Facilier watched her retreating figure; he felt a sense of success. He felt he had struck a nerve, however he felt that little Aleena was up to something. Why was she suddenly showing an interest in the men who pined after her all of a sudden? It made no sense to him. And she seemed to be aware that Basil Ryder was the worst of them all. She was scheming little vixen.
Aleena couldn't bite back the smile on her face as she walked back to her shop. The rest of her day consisted of her helping customers by giving them some potions and doing readings for a happy couple here and there.
The next night, Aleena was sure to dress her best. She wore a semi casual dress. It fitted every curve perfectly. The dress just went down to her ankles. It was crème in color with light green designs accenting the skirt. She was just fixing her hair when Basil arrived in his car. He entered Aleena's shop without so much as knocking, completely disregarding the closed sign.
The night went by slowly; Basil was a dull creature hardly had a good conversation in him. He chatted about this and that. About things that would bore everyone but men like him. At long last the meal was over, and Aleena could go home. Basil offered to drive her, but she Aleena turned him down flat. Basil glared at the woman as she left. No ever turned him down.
Asha took her time walking. The houses in this district were so well kept and lovely. She felt anger that these fat cats sat in them while people only a few miles away struggled to put bread on the table. As she thought this, a butler walked outside and proceeded to throw a half eaten loaf of bread into the yard. "Wasteful." Aleena mumbled to herself as she walked.
Within an hour she was back in familiar territory. A sudden chill swept over her. Smirking, Aleena looked to her left finding a familiar tall figure walking with her "Evening Facilier."
Facilier glanced down at her. "Ya'll seem bored chere."
Picking up the pace, Aleena replied. "What's it to you?"
Facilier chuckled. "From your reaction, I'd say that old Basil wasn't much company."
Aleena chuckled and replied. "Oh he isn't good for conversation…Have you ever wondered how I've managed to survive on my own for as long as I have."
She sensed a smile on the lips of the Shadowman. "You're an attractive creature, you're also rather smart. I assume you are aware of the effect you have on most men?"
Pushing a stray curl behind her ear, Aleena gave a sly grin. "I am well aware of such things. And it seems only fair. Women do not have a say in the goings on in this world. And the only way they can is to play puppet master."
Facilier glanced down at Aleena; her green eyes looked wild with frustration and cunning, she was quite the little wildcat. She was conniving; Aleena could almost match Facilier evil for her own malevolence. Unlike Facilier however, she knew how to charm people to the point of blindness. She played the saint card until it lost its use to her. Aleena was like nature, both cruel and kind at the same time. That was how Facilier saw her, but Aleena still refused to kill a human being. That was the only thing that separated them.
The pair walked in an eerie silence. Mist swirling around them as if they were lost souls. Facilier's shadow fallowed close behind, clinging to the light of lamps that stood on the borders of the streets. On they walked, for what felt like forever. The silence began to bore Aleena. With a smile, she moved her hands over the mist. Slowly it rose, bending in complicated shapes to follow her thin white fingers.
Aleena remembered only a few years ago, when she had traveled to India. When she had lived in the humid country, she had learned to develop a connection with the wide variety of exotic animals that went through market. With time she could hear their thoughts and could get them to do her bidding if she willed it. Not only did Aleena learn more in the mystical arts, she also picked up some culture from India. While in the market place in one of the larger cities, she noticed a young girl dancing in the streets for coins. After giving the child some money, she was given lessons in the dance, which was called belly dancing.
Aleena's skirts swirled into the mist, sending it around her body. Her stomach moved and contracted in ways that seemed almost impossible. Her hands and arms moved like water, drawing images in the mist. Facilier watched this display with interest. She looked like a phantom as she danced, and Facilier envied Aleena in her abilities. Elemental powers were paused down by blood, not learned like the art of voodoo. The witch had the ability to learn every art possible, and open doors for herself by doing so. The Shadowman eyed Aleena's tattoos; they held no power in them. But somehow they demanded a certain respect.
Like a predator, Facilier eyed Aleena, moving around her as she lost herself in the mist. It was strange, that she did not fear him. Her eyes were closed and she danced in a most seductive manner. Aleena spun and her scarlet locks brushed Facilier's face. Causing her scent to explode and overwhelm him. As if taking notice of Facilier's presence, Aleena stopped mid step and flushed lightly. "I apologize; I tend to lose myself on nights like this. Comes with the territory of being an elemental witch I suppose."
Her face seemed so innocent at that moment, almost childlike. All traces of power gone to a sense. The Shadowman shook himself slightly to regain some composure. With a devilish smile he asked. "Now why didn't ya'll dance like that at Ms. Le Bouf's party, eh?"
At this, Aleena shoved in the shoulder with a laugh and walked further on. "Because you would have been tripped up by the weak knees you just experienced."
At long last, they came to the doorstep of Aleena's shop. Unlocking the door, she turned inside the frame to look up at Facilier. "Well thank you for escorting me home Dr. Facilier, you're better company than the boogeyman, considering the fact he is not a devilish as you."
Facilier stared into the witch's eyes, with a crooked smile. Reaching out a hand he stroked her flush cheeks. "Thank ya'll for the lovely dance darlin."
To his surprise, Aleena did not pull away. But instead pressed her cheek into his hand and gazed up at him fondly. Without thinking, Facilier slowly bent down, Aleena brushed his hands with a gentle kiss. But just as he was about to bring his lips to meet hers, she pulled away from his grasp. A devious smile on her face, chuckling Facilier was about to follow her inside. But he felt something push him back. He watched as Aleena's eyes fell on something in the doorway. His eyes landed on a broom. Bringing his eyes back to Aleena he gave her a sour look. She seemed rather pleased with herself. "Ya'll are quite the tease ain't ya?"Aleena raised an eyebrow and then laughed, with that she shut the door in the Shadowman's face.