[center][hider=Witch Hunt Cast][center][img]http://i.imgur.com/M7SP0oU.png[/img]
[center]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/A0ETWbS.png[/img][/center]  [sub]banner credit to [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/hellis]Hellis[/url][/sub]
[h1][@fdeviant] as... The Oracle[/h1][/center][/hider][/center]
[center][i][h1]The Oracle[/h1][/i][/center]


[center][b]Time: Present Day
Location: Ville D’Ys - Water Fey Realms[/b][/center]
[hr]

Walking the halls of Princess Lassantra’s domain brought distinct feelings of nostalgia for The Ambassador. Princess Lassantra was counted among her closest and oldest allies, while the Princess would argue they were much more than simply allies. In recent years she sparsely visited in person, growing tired of Lassantra’s attempts to keep her in [i]Ville D’Ys[/i] permanently. It was ultimately impractical, while Odette simply did not feel the same for Lassantra as the Princess felt for her. 

At least, not anymore.

The halls were carved with high ceilings, (much like the entrance) deep into the canyon’s walls. The light was unnaturally bright from the domed light fixtures above, casting the hallway in bright green or blue hues. Lassantra and Odette walked side by side while Bach and Mandate were just behind them. The golem was dragging her feet in hopes to spend more time examining the new area but Bach urged her to keep up.

“[i]Your message mentioned the need to speak to the Oracle but you did not expand on the reason. You are not one to focus on divination.[/i]” Lassantra commented in Common Fey running a hand through her length of hair, fixing Odette with eyes of pitch. 

Odette shrugged easily, clasping her hands behind her back, “[color=thistle][i]I am not seeking information of the future. I am hoping to gain some information on a particular spirit.[/i][/color]” 

“[i]Oh?[/i]”

“[color=thistle][i]I saw and fought the spirit personally a few months ago, a prophecy however is what has drawn my attention to understanding the spirit.[/i][/color]” She explained, “[color=thistle][i]I recorded the prophecy and will present the information to the Oracle when we meet with them.[/i][/color]”

Lassantra nodded slowly, “[i]Prepared as always, love.[/i]” The Princess grinned warmly, “[i]I mean, My Lady.[/i]”

Odette remained neutral and even, the Princess, she knew loved to see a good reaction.

They arrived to the Oracle’s chambers, ornate heavy doors were closed with large stone knockers. They seemed too heavy for Odette to lift herself but Lassantra seemingly unaware of the weight knocked on the door three times.

“[color=48D1CC][i]Enter,[/i][/color]” spoke a hushed, melodic voice from beyond the slate doors. The voice came from all directions at once, echoing down the stone halls, lights flashing as the sound bounced from one corner of the cavern to the next. 

The doors did not open as one might have expected. Instead, the golden designs laced on the outer edges, forests of kelp overrun by all manner of aquatic creatures, began to shift, writhing and springing to life. What was once stone quickly became a wall of green, with small crabs darting from its interior, but they did not open any further. 

This was Odette’s first visit of Lassantra’s current Oracle and as she expected, eccentric presentation. If not a little impractical, Lassantra gestured for Odette to take the first steps. Odette pointed to Bach speaking in English for Mandate’s benefit, “[color=thistle]You two wait outside, Mandate do not wander off. I will return soon.[/color]” 

Bach shrugged digging out a pipe replying, “[color=darkseagreen]Good luck.[/color]”

Facing forward she carefully stepped through the kelp careful as she possibly could not to step on the vegetation directly. “[color=thistle][i]Please excuse me for the disturbance.[/i][/color]” she announced, pushing aside the lengths of Kelp disappearing into the greenery. Lassantra followed shortly after.

The pair was met with a massive, dome shaped cavern, much like the other rooms in the cliff’s side, that peered up to the surface by some magical lense at the center of the ceiling. Just below, a large well or pool took center stage, taking up much of the floor space with its circumference. The Oracle’s chambers were simple; a few shelves carved into the walls, lined with old scrolls, chests, and shells of varying sizes, moss growing in all corners of room, providing both light and atmosphere, small crustaceans crawled along the stone floor, moving almost in harmony with one another. Aside from the pool and skylight, the only other curiosity was a golden harp at the far edge of the room, strumming itself, the sound of waves and whalesong emitting from its delicate threads. The Oracle, however, was nowhere to be seen. 

“[color=48D1CC][i]Welcome, Princess,[/i][/color]” The same melodic voice came from nowhere, carrying with it what sounded like rolling thunder. “[color=48D1CC][i]What brings you to my chambers this day?[/i][/color]”

Odette’s eyes cast around the chambers curiously, it was vastly different from the last time she had seen them. She felt as if there were eyes watching her from every angle, the voice reverberated through her bones rather pleasantly much like a classical piece of music. The word came to her again, eccentric. Water Fey were known for their traditions, showmanship and first impressions. Consulting the Oracle however, did not intimidate her.

Princess Lassantra stepped forward, “[i]Oracle, my dearest friend The Ambassador of the Fair Folk is here to seek your guiding hand, your wisdom and knowledge. With my explicit consent of consulting you directly, she is my honoured guest and ally. Would you be so kind to aid her?[/i]”

Suddenly, all of the tiny crabs fumbling about began to scuttle to the pool at the room’s center, throwing themselves in and climbing haphazardly on top of one another, forming a grotesque mass intertwined crustaceans. The water from the pool rose up around them. Once it fell, a female figure stood in the resulting mist, draped elegantly in a white gown that looked like a waterlily, with silvery-green locks of hair, aqua skin, beautiful, angular features, and long, slender legs.

“[color=48D1CC][i]Certainly,[/i][/color]” the Oracle replied, floating above the pool, basking in a radiant and ethereal wind. The Oracle turned to Odette, her eyes completely white. “[color=48D1CC][i]What is it you seek, dearest Ambassador?[/i][/color]” 

Odette made direct eye contact not shying away from the impressive display, and it [i]was[/i] impressive as far as entrances went. While she often showed a proper greeting to Fey with a bow or introduction, Princess Lassantra had brought Odette above the Oracle as [i]her[/i] guest. As such, Odette would simply cast a bad impression bringing herself down to equal ground. 

“[color=thistle][i]Oracle I seek knowledge of a spirit, one that is attached to a particular witch. A prophecy has been cast for my future, I wish to know more of the spirit that is foretold. Her alias is White Witch,[/i][/color]” She dug her phone from her purse and played the audio clip, her own voice reciting [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3934101]the prophecy[/url] shakily. “[color=thistle][i]I do not know her true name, I believe that White Witch is whom the prophecy refers to.[/i][/color]”

The Oracle nodded, moving down to the duo and peering into the crystalline waters of the scrying pool. She waved a hand over the surface, turning the clear water grey and revealing the image of the White Witch in flight. The Oracle motioned for Lassantra and Odette to move closer, calling for a vial of dark liquid adjacent to the pool. A few drops of the thick oil made the vision clearer, a dark shadow appearing alongside the White Witch. 

“[color=48D1CC][i]Interesting,[/i][/color]” the Oracle remarked quietly. She turned to Odette once more. “[color=48D1CC][i]This ‘White Witch’ is indeed a formidable creature. Her body is one and her own, but her mind belongs to separate times; she bears memories of two worlds.[/i][/color]”

Odette gazed down into the image of the White Witch, easily recognizing the tacky costume instantly. “[color=thistle][i]Who do these ‘past’ memories belong to? Why does White Witch bear them?[/i][/color]” 

“[color=48D1CC][i]She bears them because they are hers to bear. Memories belonging to a single soul, forged by lives not led in tandem. The witch’s mantle passes on to another, and yet the other is the same.[/i][/color]” The Oracle’s words were frustratingly cryptic, but such was the nature of the gift of prophecy. Specific questions begat specific answers, but vague understanding of the future would be met with equally vague glimpses. 

Odette squeezed her eyes shut expecting this vague language and poetic descriptions. She focused on keywords listing them as she thought of them, making connections. Lassantra played with the image of White Witch idly, bent over the well. “[color=thistle][i]A life… not led in tandem and past memories may mean a very old soul, with centuries separating the two. Passing of the mantle is a form of… tradition observed in family lines of passing power or title to an heir. Not necessarily children.[/i][/color]” She began uncertainly. 

Lassantra noted, “[i]That is a start. The spirit could be related to White Witch in magic and not blood.[/i]”

Odette turned to the Oracle, “[color=thistle][i]What role does this spirit hold and wish to pass onto White Witch? Do you see any names?[/i][/color]”

“[color=48D1CC][i]The role of witch has been passed by necessity. Neither blood nor tutelage has gifted the Art, yet the blood holds its ancient spark.[/i][/color]” The Oracle began, peering into the pool for answers. “[color=48D1CC][i]The White Witch’s name is obscured to me, as is her current face. However . . . yes, she bears two names. The second is the first, the first the second. What she is called, and what she was called. The name is not yet clear.[/i][/color]” 

The Oracle had next to no information and yet she was able to divine, albeit very vague, details. Odette thought what else she could give, what evidence could a spirit leave behind. Distinctly her legs tingled with memories of past pain, [i]the burns[/i]. Odette held her hand up to the Oracle, offering it, “[color=thistle][i]I fought with this spirit, with White Witch previously. She burned me with spectral fire. Unique wounds that weren’t simply healed. Perhaps there are clues left upon my soul.[/i][/color]”

Princess Lassantra bristled at the mere mention of someone hurting her friend then relaxed, “[i]If this witch is formidable as the Oracle says, she may have charms protecting her identity. A familiar, a talisman, something of that effect.[/i]”

Odette thought searching her memories for clues, Joseph Mathers had a familiar named Holt but would the two witches have been close enough to pass along a familiar in death? She noted, “[color=thistle][i]White Witch had a friend, his name was Joseph Mathers - another witch. He was connected to Puck, Robin Goodfellow. Puck was the one who gave me the prophecy.[/i][/color]”

Lassantra paused turning to Odette, “[i]You met with Puck? I did not know you were allied-[/i]”

Odette cut her off raising her hand, “[color=thistle][i]No it was not under friendly terms. I will explain later. Oracle?[/i][/color]” 

The Oracle took Odette’s hand and touched it to the water’s surface. Instantly, the pool churned, turning into a swirling torrent. The Oracle stood back for a moment, surprised by the reaction. She then touched the pool, drawing closer, taking in the storm and all its omens. 

“[color=48D1CC][i]I . . . I see the Old World, a place where our kind once thrived. The White Witch is there under her first name. Wait![/i][/color]” The Oracle exclaimed, face showing clear excitement. “[color=48D1CC][i]A face, beautiful by standards both mortal and Fey, with ivory skin and raven hair. And a name . . . Gwyneth.[/i][/color]” The Oracle waved a hand over the pool, the storm clearing to reveal the image of Gwyneth, dressed in fine silk, standing at the edge of a dense wood. Her face was clear, her expression stern and indifferent. 

“[color=48D1CC][i]Gwyneth’s fire, the witch-fire, burned you, Lady Ambassador. She and the White Witch share the gift, though they do not share blood.[/i][/color]”

Odette stared into the pool burning the image of Gwyneth into her memories, grinning slowly. Feeling a gain, an advantage. “[color=thistle][i]What is the gift they share? For seeing shades of the dead or…[/i][/color]” Odette guessed, trying to recall what little she knew of traditional witchcraft, “[color=thistle][i]Gift of… a natural inclination for magical potential? Do you know what is unique about this strong spirit?[/i][/color]”

“[color=48D1CC][i]They share the gift . . . the gift of magic. Witches call it the witch-fire, the spark. Some awaken it, some are born with it. Those who possess the spark are the most talented of witches, granted power by an immortal ancestor. The White Witch and Gwyneth share this gift because they are two sides of the same coin. One face to mark the past, one to mark the present. Memories forged by lives not led in tandem.[/i][/color]” The Oracle repeated this phrase, calling back to her earlier statements. 

Odette nodded, “[color=thistle][i]Therein lies the connection, yes.[/i][/color]” Leaning over the rim of the well. “[color=thistle][i]My only connections to White Witch are possibly Puck-[/i][/color]”

Lassantra spoke up, supplying, “[i]He would surely have protections in place for his privacy and those in his employ.[/i]”

Her fingers drummed against the well, “[color=thistle][i]That leaves the spirit of Joseph Mathers. Through him could we gather more information of White Witch?[/i][/color]” She asked the Oracle. 

The Oracle spoke his name to the pool, which flickered for a moment before settling back to its normal crystal blue. “[color=48D1CC][i]It would seem that his spirit is currently in another’s possession.[/i][/color]”

She sighed, straightening. She had to change tact, ask not just series of questions but the [i]right[/i] question. Keywords again she listed them, “[color=thistle][i]Same coin, Witch-Fire, Gift, Gwyneth…[/i][/color]”

She turned from the well, replaying the prophecy again for clues something to match what the Oracle had revealed.

Starting and stopping according different parts of the prophecy to match her keywords.

[center][i]“[color=thistle]She is a fire that burns brighter than your own hearth, one that can level forests and leave nothing in their wake, and she is angry.[/color]”[/i][/center]

“[color=thistle][i]Witch-Fire and Gwyneth.[/i][/color]” Odette noted, beginning to pace. Lassantra watched her curiously.

[center][i]“[color=thistle]Her spirit burns even now, but once she reaches her potential, once she devours the flame of humanity, she will be unstoppable.[/color]”[/i][/center]

“[color=thistle][i]Same coin, Gwyneth, Witch-Fire, and White Witch…[/i][/color]” Odette spoke quietly pressing the end of her phone into her forehead, reversing the playback to listen again. Her bright blue eyes opened, realization making the final connections. “[color=thistle][i]Gwyneth intends to possess White Witch’s body. ‘Devour the flames of humanity,’ Gwyneth is not simply haunting White Witch they share a body. Gwyneth intends to take complete control, merge past and present…[/i][/color]” 

Odette quickly stepped back up to the well, knowing the right question. “[color=thistle][i]How is Gwyneth going to accomplish possessing White Witch’s body? Become…[/i][/color]” She vaguely gestured trying to articulate it in Common Fey. “[color=thistle][i]The side of the coin facing up?[/i][/color]”

“[color=48D1CC][i]Possession, my lady, requires the presence of two souls. In this case, there is but one soul. Two sides of the same coin, but the same coin nonetheless. They share all things for all is theirs to share. What belongs to the White Witch belongs to Gwyneth. Body, mind, and soul, all are shared . . . nay, not shared. All are . . . experienced, yes. What is past is what was. What was is a distant memory, a memory of the past, of the White Witch’s and of Gwyneth’s past.[/i][/color]”

She felt she was grasping at air, she was growing exasperated with the Oracle’s descriptions and her usually high amounts of patience were dwindling. “[color=thistle][i]Lassantra what do you think?[/i][/color]” she sighed.

The Princess approached Odette cupping her cheek, “[i]You are thinking far too hard. Focus on how they are the same.[/i]”

The human frowned, her brow creasing and pulled out of Lassantra’s hands glaring down at the pool. “[color=thistle][i]Same-coin, same person, same soul? White Witch is Gwyneth and Gwyneth is White Witch….[/i][/color]” Odette squeezed her eyes shut. “[color=thistle][i]How does White Witch and Gwyneth intend to access these distant memories? To grow stronger?[/i][/color]” She asked the Oracle.

The Oracle peered into the well, searching for the answer to Odette’s query. “[color=48D1CC][i]One soul, two halves. Flesh holds the first half, flesh holds the memory. But the second . . . earth holds the second, bound by magic to pieces of this world. When all are brought together, the second half is complete. When two halves combine, the old witch is made whole again.[/i][/color]"

Odette perked up, her irritation melting away. “[color=thistle][i]She wants to become whole again! Through these memories kept in objects, possibly old possessions that belonged to Gwyneth. She won’t be complete until then and when she is…’[/i][/color]” Her excitement at the information she had been digging for crumpled, she couldn’t hide the emotions racing across her expression. “[color=thistle][i]She will destroy me… Unless...[/i][/color]”

Lassantra blinked not quite following where Odette had been intending to go. “[i]Unless what, My Lady?[/i]”

“[color=thistle][i]Unless I can either stop her or help her. If I were to… Engage with Gwyneth, convince her she is in need of my help. Perhaps I can void the prophecy.[/i][/color]” She reasoned out loud. She glanced at the Oracle, “[color=thistle][i]Can you by any chance see what some of these earthly objects are or where they are?[/i][/color]” She didn’t hold much hope, an old witch like Gwyneth would make this difficult for anyone to discern the importance the objects hold.

The Oracle looked back at the well, tracing patterns in the water’s surface, searching the vastness of time for an answer. “[color=48D1CC][i]They are nine in number, scattered the world over. Their names are . . .[/i][/color].” The Oracle paused, trying desperately to divine a name or their nature. Something blocked her vision. Old magic was at work, providing more questions than answers. The Oracle gave what she could.

 “[color=48D1CC][i]They are nine in number and their names are thus: Gwyneth’s Eye, Sight, Might, Right Hand, Left Hand, Womb, Mind, Breath, and Heart.[/i][/color]” The Oracle exhaled, straining herself to peer through Gwyneth’s enchantments. She was visibly exhausted. “[color=48D1CC][i]I-I c. . . cannot s-s-see more.[/i][/color]” the Oracle sighed, stepping down from the well.  

“[color=48D1CC][i]I am sorry, My Lady.[/i][/color]”

Odette was typing the notes into her phone and simply could not hide her expression of disappointment. Lassantra nodded then approached the Oracle.

The Princess’s hand slid down the length of the Oracle’s arm, long uninterrupted phrases of magic poured from Lassantra’s lips. Language that was beyond Odette’s understanding but similar in tone to water fey dialect. Bach often noted their language had a lyrical rhythm. The magic bloomed around Lassantra and the Oracle. The Ambassador guessed Lassantra was helping to restore some energy to the Oracle.

Together their hands dipped into the pool again, Odette joining to channel more power.

The Oracle’s hands steadied, her exhaustion fading. Her mind was focused, now more than ever. As the three touched the water’s surface, an image appeared, a maplike representation of the United States. A light shone in two locations, marking them as areas where Gwyneth’s possessions might surface. 

“[color=48D1CC][i]I see them now! Gwyneth’s Eye and her Sight have come into focus.[/i][/color]” The Oracle leaned in closer. “[color=48D1CC][i]It would seem that Gwyneth’s Eye has been reclaimed, but her Sight is yet untouched. It lies somewhere in the New World, in the state you know as ‘Nevada.’ I cannot see its true nature nor sense its exact whereabouts, but it is there.[/i][/color]”

Slowly removing her hand from the water Odette flicked the remaining droplets free. She smiled up at the Oracle, “[color=thistle][i]I can work with that. Nevada is a rather large state, but I have my resources. Thank you, Oracle. It has been a pleasure working with you.[/i][/color]” She lied.

“[color=48D1CC][i]The pleasure has been all mine, Lady Ambassador.[/i][/color]” the Oracle replied with a simple bow of her head. She began to turn away, but stopped to look back at Odette. “[color=48D1CC][i]If I may speak out of term for a moment. I would advise caution in your future affairs with this White Witch. Gwyneth, from what I have gathered, is a vengeful, vindictive creature. You saw how her magic exhausted my vision, you have felt its burn. This is but half of the true power she wields. If I were to offer you any further counsel, I would suggest not engaging in a fight with her, but that choice is yours.[/i][/color]”

Having said her piece, the Oracle turned away from the pair, walking back up to the well. She stood at its center for just a moment, then was engulfed by its waters, her body falling away into large squadrons of tiny crabs, which quickly scuttled along and continued their miscellaneous tasks and dances around the room.

Odette tapped away on the touchscreen of her phone, writing down everything the Oracle said, noted, and cautioned. Lassantra tugged on the human’s elbow while Odette continued to write her notes. Eager to discuss the details with Bach firstly, but Lassantra began insisting on dinner then entertainment and other frivolous activities to eat up her time.

“[i]Please won’t you stay, for one night?[/i]” She asked, pulling Odette’s attention away from the phone.

Odette made the mistake of making direct eye contact, feeling the resolve of wanting to beat a quick retreat dissipate. How could she say no, now? 

Armed with new information, a goal and a target The Ambassador could prepare for either reality of helping or hindering Gwyneth. Anything to derail the prophecy.  Unbeknownst to the White Witch, she now had a competitor.