To say last night had been a lot was an understatement. Sarah could hardly believe what she had seen, but knew it to be true. Her grief had created the Mycelium…this being that she thought was older than herself, was actually her doing.
Raelle had been thrown that the Mycelium wanted her to open herself to it, and that she would be the one to wield that magnitude of power.
Neither could believe that it had spread so far and in its infiniteness had been housing the magic of all the witches that died.
When they had been released from the memory, Raelle had hugged Tally and Sarah, not caring that she was hugging the General of the Army without permission. She was feeling grateful for them both and had made plans with Sarah to visit the Mycelium the next day so that she could join it for whatever it had to pass on to her.
Sarah and Tally had gone to bed, holding each other tightly and in silence as they mused over the details through their bond. Their minds were beginning to effortlessly blend together as they shared their thoughts and feelings about the night.
Tally had been kind and soothing through the bond, kissing Sarah on the head in the physical and drying her tears as she processed. They fell asleep tangled together until the early hours.
Sarah had woken first as usual and glanced up at Tally from where she had laid on the redhead's chest. She couldn't believe the genuine kindness of Tally Craven. The affection she gave effortlessly; her reassurance; her being a pillar of strength that Sarah never knew she needed.
She was in love with Tally Craven.
Their minds mingled in their sleep as if holding each other and subconsciously sharing details of each other.
Without having to ask, she knew Tally's favorite color was yellow, because of sunshine and sunflowers. Her mother had always planted sunflowers in their garden and they had been Tally's favorites ever since. She knows the pain Tally feels at her mother's disapproval of her decisions, having also seen some of the memories of their arguments over the years—including those about Tally looking up to someone like her.
They were on a 24/7 loop of interaction through their bond, rendering time meaningless. Sarah felt like she had known Tally Craven for years instead of just the nearly full year she did.
Tally began to rouse from slumber then. Soft noises fell from her slightly parted lips, and Sarah carefully tilted her head upward so that she could reach Tally's. She captured them softly, earning a moan from the younger witch.
"Good morning," Tally murmured against her lips.
"Good morning," she replied before placing another to her lips. "How did you sleep?"
"Wonderfully," Tally answered honestly. She brushed some hair from Sarah's face. "How did you sleep?"
"Quite restful. I'm…surprised, honestly."
Tally hummed in understanding. "Last night was a lot. How are you feeling so far?"
"Better once we were connected again. I hated not being able to feel you," Sarah responded, her eyes looking into Tally's. "It felt like I was suddenly missing a huge part of myself."
Tally nodded, grateful she had been trapped in the vision, rather than experiencing what Sarah did—but knowing Sarah was as attached as Tally was did bring a soft smile to her face.
Tally stroked Sarah's hair as they laid in silence for a few more moments. She grinned against Sarah's head, feeling the protectiveness for her flash.
"What brought that on?" Tally asked.
Sarah groaned. "The biddies rousing me."
"And that made you protective of me?" Tally asked quizzically.
"I…" Sarah trailed off. "I'm unsure. I just reacted to the thought of parting with you. Being unable to feel you last night seems to have shaken me some."
"I'm right here," the redhead whispered.
Tally kissed her again, her tongue swiping at Sarah's lips and seeking entrance. Sarah moaned into the kiss as she opened her mouth for Tally, their tongues brushing against each other as they deepened the kiss. Sarah bit on Tally's bottom lip, tugging on it before swiping her tongue across and earning a soft gasp from Tally. She ducked her head and kissed Tally's neck, earning another gasp. This one though, sent a wave of arousal to her center and she couldn't resist moaning against Tally's neck. She bit the soft flesh there as she moved herself on top of Tally, her lower body resting between her thighs.
Tally's breathing was becoming more erratic with Sarah's attention, and she could feel her panties sticking to her already. She sent her desire through the bond and moaned when Sarah practically growled against her neck.
"Bite me harder," Tally requested through the bond, moaning loudly when Sarah did as asked.
Sarah sunk her teeth in, her left hand sliding into Tally's hair and holding her head close—then she sucked on the spot and Tally's legs immediately wrapped themselves around Sarah's waist, locking her in place.
"Tally," Sarah groaned as she pressed into her harder. She'd meant for it to sound like a warning that they should stop.
"Sarah," Tally pleaded as her hands tangled in dark hair. "Please."
"Tally," Sarah breathed against her neck, kissing the mark she made. She pulled back and met Tally's gaze.
Tally's eyes had gotten considerably darker, as she watched Sarah with a hungry look. Sarah was about to say something but Tally pulled her waist closer and ground up against Sarah's stomach, moaning her name.
She had, begrudgingly, wanted to wait but Tally was making it so hard. She was worried that Tally wouldn't truly be ready and she certainly didn't want to push her—despite how desperately she wanted her.
"I don't want to wait," Tally told her, catching the thoughts. "You aren't pushing. Unless you aren't ready...then we don't have to."
"Believe me, I want to," Sarah told her honestly.
"Then take me, Sarah. Claim me."
That broke her.
Sarah kissed her fiercely, her grip tightening in Tally's hair as she ground her hips down against her center, earning multiple moans from Tally.
"Please don't tease me," Tally panted. She was more than turned on. It felt like fire running through her veins. She was overheated and soaked.
Sarah leaned back and reached down to grasp the hem of Tally's shirt. Her eyes looked up to brown, needing one more enthusiastic confirmation before she went further. "Are you sure?"
"More than anything," Tally breathed. She sent her sincerity through the link, watching with a soft smile as Sarah's eyes widened as she received the feelings. Then Tally sent her need through the bond.
It was the best decision she ever made, because Sarah was ripping her shirt off of her, followed by her bottoms and panties in one go. She tossed them over her shoulder and sat back to remove her own clothing.
Tally had wanted to do it, but she was content waiting. They could do slow and emotional later. Right now though, Tally needed Sarah to own her.
Sarah caught the sentiment and quickly laid back down between Tally's legs, her pubic bone resting against Tally's center as the redhead's legs trapped Sarah once more.
She released a guttural moan as she felt how wet Tally was for her. Wet was an understatement though—and it sent a delighted thrum through her veins. She was hers.
They kissed passionately again and Sarah traced her right hand up Tally's side to her breast—rolling the pink bud between her fingers and tugging.
Tally's head went back as she arched into Sarah, wanting more of the attention. So Sarah dipped her head and captured the other in her mouth.
Tally moaned—loud. Sarah released her nipple, sending a wave of reassurance through the bond before she sang a soundproofing seed.
She could hear the building of thunderclouds outside of base, but made peace that nothing could be done now. She was too far gone in her desire to be buried inside her witch.
She switched breasts, lathing the other with her tongue before biting gently. She knew Tally begged her not to tease, but Sarah couldn't resist. Tally's desire was crashing against Sarah's own in their bond, so much so that she could feel a bit of a whisper of her own touch against Tally.
She moaned, releasing the stiff bud and surging up to kiss Tally heatedly as her right hand slid down Tally's side, then to a smooth thigh, and inward to where Tally was pleading for her to be.
Her fingers connected with the wetness and Sarah whined. The noise was pitiful to her ears, but to Tally it only made her more aroused.
"Sarah, if you don't fuck me soon I swe—" Tally's sentence was caught off by a guttural moan as two of Sarah's finger slid into wet heat.
"Fuck," Sarah groaned against Tally's lips.
She had planned on drawing this out, but Sarah—always the epitome of control—absolutely lost hers.
She rocked against her hand, her thigh rising to press against the back of it as she began thrusting and curling her fingers in Tally.
Sarah was sure she had never heard such a beautiful sound as Tally's moans and gasps. Or seen such a beautiful sight. Tally was gorgeous, but lying beneath her with pink flushed skin and dark eyes—Sarah was sure she was a goddess. She licked a trail up Tally's neck to her witch mark, scraping her teeth over it as she curled her fingers.
"Sarah," Tally moaned as she hit the right spot. "I—"
"I know," Sarah replied.
She could feel that Tally was close already by the way her walls had begun to flutter against her fingers, as well as through their connection.
She could feel a ghost of Tally's climax in her core and she increased her thrusts, hitting deeper as Tally's legs spread wider to accommodate her.
"Fuck. Sarah!" Tally yelled as her orgasm washed over her. Her back arched and her head fell back against the pillow as she came hard around Sarah's fingers.
Tally barely had time to catch her breath before Sarah was kissing down her body, humming appreciatively as she went. She carefully eased her fingers from Tally and glanced up to find dark eyes watching her hungrily.
Sarah maintained eye contact as she lowered her mouth to Tally's wet heat. The red haired witch took in a sharp breath as Sarah's tongue licked up her center, gathering her wetness.
"You taste better than I imagined," Sarah whispered reverently to her before she plunged her tongue between Tally's folds.
Tally's hands tangled in Sarah's hair, keeping her pressed against her while she ate her out. Tally had never experienced anything like it. Every spot Sarah touched lit her on fire with need. Then Sarah took Tally's clit in her mouth and stars appeared before her eyes.
"Shit," Tally gasped.
Sarah hummed with approval against Tally, her tongue flicking the bundle of nerves and reveling in the way Tally panted prettily for her.
It didn't take long for Tally to teeter over the edge once more, Sarah's name falling from her lips.
She eased her down, languidly licking around the sensitive bud before placing a gentle kiss there. She crawled back up Tally's body, kissing her way upward to reach her face. Sarah turned Tally's head to the side and licked right over her witch's mark before lightly biting the spot.
Tally shivered beneath her, still trying to catch her breath.
"You're mine, Tally Craven," Sarah murmured into her ear.
Tally pushed Sarah back by her chest so she could look in her eyes. "I've been yours."
A sigh escaped Sarah's lips; one of affection and deep emotion that Tally could feel in her chest through the bond.
"Now, it's your turn to be ravished," Tally told her with a smirk.
Sarah didn't have much time to think before Tally met her in a kiss, her hand tangling in her dark hair as Tally's other hand slid down her chest to her breast and teased her nipple. Tally pulled back and sat up so that Sarah was straddling her waist, and Tally had an all access view to the glory of General Sarah Alder.
"You're so beautiful," Tally told her, her hand stroking down Sarah's chest, down to her witch's mark that rested just under her left breast. She could see the bright shimmering of the mark, pleased that all of this was working for Sarah as it was her.
Then Tally suddenly became nervous. Sarah caught it instantly and tilted her chin back so she could meet her gaze.
"What is on your mind?" she asked softly as she stroked her cheek.
"I've never slept with a woman before and what if I'm bad at it?" Tally worried aloud.
Sarah's gaze softened, the lust taking a backseat. "Darling, I can assure you that you will not be bad at it. I enjoy your touch," she told her honestly. "I can help guide you. But, I encourage you to touch anywhere you would like. Just pay attention to the noises you pull from me to help." She leaned in and kissed her tenderly.
When they parted, Tally nodded before she bent forward to take a nipple in her mouth, licking and biting it into a hardened peak that had Sarah whine as she rolled her hips against Tally's abdomen.
Tally pulled back with a gasp, eyes darkening immediately as she felt the pool of Sarah's wetness against her.
"Sarah," Tally whimpered, her hand dipping down to cup Sarah's center.
Sarah hissed at the contact and ground down on it.
"You're soaked," Tally told her in awe.
Sarah suddenly felt a little…shy. Tally was looking at her with so much desire and she could feel her emotions clear as day. She thought she caught an undercurrent of something…maybe…love?
It made her heart beat faster and she cupped Tally's face.
"For you," Sarah replied simply as they met in a kiss. "Do you feel what you do to me?"
It was rhetorical, but Tally released a shaky breath as she stroked Sarah's soaked folds. The small whimpers and breathless gasps that fell from her lips each time Tally passed over her clit had the redhead swimming.
Then Tally slid two fingers in her and Sarah let out a loud moan as a clap of thunder echoed outside.
"Goddess do you feel good," Tally told her, half whining. She could feel her own body temperature rise, and her own arousal stirring again already.
Sarah didn't waste any time—she rode Tally's fingers, hitting every delicious spot she needed.
Their foreheads pressed against each other, and their lips met in another kiss—one that was short lived as Tally curled her fingers and Sarah couldn't help but moan into Tally's mouth.
Tally was in a similar state. Sarah's weight on top of her; her fingers buried in soaking wet heat; their connection thrumming almost in time with their thrusts—Tally was pretty sure that this was heaven—buried in Sarah. This was completion.
"Tally," Sarah half whispered, half moaned.
Tally curled her fingers again and adjusted her thumb to brush against Sarah's clit.
Sarah's head went back as she began to climax, and Tally took her opportunity. She leaned forward right up to Sarah's vocal cords and licked right over them before sucking on the soft flesh as she curled her fingers once more—deep in Sarah.
A bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder shook the room as Sarah came with Tally's name on her lips, and her fingers threaded in auburn locks.
Sarah felt like she'd been cumming for ages by the time she came down. She couldn't ever remember a time she'd cum so hard. Any previous times were miniscule compared to the way Tally made her feel.
They were both breathing heavily as they rested their foreheads against each other.
"Goddess," Sarah whispered before pulling back to regard Tally a moment.
"I agree," Tally replied with a bright smile.
"Beltane is going to kill me," Sarah murmured before she kissed Tally's lips.
"At least we will die happy," came Tally's rebuttal.
Sarah chuckled. She couldn't argue with that at all. Her forehead touched Tally's again—simply basking in their post-coital glow and connection.
If she thought the connection was open before—she was sorely mistaken. The connection was so flawlessly intertwined that she could feel…everything. It was deeper and stronger than the biddy connection—penetrating into the deepest and darkest parts of her soul to be laid bare before Tally. She just hoped that Tally wouldn't leave once she had seen everything, and she had no doubt that if Tally chose to stay, she would.
"Hey," Tally murmured, placing a kiss against Sarah's lips. "I want the deep and dark parts. I know you have so many horrific memories, and I know that you've done a lot of things that I don't agree with—but I can't deny that your intentions were good at heart for all of witchkind." She reached up and cupped Sarah's cheek. "I want it all, Sarah—every single part."
"Even if I've made so many mistakes?" Sarah whispered into the room, as if her question was a betrayal to everything she's done—and in a way, it was. She could admit her mistakes to herself and her biddies…and now Tally.
It said a lot for her to even give voice to it, something that wasn't lost on the younger witch.
"All of it," Tally reiterated with conviction.
Sarah released a shaky breath against Tally's lips, her hips rocking instinctively.
They both moaned, having forgotten that Tally was still buried in her.
"Oops," Tally commented, without an ounce of remorse.
Sarah rocked her hips again, gasping at how quickly her arousal hit her again. Tally knew what she needed and set a slow, deep pace. She slipped another finger into Sarah, both women breathing shakily.
Sarah pushed Tally back so she could lay down while Sarah laid on top of her. She adjusted them—Tally's legs spread with Sarah straddling her right thigh, and Sarah's right between Tally's legs.
She easily slipped her fingers back into the younger witch, groaning at just how good she felt. Being inside each other at the same time had both of them careening from the waves of emotion soaring through their connection as they moved against each other. They moved slowly this time—foreheads touching as wisps of pleasure escaped their lips.
Sarah could feel Tally getting close and increased her pace a little, earning more delicious noises from Tally's mouth.
"Sarah, I—" Tally gasped out.
"I know. With me," Sarah replied.
A few more timed thrusts from both of them had them climbing higher. Sarah bit down gently and sucked the skin right atop Tally's cords, earning a loud moan from Tally as they both cascaded into a well of earth shattering pleasure that flowed openly between them.
Neither were totally sure where one began and the other ended.
Sarah eased Tally down from her orgasm, groaning a little when she lifted herself up slightly so Tally could remove her fingers.
Once free, Sarah collapsed against Tally's side, half laying on her and half on the bed stomach down.
"That was…" Tally trailed off, unable to find the words.
"Yes, it was," Sarah agreed as she understood the sentiment through the bond.
"And we thought the bond was strong before."
Sarah smiled against Tally's shoulder and placed a gentle kiss. They lay there, basking in their closeness—and then Sarah remembered that she had summoned a storm.
Tally started laughing as she caught the realization that had Sarah spring up from the bed to look out of the window.
"Shit," Sarah grumbled.
Tally joined her in to see for herself. Her eyes widened when she saw the state of the grounds.
A fair amount of trees had been slightly uprooted, trees that Tally knew through the link were almost as old as Sarah if not older—and they had managed to produce something strong enough to pull them up.
There were also a few scorch marks.
It looked like the base was hit with the strongest storm of the decade, and all because they couldn't help but give in. Not only that, but they hadn't even heard it.
Tally couldn't resist the laugh that spilled from her, which had Sarah joining in shortly after.
When they calmed, Sarah sent Tally off to shower first—and alone, despite Tally's tantalizing offer—for they both had things to do and were unfortunately on a schedule.
While Tally showered, Sarah threw on her discarded sleepwear and entered her office after dispelling the seed. Her biddies were all there, going through their assignments or playing chess when she walked in.
Then she got a round of very pleased, and knowing smirks of what they had been up to.
She said nothing about it and quickly went through the itinerary for the day.
They had just finished when Tally appeared from the room—ready for her day but with wide eyes.
"I'm going to be late for class!" Tally exclaimed as she rushed to Sarah, giving her a deep kiss, saying bye to the biddies, and then rushing from the room.
She wasn't far from where Tally's class was held but she figured it couldn't hurt to make sure she wouldn't be penalized. Sarah really needed to manage time better.
Sarah smiled and reached out to Verger through farspeech. "Magda, Cadet Craven might be a tad late."
"I wonder why…must have been that nasty storm we had this morning…" Verger mused through the line, a lilt of amusement in her voice.
Sarah groaned internally, of course Verger knew what went on. She'd known the woman ever since she had come to Fort Salem as a cadet. Her abilities were highly impressive and as the years went on they had gone from a mutual respect to friends. She also had made the mistake of telling Verger, after too much wine, that if she had very good sex she could summon a storm—of course when she told her that, she hadn't had that experience in centuries—until Tally.
But it seemed that Verger's memory was too good.
"Yes, I saw the state of the grounds…" the General trailed off, knowing full well she was about to go outside and sing the trees back into the dirt as an apology for uprooting them.
Magda merely hummed. "Well it seems Cadet Craven made it with a minute to spare."
Sarah couldn't help but chuckle.
"Next time though, Sarah, maybe make sure you leave the hickeys below the uniform collar," Verger teased with a chuckle before she cut the line.
Sarah never became flustered anymore, or blushed for that matter…not since Tally Craven…and now it seemed she couldn't stop.
The biddies didn't even try to stifle their laughter, and Alder couldn't help but join in with them. She was far too happy to care.
When Tally arrived in class, she had quickly dashed to Raelle and Abigail, breathing slightly heavy.
"Sleep in?" Abigail asked with a smirk.
She and Raelle had witnessed the storm and knew that it had to have been Tally and Sarah.
Tally blushed but said nothing.
Raelle leaned in and whispered, "We want all the details after class because I want to know just what you were doing to get that hickey on your neck."
Tally went beat red. "There's a hickey?" she whispered quickly.
Abigail merely wiggled her eyebrows.
On instinct, Tally reached out through the bond. It was even easier now. She didn't have to take a moment to search to find Sarah anymore. She was just there immediately—as if she had always resided there.
"You left a hickey that is visible," Tally thought through the link.
She could feel Sarah's chuckle in her chest and hear it through the link.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Nothing to be done about it now—also, Verger is aware of what went on."
Tally felt herself grow even redder, between Verger knowing what they had done and Sarah's affectionate pet name. She looked at the instructor—who turned her head and caught her eye at that exact moment.
She got a satisfied smirk.
"She just looked at me like she knows I'm talking to you," Tally told Sarah frantically.
Another chuckle. "She isn't that good a Knower. However, she has a lot of life experience and she probably can gather as much. Have a good class."
Tally caught the flash of irritation through the link and sent a questioning thought through.
A flash image of Petra Bellweather appeared in her mind and she hummed in understanding.
Tally didn't doubt that Petra loves her daughter, or that she cares for witchkind. She just didn't think Petra was putting witchkind first…
A vibration of…validation, went through the link. Sarah thought the same. Petra was ambitious and always seeking to elevate herself and her family to a higher status whenever possible.
Tally liked Petra…to an extent. No family is perfect. But Tally often worried that Petra wasn't concerned about what Abigail wanted. She could feel Sarah's agreement about that as well. She sent a wave of affection through the bond before pulling back to pay attention to her class.
"Today we are going to be going into the dollhouse again," Verger began. "You all will be without Cadet Craven, though."
Raelle groaned next to her.
Verger's eyes fell on Raelle and she smirked. "This is important. What if you don't have a Knower with you? What if you are separated? What if the worst happened to your Knower? How would you manage without them?"
Tally couldn't disagree. She raised her hand—when Verger nodded, she began, "So what will I be doing?"
"You, Cadet, will be with me on the outside looking in," Verger replied easily. "If you could?" She nodded her head to outside of the door.
Tally took the hint and exited the room so Verger could open the off-canon seed box.
When she reentered, her classmates were all inside of the dollhouse.
"What do you see?" Verger asked, her back to Tally with her eyes trained on the view before them.
Tally focused and her eyes widened as she saw the magic outside of the dollhouse. There was so much of it.
"When you look at the dollhouse, what do you see?" Verger asked.
"The sounds," Tally breathed. "It's beautiful. So many colors."
At this, Verger arched her eyebrow. "How many colors?"
Tally hadn't caught the look—too engrossed. "At least half a dozen. They're all different seeds aren't they."
"They are," Verger muttered. "Tally."
Tally turned her head at the use of her first name. She caught the look on Verger's face. It was one of pride and amazement.
"There is only one color that I can see," Verger told her. "And even that is hard depending on the seed."
Tally looked back at the dollhouse—her confusion evident.
She could definitely see multiple colors. There was a red tendril, a blue, a green, a gold…a black one that seemed to run underneath the dollhouse.
"Tally, I can assure you that it is most impressive. I haven't taught a Knower who can see sound in over a generation, let alone one that can see various colors."
"So why can I?"
Verger shrugged. "Hell if I know. What I do know is that it is rare and unique…and useful. Can you tell me which streams of working control what? This is important whether you can see the colors or not, hear the sounds, or see the source of the working. If you were blind, what do you feel?"
Tally looked back at the works swirling as she took a few steps closer. As she approached one stream, she closed her eyes to focus on the sensations from them and begin to get a sense of what each one did.
"This one is causing the base illusion," Tally said once she opened her eyes, pointing to the golden stream that encircled the dollhouse. "This one here, is green, and is controlling the sensations of the hallucination that affect the body. The red is fueling the rising tensions everyone experiences inside." She approached the next stream. "The blue is making them feel any emotions more intensely. This one here," she said as she pointed to a magenta colored stream, "is to lead them to the wrong answers to escape. And the black…" she pointed at the base of the dollhouse, "is creating all of the hallucinations they're experiencing. This one alone could run the dollhouse, but the others intensify the working…"
Verger had a very satisfied smile on her face. "Excellent, Craven. You've hit the nail on the head." She nodded to her friends inside. "Let's see how they're faring"
Verger hummed a low seed as the wall in front of them became visible to the outside world.
Abigail and Raelle were verbally berating each other while Gregorio looked like he was going to be sick—Tally mused he must have followed the magenta stream. A few others looked like they were unconscious.
"Looks like they aren't doing too well," Verger mused. "I knew they'd struggle without you but…"
"How can you recognize off-canon work when you aren't a Knower, and if you can't hear the working?" Tally asked.
"Feeling," Verger replied easily. "Everything in the universe has a frequency. What makes witches so magical is that we are able to vocalize that frequency in order to harness the powers it is associated with. That's why we use a tuning fork to help assess new witches."
Tally nodded, following so far. "What about Sarah? She can summon a storm without vocalizing it."
Verger cocked an eyebrow and Tally immediately realized her error.
"I-I m-mean General Alder," she hastily added.
Verger chuckled. "I'm not totally sure what is happening between you and the General, Craven. What I do know is that the General is a very practical woman…and if she is doing something as risky as sleeping with a cadet, then it must be worth the risk."
Tally could feel her cheeks reddening. Then she felt the subtle caress of Alder's mind against hers. Not enough to open communication between their minds, but almost as if hers was saying 'I'm here.'
She couldn't help but smile a little.
"Answering your question though," Verger continued, oblivious to what was going on in Tally's mind. "General Alder is exceptionally powerful. You take the biddies out of the equation and their combined strength doesn't match the General's. Like all things on the planet, we vibrate along the frequencies. Our energy field works with or against the vibrations. The General's vibration alone is enough to summon a storm."
"So her vibration rises to that of the frequency of the storm and therefore she can call on it…"
"Without needing her voice, yes," Verger finished. "So, all witches can feel the vibrations, it is just a matter of tuning in."
"So they just need to focus and…feel it?" Tally asked.
"Pretty much," Verger chuckled. "Now that's easier said than done of course. Some are naturally gifted, like yourself, and others…" Verger trailed off as her eyes fell on Raelle and Abigail, "seem to be too attuned to specific vibrations that they can't feel."
"So if they would tune into what they feel from the work they could figure it out," Tally stated.
"Yes."
"They aren't the most level headed at times," Tally told Verger.
The older woman chuckled. "I think it's time I took pity on them."
"Where's the fun in that?"
Tally and Verger both turned around at the sound of General Alder's voice. As soon as Tally's eyes met Sarah's, she felt the connection open instantly. She realized then that Sarah wanted to surprise her with a visit, and it's hard to surprise anyone when they're in your head.
"General," Verger and Tally greeted in tandem.
"I see we are working with the dollhouse again. How do they fare?" the General asked as she approached. Her biddies stayed back, happy to take up residence on the chairs in the room.
She stopped next to Tally and it took everything she had to not lean into Sarah.
"Not well without their Knower," Verger answered honestly. "General, if you wouldn't mind staying after the class, I need to discuss something with you."
General Alder nodded, her eyes flickering to Tally as a wordless question floated through the bond.
Tally merely shook her head, not knowing what Verger wanted to discuss.
"I was asking how witches can recognize off-canon work if they aren't Knowers," Tally told Sarah, gesturing to the dollhouse.
"Was Magda's answer sufficient?" she asked.
It made Tally smile. She could read behind Alder's words as if it was second nature—and it sort of was. She knew if the answer wasn't sufficient, given Tally's curiosity, she would seek out more information and Sarah wanted her to know she could call on her 300+ years of experience.
"Yes," Tally answered. "But my next question is how do witches get…acclimated to distinguishing different workings by feel, and without being too affected by it? I know some of these make me feel the same and it's hard to distinguish on feeling alone, or they're too intense."
Verger looked to the General, allowing her to answer if she wished.
"Meditation," Sarah answered honestly. "Meditation helps you ground yourself. It's best to focus on one specific piece of magic at a time as all of them together can be overwhelming. Meditation makes it easier."
Tally hummed in understanding. "I don't think Raelle will be thrilled with that."
General Alder chuckled and met Tally's gaze. "I don't doubt it. However, her relationship with the Mycelium will help immensely. She simply needs to let it in." Sarah gestured to Raelle. "I also wanted to see if you and Collar are free after this class so that we may visit the Mycelium."
Tally nodded. She was up for it and she was sure Raelle would be too.
"I think they've struggled long enough," General Alder said to Verger, a glint in her eyes.
Verger sang a seed and immediately all of the magic dispelled.
Tally's unit all shook their heads to help clear the hallucinating fog.
"I guess we failed," Raelle grumbled as they exited the dollhouse.
"Indeed," General Alder stated.
Everyone immediately stood at attention.
"At ease," she chuckled. "It seems that you struggle without a Knower. You must rely on all of your senses while in the dollhouse. Rely on your work. It constantly speaks to you, all you need to do is listen."
The group nodded.
"Collar, Bellweather, if you would remain behind with Cadet Craven. The rest of you are dismissed." Sarah turned and looked at Tally. "Could you take Collar and Bellweather into the other room and wait for me there?"
Tally nodded and gestured for Raelle and Abigail to follow her. Once everyone was gone, Alder turned her attention to the Major.
"What did you want to discuss?" the General asked.
"Tally, actually," Verger replied.
Sarah tensed slightly and Verger shook her head.
"It has nothing to do with you two, although I am extremely curious to know how that came about. Whatever it is though it must be pretty serious," Verger told her. "Why I want to discuss her is that—well she is remarkably gifted. Yes she is an exceptional Knower, but she can see colors in the work."
Alder's eyebrows rose. She was definitely intrigued. She knew Tally was able to see their magic, but she assumed that it was because of the link. This though, seeing colors of Work…
"Walk me through it."
"The dollhouse. I was having her focus on it so that she could work on seeing the trail of the workings. Which, as you know, is rare to start," Verger explained. "Tally can see their actual colors. The indication of the working has a color representative, and Tally can see them. And if magical workings are color coded…"
"Then we could know the type of working being done without having to be near it to feel it or hear it," Alder finished.
"It's remarkable. She is truly gifted." Verger offered her a smile. "I can think of no one more suited for you, General."
Alder smiled warmly and placed her hand on Verger's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend."
Verger chuckled and walked with Sarah to the door. "Don't forget to vocalize a seed next time, otherwise the whole base might be destroyed." With that, she stepped through the door, laughing as she departed.
Sarah shook her head, a grin on her face, and entered the other room to meet with the Bellweather unit.
When she stepped through, Tally's face was red as Abigail and Raelle were inspecting the visible hickey and asking questions.
"Cadets," Alder greeted.
All three snapped to attention immediately.
She approached them and gave them an 'at ease' as she stopped in front of the group. Tally immediately went to her side and leaned into Sarah as the General's arm wrapped around her waist.
"Mycelium?" Raelle asked.
"Yes, if you're ready." Sarah looked at Abigail. "I'd like you to attend as well to remain outside with Izadora. Should anything go awry, I trust you will do whatever it takes to pull your unit out."
Abigail nodded fervently.
"It'll be fine," Tally assured them.
"It is better to be prepared than not, darling," Sarah replied seriously.
Tally began sporting a blush and she could feel the delight run up her spine. She knew Sarah could feel it too.
Meanwhile, Raelle and Abigail shared a look at Alder's open use of a term of endearment.
"Let's get to it then. Abs, you ready?" Raelle asked her.
Abigail nodded with determination as Alder turned and began walking toward the biddies. Tally fell back from Alder's side a little, ready to walk next to her unit mates, when a hand reached out to pull her back to her side.
"You can walk with me if you wish," Sarah said as she led everyone from the room.
Tally smiled softly and walked in step with Sarah the rest of the way to the Necro lab.
She caught a glimpse of some of the trees that she and Sarah had uprooted with their earlier activities. A light blush coated her cheeks and she could feel Sarah's amusement through the link.
When they reached the lower level of the Necro lab, the four of them filed into the room to meet Izadora as the biddies remained in the hallway, sitting on the chairs left out for them.
"I see we have a full group," Izadora said with uncertainty.
"Bellweather will remain out here with you in case there is any reason we need to be pulled free," Alder told her. Her eyes were focused on the Mycelium though.
She could hardly believe that she had made this. They referred to her as The Mother all these years, when in actuality she was The Mother of this powerful entity. Hearing that it was made from the souls of the witches of her coven that perished, had filled her with joy. She couldn't protect them in life but she would do her damndest to protect them in this form.
"Are you okay?" Tally asked aloud, lightly touching Sarah's shoulder.
"I can't believe…" she trailed off, knowing that Tally would understand.
Tally nodded, and wrapped her arms around Alder from behind. She didn't care that they had an audience. Everyone in the room already knew that they were romantically involved. She briefly wondered if Alder would hate being called her 'girlfriend' and she quickly pushed it to the back of her mind. She rested her chin on her shoulder and just stood there in silence with her. She could feel the waves of emotion rolling through Sarah, and she did her best to soothe any pain that came up.
"Are you ready?" Raelle asked lightly.
Sarah nodded, then Tally. Raelle took a deep breath and approached the Mycelium. She sang her seed, and everyone watched with rapt attention as the Mycelium reached out from its wall. Three large roots made up of numerous more, thinner and tighter, crept out toward the three women.
Izadora and Abigail took a few steps back, just in case.
Raelle finished and looked at Sarah and Tally, nodded, and then grasped onto the root.
It quickly pulled her in, disappearing behind the wall.
Tally and Sarah reached out, clasping their own tentacles, and following after Raelle.
