ainsleyxbrooks

[ainsleyxbrooks]

That's the real difference between you and me, Bel, I wasn't the subject of the devil's wet fantasies.

You get revved up, and I feel like I need a nap. Reminds me just how different we are.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

I've been looking for an excuse to stretch my legs, but a former Prince of Hell who holds my soul and found his voice at my disposal? I might take you up on the offer.

It was definitely a battle of the ages. Glad you got to take part in it– if you need help with that coven of yours, I'm at your disposal.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

I ended up with a nasty cut on my back that hurt more than the matching tattoo we got. Totally worth it, Jade.

Just an addition to my growing menagerie, better than any tattoo.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Oh, he's a possessive overprotective lover, isn't he? You should expect nothing less than his weird ass kinks.

Tragic, you can't stand straight with a literal symbol of your power weighing you down. Sad story.

As if Lust would let anyone touch my arm other than him. He even offered to clean it, but no one needed to see that.

Oh no, bummer– no more hunk of metal throwing my balance off anymore.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Are you offering all three to me then, beautiful? I could never turn down a celebration.

You know what that means, right? Booze, dancing, sex galore– no better way to celebrate.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Nothing like seeing the heads rolling to get the juices flowing.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

I haven't used a good hex in a mighty while. I did have fun watching you, though, I'll admit.

It's been a while since I've stretched my claws; almost too much fun.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

And to think you would have servants who can scrub the hunk of metal for you, My Prince.

Oh, wait. No more crown.

I'm never going to get demon gunk out of the panels.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

A demon's claw marks are just the mementos to recall our slaughtering and maiming teamwork.

It's not a real battle if I don't get some scar to add to my collection.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Ainsley ran her index finger carefully over the words printed on the page, picking up a few words in a language she didn't speak well. Her grandmother's oldest spell books were the same way, inscribed with different tongues that have been passed down through generations. She was almost happy the older woman wasn't here to watch the coven crumble or become caught in the spell's crossfire. "She obviously loaned it to you for a reason, Little Witch. Trusted you with it enough to have the more important spells memorized." Ainsley raised her head and noticed Gianna's expression, nonchalantly adding, "Oh, Pandora thought I'd like to know who's slaughtering the coven. Saves me the trouble." She waved a hand and returned her full attention to the grimoire's pages. "Smart move, if you really think about it. Every spell is unique to the magical being who created them." The blonde flickered her gaze along the brunette, "I'm a hex witch, Gianna, performing that sort of magic and it being a bad idea is my life. Hey, how about this one?" Ains turned the book toward the other, pointing at the page in question, "A linking spell. It would take down everyone easier while the resurrection starts."

Gianna hummed in agreement. Things that were genuinely worth understanding were always challenging to obtain. The witch watched as Ainsley flipped through the pages with care, propping her chin in her hands as she did so. "Who knows if she'll take it back when this is all said and done," Gi muttered, finally prying her eyes away from her current obsession to look at Ainsley fully, "a part of me hopes that she doesn't want it back but who am I to keep it from her? Grimoires are a witch's pride and joy, after all." The witch raised a brow at the comment, not knowing how Ainsley had heard that they were planning to use a resurrection spell but not entirely surprised that she knew. Rolling her eyes at the 'your highness' part, the witch shrugged. "I've tried. It's like the book is charmed to avoid copies or something– you try to look at it through a camera's lens, it's blank. Envy has been helping with translations physically or through his library, but it's still time-consuming." She sighed, fingers rubbing at her temples gingerly. "Thanks for not immediately telling me performing some sort of magic like a resurrection is a bad idea or warning me against it. Sometimes, that's all I hear from people first."

[ainsleyxbrooks]

"Classic First Witch move. If it were easy, everyone could read it." Ainsley reached out for the spell book and flipped it open, gingerly turning a few of its pages as she inspected the scriptures. Gianna wasn't kidding, Pandora actually flipflopped between tongues. "You will have the time to read it when the shit show's over, Little Witch. Unless she decided to want her grimoire back." She quipped. "Heard along the grapevine you were searching for a resurrection spell. Google translate may help in this scenario, your highness."

"Have fun with how often she switches between languages," Gianna quipped, holding the book out for the hex witch to take. She would be more hesitant if it were anyone outside of her or Envy, but she knew Ainsley wasn't the type to take the book and run or harm it in any way. She needed the break anyway. "I wish I had more time to read it leisurely, but I don't. Probably why it's making my head hurt so much."

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Sitting here with Gluttony in a civilized manner, feeling no shred of disdain or satisfaction for the man's current difficult situation, Ainsley saw a reminder of how she used to view the princes once upon a time. Her years in the coven drilled a pretty clear picture that demons were not creatures of trust or dependency, instead they were reduced to soulless monsters wanting nothing more than humanity's suffering and supposedly rang the same truth with the Princes of Hell. They were carnal beings representing the seven deadly sins corrupting any poor soul who fell under their conniving charms. Ainsley held her prejudices, her hatred, but Gluttony wiped her slate clean by gifting what few so kill for. She cared to think they reached proper footing, even a deeply connected understanding of one another. And now here she is willing to help not only his cause, but the uprising against their King. It's rare Ains offered her assistance willingly, yet she saw no problem when the interests of those she cared about aligned and depended on the outcome of this war. "I'm not here to shove the crock of optimistic outlook down your throat, Gluttony, we both know that's not my thing. We can silently agree on the truth of your situation. However, if the opportunity for a solution arose, I'd help." Ainsley speared a wedge of chicken on her fork and popped it in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "We're stuck with each other, if you haven't learned by now. My coven is weeks, maybe days away, from going kaput and I could use all the friends I can get. Even the mute ones with," She paused, tapping the demon's notebook with her index finger, "surprisingly beautiful penmanship."

Gluttony was only mildly surprised when Ainsley did as he'd suggested and filled her plate with the vast array of dishes he'd prepared to keep his hands busy and thoughts less racing. If he didn't know the hex-witch, he would have thought she was pitying him, but that's not who Ainsley was. She doesn't pity and sees the world more in black and white; she is firm in her resolve. Beings are always drawn to the princes who most resemble what they want out of their lives, and while she hungered for vengeance against the coven, she hungered for freedom. He strived to deliver, often staying out of her way unless he had a task he needed her prowess for. Ainsley only proved her black-and-white thinking since she didn't blame him for his soul being taken– a huff of laughter leaving him. Gluttony resumed demolishing his plate before her comment hit him fully. She wanted to fix him. He couldn't help but smile at the sentiment, though he shrugged. Isabel had been by to evaluate, and so had Ezekiel; they had come to the same conclusion. There was nothing to repair; nothing was there. It was like he was never made with a voice to begin with. His King effectively went in and removed the very crux of his being and made it so that magic couldn't repair him. It would have been too easy that way. He took a couple more bites of his food before grabbing the notepad again. "I'm not sure killing the King will even fix it. I might be stuck this way for the rest of my life." He paused, really hating that thought. An eternity of silence, of nothing but doing what he could to fill the void that his chatter left... it was haunting. He scribbled once more, "thanks for wanting to try. It means more than you know."

[ainsleyxbrooks]

No wonder the cover is as dusty as my grandmother's attic. Just give me it, a fresh set of eyes sometimes catch what you miss. Come on, hand it over.

I am– this is the First Witch's grimoire and it's taking me longer than I like to read through it. I'm a bookworm and this book is kicking my butt.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

And my life isn't on the line as everyone else's? I do not bother to care how the coven burns to the fucking ground, as long as it does even if it isn't by my hand. Does this involve the Firsts? Or another valuable piece at play?

I doubt anyone would force you into helping, others are more... inclined since their lives are truly on the line. The dominos are falling, though, Ainsley, and you will be getting what you wished with the coven sooner than you think.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Ainsley briefly watched the Prince use a hint of the salve before casting her gaze around the kitchen's countertops. On every surface imaginable lay dishes unlike anything one will find in a city like theirs, it was almost as if they were taken straight from the origin country and plopped down. Why it would surprise her that Gluttony, a Prince blatantly known for consuming any and all, knew how to cook well and in abundance, she will never know. Honestly, it never occurred to her asking those types of questions or really having the chance getting to know the demon she sold her soul to. Ains figured she would have made the deal, destroyed the coven, and moved forward with her life without her and Gluttony becoming friends, but the guy wasn't half bad. He took her in, didn't act like a stuck up prick who could order her around, which is a massive improvement from her time at the coven. Ainsley reached for the plate and moved around the room per the instructions, filling the space with different delicacies that looked appetizing. She grabbed her own set of utensils and slid in the stool next to him, eyes catching the notebook and the writing on it. "Don't sweat it. I'm going to Hell either way, right, no matter how soon it could be." Ainsley stuck her fork in a helping of rice and took a bite. "Sorry I can't fix it for you, big guy."

The Prince was the face of many things. Overindulgence in food, drink, conversation, and anything under the sun that would cripple a regular human if he so desired it. What many people didn't realize was that he was an exceptional cook, oftentimes cooking home meals for himself, Lust, and Josephine to enjoy. Like a small family unit even as fractured as it was at the moment. Platters of food spanning several ethnic backgrounds covered the counterspace, the last bit of space on the island not in front of the bar stools covered by the casserole dish he had pulled out of the oven. Gluttony's gaze moved to the entrance of the kitchen curiously as Ainsley walked in, brow raising curiously before moving his gaze back to the dish– topping the Duck Confit with dashes of thyme taking the dishcloth off his shoulder and wiping his hands clean to take the container from the hex witch. The Prince nodded his thanks, opening the lid of the salve to take a curious sniff before taking a small bit and rubbing it into his skin. It was warming and felt nice– a very surprisingly nice gesture coming from Ainsley. Pocketing the container, Gluttony turned to a cabinet to retrieve a couple plates and utensils before turning back to the witch again. Handing the second plate to the blonde, he gestured wildly to array of food around him. Could he have eaten it all on his own? Yes, but the Prince also knew when to share. Grabbing healthy servings onto his own plate, he wandered to one of the empty stools and barely sitting before he began to shovel the food into his mouth. Stopping briefly, Gluttony grabbed the small notebook from his breast pocket and wrote in it before tossing it on the island for the blonde to read. "Thanks for the salve. Sorry I lost your soul."

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Maybe you're not looking in the correct place.

So many interesting things but nothing of what I need yet.

[ainsleyxbrooks]

Oh, that was not me being offended, it was just a simple observation you act like you haven't heard before. So, what exactly is the coven hoping to achieve bringing your kind in? Eliminating the defectors?

You know you lot are very touchy for being supposed top-tier fighters when I only said the truth. I care not for your melodramatics or what you call your coven– they are cowards, but I can assure you that my coven and I are not.