The Devil's Adieu

When Orion asked if he could tag along on Bell’s little ingredient-gathering mission, she’d jumped right out of friendly-potion-gal mode and straight into strict-old-witch mode. He wouldn’t be coming along unless she did exactly what she said. No power glove thing, for one, that was right out. No other electronics, either. She’d fussed over his clothing, too, insisted that if it was too “future-y” he’d have to wear something else – though he insisted there weren’t secretly nanobots weaved into the fabric or something. No hair gel in the morning, no cologne or makeup or anything, no nothing. He was coming as naturally as he could manage, and he had better not try to fake any personality things or anything, and everything he said would have to be honest.

None of this was strictly necessary. She knew that, and she made sure he knew that. She also made sure she made it clear that it was a matter of respect, not only to their location but to her as a witch, and that if he ignored anything she’d said she’d beat him so hard he couldn’t even get off on it.

With that settled, she waited at their designated location, on a riverbank near the bottom of a greenery-covered mountain. She’d brought with her a cloth bag, and there was an old, handmade knife strapped to her waist – other than that she was wearing the silk poncho her mother had given her years ago and a traditional pair of pants. Her hair was tied back with twine, but she hadn’t brought shoes – instead she walked by the river with bare feet, looking down into the water as she did.

Bell was jolted out of her thoughts by a shout. When she looked up there was a confused, almost annoyed expression on her face – but she quickly relaxed when she realized who it was. After a quick assessment of his clothes, she laughed. “You don’t look like a witch’s companion at all. I suppose I couldn’t have expected something like that from you.”

“No, you should probably come over here. This is the better vantage point.” Even if he didn’t, she’d act as if she did, pointing first to the river and then up into the mountains. “This river starts from that point right there.” Quite a trek away, to be frank. “There’s a spring there – a sacred one, at that. Perfect for our purposes. I recall I sent you a picture of the herbs we’re looking for, as well – but feel free to pick up some others.” She grinned at him. “I believe there’re some rather interesting mushrooms on the way, if we’re lucky.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at his description of witches. “There’s different breeds to everything, Orion. My folks were always about simplicity, living off the land – a lot of our magic is nature-based, too.”

“’Course there’s somewhere we can buy this stuff.” The Underground was the perfect place for that sort of thing. “It just wouldn’t work, not for this one. It’s a holy potion, you know – or something approaching it, at least. One does not simply buy the ingredients to a holy potion.”

“A surprising number are, actually. Whether or not it’s safe is sometimes debateable, but hey, that’s what I brought healing potions for. Of course, some of this stuff isn’t much use on its own anyways.”

“It’ll be a long walk. Sure you can make it?” There was an amused sort of twinkle in her eyes.

“It’s more of a race, really.” Bell grinned. “My classes are potion-brewer and scientist, always have been.”

She watched and snickered as the man attempted to type on his arm. “You’ve had that thing for a while, haven’t you. A hand-me-down or something? Or did you make it yourself?”

“Got it, got it. You point out anything that catches your eye and I’ll tell you if it’ll give you diarrhoea.” She gave him a nod and a chuckle.

“Alright, whatever you say – mm? You’re worried about me?” Bell waved him off. “This isn’t no concrete or anything. The ground’s soft, my feet are kind of soft, it all works out. This is the way my ma taught me to do it, y’know?”

“She always told me if you’re trying to channel power from the earth, direct contact is the best way to go.” They were beginning to walk up along the river.

“You’ve had to use it, huh? You’ve gotta tell me about that some time.” Though she doubted it would be easy to pry more out of him.

“You only think I’m soft ‘cus you haven’t seen me in a bad mood~” She shot his comment right back at him with a grin full of teeth.

She hummed to herself at his questions. “No, I totally gotcha. Why do you think we’re out here like this, if it’s just for something physical? A lot of the spiritual will come in too, I assure you. It won’t kill the thrall entirely, not if it’s too strong, and it won’t stop it from coming back since I imagine you’re not going to stop sleeping around. But that seems kind of the point, right? If you wanted to exorcise the poor girl you wouldn’t be with me, you’d be with a priest.”