Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

Wisteria Serenity

High off the events of the ball, the nymph had spent a bit of extra time on her way back up to her current residency, eager to get the scent of the Mainlands off her pelt so she may merrily frolic in freedom once more. With the knowledge she now had of how stressed the land was beyond what the earth and the fae told her, she was now well aware travel between lands could very well be dangerous, not that it would stop her. A grin tugging at her lips at the very thought of red being flung everywhere like a beautiful Autumn day should she ever come to turmoil with another, much like with that deranged beast she left limp in the snowy mountains.

Though she was already splattered in crimson along her front half, for she had provided a sacrifice not more than a few hours ago upon reaching the horizon of where Melrose caressed the Highlands, leaving behind a decapitated skull as a departing gift. She knew it wasn’t enough to satisfy them, not with Yule having come and went without anything extensive. She only hoped it wouldn’t be too late to keep their graces and that was part of her aim this day.

As her paws reached the shelter of the denser part of the forest, she would pause and close her eyes, taking in the energy from the thawing soil; the lack of anger within the roots as it welcomed her back into the tendrils of the flora. There was a light breeze that played with her fur, ruffling it and making it look all the more fluffy; feeling the push of it toward the heart of the woodland. She didn’t argue, following its guide without any hesitation, even trusting it so much that she didn’t bother to open her lavender eyes right away. It wouldn’t be long till a familiar scent touched her nose and before she might see the owner she’d call out coyly. “Oh Wynnie, darling! Do not keep me waiting to see that pretty face of yours… I carry interesting news and a little more.” She awaited a set of magenta eyes to emerge from the darkness, shining sinister and bright. She did notice the scent of another she did not know, hopefully she wasn’t interrupting something more intimate though who said she wouldn’t be happy to join if she were allowed.

@Elwynn @Zoltan

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Elwynn Blackwood

it had been far too long since she'd given proper sacrifice to the fae and now that the season had passed, she was more aware of that than ever. she'd been screwing around, quite literally, when she should have been focusing on other things. still, she felt that what meager pittance she and zoltan had offered was enough for they still stood and spring had finally arrived. the boy was not far off as they had been searching for food and herbs together, but she'd lost sight of him when wisteria's elated voice found her.

elwynn blinked, turning her head as she spotted the russet woman bounding into the wood, her body splattered with blood and looking as tantalizing as ever. her fur bristled lightly yet a smile graced her dark lips as she moved to greet the other woman. they hadn't seen each other since their last encounter and she was wondering if the woman had up and left again. she was surprised to realize that she was glad she hadn't.

"what is it, darling?" she asked, quite curious as to what had her in such a good mood. she looked positively delighted.

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Spring arrived without a whisper from the fae and their retribution hung over the blue witch like a dark cloud. His failure to provide them their feast stung almost as much as the wounds he’d suffered. Time had allowed them to close, leaving a dry crusty scab over the puckered scars on the left side of his neck. It was a reminder that he still had much to learn before he could call himself a master of witchcraft like his mother. He had stayed by her side towards the end of winter and the start of spring, paranoid that she might be struck down by some unknown illness as punishment for his mistake. By the grace of the fae they lived to see another year and he was forever thankful for their mercy.

He strayed from his mother’s side and when he realised she was no longer in his sights he felt tension pulling at his muscles like the strings of a puppet. A jubilant voice carried through the trees and he headed in the direction, blue eyes fixed upon his mother’s companion. Was this the friend she had spoken of? The blood that covered her was enough to mark her as a potential witch and that was enough to allow him to relax. His mother hadn’t trusted anyone enough to inform them of where they lived before and he knew this meant that she was someone important. You’re ma’s friend, right? he asked, just to make sure that he wasn’t mistaking her for someone that she wasn’t.

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Wisteria Serenity

A flood of emotions or what she could only consider emotions washed over her at the sight of her friend emerging from the wilderness, half expecting either a game or her to not come out at all. One cause it was what she’d do herself, preferring games when she was in a good mood or just wanted to mess with someone. The second, well it wasn’t important but to put simply she was glad the other complied to her call, even if it was a bit dangerous to yodel out a name so carelessly. She wasn’t so sure if the Blackwoods were still actively being hunted or if they were viewed as wiped out by those that used to see them as monsters. Admittedly, as much as they had gone over Morgana very much having perished since she left Rionnach, it didn’t seem real; half expecting the woman to pop up even if as a spirit. Without a body it just never seemed final but it was something that would likely never go away in her perceptions.

She was about to speak and migrate to her friend for a more intimate greeting when a bit of rustling caught her attention. Her ears perked up curiously at the male, witch’s brew gaze shifting between Elwynn and this stranger a couple times before fixing solely to him. Blue fur and a large frame. It reminded her of another male from a night of mischievous fun as the siren, having chipped the last of her wedding ring off her finger that ailed her for so long. She could tell by his lack of emeralds that he was not the man she was thinking of, the feature that had her mind in a tizzy not manifesting itself as she looked into that of a pair of larimars instead. No desire to pluck them out surfacing but it did bring forth a different kind of frenzy in the back of her mind. A pale blue moon, perhaps this boy was blessed by the goddess, a soul swallowed up by her light and molded into the form of a wolf. A smile tugged at her lips, finding him a bit timid in the moment. What she didn’t expect was what came next.

Ma’s friend?

“Ah Zoltan!” she burst out in a warm cheer, admittedly with some surprise etched in. After her little fun night with the witch, she had completely forgotten her plans to seek out the supposed failed sacrifice turned son. Such a memory caused her smile to only widen more as confusion hid behind it. He was older than she expected, much older, having thought he’d be a yearling or a young adult. Not a full grown man. Her mind swam for a long moment but ultimately the earlier observation settled what might have turned into bloodlust, not such a fan of men and not caring much for Elwynn’s warning to behave when it came to him. Warnings wouldn’t stop her from finishing a rejected sacrifice, it only entices her with a fun time of mutilation.

Protective mother. It was rather comical now that she was taking it all in feeling a grown man didn’t need protecting, they made their own graves well enough.

She’d stride forward, not at all taking personal boundaries into consideration, no hesitation at all before attempting to press her shoulder into his and gently ruffle up his neck fur with her muzzle as if he was someone she had known forever. “Friend? I'd say something a little more. Now now. Don’t be such a stranger, sweetie. I’m Wisteria much like these stunning trees all around us but you can call me Mother Dearest,” she cooed. It was quite the puzzle of whether she was being flirtatious or maternal as she glanced at Elwynn with a sway of the tail. Either way, there were more important things to speak of than this.

@Elwynn @Zoltan

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Elwynn Blackwood

the woman was giddy, alive, and elwynn watched her curiously. she looked the way elwynn felt after a true sacrifice. the rush, the power, the pleasure. the thought alone caused her toes to tingle and the fur along her spine to lift with unknown anticipation. as her son arrived, he questioned her curiously but rather than answer wisteria approached swiftly and drew along the boy as if they had known one another all their lives. elwynn only watched, waiting and wondering what zoltan would think of her.

she seemed a tad surprised, maybe even disappointed, to see the man she still called her 'baby boy' standing there. elwynn's lips curved slightly. while zoltan was grown, she would never be able to see him as anything but the babe she'd stolen and then later cared for all this time. he was still young in his mind, and perhaps that was due to her sheltering nature, but that mattered little to her. she preferred his dependency over anything else. her ears perked as wisteria spoke again, commenting that they were more than mere friends. "indeed," she said softly. wistera was a treasure to be cherished, an old friend and a new flame in one. and while they were not beholden to one another by silly courtships or titles, that did not mean they could not share a night... or two, or three... together.

elwynn drifted closer, her gaze locking with wisteria's as her curiosity only grew. she dragged her gaze down the other woman's bloodied body like a knife against a sharpening stone.

"are you here to play or have you news?" she asked as her gaze snapped back to the eyes of the other woman.

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It delighted him when his name was blurted out and his bright blue eyes lit up. He nodded eagerly as if to affirm what she already knew. The buoyant energy in her greeting was enough to put a bounce in his step and a wag in his tail. It didn’t seem at all uncomfortable or abnormal for her to step into his personal bubble and greet him like they were more than strangers. Her nose was close to the bare patch of skin where his mother had almost claimed his life all those years ago and the fresh scab from his recent failure to subdue a sacrifice. Mirroring her behaviour Zoltan nuzzled at her cheek and gave her a loving yet sloppy kiss on her ear. The knowledge that she was something a little more lingered in his thoughts for a long pause until it finally clicked. Oooh. That kind of friend, he replied, giving them a knowing wink. It didn’t matter to him if Wisteria was his mother’s lover or friend. He was happy to get to know her either way.

Confusion crossed his features when she explained that she was named Wisteria like the trees. He hadn’t named any of his friends Wisteria and they didn’t go by any other names as far as he knew. She suggested that he call her mother dearest, but he politely shook his head in refusal. Ma’s the only ma, but we can be friends, he assured her with a smile so as not to disappoint her.

Blue eyes glanced back at his mother, hoping she was pleased with his decision. Head tilted thoughtfully when she addressed Wisteria. Silently he hoped that it was the former rather than the latter. He loved playing games.

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Wisteria Serenity

She took in some observation of the younger male as he allowed her into his space, noticing the bit of thinned fur but not quite equating it to where he was supposed to be slaughtered, merely just assuming he carried a couple scars there. Blood letting wasn’t uncommon and especially among those that entered these woods, knowing she certainly had a few of her own though outwardly she looked untouched and pristine when one ignored the blood that was covering her. What did startle her however, was when the boy actually reciprocated it, so used to the men being rather skittish and less compelled to being caught in her bubble willingly. It caused a smile to flicker over her lips as he nuzzled into her cheek, unable to help a tiny giggle from it tickling a bit as a paw raised like it might push him away but she didn’t do such a thing, though almost did when suddenly her ear was soaked. “Quite the soggy kisser,” amused, ear twitching a couple times to try and subtly expel the liquid. It took a lot not to look just outright grossed out but it didn’t stop her from payback as she purposely got her tongue as wet as possible to give him a cowlick on the forehead should he stay so close.

Her ears flicked forward a little in further entertainment at his little wink, had they been alone it might have included more than just a toothy grin from forming. At Elwynn’s confirmation, however, she did feel the faintest heat wash over her cheeks, not really sure what she expected out of her own comment on them being more. Maybe because she didn’t really know for herself what that really meant. Love would be a lie but love within itself was a lie, feeling like it didn’t exist at all unless used for manipulation. No, the other woman was a special toy, one she at the current time had no desire to dispose of but who was to say what the future held.

His confusion was palpable but the question of which it was asking, she could only think of one. She would glance up at the trees of purple that hung down with both elegance and sorrow, feeling like her and the plant went all too well together. Maybe he did not know what the species of plant was called and that was what confused him. Before she could comment on it though, her head tilted back down when he rejected her little title for him as his second mother, something wicked boiling in the back of her gaze but never reached the surface. “Friends? Sounds lovely. The only friends I make come with benefits. So tell me darling, what benefit can you give me?” she asked softly, as if offering a contract for him to sign, very much curious if he would withdraw his offer. She already had something in mind to give in return should he take it, however.

“Why not both?” she chuckled. Slowly she’d pull away from him as Elwynn seemed to push for her to get back on topic, making her come closer and running her side along the others before coming to sit down next to her. “I agree he is blessed,” she whispered into the other’s ear. She gave her a look asking if she had made this man nothing more than a boy, brainwashed him, finding it strange how young he acted.

“Where do I begin? My sorry excuse for a family found out I still exist and got me sucked into what I expected to be just a stupid pish posh luxury party, which it was though they didn’t keep riffraff from showing up. A folly from the start, not that nobility alone won’t drown their own,” she humored, still finding it rather comical that they had just let anyone in no matter their roots, especially when they were allowed to be so close to the king. “Surely as I was thinking of poisoning the whole ballroom, it seemed others beat me to the idea in a sense. Not only was there a riot wanting the establishment destroyed but an assassination attempt was made. I’d say sadly it failed but…” she grinned ear to ear, pulling away and wandering a few feet from them as eagerness seemed to zap adrenaline into her legs.

She would pace a little till she stopped at a flower to put her focus on, gently allowing some blood to drip into the little cup the petals formed. “Just before I left the city, a little birdy told me the Queen is expecting. A newborn of the very beings that curse this land, a perfect sacrifice to heal; mend the earth of ruin and appease the fae; the gods! To make up for the Samhain you failed to take part in and many more,” she said, quickly shifting to face Elwynn, eyes alight. She could feel the forest wanting the essence of the progeny of those so separate from mother earth and caused such destruction with war.

@Elwynn @Zoltan

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Elwynn Blackwood

elwynn didn't bother trying to hide the satisfaction she felt from zoltan's comment about her being his only mother. their bond was the deepest, most inseparable one she'd ever experienced and even she was not sure why it was there. it was like the fae had gifted him to her; like they were meant to be. she gazed at him momentarily before wisteria began speaking. lilac eyes shifted to the woman, soaking in her excitment like the pitch black void she was.

a party?

interesting...

she'd heard of this party through the grapevine but of course had had no way (or desire) to attend it herself but hearing what had happened during this lavish ball had her skin slighting with electricity and excitement. an assassination attempt and a protest... how... exhilerating. she almost wished she had been there to see it all play out and perhaps she'd have taken her own shot at the king just for the fun of it. while elwynn held no political interest she would never pass up the oppurtunity to sacrifice royalty. the most delectable blood flowed through their veins, no doubt. a sacrifice for the decade and it was no surprise wisteria had thought of doing the same and then some.

oh, but there was more.

elwynn's eyes narrowed as wisteria spoke of the queen's pregnancy.

a sacrifice that would ring through the ages, even wisteria thought it. she glanced at zoltan and then back to wisteria. it was a tantalizing idea but there was just one tiny problem. "how would we get our paws on it?" she asked. oh, it would be glorious but how could they pull such a thing off?

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Much to Zoltan's delight Wisteria returned his affectionate kisses, causing the hair of his forehead to stand up on one side in a spike of blue fur. He wore the mussed up head fur with pride, making no effort to smooth it back down. The boy's puppylike joy only blossomed when she agreed to be his friend, naively misunderstanding that there were conditions. His tail wagged fiercy, dangerously whipping back and forth with enough velocity to smack against the backs of his heels. Like a gift? he suggested, blue eyes full of wonder. What sort of gift would Wisteria want? The boy was clueless on what sort of gift to offer a wolf. Sacrifices were a gift given to the fae and his trees were happy when he decorated them with flowers. Maybe a sacrifice covered in flowers? Then she could eat it and it would look pretty too.

Wisteria moved to sit alongside his mother and whispered something he didn't quite catch. She spoke in terms that the reclusive forest witch had never heard before. Still he listened, ears twitching. He realised how different Wisteria's world was from the one he knew. The Fae Forest was his entire world and outside had never appealed to him.

The crux of her plan was what Zoltan understood. A baby was her intended target for them to give to the fae. His mother was intrigued and he nodded along happily even though he didn't quite understand the plan. When is it due? he asked, presenting a question of his own. What he did understand was that the fae had been patient with them for now, but could seek retribution for their failure at any given moment.

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