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Born of a fae and human coupling, Moira had always been caught up in one spot of magical mischief or another, the height of which each and every year was Halloween. In her younger days she had moonlighted as so many things, from a ghost bride to faceless murderer and even a pretty princess. Much of the time she even depended more on makeup than magic when it came to her costumes...but not this year, this year was special. This year marked a hundred years since her mortal parents' passing, and since then the townspeople had circulated all number of rumors about who or what lived in that cottage over the years. And Moira fed into each and every one...so this year she felt the need to do something particularly spectacular.

After spending the entirety of the previous winter plotting and planning, she finally settled on a classic creepy icon: the green-faced wicked witch. Come spring, she planted dozens of fresh ivy plants and a handful of bushes, and let them become so overgrown that it all threatened to overtake the house. On a warm day before the rain, she dug up the dirt around the base of the biggest tree, exposing its roots and eventually causing the trunk to split. By the time autumn rolled around, the cottage was covered in crinkled vines and deadened roses, surrounded by thorn brambles and crunchy leaves, and overshadowed by the creepiest tree for miles. She'd done many a dance to be sure the fog rolled in thick enough to provide the ambiance of a frightening graveyard around her lawn. And finally, her costume. A broken branch from the dead tree, wrapped in straw, served as her broom. Torn and ragged black robes hung from her shoulders, shrouding any hint of her typical womanly figure in tattered and blackened rags. Her whole body, thanks to a special charm she had managed to perfect, appeared green like a goblin - her nose outstretched and bent, and warty to boot. Even her eyes had become black, and everything from her toes to the tip of her hat screamed "Happy Halloween."

Natalia walked timidly into the the yard of the old cottage, a fearful yet hopeful look in her eyes.
The eight year old anthro was searching desperately for a place to stay, a place where she could spend a couple days away from the condescending eyes and angry fists of the prejudiced humans.
"H-hello?" she called out nervously, half expecting some group of teenage boys to jump out and start beating her up. It had happened before.
When no one came out of the heavy fog, she slowly walked towards the cottage, which to her young eyes seemed ancient. The door creaked loudly as she pushed it open and she held her tail to her chest as if it were a favorite stuffed bear and looked about the shadowy room.
The pale light from the window illuminated her as she stepped into the light of the window. She was wearing an old, grey shirt that was much too big for her and it was caked in dirt and blood. Her thin, drawn face made it clear she was starving and the bags under her eyes could be seen even through her fur, which had become a sooty brown instead of the white it should be naturally on her chest and belly.
She sniffed the air a little bit and after judging it to be safe, she pulled an old blanket from a shelf and wrapped it around herself then curled up on the floor.

The anthro child wasn't so much the surprise to Moira as was its apparent state. Initially she felt a twinge of annoyance at coming upon the curled up form on the floor, but decided even this one deserved a bit of the seasonal spirit. She pointed a finger at the fireplace, sparking up a source of warmth beneath the large cauldron. Before too long, its contents were simmering and billowing a fragrant steam that made even her mouth water. After spooning some of the stew into a bowl, she leaned near the girl and quietly crowed her awake.

"My deeear, do wake up. We've business to discusss." Moira had traded her usual lilt for a screech and a hiss, holding back just enough creepiness that she might not run off. If her plans couldn't be upheld, she would try to enhance them with this new arrival

Natalia relaxed as the wave of heat swept over her sleeping form and the tight ball she was curled into loosened up a bit.
The voice though... That certainly woke her up and she immediately curled up again, assuming the owner of said voice was going to hurt her for sleeping in the little cottage. She'd been beaten before for just sleeping in an alley way and she voiced her fear with an obvious, terrified tremor, "P-please don't hurt me! I-I'm sorry!" she said and tended herself up, awaiting for the impact of a boot or fist. Her fear at the creepy voice had caused her to ignore everything but the tone of the words.

Once the ball of fur had curled up tightly again, the witch-woman set down the bowl and looked closer. The bruises were more apparent, and the blood on her clothes, making the woman drop her act rather quickly. With a much kinder tone, she addressed the girl again.

"Sweet thing, I mean you no harm. Please eat, and be warm. This is all just for fun, see?" She took off the hat and smooshed at her nose until her face wasn't quite so scary, though still very green. "Don't you know that it's All Hallow's Eve?" The girl still seemed shaken, so Moira took a seat across the room from her.

"Most children go about from house to house, and get treats for free. The creeps and the frights, most of it's just make believe. I'd meant to give a scare to the neighborhood, but I wasn't expecting visitors so soon. Maybe you could help...they haven't been very nice to me either, you see. Would you like to play some tricks? Or pass out some treats?"

She trembled on the floor, waiting for the punishing blow but it never came. She looked back up just as Moira began Speaking again and she sat up a little bit with her knees still to her chest.
"I-I know what today is..." she said quietly, "That's why I came out here... I-I didn't think anyone would find me out here..." she whimpered quietly then looked up at her, "You... You're not gonns hurt me?" she asked innocently. Poor girl... She had experienced things no 8 year old should experience.

The woman smiled and replied, "no, not at all! And as mean as they've been, I wouldn't dream of bringing real harm to these people." A twinge of anger hit her gut though, to think they'd been so terrible to such a small child. Ideas brewed in her mind, and a more mischievous smile reached her lips.

"But if you'd like a bit of revenge, you're welcome to help me scare them. Once you've eaten of course."

She nervously stood up, "I'm Natalia..." she forced a smile to the woman, "You... You're going to give me food?" she asked with surprise.

"Right there, in that bowl," she pointed to the one she'd left on the floor. "And there's much more in that cauldron. My name is Moira."

She looked at the bowl cautiously. She had been tricked with food before.
"P-promise you won't hurt me?"

Sitting up straight, she held up her palm and said, "I solemnly swear on all my magic that I mean you no harm."

At the girls hesitance, Moira offered to taste a spoonful first to prove it wasn't poison.

Poison hadn't even sprung into the young girl's mind. She assumed people only wanted to hurt her, not to kill her.
She shyly took the bowl from her and ate a spoonful, "Thank you..."