Hey, I'm downtown. You need anything while I'm here?
Also, I swear I keep seeing your old decrepit granny watching me around every corner.
I don't need anything from you
Don't be paranoid, she's confined to her room. There are bars on the windows.
Come on, I know you need things. Just let me get them!
And I'm not paranoid. Probably just looks a lot like her, then.
Why is she stuck in there anyway?
*annoyed*
Fine
Get me sanitary napkins *smirk*
If you see an old woman around every corner spying on you, you are paranoid Charles
Wh-what? Why why those?
And don't call me that. I keep telling you, Charles is my dad. Plus it sounds stuffy and old.
You wanted to get me things, so. Get me those.
Get me 8 packs. I'm stocking up.
Oh and I also need condoms and that 1L jar of Vaseline.
Charlie sounds like a kid's name.
It is not a child's name. :/
And okay... 8 packs of. Yeah.
... .... ....
But darling. What do you need those for?
We don't even...
Unless you've changed your mind? But what's all the Vaseline for?
Oh forget it
You're no fun Charles
If I buy all this, it better get used. :horror:
I don't think you thought that response through very well, Charles...
I did!
Uh huh
Why do they let YOU out of the estate grounds
While I'M stuck in this damn creaky old house?
Honestly I've been wondering that myself.
This
Sucks
I could
Sneak you out with me next time.
Really??
I mean
I could probably sneak out myself if I wanted to :hmph:
Yeah but this way, you'd have an extra pair of eyes. I'll have your back!
Oh well if you're offering
Hey do they still have
Burgers?
It'd be a sad place if it didn't.
You want one?
Just
One
This diet mother feeds me is terrible
It's supposed to boost fertility
Disgusting
Just one but what about
Fries?
And yeah. Your mom and my dad are really obsessed about all that aren't they?
...only if they're sweet potato fries...
(Curses. He has found her one true weakness!)
What's their hurry? If they want a grandson so bad, they can
Make one themselves!
All right! :)
I know, right? Aren't we a little young for kids? We should be in college right now.
I swear to god if they force us to have children...!!
I think that's the next step in the plan.
Smuggle in a razor with that burger, I'm offing myself tonight
No way!
It's not like we actually have to do anything.
I mean
We can just
Pretend
Pretend how?
Pretend to be what they want.
But we'll really be finding a way out.
Ohh you mean
Make them THINK we're
*shudder*
making babies and getting along?
Yeah, exactly!
Okay but this is just
For show
Don't get any funny ideas!
Who said I would? You're the one who wants condoms.
That was because you—
Forget it
I'll find my own way out of here, Charles!
Don't! You might get caught.
Have you ever been caught?
Only once
What happened?
nothing happened
Come on. Something happened or you would have gone with me today!
Nothing happened
Stop asking or I'm going to hex you on sight
You know I can counter that, right?
As long as he knows what it is.
Then
I'm going to kick you between the legs
When you least expect it
("COUNTER THAT IF YOU CAN, CHARLES!!")
Okay
Let me add a cup
To my list....
I have steel toed boots
You don't like to lose, do you?
Who likes to lose??
It's not allowed when you're a Hazleton
Then why do they hide you? It's so weird.
You're like
Rapunzel
*About to womansplain*
They hide me because I'm not supposed to practice what I practice
It's forbidden
My brother and I technically don't even exist, according to the town census
Also no thanks
I'm not some helpless girl waiting to get rescued
They'll be sorry when I find him and free him though
Tempie! You have a brother?
Don't call me that
Only my brother calls me Tempie
They took him away
Why?!
They're afraid of him
They can't do that to him. Or you.
This is
This is no way to live
What does it matter to you?
You just married into the family for the prestige
Or your family did, I suppose
I didn't have any choice either. It was all my dad.
At least somebody got what they wanted
/bitter
I suppose witches don't get happy endings
We're always the villains in every story
We don't have to be though.
You're so
Optimistic
I have to be.
I mean, I need to be.
Ah, that didn't make sense.
Nobody's forcing you to be
Are they?
No... more like I want to be strong for the family.
And there's no room for doomed thinking.
Hm
So you're like that
What does that mean?
...nothing
It doesn't mean anything!
Well, I'm going to choose to see it as a compliment.
It's
Just
Whatever
Do what you want
What kind of foods do you like?
...I like anything
Except the potions mother force feeds me
...
...
What about you?
She force feeds you potions? To do WHAT?
Is she poisoning you??
Just to enhance my abilities
You haven't answered the question
Oh! I--sorry.
I was just surprised by that
potion thing.
I like spicy noodles but bland ice cream. Haha...
Don't be surprised by anything when it comes to this family
You have odd tastes
What about spicy ice cream?
No way, no way!
I like the ice cream bland. I think the cold is fine but when it's too sweet, it murders me.
Then you don't like sweet thingsi
Yeah I don't think I do.
Do you?
I like sweet potato fries
But that's about it...
So I guess no, I don't like sweet things either
Sweet potato is so misleading...
Why am I talking about sweet potatoes with you?
Because you're craving them? :)
...
I just like them as fries
That's all
What are you doing now?
Just looking around this shop.
Why? Do you want me to come back now?
No
maybe
What kind of shop are you in?
Grocery store.
Oh
Just come back
With the burger
Okay. There's a nice place next door. I think you'll like it!
What is it?
It's going to be a surprise!
Are you bringing the whole building home?
Just tell me!!
You don't like surprises, do you? :bang:
...no
I haven't had any good surprises
Well then this will be the first!
You're THAT sure of yourself?
No but I'm hopeful.
Hope huh
Why?
I don't know.
I guess because I like you?
You don't even know me! And I don't know you! We were just thrown together like our opinions and feelings don't matter!
They don't, to other people. But if we're stuck together anyway, shouldn't we at least try to make it pleasant?
And what if I don't like you?
What happens then?
I
I don't know, I guess it complicates things...
It's better
If you just like somebody else
...Do you?
No
Not anymore
Not anymore...?
They got rid of him?
They
Killed him
What?
/stunned
At least
They didn't make me kill him
That
That's still messed up!!!
Don't worry
They wouldn't do it to you
Of course they wouldn't!
They're the ones who made us get married.
No I mean
If you have someone on the side, that person will be safe
So.
Oh. Well. I don't.
Because you like me?
Or because your brother tries to get rid of anybody that gets close to you?
Ahaha... both?
I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get rid of me yet
My brother would probably have tried to bump you off
Really? Eh........
I guess it's a good thing he isn't here.
But my brother wouldn't REALLY do anything to you.
He's all bark and no bite.
Are you scared?
I
Wouldn't let him do it
...your brother spies on us. He thinks I don't see him, but I do.
That's good to know. About your brother.
But what? Really?
How?
Is he being a creep?
What do you mean by creep?
I don't know why he does it, he's not my brother.
He just watches
I think he hates me
It's probably because he's used to it just being me and him for so long.
I'm sorry. I'll talk to him about it.
He's not doing it now... is he?
No, he only does it when you and I are alone together
That's... disconcerting.
I could've cursed him the first time I noticed that he was there
But I didn't think you'd like that
Maybe he expects to see something happening
... I hope that's not what he's waiting for.
I really need to have a talk with him.
Or I could curse him with temporary blindness
That's mother's favorite one
Only if it's temporary.
But really...
Wait, it's your mother's favorite? Did she do it to you?
It lasts between 5-10 days
She only did it to stop me from seeing
The other boy
She's not a monster, just... strict
Yeah but... Tempie, that's cruel.
Don't call me that
*erase erase*
( "Oh whatever." )
It's fine
Now that we're married, she has no reason to use it on me again
Your parents never disciplined you?
I didn't really know my father until my mother died. My mother was a lenient woman, if a bit anxious and paranoid. I guess I know why now... Father, though... He makes ME nervous.
He is very ambitious. Like a Hazleton, actually.
You
I'm glad you're not like him.
I guess it's because I wasn't raised by him.
I'm glad too.
...you wouldn't deserve somebody like that for a husband.
I'd like to think that I could take care of myself even if I did have a husband like him
/offended
I'm sure you could! But
You shouldn't have to.
I prefer
hopeful
to ambitious
Although to hear the elders talk, it's like we're going to take over the world or something
Yeah I've noticed that too. What's up with that?
I don't know the full story
But
It has to do with our town founder
We have to prepare for his return
He's
Coming back?
I don't know if he's actually coming back but we've been preparing for... decades, apparently
Decades?? Why us, though?
I know why me
I suppose you were
Useful
Did they tell you what I can do?
Not in detail, but they told me that you can connect with spirits
...
Demons
Do you think that has something to do with this?
Is Hazleton... a demon?
No silly, he's
Was a witch
Did they tell you what MY powers are?
Maybe he's a demon now.
No, they didn't.
What are they?
Figures they wouldn't
I resurrect the dead
They want me to bring Hazleton back, eventually
...I'm getting the chills now.
What do they get out of us together?
Nothing good, right? Nothing good for anybody else.
Oh well
You know, witches
World domination
But I think most of this is because of our family's nemesis
Sooo... the world is probably safe for now
Your family's nemesis?
Yeah, it's an actual demon
Haha...
The feud goes way back, according to the elders.
Hazleton trained his coven to fight the demon and that mission has been passed down from generation to generation
Why haven't they just banished it?
Right?! I asked that too!
But apparently banishment doesn't work
It's tricky stuff.
It must be really powerful.
Yeah...
But I wonder if it's a good idea
You know, raising Hazleton
I don't think so.
Is the demon even doing anything?
Remember the fog?
Those things from the fog
That was the demon's doing
Then maybe this isn't as sinister as it sounds.
Hazleton founded this place. It makes sense he'd want to protect it.
I suppose
...
Of course he did purge the town of all humans when he founded it
Haha...
Oh! That's a bit
Extreme isn't it?
Pure blood is very important around here
Not just to witches.
Really?
What else is there around here though?
Shifters for one
Do they help too? With this thing we're doing?
Some of them, but mostly the snooty bigger shifter clans.
Honestly, I'd rather just...
Run away somewhere. Away from all this.
Maybe
We can
Who said you were coming with me?!
I could help at least!
You can help by keeping your brother away from us!
Is he doing something now??
Pretty sure he came to check up on me. Or you. I just saw him ducking out of sight.
I'm really sorry. I'll be back soon and I'll talk to him.
Don't apologize for him
He's being the creep, not you
Still. He should have better manners.
Maybe he's the one who needs a wife
Or a hobby
Maybe he likes you. Haha
Well that's just too bad
I can't be your wife and his, there are laws!
That would be
I don't think I'd like it much anyway.
Is it
Does it feel strange to you
Having a wife
It feels strange being married
I feel kinda like a fraud. Like this isn't what I thought my life would be but
I don't know
I don't blame you though. I know we're in the same boat.
What were you going to do before all this happened?
I liked the idea of being a doctor.
You mean, heal people the normal way?
No magic?
Welllll it could help a little.
Cheeeater
It doesn't come naturally to me.
What doesn't? Cheating or healing?
Healing. It's not a natural inclination so I have to use ingredients and recite spells. I'm sure somebody would notice it. >.>
Traditional healing takes so long though
But see, that's where I would make them special poultices and stuff. Call it medicine and help them along!
That sounds... nice, actually
I could go for something like that
We could do it together!
Maybe
If we ever get out of this house!
For good!
I think if we put our heads together, we can figure something out.
You know, most people would love their kids wanting to be doctors.
To be fair, Charles, most people's children can't connect with demons or raise the dead... heh...
Good point.
You know my cat?
:) Patches?
Or... that's what I call him anyway. Hehe...
What about him?
Um... he's a demon.
...oh
He's sitting on my lap right now...
He won't hurt you. He's probably protecting you.
He's such a good kitty
Demon
Demon kitty...
Does he understand us?
Oh yes.
...awkward...
...
Why? Did you tell him something sensitive?
*Has been telling the cat how much she hates Charlie*
Um...
Something like that, yes.
Don't you
Dare
Ask this cat what I told him!
He probably wouldn't even if I did.
He's kind of...
well...
He's what?
He's not my best friend. Let's put it that way. Haha...
What did you do to him?!
Huh?! What do you mean? I didn't do anything to him!
Then why doesn't he like you??
I pulled him out of his home dimension?
That sounds awful...
Poor Patches
Did you have a choice of demons?
Tempie, he's a demon. He's not actually the cute cat you see.
And no, I didn't get a choice. I sort of just... I guess the best way to put it is that I called into a void and something answered back. But he didn't have a choice because of my abilities, so the first one to hear the call was pulled out of the void and bound by blood contract to me.
I know he's not a cute cat, Charlie.
But he still has feelings!
It's just kind of cruel, yanking things from their home
Just so some witches can gain power
The coven forced me too! They said all Ayers have to have a demon. I assume they'll make my brother do it too.
I know that!
I know they did
Doesn't make it right.
Can your brother also summon demons?
Yeah, kinda.........
What does that mean?
He's not really good at it? So he can't reach very far so he just kinda gets... little things.
oh
ohhh
Is that what the... little hamster is? Is that his demon?
Yeah but he's like the lowest form of demon. He's an imp.
At least he can summon something...
Patches tries to eat the hamster sometimes, when you're not here. Should I be stopping him?
Yeah, probably. I mean, I know he eats imps normally where he comes from but he shouldn't be going after my brother's demon.
Patches is a nice cat though.
Demon cat.
I'm sure he prefers cat treats to... imp hamsters.
I think he's rather eat people if he could.
There will be no eating of people while I'm around!
I don't think he can. A lot of his power was stripped away when he moved dimensions.
Ahh... that power...
It goes to me. Or it will, once I perform the ritual.
So they really needed a demon summoner...
Yeah...
But if we run away before it's time for the ritual
No problem
How long do we have?
Maybe a few weeks
It has to be right before the full moon, because they're hoping to capitalize on the ferals...
You know, they're much stronger when they turn
Capitalize? How...?
Well ferals aren't in control of themselves when they change on the full moon
Our coven has a special charm to control them, but only for that one night
Control them to do what though?
Use your imagination.
Raise Hazleton, raise the dead, control the ferals. Demon nemesis.
It's starting to sound like hell.
It will be if we don't find a way to get out of here!
My brother can help but they've got him locked up. I've tried scrying for him but I can't see anything.
How do we help him if we don't know where he is? :(
Wait.
The demon.
Have you tried scrying while in contact with him?
No... but that's a great idea!
You're smarter than I thought!
Thanks. I think...
Tell me if it helps.
What?
Oh... you're smart! That didn't come out right
Anyway let me try this...
...
...
...
I see... books...
Books?
Like a study?
No, it's bigger
Big. A big space with lots of books.
Not a lot of people though.
And... now I'm seeing a...
An elevator?
Then it can't be that dinky bookshop downtown.
An elevator? Like the one in the library?
I... don't know, I've only been out of the manor twice...
Is there a basement in that library? One with lots of doors?
Not that I know of.
But that doesn't mean there ISN'T one...
Especially if they're keeping your brother locked up.
Should I go there and look?
They'll have protection in place if he really is there
But I need to know where he is so I can go get him
If you go, don't do anything! Just... observe
I wish I'd brought Kor'ulach with me... He'd be a lot of help.
What's that? Your friend?
Oh. No. That's the demon's name.
You have more than one demon?!
No...
...OH that's this one! That's its name?
I guess Patches is a silly name for a demon
I thought for a moment you
Were like my brother
Patches is so cute though. Haha...
What do you mean? Your brother is also a demon summoner?
/embarrassed
Hush
My brother, he
Distills
Demon essence, I suppose is the term for it
I was supposed to use his power to raise the dead, but the elders found that they couldn't control him, so they found an alternative
You
And Patches
What makes them think they can control me? :(
Charlie...
They already are...
What? What do you mean?
Oh.
It's okay
We still have time!
I can send Patches to you if you need him
I don't know. I'm debating.
Your brother might sense him.
What would he do if he did?
He'd
Distill Patches
But if I put a charm on Patches, my brother will know it's me! He'd never hurt anything of mine!
That
that seems best.
I'd better make a charm for you too then...
He can distill witches too?!
Patches is linked to you, so... probably...
Wow, he sounds powerful. I better be careful around him.
Yes, please be careful. He's not a criminal, he just... is young. And he doesn't know how to handle his powers.
I'm sending Patches right now, he has the extra charm for you. Put it on your wrist and it'll keep you safe.
Thank you, Tempie. I really appreciate it. I'll tell you the minute I see anything.
Better yet, I'll try and get pictures on my phone if I can.
It's nothing, don't thank me
Don't let them see you.
If anybody asks what you're doing, just tell them you got lost or something!
That'll be easy. The library here is huuuge for a small town.
That's already suspicious on its own, don't you think?!
Yeah, actually. It's almost like there's something more there.
Creepy.
Where is the library? I mean in relation to the manor?
It's smack dab in the middle of town.
So from the manor, it's hmm....
A couple miles away.
Does it occupy a large area? With plenty of space around the building itself?
Is there also a grave yard nearby?
Yes. Yes. Yes to all those things.
WHY?
The library must be the ritual site. Hazleton is buried in the graveyard, in an unmarked crypt.
This is starting to feel like a creepy movie, Tempie.
Hahaha crazy's a good word for this
Be careful...
I will. I'll be as careful as possible. I promise.
Okay, keep in contact with me
Good thing is, they won't kill you
They'll just trap me like your brother?
Er wellll
If they did that to a direct descendant of Hazleton...
They'll do a little worse to you
Right. I'll be. Careful.
Patches will protect you too!
I had a little word with him before he left...
Are you close yet? Do you see anything?
The elevator has a basement button but it doesn't work.
It must be a fake button
Can you take the stairs?
There might be another elevator somewhere.
What about one of those
What do you call them
The elevators library staff use? Not the public ones.
Does it have a name? Staff elevator? Dumbwaiter? Wait no... that's something else I think...
What if it's hidden behind a bookshelf?
It might be hidden... or it might be in plain sight. I think an elevator like that would be in the staff area and not in the open.
Is there a librarians only area in there?
There's a staff only door, yes.
Hey, get Patches to go in! I can look through his eyes!
Good idea!
...
Okay.
Tell me what you see.
Hmm there's a large room with lots of shelves back there
A few cubicles and a small kitchen, it looks like a staff lounge or something of that kind
And... oh another door! More shelves, supplies...
An elevator! It says Service Elevator! Charlie, that could be the one!
How's he going to get in there?
...
I have to, don't I?
...you might have to sneak inside. There's no one there at the moment!
Okay...
Here I go, then...
Does it go to the basement?
Let Patches go on ahead, he can scout for you!
I hope he actually does...
/nervous
This place is really cold.
/snaps a picture on his phone
Such a long hallway... and all cement, too
There at the end, that big door, can you get closer to it?
Yeah
It has some kind of
magic ward protecting it
That could be it!
Hey, cast this spell.
(Sends instructions for a glyph and enchantment)
If my brother's behind there, he'll know it's me! The glyph will turn black if it's him!
Okay.
...
...
It's black! What do I do next???
Something's happening.
What's happening?! Charlie?? Are you okay??
I'm hiding!
There's something in here
not human
not demon
Patches
I'll look through him!
...
Oh
That's not right, that glyph
Charlie
Get out of there right now
GO
/doesn't respond
Charlie!!
PROTECTION
SIGIL
(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/51/95/71/51957142bd1ffccfbed8d27bb9b22ed0--protection-sigils-magic-protection-tattoo-symbols.jpg)
/a few minutes later
What just happened?!
Justus
My brother
He
tried to
switch your soul with his
through Patches
I
I don't ever want to feel that again.
I'm sorry Charlie, I didn't know he'd do that
I thought if he knew it was me, he'd
...he must be really desperate
What are they doing to him in there?
I can't tell.
There's a lot of...
it stinks of bad magic.
Not just dark
bad magic
forbidden magic
Our magic
Hazleton's magic
They're torturing him in there Charlie! I have to help him get free!
How?! He tried to take me!
He tried to escape through you, but you can't blame him for that if they're torturing him!
I can break the seals on that door, maybe...
There's something else in there though!
A guardian, probably
Or guardians
We can take them down though!
Are you sure?
Are you sure they're not more powerful than your brother?
They're holding him here, right?
They wouldn't kill me though.
They need me.
I don't know! I won't know until I get in there Charlie!
I have to help my brother! He's the only
family
I have! The only one who ever looked out for me and loved me!!
And you
You shouldn't go back. Justus might try to switch souls with you again
He won't try that on YOU will he?
NO
He wouldn't do that to me! He would never hurt me. Never.
What about the guardians?
Could you tell what they were? So we can...
I don't know, disable them?
I felt something like a demon, but it wasn't completely in our dimension... Very strange being.
And I THINK there was a djinn
Which is bad news
I have never felt so out of my depth before, Tempie.
And I was pretty out of it when I came here and we got married and I summoned a demon.
That's why I'm telling you
Stay out of this! You already did a lot by finding Justus for me
I can take care of the rest
But I want to help you.
You at least need me to help you out of the manor, right?
You're not a Hazleton
If they catch you, you'll be in trouble!
I want to help.
Fine
But if there's ANY signs of danger, you run like hell
Justus and I can handle whatever's behind that door
Okay.
Are we doing this now? Should I come pick you up?
Why not
I don't want to wait for them to discover our plans!
Good point.
I'll be there soon.
See you soon
And
Thank you Charlie
You're welcome. :)
Be ready. We're breaking you out.
Watch out for the guards!!
I will. See you soon.
(Stop here, do regular thread when you want?)
(Sure thing. Can do one now, if you want. Ald will probably finish in his thread soon.)