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Fiery orange hair, a tall stature, and a pursuit of chaos made Edalyn Clawthorne one of the most recognizable witches in any setting.
Her adventures in the human realm were no exception. There, though, it was different. She was banned from quite a number of establishments for numerous crimes such as arson, and, as authorities had told her, demon magic.
Eda was a witch! She was going to do magic for crying out loud! She had her own reputation after all, as the upcoming most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles. Nothing could stop her! Nothing!
…
Well, that was aside from her partner, Raine. Raine was… oh, Raine was a lot of things. Eda loved them dearly. They were definitely an enabler to some degree, but often kept Eda from going to the deep end of extremes.
Don’t even get her started with their gorgeous looks. Their minty hair styled into a mullet, their beautiful clear green eyes, and their lips that Eda loved to kiss. Raine was the most beautiful witch Eda had ever laid eyes on.
And they were her partner.
She was so lucky.
Except for when she wasn’t.
The couple’s four year anniversary of dating was coming up. Eda was normally way more prepared for this, but unfortunately she neglected something.
What was she going to give Raine?
Eda was well aware she didn’t have to give them something, but she wanted to.
The issue was that she didn’t know what to give the bard this year. She’d given about everything her brain could think of in previous years. Music, music stands, and many bundles of snapdragons (Raine’s favorite flower, despite the name association).
Now she was at her last resort. The human realm. The place had many options, some of which Eda found weirdly charming. Maybe something here would appeal to Raine’s taste more?
Dumpster diving it was.
This round she’d decided it’d be better to look near nicer looking stores. Maybe she’d get lucky and find some nice looking human accessories to give to her partner. Eda just wanted something she could give to show her affection for them. Her admiration for their strong personality.
Raine deserved something nice. Something really nice.
Maybe she could take them on a picnic somewhere on the Isles? It wasn’t too drastic an idea. If Eda found some nice outfits they could wear nice “new” outfits and have a date night. Likely on the snapdragon hill they often spent time together.
It was definitely her most realistic option.
The idea settled in her head and Eda found herself outside a ‘boutique’ as she had heard it called. The dumpsters in the back had some thrown out clothes. Mostly dresses that had been torn in ways one would consider irreparable. Eda, though, had a crafty hand and could fix it with a little magic and patchwork.
She managed to dig up a red dress with some flowy fabric on the skirt. Eda would tear that later, make it more personalized for herself.
While continuing to dig she could hear the conversations occurring outside of the front of the store. Usually squabbles from stressed wives who desperately needed a new outfit for whatever event they were going to that night.
One couple’s conversation did catch her ear.
“Hank, he’s your old violin teacher, you should at least look good at his concert,” A feminine voice was speaking. Eda peaks her head out of the dumpster to eavesdrop.
Violin and concert in the same sentence.
Violins existing in the human realm was her first shock. She didn’t know that. As she continues to eavesdrop she picks up more context.
“Honey, an entire new suit isn’t necessary though…” The masculine voice, Eda guessed, was this supposed ‘Hank’, “Dr. Glissando isn’t going to notice anything that particular about a suit that’s only a few years old.”
“Your suit is too big either way, it’ll look baggy and unprofessional,” The woman says, “This man gave us two tickets to a concert that otherwise would’ve cost hundreds, so forgive me for wanting you to look like we belong there.”
Two tickets… Eda saw they were in the woman’s hand. They must have just gotten them.
Bingo.
“Fine, only to humor you, but let’s just rent one, alright? A violinist's paycheck doesn’t cover that much…” Lame! Violinists were awesome, how was it this guy didn’t make tons? Raine made a good amount of snails with their gigs helping some of the covens back home.
The two had entered the store, leaving Eda to think of a quick plan.
She’d grown a little stir crazy not having directly robbed someone today. A little pick-pocketing of a couple who she could only assume were having more problems then just that squabble over a suit wouldn’t hurt.
So she’d choose this gift.
That’s what she’d do for their anniversary.
Bring Raine to the human realm and take them to this violinist’s concert.
The plan was sealed in Eda’s mind.
-
“Rainestorm, you awake?” Eda speaks softly as she stares down at Raine. They’d come over the night before and spent the night with her. Now it was their anniversary.
Four years.
Four whole years.
Raine’s eyes stay closed. Eda wasn’t surprised, after last night they must’ve been exhausted. Pre-anniversary ‘celebrations’ do that to you, she supposed.
The witch lowered herself back down into the nest and gently shook Raine by the shoulder.
“Demon Realm to Raine Whispers… you awake?” Eda says to them in a hushed voice. A groan escapes their lips as their eyes finally begin to creep open. Raine rubs their eyes as they sit up.
“Good morning,” Their voice was thick with drowsiness. Eda leans forward and places a quick kiss on their lips.
“Did you sleep well?” Eda asks, deciding to sit down beside the bard.
“Mm, I think so,” Raine says, letting out a yawn that stretches into their next words, “This nest is oddly comfortable.”
“See, you get my vision,” Eda says, drawing her fingers down Raine’s body.
“I do, Owl Lady,” They smirk.
“Well that’s besides the point, happy anniversary,” Eda leans her forehead to rest on top of Raine’s and stares into their green eyes.
“Yes, happy anniversary,” They say. Raine grabs Eda’s hands and rubs them. The rough calluses along their fingers fills Eda with a sensation no other texture can replicate.
“You know, your hands remind me of a little something I wanted to ask,” Eda began, “So… I might have gotten some tickets to a concert.”
“Oh? Where is it?” Raine asks her, letting go of her hands.
“Human realm, I figured out where a couple days ago, I think you’ll really like it,” Eda leans back and finds the two tickets stuck in a satchel of hers. She shows them to Raine, “A violinist happens to be playing tonight on our very anniversary.”
“Tonight?” Raine perks up, “Well, in that case I’d be delighted to attend with you… but how do you expect we blend in…” Raine takes a ticket and grabs their glasses, “at a ‘Bow and Tie’ event?”
“We will, trust me. I might have gone dumpster diving and found some very nice outfits for us… that I fixed up,” Eda explains, “We don’t have to go out just yet, but in a little bit why don’t we go ahead and head to the human realm,” She suggests, “We can eat lunch on the snapdragon hill first before going. Then… later we can get some dinner in the human realm if you want.”
“Human food is quite interesting…” Raine scratches their chin, nodding their head, “Alright! Sounds like a plan.”
“Awesome!” Eda exclaims. She pumps her fist in the air before lowering her voice, “A few more hours of shut eye before Hooty is wide awake?”
“That would be nice,” Raine falls back in the twigs of the nest, the ticket still in hand. Eda lays down and places a kiss on Raine’s cheek.
“You’re so pretty, you know that right?” Eda says. Raine chuckles nervously, their face reddening.
“So are you,” Raine says back, cuddling up to Eda.
It doesn’t take much time for the couple to fall back asleep, Raine in Eda’s embrace.
…
Eda wakes up again after an hour. She immediately groans as she sits up. Raine is naturally still asleep, being the heavier sleeper of the two.
Eda used to be the heavier sleeper.
That was until her curse.
Eda knew that was what had woken her up. Staring down at her arms she could see the feathers starting to form and she could feel the aching pains throughout her body. Grumbling, she shoves herself out of the nest and approaches her chest. She opens it. It was still filled with the potion bottles of the same golden elixir she’d grown so used to drinking.
Not today. That beast wasn’t going to bother her today.
Eda grabs the bottle at the top and pops it open. She tips it up and drinks the bitter substance. She downs the entire bottle, more than she needed but it would do for today.
Disgusting.
Eda places the bottle beside her as she sighs. She stretches her arms. They hurt. A lot. Eda’s glad it’s bugging her now and not later, because the pain has her almost on the verge of tears.
After all, Raine was asleep. They didn’t have to see her like this.
Eda crawls back into the nests and lays on her side, now facing away from Raine. It’s then that she notices Raine had awoken. The mirror just outside of her nest provides her a view of them.
Damnit.
“Eda? Is everything alright?” They ask. Eda forces her tears back down and responds with a quick “mhm” before shuffling slightly further from Raine. Eda watches as their face saddens. They scoot up to Eda and wrap their arms around her. Eda stifles a groan of pain. She can’t reject this, can she? It was their anniversary!
Just this once she suffers it. She allows silent tears to roll down her face.
Eda doesn’t fall back asleep.
-
It’s around half past noon when Eda and Raine climb up the hill surrounded by snapdragons. Raine is carrying the picnic basket, after begrudgingly insisting they carry it after seeing the empty elixir bottle on the ground earlier.
They sit atop the hill together and pull their lunches out. Sandwitches and hex mix. Along with Eda’s favorite, thanks to Raine, Apple Blood (the kid’s kind today, it’s barely the afternoon so she can’t get drunk unfortunately).
“Think we’ll see anything neat in the human realm?” Eda leans back, holding the juice box with Apple Blood in her hand.
“We’re going to a professional violin concert in the human realm, I’m ultimately curious how the music might be different from what we’re used to hearing,” Raine says, “I think it’s safe to say we’re definitely seeing something neat tonight.”
“That’s true,” Eda chuckles, “You look really nice, by the way.”
Eda had stolen the outfit for Raine and modified it to fit them a bit more smoothly. A blazer it was called, it was a maroon color, along with a white button up and black slacks. They also adorned a belt with a rather boldly sized buckle. Eda on the other hand wore the same dress she found before stealing getting the tickets. It was a red dress, formally with a flowy end that Eda had gone to town with with a pair of crafting scissors and made way more jagged. Her hair was now tied up in a ponytail, thanks to Raine.
“You look nice yourself,” Raine joins the chuckle, “I imagine that dress looked very different before your crafty hands got on it.”
“You know it!” Eda gleefully states, “I was up late tailoring yours.”
“Oh!” Raine says, “Well thank you, I really like it.” The ginger nods and smiles. Her eyes blink as she stares down at the napkin with Raine’s food.
“You eating the rest of that hex mix?” Eda asks. Raine laughs. They shake their head and hand the bag to Eda. She quickly scarfs it down within moments.
“I’m really glad I met you, I can’t imagine life without you,” The mint haired witch pulls their knees up to their chest. Eda pauses a moment to smile.
“Really? Ah, what would you do without me, Rainestorm?” Eda leans towards them, giggling.
“I have no idea,” Raine says, taking another bite of their sandwitch.
-
“Tickets?” A tall man in a suit stood before Eda and Raine. They were outside probably one of the fanciest places Eda had ever laid eyes upon in the Human Realm. The redheaded witch held the tickets out for the attendant to read. He gives a quick nod, hands a pamphlet to Raine, and points to where they’d be sitting.
Right up towards the front. Eda herself was excited but when she turned to look at her partner she could see how excited they were with the fact they were visibly vibrating with joy.
Luckily the couple blend into the crowd nearly perfectly. Eda’s wearing a bandana around her ears and Raine is wearing a beanie to cover the top of their ears. They refused to fully cover them.
“I knew this was a good idea,” Eda chuckles as she and Raine enter the auditorium. The two find their seats. Just beside each other in the middle of a front row.
“I’ve never seen any form of music played without magic. It's going to be so cool!” Raine excitedly whispers to Eda. She can’t help but be overjoyed at their wide smile showing her. Lately she’d missed that smile with how much Raine had been worried over her and her curse.
“I know you’ll love it,” Eda takes Raine’s hand and entangles her fingers in theirs, getting another rub from their tough fingertips.
It’s not long before the concert begins. Eda settles into her seat, trying to ignore the amount of fancy, high prestige people around them. There’s a few words of acknowledgement from an announcer before the violinist and another person Eda can guess is a pianist based on the piano on the stage.
The man who holds the violin is older, Eda guesses late fifties, early sixties. His hair is full but silver. Eda chuckles at her acknowledgment, with her own hair that’s starting to grey, she can’t even judge (though in her case it’s the fault of her curse).
The music begins after a moment of preparation between the two musicians. It’s an instant delight to Eda’s ears. It’s smooth, and the notes flow combine in a way Eda had up to this point heard very few times in her life. The tone, the fluent movements from both performers' hands. It’s a satisfying event to witness.
Eda looks over to Raine. Their eyes are full of enchantment. A small smile has defaulted on their facial expression. Eda can’t help but smile at their happiness. She turns her eyes down to Raine’s feet, one of which is lightly tapping the floor at beat with the tempo. The music had taken them fully. They were immersed.
As Eda continues to watch Raine she can’t help but think about the both of them. The music gets her to really think. She recalls the day they met at H.E.C.K. The interest in her they took when she threw her drink in front of her after taking a sip.
She then remembers the day Raine asked her out. It had been Raine of all people! They were incredibly bold, it was a grudgby stunt… that resulted in them at the healers. Eda had carried Raine the entire way there. She remembered giving their response as they continuously apologized in her arms for such a brash confession.
“I’ve been crushing on you since we met, Rainestorm.”
That had been where the nickname came from, after all. Raine had used some interesting new bard spells with grudgby. They’d quite literally created a rainstorm.
Eda’s brain goes to a place it doesn’t want to. The day Raine found out about the curse… what really was going on. Better yet how it was really affecting Eda.
It had been after she… she…
Quickly she shakes that part away.
Raine had been worried sick looking for her. When Eda had returned from the human realm after that and Raine found her…
They were crying for almost an hour.
Eda hated seeing Raine like that. She barely explained what had happened, assuming Lilith had told them.
She decided then and there that this was Eda’s problem and Eda’s problem alone. She could handle it fine by herself.
Eda hadn’t realized how much time had passed when Raine waves their hand in front of her face.
“Eda? It’s intermission, do you want to stand up and stretch?” Raine asks.
“Oh! Yeah, sure!” Eda is panicking now. She can barely look Raine in the eyes right now. She stands up and exits the now empty chairs, pacing up to the lobby with Raine not far behind.
Raine grabs Eda’s arm, turning her around.
“What happened?” They ask. Eda looks down at the floor.
“Nothing, it’s fine. I really liked the music!” Eda deflects. Raine is not convinced of this statement. They open their mouth to speak but are unable to as a voice comes from behind them.
“I thought one of Dr. Glissando’s old students was coming to sit in your seats with his wife, but I suppose it didn’t work out,” It’s a femine voice. Raine whirls around to the voice. It’s a shorter, older woman, very pale with short black hair. She’s wearing a black long sleeved dress with a high necked neckline.
“U-Uh, yeah,” Raine stumbles out.
“Bought em’ off Hank, not sure why but sounded like he had more issues than just getting the time to come,” Eda explains. Raine gives a disapproving look at this explanation.
“Oh, not surprised, that marriage was bound to fail from the start,” The woman rolls her eyes, “It's a pleasure to see new faces at an event like this here in Gravesfield. My name is Hilda White, nice to meet you.” She offers her hand to the couple. Raine takes her hand and gently shakes it.
“Nice to meet you Ms. White, I’m Raine Whispers, this is my girlfriend… Marilyn Fern… who did unfortunately get those tickets for us tonight,” Raine introduces themself along with Eda’s ‘fake’ identity.
“Don’t frame me as a criminal!” Eda exclaims, “Anyways, we’re here because it’s our anniversary and they’re one nerd for music.”
“Oh! Well happy anniversary, how long have you two been married? I assume not that long considering your age,” Hilda says, her hand landing on her chest.
“I-I! We aren’t married! Apologies for the confusion, it’s our 4th year of dating,” Raine quickly clarifies. Eda holds back a snicker.
“Well I can definitely tell you’re a violinist, your fingers are rough. Plus… you had to know Hank somehow!” The lady roars into laughter. Raine lightly chuckles along with her. Eda is still panicking but is glad for the distraction.
“Aha, yes! He’s a character,” Eda luckily is taking the reins on the discussion of Frank. She hadn’t told Raine about the couple. “He was freaked over a suit.”
“Sounds just like him, send him my regards the next time you see him,” Hilda asks.
“Will do. We ought to be going back inside and sitting back down, darling, ” Raine appears very uncomfortable with the situation. Eda nods in agreement with Raine’s statement.
“Oh alright then, I hope to see you again sometime! It was a joy meeting you both, Raine and Marilyn.” The brunette nods her head.
“Ah, you too Ms. White,” Raine says. Once out of the conversation the two quickly make their way back to their seats.
It’s silent for a moment before Raine speaks.
“I don’t like when you lie.” Raine says.
Eda sighs, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t just say I stole the ticke-“
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about,” Raine says. It’s silent for another moment.
“Look… not… I’m fine, really, Rainestorm.” Eda gave a reassuring smile to Raine, though, her eyes gave away her true emotions.
Raine knew her well enough to know she’s upset.
“Eda…” Raine began. They bite their lip in frustration.
“Look we can… we can talk about it later,” Eda knew she wouldn’t. She just wants Raine to drop it for now.
Raine looks even worse, their arms wrapped around their body.
“Alright, but you have to promise,” Raine attempts to compromise. Eda hesitantly nods and grabs Raine’s hands.
Eda sits in her chair for the rest of the intermission holding Raine’s palms to assure them. She was fine. She was totally fine.
The music eventually begins again and Eda expects to see Raine fall back into the tune.
But they don’t.
They only keep staring at her.
She gestures her eyes to the stage, hoping Raine’s will follow. They don’t.
Eda leans over to her partner, “Don’t worry about me, just enjoy the show.”
Raine bites their lip again, sighing and turning up to the concert and the music. Eda can’t help but keep watching them. This time is unlike the first part of the performance. They aren’t focused, it’s clear. Their thoughts are clearly overwhelmed.
Eda decides she’ll try enjoying the concert herself.
The moment she lets the music consume her, she’s back to comforting a younger Raine as they sob into her arms. Raine’s sobs, while only in her mind, fill her head. She tries pulling herself out but there’s no exit. She wants out. She wants out of this memory.
Eda wants out of this theater. She can’t stand Raine looking so worried. Being so worried over her.
That’s when she starts fading back to reality. Not in the way she wants. Raine is shaking her shoulder, trying to get her to return back. Eda lets out a gasp, startled by Raine.
The music is still playing. She’s on the verge of hyperventilating as she shoves Raine’s hand away from her.
“Eda… we can go if you’re not feeling okay,” Raine reaches their hand back out to her. Eda looks away. She tries to push everything back down. As per usual, it works. The rest of the concert is stale as Raine continues to try getting Eda to leave.
The concert ends and Eda immediately stands. She shuffles her way through the theater and swiftly exits into the cold air of the night, not even bothering to see if Raine is behind her.
She decides to wait, Raine doesn’t know the human realm like she does. They’ll get lost. Eda finds a bench just outside the theater and takes a seat on it. She hums to herself, unsure of what else to do aside from crossing her hands and tapping her foot.
“Eda.” Eda blinks and finds Raine standing up beside her. She isn’t quite sure what to do. Raine looks pissed.
“Sorry, didn’t want another awkward conversation with Hilma or whatever her name was,” Eda shrugs her shoulders.
“Could you at least make sure I stayed with you?” Raine crosses their arms. Eda’s eyebrows furrow in sadness. She fucked up tonight. She knows it.
Eda stands up and grabs Raine’s hand, “Let’s go home.”
-
When they get back to Eda’s disaster of a house, Raine refuses to leave. The past hour they spent walking back to the location of the portal door together Raine had begged Eda to tell them what happened. They kept asking and asking and Eda told them that it was fine. She was fine. Everything was fine.
Raine doesn’t believe it.
“Your parents are probably worried, it’s really late, Rainestorm,” Eda says to them as they stand just inside the front door. Hooty, for once reading the tone, is sitting unmoving, only his face showing concern.
“They’ll be fine, I just want to be sure you’re alright,” Raine says, “Please… Eda I’m worried, you’re my girlfriend and I’m going to be worried whether-“
“WELL MAYBE THERE’S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! I’M FINE! I ALREADY TOLD YOU, EVERYTHING IS FINE!” Eda shouts, way louder than she anticipated. Raine is taken aback.
Their face is full of concern and what she could describe as fear.
It makes Eda want to vomit.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck. She really fucked up.
“E-Eda… please, can I please just stay here tonight… just to be one hundred percent sure..?” Raine asks.
Eda stands still, eventually letting Raine hug her. They hold onto her, their tight grip not wanting to budge. She’s shocked the beast hasn’t come out by this point (the elixir did what it was supposed to, she was happy about that). Or at least shown any sign of being in her.
But it’s just her.
Guilt wracks her.
“…Fine.” Eda sighs, trying to not show too many emotions considering now all she wants to do is scream at the top of her lungs at herself.
“Thank you, I'll Leave in the morning if you want,” Raine says. Eda slowly nods her head agreeing to the terms.
Within minutes the two are back in Eda’s nest. It’s not the same as it was earlier. Raine is cuddled against Eda but they aren’t holding her.
She desperately wishes they would, but at the same time she feels as if even them being in her bed wasn’t deserved.
It’s confusing.
She remembers the first time Raine kissed her.
It was after grudgby practice one day, Raine had wanted to shove it up Odalia and Alador’s status as “cutest couple in school”.
It shocked everyone but Eda. Eda knew them so well. Eda knew they’d pull a bold move out of that out of pure spite… and maybe because they also just wanted to kiss her, but the boldness was less shocking to her. And it worked. People talked about it for the rest of the week.
Eda knows Raine too well. She never has known a grief like this. Not only does she know Raine, Raine knows her.
She hates it. She wishes they didn’t know anything about her. Because if that were the case, she’d never be able to truly hurt them.
Eda knows she can hurt them, though, and she can’t do anything about it aside from bury her burden as far down as she could. After all, tonight proved that her emotions fuck things up. She ruined the concert for them, something she was so excited for them to be able to attend.
Raine’s asleep by now. Eda shuffles her way away from them and stands up, being extra cautious to not wake them. She can handle this by herself, no need for them to be involved.
Eda finds her way into the bathroom and she locks the door. Quickly she falls to the floor and begins to cry. She hates this. She hates everything about this. About her curse. About the fact Raine was having to date such a horrible person.
There’s nothing she can do though.
Raine isn’t going to leave. She’s grateful, sure. Some days she’s really happy they stay around.
After all, what would her world be like without them?