Meiyuki

Wolves of Red Lake (Closed ignore this thread)

@Nallore Yus, just been struggling for inspiration a little. Let me do some catching up and I'll pop back with style (or an attempt at it anyway)

I may hit you with a PM soonish as we've had some other dropouts/no shows that I may need some help navigating.

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

_{in collaboration with @SunsetRoses}

”Dreams and Nightmares”

Pt. 1

Triss escaped Alphonse's room soon after they were done, her unused book in hand. Her hair was disheveled and the the sleeves of her dress were falling off of her shoulders, though she didn't bother to adjust them. She tottered through the halls for a moment, before regaining her usual stride and entering her room.

She set her book on the bed, picking up the leather bag she had filled with other books from the library. She had no idea if there would be food in the Tellurian, but if there wasn't...she supposed they could leave before they starved. She laid down on her bed, scanning the texts in front of her and waiting patiently for Sousiel to arrive.

Soon, hours had passed. The sun no longer shone in the window, instead, the moonlight highlighted the roses there. She smiled at the delicate petals, she would have to threaten a green witch to keep it healthy. Her eyes were strained, having read through the daylight hours. Still though, she hadn't found a connection to her family in the texts. Fearing Sousiel wouldn't show, she stood, ready to go search for Medusa.

It took Sousiel most of the day to ensure she knew all the basics for surviving in the Tellurian. Her eyes were reddened from pouring over dusty tomes for the few hours she managed to find to herself. She carried a few under her arm as she made her way towards Triss' room, along with the cold-iron daggers her mistress had given her. A small bag held the rest; A change of clothes, some rare salts Triss might find useful, and some salted meats to hold them over until they found a city or something similar.

Her hand gripped the knob on her date's door for a moment. Chiding herself she removed it to knock, like a normal person. "Triss? Are you ready?"

Triss’ hand hovered over the door, when she heard Sousiel call from the outside. After smoothing out her dress, she opened the door. There stood Sousiel, with books and daggers under her arm, alongside a small bag that resembled her own. Triss reached out, grabbing everything she held. Obviously, Sousiel was more prepared than she was. ”Well, I thought I was. I'm glad you've brought so much...I was just going to take some books.”

She laughed, standing awkwardly in the doorway. ”Should we be off then?” She asked, shifting weight between her foot to suppress her excitement.

"So long as you're ready." Sousiel beamed at Triss briefly before scanning the room for an empty wall. "One of those daggers is for you, the Tellurian's denizens fear cold-iron."

She retrieved an unopened inkwell from the witch's desk. "Books are a good idea. You may want to bring an empty notebook and some writing materials too. Oh, and armor if you have any, weapons too." She twisted the top off of the inkwell and set it on the desk. A claw opened her palm deftly, and she began to mix some of the ink into the blood welling into her hand.

"I hope you don't mind if I make a bit of a mess." Sousiel grinned as she approached a bare wall.

”Of course, I'll get some writing supplies.” Triss took the dagger, sheathing it in the pocket of her dress. She didn't have any armor, but she had plenty of writing materials. She deposited a few unused inkwells into her bag, alongside a quill and some parchment. If Sousiel wasn't there, she was sure she would have died in the Tellurian, without any knowledge of the realm she was about to enter.

When Sousiel asked about the wall, she shrugged. A bit of bloody ink wouldn't hurt anything. ”Do what you must, Sousiel.” She sat at the chair of her desk, her chin in her hand. She wondered what the ritual would be like, or if she could ever complete it on her own.

Sousiel stooped at the base of the wall and began to inscribe the sigils she'd found in one of the tomes she'd perused. "Just think, soon enough you won't need silly little mudras like this one." She said, excitement in her voice. "You'll sail the Tellurian's waves whenever you like, lucky."

"What did you do with the rest of your day?" Sousiel asked awkwardly. She wasn't accustomed to small talk, or many of the more nuanced points of human interaction. Inscribing sigils into walls in her own blood? That was more her speed, and her hands moved over her work quickly and confidently. In stark contrast with her voice.

”Maybe I will someday, but you'll always be my partner. It wouldn't be fun otherwise.” Triss wondered what it would be like to master her craft, and sail the Tellurian like a ruler. She didn't think it fit her though, she had always been a peasant as long as she had lived. Even here, the only respect she got was from those who feared her. She didn't dwell on those silly things, instead watching Sousiel while her heart did flips. The confidence in her work, but the frailty of her voice, two very endearing things.

Sousiel's next question took some time to process, not because she didn't know the answer, but because she didn't know how to phrase it. ”I was out with Alphonse for most of the day.” She paused momentarily, wondering how she could ease Sousiel into the idea of her already being with Alphonse. ”I asked him what he thought of our relationship, he said it was fine.”

Ah, so Alphonse had been lying when he said he didn't have feelings for Triss. Sousiel really needed to follow up with him more often. Who to kill? She couldn't kill Triss, as that would defeat the point. Alphonse she might be able to get away with, but she was fond of him, and her mistress more so. She sighed and set aside her murderous impulses in favor of the raw pain pulsing through her heart.

"You and Alphonse huh?" Triss had never actually declared any intentions towards her other than 'turning her into a lover', whatever that meant. She'd heard some whispered promises, and had taken them to heart before realizing that the witch had never truly spoken them.

Her hands continued their task, finding solace in the simplicity of their movements. Better that than turning them to more desperate things in Sousiel's opinion. "I'm... sorry for intruding. I'm afraid I'll have to decline being a plaything. I'll end me and Alphonse's extra curriculars as well, of course." Her voice was eerily devoid of emotion as she spoke. She'd cry later, maybe scream a little, certainly kill someone. For now she had work to do.

Triss bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood. Of course Sousiel would be upset, and Triss hadn't even tried to be considerate. She should have told the demon about her and Alphonse, before making any promises. Before Sousiel could finish the portal and flee, Triss stood, moving across the room as fast as she could. She wrapped her arms around her female lover, grasping her arms to prevent her from finishing her work.

”Yes, Alphonse and I are a couple, but if I didn't care about you do you think I would have told him about us?” Triss knew it wasn't enough, and she scrambled for more words. ”Please don't shut down your heart, everything you've done for me...you're no toy.”

She turned Sousiel, her own panicked eyes finding the demon's. ”You aren't an intruder, you've earned your own place in my heart.” Her voice was strained, desperate. Triss didn't know the last time she had felt so weak, or the last time she had pleaded so much. ”Don't shut me out, Sousiel. I want to be yours, I want you to be mine.” She fell to her knees, clenching Sousiel's bloody hands and kissing them.

Sousiel's eyes widened at Triss' display. "Shut you out? Me? Uh..." Triss' affection for her was plain as day, leaving the demon elated but confused. Her heart performed acrobatics while it bled freely, seemingly unsure about just about everything. She pulled her hands back just long enough to wipe them on the back of her shirt before pulling the witch into an embrace. "I love you, I don't want to shut you out."

"I just thought that... since you and Alphonse were..." She kissed the top of Triss' fiery head as she struggled for the proper words. "Can you really love more than one person? Is that actually possible? I want to be yours too, and to call you mine, but I'm confused." Her mind was in total disarray. Loving one person was mind boggling enough, but two? She couldn't begin to imagine something like that.

Triss wrapped her arms around Sousiel's waist, pressing her face against her chest. ”Of course Sousiel, I can love you both. I do love you both. You're so special to me.” Her heart pounded fast, trying to hold onto Sousiel. ”I love you too, Sousiel.” She breathed a slow sigh of relief, before picking herself up off the ground. The realization of what she had just done hit her, and her face turned a deep shade of red.

She scratched her arm, licking her lips where blood and ink had began drying. ”Now, about our date.” She said sheepishly, pointing at the wall where the sigils remained undone. ”I can't wait, by the way.”

Sousiel's face slowly bloomed into a bright smile. She was loved, Triss had even said so. Those simple words sank into her heart. She was still confused, but she was finding it difficult to care about the intricacies of loving more than one person. She'd figure out the rest later.

Triss' gesture to the unfinished portal brought Sousiel back to reality. She grinned and opened a fresh wound on her hand to continue. "It's going to be so much fun!" She giggled. "Maybe we'll see a dreameater, I've always wanted to."

She approached her task with renewed vigor, her hands flying over the wall as she finished the last of the sigils. She turned to Triss for a moment, examining her face. The last thing she added were eyes, painstakingly rendered at face height in the center of the door length design.

"Press your power into those eyes like you would anyone else." Sousiel stepped to the side of the portal. "You'll feel resistance, but it should open the way."

Triss eyed the sigils, this was her first true ritual, and she was glad she had someone as experienced as Sousiel to guide her. After giving the drawings a good stare, her eyes found the crude pair drawn on the wall. It was strange, looking at inorganic eyes, and being expected to use her powers on them. She felt a familiar itch, and her powers surged.

Just as Sousiel said she would, she found resistance behind the plain eyes, as if it were an actual human trying to push her out. She didn't give up though, she never had before. Her eyes glowed even brighter, and she pressed against the wall she was met with. It was as if the eyes were testing her worth, weakening just to bite back stronger. When it was satisfied with Triss’ resilience, she felt the walls give way altogether. Triss was in.

In the outside world, the runes glowed a pale green, shifting and distorting themselves. With a final bright glow, the runes and the wall were swallowed up by a black void. The void swirled, going at a dizzying rate before settling altogether. Stars, brighter than any seen in the night sky, formed before their eyes. They made clusters, shifting into shapes just to disperse and start anew. They illuminated the void, revealing inky purples and sharp blues. Triss’ powers shut off like a switch had been flipped, and soon she was staring at the same sight as Sousiel.

Her hand stretched out towards the void, it looked so familiar. Before her hand could touch the swirling surface, she retracted it and smiled back at Sousiel. ”You did a great job, Sousiel.” Triss’ arm snaked across Sousiel's shoulders, and she gestured towards the portal. ”Would you like to do the honors, my dear?” She asked, knowing how much Sousiel had wanted to visit the Tellurian.

Sousiel watched the portal open with barely concealed excitement, bouncing on her heels as the runes finally gave way, revealing the Tellurian at last. She breamed in pride at Triss. "You did the hard part."

She shrugged out from under Triss arm, and snatched her hand. "In we go!" She giggled and ran through the portal, dragging the red-headed witch through behind her.

Their forms were highlighted against the starry portal momentarily, before fading into the Tellurion entirely. The vortex collapsed behind them. Its insane colors sputtered intensely as the wall was vomited back into reality, leaving behind no trace of their passing.

---

Crossing into the dreamscape was, ironically, like waking up. Their eyes shot open with a small start as they transcended the concrete dream of the physical plane. The first thing they felt was surf on their faces as their eyes adjusted to the chaotic realm.

The swirling lights slowly took on shape as their minds forced a measure of logic on their surroundings. The sound of the ocean reached their ears, they felt warm sand under their sitting forms, and finally they saw. They gazed out into an ocean of glittering stars underneath a vast orange sky locked in the twilight of sunset. The clouds overhead danced with a sentient grace, and even the sand beneath them seemed openly welcoming.

Sousiel's face held open awe as she took in each wonder. "Not the maelstrom, good." She giggled. "What do you think?"

The moment Triss stepped into the Tellurian, she felt...different. On the way over, she had been clutching her cold iron blade like it was the source of her life, but as she stepped onto the sand of Tellurian’s beach, she let it fall to the floor. Her mouth gaped, it was beautiful there: The sunset, locked momentarily in its beautiful golden state, the waves, crashing into the beautiful waters and hitting them with a refreshing spray, the sand, warm beneath her feet.

It was all amazing, but what she saw beneath the initial glory, was even better. Everything was tied together, like a mind that had swelled into it's own ethereal plane. Underneath the picturesque images of Tellurian, she saw the emotions raging there. Behind her own eyes glowed a familiar green light, the key to seeing this beauty. The sun, gave off rays of hope and ecstasy, alongside its usual warmth. She had a distinct feeling that the moonlight would show her desire, and mystery. The ocean itself was a blanket of calm, but each white capped wave rose with anger before sinking. The sand in itself was a sight to behold, each small mineral was its own tiny emotion, a vast expanse of things she had never felt before, things she couldn't even name.

Her breath caught, and she fell, sinking into the warm sand and running her fingers through it. She must have looked crazy, picking particles up off the ground and scanning them in wonder. She turned to Sousiel -who was a mixture of emotions in her double vision- her heart pounding faster than it ever had before. ”Sousiel, it's beautiful! Do you see it? Do you see it all?” She ran towards the water, a madman on a mission. When she touched the surface, she called for the calm, it flooded her fingertips and she held it. The part of the water that had been pulled from washed back into the ocean, where it was revitalized.

All around her, Triss could sense everything. Suddenly, something caught in the corner of her eye. She turned, it was a small wisp. It circled around for a few moments, and when it realised it had Triss’ attention, it zipped off. ”Look! Look Sousiel! It wants us to follow!” She cried, scrambling after it.

Sousiel's eyes followed Triss with a mixture of wonder and worry. As wondrous as the realm was it was still dangerous. "I doubt I see it like you do, but it's beautiful enough anyway." She drew to her feet and scanned their surroundings for movement.

When Triss began chasing something Sousiel couldn't see she called out. "Wait, we need to be cautious!" Yet the girl ran off heedless.

With a sigh Sousiel set off to chase the witch with a small smile. Her hands found her daggers. Triss would play, and Sousiel would be watchful, it was a comfortable and familiar task.

Triss lead them deep into the sparse forest behind the beach they'd first beheld upon arrival. It was strikingly similar to the Glow Wood; the leaves of the trees gave off an emerald radiance, the small insects glittered about them in hues of red, orange, and purple. Sousiel glanced about suspiciously, she'd felt eyes on them when they'd crested the treeline. Yet no sign of an ambush revealed itself, and she wasn't about to ruin Triss' excitement over a hunch.

Just as she'd decided she was being paranoid the brush ahead of them rustled as someone stepped into their path. Thin and waifish, the fae man had almond shaped eyes and ears that ended in a fine point. He wore armor that seemed to be made of large leaves, and a thin rapier gleamed in his hand.

"Triss Felminah. We hadn't been expecting you so soon, but yet here you are." His eyes and words were warm and welcoming as he smiled at the witch. "No matter. We haven't had a scion visit us in ages, we must celebrate."

Triss’ little wisp friend had led them into a forest, she assumed it was like the Glow Woods, but she had never been. Still, though, she felt at home there. The wisp soon disappeared into the trees, and when Triss was about to follow it, a fae appeared in its place. His features weren't horribly handsome, but they were striking and caught Triss’ eyes immediately. She should have tensed, or reached for the dagger she had left at the beach, but she found herself relaxing.

The way he spoke to her, was familiar, and she fell into his lulling words. Even his emotional layer was calm, he displayed no ill will. With that in mind, she curtsied in his presence. She had no questions for him, not yet, for he was far too much like home wrapped into one creature to be questionable. ”I'd love to celebrate. On the way you can explain some things to me.” She said casually, holding out a hand he could take. ”This is Sousiel, she can come too, right?” She asked, glancing at her demonic lover.

"I'm afraid not, well not yet anyway." Her bowed over Triss out stretched hand, kissing the knuckles lightly as he took it. "I haven't the faintest idea why you'd travel with a demon, but we'll have to ensure she's no danger to us before we invite her inside."

'He means kill me and hide the body, cool.' Sousiel flashed the faery her best grin. "I'm just a harmless little familiar, what could I do?" She batted her eyelashes.

"You'll understand if we're cautious." He replied with a cool smile. His features had warmed by the time he returned his attention to Triss. "Come, you can ask your questions while we prepare. Your companion will be back by the time the feast is served, not to worry."

Triss paused, retracting her hand and shaking her head. Things shifted in the fae, and though he hid it well, she could sense malicious intent behind his calm. ”I'm afraid not, she's coming with me or we're not coming at all. I don't go anywhere without my familiar, this is no exception.” Her words were infused with a queenly power, and she raised herself to her fullest height. She knew she had power over the fae, all of his emotions were at her whim. If she wanted to suppress him, until he was little more than a bug she could squash under her shoe, she was certain she could.

His eyes hardened as he bowed. "As you wish Ma'am." He turned and gestured for them to follow him further down the path.

"Well well!" The sight of the deflated fae was sweetly satisfying. Sousiel slipped a hand into Triss' giggling. "That was fun to watch, thanks." Triss' protectiveness warmed her heart, and she could always kill the little twat later.

Triss squeezed Sousiel's hand, planting a kiss on her ‘familiar's' cheek. ”Of course, Sousiel.” She answered merrily, then she leaned down to whisper under her breath. ”At least he understood who he was messing with, I'm starting to like the power I hold here. Whatever power that may be.” She shrugged, and they continued down the path. Each leaf gave off an emotion, just like the sand at the beach. Through the trees she caught sight of little wisps, and they all stopped what they were doing to start a parade, leading them along in the same path as the Fae.

”I wish you could see it, Sousiel. I really do.” She murmured, awestruck by the amazing sights. Soon the glow woods broke, and they were met with a village. Huts made of intricately carved oak trees filled the large space, decorated with leaves and vines, moss beds making up the roof. Small strings of shimmering lights illuminated the buildings, moving around as if they were sentient. In the glow of the setting sun, everything looked as if it were lit by fire, even the waterfall in the distance had a distinctly orange glow. The architecture of the town was amazing, each stone carved with a rune, the arching bridges having been whittled away until they were everyday works of art. Of course, under everything, Triss could see the pulsing emotions. It added another layer of beauty to the realm, one that she couldn't share.

Other fae watched them with wide almond eyes as they walked, some speaking in hushed whispers, some not saying anything at all. Triss’ fiery head bobbed as she walked through the crowd, still at home in this foreign place. ”Sousiel, how do you like it?” She asked, as if she were the one giving a tour.

"It's lovely..." Sousiel had seen some amazing places in her travels, but there was a vibrance to this faery city that was unmatched. It pulsed with a life of its own, as if each building and even the streets had heartbeats. Her eyes roamed its beauty with awe.

She slipped her arm around one of Triss' and tucked herself neatly against her side as she finally took note of the way the strange inhabitants were looking at them. Suddenly she was very aware that she was out of place, and that she wasn't the only one that noticed. "Did I forget clothes or something? Hopefully they're just admiring your beauty."

Triss giggled as Sousiel complimented her beauty, but she had noticed the stares as well. Curious, Triss took a long look around. When people saw her staring, they tried to put up mental walls. Although that worked, Triss could read their body language just as well as their minds. In all of them, she saw varying forms of apprehension. Some were just as curious as she was, others were happy to be caught in her presence, and there were some that were spiteful. She turned back to Sousiel, and shrugged.

”Maybe some of them know me, just like our guide does. The more likely answer is that they're caught up in your beauty.” She winked at Sousiel, looking at the path ahead. Their guide was walking a bit faster now, but she didn't bother catching up, the wisps were plentiful and there to guide her. ”I think this is it, Sousiel. I'm finally going to find the one I'm related to. This whole place feels like home to me.”

Sousiel did her best to ignore the glances from the fae as they made their way through the city streets. "Related to a fae huh? That would explain your delightful insanity." She elected to simply enjoy the ride for now, nuzzling into Triss' side. The city was pretty enough, and she could always murder their way out if things went sideways.

The pair eventually lost sight of their guide. While that left Sousiel concerned about getting lost, Triss hardly noticed his absence. Small wisps danced in her vision, beckoning her forward. Their path lead them up the stone steps along the waterfall overlooking the city. At the top they found that the fall was fed by a circular pond around which had been constructed a stone walking path. The fae here moved with purpose, and servants followed in their wake as they spoke amongst themselves in quiet tones.

Their path ended at a small hut at the very back of the pond. It was formed of vines, and flowers bloomed over its surface. At its base grew mushrooms, Sousiel immediate recognized that the majority of them where psychedelic. The scent of roasting meat wafted from the small archway into the small dwelling.

Fae swarmed around them, all with their unnatural grace and ease. Their servants didn't look in their direction, but they did, eyeing down Triss and Sousiel with intrigue. Triss didn't bother with any sight seeing, her first impression of the hut was enough to satiate her. Everything here screamed at her, and she craved to see what was inside the hut. The wisps seemed just as urgent, swirling around a few times before shooting inside. Triss grasped Sousiel's hand and yanked her along, into the hut she hoped had all the answers.

When they stepped inside, it was like they had shrunk. Everything around them had become larger, a nice spacious room with vines crawling and contorting along the few inches of free space. Shelves lined every wall, bottles filled with shimmering substances taking up the most space. There were also heads, shrunken down with sour grins, placed in some sort of fluid to prevent rotting. It was your everyday witch hut, but the main attraction was its inhabitant.

Their guide was standing in the corner of the room, seemingly bored out of his mind, but he wasn't the sight to see. In the center of the room, was a woman as tall as Andri -give or take a few inches, dancing and humming a meaningless tune. All Triss could see was her fiery red hair, flowing down her back in elegant waves. It was when the fae turned, that Triss made the connection. The fae’s chest was bare, revealing sizeable breasts covered scantily by a few strands of hair. Around her waist was a flowing skirt, made of leaves and twisting vines that seemed to curl and sway. The fae's face was the real kicker: unnaturally gorgeous, a strong jawline, long pointed ears, a thin nose that suited her well, almond eyes bloodshot and glassy to reveal that she was most likely high off of those mushrooms outside. However, if one were to ignore the unearthly beauty, they would see an uncanny resemblance between her and Triss.

Triss paused, her mouth agape. She looked at Sousiel, pleading for help. She didn't know what to say, or do. It was so obvious that this woman was her relative, her lost ancestor. Yet, Triss had no idea what to do.

Sousiel looked from Triss to the strange woman, and back again. 'Alright, Sousiel, your job to break the ice, just don't fuck it up.' Sousiel cleared her throat, earning the attention of those in the room.

"Hi, I'm Sousiel, and this is Triss." She gestured to her lover. "I'm pretty sure she's an errant fruit from your... loins?" Sousiel held a confident grin she didn't feel. She was pretty bad at breaking ice, and talking in general.

The woman tilted her head at Sousiel, examining the demon with her bloodshot eyes. Her mouth opened and a tongue longer than anyone had a right to shot out to sample the demon's cheek. "Ah, demon, spicy."

She turned a broad grin towards Triss, moving quickly across the room to sweep the girl into an embrace. "Triss! Ah, I remember your... great something like it was yesterday. What brings you here with such diabolic company!"

Triss watched the fa-her great grandmother sample Sousiel’s cheek with her abnormally long tongue, frozen still until she went to wrap Triss up in a strong embrace. Triss fought back a sob, her body melting and her head falling onto her grandmother's chest. She felt connected to the woman before her, even though she didn't really believe the story about her remembering her grandfather.

”I came here with Sousiel,” She paused, forcing down another sob with the clearing of her throat. ”I came here with her, so I could find you! I didn't even know you were still alive.” She reached up, holding the woman's face and turning it to make sure it was real. ”W-who are you? I'm actually part Fae?”

"They call me Ysera, and I suppose it suits me well enough." Her tongue darted out again to stroke Triss' cheek. "And you are delightfully part Fae, a few generations removed sure, but Fae nonetheless."

She deposited the girl onto the floor, and returned to her cooking. "I'm sure you have questions, and I've got cooking to do before I can give you a proper tour. So, ask away."

Triss was set back down on the floor, and licked just as Sousiel had been. Her heart beat a little bit faster as she was told that she was indeed, part Fae. She sat down cross legged on the floor, trying to sort out all the questions in her head. She beckoned for Sousiel to come sit next to her as she did, mouthing a ‘thank you’ for breaking the ice.

Triss decided to start simple, and delve into the harder questions over the feast they were supposed to be having. ”Why did the powers skip so many generations, Ysera? Do all the Fae here see in double the way I do?” She paused, fiddling with her red hair and comparing it to her great grandmother's. ”I also came here, because I've been experiencing some things...things that make me crazy. Do you get the itches too, Ysera?” Her face went red, but the question was valid. Maybe here, with her ancestor, she could learn to become sane again.

Sousiel simply nodded as she made her way over to Triss' side. Ysera was a powerful Fae indeed, if her saliva mixing with her infernal composition was any indication. She was beginning to see things overlaid with the physical objects of the room, perhaps this was what Triss was talking about earlier. She slipped a hand into Triss' and fell silent, content to explore these new sensations.

"Probably because your great... lighting storm? Sorry, I don't remember your 'mortal' ancestor all that well, probably the mushrooms. Either way, she was an odd one, I imagine the intermixing of our bloodlines may have confused things. Also there's the thinning blood to consider as well, obviously." Ysera mused as she went about her pot.

"I don't suppose we see double, but then again I grew up here. Double to you may be single to me. I see double when I visit the inferno, but that might just be succubus nectar and twins." She shrugged, laughing.

She turned to Triss, concern on her face. "Crazy you say? A little eccentricity is to be expected, and youthful indiscretion like that demon lord I think you intend to molest as some point." She leaned in closer to inspect Triss' eyes. "Tell me what you mean by 'itches' dear. I've had a great many in my day, and have left an unfortunate few of them scratched."

Triss stared back at Ysera, a mix of emotions filling her. Jealousy, at never being able to best the woman before her; honor, to be caught in her gaze; and the greatest form of trust, she felt like she could indulge in her darkest secrets with this woman. When Ysera asked about the itches, it took Triss a few heartbeats to phrase a proper answer. ”Just urges to use my power. Not in a good way, of course, but to cause mindless destruction. I usually partake in my wishes, on a smaller scale...but I'm afraid if I develop my power, I could hurt people. Should I be afraid?”

"Hmmm.... probably." Ysera responded, frowning. "An urge to use your power, to explore its limits and the minds of those around you is natural."

"The destructive impulses are concerning though. Some things, and people, need destroyed. I doubt your urge knows the difference." She sighed. "This is what I get for mating with a storm witch... when do these urges strike you?"

Triss smiled, she didn't know she was related to a storm witch. All these things were new to her, and she was excited to talk about them. She glanced down at her hands, wondering what else she could do if she just learned. ”Well, they come all the time. When I'm sitting around, whilst I'm reading and the book strikes down a good character, even when I'm with the one I love.” She didn't know if this explanation was helpful, but it was the only explanation she had. ”Just the other day, I made a girl remember her death. It was satisfying...for a moment.”

"Hmm... I smell a pain inside you child." Ysera stroked her chin for a moment. "Was it time that healed all wounds? Or was it love? No matter, you need to see an Aeon girlie."

Sousiel shivered. Visiting an Aeon was at the top of her not to do list. "Can't you... I dunno, suck some of the crazy out? You seem powerful enough for that." She asked.

Ysera burst into laughter as if she'd heard the joke of the century. Tears rolled down her face as she steadied herself against her table. When the bout finally passed she grinned at the pair. "Of course not! I have enough crazy already don't you think?"

She paused for a moment as she recovered her composure. "Nope, Aeon it is. You can get her there safely right? Sure you can, anyway, Triss." Her voice took on a serious tone as she turned to her wayward kin. "You're aware that this is a realm of thought and emotion correct? Well, an Aeon is the 'physical' manifestation of a particular emotion, and nothing teaches the value of life like love m'dear."

Triss couldn't help it, she began chuckling along with Ysera as the Fae dissolved into laughter. She wasn't quite sure how bad an Aeon was. Although Sousiel seemed a bit apprehensive, Triss simply waved it off. When Ysera addressed her, she nodded along. ”Of course I know what this realm is like, I can practically manipulate everything here.” She shrugged, standing up and craning her neck to look at Ysera. ”Am I supposed to fight the physical representation of love, or just talk to it? Or...am I supposed to...” She went red, and her gaze cast down.

"I haven't the faintest! I'm not dumb enough to seek out an Aeon, I like my bits right where they are." Ysera let out another bout of laughter. "But if you do get to fuck it, you have to tell me all about it."

She gestured to a small curtain of vines. "I recommend you rest, and prepare. Tomorrow I'll gift you with my longship, and a crew, you'll have to follow the love to its realm dear. I wish you both the best of luck, but mostly you Triss. If you need to, throw the demon overboard and save yourself."

Triss laughed, of course they were going to dive into peril. She was kind of glad that this wouldn't be easy, maybe she would learn more from the experience this way..if she didn't die chasing down Love. She looked at the small curtain of vines, and nodded. ”That sounds great, I've always wanted to command a small group of Fae. I'm afraid I'll throw them overboard before I throw Sousiel, but thank you for your blessing, Ysera.”

"Of course child." Ysera smiled at the witch happily.

She took a few graceful steps into the room behind the vines, on the outside it probably looked horribly small, but it was just a bit smaller than the main room. It was similar to her room in the castle, few decorations, a desk, and the same sentient lights that were strung up in the village. There was a moss bed in one corner, the vines that made up the headboard were writhing in welcome. Triss remained in her clothes because she hadn't thought to bring any changes, and laid down on the bed. It was soft and slightly damp, but perfectly comfortable for her. She waited patiently for Sousiel to come inside, musing about the day’s activities.

"Seriously!? An Aeon? You're going to get us killed you know." Sousiel whispered as soon as Triss left the room.

"Oh hush little Sousiel, you've been through worse." Ysera's eyes glittered with mischief. "And we both know how much you want to see this one in particular don't we?"

"S-shut up." Sousiel colored lightly.

"Tell Lorelai I said hello, and congratulate her on her conquest of Deskari would you?" Ysera chuckled and waved the demon off.

Sousiel already had one of her mistress' books open as she pushed her way past the vines. 'This was supposed to be a pleasure trip, not a descent into madness She stood in the center of the room, not bothering to look up as she flipped through the pages. "Aeons, Aeons," She muttered.

Triss gazed up at Sousiel, who hadn't bothered to say anything when she entered the room. Sousiel was flipping through the pages of an ancient book, which was yellowing though it was obviously well kept. Triss sighed, she probably should have been pouring over a book as well, but she saw no fun in it. With slow movements, she took some of her tomes from her leather sack. ”Sit, Sousiel. If you insist on looking through the books, at least let us do it together.”

She opened one of her books, laying it out on her lap and skimming the pages for anything on Aeons. ”I haven't a clue why you're so frazzled. First of all, it's a physical representation of Love, what will it do? Smother us to death in its sweet embrace? Secondly, I manipulate emotions for play, if it's one ball of emotion, I should have no problem with it.” Triss shrugged, it was probably much more complex than that, but she wished it would be that simple. ”I'm sure my grandmother was just jesting with us.”

"I have no idea what a physical, whatever, of love could do. I have no idea what love's about." Sousiel said quickly. "And this book is useless." She tossed the tome on a nearby table, flopping onto the bed.

"I'm so far out of my depth here I'm starting to panic." Sousiel took deep breaths "But I can't panic, if I panic then I'm useless, if I'm useless I can't help you, if I can't help you and you get hurt I think I'll die."

"That's because I love you, which means love can kill people, which means it's dangerous, which mea-"

Triss shook Sousiel, gripping her demon's shoulders. In her double vision, she could see the girl's panic. ”Stop!’ She cried, wrapping her arms around Sousiel and taking a deep breath. ”Stop panicking, Sousiel. It's okay, we'll be okay.” She murmured, her voice steady against Sousiel's head. She planted a few quick kisses there, before slowly releasing Sousiel.

”You don't need to worry about me, Sousiel. I'm meant for this trip, I know it. If you're out of your element, I'll steady you.” Triss looked around the room, and on her headboard she found the perfect subject. A vine, squirming around a bit more slowly than the others. It was calm, and Triss knew she could use some of it. She placed her hands on it, and just like any other emotion, she siphoned it.

It was different, in this realm. She felt the vine squirm, then submit, giving up its emotion. She cradled the calm in her hands, watching as the vine became...a normal vine. It had stopped writhing altogether, losing what had made it alive. Soon, it started to regain itself, a new motion coming to life inside of it as it took from the vines around it. The process reminded her of the ocean, and although the sight was beautiful, Triss had no time to be entranced. She turned back to Sousiel, and placed her hands on the demon's arms. The calm she had been cradling there struggled, but with a little easing, it began to work its way into Sousiel. In her double vision, Triss saw the calm spread from Sousiel's arm, and slowly take over her body. It was temporary, but Triss was confident she could complete the process.

”You don't need to worry about me, Sousiel. I'll keep myself safe. What I need you to do, is protect me in a different way. I'm sure I'll feel frustrated throughout the trip, you must be there to calm me down. Will you accept that task?” Triss smiled, squeezing Sousiel's hand to encourage her.

"I'm pretty sure I'm suppo-" Sousiel's worry, and sentence fell flat as she felt a soothing sensation come over her. It slowly worked its way through her body, easing the tension from each muscle and nerve. Her worries still lurked, but she could approach them calmly.

Triss was right of course, she'd proven very capable thus far, and there was no reason to suppose that would change anytime soon. As long as she could keep the witch centered and happy they'd be fine, probably. If not? Well, then she'd regret using this time to panic, so there was no purpose for it either way.

She turned, and pushed herself into Triss' lap happily. "I can manage that, but I'm still probably going to worry. I don't think I can help it." She giggled. "Your grandmother was weird, she licked me. All of this is weird, but I think it'll be fun anyway."

Triss smiled, petting the hair of the warm bundle that had made its way into her lap. Sousiel was too cute for words, from the way she worried to the way she gave Triss toothy grins. ”Yeah, it's pretty weird...but I feel at home here. Everything is so natural. She licked me too, just so you know. Maybe I should start licking things.” She lit up at the idea, nodding merrily. ”Oh, and I'll wear nothing but a skirt made out of grass. We'll have to take some of her mushrooms, I would love to pass those out to the young witches at the castle.” She burst into laughter, giving Sousiel's forehead a flurry of kisses.

"That would be fun!" Sousiel giggled, nuzzling further into Triss. "We could follow them around and make loud noises, and watch them freak out."

"Are you gonna start licking everything? Most things are gross, so I wouldn't recommend licking everything..." The next part was something that normally came natural to Sousiel, but she found herself strangely paralyzed. "I have... uh... something you..._{couldlickifyouwantedto.}" She planted a shy kiss on Triss' arm.

Triss felt herself bloom with warmth when Sousiel planted a kiss on her arm, they were so close Sousiel could probably hear the throb of her heart increase in speed. ”You do?” She asked casually, a finger stroking Sousiel's arm like a brush delicately painting a canvas. ”I think that would be a good place to start.” She suggested with a smirk, basking in the realization that she was the one making Sousiel nervous.

"R-really?" Sousiel said, her eyes widening. They were going to make love, she was actually going to make love to someone. Triss set her gently on their bed, and moved over top of her. She shuddered at the warm weight of Triss on her chest.

"I love you." She whispered the words at the tip of her tongue, the words she'd be screaming soon enough.

---

The next morning saw the lovers standing back on the beach where they'd arrived. The ocean was how they'd left it, glittering with its own constellation of stars. The only difference was the appearance of a large longship. It was made of a strange golden wood, and its sails bore a sunburst pattern against a white background. Aquatic fae moved about, loading things onto its deck and securing the various ropes and equipment necessary to its function.

"It's a wondrous journey you set out on child, and I wish you the best of luck." Ysera had come to the beach to see them off. She wrapped Triss in another hug. "Be safe. Do you have any last questions?"

In the morning, Triss’ great grandmother had given her a fresh change of clothes. Triss had been quite happy, until she saw what she would be wearing. It was a grass skirt, just like the one Ysera was wearing. It came with no top, and Ysera stuffed her into it without letting her put on any underwear. She had said it was ‘part of the experience’. Out of spite, Triss had plucked a few mushrooms on her way out, and they were in the pocket of the skirt.

Now, they stood at the beach, ready to go off on their idiotic quest. The beautiful golden ship stood waiting, shifting slowly in the waters behind them. Ysera had given Triss her blessings, and asked her great granddaughter if she had any questions, there was only one that swam in her mind. She stood up straight, her voice calm and steady. ”Does it ever stop itching?” She asked, the leaves writhing against her skin in an irritating way.

"No, it never does." Ysera replied solemnly, before breaking into a laugh. "Go on, have fun! Remember to duck!" She pushed Triss towards the ship.

As much as the skirt had been irritating Triss, the lack of a top had been wreaking havoc on Sousiel's ability to focus on anything for very long. Last night had just whetted an appetite she never knew she had. She made her way to the ship quickly, pulling Triss by the hand. "Can I be first mate? I wonder if they have a brig, I want to send people to the brig."

Triss had no time to ask what Ysera meant by duck, as she was quickly pulled away by Sousiel. Soon she was moving along at the same excited pace, not at all modest in her topless state. The Fae didn't seem bothered by it, and in all honesty it was rather liberating. She would just have to perfect covering herself with a few strands of hair. ”Of course you can be first mate.” She replied, giggling.

"You heard her boys!" Sousiel laughed, bounding onto the deck. "I claim the front of the ship! To put my foot on and look majestic, because I'm basically just an ornament for now." She giggled and set off to do just that, drawing sighs from the crewmen.

Once Triss was aboard they cast of the tie down to shore, and pushed off into the ocean. An old Fae man turned to Triss, saluting along with the rest of the crew. "Aye, Ma'am. Set our course and we'll be away."

Triss raised her hand to share their salute, and her hair fell away from her breasts. She noted the shift in emotion between some of the men, but she didn't bother confronting them. Instead, she focused on plotting their course. They gave her no maps, no subtle clues or nudges in the right direction. They just...trusted her. The thought was almost laughably insane, but as they stared at her, expectant, she knew she had to do something.

”Of course, let me just...consult the wisps.” Triss looked at the floor, waiting patiently for the wisps to appear, her brow furrowed. Like an idiot, she repeatedly asked for directions in her head. Finally, when she was about to give up, a wisp caught her eye. Somehow, she believed it was her first guide, coming back to serve her. The wisp twirled, before shooting up into the sky. Triss watched it, and soon it was joining its kind in the sky. They had formed a thin arrow, like that of a compass, highlighted eagerly against the sky's compassion.

Triss fumbled about for a moment, then pointed where the wisps were leading. ”That way, I'm so sorry...I'm not good with maps. Or directions. In all honesty, this is my first time on a boat.”

They all stared at her for a moment, before setting off to their tasks. The older fae lingered, and when no one else was in earshot he leaned in to whisper. "We both know you're not using maps, but maybe you keep some of that to yourself? For their sake eh?" He winked and made his way to the wheel.

Sousiel had turned around just in time to catch the sight of Triss' breasts. She alternated between glowering at the men that saw it, and blushing happily at the sight. She peeled off her shirt and approached her love. "Could you do my sanity a favor and wear this, sweetheart? It's fresh and clean." She grinned, her face beet red.

Triss nodded at the commander of the boat, blushing. To work up a guise, she took out a piece of parchment along with her writing utensils. She decided she would mark down every turn of the compass above her, and maybe someday a cartographer would professionally map her scribbles. Moments later, Sousiel came up to her position, peeling off her shirt and handing it off to Triss. Triss turned just as red as her lover, quickly throwing on the top.

”Sorry, Sousiel.” She mumbled, adjusting her shirt and watching as a vine crawled out of line, wrapping around her waist and up to her neck. ”It's actually beginning to get pretty comfortable, I may take it home. What are you up to, Sousiel?” She asked, glancing up at the sky and jotting down another vertical line.

"It looks lovely, but maybe a little too lovely." Sousiel watched with fascination as the vine snaked up Triss' torso. She shook herself, and moved behind her lover, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I'm just here to keep you happy and healthy for now." She giggled. "And kill your enemies later, of course, I'm looking forward to that."

She followed Triss' gaze upwards. She'd give just about anything to be able to see what the witch did, what fantastic things lurked underneath the already wondrous sights and sounds here? She'd never know, but she could almost see it in her lover's eyes. "What do you see up there?"

A few more adventurous vines had began crawling up the fabric of the shirt that was new to them. She pushed them all down, pride, courage, passion, all falling with a thump on what Triss could only assume was their heads. Sousiel's voice snapped Triss’ focus on the sky above, which was empty in her lover's eyes.

”They're little wisps, helpful little balls of emotion that are there to guide me.” Triss said, referencing the compass that began to tilt a little. ”Under everything, there's an emotion. It's what makes the plants here alive, it's what gives the road a heartbeat. Even the huts, they are empowered with emotions too. The grains of sand are my favorite.” She added, pointing back at the beach that was now fading behind them. ”I have great power here, maybe that's why it feels so much like home.”

"I wish I could see it like you do." Sousiel sighed into Triss' back. "Not that it isn't wondrous enough as it is, but you make the rest seem amazing."

She laughed and squeezed her lover's waist. "Next time, I'll take you to the abyss. We'll visit my favorite dancehall, and I'll show you where Lorelai and I grew up."

Triss shrugged, and placed her hands atop Sousiel's. ”You aren't missing too much,” she lied. ”I think it would be like...getting high off of too many mushrooms for a lot of people.” She laughed, turning around so she could bury her head in Sousiel's shoulder.

”I would love to visit the abyss with you, and see all of your old haunts.” Triss smiled, pleased at the prospect. ”Speaking of Lorelai, I hope they're doing well down there. If you know how time flows here, we can plan our return around theirs. Share stories, and things like that.”

"I'm a prized possession for my ability to track time flow, I should be able to manage that." Sousiel declared proudly. She kissed the top of Triss head affectionately. "Mistress will be sooo jealous, I get to see an Aeon." She giggled.

---

The first parts of the trip were more akin to a pleasure cruise than a dangerous expedition. The water was calm, and the fishing was plentiful, meaning they hadn't yet dipped into the precious little stores the Fae could bear to part with. The lovers spent their days adjusting to life at sea. Triss continued working on her map, and it was coming along nicely. Sousiel would prance around the deck of the ship with a feathered hat declaring that they were now pirates, and refused to speak in anything other than her own rendition of pirate-speak.

Such expeditions never stay safe for long, and soon enough they discovered their path lead near the maelstrom. The sky continued to darken as the days went on, and the water became choppy. Then came the storms. At first they'd last only a night, maybe two. As they drew closer they grew in frequency and intensity, until finally they just never ended.

Lightning split the black sky in ragged columns, and waves tossed the large ship about like a toy in a child's bathtub. Their stores of food ran dangerously low as the men didn't have time to fish. Whispers of mutiny began, small at first, but growing with each passing day.

That's when the disappearances began, and Sousiel stopped eating. "I'm a demon, I only eat for fun anyway." She'd respond when asked, but darker rumors began to circle anyway. Each night, on her watch, someone would vanish. 'Falling overboard' or 'suicide' where the official explanations, but it was a little too convenient that it was always someone who'd once considered mutiny.

Finally the storms broke, and they found themselves on the other side of the maelstrom. Barely a skeleton crew remained of the original fifty souls sent to aid their expedition. Fishing resumed, but the crew never regained their cheer. When they'd finally arrived back on land a few weeks later the pair was ushered onto shore with the last of the supplies.

They stood in a barren tundra. In the distance could be seen strange buildings, but no signs of life, no silhouettes of inhabitants moved amongst them. The grass beneath their feet was sharp and brown, and the few trees and shrubs that remained were small and withered.

"I wish ye the best of luck Ma'am." The older Fae that had acted as Triss' advisor during the expedition bore a forced smile on his face, and was taking efforts not to look at the grinning demon next to the witch. "This is as far as we go."

During the storms, Triss had felt desperate. The moods of everyone were diminishing, and as much as she tried to rub calming emotions into them, it only seemed to be effective for a few moments. She watched as countless crewmates disappeared, and while they were possible mutineers, their lives weighed on her heart. She knew that it was Sousiel that had been...eating them. She hadn't had the heart to talk to the girl about it, because she knew Sousiel only wanted to help in her own, special way.

She stood in the barren land, the last of the crew's supplies shoved into her leather bag alongside the books. Triss smiled knowingly at her advisor, holding out a hand he could shake. ”Without your help, I would have been lost out there. Thank you for your blessings and all of the supplies, Sir.” Her eyes were worn and tired, but they managed to twinkle with some kind of gratitude. ”I suppose we should be off now. Right, Sousiel?” She asked, her voice strained, but still loving.

"Of course Triss." He reached out to give the witch's hand a firm shake, before returned to the ship. They pushed off without fanfare, and began rapidly fading from sight.

"I suppose so." Sousiel said softly. She cast a gaze over the tundra, looking for a place they could rest. The trip had been hard on her love, and she feared the rest wouldn't be any easier.

She spied what appeared to be a small shed a little ways off. "Why don't we camp out in that for a few days?" Sousiel smiled at Triss. "You can recover, and I'll see what the hunting is like around here."

She slipped a hand hesitantly into Triss' and began walking. "Sorry." She whispered. Her... consumption of some of the crew, while necessary, likely hadn't made things easier.

Triss watched the ship, its passengers eager to leave and forget about her. Because she was crazy, and she was traveling with a demon that killed most of the crew, and she hadn't done enough to keep up their cheer. She continued staring at it, until Sousiel’s voice cut through the painful fog in her mind. She turned, facing her companion.

Her gaunt face met Sousiel's soft one, and she felt herself melt. Although she was much happier now, she said nothing, letting Sousiel slip her hand into hers, and guide her over to the shed. Triss was surprised to hear the girl mutter an apology, and it showed in her face. ”They weren't in pain, right?” She asked, the words leaving her almost automatically. Usually she wouldn't mind the Fae being in pain, but she was too tired to enjoy it, or make a joke at their expense.

"Very little, love." While Sousiel would have prefered to kill them slowly, letting their delightful screams of agony wash over her as their punishment for mutinous thoughts, she simply hadn't had the time for that. From the look on Triss' face perhaps that was a mercy, she'd have to take it to heart.

For now though she had to see that Triss was smiling and well rested. "Anything I can do to bring that smile I love so much back?" She grinned at her lover. "I don't know any jokes in good taste, but I can dance for your amusement." She winked.

Triss simply smiled, but her face soon became neutral yet again. ”Everything will be fine once I rest, Sousiel. You needn't worry about me, I'm just a bit bummed.” She decidedly ignored all mention of the Fae that faced an unfortunate death, instead trying to keep Sousiel from feeling unwanted. ”A dance could be fun though.” She added, returning the wink.

"Worrying about you is what I'm good for right now, so I think I'll keep it up, just silently." Sousiel smiled playfully.

In spite of their weariness they made good time across the tundra, and within several minutes found themselves in front of the shed Sousiel'd found earlier. It was an abandoned storage shed. Most of the tools and other equipment it likely once contained had long ago been taken, but in the corner sat a bale of rotting hay. After checking it for pests, Sousiel spread a blanket over it, flattening it out into a makeshift bed.

"It's hardly luxury, but there you are Mi'lady." She winked at her lover before rummaging through her bag for her music box. A music box was a vital tool for journeys such as these. She couldn't count the number of times its tunes had bolstered spirits, or just whiled away the tedium during long days of travel.

Sousiel's was carved from exquisite mahogany wood. Embossed in gold on its top were dancing demons, and her mistress' seal. It sat on legs of silver, carved in the image of dragon's feet. It was her most prized possession. "Did you want to dance with me? Or should I just put on a show?"

Triss looked at the makeshift bed in the corner, and she couldn't be happier. Any bed at all was a blessing, but it was a bit more special since Sousiel had put it together. Besides, it wouldn't be her first time sleeping on a bale of hay. She had done that plenty of times when she wanted to avoid her parents. Triss set her bag down on it as a sort of lumpy pillow, and tried to fluff it up to make it a bit more comfortable. ”Better than silk, love. I'm sure we'll find a way to make it comfortable.”

She stared at Sousiel's amazing music box, appreciating the fine craftsmanship that was required to carve it. She clapped, waiting eagerly for it to be turned on. The vines of her skirt danced about, it was the first time in a while they had begun moving. Triss stood, bowing before her partner. ”Might I have this dance, fine lady?” She asked, in a poor impression of royalty. Triss had no idea how to dance properly, but she would play it by ear and enjoy herself.

Sousiel opened its top, and gingerly set a plate inside. She turned the small crank on its side, smiling as she heard the clicking of its gears winding up. It began to play a spritely waltz. Carefree and lighthearted, it was one of her favorites.

She turned towards Triss grinning. "I dunno, I've got plenty of options." She giggled at her own joke before closing the distance between them. "None as fine as you of course, love."

She placed one of Triss' hands on her shoulder, taking the other in her hand. With her hand at the witch's hip she lead them through a simple waltz, gliding over the dust and debris of the shed's floor. "Here we are, in an abandoned shed, in the Tellurian, waltzing." She laughed, spinning her lover. "It's a little ridiculous to think about isn't it?"

Triss laughed, looking around them at the invisible dancers in the room. Sousiel sure knew how to treat her, even if she did eat other people along the way. Before she knew it, they were performing a very simplistic waltz. Around them, dust and debris kicked up, forming a cloud around their feet. Triss saw the beauty in it, emotions flying up in a beautiful array of light colors, then settling and mixing.

Triss giggled as she was spun, Sousiel was great at this. ”It is ridiculous, but who's to say that's a bad thing?” She asked, growing a bit more confident in her steps. The music lifted her, until she regained her can do attitude. ”I'm glad to be here, even in this wasteland. I've been cooped up in that castle for so long.” She yipped, a sound of pure zest. ”And after we conquer this Aeon, we can use the mushrooms I brought!”

"I'll have to make sure you get out more often then won't I?" Sousiel cooed coyly. Their dance grew bolder as Triss' confidence increased, they spun through the dust with little grace, but a great deal of cheer. "I just never thought I'd be here, with someone I loved that loved me back. I have you to thank for that, Triss, and I won't soon forget it."

She spun her lover away, and as she twirled her back she dipped her over her waiting arm, leaning her towards the floor. Sousiel winked and stole a lingering kiss before righting them again. "And I'm looking forward to losing my better sense with you, love." She giggled. "I seem to be losing it all the time anyway."

Triss’ hair brushed against the floor as she was dipped, but she wasn't bothered by how dirty it would be. Her lips were quickly stolen by Sousiel's, and she felt like she was floating. When she was righted, she giggled and made her way over to the bed, her small reserve of energy thoroughly depleted. She wished she could manipulate her own emotions, and give herself a revival, but alas it wasn't a possibility.

”I do love you, Sousiel, I really do.” She admitted, staring at the demon with her chin in her hands. ”Losing myself with you may have to wait until I get some rest, though.” She said, stretching and yawning for emphasis. Her mind began to cloud, as the need for true rest overtook her. ”Dear, do you ever deplete?” She asked, spreading herself out on the hay bale. It was the most comfortable thing in the world, and the way the edges of the books -softened considerably by the leather bag- dug into her head was oh so heavenly. Her body relaxed, and she looked at Sousiel through one opened eye.

"I can be patient when I need to be, love, not to worry." Sousiel grinned down at her lover. She quickly packed away her music box, wrapping it in a small cloth before returning it and her plates to her bag.

She crawled over the hay bale to tuck herself tightly against Triss' body. "I deplete when I have time to deplete, or when wounded obviously." She kissed her lover's cheek before nuzzling her face against her shoulder. "Demons don't tire, and we don't relent. But apparently we do cuddle our lovers to sleep before hunting breakfast for them. Rest well, sweetheart, I love you."

”Goodnight my love!” Triss called out in a daze. She hardly heard the other things Sousiel had said, focusing instead on the rough bed underneath her. They were safe in the shed, and together they could get a good rest. With a final yawn, Triss gave in to the sleep. She had a night full of dreams, vivid and so realistic she swore she was living them.

The next morning came, just as all mornings do. Here, in the tundra, the ocean spray was too far away to spatter their faces. Instead of humidity, it was a simple, dry heat. The amber sun was straining to rise, casting a beautiful golden glow over the land. Whatever morning dew had accumulated on the grass was long gone, boiling up and burning the leaves, reducing them to their miserable browning states. Few animals roamed, mainly lizards and small rodents, anything that could stake their claim before nightfall when they would have to shy away in their burrows.

In their shed, shimmering rays of sunlight broke through the wooden frame, highlighting dancing dust particles that were swept up in the heated breeze. The leather of their satchels had become hot to the touch, anything metal was searing. Triss snored on, seemingly unaffected. Now and then she would twitch, or shout in her sleep, but her face remained peaceful.

Sousiel whistled as she worked over a small fire, she'd erected just outside their shed. Lizard meat adorned the end of thin, sharpened sticks, the fat sizzling as she rotated them slowly over the heat. In a small pot boiled what few edible roots she'd managed to find, along with some seasonings she'd fortunately had the presence of mind to request.

Each shout from the sleeping Triss brought a fresh grin to the demon's face. Her lover was adorable, especially in her sleep. Sousiel'd whiled away a few hours gazing at her sleeping features, adding them carefully to her sketchbook. When they got home she'd make some paints, and color her work. The best momento she could ask for.

She glared up at the oppressive early morning sun. She'd grown up in the pit, and would become accustomed to the heat soon enough. Triss, however, she thought might melt underneath the shimmering blaze. "We could travel through the late night to early morning hours, sleeping when the sun rose." She mused to herself.

"Don't really want to use the whole night, there are big things out there." She pulled a seared lizard off of its spike. Holding the corpse of its fellow in front of her face she addressed it. "We saw their tracks early this morning didn't we little guy?"

She puppeted the lizard, her voice spoke in a high pitched mockery of what she imagined the animal might sound like. "We sure did, and besides, that means another lazy day with the wonderful Triss. She could probably use an extra day of rest anyway."

"Astute insight Mr. Lizard." She giggled as she impaled the beast on her stick, dangling it over the fire to cook. "Besides, maybe I can find some dogs. I found a cart big enough to carry us, some dogs would make it fun."

Triss stood in the doorway of the shed, watching Sousiel talk to the roasted carcass of a lizard. She refused to judge it though, remembering all the times she had talked to Susanna like she was a person during her travels to the Castle. A small smile played on her face, and she waited until the encounter was over to speak up. ”Good morning, love. I see that the hunt was partially successful.”

She looked out over the tundra, where the heat formed visible waves. That morning her hand was laid atop a metal ring, which attached the straps to her satchel. She now had a perfect ring of blisters on her left hand, but she clenched it so Sousiel wouldn't see. They needed to start moving, and she wasn't going to slow them. Another day of rest was a beautiful idea, but it was Aeon or bust, and the longer they waited the more they would suffer in the long run.

She moved behind Sousiel, giving her a hug. She had to slink away though, the fire was far too hot, and it made her pale face red after a few moments. ”A cart would be a lot of fun, I could tame the dogs.” Triss looked down at her skirt, going through the emotions she had on her person. There was still that thin length of calm, but she felt a bit bad about using it again. ”Or, we could walk on foot. The wisps are dying to leave.”

"Morning!" Sousiel said with a small start. She internally chided herself for being so engrossed in her task that Triss had managed to sneak up on her. She grinned sheepishly. "I hope you're feeling better. Other than the shouting and fidgeting you seem to have slept well."

A hug was a welcome warmth after a long night of scrounging for lizards and talking to herself, she nuzzled into the brief embrace. "It's not much, but if you pair them with the last of the bread it should serve. The bread won't be good for much longer anyway." She handed her lover the seared lizards wrapped in a small cloth. "And I've got some roots that will be done in a few minutes."

"As much as the wisps may be dying to leave, I'm afraid you'll be dying if we do. Roasting in the hot sun is not a good way to go." Sousiel frowned slightly. "If we travel in the twilight hours, and sleep through the day and night, we can avoid most of the heat."

Triss took the clothbound lizard, carefully unwrapping it in her right hand. ”We'll save the bread for later today, babe.” She said, picking the small shards of meat off the lizard and savoring each juicy bite. It was well seasoned, and if it wasn't so small she was sure she would enjoy it much more. ”It's delicious, Sousiel. I'm sure the roots will be as well.”

She set down her lizard with a furrowed brow as Sousiel suggested they wait. She knew the dangers of going forward during the day, but Sousiel would be fine, and they could hunt as they went, and if they got water from the ocean she could keep herself from getting too- Triss stopped her train of thought, she didn't have to justify herself. ”Sousiel, I'm not going to slow us down. We're leaving today before the wisps leave without us. If you'll be fine, I'm sure I can make it.”

"You won't be slowing us down, just a small delay." Sousiel explained, smiling softly. She wasn't particularly eager to see her sweet languishing beneath the burning sun, or shivering in the icy night air either. But if the wisps would leave without them... "I just don't want this to be harder on either of us than it has to be, love. If you really insist on leaving... I guess I'll find some material for a hat, can you at least wait for that much?"

She lifted the pot from the fire, and began moving their meal into the shade of the shed. This was going to get a great deal harder.

Triss shrugged, following Sousiel deeper into the shed. She didn't want to wait, but a hat could be helpful. Underwear too, but beggars couldn't be choosers. ”I suppose we can wait that long, while you're out making my hat, I'll do some research, and collect a bit more water. Do we have any empty skins?” She turned towards Sousiel with a small smile, the amazing woman was handling the pot of roots. She felt useless, watching her hunt and cook and make hats.

"Yup, plenty." Sousiel pointed towards one of the supply bags the Fae had left them. "There's also a book of travel charms in there that I can't use. Should be a water purification charm near the front." She set the stew on the ground to cool.

She plucked a few strands of hair from her head, and approached Triss. She wrapped them around her lover's head, cutting the leftover strand so she had a good measurement. "There we go." She grinned. "Anything else you need or want me to grab while I'm out, love?"

Triss strode towards the supplies, digging through it for the empty skins and the book of charms. While she was there digging, Sousiel walked up to her and wrapped something around her head. She giggled, pulling the charm book and skins up to her chest. When Sousiel asked if she needed anything else, she briefly thought of asking for underwear, but shook her head anyways. ”Nope, don't work yourself to death, babe.” She turned around, stealing a long kiss from her lover. ”Have fun, come home safe.”

"Will do, Triss." Sousiel's face flushed from the sudden warmth of Triss' lips, and her face bore a silly grin when her lover pulled away. "Stay safe yourself okay?" She set one of her daggers on the small pile of supplies. She hadn't seen anything too concerning, but it never hurt to be safe.

Fortunately for the pair, whatever had caused this place to become abandoned had happened suddenly. The previous inhabitants evidently had little time to pack before leaving, meaning there was plenty of things to scavenge for the demon. She set out at a jogging pace towards a small village nearby.

The first wooden house she entered had the trappings of a family house. Its small interior featured two bedrooms, one was obviously the master, and the other hand three smaller bunks. The ground in the second was littered with toys, marking its inhabitants as children. She stooped to pick up a small doll, turning it over in her hands. Its seems where frayed from frequent use, its button eyes lolling morbidly from their cloth sockets.

What would cause a child to leave behind an obviously beloved toy? She set in gingerly to the side as she resumed her search.

The dresser of the master bedroom held her prize. The clothes here were too rotted to make use of, but the leftover fabric was still serviceable. She gathered several garments, including elastic from some undergarments as well as some white sheets from the closet, and turned to leave.

That's when she spied something concerning. Crouching near the entrance to a cellar was a skeleton. It was still covered in the rotting remains of its last outfit, and not a hint of flesh or viscera clung to its frame. She pulled the arm off, crunching the bones in her mouth. "No marrow..." She muttered to herself.

She examined the skull. Two small holes, one just above each temple, confirmed her fears. "Dreameater, fuck." She spun on her heels and took off towards their shed.

Dreameaters were one of the most dangerous natives to the Tellurian. They roamed its astral pathways in search of sentient minds to consume, making prey of Fae and traveler alike. Some stories held that they could reanimate the corpses of their victims as thralls to their service. The sudden abandonment of this region suddenly made a dreadful bit of sense.

Triss had left the shed shortly after Sousiel, stealing a few roots on her way out of the door. She was using their blanket as a makeshift shaul, and while it was horribly warm, she decided it was better than being beaten by the sun's rays. She clenched her book and water skins tightly, and made off towards the nearest source of water.

The closer she got to the beach, the more she found herself relaxing. The heat shifted from dry to humid, and before she knew it, she was feeling a the spray of the surf against her face. The grass, while still dead, was a bit more green. She saw the sand before her, glistening with all of its glorious emotions. She exhausted herself, running towards the water with a childlike glee.

In the next few moments, she was standing in the water, cool sand disappearing beneath her feet as the waves washed it away. She had left her book of charms on a nearby rock, so it wouldn't get soiled. Two barren skins were tucked beneath her arm, and she was bent over, filling up a third. She hummed a tune to herself, to keep from going mad in the silence.

It was either the silly humming, or the waves lapping roughly against the water, or her utter focus on the task in front of her. Maybe it was her simple incompetence, the thought that she was safe in this wasteland. One of those things, was what got her caught. She didn't notice the thralls until they were far too close, their wading footsteps plentiful and loud in the water. Her humming stopped, as her eyes focused on the undead creatures.

They were all in different stages of decay, some little more than skeletons with drying flesh struggling to cling to their bones. Others were rotting, carrying flies around them as their putrid skin peeled off and dripped into the ocean. As much as it made Triss want to puke, she found herself unable to do anything. Her body was frozen, in shock or fear she did not know. By the time she had made up her mind to flee, they were on top of her, and her miserably slow footsteps couldn't carry fast enough to avoid their clutches.

She was dragged by the glassy eyed monsters onto the sand, where they pinned her, seemingly oblivious as to her struggle. They carried no emotion, unlike all other things in the Tellurian. They were simply void shells of what they used to be, puppeted by a master who hid in the shadows until the dirty work was done. Triss’ panic served her well, as she was able to get in a few good punches, breaking brittle bones and covering her hand in oily decay.

As she scrambled out of their clutches, she thought she was in the clear. She worked her way up to her feet, taking a long stride and preparing to run off to freedom, to the shed, anywhere far away from the hideous creatures on the beach. Triss’ plans were foiled as she was struck, not by a hand or any physical presence, but by thought. She fell with a blood curdling scream, her body stiff as a board.

Lying face down on the hot sand, Triss was unaffected by the heat searing her face. Her head had been invaded, by the screams. Screaming, the final gurgle of a man with blood caught in his throat, the roaring of a great fire. She swore she could smell the burning flesh, she knew she could see the miserable bodies, charred like an overcooked steak. Millions of scenes played over in her head, of mindless destruction and pain. Ones she would go through for fun, were now back to haunt her into submission. Her body was frozen in shock, moans escaping her parted lips. She was turned over by the undead servitors, she knew she was being presented to their master, a fine meal.

She wouldn't see it until it was the end, but approaching her was a sight worse than any of the nightmares playing through her head. A powerful magical being, of an almost comically tall stature. It strode towards her at a meager pace, knowing it was in charge from the pained moans still pouring from Triss’ mouth. Its featureless face contorted, as two pincers released themselves from its temples.

It leaned over Triss, gaunt limbs holding it up. It appeared to be observing her, though it didn't have any eyes to perform the task. Triss looked up at it, her death was toying with her. What a sad way to go, she would be turned into a zombie before ever getting to meet the Aeon, and she had only had sex with Sousiel once. She would have laughed, if she wasn't stricken with fear, and if the horrific memories weren't still on repeat in her mind.

First step: Slip into something more suitable for making messes. Sousiel hadn't ripped men limb from limb or heaped up a pile of rivals in the abyss looking like a delicate flower of a girl. Her flesh distorted as she ripped into her war form; Her torso was mostly humanoid, but for the chitinous plates across her stomach, her breasts were still unfortunately bare, something a succubus could hardly prevent. From the waist down squatted a vaguely arachnid shape of gnashing maws and sharpened appendages, from the rear extended a long stinger, gleaming with venom in the burning sun.

Second step: Determine what you're not allowed to kill. Her heart sank as she saw Triss's red hair splayed out on the beach, the dreameater's form crouched over her. Fortunately her love was the only thing on this beach she wasn't allowed to kill, that at least, was simple enough.

Third step: Freak the fuck out. Sousiel released her grip on the savage desire burning in her chest. Raged tinted her vision red as everything was reduced to hunter and victim. Her bladed legs made quick work of the thralls as she zeroed in on the object of her hatred, ruined flesh filled the air as they were cleaved and discarded, some earned the honor of being consumed by one of her many gaping maws, their bones grinding to dust.

"Fuck you fuck you, nope, ass dick fuck bitch-" A stream of profanities poured from her human mouth as she made her way towards the dreameater. It wasn't deaf, and its head perked up as the monstrosity lunged towards it.

Abandoning its meal for now, its long legs carried it quickly along the beach, away from the beasts onslaught. It turned its attack on Sousiel as it became clear out running the demon wasn't going to be an option.

Unfortunately for the creature, there wasn't enough of a mind left to destroy. Sousiel was assaulted by images of atrocity; Rooms painted with the gore of families murdered, soldiers raping the women of villages they'd razed, the screams of dying children, but they did little to slow her pursuit.

It rose its clawed hands in its defense, opening long gashes along Sousiel's abdomen, but the beast just chuckled. "All alone, with little old me." A pair of her legs severed the creature's arms, they flopped impotently to the ground as vibrant purple blood sprayed from their stumps. Her stinger impaled the dreameater's torso, lifting the creature over her head.

Her grin was far too broad, and bared far too many teeth as her jaw unhinged. She placed her mouth over the creature's empty face. With a sickening crunch she bit through, pulling away chunks of brain matter and bone as she began to chew.

Around Triss the thralls fell, no longer animated by their master's fell magics.

It stood before her, staring her down. It knew it had won, its victim so perfectly still. The dreameater leaned forwards, its pincers pierced her temples in a motion that was almost sensual. Two strips of blood ran across the sides of Triss’ head, traveling through her red hair, some of the larger drops hitting the sand. Triss groaned in protest, the feeling almost cutting through the murky thoughts of death in her head. Black spots lined her vision, her muscles strained, motionless, as she tried in vain to bat it away.

Then, it was gone. The dreameater retreated, its pincers drawing back into its head. Triss watched as it turned to face the thing that had prevented it from finishing, it bounded off, to clash with its new foe. Triss couldn't see it, but she heard the sounds of battle. She felt the subtle vibrations through the sand as bodies thudded to meet it. The profanities broke through her hideous visions, a hope filled her bosom. Before long, it was all over, she gasped as a weight left her. She could move, no longer pinned to the ground by the dreameater’s powers. Thralls fell around her shaking form, blood slowly dripped out of the holes in her temples. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at her savior, Sousiel had rescued her.

Except, it wasn't Sousiel. It was a beast, a devil. Triss knew the girl underneath the guise, but it still made her eyes water, it still made her skirt across the sand. She watched as Sousiel ate her spoils, her eyes locked on the spot. She whimpered, her mind still weak. She knew she would have nightmares, how long, she couldn't say.

A whimper brought Sousiel back to her senses. The ravaged remains of the dreameater fell to the ground as she turned. The killer's veil surrounding her vision faded as she spied Triss. The girl's look of horror drove shame into her chest. Her war form dissolved into black smoke, collapsing to her more common shape as she lost the will to maintain it.

She turned her eyes to the ground as she approached her lover, cursing internally as she noted the claw marks across her stomach. "Are you okay, Triss?" Her voice trembled with worry.

Triss watched the transformation, her body visibly shifting with relief at each phase. She watched Sousiel approach, fighting the urge to back away. Her fear was easily broken after seeing the claw marks on Sousiel’s chest. She stood, approaching her lover. “Are you, Sousiel?” She asked, reaching out a steady hand.

"I'm fine, I'll just need some sleep." Sousiel smiled weakly, taking Triss' hand and kissing it lightly. Her eyes found the small holes in the girl's temples. "I'm more concerned about these, love."

She trembled as she examined them. "Moments... a few more moments could have taken you." Fear crawled through her chest. "I'll have to count them closer, I'm sorry Triss."

Triss was still as Sousiel examined her, staring directly at the wounds buried in her chest. The beast’s claws had torn jagged wounds into her once perfect flesh. She wondered briefly if Sousiel had to deal with scarring. “Don't worry about me, it didn't hurt...I was too busy thinking when it happened.” She said weakly, her finger pressing up against the wound on her temple, it came back covered in a thick layer of blood. “I wonder how it will heal.” She murmured, distinctly fascinated by the morbid thought.

"There should be a charm or two to accelerate healing in one of the books I brought." Sousiel thought back to the visions she saw. As a demon she'd reveled in similar scenes throughout her career, but Triss didn't likely share her infernal sensibilities. What new horrors lurked behind her love's eyes?

"Are you okay up here too, sweetheart?" Sousiel kissed Triss' forehead gently. "I'm here if there's anything you want to talk about. If there's anything I can do to get that smile back just tell me okay?" Her desire to help her lover was somewhat overshadowed by her inability. For the first time Sousiel felt useless.

Triss smiled up at Sousiel, the warmth of the small kiss making her body flush. “Of course, Sousiel. I'm fine, it was nothing but hideous imagery. I've seen enough, thought of it enough.” She lied with great finesse, wrapping Sousiel up in a brisk hug. “If the trip to the Aeon is successful, I'm sure I'll just end up with a few bad dreams.”

She walked over to the book of charms, picking it up from the rock on which it laid. Triss dusted it, and opened it up to flip through the yellowing pages. “You know, I’ve never done any formal spellcasting. I'm sure I can though.” She began strolling back to Sousiel, looking for the healing charm.

"Use the one with demon blood, it's a touch easier and we happen to have quite a bit of it on hand." Sousiel's regeneration had already sealed most of her wounds by the time Triss reached her. "And I can vouch personally for its healing capabilities, and its taste, if you're curious."

Triss skimmed the pages, sating her curiosity as she went. Most pages consisted of hastening charms. Soon, she found the chapter on healing. After thumbing through it for a while, she landed on the spell which required demon blood. Of course, she was hesitant, but she presumed it wouldn't be too bad. She finally looked up, and upon seeing Sousiel’s wounds, she recoiled.

“Interesting.” She mused, staring at the wounds and chewing on her lip. “I wonder how many people could be healed with the blood of one demon?” Triss wondered, a personal thought she probably shouldn't have spoken aloud. “Okay! Let's start this charm.”

"Probably alot, if you wanted to strap me to a bed and bleed me." Sousiel giggled. "I spent a year that way once, but that's a story for later I think."

She dabbed a small cutting of cloth over her lower body, letting it soak in the blood left over from her wounds. Once it was thoroughly soiled she handed it to Triss. "I'll just look pretty while you work."

Triss accepted the rag, clenching it in her fist to keep the book from getting soiled. She didn't question Sousiel any further as far as the year long bloodletting, but her brow did furrow when she suggested she would stand still and look pretty. “You act as though you didn't just save me from certain death.”

Triss stood reading over the short incantation, for a few minutes, repeating it in her mind before finally attempting the spell. It was easy, even for her. After speaking the empowered words, she wrenched the soiled cloth and lapped at the small drops of blood that welled upon it. It tasted amazing, as Sousiel had said it would, like earthy spices and an apple candy. She threw down the cloth and kicked some sand over it once she was done, to keep herself from begging for more. She felt the throbbing in her head cease, and knew happily that she had succeeded. “Okay, that's done. The dreameater is dead. Now we have to focus on the Aeon. If the skins didn't wash away, I suppose I'll start filling them.”

"You still want to leave right away?" Sousiel pressed her fingers to her eyelids. She didn't hold out much hope if their journey becoming less dangerous as they drew closer to the Aeon, rather she was convinced it would do exactly the opposite.

Fatigue settled into her limbs at the thought of constant danger with no rest. She drew herself to her feet slowly. "As you wish, I'll pack our things into the cart, and finish your hat." She forced a grin before setting off towards her discarded bounty.

Triss frowned, watching Sousiel flee until she was little more than a silhouette. She returned to the water, where only one of the original three water skins remained. She filled it quickly, using a charm to purify it. She turned back towards the shed, but paused, not yet ready to return. She sat down in the sand, an oddity in the midst of all the gore that stained the once pure beach. The book of charms was in her lap, waiting to be used. She looked through it, ending up using it as a headrest. She used her time alone to think: about the people at home, the Aeon, whether or not they would survive the trip, and what the first course of action would be when she returned.

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

@SunsetRoses titanpad.com/JbS28ut8QN Is this the pad you were looking for?

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

How were people's fourth of July weekends?

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

_{in collaboration with @SunsetRoses and @Fetzen}

"Getting to Work"

It had been the first time for Andri to see Alphonse. There had not been an opportunity to speak to the assassin colleague, but still he was glad to have met him. Sometimes only an utterly destroyed rumor was a good rumor. The remainder of the meeting had not revealed anything new to him, so there were two tasks at hand: Visit Lorelai and collect his new armor, which he had absolutely no idea of, and meet Elizabeth in order to find his role in the upcoming war. The latter one was a thing he would have liked to skip more than anything else, but his involvement was unavoidable. He knew that some kind of contribution to the common effort would be expected from him as well.

Once again the hunter knocked at the door he had become quite familiar with, but this time he already started to open it slowly before he heard anything. It was clear that he was expected.

As the door creaked open and Andri walked inside, Elizabeth met him with a smile. She had been expecting him, and in a neat stack on the table sat his instructions and assignments. ”Sit, and I'll explain to you your new task.” Though her voice was friendly and her posture had eased, she meant business. There would be no bargaining, because it wouldn't be fair for him to stay out of things while others fought with everything they had.

The hunter raised an eyebrow. "Everything's already prepared ?" Andri reached for a chair and put down his massive body on it. "Sorry... Hello Liz." The speed at which the huntress was pushing things forward did surprise him. He took the first item from the stack, his fingers dove into the envelope and he pulled out the first piece of parchment, didn't start actually reading it however. "What do you have in store for me ?" He tried to relax the situation a bit, but it was a very fragile, artificial, false layer on top of what was really going on in his mind.

Elizabeth blushed, she was making him uncomfortable with her no nonsense approach. Liz had to admit, she was falling easily into this position. With young witches she had to be assertive, get them through the tears or anger and push their assignments on them. Maybe she could be a bit softer with her friends...but would it be effective? ”My apologies, hello Andri.”

She cleared her throat, pointing at the parchment he held in his hands. It was full of instructions and rules, and at the top was ESPIONAGE, all written in neat print. ”You, and a special group of witches, have been selected to be a part of our espionage task force. The people you will be answering to are me of course, and Alphonse secondly. I have decided that you will be second in command.” She waited, allowing it to sink in, before she continued. ”The specifics are inside your packet, but you and are going to briefly go over the basics.”

Elizabeth suddenly felt stuffy in her armor, which she had been wearing since the meeting. It was awkward giving commands to Andri. ”Before we begin, do you have any questions? I'll answer all of them.”

"May I delay answering to that question until I've read through this ?" He attempted a smile, but what came out could easily be interpreted as sheepish, a schoolboy thad had dared to object to the speed his teacher wanted him to progress. However, the reason behind his action was a very honest one: Questions required time and a solid knowledge they could condensate on.

Liz could see Andri's eyes quickly scan the document line by line. It took some time, and the assassin was very lowly whispering what he was reading to himself. Then he jumped to first conclusions: "It would be a wise thing to know the terrain in advance. Am I right about guessing that you will send me on an exploration mission right away ?" He wasn`t explicitly referring to the teleportation stuff, but even without it it seemed to be a very reasonable thing to ask.

Elizabeth smiled, trying to put him at ease. She knew smiles wouldn't cut it though, he didn't want to mess with her, and she doubted he would relax during this meeting. ”Of course, I made the assumption that Khan can only take you to places you know...so I've already planned a special outing for you.” She reached down, grasping a smaller map of the castle and the grounds just beyond it. It was marked with the locations of traps and the different things they did, she handed it over to Andri.

”You and I will be given a special pair of glasses, from the forgemaster. He's working on your armor, and I'm sure he's excited to meet you...hasn't had this much work in centuries.” Elizabeth laughed, relaxing in her seats to tell Andri all about the forgemaster. ”I met him myself when I went to Lorelai's citadel, he's a giant, funny too. Very passionate about what he does, you should see the weapons lining his wall.” She tapped on her suit, her eyes sparkling with mirth. ”I need him to forge me a new whip, the last one was incredible.”

"A giant... you mean... a real giant ?" Andri's eyes appeared to partially switch into christmas-mode. That would be the first time in his life he would not have to look at someone else facedown, but upwards, and given his 25-year experience, it would not so unlikely be the last time as well.

"I don't have any idea about the armor yet, but guessing from what yours looks like I should expect it to be awesome, shouldn't I ? The glasses are for preventing me from accidentally trapping into our own traps, right ?"
It will be tight! It will be tight! It will be tight! I tell you! I know Lorelai a bit better than you do... I've already had to do with her! Andri tried to ignore Khan for the moment, despite it being difficult. "So I am to scout this area ?"

Elizabeth laughed, her hand shooting up to point at the ceiling. ”Yes! A real giant! Twenty feet tall and then some. Oh you're going to love meeting him! He's an ancient fellow, you wouldn't believe his name though! Lenny!” Elizabeth was turning pink laughing, the most fun she had had all day. Business was wearing down on her, and she was thankful for Andri.

”Your armor will be great, and I think the glasses will be nice enough to keep up the guise.” Elizabeth paused, wiping a tear of joy from her eyes. ”Yes, the glasses will prevent you from tripping them as easily. I would love to join you on the stroll, but I fear I may be busy. This room gets claustrophobic after a while, I'm glad you stopped by.”

Lenny... that was fun. Andri felt infected by Liz' cheer, but it still wasn't entirely able to blast away that curtain that had been resting on his mood since it had become apparent that war against the hunters he had been with just days ago was near unavoidable.

"Should I leave ?" he asked. He wasn't disgruntled and he tried to make sure that there wasn't even a slim chance of that being a reasonable interpretation of his tone and words. "You seem very busy. I could walk over to Lorelai and see if the stuff's already finished."

Elizabeth felt the sting of rejection, though there wasn't any in Andri's voice. She looked around the room and at the pile of papers that still needed to be handed out, sighing. ”I suppose it would be best. Tell Lorelai I love her, would you? Also, tell her I miss the outside world and I'm going to die from the lack of fresh air.” Elizabeth laughed, lighting another bunch of tobacco and breathing it in, she swore it was the only thing that was keeping her sane. She waved Andri off, telling him to read his packet thoroughly before she got back to work.

Andri kept watching her while he was backing off towards the door. "I'll tell her, promised. Perhaps we can talk later." Smiling he closed it, keeping his eyes locked on the huntress as long as he could in the process. The instruction package felt his firm clutch as he wandered off. Next destination: Lorelai. The hunter was really curious about what would expect him.

---

Several minutes after Andri's departure a knock came at Liz's door. "General? Are ya' in?" a gruff female voice accompanied the knock.

Elizabeth stared at the door, as if her eyes could see through it and at the person in the hall. She didn't recognize the voice, but she assumed it was just another witch that needed guidance. ”Come in, and make yourself comfortable.” She called to the voice outside, tilting her head down at her papers and continuing to scan them.

The door swung open and in marched three witches in plate mail. "Oi General. I'm the Captain o' the guard." in the center stood a witch well into middle age. Her face was littered with scars both old and new, and she bore a vigorous bronze complexion. She extended a hand in greeting. "Name's Jules, and dese bitches are my sub-captains."

Elizabeth stood, nodding respectfully and extending a hand to shake Jule’s. Hers were the calloused hand of an aged warrior, where Elizabeth's had retained their softness. ”Nice to meet you, Jules. It's an honor to have you in my office, I assume you wanted to talk to me?” She smiled slowly, gesturing to the seats before her. ”Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Jules turned curtly to the youngest of them. The woman in question had sneering at Elizabeth since they'd arrived. "Not you welp, you get to stand. Silently." She smiled at her new boss before flopping into her seat. "You'll 'ave to excuse the young cunt, sorry replacement for Vespa."

"We was thinkin'. There's not really a need to break our chain o' command other than putting you up top of it aye?" Jules grinned. "So I thought I'd save ya some work, and come get my girls's assignments. I'll pass 'em around and make sure they get done."

Elizabeth glanced at the girl who had been sneering at her, giving her a sad smile in response. She didn't want to be anyone's enemy, but some wouldn't be swayed no matter what she did. Her focus returned to Jules, and she found herself agreeing with the Captain. There was no need to take away Jules’ title, Elizabeth would just be the one Jules answered to.

”Of course, Jules. Please, call me Liz.” Elizabeth suggested, pushing a thick stack of papers towards the Captain. ”Feel free to make strategic changes, you know your girls much better than I. If anything major comes up, please feel free to come to me, my door is always open to you.” She felt a weight lift off her shoulders, all the soldier witches would be dealt with by their commander, someone they had already been exposed to, someone they trusted.

"Aye, Liz." Jules offered a small bow. "I'll see 'tall gets done, bellyachin' or no." She cast another withering glance at the younger witch.

"Some o' us remember wot a damned Dragon Knight looks like." She winked as she turned to leave. "When s'all said and done, I'll 'ave ta get enough booze in ya to get the story."

Elizabeth chuckled, Jules was quite pleasant. She was glad some people in the castle agreed to her position, even if she couldn't please them all. ”Thank you so much, you don't realize how big of a help you're being.” She called after them, silently accepting Jules’ offer for a drink. She knew she could use one.

A few minutes after Jules and her two right hands had left, there was another knock on her door. Liz raised an eyebrow, but gave them the okay to come in. In stepped an anthropomorphic cat, in a well fitted overcoat and top hat. He tipped his hat to her, stepping aside so his other companions could come in. Next was a humanoid thing with a hideous face, whose horns caught on the door, forcing him to crouch down to step inside. Elizabeth's next surprise was a strange skeletal creature on all fours, legs as thin as the bow of a violin carried his giant figure, which could've been the explanation for his scarf, covered in beautifully embroidered musical instruments. The last creature to come inside her door resembled a gargoyle, dull moans coming from mouth on his hip as his batty ears twitched and his wings folded behind him.

Elizabeth blinked a few times, recognizing them immediately as demons. They must've been Lorelai's, but she had no idea why they were in her new office. Without another word, the gargoyle pointed towards the papers on her desk, and Liz. The skeleton thing presented itself to Liz, like a steed, and Liz climbed on its back afraid it would crumble under the weight. Surprisingly, it lifted her easily, and trotted out the door.

Soon, the other demons came out behind her, carrying all of her tools and other things she had left on her desk. They took her to the garden, and set her down in the central gazebo. They made quick work, setting things up just as they had been, whenever one made a mistake the cat would point its claw in a new direction and they would go to fix it.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, and their heads snapped up to meet her. ”Thank you...very much. All of you.” She waited for them to introduce themselves, but they simply sat down in front of her, looking at each other as if they could communicate with their eyes. Elizabeth had the sudden realization they had no names to introduce, Lorelai had taken them when she had captured them and made them into servants. Feeling a bit bad, Elizabeth commanded them to go to the gardens and play. They did her bidding instantly, and Elizabeth was alone with her thoughts for the time being.

---

Lorelai leaned back in her chair sighing. Her head swum with figures and calculations. She felt around the pockets of her robe, realizing she'd left her pipe in her office. She stood and opened the window of her room, looking out over the grounds to break the tedium. She was just beginning to wonder how Elizabeth was faring when a knock came at her door.

Finally, something to tear her from the banality of plotting. "Come in."

"Hello Lorelai. Quite an impressive speech you delivered." The giant slowly pushed the door closed with his heel, then leaned onto the backrest's top edge of the next chair with both his hands instead of sitting on it. "Liz wants me to tell you that she loves you." He smirked. "And that she will probably die from the lack of fresh air. Personally, I'd like to add that it would probably alleviate the issue if she stopped burning stuff in her pipe all the time."

"She's sweet, and thank you Andri." Lorelai snapped her fingers, causing several menial labor demons to spring from the walls of her room. "Could you displace my sweetheart to the front gardens? With everything she needs of course. Stick around too, she'll need servants." Reducing Elizabeth's stress was a grave concern for two reasons; Firstly a General performed better when they were clear headed, stress has been the downfall of many a military endeavor. Secondly she loved the woman, and that was self-explanatory.

She resolved to retrieve her pipe later, instead she turned to the task at hand. "I presume you're here for you armor and lens?" She walked past the giant on her way to the castle's basement, gesturing for him to follow.

"That was the second thing on my list, yes. If possible, I'd like to pick it up before attending to my duties. I've been assigned scouting." Andri followed Lorelai into regions of the Castle unbeknown to him. It was rather hilarious to see how many of Lorelai's steps he covered with only a few of his own.

"Seems like a good fit." Scouting would make good use of the giant's paradoxical talent for stealth while not placing him in direct conflict with the hunters that he once called comrades. Yet another impressive foresight on Elizabeth's behalf. Lorelai was becoming more satisfied with her decision by the minute.

She lead the hunter down into the bowels of the castle. The oppulent luxury of the upper halls and terraces gave way to roughly hewn stone and dreary torch-light. The steady rhythm of metal work could be heard echoing off of the stone walls, growing lounder with each passing minute.

By the time they'd arrived at the forgemaster's door the metal clangs had become nearly unbearable, each resounding through the walls and the frames of the two visitors. Lorelai's knock at the door caused the sounds to fall silent. "I don't suppose you've seen an actual giant before have you Andri?"

How deep did this castle go ? The building kept surprising him. Andri had already been thinking about that a sound of metalwork that intense could not be caused by an ordinary blacksmith, but a true giant had not exactly been on the top spot of his list. "Erm... So far people have considered me a giant. So... no."
I know where this is going. Ask him to present you his spear, perhaps even hit you in your face with it. That would be sooooo fun! Khan didn't get a really satisfying response, at least if one considered a mental 'KHAAAAAAN!'-growl that increased in loudness over time not such a thing.

Lorelai smiled and pushed open the small door. Inside was a vast room with a vaulted ceiling. Adorning the walls were racks bearing a multitude of weapons and armors. Each piece was forged with a nearly impossible craftsmanship that far surpassed anything of mortal make. The room was lit by the bright glow of coals from a massive forge built into the wall, sending long shadows across the floor.

The centerpiece of the room, however, was its occupant. Standing nearly twenty feet tall, the forgemaster's skin was a deep burnished bronze cracked by long scars. Grey hair cascaded down his immense shoulders in loose tangles.

The room shook as he greeted his visitors. "Mistress! Is this the Andri you were telling me about?"

"Yes it is." Lorelai grinned up at the giant. "Did you finish the armor I requested?"

"Of course! He chuckled. "I haven't anything better to do after all." He extended a fist nearly the size of Andri's chest towards the hunter.

Laying in its palm when it opened was an exquisite suit of a leather-like material. Stark black, the armor's material seemed much softer than traditional leather. Much to Khan's satisfaction it took only the briefest of glances to realize that fitting this over Andri's frame was going to require... patience.

Khan exploded in laughter. Even if she didn't know it, Lorelai had just managed to regain a lot of his sympathy in an instant. Tell Lorelai I love her! Or I'll poof you out of your clothes again! Andri hesitated, but Khan started to zap his brain, causing a slowly increasing amount of pain. "Khan want's me to tell you that he... loves you. So he says." The hunter spoke this out very fast, wanting to get rid of this sentence as soon as possible. Now grab the thing and find out if it's tensile! If you continue drinking that much like yesterday, your ass will soon cry for more space! Andri touched the material. Not for Khan, but for trying to distract his attention from his chuckle.

In one word: It was amazing. Just by letting it glide through his fingers, the hunter could tell that this would feel better than what he currently had. He smiled towards Lorelai, trying to let a certain topic drop under the table. "May I ask what type of leather this is ?"

"Nightstalker hide. They're abyssal predators known for their invisible hides" Lorelai smirked at Andri's earlier comment, but she refrained from commenting. She stroked a finger over the leather, and it seemed to ripple in its wake. It shimmered for a moment, before becoming completely invisible. Another stroke returned it to norma. "Khan will teach you how to control that."

"It also bears some enchantments that will help it turn a blade much more readily than traditional leather." She patted Andri's arm, considering his shoulder was too much trouble to reach. "It's not quite plate-mail, but I hope it will serve, Andri."

I want you to try it out, now!
I will have Triss hunt you down for this! I won't give up until she has invaded your little realm and completely torn it apart or at least put so many pervy memories in front of your consciousness that you won't be able to bother me for a long period of time!
Blah blah blah! She would have to find a way in there first! And I could ambush her while she tries to do so! I know what your mind looks like, Andri! Now put it on and search for a mirror! A giant one!
One could see that the hunter was battling something inside him. This entire issue had turned out to be a full-scale victory for the demon worm - and he had not only to accept this, but, from a more objective point of view, even grateful for this. And after all, he realized that the armor would make things noticeably easier for him, so it was a damn good thing to have.

"Want me to try it out right now ?" he asked Lorelai.

"Sure, go right ahead." Lorelai gestured to the door behind her. "I'll give you some privacy if you're modest."

Andri lifted the black armor out of Lenny's hand. He would have liked to shake his hand or something instead of just shouting "Thank you!", but given the difference between his giantness and the forgemaster's giantness, attempting this was too likely to be futile.

Behind the door, it took the hunter suspiciously long to get things done. When he came out again, it was obvious why: Andri now looked like a giant, walking, black anomaly inside space that invaded the forge. An anomaly whose every breath was quite visible for everyone as the armor left no doubt about the existence of muscles in Andri's body as well as it left no doubt about the existence of a behind and the area that was on the same height, but on the opposite side. Even most of his face was covered in Nightstalker hide, with the exception of a rather small gap left open around his eyes and his nose. "I assume the glasses you've spoken about fill up the gap ?" He pointed at the area within his face, his voice muffled by the material covering his mouth.

"How dapper!" Lorelai giggled in amusement. As funny as it may have looked she was satisfied that it fit and that the man seemed to be able to move around in it well enough.

She retrieved a pair of goggles with a black strap and crimson lenses fron a nearby rack. Handing them to the hunter she grinned. "They should fade when your armor does. Is everything to your satisfaction?"

Andri played with his fingers, checking if they could move as he was used to as well. "To my satisfaction ?" His tone was like 'Is this a rhethorical question ?'. "It is absolutely fascinating, but... Given the current circumstances, I hope you can understand that I won't say 'I can't wait to try it out.'."
Get to a mirror! I can only tell if it's satisfying when I see the result myself!
"May I ask a question though ? Why is it so skin tight ?"

"One part to ensure it doesn't snag any underbrush or other debris while you're working." Lorelai held a straight face for several moments, before descending into giggles. "And I'm afraid the second is for my amusement. I hope you can forgive an old witch her whimsy, I swear the first reason was practical."

In this instant, the hunter became glad about the fact that the face mask was hiding the color of his skin, too. Why ? Because both embarrassement and momentary anger had the ability to change it to a bright red. He couldn't help but not say a word for some seconds, just looking at Lorelai and how she giggled.

"I can absolutely agree on the first one, but the second one gives Khan a total victory. Is it that that gives you this amusement ? How many of the coven's members will now stare at me when I walk along the hallways ?"

"Somewhat, yes. Mostly because you seem like the type to be embarassed by these types of things." Lorelai stated, smiling. "Also, as tight as it is I figured you could wear clothes over top of it. Yet another practical purpose, also there's no real need to wear your armor around the coven you know." She arched an eyebrow at the man.

"Tell this Khan!" A bit more loudly, he repeated "Tell this Khan!". Andri shook his head, not wanting to believe his own expectations. "He will most likely torture me to wear it inside the coven, for reasons that are obvious. Difficult times awaiting me..." His own eyebrows weren't visible anymore, one could only see movement below the black material.

"Please tell me... What do you know about Khan ? He had seemed to be a bit afraid of you... till now at least."

"It would be wise for him to maintain a healthy fear of me. I still haven't forgiven him for the last time he failed me." Lorelai glared at Andri's head, directly at the spot where the demonic worm was neslted in. "For now though I'll stay his sentence so long as he continues working with you, and lays off of his more onerous demands."

"As for the rest I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific. Are you looking for his history? 'Biology'? Helpful tips on controlling his... urges?" Lorelai began leading him back out of the basement. "There's not a great deal I don't know about him. Somethings are better left forgotten. Others, however, may prove insightfull."

Khan getting blackmailed - that was fantastic! In fact, after rescuing Liz from Seren's Folly with his power is was probably the second thing to go right with him after all. Andri was close to giving Lorelai a hug for her decisive statements directed at the worm and he was cheering up as they were leaving the basement.

"I'll cut this short: Tell me everything... I want to know what he really is. Where he comes from, if he is alone or if there are others of his kind. And... yes... tips about him would be helpful."

"First thing to realize is that he needs you as much as you benefit from him." Lorelai counciled. "You can survive without him, and continue to do your work. He, however, lacks the proper anatomy to persue his interests without help."

"So keep that in mind when he threatens to eat your brain, or whatever he's saying nowadays." She laughed. "He's less eager to do that as you might think. Keep him happy, as any good partner should, but don't put up with too much of his drivel. Lest he learn to walk all over you."

"As for his kind, there are six more." Lorelai paused for a moment. "Khan embodies lust... and trangression as I'm sure you've noticed. Even his teleportation stems from his ultimate disdain for taboo and social norms, as he travels sympathic pathways instead of being constrained by the notion of objective distance."

"There is a similar entity for each of the 'seven deadly sins'." She placed air quotes around the last few words, rolling her eyes. "Although I think you've little to worry about from them. They don't get along with each other all that well."

The more Lorelai told him about Khan, the slower Andri's pace got, until the last thing had caused him to stop completely and lean against a wall. He didn't know what 'sympathic pathways' were, nor was he sure about if he really wanted to know how that worm in his head looked like. The story about the seven sins was a real shocker however. "So you are telling me that out of the zillions of demons and other things that are lurking down there in hell and up here, I've managed to pick out one of just seven especially unique ones ? How likely is that ?"
There! Appreciate me! I'm something very special and you should consider yourself a very special person to have met me!
Andri's mind was hit by another shock. What if... "Is it possible that there's something unknown about me that could attract the other worms as well ?" His voice was affected by quite a noticeable amount of fear. Six other terrible entities were waiting somewhere out there...

"Hmmm... possibly." Lorelai paused a moment while the shock set in, then she smiled. "If that comes to pass though I'll do what I can to ensure you remain whole Andri. You're a member of the coven now, that makes us family."

"Maybe I should've just squashed Khan, oh well." Lorelai motioned for the hunter to pick up the pace.

Khan didn't say anything when Lorelai mentioned squashing him. He was afraid, really afraid, but of course he made a top secret out of it. He couldn't have done any worse to his host's mood anyway though as it was plummeting incredibly faster than the hunter had cheered up before. Andri tried to get away from the topic himself, but even as he spoke he could already feel that his attempt would not be much of a success. His face, as far as it could be seen, had turned pale, and his voice dry. "Perhaps I should just read through my instructions package and get to work before I get crazy..."

"I've always found that to be best." They'd arrived in the castle proper and came to the intersection between her personal tower and the rest of the common area. Lorelai stopped and turned to the hunter. "As I said, you've little to fear. If Khan or any of his 'kin' give you too much trouble come find me and we'll sort it out alright?"

---

Evening came sooner than anyone expected, or wanted. The sun kissed the mountains surrounding the castle, bathing the garden in its orange deaththroes, and signaling the end of the first of many busy days to come. No witches lingered in either the halls or gardens, electing instead for private time with loved ones, or simply extra rest.

"You're going to have to teach me to use one of these someday." Lorelai rounded the last hedge on her way to the central gazebo. She turned Elizabeth's new whip over in her hands, examining its exquisite make.

She laughed and leaned against one of the pillars supporting the roof of Liz's new 'office'. "Then again, I'd probably just end up cutting my arm or leg off."

Throughout the day, Elizabeth had taken it upon herself to ease her new demons into enjoying her company. She had given them new names: the cat was Bo, the humanoid was Beebop, the one in charge was Butch, and the skeletal monster was Bob...because she had ran out of ideas. They had all opened up to her, and were passing around a pebble as they shared stories in their strange voices. Bob was turning out to be her favorite, his tone was that of strained violins, and Bo had to translate for him.

As Lorelai appeared, all of the demons fell silent, it was apparent that they weren't used to speaking unless they were spoken to. Liz told them to go for a walk, and have fun, and they walked off. Only Bob stayed, trotting around and bellowing in a high pitch. Elizabeth laughed, looking at Lorelai with a passion she had kept to herself all day.

”I could always teach you a thing or two, I used to have a little red ribbon on the dart when I was a child. It tells you where the dart is, to avoid accidents.” Liz leapt up from her seat, walking over to Lorelai and giving her lover a hug. ”Anything exciting happen to you today? I for one, received four new friends.” She winked at Lorelai, tilting her head to Bob who screeched a hello. ”Hope you don't mind, I gave them a couple privileges.”

Lorelai's eyes followed the demons with amusement. Elizabeth had a way with people it seemed, and demons were no exception. "Do with them what thou wilt, love. They're yours for so long as they please you." She grinned. "Better you than me, in their esteemed opinion."

She leaned up and left a lingering kiss on the huntress' lips. "The image of a much younger you playing with a ribbon is stuck in my head now, and I must say it seems adorable." She layed her head against her lover's shoulder. "You should teach the girls, I think they'd love it."

"Oh, in some exciting news, Sousiel seems to be enamoured with Miss Felminah. You know her as Triss." She laughed. "I'm not sure who to be worried about."

Elizabeth felt her heart flutter when Lorelai pulled her into a kiss, all the day's stress faded away. She planted a few more kisses along Lorelai's jawline, until her lover brought up training Lotte and Abby with chain whips. She pulled back, smiling at the thought. ”It's best for them to start young, the more they work on it, the better they'll be when the time comes.”

She approved of them learning, she wanted them to be ready for whatever the world threw at them. When Lorelai brought up Sousiel's love life, Liz felt her pale cheeks turn red. ”Oh, she told you? I didn't think she would, but I'm very happy for her.”

'There it is. That amazing moment where her voice and touch make all the pain dissapear, and everything seem worth it' Lorelai thought to herself as the stress of the day, deep as it was, dissolved in a flurry of sweet things. Her jawline ached sweetly, her lips burned, and her heart thudded against her chest in harmony with Liz's.

The only dark cloud that remained was her concern for Sousiel. That and a small twinge of jealousy, Sousiel had been her first love after all, but that was irrational for the most part. "I'm... happy that she's reaching out again." Lorelai sighed into Liz's neck, planting a few light kisses of her own. "I'm just worried that if it doesn't work she'll lose hope for good this time. Sousiel's very dear to me, and I'd go to great lengths to spare her pain. In this though I'm powerless, which is an unwelcome sensation after all these years."

Elizabeth stroked Lorelai's hair, pulling her close as she sighed. The concern for her familiar was evident in Lorelai's tone, but Elizabeth knew very well that somethings weren't meant to be monitored or controlled. ”I can always kill Triss if Sousiel's heart is broken, but for now…I think it's better if we let Sousiel do things on her own. It's a learning process. Is there anything else on your case?”

Elizabeth snapped, and a few moments later Bob moaned out the sound of a violin’s string being plucked. Gathering Lorelai up into her arms, Elizabeth fell back with a gentle plop. She landed on the leathery hide of Bob, who was still about four feet tall when pressed flat on the ground. Bob lifted, taking them into the air and trotting along with a proud flick of his neck. Elizabeth looked down at the beautiful woman wrapped in her arms, and winked. ”Bob makes the perfect accomplice.”

Lorelai'd never admit just how hard her heart flipped everytime Elizabeth lifted her into the air. There was an unexpected sweetness to being cradled, and it was yet another thing she'd never shared with anyone other than her huntress. The waiting steed was an exciting new twist on what was quickly becoming a timeless classic.

"Perfection seems to follow you, love." Lorelai let out a girlish giggle as she rested her head against Elizabeth's shoulder.

"So far I've plotted me and Alphonse's course. Prepared everything we'll need," Lorelai ran through her mental checklist yet again. "I'm just afraid of homesickness now. I... I've never been homesick before." She wasn't sure which was more embarassing; admitting that, or burying her face in the knight's shoulder like a schoolgirl to avoid her blush being seen.

Elizabeth made a quick mental note to take Lorelai on more rides with Bob, it seemed to be amazingly effective. ”You may think I'm perfect, but if you asked my mom, she’d give you a whole list of things I'm terrible at.” Elizabeth laughed, amused at the thought of her mother even writing something for her. That was one of her sacrifices, she would never be able to make amends with her family, and she had no idea if it was worth it yet. Her father probably already knew that she had stormed into Seren's Folly and made an attempt at a fellow hunter’s life, she could never imagine his disappointment, or her mother's fear.

When the tears began to raise up to meet her eyes, she pushed the thoughts away, focusing on her new family. Lotte, Abby, and the wonderful lady burying her face into Liz's shoulder. ”There's no reason to be embarrassed, Lorelai. Everyone gets homesick, whether they want to or not. Sometimes they miss their bed, other times they miss the people, or maybe just the peace and quiet found in the woods of their home. I'll give you a token, so you can hold it when you feel alone.” Her eyes sparkled, as a plan formed in her head. She would have Lotte and Abby write their mother a letter, there was nothing Lorelai loved more than them, and nothing that could make her feel happier than a personal gift from them.

Lorelai's heart trembled at the mention of Elizabeth's family. Oh how she wished she could meet them, and speak to them as their daughter's suitor properly. Perhaps she'd come to like them, she could easily see enjoying her father's company from the way Elizabeth described him. Some things would have to remain wishes though. The worst thing about the entire situation though, was that the woman was giving up her family to preserve her's. Lorelai just hoped that she'd find her new family worth the price, because as things stood that's all she could offer.

Lorelai's heart warmed at the thought of a token. A small representation of Elizabeth's affection, such a simple thing, yet something she'd never have considered on her own. "Like a lock of your hair? Maybe something with your scent on it?" Her face brightened. "I would like that very much."

Lorelai's heart trembled at the mention of Elizabeth's family. Oh how she wished she could meet them, and speak to them as their daughter's suitor properly. Perhaps she'd come to like them, she could easily see enjoying her father's company from the way Elizabeth described him. Some things would have to remain wishes though. The worst thing about the entire situation though, was that the woman was giving up her family to preserve her's. Lorelai just hoped that she'd find her new family worth the price, because as things stood that's all she could offer.

She looked up at the wonderful woman that had so deftly conquered her heart. Her hand came up to stroke her cheek. "I'm sorry Elizabeth. All I have to offer is my love, and the promise of a new family. I hope you don't come to regret it sweetheart."

Elizabeth's eyes widened immensely at the thought of cutting off her hair, she hadn't done that in years. Instinctively, she reached for the tight braid swinging across her back. A couple of inches wouldn't hurt, right? She looked back down at Lorelai, who was so very vibrant, and she knew that her hair was a worthy sacrifice. ”Of course, love, if it keeps you sane in the abyss I'll do anything.” A very large part of her hoped the hair wouldn't be used in any rituals, but she wouldn't tell Lorelai not to.

Lorelai challenged her with the talk about family. Of course, she didn't regret her decision yet, but she had no clue how things would turn out in the future. She leaned into Lorelai's small hand, appreciating the warmth. ”Your love is all I need, Lorelai. Our family is the most beautiful thing I could ask for, Lotte and Abby are endearing.”

"You're sweet, and everything I could ask for." Time would tell how things turned out. For now Lorelai would simply have to hope. She finally tore her eyes away for Elizabeth's divine visage long enough to note her surroundings. "Elizabeth? Where are we going?"

”You're more than I could ask for.” After planting a kiss on Lorelai's cheek, Elizabeth looked around, they definitely weren't in the gardens anymore. ”I...don't know actually. I thought Bob would just prance through the gardens for a bit.” She glanced at Bob, who was humming a rather pleasant tune. The demon's head snapped back as he felt her eyes on him, and with a sickening crack his jaw stretched into something close to a smile, but not quite there.

”Where are we going, Bob?” She asked him, straining to look through the thick wall of trees. The creature screeched, something that could have been an ‘I don't know’ or ‘It's a surprise’. Elizabeth shrugged, letting him guide them. Soon, the trees gave way to a small clearing, full of wildflowers. A lazy river ran through the center, and Bob's voice rang out when he looked at it.

Taking the hint, Elizabeth made him crouch so they could safely jump off of his back. The moment they had left, he charged towards the river, his scarf flowing behind him. Elizabeth laughed when he jumped in, sitting down in a patch of blue wildflowers. ”Why are demons so cute? First Sousiel, then Bo, and now Bob.” She glanced at Lorelai, smirking. ”Oh, and Lady Nocticula, she was one beautiful lady.”

"I think that's just you, darling." Lorelai's eyes followed the demonic steed as it... frolicked in the... "Okay, I see it now. Although to be fair it took Sousiel nearly twenty years to get cuteness down, she gave me nightmares when I was little."

She layed her head in Elizabeth's lap. "Bob's found us quite the spot hasn't he? It's beautiful." Their small clearing was bathed orange in the sunset's glow, the orange sun setting just over the treeline. The air was filled with cricket's songs, and the babble of the small sapphire stream running through its center. Even the wildflowers against her back were soft and inviting.

Her eyes closed slowly, a smile of contentment curving her lips. "Not much light left, love. What shall we do with it?"

Elizabeth ran her hands through Lorelai's soft hair, taking in the refreshing smells of the forest. The day's activities began to wear down on her, and as night closed in, she knew she just wanted to relax for the remainder of their time. ”Not to disappoint, Lorelai, but I say we enjoy the sunset together and be lazy. Then, before we leave, we can partake in some strenuous activities.” Elizabeth cooed, closing her eyes and laying back in the grass. It swallowed her up, a perfectly soft bed. The wildflowers filled her nose with their wondrous scents, and the crickets lulled her.

"Napping amidst wildflowers is a time honored lover's tradition." Lorelai agreed entirely. The day hadn't be easy on her either, between witches protesting her decision and preparations for her expedition fatigue had settled into the woman's limbs.

She shifted her head to rest on Elizabeth's stomach, her hand finding her lover's and lacing their fingers happily. "A lovely plan dear."

♥♠♣♦Welcome to Wonderland♦♣♠♥ (Starting!! (Always Open)

@sassy1085 Sure! Queens read right? The library might get a bit of a visit.

@UnknownScarlet4 Who killed my jabberwock!? Crazy people run into crazy stuff right? We could also go for that.

If either of you two wants to poke me sometime today I'd love to get out a collab.

@Guardian Angel Haruki Figure after one of the above she waltzs in to smash some of the kings stuff for kicks, and say hi of course, wouldn't want to be rude. ;)

♥♠♣♦Welcome to Wonderland♦♣♠♥ (Starting!! (Always Open)

@Midnight Howl I'm glad to hear he's going to be alright.

♥♠♣♦Welcome to Wonderland♦♣♠♥ (Starting!! (Always Open)

If anyone wants to interact with the Queen, and loves collabs as much as I do, poke me and I'll set a pad up.

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

@SunsetRoses I'm over here if you wanted to get started on the trip.

Anyone else feel free to drop by of course, you have me most of the night.

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

_{in collaboration with @SunsetRoses}

"First Date Plans"

Sousiel roamed the halls of the castle in a daze. She'd missed most of the meeting, coming in for the last bits before roaming again. An alien thing fluttered in her chest, and with it came strange urges and desires she had no idea how to express. The desire to consume, gently, and ravage, sweetly. Paradoxical things she hadn't felt since her and Lorelai were young and stupid.

Eventually she found her way to Lorelai's office, pushing open the door she was met with Elizabeth's face instead of her mistress'. "Right... she did say she was giving you her office didn't she..." Sousiel sighed and went to sit in one of the chairs anyway, she didn't really have anywhere else to go. "I'm at your service Liz, yadda yadda, you get the idea right?" She smiled weakly at the huntress.

Elizabeth hadn't been expecting anyone for about an hour, so when the door swung open and Sousiel stepped inside, it was a pleasant surprise. She pushed aside the paper she had just finished, watching Sousiel as the demon sat down in a chair and gave her the weakest smiles she had seen from the girl. ”Sousiel, what's the matter? You look like the life has been sucked out of you.”

"It has, I'm dying." Sousiel stated melodramatically, resting her chin on Elizabeth's desk. Another wistful sigh escaped her lips. She looked for a long moment at the knight, realizing that she might have the answers she was hoping Lorelai would. "Elizabeth? Tell me about love."

Elizabeth rested her head on her knuckles, staring blankly at the demon and waiting for her to say it was a joke. When the demon didn't give her any signs, Elizabeth’s mouth gaped. ”Okay...I'll tell you about love after you tell me why you're so curious.” Did demons feel love? Why was Sousiel so interested, and why was she acting like this?

"I want to fall in love." Sousiel sighed yet again, laying her cheek against the cool desk. "I don't want to want to fall in love... if that makes sense, but I do."

"There's a witch out there, that hurt me really good, and stole my heart." Sousiel covered her face with her hand before Elizabeth could see the blush crawling over her face. "And I've got no clue what to do with all this... fluttering." She groaned impotently.

Elizabeth grinned, pride and joy worming their way into her open heart. Sousiel was in love, a phrase she wasn't sure the demon would ever dream of saying. ”That's wonderful news, Sousiel. The fluttering is a natural reaction, a sign that you have true feelings for this witch of yours. It won't go away, in my case, the flutters have never ceased with Lorelai.” Elizabeth poked Sousiel's cheek, her grin spreading further still.

”I know why you're afraid, but you shouldn't be. Love is a natural thing, a beautiful thing, once you catch feelings you shouldn't ignore them.” Elizabeth chuckled, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms. ”Wait until Lorelai hears about this! It will be so magical!”

"I don't know about natural, or wonderful, mostly it's just confusing." Sousiel sat up, encouraged by Elizabeth's excitement. She'd never admit it, but she was impressed with the new knight. If she thought it was a good thing, then it must be true. "Maybe we don't tell Lorelai though? I don't want her to know if I fail..."

"...What do I do now though? I'm in love, but what's next?" Sousiel said shyly, yet another emotion she was incapable of the day previous.

”The confusion will give way to wonder, trust me.” Elizabeth stated, confident so Sousiel wouldn't be dissuaded. The girl was experiencing new things, and she had to be introduced to them slowly or it would be more trouble than it's worth. Elizabeth felt quite honoured that Sousiel had decided to talk to her, the girl being like extended family, but she wouldn't admit that even if she was under torture.

”I won't tell Lorelai, but when you snag this girl of yours you have to tell her.” Elizabeth winked, loving the new emotions in Sousiel. It was quite interesting to hear the demon's shy tones. ”Now, you begin developing. Work with her more often, speak to her when you get the chance, share comfort. You can't just love her and be done with it, think of your love as a...a plant. It needs to be nurtured from the ground up, and soon it will bare fruit for years to come.”

Sousiel's eyes widened as it dawned on her that this could be a life-long affliction. 'No, not affliction, blessing. Don't defeat yourself before you begin.' She chided herself internally. She nodded in resolve as she threw herself across the table to hug her mentor. "Thanks!"

She turned and lept from the table to the door, grinning brightly. "Nurture it like a plant." she repeated to herself as she opened the door. "Nurture it like normal people nurture a plant, I don't think she meant I should burn Triss for fun." She spun whismically as she stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

Elizabeth watched Sousiel leave, spinning down the hall like a dancer as she repeated her new mantra. It was adorable, she decided awkwardly. ’It would be most tragic if she failed, but the trials of love will serve her justly over time.’ Elizabeth shrugged the thought off, still wondering just how the lucky unnamed witch snagged a demon's heart, and who she would have to kill if Sousiel came to her crying.

---

The next few hours saw Sousiel skipping about the castle in search for Triss, before the demon realized that she had a room. A scared witch coughed up its location after surprisingly few threats, sending her skipping off with purpose towards the western dormitories.

She'd paused only long enough to retrieve a small bag of toys from her room, and a vase full of flowers they had been discarding from the gardens. She smiled her heart throbbing in her chest, and managed to still her tembling hand before knocking at Triss' door. "Triss? Its Sousiel, do you have some time to play?"

Triss brushed through the tangles in her hair, a process she hadn't bothered with in some time. The wooden handle was unfinished and left the beginning of calluses in her palm. Her time with Alphonse had been heavenly, they traded stories and simply enjoyed one another. She wanted to be with him, not in anything serious yet because they were both still young, but in a deep relationship that wouldn't be broken by sillier things.

A knock came on her door, and the voice that followed made Triss feel a bit warm. She set down her brush, picking splinters from her hand as she went to open the door. ”I'll always have time for you, Sousiel.” She stated, her voice teasing and airy. Triss gestured towards the room, allowing Sousiel to come inside and get comfortable. ”I'm surprised you bothered to knock, pleasantly surprised.”

"I almost forgot." Sousiel said sheepishly as she stepped into the room. She set the vase of roses in the window-sill so they could bathe in the evening light. Her eyes roamed over the room as if it were a place of wonder, examining each of Triss' personal effects as if they held some wondrous secret.

Once she'd sated her curiousity she sat gently on the edge of Triss' bed, her hands clutching her small bag. "I brought some stuff to do." She began rummaging through her belongings. "I have a chess board, although I'm not very good. I have a sketch book, I was hoping to draw a portrait maybe, that I'm kinda good at. I have a music box and some plates if you wanted to listen, or maybe dance. I have a rubber ball... for rubber ball stuff." She laid out each item on the floor as she named it.

Once her bag was empty she looked back up to Triss shyly. "Or we can just talk... I dunno how this works, sorry." She grinned. "But at least I brought flowers."

Triss marveled at the roses now sitting on her windowsill, she stood and took in their beautiful fragrance as Sousiel pulled items from her bag. Each time she named something, Triss’ heart swelled. Not because she wanted to play with the toys -though that rubber ball was more than tempting- but because Sousiel had tried, for her. It was endearing, and Triss took one of the roses from the vase, handing it off to Sousiel.

”It's all amazing, every last thing. The centerpiece is you, though. You enchant this drab room.” Triss wrapped her arms around the poor demon who had become infatuated by her. ”I'll do whatever you please.”

Sousiel turned a light shade of pink at Triss' compliment. She marveled at the sway this insane witch's words held over her heart, which throbbed happily in her chest. "I have alot of questions. I want to learn everything about you." She fought to keep her voice steady.

She nuzzled into Triss' embrace, burying her face in the girl's shoulder. "C-can I have a kiss first though?" She wondered mildly if her face would burst into flames. Say what you will about love, but it had a way of making her feel young and silly that remains unmatched in her centuries.

”There's not much to learn, but I'll do my best. You're the one with the vast history.” She laughed, stroking Sousiel's head with a gentle touch. She pulled away and tilted Sousiel's head up with her finger, staring into her gorgeous eyes. She leaned in, and gave Sousiel a lingering kiss. When she was ready to pull away, she met Sousiel with a smirk. ”What would you like to know first?”

Sousiel blinked several times as the warmth on her lips bounced sweetly about her head, completely demolishing her train of thought. A silly grin curved her lips as she regained a modicum of focus. "Right! I can't just ask for a life story, I should parcel this out."

She thought for a moment. "Ok, where were you born, where did you grow up, who were your parents, did you like them, when did you discover your magic." She wrapped her arms around Triss' waist affectionately. "And can we play catch while we talk?"

Something sparked in Triss in that moment, a yearning to find out more about herself. She knew all the basic questions, but who was she really? No one in her family -that she knew of- was a witch, she was disconnected from her parents because they weren't like her, they never would be like her. She frowned for just a second, then the happiness swept over her face at Sousiel's hug. She moved away from the girl and grabbed the rubber ball, tossing it back and forth between her hands before throwing it at Sousiel to catch.

”I come from Tamar, a town of wealthy merchants and peasant farmers.” Triss’ eyes sparkled, nostalgia filling her. The denizens of the town treated her like the scum on their shoes, but it was her home. Someday she would return, see her parents and the inevitable child they had had to replace her. ”I was born and raised there, my parents were kind...but staying there would have ruined their good reputation. They were in the top layer of peasants, I bet they're doing even better now.”

She forced a laugh, choking on a sob that rose in her throat without warning. ”My powers came when I got into a fight with some other girls. I made them fight each other, looking back now it was pretty fun to watch.”

"That does sound fun to watch!" Sousiel caught the ball and returned it, continuing their game. "Mind powers are cool, the Tellurian sounds amaaaaazing." Sousiel giggled.

"So... your parents weren't witches? Or at least your mother?" Sousiel tilted her head in curiousity. "That can't have been easy, leaving home with no idea of your legacy. It must have been lonely." She looked saddened by the thought of the tragedy. "Have you ever thought about trying to find out who your sorcerous ancestor was?"

Triss tilted her head, what was a Tellurian? Was it a place in the abyss? If so, why hadn't Sousiel visited before? ”I'm sure it's a lovely place, where is it, here or the abyss?” Triss was puzzled, but she set it aside to answer Sousiel's other questions. ”They weren't witches, not a drop of magic in them. I checked up to my great great grandmothers on each side, no witches. It was lonely, but I've never thought of searching for my ancestors.” She paused, remembering her first day in the castle as she continued their game. ”Medusa said she couldn't find a Felminah in her books, so I just gave up.”

"The Tellurian is...," Sousiel paused for a moment with the ball in her hands as she struggled to remember the discussion Lorelai and her had years ago. "It's the 'collective unconcious of humanity'." She quoted before resuming their game. "Apparently dreameaters, memory thieves, and nightmares live there. Also the fey, but they're elusive."

"Your ancestor wouldn't likely share your surname, so I'm not surprised it wasn't in one of Medusa's books." Sousiel grinned. "I could help you look later if you want, I'm pretty familiar with the library."

Triss nodded, understanding calming her features. She wanted to go there, to this plane of dreams. It seemed like the perfect place for her, full of mysteries and darkness. Everyone else was going somewhere, Alphonse to the abyss, Andri on his special trips, she wanted to go somewhere too. ”I think that's a great place for me to learn about my powers. Thank you for telling me. I just need to find someone to take me.” She smiled, a natural grin returning to her face.

”You would be a great help, if you have the time you may find me in the library tonight. Or, I may already be gone. I want to head out as soon as possible, so I can return and help with the war efforts.” Triss sighed, the next few days would be horribly busy and she couldn't spend it all researching. ”Speaking of which, I need to go talk to Blondie about my position.”

Work with her more often, speak to her when you get the chance, share comfort. This was a golden opportunity! Thank Lorelai for Elizabeth! "I-I'll come with you if you want!" Sousiel offered, smiling brightly. "I've always wanted to go anyway." While that was certainly true, Sousiel's primary motivations were plain on her face.

Triss read Sousiel's eager face, the girl was good. She had suggested a trip where they could bond, and be mostly alone, and Triss had to commend her. Triss also wanted someone who could navigate things more easily, and no one was better qualified than Sousiel, at least...not in her mind. ”I'd love to bring you along, think of it as a date. Do you have any plans to fulfill, or can we be off? Of course we'll need to pack, but we'll concern ourselves with that as it comes.” Triss kissed Sousiel on the forehead, giving her an open invitation to come along.

"Yay!" Sousiel danced an internal victory dance. A date, and another kiss! This is how it starts, just like Elizabeth and her mistress said. She'd nurture this little flower of hers until it was mighty, striding boldly where no demon had gone before. "Just let me tell Lorelai I'll be going, and borrow some of her books, then I'll be ready to leave."

Triss blushed, it was so exciting to see Sousiel happy. She hoped Alphonse felt this way, when they were together. ”Of course, tell her I'll return you in top shape with a full mind.” Triss winked, knowing how severely she would be punished if Sousiel came home broken. ”Meanwhile, I'll get our picnic together, as well as some other things I presume we'll need for the trip. I should tell Alphonse I'll be leaving, and Andri.” Triss said, mainly as an afterthought. She then gave Sousiel another squeeze, before going around her room and collecting a few necessities.

Her smile was somewhat lopsided as Triss turned to collect her things. Perhaps Sousiel should have mentioned that the Tellurian was an insanely dangerous mindscape, and that the chances of them escaping unscathed was essentially zero. "I'll meet you back here tonight then, night's the best conduit to open the way there I believe." She shrugged internally. She'd blazed her way through the blood and dark of the inferno, and what's a little existential horror between lovers anyway right?

---

Sousiel strode into her mistress' room nervously. She was aware of how poorly the timing of her little trip came, but she'd never asked anything of her mistress before, and she was hopeful. "Lorelai?"

Lorelai looked up from her maps of the abyss. Charting extraplanar journeys was a task that required a keen eye and a master's precision. There was the shifting nature of the Far Realms to consider, as well as the strange flow of time. One misstep and a traveler could find themselves losing an era in the material world. "Yes Sousiel?"

"I've been invited on a trip to the Tellurian, and I really want to go. I know now's a bad time, but I'll work twice as hard when I get back!" Sousiel pleaded with her mistress.

"A trip to the Tel- Sousiel? Have you gone mad? The Tellurian is not a pleasure destination." Lorelai surveyed the demon suspiciously, her nostrils flaring. "Sousiel, darling, who invited you on this expedition? And why would you consider such a dangerous endeavor?"

"Uh...She's a mind witch that wants to become stronger. I just want to help." Sousiel fidgeted nervously.

"Sousiel... that's not a name." Lorelai chided. "Why are you dodging this?"

"Because you don't like her." Sousiel admitted sheepishly.

"Triss then, and I don't dislike her, I just think she's dangerously crazy." Lorelai spoke softly, trying to reassure the demon. "Do you have feelings for Triss?"

Sousiel fidgeted for several minutes before Lorelai sighed. "I'll take that as a yes then."

She reached across the small distance between them and grabbed the demon's wrists. Pulling her familiar into her lap she planted a peck on her cheek. "Is this really that important to you? I'll not have you risk your life on a whim."

"Yes mistress, if I don't chase this chance I don't think I'll ever get up the nerve again." Sousiel nuzzled her cheek into Lorelai's shoulder.

"Then you may go, I'll not chain your heart." Lorelai deposited the girl on the ground and stood. Moving around the room she gathered a few books and three cold-iron daggers. Handing them to the demon she smiled. "You'll not be leaving without these though."

"Thank you Lorelai!" Sousiel threw her arms around her mistress' waist. This had been much easier than the demon expected.

"Of course Sousiel, and if she hurts you more than she needs to," Lorelai smiled. "I'll kill her."

"Okay." Sousiel barely heard what her mistress had said. She skipped out of the room for what she expected would be the trip of a lifetime.

Lorelai shook her head as she watched her familiar dance away. "Mental note: Move 'killing Triss' from the 'Probably but won't enjoy' pile to the 'Can't but really should' pile." She sighed and returned to her work.