esbat | 𝔒𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔱

[ It may not be much of a tap, but Nico's lost enough in her own world that she nearly flies out of her skin. It takes her a moment, but she registers that Karolina's waiting for her, and quickly pulls the earphones from where they're tucked in, letting them dangle around her neck instead as she looks up at Karolina.

It's not that she's not happy to see her - she's always happy to see her - but she's admittedly a little confused. She really wasn't expecting to see anyone else once she started preparing. And yet here she is, back to looking the same oddly nervous of a few weeks ago. ]

K. [ There's a hint of surprise still in her voice, but mostly it's just warm and welcoming. ] What's up?

[ There were times where Karolina became a bit nervous. Magic... it was always presented to them as a cautionary tale. Something to not get lost in. Heck, even one of the shows she watched before all this mess heeded the warning that all magic comes with a price.

Was it true? She isn't sure. She doesn't speak on it and she supports Nico with every ounce of her heart. ]

Just coming up to check on you. Maybe see if you wanted something to eat downstairs before you really dove into it?

[ If questioned about it, Nico would admit that it's true. If the Staff has taught her anything, magic has the potential to be something incredibly dangerous. But Wicca is different. After Amy's death, Wicca brought her peace, and from the start, it felt like she was just coming home to something she'd forgotten. Witchcraft gets a bad rap, but Wicca is so much more than just witchcraft, and that's always something Nico wants to show the others.

She doesn't realize it yet, but maybe she'll get a chance to do that, tonight.

At first, she's not really sure she wants to accept Karolina's offer of food - she's not sure she's hungry - but then she remembers that she hasn't eaten for a bit, and it's important to ground before and after ritual. Especially one as emotional as this. So, yeah, food is probably a good idea. She grabs her phone to pause her music and nods, standing up to face her girlfriend. ]

Actually? Yeah. That'd be good. What've you got in mind?

[ It was sad – as much as she hoped to learn through Nico, there were things she didn't understand. There were parts of magic and her beliefs she never would be able to.

So... this was good natured, but it could go incredibly wrong. She tenses up and nudges her towards the door – all smiles. ]

There's some stuff downstairs, we actually got something pretty good.

[ And, she's tugging a little too obviously – anxious and all smiles. It may not be the easiest thing to keep under her belt, but she hoped it wasn't half bad. The display was obvious when they leave the room, set right at the end of the foyer staircase. ]

[ "Some stuff"? "Something pretty good"? Between the vague descriptions and the tense, too-smiley attitude she's sporting, it's pretty clear to Nico that Karolina is hiding something from her. Again. She still has yet to uncover what was going on at the start of the month with that book in her satchel, and now there's something new...

...although of course when they exit the room and she sees the altar sitting at the end of the staircase, simply decorated but clear in its intent, Nico finally puts two and two together. Karolina's been researching. For Samhain? For Samhain, if the soul cakes she can see from the doorway are any indication. ]

Karrie... [ A smile finds her lips, unbidden, and she strides across the foyer to look at the display Karolina's put together. ] This is... this is amazing. [ She turns back to her, unable to keep from beaming even as she questions: ] You did all this for me?

[ It may not be something Karolina thinks of as much, but to Nico, the fact that she even tried... It's awesome. Samhain's usually kind of somber, but she feels like she's not going to be able to stop smiling all night, now. ]

[ There's butterflies flapping in her stomach and she's almost 100% positive she was ready to burst in light from how she feels. Maybe actually float? Who knows. She's so excited that it overlaps her own anxiousness on getting everything right for her. Nico deserved it – damn it, she totally did. ]

I did. I didn't know if it was done well... but [ She gives a timid shrug, trying her best to keep herself from reaching out to take her hands. It's so tempting – to guide her down and show off but. Nah, this isn't for being rewarded, it's for Nico. ] I want you to still take time to yourself – I'm not going to change how you celebrate but... maybe... you can celebrate just a little with me before you do?

[ Nico's smile brightens even more - the corners of her mouth ache a little, not used to being utilized in such a way - and she reaches out to take Karolina's hands in hers. ] You did great. [ And that's the beautiful thing, she'll tell her later when she's not so gobsmacked - with Wicca, the most important thing is the intent, and her girlfriend's intent is so, so clear in every little part of this. ]

I'd love to celebrate with you. [ She squeezes Karolina's hands in hers. ] And I... I'm so... I can't believe you did this for me. [ She's still really bad with words, okay? But at the very least, the tone of her voice, somewhere between awed and touched, conveys everything she can't find the words to say right now. ] I love it. Thank you.

You'd have to show me. Like – really walk me through it. The books I read up on didn't... really dive deep into it. [ Set-up, important ideology, the history, sure – but a modern day interpretation? Who knew. She's nervous, her bottom lip chewed upon in a daze. Nico's hands on hers warms her up, makes her feel as if she could feel the sun from their little hostel from here. ]

Don't thank me, I – want to do these kind of things with you. New things.

[ Things that earn kisses - soft and sure against her lips. So, she does with an eagerness that brings the red out on her cheeks. ]

[ Those words, paired with all the wonderful things the other has done, do earn her a kiss - Nico leans forward to close the space between them, a gentle brush of her lips against Karolina's, and one of her hands comes up to brush the other girl's blonde hair back from her face. It's brief, but tender and sure, and she pulls away a moment later with an almost-shy smile that promises more to come. ]

I'll walk you through it. [ Another promise, her fingers still working their way through Karolina's hair. ] It's not, like, super hard or anything.

Shall we? [ She takes a step back, still holding onto Karolina's hand. ]

[ It sounds super hard in her head. That's what happens when it becomes more than simply relying on a book for directions. Karolina didn't want to mess this up, but her goal was to see those pouty lips curve into a small smile. It means the world to her. ]

We shall. I am your faithful student.

𝔒𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔱

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considering my recent re-watch, ouat reference made me laugh hard

GOOD, its a lowkey fav!!!

I have like a thousand muses from it... XD

i wish i could, but regina is like the only one i'd want but im so rusty

well, if you ever decide to, I have an Emma and I've been considering both Zelena and Tilly!

screams. MAYBE WHEN I HIT A REWATCH

yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss! ♥

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