ladiesandwitches

[ladiesandwitches]

Like Mulder, Scully was keenly aware of the many twists and turns of the journey through the different stages and developments of their relationship. They had been a couple before, they had lived together before, and they had parted ways, returned to friends, returned to colleagues, they had fought for each other and they had almost lost each other, and it wasn't lost on Scully that the circumstances of their relationship now were strange, and also tinged with sadness.

They had barely had time to grieve the loss of William before their focus had had to turn to a new addition. One unplanned, and not something she'd expected at this point in her life.

So moments like this, where things felt normal and almost domestic, where they seemed no different than any other couple, was something precious to her.

"I've got a better idea. Why don't I go with you?" she suggested. "There's some other things besides milk that we need and, no offence Mulder, but I've seen how easily you get distracted," she teased.

There was something nice about such a domestic scene. Over the years, the two of them hadn't had much of though. Admittedly, that was in part due to how long it took them to actually progress to something more than friendship, but even discounting those many years, sometimes it seemed like they barely had a moment to relax. Their time together was punctuated by case after case, with any gaps in between featuring the likes of a (thankfully temporary) breakup or alien abduction.

Despite everything they had seen - all the unusual experiences that had never quite become familiar - it wasn't lost on Mulder how ridiculous some of their relationship sounded when it was said aloud. Multiple alien abductions, everything to do with William - he'd even died and come back to life once! Considering all that, it was nice that they still got to do the normal things too sometimes.

"We're out of milk. Do you want me to see if I can find any other pumpkin spice products for you when I go to pick some up?" Mulder asked, fully embracing the domesticity as he continued to hold Scully against himself. For him, even with a burnt mouth, it was a happy moment - one he was keen to hold on to for as long as possible.

[ladiesandwitches]

"Middle school sleepover mascot?" Sabrina repeated, scrunching her nose in offence. First Ambrose tearing into her clothing choices, then her Aunt Zelda mocking her attempts to change her look, and now even Salem was attacking her wardrobe? "Fine, I'll accept it doesn't give coven leader, but it's still a nice sweater," she insisted, determined to keep it in her outfit rotation.

"The only time I've ever made a room quiet when I went in is because the Weird Sisters were talking about me to everyone seconds before I entered," she said drily, not exactly joking. "But I can do this," she added, ignoring the 'neon knitwear' comment. "I can totally command a room of witches and mortals and make them all listen."

Salem let out a sigh, his whiskers twitching with disdain. "Oh, honey, bargains are magical, I'll give you that. But there's a fine line between 'quirky enchantress' and 'middle-school sleepover mascot.' You’re aiming for coven leader, not birthday party entertainment."

He stretched lazily, his claws flexing out in a dramatic knead. "Projecting authority isn't about sparkles or sequins - it's about presence. Gravitas. The ability to make a room go quiet when you walk in." He gave her a long look. "And not because they're blinded by neon knitwear."

[ladiesandwitches]

Great. Scully didn't know why she expected him to know the number, but she'd had some hope that maybe the flyer would be scrunched into one of his pockets somewhere. At least he still had it though; if it was pinned to his fridge as he claimed. There might be nothing to it, but Scully wanted to get a closer look.

"Fine," she agreed. "Point out the building and we'll park around the corner. But you have to promise to wait in the car, Mulder," she added, breaking her gaze from the road to glance at him, giving a subtle side-eye. "You can't come and follow me otherwise what we're trying to test out will be ruined. You have to wait, okay?"

Scully felt a little like she was instructing a child, but there were many times that her partner had been as defiant as a toddler, and that was when he wasn't potentially under the influence of narcotics.

"Now, how close is the pizza place to your apartment?"

Oh. Um...

"No," Mulder admitted, "but it's in my kitchen, pinned to my fridge." He hadn't expected Scully to want to call straight away! That was rather eager of her, wasn't it? Shouldn't they stake the place out first? Or... Oh, he didnt know. Check the menu, at least?

Why would they know they were on to them if he ordered a pizza to his flat anyway? They'd already been there, and they'd probably just figure he was hungry again!

Oh... But then again, maybe they were watching him - and if they were watching him, then they'd see Scully was with him too, and maybe that'd trigger their suspicions. After all, why would he only order one pizza if he was entertaining a guest? And if he ordered two, then they surely wouldn't tamper with either. There'd be no way of knowing for certain which was his, and drugging Scully too seemed like it would be an incredible risk.

"I could probably point the building out, if you wanted?" Mulder then suggested as an alternative, not wanting to disappoint Scully - not even in his current unfortunate state. "You go in and order, while I wait in the car?"

[ladiesandwitches]

THE X-FILES | 3.22

[ladiesandwitches]

"it isn't our intention to split you up," Scully assured them gently. "That's not why we're here."

"And maybe we can even see about getting your toys back," Mulder suggested. Scully wondered if he was also feeling the bite in the air.

"What wasn't your fault, Mica?" Scully asked, her eyes searching the child, trying to read the emotion there, the things he was going through. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"Mulder is an okay name," Mica decided. His sister raised an eyebrow. "your name is Tannis," he snapped. "You can't complain."

"We can help you as long as you don't split us up," Tannis declared. "It's more fun than just being stuck in here with nothing to do."

"They always take away the toys when they put us in here," Mica sighed. "It's not fair. It wasn't even our fault this time."

[ladiesandwitches]

"So what you're saying is that magic is more like science," Scully replied with a wry grin, as she finished clasping the bracelet around her wrist, her palm subconsciously resting upon it a moment. "A set of reactions dependent on any number of variables, where the slightest change is capable of making the biggest difference, and where nothing has the exact same reaction twice."

Vivi seemed to be always pushing back against her science, almost as much as Scully instinctively pushed back against so much of what was stated to be 'simply magic', but it was undeniable that there was element to both that met in the middle. Perhaps that was why she found it so hard to accept it as easily as Mulder did; a part of her was still convinced it was nothing more than science that hadn't yet been explored or explained.

"His game?" She repeated sceptically, frowning a little. "Vivi, what's going on? Is this about my birthday?" It would be just like Mulder to think of something ridiculous, and just like Vivienne to encourage him.

Scully followed on even as the girl made her best effort to rush off.

"Vivi, what's going on?" She called after her. "Have you both planned something? What's going to happen, Vivi? Vivi!"

“I did try to think of everything.” Vivi beamed, watching Scully put the bracelet on. She knew the woman wasn't as big fan of magic as Mulder was, but also knew there was no running away from it when it was a part of their everyday life. “If you ever change your mind, think it's not for you, just let me know, I'll take it off.” She added happily. It meant a lot to her that Scully was willing to try at all, even if in the end she'd say to take off the spell, the bracelet itself would still be a nice gift.

“Yeah, magic is not math, it won't always give the same result or always work the same way. You'll feel it, it'll react to you, your emotions. You'll learn each other. It's the most amazing thing that exists.”

The moment Scully slipped it on, the bracelet actually did change temperature noticeably, turning pleasantly warm.

“Hm gotta tell Mulder to step up his game then.” Playful comment attempted to cover up a nervous look to the side. If she gave away anything now, the whole surprise would be blown. “I gotta get going for classes, have a great birthday!” Vivi rushed to the door for her jacket.

When you live in the outskirts of a big city, with a long walk to the nearest bus stop, every occasion to get a lift was a taker. Especially with how their house was located, a long dirt road through the woods to the nearest road. It gave a lot of privacy, which was essential for their whole family, but at the same time was a pain for someone without a car. So whenever Vivi could hop into the car with them just to get to Washington or back home, she did.. though not today.

[ladiesandwitches]

"Let's just say you're protective," Sabrina concluded. "And, okay, maybe I have a little bit of a previous in causing some kind of time problems. A paradox. Just a tiny one. Not even really that big of a deal, nothing happened, and the realms totally stopped colliding, even though Metatron insisted one of us had to die to fix it, and we absolutely didn't," Sabrina concluded with a dismissive scoff.

And then she realised.

"Crap, I did it again. But this is super hard to keep things to myself. It's just...I mean it's cool, seeing you when you're sort of my age. And you're not, I mean, you're not what I expected. Actually, from the stories you've told me I kinda thought you'd be surrounded by an entire crowd of groupies."

Zelda's heart skipped a beat, she was almost sure of it. Lilith. Did she lead the coven in worshipping the first woman? But then why was her daughter appearing so awkward at the slip of the name, she wondered with a worried look.

If that was the case, if she ran a church devoted to Lilith, well wouldn't that make it all worthwhile, she thought. Zelda had so many questions, so many hopes. But then the girl was changing the subject, and Zelda nearly groaned.

"You... "She stopped and sighed. "You're probably right," she conceded. "Though the more you say, the harder it is to think that I'll be cross with you in your time. You're actually making me excited for the future. My own mother would think you a terrible influence," she added with a conspiratorial smirk.

[ladiesandwitches]

Hilda looked up with a warm smile, just feeling a bit delighted that someone was coming in to ask really. Now that Ambrose wasn't bound to the house, she didn't really get the same level of company in the kitchen that she used to.

"Oh, no, uh, nothing special. Just take a seat and make sure you don't leave any crumbs. What was it you were in the mood for?" She asked. "I've got some nice, warm apple cinnamon cookies if you wanted something sweet?"

"Does a girl got to do anything special get some of your good food?" Agatha questions as she enters the kitchen. Thankful she didn't have to look far for Hilda.

@ladiesandwitches

[ladiesandwitches]

I wanna do replies on here so badly, but I am so exhausted from lifting up TEN solid garden stone flags. Hammer and chiselling all the mortar in between every single flag and then lifting them up and they are FUCKING heavy, man. So tired, I feel my brain can't make good words never mind good replies

[ladiesandwitches]

series appreciation • 20 characters: [2] sabrina spellman, the chilling adventures of sabrina

Update: I have more power than I did before. And empty or not, Hell is my domain. You should not be threatening me here.

[ladiesandwitches]

"You're the former meteorologist. You tell me," Scully countered. From the tone and distant look when speaking about her former work, she presumed the woman hadn't left her career by choice. But negative parting of ways or not, that didn't remove the knowledge she had, the studies she'd undertaken. "Do you think it was a freak storm? Or that there's a reason for the recurrent weather anomalies in this area recently?"

Scully really hoped there was, just so she could come back to Mulder with something tangible and mundane, but she couldn't deny that the fact crimes were committed at the exact location of this freak weather was too coincidental to ignore. She might not buy into Mulder's theory that someone was creating this weather, but she was positive someone was making use of it.

"It's possible," she admitted. "There have been cases of people having a direct effect on the weather in the past, either by biological anomalies or scientific development; it's isn't out of the realms of possibility."

"Too long ago." Joss mutters, gaze going distant. As much as she had gotten used to her new life being a criminal, there is always that loss of who she used to be. Catching herself before she voyers down nolstagic paths, she clears her throat.

"Are you sure it wasn't just a freak storm?" she asks. She has half a mind to imply her father had something to do with this, but something stops her. "It's not uncommon around these parts, and the weather doesn't know or care about federal laws when it strikes,"

Despite her attempts, pride creeps into her voice, just slightly. She quickly shifts her position.

"Agent, are...you suggesting someone could have controlled the weather?"

[ladiesandwitches]

"It's actually pretty neat. I mean not the dead bodies, even though my Aunt Zelda always gets happy when it's a closed casket-- don't ask-- but I don't know. It's nice to be part of people's final send-offs. But I'm not going to be asking to help Ambrose with the embalming any time soon," Sabrina added with a smile.

"I have some of my Aunt Hilda's...special mix. Clears up any wound-- if it's not fatal-- super fast. And has a nice Yarrow-y scent. Which is definitely better than this."

"I've never been so glad to not live in a funeral parlor. As fun and fancy as the word parlor is," Billy said. He didn't know what embalming fluid even smelled like, and was glad to believe he probably never would.

He raised his eyebrows at the offer and laughed a bit. "What? You've got some super rated Neosporin at your disposal?"

[ladiesandwitches]

"Please tell me it wasn't a bowl of garlic you were licking," Sabrina joked with a wince. "Fun fact; garlic keeps vampires away, but it's actually onions that keep the devil away. Apparently he hates them because they make him cry." Sabrina paused with a frown of thought. "Does that mean garlic makes vampires cry?" That was definitely a question for Ambrose later.

"Right? Like why are they called mince pies if it isn't actual mince?" Sabrina agreed. "But they're super fragrant, and they warm your belly right here." She tapped the centre of her stomach. "Although maybe that's the brandy in them...."

Okay, so Billy was shy, a little bit heart sore, but someone who clearly took chances for love. How else would he have ended up with this Eddie despite being so reluctant about the whole dating scene? Sabrina was convinced that all he needed was a literal magical nudge in the right direction.

"Oh no reason," she answered innocently. But Rosemary was a key ingredient in almost every love potion, and if this was going to work, she was going to have to find a way to get Billy to take a little sip. "Hey, do you want to come over to mine after school? Try some of Aunt Hilda's cooking? And maybe a herbal tea? Trust me; one sip and this whole new school thing will feel like an absolute breeze. Promise."

"We all have our jobs," Billy grinned. "When I was thirteen, I was on garlic duty. Peeling it and cutting it, that sort of thing. I had to earn the right to do any more than that. But I did get to lick the bowl, dad just pretended to fight me on it.

"You know, I've heard of mince pies, and I guess I've seen pictures, but for some reason I always thought they were meat pies! I didn't realize they were ... sort of normal fruit pies." Billy said with interest. Maybe more like a berry pie, with the mixed fruit that seemed to be inside, perhaps more savory than sweet depending on the spices used.

He laughed a bit, awkwardly ducking his head down for a moment of reprieve. "I don't know. Relationships are kind of complicated. I just moved here, just got out of a relationship. I don't know if I want to get into those choppy waters again, I barely wanted to the first time round! Eddie had to wear me down. I just don't know. Uh. No, I'm not, why?"

[ladiesandwitches]

GILLIAN ANDERSON as DANA SCULLY in THE X-FILES (1993-2018) | S01E15 ‘Lazarus’

[ladiesandwitches]

Whenever I watch the scene where Hilda and Dr Cee meet for the first time, my whole heart gets filled. She had to wait 250 years to find the one, but when she did, Hilda got the sweetest, kindest romance.

But then I make myself sad because she lives for centuries and he has a mortal lifespan, and the inevitable conclusion of that HURTS.

[ladiesandwitches]

"Well I was actually born here in Greendale but, uh, a long time ago I went back to the 'old country' as they say, to raise my nephew after his parents died," Hilda explained. "Stayed there so long, I think our family roots from England took a gold old hold of me," she joked, not mentioning that the 'long time' she'd spent there had been over a hundred years. And she'd had a trip or two over there before that. So had Zelda and Edward. Now Queen Victoria's coronation had definitely been a party to remember...although she still didn't know how she'd ended up naked on the banks of the Thames.

"Ah, lovely," Hilda said with a smile. "It's actually my mum's recipe. She used to make it for my dad on certain occasions and we just happened to have made a nice big one the other day with lots of leftover slices." Mainly because no one wanted to get the cake's spell effects, but Hilda didn't like to waste things if she could help it, and you never knew if you'd need the cake again. It had only been a day or two so it was still nice and fresh.

"Just give me a minute, my love, and I'll bring you a nice big slice."

"It's okay. It's like I can still hear her sometimes," Billy said with a smile. It was true, just probably not the way she thought, and he liked not lying when he had the chance. "Hey, I totally get it. You're British, right? My mom likes tea, too, Jasmine and Earl Grey and stuff like that."

He smiled at her fondly.

"Oh, I'll never say no to cake," He grinned, shifting in his seat.

[ladiesandwitches]

Hilda and Sabrina looked at one another, exchanging looks, as they watched Agatha get her pancakes and take her time to say whatever it was she wanted to ask them.

"So....?" Sabrina prompted, ignoring her aunty's look to give Agatha space to take whatever time she needed. Yes, she didn't want to rush the woman, but also it wasn't like she had all the time in the world today to wait. She and Nick had plans.

The plans went out of her head completely when Agatha finally spoke.

"Oh my goddess!" Hilda exlaimed, hands going to her mouth in excitement. "Really? Oh! That's wonderful! And so exciting!".

"Well, of course we approve. Don't we, Sabrina?" She prompted, noticing her niece was still silent.

"Erm, yeah, sure, I, uh..." Sabrina tried to blink away her shock. "You and Aunt Zelda are really at that stage? I mean, I didn't think either of you were the marrying type. Anymore."

"Sabrina!" Hilda hissed in scolding.

"Sorry, Aunty, I just mean..." Sabrina looked to Agatha. "It's not that I don't see you two being together, it's just...I don't really see the two of you in big white dresses. Or black dresses. Or whatever it is we're wearing now."

Gosh the smell of Hilda's cooking made her moth water and stomach growl before she got settled, and got her words out good. She fixed herself a plate of said pancakes, with all the offered toppings. "Yes everything is fine." Agatha nodded as she takes a bit of her food. She's still trying to find the right words without rambling. "I-I want to ask Zelda to marry me, but I want to know if I can have approval from the two of first."