Mashed Potatoes and New Friends

The cavern's light had been dimmed down, fireflies danced in the air mimicking the night sky. Comets hurdled across the seemingly endless expanse. Flashes of red and white dashed much closer to the ground, Noir dodged the two girls dashing at him from both directions with ease. 

Lucia sat from a distance, her eyes glowing a deep purple as she stared at the three figures manoeuvring across the middle of the field. 'Wow, Priscilla was quick to pick up this spell too. And even Bianca... it's sloppy but it works. Nightvision is essential against future Vaundr encounters, but she is still not fast enough to counter their immense strength.' 

Vaundr had a much larger advantage than just being immortal, their strength was unmatchable by anyone below a grand witch level. Obstacles are nothing to them, even the smallest Vaundr could topple a building if it were in their way. She whistled for her broom, the semi-sentient cleaning tool scurried over to Lucia. 'Go and try stabbing Priscilla with your blunt end. No serious damage. I want to see if she can fight while dodging.' Her wand whisked the broom away, whistling through the air, barely missing Priscilla's head. 

Her eyes gazed through the air searching for the broom, in a split second it ran through her legs. 'Shit, this is too much! What is Lucia thinking.' 

A weak punch landed against her jaw forcing her to stumble back several feet back, Noir smiled at her cheeky. 'You off your game?' She flashed a smirk back. 'Not at all.' Her willow wand shot forward weaving itself through his trousers. A wave of her hand sent him stumbling back on the floor.

'Ho Ho, look at the little witch going up against Noir. Now Bianca...she is a little slower. But between them two she was the only one to land a punch on him. Making sure to strike when Noir was distracted by Priscilla.' A smile crept along her rosy cheeks.

Clap Clap

The noise echoed through the cavern, lights starting to shine brightly revealing the three figures still dodging and trying to land hits. Lucia wandered over to them, and a click of her tongue pulled the wand out of Noir's jeans. 'You guys have done great, I am very proud of your ingenuity and timing. Let us eat and recover your stamina.' 

Priscilla raised her hand and dried her forehead with a towel. 'How come I didn't get to use the spell you taught me yesterday?'

'Well, first of all, you did use it with your wand. Second of all, the spell name is Lortus, once it is logged into your grimoire it will display the relevant information. The third thing is that you didn't use it because the next time you encounter a Vaundr you won't have anything strong enough to use it with. That spell is great against animals or other witches.' Lucia doted on Priscilla who was asking a simple question, but to Lucia, it was much more. It invoked a long-forgotten memory lost for centuries.

'And make sure to remember the name of this spell, both of you.' 

'It was just Night Vision correct? How come this one has a much lamer name than the other?'

'Some spells have been around for longer than ancient civilisations, some are more recent.' Lucia patted her head. 

Noir was the first to depart toward the facade of buildings where a large canteen stood waiting, he rubbed his butt from being dragged around the ground. A low guttural growl that could be heard from at least ten meters away made him blush, turning his head back and checking if anyone else heard it. To his joy he was safe. 

The doors swung open and the the bustling atmosphere made his stomach smile, smells of the finest dishes filled the air crawling up his nostrils and making the growls sing. Without a single second to spare he lined up behind several witches who were chatting away. 

'What would you like honey? A tall black woman placed her hands on the counter waiting for Noir to choose. 'Could I get the honeydew steak with a side of mashed potatoes? Add some veggies on top if there are any left.' The dish slid across the counter into Noir's hand, the woman winked at him and he found a seat close to the counter. 

Steam rose up into the air as he patiently waited for her friend to finish her shift, thankfully he didn't have to wait long. She sat down beside him with a plate of salmon and a similar portion of mashed potatoes. 'So, tell me what's been going on lately.'

'Well, you know Lucia's new little project? Priscilla is her name. Unlike other witches, and I need you to keep this private, she killed a Vaundr.' Noir tried keeping his voice down but his friend instantly jumped about to yell it out. He shut her mouth with salmon and pulled her back down into her seat. 'Tasha please this is a really big secret. So far only seven people know about it, and you are one of them.' 

Tasha felt flattered at this news but she couldn't wrap her head around it, how could an immortal Vaundr be killed? 'She drank one of Lucia's weapons in enhancement spells while being chased by another Vaundr.'

'Hold on now. She managed to kill one, and there is more than one?! Are you pulling my leg?' Tasha raised an eyebrow starting to get suspicious of her friend.

'I am being honest here, but after drinking that potion she could turn her blood into a weapon that managed to kill the Vaundr.' Noir continued forking down his food, waiting for Tasha's response. 

She paused for a moment before pulling out her phone onto the table. 'You see this picture?'

'Yeah.' Noir answered with a mouth full of mash.

'The Order is moving around again, it started several days ago and they have been targeting smaller-sized covens. There is reason to believe that they are planning on coming here eventually!' A look of worry filled her face, nothing some salmon couldn't fix.

'Relax, we have Lucia here and Rona will be here tomorrow morning. You remember? She went out training in the Himalayas.' Noir didn't seem too fussed about it all.

'Plus don't forget, I am here for a reason. Remember last time I was sent out for a mission?' He smiled, stabbing his knife into the steak.

'You did some work of them alright.' They both laughed and finished off their food, Noir waited outside back for Tasha to get changed before they headed off. 

The trio from before wandered the streets, their stomach full of food and walking around in a food haze. Noir ran over grabbed Priscilla's hand and dragged her toward the back exit where Tasha emerged in a new set of clothes. A confused look flashed across Priscilla's face as she stared at Tasha.

'Uhm, nice to meet you, my name is Priscilla!' Her feet touched against each other and her head kept low.

'My oh my aren't you the sweetest little thing. My name is Tasha, hope we can get along great!' She stuck out her hand waiting for a handshake, Priscilla's skinny hand met it and shook with about as much power as she could muster. 

Bianca ran from behind leaving Lucia alone to wander aimlessly. 'And my name is Bianca. Noir and I were just heading off now. Right hubby?' 

Noir shot her a disgusted look, no way he would be caught with a minor, let alone a bitchy one. He pulled his arm out of her claws and hid behind Tasha's tall frame. 'I have heard plenty about you Bianca, keep away from my friend or you will have to deal with the consequences.' She smashed her knuckles together a small jolt of fire flickering in the air.

'Ahhhh Tasha it's so good to see you!' Lucia finally snapped back to reality, coming over to meet a friend. 'Was it you who worked on that mash? It was amazing, you really should work here full-time, I would be more than happy to raise your wages.' Lucia giggled to herself, handing an envelope with several hundred dollars stacked neatly.

She shrugged her shoulder thinking about her landlord raising rent downtown. 'Well, who am I to say no to a raise? Let me call my other boss and tell him I am leaving.' 

'Sure Sure, do that.' Lucia waved her hand to her.

Priscilla turned over to Lucia not sure what to say, finally the correct words popping into her mind. 'You sure do like throwing money at every problem huh?'

'Of course sweetie, what else do you think money was for? Saving up? That is for people who age!'

Priscilla looked back toward Noir and Bianca, she had clearly been harassing him constantly, feeling a little bad for him. A small stone flew across the path hitting Bianca in the back of the head, her body laid limpy on the floor. 'Thanks Pris.'

'Pris? What's that?'

'Your new nickname, your actual name is a bit of a mouthfull.'

She giggled, picking up the limp body and carrying her toward a trash can.