[ 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

[contactsports]

[ Zelda has been relaxing for the evening, chain-smoking in the living room in her dressing gown and enjoying the season. The knock at the door comes as a bit of a surprise but she gets up to answer, her forehead wrinkling when she swings the door open. ]

... Lilith. [ She eyes the bundle in her hand before lifting her gaze back to the other woman. ] I'm afraid Sabrina isn't home.

[sathan]

I'm not actually here to see Sabrina.

( she offers a polite smile )

Though I did bring some cookies that she may enjoy.

[contactsports]

I'll put them aside for her.

[ She pauses for a moment that is just long enough to turn awkward, before backing away from the doorway and gesturing. ]

I suppose you would like to come in?

[sathan]

( there's a slightly graceful nod she gives before stepping in and despite her typical position of power, of the sheer being that she is she's muting it slightly, respectful of the fact she's in someone else's home, letting zelda feel a little more in control )

I was hoping that we could speak.

( after their meeting in the library lilith had given her a berth, aside from quiet words passed at coven meetings, giving her time to digest the truth she'd been handed )

To-- set a new footing. If only for Sabrina.

( she didn't need the woman to like her but given that she'd been keeping an eye out for sabrina, would continue to do so there needn't be animosity between them )

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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. ]

[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.

[sathan]

( her expression kind of gives away how she feels about that-- oh but dramatic )

I wouldn't have the throne if you hadn't helped.

( all of them. yes, she was glad that sabrina didn't want it but they also could have continued worshipping lucifer instead of helping her dethrone him )

I suppose-- I have a debt to her.

( to all of them. but only a small one )

[contactsports]

From what I have gathered--and what little I truly understand--what occurred was beneficial to all of us.

[ Zelda knows she wouldn't have done it just to help Lilith. Whether Sabrina would have helped regardless of her role is unclear, though. Perhaps Lilith does owe Sabrina a debt. But no one else. ]

Debts are hardly necessary.

[sathan]

Perhaps not.

( but they could have stopped lucifer and still screwed her over, lilith knows that she was the least concern in the whole plan )

But-- there we have it. And-- Sabrina is particularly difficult to shake.

( trying to joke. as if that sabrina would latch on even if lilith didn't want her to )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda smirks. ]

Impossible, in fact. I'm afraid you might find yourself in her wake for a long time.

[ And, no doubt, cleaning up her messes. ]

[sathan]

( better get back to hell quick then where she can--

no, lilith knows that hell wouldn't stop her, not while she'd be holding her boyfriend there )

Perhaps in that time she'll learn some self-preservation. Or the ability to save herself.

( if she stuck around you bet she'd end up teaching her something )

[contactsports]

Or she'll get herself killed and the rest of us in the process.

[ Let's be honest here, that's way more likely. ]

[sathan]

( more likely except it also isn't )

As much as she may inadvertently try to-- with all of those who protect her surrounding her she would have some difficulty.

( you've all managed to survive so far. sometimes because of her but not always )

[contactsports]

Then I suppose it is in our best interest to keep her on the right path.

[ For her benefit and everyone else's. ]

[sathan]

And-- where would you see that path take her?

( not judging just curious. the path of night isn't the same anymore and if lilith is helping she has to know what's acceptable, right? )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda pauses. Of course, had she been asked this a couple months ago, the answer would be simple. Walk the Path of Night, do as Satan says, be a good witch.

Those aren't exactly options anymore though, are they? ]

... I don't know. [ She admits it quietly, her eyes averting from Lilith's gaze. ] To start, perhaps one that's a bit less dangerous than what she generally prefers.

[sathan]

Then use that as you guide her.

( no one knew what the future held now but there would always be surprises. a witch's life was never boring )

Though-- there will be one choice that she'll make that could endanger us all.

[contactsports]

[ Zelda rolls her eyes. Of course, there's another curveball coming. Lilith's right - their lives are never boring. ]

And what is that?