#warlock lovecraft

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

While Imogen prepared the food, the others mingled. Now that the matter of Lucas' potential visit to Owl Creek had been settled, some of the ambient tension had drained away.

Hannah, who had kept her distance during the awkward family talks, was glad for some time with her boyfriend...before they were interrupted by Warlock Lovecraft.

"I thought I sensed the sickly-sweet aura of purity and goodness...You're a Light witch, aren't you?"

Hannah was taken aback by that, but only for a moment.

"Yeah, I am. What of it?"

"I'm surprised, Rowan."

And not in a good way, his tone said.

"N-now hang on a minute - Hannah's cool -"

"You don't need to defend me, Rowan, I can speak for myself."

"But -"

"No, no - please, do continue."

Hannah turned to Warlock, and looked him straight in the eye.

"I get that you're from some famous magical family and I'm supposed to be impressed, but I'm not interested in getting into a pissing contest about our alignments. Rowan and I don't care about that - if it bothers you, that's your problem."

There's potential here...pity she lacked the proper influences during her formative years. Ah well.

"Sweet...Like Romeo and Juliet."

Of course, everyone knew how that ended.

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

"So, this is Walden. It's smaller than I thought it would be. Colder, too."

"You should've seen it 10, 15 years ago; a lot of this hadn't been built yet. All we really had was the park. And mom's restaurant, of course."

"Also, it's summer; if you think this is cold, you should visit when the snow's knee-high and it's too windy to ride a broomstick."

"I think I'll pass."

"Want to have our photo taken? Or is that too high-tech for you?"

The smirk in Fiona's was audible.

"Just a photo?"

Matching her tone.

"I just saw Rowan's girlfriend's dad walk by, so yeah, just a photo. This time."

"My feelings on this contraption aside, we do look pretty cute. Do you want it as a keepsake?"

"It's probably safer than that poppet you made for me."

"Fiona, you wound me; I would never give you a cursed poppet."

"Not even a little cursed?"

"I don't know about you, but I could do with some food."

"Well, we're in the right place for that."

"A fast food place? When my mom's restaurant is around the corner? C'mon. You're not missing out on her signature souffle."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Fiona pondered this; what Roman said seemed plausible, but didn't ring quite true.

"No, I don't think that's what's happening here."

"Why not? You said it's basically a door, right? If a door can be closed, then it can also be opened again!"

"Yes, but we're talking about a magical door; some of them open only in one direction, or in specific circumstances, or a finite number of times."

"There's also a reason why ritual patterns must be executed precisely: get a rune wrong, and your portal won't work."

"Right, which is why you're sporting a few extra scars."

"What do you think, Lock? Even if there was some residual magic left, it shouldn't be able to cause this."

"No, I agree. That sigil was a one-way connection to the Hellplanes meant to draw the Nameless One into our reality, not the other way around."

"Any theories?"

"As a matter of fact, I do have one."

"It's all conjecture at this stage, but I suspect that when the connection was severed, the magic of the sigil turned inwards, somehow, and merged with Roman.

It has become part of him."

"WHAT?!"

"Essentially, you are now a medium. Fascinating! I've never heard of it happening to a Mundane though - hmmm. Your mother was a witch; all I can think of is that it must have awakened some dormant magic inside you, which is now affecting it in turn."

"With the right training, you could probably learn to communicate with the denizens of Hell, or even astral-project -"

"Was it something I said?"

"Hoo boy. Let's just say that Roman has complicated feelings towards magic."

"Ah."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

"Time does fly when you're having fun."

"Luckily, I feel perfectly refreshed after spending the night on your throne."

"Yes, it does have its perks. Even some...unexpected ones, as it turns out."

They shared a mischievous look, remembering the previous night's activities.

"So - do you need a broomstick ride to the airport or are you making your own way there?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not putting myself through that again. I've already proven that I can do it - no, I'll be using a portal to get back to Owl Creek, like any sensible witch."

"I'll miss you, Lovecraft."

"Maybe next time I see you, you'll be a married man, huh?"

"Maybe. But that doesn't necessarily mean we can't...see each other again. Some marriages are more flexible than others."

"I guess we'll see what the future brings. Take care of yourself, and say hi to everyone for me."

"I will. So long, Merridew."

"So long, Lovecraft."

--------------------------------

And that concludes Warlock's visit to Walden! Thank you again, @moocha-muses, for lending your boy to me, and I hope you enjoyed this arc!

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

"Oh hello, I don't think I've seen you around before. Did you just move in? I think I saw you coming out of Fiona Merridew's apartment, are you - AAAAIIIIEEE!"

"I...I can't feel my legs. And...is that burned hair I smell?"

"Be glad you can still feel anything at all. I don't like snoops."

"I'm not sure what just happened, but I think I may have been struck by lighting, and possibly pissed myself? Umm...could you call an ambulance? Hello?"

"Go bathe, you're disgusting."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

"Well, that went better than it could have. At least you didn't start a blood feud between our families or anything."

"Afraid you'd lose?"

"Not a fair challenge! When my coven is at full strength -"

"Don't worry, Merridew, I don't want to start a feud. You're more useful to me as an ally."

"Ally, huh? You sure know how to turn on the charm, Lovecraft. I can see why Vivienne was swept right off her feet."

"I'm sure you don't want to talk about her right now."

"You're right, I don't. And since this is your last night here, I have an idea how to make it truly memorable."

"Your magic throne -?"

"Don't tell me you've never wondered what it would be like."

"Have you tried it?"

"Not with another witch."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Imogen truly outdid herself when it came to the food - a three-course dinner and dessert, a veritable symphony of flavors. Fiona suspected her mother was overcompensating, but she couldn't complain about the result.

Just the family and Warlock remained - Hannah left shortly before dinner was served.

"You know, Rowan, the invitation is open to you as well."

"O-oh! Thank you! But...I'm going to college this year..."

"Yes, Rowan has been looking forward to that. Haven't you, Rowan?"

He nodded, an image of himself and Hannah sharing a little place on campus flashing before his eyes.

"Do I have to go to college? I don't see the point in getting a mundane degree -"

"Yes, yes you do."

"Even your sister has one."

"I used to think the same way you do, but now I'm glad I went to Providence. A witch can really benefit from having a well-rounded education, and some of the skills I learned were transferrable."

"Well! Knowledge is power, as they say, and I'll take every advantage I can get."

"He's going to do well in Owl Creek, I can tell."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

It was too early for dinner, so the Merridews invited their guests to relax in the living room for a while. True to form, Lucas wasted no time in turning the conversation to the topic which interested him personally.

"I've been thinking: I find it very unfair that Fiona is the only one of us who benefited from tutoring by world-class magic practitioners. I'd like to have the same opportunity."

"You make it sound like I won some kind of scholarship - it wasn't like that."

"There's nothing wrong with the education you're getting here, Lucas, I promise."

"Besides, we wouldn't want to impose on our guest or his family."

"I apologize, Warlock. Lucas is very talented but can be a little impatient at times."

Smile...just smile, it'll be okay! Can I get up and go to Hannah or would that be rude? Probably rude.

"No need to apologize. I admire a witch who knows their potential and when it's not being fulfilled."

Julius swallowed the insult without comment, only a faint redness rising in his cheeks. Imogen just looked distressed, afraid that another of her children was about to vanish without a trace.

"As we told Fiona long ago, she'll always be welcome in Owl Creek - that goes for her siblings, too."

Warlock felt Fiona discreetly nudge his foot with her own.

"I'm sure we can come up with an arrangement that would suit everyone. After all, nobody wants a repeat of what happened last time."

"Lucas, honey, you're too young! You have school -"

"Perhaps next year, during the summer holidays? As long as he keeps up with his regular schoolwork, of course."

That surprised everyone, Lucas included.

"Really?!"

"Yes. We would have to discuss the details beforehand, but if this is what you really want and the offer stands, I give my blessing."