Thursday,

January 11, 2012,

1: 53 PM

The general rule of thumb of the Supernatural world is simple. For one to be evil, there is one to be good; darkness brings light, and Death gives birth to Life. Balance is the key to keeping every world turning. The Human civilization and the creature's society. They need balance to keep each other comfortable within their ideal of normal. Humans are both good and evil. Monsters are also evil and can be good. Both of these societies share the same basic facts, they are both prey and predators. Hunters play as the predators, protecting the civilians (humans) — and civilians act as the prey. Creatures and monsters are the same — the evil get hunted, while the good try to assist under the radar quietly. No one species is completely exact down to individuals, each single monster is different.

Like a child, if the surrounding people the baby lives with are doing unlawful or badly behaved, the child is likely to copy the shown and taught behaviors. In comparison, turned monsters (humans transformed into creatures — Vampires, werewolves, etc) are the equivalent to the mentioned child. A monster biting a human, injecting poison, or forcing the transformation on them implies the human was prey, unwilling and terrified. The change is incredibly traumatizing, agonizing, and unbearable, the naive and scared can be easily taught to be killers by the ones who created them. Instructed to take blood, skin, and appearances to cause chaos or suffering. Comparably, if they are surrounded or taught by principled creatures, ones who wish to simply live quietly, these new monsters will likely learn to live the same as them; honestly, and kindly.

The Gods have built this system to ensure there will always be creatures to tame the Darkness. An insurance. Cowardly, they hope the light within the magic can distract the Monstrous Parents in the Void, and give the Gods time to escape to another world. They know it's irresponsible to abandon their creations, but they're frightened. The Void could destroy everything they built. It's why Goddesses created magic to attempt to fight, filled with life and bright, blinding light. The magic of Goddesses is the only magic with the right to give and take life, as the mothers of humanity (and selected supernatural creatures). These powerful women had protected all they could in the Witch Trials, disbelieving and enraged their creations, their daughters were killed off for merely obeying their orders.

These Goddesses keep track of every light witch they build, guiding them when needed with subtle hints and signs—dubbing symbols and terminology to give separations, to protect them. Show differences and characteristics, and different symbolisms to discern Light from Dark. They're silently pleading for Light witches to gain more power naturally, wishing them to be prepared.

Dark and White Magic are the terms within the witch realm, to separate the ethical and destructive. They could very well be umbrella terms for the whole secret underworld; as they fit with each species. However, the witches have dubbed them to recognize spells and potions, to determine if one of their community has ill intentions or aims to kill.

Dark Witches (Black Magic) are exactly that, immoral and menacing with wishes to throw death curses at anyone who annoys them. They deal with black magic— gruesome and allow the wicked in the shadows out to play with innocents. Power and greed lead them. Souls sold to a devil of their choosing, abandoning all humanity within themselves. They often think themselves superior to the average human and deem them unworthy of much thought. Making deals with devils, demons, and any other greedy creature they can find. Some use their powers to manipulate human minds, compel them into situations, or do evil. Humans are sacrificial lambs to these witches, slaying children, and offering virgins for spells, and rituals. They know no mercy. Holding grudges for decades, waiting and plotting to take out the cause of said grudge.

Once Black Magic is revealed upon a cursed object using Light Magic, it usually consists of a thick, clogging black smoke — similar to heavy haunting fog. It wisps in sharp jerks, surrounding whoever is present in a tight claustrophobic vertical tube. The shadowy smoke shifts in unpredictable patterns and closes in, suffocatingly. Faster and faster it will spin, like a tornado, dizzying those near, growing increasingly aggravated before it suddenly bursts in an explosion of dissipating fog. Those who have experienced this scene, say the fog stunk like fire and brimstone — others are adamant it smelled like rotten eggs and sour milk. They claim their breaths were stolen from their lungs, their bodies were paralyzed in place, and felt a horrifying chill spread throughout their flesh.

White Witches (Light Magic) are the exact opposite. Lead by empathy, they make it a mission to use nature for good, creating safe potions for various bodily assistance or using magic to heal. For how caring, gentle, and life-giving they can be, they can also be incredibly powerful. When discovered, Dark Witches aren't powerful against an entire town of Light Magic teaming up. While Light Magic aims to heal, it can very well be used to maim or fatally wound when needed. These witches are still witches, no matter which end of the spectrum they are on; Hunters will still hunt them down. There are times they need to defend themselves against Hunters, yet they use spells built to knock out or simply wind them to allow time to run. However, these women and men (warlocks) are virtuous and righteous. They try to help humanity, rather than destroy it.

The call sign of a Light Magic is similar. A dense feathery smoke of pure white floats softly and animates in the air from an object, only when a witch casts an identifying spell over it. Rumors mention a changing of scents, depending on the person, yet consistent evidence states it could be a mixture of calming and relaxing smells; Lavender, Sages, and Frankincense. Instead of stealing oxygen, it is said this smoke cleared airways and sharpened minds. When it evaporated, it was in a soft wave of a breeze, disappearing mutely without a single punishing departure.

With this said, most Hunters are unaware of the differences without going into extreme situations and spreading months, perhaps years with White Witches. If they get a case for a witch, they don't spend the time to find which community the witch may be involved in. These Hunters are trained from birth or the day they find the supernatural exists, to slaughter each monster they stumble upon. It doesn't matter if they are good, evil, or in the gray section of between. Every hunter has a bad case involving a witch, to the point they simply don't care, the goal is to unalive them as quickly as possible to get the inconvenience out of the way.

This is the way Kane has been handling Witches. Taught and trained by his father to not make the mistake of allowing a witch to breathe in a fight, or to let them get a hex bag on his body. He was told they were tricky and stubborn, his experiences prove these words. He was, primarily, unaware of these facts and separations. On the road, he had read and did research for the specific case he was on, not for general information (like he probably should have).

Admittedly, he is biased on the topic of witches, seeing as he grew up attentively listening to his father's murderous preaching each time they had a witch case. Ma had scolded him for "following the asshole handbook, sweetheart.", She had opinions about how William raised Kane. She attempted multiple times to convince him to just study with her, learn more general information, just to know without a hunt. Kane refused, seeing no need when his normal ways were successful.

William (his father) claimed witches cursed Kane's mother months before she got pregnant. The deceased man always told stories of witches who out-smarted him, and the one who cursed him to have a cat's traits and mannerisms. Ma said William had meowed and hissed at every dog he saw, and had laughed her ass off at the memory. Kane remembers growing up William started the day with dinner take-out breakfast, and a lesson on ways and weapons to kill witches. He always had Kane run a scavenger hunt in each motel room for hex bags, for every hunt he found he had Kane double-check for possible witch activity. Kane never once questioned his father, eager to please the man.

It somehow fits that the man met his demise only three months after a witch case.

Now, he reluctantly acknowledges his plan of action may need to change slightly if he doesn't want to become a serious murderer for killing an innocent. Kane's mind stumbles, his thoughts brakes so harshly that he can hear the wheels screaming because — I just considered a damn witch as innocent. A ghost of a shiver pieces through his bones, and he winces mentally. Dad's ashes just rolled wherever they ended up.

This realization comes as Valli and Addy gossip, mentioning a nameless, mutual-acquaintance, witch who recently passed a few states over, tracked down by a group of Hunters. Valli pouts, questioning if she did anything to gain attention. Addy simply shrugs, just as confused and saddened, "I heard she was doing little miracles. Like healing kids' colds. Maybe she got noticed buying supplies, some Hunters camp shops to trap us." She added an afterthought. "It's possible a dark bitch traded the attention, put her on the hunters' trail to save themselves."

Valli serves the third cup of tea, ignoring Kane's weak protest, and slides the tiny plate and cup to its previous position in front of the man. His lips twitch upwards cutely, proudly when he hears the cup being picked up. Addy is now sagged onto the couch inelegantly, one leg under her butt while the other is lazily stretched out under the coffee table, her spine curved to follow the back cushion of the sofa. Kane is almost too caught up in information, the books on the table he can't remember being there before and the constant jump from topics, to move further into his seat. He has no clue how much time has passed, merely that he sat through two slowly emptying tea cups and a stack of thick leather skin books landed on the table without his noticing.

"We should do like, a warning at the start of the road or town — hell, maybe even the state," Addy starts, leaning up cautiously to sip her tea, stirring it by the honey stick. Humming, she reclines once again, continuing the thought. "That there's a treaty in place. Cut off unwanted hunters right off the bat, or ya know, cut the good ones being killed at least."

"Treaty?" Kane interrupts, unable to stop himself. He hasn't heard of any treaties and wasn't aware they could be agreed on in the supernatural realm of the world, let alone work. Monsters aren't necessarily known for cooperating. Valli may have mentioned it, but Kane likely overlooked it.

Valli nods, his head tilted to face them to allow his eyes to flick to who is speaking. He moved to sit next to Kane, leaving a respectable space between them and now faces Addy. He's picking absently at his pants, a loose thread at the inside right knee as he answers. A kind smile, the small dimple at the left cheek appearing. "Yep! Over a hundred years worth of one with the witches in the state, and some in other neighboring states. Oh, and Greece. One of my grandmas forced my grandpa to make one up with her witchy friend, and it kinda grew from there. Things have been added to it to keep everyone safe, but it's pretty straightforward."

"No witch harms, kills, or curses humans — which is redundant because we're light witches, but valid I guess. No hunters harm, kill, or otherwise, a witch without proof of misdeed. We help each other when needed, and protect each other. No causing trouble." Addy states, disinterestedly. Her finger flicks the stick of honey in boredom, yet words reveal she's paying attention. Smirking roguely at Kane, "To name a few, in layman's terms, because that treaty is full of big words and nonsense. I hated reading it."

"You have a copy?" This is Kane's next curiously gruff question. Does she have one for proof of a treaty to convince other Hunters if she runs into trouble? He takes a long sip of the tea in his hand, swallowing half of it to ignore how quickly his mouth spoke.

Valli snorts, shaking his head and grinning. Teasingly, "Nope. She only hated reading it because she was a teenager at the time and couldn't read the big words."

Kane can't process the hint of how old Addy is, the fact she was at the original creation and signing of the said treaty. Due to the protesting squawk the witch noises, her words distracting his mind for a moment. "Joseph was a show-off! That old imbecile had no right to use such long stupid words!" Addy bounces into an upright position carefully, hand expanded to drive her point home with a wiggling figure at her adopted nephew.

"Joseph was a lawyer, that's all he knew, Aunty." Valli retorts, giggling at her annoyed huff.

She waves the correction off, sweeping her long purple hair over her shoulder, and rolling her eyes. "I still think Marietta should've written it. She was the smart one."

Two conversations are happening, I swear. Kane thinks, uncertain if he's confused or keeping track of the words. Mentally going back, attempting to contact the dots he noticed. Joseph is probably Vallis' relation, the man who wrote a treaty for his wife, Marietta. Addy was there when he wrote it, meaning she's at least over a hundred years old. The unimportant question of her age and appearance is answered, she is under a type of spell. How has the hunter never heard of this treaty if it's so old, before recently? Ma would've mentioned it if she found out years ago. Then again, he was so focused on cases, driving and going to bars to wash down a hunt in rounds of beer or whiskey.

"You're over a hundred years old?" He doesn't care if she's offended, he wants to make sure his information is right without taking mental notes.

The witch scowls at him, hazel eyes narrowed and her lip twitching in a hint of a snarl. Ruffled, she sharply counters. "You never ask a lady her age. Where's your manners?" She snorts improperly directly after the words slip her tongue, holding an index finger up, she sasses. "Excuse me for misspeaking, I forgot you had none."

"You're not a lady." Kane returns lowly and grouchy, sniffing indifferently and shrugging a single heavy shoulder with a dry smile.

"I was right." Her lips are pressed together, a subtle flush circling on the rounds of her cheeks as her jaw tightens. "You are a pest."

Valli laughs, cheerful. "I'm glad you guys are learning to get along."

Kane grunts, shifting his body back awkwardly. Clearing his throat, his fist flexes around the fragile tea cup and he tries to get back on topic to ignore the tease including himself. "This treaty works?"

Addy smirks knowingly at him, sensing his discomfort at being sociable, and finds a glint of humor about it. Only fair, he tried to kill me. Big bad hunter is scared of a little teasing and friendly jokes, he's not as untouchable as he tries to make himself seem. She bets he hasn't had a close-knit group in a record of years, possibly only having one person check in on him. Her eyes flick between the men in front of her over the cup in her hands, considering as she sips tea and slumps cozily onto the couch.

"Oh yeah!" Valli eagerly answers, "Definitely! It worked in Greece when it was made, and when my mom brought it here, it's been working with Addy's help." He explains, knee bouncing and unseeing eyes attentively on the man next to him. "Louisiana has been a safe place for light witches since then, and some other states. I've made sure the hunters that I manage, don't hurt them and those hunters have taken care to identify which witch is evil or not in different states. It's slow progress, change is like that. We're getting there though!"

Valli likes the new hunter, Addy can tell even if her charge doesn't. He's trying much harder to serve Kane, and keep him happy, than he does with other men. The poor little host gets attached easily, try as he might not to. He craves having someone to wake up to in his room, sight or not, the touch of a loved one when he opens his eyes to cold darkness. For his part, Kane is oblivious. Putting his time into working, avoiding Valli as much as possible to, she assumes, keep distance between the men so he can leave easier. Not going to happen, Mr. Rabid. Addy secretly decides. Not when my boy likes you, I'll learn to tolerate you. Plotting in her mind, curling up on the sofa and dragging her bare feet under her. Besides, as wildly rabid you are, you'll protect him quite nicely.