deercountry | open | the old, old winds blowing you back around

Entry tags:

open | the old, old winds blowing you back around

Who: Luna Lovegood + you!
What: September Catch-all + Event Prompts to follow.
When: Late-August; the month of September.
Where: The Farther Shores; Gaze; Others.

☽ the pale morning sings of forgotten things | the farther shores | arrival
cw: thalassophobia; refs to drowning; possible nudity / partial nudity; amnesia-related themes

[ It's strange, remembering. At first, a little frightening — the waters all around her, the ocean floor falling away from her feet. She'd walked into the sea, her hand in another's, following the moon, the mother — she'd felt cold, at first. And she'd been frightened despite herself; feet kicking uselessly, trying to find a surface to stand upon but finding nothing there. Nothing at all; only the murky, heavy feeling of water all around her. But after a while, something seemed to wash over her — it didn't feel so scary anymore. The moon had said so, hadn't she—? It didn't feel like anything, anymore. She remembers the ocean swallowing her whole, and then being alone — bobbing silently along with the waves.

She'd felt small, quiet. She is little more than that. But— oh, she will be Something. She swims with purpose, drawn one direction. She will be Something! Something that is far more than just small and quiet. She wants to know what it is. And soon enough, she will find out — the endless ocean sweeps into shore and there's sand beneath her. Hands reach for her, soft and warm and safe. The woman smiles, her words are soft and warm, too.

Hello, old friend. It is so good to see you again. I have missed you. And she believes it, she does. And the process begins: gentle coaxing to remember, the strangeness of it all. She remembers the feeling of the cold air on her skin; paint on her fingertips, under her nails; how the forest floor feels beneath her bare feet; she remembers silver of her eyes, so wide and so curious, the curve of her smile and the taste of sugar on her tongue. She remembers, faintly, the feeling of fingers coaxing her hair — how long and pale, scraggly curls tucked carefully behind her ear. The woman is kind and patient with her, wrapping her up in the dark robe — exclaiming gently: Aren't you a small thing? Just as I remember. It's a little big for you but it'll do.

She still feels strange, different. But whole. A girl. She is... here.

The woman leaves her be after a while, and the girl sits on the warm black sand — still strange but content. Her legs stretch before her, she tries to wriggle her toes. She seems enthralled by her fingers, and bends to start drawing shapes in the sand: stars, a crescent moon, a rabbit, a leaf, all sorts of things — although they don't quite look how they're supposed to. She'll stretch as far as she can, long blonde hair covering her face and drifting lazily in the sea breeze, fighting against the fabric of her robe, partially disrobed the longer she works. Still, she seems quite happy in her own world making soft little chirrups and babbling sounds, relatively subdued. And that's where she'll stay, where she can be find by others.

At some point, perhaps after you've come across her — this strange, partially dressed girl drawing so intensely in the sand — a dog will arrive. Huge, almost wolf-like. Some kind of large husky or malamute. Maybe you followed the dog as she searched along the shore, looking for someone, or maybe the dog recognised you and is bringing you along as she looks for her owner. She's excited to see the girl, licking at her face and whining. But the girl just pets the dog, still making her little sounds — no words coming yet — looking up with wide eyes and pointing at you. Oh! It's you! Whoever you are!

Or perhaps it's much later, the day shifting to night. The girl remains on the beach amongst the drawings in the sand, the dog resting at her side. She continues to pet the dog absently; she doesn't know the dog's name but she seems know that the dog does belong to her. Has it always? Or is it just now? She doesn't know. But she's still relatively calm and quiet until she catches sight of the pale red moon that hangs in the skies. And then, the girl comes alive. She stares at the moon peeking over the horizon and after a long moment, something clicks inside of her. Recognition washes over her face, sheer delight and excitement lighting up her eyes. She starts shrieking gleefully, growing louder and louder and more incessant.

It's gibberish that comes out, but there's a few words here and there that sound like sense: Moon! I am Moon! Moon! Mum! Mum, Moon! ]

☽ every once in a while I'd sing a song for you | the farther shores | arrival pt. ii
cw: amnesia-related themes

[ Once she's gotten the hang of using her legs again, Luna walks slowly down the boardwalk. She's still dressed in the robe she'd been given by the Waker, a tiny thing swamped in the black and her long sea-soaked hair loose down her back, looking more like a lost child than anything else. But she's not alone, a huge, wolf-like dog hovers at her side — almost half the height of her. Luna keeps one hand on the dog, occasionally petting the soft grey fur of her back. Helga keeps watch of her owner, grumbling low if anyone comes too close — she seems to understand something's not quite right with Luna, and just wants to keep a close eye on her. But not even Luna can explain what it is, the pieces of her mind still putting themselves back together.

Luna walks as if in a daze, slow and uneven steps, taking the place in — or trying to. There's so much around her: so many sights and smells she doesn't really know where to look first. It's... dizzying, overwhelming. Her mouth opens and closes silently, brow upturned for a moment: hungry. And with the scent of cream and sugar so thick in the sea air, she doesn't really know where to go — doesn't have the sense to approach a stall.

Instead, something else catches her eye — the twinkling strings of fairy-lights that hang low across the boardwalk. Luna stops, stares for a long moment, utterly mesmerized. She... she remembers these, somehow. She remembers them as good, in some way. Her stomach rumbles softly and she makes a soft sound — her hands reaching up for the lights, fingers straining.

Maybe they'd be good to eat, she thinks. If she could just reach them. ]

☽ your timid smile | luna's home, gaze
cw: n/a

[ The rain seems almost endless, the sky thick with full, dark clouds. Days seem to drag on in a watery blur for the most part, downpours to drizzle and back again. Until one evening, the skies seem to ease off in their assault on the city below as the daylight fades to dusk. For a short while, things seem calm. Peaceful even. It's nice, even if the clouds never fully leave. Even if there's a definite chill in the air, summer on its way out. More rain will come soon, but for now there's a break — the pale blood moon keeping watch above.

And then comes the haunting melodies that grace the open air: Moon Presence sweeps low in the skies, swirling effortlessly around building tops — moves with meaning and without it too. She goes where she pleases, it seems. She sings to the city as night approaches, soft ethereal music that seems to echo across different part of the city. As she moves through Gaze, she seems to hover around on a particular street for some reason — low, easy circling that seems a great deal more meaningful. It seems something has caught her attention.

Until it becomes apparent that on this one particular street in Gaze, there is a teenage girl sat upon the roof of a tall Georgian-style townhouse. It appears that she's climbed out from one of the attic-room windows, quite at ease as she perches. Luna stares up into the skies, wide eyes watching Moon Presence as she draws close for a moment and then swirls away again. It's hard to tell from the height, but there's a conversation of some sort — the girl speaking softly to her whenever she floats close by.

This is who's gotten Moon Presence's attention for the moment, until she notices whoever's watching the two of them and turns to look. Luna blinks and looks down at the pavement, beaming and then waving at the person below. She looks delighted. ]

It's alright—! Everything's fine—! Come say hello—!

☽ rise above the mountains and the stars and the sea | archaic archives, gaze
cw: n/a

[ It's a delightful discovery to find that the library is so close to home, that she lives in the same district as it. It doesn't take her long to venture to the Archaic Archives; trust the Ravenclaw to make a beeline for such a place. While she does give the museum artefacts a look through, she's more interested in looking for some particular books. She wanders around purposely but on occasion some kind of curious thing on display will catch her attention and she'll stop to examine it for a short time before returning to her wanderings.

She'll be here for a good while, easy to come across as she carefully makes her way around the mazes of the library. Deerington's library will always have a special place in her heart, but this place is quite something. She'll definitely be found here often in the future. And certaintly she doesn't look lost at all, if you happen upon her. She looks quite at home, in fact. ]

It seems so easy to get lost in here, doesn't it?

[ And despite her words, she seems quite cheerful. ]

contact

heolstor or heolstor#5725 for planning/plotting. event-related prompts to follow. plotting post is here

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.. I am.

[ There's a slight pause, during which Ange slightly turns her head away from the other. Not to try and hide the way her cheeks are growing slightly pink, clearly. Obviously. Nothing of the sort. ]

I wasn't aware that that's my reputation now.

Perhaps not the most terrible of reputations. [ There's a playful smile. Oh, she absolutely sees your blush, Ange. But she's not going to point it out so much. People make her blush in regards to Peter a great deal. She understands. ]

Ruby's a friend, she's told me a little about you. [ Not a great deal, but things here and there brought up in social conversations. ] She did happen to mention you're also a witch—!

[ Thank god for Luna - or at the very least, thank god that she's not the type to push and tease in this situation, because it would have been so easy when it comes to this particular topic.

But it's exactly the lack of teasing that has Ange looking back at the other girl. Still looking a little flustered, but at least not enough so to keep looking away. ]

Oh.. yes. I'd say I'm still a beginner when it comes to it, but I am a witch. [ It's something she has much less trouble admitting nowadays.

She goes quiet for a moment though, looking at Luna. Contemplating that 'also'. The other doesn't really look like the kind of witches Ange knows, but.. ]

So you're one as well?

[ Luna knows that one only too well. She's unbothered by most things, hard to embarrass. But romance? When it's so new to her? She definitely gets a little shy and flustered. It can certainly be something that's unpleasant for people to deal with at times, especially with someone who barely knows them. ]

We're all beginners at some point, it still makes one a witch. [ There's a nod. Skill level is just part of the journey, she believes. And besides, she's always happy to interact with another witch! Especially when one uses that specific term. ]

Oh, yes—! I'm one of the ones who uses a wand for spell-work. [ Luna even produces it to show her with a beaming smile. ] But I know it's a bit different for everyone.

[ It's strange. Maybe it's something about the way the other girl speaks, or maybe even just that first thing she says, but it reminds Ange a little of Maria.

Maybe it's just not been so often that she's encountered someone so understanding about the whole witch thing, or someone who was so kind about it. It makes the fluster continue, but on another level entirely, where Ange never quite expects to ever be met with this much generosity. Let alone on a topic that she herself still feels a little shakey on. ]

It's the first time I'm seeing one like that. [ The wand, she means. Though it's not an odd concept to her. There were plenty of stories about witches and wizards who used wands, even though Ange always imagined those were fictional when she read them when she was much younger. ]

Where I come from it varies. I think it has more to do with personal style than practicality there.. [ Since no one has ever seemed to necessarily need to use something to conduit their magic through. ] Some witches use huge staffs, but I've also seen one use just a pipe before. But for me.. using anything for it actually feels a little awkward.

[ Luna knows fine well the history of her kind, and how poorly the magical have been treated. She's the last person to judge someone who's magical, even if they're a different kind of witch than what she is. They're still the same, despite the differences — even with skill levels. ]

It seems to be an uncommon thing. I've not met anyone magical from another world who uses them. [ It's something only seen in her own world. ] We don't have to use wands, but it's the best way to channel magic. I can do a little bit of wandless magic, but it's considered quite advanced.

[ Meaning she can light a candle, but there's no chance of doing much more than that, really. ]

A pipe? How curious! [ Oh, that tickles her. She's not heard of that one before. Magical pipes! ] Better to not use anything then, if that's the case for you. Do you use hand gestures instead? I knew magic users who used to do these things called 'tuts', very intricate finger movements — it was very impressive.

[ Alice taught her a couple, but she was always so much better than Luna. ]

Ah..

[ The sound almost sounds awkward - though just a little bit. It's just that Ange has never really had to think about these sorts of things before. Perhaps the downside of never having had many people to talk magic with. ]

I.. don't know. [ Hence where the awkward is born from. She doesn't want to look like a total idiot in front of Luna, especially not this quickly. That's not the kind of first impression she'd like to cultivate, thanks. ] I usually don't really think about it, I just.. do it.

[ She makes a vague hand gesture, as if that explains it all. You know. Just doing it. Isn't that how magic works? ]

.. that probably sounds kind of odd, doesn't it? [ Especially since magic sounds so intricate where Luna comes from. ]

[ Luna's quite good with awkward, able to take it with as much grace as she can. She is dating a demonically possessed boy, which is about as awkward as it gets, really. So she's pretty good with this, smiling kindly despite the girl's hesitance.

Her eyebrows raise as Ange explains it and she shakes her head. Odd? Merlin, no. Not odd in the slightest. ]

Not at all, really. We kind of have magic like that in my world, too. It's just... based off feeling? [ Some spells here and there, but also unintentional magic too. The kind of thing you don't need a wand for. But it's not something one can always control. ] I mean magic comes from inside, so just pulling it out from yourself like that doesn't sound odd at all.

Even the kind we do in my world isn't really something we can always control, so if you can do it like that and have the intention, then that's quite brilliant.

[ Half-mumbled: ]

I don't think brilliant is quite the right word..

[ Ange is definitely more than a little flustered here. Because.. well, how does anyone deal with people being nice to you? Ange sure has no idea, especially when it's someone she doesn't know well, like Luna. She's trying to accept it graciously here rather than harshly denying it, but it's instead turning into some sort of flustered mess. ]

But I guess if our magic is a little different.. Maybe there are some things we can learn from each other? [ It's a cautious suggestion, due to all of the above. ] I've never really had the chance to study much magic alongside other people back home.

Oh, I'm sure it is. [ Gentle praise aside, magic in itself it something quite brilliant. She's always one for encouragement, taking the girl's flustered state with enough grace. She's used to people being a little awkward, it's never bothered her. ]

That'd be nice! I'd like that! [ And she's sincere in that. Luna is always delighted to learn about new kinds of magic, see how she can adapt them to her own way of doing things. ] That's a shame, but I suppose the nice thing about places like this is you get to meet all sorts. I'm learning a bit more about occult magic, myself. The kinds with rituals, and the sort.

[ Mostly due to a... particular demon she's bonded with. ]

Do you have a specialty? Or something you're good at in particular? I'm quite good at charms, really. But I can do a bit of everything, my school would teach everything, really.

[ .. oh.

Ange seems to be having a certain realisation now, while she's looking at the other girl, momentarily contemplating those words. Her eyes grow a little wider, and there finally might be a hint of excitement blooming in her own gaze as well, even if it's still coupled with some of the earlier fluster. ]

Actually, occult magic is the only thing I'm good at so far. It's easy for me. I'm only now starting to work on stuff that isn't that.

[ Hence the excitement, because Ange sure is seeing an opportunity here. Even if the worlds they come from might end up being very different, still-- ]

So it sounds like we could actually learn quite a bit from each other.

[ Luna's expression lights up at that, eyes widening. She knows occult magic—?! Of course she knows others who deal with it, like John. But there's still the same eagerness of finding more people. Especially considering Paimon and how he is right now; he's always a work in progress as she tries to find out as much as she can about him.

And it's easy for her. Naturally, she's wary of reaching out to new people concerning the demon but this is Ruby's girlfriend — she trusts Ruby. Ange feels like someone she could trust, too. So she has to ask: ]

Do you know much in the way of occult beings...? [ A beat. ] Demons, specifically. I've done as much research as I could, but Deerington was limited in what I could get my hands on.

Yeah.

[ That answer is easy too, as is the nod that accompanies it. There's a slight casual edge to it, like the thought of dealing with demons is as easy to Ange as the thought of any chore any person out there might find mundane. ]

Summoning them, keeping them in line.. I'm really used to that sort of thing. It's really common where I come from for witches to have demons as their.. familiars. [ There's a slight hesitation before she says that word, but it's mostly because she almost used the other f-word for them, and she sure doesn't want to have to explain this quickly why they'd call it furniture in her world.. ]

Why are you so interested in demons in particular though..? Did you read about them?

[ As easy as it comes to her, Luna's sharply listening. It really does sound like the norm for her, working with demons. For Luna, she'd never even heard of demons until Deerington. But for Ange, working relationships come as naturally to her as wandwork does to Luna. There's a pause at her question, though. Ah, oh yes. ]

The reading came after, really. [ There's a tight-lipped smile, wringing her hands a little as she considers for a moment. Peter is so important to her, and she's hesitant because of that. People finding out about Paimon has gone wrong for her before, even now she's being careful. ] It's... a long story, but I met a demon in Deerington. After researching them a great deal, I offered them a bond with me as their 'magician' in order to stabilize them.

We don't have demons in my world, so it's... quite the new territory.

Ah.. [ Ange starts, seeming to ponder the concept for a moment. The idea of a demon existing in Deerington isn't too strange, considering clearly not all of the Sleepers had been human in the first place. And - judging by what Luna is saying - that demon came here alongside them too.

It's interesting. Ange sure hasn't met a lot of demons, whether it's back in Deerington or here. But now she's wrapping her head around the idea, she nods. ] I get it. That would be pretty tough to deal with.

[ Since Luna would basically be starting from zero. ]

So, your bond.. I don't mean to get too personal here, but I'm just curious, since where I come from demons can't really exist in the world without a bond with a witch in the first place. [ They're dependent on it to even manifest. But clearly this demon had already been present in the world without Luna summoning it in the first place. ] So in this case.. are you sharing your magic with them?

I.. don't think it's quite like that, no. [ She frowns for a moment, trying to work out how to word this. She's never given Paimon her magic, no. It's... not been like that. Or she doesn't think it is. ] Maybe? I know he's drawn to my magic. He likes to see it, watch me work. He... has his own power, from what I've read. Demons like him are powerful beings, but I found out that they shouldn't be allowed to be here on this plane without someone to reign them in.

[ That would be... dangerous. She's not sure what Paimon could get up to left to his own devices, considering she's not... completely himself. But something like that isn't best left to chance to see how it would go. He requires balance, stability through a bond. Someone to keep him in check, to keep him how he's meant to be. ]

I believe the people who summoned him initially in his world used him. [ Twisted him for their own gain. Turned him violent when he's not supposed to be like that. Her expression shifts into disgust for a moment, eyes narrowing, before she sighs and shakes her head. ] When he came to Deerington he didn't have direction, purpose. He feels wrong, lost, for the most part. I suppose I'm just... trying to give him some kind of meaning. Purpose. Give him perimeters, boundaries. I let him help me with things, sometimes magical, sometimes not.

[ Luna's not the only one who's starting pretty much from zero. But it's a... long term working relationship, of sorts. Even if they're always just... trying to work out what that is. ]

.. that's a rather unique case.

[ Ange has dealt with some demons before and seen even more, but she's never seen anything quite like this, or even heard about it. A demon who was summoned into the world, but in a wrong way. A way that twisted that demon, and then left it behind as a shell afterwards. ]

It sounds like you two have built up some sort of trust though. That's important. [ It's already important while regularly summoning demons - Ange can only imagine how much more important it must be when the demon requires a whole lot more.. 'care', let's say. ] I'm not sure how much help I can offer with that though. It sounds like something very personal between the two of you.

[ She hums, seeming to think for a moment. Like she's going through the knowledge stored in her brain to find out if there's anything too useful. ]

I know a kind of magical circle that could prevent him from breaking out of some place, in case you ever need to contain him when things go wrong, but it does sound like you've plenty reigned him in so far.

Oh. [ A unique case. Luna sighs a little and smiles. She supposes it is quite unique, in a way. Certainly unique to her, and she knows Paimon isn't how he's meant to be so... it's not really how it's supposed to be, in terms of witch-demon relationships. But it does mean they're still... stumbling around a little. ]

I'd like to think that, although it's not always been easy. [ Which is... not really Paimon's fault. Sometimes he... doesn't know better. Or she can't express himself properly. She's struggled with him sometimes, but she's trying her best. They're working together on it. ] But I... I do feel responsible for him, even if I don't know what I'm doing sometimes. And even if it's difficult, I still want to do it, I won't walk away from him.

[ There's a soft exhale. She doesn't even know how long such a relationship will last. She knows she's... bound herself to the demon, and there were conditions for that binding. But she knows Peter's worried endlessly about what that might mean for her. ]

Are... long-term working relationships with demons usual for witches in your world—? [ Ange had pointed it out that it's a unique case, but surely someone else has it, too? It's been well over a year since she did the ritual.

He gaze flicks up at that offer: a magic circle—? She has done her best to deal with him when he grows restless and violent, and she tries to do it as calmly and peacefully as possible. She doesn't meet his violence with equal force, or tries not to. Um. ]

It probably sounds better than.. magically restraining him and locking him in the spare room. [ .... best not to ask, Ange. ] Does it hurt, containing him like that?

[ .. she is definitely getting a 'best not to ask' vibe from those words alright. But on the other hand, she can't exactly blame Luna for maybe having to resort to that in extreme cases. Demons can be volatile, after all, especially if this one isn't quite his usual self due to the circumstances..

But honestly, it just makes her feel more glad if she can help the other witch out a little by giving her some extra tools to deal with all this. So Ange shakes her head at the last question. ]

It should be fine. It shouldn't hurt unless he touches it, and I'm pretty sure I have a magic circle that you can just draw on the door to contain him inside the room. [ So then there shouldn't be a reason for him to touch it.. unless he's pawing at it like a dog or something. ] I'd have to look it up in my book though. I left it back home.

[ And god knows that it's near impossible to learn all these magic circles from memory. Ange will never know how her cousin did it.

But she's also well aware that it's not the only thing Luna was asking about, and that other thing is definitely something she can put Luna's potential fears to rest about. ]

As for those long-term working relationships.. They're very common. Technically any witch should be able to summon any demon as long as she's powerful enough for it, but most tend to stick to the same ones after a while. [ It's just more convenient to work with a demon you've built up a bond with, after all. And the next words might even subconsciously tug up the corners of Ange's lips into a slight smile: ] I summoned my first demons during middle school, and I'm still working with the same ones to this day.

[ It certainly was an extreme case. Paimon's never been quite that bad with her before. She knows he went to her to calm himself, as he should. But the execution was... very poor. ]

He's relatively good at listening to me even when he's upset, but I think it's because he does know I'm there to help him. So if I tell him he has to stay within it, and not try to touch it then he'd listen. [ Honestly, pawing at the door is... very much something Paimon would do. Oops. But if she makes it clear enough, he'll not do it. ] Then I should be very glad to learn it, or any variations of it that could be useful.

[ Giving Paimon some 'quiet time' in a magic circle is definitely something he'll need. ]

I suppose there's people I know who're worried about how long I have to work with my demon, is all. But I know they're not an evil being, they're more neutral. [ Still, Peter worries. Even John worries sometimes. Neither of them like the fact she's bound herself to Paimon. There's... not really a time limit on the relationship. Luna doesn't like to dwell on it too much, mostly because it means thinking about a time where Peter's spirit might disappear for good.

Her eyes wide up at her for a moment. Middle school..? She's very impressed. It's like doing advanced magic at a young age, a bit like with Harry learning how to cast a corporeal patronus. ]

How many do you work with? [ She smiles a little shaking her head. ] I don't think I could imagine working with more than just the one, although I suppose as you said it's... a 'unique case' with mine.

[ Paimon is certainly a handful. ]

[ Ange will definitely have to look it up in her book and tell Luna about it later, she mentally notes, especially since it's not something she can just dig up in her mind on the spot. The design is too intricate for that.

But it does leave some room for her to focus on the other things Luna is saying for now. ]

Me? I work with seven, though I also had to work my way up. I learned the hard way that trying to maintain seven presences in the world is a strain on your mind that threatens to blow your brains out. [ .. yes, Ange is ever so delicate with her wording. It's said in the same flat tone she usually uses too.. ] But I managed to work my way up over time. But even maintaining one can be hard, really. Demons are needy.

[ It's not something she necessarily has to say, but.. it's pretty obvious that Luna is trying her best with something she's never worked with before - that's at least deserving of some praise. ]

But other than the 'needy' part.. I don't think demons are necessarily bad. Sure, their standards of morals and violence are very different compared to humans, but they usually tend to take after the witch they're working with.

[ And Luna? Well, she so far doesn't seem to be that bad at all. And that's saying a lot, considering Ange's opinion of witches is just.. so low...

Hence why she shakes her head. ] So I don't think those people have to be worried about you at all in this case.

... Seven—? [ Her eyes widen at that, equal measures of stunned and impressed. Paimon may be a unique case, but it's certainly a handful just dealing with one demon, let alone another six on top of that. But if Ange can do it over time, Luna can learn to deal with Paimon over time. ]

Needy is... certainly one way to describe my demon. I can hardly blame him, though. [ Lost as he is, desperately trying to hold onto what feels familiar to the broken pieces of his spirit. Luna's certainly never begrudged Paimon's more incessant needs, it's not his fault he is the way he is. She can only just... try to put him back together. At least she's plenty of patience. ]

That... oddly makes sense. [ He was used maliciously, so he became malicious. ] You... really believe he could become less violent with time due to my own influence?

[ That's... promising. It's exactly what she wants of him, to try to restore him to his more... neutral state. ]

While I have nothing to go off from my own world, demons tend to have generally bad connotations with people from other worlds. I think that's why they might be worried, especially when 'Hell' gets thrown into conversation.

[ It does make sense to her, honestly. Even people who don't believe in magic the way Ange does now - most people in her world, really - wouldn't be too happy at the idea of someone trying to deal with demons. It's not exactly like most people have a great idea about them.

.. and it's not like it's entirely unwarranted either to be cautious around them either. But even so.. ]

Yes. [ Ange seems fully confident in that answer. ] I believe that could happen. Demons may be different than humans, but.. they can change as well. If they are only shown cruelty, they will mimic it. If they are shown kindness, they will mimic that too.

[ Even if there's still a little stabbing involved sometimes, but.. that's why they're demons, right.

But since she figures a postive example might help, Ange shakes her head and adds: ] My demons were my friends when no human wanted to be.

So.. it's all up to you. [ Which, she knows, is putting a lot of pressure on Luna's shoulder. But the other seems to be a decent enough person, so she doesn't imagine it'll be hard. ] But if things ever get really bad, you can call me for help.

[ The next part feels so unlike her to say, but it feels important to say it right now.. but it's the 'unlike her' part that makes Ange hesitate, and struggle a little ~~with tsun~~ before she manages to force it out. ]

I mean.. we witches have to have each other's back, right?

That's... quiet promising, then. [ There's a hopeful smile and she nods at that. She would like Paimon to be... less violence, less cruel. The ones who used him twisted him into violence, he's not meant to be malevolent like that. Luna undoing it is no easy task, but if just by how she treats him will help towards restoring him. ]

You're... friends with your demons...? [ She... admittedly hadn't thought of that idea. The relationship between the two is... difficult to really put into terms, but she wouldn't consider Paimon her friend. Granted they... do spend time together, although not so much lately, considering somewhat-recent events. ] I thought it would be... more of a working relationship? Than a friendship?

[ There's a pause, though. Certainly she does understand the idea of not having friends. People didn't want to be her friend back home, either. Not for the longest of times. Deerington has changed that a great deal, her friendships here are... more. Luna considers for a moment. ]

But I suppose... it's nice just having friends, isn't it? Even if they're not the ones you expect.

[ Be it demons, or plant people, or other kinds of different beings or people. ]

I do understand I undertook a very difficult task, it's a... very strange weight. But I'm learning how to hold it properly. [ Her eyebrows raise a little a Ange's offer, but she's smiling and she nods. She'll definitely give Ange a call if she need's the other witch's help. There's a little sound of amusement from her: ] Oh, I'd quite agree. That's what you do, isn't it? You look out for one another.

[ It's almost a little weird. Hearing Luna's words like this, and almost seeing the echo of her own younger self in it. When she first got started on this stuff - when she completely overwhelmed herself, and yet refused to back down. It's a very strange weight. But I'm learning how to hold it properly.

Who would have thought she'd meet someone struggling with that this much later? It almost feels like a trail of breadcrumbs laid out before her, leading her all the way here: to a place where she's needed. Where she can provide guidance to someone who needs it, the same way she herself got help when she needed it. ]

Well.. It can be a working relationship if you want. [ That feels like the most important point to address here. ] If you just want to achieve goals together and not interact otherwise.. that is entirely possible.

[ Ange has seen quite some witches do that, in fact. To a point where it ought to be more natural, and yet it's never felt that way to her. ]

But like you said-- it's nice to have friends. Or are you saying you would never want to consider this particular demon your friend?

open | the old, old winds blowing you back around

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think maybe this is a good spot to wrap?