Exodus: The Witch and the Wildling

[Ancelas]

Vanya squinted at the mark. That wasn't a bruise.

[CautionCat]

"Hmn? Something there? I don't recall..." He furrowed his brows some, and lifted his hand to their forehead, rubbing under their bangs.

"Ah... Huh... Kelevera kisses me there, so maybe whatever magic she granted me, left a mark..."

[Ancelas]

"Who's Kelevera?" Vanya asked, frowning.

[CautionCat]

"A devil we made acquaintances with at the ziggurat. She gave me a boon to help me get here quickly. I... Think Gallium said she charmed me... I don't feel like anything is wrong, though."

[Ancelas]

Vanya's expression immediately became serious. "A devil? What kind of devil? What did she ask in reply? Gott, if she's done something and you can't feel it - that's exactly the kind of deal that does not end well!"

[CautionCat]

Verdi blinked some, and waved his hand to calm Vanya. "I just offered her the strange metal egg I found. I... Don't know what it is, but it's temporary. We offered her a place to stay in New Haven until she can go back to her realm."

They smiled and shrugged. "She... Knows a lot about tieflings. Our origins. Said we're kin, in a way. She also... Can't get what she really wants from me."

Verdi scratched the back of his head, watching Vanya. "I'm pretty sure it's a sex thing, but I... Ah... Don't... Really do that. She was also very aware of... My feelings for you."

[Ancelas]

"A sex - did you make a deal with a succubus?" Vanya's mouth fell open in horror.

And then she blinked. "Wait, feelings for me? And she said... she couldn't get what she wanted from you?"

[CautionCat]

Verdi's ears perked up, surprised. "I... Don't know? Maybe?"

He glanced away, feeling his face grow hot. "Y... Yeah. I have... Strong feelings for you, Vanya. I'm.. I don't normally have these sorts of feelings. Last person I did, was... Monte. And that was years ago, now."

"I.. it's demi. Demiromantic? Kelevera I find to be interesting on a knowledge level. She knows things I would like to learn. But I... Any attraction someone else would have isn't there for me."

[Ancelas]

Vanya worked her jaw a little, processing. That Verdi had interest in someone else hadn't really crossed her mind until he went and mentioned demiromanticism. She of all people couldn't frown at someone with multiple interests. And the fact that his feelings for her were recognized by a succubus, of all things, was both thrilling and... a little scary.

"...You engaged a pact with a devil for power and knowledge," Vanya pointed out slowly. Her tone wasn't accusatory, though - she was concerned. "You understand this, yes? It is one of the oldest tales in the world. One cannot make a deal with the Witches Three and expect everything will be well, just because they present themselves as kindly grandmothers."

She moved to face Verdi and raised her hands to cup her cheeks. "Devils care only for what they can gain - never for whom they give to. Be wary. I will not let a devil claim you, but little can be done with a pact already sealed."

[CautionCat]

"She just wants a place to stay, I don't see the harm in it... She wasn't asking for any dark favors..." Verdi frowned, having some doubts, but either it was the charmed affect, or simply the way Kelevera had been treating him, he didn't see her as a threat.

Unlike some other devils they encountered already. Bulgup's, and that Mortamer? Both seemed awfully sketchy.

Verdi rubbed his arm, thinking. "I know she's dangerous, or could be. But out of all the devils we've met so far, she's... Been nice. Maybe it's a trick, or maybe she's got deeper plans, but she's respected me. Kelevera hasn't abused her charm over me, I don't think."

[Ancelas]

"Let me ask you this. If she had no ulterior motives, and is as respectful and friendly as she presents herself - why did she have to charm you?"

[CautionCat]

Verdi shrugged, watching her. "It's in her nature to. Just like you have to... Go out at night. I'm sure she meant to do something with it, maybe to keep in contact with us. She's able to communicate with me, so that's probably part of it. We were working together at the Ziggurat, she was distracting the devils upstairs while we probed deeper."

They rubbed their forehead, that mark, and frowned. "She told me about the undead moving in great numbers, she helped me find where you all were. If it wasn't for that, I'd have had a harder time getting here."

[Ancelas]

Vanya moved her hands from Verdi's cheeks to his shoulders. "You're right," Vanya said, with some strain in her voice at being so honest. "It is... just like that. And that is why I am concerned. I... have made use of such spells, in those moments, to achieve my own ends. And those I used the spells on were none the wiser."

She lowered her gaze, feeling self-conscious. "I just... don't want to see anyone take advantage of you."

[CautionCat]

Verdi nodded, and lifted a hand to cover Vanya's while it rested on his shoulder. "It's okay. She may be able to make me find her more friendly, but she can't make me like her like that. You kind of have to have that wired in your brain, I'm sure someone like Biff or Monte would be easier targets..."

He chuckled, and moved his hand to cup Vanya's face. "And you didn't need any spells on me. This... This is natural."

[Ancelas]

Vanya blushed, and felt an stirring in her chest that was both touching and... uncomfortable.

She breathed deeply and forced a smile. "It is. I would never use a spell like that on you without your permission. Or if your life depended on it - I'm making that clear up front. Although it can be used to help calm one's nerves in certain situations regardless."

She lifted her hands to the back of Verdi's head to gently tilt his head down. "You are a kind, brave soul, and I will protect you. I am yours - and you are mine." She stood on her toes to place her own mark over Kelevera's.