seancewren

[seancewren]

ronanwalsh​:

It’s the well trained thing I don’t like. Bunch of squares. 

I picked that up from ‘house pets’, believe it or not. What would you prefer instead?

[seancewren]

ronanwalsh​:

There used to be. Shit changes when the pack starts looking more like house pets I guess. You look familiar. 

I mean....some of you are very well trained, I can’t deny that. You could bring it back. Do I? We haven’t met.

[seancewren]

ronanwalsh​:

Shit’s way too quiet for post-full moon. 

I know. The main event was quiet, too. Expect a firework, and alas...a fizzle. Isn’t there some sort of steak or burger feast so the wolves, and an occasional witch, can refuel after the moon? There should be.

[seancewren]

[PRIVATE - SPIRIT SHENANIGANS]

A blue moon on All Hallows Eve. The moon boosts all magic and the holiday blurs the boundary between realms, lining up to create the perfect storm for exactly one witch. It’s been nineteen years since the last time; nineteen until the next one, too. Wren was just a child, but she still remembers the electric feeling of that night, a hit of an exotic drug. It was more power than she had ever felt. Somewhere in her subconscious, she’s been planning for this night for nearly two decades.

Wren catches glimpses of ghosts all the time. Sometimes they even decide to stick around, real and solid for only her viewing pleasure. Mostly they manifest as voices. Aside from a handful of banishings and one or two summonings, she’s never taken such an active role in her own ability. Ghosts hunt her down enough as it is, and the warning words of the elder witches that it would get worse the more she used it haunt her as much as any spirit.

She’s set up everything she can to boost her power further: crystals charged by the last full moon, an incantation for luck, a ring of charred sage around her to keep out the unwanted. The runes drawn on the floor in front of the closet are Celtic, fitting for Samhain. So are the pages she’s been creasing and uncreasing for years. It’s mostly unfamiliar magic - the definition of winging it. But Jakob is trapped between worlds. She feels it in her bones. It’s why she’s never found him in her fleeting moments on the other side. It’s why he never came to find her. All he needs is a beacon. A light to guide him home. A calming breath settles her pacing and stops her in her tracks.

Wren recites the words she has memorized, then traces the edges of the closet door with black chalk. She lights a candle. She sits in the center of the room inside the ring, perfectly still.

Somewhere in the woods, three dead wolves see the light that’s been shot up into the night sky. Wren’s beacon. And when they find the door, they push their way through.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

[ PRIVATE ]

It was more like five seconds max but it was what we needed at the time. Alright, so you really want to try something wild, huh? Is it a surprise, or do you want to share those big plans of yours? I’m not sure. If the anchor has to be a witch… well, I would trust Thierry to keep me grounded and probably support whatever weird ritual I cook up. My emotional bond to her is pretty damn deep seeing as how I owe her my life. So you’re seeing how your eyes are turning into little galaxies too? Awesome. That book with the ritual is right here. Can’t remember the chapter ‘cause the letters are all floating off the pages. 

[ PRIVATE ]

Still stands. I....want to talk to a friend I haven’t spoken to for many years. I’ve never been able to summon him before. Not enough juice. But Halloween blurs the lines, it’s always a wonky time for me, and the moon will give all magic a boost. I want to drag that stubborn asshole here. I can’t see my own eyes, so who knows? I’ll take your word for it. Thank you. Let’s see, let’s see.....okay, perfect. I’ll bring these pages back later and stitch them back in, no worries. Where shall we wander off to now?

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

[ PRIVATE ]

I wouldn’t call it bravery so much as apathy, but I did recently stand up against a vampire once, so take that as you will. Tomato tomahto. So there might be something specific you’re trying to get done. If you need an anchor, I’ll probably be in. All of this talk about magical prisons makes me want do something they’d hate. Here’s to hoping your friend gets a little taste of mischief moving forward. I’m feeling pretty good, Wren. I’m feeling pretty good. You?

[ PRIVATE ]

Well that is something, you never would have stood a chance against a vampire. But you could have bought a twenty second distraction, minimum. Touching and hot as hell that you’d want to magically anchor me, you wouldn’t do. It has to be someone you have a deep emotional bond with, to call you back to the surface if something goes awry. I don’t even know if the goddesses I arrived with would cut it. Who would anchor you, Ericka Holloway? Forget about me, I see things all the time.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

[ PRIVATE ]

I wouldn’t be so quick to call me brave, but capable of keeping secrets? Of course. Is that what this is? If there’s something you want to tell me, you can. The book with the ritual is just in the corner anyway. It’s up to you. Then we really are a lucky coven. If that girl never used it, then why was she in a magical prison? Just for possessing the ability to do it?

[ PRIVATE ]

Hmmm. On a sliding scale of bravery, where do you fall? No, it is a useful thing to have, I hadn’t planned on it for you specifically. There’s a unique power surge that comes around once every two decades or so. I don’t want to waste it - I’m not patient enough to wait til near fifty. It would be helpful to have this in my back pocket in case I find I need more power or....an anchor, so to speak. You got it in one, my friend. It was all about teaching control. The council didn’t like the potential for mischief. It’s why Lina is so tightly buttoned up. She stayed there for years. There’s a chance instead of amplifying the alchemy, your coven’s magic amplifies the control, and she gets the self discipline of a Buddhist monk and can shatter sheetrock by slipping into a deep enough meditation. How are you feeling?

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

I never claimed to be able to get us there on the first go, but I’m feeling synthetically confident about it. We’ll get your ritual so you can spill your secrets safely. It’s just… around this corner somewhere. An alchemist is not a bad friend to have. It’ll be cool to have her in the coven…. A coven who knows what it’s like to be labeled forbidden magic too. You must’ve met interesting people in the magic boarding school prison. Do you stay in touch with anyone?

What a brave witch I’ve stumbled upon. Do you need a ritual to keep all my secrets? Yes, your coven would be lucky to have her. And by extension me. I don’t know how to leave that woman alone. I keep in touch with Lina - we slipped away in the night at the same time. Awfully romantic, no? No one else. Though I do have a few wicked stories. One girl could get you to do anything she wanted you to, just by suggesting it. Jump off a roof, swim to the bottom of the lake, hand over all your possessions. She never used it, though.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

Purely luck. Hm. I think I know something like that. Or at least, I know where to find it with a quick trip back to the library while other things are still only mildly trippy. Not too often. But every now and then things get a little boring and I miss brewing things other than health-related potions. If you ever want something specific, I’m your girl. You’re a lot more open to these kinds of things than most, aren’t you?

I only had a sip of it, you drank the entire thing. Navigating around in this current moment is very ambitious of you when I know where nothing is, points for bravery. Sounds like fun. I haven’t made it to the library yet. Oh, I will keep that in mind; I think my alchemist is growing tired of me trying to coax her into making things. More open is one way of putting it. It’s a side effect of always being labeled forbidden magic, I think. Makes other forbidden things seem mostly harmless. Especially if the powers that be never find out.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

Honestly? I think she’ll be happy to let Lina join as soon as possible. But that’s just my opinion. I’ve never heard of magic being so location based like that. I’m sorry to hear that. Mine were wiped out too. We had some rituals regarding oaths, yeah. Why? You looking to make a vow with someone?

Ah. Sorry about your coven. Why were you spared - right place, right time? More like....looking to make sure if I swear someone to secrecy, they are either unable to pass that information on or are properly cosmically punished for breaking it. How often do you brew such fun things?

[seancewren]

cash-stone​:

There’s only one way to find out the answer to that. And I happen to be a great trainer. Yes ma’am, I promise. What can I do for you tonight?

I was only interested when the effort was hypothetical. I’ll just enjoy your work instead. Oh I don’t know yet - I’ll think of some orders in the moment.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

They made up some of their own traditions as they went along. Nothing like it is here. This place gives a new meaning to the word for me. Makes me glad to be a part of Thierry’s coven. I have full faith in you for getting that spider. You should tell me more about your coven who keeps spiders and cobwebs. Well Wren… this should be a nice break from that boredom you were talking about. Bottom’s up.

Speaking of your coven leader. Do you think she’ll be taking up new members any time soon, or did the vampires frighten her? I’m sure Lina would like an answer on her fate soon, but then again, she’s more patient than I am. They had deep roots in the past, ancestral magic, rituals that only worked inside of a settled ancestral home, that sort of thing. I didn’t stay there long. They were all wiped out by hunters by the time I got dragged to boarding school magic prison. In bayou magic, was there any sort of incantation for a binding promise, Unbreakable Vow style? I have one but if someone breaks the agreement their tongue falls out, and I need something lower stakes. To your good health.

[seancewren]

cash-stone​:

We learned a lot of history. Strategy. And… tons of jumping jacks. Loads. My honest opinion is that Brigid’s not adding much to anything, from what it sounds like. I wouldn’t complain if she wasn’t hanging around anymore. Nah, you found the right wolf for that job, ma’am. Boss away. 

I can tell. How many jumping jacks until I look like I can safely lift a truck? Well that opinion will stay between you and me, Cash Stone. I can’t say it isn’t the answer I wanted to hear. Promise?

[seancewren]

cash-stone​:

Kinda I wish I read those books now. Even if I don’t agree, I get where they’re coming from. Brigid took down the building that crushed my sister’s leg and killed me. But Brigid isn’t all witches, so my hate only extends to her. Uh, what’s involved in banishing someone? I don’t think it’s my place to make that decision, ma’am. 

What about The Crucible? If your mandated readings were more traditional. That accomplishes the same thing. Because it’s my name and I’ll never have another. Or maybe you weren’t forced into reading classic witch portrayals. Lots of jumping jacks instead? I’m not asking you to make a decision, just to give your honest opinion. I thought I’d finally run into a wolf who understood the pure freedom and fun of succumbing to duty and letting himself get bossed around by a witch.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

Well. That’s something I don’t hear very often around here. Love this new batch of people. Oh, it’s–– well, my community was situated in the bayou in Louisiana for a couple decades, completely isolated. So they came up with… certain things to keep them entertained. But they called it practicing magic and staying connected to our roots, of course. Every now and then I, you know, like the nostalgia. Just some very light visions and euphoria. Nothing major. I hope. 

Then this place is made of fools. Oh, bayou magic? That’s fascinating. Most of the other magicv here seems so traditional. I actually do still need to catch that spider. My coven used to have them hanging around in the ingredient stores all the time - the best binding spells use cobwebs. They say for the good or the bad, nostalgia always leaves you feeling a little emptier than before. Oh boy. Visions I might not have signed up for this close to the blue moon, what a fun ride I accidentally signed up for. Come. Have the rest of this.

[seancewren]

cash-stone​:

Let’s just say it’s best that I stick to singing backup. That other Devereaux wolf you talked to… another spirit? A lot of wolves and witches have some pretty lasting feelings about that attack. I’ve learned to accept that hatred, miss, yes. She’s messed with people who are very close to me. Does she bother you a lot?

Seriously? There’s such a power in names. What would Werewolf McWerewolf from the Rowling books be if he had never actually been turned into a werewolf? I don’t think you can get saddled with a ridiculous name and not live up to it. Yes, even stronger feelings if they died because of the choices of witches. It make you wonder if any of it is worth it, if you’re just going to be consumed with witch hate upon your death. What a fair-weather follower. Not anymore. I didn’t feel like passing on any of her critiques to her daughter, she pestered me less afterwards. Actually, you know Victoria. Do you think she would mind if I just....banished Brigid a teensy tiny bit? Honestly, she wouldn’t be able to give me an honest answer, not with obligation standing in the way.

[seancewren]

erickaholloway​:

Right, so, full disclosure: I made a mistake. I was brewing a little… something… and ran out of vials so I stepped out to grab the first containers I could find and fill them up. When I was done I set them on that table and now… they’re not there. So if you drank from one of the bottles that were sitting here… just… ride it out?

Finally. A welcome face surfaces. Nearly everyone around here is so serious all the time, I’m already bored of it. Now, um. What were you brewing exactly?