The Enchanted Forest (Open; Backdated; Aftermath to Once Upon a Time plot)

[neriumoleander]

The metal pierces the dragon's chest, and through it, as the great beast crashes to the ground, its heart. The world quakes as the spell dies. Memories and realities ripple outwards in great waves of voluminous purple and sparks, though only the most sensitive to magic would see its traces. 

There is no time. Nerium apparates to the dragon's side in an instance, but the life has already gone. All is shattered. Her work, her dreams, the gift of magic she has brought upon all. But there is no time to mourn. No time to think of consequences. Traces of the dragon still burn, the spell is still alive within the wood. 

With a rush of whisper and prayer, Nerium closes her eyes and steps within the burning ash that was once a creature of magic. Her words offer sacrifice to the goddesses and to the great deities of old.

The final gust of wind rushes around her, through her, reaches inside of Nerium and pulls her apart. Something like a soul disperses through the woods, resting upon every tree, every trace of ground, every root and flower and animal until they are one. Nerium's magic leaves a silvery sheen upon all it touches. The quickly unraveling spell is repelled upon its boundaries and what remains is an Enchanted Forest, as wild and alive with magic and fantasy as Nerium's dreams.

And a woman. Just a woman. Whose magic has been sacrificed to a higher calling and lives within her no more.  

She stands there frozen for quite some time. Unsure now where the woods end and she begins. And when the final traces of magic finally leave her, Nerium collapses. 

The next several days are difficult. Even the most mundane tasks prove difficult without her innate skills. Steps heavy without levitation, candle flames exhaustively numerous to light. She still has her potions - her books and knowledge - but all that require a higher level of innate power are lost to her. 

It is no matter. She has brought magic back into the world. True, wild magic. When she walks into her wood, she is greeted by unicorns. The hooves of centaurs echo wild in the distance and the water nymphs which once lived only in her pond now inhabit all the waters of the wood.

Even if only a pocket, pure magic rests now in this world once more. And if this be her legacy, Nerium Oleander Grimhilde, Mother of Magic - it is all worth it. 

(ooc: Find Nerium in the woods or use this to address your character's aftermath of the spell)

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[aoife_coombs]

There was anger and loss and fear inside Aoife. Before she could be confronted with anything by anyone, she turned to the place where it had all started. The place that might still want her. No, the place that offered her a place, probably firmly beneath Nerium Grimhilde, but right now Aoife would accept it.

There was a song between the trees, making her light on her feet. Had things been really so awful? Had people been hurt? Had this Aoife been better than that Aoife?

[neriumoleander]

Nerium does not see Aoife coming. Does not detect even the trace of the girl's impending arrival as she gathers herbs and vegetables from her gardens. The work without aide is hard and heavy, and she wipes sweat from her brow before noting the shape in the hot sun. She is unused to being taken off guard, if not knowing what will happen before even the actors. But it is a newness she must learn to accept, must learn to improve her mundane senses in light of all else.

"Aoife." She is pleased to see the girl, surprisingly so, and she rises from the ground to stand in greeting. "You are welcomed home."

[aoife_coombs]

There is no fury nor arrogance in Nerium's held nor her voice, and it throws Aoife off for a moment. Has she been kept like this forest has been kept in its other glory? Is she still the righteous queen, instead of the arrogant mongerer?

The woman definitely didn't have a change of vocabulary. "I have no where else to go, right now. I need this."

[neriumoleander]

Nerium nods, though she no longer has the power to read the story behind the girls words. Surely it is much the same as it has always been. But perhaps everything too has been changed.

"You need no where else. This wood is a haven to all magic users who seek it. And it is more yours than most." Nerium kneels over the ground again, crumbling a shriveled fruit in her hands to help spread its seeds. "If you wish to stay you shall have it."

[aoife_coombs]

"Yes." Aoife was unsure if it was her accepting the offer of the woods, the welcome or agreeing to her need. "Nerium .."

Had the power of three not been enough to catch the sling-back? Had only Nerium been brought down like this, or did Aoife had to worry about Auryn as well? About herself? Was there still something to come for her?

The rain tried to get to her, but the forest roof was too thick. "I don't know if the elements will appreciate my permanent stay here. We need each other."

[neriumoleander]

"You and the elements need one another? I do not think they appreciate anything but nature." Nerium stands, wiping her hands against her dress. "But look around. That you have given them. More beautiful than anything seen since the time of olde."

[aoife_coombs]

"Now that sounds more like you, lady Grimhilde. For a moment I thought you had turned into something with a spine." It wasn't the banter of something between sisters, but it was close enough.

"It is beautiful and bright and dark at the same time. You did well. We did well." That was true, no matter what.

[neriumoleander]

"A spine? I do not think I understand." There are stains of soil and seed upon her dress and she stares at them for a moment remembering that she can no longer charm the mess out with a few words. The ponds perhaps, she thinks. Maybe the nymphs will assist her.

She smiles nonetheless at the girl's words, eyes twinkling as the silvery tinged woods reflect. "We did very well. The world has been changed. The rebirth of pure and wild magic. May you recognize always the threads you sewed in destiny."

It is Nerium's above all, that is truth. Her sacrafice to keep the magic going was hers alone. But Aoife helped to forge the spell, and her hand is due its pride.

[aoife_coombs]

"That's another clue about how you haven't changed entirely. Come here, Nerium." She beckons her, offers her open hand to take it. There's a weakness to the woman Aoife can't handle, and although she has never had those kind of powers, somehow she knows that she can discover how to align this world to both of their needs.

"Maybe this mean I will leave something to this world, after all."

[neriumoleander]

"I am uncertain I know what you mean." Her head tilts as she continues examining the girl, trying to take in from her words and stance all she could normally read from the traces and threads of pasts and presents and futures woven around her. "I am the same. But I guess... I am quite different too."

Nerium takes a few steps forward as Aoife calls her forward, but she stops at the open palm, eyeing the hand, observing it without yet taking it before returning her eyes to the girl.

"You have left the world a great deal. But just because I have found mine destiny does not mean yours is complete yet. You are young Aoife Coombs."

[aoife_coombs]

"Really, that again? So are you, Nerium. And you do not carry the world on your shoulders anymore, so try to unwind a little."
She searches the woman's face. "The dragon.. Did its death touch you in more than an emotional way? Is that what this is, are you drained?"

[neriumoleander]

"Oh Aoife. Do you not know? Can you not feel it?" Nerium looks up into the trees, traces of silver shining in answer. "The spell broke but the magic remains here. I gave mine to preserve it. It rests now in the woods here, in the enchantments and creatures and trees."

[aoife_coombs]

"You are without magic? Completely? But that's.. You're a Grimhilde." She frowns. "That's not right. What will we do about it?"
It feels like she need to do so.

[neriumoleander]

"You are correct." She remains rooted in her stance, staring up at the trees. "I am a Grimhilde. Destined for great purpose and power. I have found mine."

Nerium turns to look back at Aoife, a soft smile upon her face. "I am not without magic. I am within magic."

[aoife_coombs]

"Is this where you tell me that we have to cherish our pasts?" Aoife didn't understand a thing about all this, no matter how good it felt. "Or are you for once are going to listen to me, instead of lecturing me."

[neriumoleander]

Nerium closes her eyes. "I have no lecture. Nor words of the past. My interest now rests in presents and futures. What wish you to say?"

[aoife_coombs]

"I.." It has never been this easy, getting a word in.
"Are you sure this will last forever. The forest? And ..is this where you will stay for the rest of your time?"

[neriumoleander]

"It is protected. Mine sacrafice shields its boundaries from all harm. Like a living thing it may fade, die. But imbued with magic, it should last centuries. Millennia maybe, if well cared for."

"It has always been my home. And it will remain such. Where else would I ever wish to be?"

[aoife_coombs]

"Maybe I don't want to feel. My mother always said that I was too stubborn to feel about the rest of the magical world. My elements may well be enough."

She circles. "But it does feel good. Feel right. Well done."

[just_another]

It's been a few days since the baby shower and Joel has had some time to digest what Les has told him, to turn it over in his mind and consider it some. He's spoken with Spencer about it, given his thoughts on the situation and his husband, as always, had encourage him to speak to Nerium before he really made any assumptions based on what he's been told. The days that have passed haven't done much to make him any less bothered by the idea that their memories had been altered, but Spencer is right. They've both been the victim of gossip and it wouldn't be fair for Joel to not give Nerium the benefit of the doubt.

So he goes to the edge of the woods and waits for her to realize he's there. She always has before and he expects she will now. She's just always known and he glances down at his phone, reading a text from Spencer, then looks up again as he waits for her.

[neriumoleander]

There is a foal. A unicorn foal that seems to have been born the eve Nerium gave herself to the forest. It does not fear her. It seems to recognize her as a part of its home, as natural and unoffensive as the trees and flowers that line the woods.

The woods look different now. No longer deep and imposing, promising the foreboding of dark magic, instead it shines with lush beauty, babbling streams and sunlight which pours down between the leaves in golden rays. Outside the world has returned to the mundane, but here the wild magic of olde reigns.

Nerium crouches in one of these sun patches, dark hair reflecting unexpected streaks of light as she holds her palm out to the unicorn foal. It greedily licks at the sugar cubes she offers, flipping its tail in happiness until the stranger is detected. The unicorn stiffens, frozen in fear. Nerium too is momentarily startled, still unused to needing use natural senses to detect others.

She gently pats the foals head and inches forward towards the trees where the figure stands. It takes a few moments in the glare of the sun to realize who it is, but once she does,

"Joel. Welcome." Nerium greets him with a smile, holding her palm back out to the unicorn to let it know that it is safe. "It is beautiful, is it not?"

[just_another]

"It's... it is," he says after he's taken a moment to register the changes. It's not just the forest that's changed, though, it's Nerium as well and he tries to figure out what that might mean. Everything is different and although Joel is still angry that his memory had been altered, he doesn't know what to say or do, not when there are so many things about this entire scenario that are all but unrecognizable.

His head tilts a little at the sight of the creature she's holding her hand out toward. "Is that a unicorn?"

He's a witch, he lives in a town filled with siren, his husband spent two weeks as a merman who had been granted legs, but there's still something about a unicorn that seems so unbelievable. Like it's one step too far.

[neriumoleander]

Nerium answers with a sereneness never before heard in her voice. But it is not just the serenity of witnessing her legacy, of living amongst her dreams. There is an air of detachment there, one that has not truly accepted yet all that she has sacrificed.

"It is." She nods, returning her attentions to the unicorn foal and letting it nuzzle up to her once more. "The spell lives on here."

[just_another]

"So you were responsible for it, then," he says. He's never seen her like this and he isn't sure what to make of it, but the confirmation that she had been the one to do the spell makes his heart sink.

He'd wanted it not to be true. He'd wanted Les to be wrong. Despite the fact that he and Spencer had come out of the two weeks relatively happy isn't the point. He had seen the guilt in Coop's eyes, he'd even seen it in April and while he doesn't particularly like her, he doesn't think she deserves that either. None of them deserved any of it.

[neriumoleander]

"But of course." Nerium diverts her attention from the foal to Joel, trying to read his tone of voice. "Who else would have that sort of power? It was mine destiny. I believe it always was." Where once the comment may have been laced with arrogance, it now only carries the same hint of detachment, of perceived enlightenment. Nerium tilts her head to address the forest around them. "It all rests here now."

[just_another]

His brow creases as he studies her, trying to decide if it's even worth the conversation. No matter what, Joel doubts she regrets the spell.

"Why?" he asks. There's no reason good enough for having manipulated people in that way, but he wants to know. He wants to hear it from her lips. Magic is more important than anyone, that's what he thinks it comes down to for Nerium and he wants her to say it.

[neriumoleander]

"What do you mean why?" There's a light defensive edge that lines her words, as her eyes narrow in an attempt at understanding his question. It is as plain as life itself. "For you. For all of us. To bring true magic back into this world lest it fade away to a thing of tales."

[just_another]

"But you manipulated people in order to do it," he says, watching her closely. He isn't angry, he's mostly just sad and a little disappointed because he'd really felt like Nerium was a friend. Maybe an unusual friend, but it isn't like Joel isn't strange himself in a lot of ways.

He wants to trust her and right now he isn't sure he can.

"I know it worked out for me and Spencer, but you took my husband away from me," he says, his voice still soft. "You took memories. You twisted people to be something else without their permission. You understand that, right?"

[neriumoleander]

"I did not." Nerium turns away again, stroking the foals silvery mane. "The spell was borne to return this town to magic of olde, as it was. How the spell manifested in truth - true wild magic has proved as unpredictable as it is beautiful."

"You found your love again though, did you not?"

[just_another]

"So because it was unpredictable that rids you of responsibility?" he asks, his brow still creased. His chest sort of hurts and he rubs at it uncomfortably before he sighs, the sound heavy and long. "People were hurt. That's not beautiful. Whether or not Spencer and I found each other isn't the point. The lives of the people in this town aren't things to be toyed with."

He pauses, then says, "My life isn't something to be toyed with."

[neriumoleander]

"You misunderstand. I accept full responsibility. Gladly." Her eyes flash cold and angry, a glimmer of her former self. "And you forget who I am. It has been the nature of Grimhildes to toy with others since before humans were even conceived. I at least sought to do something good with it. I chose a destiny greater than all of us. I am sorry you cannot see that but you seem no worse for wear."

"People may have been hurt. People will always be hurt. That is life. I will not apologize for that. Now there is magic to heal. To provide wonders unseen in your human's foresaken plastic-coated world."

Her shoulders straighten and she stands proud, the entirety of the enchanted woods seemingly moving and shifting around her. "You may accept that or not. But there is no wrong in what has been created here."

[just_another]

At that Joel bristles and feels something cold and hard drawing tight around his heart. "You're right," he says. "How stupid of me to think of you as a person in your own right and a friend before I thought of you as a Grimhilde."

He hadn't come here for apologies. He had wanted to know why and now he does. From what he can tell, as far as Nerium is concerned, he'll only ever be a pawn and that realization bites into him, stinging.

"Enjoy your forest," he says, turning to go.

[neriumoleander]

Nerium is surprised by the harshness of his tone. That he could look upon the magic here and see anything but beauty. It is not for her. She did it for all. But she needs not his acceptance, nor friendship. That is something she has never needed. Though perhaps it was nice for a time. She has a new world now.

"I am sorry I will not be able to give your daughter a gift as I promised." She calls out as he turns to go, voice as simple as if she was remarking upon the weather. "I have no more magic left to give. But I thought she might like to visit here one day. Do not all little girls dream of unicorns? Fairy tales? She can be born into a world that has real magic now. As the creatures in these woods are like mine own children."

[just_another]

Joel just feels tired now. Tired and sad. He pauses when Nerium speaks and shakes his head without turning back to look at her. It is a beautiful place, he hasn't once said otherwise, but beauty is more than sunlight and magnificent creatures. Beauty is found in love and kindness and warmth and sharing. It's found in other people and he doesn't know how to say that to her, not in a way that will make it feel the way he does inside.

"You can't live in a fairy tale, Nerium. Sooner or later, real life finds you," he says, his voice soft. "Any child of mine is going to know how to be kind to people and that doing things to them against their will, no matter the intention, is wrong. I'm sorry you won't be able to give my baby a gift, too, but it's not lack of magic that prevents that."

This is all she has left now, he realizes. And a part of him still wants to reach out to her, but he thinks of how horrified Coop had been, he thinks of his own memories gone, Charlotte and his parents simply willed out of existence and he can't. He's too afraid of it happening again.

[neriumoleander]

"You are a witch. Why is a world of magic any lesser reality?"

She wishes no debate, nor does she allow his words to hurt her which seems the intent, however confused Nerium may be by it. If he cannot see this world, he need not have any part of it. The magic remains, renewed and rebirthed nonetheless. Yet Nerium watches him go still, feeling a stirring of sorts she cannot quite place.

"You may still take a flower for her, if you wish." She points to a thick patch beneath a nearby set of trees. "The blue are healing. The yellow prevent nightmares."

"You need not return here if you do not wish. But it will remain open to all who are friends of magic."

[do_what_thou_wilt]

Auryn's had a lot of thinking to do. Since the spell broke, he's having to confront the reality of it - how much will was exerted over the agency and choices of others, what control they lost over its intent -- and more, how it ended. He's never been afraid of violence, of protest, but he's reactionary. He'd expected push back against their magic, had welcomed it, the unveiling of who was most afraid of this power. He hadn't expected a pre-emptive strike, against another witch of all things.

He understands where it came from. But he's a little angry, too, at the ease at which she - they - could have killed someone who wasn't strictly their enemy but now undoubtedly is. He can feel the anger in the town and he's not sure what comes next.

It doesn't sit well with him; makes him question too many things, and he's found himself avoiding talking to anyone while he sorts out feelings he had thought were set in stone. He's more grateful now, than ever, for the little house he's made himself, away and warded in a forest that is now more magical for what she's given up.

That, at least, he can't help but hold in regard, awe, her lack of selfpreservation to preserve the magic in these woods.

It's thinking about things, letting himself get lost, that he sees her, and his discomfort fades in the face of how exhausted she looks. "Nerium?"

[neriumoleander]

It takes her some time to find him. The forest looks anew, even if it is now almost a part of herself, and without her tracking spells, locating something within is quite a bit more difficult than she's had to contend with.

For days, maybe longer, she has maintained only a connection with the woods, ensuring the magic is secure, getting to know the creatures within, gathering precious tomes from the Manor and herbs and vegetables from the gardens. She's honestly quite uncertain if she's even slept. For a time, she felt transcendent. And she still does, here amongst the magic she's brought back to this world, bound with the core of her very existence. But undeniably, this life without her own innate powers has begun to wear at her. It is an odd thing to feel entirely transcendent while also vulnerable in a way never before felt.

And so one morning she sets off to find Auryn. They'd not seen one another since the spell. She thought for certain he would try to find her but perhaps her did not know. The sun is high by the time she finds him.

"Auryn." Nerium's brow is wet from the heat of the sun and she wipes it with a soft handkerchief. "I am glad to find you. I thought you might have come looking for me?" But thinking is different than knowing, and she no longer can read the lives and actions of others in the paths they weave.

[do_what_thou_wilt]

He'd thought about it - thought about her, more than once in the time spent collecting his thoughts. He'd been concerned for her safety, and he'd had so many uncertainties, and many times he'd nearly gone out in search of her. But maybe it was for the best: finding himself before he looked for her.

Still, there's a hopefulness in her tone that makes him feel guilty he didn't do it sooner. "I thought I might, too." He's still learning the newness of these woods, can feel the power she's put into them. They're still woods: he can trace them by sun and the tilt of plants, the side of tree moss grows on, the trails of animals. But there's something effervescent about them, and unknowable.

"The way it all ended, the dragon," he admits, "I wasn't ready for it." It's an apology, as much as she's likely to get for him not coming after her sooner. "I don't know what decisions were right."

He shakes it off and holds out a hand to her, palm open. "I don't live far from here. It's no castle, but -- you could come and get a drink?"

[neriumoleander]

"Your problem is thinking in right or wrong."

She stands there, watching him, observing him with a slight tilt of her head, finding no threads or traces around him to read his thoughts, his actions, the futures and pasts they connect to. He stands, as does she. And that is all there is.

"There simply is, was. We returned true magic to this world. I ensured its survival."

Her presence in the woods, pale and slightly wide-eyed, is reminiscent of a young doe. Taking in all around her as if it is brand new, but with a fragility that seems she might flee at the slightest upset.

But Nerium doesn't know this, as she hesitantly observes his palm. After a few moments she holds out a tentative palm and places it in his, still staring at their hands, uncertain as to what she is doing. "Yes, I believe that may be nice."

She longs for a brewed tea of her exotic herbs and fruits. But the manor is dangerous for those not most excelled in magiks - even to Nerium. She needs to call upon Leslie Parker. He can seal it. Ensure it is safe and she will find... somewhere else. A nice stone cottage. Perhaps she can entice him to build it in exchange for the return of his soul part. But for now... Nerium thinks Auryn's home might be a welcome reprieve.

[do_what_thou_wilt]

He restrains a bristle when she tells him what his problem is. "I don't mean good or evil." He shakes his head slightly. "Magic doesn't exist one without the other, I know well enough to know that." He gives her an eyebrow raise at her pedantic tone. "But this magic you sacrificed so much for -- you made that decision because it was right to you. Right, in the heart of you." He touches his chest. There are things that are innate.

"Davin --" He shakes his head. "He hasn't grown into his power, he cares too much about that Thornton to use it the way it deserves, but he's trusted me before. Our dragon would have killed him and now --." And now she's lost her power, too, and for what? To pre-emptively destroy another witch that could easily have been brought to realize how dangerous humans are? And now is more powerful than Nerium and counts her as an enemy. There's nothing about having the dragon strike first that he feels like defending, and even less about the way winds have turned now.

He's angry about her decision making, but he can't bring himself to be anything but resigned. She's right. There is and was. It's in the past and now they must deal with what's to come. He looks at the ground, back up at her, and really looks, taking her in.

She looks fragile, or new somehow, and he thinks, it's not because of lack of experience; it's because of lack of exposure. The world which he has weathered and built a shell against -- emotionally, toward those who because of his magic or poverty, his outsider status or accent or any manner of things, but also physically -- is something she has always had magical barriers to protect her from. Those are gone now and he finds himself feeling protective, even as he's frustrated.

He looks at their hands when she takes his. There's something a little awkward and new about the way she reaches for him, too, like she's never held hands before. Maybe she hasn't. There's a trust to that. "Now, it's over. Come on." He tugs her hand a little, with a small smile, turning to lead her back towards his home.

Auryn finds himself walking beside her instead of leading, and fills a suddenly pregnant quiet with occasional pointing out tricky spots in the path, brisk comments on little things that seem to have changed in the wood, new growth from the spring and altogether new signs of wild magic. The wards around the clearing are still perfectly designed to lead someone astray, and Nerium would perhaps be caught in them now that she's given her magic to the wood, but her hand in his, he steps through and the cottage makes itself clear, small and spiraling, the tree's new growth growing around the upper level it supports.

Iron over the door, flowers and herbs drying in the kitchen, water filter straining rain: everything built with his hands. He heads up the few steps ahead of her to unlock the door with a touch and open it for her. "Home sweet home," he jokes dryly, aware of what must look small and spare to her, though it is his home as much as anything ever really has been.

[neriumoleander]

"You are upset?" Her head tilts to the side, confused, feeling a sense of rawness in response to his words she does not quite understand in herself. "I did as I needed to protect mine creation, as any mother would her child who is threatened. I am truly sorry if your friend was hurt but I make no apology for my action." Nerium is uncertain truly why she is even apologizing for harming his friend. She feels no need, no wrong done. But Auryn was a part of this. Perhaps something she's nearly considered something of a friend, and with that comes a feeling of accountability she is unused to. And this perceived connection, whatever it may be, is what allows her to take his hand, however odd and full of hesitation she may be. It is nice, maybe. This new existence has left her uncertain, unsteady, and he brings some leveling to that.

As they travel, various creatures of the forest flock to her. Fireflies and fairies fly around her to light the path. Nerium does not call them forth. She needs not. She is a part of them now and they come when need is sensed. Still, Auryn's guidance in the wood is well appreciated and there are still many a paths she needs learn.

His home is charming. Cozy. And she smiles as she enters, envisioning something much like this for herself now. "It is nice." The dried herbs and flowers remind her too of home. "I think I should like something like this for myself."

[do_what_thou_wilt]

"It's not about friends, Nerium," he says, and his tone is a little frustrated but mostly reasoning. He's a little unused to trusting anyone enough to call them friend, to be frank, though Davin's had no reason to be as kind to him as he has been, and perhaps he's thinking of that. But this is a war. It's about allies. They need to convince others of their perspective, not to take arms against their own kind. They're not an revolution as they are. They're scarcely enough to call on three. "Davin's powerful. Now his fear will make him a weapon for those who would destroy -- this." He gestures to her forest, beautiful and free, beyond even their control. "One forged in dragon flame."

"It's not just your creation," he reminds her quietly. "I shed my blood for it and I would shed more. But that means I bear responsibility for it just as you do. You'd do anything to protect your child and I understand that better than you know. But I want to make sure it grows up."

Her smile when they enter his home is comforting: he'd been expecting at least a little judgement. "You like it? I built it myself and I haven't regretted it yet." He pours her some water and glances at her, smiling, handing her the cold water. "It’s no castle, but I could build something similar for you, with a little time." He looks around. “Maybe a little fancier.”