The Spirit Association doesn't push her on anything, they continue to take the line that she should get used to her powers and practice for now. They e-mail her a couple invitations to socials- Magic sports, an ice cream social, both aimed at newer 'girls.

Lilith texts her late on Thursday.

Can I come say hi at your place?

50-50 on the egg donor being pissed off I invited anybody to her mess, but I'm trying to be more self-assured, so - your call whether you think you *should,* but you *can.*

Oh, I'd sneak in. Just didn't want to make u drive to my place. omw.

sdskjsdsasds well in *that* case

Drive only moderately recklessly!  ;P

Lilith makes her appearance about half an hour later by completely silently opening Annabel's bedroom window and lowering herself in feet first, like some kind of ninja. She might even get through before the draft is noticed... 

...Which is helped by Annabel closing the window and dropping the blinds back down with a smirk.

"Oh no, my home is being invaded by a sexy ninja, whatever shall I do.  Heya Lil~"

"Hey."

Hug. It is time for hug. And sighing.

It is definitely time for emphatic hugs if there is sighing!

And possibly also hairpetting.

If Lilith looks around very much, it's evident that - well, Annabel's house doesn't seem very homey, but it's lived-in anyway?  Or perhaps lived out of, despite itself.  The walls are white, the carpet is grey, the yard/garden unkempt, the ceiling atrociously popcorny, someone didn't put the sills back in when they installed the windows - but there's still touches of personality: a radio playing the last few decades' hits from her nightstand, the bookshelves, overloaded with a life's worth of books that spill out onto the floor, and the long dresser against the wall that's neither bed, bookshelf, nor closet, that's absolutely covered with Legos.

"Welcome to my humble abode."

"I feel very welcomed! I'm just... In a pretty cuddly mood I guess. Want to hear about my trip?"

The hug does not end yet.

"Absolutely."  The petting doesn't end yet either, though she does maneuver them to a chair in the corner that only fits two people if they are, in fact, very cuddly.

Snughug. "Do you know how I make money? Mostly not... That. You know. I mean, I pretend to be a paranoid goth spirit bearer. I sell cosmetic spells, and stuff."

Ophelia nods.  "Cosmetic spells?"

"Yeah, my illusions can stick for a good long while if I juice them. Give someone brighter eyes, better hair. Abs." She snorts. "Give them a little mental wiggle, self confidence, too. Usually a good gig, but I feel kind of scummy about it now for some reason. Drop twenty pounds fast, but only in your head and only for a couple weeks, then you have to pay up again."

"It is a bit scummy.  Not even the self-confidence boost, but the way it's...

"Not making an attempt to actually increase the qualities asked for?

"But you could make a killing dealing with phobias, I bet.

"Or as a magic-backed life coach in full generality.

"Sometimes people do just need a little push to start a habit, or kick one, that they wouldn't otherwise be able to muster the commitment to do.  You could sell smoother cessation of smoking; hide the cravings, for example.  Or induce follow-through on resolutions to clean more or exercise or - whatever, really.

"...I am uncertain why the angle that immediately sprang to mind was phobias in particular, actually, but - well.  I suppose you did kick mine.  Insofar as I in particular have ever had one - really, it seems that Luna is the one that spends the most time per capita worrying about things.

"It would be a different flavor of woo, but one you could follow through on, and one that doesn't actually leave your existing clients in the lurch."

"People buy makeup all the time. They get lipo. They get botox. All sorts of creative tortures. Only real issue is how temporary mine is. And... That kind of head fuckery is a whole new can of worms I'm not eager to open. Especially if it's meant to last. Can you imagine? She's brainwashing people, an evil mastermind, can't trust anyone she's ever talked to!"

"Mmmm.

"...Hm, I notice that I am confused - you said that the illusion was 'only in their minds' but are presently implying that it's real enough for those not directly subject to it to perceive?"

"...Yeah? I told you my power is just really convincing illusions. You felt it last time. You never actually grew a pussy I just kinda swapped us."

"Yes, but - if someone had, hells forbid, interrupted us, what would they have seen?  Is the question."

She's still giving Lilith hairpets with the hand that isn't gesturing dramatically as she speaks.

"They- Well, I'd have to have been doing the multi target one, but I do for cosmetics, if I had they'd have seen what we saw. It's not real though. It won't make you more in shape or fix anything at all."

"Well, honestly, if someone goes into that deal knowing what they're getting, and it's not - a lie to the world that only they perceive, and thus derive no benefit - I think it's no more scummy than modern beauty standards existing, really.  Which, I mean, fuck them, but it's not - you're not actually an agent of their perpetuation.

"Also you should do hair.  Hair's already like that, kinda-sorta, so it's - fair?  And magic hair is cool."

"...Mm. Flop. I've lost all energy. I need a distraction."

Does a kiss help?

"I've been working on this artifact idea that I don't really have good metaphors to approach but would be - really good to be able to make?  ...Actually we'd totally cast the spell for you if you wanted -"

"- she keeps calling it Instant Nap, but I refuse to allow that name to stick.  It's...still a holistic restedness and wellbeing-increasing spell, though, which - did we mention that the Spirit Association is, like, desperate for anything that'll help first responders?  Because given that they work horribly long shifts, I imagine a nap-in-a-bottle might actually be more useful to medics than magic bandaids, overall."

She kisses back, then leans her head on Luna's neck.

"...I'd just as soon skip it. Weird magic interactions don't really sound... Great. Just residual paranoia talking."

"That makes sense.  And, really, we were wondering more if you had any source of metaphor to hand or if we had to go looking for herblore guides."

Ophelia can continue petting her girlfriend's hair, in lieu of casting recovery spells.  It will eventually have the same effect.

"I do not believe, my dear, that my magic would dare harm someone under my protection, as you are.  But it does make sense to mistrust that, as - well, there's still no known difference between magicals like us and magicals a spirit's kindled.

"And, of course, the abiology you have may do something strange when exposed to magic that notionally targets mostly humans, for all I know.

"I want you alive, here, the friend who helped us become greater than we thought we ever could.  And I refuse to jeopardize that, even as I wish I could help more with the issues you face.

"...I'm really quite curious, though - are enchanted objects something you yourself can do?  Would you like to watch us try and make one?"

"I could stick an illusion on something but it'd be like... Painting it? Also yeah, hearing what you've tried so far maybe I can suggest stuff."

"I see."

"...We've not really been able to figure out what to try, per se.  There's not much that's immediately coming to mind for this particular thing - we've tossed around the vaguest possible idea of 'what if we put the spell in a sleep mask', but honestly, it seems a bit...oh.  Oh, well, that's a thought."

She goes digging for the small notepad she keeps on her person religiously now that she has acquired enchanting capabilities, and starts sketching out a plan.

"We don't need going to sleep symbolism, we need waking up refreshed symbolism.  That means we at least have an alchemical 'in' in the symbol of Gold and the Sun; maybe pair that with orange juice or coffee - and, perhaps, draw on our own experiences of those few times we've just been uncomplicatedly awake to see the dawn, not because of dragging ourselves up or obligation, but instead because of - well, to describe it as grace would be an affront to my atheism or antitheism, but the concept is honestly similar.  And that makes it fit the same sort of mold that I'd have cast a blood-stone out of..."

"...It probably still needs to be fluffy, though.  It needs something more than bare stone and cold metal.  Or dark cloth; I'm not quite sure which fits better."

"...Sunglasses.  They're funny.  And easily sourced, too.  Except - no, that's not quite right.  Oh!  Oh, there's a thought.  Do the symbolism on a glasses case?"

"...No, I think we hare off in the wrong direction, though - hm.

"Perhaps not as immediately wrong as instinct first suggested.

"...Yes, I think we can work with this.

"Because really, the artifact shouldn't be the sleeping mask, it should create them.  Though how to build from the raw materials we have to the correct conclusion is still rather elusive."

"...There was that extra-lemony lemon extract recipe we learned; I bet the process would work pretty well for coffee, too."

"I've heard of magic patisseries. The Grindset Coffee costs like twenty bucks but wall street bros swear by it. I think putting magic into food is a viable path. Cooking has ritual to it, it has preparation, it can be art... Though from what I heard it's not even always trying wildly different things as slightly different things. Tea, not coffee, for a nice calm restorative sort of spell."

"I was thinking more in terms of drawing magic out of food; I do not wish to become a consumables factory.  Though, you're correct that it's likely better approached with some soothing notes as well...perhaps chamomile; that's always associated with rest."

"...Yes, I think that is most assuredly an idea.  Chamomile, cotton balls, coffee, in order?  Within - some sort of case, or stone, or sigil...I believe a case or other such object makes more sense, though.  This needs to be contained properly, and my spell is vectored via shadows regardless so a ready source is preferable."

"...We still, however, lack - inspiration, beyond the sigil, for what will make the casing - though perhaps we can return to the earlier comment upon sunglasses..."

"...Melting them down or something seems like it's asking for trouble from a materials science standpoint; they're all plastic and plastic doesn't recycle well...maybe macerating, and then sintering them together with metal for durability both in materials and vibes?"

"...It doesn't seem outright infeasible, given what little we know.  The question of workspace matters, however."

"...Yeah, that might be a problem in the short term, but we should ask Riley if she has a solution."

"The larger question is likely from whence we will acquire the gold; I do not believe conjured material will do.  Perhaps a jewelry-crafter's cuttings, if they are not already repossessed."

"I think that's doable.  There's also the circuitry lying around."

"No, no, no.  That won't work as a source for this in the slightest.  It's too cold, and to prise it away with violence is a different act than recovering what would be lost with care."

"...Alright.  Alright, what's the draft looking like so far?

"And does it matter if we conjure the metal we're sintering?"

"Forging the case of conjured metal should work well; it is merely the gold which must - feel real, whether it is or is not. We are not confident enough to believe we are perfect; this is the flaw in utilizing conjured 'perfection'."

"...Right.  Okay!  ...Thanks for letting us ramble at you, by the way, Lilith; we wouldn't have gotten this idea if it weren't for you."

The resulting 'blueprint' looks something like this:

Case of Midnight's Rest

Three-part item: Case, Contents, Emblem

Emblem:

Pure gold, gathered with care.  Forge into the alchemical Sun atop the Case during the sintering step.

Case:

Sunglasses; ground to powder.  Metal filings that are not gold, appropriate for sintering.  (Copper: recommended or no?  TIAFO, perhaps)

Sinter well-mixed plastic and metal together.  Use the form of a case for glasses.

Contents:

Chamomile tea, cotton balls, coffee beans.

Steep tea into cotton balls?  Craft cotton into coffee filter.  Filter essence of cacao therewith.  Fit to shape of case.  ...Needs fixative agent.

"Dammit, not quite as complete a recipe as I thought it was."

"The last step ought, perhaps, to be to fill it with my magic.  That would do nicely for a fixative."

"...Yeah, that might work.  Reminiscent of injection molding, though that's not really how any of that works - but hey, it's magic.  Sometimes you can get away with shenanigans."

"Neat idea, if it works. It certainly sounds really cool."

She gives her a peck on the side of the neck.

"How much gold, you think? A couple of grams, tiny shavings? You gotta think about every individual step, how that step matters and why. From what I hear, again. Brass went off on a long rant once."

"Yeah, we're going to need to draft, like, the actual shape at some point - I think it's going to be maybe a gram or so?  Enough to be felt.  But not some gaudy statement piece.  Just, like - if the case itself is the size of my hand, the sun would be the size of our fingertips?  Fingernails?  Something like that.  ...Embossed.  Needs to be touchable.  ...Every step has to matter, to be known and understood?  ...We're going to need more directions."

Gosh, kisses are nice, though they won't so easily distract her from !!ENCHANTING!!!!  There is science to be done!  Or is it art?  Well, it's honestly both, but anyway, she's planning to do it!

"Hearing her talk about it was... A lot of swearing at the stupidity of it all actually. How time consuming enchanting is, how people don't appreciate that. Is a bevel or a chamfer better for this bolt- Well, maybe it doesn't matter, but it matters that you noticed and considered and chose."

"I see.  It's a very interesting way of thinking about things, for sure.  I wonder if Old Wardess would agree with the - it being choice and consideration that is fundamentally what matters."

"You can ask her later, I suppose. I'm not going within a mile of an old monster like that. Metaphorical monster."

"Yeah if I were you I wouldn't either!  I'm just curious what she thinks; she seems the exemplar of enchanting.  Either way, kind of moot right now; neither of us have her contact.  ...Suppose I'm gonna see her Saturday, though.  I really want to surprise her with a proper item by then, just to see if she has a face other than 'mildly disapproving'."

"I mean, it kind of sounds like she sees you as a little kid making crayon drawings? Or she's just completely checked out of things that aren't at least as old as Napoleon."

"Makes sense.  And I suppose I rather am, at that.  But that's a pretty dreary line of thought; I'd rather do something more exciting.  Like think about how to make energy batteries for a lightsaber!"

"Or you," Ophelia chuckles, low and smooth.  "Though I wouldn't want to alert our mother to the pretty girl we've let inside against her wishes; we haven't the proper delinquent habits to break out of groundings, or whatever else might follow therefrom."

"Maybe you should gag me, then."

Wiggle.

"Maybe I should~"

"Oh, but you were concerned about unexpected magical interactions, weren't you...and I hardly wish to gag you with a sock.  That would be so uncouth; unbefitting of my consort.  Unless, of course, it's what you desire~"

She will, despite her teasing that she oughtn't, shift Lilith properly into her lap, if that seems doable.  Because even if she isn't planning on doing more than teasing...well, she's planning on having fun with this regardless.

Lilith can be moved to her lap, sure.

"God, I'm so moody. I get the chance to take a break and I turn into a huge sap. I guess when you get used to the edge, backing off from it can feel weird."

Ophelia is just going to pet her and make soft comforting noises.

It feels like the right sort of thing to do.

"It's going to be alright, and if it isn't, then we'll make it so."

"Easier said than done. But, thank you."

"I am speaking from a position of absolutely insufferable arrogance when I say this, but - if anyone can do it, I expect that I both can and will.  You're important to me."

"Sort of think it comes back to the thing where I'm getting more... Persony over time. You gotta get a Troll Taco with me tomorrow, you'll see what I mean if you meet Big Al."

"Mmhmm."  She gives Lilith a gentle squeeze.  "Looking forward to it."  Her voice is soft, and gentle, and also somehow transmitting the emotional affect of finding herself absolutely smitten with this cute girl in her lap.

She will snug some more.

"It's great to see you so excited about magic though."

"It's very exciting!  I like doing it!  I mean, I can move things with my mind, how cool is that!?"

"Very. It erodes the surly bonds of Earthen reality, turning existence into your domain... At least a tiny little bit. I'd say magic is the most important thing in the world, but like, y'all have managed to make the internet work despite all us monsters, somehow. That's kind of insane too."

"It really is, yeah!  So many carefully designed protocols and so much precisely manufactured hardware, all for the purpose of allowing everyone's grandmas to send chain letters."

She promptly bursts out laughing, and takes the opportunity to cuddle Lilith some more since she's already wiggling around anyway.

"Communication. Verbal, nonverbal. Social context. There's so much of it, you know? And it gets so twisted and complex... I can pout or put a little disappointed - oh, in my voice that really fucks with someone, way more than you'd think, if you hit in just the right place..."

"Oh, goodness gracious, be careful where you point that, I'm - 50% needing more cuddles and 50% wanting to cuddle you until the entirely affected sad goes away!  But, ah, ..."

"I think I really know what you mean; something about...the process that produced - me, Ophelia, - has focused my sphere of interest into social analysis and the field of brain-hacking, and while I'm somewhat fumbling in the dark...that really does click."

"It's a lot easier to just turn the brain off sometimes. Whether that means getting angry at someone, watching TV or playing video games... Or getting horny."

She wiggles her butt against Annabel.

"Mmfh-hmm, it really does.  Though sometimes I have the opposite problem...My thoughts are always running on, whether I'd like that or not, and I do so need help with getting them to shut up sometimes...for example, when the pretty girl in my lap is coming on to me really hard~"

(And speaking of really hard, Lilith's certainly managing to make Annabel's body have that property, in case that was somehow in doubt.)

There's a certain lilt in her voice that sounds more like Lilith herself as she continues, teasing, enticing, welcoming Lilith's attentions... "Always racing around, tiring me out...but I bet you know some tricks to handle that, don't you~?"

"Heee. Too many words."

She's facing Annabel-&-co now, blurring from one position to another rather than bothering with the mechanics of actually turning around. She grins and leans forward, lips slightly parted- Then moves her head to the side, blowing gently in her ear something warm and tingly, while one hand scratches through her hair and her legs straddle her hips and their breasts press together.

(Oh, yeah. Those are back. Much more thoroughly than the first subtle changes she's been getting from how trans spirit bearers slowly take on their own mental image.)

Well, if she wanted a Luna who can make no words, she accomplished that quite nicely!  Or if she wanted a Luna to make a cute breathy gasp of surprise and need and want as she pulls her girlfriend in close, melting into Lilith's touch, for that matter~

Oops, their shirts are gone now.

...Lilith, it seems, has made herself a lot more stacked than she was a minute ago. She gives a squishy hug. And neck kisses.

Oops, indeed~

"So pretty~", she breathes out without much conscious thought, thrilling in the sensation of pressure and warmth and those kisses on her neck, how she feels so vulnerably open to these manipulations of her reality, but safe, here, pinned beneath her eager girlfriend~

"And so big...~"

One of her hands is unconsciously moving to gently fondle Lilith's new breasts, while the other trails down to fumble with her own pants, or tries to, because - the way she's so helpless beneath Lilith's veils, and yet she feels so safe within them...It has her feeling very turned on.

The kisses right where her neck meets her collarbones, incidentally, are drawing out such cute whimpery noises as she desires more~

This is a very distracting way to spend a couple of hours.

She makes sure to keep up a pretty good silence effect.

And later, "So, lunch tomorrow? The place is maybe half an hour's drive from here, but you'll like it, I promise."

"Sounds great!"