AN:
Song is something's got a hold on me by christina aguilera
8*8
Fan The Flames pt1:
Last time Constantine set his eyes on Elanye was when Wywave was able to return them to their adult forms. A promise to take Mirabelle to LuLu land for helping out. Ended up being made after she picked out who she wanted to come with her. She needed to get back to since Elanye become unavailable for a few weeks. Reasons weren't given to Constantine in time since she looked liked she up vanished.
This brought a concern and was why he visited his sister's hotel during one afternoon. What he found was Elanye's niece at the reception desk watering a flower arrangements. Hephzibah wore the same red professional uniform Elanye wore with a few changes. Just she wore open toe flats and Waisted, Mini Suit, Dress shorts. Hair in a French twist braid with crimson ties securely holding her hair. Who froze in place under his icy stare and forgetting what to say.
"Your highness," Alastor walked from the shadows with his usual grin, "Greetings."
"Your new receptionist needs to be trained better," He walked past Hephzibah, "Where would my sister be?"
Alastor's shadow acted as Constantine's guide to the occupied conference room where Constantine found Charlie. Just Vaggie and her seemed to be chatting with Wywave over blueprints. A tea set and a dessert tray was set out .
"Your highness?" Wywave knew why Constantine was here, "You're here to ask if I heard from Elle or the main reason for her being gone. Bear with me until I can give you a proper answer."
"Until then," Charlie was happy to share with her brother, "We were planning an apple picking party from Wywave's orchard. Want to be a part of the fun?"
Lack of movement over the disinterest told Charlie her brother was more interested in speaking with Wywave. Which she had allowed the two be left alone to check in on her daughter and Corbin. When she was assured by Wywave they would play nice while she was away.
"Well?" Constantine looked to Wywave for his answer.
"Alright Your highness," Wywave wasn't phrased by Constantine, "My sister told you about how members of our family come into our magical abilities or gifts? That they call upon the spirits of departed family to be present for their awakening."
"Vividly," He recalled, "Where is your ancestral home located?"
"Salem, Massachusetts," Wywave crossed his arms and leaned back on table's ledge, "I should warn you that going unannounced is not a smart move."
"Speaking from experience?" Constantine asked him.
"I don't give advice because I am smarter than you, because I did something stupider than you," Wywave's phrasing caught Constantine's attention, "Make your intentions known since women of Bloodmarch bloodline are not to be taken lightly."
"Your sister has proven that." Constantine could name a handful of moments.
"What can I say your highness," Wywave shrugged, "She's some type of woman."
This was where Constantine agreed to be a part of the apple picking his sister had planned. Put a smile on Charlie's face while she shared time and date with him. Turning his eyes toward hand drawn blueprints that Wywave made of his property. Clear lines that formed the structures and garden could be found. Told Constantine that Wywave knew more than spacial awareness and drawing skill. How he ended up coming to clearing in the woods rather casually dressed, and early. Got him taken inside for basic tea to be served by Corbin.
"Trying out fatherhood?" Constantine noticed the silk baby sling Corbin wore.
"No your highness," Corbin coddled a whining figure, "Abandoned feral hellhound pup."
Cornelius drew attention to a quiet little thing with brightest eyes looking up from silk wrapping. Ball of fur yawned when Corbin started a rocking motion to get her to sleep. Ears twitching and stump of a tail with fresh bandage wrapped around the tip. Runt of a thing was smaller then normal pups that were from same litter she came from.
"You see your highness, Miss. Serenity," Corbin brought up how Overlord of Luck has been helping them, "Has been of some help."
"I do recall her experience in the field." Constantine looked upon the pup.
"Give me a moment, your highness." Corbin had to put the pup down.
Gave Constantine a chance to further explore the cabin by looking over the record and book/ grimoire collection. He noticed one of the shelves was something more. Just took Corbin passing back to show him the hidden mechanism. Had one of the shelves opening like a door. A hidden bedroom behind the shelf carried HER scent. Had him stepping into the door frame to take in the space.
Natural light that filled the space that gave him a look into Elanye's world. Circular window with curtains drawn filled the area with light. Wardrobe and a standing jewelry box lay on either side of the window. Furtherest from the light he spotted a bed with a canopy curtain. Embroidery hoop lay next to the bed's side with a half finished project. Side table held an artisan lamp and a matching clock. A few feet from that was a step leading up to the work space. Vintage sewing machine was covered up with a patched up chair. Storage cabinet filled with sewing and embroidery supplies. Tucked away in a corner of the space with a board above it. Old drawings filled with Wywave's old clothes designs and fabric samples littered it. Bin of fabrics and clothes patterns lay next to that. Small bookshelves located here and there filled with reading material. Tools and supplies for flower arranging were hidden away. A few perches for a bird were found throughout the area. Small staircase led to a second level with a view below him back up to look up. A small area with a bed and basic furniture lay beyond the railing.
"Find anything interesting, your highness?" Wywave asked in passing, "Seems you found where Elanye and Hephzibah sleep."
"Enough room to move around without the sense of feeling crowded," looked around, "You did this?"
"Built with my own two hands." Wywave pointed out.
8*8
"Vincent," Serenity stepped up, "I can see those wheels in your head turning."
Serenity knew something else was on Constantine's mind then Overlords activities or latest leads on his mother. He seemed more quiet when usual when she was currently in his presence. His fingers gently stroking the feathers of a familiar owl as he looked over a private note. Way the owl was perched on armrest of his chair while Maverick rested on Constantine's lap. Showed now much trust was planned on this winged companion belonging to a missing face.
"Processing recent events." Constantine folds the note in half.
"Can't be anything compared to being visited by a one of Bloodmarch brats." She recalled Corbin asking her for parental advice on hellhounds.
Smirk that appeared across Constantine'a face when he recalled Corbin wearing a silk sling on and his full arms. How he was caring for the feral hellhound runt was something Constantine had to share. As they began their meeting with usual topics being covered as drinks were served. Mixed cocktails were served with usual banter.
"She ever tell you," Serenity cared to asked, "When will she be coming back?"
"Soon," He recalled, "She promised attend LuLu with my niece."
She would have asked for further details when he fastens a note to the owl after careful writing something down. Allowing the owl to hop onto his arm without shredding his sleeve of his shirt. Who happily hooted toward a set of eyes belonging to wagging tail of Maverick just watching. Taking flight by being tossed into the air and vanishing from Serenity's sight.
"Refill?" He offered.
She had to blink to twice to feel like she wasn't hallucinating see an owl disappear into thin air. Knowing in her seven years of becoming Constantine's only friend and discovering his endless skill with magic. Make a owl disappear had her wondering, if he was learning a new spell.
"That was Elanye 's way of informing me," Constantine tapped her glass, "Being that her departure was tad rushed and didn't allow her to properly prepare to leave."
Sounds of a liquid of her drink swirling around in her glass went unoticed when he pulled his hand away. Gave him a sense of relief after he found Hoo Hoo waiting for him on his chair before Serenity's arrival. Carrying words of apology in an elegant cursive form of hand writing.
"Old fashion much." Serenity pointed out.
"She forgot to charge her phone." He replied.
Serenity now had a understanding that Elayne at least found a way to reach out Constantine. Left to sip away at her drink as they carried on their conversation about latest reports.
8*8
Sounds of heels on floor of his palace
Quiet hallways echoed her singing
Scribbling of her shorthand across paper
Finding her sitting under shade of trees in his garden
Sight of her dismounting her broom upon arriving
Exploring his libraries while keeping her hands to herself
Her klumzy attempts
Just one of the small things Elanye had done when she was within the walls of his palace. Nothing more than a memory now as pouring of liquid from an Automatic tea maker. Caught his eyes when he noticed a new feature in his workshop. Blend that poured into a cup smelled a lot like what Elanye would make him. Left him to step away from what he was doing to reach for this cup.
"Sir?" An imp knocked on the doors of his workshop.
He allowed the imp to come inside wondering when this was set up without his knowledge. Fatigue that he had been ignoring ended up slowly his thinking process. Left him to stretch his muscles as he decided to come to a stopping point.
"This automatic tea maker," He felt his sister was behind this, "Who is behind this?"
"Miss. Bloodmatch and I." Charlie's voice explained.
Had him dismissing the imp to look upon his visitor in the form of his sister. She stood at the disheveled sight of her brother lost in his research once again. A description Elanye always delivered back to Charlie when she requested her help. Just this time his attention was attracted to the small set up.
"We wanted you at least to have something to keep you nourished," Charlie pointed out, "Has a hidden clock and calendar feature."
He lightly hummed gathering what he worked on to neat piles as his movements grew sluggish. To only be stopping by Charlie when he groggily shifted in place. Being reminded of when Elanye suggested he clean up later and head to bed. Always saying he was only allowed in here and still be here when he got back.
"I think …." Charlie was ready to step up.
" … I know." He found himself yawning .
He tried to not treat her like he does Elanye in a debate manner before she always made her point. One click of her heels and firmness of her voice followed by a hand on the hip. Way she always started pushing himself until he laughed to himself like a mad man. Running on a mixture of caffeinated tea and too much sugar. Always resulted in him agreeing to head to bed like he was doing now. Had Charlie walking him out and agreeing to check on him much later. Two split apart with him heading to his chambers with Maverick quietly following. Soft click of heels belonging to her or selient rustling of owl's feathers. Weren't there to fill a void beside him when he took each step as tune escaped his lips ….
… Oh-oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah
(Yeah!)
I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before no, no
(Yeah!)
And I just wanna tell you right now
(Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh)
I believe, I really do believe that
… Something's got a hold on me yeah
(Oh, it must be love)
Oh-oh, something's got a hold on me right now child
(Oh, it must be love)
… Let me tell you now
I got a feeling, I feel so strange
Everything about me seems to have changed
Step by step, I got a brand new walk
I even sound sweeter, when I talk
… I said, oh
Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh)
I said, baby, oh, it must be love
(You know it must be love)
… Let me tell you now
Something's got a hold on me, yeah
(Oh, it must be love)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Something's got a hold on me right now child
(Oh, it must be love)
… Let me tell you now
I've never felt like this before
Something's got a hold on me that won't let go
I believe I'd die, if I only could
I sure feels strange, but I sure feel good
… I said, oh
Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh)
I said baby, oh it must be love
(You know it must be love)
Let me tell you now
… My heart feels heavy, my feet feel light
I shake all over, but I feel alright
I never felt like this before
Something's got a hold on me that won't let go
I never thought it could happen to me
Got me happy when I'm in misery
I never thought it could be this way
Love's sure gonna put a hurting on me
… I said, oh
Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh), Oh (Oh)
I said baby, oh, it must be love
(You know it must be love)
… Hey, he walks like love
(You know he walks like love)
He talks like love
(You know he talks like love)
Make me feel alright
(Make me feel alright)
In the middle of the night
(In the middle of the night)
Na-na-na-na!
Na-na-na-na
La-la-la-la!
La-la-la-la
Oh, yeah
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Hey, yeah
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Hey! Yeah! Ah!
Passing the doors as they closed behind him when he looked across his bedroom to take in small sights. One was a flower arrangement he took from Elanye sitting on his coffee table. He caused a spell upon it to keep forever blooming while the portrait he painted sat on his easel. He was almost done with capturing her likeness and needed a frame. Deciding where to hang this would be decided later when he decided to change his clothing. Approaching his bed with his vision fading and groggy sensation taking over. Pulling on an eye mask before allowing sleep to take over as he drifted off. Blended into the days filled with appointments with fellow nobility throughout the mornings and weekly meetings. Defusing pointless disagreements or spats between high ranked demons filled his hours. Rare occasions he got to meet with Serenity on usual subjects and visit his sister's hotel.
Always pausing in the reception area to find Hephzibah in the company of a leopard wearing a collar. Each time she made sure to properly greet him with a bow of her head. Before she sent her leopard to fetch his sister, Serenity, or his father. Leaving a few seconds of silence between them before on those days without a word. Changed when he saw her messing with lights in reception and empty parlor area. She slowly moved her hand around in a circular motion as lights dimmed.
"O light fade away, O darkness come to me." She had the lights be pulled toward her into a single orb. She held in one of her hands as the area was draped in complete darkness.
"Can you do that with the whole building or possibly an entire ring?" Constantine asked as he restored the lights with his eyes on Hephzibah.
"Your highness," She never tried blackening out a whole ring, "Yes to a building, but it depends on one of the seven rings you want to blacken out."
He then watched her eyes light up as orb of light just as intensely before the brightness dimmed. Until nothing else was left then a transparent Opal in the center of her palm. She then dropped onto the counter for Constantine to look upon.
"Are magical tricks being shown off?" Charlie interrupted them.
"Playing with the lights." Constantine picked up Hephzibah's gemstone.
"I was caught practicing." Hephzibah welcomed back her leopard.
"As long as you don't go over the top." Charlie spoke from experience looking to her brother.
Memories of her childhood were spent witnessing her brother's countless attempts at learning different fields of magic. Some were successful casts while others were a crash and burn. Through those failures her brother improved his skills to expert levels. Just his habits hadn't changed throughout the decades to this day.
"Uncles won't let Corbin and I do that," Hephzibah recalled their rules, "As soon as we learn a spell, we practice when we can."
"Explains a lot." Constantine closely inspects the gemstone.
He found himself recalling the first spell he found Elanye casting on the hotel's balcony during the hotel's reopening. Made his heart flutter and sad ache pull within hai chest. Finding himself pocketed the gemstone instead of returning it to Hephzibah. Made her press her lips together then request for her stone back when he walked away. Charlie walked beside her brother swearing she saw something in his eyes.
8*8