Meiyuki

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

@SunsetRoses@Whoami Looking to finish this up soon if you guys get the chance.

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

_{in collaboration with @Aerandir and @Ellion}

Closed doors

Lorelai's eyes opened to the sun's rays at first light. She was in a strange bed, and someone was draped over her chest. Her eyes followed the pale hand tucked between her breasts, down its owner's arm, until finally her eyes confirmed what her mind refused to accept.

Elina's head lay on her shoulder, close enough that she could feel the girl's breath on her neck. Her silver hair cascaded down her side, and was the only modesty currently afforded to her other than the silken sheets of her bed. A content smile curved the girl's lips as she slept happily, breathing softly.

Lorelai's chest warmed at the sight of her, her eyes wandering affectionately over her small frame. What now? Lorelai internally examined her blooming affections, wondering if it was too late to kill them, or if it would be right to. Could she allow this to happen, should she allow this to happen? Once more her mind revealed nothing of use, none of her hard earned wisdom could be brought to bear.

Lorelai gently worked herself out from under Elina, and pulled the sheets up to the girl's chin. She stooped to grace Elina's cheek with a lingering kiss as the girl stirred lightly. After retrieving her clothes from the floor at the foot of the bed and dressing herself Lorelai moved over to Elina's desk.

While underused, the top of Elina's large oak desk currently bore parchment and ink. Lorelai sat and wrote; Elina, I apologize for not being here to greet you upon waking. As you know my duties are many, pressing, and rarely leave enough time for the direly needed comforts I could use in these times.

Lorelai examined her flowery penmanship briefly before continuing; While last night's passion was to serve a purpose, it was done with no small amount of affection from myself. Do not let my absence suggest anything less than that. When you read this please come find me.

She hesitated over the closing. Love? Sincerely? She'd already betrayed enough of her feelings. Yours, Lorelai Von'Strauss it was true enough after all. For the time being her heart was at the whim of the silver-haired Ruvina, for better or worse.

With that she stood and left the castle in favor for the fresh air of the surrounding forest. Hoping to gain some insight into how to proceed.

---

Lorelai turned her face towards the sun filtering through the canopy over head. To think she'd share a night of passion with Elina, Vespa's sister, just over a week after her death. She was racked with guilt, confusion, and worst of all, her heart fluttered in an all too familiar dance.

What should she have done? Elina was the last thing Lorelai had left of her love, and she couldn't let the girl languish in a deepening depression. Elina had looked more lively when speaking of learning her gift than she had in over a week, and Lorelai could hardly deny the silver-haired girl her wish. Which would have been the greater sin?

Lorelai ran her hands through her hair. Finding a fallen log she elected to sit, at least long enough to gather her thoughts. Elina would wake soon, and find her note. If Lorelai didn't figure something out before then she feared this situation could only move farther beyond her control.

Alexina was gone. The first person he had ever met that understood who he was had just left. A part of Taran had hoped that he would have been able to keep her from running off, but at the same time, he wasn't surpised when she took off running.

He knew there was a chance, a very good chance that she might come back, she was after all a part of the coven, but it could be forever until she came back, months...years even. Letting out a sigh, Taran finally turned to face the castle, he couldn't avoid Alyssa and inside forever, and right now he didn't have the will to fight his heart. It was in too much pain.

He had only been walking for a few minutes when he ran into yet another witch. "Lorelai!" He said, his voice disguising nothing. "Thank...Magic you are here. Something happened to Alexina. I think she is, well, she left and I couldn't stop her," he said quickly, hoping that Lorelai would figure out what he wanted her to do without having to explain it.

"Lexi!?" Lorelai gave a small start as Taran's shout cut through her thoughts, Alexina was in trouble? Her mind immediately conjured up several horrific scenarios. She stood sharply, turning to Taran. "Explain on the way, and lead me to her."

"Uh, sure," he said, looking back at the forest for a second, trying to rememeber which way the witch took off. Finally he picked a point and started running. "Um, I don't know... I came out here to get away from...uh... anyway Alexina was out here and she was upset because someone she loves doesn't love her back I think," The whole thing happened so quickly that it was hard to get the story straight. "She was crying, so I hugged her and she ....ran away,"

Lorelai's heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she realized what had happened. "Why is it that I can't seem to make any good choices this season?" It seemed that for every step she took something broke. She hadn't even sorted through her own thoughts about... last night, and already it had wounded Alexina.

"We'll find her Taran." Lorelai kept pace with the boy as she reached out to inform her sentinels of their new target. "Let's just hope it's before she does something rash."

---

Alexina did not run too far...just far enough to know she would lose Taran. She had came to a stop under an ancient oak tree, and leaned against it. She didn't know what to do...or to go to... She was so distraught at the thought of Losing Lorelai once again, then with her saying she didn't know if she could love again, only to bed with that whore Elina....

Her heart heavy and felt as it was broken in a thousand pieces. She wondered how she could live on, sitting alone in the forest while Lorelai slept with other women... she should just end it... that would take the pain away.

She pushed her back against the tree and allowed the tears to flow from her eyes...her normal strong appearance now weak and vulnerable as she slowly slid down into a fetal position. She didn't even notice the sound of footsteps, or her animals warning her that they were approaching her.

As Taran approached the woman from behind, a sudden panic hit him. What if brining Lorelai was the wrong thing to do. Maybe Alexina just wanted to be left alone to cry and pretend like nothing happened. He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. He gave Lore a helpless look, unsure of what to say.

Lorelai nodded at Taran, patting the boy's shoulder as she stepped into view. She paused to examine Alexina. The obvious pain she had caused the woman sent spears of guilt into her black heart. To think she could do this to someone, Alexina even, what dark days indeed.

She approached the curled up witch slowly, kneeling beside her prone form. "Alexina... what troubles you?" Lorelai knew of course what had happened, but perhaps speaking her accusation would lessen the pain.

"DON'T" She pulled away from Lorelia as she asked her what troubled her. Anger flared into her heart as she looked at the ground. "Don't act like you don't know... Don't add salt to the wound now... I know you slept with....Elina."

"Why must you hear everything Alexina? The animals bring you news, with little context, so that you can conjure up horrors from the depths of your imagination." Lorelai pressed her fingers to her eyelids in frustration. Why is it that everything she did seemed to immediately reach Alexina? "Would you like me to explain why I slept with her? Or are you satisfied with your own theory?"

Alexina glared at the grass below her....She wanted to be mad, she had to be mad. But Lorelai did bring up a good point that her friends could never always give details.... but NO she enjoyed it... she always did with Vespa...and Elina was her twin, and with it so close to Vepsa's death, it couldn't be for any other reason.

She was silent for a bit as she thought it over... her anger won over. "Im sure its along the same lines.... " She said with a bit a venom in her voice. But she left it open for her to explain it anyways.

"Are you now? Lorelai narrowed her eyes at Alexina's back. "What are those lines Alexina? Tell me what you think happened."

Alexina glanced over to her and after a moment looked away. She knew deep down, that she was wrong... but her anger still won out.. "It's because they are so 'civilized' compared to me... that Elina is so close to being Vespa, being her sister and all. It's only Logical you would want to be with her...I mean you left me for Vespa in the first place... Elina would be the next best thing. compared to a crazy woman in the forest who doesn't belong anywhere..." She said, her venom in her voice growing weaker. as she wrapped her arms around her legs and held them close to her chest.

"You're not crazy, and the fact that you're uncivilized has never bothered me." Lorelai took a seat near the red-headed witch. "It would be easy to tell you that Elina wanted to learn demon-binding, and that to bestow her with the gift I had to... well, I'm pretty sure you know what happened last night."

She sighed. "It's true after all, if not the whole truth." Lorelai gave Alexina a sad smile. "Vespa haunts me in Elina, to say otherwise would be a lie. I... I can't let Elina languish Alexina, she's tried to kill herself once already. I can't fail Vespa's last blood, the sister she fought so hard to protect."

Lorelai turned her head away. No longer able to bear eye contact with Alexina. "I... I don't know what to do. I think I damned myself last night, but what should I have done? Why... why can't I seem to get any of this right?"

Alexina felt a pang of guilt when Lorelai explained that she coudln't get anything right. Her shoulders relaxed dispite her wanting to stay mad, as she almost fell back into her old routine of supporting Lorelai. But her comment from before about letting Elina Languish struck a cord with her.

She stood up and with out looking at Lorelai said,"i've been Languishing this last year and a half....in this forest. Alone waiting for the day for things to go back to the way they where. But that will never be. I...I can't do this anymore...." She said as she placed a hand over her mouth. As tears began to form again. As she just no realized how this last year or so had affected her.

"What now then?" Lorelai spoke softly. "I... I don't have a remedy for a broken heart. I'd give you my body if it would heal your wounds, but we both know it won't. I'd tell you I love you, and I do, but not quite in the way you want me to."

She leaned back against the tree. "My thoughts can barely be said to reside within my mind anymore Alexina. My heart is not my own anymore, and it's damaged beyond recognition. Why you loved me once I'll never know, but I'm not someone that deserves that love, or your tears, any longer."

Alexina's eyes closed as she confirmed her fears, She didn't know what to say. She was in shock, as her heart some how impossibly shattered even more. Tears flowed from her eyes, though she did not sob outwardly. She just remained silent, facing away from Lorelai.

She was silent for what seemed like hours, but only for a few moments. "Fine...." She didn't know what to say....she wanted to say something hurtfull...but at the same time she couldn't think of anything or on the other side she didnt' want to. "Just go back...You don't need to worry about me anymore... just go and be happy with your 'pets' and child and Elina..." She bit her lip hard as she squeezed her eyes tight. Drawing blood from her lips as she started to walk away from Lorelai.

"I'm sorry Alexina." Lorelai wanted to stop her, to say something that would somehow heal her. She had nothing, there were no magic words she could use to mend the woman's heart. Instead she simply watched her back as she left.

When it was just her and Taran she turned back towards the castle. Whether spoken of spite or kindness Lorelai intended to honor Alexina's words. She'd play with Lotte, talk to Liz and Coraline, and... something with Elina. Someday this pain would be a distant memory for her, she could only hope the same would be true for Alexina.

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

_{in collaboration with @SillyGoy}

"Elina's Defilement"

Lorelai strode through the halls of the castle. Fatigue that had long settled into her spirit had not yet shown on her face or stride. She wondered mildly how long that would last. She was on her way to Elina's room, again. It seemed that she spent one portion of her time seeing to Medusa's demise, and the other seeing to Elina's needs.

One of her servitors had reported something interesting to her. Elina was planning on killing Fenros. So Lorelai thought she'd drop by to ensure this wasn't some half-baked suicide attempt, perhaps having failed to slit her own throat the girl had gotten it into her head that she'd get Fenros to do it for her.

She finally arrived at the witch's door. "Elina? It's Lorelai." She called after knocking.

There was a lengthy pause, until Lorelai heard the frail girl's characteristic voice. "Come in," she said.

Elina was packing. Or so it seemed, at first. Rather, she was unpacking. Placing her sword back into the rack, and returning healing tonics to her alchemical shelf. She was in a half-dressed state, with a blouse that wasn't thoroughly buttoned up and exposed her slender belly as a result. The same servitor was still carrying her around.

She had difficulty leveling her crimson eyes on Lorelai. "Hi," she said, blushing more than just a little bit. "I was about to do something stupid."

"Yes, so in leu of suicide by Fenros what are you plans for the day?" Lorelai surpressed a blush, why did Elina's body have to remind her so much of Vespa's?

"Not encountering a witch named Triss," Elina said. She wasn't surprised that Lorelai already knew. Her ubiquitous minions could fulfill any role, from warrior, to spy, to menial servant. "Her power makes people do really stupid things. Something about emotions. I raged and almost cried, but most of all I just wanted to kill Fenros. Now I have a headache." She sighed wearily, before looking towards her servitor. "Put me down on my bed."

It did so, and Elina laid her head down on her pillow with a smile. "Thanks for the servitor, by the way. It's made my life much easier."

"I'm pleased it's served you well." Lorelai leaned against the door frame, her arms folded beneath her chest. "Didn't you pass up on the first opportunity to kill the man because you loved him? Curious then that you'd want so much to kill him." Lorelai arched an eyebrow at Elina.

Elina blinked, and her expression turned serious. "I regret that decision now. If I had just killed Fenros, I'd have rid the witching world of a serious threat, and attained great power myself - and saved Vespa. Alas... I was just a stupid girl. And I probably still am."

"Still stupid? Why's that?" Lorelai moved into the room, taking a seat in one of Elina's lavish chairs. "Or is that more of your self-depreciation I so detest?" Lorelai's voice was playful, as she smirked at the silver-haired girl.

Elina groaned. "I don't know. I can't fight and I can't walk. I feel awful."

Elina's eyes wandered about her room, as she thought of something else to say. Eventually they rested levelly upon Lorelai's features.

"Lorelai?" she said.

"Yes dear?" Lorelai maintained Elina's gaze.

She grinned. "You're a beautiful woman, and I'm glad my sister got to know you."

Lorelai flushed red, her lower lip trembled. "Thank you Elina... that means more to me than you know." Closing her eyes she tilted her head back to rest against the soft cushion of her chair. "You, of course, are lovely... Vespa still haunts me sometimes when I see you." She sighed, smiling softly.

Elina similarly blushed. A silence settled upon the room. Her eyes wandered again. "So I've been thinking... in my excess of spare time..."

"Hmm... I envy you that." Lorelai replied lazily, not bothering to open her eyes. "What have you been thinking of Elina?"

"Why, that I don't much care for the purity of my body and soul, and if it were possible, I'd like you to teach me demon-binding."

Lorelai's eyes shot open. "Elina... you do know what that entails don't you?" Her eyes were fearful as they found Elina's "I'll do it, but only if you're sure."

Elina looked at Lorelai with barely any expression. "I know it will hurt, being made part-demon or whatever it is the initiation rituals demand of me. But I also know that it'll give me power. I hate being weak, Lorelai. Look at you, you're so strong. I'd," she hesitated. "I'd like to... become like you..." her voice trailed off.

"Instead," she reasserted herself, "of some melancholy cripple, to be quite honest."

Lorelai nodded grimly. "So be it. If that is your wish, I'll make it so." She stood and turned to shut the door. She began to undo the clasps on her robe.

Elina's brows perked up, and she grinned, despite herself. "Oh, so I was right. I'm about to get raped!"

Lorelai smirked. "Hopefully you won't find it so odious as that." Her robe slid down her body, piling on the soft carpet at her feet. "Matter of fact, this only works if you're willing, and a equal participant."

Elina's crimson eyes gazed adoringly up and down Lorelai's gradually naked figure. "Am I... going to have to undress as well...?"

Lorelai smiled, her frail heart thundering as Elina's eyes roamed her body. "Yes dear."

"Oh, well..." she turned to her servitor. "Go hide in my bathroom or something." It did so immediately, and she turned again to Lorelai, flushing deeply. "Okay..."

She undid the ribbon that held the collar of her riding dress, then undid the top buttons to finally reveal her frilly underwear and adorable cleavage. Her fair skin shone in the light pouring through the window as she took off the shirt and proceeded with her skirt. Her heart pounded in her chest. Was the initiation ritual really going to be... lovemaking?

"Just so you know..." she said, covering herself demurely with her arms. "I'm still... a maiden."

"I'd always assumed as much." Lorelai quickly finished removing her undergarments, tossing them on top of her fallen robe. She paused to survey Elina's body greedily. "Fortunately I've learned from the Demon Lord of Lust how to deflower a maiden, so you needn't fear. Much."

She moved to the front of Elina's large canopy bed. Pausing to pull the curtain closed she proceeded to crawl towards the adorable witch she'd be defiling in the next few minutes. Her steel grey eyes twinkled with barely repressed lust as they bored into the crimson of Elina's. She pressed her chest against the girl's arm as the drew her lips close to Elina's ear to whisper. "Now, are you going to finish with your undergarmets Elina? Or should I?

Elina said nothing, but instead hefted up her frilly bra to reveal her cute breasts, before moving her hands down, wrapping her fingers around the hem of her panties, and pulling them down. She let the garment pass through the stump of her left leg and simply let it dangle from her right as she opened herself entirely to Lorelai, revealing her soft and mildly glistening womanhood. She was blushing furiously at this point. Lorelai was so close...

"Good girl." Lorelai's voice was humid as she crawled over on top of Elina. She'd damn herself with what came next, but it was just to easy to give in. "Now, darling, let me show you what I've learned from the Demon of Lust."

---

At the end of it, Elina was thoroughly exhausted, panting her breaths in and out of her lungs. Lorelai proved to be a real demon, a dominator in the sheets, and even growing a male tool halfway through somehow - apparently it was necessary to complete the scandalous ritual. But it was over now, and the moon was high in the nighttime sky, and they were both embracing each other tightly under the blankets, sharing warmth. Elina's womb was filled with demonic seed and its walls absorbed the invading essence readily and without question. As infernal energy wrapped around her body and soul, and penetrated her marrows so that they would produce new, hybrid blood, the silver-haired witch fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, so incredibly, and undeniably, content.

Lorelai stared at the purple silk of Elina's canopy. Elina was tucked tightly into her side, her head resting comfortably on Lorelai's shoulder. She could feel the warmth of the girl's soft, slow breaths as she slept. Lorelai's hand roamed aimlessly up and down Elina's arm. This feels so familiar She thought to herself.

Her heart fluttered in her chest. Lorelai knew she'd damn herself with this, but what would be the greater sin? Allowing Elina to languish? Or to allow Elina dangerously close to the place in her heart where Vespa had once reigned?

"Vespa..." Lorelai whispered softly. "Is it... is it okay if I fall in love with your sister?"

Vespa of course could not answer, and neither the darkened room nor the sleeping Elina had any wisdom to offer. Tears welled in her eyes as the turned to grace the top of the silver-haired girl's head with a kiss. "I suppose it's too late to ask now isn't it?... I'm sorry love."

Lorelai's eyes slowly closed, as she gave herself over to the all too familiar warmth of a lover's rest.

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

@SunsetRoses I'm back

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

@SunsetRoses Still got candy left.

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

_{in collaboration with @Aerandir and @Ellion}

Vivian, Emiliah, and Flint

Vivian looked over her gear, putting silver bolts in her quiver, picking out the toxins most likely to be useful. She'd heard enough whispers of demons and Von'strausses. Regardless of what Draco and Emiliah believed she was more inclined to be safe than sorry.

She stooped down to wrap her hunting dog Lucky in his vest, loading it's pockets with spare ammunition and rations. He patiently waited for her to finish before licking her face and falling into step behind her. Vivian cast one more glance over her gear, and when she was satisfied she had everything she was likely to need she headed for the tavern below.

Emiliah was heading up the stairs, looking for Vivian when she spotted her uphead.
"Well," she said looking at the girl. "It looks like someone read my mind about wanting to leave soon," she paused for a second. "Unless, that is, you are off on another hunt of some sort,"

Vivian grinned brightly at Emiliah, by rote more than anything else. "I need to get up to something soon, but it could wait." She surveyed the huntress, noting the fatigue and tension. "What've you got going on? Anything good?"

"Well, I was going...looking again, and I'd rather not go alone, would you be interested. I can't promise money or monsters, but there is a chance we'll run into both," she said. Glancing around, still keeping an eye out for Coraline.

"I'm not terribly worried about either money or sating my bloodlust most days, and besides, we've got missing hunters out there." Vivian nodded grimly. "Count me in, we may also want to post a notice by the board before we head out. Get some of the locals out there a searching too."

"I never got the full story on how and why they're missing... Bobby was a little lacking with details." Vivian mentioned as she made her way past Emiliah towards the stairs.

"Franknly, I am the wrong person to ask. I was there and I can't even explain what happened," more like she didn't want to explain what had happened, anyway. The wounds where still to fresh and the sooner they found her friends, the happier she'd be. She lead Vi through the tavern, allowing her to stop for a moment to post on the board. The tavern seemed..rather packed fro this time of day, as though all the evil was hiding, so the hunters didn't have much to do.

Vivian scrawled a small note on a scrap of paper and affixed it to the board. "Fair enough I guess... although I'd like to know more about what's likely to have them in its clutches when we find them. Makes killing it easier and all that."

Once she was finished she turned to Emiliah, grinning as always. "So, do we have any leads? Or an idea of where to start? Rumors put demon activity up north, some say witches are active this season all throughout the woods, but that's all I've got at the moment."

"Ah," Emiliah stood at the door for a moment. "No..Not really. But...I just can't sit and do nothing? What else can I do? I am no witch, I cannot do a tracking spell or....," Emiliah shook her head as the words 'useless' bounced around her skull. ""But, I mean, what else can I do?"

"Well... without a lead, or anything else to go on...?" Vivian hesitated, smile faltering. "I think we may be better off trying to rally some of the other hunters into a larger search party."

Suddenly the tavern shook as it felt like the earth was ripping apart. Causing dishes and cups to fall to the ground, glass bottles breaking. To those outside, the ground in the square was really opening, like a fiery maw opened up, and suddenly a single humanoid shape was launched out and once gravity took ahold, he fell down and slammed into the water troth.

After a few seconds of regaining his senses and realizing he couldn't breath he flailed around and gripped the edges of the trough, pushing himself up till he was out of the water taking in a deep breath, and in the same motion, his arms failed him and he fell out of the troth and onto his side. He could swear he could hear the demonic laughing from the pit as the world spun around him.

Just as quickly as the earthquake started and the opening to hell appeared, it closed just as quickly, leaving a soaked Flint on the ground groaning in pain from the ward before and his head hitting the wooden troth as well.

Emiliah was barely able to keep her feet as the world shook around her. All around her hunters were crashing into each other, spilling their drink and Sofie's cooking all over each other and leaving the tavern in a right mess.

The second the world stopped moving, Emiliah was out of the tavern and into the streets. All around, people where picking themselves up, giving shifty looks all around. But their eyes always returned to a figuring in a trough. Emiliah walked through the crowed catching occasional mutters of 'hole in the ground' 'must be a demon' and 'do you think we have to dry him out before we can burn him?'

Emiliah tightened the hold on her spear as she apporached.

The second she saw Flints alway downed face, she let out a mix between and laugh and a shreak before soaking herself as she lept into the trough, hugging Flint in relief. A second later, she shoved Flint back, leaping out of the trough and sticking her spear just under his chin. "Hey," she said, her voice now very unsure.

Vivian made her way to the commotion just behind Emiliah, who had a small lead on her mostly due to not having fallen on her ass during the minor earthquake that had heralded... whatever this was.

Her face broke into a grin as she saw Flint, soaked and groaning in the town square. Vivian's grin did not survive Emiliah placing her spear near Flint's throat.
"Whoa! Uh... Hey Em?... Whatcha doin'?" she looked from the huntress to the prone Flint. "Oh... and hi Flint."

He was suddenly hugged and his eyes opened wide to see who it was, but before he could even figure out who it was he felt the pressure of a sharp point to his throat. He gulped and looked down the spear to the owner to see Emiliah. Who said in a unsure voice, 'hey'.

"Uhhh... Emiliah... What are you doing...." It almost echoed Vivian as she asked the same thing, who then said hi to him. He gave a small nervous smile as if to say hello and then looked back to Emiliah.

"You mind pointing that somewhere else?" He said in a low calm voice, as if anything higher would cause her to strike.

"Just checking for demons," she said lightly, still not moving her spear away from Flint's neck. Instead she used one of her hands to slip into her pocket, pulling out a small class vial, she uncorked it before splashing it on Flint's already wet face. After a moment of nothing...burning, Emiliah finally lowered her spear. "Well, not a demon at least," she said giving him a smile and holding out her hand to help him up.

"Well, Vi, I guess our...friends just find us," there wasn't much else she could say. Except... "Flint, where is Liz?"

Tension fled from Vivian's shoulders as Emiliah finally removed her spear from Flint's throat. She grinned sheepishly, she wouldn't have thought to check for demons right away. "Liz? Who's that? Another missing hunter?"

When the water hit his face again, he closed his eyes and flinched back, as it splatered on his face. After a few seconds he opened one eye to look up at Emiliah as she pulled her spear away. He then sighed and relaxed on the ground where he laid and said, "I don't know Where But I do know who she is with."

He gritted his teeth as he pushed himself up from the ground. Wincing from the burns on his body and the sharp pain on his forehead. As he got to a kneeling position he looked to Vi and nodded yes to her question. "Liz is with Lorelai Von'Strauss at the moment...aparently she made a deal with her to help her if she let me go free."

"She isn't real!" shouted Emiliah before shaking her head. "I am sorry. This Lorelai has been brought up a lot lately. Your new friend even has a gift Charon left for her," said Emiliah, thinking it over. "I am now tempted to take it there right now to get Liz back..." she then rounded back on Flint "How could you let her make a deal? With a witch of all things, you should know better or tried harder or..orr..or something!"

He pushed himself up from the ground. "She is real" He said with a growl. "Who do you think killed my father?" He said glaring at her. He did hesitate when she mentioned his new friend having a gift for her.

But then emiliah then went on saying he should have known better and why he would ever allow Liz to make a deal. "I was knocked out, and she did it during that time...that and I wasn't in a position to fight her... I was in a trap."

Emiliah stared at Flint a moment longer, before letting out a breath of air and relaxing. " You are right. I am sorry. It wasn't your fault. I'm just frustrated. I am sure you did all you could" Emiliah looked a Vi and then back at Flint. " I guess we should get you into the tavern, get you looked over while Vi and I go out and...search for... I am not sure. But I can't just keep sitting here, doing nothing," She turned and started leading the trio back to the tavern.

Vivian nodded enthusiasticly. She was just glad Emiliah had decided not to beat up Flint, or worse. Lorelai was real then? Confirmed by Flint and Fenros now, hard to ignore now that she evidently was imprisoning one of their number. "We'll follow traces of demon activity, that should lead us to this Lorelai if the stories are close to true."

Vivian ordered a drink as Flint staggered off to see to his numerous injuries. Taking a seat at an out of the way table she gestured for Emiliah to join her. "That sound like a plan?"

Emiliah ordered a glass of water before taking a spot next to Vivian at the table. Her leg bouncing on the table as she tried to settle down to....hurry up and waiting. "I still think we should head out now," she said, looking into her water cup.

"And do what? Forage blindly through the woods to hopefully stumble on Liz and Lorelai? Then maybe fight her without a plan? Does that sound like something that would work?" Vivian looked over Emiliah. "Em... How long has it been since you had a good night's rest?"

"It is better than doing nothing!" snapped Emiliah. She gave Vi another look. "And I am, I'm sleeping enough," which was a lie. The life of a hunter gave her a fucked up sleep schedule anyway. But the added stress had made it much more difficult as of late.

"We're not doing nothing Em. You need to be at full capacity if you want to do anyone any good." Vivian gave Emiliah a weak half-smile, not buying Emiliah's declaration of being well rested. If only due to the stength with which the woman had protested her sentiment. "I know it's the last thing you probably want to hear, but let me look over some maps, check for demonic rumors, and in a day or so we'll have something to go on ok? In the meantime, do whatever it is you need to do to get rested and recovered."

"I'll...think about it,"she muttered after a long pause. Not really planning on thinking about it at all. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to..." Emiliah paused, trying to think of a reason for leaving before shrugging and walking towards the door.

Vivian's eyes followed Emiliah, once she was out of sight she let out a long pent up sigh. If scouring reports and squeezing contacts for whispers of demonic activity wasn't enough, she was also going to have to deal with... that. She empathized with Emiliah, but if the woman didn't get something figured out soon she'd be no good to anyone. Least of all the people she was trying to save.

"Oh well Viv, grin on girlie." She got to work.

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

_{in collaboration with @SunsetRoses}

"Dreams"

Lorelai strode briskly through the castle with Lotte and Liz in tow. Witch's heads turned, questions on their faces. 'Is that a hunter?', 'What's she doing here?', 'Lorelai's got a new pet?', 'Who's the little girl? Didn't know Lorelai was into that.'. Lorelai ignored them all.

It had been the roughest week or so in recent history for her. She continued in silence, finally ascending the stairs of her personal tower to her room. Lorelai let out a sigh of relief as she pushed open the heavy double doors to her sizable quarters.

Kicking off her shoes she sat on the edge of her enormous bed at looked at Liz. "Sorry, I've only got the one bed for now. Sousiel uses the guest room, and I'm sure you don't want to share with her. You are however welcome to sleep in mine until I get another."

"Mom, am I sleeping in here too?" she asked, looking around the room with wide eyes. She didn't mind sharing a bed, she and her sisters had shared something closer to a twin between the three of them for most of their lives.

"Of course dear. I hope you don't mind sharing." Lorelai smiled at little Lotte, who only grew more endearing with familiarity.

Liz had walked a few steps behind Lore the entire time, her eyes wandering carefully over the walls. She wondered when she would get home, and if she would be chewed out by Emiliah for helping the witches. She winced when she considered Flint’s reaction to her helping the woman who killed his father.

Elizabeth casually ignored the reactions the other witches had. She squared her shoulders with pride, because she knew she looked like a pet to Lorelai, and not an ally. When they pushed into her personal tower, Liz relaxed completely. She walked inside the heavy doors, and leaned against them.

“That's fine, I'll sleep on the floor. Thank you for the offer, but I wouldn't want to throw off the mother-daughter thing you two have.” Liz shot a wink to Lore, and scanned the giant room for a few extra pillows and blankets. “So, what is Sousiel?” She asked, her voice tilting between cautious and curious.

"Sousiel is a demon, and a familiar, and... Sousiel's complex." Lorelai sighed. "She's whimsical, capricous, and often malicous, but loyal to me. Other's however? She views most everyone else as toys at best, chew toys at worst. Speaking of which, Lotte darling? You'll need a familiar soon, got any ideas?"

Lotte tipped her head to the side. "Like... a pet?" She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny baby bird. "I've got one. The mouse ran away but...." Lotte then placed it in Lorelai's hand before skipping off to look at all the things in the room.

Lorelai's eyes followed Lotte about the room, she'd explain the finer differences between a familair and a pet later, for now she'd simply let the girl play. "Enough about Sousiel though, I'm sure you'll get to know her and form your own opinions on that topic." Lorelai began removing some of her outerwear, smiling happily as her skin breathed freely for the first time in what felt like ages. "What I'd like to know is... why'd you decide to take up hunting?"

Liz smiled, enjoying the bond she found between the two girls. Lotte still had such an innocent mind, even though things in her life were confusing. Then there was Lore, a woman who had been through so much and just wanted to care for her family. Liz wanted to sit down and take notes, maybe she could send them to her own mother.

Liz considered Lorelai's description of Sousiel. A demon familiar, how intriguing. If the hunters knew about this place… she shook off the thought as she looked towards little Lotte. She perked up when Lore adressed her, the witch had begun peeling off her outer layer of clothing. She took this as a sign, and began to take off her armor. Underneath, her sleeves were covered in mostly dried blood, and she prayed to the heavens Lotte wouldn't know what that was.

“I decided to become a Hunter because it was my father's profession, and it was that or getting married off to the first Lord my mother needed for trading.” Liz chuckled, shrugging slowly. “Now, it's more to prove I'm not a useless bed decoration. You could say my reputation is...ruined at best.” She pursed her lips mockingly, her face full of joy even though she just acknowledged her whorish reputation. “Is this a game of questions now?”

Lotte turned around from running her finger across many of Lorelai's books. "Bed decoration? How do you decorate a bed? Why would you, yeah they are just for sleeping," she said, her expression clearly reading 'you weirdo' "And I mean, you more could get a lot more than a lord for you I bet. I mean, a man once offered a pig for Ash and dad only thought about it for a little bit before saying no. And you are a lot prettier,"

Lorelai's mouth opened several times before she found the proper words to reply with. A pig for Lotte's sister? That sounded... abhorrent in the extreme. Lorelai was no stranger to the fact that some families treated their daughters as commodities, but the image of Lotte being... sold off to some man... as a wife?

It took her a moment to bite back the bile that had risen to her throat, her voice light and cheerful as she replied. "A bed decoration is... someone that you cuddle with for fun." Lorelai didn't particularly want to explain the other uses a bed would have, not right now anyway. "And you're quite right, I'd think Elizabeth would make quite the prized bed decoration, not a 'useless' one at all." She turned to wink at Liz at that.

"A game of questions it is, ask yours, and I'll reply with my own." Lorelai finally got the last of her leathers off.

When Lotte shot her a ‘you weirdo’ expression, Liz almost doubled over. She hadn't seen a kid so cute since...ever. It was so refreshing, and Liz just wanted to pick up Lotte and twirl her around the room. She would save that opportunity for the girl's mother though. “Never become a cuddle buddy. Unless you're cuddling with your Mother.”

“Oh no Lore, I'm sure you would outshine me in that competition. Years of experience serve a lady as beautiful as you well.” Liz winked back, surprised at her own flirtatious nature. Redness creeped upon her cheeks when she saw Lotte’s red hair bobbing around the room, and she diverted her gaze to the floor until the warmth was gone. “Okay, I do quite enjoy games. What do you plan on doing with me when you're done? I will remember this place, do you trust me enough not to hunt you down?”

Lorelai was starting to be inclined to believe claims about her beauty, considering the number of suitors she seemed to have lately. She gave Liz a once over, the woman was pretty enough, and seemed... vibrant. "Thank you." she cursed inwardly as she felt a light pink flush into her cheeks.

"What will I do with you? I'll let you go of course . Hopefully by the end of our agreement you'll either come to realize I'm no one that needs hunting, or how foolish hunting me would be." Lorelai layed back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Depending on how things go I might just invite you to stay."

She thought for a moment. "How did you end up in Charon's clutches? You're lucky he decided to make a gift of you, as opposed to his usual disposal method."

Elizabeth laid down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling to see what Lorelai found so interesting about it. Her mind swam with possible questions, many she would never dare ask. “That's true, if you are successful in your quest, I doubt any would challenge you again. If I survive this quest, and Emiliah’s shouting, I won't tell them anything. You have a family to take care of, I won't have them wrench it away from you again.” She twisted to her side, looking up at the giant bed she would be sleeping under. She wondered how Lore’s face would shape when she heard Elizabeth's answer. It intrigued her, and she considered, for a moment, getting up.

“It was a large group of us, almost all the hunters came along. We thought it was a necromancer mission, until he started teleporting us around. The things that happened down there, they were all so wrong...I may have to discuss something with you. In private.” She would have to tell Lore about Lotte's sister, it was the right thing to do. Then she could find a way to explain it to the child herself. “What do you mean, invite me to stay? I could never belong in a group of witches. You're all so...eccentric. I believe I would get killed. ”

"I'm sorry you had to endure that, and I hope your friends made it out." Lorelai turned onto her stomach, her head peeking over the side of the bed to see Liz. She gave the woman a sad smile. "As much as it may make my life easier to have less hunters around, I don't relish the thought of so much senseless killing. Or worse, as I have some insight into Charon's thoughts about fun."

Lorelai laughed at Liz's question, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Eccentric huh? We might be that yes, but we're not as different as some people might think. This coven is our family, the place where we feel at home and safe. If you come to think of this as home, and if you decide you'd like to remain amongst us you'd be free to. It's not like anyone's going to question my choices anyway."

"Tell me, Liz, do you dream of retirement?" Lorelai tilted her head at Liz, suddenly curious. "Getting away from the blood and death of your profession? If you do, what would you do with your retirement?"

Elizabeth stated into the eyes of Lore, trying to read the depths she found there. They were aged, full of wisdom that didn't match her appearance at all. She wondered what her own eyes conveyed: youth; naivete; laughter? Would they someday look old and tired?

“I do crave retirement, even though I've only been in the job for a short amount of time. My inheritance will catch up with me someday, unless I disappear. So that is what I will be doing, taking care of a mansion, and land and servants. I will find a husband, but I doubt I'll be happy. My children will be the joy in my life.” Elizabeth clenched her fists, grabbing onto whisps of that life. She was sure it would be real, she didn't have anything else to do later on. “Or maybe, I'll live my life here. Surrounded by strange people that I know and love, then I'll die, and you shall live on.” She sighed merrily, content at the thought of that. Two futures, and she had a lifetime to live one out.

“Will you accept me? If I choose to stay will you show me things no other human has seen?” She knew she sounded like a child, full of wonder and anticipation. “I know it's against the rules of the game, but I have another question. Will you love again? Take up another husband or wife?”

"If you choose to stay, and haven't come to hate me, we'll run across places man cannot see, and scream at strange skies man will never know." Lorelai grinned. "Converse with entities that mankind only sees in the grips of the deepest of fever dreams, as their diseased minds make contact with the vast beyond for a mere moment."

"If you wish it, and would join me, I could show you things that would horrify you, things that would rekindle the most grizzled veteran's passion for life." Lorelai let out an excited breath.

A silence hung in the air for several moments, as Lorelai considered Elizabeth's second question. "... I suppose I likely will take a wife one of these days... I wish I wouldn't, but someday I'll probably be happy with someone else, and Vespa's face will fade from my mind."

"I suppose she taught me what I needed to know about love though... and I'll always treasure that." Lorelai sighed heavily. "What about you? What has life taught you about love?"

Elizabeth couldn't help herself, her breath caught as Lorelai described the possibilities they would have together. She grinned madly, and closed her eyes so she could imagine everything Lorelai described. It was a beautiful picture, full of gaps that could only be filled by the witch before her.

“The thought of that is too amazing for words, Lorelai. If I could ever ask for a guide through that, it would be you.” She felt her heart speed up, Lorelai was a catalyst for her excitement. She couldn't wait to explore their friendship, maybe someday they could trust each other enough to do the things she described.

Liz’s heart slowed to a steady thrum when she heard the somber tones in Lorelai's voice. She reached out for the witch, too afraid to touch her. “Vespa sounds like a lovely woman. She must have been to have found a way into your wounded heart.” She smiled warmly, to encourage Lorelai's emotions. “I don't think you're one to forget, but a true lover would want nothing more than for you to be happy. When the time comes, and her image is replaced by another, I hope you can sleep soundly knowing that it isn't wrong.”

Liz didn't push away the emotions she felt, she didn't want to stop empathizing with Lorelai. “Life has taught me little about love. I found my heart pounding for Flint, but I don't believe I'm right for him. I crave his happiness, but I know when I see it I'll feel miserable and alone. I don't want to fall in love, just to see things crumble.”

She considered her next question, chewing thoughtfully on her lip. “Lorelai, if you become the leader of this coven, what will you change? What if I became more than just your guard...I could be your right hand man. We would make a great pair, I know it.” She smiled brightly. “We could experience new things every day. We could take Lotte with us, and your new wife. It would be a family excursion and I would be the weird Aunt that awkwardly hangs around. Doesn't that sound amazing?”

"What would I change? I really don't know. I just want to make sure it weathers the storm that's coming, after that I may step down to allow someone more suitable to lead it times of peace take my place." Lorelai let out a decidedly girlish giggle. "I suppose you could yet become someone I could rely on, time will tell, but I'm hopeful."

"Flint deserves happiness, so does his brother Fenros." Lorelai's tone turned somber. "I'm sure if you were to fall in love with him, he'd return your affections. He seemed to care for you a good deal after all. I just hope they can set aside their hatred for me. Were it not for Lotte I might let them slay me, just so they could know peace, but I can't let her grow up like I did. No little girl needs to be taught how to live by demons, with no one for company but their familiar."

"If you choose to remain with me, and Lotte, perhaps when everything is said and done we'll travel far away from here." Lorelai rolled onto her back again, yawning. "We'll take Elina and Alyssa with us, find someplace with rolling hills, near a lake. Maybe we'll grow old in peace there, away from hunters and rivals."

Elizabeth nodded, her grin was unfaltering. She couldn't remember a time she had been this happy, just sitting and talking. Just an everyday discussion with the woman I'm supposed to be trying to murder. Nothing could be better. She giggled silently, her blue eyes sparkling like the ocean.

“Yes, they do deserve happiness, but if you let them slay you they probably wouldn't. Knowing them they would make up some random excuse so they could fight you again, without having to feel sympathy.” She rolled her eyes, to keep the mood light. “I'm sure he would, he already confessed his affections for me, and I as well. However, I turned him down, I think I'll regret my decision. Maybe not.”

“You're doing a great thing for Lotte, it's what she deserves. I will protect her, and keep your family safe. It isn't about the vow anymore, one of us deserves happiness.” She rolled onto her back once more, staring at the ceiling as if it were a masterpiece.

There she saw past the materials that had been used to make it, looking through them and into her future. A victory for Lore, and for the rest of her family. A home for Liz, away from her court and the hunters she would always remember. Surrounded by witches-scratch that-surrounded by the rolling hills of the country. A farmhouse, where she would wander with witches and enjoy the rest of her years. Maybe a mortal by her side, but that wasn't her priority.

Liz yawned, deep and full of satisfaction. She would sleep soundly, not worring about anything. She could trust her new companion. If she returned to Seren’s Folly after this she had no clue how she would explain her time here. They would probably think she had been miserable, she could never tell them the truth without harsh judgement. She didn't have to, she at least didn't have to think about it right now. “Goodnight, Lorelai.”

"Goodnight, Elizabeth"

Have you ever changed your mind about one of those big issues?

I used to support the death penalty in my younger years. Then I saw the statistics on the number of innocent people they think they've executed and promptly 180'd.

You can set an innocent man free from prison, it's not fair to him or anyone around him that he was held against his will for something he didn't do, but it's something. You can't raise the dead.

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

@Whoami, @SunsetRoses Pssst. C'mere, I got candy

The Character You Really Want To Play

@Liliya The more I read this the more I want it to be a thing... I may stick this in my back pocket in the eventuality that my current project finishes/dies.