xp_logs | The Witches' Road

xp_clea posting in

Pixie and Clea visit the Ancient One for answers on how to deal with the Salem Seven. They learn that their list of allies is short.

Clea walked through the sling ring's golden hue and turned towards Megan. "Okay. The Ancient One can be kind of a arse. I am just warning you. No one really likes him. But he is the Sorcerer Supreme."

Pixie, fluttering close behind, raised a single pink eyebrow. "Should I have brought a fruit basket or something?" The levity was masking the tightness she felt in her chest. "The Ancient One can be a jerk all he wants, as long as he gives us the help we need," she added with an encouraging smile. She was here to back up Clea however she could.

The sling portal closed behind both women. "We would be the first to bring him a fruit basket, I think. Let's go find him." Clea turned to start walking but instead almost collide into the Ancient One's chest instead. "Bloody fucking hell." She put her hand to her heart to calm herself.

"Miss Lake." In contrast to Clea's startled reaction, the Ancient One calm, serene, as if he had been expecting her sudden appearance. "How nice of you to visit. And you brought a friend." He glanced over at Megan, taking her in. He gave the impression that he saw through her, absorbing everything that make her who she was.

"Ah, hello, I'm Pixie," she squeaked--unnecessary words, she felt. He already knew her name, didn't he? Probably everything else about her, too. She absently rubbed her chest, the image of her Souldagger springing to her mind.

Clea put her free hand on Pixie's arm and smiled up at the Ancient One. "We came because we have a slight problem. We have a group of witches called the Salem Seven on us. We come to ask for help on how to deal with them."

At the name, there was an almost imperceptible twitch of the Ancient One's eyes, gone almost as soon as it had appeared. "Please, come to my rooms. We shall have tea." And with that, he turned and led the way down the stone corridor.

The Ancient One's private quarters were small and nearly bare, but compared to the cells occupied by the various sorcerers at Kamar-Taj, they were almost luxurious. The floor was covered by a woven wool rug and a low table was near a crackling fireplace, with large cushions placed on the floor around it as seats. On the table itself was a steaming iron teapot and three ceramic cups with no handles.

"Please, sit." He gestured at the table.

Pixie sat down on a cushion, finding it all strangely cozy. She felt like Goldilocks in the home of the three bears, and suddenly wished she had brought a fruit basket. The silence stretched just a second too long, and she reached for the teapot. "I'll be Mother, shall I?"

The Ancient One blinked and for the first time since she'd known him, Clea saw something like surprise on his face. "Ah, if you wish, Miss... Pixie? Please." He knelt on the lone cushion on one side of the table, folding his hands in front of him.

Clea sat down and smiled at her friend, "Thank you." She waited for the teas to be poured before she continued. "We've been seeing them for awhile, but recently they've attacked two of our own." Clea paused and looked down at her tea.

The Ancient One reached for his tea, saying nothing. He sipped, then put the cup down, movements graceful and precise. "And?"

"And... what can we do about it?" Pixie supplied. "Who summoned them, and how can we get them to stop?"

Another maddeningly slow raising of the cup to his lips, a sip, and then the precise placing of the cup down in front of him. At last, he said, almost serenely: "I fail to understand why you are here, asking me what you can do. Unless you are ready to pledge your allegiance to Kamar-Taj?"

It took every training course that Kevin had put her through to keep her composure. Here he was, the Sorcerer Supreme, the protector of this world, and that is all he had to say? She may not have pledged her allegiance to Kamar-Taj, but she did feel like she was welcome here. However, in that moment, she didn't. "So all of this, the rocks, the Salem Seven. Just for us to choose a side. Not a great start to your pitch."

"So... that's it then? You won't help us." Pixie's fingers faltered as she set down her cup, the dull thud of ceramic on wood sounding louder than it should have.

The Ancient One's expression was unreadable. "Your... group, have made it very clear. You do not wish to be a part of the Way," he replied. "Therefore, we cannot assist you in matters concerning the Way. I am sorry but I cannot be seen to be assisting an independent association above any others."

Clea bit her tongue hard, she did not want to end up in a different dimension for letting the Ancient One hear her piece of mind. This is why she didn't want to choose a way, because they were too haughty to help others. "Thank you for your time and the tea." She turned back to Pixie. "We should return." Standing up so she could lead them both out and out of Kamar-Taj. Clea knew she wouldn't be returning.