After an exhausting two-day journey, Percy finally arrived at the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. The streets were alive with the vibrant energy of the city, but to Percy, it felt like a distant hum against the backdrop of her own swirling emotions. As she navigated the winding streets, the scent of magnolias mingled with the dampness of the air, enveloping her senses in a bittersweet embrace. The colorful facades of the buildings seemed to blur together, a kaleidoscope of faded hues that mirrored the haze in Percy's mind.
This is the only place where a person of magic and spiritual adeptness can hide in a relatively anonymous manner. Her grief still stinging and the fatigue from the trip has weakened her resolve. She knew she had to find shelter and rest, so she stopped at the only place she trusted. The woman she knew when she was a girl before her parents were killed in a freak car accident. The woman who took care of her and taught her about her abilities, Madame Gabriella Vostick a Voodoo Queen of renowned ability and mentor to hundreds over the years.
She pushed open the weathered door of the quaint little shop, the bell above jingling softly as she stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of ancient herbs and mysterious potions, wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. She approached the counter, where a figure was hunched over, meticulously arranging the dusty shelves. Without turning around, as if sensing her presence, the woman straightened up, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“Persephone Williams, Gray Raven, where have you been girl?” At hearing her full name, Percy lost all control of her emotions and broke down sobbing uncontrollably. Turning around and quickly walking around the counter Madame Vostick embraces her and then leads her to a back room. Sitting her down in an old wooden rocker she turns to make her tea and to let her calm down and collect herself without speaking.
As Percy sat in the loving hold of the old rocker, her tears slowly drying upon her cheeks, she found solace in the quiet companionship of the woman who had always been there for her and in that moment, amid the flickering candles and the soft murmur of the city outside, she knew that she was home. Sitting across from her now, quietly sipping her tea Madame Vostick leans forward and gently asks, “What is it child what is troubling you? I can sense you are in danger, there is a terrible evil afoot, please tell me, baby, I may be able to help you.”
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Percy collected herself and began to explain what had transpired the last few days without giving too much detail fearful that it would endanger her only friend. “This was the only place I knew that would be safe for a little while, I don't want to impose on you by bringing my troubles to your door.”
“That is foolish talk girl” Madame Vostick snapped, “You have no trouble that will impose upon me at all. I can feel the evil in the back of your car, we need to find a place to put your cargo, and I know the perfect spot. Go park your car around back and you can stay upstairs with me tonight and in the morning we will go stash your bound friends in the boxes.”
Waking up with a startled jolt, Percy grabs her phone, “It's 10, I overslept.. shit” She rushes to get dressed and heads downstairs to find Madame Vostick dusting the shelves as she normally does every morning for as long as she can remember.
“Good morning my dear child, how did you sleep?”
“I slept like the dead” Percy said with a smirk.
“I see you’re in better spirits today, that is good. We have a busy day ahead of us.” She said with a tiredness in her eyes that Percy had never seen before.
“Where are we taking the boxes, Madame?”
“Oh child we are going to take them to the only place that I know that they will not be found, we will place them in my family crypt.”
“But Madame!” Percy said with urgency, “I would not want to expose your ancestor spirits to such evil company, why would..”
“Calm yourself, child, those spirits there are old and powerful. They will be able to handle the boxes and shield them from anyone else being able to sense them. Come now get some breakfast and we will put them in my car afterward.” as Percy sat down to eat she realized how much she had missed Cajun food, after years of bland northeastern cuisine. Once she was done and had several cups of southern coffee she was ready to start the day, they loaded her mentor's car, locked up the store, and went to the cemetery in the north part of the city.
