Bríd Bríd, come in; thy bed is ready

[acrookedchild]

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.

Comments

[akillersmile]

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?"

[acrookedchild]

"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.

[akillersmile]

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.

[acrookedchild]

"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?"

[akillersmile]

"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."

[acrookedchild]

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."

[akillersmile]

"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."

[acrookedchild]

"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?"

[akillersmile]

"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?"

[acrookedchild]

"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."

[akillersmile]

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."

[acrookedchild]

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."

[akillersmile]

"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?"

[acrookedchild]

"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."

[akillersmile]

He listens attentively and nods on occasion. The vampire will need to die. Maybe he can help somehow, to replace the vampire with a werewolf. Although it surprises him how strong a role the witches have in all of this. With his history, he expected vampires to rule a lot more. That's vaguely reassuring. Except it's leaving someone out.

"What about the fae?" He asks sincerely, not knowing how they fit either. "How do you petition to add spots to the Council?"

[acrookedchild]

"The fae, in general, live in an entirely different world that they can move between. They... have no need to get involved in our politics."

Aside from Daybreak's desire to bar them, but that wasn't the issue right now. She could worry about the fae's role in that later.

"A lot of political manoeuvring. Formal petitions, play nice with a few politicians."

[akillersmile]

"Oh. That makes sense." If you have your own world, why bother with the politics of another. Hell, why even explore it unless you're bored? But he supposes they probably are. Regardless, that makes them a lot less relevant to the things he's currently trying to figure out.

"And you're taking on all that? By yourself?" His tone isn't one of skepticism. Rather, Kyle's pretty impressed with the girl. She looks around his age and she's already fighting for what's effectively a senate position or something. Meanwhile, he's barely out of the military and doesn't know what the hell he's doing other than looking for Cooper.

[acrookedchild]

Abigail sighs even as she tries to smile. She had Kenzi, and she has Nancy. But neither of them are political players. They all live in very different worlds, especially now

"Someone has to. I was the first to publicly announce and organise a coven for Midnight. And we claimed Enfield as ours to protect. So, I guess it only makes sense to lead the way for this, too."

[akillersmile]

"How many people are in your- uh, coven? Do you have support, resources?" Kyle can't help but view it from a tactical standpoint. He has zero doubts about what people of any age can accomplish and doesn't doubt her for that. Clearly she has money and has a decent idea of how to go about this. He mostly worries about her getting in over her head without a squad - or the civilian equivalent - to back her.

"Do you have protection?"

[acrookedchild]

"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.

[akillersmile]

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?"

[acrookedchild]

"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."

[akillersmile]

"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?"

[acrookedchild]

"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?"

[akillersmile]

"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."