[ open ] can't make it all alone

[contactsports]

WHO: Zelda Spellman & you
WHERE: Maurtia Falls #001, Heropa
WHEN: Near the Solstice
WHAT: Zelda prepares for the holiday
WARNINGS: Jokes about Vinegar Tom might make appearances in the house thread. Head over here for content warnings and permissions.

MAURTIA FALLS #001 [ closed to occupants or vistors ]

As the Solstice approaches, Zelda is getting into the holiday spirit. Granted, what that spirit looks like is relative. While she's done nothing to encroach on any decor or celebration the other inhabitants of the house may partake in, she has her own way of doing things, too. This is why it won't be unusual to find a few festive inverted pentagrams here and there and Zelda spending her evenings relaxed on the couch, a burning cigarette in hand, drinking a glass of gin and paging through a haunted holiday classic.

Come the night before the Solistice, she places a Yule log into the fireplace and lights it, keeping a close eye on it as the flames lick around it. She's eager to inform everyone of its importance; "The lit Yule log protects this house, and bars all manner of evil and mischevious spirits. It is of the utmost importance that it stays lit through the Solistice when the veil is at its thinnest -- especially with all the strange occurrences as of late."

HEROPA

Zelda isn't blind to what's been going on around the country the last couple of weeks, but since it hadn't seemed to directly affect her she hadn't seemed to particularly care. This means business as usual - although, for today, that business is in the sunny city of Heropa, Zelda's least favorite place. She pursuing an outdoor shopping mall, wearing a large-brimmed, black hat (it's no wonder why those once had been so fashionable among witches) and dark sunglasses, examing the stalls and shops for the things she needs. While it might be unbelievable, she's Christmas shopping. Although she would never admit it, Sabrina is enamored with the ridiculous holiday and a gift would make her happy. And if Zelda gets Sabrina a gift, it's rude to not get everyone a gift, right?

And maybe even a few little things for herself. The sales are good this time of year, after all.

She's in a good enough mood up until she encounters a man dressed up as Santa--complete with a beard and mistletoe patterned board shorts in honor of the sunny weather--who has probably nipped at the eggnog a bit too much. He starts to follow her around which is at first a novelty and then becomes incredibly annoying, to the point where she finally speeds into the nearest store, turning around to wave her hand at the door before she can be further followed.

"Vobis non transeat." Although unassuming shoppers won't have an issue coming in and out, drunk board-short Santa will find himself left out in the cold - so to speak. Zelda takes a minute to get her bearings, finally looking around in the store which has turned out to be a very obnoxious Christmas decoration store. Every surface is covered with baubles and grinning snowmen and colorful nativities, and Zelda's likely to be there for a long, long while yet.

She lets out an ever-suffering sigh. "Well, this certainly limits my options."

Comments

[continuousgroaning]

That first bit does nothing but get a prolonged groaning noise coming from Tina's mouth. Uncle Jesse nuzzles her leg, whining with concern.

"So, uh, how likely are demons to show up? ... hopefully not at all," she amends. "I trust Sabrina to protect us... and since the two of you are related, I trust you, too."

I hope I'm right, Tina adds silently, as she and Zelda are still getting to know each other.

[goodtobebad]

That gets a grin from him. One thing he likes better than startling the pants off humans is meeting one who pegs him for what he is immediately.

"Ah, got it in one, pleasure to meet you, Zelda. I'm Crowley."

[devilishly_handsome]

Well, anyone with devils in their bloodline is bound to be able to use some magic at the very least, but not. I haven't honed them at all. Which is probably why I don't have much magic at my disposal.

[contactsports]

Yes. For Sabrina.

[ The things she does for that child.

Zelda should be over the moon to meet Lilith. Yet, knowing the truth has soured it. ]

She's told me everything. Well, I hope everything, but I never know with her anymore.

[contactsports]

Zelda narrows her eyes at the groaning, but she lets it go. Tina is nothing else if not unique, and Zelda has grown to at least tolerate it. At least, that's what she would say, even if it's perhaps a bit more than tolerant.

She won't admit she likes any mortal. It's nothing personal.

"I have no desire to harm you, so perhaps that should be reason for trust enough." She leans in slightly, offering Tina a thin smile. "I do not intend to let any harm come to you. I don't care much for mortals but as long as you're in my charge, you are my responsibility, and you have nothing to fear from my world."

Anything else is up for debate. But mortals should not be dragged into witch business.

[contactsports]

"Pleasure is mine."

At least, she hopes so. Demons aren't exactly friendly where she is from, but neither are angels, and she already made peace with one of those.

"What are you a demon of, pray tell?"

[contactsports]

Devils? Delightful.

[ In fact, she does look quite smug. Being a descendant of the devil would be nothing short of an honor where she's from. ]

Perhaps we should rectify it. I was a teacher, among other things.

[mofi]

Murphy nods at her request and settles down in the nearest spot to the fireplace. There is something magical about this. He can feel it. All sorts of energy is buzzing around him. Some he can tap into and some that he can't.

"Why can't you put a magic bubble around it? So no one can extinguish the fire?"

[sathan]

( there's curiosity over how much sabrina really told zelda but it isn't something that she's going to broach. considering how difficult sabrina had found some of the subject matter she knows it would be even more difficult for her to talk about and that part certainly wasn't lilith's place to discuss.

she quietly moves over to the couch, familiar with their apartment from her times visiting sabrina, easily at ease as she sits )

But she did tell you. Whatever may happen Sabrina does love you and-- misguided as she can be in her intentions she would never have withheld any of it to hurt you.

( it was a fine line between holding back information to protect them when knowing you'd been lied to could hurt. the information also could hurt but which pain was worse? )

We've spoken about you. There's no doubt about where her heart is.

[devilishly_handsome]

I guess we could. I'm not sure if I'd be the best student, that was always more my brother's thing. I usually focused more on being strong and dangerous so I could stand guard while the spellcasters did their thing.

[continuousgroaning]

Tina puts her arms around Jesse, leaning down to bury her face in the Bernese's fur.

"I think it is," she replies, a few moments later when she raises her head again. "I think if you intended to hurt any of us, it seems like you could have done so. But you haven't. So that's good for me. Why is it that you don't like mortals, though...?" She then hastily adds, "Uhm, if you wanna share. It's not any of my business, now that I think about it."

[perfectlyhuman]

Oh, Adam is aware of a lot, she might come to find. He’s an odd little child, to put it simply, but aren’t they all?

He shakes the little globe, with no real hopes that it’ll improve on its blandness. He’s still disappointed, as shown by his twisted nose. So he puts it back on the shelf.

“You could still have a lot of good things. But it’s like when people people give you socks for Christmas. You never really need new socks.”

[contactsports]

"Well, there is already, in a way," she says, almost gently, passing him the glass of scotch before setting the slice of pie on the table beside him.

"But magic isn't foolproof, especially when other magic users get involved. And I am certainly not the only witch here."

[contactsports]

[ That gives Zelda pause, her emotions betrayed slightly with a twitch of her mouth. She knows Sabrina loves her - she's never doubted it, even when things are at their worst. But Sabrina can be very single-minded and very selfish.

Zelda isn't sure the girl's intentions are as pure as Lilith seems to think. If she truly has been here for a year, Zelda knows she's not exactly the same Sabrina she knows. ]

I suppose you have more reason to understand her than I, considering our current circumstances. [ She's not sure how that came out sounding kind of jealous. She didn't mean it to. ] She's always been a rebellious girl.

[contactsports]

Nonsense. When one is imbued with power, it's a sin to not use it. I'm sure I could teach you a thing or two.

[sathan]

Something that does have its place as you do know.

( zelda may not have lived through everything yet but there were smaller rebellions that she did know, the fact that her family would always have come first even to satan, that she'd defy him to protect her family. it was a rebellion that lilith could stand behind )

But-- as long as she may have been here there are things about her that will never change. That chief amongst them.

( rebellion, a penchant for finding trouble-- sabrina was still the same girl at heart if simply learning who she really was and what she wanted )

We all have had things to learn.

[devilishly_handsome]

Yeah, I guess I could try.

[Sure, he knows he'll never be as good as his brother, but his brother isn't here, now, is he? Besides, if she's hellbent (hah!) on teaching him, he might as well give it a go.]

[contactsports]

[ Although Zelda would never dream of those betrayals, to know them would make all the sense in the world to her. She's worked hard to be a loyal, devoted follower to the Dark Lord. But nothing could come before her family. Nothing would come before Sabrina.

She'd tear the realms to pieces for that girl. ]

I worry for her. [ The words slip out of her mouth before she really has a chance to think about them. Maybe she doesn't particularly care for Lilith, but they do have one thing in common - they both care about Sabrina. And that's probably the most important thing. ] The lust for power is endless. And Sabrina is young; malleable. And eager to prove herself.

[ And Zelda isn't sure Lilith is the best person to encourage her. ]

[contactsports]

"You're right. It's not any of your business."

And chances are it would have been left there, but... Zelda likes the sound of her own voice too much to not elaborate.

"Humans and witches were never intended to mingle. We are decedents of Lilith, and our powers have been granted to us by Satan who we owe our fealty. Humans are ephemeral beings, the False God's flight of fancy, and where you are likely headed, child, has no place for us."

Which really, is fine. Hell for mortals is no picnic. They're far better off in their stupid little Heaven.

"However, that hasn't always remained true. Sabrina being a prime example."

[contactsports]

"If one is going to celebrate this wretched holiday, they may as well embrace its frivolity in all manners," she agrees. Who would get a child socks for Christmas? What's even the point?

"Are you looking for a gift for someone? Or a treat for yourself?"

[contactsports]

I'll be more than happy to help. I do have some experience teaching young witches. Hopefully, our powers will be somewhat compatible.

[sathan]

She is. And that is why she needs those more-- experienced around her, to caution her and keep her safe from the dangers that she would willingly throw herself into.

( whilst lilith had encouraged a lot of what sabrina had done she'd always made certain that the girl came home unharmed, even if that itself was originally for a different reason than it was now )

It isn't simply Sabrina that you worry about. Though you can be assured that I have no ill-intentions towards her. The Dark Lord may have had a purpose for her but it isn't one that I share.

( and it'll mark a difference between who she is now and who she'd been when she'd encouraged her. then lilith had followed the plan, had been loyal to lucifer and had wanted what he had. then she stabbed him in the back, took his throne and freed sabrina. times change )

[contactsports]

You're correct. It is not only with Sabrina that my concern lay.

[ She grabs her cigarette holder and lights one up, leveling her gaze at Lilith. ]

What is your purpose with her now, if it is not to do the Dark Lord's bidding?

[sathan]

Purpose?

( please, once she's back in hell she'll actually be glad to be done with her. that would be slightly easier to say without her time here but a few months doesn't change her feelings that easily )

All I want with Sabrina is to get her home. To see her through whatever this place continues asking of us. I could have seen only to myself if you'd preferred--

( though she expects that despite her concerns zelda is glad that lilith watched over her )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda's a little torn on that. On the one hand, Sabrina probably did benefit from the other witch's guidance and protection. On the other, Zelda didn't trust Lilith as far as she could throw her and, granted, that was probably a little far using telekinesis but not enough to matter. ]

I don't prefer it. I am... appreciative of the attention you've given Sabrina during her time here.

[ She's trying to be diplomatic. ]

I suppose I just don't understand why her welfare would be of any matter to you.