Jayne Dough (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} jayne_dough) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} pandorarpg, |
"Come, Jayne - there's work to do."
As if the voice had sensed her weaknesses, her eyes opened. She wasn't in the storage room. In fact, she wasn't really... anywhere. There was blackness all around her... until she spotted a large dais made of white marble, before which stood a beautiful woman with red hair and a matching gown.
"Who are you?" Jayne asked. "Where am I?"
"I'm about to be your new best friend," the woman said in a low, sensual voice. Her eyes appeared almost crazed, but strangely enough... Jayne wasn't afraid. Yet, anyway. "I know all about you, Jayne Dough. I know what you fear, and I know what you desire most in the world."
The woman began approaching, and Jayne unsteadily got up onto her feet.
"I know how they don't listen, how so much would be solved if only they would just hear what you have to say." A pale hand reached up to touch Jayne's cheek and she swallowed hard. "I can help you."
"I don't even know who you are," Jayne replied nervously. Was this woman some sort of legilimens?
"My name is Pandora," the woman replied, an almost fond smile upon her face, "and in another world, I might have been like you - had I not met someone who taught me how to be a powerful witch in my own right. You can be like me, Jayne. Powerful, self-sufficient... I can teach you how to make them hear you. I just need a favour in return."
Jayne couldn't help thinking that this was how so many fairy tales began, with a promise and a favour. But Pandora... she'd quickly read the Daily Prophet on the way in, and that had been the name of the witch from Grindelwald's time. The one who'd disappeared...
"You're Pandora Zurlo," she accused.
The woman smiled wider. "My reputation precedes me." Pandora's hand smoothed affectionately along Jayne's hair. "You're a very smart woman, Jayne. Smarter than any of them give you credit for. And you know exactly what's going on here." Her eyes changed in intensity, a mite of hardness marring her features. "I'm here in your mind, and there's no way you can get me out. We can fight, of course - and we both know I'll win - or we can do things the easy way, and we can both win."
At her heart, Jayne knew what Pandora said was true. And to say that she wasn't tempted by the offer would be an utter and complete lie. Who wouldn't be tempted by the very thing they'd wanted their entire life?
"What sort of... favour?" she finally asked.
Pandora's smile turned victorious. "You see, I have a collection of memories. They're my most prized possession. And... Someone has let them loose." She pouted. "I need them back."