09 - Ashley 03 - That Kind of Witch

…That kind of Witch.

They darted across the darkened streets. The flickering street lamps a futile pinpoint against the garish neon and led signs and screens depicting all manner of things in this part of the city. Although it was hardly the red light district, or heavens forbid, Kingsland, it was still a depressive inner city border block, with alleys and shuttered street fronts terrifyingly dark.

Rhi walked confidently out in the rain, but her hesitation was still evident in the way she looked from side to side, the rain battering off her brimmed hat was of no concern. Ashley however, held half a newspaper futilely against the steady patter, as the approached what seemed to be stairs down to a subway alley.

Thirty steps down, four doors deep, Rhi knocked four times in a patter, and the door opened to another hallway. Peering in, Ashley could see only dark. Rhi hesitated, then drew in a breath and walked forward, the darkness almost swallowing her form instantly like an inky sheet.

Ashley blinked, but this was hardly the scariest, oddest, or most fantastical thing she’d seen recently…. So she followed.

The dark was cool, quiet, with almost the barest tangible hum or heartbeat, perhaps it was just her own in her ears?

Then the darkness was gone and she was in an antechamber. She was not alone.

Rhi stood before an absolute monster of a man. Easily 7’ tall and almost 5’ across the shoulders, he held his tree trunk arms across his chest as he peered down at Rhi. The heartbeat thumping sound had transformed- there was music playing. Loud nightclub music, muffled but audible by its repetitive beat through many walls.

“What do you want, Witchling?” The man mountain grumbled. As he spoke, Ashley swore she could see the barest hint of sharp teeth - tusks?-

“I need to see The Lady of the Night. Ashley here, needs to, at least.” Rhi said with a waver in her voice.

The growl that seemed to emanate from the mans chest sent a shiver down Ashley’s spine, and she was surprised that Rhi didn’t recoil at it. “Grah. You do not have an appointment, Witchling. Nor are you likely to be welcome amongst tonight’s clientele. The crowd is… rough.”

“My invitation is *standing*.” She said surprisingly defiantly, “and we’re not here for the club. In and out, to the Lady.”

“Grah. Fine, Witchling. The warning given, the service performed. I suggest you do not dally on the floor.”

He turned. And opened the door. Bright lights and flashing music assailed all of Ashley’s senses for a moment. She did not even feel Rhi grab her hand and pull her forward.

The music was racous, the lights and crowd oppressive. Rhi pulled and guided and they slipped in between bodies. It seemed almost like a ordinary dance race club, and Ashley even recognized some of the music playing, but still they rushed.

The crowd thinned as the came to another door. This one ornate and guarded by a slender slip of a man. For everything the previous man mountain was, this one wasn’t. He lounged back against the wall, his suit and fedora almost some twisted Michael Jackson parody in its place in the club. “The lady will see you.” He said with a frighteningly soft voice and pleasant smile. “Beware she already has company, but will be accommodating.”

As he opened the door with a flourish abs a half bow, Rhi grabbed Ashley again, abs pulled her in quickly… the door closing quietly behind them.

The office, if it could be called that, was hardly so. Soft dark woods, velvet and a pall of smoke set this more as a parlour than a place of business.

[Musical Note - Preamble and initial versus of Type O Negative - Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare All) should have Kay here]

Behind the ornate desk, a figure rose. Ashley couldn’t see details at this distance, but she was talk, thin, darkly haired. And seemed to glide over the carpet as much as walk.

Beside her. Rhi giggled. Giggled? Yes. That was definitely a giggle noise coming from her… “My lady!” She said in a mock Courtley voice. “I present to you, Ashley of the Cycle-Kin.” She added with a bow, then promptly fell over, giggling further.

Ashley could not believe it, why on earth would Rhi-… and then her attention was taken by the woman before her, taking her hand gently. “Ashley, is it?” The pale skinned slip said, her dark velvet dress black in the light, matching her long straight hair perfectly. If it weren’t for the different - or perhaps lack of, makeup - she could have sworn she was talking to Morticia Addams. “Y-yes.” She stammered, looking at her, and then back at Rhi. “What’s going on?”

There was a muffled shush as a second figure rose from a lounge to the side. Similar dressed to the first, this one instead had a dark blue dress, a scar running across her cheek, and fiery red hair - perhaps the only similarity was still being eerily beautiful, pale as a corpse done up best for display at a funeral. “Witchbane.” That woman offered, gesturing to the smoke in the air. “Your young friend is not quite as used to it as us old crones are.” “And where are our manners?” The first said, raising Ashley’s taken hand and giving it a gentle but warm kiss - she expected those lips to be cold- “I am Natasha, Tasha to my friends, and this is my Sister, Nessa.” “Charmed.” She said guarded, and pointed at Rhi. “Will Rhi be alright?” Nessa nodded. “She will be… well, *off with the fairies* for a while I suppose, but otherwise unharmed.” Nessa glided over in that same unnerving way, and with an offered hand, brought the giggling stockinged Rhi from her supine position on the floor and guided her to the lounge. “Sit and have a drink, it will help you acclimate, young one.” She added to her with a gentle smile.

Ashley watched Rhi get led away, and looked at Tasha. Squinting a little in the incense smoke. They really did look nothing alike. “ I’m guessing *sister* isn’t familial.”

Tasha chuckled lightly, and turned to Nessa. “Guarded, but curious. This one has some strength of will, dear sister.” “Perhaps.” The other responded, pouring an amber liquid into a glass and placing it in front of the still intermittently giggling Rhi. “But the young one brought her here for you, so perhaps we need to see wether it is bluster, or if she is indeed as Candle Ashes.” “A good point. Come, Ashley. Sit with me,” Tasha beckoned and slid - that damn glide, her mermaid cut dress barely shifting- back towards the desk. She gestured to a large ornate leather chair to the side. Ashley sat in it, and looked up as Nessa seemed to rest her arms over the back and peer down at her, an unreadable smile splitting her face.

“So, before we get down to business.” Tasha added, presenting an outstretched hand. “Let’s talk a little about ourselves. The lady of the Night likes to know her clientele after all.”

A smile curved further on the lake woman’s face as Rhi made objectioning noises from her glass behind them. “Oh, fret not child. Nothing of that import, it’s merely been a while since we’ve come across someone with fresh eyes to our world.” “So what do you think so far?” Nessa added. “How does it feel to be suddenly surrounded by the weird and wonderful.”

“It’s… not that different, really.” Ashley added hesitantly. “I mean, the city’s always been a little weird in parts, that’s just about all cities for you. And I bike around a lot, so not driving, I see the pedestrian side of things a lot more than most.”

“So many things that were confusing now make sense?” Tasha prompted. “Kinda. I mean, ever since I met Rhi, I’ve seen a little, and understand a little more, but it’s…. It’s not as pervasive as I think I expected.” “Of course.” Tasha added. “You get the grand impression that the Fae, the Mystic, the Wild is everywhere… but it is not the case. No one takes a census or anything, but even in a large city like this, there’s only likely to be maybe a few thousand… unique individuals, we shall say.” “You tend to think there’s more.” Nessa added, “because you see them in what groups there are. Most, barring the strictest of individuals, will cluster with their kith or kin, so you only see them together, when really, you could be seeing us all.” “A case in point.” Tasha continued. “You have found us together today, and here, we know of no others like us two.” “Uh huh.” Ashley added, looking up at Nessas discomforting smile. “And you say, Rhi was the reason you found this world?” “She was there-“Ashley looked over at Rhi who was intently trying to drink from her glass, but was acting as if the glass itself were liquid abs she had to shuffle it from hand to hand to keep it in shape- “I’m a courier. And I had a delivery, and when I got there, I got, kinda, attacked by baby gargoyles. I fell and hit my head, right through my helmet. Rhi helped.” “The poor dear.” Nessa added, turning to look at Rhi with sympathy, “she must feel terrible.” “Quite. I assume that is why she’s brought you here, despite history.” “Wait, feels bad?” “If I had to hazard a guess, you were likely delivering something to attract gargoyles. Rhi lives in that part of town, and if you can keep the little ones occupied they won’t harass people. Of course. Once they are older, they are expected to know better.” “She said her usual courier hadn’t been available but she’d needed it in a rush.” Ashley added quietly. “And for a child like our little Rhi there, that will, that intent, can be … very important.”

“Nnot yers.” Rhi slurred. “Not a child.”… then a thump and a giggle as she slumped to the table for a second, her pointed hat askew.

“Young lady, then.” Nessa corrected. “Like her how?” Ashley asked, a hint of slyness in her voice. “You are a curious one indeed.” Tasha added. “You must understand. For my *Sister* and I, it is natural for us to be alone,” “It in threes.” Nessa added almost sibilantly. “Or in threes. But Rhi is from a very large family.” Tessa started- “Very large. Thirteen Aunts and Grand Aunts at least.” Nessa continued- “The only child of the Seventh Daughter of a Seventh Daughter. It’s quite unique, really.” “How much do you know of those old legends?” Nessa continued with her disarming smile. “A… little.” Ashley shrugged. “I mean, we all get some fairy tales as children but they never quite seem to be right. They’re a lot more sanitized and light hearted than I’ve found out.” “A lot of the old stories are like that. Either lost or their morals and lessons were replaced with happy endings and entertainment.” “I was trying to find books in the library…” “But it’s much the same way.” Nessa chuckled. “Try Dungeons and Dragons. They have a tendency to pull back some of the layers of fabricated myth for a more original look.” “Okay, *now* I feel like your making fun of me.” Ashley said, with a finger pointed at Nessa. “If so, only a little. We have no interest in upsetting our guest.” “My guesset!” Rhi added. “Guest of a Guest dear, it counts.” Tasha smiled. “Speaking of which.” She turned and looked Ashley direct in the eye. “You came for a reason.”

Ashley nodded, almost swallowing, finding it difficult to do so. She pulled up her left sleeve, showing the dark bloody red mark. The scratch that had gone along with it was barely visible, Rhis work with the herbal remedy had taken care of that, but still, the slowly climbing vine work of ruptured veins continued to grow ever so slowly. “My my *my*…” Tasha started, leaning in closer. “That’s… quite the curse you have there. Ran afoul of a Hagling, it looks like.” “I had no idea.” Ashley sighed. “I only caught a glimpse of her in my peripheral vision, and when I stopped to have a closer look, she was gone. And then when I looked about, that’s when it scratched me.” “Was trying not to be seen. And was clearly too young to have learned Manners.” Nessa nodded. “Very unfortunate.” “Unfortunate indeed.” Tasha said, standing and walking around the desk, looking closer. “It’s in the early stages at least. We could take care of it, indeed.” Tasha remarked. “For a price of course.” Nessa added, coming to Ashley’s other side.

Suddenly, Ashley felt very trapped between the two women, who were sounding a lot more predatory than they had mere minutes ago.

There was a shattering of glass that broke the tension. “No…” Rhi breathed heavily. “No price for her. My guest, my price.” She added, trying to sound as coherent as possible. Rhi pushed herself up on her hands, leaning hard on the table. “You are hardly in any state to pay any price…” Nessa turned. “It wouldn’t be fair…” “So. Mote. It. Be.” Rhi added with gritted teeth, and the world seemed to silence. Even the thumping from outside seemed more subdued, and one could hear everyone’s breaths in the air.

“Very well.” Tasha broke the silence again, but now there was no mirth in her voice. “This will be but a moment.”

She drew a small knife from behind her back, and with a deft flick, touched it’s flat edge to the slowly disappearing scratch. She grabbed Ashley’s wrist with her other hand and began to whisper. Ashley could not make out the words she uttered under her breath, but she flinched and almost cried out as with a stinging sensation, the vines of veins seemed to retract, drawn into the blade. The pain was hot, almost fiery and she struggled to stay still, but Tashas grip on her wrist was like steel.

Then as sudden as the pain started. It was over. Exhaling, Tasha let her wrist go and stood to her full height over her. “It is done.” “That’s it?” Ashley looked down at her arm - there was a triangle impression in the skin of where the knife had been pressed, but now all that was there was but a scratch. “For you, that is all.” Tasha added, almost gravely. “Blessed be, and go with the Goddess.” She added with a nod, but no hint of a smile. “Come on.” Nessa said, putting her hand on Ashley’s shoulder and helping her stand. “It is best you be on your way now.” “But…” she hesitated and pointed to Rhi. “What about…?” “Do not concern yourself. You have what you need. I’ll tell you what.” Tasha added as she reached out and plucked a card from the desk . “Enjoy yourself out there, a drink or two on the house, even a dance, and when you are done, give the card to the bartender and they’ll call you a ride home.” “We take care of our own.” Nessa added. “Rhi will be safe with us until she is ready to go home herself. It’s not safe for her out there in this condition, but it’s perfectly fine for you.” “But I…” “No complaints now. Call her in the morning if you do not, you will find her fine.” Nessa smiled as she got to the door and opened it.

The Fedora wearing suit man was waiting with an eager smile, and another bow. “How can I serve my lady?” He addressed Nessa. “Ashley is dear to us, see she has a good, safe evening, leaving us in good standing.” Nessa said in a voice so commanding, a far cry from every gentle word uttered so far. “Of course, Mistress. If you will accompany me, dear Ashes.” He offered his arm. “We shall see to your entertainment.”

Ashley looked back at Nessa, but the door had already closed. She looked down at the card in her hand, and frowned with worry. “Do not worry of your friend, Candle Ashes.” The man said. “The mistress and her sister are genuine, no harm will come. Come, we’ll see you distracted.” Ashley almost felt robotic as her hand reached out and took his offered arm….

…. And the night blurred.