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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 15, 2020 15:14:50 GMT -5
โDeny it whole you can, half-demon. Soon you will know the truth,โ the demon pointed out and, just like that, went back to their reading. They were a strange fellow, even for a demon.
Romi was none too pleased to hear that Gil and Aries potentially knew what this stranger was talking about. If they had been keeping secrets, she would box their ears and then some. โYeah, I doubt Iโm going to be doing and world changing, so Iโm inclined to agree with Winter. Nope, no prophecies for us, thank you. I donโt believe in any of that mumbo jumbo.โ She took Winterโs arm again and turned towards the door, intending to find a room that was actually empty. โLetโs go before they start telling prophecies of how much student debt Iโll have to pay off in twenty years.โ
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 16, 2020 22:19:00 GMT -5
The bizarre predictions must have had something to do with the unusual happenings that transpired earlier. The incident in the elevator, the power outage during the storm. Must have been related to the little scrap of paper, the map, that she kept tucked away in her purse most days. How any demon could know about it, unless they were directly responsible, she didnโt know. She didnโt believe that telling the future was possible by any means and that prophecies were no more than words written on paper. Ideas, nothing more. Magic couldnโt tell you what path she would take, in her opinion. It could guide her, certainly. It couldnโt control her actions or decide her fate for her.
She closed the library door behind them and let out a small breath through her nose, before moving on to try and find somewhere that was actually empty. It took a while, but she did manage to find an unlocked room. Some sort of sitting area, with large fluffy chairs and a big couch. The window faced the lush gardens and many people could be seen milling about below. She only turned the light on long enough to check and ensure that the room was unoccupied, then closed the door behind them and shut the light back off.
Carefully sat down on the couch and tried not to smudge her makeup when she rubbed a hand over her face. โI wish people older than a hundred didnโt have to be so cryptic all the time,โ she sighed. โCanโt they just, I donโt know, say it? Not that I believe in prophecies, but you know. I hope we get to see Lovelace soon. I know you donโt like being here, Win.โ
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 28, 2020 19:10:00 GMT -5
(( Sorry, this semester has been super rough on me! Iโve got a lot of important school events and projects going on all at once. ))
Romi sunk deep into the plush cushions of the loveseat and tried not to focus on what that demon had told them mere moments ago. Thereโs no such thing as predicting fate. Prophecies are fueled by nonsense and paranoia. She told herself that, many times, but she couldnโt shake the worry that rooted itself deep into her bones. Drove her mad, these thoughts did, until she forced herself to focus on something else entirely. Like Winter, for example, who was by far more interesting than the thought of a prophecy. โI believe so,โ she answered. โWitches have a way of knowing everything thatโs going on in their homes. At least, my mother always does. I assume itโs true for most witches around her age.โ
Eyes glued to the window overlook the garden, she caught sight of an endless sea of people. Some warlocks, some demons. Many having fun. Dancing and drinking, a group of fairies sipping on glasses of brightly colored juice that no human could ever hope to ingest.
โAre you doing okay, Winter? I know we havenโt really talked much lately,โ she said quietly and turned her grey eyes over to him. Even with half her face bandaged, she always seemed to put his feelings and well-being first.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 28, 2020 20:35:29 GMT -5
(I promise you, it's okay! School is much more important and needs to be what you focus on most right now. I'm not going to expect you to put it aside just for the sake of rping. I can wait. I hope everything goes well for you and your projects! ^^ )
The boy had taken a seat on the sofa, but it wasn't as relaxed as Romi. He sat, but he was perched more on the edge of the seat, ready to jump up if anything were to happen. Winter, while not prone to anxiety attacks like the others, was starting to get frustrated and frazzled. The suit he was wearing was itchy and stiff, making his movements and even his sitting position awkward. Then there was all his worked up nerves from the crowds and ominous message they received. Romi's question could have been expected since, despite his attempts to keep some kind of composure, he must have been starting to show signs of distress. However, her words made him question more than just his current state.
Ever since they had banished their father, things in the system had been thrown off kilter. His memories of the day ended not long after having the silver injected into his veins. When he returned to the front, it was after they were back at the dorm. Everything in between was unknown to him. There was a new alter, that much was for certain, but he wasn't sure what to do about it. It's not like he hadn't dealt with this before. Sam didn't show himself until they were in the fourth grade. However, this hadn't been the same as it had been with Sam. Where Sam had been shy and scared in his approach, making contact with them in the Inside before trying to front, this new alter had been the complete opposite. Winter had no idea where Xoros had come from, hadn't seen or heard any sign of the creature before. Yet he had surfaced with such impact, seeming to knock the others so far back into the mind with such force that left them shaken and unsteady. He had also been the first and only one who had ever tried fighting to stay in control of the body. Yet since he was removed from the front, the creature ad resumed his hiding. Winter hadn't been able to find him no matter how hard he looked. It had him troubled much more than he wanted to admit.
A part of him didn't want to reply. Talking wasn't his strong suit, and he really didn't feel like going into detail about his emotions here and now. However, the other part of him was still operating on his guilt for nearly abandoning her to their father's mercy, or lack thereof. That part at least wanted to give her some kind of answer. "I don't think 'okay' is an accurate term to use," he muttered.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 28, 2020 21:22:40 GMT -5
[[ Thanks! Everythingโs going okay, itโs just a lot to balance out. How have you been? ]]
Heโs right, her brain replied automatically. โOkayโ isnโt really the right word to describe either of us at the moment. Their issues were different, but heavily related, connected to the same central point: Xorros, the newest and most troublesome alter. Winter worried over the state of his entire system, which he thought he knew so well, and Romi echoed that worry in a slightly different manner. She didnโt like the demonโs penchant for rushing head-first into danger, his flippant attitude towards the safety of the others. His only concern seemed to be wreaking havoc in every conceivable way. Arguing with him was like trying to convince a spider that hunting insects was wrong. Pointless and a waste of her time. He didnโt care if he caused them harm. Didnโt care if he got them into serious trouble that could, very likely, ruin their lives forever. That was unacceptable.
Winter understood that the consequences of his actions affected the others as well, which Xorros didnโt give a ratโs hide about. She wanted to care about the demon, but he certainly didnโt make it easy for her.
โIsnโt that the truth, sugar,โ she sighed and watched him from her spot. The room was dark, but the light from outside illuminated the most basic features of his face. The curve of his cheek, the angle of his nose, the stray hairs that brushed his ear. Looking at him now, she couldnโt see a single sign of Xorros. Not one. No strangely colored skin or horns, no foul personality. A bit of a grump, if sheโd ever met one, but rightfully so. Bad experiences could do that to a person. โNot that you donโt look nice in a suit, sugar, but I would much rather be back in the dorm in my pajamas. I really want to watch reruns of Full House while hogging a tub of Ben and Jerryโs to myself.โ
What kind of magical witch wanted to watch human television and eat junk food? This one. She wanted to cuddle with Sam or Derek, since Winter was decidedly not cuddly at all, and do exactly that.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 28, 2020 21:46:49 GMT -5
(You'll get through it, I know you can! Everything's been going good for me. Work's been keeping me busy, but it hasn't been too bad.)
Perhaps it was his nerves, or the unexpectedness of her commented, but Winter's lips curved slightly upwards and give a small huff of amusement. "That ice cream would be mine, and there would be nothing you could do about it," he told her. His sweet tooth was no secret at this point. Thanks to Derek's sharing of information and Romi's own experimenting to learn more of him, it was now common knowledge he had a weak spot for all things sugar filled. He had once managed to eat an entire chocolate cake by himself that they had bought one time with money they had saved up. It was for no reason at all other than Winter was having a rough day and the craving for something sickeningly sweet was strong. It was very much an impulse buy, and one he did not regret.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 28, 2020 22:09:08 GMT -5
[[ Thank you, I appreciate it! Glad to hear work hasnโt been too bad for you. Seems like a lot of people I know have been having issues with their workplaces lately. ]]
Winterโs surprisingly playful comment startled a bubble of laughter out of her that she had no time to stifle, her smile wide and toothy in the dim light. โSugar, thereโs a brand new tub of ice cream in the freezer with your name on it,โ she promised, all too familiar with that sweet tooth of his. It was the sole reason she had taken it upon herself to cook twice as many desserts these days. Cakes, cookies, anything that contained an ounce of sugar. All of a sudden, the pet name she had given all the alters seemed to fit each of them in different ways. Derek and Sam had sweet, warm-hearted personalities and while Winter might have been a sweetie at heart, his sweet tooth was far more obvious. โThat reminds me, Iโve been meaning to whip up a batch of mocha pots de crรจme for you and the other boys. Iโve only made it once, but itโs so good. Youโd love it.โ
It was a vaguely concealed excuse to pamper Winter in a way that wouldnโt make him scowl and ignore her. If he loved sweets, she would make him happy by giving him all the sweets he could eat (well, maybe not, because she did want him to be healthy).
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 28, 2020 22:20:50 GMT -5
(Yeah, for one, it's not so bad. The children (I work at a daycare) have been difficult to deal with since it's been raining nonstop and we haven't been able to go outside, but other than that, it's been fine. XD)
As much as Winter was a protector of the system and always making sure the body was taken care of, he would literally live off sweets and nothing else if given the choice. Not the best thing in the world, he knew, but he would still do it. "I have no idea what that is, but if it's chocolate, I'm down for it," he told her. No point in trying to deny his interest in it now. If anything, he might have been getting spoiled by the amount of treats Romi made for them, and he wasn't really complaining about it.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 28, 2020 23:05:43 GMT -5
[[ Sounds about right. Kids can get pretty wild when theyโre stuck inside. My little sister and cousins used to get so grumpy when they couldnโt go out. I saw the cutest baby on campus the other day who wanted to play in the rain, too, and I swear my heart melted lol ]]
โOh, itโs basically a chocolateโโ Romi would have gone on an entire tangent about the different types of crรจme and mousse desserts that she could make, or attempt to make, if it werenโt for the sudden interruption. The door of the room swung open so fast that she nearly jumped ten feet out of her seat, one arm shot out to curl over Winterโs torso, to place herself firmly in front of him. Without thought, her first instinct was one of a protective nature. To keep Winter, and by extension the others, safe from harm. The door didnโt hit the wall, as it wasnโt flung open violently, but rather opened just quickly enough to give her a fright. A demon stood in the doorframe, a tall, lumbering creature with a face concealed under a thick hood. Some demons were like thatโunwilling to show their faces to witches and warlocks, whatever the reasonโbut it never ceased to make her uncomfortable.
Politely, the demon gave a long and graceful bow, and stepped out of the way. โThe lady Lovelace would like to have a word with one Andromeda Nightingale and Winter Parker. Please, follow me,โ the demon said in a voice like nails on a chalkboard. A grating, unpleasant noise.
Romi fought not to cringe, as she linked her arm with Winterโs once more, and followed hesitantly after the servant. โWay to give me a heart attack,โ she muttered under her breath.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 0:18:39 GMT -5
(See, if it was up to me, I'd say let the kids play in the rain and mud. However, I know that there's rules we have to follow and no one wants them to get sick. Still, I think it'd be fun. XD)
The second the door opened, Winter was out of his seat and onto his feet. Apparently, Romi had the same thought he did, only she managed to act faster. He was going to place himself before whatever had entered the room, however, the witch had her arm in front of him. He doubted she'd be able to do much, but it wasn't a gesture he took lightly. His eyes focused on the demon. Immediately, he regretted it. While not at all the same, the hooded demon sent unpleasant memories of their father flashing through his mind. It wasn't enough to bring on a panic attack for him, but it was slightly triggering his dissociation, as if the mere memory was enough to cause him to no longer want to front. Doing the best he could, the boy steeled himself from the feeling, almost grateful when Romi took his arm. It gave him something to keep him grounded. He said nothing as they walked, looking everywhere but at their guide and focusing on just getting through this meeting. Just a little bit longer and they could go home. Someone else could front and he could rest. Just a little longer.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 7:06:32 GMT -5
[[ Honestly I used to love playing in the rain and mud as a kid. My parents never really minded. ]]
Romi could tell, with some concern, that Winter wasnโt fairing very well. He willingly allowed her to hold his arm, but he seemed reluctant to move forward. Couldnโt blame him for not wanting to go and visit the unfamiliar witch. If she didnโt know the repercussions of saying no, she wouldnโt have shown up at this party in the first place. Down the hall and up a flight of stairs they moved, silent as the grave. The demon stopped before a room, opened the door for them, and took another bow as they effortlessly stepped out of the way. She didnโt like the way their eyes gleamed, staring them down like bugs or mice. A dangerous, predatory glare.
A woman sat on a lone chair, faced the doorway with a glass of a light pink liquid in her hand that she swirled around slowly. Even sitting down, she was a tall, imposing figure. Long blond hair wrapped neatly in an elegant braid, decorated with jewels and flowers. Green eyes that could pierce through solid stone, a red dress made of the finest silk and sparkling jewels that were no doubt authentic. She didnโt look a day over thirty, but there was something much older in the way she held herself. Age and experience, in her outdated mannerisms. When her eyes fell upon them, her lips curved up into the slightest of smiles. โCordelia Lovelace. Itโs a pleasure to make your acquaintance,โ she introduced herself as Romi took a seat on the couch across from her. She reached across and, politely, Romi shook her hand. โIโd offer to shake your hand, Winter, but I doubt very much that you would appreciate it.โ
Romi didnโt like the way she spoke about Winter. Like she knew him, like they werenโt strangers. It made her hold onto Winterโs arms all the tighter. โPardon my forwardness, but what was it that you wanted to speak to us about, Madam Lovelace?โ
โPlease, call me Cordelia. Iโve had my eye on the two of you for such a long time. I knew both of your mothers very well. We all studied together under the same mentor,โ Cordelia replied with a genuinely warm smile. โI wish I could see both of them tonight. It isnโt to be so, Iโm afraid. Your mother made some very bad choices, Winter. Still, Iโm glad youโre here nonetheless.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 8:58:38 GMT -5
(My parents didn't let us go out in the rain, but they let us play in the mud as well. It was good times. XD)
Following the demon up the stairs was not fun. As much as he tried, Winter was plagued by the unpleasant memories of past days in his own home. Every part of him wanted to balk, to turn right around and leave. There was pain waiting behind whatever door they were being led to, and he wanted no part in it. Yet onward they went, Romi's arm more or less dragging him at this point. Escape wasn't going to be an option right now, so his growing panic turned itself into hyped up anger. His body tensed, face set, ready to defend himself if the demon turned on them. His freed hand clutched tightly into a fist by his side. Against demons and witches, he wouldn't have a chance, but he wasn't going to just sit there and take it if things went south.
To enter the room, they had to walk by the demon, which also meant they would have their backs to him for a small amount of time. When they passed, it was all Winter could do not to snarl a warning at the creature. He didn't like having it behind them, even if the door would soon be closed. Everything about this felt wrong. The boy was almost too busy glancing behind them to make sure they weren't being followed to notice the woman in the room. It wasn't until she spoke that his attention shifted.
Winter assessed her quickly. While his distrust mostly reached only towards men and demon, there wasn't anything about her that screamed dangerous. He knew that to be false since she was a witch, but appearance wise she did nothing to worse his agitated state. That didn't mean he trusted her. Like Romi, he was unsettled by the way she spoke of him, as if she had known him longer than Romi. As far as he knew, no one should have known about him or the other alters. Unless there were witches in his school when they were diagnosed with DID and had seen him and the others while fronting on a regular basis, which was probably likely now that he thought about it, this woman shouldn't have known as much as she did. She didn't have a complete knowledge of how his system worked, but it was very close. Heck, he didn't even know how it worked completely.
He watched the woman warily, listening as Romi came out and get to the point of why they were here. Her actions were polite enough, but his eyes still followed every move she made. Up until she made the comment of knowing their mother. There was no hiding the slight surprise from his face. "You knew her?" he asked. In that small sentence, his voice had changed a bit from the deeper gravely tone to the lighter one that was Derek's. Winter was in fronting, but this was a normal occurrence whenever other alters were close to the front as well. There had been plenty of times back at the dorm where Derek would sound like Sam while laughing, or Winter's own voice would be used when giving certain answers. It was like an indicator to know who was where and a potential warning sign a switch could be about to happen. Most of the times, whoever was in control of the body wasn't even aware of the chances in voice.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 9:46:08 GMT -5
[[ Thatโs fair lol. I donโt think they let me go out when it was raining badly, but they were fine with it if it was just sprinkling a little. ]]
โOf course. For quite some time, actually. Calypso and I grew up together in the same little village,โ Cordelia recounted with a soft, wistful smile. Reminiscing on the days long passed. It sincerely appeared like she missed the women she spoke about, that she cared for them deeply, regardless of what Winter and the other boysโ mother might have done. Friendships were sometimes impossible to break, even when one friend made bad decisions that could ruin their own life. Perhaps she was angry, in some way, but it didnโt show in her voice or body language. โAnd after we started our apprenticeship with the great Madame Fia, we met her. Your mother, I mean. She was beautiful and talented, she was. So full of potential, even though she was younger than us, but there wasโwell, there was something special about her. Her magic was so unlike anything I have ever seen before.โ
That was a statement that couldnโt be taken lightly or forgotten. Those who had such memorable magic were often the ones who made it into the textbooks, great warlocks like Merlin and witches like Morrรญgan. Unforgettable, those who were destined to change the world, often for the better. Romi gave Winterโs arm a soft, reassuring squeeze. She couldnโt be certain, but she had a suspicion that a switch might be coming onโfrom the tone of the question, the way it sounded a little too much like Derek. It was getting easier to tell the threeโnow fourโof them apart. The little differences in their mannerisms, the telltale signs of switches and fatigue that could cause said switches to occur. She was proud for learning to understand, for being able to grow close enough to him to do so. The better she understood, the easier it would be to help him down the road.
โWhat do you mean, her magic was different?โ Romi asked, unable to stop the question from slipping out. She couldnโt help but be curious. When people spoke of magic like that, she wished she could see it for herself.
Cordelia, on the other hand, was pleased to keep talking. โIt was, how do I put it? Intense. Mesmerizing. She was so gifted that watching her use her magic was like falling into a trance,โ the woman sighed, a hint of a smile on her lips. โYou donโt see that kind of magic a lot. Itโs unforgettable. A once in a lifetime experience, if I must say.โ
Once in a lifetime.
Coming from a witch who had lived for hundreds of years, that sentence meant something much deeper than it would have to a human.
โIs that why you invited us here? To tell us about his mother?โ
At that, Cordelia paused to take a sip of her drink and set the glass on the otherwise empty table. The traces of happiness on her heart-shaped face vanished like smoke in the wind. โNo. Unfortunately, I didnโt invite either of you here to reminisce and regale you with tales of your mothers. The matters that have brought you here a bit...different.โ Her gaze flickered between the two of them, slow and considering. โI invited you here to ask a favor of you both. Andromeda, because you are Calypsoโs daughter and I see her fierce determination in those eyes of yours, and the three of you, because you each hold your own potential that is both like your motherโs and entirely unique all at once.โ
It was both strange and polite that she addressed Winter, Derek and Sam as separate individuals.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 12:10:22 GMT -5
(Oh, yeah, that was fine for us too. XD But never in the winter. No sense getting sick, lol.)
Hearing someone speaking of their mother in a positive light was strange. Their father never mentioned the woman that tried to force him in pledging into servitude. Whenever he did, it was usually in the form of a growled insult or to spit out his hatred for her. Winter wasn't sure how to process this kind of information. Not only was this woman a friend of their mother, but she claimed that her level of power was one that didn't come around very often. Was this a lie? Could the Madam simply be trying to gain his trust by offering the information to him? Did she think it would make him more inclined towards what she needed them to do? He narrowed his eyes at her.
"And why should we help you?" Winter asked. "How do you expect us to help you when you've nothing for us. I can't speak for Romi, but I don't fancy running into anything concerning magic. I have people to protect, which you seem to already know about. That in itself is a matter of discussion that I feel you owe answers to. How do you know of us? Better yet, if you knew of us, why didn't you do anything it?"
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 12:49:29 GMT -5
[[ Oh never in winter, definitely not. Usually just in very late spring or summer. I remember my little sister got in trouble once because she wanted to play outside in the summer during a thunderstorm and my parents were not about to let that happen. xD ]]
โWinter has a good point. As much as I appreciate meeting a friend of my motherโs and learning more about her, I donโt see how that gives you the right to send us on your errands,โ Romi agreed, far from willing to spring into action for this witch. Cordelia seemed nice and her tales were interesting, but aside from that, she held no power over their heads. They owed her nothing. As Winter pointed out, it was odd that she knew of his alters, and she was the one who owed them answers.
Cordelia took their reactions in stride and lowered her voice down, if by a bit. โIโve waited a very long time to meet the both of you,โ she admitted, softly, and continued without raising her voice. โYou, especially, Winter. I knew your mother disappeared with your father, but I didnโt know where theyโd gone. She was very good at hiding herself away. One year, I was told by an informant that she had a childโa sonโwith that demon. I knew I had to meet you. I looked everywhere and found nothing. Then, a little while ago, a warlock passed along a message to me. Said there was a bizarre young man enrolled at the college he worked for. One who possessed odd traits and didnโt feel human.โ
That made a little sense, to some degree. It wasnโt what Romi was expecting, but an answer was an answer. She kept quiet as the witch spoke, her fingers tracing comforting patterns onto Winterโs arm.
โSam and Derek and you,โ Cordelia continued, leaning forward with her hands folded in her lap. โHidden away in plain sight, posing as humans. Of course your father would do that. I had the displeasure of meeting him only a couple of times. I know itโs a lot to ask for, but I would be eternally grateful if you accepted my task. I canโt promise it wonโt lead you to magic, but I can promise you that the reward will be grand. I can give you a place where you can live in peaceโaway from humans, yes, but witches and demons as well. I suspect you might appreciate a home like that. Itโs the least I could do for you, my dear friendโs only son.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 13:05:11 GMT -5
(See, I feel like I would be the kind of parent that would say, "Just this once," and go out and play in the storm with them. XD)
And yet, even after she learned of him, she hadn't done anything to reach out and help him, to stop the demon that had caused so much damage to them. As genuine as she sounded, as good her reward was, he just couldn't put them in this danger. "If you cared so much of your friend's son, than you would have done so sooner," Winter growled. "Pretty words with little proof isn't what I've learned to believe in. I will not put them in this mess anymore than I already have. Derek is free and Sam has a chance to live as a child should. Tell me why I should risk that for something I have no experience dealing with?"
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 13:31:32 GMT -5
[[ Honestly same, though. It sounds like fun lmao ]]
โYou donโt have to believe me, Winter, but Iโm only telling you the truth. I wanted to come find you the moment I knew you were born. I spent years tracking you down and if I could have, I would have taken you away from your father,โ Cordelia answered, though the hitch in her tone made Romi feel a bit uneasy. It could have been that she was truly upset over the accusation, but her face was too composed to denote any signs of sadness. โBut heโs a tricky man to find and even harder one to catch. By the time I knew where you were, Andromeda had gotten to you long before I could have hoped to. And now, here you are. Sadly worse for wear, but alive.โ
That, more than anything, served to make Romi furious. How could she have just sat back while a horrible man like Urzilan tortured and treated his son like garbage? While Derek suffered through the turmoil, while Sam cried himself to sleep, while Winter fought to take care of the others and his system? Years of being alone, of being unwanted and hated, when someone had known all along what was going on with him.
She couldnโt keep her fury a secret.
โWorse for wear?โ Romi echoed, voice low with anger. โWorse for wear? Theyโre scarred for life! Do you have any idea what theyโve been through? What their lives have been like? Theyโre lucky to be alive. Leaving them thereโhow is that showing that you care? If his mother meant so much to you, how could you do that?โ
Cordelia fell silent, a shadow of guilt crossed her features. โI canโt say Iโm sorry, even though I am, because I know it wouldnโt fix anything. If I could leave my home, I would have gone after you and raised you myself, but I cannot. I am trapped here, in this house, and I cannot leave it. Itโs my punishment for helping your mother disappear in the first place. The council no longer trusts me to wander the world freely. Thatโs why I had a favor to ask of you, but you have absolutely no obligation to take it. You owe me nothing.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 13:53:24 GMT -5
(XD we all need to experience that kind of fun at least once. )
Winter was ready to spit back his on venom to response to Cordelia's words, but Romi bet him to it. For the second time, he was caught off guard by the fierceness in which the red haired witch defended them. This brought some concern from Derek, enough to invoke a Switch. Never have witnessing her be so angry, the urgency to find out what was wrong meant that the change happened pretty quickly. Seven seconds to be exact, and it left the boy feeling disoriented and confused. As soon as it was over, the change was noticeable in his posture. The tension, or most of it anyway, had left and he reached up to place a hand on hers that was still holding his arm.
"Romi? Why are you shouting?" Derek asked, blinking a bit as their surroundings came into focus. Looking about, he found himself in a room he didn't know, dressed in a tux, and facing a woman he had never seen. "Wait, I'm not supposed to be here, am I?" No doubt this was the event that Winter and wanted to be host for. The party for the witches and warlocks. Derek had agreed to stay as far back in the mind as he could so their chances of switching would be minimized, but there's no preventing them fully. There were just too many triggers that could force them even if they didn't want to.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 14:28:33 GMT -5
The switch came on faster than Romi had anticipated, but she took the change in stride. Greeted Derek with a tiny smile and a shake of her head. Still a bit angry, but not at him, and she wouldnโt ever take it out on him. โUh, well, no. Not exactly. But itโs okay, sugar,โ she reassured, knowing that there was no way to have prevented the switch from happening. Sometimes it was possible, sometimes not. Winter wouldnโt have done it on purpose. Now, she lowered her voice back down, didnโt want to yell in the presence of Derek, who she knew couldnโt handle it quite as well.
After a moment, she rose to her feet and helped Derek to stand along with her. Gave Cordelia a slow, judgmental look that she bestowed upon very few unlucky individuals. โI appreciate the invite to the party, Madam, but I think it would be best if we were on our way,โ she said coldly, not a hint of friendliness in her tone. No matter what Cordeliaโs circumstances were, there was no excuse for leaving an infant in the hands of a vicious demon. No excuses for letting them suffer. โI think about your favor, but Iโm not making any promises.โ
Surprisingly, Cordelia didnโt show any anger, and simply tapped her fingers on the surface of the table. โI see. Iโm sorry to have upset you, Andromeda. Please, enjoy your stay and say hello to your mother for me.โ
Romi mumbled something halfheartedly and tugged Derek gently out of the room, closed the door behind them, and let out a slow breath through her mouth. Ran one hand through her hair and kept the other on the manโs arm. โWell, Iโm sick of the place. Letโs ditch this party and go home. I want ice cream,โ she told him with a smile.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 15:09:16 GMT -5
Unsure of what was going on, Derek looked between the two women, very confused. He hated coming into the middle of a conversation, especially ones that were apparently important. Then there was not knowing if the conversation was going to end now even had Winter still been there, or if it ended because he showed up. Why Winter was so adamant about keeping this kind of stuff from him was silly in his opinion, but he didn't feel like bringing that up now. Instead, the boy just cast one more look to the woman who clearly knew Romi before allowing her to lead him from the room. Once out of ear shot, he said. "I-I'm really sorry, Romi. I tried not to front, h-honestly. I-I don't know w-what happened. But w-who was that? What w-were you t-talking about?"
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 15:25:25 GMT -5
[[ I love Derek, poor shy baby <3 ]]
โDonโt be sorry, sugar. You know Iโll never be angry at any of you for switching,โ Romi said and turned to Derek with a smile, adjusted the collar of his suit where it had been folded all wrong. Brushed the hair from his face and swiped her thumb over his cheek. She looped her arm through his and soothed him by keeping one hand on his elbow. โOh, that was Cordelia Lovelace. She owns this house and sheโs the host of the party. A very...well known witch, I guess I should say. She wanted us to run an errand for her, but I told her no. She said something that made me mad.โ
As she led him down the hallway, back the way theyโd come, she listened to the soft sounds of music as they drifted from the main ballroom. Really, all she wanted to do was find Aries and Gil so they could leave. Parties were something she usually enjoyed, but at the moment, she only wanted to cuddle with Derek and watch television.
โIโm sorry if I scared you. Thereโs no reason to be worried. Everythingโs okay, really,โ she promised and glanced around the crowd, trying to spot her brotherโs familiar red hair or Gilโs stern face. They were nowhere to be found. Outside seemed like a better place to search, where it wasnโt quite as crowded or stuffy, and she headed for the doors that lead into the back gardens. โAs soon as I find Gil and Aries, we can go home.โ
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 15:42:12 GMT -5
(Derek's just trying his best. XD )
Derek stood still under her attentions to his clothes and hair, feeling a little better with the familiar gestures. "I know, b-but I had promised Winter," he muttered. Winter wouldn't be mad at him either, but he still felt bad that it happened at that moment in time. Walking with her, his focus was diverted momentarily as he took in the lavish style and grandeur of the house they were in. Everything looked so... expensive was the only thing he could think of to describe it has. Then there were the people. Upon reaching the stairs and a point to see the main body of the party, Derek's eyes widened in awe. It was overwhelming, yes, but he was intrigued by it. There were just so many fancy clothes, pretty lights, and the smell of food floated in from some direction of the place. It was like a scene from a movie.
Romi's comment of finding her brother and his familiar to go back home brought his mind back to their conversation. "C-can I ask what she said that made you mad?" he asked. Winter was strongly voicing his opinion on that matter, but he looked to Romi in hopes that she would tell him.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 15:58:28 GMT -5
[[ He deserves all the nice things and he literally has Romi wrapped around his finger lol. ]]
Romi bit her lip as she considered the question. On one hand, she didnโt want him to be upset, but she couldnโt lie to him without feeling horrible about it, either. He deserves my honesty. Winter had good intentions with keeping some information to himself, she knew that. Respected it, too. However, there were times when it was unnecessary, at least in her eyes. Right now was one of them. There was no harm in telling him that Cordelia was an awful, neglectful woman who didnโt deserve their time or attention. โShe told me that she knew you were stuck with your father, this whole time. I was mad because she didnโt help you,โ she admitted very softly and stopped, as they stepped outside. Omitted a few details, so as not to upset Winter entirely, while still disclosing most of the truth. โI didnโt understand how she could do that. Let you be...mistreated and pushed around, how she could sit back, knowing you and the others were unhappy. And then she had the nerve to ask for a favor!โ
Shaking her head, she made a beeline for the tables lined across the open patio. Stacked high with gourmet snacks and drinks, liquids that sparkles and bubbles, foods she had never heard of and couldnโt possibly ever cook on her own. Some were fairy foods, fine for witches and demons to consume under the right circumstances, but toxic to humans. Although the existence of Xorros proved that Derek and the others might not be entirely human, she didnโt want to take that risk. โLetโs get something to eat before we go,โ she suggested softly, but steered him away from the first half of the table. โDonโt touch those dishes or drinks, okay? Theyโre from the fae folk. I donโt know what they might do to you, if anything, so itโs probably for the best if we avoid them. Everything else looks safe, though.โ
Romi claimed a strawberry tart for herself and a glass of what smelled like fruit juice. Fairy foods held a distinct smellโflowery, light and intoxicatingโthat made them easy to distinguish, for those who knew what to look for.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Feb 29, 2020 16:15:57 GMT -5
(XD It's a tie between him and Sam being the most spoiled by Romi. XD)
Derek frowned slightly at that but didn't seem to be too affected by the information. So there had been someone who knew of their situation, but hadn't helped? Hadn't Winter always told him that no one really cared for helping them? Of course, that was before Romi came along, but in this case, he guessed the protector had a point. But they didn't have to worry about that anymore, so Derek wasn't going to think too much of it. Winter was already bitter about the past for all of them. Why add more to it? Instead, he let the food and drinks distract him. Everything look too good to be eaten, place and prepared in such a way that made Romi's simple creations look bland. Now, that wasn't to be taken as an insult. He loved Romi's cooking, and loved watching her make things. They didn't have to be grand to impressive. Everything she made was amazing. Even though living with her had given him more knowledge of the mythical world, he still found it incredible that creatures such as fairies existed. The boy looked around them, hoping to see if he could pick out which guest was a fairy. "I'll s-still get whatever you do, just to be s-safe," he assured her.
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 16:34:34 GMT -5
[[ eventually sheโs going to spoil Winter just as much, too ]]
Derekโs decision to go for what she decided to eat herself was probably a safe bet. Realistically, she didnโt think he would be badly affected the way a human would have been, but she had her doubts. He was only part witch and only part demon. That kind of mixed blood was a mystery to her. He could still possess human weaknesses, for all she knew, and she didnโt want to take the chance of him getting sick. โHere,โ she said, passing him a pastry and a drink as well, and followed his gaze around the partygoers. Fairies could be hard to notice, compared to demons, but were more obvious than witches.
A few people said that fairies were too similar to demons to tell apart, but that was a lie. Where demons were harsh and drastic in their natural appearances, fairies were elegant and graceful. Slim and sleek, mesmerizing in the ways they moved. Often delicate, though not always. โYouโve never seen one of the fae folk,โ she recalled after a moment and nodded toward a woman across the patio. A short and petite girl, silver hair braided with flowers and sprigs of herbs. โTheyโre a very gracious people. If you invite them to a party, theyโll always bring gifts and food, no matter the occasion.โ
She took a bite of her tart as she watched the girl hide a laugh behind her hand, tuck a strand of hair behind her very pointed ears. โNever make one angry, though. They take offense easily and can hold grudges for centuries. Also, donโt make any deals with them, either. They canโt lie, but they sure as heck will try to confuse you. Itโs what theyโre good at and what they love to do.โ
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Post by ๐๐ธ๐ท๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฎ on Feb 29, 2020 17:03:33 GMT -5
[[ a secret sweetheart, sheโll spoil him no matter how much he denies he likes it. ]]
Derekโs suspicion that there wasnโt a clear answer wasnโt too far off. โAh, well, thatโs a tough question. A lot of them think itโs funny to confuse mortals and humans. Itโs like a game. Theyโre immortal, so they live forever, and theyโll do anything they can to cure their boredom,โ she said, happy to put her knowledge to some use. It was interesting to be introducing another person to the supernatural world, to say the least. Happy to do it, since Derek and the others needed to know. Not all creatures were bad, but they all had the potential to be dangerous to those who didnโt know any better. โAnd, I think, itโs a way to get past the whole lying thing. If they confuse you, they can trick you into thinking whatever they want to without having to lie.โ
As she spoke, she spotted a small spot of multicolored light drift past them, barely a food over their head. Grinning, she held out her empty hand, and let the light fall into her palm. โLook, Derek. Itโs a pixie,โ she murmured in a soft hush. The glowing light faded, revealing the shape of a very tiny human being. A boy, in a dazzling little suit with very dark hair and thin wings that resembled a kaleidoscope. He perched himself on her hand gracefully and while he did not speak, he titteredโa soft, bell-like sound. โTheyโre very beautiful creatures. Mostly harmless, but they can be tiny little devils when they want to be.โ
The little pixie beamed at the offhand compliment, seemingly pleased with himself for being beautiful. Puffed out his chest and straightened his suit.
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