( lilith takes it from her, finding her hand again as she leads them from the shop, only a short away before she stops and turns to face her )
I want you to picture your home.
( and trust her. she'd given her a small show of her magic when they'd first met, confirming being a witch by lighting the candles in the room. this time it'll be larger. lilith waits until she confirms she's doing it before teleporting them to the room that vanessa is thinking of, releasing her hand once the woman's realised what's happened )
[ She very nearly doesn't picture the home here but somewhere else, somewhere her mind had first seemed to conjure the image of Mary within those walls β but then she thinks better of it, and her thoughts drift to the residence she now keeps with Dorian, with its winding staircases and expansive rooms, though the one she imagines first in her mind is her own, dark walls and heavy curtains, a small vanity situated next to the door and a settee chair at the foot of the bed.
There's a sensation almost akin to being pulled within herself, slightly dizzying, and Vanessa throws out a hand to brace herself before realizing the air around them has changed, perfumed by the flowers she keeps fresh in the room on occasion β they're there somehow, even though she hasn't so much as taken a single step.
Slowly, she glances around with no shortage of surprise, her hand still grasping onto Mary's as her gaze sweeps over the familiar environment. ]
[ It's not so much the general how she intended to ask but the specifics of it, what power Mary had specifically called on to achieve this, and the display of it is overwhelming to say the least, prompting Vanessa to finally lower herself onto the settee in an attempt to catch her breath. ]
I felt you there.
[ Inside her somehow, though only for a moment, like a brief nudge against her awareness before retreating, though she thinks she can almost perceive the phantom sensation, a caress more intimate than anything on the physical plane. ]
( she sits with her, a slightly less than polite space left between them. but they've already pushed past polite with their conduct in the book store )
You told me where you lived, where we needed to go. Not in words but a sense. A feeling.
( she watches her for a reaction now, almost seeing if it was okay )
[ Something known before she'd even fully harbored it herself, given it more life in her thoughts; she doesn't withdraw from the other woman, but there is a wariness in her expression, a caution, perhaps even a little awe, as she studies her, as if she'd been unaware of the scope of that power until this very moment. ]
And can you read my mind?
[ Has she seen the thoughts that travel through her consciousness? Remembered dreams from a previous night, with promises made and pleasure given? ]
( not at that moment. there was magic that lilith could use to manipulate thoughts but she hadn't. feelings could be so much stronger than any words or thoughts could be )
When you first met me you'd gotten a feeling from me, had known of my magic before seeing me. Think of it like that. I'd asked you to think of home -- it's where you took us.
[ It's a small comfort nevertheless, to know that her secrets are still somewhat her own, that the dream she'd harbored in which old and new memories had converged to leave her breathless upon waking in this very room remains undisclosed between them.
She's still a bit disoriented, but that feeling is slowly beginning to pass. ]
I've really never met anyone quite like you, Ms. Wardwell.
I know you may not always have been received well. Nor have I, in many instances.
[ Because of the power they have inherent to them only, power that frightens those who do not truly know how to understand it. There are moments Vanessa does not fully grasp it herself, although she is learning to evolve to an idea of acceptance.
She nods once, more and more eased the longer she remains steady in one place. ]
( because vanessa certainly didn't seem like the sort of woman who kissed everyone that she met. she lets her hand slide down from her elbow to her hand, lacing their fingers together )
[ She glances down as the other woman's hand traverses down the length of her forearm, slips beneath her hand to interlock their fingers, and finds herself slowly looking up to Mary's face, lips curving in the faintest hint of her own smile. ]
But I suppose that must go without saying, especially after what... transpired between us back in the bookshop.
No, of course not. Forgive me, it was β a momentary impulse.
[ Although she does not present more of an attempt to defend herself, or float the possibility that it won't happen again, because she's not entirely certain it won't.
Mary's shift is very nearly a chance for her to right herself as well, to collect her own thoughts, and she gently eases herself down to sit with a quick nod. ]
( she hadn't meant to make vanessa back away, wanting the woman to be comfortable with her, to know that whilst what had happened had been unexpected ("unexpected") it had been enjoyed. and something she'd like to happen again.
but she'd misstepped a little, something that lilith would need to be a little more careful with next time.
but as they sit she rests the book on her knees, turning so that vanessa has a good view of it, hand resting over the cover )
A Book of the Dead contains incredibly powerful spells, darker areas of magic. Something that isn't often used.
[ It isn't what she'd intended to happen between them, the act more forward than she would have normally been, and a part of her can't help but consider that it's a by-product of the dream she'd had, the conjurings of her own mind that had felt so very real in comparison to what she often sees while she slumbers, felt more like an experience rather than something to be viewed or witnessed.
Her response isn't one of reluctance or regret, but closer to something uttered with the hope that Mary doesn't think less of her for initiating something on a more physical level when their friendship has been structured around something much more intelligent than that from the start.
And so, for the moment, she'll do her best to keep her mind on what's displayed in front of her instead of the woman seated closely beside. ]
I knew of a book like this once. Not exactly the same, but β full of dangerous spells, something that was not intended to be used lightly. [ Although she had pulled it from the shelf once, in a fit of desperation and the desire for revenge. ]
( and if anything it makes her a little more curious that vanessa knows about it, though she'll be very carefully prying at that piece of information )
No doubt there are more texts than I am familiar with, spells that should never be known. But for as dark as some of this may be it does have uses.
( for good. dark wasn't solely bad )
Necromancy needs a careful hand to do what's right.
[ That earns a light squint, more of an expression of curiosity than anything else, and Vanessa glances up from the book's cover to the woman seated beside her. ]
But I had thought β the dark magic was never meant to be used. That to do so would prove too costly on one's soul.
[ That is what she had been taught, at least, Joan Clayton warning her away from ever using the book that she had ultimately grasped for in order to carry out her retribution. ]
( she rests her hand over one of vanessa's as if to reassure her )
There are the darker of acts, raising the dead requiring a sacrifice in payment but this book houses many secrets. Banishing a wayward spirit, protection from omens. Other things that a witch may find here.
( it was a book of the dead. black yes but not always dark )
But there is no steep price to pay? Not for all of it?
[ She'd never considered the possibility that there would be more of a range, a scale that could apply here, that the potential to perform something from the book she'd been told not to use would not necessarily exact the same toll on her as it had before.
She looks to the hand that covers hers, gaze slowly trailing the length of the other woman's arm until she can bring their gazes level. ]
I was never taught thusly. [ And perhaps, she thinks, that is because the Cut-Wife had only instructed her from within the range of her own abilities, not capable of seeing beyond that to more. ]
[ It seems like too good a deal to be wholly truthful, and she has the small sense that Mary may not be telling her everything, but she perceives the sensation of their hands threading together more fully and draws in a breath, soft and subtle. ]
And if I asked it of you β
[ She knows it may be too great a thing to request, that she may not even be within her rights to ask it, but she ventures it anyway, emboldened by their proximity. ]
[ And perhaps she chuckles a bit embarrassedly at her presumption that she'd been asking too much of the other woman when the agreement is so freely given, almost without hesitation; she glances down at the shared link of their hands, thumb instinctively smoothing across the ridges of Mary's knuckles. ]
I don't have much in the way of personal funds, but β I'd like to find some means of repaying you, if I can.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
( lilith takes it from her, finding her hand again as she leads them from the shop, only a short away before she stops and turns to face her )
I want you to picture your home.
( and trust her. she'd given her a small show of her magic when they'd first met, confirming being a witch by lighting the candles in the room. this time it'll be larger. lilith waits until she confirms she's doing it before teleporting them to the room that vanessa is thinking of, releasing her hand once the woman's realised what's happened )
no subject
There's a sensation almost akin to being pulled within herself, slightly dizzying, and Vanessa throws out a hand to brace herself before realizing the air around them has changed, perfumed by the flowers she keeps fresh in the room on occasion β they're there somehow, even though she hasn't so much as taken a single step.
Slowly, she glances around with no shortage of surprise, her hand still grasping onto Mary's as her gaze sweeps over the familiar environment. ]
How did you do this?
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My magic.
( her head tips to the side as she checks over her )
I used your focus to direct me, bringing us here.
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I felt you there.
[ Inside her somehow, though only for a moment, like a brief nudge against her awareness before retreating, though she thinks she can almost perceive the phantom sensation, a caress more intimate than anything on the physical plane. ]
no subject
( she sits with her, a slightly less than polite space left between them. but they've already pushed past polite with their conduct in the book store )
You told me where you lived, where we needed to go. Not in words but a sense. A feeling.
( she watches her for a reaction now, almost seeing if it was okay )
no subject
[ Something known before she'd even fully harbored it herself, given it more life in her thoughts; she doesn't withdraw from the other woman, but there is a wariness in her expression, a caution, perhaps even a little awe, as she studies her, as if she'd been unaware of the scope of that power until this very moment. ]
And can you read my mind?
[ Has she seen the thoughts that travel through her consciousness? Remembered dreams from a previous night, with promises made and pleasure given? ]
no subject
( not at that moment. there was magic that lilith could use to manipulate thoughts but she hadn't. feelings could be so much stronger than any words or thoughts could be )
When you first met me you'd gotten a feeling from me, had known of my magic before seeing me. Think of it like that. I'd asked you to think of home -- it's where you took us.
no subject
[ It's a small comfort nevertheless, to know that her secrets are still somewhat her own, that the dream she'd harbored in which old and new memories had converged to leave her breathless upon waking in this very room remains undisclosed between them.
She's still a bit disoriented, but that feeling is slowly beginning to pass. ]
I've really never met anyone quite like you, Ms. Wardwell.
no subject
Hopefully in a positive way?
( she doesn't feel the actual need to ask the question but it feels like something a regular person would ask )
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[ Because of the power they have inherent to them only, power that frightens those who do not truly know how to understand it. There are moments Vanessa does not fully grasp it herself, although she is learning to evolve to an idea of acceptance.
She nods once, more and more eased the longer she remains steady in one place. ]
I can assure you my feelings are quite positive.
no subject
( lilith echoes it, a slight smile on her )
I believe I noticed that in the shop.
( because vanessa certainly didn't seem like the sort of woman who kissed everyone that she met. she lets her hand slide down from her elbow to her hand, lacing their fingers together )
no subject
[ She glances down as the other woman's hand traverses down the length of her forearm, slips beneath her hand to interlock their fingers, and finds herself slowly looking up to Mary's face, lips curving in the faintest hint of her own smile. ]
But I suppose that must go without saying, especially after what... transpired between us back in the bookshop.
no subject
( she pauses and then quickly adjusts )
Not that I'm opposed.
( and it certainly will make lilith change up her plans a little if that is what vanessa feels. perhaps a more careful stepping.
hands together she leads vanessa to sit, playing up the slightly more awkwardness that she imagines mary wardwell might feel )
I had thought to show you the book--
no subject
[ Although she does not present more of an attempt to defend herself, or float the possibility that it won't happen again, because she's not entirely certain it won't.
Mary's shift is very nearly a chance for her to right herself as well, to collect her own thoughts, and she gently eases herself down to sit with a quick nod. ]
Yes, perhaps that would be best. [ Safer. ]
no subject
but she'd misstepped a little, something that lilith would need to be a little more careful with next time.
but as they sit she rests the book on her knees, turning so that vanessa has a good view of it, hand resting over the cover )
A Book of the Dead contains incredibly powerful spells, darker areas of magic. Something that isn't often used.
no subject
Her response isn't one of reluctance or regret, but closer to something uttered with the hope that Mary doesn't think less of her for initiating something on a more physical level when their friendship has been structured around something much more intelligent than that from the start.
And so, for the moment, she'll do her best to keep her mind on what's displayed in front of her instead of the woman seated closely beside. ]
I knew of a book like this once. Not exactly the same, but β full of dangerous spells, something that was not intended to be used lightly. [ Although she had pulled it from the shelf once, in a fit of desperation and the desire for revenge. ]
no subject
( and if anything it makes her a little more curious that vanessa knows about it, though she'll be very carefully prying at that piece of information )
No doubt there are more texts than I am familiar with, spells that should never be known. But for as dark as some of this may be it does have uses.
( for good. dark wasn't solely bad )
Necromancy needs a careful hand to do what's right.
no subject
But I had thought β the dark magic was never meant to be used. That to do so would prove too costly on one's soul.
[ That is what she had been taught, at least, Joan Clayton warning her away from ever using the book that she had ultimately grasped for in order to carry out her retribution. ]
And yet you say there is a purpose even for this?
no subject
( she rests her hand over one of vanessa's as if to reassure her )
There are the darker of acts, raising the dead requiring a sacrifice in payment but this book houses many secrets. Banishing a wayward spirit, protection from omens. Other things that a witch may find here.
( it was a book of the dead. black yes but not always dark )
no subject
[ She'd never considered the possibility that there would be more of a range, a scale that could apply here, that the potential to perform something from the book she'd been told not to use would not necessarily exact the same toll on her as it had before.
She looks to the hand that covers hers, gaze slowly trailing the length of the other woman's arm until she can bring their gazes level. ]
I was never taught thusly. [ And perhaps, she thinks, that is because the Cut-Wife had only instructed her from within the range of her own abilities, not capable of seeing beyond that to more. ]
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( some could be appeased by nature whilst the others required something more drastic -- a life for a life )
But-- ( she links their fingers ) Your magic is different to my own. Perhaps that is why you were not taught such.
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And if I asked it of you β
[ She knows it may be too great a thing to request, that she may not even be within her rights to ask it, but she ventures it anyway, emboldened by their proximity. ]
β would you teach me? Help me to learn more?
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( who was she to refuse such a request? a witch wanting to learn more of and own their power with her women's and witches greatest advocate )
However I can help I would be glad to.
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[ And perhaps she chuckles a bit embarrassedly at her presumption that she'd been asking too much of the other woman when the agreement is so freely given, almost without hesitation; she glances down at the shared link of their hands, thumb instinctively smoothing across the ridges of Mary's knuckles. ]
I don't have much in the way of personal funds, but β I'd like to find some means of repaying you, if I can.
no subject
( there's a gentle frown, lilith letting her other hand rest on the top of both of theirs )
Helping you to explore your magic is the repayment. A witch should know her power.