Blood and Smoke

Nicholai nodded once, his group quiet as they made their way inside. At the scene before them, the worried onlookers, they simply found places to settle and watch patiently. The new witch was seemingly already studying Zephyr, but he face was covered with a smooth, blackened mask devoid of any facial features except eyeholes, which gave way to eyes lacking both an iris and pupil. Turning to Nicholai, and motioned with her hands to sign something. This is him? Nicholai nodded slowly, brows burrowing when nothing else was said, the witch going back to watching Zephyr.

The small crowd stared back at him, three out of four showing interest in what Zephyr had just been doing. The potential mentor remained devoid of expression. And, the only one who seemed interested in the offer of tea was the fluffy familiar, the big bee actually smiling and bouncing in his spot on her shoulder. "He'll have some tea," the witch finally spoke, voice on the hoarse side, gesturing to her familiar. Other than that, she didn't talk much, but was keeping her white gaze on Zephyr.


(A pic of her familiar bc why tf not :'3)

'Does he want... berry tea?' He hesitantly asked, standing and swaying on the spot. 'The Faeries and my garden visitors like it a lot.'
He rubbed his eyes again, growing agitated at the headache behind them. 'Ill go... make the tea.' He mumbled, stumbling away.
His sister stirred slightly where she lay, her breathing unsteady and a little strained.

The fae examined the familiar, before gently patting him on the head.
Zephyr returned with a tray of tea, setting it down, waving his hand to make the teapot pour whilst he handed cups to the fae and bee, and then sat with his own. The teapot settled back on the tray, and he quietly began to sip at the tea, sighing softly as it gave him a little strength.
'She was shot by one of the witches that were after be yesterday. She banished him before calling me for help.' Zephyr softly said. 'They're after me. Tried getting to me through her.'

'They're not bad witches.' Zephyr mumbled, bowing his head. 'They're after me because my father killed the leader of their coven.' He finally said. 'If I allow you to go after them, it will escalate to further grudges and bloodshed. I only hope that their new leader does not share the views of those trying to get revenge.'
Edana mumbled in her sleep, stirring again, before hissing with explicit pain.
Zephyr immediately put down his cup and returned to her side, stressfully hovering his hands over her body, before mumbling a spell to try and take away her pain. This appeared to be the spell he'd been using before, as he began to wince and grow tired as he stood over her.
A dangerous spell- potentially of a darker healing magic- taking her pain into himself to lessen hers.
'I'd feel too guilty asking you- to go kill my own kind.' Zephyr managed to continue. 'It's not right.'
'You're too... gentle, Zephy.' Murmured Edana, seemingly waking. She placed a hand over his. 'Stop... I can handle it.'
'You're hurting, Edana. I can-'
'Zephy... enough. You've been on it for hours... I know you too well. Rest.'
He paused, before relenting, releasing the spell and sitting back down. 'I'm supposed to be the responsible one.' He grumbled.
'You are in your-' she grunted as she sat up- 'own weird way. Hey- you pay the bills.' She joked with a grin, before studying the small group of guests.

(It's okay x3 I always enjoy your posts :3)

Nicholai looked slightly annoyed. Not wanting someone dead when they're trying to kill you? The idea made him snort, but no argument was given from him. Instead, he turned to look back at Edana, studying her along with his companion and the two other creatures. Ukuduma carried his cup to go sit closer to the witch, finishing his tea as his own companion spoke up, addressing Zephyr flatly "Who was your father?" Her milky eyes narrowed almost dangerously, causing Nicholai, Alder and Ukuduma to pause.

The witch studied Zephyr and Edana, silent. After a minute passed, she looked away as Ukuduma carried his cup to sit by her instead. "I've heard much about your wretch of a father," she said simply, petting her familiar's fluffy fur. "Where I come from, any spawn of such a fiend is to be burned." Yet, she didn't move, cloaked figure remaining content where she was. "The two of you in your current state? I'm surprised you are still alive."

"We don't blame the children for anything," the witch said "We burn them before we can. But, what your father did will never affect me or my people, so we couldn't care less about what happened." She looked over at Nicholai, who looked ready to pop a bullet in her face. "Be nice," he told her "Trust my judgement that they seem like good people." The witch blinked slowly, but said nothing. "I make judgement based on what I see, and what I see is only one, somewhat able-bodied witch and her underdeveloped brother who hasn't tapped into that vault of bountiful potential he has."

Nicholai turned to the window, nose twitching. He glanced over at the witch, who had shifted her attention as well. Watching the rain for a minute or two. "You lack proper training," she spoke slowly "Which means you are very, very behind in terms of your species and age. Why have you not sought any training? At all besides your self-teachings?" Yes, other witches were after them, but that shouldn't necessarily stop someone.

Nicholai listened to Zephyr, and felt the slightest bit of pity again. If he been a which, perhaps that's what he would've saw Zephyr as too. Then, the other witch spoke again.
"I once met a little boy who came from a family of druids," she recalled "And, druids are generally a weaker folk than witches, wizards and mages. Mostly because they don't exercise their combative side, and that weakness has become apart of their genetic makeup. However, this little boy found himself on my doorstep, and I took him in. Wanting to be more, he worked and worked until he could control elements down to where lightning struck, and where the rain fell or if it the town got rain at all. Even able to command the lightning to merge with his very being. He became the first of what my and his folk call a Storm Elemental. If an inheritantly weaker species can become something great, imagine what you could be. Others don't see you as a lost cause, but instead fear your potential and refuse to be the one that unlocks it."

The witch looked at him for a moment, then looked over to hear Nicholai say to her "You should train him, as you have stated that his being is not hated among you or your people." However, she had grown silent. A long moment passed before she simply got up. Approaching Zephyr, with Ukuduma flying after her, she looked down at him and said "I will agree to train you, should you want me to. However, it will stir up even more tension when word gets out that you've taken a mentor. A lot more. Tell Nicholai to find me once you've made your decision." And with that, she began to walk out, showing herself out, with Ukuduma following (and taking the teacup.)

(It's fine :3)


Nicholai smiled slightly. "I can't. I've developed an allergy to faeries, and prefer not to stay near one for more than an hour." Getting up from his spot, he looked over at Alder and tossed him one of his pistols. "Stay here." The chimp caught the weapon, tilted his head slightly, and nodded. Nicholai then turned to also walk out. Still a Witcher, he had things to do.



(Want to time skip or something?)

(Okie x3)

Upon being contacted, Nicholai went to go inform Zephyr's new tutor. The Witcher was curious as to what the other man would turn out to be with proper training. Soon, he and the witch had returned to Zephyr's flat, Nicholai knocking once again to be let in. Now that it was decided that an apprenticeship would be had, a training location would need discussion, Zephyr's living space not... adequate.

The group went to find spots to settle, Alder (who'd stayed with Zephyr the past three days) going and hugging Nicholai, chattering softly. The Witcher patted his shoulder before turning to watch Zephyr going about settling the new dragons in, blue eyes trained on the younger witch. An unreadable expression was with him, until it turned into a glare when he caught Alder snickering at him for his staring.