Covens and Proxies

39

As the day passes, there's not much of interest. A few more pasta try to talk to you, but you tell them all you'll show off later. A few fights break out over fairly stupid things, which Toby explains to be a normal event, and Masky got on your case about your book flying around the house.

By the time dinner comes around, you know you'll have enough energy to perform vividly. You're asked to help Toby, Eyeless Jack, Laughing Jack and Laughing Jill to prepare to food--since they're the few that can actually cook decently well in the house.

With a few steaks, hamburgers, hotdogs, potatoes and some soups, dinner is ready and all the others are gathering. It's only ten minutes in, while everyone is talking when Slenderman stands. It's silent in less then a second.

"You're all aware of our newcomer. As is tradition, she'll present for you what she can do. Unfortunately, to do so we need volunteers."

Candypop is the first to stand. He smirks at you. "I've already felt her wrath. I'll be a puppet."

Toby stands too, "I brought her here. I should help where I can."

Slenderman nods. "Good. Finish eating. We'll move to the lounge so you have space." He looks to you before sitting, the other two follow.

Almost everyone is staring at you, but you ignore them and finish your food before leaving. Toby is right behind you. When you get there, Candypop is already floating about. You assume he's there vie teleportation.

"What's the show?" He asks, reclining in the air.

"Shield first. I need you both to attack for that." Candy looks hesitant. "You won't hurt me. Don't worry." He shrugs, shutting his eyes again. "And then I'll infect you. I can't do something as simple as this morning, so it will be extremely painful."

He grins. "Good. I haven't been sick for a while."

"I'll heal you after that and be done." You shrug.

Toby thinks, looking at the stage. "You should curse me too. Something like what you did to Tim. Just to make sure you show your best quality."

"But I don't want to be a killer."

He nods. "I know. But they need to know you can't be messed with."

You, very reluctantly, nod. The other two go to their rooms for their weapons while you sit on the little stage at the far end of the lounge from the doors--also the largest free space in the room of couches, relaxing chairs and a handful of playing tables.

Candypop reappears as the others start filtering in, his hammer resting over his shoulder. Toby comes with the crowd, spinning his hatchets so they move out of his way. You'd taken off your shoe and cut a decent wound into your toes.

When everyone's settled, you take a seat at center stage, the other two on either side, and summon your book. It almost bashes the door down, flying over their heads and stopping in front of you. Taking a deep breath, you summon a dome over you--the only indication it's there being the slight refraction of light.

The two charge, Candypop coming from above while Toby stays close to the ground. The hammer rams the top of the dome, sending a visible shockwave of power. You feel the vibrations in your bones. Toby draws his hatches up in a wide ark, spinning and hitting the side. If it weren't for the shield, he'd have cut through your neck.

Slowly, each release their weapons and back off, Candypop obviously shocked. You spin to your feet, the dome disappearing, your foot drawing the diagram to allow you to grab hold of each of the boys. They're clenched to attention, enough off the ground their toes barely brush it, the blood holding them in tight tendrils.

Ignoring the pain in your foot, you mutter to yourself furiously, watching Candypop fight against the restraints as his skin begins to reden and pores begin to swell. You stop the flow of energy just as the boils start to pop. He's sweating, obviously in pain and refuses to cry out. You then summon the shard you'd aimed at Masky before, spinning again to gain momentum, you launch it at Toby. It moves through his gut with such ease, you almost vomit right then.

Carefully, you let them both down. Since Candypop is in no direct danger of death, though he shouldn't move at all, you work over Toby first. Hoodie and Masky come up, getting his shirt and jacket off so everyone can see what happens. While they hold him upright, and you try to ignore his hacking and the blood pooling onto the flooring, you set your hands on either side of the hole in his back.

For healing, you don't need the incantation anymore. The light envelopes your hands; you watch as the bones rebuild themselves, the organs reconnect, the muscles twist into place, and finally the skin is sewn over the top. The other two haul Toby off the stage while you direct yourself to Candypop.

He's curled into himself, panting, his breath lurching as he fights the bile rising with his shredded stomach. This is slightly different, since it's not a normal wound. There's a specific spell to reverse the damage done by your plagues. From your hands winds black fluid, slowly seeping over his skin and clothes, enveloping him in an abyssal cocoon for a long moment. You finish and as you lower your hands the fluid seeps into his body. He opens his eyes and sits up, looking himself over in amazement before turning to smile at you.

You stand on shaky legs, about ready to buckle, and smile at the silent crowd. Slenderman walks up, Candypop poofing to a seat in the group. "I have a request." He tells you, "I'd like you to attempt to curse me."

You swallow hard, looking to Tim and Brian for help. They look just as shocked as you; all of them do, as a matter of fact. The tall entity stands at the far side of the stage, arms slightly extended.

You swallow, leveling your book. With arms raised at him, you let the dark energy of plague and death flow through you, the cold enveloping your body before concentrating in your hands. Blood flows through your veins, pumping to your finger tips as it seeps from your skin to a rippling sphere of an inch radius. It works itself into a sight diagram, slowly blackening before a brilliant light flashes and it's gone.

For a moment, you seem to loose yourself as your body goes numb, your head fogging, your senses heighten. Your mouth and tongue move in a language you'd never head or read before. As you speak, the ichor bleeds from the floor at the entities feet. He jumps as it flows up under his suit, slowly covering his skin until he's nothing but black. His tendrils try to rip away the viscous liquid to no avail. It soaks into his skin, momentarily leaving him perfectly fine. He keals over, his mouth ripped open as he coughs violently, blood and ink spilling from his mouth.

You watch, a twisted grin on your face, ignoring the shock and horror of the audience until Toby is hugging you. You blink, confused. Why is this thing on me? Before you remember. Your energy drains, Slenderman coughs up your ink, and you slump into Toby--on the verge on unconsciousness.

"You're ok-kay." He mutters repeatedly, holding you up while Hoodie and Masky worry about his boss.

The entity shakes off his boys, wiping the rest of the black from his chin and straightening his suit. "I'm impressed." Is all he says before walking out.

Most of the pasta follow, glancing back at you wearily before the doors shut behind them. Candypop is lounging at the bar with another man, Hoodie and Masky working to mop up the blood you've spilled.

You try to stand up a little, dizziness overwhelming you as your senses black out a moment. Toby picks you up, winding your arms around his neck. "Take it-it easy. You spent a lot of energy just now." He speaks softly as he takes you upstairs to his room.