The Moonflower

Name: Celeste Ann Mayer

Age: 37

FC: Emilia Clarke

Witch Path: Lunar Witch

Profession: Crafts, repairs, and tinkers with all kinds of jewelry and watches. She sells her creations at Daphne's Trinket Shop & occasionally sets up a stall at the market too; she sometimes works at home but usually does most of her work in a little backroom of the shop. She occasionally uses enchantments in her jewelry and loves all kinds of special requests

Traits/Personality:

Celeste has always been independent but has perhaps grown more individual over the years. She treasures and holds the people she respects and cares for in high regard. She enjoys the company of others and can often be found spending her time at the bar enjoying a drink of two. At times she tends to get moody and can come off as harsh and self-centered. Usually, Celeste gets along quite well with everyone but holds a contempt – either silent or outspoken – toward anyone who thinks themselves better than others. She is resolute to the point of being stubborn and hardly admits to being wrong or making any mistakes. Celeste is dedicated to her work and can at times lose herself in it… tends to forget about her limit and often ends up doing too many things at the same time.

She is not typically spontaneous but at times when she is feeling boxed in or excessively restless, she can make extremely rash and reckless decisions. Celeste tends to be blunt and will speak what is on her mind… she is aware that her opinion might offend others, but she has long stopped caring. Always has been curious by nature and wants to know about everyone and everything and asks way too many questions but hardly notices that she might be annoying. She is organized to a point where it is almost an obsession of hers to keep her stuff in place. Celeste likes to give advice even though she doesn’t always have the best ideas.

Easily gets frustrated when potions or spells aren't working as she had hoped. She has always been too quick to forgive others simply because she doesn’t like being mad and, in her opinion, people do deserve more than just one chance. She is friendly and a bit of a social butterfly… loves to meet new people and doesn’t mind approaching them first with a smile on her lips and questions burning in her mind. Celeste has a calm and collected nature even in situations where others would have long freaked out. She finds it hard to ask for help… even harder to accept it and simply prefers to do everything herself.

Celeste has been a part of the coven just like her parents and grandparents have been.

Calamity in bloom

XIII.

I waited for the right moment in the midst of all the chaos and confusion to quietly slip away. I needed to get away... needed a moment to think and clear my mind. The obviously next step now would be bringing Daphne back home but I didn't know where I should start... and whom to trust. Something in the dynamic of the Coven seemed to have shifted and now Daphne - the person I trusted the most - was gone. Lifting my torn dress, I hurried through the dark streets of Lavaeuwood... now and then turning my head to see if I wasn't being followed.

I breathed out in relief as I finally spotted my house at the end of the street and with one last glance over my shoulder I hurried to the door. It felt like all the adrenaline left my body, the moment I stepped inside... the door was closed and locked within seconds. Tonight's event had left an ache in my soul and my mind was running all over the place... I pushed all the worst-case scenarios in the furthest corner of my mind. I kicked off my heels for once not caring if they were in their proper place or not... future Celeste was certainly going to hate me for that. The wooden stairs creaked under my steps... a tired sigh escaping my lips as I pushed the door to my bedroom open.

My bed had never looked more inviting... part of me jut wanted to lay down and sleep. Maybe I would wake up tomorrow to realize that it only had been a dream... that Daphne hadn't been captured by the Seelie. With a heavy heart, I sat down on the edge if my bed, carefully opening crumbled map that I had been keeping safe since the moment when all hell broke loose. Honestly, I had been surprised that no one had asked for it after we returned back to Lavaeuwood... but strangely I felt better knowing that the map was with me. Fingers brushed over the paper making out a few faint and unreadable scribbles.

"You are probably useless, aren't you?" I muttered turning it around... but there was no secret message...  nothing that would give me an an idea what to do with it. Frustrated I let the paper fell on the ground before leaning back on my bed... my eyes slowly closing.

I heard the map ripping apart as I tightened my grip on the paper... I didn't know the importance of the map but I knew that I couldn't let Moros have it. The loud scream caught my attention and without thinking I bolted. Pushing through a crowd of faceless people. I had almost reached the portal... the way back into safety when I heard Daphne calling my name. Faceless people had backed her into one of the corners, fear flashed across her face... I wanted to reach her but the distance between us seemed to grow with every step.

"Celeste!"

I jolted awake, heart racing like crazy as my gaze frantically moved around the dark room.

"If only it just had been a dream." I sighed as I slowly sat up.  The sun had just started to peak over the mountains and as I looked at the clock, I realized that I had merely slept an hour.

Part of me knew that I should get up and get dressed for the day... that there were things to take care of. With Daphne gone, I would need to open the store and deals with all the stuff that she usually dealt with. Not to mention that there was jewelry to sell and requests that needed to be finished. But I couldn't find the strength to move... let alone go outside and faxe reality.

I looked down at the dress... fingers brushing over one of the tears in the fabric. Daphne's magical creation had been destroyed in seconds. Carefully, I pulled the zipper down, letting the dress pool at my ankles... briefly I caught my reflection in the mirror. Taking in the sight of tired and worried eyes and ruined make-up and hairstyle. Shaking my head I looked away. I found myself reaching for the piece of map again and without really thinking about it, I placed it under my mattress... maybe not the safest place but I felt better knowing that it was hidden.

"Next step, finding a way to get you back, Daphne." I muttered, eyes falling on a picture of us at my nightstand... it had been taken on my 35th birthday which felt like an eternity ago.

Tears run down my cheeks as I crawled under the comfort of the blanket... fingers clawed into the pillow. I willed myself to stay calm but my emotions got a hold of me. Sobbing loudly I lay in my bed... head buried into the pillow until sleep finally claimed me.

At first, I only heard a faint whisper of my name... an unfamiliarity voice in the darkness. I turned and turned but the  blackness remained the only thing to be seen.

I stumbled backward as the light got brighter... blinking a few times until I recognize someone sitting on the floor. Back turned to me, they remained silent.

"Daphne?" I called out taking a tentative step closer. A scream came from my lips as the person turned their head... it was Moros.

"No, only me." He shook his head, "And now I'm here. In your dreams. It wasn't very hard, you aren’t at your full potential, I guess she has something to do with it. The priestess,” Moros rose from his spot on the floor taking a few swaying steps.

"Dina? What are you talking? What did she do?" I demanded, my eyes following every of his steps as he slowly walked around me in a circle... like a predator stalking his prey.

"You don't even hear him, do you?" Moros continued his monologue paying no mind to my questions.

"Who are you talking about?" I screamed, "Answer me!"

"I heard it first and knew something had to be done, so—“ he moved a finger over his neck and dangled his head theatrically.

A gasp came from my lips and I felt sick... would the Seelie do the same to Daphne? I turned... tried to run but it was like I was frozen on the spot... caught in this nightmare.

“You don’t understand?” Moros shook his head and taking a first step closer... instinctively I took a step back but it felt like he had corned me against a wall. There was nowhere to run.

“He got lazy and has been broadcasting the message for ages. It’s just a residual from the magic cast, even for us, the fae. The static on the radio. But he thought it would suffice to reach you.”

Moros meandered the white space, eyes cast at his black shiny shoes, "The fun has been spoiled and I am getting tired of waiting. I expected everyone to play their part, I expected more..." his voice grew colder, “The train going north the third stop in the woods. Follow the hazelnut trees, just be careful skipping out of town or Dina might do you like the coven did the Bourgeois.”

"Wait. What did she do?" I screamed but Moros had already disappeared. I spun around frantically looking for a way out when the darkness appeared again...

I jolted awake... arms and legs flailing around and until I fell out of bed and onto the soft carpet. It felt like the whole air had been pressed out of my lungs and I realized that I was shivering. The dream - no, dream wasn't the right word as it had felt too real - left me with even more unanswered questions.

How did Moros know about what truly happened to the Bourgeois? Their death so many years ago had left the Coven almost in a mess from what I have been told... the thought that Dina might have been involved. I shook my head as I slowly rose to my feet. It seemed as if all the answers lay outside of Lavaeuwood... part of me didn't want to trust Moros but another part of me knew that if I wanted answer I needed to believe him... even if it meant risking my life.

XIV.

Being in the shop without Daphne felt weird... despite the various trinkets, potions and crystals, it felt weirdly empty... the realization how much Daphne's presence added to the shop... to the atmosphere and general feeling hit hard. At every little noise, I turned my head expecting her to come down the stairs with tired eyes and hair still all messy... as if she just had rolled out of bed. But every time, I was greeted by the sight of the empty stairs and my heart dropped even lower.

With a sigh, I once again tore my gaze away from the stairs, instead looking at the book on the counter - dream interpretation - but as I kept flipping through the pages, I realized that none of the words seemed to reach my mind... my hopes of finding an explanation for the weird dream with Moros growing smaller and smaller.

My attention was torn away by the familiar jingle of the bells... Mrs Lewitt was slowly pushing the door to the shop open. She was a lovely older woman - non-magic - who lived close by and often was just looking for someone to talk with. I closed the book, hiding it under the counter.

"Good Morning, Mrs Lewitt," I greeted her... hoping that my smile was genuine enough.

"Good Morning," She replied cheerful, "Oh, is Daphne not in today?"

Taking a deep breath, I willed myself to stay calm... I couldn't break-down, no matter how much I felt like screaming and crying... that I wanted to break down.


"I'm afraid not." I briefly shook my head, "She came down with a nasty flu. Was there anything you needed from her?"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Mrs Lewitt sighed, "I will bring you a pot of my homemade chicken soup later... it always worked wonders whenever my children were sick."

"That is very sweet from you, Mrs Lewitt. I'm sure Daphne will be grateful." I was surprised how easily the lie came from my lips... it made me feel sick.

"Daphne always helps me... about time that I returned the favor." The woman waved with her hands, "She had promised me a few of her beautiful crystals... you know I'm having some problem finding sleep lately. If you could please be so kind and check for me, my Dear?"

"Of course," I slipped off the chair... I knew that Daphne took great pride in her crystals... her personal collection had grown quite large over the years. Holding back the tears, I opened the cupboard, not taking long to find a small package marked Mrs Lewitt. Crystals had always been Daphne's passion... I could maybe name five of them... seeing all those beautiful stones and not knowing if she would ever be greeted by the same sight... it broke my heart.

"Here you go Mrs Lewitt." With a heavy heart, I placed the package on the counter, "Daphne left a note that you should keep them close to your bed."

"Thank you, my dear. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing," I replied with a shake of my head, "I can't accept any money from you... not when you offered to bring some of your homemade chicken soup."

Mrs Lewitt laughed as she placed the package into your bag, "You are too kind." Hands reaching across the counter to take a hold of mine, "You do look bit troubled, my dear. Is everything alright?"

No, it isn't. Daphne got kidnapped by the Seelie... I had a weird dreaam about the Fae King. And Dina and the Coven might be responsible for the death of people. Oh, and if I want answer, I need to skip town and potentially risk my life... sounds absolutely peachy, doesnt it?

"I didn't sleep well last night, Mrs Lewitt... that is all." I replied forcing myself to smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you won't come down with that nasty flu too."

"If I do, at least I have your chicken soup Mrs Lewitt." I reassured her.

"That you do, my dear. I will be back in the evening." Slowly she made her way to the door, "And thank you again." She added placing one of her hands on her bag.

"Anytime Mrs Lewitt."



I had pulled down the blinds of the shop... turned the sign to close at the door and yet I couldn't bring myself to leave. It would have been easy to call Mrs Lewitt and tell her not to worry about the soup, that I wasn't feeling well and would be going home but I didn't want to let her down... didn't want to make the same mistake that I had done with Daphne.

I had long given up the fight against the tears and my feelings... I felt and looked like a mess. Anger was still bubbling inside of me and there seemed no way to let it out... to finally explode and scream... trash something to pieces but I couldn't do that to Daphne's shop.

"I need air..." I gasped... my throat felt dry and sweat was trickling down my forehead as I hurried towards the door. The reaming air was pressed from my lungs as I collided with someone... I stumbled backward until I felt a hand wrapped around my arm.

"Celeste?" Milo's familiar voice reached my ears.

I blinked against the tears as I looked up... fighting against the panic that threatened to take over my body as I slipped out of his grip. Leaning against the front window of the shop, I breathed in the fresh air like I had been starving.

I froze when I felt one of his hands slowly rubbing down my back, "Come, let's get you back inside."

"I can't." I replied furiously shaking my head, "It is too much... too many memories."

"Okay. Wait here."

I watched him disappear inside the shop... counting the seconds until he returned, my bag in his hands as he locked the store. I followed him in silence... head hung low and heart still frantically beating. For now, the panic had left... for now, my mind and my body felt calm.

I wasn't too surprised that we ended up in the kitchen in the back of his apothecary... a warm cup of tea in my hands, I sat in the table watching him as he rummaged through the cupboards.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Licking over my lips, "I couldn't breathe anymore. The room seemed to get smaller... and I just needed to get out of there." I explained, "It wasn't my intention to run into you though."

"I figured." With a sign, he leaned against the kitchen counter, "But you feel better now?"

"I do," I breathed out with a small smile on my lips. "The tea is helping too."

"There is always more if you want." Arms crossed in front of his chest he looked at me, "You know... I thought you wouldn't open the shop after everything that happened. So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw it open this morning."

"I thought about not going but there are things that need to be taken care of... the shop... it always has been Daphne's. Maybe, it sounds silly but I have already let her down once." I swallowed fighting against the tears, "I didn't want to do it a second time."

"Oh, Celeste... what happened at the Coronation, it wasn't your fault."

"But I nearly had her." I protested loudly, "If I had just been a bit faster... I could have saved her."

Milo closed the distance, one of his hands on my shoulder as he kneeled down, "Listen to me. It isn't your fault. The Seelie would have taken her no matter if you had reached her or not." His eyes found mine, "Who knows they would have taken you too... or even worse."

Any remaining protest got stuck in my throat... tears running down my cheeks as I kept looking at him. "I think you are right."

"Never thought it would be possible to hear those words from you." Milo chuckled briefly, obviously aiming to lighten the mood.

"No promises that you ever will hear them again." My lips twitched into a small smile, "I just miss her, you know?" Fingers traced over the rim of the cup, "The shop feels empty without her... all of Lavaeuwood does."

"We are going to find a way to bring her back, Celeste." He softly squeezed my shoulder before rising to his feet.

I wanted to ask how he could be this certain... but the weird dream from lad night flashed through my mind. Moros had promised answers if I would venture into the woods... maybe there would be a way to save Daphne if I did.

"Is everything alright? You got this look on your face?" Head tilted to the side, Milo asked.

As it would have been to lie, he knew me and I knew how easily he would see through every attempt to throw him off the tracks. I drank the rest of the tea before placing the cup on the small table next to me.

"I saw Moros in my dream last night." I explained licking over my lips, "At least, I believe it was a dream... maybe it doesn't matter much but he revealed a few things."

"And you trust what he told you?"

"I don't know." I admitted with a sigh, "A lot remains still a mystery but he said that if I want answers, I have to go into the woods and follow the hazelnut trees... whatever that means."

"You plan to go there?" Eyebrows knitted together and a worried look in his eyes.

"I have been thinking about it." I muttered before pressing my lips together.

"But?"

Hands collected in my lap, I let my gaze wander away from him and over to the little window... I knew that he and Dina were close but at the same time, I trusted him. Not to mention, there was an itch to tell someone... to find out if Moros spoke the truth.

"Moros mentioned that the Bourgeois... and how Dina and the Coven did something to them." The cat was out of the bag and I felt like breathing easier. "I know of the death of Marlene's and Orpheus' parents but I never heard any details."

The silence that I received as an answer was unsettled... the seconds passed and I could feel worry creeping into the back of my mind. Maybe telling Milo hadn't been the right decision... maybe he knew more about what happened... maybe he was even involved.

"Aren't you go to say anything?" I asked worrying my lower lip between my teeth.

A sigh came over Milo's lips and he dragged a hand through his long hair, "I can't really say that I'm surprised."

"What?" I gasped, "Did you know anything about what happened to the Bourgeois?"

"No," He shook his head, "I always knew that the Coven wasn't squeaky clean and that we all have our secrets... but this... no, I didn't expect that. The thought that Dina might have been involved in the death of the Bourgeois..."

"You aren't the only one." I breathed out, "And it worries me that they were capable of doing this. But I want answers... an explanation. I want to bring Daphne back."

"I understand." Milo nodded, "When will you be leaving?"

I rose from my seat, "I will wait a few days. If I leave now, it would only raise suspicion." My eyes fell on the shelf with all kinds of teas behind him, "You don't happen to have something that stops dreams? I don't know if I can handle another dream."

"Of course," he briefly turned around, "In case, we don't see each other before you slip away... please be careful, Celeste." He pressed a small bag in my hands, "One cup in the evening should be enough... if it isn't a dream though, I would need to mix something stronger."

"I will know tonight." Bag pressed against my chest, I took a small step toward the door, "Thank you, Milo... for everything." Licking over my lips, "I know that the last two years weren't easy for us and I wasn't always on my best behavior... that I was always pulling back... trying to avoid you because I didn't know how else to deal with the situation." I nibbled on my lower lip, "But maybe one day, we could call each other friends again."

"No, they weren't. We all have our different ways of dealing with things." he agreed with a nod of his head... a sad smile on his lips, "I hope so too... despite everything, you will always be special to me."

XV.

With a sigh, I leaned over turning off the radio... bringing a sudden end to the cheery music that came from the speakers. My mind constantly slipping to Moros and the message that supposedly had been broadcasted over the radio... the static that I never had paid much attention to. I wonder what other little signs I did miss over th years. Shaking my head I pulled the blanket higher as I leaned back into the comfort of my sofa... sleepiness was lurking on the edge of my mind and slowly my eyes fell shut.



Archer visits her at home. Apologizes for her outburst... they talk and maybe one or two revelations

XVI.

Ready to skip town... runs into Cyrus. Things are said, maybe some emotions but in the end he goes with her

XVII.

Neo and prophecy stuff

Last edited by schoggettchen (09/02/2024 at 06:41)

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Round 3 Closed

Chapter 4
“Hail the witch and the spirit.”
For a split second you see her, Peregrina, the Seelie queen reaching for you, talon like fingernails but you slip up and out of her grasp. The way you came, ripped from the fae realm, falling upwards up from the bathtub. You’ll come face to face with whoever pulled you out (which I’ll leave to you to decide).
Alden in pursuit of revenge garnered information from Moros that Peregrina was planning this, either he was the one to help you or someone he told. Alden could have used this moment to try and extract revenge but didn’t. Now he is indebted to Moros but he can’t speak of it which is a spell, (hence this is something your character might not know).

September 25th, 1971
Distress befalls the coven, a vote is to be made if Dina should remain as the priestess or step down. Whilst Daphne’s fate seems to hang in the balance the focus currently is on the secrets spilling out. How Dina’s father ordered the killing of the Bourgeois for trying to leave the coven all together with their children, which both she and Orpheus had been keeping silent about. Your powers are slowly growing which comes with the fact that anything will be able to sense your presence from far away. Marlene looks ready to burn any bridges aligning with Dina whilst wearing a wide smirk on her face. At the day of the voting Dina is gone which presents a power vacuum, who will lead now?

Your powers will draw creatures like a woman calling out for dinner time. Scouring the diaries, sources at your disposal you’ve found a key clue. Moros full name. Morpheus Sarielle. Which means you could forcefully summon him and potentially cast a binding spell. Whilst discussing the technicalities you decide to add a protection circle specifically for a fae not to cross over which would keep him trapped inside if summoned at the spot. From the diary previously belonging to Cassandra you find how they kept the map from being taken by the wrong person, by nurturing the spirit of the house.

September 30th, priestess house
The summoning feels successful, Moros is captured. A rush passes your body until your fingers tingle, you feel dizzy but invigorated. What if Daphne could be summoned? You’ve never heard it happened before, a human being summoned, fae have a weight to their names which humans do not. You glance down at your hands, maybe you could? To which Morros stops you. Daphne would be shredded if you tried due to the binding she’s held by. Further he will remind you he could have killed you a numerous of times but he didn’t, he wasn’t out to hurt anyone in the coven, he simply wants what should be his, all of the fae land. One ruler, one court, it should all be his. Which would mean freeing the shadow creatures but that wouldn’t be a problem if the coven agreed to their deal.

October 3rd, priestess house
Moros will claim to know what the Queen wants, he’ll tell you.
Ponder, what would you sacrifice for peace? Would you give in return what the queen lost? Closest of kin? One life to save many?
The queen seeks retribution for her shoes but more importantly her loss of kin, Alden’s mother. So which do you choose? A fair trade would be someone of kin or close of heart, or perhaps Alden would be a balanced trade as well. You’ll have to make a choice before she comes to collect with a trial for those who are pure of heart.

image of Peregrina

Impressions

Jora - The Nymphaea

Archer
Every inch of your body screams to confront Amos but you put a bandage on it and take a deep breath. You’ve gotten good at burying whatever needs to be gone from daylight. You became good at not scratching where the itch came from. And it would be simple to admit you cared for Jora, more than you should, but you shouldn’t. You think about Neo and his words, how it sounded as if you should take over now, you should guard Jora. Which honestly wouldn’t be any different from what you were already doing. Kal didn’t want to hear any of it, as long as you keep protecting the coven.

Being without Dina felt like losing an arm. You couldn’t pick up where she left off. You saw a glimpse of your mother the other day but it doesn’t resonate with you anymore, that’s the way you were trained after all. From the diary you find that it was Neo who bound Jora’s powers so she wouldn’t be found, well Bart finds it. Bart is the only one who grows on you even if he might not always feel the same. You think either of them should take over. Bart or Jora but you aren’t sure everyone else can see that.


Bart
Worry seeps into your veins. This is why you don’t have any kids of your own, nor have you had any siblings and since three years back your parents are gone. Which was a life you were content to live but maybe the reason you are satisfied is because you have Jora. The diary contains ancient information like how the shadow creatures came into existence the way Bloody Mary becomes real when too many children play the game. Except shadow creatures were never banished and both humans and witches kept adding to the realism of them. You believe Cassandra was a seer and the one who made the diary along with the prophecy. There’s even a Nymphaea flower on the front. You even learn that you need the thread of fate to tie the dimensions back together. The witches had the map and the fae the thread.

Bart wouldn’t want to lead the coven, he believes Milo or due to the circumstances Jora maybe should. But he also fears how it could affect Jora in the long run taking on such a position and sways from leaning that way. Now days he does like Archer for looking after Jora but isn’t about to reveal that just yet.


Amos
You stare at the shoes, dried blood splattered on them. The setting sun glimmering in the myriad of precious stones which causes your stomach to turn. Not knowing what happened with Daphne has you in a twist. Not that you could have done much differently, after all you owed Moros a favor for getting you out of money trouble and making sure the shoes made it into Daphne’s hands had been the price. You couldn’t have known it would turn out this way—
Sometimes you wonder if Archer knows but it’s not as if you will cause the coven more trouble, you are just going to lay low for now until it blows over. What is done is done, you try to tell yourself the sentiment over and over. You’d never hurt anyone willingly and you will try to help the coven the best you can now. Yet you don’t know how to do that yet.

Bobby - The Sweetpea

Heath
He wasn’t sure what he would do if she wasn’t around, sure a day or two could pass and it felt unnerving not having the girls to vent to. Alas he managed, keeping busy with customers and keeping an eye on Marlene. Truthfully he couldn’t care as much about Daphne. Selfish? Obviously but who wasn’t? If they could they should get her back but he couldn’t say that her life was worth more than Bobby’s.
On the 1st of October Kal steps in to split up Amos and Heath from fighting. Afterwards you find out Amos got drunk and poured his secrets out which included being the one who made sure Daphne was the one who found the shoes. No more, no less thought Kal suspects he just has been hexed not to speak more of it. Which is true Amos can’t say anything directly but he owed money in Vegas and made a deal with Moros, now he is done with this deal and wants no harm to come to the coven.


Alden
The waves crashed against the little boat house, it was peaceful down here. Inside peace never came, tidal waves of intrusive thoughts kept slamming against the base of his skull. He wanted to help Bobby, he really did— all he could think about was how. How to get close enough to get rid of the Seelie queen, the voice in his head kept telling him to just do what was best for him because no one else ever had.
Alden will regret not using the moment to try and kill Peregrina, it will annoy him that he had a moment of weakness. He’ll help with binding Moros and thinks Daphne doesn’t deserve what has happened to her. Perhaps it just reminds him of being in a hopeless situation and that’s why he cares at all.


Juniper
If no one else does, they would try and steer the coven in the right direction, which would be spearheaded by Marlene. Juniper worries about Bobby and she worries about creatures coming here. It’s pretty apparent to all of them that Bobby’s powers are becoming stronger. She doesn’t trust Bart or Milo; they have been too close to Dina. There’s something peculiar overall with how this is unfolding and she has the feeling Moros still has the upper hand somehow.
When she tried to enter the cottage in the woods Neo told her she had to be invited in, which was how the map was originally kept safe, the spirit of the house. It can be nurtured and more powerful than any spell if you use it wisely.
Kal seems somewhat hesitant without Dina which scares Juniper more than anything, she never thought he could hesitate. Moros has them completely divided. They find that Neo was the one who bound Bobby’s powers and with him gone they were released.

The diary contains ancient information like how the shadow creatures came into existence the way Bloody Mary becomes real when too many children play the game. Except shadow creatures were never banished and both humans and witches kept adding to the realism of them. You believe Cassandra was a seer and the one who made the diary along with the prophecy. You even learn that you need the thread of fate to tie the dimensions back together. The witches had the map and the fae the thread.

Maeve - The Lotus

You can decide if she’s the one or someone else finding the information if you want anything in your story.
The diary contains ancient information like how the shadow creatures came into existence the way Bloody Mary becomes real when too many children play the game. Except shadow creatures were never banished and both humans and witches kept adding to the realism of them. You believe Cassandra was a seer and the one who made the diary along with the prophecy. You even learn that you need the thread of fate to tie the dimensions back together. The witches had the map and the fae the thread.

Bart
He knew. Well not everything and maybe he had closed his eyes to some parts but yes he most likely knew more than he allowed himself to admit. Seeping from others he could sense their distrust and wouldn’t he also have felt the same way? He tries to smile his way through all of it because he was at a loss how to manage other people’s thoughts. He worried for the coven and Daphne. But can’t see a way out of this mess, yet he’s optimistic that there is one.


Kal and Heath
Unlike Archer, Kal put his mind into the coven, sure he took points from Dina but he never forgot where his true loyalties lay with the coven and not a single priestess. He could sense the situation was causing her some sort of stress but he couldn’t pinpoint what was happening and he was no damn shrink. What he did know Heath agreed with in passing as they spoke of the new developments of the coven. Kal hates that they are marching to the beat of Moros drum and telling Marlene about the deaths has given him another headache to deal with. At least Maeve was easy to herd around as she had jumped right into the car. But that was good right? It would be easier to keep her safe.
Kal did feel in some sense that Neo had meant for him to take over being a guardian but he couldn’t wrap his head around it all at the moment.
Nor was he content with Bart’s presence around Maeve, he couldn’t trust him, not completely nor Amos for that matter.
Kal and Heath finds that it was Neo who had bound your powers to keep you safe.


Marlene
Orpheus seems unwell. The thought registered in her brain but she couldn’t manage to care, the same way he hadn’t managed to care about the news of their parents. She wanted to scream even more but it kept burning inside of her, it took a hold of her and she couldn’t shake it off. It couldn’t be forgiven. She couldn’t forgive and she couldn’t forget. People told her to let go of the anger but it would be like cutting off one of your own limbs. She would make sure this was paid for.
Marlene collects herself, there’s too much to do to lose her head. Archer comes around checking on her and for a moment it resembles some sort of normality.
Marlene has made a deal with Moros which you won’t know about but she’s agreed to help him in exchange for revenge. She feels wronged by the entire coven even her brother and it blinds her towards anything else.

Last edited by Mimira (05/02/2024 at 18:53)

JORA BECK // 25 // WATER WITCH
INCOMPLETE

Jora Beck, the Nymphaea

Name: Jora Beck, also known as The Nymphaea

Age: 25

Face claim: Kristina Bazan

Witch path: elemental - water

Profession: music tutor at the unviversity

Interests: Amos (The Carnation) // Bartholomew (The Larkspur) // Archer (The Crocus)

Traits/personality: Jora is very in-touch with her emotions. She is extremely compassionate, supportive, understanding and loyal, all which makes her a great person to be around. She's the type of person who will take note of your favourite food and bring it you when you're feeling low. However, she is also sensitive and sometimes slow to trust. Whilst she's always willing to listen to others' problems, she is less likely to share her own. Jora feels things deeply, meaning her moods can sometimes be very intense and unpredictable. One moment she could be crying with laughter, the next she could be screaming in your face.

Jora has great intuition, easily reading both people and situations. Whilst she understands things, she is quite indecisive which mean she might not always act on these intuitions. She is also easily overwhelmed by stressful situations.

She is naturally very imaginative and creative. She often uses music as an outlet.

Established relationships: When her father passed away 7 years ago, his good friend Bartholomew (The Larkspur) kept an eye on Jora, feeling almost like he owed it to him. Being 18, Jora of course felt like she didn't need him, but deep down she is extremely grateful and makes effort to spend time with him at least once a month. Afterall, it was Bart who got her a job at the university.

Jola and Marlene (The Peony) used to be really good friends, but after one very explosive argument on both their parts everything changed. They still remain civil.

There has always been a spark between Jola and Archer (The Crocus), but they have never been more than friends with benefits. Jola really does value his company, and is never afraid to stop by his place if she needs a good chat (or something stronger).

Jola doesn't really know Amos (The Carnation) too well, but she is interested in doing so when he arrives back in town.

Round 4

Sunday 22nd September, 1971

Jora jerked upwards, spluttering as she exited the water. A set of hands had ahold of her shoulders and Jora found herself flung against the sink. She heard someone call out her name but her ears were ringing and she was coughing too loud for to identify anything else. Her head was pounding and her lungs felt like they were too heavy.

"Are you okay?"





She told them everything. How the Seelie Queen had been waiting for her in the water, her face snarled and her talon-like fingernails outstretched. How every inch of Jora had wanted to kick and fight and scream, but all that happened was she continued to float downwards. How the Queen had almost got her.

Almost.




Plan
- In the bath with Peregrina.
- Pulled out from the bath by Amos, he'd put a spell on the bells so if they rang he'd know. Spluttering. Checks she's okay and covers with a towel.
- Few moments later, Bart rushes in. Alden had told him Peregrina planned to attack.
- Amos heads off, says she'll see him tomorrow. Bart stays, obviously confused, so J tells him everything over tea. Hands him the notebook. When he leaves, J asks for him to get Archer.
- Archer comes over and stays the night.

Tuesday 24th September, 1971

TBA




Plan
- Some kind of interaction with Amos to develop their relationship more, unsure exactly what though. Something other than the coffee shop. He fills her in on the drama and tensions though (Dina and the Bourgeois.

Wednesday 25th September, 1971

TBA




Plan
- The Priestess House.
- Discussions on Dina, should she be Priestess? Marlene gunning for her. Bart quiet.
- Anonymous vote, Dina to be removed from position. Questions of who will lead now.
- Things get heated suggesting who should take over, someone suggests a short break.
- J talks to Archer. He suggests she should take over. She laughs and says she has too much to think about.
- J talks to Bart and suggests he should do it. Says he doesn't want to. J jokingly mentions that Archer thought it should be her, asks how she feels about that, shuts it down. B suggests Milo instead and J agrees. Says they need to meet after, says to bring Archer. J suprised at suggestion.
- Spots Amos but he doesn't see.
- Group come back together, Marlene decides until a decision can be made. Despite numerous people calling out for Milo, Kal and Bart.
- Later that night, Bart reveals to J and Archer his findings in the notebook. Decide to summon and 'trap' Moros, need to gather some things first.

Monday 30th September, 1971

TBA




Plan
- Focus in the priestess house again.
- Successfully summon Moros.
- Suggests summoning Daphne but M stops her.
- Says his piece about not wanting to hurt anyone, just wants to rule.
- Decide someone should always be at the house with him - decide J should always be there as strong enough if something goes wrong, A and B to alternate.

Thursday 3rd October, 1971

TBA




Plan
- Moros claims to know what Peregrina wants - says riddle. Waits for J to be alone with him as wanted to make the decision easier.
- How can she make a choice on who to sacrifice.
- Chooses ?????

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (07/02/2024 at 22:59)

Bobby ⎯⎯ the Sweet Pea

Name: Roberta Frances Calloway, mostly known as Bobby and sometimes as Robin
Age: 29
Fc: Heather Kemesky
Profession: Helps out (works) at the family farm
Witch path: Traditional
Interests:

⎯ Halfway thorugh the looking-glass

The whole world tilted, fell, upside down. As if there was a new gravity tugging, janking her. There was no time for Bobby to close her eyes, they were stuck, wide open before the impending collision. The flashing images of head cracking like eggs though, she had time for those as she neared the surface. But as she dove into the water there was no tub on the other side. What stretched before her was deeper, no vaster –  a whole world on its own. Not that Bobby had room to focus on anything other than the creature which stood before her.

Mirror mirror on the wall, because, reflection gone, who stood before her was one of the most enchanting creatures Bobby had ever seen and one made absolutely hideous by the malicious intent in their grin.

There was no doubt to Bobby who this was, a month ago she would have had no clue, but now – no doubt. The power exuding from Queen Peregrina was like nothing Bobby had experienced before, except perhaps Moros as it the starting rise of it during their tug-o-war over the book.   

The spreading delight of the accomplishment across the seelie queen's face was even that similar to the one of the unseelie king's. Spindly fingers flexing through the air, coxing Bobby towards her with an adamant pull. A force Bobby, in the surprise and confusion – a complete turnaround after the serenity of her bathroom – found herself unable to resist. The bees in her belly were only slowly waking to the danger.

But barely had she time to draw a breath and when she did, water flooded her mouth, as something very physical and real and gripping her arm pulled her back upright. Coughing, Bobby found herself back in her world, backside on the bathroom tile, back to the porcelain enamelled tub. Once the coughs subsided, she stared at Alden, halfling half standing before her. He stared back at her with disbelief and horror, fingers still firmly clinging her upper arm. Then his gaze shifted, to look over her shoulder and, the dread still on his face, he sank to the floor and eased up on his grip.

“Wa- was that …” Bobby panted, hair dripping. The mere moments of maximum topsy-turvy had her whole body in a rush.

“Peregrina, yes.” There was something in his voice which she couldn’t properly pick up or decipher in the moment.

Had he not been there this could have gone a hundred ways, 99 ending in disaster. In her sheer relief and thankfulness, she hugged him tightly. In the moment she had no thoughts of her nakedness, of how her water heavy hair soaked his shirt, or why he found himself at the farm, in the bathroom in the first place. Those thoughts and realisations came later, and in that order. Neither did she notice, with her arms around his shoulders, how he continuously stared at that stilling surface.

⎯ Unravelling

The equinox had come and passed with less focus than usual, these days there was already too much on the coven’s mind. For the next six months night would rule over day. Was night about to fall over the coven too? The stitching which held them together had started to tear under the strain, but then the knot was cut, and it all unravelled with ease.

It was complete silence in the priestess house. Secrets spilled this what was where they had all ended up. The chairs around the table were all occupied and more stood against the walls. Everyone was here for this, and all eyes pointed to Dina. She bore the weight of them for another moment before she spoke.

“What was done is done. All I ever did was for the safety and survival of this coven, which is more important now more than any time before.” Her words were swaying on the silver scales as she met the eyes of one witch around the table and then another. “I may have inherited a burden I had not thought I would need to bear, but I bore it to protect and preserve this coven. It doesn’t matter what I think about my predecessor’s actions.”

“I beg to differ,” Marlene spoke up, stormy waters raging in her eyes. And in the end, the majority agreed with her.

***

Had planned for a couple of small scenes here, one with Juniper after the coven meeting and then with Grammie about Bobby’s mother back at the farm, mostly used to show how Bobby is getting more tense/irritated/anxious about the growing power and what that does with her so the outburst makes more sense.

⎯ Wrath of the swarm

“Can we leave her at the helm? She’s driven by pure rage.” Juniper spoke up. They sat gathered around the kitchen table on the farm. June, Bobby, Heath, Alden and Kal. Though Kal didn’t sit, he stood leaning against the wall.

It was late even for Bobby. She sat at the end of the table; legs pulled up and arms wrapped around. For the most part she listened, she had added what info she had found from the journal, the one she poured over too much lately. She had felt testy lately. So much going – not wrong exactly but definitely not right. June was worried about her, though not trying to be overtly so after poking too much at Bobby’s moods, much like a pointed stinger. Alden was often lost in thoughts no coaxing could calm or get out of him. Heath was worried too, but finding him in a fistfight perhaps Bobby should need to worry about him too. Kal, well Bobby knew little what was going on there, but had backed off with June. At the farm she needed no around the clock guard, not matter how much of a blaring alarm this power was. June had mentioned the nurturing of the spirit of the house, and it made much sense. And Bobby just knew that was the same reason she was sure no malicious creatures would catch her off guard in the protection of the farm.

“At least she wasn’t the one to give the shoes to Daphne,” Heath said, tired. Amos part in that had revealed itself the night before, though luckily Kal had stepped in between before punches had bruised or bloodied them. “But I’m still not sure about her.”

Momentarily the topic of discussion was Marlene who, with Dina gone had stepped into the role as leader and agreed around the table was that no one really knew how that had happened or how disastrous it would potentially be.

Bobby had many times in her life philosophized over whether she was a drone or a worker, she always known she’d never be a queen. (Once she had confessed this dilemma to June, who had chuckled and only after prompting told her what was so amusing: “Not everything in life is defined by bees.”) Neither Heath nor Alden would step up. Kal, was too much a beta for being a contender, but Juniper – Bobby was sure she could do it with flying colours.

Once her thoughts caught up with the mention of Daphne, Bobby sat up a little, one leg dangling to the ground. “What are doing about getting Daphne back? We should ignite a rescue mission”

“Getting her back can’t be a priority,” Heath said, no-nonsense, and looking at him Bobby just felt the words all to real. 

“Not a priority?” She asked faintly, but said it most to herself as Heath and Juniper spun away with the discussion in another direction. They couldn’t just ditch Daphne in the clutches of the fae, who knew what she was experiencing, what they would do to her. Bobby blinked and looked up. “We can’t just leave her.” She interrupted them and the tone of her voice had them quieten.

Heath looked at her for a moment. “With these developments, it’s more important keeping you safe, Bobby, and controlling the situation here at home.”

Bobby stared at him, then shifted to look each and every one of them in the eye. At least Alden had the decency to look bothered and shifted in his seat.

“What little we have to go on is the diary of an unknown-hopefully good to us seer and we are willing just to go about and do that and leave our own hopefully still alive seer in the claws and whims of fae.” Bobby spoke clearly, both feet now grounded on the hardwood flooring. Hands firmly placed on the table. “It’s just heartless…”

An intensity had started to hum around them.

“Can you feel that?” Kal said, warningly. He was leaning no more but stood to attention.

Bobby often had the hum of her hive within her but now it was leaking out, and it wasn’t the pleasant pulse – it was angry. “What good have you been lately?” she stared stingers at Kal. “You’re supposed to protect or act but ever since Dina’s gone you have been a simple hound lost without his master, reduced to a simple pup. They at least talk and scheme – not that anyone of us is doing anything.”

“Bobby,” Alden said her name as if talking to a spooked animal.

“And you!” She spat at Alden this time. “You might have the power dispel the shadow and more, but you just hide from yourself.”

He looked slapped for a second before he put on a protected face. Just looking at him slapped her right back, and she stared with wide eyes at him as she gained some sort of measure about what was happening – and as she did, she realised it was already too late. She was losing her grip on the swarm as it was growing and raging as if had grown to host the anger of hornets.

“What earthquake is threatening to bring down the house?” Grammie said, coming out from her bedroom, concern thick in her voice. Meeting the old and familiar eyes, what welled over her in the moment was all the disappointment. Kal might have become lost, and Alden might hide in his grief but she was plain just useless, even with this power.

Bobby desperately drew in a deep breath, tears stinging her eyes, this power was too unfamiliar and growing. It was scary. The pendant over the kitchen table, the lamp over the counters and the sink – all the bulbs all exploded into rain of sharp shards. So did the glasses on the table. Someone shrieked, Bobby knew it was Grammie though she was certain she had never heard the woman create such a sound. Heath was heard cursing up a storm. In the instant darkness it was hard to see, more so as Bobby closed her eyes before the impending sharp splinters. But they didn’t come. In the quiet of the outburst simply pulsed the energy of a protective shield and only a few pieces of glass landed in her lap, in her hair.

All she could do was to draw her knees up to her chest again. Glass crunched as someone moved. And Bobby couldn’t keep the tears at bay, sobs shaking glass from her hair.

She was sure the others were moving, speaking. But the world was closing in and shutting everything out.

“It’s okay honey,” Juniper said in a whisper close by suddenly, warm arms wrapping around Bobby.

Bobby leaned into them, blubbering. “I just don’t know what to do.”

⎯ Trapping the beast

Trapping Moros and Bobby feels invigorated by the fact that she could make use of the power she is not yet comfortable with, the release of it makes her more relaxed and she felt like she finally did something, not being completely useless. Though the fact that she learns that she can do nothing to get Daphne back disheartens her a little. Still, finding better, calmer relationship with the power within.

Bobby spends a lot of the time reading in the journal trying to have a breakthrough about what to do. A heartfelt conversation with Alden where she apologises for what she said during her outburst (Kal does not get a sorry), she didn’t mean it at all and have a lot of sympathy and all. Bobby has enjoyed his company and this budding friendship over these months.

Lastly Bobby goes to speak with Moros, he is taunting and riling her, how she’s pretty useless, how she must choose who to sacrifice when Peregrina comes for them. It pricks her to eruptive anger and power again, though not uncontrolled and she sort of vows that she’s not going to let any of her friends get hurt.

Sorry for so much being summary, my head can’t really stand being late at the moment and neither is it very cooperative to do clever writing I’m afraid!

Last edited by tricole (16/02/2024 at 13:49)

NAME: Maeve Voshi (nee Bourgeois) aka Tʜᴇ Lᴏᴛᴜs

INTERESTS:
Bartholomew (The Larkspur) | Heath (The Edelweiss) | Kaladian “Kal” (The Oleander) | Marlene (The Peony)

I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, This Is Me... - DONE

AGE: 37

FC: Rosie Mac

PATH: Solar Witch

PROFESSION: Mixologist (wait it's the 70s!)... Bartender; but she's definitely using some unusual/experimental ingredients /vendor/beemoov/forum/../../../public/forum/smilies/big_smile.png

TRAITS:
Absent-minded | Amicable | Enigmatic | Erratic | Naive | Optimistic | Reckless | Resilient | Visceral | Vivacious

PERSONALITY:
Like the lotus flower, Maeve is resilient… treading through the murky waves of everyday life and coming out on top, bright and bubbly, reaching toward the sun and all its endless possibilities. She has a deep-driven sense of determination that keeps difficulties from getting her down. Enthusiastically curious and adaptive, she is full of the joys of spring and the vibrance of summer; good-humored, optimistic, cheerful, and easy-going. Most would believe she has immunity to discouragement with such a sunny disposition. Maeve refuses to waste a good day thinking about a bad yesterday. This can, of course, lead to avoiding larger problems if allowed to go unchecked. She can also get caught up in her thoughts at times, forgetting what she is doing or where she is going. She’s energized and inspired by new stimuli easily which may lead her to act very impulsively by saying and/or doing the first thing that comes to mind. This excitable energy is also a catalyst for impatience and attention deficiency.  She can be restless, flitting from one project to another, and can become easily bored. Luckily, she has an excellent memory and a keen intuition when it comes to her magic. That, however, doesn’t always translate to more personal interactions. Maeve is a free spirit, open-minded, and has a colossal tender heart for those she holds nearest and dearest. And while she is very sociable, and quite a charmer, she often misses out on some social cues and can be quite heedless when it comes to sexuality and romantic overtures.

When it comes to emotions, Maeve isn’t the best at expressing them. Big heart and all, she’ll avoid causing conflict even if it means burying her feelings to keep a harmonious environment. This can add an air of mystery for those seeking to get to know the full depth of her character. That being said, her decisions are almost always based on her feelings. She doesn’t really acknowledge the concept of hesitation and is an ‘ask forgiveness, not permission’ kind of woman, willing to break the rules for a life well lived. She laughs loudly, forgives easily, and regrets nothing.

RELATIONSHIPS:
Marlene & Orpheus - cousins - they were still children (11 & 7 respectively) when she moved away so didn’t have a lot of interaction with them at the time. Became more acquainted with Marlene on various brief trips back home over the years and they've shared correspondences throughout the years developing a genuine friendship. Maeve considers Marlene more of a niece than a cousin due to being raised by their grandmother.

Dina - friendly acquaintance - Being several years younger, Maeve was likely more of a nuisance than a friend growing up but Dina never gave any indication of irritation. Maeve gives some credit to Dina for fostering her deeper appreciation of nature after chasing her into the local forests for more than a time or two. They have spoken kindly on a couple of her brief visits home and only within the last couple of years started exchanging letters with one another, deepening the friendship from afar.

Bartholomew  - neutral acquaintance - With him and Dina being close, Maeve would have followed along behind him as well, perhaps (definitely) developing a childhood crush on him in the process. Maeve has not seen him since moving away from town.

Milo - neutral acquaintance - Remembers him being part of the old kids' squad and found him a pleasant presence. She didn't have much involvement with him back then and hasn’t seen him over the years.


COVEN
In her life, Maeve aspires to beauty and joy. She trusts nature and her role in it. As a child, she was somewhat shy and a bundle of nervous energy. She doesn’t remember her father but Grams insisted, when she was giddy on one of her random tonics, that he wasn’t much to remember. Maeve only vaguely recalls her mother, a vividly red mop of hair always came to mind, much like her own, and dark green gentle eyes, in high contrast to her blues ones she’d obviously inherited from Dad. Maeve had to use photographs by the age of ten to recall more than that after losing her mother to a harsh battle with cancer some years before.  Grams, the matriarch of the Bourgeois family, became Mom after that, filling the void with love and mentorship. As best she could at least. As an elder, she had responsibilities to the Coven that drew her away, not to mention her brewery business that catered to the entire community. It also didn’t help that Maeve was never quite able to keep still for too long. Something she’d never really outgrown.

Maeve would occasionally visit her aunt’s family, but both Marlene and Orpheus were just babies, far too young to be playmates to the preadolescent Maeve. It was the forest that became her actual babysitter… nature and all its beauty. She was always somewhere collecting something. Anything. Unusual pebbles, shells, strange twisted sticks, bird feathers and bones, coins, scraps of fabric or paper. Just… old things. Discarded treasures that other people wouldn’t give a second glance to. She also had an affinity with animals… bugs, spiders, reptiles… creepy crawlies intrigued her, and she was utterly smitten with all the furry friends she could find.

During those early, impressionable years, she’d found a somewhat companion in Dina, Bart, and Milo. Not that either of the boys noticed she’d latched herself onto their group. Or maybe they did and she was just too young… or more accurately… clueless about reading people. Again, something she wouldn’t necessarily grow out of. Most of the time, she hovered on the border of whichever clearing they’d gone to practice spells or just get up to some sort of mischief outside the watchful eyes of the community leaders. What was sure, is that Maeve picked up things from all of them. Spells or enchantments, identifying useful ingredients and talisman, the power of crystals, and their occasional gossip about the fae. There may have been (of course there was) some sense of disappointment and bitterness when her crush and the girl she idolized ended up starting a relationship together.

Also, during this time Maeve’s connection to the sun manifested. Spending the days roaming the wilderness surrounding the community filled her with energy. There wasn’t a day where she didn’t find herself at some point celebrating the power and warmth of the sun. Picking blueberries in the field, dancing and singing in a golden-hued meadow, sunbathing by a brook, or simply sitting cross-legged with a good book in the backyard… the sun was her perpetual sidekick. Always there, energizing, destressing, and revitalizing every mood possible.

Of course, most things Maeve learned were reinforced through Grams’ teachings.

Maeve was unafraid to try new things and liked to consider herself different from the vast majority of others. Though in a witching world, it’s pretty hard to manage that since they were all vastly different than other magical & non-magical beings. She never liked traveling the beaten path. This may explain Maeve’s ultimate transgression… falling in love with an ungifted boy from the local high school. No one actually forbade the relationship, but Maeve was under no disillusionment of Grams's disapproval. For one, he wasn’t a member of the Coven… and worse, he wasn’t even a witch. But he made Maeve happy, and that was important enough for her to defy the old woman’s wishes and eloped with her one true love the moment she turned 18. She wasn’t kicked from the Coven and she had no desire to leave it… but River Voshi would never be able to know the truth of Maeve’s background or her magical abilities.

They were young and impoverished… but happy. River’s family owned a farm several miles from Lavaeuwood, and they moved into a small cabin on that land initially while he joined the military. During basic training, Maeve continued to help out at Grams’ brewery and refine her magic freely. Soon after, Maeve joined River in his first deployment to Germany. Maeve anticipated the day that they would welcome their first child, but that never seemed to pan out for them. They would move a few times, but they would make a happy home, just the two of them wherever his military orders led. She’d also sprinkled in trips to Lavaeuwood (alone), reuniting and reconnecting with her heritage and enjoying her family beyond River. And instead of getting down about her childless state, Maeve filled their home with warmth, good cheer, and many small pets to dote upon over the years. River never questioned the constantly wide-open windows and doors… nor did he point out her odd collection of nick-nacks stuffed in nearly every drawer of their home.  He also never seemed shocked or confused by the unusual ingredients she’d obsess over when they visited peculiar farmer stalls or caravans in the countryside. He adored her cooking and grew especially addicted to the sun-drenched teas she’d have readily brewed each evening when he returned home.

Last edited by BambiFoxx (05/02/2024 at 20:03)

---

Round 4 Closed

Chapter 5
“A tale of gossamer web.”

17th of October, 1971.
The play which Roy and Marlene have helped set up has its opening night and the coven has been invited. As the Midsummer nights dream descends into introducing the fairy folk the air turns cold and the crowd goes stiff, all except for the coven. There on the stage highlighted by the Hunter’s moon is Peregrina and the Fairy Host who hold the trial. The fairy hosts are undead fae from before the divide of the courts and is meant to keep a balance.
“Did you make a choice?” Peregrina will ask and their attention all turns towards you awaiting an answer. As the silence grows you’ll watch her stumble over with a hand pressed over her heart and gasping for air. The death of Peregrina unfolds rapidly as she rolls over and hungrily hunts for air, her skin withers and collapses like a grape into a raisin.

From behind a pillar Moros will walk out and clap his hands, chuckling, - “you can leave now”, the Fairy Hosts disperse into thin air. Moros did technically save you from a terrible fate, the fairy host process is much like the book of the death from Egypt with the weighing of a heart. Why did he save you? He doesn’t think it would be much fun of a story, he still finds it somewhat amusing to play this game with you.

So what happened? Marlene broke the circle which rendered the spell useless and Moros has just been waiting for his dramatic moment to pop out. Peregrina’s death is because Alden changed the paint from metal free to a toxic one for fae.
Due to the courts falling under Moros jurisdiction which was what he wanted all along and which you might find out if pressing Marlene is well one power. But two no one to stop whatever he wants to pass through the portals during Samhain when the veil is thinner between the worlds. This was something Moros could not do on his own, he could not kill Peregrina by his own hands.

22nd of October, 1971
Daphne returns, walking into the bar bloodstained and muddy with the map dangling from between her fingertips. - “Anything which burns,” she’ll acknowledge Heath as she slides the map towards you. Daphne while a patient person isn’t sure where she falls with the coven. A part of her feels betrayed by the coven she had always worked so hard for, while she knows much of what Moros probably has told her is lies yet no one even tried to help her. She tries not to be mad but she is, she was for the first time in her life pushed to her limit. On the other hand she escaped on her own.

With a completed map in hand this is somewhere we will have to wrap up.

Impressions here

Bobby - The Sweetpea

Kal and Juniper
“What will you do with her?” Juniper watches the drag marks after a pair of boots drawn in the gravel. His cigarette creates a light as a thud leaves his hands free.

“Do you care?” The cigarette is put on hold between her fingers as he throws an old basement hatch open. Juniper blinks two times, drags a breath from the cigarette and shakes her head, - “good, I’d be worried otherwise.” Marlene’s limp body tumbles down into the darkness of the hatch.

“We should get Daphne.”

“Babe— there’s lots of things we should do,” he snatches the cigarette, proceeding to close and lock the hatch, - “I’ll take care of this and you take care of— that and then we’ll have a clean house,” he grinned. Juniper could see the watchdog within him, he wasn’t violent but he knew he could snap your neck. - “If the two of you girlies truly want her back then heck let me go grab her.”

“Go fetch—“ Juniper chuckled, bumping his shoulder as they turned on their heels heading down the old dirt road. Underneath the jokes and little laughters were the sense of something was coming causing goosebumps along her arms. Juniper will step into a leader role for the time being since she can tell Robin doesn’t want it and she worries that whatever is coming will take a toll on her friend. She views Bobby as one of the most important people in her life which means she has poured herself into their relationship.


Amos
Is found dead from hanging himself. Up to you how you want to mention it and when you think it fits your story. Juniper might give the vibe that Kal could have something to do with it because she doesn’t think it was 100% chosen.


Alden
A clenched jaw relaxed to tense up again, he heard her apology but at the same time the sound of his own blood pumping drowned out everything else. He thinks about how Mr. Leblanc had taken them out for picnics in the forest and told them stories of the fae, sometimes Alden felt bad because he’d pretend it was a memory with his parents. Alden’s jaw clenched again as he looked down into his shopping cart at the package of bread, juice, fruit and general assortment for a picnic. He thinks it’s because he wanted to be good, that he felt so badly and he felt this weight on his shoulders since he didn’t live up to this ideal. Alden thinks he should try to live up to his potential and when needed he’ll put his powers to the test. Which is that he could keep a shadow creature away without burning life force.

As Juniper steps into a leader role there’s an argument generally due to feeling unsafe within the coven. There’s no stability currently which makes the idea of the coven fall flat. Yet those left are confident at trying to make it work. With the cards on the table it stands that if you betray the coven the way Amos and Marlene did they really can not be trusted. Same with Dina which extends to a further betrayal of leaving without facing judgment from the members and not taking responsibility at a time like this. Alden will arrive once just a few of you are around with a picnic to lighten the mood and his way of showing some form of affection.


Heath
Will be saddened by Amos passing and edging on some guilt for it happening. He’s also most likely the only one worried for Marlene and thinks she’s just a lost soul, another victim of Moros trickery in his eyes. All of this will make him feel bad about what he said about Daphne, they should at least try to find a way to bring her back.

Heath encounters a shadow creature one night when closing. Luckily Alden is around and manages to scare it away with a protection spell, or perhaps not scare it but it retreats into the dark. So how do you fight an entity created from imagination? It’s corporeal these days but there should be some form of weakness. (They are weak to fae magic since it’s derived from the environment. But they were spun into reality by taking on spirits of the dead since there are rules to the universe and all “living” must have a soul.)

Last edited by Mimira (16/02/2024 at 20:50)

Bobby ⎯⎯ the Sweet Pea

Name: Roberta Frances Calloway, mostly known as Bobby and sometimes as Robin
Age: 29
Fc: Heather Kemesky
Profession: Helps out (works) at the family farm
Witch path: Traditional
Interests:

⎯ There's no returning to Kansas, is there?

It was just like a slow blink, and it all unfolded before her. Moros had never really been caught in Bobby’s trap, or? She wasn’t sure. Either way Peregrina took her final bow on stage, and she would never rise again. And that was a good thing, Bobb was sure, but she wasn’t sure what those consequences would entail. Or how it had even come to be. Perhaps she would be illuminated to it in due time.

As Daphne walked into the bar one evening, asking for something to burn away the sour taste of confinement, harshness of escape and – perhaps most of all – the fact that she had to do it by herself, Bobby’s ears burned in disgrace. Because for these occasions it was not the thought that counted. No matter how Bobby had wanted, and towards the end there had been something starting to resemble a plan of rescue. No damsel in distress had ended up being saved as Daphne de-damseled herself all on her own.

Any try to tell Daphne that how she had wanted to come sounded like pitiful excuses even in her own head, so she kept them there. In time, perhaps, would she be able to make it up to Daphne in other ways. But at the moment, the deadpan eyes of Daph would have Bobby’s stomach churn in shame every time she met them and say that the work of forgiveness would be hard.

The two parts of the map was now in their hold. Time would have to see if two ripped halves still made a whole.

**
They were heading out for a picnic. Bobby was grateful for the suggestion for the initiative but at the same time, what could be more mundane? Because after all of this: There was no returning to Kansas, was there? Bobby thought. Her making her way through the forest took time, head chasing questions and answers made it easy to snatch a foot on a root otherwise. No amount of new power could save her from the faults of inattentiveness.


“Don’t think we were ever in Kansas.”

She looked up to see Kal standing, waiting for her a few steps ahead. The others had already found the clearing, she could see Juniper looking over her shoulder at them, while assisting Alden to spread out the blanket. Bobby must have spoken aloud. That or Kal had mindreading abilities she never knew about and that seemed way too unlikely.

“I don’t mean Kansas as a place –“ She started to explain as she caught up with him.

“I can take a reference We are witches, doesn’t that mean we’ve always been in Oz?” He said it with his trademarked lopsided grin.

Bobby stopped and stared at him. He seemed all too pleased with himself and after what June had hinted at – Bobby didn’t quite know what to make of him or how sharp those teeth snapped. She could have told him that it wasn’t the magic of the world she meant but the state of normalcy. Daphne had returned. With Peregrina gone there was no looming threat of fae, at least not presently, but who knew which ways the whims of Moros would have them head down in the future, and now he was all powerful too. The coven seemed determined to choose a continuation of strong community. But then Marlene was gone, Dina disappeared, and Amos – they had lost him. And then there was this thing within her which she still couldn’t wrap herself comfortably around. While things were settling down, what happened had made the world tilt. Set it off kilter.

As askew as that grin. “Just keep up,” he said humorously and then continued into the clearing.

She sat down next to Alden, who handed her a sandwich. The picture of normalcy in many terms.

She grinned. “Look how homely you are.”

“They’re not homemade, if that’s what you think,” he scoffed lightly.

“Still nice either way.”

There’s a hint of a polite smile eyes meet and then he looked away again, the enshrouding clouds making themselves seen. Out of all of this getting to know him a bit better was perhaps the one thing she was thankful of gaining, sometimes she thought he could understand something better than any other. Though she hadn’t really done it right. It would have to be for the future to see if she would be able to explain herself properly.

She closed her eyes and for a moment let the sound of talk and chuckles warm her up. As she opened them again she kept the smile, looking up into the trees. Between the boughs of a tree sat a spider’s web, the lacy pattern sitting wide. Towards the bars at the edge a fly was fighting for its life as a black body and eight long legs made its was over. It was a strange thing. Each strand was a fragile thing, the number of times Bobby brushed down webs as the farm, a swipe of the hand to break and ball up hours of hard work. But compared to its weight the delicate silk was stronger than steel.

What bars of steel were being woven around them? Because, as Bobby sat watching the spider spin rounds of web around its catch, while her friends sat in safe community with her, she couldn’t help the creeping feeling of what was coming for them.

Last edited by tricole (19/02/2024 at 10:07)

Closing a little early but going to ask to keep it open for 24hrs.

Contest closed!

Closing time!

I’d love constructive feedback, I don’t think we get enough of it here. Because I don’t see the point in hosting or trying new things and no one is willing to tell me the good and the bad. Tell me here or in private.

Thank you all for joining! I enjoy reading what everyone posted, taking part in your journey writing. I probably won’t do a second season. I was going to do this as one season but it didn’t go according to plan! Which is on me!

So yeah take care, banners below and maybe I’ll see ya around!


Thank you for Bobby and Grammy. For the vulnerability, platonic love being the most real one and mistakes are there to be made. For taking the time to write even the summaries were spot on and I appreciate the hustle more than you’ll know. For taking on this imperfect adventure and turning it into Bobby’s.


Thank you for coming back and creating Jora! With her determination, lovability, while staying strong, she’s a beautiful character and it was a thrill to read about her Archer, Amos and Bart. Thank you for all your time with the story, the details, the relationships. Thank you for sharing Jora’s universe!

And thank you to everyone else who joined and took the time to write. Even when you don’t finish I want you to know I appreciate everyone taking their time with it and I hope it comes from a place of enjoyment from writing.

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♡   ♡ ~ This thread will remain open for feedback until 18:43 on February 19, 2024. ~ ♡   ♡

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Thank you for Lavaeuwood, its story and its people, and for the banner!

I'm in a bit of a rush but I at least wanted to get that said before I head out, hopefully I have time for a bit more thought out words before this close tonight

Edit: As I have already told you, I did really enjoy developing Bobby more than I imagined I would, considering I started out like a fish flapping on dry land having little clue what to do with her, and I believe the world and extras had a lot to do with the enjoyment. And it was a delight to be able to be playful and hopefully-the-right-amount-of-pretentious with my prose.

Feeling non-romantic at the moment it was nice not to feel pressure to do the romance, while still knowing options were there if I did want to pivot. I really do love doing the platonic shtick, just wished I had the brainpower to delve deeper into it, because some character really came to stand out as very interesting and complex.

I'm sorry I got a bit lost writing-wise and plot-wise towards the end, which coincided with me getting lost life-wise too.

I'll stop rambling now, all in all, would do again, even if it's not with this world, but with you hosting a new one!

Last edited by tricole (19/02/2024 at 21:36)