HAVE WE GOT A DEAL?

I'm not asking for much, a token, really, a trifle...

[thesea-witch]

"It's been so quiet, I can hardly stand it." 

[thesea-witch]

"And we're back in business, lovelies... who's got a problem they need solved?" 

[thesea-witch]

Lyra turns to face the sea witch, she feels rage boiling within her, but keeps it within. "You have my mother's soul in your possession." She says. "I've come to trade for her freedom."

"Oh, this is an interesting development! I'm afraid, my dear, I don't offer returns. I made a deal with your mother. You must make one much better. What on earth could you offer me?"

[thesea-witch]

The young mermaid swims towards the cave, shivering as the water around her becomes strangely warm, sickeningly so. Her blood is boiling with a mix of fear and anger and she's come to make things right. Her light pink tail brushes something cold and smiley and she looks down, covering her mouth to keep from screaming as she sees the souls ensnared to the ground. She tries not to cry as she swims forward, ending the witch's lair.

Oh, my, what have we here?

"Come in, dear child, come in! Don't be afraid- I can see the terror in your face. I am here to help you..." 

[thesea-witch]

"Why thank you. I do think I am around eighteen or nineteen. I haven't aged since I became what I am." She grinned.

"Clever. What kind of thing have you become, that halts your aging so?" 

[thesea-witch]

It feels like there is a hole in her chest, like a hand dove itself into her and tore something from her... But she couldn't remember what it was. She remembered her mother, her father... Her father was dead, but what was going on? She takes the vial from the sea witch, nods and leaves, the hole in her heart throbbing. She swims as fast as she can from the sea and races to the hospital.

[motherofamaester-deactivated201]

Well if this wasn’t an interesting turn of events, Anima didn’t know what was. The woman’s, was it a woman?, appearance was certainly intriguing. “You should count yourself lucky you haven’t been harpooned, you’d make a very intriguing side dish. But I suppose that isn’t the point at hand. I am merely passing through and wound up here.”

[thesea-witch]

"Harpooned? How clever, I haven't heard that one a thousand times before. What manner of beast are you, then? You aren't quite all as innocent as you appear to be, madam." 

[silenceofthewood-archive]

  There is a rush and the sounds engulf her mind with such a suddenness that Hjin snarls and hold her head. She understood where she knew she should not and her ears lay back. There was pain as organs grew and settling in places they should have been upon her birth.

“What right do you have to my name?” came the coarse response through clenched fangs. The Wood was many things, enraged, vindictive, spiteful at the pain that was caused to Hjin.

[thesea-witch]

"Your name is just your name. I don't do business with just anyone, you understand, little rabbit? There must be a certain... familiarity between us. I am the sea witch, Ursula. And you, little one-- this would be the part where you responded in kind, if you possessed a set of manners about you." 

Ah, whatever roiled in this girl was furious, and Ursula delighted in it.

[thesea-witch]

"I'm not much of a child, persay. I am ten thousand years old after all. Hardly a child." She looked at where her nails would be, if her hands were not gloved. "Nothing more than an interest."

She laughs. "Ten thousand? My, you age quite remarkably well." 

[thesea-witch]

She stares at the memory, her heart pounding. The best day of her life.... But... But she'd always have memories of her father... One day... One day so Tobias could live. She'd experienced one death too soon. Not again."Yes. Yes, we do."

The vial is small, potent, a vicious red color. "You have twenty-four hours to give this to your dear friend. After that... I cannot guarantee that it will be effective." 

The memory glistens when she takes it, a shining pearl. She tosses it into a box, amidst a hundred others like it. "Come back, dear child, if you wish to do business again." 

[genocidal-doll-enthusiast]

  “Scarlet——the sneaky little whore stole my man. Hehehe.”

[thesea-witch]

"Ah, revenge! I quite enjoy a bit of it now and again. It is so satisfying, is it not? I have just the thing, a piping hot spell that will do the trick, that will make this little wretch wish she'd never even considered the prospect of adultery... Interested?" 

[thesea-witch]

Becca regards the sea witch carefully, watching her every move. A memory, really? That couldn't be all she wanted. But with Tobias's life in the balance, She began to think. Her fondest memory. Oh God... She knows."The day before my father died."She didn't know he'd been so sick, he'd never told them. He took her and her mother to the beach. They'd spent the day playing in the water, they even had a barbecue that night. She'd been so tired afterwards, she'd fallen asleep in her father's arms.

She studies the memory, looking at it from all angles. "Dear child, it pains me to take this from you, really, truly, but it is my asking price. This moment in time, for the life of your friend. Yes, or no? Have we got a deal?" 

[thesea-witch]

Becca swallows. She knows what she's about to say will seek her fate. But Tobias needs this medicine. "I have very little to offer," she says, trying to keep herself from shivering as the sea witch comes closer. "But so long as you save him, I'll pay you whatever you wish. I'd give anything to keep him safe."

She examines the girl before her, studying the utter desperation in her body language and her voice. This friend must be very, very dear, indeed. 

"I want your fondest memory," Ursula declares. "And don't skimp on it, I'll know." 

[thesea-witch]

“A game? I have no time for games, for silly children’s play. What makes this game worth it for me to play? You are losing my attention, fool. Speak quickly or speak not at all.” 

[genocidal-doll-enthusiast]

“I wanna hurt somebody.”

[thesea-witch]

"Well, why didn't you say so? This certainly makes things interesting. Who? Why? What have they done?" 

[genocidal-doll-enthusiast]

  “Well. See, the thing is, I’m booored! I wanna play a game! Hehehe!”

[thesea-witch]

"A game? I have no time for games, for silly children's play. What makes this game worth it for me to play? You are losing my attention, fool. Speak quickly or speak not at all." 

[thesea-witch]

*Becca stares at the woman before Her, forcing herself to remain calm. She would have preferred to have not appeared afraid, but she couldn't help it. Eventually, she finds her voice and steps forward. "My name is Rebecca and I've come to you because I know while your price is steep, your magic is strong. My friend..." She takes another breath, "My best friend is close to death. The doctors can't help him anymore and he's only getting sicker. I need a potion that'll cure him.

"A friend, close to death? Ah, child, I thought you were going to ask me for something difficult. Something challenging. I can save this friend, yes, yes, but only if you can pay. What have you to offer? What are you willing to sacrifice so that this mortal lives?" 

[thesea-witch]

“Your manners need work.” 

[genocidal-doll-enthusiast]

“Ooh! Does that mean I don’t get a discount?! Hehehe!”

[thesea-witch]

"A discount? Don't make me laugh, clown; your humor is in no taste here. Tell me, little fool, what brings you to me? I haven't got all day."