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

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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.

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The immediately explanation tells her... well. Enough. Aware of the supernatural. Nothing to worry about in regards to the secrecy required of them. But uninformed. So, she closes the door behind him and leads the way through the foyer to a sitting room.

"Have a seat," she offers. Then, she holds out her hand. "Abigail Widdowson. Head of Circle Midnight, one of the two factions of witches in London."

Kyle follows, eyes darting around to note all possible exits and hiding places, a force of habit. He accepts the shake as she offers it, returning it in kind before hesitating a fraction at her words. When he drops her hands, he slides his own into his pockets.

"Kyle Sutton. Shit. I didn't mean to- I didn't realize you were the head honcho. I get if you don't have time to chat." Kyle casually pulls his pocket away from his body as a vague way of pointing back to the front door, an offer to leave if she wants.

"I've already invited you into my home," she replies calmly, and she actually chuckles a bit. "So, please. Have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?"

It seems like the right place to start. After all, she has no idea how this conversation might go. The least she can do is play the proper hostess at first.

"No thanks," he replies lightly, taking her easily at her word. Kyle moves to sit on the edge of a chair, back away from visible entrances. Old habits and all. Realizing that the offer for tea may be a way to bond, like finding common ground in a hostage negotiation, he speaks up again. "Water would be great."

He pulls his hands from his pockets, making an effort to relax. The former jock slides back into the chair, letting his legs fall comfortably open and dropping his hands into his lap. Again his eyes roam to take in the opulence and ornamentation of the room, wondering what kind of life she must have had growing up here, if she did. Private school, no boys, no candy, no TV, parents barely home. His mind wanders to guess at the cliches.

A few moments later, Abigail reappears with a glass of ice water, which she sets on a table near his chair before she takes her own seat. One ankle slides behind the other, and her hands fold together in her lap.

"Now, Mister Sutton. You mentioned you wanted to know about witches. What can I help you with specifically?"

"Thanks," he offers as she sets the water down, waiting until she's seated and admiring her posture. She's not unattractive either.

"I don't know exactly. I know there are two groups, you and the other, but I don't know what separates you two. Circle Midnight. Does that mean you only come out at night? Or do you use dark magic?" He's grasping at straws to some extent. He should have done more research, but book learning's never really been his strong suit. "And how do you become a witch?"

"Circle Daybreak and Circle Midnight. Daybreak doesn't tolerate anything it considers to be dark magic. There is... currently some debate as to what that entails."

In other words, she has ever intention of rewriting that classification. But that isn't something to be dealt with at the moment. Not with someone so unfamiliar with their world. It's far more political than she needs to go into.

As for the second point... Well.

"One is born with the capability to be a witch. It is, unfortunately, not something that can be learned."

"Debate meaning you guys disagree?" Kyle has learned to be fairly political, or at least to understand the politics that drive others. This kind of current information is why he sought out an actual witch instead of asking around at the Hillingdon house or among his limited selection of newly made supernatural acquaintances.

"That makes sense." He lifts the glass to take a sip, but pauses halfway. "How do witches feel about the other supernatural races? Or how do you feel about it, versus Daylight?"

Then he sips the water.

"We disagree about quite a bit. It's only been within the recent months that Circle Midnight has any official covens."

She sighs a little at the thought, taking her time in answering.

"Witches and other supernatural creatures tend to be on kind of an... individual nature. Vampires and werewolves, for instance, tend to have strong feelings on each other based solely on species. Witches are, usually, a bit more mutable."

"They were trying to keep you in the dark?" His brow furrows with the thought, his idea of ancient covens being rewritten for something entirely different than what he'd imagined. He assumes they're more powerful than teenage girls going through a goth phase, but it does beg the question what exactly a witch does. More specifically, what it is they're actually capable of.

"'Mutable?'" He doesn't understand the sentiment and asks for clarification. "Vampires and werewolves don't get along then?"

She gives a bit of a nod at his first question. It's the one that can be passed over for now. Mostly because it is sort of a personal matter and what she views as the more delicate situation. Discussion on it can be saved for later.

"Usually, they hate each other. The politics of it are... weird now..." What with an apparent alliance between the two factions, but Abigail didn't pretend to understand that. "But, as a rule, they don't like each other. Witches don't really tend to have a hard and fast like or dislike for any group. Except that the two Circles tend to be opposed. But some of us are trying to reconcile that."

Kyle takes a moment to consider the strategy of it. It makes sense for the younger and smaller, which presumably means weaker, group to try to ally themselves with the existing powerhouse. Unfortunately, those types of things rarely worked, usually leading to one absorbing the other or forcing them out. It was only a matter of time until a turf war broke out, assuming one wasn't already in progress.

"How do witches feel about humans?" He asks after the pause, watching Abigail as he listens intently. "What's the difference between a witch and a medda human?"

"Witches really don't have a general consensus about any group. Not that I've noticed. We tend to... get along? with most of them. And humans, well. A lot of us are pretty involved in human society anyway, too. Really, most of the supernatural are. I know a werewolf who's a lawyer. There's a police officer who's also a Guardian, and a police official who's a vampire."

And witches, well. They're a lot more prevalent than anyone things. But before she even starts on meta humans... She'll let him deal with all that information.

At least no one seems to outright hate humans. That has to be worth something in all this complicated mess. While it isn't exactly news that the supernatural have lives among humanity, the prestige that accompanies some of the titles surprises him. It makes sense for a Guardian to work in the police, but the others are hard to swallow. Especially the vampire.

"Who are they? The people you mentioned. I want to talk to them too." More so talk to the werewolf and Guardian and keep an eye on the vampire, but all's well that ends well. Or something.

"The Guardian's name is Lancelot. You should be able to find him down near Westminster. As for the others... I can't really help you."

After all, he's a stranger. A Guardian should expect to deal with members of the public, and, well. She's given him a start on the others. He can do a little digging. Or she can do a little digging on him and find out what to think of him.

"And what about you? What brings you to England?"

"Lancelot." There's something hilarious about that, not that he's laughing right now. With her unwillingness to name the other names, he nods. "I get it. Thanks."

Kyle reaches over to take a sip of his tea, both because his throat is actually feeling a little dry and because it gives him an extra second to work up the nerve to handle the questions that inevitably follow this first. "I don't have any family back in the U.S., so I came here to stay with some relatives while I figure out what the hell to do next."

Abigail took a sip of her own tea, taking the few moments there to consider her own position as well. After all, she understands not having family. Her own... Well. There's no reason to bring that up.

"Well, then let me offer: welcome to London." She chuckles a bit and shakes her head. "How did you get pulled into all of this? Most humans are oblivious to the supernatural, especially our organizations."

"Thanks." Another smile, small and genuine. It's a strange thing to actually get an official welcome from someone, especially a hot witch in a mansion.

With her question, however, he straightens and the tension is fairly obvious. It's not his favorite thing to talk about with most people, especially those who don't seem to understand why vampires are so fucking terrifying and evil. Kyle's not sure if Abigail does and isn't sure he's ready to burn that bridge.

"I had some run-ins with some vampires while I was on tour," he says carefully, trying to play off the tension as talking about his time in the military in general, rather than his encounters with the vampires specifically. "I actually didn't know until I got to London, a few weeks ago, about the rest of the community. Ran into a guy, started asking questions. Haven't really stopped, obviously."

"It's a lot to take in," she says with a smile. "I was raised with everything about witches and fae, and I heard about all the others, but I only got to meet my first werewolf less than a year ago."

Vampires... Well. She's had friends and enemies there. Numerous werewolf allies. Shapeshifters, not so much. And God knows her relationship with the fae is complicated enough.

"As much as the woman who runs it and I don't get along-- there's a place called the Redbright Institute. Have you been there already?"

"It's weird that most humans have no idea," he admits with a light shrug. "I get why they shouldn't, but it's a fuck ton of people and deaths to hide."

Kyle runs a hand halfway through his hair before he stops and instead reaches for his water again. After a long sip, he interlaces his fingers and forces his hands to still in his lap.

He shakes his head at her question. "I have the address. I haven't been yet. Are they alright with humans who come knocking?"

"Just don't mention my name, and you'll be fine," she says with a smile.

It's a joke... but not quite. Because, well, if Redbright takes this man to be ally of hers? He's going to suffer for it. Badly.

"Missus Redbright and I aren't on good terms. She's the head of Circle Daybreak."

That causes him to actually pause, holding up a hand to stop her. "Wait, wait. So this 'school' or whatever is run by the head of Daybreak? Does Night- Midnight have an institute too? Why is she in charge? Jesus, this whole thing's as bad as American politics."

He sighs as he thinks about it. "Speaking of.. How do you relate to the Night Council? Your Midnight Circle, I mean."

Abigail smiles just a little and gives a nod of her head. Because, well, at least someone outside of Circle Midnight sees why this is such a bad situation. And why Midnight witches have their backs against the wall.

"Sylvia Redbright is also the president of the Night Council, and the only witch representative is Circle Daybreak."

"Fuck," he replies with a light chuckle. Because damn, that really sucks for them, to put it mildly. "Who else is on the Night Council? And how do you get a spot? Why don't you guys have one?"

"That is actually my next move."

She can announce it to him. Even if he tells Sylvia, there's not much the woman can legally do to stop her from trying.

"The Night Council has a Witch representative, a Vampire representative, and a representative for both Shapeshifters and Meta-humans. In addition to those three, there are the president -- Sylvia -- and a vice-president. The Night Council was founded by witches, and they make up three of the five. Because of that, if there was to be another representative, they would have to add another. To make it seven. A lucky number in spells."

She smiles just a little.

"Originally, I was going to just advocate for separating the Shifters and the Meta-humans, but it's much more likely to make the Council very annoyed if I can secure not only Midnight a seat but the Werewolves as well."

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