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With herb-imbued honey you anoint her eyes and throat, to sweeten her voice and bespell her eyes. She bares herself to you, letting the linens fall to the floor, opening herself to your power and your acceptance. With sacred athame in hand you open her spirit and body to the forces of magic and the power you possess. Kiora carries the sacred cup, and from this she drinks, taking in the bounty of the Goddess. You bare yourself to her offering your power and your secrets to her; she embraces you and you kiss her, then she kisses you and you embrace her. There isn't any awkwardness or sexual tension between you; this is sacred, and while there is love, it is not the love of passion, but the enduring love of friendship.

Kiora gives and receives a kiss as well, and that does carry the passion and potency of lust as well as friendship; Kiora is of faerie, and passion is inevitable, be it lust or hate. when she kisses you it is discomfiting, but not entirely unwanted. There are nights where you wonder about her in ways you probably shouldn't....at least, not if she weren't older than you by a factor of ten or more.

Then you bathe each other, the three of you, re-birthing yourself in purity and unity. When she follows you from the back, her shadow moves on its own, clasping hands with yours and then doing a lot more than that in a lot more crude manners. "Guess that took," Lynne comments wryly as she drys herself off. Kiora sits on your shoulder, her wings beating slowly as she watches the two shadows make-out in exaggerated silhouette.

[] Potion making time! You're not too tired, and they will probably be useful.
[] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.
[] See if she wants to learn how to cast Glamours; it's a little intimate, but it might be a good idea.
[] Write in?

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>>2388588
>[] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.

>>2388588
>[x] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.
All good options, but this one is useful more immediately.

>>2388588
>[] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.
That's a good first step yeah.

>>2388588
>[] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.

>>2388605
Looking at the spell list, besides Airmed's balm and glamours, the Cat's Paw thing also seems useful, if maybe a bit much to do tonight.

Also
>Power word: KYAAAAA
Hope we get a good reason to use that one

>>2388675
The plan is to use the Cat's Paw Ritual tomorrow night.

>>2388588
>[] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.

>>2388675
I'm guessing that one is a panic button

>>2388679
That makes sense yeah.

Also it's interesting that when we perform the ritual, Lynne's shadow animated as well

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[X] Time to teach her a new spell - Airmed's Balm will protect you both from lycanthropy.

"If you're up to it, I think I have a spell you need to learn," you comment as you wrap yourself in a towel, studiously ignoring your cavorting shadows. It's one of the creepier aspects of Waking the Witch - but at least the much more real curse doesn't follow. "It is kind of like a potion, but it's actually a spell in liquid form."

Lynne's curiosity is always a pleasure to see; she's almost like a cat, leaning over and looking at your Book of Shadows as it lays near the rod and the wand you didn't need this time around. "Isn't a potion a spell in liquid form though?" she asks. It's an understandable question.

"Yes, and no. Once you make a potion, it's done; the magic is there and that's it. you can't change it or alter the magic of a potion, and it always has the same effect when used. Airmed's Balm is spell, rather than a potion because it remains active and changeable until you use it, meaning you can use it in a lot of ways. It's a healing balm, but it also prevents injury and disease up to a point. More importantly, it will even stop something virulent and deadly like poisons, toxins, or retroviruses."

Her eyes light up. "Like lycanthropy!"

"I gave some to a friend who went into the army - it apparently works even against Sarin gas. In the myth it could restore life to the dead, but that's not something I generally test." She starts to say something but you interrupt. "Defying death offends the God, so I don't mess around with it."

"Yeah, I could see that being a bad idea," she agrees. "So, how to we make it?" You smile and walk back into the ritual room, and get out two jars of honey, and a small cup. Kiora leaps from your shoulder, does a quick loop, and then lands on the opposite side of the cup from you. "Ah, her libation," Lynne mentions casually.

"The Angel's Share, though that's actually a reference to alcohol evaporation," you explain. "The Tuatha were in power, and this is the spell that healed Nuada's arm, restoring it entirely. Because he lost it, even if it was replaced by silver, he couldn't rule. So Airmed's brother spoke a spell and healed him entirely...." Laying out the herbs you need, you pour a small amount from each jar into Kiora's cup. As she sensually devours the honey, you have Lynne copy your movements and chant, addign the herbs to the honey one by one.

Bone to bone
Vein to vein
Balm to Balm

Sap to Sap
Skin to skin
Tissue to tissue

Blood to blood
Flesh to flesh
Sinew to sinew

Marrow to marrow
Pith to pith
Fat to fat

Membrane to membrane
Fibre to fibre
Moisture to moisture....

The herbs dissolve into the honey as you chant together, with Lynne becoming more confident each time. You go through five jars of honey, but by the end, you have three jars of glowing golden liquid, shimmering magic swirling within the rich nectar. With a smile you offer Lynne one of the jars, and she cautiously smells it (having learned the hard way beauty and scent may not match). The sharp, clean scent tickles her nose and she sneezes softly. "Go ahead and take a sip."

She does so - again exercising caution - and her eyes light up, and she smiles. "Wow," she breathes and you grin broadly. "Why don't you make more of this?"

"It's only good for about a week, and it's like any good drug - addictive if used in excess. About a cup will make us immune to lycanthropy for about an hour, so a jar will work for about eight....maybe a little more if we invoke Airmed herself to oversee, and a little more than that if I use the horns." You hope it will last a day; but it will work after infection, so you plan on setting two of the jars aside. "I figure we can use a jar each when we go to the Luminous Arc."

She leans over and gently works the towel off of your head. "Are you sure you don't want to take Karen with us? Especially if it's her kind of scene." Kiora notices and looks up at you and Lynne, watching as Lynnette starts to come out your thick hair. The way she watches and the innocent sensuality of having your hair played with makes you blush a little, but you don't stop Lynne. Mostly because it might annoy Kiora if you did. Mostly.

[] Yes I'm sure - she's not human, or faerie, and I really think she would love to take me to a place like that....so no.
[] ....I know you said we need backup, but I'm really not sure I can trust her that far.
[] All right, but you get to defend my honor from her! Seriously, she really seems fixated on me.
[] Write in?

>>2388688
>[x] Yes I'm sure - she's not human, or faerie, and I really think she would love to take me to a place like that....so no.
>I'm also quite sure that if she wished to complicate herself in matters, she'd simply show up.
Nevermind that second part if we are not in fact sure of that. Just my impression.

>>2388688
>[] ....I know you said we need backup, but I'm really not sure I can trust her that far.
>At this point, I don't think she wants to harm me, but things don't feel balanced between us as is, and that feels like it would skew things further, and I'm not sure how to repay her besides the obvious.
>but... I'll consider broaching the subject with her because you're not wrong when you say this could be too dangerous for us as it stands

Sorry I forgot what our itinerary was. I don't remember when we're planning on going to the Luminous Arc.

>>2388688
>watching as Lynnette starts to comb out your thick hair.
Seriously.

>>2388688
>[] Yes I'm sure - she's not human, or faerie, and I really think she would love to take me to a place like that....so no.

>>2388692
I also support these added statements.

>>2388692
Today (Tuesday) Spells and Waking The Witch.
Wednsday: Cat's Paw Ritual (must be done at night, will take 6 hours), possibly potions, anythign else that comes up. Research.
Thursday: Classes (including preternatural biology, where the werewolf Prof. Tanner knows will be lecturing), any other prep, Lynne's volleyball practice.
Friday: Dancing with Karen. Otherwise free.
Saturday: Free so far.
Sunday: Date with Jack at Cameo's Art Show, meeting Cam's muse.

This does not include any research, studies, or investigation or other spell work that may happen.

>>2388697
Thank you, so tentatively speaking we won't be going to the club until we've done the Cat's Paw ritual which means Friday or Saturday.

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[X] Yes I'm sure - she's not human, or faerie, and I really think she would love to take me to a place like that....so no.
[X] Write in? I'm pretty sure that since she's a Talking dog, she'd just show up if she wanted to involve herself. But....I also wouldn't feel right about it. There's a balance and it's not even, and I don't want to owe her or be owed by her, not really; I'm sure she'd accept payment in the old fashioned way, but I'd rather not. Still....I will think about bringing it up, since you are right about us needing a little help.

With a soft sigh you let Lynne comb out the inevitable tangles in your hair. You keep it bound so much that you have issues any time you wash it. "She's not human, or faerie, or anything I know of. She is a little frightening, though I don't think she means me harm."

"From what you've said, I think she means the opposite," Lynne points out as she works the de-tangler through your hair.

"That's part of the problem. She really likes those places, and I'm kind of nervous about them. And there's....it's hard to explain." You take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You glance at Kiora, who is watching you with great intensity as she drapes herself over the upended - and entirely clean - glass cup, her tiny face expressionless under the dark cloud of wild hair. "I don't know that I owe her anything, or that she really owes me anything but I'm pretty sure there's some kind of upset balance between us. And if I owe her something, I wouldn't know how to repay it. Well, except the way a faerie might." Kiora nods solemnly.

Lynne's hands slow down and you glance back at her. "I'm not a prude, you know. I live with a faerie and I socialize with them. I just happen to have avoided sex so far."

"It's not that. I mean, it is that, but it didn't occur to me that you'd even consider it."

"I'm not! I mean, I'm not." You bite your lip and immediately stop at Kiora's stern look. Your shadow sticks a hand up and licks through her fingers. You're pretty sure they'd be a 'V' shape, but black on black wouldn't show up well. Bitch. "But you're right too. I'll think about bringing it up with her, if she isn't pushy. I mean....you're definitely right about this being a little....okay a lot out of our league." Kiora's nod of approval get a sigh from you. Your shadow is 'tsking' at you. Really being a bitch tonight. Must be because she haws a friend to screw around with.

Poor choice of words, in hindsight.

"I know. We have a day or two before things get serious right? Then we'll just play it by ear. Besides, I might feel a little better after tomorrow night's ritual." She sets the comb aside and hugs you from behind, making you stiffen momentarily. "We'll be fine. you've kept us out of serious trouble so far."

"Mostly," you admit, knowing that a couple of times you came far too close for comfort. "I'll clean up in here. We have lots to do tomorrow."

"If you insist. I won't complain!" She sits up and stretches, popping a bunch of stuff in her back and shoulders. "Goodnight, babe. See you in the morning, girlfriend!" Kiora takes flight and kisses the new-born....new re-born? Your newly witched friend on the nose and watches her leave as you start cleaning up. You wrap the towel more tightly around yourself and sigh as you start packing the herbs away.

A few minutes later the dulcet voice of your familiar interrupts your cleaning the emptied jars. "You could sleep with her, you know. She would not mind." she lights on the edge of the counter, looking up at you with pink and lavender eyes, her wings beating slowly still.

You shake your head. "I don't see her in that sort of light, usually. You make things kind of weird, but that's you. She's my friend, and that's more than enough."

"That is not what I meant." you bite your lip and she doesn't stop you this time.

[] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?
[] ....it would be kind of weird, even if you disagree. She's not a faerie, you know, despite her flirting.
[] What are you implying, Kiora? That I need to cuddle or something? You're enough for me, really.
[] Write in?

>>2388708
>[] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?

>>2388708
>[] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?
>I feel like I've been sleeping well recently, haven't I?
Assuming she's being literal about sleeping together

>>2388708
>[x] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?
>What purpose would it serve?

>>2388708
>[] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?

>>2388708
>[X] What are you implying, Kiora? That I need to cuddle or something? You're enough for me, really.

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[X] What did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to hear what you mean. You know what I mean?
[X] Write in? I've been sleeping fine haven't I? I mean, what's the purpose of sleeping together if we aren't, like sleeping together, right?

You don't like that she's concerned enough about this to actually discuss it. You're not even sure what it is she's actually discussing. Except you maybe are. "Well, what did you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but I want to be sure you mean what I think you mean, if you know what I mean."

Kiora looks up at you seriously as she sits on the edge of the counter, her wings coming to a halt. "I'm not a pwca or a brownie you confuse with words, dear." Uh oh. She's serious; slipping into older iterations of the language isn't something to take lightly from something older than your country is. While her inflection hasn't changed, her voice has softened just a little.

With a sigh you set down the jar you were drying and turn around, leaning back against the sink. You dry your hands with the damp towel in a futile effort, but it's something to do with your hands. "I really don't...." Stopping yourself, you try a different tack, one less likely to risk being an accidental lie. "I'm not certain what you mean, darling. It's been ages since I've had a sleepover, but what makes this stay-over different than the others?"

You can almost feel her eyes boring into the back of your head. "I watched her brushing your hair." You have to work to keep from biting your lip. "You didn't want her to stop, Caitrin. You wanted her to play with your hair more."

"Well, it feels nice," you say, a little defensively if you were being honest. "That's not a bad thing. And it certainly doesn't mean I want to sleep with her."

"Too close to a lie, that," she says mildly, a gentle rebuke not meant to alarm or distress you since it's not actually true. That last part is probably what she's referring to, though. "You are touch-starved, Caitrin. You have not had a boyfriend or even a date in how long?"

"I have one - two! - this weekend!" you protest, keeping your voice down. Turning to look at her defiantly, arms crossed, you are dismayed to see her gazing back at you nonplussed. You sigh and touch your hair, shoulders slumping. "....Four years. Give or take. what does that have to do with sleeping with Lynne? What's the point if I accidentally create drama or make her feel weird about it? I know she wouldn't have minded being my girlfriend a long time ago, if I'd been her type, but now it would be weird if I did something like that out of the blue."

Kiora looks at you sympathetically. "It would be unfortunate if you made a poor choice because you needed someone to touch you, to hold you, and those that were available were not your friends." The immediate protest that your judgement being impaired dies on your lips as you look into her worried eyes. "I think that she will understand better than you believe that she will."

[] I'll be all right; I can still be careful. I hang around with your kind enough to know better, right?
[] Thank you for worrying, Kiora, but I'll be fine. You're worried over nothing.
[] You have a point, but I'd rather not, even if you say she'd be fine with it.
[] ....thank you darling. You're right, and I understand.
[] Write in?

>>2388742
>[] ....thank you darling. You're right, and I understand.

>Last vote.

>>2388742
>[] ....thank you darling. You're right, and I understand.

>>2388742
>[] ....You're right, and I understand.
>Find a way to demonstrate your appreciation
I definitely feel like we should trust Kiora's judgment if she's being this serious but I thought thanking one of the Fae was a Big No.

>>2388746
It's more about the intent to thank her, not actually thanking her. Cait wasn't kidding when she's said that faeries will kill people for it.

>>2388748
Okay good I knew that Caitrin probably wouldn't slip up like that, but I wanted to be sure because pretty much what you said.

[X] ....thank you darling. You're right, and I understand.

You look down at the diminutive fey and bring your thumb to your lips, pressing the tip of it against your teeth. It's not that she's right, but that she has misgivings enough to talk about them aloud is kind of concerning. "Too much studying and practicing, huh?" She replies with an expressive shrug, but doesn't say anything.

Taking a deep breath, you let it out in a long sigh. "I really hope you're right about this, because if you aren't, I am going to be totally embarrassed, which isn't much fun on my side of things." Kiora grins up at you and kicks her legs slowly. You bite down on your thumb hard, hard enough to taste copper. Her eyes widen and the flash of naked greed is enough to make you smile despite your misgivings. You hold your thumb over her head, the droplet of dark red swelling quickly, and she reaches up, her hands almost cupped.

She catches the bead of blood and immediately draws her hands to her face and drinks, unconcerned by the mess she is making of her hands, wrists, and face. You suck on your thumb a bit as she greedily drinks your blood, watching her skin take on an unearthly shine, her whine glimmering sapphire and onyx and iridescent diamond. Her hair sparkles and when she is finished her skin glows as though she's lit from within, a soft pale glow like she swallowed moonlight or was made of pale wax and had a fluorescent light inside her body.

Turning, you march to your room and toss the towel in the hamper before rummaging in your backpack. It doesn't take long to find the long cotton nightdress, and you put on your simplest cotton panties as well. You take a moment to psyche yourself up, which isn't helped much by a drunken Kiora nearly crash landing across your shoulder. Moving her to the crook of your arm, you cradle her as you head up the stairs to Lynne's room. Her door is cracked open, and you slip inside fairly quietly.

Lynne is asleep on the bed, wearing a simple wife-beater and some boxer briefs, albeit nice satin ones. The sheets and blanket are bunched up around her waist, and you carefully pull them down her legs. It takes her a moment to stir, and she blinks blearily up at you. "Whasswrong?" she asks softly.

"Scoot over," you tell her softly, and she does, her eyes filled with questions. Gently laying the drugged Kiora down on your side of the bed, closer to the edge, you pull the covers over yourself and your friend, who smiles and moves close.

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She doesn't grab you or man-handle you - though she could easily do so with those long arms of hers - but she rests her hand on your shoulder. You keep your back to her, but don't resist when she moves closer and rests her head against yours. "lonely?" she asks softly, meaning it in the most basic, uncomplicated way.

"Not right now," you tell her and she makes a sleepy, agreeable sound.

"Me too," she murmurs as she drifts back into dreams. You expect to be up a while longer, but Kiora wakes up long enough to curl into your bosom and wrap a tiny hand around your little finger. A sudden and overwhelming lassitude falls over you, and you sleep, despite your misgivings and worries. Your last coherent thought is that her glamour should work on you.

Must be your blood.

>To Be Continued....

Thank you for reading and playing. We should continue tomorrow night, unassuming all goes well.

There were no wrong choices, only different types of characterization in these last few; they will help me determine more clearly Caitrin's attitudes in the next few days.

Your last coherent thought is that her glamour shouldn't work on you.

'm tired.

>>2388761
Thanks for running.

I figured as much, but I guess I thought that Kiora is worth giving the benefit of the doubt.

I also figured that agreement would be cute/comfy to read and I was 100% correct to think so, that was very nicely written.

Even though it's probably very unlikely to come up in-quest, could you tell us how "Eastern" mysticism and suchlike (from Onmyodo to Immortals) work in this quest's setting, as opposed to Ryukuza Quest? I'm not sure if it makes sense for those styles to not work at all, but I feel like it also would different at least a little bit.

>>2388771
Also and this is just idle musing, I wonder if Cameo would be interested in witchcraft or if that would conflict with what else she's got going on, since she has some traces of Fae blood and we seem to be kind of friends with her, though not that close.

>>2388771
It works exactly the same. The apparent overabundance of spirit children in Japan is because of larger concentrations and the MC almsot solely deals with them. There are similar things in the Americas, but most are rare, and the majority of supernatural beings are much more isolated and weirder, such as the Darklings, whatever Karen is, and other similar beings. Lycanthropy is also much more common (though still rare). Most humans wouldn'ty be aware of spirit children, youkai, evil spirits, or their doings. the faerie wish to be noticed, while most witches and practitioners of magic simply wouldn't be aware without special training or effort.

Caitrin would be aware and alert to their presences because of her True Seeing ability - the spirit world isn't closed to her vision the way it is for most people. Japanese sorcerers are trained to constantly see into the spiritual world, while most Westerners only do so with the use of rituals, drugs, spells, or otherwise momentary or short term help.

Immortals are a weird case in any situation.

>>2388785
It's difficult to say, though her interest in Caitrin is more as a potential model and acquaintance than in her witchiness.

>>2388786
That's surprising and cool. Do certain practices work better in different regions, or is it just limited by who is around and inclined to teach people/how much information is in the lingua franca of the country (since I assume that Caitrin's knowledge of rituals isn't innate or given by Danu).

>>2388803
Spirit children are generally limited to the locations where they qwere born with rare exception. Most witchcraft and sorcery are not limited by location, but there is a sort of 'hierarchy' or 'R-P-S' order to them. Some magic will work better against others by culture rather than strength of practitioner, though that is often a factor as well.

>>2388814
And I assume that heritage/culture of the practicioner is also a factor? Like since Caitrin has Scottish and Irish ancestry, that gives her a stronger connection to Celtic magic, or is it more that she could have chosen whatever practice she wanted, but made a choice for this one?

>>2388786
There could always be that Gaiman-esque "not a good land for gods" bit.

>>2389244
Antarctica as a preternatural dead zone?

>>2388828
It can have an effect, though natural born witches will out. That Caitrin's magic is based on her cultural heritage is actually a choice she made, more than a requirement. You'll notice some of her magic is based in Greek mythology, and the Names of Power she has include a couple of other deities. Like wise her words of Power include several gestures and words from other cultures.

>>2389244
>>2389830
These are actually fairly correct. Spirit Children are tied to the lands of their magic and birth, while witches, sorcerers and other 'learned humans' do not suffer that same limitation necessarily (though as always there are exceptions - onmyuji would have a hard time imbuing spirits that aren't around into paper and would be forced to rely on their own power, and a Houngan would have a difficult time in Africa, where the local gods are incredibly jealous).

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You wake up to the warm light of morning time and the smell of bacon wafting through the room. Kiora is curled into the crook of your arm and against your neck, the glow of last nights 'drunken binge' gone. She stirs only slightly when you gently shift her from the bed to the dip in your pillow where your head was.

Getting the yawns out of your system before you leave the bedroom, you wander back to the public bathroom to brush your teeth and comb out your hair, which is difficult at best. You pointedly ignore your shadow making suggestive silhouettes behind you, which makes the weird thing pout. Kiora was right about one thing: you feel better. Whether it was a good night sleep, the satisfaction of a completed and successful ritual, teaching Lynnette a new spell, or actually having someone hold you through the night you're not willing to hazard any guesses. You're pretty sure which one Kiora would claim.

You're not sure she was wrong, though, so you'll just have to leave it unknown for now.

The kitchen is warm and sunny, unusual for the time of year and how early it is, not to mention San Francisco morning. You usually expect fog, not sunshine. Still, the scrambled eggs with onions, strips of thick cut and peppered bacon, and fresh cherry tomatoes and the unseasonably warm morning make you feel even better, which is saying something. Lynne is cheerfully singing along to The Mamas and the Papas, the soft strains of music barely heard over the sounds of sizzling bacon. She's dressed in pajama pants, but the wife-beater is still in evidence.

[] Just watch her from the doorway; she's being positively domestic, it's cute.
[] Pour coffee for the both of you and set it next to her; try not to startle her.
[] Slip away and get properly dressed; you're still feeling a little shy about last night.
[] Write in?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vaIBZCLUQU

>>2391273
>[] Pour coffee for the both of you and set it next to her; try not to startle her.

>>2391273
>[] Pour coffee for the both of you and set it next to her; try not to startle her.

>>2391273
>[] Just watch her from the doorway; she's being positively domestic, it's cute.

>>2391273
>[] Pour coffee for the both of you and set it next to her; try not to startle her.
That's a catchy song, though I'm not sure how far I should read into the lyrics

>>2391273
>[] Just watch her from the doorway; she's being positively domestic, it's cute.

writing, you'll get at least one post.

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[X] Just watch her from the doorway; she's being positively domestic, it's cute.
[XX] Pour coffee for the both of you and set it next to her; try not to startle her.

You watch in silence from the doorway for a long moment, watching her bounce to the music as she folds the eggs in a cast iron skillet with the ease of long practice. Lynnette doesn't seem to notice you, which isn't surprising. Though her shadow is slithering around her feet in annoyed agitation; you're a little disturbed by that, mostly because you're not sure how they perceive anything.

Lynne is surprisingly cute; not typically a word most people would use for a towering amazon of the sports world, but the fact of the matter is that she's vivacious, unconcerned about the world's thoughts of her, and capable of being dignified and solemn. The contrast with what she's like on her own is what makes her cute, you think. Then again you're not exactly the foremost authority on what defines cute. Or anything except faeries and weird creatures. Kiora would think she's cute, you're pretty sure.

You quietly slip over to the coffee pot, where two mugs are already waiting ("Coffee or Die", and "No Coffee, No life", which pretty much sums up Lynne view of coffee). Pouring generous cups of the stuff, you add sugar and cream in proper amounts to both, just enough to make the flavor of the coffee itself stand out. Taking a sip of yours, you move to the counter where the stove is, and make a point of placing the coffee in her peripheral vision before she notices you.

While she doesn't jump, it's clear that you surprised her, but not enough to shock her out of her happy mood. With a grin she picks up her coffee and takes a loud slurp of it, cooling the hot liquid some. "'Morning, Mother," she teases, referring to what your status would be if you were in a coven with her.

"You'll make some nice girl a wonderful wife," you inform her, and she smiles. "You take to domesticity pretty well for being an Amazon."

"A girl's gotta eat, and while you're a great herbalist, you get a little too caught up to be doing much cooking." You blush a little, but she's not exactly wrong. You do burn a lot more food than you successfully cook. "Where's my girlfriend?"

You run your thumb tip, which is already healed. Something about giving your blood to a faerie seems to heal the wound faster. "Sleeping off a bender. I wouldn't get too touchy-feely, or you're liable to end up experiencing sex with a demifey." She opens her mouth to respond, confusion all over her face, and then shuts her mouth, clearly trying to work out how that would work. "That's the reaction most people have."

Recovering her wits, she shakes her head. "Have a seat, Cait, it's all ready." You do as you're bid, and she serves, tossing a little feta cheese over the tomatoes.

[] Thank her, for the meal and for last night; you're pretty sure she isn't thinking about it as much as you are.
[] Apologize for imposing last night, but it was nurses' orders, so to speak.
[] Probably best to let it lie for now; she seems fine with it, and she's not making any assumptions now, either.
[] Write in?
>last vote.

You run your thumb tip against your fingertips, which is already healed.

Blargh.

>>2391319
>[] Probably best to let it lie for now; she seems fine with it, and she's not making any assumptions now, either.

>>2391319
>[] Probably best to let it lie for now; she seems fine with it, and she's not making any assumptions now, either.

>>2391319
>[] Probably best to let it lie for now; she seems fine with it, and she's not making any assumptions now, either.

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[X] Probably best to let it lie for now; she seems fine with it, and she's not making any assumptions now, either.

You hesitate just a moment before digging in, and not just to say a thanks to the God and Goddess for the the meats and the fruits you are about to consume. But Lynne hasn't brought it up, and you're kind of loathe to do so if she isn't going to. And really, nothing seems to have changed as far as she is concerned, which is all to the good. After saying thanks, you do dig in, and her cooking is as delicious as usual.

Her own plate has only slightly more than yours, but is heavy on the protein anyways; at the very least she's going to be working out today. For your own part, you want to make a little more of Airmed's Balm and prepare for the Cat's Paws ritual, and maybe brew a few potions as well. Arranging over a dozen cut crystal glasses and goblet and wineglasses is going to be painstaking, not to mention filling them in place with lit candles everywhere. Of course, that's kind of the point of the ritual, to walk around and not break or knock over anything by accident - only on purpose.

"So, how does this ritual work?" she asks once the majority of your plates are cleared. She has more eggs and bacon set aside, as well as the delicious Isis tomatoes. "It's supposed to help us with being sneaky, but I don't know much more...."

Diving right in to the explanation, you tell her how it works, what your familiar will help with and how she changes the ritual, and what the results would be. When you finish she frowns slightly. "How is that going to affect my game?" she asks with a bit of worry.

"It won't unless you consciously chose to let it, and even then all you'll get is a bit of a higher jump - maybe. Mostly it's to help you move with the silence and surefooted manner of a cat. It doesn't really change your reflexes, as far as I know." You think a moment, recalling other times you've used it. "I did have less of a problem with heights going to my head, and i didn't have a problem jumping down a few feet further than normal, but that's still not a big deal for volleyball. Now if you were doing the Monster or something liken that, or gymnastics, I'd be more worried."

She glances down. "Oh yeah, me in gymnastics, that would work out really well," she murmurs acerbically, which makes you giggle. Kiora floats in, and settles next to your coffee cup to take dainty handfuls to drink, despite the heat of it. "Heya girlfriend, how you feeling? Heard you got a little drunk last night!"

Kiora smiles sleepily, and lowers her lashes; then she slowly looks up at Lynne, letting her lavender and pink eyes travel all along those soft curves and sleek lines of the tall women. Deliberately, the pixie leans over your cup, lifting one foot and slowly sliding her hands into your coffee. When she brings her hands to her mouth Kiora drinks slowly her eyes closing in bliss, and when she lowers her hands to the edge of your cup, the fae licks her lips in a very slow manner, catching a stray droplet of coffee. Lynne stares and she could probably cut glass with her nipples. You're more used to it, and it doesn't affect you nearly as bad as it does your friend.

"I did warn you," you mention casually, tracing Kiora's back with your fingertip to distract her. Kiora takes another double handful of coffee to drink which is almost perfunctory in comparison to what she just pulled on Lynnette. Then she goes to hands and knees, crawling to your cloth napkin to doze some more.

"God damn," Lynne breathes softly, causing Kiora to open one eye and make sure she's not being cursed or cursed at. You tickle her ear carefully and she smiles, going back to her doze. "How does she do that? I mean, I've seen her lick her lips and drink coffee, but what the heck?!"

"That's faeries are. Creatures of the senses. You ever notice how no one ever mentions she's nude until she does something like that?" Lynnette blinks and then thinks about it. "Same thing. She's natural in her nudity....until she wants to be noticed, and then she's pure sex on dragonfly wings." You shiver lightly. "Sidhe are the worst." Kiora makes a soft noise of agreement.

Lynne shakes herself, and tries to compose herself. "so, what's the plan today, mom?" she asks, and you take stock of what you need to get done....

>To Be Continued....

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Thank you for reading, playing, and your patience. I hope that the little bits were worthwhile, considering 4chan and work.

Hopefully we continue this evening at midnight PST once again.

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Not quite ready to answer the question of 'what are we doing today' beyond the already scheduled Cat's Paws Ritual, you insist on helping Lynne at cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. She doesn't protest too much, though she's generally one who prefers her independence, as you indulge her taste in music by singing along with her. You don't have a bad singing voice, really, and you sing softly enough not to wake the dozing pixie from her makeshift sleeping bag, a.k.a. a cloth napkin.

The biggest issues facing you currently are finding a werewolf who likes BDSM dance clubs and might be enchanted or bewitched, trying to determine what Karen actually is called (you have clues on what she seems to be, which is defiant of all known biology), and dress shopping for a dance with Karen (whom you also promised to introduce to Lynnette). Thursday class will have a werewolf you might be able to talk to one on one - well, two on one, if Lynne wants to remain after class too - and she has a volleyball meet in the afternoon. Friday is your not-a-date-God-and-Goddess-damn-it with Karen, while Sunday you have a real date with Jack.

Your week exploded and you're not really quite sure how.

Lynnette bumps your hip, waking you out of your daze. "Hey, you all right?"

You finish drying the plate she hands you and nod a little. "Just thinking how busy this week got. Trying to figure out if the werewolf situation is a Talking dog or not. I mean, it looks like it on the surface....but then there's Cam wanting me to meet her muse. That's kind of out of the blue too."

She looks concerned. "Could both of them be like that?" She glances at her shadow, which is currently pretending to berate and beat yours. You ignore them both, because they're annoying.

That's a terrifying thought. "I've never had more than one at a time. I really, really don't think that a cascade of them would be survivable, even if they're not dangerous in and of themselves. Too much weirdness and I'd go crazy."

"Crazier."

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"I'm not crazy, just dedicated to my learning!" you counter, suspecting - correctly - that she's teasing you about being a shut in. You're not really, but you do tend to ignore the outside world a lot. "I have a half a Book of Shadows, and I've barely used half of the spells in it."

"That's because a lot of those spells are just nasty, babe. You're a nicer witch than you pretend to be sometimes, you know."

"Good witches don't curse their potential boyfriend's sister into spraining their ankle on the stairs, Lynne."

"Oh, you'd better believe most girls would give their right hand for that kind of talent, Cait!" You frown at her, but she's probably not wrong.

[] Shopping first. Get it the fuck over with and done. ....Crap, you're going to need new shoes too.
[] Internet searches and information awareness. Werewolf culture, the Luminous Arc, and other such not-trivial stuff.
[] You could try and find Karen and introduce Lynne to her on your own terms. It'd probably be a little safer.
[] Write in?

>>2403825
>[X] Shopping first. Get it the fuck over with and done. ....Crap, you're going to need new shoes too.
May as well get that out of the way
>[] Internet searches and information awareness. Werewolf culture, the Luminous Arc, and other such not-trivial stuff.
Tentatively do this after the shopping is done, though I'd bet that something else will happen while we're shopping.

Also hi XS, are you feeling relatively better?

>>2403825
>[x] Shopping first. Get it the fuck over with and done. ....Crap, you're going to need new shoes too.
>Take a minute with your friend before you take off to play the "what is Karen" game. She might not be better studied than yourself, but you never know what insights others might have.

>>2403825
>[] Internet searches and information awareness. Werewolf culture, the Luminous Arc, and other such not-trivial stuff.

>>2403834
Relative is a good term for it. Antinflamaatories and pain reducers are good.

Rolled 54 (1d100)

Let's give a slim chance for Lynne to have read a book.
>20% is yes.

>>2403851
Drat. Well, not like it hurt anything.

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[XX] Shopping first. Get it the fuck over with and done. ....Crap, you're going to need new shoes too.
[X] Internet searches and information awareness. Werewolf culture, the Luminous Arc, and other such not-trivial stuff.
[X] Write in? Maybe Lynne might have some insights on Karen that you don't.

"I wouldn't know about that," you posit, "because my talent comes with a nasty curse. I'm just glad you don't get the curse too."

Lynne nods calmly as you dry your hands, turning to look over the cleaned table and smiling at the sight of Kiora sleep. "That would definitely not be fun, seeing as I only have half of your witchcraft. Have you thought about asking Jack about-"

"No, I haven't, and I'm not going to think about it. We barely know each other, and while he knows I'm a witch, he doesn't know what that entails. I'd sooner ask Karen, and I don't even know what she is." Lynne looks at you curiously and you sigh. "I know what she isn't, and I know what she's told me, but I really can't think of anything that would eat werewolves, ghouls, or other supernatural creatures. She believes in vampires though, said her kind nearly hunted them to extinction."

"Jesus, what the hell can eat supernatural monsters?"

"She said she didn't know him, but she also said that there's a Greek deity whose legends she's either part of or that was based on her. Charon, the boatman of the river Styx. Ferryman of the dead."

Lynne glances at you but doesn't ask the obvious question, instead asking a question you hadn't thought of. "Is she an alien?"

You start to reply in the negative, but then pause, thinking about the question seriously. "You know, I don't think so. She said she was born in Greece, some time before Christ was born. I had someone look into something she gave me, and it's not based on normal physical laws or even biological. I think....I think it was a part of her."

"What was it?" she asks curiously.

[] Show her the red diamond and tell her what Ed learned.
[] Tell her but don't show her, you're still suspicious.
[] Other?

>Remind that previous choices are still in effect and will eb written in.

>>2403858
>[] Show her the red diamond and tell her what Ed learned.

>>2403858
>[x] Show her the red diamond and tell her what Ed learned.
I considered holding back or offering to, but she'll be as deep in this shit regardless.

>>2403858
>[] Tell her but don't show her, you're still suspicious.
On the one hand, I don't think Karen gave any indication we were supposed to keep her a secret, on the other I'm worried she actually did and I didn't pick up on it.

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[X] Show her the red diamond and tell her what Ed learned.

You pause and she stares at you, a little shocked. "I'll be right back," you tell her, but she follows you instead, as you go to the room you usually use and where your clothing - and the cases you packed - are. Taking your handbag out you sit on the bed and she joins you, watching curiously as you pull out the black velvet bag. when you tumble the diamond into your hand she looks confused....until you hand it to her. She turns it, watching the colors slip away and reappear in the indirect sunlight, flinging broken rainbows across the walls and ceiling.

It doesn't take her long to realize what she's holding: her eyes grow huge and she takes a sharp breath. "Is this...?" You nod slowly and she whistles softly. "She just gave this to you? Like it was nothing?"

"That's the thing, I think she understands or she knows that no one could possible accept this as the real thing. I took it to a friend of mine in the geology classes, and he verified it is a red diamond, but the inclusions are some kind of magnetite or magnetized hematite, which is apparently impossible. He also said it's about five times the size of the largest red diamond ever found." You bite your lip, and then continue more slowly. "He also said that the magnetic inclusions are moving, and actually changing the structure of the diamond, very slowly."

She just about drops the heavy stone. Before handing it back to you. Turning the stone between two fingers you can see that it really has changed shape ever so slightly, less rounded, a slight dimple in one side. The inclusions are more scattered, less congregated in the middle. "What did he think of Karen?"

"Never met her. In fact, I erased all his memories of the diamond and ever seeing it. I stole his notes about it too." She gives you a stern look. "She said it was a secret. But you're not some student I hang out with sometimes, your my best friend and someone who understands me. I can't keep everything bottled up all the time." You place the gem back in the pouch and put it back in your handbag. "If I did that, I really would go crazy."

She gives you a one armed hug, making you lean into her. "My poor little witch. We'll get you all settled with the rest of the world sooner or later." You can't say you don't appreciate it.

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"Speaking of which, we need to go shopping. I have to get shoes as well as a dress for Friday. And Sunday."

"Oh no you don't! You're getting a dress for each day. Even if I have to pay for one!"

"I can't let you do that! And why a new dress for each day?! It's not like i'm going to wear them ever again!"

"How do you know?" she counters, and you're somewhat at a loss. "Come to think of it, do you even have any lingerie?"

"WHAT?!" You feel Kiora wake up, your heightened emotions drawing her like a magnet. "I mean, of course I do!"

"How old is it?" she asks pointedly.

"...."

"How. Old."

You mutter a number, and Kiora drifts into the room, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Uh huh. So Victoria's Secret too." You feel your cheeks turning red and your ears burning. "You can't wear just any kind of underwear in a nice dress, hon. If you're going to do this, at least do it properly!"

A long suffering sigh escapes your lips and she hugs you again, which makes Kiora raise her delicate brows. "Just like a ritual, huh?"

"It is, really. Mating ritual of homo sapiens." Kiora laughs aloud, bright, cheerful peals of laughter that makes you grin. "So, shopping, then I guess research. We can't do the ritual until night-time? How long does it take?"

"About six hours, so we'll want to nap during daylight, in sunbeams if we can manage it." She blinks. "It's a cat ritual, what did you expect? We can make potions too."

"Uh, good point. About the cats I mean." she gets up and Kiora gives her a peck on the cheek in passing, which makes Lynne blush a bit herself. "I'll let you shower and get dressed; I've got to take my morning jog. Be back in a few!" She heads to her room, and you give Kiora a glare, which only makes her smile more smugly.

By the time you get out of the shower, Kiora and yourself freshly bathed and hair washed, Lynne is in her own, and singing loudly enough for you to hear her. You grin and check your phone - one missed call from Max. You Sit on the bed, entanglement your hair slowly, when Kiora zips off of the bed and darts across the room, turning to stare past you. Long fingers slide through your hair, a pair of hands slipping into your wavy, wet hair and separating out the strands. You stiffen and hold very still as Karen murmurs softly, "Your friend has a lovely voice."

[] How the FUCK did you find me?! God and Goddess, keep your hands to yourself!
[] It's considered incredibly rude and even offensive to sneak up and touch people you know.
[] She wants to meet you, you know. She's my best friend. Please don't hurt her. Or me.
[] Write in?

>>2403890
>[] She wants to meet you, you know. She's my best friend. Please don't hurt her. Or me.

>>2403890
>[x] She wants to meet you, you know. She's my best friend. Please don't hurt her. Or me.

>>2403890
>[] She wants to meet you, you know. She's my best friend. Please don't hurt her. Or me.
>I doubt you're always watching me, since that'd be a bit much even for you. Did you set up some kind of contigent ward triggered by my words/actions without my notice or maybe this piece of you isn't as disconnected as it looks?

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[X] She wants to meet you, you know. She's my best friend. Please don't hurt her. Or me.
[X] Write in? So, you must have done something with the stone to keep an eye on me - that's how you found me, isn't it?

Remaining very still as the strange creature - it's impossible to think of her as a person when she does creepy things like this - combs your hair out slowly, you murmur softly, "Lynnette wants to meet you. She's curious about you, and she's my best friend. I trust her, and I share my power with her, so you can trust her." Karen makes a non-committal noise and slowly begins to pleat your hair. "Please don't hurt her. I'd really prefer it if you didn't hurt me either, but I don't think you would."

"No, you may trust me not to hurt you," she agrees, her mellifluous voice disturbingly soft and sweet. "Your friend....you trust her with your life?"

"I do. She's saved mine at least twice." You don't actually keep track, but it sounds better to give an actual number. Rather than being soothing or comforting, Karen's gentle, careful work with your hair is more nerve wracking than anything else. "You pur a ward or a spell on the diamond, to locate me with, didn't you? A contingency of some sort?" You don't think it was a spell per se, but every little bit of information you can wrest from her....

"No. I was aware of it, and felt the probing of your scientist. I presume you do not want me to hurt him either?" Her hands slow, and her fingertips caress the back of your neck lightly, her nails delicate and very sharp feeling.

"He doesn't remember anything. I made sure of that." You're confident that your spells will work perfectly for that instance.

She chuckles, liquid darkness that makes your hair stand up on end. "Very good. no magic, no spell. I was surprised that yours severed the connection, however. I didn't expect to give birth, but it cannot grow as long as it is in the same territory as I am. You would have to take it....some hundred miles away, I think. Bury it among rocks and plants. Hide it away. It would grow, eventually, into one of my kind."

You glance at your handbag. "An egg? You gave me an egg?"

"It was not one until you cleaved it from my awareness," she points out without rancor. "We have large territories, and the stronger suppresses the life force of the weaker. You will meet nothing like me within a hundred or so miles....unless it is stronger and older than I am. But it would not know you." Slowly she finishes pleating your hair and ties it, snapping the hair band around the base of your coppery hair. You hear the shower and the singing shut off, and your heart beats faster. "Tell me about your little werewolf friend, Caitrin." Kiora flits over to the desk and opens the drawer, and rummages around inside of it.

[] Please don't eat my clients; involving me in a murder investigation would suck.
[] No one special....except maybe I could use your help in investigating the thing he hired me for.
[] How do you know I met one? I didn't have the diamond on me, and I showered....
[] Write in?

>>2403904
>If it's now an egg, about how quickly do I need to act before it... goes bad or dies?
>[] Please don't eat my clients; involving me in a murder investigation would suck.
>[] No one special....except maybe I could use your help in investigating the thing he hired me for.
>Do werewolves leak some kind of residual magic that I can't detect?

>>2403904
>Someone who would have my help, and I would give it, but how much trouble his friend is in is an open question. Were you looking to make things better or worse in this situation?

God I'm tired. Posting correctly perhaps this time.

>>2403904
>[] Please don't eat my clients; involving me in a murder investigation would suck.
>[] No one special....except maybe I could use your help in investigating the thing he hired me for.

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[X] Please don't eat my clients; involving me in a murder investigation would suck.
[X] No one special....except maybe I could use your help in investigating the thing he hired me for.
[X] Write in? Um. How do I care for a diamond egg? Also, it's less the werewolf than the person he's worried about that I'm worried about. Are you going to cause problems or help solve them, Karen?

You wince. "Please don't eat my clients, Karen. It's really bad for business, not to mention the police don't like it when witches are involved with murder cases." Kiora climbs out of the drawer, looking fierce, and watching Karen closely.

"Is it murder to kill such creatures, Caitrin?" she asks, moving close to you and breathing along your neck. Her breath is strangely hot, hotter than a humans might be. Her fingers caress your hip, while she presumably supports herself with her other hand. You hope.

Kiora's expression becomes stony and she flits up and over, hovering a few feet from you and above your head. "This is California," you inform her. "Half the population believes eating fish is murder." You hear footsteps coming down the hall, and swallow.

Karen laughs, surprisingly, and it's not a fake laugh or an evil chuckle, but soft, honest laughter. You glance at Kiora, and shake your head ever so slightly, looking at the Exacto blade she's carrying in both hands. One is wrapped in the gap for the post to hold it in the handle, the other at the back, carrying it like a cleaver. You have absolutely no doubt she has used them as weapons before, and even less that she wouldn't be able to kill with it. Whether or not it would kill Karen, though....that's another matter.

"He's not anyone special, anyways....but he's asked for my help, and i'm bound to give it to him. The person he's asked me to find might be in a lot of trouble, trouble that I may not be able to help with." You look to the side and see those obsidian flecked emerald eyes gazing up at the fierce pixie with amusement. "Would you be willing to help someone you hunt as prey, if there was payment involved, without eating anyone involved? Or would you hinder the investigation, cause me trouble? And you'd better stop making Kiora think you're threatening me - she's not helpless, but I don't know that she'd actually be able to hurt you."

Karen smiles and rolls away from you, laying down on the bed and propping her head on her elbows as she kicks her feet in the air lazily. Kiora is by your side in a flash, and you scoot back so you can look at Karen directly. she's dressed in her black turtleneck and black jeans, her tennis shoes equally black, with - naturally - black socks.

Kiora remains between you and Karen, still holding the curved blade defensively. Of course, because the God likes testing you, Lynnette shows up in a towel, peeking around the doorway with her expression rather cool. "Hello. You must be Karen. You're trespassing, I think, because I'm pretty sure I didn't invite you in." Kiora nods fiercely, and sweeps the little blade to her hip, ready to attack. "And my girlfriend there seems to think you're threatening my best friend, so that's two strikes. Am I going to need to call the cops?"

You're pretty sure that Lynne has a gun, and Karen slowly smiles, but doesn't move other than to stop kicking her feet.

[] Everyone calm down, pretty please. Lynne, Karen, Karen, Lynne. Please don't try to kill each other!
[] Kiora, I'm fine, Karen isn't going to hurt me. Lynne, it's okay, this is Karen.
[] Silently suggest Lynne not shoot Karen, but let Karen speak for herself.
[] Write in?

>>2403926
>[x] Kiora, I'm fine, Karen isn't going to hurt me. Lynne, it's okay, this is Karen.

>>2403926
>[] Kiora, I'm fine, Karen isn't going to hurt me. Lynne, it's okay, this is Karen

>>2403926
>[] Everyone calm down, pretty please. Lynne, Karen, Karen, Lynne. Please don't try to kill each other!

>>2403926
>>2403934
I kind of feel like saying
>In an esoteric way, I just helped her have a child so you shooting her feels problematic
Because part of me thinks this might be a good way to relieve tension, but I'm not sure on what sets Karen off so I don't know if that's a prudent thing to say.

>>2403926

>"Please, everyone. Having a good time is rather hard when people are bleeding to death. Let's all calm down, and I'll let each of you select an outfit for me to try. And show to you. Since apparently I'm getting seven new ones today." Maybe an humorous distraction is the key to avoid a bloodbath? Even if you have to model for them ...

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[X] Kiora, I'm fine, Karen isn't going to hurt me. Lynne, it's okay, this is Karen.
[X] Write in? Calm, people, calm. Lets not kill anyone or cause anyone to bleed. How about we all go dress shopping, I'll even model them for you? If it gets you to not kill one another?

"Kiora, it's all right. Karen won't hurt me. She's had plenty of opportunities before this, she just likes scaring me." The pixie glances back at you and then looks at Karen, before slowly settling down on the bed, still holding the tiny and very sharp blade. You rest your fingers against her back, feeling her thrumming heartbeat and delicate movements. The demifey frowns at Karen, who is much more interested in Lynnette at the moment.

"Lynnette, this is Karen. She's very talented at getting into places she's not supposed to be, especially when I'm inside them." Karen looks at you, surprised.

"I would have thought your familiar would have told you how I enter your rooms by now," she comments, still looking surprised. Lynne watches her dubiously, but doesn't move from where she is - further suggesting she has a gun.

Kiora gives Karen a disdainful look. You explain for her. "She wouldn't do that. The fae don't believe in privacy, but they won't tell another person's secrets. If she's seen how you get into the rooms I'm in, she hasn't told me how you do it."

"Then I apologize for suggesting she would have done so," Karen says, startling Kiora. The pixie stands up, tucks the Exacto blade behind her back, and curtsies, accepting the apology. She then places the back of the blade against her shoulder, clearly suggesting that Karen isn't out of the woods yet. That only amuses the 'woman'.

Lynne isn't quite so easily mollified. "That still doesn't explain why you broke into my home."

Karen pushes herself up on her hands, and slowly crawls off the bed, bonelessly shifting positions and rising like a very creepy sort of contortionist. She didn't move in any way that was unnatural perhaps, but the slow, smooth movement is disturbing to watch nonetheless. "Caitrin is my friend. I care about her. She has spoken of you before. I see that you carry her magics with you...." Lynne glances at her shadow, and you draw a sharp breath, because Karen is there, in front of Lynnette, looking into her face, and leaning against the door casually. Your brain is still trying to sort out exactly what it saw aside from a black and red blur, as Lynne looks into those emerald eyes, pale and shocked. "You too. How sweet." You blink, wondering what on earth she's talking about.

Lynne doesn't move, much like you didn't move when Karen was that close. You stroke Kiora's back, even as she tenses, preparing to take flight. You shake your head, and stroke her back slowly, letting her know how nervous you are, how much you need her close to you. She frowns, but remains on the bed with you. "Hey, if it keeps you two from killing one another, i'll model any dresses you like." They both turn to you, but Lynne's look is barely a glance, while Karen chuckles softly, amused by your attempt at diplomacy. "I'll even model some new lingerie for you, if you don't hurt each other...."

Karen turns back and leans closer to Lynne, looking up at her, and grinning wickedly. "Come dancing with us Friday. Dress nicely. I promise you and your....friend, my friend, will be safe. Hmn?" Lynne nods slowly, and you hear a soft, frightening click echo from outside the room. Karen smiles. "Good. I look forward to it. Maybe you will have a suggestion as to where we may go. Darling Caitrin is terrible at such matters."

"How do I take care of the egg?" you blurt, before Karen can leave. She turns to you and smiles, back against the door. Lynne is breathing fast and looks frightened, steeping away from the doorway and holding one hand behind her back.

Karen shrugs mildly. "It is a stone. You need not concern yourself with it. If you wish to place it somewhere to grow, it must be far away, or it will lie dormant until I leave this city." The creature smiles brilliantly. "I do not plan to do so. It is much too much fun here. So many lovely, interesting people." She glances sidelong at Lynne. "You could do worse, Caitrin, than such a one as this. She is very strong, very brave." She looks back to you. "A little unwise, but brave. And protective. Must not forget that." She glances at Lynne again, grinning with a mouth full of too sharp, too white teeth. "A gun would not hurt me, I am afraid."

You both stair as Karen collapses into a puddle of thick, glutinous red and black, and dissolves into the floor. There is a loud thud from the floor below, and you swear to the Goddess softly. Lynne steps into your room, shakily, and sure enough, she has a gun, something compact and deadly looking. "What the fuck...." she whispers softly.

"I have no idea," you admit softly.

>To Be Continued....

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Thank you for reading and playing. We will continue in a new thread either Wednesday or Thursday evening near midnight or slightly later.

>>2403947

Thanks for running!

>>2403947
Thank you for running, that was a very tense scene, but I think it went about as well as it could have, considering.

...Also I feel like at least 80% of what Karen says and does is for the aesthetic.

>>2403952
I could answer that but I'm not going to.

Is she one of those unkillable soldiers made from dragon's teeth and that weird potion? I forget what the hell they're called.

>>2403994
Spartoi? It's unlikely. They're incredible single-minded and vicious, little more than killing amchines.

It would be nice if this... mineral component of her nature was a clue to what she is, but as far as I can tell it's just a distraction. Their underlying nature probably isn't part of their surrounding legend.

>>2404554
I literally can't find any monsters associated with Charon beyond your generic pyschopomp

>>2404738
That's probably the wrong tree to bark up. I'm trying the carnivorous angle... of special mention is the grootslang, known to eat elephants and collect diamonds. But it was supposed to be elephant-like as well, so that's probably not it.

Never fear. She has a book to research, and some clues that don't look like clues at first.

>>2404738
Have you considered the Fear angle? A being that loves to scare or terrify others?