Meiyuki

Amongst the Lonesome- A return to Santa Somabra [Fantasy Noir]

Alternatively I'll listen to some music, inspiration will strike and I'll post today. :D

Amongst the Lonesome- A return to Santa Somabra [Fantasy Noir]

Lorelai was dolled up in her Sunday best. Her hair was freshly curled into ringlets that cascaded down her back, topped by a small red bow. She was wearing her finest black satin dress, complete with lace that gave it a distinctly victorian feel while still adhering to more modern fashion sense. Her black and red striped stockings started just above the knee, and ended snuggly in her black flats. All in all, the sight was adorable.

It was all the more morbid then to see her pressed against the glass of the large window in her living room. Her eyes glittered with macabre excitement as she surveyed the shit storm that had just overtaken the city. ”Shaun! Look outside!”

Shaun didn’t need to look out the window to know that the city was under some kind of attack by the undead. He flipped through the news channels on the TV. Each was covering the attack, wild speculation painted it as the beginning of the apocalypse, or a display of power by some pro-undead activists, or even proof that lizard people controlled the world. Shaking his head he turned off the TV just as an anchor woman was devoured during an ill-advised attempt at on-site reporting.

“Yes, I suppose our meeting will have to be delayed for the time being.” He responded mildly.

”Excellent! Plenty of time to go out and play then!” Lorelai skipped to the closet to retrieve her sword and her machine pistol. ”Go get the boys and girls ready, this is gonna be fun!”

“Ma’am? Don’t you think it would be wise to change first?” One look into his mistress’ eyes told Shaun that convincing her to stay in just wasn’t an option.

”Right!” Shaun turned away quickly as his mistress’ began to strip unceremoniously in the living room. While she didn’t seem to care about her modesty there were certain things a servant just didn’t need to see.

”What do you think?” Several minutes later Lorelai had come out of her room clad in a simple black shirt - The words ‘I eat people’ emblazoned across the chest in a stylized font - matching black leggings, and her favorite pair of ‘ass-kicking’ boots.

“Even amidst bloodshed you’re stunning Mi’lady, as expected.” Shaun surrendered a small smile. His mistress’ excitement had been infectious lately, and he found himself strangely excited by the prospect of joining her out in the blood-soaked streets.

---

_{Half an hour later, the streets of Santa Somabra}

Even armed to the teeth as they were, and with Lorelai’s unholy strength, their progression through the streets had been at a snail’s pace. The undead were out in force, and if that wasn’t bad enough the streets flooded with panicked men and women, fleeing from the horde with little care for anything else.

Lorelai danced amongst the undead with lethal grace. Her blade her brush, the blood of her enemies her paint, and the streets of the city her canvas. She tittered in mad delight as another group of mindless dead fell. ”Oh Shaun! This is the vacation I’ve needed!”

Shaun was less enthusiastic. Fortunately most of whatever made it past his mistress was already heavily wounded by the time it reached him and the thralls. Unfortunately his flesh - unlike his mistress’ - was still all too alive, and tiring quickly. “Yes, but perhaps we could take a small break? Neither I nor the rest of your humble servants share your fortitude Mi’lady.”

”I suppose…” Lorelai’s lips curled into a pout. She pointed to a large apartment building. ”Let’s go drop in on Lexi then, I wonder if she’s enjoying the festivities as much as I am.”

---

_Lexi

Lexi was cowering in her closet. The only sounds she could hear was the screams of her neighbors, the undead pounding on her barricaded door, and her own thudding heartbeat. She’d always thought that ‘around the clock security personnel’ was a waste of money. She was wishing she’d sprung for the better building about now.

Suddenly she heard a commotion at her door, the bark of automatic fire pierced through the dull roar of the city. Soon came a knock at her door, but Lexi was too paralyzed to answer. With the sound of her barricade coming apart she heard a familiar voice. ”Lexi?”

“L-Lorelai?” She stood up, her hand hesitating on the handle of her closet door a moment before she pushed it open. “What are you doing here?”

Lorelai was standing in the hallway to her bedroom, covered from head to toe in decaying viscera. She frowned at Lexi. ”And here I thought you’d be happy to see me, all things considered.”

“Well yeah, it’s just… what are you doing?”

”Playin’.” Lorelai grinned brightly. ”Something like this happens every so often, most of the time I miss it so I wasn’t about to let this slip me by. Besides, I imagine my meetings for the night have been cancelled.”

The juxtaposition of Lorelai’s eyes twinkling brightly from her gore covered face was a bit more than Lexi’s poor mind could process. “You’re… playing? You think this is a game? All my friends and neighbors are dying!”

Lorelai’s eyes widened as Lexi slapped her. ”Huh… I suppose that would be difficult for you wouldn’t it?”

Lexi looked at her hand, now covered in slick viscera, and heaved her dinner onto the floor. From there she descended into a curled up mass of wrecked nerves on her couch. She rocked back and forth, her eyes closed tightly, and her ears plugged against the horrific sounds of the city.

”Shaun… Leave the thralls here. It’s been a century or so since I’ve played hero.” Lorelai gave her butler a serious look. ”It might be fun for a night, just this once?”

---

_{Two hours later, the roof of the Marriott Hotel”}

Shaun finished the bindings on the necromancer. He was tied to some of the piping on the top of the Marriott building. He and his mistress’ had figured visiting dignitaries would make excellent targets for anyone attempting to spread fear through the city.

His mistress’ clothes were marred by holes and cuts, the flesh beneath knitting back together quickly. He hadn’t been so lucky, field stitches could be seen on his arms and torso. It had been a long night, and it was still young.

Lorelai approached the man. They’d gotten lucky. This necromancer was still flesh and blood, which meant he still felt pain and feared death. ”You and your friends have caused me a fair bit of trouble.”

The necromancer tried impotently to spit at her, but a broken jaw put the task well beyond him. Instead a line of blood and spit dribbled down his chin. He looked up at the sky, and steeled himself against the death that surely awaited him. As long as he didn’t give her any information Lord Maddrish would succeed, and his life would be restored.

”Look at that Shaun! He’s preparing himself for death!” Lorelai giggled malevolently. ”Oh little sheep, I’ve more horrible things in mind for you than death.”

She gripped his cheeks and forced him to meet her eyes. ”I’m gonna take a jaunt through your mind you see, and when I’m done you won’t be you anymore. You’ll be who I want you to be.”

The man, Alphonse Goddrick, saw something lurking in those steel grey eyes. Something hungry and alien. It launched at him, a pressure building in his mind. Scrambling to put up his defenses, he whimpered as it tore through each meditative technique or defensive mantra or mudra he could muster.

Alone in the dark with his mind the Old God spoke, and he saw the eldritch truth. His name was Steven Esteves and this was Lorelai Von’Strauss, his new and rightful goddess. His Goddess demanded truth and service until death, and he was eager to please her.

Falling to his knees he tried to prostrate himself before her. He wept as the binding prevented even the simplest of displays of his worship. “Your majesty, please, speak your will and it will be done.” He pleaded.

”Excellent.” Lorelai smirked. She was pale, the assault had taken more out of her than she’d like to admit. She’d need to feed soon if she hoped to accomplish a feat like that again anytime soon. Fortunately the streets ran red. ”Tell me the name of who organized this little fiasco.”

“Lich Lord Maddrish! He seeks to attain god-hood. I don’t know the specifics Mi’lady.” Steven averted his gaze in shame. “Is there anything I can do to atone for my failure?”

”Yes. Go into the city and push back these dead. Then return to me.” Lorelai unbound the man. With a bow he scrambled from the roof to carry out her will. She didn’t know how successful he’d be, nor did she particularly care.

Turning to Shaun she arched an eyebrow. ”Lich Lord Maddrish huh? Sounds like a heavy hitter.”

Shaun nodded. “Indeed, perhaps I’ll call Ms. Bloodbloom and see what information or resources she might be able to spare. As mighty as you are we may need assistance.”

”Indeed, I’m not that arrogant.” Lorelai walked to the edge of the roof and gazed out over the wreckage of the city. Fires reflected in her eyes as she grinned. ”In the meantime I’ll grab a snack, what’s one more casualty amongst all the fallen?”

Amongst the Lonesome- A return to Santa Somabra [Fantasy Noir]

Mine will be up by monday with any luck.

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

_{in collaboration with @SunsetRoses, @Shagranoz, and @Ellion}

"Death's Gift"

Lorelai made her way through the small tangle of underbrush on her way to... something. Charon had contacted her last night speaking of a gift he'd left for her here. While demons often left her gifts their Lords usually wanted payment for their services. So to have Death make an offering to her out of the blue was curious, and Lorelai wouldn't have risen - or fallen - as far as she had if she didn't give into curiousity on occassion.

"It's probably just a dead body, maybe carved with your house sigil." Sousiel piped up next to her. "Maybe Death is trying to seduce you? Seems to be fashionable this season. Lexi, Gen, even Elina's made a pass at you in the past week."

"I... Shut up Sousiel." Lorelai flashed her familiar a small glare. Alexina and Gen sure, but Elina's indescretion hardly counted. "Let's just see what the Old Man's left me huh?"

"Fine, but if it's a love letter written in human flesh you'll have to reply, and I'll laugh." They finally came to the clearing that had been indicated in Lorelai's dream. Sure enough in a circle of brimstone layed two figures.

"What have we here?" Lorelai approached them. Inspecting the circle she was surprised to see it was a warding against hunters, and turned inward as to trap the man and woman.

Elizabeth woke suddenly at the sound of dry leaves and twigs crunching beneath someone's foot. Leaves and twigs...by God they did it. She bit back the sigh of comfort she felt rising from deep within, her body tensing though she wanted nothing more than to relax and drift away. The woodsy scents calmed her, the steady breeze hitting her face making her feel alive again. She was no longer trapped underneath the surface, her she was, above and practically unharmed. Taking a steady breath, she turned her attention away from the sun’s beams that were shining brightly on her. She squinted, her breath held as she looked around.

Liz’s gaze found Flint, and her heart throbbed. Her memories flashed, almost too fast to keep track of, causing her head to pound alongside her heart. She thought of the disagreement they had had, the demon's sweet words that had lulled her into an ever-present euphoria-she shuddered thinking about how the demon had manipulated her, using her weak heart. She also remembered her last, and most vivid memory of him. He had just returned alongside Fenros, and Andri. They had managed to send the group back up to the surface, at least, that's what Liz silently prayed for.

Liz's eyes flitted furiously around the area, she had no energy to pull herself up, and thinking of those footsteps she knew she shouldn't shout for them. “Flint,” she managed, her voice hoarse and weak. “Flint where are th-” she was cut short by a woman's voice, and she had to brace herself to stop from turning a ghastly white. Her attention shifted, and she found herself looking into eyes the color of a fire's wispy smoke. For a color so plain, like grey, Elizabeth found no trouble in seeing the wisdom and experience hidden behind those eyes. In spite of herself, she trembled. It was a momentary reaction, but it was there. She had just showed weakness to a witch, she was dead in the water.

A small smirk curved Lorelai's mouth. So the huntress knew some measure of what she was in for huh? She stepped closer to the pair. "So... I've got myself a Digard boy, and... who might you be?"

Lorelai let out a small chuckle. "Where are my manners? My name is Lorelai Von'Strauss, as I'm sure you've surmised I'm a witch. Not some small one to make prey of either. So shall we exchange pleasantries while I figure out what to do with you pet?"

Elizabeth licked her chapped lips, suddenly they were too dry for her to open her mouth to speak. She cleared her throat, aching to find her voice, though she knew her tongue had froze. She stared desperately at Flint, hoping the intensity of her piercing eye was enough to wake him. When her foolproof plan failed, she knew she was on her own. , but when the witch called her a pet she needed no further help. In the drop of a hat, her tongue had defrosted.

Now, Liz was suddenly aware of her heavy armor, and the chain whip that still dangled at her side with a small jingle when she shifted her weight. Just as she was about to lunge, the sense in her pinpointed the weakness on her body, her shoulders. She let out a barrage of useless, petty curses, all kept in her mind. She had no chance fighting, so why not entertain the witch she had in front of her? “I'm Elizabeth, Elizabeth James. I'm sure you won't waste time with my name, however, seeing as you'll probably like to call me ‘'pet’ more than anything. Nice to meet you, Lorelai.”

"Well met Elizabeth, is Liz alright? Maybe Beth?" Lorelai arched an eyebrow at the woman's anger. Good to know she still had spirit at least. "Well Elizabeth, we seem to have a conundrum before us don't we? I don't really want to make you my pet, and I'm sure you don't want to be one either. I'd also prefer not to kill you, but when that Digard boy wakes up he won't leave me a choice will he?"

She pressed a knuckle to her chin in contemplation. "What should we do?"

“Oh, Liz is fine of course Lorelai. Might I call you Lore? Such a pretty name.” Liz's tone was slathered in honey, but she wouldn't even try to hide her sarcasm. Mimicking Lorelai, she stroked her chin in thought. “Well, killing me wouldn't be too fun, don't you think? After all the hell I've been through. May I ask why Mr. Digard waking would cause you to go to such extremes?” Liz knew irritating the witch was probably the worst thing she could do, and asking questions wasn't helping. Liz could no longer contain herself, she was tired and irritable, and if death came her way it would be blissful compared to making a deal with a witch.

“I also wonder why a witch would want to compromise with a Hunter like me? You must be at the bottom of the barrel, aren't you? Maybe it's just your kind soul, no that can't be it.” Liz's voice was a toss up between teasing and taunting, and she managed to crack a thin smile.

"I'll let... Flint? I thought I recognized his face. Tell you that." Lorelai's eyes narrowed at the girl's tone. "And Lore will suffice Liz."

"Would you put aside your stupid petulant hatred of me for a moment. Perhaps just long enough to help me find a way to save your life?" Lorelai smirked. "I'm far from the bottom of my barrel, and I wouldn't say I have a 'kind' soul. I just don't particularly want to kill you, and yet I can't simply release you. Perhaps we could strike a deal you and I? Nothing too odious I assure you."

Petulant? Maybe. Stupid? That could probably be debated. Liz shrugged and picked herself up off the forest floor, so she could eye the witch without looking up to her. Once she stood, she struck her usual pose and smiled charmingly. “I believe I can do just that, Lore. A deal with a witch, how curious. I have my own terms, of course.” she glanced back down at Flint’s sleeping figure and her features softened.

“What are you offering, madam? Though I know very little about witches, I'm sure that you and I have two very different definitions of odious. I think that if you can agree with my terms though, I'll stretch my understanding of the word a bit further.” Liz cocked her head to the side, uneasiness blossoming wildly in her gut. She pushed it aside, keeping her charming smile plastered on.”You first.”

Lorelai watched the woman's expression as she look towards Flint's unconcious form. There was something there, perhaps a gap that could be bridged between them. Time to lower the mask a touch Lorelai. "My love was slain two days ago, by a rival witch that was supposed to be my friend. See, not so alien am I?"

Lorelai's eyes saddened. "I'm old now, and under other circumstances I'd just let time kill the hag. My love... she wouldn't want me putting myself at risk, but you see I've much to lose." She paused a moment, her eyes hardening with resolve, before continuing. "My sisters are at risk, and I'll need vengeance. Assist me in this... and I'll let the Digard boy go."

“The age doesn't show, but I'm sure you've got no time for compliments.” Liz’s tone had shifted drastically, a bit more somber. She had no way to tell if the witch was lying or not, but the sadness in the woman's eyes was true. Liz thought about what she would do if someone close to her betrayed her, how she would do anything for revenge. She nodded slowly, her mind solely focused on Flint. “Flint, he's a good man. He deserves nothing less than undying loyalty, love even. He needs to go back home to find both of those things.”

Liz cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. She fought back a frown, and stared hard into the eyes of Lorelai. “I shall help you, as long as he stays safe. I hope to never understand the feeling of losing someone I love, at the hands of someone I trust.” Liz searched the witch’s eyes, looking for a sign of compassion or any other emotion. “Promise me one other thing, though. That you won't enchant me, and that you'll trust me to do your petty tasks on my own.”

Lorelai nodded solemnly, her hand went to her ritual dagger. "You'll understand if I need assurance. Not an enchantment, but a binding oath."

"I swear to be generous, fair, and kind during your term of service. To allow you to operate as you need to the ends of defeating our now mutual foe, and to release Flint Digard from my harm, unless he threatens my life. I swear this on the life blood of Vespa Ruvina, may my own flow out to join it if I stray in my obligations." Lorelai drug the dagger across her palm, she didn't even wince at the small pain as blood bubbled up from the wound, as well as an acrid black smoke.

She gently tossed the dagger to the ground near Elizabeth before meeting her gaze again. "Now, please speak your oath, to serve faithfully for the term of our time together, and we'll have an accord."

“Of course, if it were me I wouldn't dare leave it up to will. Assuring my loyalty to you is the best way, the smart way.” Elizabeth nodded, pride straining to break free and show in her features. She wasn't just the useless girl she thought she was, she was being a help, to someone. A witch, but still someone.

Liz watched Lorelai cut her palm open, and it lit a curious spark in the back of Liz’s mind. When Lorelai tossed her dagger to the forest floor beside Elizabeth, there was no hesitation as she swooped down and picked it up. With a final smile in Flint’s direction, she pressed the tip of the dagger into her palm.

“I swear to aid you in you-our quest, until I am no longer needed. I vow to serve you faithfully, so long as my life is not threatened by you. I swear this on the James’ bloodline, and if I am to break this vow my own blood shall flow in retribution.” With those last words, Liz slid the dagger across her palm. She winced only slightly, before the pain was nothing more than just another wound to be healed. She tossed the dagger back over to Lorelai, the ghost of a smile dancing on her face. “It's a pleasure doing business with you, Lore. Now, what's my first task?”

Flint groaned as his eyes slowly opened. He heard the muffled sounds of someone speaking. His body was sore from being tossed around like a rag doll by charon. He shifted his sprawled arms closer to him as he winced with his head pounding. "wh....Where are we..." he croaked as he pushed himself to his knees, finding his bow next to him.

He gripped it in his left hand before looking up to see Liz with a bloody dagger, her hand dripping with blood. He then saw....Lorelai Von'Straus. All of a sudden, his pain went away, his drowsiness gone and his eyes wide. Lorelai...the woman who killed his parents.

With a sudden reflex, he pulled an arrow from his bow and nocked it and pulled back within a second. But with his anger and this not being the bow he normally worked with.... The bot itself snapped right in the middle. Leaving him kneeling with an arrow in one hand and the broaken bow in the other.

He didn't Hesitate, he dropped the bow, reached behind him and gripped his silver dagger, he jumped to his feet and lunged at Lorelai. His arrow snapped as it hit the wards first, and soon his hole body came to a stop as it was now pressed against the invisible wall. Suddendly the parts of his body touching the ward started to burn from the constant touch...Yet he didn't pull away as he pushed with all his might, as if his unnatural brute strength could break it.

His eyes never left nor blinked while he glared at Lorelai. "What are you afraid witch? That you had to put up a ward?"

Elizabeth felt like pulling out her hair as Flint woke and lunged at the wards. She thought back to the deal she had made just moments before, and squeezed forcefully between Flint and the wards. She gasped as they burned her, she wondered what it was doing to Flint. Using all of her leftover strength she pushed against him, the strain wrinkling her face. “Flint! Stop! If you don't threaten her she can't hurt you!”

Elizabeth shut her mouth as quickly as she said those words, praying she didn't just break her vow with Lore. “Flint,” she urged. She was surprised to find her voice weak but calm, like a mother talking to a child. “Please step down, now is not the time for violence. You just need to leave.” She buried her face into his chest, and held him tightly. It was both a means to calm him, but also to stay away from the wards. “You'll harm yourself.”

Flint didn't want to pull away, he was so close, he could do it he could push through. But he did finally snap out of it when he saw Liz being burned and pulled her away as she burried her face into his chest. He never looked away from Lorelai as he said, "I'm not leaving, why are you protecting Lorelai, Liz?" he narrowed his eyes at Lorelai and said, "What did you do to her?!"

Elizabeth moaned out loud as she was released from the ward, she had no time to worry about the throbbing pain in her back and the smell of burnt flesh, Flint was still ticked. Using him as a support so her knees didn't buckle, she stared hard at him. “Lore...Lorelai, didn't do anything. We both agreed on something, and now you're free to go.”

Liz grabbed his shirt, fistfuls of the cloth tangled in her hands. “You aren't made of steel, Flint. Stay away from the wards, stay away from Lore. Go back to Seren’s Folly, I'm begging you.” She wanted to tell him everything would be all right, and that Lore could be trusted because of their little deal, but she couldn't. If Flint threatened Lore, she could attack him. Liz glanced down at his broken bow and shook her head warily, he couldn't win against her, unequipped and injured. She couldn't even help him fight.

"Flint Digard." Lorelai watched the scene with a mixture of amusement and apprehension. She wanted to honor her deal with Liz as best as she could, and the Digard boy was far from the top of her to-do list. "You were younger the last time I saw you, maybe not in the face. The eyes betray it though."

"I'll have to thank Charon one of these days for the gift he offered me with you, but unfortunately I've had enough Digard blood on my blade for this century so I elected to cut a deal with Liz instead." Pressing her will against the warding circle, Lorelai opened Liz's way through. Gesturing for her to step across Lorelai cast an evaluating gaze at Flint. "I don't suppose you'll just let me leave in peace will you? I really don't have time to play with you today."

Flint Shook his head. "No Liz... I'm not leaving you here with her. Why would you make a deal with that woman?!" He held her in his arms as he looked back tot Lorelai when she spoke up finally. His eyes narrowed, and even though he was still angery as hell...his mind began to clear enough to not be stupid and rush into battle with the woman...If he had his bow maybe. But his father, who was the greatest swordsman he knew, fell to this woman.

"I nor my brother will never stop hunting you, to finish what our father, and our ancestors aimed to accomplish so long ago." He gripped his dagger tightly feeling helpless in this situation. If only Fenros were here...

"Blah blah blah, ancenstral whatever." Lorelai rolled her eyes. "You're no dragonslayer boy, and neither is your brother. Just give up and move on. I'm nearly done with this world anyway."

Turning to Liz she tapped her feet. "Now, Liz, shall we? I believe we have work to do don't we?" She extended a hand, ready to pull her though the barrier. "Let's get you out of that circle and I'll send Flint here, unharmed of course, back to Seren's Folley."

“Flint it's okay! She needs my help, and I vowed to give it to her. Stay at Seren’s Folly, tell Emiliah that I'll be fine if she asks. And tell Coraline to stay here, she seemed a bit on the fence about staying with hunters.” Elizabeth took Flint's head between her hands, and she lifted herself up to brush her lips against his forehead. “Stay safe, Wolf-boy.” She muttered in his ear, as silently as possible.

With that, and a final pat on his shoulder, she grabbed Lorelai’s hand and allowed herself to be pulled through the ward. On the other side, she kept herself from sneaking glances at Flint. Instead she turned to Lore, and did an awkward curtsy in her armor. “I do in fact believe we have business to attend to, Lore. We'll discuss my first task once he's back to Seren's Folly, safely.”

Lorelai nodded. "Good bye Flint, hopefully forever, but at least until next season." She made a claw of her hand facing up. A small flame burst into being atop each digit. "Seren's Folley, make sure he's relatively unharmed."

The flames - a pychopomp in truth - danced off her fingers to carry out her will. Taking spots around the circle, equidistant from each other, a line of flame ran through the air between some of them, forming a pentacle of fire once it was finished.

The area inside the pentagon formed inside the perfect pentacle darkened as Lorelai's mouth opened. From her small frame came a thousand throated chant as she pushed on the borders between worlds. Finally Flint fell into the abyss as the ground beneath him gave in to Lorelai's will. With a snap and a rush of air everything returned to normal as Lorelai waved her hand and released control of the binding.

She surveyed the now empty circle with a satisfied smirk. "Let's get back to camp shall we? I'll need to know your skills and background if I'm to put your talents to the best use." Lorelai turned to Liz briefly before turned back towards the halted caravan. "For know if you could simply ensure that no one tries to kill me, or at least succeeds in the task, that would be lovely."

Elizabeth couldn't help herself, as the dancing flames bursted from her fingertips, she turned around to see the process. Averting the eyes of Flint, she watched with a distinct fascination as the pentagon darkened. It made her jump as the seemingly delicate witch spoke with a thousand voices, allowing an abyss to swallow up Flint. Hopefully, he was sent back to Seren’s Folly.

“Amazing,” Liz muttered in awe. Since they were now partners, she didn't feel as though keeping her opinions on magic was necessary. Lorelai seemed satisfied, so why couldn't she feel the same? “Why do you need a bodyguard, when you have skills like that?”

Elizabeth realized that the witch may just want her companionship, so none of her other friends would die. She bit that back as it threatened to leave her tongue. “Skills...well I'm good with a chain whip. It's my father's weapon, so he taught me quite a bit. I come from a royal background, so I have plenty of court skills. Honestly, if you wanted a bodyguard you should have picked Emiliah.” Elizabeth chuckled at the thought, shaking her head. “She would have attempted to take your life though.”

"Those skill may be more valuable than you think." Lorelai offered the huntress a small smile. Liz didn't display the fear, or close minded hatred, of magic that most in her proffession held. A good start then. "Navigating the unsure political landscape of this coup may be delicate, and delicacy has never been one of my strong suits. I'm more the 'get the job done, examine consequences once the dust has settled' kind of woman."

"As for needing a bodyguard, you're correct. I personally have little need for one, but I have people precious to me that may." Lorelai offered Liz her waterskin, surely the woman was parched. Considering whatever had transpired to leave her in Charon's clutches wasn't likely pleasant. "If and when the time comes, I may have to entrust their safety to you skills and prowess. For now though, why don't you just tell me about yourself?"

Elizabeth returned Lorelai’s small smile. Their partnership would have to have a foundation of trust, if it was going to work. Of course, Liz would always be a bit on the uneasy side, seeing as none of the other witches made a blood contract. “So, you're the one staging the coup? Or are you the one defending your coven from a change in leadership? I know a bit about coups, I've seen shifts in power happen very often.”

When offered the waterskin, Elizabeth greedily grabbed it. She took dainty sips however, before handing it back and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She had confirmed her suspicions of being a bodyguard for the other witches in Lorelai's clique. “Well, as long as they don't use me as a plaything I won't mind protecting them. Is it true you witches dance naked around fires?” Her eyes displayed laughter, but her tone and face were serious.

“I'm a Lady of course, from the family James. My father was a Hunter turned Lord, and I wanted to be a Hunter too. My mother didn't agree, but here I am now.” Elizabeth rushed through this, the same explanation she gave to everyone else. She had never been one to flaunt her royalty, and she didn't want to be a snob in front of her new partner. “What about you, I've heard plenty of how muderous you are, of course. Now I'd like to hear your side.”

"Murderous huh? Is that what the stories say?" Lorelai smirked mildly. "It's true enough I suppose, I've razed some villages in my time, killed hunters for sport, even slew Hector Digard. That by the way explains Flint's reaction."

"Those were my younger days though, and I was an angry young witch who'd lost her entire family. It doesn't excuse my actions, but may serve to shine some insight into my motivations." She sighed. "Nowadays I just want to hold on to my new family, help some younger witches not make the same mistakes I did."

"As for dancing around fires naked, If the occassion calls for it. You'd be surprised how often witchcraft calls for some form of nudity." Lorelai flashed Liz a mischevous grin. "I wouldn't worry about being used as a plaything, most of my companions are wiser than to play with my things. Not that I view you as a possession of course, but some of them will, and that's enough to dissuade them."

Elizabeth nodded in understanding, a look of realization overtaking her features. “The hunters...we view every death of a witch as a good thing. You lost the rest of your family, and the nation danced. When you retaliated, mainly because of your grief, they vowed to hunt you down and kill you. Now you have a new family, and the hunters wish to kill them too.” She rubbed her temples, feeling conflicted. She was supposed to hate witches, just like the rest of the people out there. However, she couldn't bring herself past curiosity.

“It's just so silly, because our community is riddled with magic. You don't see us killing them, do you? It's as if not signing allegiance to the towns make you a public enemy.” Elizabeth was surprised by what she had just said, and pressed her lip into a thin line. The more she relaxed however, the more she believed her statement.

“Sorry, I shouldn't get into it. You must be quite familiar with the other witch’s bodies then, aren't you?” Elizabeth giggled as she wiggled her eyebrows. The thought was enough to make a shy girl's face redder than a tomato.

At that moment, Phagora came up. The blonde witch smiled as she saw Elizabeth. "Yet another new member of the coven, eh? Tell me, girl, what's your gift? Mind control? Teleportation? Or something more... esoteric?"

"This is Elizabeth James, she's a hunter." Lorelai gestured to her new companion. "She's found her way into my service for the time being, I expect her to be treated fairly. We share a common goal after all."

Another shape appeared from behid Phagora, as Lotte came skipping up behind. A tiny mouse sticking just out of the top of her closed fist. "Mom! Mom! Look what I caught,"

Lorelai's face broke into a grin as she spotted Lotte. "A mouse huh? You'd better be careful, lest Sousiel eat it." She ruffled the girl's hair laughing. "I'll tell her not to if you want to keep it."

Elizabeth froze, falling a few steps behind Lore as she saw the otheother witch. She smiled coyly, and did a small curtsy to be polite. It was when the small child showed up that she relaxed, it was charming to know that Lorelai had a child to care for. Looking closer at the child, she noticed that the girl had been Charon’s so called child. Liz had volunteered to stay, to be her plaything.

Elizabeth tensed, two thoughts running through her head. Mat killing the redheaded child, and her sister crying, begging for the girl to be returned to her. “Hi...I'm Elizabeth.” She croaked, trying to find her voice. “What's your name child? Is Sousiel your pet?” She had to play it off, but she found herself struggling miserably.

"Hi!" Chirped Lotte, "And no silly, Sousiel isn't my pet, she is Mom's, And I'm Lotte and I am nine years old and Sousiel isn't going to eat my mouse,"

"Of course dear, she'll behave herself." Lorelai looked between Elizabeth and Lotte. Evidently this wasn't the first time they'd met, she made a mental note to ask the huntress about it later. Lotte seemed none the wiser, as if she didn't remember. That was likely a kindness, and Lorelai wasn't about to make the girl remember.

Phagora, on the other hand, wasn't anywhere near as chipper. Her voice turned to a dangerous low growl, fire in her eyes. "Lorelai, were it not for the oath I swore you, I would challenge you to a duel here and now, and I would not be satisfied with first blood. You say that Medusa is mad, but what of you? Taking a mortal enemy into our midst, and expecting naught but her own words to bind her?" She shook her head in disbelief at Lorelai's actions. "I will not harm her, but neither will I trust her, unless she does something to prove her honesty. She could well pour lavender oil down my throat while I sleep!"

"Then let it be said this is the first time your oath saved your life, let's look forward to more of that in the future hmm?" Lorelai smirked at the blonde witch. "As did her oath save hers, or did you think I brought her here unbound? Free to do whatever she pleased? Surely your opinion of me isn't that low is it?"

Elizabeth growled back at the other witch, just as fiercely. Obviously she hadn't expected to be accepted, but this was just bitter hatred. “I'm the untrustworthy one, how interesting. The only thing holding you back from attacking your friend, one you should respect, is a lousy vow. She brought me here to protect your hide, and I will take no less than respect. I don't care if you acknowledge me, but you shall not spit on me in this way.” Her words dripped with venom, and she squared her shoulders. She wouldn't-couldn't-fight the blonde witch, but she wouldn't take this sort of treatment.

With that, Liz relaxed, a smile coming to her face. She walked up to Lotte, a bit cautious. The girl seemingly didn't remember anything, and Liz wouldn't be rude just because of the things a demon cohersed her into. “Ah, Lotte. That's a pretty name, may I see your beautiful rat?” She held out her hand slowly, to pet the rat held tight in the child's grip. “I can show you how to care for

Lotte blinked a few times at Liz, pretty oblivious to the semi-hostle enviorment that she was standing in the middle of. "Think I can take care of a rat," She said tipping her head to the side. "It is easier than taking care of a human and the humans I care about aren't dead yet" She gave Liz a dazzling smile "But if you wanted to come play with us, I think it'd be okay,"

"If she is bound by magic, then that is a different story. I apologize for making presumptions. To... to both of you." The others might not have realized it, but they had just witnessed a miracle akin to the Creation itself: Phagora not only apologizing, but apologizing to a hunter. Phagora looked up, half-wondering whether the sky was about to catch fire.

She gave Lotte a warm, friendly smile. The little girl had grown on her in the past couple of days. So pure, so innocent. Phagora idly wondered just how much she knew about her family legacy. "I could maybe train him to do a few things. Roll on his back, squeak on command, things like that."

"That's fine, this time. Don't make a habit of it." Lorelai's smirk broadened into a smile. Turning to Lotte she grinned. "Looks like you'll have plenty of playmates huh? What a lucky young lady."

Turning to Liz, Lorelai held up three fingers. "Three names you need to know. Lotte Von'Strauss, my adorable adoptive daughter. Alyssa Von'Strauss, my little sister. Elina Ruvina, my late sweetheart's last remaining kin." She gestured towards her carriage, moving in that direction. "Those are my weak points, and the people I most need to survive this. Not that all of my coven-mate's lives aren't important, but some you hold higher than others."

Elizabeth smiled gently at Lotte, this little girl could grow on her if she wasn't careful. “Of course you can, Lady Lotte, I'm sorry I doubted your abilities. However, I would love to come and play with you soon.” Elizabeth straightened, and turned to the blonde witch. With a curt nod, she accepted the apology.

Lorelai addressed her, and she paid attention respectfully. Lotte, Alyssa, and Elina. Easy enough. She figured she could remember those three names, and protect the people they belonged to just as well. When Lorelai began walking, she followed, looking ahead at their carriage. “Of course, I can do that.”

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

[Trigger Warning: Blurred Consent]

_{in collaboration with @Ellion}

"The Will to Take"

Alyssa stepped out of the carriage into the cold night air. She'd said something about relieving herself, but the truth was she just needed some space. It had only been two days, but Lotte and Lorelai were already settling into a comfortable rhythym of mother-daughter bliss.

That was probably for the best, Lorelai needed a legacy after all, and Lotte needed her wisdom even more. That left Alyssa however as the third wheel. She wasn't regretting introducing the two, but being left on the outside after all these years left her heart a little bitter. Letting out a frustrated sigh Alyssa set out to pace the camp and clear her head.

Taran was taking another one of nightly walks, a habit he had picked up since the discussion of Medusa came to ahead. He wasn't an outcast, not really, but he also found it awkward to always be around witches planning a battle he wanted no part in.

With most of the witches injured, or otherwise busy, he almost never ran into anyone, until tonight. Walking towards him, in a frustrated manner, was....Lorelai's sister...or something. He was never quite able to understand the explination given about the newest witches, one still very much a child. Not wanting to be rude, Taran gave her a slight wave. "Hello... Alyssa, I'm Taran...I don't think we've had the chance to be...introduced yet,"

Alyssa tilted her head at Taran, didn't witches usually keep their cockslaves on tighter leashes? No matter, she'd never been the biggest fan of the practise anyway. "Taran huh? Well met then." She extended a hand. "Who's are you anyway?"

Taran took the woman's hand a shook it, stopping mid shake when she asked her question. "Belong to?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm...afraid I don't understand. I don't think I belong to anyone...unless the covent counts as a person,"

"Not a cockslave then?" Alyssa's confusion deepened momentarily, before she broke into a wide grin. "Ah! A male witch! You must be a popular stud then, keeping traveling witches warm and all that. I almost envy your position."

"Why do people always insist on using that word," groaned Taran, pulling his hand back. "Yes, I am a male witch. No, I'm not a 'stud' and I don't--- Never mind, I don't have to tell you...any of this," He said crossing his arm. "But, what I did come to say is...that I am happy you and Lotte were here to help keep Lorelai's saddness at bay. Having Lotte around gives her less of a chance to morn. So, thank you, it is clear that having a family is very important to her,"

Alyssa bit a tongue laden with questions for the boy. She hadn't the fainest clue why he would resent the opportunity to lay with so many witches, most of them were easy on the eye, not a one a wrinkled sage. "I meant no offense Taran, and yes... Lotte's prescence focuses my sister, reinvigorating her will against what must be done."

The bitter sentiment that it was Lotte's doing, and not hers, roused her ire. Alyssa decided to torment the young witch a little. "So, you're telling me you've never... you know?"

Taran was about to leave the conversation when Alyssa asked another question. "Ever...? What! No, of course no and ...why am I telling you this stuff..again?!" By now his face was a bright red color. "And for another thing, why do you keep asking?"

"It's just curious is all?" Alyssa approached slowly. "What's wrong with a little... curiousity Taran? Haven't you ever... wanted to?"

"No...Never...Of course not," He said, taking a few steps back for every step that Alyssa took foward, until he walked into a large pine tree that was set just outside the circle of camp. "It is for breeding and I have no need for a child at the moment,"

"Oh Taran, it's for so much more than breeding." Alyssa's grin broadened as an idea began to form. "You've no need for a child...? What if someone else had a need?"

"Uh, I...haven't....thought about it," he said, trying to slide to the side to escape the corner he had backed himself into. "I mean...I suppose I ....would?"

"You would? You'd provide me with a child if I asked?" Alyssa's eyes twinkled with barely repressed malevolence as she moved to bar the boy's escape. "Just like that?"

"Uh, I don't know. Yeah, I guess if you needed a child. I mean, in theory. But surely you have...other...uh...options," he could feel his heartrate picking up and all exits closed for him.

"Mabye I do, but not quite and good of options Taran." Alyssa began undoing the clasps on her robe. "You see, as a male witch any scion of our union would be a witch, doesn't every witch want a witch daughter?"

"I-I guess?" He said, real panic setting into his voice. "I-I mean, it...could be a boy right? I mean," He watched as Alyssa undid her robe. "Ah...Right here....you'd want to do it...right here?"

Alyssa arched an eyebrow. "Its not like your tent is soundproof anyway right?" Her robe finally fell to the ground, revealing her silken undergarmets. "Might as well be here, and if it's a boy you get to keep it. A girl would be mine."

"I-I mean, I know it...isn't...but," at least I wouldn't feel so exposed but he couldn't figure out a way to phrase what he was saying with any amount of self respect or dignity. "A- What if someone ....sees," He said, he voice small, however, one look at Alyssa's body and his mind started to melt. "A-and....would...would my daughter know me and my son know you, o-or would you just...abandon him?"

"We're not getting married Taran." Alyssa ran a finger along the boy's jaw lightly. "You're getting me pregnant, for the purpose of producing a child for one of us. Do you understand that? I want a daughter, you I'm sure have use for a son. Now can we dispense with the questions and get to the fun parts? Me'thinks the boy doth protest too much."

Taran felt his breath catch as Alyssa's finger found his jaw. In a flash, both of Taran's hands were holding Alyssa's single hand. "L-look, I'm s-sure you are w-wonderful and I-I w-would like to help you out, but I-I need to think about this first," said Tara, trying to keep the begging out of his voice.

"Thinking time is over Taran." Alyssa shuddered as one of the many succubi slid through her body and down her arm. The pressure faded as it jumped across her hand to take residence in Taran's flesh. "Give in to the demon lust, and let what will be, be."

Taran didn't even get the chance to scream when...something latched itself to his arm and vanished. For a second, nothing happened, then suddenly the urge to rip the rest of Alyssa's
clothing from her body, hit him like a ton of rock. It took all his will power to stop from jumping her right there. "W-what did you...do?" he grunted, closing his eyes so as not to see her.

"Not a thing dear. That's just your instincts speaking." Alyssa's undergaments joined her robe on the forest floor. "Why struggle against a desire so sublime? Give in, you know it's right." Her voice took on a honeyed tone as she spoke not only to Taran, but to the succubus in his flesh as well. Weakening the former's resolve as she bolstered the latter's will.

Taran finally opened his eyes, glaring at Alyssa. "I...know I don't want this," He growled, but with that statement, the last of his resolve vanished as he took a step closer to Alyssa, planting a soft, slightly misplaced kiss on her lips.

Alyssa grinned and whispered. "What you wanted never mattered Taran, and it never will."

[fade to black]

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

_{in collaboration with @Shagranoz}

"Tainting a Saint"

Lorelai rested her back against the black satin of the upholstered carriage bench, more of a lavish couch in truth. The past couple of days had been hard on her, harder still than losing her family. Vespa had fallen, and with her Lorelai's heart, yet she'd found family. Family was a mixed blessing.

She'd been prepared to give everything she had, all she was, to balance the scales of vengeance. Having something to fight for could fill a person with the will to do things they'd never thought possible. To Lorelai though it would be the ultimate cruelty to have to spend so much of herself that there wasn't enough left to be loved, or to love.

Lorelai's eyes followed Lotte as the girl moved about the cabin of her carriage, a small smile curving her lips. For Lotte, and Alyssa, she'd bring down mountains and count the cost when the rubble settled. To be a witch at war was a terrible thing, but she was no stranger to the horror of taking life.

Phagora looked at Lorelai through half-closed eyes. Her mistress had been so much happier when she saw Lotte and Alyssa. It was a change like night and day. For a second, she thought Lorelai would call off her campaign of vengeance rather than subject her sisters to war. But only for a second.

"Lorelai. I've heard an interesting rumor. Apparently, you came into possession of an old holy sword somewhere. Any truth to that?"

Lotte stopped her wanderings as Phagora entered the room. She'd been enjoying herself quite a bit these past few days. Lorelai was nice and had a ton of different things to look at. "Hello," Lotte chirped at Phagora, before taking a seat next Lorelai. "What do you need a sword for?"

"Lotte, there's something you need to understand. There's lots of people who don't like me. Who don't like us. Just because of who we are and what we can do. I wear this sword to warn them to stay away. If they don't, I use it to make them stay away."

Lorelai thought briefly of chastizing Phagora for her words, but they were true. It was an unfortunate fact that man feared what he did not understand. Instead she turned to Phagora. "Yes, I've come into the possession of a few. Most notable - and likely the one you're refering to - is Hector's blade, although it can hardly be called 'holy' any longer. Why do you ask?"

"Yeah, I know," she said, a small frown crossing her face. "Priests hate us a lot," She then shook her head, banishing the thought, before smiling and resting her head on Lorelai's shoulder. "But I know that you and mom and everyone else will help keep us safe,"

"Indeed we will." Phagora turned back to Lorelai. "Excellent. I needed someone who had experience with desecration rituals." She brought out her magic finger, being careful to shield it from Lotte's innocent eyes. "This once belonged to St. Gertrude. It's got powerful healing magic, but the holiness... well, it doesn't agree with me. I need you to strip the protection, while keeping the healing magic intact. Can you do that?"

"Hmm... Let me see." Lorelai took the relic gingerly from Phagora. Turning it over in her hand the mere touch caused her skin to prickle angrily against the consecration of the hollowed article. "Spontaneous reflection of divinity, that always makes the desecration more delicate. Better usually to trick the relic into doing something abhorent to its design. I actually might have just the thing."

"You said it had healing magic? Did you discover how to awaken its properties?" Lorelai asked, removing some of her divination tools from amongst her luggage.

"Yes. The Ruvina's were kind enough to leave some documentation behind them. It reacts to pure thoughts. Love, kindness, yadda yadda yadda." Phagora rolled her eyes and the mere thought of emotions like that. Sure, even though she was a demon she could experience them, but they weren't exactly a big part of her personality. She took a deeper look through the papers. She hadn't had time to do so before, with all the wild events in Castle Ruvina. As she reached one particular passage, her eyes went wide.

"How thoughtful." Lorelai let out a wry laugh. "Love and kindness are pure? That's the funniest thing I've heard it quite some time." She finished laying out her tools. A bowl cut from ruby, her ritual dagger, various candles, and small jars containing inscense. She turned back to Phagora just in time to see a look of surprise cross the woman's face. "What is it?"

"Apparently, the rest of the corpse is located in the fortress of Valleta, on the island of Malta." Phagora's face fell as she slumped back in her chair. "Headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller." A sigh escaped the blonde witch's lips. "I guess that's one artifact we won't be getting our hands on anytime soon."

"I don't see why not." Lorelai smirked. "There's a reason men fear the sea. Malta's one island surrounded by the cyclopean embrace of the deep dark, things lurk there in the abyssal depths. Dagon, Lord of the Depths, would be all too happy to assist any bid we made on the relic."

Phagora was shocked. Yes, Lorelai and her summons were powerful, but this was taking arrogance to a level akin to Satan himself. "You do realize that the last time the Hospitallers were attacked in their home, they threw back forty thousand Turks? Do you really think that even Dagon, with all his might, could do what an entire army could not?" She shook her head. "Lorelai, wherever you go, I shall follow. But I beg you, do not throw your life away on a suicidal mission."

"We're not looking to defeat the Hosptitallers Phagora." Lorelai's smirk remained. "Dagon and his kin will provide a mighty distraction you see, and the Turks hardly had the advantage of mobility that the amphibious demons will be afforded. From there we simply have to aquire the relic and make good an escape. A daring deed to be sure, but certianly not beyond our grasp."

"True, but it will still be difficult. We can't afford to dally about on territory like that. Perhaps a seeking spell, one that will make the finger search out the rest of the body." Phagora chuckled as a soft snore escaped from the sleeping Lotte. "Do you know any such spells?"

"I know one that hunts bloodlines, I think it could be adapted easily enough." Lorelai stroked Lotte's hair, smiling softly. "The question is, do we have any idea what the rest of the corpse would do? It's alot of investment without knowledge of the prize."

"The Ruvinas never finished their investigations, but it seems that the whole body amplifies the healing effect significantly. There's a little spot in here, pure speculation on their part, but I think this would be of particular interest to you." Phagora smiled. "The Ruvinas thought that the entire body might, might even be capable of performing resurrections, given an intact corpse." Let that fire Lorelai's imagination, she thought.

"I... I find that dubious." Lorelai hesitated as her heart thudded against her chest. She dared not hope for something like this, but could she stop herself? Time would tell. "If that's any indication of its might though it would seem we'd be remiss not to snatch it up with war darkening our doorstep."

"Most definitely. A power like that could turn the tide of any battle."

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

_{in collaboration with @Ellion}

"Reunion"

Alyssa strolled happily through the gloomy woods for... the sixth day straight? She was getting tired of sleeping on the ground, but each step brought her closer to her goal. Her sister was out here, somewhere. Alyssa wondered how old the other witch was, a wrinkled grandma? A young maiden? In the end it didn't really matter, but it was about the only diversion that could be found in the miles and miles of woodlands she'd trekked through.

Looking up at the stars she laughed wryly. "At least it isn't raining."

Lotte awoke first wondering if Ash had wet the bed again because of how damp it felt. Instead of opening her eyes, she streatched out, seeking the confort of one of her sisters warmth...only to feel...leaves?

Sitting up sharply, Lotte found herself not in the twin church bed she shared with Ash and sometimes Abby. But in the middle of the woods. A few twigs fell from her hair as she tried to rememeber what lead her to be there, but...it was just a lot of blackness, as though her brain was trying to make it difficult on purpse to rememeber how she came to be there.

Lotte walked a few steps in either direction, alway a hundered before stopping, turning around and walking right back where she came from. It was a trick she used to use on the farm when she'd get lost. Usually, she just needed to change her point of view to find herself. But...it wasn't working this time.

On about her fourth track, she noticed a woman walking about twenty yards away. Letting out a breath of relief, Lotte took off towards the woman, catching her just as she mentioned the rain. "Yeah, that would put a real damper on things," She looked at the woman before finishing up "Hi, I'm Lotte...do you know where I am?"

Alyssa turned with a small start towards the small girl that had interrupted her thoughts. "Oh!" What was a little girl doing this far from civilization? She didn't look like a savage forest-dweller. "I'm Alyssa, and you're about four days travel from the nearest town."

Pinching Lotte's cheek she giggled. "Aren't you cute! What could you possibly be doing all the way out here?"

"Four days? From what town?" How was it possibly that she had traveled four days from the nearest known town (none the less from her town). Lotte made a face, bushing the womans hand away lightly, before pacing around, trying her best to remember. "I have no idea what I am doing out here...but if you figure it out, or if you could point me in the direction of the church near Dothseberg, that would be lovely,"

"Dothseberg!? Ooooh I see now, you're that Lotte." Alyssa grinned brightly. "I don't suppose you remember a tall black shadow? With a weird voice that liked to play with people? Mighta gone by Charon?"

Lotte felt her face turn a bright red and looked down. " The preacher says that Charon doesn't exist and that I am evil to make up such lies," She dug her bare toe into the dirt. "But I know Charon is real, he promised...me....something....if I did....something . Lotte's face crinkled up in consentration as she tried to recall what it was that ....Charon had done. But...she kept coming up blank. "...Oh well, so...can you help me get back ho-to the church?"

"The preacher" Alyssa spat with derision "is a sycophantic moron that still believes his infant god has real power. We both know better little one, I've spoken to Charon too."

"I can take you home, or back to the church. You'll have to pick though." Alyssa grinned as she pointed the direction she'd been heading. "That way lies someone like us, my sister. She'll understand your gifts and help you grow. I think she'll make a lovely mommy for you dear. Or you can rejoin a world that will never understand you, and hate you for it."

Tilting her head to the side Alyssa awaited the girl's answer eagerly. If she had the gift after all that would mean her legacy isn't in quite as dire straights as she'd believed. "What'll it be kiddo?"

Lotte stared at Alyssa for a good long while, biting her lip as she tipped back on her heals. Truthfully, she'd rather wander these woods the rest of her life then every return to that church. The nuns were mean, and quick to cane and the preacher always called her evil. In fact, the only thing she'd be going back for were Abby and Ash. On top of that, this woman who also knew Charon to not only be real, but have talked with him herself, was offering her a chance to meet others like her.

Lotte opened her mouth and then closed it again before speaking. "...I...would like to come with you to meet your sister...but....do you think she'd help me let my sisters know that I am okay. Abby has probably already worked herself into hysteria and Ash has probably been crying since she noticed me missing,"

Alyssa shrugged, but then nodded grinning. "She probably would, you're cute after all. I'd imagine if she can bind demons to her will that easily then she'd probably find some way to let your sisters know." Lotte's sisters were probably dead, but she didn't need to know that. Alyssa didn't particularly want to be the one to tell her either, sympathetic is not a word anyone would use to describe her.

Alyssa gestured again in the direction she'd be heading before turning to continue her trek. "Come along then, let's not keep Lorelai waiting too long. She's not a terribly patient woman after all."

Lorelai?" said Lotte, tipping her head to the side, thinking the name over before chasing after Alyssa. After a moment of walking behind her, Lotte reached out and took Alyssa's hand, giving her a wide smile.

Alyssa grinned back at Lotte. She really was too cute, Lorelai would either eat her tongue for power, or fall in love immediately. For Lotte's sake she hoped for the latter. "Yup! The new matriarch of our bloodline little Lotte."

They continued in companionable silence for several minutes before Alyssa broke the silence again. "I lost my family a decade or so ago. We're not so different in that regard Lotte. Lorelai's the last family I have, and you as well I suppose. I'm allowing myself to hope. To hope that she's as powerful and wise as we need her to be."

Lotte kept smiling as they walked, even as Alyssa talked about losing her family. "It is okay if Lorelai isn't what you need, we can always be a family. We can go get my sisters and...do whatever it is that families do,"

"We could...?" Alyssa fell silent. She'd never given much thought to what would happen if Lorelai wasn't... whatever it was she expected her to be. Family huh? Looking down at Lotte Alyssa smiled. She supposed that could be fun, rewarding even. Anything beat the crushing loneliness she barely kept at bay most nights. "Yeah, we'll do that. You, your sisters, and me. That wouldn't be bad would it? I dunno what families do either, we'll have to figure it out together." Alyssa's smile was more genuine that it had been in years.

"If Lorelai does work out, we'll have a huge family, and a nice house and an orange kitten named...Tree...Well, we can work on the name," Lotte had taken to skipping at this point stopping every once and a while to pick up a rock or look at a flower.

Alyssa nodded grinning as her eyes followed Lotte's skipping. It was a pretty dream, not one she dared hope for herself though, reality had a nasty way of grounding such high hopes. "My! You've got it all planned out don't you? Will we live near a lake? Maybe with some woodlands nearby?" She giggled. "You'll spend your days running and laughing, and minding your new mommy of course. Learning magic over dinner and after nighfall. Won't that be lovely?"

"New...Mommy?" said Lotte, stopping her skippinh for a moment and narrowing her eyes, as though trying to recall something. But then she shurgged and went on skipping. "Are you my new Mommy? You can be but I think you are too young and pretty to be a Mommy, more....like a big sister!"

"Why thank you. I'll try to be the best big sister I can!" Alyssa laughed. "Lorelai would be you ne-"

Alyssa fell silent as she spotted a woman in the clearing they'd come to. The aura of demonic energies meant this could be none other than Lorelai. She'd come so far in seach of this woman, so it was strange that now that she finally stood near her she was frozen. What now? Her voice was small as she turned to her companion. "There she is... I wonder if your pretty dream will come true after all."

Lotte was still a few yards in front of Alyssa, doing her little skipping dance, but she stopped head in her tracks when Alyssa pointed out the woman across the clearing. Lotte tensed up, like a deer who sensed a preditor, then she took off running, towards Lorelai. Stopping right in from of her. "Hello Ma'am," she said, curtseying, beaming the whole time. "You're Lorelai, aren't you?" she asked, before rushing forward and wrapping her arms around Lorelai's waist in a hug.

Lorelai's eyes widened as a small figure bolted across the clearing towards her. Before she could gather her thoughts she was being hugged by... a little girl? Who evidently knew her name and was elated - for some reason - to see her. She returned the hug briefly before kneeling down to the girl's height. "Yes I am dear. And who might you be? What brings you out here alone anyway?" She looked around for signs of her family.

"I'm Charlotte Celeste Smart, you can call me Lotte, everybody does," Lotte looked out the corner of her eyes, trying to find the best way to answer the question. "Um, I don't really-- you I guess! And I'm not really alone...I mean, I guess I was when I woke up, but then I met your sister! Alyssa!...She...was...behind me?" she said, looking around, confused as to why Alyssa hadn't come with her. "She....is really excited to meet you! said Lotte, taking Lorelai's hand and pulling her back towards the treeline.

Alyssa swallowed her apprehension. She'd come all this way for this, she wasn't about to just freeze up and look like an idiot before her last remaining kin. Stepping into the clearing she smiled at the two. "I'm Alyssa Von'Strauss, and I've been searching for you a long time sister."

Lorelai was stunned. Sister? All her family had died, burned at the stake during Hector's purge. Pulling Lotte to her side she prepared for what might be an ambush, she'd made plenty of enemies over the years, and Alyssa wouldn't be the first to come for her. "Speak in the tongue then."

Alyssa opened her mouth and pledged her oath of service in that blackened speach. Lorelai's skin rippled as she heard someone else speak Dragon's Tongue for the first time. She broke into a bright smile as she replied in the same, accepting the other woman's oath. "And little Lotte here? What of her?" Lorelai relaxed her protective grip on the girl.

Lotte felt as though her skinned tickled, as though someone had let out a breath of air acrossed it as her new 'big sister' spoke. A lot of what she said didn't make any sense. Well, the words made sense, but Lotte couldn't figure out what Alyssa was trying to say " What...is...a matriarch?" she asked, then looked up at Lorelai "Am...I welcomed too?"

"Y-you understood that?" Lorelai was stunned for the second time today. Alyssa simply nodded grinning.

Lorelai knelt again to look the girl in the eye. "Do you want to be home with me? Would you like to come live with me and learn about your heritage, and share in all the things I've learned?" She'd never dared to hope that such a thing could happen. A sister was a rare enough thing, and she was elated to have one. A daughter however? Someone to pass on her legacy to, someone to make the things she'd done take on a meaning they'd woefully lacked before?

"Would you like to be a... family?"

"Of course I understood, you were talking right infront of me," she said giving Lorelai a semi-exasperated. Lotte seeemed to think Lorelai's offer over for a moment. exasperated"Will...you make me go to church? I don't like going to church." Lotte felt a warm bubble of happiness swell in her heart and then her stomach as she looked at Lorelai. She could tell that this woman was...good for her. She felt...right. Like...coming home.

Lorelai grinned, her heart soaring. Even her spirit was reinvigorated by the presence of her kin, the corruptive pain twisting in her flesh weakening until it was hardly noticable. "No church, I don't like it either." She drew Lotte into a hug. The only thing that could've made this moment better would be sharing it with Vespa, but her love wouldn't want her dwelling on her loss when new purpose presented itself.

Standing she took Lotte's hand. Smiling at Alyssa she gestured towards the carriages. "Come, we've much to talk about and I'd like to introduce you to my coven."

Lotte took Lorelai's hand and did a mixture of skipping and hopping back towards the carriages. "Oh...Alyssa said...you might be able to....help me...contact my sisters, I'm certain that Abby has worked herself into a fit, she is such a worrier. And Ash...is either crying or hasn't noticed me.....being gone yet,"

Alyssa grinned with pride as Lorelai nodded. "Of course, you'll have to wait until we get back to my scrying equipment though, then I'll be able to contact them no problem. They could even come live with us if you'd like." Alyssa cringed silently at Lorelai's carefree offer, if Charlotte had been contacted by Death... odds were not in favor of her sisters being alive.

"Okay!" She paused for a moment, thinking a question over. "...Can I....Can I call you mom?" she asked, barely keeping the excitment out of her voice.

Lorelai pulled open the door to her carriage for her two new companions. Turning to Lotte she answered the girl's question only after choking back tears of joy. "Yes you may dear, and if it pleases you I'll refer to you as my daughter then."

" I'd like that a lot,"

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

@NuttsnBolts Puncraft! The darkest of arts! Ahead of math and actual witchcraft by a fair margin if I do say so myself. Love the idea though, that could be an entertaining diversion.

I do believe you're allowed to call them a pig if they give you Swine Flu, along any other expletives you see fit. Then again etiquette's never really been my strong suit, so take that with a grain of salt. What do you do for a living? If you don't mind me asking.

Cara's Originally Titled OoC Hangout Thread ♥ (Still)

@NuttsnBolts Going a little crazy with all this time on my hands, I'm either gonna write something horrible for kicks, or pick up something delighfully boring. Knitting maybe, that sounds about as dull as anything else.

Swine Flu huh? That doesn't sound pleasant, or like it would lead to bacon like the first word might suggest.

🦄 Rping 101: The Beginners Guide To Role Play

Do you have a GM's guide to herding cats?

That'd be cool. That breathing bit is nice, panicking is kinda second nature by now though. Might be tough to break that habit. ;)