Sorcerous Liaisons

[Claire Fontaine]

There was something about the girl that was sacrificed last night that did not sit well with the immortal Sorceress. Oh, her essence had done the task it had been used for splendidly, and Cedonia was closer than ever to escaping her cursed prison, yet her heart would no longer still. There were images of another young woman flashing before her eyes without due cause, a catch to her breath at the mere though of her smile! It was nauseating, really, how things had gone wrong because of one silly little thing as love. It had to stop, but how?


Laying down her consciousness in the growing mind of her long time vessel, Cedonia let herself calm down in the utter ruins that was the poor girl's psyche. She had twisted and broken the young girl called Marion beyond repair, yet still she struggled... how curious mortals were. Still she was in control, but it was becoming too much of a chore to keep up with this girl to let the opportunity the virgin sacrifices she committed slip through her grasp. They weakened her bonds, and would soon let her free and as such the sorceress had to endure flimsy setbacks such as this.


She needed to focus, and to do that she needed to get the mysterious young woman out of her mind by looking at her with her own eyes. Surely she would be found lacking then, and this ridiculous feeling would cease? Yes, she needed to be more pragmatic about this and face her problem with a cool head. Opening her vessel's eyes and sitting on the tiny bed in an equally shabby room, Cedonia let her gaze rest upon the window of her hut near the woods. She would go to the market today, it was decided, and seek that girl to put her out of her mind once and for all.


The sun was starting to peak into the sky as she gathered her shawl and basket for the day, urging her onwards before the usually early gathering ended before she could arrive. Quickly gathering a few bundle of medicinal herbs to sell in exchange for useful gossip and basic supplies, she closed the woven cover of her hand basket before starting on the road to the nearby village. This was a merchant community, and Cedonia could usually get good deals out of her medicines and, in some cases with less scrupulous villagers, poisons from the locale. Today would be no different, and she would surely learn more about this girl that would not leave her thoughts in peace.


She reached the village of Hurst easily enough, one pale hand gathering her long skirts in order to make travel on the wooden planks keeping the road sturdy enough for caravans in a safe manner without too much tearing of the modest cloth trailing from her dark dress. Daintily removing one of the long blond strand of hair she was known for from her sight, she was unprepared for the collision she had with another woman.


“Ah!” she couldn't help but yelp, her footing disturbed enough to sent her on the floor, her basket fortunately protected by its closed state. Eyes blazing in fury at the perceived slight she turned upon the one who made her fall, a hiss on her lips that was promptly forgotten in the face of That Girl.


To her horror, she could already feel herself blushing, and was even more horrified when she heard herself say:


“Are you hurt? Let me heal you!”

 

[Javvie]

"You have hardly hurt me. What of you?" The dark haired girl asked as she came to look over the blonde before her. Standing quickly, Lilianna brushed herself off and smiled warmly at the girl. "Something must have been on your mind, just as something was on mine." On the ground, lilies were strewn and she sighed. "I will simply have to get more."


The death of Gretchen was fresh in her mind. The girl who had made her smile, who would tease her and do anything to make her happy... Gone. She was just heading to place flowers on her grave.


"My name is Lilianna. We have never had the pleasure of meeting." Her dark hair was pulled back, her features soft and round. She was generous of figure, as she ate the food of her father's home. A woman who was noble would do no good being a slip of a thing. Her robes were of rich red velvet and adorned with a few jewels. Normally, she would not dress so finely, but Gretchen had always loved this dress. When they would sit by the fire, she would run her fingers along it and comment on how wonderfully beautiful it was on her pale skin.


"Are you heading to Hurst?" She asked as she started to walk back. The girl was quite beautiful and she smiled shyly at her. Lilianna had always had, well, odd tastes. She knew that she needed to marry a man, but she adored the attentions and flirtations of the fairer sex. Gretchen had been quite taken with her, and Lilianna could not deny that she loved the attention.


And no two lips had been sweeter.


"You should be careful. They say that there are beasts and mythical creatures in these parts. Warnings of a witch." Lilianna whispered. "A girl must be careful when treading in the woods."

 

[Claire Fontaine]

There was a strange feeling growing in her chest the longer she looked at this Lilianna, an echo of the other girl who was used for her ritual, no doubt. That feeling was too much for Cedonia, and the blond sorceress hid her scowl in her long, luxurious hair as she looked down at her sprawled form. Some of the white lilies had fallen on her dark rags, and the blonde's attempt to swat at them in haughty disgust was countered by a strange urge to caress them and enjoy their scent. Fortunately for her pride, she reigned her compulsion in time, and merely delicately gathered the snowy flowers in a gloved hand.


This was bad, if it continued she... no, she had to endure and find a way to break this strange curse. Finding herself turning the green stems of the flowers between her fingers, Cedonia managed to focus on what the other woman was saying, an amused sneer spreading on her face for barely a moment before she controlled herself and managed to face her strange foe. The other was round and pretty, and the immortal woman could not help but find her doe-eyes glances pleasing.


“Oh, do not worry yourself about me, fair lady. The woods are well known to me, and I know how to thread through their dangers. Pray tell, who were these flowers for?” A darker, more familiar feeling of rage took hold of her heart at that thought, maybe she would be cured soon?


Still, she suddenly found the flowers distasteful, her grip growing punishing as dainty fingers crushed the plants in their mistress' cold fury. She felt strangely insulted, and had the sudden urge to know he original recipient of this fragrant gift in order to make them pay.

 

[Javvie]

Her eyes widened as she watched dexterous fingers crush the lilies that had gathered. "I had a friend who died very unfortunately. I was going to put them at her grave." Lilianna's voice was a hushed whisper. "I miss her terribly with every passing day. I try to give her flowers as much as I can... Oh, now I must be rambling."


A chuckle came from the girl as she shook her head. "I suppose that it may seem odd. The dead are dead, but I fear she must get lonely in heaven." Lilianna looked over the girl as they were walking. She was quite strange, but she had an odd desire to touch her long, fair colored hair. The braids and twists she could make! Oh, she could make the girl look like a fairy queen, if she truly wished.


"Pray tell, what is your name? I have been so rude and have not inquired." She came to the edge of Hurst and felt much better in her home. Everyone knew everyone, which was both a blessing and a curse. This woman must be new, which intrigued her. They did not get many newcomers, unless they were looking to trade.

 

[Claire Fontaine]

Now, the girl's innocent question gave the sorceress pause as part of her wished foolishly to give out her real name instead of the name of the girl she possessed. Making idle talk for a while longer as she silently debated with herself, Cedonia finally decided to take the risk despite her misgivings. Surely the girl would forget and be forgotten soon enough, and it had been so long since anyone had uttered her name...


“You may call me Cedonia, it is nice to meet you. You are from the village, I assume?” It was better to keep the girl talking really, and... the sound was not altogether unpleasant.


Shaking her head slightly at such thought, the blonde kept a sharp eye for any of the locale who may recognize her as the 'witch' while she observed (and admittedly admired) the way Lilianna seemed to glow at her attention. The noblewoman clearly was flourishing under praise, and the sorceress made a point to indulge her even if she would not admit why she did so even to herself.


All was well until Cedonia spotted one of the few locals that would spot her as soon as she set sight upon her, a frown forming on her brow as the blonde tried to find a polite way to escape before she was denounced as the 'witch'. The problem was that the path was far away from the forest, and politely excusing herself would take too much time besides.


Coming up with a solution that might work at the last moment, the sorceress slid her slight frame in a way that would hide her from the harridan's sight by the mean of the alluring brunette before her. Smiling innocently and charmingly, she did so, and preyed that Lilianna would not comment and attract undue attention that would most likely cost Cedonia much.


She could only hope for a miracle for once...

 

[Javvie]

Lilianna came to smile as she let her name come from her lips. "Cedonia... What a beautiful name." She commented. "Yes, I am from the village. My father is the local nobleman, but right now, he is away at the palace." As they were walking together, she felt her dash behind her.


Lilianna knew that meant that she did not wish to see someone, and thus, she kept her mouth shut as they walked. Reaching back, she grabbed her wrist as she steered through the stalls of the market. When they were in an alley, she ducked down the alley until they were on the other side of the market.


Letting go of her wrist, she turned to her and made sure that she was in one piece. "Much better." She commented. "Just let me know if we have to make another mad dash." Lilianna was used to it. There were many people that she tried to avoid. Honestly, it made life easier for her.


"What are you looking for in the market?" She asked in a soft voice. "I need more lilies." Lilianna commented absentmindedly. She would feel guilty if she did not place the lilies on Gretchen's grave.


There was surely no one who could replace her.

 

[Claire Fontaine]

Again with that dark heat in her chest at the mention of those flowers. While she could easily identify that the unpleasant feelings and the mention of the dead girl were connected, the blond sorceress could not for the life of her understand what they meant for herself. She was used to hate and covet, yet that girl was dead, and had meant nothing at all to her save a sacrificial lamb but a day prior... so what changed? It had to be related to the woman now standing before her, but Cedonia's thoughts were too much of a mess to bother with when the brunette was concerned.


Deciding to distract herself as best she could and perhaps scout out another sacrifice to gain more power to destroy her prison and free her true body, the 'witch' smiled sweetly at her companion, her black eyes not reflecting anything more than the strange mix of adoration and annoyance they had portrayed ever since the two women met.


“I was just enjoying a stroll in this lovely day, may I accompany you in your daily tasks, milady?” Her tone was slightly breathless, yet a good amount of devious honey was poured into her tone. She had always been good at gaining the trust of girls, and this one would be no different.


She would make sure of it.

 

[Javvie]

A bright smile came to her lips as a flush of color came to her cheeks. "Of course!" She told her as she came to walk to the flower seller. Explaining what happened, she was given more lilies and she smiled as she dropped a golden coin into the old woman's hand. The woman held her cross about her neck at the look that Cedonia held in her black eyes. She was not good for Lilianna. Already, she could sense that.


Lilianna led Cedonia out of town once more down the path that they had bumped into one another. Coming to the cemetery at the edge of the forest, she found Gretchen's grave. Coming to her knees, she prayed for her soul before laying down the flowers. Turning back to Cedonia, she rose and took her hand. Lilianna gave her a soft, sad smile before she walked out of the cemetery silently.


"I am glad that I met you, Cedonia. I have been wishing for a companion since the passing of my sweet Gretchen." She came to look up at the sky as the sun was starting to fall. Night time near the woods was not a place for young women.


"Come to my house with me." Lilianna was easilly trusting with anyone, but especially pretty young women. "We can read together or I can sketch you. You have such beautiful features for sketching."