InsaneJournal

Welcomed Guest
(Before the AU plot)

She grabbed two crystal wine glasses out of the cupboard above the breakfast bar in her kitchen, and then placed them on the granite top of the bar. "It's very nice of you to bring a housewarming gift." She said to the brunette who was preparing to open the bottle of wine. "I'm glad you called earlier." Kathleen's face brighten with a smile. Her mood having greatly improved since the weeks after redecorating her apartment.

Gripping the cork screw, the witch tugged roughly and the cork was free with a pop, the fruity fragrance of the wine wafted up to meet her. "I have my good qualities." Lips curled, an almost wry grin worked its way over her features. Yes, she had her good qualities, buried under many of her bad ones. Moving forward, Purity poured liberal amounts of the red liquid into each glass before setting the bottle down. Her hand found its way onto the granite surface. Smooth and cool as her palm brushed over it. "I'm glad you picked up." The witch fired back, her words teasing as she lifted an eyebrow. "Should we toast to anything?"

Kathleen was glad as well that she answered the call. She held up her glass by the stem, "Mmm yes," she nodded. "To warm days and beautiful clear skies," she toasted. Some how the mention of her promotion to a major did not seem appropriate on that moment. She lean forward with her glass and clinked it against Purity's glass.

With her eyes focused on Purity dark green eyes as she brought her glass to her lips and slowly sipped her wine. She allowed herself to enjoy the taste of the fruity softness of the drink. It must have been more pricey than the average wine on the market, but Kathleen was not an expert on wines. "This is wonderful," she said after removing the glass from her lips.


The smile was warm and genuine as Purity lifted her own glass and took her first sip of wine. She had learned rather fast that cheap wine often tasted a little too sour for her. When she wanted to relax with a drink, she wanted to enjoy it, not gag at a bitter after taste that would cling to her mouth. One idle finger stroked the stem of her wine glass. "This is one of my favorites, it doesn't seem strong but it packs a nice kick." The witch's hand lifted, and in a subtle move, brushed an imaginary piece of fluff off of Kathleen's sleeve. "Now, what do we want to do? I'm thinking we move this to the living room?" Creature comforts always appealed.

Holding her glass she walked around to Purity's side of the thin bar after she brushed her long sleeve of her silk white blouse. "I don't know, maybe you can tell me something about yourself." She led the way into the living room and toward the large window with the open view of the nightlights of the neighboring high rises. At the window she paused for another sip of her wine. "Where are you from originally?" She said now facing back toward her guest with the view of the her part of the city from the 12th floor behind her.

They never really had much time after their first meeting to get to know each other beyond talking of muffins and kisses. She could use a friend after burning down her bridges with those friends she made since moving to Chicago. "You said you used to live in Nevada, right?" She tilted her head for a beat looking back at her with her blond hair falling to the side.

The tip of a pink tongue traced the bottom of Purity's lip before she laughed. One hand lifting to run slender fingers through her dark hair. It stuck up awkwardly. "Uh yeah, I did sometimes. Mostly I stayed in Las Vegas but the solitude in Nevada was useful." Any witch with a right mind would have done exactly what she had, and used it for privacy to practice on her skills. At her core, the only thing she had always had through her life had been magic.

Green eyes watched the sights of the city beyond Kathleen before finally meeting her gaze. Grinning, the witch shook her head. Another sip of wine was taken. "I think you're the first person to ask where I originally came from. Massachusetts." She could have lied, but a little part of her found it... Nice that someone was a bit curious. "What about you, where are you from?" Purity let her feet carry her towards Kathleen in an easy saunter, then she sat down, ankles twining.

"Massachusetts, huh?" She did not figure Purity being a New England girl. "Every time I think of Massachusetts, I think of Boston and the Salem witch trials," she paused for a sip. "Now I can think of you." Never in any of their conversations together had the topic of witchcraft been brought up, and unknown to her she was talking to a witch. She then wandered over to the sofa and sat down next to her on the other end. Her body shifted with one leg bent at the knee and crossed under the other so she could face the brunette.

"I was born in Idaho, but mostly grew up in Montana. Helena to be precise, the capital of the State, not much of a city in size. I think more people live and work in this city square mile than all the people living in Helena." She pointed with her wine glass toward the window and then softly snorted. "Its not like we have skyscrapers, but we do have mountains."

After a moment she continued. "It did take me awhile to get used to all the people here, and sometimes I wonder if I could ever really get use to it. You see it was bit of a culture shock for me when I first came here as a medical student. Four years at Boise State wasn't enough to prepare me for Chicago, and now that I have returned, I'm able to enjoy it for what it is," she left out the part about the moments she recently hated being here and how lonely she felt here at times. Kathleen reached over to tap Purity on the knee with her free hand, "Tell me about growing up in Massachusetts. I used to read about it. The whole witch lore fascinated me."

While Purity listened, she found herself glancing around as the topic went to Salem. There was an unspeakable rage that she felt when she thought of them. The same thing had almost happened when everything came out about the supernatural living among humans. People who feared things were often the scariest thing you could face. "It's great if you know where to go, but I haven't been back since I was maybe fifteen, or sixteen." She neglected to inform Kathleen that she had run away after school. Quirking an eyebrow she looked up at the blond, "Yeah? How many witch's have you met?" A sly smile caught the sides of Purity's lips.

"None that I know of. Oh wait, there was that witch doctor in Washington, but he turned out to have schizophrenia, so I guess he doesn't count," she laughed not knowing if Purity would have been offended or not. "Voodoo indeed." She looked off to the side and then had a quick sip before setting her eyes on Purity again. "I know we are in a new world where magic is as real as those vampires, but I don't know. I'm a little afraid to meet a real witch in person. I wouldn't know what to say to them; 'like show me a magic trick'?." Her eyes then widen. "What if you could learn and do a real magic spell? It would be so thrilling don't you think?"

Kathleen leaned forward, her voice excited, she asked, "What about you? Have you met a witch? You must have working at that store. Tell me."

Purity snorted. "You'd be surprised how many people I meet who aren't actually. It's rare you find someone experienced anymore, most people think it's a fad, and many uphold the trend." Green eyes worked their way up to Kathleen's. Strands of dark hair brushed a pale cheek as head was tilted. "Show you a magic trick?" Now the witch grinned, her eyes leaving the woman's face briefly. With a slow, deep breath, one hand snaked across Kathleen's. Further still, until the wine glass was encased in her fingers. Nothing was said, and there wasn't any sound. In fact it seemed nothing had happened as Purity took her hand back. Though it had, the proof was in the glass, now full with wine as if none had been sipped away. "Abracadabra." She whispered with a wolfish grin.

She liked how Purity had wrapped her hand over hers while she looked deeply into her eyes. It crossed her mind that Purity would attempt to sip from her glass in some seductive gesture, but instead she pulled away after saying that cliche magic word. Kathleen looked at her confused, and then looked down at her glass. Full! She flinched sharply and spilled some of the wine on her hand.

"How?" Her eyes looked from her glass and then back at the Purity. She started to get up from the sofa as the wine dripped from her hand. "I have to clean this up." She had to say and do something. Kathleen was not afraid of her, but this had been totally unexpected, and she did not want her guest to be upset. Yet, she still found herself on the edge of panic.

Ah shit... All her life she had the same question on the tip of her tongue, why were witch's so feared? Feared enough through time that mass killings had occurred in hopes of ridding them from the world. Enough for her own family to lock her up for two years in a 'hospital' before shipping her across state to a private school. "Kathleen..." Purity moved swiftly, her hands catching the woman's and gently tugging until she was sitting back down. "The last thing I wanted to do was scare you. I don't work at Thoth's Library for nothing." She grinned, slightly, then used the dark fabric of her shirt sleeve to dry off Kathleen's hand. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Kathleen sat silently watching Purity wipe her hand dry. A few more breaths later, "You're a witch." She had to say those words to let herself know that this was a fact. Another moment past as she got used to the idea that the woman in front of her was indeed a witch. "Oh my god, you're a witch. I can't ... I do." She finally replied to her question as her posture relaxed.

Purity nodded, a faint smile was given. "Take you're time, I don't mind." Providing the word 'witch' wasn't said with a disgusted tone. Carefully she eased her hands back, in case Kathleen was feeling trapped in some way. So Purity settled back on the couch, her glass lifting to her mouth so she could take a rather large gulp.

"I never thought you would be a witch. Is that the correct term?" She glanced down at her glass again. "Is this safe to drink?" Her eyes warmed, as she let out a nervous laugh and looked back at Purity. What was the etiquette in this kind of situation? "I'm sorry, I don't know what to do."

Purity rolled her eyes, then reached over and plucked the glass from Kathleen's fingers. Taking a sip, she handed it back. "Seems safe. There was a while when I first started doing that, everything would taste like fruit punch." To be fair she had been an early teen, but she never offered up that extra information. "It's simple, I'm not any different from you, or anyone else." The witch tipped her head to the side, gazing inquisitively at the woman, "You're a Doctor, right? Did you ever feel compelled to become one? Was there some part of you, even as a child, wanting to help others? A little part of you, a talent or a gift, that even now, lets you know that you're doing something you've always been driven to do. Call it ambition or a dream, but you must wake up in the morning knowing you're doing what you've always wanted to do. What you're great at. Possibly even made for."

"Yes, of course. I wanted to contribute." Kathleen lips curved upward at the edges. She had been an explorer at heart, but had a bit of an over protected mother growing up. "You can say it was my calling to become a doctor." She hesitated for a moment before trying a sip from her glass. "This really is wine," she said after the sip, and her smile widen. Purity was right, she was like her, except for this special talent, she was a normal person. After a second sip, she placed the glass of wine onto the coffee table.

"I have so many questions now?" This revelation of Purity made her more curious, and maybe it was this curiosity that draw her more toward the witch. She grabbed hold of Purity's free hand, and raised it up to set her eyes on them. "So these fingers are truly magical? I always thought you were special. I won't let your secret out." Kathleen understood the danger if others less understanding were to find out. Next she brought Purity's hand up to her mouth and gave it a kiss before letting it back down and letting go.

This time Purity did laugh, but the simple kiss made her smile more warm, and her fingers touched the woman's cheek fleetingly. "Oh it's not a secret, I'm open and out of the closet, have been for most of my life." In more ways than one. Shrugging lightly, she finished off her wine and followed Kathleen's lead by placing the empty glass on the table. "I guess they are." She added with a quirked eyebrow and the glimpse of a wicked smirk. "It's one of the reasons I got my job." Granted it was her first, legal job, but she was proud none the less. "You can ask me anything, I've had practice since working at the shop."

Kathleen snorted and brought her own hand up to cover her smirk. "You'd practiced for this very moment," she teased.

Shaking her head, Purity gave a mild shrug, "I wouldn't say that, but then again you know that already." Her tone was equally teasing.

"It's weird you know, I'm totally cool with this. You being a witch and everything, maybe six months ago maybe not so much. It's been quiet an adjustment this last couple of years, and its still very difficult at times, but you know, I kinda believed that witches existed before, but I had no proof before the great revelation." She lean her side against the backrest of the sofa and studied Purity sitting next to her. "I'm glad you're my first witch."

"You're first huh?" Purity grinned, albeit sly, and scratched her chin. "Why are you glad?" There was genuine puzzlement in her voice, and unconsciously she leaned ever so slightly towards Kathleen in hope of finding an answer. Personally, she was baffled, why anyone would rather meet her first than some other witch. Though she suspected it was a compliment and relaxed.

"You're kind and not at all stereotypical, not that I thought films and books had it right. I suppose its a feeling," she gazed for the moment toward the door that led to her bedroom, and then back to Purity. Her hand brushed back her hair on one side and tucked it behind her ear. "My mother wouldn't approve, she'd say it's all black magic and the devil's work. I bet you've heard that before?"

"My mother is a very open person, but ..." Kathleen flashed back to a moment in her life when she was a kid. "She once lost it one Halloween when I was thirteen. I surprised her dressed up like a Gothic witch. She freaked out right in front of my friends too. I was so embarrassed, she forced me to remove the costume and make up. In such a rush she rubbed some of the make up off my face before I could get away." She sighed thinking back. Her mother's reaction then was frightening.

The sound of a heavy sigh broke into the comfortable silence. Purity's jaw muscles jumped for a split second as she clenched her teeth. "Yeah I've had some pretty shit reactions before." One hand lifted to pinch the bridge of her nose. Shaking her head she added, "My family was like that. When I was a kid I could do things, but I always believed in magic, in nature." Her shoulders raised in an awkward shrug. "I was institutionalised for two years, they would rather people thought I was crazy than have them find out that their youngest daughter was practicing Wicca." As the memory passed she relaxed, the tension eased from her shoulders. "I find that it's the people with closed minds that have the open mouths."

Kathleen listened as she watched Purity speak, her arm extended out resting on the top of the soft black leather backrest of the sofa with her hand slightly overhanging. Purity had really opened up to her by admitting that she had once been institutionalized, but before she would comment about that, she thought she better clear something up with her. "Please, don't get me wrong. I love my mother very much, and she's very open minded. My Dad is Native American, ah he's not my biological father, but he married my mother, and they love each other very much. My mom is very liberal for a devoted Catholic, but I think she was afraid. She's very protective like that," she shrugged with a slight grimace as she looked at the witch. She too held on to certain beliefs regarding the use of magic and amulets, but she had no intention to debate that with Purity. The lines regarding the mythical and her christian faith were blurred by real world realities.

"I'm so very sorry that your family were not so very understanding. It's awful that they sent you away like that, its almost as bad as the Salem trials." Kathleen leaned forward a few inches, so her hand could drop from its perch on the backrest and grab hold of Purity's. With a slight squeeze of the hand, "I don't think you're a bad person." Her voice was soft as she said that, going on faith that her last statement was truth.

Dark eyebrows came together as a bemused smile caught the sides of Purity's mouth. "Oh I understand that, I didn't mean that to come across as harsh as it had. I struggle, sometimes, to have faith and beliefe in people when it's been people who have treated me with disdain and disgust all my life. The only thing that's never turned its back on me, never once left me when I was at my worst, was nature. Magic. It can be used for a multitude of terrible things, but it can be used for so many pure and wonderful things too." Taking a moment to gaze into Kathleen's eyes, the witch decided to be honest, "I wasn't always good. In fact my roommate, Rhiannon, she was the one that got me on the right path. She made me want to be a better person. The funny thing is, I don't think I've ever told her that. She met me at a very bad time in my life."

Kathleen took another sip of her wine, not thinking at the moment that it had filled her glass from literally out of the blue from a magic spell. It tasted no different than if it had come straight from the bottle that had been open. If she had been curious at this very moment, she would have wondered if the wine had been transferred from directly the bottle, and if there were a portion of wine now missing from the bottle itself. Instead her eyes were locked on Purity's eyes as she held the glass to her mouth while she drank. What ever effect that had drawn them together in the faux 80's high school, still lingered.

"You should tell her that," she said after she placed her glass back on the table. "Your friend, Rhiannon." She wondered if this friend had been Purity's lover at one time.

There was a slight head tilt that caused a few dark strands of hair to flutter against Purity's pale cheek. "I'm not good with the emotional stuff. She's always been a rock for me, but actually telling her? I've never done it. I think I will, now. Thank you, for listening to me." The witch smiled, and shook her head. Kathleen didn't realise that som ething so simple as to listen was all Purity had wanted. Someone who wasn't quick to judge her but curious enough to be honest and ask.

"It's no problem," and she meant it. They did not teach her to be considerate of others and to listen carefully to patients in medical school. It was second nature to her, be the person a friend or a patient, and she though of Purity as a special friend of course. So much so that she found herself wondering why they did not see each other more often. Kathleen felt relax and open around Purity. Perhaps because they had been to bed together that first time they met after the event in the Mall, or she had never really had a romantic relationship with another woman, that was not a short term fling.

"I am here if you ever need someone to talk to and I can always use some company." Her eyes looked over to the dinner table, and then back to Purity. "I really hate eating dinner alone." It was not exactly true, but she wanted to hear her response.

Truth be told, Purity didn't often cook, she grabbed food that was easy to prepare or just got take out. Though lately she was finding it more lonely than usual. Maybe because she had gotten used too the crowds of people in Thorth's Library, it made her more aware of her own solitude. "Maybe we could eat together sometime?" That might have been presumptuous, but that was just the way she was.

That brought an automatic smile to the blond's face. "I would like that."

Maybe sharing a bottle of wine together with no ulterior motive, but just to share in each others company brought her comfort in a peaceful way. There was no pressure, and besides Kathleen had an early morning meeting to attend. Till then she would enjoy the moment in her living room with Purity.