the-astral-coven

[the-astral-coven]

Once upon a time there was a boy– -🍰

The MC's finger moved away from Maureen and to Sandra, who continued the sentence through gritted teeth.

–witch named Jasper, who was– -🔮

The MC moved on to Jasper, and he found himself speaking without thinking.

–all alone. -✨

Jasper clapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening in surprise at the words that had risen unbidden from the back of his mind. He glanced at his grandmother, who looked torn between moving to hug him and moving to throw a punch at the MC, but she remained rooted firmly in place, as still as a statue.

(Continued from here)

(In the dark, Jasper hears light footsteps getting closer and closer, although not in the direction that Ethel came from.

He steels his nerves.

A leg of a table slams down on the stage as the spotlights turn back on again. Sitting on the table is a lanky German man, holding a microphone to his lips, staring at Jasper.

This man feels different compared to Wilhelm. He’s probably another “tool” for Ethel, as Wilhelm put it, but even more… uncanny. Inhuman. His eyes are glossy and he’s locked in place, like he’s just a plastic doll.

He opens his mouth.)

Hallo, kleines Kind!

And to all of you! Willkommen to the cabaret!

(He turns out to address the ones now sitting in the seats summoned in front of the stage. There’s seats now. There’s people now.

They all cheer simultaneously.)

Yes, tonight! We will witness a little boy take his first attempt at improvised comedy…

… with his grandma and great-aunt? Ohhhh…

(The MC feigns surprise as the audience “ooh”s in turn.)

Let’s get the two adults back onto the stage, shall we?

[the-astral-coven]

Maureen. -🍰

The MC moves, holding the mic up to Jasper. He hesitates a moment, glancing at his great-aunt with concern before answering.

Um...Jasper? -✨

The MC moves the microphone to Sandra, and a string of curses fly from her mouth.

You son of a bitch, when I get my hands on– -🔮

Sandra freezes for a moment, her face twisted in rage, and when she speaks again she practically spits out the word.

Sandra. -🔮

(Continued from here)

(In the dark, Jasper hears light footsteps getting closer and closer, although not in the direction that Ethel came from.

He steels his nerves.

A leg of a table slams down on the stage as the spotlights turn back on again. Sitting on the table is a lanky German man, holding a microphone to his lips, staring at Jasper.

This man feels different compared to Wilhelm. He’s probably another “tool” for Ethel, as Wilhelm put it, but even more… uncanny. Inhuman. His eyes are glossy and he’s locked in place, like he’s just a plastic doll.

He opens his mouth.)

Hallo, kleines Kind!

And to all of you! Willkommen to the cabaret!

(He turns out to address the ones now sitting in the seats summoned in front of the stage. There’s seats now. There’s people now.

They all cheer simultaneously.)

Yes, tonight! We will witness a little boy take his first attempt at improvised comedy…

… with his grandma and great-aunt? Ohhhh…

(The MC feigns surprise as the audience “ooh”s in turn.)

Let’s get the two adults back onto the stage, shall we?

[the-astral-coven]

Junior looks from the tickets in the Driver's hands to Cindy, and when his eyes land on her he flinches in surprise. There's some....thing behind her, draped over her shoulders like a grotesque mink stole, visibly weighing her down. Junior feels Jim recoil from the creature, and a shock of shared fight-or-flight shoots through him, but even as he takes a step back, he sees something more.

Beyond the creature, hidden beneath it like a second skin, is a more familiar figure. A woman, pale and transparent like Jim or the ghosts of Rome, watching Cindy sadly. The two look shockingly alike; same blonde hair, same round face, but most of all it's their nearly identical eyes that makes Junior realize what he's looking at. He takes a deep breath, stepping closer to Cindy again and addressing the ghost beneath the monster.

Hello? Are you alright? -🌩️

Junior slowly stirs awake, wondering briefly why he's in a sleeping bag on the floor before the events of the previous day come rushing back to him. He sits up and looks around, but as his eyes travel over the little recreation of a witch's cottage, he finds its occupant missing.

"Jasper?" he calls, and his voice echoes through the attic.

"He's gone."

Junior turns to see Jim floating nearby, arms wrapped around himself and his brow creased with worry.

"He left while you were still sleeping...something about someone needing help, and him not wanting to put you in danger."

Junior frowns.

"After everything we went through yesterday, he thought it was a good idea to go alone?"

Jim shrugs, then points to the crystal on the table.

"He did leave me this, it's some sort of magical timer, I think. If it goes off before he gets back, I'm supposed to find that old lady, Margery I think? And ask her for help."

"Great," Junior sighs, looking around the room again. "And what am I supposed to do then, just sit around and twiddle my..."

He trails off, his eye catching on a detail he hadn't seen before. In the wall next to where he and Jasper had hung some old shelves, there was a small but noticeable hole in the wall that he was almost certain hadn't been there yesterday.

"Jim?" he asks, stepping closer to the wall.

"What?"

"Was this always here?"

Jim floats up to the hole, frowning as he examines it.

"No...and shouldn't there be daylight shining through? This is the east side of the attic."

Junior nods absently. He leans forward, trying to peer through the hole to whatever's on the other side. He can't see anything, but he hears something: a voice, high and faint and scared.

"Father?"

Junior looks back at Jim, his eyes wide. Jim shrugs, gesturing helplessly at the hole, and Junior swallows before turning back.

"Hello?" he calls. "Is there somebody there?"

@finest-train-in-the-astral-plane

[the-astral-coven]

Jasper barely has time to take in the new surroundings before two spotlights turn on on either side of him, Maureen and Sandra standing beneath them. Their bodies are still translucent, but they are unnaturally still, like soldiers standing at attention. The audience cheers and applauds, and they reach a hand up to wave to the crowd, their movements harsh and jerked, like puppets on a string.

Grandma? Great-auntie? What... -✨

Jasper's voice dies in his throat as his family turns to look at him. Maureen's face is locked into a perfect smile, her eyes glazed over and unseeing. Sandra, on the other hand, looks strained, as though she's fighting against every movement her body makes. Her eyes meet Jasper's, wide and pleading, but when she opens her mouth no sound comes out.

(Continued from here)

(In the dark, Jasper hears light footsteps getting closer and closer, although not in the direction that Ethel came from.

He steels his nerves.

A leg of a table slams down on the stage as the spotlights turn back on again. Sitting on the table is a lanky German man, holding a microphone to his lips, staring at Jasper.

This man feels different compared to Wilhelm. He’s probably another “tool” for Ethel, as Wilhelm put it, but even more… uncanny. Inhuman. His eyes are glossy and he’s locked in place, like he’s just a plastic doll.

He opens his mouth.)

Hallo, kleines Kind!

And to all of you! Willkommen to the cabaret!

(He turns out to address the ones now sitting in the seats summoned in front of the stage. There’s seats now. There’s people now.

They all cheer simultaneously.)

Yes, tonight! We will witness a little boy take his first attempt at improvised comedy…

… with his grandma and great-aunt? Ohhhh…

(The MC feigns surprise as the audience “ooh”s in turn.)

Let’s get the two adults back onto the stage, shall we?

[the-astral-coven]

@the-astral-coven

Margery is stirring something in her cauldron when she feels it: a shift in the flow of magic around her that’s accompanied by the sharp smell of sulphur. She concentrates on the source of the disturbance, and grimaces when it reveals itself to be Hornchurch. Murmuring a spell, she transports herself to the center of town. Her eyes widen when she sees the hellfire smoke rising from the church steeple. Still, she is nothing if not brazen, and she marches down to the old building and throws the door to the sanctuary open. She stops short at the sight of Begruvia standing beside Father Andrews….no, not Father Andrews. As she draws closer she can sense it; the disturbance, the smell, it’s all coming from whatever has taken hold of Father Andrews’s body. The expression on the phantom’s face is nothing short of miserable, and Margery sighs.

Oh, Groovy…what did you do? -📱

(Begruvia spots her, and tries to gesture for her to leave. The antichrist notices him.)

What are you doing?

I got a little.. bored of standing still? I believe the humans call it fidgeting.

Are you sure? You wouldn't lie to me, right Begruvia?

No- absolutely not.

Hm.

(Begruvia attempts to make eye contact with Margaery, and tries to make a silent plea with their eyes - she should leave, before he realises she's there.)

[the-astral-coven]

Jasper inhales sharply, raising a hand to his mouth as Wilhelm's body falls. As he watches, his mind can't help but flash back to the Witchfinder General, the way he screamed as he fell backwards in the same way, the light going out of his eyes...

He shakes himself, looking back into the darkness with a glare.

There! Are you fucking happy? Is this what you wanted? Where's my family?! -✨

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨

[the-astral-coven]

Jasper looks at Wilhelm for a long moment, and when he speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper.

You really want me to...are you sure? -✨

There's no answer, and Jasper swallows. Slowly, without taking his eyes off Wilhelm, he crouches down and wraps his hand around the handle of a hatchet. His eyes flick between it and Wilhelm, then he takes a deep breath and throws it. The light from the spotlight glints off the blade as it spins through the air, then embeds itself squarely in Wilhelm's chest.

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨

[the-astral-coven]

Not mortal? What do you...grandma? -✨

Jasper's eyes widen as the familiar presence that's been beside him suddenly vanishes. He looks around, but Sandra and Maureen are nowhere to be seen.

Grandma? Great-auntie? -✨

He looks back to Wilhelm, a glint of suspicion finally appearing in his eye.

Where did they go? What did they mean you're not mortal? What are you? -✨

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨

[the-astral-coven]

I didn't lie to him you know, I live on this planet. I prefer it not destroyed. And malicious compliant means- oh for goodness sake, I don't have time to explain this. Andrews, you tell him, I need to go before this guy gets suspicious of me. You two play nice. -📱

Right, well I'm off then. If you figure out what drugs you want to try, just give me a call. My number's preloaded. -📱

Margery pulls a phone out of her pocket and tosses it to the antichrist, winks at Begruvia, then disappears in a puff of smoke.

@the-astral-coven

Margery is stirring something in her cauldron when she feels it: a shift in the flow of magic around her that’s accompanied by the sharp smell of sulphur. She concentrates on the source of the disturbance, and grimaces when it reveals itself to be Hornchurch. Murmuring a spell, she transports herself to the center of town. Her eyes widen when she sees the hellfire smoke rising from the church steeple. Still, she is nothing if not brazen, and she marches down to the old building and throws the door to the sanctuary open. She stops short at the sight of Begruvia standing beside Father Andrews….no, not Father Andrews. As she draws closer she can sense it; the disturbance, the smell, it’s all coming from whatever has taken hold of Father Andrews’s body. The expression on the phantom’s face is nothing short of miserable, and Margery sighs.

Oh, Groovy…what did you do? -📱

(Begruvia spots her, and tries to gesture for her to leave. The antichrist notices him.)

What are you doing?

I got a little.. bored of standing still? I believe the humans call it fidgeting.

Are you sure? You wouldn't lie to me, right Begruvia?

No- absolutely not.

Hm.

(Begruvia attempts to make eye contact with Margaery, and tries to make a silent plea with their eyes - she should leave, before he realises she's there.)

[the-astral-coven]

Die here? I...but she said... -✨

Jasper looks around, again desperately searching for Ethel amid the blackness.

You said he needed my help! I don't understand...-✨

Wait...my boy, something is not right with this man. -🔮

I sense it as well...his soul is tethered to the astral plane, not to this body. He is no mere mortal. -🍰

Ethel called this a test...I think it more apt to call it a trick. - 🔮

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨

[the-astral-coven]

Margery shrugs, and flashes a mischievous grin.

I'm not choosy about where I get my fun. I'll see you then, dearie. -📱

*knock knock*

Hello, Margaery.

- @milk-from-the-hip

Hm? Oh, it's you. Since it's not Sunday I assume you're not here about milk; have you decided you could make use of my *services* after all? -📱

[the-astral-coven]

Well, alright then! Like I said, I'm always down for a party. You don't mind if I bring along something...a little ~special~ to the stag do, right? -📱

*knock knock*

Hello, Margaery.

- @milk-from-the-hip

Hm? Oh, it's you. Since it's not Sunday I assume you're not here about milk; have you decided you could make use of my *services* after all? -📱

[the-astral-coven]

Jasper's eyes widen in surprise, then he closes his fist around his flame, extinguishing it. Then, with a grunt of effort, he swings his foot forward, kicking Wilhelm in the groin and forcing him to release him. He spins, igniting his fire again and looking around for Ethel.

What's going on here? What sort of sick game is this? -✨

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨

[the-astral-coven]

Oh! Really? I mean, I'm always down for a party, but I'm a bit surprised you'd want me there at all, considering what I did to your son. -📱

*knock knock*

Hello, Margaery.

- @milk-from-the-hip

Hm? Oh, it's you. Since it's not Sunday I assume you're not here about milk; have you decided you could make use of my *services* after all? -📱

[the-astral-coven]

*knock knock*

Hello, Margaery.

- @milk-from-the-hip

Hm? Oh, it's you. Since it's not Sunday I assume you're not here about milk; have you decided you could make use of my *services* after all? -📱

[the-astral-coven]

Margery raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms.

Earth's end, you say? Well then, I'm terribly sorry but you'll have to count me out. I sort of rely on the world to live, see, and since I'm rather keen on continuing to do so, I'm afraid I won't be much help to you. Let me know if you want any drugs though. -📱

Alright, Andrews, Begruvia, both of you listen up. I am leaving, but I will come back, and with help, got it? Try and keep this twat distracted long enough to buy me some time. It's still your body, Andrews. Fight back, with everything you have. And Groovy, now would be a great time to learn the meaning of the term "malicious compliance." -📱

@the-astral-coven

Margery is stirring something in her cauldron when she feels it: a shift in the flow of magic around her that’s accompanied by the sharp smell of sulphur. She concentrates on the source of the disturbance, and grimaces when it reveals itself to be Hornchurch. Murmuring a spell, she transports herself to the center of town. Her eyes widen when she sees the hellfire smoke rising from the church steeple. Still, she is nothing if not brazen, and she marches down to the old building and throws the door to the sanctuary open. She stops short at the sight of Begruvia standing beside Father Andrews….no, not Father Andrews. As she draws closer she can sense it; the disturbance, the smell, it’s all coming from whatever has taken hold of Father Andrews’s body. The expression on the phantom’s face is nothing short of miserable, and Margery sighs.

Oh, Groovy…what did you do? -📱

(Begruvia spots her, and tries to gesture for her to leave. The antichrist notices him.)

What are you doing?

I got a little.. bored of standing still? I believe the humans call it fidgeting.

Are you sure? You wouldn't lie to me, right Begruvia?

No- absolutely not.

Hm.

(Begruvia attempts to make eye contact with Margaery, and tries to make a silent plea with their eyes - she should leave, before he realises she's there.)

[the-astral-coven]

Jasper flinches as the weapons clatter to the ground, and he looks around, his eyes widening in panic. He holds out his hand and snaps his fingers, summoning a ball of fire.

Why? What's going to happen? Is something going to attack? -✨

Eyes darting back and forth, he takes a step closer to Wilhelm and lowers his voice.

Are you alright? -✨

When Jasper opens his eyes he experts to find Wilhelm, but instead sees Ethel in front of him. Unlike the last time he saw her she's not smiling, but has a serious cold face.

-Ethel @nanaethel

You...-✨

Jasper looks around, as if expecting to see Wilhelm standing just off to the side, but he is alone with Ethel in a dark void that appears to have no beginning or end.

What have you done? -✨