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artificialqueens · 1 year
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AS7 Rajinkx vibes :)
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"Get to Know Me" Tag Meme
I’m just gonna copy, paste and pretend I know what I’m doing, story of my liiife. Also, we’re talking TMNT??? Have you…have you seen that one hentai comic about Leonardo & Raphael…it’s called Black & Blue…Mikey’s cool though 10/10 but Donny needs some loving poor dude. Annnnyway. (It’s available online for free go read it cough)
Three Ships: I mean I guess it’s pretty obvious I only reblog Adore Delano shit bc I’m lazy and they’re hot so anything Adore Delano. Mainly I write Adore Delano/Bianca Del Rio though. SWAN-FUCKING-QUEEN. Nough said, Emma Swan & Regina Mills. Always. Idk who my 3rd is tbh, rn I’m low key into anything with Raja or Courtney ? Idky. *looks at currently reading* Although I could write absolutely fucking ESSAYS about the throuple that is Wolverine, Jean Grey and Scott Summers. Honestly.
First Ever Ship: I honestly don’t know, probably Monica & Chandler. Super cliche I know. Yukari & Koizumi from Paradise Kiss also did a pretty fucking good number on me like I still weep. SQ was the first BIG, BIG ship though. Talho & Holland from Eureka Seven maybe even? I shipped myself with characters all the damn time though Trunks from DBZ, Tommy from Power Rangers…Mokuba from YuGiOh…I was like 7 okay.
Last Song: That I listened to? Summertime Sadness by Planleft
Can’t stand the original but this shit 😚👌🏻 chef’s kiss.
Currently Reading: Oof so. Undone by @veronicasanders & 4theloveofdrag. Just finished catching up with Single Gay Dad’s Club by Dartmouth420, which I didn’t think I’d enjoy bc ew kids but it was pretty cute I liked it a lot. Both Immortal X-Men & Night Club are my favorite ongoing comics right now but Dark Knights of Steel & Might Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 are CLOSE second.
Currently Watching: Yikes again. I’m currently through my 6th Golden Girls & Murder She Wrote rewatch, but I’m also flip flopping between the new & old episodes of the Simpsons bc it makes good background noise. Literally right this second though I’m watching Mrs Grant Takes Richmond bc I do in fact love Lucy.
Currently Consuming: My 6th cup of coffee for the day and a slice of cheese. I’m super health conscious. Closely watch my macros and whatnot obviously.
Currently Craving: Low key a day off and a beer, might try to finish my deadline a little sooner today and indulge a little.
Tag people you want to get to know better!
@glittertrail @saiphl @dakotagorgeousworld
That’s the only people I know so go for it lol.
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veronicasanders · 1 year
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"Get to Know Me" Tag Meme
Thank you for the tag, @duckprintspress!! Sorry that it took me so long to do it! (Also I know that I'm not really involved in this discussion but I feel like I need to say for the record that while Raphael is *definitely* the best turtle, Michelangelo is a respectable choice too. Sometimes you meet people who say they love Leonardo and it's like...bro, who hurt you? Plus I'm legally required to link to this XKCD comic anytime the Ninja Turtles are mentioned.)
Three Ships: Well, I write RPDR fic, and seeing as how my avatar is Courtney Act, it would be wrong not to mention the two main ships I write with her: Bianca Del Rio/Courtney Act (Bitney) and Adore Delano/Courtney Act (Adorney). Third places changes a lot based on what I'm reading/writing but I always really love the Sasha Velour/Shea Coulee (Sasha) dynamic. (Also, @theartificialdane and I just wrote a few scenes where Pearl and April are highkey flirting and I'm pretty into that.)
First Ever Ship: As a kid, I was really REALLY into TV couples with strong bisexual energy. Jessie and Slater from Saved by the Bell, Max and Kyle from Living Single, Clare and Steve from OG 90210. I was also very hyper fixated on The Baby-Sitter's Club books for like, years, and really just always felt a *spark* between Dawn and Kristy. (But seriously, go back and read how Kristy describes Dawn compared to how she describes anyone else, or how other people describe Dawn for that matter. And fun fact: Ann M. Martin is in fact a lesbian. So...)
Last Song: Madonna's Holy Water (from Rebel Heart)
Currently Reading: Nonfiction: Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price, Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means Too Much by Sendhil Mullainathan and Elder Shafir. Fic: I mean it's no secret that I'm deeply fucking invested in slash obsessed with @artificiallita's Bitch Fight (also guess what just started playing as I typed this? Heaven is a Place on Earth. Coincidence?) and @artificialcandycane's Will You Make Me Believe? Also, I just beta'd a chapter of Dartmouth420's The Single Gay Dads Club, and it's so fucking good, you guys aren't ready!!
Currently Watching: I just started Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and it's already SO UNHINGED. Plus doing a re-watch of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend which never fucking disappoints. And about to start the latest episode of Sarah Silverman's podcast.
Currently Consuming: A giant bottle of water, honeydew and this Italian cheese I bought earlier at an International Food Fair. I don't remember the name but it's Alpine, I think? And hard. And delicious.
Currently Craving: An end to my daily migraines, a massage, and maybe getting to bed early for the first time all week.
Tag people you want to get to know better! @imafuckingtranslibra-blog @junosjukebox @glittertrail @sweetestberryofthebunch @dakotagorgeousworld @tumble4rpdr @djooodie @fab-wolf-in-the-gloom @fannyatrollop @momsthetic
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theartificialdane · 3 years
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Galactica, part 38
She didn’t want to lose him, but she couldn’t imagine a life for herself where she always had to look out for a camera, couldn’t imagine ever finding it fun or flattering or interesting to be looked at by strangers, to be someone people wanted to know because she dated someone they cared about. 
Violet didn’t want to, hated that it seemed like her only option, but she couldn’t think of any other solutions.
She had to break it off with Sutan, even if she didn’t want to.
VIOLET: I don’t think we should see each other again. Thank you for everything
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Last Chapter: Fear and Yearning At Bianca's 40th Birthday. (Summary courtesy of Dartmouth420)
This Chapter: Violet avoids her love life by throwing herself into her work.
LINK TO AO3
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artificialqueens · 8 months
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🏳️‍🌈 Conflict of Interest, Chapter 1 (Raja/Yvie Oddly) - Dartmouth420 
summary: At the RuPaul Charles College of Art and Design, Yvie Oddly is an ambitious fashion major grappling with anxiety and trying to survive her senior year, and one of her professors this term is really getting on her nerves. Raja Gemini is the head of the fashion department, trying to keep the program afloat while struggling with her recent divorce, and one particular student seems determined to get under her skin. Will cynicism, bitterness, and power dynamics keep them apart or will unexpected similarities draw them closer than they ever expected? Lesbian college AU. Multichapter.
a/n: this was inspired by a request for raja/yvie from last year, I finally got around to writing it and of course it's a multichapter slow burn lol, hope the anon who wrote in is still around! beta-read by the wonderful Saiphl, thank you &lt;3 <3
content warning: eventual student/teacher relationship with a significant age gap
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CHAPTER 1: Never meet your heroes
“Hello everyone, welcome to Advanced Fashion Studies,” announced Raja, attempting to summon some enthusiasm from her seated position at the table at the head of the studio.
Hellos and nods echoed back from the students who had taken seats in the large, familiar room. Raja taught in the college’s central fashion studio during the fall, winter, and occasionally summer term, and had for the past several years of her career. The wide, padded work table sat in the middle, and the walls were lined with tables with sewing machines on top, one station for each student in the class. Shears, rulers and other shared tools were in a cupboard at the end of the room, each neatly labelled. Rolls of basic fabrics were on the wall, a collection of dress forms in the corner, and other supplies were hidden away in cupboards.
The room was set up to be the ideal version of a working fashion studio, similar to the ones she’d been employed in before going into teaching. The design was intended to prepare the students for whatever came next after graduating from The RuPaul Charles College of Art and Design.
The bank of windows at the far end of the room backlit her, hopefully enough that the students wouldn’t notice the dark circles under her eyes.
“Anyway, before we get started let’s get attendance over with,” said Raja, tucking a loose lock of her long grey hair behind her ear and glancing down at the sheet. She recognized a few names, one or two of the students who had grabbed attention in their sophomore year had continued through the program, but during her sudden leave of absence last winter she’d lost track of the cohort currently heading into their senior year.
She much preferred teaching senior year students; they were smarter, more consistent, and took her criticism better. Well, most of the time.
She went quickly down the list, reading each name aloud and receiving a response: Jaida, Brock, Vanessa, Scarlet, Jan, Jackie, Yuhua, Jinkx, A’keria, Violet-
“And…Yvie?” 
No one responded.
But Raja recognized the name. This particular student had been making a splash at the college since she’d arrived, and Raja vaguely remembered the skinny punk with the wild creations and determined attitude. But she wasn’t in the room at the moment. Maybe she’d dropped the class.
Raja continued, putting the sheet aside. “Well, it looks like Yvie isn’t here, so let’s get started-”
The door at the far end of the room burst open.
Raja pursed her lips as Yvie strode in with total confidence, not appearing even remotely embarrassed about being late. She raised her chin to Raja across the room, her septum piercing glinting in the sun streaming in the window. Her hair was sheared short and dyed a bright green. She wore black jeans ripped at the knees, a tight-fitting crop top across her rope-like torso, a patchy messenger bag over her shoulder and a sarcastic little smirk that Raja didn’t particularly appreciate.
“Sorry I’m late,” announced Yvie without sounding sorry at all, meandering over to one of the chairs by the sewing machines and flopping down into it like her long limbs were made of rubber.
The students Raja had identified as Jaida and Scarlet glanced over her shoulders, waving at Yvie and whispering greetings.
“You must be Yvie,” said Raja, unable to keep her tone from becoming dry and unimpressed. “Thank you for joining us.”
“Oh, you’re welcome,” replied Yvie, with a shit-eating grin.
A few of the students giggled.
Raja shrugged dismissively, refusing to give Yvie another glance, and sat up straighter, keeping her gaze ahead. Normally a student being late wouldn't bother her much, but her patience was limited these days. But she couldn’t quite keep the tinge of sarcasm out of her voice. “So now that we’re all here, come take a syllabus and we’ll go through it.”
The students got up and milled around the edge of the table, Violet reaching out and snatching the first syllabus off the top of the pile with a perfectly manicured hand. Brock rolled his eyes at her, took three and passed them back to Jaida and Scarlet respectively.
Aside from Yvie’s dramatic entrance, this batch of students seemed okay, about as present and respectful as a group of twenty-one(ish)-year-olds could be.
Yvie wandered up to the small crowd and snuck through, leaning over and snatching the last syllabus from the stack with an ironic flourish. Raja resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but Yvie’s hands caught her attention; her fingers were long and deft, short nails decorated with chipped black nail polish, a few reddened hangnails showing the evidence of a bad habit.
Raja took her time to go through the syllabus. Advanced Fashion was a heavily weighted course, requiring many hours of both in-class and studio time. Taken in the fall, it finalized the technical skills required for the students to take their Open Fashion Studio course in the winter, which was largely self-directed, to construct their final collections for the graduate show in the spring.
Yvie sat slumped in the faraway chair like she didn’t give a shit, legs haphazardly splayed, flipping over the page of the syllabus and frowning at it. Without even seeming to notice, she started to pick at her nails with her opposite hand, her thumb anxiously worrying at the nail bed on her fourth finger. Hm. Raja had guessed correctly. Her right knee twinged and she adjusted her position on the stool again.
“...and that’s about it,” said Raja to the room of visibly overwhelmed students as she closed the final page of the syllabus. “As you know from your other classes, we do group critiques for every assignment. It’s one of the best ways to really interrogate your concepts.” She chuckled, gesturing at the class, who all stared at her nervously. “Don’t look so scared, my criticism is always constructive.”
A few students let out sighs of relief, while others raised their heads, accepting the challenge. Raja considered herself to be a chill, relaxed instructor; she always gave unique, relevant, and constructive feedback. She just didn’t especially care about being nice about it, and she didn’t like seeing boring work. She’d seen so much boring work over the years. Sure, her standards were high, but she was easier on the students than Bianca, for example. Yvie cocked her head to the side, narrowing her eyes at her from across the room.
“Just don’t show me something boring,” said Raja in her most reassuring voice. “Now let’s get started with the first demo…”
She quickly directed the students to go over to the central drafting table for her first technical demonstration. Although this class was largely for the students to practice and perfect the technical skills they’d learned in the previous years, she still had a few advanced technical sewing and design concepts to teach. The students talked amongst themselves, not paying particular attention to Raja as she got up slowly, cautiously putting weight on her right knee.
The injury last winter had been a blow to both her ego and her sense of mortality. However, Raja hadn’t been able to take any more leave into the fall, given that it was her turn as department head this year. The role circulated among the faculty in the fashion department, Bianca had come off her term as planned, and with it Raja received a smaller teaching load and extra administrative and organizational responsibilities. But she outright refused to use crutches at work, so her knee would just have to speed up its healing according to her schedule.
Just a twinge of pain, it was fine, and she straightened up. No one had noticed her hesitation, except. Ugh. Raja frowned.
While the other students were chatting with each other around the central table, Yvie watched her. Her expression was indiscernible, but she'd definitely noticed her moment of caution. Raja met her eyes briefly, like a shot across the room. Yvie’s mouth twitched with what looked like scorn, and Raja offered her a petty sneer in response as she walked confidently over to join the group at the table and deliver the patterning demonstration.
-
“Ugh, that class was so long…” Yvie let out a groan as she pushed open the door at the end of the hallway and left the building, turning her face up towards the sun. It shone bright and lovely, and she tried to let its warmth soothe her feeling of annoyed embarrassment, glad to be out of the confined indoor space for the brief lunch break before her afternoon class. 
“It’s only the first day, what the hell do you have to groan about?” teased Jaida, a step behind her.
“Term literally just started,” added Scarlet, on Jaida’s other side.
Mondays were going to be brutal this term, given her work schedule; she had a closing shift on Sunday nights. She glanced back at them. “I know, but I barely got a break this summer, I was working like all the time.”
“I know, we like barely got to spend any time together…”
“You went to multiple raves, and like three music festivals,” said Jaida dryly, leading the little group over to a bench in the courtyard, near a twisted tree that grew out of the patch of dirt surrounded by stone. At least September was warm, practically summer, the sun high in the sky.
“Hey,” protested Yvie, before she laughed, shrugging. “Okay fine, we partied a little…”
“Just a little,” chuckled Jaida, sitting down primly on the bench. “Yeah, all our jobs sucked this year, those early shifts just about wrecked my sleep schedule permanently.”
Yvie joined her and Scarlet sat on her other side, so close she was practically in her lap, taking out her phone. Yvie didn’t particularly like being sat on, well, not unless Scarlet was sitting on her face. They’d had some fun this summer: she’d done a reasonable amount of MDMA, danced all night a few times, and gone out to clubs to perform and be seen. Yvie, Scarlet and Jaida (and her on-and-off-again girlfriend Crystal) had gone to one particularly good music festival and had ended up covered in paint and mud, exhilarated and high, sore from dancing all day, escaping reality for a glorious weekend.
But still, the rest of the time she’d spent working. And ruminating.
Yvie took out a cigarette and put it to her lips, digging around in her bag for her lighter.
“Do you really have to smoke?” complained Scarlet, scrunching up her nose.
“Yes,” replied Yvie dryly. “It’s an addiction.”
“But like, I thought you were trying to quit.” Scarlet slung her legs onto Yvie’s lap, and pouted. “You said you’d quit for me…”
Yvie caught Jaida raising an eyebrow in her peripheral vision as her manicured fingers typed rapidly on her phone. Yvie sighed with mild guilt that was mostly covered by familiar irritation creeping up her shoulders. She didn’t remove the unlit cigarette from her mouth, instead she rested her hand on Scarlet’s legging-clad thigh. Sure, keeping her girlfriend happy should be closer to the top of her list of priorities, but instead she was thinking about when her student loan was going to come in, the distinctly low number left in her bank account after this month’s rent, the upcoming semester’s material costs, her stupid job, her follower count, and how her phone bill was a month overdue.
As the final week of summer had passed and everyone had tried to get in one last hurrah before school started up again, Yvie had still been anxiously hustling. So she deserved a cigarette.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to Advanced Fashion,” said Jaida, changing the subject, “I think it’s going to be intense, but in a good way.”
“Me too,” agreed Scarlet, leaning forward slightly to look around Yvie. “But it's going to be a lot of work. Did you hear the prof describe how much time she’s expecting us to put in? I know it’s a triple-credit course, but Jesus.”
“Yeah, she seems like kind of a bitch,” added Yvie, taking the cigarette out of her mouth so the filter wouldn’t get soggy, and twirling it between her fingers. She wanted to get up and smoke, but Scarlet had trapped her.
Jaida and Scarlet fixed her with dual disapproving looks. “Rude.”
“Come on, everyone says she’s the worst,” kvetched Yvie, digging her heels in anyway. Raja had definitely seemed like a cold bitch sitting at the front of the room in a crisp white shirt, grey hair sitting loose on her shoulders, dramatically back-lit by the bank of windows, making everybody have to squint to even see her. “I heard she acts like she’s all chill and blasé, and then she’s really harsh in critiques. Did you hear her say ‘just don’t show me something boring?’ What a drama queen, and she was sarcastic with me when I came in.”
"I mean, you were late," commented Scarlet.
Jaida added contemplatively. “I don't know, she was gone for most of last winter, only a handful of people in our year have had her as an instructor before. Jinkx said she gives really critical feedback, but that can help you grow.”
“Or piss you off, I know my work is good, I don’t need someone who’s just going to bully me-”
Jaida smiled, glancing up from her phone as she finished typing out another rapid text. “So you just want everyone including her to pat you on the back because you got featured in i-D Magazine?”
“Ha! I sure did,” replied Yvie, with a proud smirk. Seeing her name, her face and her creations published had been such an exciting moment. She’d caught the publication’s attention on Instagram through a performance at the last remaining punk club downtown. A journalist had contacted her, asking if she’d be interested in being part of the feature, which had been called Young Americans by the British publication. It had been so exciting, a big step; and her follower count had tripled. A sense of delirious hope had lodged itself in her gut. Maybe she could really make it.
“That was so cool, it’s like you’re almost famous,” said Scarlet, tilting her head back as if to luxuriate in Yvie’s peripheral almost-fame. “And if you really don’t like Raja then just wait and take the class next semester when someone else is teaching it.”
“I can’t, I need this class to graduate on time.” The anxious feeling that Yvie had been trying to manage all summer rose up, and she kept going, needing somewhere to dump it. “I mean, she acts like she knows so much more than everyone about fashion when it’s like, okay sure, maybe you were cool twenty years ago and now you’re just some teacher. Like, chill the fuck out.”
“Why are you so annoyed with her again?” replied Jaida, frowning worriedly down at her phone like she was only half-engaged in the conversation. “She seems more relaxed than Bianca was. Bianca nearly failed us both in Intro to Pattern Drafting.”
"Well, yeah..." Yvie felt a little guilty as she compulsively rolled her cigarette back and forth between her fingers. She did feel annoyed, and disappointed, she should just let the argument go, but-
“What Jaida said,” added Scarlet disinterestedly, playing with a lock of her hair. “Like, give her a chance or whatever.”
Yvie opened her mouth to continue her rant and realized she needed her cigarette right now. “Can you let me up so I can suck on my cancer stick?”
It came out more harshly than she’d anticipated, and she immediately felt bad. Scarlet made an insulted ‘hmph’ noise and removed her legs from Yvie’s lap, scowling. Yvie stood up and took a few steps away from the bench.
“Sorry, I just…” muttered Yvie. She’d felt trapped, but didn’t know how to say it.
“Whatever.” Scarlet crossed her arms, not looking at her.
Jaida didn’t say anything, once again typing rapidly on her phone.
Yvie sighed, digging around in her pocket for her lighter, and lit the cigarette. Scarlet was only three years younger than her, but sometimes she seemed ridiculously immature. Things weren’t quite clicking between them the way they had last year.
Yvie had been doing her own thing more or less since she was fourteen and refused to stop or listen to anyone who told her what to do. But the feeling that she only had so much time left to figure things out was creeping up on her. Maybe it was because she’d started college a few years later than everyone else. She took a deep, steadying drag on her cigarette.
Despite her hopes, Raja was just going to be another barrier to get over this term.
Several years ago Yvie had been a bit lost, she’d been surfing the internet and had discovered a 1994 documentary telling the story of the alternative fashion and underground queer club scene in L.A. Raja had been featured in it, the story following her among a handful of other people in the scene. Like a switch had flipped in Yvie’s brain, she’d latched onto the footage of the young, androgynous club kid; embedded in the subculture, making totally out-there clothing, a party monster at every rave. It showed all the glory of rebellion, love and art pushing back against a capitalist hellscape. All of a sudden Yvie saw what she wanted reflected in an aesthetic and a community that had started fading from existence when she was only an infant, and had watched Raja’s transfixing appearances in the documentary over and over.
Luckily, nothing could stop Yvie from doing her own thing, so she started performing at clubs, making her own clothes, playing music with a couple of different bands, and pouring all her creative energy into whatever alternative scenes she could find, with a sharp eye on 1990s grunge and punk nostalgia. All the while slogging through a series of depressing day jobs. But with her unexpected social media popularity and degree of success, in an attempt to take seriously a future career in fashion she’d re-thought her decision not to go to college. After a bit of research, she’d discovered that the club kid from the documentary had grown up and turned out to be a fashion instructor at RCCAD. The desire to finally meet Raja had been a large part of the reason Yvie had chosen to give college a shot, move half-way across the country, and take on student debt.
But what she’d hoped to be an important, impressive, meaningful moment hadn’t happened yet. Or maybe it had already passed. Raja didn’t teach freshman or sophomore year classes, and Yvie’s attempts to introduce herself in passing had been awkward. Last year Yvie had hopefully signed up for one of her classes only to have Raja go on unexpected leave just before the first day, with Bianca as a last-minute replacement.
Three expensive years had sped past since Yvie had made her decision, and now she was twenty-four - which felt old somehow - and the energy that had always whirred under her skin manifested as a constant, nagging dialogue in the back of her mind, questioning her choices, making her doubt herself, afraid that things wouldn't work out how she’d hoped.
And now, now that she finally had her opportunity to meet and learn from Raja, she’d managed to be late for the first class, attempted to be blasé about it only to be met with hostility, and the whole situation had left her feeling embarrassed, irritable, and anxious. ‘Never meet your heroes' was good advice, it turned out.
“Who are you texting?” asked Yvie, jutting her chin at Jaida. “None of your business….”
“Is it Crystal again?” teased Yvie, a smile curling on her mouth as she flicked the ash from her cigarette. “I told you to play it cool this time.”
Jaida scrunched up her face in a way that indicated she’d been caught. Scarlet laughed and nudged her, teasing. Jaida glanced to the side, eyes going towards the side door the three of them had exited earlier and Yvie looked over her shoulder, following her gaze.
“Hey, look, speak of the devil.”
Pride Challenge Points: 5178
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artificialqueens · 1 year
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🎁 The Truck (Multi) for Lita - Dartmouth420
SECRET QUEEN 2022 by Dartmouth420, for @artificiallita
With a request like “I like it when people write fanfic of my fanfic lmao” I couldn’t help but indulge :) Takes place in the Bitch Fight universe (Lita’s Glow-inspired pro wrestling AU) several months after the latest instalment.
Synopsis: At the (literal) dawn of Femme Fatale Wrestling’s latest tour, the crew waits in the parking lot for a certain someone to show up. 2835 words. Ships mentioned: Adorney, Rajila, Jela. Mostly fluff, and the most obnoxious jacked up Ford F-450 you’ve ever seen.
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Adore stood in the hot parking lot outside of the Femme Fatale training gym, sweaty, tired and mildly hungover. The rest of the crew was with her, waiting. It was obscenely humid out, despite the sun just barely peeking over the horizon. She yawned, not bothering to cover her mouth, letting the feeling wash over her.
Next to her, Courtney stood in a big sweater and leggings, her short hair sticking up a little at the back like she hadn’t had an opportunity to brush it. She sucked on the straw of her bright green smoothie that probably had a little too much healthy, leafy stuff in it for Adore’s tastes. Adore tilted her head back to get the involuntary, full-body yawn over with, and Courtney glanced at her, noticing.
Courtney pulled the straw out of her mouth and yawned enormously, stretching her shoulders and tilting her head back, nearly dropping her dangerously healthy smoothie.
“Nice,” commented Adore.
From Courtney’s other side, Dela looked up. She’d been hunched and smoking a cigarette, grouchy in the mornings despite her generally pleasant demeanour, and Adore hadn’t yet spoken to her. Jinkx (on Dela’s far side) was similar, wearing dark sunglasses and clutching a coffee. Adore wondered how mornings must be at their house; the mood shift from grouchy morning weirdos to sunshiney enthusiasm must be pretty intense.
“Bianca did say she’d be here, right?” asked Gia, crossing her arms.
“She said she’d- uh, ahhh-” began Dela, only to begin yawning halfway through her sentence, cigarette abandoned.
Gia rolled her eyes, and then her jaw involuntarily opened as well, struck with the yawn.
Adore found herself smiling, amused. Courtney continued to suck on her drink with disgruntled amusement, but she glanced at Adore knowingly.
“Yep, she said five-thirty,” continued Jinkx, replying on Dela’s behalf before yawning herself and glancing at her phone, dark circles under her eyes.
Adore hadn’t known Jinkx before her concussion, but she seemed pretty awesome when she’d returned a few months, and heroically ousted Bill from manager position. Adore wasn’t really privy to all the drama during the lead-up to it, although she had occasionally walked in on Bianca and Dela arguing about it, only to cut themselves off as soon as she came into the locker room.
Jinkx finished yawning, her lips closing again as she shoulders twitched. It was like watching dominoes fall. Adore stepped forward slightly so she could get a better view as the yawn travelled through the group like a bad flu. It caught Gia, Laganja, Trinity…
Manila glanced to the side, like she’d noticed an oncoming wave, and the yawn hit her full-throttle. She tilted her head back, stretching her arms out like a cat, and then it faded. She looked expectantly at Raja, who stood next to her at the far end of the group.
Raja looked up questioningly.
“Your turn,” said Manila, with a shit-eating grin.
“No, it’s not going to get me,” insisted Raja, backing away like she was trying to ward off contamination. “I’ve been up for like an hour and a half, this is my third coffee-”
“It’s inevitable, babe,” continued Manila.
“No!”
Everyone waited for it, staring at her. Adore grinned.
Raja stared back, lips determinedly pressed together, the seconds ticking along. Raja’s eyes bulged and then she let out a growl of frustration that quickly transformed into an epic yawn, and she turned her back on the group. The group laughed mildly, and returned to their early morning brooding.
Adore took a few steps down to where Raja was still complaining about the yawn, and Manila was still teasing her about it. She didn’t know the two of them very well yet, but she’d met their daughter Natalia a few times, who had to be the most awesome eight-year-old Adore had ever met. Although Adore was technically sometimes her babysitter, she considered Nattie a good friend.
“Is Nattie coming along with you guys?” inquired Adore.
“Nope, she’s staying home,” replied Manila while Raja sipped her coffee. “I really need a break from both the kids.”
Adore nodded. She’d followed Raja and Manila’s indie tag-team career when she’d been growing up, and after a few years of major life changes (two kids and a career-ending injury, respectively) they were both back; Manila was wrestling again - in fact Adore was scheduled against her a few times on the tour - and Jinkx had hired Raja as Femme Fatale’s fitness coach.
“I can’t imagine having kids,” commented Courtney, coming up behind Adore and resting her chin on her shoulder, which made Adore’s heart beat a little faster. “It must be completely crazy.”
“Yeah, it is, try leaving a wrestling match all bruised up only to go home and meet the demands of a hyperactive eight-year-old and a dangerously intelligent three-year-old,” replied Manila, dryly.
“Mommy needs a break,” chuckled Raja, nudging Manila’s side.
“Hey, Raja, can I talk to you about-” asked Jinkx, and Raja turned to her, took a few steps away towards her.
“So, either I’m going to take the opportunity on tour to get absolutely shit-faced drunk with everyone,” said Manila, gesturing at them, and then inclined her head at Courtney. “Not you, obviously, congrats on the nine months sober by the way-”
“Thanks,” replied Courtney dryly.
“-or I’m going to take advantage of the hotel room and fuck my girlfriend thoroughly and loudly all night long,” finished Manila, looking knowingly at Raja as she chatted just out of hearing range with Jinkx and Dela. Adore’s eyes widened. “Once she’s done fussing over whatever minor bruises I might acquire in the ring.”
“I dunno, aren’t you booked against ‘Ganja and Gia for the opener?” said Adore, teasing. "Might be more than minor…”
“I can handle ‘em.”
“Hah!” chuckled Courtney, “I think they’re gonna kick your ass, but…”
“But?” replied Manila, lips pursed.
“But… I like your idea of skipping the bar and spending the night thoroughly fucking your girlfriend instead,” continued Courtney, her eyes fixed on Adore, with a shark-like grin.
Adore gulped, an exciting flutter going down her spine. Girlfriend. Really?
Manila laughed, and kept chatting with Courtney, and Adore took the opportunity to slip away. She glanced at the horizon; it was lightening, going from deep orange to a lighter orangey-yellow. She approached Gia, Laganja and Trinity.
It wasn’t that Adore was worried about it or anything, but things had been a bit up and down with Courtney. Courtney had struggled with her mental health over the past little while. And they hadn’t called each other ‘girlfriend’ yet. The idea felt good, if a little nerve-wracking. Adore really liked Courtney; she was smart and fun, and she brought good vibes to most occasions. Adore also couldn’t deny that she found Courtney really fucking hot, both when she was decked out in her high femme mega-babe wrestling persona and when she was her relaxed, androgynous outside-the-ring self. Also, Adore really liked her apartment; her own apartment was a shit-hole.
“Adore?” said Laganja, waving her hand in front of Adore’s face. “Anyone in there?”
“Oh!” said Adore, shaking her head as she realized she’d been standing next to the three of them, completely in her own world. “Sorry! Hey, how’s it going?”
Trinity sighed, tucking her thermos of tea under her elbow and rubbing her eyes. “I’m nervous as hell. I’ve barely been outside of Florida before, and now I’m on a tour across multiple states?”
“Tours rock, don’t worry,” replied Gia reassuringly. She wore an oversized hoodie covered in images of weed leaves that Adore was fairly sure belonged to Laganja. Were they…? Or weren’t they. “It’s been a while since any of us have toured, but we’ve done it before. It’s always chaos, and it's always fun.”
“Imagine all the bars we’re going to hit,” said Laganja.
“And the new strains of weed to try!” added Adore encouragingly.
“True,” Laganja nodded thoughtfully. “Florida weed is pretty good but California is on a whole other level.”
“I guess…” said Trinity, curiosity crossing her face.
“Girl, you just turned twenty-one, enjoy yourself,” said Adore, encouragingly. She was the closest in age to Trinity out of the Femme Fatale crew. “We’re going to have an awesome time!”
“I mean, I'm really excited to finally legally go out with everybody,” agreed Trinity with enthusiasm. “But if things get a little out of hand, don’t tell my mom?”
“My lips are sealed,” promised Gia.
“Same,” confirmed Adore. “We’re meeting up with her in Houston, right?”
“Yeah, she’s heading there for a-” replied Trinity, but then a loud noise at the edge of the parking lot caught her attention.
Adore turned her head, along with the rest of the crowd, towards the growl of an engine and a flash of light reflecting off a window at the edge of the pitted asphalt parking lot. A truly massive truck rolled up, it’s jacked-up tires barely impacted as it aggressively took the curb. The rising orange sun reflected from the windshield, blocking the driver from view and Adore put her hand up to block the ray of light. The truck was long and wide, a bright fire-ending red, gleaming, polished to absolute perfection.
“What the fuck?” asked Gia mildly.
“Girl…”
The engine growled and the truck abruptly accelerated towards the crowd, causing several of them to jump back in shock. But then it took a turn, whipping around into a tire-squealing donut.
“Well, she’s always loved to show off,” drawled Jinkx.
Adore gaped, she had no idea who could possibly be inside as she gazed up at the monstrosity before her. But as it turned into a second donut, she caught a glimpse of the license plate. It was decorated with flames, and the image of a luchador mask, and it read SANTERÍA.
“Hey that’s Bianca!” yelled Adore, pointing at the vehicle, though the rest of the crowd had probably already realized. “Bitch, where the heck did you get that thing?”
The truck came to a stop, and the driver’s side window rolled down to reveal Bianca, who let out a magnificent cackle, the sun reflecting off her aviator sunglasses.
“Wow,” said Courtney, dry as bone. “I bet it does so well on gas.”
Bianca opened the door, clambered down the foot rail, and hopped to the ground. She wore a red jumpsuit in the same shade as the truck; the look was powerful and impressive, especially with the shining vehicle behind her.
“She’s gonna get so much pussy with that thing,” commented Raja, lowering her sunglasses to take in the truck, and Bianca, in their full glory. “Probably in that thing, to be fully accurate.”
“Ugh…” complained Courtney, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at her. “Seriously? It’s too early to talk about Bianca’s sex life.”
“Yeah, ew, she’s like our mom,” added Adore.
“Like your mom, maybe, you’re barely out of your teens,” replied Raja, dryly. “Bianca’s hot as hell, you two have no taste. Count yourself unlucky you haven’t had opportunity to spend the night with her.”
Adore’s jaw dropped and Courtney’s eyes widened, as she demanded. “Did you two-?”
“Oh, just a couple of times somewhere around 2007,” mused Raja, with a wink and a filthy grin.
“Why are all the old people around here so unnecessarily horny…?” complained Courtney, sharing a put-upon look with Adore.
“Who are you calling ‘old?’” demanded Dela, overhearing.
“You’ll get there one day, sweetie,” replied Raja, patting Courtney’s shoulder with mock comfort. “Besides, aren’t you like thirty?”
“Alright, you assholes,” stated Bianca, arriving before the group and putting her hands on her hips like a general facing her troops. Everyone gave her their attention. She looked far too awake and chipper for such an early hour. “We need to load all the gear, including all the promotional crap, costumes, and everything required to set up the ring into the back of my new truck-” she grinned, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder at the monstrosity behind her, “-and I have four extra seats available, who’s coming with me?”
She held her hand up, four fingers splayed out like an auctioneer. Her hand contrasted dramatically against the dawn sky.
“I’d love a ride in that monstrosity,” piped up Trinity from the back. “Can I take a turn driving?”
“You certainly can,” Bianca lowered a finger, leaving three up. “One taken!”
“I have my van-” began Adore, looking to Courtney, “I was thinking maybe we’d-”
“That van is a deathtrap, you’re not taking it on the highway,” interrupted Bianca, rolling her eyes. “Make that two and three.” One finger remained up.
“Our car is fine,” stated Gia, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Laganja nodded her agreement.
“We have our own vehicle,” shrugged Raja, glancing over at Manila, who nodded.
“I think we’re just fine in our car too,” added Dela, putting her arm around Jinkx. “As long as we’re careful about taking turns driving.”
“Don’t worry too much about my concussion, darling,” replied Jinkx, kissing her cheek. “We’ll get there.”
Adore looked around. It seemed that everyone was accounted for.
“I want a turn driving that awful beast too,” stated Courtney.
“Yeah, same,” agreed Adore quickly.
“We'll see,” teased Bianca with far too much enjoyment, walking through the small crowd towards the facility’s doors. “I'm not sure I trust either of you behind the wheel.”
Adore and Courtney's protests fell on deaf ears as everyone followed Bianca into the Femme Fatale gym and storage area. They organized one another into small groups to get things loaded into the bed of the truck. Adore volunteered to help carry the ring equipment and found herself dragging a duffel bag full of thick ring ropes with Dela. The crew went back and forth from the building to the truck, getting everything together, and only one argument broke out, and soon enough the truck’s bed was loaded, tarped over and strapped down.
“Alright, see you all in…” Bianca whipped out her phone and checked their first tour spot. “Jacksonville? Who designed this schedule?”
“Me,” answered Jinkx dryly.
“It’s a good schedule!” insisted Dela.
“Wait, I have to ask,” insisted Laganja, unexpectedly from the crowd. “Where the hell did you get that truck, Bianca?”
Bianca laughed again, and winked. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Everyone stared at her. Now Adore was even more curious.
“Again, what the fuck?” said Gia.
Bianca merely gave her a mysterious smile, and the crowd dispersed. Trinity asked Bianca a couple of questions about the truck's engine type, and they loaded their personal belongings into the truck’s cab.
“So, uh, should we get our stuff?” asked Adore shyly, motioning awkwardly at Courtney.
“Yeah,” replied Courtney, shrugging. Admittedly, Adore had given her a ride over here from her apartment last night in the van. She also seemed a little awkward. “I’ll just, uh-”
Trinity and Bianca made eye contact behind them, rolling their eyes.
Adore hustled over to her van, jiggled the door until it unlocked, and grabbed her duffel bag, brushing aside the empty beer cans. She threw some sparkly wrestling outfits, hockey tape, a few loose sports bras and clothes into it, and a couple of crusty eyeliner pencils. Finding her phone charger and bent driver’s license, she decided it was good enough. In the front seat was Courtney’s bag, a neatly packed backpack with a rainbow flag patch. With that, Adore checked her eyeliner in the rearview mirror, found it pretty much still in place from last night, got out, locked the van and went back over to Bianca’s monstrosity.
“-it does well on the highway, relax, I test-drove it,” said Bianca as Adore walked up, seemingly reassuring Courtney who stood before her with her arms crossed.
“I call shotgun!” announced Trinity, raising her hand.
“Aw man,” complained Adore, turning to Courtney. “I guess it’s you and me in the back seat…”
Courtney raised her eyebrows suggestively and Adore blushed.
“If I catch you two making out back there…” began Bianca as she reached up to open the driver’s door and hauling herself up into the seat.
Trinity went victoriously around to the passenger’s side, and Adore opened the back door and got in. The interior of the truck was new, clean and pin-neat, and Adore really hoped Bianca didn’t expect her to keep it that way throughout the entire tour. Neatness wasn’t her forte.
As Courtney slid in next to her, Adore glanced out the window. The other members of the groups had convened in their respective vehicles, and the sun rose higher in the sky, the beginning of another warm beautiful day.
“Ready?” said Bianca, revving the engine.
Adore smiled, leaning forward to clap Bianca on the shoulder. “Born ready, bitch!”
They peeled out of the lot down the road. Trinity plugged in her phone to the aux cord and asked fo requests, and Courtney suggested queer party anthems, to Bianca’s impatient groan. Adore looked out the window, content to be on the road. She'd have the girlfriend conversation with Courtney soon, when they arrived somewhere with a little more privacy, but she wasn't really nervous, she had the feeling it was going to go well. The tour was billed as Femme Fatale’s big comeback, but to Adore it was just the beginning 
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artificialqueens · 2 years
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Potluck Challenge Entry (Raja/Willam) - Dartmouth420
summary: Willam only decided to host a potluck for everyone from the office because it’s the ideal situation in which to hit on her unprecedentedly attractive coworker, Raja. But the recipe for vegan canapés she found online is a dud, and no one’s being very helpful… Lesbian AU, Raja/Willam. Featuring: Alaska, Bianca, Adore, Courtney, Latrice, Jinkx and Dela. 2180 words.
A/n: V, this one is for you ;) cw: weed (weed is legal here in Canada but idk what's going on in America so take this with a grain of salt!)
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“A good idea? A potluck is a great idea!” argued Willam, looking frantically from the photo header of the online recipe on her phone to the misshapen and bizarre vegan canapés in front of her. They didn’t look like they were supposed to. “This recipe is obviously defective! They’re getting a one-star rating.”
Alaska, her roommate and official best friend, rolled her eyes, and replied dryly, “Well, I’m not gonna say I told you so… but inviting all your coworkers over for a potluck when you know for a fact you can’t cook is asking for trouble.”
Alaska, of course, had made a truly spectacular grilled vegetable bruschetta, and had somehow found the time to make fresh sourdough garlic bread, and marinara sauce on the side. God damn it.
Willam huffed, but she was completely and utterly out of time, so she just took the tray and put it on their shared kitchen table. Then she rushed to the bathroom mirror to check her reflection, because she knew where her priorities lay. She looked good, her lipstick and eyeshadow were impeccable, her cleavage was industrial-grade, and she fluffed her loose blonde hair.
There was only one reason Willam wanted to host a potluck anyway; as an excuse to get to know her hot new coworker, Raja. Raja was confident, smart, and moved with a subtle intentionality that made Willam really want to get bent over a desk and railed with a strap-on. She was tall, had beautiful high cheekbones, dark sensual eyes, elegant grey-streaked hair, and was incredibly hot. Raja made an office-appropriate blazer look like sex on wheels.
Oh, and she was really fucking funny, too. 
Willam had barely been able to concentrate at the office for weeks, because Raja kept saying incredibly sexy and suggestive things to her like, do you have the wifi password? and oh yeah, I just moved here from L.A., and the coffee is pretty good with oat milk, and hey, can you pass me the stapler?
Clearly, the office element of the office romance was getting in the way. So, Willam’s plan to seduce her at the potluck held in her own home was genius, the only problem was that the canapés looked idiotic, probably tasted terrible, and she didn’t have time to fix them.
The doorbell rang. Alaska mildly walked over and reached for the door handle…
Willam whirled out of the bathroom, darted up to the door and reached around her, “Do not hog my light-!”
Alaska crossed her arms and pursed her lips, stepping back from the door. Willam laughed, leaned sexily in the doorway, and pulled the door open.
“A potluck? What kind of an idea is that, we all know you can’t cook, bitch,” said Bianca dryly, standing on the step, holding a glass casserole dish against her hip.
“Oh, it’s you,” said Willam, disappointed.
“You bet it’s me,” announced Bianca, pushing past her inside, and leaning in to kiss Alaska’s cheek, murmuring suggestively. “Hey darling, haven’t seen you in a while…”
“Stop hitting on my roommate.”
Alaska giggled and purred, “Oh hi Bianca, it has been a while hasn’t it? How’s Courtney?”
“Didn’t you hear? We broke up…”
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, I had no idea..."
Willam made a retching sound.
Bianca came into their home and deposited her beautiful, decorated lasagna, thick with cheese and meat, next to Willam’s dubious canapés. It looked amazing, and smelled delicious.
“Wow, these are… something,” said Bianca, looking up from the canapés with a shark-like smile. “I’ll give you a gold star, honey, you did try.” She noticed the bruschetta, bread and sauce set out. "Alaska, this must be yours, looks fantastic! I can't wait to, ah, get a little taste of it on my tongue."
“And I can’t wait to taste your dish either, Bianca,” said Alaska, fluttering her eyelashes at Bianca and reaching for a plate.
“No, not yet!” insisted Willam, even as her stomach growled. Everything had to be perfect for Raja, who would probably bring something unbelievably impressive. On top of being incredibly hot, she was probably also a five-star chef.
Bianca rolled her eyes.
The doorbell rang again, and more people from the office arrived in rapid succession. They were a timely bunch, apparently. Latrice, Courtney, Adore, Dela and Jinkx, everyone was here! And all of the conniving assholes she had once considered friendly coworkers had shown Willam up, each bringing something creative and impressive and homemade. Courtney in particular seemed determined to compete with her ex, having brought a vegan cashew and mushroom pasta casserole in a nearly identical glass dish to Bianca's lasagna. Even Adore brought her home-brewed beer, for fuck’s sake. Between all of them there was enough food for the vegans and the non-vegans, and probably all of Willam’s other neighbours on the block too.
Luckily, people seemed fine to linger and talk and start the drinking early. Several more minutes passed, and Raja didn't appear.
“Who are we still waiting for?” asked Adore, looking around the room.
“Yeah, I’m getting hungry,” added Dela.
“Everything looks fantastic,” added Latrice.
“Except for the canapés,” snarked Bianca.
“We’re waiting for Willam’s crush…” teased Alaska, nudging Willam in the side. 
Courtney rolled her eyes, “You’re starving us because Raja is late? As usual?”
“Hey!” snapped Willam, “She’s probably like, making an actual wedding cake or something. You know her. She’s talented!”
“Now a wedding cake is something I can get behind…” commented Jinkx, looking suggestively to  Dela. Dela ignored her.
"Did they break up again?" whispered Latrice to Willam. Willam shrugged, she had no idea.
But Raja still wasn't here, and Willam was sweating through her deodorant with nerves! Ugh, at this rate she was never going to get laid.
“Let’s just go ahead and start,” said Willam, diplomatic, which she thought was extremely admirable of her given the high-stakes nature of this casual potluck. “If she’s late, then she’s late and she can’t complain if she doesn’t get first choice.”
“And if she’s lucky, the canapés will be long gone,” commented Bianca, nudging Latrice, who laughed along before glancing longingly at Dela, and they stepped up to fill their plates.
People filed around the table, chatting and giving one another compliments on what fantastic creations they’d brought, even Adore’s home brew. Though to Willam, the nine-percent-alcohol beer tasted like a yeasty grapefruit had been left out in the sun for too long.
Willam sighed, and leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms with disappointment. Maybe Raja wasn’t going to come to the potluck at all. Maybe she hadn’t picked up on Willam’s highly subtleindications that she wanted to get railed, or worse… wasn’t interested?!
But then the doorbell rang.
Willam leapt up from her slump against the counter, and sprinted to the door. She adjusted her skirt and pushed her tits up a little further in her bra, counted fifteen seconds down, and opened the door.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” said Raja, with a casual grin that could charm a rocket to Mars. Willam nearly fainted with the force of it.
“Oh, uh, welcome!” said Willam, stepping back and holding the door open, noting that Raja had a tote bag over her shoulder. Raja entered, looking around curiously. She wore a very normal outfit of a button-up and jeans, but it was somehow the sexiest thing Willam had ever seen, and she wanted to tear her clothes off with her teeth.
“Nice place.”
“Thank you, it’s cheap,” replied Willam, leading her into the kitchen, and hoping Raja was taking the opportunity to look at her ass.
“Look who’s here!” said Willam as they entered the room, and everyone turned to look. Willam hadn’t expected that. But maybe she shouldn’t have announced it.
“Hey guys,” said Raja, putting her tote bag down on the kitchen island, tucking her long, sensual, elegant hair over one shoulder. “So… an office potluck, that’s a fun idea.”
“It sure is,” replied Bianca, raising her eyebrows, “Why don’t you come over here and check out Willam’s canapés…”
“No!” said Willam, hurrying to change the subject. “Uh… Raja, what did you bring?”
“Let me see…” Raja dug around in her bag, and took out a package of the cheapest grocery store brand chips available.
Alaska blinked with surprise. Courtney scoffed. Bianca and Latrice looked at each other and winced.
“Nice, I love chips,” said Adore, nodding contentedly.
But Raja didn’t seem embarrassed at all, or even aware of the anyone else’s judgement. What a sexy quality. Plus, she was still digging around in her bag.
“Oh yeah, and this,” said Raja. Willam’s heart beat quickly with anticipation.
It was a bottle of cheap chardonnay. Only two-thirds full.
“She didn’t drive here, did she?” whispered Dela to Jinkx. Maybe they were back together?
“Hang on…” continued Raja, giving Willam a knowing wink.
Willam wasn’t sure she could handle the anticipation; her pits were damp, and so was her pussy. If Raja didn’t pull something truly impressive out of her bag, her standing in the office would be ruined forever! But the silver lining, considered Willam, was that her disastrous canapés wouldn’t be nearly as memorable compared to Raja’s chips and wine.
With a flourish, Raja pulled one final thing out her bag and slapped it on the table. 
Everyone leaned in to see what it was.
It was a plastic ziplock bag, full of dense, deep green, rich buds of weed. It had to be at least an ounce. Willam nearly drooled, the weed looked so good; fresh and sparkling with crystal-like feathers on the dried, curled leaves, likely to produce a wonderful, mind-bending high.
“I didn’t have time to make it into brownies,” said Raja, shrugging, “I hope this is okay…?”
“Oh, this is more than okay!” said Alaska, clapping her hands together gleefully. “I’ll get my bong…”
“Wow,” said Courtney, coming over to look at the baggie. “Is that local…?”
“Like so local, I grew it on my balcony,” replied Raja proudly.
“And I thought growing tomatoes on my balcony was impressive,” commented Dela.
“No way, I grow balcony tomatoes too!” added Latrice, turning to Dela with a delighted smile. “But only the cherry vine variety, what about you?”
“Well, I just learned about this dwarf variety out of Florida called the ‘micro tom,’" replied Dela, glowing with Latrice’s attention. "And they’re specifically designed to thrive in pots…”
"I can't grow a vegetable to save my life," commented Raja.
“Don’t talk to me about gardening,” deadpanned Bianca. "I hate dirt."
“But then why do you love telling me I'm such a dirty girl…?” replied Courtney smugly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Bianca seemed lost for words, a rare occurrence.
“This is way better than chips,” sighed Adore, happily.
“Raja, you’re really taking the cake tonight,” declared Jinkx, before looking longingly at Dela again. "But apparently vegetables are the way to go…”
"Pretty sure tomatoes are fruits, Jinkx," said Adore, putting her arm around her. Jinkx raised her eyebrows, turning to Adore affectionately. Romance, or maybe it was just drama, was in the air tonight.
Alaska came back out with her bong, clean and polished and ready to rip.
Willam, personally, had been rendered speechless. Everyone went back into motion at once, the group splitting up to grind the buds and roll joints, and load up food on plates, and they all started talking at once. They complimented the dishes, sampled everything, and successfully kept track of what was vegan and what wasn’t, etc. It occurred to Willam, as she stood there with her mouth half-open and her friends milled around her, that this was actually a really successful potluck. Everyone was eating, drinking, smoking, (or choosing not to drink or not to smoke, whatever their preference) and having a great time. Wow.
“Here,” said Alaska, dryly, pushing a plate of food into Willam’s hands.
“Oh, right,” said Willam, and looked down, remembering she was hungry. She wolfed in what was on the plate. Everything was absolutely wonderful, except her canapés, which were dubious.
After talking to Bianca about an upcoming meeting, complimenting Adore’s strange homemade beer, sliding past Latrice and Dela as they bonded flirtatiously over the nuances of tomato husbandry, accepting a hug from Jinkx, and replying vaguely when Courtney asked in a hushed tone if Bianca 'had been flirting with' Alaska, Willam finally made her way over to the sink to deposit her empty plate. Someone, ideally Alaska, would do the dishes tomorrow.
“The canapés were pretty good,” said a low voice behind her, and Willam turned to see Raja with her own empty plate, and a coy little smile on her mouth. “And thank you for inviting me, by the way.”
“Oh, you liked the canapés? Really?”
“Of course I liked them, you made them, after all… and in case it isn't obvious, I can't cook either,” replied Raja, putting her plate in the sink, and leaning in close to Willam as she did so. "I spent like forty-five minutes panicking over what to bring."
 Willam breathed in sharply, wildly aroused by Raja’s sheer proximity, and the sexy smell of weed and perfume that drifted from her. Multiple crevasses were getting damp again, and Willam might need to take a breather…
Raja plucked a joint from her chest pocket, and held it between her slim, tattooed fingers, and said, “So, do you want to go smoke this in the back yard and make out?”
“I thought you’d never ask!” replied Willam, unable to suppress her delight, and barely able to believe her luck. She took Raja’s hand and quickly led her out of the room, while everyone was occupied talking amongst themselves, enjoying the shared gifts of food and weed.
End
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artificialqueens · 1 year
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Part of Your World, Ch. 4 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
AN: Apologies for uploading this so late! I haven’t forgotten about it. And, this chapter has smut, thank god (although it was written by me and, like, I’m not amazing at this kind of stuff but I hope yall like it anyway.)
Fishing went exactly how Raja expected — judgement…judgement from Bianca.
“So you want to turn her into a human,” the witch had said, tossing a spear into the waters before her.
Raja didn’t want this — a discussion. She hadn’t been to the beach in so long. This could have been time to soak it all in. But Bianca just couldn’t help but…well, be Bianca.
“I mean, yes, I want to turn her human. But I won’t be the one carrying the spell out,” Raja tossed her speer too. “Raven will do the dirty work. Thank’s for the information.”
Bianca chose to ignore the remark and refrained from calling Raja out on the fact that she gave that information against her will. Instead, she only said, “You’re kinda obsessed with your mermaid.”
The dark witch spared Bianca a glance, the two going to fetch their weapons again. “I’m not obsessed. I’m in love.” She pulled the spear from the water, finding nothing on the bottom. “We’re tethered, Bianca.”
“I know - I know.”
And Raja glanced at her again. “You sound…disappointed.”
Bianca didn’t answer immediately, searching her brain for a spell that would make the fishing less taxing. But with shit on her mind, she couldn’t think. “I just…I wish there was another way.”
Raja whirled around to look at her best friend, her dress treading the water. “Another way?”
Bianca held her hands up in defence, signalling she would say no more. Raja wanted to press her for a real response, but at the same time, she knew deep down this conversation was already exhausting.
Nothing else Adore-related was said until they returned to the camp two hours later, having managed to catch five fish.
That’s when they saw the whole camp of witches gathered around Raja’s hut.
“The fuck?” The dark witch said, dropping her bag of fish to the ground and rushing towards her home. Her heart was pounding now. Did something happen to Adore while they were gone?
“Move, bitches!” Bianca yelled as both witches shoved past the crowd.
“Sorry, Raja,” Farrah said, allowing the two to pass through.
Once inside, they could see how they all gathered around the now filled tub, Adore leisuring to her heart’s content, fins flapping slightly, signalling her delight. The last time Raja had seen the mermaid, she was deep in sleep, hydrating her body.
Now everyone was gathered around, babbling to her about all sorts of things.
“I got another one,” the enigmatic Katya was sitting on the ground beside the tub, Adore’s attention solely on her, “What do you call two witches who live together? Broom-mates!”
Not one laugh was given.
Adore just stared blankly.
“Oh, come on. That’s a classic! It’s stupid as fuck!” Katya pled with everyone around her.
“Sorry, sweety. Just give up and accept defeat,” Trixie rubbed the jokester’s shoulder.
“What’s going on?” Raja rushed to the tub, Adore reaching for her hand to kiss it.
“We just…heard singing…” Courtney explained, “Coming from here. We think she drew us in.”
Adore smiled sheepishly. “I honestly did not know we could do that.”
“An incredible ability to hold,” Sasha said in admiration.
“Okay, I don’t want to sound rude, but can you all get out?” Raja’s eyes glared at the crowd.
They whined in frustration, but when Bianca barked at them, the witches began to file out.
Now only Adore, Raja, Bianca and Courtney remained. The pregnant witch approached the tub before going to leave herself. “Do you want to come mingle with me later?”
There was a hint of something on her face, almost like excitement.
“Yes. I would love that, Courtney,” Adore shared the light witch’s expression.
“Great.” Courtney then took Bianca’s hand, leading her out of Raja’s hut, “Come on you. We have shit to discuss.”
Once they were gone, Raja sat on the ground where Katya had before, her hand still in Adore’s. “So, you can sing, I’m guessing.”
The mermaid blushed. “I always thought I sounded good. But…never that good,” she glanced at the door where all the witches had disappeared. “Do you want to hear a song?”
Raja never shook her head so fast. “As much as I would love that, it’s probably not a good idea.”
Adore’s face dropped, and Raja felt like a dick. 
“Look, I promise, I’d love to hear you sing, but it’s not safe,” the witch said quietly, “there's…” she gulped, “We’re not alone in this forest, Adore. Of course, there’s the warlock camp, it’s not far at all, and they’re all lovely. But… we’re not the only witches.”
“You have other sisters?” Adore’s eyes squinted.
“Oh, Adore. They are not my sisters.” Raja’s thumb stroked the back of the mermaid’s hand, “They're…Well, let’s just say they aren’t very nice. We’ve feuded with them in the past many a time. You know, sometimes even going to war. It’s been going on for centuries. Even the witches who came before me had to deal with them.”
“That’s awful,” Adore practically whispered. “I don’t understand. You’re all witches, all the same, so why the feud? I mean, back home, all merpeople… we’re one and the same, and all we share is love.”
God, this woman was too pure… Raja’s heart was melting again. She brought Adore’s damp knuckle to her lips, kissing each one sweetly. “I wish that’s how things were for us." 
"Maybe someday,” Adore shrugged.
Raja’s smile turned sad. “I wouldn’t count on it.”
The mermaid lowered her face, “I’m sorry for singing.”
“Oh, Adore. Don’t feel bad.” Raja lifted the mermaid’s chin, “you didn’t know. Fuck, I should have told you before.”
And Adore laughed through her nose, “I probably wouldn’t have understood a word.”
“Oh. Well, true,” Raja giggled.
-_-_-_-
Courtney didn’t explain what she was doing, let alone why she was doing this.
But Adore just let her put whatever this weird stuff was on her face. 
At first, it felt weird, and that weirdness made the mermaid uneasy. But the way Courtney delicately smeared crushed beetroot over Adore’s lips made her feel safe.
“This stuff will stain your lips; give them a nice bit of colour.” Courtney finished painting Adores lips before wiping the beetroot mush from her finger on a cloth.
Adore nodded in understanding. “So, this is what land girls use to…as you say, make themselves look pretty?”
“Yes. I mean, in the towns and cities, ladies wear real makeup. But being out here, all we have is the nature around us. So we make do with what we got.” Courtney explained as she began crushing up rose petals. “Honestly, though, I prefer the natural way. Better for the skin, and even more so for our powers.”
“I don’t think you need makeup.” Adore shrugged.
“Aw, thank you, Adore. Keep talking, please.”
“I don’t think you need makeup. I think you’re beautiful, and Bianca is very lucky to - -”
Courtney raised a hand to silence the babbling mermaid. “Don’t worry, it’s just an expression.”
“Oh. Gosh, human language confuses me.”
“This isn’t ‘human language’ you’re speaking. It’s wican.” Courtney explained, taking a brush and dabbing it into the rose petals, crushed up so much they were now dust.
Adore let Courtney dab the pink powder on her cheeks, and her eyes were stuck on the small bump.
“You know what’s in there, right?” Courtney asked, knowing full well Adore was staring.
“A baby?” Adore answered.
“Yep.” Courtney swept a hand across her belly. “I’m only four months in, so they’re not that big yet.”
The mermaid let out a laugh through a breath before confusion took over. “So, it’s possible for…for two women to make a baby on the land.”
“Oh, no. That’s not what Bianca and I did.” Courtney laughed even more. “We have a mating season with the warlocks, kind of like a pact that’s been going on since before I was even born. They’re nice boys over in that camp.”
“They sound nice.”
“Yeah. I think I chose the right man too. He seemed nice. I’d like to think that if the baby was a boy, and he’d be taken over there, he’d have a great father.” Courtney’s eyes drifted off, fantasising about this future to come.
“And, what if it is a boy?” Adore asked.
Courtney looked back at her, “Honestly, I don’t even think I give a shit about gender. Boy, girl, anything… I’m keeping my baby. And I’ll love them no matter who they are.”
A warm smile found its way to Adore’s face, her green eyes trailing back down to Courtney’s bump.
“Do you want to touch it?” Courtney already took the nodding mermaid’s hand. 
Placing it on Courtney’s belly, Adore felt it, the tiny heart inside beating.
“I mean, there’s not much going on in there right now, but….” Courtney said.
Adore placed an ear up to the bump. “Wow.”
“What? What is it?” The light witch said with intrigue.
And Adore peered up at Courtney again. “I can hear her heartbeat.”
Courtney’s eyes widened. “Her?”
The mermaid nodded.
“Adore, you are fucking incredible.”
-_-_-_-
“Bianca, what is the meaning of this?!” Raja shouted as her best friend shoved her out of her own home.
“You’ll fucking see! Fuck, patience is a virtue, you know,” Bianca shoved the witch again.
“Alright! I’m fucking moving, God!”
For the last two hours, Bianca had been a pest — insisting Raja skip dinner, weaving silk through the dark witch’s hair, forcing her into a beautiful yet uncomfortable dress. And for every question Raja hurled at her, her friend refused to answer.
And now, here Bianca was, pushing her around, literally.
Almost every witch was outside now, jumping around with excitement and yelling out into the night sky. Even Willam was out — odd for the daylight witch. As soon as she lowered the sun and Blair raised the moon, Willam would be long gone, hitting the hay before anyone could beg for her attention. Yet, there she was, whooping with joy, Alaska carrying her on her back.
“What the fuck is going on?!” Raja exclaimed.
Bianca groaned, taking her friend by the hand and dragging her to their destination instead, “We’re all going over to the warlock camp for a good old time.”
“We’re going to get some dick!” Willam cheered.
“B-But,” Raja couldn’t keep up with this shit anymore, “the mating season is over.”
“Oh, fuck the rules, Raj’,” Katya brushed past, hand in hand with Trixie. “We made them so we can fucking break them whenever we want.” And she carried on with her partner.
“Bianca, what about Adore?” Raja questioned. “I know the men are nice, but…I don’t think it’s safe for her to be out there.”
“And that’s why you’re both going to be staying here,” Bianca glanced over her shoulder with a teasing smile.
Finally reaching the end of the camp, the witches rounded the last hut there.
“B’, I swear to God, whatever you bitches have going on here, I’ll - -”
“Shut up already!” Bianca then gestured to what was in front of them, “Look! We did this for you two.”
In the middle of the green was a small table fit for two, a red candle burning in the middle. A bottle of red wine stood next to the candle, most likely made by one of the witches. And then there were the two plates, the fish Raja and Bianca had caught earlier in the day cooked to perfection.
“You did this,” Raja said, the words sounding more like a question.
“Well, it was Courtney’s idea. She roped me into it.” Bianca put a hand on Raja’s shoulder and the other on her hip. God, she was proud of herself. “Just thought it would be nice for you to have alone time with your mermaid.”
“Okay, you can stop calling her my mermaid. One — she has a name. Two — Adore is her own person. And three — Bianca, Adore and I do have alone time.”
“Yes, but now, you’ll both be even more alone.”
“God, you really are childish,” Raja swept a hand through her hair.
“Oh, wow. You know, that’s a lovely thank you for the fish we cooked and all the work we put into making this shit,” Bianca held a hand out to the display. “Fuck, Nina made that table from scratch!”
Raja looked at said table and back to Bianca, “Bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit.”
“Come on. That’s probably just a fucking spare table.”
Bianca tsked. “Well, believe whatever you want.”
“What are you two bickering about now?” Courtney’s fed-up voice sounded as she stepped up to the two.
“Nothing amazing,” Bianca rolled her eyes. “Where’s Adore?”
“Oh, she’s just coming now,” the light witch glanced over her shoulder before turning her attention to Raja, “So, do you like it?”
Raja peered at the set table again, “Yes. I love it, Courtney.”
Bianca’s eyes widened. “What the fuck? What did I do to you to make you not nice to me tonight?”
Raja chuckled. “Nothing. Maybe I just like pissing you off,” she playfully shoved Bianca on the shoulder.
“Oh, I know you do. So, what about you, Court’? Ready to go over to the warlock camp?” Bianca swung an arm around her tethered.
“Can’t lie; I’m excited to meet the baby’s father again.” Courtney kissed Bianca softly. 
“Who knows? Maybe I could meet a man, give the kid a sibling,” Bianca teased.
“Oh, come on, honey. We can’t be thinking about that so soon.”
“I know. I’m just joking.” Bianca kissed Courtney’s head.
Raja wasn’t paying much attention to the two anymore. 
For Adore just rounded the corner of the end hut, and the dark witch couldn’t take her eyes away.
The mermaid’s hair was now separated into two messy braids that lay on her shoulders, a crown of dark red roses dawning her head. Her lips may have been a deep blood colour, but her eyes stood out the most, shades of red and orange surrounding those green orbs, making them pop.
The dress came to her ankles, with burgundy lace and black roses lined along the waistline. The sleeves came to her elbows, hanging down to her knees in drapey lace.
She looked…just like a witch.
And, fuck…she was so so beautiful.
“Hello,” Adore waved nervously, approaching Raja.
Courtney and Bianca were also now watching, the light witch smiling proudly. 
“Um…hi,” Raja’s nerves kicked in. “Y-You look beautiful.”
Adore cocked her head, “Even without makeup?”
“What? Of course.” Raja took the mermaid in her arms, “No matter what you look like. Just, right now…you look…fuck, like a goddess.”
The red on Adore’s cheeks intensified. But she didn’t hide it. She took Raja’s face in her hands, pulling her into a heated kiss.
Bianca glanced at Courtney, her eyes telling them they should leave.
“Alright,” Courtney clapped her hands together once, “I guess that’s our cue.”
“Absolutely,” Bianca nodded, taking her tethered partner’s hand and aiming for the forest where the other witches were headed.
When they were alone, Raja pulled out of the kiss, “They made us food.”
Adore only now sniffed the air, her eyes moving towards the table. “Oh, pretty.”
“I know, right?” Raja led Adore towards the table. “And it’s fish. So I think you’ll like it.”
“Ugh, it smells so angelic,” was the only word Adore could think to describe it. She took her seat, ready to dig into the meal. Never had she had fish like this. 
“You know, what’s interesting is that being a witch, we usually give a blessing before we eat, but that tradition only comes into play when there’s a Mother Witch present. But, we haven’t had one in so long,” Raja already picked up her knife and fork, carving into the cooked fish. “Fun fact, it’s supposed to be me, but I - -” She paused, watching Adore pick the fish up with her hands, biting into the tender meat. “D-Doesn’t that… Isn’t it hot?”
Adore shook her head, her smile wide.
“You amaze me,” Raja lifted the bottle of wine, pouring the deep red liquid into both glasses.
“You witches amaze me,” Adore said with wide eyes and a full mouth. Swallowing, she continued, “Do you know, earlier, I saw Jinkx. She was outside her house, and she was breathing fire.”
The dark witch raised a brow, sealing the bottle and putting it back. “Oh really?”
“Yes. She was…” Adore paused, returning the fish to the plate as if trying to make sense of her thoughts, “She was sucking on this little stick, and just…smoke…smoke came from her mouth. Is she a dragon?”
That was enough to make Raja chuckle. Ah yes, Jinkx with her cigarettes. She was the only witch on sight who could grow tobacco plants, and the others adored her for it.
“Oh, I see what you’re talking about. Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” The dark witch took a sip of the wine, and Adore did the same, “I love how amazed our world is to you, yet so…normal to me.”
The mermaid grimaced, coughing some as she put the glass down. “W-What is that?!”
“It’s wine.” Raja suppressed a giggle. “It comes from the grapes.”
“Grapes?”
“Yes.”
And Adore took another sip, swallowing with ease now. “I-I think I’ll adjust to it.”
“Don’t drink too much. I’m guessing this is the first alcohol you’ve ever tried.”
“Oh? And what’s alcohol?”
“Alcohol is amazing. But too much, you’ll start to feel… light-headed, I guess? Maybe lose control of your own actions.” Raja explained. “Between you and me, one time Bianca drank too much wine and thought her shadow was a demon latched onto her soul. It was a wild night.”
“…Alright, but that just makes me want to drink as much as I can,” Adore admitted, her eyes wide with intrigue.
“Well, good thing we have just this one bottle,” Raja held it up as if the mermaid couldn’t already see it.
“I love this place,” Adore let her eyes wander around the camp. “It feels like… every day I’m learning something new that just…blows my mind.”
And the dark witch felt all sorts of excitement brewing from within. If only the mermaid knew she could have the chance to stay here for the rest of her life. As much as Raja hated Raven, she hoped the bitch would come through with her promise. The thought of Adore not being here…it was enough to make her heart ache.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Adore.” Raja reached a hand across the table, taking Adore’s. 
They both seemed to forget about the fish now, preferring to sit and talk for a while.
“You know that day in the cave?” Raja asked.
“The day we met?” Adore smiled fondly.
“Of course. Do you go there often? I mean…what are the chances of us meeting that day?” The dark witch stroked her thumb over the back of Adore’s hand.
The mermaid looked at Raja’s hand, her stomach stirring, just feeling that spark between them both. “I usually go there, just for alone time. My realm isn’t too far away, and sometimes I need a break from everyone else. I have a lot of suitors looking for my hand in marriage, you know?” She teased with a raised brow and coy smile. “I have to meet with at least five a day. It’s exhausting.”
“Five?” Raja exclaimed. “God, I think the King does that with his daughter,” and with that thought, “Wait, are you a princess? Like…soon to be the queen of the ocean?”
And the mermaid laughed, pressing her hand to her sealed lips as she took another bit of wine. “Do I look like royalty to you?”
“Uh…yes.”
“I love you. But no. I am not a princess. Although my father is a noble merman. He works as one of the King’s many advisors.” Adore explained. “So, I’m kind of a big deal.”
“You and me both,” Raja said. 
“So yes, I just like to be alone for a while. Just to…sing and swim around and make new friends with the clown fish,” Adore reminisced. “And that day, I just…saw you looking down at me. And I had never ever met a human before. I heard tales that they were dangerous creatures. But, just looking at you…I thought…how is that even possible?”
Raja lowered her now red-stained cheeks. “Well, I am kind of dangerous, being a dark witch and all. But, I only ever hurt those who hurt my family or me.”
“As I would do the same for mine." 
At the mention of Adore’s family, Raja gulped, lifting her wine and taking another sip. Best to change the subject. "I’m sorry I made you cry that day.”
“It's…ugh, it’s fine. I’m sorry. Sometimes I can’t control my emotions.” Adore looked away as if pained by the memory. “I just…you know, meeting with all those other merpeople coming to ask for my hand in marriage, when I met you, and when I kissed you…I just felt it. We were supposed to be together.” She looked back at Raja.
The dark witch let out a wavered breath. “Oh, Adore. We’re tethered, that’s why. It’s strange. I thought that was just a witch thing. I mean, I’ve never heard of any other species tethering.” Then she shrugged, “Then again, I don’t meet a lot of other people.” She laughed pitifully, gesturing to the world around her.
“Funny thing is, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of tethering before.” Adore pointed out. 
“Well, maybe…maybe you have a bit of witch in you. Probably explains why you can grow legs when you’re dry.” Raja suggested.
“Nah, mermaids can do that anyway.”
“Oh. I see." Damn.
"Gosh, I’m stuffed.” Adore declared, having barely touched her food.
Raja was just the same, “Oh, me too. Come on.”
Sitting before the lit fire in the centre of camp, the two sipped their wine, talking some more.
“I meant it, by the way, when I said you’re beautiful every day,” Raja stated, holding Adore close.
“I know.” Adore smirked, “I can’t lie, though. I think I look beautiful times ten now,” the mermaid stared into the flames. “I’m pretty like Courtney now.”
“Well, between you and me, you’re prettier than Courtney.” Raja kissed Adore on the cheek.
“Oh, come on.” The mermaid moved out of Raja’s grasp, sitting in front of her now. “Courtney’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. Besides you, of course. At first, I thought she was another mermaid. One I’d never met before.”
“Well, I can assure you Courtney is a full-blood witch. I remember the day she was born. Bianca and I were only five.” And the dark witch looked at the flames next, remembering that day. “It was so cute. Bianca just…reached out her tiny hand and held Courtney’s.” God, her heart was melting, “Bianca’s mother, Valentina, she just…she knew. She knew by Bianca’s face and how Courtney woke up that they would be together.”
Adore sighed, almost dreamily. “I love hearing you talk about this stuff. Even when I couldn’t understand you.”
Raja giggled. “I just…I don’t know. If it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t believe in tethering.” She shrugged, “I’m more inclined to believe not all tethered relationships work out. Fun fact; Bianca and I were a thing for a long time.”
Adore nodded. “A…thing?”
“Yeah, like… we’d see each other, you know? We’d kiss, hold each other…fuck sometimes. I don’t know, I just thought maybe she was the one I wanted to be with,” Raja tried her hardest to explain. “But, we both realised that we were better as friends.”
The whole time Adore was suppressing her laughs. But eventually, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “You and Bianca?!”
“Yes. Why?” Raja squinted her eyes.
“It’s just…I don’t see it, but I can see it at the same time. Yesterday, Katya was saying you two were like…like…God, what was that phrase?” The mermaid tried her hardest to remember.
“Chalk and cheese?”
“Yes! Chalk and cheese! I may not know what that means exactly, but I have an idea.”
“Well, judging by what you’re saying, you’re probably right. Bianca’s my bestfriend. And Courtney is lucky to have her as her tethered one.” Raja stated. “They just…reassure me that there’s someone for everyone.”
Adore’s smile turned warm. “And what about us? Does our connection make you believe in tethering?” The mermaid was leaning close to the witch now.
And Raja reciprocated. “Oh, absolutely.”
Their foreheads connect, Adore lifting a hand and stroking Raja’s cheek.
The witch couldn’t tell if it was the warmth from the fire or the heat pooling in her stomach, but her body was warm now. All sorts of feelings stirred within, and she dared herself to say, “Adore…Do you ever think we could - -”
Marry. That’s what Raja wanted to say. Just to get it out of the way. The hardest part of it all.
But she stopped when Adore flinched, hearing the howling from the forest. “What was that?”
“Oh, God,” Raja groaned. Fuck these bitches for ruining the moment, “Don’t worry. It’s just the warlocks. I guess they decided to move the party over here.”
And true to her statement, the men began to pour out of the trees, invading the witch camp. A specific group of them howled at the moon, witches running behind them, thirsty for skin on skin. Another group worked their magic, sending blasts off into the sky, loud explosions painting the night with bright colours.
At first, Adore flinched again, but…this was pretty. Nothing like she had ever seen before. “What is it?”
“I can’t remember the exact name. I think the boys call them fireworks,” Raja also stared up at the exploding colours. “It’s incredible, right?”
The mermaid didn’t have the words to describe it. The loud banging was harsh on her ears, but the…fuck, just taking it all in, it was breathtaking.
“Guess who’s getting dicked down tonight?!” Willam hollered, riding the back of one of the men, rushing to the witch’s hut.
“Me! I am! Me!” Laila was just excited, leading her man for the night away.
They weren’t the only ones. While some witches and warlocks danced around the flames of the fire as they played music with what instruments they had, the others rushed to their homes, ready for a long night of fucking.
“Everyone’s so excited,” the mermaid observed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yep. Most of these witches rarely get the chance to meet up with a man,” Raja explained, “mating season is once a year.”
“But tonight,” Adore turned her attention back to her love, “fuck the rules?”
“Fuck the rules,” Raja clarified, drawing Adore into another kiss.
Maybe it was the mixed feelings of love and lust in the air, but Raja was thriving on it all. This was how she wanted it to be forever — just sitting here with Adore, kissing passionately in front of this fire, not a care in the world.
The mermaid’s hand crept along Raja’s leg, making the butterflies in the witch’s belly go wild.
“BOO!”
Adore yelped as soon as her lips parted from Raja’s.
A warlock ran off, cackling wickedly as he rushed for Tatianna, holding her arms open, hungry for a kiss.
“Hey, fuck off!” Raja yelled after the stupid warlock. But when the mermaid’s fear turned to amusement, giggles leaving her lips, the witch relaxed.
“Come on!” Adore stood, taking Raja by the wrist and leading her away.
They were running now, Raja having no idea where she was being led to. As long as it was with Adore, she didn’t care.
Reaching Raja’s hut, they both stood in the doorway, Adore giggling as she leaned back against the bookcase. Raja also laughed, standing opposite Adore.
They just stood there for a moment, eyes shifting between the shenanigans going on outside and then back to each other, just laughing. Why was this amusing?
Maybe just the sheer joy of being here together.
When Adore’s chest stopped heaving, she stepped forward, kissing Raja again.
So many times they had done this already…So many times they kissed.
Yet Raja knew where this was going. 
Fiery flames engulfed her insides, coursing through her body as she allowed Adore to pull her closer. The witch’s hands found their way around the mermaid’s waist, her fingers trailing the line of roses.
Adore pulled away briefly, “Don’t let go of me,” she whispered in Raja’s ear.
“I won’t, Raja smiled, tilting her head and allowing the mermaid to nip at her neck. "Why would I do such a thing?”
No response from the mermaid as she kissed Raja’s mouth again, her body curving against the witch’s. She lured her back, Raja didn’t know where, but she trusted Adore. She trusted Adore with her life.
They found the bed, and Adore pulled away, guiding Raja down. She then climbed the length of the witch, like she had done this many times.
But was this actually happening? Did Adore even know how this worked?
“Adore, do you….” But Raja couldn’t bring herself to finish the statement as the mermaid sucked on her neck some more.
“Hm?” Adore sounded against the witch’s skin.
Her lips were so hot, sucking Raja’s soon-to-be bruised skin. The witch gasped, her hand finding the back of Adore’s head. “Nevermind.”
Adore had to know what she was doing now that her fingers were undoing the black ribbon that bound Raja’s corset. Not like they hadn’t seen each other naked before, but…
This was different. They both knew that. 
And they wanted it.
When the lace was gone, the corset was pulled away from her. Raja sat up, quickly pulling her dress up over her head. Adore giggled, Raja unable to tell if it was because of nerves or excitement.
As soon as the dress was tossed to the side, Adore took it all in – the sight of her tethered partner, like it was the first time seeing her like this again. “I can't…I can’t believe this is real,” Adore’s delicate fingers trailed from Raja’s chest all the way down to her thigh.
“My body?” Raja chuckled, skin tingling as Adore touched her.
The mermaid smiled coyly before correcting her lover, “The fact that we’re together.” She traced the side of Raja’s face.
And the witch sat up again, a hand stroking Adore’s side, the other caressing her cheek.
Adore reached around, untying the threads of her own corset, dropping it from the side of the bed while Raja reached for the bottom of the expertly made dress, lifting it up and over the mermaid’s head. 
As soon as it was removed, Adore didn’t allow Raja to look at her just yet, capturing her lover’s lips with her own again.
The hot sensation of skin on skin, the mixture of their energies tingling between them…This was to be the perfect moment.
Raja grabbed Adore’s hips, momentarily stroking her skin as she lowered the mermaid onto the bed. Pulling out of the kiss, Raja let her thumb trail Adore’s cheek and then her lips. She stared into Adore’s green eyes, the mermaid staring right back.
Fuck, how it made her stomach twist…but in a longing way…almost as if insecurity was taking over but only connected them further. 
They hadn’t even barely started yet. But it was already so intense.
“You’re driving me insane.” Raja kissed her sweetly before moving these kisses down towards Adore’s breasts.
Adore whimpered sighs, music to Raja’s ears. The rise and fall of the mermaid’s chest was a heavenly sight, riling Raja up even more. She teased Adore’s right nipple with her tongue, the right with her thumb. 
Adore arched her back, gasping when Raja’s mouth enveloped her nipple, her thumb flicking the other back and forth. The mermaid squeezed her knees together, mewling with pleasure.
Raja could have done just this all night, anything to hear Adore gasp the way she did, anything to prove her love for Adore. But when she teased her breasts enough, Raja kissed Adore’s nipple again, her lashes fluttering as she looked up at the mermaid. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too, Raja,” Adore smiled slightly, letting her fingers get tangled in Raja’s hair. God, she wanted more. She had never experienced something so…special…this need to be pressed against each other…the need for Raja to kiss her places she had never been kissed before.
Raja’s hands were wandering again, stroking Adore’s thighs, along her stomach and back up to her breasts. She savoured this all – the heat of Adore’s skin against hers. She knew the mermaid was ready for her…to take this further.
“Do you want to keep going?” Raja asked, just to be sure.
“Yes,” Adore said breathlessly. “God, yes.”
Fire coursed through Raja as her kisses lowered. “Is this your first time?” She whispered against Adore’s stomach.
The mermaid closed her eyes. She may not have known fully what that meant, but she knew she wanted this – Raja’s lips all over her body. “Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll go easy on you,” Raja kissed Adore’s belly button before trailing her lips further down her body.
Even though the mermaid didn’t necessarily want easy, her stomach quivered as she allowed Raja to part her legs. Something inside her fluttered as the cool air hit her between her legs. This was so unfamiliar but so so delicious.
Raja kissed Adore’s knee, then the inside of her thigh. She glanced up once more at the riled-up mermaid before her tongue flicked over Adore’s clit.
Adore moaned, eyes rolling to the back of her head as she arched her back again. She was crumbling just under Raja’s mouth. This was…something.
Raja’s tongue circled Adore’s clit while her eyes flickered upwards, enjoying the reactions from the mermaid. 
“Fuck…fuck,” Adore writhed, tightening her hold on Raja’s hair. Her legs spread wider, her left knee brought up into a bend which Raja caressed. 
“You’re beautiful, Adore. You’re so beautiful.” Raja sucked Adore’s clit.
“It’s s-so hot,” Adore murmured, her torso arching as hew mewls of pleasure turned pathetic.
Raja knew Adore was close, the witch’s tongue lapping up her lover’s wetness whilst her finger rubbed against the sensitive clit. “Come for me, baby.”
Her chest still heaving, nails gripping the blanket, Adore glanced down at Raja. Her eyes were wild yet slightly confused.
Placing a sweet kiss against Adore’s core, Raja murmured, “That hot feeling inside,” she rubbed harder at the mermaid’s clit, “Just let it go, Adore.”
“I…I want to….” Adore quivered. “Oh God, I need to.”
“Come for me, Adore. Please,” Raja whispered, her hot breath teasing.
And Adore just couldn’t take it anymore. A lightning-hot course of electricity shocked her whole being, her head rolling back against the pillows as she cried out in pure ecstasy.
Raja sat up again, licking the fluids from her fingers as she watched Adore whine.
“F-Fuck,” Adore’s skin glistened with sweat, her eyes half hooded.
The definition of perfection.
Raja wiped her mouth, sweeping her black hair out of her face as she leaned down to kiss her lover. 
Adore wrapped her trembling arms around Raja, her kisses hungry.
They weren’t done. Now, it was Adore’s turn.
She kept her lips over Raja’s as she flipped the witch onto her back, still panting.
“Did you…” Raja gasped when Adore kissed her neck again, “Did you like that?”
“Of course,” Adore smiled against Raja’s skin, letting her hand slowly creep its way down Raja’s chest, past her flat belly, all the way down to between the witch’s legs.
Raja parted her knees, only now realising there was more to come. She was never the one on the receiving end. But she couldn’t resist Adore’s touch. She moaned as soon as the mermaid delicately brushed the tip of her finger over her clit. Just the simplest touch…it was torture.
“Adore, fuck…” Raja’s fingers tangled in Adore’s hair.
Adore brushed Raja’s clit again, teasing her with no mercy. “You want more?” She brushed her lips against Raja’s ear.
“Please.” Raja squeezed her eyes shut, already soaking wet.
“How much?” Adore giggled mischievously, nipping Raja’s earlobe with her teeth as she pressed harder on Raja’s clit and rubbed it in hypnotic circles. “How much do you want this?”
“God, so much. Please, just…fuck.”
“Are you begging?”
“Y-Yes.”
“I don’t think you are, Raja.”
Fuck, this mermaid was driving her insane. Who knew someone so…mystified by the world…so amazed by all the things she didn’t know…so adorable…Who knew she could be so cruel in the sheets.
“Please, Adore,” Raja whined, wrapping her legs around Adore’s waist. “I want you so bad. I need you.”
This must have satisfied Adore, “Good girl,” she murmured as she slid two fingers inside Raja.
The witch gasped, tightening her hold on Adore, her vision blurring.
Adore slid her fingers in and out, sucking Raja’s neck, leaving behind a pretty red mark. The smell of Raja’s hair and skin only increased her hunger for this intensity. The ecstasy was building within her again, bringing her to rock her bare hips against the bed. The blanket rubbed against her clit, the feeling not as sensational as Raja’s tongue. But this was heaven.
“I love you,” Raja’s hips began to ride against Adore’s fingers, pressing a kiss against Adore’s blush-covered cheek.
Adore pumped harder, biting down on Raja’s neck. “You’re so…fucking…beautiful…”
Raja couldn’t take it anymore. She sat up, Adore’s fingers still deep inside of her. She continued to rock her hips against the mermaid’s hand, wrapping her sun-kissed arm around Adore’s waist.
Again, they stared into each other’s eyes, Adore’s gaze intense, whilst Raja’s was half closed. Their lips brushed against each other, almost like threatening each other with a kiss.
Adore’s free hand trailed along Raja’s arm, up her shoulder and wrapped around Raja’s throat. 
A pitiful crying sound left Raja’s parted lips as Adore squeezed the sides of her neck and continued to bury her fingers inside of her. Her body was now covered in a film of sweat, and her skin was on fire.
“Adore…Adore, fuck!” Raja gasped, her whole being completely surrendered to her lover.
“I love you. I swear to God, Raja. I fucking love you.” Adore’s forehead met Raja’s. She wanted this to last all night but knew it was impossible. For soon, she would start to dehydrate again and need to rejuvenate in the tub. But for now, she would prove how much she loved Raja.
Raja’s whines were now loud moans, matching those of which sounded from outside her home. She was getting close, especially now that Adore had added another finger and was clawing at the witch’s back.
“Come for me, Raja,” Adore whispered, just as Raja had. She ground her hips against the bed sheets more, close to releasing herself. “Come with me.”
And Raja threw her head back, her body trembling as she released against Adore’s hand.
The mermaid did just the same, her free arm now wrapped around Raja’s body as she held them both tightly together. They were both sweaty messes of pure euphoria.
Raja panted, kissing Adore’s cheek before flopping down onto the bed. Now they were done.
Adore pressed a kiss to Raja’s thigh, her stomach, her chest, and her lips before she relaxed her body against the witch’s. 
Raja was still catching her breath, playing with Adore’s blonde hair as her body relaxed.
“You made white blood,” Adore closed her eyes, fingers dancing delicately along Raja’s abdomen.
Raja chuckled. “That’s the come, Adore. That’s why we tell the person we love to come for them.”
“Oh. Humans are so bizarre sometimes.” Adore smiled.
“Yeah. We can be,” Raja looked down at Adore, trailing a finger along the mermaid’s brow. “I want to know though…what you just did to me…how did you know how to do that?”
Adore shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. I just wanted to touch you there. I just…knew I wanted to.”
“I see.” Raja nodded before a thought crossed her mind. “So, like, how do merpeople make love?” Her nails moved to Adore’s back, relishing in this moonlight that seeped in from the roof.
Adore giggled, “Maybe I’ll tell you another day. Let’s just enjoy this.” She kissed Raja’s breast. “While it lasts.”
And Raja’s smile wavered. “I wish I could just hold you all night.”
“You can always get in the tub with me,” Adore hinted. “Not like we haven’t done that before.”
“True.”
“But I’ll let you sleep in your own bed tonight. Maybe some other time,” Adore’s fingers stroked delicately along Raja’s belly now, the witch shivering. “God, they all sound in pain.”
Raja noted the sounds of pure ecstasy coming from outside, witches and warlocks fucking like it was their first time. “Yeah, it’s kind of noisy, I guess. But they’re having fun.”
“I had fun,” Adore giggled, lashes tickling Raja’s chest. “I want to do that again.”
“Oh my God, you’re hilarious.” Raja chuckled, her fingers now in Adore’s snow-like hair. “There’s nothing stopping us.”
“We can’t,” Adore groaned, however, “I’m starting to dry out again.”
“Oh.” Raja panicked internally, sitting up. “You need to go in the tub?”
“Yes. But I can do it myself,” Adore also sat up, getting off the bed.
Making her way to the still-filled tub, Raja still lay there in her bed, taking in the sight of the mermaid’s naked form. Just looking at her skin, she could still feel the softness of it under her fingertips. And it was pure heaven. 
The mermaid was pure heaven.
Before getting in the tub, Adore looked over her shoulder, “Would you come sit with me? Until I sleep, at least?”
Of course, Raja couldn’t say no. She stood by the tub, watching Adore’s legs seal together, forming her long shimmering tail. When the transformation was finished, she sat down.
And that’s when Adore asked, “Which part of me do you like the best?”
“What? Like, body part?” Raja asked.
“No. I mean, do you like me human or mermaid?” Adore raised a brow.
And Raja gulped. “I…I like you no matter what.” It wasn’t a lie. The witch adored every bit of her tethered one. But, deep down, she wanted the human version because that meant they had a future. And, fuck, she wanted that so bad.
Adore seemed satisfied with the answer, reaching her hand out of the tub.
The witch took it in her own, leaning her head against the cold tub.
“Goodnight, Raja,” Adore said breathlessly. “I love you.”
Raja’s heart pounded, cheeks staining red. “I love you too.”
And with that, the mermaid let go of Raja’s hand, letting her body slide down, the water now submerging her.
And that was it. All Raja could do now was get up and drag her tired ass to bed. 
But she simply couldn’t move. 
Just…sitting there beside the tub, knowing Adore was still in there…she couldn’t bring herself not to be away from the mermaid.
Not after what they had just shared. Part of her mind couldn’t grasp any of it, how this was even possible. Of all the other witches she had fucked in her lifetime, nothing compared to what happened with Adore. Her skin could have lit itself on fire when Adore pressed her body to hers. That tethered feeling, the electric light flowing through them both, it reached its peak the moment Adore kissed Raja’s skin. 
Fuck, it was almost as if she was high, the buzz beneath her skin making her see bursts of colour behind her closed eyes.
Yes…A feeling the witch had never experienced in her life.
A throaty moan from somewhere outside brought Raja back to reality. And when she was aware of her surroundings again, she felt it. 
Like she was being watched.
Looking around, the dark witch knew her instinct was correct. Looking towards the door, there was Raven — just standing there, her arms folded, shadows covering most of her.
“Can I help you?” Raja could tell; there was something about the way Raven looked at her, almost like…she was disappointed. But the dark witch paid no heed, finally standing up, uncaring of her nakedness.
“I thought I heard some sort of commotion.” Raven cocked her head.
Raja cringed, “Yeah, sorry we kept you awake.” She finally reached for her night dress.
“It’s fine. It wasn’t just you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are a lot of riled-up witches out there tonight.” Raven glanced outside, the sounds of ecstasy still echoing in the night air, “And I was also awake anyway. Just thought I’d let you know I’ve finished preparations for the spell.”
Raja’s breath caught in her throat, eyes widening. “Oh. R-Really?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Good.” Raja nodded, now fidgeting with her hands.
Raven cocked her head to the other side now. “What’s wrong, Mother Witch?”
“Raven." 
"Answer the question.”
Raja scoffed, looking away. “Nothing is wrong.”
“Oh, really?” Raven’s hands were now on her hips. “How odd. I could have sworn I heard a bit of hesitation just now.”
And Raja shook her head. “No. No, I didn’t hesitate.”
“Hmm. Having second thoughts?" 
”No.“ 
To this, all Raven did was blink. And, fuck, Raja could have punched her in the throat.
"I see,” Raven nodded. She turned and slowly inched her way back to the door. Before leaving, however, she looked over her shoulder. “Well? Aren’t you coming?”
Raja’s brows knit together. “Where?”
“My place. I need a hand carrying the equipment.” Raven answered, her voice suggesting it should have been a given.
Raja then fidgeted with the knot tied around her waist. “We're… We’re doing it now?”
And Raven was silent for a moment. “Are you sure you’re not having doubts, my love?”
“Raven.” Raja’s voice raised. “No. I am not having doubts.”
“Huh. Alright.” Raven nodded a head to the cold night outside the hut. “Well, let’s go.”
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artificialqueens · 7 months
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re writer check-in anon, thank you for your care <3 <3. I'm personally dealing with some ongoing mental health issues that make writing/posting quite irregular. writing fic inspired me to start writing original work too so that's a fun twist! I admit I haven't really kept up with the show since S12 (except AS7). I still love writing AUs but I worry they're so disconnected from the show and the queens that there wouldn't be much interest! much love <3 -dartmouth420
We're always here for the AUs, honey!! 💖
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artificialqueens · 1 year
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🎁 Part of Your World, Ch. 1 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
SECRET QUEEN 2022 by @grinder-lector
AN: Hey, Hi, Hello! Dear Dartmouth420, it was so fun writing this fic! I don't think I've ever written Raja as a lead in a fic so it was an exciting new experience! I really hope you enjoy this story, theres so much more to come! 
"Laila, did you eat your slug this morning?" Raja stopped her marching, staring down at the group of baby witches kneeling before her. 
Laila in particular failed to make her dead fly come back to life, let alone even show any sign of resurrection.
"Yes, I did. And slugs are slow. Maybe that's why I'm so sluggish today," Laila quipped. There was a bit of bite there, Raja could hear it. It was always Laila who decided to be a cunt about everything.
But Raja tried to smile, one that suggested she wasn't having it. "Laila, you and I both know if you had eaten the slug, your magic energy would be soaring right now." And then the sass came out, "maybe the reason for your fatigue this morning is because of that drop of pixie dust you had last night."
As usual, whenever Raja would bite back at one of her students, both Kim and Farrah snickered, while Gia and Aja glared. 
"How do you all expect to become the best dark witches that you can if you can't take this seriously?" Raja’s dark eyes scrutinised all of them now, enough to make them silent again. Fuck, how she loved this once upon a time, tutoring the younger girls. Not even just the task, but this whole camp. Set on the edge of the forest not too far from the coast, the coven resided, and they stayed there. 
Being surrounded by so much beauty and nature, one would think that was paradise. But with other covens nearby, not the friendliest of bitches, not like they could venture too far. 
The last ten years saw the claustrophobia set in. And Raja was slowly losing the will power to tolerate it any longer.
"Oh, Raja!" A voice called.
Already, without turning, she knew that voice. How could anyone fail to recognise it?
Raja's baby witches smirked, the dark witch already over the oncoming shenanigans. "Fuck you all," She murmured under her breath, sweeping down her long dress.
Even before turning, she already knew how this conversation was going to go. It felt like a weekly occurrence now when Bianca would approach her with preaching words.
"Yes, Bianca. How can I assist you today?" Raja dragged herself towards Bianca's hut, the woman already lingering in the door, her auburn hair freshly curled without any use of magic.
When Raja was below the doorstep, she leaned up and kissed Bianca — not something unusual within the coven, unless blood-related. It was their sign of peace, the wish for good luck.
The redhead glanced at the baby witches, all of them running free before Raja could call them all back to continue their morning lessons.
"You're kind of wasting your time on tutoring those sperm donations." Bianca raised a brow as she looked at Raja again.
"Somebody has to. I mean, who else is going to teach them?" Raja threw a hand up in questioning as she watched her students flee to their homes. "Don't call them that, by the way."
"Raja, you know fine well there are other dark witches here who are capable of teaching them how to use their powers."
"Like who?"
"Raven?" Bianca raised her brows tauntingly.
"Pfft. As if I'd let Raven train anybody. Darkest of the dark witches. No fucking way." Raja leaned against the door frame.
"Oh, well, that's true. But still. There are others here capable of what you're doing right now." Bianca started, and Raja rolled her eyes. "No - no. Don't do that, honey. You know you could be learning for when you take over as the Mother Witch."
The Mother Witch. Oh, how Raja was sick of hearing that term. Why did her mother have to be tethered to the late Chaderia, why did they have to marry? 
It had only been a year since Raja's mother passed away, and twelve years since Chaderia did. Of course, this left Raja, the only heir to the throne left.
But she didn't want that. Having gone a whole year with no true Mother Witch, the ladies of the camp were feeling lost. But what Raja wanted was to break free, venture further out of the forest, live something bigger. And if it took a couple of trials and tests to determine who would take over, then so be it.
"Or maybe I could be training you to be the Mother Witch," Raja's smile was teasing.
"Oh, honey, I already know so much more than you do," Bianca leaned in close to Raja before pushing her away from the doorstep.
The dark witch chuckled. God, she loved Bianca. Of all the centuries she’d been alive, Bianca was always right there with her, having been born the same year. Of course, they became bestfriends. And there was that strange period in which they thought there was something a bit more between them. Every time they locked lips, however, every time they fucked, there was just something not right. With no real spark no feeling of energies mixing together, they were a complete mismatch.
Raja had tried to reassure herself that, in more current times among the witch clan, just because one may not tether with someone else, they can still love each other just as strongly.
But Raja longed for that — to find her tethered other half.
And Bianca had potential for things greater than sticking around and trying to make things work out between them. As much as Raja wanted freedom, Bianca wanted it ten times more. And with that willpower, she could take the throne, be the best Mother Witch that ever lived, and bring the wider circle of covens together.
“Well, maybe you should pursue that, Bianca,” Raja was already walking away from her bestfriend’s home.
“And put myself through the whole trial process? Oh, sounds delightful.” Bianca quipped, following behind her.
"How's Courtney?" Raja changed the subject. 
"Great. She's fine. Still manifesting for a girl so we can keep the baby. Not that Courtney cares. She says no matter the gender, it's her baby and the warlocks aren't getting them."
Raja felt like a dick, for she was losing track of how far along Courtney was into her pregnancy. Most likely four months at this stage.
Every year, both the witches and warlocks of the other camps looked forward to spring time, when they got to fuck like rabbits in the wild and produce many more little magical beings.
"But let's not change the subject, dear," Bianca's voice drew the dark witch’s attention back.
The dark witch ignored her friend and carried on. She had baby witches to teach. Striding across the camp, the green grass tickling her bare feet, her brown eyes scanned the area for them.
Trixie was sitting outside her hut playing her handmade guitar. “I once met a young man by the glittering blue stream…It was very la-da-de-da.”
At just two hundred years old, she was the only musical witch on sight. Before her birth, predictions said a trickster would come into the lives of the coven. Of course, they assumed it was Trixie, hence the name. But along came another baby girl from another witch, a child who would grow up with Trixie and become her best friend. This one was Katya. Now she was the torture, and her cunning ways brushed off on all the other witches. Hence why…
“Then again, you don’t have the brains to fulfil the role,” Bianca commented, now walking alongside Raja.
Raja shot her a look. “What? How? I’m so fucking intelligent. You can’t even - -”
“Oh, what’s that over there?” Bianca pointed.
“Where?” But there was nothing. “Bianca…” Raja started to look back around at her friend, “What are you tr - -”
Nothing could have prepared her for the illusion of a moth flying at her face. Raja flinched, swiping it away until it was nothing but dust.
Bianca lowered her hand, quickening her steps as she chuckled. “Intelligence at it’s finest.”
“Oh, you wicked old bitch!” And with Raja’s voice now raised, she moved faster too.
Bianca laughed harder, taking off in a run, too much energy for the morning. 
But Raja ran right after her. “You’re a dead woman, Bianca!”
As much as the dark witch could kill her, she loved this side of Bianca ー the one that wasn’t so sharp and quick with her wit. Despite being four centuries old, she was still young at heart, with her playful wiles.
And because Raja loved it so much, she chased Bianca into the forest, calling after her every cruel name she had ever learned.
But Bianca kept running, cackling at one point even. 
The two witches ran straight forward, hopping every fallen tree log, avoiding any sinkhole, ducking out of the way of any puddle. This wasn’t the first time they did this after all; they knew what to avoid.
The only thing different this time, taking Raja by surprise, was when Bianca dived to the left of the trees.
“Bianca, stop!” Raja shouted. She brought her body to a grinding halt at where Bianca disappeared, and peering off to the left; the witch was nowhere to be seen. The fuck? Was this a spell used to hide her? “No magic! That’s cheating!”
Raja just stood there for a moment longer, waiting for any sign of movement. But when none came…yes, this had to be a spell. There was no way Bianca would be able to disappear that fast.
“Okay, if that’s how you want to play the game, B’, so be it.” Raja didn’t know how just yet, but if she was going to use magic, then it would need to be a quick one. 
Maybe a revealing spell…too slow of a build-up. 
Then perhaps a quick blast of wind to knock Bianca off her feet, and probably make her yell in shock…Eh, maybe she’d end up hurt somehow.
Then, maybe - -
Fuck, Bianca must have read her mind. A strong gust of wind practically slapped Raja’s whole being, sending her sprawling to the ground. The witch yelped in pain when her body met the ground, nothing agonising but still irritating.
“Fuck,” Raja rubbed her elbow as she gathered herself.
Bianca rounded the trunk of a tree, stepping up to Raja, a quiet chuckle leaving her lips. “Sorry. Magic makes it more fun.”
“Magic makes it unfair, actually,” Raja grumbled as she brought herself to her knees, catching her breath.
“Might want to slip yourself a bliss elixir if you’re going to cry about it.” Bianca put her hands on her hips, raising a brow.
“I will get you,” the dark witch was already standing to her feet.
“Should be good.”
“Count your days, witch.”
Bianca had no counter insult, her long skirt wrapping around her legs as she spun and took off in another sprint.
Raja cussed before she could even chase her friend. Her body was already wrecked, having been awake for just an hour. Right about now, she should have been finished with her morning tutoring and enjoying a relaxing cup of tea with Sasha. Yet here she was, acting like a child, a baby witch, exploring this forest.
As she finally took off running again, she was reminded of the barrier separating her coven from the others. Raja had no idea where in the forest she was right now, therefore couldn’t be sure how close to it she was. 
Now she wished she could have at least warned Bianca before she ran off again. For if she were to accidentally run past the barrier…it would not be pretty.
Bianca wasn’t stupid however, so hopefully she’d remember.
“Bianca! Remember the barrier!” It was the least Raja could do, just shout out to her friend.
If she didn’t see the bitch back at the grounds later, the dark witch would bring her back and beat the shit out of her.
Raja kept running, her heart hammering now. God, this was so tiring. She’d need a good bath and nap after this.
As much as she thought the forest was unrecognisable anyway, just an endless sea of trees, she knew now, that this particular part was unknown to her.
She came to a stop when she saw the rocks building up high in the sky, almost like a barrier in of themselves. Yes, definitely unrecognisable. Even the smell around her, salty almost, unfamiliar.
There in the wall of rocks was a large hole, leading into a cave. 
Raja sighed. Of course, if Bianca came across this, she’d investigate. “Damn it.” She neared the cave carefully, “Bianca? Are you in there?” 
The dark witch braved herself and entered the cave. “Bianca!” Her voice echoed all around. The smell of salt was intensifying now, and the air seemed to turn cold. Raja trailed her hand along the stone wall as she ventured further in. 
Her vision took a few seconds to adjust to the dark. She peered around her as she rubbed her arms in an attempt to keep warm, not that it was doing much. Before she could even give in and spark up a flame from the tip of her finger, she saw the blue glowing light at the end of the walkway, trailing around a corner.
What was this place?
Curiously coming closer to the blue light…the salty smell in the air, she could taste it on her tongue now. What did she just stumble upon? 
That’s when the sound of water rippling reached her ears. 
Again — what was this place?
Raja reached the end of the tunnel, rounding the corner. And she took it all in. The source of the blue light.
A bigger, more open space — cave walls surrounded her, of course, but in the middle of the room was a large pool of water.
“What…” she stopped herself from speaking, moving further into the room. How had she only found this now?
“Bianca?” She said quietly as she neared the edge of the pool. Surely Bianca wouldn’t have gotten into the water, right? The bitch loved her curly hair too much to ruin it.
Raja inspected the bright blue water for a moment as if she’d be able to see Bianca floating around in there.
But the witch was nowhere to be seen. Not even her berry smell lingered in the air.
And when Raja turned to leave, ready to find that witch and put her in her place…
Curiosity got the better of her. She turned back around, unable to leave. How could she? This was just…too interesting not to investigate. She neared the pool once more, bending down to get a better look.
The water was so pretty, and mesmerising to look at, but the bottom was invisible to the eye. How far down did this thing go?
She reached out a hand, the tip of her finger hovering over the calm surface, as if too afraid to even break through that barrier of water.
And the pool began to ripple, gentle at first, but eventually becoming more aggressive…as if something was moving down there…
Or someone.
Raja let her hand remain there, above the surface as dots of salty water sparked her fingers. Her eyes were too focused on the dark abyss just below her.
And her heartbeat quickened.
Yes. There was someone…moving closer to the top, moving too fast for Raja to comprehend. 
Too fast for the witch to react before two hands shot up from beneath the surface, snatched her wrist and dragged her right under.
Breaking through to the water, all Raja felt was cold. The salty taste was overwhelming now, and her ears filled with bubbling water.
At first, she squeezed her eyes shut upon going under. But if she was going to get back out, she would need her vision. So she opened her eyes. 
All around her was blue, small bubbles leaving her lips and floating up to the surface in front of her face.
Everything was a blur for a moment. But when her vision cleared…There it was…
There she was.
A woman floating towards her, practically face to face.
Before Raja could even open her mouth to yell in fright and fill her lungs with water, the mysterious woman moved even closer, long bright blonde hair floating around her alluring face. So blonde it could have been white. 
Raja just stared, watching this mysterious woman as she took the witch's face in her pale hands…
And she pulled Raja towards her…the dark witch accepting what was happening…
Their lips making contact. 
And that was it…There it was…Energies passing between them both, time seemingly stopping. Raja was warmed in this cold pool now, and she couldn’t deny her hands that moved to the woman’s face in return.
It was…euphoric.
So when the woman pulled away, Raja could have cried. This felt like…life force…the only way she could breathe.
And with that thought…how the fuck was it possible she was breathing right now? How could she inhale air when she was surrounded by all this water.
Her train of thought was pulled back to the woman again. This mysterious yet beautiful stranger caressed Raja’s cheek, searching the witch's dark brown eyes with her own green ones. There was something about this look…as if…she knew it too…she felt it — the energies mixing.
The woman smiled, almost playfully. Raja couldn’t help but reciprocate.
She was just about to kiss the woman again when she felt something slither along her bare foot. And looking down to investigate…
Her blood ran cold. 
Fins…feathery white translucent fins attached to the long white, almost iridescent white tail that was this woman’s lower body..
Reality sank in. Raja backed away, eyes back on the woman’s face.
The stranger’s smile dropped, brows joining together in concern. And when she tried to move forward again, Raja pushed her away.
The witch didn’t even take time to watch how the woman seemed to crumble. She powered it to the surface, finding she wasn’t that deep in.
Reaching the top, Raja yelled, clambering out of the pool, water pouring from her whole being.
“Fuck! Fuck!” She yelled, dragging her body up onto the rocky surface of the cave, scrabbling away from the edge.
As she neared the far wall, a chorus of splashing sounded all around, bringing her eyes back to the pool. The creature was clambering out after her, her face practically contorted, something monstrous compared to how she previously looked. The woman yelled a series of nonsensical words. Raja may not have recognised this language, but she could feel the venom in the words.
Raja didn’t know what to do with herself — to just run for it, or try and reason with the woman.
But her answer came when the creature’s angry shouting ceased. Now, she was crying, letting out a quiet disappointed sound at first before this became sobs. The poor thing hid her face, her trail curling up under her as she wept into her lap.
Raja’s heart ached for the poor woman. “I’m…I’m sorry. I - -”
But the creature held her hand up, silencing the witch’s words.
And that was it — Raja’s cue to leave.
-_-_-_-
Of course, Raja was met with so many comments when she returned to the coven grounds.
“A wet look! Love it, Raja!”
“Wow, you look like hell, honey.”
“Bianca get you with a blast of water or something?”
“What’s up, loser?” Bianca began, lingering outside her home while Courtney wove berries into her tethered partner’s hair, “I know I’m hot, and the chase is intense as fuck but I didn’t realise it would get you that riled up.”
“Shut up, Bianca!” Raja growled, storming towards Sasha’s hut.
She’d have the answers for her. Sasha may have been the Autumn witch, but she prided herself more on her knowledge. She knew shit.
Inviting herself in, Raja shouted, “Sasha,” her dress dripping all over the floor.
“Oh, good morning, Raja,” Sasha’s voice came from the makeshift fireplace, her back to the dark witch, “next time you invite yourself into my home, make sure you dry yourself off first. I can smell it.”
The dark witch cussed, quickly putting the spell out there and instantly drying herself.
Sasha looked around, putting down the book she was invested in, “come sit with me, darling.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice.” Raja stepped up towards the fire, already feeling its warm flames warming her. She sat down on the ground next to the smart witch, rubbing her hands.
“Um…excuse me?” Sasha’s voice pulled Raja’s attention back, puckering her red lips.
The dark witch rolled her eyes, leaning towards Sasha and kissing her gentle. “Sorry.”
“Not like you to forget the greeting,” Sasha eyed Raja, sniffing the air and finding herself enjoying the smell of salt water. “And not like you to go down to the beach this early? You normally go out there when Blair lowers the moon.”
“I wasn’t at the beach,” Raja swept a hand over her face. “I was…I…” Fuck, how was this going to be easy? “Alright, please don’t judge me and don’t repeat anything we talk about. Promise me.”
“Well, of course, I would never - -”
“No. Promise me, you’ll keep your lips sealed.” Raja lifted a now glowing hand. 
Now Sasha was concerned. In situations like this, when an oath was being made, it had to be serious. “Alright.” Sasha placed her hand against Raja’s. The gold glow intensified for a moment.
And Raja began. “So…I found a cave. A-And, there was this…this pool and, something came up and dragged me under.”
“Something?” Sasha repeated.
“Yes…And…” Raja swallowed, casting her eyes at the flame for a moment. Fuck, she could still feel it, “she kissed me…” those soft and gentle lips, “and something happened…”
“Wait. Hold on. She…kissed you?” Sasha raised her brows.
And Raja nodded. “Um…do you think that…that mermaids exist?”
Sasha was silent for a moment. “Mermaids?”
“Mermaids.”
“...Well, I mean,” Sasha paused, looking around at her long bookshelf, seeing the exact one, “I’ve read that they do. Or, at least, they did. There have been no sightings of them for so long. We’re talking millenia here.”
“But, they could still exist?” 
“I guess, maybe. I mean, we’ve been stuck in this forest for so long, I haven’t found a way to claim new books.” Sasha shrugged.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay, honey.”
Raja sighed. Finally, the glowing of their hands stopped, so they lowered them. She knew how she sounded — crazy. But she had to know. “So, what do…what do mermaids do? Are they…” and the image flickered in her brain — the woman’s contorted face of anger, “are they evil?”
Sasha shrugged. “Sometimes. I read tales of mermaid sightings that didn’t end well. You know; women of the ocean luring handsome sailors into the dark waters and drowning them. Then again, how do these records exist if no one survived such an event. On the other hand, I’ve read mermaids just…stay in their own grounds, those grounds being the ocean, and mind their own business. The only time they show aggression is when they’re threatened.”
Was that what happened back there? The creature was trying to drown Raja? But when the witch resisted her advances, she felt threatened?
Those eyes…that look…It couldn’t have been the case. The woman seemed too smitten with Raja to do such a thing. And not to mention, she gave her the ability to breathe underwater. Not a very deadly gift to give someone.
“So, do you think there would be mermaids in this area?” Raja raised a brow, looking back at Sasha.
The witch laughed a bit, “Oh, my future Mother Witch,” she tucked a strand of Raja’s hair behind her ear, “anywhere there’s saltwater belongs to a mermaid. Of course, they could be in this area.”
“Ah, I see.” Raja nodded. 
“So. Let me guess; you think this was a mermaid who kissed you.” Sasha proposed.
“Look. Don’t judge me. I know what I saw Sasha. I could…I could breathe underwater. It was just so…magic.” Raja shook her head like she couldn’t believe it herself.
“I believe you.” Sasha said sincerely.
“Good.” Raja nodded again. She moved forward and kissed Sasha again. “This stays between us. Okay?”
“An oath is an oath.” Sasha nodded.
And just as the twisting in Raja’s stomach was beginning to subside…
“Well, too fucking bad you didn’t make that oath with me!”
Both witches turned their heads to the entrance.
Oh, fuck. Katya.
“Everyone is going to love this!” The mischievous witch skipped away, ready to spread this information to as many people as possible.
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artificialqueens · 9 months
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🏳️‍🌈 Part of Your World, Ch. 6 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
A/N: Last chapter! Hope you all enjoyed this wee story, especially Dartmouth420!
Raja wasn’t sure how she’d get used to this, let alone when. Five weeks had passed, and the memories of Adore were still fresh in her brain. No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried, everything always led her back to thinking about the mermaid — taking a bath, eating breakfast, staring at the quarter amount of seaweed remaining in the once filled jar, the little moments in which the tethered witches would share a sweet kiss.
One could say it was torture. But then again, didn’t Raja deserve this? Afterall, there was a reason Raven used the word unspeakable in her spell.
“Raja? Raja?”
The witch was brought out of a trance, having been staring at the thin blades of grass below her, reminded of how Adore would run her hand through it all, like she was combing someone’s hair.
The five baby witches sat in front of her, awaiting her critique of their spells.
This. Tutoring. Something she used to do for years on end. Yet now, even after these five weeks of not having Adore anymore, it felt unfamiliar…
She was lost.
“I’m sorry, Kim. What were you asking?” Raja tucked a strand of hair beneath her ear.
“I said we finished turning the roses black,” the baby witch answered, glancing down at the now black rose before her.
Gia, Aja and Farrah had theirs turned black too. But, of course, Laila’s was still a vibrant red.
Raja looked at the baby witch, too busy playing with her hair to be interested in this morning lecture. It was clear she had enjoyed her time off while Raja was busy looking after Adore, helping her adjust.
“Laila.” Raja only said.
The baby witch looked at her with half hooded eyes and a raised brow. “What?”
“Did you even try?”
“No. But that wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t busy trying to hold your mermaid wife prisoner.”
Fuck. It stung. 
Rage flooded through Raja, taking all her strength not to hex Laila.
“Don’t look at me like that. You know it’s true,” Laila flipped her hair.
It wasn’t like Raven to speak of anything like this, giving the opportunity for gossip around camp. Katya had most likely heard of it somehow, and, of course, did her thing — whispering in the ears of people who didn’t need to know.
Before Raja could snap back, Laila let out a yelp, flinching back and away from the group.
A familiar small snake had slithered it’s way over her hand, scaring the fuck out of her. The baby witch stood quickly, running for her life, leaving her peers to their amusement.
Raja only wished she could join in their amusement. She turned her gaze away from the terrified witch, seeing Alaska lingering outside her home, beckoning the snake to return. She was one of the few witches who were the smallest bit sympathetic to Raja’s mourning.
The dark witch mouthed a thank you to Alaska, the snake witch giving a quick smile as she waited for her baby to return.
Turning back to the group of baby witches, Raja wasn’t fully convinced she could keep doing this. Not now at least.
And as if sensing this…
“Hey, girls?” Courtney’s voice sounded from behind Raja, “Why don’t you go have some more tea. Jinkx is brewing up a second round. Better get it fast before it’s gone.”
The baby witches didn’t need to be told twice. They were already on their feet, running for Jinkx’s place.
Courtney then look Raja by the hand, bringing her to stand. “Come on, Bianca wants a word with you.” She kissed Raja in the typical witch greeting — another thing so awkward to Raja now.
“What’s going on?” Raja asked, being led away.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.”
That’s when Katya pranced by, “morning Courtney. Morning Raja.”
Raja pointed at the mischievous witch, “Don’t talk to me.”
“Wha - -” Katya gave her a questioning look.
But Courtney only pulled her along more. “Don’t. It’s not worth it.”
Raja sighed, disagreeing with Courtney. Like, who else could have spread the rumours around camp?
Once in Bianca’s place, Courtney let go of Raja, “I found her.” She sauntered up to the filled bath tub, aromas of dark cherry in the air as Bianca lounged. Courtney leaned down kissing Bianca.
Raja averted her gaze as her stomach twisted.
“Do you mind if I do this alone actually?” Bianca asked quietly, lifting a wet hand from the soapy water and stroked Courtney’s cheek.
“Sure.” Courtney kissed Bianca back before retreating away from the tub. She offered Raja a smile as she passed by, almost like she was wishing her good luck.
“Well. Get over here,” Bianca settled back into the tub, closing her eyes as she relished in this pampering session. “Pull up a chair ‘cause I’m not getting out.”
“You don’t need to, B’,” Raja obeyed, pulling up the wooden table chair to sit next to the tub. Sitting down, she could tell by how Bianca was looking at her, the bitch wanted the usual kiss. But Raja didn’t budge.
Bianca lifted her hand to Raja’s face. “Here. A kiss on the knuckle at least. I don’t want to be fucking cursed.”
Finally, for the first time in weeks, the dark witch let a smile appear on her lips, breathing out a small laugh. “Of course,” she took Bianca’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I don’t want you to get cursed either.”
Bianca didn’t let Raja let go of her hand, however. For a moment, her thumb brushed along the back of the heartbroken witch’s skin. “I was going to invite you for a little run in the woods earlier, but you were already preoccupied with your students.”
Raja just stared at their joined hands. 
No. She stared through them.
“I just…want to get back to normal.” Raja said sadly.
Bianca’s closed mouth moved to the side slightly. “You didn’t grieve for your mother like you’re grieving Adore.”
Still, Raja was unable to meet Bianca’s gaze. “Mother and I weren’t the closest.” She paused, the tears already threatening to surface. “But…Adore…Bianca, you wouldn’t understand.” Raja held a hand to her heart, as if showing where this feeling of longing was coming from.
Bianca let out a short laugh, her fingers playing with the bubbles surrounding her. “Do you forget that I am tethered to Courtney? I do understand, Raja”
“Well, at least Courtney’s still here,” the dark witch replied solemnly.
“Oh, quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Bianca scoffed. “You know; maybe if you had at least proposed the idea to her the second day she was here, she would have agreed.”
“No. I don’t think so,” Raja said dejectedly. “You should have heard the way she said it, B’. How she had a home of her own…Like this was just a little getaway.”
“Okay, now you’re starting to sound very ‘woe is me’,” Bianca rolled her eyes, “like ‘how dare she do this to me’.”
“That wasn’t my intention.” And then Raja sighed, “Fuck, I just…I don’t know what to do. Or how to act now that she isn’t here anymore.”
The bathing witch was silent for a moment, as if debating on saying what was on her mind. Raja knew this. Therefore, she refrained from saying anything else. Not until Bianca said what she needed to say.
“You could be practising for the crowning ceremony,” Bianca stated, ignoring how Raja groaned, “Or, I don’t know, maybe even planning for compatibility trials if you’re still hellbent on not taking the throne.”
“Bianca,” Raja pulled her hand out of Bianca’s grasp, sweeping it down her face.
Bianca held her hands up in defence, “All I’m saying is that it’s been over a year now.”
“Please, stop.”
“We need a Mother Witch already.”
Finally, Raja was able to meet her bestfriend’s gaze, her brows furrowed. “Look. We have been through this hundreds of times already — I don’t want this. And, fuck, I’d dare say I don’t even fucking deserve it now, what with the fact I fucked up so badly.”
“Then hold the trials, Raja,” Bianca was leaning her arm on the edge of the tub now, moving closer to her friend, “If you’re so insistent that you don’t want this then let someone else have it.”
“Bianca!” Courtney’s voice sounded from the door, stopping Raja from snapping back at the pampered witch. The blonde rushed in, excitement practically radiating off her. “She kicked! The baby kicked!”
Bianca was up like a shot, foamy bubbles dripping down her body. Her eyes were wide, shifting between both Courtney’s eyes and the bump of her stomach, “Oh, fuck. Is she okay?! Did it hurt?”
“What? Yes, it hurt. But I’m fine. She’s fine,” Courtney rubbed her belly as if soothing the little witch within.
“Thank fuck,” Bianca sighed with relief, placing a hand over the bump, “Don’t rush in here and scare me like that. Damn, you interrupted my leisuring.” She sat back down in the tub.
“You’ll get over it, diva,” Courtney tucked a strand of hair behind Bianca’s ear before turning her attention to the now quiet witch. “You okay, Raja?”
The dark witch was fiddling with her hair, eyes turned away. “Hm? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”
The word ‘liar’ was on the tip of Bianca’s tongue, but she refrained from saying it. Not that it needed to be said. Courtney could just see it in Raja, how she seemed to grow more miserable with each passing week. She brushed her delicate fingers through the dark witch’s hair. 
“I know you probably don’t want to do this, but,” Courtney began, “maybe you should go talk to Raven.”
“Why?” Raja asked, confused. She hadn’t talked to Raven since the incident, let alone looked in her direction. Not because of any ill feelings she held towards the cunty witch, but because she knew Raven had even more reason to resent her.
“I heard she’s feeling quite guilty actually,” Courtney informed her.
“Raven? Guilty? Who told you that? Katya?" 
"Actually; Alaska. One of her snakes went to spy on her the other night. Said she was just sitting there by the fire, calling out to the spirits to reverse what was done.” Courtney then averted her eyes for a moment. “I know we all tend to stay away from her, but I think she could use the company right now. Both of you.”
Raja’s gaze flickered away from Courtney to Bianca, the bathing witch’s eyes speaking for her. Do what my wife says.
And turning her attention back to Courtney, Raja sighed. “Okay.”
-_-_-_-
Much like the whisperings from Alaska’s snake, Raven was kneeling in front of the fire, Raja just barely hearing her whisperings. The witch was rocking back and forth slightly, as if trying to will the spirits to hear her pleading. Who knew how long she had been at this.
Before taking any steps further, Raja cleared her throat to which Raven turned around. Her eyes were rimmed red — from crying, or exhaustion?
“Good morning, Mother Witch,” Raven swallowed before clearing her own throat.
Raja didn’t wait for an invite. She approached the open fireplace, kneeling down and kissing her fellow witch, only for Raven to sort of flinch.
“Forgive me. But I don’t deserve a blessing.” Raven turned her attention back to the fire.
“How come?” Raja asked.
“Pfft. Because,” Raven let out a pitiful laugh, “I’ve brought shame to my name…this camp…to you,” and she looked at Raja, her eyes half hooded.
Raja raised her brows. “You really think that?”
“How can I not?”
“Raven,” Raja dared herself to take Raven’s hand, stroking the back of the witch’s skin with her thumb, “You have nothing to be ashamed about. None of this was your fault.”
“Wasn’t it, though?” Raven breathed out long and hard through her nostrils. “Fuck, I should have just…just fucking told right off the bat that it wasn’t right. Turning one species into another without their knowledge…I should have fucking told you.”
“Well, I mean, yes. You could have. But, without sounding like a bitch, it’s not very in your style to express concern for others.” Raja pointed out.
“Well I was concerned. I cared, Raja. I saw the way she looked at you. And the way you looked at her,” Raven paused, her eyes burning into Raja’s. “I saw how much this meant to you, and that was the only motivation I needed to go through with it. But I guess…I was only thinking about you and not Adore.”
Raja was silent, eyes flickering down to their joined hands. This was nice — connecting with Raven like this despite the circumstances. For once, Raja wasn’t wary around her. “Raven…You shouldn’t have to feel bad for this. At the end of the day, I shouldn’t have suggested it. I was the one who started this shit, and you were only helping a client out. You were using your gifts. But the motive was all my idea.”
And the way Raven was looking at her now…something Raja had never seen in this witch. Something almost like…admiration. “I think we’re both responsible, to be honest. Okay, maybe more so you. But we’re both guilty, Raja.”
“Okay,” Raja nodded, pulling her hand away from Raven’s, and sweeping a dark hair from the witch’s face, “then do me a favour. Let’s just forget about this. Just…stop this, whatever it is you’re doing because we can’t reverse what’s been done. We can’t fix it.”
Raven only blinked. “Can’t believe you won’t be the Mother Witch.”
Raja let out a quick laugh. “Why?”
And a smile slowly started to appear on Raven’s lips. “Because you sound so wise right now but in the most condescending and egotistical way possible.”
“I am my mother’s daughter.”
The two chuckled for a moment, enjoying this sweet moment. Finally free to be themselves around eachother — Raja not so guarded, and Raven much more down-to-earth.
“Alright, but onto that subject,” Raven brought her laughs to an end, “You’re still adamant about not taking over as Mother Witch, right?”
“Pretty sure. Why?” Raja tucked a knee to her chest, clasping her hands on her calf.
“I don’t know,” Raven shrugged, sliding out of her kneeling position so her legs were tucked under her. Her dark eyes stared into the fiery flames, prodding them with the tip of a burnt poker. “I just think you’re wasting your potential.”
“Potential? Raven, there are so many other people on sight who have just as much potential as me. Fuck, maybe even moreso.”
“Like who?”
“Well…Bianca definitely.”
“Okay, favouritism.”
“Shut up. You know I’m right.”
Raven smirked again, “Okay. True.”
“And - And, I just…my heart’s just not in it, you know? And, after what we did…I just don’t think I deserve it.” Raja continued to plead her case.
“Well, everyone’s allowed to make mistakes. I mean, look at Chaderia. She married your mother.” Raven’s smirk only grew more mischievous.
Raja playfully pushed the witch over, again; thriving in this atmosphere they both created. “I’m being serious. Look, if someone is going to take over then it’s just…it’s not me. Because I don’t want it. I want…something different…something…something beyond everything I’ve ever known.”
Raven’s smile was slowly disappearing, hearing the distress growing within Raja. “And…that something is…?”
That something…What was that something?
But, of course, Raja knew what it was. And now that there was in no way she was going to get the chance to live that life, was there even a point in saying it outloud?
A finger found its way under her chin, lifting her face up to meet Raven’s dark eyes. 
“Tell me, Raja.” Raven uttered.
And a lump formed in the dark witch’s throat. “I want to be with Adore…For the rest of my life.” There was a crack in her voice, one she tried to control, and not let her emotions get the better of her. But when Raven traced her finger up from Raja’s face, along her cheek and brow bone, the tears began to surface.
And Raven just stared back, watching a single salty tear slip down the dark witch’s face. Her heart ached for her, a feeling she hadn’t felt in so long. “Raja…” she said quietly, practically whispering, “I think…I think there’s something we can do…”
-_-_-_-
It took two whole days to prepare, with the help of Raven and some from Sasha. Even though Raja knew Adore better than anyone else, Sasha knew mermaids.
This was risky, and Raja should have been done taking risks. But, it was a risk she was willing to take. 
It would be her last shot.
Now standing in the cave, Raven by her side, her hands were shaking. 
Being here now, the first place she ever met Adore, it was strange…Like the ghost of their connected energies was gone.
Like their first kiss never happened.
“Well, are you going to do it?” Raven nudged Raja.
“Wait. We’re all ready to go?” The dark witch looked at her friend quizzically.
“Of course. We did all the prep back in the woods.” Raven nodded. “We’re lucky the spirits even listened to us again.” She cast a look around the cave wearily, adjusting the strap of her satchel.
“We truly are. Fuck, I thought they would have cast us out with a storm or a flood,” Raja laughed nervously.
“Oh, me too. Now, shall we continue?” Raven gestured towards the pool, the waters slowly rippling, reflecting their blue glow off the walls.
And Raja nodded, her nerves sky rocketing. But she did as she was told. She stepped forward, looking down into the depths of the pool, the void she once fell into, only to find herself in the arms of the one she loved the most.
Kneeling down, the dark witch simply reached a hand out and let it penetrate the surface. And she squeezed her eyes shut.
Already, she could feel it, the tendril, almost like a third limb, made up of her power. It reached out through the tips of her fingers, deep down into the depths of the pool. It searched and searched, seeking out any trace of her.
As powerful as Raja was, there was no way her magic could find one person out of the whole ocean.
“Don’t give up,” Raven sensed the dark witch’s apprehension, “magic works on intent. If you give up, your strength will too.”
Raja opened her eyes, just for a moment, hopelessness draining over her. But as much as Raven’s words seemed useless, all she could do was keep trying.
And so she shut her eyes again, willing the tendril to find the one she loved. For if their love was real, and they truly were tethered, it would work. It had to work.
Despite keeping her distance, Raven stared over Raja’s shoulder. The water was beginning to ripple, more and more with every passing second. Was this Raja’s energy, wild with desperation to find the mermaid? Or was there something coming?
Someone?
Within seconds, her question was answered.
The surface of the water seemed to crash, the head of a mermaid springing up from underneath and launching at Raja.
The dark witch backed off immediately, yelping in shock. “V-Vixen!”
Raven grabbed Raja’s shoulder as if it would protect her, as the green haired mermaid spat vile words in her own language. Soon enough, the rest of Adore’s sisters arrived, sharing the same spiteful look as Vixen’s.
“You called the wrong girls,” Raven uttered quietly, her eyes trailing each one of them.
The one with the pink hair pulled Vixen back, whispering in her ear almost like she was scolding her sister. 
“I…I don’t know what to do now,” Raja clutched Raven’s hand.
“Wait. Look,” Raven watched the water, how it’s rippling increased again.
Someone was coming. Raja hoped, she begged internally, that she had called the right mermaid.
And finally, when a head popped up, out from under the surface…
There she was.
Adore.
Raja watched with bated breath as the mermaid moved closer to the edge of the pool. Her green eyes were half-hooded as she stared at Raja.
Vixen moved to Adore, putting a hand on the blonde mermaid’s shoulder, whispering something unintelligible. The witches may not have been able to translate the words, but the concern was hard to miss.
Adore glanced over her shoulder at her sister — her eyes doing the talking. And Vixen backed off giving Raja a warning look.
“What are you doing here?” Adore asked. It was hard to tell what emotion was behind this obvious question. Hurt? Shame? 
Longing?
“I…” Raja uttered. 
Raven ushered her to stand, the dark witch having been too stunned in the presence of this beautiful person to even move an inch.
When Raja stood, her hands brushed down her skirt, her nerves all the more apparent now.
“Um…I came to say…” how to do this…fuck, how to fucking do this, “to say that…I’m sorry. And, I know I’ve already said that and sorry won’t make things better. But…fuck…”
Adore’s face softened somewhat, but her mouth was still a hard line. “Raja. I…I forgive you, but…” she paused, glancing down, gasping as she tried her hardest to contain her emotions. “You have to understand that I can’t live on this land. I can’t. I’m a creature of the sea. I make the sea the beautiful place that it is to live. We all do,” Adore gestured to her sisters. “Look, I loved my time up there, but I love the sea even more. I can’t part with it. Please, just understand that.”
Raja’s chin was trembling. Of course, she knew this. That Adore would never part with her home, her family. And therefore, she had to do what she had to do. “Adore?”
“Yes?” Adore cast her green eyes back up at the witch. 
“I…I love you, and,” Raja paused, her hands shaking, “I want to be with you until my dying day.”
The line of Adore’s mouth loosened, a sad smile appearing as the outer corners of her eyes crinkled. “I want that more than anything too, Raja.”
“Alright,” Raja nodded, “then please…take me as not a witch, but also as a creature of the ocean…”
Fuck. It felt so good to say it out loud. A weight instantly lifted off Raja’s shoulders.
Adore’s lips parted, eyes widened slightly. Almost as if…a glimmer of hope shone through.
“I don’t care how long it takes me to learn your language, or how to even be a mermaid. But we’re tethered together.” Raja’s smile was slowly appearing, “And I couldn’t be happier knowing that you’re the person I was supposed to fall in love with.”
And Adore was smiling now, eyes turning crystal like. She let out a small. “How do you know if it’ll even work?”
“It will. Raven and I already got a head start,” Raja gestured to her friend behind her. “Now, it’s just up to you…that’s if you’ll have me…”
Adore squeezed her eyes shut, a single tear rolling down her deep cheek. “Forever?”
Raja nodded.
And Adore beckoned the witch to step forward.
Once so afraid of rejection, anxiety rattling through her, Raja moved with confidence — the witch Adore had fallen in love with.
Now kneeling before the pool of water, all it took was a single drop of blood from Raja’s cheek, and the taste of one of Adore’s tears to initiate the rest of the spell.
Raja dipped her feet into the waters, but before submerging herself, she took Adore’s face in her hands, drawing her into that magic kiss.
And just like their very first time, the tingling sensation of their connected energies coursed through the two lovers. It was enough for Raja to clasp the back of Adore’s head and pull her deeper into the kiss. 
The mermaid wrapped an arm around Raja’s waist, her other hand clasping the witch’s cheek, accepting the invitation. The ghost of Raja’s kisses had lingered on her lips for weeks now, and as hurt as she was by the dark witch’s actions, she had missed every single kiss…every touch. 
Raja’s lips were soft and delicate as they moved against Adore’s. And yet, such a hungry kiss, fiery even. How could Adore ever leave this woman again?
She pulled away, just to take in the sight of her tethered’s dark eyes — her favourite part of Raja. The mermaid let her fingers trail the witch’s brow bone, just staring, their love reignited.
Only when Raven let out an audible gasp did the two lovers snap back to reality.
Adore felt it first, how something brushed along her tail.
And Raja felt it next, how her legs were practically stuck together. Looking down — a long, glimmering gold tail.
The spell worked.
Adore gasped, sort of laughed too. It really worked.
“Fuck,” Raja said with bated breath, unable to take her eyes away from her new feature.
“The witch is a mermaid now?” Vixen raised a brow, nudging her pink haired sister.
“I suppose we can’t fight her anymore,” another mermaid said.
Raja didn’t pay much attention. Her forehead connected with Adore’s, the two giggling with sheer happiness while the sisters continued to discuss things.
“What are they saying?” Raven could hear it in their tones, the unease. And in turn, that made her uneasy.
That’s when Raja finally acknowledged her friend again. “You can’t understand them?”
“Do I speak mermaid?”
And again, Raja let out a half gasp - half laugh. Finally, she could understand mermaid talk. This truly was real.
“It’s fine,” Adore looked past Raja’s shoulder, smiling warmly at Raven. “They won’t hurt you. Not unless they want me to cut their hair off in their sleep.”
Vixen scoffed.
Taking another moment to soak up this moment, the fact her fate was sealed now — she was going to be with the one she loved for the rest of her life.
Looking over her shoulder to Raven again, she let out a sigh, her stomach twisting. This certainly wasn’t goodbye forever. But there was still a level of sadness there. “You remember what I asked you to do?”
Raven could practically sense it, the sealed letter in her satchel. And she nodded. “I won’t forget.”
“Thank you.” Raja blinked, wishing she had at least kissed Raven as a sign of goodluck before she did this. The bitch wasn’t as bad as she always thought her to be. “Thank you for everything.”
Raven only nodded.
Finally, Raja turned back around to face Adore. And her hands lifted, taking the ribbon from her corset in her fingers and undoing the bonds. When the piece was gone, she lifted the red burgundy dress up over her head, abandoning it to the side. Not like she’d need it where she was going.
She tossed it to the side of the cave knowing if she were to ever return for a visit, at least it was there.
Adore backed off in the pool, taking Raja’s hands in her own, and pulling the former witch towards her.
And Raja fell forward, her body dropping down into the depths. 
And Adore appeared before her, taking Raja’s face in her hands, “I love you, Raja.”
And Raja pulled Adore close to her. “I love you too.”
And the distance between them was closed.
Just one of the thousands of kisses they would ever share.
-_-_-_-
“Have you thought of any names yet?” Courtney asked sweetly, still lounging out having not left her bed yet. It was nearing the afternoon and she was feeling lazy. Just laying there, staring up at the ceiling barely making out the blue sky through the thatch work of the hut. Her hand absentmindedly stroked her round belly, thinking about the little life inside.
Bianca was at her work desk, fixing up an elixir to get her through the day. She barely slept the night before, what with her mind always taking her back to Raja, and how the poor witch hadn’t been happy in so long now. Bianca hadn’t been sleeping all that great for weeks, just thinking of all the ways she could make her best friend feel better. And now, she was exhausted.
“Bianca?” Courtney looked up in the bed slightly.
“Hm? Sorry. Trying to make an elixir to ensure Katya pisses every time she cries.” Bianca chuckled. “What were you saying?”
“I said have you thought of any names yet?” Courtney’s smile was refreshing.
Bianca needed such a sight, what with where her mind was at. “Honey. We’re literally half way through the pregnancy. Why? Have you?”
“Well, I was thinking Willow would be sort of nice.” Courtney suggested. “Or maybe even Elle.”
“Eh. I say Bianca Two.” The working witch shrugged, finishing up her elixir, the vial emitting a small cloud of pink smoke. It was down the hatch within seconds.
“Bianca Two?” Courtney’s brows joined, her mouth moving to the side. “As if we need another.”
“Well, if you ask me,” Bianca stood, already feeling the potions properties working on her, the tiredness vanishing with each passing second. Carrying herself towards the bed, she climbed on and made her way to Courtney, “The damage has already been done. There’s going to be a little Bianca - Courtney hybrid running around her and none of these bitches can do anything about it.” She kissed the baby bump, laying her head down and relaxing. As much as she was feeling her energy levels rising, she could lay here with Courtney forever.
“Well, depends. Like, maybe she’ll be lovely like me. Or a bitch like you.” Courtney suggested, stroking her fingers through Bianca’s hair, the soft locks having yet to be put up.
“Maybe both.”
“Well, I guess. But even at that, would she be nice to your face and a bitch behind your back? Or a rude cunt who actually has a heart of gold?”
“Stop. You’re giving me baby fever. I just want her to come already.”
“You know? I think she’ll be like you.” Courtney looked down at Bianca, her fingers moving from the hair to the witch’s neck. “Rude with a heart of gold.” She could feel it, Bianca’s smile.
Such a sweet moment, not their first and certainly not last either. But it came to a halt when the sound of someone clearing their throat came from the doorway. Both witches sat up, seeing Raven standing there, clutching the strap of her satchel.
“A letter for you, Bianca,” Raven said, pulling the folded piece of paper out from her bag.
“From who?” Bianca’s brows knit.
Raven didn’t answer, and judging by how a small smile appeared, and vanished just as quick, Bianca wasn’t getting an answer. The dark witch simply held out the paper, ushering Bianca forward.
“Ugh, do you always have to be so mysterious and shit?” Bianca dragged herself up off the bed, making her way towards Raven and taking the letter. “Shoo. Your dark aura smells like dead animal carcass.”
Courtney tsk’ed.
“Be careful, Bianca. Or I may just turn your teeth black.” Raven let her hand trail the wall as she left the two alone again.
“This better be important,” Bianca clambered back onto the bed, resting against Courtney’s body, the light witch playing with her hair again, “not like Raven of all people to show up on my door step. Think she’s cursing us with this thing?” Bianca flipped the letter open.
“I don’t know. I mean, what motive does she have?” Courtney enjoyed the feeling of Bianca’s curls in her fingers. “I’m nice enough to her whenever she leaves her house. Don’t know about you though.” And she closed her eyes, hoping to get at least another hour of sleep in, not that she needed it.
Bianca didn’t mind. For her attention was now stuck on this letter. Upon opening it, her eyes were instantly drawn to the bottom of the page, seeing Raja’s signature there. Just from seeing the letters of her bestfriends name, how elegant they appeared, Bianca could see in her head how Raja scrawled it effortlessly, her wrist flicking softly as she wrote, the sound of the quill scratching the paper.
It wasn’t like Raja to send her letters. In fact, the dark witch hadn’t ever written to her like this, what with them being in close proximity of eachother. The only person Bianca had ever known to receive a letter from Raja was Jinkx — that one time Raja was romantically interested in the red head witch, using her charm with a sappy love letter. It didn’t work.
So why now? Bianca had seen Raja only an hour prior, the dark witch just casually waltzing up to her, wrapping her long golden arms around her. Bianca of course returned the gesture. But Raja went the step further. For after she kissed Bianca in that traditional witchy greeting, the dark witch kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I love you, B’.”
Of course, Bianca didn’t know what to make of it at the time. But it didn’t bother her.
And yet, now reading this letter, she understood why.
‘My dearest Bianca,
You’re probably wondering where I am right now, or most likely fighting with Raven to get the fuck out of your house.
Or cuddling Courtney. I don’t know.
But now, as I’ve said that first statement, you’re panicking. I want you to know, B’, that I’m fine. I’m safe. And this isn’t goodbye forever.
I’ve decided to try and patch things up with Adore by doing the only thing I think is left for me to do — to become a mermaid and live as a creature of the ocean for the rest of my life. And if it doesn’t go well at all, then you won’t even get the chance to read this. But if you are, then the plan was a success.
Adore’s accepted me, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her.
As for the rest of you, I’m proud to say that the coven is not without their Mother Witch anymore. For I’ve ensured that Raven deliver this very note to the only person I deem worthy.
Lead these ladies, Bianca. Be the best Mother Witch there ever was.
I will see you again. Afterall, mermaids can come to land whenever they please.
Goodluck, my sister. And thank you for being the bestest friend I could ever ask for.
All my love,
Raja.’
Pride Challenge Points: 4074
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artificialqueens · 1 year
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🎁 Part of Your World, Ch. 3 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
AN: Hey, Hi, Hello! So, here’s another chapter of this cute story. I’m so glad it’s being received well. Also, thank you to Eevee for the information on snakes, I know you absolutely adore them so you obviously were the first person to run to!
Anyway, enjoy chapter 3!
By turning her human, of course.
There had to be a way.
“I mean, there has to be, right?” Raja pleaded with Brooke, the leader of the water witches.
Brooke sighed, making her way across the camp to start training with her baby witches. “I don’t think so, honey. Nothing I can do, anyway.”
Fuck.
“We can turn frogs into princes, so,” Raja left the statement open, now standing in Sasha’s home, leaning on the back of the witches chair.
Sasha flicked through the pages of her book, skimming for any information valuable to Raja, “hmmm…it appears not.”
Shit.
“Come on, Bianca. Help me out here.” Raja, later, pleaded with Bianca, sitting before a burning fire in the middle of the camp.
“I mean, you gotta be kidding me.” Bianca chuckled, “you can’t be seriously thinking about this, right?”
“Why would I be joking around about something like this?” Raja held her hands out in questioning.
“Raja,” Bianca stepped forward, taking the dark witch’s shoulders in a tight grasp, “She’s a mermaid. Her home is the ocean. Do you know how long it’ll take for the bitch to adjust here?”
“It’s worth the work. She’s worth the work,” Raja’s eyes bore into Bianca’s.
“Look,” and Bianca sighed, “all I’m saying is that it’s a bad idea. And I’m not going to facilitate any of this.”
“Tell me. Now.”
“Tell you what?”
“You know how I can do it.”
“No, I don’t, Raja.”
“You do, Bianca.”
“No, Raja. I really don’t. I mean,” Bianca pulled her hands off the dark witch, holding them up in defence, “I know someone who might be able to help you out, but I’m not going to give you that information.”
“Yes, you will,” Raja’s voice was stern.
“No, I will not tell you to go to Raven…” and Bianca’s hand flew to her mouth. How the fuck did that just slip out.
Raja smiled triumphantly, lifting a now glowing hand.
“Oh, you fucking bitch,” Bianca shoved Raja away from her.
“Hey, I’m a dark witch. What else did you expect from me?” Raja leaned forward, kissing Bianca, before walking away.
Bianca leaned back in the grass, her stomach knotting. “This is a really bad idea! Just…think about what you’re doing!”
-_-_-_-
Yes, Bianca was smarter than Raja, but the dark witch didn’t care. Not when she was so in love like this.
Adore had just gotten out of the tub, her legs returning to her, and now she wanted to spend all her time with Raja. But the dark witch had business to take care of.
The mermaid had been on dry land for a week now, and everyday, she just seemed to grow more curious about this world around her. Hey, maybe it was a good thing Raja was making this decision. The little mermaid loved this new environment, and with permanent legs, she could explore as much as the barrier would let her.
“Alright, Adore.” Raja was close enough to Raven’s foreboding home now when she turned and took the mermaid by the shoulders, “I have to go and talk to someone now. Okay?”
As usual, Adore said something nonsensical, following it up with a giggle and leading Raja towards Raven’s place.
“No. No,” Raja pulled her back. “It’s very important.”
The mermaid was clearly disappointed, her face falling.
“I’ll be ten minutes,” and Raja looked around, anything to distract the mermaid. “Hey. Look, there’s Alaska! You don’t really know her all that well yet. Go hang out with her.”
Adore’s aqua-green gaze followed where Raja pointed – a blonde witch sitting on a patch of grass nearby, whispering unintelligible words to a snake.
“She’s really nice. I promise,” Raja stole her attention again, “ten minutes. That’s all,” she kissed Adore, “I love you.” And she quickly made her way to Raven’s home.
Adore let her eyes stay on Raja for a moment longer, just watching her walk into Raven’s place. Why couldn’t she come along? She wanted to spend every moment of her life with Raja.
“Mermaid.”
The voice made Adore turn, Alaska now looking over at her.
“Hiiee.” Alaska waved.
And Adore did as she was told, striding towards the witch and sitting down in front of her.
“So, you’re Raja’s new - -”
Adore cut Alaska off with that signature mermaid kiss. Of course, when she pulled away, the witch’s smile appeared.
“Wow. Girl, you are just the cutest, aren’t you?” Alaska flipped a strand of blonde hair over her shoulder.
Adore loved kissing. To her, it wasn’t necessarily a sign of love or lust. But a friendly greeting, just like how these witches all seemed to do to each other. So she smiled, happy to talk to Alaska while her tethered went off and did ‘business’.
The mermaid’s green eyes trailed away from Alaska, looking down at the small snake. The thing slithered around in the grass, seeming to move right towards Alaska.
“It’s pretty, right?” Alaska watched the mermaid curiously. “It’s my speciality — the ability to talk to snakes. Some think it’s kind of a useless gift. But these babies carry secrets. Perfect for gaining information on any enemy I need. And these bitches want to talk about useless gifts. Fuck, look at Trixie. I mean, God forbid we ever go to war with the other covens out here. What’s she going to do? Sing them all to death?”
Adore wasn’t paying much attention, not that she could understand anyway. Her interests more solely in this snake.
She spoke to it, her mermaid language impossible for Alaska to understand.
But the snake witch chuckled anyway. “'Menarayo rinajopé,’” she tried to repeat the statement, “that sounds fun.”
Adore giggled, holding a hand out towards the snake.
“You want to hold her? She’s a planes hognose,” Alaska didn’t wait for an answer. She took the small snake carefully into her hands and passed it to Adore. 
Safe to say Adore was in love with the creature. Alaska could have broken her heart just watching the mermaid kiss the snake on the head. “Finally. Someone who appreciates my babies as much as I do.”
-_-_-_-
Raja entered Raven’s dimmed home with caution. She never had an issue with this bitch, but Raven was too dark of a witch for Raja to recognise her as one of her own.
Raven was there at her brewing table working on something only a dark witch would know of.
“I can smell the night shade, Raven. Who are you giving warts to this time?” Raja asked, nearing the witch.
“Just Tatianna. The cunt thought it would be funny to slip some tainted elderberries under my pillow last night and give me a fuck tonne of nightmares. With the shit that I’ve seen, I don’t need nightmares.” Raven accepted a kiss from Raja, then going to kiss the witch’s hand. 
Raja pulled it away, “you don’t need to do that.”
“Why not? It’s the tradition to kiss the hand of the Mother Witch.”
“Well, I’m not the Mother Witch, am I?”
“Oh, you will be.” Raven dropped some poison from toad warts into the elixir. “What do you want?”
Raja hesitated for a second. How could she go about this? Getting Raven on her side.
The two never quarrelled or fought. But it was clear Raven wasn’t the fondest of Raja. For whatever reason, the dark witch didn’t know. But there was just always some level of disdain there. And even though Raja herself never had an issue with Raven, other than the fact she disagreed with some of her practices, she needed the bitch on her side now.
“Tell me; is it possible we can turn a creature of another species into a human?” Raja asked carefully.
Raven glanced at her, brow raised on her forehead. “If I were you, Mother Witch, I’d be careful about the words you say. You know me. When people ask for a favour, I’d rather not know the purpose. When the work is done, it is out of my hands and I will not be held responsible for the consequences.”
“What do you mean 'consequences’?” Raja’s brows joined, her tone almost challenging.
Raven didn’t answer however, instead lifting her small ladle and pouring some of the elixir into a vial.
“Raven, tell me.” Raja demanded.
And Raven looked back at her, a teasing look in her eye. “Oh, don’t you worry, honey. I’m an expert at my craft. Nothing will go wrong for your little mermaid.”
“Don’t fuck around with me. What consequences?”
“Don’t mind me. Forget I said anything.” Raven slipped the vial in between her cleavage. “So, that’s what you want to do, huh? Turn your lover into a human forever?”
“Nice. At least your brain works.”
“Shut up. Look, all I’m saying is that it’s dark magic.” Raven’s eyes glowered, “very dark. A bit too dark for you. I mean, is this even what she wants?”
And the dark witch seethed. “What? Of course, she does. She loves it up here. I know you haven’t seen a lot of her considering you stay in this fucking nasty smelling hut all day, but you just have to trust me.”
Raven put one hand on her hip, and the other on her work desk. “Is that so? Well, sure,” she shrugged, “I can turn her into a human.”
Raja concealed her excitement. “Good. Glad that you’re cooperating with me.”
“But,” Raven held up a finger, “just know that this spell will take a long time, a lot of energy and a fuck tonne of preparation. Are you willing to be patient with me?” She cocked her head.
And Raja held out a hand, “deal.”
Raven took the hand confidently and shook it. And before she let her go, she pulled Raja closer to her. “I hope you’re ready.”
-_-_-_-
The next morning, when Willam was starting to raise the sun, Raja cursed the bright light seeping over her bed.
The dark witch groaned, turning on her back as if it would make any difference to the brightness. A few more hours, and she’d be ready for the day. Not that anyone else would be getting up this early anyway. 
Well, save Willam. That poor bitch, she hated having to be the daylight witch what with her being the most non-morning person ever.
Raja stretched her legs, trying to get comfortable again when they made contact with something at the bottom of her bed. 
Or someone.
Her eyes shot open, sitting up as she assessed the situation. And only now did she register the sound of pages turning.
Adore was sitting at the bottom of the bed, tail gone and already fully dressed. She seemed to be skimming a book, flicking through the pages at a speed too fast to be really reading it.
“You’re up early,” Raja rubbed her eyes with the back of her wrist.
Adore glanced at her, “I was bored.”
Raja’s eyes widened, “wha- -” she blinked. “Adore…you just - -”
“I know,” the mermaid beamed proudly.
“Y-You can understand me.” Raja pushed herself further up in the bed. “You’re speaking our language. How?”
Adore held up the book in her hands, “I learned.”
This was all too much at once. Raja rubbed the back of her eyes again. “How? How? How can you just…learn the whole witch tongue just from reading one book?”
Adore tossed the book to the side, the thing falling to the ground with a hard thud. She then climbed the length of Raja’s body, “Best part about being a mermaid,” her face was inches away from Raja’s now, “We’re pretty and smart.”
The mermaid giggled, and Raja’s heart melted. 
“You are just…” but Raja couldn’t find the words for it. She lifted a hand, sweeping a strand of pale blonde hair out of Adore’s face.
This only made things so much easier. Raja wouldn’t need to tutor Adore in speaking the language — one step closer to making her human.
And with that thought. “Alright, now that you can talk,” Raja gave her a small kiss, “I want to know, are you…happy here?”
Adore returned the kiss, “with you? Yes.”
Again, Raja’s heart ached. “Glad to hear.”
And they kissed once more, this one even hungrier. Raja’s fingers were getting lost in the mermaid’s hair, Adore’s hands creeping around under the witches’ night dress.
But before things could get more heated…
“Okay. Another thing,” Raja pulled away, placing her finger on Adore’s now swollen lips, just for the mermaid to kiss the tips. “You have to stop eating my seaweed.”
Adore’s eyes shot to her.
“It’s just…I’m running out at an alarming rate, and it’s hard to come by stuff that good,” Raja further explained.
“I’m sorry,” Adore leaned away, a look of shame now painted on her face.
“No, it’s fine. I’m not mad or anything,” Raja caressed the mermaid’s soft cheek.
Adore’s smile returned, nuzzling her face against Raja’s hand, turning to kiss the palm sweetly.
“We’ll have breakfast soon. Trust me, you’ll really like it,” Raja continued to comfort her tethered one. “Trust me.”
-_-_-_-
Adore stared down at…whatever the fuck this was in front of her.
Of course, she had no idea what any of it was. Having already tucked into her own, Raja glanced at the mermaid’s plate, sensing the unease. “You know, there’s power in everything, Adore. And by consuming this, it’s how our magic abilities strengthen.”
Still, Adore just stared.
Raja blushed, unsure of what to do. She could have just given in and gave Adore more seaweed. But the witch wasn’t kidding when she said she was running low.
She glanced around to the other witches, everyone sitting outside, under the warm sun, feasting on their breakfast as they usually did.
And already, bitches were staring shamelessly.
Raja flushed again. “Okay, so,” she pointed to Adore’s plate. “There’s pinecones, grapes, berries, flower petals, twigs. That’s all it is.”
Adore picked up the twig, inspecting it like it was an insect. 
A nudge stole Raja’s attention away, and looking around, she already knew Bianca had some snarky comment.
“She going to put that in her mouth or shove it up her brand new asshole?” Bianca quipped a little too loud.
“That’s awful,” Courtney punched Bianca on the shoulder.
“Yeah, Bianca. You know she can understand our language now, right?” Raja whispered harshly.
“Impossible,” Bianca scoffed. “Hey, Adore!”
“Hey, Bianca,” Adore shouted back, even louder than Bianca had spoken.
Raja suppressed a laugh.
Already, Bianca’s smile was faltering. “Oh, come on.” She glared at Raja, “you could have taught her that.”
“Taught me what?” Adore’s brows joined.
Now Bianca’s smile had truly fallen. “Holy shit.”
“Stop making a show of her and eat your food,” Courtney scolded Bianca, tucking in to her own meal for two.
Raja gratefully nodded to the pregnant witch before turning her attention back to Adore.
“Ignore her. Here,” the witch picked up a red grape, holding it in front of Adore’s face, “try these. They’re really good.”
Again, the mermaid was hesitant, but sharing a quick reassuring glance with Raja, she took the small fruit, inspecting it at first.
Raja was well aware of eyes still on them, but she didn’t care so much for the others now. Only the bitch across the circle from her. 
It was nice of Raven to join them for once, and that was sarcasm. The darkest witch of them all was being intrusive, eyes shifting from Raja and then to Adore.
“Bitch,” Raja said under her breath.
When the two locked eyes again, a smirk began to appear on Raven’s face.
What the fuck was this bitches - -
Raja’s trail of thought was cut off when she heard the rattling of her plate in front of her. Looking down, only now did she see how Adore had eaten all her grapes and was now feasting on Raja’s. 
And when she was done with those, the mermaid looked to her other side, eyes pleading with Katya.
The blonde witch had watched in amazement as Adore had practically swallowed the grapes whole. So she lifted her plate, holding it out to the mermaid. “Yes, of course. Take them.”
Adore beamed, scraping the grapes onto her own plate.
And all Raja could do was watch.
Another nudge from Bianca came.
“Honestly, I think you and I can go fishing today. She can’t take all of our grapes next.” Bianca said.
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artificialqueens · 1 year
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🎁 Part of Your World, Ch. 2 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
AN: Hi! Yes, it is I, Grinder wooooo! More fluffy stuff in this chapter!
-_-_-_-
Fuck Katya for being the bitch that she was. All week, all fucking week, all Raja heard were mermaid-related jokes. She’d just remind them that she was going to be Mother Witch someday. But, of course, Katya had already told them it wasn’t something she really liked the sound of. Whore.
As far as everyone knew, Raja had kissed a half-fish woman. But there was one thing they did not know, something the dark witch hadn’t even the chance to tell Sasha.
And that one small fact left her curious. 
She had to know.
Therefore she went venturing in the forest. And as much as she thought she’d struggle to find the cave again, she didn’t have to look far.
Just as she was starting to smell it again, the sea salt, Raja spotted the strange figure laying on the ground — a human with long blonde hair, the only thing covering their nude form.
“Fuck.” Raja murmured, rushing to the seemingly asleep person. Bending down, she turned their face, and, yes, this was her mermaid. But…how? Her tail was gone, replaced by two long and smooth legs. 
“Hello…Hey…Wake up.” Raja shook her but to no avail. And running her hand along the woman’s arm, the skin was dry…So so dry.
“Okay, Raja,” the dark witch said to herself, “You got this.” She scooped the passed-out mermaid into her arms and carried her right back to camp.
Of course, her witchy sisters all stared, wide-eyed and jaws hanging.
Courtney stepped out from her and Bianca’s home, “Raja, what are you - -”
“Who has a bath running?! Who has a fucking bath running?!” Raja shouted, eyes darting all around.
“Jinkx! Jinkx has one running!” Willam, the daylight witch, was the one to answer.
Raja didn’t even hesitate, storming towards Jinkx’s home.
Inside, Jinkx was sprinkling rose petals into the now-filled tub when she heard Raja’s hurried steps. Whirling around, her brows joined in confusion. “Raja, what the fuck?!”
“Out of my way!” Raja exclaimed, rushing towards the tub and lowering the mermaid into the water.
In an instant, the fish woman woke up, gasping as she only found the ability to breathe again.
“Raja, what the fuck is going on?! Who is she?!” Jinkx ranted, the bell-shaped sleeves swinging as she held her arms at her sides.
The dark witch paid her no heed. She was on her knees beside the tub, holding the mermaid's hand. “Hey - Hey. It’s okay. You’re better now.”
The mermaid was panicking, however, reaching a hand out to Jinkx, pathetic whines escaping her mouth.
Raja’s gaze followed. “Is she talking to you?”
Jinkx shook her head, unable to tear her gaze away from the mermaid for a second. “No. She’s looking behind me.” The red head witch turned her head, seeing the shelf of ingredients behind her.
“The salt. Jinkx, she wants the salt!” Raja pleaded.
Jinkx quickly grabbed the jar of salt from her shelf and moved back to the tub. “Gosh, this is just crazy. I - -”
Just as she began to unscrew the cap, the mermaid shot up in the tub, snatching the jar from Jinkx’s hand, opened it and poured the salt all over her body and into the tub.
The mermaid’s panic ceased, sighing with satisfaction as her body sank back into the water. She closed her eyes, letting the water envelope her.
“Raja…explain,” Jinkx stood with her arms folded.
“I…” Raja closed her mouth however. Opened it again. And closed.
Before she could even have the chance to give her sister an explanation, Jinkx went wide-eyed, staring at the tub again. Therefore so did Raja.
The now relaxed woman’s legs were joining in the tub, almost as if they were stitching together. And her feet elongated until they were completely flat, and translucent.
“Is that…Is that a tail?” Jinkx practically whispered, watching as the mermaids now joined legs stretched out of the tub, hanging over the edge.
When the transformation was complete, Raja looked back around to Jinkx, only now noting the other witches who stood in the doorway, two of those being Bianca and Courtney.
Raja smiled sheepishly at them. “She’s a mermaid.” And she looked at those witches at the door, “I wasn’t lying.”
“I…I need to go outside,” Jinkx waved a dismissive hand, grabbing for a cigarette and making her way outside. “Move!” She yelled at the others.
Raja let her eyes linger on her sisters a moment longer. “We’ll talk later,” she said, more to Bianca.
“Alright.” Bianca nodded. “We need to.”
When they all left, Raja turned her full attention back to the tub. The mermaid was resting her elbows on the edge of the tub, her head on her arms, eyes shut.
“You sleeping?” Raja bent down again, speaking quietly.
The mermaid didn’t respond, sleeping peacefully in her makeshift bed.
“Alright.” Raja sighed. God, even in sleep, the girl was beautiful. She let her hand move up, holding the sleeping mermaid’s. Even through this, the dark witch could feel the electric spark coursing between them. 
Yes, she was sure of it now.
-_-_-_-
Raja usually liked the smell of Bianca and Courtney’s home — vanilla and a wide variety of berries. Courtney was almost always busy making up jams for everyone to have on their bread, and, fuck, it was the best damn jam in the Kingdom.
But, right now, under the current circumstances, the smell only turned Raja’s stomach.
Courtney made mint leaf tea, and she sat by Bianca before the fireplace, rubbing the small bump of her stomach as she waited for Raja to speak.
The dark witch was staring down at her hot brew for a moment before swallowing. “So…the mermaid does exist.”
“I know.” Bianca nodded, her hand in Courtney’s. “But what is she doing here?”
“I found her in the forest. She was passed out, and, fuck, she somehow had legs. I…I didn’t know what else to do.” Raja shrugged her shoulders.
“You should have taken her back to the sea,” Bianca suggested.
“I wasn’t thinking!” Raja raised her voice. “I was panicking! I thought she was going to die!”
“I suppose there’s no harm in letting the poor thing stay for a few hours,” Courtney suggested, “Then we can return her to the sea. Right?”
“Fair enough,” Bianca added.
Raja licked her now dry lips, already hating herself for what she was about to say. “See. There’s one more thing.”
Bianca was intrigued now. “And that is?”
“I think…No. I know,” Raja paused, eyes shifting between the two witches, “I’m tethered to her.”
Of course, Courtney just blinked, and Bianca smirked. And this smirk turned into a laugh.
“Can you not make fun of me?” Raja challenged, tapping a finger on her warm cup.
“Raja. She’s a mermaid.” Bianca explained, her voice dire. “She’s a half-fish woman from the ocean with people of her own. ‘Opposites attract’ doesn’t apply to us, does it?”
“W-Well, you and Courtney are tethered,” Raja held out a hand at the witch in question, as if Bianca forgot the bitches name. “You’re a nature witch and Courtney is light.”
“Yeah. But, we’re witches,” Courtney countered.
“Not the same kind,” Raja added.
“Doesn’t matter.” Bianca said. “Look, I don’t know if mermaids are even capable of tethering. Fuck, what did it feel like? Did it feel like - -”
“Energies mixing?” Raja raised a challenging brow. “Magic intertwining? Bodies becoming one?”
And Bianca was silent.
“Oh, gosh. You are tethered,” Courtney practically whispered.
“Yeah.” Raja nodded. God, her stomach was in such a tight knot. She glanced at the door, able to see Jinkx’s home from here. If only she could see through the walls. For as much as this situation made her uneasy, she loved the sight of the mermaid.
“Okay. Look,” Bianca held up a hand, bringing the spotlight back to her. “Raja, if you’re tethered to her, then that’s fine. I mean, I’m fine with it. I’d say Courtney is too.”
“Right.” Courtney nodded. “I think it’s sweet, actually.”
“Exactly. But, I can’t speak on behalf of those other witches out there. Species don’t get mixed up with each other, especially witches. So, don’t be surprised if they think you’re nuts for wanting to pursue this.”
“Who said I want to pursue it?” Raja countered, finally sipping her tea.
“Why else would you tell us you’re tethered to her?” Bianca gawped. “You’re planning on keeping her here, aren’t you?”
Raja shrugged, avoiding eye contact with her sister now. “And what if I was?”
Before anything else was said, Gia appeared in the doorway.
“Get out. Smart people talk,” Bianca snapped.
“I just thought I’d let you know,” Gia glared at Raja, “Jinkx said the mermaid is awake.”
Raja never ran so fast in her life. Entering Jinkx’s home, the red head witch was in full panic mode.
“Raja, she’s doing something! I don’t know what to do!” Jinkx was as far from the tub as she could get.
Indeed, the mermaid was doing something. She was hoisting her soaking-wet body out of the tub, struggling sounds leaving her mouth.
“Wait. Stop, you’re going to - -” Raja was cut off when the mermaid pulled herself up and out of the tub, landing on the group in a sopping wet heap, “hurt yourself.”
“Ow,” the mermaid whined.
Raja went to help her while Courtney and Bianca joined the scene.
“This is incredible,” Courtney, being the more intrigued one, stood behind Raja and just watched. “A real-life mermaid. I didn’t think they existed.”
The fish woman looked up at the light witch, a cute smile appearing on her lips. She spoke then, talking in that unknown language that Raja wasn’t able to understand.
“What’s she saying?” Bianca moved closer, Jinkx hesitantly doing the same.
“I don’t know,” Raja was drying the mermaid off with a cloth.
“Can’t you use a…a translating spell or something?” Jinkx suggested, glancing at her door, knowing she could make a run for it if need be.
“That only works if I at least know the language.” Raja pulled the cloth gently through her tethered one’s hair.
“Oh, fuck. Look!” Courtney exclaimed, pointing at the tail.
It was like before, when those legs melted together, only in reverse this time. The tail split into two, at first leaving two long scaly stems that shrunk down to human size.
“How is she doing that?” Bianca whispered, a hint of fright in her voice.
“I don’t know. Must be…a mermaid thing, I guess,” Raja suggested, watching as the fins turned to feet.
When the transformation was complete, the mermaid smiled with delight. And with all this excitement, she hugged Raja, peppering her cheek with kisses. In between kisses, she spoke unknown words. Only by the tone could the dark witch tell that the mermaid was more than happy.
“Yeah. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Raja couldn’t tell if the mermaid understood, but all she could do was hope. “Here,” she went to stand, helping the woman up.
“I feel like this a dream or something,” Courtney said, eyes looking the mermaid up and down, “how is this real? We have a real-life mermaid standing here in - -”
The light witch was cut off when the mermaid stepped up to her, leaning in and kissing her.
“Oh, wow!” Jinkx said through bated breath.
“What’s she doing?” Bianca stepped forward, as if ready to push the mermaid away from her partner. “She’s not deadly, is she?”
“I don’t think so,” Raja grabbed the mermaid by the arm, gently pulling her away from Courtney.
Once their lips parted, Courtney’s smile couldn’t have been wider. “Wow. That was…”
“I know, right?” Raja brought her tethered closer to her, hiding the mermaid behind her.
“Alright, forgetting that happened, I think we need to get her some clothes.” Bianca suggested.
“Of course, could you - -” she stopped talking when the mermaid jumped up onto her back, surprising her with a piggy back. Raja laughed nervously, holding the mermaid up, “could you go grab her something from my place?”
Five minutes later, the mermaid was fully dressed. There was a struggle to get the gown over her head, the poor creature growling at the unknown feeling of fabric being put over her.
Thankfully, the witch was now left alone with the mermaid. They both sat in Raja’s home, beside the now-filled tub in case the half-fish needed refreshing again.
“So, do you have a name?” Raja sipped some water.
The mermaid cocked her head.
Fuck, this was going to be something. “Okay.” Raja pointed to her own chest. “Raja Gemini…Raja Gemini.” She pat the spot, just to make sure the message registered, and then she pointed at the mermaid, and awaited an answer.
The mermaid lifted her hand, pointing at the witch’s chest. “Raja…Gemini.” And then to her own. “Riamouradoreydelamajiana.”
Raja just…stared. “Oh. Okay. Um…Okay, look.” Again, she pointed to her own chest. And lifting her other free hand, as if holding something up, she said, “Raja Gemini…or…” and she held the other hand out, “Raja.” And then pointed to Ria…Riamana…Ria - - FUCK!
“Raja,” the mermaid pointed at the witch, and then back to herself. “Adore.”
Finally. A pronounceable name. Raja smiled. “Adore…I love it.”
Adore giggled, hiding her face bashfully.
But that was it. Raja didn’t know where to go from here. Adore didn’t understand the witch tongue.
The mermaid turned her green eyes to Raja’s hands, and reaching out her own, she took them into her own.
Just that warmth, the softness of Adore’s hold, it gave her an idea. “Watch this.” And Raja freed her one hand, holding it up in front of the mermaid’s face.
At first, Adore just stared in confusion. What was she supposed to be seeing here? But Raja closed her fist, squeezing her eyes shut tight. What was she doing?
Raja opened her eyes again, and she released her fist. And sitting there in the palm of her hand; a colourful butterfly.
Adore gasped in amazement. She leaned closer, speaking her own language, clearly fascinated by this foreign thing before her.
“Butterfly.” Raja pointed at the rainbow-coloured thing.
“Butterfly,” Adore pointed. And then at Raja, “Raja,” then to herself, “Adore.”
“Good!” Raja exclaimed.
And as the butterfly took off in flight, now it was Adore’s turn. She glanced at the tub, and lifting her hands, she worked her own magic.
Raja watched with bated breath as a large blob of salty water emerged from the bathtub. “Wow. Nice.”
Adore was beyond excited, moving her hands so that the watery blob floated right above Raja’s head.
“So mermaids got magic too, huh?” Raja quickly glanced at Adore before looking back at the floating orb. “We have a few water witches ar- -”
The watery blob fell abruptly, landing all over the witch. Raja just sat there for a moment, shock taking over her.
Adore just cackled. 
As much as Raja didn’t want to get her clothes soaked, this was music to her ears. She reached up, dunking her hand in the tub and splashed Adore with it. 
The mermaid's laughs intensified.
“Now we’re even, honey.” Raja quipped.
When Adore’s laughs died down, she leaned up, sliding into Raja’s lap, a perfect fit. And she pulled the witch in for a kiss.
Fuck, it was heaven, being able to kiss her back with no fishy tail to take her by surprise. Raja combed her fingers through Adore’s long blonde hair, her nails tickling the back of the mermaid’s neck.
Adore pulled away, eyes staying on Raja for another moment.
“Adore…I know we’ve only just met,” the witch let her hands trail Adore’s side, “and you probably don’t even know what I’m saying, but…I love you.”
Indeed Adore probably didn’t know those words, but she seemed to understand. Her smile warmed, hand caressing Raja’s cheek. She spoke again, something Raja couldn’t translate. But it was so sweet to hear. So so sweet.
Adore moved her lips to Raja’s cheek, her earlobe, and to her neck. Oh, this was happening.
Raja let her hands wander up and down the mermaid’s back, just itching to get her out of her clothes. “Wait. Adore…Do you even know how to…”
And the mermaid murmured something against Raja’s skin.
“Huh?” The witch said.
When Adore said it again, she sounded…well, done.
Raja took the mermaid by the shoulders, pushing her away and getting a better look.
Fuck, Adore was weary, skin slowly turning dry again.
“Oh, God.” Raja stood, picking Adore up in the process. She didn’t care about getting the dress wet. All she wanted was for her love to be okay. “Don’t worry. You’ll be okay in here.” Raja lowered her into the tub.
As soon as Adore’s body made contact with the water, the transformation process started all over again. Her legs glued together underneath the long skirt of the dress, the tail sprouting at the end and hanging over the tub.
“All better?” Raja asked, knowing full well she wouldn’t get an answer anyway.
Adore made sounds of protest as she tugged the skirt up her legs.
“Can I help you?” Raja grabbed the skirt, giving Adore a questioning look.
The mermaid didn’t answer of course, but nodded her head at the dress in approval.
Raja pulled the dress up along Adore’s tail, past her torso and over her head. The mermaid sighed with relief as soon as the garment was off her body.
“It will probably take a while getting used to clothes.” Raja turned, ready to head out the door and let the gown dry in the now warm night.
But Adore snatched her wrist.
“What’s wrong?” Raja’s brows joined.
Adore tugged, nodding her head again at the water.
“You want me to come in there?” Raja pointed at herself and then the tub.
Adore smiled, nodding.
“Oh, God. Okay,” Raja dropped the soaking dress and quickly stripped out of her own.
Adore was already shifting to the side, allowing the witch some space.
As soon as Raja’s foot entered the water, she hissed. God, it was cold.
Adore spoke in her own tongue, something sounded like a question.
“No, it doesn’t hurt. Just kind of cold,” Raja could only guess that's what the mermaid inquired about. She settled down into the tub, body shivering. “Here let me just,” and she held her palm above the surface. In a matter of seconds, the water warmed up, not too hot.
Adore snuggled up to Raja, murmuring something.
“I don’t know what you’re saying,” Raja wrapped her arms around Adore, kissing the mermaid on the head, “but…I love you. I really do.”
Adore’s lashes tickled Raja’s chest as she blinked. She pressed her soft lips against the witch's skin before whispering, “I love you, Raja.”
Fuck. Now that…that was the most beautiful thing Raja ever heard.
Adore’s chest was rising and falling gently, and Raja knew the mermaid was asleep now. Fuck, she never imagined this would ever happen to her — laying in a full bathtub, cuddling with a mermaid who just so happened to be her destined love for life.
But that’s when the sinking feeling crept in. Bianca’s words crept into her brain. Species couldn’t mix. Raja didn’t care what kind of person Adore was. She did not care one bit. But, keeping a mermaid away, making her stay on dry land…
How were they ever going to make it work?
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artificialqueens · 10 months
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🏳️‍🌈 Part of Your World, Ch. 5 (Raja x Adore) for Dartmouth420 - Grinder
AN: Well it's been a long time since I last uploaded. So sorry yall! Been busy lately. Ya girl got a new job, she been working on Drag or Die (shameless plug = it's on AO3) and also I went to Amsterdam this weekend. It was so beautiful!
This chapter is a bit more sad, I actually could have cried reading the ending of it. But I am strong. I also want to point out that we meet Adore's sister's in this chapter, and they are the cast of S10. I mean, the mermaid runway is my all time favourite theme from the show. I love mermaids so much, like, how could I not add them as her sisters?
Anyway, I digress! Enjoy (and I'm sorry)
The spell hadn’t even begun yet, and Raja was already worn out. Both she and Raven raised the tub with a levitation spell, carrying it all the way out to the forest. Apparently this sort of magic was supposed to ease the weight of heavier objects.
But Raja could feel it all — the weight of the ceramic tub, the cold water, and the mermaid sleeping peacefully inside…All of it weighing her arms down.
When they were far enough from the camp, they lowered the tub to a more open space in the forest. Raja recognised this area, what with a carving on an old oak tree — ‘B+C’. This was a common place for the witches to train, Courtney and Bianca having practised here the most.
Raja tried to tell herself that that could be her and Adore someday soon, both of them practising magic all the way out here. 
But deep down inside, something was stirring.
And it made the lump in her throat hard to swallow.
Raven was already getting to work, using a long and thick stick to mark out runes around the tub, whereas Raja just…stood there, unsure of what to do.
“Wh-What are you doing first?” The dark witch’s gaze shifted between both Raven and the filled bathtub.
“Creating the symbols, knocking on all the forces of nature’s door,” Raven said, somewhat bothered. “Can you at least help me?”
“Oh, uh…sure. Wh-What do you need me to do?” Raja played with her hands.
Once she was finished marking the runes, Raven dug around in her satchel, tossing a bag of salt at Raja. “Here. Make a circle around the area.”
“Alright,” Raja glanced into the small brown bag. “Why?”
“Oh, don’t play dumb, honey,” Raven stood with one hand on her hip now, the other resting on the stick. “Dark magic. Really…really dark magic. We have to keep out the evil spirits. You know how they like to fuck shit up. You remember the time you tried to summon Chaderia’s spirit but only conjured a demon instead?”
Any other time, Raja could have laughed at the comment. God, that moment…it was something no one ever let her live down. As terrifying as it was, she could see the humour in it now.
But at the present moment, the dark witch’s stomach only twisted harder. “Alright.” She let out a shaking breath as she drew out the circle.
While doing so, she could feel Raven’s eyes on her — either to make sure the circle was perfect, or just…scrutinising her. But the dark witch pretended not to notice, her gaze shifting between the circle she was creating, and the tub, for fear that Adore would wake up.
“I just hope you know,” Raven paused, approaching the tub and peering in at Adore, the first time getting close to the mermaid, “this is going to be a long and tiring process.”
Raja finished the circle, gritting her teeth, “I know. You don’t need to tell me again.”
“At least you listened. But…you understand, right?” Raven’s hand lingered along the edge of the tub.
“Of course, I fucking understand!” Infuriated, Raja tossed the now empty bag to the ground. “Can you just…stop fucking patronising me?”
And for once in her life, Raven flinched, holding her hands up in defence. “Alright. Okay, fine. Let’s do this.”
Raja suppressed a relieved sigh, watching as Raven made her way back from the filled tub. The darkest witch of all stood at one end of the circle, gesturing with the point of her finger for Raja to stand directly opposite.
When the positions were assumed, Raven lifted her arms into the air and said, “Repeat after me; Tonight, I call upon every soul…the spirits of all things powerful…to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
Yikes. Raja’s breath caught in her throat. She knew this was going to be heavy…but judging by that last part…she didn’t think it would be this bad. But she gulped, her dark eyes flickering to the tub. And finally, she lifted her arms. “Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
“Together now.”
“When do we stop?” Raja shivered.
Raven was silent for a moment, before answering, “You’ll know.”
Fuck. What would that even feel like? The knowing…Pain? Nothingness? Raja didn’t question it. She only opened her mouth, and chanted along with Raven.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
Raja gulped, a lump forming in her throat.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
She glanced at the tub, the lump hardening.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
Raven took a step forward, Raja doing the same…only, apprehensively.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
And they moved closer and closer together…
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
Until the only thing stopping them from meeting, nose to nose, was the tub.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
Raja peered down, observing the being beneath the salty water. 
Adore was rested on her side, tail curled up around her, so so comfortable.
Completely, and peacefully, unaware of what was going on around her.
Raven moved her raised hands, now towering above the tub, looking at Raja to do the same.
“Tonight, I call upon every soul, the spirits of all things powerful, to ignite within me the ability to do the unspeakable.”
But Raja didn’t. She only stared down at Adore, her eyes slightly wide. Her words were gone. 
This wasn’t right.
“Raja.” Raven barked. “We need to keep chanting. The spirits - -”
“I can’t do this,” Raja stated.
Raven’s eyes widened, her arms slowly dropping. “What?”
Immediately, Raja was flustered, “I-I just have this, like, really horrible feeling. And - - We - - We could stop. W-We should.”
“Are you fucking serious?” Raven’s voice was grave. “Of all the time you could have got cold feet, you chose now?”
“Raven, I - -”
“After I spent time fucking preparing everything?” Her voice grew louder.
Raja’s shoulders stood stiff. “Raven! Please! Shut up! I know you put in work here, but Jesus Christ, I don’t need you guilt tripping me right now!”
And Raven clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. “Well, isn’t that an interesting word. Guilt. Why’d you choose that one, Mother Witch?”
“Shut up! This is wrong and you know it.” Raja bent over slightly, her fists curled around the edge of the tub. “Let’s just get back to the camp.”
“But why, Raja? I mean, you’re right; I do know it’s wrong. I always knew.” Raven practically spat. “But you just didn’t want to listen. And you know why?”
“Raven, I’m warning you right now,” Raja pointed.
“Because you’re selfish.” Raven also leaned forward, her gaze dark.
“I swear to God. I swear to fucking God, one more word.”
“You don’t care about anybody else but yourself.”
“Raven…” 
“And you know what? You’ll never ever be the Witch your mother was.”
And rage coursed through Raja. Her blood boiled, her skin tingling. Thrusting her arms forward, she let out a primal roar as the water from the tub blasted Raven, sending the witch flying back, hitting one of the trees.
Raven grunted in pain, rubbing the back of her now dizzy head. Water dripped from her hair and clothes, already making her shiver.
Raja seethed, her eyes bulging out of her head. She could have attacked Raven again. She wanted to. The bitch fucking deserved it, bringing up her mother like that. No one had ever crossed that line. Not even Bianca. 
But as much as Raja wanted to show Raven what real pain was, a cold hand wrapped around her wrist gently.
The dark witch instantly relaxed, as if under a spell. She turned her gaze away from Raven and downwards.
Adore was wide awake, God knew how long for. Her eyes were crystal-like, as if she was close to tears.
“Adore…” Raja panted, her voice soft, “I - -”
But the mermaid’s face contorted, face whipping around to face Raven.
Before Raja could interject, Adore released the witch’s wrist, launching herself out of the tub and crawling towards Raven.
“Fuck!” Raven yelled, crawling backwards away from the mermaid.
At first, Raja didn’t know what the fuck to do. This was the last thing she expected to happen. And she found herself reeling backward as well, too shocked to think of what to do.
Adore hissed, her face scrunched up with so much rage.
“Adore, honey, relax!” Raven pleaded for her life as she crawled.
When Adore was practically on top of her, the mermaid raised a hand, her nails now like the talons of an agitated feline.
“Adore, no!” Raja threw herself at Adore before she could strike Raven. The mermaid growled even more as Raja tried to grab her hands and restrain her. The tussle only lasted a few seconds before Adore arched her back abruptly, tensing every muscle in her being, and throwing Raja off of her. The witch practically flew through the air, her body hitting the ground hard.
Adore was on top of Raven now. And just like so long ago, the mermaid’s face was contorted, rage coursing through her. 
“Adore, stop!” Raja was on her feet again, rushing towards her tethered.
It seemed as though the mermaid hadn’t heard her lover, for she hissed, raising a claw above her head again, ready to tear Raven a new one.
“No!” Raja grabbed Adore by the shoulder, pulling her away from Raven. In her panicked state, she didn’t anticipate how forceful she’d become. For when she pulled the mermaid away from the now terrified witch, Adore was thrown back, her body rolling in the grass.
Before Raja could even think to help Raven, no. She helped Adore instead. Now kneeling beside the angered mermaid, she took both hands in her own. “Adore, look at me.”
The monstrous face, barely recognisable, growled at Raja. “She had no right to say that to you.” Her voice sort of cracked.
“Adore, leave her alone.” Raja’s chest heaved. She glanced over her shoulder at Raven, the witch even more shaken now. Christ, Raja never saw the bitch so scared.
“Raja. She deserves it!” Adore pleaded, her angry disappearing, swapped for despair instead. “Whatever this is about, she has no right - -”
“No.” Raja silenced the mermaid, realisation seeping in. This was just…a huge fucking mess. “She’s right…I…I’ve done something bad.”
Adore was silent now, clasping her fingers tighter around Raja’s.
Raja sighed, shaking her head. Shutting her eyes, she spoke, “I tried to…make you human. A-And, I know it’s wrong and…” Opening them again, she saw the disappointment sinking in – the betrayal. “Fuck, Adore. I’m so so sorry. I just…fuck, I just want you to stay here. I love you so much.”
The sweet words were pointless. Adore was hurt. 
Raja dared herself to lift Adore’s hands to her face, placing sweet kisses on each one. “Please, forgive me,” she whispered. “I just want us to be together forever.”
And Adore gulped, her eyes closing. “Raja…I…”
But the mermaid couldn’t finish. She squeezed her eyes shut and withdrew her hands. The blonde hair covered her face as she lowered her head.
Raja’s heart ached. This should have been a sweet moment for them…the minute they realised they’d get to be together forever.
But Raja knew…just from how Adore avoided her eyes…
She fucked up.
-_-_-_-
Both witches were too exhausted to levitate Raja’s tub back to her home, instead carrying their weary bodies back to the camp. The night air that was once filled with sounds of pure pleasure and ecstasy was dead silent.
And now sitting in her own home, Raven in the chair opposite her, Raja felt like an even bigger idiot.
“Would it have worked?” Raja only quickly glanced at Raven.
Raven didn’t answer at first, only staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace before them. “Don’t do that…It’ll only make it worse. You said so yourself, honey. We can’t do such a thing.”
Raja nodded. She didn’t realise it back then, what with everything happening so fast, but Adore did manage to hurt Raven, tearing the skin on her shoulder. The witch insisted it was simply a scratch, but Raja knew it was much worse than that.
Raja brought her knee to her chest, unable to look at the injured witch. “I’ve…” she gulped, “I’ve fucked up.”
“Yes…You have,” Raven nodded.
And Raja buried her head in her crossed arms. “Fuck, I’m so fucking stupid!”
Only now could Raven finally look at her fellow dark witch. “Well, I mean, are you even surprised? You knew this wasn’t what she wanted.”
“Yeah, I know now, and - -”
“Is that so?” Raven interrupted. And she stood up, towering over Raja. “You know now. Ha. Don’t bullshit me, Mother Witch,” she took a step towards the defeated witch. “If you really thought this was what she wanted…then why did you keep your little plan a secret from her?”
And that was it. Raja was silent, the ability to breath forgotten.
Yet Raven continued, “Thought you could take her for a fool, didn’t you.”
“I didn’t - -” Raja paused, scratching her head for any sort of response as to clear her name of any wrong doing, “It wasn’t - - I was - -” But how could she do that? How could she not take accountability when Raven was so on the nose?
The darkest witch of all nodded, almost triumphantly. Funny how Raja thought this bitch was just being her usual cunty self before, like…she almost had a disliking for Adore, for whatever reason. But now it was clear. The only one Raven had an issue with her was Raja.
“Go to her,” Raven said simply, making her way towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Raja asked, almost concerned.
Raven turned to look at her one last time, “I’m going to wind down for the night. Maybe drop some pixie dust if I find one kind enough to give me some. After all of that…I need to clear my head.”
And Raven was gone like a shadow blending in with its surroundings. Fuck, how Raja would do anything to join her. Maybe have a glass of wine and summon a musical sprite to lull her into a much needed sleep. 
But she didn’t deserve it. 
She didn’t even deserve forgiveness.
-_-_-_-
Yet Raja knew she had to say something. 
Entering Raven’s home, while the witch in question was out, was strange. So so strange seeing the mermaid here of all places and not in Raja’s place. 
It was funny how Raja got so used to seeing Adore back there, almost like she truly belonged, like she had been there the witch’s entire life.
And Adore still couldn’t look at Raja as she walked in and approached the filled the tub. The mermaid was still on her side, hiding from the witch.
“Adore?” Raja tried. “Can we talk?”
Nothing. Not a budge from Adore.
Raja knew she should have just left it at that. She needed to turn the fuck around and go back to her own place.
But she continued. “Adore…I’m so so sorry.” She pulled a chair up beside the tub and took a seat. “I…” she sighed, rubbing her thighs, “fuck, I should have just asked you. B-But, I was afraid that…” she cleared her throat as it cracked, “that you’d say no. And…I know it sounds awful, but I didn’t want you to say no. I…I love you.”
Raja lowered her eyes, staring at her magic-wielding hands that now felt powerless to her — almost like a curse.
Finally, Adore turned over, face like stone, jaw tensed.
“A-And I truly mean that,” Raja continued to stare at her hands, “And I know what I’ve done is so so wrong, and you’ll most likely never forgive me…but, please…just know the reason I did it was because I love you so much and I want us to be together forever.” Raja couldn’t stop the crack in her voice now, “that’s not an excuse, I know. But it’s a reason.”
Like a precious statue, Adore’s face was still. But after a moment passed, she opened her mouth.
“Raja…” the mermaid uttered, “I want to show you something.”
-_-_-_-
It was surprising that Adore knew the exact way back to the cave, almost as if she had done this many times, coming to the dry land to explore a world that she wasn’t a part of. Raja would have thought this sweet before, almost like life was trying to bring them together all along.
But now, this just felt like a taunt — the spirits of the forest rubbing it all in.
Adore held Raja’s hand, leading her into the cold cave, the sounds of the water and smell of the sea already all around.
Once in the main room, Raja could have wept, just remembering the day they met. Adore — just a playful little thing excited to have finally found the love of her life.
But now, Adore let go of the witch’s hand, approaching the bright blue of the water. She bent down before the pool, the rippling water reflecting off her perfect face. Reaching out a hand, she could see how Raja panicked internally.
“Don’t worry.” Adore said reassuringly. “Just…look.” And the mermaid placed a flat palm on the surface of the water, her eyes shutting tight.
Before Raja could even question what Adore was doing, the mermaid hummed…almost like a sweet melody crawling its way up her throat.
And the humming became singing, a string of notes leaving Adore’s now parted lips.
Finally, Raja was hearing her sing. And, fuck, it was the most beautiful sound to have ever graced her ears. She felt no fear for who could be drawn in by this siren’s serenade. She was going to savour this while she could. 
As soon as Adore stopped singing, Raja could have cried, wishing nothing but to sit there and hold Adore in her arms, just listening to her sing her beautiful song.
“Come here,” Adore said, beckoning Raja over.
The witch did as she was told, bending down next to Adore and peering down into the deep blue abyss.
At first, she saw nothing.
But a moment passed.
There they were — two brown eyes peering out right back at Raja.
The witch squinted her gaze, as if it would make it any clearer before quickly glancing to Adore for answers. The mermaid only looked back at the pool.
So did Raja. 
And when a head emerged from under the depths, the witch stood back. 
The brown eyes belonged to a woman — a woman with a head of mint green hair, a crown made of shells and pearls dawning her head. She peered up at Raja with curiosity.
And the witch reciprocated, moving back to the pool. She cocked her head to the side, the woman doing just the same, when another head popped up. 
Raja looked away from the first stranger to this new one, this woman having a crown similar to the other’s, only her hair was pastel pink.
Then came another woman, this one muscular with green hair.
Then another.
And another.
And just one more.
Raja’s brows connected, looking to Adore for an explanation.
The mermaid did not give one however. She just nodded her head to the pool again.
The one with the mint green hair, she had her hand lifted now, droplets of water falling from her dark skin. Raja’s stomach twisted. But she couldn’t ignore this. She lifted her own hand and reached out.
The other women seemed to back away, almost like…like they were fearful.
When Raja and the woman’s hands connected, their fingers interlocking, the green haired woman’s face hardened, her jaw tensed.
And she began to pull, ever so slowly, pulling Raja closer and closer to the waters.
“A-Adore…what’s she doing?” Raja asked.
But Adore did nothing, only watched with curiosity.
The other women were wading the waters, moving closer to Raja again, their faces wearing the same expression as the first one.
“Adore…I think,” Raja tugged her hand back, only to find it in a vice-like grip, “Alright, she wont let me go. Adore, do something!”
Finally, Adore did as she was told. She appeared beside Raja abruptly, tearing the joined hands apart. And her face contorted as she hissed at the woman with the mint green hair.
The woman did the same, even louder than Adore had, before turning and ducking back under the water, a long blue tail splashing the pool.
Raja flinched, blocking any water from splashing her. Now leaning back and away from the other women in the pool, the witch tried to catch her breath.
“Adore, what is this?” Raja asked quietly, staring at the remaining mermaids.
“That’s Vixen. She’s one of my sisters.” Adore answered, practically whispering. “They all are. They’re my family, Raja.”
Raja was silent, staring up at Adore. 
She knew what was going on here. A lump was slowly forming in her throat. “They seem nice,” she laughed nervously.
Adore didn’t reciprocate. “You know what I’m saying, right?”
Raja drew in a deep breath, nodding. “Yeah,” she replied solemnly. The witch squeezed back any tears, keeping them from falling, She didn’t deserve to cry. She just had to accept this — this was punishment.
She stood up, brushing the dust from her skirt before stepping towards Adore. For a second, she couldn’t meet the mermaid in the eye, almost convincing herself it was better to keep her eyes averted.
But… “Am I ever going to see you again?” Raja asked pathetically as she looked Adore in her ocean green eyes.
“Raja…” Adore let out a shaking breath, lifting her hand to caress the heartbroken witch’s cheek, “I have a family, even more than just my sisters…I have a home of my own. And…I’m sorry, but…that home is not your world.”
And just like that…Raja let her tears fall. But she nodded, trying her hardest to pretend she was going to be okay with this — never seeing her true love ever again.
Adore swept the tear from Raja’s face, allowing herself to smile sadly. “I love you, Raja.”
“I love you too.” Raja leaned into Adore’s touch.
The mermaid let her green eyes drift away from Raja’s eyes, just for a moment, taking a second to look at the witch’s deep red lips. And she leaned in close.
Raja did the same, lifting a hand to Adore’s shoulder, pulling her in closer.
And the distance between them was closed.
They shared their very last kiss.
Oh, how Raja could just hold on to this forever — Adore’s hand on her skin, their energies mixing together and making them one whole. To see this incredible girl every morning when she opened her eyes. To hold her close when Winter rolled in. To feel comforted by the mermaid when she was down.
Raja knew none of that could be her reality. It never could have. 
Adore pulled away, stepping back from Raja, slowly removing her hand from the witch’s shoulder. And the mermaid turned towards the pool, her sisters peering up at her. Adore’s fingers undid the lace on her bodice, letting the dress slide down her body and to the ground — the last trace of human she’d ever feel. The mermaid lowered herself down, sitting on the edge and letting her legs dip down into the water. And before she fully submerged herself, she looked over her shoulder — salty tears in her eyes.
“Goodbye, Raja.”
And that was it. 
She was gone.
Pride Challenge Points: 1649
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artificialqueens · 2 years
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Hi, anon! Just for the record, it's good to use ask for this kind of thing! The author of that fic is the wonderful and talented Dartmouth420, who I'm sure is planning to write more! XO
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artificialqueens · 2 years
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The story I’d like to read for the first time again would be The Language of Flowers by Albatross.
Both romantic storylines are slow-burn, but totally different. Jinkx/Sharon is very organic and soft whereas the Courtney/Willam is more dramatic and messy.
But the part that I especially liked is the whole set-up of the get-together for both couples it’s amazing. I just wish I could erase my memories of it and read it all over again! I still do but it’s not the same, lol.
Another one is Everyone Know You’re High -Rajila by Dartmouth! I really loved the premise and the frustration of all the ‘cliffhangers’ each chapter until the end.
Thank you darling!!! 🌸🌱
Link to The Language of Flowers by Albatross
Link to Everybody Knows You're High by Dartmouth420
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