Mystic Grove

Lucy squealed, reaching up and planting a kiss on Glenn's cheek. "Right away, boss!" she said, leaping from his coat and onto the ground. In mid air, her body shivered and shook off her human form. As her paws hit the grass, she looked up at Glenn. With a bark, she bounced up in the air and broke into a run. The wind rippled against her fur as she loped along the cemetery. Then, almost as suddenly, she stopped. Her ears flicked forward and her whiskers rustled. She snuffled against the grass, looking for something unfamiliar and strange. Nothing yet but a vague sound from the distance caught her ear.

She turned to Glenn, eyes dark and focused. With a loud, long whine, she called to him. Without waiting she began to bound towards the town square. Lucy slipped around the tombstones and leapt over patches of crab grass and dead flowers. As she drew closer, the smells of food and people enveloped her nose. Her whiskers flicked as she tried to decipher what was who. If she learned anything it was that people attracted more people and eventually a human would show up, stinking of mortality and mundanity.

Lucy slowed to a cautious stalk, avoiding feet and crying mourners. She slipped beneath a table, catching glimpses of conversation. Everyone was talking about the mayor or the food or what needed to be put on the tables. Nothing of interest. She crept beneath, unseen, until she caught a scent she had never come across before. She recognized Arturo and Rosa. Arturo, especially, frightened her. He smelled too wolfish for her comfort. Rosa's scent, however, was unmistakable. Her work with potions gave her a constant herbal smell, earthy and fresh.

She bolted towards the shops to get a closer look. Most took no notice of her but the new smell was unpredictable. There could be danger hiding within. Lucy stayed close to the walls of the shops, stalking slowly towards Arturo and Rosa. She saw them talking to others, hidden within a car. Her ears flicked. It had to humans but were they the right humans? Glenn would want to be sure. She couldn't disappoint him. What she needed were clothes. Humans were notoriously obsessed with clothes. She was just lucky she was near home.

Lucy bolted back towards the townhouse. She had moved in with her grandmother to perfect her craft. The older her grandmother got, the more she needed protection from man-made walls. A nasty scar from a fight with another animal had left her with a limp. But the townhouse was usually empty. It was more of a facade than a home. As she went inside, she shivered back to human form and headed to her home. It was a mess and a strange mockery of human life. Dishes were stacked clean in the bathtub. A couch sat in the kitchen, tucked against the fridge. The living room had no furniture apart from countless pillows and a makeshift pillow fort. Lucy started sniffing through her clothes. Nothing quite matched each other but it mattered little to her. She slipped into a galaxy leggings, a neon tulle skirt and an oversized t-shirt, tied in a small knot at the end. She slipped on some sneakers and headed back to the town square.

Not one for subtly, she approached the car much the same way a bull would charge towards a matador's cape. She pressed her face against the back window and spotted a boy her own age, or at least appeared that way. Age was relative in this town. In the front seat were two people, a man and a woman. They smelled related. Always a little unsure of how to deal with humans, she started to yell, "Are you staying here?" as if hearing were a magic ability.

Menzailla glanced up when the figure walked in and noticed it was Eric, the little Were that was picked up by Rosa and her husband, she can still remember when he came. But she didnt really hang around many places for very long, the town was cute and she adored it but as Fae she can only take so much of non-Fae. She also didnt get touched that much so she couldnt really stop a blush go on her face as shes picked up, it was warm and not that bad although fairly weird. When she got to stand on her feet a bit she felt a bit more stable and more in her own body now that she could be upright. It didnt last long though because Eric picked her up and put her on the couch, although it was true that it is about ten times more comfortable. She took a moment to try to hold herself in one piece before looking up at him and just barely saying the word water, she needed a lot of it and frankly if she could get him to toss her in the lake near her house she would.

Eric had mentioned the wake that would be happening today and she wasnt sure whether it would be a good idea to show up at all. Well she did in fact actually kill the man, and it wouldnt really be in good taste to actually be there, and not many actually know what happened that night other than she ran him over with her car. Zquill isnt sure she could handle people if they decide to retaliate in a bad way, hell she was sure she wouldn't be able to handle anymore attention what so ever. But Rosalynn is a very dear person and she knows that she is very trustworthy but still, theres Rimara to think about as well, things could go bad. The wake should be about the Mayor, not a lot of drama. But maybe Rosalynn would be able to keep the light on him and is life and not on her and his death.

The cups swallowed the table and it suddenly occurred to him that he was wasting his time. It was busy work and there was nothing worse than busy work. Like those endless forms and tiny details that stuck in someone's craw that just made his life tiresome. They were just cups but for whatever reason, they made him irrationally angry. He smacked the cups down on the table and muttered, "This is fine, just... leave it," He gently rubbed his fingers on the bridge of his nose as a slight ache swelled behind his eyes. He needed to get away from everyone. Oscar could feel them all around with their sorrow and confusion. Their energies were so lost and wide, bumping into one another. Some might find comfort in a shared loss but not him. He was a preservationist. He didn't like to lose.

Oscar walked away without so much a word to anyone else. He left the town square and all its noise and clutter behind. Maybe this was it. Maybe he was done. He had spent too much of his life here, working behind the scenes. Maybe it was time for someone else to come along. Maybe the death of the mayor was a sign. With a heavy sigh, he stuck his hands in his pocket and let his feet carry him somewhere. His thoughts weighed him down, made him blind to everything around him. As he turned a corner, he came to the conclusion that he should leave, pack up, start over somewhere new. And then he saw what street he was on. Oh shit...

Oscar had betrayed himself. The house tucked away down the street belonged to Rimara's family. He stopped in his tracks as if shot. No, she wouldn't be there... What the hell am I thinking? Of course she'll be there. He took a hesitant step forward and when he found that he didn't fall through the cracks of the earth, he slowly made his way towards the house. He thought of stopping by under the pretense of checking in on her, like a good friend or neighbor. He could just knock on the door and see her there. He nearly laughed at himself. He'd take one look at her blue eyes flashing with innocence and sweetness, traits that never belonged to him, and be done for. It was best to leave things be. Best for him. Best for her. With a breath of fresh air, the ache in his head left him but was replaced by another. He missed her. It was all his damn fault for getting too close. His pace quickened as he passed her house. He averted her eyes in fear that he'd spy on her through the window. He needed to clear his head and get her out of there. But the problem was, the whole damn town reminded him of her. Maybe it was best to leave...

When he thought he was safe, he wasn't. It was the story of his life. He heard Rimara's voice calling from behind. Oscar considered just walking and not looking back. It would have been easy. But he didn't. Instead he turned to find her staggering towards him. She pointed to the right of him, at how, he wasn't sure. Could she even see him? From the smell and the stumble, she was drunk, drunker than he had ever seen her. Well, maybe except for that one time... no, stay focused....

When she asked what he was "doing out so late" he could only scrunched up his brow in confusion. He wasn't a damn child. But what he was doing by her house was not something he could explain. "Rimmie," he said, forgetting himself, "I was just taking a walk. You should lie down," As she swayed, he reached out to her, to keep her steady. As he leaned in, he looked her in the eyes and found himself drowning in them. He couldn't help but smile in his own broken way. "You know there's plenty of booze at the wake. Why are you drinking alone?" The smell of whiskey hung heavy in the air but beneath it was her. He wanted to bury his face in her hair, breathe her in, but instead he held her at arm's length by the shoulders, trying to keep her from stumbling into the street.

It was so familiar as he held her, as if no time had passed between them. He stroked her arm gently with a thumb. "I'm not here, I'm not... anywhere, I was just..." he trailed off. When she bit her lip, his resolve fell apart. He leaned in, inches from her face, watching her mouth as she spoke. He could almost believe it was just a game, just a flirtation, nothing else. Nothing bad had happened. No one had died. He could almost believe it was just the two of them. When she pulled away, the spell was lifted. The two of them didn't exist. He made sure of that.

When she told him that she was alone, his heart dropped in his chest. What the hell was he doing? She was in mourning and he was smiling like an idiot. Her father would kill him if he knew. Oscar ran his fingers through his hair, looking at his feet. It wasn't right. None of this was right. He could fix any problem in the world but this one. She asked for the bottle with a hiccup and he pulled himself out of his thoughts.

"That bottle's down your throat by the looks of it," he said, slipping behind her to catch her if she fell. He placed his hands around her waist to steady her. "Look, you've had enough. Let me take you inside and we'll get you to bed," He leaned close to her cheek and whispered softly in her ear, "And you're not alone... The people here love you,"

Oscar sighed heavily. She had always been difficult. She was honest and emotional and direct. He couldn't tell her what to do. He couldn't tell her how to feel. He couldn't control her and the most frustrating part was that he didn't want to. He just wanted to touch her, to kiss her. When she brought up his longevity, it felt like a hit to the chest. He pulled her closer, resting his hands on her stomach, holding her tightly. What she didn't understand was that he had to live the rest of his damn life without her. It didn't matter how long she lived. Eventually she would wither into an old woman and die, and Oscar would still be there, without her. A short life span would be preferable to watching the people he loved die.

"What do you want from me, Rimmie? I can't change things," he said, finally letting her go. "You know this is how it has to be. Come on, you'll feel better in the morning," He took her by the hand and headed for the house. He looked up at the front door and knew he was heading into trouble. Maybe he needed a drink too. "I'll make you warm milk and whatever it is you people use to go to sleep..." he chuckled, "Put a little vodka in there. That'll put you to sleep,"

"I'm not just protecting you..." he started but he didn't know how to finish. Everything he could say just sounded selfish and maybe it was. As they went inside, he took off his coat. The house looked just as he remembered it. He couldn't imagine her leaving. It was fine if he was gone, as long as he could come back and still see her there. But that was the problem... she wouldn't always be there.

He paused in front of the pictures hanging on the wall. Happy faces, beautiful faces, a family in moments and one by one, they were gone. He heard her rustling in the kitchen and went in to check on her. She was unsuccessfully trying to open a bottle. "You need to sleep," he said but she didn't seem to be paying attention. As she rested her head against the counter, he couldn't help shake his head. Oscar took her arm and leaned it against his shoulder as he lifted her up in his arms. She felt light in his arms and warm. He carried her into her room and placed her gently on the bed. With a heavy sigh, he sat by her feet, sliding off her shoes.

Oscar knew he should leave. Everything was telling him too. It wasn't logical to stay. She would be fine on her own. She would get over her grief and get over him. Humans bounced back. It was their best trait. But in the back of his mind he thought, she might need me... So he continued to sit there, watching her, arguing with himself. She didn't need him. She was just lonely. But as often as he said it, he couldn't quite get himself to believe it.

Rimara almost cried when Oscar picked her up. He was so strong and so warm. She needed him. She may sound selfish, but she was only human. She wanted him, she needed him, damn it she loved him. Even if he refused to stay, she'd still love him. Rims ta always will.

There was only one problem though. And you'd think one of the witches or someone could cook something up and solve it. But, Rimara was a full-blooded human. She'd do anything to not be, or find some way to live as long as she could.

Half-asleep, her eyes were closed and she unconsciously leaned forward and felt Oscar. Holding his arm, she hiccuped and turned her body so it was comfortable to lay her head by his leg.

He spent too long sitting there, watching her rest. He began stroking her hair, listening to her soft breath. He kept telling himself to leave. Oscar had other things to worry about. Finding the new mayor, keeping the town on an even keel... Worrying about Rimara wasn't part of it. But she always had a way of keeping herself present in his mind. When he was sure she was asleep, he pulled himself away.

He needed air. He needed to think. Oscar went into the kitchen and found the bottle waiting for him. It was better in his hands than hers. He popped off the top with ease and took a drink. It burned down his throat but it made things just a little easier. Oscar leaned against the kitchen doorway, taking another sip. The house was quiet and still. Life was leaving it little by little. If Rimara left, it would stand like a skeleton. It wouldn't matter who else lived here. It would always be hers.

An idea swelled into his head as the alcohol muddled his brain. It was a selfish idea. It was desperate. But that never stopped him. He slowly made his way into the bedroom and stood over her. Even in sleep she looked haunted. With the back of his hand, he caressed her cheek and softly spoke the words of a binding spell. He would make sure she never left. He needed her. And as with many binding spells, he sealed it with a kiss on her sleeping lips.

He walked away, bottle in hand. It wasn't right or fair to her, he knew that. Hopefully she would never find out. He left his coat behind as he left. He didn't know where he was going but he didn't trust himself enough to stay.

---

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"Water?" Eric confusedly guessed as he looked at Mendzaillia. She was attractive for a woman, but Eric knew she was type of... supernatural. He just couldn't recall what Rosa had told him about her. He brought her back a glass of water, and watched her.

"You know... I could probably see if Rosa will just let me stay here with you. It looks like you need someone to stay, and seeing as you're out in the middle of the woods, a good distance from town.. Who better than a werewolf?" He tried to joke about his supernatural side, and too often, it just didn't work. "I'm sorry, don't listen to my jokes. They're rather.. corny." He shrugged, and tilted his head as he watched her, his eyes flashing, just for a second.

Zquill accepted the water with a smile and waited til he was done talking so she could have a moment to fill herself with a bit of magic, the boy oozing it from his body. Weres really were fairly great magic containers although they always seemed to have more than they should need, then again their magic is different from Fae magic. Fae magic tends to be purer, there being no ties to other things like humans, while Weres were clouded in a way like how a river that isnt taken care of. She poured the water on herself and let her actual magic soak it in, her body only did run on those to things, and she felt like she could breathe once again. Zquill could feel her body better now and to test things out she swung her feet off of the couch so she was sitting up right. With a tight grip on Eric she stood up and wobbled to the back door that was only a few feet away from the living room and, opened the door where a lake stood just under the little porch.

Like the rest of her house her doors were made with Fae magic, and depending on which one is used a person could have whatever they need. Zquill tends to keep them all open so if people drop by like now they wouldnt accidentally get hurt, they keep the original house plan and looks when all opened. The back door goes to the same place though, to this small porch that was built on the side of a small cliff, at the bottom was a lake like none a human had ever seen before. Lakes of the Fae were hard to find and harder to leave for them unless they were helped, of course then there wouldnt be any fun for the Faes if they helped. It was clearer than air with so much pure magic you could hear it singing, the bottom looked so close to the surface and the same seemed so soft. Mendzaillia turned to look at the boy and waved him over as a slow stream of water started to flow towards them like an upside down waterfall. "We will leave in a moment, come here and see a sight not many get to see."

Julia sat in her car thinking not knowing what to do next repeating to herself she was not alone, she wasn't the only one who felt like this but something in her mind just couldn't latch on to the felling that their dear mayor was dead she thought to herself maybe she should talk to her sister her sister knew what to say even in the worse moments.

Julia kept driving to where ever she had to go when she arrived in a park right of the town. She stepped out of her car and sat down on the bench watching how all the kids were playing on the play-set they were swinging on the swing and there was this one little girl she had long blonde hair with blue eyes and was crying, Julia wanted to go over there and help her or ask her what’s wrong but she was a stranger to this town not knowing much people being a witch and all.

Julia knew it was time to leave again to get to the reception for the funeral it was important to the family of the mayor she wanted to do something for the mayor before he died he asked her to go to his favorite little bake shop on the outskirts of town and pick out his favorite kind of a dessert in the store.