Nanananananana Ethel!

Margery.

She laughs as she points at Jasper.

Jasper stares at the rift in reality that Margery stepped out of. Light pours through into Ethel's realm, obscuring his vision of whatever lies beyond it. He glances at Ethel, wondering what she'd do if he simply made a break for whatever lay in the space beyond, or if whatever force is keeping him from using his magic to get away would stop him for her.

Before he can decide whether its worth it, a familiar transparent figure zips out from the white light. Jasper's eyes widen as Jim floats up to him, a finger to his lips. The ghost glances over at Ethel with a worried expression, then turns back to Jasper with a wince. Before Jasper can say anything, Jim dives forward, disappearing into his chest. Jasper bites down a gasp as a cold sensation washes over him, then he hears the dead boy's familiar voice echo in his mind.

The glow could rival the sun. If his memory of the sun is correct.

Having lived under a spotlight, artificial and powered by nothing more than Her magic,

something about this feels more real.

Unfamiliar, yet fascinating. It almost makes him delighted.)

(But he doesn’t understand. Instincts, so one-dimensional and so focused on his mission, falls silent.)

What is that?

(It gives him just enough of a weak point to free himself. He swims back up, breaking the surface.

Nothing makes much sense, not here.

Even still, this is quite out of the ordinary, isn’t it? Finally something out of the norm.

Actual, visible

hope.

Get him out.)

What's the plan? How do we get out of here? I tried to teleport away, but something's keeping me trapped... -✨

We know, Ethel has surrounded her realm with magic that once you enter, is almost impossible to leave. That's why we're keeping the portal open, so we can pull you out while Ethel is distracted. Come on, let's go. -👻

Jasper glances behind him at Wilhelm, and sees a clarity in his eyes that's been absent throughout all Ethel's games.

What about him? I came here to rescue him, I can't just leave him behind. -✨

I guess...try and pull him with you? But hurry, we need to go now -👻

Jasper glances at Ethel, who's still looking at Margery, then slowly reaches out and takes Wilhelm's hand and starts moving towards the glowing portal, all while Margery continues to rant.

Oh, I didn’t assume anything, Ethel. You know what they say when you assume, after all. -📱

She leans forward, a devious glint in her eyes.

It makes an ass out of you and me. And bold of YOU to assume that a ghost is the only backup that I brought. -📱

Before Ethel has a chance to respond, a familiar figure steps out of the light, electricity crackling around them.

Jasper, RUN! -🌩️👻

Junior thrusts his hand out, and lightning explodes out of him, slamming into Ethel's form. The old woman barely staggers, but Jasper doesn't wait to see whether she'll be overcome. He dashes towards the light, pulling Wilhelm along with him as he runs. A hand reaches out, an unfamiliar boy coming into view as Jasper gets closer to the rift.

Take my hand! -🚗

Jasper does so without hesitation, and as his hand clasps around the strange boy's, he feels a vaguely familiar zing of power shoot through him. The boy drags him forward, and Jasper tightens his own grip on Wilhelm's hand as they pass through the portal.

The sensation of pushing against a membrane is present for just a moment, and fear that even this is not enough power to break out jolts through him, but then they're free, stumbling out of Ethel's realm of darkness and into the familiar embrace of the astral plane.

Junior follows behind them a moment later, his eyes wide as Ethel's shouting chases him away, then Margery's voice cuts through the sound.

It's OVER, Ethel! Don't try and follow us, unless you want to feel what it's like to be beaten by a bunch of school children! -📱

Margery takes a step back through the portal and waves her hand through the air in a cutting off motion. The rift between realms vanishes, leaving the group in the blessed emptiness of the astral plane.

(His gaze darts around the kids, briefly glancing at the older witch and feeling a sense of familiarity, though paying no mind to it. No signs of mind control, at least not on the surface.

The realization that he’d gone out with them only comes later.)

did we… get out? did you…

(He looks around. A shallow exhale breathes through his mouth as some sort of confirmation.)

… huh.

Jasper? -🌩️

Jasper looks up and sees Junior looking at him, eyes wide with concern and Jim hovering by his shoulder. Relief surges through Jasper and he throws his arms around his friend. Junior grunts in surprise, but catches Jasper easily, squeezing as tightly as he can. Jasper feels a slight chill move through his arm as Jim attempts to give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Thank you...I should never have gone off like that, I'm so sorry... -✨

No, you shouldn't have! Honestly, you stop one egomaniac from drowning in her own grief and regret and you think you can take on a witch of Ethel's caliber? You're lucky we were even able to break through her barriers, let alone pull you out. -📱

I know, I'm sorry that... -✨

Jasper trails off as he scans the group, taking note of two unfamiliar faces who helped pull him and Wilhelm free.

Um, who are you? -✨

Oh, I'm Julian, and that's Frankie. We were with Margery when your friends found her and came to help. -🚗

And...you're witches? -✨

He's a witch, I'm a half-angel demon hunter! -🪶

Frankie spreads his wings out behind him, twisting them back and forth to show them off, then he frowns, looking over at Wilhelm.

(He is surrounded by a group of children. Outside Her realm.)

i just can’t believe… you actually pulled me out.

i never thought i would see anywhere beyond the stage. i don’t know what will happen to me. Ethel will chase me down, i know it.

i don’t want to put any of you in any more danger than i already have, it was my fault that Jasper even came back.

(He looks to Jasper.)

you’re leaving soon, i presume.

i would say to leave me behind, but that’s not what you want, is it?

Jasper... -📱

Look, I'm grateful you came to save me, but you aren't my mother, or my coven leader. You can't tell me not to take him with us. -✨

Margery raises her hands, conceding his point. She pulls her pipe out of her dress pocket and lights it.

Well then, we should get somewhere safe as soon as possible. She may not have as much power here as she does in her own dimension, but she has decades of experience on you when it comes to the astral plane. -📱

Back to the physical realm then? Alright, everyone join hands. Since there's three witches this time, we shouldn't have any trouble at all. -🚗

Jim disappears into Junior's body, and they reach out and take Julian and Frankie's offered hands. Margery rolls her eyes, but takes Frankie's other hand, and Jasper takes Julian's. He holds his remaining hand out to Wilhelm, and gives the man an encouraging smile.

(He holds Jasper’s hand.

The witches mutter something under their breath, and a surge of energy courses through their connected arms. A white light grows in strength and intensity in the middle of their circle, slowly reaching the point when it will burst and deliver them back home.

Wilhelm feels himself being lifted, but his soul doesn’t lift with his body. He hears rapid, light beeping in his head, faint behind the whooshing magic, and something embedded within him tethers him down.

His grip on Jasper and Margery’s hands is slipping, like someone grabbing the back of his shirt and pulling him away.

Jasper pulls on the magic, stopping the spell, and Margery frowns.

We don't have time for this, boy... -📱

The spell isn't working on him, there's something that's still keeping him here! -✨

Well, is it something we can undo? I don't like being here, it feels like the longer we stay the more we're asking for trouble. -🚗

To undo it we'd have to know what it is. -📱

Wait... -🌩️

Junior frowns and steps forward, reaching out to take Wilhelm's hand in his own. He peers up into the man's eyes for a moment, tilting his head, then he looks back at the others, a confused look on his face.

I...I don't think he's human. -🌩️

Really? He looks human. -🪶

You should know there are a lot of things that look human but aren't, Frankie. -🚗

Frankie nods, accepting the point, and Margery regards Wilhelm thoughtfully.

(That’s not a very convincing argument.)

am i more Ethel’s now, than human?

i have memories of before i was trapped. i had a mother and father. i was human. i would like to believe i still am.

Junior sounds more sure now, and his expression shifts from confused to sympathetic.

i… i know i don’t feel like one. i never functioned like one either, but-

(The AirTag beeps. An epiphany strikes him, and a solemn smile replaces the confusion.)

i think… you’re trying to save an illusion.

don’t blame yourself, Jasper. you wouldn’t have known. i didn’t either. i never thought i’d make it this far.

maybe this is the closest i’ll get to feeling human.

(The beeping grows louder in his head.)

i think she put a failsafe in me. it’s the first time it’s activating, after all these decades.

i’m not your failure. i know you’ll save many others after me. you’re doing so much better than Ethel at helping people anyway.

goodbye Jasper. believe in yourself. i’ll do too.

Jasper lunges for Wilhelm, catching his hand one last time, but it's no use. The man...or whatever he is, goes limp, and melts away into the shadows. There's a tug; whatever magic is dragging Wilhelm down to Ethel tries to latch onto Jasper where their hands were joined, but before it can, a rough pair of hands land on his shoulders.

Oh no you don't, we didn't go through all that trouble to rescue you just for you to get pulled back in! Hold on, boys! -📱

The others reach forward and grab Jasper too, and together, they're enough to break Ethel's grip on him. The resistance suddenly vanishes, and the boys collapse backwards in a tangle of limbs.

No... -✨

Tears well in Jasper's eyes, and he struggles to pull himself up out of the pile.

No, we have to go back for him, we can't leave him... -✨

Jasper! Jasper, listen! -🌩️

Junior grabs his hand, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

He's not real, Jasper. We need to get out of here, now. -🌩️

But.... -✨

A cool sensation brushes against his face, and as he blinks, the image of his grandmother's face comes into view.

Please, my boy...you've done so well. But it's time to let go. -🔮

Jasper hangs his head, the last of the fight finally draining out of him. Junior reaches back and grabs hold of Julian, nodding to him and Margery, and they complete the spell.

As the unlikely group of friends fade away, leaving the astral plane behind, Jasper looks back at the point where Wilhelm disappeared.

- @twig-the-little-fella

buses

peter pan

plaid

batman

sheep

lighthouses

stegosauruses

beetroots

STAG STAG STAG

eggplants/aubergines

trains

the cabaret

DIY

sherlock holmes

lemons

melons

werewolves

gays

lesbians

coobes

feminism

anything ever

Margery.

She laughs as she points at Jasper.

Jasper stares at the rift in reality that Margery stepped out of. Light pours through into Ethel's realm, obscuring his vision of whatever lies beyond it. He glances at Ethel, wondering what she'd do if he simply made a break for whatever lay in the space beyond, or if whatever force is keeping him from using his magic to get away would stop him for her.

Before he can decide whether its worth it, a familiar transparent figure zips out from the white light. Jasper's eyes widen as Jim floats up to him, a finger to his lips. The ghost glances over at Ethel with a worried expression, then turns back to Jasper with a wince. Before Jasper can say anything, Jim dives forward, disappearing into his chest. Jasper bites down a gasp as a cold sensation washes over him, then he hears the dead boy's familiar voice echo in his mind.

The glow could rival the sun. If his memory of the sun is correct.

Having lived under a spotlight, artificial and powered by nothing more than Her magic,

something about this feels more real.

Unfamiliar, yet fascinating. It almost makes him delighted.)

(But he doesn’t understand. Instincts, so one-dimensional and so focused on his mission, falls silent.)

What is that?

(It gives him just enough of a weak point to free himself. He swims back up, breaking the surface.

Nothing makes much sense, not here.

Even still, this is quite out of the ordinary, isn’t it? Finally something out of the norm.

Actual, visible

hope.

Get him out.)

What's the plan? How do we get out of here? I tried to teleport away, but something's keeping me trapped... -✨

We know, Ethel has surrounded her realm with magic that once you enter, is almost impossible to leave. That's why we're keeping the portal open, so we can pull you out while Ethel is distracted. Come on, let's go. -👻

Jasper glances behind him at Wilhelm, and sees a clarity in his eyes that's been absent throughout all Ethel's games.

What about him? I came here to rescue him, I can't just leave him behind. -✨

I guess...try and pull him with you? But hurry, we need to go now -👻

Jasper glances at Ethel, who's still looking at Margery, then slowly reaches out and takes Wilhelm's hand and starts moving towards the glowing portal, all while Margery continues to rant.

i am here to announce my new obssession

SHOOT FROM THE HIP

I LOVE THEM I LOVE TEM YOU WILL SEE SO MANY NEW POSTS THAT YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND

Ethel appears.

Oh dear. What has been going on here..

No smile. Anything but a smile. Somehow making her even scarier. She looks... almost disappointed.

what? i never said anything about me leaving, i only-!

( She knows. She knows everything. How your soul still thinks of selfish wants instead of the mission in front of you now. )

… go away…!

( So, you have been waiting for him. Did you think the boy could actually grant you escape? )

no, of course not-

( Liar. )

(The hole of regret grows bigger and bigger, the pit in his chest threatening to swallow him whole.

He’s being forced to stare into those eyes, that disappointment in her look, and be sorry about it.

All the while, she stands at the sidelines, not even lifting a finger.

Vision starts to blur.)

( He is not your savior. He isn’t anything to you. She is. )

i don’t want this.

( You know you will. )

(He feels his mind at the edge of a precipice.)

I don't know what the fuck is wrong with you. But I'm don't want to play this game anymore, you hear me? I'm not playing this game anymore! -✨

Jasper raises a hand and sends a ball of fire flying directly into Ethel's face. He reaches out and grabs Wilhelm by the hand, squeezes his eyes shut, and pulls him down deeper into the astral plane away from Ethel's power.

...at least, that was the plan.

He’s still not giving up on him.

But then, he sees it, the bliss that seeps out of the crow's feet folding next to her eyes. She hasn't been this delighted for months, not even with cocaine.

Wilhelm realizes, along with the kid:

Jasper can't leave, not this time.)

(He's going to fail here. He's failing the test. No, Jasper's not failing, he is failing him. Jasper tried so hard to help him, and he couldn't do anything but make it worse for the both of them.)

( You're a disgrace. )

(The hole becomes unbearable. He feels like he's dying, truly dying, and it hurts so much more than a flesh wound. Is he actually dying now? It feels like it. Would be a good time for that to happen now, wouldn’t it? Children... it's always the children, but never on this level of familiarity-

… Even now he's still thinking of release. Coward.

His throat refuses to say all the apologies he wants to cry out, and instead utters the same repeated message.)

Once more, his efforts are in vain. It’s not trying to pull Wilhelm out that was preventing him from leaving, it’s something about the space itself and the magic that surrounds it. Jasper senses Sandra and Maureen shifting uneasily beside him, their own power just as useless against the old woman as his own. He looks back at Ethel, who is still staring at him and Wilhelm with that eerie smile on her face.

She doesn’t wait for him to answer.

Jasper looks around, panic bubbling up inside him, threatening to immobilize him. Stupid, he was so stupid for coming back here alone, for coming back here at all...how long until his charm activates? Would his friends even be able to break through the barrier keeping him trapped? He swallows, desperately trying to think of something, anything to say to stall Ethel from...whatever it is she wants to do.

Not yet.

Jasper steals a glance at Wilhelm for a moment before turning back to Ethel and folding his arms across his chest.

My child, the witch hunter would never be able to hurt you or your nana here. I simply am here to offer protection. I promise you he would never be able to hurt anyone if they are here.

-Ethel @nanaethel

*Winthorpe comes running over* (this chain is one year pre-canon so he isn't free yet but at this point he is mute)

She thinks for a moment.

This Winthorpe... He didn't take that vow with his own will, did you, dear?

I know how you're games work. I've known you long enough.

Why don't I give you a little tour around my maze? It's changed since you were last here.

Hm.

Ethel appears.

Oh dear. What has been going on here..

No smile. Anything but a smile. Somehow making her even scarier. She looks... almost disappointed.

what? i never said anything about me leaving, i only-!

( She knows. She knows everything. How your soul still thinks of selfish wants instead of the mission in front of you now. )

… go away…!

( So, you have been waiting for him. Did you think the boy could actually grant you escape? )

no, of course not-

( Liar. )

(The hole of regret grows bigger and bigger, the pit in his chest threatening to swallow him whole.

He’s being forced to stare into those eyes, that disappointment in her look, and be sorry about it.

All the while, she stands at the sidelines, not even lifting a finger.

Vision starts to blur.)

( He is not your savior. He isn’t anything to you. She is. )

i don’t want this.

( You know you will. )

(He feels his mind at the edge of a precipice.)

I don't know what the fuck is wrong with you. But I'm don't want to play this game anymore, you hear me? I'm not playing this game anymore! -✨

Jasper raises a hand and sends a ball of fire flying directly into Ethel's face. He reaches out and grabs Wilhelm by the hand, squeezes his eyes shut, and pulls him down deeper into the astral plane away from Ethel's power.

...at least, that was the plan.

He’s still not giving up on him.

But then, he sees it, the bliss that seeps out of the crow's feet folding next to her eyes. She hasn't been this delighted for months, not even with cocaine.

Wilhelm realizes, along with the kid:

Jasper can't leave, not this time.)

(He's going to fail here. He's failing the test. No, Jasper's not failing, he is failing him. Jasper tried so hard to help him, and he couldn't do anything but make it worse for the both of them.)

( You're a disgrace. )

(The hole becomes unbearable. He feels like he's dying, truly dying, and it hurts so much more than a flesh wound. Is he actually dying now? It feels like it. Would be a good time for that to happen now, wouldn’t it? Children... it's always the children, but never on this level of familiarity-

… Even now he's still thinking of release. Coward.

His throat refuses to say all the apologies he wants to cry out, and instead utters the same repeated message.)

Once more, his efforts are in vain. It’s not trying to pull Wilhelm out that was preventing him from leaving, it’s something about the space itself and the magic that surrounds it. Jasper senses Sandra and Maureen shifting uneasily beside him, their own power just as useless against the old woman as his own. He looks back at Ethel, who is still staring at him and Wilhelm with that eerie smile on her face.

She doesn’t wait for him to answer.

Jasper looks around, panic bubbling up inside him, threatening to immobilize him. Stupid, he was so stupid for coming back here alone, for coming back here at all...how long until his charm activates? Would his friends even be able to break through the barrier keeping him trapped? He swallows, desperately trying to think of something, anything to say to stall Ethel from...whatever it is she wants to do.

Not yet.

- @milk-from-the-hip

Oh dear. We don't get visitors here often. I wonder how you get here... @theshowgoesonandonandon, do we need milk? I think we should get milk.

( … please. just let me have this. it’s just milk. )

( Don’t lie to me. You’ve been itching to drink something ever since they gave you that tea. We share tastebuds. I hated. the tea. If you- )

( She’s waiting for an answer, and i think She wants you to say yes. )

…

Semi-skimmed.

-Ethel @nanaethel

*Winthorpe comes running over* (this chain is one year pre-canon so he isn't free yet but at this point he is mute)

She thinks for a moment.

This Winthorpe... He didn't take that vow with his own will, did you, dear?

I know how you're games work. I've known you long enough.

Why don't I give you a little tour around my maze? It's changed since you were last here.

Hm.

-Ethel @nanaethel

*Winthorpe comes running over* (this chain is one year pre-canon so he isn't free yet but at this point he is mute)

She thinks for a moment.

This Winthorpe... He didn't take that vow with his own will, did you, dear?

I know how you're games work. I've known you long enough.

Why don't I give you a little tour around my maze? It's changed since you were last here.

Hm.