"Apus~!"

Too-high heels clicked against jade floors as The Witch wandered around her atelier in a frenzy as she searched for her favorite bird man. "Apus, where are you~?" Not seeing the winged man in sight, her lower lip jutted out in a pout as she stomped her foot and crossed her arms. "He must not be here~"

Nearby, Groucho the pumpkinhead heard the woe of The Witch. "Ba~?" Wobbling over to her, he reached up with a clothy hand to tug at her fishnet stockings to get her attention, as her skirt was too short, thus too high for him to reach. "Bababoo~?"

Turning her violet eyes downwards, she smiled bright at the sight of one of her more favored pumpkinheads. "I'm not that upset, Groucho~! I was just looking for Apus so I could show him my latest creation~" Reaching betwixt her bosom, The Witch produced a small, pale purple stone. Smooth surfaced, it seemed to glow with a gentle light. "It's supposed to cure blemishes, but I need someone to test it on~ I figured he'd be the best candidate~"

Groucho nodded agreeably. "Baba~!"

"That's a good idea too~ I'm sure someone in town would love a surprise makeover~" With a giggle she leaned down to pat the pumpkinhead on his hollowed head. "I could give them the works~ Makeup and hair and a new wardrobe~ I think I have enough products now I could open a beauty salon~ Then I can make everyone look perfect like me~ I think that'll make everyone happy, don't you~?" Eyes impossibly wide, she studied the pumpkinhead intently.

"Totally~!" Arm thrust upwards, he grinned and shot The Witch a thumbs up. The best thumbs up one could possibly give with no thumbs to speak of, at least.

"Yay~!" Clapping happily, the stone was tucked away from whence it came. "I don't even think this needs to be tested since I'm sure it works~ I wanna go into town now and try it on someone~! You keep Icky in line for me, okay~?" Unaware of Groucho's sudden frown at such words, she hummed merrily as she wandered outside of the atelier.

Though she had a mission in mind, The Witch paused long enough to linger near the steps. Not so far off in the distance were various males from her army, gorgeous as always in nothing more than loincloths. That was all she allowed male members of her army to wear, you see. They rivaled even the beauty of Alain. Of Chuckie. Of Rory. Of Sal. Of Miles. Sighing dreamily at muscles and skin, she waved their way and tittered delightfully when they waved back, happy to see her. They weren't always beefcakes. No. It was the touch of a wand and a little abra cadabra that granted them such lovely gifts.

Getting back on track, The Witch adjusted her hat as she set forth once more. "Peeeeeeggy~!" She screeched loudly, in search of her beloved rainbow colored pegasus. "Peeeeeeggy~!!" Louder this time, she crossed her eyes when her steed remained out of sight. "Weird~"

Huffing, she peered around and blew a tuft of rose red hair from her eyes. Thinking Peggy to be busy or engaged in battle with a pumpkinhead, The Witch started to skip casually in the direction of her stables, not far from her atelier. "Peggy~?" Skipping slowed to walking as she neared the colorfully painted stables. Stepping inside, she glanced around pens and box stalls. "Peggy~!" All empty.

"Miss Elly?"

One of the few in her army with genuine talent and common sense, Leila, stood within the stables. Even in the semi-darkness of the enclosure, she was hard to miss- her hair a bright green and eyes an unworldly gold. "Peggy isn't with ya?" When the little one shook her head, Leila frowned. "Tina saw Peggy leave last night for a little stroll about. We all figured she had come back like usual, but don't think she came back."

Blinking several times, The Witch gasped. "Oh no~!" Already, her lip quivered. "Wh-where's my Peggy then~"!"

"Hey, hey, Miss Elly." Quick to erase her frown, Leila waved a hand dismissively as she approached The Witch. "Don't get too upset, okay' Peggy's tough. She mighta just had to handle some poachers, ya know" I heard they've been encroaching on our territory." Reaching out to swipe the river of mascara from her leader's cheek, Leila grinned. "If that's the case, I think we should go have a looksee. Find Peggy and make some people disappear."

Sniffling and wiping a snot bubble away, The Witch nodded eagerly. "Okay~!"

The Witch wailed painfully at the sight strewn out over the field in front of her. Dismantled wings, colorful feathers, bones, and splashes of red stained the once green grass. Violets didn't linger long, however, as Leila pulled her back and held her close to shield her from the grim discovery.

They had found Peggy...

Leila's eyes were wide with shock. No longer could she look at the remains of the pegasus. She couldn't fathom what could have done such a thing. What would have done such a thing. Peggy was a gentle creature, undeserving of this. The woods were always rather peaceful. Even a poacher wouldn't have done this. It couldn't have been done by human hands, right"

Barely aware of the rather foul odor lingering in the air, Leila pushed The Witch away from her enough so that she could peer down at her face. It was a rare moment for her, in that she wanted to sob with her. The red head's face was so sorrowful. So heartbroken. Leila had never seen that face on anyone before.

"Miss Elly....You need to go on back to the atelier now." Whatever had done this to Peggy could be nearby. Leila had every intention of finding it and giving them what they deserved. She didn't want The Witch nearby to see that....and she knew The Witch would be safer at the atelier, near her army and pumpkinheads.

"N..no~! I can't go and leave you Leila~" She sniffled and peered up at the golden eyed girl. "Come back with me~"

"Can't do that, Miss Elly." Leila did her best to muster a smile for the short one, but failed at it. "Ya need to go on. Be quick about it. Tell the others what happened and send a few out my way, yeah?"

The Witch started to protest again, but couldn't form the words. Shoved away towards the direction she and Leila had come, she reached up to wipe the tears that still fell from her eyes. Peggy... If she could get back soon enough, she could perform spells to call her friend's spirit again.

She could craft Peggy a new body!

Wiping away some snot, The Witch nodded in determination. Leila and Peggy both could count on her. "Take care, Leila~!" She waved to the woman frantically. "I'll send help~ And I'll call Peggy's spirit back~!" Turning, she started to sprint away, in the direction of her atelier.

Leila stood there, numbly watching the little red head run off. Was it possible she could save Peggy' She snorted and smiled to herself. Of course it was....She had seen The Witch perform all manner of miracles. "Hear that Peggy....it's fine. Just hang around, 'k?" She looked up at the sky, rather than to the remains of the pegasus. "Miss Elly will save you, just like she's saved all of us."

It didn't negate the fact that something dangerous lurked nearby.

She felt it something she ought to handle before The Witch's return. Stepping beyond that gory field, Leila held her hand out and summoned her weapon. A gorgeous spear, sparkling with gems, glitter, and magic. A gift of only the best. Twisting her lips upon catching an odor most foul, she forced herself to continue on.

At least until her golden gaze locked on a pair of red eyes.

There wasn't much time for her to react, after that.