Makes me sick!

@gloricusmourning​

If there was one thing Lydia regretted in her life, it was not taking magic more seriously when her mother was alive. Though she had learned the basics from her, she had missed out on the opportunity to really learn what her mother had to teach. Blair was luckier in that regard, but still was no stand in for the real thing.  That was where Winnie came in. When Lydia first met the older woman she was ecstatic to have a teacher, someone older and more experienced to guide her. For a few years now, Lydia has been under her tutelage, and she couldn’t be more grateful. It was thanks to Winnie that Lydia had the confidence in magic that she did, after all, and the girl was constantly popping by for her lessons. Today was no exception. 

“Hey, I’m here!” Knocking on the door, Lydia gave the doorbell a ring just once. “And I brought- stuff!” She really needed to work on her potion making, so she had a bag full of a few different ingredients. “Hope I didn’t forget anything…”

Winifred did not appreciate tardiness. To her, if you were on time you were late. Being early was best. Still, she answered the door as Lydia yelled from the other side. “You’re...here. Yes. You should have here ten minutes ago, but I’ll let it go just this once.” Winnie liked to think of herself as a forgiving person when it came to such small matters, but she truly knew she was not.  “I hope you didn’t either,” was all she said as she let the younger girl walk inside. 

It was very rare that anyone other than the sisters were allowed inside their home. Winifred didn’t trust anyone and she wasn’t sure how to feel about the young girl. She had been tutoring her for some time, long enough to know the young one wouldn’t betray her so easily. “So,” she began, “I take it you know what we will be working on today.”

It was rare that Winifred let herself get loose enough to get drunk. She had to be sharp of mind at all times, but tonight was one of the rare few she felt the need to relax. Her life was relatively calm at the moment. She didn’t have any ‘big projects’ going on. So, she decided some wine would do her well. A few glasses turned into a bottle and then she cracked open another. 

“Thackery Binx,” she states with her nose scrunching up. “They’re something, that’s for sure. Relentless on a good day and a pain in my ass at most. Can’t say I don’t admire their drive though. They really think I killed their sister. It’s almost hysterical.” Winnie lets out a laugh. “All I have to say to that is: prove it.” She smirks before taking another sip out of her wine glass. She felt good and happy. Maybe she should drink more often, she thought to herself. “I think our little kitty cat is a troublemaker though. They’re always showing up at the most inopportune times. Now, what would it take for the little furball to take a few extra cat naps and leave me alone? Perhaps I should start a taxidermy collection. Our dear Thackery could perhaps be my first piece!” Winnie laughs to herself. It was morbid thinking but clever nonetheless. To her at least it was. She takes another sip of her wine before smiling to herself. “That Thackery Binx sure is a fucking wild card though. I never know what they’re going to do. Or say. Well, sometimes they don’t speak at all. I think sometimes it’s out of spite, but I will say so myself that I can be quite the tongue twister. OH! Now there’s an idea! A spell to get them to shut the fuck up! Does cat got your tongue, Binx?”

@binxinthenight

closed starter for @gloricusmourning​

Ever since the black cat started showing up in his life, Max was suspicious of the Moone sisters. They were the ones who hosted the Halloween bash, after all, and the cat had said that they were not to be trusted. He’d instructed Dani to stay away from them, knowing that she was much less cynical than his girlfriend when it came to trusting people. When he saw them around town, though, he’d been since trying to get something, anything out of them, especially the oldest of the three. “Hello again,” he greeted as they waited for their coffees, gripping the iced one for Allison tightly in his hands as he spoke. “I feel like I see you the least out of all of your sisters. Are you, like, one of those people who doesn’t like to go outside? Or do you just come out on Halloween for parties?” he joked.

It was no mistake that Winifred and the young man were at the same place at the same time. Though she hadn’t actually planned to watch him that day she knew they were destined to meet. So, she went through her day like normal but was sure to keep an eye out for Max. Winifred didn’t believe in coincidence so when they both happened to be in the same coffee shop she knew there was a higher power at play. “Oh, hello,” she says with a sweet smile. Nothing over the top or creepy, but a warm and welcoming smile nonetheless. “Oh, I don’t mind being outside. I do love Halloween though, you know that. I mostly work from home. I have a small, part time thing going on for me but nothing you’d be interested in. I work on my computer mostly all day and today is a free day where I’m not doing anything but just enjoying some free time. I noticed you ordered two coffees. One for you and the other for your girlfriend, I take it?”

“How peculiar,” Winifred says. She purses her lips. “Is there a reason you feel this way? Are you in some sort of rut?” She frowns at him. “Are you and your girlfriend doing okay? Sometimes when something goes wrong time feels frozen.” She places a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Trust me, I know how that can feel.”

“Who?” Winnie asks. It was extremely rare that the woman was drunk. Halloween was well over so she wasn’t as on edge as she had been. She didn’t think it to be a terrible idea to have a few glasses of wine, which turned to a bottle, and then another glass. Even drunk, though, she wasn’t stupid. “I haven’t the slightest idea who you’re talking about. I do hope their sister is okay though.”

The girl let out a small incredulous laugh. “I wish! But I don’t think I have enough power or influence within the town like you do to throw such a huge spectacle.” Dani admitted in addition to what she said, doubting the fact that she could throw a huge party like this one on her own. Maybe with Alli and Mabel’s help she could, but she wasn’t delusional to the fact that it would take a whole lot of time and effort to do so. Smiling back at the woman, she had to admit there was something that didn’t feel right about the way Winnie smiled, but the girl chose to brush it off for now, not wanting to come off like she was suspecting her of something. If there was something for her to suspect, which was a possibility still. “Thank you, again. Dressing up is probably my favorite thing about Halloween, well— one of them anyways. It just felt right that the next course to elevate my love for the holiday was make my own costumes rather than buying the same old generic ones that everyone else buys.” Dani explained, with a gleam in her eyes. “Wow, really? My compliments to the baker then. I had one of her treats earlier and they were wickedly good! Would’ve had a few more too, but my older brother had to nag about not getting myself into a sugar high, as if I’m some eight-year-old still.”

“Well, you have a whole year to gain a big enough following to throw an elaborate party such as mine.” Winnie wasn’t trying to toot her own horn, but she did know the party had been the talk of the town following up to the day of, and likely would continue to be talked about for a while after. “Is it now? I never would have guessed,” she said with a sly smirk. “Making your own costume is half of the fun! In fact, I sewed this dress myself.” That was true. Over the years Winnie had picked up some useful skills such as sewing. She may not be the best, but she definitely had bettered her skill over the years. Her dress wasn’t perfect, but close enough. “They certainly ‘wickedly good,’ as you put it. You have an older brother? I’m the eldest of my sisters, so it’s usually me nagging them. To be honest, they probably feel like an eight year old some of the time as well.”

“Oh, no, I mean, yes,” she stumbled over her words, “the event is great.” Suddenly, Elaine felt bad. She hadn’t meant to upset the other. Silly woman, never paying attention to how the things she said may come across until it was too late. “I’m just not much in the Halloween spirit this year, I’m sorry. That’s alright, I only need to check my makeup. Or maybe you could tell me, do my eyebrows need to be re-powdered?”

~

“Much better. That’s what I like to hear,” Winifred said. Her feelings weren’t hurt in the slightest. Hell, she hadn’t really cared if the other woman was enjoying herself or not. “Not everyone always is. That’s alright. Perhaps there’s something I can do to get you better into the spirit.” Winnie leans closer and looks over her eyebrows. “No, I think they look just fine. No need to fret.”

Persephone spun quickly on her heels towards the voice that came from behind. That’s when she came face to face with Winifred. Sheepishly she didn’t know much about the woman besides she and her sisters were the hostess of tonight’s big bash. “Oh, I am! You sure know how to throw a lovely party.” She reassured the hostess with a friendly smile. Kore had never been a party goer but everyone else seemed to be having a good time regardless. Taking the solo cup in her hands she nodded a small thanks. “You’re too kind. I wanted to get in the Halloween Spirit after all! I love yours too, you look absolutely stunning.” The spring goddess shook her head for Winifred had already offered all she could ask for. “You’re being a perfect hostess, and no I’m fine. My only request is that you set some time aside tonight for yourself and have fun.”

Winifred’s smile rests on her face. Such a sweet gesture from her that held such sinister intentions. Not against the other woman, of course, as she had done nothing to scorn Winifred. “Thank you so much. Your words truly mean a lot,” she said to the other. “You certainly radiate energy that you’re in the spirit.” Her smile never fades, but instead grows. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to give myself a break at some point in the night. If I’m given the chance. I don’t mind if I don’t though. I am enjoying myself.”

“I… suppose,” Elaine nodded in response. It was a half lie. She wasn’t exactly known for enjoying anything, but she was here, and that was enough, wasn’t it? “Ah, yeah, I’m the Mona Lisa — can you tell?” She hadn’t been as proud as she’d hoped of how her outfit had turned out. She’d thrown it together by hand, it wasn’t like the stores had da Vinci costumes lying around. “It seems fine… everything is fine… if you could point me into the direction of the nearest bathroom, though, that would be… greatly appreciated.”

“You suppose?” Winifred questions with a faux, but convincing, frown. “Tell me what I can do to make your night better. I would love nothing more than to cheer you up,” she says. Winnie nods and her frown curves into a small smile. “I can. I love it. The creativity that strikes people this time of year always surprises me. It’s quite entertaining, especially when people opt for a more comedic route to their costumes.” Without turning, Winnie pointed to the bathrooms. “That way,” she said. “Line has been a bit long though.”

Parker held back from rolling his eyes. It was his least favorite day of the year, after all, but he was glad that after tonight he wouldn’t have to think about it for another eleven months. That was really the worst part of Halloween in his eyes — how people began decorating and preparing a month, sometimes 2 months, in advance. He despised it.

“Oh, sure, having a fabulous time,” he answered, his tone obviously dry. Really, there was nothing wrong with the party or the hostesses in his eyes, just the day. Hades pretty much forced him to go to all the town events, though, for business, and he had no control over it. So, he had no choice but to play along. 

He chuckled as she complimented his “costume”, the simple devil horns that rested on his head. “Yeah, this is the closest I’ll ever get to wearing a costume,” he pointed out seriously. “I don’t know, another drink I guess.”

Winifred smiles at the patron of her party who seems to be having a ‘fabulous’ time. “Clearly,” she states. “Well, even the simplest of costumes is still a costume. Nothing wrong with that.” She nodded. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said before walking away and retrieving a drink for him. Once she returns she hands him the cup and smiles again. “I can tell when someone isn’t enjoying themselves. Do yourself a favor and have a few more drinks. It might lighten you up a bit. Or, if my party is really that much of a drag there’s plenty of other things to do. Like dunk your head into the apple bobbing barrel. Maybe the cold water will wake you up a bit and realize how much fun you could potentially have.” It wasn’t the kindest thing to say as the hostess of the party, but she wasn’t taking kindly to someone insulting her party with sarcasm.

From the three Moone sisters, the one who stood out the most to Dani was the eldest. Maybe it was because she had met the lady back during the rave and she was the first from the three she had somewhat gotten to know, and so their encounter was still fresh with her mind. But there was something about the woman that made it too hard to forget about her. So when she came up to her and asked if she was enjoying herself, the young brunette made a smile and nodded. “I am! I’m having a great time actually, thanks for asking.” Dani replied, making sure to come off as polite as possible, even going as far as to nod her head once again. “Me too! I mean, I love Halloween as well, it’s always been my favorite holiday since I could remember and I’ve always wanted to throw a huge Halloween party like this one.” The girl took a moment to look around, marveling at all of the hard work, decorating, and planning it took to make this bash happen. “But I don’t think I could ever execute it as good as you and your sisters had.” Dani added, turning her gaze back at the woman. “Thanks, I made it all myself!” She proudly stated. “No need, I— actually, your sister was the one who baked all of the treats right?”

Winifred was on her best behavior tonight. Well, as much as she could be. She couldn’t be completely inconspicuous because she was one of the hostesses but she had to be quiet about her plans and how she was going to go about them. “I am so glad to hear that,” she said. Winnie was trying to to seem overly friendly but not too crude as well. “Oh, Halloween is just my favorite holiday. I always get excited this time of year. Maybe next year it will be you throwing a huge party.” Winnie puts a hand to her own cheek and smiles sheepishly. It was a fake smile, but convincing nonetheless. “Why, thank you. My sisters and I really tried our hardest to throw a great night.” She glances over the girl’s costume and nods. “Really? Well, it looks amazing. I always love a homemade costume. Really puts me in the spirit.” Winnie nodded. “She did. She’s quite amazing, isn’t she? She spent hours and hours baking the past few days.” It’s a shame there isn’t a spell to speed things up, she almost said as a joke. 

So this was the lady he’d spoken to in the party store: one of the Moone sisters, who had probably been picking up decorations for her big party, That shouldn’t have been much of a surprise to Max, though she had been quite evasive; maybe she was just hiding the details before it was out to the public? He’d never know. “Oh, of course, yeah. I can’t believe you pulled this all off from the stuff in the party store,” he said with a laugh. “My girlfriend and my sister made me do it. I’m all good, though, thank you, and, um…thanks for, you know. Throwing this whole thing.”

“Well, I will admit my sisters and I did have some decorations lying around. The three of us pulled through fairly well though, if I do say so myself.” Winnie’s soft smile stays on her face. “Ah, the same girlfriend you spoke of at the Halloween store, I take it? She’s lucky to have you. As is your sister. Halloween is fun though! You should definitely try and enjoy yourself. There’s plenty of treats to enjoy. Sometimes the tricks end up being fun too.” She takes a sip from her own drink. Nothing alcoholic as she has to stay sharp. “Oh, but it’s my pleasure! I really wanted to go all out this year.”

Mary was wondering around. Honestly just giving any and all of her sweet treats to everyone. It was the night where people cared less about their dental well being and just easily indulged. Spotting her sister she grinned and made her way over. “Or have a cupcake… cookie perhaps?” She questioned as she gave her sister a little look. Leaning over to mumble softly. “I may be playing a little game some have a little trick, while others are just a treat.” She stated pulling back with a giggle. “I just love Halloween so much.” 

Winifred was curious what tricks her sisters had up their sleeves. She had plenty of her own but had yet to come across an unsuspecting victim. After bidding adieu to the guest of the party she pulls her sister aside, a sly smile on her face. “Please, do tell me your tricks. It’s very important that they don’t go awry. You and I both love Halloween, as does Sarah, and you know this is a big night for us.” Her eyes follow a few children dressed up in superhero costumes as they run by. She scrunches up her nose. “Disgusting. Their faces are covered with chocolate.” She turns back to her sister. “I hope you’ve been keeping an eye out.”

“Halloween is approaching,” Winifred said to her sister. “You know what that means.” Her eyes dart to Sarah who seems to never be paying attention. “Are you listening?!” she snapped. “Come out of your daydream so we can talk.” She was reading through her spell book but set it aside for the time being. “You need to be prepared. I can’t have you disappearing and galivanting around town. Mary and I will need you. You have got to be at one hundred percent.” Winnie leans forward and snaps her fingers in Sarah’s face. “Listen to me, you dumbass! Do you even care about any of this at all? There’s more to life than looking pretty, you know. And you won’t look pretty forever unless you do what I say.”