coming at you fast, midnight

[cosmiccon]

Comments

[matriarchate]

Yes. Good. Ask me two seconds into our favor.

( Swamps are gross, but she's a professional. )

Are you good?

[imnot_likeyou]

[He nods, slowly.]

Bromeliads are pretty stationary, so as long as we stay out of reach they won't eat us, and lindworms are more scared of us than we are of them, they just happen to be big. So honestly, the worst we'll have to worry about out there is the vamps and a potential swamp hag.

[matriarchate]

I was going to pretend I knew what those were but I was definitely in a shoot first, educate myself later place.

( That's just between her and Sam. )

Are they plants?

[imnot_likeyou]

Bromeliads are, yeah. Have you seen Little Shop of Horrors?

[Sam is not a musical guy but he knows enough to recognize Audrey Two on sight.]

Kind of like that, but they don't talk and they have a sap that knocks you unconscious so it can pull you in and slowly digest you.

[matriarchate]

The one with Rick Moranis?

( Yes. Thank Aunt Kate's sadistic streak. )

... Got it. So, we've entered Jumanji. Robin Williams, not the Rock.

[imnot_likeyou]

[He nods because yeah - that's accurate enough.]

Lindworms are like big snakes with spikes. They also usually come in pairs - they mate for life. It's kind of sweet.

[Nerd. You've staked your claim on a nerd, Allison, the narration hopes you realize.]

[matriarchate]

You like the penguin exhibits too, don't you? Lobsters?

( Happy, sixtieth anniversary couples? She takes everything in, though, ready for their journey to begin. )

[imnot_likeyou]

[His head ducks sheepishly, before glancing away.]

Maybe.

[But that's all she'll be able to get out of him before David returns, swinging a set of keys in his hand. "Alright. Let's get wet and wild." He'll lead the way to the boat, climbing into the bed of the boat before reaching back to help the next person down.]

[matriarchate]

( David is his own flavor of something. Allison takes the rear, accepting David's hand last as she balances on the edge of the boat and steps down. )

[maleficum]

[He lives for being weird. And once Allison is safely on board, he leaves room for Sam to do the same. Once they settle into the boat, they turn on the engine and off they head into the swamp.

Despite being late September at this point, there's still an uncomfortable itch of humidity that comes with hurricane season in Florida. David swats at mosquitos as they drive, and glances back over his shoulder.]

Probably should have saved this trip for after hurricane season. It would have been slightly more pleasant.

[It's still Florida.]

[matriarchate]

I thought this trip was time-sensitive.

( She understands 'best circumstances,' but she doesn't think any of them have the luxury of choosing this trip at a better time of year. )

[maleficum]

It is.

[A beat.]

Well, how sensitive depends a lot on an eighteen year-old kid with an axe to grind, but I figured it was better to err on the side of caution.

[matriarchate]

So, this is more a dangerous contingency plan. A favor's a favor.

( She unzips her bag to ready herself for whatever she might need as she perches on the edge of the small boat. )

Do you know what the eighteen year-old kid is going to decide?

[maleficum]

Nope. But he knows the risks, so I'm hoping he'll make the right choice.

[And that Sierra doesn't get too much in his way.]

But all of this has cost him his family, so I certainly wouldn't blame him if he decided he wanted to stay off the board.

[matriarchate]

In this world, casualties are unavoidable. I was almost one.

( Twice, now.

Preoccupying herself, she brings up one of her scopes to spot as they head down the river (13). )

Hopefully, he makes the best decision for himself, and not for you or for his coven.

[maleficum]

That's the plan.

[David told him as much, but he doesn't expect Allison to just take him at his word on that.

The water ripples in the distance, but when it comes up it gives the appearance of a crocodile, tail rippling through the water. It bumps the side of the boat, asserting dominance as one of the apex predators.]

He's a good kid. He'll figure it out.

[matriarchate]

( Crocodile. Here's hoping they're all crocodiles. )

Maybe. ( She could give stories about good kids going bad for various reasons, but she hopes he doesn't. She doesn't know everything about him, but she guesses he's not in the crosshairs of a vengeful grandfather or a psychotic aunt. ) He knows Bonnie, right?

[maleficum]

He does. Bonnie's been looking out for him.

[Which is good, because someone's had to.]

Giving him a soft place to land.

[matriarchate]

( She brings her scope down. )

And you've looked out for Bonnie? Honestly, you're connected to almost everyone and it's taking getting used to. I've been told to watch you, to not trust you, and that I wouldn't have a stronger ally - when I'm on your good side. How does one come by so many conflicting opinions?

[maleficum]

Oh, well.

[He smirks a bit as he glances back at her.]

When you're born into the royal family of the most notorious coven in the world, you wind up wading through a lot of their messes. And I am what they made me, so trusting me would simply be unwise. But Bonnie and I met in London and developed a relationship forged through trying to get out of London alive, and while I don't know if we're actually friends, we've been doing mutual favors for each other.

[matriarchate]

Sometimes, doing each other mutual favors is friendship.

( That's how it started with the Winchesters, anyway. That, and mutual respect. )

[maleficum]

I don't disagree with you. And I actually do like Bonnie. But I have a history of being possessed and am trying to avoid being possessed again, so it's still best to proceed with caution.

[And with that comment, something bumps the bottom of the boat, sending them rocking gently. Sam is on alert, being tall enough to lean forward and look over the edge without shifting his weight too much.]

[matriarchate]

Are you afraid Bonnie is heading up the movement to have you possessed?

( But, she knows he's talking current events and not Bonnie.

Allison stumbles a second, but regains her balance. Her hand goes into her bag as she awaits what Sam reports on. )

Do you see anything?

[maleficum]

Nope. Worried that if I do get possessed, she'll be collateral damage.

[Sam shakes his head, before grabbing his gun and inching closer. He reaches the edge of the boat and the boat bumps again, and he quickly reaches out to steady himself.

Perception checks, everyone.]

[matriarchate]

Won't we all? I don't know much, but when I knew you were involved I did what research I could. The demon inside you left a high body count. Substitute an ancient witch...

( Allison hovers her hand between her ring dagger and her cross bow. She gets a (16) for perception. )