The Beginnings of the Harvest Season (OPEN)

[acrookedchild]

1) Business as usual

The shop was easy to manage. People came mostly or Tarot or palmistry, but she had a small, steady client base who came from what they considered spells. They were longer-ranged, though. Rituals, not spells, and Abigail didn't have the heart to tell them the truth about the strange ways in which they could work. Not that there wasn't magic in them... Still, no one seemed too concerned that their dreams of love and money didn't immediately come true.

She'd gotten used to referencing the 'Rule of Three' and 'Mother Earth' and saying 'Blessed be.' The clients came, after all, for the New Age sort. They expected Wiccanism, not true witchcraft, so Abby gave them what they wanted. They paid for it. She did, of course, try to work magic where it was needed, and she trusted the craft of the Tarot.

Still, the shop is open, still offering its first Tarot reading free and displaying the rates for everything else on a sign immediately visible upon entry.


2) Everyday dangers on the streets - closed to Cooper
cw: violence from/to a dog

It's a perfectly nice August day. Great for walking from shop to shop. Mostly, she's stocking up on candles and incense for her work, but she's got a few books for herself and other such things. Overall, it's just a nice day to herself. Which makes Abby more than content.

She stops on the sidewalk for a few moments to admire a set of painting in a window display. They might be nice on the wall of her shop. Something to give the place an even more homey feel.

A slight ruckus catches her ear. Someoneone trying to get their dog under control. A woman scolded a man for being so stubborn that he wouldn't even muzzle it. And then-- And then real shouting.

Before Abby can even really register what's going on, there's pain in her leg. Lots and lots of pain. She staggers as the dog sinks its teeth in more. When she's finally really aware of the situation, she twists to try and kick the dog anywhere she can with her free leg, though there are tears already streaking her face.

And she's screaming, too. Saying something? Or just screaming? She doesn't really know. It hurts too much to think and fear robs any remaining senses. People are trying to help, but the dog just bites at them and goes back to lunging at her.


3) A ritual at night - closed to Balem

Late at night on the 17th, Abigail left her flat and travelled by car to Bedfont Lakes Country Park. She wanted to do it when no one else would be there to see. Or, at least, when there was as little chance of being seen as possible. After all, this ritual was meant to be done in safety and privacy.

She sets down her small bag and takes out her supplies. They're simple, hardly worth notice. An apple, a penknife, an embroidery needle, and a packet of sugar.

After a few moments to steady herself, she takes up the apple and the knife, cutting the apple in half horizontally. With one half in each hand, she looked out over the north lake. Then, she spoke, quiet and serious.

"By the water in my blood,
By the rivers of the earth,
By the tides of the moon,
Bring me one who knows my worth."

She repeated the words in a gentle rythym several more times. Nine in all, if one was present and counting through them all. Then, she put the half of the apple in her right hand down on her bag and took up the embroidery needle. She drew a downward pointing triangle on the right side of the flesh, then her name along the bottom, then, at the left, a waxing crescent moon with the needle.

Half of the packet of sugar was emptied onto the apple half, and she threw it into the lake, as far from her as she could. Then, she sprinkled the other half of the sugar on the remaining half of the apple and began to eat it.


4) At the mercy of public transportation

Abby has decided that she hates crutches. They make everything a hundred times more complicated than they need to be, and they slow her down. But, well, they're better than having lost her leg to that mutt attacking her. Which is still so weird. Nothing like that has ever happened before.

Which means there's plenty to consider. That's why she's at a little coffee house, sitting on one of their sidewalk tables, as she waits for a late-evening bus to take her home.

She has a notebook in front of her, and she jots things down at certain points before scratching it out and writing something else. It could be (and probably is) something as simple as a grocery list for another time.

Comments

[emotioneater]

Cooper can't do much besides keep the pressure on her leg until the ambulance arrives, fighting down the hunger as best he can. Once the paramedics show up, he steps aside, letting them take over. His medical knowledge is minimal at best, so he isn't quite sure what they're doing until they lift her into the ambulance.

When he moves to follow, one of them holds out a hand and stops him. "Where do you think you're going?" She questions.

"I'm her boyfriend," he lies easily. "Please let me go with her." She relents and allows him to climb into the ambulance with Abby. He clasps her hand with his own still blood-covered one. "Don't you worry. I'm here 'n they're gonna get you fixed up in no time at all."

[vampiracy]

"Always been a stickler for taking myself places." Even with the rise of public transport, he'd never been a large fan. It was just too much of a risk, and if he was honest, a part of him still didn't entirely trust modern transportation. He'd seen a lot over his years, and while most transport was far safer now, it didn't always work that way. It felt like he had more control when he was the one doing the navigating.

"Of course not, I don't mind. If it helps the lady avoid the hassle of public transport on a bad leg." He really could appear convincingly gentlemanly when he wanted to. Giving her a ride really wasn't the most vital thing he could spend his time doing, but getting on her good side, especially knowing she was wealthy and influential? He'd make time.

[acrookedchild]

"Please," Abby has the mind to say, looking up at the woman who tried to stop Cooper. As soon as he touches her hand, she grips his hard. It looks good for the cover story, but it's also bracing.

She only half pays attention to the pressure now being put on her leg by professionals. At this point, she can tell herself that everything is going to be okay. She's safe. She has a friend with her, medical help, and things are going to be okay.

Which is why she smiles up at Cooper, squeezing his hand. "Thanks." It sounds stupid to her ear, but she means it. "I owe you."

[acrookedchild]

"That's very sweet," she replies, smiling wide. "I'd really appreciate it."

After all, the only way to get to Geap Manor specifically was to hail a cab, and that always proved difficult. The less she had to worry about that, the better. And, well. If her ride home was someone who cared about charity work and had wonderful taste in performances and was very handsome? She really couldn't complain about the idea.

[entitles]

"Of course. I'm not that cruel," he said. He was curious about the fact that she was willing to give him her soul - most humans, when they sold theirs, didn't know what was going to happen to them. She must be very passionate about averting that curse.

[vampiracy]

"I was raised to be a gentleman," he says, and well, that's not untrue. He was raised to be a much better man than he'd bothered to be for the last few centuries. He pulls up a chair to join her — there's no need to rush her out the door. She's got a notebook open and seems settled. They'll go when she's ready to.

"I must say, most would stay in if they had to get by on crutches. You're quite determined, aren't you, darling?" If anything, he approved — staying in and waiting for the world to fill in the blanks had never really worked for him.

4.

[specifiercity]

Arthur's been haunting this neighbourhood. He had taken Eames' suggestion to heart, surprisingly enough, so he did a little research and discovered that this was part of Abigail Widdowson's daily routine. He had already seen her pass by once today from the window of a restaurant between meetings, so he's not surprised when he sees the crutches as he wanders down the sidewalk in her direction.

He's already decided to approach her honestly about his intentions. She's young, and he can guess that she's probably got a healthy amount of paranoia given the position she's in. He goes into the coffee shop first, grabbing some caffeine for the rest of the walk home, and then he stops next to her table when he comes back outside.

"Miss Widdowson?" he says, with a kind smile. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows and his free hand is in the pocket of his slacks - his posture is casual but he'll never be able to lose the straight back the military gave him. "I'm sorry to bother you, but do you mind if I sit down?"

[acrookedchild]

The idea of it was terrifying. But at least then the death would sort of be on her own terms. It wouldn't be some random accident, and she wouldn't have to worry every time she set foot outside Geap Manor. Maybe she could finally start enjoying herself.

"So, we'll meet up soon to discuss the details?"

[acrookedchild]

"The world doesn't just stop because I'm injured," she says with a laugh. "I have a shop to run, and it's almost time for school." And, well, the coven she'd taken the lead on. Charity events could wait until she was off the crutches, but... Well. She was realising quickly how much she'd signed herself up for once school began. Still, she would manage it. Or so she told herself.

"So, it's either I get out and do things or they don't get done."

[acrookedchild]

"Sir." At first, she thinks it's a matter of simple recognition. She's gotten used to that. After all, the Widdowsons are old money, and they're known. Plus she's a regular here. But then he asks that question. Which means this is either going to be very bad or very awkward. Her mind is already coming up with polite, gentle ways to demur from giving him her number. "Please, have a seat."

Anything else would be rude, and she can always get up and leave if she has to. Plus Jake won't let anyone bother one of his regulars too much. If she needs him, he won't hesitate to come over.

[entitles]

"Very well. Do choose your words carefully when it comes time to make that deal. The stars are quite literal," he said, and he himself was more than willing to twist a wish if he found an opportunity.

[vampiracy]

"I didn't know you owned a shop. That's quite a bit to juggle, I know because I tried and hated it and arranged for someone else to do it." He'd enjoyed running his pub like a ship for only a few decades before it got too dull to stomach anymore. It was nothing like a ship, despite the name.

"You don't have any family to help you?" He's curious, because he knows she comes from quite a legacy. Surely there's someone that could help out.

[acrookedchild]

"My uncle manages the house for me. So I don't have to worry about it."

Her shop, well. She shouldn't have mentioned it. She doesn't really need anyone tying her to it and maybe tying it to her coven. So, the appropriate course of action is to sidestep that conversation.

[vampiracy]

"Ah, well, in my experience a shop is more work than a house." He can vaguely see the attempt to delay the conversation into something else,if only because he's quite savvy at doing the same. He wonders why she isn't keen to speak of it, but that's probably not an answer he'll get today. He'll do her the favor and follow the change in conversation.

"I keep my own flat up, that probably explains why it's such a travesty." That's actually not true, his place is almost painfully clean. Like nobody lived there at all. It just seems to meet the bachelor expectation that he not mind. It's a lie he hardly even thinks about as he tells it, though really, that's much like most of the lies he tells.

[emotioneater]

Cooper reaches over and pushes a strand of hair out of her eyes, which would be a sweeter gesture if he hadn't been licking blood off of that same hand five minutes ago. He looks down fondly at her. There's a smile on his face that softens up his old eyes. "Think nothin' of it, girlie. That's what friends are for."

He feels good about how this turned out. Obviously, he would have preferred for Abby not to get hurt at all, but despite all the blood, he didn't feed off of her. Not even when he had the chance. That's a victory in his book.

[acrookedchild]

"It's a great little place," she murmurs, smiling just a little. She can't really pass it off to anyone else. Not until there are more in her coven, someone who could take care of it. It's her cover and how she keeps her coven safe. "I'm hoping school doesn't keep me too busy."

She pushes a bit of hair behind her ear with a wider smile. "Thank you again for your offer. I really appreciate it."

[acrookedchild]

Abigail squeezes his hand and closes her eyes. There's a lot of pain, but there's already an IV that's been put in her other arm. And the meds are helping. Beginning to numb her senses. And cloud her mind a bit.

"I didn't grow up with friends," she mutters. "You guys are the first ones."

hmm maybe could wrap here?

[vampiracy]

"Of course." It's a simple thing to offer, really. He drives himself nearly everywhere if he can't get there quickly enough walking. It seems more of a trouble than it really is, and even a slight favor could do a great deal to foster trust. It's the last thing anyone should ever grant him, yet he was fairly gifted at making himself seem amicable at this point in his overly long life.

"Just let me know when and we'll go." He wasn't in a particular hurry and when she was ready, he'd be sure to get her home safe and sound.

[specifiercity]

"Thank you," he says as he pulls out the chair across from her and sits. He's friendly and relaxed, putting his coffee down and smiling as he scans the sidewalk around them. When he speaks, his tone is casual and light.

"I don't intend to take up much of your time, so I'll get straight to the point. My name is Arthur, and my work is in the field of security - a very specific type of security."

Arthur pauses almost long enough for her to respond, glancing down at his hands on the table where his fingers are laced together.

"There's been a... a shift in the paradigm lately. Everyone knows you're behind at least part of it and if you're smart you'll keep pushing, but I think you also know that puts you in harm's way. Now, I'm not saying you need someone like me, but I am saying that I have a set of skills that could be useful to you."

Moving fast is all part of his pitch. He glances down at her leg. "You look like you've already run into a bit of trouble."

[emotioneater]

Oh, don't tell him that. That's just too damn depressing to properly put into words. He thought it was hard enough to get up and leave whenever people got suspicious of him being eternally young, but to never have any friends? Suddenly, he's glad he decided to talk to her at the ball several months ago. "Well, be sure t'stick around. Now that you have some, we don't want you goin' anywhere."

Moved to the end of September!

[acrookedchild]

"We need all the help we can get."

She can't deny that. Her arms don't show the bruises of being held, thanks to a longer sleeved shirt, but there are marks on her face. Not obvious to what was done, but she won't forget. Her mouth forced open, a potion poured down her throat. She wouldn't forgive that.

"But you'll forgive Circle Midnight if we're slow to trust. The help is welcome, but we've cause to be on guard." The blood spilled in Barnet and the uneasy truce that had settled in its wake spoke to that.

[specifiercity]

"I wouldn't expect any different," Arthur says, shrugging. She'd be stupid to trust him straight away, he knew that before he sat down. "And you don't have to trust me right off the bat."

He pauses thoughtfully, as if he didn't have his story ready days ago. "I used to work for a man who was... almost as powerful as you," he says with a smirk, "but he was alone, except for his wife and myself. He traveled, wasn't part of any particular coven, and he learned everything he could about the supernatural. Which means that I learned everything I could, specifically how to keep him safe when he accidentally pissed off some ancient vampire nest or tripped over a hostile den of werewolves. I even learned how to deal with other witches."

He glances at the marks on her face, trying to gauge her reaction as he goes.

"I was good enough that he was still alive when we parted ways. This is different - more political - I get that... but the point is I know what I'm doing when it comes to the supernatural. It's been my job for almost a decade now, and I want to keep doing it."

And with that, he sits back, indicating that he's done with this part of his pitch. He takes a sip of coffee, waiting for her to respond as he glances up the street again, always on the lookout.

[acrookedchild]

A rehearsed pitch. She can hear it in the way he delivers it. Still, that's not something she minds too much. It shows he considered this before he came to see her. She folds her hands together.

"Technically, Circles Daybreak and Midnight have a truce. We enjoy an unofficial alliance with the fae, vampires, and werewolves."

For now, they were... sort of safe. Or could vaguely pretend they were safe. However, she knows how quickly the winds can change. Especially since she doesn't trust the Night Council. Sylvia will look for a chance to destroy them; she's sure of it.

"We can pay a retainer, but I'm afraid you'll have little to do for at least a short time."

[specifiercity]

He nods, smiling a little. He has a foot in the door.

"That's all I ask. I think we both can see that the peace is fragile, but for now I understand if you don't see much use for me."

He reaches into his back pocket for his wallet, and then pulls out a card and puts it on the table. It's simple - a straightforward typeface stating his name and a phone number underneath - but it's all he needs for this side of his business.

"I won't take up too much more of your time. You have any questions or anything like that, you can reach me there."

[acrookedchild]

Abigail looks at the card for a moment before nodding and putting it in her wallet.

"Thank you for the offer. We'll discuss fees and other such details another time? Perhaps over dinner?"

It was always the best way to iron out the unpleasant details, she thought. Fine food, just a hint of wine, and plenty of time to discuss money and other such matters.