Lia’s eyes immediately looked downward when Mitchell told her how the other witches had been. “Call me odd, but obviously, those girls had no clue what they were missing out on. Sad really.” She said, and once the topic changed, she just listened for a moment and smiled. When he laughed at her complaining about dressing up she chuckled. “Really? Aside from Atticus only [i]one [/i] other person has complained about it? The heels I can do, but you have seen how quickly I change after meetings with the elders.” She paused a moment to think, “But thank you, I do appreciate the compliment.” When he brought up the dancing though, she listened to what he had said about her and then chuckled a bit at what he said. She wouldn’t doubt he was a good dancer either, simply because if what he had just told her about his mother was true, it was a huge Southern Tradition that spread world wide in the early ages. Betrothal galas, balls, glamor. It was things she had seen in Cassandra’s coven in the brief time she was there, having attended a few meetings about the witch balls down south. Cassandra being brought up was a little bitter sweet, and she had known how odd the first meeting in over half a century had to have been to watch. It was right after Lia had moved into the cottage, she recalled, and Cassandra had made it a point to not let Checkov know right away that they knew each other. Simply because Lia knew how broken she probably still was then, and though she still had broken pieces in her, she was slowly warming up. And Kathleen had a lot to do with the recent bit of warmth. She saw the girl as a daughter. Her mind wandered briefly as she began cleaning up from dinner, a small smile kind of on her face. [I]The adjustment to the cottage hadn’t been hard but the frequent meetings with the council had been putting a bit of strain on Lia. They had inquired her what felt like a thousand times about the incident with the guards, and her story was told each time with the same lack of emotion, but this last meeting had been particularly rough. She had managed to avoid her nightmares this time with her lavender and sage, but she knew next time she wouldn’t be so lucky. They were going to come back and hit her with a vengeance. She sighed a bit, listening to the world at three that morning. She sat, staring blankly out to the stars, drinking a cup of tea on the porch of the cottage. However, something caught her eye and she stood, seeing two figures approaching. Her eyes couldn’t quiet adjust, and she waved her hand and watched the multiple candles she had on the porch illuminate. What was Mitch doing up so early? And who was that with him? Against her better judgement, she drew her robe closer around her and she set her tea on the table nearby before stepping off the porch. “I told you she’d be awake, sug.” The feminine southern drawl came, “If anyone knows this witch, it’s me.” “Cassandra?” Lia’s voice came quietly, and the beautiful vampire nodded when they got closer and enveloped Lia in a hug. Lia didn’t move at first, but after a moment, she placed her hands on the small of the woman’s back. “What are you doing here?” Cassandra chuckled, stepping away before urging they took the exchange inside to which Lia obliged, putting on a pot of tea. “Checkov and I have a bit of business to discuss, with his ball coming up in a month or two, and I had some trading to do in Starforge for my witches. I had no idea you had ended up here.” Lia nodded. “Checkov found me with hunters on my ass, and I managed to make it a graveyard and I tried to lose them. It didn’t work out well, and he seemed to know a lot about me. Did you tip him off that I may be wandering?” Cassandra shook her head, “No, darlin’, but I do have to tell you, the last I heard of you wasn’t the best news. Nearly 60 years ago a little sand blonde with beautiful eyes told me that you two had gotten separated.” Lia’s eyes looked down and she nodded. “I was a bit of everywhere back then. Headed West first then began heading North once I got far enough into wolf country, but then someone sold me out, I think, and I ran around aimlessly in the north mountains for 15 years. Managed to make it down and hit a second group of hunters. Wasn’t my proudest times, let me say.” Cassandra nodded, “I do have to say, Checkov has you under good watch though.” She smiled, looking over to Mitch. “And I had a talk with the elders, they shouldn’t be botherin’ you anymore about that attack.” Ophelia raised a questioning brow and Cassandra smiled. “Checkov asked how I knew about the poison you drink, and I told him that Lockhart witches are from the South. So I know.” “Does he know about our past?” she asked and Cassandra shook her head. “Not yet. I haven’t said anything because I don’t know what he knows already.” Cassandra said, and Lia nodded. “Virtually nothing. Just a lot about who I am through rumors.” She gave her a look and Cassandra nodded. “I’d like to keep it that way. The less they know, the better. Especially when the East comes, I’ve not heard anything kind of their leaders attitude towards witches” Cassandra nodded and gave Lia a small smile. “Alright. I’ll be sure not to delve too deep. You know where I am if you need me. Write me or see if Checkov will let you visit.” Cassandra got up and smiled. “Mitchell, sugar, thanks for bringing me here. I do definitely appreciate it, I’ll see you both in the meetings later. Better get back before sun up.”[/i] She looked to Mitch when she finally comprehended what he had said and she couldn’t help the small smile on her face as she went about cleaning some of the dishes. “I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t with you, to be honest. You’re the only person I’m comfortable enough with to be in a room like that with.” Then he had made his comment about the people in the East. “I don’t doubt there are good ones. But it would be nice to meet them. “ She finished up cleaning her bit before she walked towards the stairs. “Um… thank you, again. For everything. I’ll be down in a few minutes, I just need to grab a few things to rewrite Kat’s lessons.” She headed up the stairs and into her bedroom, grabbing a few books from her bedside table and a journal before she looked at her cd player. If she was going to this ball, she’d need to remember how to dance, but she shook the thought from her mind for a moment before she turned it on and faced herself in the mirror. She curtseyed, as called for and then she positioned her hands in the air as she would to her partner. “1, 2,3. 1, 2, 3.” She repeated in whisper as she began moving, but it felt off. Perhaps it was the lack of someone being there, and she quickly stopped and turned off her cd player, but she pulled the cd out. She made her way downstairs, briefly catching the sight of Mitchell sitting down on the couch and she set down her books on the table before placing her cd in the player and looking at him. “Would you mind helping me? It has been a long time and trying to remember how to dance by myself feels odd.” -- Cassandra was already beginning to like this witch beside her, but perhaps it was because she was reminded so much of a witch that had recently returned South. She smiled a bit and nodded. “Perhaps, with the Northern Winter winds fixing to start blowin’ my way, They’ll be hibernatin’ soon. But we’ll have to see then.” She said, and even the elders nodded a bit, but Checkov’s hesitancy to it was noted. Still, watching Issack get reemed was a highlight for Cassandra, and when Checkov spoke to Kathleen about the ball, she frowned a bit at her ball story. Her excitement for this one, however, was noted, and if she knew anything about this girl’s teacher, she’d be having the time of her life there. When she asked about people from the East, Cassandra stifled her laugh, but patted Kathleen’s hand. “Sug, I would love to tell you that it’s an East thing, but I think it’s an Eastern male thing.” She chuckled. Her heart warmed when Kathleen said that she hoped she would be at the ball, and she smiled. “Of course I will, Sug. Checkov is insistent on having his normal dance partner. “ She said, and she shot a look over to their host who was still locked in conversation. She rolled her eyes a bit and nodded. “I’ll even come up a little earlier than normal, so I can be sure you and Ophelia are properly taken care of for such an event. You both deserve a good time, I’m sure.” It wasn’t just empty words, Cassandra now had full intentions to make sure that these two were given what they needed to relax before the event, and she knew Checkov wouldn’t mind. He never had, but Cassandra also knew that these next few weeks would probably be a bit stressful, the look on Checkov’s face earlier had spoke volumes to her, and she couldn’t shake it. But now, Cassandra did have one more question. “So, Kathleen, darlin’. I do have to ask because I have to know if I’m right. You’re an autumn child aren’t you? Birthday coming up pretty quick?” she asked, trying to keep a light conversation on their end. -- Atticus was glad that Checkov had stood up for Kathleen, but the reaction from Issack didn’t go unnoticed to him. It made him wonder what his huge issue with witches was because obviously it had a lot more to do with his demeanor than he wanted to let on. And Atticus could almost sense that the ‘no offense’ front was to see how he could test Kat, but Checkov shut it down. He had to have meant it on a certain degree, but as the topics changed to the ball, he listened to Kat and kind of smiled , but then it dawned on him. He had no clue how to dance, and if he did it surely wasn’t in his memory banks at the moment. He’d have to ask Mitchell for help, but as Checkov explained the purpose of the ball, his eyes fell to his plate. Atticus didn’t like to admit that he remembered the fall of the West Coven, how he had woke up there and then weeks later the wolves came. It was a bloody end, but he always wanted to go back, see if he could find more answers. His silence didn’t go unnoticed though, and his obvious loss in thoughts was halted. “How do you feel about the ball?” Checkov asked, and there was a certain honesty there he wasn’t sure he wanted to tread on. Oh well tho, he was about to. “To be honest, I don’t know. If I’ve been to one I can’t remember it, and to be frank, I feel oddly uncomfortable with how many possible accidents could happen. My first priority will always be Kathleen, and let’s be honest, how many people in that room will have a warm vein?” His voice was slightly edged, but Checkov gave a nod. “I assure you, Kathleen won’t be harmed. And if it helps, I could see how far Ophelia has gotten in her research. Perhaps she can put a spell up to ease your mind.” He said, and Atticus nodded, feeling slightly more at ease. “Any other concerns? Or more questions perhaps? It has been a while since we’ve chatted and I’m sure Issack could offer just as much insight as I could.” Atticus thought for a moment. “I do have one more question. What do you mean by betrothal gala?” he asked. Checkov gave a haughty laugh, “I do forget that your memory isn’t all there, but it is meant to set up marriages to strengthen alliances. Like, my wife and I were betrothed before her run in with some hunters back east, and we met at one of these events. It’s a way of nature. You have to understand, not all are privileged enough to marry high ranking members of the coven, so betrothal are necessary.” Atticus nodded and quieted for a few moments, eating a hit of his food. What he had just said managed to trigger something in his mind and he hoped that no one tried to talk to him while it pieced together. [I]The blanket of ice was thick on coven grounds of the West, he could barely see through the blizzard ahead as a figure approached. It never came in to full clarity, but it was a figure he recalled from elsewhere. “You’ll catch your death out here!” the voice exclaimed, the masculinity being familiar as well. He could feel himself be pulled into a watch tower, at least that’s what he presumed. “Thanks, the cold was making it hard to keep my eyes open. Where is everyone?” he asked. “Headed to the North coven. The leaders daughter has gotten to proper marrying age.” The voice said, and Atticus rolled his eyes as he lit the fireplace. “You’ve only just woke up, so ft hey didn’t think you would be up for the trip.” Atticus chuckled. “At least I’m not alone though.” He said, and he sat down, looking to the figure. “What’s the big deal anyway? Couldn’t she just marry whoever?” “No. It’s an arranged marriage type thing in these covens, it’s why I tried to keep you out of them. But I’m glad we found you.” The voice said, and Atticus nodded. “Me too. I might still be lost, or worse.” He said, but after that things started lightening up.[/i] His normal vision returned and he blinked a minute before he felt his head start throbbing. He tried hard not to show it, but he suddenly felt weak and he needed something. He stood, “If you’ll excuse me a moment.” He said, and he looked to Kat before scooting out her chair. “I hope you don’t mind me stealing your lovely conversation for a moment.” He said to Cassandra before he offered Kat his arm and headed outside. He leaned against the outer wall. “I’m sorry to have pulled you away, but I need a mjnute. I have a sudden pounding headache and need the energy from the storm. And I wasn’t going to leave you in there. Not that I don’t trust the elders and coven leaders, but at the same time I prefer you be with me.” He admitted, bringing a hand to his head. He hated how even small memories messed him up, and he could feel a certain darkness in him stirring the longer he sat with Issack. Something about him felt off, and he didn’t like it. Not at all. -- [I]Starforge had been a lovely place for the last couple of years, Alessandra recalled, but she was honestly hoping that this ball would be different. She had a friend now, at least she’d like to call Kathleen a friend. Something about her felt almost sisterly in a way, and she reminded her a lot of what she was like when she was younger, before she made it to the South coven and began traveling. Starforge was her last stop before returning South, and she had managed to keep promises to herself and others by being north. The voice came and Aless smiled. “Well look at you, gorgeous.” She smiled, glad to see Kathleen had made it. “So this is your first ball? I remember mine. I had been away from home for a couple years and in the South. It was actually kind of awkward. I didn’t know anyone so they kind of looked me over.” Alessandra noticed that the boys weren’t looking their way and it caused a frown to furrow. She snapped her fingers a bit, a kind of habit to keep her anger in check, and she turned to Kathleen. “For what it’s worth I’ll dance with you. I kind of suckered at it, but I will.” She smiled, hoping to try and lift her spirits. She had a feeling it wasn’t working though, and she sighed. “Kathleen, I want you to remember you’re worth more than this. I’ll be leaving, back for home, after this. So if you’re ever in the South, look me up. But if you can’t get that far and things get bad, there is a vampire coven here in the north… it’s run by a man named Checkov, and he’ll help you.” She gave her a hug. “But I do promise, one day we’ll meet again.”[/I]