Witch Hazel's Hexing Hellrides

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By Witch Hazel Sat-3-Feb-2018 03:01:04

Chaotic Good · 64 comments

In addition to this on-site resource, you can check out Witch Hazel's eWrestling Wikia page!
The above resource was created in 2018 and is meant to receive periodic updates.

Handler

No one can handle Hazel.

Wrestler Name

Hazel. Witch Hazel, too, in some places. There's some truth in that moniker. And yet, Hazel is so much more...

Commentary names
Hazel
Witch Hazel
The Hedge Witch
The Silver-Haired Sorceress
Hypersexual Batwoman (nickname used by Ray Jeffrey, starting in Oct. 2017)
The Lunatic Minge (nickname used by Ray Jeffrey, starting in Dec. 2017)

Text color

Hazel likes slate gray #3 a lot. Much like Hazel, it has a hex code: #9FB6CD
August 2018 update:
Hazel is now using a different shade of gray with a different hex code: #8093a5

Pic Base
28177554449_21f1eab62d_z.jpg

Hazel knows you like what you see...

Photo credits for pic base
Martina Špoljaric (photographer) and Obsidian Kerttu (model)

Height
5'9"

Hazel is very tall!

Weight
128 lbs.

Hazel is not only tall, but also very flexible and slender.

Date of Birth
October 31st, 1991

Hometown
Pori, Finland (previously unknown; confirmed in June 2017)

This placed used to be "home". That time is long gone.

Resides
???
*Last known residence was in Newfoundland, Canada; Hazel lived with Tsukiko Mizuno from June to December of 2017)

Only Hazel knows for now...

Billed from
Everywhere... and nowhere

Trainers
Tsukiko Mizuno (July 2014 to December 2017)
Oki-Kira (August 2012 to July 2014)
The magick of the mind (?)
The natural world (?)

Debut
February 19th, 2017 (first appearance in 4CW)
March 19th, 2017 (debut match in 4CW)

Alignment
Chaotic Good (June 2018-present)
Former: Chaotic Neutral, from Jan. 2018 to June 2018
Former: Heel, from Feb. 2017 (her debut) to Dec. 2017

Appearance
Hazel is a tall, thin and athletically built Finnish woman in her mid-20s. With pale skin, hair, eyes and classically striking features, Hazel stands out in a room. Her natural eye color is hazel, so they may appear mostly green or mostly brown depending on the lighting in a given environment. Perceived color is also by clothing and makeup choices. As of late 2017, a lot of wine reds and reddish-purples constitute her favorite eyeshadow and lipstick choices, bringing out a mixed grey/brown quality in her eyes. More often than not, however—and 100% of the time in 4CW—she wears silvery-grey contacts for both effect and clarity of vision. Hazel typically wears very gothic clothing; typically black or grey apparel with lace or leather. Her ring gear is generally simple, monochrome, and body-conforming. Typically, Hazel wears ring gear that is similar to that worn by WWE superstar Paige. Alternately, she wears lycra tights with a similarly styled sports bra and a longsleeve layer of mesh that stops above her mid-riff. On the way to the ring, she wears her signature horned crown and an open, knee-length black cardigan with lace accents. (Updated Nov. 27th, 2017)

Update (Dec. 2017): Hazel seems to have ditched her cardigan, other than for personal use away from the ring. Her crown is often forgotten as well.

Attire reference pic
39992062191_6dd6cfc271_b.jpg

Bio
Little is known about Hazel before she took up with Pilgrim Paige and Tsukiko Mizuno. She seems to be well-travelled. Hazel speaks in a soothing, airy voice, which drifts in and out of an apparent European accent—perhaps Finnish or Icelandic. This, coupled with a lilting, somewhat singsong rhythmic quality adds to her otherworldly vibe. In Japan, she trained for a couple of years with Oki-Kira and then another two with Tsukiko Mizuno. Hazel is a young and somewhat green worker, still learning the ins and outs of the business. Her facial expressions rarely reveal any clear emotion and she comes off as somewhat aloof. Aligned with Paige and Tsukiko, she forms one-third of the heathen femme fatale faction known as The Coven. Hazel serves as a kind of spiritual trainer and muse to Tsukiko and Paige. She frequently arranges meetings in which the three women recharge their spiritual energies and focus, though Paige tends to carry forth the verbal proceedings. Hazel is a Dianic Wiccan, worshipping only female deities, namely the Triple Goddess (Mother, Maiden and Crone). Hazel's exact goals in 4CW are as yet unknown. Who can say what effect this spectre-like sorceress may have on the 4CW Universe?

Update 6/10/2017
—————
Recently, Hazel won her first official match in 4CW, defeating JJ Blaze. In the ring, her dark side seems to dominate and the "Witch Hazel" moniker comes into effect. She appeared to be only too happy to aid Paige in attacking 4CW Custom Cup Champion, Sery. This behavior stands in stark contrast to Tsukiko's hesitation. In the wake of Ravnos Midnight's death, Hazel joined Paige, Tsukiko and Oki-Kira in convening and mourning. In fact, Hazel surprised her friends by managing to get Oki-Kira to speak and crack a light joke.

Update 08/16/2017
—————
In the past few months, Hazel's persona and behavior have unveiled a more three-dimensional individual. She has a bright, upbeat side and is beginning to show a light and quirky side. Her demeanor greatly switches gears during rituals. Hazel also seems to be very secure in her sexuality and enjoys being flirtatious with any gender. In general, she is very confident and enjoys dressing/behaving provocatively. It seems she may be hypersexual.

Update 11/17/2017
—————
Quirkiness continues, though it seems to be growing in intensity. Hazel appears to grow more aggressive and less predictable by the day. It's worth noting that Hazel seems to be neglecting her medications, which are meant to treat hypomania and its related issues, such as disinhibition and hypersexuality.

Update 12/22/2017
—————
Hazel has asserted herself many times as a fearless enforcer in her faction, assisting or defending her faction-mates. Hazel recently picked up another win, defeating the debuting "Top Gun" Tommy Young in singles competition. Having not been seen in official 4CW action for quite a while, she surprised the 4CW universe in this impressive, competitive outing. With a fast-paced, lucha libre-tinged style and good instincts, she's shown herself to be a cunning—though unhinged—opponent.

Update 01/30/2018
—————
The Coven has fallen apart in the wake of the events that transpired at last month's supershow, War. Hazel's increasingly erratic behavior has reached new plateaus, leaving destruction in her wake. With a mix of unbridled aggression, bizarre behavior; and a knack for mischief and head games, Hazel is quickly becoming the wildcard of 4CW.

Update 07/2/2018
—————
Throughout the first half of 2018, Hazel has carved out her niche in 4CW and gained substantial popularity with the fans. So, too, has her familiar plush toy—the rainbow-maned "Licky the Unicorn". The events that led up to Hazel's attack on her former allies slowly came to light, involving Tsukiko sneaking Hazel's discarded medication (lithium taken in pill form) into her meals, in a baffling (and failed) attempt to level out Hazel's mood. In fact, Hazel had ceased taking her medication due to intense side effects and confidence that she had been misdiagnosed, just as she has been so many times before. More looks into Hazel's past show that one of her tormentors at boarding school—a tall French-Canadian girl named Ambry—may be more than the bully (and lackey to Astrid, the resident "mean girl") she's made herself out to be. As seen in December of 2017 at 4CW War, Hazel's longstanding platonic love for Tsukiko rendered her unable to fulfill the vengeance she sought, and instead her focus remained mainly on Paige, who had been complicit in Tsukiko's foolish, immoral actions. Nonetheless, she competed in and won very competitive, aggressive matches against Tsukiko and Oki-Kira, making just enough of an example of them to goad Paige (who at the time constantly called herself "The Golden Pilgrim") into a Custom Cup Championship match at 4CW Revival in April. What's more, she re-affirmed her belief that Paige's change in attitude and behavior had originated with her championship victory: that it had ultimately led to a colder, more ruthless and immoral woman than the Paige she had once admired and respected. With some mind games that came in the form of a "talking Licky" which played a recording of Tsukiko's voice from a damning phone call with Paige, Hazel not only won the match (and the championship), but her former best friends were both injured during the match. While these injuries were both accidents, Hazel couldn't help but feel that karma had come round just in the nick of time—that now, her former friends would have ample time to truly learn from their grave mistakes and cold ambition. Since Revival, Hazel has found herself taking part in a Soul Survivor tournament with her Custom Cup title at stake and some very tough competition nipping at her heels—including hot-headed brawler Phil McGroin and familiar opponent/admirer, Tommy Young.

Demeanor
Away from the ring, Hazel is mostly gentle, serious and quiet. In the ring, Witch Hazel is aggressive, swift and hard to predict. She's fairly new to the industry and thus, a bit of a greenhorn.

All of my report cards say, "Hazel doesn't play well with others".

Finishing moves
Nilswitch - Killswitch a.k.a. Unprettier (adopted from Christian) (Dec. 2017-present)

Flytrap - hanging lotus lock to a standing or kneeling opponent (Nov. 2017-present; learned from Tsukiko Mizuno)

There are three ways for Hazel to go about this:

1) In its simplest set-up, the Flytrap sees Hazel stand in front of an opponent and perform either a gut-kick or a simple grab to bend them over. One leg at at time, she steps over the opponent such that they are facing the same direction. From here, Hazel tucks her inner thighs under the opponent's armpits. She then braces her hands against the opponent's shoulder-blades and lifts her feet off the mat. Hazel sways backward, causing the opponent to straighten up as hangs upside-down on their back. With her thighs still tucked in place, she wraps her elevated legs around the opponent's neck in a modified, hanging lotus lock, pushing her ankles against the opponent's neck and straining the upper back in her leg vice.

2) In a risqué application of the Flytrap, Hazel begins by standing behind her opponent and bending them over, pressing her crotch up against their buttocks. From here, Hazel leans forward and places her hands on the opponent's shoulder-blades, then frog-hops her way onto their back. The maneuver proceeds as (un)usual from this point on.

3) An alternate bridging version ("Floating Flytrap") sees Hazel positioned behind an opponent who is down on both knees. She grabs her opponent's shoulders from behind, moves in close and tucks her thighs beneath her opponent's armpits. Hazel releases the opponent's shoulders and swings her upper body downward, temporarily resting on the mat. From this position, she wraps her elevated legs around the opponent's neck, thus initiating a hanging lotus lock on her kneeling opponent. The final step sees Hazel form a bridge, creating a high angle from which to push her feet against the opponent's neck. This version is most commonly seen in particularly gruelling matches when Hazel is worn down and frustrated. The GIF below is the most similar lotus lock I can find to help with visualizing the Floating Flytrap:

Melina's elevated lotus lock

Rare weight-appropriate finisher (to be used on opponents who are roughly 210 lbs or under)
Coffin Fodder - Hazel performs an inverted Alabama slam, sometimes to an opponent seated on the top rope. Rarely, she may perform a sitout electric chair facebuster instead.

Very rare weight-appropriate finisher (to be used on opponents who are roughly 210 lbs or under)
The Mind Flayer - delayed vertebreaker (Feb. 2018-present; mostly used in big feuds and title/PPV matches)

Signature moves
Headliner - Hazel performs a falling reverse DDT, followed by repeating headbutts to the chest of a grounded opponent and ending with a jumping headbutt to the forehead. In some instances, Hazel may do just the falling reverse DDT, especially if she's been worn down a lot.

Hold On to Your IQ - Hazel performs a running, spinning facebuster, maintaining her grip afterward. She then repeatedly slams her opponent's forehead into the mat
*Here, Hazel will continue slamming the opponent's head 'til the count of 4 (out of 5) or the referee pulls her off of the opponent*

Hold On to Your IQ: Part Two - straight-jacket backstabber, with Hazel maintaining the straight-jacket hold and delivering headbutts to the opponent's neck
*Here, Hazel's aggression may lead her to forget her shoulders, so the referee starts a count and she has to stop her assault and roll a shoulder off the canvas*

Boomstick - shotgun dropkick

^ This is not a typo. This is my BOOMSTICK!.

Running with Scissors - Hazel performs a running headscissors that transitions into a facebuster. (Adopted from Melina.)

Bronco Buster to an opponent seated against the bottom rope, with pre-move theatrics (Hazel backs away from the corner, does a crotch chop and laughs before running at the opponent)

Minge Binge - repeating headscissors facebuster (scissor stomp), with theatrics. (Adopted from Madison Rayne; learned from Tsukiko Mizuno.)

Scissory Doom - Hazel performs a running vertical press/seated senton to an opponent who is sitting on the mat. She remains situated on the opponent's chest in a split-legged, seated pin. (Adopted from Maria Kanellis.)

Sole Sorcery - running big boot (2017 - present; previously considered a finishing move)

Salt Lick - Hazel licks a chosen spot on her opponent in a lascivious fashion, dragging her tongue slowly along the selected body part; typically the face
(this doesn't require a "name"; the one written here is just for fun, or for a commentary joke)

The Fancy Stuff™

Hazel is not a spot-monkey, but does enjoy getting fancy sometimes.

Cartwheel kick from the apron to an opponent who's draped over the middle rope

Electric chair dropped onto the ring apron

Coldschool - arm-wrench ropewalk resulting in pretty much any suitable maneuver, including: a forearm smash; a seated senton; or a hurricanrana (inspired by The Undertaker)

Tiptoe Through the Void - lengthy ropewalk, ending in a diving attack of some kind (2018 - Present)

Illegal finishing move
Hexing Headbutt - Hazel puts on her horned crown and performs a diving headbutt from an elevated surface,
striking the chest/sternum of a supine opponent or the neck of a prone opponent with her armored forehead.

Commentary might play up this move's danger, especially if Hazel puts her horned crown on to do it.

Illegal/dirty signature moves
Brain Fog - Hazel spits a silver mist in an opponent's face that both obscures the victim's vision and causes temporary confusion/aimlessly aggressive behavior for about a minute. In a tag team match, an affected opponent may even attack their own partner.

Head Games - Hazel traps her opponent's arms and delivers a series of headbutts, then blasts them with poison mist to the face before releasing the opponent's arms.

Salt of the Earth - Hazel throws a handful of sea salt into her opponent's face, obscuring vision
(this doesn't require a "name", the one written here is just for fun)

Typical dirty moves
- Foot choke (Hazel briefly chokes a cornered opponent with her boot)
- Back rake
- Low blow (used mainly behind the ref's back and in no-DQ matches)
- Cat Scratch Fever - here, Hazel goes absolutely berserk on her opponent in a fit of clawing/raking the back and arm of her opponent. In rare cases, she may also bite her opponent, or even throw wild haymakers while in her frenzied state. In other instances, Hazel may blindside her opponent from behind and dig into them with nails and teeth. The more extreme versions are fairly rare/feud-specific and pretty much a guaranteed DQ, save for in no-DQ matches.
(This doesn't require a "name", the one written here is just for fun.)

Hazel gets upset sometimes...

Common moves
- Various strikes: forearm smashes, shoot kicks, clubbing blows, mudhole stomps, knife edge chops, etc.

If these simple strikes knock you out, it's possible that Hazel doesn't like you.

- Various pinning combos: schoolgirl, small package, backslide, jackknife hold, la magistral, roll-up, etc.

Surprisingly, Hazel is not a professional pretzel-maker.

- Various dropkick variations: standing, front, corner, missile, etc.

Hazel has a high vertical leap!

- Various evasive maneuvers: matrix, skin-the-cat, leapfrog, baseball slide between opponent's legs, etc.

Hazel is very crafty.

- Chokehold STO (most commonly performed after ducking under a striking maneuver; when the opponent turns around, Hazel throttles them)
- Hair-pulling mat slam from beside or from behind the opponent
- Jawbreaker
- Hangman's neckbreaker
- Arm-trapping headbutts
- Running leg drop (Hazel hits the ropes and comes back at high speed, landing a swift leg drop, a la Taka Michinoku)
- Diving cross body
- Suicide dive through the ropes
- Baseball slide or basement dropkick to an opponent on the outside of the ring
- Somersault leg drop to a grounded opponent

Weight-appropriate moves (to be used on opponents who are roughly 210 lbs or under)
- Snap suplex
- Sidewalk slam
- Belly-to-back suplex
- Japanese arm drag
- Snapmare followed by a kick to the spine

Former finisher (*not in regular use*)
In a Haze - rounding moonsault, a la Alexa Bliss (used as her finisher from Oct. 2016-Nov. 2017)

Entrance Music
Before Hazel appears on stage: The first four bars of "Baltica" by Lycia (since Dec. 2017; previously, the full version of this song served as her theme music)
When Hazel appears on stage: "Inked in Blood" by Sigh (full song; since Dec. 2017)

Exit Music
When Hazel wins (the usual theme after any typical victory scenario): "Inked in Blood" by Sigh
When Hazel loses (this song plays after her opponent leaves the ring): "Lys i Mørket" by Eliwagar

Entrance
The arena lights dim as Lycia's gothic dirge "Baltica" begins. Bluish-white spotlights dance about the stage. A pair of silvery, cat-like eyes appear on the 4CWTron. Suddenly, it malfunctions, glitching into broken images and then freezing. The lights, tron and music all cut out at once. Dancing, colorful spotlights illuminate the stage as the jumbotron restarts. Brightly-lit carnival rides and colorful game stalls are displayed for a few moments. Suddenly, the imagery switches out to show eerie, abandoned amusement parks under dark, foreboding skies. The imagery fades to black, and those silvery eyes reappear on the screen. "Inked in Blood" by Sigh kicks in, sounding like some kind of carnival theme gone horribly wrong! Dim lighting overtakes the arena as Witch Hazel darts out from behind the curtain. She takes a quick look around, then charges to the top of the ramp. Hazel bends low and starts to windmill her silver hair around like mad!

Carson: Making her way to the ring, from both everywhere... and nooowheeere... weighing in at 128 pounds... WITCH! ... HAAAZELLL!

Hazel throws her head back and laughs, then takes a few steps to her right, standing near the edge of the ramp. She takes a deep breath, focusing on the ring. The silver-haired sorceress bolts toward the barricade—leaps—and proceeds to run the length of the barrier all the way down to ringside! At the end of her daring sprint, Hazel jumps down to the floor and slides into the ring. She looks upon the sea of people, then climbs the near turnbuckles and gets to windmilling again. When she moonsaults off the second rope and hits the mat, a burst of silver pyro shoots up from all four ring posts. Hazel gazes about once more with her intense, lustrous eyes. The arena lights return to normal as she picks a corner to stand in, coiled and ready to strike.

Last edited by Witch Hazel (Thu-18-Oct-2018 23:52:09)


~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor

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By Witch Hazel Sat-3-Feb-2018 03:15:33

Chaotic Good · 64 comments

Witch Hazel RP for Storm Front (episode dated March 19th, 2017)
(*Edited in January 2018 on behalf of Hazel receiving her own thread*)
(*Edited in May 2018 to change character heights and make speaker identification appear in bold text*)

All Aboard
Dec. 11th, 2008—Full Moon (98% visible)

On a crisp December morning on Vancouver Island, beneath a canopy of snow-coated oak trees, a pale teenage girl casts a sleek shadow along a narrow footpath. To her left, a tiny rivulet runs along the side of the path, not yet frozen over. The underbrush here is tinged with frost, as winter slowly begins to wrap its icy claws around autumn's delicate neck. A thin layer of freshly-fallen snow has covered the trail, such that the young lady's boots leave powdery footprints in her wake. She pauses for a moment, throws back her hood, shakes out her ashen hair, and breathes deep of the late-fall air. Just ahead, there is an underpass through which the trail continues. The narrow bridge above, like the trail, is for pedestrians only. A trio of teenage girls trot along the bridge, chattering among themselves. At the head of the group is a lightly tanned and rosy-cheeked brunette wearing a custom-made fall jacket in teal, spots the black-clad trail walker as she nears the bridge. The tan girl leans over the rail. The others join her.

???: Well, look at this, girls! The witch has foregone her broomstick to walk amidst we mere mortals on this beautiful December morning!

The three all giggle childishly as they look—quite literally—down upon the subject of their derision. Their laughter is met with silence and a brief glance.

???: Aw, what's the matter, Hazel? None of your little bird friends wanna talk today?

More snickering from the ringleader, with the tallest of the group taking the hint and joining in. The girl on the trail looks up at her tormentors again. Simultaneously, a song sparrow twitters from atop a tall oak, and a moment after that, a few unseen ravens pipe up as well.

Hazel: You were saying, Astrid...?

Astrid: Oh, please. How drôle! Some dumb crows conveniently happened to caw. It's not like you're their queen or something... not that it would help anything. Hang with all the animals you want, it won't change the fact you're still a sickly little Swedish meatball whose host family can't even stand to be around. Hell, I doubt you'll see them even once more before grad! ... If your daydreaming ass can keep up enough to graduate, that is.

An "Ooooooh" escapes the lips of both of Astrid's lackeys. The tallest—dressed in a reddish-violet overcoat—is an athletically-built, olive-skinned girl of indeterminate multiracial heritage. When she speaks, her voice is inflected with a moderate French-Canadian accent.

???: Oui, this petite femme, she has almost the same day schedule as I do. Many of the same programs. Her head is always in the clouds... I don't know how she is passing! No—not just passing—top of class, in some cases!

The long-legged young lady gazes down at Hazel with a curious, surprisingly innocent expression. She calls down to her loudly, as though Hazel is a mile beneath her.

???: Hazel, would you tell me how are you passing, s'il vous plaît?

Seeming surprised that someone else has spoken, let alone addressed her prey (relatively) politely, Astrid turns to her friend in a huff.

Astrid: What are you doing, hmm? Besides, that's BS, Ambry. She—

Ambry shakes her head vigorously in dispute. The shorter girl—quiet, mousy-haired and wearing a rosary—looks on awkwardly.

Astrid: Oh, yeah? Well, she's not anywhere near top dog in anything I have with her!

Appearing slightly ruffled, Astrid turns her attention back to Hazel, who has reached the underpass. She steps over the rivulet and begins to ascend the embankment, up to where the trio of girls are. As she climbs, Astrid continues...

Astrid: Using your mystical, magical energy to get ahead, Hazel?

Hazel concludes her ascent and walks over to stand on the bridge, keeping some distance from the other girls. She stares straight at Astrid with serious, intelligent green eyes.

Hazel: First: I am not Swedish; my roots are in Finland, which, frankly, you must already know—you've made remarks alluding to this in the past. Second: I do often have my head in the clouds. Anywhere is a better place for it than here with you and all the other high-class hyenas. How do I do so well? I listen when I need to, I study my own way, I learn my own way, and I excel my own way. That's not sorcery, that's using my brain. Third: all four of us have an earth science assignment coming up with a focus on the ecology of local wildlife. I had hoped you'd know some differences and similarities between Northwestern crows and common ravens by now—calls, plumage, diet, wing span, social behaviors... and yet, you call my raven friends "crows". Let me help you catch up: something crows and ravens have in common is intelligence; they're far from "dumb". They also seem to know more about fidelity than you do, from what I've heard.

Another "ooooooh" from the duo. Astrid loudly shushes them.

Astrid: Been listening to rumors, have we?

Hazel: No. I've seen you flirting with boys at the edge of the woods. Also, our dorm rooms are adjacent. I heard you sneak in with one after curfew just last week. Then, I heard other things...

A third "ooooooh".

Hazel: You always brag about being in a serious relationship with your long-distance boyfriend. But Andy isn't coming until winter holidays. He can't be the boy you snuck in. Are you polyamorous, perhaps?

Astrid: Poly-what-the-fuck? You know what? Who cares? I mean, seriously—jealous much, virgin? I get exactly what I want and who I want, whenever I want Your only friends have wings and the only action you get requires batteries! Ugh. I can't believe I'm even listening to some godless pagan, dumped off at a Catholic boarding school in a whole other country. What, were the Lutherans giving you too much shit, putting pressure on your poor mother? Oh yeah, I heard about her. No one so much as shits at this school without me knowing about it. And now I find out you're some kind of voyeuristic perv, watching me from out in the woods somewhere. Not only a witch, but a dyke, too? Oh, this is priceless!

Taken off-guard, Hazel's already pale face blanches.

Hazel: I-I'm not a dyke! Really, I d-... I don't... I...

A loud bell sounds out from a distance, somewhere beyond and left of the bridge.

Ambry: Oh, merde! Cinq minutes until next class. We must get going!

Astrid: Damn, and I just felt like I was getting to know our resident rugmuncher so much better!

From somewhere between flippant and oblivious, Ambry bids farewell to Hazel.

Ambry: Au revoir, gamine triste!

Astrid delivers a parting line as she turns on her heel...

Astrid: Seeya round, witch-bitch.

The mousy girl follows her brunette overlord closely, muttering hurriedly to Astrid while Ambry, trailing behind, smiles as she passes by Hazel.

Last edited by Witch Hazel (Sat-19-May-2018 19:05:58)


~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor

Avatar

By Witch Hazel Mon-28-May-2018 03:56:30

Chaotic Good · 64 comments

Witch Hazel RP for 4CW Storm Front (episode dated May 27th, 2018)

Note: Small edits and additions made the day after posting.


Winter Solstice (a short series of tales from Hazel's past)

––––––––

Part I: Fair Weather Solstice
Dec. 21st, 2008—Waning Crescent (30% visible)

A serene evening sky washes over St. Margaret School on Vancouver Island. The sun has recently gone down, leaving an ashen December moon in its stead. The day's bustling hallways and filled classrooms have been replaced by quiet corridors and empty seats. Most of the students have already gone home, having been picked up by family or friends. Lacking the latter and having all her known relatives still living in Finland, Hazel hasn't seen her own family since the winter before. As such, she is yet to leave the campus, stuck with the other youths who are impatiently awaiting the buses.

Never thought I'd ever miss the winters in Pori, but damn—I kinda do.

Hazel is sitting silently on the floor of the crowded lobby, with her back to the wall and her knapsack lying to her right. She is dressed in all black outerwear: a wool knit cap; leather gloves; a long black coat; and fur-lined boots. A slight contrast comes in the form of a pair of grey headphones cupped over her ears, connected to the second-gen iPod Nano in her lap.

♪ Come September, summer dies away / Come October, so short are our days ♪

Head down and half-asleep at this point, Hazel has been awaiting the arrival of her host family for a solid half hour. Her body shudders from time to time, feeling the cold sweep into the lobby as two students briskly exit, gleefully abandoning this purgatorial hallway for the warmth of their family's cars.

Lucky bastards.

Without warning, the noise of the world beyond her covered ears floods back into conscious audibility with a vengeance. A distinct, familiar voice stands out from the general din.

???: Allô!

Hazel's heavy eyelids slowly rise, revealing two fabulous green irises in the light of the lobby. She raises her head and looks toward the door. Finding no one, she looks left...

Who the hell is w—

Hazel: Oh!

Hazel cries out in surprise, unintentionally startling the sleep-disturber, in turn. Said despoiler of slumber is now leaning much too close to Hazel's face for comfort; roughly a half-foot away. Hazel pushes her headphones down to rest around her neck.

Hazel: Anteeksi! Uh, sorry; you startled me. Hei, Ambry.

Ambry: Salut, gamine triste!

The tall, bubbly French-Canadian girl that Hazel had come to think of as "Astrid's elongated shadow" takes a seat beside her on the floor. Ambry patiently waits for her groggy schoolmate to remove her headset. Hazel takes her sweet time folding up the cord and putting her things back into her bag, so Ambry elects to pass the time by absently swatting at the bobble on Hazel's knit cap.

What is it about me that's so appealing to the mean girls here?

Hazel's discomfort and frustration become visible in her face. The next moment, Ambry has completely ceased bopping Hazel's bobble, bearing an expression so innocent and curious that every bit of irritation welling up inside Hazel soon fades away.

Ambry: Looking forward to winter break?

Hazel blinks repeatedly in surprise.

What the hell is going on around here?!

Hazel: Er—yeah, I am. I could really use some down time from this place.

Ambry nods, still smiling. She exudes an aura of carefree confidence; Hazel would call her "impish", perhaps.

(Yep. Kinda envy that quality, honestly.)

Ambry: Got any plans?

Hazel: Yeah, I'm going back to Finland to visit my mother. I live off-campus and my flight's three days from now, so I foresee a lot of boredom in my immediate future. You?

Ambry: Same as you! Well, not the Finland part. [*she seems to search her brain for something*] Oh—I almost forgot! Today's winter solstice, and I heard that's kind of a big deal for you Wiccan-y sorts, so—happy solstice!

Hazel blinks again, more rapidly this time. Unfazed, Ambry's pink-painted lips bravely maintain their broad "U" formation. Their owner remains oblivious to Hazel's bewilderment and powers through a long moment of awkward silence. Ambry's eyes settle on the headphone's hanging round Hazel's necklace.

Ambry: So, you're a big music lover, right? What kind of music do you listen to?

Hazel: Uh... all kinds of stuff, really. Punk, folk, indie... and a lot of metal lately.

Heedlessly ignoring Hazel's personal space, Ambry briefly presses her head to the ear-cups nestled against Hazel's chest.

Ambry: Ooh, I see! Le métal noir! My brother likes this sort of thing. He goes to sooo many shows!

What's this girl's deal, anyway? Is she genuinely being nice to me? Maybe she's just messing with me and I just don't see it yet.

Hazel: Really? In Montréal?

Ambry nods fervently.

Ambry: Yep! There's a pretty big scene in Quebec. If you ever find yourself in downtown Montréal, you'll have a bunch of punk and metal clubs to visit! And en Trois-Rivières, just an hour away, they have their annual Metalfest (...)

Maybe my host mother is right. Maybe I've finally spent so much time in la-la-land, I can't wake up and this is just a dream! An... uncharacteristically nice one.  Hmm... nah. If it were, there would be devil's food cake and unicorns everywhere. Just... eeeverywhere.

Ambry: (...) At the time, I guess.

She eyes Hazel curiously.

Ambry: Uhm... Hazel?

Our pale-skinned protagonist abandons her reverie for the chipper, tan girl sitting beside her. Internally, she scrambles for a suitable response to Ambry's ramble, in spite of daydreaming through part of Ambry's tourist pitch.

Hazel: Uh—that's really cool! I've never been to any massive concerts like that.

Ambry smiles: it looks sincere enough to Hazel, but she can't quite shake the feeling she's being played somehow.

Alright, Haze. Let's think about this. Okay, so... Ambry may be the lesser of two evils, for sure. But she still follows Astrid around everywhere and plays along with all her pseudo-Mean Girls shit. What gives? ... wait, did she talk again? *sigh* Dangit!

Ambry: Hey—earth to Hazel! The buses are here.

Hazel turn her head, spotting the hurried movement of the other lobby-bound students. Hazel turns to her unusual conversational companion.

Hazel: Oh—sorry! I didn't hear.

She stands, slinging her stuffed schoolbag over her shoulders. Fighting back her nagging thoughts, Hazel pauses for a moment and absently scratches the back of her neck, begging her brain to muster some sort of coherent response.

Hazel: So... good talk, I guess?

Ambry stands and giggles lightheartedly.

Ambry: Good talk. We should do it again sometime. Au revoir, gamine triste!

To be continued...

Last edited by Witch Hazel (Mon-28-May-2018 23:36:22)


~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor

Avatar

By Witch Hazel Fri-29-Jun-2018 21:46:29

Chaotic Good · 64 comments

Witch Hazel RP for 4CW Storm Front (episode dated May 27th, 2018)


Winter Solstice (a short series of tales from Hazel's past)

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Part II: A Solstice of Ill Omens
December 21st, 2017—Waxing crescent (10% visible)

In Tsukiko's bedroom, Paige settles into her spot in the magic circle on the floor. Untypically, the ritual space has been arranged by Tsukiko on this occasion, as Hazel has been in the bathroom for some time. Once the circle has been walked round thrice and all the candles have been lit, Tsukiko sits at Paige's left, leaving the bedroom door open and the hallway in view. She calls out to Hazel, directing her voice down the short hall.

Tsukiko: ALL GOOD, HAZE?!

The toilet is heard flushing and soon, a weary-looking Hazel appears in the doorway. She is covered in a thin film of sweat and looks especially pale tonight; a sickly, wan complexion. Rather than her usual dark ritual garb, she's wearing a unicorn-print pyjama set gifted to her by Kiko after returning home from the graveyard on Hallow's Eve. Tsukiko's face goes similarly white, blanching in the relative darkness of the room. In this moment, Tsukiko fondly recalls the red that rushed into Hazel's cheeks upon receiving her gift just two months ago.

Hazel: I have to go lie down. You guys can do the ritual yourselves, right?

Tsukiko: Uh—yeah. Sure thing, Haze.

Hazel: Okay. Hazel puts charge of the circle in Kiko's hands! Kiko will know what to do.

She pauses for a thoughtful moment, then adds:

Hazel: Kiko always knows the right thing to do.

The drained young woman turns away, closes Tsukiko's bedroom door and shuffles off to her own bedroom; Paige and Kiko hear a loud thump as Hazel flops onto the bed in a heap.

Tsukiko and Paige lock eyes, exchanging a worried glance. When they speak, it's in hushed tones.

Tsukiko & Paige: We screwed up.

Paige: Bad.

Tsukiko nods.

Tsukiko: You don't know the half of it. Haze has been sick a lot. Really sick, some days. Y'know, hearing the third-person stuff now and then is almost a relief; she's been talking like a zombie the past two weeks. *sigh* She was on the right track, kicking this shit.

For the first time in her life, Tsukiko breaks the circle, stepping out from her place within the salt circle after having already prepared and warded the ritual space. She retrieves the small bottle of lithium pills from the bottom drawer of her nightstand and returns to Paige's side in the circle.

Tsukiko: Not the cold turkey part, mind—but at least I get it now. I should have caught on to it before, but I only saw the mood stuff before. The good parts; the intended results. I didn't pick up on the bad... and now I've brought it right back to her.

Paige: We did this. I... I didn't know what to think, or feel... or do any more than you did. I said I'd always back up you up and that's what I've been doing, but hearing all this and experiencing it firsthand... please tell me you—

Tsukiko: Yeah. Yeah, I uh... stopped "administering treatment" two nights ago. I guess it takes time to come back down... or whatever direction Haze is usually in.

Paige manages a thin half-smile. Tsukiko's face is grim. Paige is about to speak when a knock comes on the door. The guilty couple exchange nods. Paige raises her voice to a suitable level.

Paige: Come in, Haze.

The door opens and Hazel appears, still pallid and sweaty. She carries the original Licky—her well-worn unicorn plushie—in front of her, hugging it weakly to her chest with one arm. On untrustworthy feet, Hazel leans against the door frame for support. The light from the hall bleeds into the room, casting the tall woman's slender shadow across the floor. The darkness of the room somewhat obscures Hazel's front, resulting in a halo-like effect around the back of her silver-haired head—darkness and light at play in their curious way.

Hazel: Hazel couldn't hear any of Kiko's ritual recitations from my room and it made her sad so she came to hear.

She offers a weak smile. Weak—but decidedly Hazel's. Paige and Tsukiko put on brave faces and pat the blanketed floor. Hazel enters the circle and plunks Licky down beside her as Tsukiko leads the girls in ritual prayer. Afterward, Paige brings a tray of drinks from the kitchen and sets it on the floor. It bears two mixed alcoholic drinks for Tsukiko and herself; a glass of warm milk for Hazel; and a shot glass of the same for Licky.

Hazel: Ooh, Licky's favorite! Say "thanks", Licky.

Hazel grabs Licky by the neck and makes him bow deeply to Paige, who can't help but grin a little.

Paige: You're welcome, Licky.

Hazel dunks Licky's muzzle into the shot glass, splashing milk all over the tray.

Tsukiko: I swear, if that unicorn had bones, he'd be bigger and stronger than I am by now!

The trio share a laugh. After finishing their drinks, Paige and Kiko send Hazel off to bed—and Licky off to the sink for bath #626. The couple compete in rock-paper-scissors over whose turn it is to wash Licky, with the loser being assigned the duty. Tsukiko wins and leaves Paige to her task, first planting a kiss on her before heading off to the bathroom.

Paige soon finishes cleaning Licky and heads toward the short hallway, just as Tsukiko exits the bathroom. Together, they quietly return Licky to Hazel's side as she lies in her bed, fast asleep. The pair make a stealthy exit and close the door behind them.

After the door closes, Hazel ceases feigning sleep and sits up, eyes wide open. She looks at her plush pal and hugs him tight, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

Hazel: Oh, Licky! This is the last night we can all be a family together before the truth has to come out.

She stares for a moment at her nightstand's top drawer, knowing full well what sorrowful secrets it contains. Hazel quivers as tears threaten to fall.

Hazel: Hazel doesn't want to, but Hazel knows they need to be taught a lesson. Hazel doesn't want to hurt anyone...

Her demeanor shifts to something colder.

Hazel: Right, Licky? Hazel is right, right?!

Her expression falters and the frosty feeling melts away. The tears make good on their threat. Soon, both unicorn shirt and unicorn plushie are soaked.

Hazel: Hazel needs her sad song.

Hazel tries to get up and walk over to the dresser, upon which sits a set of small set of satellite speakers with her cell phone plugged into them. Her tired legs betray her, however, and send her falling back onto the bed. Hazel curls up in the fetal position with Licky in her arms. In lieu of hearing her sad song, Hazel hums the tune of Eliwagar's "Lys i Mørket" until her last drop of limited energy is depleted, and soon falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

Last edited by Witch Hazel (Fri-29-Jun-2018 22:31:19)


~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor

Avatar

By Witch Hazel Sun-29-Jul-2018 23:47:49

Chaotic Good · 64 comments

Witch Hazel RP for 4CW Duskfall (July 29th, 2018)

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Happy New Year, Hazel
December 31st, 2017—Waxing gibbous (97% visible)

Hazel: Okay. Deep breaths. Just knock on the door and don't pull any weird faces when it opens.

Standing on the lighted veranda of a quaint little cottage, she knocks on the eggshell white door, continuing her deep breathing exercise. Her breath is showing on the air this night, which is an unusually cold one for Vancouver Island in winter. The air is rather dry, and the temperature has been a few degrees below freezing since sundown. Wearing a fitted grey winter jacket and a knitted winter cap of matching color, Hazel is fairly well-dressed for winter weather. Unprepared for such uncommon cold, however, she finds herself rubbing her bare hands together and bearing an increasingly tight expression on her face. She gives her hands the stink eye, but it doesn't convince them to warm up any faster.

??? (woman's voice): Hazel?! Ohmygod hello! What are you doing here? Wait—I mean to say, this is quite a surprise! *she pauses and stares for a moment* Uhhh... are you okay?

Disappointed in her lack of psychokinetic heating powers, Hazel looks up at her greeter and makes eye contact with the woman. Snapping back to conscious awareness of her facial expression, she relaxes her facial muscles. Hazel's face now wears a slight, somewhat embarrassed smile, and her chilly cheeks are turning even redder than what the weather alone can accomplish.

Crap.

Hazel: Hei, Astrid. Hazel is—Haze—ugh. *she takes a much-needed breath* It's nice to see you!

The ever-beautiful and brunette Astrid beams at her unexpected visitor. This expression quickly gives way to a look of worry, and her body language becomes more animated. Standing in the open doorway, she waves her arm toward the inner porch area.

Astrid: You must be freezing! Come in, come in!

Both women step into the narrow porch. Hazel removes her boots and other outerwear, hanging her jacket on a tall, old-fashioned coat rack. In the distance, there are sounds coming from a TV. It sounds like some kind of New Year's countdown show.

Astrid: Living room is straight ahead, just through the kitchen area. Make yourself at home while I put on the kettle.

Hazel offers polite thanks and strolls through the kitchen area, glancing around along the way. Thus far, the interior of the cottage matches the quaint, understated vibe of its exterior. Natural oak cabinets, wall-mounted cooking utensils and a countertop lined with myriad mason jars are the order of the day in Astrid's lovely little kitchen. The air smells faintly sweet here.

Wow. This is a much-loved place for Astrid.

She enters into the living room through a narrow archway and observes the near wall. It's lined with many portraits of Astrid and a handsome, somewhat pale man that context shows to be her husband. They appear to do a lot of travelling, and seem very much in love. Along the wall is a comfy-looking couch with a nightstand beside it on the far wall. Hazel takes up a seat on that end, crosses her legs tightly, and begins to observe the rest of the living room. An armchair, small television and the near coffee table are all Hazel has time to take in before Astrid enters the room, carrying a mug in each hand.

The kettle is boiled already? You must have gotten lost while looking at the pictures, girl.

Astrid: Would you like some hot chocolate? I know you can't say no to hot chocolate, but it's still polite to ask!

Astrid laughs softly, then hands Hazel her beverage.

Hazel: Thank you.

Hazel's host takes up a seat on the armchair, sitting at its edge and leaning forward, body angled toward Hazel.

Astrid: I didn't expect you take me up on my offer so soon after the reunion. Daniel is in Manitoba for a few more days—you know how his work is. You're welcome to stay a night or two if you want, and would be no matter what; but truth be told, I do get lonely here by myself. Having a guest might do me some good, ya know?

Hazel nods meaningfully.

Hazel: Hazel doesn't like to be alone, either.

Astrid eyes Hazel with a curious expression.

Astrid: So, what brings you all the way across Canada and onto my doorstep on New Year's Eve?

Astrid is met with a long moment of relative silence (other than from the TV) before Hazel begins to speak.

Hazel: Well, Astrid—

Astrid leaps from her seat and turns to her flatscreen.

Astrid: OOH! Hold that thought, hun, it's countdown time!

On the television, the on-screen countdown to the New Year rollover fast approaches the ten-second mark. Astrid grabs Hazel by the hands, and Hazel begins to stand. Astrid brings Hazel's arms toward her along the way, "pulling" the slightly confused young woman to her feet. Astrid relinquishes her friend's hands and the two stand beside one another in front of the TV: Astrid is has transformed into a bubbly teenager; Hazel, however, has a solemn air about her that Astrid's cheerful mode seems to blind her to. The upbeat brunette counts down the clock...

Astrid: Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

She grins like a kid on Christmas, which Hazel imagines was also the case a week ago. The thought makes Hazel smile a bit, in spite of herself. All at once, Astrid's arms are wrapped around her.

Astrid: HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAZEL!

Hazel blushes redder than she had on the veranda not long before; luckily, this too is not perceived by giddy-mode Astrid, who presently releases Hazel, grabs her cell phone from the coffee table and begins to head upstairs.

Astrid: Just giving Daniel a call, I'll be back in a jiffy!

And with that, Astrid bounds up the stairs, two at a time; leaving Hazel alone to her very heavy thoughts.

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

Last edited by Witch Hazel (Sun-29-Jul-2018 23:49:52)


~*~So says Hazel~*~
Former Custom Cup Champion
Winner of 2018 Soul Survivor