Let the storm rage on. {Open}

[chasingtwisters]

The bus is an old, weathered piece of shit, one that really shouldn't be functioning still. Moira winces at the creaking noise every sharp corner pulls from the vehicle and the way the driver barely seems able to stay on the road. She keeps fidgeting in her seat and playing with her newly darkened hair, fingers curling around the piece of paper she clutches close to her chest. The island did her good in many ways: it healed the shock of the cruise, helped ease the burden of all the stress in her life, and helped her come to terms with being pregnant, with the exception of the morning sickness that still rules over Moira.

Yet, just two mornings ago, a woman named Blair, one of the elders of the island, brought her to one of the hidden springs, deep in the heart of the island. They'd done their breathing exercises and a couple of renewal spells, as had become their normal routine during Moira's time on the island. But then Blair had offered to scry with her, just a brief glimpse to check in on Siren Cove. Moira hadn't realized how much she'd missed home until then; fueled by a desire to see James, her sisters, and her cousins, she'd readily agreed.

Scrying with water had always been a bitch.

She never thought she'd catch a glimpse of her ancestor, one Viviana Coombs; but catch a glimpse of her, she did, and now, she's on a bus home, clutching the sketch Blair drew for her in her hands and trying to remember the breathing exercises from the island. But she can't stop thinking about it. Viviana Coombs could be her twin. Viviana Coombs, the one rumored to have started the curse in the first place. Moira can't tell if the nausea she feels is from the morning sickness or the shock running through her veins. And she has to keep it under control, for the baby's sake. The baby who, as the witches on the island had confirmed, would inherit some of the Coombs' powers as half a witch.

The bus finally screeches to a stop at the bus station in the center of town. Moira has to keep from leaping over the heads of everyone to get out. She misses her loved ones dearly, indeed, she realizes she owes them all an explanation, at the very least, but she needs to get to the library. Even as she can hear Blair telling her that the vision they'd seen was very much real, Moira wants to find evidence to the contrary, that she does not resemble her ancestor who might have caused the curse.

She keeps fidgeting as she makes her way through the line, her hands smoothing down the front of her loose blouse, disguising the small yet distinguishable bump of her stomach. She hopes no one with a discerning eye catches sight of her today.

She pulls her hood up over her head before exiting the bus, determined to avoid the inevitable mess of press that might await her. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Moira sets off at a sprint, maneuvering between people as she tries not to shove them out of the way. She needs to get to the library, needs to find evidence to reassure herself that she isn't the living image of a woman who once cursed an entire town.

OOC: Moira's back! Find her anywhere in town as she tries to make her way to the library. She'll be in a hurry, but obviously will stop for anyone who calls out to her. She's freaked out, but not nearly as badly as on the island. She's trying to cope with the fact that she looks so much like Viviana Coombs, so any friends will be greatly appreciated! Oh, and those with a discerning eye will recognize the slight bump on her now.

Comments

[asharpertongue]

"Of course." Lara said, taking her friends arm and leading her away from the main street. Watersong wasn't far from here and there's no way Lara's security would let anyone in without her express permission. They took the back streets in silence and only when they were safely locked inside Lara's office did Moira start to relax. "Okay. Tell me."

[chasingtwisters]

Moira lets out a sigh of relief when she catches sight of Watersong, knowing it to be one of the most secure buildings in the entire town. She follows Lara inside, clutching the piece of parchment in her hands and trying not to worry it overly much. "Well," she says, placing the paper down on the desk and nudging it towards Lara. "I had a vision, on the island. I saw into the past. And I found out what Viviana Coombs looks like."

She unfolds the paper as she speaks, revealing the portrait of the woman who could very well be her twin.

[asharpertongue]

Lara takes the picture and moves around the desk to sit with Moira. Unfolding it she blinks at the portrait. "Wow." It was the spitting image of Moira. Not just a hint of it here and there. Everything. From the arch of her brows to the curve of her ear. "That's.that's pretty damn spooky."

[chasingtwisters]

"I saw her, in my vision," Moira says, letting her hood fall away as she runs a hand through her hair. It was entirely unnerving, witnessing Viviana performing some sort of ritual, her eyes narrowed in focus and, Moira thought, dark purpose. "Needless to say, I kind of freaked out."

[asharpertongue]

"Understandably." Lara handed the paper back to Moira. "Did you see what she was doing? Get a sense of it at least?"

[chasingtwisters]

"No," she shakes her head. "Because that would have been too easy, right? It looked like dark magic, though." She leaves out the part where she thinks it might have been the town curse; she already feels crazy enough as it is.

[asharpertongue]

"Well shit." Lara said. "I'd offer you a drink because you need it more than anyone right now but..." She waved a hand at Moira's baby bump. Biting her lip, Lara clenched her drawer. "Have you spoken to anyone else about it?"

[chasingtwisters]

"My exact thoughts," she says, slumping into a nearby chair, head falling into her hands. "I appreciate the thought, at least. Have a drink for me? and not yet. I'm terrified of what will happen if the press finds out."

[asharpertongue]

Nodding, Lara poured some water, handing Moira a glass. "Nothing will happen because no one is going to tell them." Leaning back in her chair, Lara wracked her brains for someone that would discreet but useful. "There's one person you might want to speak to. Spencer. At the Library. He's the towns authority on the that time period. He'd be able to help. And he's discreet."

[chasingtwisters]

Moira accepts the glass gratefully, sipping from it as Lara explains. "Yeah, I was heading towards the library, actually. I'll definitely check up on him. Thanks Lara."

[asharpertongue]

"Nothing to thank me for. Spencer is good people but if you don't feel comfortable, don't tell him anything, Okay?" She said seriously.

[chasingtwisters]

"Yeah, I will," she nods. "But I trust you, Lara. If you say he's good people, I trust him."

[asharpertongue]

Lara nodded and blew out a breath, smiling. "But other than all that, how are you?"

[chasingtwisters]

"Morning sickness is a bitch," she says with a crooked grin. "But the island helped. I've got some new recipes to try for potions and charms, so hopefully those will help."

[asharpertongue]

Lara smiled and nodded. "I think it's worse for witches. Something about new magic growing inside yours. Sirens never get it. Apparently. I'm told, anyway."

[chasingtwisters]

"Yeah, this baby's definitely going to be a witch, partly, at least," she says with a weary grin. "It's definitely going to be a very determined one, I think. Or at least, if the amount of times I've puked is any indication."

[asharpertongue]

"Well then it'll take after it's mom." Lara grins. "Have you spoken to James?"

[chasingtwisters]

"I have," she says, running another hand through her hair. "I have to talk more with him, obviously."

[asharpertongue]

"You'll be fine." Lara said, waving a hand. "He loves you. He wants to help, I see it whenever he looks at you." She hadn't actually been around them a great deal but Moira needed reassurance and support right now and that was something Lara could give her.