witches need time to play

[invitingwitch]

Are you really thinking of finding a way to allow me to exist? People will think you cruel to let my former self give into despair. It would be interesting.

A tea party...yes, that's just the thing to celebrate such an event. I wouldn't mind having a butler at my party, either. If he knows how to behave.

It wouldn't do if my guests were scared of him.

Comments

i love you for this

[timederp]

[What the-?

Have this one just stare at this sight.]

<3~

[invitingwitch]

[The witch stares right back. A faint frown forming.]

Did I know you?

[croibhristeoir]

M...Mami? Don't tell me you're...

[layeredcake]

Ah, is there going to be a party~?

[invitingwitch]

[She tilts her head, she's heard that name before. Her former name. There's a slight nod.]

You remind me of that new butler... How interesting.

[invitingwitch]

Yes. There will be many sweet things for those guests who behave.

[croibhristeoir]

[weeeeelp this sure isn't the first witch he's seen, at least.]

...I'm sorry. I wish I could have taken some kind of action to prevent this.

[layeredcake]

I'll be good, I'll be good! Can I come?

[invitingwitch]

You couldn't. The world is a terrible place, isn't it. In the end everyone is just a stranger.

[invitingwitch]

Of course.

[beat]

You can't leave until I say the party is over.

[layeredcake]

Okay~!

[Charlotte this is why you can't have nice things.]

[croibhristeoir]

I don't...I don't think the world is so terrible.

[invitingwitch]

It's alright though--this party will never end. That's enough for me.

[She pauses.]

You can't bring her back. She's gone.

[invitingwitch]

I'll be a good hostess, I promise.

[Revenge is sweet, little Charlotte.]

[croibhristeoir]

...I know. I've seen too many witches to hope otherwise.

[layeredcake]

Will there be cheesecake?

[sob she just wants a nice tea party...]

[invitingwitch]

I see, I see.

[That familiar smile is still there, with much more maliciousness behind it.]

You're not going to play nice today, are you.

[croibhristeoir]

For the sake of Mami Tomoe and those who care about her? No, I'm afraid not.

[bluntedge]

Why the hell would you wanna celebrate someone falling into despair?

[invitingwitch]

You're fighting for phantoms, then. I was alone and now this birthday party celebrates that.

[invitingwitch]

If you want there to be.

[invitingwitch]

I wouldn't be here if they didn't...consider it a birthday party.

[bluntedge]

So...they have to die so you get to live?

[invitingwitch]

I was born of that despair.

[bluntedge]

[He...doesn't really know what to make of someone born from such a thing.]

That doesn't seem right to me. Why can't you both exist?

[invitingwitch]

Think of it as...

[She searches for a proper analogy. She has few memories, save for a few strong ones but--the image of a caterpillar came to mind.]

Well, you know how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly? It's like that. I am her and yet not her.

[bluntedge]

Oh.

So you're better this way, then?

[timederp]

At one point we did.

[How did this happen? It wasn't even possible anymore but somehow...]

[invitingwitch]

I don't think I put your name on the guest list. Perhaps I could change that.

[The frown is gone, replaced by a familiar smile. There's no warmth in it--completely automatic. Who was she? She didn't look like a guest nor did she look like either of her familiars.]

[invitingwitch]

I sure feel better.

[timederp]

[She's no fool, witch. Your kind may be gone in her timeline but she still knows what kinds of things you are capable of.]

I'm not one for parties.

[invitingwitch]

[Look at that calming smile. She wouldn't hurt a fly. Probably.]

You need to relax. It won't be bad at all...

[timederp]

[This coming from the girl who practically perfected the Stepford smile? Keeping guard up.]

Are you sure about that?

[invitingwitch]

[Wise choice. It's a bit disconcerting not to be believed but that just means this guest was smart. Very smart.]

I have tea and plenty of sweets. Calming music, good friends... What more could you want?

[timederp]

[Time travel has its advantages.]

There's one thing I cannot get back but I do want.

[invitingwitch]

I'm sure if you just take a moment, you'll find what you want.