Stormiee

Violet takes a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and ground her. Both Halos and Arabella were still unsure and wary, which was natural when meeting someone new. Her first objective was to establish a friendship first.

"Que bacán, me parece una forma increíble de autoexpresión, Halos. Que lindo que tanto su hermano como usted sean tan áviles y creativos. Me da envidia."

She thought it was amazing to have such a lovely and personal shared interest with a brother. Violeta was an only child herself, but still treasured the memories she had of learning traditional medicine with her grandmother. Family was something she deeply valued.

"Thank you, Arabella. I did my best to make it comfortable. Please feel free to leave whenever you'd like; you're not obligated to stay here by any means." With that, she softly closes the door and strides into her living area.

"So it would seem you both have brothers then?"

She gestures for them to get comfortable in the space she prepared, whether it be on the couch or the nest of blankets and pillows she had on the floor. She briefly disappears into her kitchen to turn off the stovetop, then sits down on the floor herself.

"Your brother was very kind to let you borrow his clothes for tonight," she lightheartedly jabs at Arabella, knowing she probably took them without asking.

"Though I do have to confess, you both are much younger than what I was expecting... I sincerely apologize, but I cannot conduct an Ayahuasca ceremony with you two in good faith. It would go against my morals and values."

She bows her head and holds her hand over her heart as she earnestly apologizes and explains.

"You both came all this way... it was my mistake for assuming and not asking. I'm afraid I still have much to learn about the internet and modern society."

Maywa... this is boring. Why don't you mess with them a little?

The shaman ignores the goddess whispering in her ears.

"But, I don't want you two to have come here in vain. If you'd like, I could read your tarot cards? I could also fix you both a relaxing tea, or, if I don't bore you, we can just talk."

Violeta hopes she doesn't lose their interest, though she wouldn't blame them if she did. Tarot readings usually captured the imagination of most non-magicians, and it could be just the starter they needed to open a deeper conversation. She just didn't want to scare them off. She really wanted to help them.

At first, Arabella was ticked off at the rejection but the then apology made her soften ever so slightly. She could tell it was genuine. The woman was clearly new to Gotham. “It is alright. If anything I can admire that you stick to your values so clearly. It is… A good trait to have.”

She mulled Violeta’s words in her head. Something about the woman seemed off. The slight delay between her sentences that seemed fitting for another conversation. Or maybe Arabella herself was just too used to being around people with hallucinations and was projecting onto her. She wouldn’t put that outside the realm of possibility.

“I don’t mind tarot. I dun- I don’t know about Angel but I’m due for mine. My normal reader got arrested for something or other and I’ve hardly had time to bail her out. Either way, you’re hardly boring. If anything I find you highly interesting.”

The younger had a glint in her eyes. One that spoke of fascination and a thirst for knowledge. She wanted to understand Violeta, to uncover her secrets and hold them above her. A habit she had that she was trying to get rid of. But it was hard when the woman across seemed to have many.

"I'll stay and watch Arabella's reading if that's ok."

He cleared his throat trying to erase the accent that still lingered in his voice. He swallowed a bad feeling rising in his chest when Violeta mentioned the tea and..bowed the way she did. It reminded him of someone he didn't want to think about tonight. Not sober at least.

Arabella nudged Halos, giving him a small look and indicating with her fingers that after the evening they could go out and smoke something. She had rolled some joints earlier and had them in her bag.

“As for tea… What type is it? I’m rather picky with my tastes.”

The girl would stay. She would get Violeta comfortable and peel away the layers until she could uncover her secrets. Arabella hated not knowing and right now it felt like there was a lot she did not know.

Yet here in her apartment, with just these two, she could sense their deep guilt. She may have to do a protection spell for herself to keep herself from taking in too much of it. Adjusting the poncho draped over her shoulders, she grounds herself in the moment and does her best to press forward and be a decent host.

"I see. You're more than welcome to say and watch, Halos. And my condolences to your usual reader, Miss Arabella. I hope my divination is up to your standards."

With a playful glint in her eye, she summons two decks of cards that seemed appropriate enough for the occasion. The boxes come floating in from another room, and once in front of the shaman, they open, the cards fanning out and dancing in the air. Violeta manipulates the smoke rising from the ashes of the palo santo to swirl around the cards before returning the cards to neat piles to sit in front of her on the blanket. Zatanna taught her all about the importance of putting on a decent show.

"I'll assume you know the drill, then? What kind of reading would please you today, my lady?"

She smiles like she's inviting Arabella to play with her, despite Violeta being the one to offer a service. She winks at Halos, a cheeky bid for him to enjoy the show.

"On matters of tea... I believe a rose, passionflower, chamomile, and clover honey infusion would suit the occasion. Shall I prepare it now or after the reading?"

“As for the reading… How about love?” She smiled, observing every move of the woman. From the way she spoke to the way she held herself, Arabella carefully noted it down in her head. “I’ve been rather curious as to what I should do.” The girl accepted the invitation through a change in her demeanour, becoming less strict and postured and more playful herself.

“How about after for the tea? I’ll admit I’m fascinated by how you will conduct the reading, Violeta.”

She smiled and nodded at him. "It's a gift," she tells him mentally, testing her theory. She thought the black crystal would suit him well; it also had the bonus effect of grounding, transmuting negative vibrations, eliminating distractions, and helping the mind focus.

Returning her undivided attention to Arabella, she waves her hands, the cards forming a heart shape in the air as they revolve like a Ferris wheel.

"Love reading it is!"

She returns the cards to her hands, shuffling them one deck at a time.

"You know, I'm not the one who does the reading; the universe picks the cards. I'm just the interpreter." Three cards are produced from the first deck.

"I'm afraid I'm not the most experienced in matters of love." Two cards float out from the second.

"Interesting. The Lovers is at the very heart of this reading, yet all the other cards are in reversal."

Violeta hums as she studies and contemplates the cards.

"Love tries to find you, but it doesn't have a place to call home within your heart." Violeta takes a breath, focusing on the channeled messages.

"It's like... your heart is a sieve. It can only hold things for a second before it all slips through the cracks. I'm sorry you've suffered such heartbreak, Bella."

The last part came from the shaman herself, her eyes soft with not pity... understanding. Respect for what she's lived through.

"Indecision, stagnation, unrealized..." Violeta clears her throat, catching herself before an unintentional slip of the tongue.

"I am so sorry," she sighs, rubbing the back of her head, "but I have a rather insistent spirit who wishes to speak with you. They have a rather... strong personality."

She found it hard to focus and continue the reading with the presence pushing against her consciousness. "Would it be alright if I put them through? As in, I channel them so they can speak with you."

Did she mention she was also a medium? No? Well, she hoped it didn't freak them out.

He tried to move past it. There was no way Violeta clocked him that fast...but even if he'd never admit he knew she knew something.

His eyes flicked to Arabella almost immediately after the last thing Violeta said. He's been on trips with his brother who was...maybe something of a medium. It was complicated he didn't know enough to know the official title of whatever Hansin was but he knew he wasn't ok with this. The creator of the universe could be trying to speak to Arabella right now and he wouldn't care because Hansin wasn't here to make whatever it was talk. He gave Arabella a clear warning with his eyes alone and even if it didn't need words he still tried to communicate them. Even if his abilities weren't working well right now. Very clearly in his mind with his best ability to project it to Arabella. (He was sort of weak)

'Do not let her channel anything'

Her train of thought was stopped by the mention of a spirit and then Halos’ faint voice in her head. It was something she was used to by now but the faintness of his voice was different. He was hurting. She didn’t fully understand why he would tell her to reject the offer but she was sure it had to do with Hansin.

Despite everything, Arabella hated not knowing and was selfish at heart. Regardless of her friend’s feelings and experiences she already knew what she was going to say. “A spirit, hm?” With a tilt of her head and an intrigued look in her eye that spelled trouble she spoke again. “If they are so insistent then we should hardly keep them waiting.”

With a nod of acknowledgement, she gives permission for the spirit to use her as an avatar. "Alright, you heard the lady. You may speak. Inisitent lil bugger..."

She relaxes her body, and in a rather unclimactic way, she surrenders herself over to the spirit. Channeling wasn't very showy, and Violeta found it unnecessary to make it so. Adding extra steps could negatively affect the exchange.

Violeta's head perks up again, her eyes turned brown, face scrunched into a scowl. "When are you going to stop being so pathetic, Bella?"

An exasperated and annoyed voice that didn't quite sound like the shaman's carries through the room.

"You're such a baby, clinging to the past and what was or what you think is. get it through your dumb fucking skull that it's what- 2026 now? Get over yourself!"

The spirit glances at the cards again and scoffs.

"You know what, she was too much of a softie to say it, but I will. You're wasting your potential," the spirit pauses and rolls his eyes when Violeta insists on adding, "Not the kind of potential that's useful to others. The potential to cultivate and- ah, fuck off, lady."

Violeta was not kidding when she warned that the spirit had a strong personality.

"Christ, do you know how fucking maddening it is to watch you spend years doing fuck all? I bet watching grass grow is more exciting than watching over you. But I guess I'm stuck with ya."

The scowl softens a smidge, though annoyance is still generally present in their expression and tone, "I'm not going to tell you that you've got the potential to do great things, because you're not ready for that yet. But you've got to stop fucking running away from yourself. You're not a little kid anymore. Grown women have to actually face the music. You can have love if you want it. But I don't think you want it badly enough. Think about that."

Violeta's eyes shift back into their hazel hue, and the shaman takes a few deep breaths as she returns to herself.

"Hmph. That one's rather lacking in manners," they mutter quietly.

“You don’t say…” Arabella folded her arms. “You wouldn’t happen to know who that was, would you? Or what they meant by being ‘stuck with me’?”

That was the bit that stayed in her mind. The spirit was watching, and had been for a while apparently. Why?

He looked at Violeta and then Arabella as if to say 'Well you guys wanted to talk to it'. Then he looked at Arabella a little more stern with a look that said 'if something bad happens. I'm gonna make Hansin bring you back so I can say I told you so.' . Honestly he wasn't surprised that he spirit wasn't nice. He couldn't imagine himself wanting to be stuck with Arabella in the afterlife. He clears his throat a little speaking up against his better judgement.

"Sometimes spirits get attached because of something to do with unresolved trauma, emotional vulnerability.."

He pauses to bite his lip once before deciding against saying something.

"Or with high energy places...uh portals. Maybe visiting certain locations can increase the likelihood of it...or maybe unfinished business in a sense."

Fuck it. He's already involved.

"Muy bien, chico. Halos is correct, but that's just a small part of a bigger puzzle."

She readjusts, sitting back and leaning onto a propped arm, her body language relaxed and casual as could be.

"Reality is like a sandwich. Most of us exist here, in the physical realm, our spirits occupying our bodies for this lifetime. The spirit realm can be quite expansive, and it exists parallel to the physical one. Those with spiritual sensitivity can interact and exist within those layers of reality, almost like butterflies. Butterflies can see ultraviolet light, while human eyes are incapable of it."

She itched to go on and on about the particulars of the spirit realm, but out of consideration for her audience, she circled back to Arabella's question.

"In your case, Bella, the conditions that Halos listed do not apply. I would say that this spirit... is almost like a guardian angel of sorts, though they act far from it. Let's call them a guardian spirit."

Violeta's eyes gaze into space as she hums, like she were looking elsewhere while she gathered her words.

"He's definitely masculine. Human. Hm, not too far off from your age, apparently. Lanky. Boyish charm despite his audacity. Fiercly protective of you. Why am I getting fraternal vibes?"

Violeta closes her eyes and holds her chin to focus, but eventually sighs in defeat.

"I'm not getting much else. Well, regardless, though he said he's "stuck with you", he's choosing to be with you. He wishes to see you well, and watch you grow up to..." she sighs, repeating his words in a deadpan tone, "realize your potential."

Violeta didn't agree with the wording of it, but she could understand, by principle, why he was so adamant about expressing that. Arabella was clearly shooting herself in the foot with some sort of victim complex, unable to forgive herself and move on from whatever traumatized her. She had to cultivate the courage to retake the reins of her own life.

"I'm sorry I couldn't answer much more about this particular guardian. When spirits decide to be secretive, there's not really much more that can be done."

Well, unless you were John Constantine. Her mentor lived to break and bend the rules of the natural order. But Violeta was not like him. The shaman casts Halos a pleading glance, as if to ask him to keep that thought to himself. Messing with spirit business could get unpleasant very quickly.

"Well... if you consider this reading concluded, I'd be happy to brew and offer you both that tea now," she kindly offers, hoping to transition into a lighter mood.

“A man? Watching me? That’s not creepy at all.” Snark was always the way to go when faced with weird things. Definitely. A*, Janet would be proud. “You said fraternal, right? The only brother I have is Timothy and it is not like he’s dead. I think. I’m fairly certain he is alive as of right now. Anyone else… No, they’re hardly my brothers. They’re Tim’s.” She took a mental note to check Timothy’s status.

Her potential… As a girl, as a daughter, as a woman, what was she to do? Arabella couldn’t take over the business that had been left to Timothy. Nor could she break free from the shackles and labels society had given her. How could she forget the touches of men or the looks and words spit at her? The people that had died and the friends she couldn’t save from their hell.

Or maybe it simply that she didn’t want to. A thought for another time. A random woman’s apartment was not the place to have a mental breakdown. She’d be sure to schedule it for later.

“It is alright. Certainly, if it is someone around me I imagine you would have a hard time regardless. As for the tea, that would be lovely. Right, Angel?” She looked over at Halos, taking the time between his response to recalibrate herself. She would not crumble because of the words of a foul mouthed spirit.

"yeah, sounds great. Do you have honey?"

Violet takes a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and ground her. Both Halos and Arabella were still unsure and wary, which was natural when meeting someone new. Her first objective was to establish a friendship first.

"Que bacán, me parece una forma increíble de autoexpresión, Halos. Que lindo que tanto su hermano como usted sean tan áviles y creativos. Me da envidia."

She thought it was amazing to have such a lovely and personal shared interest with a brother. Violeta was an only child herself, but still treasured the memories she had of learning traditional medicine with her grandmother. Family was something she deeply valued.

"Thank you, Arabella. I did my best to make it comfortable. Please feel free to leave whenever you'd like; you're not obligated to stay here by any means." With that, she softly closes the door and strides into her living area.

"So it would seem you both have brothers then?"

She gestures for them to get comfortable in the space she prepared, whether it be on the couch or the nest of blankets and pillows she had on the floor. She briefly disappears into her kitchen to turn off the stovetop, then sits down on the floor herself.

"Your brother was very kind to let you borrow his clothes for tonight," she lightheartedly jabs at Arabella, knowing she probably took them without asking.

"Though I do have to confess, you both are much younger than what I was expecting... I sincerely apologize, but I cannot conduct an Ayahuasca ceremony with you two in good faith. It would go against my morals and values."

She bows her head and holds her hand over her heart as she earnestly apologizes and explains.

"You both came all this way... it was my mistake for assuming and not asking. I'm afraid I still have much to learn about the internet and modern society."

Maywa... this is boring. Why don't you mess with them a little?

The shaman ignores the goddess whispering in her ears.

"But, I don't want you two to have come here in vain. If you'd like, I could read your tarot cards? I could also fix you both a relaxing tea, or, if I don't bore you, we can just talk."

Violeta hopes she doesn't lose their interest, though she wouldn't blame them if she did. Tarot readings usually captured the imagination of most non-magicians, and it could be just the starter they needed to open a deeper conversation. She just didn't want to scare them off. She really wanted to help them.

At first, Arabella was ticked off at the rejection but the then apology made her soften ever so slightly. She could tell it was genuine. The woman was clearly new to Gotham. “It is alright. If anything I can admire that you stick to your values so clearly. It is… A good trait to have.”

She mulled Violeta’s words in her head. Something about the woman seemed off. The slight delay between her sentences that seemed fitting for another conversation. Or maybe Arabella herself was just too used to being around people with hallucinations and was projecting onto her. She wouldn’t put that outside the realm of possibility.

“I don’t mind tarot. I dun- I don’t know about Angel but I’m due for mine. My normal reader got arrested for something or other and I’ve hardly had time to bail her out. Either way, you’re hardly boring. If anything I find you highly interesting.”

The younger had a glint in her eyes. One that spoke of fascination and a thirst for knowledge. She wanted to understand Violeta, to uncover her secrets and hold them above her. A habit she had that she was trying to get rid of. But it was hard when the woman across seemed to have many.

"I'll stay and watch Arabella's reading if that's ok."

He cleared his throat trying to erase the accent that still lingered in his voice. He swallowed a bad feeling rising in his chest when Violeta mentioned the tea and..bowed the way she did. It reminded him of someone he didn't want to think about tonight. Not sober at least.

Arabella nudged Halos, giving him a small look and indicating with her fingers that after the evening they could go out and smoke something. She had rolled some joints earlier and had them in her bag.

“As for tea… What type is it? I’m rather picky with my tastes.”

The girl would stay. She would get Violeta comfortable and peel away the layers until she could uncover her secrets. Arabella hated not knowing and right now it felt like there was a lot she did not know.

Yet here in her apartment, with just these two, she could sense their deep guilt. She may have to do a protection spell for herself to keep herself from taking in too much of it. Adjusting the poncho draped over her shoulders, she grounds herself in the moment and does her best to press forward and be a decent host.

"I see. You're more than welcome to say and watch, Halos. And my condolences to your usual reader, Miss Arabella. I hope my divination is up to your standards."

With a playful glint in her eye, she summons two decks of cards that seemed appropriate enough for the occasion. The boxes come floating in from another room, and once in front of the shaman, they open, the cards fanning out and dancing in the air. Violeta manipulates the smoke rising from the ashes of the palo santo to swirl around the cards before returning the cards to neat piles to sit in front of her on the blanket. Zatanna taught her all about the importance of putting on a decent show.

"I'll assume you know the drill, then? What kind of reading would please you today, my lady?"

She smiles like she's inviting Arabella to play with her, despite Violeta being the one to offer a service. She winks at Halos, a cheeky bid for him to enjoy the show.

"On matters of tea... I believe a rose, passionflower, chamomile, and clover honey infusion would suit the occasion. Shall I prepare it now or after the reading?"

“As for the reading… How about love?” She smiled, observing every move of the woman. From the way she spoke to the way she held herself, Arabella carefully noted it down in her head. “I’ve been rather curious as to what I should do.” The girl accepted the invitation through a change in her demeanour, becoming less strict and postured and more playful herself.

“How about after for the tea? I’ll admit I’m fascinated by how you will conduct the reading, Violeta.”

She smiled and nodded at him. "It's a gift," she tells him mentally, testing her theory. She thought the black crystal would suit him well; it also had the bonus effect of grounding, transmuting negative vibrations, eliminating distractions, and helping the mind focus.

Returning her undivided attention to Arabella, she waves her hands, the cards forming a heart shape in the air as they revolve like a Ferris wheel.

"Love reading it is!"

She returns the cards to her hands, shuffling them one deck at a time.

"You know, I'm not the one who does the reading; the universe picks the cards. I'm just the interpreter." Three cards are produced from the first deck.

"I'm afraid I'm not the most experienced in matters of love." Two cards float out from the second.

"Interesting. The Lovers is at the very heart of this reading, yet all the other cards are in reversal."

Violeta hums as she studies and contemplates the cards.

"Love tries to find you, but it doesn't have a place to call home within your heart." Violeta takes a breath, focusing on the channeled messages.

"It's like... your heart is a sieve. It can only hold things for a second before it all slips through the cracks. I'm sorry you've suffered such heartbreak, Bella."

The last part came from the shaman herself, her eyes soft with not pity... understanding. Respect for what she's lived through.

"Indecision, stagnation, unrealized..." Violeta clears her throat, catching herself before an unintentional slip of the tongue.

"I am so sorry," she sighs, rubbing the back of her head, "but I have a rather insistent spirit who wishes to speak with you. They have a rather... strong personality."

She found it hard to focus and continue the reading with the presence pushing against her consciousness. "Would it be alright if I put them through? As in, I channel them so they can speak with you."

Did she mention she was also a medium? No? Well, she hoped it didn't freak them out.

He tried to move past it. There was no way Violeta clocked him that fast...but even if he'd never admit he knew she knew something.

His eyes flicked to Arabella almost immediately after the last thing Violeta said. He's been on trips with his brother who was...maybe something of a medium. It was complicated he didn't know enough to know the official title of whatever Hansin was but he knew he wasn't ok with this. The creator of the universe could be trying to speak to Arabella right now and he wouldn't care because Hansin wasn't here to make whatever it was talk. He gave Arabella a clear warning with his eyes alone and even if it didn't need words he still tried to communicate them. Even if his abilities weren't working well right now. Very clearly in his mind with his best ability to project it to Arabella. (He was sort of weak)

'Do not let her channel anything'

Her train of thought was stopped by the mention of a spirit and then Halos’ faint voice in her head. It was something she was used to by now but the faintness of his voice was different. He was hurting. She didn’t fully understand why he would tell her to reject the offer but she was sure it had to do with Hansin.

Despite everything, Arabella hated not knowing and was selfish at heart. Regardless of her friend’s feelings and experiences she already knew what she was going to say. “A spirit, hm?” With a tilt of her head and an intrigued look in her eye that spelled trouble she spoke again. “If they are so insistent then we should hardly keep them waiting.”

With a nod of acknowledgement, she gives permission for the spirit to use her as an avatar. "Alright, you heard the lady. You may speak. Inisitent lil bugger..."

She relaxes her body, and in a rather unclimactic way, she surrenders herself over to the spirit. Channeling wasn't very showy, and Violeta found it unnecessary to make it so. Adding extra steps could negatively affect the exchange.

Violeta's head perks up again, her eyes turned brown, face scrunched into a scowl. "When are you going to stop being so pathetic, Bella?"

An exasperated and annoyed voice that didn't quite sound like the shaman's carries through the room.

"You're such a baby, clinging to the past and what was or what you think is. get it through your dumb fucking skull that it's what- 2026 now? Get over yourself!"

The spirit glances at the cards again and scoffs.

"You know what, she was too much of a softie to say it, but I will. You're wasting your potential," the spirit pauses and rolls his eyes when Violeta insists on adding, "Not the kind of potential that's useful to others. The potential to cultivate and- ah, fuck off, lady."

Violeta was not kidding when she warned that the spirit had a strong personality.

"Christ, do you know how fucking maddening it is to watch you spend years doing fuck all? I bet watching grass grow is more exciting than watching over you. But I guess I'm stuck with ya."

The scowl softens a smidge, though annoyance is still generally present in their expression and tone, "I'm not going to tell you that you've got the potential to do great things, because you're not ready for that yet. But you've got to stop fucking running away from yourself. You're not a little kid anymore. Grown women have to actually face the music. You can have love if you want it. But I don't think you want it badly enough. Think about that."

Violeta's eyes shift back into their hazel hue, and the shaman takes a few deep breaths as she returns to herself.

"Hmph. That one's rather lacking in manners," they mutter quietly.

“You don’t say…” Arabella folded her arms. “You wouldn’t happen to know who that was, would you? Or what they meant by being ‘stuck with me’?”

That was the bit that stayed in her mind. The spirit was watching, and had been for a while apparently. Why?

He looked at Violeta and then Arabella as if to say 'Well you guys wanted to talk to it'. Then he looked at Arabella a little more stern with a look that said 'if something bad happens. I'm gonna make Hansin bring you back so I can say I told you so.' . Honestly he wasn't surprised that he spirit wasn't nice. He couldn't imagine himself wanting to be stuck with Arabella in the afterlife. He clears his throat a little speaking up against his better judgement.

"Sometimes spirits get attached because of something to do with unresolved trauma, emotional vulnerability.."

He pauses to bite his lip once before deciding against saying something.

"Or with high energy places...uh portals. Maybe visiting certain locations can increase the likelihood of it...or maybe unfinished business in a sense."

Fuck it. He's already involved.

"Muy bien, chico. Halos is correct, but that's just a small part of a bigger puzzle."

She readjusts, sitting back and leaning onto a propped arm, her body language relaxed and casual as could be.

"Reality is like a sandwich. Most of us exist here, in the physical realm, our spirits occupying our bodies for this lifetime. The spirit realm can be quite expansive, and it exists parallel to the physical one. Those with spiritual sensitivity can interact and exist within those layers of reality, almost like butterflies. Butterflies can see ultraviolet light, while human eyes are incapable of it."

She itched to go on and on about the particulars of the spirit realm, but out of consideration for her audience, she circled back to Arabella's question.

"In your case, Bella, the conditions that Halos listed do not apply. I would say that this spirit... is almost like a guardian angel of sorts, though they act far from it. Let's call them a guardian spirit."

Violeta's eyes gaze into space as she hums, like she were looking elsewhere while she gathered her words.

"He's definitely masculine. Human. Hm, not too far off from your age, apparently. Lanky. Boyish charm despite his audacity. Fiercly protective of you. Why am I getting fraternal vibes?"

Violeta closes her eyes and holds her chin to focus, but eventually sighs in defeat.

"I'm not getting much else. Well, regardless, though he said he's "stuck with you", he's choosing to be with you. He wishes to see you well, and watch you grow up to..." she sighs, repeating his words in a deadpan tone, "realize your potential."

Violeta didn't agree with the wording of it, but she could understand, by principle, why he was so adamant about expressing that. Arabella was clearly shooting herself in the foot with some sort of victim complex, unable to forgive herself and move on from whatever traumatized her. She had to cultivate the courage to retake the reins of her own life.

"I'm sorry I couldn't answer much more about this particular guardian. When spirits decide to be secretive, there's not really much more that can be done."

Well, unless you were John Constantine. Her mentor lived to break and bend the rules of the natural order. But Violeta was not like him. The shaman casts Halos a pleading glance, as if to ask him to keep that thought to himself. Messing with spirit business could get unpleasant very quickly.

"Well... if you consider this reading concluded, I'd be happy to brew and offer you both that tea now," she kindly offers, hoping to transition into a lighter mood.

Violet takes a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and ground her. Both Halos and Arabella were still unsure and wary, which was natural when meeting someone new. Her first objective was to establish a friendship first.

"Que bacán, me parece una forma increíble de autoexpresión, Halos. Que lindo que tanto su hermano como usted sean tan áviles y creativos. Me da envidia."

She thought it was amazing to have such a lovely and personal shared interest with a brother. Violeta was an only child herself, but still treasured the memories she had of learning traditional medicine with her grandmother. Family was something she deeply valued.

"Thank you, Arabella. I did my best to make it comfortable. Please feel free to leave whenever you'd like; you're not obligated to stay here by any means." With that, she softly closes the door and strides into her living area.

"So it would seem you both have brothers then?"

She gestures for them to get comfortable in the space she prepared, whether it be on the couch or the nest of blankets and pillows she had on the floor. She briefly disappears into her kitchen to turn off the stovetop, then sits down on the floor herself.

"Your brother was very kind to let you borrow his clothes for tonight," she lightheartedly jabs at Arabella, knowing she probably took them without asking.

"Though I do have to confess, you both are much younger than what I was expecting... I sincerely apologize, but I cannot conduct an Ayahuasca ceremony with you two in good faith. It would go against my morals and values."

She bows her head and holds her hand over her heart as she earnestly apologizes and explains.

"You both came all this way... it was my mistake for assuming and not asking. I'm afraid I still have much to learn about the internet and modern society."

Maywa... this is boring. Why don't you mess with them a little?

The shaman ignores the goddess whispering in her ears.

"But, I don't want you two to have come here in vain. If you'd like, I could read your tarot cards? I could also fix you both a relaxing tea, or, if I don't bore you, we can just talk."

Violeta hopes she doesn't lose their interest, though she wouldn't blame them if she did. Tarot readings usually captured the imagination of most non-magicians, and it could be just the starter they needed to open a deeper conversation. She just didn't want to scare them off. She really wanted to help them.

At first, Arabella was ticked off at the rejection but the then apology made her soften ever so slightly. She could tell it was genuine. The woman was clearly new to Gotham. “It is alright. If anything I can admire that you stick to your values so clearly. It is… A good trait to have.”

She mulled Violeta’s words in her head. Something about the woman seemed off. The slight delay between her sentences that seemed fitting for another conversation. Or maybe Arabella herself was just too used to being around people with hallucinations and was projecting onto her. She wouldn’t put that outside the realm of possibility.

“I don’t mind tarot. I dun- I don’t know about Angel but I’m due for mine. My normal reader got arrested for something or other and I’ve hardly had time to bail her out. Either way, you’re hardly boring. If anything I find you highly interesting.”

The younger had a glint in her eyes. One that spoke of fascination and a thirst for knowledge. She wanted to understand Violeta, to uncover her secrets and hold them above her. A habit she had that she was trying to get rid of. But it was hard when the woman across seemed to have many.

"I'll stay and watch Arabella's reading if that's ok."

He cleared his throat trying to erase the accent that still lingered in his voice. He swallowed a bad feeling rising in his chest when Violeta mentioned the tea and..bowed the way she did. It reminded him of someone he didn't want to think about tonight. Not sober at least.

Arabella nudged Halos, giving him a small look and indicating with her fingers that after the evening they could go out and smoke something. She had rolled some joints earlier and had them in her bag.

“As for tea… What type is it? I’m rather picky with my tastes.”

The girl would stay. She would get Violeta comfortable and peel away the layers until she could uncover her secrets. Arabella hated not knowing and right now it felt like there was a lot she did not know.

Yet here in her apartment, with just these two, she could sense their deep guilt. She may have to do a protection spell for herself to keep herself from taking in too much of it. Adjusting the poncho draped over her shoulders, she grounds herself in the moment and does her best to press forward and be a decent host.

"I see. You're more than welcome to say and watch, Halos. And my condolences to your usual reader, Miss Arabella. I hope my divination is up to your standards."

With a playful glint in her eye, she summons two decks of cards that seemed appropriate enough for the occasion. The boxes come floating in from another room, and once in front of the shaman, they open, the cards fanning out and dancing in the air. Violeta manipulates the smoke rising from the ashes of the palo santo to swirl around the cards before returning the cards to neat piles to sit in front of her on the blanket. Zatanna taught her all about the importance of putting on a decent show.

"I'll assume you know the drill, then? What kind of reading would please you today, my lady?"

She smiles like she's inviting Arabella to play with her, despite Violeta being the one to offer a service. She winks at Halos, a cheeky bid for him to enjoy the show.

"On matters of tea... I believe a rose, passionflower, chamomile, and clover honey infusion would suit the occasion. Shall I prepare it now or after the reading?"

“As for the reading… How about love?” She smiled, observing every move of the woman. From the way she spoke to the way she held herself, Arabella carefully noted it down in her head. “I’ve been rather curious as to what I should do.” The girl accepted the invitation through a change in her demeanour, becoming less strict and postured and more playful herself.

“How about after for the tea? I’ll admit I’m fascinated by how you will conduct the reading, Violeta.”

She smiled and nodded at him. "It's a gift," she tells him mentally, testing her theory. She thought the black crystal would suit him well; it also had the bonus effect of grounding, transmuting negative vibrations, eliminating distractions, and helping the mind focus.

Returning her undivided attention to Arabella, she waves her hands, the cards forming a heart shape in the air as they revolve like a Ferris wheel.

"Love reading it is!"

She returns the cards to her hands, shuffling them one deck at a time.

"You know, I'm not the one who does the reading; the universe picks the cards. I'm just the interpreter." Three cards are produced from the first deck.

"I'm afraid I'm not the most experienced in matters of love." Two cards float out from the second.

"Interesting. The Lovers is at the very heart of this reading, yet all the other cards are in reversal."

Violeta hums as she studies and contemplates the cards.

"Love tries to find you, but it doesn't have a place to call home within your heart." Violeta takes a breath, focusing on the channeled messages.

"It's like... your heart is a sieve. It can only hold things for a second before it all slips through the cracks. I'm sorry you've suffered such heartbreak, Bella."

The last part came from the shaman herself, her eyes soft with not pity... understanding. Respect for what she's lived through.

"Indecision, stagnation, unrealized..." Violeta clears her throat, catching herself before an unintentional slip of the tongue.

"I am so sorry," she sighs, rubbing the back of her head, "but I have a rather insistent spirit who wishes to speak with you. They have a rather... strong personality."

She found it hard to focus and continue the reading with the presence pushing against her consciousness. "Would it be alright if I put them through? As in, I channel them so they can speak with you."

Did she mention she was also a medium? No? Well, she hoped it didn't freak them out.

He tried to move past it. There was no way Violeta clocked him that fast...but even if he'd never admit he knew she knew something.

His eyes flicked to Arabella almost immediately after the last thing Violeta said. He's been on trips with his brother who was...maybe something of a medium. It was complicated he didn't know enough to know the official title of whatever Hansin was but he knew he wasn't ok with this. The creator of the universe could be trying to speak to Arabella right now and he wouldn't care because Hansin wasn't here to make whatever it was talk. He gave Arabella a clear warning with his eyes alone and even if it didn't need words he still tried to communicate them. Even if his abilities weren't working well right now. Very clearly in his mind with his best ability to project it to Arabella. (He was sort of weak)

'Do not let her channel anything'

Her train of thought was stopped by the mention of a spirit and then Halos’ faint voice in her head. It was something she was used to by now but the faintness of his voice was different. He was hurting. She didn’t fully understand why he would tell her to reject the offer but she was sure it had to do with Hansin.

Despite everything, Arabella hated not knowing and was selfish at heart. Regardless of her friend’s feelings and experiences she already knew what she was going to say. “A spirit, hm?” With a tilt of her head and an intrigued look in her eye that spelled trouble she spoke again. “If they are so insistent then we should hardly keep them waiting.”

With a nod of acknowledgement, she gives permission for the spirit to use her as an avatar. "Alright, you heard the lady. You may speak. Inisitent lil bugger..."

She relaxes her body, and in a rather unclimactic way, she surrenders herself over to the spirit. Channeling wasn't very showy, and Violeta found it unnecessary to make it so. Adding extra steps could negatively affect the exchange.

Violeta's head perks up again, her eyes turned brown, face scrunched into a scowl. "When are you going to stop being so pathetic, Bella?"

An exasperated and annoyed voice that didn't quite sound like the shaman's carries through the room.

"You're such a baby, clinging to the past and what was or what you think is. get it through your dumb fucking skull that it's what- 2026 now? Get over yourself!"

The spirit glances at the cards again and scoffs.

"You know what, she was too much of a softie to say it, but I will. You're wasting your potential," the spirit pauses and rolls his eyes when Violeta insists on adding, "Not the kind of potential that's useful to others. The potential to cultivate and- ah, fuck off, lady."

Violeta was not kidding when she warned that the spirit had a strong personality.

"Christ, do you know how fucking maddening it is to watch you spend years doing fuck all? I bet watching grass grow is more exciting than watching over you. But I guess I'm stuck with ya."

The scowl softens a smidge, though annoyance is still generally present in their expression and tone, "I'm not going to tell you that you've got the potential to do great things, because you're not ready for that yet. But you've got to stop fucking running away from yourself. You're not a little kid anymore. Grown women have to actually face the music. You can have love if you want it. But I don't think you want it badly enough. Think about that."

Violeta's eyes shift back into their hazel hue, and the shaman takes a few deep breaths as she returns to herself.

"Hmph. That one's rather lacking in manners," they mutter quietly.

“You don’t say…” Arabella folded her arms. “You wouldn’t happen to know who that was, would you? Or what they meant by being ‘stuck with me’?”

That was the bit that stayed in her mind. The spirit was watching, and had been for a while apparently. Why?

He looked at Violeta and then Arabella as if to say 'Well you guys wanted to talk to it'. Then he looked at Arabella a little more stern with a look that said 'if something bad happens. I'm gonna make Hansin bring you back so I can say I told you so.' . Honestly he wasn't surprised that he spirit wasn't nice. He couldn't imagine himself wanting to be stuck with Arabella in the afterlife. He clears his throat a little speaking up against his better judgement.

"Sometimes spirits get attached because of something to do with unresolved trauma, emotional vulnerability.."

He pauses to bite his lip once before deciding against saying something.

"Or with high energy places...uh portals. Maybe visiting certain locations can increase the likelihood of it...or maybe unfinished business in a sense."

Fuck it. He's already involved.

Violet takes a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and ground her. Both Halos and Arabella were still unsure and wary, which was natural when meeting someone new. Her first objective was to establish a friendship first.

"Que bacán, me parece una forma increíble de autoexpresión, Halos. Que lindo que tanto su hermano como usted sean tan áviles y creativos. Me da envidia."

She thought it was amazing to have such a lovely and personal shared interest with a brother. Violeta was an only child herself, but still treasured the memories she had of learning traditional medicine with her grandmother. Family was something she deeply valued.

"Thank you, Arabella. I did my best to make it comfortable. Please feel free to leave whenever you'd like; you're not obligated to stay here by any means." With that, she softly closes the door and strides into her living area.

"So it would seem you both have brothers then?"

She gestures for them to get comfortable in the space she prepared, whether it be on the couch or the nest of blankets and pillows she had on the floor. She briefly disappears into her kitchen to turn off the stovetop, then sits down on the floor herself.

"Your brother was very kind to let you borrow his clothes for tonight," she lightheartedly jabs at Arabella, knowing she probably took them without asking.

"Though I do have to confess, you both are much younger than what I was expecting... I sincerely apologize, but I cannot conduct an Ayahuasca ceremony with you two in good faith. It would go against my morals and values."

She bows her head and holds her hand over her heart as she earnestly apologizes and explains.

"You both came all this way... it was my mistake for assuming and not asking. I'm afraid I still have much to learn about the internet and modern society."

Maywa... this is boring. Why don't you mess with them a little?

The shaman ignores the goddess whispering in her ears.

"But, I don't want you two to have come here in vain. If you'd like, I could read your tarot cards? I could also fix you both a relaxing tea, or, if I don't bore you, we can just talk."

Violeta hopes she doesn't lose their interest, though she wouldn't blame them if she did. Tarot readings usually captured the imagination of most non-magicians, and it could be just the starter they needed to open a deeper conversation. She just didn't want to scare them off. She really wanted to help them.

At first, Arabella was ticked off at the rejection but the then apology made her soften ever so slightly. She could tell it was genuine. The woman was clearly new to Gotham. “It is alright. If anything I can admire that you stick to your values so clearly. It is… A good trait to have.”

She mulled Violeta’s words in her head. Something about the woman seemed off. The slight delay between her sentences that seemed fitting for another conversation. Or maybe Arabella herself was just too used to being around people with hallucinations and was projecting onto her. She wouldn’t put that outside the realm of possibility.

“I don’t mind tarot. I dun- I don’t know about Angel but I’m due for mine. My normal reader got arrested for something or other and I’ve hardly had time to bail her out. Either way, you’re hardly boring. If anything I find you highly interesting.”

The younger had a glint in her eyes. One that spoke of fascination and a thirst for knowledge. She wanted to understand Violeta, to uncover her secrets and hold them above her. A habit she had that she was trying to get rid of. But it was hard when the woman across seemed to have many.

"I'll stay and watch Arabella's reading if that's ok."

He cleared his throat trying to erase the accent that still lingered in his voice. He swallowed a bad feeling rising in his chest when Violeta mentioned the tea and..bowed the way she did. It reminded him of someone he didn't want to think about tonight. Not sober at least.

Arabella nudged Halos, giving him a small look and indicating with her fingers that after the evening they could go out and smoke something. She had rolled some joints earlier and had them in her bag.

“As for tea… What type is it? I’m rather picky with my tastes.”

The girl would stay. She would get Violeta comfortable and peel away the layers until she could uncover her secrets. Arabella hated not knowing and right now it felt like there was a lot she did not know.

Yet here in her apartment, with just these two, she could sense their deep guilt. She may have to do a protection spell for herself to keep herself from taking in too much of it. Adjusting the poncho draped over her shoulders, she grounds herself in the moment and does her best to press forward and be a decent host.

"I see. You're more than welcome to say and watch, Halos. And my condolences to your usual reader, Miss Arabella. I hope my divination is up to your standards."

With a playful glint in her eye, she summons two decks of cards that seemed appropriate enough for the occasion. The boxes come floating in from another room, and once in front of the shaman, they open, the cards fanning out and dancing in the air. Violeta manipulates the smoke rising from the ashes of the palo santo to swirl around the cards before returning the cards to neat piles to sit in front of her on the blanket. Zatanna taught her all about the importance of putting on a decent show.

"I'll assume you know the drill, then? What kind of reading would please you today, my lady?"

She smiles like she's inviting Arabella to play with her, despite Violeta being the one to offer a service. She winks at Halos, a cheeky bid for him to enjoy the show.

"On matters of tea... I believe a rose, passionflower, chamomile, and clover honey infusion would suit the occasion. Shall I prepare it now or after the reading?"

“As for the reading… How about love?” She smiled, observing every move of the woman. From the way she spoke to the way she held herself, Arabella carefully noted it down in her head. “I’ve been rather curious as to what I should do.” The girl accepted the invitation through a change in her demeanour, becoming less strict and postured and more playful herself.

“How about after for the tea? I’ll admit I’m fascinated by how you will conduct the reading, Violeta.”

She smiled and nodded at him. "It's a gift," she tells him mentally, testing her theory. She thought the black crystal would suit him well; it also had the bonus effect of grounding, transmuting negative vibrations, eliminating distractions, and helping the mind focus.

Returning her undivided attention to Arabella, she waves her hands, the cards forming a heart shape in the air as they revolve like a Ferris wheel.

"Love reading it is!"

She returns the cards to her hands, shuffling them one deck at a time.

"You know, I'm not the one who does the reading; the universe picks the cards. I'm just the interpreter." Three cards are produced from the first deck.

"I'm afraid I'm not the most experienced in matters of love." Two cards float out from the second.

"Interesting. The Lovers is at the very heart of this reading, yet all the other cards are in reversal."

Violeta hums as she studies and contemplates the cards.

"Love tries to find you, but it doesn't have a place to call home within your heart." Violeta takes a breath, focusing on the channeled messages.

"It's like... your heart is a sieve. It can only hold things for a second before it all slips through the cracks. I'm sorry you've suffered such heartbreak, Bella."

The last part came from the shaman herself, her eyes soft with not pity... understanding. Respect for what she's lived through.

"Indecision, stagnation, unrealized..." Violeta clears her throat, catching herself before an unintentional slip of the tongue.

"I am so sorry," she sighs, rubbing the back of her head, "but I have a rather insistent spirit who wishes to speak with you. They have a rather... strong personality."

She found it hard to focus and continue the reading with the presence pushing against her consciousness. "Would it be alright if I put them through? As in, I channel them so they can speak with you."

Did she mention she was also a medium? No? Well, she hoped it didn't freak them out.

He tried to move past it. There was no way Violeta clocked him that fast...but even if he'd never admit he knew she knew something.

His eyes flicked to Arabella almost immediately after the last thing Violeta said. He's been on trips with his brother who was...maybe something of a medium. It was complicated he didn't know enough to know the official title of whatever Hansin was but he knew he wasn't ok with this. The creator of the universe could be trying to speak to Arabella right now and he wouldn't care because Hansin wasn't here to make whatever it was talk. He gave Arabella a clear warning with his eyes alone and even if it didn't need words he still tried to communicate them. Even if his abilities weren't working well right now. Very clearly in his mind with his best ability to project it to Arabella. (He was sort of weak)

'Do not let her channel anything'

I HAVE AN IDEA

SO ITS PRIDE MONTH RIGHT????

@arabella-drake-wayne @pierogi-snatching-bat

Vigilante. His brother's (Hansin)

Violet takes a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and ground her. Both Halos and Arabella were still unsure and wary, which was natural when meeting someone new. Her first objective was to establish a friendship first.

"Que bacán, me parece una forma increíble de autoexpresión, Halos. Que lindo que tanto su hermano como usted sean tan áviles y creativos. Me da envidia."

She thought it was amazing to have such a lovely and personal shared interest with a brother. Violeta was an only child herself, but still treasured the memories she had of learning traditional medicine with her grandmother. Family was something she deeply valued.

"Thank you, Arabella. I did my best to make it comfortable. Please feel free to leave whenever you'd like; you're not obligated to stay here by any means." With that, she softly closes the door and strides into her living area.

"So it would seem you both have brothers then?"

She gestures for them to get comfortable in the space she prepared, whether it be on the couch or the nest of blankets and pillows she had on the floor. She briefly disappears into her kitchen to turn off the stovetop, then sits down on the floor herself.

"Your brother was very kind to let you borrow his clothes for tonight," she lightheartedly jabs at Arabella, knowing she probably took them without asking.

"Though I do have to confess, you both are much younger than what I was expecting... I sincerely apologize, but I cannot conduct an Ayahuasca ceremony with you two in good faith. It would go against my morals and values."

She bows her head and holds her hand over her heart as she earnestly apologizes and explains.

"You both came all this way... it was my mistake for assuming and not asking. I'm afraid I still have much to learn about the internet and modern society."

Maywa... this is boring. Why don't you mess with them a little?

The shaman ignores the goddess whispering in her ears.

"But, I don't want you two to have come here in vain. If you'd like, I could read your tarot cards? I could also fix you both a relaxing tea, or, if I don't bore you, we can just talk."

Violeta hopes she doesn't lose their interest, though she wouldn't blame them if she did. Tarot readings usually captured the imagination of most non-magicians, and it could be just the starter they needed to open a deeper conversation. She just didn't want to scare them off. She really wanted to help them.

At first, Arabella was ticked off at the rejection but the then apology made her soften ever so slightly. She could tell it was genuine. The woman was clearly new to Gotham. “It is alright. If anything I can admire that you stick to your values so clearly. It is… A good trait to have.”

She mulled Violeta’s words in her head. Something about the woman seemed off. The slight delay between her sentences that seemed fitting for another conversation. Or maybe Arabella herself was just too used to being around people with hallucinations and was projecting onto her. She wouldn’t put that outside the realm of possibility.

“I don’t mind tarot. I dun- I don’t know about Angel but I’m due for mine. My normal reader got arrested for something or other and I’ve hardly had time to bail her out. Either way, you’re hardly boring. If anything I find you highly interesting.”

The younger had a glint in her eyes. One that spoke of fascination and a thirst for knowledge. She wanted to understand Violeta, to uncover her secrets and hold them above her. A habit she had that she was trying to get rid of. But it was hard when the woman across seemed to have many.

"I'll stay and watch Arabella's reading if that's ok."

He cleared his throat trying to erase the accent that still lingered in his voice. He swallowed a bad feeling rising in his chest when Violeta mentioned the tea and..bowed the way she did. It reminded him of someone he didn't want to think about tonight. Not sober at least.

Arabella nudged Halos, giving him a small look and indicating with her fingers that after the evening they could go out and smoke something. She had rolled some joints earlier and had them in her bag.

“As for tea… What type is it? I’m rather picky with my tastes.”

The girl would stay. She would get Violeta comfortable and peel away the layers until she could uncover her secrets. Arabella hated not knowing and right now it felt like there was a lot she did not know.

Yet here in her apartment, with just these two, she could sense their deep guilt. She may have to do a protection spell for herself to keep herself from taking in too much of it. Adjusting the poncho draped over her shoulders, she grounds herself in the moment and does her best to press forward and be a decent host.

"I see. You're more than welcome to say and watch, Halos. And my condolences to your usual reader, Miss Arabella. I hope my divination is up to your standards."

With a playful glint in her eye, she summons two decks of cards that seemed appropriate enough for the occasion. The boxes come floating in from another room, and once in front of the shaman, they open, the cards fanning out and dancing in the air. Violeta manipulates the smoke rising from the ashes of the palo santo to swirl around the cards before returning the cards to neat piles to sit in front of her on the blanket. Zatanna taught her all about the importance of putting on a decent show.

"I'll assume you know the drill, then? What kind of reading would please you today, my lady?"

She smiles like she's inviting Arabella to play with her, despite Violeta being the one to offer a service. She winks at Halos, a cheeky bid for him to enjoy the show.

"On matters of tea... I believe a rose, passionflower, chamomile, and clover honey infusion would suit the occasion. Shall I prepare it now or after the reading?"

“As for the reading… How about love?” She smiled, observing every move of the woman. From the way she spoke to the way she held herself, Arabella carefully noted it down in her head. “I’ve been rather curious as to what I should do.” The girl accepted the invitation through a change in her demeanour, becoming less strict and postured and more playful herself.

“How about after for the tea? I’ll admit I’m fascinated by how you will conduct the reading, Violeta.”

Over two days, the shaman cleansed, meditated, and communed with the spirit world to craft the healing brew. The other day, she could practically feel the rains of the jungle cascading over her skin. Preparing the ritual reminded her so much of home.

She sang and hummed all day long with Mama Ayahuasca. Thousands of miles away from home, and far removed from the jungle where the medicine comes from, she can still recall the cacophony of insects and the dented aluminum pots she used to brew the medicine back home.

Home. A little piece of home she would share with visitors, in hopes of healing their hurting.

Her studio apartment was small, but after days of preparation, the energy inside felt vast and ephemeral. The residence didn't quite belong to Gotham City's Bowery anymore. The space was transformed into an in-between.

The air smelled of flowers and incense, air slightly opaque with the comforting smoke from palo santo. It was warm and humid inside; she had been boiling herbs to release cleansing vapors and prepare the body and soul for the ceremony. You were meant to sweat.

The sparse second-hand furniture was all pushed against the walls, with blankets, mats, and pillows arranged in a circle in the negative space. In the center, plumes of swirling smoke rose from a ceramic bowl with smoldering embers of palo santo; a sacred, cleansing wood.

The walls didn't have much decor, persay. A small tapestry here, a thrifted painting or two there, mostly drying herbs hanging from odd places in a sort of spatial library only Wari could understand.

Beyond the song that spills freely from Violeta, guests could hear the pot of vapors boiling from the kitchen. All the doors and windows were closed, the space illuminated only by warm light lamps, creating an intimate ambience that might remind someone of a womb.

The knock at her door does not interrupt the song she sang with spirit, and she walks to the entrance to open the door, welcoming her guests.

//Continuation from this thread. @arabella-drake-wayne @suspectmeta

"Hey"

She’d been out of sorts as of late and the DM from the woman had seemed as an opportunity to try another stupidly reckless thing she did absolutely no research into. For a genius, she never came across as very smart.

Everything was ready. She moves through the haze, not waiting for a knock, and she opens the door.

"Wel-" her rhythm gets thrown out the window when she sees two kids standing outside her door, "-come...."

Violeta blinks as she watches them. A boy and a girl. The girl had to be Arabella. She wore boyish clothes... she did mention borrowing her brothers' clothing for the occasion. And the boy must have been the tag-along she mentioned. Halos, was it? He didn't look to be that much older than Arabella. In any case, they were both far too tender for something as intensive as an Ayahuasca ceremony.

"Ah... you must be Arabeya and Hah-los?" She pronounces their names in Spanish, slipping back into her mother tongue from the surprise. She scratches her head, trying to reel herself back in and come up with an alternative plan.

She was not going to give these young ones Ayahuasca. It could alter their brain development for the rest of their lives, and she would not be responsible for it. She leaned against the doorframe, chewing her lip as she figured out what to do with them.

His eyes light up with recognition a second later. "Que? ¿tú hablas español?" It's been a while since he's spoken to anyone in Spanish let alone someone who sounds native. It's not very common in Gotham. He's hoping he didn't speak too fast. He moves his hands out of his jacket pockets hoping to look less closed off and more..inviting in a sense. He really wants to speak with Violeta.

Make them dance for you!

Violeta huffs at her goddess's ridiculous instigations. She was not going to take advantage of two wayward young souls. Still, she thought it must be better that they ended up at her door than somewhere else.

She smiles while she hears the boy speak their language and seems to lean in anticipation. She felt her heart squeeze, once again reminded of her home village. Her family. Juanito was always so curious about what Wari was up to.

"Oye, no me contaron que iba a llegar otro hispano," she muses warmly.

"Me encanta su maquillaje, Halos. ¿Tiene algún significado?"

She resists the urge to reach out and pet his head. She had to learn the hard way about how touch boundaries were far more restrictive in the United States.

Her gaze flicks to Arabella. She notices that her smile and mannerisms are formal, a bit out of place for someone her age.

"Arabella. Right, my apologies." She bows her head in solemn apology, treating the teenager with the respect that was due for someone who was so grown up at such a tender age.

Seeing them before her now, she could properly read their soul energies. It felt suffocating; so much duty, responsibility, and expectations for two individuals who were barely figuring themselves out. It wasn't fair. Even without the ceremony, she still badly wished to ease their burdens.

"Welcome to my humble home. It's not much, but I tried to make it as cozy as possible."

Violeta steps aside and holds the door open for them, allowing them space to come inside. The air was still hazy with incense, the mix of smoked wood and floral aromas instantly soothing weary hearts. The atmosphere lent itself to surrender and relaxation, though how soon that came to pass depended on how prepared the individual was to release what no longer served them.

"sí El maquillaje es mi forma de expresarme."

He pauses briefly his eyes still watching her before he diverts his gaze. "Mi hermano me enseña... es bueno expresarse..."

He looks at Arabella as if expecting her to say something.

Over two days, the shaman cleansed, meditated, and communed with the spirit world to craft the healing brew. The other day, she could practically feel the rains of the jungle cascading over her skin. Preparing the ritual reminded her so much of home.

She sang and hummed all day long with Mama Ayahuasca. Thousands of miles away from home, and far removed from the jungle where the medicine comes from, she can still recall the cacophony of insects and the dented aluminum pots she used to brew the medicine back home.

Home. A little piece of home she would share with visitors, in hopes of healing their hurting.

Her studio apartment was small, but after days of preparation, the energy inside felt vast and ephemeral. The residence didn't quite belong to Gotham City's Bowery anymore. The space was transformed into an in-between.

The air smelled of flowers and incense, air slightly opaque with the comforting smoke from palo santo. It was warm and humid inside; she had been boiling herbs to release cleansing vapors and prepare the body and soul for the ceremony. You were meant to sweat.

The sparse second-hand furniture was all pushed against the walls, with blankets, mats, and pillows arranged in a circle in the negative space. In the center, plumes of swirling smoke rose from a ceramic bowl with smoldering embers of palo santo; a sacred, cleansing wood.

The walls didn't have much decor, persay. A small tapestry here, a thrifted painting or two there, mostly drying herbs hanging from odd places in a sort of spatial library only Wari could understand.

Beyond the song that spills freely from Violeta, guests could hear the pot of vapors boiling from the kitchen. All the doors and windows were closed, the space illuminated only by warm light lamps, creating an intimate ambience that might remind someone of a womb.

The knock at her door does not interrupt the song she sang with spirit, and she walks to the entrance to open the door, welcoming her guests.

//Continuation from this thread. @arabella-drake-wayne @suspectmeta

"Hey"

She’d been out of sorts as of late and the DM from the woman had seemed as an opportunity to try another stupidly reckless thing she did absolutely no research into. For a genius, she never came across as very smart.

Everything was ready. She moves through the haze, not waiting for a knock, and she opens the door.

"Wel-" her rhythm gets thrown out the window when she sees two kids standing outside her door, "-come...."

Violeta blinks as she watches them. A boy and a girl. The girl had to be Arabella. She wore boyish clothes... she did mention borrowing her brothers' clothing for the occasion. And the boy must have been the tag-along she mentioned. Halos, was it? He didn't look to be that much older than Arabella. In any case, they were both far too tender for something as intensive as an Ayahuasca ceremony.

"Ah... you must be Arabeya and Hah-los?" She pronounces their names in Spanish, slipping back into her mother tongue from the surprise. She scratches her head, trying to reel herself back in and come up with an alternative plan.

She was not going to give these young ones Ayahuasca. It could alter their brain development for the rest of their lives, and she would not be responsible for it. She leaned against the doorframe, chewing her lip as she figured out what to do with them.

His eyes light up with recognition a second later. "Que? ¿tú hablas español?" It's been a while since he's spoken to anyone in Spanish let alone someone who sounds native. It's not very common in Gotham. He's hoping he didn't speak too fast. He moves his hands out of his jacket pockets hoping to look less closed off and more..inviting in a sense. He really wants to speak with Violeta.

Over two days, the shaman cleansed, meditated, and communed with the spirit world to craft the healing brew. The other day, she could practically feel the rains of the jungle cascading over her skin. Preparing the ritual reminded her so much of home.

She sang and hummed all day long with Mama Ayahuasca. Thousands of miles away from home, and far removed from the jungle where the medicine comes from, she can still recall the cacophony of insects and the dented aluminum pots she used to brew the medicine back home.

Home. A little piece of home she would share with visitors, in hopes of healing their hurting.

Her studio apartment was small, but after days of preparation, the energy inside felt vast and ephemeral. The residence didn't quite belong to Gotham City's Bowery anymore. The space was transformed into an in-between.

The air smelled of flowers and incense, air slightly opaque with the comforting smoke from palo santo. It was warm and humid inside; she had been boiling herbs to release cleansing vapors and prepare the body and soul for the ceremony. You were meant to sweat.

The sparse second-hand furniture was all pushed against the walls, with blankets, mats, and pillows arranged in a circle in the negative space. In the center, plumes of swirling smoke rose from a ceramic bowl with smoldering embers of palo santo; a sacred, cleansing wood.

The walls didn't have much decor, persay. A small tapestry here, a thrifted painting or two there, mostly drying herbs hanging from odd places in a sort of spatial library only Wari could understand.

Beyond the song that spills freely from Violeta, guests could hear the pot of vapors boiling from the kitchen. All the doors and windows were closed, the space illuminated only by warm light lamps, creating an intimate ambience that might remind someone of a womb.

The knock at her door does not interrupt the song she sang with spirit, and she walks to the entrance to open the door, welcoming her guests.

//Continuation from this thread. @arabella-drake-wayne @suspectmeta

"Hey"

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.

2. No, no, continue with your original train of thought. AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY?????

Big walls? Seriously?

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.

2. No, no, continue with your original train of thought. AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY?????

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.

2. No, no, continue with your original train of thought. AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY?????

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.

2. No, no, continue with your original train of thought. AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY?????

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.

2. No, no, continue with your original train of thought. AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY?????

~ @arabella-drake-wayne

Honestly I kinda figured you'd get the job V was pretty interested in like...expanding idk whatever socialites do- Wait you met Danny Rand?

How did it go?? What questions did you ask? Did he cut his hair?! Say no. Some blog somewhere -i don't read blogs. Blogs are for nerds- said he cut it. Wait Danny Rand is in GOTHAM???

2) Yes I met him.

3) Went pretty good. We socialised, talked about meeting again to talk about business.

4) I didn’t ask anything specific? Was I meant to..?

5) Uhh no. Why you acting like you just heard your ex- OHHHHH. Oh. Oh… Hey Halosssssss. We need to have a chaaaat.

2. His secretary is not even hot-

2. WRONG!!! #needthat

2. You're ridiculous but I guess it could work to-.. no that's stupid. And you could do better. Probably.