Monsterhearts:The Ill-Mother and the Serpent

Sunday August 24th, 2:15 PM
Wildomar, Chris's House

**The ride home was almost entirely awkward and silent, with Luana seeming to enforce an atmosphere of stern silence. As the four of them walk into Chris's house, there's an immediate feeling of caution that floods the air.**

**Chris**: **He walks into his house, looking back at Luana, Liam, and Odie for a moment before looking to the stairs, half expecting his mother to be there. He calls out as he looks around.** Mom? **He takes another few steps forward.**

**Liam**: **He lets out a nervous sigh as he hesitantly waits, the whole situation and the feeling surrounding it making him unease.**

**Luana**: **She tilts her head slightly, like she hears something. After a moment there's a soft clicking that moves through the walls, it culminates into a deep hissing, and Natalya's dark shadow suddenly stretches across the floor of the entire foyer. Luana steps forward, walking passed Chris and towards the center of the foyer as she looks up at Natalya.**

**Natalya**: **She stands tall at the top of the stairs, wearing a long emerald-green gown. She keeps her yellow-green eyes fixated on Luana repeatedly narrowing them, as if trying to figure out just what it is she's looking at. Her stance changes to look almost as if she's guarded and cautious.**

**Chris**: **He steps a little forwards, keeping distance from Luana. He looks at the small old woman for a moment and then looks up to his mother, her strange behavior making him uneasy.** ...This is Luana Araujo, she's the second witch we've found for the ritual.

**Natalya**: **She leans forward, gazing down at Luana. She narrows her eyes several times and her pupils jitter in size. For a moment they enlarge to such an extent that the green of her eyes vanishes completely and become fully black, and then they contract to thin lizard-like diamond slits before returning to normal.** ...This is no simple *witch*...

**Liam**: **He gulps nervously and starts pulling at the bottom of his shirt, unsure of what's happening.**

**Odie**: **He wants to explain, but Natalya and Luana make him feel so uneasy that he can't seem to say anything.**

**Chris**: She... **He looks at Luana, taking another step away from her.** ...We were told she was a Witch Queen. **He looks up to his mother.** She said she'd help.

**Natalya**: **She hunches slightly, taking a step back, she keeps her eyes fixed dead on Luana. Luana in turn, continues to look up at her with a stoic and emotionless expression.** You still need the name of your demon... **It almost looks like she's trying to figure out how to deal with the frail little elderly woman before her.**

**Luana**: **She suddenly speaks with a raspy voice.** I know the demon's name. **She continues to stare up at Natalya.**

**Natalya**: **She recoils cautiously when Luana speaks. After a moment she steps to the edge of the stairs and stands up straight.** You are *blind*.

**Liam**: Huh? **He looks up to the sound of Natalya's voice, unsure if she's referring to him.**

**Luana**: My sight fled from me when my youth did, but I still see what needs to be seen.

**Natalya**: **She narrows her eyes again.** What is your purpose here?

**Luana**: I am here to see the snake-mother, and now that I see her, I know what she intends for this small town.

**Natalya**: **She tilts her head and narrows her eyes.** Then we see each other for who we are...

**Luana**: We've much to talk about.

**Natalya**: ...So we do. I'll have my caretaker prepare a meal, we will all discuss this over lunch... **She finally looks away from Luana and moves up the stairs towards Agatha's room.**

**Luana**: **She looks from Natalya, and seems to glance around the house, despite apparently being blind.**

**Odie**: **He suddenly breaks the silence.** Well that was god damn nightmarish.

**Chris**: **He looks back at Odie and shakes his head in relief. He wasn't sure what the hell might happen with the way his mother was acting as she looked at Luana.**

***About thirty minutes later...***

**Everyone is in the large dinning room, Chris and Orion are sitting to the left and right of Natalya, who is sitting at the end. Luana is sitting at the opposite end and Odie and Liam are sitting to her left and right.**

**Natalya**: When I was very young, I saw your like before. **She's eating from a plate of salmon and home made fries, which Agatha had prepared for everyone.** A crone, who at the time I considered old, living in isolation deep in the forest. I sought her out after my initial... Affliction, thinking that she could return my humanity.

**Luana**: **She wipes her mouth. She's eating a simple soup, foregoing the salmon sandwiches that Agatha prepared for lunch.** Your curse is not reversible. It is of pagan divinity, and primordial power.

**Natalya**: Yes. She said something similar... **She narrows her eyes. She seems different somehow, less stern. The tone in her voice is more "normal".**

**Luana**: ...It's been a while since I've spoken to a woman my elder. I find it refreshing. I find that the youth of today is... **Liam can feel like Luana is almost staring at him, though she's still looking down at her soup.** ...Incompetent.

**Liam**: **He hasn't eaten much. The morning so far has weighed on him, and the anticipation for the ritual has caused him to lose his appetite. When Luana seems to refer to him he frowns very slightly, feeling pitiful.**

**Chris**: **The way Luana and his mother are speaking is so strange to him that he's just watching them silently.**

**Natalya**: **She looks to Chris and then to Luana.** The world has been clad in a facade of safety. Every generation it gets worse, with each child being more entitled and attention-seeking than the last. They think themselves the masters of a world they know nothing about... Many never even grow up.

**Odie**: **He slowly raises an eyebrow at Natalya as he takes a bite from a piece of french bread.**

**Liam**: **He picks at his food. He feels like a little kid, sitting there while adults talk about him as if he weren't even in the room.**

**Natalya**: I find it strange that you allow yourself to age and take illness... Certainly it's within your power to prevent such a thing...

**Luana**: You know better than anyone, that the world we live in creates monsters, and to rule those monsters, you must yourself become like them. I've lived long enough already, and living even longer will just make me a hypocrite to my younger self. I don't want to betray the values I once strove to uphold...

**Natalya**: **She narrows her eyes and looks down to her food.** ...I understand your meaning. So long have I lived, yet so little of me remains because of it. **She looks back to Luana.** I've lost more of myself to time than what I've gained... And what little humanity I have has been stretched so thin that it is no more. Suffice it to say, the young girl I once was died nearly twenty-eight hundred years ago... So I cannot share your mindset. I will survive, *eternal*, as it is all I now know.

**Chris**: **He stares at his mother in confusion and disbelief, her supposed age completely catching him off guard.**

**Luana**: Yet you still have children... I think that is what I find to be most interesting about you.

**Natalya**: **She looks to Chris.** Perhaps a piece of the girl that died, may yet live on in them... But my sons need their own paths. Solve their own problems. It makes them stronger. I do not wish upon them the same weakness of my youth. So I set this trial for Chris, and it seems he's capable of passing it... **She looks to Chris.** Though he took a great deal of time in order to gather what was asked of him. **She looks away from him and back to Luana.**

**Chris**: **He sighs quietly.** ...Speaking of which... When will we perform the ritual? Not to be... Rude... But I'd like to get started *sooner* rather than *later*...

**Luana**: Early in the morning, at three. **She takes a sip of her soup.** Demons are much more active then.

**Liam**: **He sighs slightly. He hasn't eaten most of his food, the strangeness of the day, and the anticipation of the ritual having cause him to lose his appetite.** So that Witching Hour thing is true then? ...Evil things happen around three in the morning...

**Luana**: The night is dark, and wrought with horrors... **She clears her throat, and reaches for her glass, taking a drink of water.**

**Liam**: **He closes his eyes and slouches in his chair for a moment before taking another small bite of his food.**

**Agatha**: **She suddenly walks into the dining room, pushing a metal cart. The three pies that Odie's mother made are sitting on it. Warm steam rises from them, and they fill the room with sweet and delicious smells.** I heated up the pies that Ms. O'Dwyer sent over, I thought they might be enjoyable for lunch.

**Chris**: They smell great. **He looks to Odie and smirks, glad that Agatha's arrival helped defuse some of the strangeness of the situation.**

**Odie**: My mom's a cook. **He nods.** A really good one.

**Luana**: **She suddenly lets out a hacking cough and grabs her napkin, wiping her mouth. She stands up suddenly.** ...I'd like a place to lay down for a while, I need to rest before we get started tonight.

**Agatha**: Yes of course, I'll show you to one of the guest rooms. **She looks to Luana, and after a moment the two of them leave the room as Agatha leads Luana to the guest rooms.**

**Orion**: **He stands up and walks over to the tray, grabbing the knife and a plate.** Who wants some pie?

**Chris**: I'll take some of that apple.

**Orion**: **He starts cutting into the apple pie.** What about you Liam?

**Liam**: Uhh... Sure, I'll have some of the peanut butter.

**Orion**: Odie?

**Odie**: Ehh, I probably shouldn't have too much sugar, I'm kinda twitchy enough as it is right now... **He nods.**

**Orion**: **He walks over and sets the slice of apple pie in front of Chris, then sets a slice of peanut butter in front of Liam.**

**Chris**: **He grabs his fork and starts to cut off a piece.** Odie's mom said she wanted you to try the Black-berry custard. Said she made it *especially* for you. **He raises and eyebrow at his uncle and smirks.**

**Orion**: **He looks at Chris and shakes his head.** What are you implying, Chris?

**Chris**: Seemed like she's pretty grateful for what you did for Odie. **He nods.** *Ya-know-what-mean*?

**Orion**: I'm not sure Odie's father would appreciated that.

**Odie**: If he were alive, I'm sure it'd be a scandal.

**Orion**: Oh... Sorry.

**Odie**: **He shrugs.** He died before I was born, it's no big, don't feel bad. **He shrugs again and smirks.** I don't...

**Liam**: **He solemnly picks at the peanut butter pie. It's delicious, but he still doesn't have much of an appetite.** Someone start ringing the wedding bells, we got a shipper on board...

**Orion**: **He looks at Liam with confusion.** ...What?

**Odie**: Well at least I'd be a billionaire. **He nods.**

**Orion**: What... The... Slow down guys... **He shakes his head and lets out an awkward sigh.** ...You want a piece, Natalya? **He looks to her.**

**Natalya**: **She seems to break from being deep in thought and her eyes snap to glare at Orion. She stares at him for a moment before responding.** Of his mother?

**Chris**: **He holds in a laugh.**

**Liam**: **He smiles widely, but quickly buries the laugh as he's so afraid of Natalya that he doesn't want to risk offending her.**

**Odie**: **He gulps.**

**Orion**: **He's frozen by Natalya's strange glare.** ...Of... Pie...

**Natalya**: **She looks to the tray, seeming to just having noticed what's happening.** Blackberry. **She then looks to her plate, breaking the stare.**

**Orion**: **He shakes his head and walks over to her, putting a slice of blackberry in front of Natalya and then walking back to the cart, cutting himself a piece.** If you don't mind my asking, how old is your mom, Odie?

**Odie**: I dunno, thirty-four or thirty-five or so maybe?

**Chris**: See, she's *your age*... **He raises an eyebrow at Orion several times and smirks, but then suddenly looks to Odie.** Wait she's that young?

**Odie**: **He nods.** I think she had me when she was eighteen. Right after high school.

**Orion**: Must be nice having a parent that isn't old. **He looks to Natalya for a moment and then back to Odie as he sits back down.**

**Odie**: Thirty-five *is* old though... That's like *twice* my age. **Orion sighs and grabs his fork.**

**Liam**: Thirty-five isn't *that* old... **He takes another bite of his pie-slice.**

**Orion**: ...Thanks... That makes me feel a *lot* better... **He smiles and takes a bit of the pie.**

**Natalya**: ...This pie is incredible. **She says it almost absent mindedly, and continues eat as if she didn't say anything at all.**

**Chris**: **His mother's comment almost stuns him, and he looks to her. Every since Luana came here she seems to be acting uncharacteristically "normal", at least for her.**

**Liam**: **He puts down his fork.** I think I'm gonna go lay down too, I didn't get much sleep last night, and I want to be rested for what's happening later. **He stands up.**

**Orion**: You need help to your room?

**Liam**: I think I got it. **He turns and shuffles off without another word, as he leaves the dinning room he reaches out until he touches the wall and pauses, as if to remember where he is, before walking towards the guest rooms.**

**Odie**: On that note, could I get a ride home? I'd stay and help but... I'm already in enough trouble as it is, and missing school tomorrow would be bad for my health.

**Chris**: Sure, I'll give you a ride back. **He finishes the last of his pie.**

**Orion**: Tell your mom the pie is incredible.

**Odie**: Will do, and thanks again Doc, for the... Hyper Potion or whatever.

**Orion**: **He picks up his glass and nods.** Yeah, don't go and make a habit of it, heh.

**Chris**: **He stands up.** You want to leave now?

**Odie**: Yeah, she's probably getting home from church right about now, so that'd be good. **He stands up and pushes his chair in.**

**Chris**: I'll be home a little later, I'm going to pay pay Karen a visit.

**Natalya**: **Karen's name catches her attention, and she looks up from her empty pie plate. Her expression seems to shift to her signature dark stoicism.** We will hold a party next weekend, be sure to invite her.

**Chris**: We're having a party? Next week?

**Natalya**: When we first moved here I informed you that we would be holding a party once things got settled. If they are not settled after tonight *I will settle them for you*. Understand?

**Chris**: **Her return to a threatening and blaming tone quickly makes him feel uneasy.** ...I understand.

**Natalya**: **She narrows her eyes at Chris and then stands up and walks out of the dining room and into the kitchen.**

**Chris**: **He shakes his head and looks to Orion. After a moment he looks to Odie and pulls out his keys.** Let's get outta here.

***A few hours later, at the (former) Totenkopf estate...***

**Karen**: **She's pulling her hair up as she walks into the room. The two of them are in a large sun room, with tall windows that look out into a garden. Beyond a tall stone wall the towers of the Nadrageel's castle-like mansion stand against the dark hills. The weather has taken a turn to being stormy, and it's started to rain.** Forgot to buy pizza bagels... Then again we don't have a microwave anyway... **She smirks and shakes her head.** ...So you'll just have to break tradition this time. **She's wearing a simple black night gown.**

**Chris**: **He rolls his eyes as he turns to look at Karen. He's standing at one of the large windows.** Well you'll have to make it up to me, double next time.

**Karen**: **She laughs slightly and shakes her head.** Kid I can barely keep up with your singles, doubling down with you would probably put me in a coma.

**Chris**: I can be more gentle, if that's what you want.

**Karen**: **She sighs.** Worried about tonight?

**Chris**: **His smile fades and he looks back outside.** Guess it's obvious that I would be.

**Karen**: I'd be more worried if you weren't worried. Demons tend to feed on pride, or so I've heard.

**Chris**: **He bites the inside of his lip, going silent. After a moment his mood lightens as he remembers something.** We're throwing a party next week, it'd be great if you showed.

**Karen**: A party? **She looks at Chris quizzically.** What kind of party?

**Chris**: I guess I'm supposed to invite a bunch of people from school and stuff... I'm really not sure yet.

**Karen**: **She sighs and rubs her forehead.** I realize this might be a little sudden, but I might be leaving, my mother wants me to go back to Germany.

**Chris**: **He frowns with sudden worry.** What?

**Karen**: **She sighs, knowing that Chris would react this way.** Look, Chris. I like you, you're a cool guy, got smooth lines, charisma... **She shakes her head.** And I know you're facing hard times but... There's really nothing here for me.

**Chris**: *I'm here* for you... **He bites the inside of his lip harder.**

**Karen**: I'm five years older than you Chris... And... Yeah, the sex is great, but... To be honest... I don't think this can really work, can it? I'm not even sure if I could settle down with... Well your... *Situation*...

**Chris**: **He starts to look irritated as he looks away.** You acted like the scales weren't a big deal, but now it is? Didn't seem like it was twenty minutes ago...

**Karen**: Everything about you is a *big* deal Chris... **She looks away from him and looks around.** I'm just not sure what I'll be doing here. You know... It's weird for me, not just because we have completely different species of creature in us, but because our families hate one another... On top of that, even without the supernatural in the mix... You're still in high school. **She shrugs slightly.** What am I supposed to do about that? Wait for you to come home and then help you with your homework?

**Chris**: **His lower lip trembles slightly as he looks to her.** So you're just going to leave, run off and do whatever the hell you were doing before?

**Karen**: **She puts her hand to her forehead.** That sounded a lot more mean than I meant it to... Look... There's just no place for me here. I came here looking for my brother's killer, and to sell this house. Your mother's bought the house, and she's promised my family that she'll bring the killers of both my brothers to justice. I... Just don't have a purpose here anymore...

**Chris**: What about this house?

**Karen**: **She looks to him, narrowing her eyes slightly.** What about it?

**Chris**: **He bites the inside of his lip.** Who is supposed to take care of this place?

**Karen**: So I'm supposed to stay here and become your family's maid?

**Chris**: No! -That's not what I meant.

**Karen**: When we first started this, I said, as a warning, that I'm not the sentimental or loving type. I live my life a moment at a time, you can't blame me for that... I can't get too invested in someone... And not to be mean but... Especially a kid, Chris. You need to live a little more life before you decide to get so attached to a girl... **She shakes her head.** Besides you don't want me, I'm a mess... I wander from place to place... Looking for nothing and no one, and the only thing that sticks with me is trouble.

**Chris**: **He sniffs his nose a bit and then rubs it.** I guess you're right... We don't even know that much about one another. **He looks to her.** ...And you're *so old*.

**Karen**: Eh... Heh... **She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.**

**Chris**: I'd still like you to drop by the party... **He smirks slightly.** I mean, if you live that long, I'm sure at your age, you've already got one foot in the grave.

**Karen**: I don't think I'll fit the high-school scene very well.

**Chris**: ...Yeah you'll have to do something about those crow's feet. Maybe some more eye-shadow. If you want I could ask Agatha for one of her cardigans, might make you looka few years younger.

**Karen**: You know we just had sex a half hour ago... **She laughs awkwardly.**

**Chris**: Yeah, I probably should've kept the lights off.

**Karen**: Oh my god! Chris! **She walks up and smacks him on the shoulder.** Fucking brutal!

**Chris**: **He grabs her and suddenly hugs her tight.** So you'll drop by the party?

**Karen**: **Her expression turns solemn as she rests her head against his chest.** ...Yeah.

**Chris**: So does this mean we can have some break up sex?

**Karen**: **She lets out a quiet sigh.**

**Chris**: I just want you to know, ahead of time... Since I have a week... I'm going to do everything I can to convince you to stay here with me... **He holds her close, solemnly looking down at the floor behind her.**

**Karen**: **She sighs slightly, and responds in a quiet, somber, tone.** ...I know.