Chapter Text
The clock on the other side of the dimly lit room ticked quietly. Time seemed to go slower every day, sometimes it even felt like it had stopped completely. Tiniest tics and tocs echoed in the silent room quietly.
Button had laid on her bed for hours after she had woken up. Why bother getting up, nothing will happen today anyway, she huffed as she thought, looking up at the ceiling and the tiny glowing stars she put there when she was younger. She could see tiny particles of dust floating around in the rays of the late morning sun.
It must’ve been 11 AM.
Maybe she could tell the actual time if she just turned her head slightly to the left. Which she did, but her bangs slid right on her face, blocking her vision. Shit, she mumbled and turned her head back up, continuing looking up. The bangs were still on her eyes, bothering her a bit. Maybe more than just a bit, she couldn’t even properly see the ceiling. Aw, come on, she thought to herself and rose to sit on the bed, brushing the golden bangs behind her ear. Longer bits stayed out of the way, but the shorter ones just stayed there on her face, crisscrossing on top of her curvy nose. Maybe a haircut would help.
She could just go to the local hairdresser and get the damn haircut, but walking away from home and doing most of everyday responsibilities felt more difficult each passing day. Sure, she could do it, but will she? Probably not.
Sighing deeply she lifted her head a bit and looked around the room. Button’s room was quite spacey and decorated in calm, pale hued furniture and wallpaper.
The posters on the walls and the thousands of books on the bookshelves and on the floor gave the room some colour it really desperately needed. Button stared at the UFO poster opposite of her. ‘I want to believe’ was written on the poster. It was her favourite poster from her favourite show. She absolutely loved aliens and conspiracy theories, they were her biggest reason to get out of bed nowadays.
Since all the books and her old computer were too far, she actually needed to get up.
She swung her legs on the other side of the bed to the floor and got up, wobbling a bit as she went. Two old bandages fell off of her left leg, now laying on the light brown floor. They'd be picked up later.
She could appreciate a carpet, the floor was cold and uncomfortable if you didn't have any socks on.
Who needs socks anyway, socks are for losers, said Button who immediately got socks from the floor next to her feet. Socks that didn't even match: one black and other beige with stars. Nice.
She straightened her back and stretches her arms, grunting as she returned to her normal posture, a bit slumped over and lazy. No one mentioned about it so why fix it. She never complained about any back pains so she'd be fine so far. Button wasn't the most athelic person around but she was pretty bendy. Helped in certain things but other wise? Eh. Her whole frame was often described as scrawny, what she pretty much was. She knew it herself too. Scrawny and weak looking thing, with a plain personality and way too much chill.
She picked few books from the floor and looked around for a place where to put them. The bookshelves were almost completely full of books, and pieces of paper. Some kind of a spring cleaning wouldn't hurt this place. But not now. Since, well, it wasn't spring, it was 6th of September, late summer or early autumn. Maybe a autumn cleaning then? That would be terrific. Getting rid of old un-needed stuff and replacing those with somewhat needed stuff.
She placed the books on her work table, which wasn't that full of things, which was surprising. Few notes, full of book ideas and possible characters for the said books. Almost a dozen plants sat in their pots patiently. One of them looked a bit dead. Oh geez, that was one of her favourites. Little lavender didn't seem to like that spot on the table. She did water the plants yesterday. Hm. Maybe it was just having a bad day? Could be. She glanced at the typewriter and the computer next to it. This would be a perfect day to write till the very early morning. No wait, she just did that. Bummer.
Let's see, there sure was some cool ideas written here:
-Seeing Moon/horror (possibly? I mean some spooky shit is going down idk mate)
-She Stayed/romance or adventure (adventuring lesbians!! thanks for the idea Scarlet)
-Fangs and Old Scars/romance or thriller?? (Scientists can't tell)
-Punk Posters in the Local Library/comedy (I'm hopeless)
-What IS real?/mystery (Same.)
-Treat or possibility/romance (possibility for a treat to be perfectly honest)
-Sssaaaffffgggyyayyyy
Rest of the text was smudged and unreadable. Seems like Button got frustrated or tired, or both while writing this piece down. Some little doodles were drawn on the corners of the paper. Other notes had character info and plots, all seeming quite interesting even if she said herself.
Though the thought of someone else doing these before her always made her discard the project and start a new one, or completely give up for few weeks. There were hundreds of unfinished stories in her bookshelves and on the floor, some even in her computer files. Unfinished, forgotten, never looked at again. Button somewhat related to that. A piece of crumpled paper, laying on the floor horizontally, no real purpose whatsoever.
Referring Button to paper aside, she needed to change her clothes to something else other than oversized Ravenclaw t-shirt and baggy grey pajama pants. Putting on bra is recommended too, but who could really stop her from wearing pajamas all day? Her self consciousness in one way or another, plus it was quite cold. Maybe getting some warmer clothes from the drawer wouldn't be such a bad idea. But that means she has to get rid of the comfortable pajamas. Bluh, fine.
She took the only clean dark jeans available, some sports bra from the chair next to the drawer and a plain white t-shirt. Oh wait it wasn't plain, there was a tiny UFO in the middle of it. Cute. She was considering of putting on a sweater but the old grey hoodie felt more tempting, even though it was almost 3 sizes too big for her. Sure, she has worn it for the last 5 days but it didn't look that dirty.
Great, first task of the day done: clothes. Next step would be washing the face and brushing hair. On we go.
She dragged her tired feet to the bathroom right opposite of her room and opened the squeaky door, putting on the lights. As the light flickered on in the tiny room Button opened the tap and poured some cold water on her hands. She closed the tab and held the water in a tiny bubble in front of her as she reached for the towel. She then rubbed the cool water on her face and shook her hands, reaching for the fluffy towel. After she had dried her face she lifted her head to take a look at herself from the mirror.
"Yep, that's sure is me. Morning me. Gosh, I look more hellish everyday."
She said to her reflection and set the towel aside. She rubbed her cheeks, fingers still cool from the water. Nothing had changed over the night: she still had her oval shaped head, slightly sunken cheeks covered in light freckles and baggy, golden eyes. Her attention went to the scar on top of her curvy nose. It's still there, minding its own scar business.
Sighing, she stood on her toes to open a cupboard over her head to get some band-aids. Not to just cover the nose but also some old scratches on her upper arms. At least those scars looked healthier but they still bothered her quite a bit.
After applying the pale beige coloured band-aids on her scratches, she yawned, still feeling like sleeping for 8 days in a row. Maybe after she has brushed her hair. She ran her fingers through her light golden hair, which reached little over her shoulders, a bit more longer on the back of her head. She had cut her hair last time all by herself, so the cutting wasn't that clean. But hey, she tried. Now a proper haircut would be quite dandy. Maybe Ruska would help. Oh wait yea, she's busy at the shop.
Button didn't really like the local hairdresser but she could still cope with her. Mary was old, somewhat nice and to be honest, very close minded at certain things but Button couldn't really do anything about it, so she always just talked about some more safer subjects, like the forest or the weather. Not too many in this town were up to talk about witchcraft or curses or cute girls. Some people were up to talk about cute girls, but those people were mostly guys who thought her talking about cute girls was just weird or wrong. Whatever, she talked about cute girls with Scarlet and Bubble whenever she had a chance. But both of them were busy at the moment. She could talk about cute girls all by herself. Or maybe not, it felt weird. Not that Button has never talked to herself, she did that quite a lot actually. Button wasn't that talkative but she had some things she really wanted to chat about, not just online but in person.
Speaking of cute girls, today was most likely the day when certain cute girl's letter finally arrived. At least Button hoped so.
She decided that her hair looked fine enough without brushing, though she didn't like to keep it this wavy. The straightener wasn't in a good working condition anymore and Button didn't like the idea of her hair being burned off. She left the room, flipping off the lights and wiping her hands against the hoodie. She looked at her right and thought about going outside to get the mail. Yea, good plan. The mailmen usually complained about walking all those stairs but what could Button do about it? Just move the house closer to the bottom of the hill? She was gifted with water, not earth.
She walked down the large wooden stairs and held on the railing as she went. When she was younger she usually jumped down two or three steps at once while going down, few times tripping over because of it. Go big or go home. Or downstairs.
She grabbed her black rain boots and put them on her feet. Oh bloody hell, the socks had holes in them. Wonderful. Well, boots will protect her. She opened the large, dark wooden door and squinted as the light hit her eyes. Hello world, here comes trouble.
The chilly wind outside made Button shiver. It was still a very early autumn, and yet the weather was cold and extra windy. Of course the winds were stronger near the coast, but in the tiny U-shaped valley where she lived the winds were more mild. But not today it seemed. There were only few clouds in the sky and the golden sun was shining over the small, yet busy town. A tiny boat was on it’s way to the open sea from the lake which was located right in the middle of the valley and some people were walking around at the harbour. The ocean felt calm today, which was good, she wasn’t in a mood to save people from the deep blue today. Nor tomorrow.
May the boat travel in peace and without harm.
Button’s attention was soon caught elsewhere, when she noticed the mailbox. Great, more bills and warnings from the pastor, Button thought and made her way to the box, stepping down the few steps on the porch. The mailbox was old and a bit rusty but Button didn’t find any reasons to replace it. It was just a mailbox, that’s it. It opened with a loud squeak and wobbled slightly as she took the insides. Two letters, one from Rebecca and other from Bubble. Sweet, she finally found a way to post the photos. Bubble, one of Button’s closest friends had gone to New York to meet someone. Probably that one guy she met at a convention and wouldn’t stop talking about for months. Button didn’t remember their name but she did remember that the person was very small and pale, that’s it.
She took a look at the other letter, which was from her mother. Wonderful, maybe this time she actually remembered to tell where she went this time. She closed the mailbox carefully and hurried back inside. She didn’t feel like freezing solid in this weather. Next week was supposed to be warm again but it was not certain. Weather is unpredictable and Button respected that. If she lives long enough to strengthen her magic, maybe she could control the clouds as well. That would’ve been something. It was already quite neat to control water and the whole ocean but she still aimed for the sky. She was still aiming to the sky.
Once she finally made it inside, she closed the big door, kicked her boots off and sighed. The hallway that led further to the house shined in the golden light. Feathers, dust and pages of books were scattered around the floor, making the house look somewhat abandonment, like forgotten by time. The house had some really old furniture and paintings, some of Emerald Spectrum’s most beautiful sculptures and big windows with long, heavy curtains. The big glass doors led to the backyard, where some of the plants were already withering away or dying. Button really wished she could take better care of the plants, but she was clueless. Gardening was not in her skills category. From the backyard you could see both the hills, the near woods and the ocean, plus the sky with its beautiful sunrises. A beautiful house in a beautiful place, with all the beautiful people.
And Button. She didn’t really see herself as a really beautiful person, maybe somewhat okay. A C- perhaps. Good enough. But she did think the valley was filled with beautiful things. And it was. As much as she loved to live here, she felt somewhat alone. When you think about it, she felt really alone at times. She kept on thinking that it's all because of the "gift" she had. People were scared of her. Button didn't look threatening and she was quite nice to everyone, or at least she tried her best. It’s not her fault she was destined to be this way. Neither is it their fault. No one was to blame, yet sometimes Button thought this all would be easier if she just wasn’t like this. Life would be easier without any of this bullshit. Her father had told her to be grateful about the gifts she had but her mother saw them as a curse. Gift which is a curse of some kind.
Button sighed at the though, and set the letters on the kitchen table, pulling a chair for her and sat down. She first opened the letter from her mother, Rebecca. Her letters and messages were always really short and had no good information about her whereabouts. They always led Button to worry, but why would she worry, her mother was never home and talked to her only in few sentences before leaving again. She owned the damn house, why couldn’t she at least visit more than four times a year? Button was quite bitter about that. She was left alone to take care of the big house. Yes, she was basically an adult already and able to move on her own, but she never had a change to leave. Who would take care of the house then? As much as her mother kept traveling, she did still love the house. Not the place where the house was located, but the house itself was her number 1 reason to come back.
Button had graduated that summer and Rebecca was nowhere to be seen. Whatever, at least she got to live in the house for free. But was she still salty about the graduation? Oh helles. For no one surprise, the letter was short and there was few pounds right next to the letter. Awesome, giving money so Button wouldn't be that upset. She set the greenbacks aside and read the letter.
“I’m going to be gone for few extra weeks. Here’s some cash for you, buy something nice. I paid the bills as I always do, see I’m still keeping my promise. So don’t spew that promises garbage at my face next time we see, it’s tiring. Make sure the house is clean when I return. “ -Rebecca
Wonderful. Exactly what she needed to know.
“Don’t spew shit at me, it’s so tiring. Ha, well excuse me.” She mocked out loud, setting the letter aside.
Yes, Rebecca kept her promise. She owns the house, she pays the bills. Button on the other hand takes care of the house and the garden and everything around the property. Pretty good deal, even if the dealers don’t get along that well. Her mother didn’t want to sell the house or take Button to some kind of a daycare. Problem solved, make Button take care of everything in the house and leave for months, not even telling where you went. I mean, her leaving didn’t bother Button that much, she was an adult and didn’t need any daycare. Pretty sure there aren’t any daycares for 21 year olds, and even if there was Button still wouldn’t go. Button glared at the letter, bitter about the lack of any information. Maybe she was doing her own business. Or “business”. She sure did mention about that one guy like 9 times last time she was here. Whatever, as long as the guy doesn’t talk to Button she’d be alright with it. Mom would maybe show a picture of the guy next time since he seems to be a really important.
The other letter was waiting next to the opened letter, decorated with strawberry stickers. It looked so adorable, but so did the person who sent the letter. Bubble was too adorable for her own good and she probably knew it. Button opened the letter carefully and took the photos out. A small note fell through the pictures on the table. It was very pastel pink and written with a colourful marker. She set the pictures aside and read the note first. Maybe this would cheer her up. As always, the dots on the letters were big and round, like bubbles.
“Hey Button!! Greetings from New York, the city which never sleeps!! It's actually very true, there's noise all the time :O The flight went really well, like I told you quickly on Skype a while ago! Here’s the polaroids I promised to send :D It has been amazing in here, for once I feel really small. I think I saw the biggest dog in the whole country few days ago, I’m still amazed by it! I even took a picture of it, it should be among the others! I’ll come visit you as soon as I can, take care buddy!!”
-Bubble S <3
Yea, that actually helped. Bubble is one of the sweetest person Button has ever met. All her messages and letters were always fun to read. Letters always had some cute stickers and drawings on them and the messages had a cute picture of her cat or something attached to it. It was so nice to hear she was having a good time. Button had been worried about the flight since Bubble had been rambling about all kinds of possibly scenarios after watching plane crash documentaries. It's always wise to watch all kinds of disaster films before going on a big trip, possibly on a plane or something like that. Button doesn't have that much experience about planes but they sure are big and go way up in the clouds. Pchooo.
Button went through the photos with a happy smile. She had been waiting for the photos for a while and they're finally here. First few pictures were from different popular sights, busy streets and pretty shops. One picture had a picture of a shop named "Bubbles" and Bubble herself was posing in front of it with some other person. Was that the person she talked about? Could be? Next photo was a selfie taken in a park, during a sunset. Some bubbles and faint colourful lights made the picture look somewhat magical. The second photo was in a same setting but she was with the same person from the other photo.The guy looked so small compared to Bubble. Kinda punk-ish styled tiny lad. She looked so happy with the person, who as well looked happy. Button was really glad that she's enjoying herself. Last photos had the picture of the dog, the person just mentioned, bunch of pigeons and one street full of limos, as well as pretty pictures of dawns and dusks. Bubble promised to share more pictures digitally later but she wanted to take some polaroids just for Button. That's just so sweet of her.
Button took the photos and the letters and stood up from the table and looked outside of the big glass doors. It was such a pretty day, though the wind was still an ass. It'd take months before snow starts to fall. She loved snow and winter in general. No bugs and the sea was calmer. Also, bunch of sweaters to wear.
As she looked outside, she felt like someone was staring right at her. Who the hell is looking at her at this time of the day? She's not even near the town where the actual seeing things are. Button tries to find something with her gaze but nothing unusual is in sights. A sudden tiny screech from the far right gets her attention. On top of a old wooden chair sits a tiny barn owl, looking right at her. It screeches again, flapping its wings, trying to get Button's attention. Well now it got the attention it seeked. Button put the letters in her pockets before she opened the glass door, stepped outside and lifted her arm a bit so the owl can land on it. The wooden floor of the terrace makes Button shiver out of cold and disgust. Ugh, cold and wet wood is the greatest thing to stand on with socks that have holes in them. A true delight.
The owl spreaded its wings and landed on Button's arm, preening the hair behind her ear as a greeting.
"Heh, hey Bumblebee. Had fun hunting, eh? Maybe next time try to knock or something, just staring doesn't always work."
She greeted her owl and scratched the top of its head. She sighed and smiled a bit at the owl and strided inside. The cold floor changed to warmer marble floor as she hopped inside. Much better. The owl spread its wings again and flew on her own stand next to couch in the parlour. Satisfied that it was finally inside, Bumblebee started preening the feathers under its wing. Button shook her legs a bit to get rid of the cold feeling. It shouldn't be this cold yet but everyone told it was just momentary. Sure it was.
She took the letters and photos out of her pocket and walked up the stairs, and to her room's door. Before she walked in, she glanced at her left to look at the empty hallway and it's five closed doors. The sun shined in from the window on the other side of the hallway. Only one of those doors have been opened recently: the bathroom. The other four doors have been shut for ages. The two guest rooms, parent's room and the door with the wonky stairs that took to the attic. Button never went to the other rooms, especially the attic. It was dusty and strangely, always locked. There wasn't any other reason for it, other than the key got snapped in half. Thank you, 9 year old me, Button grunted to herself and walked in her room.
Button settled the papers on the desk and looked at her room. The happiness she felt just moments ago got washed away by the good old feeling of loneliness. What was there to really look at in the room? The almost overflowing bookshelves, messy floor, lacy curtains slowly flowing in the slight breeze coming behind the window frame and the posters on the walls. All about musicals, old rock and punk bands, movies and just some cool posters that appealed to the eye. It has been like this for god knows how long. Nothing new, just the same old. It all looked really nice, but it was missing something. Maybe the room wasn't missing something, but the dweller of the room.
Something, someone, anything, anyone.
Now that you think of it, why did she have to be this lonely? Or at least feel lonely? There were people in the town but as told, not many liked her presence. Scarlet, her most best friend and cousin, lived miles away and was busy with his own healing, Bubble was on the other side of the fucking map and the Grays were busy at their shop. College was over, all classmates had disappeared to do their own shit. Mother was doing her "work" things, father was, well, dead. Or maybe he wasn't dead, anything can happen out there in the big blue sea. Maybe the aliens took him. Or sirens. Or maybe a giant squid! Hey you never know.
Button had tons of theories about tons of things. She had so much free time on her hands that she used in basically nothing and urban stories and theories, daydreaming about her life and collecting pins. There must be more than this house and that old town. I mean technically yes there is, but Button won't be able to see it all. Not yet and at once at least. And she'd prefer experience it with someone. Anyone really. Just someone who stands her and wants to adventure with her. Maybe she could live like the girls in "She Stayed". Only thing she needed was another girl who she loved and who loved her. How the hell can you get a girl who happens to like girls as well in this town? 's just old people and fishermen, and other people who just hated her guts. Ugh.
Maybe I'll just a summon a girlfriend straight from Hell, she thought and walked to her bed, sitting down on the edge, keeping her head low. Well, summoning a girlfriend all the way from Hell would be pretty unlikely. But since everyone wanted her to go to there, maybe it could work. To Hell and never back. Button thought about making a shirt that said "I went to hell and all I got was this lousy shirt." Hah, classic.
To be honest, Button wasn't exactly looking for a partner. Just some happiness in her life. A meaning, a way, a relief from loneliness. It can be found, she knows it. Just open up a computer, find a chat forum and talk to people. Button had tried but it had often ended in a bad way. Talking to people she can't even see made her very cautious. If she knew the person then yes, it was easier. She does remember of talking to one guy online and he mentioned that maybe she should set some goals to herself, through that she could meet up some people. It didn't seem like a bad idea but it takes time to get to the goal, whatever it is. Button's goal was to find someone she loves and be happy with them. Easy enough, sorta cliche and lame but that's what she wanted. She wanted a better future. How could she get one in this town, in this condition? There must a cheat for that, or maybe a spell, or just hard work will pay it off. Like everyone keeps saying, just work your pathetic ass off and something will probably happen at one point-
Wait.
That's it! A spell.
Huh. That could be something. Maybe. Who knows. I mean, witches do spells. Button's a witch, and she's done spells all her life. Brilliant!
Or is it, what if something goes wrong. Oh god, what if the whole world ends because one foolish girl tries some spooky witchcraft to fix her goddamn life? That would be something to talk about. Only if anyone survives of the end. Mmmm, not very likely. Button thought about this again: she could make a spell that gives her relief about future and her loneliness. Okay good yes, that's the one side of the spell. Other side gives her some energy to reach the goals she made for herself. Splendid. Button jumped up from the bed and grouched to get some equipment from under the bed. Cups, metal plate and one of the books she thought being useful in this situation. Of course the other books were helpful too but this was the best of those. She wiped most of the dust from the cover and read the title which was written in kinda difficult but beautiful cursive: Book of Deadly Curses and Other Fun Activities. She loved the title so much. Yea sure, it was full of curses and stuff like that, but also useful spells. For such things as cold, heartbreak, bone injury or sleepless nights. But most of the spells were only temporary.
As she stood up she went through the pages, trying to find the spell she was looking for. Let's see uuuhhhhhhh... goodness, she had forgotten how many spells there were. And how many useless ones too. Who needs a spell for stomach ache that came from bad yogurt. Whatever.
Is it in B or F, she mumbled and paced back and fort in front of her bed. She checked the other categories to find it. Thankfully it wasn't in curses, she was sick and tired of those. After minutes of searching she finally caught her eyes on the spell, but it was in the category which was only for temporary spells. This is gonna be just temporary? Shit.
Better try it out though. You'll never know unless you try right?
Spell For Better Future
Unsure about your goals? Will you ever archive the things you're seeking? Try out a spell that will boost your confidence for six whole months! Keep in mind, once the spell is broken, your boost dies immediately. Now be vary.
Yay. Button sure knows how to be vary. Okay sounds good, six months is good. the timing isn't the greatest but maybe she'll get a job or a chance to leave this mess once she has the confidence and bravery to overcome the deal with her mother and find a loved one. But six months goes by in a blink. So better make it count. Okay, she needs quite a many things for this. You know, big spell, a lot of power since it lasts for six months, a really big deal. She started to gather things she needed from her room, going through drawers and boxes.
Piece of paper full of wishes, yea that's check.
The shitton of herbs, including lavender and mint? Yea. Mmm. Good smells.
Old leather? Yea, from an old glove that has been laying on the floor for ages. Sad little glove.
Silk? Uhh yes, old dark greenish lace made of silk.
Tiny amount of silver? Just a small bit? Well shit, she only had bigger silver objects in the house. Maybe break a silver fork? No, mom would be angrier more than before. All silver things would be broken if she needed just a little piece. But what about the earrings? Yea the earrings! Small enough. She went through a tiny box full of necklaces and earrings she never really wore. Maybe she should.
There they were, oval shaped silver earrings, with some olive green stones attached to the bottom. Clean line separated the silver from the stone. They looked rather fancy but they also needed to be sacrificed for the spell. Button had wore them maybe twice in her life. She liked her blue raindrop earrings.
She gathered all the stuff for the spell in her backpack, gently picked it up on her back and took the flashlight from the desk drawer. There was a old knife there too. Oh look it's still here. She had put it there after one time someone tried to break in. The guy almost ended being drowned because of it. She shook her head, snapping out the memory and took the knife, since hey, you'll never know what you face while going to the old ruins. There might be aliens out there. Or Bigfoot. Er, no. That guy is an American thing. Not exactly British. Maybe Bigfoot learned how to swim and is now on its way to kick Button's ass? She stopped in the middle of the stairs to think about that. What the ever loving hell Button. Anyway.
She took her old muddy combat boots and closed her hoodie, taking a old dark brown jacket from the stand and throwing it on her, ready to roll.
"Bye Bee, I'll be back soon! Try not to eat any keys or my herbs while I'm gone! I need them! Thank you!" She announced to her owl before she went through the door, adjusting the backpack and looking out to the horizon. Before she got any more than two steps away from the porch, she stopped once again. To think this through.
Is she really going to do a spell just so feels more confident about her coming days? Has she really sunken that low? Man, loneliness messes you up. Button turns to look at the house and its cracking faint blue paint, the big windows and the dark tiles. The house she's been living in for over 21 years, doing nothing for the past 9 years. Just...living there. Hoping for the best. Hoping for her father's return, which was unlikely. Hoping to find cure for loneliness but only making her feel more lonely. She wouldn't be standing here with a backpack full of equipment and a book full of witchcraft if she wasn't like this. But was it bad that she was "like this"? No, it wasn't. But Button just wanted more simpler times for her.
"Okay. Yea. I know this sounds and seems grazy, but you'll never know unless you really try, right? ...Right?" She asked herself looking down at the road leading to the bottom of the hill, where two roads separated in two directions: town and forest. She could go to town and just deal with the people who didn't want to deal with her. Pushing, shoving, name making, cursing, breaking her in more ways than one... Yea. She could deal with that, she's been dealing with it for a while. But before she turns back towards the porch, she stops again, feeling a small burst of anger. No, fuck that. She has found a cure, temporary though, but it's a cure. She needs the courage to overcome the thoughts and the toxic people near her. She going to tell her mother suck it and leave as soon as she returns. There's a fucking world out there. No one's going to keep her here and suffer from loneliness and constant social anxiety.
"Right."
One option was also that she returns here, back in the lonely house on top the lonely hill, but with someone. Someone who'd live with her as long as she finds a proper way to talk to her mother about leaving. Big chance that Rebecca would just shake her head and tell that she's sick in the head and needs to take care of the house, until all work is done. That's how its most likely going to go. But she'd bear it all with another person. She nods to the thought, puts the backpack back in position and makes a quick U-turn and starts running down the stairs, jumping over few along the way. This all made her feel a bit more hopeful. It still felt like a stupid and dangerous idea but she was already on the bottom of the hill, making her way to the ruins in the forest. She put the hood of the big hoodie on her head and searched for the tiny path, next to the old oak.
After almost an hour of walking she finally makes it to the old ruins. She wasn't that sure what this place used to be, but it might've been a house or a barn. Some walls were still standing strong and the rock floor had only one big hole in it, leading nowhere. She had built a tiny bridge over the hole with some leftover boards. It almost felt like the house had exploded from the inside. How? No idea but Button did have theories. One of them that a heater blew up, sending the roof to the atmosphere. One possible reason might be that this place is just old as shit so it started to collapse on its own. Button found this place with Scarlet and her dad when they were younger. That must've been like 11 years ago. Man, 11? She was 10 back then and Scarlet was almost 6. Button suddenly felt really old as she hopped over some rubble, making her way in the tiny area she usually made all kinds of spells. Small shrines and all that. The surrounding of the ruins was mostly just big leaf trees and one big stream going around it. It was a pretty nice place to just hang out it. She once took Bubble here to just chat. Bubble almost fell to the stream and Button found a pile of lizards. It was a great day. But it was also the day when Button's love confession got rejected by Bubble. They agreed to stay as friends like usual and Bubble always gave her a lot of platonic love and vice versa. Sometimes things like that happen but Button didn't look at the situation as a bad thing. Of course back then she was pretty upset about it but she grew over it.
Button sat down in the cleaned area in the end of the house where she placed all the equipment. This could take a while. According to her phone, it was 2:20 PM. She had still almost all day to do this spell. She still felt a small kick of uncertainty but she had made her choice. It kind of felt like cheating on life and its stupid system. Take that, life, Button can make her own happiness out of herbs, pieces of canvas and expensive as fuck earrings. Maybe the earring could be saved after this but she didn't have anything smaller. If she doesn't tell her mom or anyone really, maybe no one will even question it.
"Hey where did those earrings go that I gave you few years back? I haven't seen you use them almost at all."
"Oh I used them in a spell to fix my pathetic life because I desperate piece of arse haha."
Another hour goes by as she mixes all the herbs, places the canvases in the cup and painted the few needed symbols around the cup. If Button is bad at something, it's painting. This shit right here puts the pain in painting. Of course painting on a unsteady platform makes the task even more complicated. But the symbols were now done. She checked from the book that she got them right. Well hopefully, at least they were close enough. One symbol looked a bit too off but Button got it fixed to look somewhat right. This could screw up the whole spell but they seemed to be working. After that she needed to say few lines from the book. She hate reading cursive, even though she loved to write in it. Reading was the only problem. But she got that part right, thankfully. The symbols lit up in a faint, orange glow. It's actually working so far. Score! Last part was to add the silver. After that a small puff of smoke should appear and Button needed to gather it in a small glass bottle and shake it. Then the spell is casted and she gets the bravery and happiness she's seeking. At least that's how it was described to happen in the book. Lovely. She took the earrings from the ground and looked at them. They were still quite lovely, but she never wore them. She got them as a gift from her mother after she came back from a trip. As a gift so Button wouldn't feel bad. Yea sure thanks no bad feels whatsoever, 's all good hahaha. Hah. Ha. Yea. Well here we go. Button lifted her hand over the cup and took a deep breath in and dropped the earrings into the cup.
As soon as the earrings hit the pile of herbs and canvas, a huge puff of thick smoke bursted from the cup, making Button almost fly a couple of meters away. She crashed against rocky floor with a loud thud, hitting her head in the process. Who knew a "small puff of smoke" could be that deadly. Was this part of the spell? Most likely not? Yes? No, it was literally supposed to be a small puff, not a huge ass puff. Something had gone wrong. Maybe the painting? The reading? Both? All??
Button’s head felt light and her vision was going blurry, thanks to the collision with the floor. She tried to lift herself from the ground with her elbows, but was stopped by a sharp pain on her right shoulder. She yelled of pain and laid back on the floor for few seconds, before trying again. She ignored the pain as well as she could, trying to see what was all that about. It was supposed to be a spell, not a bomb. Or then maybe she had made a bomb accidentally. Could be, anything could happen in sorcery. Spell turning out to be bombs? Can happen. But on purpose, this time it wasn't supposed to be happening. Button has made up a bomb spell once and it was way different than this one. Reason 1 why it was different: it WAS supposed to blow up. Button glanced around the room, trying to find some reason why the spell had gone wrong. Her gaze fell back on the cup and the tower of smoke coming straight from it. Oh good, there was the smoke she was supposed to gather. But to what, the glass jar had been broken to pieces. The cup had couple of cracks too and the floor underneath the cup. A big boom it had been.
The tower of smoke started morphing into a inky blob, floating in the air above the cup. That must’ve been just her mind making up things after she’d hit her head right. Right? Wrong, the smoke had turned into something solid and was still turning into something more bizarre. What the ever loving hell, she muttered under her breath. Was the smoke gathering itself up for her or what? Has she angered the smoke gods or something and now they're here to make her pay? Smoke gods blazing in fury. All the noises in the area had turned into high white noise, filling her ears in a very uncomfortable way. She couldn’t hear, see or think properly. If this was part of the spell, she had few complaints. Near death, loud noises and a head injury. See you in court whoever wrote the book. Button had to close her eyes just for a little while, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing now. The inky blob was suddenly looking somewhat human. This is not real, this is NOT real, the puff of smoke is not turning into a human, there’s no way. Was this the end? Did she really cause the end of the world by actually raising a thing straight from Hell? Button opened her eyes and was only greeted by a even more blurry scenery. The blob was less a blob now and even more of a… human…ish? It had human legs at least and a head, that’s all she could make up before she collapsed again, this time wiping out completely. As she was drifting away, she could hear the faintest footsteps. And then, everything went dark and silent. Not even white noise could be heard. Well that spell was a bust. Never trying that again, that’s for sure. If waking up and living life and actually considering things through could still be an option. Welp, here comes death. Goodbye beautiful, yet horrifying world. This is Button signing out, smell you later. She had written a eulogy for herself but it was hidden somewhere in her room. No one would even notice her disappearance. She's stay here to rot away. And her last words were just painful screaming. What a way to go.
Some noises started to fill her ears. The big, old trees were gently swaying in the late evening breeze. A smell of lavender and smoke filled the air. A very calm scene, like the moment after a big storm. Such a nice evening, sun was setting in the distance and seagulls were screaming in the distance.
Wait, seagulls? Noises and smells? She snapped her eyes open and tried to lift herself up again, greeted by the same pain. Oh yeah she’s still alive! Probably? Maybe these were the noises of afterlife. Or maybe not? She felt the cold rock floor against her back and legs, and the cool breeze blowing her hair to the side. Hah, take that death! A little explosion won't bring this girl down, she thought to herself and smiled a little of joy. Button’s back in the game with all limbs attached, air in her lungs and a pair of orange eyes starting right at her. That's something to talk about. Local witch survives an explosion she caused herself and ended up summoning a... orange eyed...
Whoa what. All the equipment was still there sort of, cup was spilled over, the glass jar was still in pieces and yes, there was a pair of orange eyes looking right at her. She blinked few times, trying to adjust her eyes while figuring out what was in front of her, crouching down to her eye level. Just few minutes ago there was a big puff of dark smoke, now… This? Whatever this was. The eyes that seemed to burn Button’s soul into crisp were completely orange and glowing, like two shining diamonds. Button couldn’t figure out where it…it? Was it rude to call the thing “it”? She didn’t even know what she had summoned, for no reason. The “thing” tilted its head, flicking the long pointy elf like ears. Button’s panicked attention drifted from the ears back to the eyes and from the eyes to the weird…horns…on its head. The thing leaned closer, quite possibly doing the same as Button, trying to make sense what was in front of it. Button scooted further and tried to get up somehow, tripping over her feet and quietly swearing. A great first impression. As she was finally up on her feet, still feeling lightheaded, she watched as the thing rose to stand as well. Button had few problems of believing what she saw. Did she have to believe this? This all could just be make-believe. Please, be make-believe. But this unfortunately wasn't make-believe, it was real deal. Was this even unfortunate? Well, only if Button ends up being even more dead then yes, then it's unfortunate.
The thing looked so much human, it clearly had completely normal human features. If you uh,didn’t count any wings or a tail in. Or spikes on her shoulders and the horns. Nor the flaming eyes, full of amusement. The thing smiled smugly, clearly having a fun time watching Button wobble on her feet. The things skin was dark like coal, reflecting little to no light. Maybe she should stop referring the thing as thing and it. Not the most polite thing to do. As she took in some more bigger details,she came to notice that 1.The thing was naked. 2. It was a she, most likely but Button would correct her statement later 3.She was now way too close. Would it be rude to faint again? The thing lifted her arm on her own chin, holding the other arm on her hip and hummed. Seemed like she was thinking of something. Killing Button? Who knows, maybe. Button wished that not, she’d like to see the next dawn. She tried to back off a little but her back hit a piece of wall behind her. Now she was pretty much trapped. Button tried not to panic in any visible way, showing weakness wouldn’t be too wise at this moment. Well she has been panicking since she noticed the eyes staring at her. If she could survive an explosion, she can probably survive this. One witch versus a naked demon of some sort. Maybe she really was a demon. It could be, she did appear from the ground and she had the horns, and the big wings and one long spiky tail, slowly swaying back and fort behind her. Pretty normal for demons, or at least for the demons she's heard of. Button held on the wall with both of her hands trying to find a way to do a quick escape. The demon's gaze felt more and more uncomfortable as she could feel the warmth radiating from them. Because yea that's normal. She tried not to make any eye contact but as she saw the demon reach out for her, she looked right at her in fear. What was she going to do, claw her eyes out? Rip out her useless brain? Agh, enough questions, more planning of the escape.
But the demon slowly reached out for Button's chin, lifting her head a bit. Button wanted to run as fast as she could but something was holding her back. She still had the rules of her personal space, so she lifted her hand and slapped away the demon's hand. Man, her skin was almost burning. Button glanced at her hand for any burn marks. None, but her skin still tingled slightly. She lifted her head to look at the demon again. Didn't look too pleased about the slap, but she was still looking down at her. She was almost a head taller. Well not completely, the horns made her look taller. The demon's hair was short and brushed back. It kind of suited her? In a way? The hair didn't reflect any light either, but it wasn't dark in a same way as the skin: it was more raven black. Some blue hues here and there. Huh. Thought there'd be orange highlights, since everything else that wasn't dark was orange. Do demons dye their hair?
The demon lifted her arm again, not to Button's chin but her own hip, and looked at her with a sneer. Seriously, what so funny to her? Button frowned at the demon and took a quiet breath in.
"What?" Button asked in a more shakier voice than she'd like to admit. But she did ask it in all seriousness.
"Nothing, nothing. I'm just trying to make sense of you."
"Wh- sense? "
"You see, here I thought I was summoned by some human but all I can see is a small angel in front of me."
"What."
What.
The demon chuckled at the answer, baring her sharp teeth along the way. She turned away and walked towards the cup, swaying her hips as she walked. She was really having a good time. Well good for her.
"Oh it has been so fucking long since I've been summoned in this little sad land. Like, 60 years or somethin'." She talked in a smooth, playful voice. She didn't sound too serious about this whole situation, like she's used to this. Well she has been summoned before, she just mentioned it.
"60? So you've been here before?" Button asked, actually pretty curious. She leaned a bit away from the wall, relaxing her shoulders. The other shoulder was still hurting but it didn't look damaged in any visible way. No cut or anything. Probably some bruise will form on it later.
"Sure. Not in this dump though. Yikes. You live here?" She turned her head to look at Button, who again leaned back at the wall.
"N-no! This is just a place I found."
"Ah. Well you really have a good eye on places that look like a dump."
"Thank? I guess?"
"Hey no problem. Now." She turned on her heels and clapped her hands together, looking at Button again. What was on her mind now?
"What can I do to you, little angel?"
"What?"
"What. Can I. Do. To. You. Question mark."
"I did heat ya, ya goof. I just...what do you mean by that?*"
"Uuuhhh you did summon me right? You must've summoned me for something that needs to be done."
Button tried to remember if she summoned this demon for something. Let's see. Well, no. She made a spell to make herself more confident about her future. But ended up making a smoke bomb and summoning a demon. Because that's something that happens.
"I...I did not." She shook her head slowly, staring at the floor.
"Sure you didn't."
"I didn't! I swear I didn't summon you for anything!" She yelled at the demon, who rose her hands in a defensive way.
"Well geez girl, fuck. Then why am I here? There must be a reason."
"There. Isn't any reason." She again turned her gaze to the floor. This might end in many awful ways. Mostly in ways that ends up Button being killed mercilessly.
"Hm. Well..." She put her hands back on her hips and leaned on her left leg. "Offer still stands."
"What offer?"
"I can do anything to you. Anything you feel like."
"Anything? like, killing people or giving me a third arm?"
"Heh, yea. Can be arranged."
"No I don't want any of that! It was just a question!" She leaned away from the wall and stepped a bit closer, shaking her arms in a way of protest. She didn't need any more limbs or anyone killed.
"Clearly it was. But yea, those are good examples." She smiled coyly at Button. Clearly having a good time. Button wasn't that much. She was having trouble knowing where the demon was watching, since the eyes were like solid orange. No pupil or whites. Just. Orange. There was some yellow hues in the eye too but faint. Like the paint she made the symbols with. Were the symbols the reason she's here? The horns were very close to the symbol above the cup. But could only the symbols be the reason for this?
"Um. I-I don't need anything to be done."
"Nothing? No villages burning to crisp or your enemies having their hearts ripped out? Nothing like that?"
"No."
There was a moment of silence between them both. The demon stood there, only tail and wings moving slightly. Button didn't move at all, only looking at the ground. She was few meters away from the demon but she did feel the presence of her. Maybe because she was now way closer than like a second ago. Button lifted her head to look at the demon who was again standing really close to her. Hey quick protip: personal space is a thing.
"It's a shame you don't have any wishes. Looking at the little shrine of yours I can see you're looking for something. What might that be?
"It's not really any of your business."
"Ah, but I was summoned through it. It is pretty much my business"
"Is it now?"
Demon didn't answer in any way, just stared at Button. No sly expression or anything. She actually looked pretty serious. Wow okay.
"I- I guess it's sort of your business. But it's still my own information."
"You were seeking something. A relief maybe?" She asked and started slowly walking around Button, holding her hands on her hips. "Maybe some more courage? Or something that makes you rich and popular? Needing to get busy 'n shit like that yea?"
"No? Not exactly? Who wants to be busy? It's the most stressful shit there is."
The demon only chuckled. Was she referring to something else?
"Look. I don't want anything from you. Whatever you're offering, I won't take any of it. Thank you very much."
"Mmm. Okay well. The offer still stands." She said in a playful tone and walked few steps away from Button. "You're a really strange little being, aren't ya. Summoning me for no reason but still looking a bit curious when I talk to you."
Maybe because you're naked and I really don't want to think with my crotch at this point. Also yes I'm curious, you came from the fucking ground in a puff of smoke, she thought to herself, not really wanting to tell any of that out loud. But to tell the truth, Button wasn't exactly scared of the demon. She didn't seem threatening but more playful. Of course Button was not letting her guard down and was ready to bolt away if something unnecessary was going to go down. Button still felt bad for summoning her for no reason. Maybe she's let her go home, wherever she lived. She didn't have to stay in this old pile of boards and rocks.
"You uh, caught me red handed. Hey listen, I'm really sorry of that and yea I know, I'm not the greatest person to make any deals with since I don't want any extra limbs or anyone killed..."
"Mmhm."
"But I don't want anything done. I just..."
"Just?"
"I don't know. But I didn't want to summon you. Not be rude but I didn't ask for anyone."
"Ouch. But you did want someone."
"In a way- how do you know that?"
The demon shrugged, glancing at the shrine. Does she know what Button was here for? Oh god, does she know how to read thoughts? Please no.
"You're not that scared of me and you painted a symbol, meaning someone. I'm someone. Did you ask for me? That's sweet."
"Look I don't even know who you are. I couldn't paint properly because of the platform and I was painting a completely different symbol. I just...fucked up. Like always."
The demon looked at Button again, in a more questioning way. Maybe the human was speaking the truth. She did look serious about fucking up the painting. Huh.
"Well, just so you know, your painting is now meaning someone and I am here."
"Who is this someone I accidentally summoned then?" Button asked in a flat voice. She was feeling worse about this whole situation.
"Jirra."
"Ah. O-okay. Jirra."
"Yes. And what is your name then? The someone who accidentally summoned me?" She asked and scratched the back or her head.
"Doesn't matter."
"Well wow, what a name you have."
"That's wasn't my name ya dingus."
"Well I'm still curious to know your name. In a "getting to know who the hell you are" way."
Button sighed and folded her arms, thinking for a second before again speaking up.
"Button. Button di Onda."
"Hm, sweet name you have."
"Thanks."
Jirra tilted her head again, looking at Button in curiosity. Button. Pretty unusual name if you ask her. Sorta cute.
"Look uh, Jirra? I can't make up anything I'd really want right now. Well not from you at least. I just built a tiny shrine to make a tiny spell. You can just go back, I'm sorry for asking you here for no real reason." She apologized quietly, looking elsewhere. She was sure that she had pissed Jirra off. Jirra didn't seem to be too pleased about the offer of going back.
"Yea apology accepted or whatever but there's this one tiny thing: I can't go back. Not yet at least."
Shit.
"What do you mean you can't? " Button asked, in a bit panicky tone. What was that supposed to mean? Couldn't she just turn into a puff of smoke again and drift back into the cup or something?
"I can't. It's the deal what with I'm here. You painted a six, meaning that I have to be here for six whole months."
"Did I? I mean like...what? Six months? Is there any way for you to go back??"
"Uuuhhh lemme think. Mmm nope." She shrugged and walked back to the shrine.
"Then what am I supposed to do?? Make a spell for you so you can go back??"
"Damn you really want me gone." She chuckled and reached out to the cup and took the lace of dark green silk in it. It smelled like lavender. She looked at it curiosity and tied it around her left wrist.
"It's not that! I just didn't ask for one whole demon to appear to me and start making suggestions and deals! I don't know what to do." Button was stressing out, trying to find a way for Jirra to go back home. She didn't want to keep Jirra captive in this old building. She didn't want Jirra to feel trapped or bad because she fucked up one stupid ass spell. This was her fault, wasn't it? Pretty much.
"Yo chill girl. It's not much of a bad thing."
"It is! I can't make up anything for you to do! I summoned you here and it's my fault you're gonna have to stay here!" She was almost yelling at this point, feeling more and more frustrated every minute."
"Geez. I could try and live by myself for the six months in this tiny world of yours. Surely something can be done. I can easily live by my own. Anyone trying to stop will drop dead before they know it. I have my ways."
Button thought about Jirra going around town, in her full demon form, killing anyone who looks at her wrong and causing damage to people. She could do that. She was able to do that. It didn't seem like a problem to her. Chaos and people dead because one stupid witch couldn't paint.
"Or. I could live with you, little summoner angel. You summoned me, didn't find anything for me to do and freaked out because you realized I can't really go back." Jirra offered, looking at Button with a slight smirk.
That. Wasn't as bad the idea of her causing mayhem in the streets. But a full demon living under her roof. Uh. Question. How can she manage to do that without any ensuing shenanigans. But Button wanted no harm to be done for the demon and by the demon.
Before Button was able to answer, a faint call in the distance startled them both. A local passer by ex machina. Button's yelling and the smoke tower probably alerted someone and now they were on their way here. Fucking incredible. Okay go time.
"Okay sounds good so far. Look we need to get out of here."
"What, now?"
"No in six months or so. Yes now!" She sprinted to get her backpack and the book from the ground. Everything else was in pieces. The cup, the glass jar, a small area under the cup. Broken, cracked, ruined. Shit, she liked that cup. A tiny shard of the cup cut a open slit on her right hand. She yelped and retrieved her arm, looking at the wound. Even better! Now there's blood as an evidence that she was here. She stood up and hurried from the shrine, jumping over the huge crack on the floor, ignoring the bridge she built. She looked back to see if Jirra was following. She wasn't at the shrine anymore but also, no where else in her sights either. Where did she go? Button stopped to try and find Jirra with her gaze. The forest was getting darker at this time of the day so it was even more difficult for Button to find her. Calls and footsteps of the passer by were getting even closer and Button could even see him on the other side of the stream, yelling at her.
"Hey you!"
No thank you bye, this girl leaves now. Button bolted as fast as she could through the bushes and branches, losing the sight of the man. Thankfully she got away just in time before the man could make up who she was. But she was still trying to find Jirra. At least she got the idea of getting away from the shrine. The man had probably went to see what was inside of the ruins by the time button was hundreds of meters away. she was already exhausted but the idea of her getting caught for summoning a fucking demon straight outta Hell felt like the worst way to go. How would you explain that the reason you accidentally summoned a demon because you tried to make a spell that would cure your loneliness and help her get more confidence? Well, there was an explanation already but is it a good one? For someone who knows witchcraft yea but for others, probably not.
Button reached the stairs leading to her house in a record time. She was breathing heavily and was having a hard time to stand. All this running man, she wasn't used to this much exercise in a short time. The car lights coming up the hill in the distance gave her more boost and she started climbing up the stairs, jumping up few steps at the time. She really needed to hurry. There's no way out of this if it's the pastor. Or the sheriff. Oh both of those would mean certain death in one way or another. Maybe not literal, but something that's close enough. She got to the door and fidgeted with the key to open the door. Come on, come on, she mumbled as she tried her best to steady her hand to fit the key in the keyhole. After several tries, she finally succeeded, opened the door and closed it immediately as she made it inside. She leaned against the door, catching up her breath, shaking as she tried to calm down after the running. She promised herself to never run that much in her life again. 'Cause that was insane. She had the energy to run all the way here simply out of fear. Outstanding, really. She slid down to sit on the floor, still taking in shaky breaths. A lot has happened and she felt like all this was a weird fucking dream. Maybe the smoke caused her to hallucinate. Maybe this was all a weird, twisted dream that featured naked flirting demons. A dream Button otherwise wouldn't mind to see, but she knew this wasn't a dream. A real deal. Reali'o deali'o.
She was reminded that this wasn't a dream by the knocks in her door. Fuck me gently with a fucking chainsaw, she whispered to herself as she lifted herself up to open the door. She only opened the door slightly so not much of her could be seen.
"Evening young di Onda."
"Same to you, father Lee."She answered with no interest whatsoever in her voice. What she really didn't need right now was the big church man.
"Heard that there was some incident in the forest earlier today and someone described seeing a young female running out of the scene. This kind of situation seemed like a thing person like you would make. I'm not certain, so I took a kind approach to you and ask, if you were the one who caused this? Or were part of?" He asked with a kind smile. He always came to ask her if she was part of something bad happening at town. Of course she was, none of the those people in the town would never do such a thing.
"Why would it be me? I never leave the house, in case you people start blaming me for such shit things like an elder slipping on a dead fish, that he just fished out of the water."
"A-a, language young lady." The pastor lifted his arm and wagged his finger. Oh me oh my, bad words.
"Whatever. Sorry old man, can't say it was me."
"Can't? Are you cert-"
"I am certain. Thank you very much, I have things to do."
"Oh, what kind of things if I may ask?"
"Why yes you may. Summoning Satan with my lesbian orgy. God bless." She announced and closed the door, leaning her heads against it. This is not how you make the local pastor hate you less. And it wasn't the most original thing to say but Button just wanted him to get out. Annoyed grunts and heavy footsteps meant that he finally left. She sighed and closed her eyes for a little while, still trying to breathe steadily. Her heart was pumping wildly in her chest, about to burst in pieces any minute now. The car engine running made her calm down a bit more. He was leaving for good now. Maybe coming back tomorrow again. Hopefully not.
The loud thud behind made her heart almost skip a beat. She turned quickly around to see what made the noise and was greeted by a dark figure in hallway, looking at her with the familiar, orange eyes. Oh hey, she found her way here. Some...how? Well there she was, without any wings though and most of the spikes on her body had disappeared. Button reached out to flick the lights on but even in almost direct light she looked like a piece of void right in front of her. She wagged her tail slowly and crossed her arms under her breasts. Oh.
Button remember that she made a deal with this demon that she'd be allowed to live here for the six months. Six whole months with her, a demon she had summoned out of accident and bad painting skills. Good job Button. This could go badly, or even more baldy. Horribly. This could end up in a disaster. Button threw the backpack on the chair next to the tiny table in the hallway and took few tiny steps closer to Jirra. Button couldn't get any words out of her mouth but she tried her breast. Best. She tried her best.
"So uh...hey again." She waved her hand a bit as a awkward greeting.
"Yo."
"Yea so welcome here. Here as in. My home. A place where I live."
"Oh you live here? Pretty fancy for just one person." Jirra noted, looking around in the hallway.
"Oh no no, I live with my mother. Sort of."
"Sort of?" She asked as she walked towards the living room, swaying her hips along the way. Button was able to see her figure somewhat better. A puff of smoke had transformed into a tall, curvy demon with strong and sharp features. She had a so much different body type than Button. Button would probably describe her as gonad but she had other, way more important things to think about. Plus, it would be rude to think about someone's body type in a situation like this. Or almost in anything similar to this. But she finally saw Jirra more properly. Jirra who was wandering in her house all naked. Good lord, this is the most bizarre thing Button has ever experienced. Who would even want to be in a situation like this?
"Sweet scenery." Jirra announced as she looked outside the big glass windows of the living room. To be honest, Jirra actually really liked what she was seeing. It has been so long since she was summoned.
"Hah. Yea it's pretty great." Button said as she walked to the windows next to Jirra. She still kept her distance. The sun was setting in the distance, lowering behind the great hills.
Button's mind shifted from the sunset back to the situation. The situation called "an actual demon is going to stay at her house for six months because Button doesn't want anything to happen to the said demon or the people she'd kill easily because why the fuck not". She's not going to ever force her to stay but she really doesn't want any disaster to unfold. Jirra seemed to be pretty tricky and had her ways with people, so this might be a difficult six months. She doesn't know what she had summoned but none of this was on purpose. She's going to let her stay if she wants to. What If Jirra doesn't want to stay? She didn't look to pleased when Button noticed her in the hallway. But Button sort of knew what she was doing. She's going to let her stay here but Jirra had to know at least few house rules before anything else is going down.
Rule number 1. If anything breaks, you're going to have a really b a d time.
Number 2. House has a door if you need to leave. At least say something before leaving.
Number 3. Don't annoy Button.
Number 4. Clothes are pretty necessary.