Ep. 4 Cheers
Valerian: “Good evening, I called you here from your rest in purgatory to introduce you to my husband, the magician Sage Webb. He should be arriving shortly. He typically comes by enchanted carriage, even the most skilled wizards lack the ability your kind have to travel instantaneously. Before we begin the work in earnest, I thought a toast in order. Some kind of celebration for your acceptance of being my familiars! Briar, you look lovely for the occasion.”
Briar: “Of course it’s about work. Sage Webb? Never heard of the guy. Must not be much to him. Besides, don’t you know demons don’t consume human food or drink?"
Ivy: “It’s okay, we still enjoy a good party. What are we doing in this ruined cottage though? Not very festive if you ask me.”
Valerian: “This is where we will build my home. There’s magic in the bones of this place, can’t you feel it?”
Ivy: “It’s true there is a powerful presence about the foundations of this house, and within these woods. This is a place that sheltered many generations of witches before it burned down.”
Briar: “Rebuilding a ruin takes a lot of magical energy. We will need time to rest and recharge between tasks. Guessing you don’t give a damn though, witch. I hear a carriage approaching, it must be the man of the hour.”
A glossy black carriage appears, drawing itself deftly through the forest at a rapid pace. No steed stands before it, and it’s loaded down with more cargo than any mount could stand to carry. Pulling to an abrupt stop, the doors burst open to reveal a man with golden eyes and a wild mane of hair. He steps out gracefully, holding two goblets and a bottle of wine. He and Valerian embrace for a few moments, in a quiet world of their own before he pulls her down to a seat and offers her a glass of the sweet, thick sherry.
Sage: “Hello Valerian my love. Briar and Ivy, pleased to make your acquaintance. I had a feeling you would be the right imps to summon for my wife’s needs and temperament. I am so glad she has finally summoned help, she can be so stubborn and resistant to demon magic at times. I trust you two are capable of getting the job done, and willing so to speak. I wish my companion Mugwort were here to meet you but he is on an errand right now of the utmost importance to my career as a Magician of the Royal Court.”
Briar: “Pft.” Another pompous nobody, lovely.
Ivy: “We went so long with nothing to do. Although this task of rebuilding is trite, it could be nice to stretch our magical skills again after decades of disuse.”
Valerian: “Mugs has proven to be of such use to you, I couldn’t think of another reason to argue my point in doing it on my own. There is joy in doing the work oneself, but this is a burden I can’t carry alone at the moment. I am grateful for the aid and company.”
Sage: “Cheers! To new beginnings.”