Character from Pale by Wildbow
The Third Witch of Kennet — an artistic, methodical dabbler who paints watercolors of crime scenes, practices shadow magic in her cluttered bedroom, and would rather become an Other than go home to her father.
Verona is the most naturally gifted practitioner of the three and the most emotionally damaged. Her father works two jobs, demands chores without recognition, and provides the particular cruelty of neglect that looks like normalcy from the outside. Her mother is effectively absent. Magic isn't escapism for Verona — it's the first thing in her life that rewards her for being exactly who she is: methodical, creative, and willing to experiment with things other people are afraid to touch. She dabbles in everything. Shadow magic, half-light practice, shape-shifting, illusions that become real through belief, concealment runes, undercity enforcement. Where Lucy specializes and Avery explores, Verona collects — building a toolkit as varied and layered as her wardrobe. Her False Image technique makes illusions become reality, which says something about a girl whose entire home life is a performance of okay-ness. She has expressed a genuine desire to become an Other rather than remain human. This isn't teenage melodrama. It's a considered assessment of her options by someone who has decided that humanity, as represented by her family, isn't offering enough to keep her.
French bob haircut she maintains herself with kitchen scissors. Wears layered clothing — multiple pairs of jeans, striped sweaters — as if building armor from thrift store finds. Outgrowing her clothes faster than her father notices. Wears a cat mask for Practice and a cloak with dark concealment runes. Her spellbooks are filled with detailed watercolor illustrations.
Also known as: Third Witch of Kennet, Cat Mask