant a a threat, it was the closest that Emiliah had ever come to asking for aid from a witch. She didn't of course, but it was still VERY tempting.

But of course, she couldn't avoid life forever, and eventually she returned back to Bobby's. Back to work and back to life. Besides, she did still want to try and see if she could figure out a way to kill demons /without/ the sanctity of marriage. And that meant she needed to find Fenros, after all, the werewolf bite should have worked itself out of his system by now.

When she arrived at Bobby's she noticed Flint right away, along with a relatively new girl, Isabella or Elizabeth or something. They were talking at the bar, but Fenros was yet to be seen. Which was...disappointing. There was a part of her that thought she should just ask Flint to help her get started, but....it seemed like asking the second best teacher, instead of the best.

She sat down at the counter, next to Flint, Emiliano and Elizabeth. "Morning Bobby, you still have any breakfast, I'm starving," She said. "And coffee, lots and lots of coffee," . Only after she put in her order for food, did she greet the other too "Morning Emiliano, Flint and...is it...Elizabeth?" she asked, wanting to be correct before assuming the girl's name. But with more pressing matters at had, she quickly moved on with the conversation. "Sooo, Flint, you seen your brother around lately?".

[SunsetRoses]

Elizabeth C. James

---

Elizabeth noticed the sour expression that plagued Bobby's face as he passed by, and her bright smile twisted into a slight frown. What had she slept through the night before? Why had no one woken her up? She figured that was why they looked so glum, and why Emiliano was burying himself in frosty pints of beer. She wanted to reach over and pat his back, but she was afraid he would pass out with the slightest touch. So instead she turned her focus back on Bobby, looking into his bloodshot eyes. "I missed excitement? Would you like to explain to me what it was that I missed? Because that would be heavenly, I would ask my pal Emiliano, but he seems a bit distraught if you ask me. I wouldn't want to fray his nerves."

She chuckled to herself, but at the mention of food her stomach growled. She simply shrugged when Bobby asked what she wanted, and peeked at the beer mugs. "Any food item you can whip up, and small glass of ale. Thanks Bobby." She straightened her posture so she wasn't sliding on the counter, she picked at her armor and waited patiently for her food. She hoped today wasn't normal, that was the last thing she needed at this point. With all the things that had supposedly happened the night before, she hoped there would come a chance to redeem herself on the battlefield. The background noise of the tavern relaxed her, and her eyes fell heavily.

She had been moments from sleep, when a shuffle occurred behind her. She twisted in her chair, and found herself looking at a new boy-no, he was definitely a man-and her mouth parted into an 'o'. He was very handsome, and he looked at her with one of the most charming smiles she had seen. Then, he started to speak French, of all things. "Bonjour mademoiselle , vous êtes certainement la plus belle chose qu'un homme peut espérer voir le matin.." Elizabeth scanned her brain to remember her boring French lessons. When she interpreted his response, she smiled flirtatiously. "Eh bien, vous êtes un site pour les yeux vous-même. Mon nom est Elizabeth , mais s'il vous plaît appelez-moi Liz. Vous êtes tout à fait le charmeur, où avez-vous appris le français?"

Then, out of the blue, while she was still focused on Flint, another voice appeared beside them. Bobby had told her about another female hunter, but she had yet to meet her. "Morning Emiliano, Flint and...is it...Elizabeth?" Elizabeth nodded and waved at the girl, but before she had a chance to reply, the girl started talking again. Elizabeth shrugged it off, and turned back to the counter.

[Aerandir]

Emiliah Hazelbrush, Flint Digard

Flint Smiled as Elizabeth spoke back in French, He was about to answer back when Emiliah came walking in saying hello. He paused for a moment, and was going to answer again, but Emiliah started to speak to him. He dropped his hands and looked back at her. "No...Haven't seen him." He turned back to see Elizabeth turned back to the bar. He opened his mouth to answer Elizabeth again,

For whatever reason, Emiliah suddenly had the urge to end Flint and Elizabeth's conversation. Probably because it was too early to listen to people babble on in French. "I hate to interrupted again," She said softly. "But I have a favor to ask of you Flint," She tried to act a little sheepish as she asked " If you don't mind. Bobby sorta roped Fenros into helping me with a little....witch problem and I ....really can't do it without another hunter. You wouldn't be interested in...helping me out again, would you? I'd owe you two favors..."

Flint turned around, mouth open still. With a face saying, I'm WORKIN here. He then sighed and said, "I already tried to call in a favor...and it didn't go through. What's two favors worth with out being able to cash them in?" He said softly to her....though he did like the sheepish look on her.

Emiliah tipped her head to one side, confusion written all over her face. "When..." She tried to think of a time when he asked her for a favor, but nothing jumped out at her. "Did...you try to call in a favor? I haven't seen you since...Was it Tuesday morning?" The days were all sort of melting together lately, like time was moving at an inconsistent pace.

He stared at her for a moment, surprised. He didn't want to just say...Uh I asked you out to dinner? He forced a smile, "Sure Emiliah....Ill help you with your witch problem. Ill uh talk to you later mmm?" He turned back to Elizabeth and raised a finger to talk to her again.

"No, seriously, when did you ask me a favor?" She insisted before a flash of a memory hit her. Something about dinner. She could feel a blush starting to creep up her neck and spread to her cheeks as a semi-mortified look crossed her face. "Oh...wait...." She could have sworn that was said ....in jest surely? "Oh, right. I'm sorry...I...thought you were...well.

He dropped his hand again and turned back to her, just in time to see her blush. Well well so she can blush? He didn't want her to blurt out that he asked her to dinner, so he simply said, "Don't worry about it... It's hard to tell sometimes...I guess." He smiled to show that he meant it.

"Well, now, you know, I'm not hungry...So, if you could just tell Bobby to put the food on my tab, I'll just be getting....getting ready," She pushed back her stool, backing towards the door. "If you wanna help me out, I'll be at the meadow near Shallow Pond in about an hour. If not, well, see you later then," Emiliah couldn't help but think that, best case scenario, she goes after the witch on her own and dies. That would be better then...staying in this awkwardness a moment longer.

Flint couldn't help but raised his eyebrow as she suddenly backed off, He watched her leave... it was kinda cute. He did plan on helping her anyways. He turned back to Elizabeth. "Je suis désolé. Il était désagréable de moi. Je euh française appris de mon père , ma grand-mère était française . Où avez-vous appris si je peux demander Liz ?" He gave his dashing smile again.

Bobby came out with some breakfast for both Elizabeth and Emiliah, slightly confused. "Where is Emiliah?" He asked Flint who pointed to the door, "She decided she wasn't hungry. Ill take care of it though."

[Meiyuki]

_{A collab. feat. @Aerandir and @Wildeyes}

Trouble and in Their Path.

_{A work in the Ruvina Expedition set}

Alexina ran out in front of the caravan of carriages. She personally didn't like sitting inside one of those stuffy things. She would have much rather feel the open sky on her skin and hair. She had turned into a wolf, so she could smell out danger better.

She came to a stop as she started to smell something off... She skidded to a stop and morphed back into her regular form, her sweat glistening in the sun. Raising her hand high in the air, signaling the caravan to stop. With the smell still on her nose she tilted her head to the side, judging where it came from, she felt the wind on her cheeks, and glanced at the trees around her. When the caravan came to a stop she walked slowly backwards to Lorelai's Carriage.

Lorelai was already outside by the time Alexina arrived. She looked towards her. "What's up?"

Alexina looked back to Lorelai, "I don't know... But something or someone is up ahead...." She ran her hand through her hair. Confused as she couldn't place it.

"Well, we better go see if it needs murdered." Alphonse said, suddenly a person, and not a shadow on the ground.

Lorelai grinned. "Yes, my thoughts exactly." She turned towards the open carriage. "Sousiel, get out here, you're going on a little scouting expedition.

"Really? With lazy fuck? Alexina's cool though." The demon hopped out of the carriage and turned to Alexina. "What're we hunting hot stuff?"

Alexina rolled her eyes at the idea of Alphonse coming with. After his little 'enlightening' conversation with Taran she wanted to kill him even more. But when Sousiel was called to come with them she liked it more... At least she smelt like Lorelai.

"I don't know... It's a strange smell. I've never smelt something like this before." She looked to Lorelai, "It's close by, almost directly in our route. Maybe a little off the path."

Lorelai gestured for the caravan to turn around. "Get a mile or so down the road." She spoke in Dragon's Tongue to one of the horses. "Trouble, and in our path."

She grinned at Alphonse. "Time to show Alexina what you're good for huh?" She hopped into a passing carriage, leaving the three.

Alphonse nodded after his mistress. "Alright ladies, you heard her. Let's fan out and see what's ahead of us. Stay out of sight, if the force is small enough, and we consider it necessary, we may as well turn it into an ambush." Alphonse turned and strode toward the tree line, disappearing before reaching the first tree.

"As much as I hate to admit it...that's a neat trick." Sousiel's eyes closed suddenly, when they opened the were Lorelai's deep hazel. "Shall we?" She said to Alexina.

Alexina raised an eyebrow at Alphonse, acting like a hot shot. When Sousiel mentioned it was a neat trick...she simply shrugged, saying "Meh...I've seen better..." Before morphing into a cougar once again. Looking to Sousiel and nodded before Sprinting into the trees.

Alexina loved this form so much, she was quick and agile, jumping from tree to tree, then to the ground and back up another tree. She slowed when she smelt the odor even stronger now.

Alphonse's voice drifted from a branch just above Alexina, as she bound up into one of the bows. "Humans ahead, over two dozen. Looks like they're loaded for bear. Most likely the hunters we heard about in town." Alphonse's body was cloaked in shadow, none of his normal features visible through the cloak of darkness.

Alexina jerked at the sound of Alphonse voice, she hissed and swung upwards, her claws slashing into the bark of the branch above her. She suddenly morphed back into her human form. She hissed, "Alphonse! DON'T. DO. THAT." She looked up to the branch he was 'in'.

Sousiel looked over at the shadow. "Ok, now that's cool as shit." She grinned. "Ever use it to spy on Lorelai and Vespa's sexytimes? Could you take me with you?"

Alphonse dropped out of the tree, and regarded Alexina. "Sorry, just trying to get your attention before we got too close." The shadows fell away from his head, and he smiled. I know you've been dying for a piece of me since last night, but let's keep things professional until we get back, alright?" Alphonse turns to Sousiel, "and, no. I'd really rather not encourage her to turn to me for "alternative power sources."

Alexina glared at both Alphonse, and Sousiel. "Hardly..." She looked forward and said, "I don't think you are our type....AL." She stood up on the branch and placed a hand on the trunk. "I think we should get all the witches to come help fight."

"Seems like the best plan." Sousiel nodded. "I doubt we'll talk Elina into killing though, but mistress...well...you know 'bout my Lorelai don't you?" Sousiel grinned with obvious pride.

"Agreed, their convoy is slow, we should be able to keep close track of them until nightfall. Once they make camp, we should be able to overtake them, murder their guards, and take the rest in their sleep." Alphonse intoned this all clearly and coldly, starkly contrasted with his normal attitude. "It's the best opportunity we'll have to dispatch them before the castle, the only question is, should we?"

Alexina didn't want to agree with Alphonse, she narrowed her eyes as she watched the group of hunters move. "The real question is.... Why shouldn't we?" She said as she gave Alphonse a glare. Before turning around to make her way back to the caravan." It will give me time to call upon the creatures of the forest as well to help us."

Sousiel looked over at Alphonse thoughtfully. "Can you take people with you? That would make you mistress' best friend I'll bet." She began to make her way back, falling into step with Alphonse. "Shadow cloaked ambush...oh I tingle at the thought!"

"Yeah, a couple people even." Alphonse regarded the cat-eared woman warily. He'd heard of her ripping people apart....but she was pretty cute. "Want a ride back to the caravan?"

"Fuck yes!" Sousiel jumped up and down. "Do it. Doitdoitdoitdoit!"

Alphonse smiled behind his mask of shadows, "Alright, let's roll!" Alphonse grasps Sousiel's hand, and pulls her into total darkness. The darkness of his familiar, Steve the shadow, who immediately rushed over to Alexina, pulling her in as if the ground had come out from beneath her feet. The shadow melded into the darkness of the forest and rushed back toward the caravan.

"Am I a carriage now? Geez, I feel like I'm about to burst." Everyone could hear the faint whisper, the only sensation within the darkness.

Alexina let out a small yelp as she was pulled into the shadow, the sensation was weird and cold...she felt that she could feel Alphonse speaking..She felt helpless, and she HATED that feeling. She wanted to yell, kick scratch bite, But she couldn't even speak. She was going to kill him.

It was a familiar and comfortable feeling for Sousiel, after all her mistress' commands made her feel helpless and overwhelmed by darkness. She enjoyed the ride in that comfortable abyss.

The trip didn't take long, Steve the shadow rushed through the darkness his travel effortless, traveling over the shoulder of his lesser kin, the unliving shadows of the trees and cliffs. Alphonse's senses radiating outward, taking in everything. The darkness touched every part of this place, there was no escaping it. Soon, they arrived, and Alphonse gently pushed them back into the physical world, helping them out like he would a lady from her carriage.

"Aaaaand, here we are, no travel like dark travel." Alphonse said, as he stepped from the shadows himself.

Sousiel's feet hit the ground and she immediately jumped into the air. "Fuck yes! Awesome, shit bags!" After Alphonse had finally stepped out of the shadows she jumped up and gave him a high-five. "No wonder Mi'lady is always so pissed that you can be a layabout, man. Apply yourself fucker!"

Alphonse shrugged almost sheepishly. "It would be nice, if I could apply it for anything other than deep strike assassination. Or learning about who needs assassinated, or....I've been over this before." Alphonse took a drink from a flask that hadn't been visible before the trip.

Alexina took the experience far differently, she reached out to the nearest tree...looking like a cat who could barely keep her balance. She shuttered as she could feel everything once again and she looked around as she was scared out of her wits. Only to narrow as she saw Alphonse and they were near the caravan again. "Alllllphonse!" She growled. She pounced and and tackled him. Her fingers gripped his windpipe like talons of an eagle. "Don't EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN."

Alphonse choked out a reply. Failing to form words he raised one hand in a thumbs up and mouthed "OKAY"

Striding out of her carriage Lorelai happed upon the sight of poor Alphonse being choked out. "Alexina! Get off of him!"

Alexina's eyes were fierce, animalistic, she hated the feeling of being useless...helpless. She heard Lorelai call her name and yelling at her to get off of him. She hesitated for a moment before quickly standing up and walking away. Her arms hugging herself closely as she shivered at the thoughts of going through those shadows. She walked over to a tree and leaned against it, her head down as she tried to warm herself in the sun.

Alphonse clutched his own throat, as Lorelai strode toward him and offered him her hand. She helped him up. He massaged his throat before saying quietly. Just loud enough for Alexina to hear. "I'm sorry, I only meant to bring us back faster. I should have known better." Alphonse swallowed and turned to Lorelai. "Nice to see ya, boss."

Sousiel arched an eyebrow at Alphonse. "What? You're not used to getting choked out?"

"Doesn't mean I like it." Alphonse grinned, "Although, context changes everything, you know."

Lorelai smiled apologetically at Alphonse. "Good work, I assume you've got a report for me, but give me a moment if you would." She made her way over to Alexina. "Lexi, are you alright?" She whispered.

Alexina pulled away by reflex at hearing someone again. Looking like a wounded cat, Her eyes on the verge of tears, but they were not spilling over. She looked away so Lorelai could not see her weakness. "I-I'm fine." She lied. The whole experience was horrifying for her... reminding her of old nightmares. Something she pushed from her mind long ago. She felt violated while in Alphonse's shadows. She didn't like it at all.

Alphonse spoke, distracting Lorelai from Alexina. "We found a force of hunters ahead of us. About thirty strong, the rumors from the bar indicate that they're heading to the same castle we are. Unless we slow our course immensely, we'll walk right into the middle of them, and I don't think we can skirt around their group with the wagons." He stared at Lorelai, resigning himself to her decision.

She thought a moment. "I don't really see a way around them...Fuck...I guess we'll have to go through them." She massaged her forehead. "Begin making preparations. We'll hit them at dark, hopefully they'll break and run for it."

Alphonse nodded "I have some ideas for Taran, fire does a wonder on Morale."Alphonse walked away. Time for work.

Alexina didn't reply, she only nodded. She rubbed her arms as she tried to compose herself. Wiping the evidence of tears in her eyes while facing away from everyone. She took a deep breath and let it out slow.

Lorelai placed a reassuring hand on Alexina's shoulder as she began making mental preparations.

[agentmanatee]

Emiliano Sebastiano Parisi

Emiliano was a strong believer that it was never to early for a good drink. After all, it was late in the afternoon somewhere and if he wasn't drinking who was going to be? He sighed as he sipped on his whiskey Elizabeth came down after getting ready and greeted him. He was about to respond in kind, until Flint Digard came down. Emiliano had possibly never met a man who wanted to be women more than Flint, and he immediayely started talking up Elizabeth... in french no less! Emiliano quietly grumbled something about english and Flints insatiable 'appetite' when Emiliano also made her way into the tavern. Emiliano was able to respond this time, "Morning Emiliah. Was just having my morning drink and impatiently waiting on the omlet I just paid for.", he cocked an eyebrow at Bobby. He was surprised to see that Elizabeth also knew french... he was suddenly very said he had been taught Italian by his parents.

The two conversed a bit before Emiliah interrupted them. Her conversation with Flint, as entertaining as it was, gave Emiliano the oppourtunity to actually talk to Elizabeth, "If you really want to know what happened last night, I was there. Werewolves were killed, we learned the Digards are all part werewolf, Senna... died in my arms after I tried to save her and Clay has not been seen since last night so... quite the exciting time indeed.", he smiled morosely before taking another swig of his whiskey before looking back at Bobby, "Hopefully though, the most eventful thing to happen in a few minutes is Bobby will get that omlet out eh? I didn't have dinner last night unless you count the whiskey.", he chuckled and was about to strike up a conversation with Elizabeth when Flint, yet again, began speaking in french to her. He frowned at him, it was far to early for this, "You know Flint, it'd be nice if you spoke in a language the rest of us could participate in?"

[SunsetRoses]

Elizabeth C. James, Emiliano Sebastiono Parisi

@Aerandir

---

While Flint was busy with Emiliah, Elizabeth begrudgingly picked splinters off of the bar. She kept an ear out for an opportunity to rejoin the conversation, but one never arose. They were talking about something private she assumed, and Elizabeth didn't want to budge in.

Her frown kept, until she heard a friendly voice that made her straighten her posture and wish she had taken time on her hair. She turned to face Emiliano, who she thought had been in a drunken stupor, and smiled brightly. He was one of the closest friends she had here, besides Bobby-who she considered more of a father figure. Apparently, he was also the only other hunter here who knew her name. She picked up on what he had to say, and listened intently.

"Werewolves? You guys fought werewolves, and no one even considered waking me up for it? Typical, I never get to enjoy those types of things." She realized that her mood should've been somber after the words were already out of her mouth. Her mouth felt dry, and her cheeks turned a bright red. "I'm so sorry about Senna, by the way. It must've been tough..."

Emiliano shrugged lightly, "Well, dangerous job after all... wish I gotten to know her better but the life of a hunter is short and uncertain as they say.", he took another swig of his whiskey and sighed, "Though, the blow was softened by the new knowledge that the Digards are part werewolf... that was a shocker. I early buried a silver bullet in the back of Fenros' head heh.", he then looked at flint, rolling his eyes, "And now his womanizing brother has shown up so... thats a thing.", he looked back to Elizabeth and made a fake gun to put to the side of his head, "So yea... you also missed that."

Flint! Elizabeth could've smacked herself, she had been so focused on Emiliano that she had forgotten about the charming boy behind her. He asked her where she had learned French, and to cater to Emiliano, she decided to reply in English. "I had...lessons, back in the day. Nothing special, my mother was just really into it. So, about the amazing discovery all the other hunters made last night, are you okay?" she scratched the back of her head, not really wanting to discuss her mother or the manor she used to call home. However, she definitely wanted to talk about the Digard bloodline.

She glanced back at Emiliano, and tried to decide which conversation she wanted to be a part of. With a sigh, she gave Flint a brief smile and shook her head. "You should go catch up with whatever her name was, she's probably waiting." with another quick smile, she gave her attention to Emiliano entirely. "You know he could hear you right? It's not polite to call people womanizers, especially when they just faced a stressful situation."

Emiliano smiled that Elizabeth had sent Flint away, apparently not as charming as he thought huh? And that was when Elizabeth told him to be more polite, and Emiliano gave a mock gasp, "Impolite? Me? While I'm drinking? unheard of!", he chuckled at his own horrid comedy before sighing. "Flint was not there Elizabeth. He arrived last night after all the excitement. Besides, I'm fairly certain while I was drinking whiskey last night Bobby said that all the Digard boys are part werewolf so... you know.", he shrugged playfully before continuing, "And rude or not I ain't wrong... but lets get off the topic of the Digards, I'm a bit sick of hearing about them honestly. I like your braid, how much time did you spend on your hair today? Looks nice.", he really did not want to talk about the Digard family if he could avoid it.

Elizabeth giggled when Emiliano told all of his horrible jokes, not out of sympathy, but because she actually found a few of them funny. "You're so horrible," she feigned shock, but found herself smiling. "Talking about others in one thing, but lying about compliments is another. I have never been so ashamed in you!" She fiddled with her horrible braid, trying to smooth down the strands that fell out of her loose knot. She couldn't believe he was complimenting her, and of all things he could have brought up, he chose her hair! The idea itself was laughable.

Emiliano cocked an eyebrow, "Lying about a compliment? What I'm not allowed to compliment your hair? I'm not Flint, I'm not going to lie to make you feel better.", he chuckled, sure her braid may not have been great to most people but it was more effort than he put into his. "I mean, I don't do anything but slick mine back with oil each morning. Just putting in any effort looks nice to me.", he said as he pulled off his hat, his slicked back oily hair and gesturing to it. He sighed, "Fine you look... nice in general? Its to damn early to argue about how to compliment a woman.", he chuckled as he took another sip, before offering the whiskey to Elizabeth, "Always remember, its past noon somewhere."

Elizabeth looked down at the whiskey he was offering her, and she took it from his hands with a shrug. With a slight wink, she poured the bottle over her lips and made sure to only have a small swig. "I don't want to catch whatever diseases you have, and by the way, Flint wasn't lying. You don't even know what he said, so you can't judge him." She passed the bottle back to him and stretched her shoulders as the whiskey warmed her body. "Have you ever thought about learning French? They say it's the language of love you know." Or at least that's what the instructor tried to hammer into my head, she thought.

"Lingua dell'amore? Cosa c'è di più bello che la lingua del Santo Roma e Venezia ? Dove si può sentire l'amore nell'aria e giù ogni strada , l'odore di olive e vino fare cuori piangono .", he spoke in the language of his ancestors, taking her hand theatrically as he did before laughing and smiling at her, "I don't have any diseases, sorry to burst your bubble.", he shook his head taking back the bottle and placing it down. "Do I need to know what he said? I can guess he was either complimenting you, using flowery words, and asking you... something with the last one. As for if I wish to learn?", he shrugged, seemingly unsure, "Hunters are always moving and I am certain not going to teach myself.", he looked at her, and guessed she had no idea what he had said, "Would you like the translation?", he chuckled.

Elizabeth's face went blank as he spoke to her in Italian, she wished she knew what he meant. Her mother had been so intent on her learning French, she had never gotten to choose any other language courses until she was done with it. By the time she had finished though, her training had already taken over must of her free time. "You have cooties, I know that for sure." she pointed at his lips and grimaced. "I don't want to tell you what Flint said, it's personal, and until you let me teach you French I guess you'll never know." She crossed her arms, daring him to challenge her. "As for whatever you just said to me, I don't think I want the translation. It's probably just another thing you say to every girl."

Emiliano raised an eyebrow, "Cooties eh? Deadly disease that one, known to... do whatever it does to girls.", he laughed at himself again. He pouted falsely, "Ah what? Too personal? Come on!", then she mentioned teaching him, "Let you teach me french? Well, if your offering I have no reason to say no I suppose... on the condition I get to teach you Italian, the far better language anyways. It'll make you forget all about French.", he smiled widely, but took on a more serious-like look, "Are you certain? It really isn't something I say to... any girls.", he smiled sheepishly at her.

"You want to teach me Italian? The far inferior language? Well if it means I can teach you the advanced language of French, ainsi soit-il." She smiled fiercely, and leaned in close to him, her arms still crossed. "First, tell me the meaning of whatever you just said, and then I'll prove that French is far superior. Do you have any paper on you?" She patted down her armor, but obviously came up dry.

Emiliano smiled as she leaned in and followed suit, lowering his voice as he spoke the translation, "The language of love? What is more beautiful than the language of Holy Rome and Venice? Where you can feel love in the air and down every street, the smell of olives and wine making hearts weep.", he smiled as he finished whispering his little bit of poetry, and sighed as she asked for paper. He pulled out a small wad of paper, and smoothed it out, sliding it over to her, along with a small piece of black chalk.

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed red, and she cleared her throat before turning to her paper. She took the piece of chalk and twirled it around in her fingers. She shrugged before starting to write; 'Lorsque vous enfin traduire cela, vous avez probablement ne saurez pas ce que je fais référence, mais ce que vous venez de dire était belle . Merci ~ Votre Mentor, Elizabeth'. When she was satisfied with the note, she folded it and nudged it over to him. "When you finally learn enough French to figure this out, you can read it. Write me one too, if you want."

Emiliano stared at the letter like it was some alien piece of architecture and sighed, "Well, you have successfully hooked me... and I believe I will write my own indeed. Though it will be far shorter.", he took up the chalk, writing his own short message, Mia cara Elisabetta , per il momento si può leggere questo io non sono certo come si pensa di me, ma ... mi vuoi sposare ? il vostro insegnante , Emilano Sebastiano Parisi, and smiled, handing it back to her, "You hold onto it. I am likely to lose it.", he laughed at himself.

"I'll keep it safe, it better not be a nasty joke, because I'm very intrigued." She took the paper and folded it carefully, before tucking it into a small leather coin-purse she had on her person. She was itching to figure it out, and figured going to a translator, but that would obviously be cheating. Knowing Emiliano, she figured it was a joke about the situation they were currently in, and she would be disappointed if it was. With a yawn, she playfully punched Emiliano on the shoulder. "So what are your plans for the day?"

Emiliano shrugged, but smiled, "Eh, thought I would walk around town, maybe head to the woods for some training or a picnic or something, who knows... why want to come along? We could kick start our lessons.", he chuckled, wanting to get started, figuring the faster she learned Italian the better. He laughed, "Or you could go talk French with Flint Digard all day if you'd prefer."

"I would be honored to join you in the woods. Training sounds fun, and I'm sure lessons with you wouldn't be horribly boring. As for Flint, he can go chase the tail of Emiliah. I'm sticking with you until I can read that note." She got up from her bar stool, and held a hand out for Emiliano. "Come get me in an hour, no, half an hour. I'll pick up some fruit from the market, and you can honor me with some delicious finger food." She giggled at her own expense, and her smile was laced with something flirtatious.

Emiliano joined her in her laughter, and cocked an eyebrow at her flirtatious smile, taking her hand and standing, "I won't disappoint miss Elizabeth, I am a fine connoisseur of finger foods.", he jokingly stood straight and appeared to look about rather snobbishly before laughing again, "Half an hour it is My lady.", he mockingly bowed to her before moving to get what he was going to need.