un: hatisse | video

[aprescoup]

( The party's second, more elusive, revived witch appears on everyone's devices — enjoying a steaming, bubbling bath, in a sign that comfort is only unattainable for the unattractive. )

...now, aren't you beautiful, my sweets? And so many more than before, and lively, your flesh teeming with... youth.

This one is only an honoured and unworthy servant, so spare a moment, won't you? There's nothing to fear, I hardly bite, unless... have we still... virgins, each way the eye sees? ( Short, knowing laughter. ) We must relish in innocence.

( If her smile were thinner, it would be the ghost of the party's coin purse. )

Of course, this isn't why I would presume to take up your time, no, not your Hatisse. I only wish, with utmost respect, if I may. A humble warning.

( Her voice briefly ices, while she picks up a diminutive sponge to slowly, sloooooowly rinse her right arm. )

Here, in this gods-forsaken quaint little pedestrian village, where husband is uncle and brother and of the same blood as goats, you do not cross paths with... true witches, no matter what they name themselves. 'Ladies' of... 'lakes.' Remember, the clumsiest, easiest sorcery is the elements, and if they rule water, in a land of waters, don't be impressed.

( Briefly disgusted, as if she prepares to spit out a soured thing: ) They're hedge witches. Primitive, barely trained, and of course, your Hatisse is the daughter of a school, and so perhaps there is the lightest... prejudice, but may I say. Time is not the work of witches who, if rumour is to be believed, can do no better than play in puddles. There must be more. Something or someone.

( And now for an interlude where Hatisse raises herself from the bath, and much of the more risque parts of her body are strategically covered in foam. )

Now... we are friends here, all friends, friends of convenience, but friends. And Hatisse has shared what little was hers to give. But this is a land of the dead, and she cannot do more for you, if she is unknowing. Tell me, my sweets: how many of you are mired in death? How did you come to it?

( ooc: threadjack away! Hatisse will be regrettably available. )

Comments

[somebadnews]

[ The possibility of it being a liege is something he's considered, if not an artefact. Still. ]

Either way, you agree that whatever or whoever caused it has to be found and stopped. Preferably by going back to whenever it started, but you know how messy that can get.

What does any of that have to do with death among us?

[aprescoup]

That is different, my love, my sweet. I do not like this place well, I do not like its stench of death. I fear it might... corrupt those of you prone to death. So I wish to take precautions.

[somebadnews]

[ He'd be more concerned about that if Klaus were here. Most of the people he cares about are alive... as far as he knows. ]

After everywhere we've been, now that's a concern? [ Shame he can't remember much of how the death-touched were drawn out in Taravast, but that was a bad time for him. ] What kind of precautions?

[aprescoup]

What little I can do. As for the rest... do remember, I am not often called upon. Although I would wish to be. I would serve you well. Better than most.

[somebadnews]

That really isn't my call to make. [ He wouldn't betray Wrath like that. ]

Although if you do have anything else to say about meddling with time, I'm all ears. Someone like you couldn't do it?

[aprescoup]

Mmmmmmmmmmm... not... alone? Rather... how shall I say this, not safely alone. Not stably alone. It would be... inelegant. Someone who endeavours against time alone often does it selfishly, with no care for the impact.

[somebadnews]

[ ...Hm. ]

Or they're desperate and out of options. [ That's also how you end up looking like him. ] The question is what happens to a village that exists out of time when the cycle is broken. Were you around when it started?

[aprescoup]

I'm afraid I was what some might call deathly indisposed at the time. But time sorcery isn't new. Little in magic is, no matter what they tell you.

[somebadnews]

I've heard plenty. Mostly from people who use it for the wrong reasons. [ Hermione. ]

If we did find something buried, you'd be able to identify it?

[aprescoup]

I could certainly make the attempt.

[somebadnews]

[ Surprisingly useful, in case whatever body part they stumble on isn't immediately obvious. Between that and actively trying to prevent another Taravast incident... it's a shame she couldn't keep her hands to herself with Wrath. ]

Can you tell how much time we have?

[aprescoup]

Time for what, my pet?

[somebadnews]

It's rare for you to speak out. If you're taking precautions, you must be anticipating some kind of timeline.