[center][hider][center][img]http://i.imgur.com/50eMiVQ.jpg?1[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/9rCf9HE.jpg?1[/img][/center][/hider][/center] [center][i][h1]Witch Crafts[/h1][/i] [h3][i]Part I: Impish Delights[/i][/h3][/center] [b]Time: Afternoon - Day after leaving Salem Location: Manhattan - NY[/b] [hr] Marie waved to Odette as she departed, vanishing into a crowd of patrons and testy tourists packing into Central Park by the dozens. The ride through Manhattan to Central was quick enough, made shorter by smalltalk between the two about the previous night’s processions. Marie was happy to have shared a Sabbath dance with Odette, a needed break in their search for Gwyneth’s artifacts. She couldn’t help but wonder how their conversation prior to the rite affected Odette’s mentality. Had Marie’s words spurned Odette enough to loosen up, or was she putting on airs? Whatever the cause, it was a nice shift in perspective, and one that would make their time together more amiable. Their passage from Salem to Manhattan was blessed by Maryann and her witches, who were kind enough to offer the pair a car and driver for as long as they were in New York. Marie wasn’t sure if the driver was a member of the Essex Wyrd given the unfortunate job of chauffeur, or if he was a local compelled to cart around whomever Maryann wished. Either way, Marie was grateful, doubly so, in fact. As she looked down into the small, velvet pouch filled with the Witch Mother’s tokens, she was pleased to see the number significantly reduced. Victoria South offered to take the tokens meant for the witches in Virginia and New Orleans. She was apparently rather close to a number of women among those covens. Meanwhile, Maryann offered to take the tokens meant for Andover, scheduling a meeting with the coven there to relay certain information from their ritual. It seemed that Marie continued to stumble upon gifts; perhaps it was a sign that her story was nearing a satisfactory end. The car pulled into a local coffee shop a few blocks from Central Park, taking the corner seat in a row of sky rises. Marie picked the location from memory, recalling one of Puck’s maps in his study marking locations where magical folk often convened. It was difficult for practitioners and other beings to find strongholds within the city, and those that existed were hidden in plain sight. This one was marked with a familiar sign, the “Witches Foot,” a runic marking that delineated a meeting place for witches in medieval Europe. Other practitioners likely met there, of course; all the old markings were largely assimilated and used interchangeably among differing practices. Marie stepped out the car, pulling at the hem of her red sundress, a bold color for her, to assure it fell well below the knee. Her raven hair was pulled all the one side, falling over her shoulder in thick waves that nearly traveled to her stomach. She was surprised that Odette hadn’t commented on her outfit that morning. Removing her wallet and her formulary from her bag in the trunk, Marie motioned to the driver, who offered an agitated wave, then stepped inside the coffee shop to pass the time before meeting with the Hudson Valley Wyrd. Holt followed invisibly, weaving around speeding pedestrians to amuse himself. The cafe, aptly name “Pure Alchemy,” was decorated with a mix of modern French accents and medieval artistry. The chairs and tables looked expensive, but hanging lights and floor lamps like candelabras felt pleasingly rustic. There were no coffee machines at the main counter as one would expect, only decorative table toppers, tiny treats, and handmade trinkets consigned by local artists, some of which were likely enchanted. An assortment of fresh baked goods lined shelves behind a thick slab of glass, all fully in stock, and some frosted or baked in vaguely occult designs. Marie ordered a green tea sweetened with honey and a pain au chocolat, then seated herself at a small booth under a window overlooking the street. She checked to see if her car was still parked, wondering if the driver would stay. Surprisingly, he was still in the driver’s seat, although he had produced a foot-long sub from somewhere. Marie sipped her tea and thumbed through the formulary. This was the first chance she’d had since her parent’s house to actually read it, well, assuming she could translate old Welsh and obscure Fey dialects. [color=90ee90][i]Granddaughter of Queen Mab,[/i][/color] Holt broke Marie’s mental silence, jumping atop the table as an ethereal feline, [color=90ee90][i]Quite the surprise. This changes things, you understand. The Ambassador will be more meddlesome now that she knows.[/i][/color] [color=ffe4b5][i]We can trust her,[/i][/color] Marie responded, looking up from her book, [color=ffe4b5][i]And of the two of us, she knows more about the Fey. She’ll know what this means and how to move forward. And if she doesn’t, Puck will.[/i][/color] [color=90ee90][i]Perhaps, but your ancestry is uncommon. As rare as faerie-borne witches are in the present, there are none born of Fey nobility. You need to carefully assess any request she makes of you, lest you fall prey to her assumed expertise.[/i][/color] Marie nodded, turning to survey the cafe and its patrons. [color=ffe4b5][i]Her motives are still a mystery, but I don’t think she’s a threat, not anymore. Even if she only cares about my connection to Mab, at least we’re on the same side. That’s enough for now.[/i][/color] Holt remained still, cautious, as if to show disapproval, but his quiet response was either lost or ignored. [color=ffe4b5][i]Could you go ahead of us?[/i][/color] Marie issued the mental command, [color=ffe4b5][i]let the Hudson Valley Wyrd know we’ll be arriving later today. I’d like to avoid another fiasco like our entrance to Salem.[/i][/color] Holt nodded, disappearing from sight. Marie tried to read her formulary, but she couldn’t help but tune in to the conversation in the room. It was a mix of magic and mundane, but a common name kept popping up in hushed tones: “The Winter Court” [color=ffe4b5]”Why are they talking about the Unseelie?”[/color] Marie wondered aloud, unable to discern anything else from the drum of chatter in the room. [color=A52A2A][b]”My dear,”[/b][/color] a familiar voice echoed in her mind, [color=A52A2A][b]”they are referencing an altogether different foe, not that the Unseelie are foes, mind you; I walked among them briefly before dear William caught me in the company of Oberon, but a different story for a different time.”[/b][/color] Marie shivered as she saw Puck strolling into the cafe, dressed in his dark suit, long, black claws straightening his tie, ashen antlers almost scraping the ceiling. [color=ffe4b5]”Bold of you to show up like [i]this[/i] in broad daylight.”[/color] Marie teased with a hint of misplaced concern. No one seemed to notice Puck’s presence, or if they did, they just didn’t care. [color=A52A2A][b]”Fret not, love, only you can see my most striking features. To everyone else here, I am but another patron of Pure Alchemy. A good choice, by the way. I am glad you remembered.[/b][/color] Puck seated himself opposite Marie, folding his hands and placing them on the table, leaning slightly forward. [color=ffe4b5]”Which begs the questions, why are you here, Puck? The Ambassador and I were on our way to yo-[/color]” [color=A52A2A][b]”Were you?”[/b][/color] Puck interrupted, [color=A52A2A][b]”I had no idea. Here I thought you had abandoned your station at The Red Devil to pursue your destiny, or one of them, at least.”[/b][/color] Marie shook her head, leaning forward to match Puck’s gaze. [color=ffe4b5]”Don’t try to guilt-trip me. You were the one who waved my contract in favor of my discovery of Gwyneth, which you also kept from me for over a year. I haven’t abandoned The Red Devil, I’ve been busy.”[/color] Puck grinned. [color=A52A2A][b]”Do not mistake my intent, Marie. I was happy to see you off on your grand mission. In fact, your leaving was rather fortuitous for the both of us. In your absence, I entered into a pact with a fresh-faced young witch, one I’m excited for you to meet. One of the first witches I’ve sired in years; I’ve rather missed it.”[/b][/color] Marie rolled her eyes and leaned back into the booth, crossing her arms. [color=ffe4b5]”So you came to gloat?”[/color] Puck chuckled, mirroring Marie’s movements. [color=A52A2A][b]”I see the Ambassador has made you more testy. No, I did not come to gloat, my newest pupil is still years behind you in terms of experience. Nor did I come to discuss yours and the Ambassador’s progress, which I assume is the reason you were coming to me? By all means, reconvene with her and make your way to my door in the Hudson Valley.”[/b][/color] [color=ffe4b5]”Then why-”[/color] [color=A52A2A][b]”I came to issue a warning about The Winter Court. You can ask your familiar for more information regarding their history, but they are a faction of witch-hunters thought long dead. With the rise of the Hounds of Humanity, they were allowed to regain a foothold in the New World. This incarnation relied quite extensively on the resources of the Hounds, but do not be fooled, they will continue to grow like a fetid mass of putrid pustules. This new witch I have consigned will head my efforts in eternally ridding this world of their foul presence. I do not expect you to deviate from your current goal, but you should be aware that as your power grows, you become a target for them. And if they learn of your history, your lineage, they will stop at nothing to assure your failure.”[/b][/color] Marie shifted in her seat, rage pooling in her eyes. The Hounds had been dealt with, she’d escaped one pursuer, and now another had risen to take their place. Was there no end to the suffering she would be made to endure? But there was something in Puck’s speech that ate at her, redirecting her emotions, funneling them into a question. [color=ffe4b5]”My lineage,”[/color] she whispered, [color=ffe4b5]”have you known this entire time? Did you know that Gwyneth was Mab’s granddaughter?”[/color] Puck’s eyes softened, a rare sight. He leaned forward again, placing both hands on the table. [color=A52A2A][b]”Contrary to what you and others might be lead to believe, I am not all knowing. Much of Gwyneth’s past was obscured to me prior to my meeting with the Ambassador. It was only then I pieced together her ties to the Otherworld, long after you had departed from The Red Devil. I knew you would eventually discover this for yourself; I saw no reason to interfere.”[/b][/color] Marie didn’t know if she should believe Puck, but something in his eyes, a subtle glisten behind black irises, told her he was telling the truth. Marie sighed, exhaling worry, relaxing her shoulders and posturing herself lower in the booth, head resting on the hardwood. [color=ffe4b5]”I will inform the Ambassador,”[/color] Marie responded with a strange formality, [color=ffe4b5]”but there’s something else I need from you.”[/color] Puck nodded, moving his hands in such a way that told Marie to speak freely. [color=ffe4b5]”Am I your niece?”[/color] [color=A52A2A][b]”Ah,”[/b][/color] Puck said, standing from the booth and brushing down his pants and jacket. [color=A52A2A][b]”An interesting question. You will have your answer in due time. First, meet with the Hudson Valley Wyrd, then find me at The Red Devil. I eagerly await your arrival. Farewell.”[/b][/color] Puck bowed, disappearing from sight. Marie finished her tea, scarfed down her pastry, then gathered her belongings and hurried back to the car, phone in hand. She dialed Odette’s number. [color=ffe4b5]”Hey, I ran into Puck while I was in town; he came to deliver a vague warning, I’ll fill you in soon. I sent Holt ahead of us to the Hudson Valley, we shouldn’t have any trouble contacting the coven there. I’m heading over to Central now, see you in a bit.”[/color] Marie instructed the driver to return to Central Park. After sitting in traffic for twenty minutes, they arrived at their original drop off location, parked and waiting for the Ambassador and her Golem companion.