[center][hider=Cast][img]https://i.imgur.com/6qHrGvs.jpg?1[/img] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/217175409903534080/310907722625318914/cooltext243099446643387.png[/img] [/hider][/center] [center][h1][i]Transmutation and Conjuration[/i][/h1] [h3][i]Part 1[/i][/h3][/center] [center][b]Location: Croll Corner – Lost Haven Time: One Hour after Hound Attack[/b][/center] [hr] Several feet away, the light from the upper floor joined the streetlights. The shop below was dark and locked up for the night. The building itself was well maintained, the windows clean - the streetside free of trash, a small trough flower bed below the large windows. In the windows, bold and golden words proudly displaying [i]Croll Corner[/i]. The open sign was dark, hours of operation printed on the door. The alleyway beside the shop was lit up as it usually was when someone in the family wasn’t home. Typically, usually for Charlie herself. Charlie pulled her mask down a long drawn out sigh, “[color=honeydew]Fair warning, Maddi.[/color]” Turning to Hex, “[color=honeydew]My family means well, they care [i]a lot[/i] and it’s because they care a lot they will want to kill me when I walk through that door. My mom especially, Gramps and Harry will probably watch. Anything you say or I say will be flipped on my head faster than I have a chance to think. She is like a train.[/color]” “[color=honeydew]Gotta let them get it all out first then they’re way more reasonable after they vent and I may just survive to get to the alchemical formula but it’s really unlikely.[/color]” She said honestly. “[color=honeydew]Just bear with it and I’ll make it up to you, promise.[/color]” She put on a big grin. She led the way down the alley rounding out to the back alley and backyard of her home. A small fence line separated their property. In the driveway was a small car shelter, open walls - beneath it was a lemon of a vehicle. The backyard opened to open green grass, a shed tucked against the building and a training dummy with stuffing spilling out from it’s midsection and arms. Home to training several Croll’s, not just Harry and Charlie. The balcony off the second floor was spilling with Nathaniel’s herbal garden, the main garden itself lined the entire fenceline. Blooming in full colour with flowers, next to it was the vegetable garden stems of tomato vines and green beans grew. Gramp’s pride and joy was his garden and it sprung from everywhere. He loved to take care of it and everyone in the family helped maintain it. On the steps up to the backdoor stood in the imposing figure of Julianne Croll, her staff in her right hand and a left fist clenched. An angry scowl on her face, ashen blonde hair tied in a bun. Charlie froze on the spot seeing her mother. She removed her hood and goggles. Swallowing hard. “[color=honeydew]H-Hey mom.[/color]” “Are you okay?” “[color=honeydew]Yeah I’m okay.[/color]” Holding her staff. “What happened to your injuries from this morning?” Answering quickly, “[color=honeydew]Puck healed them.[/color]” She winced at her mom’s reaction. Julianne threw her head back in a long groan, through clenched teeth she gestured to Lady Hex. “Who is that?” Hex removed the glamour charm around her neck and stepped closer, allowing electric light to illuminate more familiar features, waving her scarlet-gloved fingers at Julianne. [color=BE1359]”Madalena Hawthorne,”[/color] Maddi introduced herself with far more enthusiasm than either Charlie or Julianne seemed ready to receive. [color=BE1359]”Proprietress of The Shadow of the Moon in Chinatown - I’ve seen your car pull in a few times - and employed under Robin Goodfellow of The Red Devil as Lady Hex. The secret moniker isn’t some sort of formality, more a necessity given the work I’ve been doing on Puck’s behalf . . .”[/color] Madalena stopped herself, warmly offering her hand to Julianne. [color=BE1359]”Anyway, you can just call me Madalena, or Maddi; no preference.”[/color] Jules switched her staff over to her opposite hand, shaking Maddi’s. “My name is Jules, it would be very nice to meet you outside this scene I’m about to cause.” Charlie audibly groaned. “Head on inside and introduce yourself to my dad, Nathaniel - he’ll get you a nice cup of tea.” She stepped aside letting Maddi inside turning her attention right back to Charlie. “Staff up young lady! You and I aren’t done here.” Jules ordered. Charlie brought up her staff obediently, “I’m okay if we just yell at eachother-” “Not tonight, beating some sense into you seems to be the only way!” Charlie blocked her mother’s first blow, staff bending under the unyielding weight of her mother’s tungsten staff. Knowing clacks and meeting of staffs continued, Jules snapping questions with each hit. Nathaniel was just down the hallway ushering at Maddi to come inside, he lead her up the stairs into the kitchen. “Now don’t worry for those two, they only really fight like this over the serious stuff. Come please have a seat while we wait for them to duke it out.” The kitchen was small but stocked, herbs hung at the window above the sink drying. The oven bubbled with the kettle on the element, mugs set aside with wire cages stuffed with loose tea leaves. It was warm, cozy and another of Nathaniel’s well kept work spaces. With his back turned he hummed through jars of leaves, labeled accordingly. “If I heard that right you’re employed by our good deal maker Puck? He’s a slick one but honorable. A fair few of alchemists I know like to visit the Red Devil for a drink. Thought about taking Harry over there for her twenty first birthday.” He continued, his voice warm and hospitable in spite of his own itch to take out his ire on Charlie as well, making everyone worry for the second time this week. He shuffled over to the kettle as it began to whistle. “You’ll have to excuse my rambling ways, will talk and lecture to anyone who listens.” He chuckled. “What sort of tea would you like my dear? We have the whole assortment.” [color=BE1359]”Earl Grey,”[/color] Madalena didn’t hesitate. [color=BE1359]”Sorry, was that too eager? I’m just really partial to earl grey; love bergamot.”[/color] Maddi turned back to peer down the hall for a moment before taking a seat in the kitchen, placing her cane gently on the table. [color=BE1359]”And I know how moms and daughters can be. My mom had an art studio and a kiln in our garage which, now that I think about it, that was probably a fire hazard . . . anyway, she would always make an excess of ceramics that we’d end up throwing on the floor and smashing when we got upset with each other.”[/color] She chuckled, pulling back her hood and letting out a deep sigh, sinking into her chair. “Earl Grey! Excellent taste.” He said knowingly reaching for the jar. “I remember one of my sons having a passing interest in pottery when he was a teenager. He thought it’d be the easiest way to get dates but took genuine interest when he got the hang of it.” He said with a smile, remembering fondly. He poured the water and set an egg timer for steeping, setting the saucer in front of Maddi and taking the seat across from her. “Firstly I would like to thank you for helping my granddaughter stay alive tonight. We take such actions quite seriously here, if there’s anyway we can repay you please don’t hesitate to call in a favour from me or any Croll you may meet in the future. Everyone one of my children and grandchildren are moderately skilled alchemists.” “That being said, I truly hope this is the last of the dangerous encounters with the Hounds of Humanity. If Puck is involved I fear he has knowingly roped Charlie into whatever he has planned.” He scratched at his beard thoughtfully. “Did she sign any contracts or agree to anything officially?” Nathaniel regarded Maddi with concern, “I know in my heart of hearts we can’t stop Charlie from helping where she feels she is needed but this family has already lost one to Lost Haven’s larger than life affairs.” Madalena shook her head. [color=BE1359]”Don’t worry, Charlie hasn’t signed anything or formally agreed to any of Puck’s schemes . . . but she is involved.”[/color] Maddi leaned closer, instinctually speaking in a softer voice. [color=BE1359]”Has she told you about the Witchfinder General and The Winter Court?”[/color] “Briefly, after she helped clean up your shop. The name rings a bell, The Winter Court. Were they connected to the Hounds?” Nathaniel asked leaning forward as well cradling his chin in his hands. [color=BE1359]”In a sense,”[/color] Maddi replied, pulling out the folder on the General and showing Nathan the Court’s crest on the inside cover. [color=BE1359]”The short of it is that the Court is an old order of witch hunters with all kinds of magical weapons they used centuries ago. The General somehow found surviving records of how to make these weapons, used the Hounds resources to rebuild a small sect of the Court, and has been expanding ever since. Puck had me act as an informant to the Court to gain their trust while he worked on a plan to take him and the Court down.”[/color] Shuffling in her seat, Madalena removed the leather-bound journal from her waist and placed it in front of Nathaniel, opening it to the section she and Charlie had reviewed earlier. [color=BE1359]”And there might actually be a way you can pay back that favor.”[/color] Madalena smiled. [color=BE1359]”Charlie said she recognized some of these formulas as yours. I’m not entirely sure what this journal is leading us to, but I’m assuming it’s part of Puck’s plan.”[/color] He looked down at the journal reading it quickly, “Yes they are mine and written in my hand. Secrets only known to me to keep something important under lock and key, paid to do so actually by Puck.” He hummed wrapping his lightly callused hands around the mug, frowning, “I would certainly like to repay you Ms Hawthorne but I crafted this formula specifically not to be cracked. I was paid to do as such by Puck himself. You understand my hesitation-” Chuckles interrupted Nathaniel, a smile returned at the sight of Julianne and Charlene. They had their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders. Harriet behind them, standing on the tips of her toes trying to see through the kitchen of their visitor. They looked no worse for wear, clothes haphazard, grass stains, dirt on chins. Nathaniel felt instantly nostalgic picturing easily the pair of them as children once again. Charlie went straight for the kettle pouring a cup of tea for herself, Jules and Harry. Knowingly reaching for their favourite tea leaves. Her knuckles scraped and a little battered. Handing off the cups, Charlie took a seat beside Maddi with a large sigh. She reached across the table and Nathaniel opened his hand for her to hold. “[color=honeydew]I’m sorry Gramps for making you worry. We’re in for some hard times, everything I’m doing is to protect our family.[/color]” She said, he squeezed her hands - listening. “[color=honeydew]The Hounds were wiped out tonight but it’s the Winter Court we’re looking out for now. A powerful necromancer skulking around in Lost Haven, it’s a shit show and it’s going to be on our doorstep. It’s taken me six years of university to try and figure out what the hell I want to do. I still don’t know but I know that I can protect [i]us.[/i][/color]” Nathaniel gazed at Charlie, his eyes shifted up to Jules who leaned against the wall with her cup of tea. She nodded, affirming what he already knew. There was no turning Charlie away nor protecting her from the consequences. She’d surely learn all that on her own. “Okay, Charlie.” He said after a few moments. “Okay, apology accepted.” He stood from his seat leaning across the table to kiss her on the forehead. Nothing more to be said, easily forgiven. Charlie smiled sitting back and looking down at the journal in front of Maddi. “I was saying to Ms Hawthorne about the journal she has, if I were to be given consent from Puck himself to give you the keys then, well then I can do just that.” He said tapping the page with his index finger, the formula glowing briefly reacting to his presence. “What gave it away, Char?” She laughed, “[color=honeydew]Your tin and zinc! It’s like, your calling card.[/color]” Momentarily embarrassed he leaned back with a laugh, “Ahhh, such a terrible habit.” Madalena observed the quaint little moment, the closeness of family. She hadn’t spoken to her mother in months, much too busy. Maybe she should give her a call? [color=BE1359]”No offense, Mr. Croll,”[/color] Maddi finally spoke up, [color=BE1359]”but I don’t think we need Puck’s express permission, mainly because we both know he won’t give it. You know how he is. I’d argue that us even having the journal is his weird stamp of approval. Why else would he hand it over if not for us to solve?”[/color] He pursed his lips, she had a point. He stared down at the journal and hummed thoughtfully. “Perhaps I can. I’ll give you the key to solve the formula.” Charlie pumped her fist and a resounding ‘yess’ under her breath. “[color=honeydew]So what’s the solution Gramps-[/color]” “Ah - ah. Not so fast, kiddo.” He tutted. “I said the key, not the solution. You have to figure it out on your own.” Her smile disappeared, “[color=honeydew]Gramps come on, this is important.[/color]” He nodded sipping his tea. “Yes I am aware, it’s also important to challenge you Charlie. Jules and I would be poor mentors if we gave the answers to all the questions.” She groaned leaning back in her chair, huffing stray hair off her face. “[color=honeydew]I thought we were getting on more to ‘peers’ than student at this point.[/color]” Gramps shrugged, “Not yet, Charlie. You’ve got a ways to go.” “[color=honeydew]So what’s the key to the formula?[/color]” She asked, relenting quicker than usual, guilt reigning in her impulse to argue. He stroked his beard, then grinned laying his hand flat against the journal, “You’re going to hate this Charlie.” He said in singsong, he laid his hand across the pages of formulae. The pages began to lift and change, unbeknownst to Charlie within the fibres of the pages were lined with a variety of elements - not just tin and zinc. Nathaniel took great pleasure in simpler things for his alchemy, hiding answers in plain sight. With the tip of his finger he drew it out across the top of each symbol, the overall image drew to be an actual shape of a key across the various pages. He removed his hand, the pages folded in on itself right before their eyes. Taking shape of an antique key, sporting a bright gold sheen. Charlie groaned, “[color=honeydew]Gramps you’re killing me here with this.[/color]” He grinned again, big and toothy. “[color=honeydew]So what’s there to figure out?[/color]” She asked next. “Balance it, kiddo. That’s it.” He said, holding the key out for her to take. “When it sits perfectly on the tip of your finger, not leaning one way or another it’ll be ready to open up.” Charlie felt confident momentarily but when she took the key, it weighed heavier than a brick. “[color=honeydew]‘That’s it’, hmph.[/color]” She said turning it over in her hands, already playing with the weight a bit accidently making it heavier before changing it back and the key increased in weight once more. “[color=honeydew]What the fuck-[/color]” “It’s a very sensitive set up, can’t go messing with certain elements without affecting a great deal of others.” Nathaniel tutted and giving a wink. “Good luck.”