[ P ] gingerbread house [M]

The bright doe-like quality of his baby blues didn't dim even as his mother explained the more adult nature of the magic she used to lure her prey into her web. A blue brow twitched as realisation finally cleared away the confusion visible on his soft boyish features. Zoltan knew what she spoke of. He had seen animals do the curious dance and often wondered what it's purpose was. He'd never tried it himself, never felt the impulse to, but now it had a name. Sex. He recalled the different scents that often mingled with his mother's and had naively thought she just liked cuddling a lot. It didn't occur to him that wolves might act the same as he had seen other animals.

The thought of being with a man didn't bother him. He had no reason to think it any different than trying it with a woman. All the more sacrifices to lure. She went on to explain that she had used the magic of sex to lure others to their fate and he nodded, accepting it as part of their craft. It didn't mean he wanted to be around when it was happening however. Some things needed remain unseen. "Do I just ask them?" he asked, completely ignorant in the art of seduction. "Or is there a magic word I need to use?" he followed up to ask without waiting for an answer.

"How do I know if someone is a sacrifice?" the boy questioned, so full of questions that his head was spinning. He wanted to make sure that he got it right.

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where elwynn suspected she might find shock or confusion, or perhaps even disgust, there was none. soltan remained curious and simply asked if he should outright ask them. at this, elwynn let out an amused laugh. i suppose you truly could, she said. but that is less likely to work, dear. sometimes the… atmosphere has to be created first. not everyone likes to jump right in. she said. the idea of her son being sensual was beyond her. it was not something she could even fathom, he was too sweet and innocent and the relationship between them prevented her from ever viewing him as a potential partner. there are lots of magic words but they are more like subtle invitations than incantations. i’m afraid it’s something you will just have to practice, she said.

elwynn’s ears then flicked when he asked how would he know if someone is a sacrifice. the fae are not choosey; it’s anyone you want darling. come winter we will find a suitable one, i promise. she said. she’d not make the mistake of missing the winter sacrifice or this time the fae might take the both of them out. she shifted her paws and turned away, walking near the trees and looking off into the darkness. speaking of which, we should gather what we can for it, she said, returning her gaze to zoltan. They would need various parts of the forest to offer up to the fae and the sooner they had those stored away the easier it would be come the proper time.

exit w/zoltan

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It seemed that the magic of seduction was truly the work of a master witch. Zoltan could not compare to his mother’s level of skill, but it wouldn’t stop him from trying, no matter how difficult. He nodded studiously when she explained that simply asking wasn’t likely to work. He needed to find the right words himself and create an atmosphere. In his mind he likened it to a ritual to please the fae, there was the presentation, the offerings and of course incantations. Surely laying the groundwork for his chosen sacrifice wouldn’t be any different?

Wolves were more complicated than rabbits. He didn’t have to charm a rabbit, he only needed to catch it. It was a hunt, but instead of fangs and claws he would need to wield his words like a weapon. Atmosphere. The word rang through his head like a mantra. He could do this. He sucked in a breath and puffed out his chest.

At his mother’s word he followed her like a loyal hound, keen to prepare for the winter sacrifice.

- exit with elwynn

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