On the Pond (Joel, Open)

[neriumoleander]

About a half mile from Grimhilde Manor, beyond the land and in a thicket of overgrown trees, there lies a deep pond. It teems with life. Shimmers with magic and the surface is particularly exquisite under the full moon. It has been Nerium's place, since she was a child. Lonely and wandering her woods, she found the fish and frogs there not to be potion ingredients, but charming companions. Today there is another world there. Ruled by a family of mischievous water nymphs borne of a spell of Nerium's long ago. Magic breeds magic and soon the pond was home to grindylows, ashrays, bunyip, and kappas - even miniature hippocamps. They regard Nerium as a goddess. For her, they are her closest friends - along with the ravens and other creatures of the manor. 



She often floats a canoe to the center to think or reflect on a new spell. Today she is there with a book in hand, and several others resting at the floor of the canoe. She is a bookseller now, during Rose's occasional stints at The Quill, and she must make her role believable. So she's gathered an assortment of books, those highly recommended and sought after. Others considered classics. 

Nerium is unsure how she feels about this boy wizard. He who survived a curse from the the great dark lord. 

"It is in poor taste to attack a child. But his wrong is seeking power for purely selfish gain. One will always be corrupted by the great dark forces if they are not dealt with accordingly. Sacrifice and worship." The water nymphs lean against the side of her boat, ever a captive audience. "Though this so-called hero is insufferable. Who cares of sport when there is magic to learn? Certainly all his brilliance comes from his female friend."

Perhaps Nerium likes the bushy-haired girl. Even if she was born of humans. Her power is the same.  

Comments

[neriumoleander]

Nerium hears the woman coming long before she arrives. Her thoughts are tumbling loudly in her mind and while she may be seeking solace in the woods it is ruining Nerium's.

She lets the girl approach before she waves her hand and the magic of the pond disappears behind an illusion of normalcy. Better left her questioning reality or a trick of the mind than performing a memory wipe on something so trivial. Confusion is a far grander state to create in any case.

Nerium appears to row the boat ashore. She stands and calls out. "You should not be here. This is my family's land."

[callmeemily]

Raleigh's eyes widen comically and she takes a step back - and has to grab ahold of a tree branch next to her so she doesn't tumble down onto her butt. "Oh, shit. Sorry- Sorry." She didn't know when she crossed from- well, probably none of this was general doesn't-belong-to-anybody land, but she hadn't seen any of the familiar black and orange signs screaming NO TRESPASSING that she was used to in Tennessee, so she hadn't-

Shit. Well, at least the lady didn't have a shotgun? "I'm- I'm just sort of leaving, then, I'm sorry, I didn't touch anything, and I'm not a hunter, okay?"

Stupid. Stupid, stupid. She realised suddenly that walking in the woods was stupid, because even if it wasn't a lady in a boat, she wasn't wearing orange and could totally be mistaken for a very loud, clumsy deer.

[neriumoleander]

Nerium lets the boat drift to shore, eyeing the girl with interest. She knows her of course, as she knows all in town. Raleigh Harper, the girl who came to town with a fake name. Who has already had quite the run in with a dark witch that Nerium would not wish upon another, and yet her goodness still shines through. Who is quite friendly with the man Joel and this fact makes Nerium suspicious that there may be more to her presence here.

"No, no hunter would have made it so far into these woods." She cocks her head at the girl. The human girl in her part of the wood. "This is not an easy path to find. There are dangers abound in these parts. How did you make your way here?"

[callmeemily]

Raleigh's brows furrowed together, and she actually glanced behind her - it just... looked like woods. "How? I just- I walked? I mean, I walked. It wasn't that hard, and I mean, I didn't- I should have thought about the fact that I might walk into a bear or something, but..." She shrugged her shoulders, and she's actually- How the hell did she get here?

"I just sort of.... went. You know?" She's hoping that the woman understands, and doesn't think she like.... did whatever she seemed to be implying. That Raleigh just like, zapped herself here, or whatever, maybe? "I didn't see any signs or anything, if I had, I wouldn't have come in this far. I didn't mean to trespass or whatever, I swear."

[neriumoleander]

Nerium connects with the roots and trees and brush about the woods. It grows around them, wild and untamed. A forest of strange and dangerous things. Which, in truth, it is.

"You must have wandered far from your trail. This is an unforgiving part of the wood for those who are unfamiliar."

She nods into the woods and a trail appears. Thin and winding, but distinct enough to follow. "There. That trail will return you to safer paths Raleigh Harper. I would advise you not to travel these parts again."

[callmeemily]

Raleigh turns to look at the trail, and her eyes widen comically - there hadn't been a trail there. She knows there hadn't, but there it is, and she just sort of.... stares for a second before she looks back at Nerium. "Thank you. Thanks... very much." Even though she doesn't know if she should really be thanking her, given that honestly right now? The most frightening thing that seems to be here is her, but Raleigh's still not going to look a gift-path in the mouth.

Shit. "Okay. I guess- Just... Thanks?" She backs up a step, before she finally turns and hurries down the path, not even sure what just happened.