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[contactsports]

Three days?

[ Zelda knows she probably sounds daft just repeating words Lilith has said but... How exactly else is she supposed to respond? ]

Well, what does it matter? Our coven is small. We mean no harm. We're not even Satanic Witches anymore - at least, not technically. [ There's still the matter of the council but... that's being dealt with. ]

[sathan]

To them you would seem it.

( someone outside of their practices, the darker woman that they prayed to-- )

The information I was given says that something will follow them. I hope that you're correct, that nothing does come from it.

[contactsports]

It's nothing to worry yourself over.

[ At least, Zelda hopes so. Lilith clearly has something else far more pressing going on, but it isn't promising that she dropped whatever that was to come here and warn Zelda about the pagans.

She would deal with that when she needed to. For now; ]

Let me clean you up. You look a mess.

[sathan]

( whilst lilith hopes that zelda is right she's seen too many pagans and their power to be able to quickly dismiss it. but she lets zelda's presence comfort her a little, releasing a sigh, nodding. she's passed on her message, she has to trust her high priestess to lead her coven effectively )

Are-- you suggesting I shower here?

( she'd kind of just arrived expecting to leave after, still not used to someone wanting to keep her company around )

[contactsports]

I'm suggesting that I would be a terrible host were I to send you back to Hell in such a state.

[ Is she trying to be accommodating? Sure. Is she also trying to get her naked? Definitely. ]

[sathan]

( well-- she'd certainly fit in in hell with the blood. though the other offer is certainly not unwanted )

Then I suppose something could be-- arranged.

( she takes a small step towards her, not wanting to press too far and get blood on her )

Though I may need some assistance.

( pretending she didn't nose around the house the first time she was here )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda smiles, gesturing to the hallway so she can lead Lilith to the bathroom. ]

You must tell me what happened that resulted in all of this. Surely it doesn't have anything to do with pagans.

[sathan]

( she follows her out and for once actually uses some careful phrasing about this even though there's no way to be delicate about what she did )

I oversaw someone's torture. Which led to the information about the pagans.

[contactsports]

I see.

[ She falls quiet as she escorts Lilith down the hall to the bathroom. It's not as if it's never occurred to her just what her lover is up to down there in Hell but...

She hasn't put that much thought into it, either.

Once they get to the bathroom, Zelda secures the door behind them and goes to the tub to start the water. ]

Serendipitous, I suppose. Now we won't be taken by surprise.

[sathan]

( she waits until they're in the privacy of the bathroom, knowing that it's a difficult subject and whilst lilith doesn't feel the need to explain her actions-- she wants zelda to understand a little more. because this torture had been justified )

They condemn themselves, not just in the deals they make but with their actions. Criminals, abusers-- those that would harm women.

( those were the ones that she personally oversaw, tortured herself in retribution for those that couldn't )

Punishment is their price for all they've done.

[contactsports]

[ Zelda is a little surprised at her response. She hadn't expected Lilith to explain herself, and she certainly didn't require it. Lilith didn't owe an explaination to anyone.

But she was giving one anyway, and Zelda has no intention of ignoring it. ]

And it's deserved.

[ She moves around Lilith, finding the zipper of her dress and pulling it down to help her disrobe. ]

I know who you are. You don't have to explain your actions to me. And I trust you to do what's right

[ Moreso than she would have the Dark Lord. She doubts he used the same fairness when dealing with those destined for damnation. ]

[sathan]

( she lets herself relax a little under her lover's touch and even though lilith doesn't require her approval or have doubts about what she does she appreciates zelda's understanding, the reassurance of trust in her.

once she's shrugged her dress down lilith turns back to her, stepping out of it as she rests a hand against her cheek, gentle brush of her thumb )

Will I be the only one naked through this or are you joining me?

[contactsports]

[ Zelda smiles, leaning into that touch. She's already showered for the evening and was ready for bed, but that doesn't really matter. ]

Do you have the time to spare?

[ Not just for the shower. The sex bit takes a little longer, though. ]

[sathan]

There aren't any other scheduled tortures.

( she's joking on that even if torture is uh-- touchy. but they are (were) satanic witches, a little torture is nothing )

And it's been some time.

( maybe she's missed her a little. and would like to really relax )

[contactsports]

[ The hint of a smile that graces Zelda's lips makes it clear that she gets the joke. ]

It has been. Far longer than I would have hoped for.

[ She reaches down to pull her nightgown up over her head, dropping it to the floor next to their feet. ]

I know you have your reign to attend to. But not seeing you... [ She reaches up, brushing her fingers against Lilith's cheek, managing to avoid any blood that might be spattered there. ] It pains me. To be apart for you for so long.

[sathan]

( she sighs slightly, knowing exactly what zelda means, a thought that would surprise her a little to realise )

Hell has been more-- turbulent lately. But it's handled.

( she wouldn't have zelda think that she couldn't do this or that her position was threatened-- even though that was the truth, her reign being questioned and ignored, challenged at so many turns. but she powered on and ran it with an efficiency that no one else could )

[contactsports]

[ She might not want Zelda to know, but the phrasing in her tone betrays her. Zelda steps closer to her, fingers tangling in her hair. ]

Are you safe?

[sathan]

Yes.

( she has certain advantages at her disposal. and honestly if lilith were opening about this, as she probably should, there would be a good discussion.

but she aims to distract her, shedding her underwear before stepping herself into the bath, magic turning off the tap )

I believe you had something you wanted to do.

[contactsports]

[ Zelda sighs, frustrated. Even if Lilith wasn't safe, well... Zelda could hide her, offer her services and protection, of course, but there is only so much one witch could do against the forces of Hell.

As Lilith settles she slips her own underwear off and then steps into the tub behind her, sinking down and arranging herself so Lilith can lean back against her before she picks up the soap and lathers it up in her hands. ]

Tell me what's been happening. What's kept you away so long?

[sathan]

( in her arms, the protection and security it offers her shoulder's drop, lilith relaxing against her, some of her tension releasing as zelda's hands move across her, releasing a short sigh.

even though she hadn't wanted to let zelda know of her troubles in hell-- there's part of it that she will tell, releasing some of her own frustrations )

Ensuring my rule has-- not been so simple. Between those loyal to Lucifer and those that would try to claim his throne I've had to defend it. And still do.

( there were certain pests that were proving less than pleasant to continually dispose of )

But they have no true claim to it.

[contactsports]

No more claim than you do.

[ It comes out before she thinks about it, and Zelda winces. But, it is true. Being the oldest witch and Lucifer's lover didn't truly give her any reign to the throne.

She simply wanted it. Which, Zelda supposed, is good enough when it comes to the uprising they created. She runs her soapy hands over Lilith's shoulders. ]

Though you are more experienced. More passionate for it. That's of the utmost importance.

[sathan]

( she stiffens slightly even if she knows that zelda isn't rejecting her rule, has accepted it many times already. but it's a little sore to hear the words because-- whilst it's true it's no more kind, not with all that lilith has done and suffered to get her here.

but then zelda turns it and it soothes slightly, highlighting the truths. she is experienced, she is passionate. and she knows how to do a damn good job, better than any of those princes and lords )

Something perhaps only appreciated by you.

( she's not going to repeat what they've called her in challenge, something that whilst it doesn't hurt does piss her off. because those views were all because of lucifer, everything he'd done to push her down and show her as unworthy. look at her now )

Though-- they have a long challenge ahead to dethrone me.

[contactsports]

They won't. But if they were to...

[ She washes away some of the soap with a pass of her hand before placing a gentle kiss on Lilith's shoulder. ]

You will always have a place here. With us.

[sathan]

( that comment makes lilith turn around to look at her, expression a mix of surprised and-- touch )

What?

( no one has offered her a home before )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda is a little surprised at the response, her eyebrows rising slightly as she meets Lilith's eyes. ]

You heard me. [ Zelda has had her fair share of struggle in her life, but the one thing that's always remained solid was her family. That's security she knows Lilith has never had. ] Surely you don't think I would ever turn you away.