Blood stain removal can usually be accomplished with household supplies and some elbow grease, though the difficulty depends largely on the material the blood is on and how long it's been there. Fresh blood on washable fiber will often come out with a simple laundering in cold water. If blood remains, the garment can be soaked in a cold water and ammonia bath for 15 minutes, and then scraped and blotted until the stain is gone.<br/><br/>Filling the ammonia bath and scrubbing out blood wasn't what Solstice had expected to be doing with their Friday nights a few years ago. At least it was some time alone, even if it was time alone in a windowless laundry room. Solstice pulled on rubber gloves and removed a shirt from the bucket of water and ammonia. One of those expensive button downs Max favored. The stains were beginning to come out, that was a relief. The witch set about scrubbing, and began to slip in to a meditative state with the repetitive motion. Tonight, alone, the fog of fear and hopelessness began to give way to a sort of trance when the door of the laundry room opened. Solstice didn't hear it, or the footsteps behind them at first.<br/><br/>"Put that down and come with me," Max Altman commanded. Solstice gave a violent start before turning to Max and nodding unsteadily. They took off their gloves and obeyed, following Altman up the stairs to the spacious living room. The rug was rolled back, and on the hardwood floor was a jar of salt, rosemary, anise, and a lock of black hair. The situation was immediately clear to Solstice, as it had happened before. The hair belonged to a runaway, the herbs and salt intended for a divination ritual to find them. Of all the things they were forced to do, this Solstice hated the most. They knew as well as anyone what they were condemning the runaway to by finding them. The witch stared at the hair. "I didn't bring you here to look at it. Tell me where he is." He didn't have to add the implied 'or else'. Solstice sank to the floor, laid a salt circle and tore up the herbs in their hands. They could feel magic awakening again, it felt good. Their breath became relaxed, and their eyes closed. They saw the runaway first, a young man. He was smiling timidly at something. As Solstice's trance deepened they saw that he was in a house, a slightly familiar one. With him was a woman and several huge dogs. Elvar! Recognizing her jolted Solstice out of their trance, and they nearly fell forward out of the circle. They looked up at Altman. If only they could get away with lying. The last thing they wanted was to hurt the runaway or Elvar, who had seemed kind when Altman had taken them to her house to see the dogs. "Where?" Altman demanded. Solstice opened their mouth but hesitated. He reached into his pocket and held up the collar remote. Solstice dropped their gaze to their knees.<br/><br/>"Elvar's house," They said quietly.  Altman smirked slightly.<br/><br/>"Good. Get Lily." Solstice nodded and rose from the circle. Lily's rooms were only a couple doors from the living room and Altman's quarters. Solstice knocked gently. Lily wan't necessarily in her room, but Solstice would rather try there first, rather than venture into the dungeon euphemistically referred to as the "Offices".