Witch Bcrnt

   trust him – zenith wanted to, of course he did - but he couldn’t. there was no way he could, the last time he trusted someone was his mother. and that didn’t turn out so great. he was a nerotic fledgling before that; but now his mind was haywire with all the unforeseeable ways everything could go wrong. lotte couldn’t control those things —  “   ooooh-kay.   ”   zenith forced out through a clenched jaw. if for no other reason than the fact he was kind of being scolded right now.

   just bring himself… was that enough - it didn’t feel like it, but he didn’t know what else he was supposed to bring. he supposed he was expected to hunt on the way, or eat a large meal beforehand — since there was now way lotte could carry that much food… but he didn’t know what to hunt outside of the foothills !! ooooh, he was nervous.   “   wh-what me do i bring ??   ”   he asks, lifting his claws up to awkwardly press two sharp digits together.   “   this form - or my human form - or should i give you a ride — i-i can fly way faster than any carriage, even in this form —   ”

Good. He was-- well, calm definitely wasn’t the word. But.. reachable, perhaps was. At least at this level he was starting to converse with Lotte, ask questions that actually made practical sense. And there was slightly less nonsensical rambling. The witch didn’t like being firm with him, he didn’t like putting him through this at all. But if it worked then he would have to be. 

　　LEON IS TIRED, TOO, but it doesn’t seem to bother him as much as the other. It had, in all technicalities, ‘ gone wrong, ’ but those instances are important learning opportunities. Not only about the spirits they’d summoned, but in the particularities of how they’d gotten to that point and how to avoid them in the future. Not that it had all been figured out immediately, but that was alright. No harm had been done, at least not in Leon’s eyes.

　　He nods, though.  “ Yes, that’s reasonable. ”  But what comes next? He’s taken an extended leave from his job, and finds it useless to trek all the way home and back.  “ May I stay here for a while? ”

Somehow Leon doesn’t seem half as tired as Lotte is. And it fills him with a small spot of warmth deep in his chest, having to hold back an approving smile. He knew what is was like to be so invested in these things to lose all sense of self-preservation. But Lotte had been there and learnt that. And could now steer the other away from it. 

　　HOW ASTUTE. Tem can’t say she could’ve guessed what this guy was going to say to her, but she certainly wouldn’t have had that as one of the possibilities. A loose fist comes up to rest on her hip, and she quirks at brow at this random dude skulking around the woods.

　　“ Uh, okay? ”  She half-asks, half-retorts.  “ Thanks for the commentary? I’m not gonna lie, man, you’re the weird one here. ”

　　NO WAY. Is he being serious? Elliot wants to keep being angry and believe otherwise, but the way the clerk’s reacting isn’t even, like, provocative at all. It’s enough to shock some calmness into the dj, but swear to god, if he finds out he’s being played for a fool…

　　“ I was here a couple of months ago? You got all goosebumps on me ‘cause I was looking at something too closely? ”

Lotte stares for a moment, Giving the other a slow, accessing once over, letting his eyes DRAG over the other in what he hopes is an intimidating stare. And after that moment there’s another. Then another. 

　　WHOEVER THIS PERSON IS, they don’t seem afraid, or even particularly shocked, so Ezekiel relaxes a bit. ( Not that he was all that worked up to begin with. ) It’s good that he’s backed off a bit though; with the antenna free like this, even a passing graze could latch a clump of them onto him. Zeke doesn’t usually worry about it too much, as it happens to random animals plenty, but he can just leave them alone. Humans are more self-aware, though, so he wants to ensure they know it’s not on purpose if it does accidentally happen to them.

　　“ Well…anything I want, I guess, ”  The alien answers earnestly.  “ The main purpose is to make you become a host, so we can reproduce. Depending on the level of control, though, I make you follow commands and stuff, too. ”

He’d be lying if he said part of him wasn’t curious to know what it would be like to be hypnotized. But he was smart enough not to let than impulsive part get the best of him. The witch had a curious nature, as well as a guarded one thankfully. 

   dont worry he says — IMPOSSIBLE !!  he gives a deep exhale, trying his best to calm down ( to varying success ) as he turns on his heel. he practically dives into the hoarde he’s collected up in the corner of lottes cottage; yanking around this and that, rummaging through it.   “   — i’ve never left the foothils; i barely leave the mountain – what do i bring !? what if this place gets ransacked while we’re away; should i bring my valuables — oh, no, i’ll need to go to my cave,   ”   he lifts his head up and looks to the window, as if debating jumping out right then.   “  when if we get lost and never make it home - we’ll have to start anew…. or we could get attacked while we’re out there then all the stuff we brought would be a burden —   ”

   he stands up, his arms full of random junk, that; upon his secondary realization, is hastily dropped back down onto the pile.    “   or we could misplace and lose it – hnnnng….   ”   he was buzzing with a nervous energy as he looks around the cottage aimlessly, but with purpose; desperately trying to find something that stuck out as ah, yes; this. bring this. nothing was doing that.

‘ Ahh- Zenith---’ Lotte winces when he drops all that he gathered, hoping nothing broke for the poor dragon’s sake. Dropping something from his height might be okay, but from Zenith’s Lotte can imagine there might be some more damage done. The witch inhales deeply, then sighs, moving towards him again. He’d try a different approach. ‘ Zenith.’ He says, voice far more firm that before, almost commanding his attention be focused back on the witch. 

　　ALDREDA IS UNFAZED. Or rather, not swayed by harsh demeanors, as she’s used to such behavior amongst her kind. Her search has led to her to this lone witch, tucked away in the forest, and though she’s unsure of how this will turn out, she’s in no position to be skeptical.

　　She nods her head in greeting and cuts right to the chase:  “ If you are able, I would be very grateful. My people have suddenly fallen ill, and I’ve descended in search of a cure. Of course I will make sure you are compensated for your work. Will you hear me out? ”

Now this had his attention. An illness is taking out the harpies? Regardless of the morality, the witch almost always takes whatever jobs he’s offered. If someone wanted some poison for instance it was hardly his concern what they used it for. But helping always did make him feel a little more useful. And in this instance he was almost intrigued enough to do it for free. Almost. He didn’t have any trinkets or items belonging to harpies in his collection after all. 

　　Just because he has a sorry excuse for an apartment doesn’t mean that Zeke stays there every night. After all, he’s not the type of creature that needs housing in the first place, and there’s little else to his ‘ home ’ than four walls and a roof. Not much cozier than simply being outside.

　　Not only that, but being confined to such a small area location-wise would defeat the purpose of staying on earth in the first place! He’s here to explore, to learn, to watch this planet change.

　　So he’s in the first. Arguably much more natural of a place for him to be, hence his lack of human disguise. The alien lifts his head to observe what’s disturbed him, not expecting to see what appears to be a human. It isn’t a terrible thing to be found this way, but if he pops right into his disguise now, it might only be a headache. Perhaps he can convince them it’s all just a dream.

　　For now, he forms a mouth and vocal chords to greet, and warn, this stranger, antenna bobbing as he moves.

　　“ Be careful of the sporesーthey’re hypnotic. ”

He probably should have known better than to touch the creature, but he really just couldn’t help himself! It’s not often you find something you haven’t seen before when you had been around as long as he had. The witch quickly pulls his hand back when the creature awakens, staying in place but raising his guard a little. He’s far too curious to be all that concerned though. 

    zenith holds his breath when the other reaches out - he has to, or else he’d blow smoke in the others face and probably not let him get a word in. however, he quickly seems to forget about that, as soon as lotte seems done a mighty puff of smoke practically bursts past zeniths lips along with his protests; right into lottes face.   “   no !! i can’t let you go for six whole weeks !! what if something were to happen !?   ”   to lotte or himself.

   “   it doesn’t matter if you’ve done it every day or the past century !!   ”   he’d witnessed firsthand the demise such a familiar routine could bring.   “   that just means you’ll let down your guard and be more vulnerable to ambushes !!   ”   here he was, worrying for lotte, but unable to do anything besides complain, it was distasteful — he needed to be brave, noble, and fearsome !! not cowardly, pathetic, and afraid…   “   i - i’ll go !! i’m going !!   ”   his claws cover his ears, sharp teeth clenching with resolve as his throws his head back and heaves another billow of smoke.   “   i – i can fly us there, if i make sure to keep up my top speed, night and day - it should only take us a week or two, surely —   ”   but what if someone saw him !? normally when he flew it was through the cover of the mountains, or he kept in his half form. too much to worry about…

Lotte cringed a little at the smoke blown directly at him, wafting it away gently. Though it was something you kind of had to get used to living with a dragon and all. The witch really did feel bad, his insides churning at the thought of the position he was putting the poor dragon in. But that being said--- it wasn’t practical to live his life in the way that would most likely bring Zenith peace. He had to go, the flowers were useful for a whole multitude of spells. 

　　OH, THAT’S RICH. A vein pops visibly on Elliot’s forehead, and it takes everything within him not to reach over this counter and strangle this guy. Well, that might actually solve his problem, but the nagging question of why the fuck and how the fuck would then forever go unanswered, and he’s still not quite there yet.

　　“ C’mon, man, I really don’t have the patience to be fucked with anymore. You are super fucking dedicated, I’ll give you that, but seriously, did I piss you off that bad, or are you just a lunatic? ”

Patience is a virtue and damn Lotte was trying but this guy---

‘ I have no idea what you’re talking about but if you’re going to have an attitude you can leave.’ He manages, keeping his growing temper in check. The witch prided himself on keeping his cool, controlling his emotions. But this guy had stormed into his shop, started yelling and carrying on, and was now calling him a lunatic. 

   no it wasn’t !! if it was up to zenith, lotte wouldn’t be going in the first place !! then zenith wouldn’t be having this dilemma at all !! it’s not as if he didn’t think lotte could handle it - but what if he couldn’t !! after what happened last time with those bandits – ( a whole lot of nothing, but all it took for zenith to panic was the mere mention of bandits in the same area. )   “   THREE weeks !? that’s — thats nearly a whole moon cycle !!   ”  zenith was so worked up, smoke was billowing from his ears as he crawled towards the other on his claws, his tail clumsily slamming into the wall, knocking a few books off a shelf that he paid no mind to as he rounded in front of lotte to stand up; one claw braced on the wall, the other hovering in a panic as he stared him down.

    “   ONE way !? thats —   ”   he takes a moment to look at his talons.    “   SIX !! it’s six entire weeks, you can go for six entire weeks !! you could get lost, or run out of food, or get kidnapped by bandits, or killed by an orc the instant you leave the forest, then nobody would even realize something wrong for SIX whole weeks !!   ”

The witch had pretty much expected a reaction like this. Zenith wasn’t the most... outgoing of dragons. Not that there were many to compare. He frowned, eyeing the smoke that was wafting from the other. He felt bad for worrying him, for stressing him like this. But it was a journey Lotte had taken many a times, a safe journey. And even if it wasn’t Lotte was more than equipped to protect himself (and Zenith). 

　　HEH. That’s more what he’d been hoping for. Satisfied, he watches the clerk retreat before damn near skipping out of that place, feeling absolutely ready to take on the rest of the day after that.

　　And then… Who knows how long it’s been. Weeks, at least. Elliot is a tough nut to crack, and it’s easy to brush off some bad luck here and there. Even a few days in a row. Hell, even for longer than that! Things can’t be on the up and up all the time, but finally, a frazzled, absolutely glowering redheads bursts into that silly little gag shop.

　　He storms right up to the counter and leans on it, getting right into the shopkeep’s face.

　　“ Listen, I don’t know if you’re some kind of stalker or what, or how you’ve been doing this, but you need to fucking lay. Off. ”

He doesn’t appreciate the attitude. And he certainly doesn’t appreciate the the proximity. 

The witch leans back, allowing himself a bit of space, and takes a moment to look him over in an attempt to recognize him. But-- nothing. He’s giving off TERRIBLE energy though, enough to make Lotte’s nose wrinkle ever so slightly. They guy definitely has something going wrong for him, but the witch doesn’t understand why it’s become his problem. Folding his arms over his chest and stares him dead in the eyes, unflinching and unquestionably annoyed. 

　　WHAT LITTLE REACTION he does get, if it can even be called that, isn’t satisfying at all. It kind of irritates him. That smileーhe really believes in this stuff, doesn’t he?

　　He’s a little surprised when the clerk plucks the item back from him, but he doesn’t fight it, only raises his hands slightly in surrender with another little smile on his face. He’s so gung-ho about this curse, but has no problem touching it himselfーnot very convincing, in Elliot’s opinion.

　　As the shopkeep walks away, Elliot’s hands fall back to his sides and slip into his pockets.  “ Got it. I’ll be sure to keep you posted. ”  Then he calls out after him.  “ Hey, if I jizz in somebody, is it gonna curse them, too? ”

The witch doesn’t so much as flinch at the other’s crude language, he’s mastered his emotions and rarely let’s them show unless he allows it. So despite the shock he feels at hearing it, he keeps his face neutral. 

His cheeks on the other hand----

Unfortunately he can’t control how red his entire face goes. And oh boy does it. Still, without even a twitch, he gives the man a once over, curls his lip ever so slightly and replies---

‘ Coming from you I think that would be a curse regardless.’ 

　　IT SEEMS LIKE THAT SHOULD be a more respectful comment, but it feels demeaning. If he’s not worried about Elliot breaking it, then why the attitude? Is he really just that into the whole ‘ magic and curses ’ nonsense?

　　The dj raises a brow at the shopkeep’s change of heart, and cautiously re-approaches the item.  “ You sure? I don’t wanna upset you. ”  Not really true, though he does mean it in that moment. But once he’s picked the object up, and turning it over in his hands, the clerk’s unwavering neutrality starts to bother him. So he drops itーjust a quick little fake-out, and an instant catch.

　　“ Whoa! ーHah, just kidding. ” 

Oh boy-- The witch brings a hand to his lips, in a failing attempt to hide the all too amused smile from tugging at the corner of his lips. This guy had fucked up. Bad. He vaguely wondered how long the curse would take to kick in, perhaps it already had. He managed to hide his surprise at least, when the other pretended to drop it, instead only offering a raised brow. ‘ It doesn’t upset me.’ He hums casually, reaching out to take it back and place it on the shelf, unconcerned for himself with the amount of protection he had on him. 

‘ I know you’re there..’

A while away from his cottage, the witch was busy gathering herbs to restock his shelves. They were looking rather bare. And after awakening from his years slumber while his spell worked it’s magic, his scar, as always, burned anew. So he was more than a little desperate for some relief. The witch stood, turning towards the presence and---

His heart stopped. Clenched. Chest tight. A frown pulls onto his features as pain blossoms, beautiful and violent deep within him. And he can’t explain why. It’s agony and apathy mixed together in a horrible, toxic concoction. ‘ Who---’ His voice comes out strained, and he has to take a moment to gather himself. Does he know this creature? 

　　ELLIOT TOSSES A GLANCE the shopkeep’s way, a little taken aback, but a less-than-polite grin quickly overtakes his features.

　　“ C’mon, man, you don’t gotta play it up like that. I’m not gonna break anything. ”  He pulls his hand away gently, and even takes a small step back. Bullshit or not, he’s not rude enough to go against the clerk’s warning; clearly he’s concerned about the item, but really, these ghost stories should be told to kids, not grown adults.

A non-believer. No matter to the witch though, he certainly had nothing to prove, and even non-believers didn’t deserve the curse THAT would inflict if handled incorrectly.