[h3][color=lemonchiffon]Priscilla Duran[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]Jamie’s Office, Phoenix Wing Guild Hall[/color] | Magnolia
[i][color=silver]Interacting with[/color][/i]: [color=orange]Jamie Beltras[/color] [@MarshiestMallow] | [color=turquoise]Jack Goran[/color] [@Zarkun][/right][hr]
When Priscilla shook Jamie’s hand, she felt a rush of invigorating energy travel up her spine. This woman, the master of Phoenix Wing, gave off such an inspiring radiance that she couldn’t help but feel in awe. For a moment, it reminded her of her own mother. In a way, it felt more fitting for Agnus to be standing here. A leader without equal, she would have surely been worthy to grace this gathering of guild masters. Agnus wasn’t here anymore though. The task of representing Wolven Pyre, and by extension the Daughters of Hecate, fell to Priscilla. It was a daunting shadow to live in.

“[color=lemonchiffon]Magnolia is as beautiful as I remember it.[/color]” Priscilla responded to Jamie’s inquiry about finding the guild hall. “[color=lemonchiffon]We who dwell within the Glade are often lacking the comforts of luxuries such as clothing boutiques and patisseries. I do apologise if it has led to any tardiness on my behalf, but I simply had to explore the sights before coming here.[/color]” She made a mental note to bring back some souvenirs for her guild members. Their small talk was interrupted by a red haired man entering the room whilst talking on a communication device. Turning to greet the man she knew to be Jack Goran, master of Dragon Fang, Priscilla offered her hand out for him to take in greeting.
“[color=lemonchiffon]It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Jack.[/color]” Dragon Fang was practically a hop, skip and a jump away from the Silverbranch Glade. Yet this was to be the first time she had met their master. “[color=lemonchiffon]It is long overdue, I’m afraid. We’re practically neighbours and yet we’ve never met face to face. You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m afraid the bureaucracy of running a guild is still quite overwhelming for me. I rarely find time to escape my office, as I’m sure you can both sympathise.[/color]” She glanced down at Jamie’s desk at the pile of paperwork that made her own seem trivial by comparison. The unattractive side of running a successful guild it seemed.

Priscilla took a seat at one of the empty chairs around Jamie’s desk, standing her staff up beside her. The torch bearing staff stood upright on it’s own, the Unyielding Flame of Hecate keeping the room nice and toasty.
“[color=lemonchiffon]Are we waiting on anyone else? If not I’d like to begin by offering my sincerest gratitude to the both of you for allowing me to represent Wolven Pyre at this meeting. We may be small, but we’re spirited. Rest assured that the witches and mages of our guild are always available should you need us.[/color]” Staring down at the lacrima on Jamie’s desk, Priscilla couldn’t help but notice what looked like some sort of concert. Sure enough, the muffled vocals and various instruments droned from beneath them. It would seem Phoenix Wing’s reputation preceded them.

[h3][color=Firebrick]Bullet[/color] and [color=silver]Zhulie Pesta[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]The Archstones[/color] | Silverbranch Glade
[color=silver][i]Interacting with[/i][/color]: Regan Hadou [@CitrusArms][/right][hr]
The group travelled along the lantern lit path with Zhulie leading the way. Bullet walked a few feet behind, his fists shoved into his pockets whilst he begrudgingly watched that damn brat lead someone she knew nothing about right back to the guild hall. Sure, Regan had given her word that she was no threat. Didn’t mean Bullet had to trust her. Worse off, it seemed Zhulie was all too happy to run her mouth and answer every little thing Regan wanted to know about Wolven Pyre. The group passed another lantern, the small flame flickering to life inside it’s cast iron cage whilst it dangled from the branch of a verdant oak. Carvings etched from many years ago depicted various runes and spell circles. Even just brushing past them, one could feel the ancient power that coursed through the glade. The witches of centuries past had definitely made their mark upon this forest.

Zhulie turned her face away with a slight blush at Regan’s compliments, and then returned back to her normal beaming self when the older woman inquired about her status in the guild.
“[color=silver]I am a member! In a sense.[/color]” She showed Regan the back of her hand where the [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/781121306741309450/781121346260041728/ftguildmark2.png]Wolven Pyre[/url] mark was imprinted in a warm, amber. The mark depicted the three headed Goddess Hecate; a bull, wolf and snake.
“[color=silver]I’ve yet to forge a contract with my deity as of yet, so I’m afraid I don’t wield much in the way of magic.[/color]” Her free hand clutched a small pendant that hung from her neck, a beautifully carved teardrop of Rose Quartz dangling from the silver chain. It was her mothers. She glanced back up at Regan before realising she may not know what the young girl was talking about.
“[color=silver]You see, witches learn magic through forging pacts with entities on different planes. We communicate with them and devote ourselves to them, and they grant us their gifts.[/color]” A voice from behind called out in objection.
“[color=firebrick]She doesn’t need a lecture, kid.[/color]” Bullet grumbled. He began to shuffle forward, picking his pace up to hopefully reach the guild hall before he died of starvation. Walking alongside the pair, he simply clicked his tongue at Regan’s repeated assurance that she could be trusted. “[color=firebrick]We’d move a lot faster if you kept quiet, Zhulie.[/color]” The young girl poked her tongue out at him before turning her attention back to Regan. This woman certainly was curious about the guild. She had no choice but to oblige her of course! Filled with pride for her home, why wouldn’t she?

“[color=silver]Our coven is the Daughters of Hecate. We’re still active, but our leader Priscilla is the one who opened our doors to mages during the reign of the magic management council.[/color]” Zhulie was still very young when the previous council was dismantled, so she wasn’t privy to a lot of details of the event.
“[color=silver]She sheltered them and kept them safe in the glade, and I guess they loved it so much here they wanted to stay! Priscilla is the most amazing witch I’ve ever met. She stood before the council and pleaded her case, establishing the light guild Wolven Pyre as a place where mages and witches could live harmoniously.[/color]” Zhulie always got shivers when she heard the story. She idolised Priscilla as the ideal witch; strong, powerful but reserved and regal. She instinctively found herself nestling into Regan as they walked.
“[color=silver]If I could grow up to be half the witch Priscilla is, then I’ll consider myself lucky.[/color]” Her Choosing Rites were only a week away. Bullet was happy for her, but somewhat worried that the process would change her in some way. Not that change was a bad thing, but he’d grown accustomed to Zhulie’s bright demeanor and happy-go-lucky spirit. He wasn’t educated enough to know what forging a pact with a deity was like; he only hoped that they’d still have the same Zhulie afterwards.

The familiar sight of the coven Archstones came into view through the brush, resulting in a delighted squeal from the young girl. Zhulie skipped ahead of the others to stand beside the mighty, stone obelisks. They were each spaced a few meters apart, the rows stretching far into the glade as far as one could see.
“[color=silver]Oh Regan look![/color]” She beckoned the older woman over, tracing along the intricate carvings of the stones. Yet unlike the lantern bearing trees, these rocks seemed absent of any power. There was definitely a residual energy, and a powerful one at that. Even Bullet could feel it when he pressed his palm against the smooth rock.
“[color=silver]These Archstones were placed by Beatrice Duran, our coven’s founder, hundreds of years ago. When our kind were still in hiding, these stones formed a powerful protective charm that kept the coven hidden from wanderers. Of course, Priscilla undid the magic within them once we became known to the world. Wolven Pyre is a place welcome to any stranger seeking refuge now.[/color]” Bullet glanced away from Regan, a slight pit in his stomach. He hadn’t been particularly welcoming. Swallowing his reservations, the young man cleared his throat and continued to trek past the Archstones.

“[color=firebrick]We’re almost there, come on.[/color]” Bullet pressed onward, and sure enough, the sight of a magnificent tree came into view. It’s enlarged roots stood tall above them, spreading out far and wide in all directions. The canopy towered high above, with just barely enough light piercing the leafy veil to illuminate the surrounding forest. If one looked closely enough, they could spy the intricate network of rope bridges and huts formed from shaped vines and foliage that encompassed the entirety of the tree’s mighty branches. Natural caverns formed in the great hollow made for excellent passageways to the various levels of the tree. At the base stood a mighty wooden door, a carved [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f8/8f/51/f88f51b14a0a81e00f7988abc6ed5ae1.jpg]insignia[/url] practically faded to nothing etched upon it. Much more modern was the fresh banner bearing the same guild mark that Zhulie had shown Regan. She held onto Regan’s arm, barely able to contain her excitement as she bounded up and down.
“[color=silver]Welcome to Wolven Pyre![/color]”

[h3][color=darkseagreen]Henri Baptiste[/color] and [color=silver]Meredith Clagnan[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]Wolven Pyre Guild Hall[/color] | Silverbranch Glade
[color=silver][i]Interacting with[/i][/color]: [color=9e0b0f]Argus Leandros[/color] [@Raijinslayer][/right][hr]
Henri ran his fingers through his now dry hair and exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the first time Argus had put himself down, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. The boy was his own worst enemy. It frustrated Henri to say the least, but he knew better than to push too hard. When the younger mage turned around and changed the topic to the barren job board, Henri swung around on his stool to glare at the scraps pinned up. It had barely changed since last week.
“[color=darkseagreen]Aye, we of the coven have had no trouble seeing that we are mostly self sufficient.[/color]” Henri had lived with the Daughters of Hecate for quite some time. It was true that they’d never needed an income to survive, but being an official guild meant mages would make their way to them in search of employment. Suffice to say, the jobs were few and far between. Argus’ suggestion of inquiring with Dragon Fang for some assistance peaked his interest. Meredith slid a bowl of salted almonds across to the boys, to which Henri almost immediately stuffed a handful into his mouth.
“[color=darkseagreen]Mm.. you hab a poi-[/color]”
“[color=silver]Don’t talk with your mouth full![/color]” Meredith smacked Henri on the top of his head. He cowered at her strike, taking a moment to gulp down the almonds with a satisfying exhale.
“[color=darkseagreen]Sorry ma’am.[/color]” Meredith rolled her eyes. “[color=darkseagreen]You have a point there Argus, mate. I’m sure Dragon Fang has jobs to spare.[/color]” The idea of tagging along on one of their famous hunts was appealing. He rubbed his goatee and leaned back against the bar. Meredith piped up from behind.
“[color=silver]It’s a nice idea, Argus. Unfortunately, I worry Priscilla may be too proud to ask for such assistance.[/color]” Henri stared up at the ceiling. He’d known Priscilla for many years and she’d always upheld herself as someone who would have done anything to preserve the coven. Yet Meredith knew her longer, and though it was easy to place Priscilla Duran on a pedestal; she was also human. Arrogant and prideful though? He wasn’t so sure about that.
“[color=darkseagreen]Well, she is at that meeting with the other masters. Who knows what will come of it?[/color]” Henri threw a couple almonds up into the air, tipping his head back and swerving on his stool to catch around half of them in his mouth. [i][color=darkseagreen]Good enough[/color][/i]. Pulling a closed fist back towards himself in triumph, he extended his elbow out to nudge Argus in the side; another handful of almonds readied to be thrown up. Regardless of whether the young man wanted to partake, Henri lobbed them up into the air and watched them cascade down upon his guildmate. He was practically hanging off the edge of his seat in anticipation. He could feel Meredith’s disapproving glare boring into his soul.