[sub]in collaboration with [@SillyGoy][/sub]

[h1][center]Elina & Triss[/center][/h1]

Castle Bloodrose, for obvious reasons, was a dreary place. Smack in the middle of a dense forest of black-barked wood and built with similarly dark stone, its coned spires reached towards the heavens in an arrogant display of might. This was to say nothing of its inhabitants, who've all killed at least one person in their lifetimes, and who were all versed in one school of left-hand-path magic or more. But it was still a castle, and was decorated and furnished accordingly to be a fit dwelling for witches of nobility. Without, it was an imposing fortress, but within, it was a place of opulence where no witch would want for anything. A vast library, slaves, and numerous dungeons - but really, Elina had only two places which she liked in the entire gargantuan complex: her room, and the gardens.

Natural blooms delighted her, and the gardens had varieties from the four corners of the world. She was sitting on a bench in the central flower garden of the courtyard, idly staring at the marble statue of a horned demon which doubled as a fountainhead. Water flowed out from its mouth, as if vomiting, and from its eyes, as if it were crying. The statue was greatly detailed, too. Perhaps it was an actual demon, turned into marble by a curse from some ancient Bloodrose matriarch. If it were, Elina wouldn't have been surprised at that point. The silver-haired witch was wearing a dress that was thoroughly black, save for the cuffs and collar, which were cut from white silk. Clearly, she was still mourning for her sister. Behind her, standing at attention, was one of Lorelai's servitors. It had been assigned to help Elina get around, owing to her missing leg.

The weather that day was nice and clear, and neither too hot nor too cold. It was a fine day to be outside, and although she could no longer enjoy her aimless walks in the forest, Elina contented herself with the simple pleasure of sitting down and doing nothing at all.

[hr]Triss woke to a fresh new day, the golden rays of a rising sun shining through her window. They hit her face and forced her to acknowledge them, beckoning her to start her day. While she had been on the road, getting up this early was a simple task that she did quickly and silently, but now that she was at Castle Bloodrose it was a different story. 

Tensions had been running high since the moment she had arrived, witches speaking only in hushed tones about conflicts in the palace. This was affecting her mood drastically, and when she wasn't lounging in her room away from the drama she was chatting with the other witches, hoping to calm their frayed nerves. She slept in late, and made a private fuss whenever she woke. 

Forcing herself out of bed, she stretched sluggishly and pulled her hand through the vibrant red nest sitting atop her head. She moved through her room, carrying out her usual routine with heavy feet. Once she was dressed in a casual day gown, she slipped her room's key into her pocket, grabbed a worn book off of her dresser, and headed out the door. 

Triss kept her head tucked into heher book, flipping the yellowing pages one by one. She observed the places it had been dogeared by past bookworms, and stains that had left the ink a bit runny. It was a simple novel she had read countless times, but it was also a good excuse for not making conversations with the witches she passed. 

She let her feet carry her out of the castle, and into the gardens. It was a quiet sanctuary she had only come across a few times. Here she would be alone, and away from the politics of the castle. The air was fresh, filled with smells of beautiful blossoms Triss couldn't name. Birds chirped, and she could hear water trickle out of a nearby fountain. This was where she was heading, because there were a few comfortable benches where she could sit and read in peace. 

She stopped when she was only a few feet away, close enough to see the intricate details of the demon fountain. Sitting there was a girl with bright silver hair the color of pure moonbeams, with a servant to attend to her. Triss noticed her mourning garb, and shut her book slowly, not bothering to mark her page. [color=89fdc5]“Pardon, ma'am. Am I disturbing you?”[/color] She stood still, her only movement was a simple sway of her feet that displayed her shyness. 

[color=89fdc5]“I can leave, if you would like…”[/color] She suggested, bracing herself to be dismissed. 

The silver-haired girl smiled lightly at Triss. [color=#DBFFFB]"No,"[/color] she said, in a light and feathery voice. [color=#DBFFFB]"No, not at all. Come here,"[/color] she patted the bench, [color=#DBFFFB]"sit, if you would like."[/color]

Triss’ face lit up when she was called forth. She stuffed her book into one of her dress’ pockets, careful not to rip the spine any further. [color=89fdc5]”Thank you.”[/color] She replied, using the same light voice. 

Taking brisk steps, she walked over to the girl and sat down next to her on the bench. A light pink blush threatened to color her cheeks, and she pushed it back as she looked towards the flowers. [color=89fdc5]“I'm Triss, I'm new here. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am.”[/color] Her tone was hushed, and she bit her lip to reprimand herself. [color=89fdc5]“I'm not usually this shy, it's just overwhelming to have come here in the middle of a fight.”[/color]

The silver-haired witch nodded. [color=#DBFFFB]"I'm Elina Ruvina. It is a pleasure here as well."[/color] Although, that was a lie. Elina wanted for nothing in the world than to be alone at that moment, but decorum demanded that she permit the shy-looking witch to sit with her. Red hair, and a love for literature - she was new indeed, joining perhaps even before the expedition's return. Or maybe she just didn't notice Triss even before that, owing to her constant isolationism.

[color=#DBFFFB]"Yes, it seems everyone is at odds with each other nowadays,"[/color] Elina said. [color=#DBFFFB]"I don't know all the reasons why, but it's better to just ignore them, and take no part in them."[/color]

Her crimson eyes traveled down to Triss' tome. [color=#DBFFFB]"What's that you're reading?"[/color]

[color=89fdc5]“Elina is a lovely name.”[/color] Triss stated, her previous shyness started to melt off in small chunks. She wanted to ask Elina about the mourning dress she wore, but it was wrong to do so. [i]Maybe, if you could catch those blood red eyes you cou-[/i] she forced the thought down before she could finish it. 

Lately she had been feeling a sort of withdrawal from her powers. She felt like it was an animal clawing at it's cage, with a constant need to get out and roam. She figured it was because of how frequently she used it during her journey there, and now she craved to get into the minds of witches. 

Following Elina’s eyes, she pulled out her book. [color=89fdc5]“It's a novel about the adventure of two friends who decide to stowaway on a ship. Not that interesting, unless you're a reader.”[/color] She flashed Elina a charming smile, before returning her face to it's usual pose. [color=89fdc5]“Do you know about the conflict?”[/color]

Elina raised a brow. Whereas Triss had thus far been genuinely lively, the silver-haired girl's expression always appeared to be restrained or controlled somehow. [color=#DBFFFB]"Of the story? No."[/color]

Triss chuckled reassuringly, to break Elina out of her seemingly restrained shell. [color=89fdc5]“Oh no, I'm talking about in the castle. If you would like to talk about the story though, we can.”[/color]

[color=#DBFFFB]"I'd rather not talk about the current power struggle,"[/color] Elina said wearily. [color=#DBFFFB]"The weather doesn't suit it. So when did you join this Coven exactly, Triss? A week ago, perhaps two? You joined at a bad time. Everything's going to... well..."[/color] Elina sighed.

Triss nodded, only allowing herself to frown for a heartbeat. [color=89fdc5]”That's fine, I'm sorry to have brought it up, when there are so many other things to discuss.”[/color] She paused, considering her answer to the next question. [color=89fdc5]”I arrived around a week ago, and was accepted the same day. I know I arrived at a bad time, I can tell by the way everyone talks....but where else was I supposed to go?”[/color] Triss sighed just as heavily, before shaking off the somber mood. [color=89fdc5]”When did you first arrive?”[/color]

[color=#DBFFFB]"A year and a half ago,"[/color] Elina said. [color=#DBFFFB]"Along with my sister. Essentially, we fled home because of our abusive mother and ended up here. Have you heard of the eastern matriarch who keeps a herd of male sex slaves?"[/color] Elina smiled ruefully. [color=#DBFFFB]"Reyna Ruvina. I am her daughter. What about you, Triss? Where do you come from?"[/color]

[color=89fdc5]”I'm afraid I hadn't heard of her, until now. I'm glad you decided to flee there, it must have been awful for you and your sister.”[/color] Triss shared a brief glance with Elina. It wasn't sympathetic, or pitiful, but full of amazement that she had been able to leave. [color=89fdc5]”I was born to two human parents...so there is probably a witch somewhere in my family line. That's why I'm so...rusty in the rich history here. What is your power?”[/color]

[color=#DBFFFB]"Blood magic,"[/color] Elina said, smiling a bit at Triss' liveliness. [color=#DBFFFB]"If I kill something, or wound something, the pouring blood gives me strength. My sister used it to fight; I mostly use it to heal. What's yours? Witches without a distinct bloodline like you are rather uncommon as far as I know."[/color]

[color=89fdc5]“Blood magic, it seems like something that suits your eyes.”[/color] Triss let a small smile dance upon her lips. [color=89fdc5]”My power is complicated, you could say. If I lock eyes with someone, I can draw out emotions they would normally keep hidden, or actions they would never do. It has to be something there though, deep inside. I've never been able to implant instincts, as amazing as that would be.”[/color] She chuckled, wishing she had a test subject. [color=89fdc5]”It's such a lovely day today, don't you agree?”[/color]

[color=#DBFFFB]"Hey, use your power on me."[/color]

Triss’ mind screamed [i]yes[/i] at Elina's suggestion, but she hesitated for a moment. [color=89fdc5]”You want me to go inside your mind? That's a first...I suppose it would be easier without any barriers. What do you want me to draw out?”[/color] She bit her lip, fidgeting with her fingers. [color=89fdc5]”You're sure?”[/color]

[color=#DBFFFB]"It'll be the most interesting thing to happen to me today."[/color] Elina shrugged. [color=#DBFFFB]"Why not?"[/color] She smiled. [color=#DBFFFB]"Go ahead. Hypnotize me or something."[/color]

Triss wanted to dance, but instead she took Elina's face between her hands. She smiled and gave her a quick pat on the shoulder before locking her own eyes with Elina's crimson ones and letting her power surge. Elina would see Triss’ bright green eyes in their full glory, while Triss saw inside of her mind. 

It was much more simple when the victim was willing, because there were no walls to get past or to pull the emotion through. Front and center in Elina's mind was a ball of grief, and depression, not unlike the one she saw in the mind of the guard. Triss avoided it entirely, blocking out the thundering shouts of sluggish voices.

When she was about to pull from Elina's mind and tell her there was nothing to gather, she found what she was looking for. It was yearning, bright and potent. The grief and depression overpowered it, so the voices inside were hushed whispers she couldn't distinguish. Gathering the emotion, she willed it to the very front of Elina's mind, where it would be the sole focus of her thoughts and emotions. Feeling satisfied, she pulled out, her eyes returning to their normal color. 

[color=89fdc5]”Feel any different, Elina?”[/color] She asked curiously, gripping the witch's shoulders to keep her from any outbursts. 

Elina blinked once, twice, thrice, with her lower jaw gradually hanging agape. All she could see was Triss' face in front of her, but her mind was ablaze with the image of a different visage - that of a strong, scarred young man who, though his exterior was rough, was able to show her the most genuine love. She remembered his warm, firm embraces and the touch of his calloused fingers around hers. Fenros Digard, son of Hector Digard - and if she had just killed him, instead of being a spoiled little girl, Vespa would still be alive, and House Ruvina wouldn't be destroyed, and she'd be knowing great power and glory from having poured blood straight from the neck of the Terror of Witches.

Elina grimaced, and so suddenly from her impassive expression, threatening to burst into tears. [color=#DBFFFB]"I should have killed him,"[/color] she spat. [color=#DBFFFB]"I should have killed him, as my mother instructed. Fenros..."[/color]

Triss tightened her grip on Elina's shoulders, cautious. She had no way of calming Elina, until the emotions ran out in full. She had never stayed long enough to see when that happened, but she knew from her first time doing it that it would wear off eventually. 

She wanted to coddle Elina, and tell her that it wasn't her saying these things...but it really, truly was. These were Elina's true feelings on the topic, and Triss had just enjoyed bringing them out. Using her power had felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, her itching had stopped. [color=89fdc5]”It's okay, Elina. Let it out, and you'll feel better that you did.”[/color] 

She didn't cry; Elina forced herself not to. She'd humiliated herself in front of her peers for long enough. [color=#DBFFFB]"I'm going to kill him,"[/color] she said. [color=#DBFFFB]"I'm going to kill him! But,"[/color] her crimson eyes drifted down, and saw that on the ground there was only one foot that emerged from the hem of her skirt. Her brows furrowed in a different rage. [color=#DBFFFB]"God, why?! This month has been the absolute worst!"[/color]

Triss flinched, she had caused this. Elina was obviously a powerful witch, who used the spillage of blood to fuel her. Now, Triss had given her a new reason to kill. She knew she should have felt dirty, or wrong...but she only felt an inkling of sympathy for the poor ‘Fenros' who was going to die. Still though, she had to at least try to make Elina calm down. [color=89fdc5]”Elina, you can't just go off to kill someone. What if hunters come after you, you'll die. It won't make things right.”[/color]

She followed Elina's hard gaze down the length of her dress. Her mouth gaped when she saw only one leg sticking out of its hem. Her pale skin became almost transparent, as she blanched. [color=89fdc5]”I'm so sorry, I didn't know...you can't leave Elina. I can't let you get hurt because of something I did, just stay still until you calm down.”[/color]

Elina half-heartedly gestured with the raise of her arm, and immeidately her personal servitor came around to pick her up, carrying her in a manner similar to Laina and her slave. [color=#DBFFFB]"No,"[/color] she said from her superior position. [color=#DBFFFB]"No, I [i]have[/i] to do this. I owe my family at least this much."[/color] She looked to her demonic servant, [color=#DBFFFB]"Take me to my room."[/color]

The servitor set upon its task immediately, quickly leaving Triss alone in the garden.