undergrounds | cross your heart && hope to die

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cross your heart && hope to die

[An August catch-all! Please note that Nancy has been cursed to compelled to tell the truth. This curse lasts until she reveals 3 things that she never would have otherwise, or until the next full moon (Aug 29). Please mention if a thread occurs AFTER the 29th as for now, she's defaulting to cursed.

Lots of fun. Please see these lovely starters, and check the comment section for a few starters. Want something specific? you know where to find me (

sheakespeare).]

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Option A
The day after Lammas, Nancy woke up like any other day. She fed her cat, had some coffee and cooked up a bit of bacon to keep her hangover at bay. Today was supposed to be like any other day, grab a few bottles of Blood Replenisher to give to Cooper, more VT for her, and maybe stop by a local cafe to read for a while. And everything was going just great.

At least, until she got to the apothecary. When she was asked how she was doing, instead of just saying 'alright' and moving on like any normal person would do, she found herself looking at him and saying, "I'm bloody hungover and I don't know what just happened." But she'd said those words, even if they weren't the ones she wanted to. Blinking, she tried again, but the results were the same. Even after a third time.

"Fine, just ring me up I can tell you're impatient and think I'm crazy." He gave her a look, but rang up her purchases. Nancy was only too glad to get out of there.

Once on the street, that's where she was able to take stock of herself. Putting her bags down, she leaned against the wall. "Alright, Nancy. What's going on with you? This isn't like you." And that was the first of many incidents that day, where she thought one thing, and wound up saying something entirely else. Something, she found, that was true, and only occurred when she was lying.

Someone had cursed her. And she still had to run errands.

Option B

Nancy was determined not to let this curse keep her from working. So here she was, another night, another bar, dolled up. Whenever she approached men, however, she still couldn't, try as she might, even dance around telling the truth.

She sounded desperate, awful, and her game was at an all-time-low. At this rate, she'd have to ask Fagin for money, and he was notoriously tight with his purse strings. The only thing worse than that would be asking someone like Killian to help her out. Completely unacceptable.

Another failed solicitation, and the bartender finally nodded to the bouncer. said bouncer, who had once happily checked Nancy's ID, marched over to the petite girl and promptly informed her that this bar had no room for prostitutes, and she was therefore banned from the establishment for the rest of forever.

Shoulders sagging forward, Nancy trekked through London, trying to keep her tears at bay. Tonight, she decided, she was just going to walk home. Usually, she'd find herself at Fagin's, pouring herself a drink of gin on nights like tonight. But seeing the old man would only be a disaster tonight. Besides, she needed some time to think to herself.

Option C

If anyone has cared to notice, it's been a few days since Nancy'd been seen around London, or even responded to any sort of texts or anything. Her phone is off, and she's more than happy to spend her time right now sitting on the couch with her cat in her lap and read. Reading would lead to drinking and watching television, or even practicing videogaming but all the same, the fact remained she was lonely. Lonely and bored. First July kept her in the house for the Hunt, and now August had her nearly unable to open her mouth at all to have any sort of normal human interaction.

And, when it was feeling like it was going to be impossible to ever lift the curse, she started researching. She had a few books hidden away from when she lived at the Den, and poured over them, attempting to find a solution to her problem.

Option D
Wild Card. Make your own prompt.

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Water was not what Nancy had in mind, but she's in no place to argue. Instead, she takes the handkerchief and dabs at her eyes. A long time ago, Fagin would have had her and the boys picking pockets to get such items, pulling out the embroidery and fencing them off. He still had had her and the boys practice on handkerchiefs, before he sent them to the actual streets to make wallets.

Nancy eyed the water suspiciously. Mab hadn't touched it, but she couldn't be sure what she was. She raised it to her lips, but didn't drink. Never trust a fae, she'd learned a long time ago.

"I don't know what happened," she started, taking a moment to lean back against the back of the booth. "I woke up this morning and when I wanted to say some things, I couldn't. I just couldn't form the words, or something else would come out. In the shop, they asked me how I was and I- I told him how I actually was. Then said he probably thought I was crazy. I couldn't stop myself. None of that was anything I'd normally say and I'm hungover. Here. Ask me a question, maybe it's gone, I don't know."

Hmm the girl seemed to be gathering herself enough to be wary again. The clear mug did not drain appreciably even though Mab had been obvious about it never touching her fingers. Well, London was quite keyed in on the ins and outs of how to deal with the fae. Mab picked up her own glass and sipped from it.

She listened to Nancy's tale of woe and considered the possible curses that might be involved. It would certainly explain the complicated magical signature around the girl. Something with frankness involved. And perhaps a babbling potion. Dangerous to mix such things together. She set her hands in her lap and considered the girl's request. "Are you really certain you wish for me to ask you any question?" Even the most innocuous questions could give Mab a lot of information about her. "I will do so if that is what you want."

If it had been booze, there was no knowing what she would have done.

Did she really want Mab to ask her any question? The answer came quickly. "No- I think you're fae, and I don't trust fae." Ouch. She winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to say that last part. But I can't help it."

Mab looked a little amused by that. "Perhaps a wise decision." She replied. As though the girl hadn't apologized to her at all. In her own way she was being kind, not forcing the girl to answer many questions that could put her under the fae's thumb. Make sure the girl could see that the drink was purely human and not an obligation. But Mab never really did anything without an ulterior motive. Earning this young witch's interest if not trust would certainly qualify as ulterior motive. "Interesting. Is it only the absolute truth you must tell? What if I were to ask you what you wish for me to call you?" It left the girl an opening to give absolute truth about her desires without giving out her real name. And because it was a suggestion instead of a request the young lady could remain completely silent and not say a word. It was a good test. Though Nancy might resent it if it backfired.

Better to be safe than sorry, she'd learned a long time ago.

The words came again, before she could even process the words fully. "Yeah- that's all I've been able to say. Completely true." And when most of her dealings were in lies? It was a very dangerous thing to be forced to tell the truth. Even white lies, the most common ones she used, or vague truths were right out.

Expecting the worst when Mab asked her what she preferred to be called, Nancy was shocked that she didn't have to say the truth. A look of relief passed over her pale features and she exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Emma," she said, going with the name that she'd given Redbright. May as well keep her stories straight while she could. If Mab was indeed fae, there was a chance she knew her foster father. But a woman as beautiful as the one across from her probably had very little to do with an ugly, low-ranking member of the Unseelie court.

"You can call me Emma. And you are?"

"Mmm, it seems someone wished for you to... what is that phrase? Walk a mile in our shoes? It can be quite cumbersome to be truthful." Not to mention dangerous depending on the information you gave away. Humans were very tetchy about how the fae twisted things but if they spend any time required to tell only the truth they would also find ways to work around the rules.

Mab did not consider beauty to be a qualification in knowing her. One of her current bodyguards was a yeti and he was nothing particularly nice to look at. That aside, beauty could become dull all on it's own. But she did not know Fagan. She had, perhaps, heard of him simply because he took in strays.

Nancy, had apparently not fully learned her lesson because her question was not as politely put as Mab's had been. The Lady gave her a long level look so that she could realize her own faux pas now that she knew how important the questions asked were. Finally she said very clearly, "You may call me Ms. Sommerset, Emma."

Nancy's cheeks burned at the look. To make up for it, she hastily took a drink of water with a hastily muttered "sorry, Ms. Sommerset." She felt like what she imagined a child would, scolded by a teacher. "I'm just- I'm extremely stressed." She ran a hand through her hair. "I didn't mean any disrespect." She needed to stay on the good side of the fae. Cephei had warned her as much.

But at least she had confirmation that she was a fae.

"Perhaps. But there aren't any fae I know of that would have it out for me like this." Fagin was right out, because it was his secrets she carried around with her. And besides, Fae could twist words and dance around things, leave things out, couldn't they? That wasn't an option for the petite ginger, as unfortunate as it was. That would have made everything miserably easy.

But nothing was ever easy, was it?

She was an adorable girl. The flush of her cheeks very becoming. It really was no wonder Fagan had chosen her. "There is never a better time to be cautions than when one is in a difficult situation." Mab replied but it was clear she had dismissed the affront. Nancy was clearly properly apologetic.

She set her chin on her hand and watched the girl, thinking. "Mmm, there are those who are simply that mischievous." She could see a fae playing a trick of the sort on an unsuspecting human. It could be worse. The hobs were known to just drag humans away to the darkness and feast. A truth curse was minor in comparison.

"If I ask you a question, can you tell me you do not wish to answer?" It would give her an option. Mab was enjoying testing the curse, it was one she hadn't seen in effect in this precice form before. Very clever work actually.

Nancy nodded, placing her water glass a few inches in front of herself on the table. "You're right." Unfortunately, she had a tendency, in these situations, to act before she even had time to really process. She was an impulsive sort of girl.

Another nod, and Nancy found herself lowering her hands from her eyes, resting them on the edge of the carved-up table. She'd heard stories, legends. A curious girl, she'd asked Fagin to explain all sorts of fae to her, sitting on his lap. She was stupid and naive then, unaware that she was a witch in the first place.

"I don't know," it was the truth and her opinion. "Everything just comes out automatically."

That was better, Nancy was taking time to think, and breath. It would help her. She was not completely powerless in the situation. If worse came to worst she could always work with her fellow witches to take her voice away for a time. Not that Mab would make the suggestion just now. It never hurt for a witch to deal with something of this sort. A human would say it builds character.

"Well then, let us test it." She was quiet for a moment, considering. "Something benign, or obvious." Her eyes did not drift from Nancy's face before finally offering, "Do you fear me, child?"

The question was not one she had expected. Or, perhaps, she should have expected.

But she tried. She honestly tried as she opened her mouth and hesitated, her mouth trying to form words that she didn't want to say, that she couldn't say, but had to say. It friggin' sucked, even if the result was almost comical "I- I don't-" she looked at Mab, her eyes wide as she practically begged for help, to not have to say the truth. But there was no resisting.

"Yes."

Mab puffed out a breath and reached out to pat the girl's hand. "It would be foolish of you not to." It was almost dismissive. "You have not told me anything I was not able to determine on my own. An unfortunate failure against your curse though." Comical or not, Mab did not laugh at Nancy.

She tapped her free finger on the rim of her own glass of water and it re-chilled, glass frosting over.

In nearly any other circumstances, the hand pat would have been condescending, but Nancy softened again at the touch. The lack of laughter, now that was a mark on Mab's character, and a good one at that.

"It is..." She watched with mild interest the way the glass frosted itself at her touch. Ice. She'd hazard a guess that the fae in front of her was Unseelie, given their rule over winter. But she didn't press the matter. "Do you think there's anything I can do?"

The poor girl was starved for affection as far as Mab could tell. It left her sweetly vulnerable. She had grown up quickly under Fagan's care but under it all there was still a lonely child.

And even so, she was still alert, watching Mab's magic touch her glass. Mab squeezed her hand once and then released it to lift the cup to her lips and sip.

"There are likely several things you might attempt." She offered. "I am ... somewhat limited in what I might do to assist or even inform. You understand these limitations, I think." Balance. Some fae required it more than others. The stronger a sidhe was the more tightly they were bound by the need for balance.

She was thoughtful for a moment. "I might have one offer for you." Setting her cup down she considered the girl. "A geas. If there is something specific you do not wish to reveal, something very important, I can put a gag on the topic." And as always there is a catch. "I will, however, need to know enough about it to properly lay the geas." Even if Nancy tried to say it, no sound would leave her mouth. "It would be dangerous to do more than one specific topic at a time but, it would cost you the least."

A geas. The idea was amazing, and it alone was almost enough to make Nancy jump at the chance. But it wasn't enough. She knew what such a favor would cost her, and she did not want to be in debt to the fae.

No, Nancy couldn't accept. She couldn't give a fae that much information willingly, either. Besides, what would she choose when there was so much she didn't want revealed?

But to reveal something to someone, something that could cause catastrophic results? Was it worth it? There was always a chance it wouldn't work. Or a chance no one would ask her about what she feared. Then she was in the debt of a fae for no real reason at all.

"I can't ask you to do that, ma'am," she said softly, tracing the R+L scratched into the table however many years ago.

She smiled a little as Nancy first looked excited and then reconsidered the implications. Smart girl. Desperation often bred stupidity, but this girl was good under pressure. Fagan had taught her well.

"Understandable." She replied and considered the girl again before pulling out her clutch and plucking a card from inside. She slid it carefully across the table to the girl with two fingers. "Should the need outweigh the cost in the future you may contact me." She snapped the clutch shut again and it disappeared somewhere below table level.

Like coal, she was best under pressure. It's when you could see her true worth.

Nancy picked up the card and glanced at it briefly, admiring the embossed snowflake for just a moment before she slid it into her own purse. "Thank you, Ms. Sommerset. I appreciate it- you've been kind to me." She bowed her head to show her just how much.' "Thank you."

Ahh a thank you, a dangerous thing to give around fae. It implies obligation. A favor done. If one wasn't careful one could be cooking a fae's meals the rest of their life after a thank you. The girl's respectful bow of the head made Mab's lips curl up a little in a smile. She sipped her water again.

Setting the mug aside she touched the girl's cheek once more. "It is always pleasant to hear that my help was appreciated. Take time to collect yourself. All is not lost."

Despite her years under the thumb of a fae, even nancy was prone to making small mistakes, chalking it up to the stress. If it came to Mab deciding that was indeed a favor done, she'd fight it as best she could. Hopefully, hopefully she wouldn't.

The touch brought Nancy's gaze upward again. "I will. You've been wonderful, Ms. Sommerset. I didn't realize how much I needed this." It was good to have someone removed from the whole situation, but still close enough that she didn't have to worry about breaking any statutes of secrecy. The Night Council probably wasn't fond of her to begin with.

Mab could enforce a favor owed. But she thought she might get more out of this dear child with a little honey and patience. She could wait until Nancy found she desperately needed help. It's so much sweeter when your vassals come willingly.

Her fingers trailed up to brush across the girl's cheek tenderly once before she pulled back and moved to stand. "I am sure you would find some way to help me, if I had such need as well." No demand entered into her voice just the soft reminder of what she was or perhaps a moral theory. "I will leave you to collect yourself without fear of needing to answer more questions. No one in the pub will bother you for another half an hour unless you request it."

Truth be told, if she ever wanted something, she would rather go to a female fae. Despite being, well, friends with a number of male fae, she thought the warmth would be much, much better.

She gives Mab a watery smile. "You're wonderful," she told her honestly, green eyes still shiny with tears. Half an hour was all she'd really need, then she needed to get back home. Start figuring out a way to break this curse.

The girl is delightful. Almost innocent especially considering who raised her and what he raised her to do. Mab is pleased with her decision to court the black witch with kindness.

She certainly is not going to deny that she is wonderful. Instead she smiles, an entirely human expression that mimics the real thing wonderfully. "If nothing else your life for the time being will be exciting. Take care, child." With that farewell, she turned and left the pub, leaving Nancy to consider her offer and collect herself before going out to face the world.

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