Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » ~Paying The Price~

Will smiled and watched as Raven talked to her mother one last time. He rubbed Elesa's back absentmindedly as he watched the conversation between Raven and her mother and started thinking to himself. He would've given anything to speak to his wife and daughter one last time, but now that their souls passed the point of no return, he would never get the chance to see them again. He started to breath ragged as a few more tears rolled down his face, but he managed to keep himself from crying, for now.

Poppy would shush Raven and pet her calmly, "Loosen your grip my little owl... If you hug me too firmly, your arms will pass through me. Now, there are a few other things I need to tell you. Remember what I taught you about where Magic begins? Merrilee over there knows this all too well also. Just as Music begins with a voice, so too does magic begin with a word. Some of the most powerful spells any magic user can ever know have some of the longest incantations. You are still young, Raven. And I have passed on all I could to you, but there is still so much for you to learn. When I am finally reincarnated, Raven, I will lose all of my knowledge and will have to rediscover it all over again. My might may overwhelm my new youthful body, so I want you to do one last favor for me, and make me a promise. Could you do that for me, Raven?" she says in a calm tone, knowing she could count on Raven for these tasks she was about to say.

After several seconds and giving Raven a chance to respond, Poppy would continue, "Remember my personal Grimoir? The one I was always making new recordings in? It is hidden by my last spell, and I want you to find it. Return to Matthew's house and look by the bed where we last spoke. Call out to my Book of Shadows and keep it safe. It is yours now, and it contains every last piece of knowledge on different spells and other races of magical beings that I was ever able to learn. Some of it you may already know, but there is still so much inside that book that I wanted to teach you and never got the chance. That is the first favor I want to ask of you, Raven. The second... And the one I want you to promise me on... Is that when my new body is finally born, that you will find me and be a part of my new life as I was for yours. You will have to teach me again, Raven. Because I will have no memories about who I was. But try not to dwell on that... The humble witch known as Poppy, rests here. The new witch to be... You will know where to find them, as long as you listen with your heart. Can you promise me that, my little owl?" Poppy asks in a calm and loving tone.

Sally would look to the spirit as she made a request, purring warmly to the pettings, "Sally can ask young Mistress Cosmie to find them. If they not yet reincarnated, Sally can bring back for visit. Sally relay this message to Mistress Cosmie soon as can." Sally says reassuringly.

Raven would loosen her grip on her mother and look up towards her and clings on to her every word. She remembers clearly the lessons that her mother had taught her over the years, and she would nod in response to her request, tearing up at the mention that she would forget Raven and that her might would be to much for her newly reincarnated body. This would remind Raven of herself, when her might as well as Crows had become to much for her, and she would hold onto her mother's hands as she nodded, listening to her requests. She nodded in agreement, determined to get the Book of Shadows back. Though when she heard Robin speaking, it would make her eye twitch as he would constantly refer to her as his slave. Her blood would begin boiling, the only thing keeping her calm was her mother's presence.

The fact he would also talk about Raven to her mother, he was in for one hell of a beating if he continued running his mouth, though he was right about one thing. She would look up to her mother, curiosity in her eyes as she looks up towards her, still clinging onto her mother.

"I promise, I'll fulfill your request. I'll do whatever I can to do what you want of me...But mother....Is it true??? Do you really want me to marry Prince Merthyr to reunite both the Humans and the Magics?"

Will heard Robin go on and talk of Raven's mother as his slave and about how he was more trusting than he was. He was close to snapping at Robin, comanding him to shut his mouth and sit down and let Raven talk to her mother while she could, but Elesa being in his arms stopped him from doing such that. His free hand tensed and started to curl up into a fist.

Poppy would look to Robin as he continues to claim dominance over her even in death. She could only sigh as he claims his peace, but looks to him with a calm gaze, "Unfortunately for your coin pouch, Robin, I am no longer your slave. I am dead. And I will not be your slave again because this war will be over by the time I am reborn. And you are again wrong in claiming who has my Grimoir. Matthew did not find my Grimoir because it is within the Queens Pocket, a hidden dimension that only the reining Witch Queen may find and access. Now be a dear and bite your tongue before one of these able bodied youngsters sees fit to relieve you of it." she warns in a very calm tone, aiming to set the record strait to avoid misguidance.

Looking back to Raven, "Let me clarify on that, my little owl... While it is true that I would like you to look to Prince Merthyr as a candidate, moreso I want you to marry for love. The same feelings of affection that you feel for Lilim over there, but on a deeper and much stronger level. My prayer is that you find such love within a human, but I cannot control nor force you to marry someone. I myself was forced into an arranged marriage and let me tell you, the man I was promised to acted exactly like the Lord Knight of Camelot, Tron Pentre. Almost exactly to the letter... I felt no love for that man and my magic would have suffered if I had followed that path. Instead I followed my heart, which is exactly what I want you to do, Raven. While I highly encourage you to look for love in a human, a far greater good than that will be served if you marry not for status... But for love. Inarguably, Love holds far stronger magic than even the Forest Elves can perceive, let alone wield on their own. And I will not be argued with on that because I have experienced it for myself. And not with any man, oh no... But..." she says as she moves to caress Raven's cheek, "In the feelings I felt for you, Raven. Until my last living breath, my little owl, you were my strength. And you still are even as I stand here in ethereal form. My love for you is unconditional and unquestionable. And I still have some magic in my being and I'll put a curse on anyone that tries to call that into question." she says justifiably.

Lilim was hovering calmly and watching as Raven shared a stolen moment with her mother, and then Robin had to come in and pull a Pentre, and in Lilim's opinion, was about to ruin the moment. She'd grit her teeth and start for him, only to hear what Poppy had to say to him and her rage turned into a giggle that simply couldn't be hidden.

Elesa would cuddle into Will, arguably about to fall asleep as she was paid attention to and held steady and still. That was until Robin came up and started running his mouth. Even Big Sis and the Elder Ghost were feeling offended, So Elesa felt obligated to say something before Will hauled back and acted on the anger Robin was making him feel, and in turn Elesa could feel his tension and it was starting to upset her too, "STOP IT!!!" she shouts as she grabs a seal from her belt and clenches it tight, calling up the raw energy and waving it at Robin to splatter on him like she was throwing scalding oil, "Can you not see that YOU are the only threat here?!" she shouts as a method of relaying what she was feeling from Will.

Panting a bit, Elesa would wave her charm again and continue, "You're the one upsetting everyone just like that armored man Big Sis and Mister Will keep telling to hush!! You are starting to act just like him and in case you haven't noticed it's causing everyone to become upset!!" she yells in a truthful tone, hugging back into Will to try and calm him down again, closing her eyes and replacing her charm on her belt like she was getting comfortable and was trying to rest in the arms of someone that made her feel safe.

Lilim again had to laugh as Elesa lashes out at Robin for Will, finding that very action really cute. She wondered hough exactly how Will would react to Elesa of all people standing up for him like she did.

Raven's eyes widened as she would calmly refute Robin, using her tongue to give him a proper warning, as she was known to do. She couldn't help but give a small smile as she told off Robin, her mother almost instantly calming down her nerves. It had almost felt like old times, under weird circumstances. She would look towards Robin, hatred no longer in her eyes, but rather amusement as she stares at him, waiting a moment for her mother to finish speaking to him before she chimed in with her own piece.

"You know, that book was her most valuable possession. She wouldn't have left it lying around. But if your worried about it, I'll open up the Queens Pocket later and check for myself."

She says before turning back the her mother, listening to everything she said. She had to admit, it surprised her to hear that her mother indeed wanted her to consider Prince Merthyr, but her nerves were calmed as she said she wanted Raven to marry for love. When Robin had first talked to her about the topic, she had found it quite odd, given what her mother had gone through in her life with the arranged marriage. So for the idea to float around that she was requesting an arranged marriage between the Queen of Witches and the Prince of Humans, it sounded peculiar to say the least. She would grimace at the thought that her predecessor would want her mother to marry someone that almost resembled Pentre down to the letter, and would be grateful that she ran away. She would hug her more tightly, closing her eyes as her mother caressed her cheek, only to look back up at her, tears forming in her eyes. She would nod and hold her mothers hands in her own, kissing them and kissing her mother on the forehead.

"And you are mine...You are my strength too mother....I'm eternally grateful for everything you've done for me..."

She says before turning to Elesa and watching her go off on Robin, and even noticing that Lilim would be ready to lash out on him. It seemed her mother had managed to keep the groups emotions together, mostly. She had never seen Elesa lash out like that, and had never expected it. She would look between her and Will, putting the pieces together, and would have to remember to thank Elesa later, even if she was only acting out in defense of Will. She would turn back to her mother, looking her in the eyes as she clutched her hands and intertwined their fingers together.

"I'll miss you....And I'll always be thinking of you..."

She says tearing up again, looking up to her mother, but she would force a smile on her face, even if it was only to reassure her mother that she would be OK.

Will had finally had enough of Robin. He calmed down after Elesa lashed out at him and wrapped his arms around him, but Robin's constant nagging fired him right back up, especially with the insult to magic kind. He turned around and grabbed Robin's throat, lifting him up off the ground, his body shaking violently. "I've had it Robin." He said before letting Robin go, remembering Elesa was right next to him and he calmed himself a bit, still shaking. "Not only have you insulted Raven's mother at her own funeral, you blatantly disrespected not only me, but everyone else here. Elesa here's the only reason your not pinned against a tree. Now, apologize, especially to her ladyship and Elesa." Will commanded Robin.

Elesa would glance back to Robin as she hears her name and the title she's offered. Looking up to Will, "Mister Will? Why did he call me that just now?... What's a... Grand Duchess?..." she asks in confusion.

Lilim would blink as Robin gives in and makes a noble apology out of it all. She'd frown and cross her arms though, honestly not buying that Robin's apology was heartfelt. It felt too much like ordered words to her, but as long as everyone accepted it, she'd simply shrug and accept it as well. Though she herself was now curious of Elesa's words. Grand Duchess?... Was he trying to kiss up to Elesa by giving her a noble rank?

Lilim would approach and inquire in a calm and curious tone, "Grand Duchess?... Hun, now I'm curious, where exactly did that come from? Just trying to make her feel better, or something? Because honestly it's flattering to think you'd give Elesa such a title. Is she really that special in your eyes?" she asks with a soft smile, starting to think it was really sweet of him to think so highly of Elesa.

Poppy looked to Robin again as he apologized for his words, "You are forgiven, Robin. I myself would prefer to hold onto as few grudges as possible now that my soul is set to pass to another vessel. And your loyalty to your general is very admirable for sure. Though your vision will have to exit its tunnel before you can truly see who is really trying to cause Will harm, and whom is trying to be friendly. Such as the Benevolent Mother Gaia here. She was only trying to comfort Will for his own pain filled memories, and you shooed her away like a common dungeon rat... Honestly quite confusing when it comes to your loyalties, child." she says in a calm tone, feeling it appropriate to let him know that he was saving Will from the very spirit that granted protection and guidance to him.

Looking back to Raven, "My little owl, I see through your brave smile, though I appreciate the effort. I know you will be sad for my passing. But try not to dwell on it, please. I am no longer in any pain. My body no longer limits me as to where I can go or what I can do. And once I see Lady Cosmie, The Goddess of Dreams, I will come back in a new, much stronger body. There is more to celebrate than there is to mourn, Raven. And I was not slain. My passing was natural, and it was part of Mother Gaia's design. Give thanks to her as you return my body to the Goddess from wince it came. My only regret is that I will have to forget you when I am reborn, Raven... If I could choose to, I would keep your memory in my heart forever and always. I love you, Raven. And that will never change. Protocol or no protocol, I'm too strong and too stubborn to let it change. Keep me close in your heart, and I'll be with you always." she says before her figure starts to radiate with a swirl of blue ethereal energy.

Poppy would be softly lifted by his energy, and levitates slightly into the air, "Oh dear... It seems my time is nearing its end. Raven... Remember all that I have taught you. Your magic is tied to your emotions. The longer you dwell in sorrow, the weaker you will be. Look to the things that bring you joy, my little owl. Come Sally... Reluctant as I'd like to be, I'm ready now..." she says before closing her eyes and letting the spiritual light envelope her and change her form into a glowing orb.

Sally would rise now and gave Raven a brief cuddle, "Momma kitty take good care of Mistress Poppy. No feel sad or worried, kay? Remember here, and feel here. She not leaving all the way... Just has to give back what borrowed." Sally says reassuringly as she gestures to Raven's head, then her heart, before collecting the orb delicately and jumping off to the nearby cliff. With one final look back at the party Sally would give a cat's best smile and jumped high into the air, vanishing in a flash of Red Lightning.

The feels would be real and as expected for several seconds everyone would be allowed to break out in tears and feel the sorrow, but Raven was in for another surprise as another pair of ethereal arms comes around her. Those of a strong and well toned male, for sure, but still a ghost. "I'm very sorry for your loss, Your Ladyship. But if I may steal your attention for a moment, I have a favor to ask of you... If I may?" the male says politely. Even Will would recognize this ghost, as it was one that came from his past as well. A familiar tone of voice that someone inside Raven would recognize as well, if she was listening.

(Guess who. )

(SALLY OUT OF LEFT FEILD!)

Will told her a Grand Duchess was someone of royalty, but then he did wonder why Robin called her Grand duchess. But that would have to come later as Raven's mother's time was go. He shed a few tears, but managed to keep his composure, not wanting to worry Elesa any more than she already was. He watched with as Sally took the orb, wishing Poppy luck with her rebirth silently before he recognized a new voice, one he hasn't heard for a while. He got a cold chill, in a good way, and turned to see the ghost, his eyes widening.

Audemar looked down at Taff, "If you sense anguish in me, then there is no reason to keep anything from you. When I was a young boy, I was a beggar. Usually singing or reciting anything I could find to memorize in order to get anything for my dying mother. In my youth, I waged my luck when I traded someone something of value for magic to heal my mother." Audemar ran his nails against the brick of the castle wall, "Instead of having a mother full of life and happiness, I a dead woman in my arms. I then figured out I had been made a fool by a conman who bestowed onto me cursed magic. Thirty years after, I found that conman and, in cold blood, I killed him. The ring gave to him, I took back and it bound itself to me; giving me another curse. Immortality." The sorcerer punched the brick, "Over two centuries, I walked this land using my powers to end the suffering of any living thing close to death."