Day 30: Witches

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Universe:  QuickSilver (ReCLAIM)
Rating: PG / TW: None
 

     “They’re not witches.”

     The ReCLAIM team’s break room conversation halted, three pairs of eyes looking up at the intruding voice. The gazes belonged to Havyn, the team’s rookie and folklorist, Fleur, their resident linguist, and Owlessa, a researcher whose academic knowledge of the obscure and arcane was unrivaled. The focus of their attention was now on Hawke, ex-Veil Warden, adept Porter and Quartermaster, not to mention interrupter of conversations.

     Owlessa spoke first. “The Pale Women could be classified as witches under several definitions of the word.”

     Hawke crossed his arms and shook his head. “I suggest refraining,”

     Fleur lifted a booted foot to rest it on the edge of the table. “What, are they going to bust out of the Veil and come scold us for mislabeling them?”

     “It isn’t like you can go in to insult them to their face,” Havyn mused, leaning their cheek into their hand.

     Fleur snatched their soda from the pile of fast food in front of them, taking a long drink instead of acknowledging that, as a Vampyre, they would never be able to cross their barrier into the Veil. “I got better things to do than insult some old women floating around in magic-space.”

     Hawke remained serious. “The Pale Women are crucial to the safety of the Veil, they are to be respected no matter where you stand.”

     Owlessa adjusted her glasses. “They are comparable to a body’s immune system in importance.”

     “You’re saying they’re like white blood cells?” Havyn asked through a mouthful of french fries.

     Owlessa pondered this. “There are accounts of trespassers being mauled and dismembered by them, so, yes, you could say they are much like white blood cells.”

     Fleur rolled their eyes. “And you all complain about Vamps.”

     Hawke let his arms drop and crossed the break room, motioning towards Havyn’s fries. They nodded in permission. “Well, at least the Pale Women have good intentions.”

     Fleur huffed. “We have good intentions, like, you know, survival.”

     Hawke munched his purloined snack for a long moment, considering his words before speaking. “Vampyres are the least of your worries in comparison to other dangers in the Veil.”  

     “Ah, next you’re going to tell us Mage-Eaters are real.” Havyn laughed. When Hawke was silent except for the stern look of his features, Havyn felt their stomach flop. “...Mage-Eaters aren’t real… Are they?”

     “You think they aren’t?”

     Havyn turned to Owlessa for answers, and the Mage scholar straightened her shoulders. “There are accounts, most of them unconfirmed, but…”

     Hawke took another fry. “I’ve seen one.”

     Owlessa paused. “Did you report it?”

    “In detail,” Hawke replied. “All the details that my mind will let me remember, at least.”