Pondbell: Coldblooded (Ongoing)

Caput Undecimum

"Yuh learn faas pickney," Nanny says, her words echoing as she cradles her very great-grandchild.

"Thank you, I just been practicing with SCU to stay sharp. I be healing them sometimes too," Addy replies.

"Wah mek yuh 'practice' wid dem yah people?" Nanny asks with a raised eyebrow, the Patois language easier for Addy to understand now that she'd been with her for so long. She stands up and walks toward the stove with her very great-grandchild in her arms. The wooden floorboards creak with every step she takes. Her kitchen is incredibly homely; various pots sit atop the large black stove, potions and seasonings line oak racks along the shelf, and the rain droplets fall against the tin roof as the children laugh and play soccer outside. Their shrill screams and cheers are both things Addebowale has gotten used to and has come to love. A man cutting plantains chuckles and looks at Addy as if agreeing with this line of questioning.

"I know, I know," Addy nods as she replies. "But they not gon hurt me or nothin'. I just wanna be able to help out and get stronger. I can't just be sitting around scared... like last time," she sighs, "when some crazy stuff happen," she explains while stirring a pot on the stove, the savory aroma causing her mouth to water.

"Dis a nuh bout dem hurting yuh. Dis a bout yuh hurting dem," the woman clarifies as she playfully points a finger at Addebowale's forehead. She walks a few steps further, checking her yellow head wrap in the mirror and straightening her modest green slip dress.

When Addy had first been summoned by the coven, she was terrified. She remembered walking in the first time, still unsure if she would be punished for having her bracelet removed, but upon seeing that they wanted to evaluate her, a new feeling took over her, an uncertainty if her abilities would be enough. When the evaluation was done, she felt overjoyed, seeing jaws drop and eyes widen.

That same day, in the humble shanty town, she met Nanny of the Maroons, one of the first and most powerful Wiccans this world has ever known and now one of the many high-ranking Wicca Viziers. Every time she trains with her, Addy feels at home, just as much as she feels in utter disbelief at her luck.

"Oh yeah, we had some close calls. It's just hard sometimes, 'cause when I get scared, it's like my mana be going crazy. But it don't help that them ni-... people be looking scary when they use they abilities," Addebowale explains, nervously laughing as she steps back and gives Nanny room to analyze the pot of deliciously savory goodness.

"Mhm, well..." Nanny exhales. "Nuh be getting too friendly wid dem, all dem kno bloodshed an war. It bout time yuh head home. Wi wi chat next week," she finishes as she gestures for the spoon in Addebowale's hand while holding the baby still sleeping soundly in her arm.

"Already? I thought you was gon teach me bilocation and stuff," Addebowale complains with a confused frown. An ebony brown hand reaches over her shoulder and grabs the spoon. Noticing bilocation in full effect, she sees the second Nanny toss the spoon to the Nanny that stands in front of the stove. She catches it without looking away from the pot. The Nanny from behind spins her around and looks into her eyes.

"Mi wud, but sup'm fun happening at home. Mi nuh wa yuh tuh miss out," she replies as she waves her hand in front of her apprentice's face. Addy sees the Nanny at the stove wave goodbye before she unwillingly falls unconscious.

Waking up, she sees Rollo asleep, his dreads blanketing his face. As she yawns, she notices his snores no longer bother her as much as they did when they first decided to live in the same room on the upper decks. She'd much rather be surrounded by wall-shaking snoring than the deafening silence that only added to the anxiety she felt when she spent her first night in SCU. Brushing his dreads aside, she kisses him and starts toward the shower. After a long shower, she quietly sings to the music while moisturizing her skin.