RP:A Witch's Word
Summary: Tiber and Lanara make their way to Enchantment, to hunt down the witch that made Corrine the glamour potion that nearly destroyed the couple, a few weeks prior. After meeting with Missoula, the couple learns of Corrine and Nick’s involvement and hatches a small plan of their own to show the Amber Lunation the irrefutable proof. Will their scheming draw out the truth or will it end in chaos?
Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara methodically drums her fingers against the tabletop, a cup of untouched chocolate ice cream is melting before her, as she looks expectantly at the door of the sweet shop. After a few moments, she leans in and in a low voice speaks to her husband about their mission for the day. “Lilah put out some feelers for us and I also sent an inquiry to Queen Lunalesca. I’m sure -someone- knows of this powerful witch that is somewhere in Enchantment.” So far, the only lead they had to go on had been a tip from Tybalt, who is trustworthy, but also a young boy that may have ignored or enhanced some important details. Since the little Yule party everything seemed to return almost to normal amongst the Amber Lunation, and Lana hates to make a rift in the Pack, but she knows that proving Tiber’s innocence is of the utmost importance. Corrine Venger will be her own undoing, even if this situation makes Lana feel like the bad guy. “No matter what we find out today, I think it’s best if we leave the decision of either exile or death to a vote. If we decide Corrine’s fate on our own, it may not go over well.” Is Nick involved, too? Would he suffer the same fate? Lana frowns and shoves the spoon into her ice cream, taking a hesitant bite, but her gaze is steady as she locks eyes with Tiberius. She’s certain of his innocence and even if the truth never comes to light, she won’t leave his side or give up trying to bring Corrine down.
(Post 2 of 2) The chimes above the door jingle in merriment as they announce the arrival of Lilah, a pretty Kelvarian Elf, with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. She looks to be in her early twenties, yet she still marvels over the layout of the land, and her gaze quickly darts to the counter containing ice cream. It’s a luxury that those in Kelvar only had on high holidays, so she licks her lips, and forces herself to ignore the temptation and hurry over to the table where Tiber and Lanara are seated. A folder is set before the group as she sits beside Lana, and she speaks just above a whisper, as though this is the most clandestine mission she’s ever had in her entire life. “I wasn’t able to find out too much, because it seems the only true magic users in this area are either pixies, graduates from the Mage’s School, or us witches that have recently moved here. However, there are two witches that reside just at the start of the Deep Dark Forest, and they actually are neighbors! They aren’t crones, as you suspected, but it may not hurt to take a look…” She shows the couple a drawing of each of the women in question, as well as a mini map of the area. Lana interrupts to give Lilah her cup of ice cream, “I only took one bite, it’s yours, enjoy!” Lilah’s eyes light up and she shoves the folder towards the couple so she can enjoy her ice cream, “There’s a letter from the Queen, too! Her Steward gave it to me on my way over.” Lana skims the letter, before passing it to Tiber, so that he can get his take on things. Apparently, there is a crone living at the rim of the Wilds, who may just be the witch they are looking for! Lunalesca also asks them to choose a date and provide a list of guests, so she can plan her Snowflake Soiree as well as their wedding reception in the near future.
(Post 1 of 2) Tiber devoured his vanilla ice cream despite the situation at-hand. Maybe it was impulsive eating, or perhaps it was just simple confidence of getting down to the bottom of the case. He knew he was innocent, but he also could sense Lanara’s weariness about it all. Besides, they were trusting a child. A child who was still learning social skills. A spoon sneakily slips it’s way across the table to dip in the melty chocolate in Lanara’s cup as she stares in trance. “Can a witch only conjure up a faulty face potion? Or can any magic users do it?” Tiberius was new to the realm of magic. Not new, per say, but he inherited none, so Lanara is the first one to really shine light upon the magical side of the world. He takes his spoon back and slowly sucks on the spoon until he looks guiltily at her. Should he be eating at a time like this? Exile and death did not phase the man. “I suppose a vote would be ‘fair’, but then again, they did cross us. You, mostly. I think you should have the final say, personally,” he shrugs before shifting in his chair.
(Post 2 of 2) As the black-haired Kelvarian makes her way into the sweetshop, he remains steady in his position to let the elf come to them. The folder that is slid between them has Tiber leaning back in his chair to let Lanara skim the sketches first. The man looks stoic until he inches forward again to take his own peek at the drawings. “So… should we just wander on territory that is not ours to get answers? What if the witch hexes us or something,” his mouth is low with a furrow in his brow. He glances at Lanara. “Not that -all- witches hex,” he quickly adds. “I’m just saying, we are talking about Corrine, here. What she did was… nasty.” He notes before shifting eyes over the ice cream being just willy nilly handed over. He ignores that thought as there are more important things to discuss. He takes the note from the Queen and amber eyes skim. “I’m guessing… the Queen might have a better take who dwells in her land.” He sucks in his cheeks. “It’s worth a shot.”
Lanara purses her lips and thinks on Tiber’s question before answering, “Well. It’s true that anyone with moderate magical abilities and a recipe for a glamour potion can brew one up… However, it takes one with superior skills to create a potion in perfect likeness to another, especially one that mimics a with powers as advanced as mine.” She’s not boasting, she’s just been alive for nearly one hundred and thirty years and she hails from a long bloodline of High Priestess’. Lilah hungrily devours the ice cream and looks at the couple closely, hoping they are pleased with her findings, and that smile returns to her fair face as Tiber suggests they seek out the three witches. Lana rummages in her purse and procures a folded piece of parchment, which she slowly slides into Liliah’s coat pocket with a wink, “Thank you for all your help, Lilah. We both really appreciate it!” They all exit the ice cream parlor as Lilah heads back home, while the couple prepares to scope out the properties of the three witches in question. “I think we should go towards the forest and see the women that live there, as they are neighbors. I only need to feel the soil or a stone to get an idea of just how powerful they are, and we can go from there?” Lana has a feeling that Lunalesca’s lead is going to be the correct witch, but she doesn’t want to leave any hint unturned. “Also. When do you want to have the party? I’m just going to tell Queen Lunalesca to invite the public and those that want to attend can come. The only friend I have is Penelope, and of course the Pack, and my kin from Kelvar. I know Taly and Krice will come… Aside from that though?” Lana leaves the date up to her husband, because his hand is still healing, and she doesn’t want to pressure him to leave for a honeymoon if he’s not feeling up to it.
Tiber mumbles a quiet ‘wow’ at Lanara’s comment about herself. “Impressive. But like, not too impressive because here we are cracking the case,” he half-smirks. He is nervous. It was not confidence. It was nerves. If they could not solve this? The weight would lay heavily on Lanara to not get this situation resolved. As the three of them finally got up and exited, he waved Liliah off. “Thank you, again. We couldn’t have proceeded further without you.” The man stuffs his hands in his pockets as he looks in multiple directions in case there were any onlookers. “I think the forest is the best bet. Two birds with one stone, and if it’s not them? We will only have one more place to look.” A hand slipped out from one of those pockets as he reached for her hand. “We will figure it out–promise.” Tiber would go to the end and back to prove his innocence if it meant Lanara would have a collected head about it all. He presses a small kiss on the palm of her hand before he begins to move with the map. He takes a brief glance before deciding on the right direction. Sneakily placing the map in his back pocket. “I think we can wait until things die down and we get to the bottom of it all. But a matter of a month to plan a big shindig wouldn’t be so bad? You think? Plus isn’t it like some lover’s holiday coming up?” He smirked before continuing onward towards the direction of the Deep Dark Forest. "I'd like to also start enjoying our honeymoon sooner than later." There was Lanara's answer right there for her.
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara accepts Tiber’s hand and smiles at the chaste kiss that is pressed upon her palm, giving his a gentle squeeze in return. Even if they cannot find enough evidence to prove his innocence, she still believes him, because deep down she knows that he would never intentionally break her heart. Should she keep trying to hunt down clues? Should they just turn around and keep a close watch on Corrine and Nick? The woman has her doubts because she doesn’t want to ruffle the calm that had finally fallen upon the Amber Lunation, and because deep down, Tiber and her know the truth and that should be enough. Regardless of her inner turmoil, the couple heads through the streets of Enchantment until they reach the end of the Deep Dark Forest, and Tiber consults his map. It’s a creepy area, far from the comfort of the magical city, and Lana wonders if she should conjure up a protective barrier. Her worries are unfounded, because despite the appearance of the forest, it’s rather quiet, and she doesn’t feel any negative energy. Their walk is difficult as they have to step over logs and forest debris, but at long last, they arrive at the pair of homes. After checking the addresses, Lana kneels as though she means to tie her shoe and she presses her palms against the dirt. A faint thrum of electrical current rises up from the earth but it's barely enough to register a small jolt to her fingertips, and so she locks eyes with Tiber and shakes her head. They cross the street and she plucks a weed from the front lawn, feigning interest in the flower as she tucks it behind her ear, “This one doesn’t have any magical abilities, at least none that are worth mentioning. I think we have to travel to Lunalesca’s lead!”
(Post 2 of 2) They resume their trek through the forest and Lana holds tightly to Tiber’s hand, picking up the conversation they had before they had investigated the properties. “Sooner is definitely what I’ve been thinking! Hopefully we get this Corrine situation all figured out and then we can plan a little realm-wide honeymoon. Maybe spend a weekend in each of the desirable cities? It will be so romantic. Just you and me!” Their honeymoon should take a month to conclude, and they can return to a fancy party! “Valentine’s Day is in February, so maybe we can have our soiree at the end of the month, in case there are other balls in the land. That way we aren’t stepping on anyone’s toes or making them choose which event to attend.” It seems as though they have walked many miles and the sun is beginning to set in the distance, as they arrive at the Rim Of The Wilds, and a lone, foreboding cottage greets them with an eerie vibe. A massive crow is perched on the roof and caws loudly, announcing their arrival, and a gust of wind blows the front door open as though beckoning them forward. Lanara doesn’t need to feel the ground for she can feel the magic swirling in the air, and she hopes that her powers are equal or greater than this woman they are to meet. A reassuring smile is feigned for Tiber, as she tries to silence her fears, “Ready?”
Tiber does his best to keep Lanara close as the light begins to dim as they enter the cluttered dark forest. He keeps his senses up in case there are any suspicious actions that leap towards them. Lanara and him had quite the bad luck in their past, so it was easy to be cautious. Tiber glances here and there at the map–pointing in different directions through the forest until they land on the suspect’s territory. He hovers close to Lanara and keeps watch while she presses her palms into the earth. He glances down as she shakes her head. “Then, let’s go. I’m not going to waste a moment more. We’re solving this now.” He reaches down to help her up before moving on to their next destination. As they continue on, he takes note of Lanara’s words. “Destination in each city? Ah, world traveler. You’re going to make me go to Frostmaw, aren’t you?” He grins at her in his teasing banter. He pauses at her comment about not stepping on anyone else’s toes. “You’re right. I’m sure there is -someone- who wants to host the lovey dovey ball. Plus, I guess that’s too cheesy for us anyway,” he snorts. As they trek onward, the lightness within Tiber begins to fade to a moodiness as they move through the eerie atmosphere. The crow caws and amber eyes stare stoically at the bird and his grip on Lanara becomes tighter. “You’re sure about this…?” Because, now he is not so sure. Magic was not his territory. “This place seems sorta funky.” He then looks to Lanara who is pressing a forced smile. “I am if you are.” He concludes. Onward they go.
(Post 1 of 3) Lanara sighs heavily and nods, knowing that Tiberius is equally as uncertain about confronting this stranger, as she is, because they are literally in the middle of nowhere and there’s no telling if dark magic is afoot. They cross the lawn and walk up the front steps, the pulse of foreign magic tickling Lana’s flesh, and she pauses before stepping over the threshold, “If I tell you to go, you run, do you understand? I can deal with defending myself against a magical attack, but you will be fair game and a prime target, if things head south.” Without waiting for an answer this time, Lanara enters the home and uses her intuition to move through the spacious house. It’s tidy inside and it’s obvious that the dweller doesn’t have a lot of coin, as the rugs are threadbare and the candles are burned nearly down to the wick. A black cat sits before a crackling hearth and the outline of its ribs are visible, as though there wasn’t enough money to purchase food. Lana makes note of all of this as she turns left and disappears behind a beaded curtain, stopping short as she pulls Tiber by the hand to stand at her side. A hunched back woman stands before them, peering out a cloudy window, clad in black from her neck to her heels. She’s very pale, has long hair that hasn’t been washed in days, and she’s sickly skinny. “I’ve been expecting you two…I’m Missoula, the Witch of the Wilds.” Even her voice has a shrillness to the tone, but it’s as she turns around to gaze upon the couple that the freak factor seems to intensify, “You don’t need to worry, I sent that girl on her way and turned down any gold she was willing to throw at me.” Missoula’s eyes are stark white, and although she’s definitely blind, it appears that she has the gift of Sight. She reaches out and grabs Lana’s free hand, her sharp nails raking the woman's flesh as she aims to read her palm, “Oh. I see. Good thing I didn’t give her the death hex, then… You’ve already used up all your lives.” Lanara firmly pulls back and hugs her hand to her chest, as though she touched something foul, “We need answers and you are going to give them to us. Now.”
(Post 2 of 3) Missoula merely shrugs at the woman’s outburst and she motions for Tiber and Lana to take a seat, as she perches at the edge of a desk. “Corrine came to me and offered me gold, in exchange for a glamour potion. It was supposed to be used for a Samhain prank, and since I could obviously use the money, I agreed. The effects only lasted for about an hour or two, so I figured, what’s the harm!?” She pauses, her milky gaze seeming to pierce through Tiber, “I didn’t know she would do what she did, and I never questioned it, until she came back last night. She was crying, and there was a man with her that kept telling her she was beautiful, and that’s when she asked me to use my magic to kill the one that maimed her.” She looks at Lanara. “She did her research and realized that she cannot kill you, because you are stronger, and so she asked me what I can do. I -could- cast a spell into the smoke and bottle it up, which she could then open in your presence and the second you inhale, you perish. She offered me a substantial amount of gold, and I said that I wouldn’t be a part of this. I’ve faced enough karma in my many years and this old crone knows better than to disobey the Goddess…” Missoula glances away and shakes her head, because all that gold could turn her life around.
(Post 3 of 3) Lanara feels numb as their suspicions come to light, because it doesn’t make her feel any better or any worse. Corrine had hired Missoula to make the glamour potion, she nearly succeeded in breaking up Tiber and Lana, and even after everything they’ve been through… She still wishes for her Luna to perish! Lana is quiet for a long time, before she rises from the chair and slowly approaches Missoula, “I want you to do it, Marsala. I want you to cast a death hex on Lanara Banks… I want you to take that gold and buy whatever your heart desires, as well as some food for your cat in the other room. Cast that hex on me, because I am -no- longer Lanara Banks, I have a new last name.” Will this even work? Her maiden's name -is- Banks! Are they dancing with danger? Will Tiber kill Missoula if Lana ends up dying? “Let -me- deal with Corrine. Those facial scars are the result of the Rite of Karma.” The two women seem to be speaking to each other with mere looks, as though Tiber isn’t there, before Lana nods and turns to exit. “Thank you for your help…” Missoula waves them off, indecisive about what she should do, but she had given the witch her word. A witch always keeps her word, right? Regardless of the consequences.
Tiber was holding his breath at this moment as they approached the abode. His eyes are tense as they make their way up the steps because… there were some different vibes in the atmosphere this evening. As Lanara pauses, he stares at her. In the back of his mind, he cannot do that. Run without her. His gaze would say it all. Then, she impulsively moves into the house which makes him want to reach out for her to not go. Was it worth the risk? So many risks in this relationship. Too many. Would this be the last battle? The man follows behind the Kelvarian in the small place where a hunched woman is standing. Frail. Ratted hair. “La–” he reaches out, but Missoula is already talking. The lycan watches the interaction between the two witches carefully. He keeps his body close to Lanara in case he needs to grab the witch and bolt. Missoula reaches out for Lanara and Tiber impulsively tugs on Lanara’s other wrist before she pulls away from both of them. The twist of Missoula not accepting the gold from Corrine throws the man off, but there is still something twisted about the crone before him. Tiber stares with uneasy breath because the conversation is swirling into something he is not a part of. Missoula does not want karma, but why is Lanara saying to do the hex on her anyway? A deep furrow in Tiber’s brow says it all on how he feels about this risk. No more danger. No more risks. Lanara would get an earful from the man. “Lanara, Lanara, you can’t be serious.” He glares back at Missoula. “Let me pay–” but by this time, Lanara is leaving and it is like the two witches can only see each other. “Lanara,” he chases after the Kelvarian, “You can’t do this, please–” But there is no more to be said because Lanara Lowell was a woman that would risk it all.