[Archive] Salem Witch Trials

[aniskywolf]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,220,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] "Guilty" is what our graves will read With no years and no family We did nothing to stop the murder of a people just like us

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,480,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] THE DATE IS JULY 10, 1692 ...and the Salem Witch Trials have begun. Puritans in the small town of Salem are thrown unto a state of confusion and the town is thrown into chaos. The first person to be hanged is a woman by the name of Bridget Bishop, an elderly woman accused of witchcraft Salem, Royal Colony of Massechusets, New England, North America warning: someone getting hanged and puritans. yeah puritans are a warning all on their own

     News had a tendency to spread quickly. As did bad habits, rumors, and the sort. This was perhaps a combination of all of them. News was spreading through the colony that the women were behaving rather oddly. Well, odd in the eyes of the Puritans, the radical religious group that gained dominance within the young set of colonies along the Atlantic. If the words "witch" or "wizard" were uttered around their biased ears, they would throw a fit about it and go on a religious rampage of sorts. Unfortunately this was the case. It seemed as though no matter where you went in the world, you'd be persecuted for standing out of the norm, even in the very grounds in which you were guaranteed freedom of such.

     Curiosity sometimes brought others to put their noses in things they shouldn't really. In fact, this was what started all this nonsense. A boy ran across the trail to one of the hot spots of the witch trials, a small dog following after. A rather small town that tended to be quiet and behave themselves until now. He was specifically told to stay away from such troublesome towns until everything settled down, but he wasn't about to stay ignorant of whatever was going. It was young curiosity that caused the blond to venture out to see what was amiss. What was so bad about it anyway? What were exactly these trials and what did they result in? Young innocence was still indeed the very essence of the boy who was just over 85. After all, colonies were protected from all the wrong in the world by their empires, were they not?

     Arriving, the youth stopped to catch his breath, the small dog sitting and tilting it's head slightly. The rush was because they apparently had caught a witch recently and were going to throw her in jail. But what was so bad about a "witch" anyway? He wanted to see for himself. He was sure he'd be fine as long as he stayed hidden. He had proven in his younger years that he was quite good at that. With blue eyes looking to the ground, he spotted shadows to which he ran behind a building, the dog following after. Peeking to the sides he noticed there was a crowd gathering, apparently looking over at something. What was going on? Slowly moving in within the ground, he squeezed his way through to the near front and tilted his head slightly at what he was seeing. For a boy appearing no more than 12, what was about to be witnessed was more than just over the top.

     A noose was put around a woman's neck as she stood on a platform. There was a man that was proclaiming her sins as she had bewitched five other women. And after he was done, other things were said and door opened up from underneath the elderly woman. She dropped through and her face became deathly pale as the noose tightened around neck. She struggled and writhed, only making suffering worse. The lad's face turned pale as well, more so after the people around him approved of such an action. He didn't understand, and that was perhaps what made everything all the more confusing. An older man looked down and saw the shaking blond. With a sigh he merely made things rather worse.

"Tis what God wants. It be our duty to purify those that do not feel His light. Aye, these witches were only receiving what is to come to all those who are unable to see the light. Witches are a dangerous thing, lad, bringing the Devil to this world. Thou should know that."

     He couldn't help but just nod for the sake of nodding. What did that mean? Did God really want His people to be treated in such a manner? Before long he ushered his way out of the crowed, closing his eyes as he did so. Why did they do that? She seemed so perfectly normal! Wasn't she a resident of this town too? Someone's grandmother? Someone's family? Why? Questions that he'd probably never get a clear answer to sprang up as he ran out of there, pale as snow. The small dog quickly ran with him as he simply sit behind of the church and hugged his knees, trying to really grasp what he had just witnessed. That woman's face was simply etched into his mind. She didn't look like she wanted to die, at least, not like that. Her body hanged limp, the noose keeping it's deadly grip as the crowd had fell silent. It must have been humiliating. And for such a thing, he didn't understand what was so bad. He felt his gut tie itself in a knot. Why was it such a sin to be different? Was bewitching bad? What did it do? The dog barked as he sat by the lad and whined, wanting his friend to cheer up once more. But after that...

     He buried his face into his knees as he wrapped his arms around them, tears rolling down his face. How long had this been going on? Was she the first to have suffered the same fate. The dog whined and lowered it's head onto the lad's, trying to sooth the lad into feeling better. But how could he feel better? They were all citizens of the British crown, they were all part of the same town, so what made them draw on each other like this. Before today, he had heard rumors of how girls in Salem were acting strangely, such as not going to church, behaving as if they were possessed by the devil, and all these strange things. Maybe they were just sick? What was the problem. The sun began to set and people began to resume their lives, continuing to talk of what had just occurred. People no longer seemed to be so nice. The boy would never know her name. The residents of this town know, but all they'll ever remember her as would be "the witch".

[/font]

[England]

The French were the bane of his life. No matter how often you kicked them into damn well submission they'd always crawl right back at you like the maggots they were, and oh was this not a fine case of it. Already through this war their navy had been crushed with the aid of the Dutch, the English channel was his to command, as it should have always been. Yet despite this he knew that they would only cause him more problems, because that's just what they did. Screw that, it's what they were doing.

To be perfectly honest England couldn't say this particular battle had anything to do with it, if Francis wanted to waste his time on the Canadian natives then so be it, such a thing was not at all his matter to deal with. However, when it spread onto his land then it was his problem, and thus he was here. The war in Europe was still raging something rotten, but that damn massacre that had had spilled into the Massachusetts bay. Had the Wine Suckers stayed away then fine, he'd have still been happily in Europe putting an end to the French madness. As it was he was here survey damages.

“So how many of our citizens were killed?” He questioned the young bloke behind him.

Coughing the red head shifted on his feet slightly before answering. “None. A couple of the buildings were burnt down, and a few residents received minor burns... But it was nothing too severe.”

With a nod Arthur turned away, blinking in surprise at the sight of a group of small children playing on the street. Ah, and this was in part his real reason for being here. When His Royal Majesty had declared that someone needed to report back on the current issues in the north America's he'd been all too happy to obliged. The times at which he had a chance to venture over were few and far between with the current war, and thus he'd happily snatched up the chance presented to him. In such circumstances one would always have to take what opportunities were presented to them, and if they meant he could be here then that was all the better.

About to step forward he was halted by brisk yellings of 'sir' and 'Kirkland'. Attention summoned he sighed, fingers running through his hair, he'd hopped he was done for the day, he'd hoped he'd have free time enough whilst here to do as he please. However no, duty first. Always duty first.

“Kirkland, sir!” The fellow bowed before him, hands on his knees whilst his breaths came in sharp pants before he finally looked up, a curving grin on his face. “Sir, did you hear the news?! They're hanging the witch in Salem!” The giddy glee was evident on the bastards face.

Narrowing his eyes slightly he wrinkled his nose in disgust. Puritans, the damn bane of his life. It was tragic though that such a thing had passed to this continent as well. People were scared, he understood that innately... But magic...? It was a wonderful thing, a rare gift that these people scorned. The irony? Not one of the people they'd killed had ever been a witch or warlock. They were innocent people framed due to rumours, due to refusing a quick shag with someone. They were framed to be something they were not and then killed for it.

“Fetch me a horse. I want a strong horse here now.” Shaking his head he rubbed the bridge of his nose. They preached to him that magic was wrong, that he must not associate with it. That it was impure and vile. How could he ever believe that? For the longest time his only friends had been of the mythical sort, magic (real or no; though of course to he it was) was ingrained into him. He would not believe that it was blasphemous.

As the young Stallion was brought to him he grasped the reins and pulled himself up to tuck his feet into the stirrups and kick the thing in the sides to urge it on. He had to see, he had to see if this time there was anything he could do to stop it despite the fact he knew there was nothing at all he could do about it, nothing at all.

Two hours. It took two hours to reach Salem from the boy, and when he had dusk was crawling in and the woman's legs had long since stopped kicking. There was still a crowd though, there always was after a good hanging. It was vile. It was disgusting. The things people would do to themselves in the name of god, he just didn't see how they could ever do such a thing.

“Da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a Malo,”

he murmured with a shake of his head. Did the lord's prayer not speak enough? Forgiveness. They preached it but never exacted it. He always failed to grasp this. With a sigh he pushed through the crowed, shouldering his way to the gallows.

“Cut her down!” He barked sharply. “Cut her down and dispose of the body. I do believe your job here is done.” Leaving not time for arguments he seated himself upon the steps of the church, casting his eyes up and closing them to release a small sigh. He always thought America would be free of such things as that. Such terrible things that he could do nothing to stop. It was amazing really, he was the embodiment of the English Empire. He was the damn strongest thing around... And yet he couldn't save them.

It wasn't until he felt a light pressure on his shoulder with a soft whispering of his name that he was snapped from his stupor. Opening an an he cast it down towards the small winged woman on his shoulder. “Hm?” He murmured gently, careful to avoid seeming to be talking to himself. At her ushering he stood, brushing himself off and leading the horse after the small fae until she stopped at the rear of the church and gestured wildly at a small hunched figure. Frowning slightly he sighed. It was probably some scared child who'd seen the goings on he'd missed from prior. With a mild sigh he looked back to the sprite, arching an eyebrow slightly until the small female yanked his hair and pointed firmly.

Gently pushing her from his face he rolled his eyes and smiled slightly, the fae could be so childish when they didn't get their own way. Destructive if one wasn't careful, but looking closer at the small figure he perhaps understood exactly why she was so frantic. Eyes widening slightly he quickly tied the reins of the horse onto a low hanging branch to go to the boy and kneel in front of him. He was crying... Hard by the looks of it.

Why, why had he been here. Shaking his head he quickly bundled the boy into his arms, pulling him to his chest and rubbing soothing circles upon his back. “Alfred,” he murmured softly.

Of everything those people had done he considered this the worst. It was selfish no doubt, but to him this was an atrocity. What right did they have to make America cry?

---

Da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a Malo

Give us this day;
and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil

[aniskywolf]

     It was evident as to the reason why the older folks outside of Salem wanted the boy to stay out of such a place. They knew that the boy was not yet ready to face such horrors, and so they kept it in their best interest to discourage the lad from going. In the end, Alfred went anyway, despite knowing that he shouldn't. Perhaps he was being a bit rebellious, but he was curious. Weren't they his people, sort of? They were on his land, and he was beginning to truly understand this concept of being the embodiment of the people. It was sort of his duty to know what was going amiss right? That and curiosity consumed him, just as it would any other child. He came, and now he was regretting it totally.

     It wasn't only because of the reasons or just the sheer brutality of the whole ordeal, but because it was his people using those reasons and that kind of brutality amongst someone of their own town. That reason wasn't even a reason he quite understood, which made it a bit worse for the lad. He let silent whimpers escaped him as tears wet his face, trying to seem as small as possible so that no one would notice him. These people weren't that mean, were they? Quakers were nicer than these people. What was the matter? A sharp voice was heard in the distance, commanding something to be done, but he payed no mind, trying to shut everything away as if everything had hurt him. The little dog that had accompanied him ran towards the yelling, leaving the boy alone. Alfred didn't notice, but he didn't too much care at this point. Later he's perhaps miss it.

     It wasn't long before he heard footsteps and a the hooves of a horse come his way, but again Alfred paid no mind as he was occupied with himself and trying to really comprehend something he just simply could not at this point. Though the figures came closer, and he simply tried to make himself smaller by tucking knees closer to himself. Soon enough he was being pulled into a familiar warmth that had a calming effect to him. His hands almost immediately latched onto the fabric of the other's clothes and his head was tucked against the other, not wanting to be let go in the slightest. It seemed as if Arthur had come just in time. The boy would have been in the dark alone.

“Alfred.”

     He simply cried on his older brother's shoulder, even though he was trying to stop crying. He didn't know what to make of what happened really, that and he was just. You couldn't blame him really for what happened or how he reacted. A small, innocent, naive boy was all he was. He didn't like this feeling. He just wanted to let it out and get it over with. He didn't want his questions to remained unanswered like this. It was unpleasant, especially to a child.

"Why did did they do that..." He spoke somberly, pausing from his whimpers. "What they said did not make any sense..." His face was buried into the other's shoulder again. "Did she really need to.. die..?"

     That nameless woman didn't even look like she did anything wrong. Just an old lady, that was all. But no, they took her life away for some reason that he didn't quite understand. America couldn't quite shake away that lady's figure from his head as it hung still from the noose. He didn't want to go back to see if she was still hanging there. He was afraid that it was, even though commands to dispose of it were issued. That little detail was ignored by the boy. Regardless though, now there was someone there who could perhaps ease the pain a bit. No one in this town would care since they were the ones who did it. At least there was someone, someone he looked up to.

"I don't get it..." He said quietly. "It's not fair..."

     It wasn't fair for the people to accuse others of something like that and then just kill them. Didn't he hear that they were going to just put her in jail? That wasn't jail, that was death. They were two different things, he wasn't stupid. Maybe they said that just to ease the blow. Yes, jail sounded better than hanging someone. It wasn't something he could grasp on his own. He wanted answers to this just to help ease his feelings. He didn't want to feel lost, nor did he want to not understand why the woman was killed, if the reason was a good reason or not. Was that too much to ask? He hugged the older tightly, trying to ease himself. It was amazing how one person could affect the other, even if it was just by being their during bad times.

[/font]

[England]

He was less than surprised when he felt hands latch to him, warm tears dampening his clothes. He could remember very well seeing his own people hung, burnt, and even damn well quartered when he was nothing but a child. The nagging misery of knowing your own people could do that was just... Well at the time it had been crushing he supposed. A harsh lesson in the way of the world. He'd been stripped of whatever innocence he had long ago, one too many scream having ripped it out of him. If he could keep that in Alfred though... If he could just keep that little light burning then he didn't mind. So long as that was shinning he was content to believe that no matter how dull and dreary it all looked things were not truly that bad. Sometimes hope was all you really needed.

"Why did did they do that... What they said did not make any sense... Did she really need to.. die..?"

With a soft sigh he hooked an arm under the boy, murmuring soft words of near nonsense under his break to try and quell the younger into a calmer state of being. This was not the place for such a conversation, not when the very trees about them had ears enough to listen in on the words they would consider treachery. It was ironic really, the words of the nations they tried to serve could unknowingly be something dubbed as terrible to them. He didn't at all agree with the concept. They did such things in the name of their country, but in an ironic twist perhaps their countries didn't really want such a thing.

Still, he knew perfectly well how foolish it would would be to discuss such things here. Instead he hooked an arm under the boys backside and stood, a hand on his back to support him. “I'll explain shortly, I swear.” Keeping the younger close he quickly tugged the reigns of the horse free of the branch. With the sun long since setting it would no doubt be a chore to try and return to Alfred's own home, especially with the state the lad was in.

"I don't get it... It's not fair..."

All he could do was nod. There was little he could say to that which could explain it away. There was no way to make humanity seem to be something that it wasn't, and thus all he could do was explain as best he could. “I know.” Because life itself was truly not fair. He tried so hard to shelter the boy from it, perhaps to the point of ebbing over into the grounds of being too overprotective. He knew no better. “Hush now though, I'll explain to you shortly.” First though he needed somewhere close, somewhere that was at least mostly private. Thus he opted for finding the nearest pub, and handing the horse over to the stable hand.

It was a rather homey place so far as this kind of boarding went, though right now he wasn't so much concerned with the aesthetics of it as the practicality. Quickly he bought board and a meal for them, juggling the bread and broth in the hand not supporting America. Of course, problems only arose with the balancing act when he found the room. Needing a hand to unlock the door he set the other down before opening up the thing and ushering the boy in; locking it behind them.

“You should try and eat something,” he stated, offering the tray of food to Alfred. “I shan't make you, so don't if you don't wish to.” Heavens knew there was a chance he felt sick, and the last thing either of them needed was for him to actually come down with something.

If America did indeed not take the try he'd set it upon the bedside cabinet, seating himself on the rather uncomfortable mattress there after.

“What do you know of magic?” He questioned, jade eyes fixed gently on blue. “Of warlocks and witches, of the fae and all manners of creatures that most will never see nor understand?” He'd no idea if America actually had the sight, and nor did he really feel like trying to barter a hob into spitting in his eyes to ensure such. “There's many types of it, really. Light and dark.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. People truly knew so little of the world around them. “That woman was claimed to be a witch, and for that they killed her.” He loathed the concept. “She was killed for being something she was not, simply because she was assumed to be different.” How foolish they were.

Extending a hand he ushered the boy closer to him. “People are scared of what they don't understand. They're terrified of what's different... And so no, she didn't deserve to die.” If the boy had taken his offer he'd thread his fingers through his hair. “She was no witch, and I truly have no idea what she did that brought such a thing upon her, but no doubt she didn't deserve such a thing... Even if she had been a witch that would still not have been merit enough.” He shook his head. When would people stop being so close minded about the whole thing? Soon he hoped, but in reality he knew they likely never would.

[aniskywolf]

     As they moved along he didn't bother to look back at the people who were bustling about, a shady figure watching them move on as activity settled down after the incident that had just occurred. He simply tucked his head against the older man who assured him of such sanctuary. Any place but here really was fine. A knot was firm in his gut and he felt very comfortable about the whole situation. Things would probably get worse from here, but this was a concept he didn't quite understand and therefore had no real idea. He was unable to find his own answers at this point for anything, always relying on the English elders that came over who knew more about the harshness of life than any of the youth who were born in these new lands. It was amusing to see how the very colony's avatar could not understand what was going on within said colony.

     When they had finally arrived to a much quieter place, he felt a bit more settled, though still he felt rather somber about the whole event. After all, a child having to witness that was no light matter, especially considering it was his own people, which confused him greater. Why would his people do this to each other? He would get his answer soon. The food Arthur had gotten him earlier was present before him, and he simply looked at it as if it was something he wanted to do with.

“You should try and eat something. I shan't make you, so don't if you don't wish to.”

"Nay, I'm fine..." he said as the desire to eat was not really with him, for once.

     He watched the man sit over on the mattress and the boy walked closer to him as he did. At this point he didn't really want much distance as he had the desire that all young children had when they were greatly, which was to be comforted when feeling dismal. As the green-eyed man began to speak he felt himself being drawn in, waiting for his long-awaited questions to be answered to draw this mystery to a close so hat he could finally feel more at ease, for lack of a better word. Quite frankly the ill feeling would still linger on for a few days, but at least he didn't have to keep wondering as to why such actions were performed on the very people he was supposed to be there for. It was cruel to put a child in that position but in the end it was part of his existence.

“What do you know of magic? Of warlocks and witches, of the fae and all manners of creatures that most will never see nor understand?”

"Not too much..." he stated, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, "Outside of the stories you tell me there is not much I know."

     Various stories were told to him about fairies and goblins, of wizards and of monsters. They were all old, but they for some reason captivated him. Their intriguing stories and simple yet intricate settings always excited the young America as he always looked forward to a reading of such stories. Quite simply the lad was amazed that such stories existed and that there were people out there who made them up. People who did were truly a master of imagination and storytelling, quite an art the boy respected and loved the fact it existed. It let his imagination wandered as the stories were told. Though he wondered for a moment. What did any of it have to do with the current situation? He looked up at the man.

“There's many types of it, really. Light and dark. That woman was claimed to be a witch, and for that they killed her. She was killed for being something she was not, simply because she was assumed to be different.”

     That was it...? He went closer to his brother and simply looked up at him as he explained, the pleasing effect of having his hair fiddled with a bit comforting. He frowned slightly though. Was it that petty of a reason? What was wrong with those people then. If she wasn't bad then what was the purpose of doing that? And as soon as he thought, that too was elaborated upon.

“People are scared of what they don't understand. They're terrified of what's different... And so no, she didn't deserve to die. She was no witch, and I truly have no idea what she did that brought such a thing upon her, but no doubt she didn't deserve such a thing... Even if she had been a witch that would still not have been merit enough.”

"They seemed like nice people too..." he said as his tones were quite hushed, "They said she 'bewitched' people but... I don't understand what any of that means. Is it as bad as it sounds?"

     While not as confused, he certainly wanted to know why people had to do what they do. Humans were creatures who were smart enough to make their own decisions but at the same time they failed to make the right ones. Alfred was slowly starting to realize this but figured that it was better to focus on simply the good decisions as he felt those were the ones that would be better for everyone. If you always focused on what was bad then no one could go forward, right? There was one thing he didn't quite understand though, and that was that one had to make mistakes to learn. The boy himself made many mistakes, and yes he learned from them, but he has yet to do so on a much larger scale. As a young chap he had much to learn, and learning about the mistakes of others would lead to enlightenment of some sort.

---

• I should start using British English in my post when posting in pre- 1806 @_@ LOL even though it makes me OCD

[England]

"Not too much... Outside of the stories you tell me there is not much I know."

Of course, that was what he’d expected. He’d taught the lad a fair deal on the matters, but it had all been in the form of tales and stories and would thus not be taken seriously. That was fine just so long as he understood in some way or another, such things shouldn’t be lost. They shouldn’t be lost and yet here was another race of people casting their prejudice at such a thing once more, it was just so easy for them though. So long as they claimed it to be in the name of his lord all mighty then it was retribution and their souls would be saved, never finding itself condemned to the pits of hell for the fact they were killing innocent people.

Innocent people in front of innocent people. With a mute sigh he didn’t push the boy away as he inched closer, and there was little doubt he may have been inclined to do so were it any other. He coddled the boy terribly, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to stop such soft acts. Indeed, there was no further thought as he leant forwards and attempted to scoop the boy up to sit him on his lap, there wasn’t even a moment of doubt as he went to wrap his arms around him once more and pull him firmly against his chest. He still couldn’t fathom why he cared so much, it was so damn wrong for him to play favourites with his colonies… and he should have at least taken to one that was actually profitable. Yet no, this bright little boy that meant so little to his people had walked straight past the defences he’d spent a few millennium establishing with no effort. There’d been no fight, no trickery… None. He’d merely come along and made his home where Arthur knew so well he shouldn’t have.

Yet he didn’t mind. On the contrary actually, he welcomed him.

“That’s a start,” he murmured gently against the smaller’s head. He was going soft and he knew it, yet in parallel he would still snap anyone fool enough to say so in half. He was pliant as a lamb right up until the point one realized he was a wolf in a sheep’s fleece, and those teeth really were just as sharp as ever.

"They seemed like nice people too... They said she 'bewitched' people but... I don't understand what any of that means. Is it as bad as it sounds?"

So many questions. Even now in such a dark situation Alfred was content to ask and ask, and he really did think it testament to the fact the boy was truly bright. If only he’d focus more, were he to do so he’d be an incredibly astute individual. “That depends on the form, my dear boy.” There were many types of bewitching, and to the magical world yes, it could be serious. “To bewitch someone in the sense they mean is to control another’s actions with a spell. For example, it would be presumed to be possible that if I were to cast a spell on someone I would have full control over their thoughts and actions, though such a thing is nigh impossible to do… Especially for a normal woman.” With a sigh he shifted slightly, the none too comfortable bed digging awkwardly into him.

“There’s another type though, one more common that anyone can do,” he wondered briefly if this was what she was guilty of. In England he knew well enough it was not uncommon for a woman to be killed as a witch simply on the grounds she wouldn’t bed the right man, because they were proud they were died. “It’s all too possible to bewitch someone’s heart…. But that’s something else utterly, that would simply be love.” He’d find out why this woman had died, because even if there was nothing he could change about it she still deserved that much. She still had the right for someone to believe that she was innocent. Even if there was only one soul who saw it that was better than none. Someone was always better than no one.

He knew though, he knew there would be more. In a time like this one was never enough, and once doubts had been cast they would be ripped apart at any excuse to string another poor soul up. How many would it take for them to stop? He didn't know, but despite it all he couldn't claim that... This was in the end mellow compared to what he himself had done, things that even now he couldn't bring himself to regret because they had been needed. If he had to hail someone's head upon a pike then he would, gut them? Of course.

He knew the lines between morality and demonism were thin, the distinction upon them was only based on personal opinions. It was very probable that the main reason these trials bothered him to begin with were due to his own tastes in the occult, it was a matter close to what he considered a heart and so of course he loathed it. By no means did this make him innocent though, not when the he had far more blood upon his hands than all those within this town combined.

"I want you to promise me something, Alfred." And the boy would. He was one of the few on this earth willing to take Arthur's words to heart and follow them because he wanted to, not because he had to. Such a sweet child. "When I leave again I don't want you to return to this town until I tell you that you may," he ordered in a voice that fell short of being as stern as he desired, he'd long since learnt that being anything close to demanding with Alfred was difficult. He knew he was perhaps suffocating the boy with a streak of over protection that had only recently reared its head, but it was for his own good. Always for his own good, Arthur only wanted his little brother to be safe. "Furthermore, if you hear tell of such things happening anywhere else I want you to stay away. Regardless of what any tell you or ask of you I do not want you to do so, and indeed if there are any with an issue direct them to myself." He'd hear no word of any against himself. He may be a nation, but here he was an Englishman of high esteem. That in itself held more weight than any of the titles those here had.

---

StoptrollingmyfreakingEnglishyoujackass>8l

[aniskywolf]

“That’s a start. That depends on the form, my dear boy. To bewitch someone in the sense they mean is to control another’s actions with a spell. For example, it would be presumed to be possible that if I were to cast a spell on someone I would have full control over their thoughts and actions, though such a thing is nigh impossible to do… Especially for a normal woman.”

"I see..." He said with his head pressing against the man's chest more, "In that case... I don't think she did anything wrong..." his voice was somewhat hushed.

     It was kind of hard to comprehend that someone was capable of doing such "wicked" things. He never really believed what was told through stories was actually true. Instead he kind of just disregarded it as fantasy and simply would only think of them whenever such tales were being narrated to him. Though now it seemed as if the villagers were killing people for what was only in such fantastic tales. So what was real and was fiction? Did they know any better or were they just out of their minds? It was hard to tell. Perhaps he'd never know, and maybe it was just better that way.

     He simply listened in on what his elder was telling him, trying to make sense of the words and descriptions he was saying. Such things that were being told to him were very far fetched and seemed so... fantastic. The boy actually wondered how Arthur came to know all about this subject? It was something he had always wondered but would probably never ask considering the man had a vast knowledge of near everything, so it seemed. Alfred had always looked up to the man as if he knew everything. It was a typical thing of a child as Arthur was basically his role-model. But still, how did he know?

“There’s another type though, one more common that anyone can do. It’s all too possible to bewitch someone’s heart…. But that’s something else utterly, that would simply be love.”

"So it depends on context, then?" tilting his head as he asked, "I think I get it now..." he rubbed his arm slight as he spoke again, "I guess to them it's a real crime to be different..."

     The lad thought of the world in a very positive light. Everyone had at least some good in them to him and nothing ever changed his mind, no matter what. Not even now did he think that the people who put that woman to death really were malicious people. While their reason was not really justified he didn't completely blame them. Maybe this was a bad thing but still it showed how utterly free of any hardships the young colony was. Yes, there was the "Starving Time" of 1609 along with harsh winters, but that was about the extent of it. One day would his views change? Hopefully not, as such innocence was cherished and envied by many. He's not seen the Indian wars that progressed in the background and how those copper-skinned people lurked in the shadows awaiting their revenge. He was unaware, and maybe that was the root of such purity.

"I want you to promise me something, Alfred. When I leave again I don't want you to return to this town until I tell you that you may."

     The boy simply nodded, now understanding why the elders of the other towns told him not too go. Alfred was not ready to experience that again, nor did a youth like him need to see such things, even if they were his own people. There was no need to be exposed to such activity, and therefore he was keen on staying away. Seems like everything had a dark side that was not to be seen by those who still had obliviousness as a good trait.

"Furthermore, if you hear tell of such things happening anywhere else I want you to stay away. Regardless of what any tell you or ask of you I do not want you to do so, and indeed if there are any with an issue direct them to myself."

"Alright," he said, looking up at the man and nodding. "I can do that."the first smile in quite a little but flashed.

     Outside the day was drawing to a close. The stars yonder in the sky were finally starting to glisten as the sun finally retreated into the horizon. The memory was still well in the boy's mind. The one of the old woman dangling lifelessly from the noose, not moving as he skin turned a ghostly pale color. People around Gallows Hill simply watched as their evil witch had been put to death. This feeling made him not want to sleep, fearful that the visions would come back to plague him in the form of nightmares. The lad hoped that this would be the last time they would be doing such things, but little did he know that once something such as this started, it just kept going. Until they were satisfied they would not detest in their senseless actions. Soon the accusations would become more and more ridiculous as the death tolls would rise. Though now was just the beginning.

     Looking around he sighed a bit, obviously tired but not wanting to sleep. At least now he felt more informed about the matter, not feeling so confused now. This was a good thing, to say the least. Now he didn't have to feel so lost as initially. Now he had been at least filled in a little bit buy what terms and such meant. Now he was more aware of the situation. Of course that was always good. And so he felt that something was needed.

"Thank you for explaining." he started off, "I don't feel so... lost now..."

     Still there were things that still needed to be answered, but for now he didn't know if he should ask them. Would they matter? Whatever was important to him had been answered, but there were still some little things. Ah, in that case perhaps not. Maybe it was better that he didn't know. Well, maybe just one more thing.

"Do you think they will stop?" he asked curiously.

     It was perhaps very vague at this point, though he kept his hopes up for a "yes."

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ohshutupI'llonlydoitforthequotes>8( everytimeIpostwithhimIfeellikeIgetclosertocontractingdiabetes

[England]

"I see... In that case... I don't think she did anything wrong..."

At least he seemed to have grasped the point Arthur had been aiming for from the beginning, the woman had indeed done nought wrong within this context. Despite all it was pleasant to see that the boy was quickly coming to his own basis of logic on matters, even if it was no doubt based upon much of England’s guidance on matters. That was the point though, no? When you raised someone your views would always imprint upon the individual, even when only slightly, so of course such a thing was happening here. This was no doubt a goal though.

England was undoubtedly strong from his logic; he’d done enough to prove such a thing time and time again. With this boy who he foolishly cared so much about (for he knew it was indeed foolish) that was no doubt the strongest thing he could give him. It was with his guidance that he genuinely hoped this little colony his parliament cared little for would flourish, because heaven knew the potential was undoubtedly there for him to do so.

"So it depends on context, then? I think I get it now... I guess to them it's a real crime to be different..."

He gave a short nod. “Yes, very much so. It will always depend on how someone views something, especially when the way in which the matter is taken has been distorted by the individual.” The world was simply built upon misconceptions and contexts. It was no way to go, and yet people had been doing it for thousands of years. It was a harsh and greedy theory… yet in the end everyone did it. He himself had been inclined to judge upon difference on more than one occasion, and he probably would do it time and time again. It was merely in the nature of things, no matter how brutal. Perhaps that was becoming outdated.

“People will always judge upon differences, Alfred.” If only through fear or supremacy they would do it. They would cast harsh views on the minority and then bring themselves to exploit them as they see fit, this was the world. He supposed it was a cold stance on things, a bitter view on this overall black and white world… But as it stood he’d yet to find the grey in it. Perhaps one day. “See that you never do.” The new world was meant to be everything the old was not, mould it into something better. Evidently this had so far been failing, yet... he could still try.

"Alright. I can do that."

That was all he asked, provided the younger did his best to follow the order then there was nothing more of course he could ask of him. Even so, he knew the lad would more than likely do as he asked with few to no questions. He was in many ways like a lost little puppy, latching on to the first thing that struck his fancy and then doing all he could to please that individual. No doubt the only thing that would have him at another such event would be if someone were to drag him, and that alas would lead to many a loss upon the other's part.

“Good boy,” he responded as he reached a hand out to ruffle his hair.

"Thank you for explaining. I don't feel so... lost now..."

Of course there was no need for him to than Arthur, he'd have done so even if the other had never thanked him. Yet in the end it was good grace to do so, and thus there was no correction for doing so. “It's not a problem, of course. You know I'm always here to answer whatsoever is upon your mind.” He hoped he always would be, and somewhere in his mind he'd long ago deluded himself into believing that such a thing would be so. Of course in the back of his mind he knew better, one day the lad would see past the acts and realise that he most certainly did not need anything Arthur could offer. He'd become bored and leave just as every other did, such was the way of an island's life. For now though he was content, more so than he likely had been in many a thousand years.

"Do you think they will stop?"

That alas caught him off-guard, and for a brief moment he floundered upon how the hell he was supposed to respond. Of course he knew they would eventually stop, but the real question was when. He did not at all believe the woman from prior would be the last, and there would of course be many more... How could he say that though? Were it any other he would have no doubt given the harsh truth, but he'd be damned if he knew he didn't simply coddle Alfred to the fullest extent of his ability. He knew it was wrong, he damn well knew that eventually he would find out that to be frank the world was not so wonderful as he seemed to think... But was it so wrong to want to preserve those thoughts on the boy even if for a moment longer? He didn't believe so, and thus he nodded slightly.

“They will, yes.” America had not after all asked him when they would stop, and nor had he asked if she would be both the first and last. It was upon this logic that he could reason with lying to the boy, withholding the real truth of what the younger was asking him. A part of him truly did hate the whole effect of deceit (at least with Alfred; heaven knew he was more than happy to do it time and time again when it got him what he wanted from someone), yet what else could e truly do? Nothing and he knew it. He was powerless in so many ways, whilst seemingly invincible in so many others.

Shifting upon his seat on the bed he sighed, eyes briefly glancing out the window. The moon had long since risen it seemed... How time flies. “It's time for bed for you, I think. We can talk more tomorrow if you want.” He'd had a long day, and for one so long it was no doubt too long. There was no doubt in Arthur's mind that he needed to sleep. Even if the boy ere to reject such as he were wont to do it was still so damn obvious. It truly was a pity though. Their first meeting in a fair while was tarnished by such vulgar circumstances.