Matron Moon nods to Domayoku and states, "You may present the gift yourself. I appreciate it."
Domayoku steps forward, kneels before the head witch, and offers the pearl.
She takes the offered pearl with precision and grace.
Her thin smile turns to a grin as she replies to Desseer, "Ah good! We could help you with that information gathering if you would like. It is one of our specialties. Secret forbidden knowledge. Our alchemy focus is on poisons. Then we have many different magic specialties such as necromancy, curses, and rituals. I think a neutrality pact would do nicely, don't you think?"
Myriana was kind of wondering what Matron Moon was. Was she a very powerful human? She didn't think so and after some further thought tried to rummage through her knowledge for ideas.
Her hand having slipped into Iris' hand and her thumb rubbing along the back of the woman's hand idly as she thought.
Desseer slaps his thigh and exclaims, "Alright!" He matches the Matron's smile. "I would prefer a little specificity. Neutrality includes non-aggression, as well as not assisting others in aggression. Also also, a stipulation of warning if you know about incoming aggression. Is that acceptable?" he leans in a little while continuing the smile.
"Matron Mother, May I peruse your books? I myself know the power of knowledge and information. Infact when I can I enjoy a good book, or an opportunity to write. As a side note I too dabble in alchemy' The Russian mobster turned ooze asks the woman before them in as humble a mental voice as he could.
They are arcane infused humans of sorts. Not an outsider. A created race.
You believe her to likely be the highest leveled witch in the coven.
The Matron nods in agreement with Desseer, "Of course, we will need to go over the particulars or have a representative go over such things. Heather would be great as she is in charge of messages and general scouting. Do you have a good choice or will you take it yourself?"
::Ink, what knowledge do you have for trade? My knowledge and library are one of our cherished commodities.""
---
as you continue to have your discussion a huge head appears from beyond the entrance. This bulky creature has beady eyes, and rocky skin studded with small crystals. Its jutting underbite holds large, crystalline teeth.
'Trade? hmmm, I will have to check and see what I can provide you. I do know that I do love to pin stories. Should you give me time I can pin one for a creature as beautiful as you' He relays with charisma. Though a blob he is still one to charm.
::What are pin stories? Okay...:: She replies to Ink.
'Apologies pen in writing not sewing! Telepathy sometimes conveys the wrong emphasis and imagry. Especially when I tend to prefer solitude in a book' he says with a chuckle at his own mistake.
Desseer gives a wry smile, "I will leave that to my personal assistant, Inennarra. Mostly because I want you to be confident that the process is...well...hasn't been influenced by me."
She steps forward from the shadows of the room and curtsies. Then she walks over to Heather and asks, "Shall we?"
Heather gets up, curtsies to Inennarra and deeper to her Matron, then leads her out of the hut.
The Matron looks at Myrianna and Iris, with concern she says, "You seem adrift child, would you want... if you are under duress sanctuary is offered. Though I fear we could not do much to stop them. Still I offer it..."
She seems to anchor back down after the words from the Matron. She stammers out, "Uh, no... I am not under duress nor do I need sanctuary. Maybe some direction. I have been a covenless witch for a few years. They found me and rescued me! I found love and hopefully it will make a family."
Myriana recognized what the blue woman was but decided it was not very important at the moment, so she kept it to herself. Her ponderings were interrupted when the woman spoke to Iris and offered her sanctuary, as if she was a prisoner or something, and felt the hair on her tail and ear start to bristle. Iris corrected the misconception in short order, and she felt pride at the fact that Iris said she oved her and had brought one of her hands up to lick and was starting to reach up to wash her ears in typical cat fashion when the mention of making a family caught her completely off-guard.
Mryiana spluttered, "W-w-w-what Iris-chan nya!? Family nya!? As in kids nya!?," her pitch got higher with each utterance as the fur of Myriana's tail and ears stood straight up and floofy as her eyes widened in shock. After a moment she looked away bashfully, blushing, and said quietly, "W-w-well i-if that's what you want nya, we can find a way Iris-chan nya."
Desseer leans back when Inennarra appears, his eyes still on the Matron. He raises an eyebrow at the beginning of he exchange with Iris. By the end of the exchange, he was grinning.
"See Matron, despite some conclusions you might have reasonably jumped to, we are not monsters. I will protect my own and do what is best for my people. Maybe some day you would be willing to join us. I'd be more than happy to treat you with the same love and respect I do to Iris here." Despite him gesturing toward Iris, his eyes were still focused on the Matron and at his word of "love", his eyebrow twitched up suggestively, but only for a split second. "I can only suspect that others on this world would wish do so us both harm ,simply because of how we look. That is the reason I wish you to join, not out of some impulsive conquering madness. But," he says finally with a shrug, "your choices are your own. And, it is not my desire to take those choices away from you. "
She soothingly strokes Myriana's paw trying to comfort her. Then she tries to explain her thoughts, "Maybe someday... but no. If I joined their coven I would have a family of sisters. Instead I have joined you... and I hope you and your companions would become my family. You have welcomed me thoroughly into your lives in these past few weeks."
She nods in agreement and states, "Maybe some day we would be willing to join you. But for now as we see each other as neutral neighbors. I hope our continued interactions the best and if it be in the fates we shall be allies as we get to know each other better! Now should we have a feast?!"
Domayoku smiled a fanged smile. "So long as such a feast is not a drain on your community. I understand the drain on resources such celebrations can be on small communities."
"What a grand idea!" Desseer exclaims with arms wide. "We can contribute if you'd like Matron Moon. As, I'm sure Dragon's Glory could as well. Though we are certainly closer," Desseer adds with a smile. Though, there is a faint hint in his tone of something mischievous.
The Matron addresses Domayoku's concern, "Never fear, this our treat for you and ourselves. We have plenty of farms that sustain us nearby. Also if needed our clerics will create food and water for us, if the need arises. No reason to feed you that bland food, it is just for emergencies. Yes you are welcome to add to the pot! Sharing is caring. So shall we give you a day or three to collect your additions to the feast?"
Looking up from his book he offers, "Yes I can provide a Bountiful Banquet, it is a a beautiful and delicious feast with hors d’oeuvres, four courses worth of food, and plentiful drink. The food appears on ornate serving trays or in exquisite covered tureens, as appropriate to each type of dish. Place settings and serving utensils also appear—enough for each creature that will participate in the feast—along with elegant tablecloths and table linens. The spell doesn’t create furniture, but the feast does adapt to appear on top of existing tables. Though the feast and all the finery last only 1 hour, creatures that partake remain nourished and sated for 24 hours. Though you have little control over the fine details of the feast, you can specify what type of dish you want for each course and what sorts of beverages are provided. I can provide for 14 individuals."
' Unfortunately I will have to shift to an animal form to eat eith taste buds. Otherwise I currently have no tastebuds, just dissolving food' Ink says slithering over to Dresser.
Desseer strokes his chin with his hand. "Hmm..how about two days? That should be enough time to organize ourselves for a feast. I do look forward to experiencing how you ladies celebrate. "
"Two days. It is set, just after sunset in two days. Bring your favorite foods, drugs, and alcohol! We will provide as well we look forward to your generosity!"
The Matron asks simple questions to know more about yourselves, guild, and all you wish to diveldge. Several of the women go over to Dominique and Domayoku to fawn over them. Other witches sit with others and speak calmly trying to learn what they can. Desseer is left alone.
She speaks with several other witches finding out they are willing to share spells. Also they look forward to making friends.
The Demon King sits down and chats/flirts with several of the witches who were brave enough to approach. Domayoku talks about himself and his goals.
"Eventually I'd like to rule over a significant amount of land, as all tyrants do. I also want to father multitudes of tiefling and half-fiend children, to assist in growing my empire. Perhaps at the party, we can discuss this at greater length with your patrons", Domayoku eludes to.
'That is gonna be alot of intermingling my demonic friend' Ink says as he then moves towards the door.
Myriana relaxed a little, at first, when Iris reassured her of what she meant, though her eyes widened at the "maybe someday" portion. Ultimately, she calmed down and glomphed onto Iris for a moment in a big hug, rubbing her cheek against the witch and purring happily. Myriana did let go a minute later as the discussion of the feast continued.
Unsure of what she should provide Myriana decided to give it some thought to see if she came up with anything. The descent of the coven and some of their group was very amusing and Myriana was not upset over being left largely alone. She wasn't trying to avoid conversations and was friendly towards any who came to speak to her. She knew it was unlikely she could gain any further spells for her book given what she understood of the way witch's learned knew ones from spell books.
While Myriana had initially been very possessive of Iris now that she had her life back, she was able to give her lover some space. She let Iris do as she please in her interactions and, while she checked in on her periodically she didn't hover or tried not to at least.
Matron Moon would engage in talk with Desseer unless someone else interjected. She seems to be rebuffing Ink.
Iris doesn't stray far from Myrianna, coming back to reassure her with little touches and introducing new friends to her.
Domayoku, with his witch admirers in tow, walks over to Matron Moon and Desseer. "Matron Moon, how old is this village? Has it always been a coven?"
Ink will take the opportunity to slink around. He will observe and then when presented slip off in the night.