Wand and pentacle, and sword. Cords and censer, scourge and knife.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Day 144, Thursday, October 23
Not hungry yet for lunch
Syl's caravan

Things have bin strange. Kate 'n I are still friends, and she ain't asked me t'leave yet. There's some kind 'a tension, but it ain't like before. It ain't weighin' on me. It's more waitin', t'see how she feels 'bout it, and what if anythin' she wants t'do 'bout it. I know she ain't bin sleepin' well, and part 'a me wants t'go knock on her door. But that won't help things none. And knowin' what she went through, I ain't 'bout t'try 'n rush things.

Meanwhile, livin' with her's bin frustratin' in other ways. My room back home has thick 'nough walls, but Kate's apartment is pretty small, 'n I'm a guest. I'm halfway t'goin' by the 'Boy at this point, 'r even just goin' out t'the bloody woods fer a couple hours. I sigh 'n finish brushin' my hair. Kate's gone out t'buy some treats 'cause she's off t'see a friend fer lunch. And me, it's bout time I went t'see Syl.

I gather up those journals I'm willin' t'share, and that she might like t'see. There's stuff on wardin', on cleanin' water 'n wounds, on keepin' a man's seed still so you dunt get pregnant, on enchantin' objects. That last one's somethin' I still need work on, and I'm hopin' she can help some. My wardin' bracelet and the bells ain't worked since that day I tried t'reach out.

I could do with some advice on that, too.

I pack my things in a satchel and walk out. I hope Kate has a good time with her friend. Wish I knew where t'go from here, too. I sigh again, walkin' over the bridge headin' t'the Carnival. It dunt take long from there, and I make my way t'Syl's caravan. I get stopped once 'r twice this time, but they let me by when I say she's expectin' me. I hope she ain't too pissed 'bout me goin' off like that.

I step up and knock, quietly. I hope she's here, and up. I dunt want t'have t'wander all over the Carnival lookin'.

[Open to Syl]

Comments

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

'm inside m'wagon, checkin' out th'tinctures been brewin' from th'mugwort Preacher-man gave me. Lookin' forward t'our li'l exper'ment, whenever't happens. Ain't setta time ferrit yet, but figurin' won't be much longer...spec'ally since th'big shit's gonna happen soon, like inna week 'r sommat like'at. Tryin' very damned hard t'tell m'self I ain't scared witless. Keepin' up th'work's a good way t'do'at, 'r at least try.

'm jes' stopp'rin th'las' vial when'ere's a knock on m'door. Doubt it's onna m'girls....'ey'd'a called through th'door. Th'roughies been gettin' more careful lately, so mus' be somebody I know. Cross over t'th'door 'n open't.

...well, look who's come back. "Well," I says, leanin' 'gainst th'doorframe. "Know we didn't have nothin' formal goin', but still woulda been nice t'hear somethin' from ya. Startin' t'think ye'd died 'r run off 'r sommat. Where ya been?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

There's someone workin' inside, 'cause I notice when they stop whatever they're doin'. Then they walk over and it's Syl openin' the door and leanin' 'gainst the frame like last time. "Know we didn't have nothin' formal goin', she says, "but still woulda been nice t'hear somethin' from ya. Startin' t'think ye'd died 'r run off 'r sommat. Where ya been?" She sounds friendly but kind 'v annoyed. It's still better 'n I'd worried though.

"My brother and I went home fer a weekend, t'see our family, fer services, and so I could get some 'a these," I say, gesturin' at the satchel. "It ended up bein' a week and then," I falter a bit, "I got sick. We bin back t'town fer a bit now. I ain't had time t'come out 'n see you 'till now." Part 'a that was me just enjoyin' bein' with Kate, but I figure I can skip that bit.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Ain't scared...nor 'shamed. Looks a li'l pale, like she might'a losta bitta weight. "My brother and I went home fer a weekend, t'see our family, fer services, and so I could get some 'a these," waves t'wards a bag atter belt. "It ended up bein' a week and then," voices trails offa bit, eyes go li'l distant, li'l faraway, "I got sick. We bin back t'town fer a bit now. I ain't had time t'come out 'n see you 'till now."

...sick, huh?

Look'er up'n down a bit, an'en step back from th'door. "C'mon. There's coffee. An' y'c'n tell me whatcha mean by 'sick'." Wuzn't no flu't put'at look in'er eye. No sir.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She gives me a look, 'n then steps back. "C'mon," she says, turnin' 'round and walkin' back inside. "There's coffee. An' y'c'n tell me whatcha mean by 'sick'."

I step up and inside. "Thanks," I say. It smells like alcohol 'n common wormwood in her caravan, and she's got some things for tinctures set out. I raise my eyebrows some at that. "Are you usin' that stuff fer travellin'," I ask, my voice quiet. There's somethin' 'bout that in the journals, though it ain't somethin' I use. "I - I'd be careful. I tried reachin' out t'the Family, and got slapped down hard." I swallow. "Real hard."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Close th'door b'hind's both an' see'er lookin' over th'tinctures I been brewin'. An' she's lookin' kinda worried. "Are you usin' that stuff fer travellin'?" she asks, 'n I know from th'way she saysit she don't mean no knpasack-on-my-back travelin'.

Well, she knows what mugwort's for, 't least. "Sorta. Me'n a priest from town gonna try a li'l dream-walkin'. Nothin' too risky...mugwort's nice 'n easy on ya, if'n y'use it right."

"I - I'd be careful. I tried reachin' out t'the Family, and got slapped down hard." kinda swallows, looks down. "Real hard."

...aw, hell. "Sick", wuzzit? I wuz holdin' a lit cig in m'ahdn; now I puttit back in m'mouth an' use'at hand t'cup'er chin, getta look in'er eyes. Turn'er head this way'n at. Yeah. C'n still see th'traces on'er. "Tower, huh?" I says, an' m'smile's tight 'n hard. "Hits hard, don't it? Hits like a fuckin' rock t'th'skull." Drop m'hand t'er shoulder. "Got me too, few weeks 'go. Wuz lucky a friend'a mine found me'n looked after me...dunno whatchou were usin', but I went all out, went wit' peyote, annat stuff...y'get dis'or'ented, damn hard t'findjer way back in." Still ain't sure I woulda, if'n Tez hadn't'a been'ere.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Sorta," she says, soundin' kind 'a pleased. "Sorta. Me'n a priest from town gonna try a li'l dream-walkin'. Nothin' too risky...mugwort's nice 'n easy on ya, if'n y'use it right." I nod, 'cause I heard that. I kind 'a wonder what priest. There's the Abbey, but I wouldn't call 'em 'priests'. We ain't had what I'd call a priest 'round fer a while. Although... Kate said she'd bin t'church. I thought she meant the Abbey, but maybe not. Was there somethin' on Silk street? I shake my head.

Syl puts her smoke 'tween her lips 'n reaches out 'n cups my chin. She turns it back 'n forth, starin' at my eyes, 'n I'm shocked enough it take me a minute t'pull my head back out 'a her grasp. "Tower, huh?" she says, and I shudder. "Hits hard, don't it? Hits like a fuckin' rock t'th'skull." She reaches out again, 'n I stay put. She puts her hand on my shoulder. "Got me too, few weeks 'go. Wuz lucky a friend'a mine found me'n looked after me...dunno whatchou were usin', but I went all out, went wit' peyote, annat stuff...y'get dis'or'ented, damn hard t'findjer way back in."

I stand there, lookin' at her. "Yeah," I say. "Like a rock. I got a place 'a power, out at the farm. Had, more like. Ring 'a tree, ring 'a bottles, ring 'a rope. There's a rite t'bring me into view 'a the girls in the Family. I thought - I hope they saw me. But then it was like a big fiery hand slapped me down, pushed me into the earth. When I came to," I shrug, "it had all burned to ash. Everythin', 'cept I dint have so much as a scratch 'r singe." It still scares me white, thinkin' 'a that casual message.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

See the way she shakes when I say th'word "Tower". Aw, yeah. Same thin' happened t'er. Bloody fuckin' hell. Poor kid. She jes' stands'er ferra minute, leavin' m'hand onner shoulder even though she pulled'er face away a second ago. "Yeah," she says, real quiet 'n kinda breathy, "Like a rock. I got a place 'a power, out at the farm. Had, more like. Ring 'a tree, ring 'a bottles, ring 'a rope."

Nod. A circle. Would havva place like'at fer m'self if'n I didn't move 'round so much. There's places like'at ev'rywhere, if'n y'know where t'look, an' th'right tools c'n helpya harness'em. "There's a rite t'bring me into view 'a the girls in the Family. I thought - I hope they saw me. But then it was like a big fiery hand slapped me down, pushed me into the earth. When I came to...it had all burned to ash. Everythin', 'cept I dint have so much as a scratch 'r singe."

Girl's shakin' a bit. I squeeze'er shoulder. "Hurts like a bitch, don't it?" Squeeze again 'n turn t'pour us some coffee. Dunno 'bout'er, but I could use it. "So't didn' wantcha callin' yer fam'ly in?" Kinda int'restin', there. "Wonder why. If'n't's closin' th'town off'r what." Coffee's still hot, good. Pour two cups, one fer each ovvus, "Now me, when I got hit I wuz tryin' t'getta look attit from th'higher plain, y'know? Figured it jes' didn't want me lookin' attit...course, also didn't burn nothi' 'round me, jes' whacked me hard 'nough t'knock me out ferra good long time. What scares me th'most 'bout'at is I got th'feelin' wasn't nothin' t'it...nearly fuckin' killed me, an't seemed like t'it it wuz swattin' a damn mosquito, y'know?"

Think 'bout it ferra sec, then fishm'flask outta m'bag. Pour a slug inta m'cup, 'n hold it up, askin' if'n she wants th'same. "So fer me, I quz pokin' m'nose inta't's bizness. But you...wonder why it didn't wantcha talkin' t'yer sisters?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She nods when I describe the grove. I guess she ain't got a place like that since she ain't usually in one place fer long. She gives my shoulder a squeeze. "Hurts like a bitch, don't it?" I nod mutely, and she gives another squeeze and sets out some coffee. "So't didn' wantcha callin' yer fam'ly in? Wonder why. If'n't's closin' th'town off'r what. Now me," she goes on, "when I got hit I wuz tryin' t'getta look attit from th'higher plain, y'know? Figured it jes' didn't want me lookin' attit...course, also didn't burn nothi' 'round me, jes' whacked me hard 'nough t'knock me out ferra good long time. What scares me th'most 'bout'at is I got th'feelin' wasn't nothin' t'it...nearly fuckin' killed me, an't seemed like t'it it wuz swattin' a damn mosquito, y'know?"

I nod my thanks as she pours some liquor into the coffee. "That was the worst 'v it. Just the feelin' like it was brushin' me off, 'r scratchin' an itch. Some 'a the most powerful spell-workin' I can do, and it just swept through it like a plains-fire." I shake my head and take 'a drink 'a the coffee. It's strong and the liquor gives it a kick, but it helps. "So fer me, I quz pokin' m'nose inta't's bizness. But you...wonder why it didn't wantcha talkin' t'yer sisters?"

I hesitate fer a sec, but lately I've given bigger secrets away with less cause. "This can't go further, but I told you some 'bout how witchin's in the blood for my Family? Well, there's more t'it than that. We're - we're supposed t'fight It. It and those as work for it." But I dunt think any 'a my ancestors ever met it, not really. Thinkin' we could fight somethin' like that... "I know now we ain't any kind 'a threat t'it, not like we was raised thinkin'. I - I think it ain't so much keepin' us from warnin' folk as it is keepin' us cut off from the rest 'a the family." I take a sip and look up at Syl. "It wants us to despair."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Li'l early fer drinkin', but figure we both could use't if'n we's gonna talk 'bout'is. Pass'er th'cup 'n take a swallow'v m'own. Feel th'burn goin' down. "That was the worst 'v it. Just the feelin' like it was brushin' me off, 'r scratchin' an itch. Some 'a the most powerful spell-workin' I can do, and it just swept through it like a plains-fire." she says 'fore takin' a drink. Winces at th'kick, but seems t'relax'er some. An'I nod. Always bad, feelin' yerself brushed off like'at. But scary too, real fuckin' scary, when's as powerful azzat.

See'er pause when I ask'er why she thinks't didn' wan'er talkin' t'er sisters. Takes another drink, an'en sighs. "This can't go further, but I told you some 'bout how witchin's in the blood for my Family? Well, there's more t'it than that. We're - we're supposed t'fight It. It and those as work for it."

....ah, now't's startin' t'come t'gether. "So you an' yer family 'r old en'mies," I nod. Dunno't she an'er clan'd have much ovvan effect on th'psycho monster, but likely irks'im havin'em 'round. "You an' yer fam'ly live'ere long?" I ask, cuzzi 'member what preacher-man said...th'psycho monster ain't always been'ere. 'e move'ere t'be closer t'th'fam'ly, 'r th'other way 'round?

"I know now we ain't any kind 'a threat t'it, not like we was raised thinkin'. I - I think it ain't so much keepin' us from warnin' folk as it is keepin' us cut off from the rest 'a the family." hands're shakin', jes'a bit, an' she takes 'nother drink 'fore lookin't me. "It wants us to despair."

Girl ain't stupid. Think she's got th'right ovvit. Well, she shared a secret, so reckon I c'n do th'same. "We's in th'same boat," I says after'a minute. "Carn'val ain't'ere by choice...th'folks't run it...well, ain't 'zactly folks, if'n y'get m'drift. An'ey gotta deal runnin' wit' th'thin'n th'Tower. An'it wants us all'ere. So..." shrug, "'less'n we leave th'only home some ovvus got, we's stuck." Take a drink m'self. Ain't laid it out so bare fer no one.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She seems t'understand, both why I got scared, and 'bout the Family. "So you an' yer family 'r old en'mies," she says, noddin'. "You an' yer fam'ly live'ere long?" "Yeah." I take a sip 'a my coffee. "We bin here longer 'n the wind farm, back 'afore the fall. We dint know 'bout It, then. I think It's recent, not more 'n the last couple 'a years."

Syl dunt say much fer a few minutes. "We's in th'same boat," she says finally. "Carn'val ain't'ere by choice...th'folks't run it...well, ain't 'zactly folks, if'n y'get m'drift. An'ey gotta deal runnin' wit' th'thin'n th'Tower." That makes me pale, but Syl's dealt straight with me, and the Carnival's bin here fer a while, so it's somethin' t'set aside fer the moment. An'it wants us all'ere. So... 'less'n we leave th'only home some ovvus got, we's stuck."

I stare at her. "How d'you deal with that, day t'day? I mean, those folks you trust t'care fer you all 'r dealin' with that thing, and makin' it so you can't leave 'less you run off from everythin'? I - I'm sorry Syl."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

She nods when I ask if'n she an'er folks been'ere long, "Yeah. We bin here longer 'n the wind farm, back 'afore the fall. We dint know 'bout It, then. I think It's recent, not more 'n the last couple 'a years."

"S'what I been hearin' too," I nod. "Heard't only startin' gettin' real active a year'r so back." Swallow m'coffee 'n think summore. I seen too much'n m'day t'not b'lieve in fate, 'r at least'at some thin's 'at're jes' meant t'be. "Gotta wonder if'n you an'yer folks got put'ere cuz somethin' out'ere knew It'd come'ere someday," I says after a bit. Helluva thin' t'lay on one fam'ly, t'my mind.

She kinda stares at me when I tell'er 'bout Management, 'bout us bein' stuck'ere. Takes'er a minute t'say, "How d'you deal with that, day t'day? I mean, those folks you trust t'care fer you all 'r dealin' with that thing, and makin' it so you can't leave 'less you run off from everythin'? I - I'm sorry Syl."

Smile some at'at last. "I been in worse sitch's, if'n y'c'n buy'at." Take a long swallow'a coffee 'n get up t'refill m'cup. "Some ovvus're takin'it harder 'n thers...those't can't deal 'n got someplace t'go....'r a few't don't...they left. Th'rest...." 'nother slug'a shine inta m'cup, "Well, some ovvem made deals'a'eir own t'make sure'eys taken care of. Now, I ain't sure if'n'at'll mean much've anythin' down th'line, if'n't'll gettem any kinda real protect'on, but'ey's donnit, some ovvem. Fer th'rest..." shrug, "we's eatin', an' while we's bored 'n worried, ain't dang'rous'ere. Wish we know 'zactly what th'plan is, but fer right now...." swirl th'coffee 'n booze in m'mug. "Well, we's learned not t'interfere wit' th'Management's plans, if'n y'see what'm sayin'. An' some ovvus owe'em one helluva lot."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"S'what I been hearin' too," she agrees. She drinks some more 'a her coffee, lookin' thoughful. "Gotta wonder if'n you an'yer folks got put'ere cuz somethin' out'ere knew It'd come'ere someday," she suggest. "Could be," I say slow. There's warnin's in the journals 'bout tryin' t'see what's comin', but someone might 'a tried t'pierce that veil. This is the best chance we have 'a cleansin' ourselves, after all this time.

She smiles when I give my sympathy, and it's a bit sad. "I been in worse sitch's, if'n y'c'n buy'at," she says, standin' up and pourin' herself some more coffee. "Some ovvus're takin'it harder 'n thers...those't can't deal 'n got someplace t'go....'r a few't don't...they left. Th'rest...." She shrugs and pours some more liquor in her drink. "Well, some ovvem made deals'a'eir own t'make sure'eys taken care of. Now, I ain't sure if'n'at'll mean much've anythin' down th'line, if'n't'll gettem any kinda real protect'on, but'ey's donnit, some ovvem. Fer th'rest..." She shrugs again, lookin' in her mug. "We's eatin', an' while we's bored 'n worried, ain't dang'rous'ere. Wish we know 'zactly what th'plan is, but fer right now.... Well, we's learned not t'interfere wit' th'Management's plans, if'n y'see what'm sayin'. An' some ovvus owe'em one helluva lot."

I owe Ma 'n Pa plenty too, fer givin' a home 'n a family, but if they were makin' deals like that 'n keepin' me from leavin' the house unless I renounced 'em entirely... Well, I can't see it, really. I shake my head. "I dunt envy you lot the choices that're comin'." I pause, thinkin'. "Thanks, Syl. I know your folk dunt share stuff like that, much." I pull up the satchel 'n set it on the table, openin' it and pullin' out the journal stuff I copied. "I got stuff t'show you, from home."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

She's quiet ferra few, thinkin' over what I told'er. Shakes'er head. "I dunt envy you lot the choices that're comin'." she says, 'n neither do I, ferrat matter. "Thanks, Syl. I know your folk dunt share stuff like that, much."

"We don't," I says, holdin' up th'coffee pot 'n th'flask for'er, off'rin' more, "I'll keep yer secrets, 'n you keep mine. Think we understand each other onnat score, yeah?" Don't mean t'be nasty, jes' layin' thin's out square.

an'en she's pullin'er bag up 'n settin't on th'table, op'nin' it t'pull out some papers. "I got stuff t'show you, from home." she says, layin' th'papers on th'table.

"Yeah?" Pick'em up 'n take a look. "Whatcha got?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"We don't," she says, offerin' me more t'drink. I take the coffee but leave the liquor. I feel steadier now, and it's still early. "I'll keep yer secrets, 'n you keep mine. Think we understand each other onnat score, yeah?"

I nod. There's a threat there, but it's fair 'nough, and I'd do the same. "Whatcha got?" She starts lookin' through the papers.

"In there's the ignoring enchantment, the instructions fer the protection bracelet I tried, a whole bunch 'a different wards, charms t'clean food 'n drink, and a bunch 'a others." I give her a close look. "This ain't stuff I'd normally share - it's fer the teachin', and 'cause I ain't sure it's goin' t'matter in the time t'come." Better she can use this stuff, if she can. It helps us that much more 'gainst the Adversary.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

She takes more coffee, but shakes'er head at th'flask. Good, knows'er limits. "In there's the ignoring enchantment, the instructions fer the protection bracelet I tried, a whole bunch 'a different wards, charms t'clean food 'n drink, and a bunch 'a others. This ain't stuff I'd normally share - it's fer the teachin', and 'cause I ain't sure it's goin' t'matter in the time t'come."

Leaf through th'pages. Some ovvit's stuff've seen b'fore 'r could piece t'gether....stuff outta books printed hundreds'a years 'go. "Y'know how old somma'is stuff is?" I says. "Somma'is stuff goes back gen'rations. Real big on trad'tion, yer fam'ly, yeah?"

Page through the'papers. Some ovvit I know. Th'charm fer goin' dim I know. Somma th'wards I know too.... "S'good stuff," I says, noddin'. "Now, didja wanna talk 'bout'is, 'r wuzzis jes' fer me t'keep?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Y'know how old somma'is stuff is? Somma'is stuff goes back gen'rations." I give her a look and say "Yeah, it does. My Family's." "Real big on trad'tion, yer fam'ly, yeah?" I nod. "It's bin 'round fer a long, long time, and those 'r from the family journals." There's other stuff in the journals, but some things are only fer the Family. Heck, some 'a them are only fer part 'a the Family.

She lee[s lookin' through, noddin' as she does. "S'good stuff," she says after she's gone through most 'a it. "Now, didja wanna talk 'bout'is, 'r wuzzis jes' fer me t'keep?" I take a sip 'a my coffee. "Some 'v it I know by heart, 'n I bin doin' since I was old 'nough t'be trusted with it. But some 'a the other stuff... I got a hard time with most 'a the real enchantments, and unless I got a long time like at home, I can't ward off more 'n insects, vermin, and plague." I get up 'aside her and show her one group 'a pages. "This one ain't complete - it says so in the journal - but it's supposed t'ward off demons. I dunt know how t'finish the signs 'r the rite, and I ain't 'bout t'summon somethin' t'try it out with." The journal says 'To warde off deevils and imps', but I dunt know if that's specific 'r just old words fer the Adversary's minions.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Girl gives me a bit ovva look. Still got claws, 'is one, even if'n th'psycho monster scared th'piss out ovver. "Yeah, it does. My Family's. It's bin 'round fer a long, long time, and those 'r from the family journals."

Smile a bit, "Ain't what I mean. I mean, 'is stuff real old witch stuff, not jes' yer fam'ly's. Look;" take onna m'own books, onna th'ones Management gave t'me a million fuckin' years 'go, open't t'a page s'gotta few wardin' charms lots like th'ones she's got listed. "Yer fam'lies added't's own li'l touches, but th'roots go way back...back t'b'fore yer fam'ly 'zisted, mebbe. Ain't really sure how old...but old. Bloody fuckin' old." Set th'book down so she c'n page through't if'n she likes. Only fair, 'm thinkin'.

"Some 'v it I know by heart, 'n I bin doin' since I was old 'nough t'be trusted with it. But some 'a the other stuff... I got a hard time with most 'a the real enchantments, and unless I got a long time like at home, I can't ward off more 'n insects, vermin, and plague." flips through somma th'papers 'n pulls out one spell, "This one ain't complete - it says so in the journal - but it's supposed t'ward off demons. I dunt know how t'finish the signs 'r the rite, and I ain't 'bout t'summon somethin' t'try it out with."

Whistle real soft. She wants t'try th'heavy shit. But'en given what we got'ere guess I can't be too s'prised. "Well...few spells innat book'ere 'gainst demons...used'em few times, but never 'gainst nothin' big. Imps'n such. Incubus once." That fella wuzza right bitch t'drive out. "Nothin' more'n'at...'less see if'n we can't find somethin' sim'lar in'ere, yeah?"

If'n we can...well, might start layin' a few wards, see if'n she might be int'rested'n helpin' out. Might be fun.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She gives me a small smile. "Ain't what I mean. I mean, 'is stuff real old witch stuff, not jes' yer fam'ly's. Look;" she goes and grabs a book 'n thumps it down, flippin' t'some pages with a few familiar-lookin' wards. Yer fam'lies added't's own li'l touches, but th'roots go way back...back t'b'fore yer fam'ly 'zisted, mebbe. Ain't really sure how old...but old. Bloody fuckin' old."

Huh. I flip idly through the pages, notin' what's in them. 'S true - lots 'a these are real similar t'what we use. The ingredients ain't all the same, and they dunt all work quite the same way, but it's there. It's still a bit surprisin' t'see it, even knowin' Syl dint get her magic from our blood.

She gives a small whistle when I show her the devil-ward. "Well...few spells innat book'ere 'gainst demons...used'em few times, but never 'gainst nothin' big. Imps'n such. Incubus once." She sounds cautious, but interested. "Nothin' more'n'at...'less see if'n we can't find somethin' sim'lar in'ere, yeah?"

I nod. "I dunt know that it'd keep off anythin' strong, but it's somethin'. If we looked through some 'a what you got we might be able t'fill in the gaps some. Or if you got any good ideas fer it..." I shrug. It's why I came t'her, 'cause fer all the stuff in the journals she's bin doin' this longer. "I dunt know how we'd test it, mind."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Watch'er flip through th'book. 'member how 'scited I got when I wuz first lookin' through it, how I wondered if'n I really haddit in me t'make alla'is happen. An' wuz even better when I found out I could. Could 'n still can.

I pick m'spiked coffee back up when we got back t'talkin' 'bout t'talkin' 'bout demons. Reckon'll need't. "I dunt know that it'd keep off anythin' strong, but it's somethin'. If we looked through some 'a what you got we might be able t'fill in the gaps some. Or if you got any good ideas fer it...I dunt know how we'd test it, mind."

"This kinda shit's always th'nastiest, cuzzere really ain't no way t'test it," I sigh. "'less'n y'got someone wit'a captive demon, annat's hard t'come by. S'a few spells at'll im'tate d'monic energy, bu's never quite th'same's th'real thing. S'jes' onna those thin's y'don't never know fer sure 'til crunch time." Sigh'n page through th'book. "Gets real tricky, d'monic shit. Y'gotta know 'zactly what sorta demon ye're dealin' wit', 'r else y'c'n piss't right off. 'r make't stronger. 'r both." 'nother gulp'a coffee. "Sex demons like incubi...'ey come in through dreams, so y'use dream herbs like mugwort, holy metals like gold, t'banish'em. Other critters...well, s'diff'rent. An' y'don't never wanna fuck't up 'n use th'wrong rite. Not never." S'parta why workin' wit' demons's so fuckin' dang'rous...wouldn' even've tangled wit' th'incubus even'e hadn't been fuckin' th'daughter'a th'house raw. Girl wuz 'bout seven eighths dead by th'time I got'ere.

"...hope ye're not plannin' t'try banishin' th'psycho monster, cuzzi don't think'e'd take too well t'at."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She watches me skim through her book, sippin' her coffee. "This kinda shit's always th'nastiest, cuzzere really ain't no way t'test it," she sighs, "'less'n y'got someone wit'a captive demon, annat's hard t'come by. S'a few spells at'll im'tate d'monic energy, bu's never quite th'same's th'real thing. S'jes' onna those thin's y'don't never know fer sure 'til crunch time." She comes over 'n pages through one 'a the books. Gets real tricky, d'monic shit. Y'gotta know 'zactly what sorta demon ye're dealin' wit', 'r else y'c'n piss't right off. 'r make't stronger. 'r both." I nod. "Most 'a the stuff in the journals is pretty general, but some 'a the bigger stuff's pretty specific. 'N a lot 'v it, like the demon ward, assumes there's some stuff you know that must 'a bin common when it was written." I know fer sure there's some parts where it says 'As in so-and-so's book', 'r '...which is recorded in full in such-n-such'.

"Sex demons like incubi...'ey come in through dreams, so y'use dream herbs like mugwort, holy metals like gold, t'banish'em. Other critters...well, s'diff'rent. An' y'don't never wanna fuck't up 'n use th'wrong rite. Not never." I nod again, 'cause while I dint know the details I kind 'a figured. It ain't like wardin' off vermin from houses 'r illness from wells. She looks off fer a sec, 'n then looks hard at me. "...hope ye're not plannin' t'try banishin' th'psycho monster, cuzzi don't think'e'd take too well t'at."

I snort. "I bleedin' well know better 'n that. I was in my place 'a power, bin buildin' it up since I were a girl. And it brushed me right away. No, I figure it could be useful if it's got minions 'r imps 'r such. I bet it'd keep someone carryin' somethin' bad inside 'a them away, too." Now that one'd be useful. There's stories in the book 'bout demonic possession, and it seems like that'd be a bigger danger, fer now.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Girl snorts when I ask if'n she's plannin' t'tty drivin' th'psycho monster out. "I bleedin' well know better 'n that. I was in my place 'a power, bin buildin' it up since I were a girl. And it brushed me right away."

Jes'well; if'n 'at had been 'er plan, woulda tossed'er out. Ain't got time fer idjits'r su'cides. "No, I figure it could be useful if it's got minions 'r imps 'r such. I bet it'd keep someone carryin' somethin' bad inside 'a them away, too." Right. See what she's gettin'at.

Coffee's done, 'n more'd serve nothin' but t'get me drunk. Light up 'nother cig 'stead, offer'er one. "Well, ain't heard'a no cases'a possess'on," Though wuzn'at what I thought when I first met wit' Maryk 'n Leah? "But 'e's got thin's runnin' 'round, no mistake. Still ain't th'sorta thin's I'd try tanglin' wit'. One's a fire critter...heard'a djinns 'r genies?". Smirk's I take a drag. "this one getsis kicks grantin' people's wishes'n real nasty ways...like takin' 'way someone's nightmares by makin' sure 'ey never sleep 'gain.". Never did hear back from'em. Guess she croaked. "th'other's...fuck, y'know yet Bible...y'know who Lilith is?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She lights up another smoke 'n offers me one. I take it with a nod. "Well, ain't heard'a no cases'a possess'on," she says, and I'm guessin' she means since she came here, since it comes up some in the journals. "But 'e's got thin's runnin' 'round, no mistake. Still ain't th'sorta thin's I'd try tanglin' wit'. One's a fire critter...heard'a djinns 'r genies?". Her lips twist some. "This one getsis kicks grantin' people's wishes'n real nasty ways...like takin' 'way someone's nightmares by makin' sure 'ey never sleep 'gain."

I think. "There's some stuff in the journals and in the Book 'bout not makin' deals with stuff as offers, though I ain't heard 'a 'Djinn' 'afore. But I get what your sayin'." She goes on. "Th'other's...fuck, y'know yet Bible...y'know who Lilith is?"

"I - no, I dunt know that name. It ain't in the Book." That one I'm sure 'a. There's plenty 'a strange names in the Book, but none that sound like that one.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"There's some stuff in the journals and in the Book 'bout not makin' deals with stuff as offers, though I ain't heard 'a 'Djinn' 'afore. But I get what your sayin'." she says, thinkin'.

"Deals's wit' th'big fella, I think. This one's wishes. Think's gettin' safer jes' not t'ask fer nothin' innis town."

I mention Lilith, an'en she frowns. "I - no, I dunt know that name. It ain't in the Book."

"Yeah, seem t'recall'is story gettin' taken out. Onna'ose't don't 'flect too well on God, so 'ey d'cided'ey could do wit'out't." Smirk. "Lilith wuz th'first women, made th'same way Adam wuz, not from'im th'way Eve wuz. 'scept Lilith d'cided she liked t'be on top when'ey fucked; felt she wuz Adam's equal. Couldn't have'at, a'course, so God booted'er from th'garden 'n made Eve. Lilith wandered 'round, real pissed off, 'n founda buncha demons t'fuck an'en gave birth t'even more." Shrugged. "S'a cool story, too bad th'lady'erself's a right bitch."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Deals's wit' th'big fella, I think", she says. "This one's wishes. Think's gettin' safer jes' not t'ask fer nothin' innis town." I nod, not willin' t'make any comments on her correction. "There's plenty 'a stories and such that warn off wishes and deals and such. I wouldn't trust nothin' like that not t'go wrong, not without God's help." And on this I know better 'n her. We're still payin' fer that help, but it's better 'n the alternative.

"Yeah, seem t'recall'is story gettin' taken out. Onna'ose't don't 'flect too well on God, so 'ey d'cided'ey could do wit'out't." She smirks at me, 'n I dunt say nothin'. The girls in the Family dunt worship the same as the boys, but we live by the Book, mostly. "Lilith wuz th'first women, made th'same way Adam wuz, not from'im th'way Eve wuz. 'scept Lilith d'cided she liked t'be on top when'ey fucked; felt she wuz Adam's equal." That makes my eyebrows shoot up. "Couldn't have'at, a'course, so God booted'er from th'garden 'n made Eve. Lilith wandered 'round, real pissed off, 'n founda buncha demons t'fuck an'en gave birth t'even more." She shrugs at me. "S'a cool story, too bad th'lady'erself's a right bitch."

I laugh. "She went off 'n got herself pregnant by demons 'cause she dint like takin' bottom with her man?" I shake my head. "So all 'v it could 'a bin avoided by Adam takin' a turn on his back?" That dunt sound like much in the Book. "I dunt know Syl, the whole thing sounds kind 'a silly. So what, she's here in town?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Starts laughin' after I finish th'tale. Ain't s'prised. "She went off 'n got herself pregnant by demons 'cause she dint like takin' bottom with her man?" she says, "So all 'v it could 'a bin avoided by Adam takin' a turn on his back?" shakes'er head, still smirkin'. "I dunt know Syl, the whole thing sounds kind 'a silly. So what, she's here in town?"

"Don't sound no siller t'me'n God kickin'us all outta Par'dise cuz ovva damn apple. 'e didn' think mebbe wuzza good idea not t'stick't right innour faces?" Shrug. Ain't m'place t'tell'er what t'b'lieve, but always seemed pretty fuckin' stupid t'me. "But yeah, she's 'ere. In th'Carn'val, in fact." Feel m'face twist at'at. Hopefully not fer much fuckin' longer. An' she's in league wit' th'psycho monster, an' she's almost's tough's'e is."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Don't sound no siller t'me'n God kickin'us all outta Par'dise cuz ovva damn apple. 'e didn' think mebbe wuzza good idea not t'stick't right innour faces?" She shrugs, 'n I dunt say nothin' 'cause I ain't here t'get in an argument with her, and she looks like she's goin' t'drop it. She gets a look, kind 'a sour 'n angry, 'n adds "But yeah, she's 'ere. In th'Carn'val, in fact. An' she's in league wit' th'psycho monster, an' she's almost's tough's'e is."

Well, fuckin' hell. "And you dunt feel safe with that neither, I bet." I shake my head. "I know lots 'a you folks owe your management fer givin' you a place, and I know what you said earlier, but - " I dunt think I got the words, not in a way that won't be insultin'. "There ain't no way t'get rid 'a her, then?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Think she gets th'sitch right 'way. "And you dunt feel safe with that neither, I bet." she says, shakin'er head. "I know lots 'a you folks owe your management fer givin' you a place, and I know what you said earlier, but - " she trails off.

"-but'ey ain't doin' such a good job'a takin' care'a us, h,?" Smile 'n sit down, holdin' m'cig 'n one hand. "Yeah. Thought's 'ccurred t'some ovvus too. Don't change th'fact that lots ovvus don't got nowhere else t'go...'r else we got folks'ere we ain't 'bout t'leave b'hind. We ain't blind, Tess...we jes' don't got much'n th'way'a options."

"There ain't no way t'get rid 'a her, then?"

"Well..." Tap m'ashes inta'a bowl. "Well, mebbe yes, mebbe no. Me'n a couple friends'a mine, we's workin' on somethin' t'get'er out." Might kill me, but'en... "Might work, might not, bu's th'best chance we go s'far. An'I figure if'n we c'n get ridda 'er, might havva bit ovva chance 'gainst'im, yeah?" Wonder if'n mebbe somma'ese anti-demon charms might work 'gainst'er...would'a charm 'gainst a demon work gainst't's mama? Dunno. Prob'ly ain't th'safest way'a findin' out.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"-but'ey ain't doin' such a good job'a takin' care'a us, h,?" She gives me a smile 'n sits down. "Yeah. Thought's 'ccurred t'some ovvus too. Don't change th'fact that lots ovvus don't got nowhere else t'go...'r else we got folks'ere we ain't 'bout t'leave b'hind. We ain't blind, Tess...we jes' don't got much'n th'way'a options."

I guess she's right on that. I know more 'n a few folk here, her included, who wouldn't be welcomed in town. Heck, a few might not be able t'care for themselves proper without all this. "I suppose so. Got my sympathy, fer what it's worth." I'm livin' in a town with the Adversary, and she's livin' in a place run by his friends, with his girl smack in the middle 'v it. "Ain't nowhere really with good options, 'round here."

She sounds like she's got some kind 'v a plan on gettin' this Lilith gone. "Well, mebbe yes, mebbe no. Me'n a couple friends'a mine, we's workin' on somethin' t'get'er out." She sounds, I ain't sure, concerned? Bet it's a risk, if it's big 'nough t'get rid 'a somethin' like Lilith. "Might work, might not, bu's th'best chance we go s'far. An'I figure if'n we c'n get ridda 'er, might havva bit ovva chance 'gainst'im, yeah?"

"Maybe," I say kind 'a doubtful. "I dunt think you'd be able t'get her out 'a town altogether though. But you'd still be up one, gettin' her out 'a here." When it all comes down though, and the Book says that it always does, I ain't sure how much use it'll be. But it's somethin'. "D'you - d'you need help, with your plan? I know some things work better with more folk in the circle." It's got t'be witchcraft, right? Though maybe the Carnival's got somethin' different... "This is goin' t'be with your magician, ain't it? If he drove off the hound god, sure he could do the same t'this Lilith?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I suppose so. Got my sympathy, fer what it's worth."

Ain't worth much, t'be onnest, but... "'ppreciated."

"Maybe. I dunt think you'd be able t'get her out 'a town altogether though. But you'd still be up one, gettin' her out 'a here."

"Gettin'er outta'ere's m'main concern. Got nothin' 'gainst th'town, but this'ere's m'home, m'fam'ly. Wan'er out." Figure Tess understands'at.

Looks'a li'l worried. "D'you - d'you need help, with your plan? I know some things work better with more folk in the circle." Aw, honey. Reach over t'pat'er shoulder, say thanks, but don't wanna get'er hurt, when she says, "This is goin' t'be with your magician, ain't it? If he drove off the hound god, sure he could do the same t'this Lilith?"

...right, fergot she knew 'bout'at. "Yeah, Tez's helpin' out," I says, noddin', "him anna friend from town. But'ey's..." 'ey ain't likely t'die. "...well, 'ey's used t'is kinda thin', honey. Annis bitch's mighty tough. Don't wanna see ya get hurt."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"'ppreciated," she says kind 'a gruff. "Gettin'er outta'ere's m'main concern. Got nothin' 'gainst th'town, but this'ere's m'home, m'fam'ly. Wan'er out." I nod. I'd be doin' the same if there was somethin' on the farm like that - get it away from my family, and figure things out from there. "I get how it is."

She reaches over like she's goin' t'pat my shoulder, and I'm about t'tell she better not bloody patronize me when she stops 'n says "Yeah, Tez's helpin' out, him anna friend from town. But'ey's..." she pauses - "...well, 'ey's used t'is kinda thin', honey. Annis bitch's mighty tough. Don't wanna see ya get hurt."

My eyes narrow some, though I dunt glare 'cause it's her right. "I ain't yer 'honey', thanks. If you dunt want my help, you can just say it." I can't stand up t'the Adversary, but somethin' like this? If Syl can do it there ain't no reason I can't.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I ain't yer 'honey', thanks. If you dunt want my help, you can just say it."

Oh well somebody's on th'fuckin' rag. An's only cuzzI woulda likely said th'exact same bloody thin' when I wuzzer age 't stops me from bloody cuffin'er. Anyway, ferget she's near t'thirty, I guess. Fuckin'ell, don't lemme turn inta onna'ose old ladies't treats ev'rybody under forty like'a damn kid...

Well, might laugh if'n we wuzn't talkin' 'bout what we's talkin' 'bout. Azzit is, take th'last gulp'a m'coffee 'n 'shine 'n say, "In 'bout a week, me, Tez 'n our friend's gonna try a rite t'boost m'powers. 'bout a 50-50 chance it'll fuckin' kill me instead. Right now th'biggest question's whether 'm gonna cut off 'n ear, a finger 'r a couple toes t'help fuel't. Still wan'in?"

First time've said't so bloody bald. Take a long, slow drag offa m'cig, stubbit out, light up 'nother. Oh yeah, bitch, ye're dealin' wit'is real well.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She gets lookin' like she's goin' t'tell me off right back, but then she just drains her mug and gives me a strange look. "In 'bout a week, me, Tez 'n our friend's gonna try a rite t'boost m'powers. 'bout a 50-50 chance it'll fuckin' kill me instead. Right now th'biggest question's whether 'm gonna cut off 'n ear, a finger 'r a couple toes t'help fuel't. Still wan'in?"

She finishes her smoke 'n lights another one. Lookin' at her, I'm startin' t'see it's got t'be wearin' on her. She probably ain't bin sleepin' well, either. "I think an eye's more traditional." I ain't really jokin'. It's in one 'a the old stories. "'R a hand. So if you die, who's doin' the witchin' part? 'R if it gives you power but takes your witchin'?"

Hell. "There's no way t'better your odds?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Looks at me ferra minute. Fin'lly says. "I think an eye's more traditional. 'R a hand."

Smile. "Y'got th'right story. But 'ccordin' t'Verdi don't gotta b'n eye, 'r even a whole hand." Thank fuck. "Jes' gotta be flesh, an'a halfway decent chunk ovvit."

Quiet ferra a couple minutes, an'en she starts up 'gain. "So if you die, who's doin' the witchin' part? 'R if it gives you power but takes your witchin'?"

"Well, don't work like'at second 'ccordin' t'Verdi," I says, "an' we's workin' it so's't ties right inta th'witchin'." Tha's Tez's part's much's mine. "An' I dunno what th'plan is if'n I die. We ain't really talked'at part over." Mainly cuz when I even try t'bring't it Tez getsis look onnis face, 'is "I'm not thinking about this and you can't make me" look. Get th'feelin' if'n I die'e'll take Lilith onnis own...an' might be jes' pissed'er su'cidal 'nough t'take 'er down...even if'n'e goes too.

"There's no way t'better your odds?"

Smile kinda bitter. "From what I c'n tell, m'odds're already better'n'ose'a ev'rybody else't's ever tried'is. Got Verdi 'n Tez at m'back, an'ey know th'rite an' ready t'pull me out if'n thin's go t'shit." 'ssumin'er can. "'n ready t'look after me afterwards." Verdi's brew'll take care'a th'phys'cal wounds, if'n nothin' else. "Really ain't much else t'it. From what I c'n tell, all comes down t'will." Smile again 'round m'cig, an'is one feels a li'l more like a damn smile. "Good thin' I'm a stubborn cow."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

That gets me a smile. "Y'got th'right story. But 'ccordin' t'Verdi don't gotta b'n eye, 'r even a whole hand. Jes' gotta be flesh, an'a halfway decent chunk ovvit." She explains it some. "Well, don't work like'at second 'ccordin' t'Verdi, an' we's workin' it so's't ties right inta th'witchin'." She takes a drag on her smoke. "An' I dunno what th'plan is if'n I die. We ain't really talked'at part over."

I guess not - figure they'd all rather avoid the subject. I guess I'd be doin' the same, in their place. She gets a bitter look on her face. "From what I c'n tell, m'odds're already better'n'ose'a ev'rybody else't's ever tried'is. Got Verdi 'n Tez at m'back, an'ey know th'rite an' ready t'pull me out if'n thin's go t'shit. n ready t'look after me afterwards."

"Really ain't much else t'it," she says. From what I c'n tell, all comes down t'will. Good thin' I'm a stubborn cow." She smiles 'round her smoke as she does, and she looks more herself.

"I ain't 'bout t'argue that," I say, 'cause I knew it the first time I met her. It's kind 'a strange talkin' like this with her - it's pretty close stuff, 'n she and I... well, we ain't really friends. We do the same sort 'a work, 'n she's teachin' me some... I dunt know. It just seems kind 'a natural. "So, all that's left is t'do it. 'Luck t'you."

I stand up 'n stretch some, feelin' almost sore from sittin' still with all this serious talk. I nod t'her book 'n my papers. "Anythin' you'd like t'try out?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I ain't 'bout t'argue that," Tess says, annit's a good thin', cuz she'd lose. "So, all that's left is t'do it. 'Luck t'you."

"Thanks," I says, cuz'll take all th'luck I c'n bloody get. Dunno what I'd'a said if'n she still wanted in on th'rite. Let'er, I guess, but don't wanna see'er get killed. Bad 'nough if'n's jes' me.

Tess stands, stretches'er back 'n shoulders, an' thank fuck, she changes th'subject. "Anythin' you'd like t'try out?"

Nod 'n glance over th'papers. "Said y'managed t'ward off pests 'n sickness...y'ever try'is?" Hold uppa ward 'gainst thieves. Gotta sim'lar charm on somma th'cash boxes 'round, an' set in somma th'girls' rooms in th'Grindhouse. "Right handy, if'n y'c'n do'it right." An' somethin's nigglin' at me. Look down at'er wrist...don't feel th'same no more. "Somethin' wrong whichour ward?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," she says. She nods over t'the papers, sayin' "Said y'managed t'ward off pests 'n sickness...y'ever try'is?" She holds up her book, showin' off some symbols 'n words. "Right handy, if'n y'c'n do'it right." It look sort 'a familiar, but I shake my head. "It looks some like the ward I put up t'keep folk from bein' curious 'bout the farm, but that's 'bout it." She looks at my wrist, where the silver wardin' bracelet's still dead on my arm. "Somethin' wrong whichour ward?"

My mouth twists. "It ain't ever worked right - heck, you saw yourself it dint do nothin' when you hit me. And since - since I was gone, it ain't worked at all. Not after..." I dunt want t'think on it too much, not after all we bin talkin' 'bout.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"It looks some like the ward I put up t'keep folk from bein' curious 'bout the farm, but that's 'bout it."

I grin. "Same basic princ'pal, but'ere's all kindsa thin's y'c'n do wit'is charm...y'c'n make thin's scream if'n'ey's picked up, 'r make't so's 'ey can't be picked up...kinda like goin' dim, 'scept 'stead'a makin' folks think'ey ain't seein' somethin', ye're makin't seem like'ey ought not t'pick'em up. Y'see?" There's others too, if'n ye're bloody-minded...c'n make somethin' feel like's covered wit' needles, 'r like's on fire, 'r so cold th'skin freezes t'it...lotta thin's y'c'n do wit'a basic charm like'at, if'n y'got 'magination.

Looks mighty pissed when I point out'er bracelet. "It ain't ever worked right - heck, you saw yourself it dint do nothin' when you hit me. And since - since I was gone, it ain't worked at all. Not after..." trails off.

Right. "Well, wuzn't workin' quite like y'meant't to, but't wuz doin's best. Right now..." Lean over 'n touch't wit'a finger. Grimace. S'like...touchin' dead straw, lookin' atta candle's all burnt down'n puddled. Ain't nothin' left t'it. "Broke th'charm onnit. Jes' smashed't right down. Y'might b'able t'set'it back up, but most like...well, parta th'reason silver's so good't holdin' charms's cuzzit soaks magic right th'hell up. So like's not gotta li'l touch'a...well, a'what happ'ned still in'ere, an' like's not 'at li'l touch'll royally fuck up any other charm y'try t'lay onnit. Prob'ly best t'jes' toss't'n start anew."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She grins. "Same basic princ'pal, but'ere's all kindsa thin's y'c'n do wit'is charm...y'c'n make thin's scream if'n'ey's picked up, 'r make't so's 'ey can't be picked up...kinda like goin' dim, 'scept 'stead'a makin' folks think'ey ain't seein' somethin', ye're makin't seem like'ey ought not t'pick'em up. Y'see?" My eyes go a bit wide, 'cause I dunt think any 'a the stuff in the journals is that flexible. "You can change stuff 'round like that? I thought it always had t'be done the same way." We always take what's in the journals and do that. The idea 'a changin' what's in 'em... it just never really occurred t'me.

She takes a look at the bracelet. "Well, wuzn't workin' quite like y'meant't to, but't wuz doin's best. Right now..." She closer 'n flicks her finger along it, and looks like she bit somethin' sour. "Broke th'charm onnit. Jes' smashed't right down. Y'might b'able t'set'it back up, but most like...well, parta th'reason silver's so good't holdin' charms's cuzzit soaks magic right th'hell up. So like's not gotta li'l touch'a...well, a'what happ'ned still in'ere, an' like's not 'at li'l touch'll royally fuck up any other charm y'try t'lay onnit. Prob'ly best t'jes' toss't'n start anew."

Hell. "I ain't 'bout t'throw good silver away. D'you suppose meltin' it down 'n remakin' it as somethin' else would work?" I sure won't use it fer spellin', but it could still be somethin' useful 'r nice 'round the farm. Though thinkin' 'a that thing's power contaminatin' it, leechin' into me... "I might take another coffee like that last," I say, feelin' my face twist t'match hers.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Girl stares't me wit' huge eyes. "You can change stuff 'round like that? I thought it always had t'be done the same way."

Oh yeah, that there's th'trouble wit' trad'tion. Y'forget how t'change shit. "Oh yeah. Somma 'ese ol' spells're more flex'ble'n others...I mean, wouldn't wanna start playin' wit'ose anti-demon spells, fer 'zample. But th'minor charms like'at one're right fun t'play wit. Fer th'screamin', y'toss in a li'l mandrake, couple thin's t'make't sens'tive t'touch...oh, there's all sortsa thin's y'c'n try, if'n y'know wha'chour doin'." Girl's been missin' out on halffa th'fun'a'is job.

Looks real upset when I tell'er 'bout'er bracelet, though. "I ain't 'bout t'throw good silver away. D'you suppose meltin' it down 'n remakin' it as somethin' else would work?"

Frown. "Mebbe." Touch th'bracelet 'gain. "If'n y'mix't wit gold...'r else summore silver, might b'able t'dilute't. Gold's real good for pur'fyin' shit." 'course, where's she gonna get'er hands on fuckin' gold? "But...s'a risk, y'know?"

She looks a bit sick. "I might take another coffee like that last,"

Smile. "Sure." Pour'er a cup, give'er a nice good dollop'a shine innit. "If'n's really'at prec'ous, y'c'n try t'pur'fy't, but really, if'n's got even a scrap'a 'at fucker's magic left innit...well, I sure's hell wouldn' trust't. If'n wuz me, I'd toss't on th'fire, toss th'ashes inna river, never look back." Don't want nothin' wit'at fucker's essence anywhere near me. No sir.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah," she says. "Somma 'ese ol' spells're more flex'ble'n others...I mean, wouldn't wanna start playin' wit'ose anti-demon spells, fer 'zample. But th'minor charms like'at one're right fun t'play wit. Fer th'screamin', y'toss in a li'l mandrake, couple thin's t'make't sens'tive t'touch...oh, there's all sortsa thin's y'c'n try, if'n y'know wha'chour doin'." I nod slow, but it makes sense. If you were willin' t'risk somethin' bad you could probably even shift stuff 'round t'get things that nobody even told you 'bout.

She frowns 'n touches the bracelet again. "Mebbe. If'n y'mix't wit gold...'r else summore silver, might b'able t'dilute't. Gold's real good for pur'fyin' shit." Hell, we ain't got much silver but we got a lot less gold. I nod as she pours me another drink. I gulp it too fast t'start 'n I feel it burn down. Let it - maybe it'll get rid 'a this sick feelin' I bin havin ever since I found out the Adversary's here. The only time that's gone 'way is when I bin with Kate, really.

She says other ways it might be fixed, but she dunt sound hopeful. "I guess you're right. Silver ain't easy t'come by, but it ain't worth that risk." I take a sip 'a the coffee. I'm still feelin' uneasy 'bout everythin', but the liquor's helpin'. "I dunt think I'm dealin' with all this so well as you, Syl."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, see th'look on'er face. C'n guess she didn' have much'n th'way'a gold. 'at bracelet's like's not th'biggest chunk'a silver she's ever seen in'er life. Damn. Bettin' she's gonna havva helluvva hard time replacin'at charm. Damn.

She starts gulpin'er coffee, like's water, an' almost chokes. Next sip she takes's a lot slower. "I guess you're right. Silver ain't easy t'come by, but it ain't worth that risk." Sips again, 'n sighs. "I dunt think I'm dealin' with all this so well as you, Syl."

"Well, y'get used t'it." I says, smilin' some. "Ain't th'first crappy sitch've found m'self in, lemme tellya. Hate gettin' stuck'ere, but least nobody's comin' after us 'r starvin' us...an'I been hurt worse'n'e did me b'fore." Ain't come s'close t'dying b'fore...but been hurt worse. Sure.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She watches me, and smiles at my words. "Well, y'get used t'it," she says. "Ain't th'first crappy sitch've found m'self in, lemme tellya. Hate gettin' stuck'ere, but least nobody's comin' after us 'r starvin' us...an'I been hurt worse'n'e did me b'fore."

I dunt like feelin' in awe 'v anyone. Nobody's better'n me, though I dunt mean it like I'm better 'n anyone else. But I'm white 'n sippin' down liquor t'try 'n deal with this, 'n she's sayin' it ain't so bad. She's seen worse. She's thinkin' on cuttin' away flesh fer a rite that could well kill her, and she's still smilin'. And all so she can protect her and hers. Maybe that's why I feel closer t'her 'n I ought. I understand that.

"I guess so," I say, lookin' at her. I never met a woman so tough 'n determined as her. Kate comes close, but she's sweet, 'n Syl's got this hard, thorny core runnin' through her. I ain't hero-worshippin' 'r nothin', but with the drink 'n my fear 'n her calm 'n everythin'... "Hey," I say, and I lean across 'n kiss her, a hard press 'a my lips t'hers. I feel like I'm pullin' courage from her with the touch. "You really are somethin', you know that?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I guess so." she says, real quiet-like. She's looking at me kinda funny, face still pale 'n kinda drawn, but lookin' at me like she's thinkin' 'bout somethin' too. "Hey," she says after a sec, an'en leans over'n kisses me. Not soft, th'way Verdi does...hard'n quick. "You really are somethin', you know that?" 's what she whispers, mouth still near-pressed t'mine.

....well. Ain't ev'ry day a pretty young girl comes t'm'wagon'n starts kissin' me. So I lean closer...hardly hafta move, she's so close now...'n kiss'er too, warm 'n hard. "Y'ain't so bad yerself," I says, smilin'. An' she is. Like'er. Girl's got real steel t'er. An' she's right pretty b'sides.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She leans forward the barest inch t'kiss me back, her mouth warm on my mine and tastin' 'a coffee 'n smoke 'n liquor. "Y'ain't so bad yerself," she says with a smile.

T'hell with it. I know this is a bad idea, fer all sorts 'a reasons, but I'm horny 'n scared 'n Syl dunt got no problems with this and ain't goin' t'tell it 'round. I shift over t'her lap, liftin' my face t'hers and kissin' her back harder now, my hands restin' on the hard lines 'a her thighs.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

....well, hell. Gotta split second t'wonder if'n'is's a good idea, what wit'er bein' drunk 'n scared 'n all....but she's a grown woman, an' she ain't passed out 'r nothin'. An' fuck...she's th'one crawlin' inta m'bloody lap 'n grabbin' m'thighs 'n alippin'er tongue inta m'mouth...

...an'm a li'l drunk m'self, ferrat matter. An' she feels mighty nice settled on m'lap like'at. 'member what'er legs look like under'at dress...

Pull'er close 'gainst me, mouths still pressed together. Slide onna m'hands under'er skirt, feel'er leg, smooth 'n sleek wit' muscle. Hand slides 'round, strokes up 'n down th'inside ovver thigh. Feels's nice's't looked. An'....oh, 's that what I think't is? Fuck, feels almost's big's mine. Gettin' t'like'is girl more'n more.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She pulls me in closer 'n I like the feel 'a her, tall 'n slim 'n strong, her hand slidin' under my skirt 'n 'long my leg. She strokes 'long my thigh 'n I tighten my hands on her, my breath comin' fast now. Her hand stops on my knife, slung loose along my thigh under my skirt, 'n I feel her grin 'gainst my lips.

I guess she ain't put off by it none though, 'n I start fumblin' at her shirt. I cant seem t'remember whether she's got buttons 'r not 'n I finally end up pullin' my mouth off 'a hers 'n liftin' it off over her head. Her breasts are lots smaller 'n mine, close 'n pointed, but they feel good as I put my hand t'them, squeezin' 'em and runnin' my thumb over her hard nipples.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Girl's pantin' now, breath comin' hot'n hard 'gainst m'neck. Hips'r startin' to grind 'gainst m'lap, an' she's op'nin'er legs so's I c'n get a better feel ovver. Knows I found'er knife too, an' don't seem t'mind't none. 'course, she c'n tell I got m'own at m'hip...

'er hands're at m'shirt, tuggin'n yankin' attit. Think ferra sec she's gonna rip't right off, which I wouldn't really mind, but'en she breaks th'kiss 'n yanks't over m'head. Like us'al I ain't got no bra, an'er hands know right where t'go. Arch m'back's she starts squeezin' m'tits, runnin'er thumbs over m'nipples. Damn, buttit feels nice.

She's got bloody shorts on under'er dress. Who needs fuckin' shorts under a dress? Slide th'hand on'er thigh up, under the leg'a th'shorts. She's already gettin' good'n wet. Slip m'finger up, over'er labia, an'en 'tween'em t'flick real quick over'er clit. Jes' t'see how she jumps. An'en grin's I pull m'hand out 'n take hold ovver waist, turnin'er 'round so she's straddlin' me proper.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Continued here (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/268480.html).