The Haunting of Thane Manor

[Black Philip]

Reserved for Maria, Astrid, Lacy and Siobhan

Philly was a hard city to navigate, and Lacy was an inpatient driver. The girls were all subjected to profanity the likes of which some of them hadn't heard. Most of it was Dominican Spanish, but enough English fucks and shits slipped through that nobody had to guess what the cop thought of Philly traffic jams. To sooth her road rage, she smoked out the window. They were close now, and she needed to sooth her frayed nerves for what was coming next. They were near the home of Thesdea Thane, and Lacy felt insecure about how much help she'd be at this point. She'd done the leg work of finding the place, organizing the trip, and doing ALL the driving, but now it was up to the real witches to case this place. Lacy would be looking for things a mortal detective would look for, giving her both a different goal and allowing her to feel somewhat useful to the group.

She felt guilt for her fight with the youngest among them, and looked back multiple times without saying anything. After getting out of traffic, Lacy pulled past the Betsy Ross house, and parked on a side street across from Thane Manor. The exterior was nothing to look at, a rundown brownstone, with a chipped blue door, and several broken shutters. Trash lined the yard, and several "For Sale" signs looked trashed and broken apart. As if to make matters more apparent, a Philly ghost bus tour passed the group of witch's as they exited the car and collected themselves.

"Annnnnddd, this is Thane manor, home to Philly's most famous family of evil witches. It was said during the time of the Salem witch trials that the Thane family moved here to escape persecution in New England. However, the house has been abandoned for a generation, and those who've tried to buy it have all... DIED!"

The bus participants gasped. "So hang on to all your hair. I hear it's all Thestia Thane needs to turn you all into toads!"

Lacy rolled her eyes. This guy was obviously playing up a shtick for his paying customers, but now that she was a witch, she didn't take kindly to all that curse talk. The bus rolled away, leaving the witch's standing on the other side of a wrought iron gate. It was locked up tight with heavy chains. A sign had been posted.

Hello ladies, speak the magic word and you may enter, but do it quick! I made cookies and I don't want them to get cold.

Lacy blinked, and then the sign read, No trespassing by order of the city of Philadelphia. She turned to Astrid and the others. "Did any of you see that shit," she asked. This place is supposed to be abandoned and apparently some bitch is waiting inside with cookies. I don't like it."

[The Cedar Witch]

took some minor liberties - let me know if ya'll want me to edit


Astrid spent the remainder of the car ride swiftly knotting lengths of purple, black, and white cording together while humming quietly under her breath.  Her focus was intense, and she blocked out the majority of the traffic-induced profanity - not that it would have phased her in the slightest.  Once they were nearing their destination, she fished out four small black tourmaline beads from the front pocket of her bag and tied off the ends of the pieces she had worked on.  Satisfied, she slipped three of them into her pocket and the fourth went over her right wrist, adding to her colorful collection.

While Lacy parked the vehicle she felt around her messenger bag on her lap, double-checking the contents.  She was sure she'd over-prepared, but there was no telling what they were about to get into.

Already Astrid could feel the crackling of something emanating from the Thane house, and she drew a shaky breath to steel herself against it.  Lacy and Maria were the first out of the car while Astrid tucked a cigarette behind her ear - and finally found the damn lighter at the bottom of the bag. 

Before Siobhan opened the door, Astrid gently grabbed her hand.  "Hey, hang on a sec," she softly called, pulling one of the bracelets she'd made out of her pocket.  Expertly she wrapped it around Siobhan's wrist and slipped the knot over the black tourmaline bead.  She glanced briefly into the other witch's eyes, fighting the color rising to her cheeks, and put a hand on the car door.

"For protection, mostly against possession but it should be good for any psychic attack," she quickly explained, moving the messenger bag behind her as she exited the car.  It was a last-minute spell, relatively low level but anything was better than nothing, she supposed.  Astrid went to Maria next, shyly offering her one of the bracelets with the same explanation, just as the ghost tour pulled up in front of the Thane House.  She shifted the cigarette from behind her ear to her lips, lighting the tip while keeping an eye and ear on the bus. 

Lacy wasn't the only one to roll her eyes at the theatrics.

When they came to the iron gate, Astrid checked the knife strapped to her thigh and pulled the final bracelet from her pocket.  The message posted made her snort.  It reminded her of The Lord of the Rings - "Speak Friend and Enter".  Was this a sort of magical riddle?  It disappeared before she could figure it out, but the bit of humor it provided (likely unintentional) gave her a gentle lifting of spirits.

"Yeah, well,"  Astrid took a hasty drag from her cigarette, "Spirits like to mess around like that - I'm sure there's plenty more inside."  She joined Lacy's side and extended the final bracelet to her with the intention of tying it to the other woman's wrist.  "Here," she spoke with the cigarette dangling between her lips, "a little protective measure." 

[Seragil]

Siobhan watched the scenery pass by without really seeing it focused as she was on internal worries. She didn’t like how she acted towards lacey at the rest stop and oft times found herself looking at her during the drive or caught Lacey’s gaze in the review mirror looking at her. When this happened, she offered a smile then looked away, she had no hard feelings towards her and she regretted their argument, but she wasn’t sure she trusted the detective either, time would tell.

She felt pensive and the drive just reminded her of the last time she was in a car with Lacey, that time they were on the way to the cemetery and Tess was riding with them, as was Wren. She flicked her eyes to the review mirror again and wondered if she should mention that the cat that was with them that night, the one that had been killed so horrifically in front of them, was still alive and was now living with her along with his lover and his lovers sister. She opened her mouth many a time during the drive to say something but each time she stopped and thought better of it. This was not the time, maybe on the way home would be a more appropriate.

Lacey’s colorful language and angry honking of her horn as they made their way through cities traffic was amusing and helped pull her from her internal musings, although she grew pensive once again as they pulled up to Thane Manor. The place was beautiful but oppressive and its energy was just off. It felt like spiders were crawling over her skin.

When Astrid asked her to stop and wait with her a moment, she didn’t know what to think, her confusion only confounded even more when she tied a bracelet around her wrist. She didn’t know how to react; well she knew how she wanted to react but that too wasn’t the time and it was inappropriate. She smiled softly, thought her touch was slow and lingering as she drew her hand out of Astrid's grasp “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

She followed Astrid to the rest of them but was busy studying the house and so missed the sign. The house was creepy, the dark energy emanating from it was…troubling.

At Lacey’s exclamation and Astrid’s comments she drew closer to them.

“I missed it, what did it say? And how are we getting in?” she asked as she eyed the chained locked gate before them.

[Idrial]

"It's not a statement but a riddle," eventually speaking to the group. When Lacy spoke it triggered an idea in Maria's head, colourful language, but it got the wheels turning in her head none the less. Kindly taking the bracelet from Astrid with her left hand and tied it round her right wrist, she could feel its power, this one knew her stuff. Maria put her bag down. Then placed a single finger on her right hand to tap her jawline, her left arm across her chest, the left hand tucked neatly below her right elbow.

Maria repeated the words that flashed on the sign, "Hello ladies, speak the magic word and you may enter, but do it quick! I made cookies and I don't want them to get cold." Looking at everyone before giving her opinion on what the password could be.

Maria then stopped tapping her jawline, "May I enter grandmother?" Her gaze left the group and focused on the house. Who else but a sweet grandmother would have cookies made. Hoping that the word grandmother would be enough to break the spell and grant them entry. They may need a name, these types of spells could be finicky.

[Black Philip]

Lacy accepted the braclet, smiling at Astrid with more friendliness than previously seen. There was just something ethereal and beautiful about Astrid, the sweetness and considerateness was so refreshing. Lacy needed more Astrid's in her life, but was happy to have this one. "Thanks Astrid," she said, her voice sounding like something other than a gun for the first time. Maria's attempt at solving the riddle failed, but it appeared that the witch inside was delighted by the answer given.

Yes! I am a grandmother, but which grandmother am I? Hmmmmmm? Figure that one out!

The illusive script was gone just as fast as the first one. For a riddle, it was strangely literal, and one had to wonder what the house was requesting from the coterie of women. Was it truly as simple as saying a name? Names were powerful things. Lacy's Aunt Daphne had told her that as a girl. She'd said, "Niñita, know a spirit's name and you will control them."

She wracked her memory of the case file on this place. "What was the name of the woman who ran the house for so many years? She was the one who Tess was accused of murdering."

She could always go look it up in the car, but she was hoping that one of them would just remember it.

[Idrial]

"Bloody hell," she sighed. Removing her finger from her jawline to tap the middle of her forehead, closing her eyes to help her think. What was her name? It was on the tip of her tongue, her eyes shot open, eventually remembering the name that nearly eluded her memory.

"Thestia may I enter?" The lock that held heavy chains around the iron gate clicked open. It was a clever riddle. The baked cookies part was a nice touch, but it still made Maria nervous, placing her hands on the chains woven around the gate. No reaction, at least not now.

"Well I guess it begins, " she frowned. Swinging the gate open and waiting for everyone to step inside as a group. Making sure to pick up her bag before entering inside. Praying the infighting had all been let out at the last bathroom break. They needed to work as a team beyond this point.

[Black Philip]

There was a small, and pleased, chuckle emanating from the house, and once the gate the was open, other changes were evident. The house looked restored. Shutters were back in place. The chipped blue door was now a soft maroon and properly painted. The yard was clean, and the trash was gone. The gates swung closed behind them, the lock magically reforming. It would appear getting out would not be as easy as getting in. The front door opened to reveal an elderly woman. Her silver hair was in a loose bun, and she wore a nightgown, slippers, and large glasses. She held a tray of hot cookies, chocolate chip by the look.

"Oh I'm so glad you figured out that pesky name charm. I just can't have anyone coming inside you understand."

She looked to each of the women, stopping the longest on Siobhan. When she got to Astrid she noticed the cigarette behind her ear. "Oh Astrid dear, may I have one of your smokes? They're much better quality than Lacy's. High Priestess, we are honored by your visit, but would you perhaps promise you will leave your pangools outside? The other residents of this house will not enjoy them the same way I would."

"Well, follow me to the parlor, but please don't go down any of the other hallways. There will be time for that."

Thestia turned and walked into the main foyer of the house, but quickly made a right turn to a brightly lit and colorful parlor room. A main hallway led to the stairs to the second floor and basement respectively. The door frame to the left smelled like a corpse, and Lacy pulled out Vic's and liberally spread it under her nose. The passageway was dark, inviting, and highly evil.

"Don't look too long," Thestia yelled from the parlor. Once all the women were inside, the door would shut and only magic would open it. Thestia's parlor had baby blue walls, with several commemorative plates, tea cozies, knitted caps of pink, red, and green, Tiffany lamps, books, cushy arm chairs, and more. It was hoarding situation. That was clear. However, the elderly witch led them to a glass and brass sitting table, with a cushy chair and tea cozy for each.

A roaring fireplace heated a kettle. Thestia placed the cookies in the center of the table, and lit a tea light underneath a silver plate. "Now, why we wait for the tea to boil, perhaps you can tell me why you're all here."

She sounded patient, kind and as Maria had surmised earlier, a grandmother.

[The Cedar Witch]

Nothing about the house's facelift shocked her, and this read plainly on her face as the specter appeared.  Astrid was suspicious of this 'Thestia', unable to determine if the form it took was truth or the deception of a malignant spirit.  Unconsciously her hand went to pat the Black Moon Blade sheathed to her thigh, taking small comfort in its presence.  She'd come prepared to exorcise the house if necessary but did not want to spend her energy doing so.  They were here to investigate primarily, but Astrid suspected later they'd have to do some damage control.  The homes of Witches were rampant with energy, worse when vacant without an owner to maintain it.  It was tempting to return here after they'd gotten what they needed, and after she had a better idea of what they were dealing with, and cleanse the house.

She noted the prolonged stare at Siobhan and felt a flare of defensiveness rise in her gut.  Her mind raced with 'should-haves' - things they should have talked about on the car ride over that Astrid assumed were common sense.  The others were more familiar with the realm of magic, but she knew that Lacy, at the very least, would be inexperienced.  When Thestia addressed her, Astrid gave the spirit a tight but polite smile, keeping in mind that they would likely have to play the spirit's games while they were here.  "Sorry - it's the last smoke I've got on me, Ma'am." a half-lie, as the rest were back in the van.  There would be another offering for this spirit in her bag - something not as attached to herself.  Occasionally during house cleanses her family would offer alcohol to appease spirits, out of habit Astrid kept a few nips of good quality liquor in her bag. 

"Take - but don't consume anything offered," she whispered urgently to the others once the spirit had gone ahead before them, presumably out of earshot.  She shifted her messenger bag around the front of her, shuffling quickly through to pull out one of the small bottles of alcohol for the offering.  If this spirit were not malicious, she wanted at the very least to show respect. 

Once the group crossed into the parlor and the door shut behind them, Astrid went on high alert.  She knew at the very least that she'd be able to get them out.  Taking a measured breath, she joined the spirit at the table and set the bottle down before sitting.  "For your hospitality," she spoke softly, seeking to meet the spirit's eye. 

"We come seeking information,"  Astrid began cautiously, watching the spirit intently.   

[Seragil]

She narrowed her eyes as the entity claiming to be Thestia Thane bored into her with its eyes. What did it want with her? She flicked her eyes over the creature before ignoring it, instead she scanned the house. It's wards were strong, strong and tainted. This place was a trap and it had closed its first snare with its supposed unmasking.

Once the creature supposed shade had invited them in she rummaged through her bag and withdrew a few vials.

"Astrid is right, we play nice for now, but trust nothing. This place is tainted, don't pull energy from this place when working your spells and magic. We will need to rely on our own energy and strength."

She opened her hand and offered everyone a small vial each filled with a shimmering gold colored potion. "Energy potion. It will clarify your thought and strengthen your energies, mental and magical." She smiled at Astrid as she passed her one, remembering the night when they first met. " Sip it as needed. If you drink it all at once, you will be on an amazing energy high for twelve to eighteen hours, after that you crash and since we don't know how long we will be here..." She eyed the building once more and shuddered. " We don't want to crash in this place." She said softly

After securing her vial and pack she entered the house with the others. The dark hallway made her stomach clench with dread and a touch of fear, and yet, it also called to her, with a dark and insidious sirens song. She quickly turned her back on it and followed the others into the parlor.

[Idrial]

Maria did not need her Pangool present to access her abilities, grinning at the remark. "You are too kind. Thank you Thestia for preparing a treat for us," kindly praising the spirit while playing along. Maria didn't like the look Thestia gave Siobhan.

If Thestia remained civil then Maria would see no reason to bring the Pangool forth. If the spirit or Thestia decided to cause them to harm beyond the protection magic of Astrid's bracelet, Maria would be ready to defend the group at the drop of a hat. Never promise a spirit anything, never eat or drink anything, and never make an offer. Maria could sense something was terribly off about this house, she needed to touch something to get a better reading.

Graciously accepting the vial from Siobhan, crossing her arms mid-waist, adjusting her satchel to be readily accessible, hiding the vial in her bag, and leaving it open so Maria could reach into the bag at any time. When Thestia made a right turn Maria brushed the wall with her fingertips, odd emotions running under her skin and into her heart. There was powerful magic at work, it would take time, but Maria would eventually be able to figure out the true intentions of the magic inhabiting this house.

When Thestia made a right turn Maria brushed the wall with her fingertips, odd emotions running under her skin and into her heart. There was powerful magic at work, it would take time, but Maria would eventually be able to figure out the true intentions of the magic inhabiting this house.

Following the others into the parlour, focusing what Roog could decipher about the magic that dwelled the house. Letting Astrid take the lead with the questioning, falling into the background, but remained alert. Maria looked calm on the surface as if intrigued by the spirt and her humble offering of cookies.

[Black Philip]

Lacy took the vial of liquid, curious as to what it would do. She grumbled that she had no magic charm to give, no Pangool to summon, and no potions to provide. Her role was mostly over. It had been getting them there, and now she was here to learn from these other women. She felt the strong evil as she walked into the home and peered towards the hallway. A quick sign of the cross was made, before she too tumbled into the tea room. She took her offered seat, but unlike the others didn't know why you shouldn't just take what spirits offered, and quickly shoved a cookie in her mouth.

"Well, I'm pleased you skinny figure isn't built on abstaining from sweets my dear," Thestia said as Lacy munched on a cookie, likely to the horror of her companions. "I think women of all sizes are beautiful, but the standards today have made cookies the new great evil."

Lacy finished the cookie. "Good shit," she said, delighting Thestia into a laugh. "Is that the information you want Astrid? My cookie recipes are legendary."

The spirit laughed again, placing a hand over her mouth, and her eyes shutting as she chuckled. "No, I imagine you're hear about my descendant. Tell me, how is my beautiful Tess? Has she seen the error of her ways? I can't see her anymore."

[The Cedar Witch]

A dark look passed Astrid's face as she watched Lacy eat a cookie, but she made no other outward indication that anything was amiss and a pleasant smile overtook her features once again.

"I wouldn't presume you would part with baking secrets."  She gave the spirit a mischevious smile, though it remained exclusively on her lips.  There was a soft intake of breath before Astrid continued.  "Tess is still... bound... to her dark master," she spoke each word slowly, as though she were picking carefully for phrasing.  Unconsciously she touched the front pocket where she slipped Siobhan's vial, fingers flittering as they crossed over the seams.  It was a deliberate decision to bring her hands together in her lap instead, to still their anxious movements. 

"We are looking for a means to free her."  It felt risky to declare this intention, but Astrid felt prepared for whatever outcome.  She reached her hand out with palm up as if meaning to take the spirit's hand, carefully opening her mind's eye to take in whatever the Sight may reveal.  "Will you help us?"  With head bowed slightly in a respectful gesture, Astrid looked up at the spirit with heart hammering. 

[Black Philip]

Thestia looked long at hard at Astrid, as if studying her face for cracks in her defenses. Astrid's charm would let her know a psychic tendril was being extended. She looked to the other's, as if confirming they too wanted to save Tess. Lacy looked the least supportive of the statement, but grumbled, "I just want her to face justice for the things she's done. We don't need to kill her in order to do that."

Thestia seemed pleased by the answer, and was about to reply to Astrid when the kettle began to whistle. "Oh! One moment!"

She moved from her seat to the roaring hearth and stuck her hand into the flames, grabbing the kettle and bringing it to the table. Despite the direct contact with the fire, the spirit didn't burn.

"I will help you," Thestia finally conceded. "Tess is all that's left of the Thane's in this country. If she can be severed from her dark master, perhaps she will see the error of her ways."

It sounded hopeful, but far from confident, and she looked a little lost as she poured Maria's tea. She looked hard at the African witch, and then said, "when our girls are in trouble we'd do anything for them, wouldn't we dear?"

[Idrial]

Maria did not let her face crack from the look of calm she had been portraying, appalled that Lacy had eaten a cookie. Praying no harm would befall on the detective, a stern but kind lesson would be given later on her mistake. Lacy was new to the world of magic, the horrors masquerading as innocent illusions were all too real. For all Lacy knew that could have been a human ear instead of a tasty looking cookie, ugh, Maria would have cringed had it not been for Roog. While Astrid played a wonderful game of cat and mouse, she tapped into Roog, closing her eyes only for a mere second. Only to open them in surprise, it the house that was evil. Not the tea or cookies, and not Thestia. Lacy you lucky child.

Then Maria was caught off guard when Thestia said, our girls are in trouble. What did she mean? Maria had numerous people she would call "our girls" back at home. Ami, Lisa-Joe, Sam, just to name some. Or one of the Anarchs? Maria had not taken a seat yet, her gentle gaze settled on Thestia in kind, she was good. That rang true. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, crossing the floor and picking the seat closest to Thestia, placing her satchel in her lap, hands neatly folded on top.

"I know you are good. The evil in this house is what traps you from leaving. It is almost alive in a sense... but you maintain a fraction of your power, when you should have been swallowed up. Perhaps the key to freeing Tess lies in you," announcing her conclusion to the group. Reaching for the teacup and giving it a light sniff, a plain black tea, something she could drink.

"Which girl do you mean Thestia? I have more than one that is dear to my heart. Could you kindly tell me who wants to harm one of my girls?" Maria asked in kind, taking a careful sip of her tea, it was good. Maria bowed her head at the well made steeped tea.

Maria thought that it was a warning about Tess, perhaps she meant harm to the people at the White Rabbit, or against the Central. Ben might be inheriting a war should Jake lose the election, doubtful that the young man could handle such a task right now. Their brief interaction in the Brazilian Quarters revealed unsettling results, Ben was trouble, he had an unhealthy aura about him at the time.

[Seragil]

Trust Lacy to do that which was suggested not to do. To eat or drink that which is offered by something that was obviously other was to bind yourself to it, whether it was fae or spirit, the rule was absolute.

As Astrid addressed this supposed shade of Thestia she noticed Astrid's nervousness and as she placed her hands in her lap Siobhan longed to stretch out and touch her. To comfort her, but was that something Astrid wanted or even needed? She bit her lip a little in indecision and watched in horror as maria picked up her tea and drank it.

By the Goddess, it wasn't about taint, even she could feel there was no taint in this section of the house, it was about being bound to the host and to the ancient rules of hospitality. For the gift of sustenance and some safety the host can ask a boon of those who accept it, which was symbolized by the consumption of said sustenance. Maria just tied herself and all the spirits tied to her to doing whatever this Thestia creature now asked of her. Lacy too.

She flicked her gaze at Astrid to try and gauge her reaction and no longer able to resist and needing a little comfort herself she stretched her hand out and placed it over Astrids folded ones, interweaving her fingers with hers as she gave a little squeeze, her trepidation and fear traveling through her touch.

She had no intention of offering her trust or her services to this unknown and entrusted creature. She narrowed her eyes as Thestia and maria spoke. How could this so called trapped creature know what was happening to people who lived in a city that was miles beyond their influence and reach? To people it had no ties to?? Unless someone was feeding it information.