asharpertongue | Watersong (For Bach)

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Watersong (For Bach)

Lara liked the club before opening. The place is quiet and clean and it always makes her smile to walk around the edges of the space. Tonight was open mic night and it was always a busy night. She looked forward to it but it was still nice to have the space to herself for a little while.

Well almost to herself. The club's manager, Michael, was tidying some bottles behind the bar.

Smiling, she perched on her stool at the end. "Is everything ready for tonight? Do you need anything?"

Michael shook his head. "We're fine. The others will be in before six to have their charms inked again. I'll get Nat to do mine before that."

Lara nodded. The charms were a necessary precaution in Watersong. Enough witches and sirens frequented the club to warrant a little magical protection from spells and influence. Of course, anyone caught trying to con her staff out of drinks or...other services would have her to deal with. Normally that was enough of a deterrent but you could never be too careful. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing for some people.

"We should have a visitor before then. A young man. Bach, is his name and he's one of mine although he doesn't know it." She hesitated before going on. "Could you put off your inking for a while? Obviously i'll be present but I need a human that he can affect if i'm going to convince him."

Michael smiled and leant over the bar towards her. "Is he good looking at least?"

Laughing, Lara poked his hand. "He's to be taught, not played with."

The man winked and shrugged. "Here to help."

"Thank you." Lara said.

She tapped the bar and pulled out her sleek tablet to do some work as Michael went back to his. Hopefully Bach wouldn't be too long. She'd rather not have his education spread over the club opening if she could help it.

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Michael laughed from where he was pouring a glass of water for Bach. "She wishes."

Lara shook her head, smiling. "No. Michael is the manager of Watersong and a trusted friend. He's run the bar for a long time and he knows a lot about the unique situation here in Siren Cove. We can speak openly in front of him."

"Openly." Bach made air marks. "About all this specialness of mine and you're invite to a cult that wasn't a cult. I rather not. Can't I just play? How many people will be on the stage tonight? Are you keeping me first or last?"

Lara sighed. "It's not a cult. The species you're born into isn't a cult." She frowned, trying to think of a way to convince him. "I need to show you something and the best way to do that is to have you show me." She beckoned Michael over and smiled. "Michael, Bach. Bach, Michael. Now Bach. Humour me and sing something while your attention is focused on Michael. Anything you like but sing it directly to him."

"Species. Really now. And I thought my mother was brutal about my creation."

He met her eyes. "I'm going to sing something to your manager and I will see the light of your truths?"

Lara nods. "Exactly. I told you that you had something special about you and you do. This will show you." She looked to Michael who nodded. "Go ahead. And remember: focus all your attention on him."

"This sounds like the start of a lady's fantasy."

Bach searched his brain for a second before deciding on one. With a grin he started Six Pence's None The Richer: Kiss me.

As soon as the song starts Michael is leaning over the bar closer and closer, eyes gone dark with lust.

Lara looked at Bach who was backing away. "You see? This is what I was talking about. You are different. Special." She smiled. "You're a siren. Like me and like a significant portion of this towns population."

He kissed the man before dropping the words and turning to Lara again.

"I know I'm different, and special. I don't think that makes me a fantasy figure. But if I say I believe, will you make sure I get the first spot tonight?"

Lara sighed and shook her head. "You're not listening - or observing." She started undoing her suit jacket and rolling up her sleeves. "Before anything else, you have to let Michael out of your thrall. Once you've done that, I'll show you." She put a heavy hand on Michaels shoulder where he was trying to get over the bar to Bach. "Focus on Michael. That tether you feel under your skin...the connection between you and him, you need to sever it. You won't be able to withdraw delicately until you have better control but Michael is prepared for it. You won't hurt him by cutting the cord quickly. Just concentrate and separate him from yourself."

The nattering of this woman.. why did he only ever meet women that wanted to ruin his comfort?

"Come away with me .." Bach hummed, feeling more awake than ever. Vibrant.
"I thought only women could be sirens. And shouldn't I have fins or something?" He kissed the man again, felt his heartbeat on his lips. "Or are you trying to tell me that I'm the human equivalent of a date rape drug?"

Lara scowled. The boy had no control at all. He was getting just as swept away as Michael was.

"Both, actually." She hissed quietly and allowed her will to flow forward over them both until they were staring right at her. The change came over her quickly and she rolled her shoulders as her scales appeared, flowing down her arms and up her neck, crystalising at the corner of her eyes which went slitted and snakelike. Her teeth narrowed down to points and she smiled. "And now I'll have to sever your connection for you because you clearly can't control yourself."

She looked at Michael and filtered through his lust for her to find the tether that bound him to Bach, separating it neatly before pulling her own influence away leaving Michael standing blinking at her. "Thank you Michael. Take tonight off or you can call up Darcy if you'd prefer. She's working tonight but not til later. You've gone above and beyond as usual."

Michael ran a hand through his hair and grinned. "Darcy? She's back?"

Lara grinned and nodded, wrapping her taloned hand around Bach's arm, keeping him at a distance. "She's been asking about you. It'd be her pleasure as well as yours."

Michael let out a small whoop and raced away. Lara laughed as he passed.

"I'm going to let you go now, Bach. Pay attention to how I do it if you can." She started to draw her will away slowly, wicking it away bit by bit so as not to jar him.

Suddenly he was thrust underneath an ice cold shower. No-one ever became between him and his lovers and what was even - did she change into something?

Bach tried to shake her off, tugged at the claw that was hurting him. "You can let me go now. Come on. I know police men. Man. At least one, possible two. I stand corrected, let me leave."

Lara ignored the barbed comment but she did release her tight grip on his arm, sliding her hand down to take his instead. She took a breath and tugged on the last vestige of their connection pulling on the half siren side of him to draw it out.

It came slowly at first, a few scales drifting onto the back of his hand, but then the pace increased and they began to flow up his arm. It looked like he wasn't going to be a full shift - his half human side wouldn't let him - but his eyes drifted into the regular reptilian look.

When he was as transformed as he was going to be, she pulled away completely. She waved a clawed hand at the shiny metal surface of the bar. "Look at yourself."

"There's no need for that I know how I look." His skin felt like it was slowly peeling off him and he didn't dare look.

Like he never dared to face his mother when he had disappointed her again.

Bach took a peek. "Okay, you have a magic mirror. I'm sure it speaks as well. Anything else you want of me, cr- lady? I'm sorry I bothered you for a shot, but now I at least know that I rather starve than return her for some pennies. This is not a pretty look for anyone involved."

Lara growled. "Look properly." She put a little will and he let his eyes fall to the mirror again. "I'm sorry this is happening to you now. Your mother should have told you of your heritage or given you to one of us to teach, but you are one of us." She smiled and let herself return to human form. "You are more than welcome here, Bach. With a little training you can do well here."

Your mother should have-

Bach was tempted to throw his glass at the mirror, but he was pretty sure that whatever that crazy woman had done to him, would have to be undone by her as well.
"I can't cross the street like this." He took a deep breath. "It hurts." He knew when it was better to beg than to fight.
"Can you please undo it?"

She shook her head. "I can't undo it. I can bring it out in you but the change is specific to each of us. You're the only one that can control how to pull it back." She cocked her head with a little smile. "And I know it doesn't hurt so stop trying that."

"And now you're inside my head as well? You remind me of my mother with every moment passing. Especially in the heinous bitch way."

Bach wanted to find a knife, anything to flail himself and save his body from this stupid rash or whatever it was. But blood might be the crazy lady's trigger and it was horrible to get stains out of his fanciest clothes.

"Just my luck that I know someone who can really help." He gave her a short nod and got back on the stage again, gathering his things.

Lara grits her teeth and moves faster than his eyes can see, locking the door.

"I can't let you out there like this. You have to learn to get this under control before I can let you leave. It's for your safety as well as the safety of the rest of us. And the humans. Call me all the names you like, but I am both older and stronger than you and I can keep you here indefinitely should the situation call for it."

"I'm pretty sure that's illegal." He tried the door. "I'll roll my sleeves down. Put my coat on. Don't be such a monster about it. You really think I can 'return to a calm state' with you around? In this place, what turned out to be a dragon's den? I thought you were smarter."

"And I thought you were more rational." Lara sighed. "I'm sorry to have to say this but if you won't try to find your control then I have no choice." She steeled herself. "Your nature as a siren requires control. You cannot be allowed to live here in Siren Cove if you refuse to exercise that control. Understand that I don't want you to leave, but for the safety of the humans here and for the sake of the balance between the other supernatural powers, there is no other choice. It's either control, or leave."

Lara stepped forward and looked at him imploringly. "Please, Bach. I know this is new to you but I don't want to send you away because you won't even try. I can help you if you let me."

What.

WHAT.

"Oh my gods, you're full of it. That's your excuse? 'I can't let you go because other people will get hurt'? Because I've been leaving behind corpses left and right the past years? Do you even know me? If we wouldn't have talked in the supermarket I still would have been under your radar."
He scratched the itch on his arm until it started to fade.
"I'm trying to leave, you cow. Why don't you understand that."

"Was that demonstration with Michael not enough to convince you? The damage you can do as a siren is...it's immeasurable. Unchecked, your powers literally take away peoples ability to give free and clear consent. Even if they don't want you, they won't be able to resist. And yes - people can die from it. I've seen it. The fact that you're half human doesn't mean that you can be allowed to roam uncontrolled. Your influence is still strong and it still needs to be tempered." Lara stepped into his space and forced him back from the door. "You seem to be under the illusion that I'm not in charge here. That's exactly what it is. An illusion. You don't know because you weren't told, but sirens are a matriarchal species. I am the matriarch here. I am the most powerful siren on this side of the country and if I wanted to, I could force you to do whatever I desired." She let her scales flow over her skin again. "It wouldn't take any effort at all. I could press my will over yours and make you my footstool if I wanted to. And you would love it. You would beg to kiss my feet." She took the guitar out of his hand and set it aside. "Not doing that is what takes the effort for me."

She let that sink in before continuing. She could see that all he wanted to do was run but that was unacceptable. She tried to think of a way to explain it to him.

"But I would never do that because despite being a supernatural creature, I'm not a monster. I love this town. I love the people in it. I want to help them grow together and be an example of what can be achieved when the different species work and live together. Traditionally, witches and sirens never got along but the witches and sirens here both agreed to control their powers. Practice them, yes, but with consenting subjects." She softened her expression. "You're welcome here, Bach. I mean that sincerely. But the cost of living here is control."

"You have two choices. You can allow me to have my friend apply a charm to your skin to stop your powers from manifesting accidentally. It can only be removed by her but it'll give you time to learn the control you need to draw on and restrict your powers at will. You can choose to learn from me and the other sirens in the town, learn the history of your species and you'll be free to perform here at Watersong whenever you'd like. You'll be as free as we can allow you to be within the town limits. Or. You can choose to leave. I can find you another siren enclave where the rules aren't as strict. If you choose that, then you'll be escorted by one of my strongest siren until you gather your things and then taken out of town. Your specific magical signature will be added to the wards around this town and you won't be able to come back, even if you wanted to."

Lara moved away to give him room to breathe. This was not how she'd wanted today to go but she had no choice. If he wouldn't be reasonable then she had to think of the town first. "You're still welcome to perform here tonight. In fact it might be beneficial for you to see the way we all live together. Take your time. Rehearse, enjoy yourself. Ask me questions if you want and I'll answer everything honestly. And then I hope you'll make the right choice."

"None of the things offered are getting any more legal than your previous offer. And witches? Of course, carry on. Brainwash me while you're at it, so I don't have to know I'm in this incredibly weird situation. It's not like I've never been a woman's 'footstool' before. Really, save me from myself."

Why the hell did he always end up with the most insane women? Did his mother curse him or something?

"I'm not going to leave town for your community and I'm not going to join your class on being miserable and delusional either. I don't know what you did but that never happened to me before. I don't know why you have it in it for me, but I'm past being amused. So yes, I have questions: how long are you going to keep me here? how well acquainted are you with mental health clinics and why the fuck do you think that I'd want to stay here longer than necessary?"
He smiled. "If it's the right choice to answer honestly, of course."

Lara sighed. "You just won't listen to reason."

Behind Bach, Michael had silently approached.

He stepped forward on silent feet and pulled out an ornate metal cylinder looking at Lara for permission. She nodded and he touched the metal to the skin of Bachs neck, reaching out to catch him as Bach fell, fast asleep.

Michael nodded and scooped Bach up into a firemans lift. "He's kind of a pain in the ass, isn't he?"

"Just...put him on the couch in my office." Lara said quietly. "Maybe he'll listen to reason when he wakes up."

Michael snorted. "Five'll get you ten he'll be just as sour."

Lara smiled and shook her head. "No bet."

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