Disclaimer: I don't own Witch's House or any of the IPs from which my imported characters originate.
Why Cute Witches Should Deal With Outsiders (And Their Lairs)
Chapter 6: Sapphic Circle
Beta: AllForFire
Ellen stood in the white emptiness of the Waiting Room of Dreams, waving at the retreating forms of her friends Azathoth and her Reaper taking their leave. Off in the distance, just as the couple disappeared entirely from sight, the blonde beret-loving Reaper partially turned back from where she was pressed against her wife's side to wave back enthusiastically.
Turning back to one of her two remaining guests from the gathering of the Sapphic Circle that she'd just played host to, Ellen couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Shiro Evileyes was beautiful, even by the godly standards of Outsiders like them. With her white skin, silvery blonde hair and perfect figure, she had turned many a divine head since her ascension to their ranks. A feat that was aided by her elegant fashion sense, as demonstrated by the tie neck, high-collared, long raglan-sleeved, seashell colored ball gown. It made her look like a regal queen, and almost distracted from the way she always had her eyes closed.
It honestly made Ellen feel plain. Even if she'd gone out of the way to emulate the older woman's style in her own periwinkle stretch satin and tulle sheer short sleeved dress. She'd hoped it would have made up for her relatively unflattering looks. But it seemed nothing could make her a match for Shiro's pure refined beauty.
Ellen's dress, with its ornate beaded lace detail throughout the bust and sleeves, the asymmetrical pleats at the waist, the cascading ruffle detail at one side of the skirt and flowing mermaid silhouette with a sweep train, simply made it appear like she was trying too hard.
All that effort and attention to detail wasted! I still don't look half as sophisticated as Shiro. Ellen lamented and pouted in dismay.
Today was important, and she wanted to look her best. Yes to impress her friends in the Sapphic Circle, but more importantly to wow Viola later in the day. It was going to be the main event in their relationship today and she wanted to look perfect for that all-important moment.
Sensing she had Ellen's attention, Shiro walked up to her and offered the younger Outsider a smile.
"It appears Midori and I are your last guests again."
"It would seem so," Ellen said, letting none of her envy seep into her voice. "Is Midori still stuffing herself with cakes?"
Shiro smiled and nods.
"The Butcher will be pleased to know that his cooking is so greatly appreciated."
"He deserves the praise, he is a grand cook."
Ellen nodded in agreement.
"Though that is no excuse for us overstaying our welcome like this." The woman in white said with an apologetic smile. "Is it really alright? Aren't you expecting a very important guest?"
"Yes, she's coming. At last." Ellen told her friend with a broad smile, her joy at what was about to happen so intense that she was surprised burst from it all.
"Ah, young love." Shiro said with a wistful sigh, "I can still remember when I first met Midori and how we fell in love. That lovestruck expression of yours reminds me of how I was back then."
Ellen couldn't help but blush brightly at that.
She wasn't about to let her friend get away scot-free for her teasing though. With a playful nudge, she told her, "Aren't Midori and you plenty lovey-dovey now as is?"
Chuckling, Shiro nodded.
"I suppose, but we were way worse back then."
Considering that the two were practically glued at the hip whenever they were in the same room together and how they had no qualms about public displays of affection, this boggled Ellen's mind.
"That's hard to imagine." Ellen admitted.
Shiro just smiled at her, a faint blush staining her alabaster skin as she probably recalled some of the more extravagant displays of love she had shared with her wife in the past.
Ellen's focus was abruptly pulled away from the conversation however when she sensed that she had just crossed into the House.
Viola's here! She's finally, physically here! Ellen shouted ecstatically in her own mind.
Shiro seemed to have caught on as she shot her a knowing look.
"Why don't you run along, Ellen. I'll handle Midori." She told the younger Outsider while giving her a gentle push. "It's time to go capture the heart of your own intended, isn't it?"
"T-Thank you." Ellen managed to stammer out through the excited beating of her heart and the burning blush on her cheeks, before teleporting away to face her destiny.
And here's another short one done.
As it should be apparent, these shorter chapters sandwiched between those covering the main plot don't necessarily follow a chronological order either between themselves and definitely not in comparison to the longer chapters. Think of them as interludes designed to add context to the 'main' chapters rather than to drive the plot forward, though some will do just that.
I hope all of you like this approach I'm experimenting with. Do let me know what you think in a review.
Also, I know I went overboard with the description of Shiro and Ellen's dresses, especially the latter's, in this chapter. But trust me that it wasn't just an attempt to satisfy my love of fine dresses. It's mainly to show how particular Ellen is being about every detail of this day that's all important to her. She's looking at the various components of her dress and the dress (Shiro's) she's comparing it to with an frankly excessive level of detail. She's that particular about wanting everything to be perfect.
AllForFire: The woes of perfectionists everywhere.
Will she get what she wants? Wait and see.
Lastly, just a shout out to my fellow fanfic author Kyle Castorena whose works Never the Twain Shall Meet and Echo of a Lost World inspired my version of Azathoth and her Reaper that appear briefly at the start of this chapter. I won't spell out right now how they inspired me, but will do so when they make another more substantive appearance later in the story.
Till next time, peace out!
