You, me and another makes three (invite)

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth sat across from the ritual alter and stared at it. An Unnecessary evil, but something she knew she had to learn. She dabbled here and there, finding fadebeasts from time to time, but that would not be enough. She would have to expand her knowledge ((what little she had on it)) and learn just a few more rituals. The woman's nose crinkled slightly as she stood, then collected the various ingredients from the list Zodiac had been so kind to make up and pass in her direction.

Spring was almost done, but before it could end, Elizabeth had some cleaning to do. Now that she was not only married, as Mary Watson, she was also bound to Shamus. Some things needed to change, or rather, be rectified.

As Elizabeth sat by the alter, her mind drifted over the course of the last two or so years. This penthouse had been given to her by an unexpected death to the elderly woman who had it before her and many could enter it. Too many for her comfort.

So with the broken mirrors, monk's hood and the keys she had procured, Elizabeth set off to work with a small notebook by her side. The ritual should not be as difficult as it could have been, thanks again to Zodiac. It seemed in the rituals there were certain words that were familiar to the demi-fae creatures and from there it was attaining the name of the person and then a sweeping of finding the last few components to finish the ritual. She had not tried this ritual before and it would perhaps give her a few wounds, as the one before it did, but that was to be expected. Nothing without perseverance and the spending of energies to heal wounds that were problematic.

Elizabeth set the items on the ritual alter and closed her eyes as she concentrated. After a few moments a demi-fae appeared, one that was quite tall and quite angry. The blonde woman already had a feeling how this would end, but if she could attain just part of the ritual and the person's name, then she would be quite happy. Elizabeth would consider it a win and try again.

Maybe the woman just was not well versed in the fae tongue, but after two handfuls of turns, after speaking the words that were familiar to the creature she conjured up, it snatched the mirror up in it's oversized hand, hissed at her, gouged her stomach with the mirror and took off running. But she smiled. Elizabeth had gotten the name she needed and with that was success. Her eyes moved down to the large wound that ripped into her flesh at her stomach and sighed. Slowly, she stood, shifted her focus off the demi-fae and to herself and allowed her wound to be washed away. She would have to feed later, but first she had to change her clothes. Then a thought hit her. Was it really a success?

[Shamus]

It was a normal night or as normal as it could be for Shamus. He had just come back from some reckless deeds in the sewers, consisting of taunting the hunters that lurked down there. It was a fun past time for him and whenever he grew tired of the activities, he would ditch the hunters in the shadows and begin to slaughter the ones that dare try to follow him. A small smile traced over his features. Life was good.

As Shamus came back to the home he shared with Elizabeth he instantly looked around for her to see if she was there. First glance did not show her anywhere, but he could sense she was near. It was as if he could feel her presence lingering in the air. Still, that was good enough for him. He laid his keys down and moved inside to go in search for her, but stopped suddenly. His hand was stinging like crazy and so as he went to look he saw his black blood rising slowly up into the air.

What was staring at him now clinging desperately to his keys did not look normal. It was humanoid in appearance, but was rather small in stature and dark. Shamus did not know what to think of it, but it did scratch him. Before he could make a move towards the creature it took off and hid itself somewhere. For now this creature had bested him.

Having decided not to go after the creature, Shamus went to go look for where Elizabeth was. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a hint of movement. A bit of a smile took to his features as he thought it was her, but on further inspection, he was dreadfully wrong. Another creature, somewhat different than the one before. Still dark in appearance, but almost the average height of a human. It was trying to go for his knife. As he gripped it tightly, he glared at the creature intently. There was a long stare down before he whispered with a hint of longing, "Try me, aye?" After another brief stare down, the creature disappeared from his sight.

Things were definitely weird this night. Shamus was going to have to ask Elizabeth what all was going on. Once more he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. This time however, he did not get his hopes up in the slightest. It was no surprise to him this time to see another creature, even if it was a different in size. It was interesting to see that this one was barely as tall as his knee, though. With a roll of his shoulders in a shrug, he began to move on.

There was something different about this creature, though. It decided to not let Shamus leave it alone. Instantly it began to bang its handheld mirror against the wall and point violently to the mirror that was hung up. He had no real attachments to the mirror at all, not even being able to use it. So with a flick of his wrist he began to set out again to look for Elizabeth muttering offhandedly, "If ya can get it, ya can have it." This creature did not like the answer at all and jumped on to his leg, wrapping itself around his leg with a death grip.

No matter how many attempts Shamus tried to free himself from the shackles of this new partner, the creature would not let go of itself. With dark curses being muttered every few seconds he eventually found Elizabeth in the room getting ready to change. He was annoyed and was not doing anything to hide it now. The creature was digging its claws deep into his leg and it was on the painful side. His eyes looked at her as he gestured to the thing attached to his leg, "What tha sam bloody hell be this thing attached ta me leg?" He looked at the creature and hissed, "And may another stone be on yer grave, ya miserable wretch!"

[Elizabeth]

She had just laid out a new dress, when Elizabeth heard him. She did not turn around, but instead allowed her mind to graze against his and listen to his night as he entered their home. After a few moments, Elizabeth unzipped her dress, then thought better of it. She certainly did not want a battle of extreme proportions in their home. Some how, the woman felt as if the fae creature might give her husband a run for his, money. Her gut was proof of that, and something she would need to hide.

"It depends..."Elizabeth started out slowly before letting her thoughts enter his.Is it the small one, or the more medium sized one?" She turned slowly, only partially to get a look at it. That is number two. I think he likes you. Elizabeth chuckled wryly, before she continued to share her thoughts with him. He was one of my associates I summonef up...more or less. He was supposed to be helping me clean house, along with his friends, but I think our versions of a clean house differ. Greatly. Elizabeth picked up the green coloured haltered gown and ducked into the bathroom. She hadn't healed all her wound yet, as it required a little bit of time and energy, something she had, been cut short of when Shamus had arrived back at their home. "The taller of the two I would be wary of. He seems to lack people skills. Elizabeth called from the bathroom as she stepped into the new dress and began to focus on her other wounds.

[Shamus]

"Number two," he mouthed as he looked back at the creature holding on to his leg and then back to Elizabeth. Things were so strange. She had yet to turn to look at him and these things were being given names. What was the world coming to? Shamus shook his head to clear his mind of those thoughts as he took a step forward with the intention of kissing her. That did not set quite right either as she moved off to the bathroom.

A rare sigh escaped Shamus and he looked down at number two. He did not know anything about rituals and wanted to keep it that way, but he was sure that somehow they were at fault for this. Number two made a clawing motion and a demonic face towards the bathroom. He raised a brow at the look and cuffed the creature upside the back of the head, "That be a bad thing ta do, ya know." His mind then filtered off into Elizabeth's as his thoughts started to melt into hers, "I don't think these things are here to help clean anything, Tulip." He did not want them to hear him speak privately with his wife at all.

More attempts were given to try to get number two off of his leg, but they were all in vain. It seemed that the creature was going to hold on forever and cause him quite a bit of pain while staying as well. Shamus shook his head, muttering more curses as he thought about how they were ruining his suit, "I hope tha cat eats ya and tha devil eats tha cat, aye." Eventually, he had to give up for now on getting number two off of his leg.

Elizabeth seemed to be taking more time in the bathroom than usual or more time than what he thought she should be at least. Without pausing to knock on the door or alert her at all, he marched on into the bathroom with number two still accompanying him. Shamus eyed her for a few moments, figuring she had felt his arrival by now at least, before wrapping his arms around her from behind. Gently he pressed his lips to the back of her neck and whispered softly to her, "So what be all that has ya so uptight that ya cannot even be lookin' at me?"

[Elizabeth]

"So long as they are not our cats."Elizabeth piped up at hearing that. Granted, they were mostly her cats, but the rule of thumb was what is yours is mine and so forth and so when he married and bound to her, Shamus had taken in the cats too. At least in Elizabeth's mind. Something that might not always be in his, now that the woman thought about it.
"And they are here for that."Elizabeth retorted finally, after she managed to sort her clothing out just so. I just have to have them see eye to eye on some matters. The woman have a satisfied nod, just as Shamus entered the bathroom and made his presence quite defined by his actions. Elizabeth tensed, thinking about the abdomen wound she had had, then at the one she just healed before thinking of the one she hadn't healed yet.
"I wouldn't say uptight." Elizabeth slowly countered as she turned her neck a little to press her lips to the first thing she could find and reach; his chin."You know...Telepath's and the things that enter their minds. They could stay for minutes, hours or even days."Elizabeth laughed softly against his jaw. "Have you any spare keys lying around?"

[Shamus]

Cats. In his opinion, Elizabeth had way too many cats. He was certainly not a fan of cats. He did adore animals, it was just that cats were not his most favorite things. Shamus was more partial to dogs in that aspect. She knew of this. She even knew of his thoughts on it. That a cat would be lazy and demanding where as a dog was loyal and loving. He shook his head at just the thought of it all. He would not let himself be brought into a conversations about cats.

Finally she was coming towards him, though. He slipped his arms around her and pressed number two rather roughly into the door as he looked into her eyes, "Oh it be a telepath thing, aye?" He shook his head, not quite believing her words on the matter, but he also thought that now was not the best of times to discuss it. Especially whenever there was some unknown creature that was attached to his leg.

"Spare keys," he inquired. He looked back behind him to see if he could locate his own set that one of them had grabbed. He could not even tell that this creature had once existed anymore. All the signs that were left were of number two clutching so tightly to his leg. Slowly he shook his head and looked into her eyes, his words coming off dryly, "One of yer house cleaners took me own keys."

He rolled his head around in a few circles and narrowed his eyes again at number two, "I will have yer head." Shamus focused his eyes back up on Elizabeth's and nudged her gently, "I do not be likin' them. They are evil." He flared his nostrils out as he was taking in the aromas in the room, "Ya can just smell it. Their evil scent be lingerin' in tha air." He shook his head violently, "It not be a good thing." His eyes opened wide and he whispered to her, "One even tried ta take me knife."

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth didn't respond to the question, being she didn't want to lie. It was true her thoughts on the rituals were weighing on her mind and the fact she had to hide some of the damages done by them, but it wasn't really a Telepath thing. Saying it was such a matter was pointless because in the end he would dig the truth out of her, or she would say something and the truth would come unraveling out.

She stood in front of him, her eyes down at the creature that seemed either very fond of her husband, given it was clinging to him desperately, or had a great disdain for him and wanted him to leave and felt threatened. It was hard to say as she wasn't quite fluid in the fae languages and everything it was rasping out from time to time.

Her eyes lifted up to him when he mentioned the house cleaner, then frowned when she connected the dots together. It seemed one of her conjured friends was fond of keys. That was no surprise given the ritual she was trying to do. Amusement struck her features when when she heard his next set of words and then started sniffing the air. A playful hand smacked his shoulder as she shook her head and laughed softly. "It is not them, but the incense. Besides they should smell different being they are not like you or I, or the humans we feed on each night." Elizabeth nodded soundly and then looked back down at number two as Shamus talked about his knife. "Well, if you did not have so many interesting things, they would have no need to clean up after you." She stood on her tip toes and then wrapped her arms around him.

"I am learning rituals and they help ensure they are done right. If not, well, it seems we start to gather quite the collection." She muttered, her nose crinkling slightly as her eyes fluttered up to him once again so she could press her lips to his. "This is our home now and there are some people who should not be privy to it anymore for a variety of reasons. I thought this would make you happy. I could do this to other homes, some that were your homes, if you would like. When I get better, of course." Elizabeth unwrapped herself from around him, a slight wince hitting her features before she put a foot up to number two and tried to push it off her husband. "Blasted fae creature. Go one and find something shiny to play with. I believe the mirror in the bathroom shows quite the reflection." To no avail did the creature come off the man, even at her rather forceful attempt at kicking the fae off him. "Perhaps if you teleported it out?"

[Shamus]

Incense. So there was an incense that they made that smelled of evil now? Shamus nodded a bit, not understanding at all. He could not fathom who in their right mind would create such a putrid smell and why on earth Elizabeth would buy it. He narrowed his eyes a bit as he began to think on it. All of it soon became quite clear to him whenever she mentioned that they were not like them. While they did have human features, it was quite clear they were so different. They had to be gremlins.

All of this knowledge had him taken back. Even as Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him so, he could not help feel a small panic rush through him. It was poker face time, though. Even if he could not understand why she had brought gremlins home to take his things, Shamus would have to know. It then dawned on him what all she had said. She was the one who had hired these gremlins. What if the Elizabeth in front of him was not the real one but a fake? It would add up to everything that had been going on. But could she be a gremlin, too?

The more he listened to what he assumed to be a gremlin Elizabeth talk, the more he came to terms that it was actually his real wife. Behind the scenes of his poker face, he was ever so grateful that he did not mention this thought out loud. Rituals made a lot of sense. They did cause a lot of trouble for what little good they did do. His head tilted to the side a bit as he thought some. So everything he had been gathering lately was to help keep everyone out of their home. A small smile crossed his features. It seemed that both of them were doing their best in their on regards.

The face she made, Shamus could not help but notice. Though he did not know for what it had meaning. Was it pain, was it because of the ritual, or was it she was straining to get the gremlin off of him. At her curses on number two, he nodded a bit. Fae creatures. So that is what they were. A hand reached up to scratch at his chin. Her suggestion made a lot of sense. He had not even considered it. And being that they were not gremlins, it should be of no problem. A light cackle left him as he knew the exact place to send it. Lots of space and lots of things for it to hoard to itself. He placed a hand on number two's head and chanted almost silently, sending it to the penthouse of West Towers.

His eyes reverted back to Elizabeth after having finished sending the fae creature on its merry way. He wore a small smile and leaned forward, giving her a light kiss. Now that he was free of that burden, he could literally feel the extra weight gone. Shamus soon found his eyes locked on hers and his thoughts lightly pressing into her mind, "Are these rituals pressing too hard on you? If they are, you should take a break. You look a bit off, like you are exhausted or something."

[Elizabeth]

An amused smile painted her lips when the demi-fae disappeared after a few words. It seemed Shamus was more than agreeable to the idea. She had thought of asking where he had sent it to, due to the fact he didn't take long to send it flying off somewhere. But knowing him, Elizabeth knew he had sent it to either a person he disliked, or someone who needed some attention from the creature for whatever reason. So she thought better of asking and left it alone.

Her right brow rose slightly at the concern he expressed, before Elizabeth just rolled her shoulders. "Well, I am no Zodiac, that is certain." Elizabeth laughed at her own expense then. "But if I work hard enough at it, I may be able to rival get in some of the more easier ones. The ones that will help us greatly." She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Besides, it is nothing that cannot heal, nor anything that will hinder me for long."

Elizabeth smiled, then tilted her head a little. "But perhaps a break would do goid...now that you are home."Excitement flooded her blue saucers, as she leanrd in to him. "Plus there are two more of those creatures in here. Somewhere." Elizabeth reeled her head back a little to see if she could spot anymore of those chaotic demons, but it seemed they were the smarter of the trio, as they were no where to be seen in the bathroom, or their bedroom.

[Shamus]

The more that Elizabeth spoke the more that he began to understand. Especially the last sentence. It gave everything everything away. Shamus eyed her for a few moments before shaking his head some. These things were striking at her. It was the dark side of ritual that he had just learned. Darker than them taking the things that did not belong to them. The only answers he could see to this was to get her to stop doing rituals, which was not likely, or to get her to become better at them than Zodiac. That would be a true difficult trial.

All of these thoughts were temporarily forgotten as soon as she gazed upon him with those radiant blue orbs. The entire world could be taken asunder and right now he would be okay with that. The drive of those eyes coupled with the words that she uttered, stirred the chaos within him. A hand delicately reached forward and cupped underneath her chin as he gave her a light kiss as he stared into her own eyes, his set of green matched with own fiery determination. "Aye, now be a perfect time ta take a break, indeed," he whispered along with a small wink.

Shamus pulled away slowly from Elizabeth, but he kept his hand stretched outwards in order to take her hand. His intentions were that they would go into this together, as they would take everything in life. That free hand of his was already moving inside of his suit coat to the place that hid what was him. Knives. There were at least half a dozen knives hidden inside, hanging inside by the very stitching. With a grin he pulled out two, handing one to her, "Ya might have ta remember how ta use one." Once more he gave her a wink, but followed it up, "This be where we get ta have tha thrill of tha hunt."