Two can keep a secret [Aerick/Ophlie]

[Deleted]

Clodagh has had a very rough night.. Since moving in with Ophelia she’d managed to avoid all run ins with Ophelia’s cat after the sun set. Sure, they didn’t get along when she was human and the cat had periodically attacked her but she was big then. It couldn’t do much damage. This morning had been very different. Somehow, without either clodagh or Ophelia noticing the cat had gotten into Clodagh’s room right before she’d closed the door (to keep the cat out) and been unable to reopen it once she transformed.

Needless to say, Clodagh wasn’t in the best shape come morning, the foul creature having managed to get a few good attacks in before she got into a safe spot the cat couldn’t follow. Now, now human once more, Clodagh sat at the kitchen table, wincing away from her roommate’s careful attempts to patch her up. The cat in question had been shut in Ophelia’s room so Clodagh didn’t have to deal with its gloating. The cat attacks always looked much worse when she was human, since her injuries would stay proportional. There was a deep set of puncture holes (from the feline’s teeth) across her right shoulder, neck, and right cheek, as well as three long and even deeper gouges down her left leg. It looked a lot worse then it felt but that didn’t mean it felt great. It hurt to put any pressure on her leg and her face and neck stung like crazy (Ophelia’s mothering didn’t help either pains).

But that wasn’t the only pain she felt. She felt sick to her stomach. Because she and Aerick had had plans this morning to get breakfast. And because of this incident she wasn’t able to make it....

What had she done to make this cat so bent on ruining her dating life?

Ophelia Mae Teller
@aerick
(Permission from Lisa to slightly control ophie in this post.)

[Deleted]

Aerick had been looking forward to his breakfast with Clodagh; he had worked three straight overnights at the bar, so he had gone straight to bed after wolfing down a breakfast sandwich from the shop across the street from his apartment, simply too exhausted to do anything productive. His long weekend request however had been approved, and he had spent last night cleaning up his apartment, doing laundry and dishes he had neglected over the past week in exchange for sleep. Today was his first free day, and he had intended on planning it all with his girlfriend. Sadly, she had cancelled last minute, leaving him quite disappointed.

He was sitting in his apartment, glancing at the bottle of champagne and orange juice he had purchased for the two of them before they went off to breakfast. Why was Clo being so mysterious about why she had to cancel? It was so abrupt, and it was a bit unlike her. Aerick hadn’t chosen being in Wampus house for no good reason - it represented the body, and his body was not going to sit still and mope around his house all day. So he went outside and went directly over to Clodaghs apartment she shared with the Welcome Witch at Saint Mungos. He banged on the door loudly. “Clo? It’s Aerick!” he called, banging on the door some more. Finally her roommate swung the door open, surprised to see him at their doorstep. “Clo?” he called out, brushing past her to see….nothing he expected. He took in the puncture wounds, the gouges all over her back, neck and legs. “Clo…” he whispered, sounding horrified but moving closer. “What happened?” he asked softly, looking at her with such tenderness he would not have believed himself to be capable of.

@clodagh

[Deleted]

Clodagh wanted to tell Aerick, wanted him to understand why she was like this. But there was a part of her that was so worried how he would react. It wasn't exactly normal to turn into a mouse whenever the sun set after all! It also wasn't normal to get mauled by a house cat. She didn't want to ruin this relationship, and throwing something like that at him...

Well, she wasn't going to get much choice. Because there was a very loud knock at the door..... And then his voice. Calling through the door. Clodagh's leapt into her throat and began to pound painfully. "Tell him I'm sick!" She whispered desperately as Ophelia stood up from the table. IT was the only excuse she could think of in that moment. He'd believe that right? Sure, it was summer, the likelihood of being sick slim, but she wasn't thinking of that right now. She just needed a reason, any reason, to explain her absense that wasn't the truth.

But before Ophelia could even get out any answer, Aerick was brushing past her room mate and entering the appartment find his girlfriend. Who he found, still sitting at the kitchen table. She would have hidden if it hadn't been for the fact that it hurt to walk right now. Their eyes met and then his dropped to her exposed body, to the injuries. IT wasn't hard to miss. They were practically on display. Clodagh's heart beat even faster and harder at the way he said her name. How she wished he wasn't seeing... this. Any of this. And then.... Her entire body seemed to turn beat red from sheer embarrasment. Because he was seeing a little too much. Immediately Clodagh closed the blanket she'd been wrapped in (though had open so Ophelia could reach the injuries. She hadn't gotten dressed in anything yet.), hiding most of her exposed skin and most of the injuries from sight. "Aerick... I..." She started, mind reeling as she tried, desperately. to think of something, anything, to say. To explain this. TO make it seem normal to look like she'd been mauled by a bear. And yet, nothing came to mind. She couldn't look away from him, from those penetrating and enchanting eyes that normally made her swoon.

Aerick's question was expected. What else could someone ask when they saw something like this? Clodagh swallowed hard, trying to swallow her heart back into her chest so she could breath. "It's... hard to explain." She finally whispered back. And it was. Actually, it was impossible for her. The curse prevented her from telling people about it. The only one that knew as Ophelia, and that had taken quite a bit of work and a demonstration to fully understand.

What was she supposed to do..?

@aerick

[Deleted]

Aerick kept his eyes trained on Clodagh’s as she struggled to find the words. He detected minor details; her quickened breathing, choked words, as though she was trying to tell him something but couldn’t. Why couldn’t she tell him? Aerick looked from Clo to Ophelia, his eyes desperate for answers. Wordlessly, her roommate walked the few paces to her bedroom door and beckoned Aerick to go take a look. He cracked open the door and instinctively leaned back as the cat within meowed loudly and hissed at him. Cats typically could tell Animagi for what they were; Aerick was a snake, and he knew cats didn’t care for snakes much. He closed the door and looked back at Clo. He took in her injuries slowly, comprehension dawning.

Clo was an Animagus, and judging from her injuries, she was either a rat or a mouse.

Aerick was going to go with a mouse, as someone like Clodagh definitely wouldn’t turn into a rat. But there was something weird about her transformations - if she was just an Animagus then wouldn’t she have just told him? It wasn’t as if he was a Muggle. Aerick had to remind himself that he had his own secrets too - and being an python Animagus was just the tip of the iceberg. Aerick’s stomach lurched uncomfortably; he could never be around Clo when she was transformed, as he wasn’t sure if his animalistic instincts would kick in. That would be an unfortunate end to this relationship.

Choosing to stay silent, Aerick made his way over to Clo and took the bandages and salve from Ophelia, who retreated to her bedroom. With the gentlest of touches, Aerick began to dab at Clo’s wounds, working his way under the blanket she had chosen to hide under to patch her up. “You can’t tell anyone about this, can you?” he said, his voice just above a whisper as he continued to heal her. “I’m not the best Healer in the world, but I can try knitting up some of these deeper cuts, if that’s alright,” he added, waiting for her permission before attempting anything.

@clodagh

[Deleted]

Clodagh swallowed hard, trying to remember what she'd said to Ophelia to help explain all of this but drawing a blank. She'd been prepared then. Ready to let someone in on her secret. She wasn't ready today. It'd been sprung upon her and it was terrifying. What would Aerick even think? He'd been trying to get to the bottom of her nightly disappearances for so long... And he was about to get his answer. How would he feel when he found out it was because she was cursed? That every night against her will she became a mouse, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. That while she couldn't prove why the witch doctor had chosen to curse her like this she had a very strong suspicion it was because of how many predators hunted at night, and mice were on all of their food chains. Sure, this was a magical world so people were more accepting of... oddities, but could he accept this? Ophelia, thankfully, was less dumbstruck by the situation and silently showed Aerick to the room with the dreaded cat. Clodagh couldn't help but flinch instinctively as she heard it's hissing.

Her gaze finally dropped to the ground, holding the blanket around herself tightly as she waited for him to say something. Ask something. But he didn't. Instead after a few moments she felt a gentle hand dabbing some of the salve on an injury. Clodagh let out a soft gasp, from the coldness of the salve but also surprise. She knew it was Aerick without looking up at him. She did though, raising her head as he spoke to look at him as he took over for Ophelia. Her flatmate had disappeared, probably into her room. "No..." She quietly answered, her voice quivering just a little from the bubble emotion. Overwhelming relief that instead of leaving he was there. Not demanding she explain it all, but instead trying to help in what way he could. She slowly nodded, still trying to swallow that emotion, as he offered to take care of some of the deeper injuries. She loosened her death grip on the blanket enough to expose her back once more, though still made sure to cover her more... private areas. Her head drooped down once more, eyes closed and trying to return her breathing to normal. "I didn't-" She started but stopped momentarily when her voice cracked. It wouldn't deter her this time. "want you to find out.... like this." If she was being honest, she hadn't wanted him to find out at all, instead hoping that she could find a way to break it before they got to that point. "Every... every night. I-" She choked on the next words, her throat closing so tightly to keep her from telling him that she turned into a mouse against her will. Telling people was so hard, especially when unprepared. "Swan Princess. Only... different." She finally muttered, hoping he would know the story. Cursed to turn into a swan turn the day, and only be human under moonlight. She was forever grateful that hadn't been the curse, especially since there were nights without a moon. But it wasn't that much better.

@aerick

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Aerick racked his brain for mentions of the Swan Princess. It sounded vaguely familiar, but...his eyes rested on one of the slim novels on Clodagh and Ophelia’s bookshelf. From the few times he’d met Clodagh’s roommate, he wasn’t the least bit surprised that she had a collection of Muggle fairy tales. He stood up and gently placed the blanket over Clodagh’s wounds so she wouldn’t feel too exposed, before walking over and grabbing the book from its place. He sat down next to her and flicked through the pages, scanning briefly for the information he needed. Swan princess...girl who turned into a swan at night...human by day….ohhhhhhhh.

Aerick flipped the book close with a snap and sighed. “It’s not your choice is it? To transform into a mouse?” he said quietly. He brushed a stray lock of Clo’s hair from her shoulder, his fingers trailing down her bare shoulder and chewed on his lower lip. “When you talk about New Orleans and studying voodoo...that’s how this happened, isn’t it?” he added. With a shake of his head, Aerick gently lifted the blanket back so he could work on bandaging the wounds he had applied the salve to. When he had finished, he let it fall back into place. He stood up and walked around so he could sit facing Clodagh. He just looked at her, his expression unreadable, for several minutes. “Well, at least now I know you’re not trying to avoid me at night because you don’t want the pleasure of my company,” he said finally, the corner of his mouth quirking upwards into a smirk. He sat back, running his hands through his short hair. “I guess that just leaves one thing to do,” he said, before leaning forward and pressing his lips against hers. “We’ll find a way to get you out of this,” he promised her softly, taking one of her hands in his and squeezing it.

@clodagh

[Deleted]

Swan Princess wasn't the best explanation, but it was the closest to expla what exactly this was. In the story it was an evil wizard and a princess. Not some crazy voodoo witch doctor trying to ruin someone else's life. But, it worked. She didn't look up as he stopped to get the book off the bookshelf, listening to him flip through the pages to probably fill in the gaps of what the story was about. Eventually though he spoke, starting to ask the right questions. Questions that would help him understand exactly what this was. She shook her head, her motion feeling jerky and unnatural. No, it wasn't by choice. Each transformation happened purely against her will. The motion was what let some of her hair fall over her shoulders, to which Aerick brushed away. She looked up then, not quite meeting his gaze but at least looking at him in some way. How this all happened. New Orleans was a great guess, considering what it was known for. Her hands quivers just a little was the membory of how it happened. Or rather that first transformation. How confused and terrified she'd been. "I told you... I... I offend people easily.." SHe muttered, her voice still quivering. She'd told him once how her family had always been apologizing for her growing up. She'd yet to out grow that unusual ability to attract trouble and offend others...

Clodagh didn't move as he finished takening care of the wounds, or when he went to stand in front ofh er, though hse did manage to look up fully and meet his gaze at last. And had absolutely no idea what he was thinking, his expression giving away nothing. It made her want to squirm, not knowing what was going through his mind as he just stared at her. Until finally... a smirk. She blinked, unable to hide that momentary surprise. "I-I- That's not....!" Only after those words stumbled out did she realize that he wasn't accusing her of anything, and her cheeks turned a touch pink as she glanced back down at the ground. She only looked up again when he mentioned there being one thing left to do, and she had good timing, because she'd looked up just in time for him to lean in and kiss her. It set loose a flock of butterflies in her chest and despite her extreme anxiety at the moment she managed to softly return the kiss, still making sure to hold the blanket tightly closed, this time with only one hand as he took the other. "I don't know how." was her pathetic sounding response, as if she'd given up hope already of finding a way to break the curse. "I... I've tried... to find something. For months. I don't.... What if it's permanent..?" It wasn't as if she'd given up hope after those words. She had. Resigned herself to her fate of being stuck like this. Dealing with cat maulings, never being able to spend an evening out with friends, never going on a proper evening date with Aerick... She squeezed his hand back as her gaze dropped, focusing on their joined hands instead of his face.

@aerick

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Seeing Clo look so defeated was only going to deter Aerick forward. He was never one to give up; he had been a proud member of Wampus house when he was at Ilvermorny. The house represented the body, and favored warriors - what kind of warrior would he be to just give up at the first sign of failure? “We’ll find something Clo, it can’t be permanent if it’s voodoo. There’s got to be something that can be done,” Aerick said very firmly. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her square in the eye. “We can do this together, but you’ve got to let me help you Clo,” he told her. Already his mind was racing on what to do and where to go. He had additional resources available to him; he had found out that Elaine had recruited a Voodoo Mistress to her campaign, so if all else failed, he had that. Clodagh could never know that though if he ended up going in that direction. “If we have to go back to New Orleans, we will do that too...together,” he told her with a half smile. It was almost like he was proposing a vacation, except to find the voodoo priestess that had put this curse on her and potentially maim and torture her until she lifted it. Same thing, right?

Aerick offered her his hand. “Come on, you go get dressed and I’ll take you to Saint Mungos for proper treatment. Wear something light so it doesn’t bother your wounds. You have someone there you trust other than your roommate correct?” he started briskly, then smiled. “After you’re all healed up, there will still be some daylight we can spend together,” he told her. “Of course, only if you want to,” he added, trying to hide a chuckle as he winked at her.

@clodagh

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Clodagh didn't understand. Why Aerick's reaction was like this. Why he wanted to help. It wasn't because she thought he wouldn't, but because she wasn't... used to that sort of reaction. Her eyes remained wide as saucers as he stared into them and almost demanded that she let him help her. That even if they had to go to New Orleans they would. Together. It was.... intense to say the least. Seeing and hearing how passionate someone was about something to do with her. Her lips parted just a little, trying to respond in some way but no words come out. So, she just gave a small nod.

Of course, her speechlessness was soon in regards to the fact that he brought up her getting dressed and she was once again very conscious of the fact that she was only wrapped in a blanket. Immediately her cheeks flushed red and she held the blanket tighter. "There.... There's one... Who won't ask questions." She stumbled out to say, focusing on his question. Ophelia had helped her find a more discreet healer. The woman never asked how you received an injury. Clodagh tried to avoid going as much as she could but for the times she knew she had to (like now) she knew she could go to the woman. Not necessarily trust her, but trust was hard to build. Making sure to hold the blanket closed with one hand she accepted his offered hand with the other, slowly getting to her feet. "I want to!" The girl immediately burst out louder and more passionate then she'd intended. The only reason she'd cancelled on this morning was because of obvious reasons. This time her cheeks her red because of her unintended outburst, though she wasn't going to take it back. Pursing her lips together, she looked away, still embarrassed but not ashamed of the words. "Wait here. She finally announced as she moved towards her room, forcing her voice back to a more even tone, but somehow managing to sound a little bossier then usual. She wanted to spend today with him, and now that he knew about her... circumstances she wasn't going to let it stop her!

@aerick

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Aerick could tell Clodagh was processing his sheer willingness to help in her own way, and if truth was told he was a little sad that Clo didn’t realize sooner that he wasn’t going anywhere. Their conversations had not gone into previous relationships - for the best as Aerick still did not tell anyone about his daughter Olive - but he wondered now if that may have been a mistake. Perhaps he should trust Clo with some of his secrets too, now that he was privy to her biggest, darkest one. But which? That he was an Animagus that took the form of her forms’ natural predator? Or that he was a father? Or his affiliation with the Purifiers? That last one was definitely out of the question, and he didn’t know what Clo thought of children yet. So, the first it was.

“On the topic of Animagi, I have something to share with you,” he told her as she came back into the kitchen after dressing herself. Not that he minded the look before but in all fairness if they were going to be in public clothing was required. “In that, I am one too,” he said. Typically, when revealing his Animagus form, he wouldn’t tell people what he was first, and just transformed. Clodagh was different however, and he felt he needed to tell her before he showed his form. “I don’t want you to freak out, and I promise that my transformations are completely controlled - I wouldn’t uncontrollably transform around you,” he told her, pausing again. Why was this so hard to articulate? Maybe because nine times out of ten, he used his form to enforce Elaine’s wishes, and he didn’t give the other person much choice in the matter. “I’m a...python. About six feet, golden flecked markings like in my hair. I can show you if you want, if you think you won’t freak out,” he said hurriedly, folding his hands together and looking Clodagh straight in the eye. He knew how some people got about snakes, and he would try to not be offended if Clodagh wanted to skip the physical demonstration of this confession.

@clodagh

[Deleted]

What was Aerick saying?

Clodagh had just finished getting dressed in a very casual outfit (jeans and a loose top.) and stepped back into the main living space of the apartment when Aerick mentioned having something to share about Animagi. Specifically that he was one. Clodagh stopped walking mid step, her eyes blinking rapidly in surprise. He was an animagus. But really... should she be surprised? The topic had never come up and there was plenty they didn't know about each other. But then he went on to explain what he was, leading up to it with not wanting her to freak out (that was very reassuring.). Despite his warning she still couldn't help the small and involuntary flinch at the word 'python'. She hadn't actually encountered any pythons as a mouse, but she had met a snake once. It... had been a terrifying experience to put it mildly.

This was also Aerick though. That instinctual fear when she was a mouse had been bleeding over into her normal personality for months now, but even that couldn't override that she did trust him, despite his ability to... to turn into a snake. A natural predator to mice. She managed to meet his gaze after he'd spoke, offering to show her if she wouldn't freak out. Somehow she managed to find herself smiling. It was a very shaky, and nervous one, but it was a smile none the less. "I.. I can't promise that." She admitted. "I've.... had a few close encounters with.... larger animals before. Once was a snake." She started to explain, pausing to take a breath and glance down at her hands as she forced them to relax. "Even when I'm human I can't.... I can't help but feel nervous." Fear was a very powerful emotion. And switching between fearing something during night and not fearing it during the day was a pretty hefty task. After a moment though she looked back up from her hands and back at Aerick, that smile a little braver then before. "Thank you. For telling me."

@aerick

[Deleted]

Aerick’s heart sank a little at Clodagh’s obvious nervousness. It had been a risk, certainly telling her about his Animagus status and it’s particular form, but he had been willing to take it. He did not want her to think he was hiding a lot of things from her, and this had been the easiest one to divulge - less repercussions that way. Or so he had thought. “I promise, I’ve been an Animagus since I was eighteen. I have complete control over it, so if I ever see you as…” He paused, unsure how to phrase it. “A mouse, it won’t make me transform,” he finally said, taking both her hands in his and squeezing them tightly. “I want this to work Clodagh, and I know you’re nervous about it but I need you to put some faith in me. Know you’re not alone,” his words were passionate and his eyes were soft, willing Clodagh to relax; nothing was going to hurt her while he was around.

Aerick straightened, and kept one hand clasped with Clo’s. “Come on, we’re going out,” he said with a grin. He had just gotten a wonderful idea of where they should go for the day and they didn’t have another moment to spare. At least, in his opinion. He squeezed her hand again. “I’m going to Apparate us somewhere; do you trust me to get you there alright?” he asked her. He had been to this place once before, briefly, on a mission for Elaine. He hadn’t been able to stop and sightsee but he couldn’t get over the beauty of the place, and he wanted Clodagh to see it too.

@clodagh

[Deleted]

Clodagh didn’t know why Aerick was so easy to trust. But ever since she’d met him she’d always felt safe with him. Despite her extreme unease and anxiety (due to her predicament) there had never been a doubt in her mind that she couldn’t trust him. Even now, knowing he was a snake Animagus. That didn’t change anything. And it made her feel awful to admit that him turning into his animal form would make her nervous. But nervous was very different then trust. ”I trust you, Aerick.” was her… well not really confident answer, but it was truthful. ”I know you won’t do anything.” It was just an irrational (not really irrational when you were a mouse) fear, so regardless it was difficult to handle. Even when she knew it was safe. She hoped he would understand that though. All she could do though was smile just a little and squeeze his hand back.

THe woman blinked rapidly in surprise when he announced they were going out. Not saying where, or what they’d be done. Just out. Her lips parted for a moment, but quickly closed as words failed her. Instead she just nodded quickly, silently agreeing because it seemed her body was more obedient than her words. ”Yes, of course!” She answered, her words at least returning after that moment of vocal rebellion.

@aerick
(Wrap it up on your turn?)

[Deleted]

Aerick smiled as he took her hands in his before wrapping one arm around her shoulders. He twisted, and brought them to the lush countryside of Kent. They would be visiting Dover Castle, a beautiful yet formidable fortress that stood to make the incoming French invasions wary. The castle had survived so many beatings, yet still stood strong, and in a way it reminded him of Clodagh. That was why he knew he had to take her here, to show her this castle, in order to convince her to do what she needed to do.

The truth was, Aerick couldn’t help break the voodoo curse on Clodagh. He had spent sleepless nights reading books upon books of voodoo and nothing seemed to be able to lift it, except going back and facing the one who cast the curse in the first place. He had decided against asking Nicolette; he didn’t want it getting back to Elaine t that he was searching for a voodoo curse cure. She’d start prying, asking why this was so important to her. Clodagh’s safety was more important than that, so to New Orleans Clo had to go. He’d miss her, more than he would ever admit out loud, but knew this was the right path for her to follow. She would come back eventually, free from her curse, and they could actually go out at night; that would be something for him to look forward to.

It took a lot of convincing, and impassioned pleas, but finally, Clodagh agreed to give it a try, if not for their sake than for hers alone. It had been too long that she had walked as a human in the moonlight, and she deserved a chance to live like a normal human being. Their farewell was bittersweet; Aerick almost came close to shedding a tear, but he watched her leave with a steely resolve. They would meet again someday - he was sure of that.

le end </3