undergrounds | Bríd Bríd, come in; thy bed is ready

Thig an nathair as an toll

Seven Sisters, Imbolc

The shop itself has been closed for the day. Still, invitations have gone out to everyone in the supernatural community but especially to the covens of both Circle Midnight and Circle Daybreak. Imbolc is a time for new beginnings, and Abigail Widdowson intends to make it one worth remembering.

(Headers for Imbolc here.)

Là donn Brìde,

Geap Manor, all February

Abigail Widdowson is now the Maiden of Witches.

It is a role, she is well aware, many would not see go to a Circle Midnight witch, especially not a Widdowson. But just as Sylvia is supposed to represent both Circles as the Mother, so is she as the Maiden.

So, letters have been sent.

Letters of welcome to every witch she knows of and every coven she's aware of. They demand nothing; there is no expectation of tribute or the like. Though she's sure that's happened in the past. Instead, it is a letter of invitation to call upon her at Geap Manor.

To meet her.

Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd

Westminster, mid February

"I placed my order ten minutes ago!"

It's a small inconvenience, really, and Abigail knows it, but it's just one of the many, many things that have been going wrong lately. Especially since she just got blown off for a meeting because 'an urget matter' had 'come up.'

But it's to be expected. Even with her new title, of course the Night Council really doesn't want to see her. They probably know what she's planning. What little idea has seized in the back of her mind. The less attention they pay to her, the harder it'll be, they know. But, well. She knows that the only way to get attention when someone is trying to ignore you is to get louder.

Right now, though, she's trying very, very hard not to take it out on the barista.

"Okay. Again. All I want is a hot chocolate. Shot of espresso. Shot of vanilla. Whipped cream. Please."

She even hands over her card again. Because if she has to pay twice? That's just fine.

Air leac an làir.

Enfield, late February

"Who's there?"

She can't avoid going outside, even after dark. As much as Abigail would like to just shut herself up in Geap Manor forever given everything happening, it's just not plausible. But her recent status of Maiden has made her a little more paranoid when out of the house.

Before, it was just the universe out to get her.

Now? She has actual enemies. Even if she's determined not to let them make her change her life. She hasn't forgotten that vampire Sylvia set on her. Sure, it had been in a controlled environment and just meant to scare her, but... It had done its job. And she didn't know how many more there were.

She needs to get silver, no matter what Unthank thinks about that. A small witch's amulet isn't much to really protect her, and she knows it.

All she has for protection is the phone in her pocket, and there's not much 999 can do about the supernatural.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Nine girls. We have the borough as ours, and we have money. Which is one of the best resources you can have in London."

Supernatural or not, money mattered. Maybe not in the world of the fae, no, but in the mortal realm? It helped, and being a socialite with money to burn meant Abigail wasn't someone who could just disappear. So, she was a force to be reckoned with from an economical sense, at least.

He wordlessly agrees. Kyle, for his part, has almost no money and is finding it an enormous obstacle in pursuing his actual purpose for being in London in the first place. It's good that anyone being picked on or put upon has the financial backing to fight back. The soldier has a difficult time abiding by bullies.

"How many do they have?" A beat. "Is it just girls?"

"Not all girls. Shadow Coven is, but not all covens are. And it's honestly more coincidence than anything that it is all girls."

But there's something about having that centre of power be women... It's odd, but it's soothing. Especially when she has to go against Norrell.

"And Daybreak... has a lot. More than I can count."

"Is it possible to switch between them? Or is that something you're born into too?" Like having magic in the first place. He can't help but think of Harry Potter, being in London and talking to a witch about magic. If not for his intimate knowledge of vampires, he might laugh at the ludicrousness of the entire situation.

"How can I help?"

"We choose our Circle. I actually wanted to join the Daybreak Circle. I wanted to study at Redbright University, but then Redbright moved against Barnet. And I just-- couldn't."

Then, with his last question, her head raised a little then tilted to the side just a bit.

"You... want to help?"

"Barnet.. What happened there?" It's like being expected to know French history as a small town American. Except it's the history of the supernatural instead, which is even more secretive and obnoxious to navigate. At least they speak English though.

With her question, he shrugs, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I think so. Assuming the differences between you and them aren't that you want to raise an army of zombies or take over peoples' minds or something like that, I think we could be friends. And I help my friends."

"Barnet..."

Abigail closes her eyes for a moment, considering what to say. Then, she opens her eyes and sits up a little straighter.

"Redbright Institute expanded its influence. Which meant removing or converting those of Circle Midnight. People died." Another sigh, and she sank back into her chair a bit. "I saw a young woman killed, and it stayed with me. After awhile, I... thought to take Barnet for Midnight. To drag it out of their influence. It was... so bloody. I never intended it to be that way, but it was."

"And now it's yours?"

He gets it. More than he wants to, he gets it. Conflicts come with costs and war favors the violent. In that scenario, when the prize is too great to be lost, blood is inevitable. He's had more than his fair share on his hands. At least most of the blood on his hands was never beating.

"No. We-- couldn't claim it. Redbright still has it. It-- was all for nothing."

All those people dead, and she hadn't even been able to claim the borough for Midnight. She sighs a little and shakes her head.

"I'm sorry. Politics are just... The whole thing's a mess."

Kyle nods again, then takes a long sip of his water. It frustrates him how often politics really boils down to bullies with more resources picking on the little guys. It's most of why he wants to help them if he can, even without knowing the full situation.

"Like I said, how can I help?"

"Another voice never hurts," she offers, "and I could use a hand getting the word out if we do end up having to make another political move."

It's not much, especially right now, but she's bound by her agreement with Sylvia.

"Sure. Whatever you need, let me know. I'll try to help how I can." And he means it. It's a little naive, his willingness to trust in others, but it's gotten him along alright in most of his life and trust has been a large part of his life anyway. It seems easier to work together and make shit happen than to try to go it alone. "Thanks for taking the time to talk with me."

Abigail smiles just a little more and bows her head politely. The offer, however naive, is impressive. He may change his mind, yes, but it's been said, which is more than some people have done. If he backs it up with action...

"I will. We're currently in a... somewhat forced... non-aggression and non-expansion pact." But that needs to go away. Midnight needs to expand. Her coven needs a further safe place for themselves. "So a voice is all I can ask."

...Perhaps it's time to talk to the wolves seriously.

That catches his attention. Kyle's gaze snaps up to meet hers and he scowls at her. It's obviously forced, but that hardly justifies going along with it, not when they have the resources Abigail claims they do. "What? Why the hell do you have an alliance with them? What do you get out of it?"

"Because it was either issue a formal apology for trying to take Barnet and accept the conditions of no hostilities... or have Redbright and Daybreak strike against us here in Enfield, too."

The stakes were the greatest she could imagine-- life or death. If she wanted to live to fight another day, she had to accept the shackles. Not much of a way to live, but it was a life. It was a chance to change things later.

He nods, slowly, hesitantly. Kyle's not sure if he agrees. He hates the idea of running from a conflict thanks to the shitty results he's had in the past, but there's something to be said for living to fight another day and all that jazz. He's not really in a place to judge either way, so he simply nods in understanding.

"We'll figure something out." The only thing there is to say really. Because like hell he's letting that happen if it's in his power not to.

"Thank you," she says with a smile. "I've a few ideas, but... They take time. And another voice is more than enough for now."

Which she'd said before, but it bore repeating.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

He nods again, not knowing what else to do. Kyle's more a guy to speak with actions than words, but maybe it's enough for now to support them. For his own part, he'll go about asking questions and looking into some of her comments and claims. There's definitely more to the politics than he knows.

"Nah." He takes another sip of his water, setting the glass down as he stands. Kyle gives her a smile, ready to let himself out. "Thanks for taking the time."

Bríd Bríd, come in; thy bed is ready

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject