Pretty Things & Evil Deeds

@ katahdin

"I understand," Azana said with a gentle laugh. "Hopefully this is the last batch you'll have to make for me for a while." Once all of the money had been counted, Azana put it back in the till and sat down on the stool. "I think you should learn how to rest, it is actually pretty nice." She said with a hum before letting out a small laugh. "Well, you'll be getting an employee discount so hopefully you'll keep more money than what you were expecting to."

As she said that, the door to the back room opened and Kendric walked in. He headed over to Azana, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "How are you feeling this morning?" He asked, and as Azana responded, Kendric's fingers ran through her hair in a sort of strange fashion. Those who were familiar with necromancy would know that he was checking over her magical defenses. "Well, I made you a pot of coffee this morning. Help pep you up a little,"

Azana's nose wrinkled at Kendric's offer and she shook her head. "Thank you but I don't feel well enough to drink that."

A bit of a frown came along his face. "Well, you should eat something. You didn't even have dinner. What can I make you?"

The young woman shrugged before glancing off out the windows. "I just feel worse after eating... I don't really want anything."

Kendric's frown grew larger and now with Azana's back turned, his soft eyes started to grow harsh. "You have to eat something, Azana. You'll feel worse if you don't. Come on, how about just a slice of toast?"

@ Sweet.Persephone

"Hopefully." Elliot agreed with a smile. He had to figure out a way to stop whatever Kendric was up to, but he didn't want to confront the necromancer in front of Azana, knowing he'd just turn everything back on him, and without him who knows what sort of danger Azana would be in. He chuckled a bit at her laughter, giving her a little nudge. "I had no idea there was a discount included. You don't have to, you know. I don't mind paying full price... Although if you insist, a discount would be nice." He teased, looking up as Kendric walked in, doing his best to hide his frown as he watched Kendric obviously check her magical defenses. It made his blood boil, but there wasn't anything he could do until he had more proof.

He didn't bother to hide his frown as Kendric raised his voice at her, though, stepping forward and holding up his hands. "Hey, she's not feeling well, and eating something might make her worse. If she doesn't want to, she doesn't have to." He defended, giving Kendric a hard look before he turned his attention to Azana, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "I could make you a cup of tea though, if you felt up to it. At least that way you're consuming something, and hopefully it'll make you feel well enough so that come lunch time you'll be up to eating something."

@ katahdin

As Azana lifted her head back up, Kendric was quick to soften his face and look down at her with worry. His hand that had been on her hair was now traveling down to rub her face gently. "I'm sorry, I am just worried." Kendric said softly to her. "I suppose Kendric is right but you do need to eat something at some point. Otherwise you'll be sick just from starving yourself."

The woman ran a hand through her hair, letting out a small sigh as she did so. She then slowly shifted and laid her against Kendric's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess." Azana murmured as she rubbed her forehead. After a quiet moment, Azana shifted away from Kendric and looked up at both of the men. "I just want a cup of tea and one piece of toast. Only butter on it."

The corners of Kendric's lips turned up, pleased with the decision that Azana had made. "I'll go ma-"

"No, actually," Azana turned to Elliot. "Can you go make the tea please? It was a lot better when you made it the first time around. If you don't mind, that is."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot felt a bit relieved that Kendric seemed to back off as Azana agreed to a cup of tea and a piece of toast, although he noticed how quickly Kendric was to offer to make it for her. He was surprised when Azana quickly shut him down, though, offering her a smile and a nod at her request. "Of course. The tea is an old family recipe, and I've got a few tricks I use to make it, I never realized that it might be better when I made it versus someone else making it." Of course, he knew she liked it better because he'd put a few extra charms in to boost her defenses in addition to the ones he'd put in the rest of the tea, but he wasn't going to share that right now.

"I'll be back down in a few minutes, and I can take over behind the counter." He said, offering Azana another smile before he turned and headed upstairs, humming to himself as he found the sachet where he'd put the extra he'd made, setting the kettle on to boil. While he was waiting for the water to heat up he quietly murmured some charms onto the tea, even pouring a bit of his own energy into it to hopefully help boost her defenses even more.

@ katahdin

Once Elliot left to go upstairs, Kendric and Azana had a short conversation. Though at the end of it, it was time for Kendric to head off to work. So he made his way up to the top level to grab his things. Luckily enough for the man, he had moved quietly on the way up and once in the room, he could see what Elliot was doing to the tea. A scowl moved over the man's face as his eyebrows furrowed together. He didn't even have to check the magic out to know what Elliot was attempting.

Kendric was quick to swoop into the kitchen, grab the tea he was charming and throwing into the sink. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Kendric snapped at him as he grabbed Elliot by the collar of his shirt. "I don't know what your fucking problem is but you need to stop meddling between Azana and me. Keep your nose out of our business and keep your spells away from her. If she wanted your help magically, she'd fucking ask for it." The man shoved Elliot away from him and guarded the remaining of the tea. "I'll make it."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot hadn't heard Kendric coming up the stairs, and was quite startled as the man grabbed the tea and threw it in the sink, scowling right back as he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt. "You're the one with the fucking problem, the one spelling her food without her permission. I'm just trying to reverse what horrible shit you're doing." He snapped, stumbling away as he was shoved, although he crossed his arms over his chest and remained in the kitchen.

"Fine, make it. But I'm not leaving." He knew if he left Kendric would just charm the tea and the toast anyway, so even though Azana had asked for him to make it, he'd let Kendric do it so he could at least feel good about himself that way.

@ katahdin

"Keep your nose out of my business," Kendric growled at him. "I don't care what you do as long as you don't mess with what I am working on. And it's not like you know Azana that well. You don't know what she does and doesn't want." He glanced over at him, now glaring at the man hard.

He let out an irritated sigh as Elliot said that he wasn't going to leave. "Fine," He snapped before turning back to the food. It wasn't as good as being able to keep increasing his spell on Azana but at least he wouldn't have Elliot undoing his work more. So he went about making the tea and the toast. Once he was finished, Kendric handed Elliot the food and grabbed his things. "Well, go bring it to her then. But don't try anything, I'll be right behind you,"

@ Sweet.Persephone

"I know you're working for some gang, and you're trying to mess with Azana's defenses." Elliot glared, although he made sure to keep his voice down so that Azana wouldn't overhear them speaking. "I may not know her well, but she doesn't want her defenses messed with. I don't know what you're trying to do, but you need to back off." He glared, standing his ground as he watched the man prepare her food. As he was passed the tea and toast he gave the man one more glare before heading downstairs, considering charming the tea right now, although he could do so after Kendric was gone quite easily. After all, Kendric forgot the honey.

"Az, I've got your tea and toast. Let me know if it's alright or if you need anything else." He smiled as he set it down on the counter for her, trying to hide the bad mood Kendric had put him in as he moved back behind the counter.

@ katahdin

"Thank you," Azana said gratefully as she sat up a bit. Picking up the toast, Azana took a small bite and let out a little hum. It was actually pretty good.

Kendric walked up to her and pressed a kiss against her cheek before leaning down and pressing a kiss against her lips. Azana reached up and placed a light hand against his cheek before pulling away. "The toast was a good idea," Azana said softly.

Kendric smiled down at her. "I told you," He teased lightly before standing up straight. "Have a good day. I'll see you tonight." After leaving her with one last kiss to her head, Kendric started on his way out. Though as he did so, with his back turned to Azana, the man shot Elliot a hard glare. He was going to have to keep his eye on him. And, with that, Kendric left.

With Kendric gone, Azana glanced back at Elliot. "Thank you for making this for me. I swear the only seasoning that man knows is Cinnamon and if I have to drink one more cinnamon tea of coffee, I'm going to smack him."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot stood back behind the counter getting the till set up while Azana began to eat her small breakfast and she and Kendric said their goodbyes, giving Kendric a hard look in return of his glare before going back to what he was doing, although he smiled a bit as she mentioned smacking him. "I'm sure he means well...." He forced out, knowing full well that he absolutely didn't.

After a few moments of silence Elliot set down what he was doing, looking across the counter at her while she ate. "I just had a thought.. Maybe the reason you're sick has something to do with your magic or your defenses? Necromancers have this trick we use to check other people's defenses, and I'd be happy to try it on you to see if I can sense anything that might be wrong. Best case scenario whatever has you sick is not related to magic, and you just get a nice little head massage." He teased, although he hoped she'd take him up on the offer. It was the same technique Kendric had been using earlier, and he hoped that maybe if he stressed how only necromancers used it, she'd be able to connect the dots and piece together that Kendric wasn't really who he says he is.

@ katahdin

As Azana was taking a long sip from her tea, she was looking over at Elliot as he mentioned checking her defenses. She set down her cup and thought for a moment before giving him a nod. "I would appreciate that. I don't believe that there is anything wrong with my defenses but it wouldn't hurt to have someone else check." None of the usual red flags had popped up to Azana indicating that her defenses had been messed with. Though there was always a possibility that something magical was occuring.

"I hope that is not the case though. I really do not want to go to a healer. Rather it just be a rather mean cold...or the flu, I suppose." Azana rubbed her head softly. "God forbid someone cursed me though. Then I'll have to go to the healer and a witch." Not wanting to think about that much, Azana picked up her toast and continued to eat it.

@ Sweet.Persephone

"I don't think there will be a need for any witches." Elliot chuckled softly, moving around the counter to stand in front of her, waiting for her to finish her toast before holding up his hands. "I'll have to mess up your hair a bit, I hope you don't mind if I end up pulling some of the flowers out." He explained softly, waiting until she'd given him the ok before he gently ran his fingers into her hair, beginning to massage her hair and scalp like Kendric had been doing earlier.

"Your defenses seem a little weaker than I feel like they should be, although because I don't know what they normally feel like at top shape it's hard to say for sure." He explained with a little frown. They'd definitely gotten better with the help of the tea, but Kendric had done a number on them already. "Do you know any herbs or charms that boost defenses? Maybe I could get you something that would hopefully have you feeling back to normal."

@ katahdin

"It is okay. They will grow back," Azana responded. She folded her hands in her lap and closed her eyes once his fingers started to run through her hair. It only took a few moments until her shoulders and rest of her body was relaxed. It felt rather nice. Though, at the same time, Azana felt something familiar about it and she wasn't quite sure why that was. It was strange... though that thought was out of her mind as he ran his thumbs along the middle of her head, causing the woman to let out a pleased hum.

Though her eyes opened back up and Azana looked him in the eyes once he revealed that her defenses were low. Of course he didn't know how low but Azana didn't like to hear that they were low at all. "Yes but..." Azana wrinkled her nose a bit at the thought. "I can get the herbs I need and take them today. Thank you Elliot. I am not sure what would have brought them down but I must have just run into something I wasn't suppose to."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot couldn't help but smile as she shut her eyes and let herself relax as he gently massaged her head, finding her to be quite adorable as she hummed and practically melted into her seat. "At least I've gotten you to relax a bit, even if it comes with bad news." He murmured, pulling his hands away once she opened up her eyes again, although he reached back over to tuck a bit of unruly hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry that your defenses are low.. At least you know now, and can boost them back up again." He murmured, hoping to look on the bright side of things. There was still Kendric to be worried about, but now that Azana knew her defenses were low she'd hopefully be more vigilant. "Do you know when you started to feel sick or off? Maybe if you remember around the time that it started you'll also be able to think of what might have caused it. I know my defenses were lowered once when I ate something bad, so maybe it's a diet thing?"

@ katahdin

Azana was almost a little sad with the massage ended. Though it was probably for the best as it had been messing up her hair and the shop would be opening soon. Plus, at least Elliot might have discovered why she had been feeling so terribly lately. "Yes, you certainly have. I do feel a lot calmer now." She said with a little laugh.

"Thank you again, Elliot. And I hope that is the issue. It will be an easier fix. Though I am not looking forward to it as the tonic I need to make is rather unpleasant tasting." Her nose wrinkled a bit before she stood up, taking her cup and plate with her. Though when Elliot asked when this all started, she became quiet and tried to think it over. "I didn't really notice it much until you had said something, Elliot... I mean, I knew I wasn't feeling 100% before but nothing clicked until then. I had just thought I was working too hard." Azana glanced to the side for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Though I had felt like that before you came to work here. I will have to think about it."

With that, the woman turned and made her way towards the back room. "Let me know if you need me. It is finances day so any excuse to take a break from math is welcomed."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot smiled at her laughter, doing his best to try to smooth out her hair a bit, but he figured that having her just go upstairs and brush it would be the best solution. "Sorry about your hair, too.. Your flowers definitely don't seem to like to be disturbed like that. But if you want me to check again later I certainly can, even if you just want a bit of a massage to relax." He chuckled, doubting that she would take the offer but hoping that maybe she would, especially given how stressed she seemed.

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I can package up whatever herbs you need to make it as long as the store isn't busy, that way you don't have to overdo yourself." He offered, nodding a little as she explained how she didn't really realize she wasn't feeling well until he mentioned it. "I'm sorry that this has happened to you, Azana.. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

@ katahdin

"Don't you worry about my hair and flowers. My hair can get a little messy and the flowers will always grow back." Azana reassured him as she stopped at the door to the back, leaning against the frame a bit. "The day after we close is typically busy but thank you, Elliot. And thank you. You have already helped me a great deal. I am sure that the tonic can take care of the rest if it really is just down to defenses." With that, Azana walked out.
----

Throughout the day, Azana had been working away in the back. While the store had been busy, it had not gotten to the point where they both needed to be out there. She had been sitting at her desk, working on the budget for the store. Though around lunch time, Azana took the defense booster tonic she had prepared for herself and by late afternoon, the tonic and her general unwellness had made her so tired that she fell asleep. Her head was laid against the finance book, the pen she was writing with still in her hands. The tonic glass was to the right of her, sitting besides the spell jar with the flower Elliot had made for her. Azana slept soundly, her still messed up hair having fallen along her face.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot nodded, wishing her luck with her tasks for the day before heading behind the front counter as the first few customers of the day came inside.

It had been a busy morning, so Elliot had eaten his lunch at the counter during a lull in business so as not to disturb Azana in the back while she worked, although by the late afternoon he needed a drink, and with how things had slowed down this afternoon he figured he could head out back to get himself something while the store was empty, although he flipped the 'Open' sign to 'Closed' just to be safe. He was surprised to see Azana asleep at her desk, but smiled after a moment, moving over to carefully pull the pencil from her hand and collect her into his arms to bring her upstairs to her bed, figuring she'd be much more comfortable there. He was glad to see that she'd had her tonic and was resting, assuming that that meant that she would be getting better soon.

@ katahdin

Once Elliot lifted Azana up into his arms, her limp body rolled into him. Her head laid against his head while one arm was across her stomach and the other hanging loosely. Though about halfway up the stairs, the woman started to stir. The movement bringing a slight disturbance to her sleep. Though while it was not enough to startle Azana, it had been enough to wake her slightly. Her body was still limp against his, her eyes were still closed. She was probably only about 10% awake at that moment.

"Hello?" She murmured.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot was doing his best to be quiet and not disturb her as he walked up the stairs, pausing for a moment on the stairs when he heated Azana speak before continuing on. "Hi, Az. It's me, Elliot. You fell asleep at your desk downstairs, and I thought it made sense for me to bring you upstairs to your room so that you could rest more comfortably while you built up your defenses again." He explained, keeping his voice low and soft as he carried her into her apartment, heading for her room so that he could tuck her into bed there.

"Do you need anything?" He asked softly, wanting to make sure she was taken care of.