Something not on the shopping list, open, But primarily Damien

[ALEX THOMS]

Alex had heard the door chime of chasing moonlight enough times over the past year that by now his brain hardly even registered the sound. He closes the door behind himself and then steps into the store. Unlike the doorbells, the nostalgia chasing moonlight always brought forth in Alex did not wear off. As his eyes fell on the check out counter he half expected his parents to be standing behind it. But by now Alex had grown used to shaking this feeling off. So he covered his temporary discomfort by giving a generic smile to the clerk. But the feeling never goes away entirely. Part of Alex still had an urge to grab a stake and run into the back room to dust Antoinette into oblivion. But he knew he would not find Antoinette, he would never find Antoinette. But this was probably a good thing. Alex doubted he could handle a second encounter with that particular vampire.

Alex turned and walked to the book shelves, he hadn't come here with any particular purchase in mind. But now that he was here he realized he had been looking for the solarity ritual. The idea of being able to generate sunlight from one's hand was very appealing to Alex, but he knew the ritual was extremely complicated; but reading up on it couldn't hurt. So Alex let his fingers run along the pines of the scores of books the shop held in its shelves. The ritual was used by Germanic witches if Alex remembered correctly, so when his finger cam across Magics of the German Lands Alex stopped. He pulled the book out.

As he opened the old leather-bound his eyes instantly scanned the index. ( Ah, no dice. No offense spells. Just home blessings and stuff.) So Alex returned the book to its home on the shelf. He began to hum as he continued to look around.

[DAMIEN MCEVOY]

If there was one thing that Damien McEvoy hated it was to be perceived as weak or inexperienced in anything that he chose to partake in and that was exactly the way that he felt when it came to the magic’s. It had been a few months since the day he had found “Wicca for the Beginners” He could still remember had taking the book out ignoring the warnings of the librarian and proceeded to try a few of the “make believe” spells oh how foolish he had been. Since then he had managed to successfully learn about the basic principles behind the magick such as if you take something valuable from the universe it’ll want something in return, or that the more powerful forms of magick always had consequences. In terms of actually applying this knowledge he could now levitate pencils and even summon the element of fire. He was also progressing when it came to summoning the element of water usually summoning steam or the smallest drops of water. However due to his studying independently he was not aware of how far into his magick training a magic user of his age should be nor did he have any desire to find out. No he was the type to push himself and didn’t feel that he had advanced as much as he should have now that he had made it to his third month as a magical user. No he felt he needed to improve and it was for that reason that Damien had appeared at Chasing Moonlight on that particular day.

It was the dark haired young man first time ever visiting the store and to put it frankly he was nervous as hell. What if he said or did the wrong thing? What if he found out from an expert that he was a pathetic excuse of a Wicca and he would be better off quitting the craft there and then? Oh yes indeed Damien was nervous and it was a feeling that he was not accustomed to and certainly not one that he enjoyed. As a result he had been putting off going to the store for over a month now. Despite knowing for that amount of time he would need to go to the shop one day. While the book he had gotten out of the library was good, it was but one of what he was sure was many books for those at the beginner level available. Well he could have used some of the other books in the library, but merely from skimming the content page he could tell the result of him trying those spells would be him and his parents homeless from having the house blown up. Fuck one of them even talked about Resurrection spells a branch of magic that even he knew was one of the most volatile types that you could imagine. He also needed to collect supplies to perform some of the spells within the book that he already did have.

Sighing to himself as he walked down the street Damien was amazingly composed for someone who felt the mixture of excitement and nervousness that he did. Wearing a pair of dark navy blue jeans and a tight white top that looked more like something you used while working out than anything you’d wear on your everyday travels the young Wicca was convinced that he was looking good. To emphasis this mild effort he had put into his appearance his black hair was styled into spikes with the fringe lying somewhat flat. While Damien wasn’t good looking in the classical sense he was certainly in his own unique way appealing. Though he was something of a geek at heart he had the appearance of a bad boy. With the darkest of black in his hair and mildly pale skin only those with an acquired taste would ever describe him as drop dead gorgeous. Not that he would ever take such a saying seriously oh no Damien was all too aware of his own limitations and it was for this reason and this reason alone that 9 out of 10 times he managed to bed those whether male or female that he decided to give a go. It was a beautiful sunny day the type of day that most would give their right hand for. However Damien was much too busy to pay attention to such a trivial matter.

Turning a corner Damien was now finally near his destination. Walking a few block he finally arrived at Chasing Moonlight. Looking at the place the Wicca could not help, but be somewhat impressed. Though it was rather small in size being what he estimated to be a quarter of the size of the library he frequently inhabited it still definitely had a rather distinctive look about that. Of course the pictures of different demons or herbs on the window display certainly didn’t do any harm. Stepping into the store he was surprised at the sound of a chime coming from the doorway behind him. There weren’t many stores that bothered with such items now a day. Oh no most of the doors of stores tended to be warded by those sensors which detected whether you were trying to steal from the store. Then again if you had magic on your side you really didn’t need to worry about that, did you? Or at least that was what Damien assumed. After surveying the room he was surprised to find that there was only one other customer other than himself present. The other was in Damien’s opinion smoking hot after all in his opinion he others clothing didn’t leave much to the imagination as to what his body looked like. However he had more important things to be doing right now than flirting with some random bloke. No matter how attractive he may find him.

[ALEX THOMS]

The effect that Alex felt after spending any significant time in the magic shop was beginning to take affect, Alex could feel magic flowing from every book on the shelf, every talisman across the room , from the walls, the man behind the counter, and (oh boy) the guy who just walked in. Ok so maybe a little more so from the guy who just walked in. Alex didn't let himself turn in the guys direction, he merely peered at him through the corner of his eye. He tugged thoughtlessly at his grey sweater and ran his hands down his straight leg jeans. This is the classic Alex around a hot guy, the lack of focus and what not. Alex shook his head, bringing the focus back to magic, as it should be. So with the boy clear out of mind Alex returned to scanning over all the books. ( There’s no point on the solarity spell. I won't be able to even attempt that without Willow. Maybe a glamour, those can be pretty basic. But it could be really useful. Oh I am so turning myself into a hot guy and looking at myself naked.) Alex widened his eyes at his own creepiness. (Ok creeper alert, that was gross. But seriously lets get back to it, glamours. For fighting and what not. No sex, none at all, ok maybe a little, just look for the fucking book!)

Alex stood and walked around the book shelf to the opposite side. Here he found several books on the topic. A wiccan's guide to illusions seemed to be the most promising. Alex grabbed the book from the shelf. Opening to the index he saw that glamours were the first chapter. It made sense, on the scale of illusions they were one of the simplest. Not wanting to read in the isle, Alex looked around the store. There was a chair on the other side. Alex closed the book and began to walk across. He made a point not to look at the boy as he passed, all focus would be lost if he had done so. Alex sat in the chair and began to read. It truly was simple, three cinnamon sticks over an open flame. Inhale the smoke, run your hands over what you wish to change, and imagine the change. (I'll have to do that tonight, I'll show Willow once I really get it.)

Alex craved to go further into the book, but he knew this wasn't wise. If Alex found an illusion spell he found interesting, he would want to cast it, and then he would cast it, and he would fuck it up and get someone hurt. Most likely himself. He would use way to powerful magics and would seriously drain himself. Willow had warned him what happened when someone over used magic. So Alex just read over the spell a few more times for memorization and then stood. He began to walk back across to the shelf. But then it slipped, the book fell from Alex's fingers landing right in front of the guy's feet. Alex looked with an apologetic grin. "Sorry"

[DAMIEN MCEVOY]

If there was one thing that Damien hated and that was having to show self restraint as he was doing at the moment. The other male in the shop was yummy stuff and yet here he was keeping his mind on magic rather than going over and flirting with him. Though he knew that this was the right thing for him to do right now, it didn’t mean that he had to like it. Brushing a piece of his fringe away with his left hand so that it was no longer in the way of his eye he walked over in the direction of the section quite clearly labelled “Beginners.” His walk was somewhat elegant, as it gave an impression of a level of confidence hardly ever felt. The Wicca had long ago learnt that appearances were everything, if you didn’t know how to show confidence even when you weren’t, or how to hide fear or nervousness. Then you weren’t going to survive very long whether it’s in school or in the big bad scary world. Rolling his eyes at the thought he always found those who said that to him to be utter simpletons. Had they forgotten what high school was? With the constant bitchness, back stabbing, cliques to contend with all the while trying to pay enough attention to your studies to ensure that all exams taken are passed. Oh yes surviving school even in a small town like Stones was a dangerous business.

Snapping himself out of his thoughts having finally reaching the beginners section of the store. He glanced at the titles before him pleased to see the book he himself had already studied in edition to companion guides which explained in greater depth the history of witch craft and what really happened during the Salem witch trials and one which dealt with controlling the elements in a greater capacity once you had managed your initial summon of all four. Picking up both of the books he turned them both to their index pages scanning the contents as a way for checking their usefulness. With a small nod more to himself rather than anyone has decided to buy both of the books. Placing them both under his arms as he continued to look at the titles. He certainly found himself intrigued even here within the beginners section there were so many different areas of magic to look at such as controlling of the four basic elements, basic illusions or even basic potion making. Grabbing one of the books on potions he placed it under his arm in addition to the other two he had previously chosen. Allowing a small smile to reach his features it was quite clear to anyone watching that the sixteen year old was feeling quite satisfied with himself now he would be able to develop what he had learnt about so far and even start his focus on another equally important area of the craft potion making.

SMACK! The dark haired one turns ever so slightly in response to the sound. His movements are slow, cautious in case the sound is due to something of a suspicious nature. Seeing that it is nothing more than a book falling out of the other guys grasp, Damien smiles at him before ducking to retrieve the dropped book. Arching an eyebrow ever so slightly at the title he could help, but smirk ever so slightly at the possibilities that came into his head of making use of illusions. Most of which involved himself and other very hot naked people. Boys will be boy’s after all especially horny teenage ones like himself. He moved back up to face the other he moves in such a way that the bottom of his shirt moves up ever so slightly to reveal the bustling abs below. Oh yes he could be quite the flirt when he wanted to be. After all it was fun to play with people, even if he made it clear to those ugly they can look, but they certainly can’t touch. “Oh you have nothing to be sorry about. Believe me dropping books is something I do all the time[ Pausing to look at the other he couldn’t help, but wonder how he was going to react to his little display. He had of course ignored the whole thing choosing not to bring it up. Oh no charming them while acting entirely innocent was much more fun. And really and truly an act that very few could actually get away with successfully.

“You must be a pretty powerful Warlock to be learning about such a precise branch of magic. It certainly opens up a whole new number of opportunities does it not?” The reasons for those particular words were two fold one was to subtly compliment him continuing his little game while the other was to hopefully get an idea from the others response just how powerful he truly was. He moved his arms ever so slightly in an effort to keep the books he himself was buying. After all he didn’t like the idea of allowing others to know when they had one up in him and certainly not those he didn’t even know very well.

[ALEX THOMS]

Power. What a complex word when it involves Alex and wicca. The simple answer to Damien's question would be yes. Willow had told him along with Lucilla, Alex had an affinity for magic. He was naturally connected to it. Spells and rituals came easier to him than they did for most people. But this didn't mean Alex was an extraordinary witch. The spell itself was the easy part, backfires where what you needed to watch for. I mean Willow, the greatest witch Alex has ever met, was turned evil by magic. As much as Alex loved magic he knew well enough to fear the risks it carried. Not doing so was the greatest mistake of fools. Magic was woven into the fabric of reality, every time a wiccan pulled one of the threads, another thread somewhere in the tapestry is altered as well. The true dangers of magic lie in those unseen movements. But for true risk the magic had to be large. A charm here or there did little in the grand design. But the fool who sought to raise the dead could bring about something worse than the creations of the world's most twisted minds.

Alex reached out and gratefully took the book. As he took book he smiled and looked into Damien's wide eyes. The look his eyes carried startled Alex. They were far more intense than one would have expected for the common shop goer. There was eagerness; Alex could understand feeling eager in a magic shop simply because the feeling is shared. But there was a want , a desire the baffled Alex.( I'm over analyzing.) But Alex knew not to dismiss what is seen in the eyes of men and women. Anyone can change their face, any one can force a straight posture and a wide smile. But eyes can never lie, even the purest evil feel prey to the truths their own eyes revealed. Alex had known his parent's fate before he had seen the wounds in their necks, their eyes had been emptied of mortality and filled with false emotion that was design to do nothing more than disguise the pure undying hunger that know dominated their excuses for lives.

However Alex doubted that Damien's eyes had ever been emptied, on the contrary they were flowing over with suppressed emotion and unfulfilled desire. But for what? What in the world could possibly fill a teenage boy with a desire so intense? Sex was of course a possibility, but few people had a desire for sex that deep, rarely did such cravings rise above the wait line. These thoughts swan in Alex’s mind for just a few moments before he decided to respond. "I've been practicing for over a decade, and I guess you could say that magic is really anything more than a collection of opportunities."(An opportunity to quench my curiosity) Staring into Damien's eyes Alex took in a quick breath, enough for him to center himself and his magic. He whispered the ancient words in Latin, Dad had taught him this one. "sentio suus affectus" There was a slight wind that carried from Damien to Alex. The wind did not go around Alex, it went into him. And with the wind Alex could feel the emotions of Damien, his desire for Alex, power, and the appearance of superiority. Alex began to loose his own breath, the process of feeling 2 sets of emotions at once (especially when one is so strong) was unbelievably draining. His sight of Damien lost focus, he had an urge to pounce on Damien and simultaneously run home and study magic until he was stronger than and witch around.

Alex's head was throbbing, if Damien was talking Alex wasn't able to hear it. He was doing an excellent job of not showing his distress. He stood still and did not wince, but such control was speeding the draining process. Another whisper escaped Alex's lips, "terminus sensus". And with that it was over. Alex was feeling nothing more than his own emotion. But he knew what was dwelling in Damien's eyes, and it intrigued him almost as much as it terrified him.

[DAMIEN MCEVOY]

Ah Damien knew of the dangers which were associated with magic, the way that magic tore at the fabrics of reality manipulating them so that they suited the needs of the person tampering with them. He had read of people who had gone insane due to intense usage of the magicks, or of people who had been killed by the various magic entities they had dared summoned. Idiots, the lot of them. He sure as hell wouldn’t be following in their footsteps. Oh no he was going to grow to become the most powerful warlock that this world had ever seen. After all everyone knew of Willow Rosenberg the most powerful witch in the western hemisphere arguably the world. Well now it was time for the warlocks to strike back. Not that he knew much about the witch having only heard a mild reference to her being mentioned on an page on the net which documented the best known witches of the time. He had found the rumour of her having raised a slayer from the dead to be a little bit ridiculous though. No one could raise those who have died a natural death and usually looked worse for wear trying. The only thing about the page that bothered him was the mention of a slayer… What the hell was a slayer? There was only one thing for it he was going to have to hit the books on different supernatural entitles to find out.

Damien like Alex found that the longer he practised his Wicca the better he could sense the magic in the air. While he wasn’t the most intuitive of magical users having only a little experience in the craft, he knew enough to sense a sudden change in the vibrations of the air in the shop. Someone or something was intending on doing magic in the near future. Diverting his attention away from Alex in the direction of the shop keeper his eyes narrowed. He ignored the other as he spoke dismissing him as being too busy paying attention to himself to bother with performing any magic. Turning once more though still watching the shop keeper out of the corner of his eye. He decided respond “Really that long? You must come from a family of Wicca’s then? Seeing as your what sixteen, seventeen?” Still that feeling of change was haunting him as he spoke. You see what most people didn’t realize even amongst Wicca’s themselves was that even thinking about casting a spell was a form of magic on its own. After all it involved the channelling of ones own magical power didn’t it? Suddenly what he had been expecting came and not from the shop keeper, but rather the one he was speaking to. He felt really awkward, almost as though somehow he was been scanned. He felt in a way as though he was somehow been violated.

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” His words were spoken quite loudly enough to startle the poor shopkeeper who simply looked at him for several seconds before walking into a room behind the counter. It was more than likely they too had felt the flow of magic going through the air. And then it finally stopped. He continued to look at the other his eyes narrowed, feet moved slightly apart. His entire body clenched up. It was quite clear to anyone watching that the mood of Damien had clearly turned from that of amusement and even mild attraction to out right hostility. “I demand you tell me what you just did to me! And really did you not think I wouldn’t notice?” He paused for a few seconds eyebrows raised in the direction of the other after his question… Really he might have over a decade of experience over him, but he was till still idiotic when it came to some of the basic principles of magic, or more than likely he had forgotten. After all in many cases the more powerful you become in terms of what you can cast, the more you forget about the basic principles that allow you to cast the spells in the first place. Narrowing his eyes once more having clearly decided he had given the other enough time to respond he continued. “I mean come on! That was some level of spell work and surely you must have realized I would sense the shift of magic in the air especially when it’s directed towards me.”

Moving away from the other he moved in the direction of the supplies section of the store. His movements were slow, his muscles were still slightly clenched up and he had the clear appearance of someone who wasn’t particularly comfortable. Then again what the hell did you expect when someone decided to violate you in such a terrible way? And during your first encounter as well. Picking up some roots he continued to stare at the other with a look that well let us just say if they could kill Alex would be stone dead on the floor hundred times over. Oh yes he might be occupying himself by continuing with his shopping, but that didn’t mean he still didn’t want answers. Oh no he wanted to know what the other had just done for intellectual purposes at the very least. He wouldn’t get into a magical fight, he was smart enough to know that he wouldn’t win, but he also knew that when the time came if he ever saw the other again. He would be dead meat.

[ALEX THOMS]

The minute Alex saw the look on Damien’s face he knew he had fucked up bug time. Most teenagers you ran into didn't even believe in magic. And even if it was in a magic shop, it wasn't likely they were advanced enough to sense or recognize magic when it was used. But clearly Alex had under estimated Damien. He wasn't super advanced, but he was far alo0ng enough to know it when someone was using magic on him. The fear that was creeping through Alex was undeniable. This Damien kid had serious potential, and his desire for power was greater than anything Alex had ever felt. This combination was beyond lethal. Alex could already see Damien consumed by power, completely out of control of his own body. He needed guidance, someone like Willow.

Alex walked over to the beginners section and stood next to Damien. He wasn't sure what to say, the kid was fuming enough that Alex didn't need an empath spell to know it. (Honesty is probably the best idea here) "I didn't to anything to harm you, I'm sorry I was stupid I shouldn't have done anything without asking." (Ok so I would have asked except that means you would probably say no. And what is the fun in that?) "It was an empathy spell, sometimes I forget that everyone isn't ok with magic like that. But listen, you have a gift. I know the people who can help you really make that gift something incredible."

[DAMIEN MCEVOY]

Had Damien been born a mind reader than your average middle of the road Wicca it was quite likely that he would have laughed in Alex’s face. Really what crap was he talking, wait no that was thinking. Really, the power he had was taking control of him already? Really what power after all Damien was something of a beginner Wicca having only achieved the skills required to nurture his own innate abilities the same abilities that all humans possessed which allowed them the potential for magic supposed to be consumed by? But unfortunately Damien was not a mind reader and as of such would not be able to humiliate the other for his idiocy. Sighing a little to himself anger still coursing through him he continued to glare at the other while making sure to continue his shopping. After all why the fuck should he let out that son of a bitch get in the way of him getting the tools he needed to expand his magical abilities? Exactly there is none at all. Bending down once more he picked up some candles which could also be used for spells. This time however he had not bothered with allowing his shirt to fall up slightly, after all the other was in no way worthy of seeing his rugged chest now was he? Yep the Wicca could certainly be narcissistic when he wanted to be. He blamed it on his parents, or at least that’s what he says.

As the other finally chose to speak Damien turned himself around to face him so that he was paying direct attention to him rather than just not so discreetly glare at him. Raising an eyebrow as the other apologised he could not help, but notice the hesitant tone which the other spoke. Hell if he was anymore hesitant and he would probably be stuttering smirking to himself slightly at the thought. He could not help, but be amused by the fact that he had put so much fear into the other especially when you considered that if the worst comes to worst the other could have probably beaten him in a magical battle however he didn’t need to know that. Yep whoever said that Damien was the healthiest of human beings was obviously quite a good liar and just quite delusional. “Your right you shouldn’t have done with anything without my permission. Hell I would consider what you just did as mental rape.” His words were soft spoken barely above the level of a whisper. However they were spoken slowly with a certain emphasis placed on each word so that the other would able to perfectly hear him despite the small distance between them. Oh he had made use of that particular word purposely after all that was truly what he considered it was and well if he had judged the other right. Making him think of his actions in this way would undoubtedly make him feel guilty for days to come. Not a sweeter form of revenge could be found really.

Noting that the other had finished the walk towards him that he had begun just as he had started to speak. The look on his face changed slightly from one of pure venom to a more blank one though one which still said quite plainly “if you dare to come any closer and I will gladly hex you into little pieces” as said previously this wasn’t exactly necessary true, but the other certainly didn’t need to know that. Eyes widened slightly at the mention of an empathy spell making the interest that he felt somewhat obvious and in fact he was rather surprised that the other had actually dared dabble in such an art. Either he had someone to guide him along, or he was just a little bit more daring than the sixteen year old had originally thought. “You do realize that empathy isn’t a precise branch of magic? Unless of course you were born with the natural abilities of a true empath! Otherwise you have no idea what your feeling is true especially when it comes to dealing with other Wicca’s. Who will likely have learnt how to cover up their feeling from anyone, but a true empath?” What he had said had been perfectly true though to be honest he was perhaps exaggerating ever so slightly the cases in which a magic user had went to the length to learn this art. After all only those with a really big secret to hide would truly need to worry about their feelings be known. Lifting a shopping basket from the front of the store he placed all of the books and other equipment into it and folded his arms awaiting a response from the other.

Wait a minute did the other just offer to help him? Looking at him his lips curled into something of a light smile. While some would have said that it was almost flirtatious in this particular context it would be more accurate to say that its purpose was the opposite of this. “You expect me to accept help from you?” His words were spoken louder before with a clear level of amusement within them. “While I may have a gift. I don’t need any help from you, or anyone else.” Normally he would have accepted the help, however in rare situation such as these he allowed his own dislike for the other person to get in the way of his own ambitions. It was likely that later when he had more time to reflect. He would chastise himself for this rather stupid move.

[ALEX THOMS]

Frustration was the only emotion Alex could currently feel. Yes he had messed up, he shouldn't have cast the spell. But he sure as hell was glad that he did, because what he had discovered was something important. Damien was potentially walking down one fucked up path, Alex instinctually felt a need to help. Alex also knew the Damien was right about the fact that empathy wasn't absolute and that he couldn't be sure where the emotions actually derived. But the feeling that had crashed into Alex had matched perfectly with the look flowing through Damien's eyes. All he wanted was for Damien to calm down and listen, maybe then he could understand where he was coming from.

"Sometimes I get a little spell happy, over ambition is my weakness. That is what I am trying to help with here." It was understandable that Damien didn't want Alex's help, he was pissed off and Alex understood that. But he couldn't just walk away. He knew Willow could really help him, and if she couldn't he knew he would find a way to do it himself. It was the only option, unless this kid didn't stop pushing away, then Alex would possibly be forced to give up.

Alex kept a distance, not wanting to make Damien angrier. "Okay thinking you Don't need help is the biggest mistake you can make. If you don't learn how to control magick like yours it can and will consume you until you are nothing but a tool for powers much bigger than anything you are capable of controling." Alex was using every fiber of his being to convince Damien of this. "Please just let me try, I can't hurt and I promise no more spells without your knowledge."