Searching for Chills (Open)

[The Spider]

The days were getting longer and the Summer Court's call grew ever stronger. Spider was still without her wife at her side to balance out the Fae influence and yet she felt an equilibrium within. It was a balance she experienced with chagrin. For it pointed to a cruel reality: Jamison's close proximity meant something to her.

It was too horrifying for her to accept. The grudges she held against her Father were not just justified. They were a part of her Self. Who would she become without them?

She refused to think about it. Spider LeFey was not that kind of female. There were no pints of ice cream or self help books or therapy sessions. No point in obsessing over Why or Where She Went Wrong or How To Make Yesterday Today. She focused on the advantage of the equilibrium instead. It had returned her focus. She was able to recharge her markings. Rebuild her wards. A master of her own time she also succeeded in making a dent in the mountain of necessary reading in between brewing three useful potions.

Spider knew the next step would be telling Jamison the time had come to reclaim her wife. Demanding, not asking. To prepare for that she had to anticipate his counter arguments. Solve them before he gave voice to them. That way he would have to agree.

Today's mission was not desirable but it was necessary. To ensure her abilities were at full strength she needed to connect herself with the energies around her. She had to align herself with this foreign world. Know it intimately and allow It to know her the same. So far this land meant nothing to her and for Zalina's sake this had to change.

A day outdoors did not change how she dressed. Her petticoat was solid black and gave the heavy dupion overskirt full body. The overskirt was dark purple. So was the shirt she had on underneath her black bustier. The purpose of the shirt was to cover the markings above her bust that would have been exposed otherwise. It was short sleeved but her long black coat covered the rest. She wore an ornate silver necklace with a large onyx pendant that was more than a fetching heirloom. With her balance restored she was able to successfully dye her hair black. Black it remained except for the very start of her roots.

She walked the glade with slow gait and straight posture. Connecting with the energy of the land was tedious work that even she could not rush. While a woman with hands folded in front of her may not look like a prepared for anything that was just what Spider was. Jamison had reared her to never let her guard down. It was a lesson she took sometimes too seriously.

She walked the meadow back and forth methodically. To be sure there was no part of it that she did not travel over. The act of her feet walking over the earth helped she and this land merge powers. She also kept her senses open to find a Place of Power. Looking for a spot that gave chills just like the area under the stairs at Jamison's lab. If she found one she'd be able to rip open a gateway to the Nevernever just like Jamison showed her.

He couldn't expect her to learn a lesson that valuable and not put it to practice could he? If so, stars how foolish Fathers be.

[DrDonaldBlake]

As was Usual when Thor reluctantly returned control of the body to Donald, the Thunderer didn't take notice of where it was he was going to leave Donald. Probably his own way of asserting his own passive aggressive dominance over the Opinionated Doctor Blake.

That being said There was a small storm that had quickly gathered in the forests past the glades. IT was short lived, and dissipated again after two immidiate strikes of lightning, immediately after one another.

A few moments following that, A rather confused looking Doctor Blake stumbled from the Forest line, dressed in his white button down, khaki's and lab coat with a tie hanging loosely around his neck very clearly talking to himself as he hobbled along with a walking stick through the woods.

"You know, how irritating it is to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere? I mean honestly... do you have to be so much of a child that you cant just drop me off in front of the Inn?" Which is precisely the moment he noticed that there was a young lady meandering about the glades. "Yeah and now I look like a jackass who talks to himself... Hello! Miss, Pardon! I uh, don't seem to know exactly where I am at the moment..."

[The Spider]

Spider was not the type to meander. If the man looked more closely at how she walked the length of the glade he might notice that. Her footfall was precise. The path she walked was precise. Even how she held her arms was precise. Straight down at each side palms outward. Seeking chills. She had yet to find any and this was a frustration to her. She sought a gateway to the Nevernever that she could use without Jamison's knowledge.

The storm gave her pause. There had been no signs a moment ago. Then lightening. Then nothing. It was peculiar and she considered the possible meanings silently as she resumed her walking. Instead of the ground her honey-bright eyes now scrutinized the sky. The voice she heard she would not let deter her. Especially when it was a unknown male's.

She did not turn in his direction until he said Miss and pardon. There was distance between them still and this she was glad for. Bright honey eyes looked over his attire. A doctor. One she did not look in the eyes. She fixed her gaze on the spot between his eyebrows. "How unfortunate for you."

Yes. That was all she said. He didn't after all ask her to tell him where he was and he did not even tell her where it was he wished to be. Spider folded her hands primly in front of her and waited to see if he required anything.

[DrDonaldBlake]

"Most certainly is unfortunate.My sense of direction around a forest, is absolutely garbage... human body though, I don't even need a map anymore." Donald smiled as he looked around the glades for a moment before looking right back at her. the hand not holding onto his stick was shoved into the pocket of his lab coat. and he took a step forward offer his hand forward.

"Donald Blake. pleasure... you, wouldn't be able to help me out would you? at least getting out to the nearest road?" Donald was friendly enough, as friendly as a man would be to an attractive older woman.Certainly was different then being at the inn where he often felt like the oldest person there.

He had his right leg bent, only the toe of his hiking boot ont he ground, all of the weight off of it. all of his weight on his walking stick.

[The Spider]

"One would hope. Considering your profession." She watched him look away and back. Then he smiled and she did not. Her expression passed as neutral with no sign of frown or smile. Her eyes were a different story. Honey bright tunnels they had a cutting gaze. Spider still did not and would not look him in the eyes during this conversation.

"Donald Blake," She repeated his name exactly as he'd said it to her. If that was all or most of his name he would feel something. Like a brush of fingers down his spine. Names had power. He was offering his hand. Her hands remained folded in front of her. "I don't care to touch you." Spider's directness was less tactful when it was a man she was speaking to. But her proper British manner of speech could make swill sound polite.

"I also don't care to leave. I'm busy." Her posture was rigid and almost regal. So was the way she held up her chin as she stared him down. "Yet I know where you are. And I can lead you to the nearest road. Are you willing to make a trade?" Her smile was sudden. There was something wild in it. Warm but not warm like romance. Like fire and the sun instead. "We can bargain. Until the trade is fair."

Far from her Father's balancing influence she'd been outside for hours. Alone with the call of the Summer Court. Then lightening had struck and this Donald Blake appeared carrying a staff. The course of events smelled of magic. The Fae instinct within her saw an opportunity for a deal and she didn't want to resist it. She had no conscience when it came to men.

[DrDonaldBlake]

Donald gave an awkward nod and smiled loosely to her rejection of his handshake." alright then, I am a strange doctor from out of the woods, I can respect that."

That hand went back into the pocket of his lab coat." I can respect not wanting to interrupt your doings to help a stranger as well I suppose." To her offer for a trade the good doctor rose a brow and smiled again. keeping his tone nice and friendly. It was the norm for Donald

"I suppose I'd be willing to bargain for directions out of here, as long as it wont interrupt your work here too much... what did you have in mind?" Donald was familier with making deals, afterall Lita was a big fan of deal making in her dealings, as was young little spriggan, lets see how they prepped him for this lovely lady.

[The Spider]

Spider was amused. Many males took affront to her bluntness. This Donald Blake had chosen to kill with kindness. As a manner of speaking. Her mouth crooked into a smirk. "You are also male." Spoken as if that was the deal breaker. In truth it was. She preferred not to touch men.

This doctor also seemed to spoon out respect as readily as medicine. "Do you also respect the lion for killing the gazelle and the bee for collecting pollen and the sun for shining down on all of us?" Her tone was priggish. Her growing smirk was too. Baiting others was her way. Especially men. All men wear polite masks. It takes the right tug to expose the truth that lay underneath. In Spider's opinion.

Through discussion of their trade she would continue to tug. She was pleased he was willing to make a deal. "Let's discuss. If you agree to walk the path I walk you will not interrupt me." Spider could split her focus. Walking the earth connected its energy with the two markings on the bottoms of her feet and that was one of her aims. Should they walk through a Place of Power she would feel the chill. Thus no interruption.

Spider resumed walking. In a straight line towards the west edge of the glade. "I noticed lightening precluded your arrival to the glade. A sudden storm before that. I notice your staff. I notice the remains of the storm's energy around you. What spell did you weave under the cover of the trees, Storm-Tapper?" All these clues lead Spider to believe him to be a Wizard. One foolish or powerful. To tap a storm was no joke. No easy feat.

[DrDonaldBlake]

"oh, good call on that one, wouldnt want to catch the cooties." Donald said that with a bit of mirth injected in his tone. smiling brightly and even chuckling a bit at his own joke before he changed gears.

"Of course I do! everything deserves respect, even the humble fly. wouldn't you say? I mean respect of ones self and their surroundings is the key to yanno, everything."

When she mentioned the lightning, Donald deflated a bit and bobbed his head in a not."It was a sort of teleportation spell, and uh, I don't know how to cast it, I didnt do it, a uh... friend of mine did. I'm sort of magically inept."

[The Spider]

Spider did not pause her walking. She only turned her head. Honey-bright eyes pierced him. Directed at the spot between his brows. "Precisely." A very British reply. No chuckle or smile. Donald made the comment in jest but she made her reply in seriousness. Cooties isn't the word she would've used but the sentiment was the same. She didn't wish to catch anything that lived on a male's hand. Men could not be trusted to keep themselves clean. In any sense of the word.

Lips pressed into a thin line. Honey-bright eyes rolling. She looked away. Turning her attention to her steps and the foreign earth beneath her feet. Though she walked away from him she didn't raise her voice. Hearing her was his problem. He could either miss her comment or keep up. "Everything deserves respect?" Emphasis on everything. "How naive. Or foolish. Do you really think that, everything?" Emphasis on everything again. She'd be happy to name him a few things that deserved no respect should he ask.

Spider reached the west side of the glade. She turned around to face the east. And him. "A friend. The one you called child and were cross with for abandoning you here, you call him a friend?" She had heard him talking to this friend when he appeared. She didn't resume walking. Folding her hands in front of her she sized him up for a second time. If he was not Wizard this Donald Blake would have no knowledge that could help her find Zalina. He would have to be put to other use.

Spider studied his name badge. Tongue peaking out and touching her top lip. Thinking of her needs and desires. That was the basis of any Fae trade. At least bargainer should hope so. If the Fae had no need but the bargainer did, the price the bargainer had to pay was dangerously high. In those cases it was better to make a deal with a devil.

"Ah ha." She nodded. The craft of her lips pleased. Donald Blake was lucky as she had need for him after all. "I will provide you escort from this glade if you accompany me to one location before we part ways. There is an inn a reasonable distance from here where I board. There is one on the floor above me who is in need of a successful doctor. Do we have a deal?" While she walked towards him she did not offer her hand to shake on it. For he was a man. She preferred a verbal contract only.

[DrDonaldBlake]

Wait, she lived at the same inn he did? well he certainly had grown into stagnancy not noticing when pretty women came to the inn anymore? jeez he needed to take a day off more often. at least to have a look around the inn.

"You know someone who needs a doctor? I just so happen to be a doctor, and you're willing to give me directions anyway. I do believe that sounds like a deal I could get behind." he did however offer his hand forth to make the deal final, but then he snapped his fingers and smiled sliding his hand into his pocket." sorry about that, forgot the cooties... shall we?"

[The Spider]

"A successful doctor. You are successful aren't you?" Emphasis on are. Smirking at him. If he wasn't successful or he spouted some humble hum-drum it didn't matter to her. He was a doctor nonetheless and he would do for her need.

Spider didn't move when he offered forth his hand. There was no interruption from her as he put it back into his pocket. "Yes. Do keep it there." That was cheek. Should he actually listen to her and keep his hand in his pocket for the remainder of the time in spent in each other's company she would laugh inwardly with great pleasure. It has been said men are as easy to train as dogs only less loyal. Spider LeFey agreed.

Her task in this glade would keep until a later hour. Or another day. "This way." She cut across the glade in a diagonal. The shortest path that would lead to the road. That road was still out of sight however. This walk would be long enough to make the dead air between them awkward unless conversation was started.

Her stride was long and confident and she made a crisp pace. In silence. She had no plans to initiate meaningless chatter. Donald Blake had become a way for her to fulfill an exchange. That didn't mean she had to entertain the man.

[DrDonaldBlake]

Donald gave one of those small cocky smiles that guys do before they admit something that they achieved."Well, yeah I'm a world renowned specialist in my field I"d like to thank that makes me successful." but top his hand comment he furrowed his brow and pull it out of his pocket.

"Lead the way." said as he followed along her, keeping a brisk pace along, but still walking with heavy lean on his walking stick." Hey uh, what's your name?" since he didnt catch it on the first time she didnt give it to him.

[The Spider]

"Certainly better than your navigation skills." Spider's focus was ahead. Already the road could be seen. Distant but unmistakable. Should Donald Blake lay a hand on her, should he try anything foolish, she was well-prepared. She had no need to look at him to be at the ready for that.

His inquiry made her smirk. He had finally realized she did not introduce herself in return. "I am Spider." This stranger would not be given her last name. Only for those who knew her to be the daughter of Jamison received that luxury. "Do you have need for it beyond this walk?" Her accent would make the question ring a little less blunt. It was her assumption that she wouldn't see Donald again. This was a chance encounter.

"Is yours a work related injury?" Spider spoke of his limp. Her pace was brisk and she did not slow because of his affliction. He was keeping up and didn't lodge a complaint with her so she didn't see a need. Father limped but it was a farce. Part of Spider's pace was to see if this man's was too.

They'd also get to the Inn faster. Their feet fell on road now. The Inn was only minutes away from their present.

[DrDonaldBlake]

"yeah, you could say i was a better doctor then a navigator" He smiled and followed along, rather happy to be able to see the road again. leaning on his walking stick with each step, though his efforts to keep up where pretty great.

"I don't know, I'm staying in the area, and you'll never know when you are going to run into another person. Its an extreme pleasure to meet you Spider. Thank you again, for giving me a lead out of here."

It was when she asked about his legs that Donald faltered a bit."mmmm, sort of... not really my work, but yeah it was a result of a friend of mine's work. It was an amazingly humbling time for me."

[The Spider]

"This is not my land of origin. I've no plans to remain here." True it was a mixed issue in her mind lately. Father was here and he seemed to have made this mishmash planet a home. For the first time since girlhood this actually mattered to her. Her work and her life with Zalina were back in England waiting for them however.

The travel down the road would move as quickly as it had through the glade. Spider crossed her hands in front of her thinking forward to their destination. "We reached an agreement, Donald Blake. This is my part of the deal." She couldn't understand why he kept thanking her. Did he want her to say 'Your welcome' that badly? Even suspecting this she didn't.

Gaze shot to him. Almost too quickly. She adjusted their aim higher to look at his forehead. She'd nearly matched his eye. If he'd been looking back at her at that same moment it would have proven disastrous. Spider didn't want to soulgaze with anyone. Especially this male stranger.

"In what fashion? Are you vain?" She was so direct. Even her pleasing accent didn't make the questions gentler. This was her first true curiosity in anything Donald Blake had said so far. "Did your friend abuse you for his gain?" It was logical to her. How else would a person sustain an injury because of their friend's work?

The Tel'ranaemyn inn was within view. Its threshold would be crossed in a matter of minutes.

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