fickle heart

emilian charles fox “We took such care of tomorrow but died on the way there.” — warsan shire

[derek-thayer]

Derek faltered, then shook his head. His mistrust for the Elders was too great to even justify keeping up a front. “I talked to Addison,” he offered, gesturing with his head vaguely. “She gave me some advice, but drawing pictures doesn’t really help me.”

[foxyemilian]

“Why don’t you try a silencing spell.” He suggested, averting his eyes away from his book and towards Derek. His parents had done it to him during his pre-teen years. He had no sense of control and the Elders wouldn’t have him causing havoc in their halls. 

[derek-thayer]

Derek was too distracted to hear the doubt in Emilian’s voice, and where he normally would have been defensive, he was passive. Usually, he was protective of his ability despite all the trouble it cost him— or perhaps because of it. He shrugged. “I can’t really control it.”

[foxyemilian]

"Have you tried asking an Elder for help. They could definitely help you out, or even one a Familiar could too.” Of course Emilian had a few helpful tricks he thought the man could use, but decided to not say anything. Whenever their conversation got too ‘specific’ it would usually end in a sour note. With his mind on overdrive, he didn’t need to be any more stressed than he already was.

[derek-thayer]

He realized too late this would probably spark a full-length conversation, something he wished to avoid at most times, and especially now. However, he couldn’t take back what he said, and Emilian seemed eager to help. He sighed, leaning his head back. “I see the future.”

[foxyemilian]

Emilian’s brows furrowed in confusion, but luckily his attention was towards his book and not at Derek. Precognition was an gift he had thought to be a myth, something witches only talked about but never actually possessed. He was skeptic, to say the least, but Emilian wasn’t one to be vocal about his doubts. “Do you like it? Must be pretty...” ‘Bothersome,’ he thought. “Interesting.”

[dizzyxizzy]

“I have to say, I was not expecting to feel that on my way to lunch.”

[foxyemilian]

"Speaking of which, my stomach's growls are growling. Care to join me?”

[richdealings]

“Why are you working so hard, Mr. Fox?”

[foxyemilian]

“I want to keep my family and the Coven safe. Simple as that.” Isn’t that what any normal person in his position would be doing? 

[richdealings]

“Why are you working so hard, Mr. Fox?”

[foxyemilian]

“To protect my family, of course. Perfect my craft. And for some personal reasons as well.”

[derek-thayer]

Derek assumed as soon as Emilian’s reply left his lips that this would be another conversation that would go nowhere. He was surprised then, when the man spoke again. Grinding his teeth, he rolled his head over and made brief eye-contact. There wasn’t a soul Derek was ready to talk to about Circe, with the possible exception of Cristian— and that was only because they had discovered the truth together. Even if he was willing, Emilian was not someone he would divulge the information to. Suddenly it struck him that he had to think of a lie, and he was unprepared to make something up.

“Uh,” he started, but immediately trailed off. “I’m trying to work on my power,” he quickly supplied. It wasn’t entirely untrue; he was in a broad sense always trying to gain control of his visions, and the only reason he had stopped was because his time had been consumed with fretting about the murder.

[foxyemilian]

Now that was area Emilian could help the witch with. He had developed and controlled his abilities at a young age, the key factor that separated him from his peers, so much so that he was able to provide a permanent telepathic link between his sister and him few years later. He had patience when it came to his craft, taking it slow and perfecting it to his liking. However, he didn’t think Derek would be interested in his help so he downplayed his response. “Oh, really... What can you do, again?”

[dizzyxizzy]

“Ah, well there you go! My mind had it all right in there somewhere.”

[foxyemilian]

He laughed, “You’re smarter than you thought, huh?”

[richdealings]

“Then why don’t you? Studying is important, but you should sleep while you can.”

[foxyemilian]

“And I do; two hours a day, plus the little naps I have in between. I just have to learn a few things first and then I can relax.”

[richdealings]

“Magic is a tool that I don’t think should always be used, but sometimes it does the trick.” Gaia walked away from him in order to grasp the jewelry within their hands, returning it to him a few moments later. “How am I? Well. Yourself?”

[foxyemilian]

He nodded in agreement, taking the bracelet from Gaia. “Thanks. And I’m well too, busy studying as usual. Lord knows I want to sleep, though.” 

[richdealings]

That was all they needed. Gaia looked over the room one more time and then a spell was leaving their lips. The language was Mandarin and it took less than five seconds for it to be recited. A gold ball of light appeared over Emilian’s head and it shone in the corner of the room, shining down on what had been lost. “There you are, Mr. Fox.”

[foxyemilian]

“Oh,” was all Emilain could muster up to say, still trying to process just how they had done it so fast. He had thought of doing a location spell as well but being taught to use his ‘human skills’ first before magic, Emilian pushed the thought away almost immediately. He didn’t imagine Gaia or any of the other Elders aside from Morgan having that mindset though. “Thank you, I would have been here all night if you hadn’t come.” He smiled, “How are you, Elder Moreno?”

[eviebrxnnan-deactivated20160723]

Living on a prayer - Holly + Emilian

There was a little chapel within the coven and it didn’t cater to just one god and one religion, whether you were polytheist or monotheist you could come there to meditate and pray. Today though, Holly had come to light a candle for Samantha. She wore a black coat above her nightgown, having awoken from a nightmare she had come to spend some time alone, in a place that felt safe although safety was all but relative once the darkness of the night enveloped her.

“For our sister Samantha, may she rest in peace.” she murmured as she lit the candle. Then falling to her knees, she looked up at the ceiling. Here she could be honest and true, with God to judge her and listen. Only listen for once and not interrupt her or remind her of her place, no this time was just for her. “A girl died, but I suppose you know that, if you exist it would only make sense that you be omniscient. Have that extra something over us mere mortals.” she said, laughing lightly. “She died and everyone waits to hear what the Elders want to do about it. It’s up to them to fix this and bring peace upon our home once more. All five of them on their own with no external help at all. I never realized just how much of a shrine some people hold to them like they’re the Messiah or something. That has got to be very offensive to you, huh?” she asked, raking her hand through her hair nervously. On the off chance she got caught saying these things, she supposed there wasn’t much the Elders could do. Praying was a private matter and spying on their students was just downright creepy especially in the middle of the night.

“Anyway, whenever and however we get our answers I hope it will be soon because this place is starting to scare me. See, I said this place but really it’s my home and no one should feel scared in their own home.”

[foxyemilian]

The Fox family were one of the few witches back in their home country who kept to their Catholic routes. As English witches either began exploring their magical roots or blended in with the Protestant movement at the time, the Foxs remained faithful to their religion set beliefs. It was a gamble, there were many contradictions they had to preserver, from both witches and humans, and still endure prosecution from all sides. They held on strong however, conquering every obstacle they faced thankfully. Till this day the household gathers to pray to Catholic Mary and meets with their priest to repent for their sins.

Emilian isn’t much of a believer as he once had been, but he still follows by his father’s example. And today happened to be the day he scheduled to pray and maybe meet with a priest, though it was too late for the latter. As he entered the Coven’s strange little version of a chapel, he could faintly hear the voice of another but the distance between them was too large yet for Emilian to figure out just who was inside. He could always just come back tomorrow but his days were already so packed, one little adjustment could disorganized his whole system. So he kept walking as silently as he could to not disturb whoever was with him. And though he fought against it, he listened into the person’s prayer. Finally he recognized the voice as none other than Holly Black. Emilian didn’t know much about the witch aside from her powers, a fact most who were born and raised there knew. It was strange; the two had very similar powers yet they never really got around to having a conversation.

Letting his presence be known by clearing his throat, he sat in the first row of seats and spoke of. "You know, if the Elders catch you hearing that they’ll have your head on a silver platter by tomorrow.” He joked, a smile crossing his face. “But seriously, don’t think too much about their motives, it’ll only confuse you more. Morgan barely utters a word to me about any updates or lack of it; it’s just how they are.” He could understand it, to a certain extent. It was a way to keep their people from panicking, from doing anything reckless they’d later regret. But silence is deadly too, it gives the mind freedom to assume the worst, it gives people reason to dig for clues that would only endanger themselves and everyone around them too. “I’m not saying trust them blindly, but don’t question every single one of their stances either.”

[richdealings]

“Can you describe it?” They stepped into the foyer and looked Emilian up and down for a few moments. Gaia wondered about the suggestion Circe had made to test the up and coming group of Elders. It was dangerous, but so was the job. They came out of their and focused on Emilian, waiting for an answer.

[foxyemilian]

“Gold, pretty thin, and also not all that big...” He told the Elder, finally taking his eyes off of the ground. “I’ve been charming her things, an extra safety measure. With this... Person loose, I can’t have her unguarded. Lord knows Belle forgets to look after herself some times.”

[richdealings]

The Elder was in a decent mood for once. Their spell had been completed and their research on elemental magic was coming alone nicely. Gaia entered into the foyer and found someone on their knees searching for something. “Do you need help?”

[foxyemilian]

Emilian had been so careful carrying one of his sister’s jewel boxes back to her room, but of course he’d lose one of her bracelets. Tracing his steps back, he was sure it was somewhere around the foyer but his eyes couldn’t spot the golden jewelry. At the sound of the Elder’s voice, he stoop up almost immediately. “Yes and no,” ‘No because you scare me,’ he thought, “I lost my sister’s bracelet and I know it’s somewhere here but I just... Can’t find it.” He scratched his head, eyes still glued to the floor.

[derek-thayer]

Derek hadn’t spoken to Emilian since the man intercepted him after his vision, and though he expected they would run into each other again, he hand’t exactly looked forward to it, either. He sighed audibly and shifted his position in the chair. Derek’s eyes moved briefly to the books in the boy’s hands then back to him. He was well aware of the fact that their rocky relationship was partially his fault, so his bit his tongue and refrained from being rude.

Instead, he looked ahead again and spent a pregnant moment trying to find a tone that wouldn’t insult the man. “I’m fine,” he mumbled. “Kind of busy.”

[foxyemilian]

Emilian’s personality didn’t clash well with everyone he met, and he understood that. Never would the man want someone to like him simply because he happened to be nice to them. So, as he sat there at such a close distance with Derek, he couldn’t help but become more reserved. It was an instinct of his, to close himself off to people who he knew weren’t fond of him. “Aren’t we all,” he said shortly, eyes back towards the pages of his book.

On top of his personal studies, he had Morgan’s list of assignments to finish as well. He hadn’t slept in his bed in days, finding comfort in a random bench or one of the lounges’ many sofas. “What are you so busy with,” he said without looking up from his book.

[derek-thayer]

Agitation was clear on Derek Thayer’s face as he sat in the longue, his knee bouncing rapidly, his teeth grinding, and his brow furrowed with concentration. The funeral had been hard to attend; he couldn’t look at the dead familiar without seeing her bloody corpse sprawled out on the forest floor. Senesless as it was, he felt guilty, but apologies to her family had died in his throat, and he spent most of the service hidden away. This was partly due to grief, but also because he spent the day keeping close watch on Elder Circe.

Now that it was over, Derek retreated from the rest of the coven, in every sense of the word. His day had been exclusively solitary, hours spent thinking over and over of what he could do with the new information on Elder Circe. It had all but consumed his mind, bordering on obsession. While normally tempted by the piano— currently bathed in the light of sunset, as if presenting itself admirably to invite Derek to play— today he couldn’t find it in him to press a single key. Who could he tell, or trust with the information? What if the rest of the Elders were aware? The only thing he knew for certain was that he couldn’t solve this problem dead, so he was taking great precaution before he acted.

His intense concentration was broken, though, when some seated themselves near him. He glanced out of his thoughts and stared at them, wondering if they would attempt conversation.

[foxyemilian]

With his home still suffering from the familiar’s death, Emilian was thrown back into his studies. He felt too inadequate as Elder-to-be, his mind kept telling him he wasn’t strong enough to face whatever the threat was that loomed over his and everyone else’s head. Counter spells were memorized to heart, charms were made to protect his family’s living quarters, and he planned to learn every corner of the Coven. He wanted to know the mansion inside and out in case of an emergency. 

Grabbing a few books from the library, he headed towards one of the lounges, praying to God at least one of the many would be empty. He no time to socialize and coven residents weren’t exactly known for minding their business. He had gone to three already, all filled with people, all louder than the next. He almost gave up hope but decided to check just one more before simply going to his room. As he came close to the lounge, he didn’t hear any voices and so, he breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the room. But God was playing tricks on him it seemed because the room wasn’t as empty as he thought. Derek sat in one of the seats and Emilian debated whether he should leave quickly before the witch noticed his presence. He decided against it and sat down a few seats from Derek. 

Flipping open his first book, he felt the man’s eyes on him and, Emilian being Emilian, he couldn’t just stay quiet. “Hello, Derek. How are you?” He kept his vice cool, knowing the man wasn’t a fan of his friendliness.

[thecovenconfessionals-blog]