Is it wrong to live with a Sorceress? Or: How Morathi Moved-In and Ruined My Life!

Chapter Ten: Send me on my way

'These humans…' Morathi repeated, while shaking her head. 'Look at all of them, scurrying about. Forking over their measly coin for their, pitiful meals!'

Her inner monologue grew in intensity and in venomous commentary the longer she waited.

'Fools… all of them.' She mused, a small self-satisfied smile across her lips.

'I knew of other worlds before, but… if I am able to return promptly, then perhaps?'

Bringing a talon to her chin she scratched the underside of her smooth jaw and slowly plotted.

'Yes… yes. I could charge the most senior of my witches and sorceresses towards building such a…' she chuckled perversely, 'Oh yes, a web-way between worlds!'

Smirking and letting out a low, quiet, cackle her imagination continued to race and build.

'These people seem easy enough to fool and walk among. A few of my most loyal daughters in darkness could slip amongst them, and study what we might plunder for our own designs!'

Snapping out of her daydreaming she looked to her side at her two human companions. 'But first…' she suppressed and impatient growl, 'no, no. It's fine. We can wait… We are most familiar with waiting.'

Hiding her lips behind her right hand she smirked again, 'Oh yes. Let Eric, and his colourful fool! Buy their… burgers? Yes their burgers! And their… Timbits!' Scoffing silently, she rolled her eyes, 'Whatever the hell either of those are.'

Folding her arms and returning to her daydreams about things to come and plots to enact Morathi narrowed her eyes, agreeing with herself as a low chuckle began to build in her chest.

Furrowing his brow and stepping away from the restaurant's counter Eric nudged her elbow and tilted his head, "Come on Morathi let's get back and snag our table before any truants do!"

Shaking her head and snapping out of her thoughts Eric had already darted past the Druchii before she got her tongue moving to speak, asking "Wait? What?"

'What does that even mean? Gah! These incessant and incomprehensible words irk me so!'

Behind her a few impatient people were beginning to crowd towards the cash and looked at the goth milf with raised eyebrows, one was even bold enough to clear her throat, passive-aggressively commenting; "Excuse me?"

Looking past the humans Morathi saw Eric nod to her and chuckle before he walked alongside Frankie.

The impatient woman looked the Druchii over again before clearing her throat, "Excuse me lady? I'm sure you're late for a concert or a séance somewhere so, why don't you move and let me get my coffee? 'Kay?"

Furrowing her brow and looking down Morathi narrowed her shadowed eyes and her pupils dilated. Her irises flared and glowed with a tint of lilac before she let out a low snarl, "Be still your minor inconvenience, peasant. Were you wiser you'd be thanking your gods I don't flay you now."

The woman, dressed in a business suit stepped back, her heels clicking dully against the tile floor as her mouth opened and her eyes widened. Now Morathi looked her over.

The woman's face was cute, only the smallest combination of frown and smile lines betrayed her age. Her hair was dark blonde, brought back into a bun. Her ears had plain silver studs, and around her neck was a thin silver chain with a small cross. Her blouse was the whitest garment Morathi had ever seen, and the suit the woman wore was a light grey, the weave made more brilliant by what appeared to be silver thread.

'Such a rich human?' she remarked, 'Why I'd love to hear your wailing cries of anguish! To hear you broken for your grave insult to even dare appear in such raiment before me, whereas I am so accosted by these rags!'

Imagining all the things she could do to the human, not for her impatient passive aggressiveness; no, no… Merely the perception which Morathi thought the human to be nicely dressed was enough for her to fantasise about wearing her skin…

Feeling the tingling, miniscule bursts of energy dance around her fingers and along her arms Morathi knew she could easily rend the mortal in front of her.

'Something as miniscule as this? Ha, well. I'm sure I could make short work of this puny woman with what mana I have right now…'

Then she heard two boyish laughs.

Looking past the small line of humans and back towards Eric and Frankie the Druchii matriarch reluctantly calmed, the sobering memory of her oath to the young male sapped her ire. Instead the thought of the human's spirited insistence distracted her.

Her eyes returned to normalcy and she sighed reluctantly, 'This may be a harder bargain to uphold than I thought…'

Stepping past the terrified woman Morathi's voice lowered as she caustically remarked, "Enjoy your black-bean juice." Chuckling hollowly, she flicked her wrist while adding, "Hopefully you don't end up wearing it."

Waving her over Frankie offered a slight smile, he was doing his best not to look at her fearfully. The two young men were carrying black cafeteria trays topped with steaming drinks, small paper boxes, and strangely aromatic bags.

The she-elf could only cock her head as she walked towards them.

On the way back to the table the two males were chattering away, joking, and otherwise 'getting on'. Despite their situation, and what they had to do, or the interdimensional witch accompanying them, Eric and Frankie rekindled their friendship rather well.

Innocently the two talked, sharing things and doing their best to acclimatise to what was to come while slowly Morathi sat down beside Eric.

Eventually she let out a sigh before raising her voice and interrupting their childish revelry, "Alright, enough, enough! I've stomached almost as much of this place as I can, so fill yourselves and let us depart with speed!"

Eric and Frankie looked at her with raised brows.

"But Morathi, you've not eaten anything since this morning either. And besides, Frankie bought you a burger."

Eric laughed, and so did Frankie before the Quebecer added, "I got you a…" he giggled, and Eric sniggered, nearly choking on his coffee.

"I got you a 'mama burger'."

At this the two young men let out loud laughter and Morathi furrowed her brow in confusion.

"What on earth is so funny?!"

Eric shook his head, "G-get it? A-a mama burger!"

Bringing her hand to slap the back of her companion's head Eric let out a low, "Ow…"

Rubbing his now ruffled hair they quieted down.

"I also got a twenty pack of Timbits for us all, and I got you a double-double."

Frankie hesitantly offered the wrapped burger towards Morathi from his brown A&W bag as Eric took her coffee from the paper four-holder and put it in front of her.

Crinkling her nose and raising an eyebrow the Druchii looked at the paper covered burger apprehensively.

Frankie's voice came out uncertain at first but he grew with confidence as he explained, "I know that they sometimes look questionable but, this spot always makes them fresh and they actually manage to aim the pieces onto the buns."

Eric nodded in agreement.

"It's not lopsided or malformed looking, or anything."

Morathi scoffed as she finally took the bag. Looking in front of either male she saw their ripped open papers and the food which was held inside.

'It looks like a peasant dish… With… is that a water covered leaf?'

Furrowing her brow, she placed the bag down in front of her before easily tearing the paper up and open to reveal the top of a sesame-seed covered bun.

"So… W-what exactly is it?"

Eric swallowed a mouthful of coffee and leaned closer.

"It's called a hamburger; and essentially it's two bread buns with a piece of beef in the middle and a variety of toppings; like onions, pickles, cheese, mayo…"

Nodding Morathi began looking at the warm construction from different angles.

"You pick it up and just, bite into it." Punctuating his words Eric took up his burger and munched into the side.

Leaning back Morathi looked across to Frankie and saw that he too was holding his 'burger', yet unlike Eric the pastel-boy had a stringy piece of onion hanging from his lips while his cheek was bulging out.

Looking away from her table-companions Morathi saw scores of people holding their food as they ate.

Quietly she let out a noise of embarrassment and discomfort as she tentatively picked up her meal.

Ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice began leaking from the sides and onto her fingers and she hid her sudden squeamishness and revulsion.

Swallowing and bringing the burger to her black lips the witch hesitated before looking to her side at Eric.

The young guide offered nod of encouragement as he suppressed a smile and laugh.

Opening her lips and bringing the food towards her teeth the witch shut her eyes and mentally groaned, 'Ugh… somehow I know this is humiliating…'

At the same time as she touched the bun to her mouth a woman in the food court let out a scream as she fell, the sound of coffee splashing accompanied the commotion.

Looking over the edge of the booth and towards the Tim Hortons Eric and Frankie let out 'woahs' as the tried to see what had happened.

Morathi let out a muffled, knowing, cackle, as she began biting into her meal.

The trio was walking towards the parking garage while Morathi continued to complain and groan.

Adjusting his grip on his backpack's strap Frankie leaned towards Eric and whispered, "Maybe we made a mistake with the Timmy's?"

Eric, somewhat embarrassed to be carrying Morathi's bag from Victoria's Secret raised his voice as he responded incredulously, "The only mistake was in her eating fifteen out of the twenty Timbits!"

Morathi, her arms across her abdomen let out a grumble, "I curse both of you! The food was too indulgent not to relish! Yet you warned me not! Especially of their seductive power…"

"They're a treat! You have a couple now, a couple later. Not wolf them all down as soon as you finish your burger!" Quietly Eric whispered to himself, "Which was kinda disgusting by the way, not going to lie… I've never seen a person eat that fast…"

"I hungered! I merely, forgot the sensation for a moment…"

Sighing he nodded, his voice calming, "Now look you're probably also sick from so much sugar and… like… I dunno grains and processed food or something."

Frankie nodded, "The caffeine in the coffee too was probably-"

Hissing Morathi interrupted, "Silence! Neither of you is an apothecary! Nor are you learn'd doctors!"

Frankie stifled a laugh, as he mumbled "Okay Shakespeare."

Chuckling and shaking his head Eric nodded sarcastically, "Right! And besides… she's a big girl, she's… uh…"

Furrowing his brow Eric looked behind at the hobbled and slow moving she-elf, "How old are you again?"

Snarling and feeling her stomach gurgle Morathi grumbled, "Insolence! I… ugh. Oh…"

The she-elf's voice quieted and she stopped to lean against the wall, "S-slow down…"

Eric and Frankie looked at the Druchii with concerned expressions. Then without warning Morathi burped.

Frankie let out a loud shriek and laugh in surprise as he jumped backwards. Eric merely shook his head and his face washed over with relief.

The witch let out a sigh and moved her arms from her abdomen, "I… feel better…"

Ignoring her belch Eric nodded, "Good. Now, for Frankie's sake how old are you again?"

Narrowing her eyes and standing back up straight the Druchii woman pursed her lips.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that's an impolite question?"

Shrugging and pointing ahead the group started walking again.

Reluctantly she broke down. Eric was quickly discovering that if a question involved her, she would eventually answer it; her ego being far larger than the human considered possible.

"Fine…"

Frankie looked over his shoulder with interest as the Druchii sighed and looked at him out of the corner of her eyes.

"Six… maybe… seven thousand years? I don't know anymore… I… l-lost track."

The Quebecer's face paled and he looked ahead as they exited the mall and began towards Eric's car. Even Eric was surprised.

Frankie asked hesitantly, "R-really?"

And shrugging the Druchii let out a breath before responding, "After the first four millennia some years just blend into a haze, and honestly I don't remember several centuries altogether."

She chuckled and leant her head back, "Once…" she suppressed her laughter, "Oh gods. It's funny now, not so much then, but once, I was experimenting, weaving new spells. There was a bright flash, I destroyed my sanctum in a flash of light and I was found comatose. So, I had to be attended to by my handmaids for some two hundred years!"

Waving her hand as they approached the car her chuckling dissipated, "I woke up eventually… But, by the gods it took decades to relieve the soreness in my joints afterwards. Oh, and the hair! If I were to say it was longer than I am tall, it was longer still!"

Smiling and letting out a contented breath at her recollection her voice changed, dropping through the floor as she snarled; "Yet I also recall… Malekith never visited me."

Frankie nervously looked over at Eric and the anglophone kept his eyes glued to the ground.

"Not once…"

"My trusted handmaidens tell me he was informed of my condition, but he felt compelled to make another attempt upon Ulthuan. Ignoring me, and the pleas of my maidens to at least visit!"

Grumbling and her ire rising Eric cleared his throat and interrupted her before she became too agitated, pointing towards his Honda, "W-we're here Frankie! You ride shotgun and give me the directions, okay?"

Nodding quietly Frankie responded, "Oui, y-yea, no problem…"

Morathi raised a brow, now reminded of their quest, "Oh yes. Of course!" letting out a chuckle, her whole demeanour changed, "here I am reminiscing!" quietly she sighed as they each opened a door and entered the car.

As she sat in the backseat, she had a pleasant expression as she wistfully mumbled, "Ahh, my Mally…"

Frankie put his bag at his feet and clipped his seatbelt before asking, "Who's Mally?"

Eric, turning the key in the ignition, opened his lips, his eyes widening as he shook his head. Mouthing the words 'Don't ask!'.

Morathi 'Hmmed?' and Frankie immediately shook his head, "Ha, n-nothing!"

Nodding the witch let out a mumble before sitting back in her seat.

Clearing his throat and glad to avoid the subject of Morathi's son, and their relationship, Eric confidently asked, "So where to this shop?"

Pulling out his phone Frankie nodded, responding matter-of-factly as he looked at his map, "Take the Rideau street exit, then a right on King Edward. It's down this little side street, so drive slowly. I'll point it out when we're a little closer."

Nodding Eric reversed from the parking spot, "Got it."

With the radio lowly buzzing and the car's engine humming they travelled a few feet inside the parking garage in quiet before Morathi's voice came out cooly.

"Mally is what I call my son."

Frankie furrowed his brow, "W-wait what? You have a kid? Right! Right, ha… sorry… It's just you look… you know…"

Laughing Morathi brought a hand to her mouth while Eric groaned, 'oh god here we go…'

"Did you think I was a five-thousand-year-old virgin?"

Frankie shrugged, his cheeks reddening, "No! I mean… ha! N-no. But, I've seen a couple anime which imply-"

Eric interjected, "Ah no no! No, don't talk to her about anime! That's the last thing I need, I already made the mistake of showing her Lord of the Rings, she doesn't need any more meta info!"

Smirking and raising a brow perversely the Druchii's voice came out lyrically, "Eric, I don't know how long I might want to stay here. Perhaps I'd like Frankie to tell me of this 'anime'?"

Eric, defeated and appalled, pursed his lips and focused on driving.

"You forget, I'm far more astute than your race."

Frankie laughed, "This is too much!"

Turning in his seat to look behind at the she-elf the pastel-boy let out a snigger of childish glee, "Before I tell you about anime, you've got to tell me more about you, and your son! I know we talked a bit in the food court but, I'm dying to know more!"

Letting out a mature, motherly laugh of pride the witch nodded, "With pleasure!"

Taking a hand off the wheel and pressing it to his temple Eric groaned, "Oh god…"

"My son's name is Malekith and he's the rightful heir to the throne of…"

By the time they had finally pulled in front of the small, hippy-ish, alternative, occult-ish shop Eric's mind had glazed over.

In the course of their short drive he had to listen to a North Korean style propagandic retelling of a huge chunk of Warhammer lore… Only able to stay silent by biting his tongue the whole time.

Everything was pro-Druchii, pro-Malekith, and, without context, bat-shit crazy to hear.

Morathi though, couldn't see just how evil and twisted a lot of the things she was saying were to the average person, and by the end of it, Frankie didn't know whether to laugh, keep quiet, or feel bad for her.

At one-point Eric had merely shared a look and Frankie pieced it together; his lifetime of reading and consuming manga, anime, videogames and such also helped to bridge the gaps and finally the Quebecer had understood.

She wasn't aware that she was a fictional character or that she was obviously a villainous one…

"And Sulaphet!" she cackled, "As soon as I can I must summon her forwards into this world, same with Heartrender! You two will bow at the dark majesty of my mount."

Furrowing his brow as he turned off the engine Eric looked back, his voice rising to counter, "You did spawn Heartrender!"

Morathi looked away, her voice lowering almost childishly, "No I didn't."

"Yeah you did, you destroyed my bathroom and left it stuck in my floor and ceiling!"

Frankie sniggered in disbelief as they exited the car.

"What, did you forget the length of your own weapon?"

Averting her eyes embarrassed Morathi waved her hand, "R-regardless!"

"And where are we gonna be able to fit your horse?! If the in-game model is anything to go off of it's huge!"

Opening her mouth to retort Morathi stopped, her face confused as she furrowed her brow, "What?"

Frankie shook his head from side to side, his face growing redder as he interjected, "Okay! Okay, come on, we're here now, let's get serious…"

"So, like will this help to rebalance my like… Chakras?"

Holding a book and leaning against the shop's hand carved cash desk a long-haired guy with a long skateboard on his back was quizzing the bearded, bespectacled, mystic running the store.

After a short pause the owner finally let out a huff. "It's a book about them yes, but like with many things it won't just happen. You've got to read it, and put the work in yourself."

The guy leant away from the counter, chuckling and nodding, "Heh, yeah man. Right, right…"

At the entrance the door opened and a bell chimed loudly.

"Now c'mon Dave, either get the book or get out, you're killing me here."

The 'dude-bro' put down the book and put his hands up, "Nah man, I ain't killin' no one man…"

Rolling his eyes and taking a breath the owner put on a happy face as he ignored his pot-smoking browse-only regular Dave and looked at the three people who had just walked in.

Frankie waved to the owner, a small embarrassed smile across his features.

Recognising the small colourful Quebecer, the owner brandished a warm grin of recognition, "Oh! Mon amis! comment ca vas?"

Frankie nodded, "Bien! Bien… I brought some friends with me today, and we… we need your help getting a few things."

Leading the way Frankie stepped towards the counter.

Dave the pot-head took the owners lack of patience with him and the appearance of new people as a time to become insulted.

Furrowing his brow and puffing aggressively he looked down the decora-boy and grunted, "W-woah? I was here first buddy!"

The owner of the shop shook his head in confusion and Frankie's eyes widened as the aromatic dude-bro directed his ire towards him.

Stepping ahead of Eric, and pushing Frankie out of the way Morathi placed herself between the humans.

Straightening her back and looking down her nose with a sneer the Druchii cleared her throat as Dave looked up and furrowed his brow at the Gothic woman.

"We require the proprietor of this establishment, and you shall not interfere. I'll say this once; begone."

Her order oozed with venom and Eric gulped nervously. So far he'd never heard her use that kind of voice before. But maybe she'd reached the end of her patience for the day?

Confused and trying to process what was happening the guy stuttered before raising his right hand and poking Morathi's shoulder. Eric cringed and took a sharp breath.

"A-a-and who are you? Some kinda Siouxsie Sioux wannabe?"

Eric, hoping to butt in before things got ugly stopped, his mouth agape in horror. 'H-h-he touched her?!'

Even Frankie's eyes widened at the contact.

Dave however continued, "Yeah the nineties called, they want their Goths back!" giggling at his own stupid joke the owner of the shop interjected while shaking his head, "What the hell are you doing Dave? Stop bothering customers and get outtah here!"

Coolly Morathi ignored the man and darted her right hand upwards.

Taking the man's finger, she snapped it backwards without the slightest hesitation or effort. Then, letting go, she looked towards the owner with a smile.

Dave, as well as the other males present took a moment to realise what had just happened.

Despite the wet sounding 'crack' her action wasn't immediately obvious. Then the pot smoker let out a scream of pain before jumping and darting past Eric towards the door.

"She just b-b-broke my finger man?!"

After declaring this he began yelling and clutching his hand towards his chest, but not before Eric got a look at the digit hanging loosely from it's joint. Shivering in disgust Eric could only think, 'Oh dude… if only you knew how lucky you are…'

"Y-you're mental lady! F-fuckin! Crazy!? She didn't even blink man! Ahhhgaghhh! Oh my god!"

Nearly tripping over himself pot-head Dave ran out of the shop as fast as he could while the owner, Frankie, and Eric looked at the Druchii in complete shock.

Letting out a perverse sigh of satisfaction Morathi punctuated it by letting out a little giggle.

Indicating Frankie, she spoke as if nothing had just happened, "As my companion said, we require you aid in the procurement of certain… Ingredients."

Indicating Eric she tilted her head with a coy grin, "And we are willing to pay amply in coin."

The owner balked and took a half step back.

"W-what do you need?"

Smiling and her eyes crinkling at the corners Morathi let out a 'hmph' before responding, "First of all we require discretion."

The man looked at Frankie, but immediately darted his eyes back to the sorceress. Her words were eerily compelling, the vowels and inflections sounding like pure sex as she continued, placing both hands on the counter and slowly leaning forwards.

"I have suffered too many fools today, and I have restrained myself far more than I ought to have… So, secondly to your discretion I expect your upmost dedication and decorum. And finally, I shall require the freshest and most exotic of your stock."

The man stared into Morathi's eyes and remained motionless.

"Frankie here says that you are mystic, perhaps even an aspiring hierophant? You shan't leave any secrets to me, understood?"

Mutely the man nodded as Frankie and Eric looked at their magical companion.

"Whatever plants, spices, ingredients, rituals you deem as magic here, I need to know of."

The man nodded again.

"Frankie? What resources do we need as basics?"

Clearing his throat and stepping forwards the Quebecer raised his finger, "Right… but… i-is he okay?"

Looking back to the owner Morathi furrowed her brow, "Oh… yes? I think…"

Eric bringing his hands to his temples shook his head, "Morathi! You're doing exactly what you did at the mall! Only… f-fucking worse! Do you even notice?!"

Looking to her other side she huffed impatiently, "No! Eric, I don't! You try living normally and then being thrown into a place utterly alien to you! Huh? See how well you adjust!"

Frankie grunted and cleared his throat again as he interjected, "Hey! Hey, it's okay! You two stop! Morathi… maybe you could, not mind-control slash possess people?"

Shutting her eyes and stepping back she huffed reluctantly.

Then she looked back at the still mute, motionless store owner.

Eric looked back and forth from the man to her as she put her hands on her hips.

"He's already enthralled…"

"Oh come on!"

"Well! We may as well use him while he's like this!"

Eric looked at Frankie and the francophone shrugged his shoulders, his face cringing as he eventually croaked out comically, "Sssshe's got a point?"

Furrowing his brow and pointing to the stupefied and magically enthralled shop-keeper his voice cracked, "You're okay with this?!"

Frankie looked at Morathi and pursed his lips, "I mean if he's not harmed by it-"

"Oh my god!" Eric turned around and scanned the shelves of the strange store before reluctantly giving in, "Fine… fine! God this is fucked up, but fine! Whatever…"

"I'll carry shit to the car and we can load up the trunk…"

Frankie and Morathi shared a look before the smaller male let out a giggle.

Eric looked at his friend with an angry expression and the Quebecer huffed, "Oh come on! It's funny!"

Shaking his head Eric mumbled, "It's fucked up is what it is…"

Authors note:

Good evening Boils and Ghouls, sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I hope it's okay for you all. I'm also sorry for my intermittent writing schedule as of late.

I'll plug my twitter here because it's far more convenient + current than these authors notes.

If you'd like you can follow me at 'ViscountsCourt' for updates and news. I'm trying to post more there, but it's difficult to keep on top of things.

I hope you have enjoyed my story so far, more to come soon. Thank you so much for continuing to read, it means a lot to me.

Lots of love.

VV