𝔘𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔪𝔢: Discter
𝔑𝔞𝔪𝔢: Aradia
𝔊𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯: Female
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔞𝔩Her feet were silent, little padded ghosts kissing cold, stone pavement of the bridge underneath. A wrinkling of her nose at the damp bricks beneath, seeping into her fur, uncomfortable and squishy. She should have brought boots, but that wasn't an acceptable course of action for something this... more illicit. Being found this close to the capital, and with a reputation such as her own, was surely a way to become friendly with death. Flirting this way with her own demise wasn't intelligent, but revenge on the king was tempting enough to take such a risk. Guess it's an occupational hazard, Aradia thought. Thick, foggy, and inky woods soon replaced the bridge and swampy creek. Blowing out the lantern after a good half mile, a spell for seeing came out and into play, a cat's eye replacing her own.
She looked around once she came to a twisting, curving stone, her client supposedly meeting her there. Ah, a soft light swaying in the distance told her all she needed to know. Casting forth, her mind drifted out, and gently explored the figure hurriedly heading toward her. No... Figures. A distressed woman, and a sickly, tiny child. She retreated back into her own head-space, after taking in the waves of fear, stress, and sadness. And... The faint scent of death. Now, the woman came into the clearing. Stout, slightly overweight, and panting, the woman looked like an utter mess.
Hair frayed, makeup smeared, dress torn and patches of dirt displayed on it, and a baby that smelled of sick. A perfect opportunity. "I'm sorry I'm late... It took longer than I thought to get here. You're the witch called Bones, yes?" Aradia smiled, all teeth and reminiscent of a shark that had smelled blood. "That's right. So tell me... What did you need, that promised me a good deal?" The woman softened a little, and gestured to the baby in her arms. No, it wasn't really a baby, but a toddler that was smaller than normal. "Well, the child I have with me, Alexander, is sick, and seems to be getting worse. I've tried everything, doctors, wizards, mages. The king has gone mad, and has almost completely given up on ruling the country. I need your help, please, save this child, there is nobody I can turn to now. I'll do anything!" "Anything?" "Anything!" "Would you sacrifice the health of your beloved king, then?"
The woman looked shock, blinking a few times, before coming to a sad, but resolved face. "Yes." Such a quiet response. "Good. Did you bring a hair of the king then?" “Yes." Another shaken but sturdy answer. "Then hand it over. And a hair from the babe." The woman complied, and with that, Aradia rustled into the bag she had brought along with her cloak. Quickly, she began to murmur, bringing the two hairs together over an intricate weaving of symbols made up of stones, sticks, and other things best not be mentioned. The magic within the symbol glowed, burning and igniting under the waterfall of magic tumbling from her mouth. The hairs began to fuse under the soft light, and the baby began to cry as Aradia’s hair lifted slightly. A breeze flowed through the forest, rustling clothes, leaves, bushes, and startling nighttime creatures.
Dark magic was at work, and anything with half a brain knew to get out of the way. Aradia smiled, the pulsing of her veins rushing and swelling, magic a tremendous force rising up and crashing down like waves on a cliff. She uttered the last words, and grinned like a Cheshire as the magic began to fade. "The deal is done. I've traded and gotten my revenge, and now, I'll tell you about the deal and it's terms. The baby will live, and will begin to grow stronger, healthier. But in return for the babe's health, the king will grow madder. But, this madness will be controlled by you. Every time you want Alexander to get better, the king's sanity shall drift. Every time you want the king to heal, Alexander will grow weaker. Until the boy finds out about this deal, you will be the one to control this flow of magic and health. After all, there must be an exchange."
The woman looked sicker, paler than before, and Aradia would be alarmed had she not been expecting it. The woman looks down, and Aradia can see the tears swimming, fighting their way to the surface. But she can also see that determination and resolve still burning... How interesting. She looks up, and a grim but serious face stares daggers of conviction into Aradia's soul, and Aradia can't help but smile. "Alright. But, I've got another request, which I can pay you with some of my earnings and whatever you wish that I can acquire. I want you to stick around for some time, to make sure this spell doesn't go wrong, and that Alexander will not start to wither again." Stay around, and potentially receive things she could never normally have? And... Potential access to the king's son, and the corrupted magic she felt inside the babe.
This is going to be good."I accept. Some of your salary for my time and care of the child, and access to whatever I can't buy or normally get in town due to my... Reputation with the law. You know how it is." The woman nods, "okay. I'll be having him in my cottage, which is nearby here. My name is Camellia, and whatever you wish, I'll try to grant of you." Aradia's smile morphs into a dangerous grin, and she can't help but let loose a laugh in the dark, eerie night that is now ghostly silent. "I'll be seeing you around, then." And with that, Aradia turns, slinking off into the night, a fearsome predator on the prowl for her newest catch.
This... Is more than I could ever have hoped for.ℑ𝔱 𝔗𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔞 𝔙𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔞𝔤𝔢Aradia swayed, rocking the child in her arms back to sleep after his midnight coughing fit. Alexander was getting better, but that didn't mean he was completely healthy. Apparently, Camellia said this was a good thing, even though Alexander had coughed a row each night during her fortnight stay. Camellia needed to stay with the deranged monarch for at least a month, until the lunatic would be stable and able to function like a rational person. Aradia looked out the window, up at the radiance cast down by the twilight sun. A flood of stars covered the sky like a soft carpet, tree-branches hungry stains, bent on devouring that soft light. Her attention returned to Alexander when tremors racked his petite form, and as magic spilled forth to soothe an old ache. Once he was calm again, he smiled up at her, happy and content and let it be known by his newfound voice. She only had one thought.
Cute.
{❤}Aradia had never fed someone before, let alone a baby. Sure, she had entertained guests and clients, but she had never... Spoon fed someone. Holding the jar containing mashed potatoes and carrots, she stared down her opponent, not letting apprehension overtake her even as her hand shook. The fearsome beast glared at her, mimicking a vicious dragon getting vengeance at a petty thief.
Stop that! Shaking her head, Alexander gurgled and squirmed in his baby seat, wondering what the problem was. At least her hair was very pretty to watch as it swayed back and forth, to him at least. Aradia steeled her nerves, as a scowl overtook her face and laid claim, and scooped some of the paste onto the spoon. You can do this! He's just a child! She tried to make noises, as Camellia had suggested that, directing the spoon to Alexander. Luckily for her, Alexander was a hungry child, and accepted the helping readily.
Phew. One bite down, a hundred more to go. 
