[sub]in collaboration with [@SunsetRoses][/sub] [h1][center][i][u]"First Date Plans"[/u][/i][/center][/h1] Sousiel roamed the halls of the castle in a daze. She'd missed most of the meeting, coming in for the last bits before roaming again. An alien thing fluttered in her chest, and with it came strange urges and desires she had no idea how to express. The desire to consume, gently, and ravage, sweetly. Paradoxical things she hadn't felt since her and Lorelai were young and stupid. Eventually she found her way to Lorelai's office, pushing open the door she was met with Elizabeth's face instead of her mistress'. [color=92278f]"Right... she did say she was giving you her office didn't she..."[/color] Sousiel sighed and went to sit in one of the chairs anyway, she didn't really have anywhere else to go. [color=92278f]"I'm at your service Liz, yadda yadda, you get the idea right?"[/color] She smiled weakly at the huntress. Elizabeth hadn't been expecting anyone for about an hour, so when the door swung open and Sousiel stepped inside, it was a pleasant surprise. She pushed aside the paper she had just finished, watching Sousiel as the demon sat down in a chair and gave her the weakest smiles she had seen from the girl. [color=magenta]”Sousiel, what's the matter? You look like the life has been sucked out of you.”[/color] [color=92278f]"It has, I'm dying."[/color] Sousiel stated melodramatically, resting her chin on Elizabeth's desk. Another wistful sigh escaped her lips. She looked for a long moment at the knight, realizing that she might have the answers she was hoping Lorelai would. [color=92278f]"Elizabeth? Tell me about love."[/color] Elizabeth rested her head on her knuckles, staring blankly at the demon and waiting for her to say it was a joke. When the demon didn't give her any signs, Elizabeth’s mouth gaped. [color=magenta]”Okay...I'll tell you about love after you tell me why you're so curious.”[/color] Did demons feel love? Why was Sousiel so interested, and why was she acting like this? [color=92278f]"I want to fall in love."[/color] Sousiel sighed yet again, laying her cheek against the cool desk. [color=92278f]"I don't want to want to fall in love... if that makes sense, but I do."[/color] [color=92278f]"There's a witch out there, that hurt me really good, and stole my heart."[/color] Sousiel covered her face with her hand before Elizabeth could see the blush crawling over her face. [color=92278f]"And I've got no clue what to do with all this... fluttering."[/color] She groaned impotently. Elizabeth grinned, pride and joy worming their way into her open heart. Sousiel was in love, a phrase she wasn't sure the demon would ever dream of saying. [color=magenta]”That's wonderful news, Sousiel. The fluttering is a natural reaction, a sign that you have true feelings for this witch of yours. It won't go away, in my case, the flutters have never ceased with Lorelai.”[/color] Elizabeth poked Sousiel's cheek, her grin spreading further still. [color=magenta]”I know why you're afraid, but you shouldn't be. Love is a natural thing, a beautiful thing, once you catch feelings you shouldn't ignore them.”[/color] Elizabeth chuckled, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms. [color=magenta]”Wait until Lorelai hears about this! It will be so magical!”[/color] [color=92278f]"I don't know about natural, or wonderful, mostly it's just confusing."[/color] Sousiel sat up, encouraged by Elizabeth's excitement. She'd never admit it, but she was impressed with the new knight. If she thought it was a good thing, then it must be true. [color=92278f]"Maybe we don't tell Lorelai though? I don't want her to know if I fail..."[/color] [color=92278f]"...What do I do now though? I'm in love, but what's next?"[/color] Sousiel said shyly, yet another emotion she was incapable of the day previous. [color=magenta]”The confusion will give way to wonder, trust me.”[/color] Elizabeth stated, confident so Sousiel wouldn't be dissuaded. The girl was experiencing new things, and she had to be introduced to them slowly or it would be more trouble than it's worth. Elizabeth felt quite honoured that Sousiel had decided to talk to her, the girl being like extended family, but she wouldn't admit that even if she was under torture. [color=magenta]”I won't tell Lorelai, but when you snag this girl of yours you have to tell her.”[/color] Elizabeth winked, loving the new emotions in Sousiel. It was quite interesting to hear the demon's shy tones. [color=magenta]”Now, you begin developing. Work with her more often, speak to her when you get the chance, share comfort. You can't just love her and be done with it, think of your love as a...a plant. It needs to be nurtured from the ground up, and soon it will bare fruit for years to come.”[/color] Sousiel's eyes widened as it dawned on her that this could be a life-long affliction. [color=92278f][i]'No, not affliction, blessing. Don't defeat yourself before you begin.'[/i][/color] She chided herself internally. She nodded in resolve as she threw herself across the table to hug her mentor. [color=92278f]"Thanks!"[/color] She turned and lept from the table to the door, grinning brightly. [color=92278f]"Nurture it like a plant."[/color] she repeated to herself as she opened the door. [color=92278f]"Nurture it like normal people nurture a plant, I don't think she meant I should burn Triss for fun."[/color] She spun whismically as she stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Elizabeth watched Sousiel leave, spinning down the hall like a dancer as she repeated her new mantra. It was adorable, she decided awkwardly. [color=magenta][i]’It would be most tragic if she failed, but the trials of love will serve her justly over time.’[/i][/color] Elizabeth shrugged the thought off, still wondering just how the lucky unnamed witch snagged a demon's heart, and who she would have to kill if Sousiel came to her crying. [hr]The next few hours saw Sousiel skipping about the castle in search for Triss, before the demon realized that she had a room. A scared witch coughed up its location after surprisingly few threats, sending her skipping off with purpose towards the western dormitories. She'd paused only long enough to retrieve a small bag of toys from her room, and a vase full of flowers they had been discarding from the gardens. She smiled her heart throbbing in her chest, and managed to still her tembling hand before knocking at Triss' door. [color=92278f]"Triss? Its Sousiel, do you have some time to play?"[/color] Triss brushed through the tangles in her hair, a process she hadn't bothered with in some time. The wooden handle was unfinished and left the beginning of calluses in her palm. Her time with Alphonse had been heavenly, they traded stories and simply enjoyed one another. She wanted to be with him, not in anything serious yet because they were both still young, but in a deep relationship that wouldn't be broken by sillier things. A knock came on her door, and the voice that followed made Triss feel a bit warm. She set down her brush, picking splinters from her hand as she went to open the door. [color=89fdc5]”I'll always have time for you, Sousiel.”[/color] She stated, her voice teasing and airy. Triss gestured towards the room, allowing Sousiel to come inside and get comfortable. [color=89fdc5]”I'm surprised you bothered to knock, pleasantly surprised.”[/color] [color=92278f]"I almost forgot."[/color] Sousiel said sheepishly as she stepped into the room. She set the vase of roses in the window-sill so they could bathe in the evening light. Her eyes roamed over the room as if it were a place of wonder, examining each of Triss' personal effects as if they held some wondrous secret. Once she'd sated her curiousity she sat gently on the edge of Triss' bed, her hands clutching her small bag. [color=92278f]"I brought some stuff to do."[/color] She began rummaging through her belongings. [color=92278f]"I have a chess board, although I'm not very good. I have a sketch book, I was hoping to draw a portrait maybe, that I'm kinda good at. I have a music box and some plates if you wanted to listen, or maybe dance. I have a rubber ball... for rubber ball stuff."[/color] She laid out each item on the floor as she named it. Once her bag was empty she looked back up to Triss shyly. [color=92278f]"Or we can just talk... I dunno how this works, sorry."[/color] She grinned. [color=92278f]"But at least I brought flowers."[/color] Triss marveled at the roses now sitting on her windowsill, she stood and took in their beautiful fragrance as Sousiel pulled items from her bag. Each time she named something, Triss’ heart swelled. Not because she wanted to play with the toys -though that rubber ball was more than tempting- but because Sousiel had tried, for her. It was endearing, and Triss took one of the roses from the vase, handing it off to Sousiel. [color=89fdc5]”It's all amazing, every last thing. The centerpiece is you, though. You enchant this drab room.”[/color] Triss wrapped her arms around the poor demon who had become infatuated by her. [color=89fdc5]”I'll do whatever you please.”[/color] Sousiel turned a light shade of pink at Triss' compliment. She marveled at the sway this insane witch's words held over her heart, which throbbed happily in her chest. [color=92278f]"I have alot of questions. I want to learn everything about you."[/color] She fought to keep her voice steady. She nuzzled into Triss' embrace, burying her face in the girl's shoulder. [color=92278f]"C-can I have a kiss first though?"[/color] She wondered mildly if her face would burst into flames. Say what you will about love, but it had a way of making her feel young and silly that remains unmatched in her centuries. [color=89fdc5]”There's not much to learn, but I'll do my best. You're the one with the vast history.”[/color] She laughed, stroking Sousiel's head with a gentle touch. She pulled away and tilted Sousiel's head up with her finger, staring into her gorgeous eyes. She leaned in, and gave Sousiel a lingering kiss. When she was ready to pull away, she met Sousiel with a smirk. [color=89fdc5]”What would you like to know first?”[/color] Sousiel blinked several times as the warmth on her lips bounced sweetly about her head, completely demolishing her train of thought. A silly grin curved her lips as she regained a modicum of focus. [color=92278f]"Right! I can't just ask for a life story, I should parcel this out."[/color] She thought for a moment. [color=92278f]"Ok, where were you born, where did you grow up, who were your parents, did you like them, when did you discover your magic."[/color] She wrapped her arms around Triss' waist affectionately. [color=92278f]"And can we play catch while we talk?"[/color] Something sparked in Triss in that moment, a yearning to find out more about herself. She knew all the basic questions, but who was she really? No one in her family -that she knew of- was a witch, she was disconnected from her parents because they weren't like her, they never would be like her. She frowned for just a second, then the happiness swept over her face at Sousiel's hug. She moved away from the girl and grabbed the rubber ball, tossing it back and forth between her hands before throwing it at Sousiel to catch. [color=89fdc5]”I come from Tamar, a town of wealthy merchants and peasant farmers.”[/color] Triss’ eyes sparkled, nostalgia filling her. The denizens of the town treated her like the scum on their shoes, but it was her home. Someday she would return, see her parents and the inevitable child they had had to replace her. [color=89fdc5]”I was born and raised there, my parents were kind...but staying there would have ruined their good reputation. They were in the top layer of peasants, I bet they're doing even better now.”[/color] She forced a laugh, choking on a sob that rose in her throat without warning. [color=89fdc5]”My powers came when I got into a fight with some other girls. I made them fight each other, looking back now it was pretty fun to watch.”[/color] [color=92278f]"That does sound fun to watch!"[/color] Sousiel caught the ball and returned it, continuing their game. [color=92278f]"Mind powers are cool, the Tellurian sounds amaaaaazing."[/color] Sousiel giggled. [color=92278f]"So... your parents weren't witches? Or at least your mother?"[/color] Sousiel tilted her head in curiousity. [color=92278f]"That can't have been easy, leaving home with no idea of your legacy. It must have been lonely."[/color] She looked saddened by the thought of the tragedy. [color=92278f]"Have you ever thought about trying to find out who your sorcerous ancestor was?"[/color] Triss tilted her head, what was a Tellurian? Was it a place in the abyss? If so, why hadn't Sousiel visited before? [color=89fdc5]”I'm sure it's a lovely place, where is it, here or the abyss?”[/color] Triss was puzzled, but she set it aside to answer Sousiel's other questions. [color=89fdc5]”They weren't witches, not a drop of magic in them. I checked up to my great great grandmothers on each side, no witches. It was lonely, but I've never thought of searching for my ancestors.”[/color] She paused, remembering her first day in the castle as she continued their game. [color=89fdc5]”Medusa said she couldn't find a Felminah in her books, so I just gave up.”[/color] [color=92278f]"The Tellurian is...,"[/color] Sousiel paused for a moment with the ball in her hands as she struggled to remember the discussion Lorelai and her had years ago. [color=92278f]"It's the 'collective unconcious of humanity'."[/color] She quoted before resuming their game. [color=92278f]"Apparently dreameaters, memory thieves, and nightmares live there. Also the fey, but they're elusive."[/color] [color=92278f]"Your ancestor wouldn't likely share your surname, so I'm not surprised it wasn't in one of Medusa's books."[/color] Sousiel grinned. [color=92278f]"I could help you look later if you want, I'm pretty familiar with the library."[/color] Triss nodded, understanding calming her features. She wanted to go there, to this plane of dreams. It seemed like the perfect place for her, full of mysteries and darkness. Everyone else was going somewhere, Alphonse to the abyss, Andri on his special trips, she wanted to go somewhere too. [color=89fdc5]”I think that's a great place for me to learn about my powers. Thank you for telling me. I just need to find someone to take me.”[/color] She smiled, a natural grin returning to her face. [color=89fdc5]”You would be a great help, if you have the time you may find me in the library tonight. Or, I may already be gone. I want to head out as soon as possible, so I can return and help with the war efforts.”[/color] Triss sighed, the next few days would be horribly busy and she couldn't spend it all researching. [color=89fdc5]”Speaking of which, I need to go talk to Blondie about my position.”[/color] [color=magenta][i]Work with her more often, speak to her when you get the chance, share comfort.[/i][/color] This was a golden opportunity! Thank Lorelai for Elizabeth! [color=92278f]"I-I'll come with you if you want!"[/color] Sousiel offered, smiling brightly. [color=92278f]"I've always wanted to go anyway."[/color] While that was certainly true, Sousiel's primary motivations were plain on her face. Triss read Sousiel's eager face, the girl was good. She had suggested a trip where they could bond, and be mostly alone, and Triss had to commend her. Triss also wanted someone who could navigate things more easily, and no one was better qualified than Sousiel, at least...not in her mind. [color=89fdc5]”I'd love to bring you along, think of it as a date. Do you have any plans to fulfill, or can we be off? Of course we'll need to pack, but we'll concern ourselves with that as it comes.”[/color] Triss kissed Sousiel on the forehead, giving her an open invitation to come along. [color=92278f]"Yay!"[/color] Sousiel danced an internal victory dance. A date, and another kiss! This is how it starts, just like Elizabeth and her mistress said. She'd nurture this little flower of hers until it was mighty, striding boldly where no demon had gone before. [color=92278f]"Just let me tell Lorelai I'll be going, and borrow some of her books, then I'll be ready to leave."[/color] Triss blushed, it was so exciting to see Sousiel happy. She hoped Alphonse felt this way, when they were together. [color=89fdc5]”Of course, tell her I'll return you in top shape with a full mind.”[/color] Triss winked, knowing how severely she would be punished if Sousiel came home broken. [color=89fdc5]”Meanwhile, I'll get our picnic together, as well as some other things I presume we'll need for the trip. I should tell Alphonse I'll be leaving, and Andri.”[/color] Triss said, mainly as an afterthought. She then gave Sousiel another squeeze, before going around her room and collecting a few necessities. Her smile was somewhat lopsided as Triss turned to collect her things. Perhaps Sousiel should have mentioned that the Tellurian was an insanely dangerous mindscape, and that the chances of them escaping unscathed was essentially zero. [color=92278f]"I'll meet you back here tonight then, night's the best conduit to open the way there I believe."[/color] She shrugged internally. She'd blazed her way through the blood and dark of the inferno, and what's a little existential horror between lovers anyway right? [hr]Sousiel strode into her mistress' room nervously. She was aware of how poorly the timing of her little trip came, but she'd never asked anything of her mistress before, and she was hopeful. [color=92278f]"Lorelai?"[/color] Lorelai looked up from her maps of the abyss. Charting extraplanar journeys was a task that required a keen eye and a master's precision. There was the shifting nature of the Far Realms to consider, as well as the strange flow of time. One misstep and a traveler could find themselves losing an era in the material world. [color=00aeef]"Yes Sousiel?"[/color] [color=92278f]"I've been invited on a trip to the Tellurian, and I really want to go. I know now's a bad time, but I'll work twice as hard when I get back!"[/color] Sousiel pleaded with her mistress. [color=00aeef]"A trip to the Tel- Sousiel? Have you gone mad? The Tellurian is not a pleasure destination."[/color] Lorelai surveyed the demon suspiciously, her nostrils flaring. [color=00aeef]"Sousiel, darling, who invited you on this expedition? And why would you consider such a dangerous endeavor?"[/color] [color=92278f]"Uh...She's a mind witch that wants to become stronger. I just want to help."[/color] Sousiel fidgeted nervously. [color=00aeef]"Sousiel... that's not a name."[/color] Lorelai chided. [color=00aeef]"Why are you dodging this?"[/color] [color=92278f]"Because you don't like her."[/color] Sousiel admitted sheepishly. [color=00aeef]"Triss then, and I don't dislike her, I just think she's dangerously crazy."[/color] Lorelai spoke softly, trying to reassure the demon. [color=00aeef]"Do you have feelings for Triss?"[/color] Sousiel fidgeted for several minutes before Lorelai sighed. [color=00aeef]"I'll take that as a yes then."[/color] She reached across the small distance between them and grabbed the demon's wrists. Pulling her familiar into her lap she planted a peck on her cheek. [color=00aeef]"Is this really that important to you? I'll not have you risk your life on a whim."[/color] [color=92278f]"Yes mistress, if I don't chase this chance I don't think I'll ever get up the nerve again."[/color] Sousiel nuzzled her cheek into Lorelai's shoulder. [color=00aeef]"Then you may go, I'll not chain your heart."[/color] Lorelai deposited the girl on the ground and stood. Moving around the room she gathered a few books and three cold-iron daggers. Handing them to the demon she smiled. [color=00aeef]"You'll not be leaving without these though."[/color] [color=92278f]"Thank you Lorelai!"[/color] Sousiel threw her arms around her mistress' waist. This had been much easier than the demon expected. [color=00aeef]"Of course Sousiel, and if she hurts you more than she needs to,"[/color] Lorelai smiled. [color=00aeef]"I'll kill her."[/color] [color=92278f]"Okay."[/color] Sousiel barely heard what her mistress had said. She skipped out of the room for what she expected would be the trip of a lifetime. Lorelai shook her head as she watched her familiar dance away. [color=00aeef]"Mental note: Move 'killing Triss' from the 'Probably but won't enjoy' pile to the 'Can't but really should' pile."[/color] She sighed and returned to her work.