Magical Bonds

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned a little as she listened to his offers for help, taking a few minutes to think everything over before nodding slowly. "Um.. I think that might work.. But I don't want anyone else to get in trouble if my family finds out. And wouldn't they notice that I've just been charmed?" She sighed, sinking a little lower in her chair as she picked at her sweater in thought.

Eventually she looked back up at him with a little frown. "Thank you for agreeing to help me, Blaise.. And I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble." She sighed, fiddling with her fingers anxiously. "Do you really think that everything will work out? That I can stay and continue my lessons, and my family won't find out?" She asked nervously, terrified that if she stayed her family would once again find out about her lessons, and that she and everyone helping her would be punished because of her.

@ katahdin

"They should not know that you have been charmed unless they plan on going to very extreme lengths to find you. Though, even then, it will take them time to hunt you down." Blaise said as he stood up from his chair. He headed over to one of his bookshelves, pulling out a thin black hardcover journal out. "I do not know if everything is going to work the way we want it to but we will just have to try." He looked up at Esther, a soft smile on his lips. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

"Now I have two places that you could possibly stay where you should be able to avoid suspicion. There is an apartment out in the town that is currently empty. It is above a grocery store but you'll be on the top floor so you shouldn't have to worry about that. The apartment building is full of those who have great difficulty with magic. No major family should be there.... Otherwise you could stay close to here with a friend of mine. She has her own home and often takes in those running away from their families." Blaise looked up at her.

@ BearGirl

Esther didn't find his response terribly reassuring, but his smile helped, and her shoulders relaxed as she sat up to look at him, doing her best to conjure up a faint smile in return as she nodded. "Alright.. I trust you, so I suppose that will have to be enough." She sighed a little as she stood from her seat, looking over at him when he listed her options for places to stay. While she would prefer to stay closer to Blaise, she didn't want to impose on his friend, or seem annoying by insisting on staying nearby, she also wasn't entirely sure she could manage in an apartment on her own, especially in a building full of people who couldn't control their magic, and she was a little discouraged by the fact that he was lumping her in with them.

After a few minutes thought she met his eyes again. "I think the apartment would be the better option.. That way your friend won't get in trouble if all of this falls apart, and I doubt my parents would ever look for me in a building full of people they deem lesser." She sighed, although her eyes lit up a little and a small smile spread across her face at a sudden thought. "And, that way I can bring all of my plants from my greenhouse to the apartment, and care for them there.."

@ katahdin

A small grin moved onto Blaise's face as Esther chose the apartment. He had thought was her best option. "Very well. It is probably your safest option anyways. I doubt your family would know anyone there and it is unlikely that they will know you. Plus, the apartment has a back entrance that you could use when you don't want to been coming and going. And you would definitely be able to bring your plants there as well. It is not a greenhouse but there are large windows there that face the sun."

Blaise gave a small nod of his head before grabbing his phone and typing away on it. "When would you want to move in? You'll have to bring some things with you but if you are going to leave your house, you're not going to want to get caught by carrying out a suitcase."

@ BearGirl

Esther's smile widened when he grinned and told her about the apartment, nodding a little as he discussed the details. "My parents and older brother are going out to some business party tonight, so I should be able to sneak out with at least a small bag of my things without them noticing, and once I've been charmed so they won't recognize me, I can get my plants from the greenhouse." She explained.

"So, I guess I could move in tonight, if that's not too early..." She said as she turned her attention to the large bookcases in his office, running her fingers over some of the spines. "Will I have to change my name too?"

@ katahdin
"We could do it tonight," Blaise said with a nod. Everything in the apartment would not be completed, but she would be safe there, that was certain. He then put his phone back into his pocket and looked up at her. "In that case, you will meet me here tonight and I will bring you to your apartment. After that, we can get your plants."

The man glanced over at her, trying to think it all through. He was wondering what else needed to be done to keep her safe. It was especially concerning since she did not have full control over her own magic yet. If she were to get caught, there was little that the woman could do about it. "Yes, I think it is best that you change your name."

@ BearGirl

Esther gave a little nod as he gave her the instructions for how the night was supposed to go. She'd run away from home, and start a new life, all with his help.. It was a lot to process, but she felt good about it. "It might be best to wait a few days to get my plants.. When my parents realize that I'm gone, they'll have everyone in my family out looking for me, and I'm sure my father will come here to bother you again, so it might be safer for the both of us if I just hide in the apartment for a day or two." The last thing she wanted was him getting hurt because of her, so if she could do anything to prevent it, she would.

She frowned a little when he suggested that she change her name, giving him a worried look. "Alright.. What do you think I should go by?" She'd always been Esther Pruitt, even if the Pruitt name didn't really fit her, so to have to abandon it completely would be a little difficult.

@ katahdin
"Okay, if that is what you want to do," Blaise said after a moment. Admittedly, he was a little worried about her family burning down the greenhouse out of anger. Though there was nothing much he could do about that. It was up to Esther to decide what she wanted to do with them and her life was more important than the greenhouse. Besides, the only thing there that Blaise would really be worried about was the plant he gave to her. "And I am not concerned about your father."

"I think it is best that you choose your new name. You will have to go by it so it is best that you like it." He told her before glancing back down at his phone once it buzzed. The man gave a few nods before looking back at Esther. "I would pick something quite different from your current name though. Maybe Gaia or Iris for your last name. Many Earth powered families have nature sounding last names." 

 

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned a little as Blaise spoke, shaking her head a little when he said that he wasn't worried about her father. "You should be, Blaise.. He's not a good man. He's cruel and ruthless, and if you give him the chance he'll destroy you." She warned, looking up at him worriedly, before she turned away when his phone buzzed, studying the books on his shelves while she tried to think about her new name.

She nodded a little at his suggestions, humming a little in thought. "Hm.. Maybe.. Marthe Hornwood? Does that sound good?" She asked, looking back over at him. She didn't really like the idea of changing her name, as she liked being Esther, but she understood why she had to change her name.

@ katahdin

"Then we will be on even playing fields then." Blaise said coldly. He was not overly concerned about Esther's father. The alliance was still intact for now, and if the man were to break it, that would be in Blaise's favor. And, if he did not, then Blaise would have plenty of time to prepare for once the truce was over on its own accord. Blaise was not scared of Esther's father as he had his own tricks up his sleeves for what would come.

"Marthe Hornwood would be a good name. Do you like it?" Blaise asked as he looked up from his phone to look at Esther. He knew that changing so much about herself was going to be difficult, but he needed her to stay strong if she really wanted his help. This was not going to be a walk in the park. "You should make sure that you like your new name."

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned as she heard his cold tone, opening her mouth to say something more before closing it again, deciding to stay silent. She hated the idea of Blaise being hurt, especially by her father, so she decided she'd need to be a good student and learn as much as she could, so that she'd be able to help Blaise when the time came.

She looked up from the books she was looking at when he asked if she liked the name, giving a little shrug. "It's a good name.. I've always been Esther, and I always thought that I would always be Esther, so it's just strange to be picking out a new name... But I think I like it, do you?" She asked curiously, wondering what he thought.

@ katahdin

Blaise gave her a soft smile as she asked him if it liked it again. It was becoming clear to him that she was just looking for his approval on it. Though, he did feel as though she did not need it. She would be the one who was stuck with it, not him... but in a way there was something rather sweet about her concern over it. "Yes, I do like it." Blaise assured her.

Turning around, the man headed to his bookshelf. After taking a moment of looking over it, he pulled a few from the shelf and set them down onto his desk. "We will need to bring these to your new apartment. Now, is there anything else you need? If not, you should go home and pack."

@ BearGirl

Esther gave a little nod when he confirmed that he did like the name she'd chosen, returning his smile with a faint blush heat up her cheeks, and she quickly looked away. She'd rarely seen him smile, let alone at her, but she found his smile quite charming, which was the embarrassing thought that had caused her to blush in the first place. She looked back over at him when he began pulling books off of the shelves, shaking her head a little when he asked if she needed anything else, moving back over to his desk to collect her things.

"No, I'm all set. I'll see you later.." she said, heading for the door, although she paused after a moment, hesitating before wrapping her arms around Blaise in a hug, her face tucked into his chest. "Thank you for helping me.. I'll never be able to repay you.." she murmured softly before she released him and hurried out of his study, a little worried he'd scold her for the hug.

@ katahdin
As Esther threw her arms around him, Blaise immediately tensed up. It had not been something that he was expecting. And before he had really could allow himself to react, the young woman was pulling away and running out of his office. Blaise pressed his face against his hands, letting out a sigh. He was unsure what he was going to do with her. 

After a few hours had gone by, Blaise had everything settled in his car. There were things that they needed to bring to her new apartment, especially since it would need to be set up with more protections once they arrived. Now, he just needed to wait for the girl to show up so they could get going. 

@ BearGirl

When Esther had gotten home, she'd immediately pulled out the duffle bag she used for traveling, packing as much as she could of her clothes, books, and other items that she wanted to take with her. The wait for her parents to leave felt like it lasted forever, but once they were finally gone she grabbed her jacket and bag and hurried out of her room to leave, although she ended up running into her older brother, who was supposed to be out with her parents...

It wasnt until an hour after the time she had said she'd return to his house that she arrived on his front steps, pounding on his door as she glanced over her shoulder nervously, eyes wide with fear, and she hurried into the safety of his house once he opened the door. Her eye was beginning to bruise and swell and the cut on her lip had reopened from when her brother had punched her. What was worse was that she seemed to be having a nervous breakdown, her skin pale and her hands trembling. When her eyes finally settled on him she looked ready to cry, barely holding it together as she tried to explain why she was late.

"M-My brother was home.. He hit me, a-and said he was going to kill me for betraying the family.." she stammered, fingers brushing over the bruises forming on her neck from where her brother had tried to choke her. "I-I just wanted him to stop, I-I didnt want to hurt him... I-I didnt mean to use my magic, it was an accident.."

@ katahdin
Blake hurried Esther into the house before the first few words event left her lips. It was clear that she was panicked and he wanted as less time as possible before someone saw her on his doorstep. Though, as she started to scramble through her words, a deep frown came over Blake's lips. He glanced down at the girl, seeing the bruises forming on her face and neck. It was... difficult to understand why her family would do this. 

Setting her down on one of the chairs, Blake moved down onto one knee and looked the woman in the eyes. Right now, he needed her to calm down so they could get her to safety. "Okay, okay." He spoke, Blake's voice was soft and gentle. "It is not your fault. Just take a deep breath and tell me what happened. What did you do to your brother?"

@ BearGirl

Esther let Blaise guide her to a chair, although she continued to fidget as she tried to get ahold of her nerves. His reassurances helped, but she wasn't sure she'd be able to get through the story without breaking down.

"I-I waited until my parents left, and went to leave, like we'd planned.." she started to explain, taking a shaky breath. "But my brother was there, a-and he said he'd tell father that I was trying to leave, so I panicked and grabbed his phone before he could call and threw it out my window.. but that only made him angrier, a-and he grabbed me and hit me, a-and said I was a disgrace to the family, and they'd be better off without me.." she took a shaky breath, running her hands up and down her legs, as if she were trying to wipe something off. "H-He said he'd do the family a favor and get rid of me, a-and then said he'd do the same to you... I-I couldn't breathe, I-I just wanted him to stop, I didnt want him to get hurt.."

She leaned forward, burying her face in her hands as she let out a weak sob. "The vines on the walls outside my window.. I-I used to climb them when I was little.. I-I dont know how I did it, b-but it's like they were alive, a-and they wrapped around his neck and pulled him out the window... It's a three story drop, a-and I didnt even look to see if he was ok..."

@ katahdin
Blaise slowly came up into the seat next to her. There was a long moment of hesitation as the girl beside him was crying. Though, slowly, the man wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently pulled Esther into his chest, holding her close to him as she cried. He wasn't sure what else to do at this point. He knew that the girl needed consoling, but Blaise was unsure if it was helping. This wasn't like anything he had dealt with before. After all, she might have killed her brother... what was he supposed to do about that?

After what felt like forever, but really only had been a few minutes, Blaise pulled away. He leaned down, looking at her gently as he ran a hand up and down her back. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't mean to do it. Your powers took over. And, even if it had been on purpose, that is self defense. Your brother was trying to kill you. There was nothing else you could have done, okay?"

Before waiting for her to answer, Blaise pulled away completely and stood up. "We need to get you somewhere safe now. Before they start looking for you."

@ BearGirl

Esther was surprised to say the least when she felt Blaise's arm around her, even more so when he pulled her close, but she was grateful for the consolation, and after hesitating a moment wrapped her arms around his waist in return, tucking her face into his chest as she struggled to get a control of her tears. When he pulled away to rub her back she withdrew her arms from around him, looking up at him as she listened to his reassurances. While she knew that he was right, that it wasnt her fault and that she'd only been defending herself, she still felt incredibly guilty.

She frowned a little when he suddenly stood, nodding slightly as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and stood as well. "My parents should be gone for at least another two hours.. That still gives us time to collect my plants from the greenhouse and get them to the apartment.." she explained softly, although she wasnt overly fond of the idea of going anywhere near her house after what had happened.

@ katahdin
"No, we are going to the apartment," Blaise said a bit sternly. "We are going to have to abandon the greenhouse for now." He was not willing to risk a fight - or Esther's life - for the plants that she had. While he was sure she was attached to them, he was also sure that he had all the plants she owned, plus much more. Turning, Blaise grabbed two suitcases that he packed up before grabbing Esther's hand. 

"Come." With that, Blaise started through the house and made his way to the garage. His garage was actually quite large. There were about 10 cars inside, Most of them incredibly expensive and fancy. Though there were two that were inconspicuous. He had Esther get into the back before putting all of their bags in the truck. Then Blaise slid in before closing the doors. "No one should see us in here. All of the windows are blacked out."