Magnus was pacing around the room, hands folded behind his back. For the first time in what he could remember, he had absolutely NO clue as to what was going on. He had more than half a mind to call the police, because nothing about this was ok. He knew his mother knew him better than this, and this girl was a total stranger to him. Definitely not his girlfriend...although...something about her was unignorably alluring. Part of him was telling him she was safe, and that he was very familiar with her. He looked at her from the corner of his eye as he walked. There she was, poised on the side of his bed. Her legs were cocked to one side at a slight angle and her ankles were crossed, giving her a ladylike majestic look. Her hands were folded delicately in her lap. In fact, everything about her was flawless. Her outfit, while not tight or revealing, accentuated the feminine features of herself that she wanted to show off, without looking too brash or too extreme. Her face had a slight glow about it. Every tiny aspect of her facial structure, her contour, even the glitter above her eyes was impossible to not be enraptured by. She herself was as if she was poured into a mold and covered with hair that was liquid silk, and it simply took this form. The hair in question had full body and definition, though...it looked almost simple in its design. He caught himself staring too long, and a slight smile appeared on Adagio's face. He felt heat rise to his face and his palms begin to get sweaty. The one thought he couldn't shake from his mind, is what force rippled through his body when she laid a hand on his chest. He felt the over whelming desire to just....hold her. Protect her. He had no idea why. Finally, Magnus sighed and turned towards Adagio still sitting on his bed, giving him a very expectant look. It was as if she was pulled from the earth and sculpted by the very fingers of the goddess of love. He hated it.

"Well now...do you ALWAYS treat guests like this?" Adagio gave him a little pout. "Not even going to offer me a drink or anything?" She went back to giving him her long, wide smile. Not quite innocent, there was too much malice behind her. He could feel it. "Didn't you already have one?" Magnus said squinting his eyes and approaching her. "Oh that's right, your mother actually knows how to entertain a guest." Adagio covered her mouth to hide a smile.

"Cut the crap, as far as I'm concerned you are NOT a guest, this is basically a home invasion. I have no clue what you did or said to my mother, but it isn't going to work on me." Magnus was angry. Nothing gave her the right to do this. "Why are you here?"

"Finally you ask, I figured you were just going to keep ogling me. This is the first time you've had a girl in here isn't it?" Adagio ran a hand slowly across the bedspread and stretched out, laying on her back seductively. She winked at him and then slowly stood up, enjoying how red he got whenever she made any kind of comment at him. It was adorable. Walking slowly over to him, one foot in front of the other, being seductive but subtle, she ran the index finger of her left hand across her amulet. The blood red stone twinkled for only a second, and her finger became surrounded with only the slightest of a ruby hue. She laid that finger on him and looked up into his eyes. She watched as the aura traveled out of her hand and into him. "I am here...because I need you to do something for me." Adagio spoke this in an almost whisper. Magnus blinked and looked down at her. His eyes flashed that same ruby hue that was on her finger, then disappeared. He said to her "...ok?"

Adagio's face dropped. She grumbled something and went and flopped onto the bed. Seems that he WOULD be rather difficult to turn like any other human. She wasn't even curious why, she was just peeved. She huffed before speaking. "I need you to do something for me, but I'm not really sure what that thing could even be yet." She looked up at Magnus who was raising an eyebrow at her. She rested her chin on a fist she made. She continued. "To be fair, I don't think it wise to really share all the details with you, but just know that you have a lot of ... qualities that I need for some reason. And I want you to let me use those to the best that they can be used by someone like myself." She looked at him matter-of-factly.

"You...don't actually seem sure of anything you just said." Magnus was unamused. "If anything, you've just reinforced the notion that I need to have you escorted away from my house and my mother." By now, Magnus could hear the faint sounds of food being prepared in the kitchen. Adagio's ears twitched in that direction as well, but she never took her eyes off of him.

"Look pretty boy, what if I told you I could do things for you others could not?" Her tone was mocking and smug. Kind of rude for someone who wants him to do them a favor. "Before you get any ideas, no, ew. And also, you are not the first person I have said or done this for, and none of them have regretted any of it. I am a woman of means, I assure you." Adagio now crossed her arms against her chest. Her face was steadfast, she was ready to strike a bargain. Just like she had for thousands of years.

Magnus was taken aback. This was even more off putting than anything else. His mind began to swim with the limitless bounty of possibility. Oddly...his mind honed in on one thing. He spoke it before he had a chance to control himself. "Friends."

"Friends? ... Friends? You're joking." Adagio looked at him with a slightly agape mouth. "Well, can't say it's the most ridiculous request I have ever heard. You ever heard of King Aegeus?" Adagio sighed. "Right...of course you haven't, no one has." She shuddered before continuing. "Fine, if it is friends you want, I can guarantee you friends. So many you'll be sick of them. Now, it's time for my part in this bargain."

Magnus held up a hand. "Wait a second here missy. How can you prove to me you can even do that?" He smiled defiantly. There was no way this person could give him something not even he could get. And what was all that nonsense with a king? This chick was weird.

Adagio put on a resting face of contempt and out stretched her hand. The bag of chips STILL on Magnus's floor flew up into her waiting hand. She dug in and pulled out a chip. Chewing it, she raised her eyebrows at him with a 'see?' expression. Her face never twitched or changed its expression.

Magnus threw himself back into his closet door with a bang. The color had left his face immediately, and he felt like he would drop. He began to stutter a little and wasn't sure if he actually SAW what he did. He eyes instantly went to the old bible his grandfather had given him before his passing. He watched as Adagio eyed him with a cold demeanor. It was as if she herself had expected this, and was used to this kind of reaction. She was one hundred percent neutral, but Magnus looked into her eyes and he thought, if only for a fraction of an instant, he could see sadness. He slowly pried himself from the door. He was regaining his stability and could feel tingling in his palms. He timidly took a few steps toward Adagio. "You...you're a witch?" Adagio's gaze didn't change. "Not in so many words. Also, rude." She frowned. "But no, not a witch. That has such a negative connotation. You wouldn't be inherently wrong mind you, but it's a bit more than that." Adagio went to take a step forward, and Magnus felt himself press up against the wall again. He could see that flash of sadness return. How many times had she seen that? He had to try more. It took what felt like to him ages and took every ounce of power he could muster, but he began to walk himself toward her, even if it was just one step. "So...a demon then?" Again, his eyes would go to his grandfathers old bible, a layer of dust on the top of it.

Adagio's face was almost pained when the words left his mouth. But again, it was to be expected. The sting of a thousand or so years never quite goes away. "No...not a demon. But I suppose that would make things easier right?" She smiled a fake smile, sitting down carefully onto the edge of his bed, one hand going up to her chest. The amulet she touched gave a soft glow. "Why does it matter what I am? I am not asking for your soul or anything cliché like that...just...your help." The last words she said came out with a crack of her voice. The fear that had welled up inside Magnus fell away. He could feel guilt, remorse, and pain. It was almost like she was pleading, begging in a way. She was scared, anyone with eyes could see that. Magnus started to reach a hand out to her, but pulled back. Maybe this was a part of the ruse she was pulling over him and his mother. Some how she had gotten past her, and now was doing this. Ignoring all rational thought though, he went for it. He would worry about consequences later. "Alright. I believe you."

Adagio looked up at Magnus, almost forgetting he was there as she retreated into a mind that expanded far beyond any mortal had been through. For a moment she forgot where she even was, or why she was here. "You do?"

"I do. Now...just...tell me what you need." Magnus gave her a light smile. Still being very careful to not be too close to her. Part of him was still very scared.

"I just need you to come with me. I can explain what you need to know along the way and afterwards. But more importantly, I'll just need you to trust me. I know I haven't given you any reason to, and even doing so would be completely fool hardy. But I would rather be up front with you." Magnus nodded. For all he knew, he was about to be led down the road to ruin, a pathway that would only end at the gates of oblivion, and he was sure he would end up there for helping this ... sorceress anyway. But...there was going to be no denying it would be a fun ride.

"MAGNUS! Dinner is ready!" The two in the room looked to the open door. Magnus could hear his mom setting the table and humming to herself. He looked back to Adagio who already had her hand raised in Magnus's direction. "We won't have time for this. I'll take care of your mom. Get dressed and ready." Magnus watched Adagio poise herself like nothing had happened between them and walked out the door. He could hear her walk into the kitchen and begin talking to his mother. He looked out the window. It was getting dark, he would need to put something at least a little warm on. He grabbed a light blue hoody and threw it on over his white tee shirt. He grabbed his sneakers he was wearing before and pulled them on. He couldn't think of anything else he would need besides his wallet, keys, and phone. Both were on top of his dresser. As he went to get them, something glinted in the corner of his vision. His knife.

His friends had given it to him as a joke going away gift. They said he would need it in a strange new town full of wackos. It was a switchblade, small enough to be hidden in a pocket, big enough to be deadly to someone on the other end. Stoically, he grabbed it, sliding it in to his pockets with the other things he was taking with him. He could hear laughter now coming from the kitchen, probably a good clue that the coast was clear. He walked on in to see the two of them sitting at the table, almost like this was normal. Like she belonged here. Magnus smiled, and then caught himself. She did not belong here. She was not a person. She was a monster...some kind of creature. She was not normal, and should not exist. Why was he following her then? He didn't actually know himself. His mom looked to him. "You could have at least TOLD me you were going to eat with her parents tonight." His mom said this with a smile, she wasn't angry. Which...was odd. She hated when things didn't go according to what her plan was. Magnus shrugged. "Sorry mom, I guess I forgot. The fish was for you though. Wanted to surprise you." He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. His mom got up and kissed him on the cheek. "Such a good boy, I'm not sure what I do to deserve you." Magnus tried to pull away. "Mom!"

The three of them all laughed before his mother sighed and said "Well...best not keep everyone waiting. You know better than that. Take care of him sweetie." Magnus watched as his mother hugged Adagio like she had been a part of this family for a long time. He knew that she had only been for a little while. Wait, no, not at all! What was going on? Magnus shook his head and tried to remember what was normal. "Don't worry Miss Vi, I'll take good care of him." Adagio winked and gave his mother a honeyed smile. Magnus's mom patted her on the shoulder, then shooed them out the door. They were walking for some time before Magnus even realized it. The sun was just beginning to set, and a chilled wind was blowing in from the west. Most of the houses were lit up, and very few cars went past them as they walked down the sidewalk.

Adagio walked with purpose, but also with the same poise and deity like perfection she used earlier with every action she did before when they were at the house. Magnus kept his hands tucked safely away in the pocket of his hoodie. He was looking straight ahead, but his eyes kept pulling to Adagio. She stayed in front of him as he was blindly led into the downtown area of the city. He could see all of the neon lights in the windows of shops coming on, and hear the honking of random cars as the buildings began to slowly get bigger, and traffic more dense. He felt like they had walked for miles in almost complete silence. In front of him, Adagio made a sigh. Or maybe it was more of a huff. It wasn't a positive noise, that much Magnus knew. "Hey...are you ok?" He asked.

"Hm? Ya, I'm fine." Adagio said this without looking back at him. Magnus frowned. He knew better than that. "No come on, what's up?" Adagio finally turned her head just enough to make the slightest of eye contact with him. "You haven't said anything to me. No one said you HAD to come, and we both know you are probably still looking for a stake to drive into my heart after my little display that almost made you keel over." She mocked him by clutching her heart, faking a heart attack. She continued "And now you are just...there. Normally you people are asking me loads of questions, begging at my feet...something. ANYTHING." She huffed again. Magnus was uncomfortable by the way she said 'you people.'

"I have a lot of questions, I just don't really know where to start. And to be honest with you, you seemed way more in distress than you wanted to let on. I figured it would be better to wait until we were alone...where ever we are going...before I asked you anything. I was trying to be considerate." Magnus continued to look ahead. He thought he heard Adagio make a noise, but wasn't one hundred percent sure of it. She was quiet for another block or so as they walked. "...thank you..." she said this meekly, almost quietly. Magnus smiled "Hey, no problem. Really." Adagio stopped to turn and look at Magnus. Her face was almost angry. "DON'T even begin to think anything mister. If you had ANY idea how many of you I had been around in my life time, you would know the difference in my tones. I am only happy you have decided to acknowledge me as a person and not a monster. Nothing more. And don't give me that face. You forget, witchy powers remember? I know what's going on in that brain of yours." She waggled her fingers at him with a bored expression. "That, and being around for as long as I have tends to make you learn things. Now come on, we are just about there."

Magnus was taken aback and left dumbfounded. He wasn't ACTUALLY sure what had just transpired in front of him. He hadn't been thinking anything...he thought. Maybe he had? Was he? What was he even thinking right now? Besides keeping up with her, not a whole lot. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she was insane. She was magical, he knew that, but did it go deeper than that? Worse? "HEY! Keep up!" Adagio had shouted back at him. Back at him? Crap! Magnus began jogging to try and keep up with her. Apparently her attitude had spurred her into walking much faster. He caught up to her just as they reached a large, high rise apartment building. Magnus had to crane his neck to see to the top, it had to have at least thirty stories. And this was a nice place. Now that Magnus had a chance to actually look around, he was surprised at where they were. Everything around them was very nice and fancy. Some bars and restaurants were just starting to fill up. Down the way he could hear the chiming and laughs coming from a casino, and right next door to this place was a grand hotel. "You live here?" He asked.

"Where would you think we would live? In a cemetery? A big spoopy castle? Come on, get real." Adagio flipped her hair at him like he had given her a mortal wound on her ego. "...we?" was the only thing Magnus had time to ask as he was lead inside the building. The lobby was impressively sized. It had a back lounge full of people ready to start their evening, and had a small coffee shop and restaurant tucked away. Directly in the center was a grand piano, a large harp, and a few other instruments were several people were playing soft, somber music with their eyes closed. A giant roaring fire was in a round open fire place. This place had an allure to it, that was for sure. Magnus found himself turning around several times to take it all in. The ceiling was covered in giant replicas of real world paintings. It was incredible to say the least. He looked down at the floor as Adagio approached the desk. It was as if the whole thing was taken from one giant slab of granite. Polished to perfection, he could see the beautiful serpentine patterns of the many minerals of the stone echoing out in all directions. He had never seen such detail and elegance.

Adagio approached the desk slowly, her walk was like a dance, and entrapping move to lure in her prey, like she was a snake ready to pounce. The concierge gave her an odd looked and asked "May I help you, Madame?" She grabbed her amulet as Magnus turned to watch her, breaking free of his raptured entrancement. "Yes, It's Adagio. I need you to unlock the Elevator. I don't feel like walking and I have a guest, as you can see." She gestured over to Magnus, who watched in an odd mixture of fear and excitement. The man's eyes became filled with a ruby hue, the same coming off of her amulet she touched. Adagio smiled as she waited. "Of course Madame." The man pressed a button on his desk, and a wall that looked solid opened up to reveal an elevator. Adagio gave the man a big smile and started to walk in. She stopped only briefly to ask Magnus "Are you coming?" The two of them climbed on into the comfortable elevator, and Magnus watched as Adagio flopped down onto a couch as the doors began to shut.

The elevator was very spacious, almost as if it would be a service elevator of some kind, or maybe one that is used to bring cars up and down show floors. At any rate, it was very clear to Magnus that this was meant to be a private elevator. Most of the décor was fitting of people of great age or elegance with a high level of exposure to culture. Adagio relaxed on her fainting couch, one leg lazily hanging to the side as she leaned back, eyes closed, seemingly drinking in her surroundings. As if being away from this kind of comfort was painful for her at some level. Magnus watched her with a wary eye. The doubts he had about this whole thing were starting to creep back. His feet started to inch back towards the wall. Adagio spoke up, not even bothering to open her eyes, "Don't worry, it isn't going to be some creepy lair. I already told you it's not that kind of thing. And could you relax a little?! You're stressing me out. And that's tough to do. I swear...for someone as strong looking as you, you sure are some kind of scared little bunny." She scoffed and made a snorting kind of laugh at this mockery. Magnus wasn't impressed, but part of him actually couldn't blame her for thinking this kind of thing about him.

Magus scratched the back of his neck, he had to say or do something to try and ease out the situation a little. "So...Adagio...have you lived here long?" The question was forced and awkward. Adagio opened one eye to look at him while she answered with a bored tone and face to match it. "For a while now. Not as long as other places, but we do like it here. Big cities are easy. No one cares who or what you are, and you can go about for a long time before people catch on. It's the small places that get ya. It doesn't take more than a few years for people to see you don't age, act normal, and can control anyone you touch. Well...save for you anyway." She winked her open eye at him playfully before returning to her closed eye lounging state. "Of course...maybe I'm just not doing it the RIGHT way." She chortled out a laugh as she could feel the heat rise in Magnus as he turned away.

The elevator gave a satisfying ding as the doors opened up. The hallway before them was simple. It had a plain red carpet, and golden wallpaper. Very unamusing for a place so well defined for the wealthy. Across from them was access to a stairwell. Clearly this is what Adagio had been referring to when she said she was tired earlier. Had she controlled that man earlier? Or had it been just his imagination? He had no idea. They both stepped out, and Adagio stopped in front of the ONLY other thing in the hallway. A very elegant gilded door. She took in a breath and turned to look at Magnus. For the first time all evening, he saw what appeared to be REAL emotion in her face. It was a combination of embarrassment, fear, maybe anxiety? Her face was also slightly red. Was she nervous? Impossible. How could someone like this have any kind of...well...link to the weak humans she so elegantly put down and blasted at each chance she had? "Fair warning now...we don't have, erm...men...over often. That's all I'll say on it. You can put the rest together." Magnus made a face, but nodded. In fairness, this was the first time he was seeing a ladies house in a good deal of time, and a first for a house of ladies that just lived alone. But ,he still could not shake the fact there were plural nouns being thrown all night, and no idea on what it could mean. Adagio produced a key and unlocked the door. She took in a sharp breath and opened the door quickly.

Magnus was impressed. The scents of rich cooking hit him first, followed by the soft, warm, comforting glow of happiness and light. They walked inside as Adagio shut the door behind them. She took off her shoes without looking down, so Magnus did the same. He looked around wide eyed, like a kid who was seeing a toy store for the first time, or animal out of its cage. The room they were in was pleasant. Not real big as he would have expected. It was quaint. The walls were done to look like the inside of a log cabin. The room had several couches, obviously meant to entertain large groups of people at once. The floor of the room was also a solid polished wood, but the center was covered by a rug that was so thick he thought he could swim in it. Simple floor lamps stood in the corners, giving a warm yellow-orange light. On a few tables were lit candles, giving off relaxing, sugary scents. Magnus couldn't help but smile. There was nothing not to smile about. And this was only the entrance, but it didn't seem like there was too much more to this. The serenity was quickly broken by the ruckus that could only come from people that are family.

"Adaaaaaaaaagio!" The most chipper of voices squealed out as a form took flight, bounding off a couch and flying straight up in to the air, arms out stretched. Adagio didn't have time to do more than yell when she was glomped on by another female. Magnus looked at her. She was...vaguely familiar. Her hair was pulled into a simple pony tail, streaks of green and blue going down its length. Her skin its own shade of greenish cyan. Her face was pulled into a large, closed eyed grin. She was smooshing her face up against Adagio's face, whom of which was trying to stand back up. "Sonata! We've talked about this! Gah! GET OFF YOU LITTLE FUNGUS!"

Sonata just giggled and squeezed harder. "But you were gone forever, I thought you diiiiiied." She pulled her face back to show, what Magnus thought, was the most convincing pout he had ever seen. Adagio continued to try and fight her off when another voice made it self known. "What's all the noise? Sonata, did you trip again? Look, I'm running out of Band-Aids today you'll need to- Oh. Adagio." The women then turned to Magnus and made eye contact. Her face did not change it's expression, but only went red. Hard to notice from her already bubble gum pink hue that it had. Her hair was pulled into two equal pony tails at the back. Her face, still unamused, broke eye contact and looked back at Adagio. "Are your hands broken? Can you not use a phone? Sonata has been glued to the windows for an hour or so now. Do you know how annoying it's been hearing 'Aria? Is she coming back?' , 'Ariiiia, can we go look for her?' 'AAAAAAAAARIA, I'M HUNGRY!' No, you wouldn't would you, you've been out fooling around."

Adagio looked back to Aria, still trying to pry the clinging Sonata from her hips. "I was working, you knew this. Don't even start with me, not this soon." Magnus had to hide a laugh. This noise made Sonata stop wiggling and look up at him with eyes as big as plates. He gave her a tiny wave and went to say something to her before he was cut off by a loud "MEEEEEP!" as she bounded backwards, heel catching the back of the couch causing her to trip and fall over the couch. All three of them looked at the couch for a few seconds until they heard quiet little sobs. "She'll be fine. Dinner will be ready in fifteen." Aria retreated back into the other room, Magnus assumed the kitchen.

Adagio rolled her eyes but look flustered after being scolded as she had been. She out stretched her hands in a 'here it is' fashion before cracking her neck and rubbing it. "Come on, might as well get comfy. I will prove a better host than you, as you will see." Adagio lead Magnus into the kitchen.

*****

There was an explosion of fire. Nothing made sense. People were running about and shouting. She turned and saw someone on fire underneath debris. She tried to grab at anything but couldn't. Someone was shouting her name but it didn't make sense. She was running, anywhere that she could. She stopped at the dead end the hall made. She panicked. She turned around and saw him slowly walking forward. He was covered in scales, all she could see were three red eyes. They were unblinking. He pointed a clawed hand at her. It was dripping with blood. He called out her name and the fire around her roared to life.

She sat up in her bed with a start. She was screaming, but she soon got a grip on herself and her surroundings. She was tired, sweaty, and emotionally drained after this weekend. She shook her head and laid back down. There were a number of things she could think of that explained what was happening, but she pushed them aside. She reached under her pillow for her cell phone, and touched it awake. She opened up her messages and sent one to a number that was still so new, no name had been attached yet. She quickly typed out 'Was it still real? Or am I dreaming?' She didn't expect an immediate response, but she got one all the same. It was hard to read, its recipient had probably been roused from dead slumber. 'yez, it wa s. we all meant wut wee said, trust me Sunset. we can hang tomorrow ok?' She locked her phone asleep and placed it back under her pillow. Sunset Shimmer let out a content sigh, and went back to sleep.

Author's Note

Im finding I have more and more time to pump these out, but I am still not satisified with the lengths, always thinking they are going to be much MUCH longer. I still am sad this one took longer...life happened and things slowed down. Still, I am having alot of fun.
For those of you favoriting this, you are all MY favorites ^_^ And to the 70 some who have read this, you give me more hope. Im hoping this gets more and more exposure, maybe like FRONT PAGE 3000 PEOPLE VIEWED BY count, but it seems Ill have to get my name out there for that kind of thing eh? Here in the next few days as I work on the next chapter, I will be going through and making corrections and changes to the others. Keep it spicy, hip, and easy on the eyes ~~~ stay precious bebes.

ALSO, this template needs an undo key >_>

ALSO ALSO, 10/17, added more spaces, fixed some corrections, and made it better. The next chapter SHOULD be out tommorow ~~~

11/8 Final corrections made