Thread: Bombs Fall, Witches Burn (TheSilentProtagonist and Vi)

Winter was coming to the forest at the edge of the Bowden moor. The first proper freeze was weeks away yet, but every day was shorter than the last. Today had been a damp, miserable sort of day. Heavy clouds had starved the sky of sunlight and threatened to dump chilling rain. Eloise had hurried through her outdoor chores for fear of being rained on, but the first drops were kind enough to wait until she was safely inside. Inside the little house, a pot-bellied iron stove clunked and clanged as it's fire warmed them against the night. Ellie was at the old porcelain sink, pumping water into the basin to wash a few dirty bowls. On the stove, a kettle boiled beside a large pot of left-over stew that would probably be breakfast for the next day. Antique-looking oil lamps were at every window, chasing away the terrors that waited. A careful observer, however, might notice that the lamps burned with neither wick nor oil. Outside, the rain pummeled the trees as if it would knock off their browning leaves. Even without those nameless creatures in the woods, Ellie wouldn't have wanted to be outside in that mess. At least the rain pelting down would fill the well. The cabin's water supply had run dangerously low over the summer and had left Eloise with a nagging nervous fear. Of course, Luna hadn't been concerned at all. Ellie glanced across the cabin's single room to where Luna was stringing up bundles of... Weeds? Wildflowers? Herbs? Who knew. The fair-haired girl had an uncanny talent for finding uses for useless items. For all Elle could say, they might be priceless lifesaving remedies. Dressed in powder-blue pajamas that were just a little too big for her small frame, Luna hummed contentedly as she hung the days' harvest. Her hair was down, a pale tangle that nearly hit the small of her back. Ellie was tempted to suggest brushing out the knots, but that often ended up taking hours. The witch had absurdly soft hair. And soft skin. And lips... Eloise grit her teeth and poured out some scalding water into the wash-basin before scrubbing the night's dishes with renewed energy. Admiring Luna was... a dangerous line of thought. Oh sure, they had enjoyed a few tender moments on occasion, but nothing near what Elle craved. It had been a long couple years in the woods. I may go into the village tomorrow, if the weather holds. Eloise drained the wash basin, watching the filthy water spiral away before gripping the pump handle and splashing cold water over the dishes to rinse them. Muscles in her arms rippled with the movement. Ellie had been a thin girl when they had first arrived, but soft. Her most strenuous activities had been dancing until dawn, not the sort of thing that would ruin a manicure. Now her hands were calloused and strong, her body tighter than a bowstring. She wore a tank top that fit too tightly and a pair of comfortable grey sweats. Elle was also blonde, though her hair wasn't nearly so long as Luna's. It had been a fashionably short length once upon a time, all styled and club-perfect... Now? Well, her ponytail was tidy at least. Oh? Luna blinked as she climbed down from the cabin's couch. The ceiling was crowded with drying bundles of varying age. Why? Do we need something? Well, I finished that quilt last night and I think we can get a good price now that the weather's turning. We could use some more wool for socks... And batteries. Elle muttered the last under her breath. Apocalypse or not, there were some things a girl shouldn't be expected to do without. Joe Phearson was saying last month that he thought his generator would be running again soon. I want to see if he'll let me charge my iPod. He's a sleazy creep, so it should be easy. You don't have to do that, I've nearly got it figured out. Luna said blithely as she sat cross-legged on the couch. Her absurdly large eyes looked nearly blue as she held up a rechargeable battery in excitement. It was charred with several black lines at the ends. There were hardly any sparks this time! That's great, but... Elle paused to stare as Luna levitated the battery several inches over her palm. God, Luna, stop that! What if someone was looking in the window? They'd be rude for not knocking. No one is outside anyway, not after dark and not with Them in the woods. The blonde girl smiled in dreamy delight. It's so much simpler now. I used to need a wand for this, you know. Eloise sighed and began drying the dishes with her back to the window while she watched Luna play with the battery. Soon she was smiling along as more small objects joined in to spin wobbly orbits around the pale girl.