[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/5c73a0c5-81ff-4aa8-aecc-61bfd5a269f9.png[/img][/center][center][/center][hr][center][color=8a9a5b][b]Location[/b][/color]: Strange Academy Halls > ??? 
[color=8a9a5b][b]Skills[/b][/color]: [/center][hr]She knew it was psychosomatic - well, [i]hoped[/i] really - but as soon as their hands touched, Victoria felt a wave of discomfort crawl up her forearm, like maggots burrowing under the skin of her hand. Which was terrible, since now mr. Macleod apparently intended to lead her out by hand. She already hated this deal. She really should have just stayed put, or perhaps try her luck with finding her way out. But her stupid curiosity was going to be the end of her. Did she learn nothing from the whole Ed situation? Ten seconds before she sunk into the framework, she warned Ed against pulling a fast one. How’d that pan out?

Sucking in a breath, she complied for now, and took the hand he offered. No need to let him know just yet that she was not as blind as he believed.

Barty took a few steps forward, making sure that his blind companion was at least capable of following his pace. Once he was satisfied, he held out his free hand as if he was about to turn a knob on a door. Grasping at thin air, a black door frame appeared and sprawled out into what seemed to be nothingness. He pulled them through as he proceeded forward. Closing the door behind them before making his way through the darkness on a transparent pathway. [Color=8a9a5b]”Stay close. I'd hate to lose you in here.”[/color] He commented, though it was more in the way Mother Gothel spoke to Rapunzel's hair rather than Rapunzel. He didn't want to lose his favor in here. Not like he couldn't retrieve her if he cared to.

The sudden appearance of the doorway on her sensor did actually confuse Vicky somewhat, considering she right now saw the world as a sea of dots at various distances from her. Thus, she followed as Barty beckoned. Still, something felt off. As they stepped through, what Vicky saw was distinctly [i]not[/i] a street outside. This guy was either a complete hoser or-

She stopped in her tracks as it clicked. If Barty was looking, he could see the emotions change several times from fury to relief, before setting on a small smile. Slowly raising her hands, Victoria gave him a slow clap. [color=00ffff]”Ah. I see. Well played.”[/color] She only said that the effort of her favor had to be equal to his. Not that his effort had to be the minimum amount necessary. Barty could pad this up as much as he wanted to.

For a second the blonde thought she just sold herself to slavery, but when she thought about it… He could pad it up, sure. But the morality clause would only let him have her do things that she would have no problems doing anyway. So while it was an asinine, spiteful move, he only set her up to do bigger things she was okay with. [color=00ffff]”I don’t think I ever felt quite [i]this[/i] conflicted. That’s a new feeling, that does not happen too often nowadays. Thank you.”[/color] she said, actually sincere about it.

Barty felt a sudden tug as Victoria stopped still. Her hand sliding out of his as she began to clap. At first his instinct was to dash backwards, his hand going for his pocket and gripping a small figure within it. He expected a fight, as if this was some sort of ruse Victoria had concocted to get him alone and away from the school. But even in the Neverish he wasn't alone. As she spoke he focused on her words, but also her posture, emotions, every little detail he could to indicate where this was going. Centuries of persecution came up at once before finally he relaxed and settled down off haunches. She was cunning, she just realized what he'd done. 

[Color=8a9a5b]”That's sort of my specialty, Victoria. I show people new emotions they never knew they were capable of. Some even forgotten to time as humanity seemed to abandon them. But either way, you're stuck with me until I take you outside. The debt will be high but I'm sure your morality can take it.”[/color] Barty grinned. At least he wouldn't need to pretend anymore, good.

[Color=00ffff]”You're not doing your effort to disassociate you from the devil any favors, by the way. Though that might be just me, considering the [b]one[/b] witch I am somewhat acquainted with is half demon.”[/color] Victoria snorted, looking around. The place was a monochrome void, which seemed to have pathways of something barely visible running through it, and what she assumed to be spheres of… magic energy concentration? [I][color=00ffff]Beats me.[/color][/i]

She stepped up by Barty’s side, a clear indication that she could navigate better in this space. [Color=00ffff]”If it incurs a price of another favor, or hell, if it’s too personal, don’t answer, but… You speak and act like you’ve seen more in life than a person of the age your appearance suggests. What’s your story?”[/color]

Barty began moving through the space alongside Victoria once more. Deciding whether or not he truly wished to divulge anything to this stranger. [Color=8a9a5b]”Quid pro Quo then. You answer my question and I'll answer yours. Besides it wouldn't do us to walk in silence the whole time so some conversation might not be so bad.”[/color] He replied, his tone even and collected as they made pace. [Color=8a9a5b]”What is with your aura?”[/color] 

[Color=00ffff]”Hm? What do you mean, aur-”[/color] then she looked at herself. She failed to notice it before in the swirling mess, but here where the magic seemed less saturated, she could see it. Or rather, couldn’t. Whatever magic permeated the space, it stopped and bent away from her.

[Color=00ffff]”Oh. I’ve been loaned a talisman that creates an anti-magic field around me. These levels of magic are usually deadly to me otherwise. Hence, my lack of knowledge about it. I don’t feel like Marie Curieing my way through the subject. Which sucks. I wanted to start on it next year but I’m not sure I’ll be able.”[/color] she explained. [Color=00ffff]”Your turn.”[/color]

Barty fully ignored her telling him it was his turn. The answer only provided more questions than anything. [Color=8a9a5b]”Who gave it to you?”[/color]

[Color=00ffff]”Nope.”[/color] Victoria gave Barty a cheeky smile. [Color=00ffff]”I answered your question, I am owed a question now. Spill.”[/color]

Barty rolled his eyes. He needed to find a way to answer her question without actually answering it. At least, not until he knew exactly how she'd acquired that medallion. [Color=8a9a5b]”Then let me answer it this way. Witches have been persecuted over the centuries by those who would call themselves hunters. I'm sure you've no doubt heard of the Salem Witch Trials, but they extended far beyond just Salem. The last time I had seen an aura like yours, it was on a hunter who carried the lineage. There are those who still believe my kind don't deserve to live. So if I am to answer about my life, any aspect of it, I must first ensure the nature of how you acquired an artifact that mimics the aura of my people's enemy.”[/color]

That seemed to be a bit of a veiled answer, but it said enough. And it hit home. [Color=00ffff]”I… understand, though I am nowhere near that badly off. You could say I’ve been muzzled by people with power over me because of what I [b]could[/b] do, not because of something I already did. I’m sorry if worse happened to you.”[/color] taking a moment thinking on how to answer Barty’s question without explicitly dropping mr. Gray’s name, she settled on: [color=00ffff]”It was given to me by a wizard, I don’t think he would hold ill intentions for one of his fellows, although fair is fair, I just met them and don’t really know them. As for me… So long as you do not intentionally harm people, unless it is an unfortunate price that needs to be paid to protect great many more, I have no reason to object to your existence. However irritating it may feel on occasion.”[/color] she smirked, knowing full well she just gave away her moral framework. She figured he would learn of it sooner or later due to the favor anyway.

Barty watched her closely. He'd grown accustomed to reading people, finding tells. She seemed to be honest, although clearly withholding some of the information. Smart. There were no shortages of Witches, Wizards, and Sorcerer's alike in New Orleans. Having a whole school to teach it sort of made that all happen. Any one of them could have given her the amulet, but who? Why? She stated magic was deadly to her, but what sort of creature had adverse reactions to magic like that? If they weren't currently traversing this plane, Barty would've had half a mind to open his third eye fully to see what was wrong with her, but doing so here would only give him a headache. [Color=8a9a5b]”So long as there are those who think themselves above the others, there will always be persecution. That is the ugly truth of humanity. They fear what they cannot control and what they do not understand. Regardless, you won't find me harming people. As stated before I am an enchanter. I befuddle the mind, make you feel things that aren't there, hear things that aren't real, I choose what is reality and project it onto another so that only they may see it. I could drive someone mad if I cared to, but harm them? Not in my wheelhouse. Leave that to the Evocers and their incessant use of flames around all top precious books.”[/color]  

Barty didn't meet Victoria's gaze. His mind was off in the distance at something she had said. [Color=8a9a5b]”Worse has happened to me, not all of my existence has been good. I've lost my family, my sister…good witches were burned before my very eyes by the lineage of hunters that roam this earth. They take without asking, without remorse…So if what you wish is to know what it sounds like to hear a woman scream as her flesh is melted or the way hair smells as it's being charred away and floats downwind…I do not think my story is one to tell…for now.”[/color]

That checked out, she heard enough. From what she could tell, Batry wasn’t bullshitting her either. Well, this time. [Color=00ffff]”I mean, mental health is still health, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and trust you are not going around, turning people insane for fun.”[/color]

She was quiet for the next few paces, before taking a pen and post-it block from her pocket and writing her phone number on it. [Color=00ffff]”And I am afraid you’re right about humans. While it’s not my primary mission… If you ever feel hunted, yell. I may not be skilled in handling magic, but as far as I know, it’s not magic users that do the hunting, and [b]those[/b] I can deal with. Well. No favors owed.”[/color] she said as she handed over the note.

Barty took the note, pocketing it next to her token. He decided not to comment on the idea of turning people mad for fun. If it was a hunter of course he would. [i]They[/i] deserved it. But there was always the risk of madness when he used his magic. One never knows exactly how they're target may react. Paranoia could settle in without his wanting to, or perhaps it could trigger an episode he didn't know they would have. That was the danger of messing with someone's mind. But if he was doing so, typically they deserved it. He flashed her a smile, not a friendly one, but one of snarky recognition. [Color=8a9a5b]”My dear, I always feel hunted. But I appreciate the sentiment. Also, you may want to hold on, our first stop is going to be a doozy.”[/color] Barty said as another door appeared from thin air.