Chapter Text
The music is loud and the tavern they're currently in is loud with the hollers of the live band.
People dance and booze is served, laughter echoes in between the pink walls of the Pink Tulip.
It's one of the only rowdy taverns left, too improper, too old for the soon to be mysterious Empress.
These aren't matters that concern the witch. Her grandma is still the matriarch of House Shrub, after all.
That leaves Shelby to enjoy herself, hopping from tavern to tavern, empire to empire through the old, hidden magical passages and portals.
Her family had been estranged from the royalty line a while back, because of some family drama. Something about spirits and mushrooms, she's not sure.
She doesn't care. What might be a worry is what the new Empress will make of them. Surely, hopefully, nothing.
They are nobles, after all. They're witches. They're powerful. They have connections. It's not like there's rumours of turmoil, already.
Nothing to worry about.
All that stuff is so far away, anyway. The here and now is what matters.
And here an now, Shelby is having a blast, drunk and happy, laughing with a few more witches, pixies and seelies.
She's loopy from the fumes inside the tavern and the glittering pink cocktail in her cup. Laughter echoes and distorts, sounding more like birds singing than people cackling.
In between the flashing lights and warm candles, she spots a lovely flower. A girl.
Her long, thick ebony hair is pulled up in two buns, pink glitters her face and skin. The stranger's body is hugged by a pretty lilac dress, vaporous and soft.
Her eyes look onyx black under the rainbow lights of the show, light bulbs changing hue with magic.
The mystery girl is laughing with a blond man, sharing a beer. She's gorgeous.
So, Shelby prances closer, her own white hair a tumultuous cloud around her face, golden eyes enraptured by the stranger's beauty.
“No- Joey- That's so silly!” the gorgeous girl laughs, one hand slapping his back.
He yelps, offended, but then gives a boisterous laugh, trying not to spill his drink.
It seems Shelby might not be the only one completely jaded.
“Hello?” Shelby, drink in hand and smiling big, yells over all the noise.
“Oh, hi!” the brunet greets, head turning to her, with a curious glint in her eye and pearly whites.
“Hi? Who are you!?” The blond, Joey, screams back.
“I'm the Great Witch, Shelby Shrub!” She screams, proudly.
Recognition sparks in the pretty girl's face, but the man just rolls his eyes.
“A witch? Ughh-” he groans, annoyed.
Huh?
Shelby blinks, speechless. He's literally a witch. She can tell. And very obviously, too, by the way he glimmers, gold and silver. And the pin worn only by apprentice of the Supreme Witch.
“You deal with magic? I do, too!” the girl smiles, holding out a hand.
Petals bloom from the palm, and the flower is offered to Shelby.
She's awestruck.
A nature nymph, maybe? She looks regal in the way she carries herself, though. Maybe a fae?
The witch blushes, and takes the pink tulip in her hands.
“Thank you!” she beams, casting over it a quick protective spell. She then tucks it behind her ear.
“I'm Katherine, by the way!” the brunet holds out her hand to shake Shelby's.
“Pleasure to meet you! Care for a drink?” the witch takes it, squeezing lightly.
Her skin is soft, delicate like petals. Yet, there's a few silvery scars she can feel but not see. Shelby keeps smiling, intrigued.
The lights shine on Katherine, purple and green making her glow.
“She will if you offer one to me, as well!” Joey slaps at their joined hands, annoyed.
Shelby groans comically then grins, “Fine! You win!”
It's my pleasure, really, Shelby thinks, holding up a new glass of glittering liquid.
"Yay!" Katherine cheers, jumping up and down. Over her the vines bloom small flowers, but Shelby can't discern what colour from all the flashing of lights.
They share a few drinks, many laughs but alas, the sun spins and a new day approaches.
They part at dawn.
Shelby watches, drunk and smiling ear to ear, as Katherine and Joey stumble to the closest magical portal, vines and flowers blooming while Katherine passes under the arch and disappears with her companion in the sparkling purple.
Shelby crashes at the nextdoor inn, loopy from drinking and dancing all night long.
How can people say the world is cruel when it has just gifted Shelby with the sights of the most beautiful creature it's ever created?
Her dreams are bright lights and the sparkle of magic, laughter and blinding smiles.