#marisolmichaels

For the official baby shower Glenn and Silver attempted to host the whole coven. Glenn was a bit worried about what so many people in once place might do to Silver but the werewolf assured him it was best they host. That way he could always duck into the bedroom for a minute of peace and any grumpiness would just be seen as him having high standards as a host.

Elise: Glenn! You look great. You're glowing like one of my moonlight charged gems

Glenn: Oh thanks I-

Jackson: Marisol is angry she couldn't bring Sandy

Marisol: Hush Jackson, I didn't say that

Jackson: She said she misses her dog so it's basically the same

Elise: Do you not miss Throttle

Jackson: Not right this second, my dog can take care of himself. Plus he has Thrash for company

Elise: Luckily BooBoo doesn't need company, he's a very self confident cat

Koko: Glenn, I have a baby shower gift for you

Glenn: You do? You really like gift wrapping huh

Koko: It gives me something to do. Will you open it now?

Henri: What are we talking about all the way out here? The dangers of crowds?

Howard: *laughing* Oh I think we all know the dangers of crowds

Silver: I mean... I'm doing better with them than I was a year ago right?

Henri: Oui, indeed

Silver: Thank you for bringing the snacks Henri. They're not uh... you know?

Henri: Laced with pleasure? Everything I bake is, but just low doses for everyday bakes

Silver: But... could that hurt the kid

Henri: Kids are stronger than you think Silver. Surely you saw your fair share of werewolf cub fights, no?

Silver: Oh the battles between the young ones were ferocious but they couldn't get seriously hurt, werewolves can't

Howard: I do find it fascinating how impervious your kind is to damage

Henri: Your kid is bound to be just the same, even if they're a spellcaster

Silver: I hope so. Losing parents was hard enough, I can't imagine losing a kid- sorry Howard

Howard: *soft smile* I'll see my boy again when my time is through

Glenn was doing the rounds when he noticed Ophelia standing in the corner, staring at the treefish in the tank.

Glenn: You alright there Ophelia

Ophelia: Me? Yes. I was just wondering what it must be like for Oakley

Glenn: What do you mean

Ophelia: He's a proud only child. How can he comprehend a new sibling coming in to his world?

Glenn: Uhhhh, you think he has that much awareness?

Ophelia: Oh I've no idea. But I think he looks like he's getting ready

Glenn: Right... why don't we sit down for a bit Ophelia

Ophelia: Of course. I was just waiting for you to suggest that

So the pair sat down at the table beside Gillian and began to snack.

Glenn: I don't suppose you can tell me if I'm growing a baby boy or baby girl

Ophelia: I can't. They haven't decided yet

Glenn: They haven't decided yet?

Ophelia: Gender is a social construct anyway but their body hasn't decided which sex they most want to be like. It's as if their inner boy and girl are playing tic tac toe for it, like their inner spellcaster and werewolf are

Glenn: Wait, are you saying they'll be both genders and both occults

Ophelia: I can't give you hints about the future Glenn, you know this

Phoebus: How are you coping Silver

Silver: Better. I wanted to apologise for my behaviour in your house right after we learned Glenn was pregnant

Phoebus: Silver, I may not know what it's like to have been alone as long as you were but I can understand that unlearning behaviour takes time. Now here, I got Drusilla to help me with this

Silver: What is it? Is it- wait... how?

Phoebus: Drusilla does blood magic. From the blood sample of your child she was able to work backwards along the family lines. Does it look right?

Silver: *happily* The sketch looks exactly like my mom looked. Thank you. Thank you so much

Phoebus: You're very welcome. Oh no need to hide your tears from me Silver, they're a sign of love

Some days Glenn would go to the magic realm. He hadn't been much when he was growing up and was always flummoxed by the doors. Doors that should lead nowhere actually moving you? Weird. He wasn't the only member of the coven to enjoy some time there though.

The main building had been magically fortified. It was one of the few places Jackson and Coleman could test the limits of their magic without risking detection or uncontrolled destruction. Sometimes Glenn would watch them practice. Jackson doing his best to set everything aflame while Coleman worked on starving each flame of oxygen, fascinating and usually got the attraction of other young spellcasters. Koko had an astronomy group she would meet with while Ophelia searched for valerian root for Glenn to grow.

Vendor: Hello, how may I help you today?

Glenn: Woah, I forgot they had ghosts here

Vendor: Not ghost sir. I am an astral projection

Glenn: A what now

Vendor: I'm not really here, just my spirit. Actual me is sleeping in my cottage right now

Glenn: In a cottage? That sounds like the life

Jackson: Stop holding up the line certified loser, some of us actually want to buy stuff

Glenn: I want to buy stuff

Jackson: Sure you do. Excuse me sir, do you have any bone wands in stock yet

Vendor: Not today. They are hard to make

Glenn: Jackson I thought you had a wand

Jackson: I do but I'm trying to collect some. They have different vibes, inspiring you know. Gets the creativity going

Glenn: I always forget you write poetry. How'd someone like you even get in to that

Jackson: Who's being rude now? Words are like flames to me, they just make sense. And I do have a talent for pushing buttons

Glenn: No kidding. So you're collecting? Plan on getting shoes like Carmine?

Jackson: Ruby slippers? Nah. There's only one pair of them in existence. And I'm plenty tall already, no heels required. You coming? Some of the others were talking about dueling. Coleman and I were going to take some wagers from the apprentices that don't know better

Glenn: I'll be along. I need to see what seeds they've got

Koko: Don't be trying to hit me with any water spouts

Marisol: And don't be trying to blind me with light

Koko: Deal. You ready?

Marisol: Ready

By the time Glenn got there they were near the end. Koko won which wasn't a large surprise, she was far more curious with her magic study and Marisol was still adjusting to the move. Jackson and Coleman collected their winnings from disappointed apprentices and the group headed home together.

Time passed and Glenn got better. He got to the point where Grayson wasn't the first thing he thought about in the mornings. He changed his lockscreen, and got back in to a routine. Some nights he would go over to Henri's or Miranda's and watch a film. Miranda had the best set up in her room, but Henri had the best snacks. The twins did tease him for his celebrity crush on Devin York but a man could dream.

Cooking comforted him, not as much as gardening but close. Glenn loved food and felt a freedom when playing chef. He slowly started to dream of what his future might look like, or who would be in it. It wouldn't be Grayson, but he thought about what he'd like in a partner. Someone to share life with, someone who wouldn't mind him cleaning dirt from under his nails every time he came back in the house. Someone who liked abs, and told him he looked nice.

Humans were nice but humans were... tricky. They didn't understand what the occults had been through. But maybe that could be good? Once he finished his breakfast he always took a tray up to his grandfather who liked to read in bed in the mornings, and got on to the rest of his routine.

Each day his affirmations became easier to say. With time he got back to believing he was a catch, he just had to find someone who was fishing... and didn't have anything against the colour green. He flowed through his exercise routine most mornings. Push ups and sit ups until he hurt, but a good hurt. Then if it was sunny he'd go for a run, if it was raining he stayed inside and did a dance workout.

Little did he know someone had no choice but to stay in the rain.

Reminder that Glenn and Silver are moving to my weekends rather than every second day, but they meet in the next part I promise!

Glenn: Well goodbye BooBoo. I need to go find Marisol. I think Elise said she was by the river?

BooBoo: *meows*

Putting his hands in his pockets Glenn heads away from the buildings towards the river. He can feel going through the protective barriers, like walking through mist. There are no spells he has to say to get out. The protection is about stopping things getting in. So far, it's worked. Some townsfolk walk beyond the edges of the property but always turn or stop before walking in. Glenn feels a bit guilty that less people can experience the beauty of the park but if they were discovered here there could be backlash. Not everyone was friendly towards occults even if the humans had begun to tolerate them.

As he approached where the river ran south of the property he saw a bundle of yellow and blue. Walking over he saw another spellcaster covering her dog with kisses.

Glenn: I'm not interrupting am I

Marisol: Not at all, I was just calming Sandy down after her bath

Glenn: She just had a bath? She looks dry

Marisol: Well I always move all the water off afterwards don't I

Sandy: *barks in agreement*

Marisol: Do you need help with something?

Glenn: Oh, no, I just... I've met everyone else in the coven and figured it was only polite to introduce myself

Marisol: A man with manners? Sandy approves

Sandy: *barks*

Marisol: It's Glenn right? Howard's grandson?

Glenn: That's me

Glenn bends down to say hello to Sandy while Marisol shifts awkwardly.

Marisol: I'm sorry you didn't get your guy

Glenn: Well if you listen to Ophelia he was never meant to be mine

Marisol: I listen to her most of the time. Sometimes she seems brilliant and other times...

Glenn: She's a few marbles short?

Marisol: Yes! All the best people are of course but it does make it hard to maintain a conversation now and then

Glenn: Why are you all the way out here? I thought everyone was busy studying stuff

Marisol: The coven isn't an institution. We don't stick to a set schedule of chaining ourselves to desks

Glenn: Sorry. I didn't mean to sound disapproving

Marisol: I know, I'm just antsy

Glenn: Oh?

Marisol sighed wistfully and turned to face the buildings. The pair were able to see them of course but no one else could.

Marisol: I've found I'm not good with change. We were at the last location for a long time. It feels like we've only been here for a heartbeat, it's still so new and unfamiliar

Sandy: *whines*

Marisol: I know the magic realm is only ever a step away but... it's different when your home base changes

Glenn: You don't consider leaving

Marisol: And what? Going backwards just me and Sandy?

Glenn: If you're not happy here-

Marisol: I will be. I can feel it. It's the change that's a difficulty. How about you, do you consider leaving?

Glenn: I don't know

Marisol: Sure you do. The idea has either entered your brain or it hasn't

Sandy: *barks in agreement*

Glenn: I guess... I guess there's just a lot of the world out there that seems interesting but it's still dangerous

Marisol: Some places are better than others for our kind

Glenn: I guess I just want a nice spot to grow a garden... and fall in love... and raise a family. Why did I just tell you that?

Marisol: *chuckles* It's Sandy, she puts everyone at ease

Glenn: Maybe I should get a dog

Sandy: *barks approvingly*

Glenn: Then again it's enough of a task keeping me looking gorgeous

Marisol: Don't worry if you feel out of place Glenn, it's a feeling I'm familiar with and will either pass or you'll move on

Glenn: Like die?

Marisol: *giggling* No, like move elsewhere. Willow Creek is not the only place in the world with dirt and plants I bet

Glenn: I know. My grandfather thinks I should stay for a bit though. I've never really done much focusing of my magic beyond gardening so it could be useful to learn some more. No point having a family if I can't protect them

Marisol: Hunting has been outlawed you know

Glenn: Yeah but society can take time to. Growing up... we moved so much. Hunting was illegal then to but it didn't stop irate townsfolk accusing us of stealing their livestock or killing their plants

Marisol: *scoffs* Like a Sutherland would ever kill a plant

Glenn: That's what grandfather told them! Still, small minds have small ideas

Marisol is the newest member of the coven. She has always had an affinity with water, supposedly learning to swim before learning to walk. She has had her dog Sandy from when she was a puppy. As a teenager she bound the dog as a familiar thus granting Sandy immortality.

She is calmest around water and is the main reason the coven has stationed themselves so near a river. She can be easily overwhelmed, but the water calms her. Her anxiety does not mean she's less powerful than those around her, just that she takes time to find her rhythm, her flow.

Interested in Marisol? She is available to download & has a human version. Feel free to rewrite her story!