Loren Reynaud

[ren-ofpluto]

WHERE: ren’s camp, outside the bus WHEN: early evening of june 6th WHO: @ofxlita

The fire witches had eluded her thus far.  Belém had proven a close lipped and fickle woman, turning tail despite Ren’s open eagerness to share. She was more willing to give Lucrezia a pass, but the resurrected witch seemed keen to act as though Ren did not exist.  Which left Ofelia, the first to greet her when she’d arrived and perhaps the most personable, if aloof.  She’d wanted the girl at her camp since they’d met and it seemed, given the climate post séance, this was as good a time as any.

“If it isn’t miss Ofelia.” The name sounds far less regal with her accent, a southern belle  affectation given to the classic name.  Ren manages to tumble from her trailer with an element of grace. Her excitement is tempered, noting the conflict in her fellow witches gaze.  “Don’t look too down, ma belle. I’ve readied some fun to share with you.”

Fixing the cotton jacket over her shoulders, she waves the witch to come join her.  “Find yourself a spot. I’ve got ma own things laid out for ya here.” The words are accompanied by a gesture to the table, a blue tinted grimoire on the table. “Well wash away all this madness.”

[ren-ofpluto]

cole-campbell​:

She’s smart and yeah, that’s always been a pull when it comes to Cole’s taste in women. Granted, she could be accused of fancying anything decently attractive with a pulse and it wouldn’t be wrong. She lifts her glass. “I’ll drink to that.

And Cole likes the way that accent curls around the word fucking too; she squeezes her thighs tight together and hums, pretends to give the question some thought. “I’m not exactly vying for Valedictorian. Some of the others would tell you not to trust me. Others probably feel sorry for me.” The reason is there, worn almost as a badge of honour on uncovered skin.

It’s more telling than she’d usually be and she wonders if it’s down to a spell. “You don’t strike me as the sort to come looking for your place. But here you are, right? The newest member of the Brady Bunch. So,” there’s something more focused in her gaze now. “Why did you come?”

Instead of quipping, Ren only nods and lifts the next glass high, tossing back the drink with more grit than her original.  She’s cocky in her agreement, the suggestion clear in the catlike tilt of those expressive eyes. 

“And I’m sure there’s a truth in both those opinions. You talk quick. That’s common back home, and we got a word for it.  But I think there’s even less mystery when it comes to pity.” She nearly reaches across to touch the carving, the branding subhuman in nature and still puckered angrily despite the time past. “I’ve curiosities about that nastiness as well.” But the pause she takes next is intentional, sure to let the girl know she will not force her to speak more than she wants.

“Hmm, why’d I come,” she sing-songs the phrase, tilting her head to one side. “Because Gen sounds desperate and I’m a sucker for the downtrodden. She made it clear in a not so subtle way that you girls needed direction. So it didn’t go down right with me, thinkin’ y’all were out here lost and dyin’.”

[ren-ofpluto]

thclilith​:

“ unlucky for them, ” maeve starts, offering a malicious turn of her lips to her company. “ we have angry women to match. ” the blonde finishes. she knows she should be more worried, just thinking of what the hunters were capable of doing to cole. yet, there’s this reckless confidence inside her, a cocky defiance that tells her these hunters won’t be able to come in and ruin the life she fought for herself.

the blonde fiddles with the expensive bracelet dangling on her wrist before nodding to the other woman. she hums. “ she had some, but she lost ranks in popularity after that, definitely. ” she says, still looking down. 

her eyes do snap up at the woman’s next question though, and she smirks. part of her job is to know when people would like to take the lead in a situation. obviously, this comes easier in sexual scenarios, but it appears less than subtle to maeve here, in genevieve’s dusty house. the blonde reflects for a moment on what an occasion for this new witch to arrive. an expressive leader had fled the scene and all of the women in the group are stripped down to their most vulnerable forms – angry, sad, scared. desperate for guidance. maeve thinks she will make ren works for her.

“ myself, of course. ” she replies with a cheeky smile. “ that’s why i haven’t been a fan of the book club. ” maeve offers another shrug. “ i scam men for a living. ” she replies simply to the next question and nearly chuckles. “ mhmmm, some. i find my magic is some kind of… special magic. so, unfortunately, it means i have to come into the group. ”

“Not wrong, either.  I’d turn tail from an angry woman any day of the weak before some boy.  Masculinity is such a fragile thing, so intertwinned with ego.  One little snip and the whole thing comes toppling down.”  She smiled.  “We women are made of heartier stuff. And we specifically have goddesses and magica to walk beside us.  No match.”

Ren has not intended to be coy - she is subtle when it is smartest but not for her personal gain.  In the case of their coven, subtlety would not seem to get them anywhere.  She’s sure Maeve knows they need guidance as much as anyone else. The option for direction and leadership cannot be between a non magic user and lixue. Regardless of sides, both women have allowed witches to die. 

“A smart choice,” she nods. “Ya gotta trust your own council before anyone else’s. But speak more clear-” she leans closer, “Would you agree with me if I said letting a zombie witch sacrifice us as will is not an acceptable leadership plan? Especially given that some of us, in which I would include you, have special abilities I’d not be keen to see exploited.”

[ren-ofpluto]

cole-campbell​:

It’s the kind of voice that people cite when they say ‘God, I love a good accent’; the sort made to croon audiobooks or ASMR or whatever shit people pay good money to listen to. And fuck if Cole won’t blow a small fortune at the bar just to hear more of it. “I bet you’ve got a lot of love to give. You strike me as a big giver, but maybe I’m just wishing things into existence.” There’s a lightness to her smile as she watches the woman struggle, signals for another drink for her and sips at her own.

“Hypothetically,” she leans back in her seat and steeples her fingers. “Reckon there’s a time and a place for cock. I like to think I’m an equal opportunist, but I’m always…” when she leans back in, her body is angled towards the smaller witch; her thighs spread, just enough for her to notice. “Always open to being proved wrong. But speaking of equal opportunities… ask away.”

“Course.  World needs more love ‘s far as I’m concerned.  I’m willing to do my part.”  When the second drink come Ren only palms the glass, watching Cole more curiously.  “Sure, cher. Men and women are not the same, nor equal.  Why should we treat something so transformative as sex with the same blase nature. A woman deserves far more care than the average cock would provide.” She twists the glass in her hand before raising a brow and looking at the medium. “Hypothetically.”

Poised before her breasts, Ren linked her fingers, a taunt in her smile. “Interesting as it is, fucking wasn’t exactly what I had in mind as far as questions.” There was a quiet squeak as she leaned back in her chair, making an illusion she was taller than she was. “Where do ya fit in all this, Cole?  Do you feel heard? Seen?”

[ren-ofpluto]

WHERE: zelenia’s home WHEN: june 6th, mid afternoon WHO: @zeleniarosi

When it came to training with the other witches, Ren had healthily defaulted to her own home.  The camp was more secluded than homes in town, if only slightly, and she was eager to show the women exactly where she made her home.  When it came to practicing with the fellow water witch, visiting her home seemed best.  There was a similar sense of seclusion but - and this was key - Ren was not a fan of leaving the property untended while a hunter squatted there. 

“Thanks for having me,” she nods, raising a lazy hand in greeting.  “Is the rat in your shed causing any trouble yet or behaving?” open toe sandals crunch on the ground as she taps the grimoire in her hands. “If not - he may like a demonstration? There’s a spell or two I wanted to see ya try. Admire your flair.”

[ren-ofpluto]

cole-campbell​:

Sadly for the scenery, it’s sorely outmatched; now, Cole’s only got eyes for the newcomer. It’s moments like these amidst the madness that seem too good to be true — that for all the batshit craziness, the ‘coven’ is packed full of magically smoking hot women that, for the most part, have the same inclinations as her.

“Don’t you?” Cole grins. She leans back in her chair with a sigh and stretches her legs out, one ankle over the other. “Ooooh. I love a game. I’ll go first.” She knocks back her drink in one and signals for a new one in a single sweeping movement of her hand. “Purely hypothetical, of course. After a few more of these,” she shakes her empty glass, “We head back together. Which one of us will be saddling on the strap?” 

Bright-eyed and smirking, it’s just cheeky enough to miss the leery mark and Cole figures she knows the answer already. As small as she may be, the other woman doesn’t scream sub. She folds her lips around the rim of her new glass without breaking eye contact.

“Yeah,” she sighed, “I do. I love all women.”  There was an obvious suggestion there before Ren laughed, a warm sound. Her voice was slightly deeper for a woman and frayed at the edges from an overindulgence in smoke. Somehow, the sound is still smooth as water.  But the game had begun all too quickly and she watched with a tempered interest how quickly the witch drank. 

“Interesting you think a strap on would be needed.  Hypoethetically, of course.”  It was fun to play along, the interest clear by the intense turn to Ren’s eyes. She makes a show of downing her own drink, breathing out in a small wince, clearly less accustomed. “Have you found a penis to be so instrumental in pleasure till now? Cause I’d have to challenge that assumption, bébé.”

[ren-ofpluto]

belenvillas​:

Distrust had always been the easier of two paths for Belén; most of her self-preservation has been reliant on reticence and a lack of faith in others. Still, she knows that she is better off stripping herself of these habits, especially now — this commonality with the women around her is enough to lend some trust. And so she finds herself in this campsite, in a state that she could easily deem vulnerable with a woman she could swiftly deem a stranger — Belén decides to do neither of these things.

At the mention of her disappearance, the pyromancer all but laughs; it’s no surprise that the others would have spoken about it. “Well, I was being followed by a man, one of the hunters I believe, and it just didn’t feel safe to stay at home,” the witch trails off, and tries to figure out if she should tell the other woman more…sure, “to add, I didn’t feel as if my magic was in control — I didn’t want to risk harming anyone.” When Ren takes a seat next to her, Belén notes that the other had left the logs and newspapers unlit…and the pyromancer thinks to read between the lines, “may I?”

“’Nuff said there,chérie. There are demons in the night who would not talk pretty with you before cutting your throat.”  She’d heard of the fires, the graffiti and broken windows.  It hadn’t surprised her that had sent a witch or two running.  The second half of Belen’s words however...those bothered. 

“Please do. I left it there for you to flex.”  She winked at the pyromancer, waiting in relaxation for a display of her skills. “I’m hoping if you’re asking that you’ve gained a bit of control. Fire isn’t something to mess with lightly and I respect taking the time to tame that proverbial beast.” A wicked twist takes her smile. “Especially when I’m about to risk my campsite trusting you there.”

[ren-ofpluto]

WHERE: ren’s camp WHEN: june 7th, mid morning WHO: closed for @thechircn

"So, I have some thoughts.” The grimoire was laid out on a renovated picnic table, shaded by a pull out canopy off of Ren’s bus. Cleo sat there, a pleasant enough participant after the invitation.  She’d thought the fire witches revival would have prompted more stir among the coven but it seemed many of them were as eager to run from the revived as they were to hold her.  To Ren, Cleo was frail.  As the Dark witch had said, they could not be weak. 

“I bookmarked a few select spells ta work on, based on that little talk we had back at Gen’s. ” she spoke with excitement, moving her fingers quickly to point as she explained.  “There is a protection spell, a shield and something a little more offensive riiiiiiight....here!” Her finger stamped in punctuation on the page. “They’re all options that, according to my ambitious predecessor, believed required earth magic for strength.  So- tell me which of these skills ya feel strongest in and we’ll move from there? I’d prefer working on something offensive - see if we can adapt it so you can even cast alone but-” Ren shrugged, “I’m open to ideas.”

[ren-ofpluto]

                                  𝕄 𝕖 𝕖 𝕥 :  𝐸  𝓇  𝓏  𝓊  𝓁  𝒾  𝑒

ｎａｍｅ

erzulie or erzu for short is named for the family of Ioa spirits in Voodoo.  erzulie’s namesake is for the goddesses meant to protect women, children and those who cannot protect themselves.  it was a name given in honor, as the pantheon is one ren holds close to her own heart and spiritual beliefs. 

ａｐｐｅａｒａｎｃｅ

while erzulie is a hybrid mutt of husky and wolf, it is easy to mistake the canine for a full blooded beast. erzu shares a coat similar to a gray wolf with fur that is thick and soft. however, she is not as lithe as a wolf with a more muscular stature and a wider snout. noticeably, ren does not collar erzulie in her spare time unless they are in public.

ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｌｉｔｙ

despite a large and wild appearance, erzulie is a fantastically well mannered dog. clearly trained intensely, erzu responds instantly to both verbal and physical signals.  that being said, the dogs temper is extremely tied to ren and her presence, seeing the hydro witch as her only other pack member. 

ｃｏｎｎｅｃｔｉｏｎ

the bond between ren and erzulie began a year and some after her travelling began.  she was an unwanted pup, breed misunderstood and too large for most households. seeking companionship on her wandering journey, ren took the pup and devoted her spare time to training and caring for the wolf.  in turn, the two are extremely close, with erzulie holding more of ren’s trust then any other human.

[ren-ofpluto]

jupitersari​:

   “Of course I have,” Ari answered quickly, almost a sneer as if the question were as obvious as what color the sky was. She smiled after, hoping to lessen the blow of her quick remark. “We all have, I believe. Hard not to, yes?” Ari thought to when she first got the book. Only two days after getting it, she tried one of the simpler spells, shocked to see it work. She’d smashed the bottle after, leaving shards of glass littered on her porch for another full day until Peter swept it up. She’d refused to touch the evidence. 

   Now, she used her grimoire almost religiously. Depending on it, still weak in her abilities, but stronger with the writing and with others. Ari did not offer up this information as easily, though. “A lot of what is in my book is about light. How to wield it, bend it, use it, create it. It is a fickle thing, but it seems whoever wrote my grimoire… she was diligent. As am I.” 

"Well alright then,” she answered, something quietly impressed in the words. “That’s the pride ya all need to have with these bad boys.” She winked at the end of the pun before smiling.  “Wasn’t sure what the group think was on anything.  Not sure there’s much group tink at all, if I’m honest.” There was the creole again, a subtle persuasion in the sing song tone. “Who do you turn to for guidance, Ariadne?”  When Ren said the name she lets a curl into the ‘r’, evoking something meant to be enticing. 

Curiosity still ruled her and she failed to keep that from her eyes, drawn to what the witch said about her book. “Light,” she repeats, nodding her on.  “Right.  That’s more useful than it sounds, cher. Simpler minds will try tellin’ ya that light is a straight forward thing but it’s got a way of it’s own.” Teeth found the bottom of her lip, an old habit when thinking before the information comes.  “Found something about purification in my book with light, but I’ll have to dig more now I know one of you is here.”

[ren-ofpluto]

thclilith‌:

her eyes stare down at the mention of the deaths again. maeve isn’t one to be easily shaken and truthfully, she is probably the less shaken by the deaths of two women on the coven. yet, it’s unfair to say it didn’t leave any impressions on the escort. the impact shows through the cracks, just for a mere second before maeve is patching up with another misplaced sarcastic remark. 

“ well, ” she says and another smile graces her face, looking forced at first. “ i’d say i wouldn’t be opposed to death as a welcome if it was one of those hunters who died. ” and the blonde means it. menace sparkles on her eyes to confirm it, though it’s not directed at ren. maeve can tell the newcomer is by far a fan of hers and well – she guesses that ren can just join the club. she turns her head to the side as she listens to the woman talk and nods. “ working alone suited you better than becoming genevieve’s minion? ” she asks, surprised that she finds something to relate to. “ i’ve kept busy, working. ” maeve explains. “ i probably used the grimoire way less than you. granted, i didn’t believe in all of this at first but, ” maeve pauses, reminding herself of the new luxuries she received after delving into her grimoire. “ i’ve been convinced that i could use the book and the magic. especially when we have some old fashioned assholes coming around. ”

“On that, I can agree,” Ren nods, a chill taking her gaze in that.  “There is nothing lost between me and these hunters.  One in the basement another in a shed?” she whistles, a slow down pitch of warned sympathy. “All of that seems a recipe for disaster. Too many men with anger to my liking.”

Again, the blonde seems to bring out a quiet agreement in her, nodding with a chuckled smile. “I’ll be no one’s minion, cher. From what I’ve gathered, I can’t be sure Gen has a minion here at all. Especially not having run off as she did.” She takes a deep breath, looking the girl over before raising a brow.  “Who do you look to for guidance, Maeve?”  

She let’s it sit there, an invitation before an offer, shifting a waylaid braid from her face. “Mmm, they do say idle hands are the devil.  What do you do for work?”  Leaning against the door frame, she hums. “All of us should be able to use our books - confidence and practice are key.” She lifts her chin some, a quiet question.  “Have you been successful?”

[ren-ofpluto]

cole-campbell​:

Cole Campbell is a creature of simple pleasures — she prefers her vodka neat, her clothes couture and her women older and lovely to stare at. Ren certainly fits the criteria; she’s beautiful in a way that’s so natural and effortless that it’s distracting, and that accent? God, every drawled syllable feels like she’s coming onto her.

And Cole, well, she’s flirting, not subtly either. Subtle is hard to come by in a strip club, and lit in its low neon glow, Cole smirks. “Ah yeah, seasoned regular. I’m a fan of the scenery,” her gaze drifts to the dancer on the stage again, but only momentarily. At least tonight, their newest arrival is of far more interest. “I guess you could put it that way. I’m in the business of knowing things.” She’d lifted a hand for another round and now, she pushed the other woman’s drink her way. “And I’m an open book. Ask whatever your heart desires.” 

Since arriving in Salem, Ren had experienced the most tame of amorous advances.  She’d patronized one bar in the weeks she’d spent in town and traded midnight kisses with a blonde she’d have described as underwhelming. She hadn’t expected to start anything with one of the covenette’s either - but she was not above a healthy flirtation. There was something far less devious in the act.

“The scenery.” she repeats with a longer drawl, following Cole’s gaze with a brow raised high.  “I can appreciate putting your cards so openly on the table.  Would agree that it’s one hell of a view.”  When the drinks arrive, Ren gives a gentle sip.  “Oof- you take it hard, don’t you cher.” and there’s a naughty lift to her sideways smile. “Shall we play twenty questions.  You then me?” She’s not looking at Cole, admiring the curves around them pointedly whilst speaking.  “Or would you rather I verbally examine you in full?”

[ren-ofpluto]

aaliyahxelectric​:

   “What, like Genevieve?” An eyebrow cocked higher, unable to deny her curiosity about these oddly connected roots to magic that Ren seemed to have. While she questioned the legitimacy, she knew of Gen’s short-comings, her habit of chasing that even vaguely sniffed of genuine witchcraft. 

   Being laughed at was never something Aaliyah liked, but it didn’t feel unkind when Ren began her chuckling. “Sorry,” Liyah commented, though she wasn’t really sorry at all. “I get ahead of myself, but I think they’re all good questions to ask.” Unfortunately, she didn’t get all the answers she wanted. Ren was, at times, a closely and carefully guarded mystery to Aaliyah. She wanted to explode with her curiosity.  

    Now, Aaliyah looked to the bus. Yet another strange little quirk the other witch had. “Well, I’ll bet that’s true. You know, I’ve been studying magic, too, way before… all this shit. More ancient stuff, sort of like aliens, Bermuda triangle, but instead of extraterrestrials, I thought maybe witchcraft had stuff to do with it. Now, I don’t know, but something’s weird for sure. What all… what can you do, like, with your book, and your magic?” 

“You meanin’ to say my family was treatin’ Genny like a tourist?” There’s a momentary flash in her eyes- hard that swiftly melts to a soft jest. “Cause you’d be right.  Family business and morals ain’t always linin’ up the same, as I’m sure ya know.  But my grandmother was sweet enough with her - sweeter than she was with any of my cousins that’s for sure.  I think what words they exchanged were true.” Her Mamman wasn’t a cruel person but she had over ten grandbabies and she’d adopted a certain nature of sternness in line with that. 

Her hand waves at the apology.  “Don’t apologize for bein’ curious.  Mean’s you’re thinking.  Gonna need intelligent’s to get through.” She winks again, listening with that assured smile.  “I knew I liked you,” she remarks slow.  “Your journey sounds like it moved parallel to mine-each with an open mind to the craziness we were about to learn.”  She takes a deep breath then shrugs.  

“I’ve gotten the basics of hydromancy down well enough. Small waves or conjurements made of water.  Anything beyond that has proven less then efficient.  I’ve tried at shields and protection charms or wards - none of them seem to hold long at all. Manipulating large bouts of water ends poorly and any spells that even hint at domains beyond my own have been pure disaster.” She lifts her arm, drawing attention to a strangely shaped burn. “Case and point.”

[ren-ofpluto]

marinachois​:

her boots crunched through the twigs and leaves as she made her way through the woods, eyes focused on the gps open on her phone. soon she didn’t have to rely purely on that: the glow of the camper  and the fire pit were an easy beacon to make her way towards their meeting spot.

“hey,” she offers the girl a wave as she looks her over. ren was not a familiar face, exactly, but they couldn’t exactly afford to be picky with allies now. “of course i came. the mysterious ren, finally opening up her doors to us? i’d be a fool to say no.” she laughs, an attempt at keeping things light. “i’m game, where should we begin?”

There may have been a hint of hesitation in Marina’s eyes, but only if Ren looked close enough.  Perhaps this witch was not quite as excited about nature as she- though she could have been overthinking just as easily.  “Am I that mysterious?” she asks, a small laugh turning her words into an unaffected smile. 

“I wanted all three of us together, initially, but Zel was otherwise occupied.” By three, she knew Marina would understand. The Water Witches.  Ren had every mind to make them the strongest of the units- if no one else. There was a quickness to her steps as she  jogged nearer, the navy grimoire between her hands.  “I’ve got a heft load of spells that need you, Mari.  So it depends what you’d prefer.  Offense? Defense? Protection, maybe?” Her brow raises.  “We can conjure or see forward-the worlds your oyster- simply tell me what you need.”

[ren-ofpluto]

ofxlita​:

ofelia had had reservations about genevieve from the start. it explained why she kept her distance, kept her head low and yet still scorched the tips of her ears as they peeked over the parapet of chaos. her pursuit of normality, solitude and something uniquely her own - had been crushed quicker than you could say WITCHCRAFT. and she hated her for it. a subtle tailspin of rage mostly contained. but with all her efforts, the training, comfort even, she had provided - it wasn’t enough.  in that vein, there was the bubbling of envy tucked inside the displayed stretch of ofelia’s taut stomach. the girl had arrived, liberal of the things the other girls had seen, heard, and worst of all, done. it was written all over her face how ofelia wished she too could have resisted the urges to plunge head-first into the murky depths of  s i s t e r h o o d, and despite her woes; she smiled. “ Yeah I can see that.…. ” while ofelia wasn’t the analytical type, she in an equal amount wasn’t one to mince her words. “ i can see that worked out real nice’ for you .” she almost snickered, eyeing up the contraption wedged between the other’s knuckles. it prompted her to search for her own vice, lighting it quickly before continuing— “ anyway. you’re here now. guess there’s no use crying over spilt milk. tell me, where you stayin’? don’t tell me gen ‘found you some place quaint’…cause from what i’ve heard, quaint is a lovely way to put ‘rat-ridden’.” she chuckled out once, loosening the facade and uptightness that she’d previously adorned as a shield.

Resentment wasn’t exactly the response Ren was going for but she couldn’t say it surprised her either.  To be affronted by that chasm was to fuel it and she would not add gasoline to this fire.  The truth of it was she had been missing, an unintentional abandoner of her clan in need. She would allow that and take what good the girl offered, as it was not easy to be in anyone else’s shoes. “I will make it up to you,” she cushions, exhaling away from the other’s face.

“I’ve got a little campsite just outside of town.  There’s a baby ward around it to keep these hunters out but I’m no savant at warning spells yet. Have to keep going out to check it’s evening working.” Her sigh is, perhaps, overdone. “Could use help...a magical boost. But I wouldn’t say it’s quaint.”  There’s a smile she offers Ofelia that’s almost private - a shared thing.  “Come see it sometime. I worked hard on my bus.”

[ren-ofpluto]

                                     ℝ 𝕖 𝕟 '𝕤    𝕋 𝕚 𝕟 𝕪    ℍ 𝕠 𝕞 𝕖 

the white bus is easily Ren’s pride and joy.  she used all her savings to convert the old school bus after purchase. the traveling home is built on blood, sweat and tears to be sure this wandering space includes everything the witch might need.  the interior can be rearranged and converted to conduct spiritual sessions at will and Ren has a travelling set up where she may set up a standing shop outside the bus at fairs or campgrounds.

【ｃｌｏｓｅ　ｕｐ　ｓｐｅｃｓ】 one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight 

                                              𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕓𝕚𝕘 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕦𝕞𝕓𝕝𝕣

[ren-ofpluto]

aaliyahxelectric‌:

   Most of Aaliyah’s verbal support of Genevieve had been so strong to mask some of the less favorable feelings festering just beneath the surface. Jealousy, distrust, curiosity, and the worse yet more recently… abandonment. Something akin to betrayal, not that Liyah was a stranger to that feeling. Each of these feelings, barring the latter, could also be well suited for this new arrival of Ren to the ‘coven’ - if Aaliyah could even call them that. Another one of Gen’s secrets, another one of her girls…. but, oh wrong she seemed to be. 

   Already, Aaliyah was smiling more openly. “Well, that all makes a lot of sense, actually, “ She nodded, knowingly. Genevieve had once drove to Canada, on a whim, just because of something she’d seen online promising roots in witchcraft. Her haunting voodoo joints was right on par. “New Orleans, huh?” She commented, realizing that the two of them had been brought up on opposite sides of the country, yet somehow had eerily surprising connections. The coven, their magic, Genevieve… Aaliyah tucked it away for later. 

   “Honestly? I get that,” The electric witch nodded, opening up easily with the newest confession from the older witch. She could easily share a similar opinion. Then, her head cocked sideways, as if considering some new development, a new puzzle piece. “So, you knew? Did you have one of the books, too? Have you… been, like, practicing? By yourself?” She had to bite her tongue to hold back a third onslaught of questions. What can you do? Can you teach me? 

“Good old NOLA.  Where the sun is bright, the water’s green and the tourists are gullible as anything.”  She sighed on the last of it, not particularly proud of her city’s swindling nature.  It reminded her far to much of her family back home.

It was a breath of fresh air to feel understood.  Ren had no problems explaining herself - she lived her life as an open slate, seeing no prospect in secrets. That so many of these witches understood the hesitance with Genevieve, even those loyal to her, gave Ren more faith in her newly found compatriots than she may have anticipated.  

She was just easing in her seat when, just as quickly, Aaliyah began the firing squad of questions.  The water witch took a moment before bursting into a deep chested chuckle, leaning back in her seat with her arms behind her head.  “You an inquisitor or a witch, cher?” She rubs the back of her head, easy while nodding. “I’ve got me a book, yeah, and I’ve practiced it well.” She gestures to her bus. “I’ve seen a fair bit that might interest you, I believe.”