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( meme round-up )

[skittys]

( lilith + zelda ) texting
( hilda + zelda ) texting

[sathan]

( lilith most often came back to greendale when it was late, when she could slip out for a few hours and have a moment to herself. when the hours were so that it was unlikely that anyone would see her.

she'd gone to the church, the place now named the church of lilith, first of its order on this new path of night. she hadn't expected anyone to be there, hood of her dark cloak up as she'd walked the streets but on seeing a light still on--

she'd been careful, moving through the shadows, keeping herself unseen. the queen so far had only shown herself to zelda that first time that they'd spoken, not having returned for weeks, nearing two months. hell had been-- busy and it seemed that zelda had also been very busy in restoring the church, in getting her houses in order since their conversation.

something she still seemed to be doing.

from the shadows, lilith watched for a moment and zelda may feel a sense upon her, the demon curious at what she's doing or rather why she's still here in the late hour. not a devotion, lilith would have known already but--

well, the simplest option was just to ask )

You've accomplished quite a bit in this time.

( she reveals herself into the light as she speaks, lowering her hood once her sentence is complete, steps taking her through the church towards her high priestess )

[contactsports]

[ Not a devotion, no - at least, not anything explicit as such. Perhaps, more accurately, it's just a bit of tidying up.

But Zelda enjoys being in the church at the start of this new, exciting era. Things are changing, and she is at the head of it all. While she used to be regulated to the pews, that isn't where she belongs anymore. With that comes responsibilities that she must embrace, new avenues she needs to explore.

Zelda feels something change, and she knows. It's no typical outside presence, and certainly no typical witch presence. So her face reveals little surprise when she turns to see Lilith step forward from the shadows. ]

Just because the church is desecrated doesn't mean it must look condemned. [ She smiles in greeting - this visit is hardly unwelcome. ] Besides, there are still energies to cleanse, leftover from Faustus' reign. Despite what Hilda might believe, a bit of burning sage won't do the trick in this case.

[sathan]

It won't.

( lilith wholeheartedly agrees in that regard. honestly, she wouldn't have blamed zelda if she'd set the building alight and started fresh but she does have to say that there's something refreshing in the witch repairing rather than completely building, perhaps a message to be shared.

she undoes the fastening of her cloak, sliding it from her shoulders and letting it lay over the back of one of the pews, red dress almost a brightness amongst the dark of the night )

And there are many ways to do so. How would you choose to?

[contactsports]

[ Dinner was, as promised, theatrical. Hilda prepared what was probably the finest meal she had in her lifetime (aside from whatever she prepared for the Dark Lord in that wretched nightmare, but that didn't count) and Sabrina, somehow, managed to be on her best behavior. Ambrose was still missing in action, although that did not come as a surprise to anyone, probably.

Once the meal concluded, Sabrina excused herself to the parlor to finish her homework (or to sneak out and cohort with her mortal friends, more likely) and Zelda hurried Hilda off in search of some coffee Zelda knew they didn't have. Which leaves Zelda and Lilith in the warmth of the Spellman kitchen, surrounded by the odds and ends that make their home the place of sanctuary that it is.

Zelda lights a cigarette and pours them each a glass of scotch, setting it down in front of Lilith as she slides into her own seat. ]

I hope the meal was to your liking. Hilda was quite excited to entertain you.

[sathan]

( she's leaning into the table, one arm resting on it, hand cradling the glass. her expression is a little freer and whilst lilith had been light all evening, enjoying the conversation with hilda and sabrina she feels much more relaxed now that it's just the two of them )

It was. Hilda's a wonderful cook.

( she drinks a little of the scotch and whilst she could lean back in her chair, relax a little her attention is entirely on zelda )

It's been an enjoyable evening.

[contactsports]

It has been.

[ Zelda, in turn, leans towards her. To say that this dinner wasn't at least partially manipulative would be a lie, but Zelda is still glad to have the company. Especially this specific company. ]

Hilda's greatest magic has always been done in the kitchen. We're blessed to have her. [ She smiles affectionately. It wasn't long ago that the compliment would have been paired with a disparaging remark, but Zelda's relationship with Hilda has come a long way in the past few months. ]

[contactsports]

[ She's put out a call to Lilith, only moments before, candles lit around her at the pulpit. Zelda is in the desecrated church again - the spell Lilith given her had worked, and the energies in the church changed drastically in the last few weeks. While the coven and the Academy fell back into a routine almost bordering on normal, Zelda's head was elsewhere. It was distracting, the way that she couldn't stop thinking about her.

And not in the way that she'd thought about the Dark Lord. When she had thought about the Dark Lord, it was in an attempt to curry favor, to put herself in the headspace of a well-behaved witch doing his will.

She didn't think about Lucifer very much, if at all. But she did think a lot about Lilith.

Zelda eventually went to Hilda about it, seeking her wisdom in the banality of traditional relationships, but Hilda didn't prove to be helpful at all. Hysterical, maybe, far too excited at the prospect of her sister becoming involved with the Queen of Hell - precisely the thing Zelda was attempting to think around. So, in her hour of despair, she sought out the advice of someone she would have never gone to about such a delicate matter, someone whose wisdom was lacking in any matters of actual importance.

But even Zelda had to admit, Sabrina knew quite a bit about finding normalcy in the absolutely bizarre, especially when it came to relationships.

She's still not sure if what the girl suggested will be at all useful, but she imagines it's worth the attempt. So Zelda put on a nice dress (not her worst, of course, but not her best, either - she didn't want to look like she was trying too hard) and went to the church to contact Lilith.

All she can hope is that the other woman hasn't changed her mind, and will respond. ]

[sathan]

( lilith heard all of the calls that came to her, some louder than others depending on how they prayed to her, how much they truly desired her will. she'd have been lying to say that she wasn't keeping an additional ear out for any calls from the spellman household though lilith had kept herself busy, hell making that incredibly easy for her.

but then it comes. the prayer from zelda, that familiar voice that some days she'd perhaps longed to hear from. she still did, zelda had worked her way into her heart even if unintentionally and though she was an expert at tucking away her feelings it did still slightly warm her to hear from her.

zelda will feel the energy shift as lilith teleports in, that loud power that fills the room even though the demoness is behind her. not that it matters considering she speaks )

High Priestess.

( she's not leading personal even if she'd prefer to. it's a mistake she won't make again and even though lilith still feels for her, would still like her close-- she's going to be much more guarded this time )

Your spell was successful.

( she can feel the change in the room since the last time that they'd been there )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda starts only slightly, turning around, her face softening as she sees Liith, even if she hears her address her in such a formal way. ]

Lilith.

[ She sounds a little breathless, maybe a little afraid. But not for any reason she thought she would have been. ]

I'm glad. I... I wished to speak with you. About a private matter.

[sathan]

( she's late. it's entirely unintentional, the task that she'd been conducting taking far longer than she'd anticipated making lilith hope that she doesnt ask about it.

but thank everything for magic, a glamour spell repairing the mess to her hair, freshening her makeup and giving her a simple marroon dress, check pattern with her customary heels.

she teleports to the alley nearest the cafe before quickly walking there, only hoping to still find her there when she arrives )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda is getting nervous. She keeps checking the clock, her gaze flitting between it and the door, and the longer she sits there, the more out of place she feels. She shouldn't, really; no one has noticed her, and her black dress fits in perfectly with the decor.

She isn't sure, though, when it's time to give up and leave. After staring at the menu for a while, she caves and orders a milkshake, sinking back in her chair and sucking on the straw, trying not to let the world see how more disappointed she looks with every tick of the clock. ]

[sathan]

( when lilith sees that familiar mass of her, the gkance of the witch that it belongs to-- she breathes a sigh of relief, slowing her steps as she approaches the table )

Zelda--

( one hand unconsciously brushes over her dress, smoothing the fabric once she comes to a stop )

My apologies. I didn't foresee my morning taking so long.

( she only sits now, sliding in across from her booth, expression momentarily apologetic )

[sathan]

( it's been a busy week of planning since that date, lilith not having returned since but she had left a message in the church to inform zelda to continue planning her coronation.

it had been a beautiful affair, the coven filling out again, spirits high and as lilith observed from the back she couldn't help but think about how beautiful zelda looked. and maybe what she'd like to do to her.

the coronation had passes smoothly, leading in to the festivities that followed. lilith had stayed as promised, glass of wine in her hand that she'd not yet managed to touch with the amount of people coming to talk to her, to pledge loyalty, ask forgiveness or express some other sentiment. whilst it was appreciated it was also a little exhausting,lilith unused to it so she'd sought zelda out in the crowd )

High Priestess.

( keeping professional in public, though there's a certain affection in her voice )

Walk with me. We have some business to tie up.

( they didn't but she wanted an excuse to go somewhere quieter and be undisturbed )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda, however, has been basking in the attention. While her coven's high spirits is a relief to her, she is equally happy with how things have panned out. Everyone seems pleased enough to have her take her place, officially, as High Priestess, and having Lilith there makes it all that much more official.

It is, however, hard for Zelda to keep her eyes off the other woman, but she's doing her best. Only Hilda and Sabrina seem to be sharing knowing looks, but Zelda hasn't even admitted to them the depth of what has developed between her and Lilith. Perhaps, they are just hoping.

She manages to reply to the request with a tight, well-behaved smile, nodding. ]

Of course. [ Everyone else is more or less occupied and it's a good moment for them to slip away, although Zelda is a bit apprehensive. Since neither of them have yet to talk about what happened after their date, she isn't sure if it is still a promise or something more, or something that will never happen again. ]

[sathan]

( lilith keeps the brief walk in public wholly professional, knowing that eyes will be on them just out of curiosity, wondering what business the queen of hell and high priestess have.

which is why lilith leads them to zelda's office, a private section of the church where they won't be interrupted. even so, there's a gesture of her hand that zelda won't notice, hands discreetly by her side preventing anyone else from opening the door once they're through. it isn't a conversation that's on lilith's mind.

once the door is closed lilith turns to zelda, hands at her waist to tug her towards her, lips crashing onto hers, lust and need surging through her with zelda no doubt able to assume where she'd like this to lead )

[sathan]

( it was late by the time the evening ended, well into the early hours of the morning once the final reveller had left leaving just lilith and zelda in the church.

the energy in the building is still incredibly light, though that may also be due to the amount of wine that had been consumed. lilith wasn't drunk, being a demon helped there but she was sufficiently relaxed, a little freer and she'd needed it to get through some of the pettier matters that her coven had brought to her. some of the conversation had been welcome but others-- not everyone had needed to approach her.

but now she's in the company of the one she desires the most, the only acceptable company when if it were anyone else she'd rather have been alone.

she's seated herself in the 'throne' in the church, zelda's place, taking comfort in it and immensely glad to just sit down, something that her sigh will convey if the relaxed nature of her posture hadn't )

A successful evening, wouldn't you agree?

( not just in celebrating their high priestess but in raising spirits all around )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda is still sipping from her own drink once the church has emptied and she and Lilith remain. There's no complaint from her - while the festivities had proved to be exhausting, she could barely take her eyes off the other woman the whole night.

And now, to be alone with Lilith, with her sitting like that? Well, it fills Zelda with some kind of feeling, one that has, surprisingly, less to do with the throne itself and all to the do with the woman sitting in it. ]

It was all I could have dreamed it could be. [ She steps up, her hand trailing over Lilith's arm to her shoulder, her brush soft and gentle. ] Certainly better, with you in attendance.

[sathan]

( there's a light smile on her lips, just shy of being playful and she lifts zelda's hand, pressing a kiss to it )

Something like this was unthinkable to miss.

( she really had to be in attendance because of what it was but with her fondness for zelda she'd also enjoyed it. and making her come halfway through the night hadn't been terrible either )

The coven believes in your guidance, looks to you already.

( no one had forgotten what faustus had done but the wounds were starting to heal )

A good start to your success.

[contactsports]

[ While there are parts of Edward's manifesto that Zelda has not completely adopted, there are certain things that she's seen eye to eye with him on since they were children. And now, with the changes in the church and a High Priestess at the helm, it is more important than ever that specific tenants be maintained.

Especially in this case.

Zelda didn't see a reason to involve anyone else in her decision of how to handle a case of a warlock using a Caligari enchantment on his wife. It's personal for Zelda - she knows exactly what it's like, to be controlled in such a way, and it is with that knowledge that she is determined to turn this into a teaching moment for the coven. Thus, they've gathered in the desecrated church, Zelda at the front, pacing back and forth as she considers her options. ]

It should be without saying that the subjugation of witches is no longer acceptable in the Church of Lilith, and such behavior will not go ignored as it may have been before. It is only by my grace that you won't find yourself excommunicated, but that does not mean there won't be repercussions for such abhorrent behavior.

[ She pauses then, her gaze crossing across the congregation, to gather her thoughts but to also offer a moment of dramaticism. It's the best way to keep their attention. ]

[sathan]

( it's been a few weeks since the coronation meaning a few weeks since lilith has seen zelda. something in hell had been too pressing for her to leave and it had caused their previous disagreement to become a little buried. but not forgotten.

things had been calm again in hell for a couple of days, allowing lilith to respond to other issues again. and-- oh, did something catch her attention. zelda had picked up on it immediately, gathering the coven to ensure it was swiftly handled which is why lilith attended. the man's behaviour was unacceptable, angering her and she planned to be there to support zelda and the women of the coven.

except-- zelda wasn't punishing him, certainly not in any was that set an example of how inexcusable this behaviour was.

she'd teleported in to the back of the church, staying in the shadows, moving out now as she speaks, making her presence known. although her anger likely does that alone, an almost crackle of her power in the air as she moves to the front of the church )

Abhorrent-- inexcusable. Impermissible. This-- man committed something unforgivable against not simply a woman but the one he claimed to love. Bending her to his desires.

( there's a part of this that is personal, twisted justice and desire. lucifee may never have used such a soell but he'd twisted and commanded her in other ways, broken her will and person over and over )

An example must be made to ensure all know that such acts are intolerable.

( she gives a pointed look to zelda, now at the front of the church with her, letting her know that she disapproves of her leniency )

[sathan]

( he'd strayed again. whilst he'd been limited in his power he'd behaved, or at least pretended to follow the tenants set out by zelda but as soon as his power had been returned-- it hadn't taken long for him to turn to his ways, though some would assume that in private he'd asserted his dominance non-magically.

lilith had been watching him ever since that day, having scried, keeping a very close eye on him. it hadn't taken long for her to find out about what he'd done, paying a very personal visit to him. and oh, had her wrath been painful. she'd considered taking him down into hell to prolong his suffering but instead had killed him where he'd stood, making him suffer as she did before breaking the spell upon his wife, leaving before the woman realised who had been there.

though word has still gotten back to zelda, likely through the mysterious circumstances which wouldn't have taken long for zelda to discern. which is how she ends up summoned into the church, zelda's spell coming to her, lilith making the choice to go to her. even before she arrives lilith knows that this won't be a pleasant social call -- it's a spell rather than a prayer and the intention in which zelda had spoken the words-- )

High Priestess.

( oh, she's not going to be coy about it, she has no shame in what she did. the man hadn't learned and zelda only knew what would have happened to the woman. that is on her shoulders. noble intentions are not right for all )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda knows what transpired is on her shoulders, though she would never betray it, the responsibility is heavy. It's her first misstep in her reign, and a woman paid the price for it. Had she listened to Lilith, this would have been avoided.

Knowing that frustrates her, because all she wants to do is protect her coven. But she also wants to fix things with Lilith. She just doesn't know how to. ]

You could have done the with the deceny to warn me. [ She skips any greeting, simply wanting to say her piece. ] But if it is fear you want to have imparted on them, I can assure you, it was successful.

[sathan]

( lilith hadn't been by in weeks since their dinner. though she'd heard zelda and the coven's prayers to her, sending a sign when she could things had been troubling and pressing enough that she couldn't slip away even for a few hours. her rule was challenged, there was distrust elsewhere--

so much of hell was tumultuous and the information was getting worse. after dragging a soul to hell she'd overseen his torture personally, sending away the other demon when he'd tried bartering information for his soul. it wouldn't work, his soul was long lost but she'd take the information.

it ends up with a blood-soaked lilith teleporting into zelda's bedroom, finding the information too pressing to wait, eyes moving over zelda as she readies herself for the night before interrupting-- )

Something's come up.

( hi honey, she's home? )

[contactsports]

Unholy Heaven.

[ Zelda had been trying to relax, already in her nightgown, a book in hand and propped up in bed. She'd missed Lilith and, yes, she had been concerned, but she knew better than to waste her time worrying and had faith that Lilith would come to her when she would be able to again.

This wasn't how she was expecting the visit to go, though, and she bolts out of her bed, dropping her book on the floor next to it. ]

Lilith! What's happened?