undergrounds | A busy little witch (OPEN)

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A busy little witch (OPEN)

A) Scattered Pieces

It hadn't been easy to decide how to go about doing she knew she had to. The matter demanded subtlety but also needed to be understood. Humans couldn't know, and action had to be protected as much as possible from the Night Council.

Calling together the hidden members of Circle Midnight wouldn't be easy, but it needed to happen.

Separated, they were nothing. A girl could die, and there was no coven to demand justice for her. There was power in numbers, and they lacked that so long as they were all apart, hiding. Yet, after Barnet, it was fairly easy to guess the Night Council wouldn't just ignore such a gathering.

Abigail Widdowson knew she had to be careful.

On June 10th, she started her work.

Business cards were the best way to go about it anonymously, which was required for now. Once there were more of them together, something more public could be handled. At present, though, they all had to remain unknown. So the placement of the cards was paramount. The bookstores were her first stop, both chain and the 'New Age' sort. She knew the books actual witches would get, the things that would help them. She slid a card between their pages. Bulletin boards in cafes also received one tacked on when she could blend into the line or crowd to hide her activities; student activity boards at Capel Manor College, Southgate College, and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North London received similar treatment, as did Middlesex University.

As a donor to Capel Manor College and a student of Business and Management at Middlesex University, keeping an eye on those campuses was easy enough, especially since she spent time at Capel Manor College to help tend to the herb gardens. It made gathering the supplies she sometimes needed for her magic easy and less suspicious.

So, she made the cards with a rendering of a summoning circle (without any adornments, just as a dark spellbook would have it for the base of any summoning) on one side. On the other was text.

Do you recognise this?
Then I am a sister.
We must not remain isolated.

020 7946 0110

B) Looking for a Place

Mornings and any time between classes was devoted to her mundane studies. After classes were over, however, Abigail went from being a college student to being a witch.

She tried to be conscious of what territory she was in -- steering well clear of the Night Council and Redbright territories -- as she checked out buildings that seemed empty and wrote down the addresses.

Geap Manor wasn't a safe place for a coven to meet. The last thing it needed was more magical energy in it, especially in the form of young people who didn't understand the house. Even Abigail didn't completely understand what it was, but she knew to be cautious, and she knew it needed her alive, lest it fall into disrepair. Still, she wouldn't put others there.

Which meant she needed a place for the coven she wanted to form.

Haringey was possible, but it was also dangerous. With the vampires and werewolves both claiming it, she couldn't be sure anyone would be safe. Still, that didn't stop her from considering it and walking the streets, mindful of her surroundings. Enfield was another possibility. Neutral, unclaimed territory was probably the safest bet, but it also meant that there was no one to protect anything that happened there. Waltham Forest and Islington received most of her attention some nights. She knew a vampire, and she knew a werewolf, and she might be able to talk to them to have a safe place if she could find a property.

How she was going to buy it without getting her name attached... that was a separate problem entirely.

C) Harmless Little Thing

Abigail had wanted to take summer classes at Middlesex. She'd really, really wanted to. Creative advertising? Sounded fun and useful. Nuero-linguistic progamming? Hell yes. But she had to think like a leader. She had to devote herself to the coven she wanted to make. Later, she could figure out how to separate her time. For right now, she had to think of the others, even if she didn't know any of them.

She couldn't do much in broad daylight. Sure, she might find a place or two to come back later and hide cards, but, for the most part, she just had to go about her daily business. Stopping for coffee in a little cafe, going shopping for clothes she didn't need, visiting museums. Checking in on various institutions her family had donated money to for generations.

All in all, it was dull, and it generally left her anxious. There was a lot she could be doing, but she wasn't. Because she was too scared to move openly. Still, while she was alone, it wasn't smart. Or, at least, that was how she comforted herself.

D) Close Call - only open to first replier

Usually, Abby was careful. She had to be. But even she had moments of carelessness. Like when she was strolling down the street, sipping her cup of coffee.

The light changed, the signal to walk lit up, and she started to go. Just as a car sped toward the intersection without showing signs of yiedling to the girl crossing.

Someone from the curb might want to alert her or pull her back.

E) Wildcard!

Reply with a scenario, and we'll go from there!

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Mab had been most disappointed in the fare sold at some of what Abigale called 'New Aged' stores. The ones catering specifically to those of the magical persuasion. Much of it was useless flim flam though occasionally she'd find something of true magical value. The books tended to be the best bet for something worthwhile and that was where she was, semi-veiled to keep from attracting attention even though her glamor made her appear more human, expensive business suit and all. Abigail might have felt something though in these stores it would be hard to tell as several people moving through it left energy signatures. Either way she was just around the corner in the store when a girl pulled out a book, made a soft rustling noise in the pages and then slid it back.

Aside from a distinct feeling of magic the odd behavior piqued her interest. The woman stepped around the corner and found a book just a little too far out. She pulled the tome from it's shelf and flipped it open. the binding fell open to reveal a card. Long fingers plucked the card up and frowned at the summoning circle. Summoners could be a true headache. The idea of isolated summoners though made her smile in a way that was a little too predatory. Lifting the card to her lips she turned her head toward the door where a flash of blonde hair was disappearing.

The book slid back into place as Mab turned and followed the girl, the bell silent as she stepped out of the store and looked in the direction she'd sensed the magical signature had taken. Her heels made soft hollow sounds on the pavement as Mab moved through crowds of humans, the people parting naturally in front of her as though the space she occupied simply seemed less pleasant to walk in. It might be difficult to notice her footsteps over all the others but the Fae Lady was tall and she would soon begin closing the gap.

Edited 2015-06-08 02:42 (UTC)

Since she left the shop, Abigail made no attempt to distribute more cards. What she did do was stop at a petrol station and get a bottle of water to drink as she walked, her bag slung over her shoulder. She'd done her rounds for the day already, the five cards she carried on her every day gone. She didn't dare carry more. Getting caught with those on her would put her at the top of Redbright's list, and she didn't want to be there.

Which was also why she was very aware of potential cameras. The last thing she needed was for CCTV to catch her putting up notices for Circle Midnight.

Something hummed in the air, like a scent in a way, though it was more of a sense. Abigail looked around briefly, almost expecting to see her 'uncle' coming toward her. What he was doing on holiday, she didn't know. It was important, certainly. She didn't even know where he was. He might be in another country or he might be in the Other Realm. All she knew was that he'd show up eventually, back at Geap Manor. If she wasn't there, she might get a disappointed phone call scolding her for taking up a flat closer to London proper. But he wasn't around, so Abby shrugged off the feeling.

Mab waited just outside the petrol station, dropping the majority of her veil as Abigail purchased her water so that when the girl walked back out looking around as though she sensed something, her voice was pitched with just enough force to draw attention. "A sister, you say?" Perhaps not everyone who knew the symbol was a sister. After all, Fae were the ones summoned. They'd recognize it as well. But it was difficult unless one had the ability, to determine the difference between a witch and a Fae and the glamor still made her appear human. If a bit ... out of the ordinary.

The card was held up between her fingers and those intense eyes took in the young lady with both assessment and curiosity. She didn't have the vast intelligence network she would like so London was a challenge, but Mab enjoyed a good challenge.

Abigail's eyes widened a bit, and her breath caught a bit. After all, getting caught? Was the last thing she wanted. Still, it could be surprise from being suddenly approached by a strange woman with an even stranger question.

"Excuse me?" It was uneasy, and she glanced around to make sure there were still other people around. Just like anyone would be, especially a young woman approached by a stranger. "What do you mean?"

The girl was on edge if nothing else. But then again, those who found themselves isolated in such a mecca of supernatural activity were smart if they were on edge. Only a fool would wander around oblivious to the dangers around them. Or a human, but one could hardly blame the poor things, the more dangerous a creature was, the better it was at hiding from those who could not see them.

Mab flipped the card up and looked at it thoughtfully between her gloved fingers, another oddity in the heat of summer, though in the shade there it seemed to be wonderfully cool. In fact, her water bottle might be getting frost crystals on the outside. "Do you recognize this? Then I am a sister." Mab looked over the card at the girl and then carefully tucked the card into a pocket on her suit jacket, then she stepped forward, just inside the girl's personal space.

"I was curious as to what you meant, after I found the card you left." Mab responded.

For her part, Abby took a step back, closer to the door of the petrol station. Like anyone with half a brain would at being approached by a stranger talking like that. And the fear wasn't fake. She was definitely afraid of the woman who'd come closer to her. She held the bottle a little tighter, still uncapped. She would throw the water and bottle and make a run for it to the station owner.

"Seriously, lady. Back off. I don't know what the Hell you're talking about!"

Speak loud enough, shift back, get ready to scream. It was the best thing to do, especially knowing that CCTV would catch anything that happened here. Especially inside the station, if she booked it in there.

Mab puffed out a breath as the girl turned from on edge to frightened rabbit. Terribly unlikely that she would be a real problem if she was this terrified of a stranger confronting her. Mab, admittedly wasn't terribly aware of all the difficulties of the different warring factions in the Human realm aside from annoyance at certain areas blocking her ability to step between worlds. That would have to be dealt with.

And then the girl started yelling or at least speaking abnormally loudly. Attracting all kinds of unnecessary attention. Mab's lips pursed and she looked every inch a business woman who was having a really bad day. "Calm yourself child." Someone knew how to make it sound like an order. There was no way the mortal would go somewhere less conspicuous when she apparently thought Mab was going to ... murder her? Who knew with mortals. Of course.. the fae did have something of a reputation. "You will remain isolated if you refuse to respond to those who show an interest." She doesn't step to follow the girl, clearly it will just make her run. But that doesn't mean she's just going to let her blow off the conversation either.

Edited 2015-06-08 05:20 (UTC)

"Look, I don't know what you're talking about. Leave me the Hell alone, or I'm calling 999." The threat of the police was usually the best way to handle people who wouldn't leave well enough alone. She didn't know who this woman was, but she was daft as Hell. Talking about this here, cornering her? She was either a Red, part of the Night Council, a Daybreak, or something that was against her. No one else would do any of this. "I mean it. I'll call."

She couldn't be caught now. And she wasn't about to out herself. There was a reason she'd put a burner number on her cards. If this woman wanted to try to drag anything out of her or do anything to her, she was going to make her work for it.

A hand went to her hip. Utter indifference to the threat. "Call." She offered. She didn't even know what the number meant. By no means would she mention that though. Really what would calling a number do for the girl anyway? "I could leave you alone," She offered, and lifted her other hand, tapping a manicured nail against her lips, " and perhaps I will, my insight might be more to your advantage than mine, after all." Might. Not likely although it would be useful to the girl, and her hand dropped again, the motion settling a cool veil around them leaving them in what almost appeared to be natural shadow. That magic, the girl could likely feel. Even as they spoke people started to ignore them again, fortunately it wasn't something Abby couldn't just walk out of.

"Make your decision, child. Do you still not know of what I speak? Or would you like to find somewhere you are comfortable and have a discussion on books and interesting things we find inside them?" Her head tilted a little. "No strings attached." That was the phrase, right? She was interesting. It didn't mean Mab wouldn't keep an eye on her if she refused but Mab was not going to beg the girl for an audience. She had more important things to do.

Abby tensed at the feel of magic in the air and fished her phone out immediately. She dialled the number and sent the call. After two rings, it was picked up.

"Yes. Police. Thank you." A breath, steadying herself. "I'm outside Cricklewood Service Station on Edgware. Someone's following me. Please. Send help."

She looked straight at the woman, lips set as she swallowed hard. Human police? Probably wouldn't be able to do much, but if she raised enough fuss with the humans, the Night Council would take notice. Whatever this woman was, she wouldn't like that.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can stay on the line."

Mab raised a brow and looked amused. Taking the card out of her pocket again, she flicked it once to lay a glamor on it and held it out to Abigail waiting for the girl to take it. If she did not, the card would fall to the sidewalk. The answer was given. After a moment of holding the card out she let it fall from her fingers and tilted her head once in admonition to the decision. Then she turned and walked away, starting to melt into the crowd only leaving behind the scent of freshly fallen snow and the card.

The card read:

Ms. Sommerset
020 7946 0204

Mab might not like the phone but that didn't mean she couldn't redirect a phone call to where she could get one.

Only once the woman had walked away did Abigail breathe fully. She still waited for an officer to show up before she explained that the situation was over. She provided a description of the woman she'd seen, but she knew by the way the officer wrote down the information that he didn't plan on doing anything with it. Knowing it was one woman talking about another? Meant it wasn't a serious situation to him. But Abby didn't really care.

Police were useless in supernatural affairs, but the situation, like that in Barnet, meant she couldn't call anyone from the Night Council or the like.

She drew no attention to card the woman had left. Instead, when the officer (more out of obligation to a scared girl and with some understanding of the prominence of the name 'Widdowson') offered her a ride home, she accepted it, leaving the card where it lay.

The card sits on the ground for hours as people walk over it and the next morning as the sun rises, the glamor disappears, leaving her original card sitting there in the middle of the sidewalk for anyone to pick up.

There's not even the blare of a horn or screeching breaks, no loud blasting music to try and gain her attention. The only thing that might finally get her attention is when her coat is yanked back at the last second - side mirror almost clipping, burst of cold wind to awaken all adrenaline.

Only after her death has been avoided does that steel vice release her.

"Pay more attention." The voice may be familiar, if delivered about fifty times more rudely. It's only after a beat or two hesitation that it hits that it may not be wise to have that as a conversation opener. Try again, "Are you all right?"

The moment someone grabs her, Abby freezes. The car zooms past her and, really, she probably stops breathing. Even in the firm grip that has her, she's shaking. Because she knows what almost happened. She knows that was almost it. As simple as crossing the street and a driver not doing a damn thing to try.

"Oh-- oh my God." She's starting to come back to life, to revive after that brush with an accident. "Oh my God." But she can breathe. She's safe. For the most part. "I-- thank you."

Only then does she turn a little to look at him, her eyes widening with recognition.

This would be where anyone else would offer words of consolation, maybe physical contact as a demonstration to remind her she's here, she's alive, she's fine. Except the fear and panic and disbelieving shock of it all jumbles into a static that nulls out all other sounds in the world and he offers nothing at all.

"You're welcome." His own appearance is night and day in comparison; composed and assured to this scruffy, rude, jerkass of a being. The only reason it can't be written off as identical twins is the same recognition goes by. A slight narrowing of gold eyes and the expression turning to slate.

She gets a short bow of the head in response, the laziest of greetings. "Widdowson. Be less distracted."

"I-- I will."

Because it doesn't sound right to tell someone that it doesn't matter how vigilant she is. If it's not a car and a crosswalk, it's a heel breaking on a marble staircase. Or ice on a road. Little things, everyday accidents. She's been raised to watch for them, but that doesn't mean a lot. They still come.

Still, she nods, running a hand through her hair as she takes a deep breath again.

"I'll be more careful."

Her composure regained. Good. Yet, it's not because of calming down. It's because of acceptance - no, not quite. Simply not surprised.

"What was it again... 'a fair amount of trouble'?" There's only a tinge of amusement there. He had willingly assumed it was a tendency for her to stick her head into things. Asking the wrong questions to the wrong people, trying to get to close to powerful players without the proper defenses.

"You must be a bad luck magnet."

"'Bad luck magnet' is about right," she manages to say with a small smile. She's still shaken, but she's calming down. Pulling herself all together to make it even and easy. Keep herself even. "Thanks. By the way."

It works. Better she calm down than devolve into hysterics, because that would just be a trainwreck of social failures for everyone.

"You're welcome." It's flat, an automatic reaction, and the gratitude is shrugged off like nothing, "Not like letting you get hit by a car is an option."

"I still appreciate it."

Because she does. He saved her life, kept her alive to find another accident to avoid. Every day is precious, though. She has nowhere near the skill to contract a fae properly, so she has to keep herself alive until she does.

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A busy little witch (OPEN)

A.

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(Just so we know what happened to it)

D, assuming that's fine

Absolutely fine!

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