The Witch [Open]

[NekoMata]

Open to one male to play the role of a boy who gets caught in the witches territory.

Valen ran her finger gently over the water absently. Reaching out she picked up a small glass vial of the elegantly carved oak table. She removed the stopper, poured some of the sweet smelling burgundy powder into a silver spoon. She sprinkled it into the water along with a handful of another type of herbs. She waved a hand ove it and muttered a few words. A cloud of smoke plumed from the pot and Valen smiled. She ran a finger down the list if items printed on the ancient book in front of her and frowned.

'Oh great... Now I have to go into town.' she said with a soft sigh.

Valen stood from the table her soft black skirt rustling down. She was wearing a dress made of silky black material cut in a low V at the neck and with a high split up the side. Her hair fell to her waist like a bright scarlet flame. Her eyes were a miraculous shade of violet flecked with gold and she had flawless olive skin. She had an almost feline face and a gracefull style of movement.

She was the known in town as the Witch of the Black Forest as she was the only one who lived in the wide expansive forest. She had a reputation of being cold and haughty but it was only because of her wariness of people. Despite all of that she did have alot of people who came to her requesting "favors" and for a fee, Valen was glad to oblige.

Slinging her bow and quiver over her back she grabbed her bow and headed out of her home, an nice place settled snugly in the woods. She locked the door draping the key around her neck and headed into the wood.

 

[Erlind]

Halcyon had never had an easy life, but things had been particularly bad recently. The twenty-two year old had finally stolen from the wrong person. Somehow a simple necklace lifted from a beautiful young thing at a dance had been traced back to him two cities away. Apparently the Count whose daughter had been stolen from was also claiming rape. He had never touched the girl, not that he hadn’t wanted to, but none of that mattered now as the royal ass was now raining down a holy hell on him. Halcyon had concluded the only way out was to get across the sea, but with his luck there was no reason to risk getting thrown overboard for being a stowaway. That’s why the young thief was now skulking through the Black Forest. He needed something valuable enough that it could be fenced quickly and be too hard to pass up.

Today, the thief crouched in the shadows of low hanging branches watching the small cottage. He fished the eyeglass out of his vest when he saw movement below. He watched the red haired beauty lock her door and begin the long journey into town. He had not expected a witch to be so beautiful, but that had never been the sort of thing to stop him before. By the time she realized anything was missing he would be far beyond her reach. Once she was out of sight, Halcyon stepped out into the warm sunlight. Waiting for the witch to leave her home had meant the thief hadn’t been able to shave recently, and his face had the light brown scruff to prove it. His hair was short if a bit wild and while his clothes were simple they were well tailored to him. He stood at a little above six feet tall and had a lean figure well suited to running, something he did a lot of.

Once he was sure she was gone, Halcyon made his way door the hill to the witch’s door. A set of lock picks were produced and he crouched down by the door. The lock was old, but surprisingly well made. It took him some time to hear the click of it finally opening for him. Halcyon eased the door open and slipped inside ready to search for whatever baubles a witch might keep.

 

[NekoMata]

Valen sighed adjusting her basket on her arm. Trips to town were such a bother, the walk was long and nine times out if ten she couldn't find what she needed. The upside however was that the walk provided a great opportunity for her to look for other ingredients she might need later. The woods was bountiful with plants and herbs that would prove useful for her potions. In fact there was a spot just beyond her house that was perfect for collecting some rare herbs and basic ingredients like luna dust, and she was running low.

Her mind made up she turned of the main trail and on to a small footpath that wound it's way into the trees. She hummed softly to herself as she followed the trail to what had once been an old apothecary's garden. Though untended by man fit years the garden had still managed to flourish and Valen visited every now and then to gather ingredients and tend to the plants. Glancing down at the ground, she carefully picked her way through the garden, unwilling to trample any plants. She set about the task of collecting useful ingredients when suddenly a pricking sensation ran over her body. She bolted upright her eyes narrowing.

Someone had dared to violate the sanctity of her home. She turned snapping her fingers as she did so. The door to her cottage locked and sealed itself tight. Nothing was getting in or out now. Not without her permission.

 

[Erlind]

The first thing Halcyon noticed when he opened the door was the scent of herbs. The air was rich with smell of dried flowers and other plants hanging from the rafters. As he slipped inside he looked around, but nothing of immediate value jumped out at him. Books and herbs were two things there seemed to be plenty of, but neither seemed particularly valuable. That just meant he'd have to do a little searching.

Suddenly the door slammed shut behind him and he could hear the lock snap shut as well.

"No no no!"

Immediately, the thief was crouched by the door in hand with his picks in hand. Something was different now though and the lock would not budge at all. There was no reason to break his picks on it, he knew it wasn't opening. Thoughts ran to defending himself, but all he had was a thin bladed dagger tucked in his boot. Easy to miss in a search, but not much good if not used by surprise. Somehow Halcyon knew there was no chance of that now.

He scrambled looking for a better weapon, pushing jars and books aside, but was finding nothing of use. The thief opened a small wooden box he found up on a shelf. Inside with a strange silver ring with a ruby set in it. If he made it out of this it would be best if it wasn't empty handed. Halcyon pocketed the ring and placed the box back where he'd found it.

He heard footsteps outside. It wouldn't be long now. Maybe he could try to bolt past here when the door opened. The thief pressed himself against the wall next to the door and readied himself to make a run for it. It was the only chance he could think of and he was going to take it. Who knew what a witch would do to him even a beautiful one.

 

[NekoMata]

Valen hummed softly to herself as she made her way back up the path to her house. How lovely, her sanctuary was being disturbed by some foolish individual. She tucked her basket in the crook of her arm as she dipped her fingers down her top to grab her key. She continued humming as she slid the key in the lock. Turning it she dropped the sealing spell and swung the door inwards. Her hand flashed out the moment the door opened, closing on the throat of her intruder. She didn't even bother to spare a glance at him as she dragged him after her. She shoved him into a high backed armchair and snapped her fingers. The tendrils of her power wrapped around his arms and legs securing him to the chair.

She continued humming to herself as she emptied her basket. She casually organized, sorted, and bundled the herbs storing them away. Once she was done she picked up an old book from off the table. She flipped through a few pages before she finally glanced up. Her intruder was not unattractive, and he seemed to be in good. She grinned to herself considering the possibilities.

”You know generally speaking it's a very bad idea to break into a witches house.”

 

[Erlind]

Forces beyond his understanding slammed the thief into the chair and locked him into place. The force of it knocked the breath out of him. Out of every moment in his life he’d been caught stealing Halcyon regretted this one the most. He hadn’t been sure witches were even real and now one had him trapped. It was hard not to panic, but as the witch calmly organized her things the red handed thief collected himself.

“Well I was just in the neighborhood and I thought it would be rude not to stop in,” he joked with her. The strange woman didn’t seem angry, though there had been a hint of danger in her words. Maybe she would just let this wayward thief go.

 

[NekoMata]

Valen made a soft indistinct noise and continued flipping the pages of her book. After a few moments she grinned. ”Ah, just what I was looking for...” she murmured softly. She sat the book down on the table, gently tracing the old gold leafed page. Still looking at the book she began slowly gathering the materials she needed. After a moment or so she turned away from the table and moved across the room to fetch a few clean glasses. ” You know typically visitors teens you wait until their host is home...but if the spell you needed cat was app important you would break into my home who am I to deny you.” she said with a small smile. Planting the glass on the table she snapped get fingers. A small fire sparked to life under the tiny pot sitting by the table. Humming quietly she began adding ingredients to the pot of boiling liquid. She waved get hand over it slowly. ” So tell me, what possessed you to try to steal my ring?” she asked not looking up from her bubbling potion. Carefully she poured the clear liquid into a glass and sat it on the table near where he sat. She leaned casually against the table her arms crossed.

 

[Erlind]

A witch or someone simply not all there? What was she talking about a spell and what was she making? Halcyon was beginning to think his choice of targets had been a more serious mistake then he realized. Then she added something else. She said it without anger, but she spoke about something she couldn’t know yet. The ring.

“Shit.”

The young thief began to fight against his invisible bonds now. He didn’t care how crazy she was, no one liked to be stolen from. Most of the worst moments of his life had been getting caught and this was not likely to be an exception to that rule. Words began to tumble out of his mouth almost faster than he could make use of them.

“It wasn’t personal. I needed a lot of quick cash to get off continent. I figured I could get enough stuff here that could be quickly and easily pawned and with you out so far from everyone else it would be a while before you could do anything about it. I’m very sorry and if I can make it up to you I will. Please.”

 

[NekoMata]

Valen sighed, clucking her tounge softly. She blew a gentle gust of air from her between her puckered lips and the candles sputtered and flickered to life. She stood and circled slowly around his chair. Returning to stand in front of him she smiled wickedly. ”You probably would have been better off picking a different target.” she said. She slipped her fingers into his pocket retrieving her ring. She turned it slowly in her fingers. The band was silver with an intricate twined pattern. Two interlinking crescent moons surrounded the large blood red ruby that inlaid it. She waved her hand over his right wrist, releasing it from where it was bound to the chairarm. Her fingers wrapped around his wrist in a iron grip. She spun the ring around in her fingers before sliding it on to his ring finger. Dipping her fingers into her collar she pulled a small vital out of her top. Popping the cork out she twisted his finger to make him own his mouth and poured the strange rainbow colored liquid down his throat. ”I suggest you swallow that. Oh, then drink the stuff in the glass. After that you can get up.” she said recorking the bottle.

 

[Erlind]

Halcyon gasped a little when the witch twisted his finger and she certainly took advantage of the opportunity. She tilted a little vial of something strange into his open mouth and the thief was so surprised he swallowed it. He coughed for a moment and then his stomach suddenly became very cross with him. So intent was the thief on clutching his gut, which was now in agonizing pain, that he didn't even notice his arms were free to move.

"I'm not drinking that. Why would I drink anything you gave me? What did you do to me?"

 

[NekoMata]

”Hurts doesn't it?” she said with a grin, ”You see that potion I gave you and the spell in the ring combined ensure that you have to follow my orders without question. If you don't then it causes immense physical pain.” She paced carefully across the small workroom. She ran her fingers lightly through her crimson hair, the strands shimmering softly in the light. Her eyes remained locked on him, her deep violet hues shimmered with amusement. ”Now be a good boy and drink up.” she said. Turning her back on him she shut her spellbook, and began straightening out her work area. It had been quite some time since someone had taken her ring. A rare chance had presented itself, and such amusements were few and far between. Valen fully intended to use this to her advantage.

 

[Erlind]

Good boy? Witch seemed not only unconcerned with the pain he was in, but almost gleeful, like a child with a new toy. Was he that insignificant to her or was she just that far gone? Halcyon twisted suddenly as the pain grew. Whatever was in that drink couldn’t be worse than this. The thief threw his hand out and grasped the brew, quickly downing the foul tasting liquid. He immediately started to feel better, but that didn’t ease his fears any.

“What are you going to do with me, witch?”

 

[NekoMata]

Valen paused thoughtfully as she strode around the room. Placing her finger to her lips she stopped in front of her bookshelves. Her eyes scanned the leather bindings of the ancient archaic tomes. "I'm not sure yet... I must come up with a fitting punishment." Valen said lightly. She gently brushed her hair back from her face sweeping it over her shoulder. She selected a book from the shelf and set it on the table. She opened the book and began flipping through the thick yellow pages. "Perhaps I'll test my potions on you." she said as she ran her eyes over him, "Or perhaps something else..."