#mirabelle lilt

[foreveranevilregal]

Encantober Day 25: Quiet

Dolores loved the quiet.

She loved when everything was silent, and she could hear her own heartbeat. When the hustle and bustle of daily life would die down and stillness would reign over all, like a blanket of rest draped over their town. Once the sounds of everyday life would cease, her mind would clear and she could just stay in the respite, away from the noises assaulting her for most of her waking hours. Just perfect calm quiet; the backdrop to which Dolores would journal.

She was as thrilled as the rest of the family when Antonio had gotten his gift. But…she could have done without the fireworks. The explosions felt like they were ripping her chest apart. And the booming music- as much as she loved to dance, she preferred quieter, more unassuming pieces that took the time to build their beauty as opposed to this party fare. After a few obligatory dances, she retreated to the back of the crowd, hanging out with her tía Julieta who also wasn’t a big party person.

Finally, the party wound down. Guests trickled out in small groups, heading home. Dolores assumed some would continue the party, but as long as it wasn’t right next to her eardrums, it was all right by her. She helped pick up the dirty dishes and cups strewn about by the partygoers and placed them in the kitchen gingerly, careful not to knock them against one another to create that ringing sound that echoed for a small eternity. Feeling tired, she excused herself and retired to her bedroom. Her refuge, her haven, in which Casita had mercifully dampened the noise levels to be more tolerable.

As she wrote in her journal, her ears wandered unconsciously. She could hear her tía and tío in the kitchen, washing the dishes. Crashing ensued, followed by a soft tinkling noise that could only mean broken glass.

“Ay, Agustín…” tía Julieta murmured, exasperated. “How many times must I tell you to leave the dishes be? I’ll take care of them.”

“Well what am I supposed to do then?” Tío Agustín asked, making a small humming sound as if something was blocking his mouth. Then a smacking sound like lips leaving skin…Nope. Nope nope nope. Dolores shuddered.

“You go say good night to the girls.” Tía Julieta set down the plate she had presumably been washing. “And check on Mirabel, will you? I’m worried about her…” Her voice trailed off. “That whole thing with the cracks in the floor…maybe we’re putting too much pressure on her?” Her voice lilted upwards uncertainly. “Maybe she’s the one cracking, mi amor.”

“Of course.” A softer kiss, probably on her tía’s cheek. “I’ll check on the girls. You take care of these dishes. And then I’ll take care of you.”

Dolores didn’t need superhuman vision to know her tía was blushing. “Ay, Agustín…” she purred.

And Dolores had heard enough. She really didn’t need to know any more about her tío and tía’s love life. She was so grateful that Casita had somehow soundproofed their room completely. There were some thing Dolores simply did not need to hear.

But the part about Mirabel was interesting…was she really that upset as to make up a story about seeing cracks in the floor? Could her abuela possibly be right about Mirabel being jealous? Mirabel really didn’t strike her as the jealous type, but no one else had seen the cracks. Maybe there was something there…

Dolores wrapped up her entry and closed her journal. She could hear the other members of her family beginning to wind down as well; changing into sleep clothes, washing up, doing everything they needed to do before bed. Her papá sang a cheerful tune as he showered. Dolores giggled. He was so cheesy, but she loved him. He just made life more fun.

Right next door, Camilo was putting on some kind of performance. She figured he was playing all the characters, changing into each one as needed since she heard a variety of voices coming from his room. He was very creative, but Dolores hoped he’d keep it down soon as it was Antonio’s bedtime.

Down the hall, Antonio didn’t seem overly concerned about bedtime. He was laughing, the sound distorted as he moved through the room. Was he running? Riding the jaguar again? Carried by a toucan through the air? Who knew? Either way, through the cacophony of animal calls, she could hear him whooping and asking questions. He was halfway through naming all the animals when Dolores decided she couldn’t stand the din anymore and shifted her attention elsewhere.

Across from them, Luisa set down her weights with a thud. How she had the discipline to do her exercises every night, Dolores had no idea. It was honestly admirable. She heard the sheets rustle as Luisa got into bed and a muted creak as she opened a hardcover book. She’d seen her mamá talking to Luisa a few days ago and mamá had lent Luisa a book. Probably one of the romance novels she and Dolores were so fond of. Dolores heard the pages flutter as Luisa read onward in silence, broken only by a sharp gasp or a dreamy sigh. Deep down, Luisa was a hopeless romantic too, just like the two of them. Dolores really hoped she found someone special.

To one side of Luisa’s room, Dolores heard muffled crying. She wasn’t sure who it was; it wasn’t a cry she had heard before. But then she heard the slithering of vines and scraping of a leaf against skin as Isabela presumably wiped her tears on one of her plants.

“I’m going to marry Mariano,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I can’t believe it.”

As if Dolores needed to be reminded. She loved Isabela like a sister, but it hurt her deeply that Isabela would get to marry Mariano, the man she loved, just because she was older. Older! Ha! Isabela wasn’t even a full month older! A matter of a few weeks decided which one of them got a happy ending, and which one a broken heart. Dolores was seething. As she heard the sound of Isabela’s hairbrush gliding through her hair, Dolores hoped one of the one hundred strokes would yank it all out.

Dolores shook out her head. It wasn’t right for her to be thinking like that. She had been raised to love her family and support them, no matter what. Even if seeing them happy twisted a knife into your own heart…

A different cry broke through; more plaintive, desperate, a series of sniffling sobs. The sound was muted by a pillow, based on the weird low echo that resulted. Who was this?

“I was just trying to warn them,” Mirabel whispered quietly, followed by a hiccup. “I would never ruin Antonio’s night. I’m so happy for him!” It sounded to Dolores like Mirabel was trying to convince herself it was true. “He gets to have a gift. It’s what we all wanted.” It occurred to Dolores that Mirabel was sleeping in the nursery all by herself for the first time in years. “I just wanted to help my family…for once…” A choked back cry was followed by more quiet sobs.

Dolores’ heart broke. Poor Mirabel. She had no idea it was so hard on her. Voices floated through the air, growing louder as their speakers grew closer.

“…making a scene on Antonio’s special night,” her mamá whispered. “It’s not like Mirabel. Why would she act out like that?”

“I don’t know, mi vida, but let’s not worry about it anymore tonight, eh? Let’s just get some rest.” Dolores could hear the fabric of her mamá’s dress moving as her papá rubbed her back soothingly.

“Don’t tell me not to worry,” her mamá grumbled, punctuated by a low roll of thunder.

“I’ll give you a nice massage, and then you’ll forget all about it,” her papá offered.

Her mamá giggled. Their voices grew quieter as they went towards their bedroom. “And then we can…”

Dolores gagged. She heard the words, but her mind blocked out any meaning they had so they were just noises going into one ear and out the other. She was especially grateful their room was soundproofed too.

Instead, she let her ears wander back down towards the kitchen again. She had left some food out for Bruno, hoping her tía wouldn’t notice the “accidentally” forgotten food that no one had cleaned up. The scurrying of the rats told her it had found its intended recipient.

“Mm, this is good,” Bruno mumbled around a mouthful of food. “Not sure who keeps leaving food out for me, but thanks!”

Dolores smiled. You’re welcome, tío, she thought. She waited patiently for him to finish eating, but her attention was drawn by another unexpected sound.

A door across the hall creaked open. The sound of tiny footprints pitter-pattering across the wooden floor, stopping when another door creaked open.

“Mirabel?” Antonio’s voice called out unsurely.

“Mm, what is it, Antonio?” Dolores heard the hoarseness in Mirabel’s voice that she was undoubtedly trying to pass off as being awoken from sleep, based on the extremely fake yawn she gave, but that really stemmed from her crying.

“I can’t sleep. My new room is really big and the animals won’t leave me alone. Can I stay with you tonight?”

“Come here.” Dolores heard the rustling of sheets and creaking of the mattress as Mirabel made room for him on the bed.

Antonio climbed in, humming contentedly. “Thanks, Mirabel.” His voice was slightly muffled. He was probably snuggling up into Mirabel.

“You got it, kid.” Mirabel tucked the blanket around them. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Dolores was touched by the moment. But just as she was about to wipe a tear of her own from her eye, she heard a loud scraping echoing from down below. Moving furniture. Which could only mean…

“Yes!” Dolores cried out quietly. Tío Bruno was performing another installment of his latest play (she had heard him refer to it as a telenovela, though she didn’t know why, since as far as she knew, novelas came in books). She snuggled in under her blanket, beaming from ear to ear as the action began.

It picked up right where it had left off the last time, with José and María about to kiss, when smoke billowed and José cried out in surprise.

“Carmen!” He recoiled, jumping back. “You look just like María! But how-“

“I have my methods,” she answered slyly. Dolores squeaked. She could hear the sound of footsteps, no doubt Carmen walking around José. Carmen thought she was so clever, but Dolores knew she’d probably bought a potion from the witch featured in the last installment.

“It was that witch, who was traveling through town! She helped you change your appearance,” José deduced.

Dolores muffled her triumphant cry with her pillow. Called it!

“Aren’t you smart?” Carmen crooned, her hand trailing along José’s stubble. “If only you were smart enough not to fall for it.”

“But I didn’t fall for it!” He protested.

“Oh no?” Carmen let out a delicate cackle. “I’m not sure María would agree.”

Dolores’ stomach sank. What had Carmen done to María?

“María?” José spun around wildly. “Where is she?”

“How could you?” María’s voice echoed hollowly around them. “I loved you.”

That past tense hit Dolores in the gut like a load of bricks. She had really been rooting for those two to end up together.

“Where are you keeping her, you-“

“Now, now. Let’s not do anything you’ll regret. Otherwise, poor María might pay the price.”

Dolores’ eyes widened in shock. Carmen wouldn’t hurt María…would she?

José growled in frustration. His hands must have closed around Carmen’s neck because Dolores could hear a strangled gagging. “Tell me where you’re keeping her!” He demanded.

“I’ll tell you, but first you have to do something for me.”

“What is it?” He sounded curious.

Dolores was curious too. What did Carmen want him to do?

“And scene!” Bruno called out dramatically.

Rats chittered around him.

“I know, but we have to save something for next time,” Bruno explained.

Dolores let out a frustrated exhale. How could she sleep now? Not knowing what would happen would keep her up all night!

“Besides, I haven’t come up with what’ll happen next yet,” Bruno said under his breath.

That was a more reasonable explanation. She really hoped he’d come up with it soon.

She tossed from side to side, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. Today had been long and tiring. It seemed like all the other inhabitants of the house were able to fall asleep. Even Bruno, the perpetual night owl, was snoring away in the walls.

At last, it was silent. Dolores could hear her heart thumping in her chest. She could hear the floors creaking (Casita had done much weirder things, she didn’t worry about a little creaking). She could hear, as always, the rats running freely through the house, no doubt collecting more food for tío Bruno. She could hear…an eye twitch? She focused in on the sound. It was coming from Luisa’s room. Luisa’s eye only twitched when she was nervous about something. What was she nervous about?

Dolores listened intently to make out the garbled mumbles Luisa let out in her sleep. “Cracks…floor…magic…weak…” With a grunt, she flopped over and fell silent.

Dolores frowned. Luisa was worried about the magic? First it was Mirabel, now Luisa. Could there actually be something to worry about?

Her abuela’s voice drifted in through the window. She was praying to abuelo Pedro, holding the candle. Dolores could hear the wax dripping onto the small plate that held the candle. It sounded like she was worried too…

And now the rats scurried by, sounding even more agitated.

Groaning, Dolores shoved her pillow over her head. She just wanted it all to stop.

Dolores loved the quiet.

If only she could ever experience it.

#dolores madrigal #mirabel madrigal #bruno madrigal #antonio madrigal #luisa madrigal #pepa madrigal #felix madrigal #julieta madrigal #agustin madrigal #alma madrigal #isabela madrigal #camilo madrigal #encantober #encantober 2023 #quiet #foreveranevilregal writes #writing encanto #i'm actually really proud of this one

[justanisabelakinnie]

December 28

(It’s Camilo’s birthday! Aka the one day in which I can simp for this fantastic kiddo! You didn’t think I’d forget our beloved shapeshifter’s birthday too, now did you? I have something very special in mind for him, but you have to wait until the end to see. Also I had to throw my ship in here, I’m sorry, I just had to. Anyway, sit down, buckle up, and prepare for an exciting and hilarious ride, because today is also Holy Innocent’s Day, aka the equivalent of April Fool’s Day in Colombia. Enjoy!)

It was the middle of the night when Mirabel felt a pair of knees destroying her abdomen. 

Wincing at the unbearable pain, she opened her eyes to find herself being attacked, smothered to death by some crazy person as she was unable to wrestle free due to her body’s lazy, sleep like state. 

So all she could do was stare wide-eyed into the blackness as whoever was trying to murder her—or kidnap her, perhaps—continued to giggle like a maniac. 

“Mmfmmpppphhh—“ was all she could say as the arms tightened around her neck and she found herself smothered by this person’s shoulder. “Mmmpphhfffpphfffhmmm! Mmmm!” 

“It’s my birthday, Mirabel! Can you believe it! It’s my birthday!” 

Why would she need to know that? 

“I’m finally sixteen, Mirabel! And you’re still left behind. Sorry. But I’m just so excited!” Cue the relentless giggling. 

Mirabel was enraged. “Camilo?” 

Camilo giggled, sitting up and finally crawling off of her to make himself welcome as an unwanted guest on Mirabel’s bed. “Yeah, I…stayed up all night to count down until my birthday. You know like New Year’s. I can’t wait to see the presents you all give me!!! It’s gonna be the best birthday ever. Even better than the last. You know sometimes I wish I were a girl so I could have a quince, but…” 

Camilo continued to ramble on and on excitedly about his birthday. But Mirabel was not listening. What she was doing was gripping her head with her hands as she tried not to let it roll off. 

“And remember when I was ten years old and asked Isabela to make me a flower crown? Those were the days. But—“ 

“Camilo?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Go. back. to. SLEEP!!! GODDAMN!” 

Camilo should have been deterred. “Can’t I sleep with you—“ 

“No,” Mirabel moaned with a sob. “Just—goodnight, primo.” 

“It’s not night, it’s morning. And it’s my—“ 

“I know, I know. Happy birthday Camilo. Goodbye.” 

Mirabel felt a kiss plant itself magically on her cheek before Camilo finally left her in peace. Thank goodness. 

She flopped down on the bed and tried to go back to sleep. Which she did soon enough. But goddamnit if it wasn’t hard. 

Still, a twitching smile stretched out upon her face. Camilo was gonna have the birthday of his life when he woke up that morning. She was sure of it. 

💛

“Cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos a tí, Feliz cumpleaños a Camilo, feliz cumpleaños a tí! Que los cumpla feliz, que los vuelva a cumplir, que los siga cumpliendo, hasta el año tres mil!” 

Camilo blew out the candles. All sixteen of them. He giggled. Everyone clapped. It was a beautiful day, and he was happy! 

“Why did you choose to have your birthday party in the morning and afternoon instead of at night, Cami?” Luisa asked, arching an eyebrow. 

“Easy! So that I can spend the evening with my lovely girlfriend, of course!” Camilo’s chirped, beaming up at his older cousin. 

“Ooo-ooooh!” Isabela, Mirabel, Antonio, and Bruno lilted, Camilo blushing and looking down. 

“But anyway—“ Camilo started, but he was cut off. 

“You have a girlfriend?” Antonio bounced up and down. “Ooh! Who is it?” 

“Quiet down Antonio,” Mirabel urged. “But it’s Emiliana. My best friend. You know, the girl who falls asleep a lot?” 

“I like her, she’s pretty and nice! Are you gonna get married?” 

“I never thought about that,” Camilo answered, his blush betraying him. 

Bruno opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. 

A storm cloud appeared over Pepa’s head. “No funny business, Camilo. I mean it. Because if you get up to something you know you’ll regret—“ 

Mirabel chuckled, Isabela bounced her eyebrows, and Luisa and Dolores looked like they didn’t want to be there. Camilo glared at Isabela and Mirabel. 

“Ugh, I know Mami. Just because I’m sixteen now doesn’t mean I’m suddenly—anyway, can I open my presents now, please?” 

“Sure, Cami, and I have the first one!” Dolores said, picking up her present off of the table and walking up to him, outstretching her hands for him to take it. 

Camilo opened it. “Thanks sis!” He took it out. “Oh…it’s one of those…whatchamacallits, I forgot…” 

Dolores had given him a tiny box with a handle at the side that, according to Dolores, he had to turn in a circular direction. So he did. And he was so confused and focused on that that he didn’t see Dolores grinning and covering her ears. 

And then a giant face sprang out from the box and scared Camilo shitless. He screamed and ran for cover. Just kidding. He only threw the box in the air and jumped to hide under his chair. 

“What is that thing?!” He shrieked. 

Dolores smirked and tilted her head to the side. “Hm! It’s a…a…jack-in-the-box?” 

“I haven’t played with one of those since I was a kid!” 

“Sorry,” Dolores shrugged. “I thought you’d like it, but…” 

“No, no, it’s not that I don’t like it,” Camilo took it from Dolores with a grin. “It’s just…a surprise. That’s all. Hehe. Thanks big sis!” He hugged his beloved older sister. “You are the second best pranker in the family!” 

“Second?” Dolores raised an eyebrow. 

“Second?” Mirabel smirked, hip bumping Isabela. 

“Oh come on,” Camilo snorted. “You don’t actually think you’re a better pranker than me.” 

“We’ll see about that,” Mirabel murmured. 

“My turn!” Antonio ran up to Camilo with a wrapped present in his hands. “I made this for you myself big brother! I hope you like it!” He cheered jumping up and down. 

“Oh, and what is this, hombrecito?” Camilo bent down and took the present from Antonio’s hands. Opening it, he tried not to chuckle at the cute(stick figure) drawing of a yellow figure, clearly representing himself, with big squiggly circles for hair and a square around his torso symbolizing his ruana, standing between a tall red figure with a filled-in circle on her head and a big bow, a triangle shape resembling a dress, and a short orange figure, their arms crossing through the yellow figure. 

“See, that’s me,” Antonio was saying, pointing at the orange figure. “That’s Dolores,” he pointed at the red figure. “And that’s you!” He pointed at the yellow figure in the center. “And our arms are like that because we’re giving you a hug, because we love you!” 

Camilo smiled at the picture, especially since it was oh-so cleverly captioned with the words “te 💛 Camilo” in big sloppy multicolored letters. 

“Oh, it is just the sweetest, hermanito!” Camilo cooed, bending down to pick his brother up and kiss him all over his face. “Te amo mucho mucho mucho, awww!” 

Antonio giggled. “Put me down big brother, your lips are tickling me.” 

“Oh, okay, cosa linda.” He put the grinning little pipsqueak down, and Pepa and Felix came forth with their gifts. 

“It’s a book!” Camilo gasped, almost wanting to jump out of his chair. “A book of all the greatest plays in the last century! I…how did you know I wanted this?” 

“It’s all you ever asked for, chico,” Pepa said with a smile. 

“And you deserve it,” Felix added, giving his son a manly hug. 

“Thanks, familia!” Camilo grinned as his parents hugged and kissed him. 

The rest of the family then gave their gifts. Mirabel gave Camilo a new ruana that she had sewn herself, it was blue with yellow squiggly stripes and even had embroidery, which Camilo loved, so much so that he nearly scooped Mirabel up hugging and kissing her. Isabela got her cousin a book as well, except it was about fairytales and mythology. Knowing how much he loved princesses, Isabela knew Camilo was sure to appreciate it. Which he did. And Luisa got him a lanyard bracelet that she had made herself, knowing that her primito was allergic to jewelry. Julieta gave Camilo a new and colorful football to replace the one he had torn. Agustin gave Camilo some cologne. Bruno gave him a football trophy that he himself won when he was sixteen. Like uncle like nephew, he had said with a wink. Which made Camilo smile. 

“Who’s next?” Camilo asked, although he knew the answer. 

“I believe that would be me, chico.” Alma winked. 

“Ooh, okay!” Camilo rubbed his hands together. “So umm what do…or what did…you buy me for my birthday?” 

“Oh,” Alma started feeling around her pockets, searching for the gift, until finally she pulled it out with a smile. 

Camilo stared. “A comb?” 

Agustin wheezed. 

“Why yes!” Alma said with a smile. “So that you can comb that big beautiful hair of yours early in the morning. And tonight on your date with your girlfriend too!” 

Camilo blinked, while Mirabel covered her grin with her mouth. 

Finally, Alma burst out laughing, and the rest of the cool-colored family(and Bruno) with her. “Oh, I’m just teasing, lindo.” 

“Good one, Abuela!” Isabela choked up, and Camilo couldn’t even resist the urge to grin. He’d never have guessed that he got his pranking ways from his grandma of all people! 

“Here is your gift!” She clapped her hands expectantly. “Casita?” 

The tiles click clacked against the floor, and Camilo gasped. 

“A BIKE?!” Camilo squealed, causing Dolores to cover her precious, sensitive ears. 

“Why yes, of course, a bike!” Alma nodded her head and laughed. “Why, when I was your age, me and my sisters would spend days learning how to ride a bike—oh?” 

She never got to finish telling her story, before Camilo leapt at her in a smothering hug. 

“Thank you, Abuela,” Camilo whispered tenderly. “I always knew you were the best grandmother ever and wanted me to be happy, want all of us to be happy, not just Isabela.” 

Alma paused, then hugged Camilo dearly back. “You’re welcome, hermoso.” 

“Oh!” Isabela perked up, dragging Dolores to her side and linking their arms. “Me and Dolores will teach you how to ride, that’s what we agreed on, how does that sound?” 

Camilo smiled at them, breaking from the hug as he did so. “That sounds amazing. Thank you, primas-hermanas!” 

The primas-hermanas grinned back. 

“Ahem, anyway,” Bruno changed the subject. “I think it’s cake time, I’m starving.” 

“Oh yes, so am I, hermanito,” Pepa agreed. 

“And then it’s time to PARTY!” 

Felix laughed as he patted Bruno on the shoulder blade. “It sure is.” 

💛

“Oooh, Camilo, someone’s at the door for you!” Mirabel cooed in a flirtatious manner. 

“Is that who I think it is?” Camilo sprang up. 

“It sure is!” Mirabel giggled. “Come and greet your lady!” 

“Yeah, go hombrecito,” Bruno encouraged with a jerk of his head in the direction of the door. 

Camilo smiled at his Tío before shoving his primita to the side and opening the door to greet his beautiful sweet girlfriend Emiliana. 

“Hey, sweet cheeks!” Camilo smiled from ear to ear as he tightly embraced the love of his life. 

“Hi,” Emiliana giggled. “Can I come in?” 

“Oh, of course, why wouldn’t we let you in?” Camilo walked his girlfriend in. “Oh, Im sure you’ve met my father and uncle, right? Because it would be pretty embarrassing if you hadn’t.” 

“Hola, mi chica bonita!” Felix greeted Emiliana with an energetic handshake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you! And a pleasure to see you dating my son!” 

Emiliana grinned. “Oh, thank you, Sr.—“ 

“Felix,” her boyfriend’s father said with a smile. “Call me Felix.” 

“Oh! Okay Felix!” 

“And you already know me!” Bruno said with a wave. 

“Of course!” Emiliana said, giving Bruno a fist bump. “Hey Bruno!” 

“Hey kid! So, where are you taking my nephew?” 

“I can’t tell you yet, it’s a surprise!” 

“Oh, silly me! I shouldn’t have asked. Well you two enjoy your date, and if you need anything, well, you can always count on us!” 

“Thank you!” Emiliana turned to Camilo. “So anyway, umm, shall we go?” 

“Oh sure!” Camilo waved at the men before leaving. “Tell the rest of the family that I said goodbye!” 

“We will!” Felix and Bruno said with a wave, but soon Pepa and Julieta came down, along with Agustin. 

“Oh, Emiliana!” Pepa said with a wave. “Bye, querida! Goodbye!” 

“Goodbye Emiliana! ¡Adios, Camilo!” Julieta said with a wave. 

“Have a happy date, the both of you!” Agustin said with a thumbs up as Emiliana smiled and waved her departure. “Oh, and sobrino, remember what your mother said—“ 

“Yes, yep!” Camilo flushed with embarrassment. “Bye!” And shut the door behind them. 

“What did your mother say?” Emiliana asked. 

“Oh nothing.” Camilo shrugged. “Just to have fun. A-anyway, we’re alone now, baby, what do you wanna do?” 

“Well, like I told Bruno, I can’t reveal it yet. But you’ll love it, just you wait and see.” 

“Oh, okay,” Camilo said as they walked, hand in hand, through the village. It was a peaceful and beautiful evening. The sun was slowly setting, the sky an array of bright, beautiful colors, and a half-moon could be seen in the sky along with the setting sun. 

Overall, the perfect occasion for a lovely romantic date between a pair of enamored teenagers. 

“So your family actually let you go on a date with me?” Camilo asked, breaking the peaceful silence. 

“Huh? Oh yeah.” Emiliana swatted a hand. “Come to think of it, they probably just want me out of the house because my quince is a week after yours and they’re trying to prepare. I just promised them that nothing bad was going to go down tonight and that you were treating me right. Don’t worry about it.” 

“Of course not, baby, I love you!” Camilo promised, patting his heart with her hand. “Plus, I’m kinda scared to death of your oldest sister.” 

Emiliana laughed. “Aren’t we all? But enough about me, let’s talk about you! So how was your birthday?” she asked him. 

“Oh, it was perfect!” Camilo said. “Everyone enjoyed themselves and got me such perfect gifts. For example, Abuela got me a bike, my prima got me a storybook, my Tío got me cologne—“ 

“Is that why you smell so good?” Emiliana flirted. 

“U-uh, yeah, and mi hermano drew me the most adorable picture.” 

“Aww, he takes after his big bro.” 

“Hehe, yup.” 

“What about Dolores?” Emiliana inquired, wanting to know what her friend’s present for her love had been. “What did she get you?” 

“Oh, this really weird…jack-in-the-box? It’s nothing special.” 

“Nothing special?” Emiliana balked. “Camilo, it’s your birthday, and she got you something silly she thought you’d love! Show some gratitude!” 

“I do love it, it’s just—“ 

“It’s just what?” 

“Well…” 

“EMILIANA! CAMILO! COME QUICK!!!” 

Both teens were shocked as they looked up at Camilo’s eldest prima, screaming her head off as she ran towards them. Upon reaching them both, Isabela placed a hand down on each of their shoulders and lightly shook. 

“I-I…it’s Mirabel. I didn’t mean for this to happen but I—“ Isabela burst into tears before she could finish, and an entire garden sprouted on her head. It would have been amusing to watch normally, but not this time. 

“Woah, slow down, Isabela,” Emiliana soothes, placing a warm arm on Isabela’s shoulder as the older girl wept, her head in her hands. “Tell us calmly. What happened? Ooh!” She plucked a few grapes from Isabela’s hair and threw them in her mouth, chewing. 

“We…we went to this art shed one of Luisa’s friends had set up, she said she and the rest of us girls could use it any time we wanted. So Mirabel, Luisa, Dolores and I went there after you and Camilo left for your date. We were just spraying things and having some fun, until one thing led to another, Mirabel and I got into a fight—“ 

“As usual,” Camilo snorted. 

“And somehow I ended up turning her into a flower statue! I-I just feel so hideous and stupid, why, why, why?!” Isabela started crying heavier as tiny potatoes grew from her scalp and rolled from her hair onto the floor. “I’m an AWFUL big sister!!! Oh—“ 

Emiliana hugged Isabela tightly, and Isabela hugged back. “It’s, it’s okay, Isabela. It wasn’t your fault, and you’re a great big sister!” 

“I am?” Isabela sniffled. 

“You are!” Emiliana beamed. “Mirabel tells me all about you all the time.” 

“No she—“ 

“Anyway,” Emiliana cut her boyfriend off. “Take us to the art shed and we’ll find a way to fix your sister! Right, Camilo?” 

“B-but what about our date?” Camilo squawked. 

“Our date?” 

“Y-you don’t care about your cousin!” Isabela whined before wailing again. Emiliana sighed, exasperated. 

“All right, Isa, that’s enough, I think he gets it,” Emiliana whispered in her ear. Isabela wiped her eyes daintily with a pink handkerchief, trying to maintain her composure and settle down a bit to think logically about what is going on. 

“Camilo,” Emiliana placed both hands on her boyfriend’s shoulders. “Do you believe that I love you?” 

“Yes.” 

“Exactly! And do you believe that our date isn’t going anywhere and that the moment we save Mirabel we’ll go back to our little romantic night out?” 

“Yes?” 

“Good!” She kissed him on the nose. “Let’s go-WOAH WOAH WOAH!” 

Isabela had swooped both Emiliana and Camilo in the air with her vines and both soared over the entire Encanto—or at least that’s what it felt like to Emiliana—before settling down safely in front of the art shed. 

Emiliana beamed, jumping up and down. “Oh, that was so much fun! Yes!” She whooped, thrusting a fist into the sky. “I never told anybody, well, except for my sister Victoria, but I’ve always wanted to do that.” She wrapped her arms around Isabela’s waist and squeezed. “Thank you, Isabela, for not killing my boyfriend and I—“ 

“You’re welcome,” Isabela choked. 

“Anyway, Mirabel, right, operation save Mirabel. 

The three of them walked into the shed, which was dim, empty, and a little bit dark. 

“I don’t see anything,” Camilo said. 

And then the lights flew open. 

Camilo took a shaky breath. “Well, that was kind of creepy—“ 

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” 

“Babe?!” 

Emiliana pointed in horror at the plant statue of Mirabel that was right in front of her. Frozen in terror, Mirabel had the most horrifying look on her face as her eyes were wide open, her mouth rounded in a silent scream, her hands held up in front of her in defense as Isabela took her life and breath away. Her best friend took a shaky inhale. 

“I know,” Isabela’s voice trembled as she spoke. “Dolores, Luisa, and I were just as fear-stricken when we saw what I had done as well.” 

“How can you DO that?” Camilo exclaimed, gesturing to flower-Mirabel. “Remind me not to mess with you ever again!” 

“I don’t know!” Isabela wailed in agony. “I was very angry, and got very emotional! But you’ve gotta fix it back, Camilo!” 

“Oh, so you created this mess but you can’t get my cousin out of it?” Camilo pressed, a hand on his hips as he rotated his neck. “NUH-UH, prima, that is NOT how we work around here!” 

“It’s okay, Isabela, Camilo will fix it, I have faith in him!” Emiliana said, cowering behind her boyfriend. Even though he was shorter and weaker than her. 

“Hold up, why me?” 

“Because I love you, Camilo,” Emiliana said, nudging Camilo towards the eerie and tragic figure of Mirabel. 

“Girl—“ Camilo hissed his teeth, but reluctantly moved closer to the statue, while Emiliana moved closer to Isabela, both clutching each other’s hands and staying out of harm’s way. 

Camilo gulped in fear. He didn’t want to do this. But he had to. For his cousins. For his girlfriend. For himself. 

He reached forward, finger trembling, in terror of the statue, before poking it ever so gently with his finger. 

And it exploded. 

The next thing he knew Camilo was covered in a huge splatter of thick, wet, sweet-smelling substance. 

And Emiliana and Isabela exploded too, with laughter. 

“What the—“ Camilo shook the creamy  contents off of him in frustration as he stared aghast at the bits and pieces of green and pink flower petals he saw scattered across the floor of the shed. “Huh? Did I kill Mirabel?” 

This only made Emiliana and Isabela wheeze harder, stomping their feet as they were barely able to contain themselves. Camilo stared at them, his brain almost but not quite catching onto the situation at hand. 

Before both girls yelled “SURPRISE!!!” at him. 

To make matters worse, Dolores and Luisa came out of their hiding spot through a back door as well. And with them was a perfectly intact and alive Mirabel who most definitely was NOT made of green and pink flower petals!!! 

“That. Was. HILARIOUS!” Mirabel shouted before bending over, wheezing with glee. 

Luisa laughed out loud, clapping her hands. “You can’t say we didn’t get you Camilo.” 

“Indeed,” Dolores sputtered. “You should’ve, you should’ve seen your faHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” 

Camilo stood there, covered in cream-like goodness as he was made a mockery of by the five girls surrounding him, all were laughing their asses off as they took glances at Camilo, only to look away as they laughed even harder. 

Isabela slapped Emiliana’s hand in a high five. “You go, chica. We got him!” 

“Thanks for letting me be a part of this!” 

“And thanks for helping!” 

Camilo, meanwhile, was not happy. He was seeing red. “Was this…was this a PRANK?!” 

“It was!” Isabela admitted with watery eyes as she hiccuped. 

“We hope you like custard!” Dolores said with a wink. 

“I-I-I can’t beLIEVE YOU!” The custard monster roared. “You…you were supposed to be my favorite cousin, Mirabel, you had me worried for your life when Isabela came crying to me that she killed you, all for—and Emiliana, you were supposed to be the love of my life! I trusted you! And Isabela, you started putting on a performance with your crocodile tears when it turned out all along to be some sick JOKE?! And—“ he glared at Dolores and Luisa while licking custard off his face. “I don’t even have anything to SAY to you two! I thought you were sweet and gentle, but clearly I was wrong! I…I am just so disappointed!” 

But being reprimanded by a guy covered head to toe in custard? That only made them laugh harder. They couldn’t take it seriously! 

“Hah, what a night huh?” Emiliana got up and walked towards Camilo. “What a night. Anyway, we went through all this trouble, so we may as well see how you taste.” She licked some of the custard off her boyfriend’s cheek. “Mmm! Yummy! Sorry about your cologne though.” 

“Ooh, let me try!” Mirabel ran up to her cousin and wiped some of the custard off his other cheek with her finger. Licking it off. “Wow! That is delish!” 

“Lemme!” Isabela took some off of the nose. “Wow, this does not disappoint.” 

“I have to agree,” Dolores said as she took some off of Camilo’s forehead. 

“Hey, don’t look so downhearted, kiddo,” Luisa said with a grin as she too ate custard out of Camilo’s hair. “At least you get to be a delectable delicacy! Don’t worry, we’ll clean you right up!” 

“Yes we will!” Emiliana agreed. “Now gimme your hand.” She picked up Camilo’s hand and ran her fingers along its palm, gathering up custard and putting it in her mouth. 

Camilo sighed as the girls rubbed their fingers on him and ate the custard off his body and clothes. They were so busy eating him that they barely even noticed the door opening as one of Luisa’s friends stepped in—and quickly stepped out after realizing what was going on. 

But they didn’t care. They were having too much fun. And now that Camilo thought about it, this joke was pretty clever. Even though he was utterly humiliated that day in the worst way imaginable, he knew he would laugh about it someday like his father always told him. Today just…wasn’t that day. 

He turned to his girlfriend. “So, umm, sweetie pie. About that date…” 

“Yeah?” 

“Where did you plan on us going?” 

Emiliana’s face paled as her eyes shifted and she giggled awkwardly. “Oh, well, about that…” 

The End!

Until next time! 👋🏾

#camilo madrigal #encanto #birthday #encanto birthdays #december 28 #fanfic #encanto fanfic #emiliana jimenez #emicami #isabela madrigal #dolores madrigal #luisa madrigal #mirabel madrigal #antonio madrigal #pepa madrigal #felix madrigal #julieta madrigal #agustin madrigal #bruno madrigal #alma madrigal

[paperrretro]

el renacuajo paseador.

Pairing: Camilo Madrigal & Reader

Word Count: 1,293 words

Warnings: None

Camilo is a born performer. You are not.

Camilo is great with kids. You are not.

Camilo is the town babysitter. You are not, for the reason mentioned above.

So why is he dragging you into this?

“C’mon – Mirabel had to ditch last minute, and I need a costar!”

“So you’re asking me?”

“I’m asking my friend,” Camilo emphasizes. “My best friend.”

You try to ignore the happy thump in your chest with a scoff. “Oh, we’re sweet talking now?”

“You want me to beg? Bribe? Blackmail? You have options.”

“I stink at acting, Camilo.”

He continues to cling to your arm anyway, and you’re forced to drag him with you down the street. “That doesn’t matter,” he protests. “They’re kids. You don’t have to be good at acting.”

“Kids hate me.”

“Okay, so you scared Gabriel once and made him cry last year. It was an accident. He probably doesn’t even remember.”

“I also dropped Eli’s flower crown on the ground and a donkey stepped on it.”

“Isa made a better one for her. No sweat.”

“Last week, I –”

Camilo stops and grabs your shoulders, lilting your name with playful exasperation. “You’re just awkward. Kids don’t hate you,” he insists as he shakes you gently. “I’ll convince Sofia to give you less chores tomorrow. Just help me with ‘El Renacuajo Paseador’ today, please? I can’t do it without you.”

“Laying it on thick, ’Milo,” you warn, and you both know at that moment that he’s won.

He smiles. “Only for you.”

Your eyes roll up to the sky, but you tell him that you’ll be there after you finish the laundry up and inform your sister of your new job. If anything, at least you’ll be entertained by your friend’s Gift.

Camilo thanks you with a peck on the cheek and heads off to answer the call of an exhausted mother.

—

“The son of a frog, Rin Rin the tadpole, stepped out one morning, very stiff and very handsome.”

The kids giggle as Camilo leaps out from behind you, and you choke on your own snicker, schooling your expression into one of anger as a short version of Mariano Guzmán slicks his hair back.

“Young man – pfft – don’t go out!” you snap, hands on your hips. ‘Mariano’ sticks his tongue out at you and spins around, walking off with exaggerated steps.

“Rin Rin doesn’t listen to his mamá!”

“That’s mean!” cries Gabriel.

Camilo marches in place, nodding at you to continue, and so you do.

I hope Señora Guzmán doesn’t see this.

“He met a neighbor mouse on the road and said –”

Señor Gómez suddenly takes the place of Mariano, and you want to simultaneously smack Camilo and cry.

You make fun of how big Señor Gómez’s ears are one time –

He throws an arm around you. “Amigo, come with me to visit Doña Mouse! There will be feasting and eating at her house!”

And on it goes. Your friend shapeshifts into different townspeople as the story progresses – Señor Gómez with the huge ears as Neighbor Mouse, Señora Romero with her high-pitched, squeaky voice as Doña Mouse, every change done with a gleam in his eye as he glances at you. You’re busting a gut on the inside. And hoping that none of those people see what he’s doing.

“… And he kept on jumping so high and so fast that he lost his hat, tore his shirt!” You chase Camilo in circles around the kids as Doña Cat, dust flying up everywhere. “Until – ah! Oh, no!” Camilo trips and falls, rolling on the ground. “He fell into the mouth of a duck and the duck gobbled him up in one go!”

The kids jump up and pummel Camilo, and he grunts as someone jumps on his stomach.

Your shoulders tremble with the effort of holding back your laughter. When you approach and look down at him, he looks up at you with a grin, eyes squinted in pain.

“The End,” he strains, shifting back into himself. “So listen to your mamá and stay out of trouble.”

“Stay out of trouble?” you repeat drily.

“Stay out of bad trouble,” he amends.

While Camilo sits up, ruffling Carlos’s and Eli’s hair, you sit down cross-legged across from him. Though most of the children disperse, Eli plops herself into your lap and asks you to give her a braid, which you obediently start doing.

You bite your bottom lip, sectioning her black, wavy hair into three parts. “Eli?”

“Mm,” she replies, stubby fingers braiding the yarn on her doll’s head.

“I’m sorry for breaking your flower crown yesterday.”

“’S okay.”

You let out a breath. Camilo meets your eyes, and he raises his eyebrows as if to say, See? No sweat.

How come he’s always right about stuff like this?

You end up helping Camilo entertain the little ones for the rest of the day, telling stories about the Family Madrigal or sneaking snacks. And he still somehow carves out time to shift into Isabela and prank Mariano. You’re kind enough to cover for his escape for free, though you almost blow it with how hard you’re laughing.

(During these moments, it’s very easy to be envious of Camilo. He’s an amazing storyteller, super fun, knows exactly how to cheer people up, and all the moms and kids in town adore him. And being a Madrigal? Having powers? On not-so-good days, you wonder how he considers you his best friend.)

“Thanks for helping me out today.”

“Anytime.”

Camilo pokes you and turns his hand like a magician, revealing a buñuelo. “I got you an extra one from Tía Julieta.”

Your mouth immediately starts to water, and you eagerly take the offering. “Oh, thanks!”

Stuffing the buñuelo into your mouth, you close your eyes at the heavenly texture and taste. Camilo sighs heavily and puts his arm around your shoulders, weighing you down as you keep walking towards your house.

“What now, ’Milo?”

“One of Tía Maria’s polvorosas sounds really good right now.”

“How did you know she made some?”

He purses his lips. “Well … I may have mentioned yesterday how I’ve been craving some, and that Tía Julieta was too busy to make them for me.”

“Ah, you little –” You pinch his side, and Camilo yelps. He drags you into a headlock, and you struggle within it with a shriek before he releases you. “Taking advantage of my poor mamá’s favoritism!”

“Hey – ow! – I didn’t tell her to make them. You like them too, so it’s a win-win, yeah?”

“Sure,” you drawl, huffing. “Well, since you’re the one who suggested it, I guess you have to have some.”

“Exactly.”

“And Mamá will probably ask you to stay for dinner.”

“Yep.”

“So you should go and tell your family where you’ll be.”

Camilo stretches his hands high above his head and groans like an old man. “Dolores,” he calls out, keeping eye contact with you, “I’m having dinner at [Y/n]’s house.” You deadpan. “What? Tía Maria invited me this afternoon. And my mamá already knows.”

He pats your cheek, much to your chagrin. Your jaw drops.

“So in other words, this was all planned?!”

Wagging his finger in disappointment, Camilo clicks his tongue. The two of you stop in front of your house. “[Y/n], [Y/n]. I’m just going with the flow.” He elbows you. “What, I’m not wanted in La Casa [L/n]?”

You elbow him back with a grin. “Of course you’re wanted,” you say softly, opening the door.

As your mom greets the two of you, Sofia rolling her eyes at your linked arms, Camilo gives you a crooked smile.

Yes, it’s very easy to be envious of Camilo Madrigal. But luckily for you, it’s even easier to love him.

#encanto #camilo madrigal #camilo madrigal & reader #camilo madrigal x reader #reader insert #fluff #disney #childhood best friends hey hey hey #platonic ???

[bri-flores]

This is a drawing of some Twst OC's. Only Bri belongs to me.

Azul Attwood and Nanami Watanabe belongs to @azulsartdump

Mirabelle Lilt belongs to @tri3tri

Marsella belongs to @/sthikaru

So I did this drawing a long time ago. I hope you like it.

#tri3tri #azulsartdump #sthikaru #twst oc #bri flores #twst

[laureli-amadeus-music]

my Encanto fan lyrics ranked by # of recorded takes:

#1. "but how'm I gonna be me if you want someone else?" – Camilo's Interlude

y'all when I tell you I spent an HOUR trying to get this ONE line in tune. the "someone else" lilt was just kicking my ass for some reason and by God's grace I managed not to autotune it. pain. tbh tho all of Camilo's Interlude was painful to record because I wanted it to be perfect to the note, and by the end I just wanted to fade out of existence because it was 5 in the damn morning. also pretty sure I had covid recording it. and yet I endure.

#2. "and I know they'll pin the blame of me, Mirabel" – We Don't Talk About Bruno (Reprise)

there were a lot of. a lot of notes. going on there. singing Mirabel's name was kinda a hit or miss every take because of the drastic pitch shift. but I'm egregiously proud of the final take.

#3. "I've been living in a crack in the wall" – On The Inside

I do not know WHY but the first time I tried recording this I just. could not. I had to go run it off before coming back and trying again. maybe it's because I subconsciously love pushing my voice to its limit. consciously I don't. on the fourth verse when I sang it, though, I got to do this like throaty/growling build to it and yo that was FUN, I've never done that with my voice before and kept doing my Kermit voice to get it right. I discovered something I couldn't do before, it felt like I unlocked something. crazy man.

#recording ain't a joke folks it's pain and pain and a little sprinkle of pain on top #i usually spend hours recording like one stanza #sometimes hours on one LINE #camilo's interlude was rough guys. i will keep saying that because it was the most physically demanding song I've ever recorded #my FEET WERE ACHING BY THE END #MY THROAT FELT LIKE SANDPAPER #I PROBABLY HAD COVID #MY SELF ESTEEM WAS PLUMmetting #every time i'd take a break from mastering I would end up just listening to it on my phone to make sure it sounding ok #AND IN THE MIDST OF THIS i realize my car speakers are uneven SO #apparently I've been using busted speakers to listen to my music in my car. #anyone who thinks I have a good singing voice it is all a LIE I have LIED to you #it's all a ruse #I don't use autotune obnoxiously but you are only hearing the best of the best takes from me #if i showed you a blooper reel of all the times I screamed at the planes or my dog barking or my parents snowblowing outside my window.... #or like voice cracked my way through a line.... #homies this is why I don't say I'm a singer. I am a composer with very good editing skills. #mine #the truth come out...

[pettyprocrastination]

Incubus Ezra?!?!?! Let’s talk about that please ohmygod

GLADLY (since i was talking about choking ezra LETS EXPAND ON THAT SHALL WE CLASS?)

warnings: smut, cursing choking. poorly written sex and a touch pretentious aka ME. 

*begins TedTalk*

because ezra has a biiiiig ol corruption kink. He gets a satisfaction from it. Perhaps from all the ridicule and trauma he faced from religious members when he was still human. He enjoys seeing those same self-righteous types give in to every desire they keep hidden that they judge others for. 

But you? You have never been unkind. Never judged. You welcomes all types with a kind smile and listening ear. Maybe that’s why he was so keen on you. Such a sweet pure type, whos wants and needs had been buried so deep for so many years you felt guilt and filth for even the slightest flame in a dream. 

He enjoys watching that innocence turn into a confidence in your desires. 

Which is why the first time you put your hand around his throat? Oh grinned so wide he put the Cheshire cat to shame. 

He had been mouthing off, he always was. The pair of you had found yourself entangled once more in the chapel. You rode him with poorly concealed whimpers and moans while Ezra, in his usual style, spewed detailed sentence after sentence in his usual confident lilt, seemingly unbothered by the notion of being caught. 

“They’d be lucky, little lamb.” He grunted as he bucked his hips up to meet yours once more. “-To catch you in such a sublime state, would be like seeing an angel in true form. Such power and reverence would surely blind them.”

You pressed your lips to his in an effort to keep him silent, you had been getting questionable looks from the other sisters. If one of them found you in such a flustered state you wouldn't be able to survive the embarrassment. 

Ezra hummed against your lips, his fingers curling into the soft skin of yours hips. “Trying to silence me?” He mouthed against your neck and you could feel his smug grin. “I assure you it will take more than that to render me speechless, sweet believer. Of course the sight of you mewling in a confessional might-”

Perhaps it was because you could feel yourself reaching your own peak, toes curling as you rode the deviant and bit your lip so hard you tasted blood, just to keep silent. Maybe it was because Sister Mirabel’s judgmental stare and cold voice from that morning just twisted the crick in your neck, or maybe its because Ezra simply wouldn't close that damn mouth for five fucking seconds and you were so close to losing your temper.

 Your hand shot out, fingers curling deftly around his throat. Ezra’s hips stilled, if only for a moment. His eyes went wide as he took in your shaking form, the heaving breathes you took as you stared at him with narrowed eyes. 

His lips curled into a grin like a wolf baring it’s teeth at the sheep before it.

The fingers of his left hand, black and smoking, gently raised to trace over your bottom lip as you glared at him.

He chuckled, tilting his head as he took in the state of you. Naked and angry and positively breathtaking. A meek little mouse that finally found the courage to snap at the lion. 

Who would happily keel over at your word. 

“You never cease to surprise me, little lamb.”

“And you-” your fingers on his throat tightened, if only by a fraction, but enough to make him take in a shaking breathe and to feel his cock twitch inside of you. “-never stop talking.”

The demon simply watched you, with a touch of awe and dare he say it, pride in his eyes. Ezra watched your own flutter shut as you chased your release, no longer hiding your moans as you inched closer and closer to your climax. 

All with your hand comfortably wrapped around his throat, like a claim, a brand that he is yours. Your beast to mount and your devil to be corrupted by. 

He wouldn’t say it out loud yet. Perhaps not even in his head. But he knew in his heart, as it beat out of his chest while he watched you bathed in the lights of the mosaic behind you, there was nobody in the world he wanted to guide down the path of sin besides you

#TDBAIMHHC #ezra prospect #ezra x reader #SORRY i need to get better at tagging #imma make a google form for yall to fill out so i know who wants to be tagged in what and i dont lose it

[tiaragqueen]

Twisted Wonderland OCs

Okay, I lied. I’ve created like, 4 OCs so far, and I haven’t done the background yet because I’m too lazy to think further. You can already guess what dorms they belong based on their costumes.

Edit: I forgot to add Margry's unique magic ashdkshd. This is why I shouldn't upload anything in a sleep-deprived state.

Name: Sybell Swallowtail

Age: 17

School year: Second

Class: 2-A

Dorm: Diasomnia

Height: 162 cm

Birthday: 19th September

Homeland: Land of Pyroxene

Dominant hand: Right

Hobby: Gathering herbs

Likes: Peace, nature, night

Dislikes: Crowd, failure

Club: Mountain appreciation club

Best subject: Magical pharmaceuticals

She’s quiet and hardworking. A perfectionist in her best subject, she often ends up taking over what’s supposed to be a partner project because she can’t deal with any mistake. If she does, she’ll beat herself over it and can be very harsh with her partner. Due to her tendency to dominate, her partner frequently leaves all the work to her in hopes of gaining free points. She really wants to be more sociable, but her introverted nature makes her tired more easily.

She appreciates Kalim for his cheerful personality because he takes her out of her shell. She’s also very close with her dorm leader, Malleus, and often takes a nightly stroll together. She can be found accompanying Silver sometimes, her reading and him sleeping. She admires and respects Jade, calling him ‘Jade-senpai’ despite being in the same age, and likes to help him tend to his mushrooms.

Her Unique Magic is called ‘Flutter’. It can send many butterflies and poison her target with them, but it only works for two persons maximum.

Name: Mirabel Lilt

Age: 18

School year: Third

Class: 3-B

Dorm: Heartslabyul

Height: 165 cm

Birthday: 2nd May

Homeland: Rose Kingdom

Dominant hand: Left

Hobby: Singing

Likes: Sweets, relaxing, Jamil's food

Dislikes: Riddle overworking himself, people touching her stuff

Club: Light Music

Best subject: Summoning

Heartslabyul's resident sister. She’s very caring and patient, often acting as Riddle’s assistant. Despite this, she’s possessive to her belongings and won’t hesitate to chastise those who touch them without her permission. In her relaxed state, she can be quite self-indulgent and often buys unnecessary things that only end up filling her room. Trey has tried to warn her, but she remains stubborn. And although she respects the rules that Heartslabyul uphold, she’s told Trey that she doesn’t really want to follow them all because there are too many. However, she secretly fears losing her magic at Riddle's hand and decides to suck it up instead.

She’s a good friend to both Trey and Cater, the latter sharing the same class and club. She enjoys watching Deuce and Ace’s antics despite Riddle’s chagrin, deeming their chaotic attitude as ‘refreshing and brightening the room’. She likes to eat with Kalim in Scarabia dorm, favoring Jamil’s food over the cafeteria's. She frequently appears in Cater’s Magicam, thus, earning her many followers. She dreams of becoming a singer.

Her Unique Magic is called ‘Let’s Sing’. It captivates someone with her singing, but she can strain her voice if she uses it for more than five minutes.

Name: Cecile Truss

Age: 16

School year: First

Class: 1-A

Dorm: Pomefiore

Height: 158 cm

Birthday: 29th March

Homeland: Land of Pyroxene

Dominant hand: Ambidextrous

Hobby: Dressing up

Likes: Dresses, spicy food, exploration

Dislikes: Repeating herself, people ruining her dress

Club: Gargoyle appreciation society

Best subject: Animal language

Compassionate and curious, she likes to explore things. She joins the gargoyle appreciation society because she wants to know why Malleus likes it so much, and because the activity won’t ruin her clothes. She’s a bit short-tempered and has a nasty habit of mocking someone if she has to repeat herself and if they mess up her dress. She’s sensitive and prone to holding a grudge whenever someone accidentally insult her, often throwing passive aggressive remarks much to their confusion.

Vil’s favorite ‘doll’. They both like to dress up, but she’s not really fond of make up. She bonds with Rook over their nearly similar personalities, and they enjoy quizzing people. She pities Epel for the ‘unsavory’ treatment he receives from his seniors and often tries to distract them from him. Despite their awkward relationship, she adores Malleus and thinks of him as an endearing friend. She considers Riddle as cute and has a crush on him, but denies it every time Rook asks her about it. She wishes to go to Valley of Thorns because she wants to see more dragon fairies.

Her Unique Magic is called ‘Bind the Heart’. She can produce a long cloth from her hands and bind someone, effectively shutting down their magic, but it only works for three persons maximum.

Name: Margry Opia

Age: 16

School year: First

Class: 1-B

Dorm: Savanaclaw

Height: 160 cm

Birthday: 11th April

Homeland: Afterglow Savannah

Dominant hand: Right

Hobby: Running

Likes: New tricks, playing

Dislikes: Inactivity, boredom

Club: Track and field club

Best subject: Flying skills

She’s adventurous and slightly oblivious. She tends to fall for the same thing twice, such as when she keeps being surprised whenever Lilia suddenly greets her upside down. Regardless, she’s more than willing to learn new things in contrast to Cecile who only wants to know the reasons. Due to this, she always asks, and even begs, anyone to teach her the things she’s interested in. She’s very active and doesn’t like to stay silent for too long, lest she’ll go crazy.

Being a mysterious creature with vast skills, Lilia naturally attracts her. She admires him and always trail after him like a lost puppy. She often argues with Sebek, him being suspicious of her motives, but she respects his cautious nature. Despite his aloof demeanor, she’s a good friend with Jack and likes to compete with each other in running. She also frequently hangs out with the Adeuce duo, squabbling over the last snack or sharing cheat answers, much to Deuce's dismay.

Her Unique Magic is called ‘Go to Sleep’. It summons black feathers to make someone falls asleep, but the more her targets are, the lesser the feathers she can produce. Thus, her magic becomes less effective.

#twisted wonderland #twst oc #Twst #Bruh i spent like hours with this #Maybe I'll complete the whole set later

[hovercraft79]

Ghost

4th in the Hecate’s Summer Playlist series

Chapterss: 1

Word Count: 15,346 Fandom: The Worst Witch (TV 2017) Rating: Teen  Warnings: Some violence and the aftermath, feelings of worthlessness, parental abuse/neglect, feelings of shame about past sexual behavior, injuries. Summary: In the aftermath of the attack at Cackle’s, Hecate is left recuperating at Julie Hubble’s and Pippa makes a surprising discovery that could change everything about her relationship with Hecate.

 Notes:

This story continues Hecate’s adventures from weeks 1-3. This time, you really need to have read Circle in the Sand for this one to make sense. The title of this week’s entry comes from an Indigo Girls song.

I’m still using the tropes from the Hackle Summer Challenge, but these stories are definitely Hicsqueak. Also, this installment attempts to fill in some of the blanks from Hecate’s early years and, as we know, her past wasn’t all sunshine and light, in fact, here its rather dark. Please don’t read if you think that will upset you.

I have to apologize to Sparky for this week’s story. Since I was at an AP conference all week, it was supposed to be shorter; instead it turned out to be the longest one yet. She still edited like a champion and any errors still present are due to my own stubbornness.  

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Sunday

Consciousness washed over Hecate like she was coming up out of the water. Her lungs burned like she’d been holding her breath too long. Light and sound seemed muffled. She wasn’t aware of much, only that her side felt like it was both frozen and on fire and that someone – Pippa – was holding her hand and whispering words of comfort near her ear. She tried to turn her head so she could see, but the effort drained her completely and she slipped back towards unconsciousness. She thought she managed to squeeze Pippa’s hand before the darkness pulled her under.

Tuesday

Voices. She could hear voices. She frowned, straining to hear, but afraid to turn her head and open her eyes. Hushed voices - she couldn’t make out what they were saying, but the tone didn’t sound somber. Hecate braved opening her eye a crack. Somehow, even that movement made the wound in her side flare with agony. The infirmary. She was in the infirmary. She didn’t know why she hadn’t recognized the pungent smell of witch hazel.

One of the voices laughed - a soft, musical lilt that she recognized instantly. “Pip,” her voice cracked, and her throat burned like she’d been screaming. The blonde witch turned at once, rushing to Hecate’s bedside, dropping to her knees and gently, so very gently, lacing their fingers together.

“I’m here, darling. I’m here.”

Hecate couldn’t make her eyes focus, but she could hear that Pippa was trying to keep her voice under control. “What…” She was too exhausted to say anything more, but Pippa seemed to understand.

“The firefight, sweetheart, do you remember? We were attacked in Ada’s office?” Pippa waited for Hecate to nod. “You got hit with dark magic. That’s why your side hurts. It was pretty bad stuff. It’s taken some of the Great Wizard’s best mediwitches to counteract the spell. It’s taken a great deal of your own magic as well. You’ll recover though, darling. It’s just going to take some time.”

Hecate nodded, not understanding, exactly, but not having the energy to listen anymore. She could feel the darkness calling to her again, promising the sweet relief of unconsciousness. As she drifted out, a face appeared in her mind. “Dimity?”

“Recovering.” Pippa tucked the blankets more securely around Hecate. The potions mistress was fading fast. “Everyone is fine. You are fine, my love. Sleep now.” She pressed a kiss to Hecate’s forehead and watched her face relax in sleep.

 Wednesday

A stabbing pain in her side ripped Hecate out of her sleep. Gasping, she turned to see a blonde head bent over her injury. “Leave it be, Pip,” she panted through gritted teeth.

“Wrong blonde, love,” Julie Hubble grinned up at her. “Glad to see you’re awake.” She continued her ministrations, hands working with business-like efficiency paired with as much gentleness as she could manage. “I know it hurts, but that’s a good sign. Your body is healing.”

Hecate turned her head just enough to take in her surroundings. Turning her head didn’t cause the same pain as before. She was still in the infirmary. The curtain was pulled around her cot, for privacy she supposed, while Julie tended her wound. “Why are you here?”

“Because I told you not to get hurt, you tosser, but you went and did it anyway.” Julie unwrapped a large square of gauze. “This part’s going to hurt, love. Go on and yell or scream or whatever you need to do, Hecate. Ada spelled the curtain to block the sound when it’s closed.”

She did all of those things and more when Julie began cleaning the wound on her side. As quickly as Julie worked, Hecate was still breathless and sweating by the time she finished.

“All right, love, that’s all.” Julie pulled her latex gloves off and smoothed the hair away from Hecate’s forehead. “Just breathe.” She sat with Hecate until her breathing settled and it seemed the bulk of the pain had passed. “You’re going to be fine, Hecate, do you hear me? You are healing.” She squeezed Hecate’s shoulder then stood up and opened the curtain. “Oy, Pentangle! Get over here and do your hand-holding.”

Pippa was at Hecate’s side in an instant. “Hello, darling,” she said, lowering herself into the chair next to the bed. This time Hecate’s hand reached for hers, and Pippa clutched it to her chest, certain that Hecate would be able to feel her heart beating. “You seem more alert today. Would you like some water?” Hecate nodded, so she summoned a cup with a bendy-straw and held it while Hecate drank. “That’s wonderful, Hiccup,” Pippa said once she’d finished and the cup was placed on the bedside table.

Hecate took a moment to observe Pippa as she fussed with the blanket with her free hand. The other hand remained joined with Hecate’s. Dark circles ringed her slightly bloodshot eyes. Her hair needed a wash, and instead one of her trademark pink gowns, Pippa wore a rumpled t-shirt and sweatpants. “Pippa? What’s happening?”

“You remember the firefight in Ada’s office?” Hecate nodded. “We knew they were using dark magic, but it turns out the bastards were using something else, too.” In her anger Pippa didn’t realize she was squeezing Hecate’s hand until she saw her wincing. “Sorry!” She loosened her grip and pressed a quick kiss to Hecate’s knuckles. “It just makes me so angry. The risk!” She shook her head and sucked in a deep, calming breath. “Whatever spells they used weren’t just dark. They added something that made it harder to heal. Every time the mediwitches tried to treat the injury, it caused you so much pain and made the wound worse. You lost consciousness within minutes of the first bit of healing magic. It took four of the Great Wizard’s healers to drive the dark magic out of Dimity, six for you.” Tears welled in her eyes, but Pippa blinked them away and forged ahead. “They’re still trying to figure out exactly how the spell was created. What we do know is that using magic to treat the wounds doesn’t just have no effect, like you’d expect with dark magic, it makes the injury worse. The…burn… on your side is about twice as big as it was Friday night.  We finally asked Julie to come and treat you two with ordinary medicine. Thank the Goddess, that seems to be working.”

Hecate closed her eyes, trying to calm the rage that was boiling up inside her chest. Her eyes popped open. She couldn’t feel her magic! “Pippa!” she pulled her hand free and tried to call up anything – a light, a flame, even a spark. Nothing. “My magic!”

Pippa reached out and pulled Hecate’s hands back into her own. “It’s there, darling. You’re just burning through it as fast as it’s regenerating. As you heal, you’ll feel your magic growing again. Dimity already feels hers.”

Hecate nearly cried with relief. Without magic…she couldn’t even imagine surviving without it. Not for the first time she felt a flare of anger at the price Mirabelle Hubble had paid – and Julie Hubble still paid – to reignite a founding stone.

Seeing Hecate’s distress, Pippa pulled her chair even with the bed and eased herself against Hecate until her head rested against Pippa’s shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, Hiccup.”

“You’re here and safe. I’m here and safe, if not sound. Yet. It’s more than okay, Pipsqueak.” She wrinkled her nose. “I think you might need a shower spell, Pip.”

“You aren’t exactly fresh yourself, my love.” She giggled. “We’ll ask Julie about that. I’m afraid to use a shower spell on you. I don’t want it to hurt you.”

“How long is she staying? Is Mildred here?”

“I’m glad you asked about that, Hiccup. We’ve been talking - Ada, Julie and I - and we’d like for you to go to Julie’s for a few days, at least until you get your strength back.”

Hecate opened her mouth to protest, but Pippa raised a hand to cut her off. “Julie is willing to take care of your injury; in fact, she’s quite adamant about it, really. She says she doesn’t want to risk Mildred’s magic mum to anybody else. I rather think she’s actually quite fond of you, even if she won’t admit it.” Here Hecate had to smile. That troublesome, ordinary woman might be a nutter, but she was bit by bit pulling Hecate into her family. “You won’t be there alone. I’ll go with you, and Ada plans to come help out while Julie’s at work, as does Miss Bat. I’m sure Mildred will adore having you around.”

“You aren’t playing fair, Pip.”

“Not in the least. Besides,” Pippa ran her fingertips down Hecate’s arm, tracing slow patterns into her skin. “It’s really the most practical way. It’s easier to have you there and us transfer back and forth than to try and bring Julie and Mildred to the castle every day. Will you do it, Hiccup? For me?”

Hecate sighed; her eyes were getting heavy, and she felt sleep pulling at her. “It’s a good plan. And anything is better than in the infirmary.”

“Thank you, darling. I’ll put together some things for you.” She waited for Hecate to answer, but she was already asleep.

  Pippa transferred into Hecate’s private rooms, taking a moment to take it all in without Hiccup’s wary presence, always afraid she was being judged and coming up short. How different it felt from when she’d first been here after the Spelling Bee. Then, the room had been impersonal, almost stark in spite of its comfortable furniture. Oh, the dark, somber furniture was still here, but now it was balanced by Pippa’s efforts to bring color into Hecate’s life. Every bright memory that Pippa had captured during their childhood now hung, large and framed, on the wall. A nubby throw in emerald green was draped across the arm of a chair. Moving to the bedroom, Pippa grinned when she spotted her cross-stitched piece through the open bathroom door. She’d made it by hand, and it was well worth every painful needle stab in her fingers. She could feel herself in Hecate’s rooms now – a real presence in Hecate’s every day life. As it should be, should always have been.

Pippa shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand: Hiccup needed clothes and toiletries packed for her stay with the Hubbles. She vanished the faded flowers she’d sent to Hecate last week, making a mental note to send a smaller arrangement to Julie’s. She summoned Hecate’s toothbrush and other toiletries from the bathroom, wrapping them in a soft towel and placing them on the bed. Next, she rummaged through Hecate’s cupboard until she found her travel bag. Floating it to the bed Pippa searched through Hecate’s wardrobe to find anything loose and comfortable. Unsurprisingly, the selection was slim. Finally, in the way back, Pippa found a pair of drawstring lounge pants and a couple of loose blouses. They joined the bag on the bed. Maybe she’d have more luck in the dresser. She pulled one drawer open, pleased to find neatly folded nightwear. She pulled out a couple of night dresses and a pair of purple pajamas, adding them to the stack of items on the bed. She considered Hecate’s robe, but the stiff fabric and leather looked far too uncomfortable. Who wears a leather robe, anyway? She scanned the items on the bed, checking to see what she’d forgotten.

“Knickers, Pip!” She slapped herself on the forehead. “We surely wouldn’t want to be there when Hiccup finds out she’s got no knickers.” She turned back to the dresser and opened the next drawer. Two for two, she thought, smiling at the tidy rows of functional black underwear. “Well, Hiccup, you’re nothing if not consistent.” She counted out a week’s worth of sets and was just closing the drawer when a flash of color caught her eye – something pink. Without thinking, she swept a stack of camisoles to the side. Pippa’s breath caught in her throat. The pink didn’t belong to any lingerie. It was a letter. It was a whole stack of letters in pink envelopes, tied together with a black ribbon. And they were addressed to her.

With trembling fingers Pippa pulled the stack out of the drawer. There were so many – maybe a couple dozen. She flipped through them with her thumb. They’d obviously been written over a long span of time. The envelopes were all different shades of pink. The ink on the ones at the top of the stack was new and clear, the ones on the bottom were clearly older, envelopes and ink faded with time. Every single one was addressed to Pippa Pentangle. The only differences were the addresses. Pippa’s heart stuttered as she realized that Hecate had always, always known where to find her.

Pippa stumbled to the chair in front of Hecate’s vanity, plopping down gracelessly. She pulled the bottom letter free. Pip’s address was still Amulet’s Academy. She held it reverently. Tear-stained, with frayed edges and greasy smudges, it had clearly been handled many times over the years. Suddenly, Pippa knew: this was what she’d waited thirty years for – the reason Hecate had forsaken her. Pippa didn’t care that it was wrong. She didn’t care that Hecate would surely consider it an invasion of privacy. Her entire life had been upended, almost disastrously so, without explanation. And she was holding that explanation in her hands – she knew it. It’s addressed to me, she thought, knowing full well that it was no justification for what she was about to do.

She almost bottled out when she flipped the envelope over and saw the imprint of a kiss in red lipstick, sealing the envelope closed. She scrubbed the tears out of her eyes and ripped open the flap before she lost her nerve.

June 17, 1985

Dearest Pipsqueak,

I’m sorry, Pip, sorrier than you can ever know. And I know it’s not enough. I could fill a library with the words ‘I’m sorry’ and it still wouldn’t be enough, just like I was never enough. I know you’ve always insisted that I was, and maybe, when all we had to deal with were cruel classmates I might have believed you. But that’s a luxury I can no longer afford – and I can’t allow you to pay the price for me.

I never told anyone how I’ve felt about you these last few years. I could hardly tell you or even admit it to myself. But I love you, Pippa and I always will. That’s why I had to leave. I don’t know how, but somehow Father found out. He never said anything directly, but when I was home last… Oh, Pip, you wouldn’t believe the things he said about witches or wizards who love someone of the same sex. I know he’s never been kind, but the hate and the viciousness of what he said still stuns me. I still can’t understand it; he knew he was talking about me, and he said those things anyway. I’ve never felt like less than I did then. I could have lived with that, though, Pip. After all, what’s one more disappointment added to my ledger? But he started talking about what he would do to anyone who tried to ‘pervert his daughter,’ as he called it. I’ve never been more terrified. He would have hurt you, Pip, ruined you and your family. He would have killed every dream you ever had. I couldn’t let that happen. You deserve so much more than any life you might ever have with me. I’m so sorry.

I hope that someday you can remember our time at Amulet’s fondly. If not, please forget about me. I only want for you to be happy and to know that I love you.

Then, now, and always,

Hiccup 

 Pippa’s lungs hurt. Her throat hurt. Even her cheeks hurt, raw from the tears that tracked across them for who knew how long. Pippa didn’t like to believe she was the kind of person who could hate, but she hated Hecate’s father. Sweet Hecate, who had only tried to please but had always fallen short in his eyes. Pippa was no fool. She knew that Hiccup’s life had been…hard and lonely. She’d done everything she could to make up for that, and just when it looked like they might finally be free to live their own lives, he’d ripped that chance away. Worse, she thought, he’d forced Hecate to do it herself.

“Pippa?”

Startled out of her wits, Pippa clutched the letter to her chest and looked up to find Ada’s blue eyes gazing down at her, concern etched across her features. “It was taking so long, I thought you might need…” She spotted the stack of pink envelopes. “Oh, dear. I don’t think you were meant to find those.”

Hot anger shot through her. “Are you saying I don’t have the right to know?” Pippa pushed to her feet and brushed past Ada, summoning the rest of the letters to her hands. “I know you know what happened to us. I deserve to know why. After all this time…I deserve to know…” The next thing she knew she was sobbing again, clinging to Ada while the older witch smoothed her hair and whispered comforting nonsense words. Eventually, her breathing settled, and Ada guided her over until she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t know everything. You know that Hecate is very…private. I only know that she ended your friendship and that she never recovered from it. I’ve surmised, over the years, that her father had something to do with it.”

“He had everything to do with it, Ada.” She stared at the rest of the letters, turning them over in her hands. “What do I do now? I need to know what happened. I – I need to know her.”

“You do know her, dear, better than any of us, I’d say. You know the Hecate underneath all of those layers of self-preservation.” She reached out and pulled the letter from Pippa’s hands. “I understand why you had to read this. I do.”

“But I need to tell Hiccup,” she said, sadly, “and hope she isn’t too angry.”

“You do.” She pulled her bag of lemon drops out of her pocket and held it out. “You’ll feel better,” she said, rattling the bag. She waited until Pippa took one. “Why don’t you let me finish up here, dear. Go talk to her. She will be angry, but, I think knowing that you forgive her will go a long way towards smoothing things over. Assuming you do forgive her?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Ada. Nothing from her, anyway. I’ll never forgive her father.”

“That makes two of us, dear. That makes two of us.”

  Pippa walked to the infirmary, trying to calm down and give herself time to think. The looks on Dimity’s and Julie’s faces told her that she must still look a fright, but she didn’t care. She walked past them without a second look, fingers gripped tightly around the stack of letters. She pulled the curtain around Hecate’s bed, activating the silencing spell, then lowered herself into the chair and waited.

She couldn’t help reaching out and tangling their fingers together. It was enough to make Hecate stir.

“Hic-cup? You’re crying. What’s wrong?” Her eyes searched Pippa’s face, widening in horror when they fell upon the stack of envelopes clutched to her chest. “What are those?” Her breath started coming in gulps. “Where did you get those?”

“I’m sorry, Hiccup, I know you’re upset…”

“YOU HAD NO RIGHT!” She tried to sit up, but the pain forced her back. “Those were private, Pippa.” She tried to pull her hand away, but Pippa gripped it fiercely.

“I know, I know, I know, Hiccup.” Hecate reached for the letters, and Pippa let her have them. “I’ve only read the first one and I know I didn’t have the right, but don’t you see, darling - I had the need. All these years and I never really knew why. I’ve lived for the last thirty years with a…great, gaping, bleeding…Hecate Hardbroom sized hole in me and I never knew why. I couldn’t bear to live without knowing another minute more. I hope you can understand that and not be angry.”

Hecate finally pulled her hand from Pippa’s, using it to cover her eyes, and her tears, while she tried to regain any sort of composure. She sobbed when she felt Pippa’s hand slide tentatively onto her stomach. “I don’t…I couldn’t…I always wanted to tell you, Pipsqueak. “I just…you were safer if I was gone.” She turned to look at Pippa, shifting her hand to grip Pippa’s. I always knew I…weighed you down, like a stone around your neck and…and I thought that maybe I could live with that. But, I couldn’t take the chance that he’d…I couldn’t take that chance with you, no matter how much it hurt.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I know it’s not something you can forgive.”

“You’re right, Hecate.” She reached up and brushed the tear away. “I can never forgive what your father did to us. It’s like he stole our lives from us, Hiccup. But there is nothing you need ask forgiveness for. You were trying to protect me – it was no different than what you did in the firefight. You tried to keep me safe at great personal cost.” Hecate was crying freely now, and Pippa summoned a handkerchief to dry her eyes. “And. You. Have. Never. Been. A. Stone. Around. My. Neck. An anchor when I needed one, perhaps, but always a welcome one.”

“I’ve never deserved you, Pip, but I’m so thankful I’ve had you in my life.”

“Nonsense, Hecate. It doesn’t work that way. It’s not about deserving or not deserving. I love you and you love me, and that’s all there is to it.” She snorted. “At least that’s all there should be to it.”

Hecate’s lips twitched into a rueful grin. “We don’t do things the easy way, do we, Pipsqueak?”

“That makes it all the sweeter, darling.”

The curtain flapped a bit before slowly sliding open. Ada peeked in, looking back and forth between the two of them. “Is everything okay in here?” She looked pointedly at Pippa who nodded. “The transport is ready. As soon as you’re ready, Hecate, we can move you to Ms. Hubble’s flat.” She reached down and squeezed Hecate’s shoulder. “I’m afraid it’s going to be more than a little uncomfortable, but I fear it can’t be helped.” She backed out of the space, closing the curtain behind her.

Pippa sighed. “Are you okay, Hiccup? About the letter?”

Hecate wouldn’t look at her. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“I’m glad I know, as painful as it was to read.” She traced a finger up Hecate’s arm until it was resting against the stack of envelopes Hecate still held against her chest. “I’d very much like to read the rest of them, Hiccup…if you trust me to do so.”

Hecate clutched them a little tighter, panic coloring her eyes. “They – they aren’t pretty. I told you about things that…I’m…well, I’m not proud of them.”

“I’ve done things I’m not proud of, either, Hecate. I’d still like to know the you that I missed out on, if you’d let me. I’ll read them right here if that’s what-“

“No! I don’t want to know when…” She closed her eyes and handed the stack to Pippa, feeling the familiar weight of dread settling in her chest.

“Thank you for trusting me with these. With you.” She leaned forward and brushed a stray strand of hair from Hecate’s forehead before placing a quick kiss in its place. “Don’t be afraid, Hiccup. There’s nothing in these that could make me love you one bit less.” She stepped away, calling to the transport witches that they were ready.

Hecate’s lips pressed together in a tight line. “I hope that’s true, Pip,” she whispered as Pippa disappeared behind the curtain.

 Thursday

The dark didn’t seem as dark as it had been. Hecate guessed that meant it was morning. Her body still ached. At least it was quiet. She chanced opening her eyes. Definitely daytime. Hecate looked around, squinting. She still wasn’t used to the jarring colors of Mildred’s bedroom. Every item seemed to be a different color. Slowly, Hecate turned her head, hoping to find a glass of water on the bedside table. Instead, she found a small vase filled with fluffy pink peonies. And Mildred Hubble. “Mildred?”

Mildred looked up from her sketchbook, smiling nervously. “Miss Hardbroom?” She set her sketchbook on the floor and leaned closer. “I’m glad you’re awake. I’ve been worried about you.” She started to touch Hecate’s arm, but snatched her hand back, twisting the edge of her hoodie instead.

“Witches are hard to kill, Mildred. Especially when they’re as cantankerous as I.”

“C-cantankerous?”

“Grouchy,” Hecate supplied, winking. Her body ached from being in bed so long. She gritted her teeth and tried to push herself into a seated position. “Help me get…” She couldn’t finish, but Mildred had already jumped to her feet, carefully pulling Hecate forward, letting her lean against her. Once she was up, Mildred stacked up the pillows so she could lean against them. Hecate leaned back, exhaling a slow steam of air as she waited for the pain in her side to pass. “Thank you, Mildred. Are you the only one here?”

She nodded. “Mum’s at work, and Miss Pentangle and Miss Cackle were called to meet with the Great Wizard. I don’t think you were supposed to wake up.  I’m to mirror Miss Pentangle right away if you need me to.” She fiddled with the tip of her plait, frowning. Suddenly, she brightened. “Do you want some water?” She snatched up a cup with a straw sticking out of it from the nightstand, sloshing some over the side. Hecate reached for it, but her hand was shaking so badly she clenched her fingers into a fist and pulled it back to her lap. “It’s okay, HB, I can hold it. I promise I won’t spill anymore.”  She leaned over and held it out.

Irritated at being so needy, Hecate almost refused, but her thirst won out. She leaned forward and sucked at the straw until the glass was almost empty. “Thank you.” She flopped back against the pillows, slipping down into an uncomfortable slump. She reached out again, hand a bit steadier, and brushed her fingers against the petals of the peonies. “I suppose these are from Miss Pentangle as well?” She asked, mainly to make conversation. She knew damn well who those pink flowers were from, and the warmth of that filled her chest.

Mildred nodded so hard Hecate thought her head would bobble right off. “She left a note with them as well!” She pulled a folded piece of paper out of the arrangement and held it out for Hecate to take. “She said I could read it if you needed me to.” Hecate told her to go ahead then, so Mildred unfolded it and cleared her throat.

 My darling Hiccup,

I wanted you to have something lovely to see when you woke. Plus, you’ve been in the same pajamas four days now, so some sweet-smelling flowers can’t hurt.

Xoxoxox Pipsqueak

 Mildred made a weird strangling noise and forced her face into a neutral expression.

“You may as well laugh, Mildred,” she said, chuckling softly herself. She took a good whiff of herself. “I don’t think those are quite enough flowers.” She held out a hand trying to feel her power. At first, she couldn’t feel anything, but after a moment she felt the familiar hum of her magic in her blood. It was weak, though, thready where it should be strong. She didn’t have enough for the shower spell. But…she looked at Mildred. Maybe she didn’t need any power for that. It’s not like I’m in any position to be vain or prideful, she thought with no small amount of bitterness. “You know how to do a shower spell, don’t you, Mildred?” The girl nodded. “Good. See if you can cast one, but instead of focusing on yourself, think about pushing it towards me. Can you try that?”

Mildred nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating. She murmured the words of the spell and pushed it towards HB.

Hecate felt the spell hit her like a gust of wind. Too late, she remembered that her injury responded to magic. She braced herself for the fresh burst of pain, pleasantly surprised to find that it never came. Instead, she felt scrubbed clean and much, much better.

“Did it work?” Mildred asked, shyly.

“Very well, Mildred Hubble. Very well, indeed.” She arched an eyebrow at the girl. “You’ve been holding out on me. That was…was it only a shower spell?

Mildred nodded. “I think so. I mean…I hoped it didn’t hurt you, like before with the mediwitches.  I wanted it to make you feel better, but all I said were the words to the shower spell.”

Hecate thought about that. Before, when the wound had seemed to feed on the magic, the healers had been actively trying to heal the injury. This time, Mildred’s magic didn’t have anything to do with the injury and, instead of making her feel worse, she seemed to feel much better. She held up a hand and studied it. While it certainly wasn’t steady, she had no doubt she’d be able to drink out of a cup – easily. Even her magic felt steadier. She would definitely need to talk to Pippa and Ada about this strange new development.

“Did I do something wrong, HB?”

“Not at all. In fact, you may have just helped me figure out how to treat this bloo– this troublesome injury.”

Mildred giggled. “You can say ‘bloody,’ HB. I am thirteen now.”

“Right you are.” She pushed herself back up the mattress, pleased that it didn’t really hurt. In fact, her main complaint at the moment was the desperate need to get out of bed. It wouldn’t hurt to go to the bathroom, either, she thought. One good sneeze and she’d need another shower spell. “I think, Mildred, that I’ve had all of lying in bed that I can take. Since you are thirteen, I wondered if you might be interested in watching the next Harry Potter movie? I believe we’re up to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?”

“Really? You want to watch it with me? Just me?” She started bouncing on her toes.

Hecate couldn’t keep herself from rolling her eyes. “I am talking to you, Mildred Hubble.” She eased herself upright and gingerly lowered one leg to the floor. A slight wave of dizziness hit, and she reached a hand out to grab Mildred’s shoulder.

“Are you sure you should be doing this, HB? I don’t think Mum or Miss Pentangle would like you getting out of bed.”

“That’s why we have to do it before they get back.” She squeezed her eyes shut and breathed in a great lungful of air, willing the dizziness to pass. “Just let me lean on you a little. Please.”

Mildred grabbed her hand and draped Hecate’s arm across her shoulders. “You can lean on me a lot. If you fall, Miss Pentangle will skin us both.”

“Too right.” She put her other foot on the floor and pushed herself up, leaning more heavily on Mildred than she thought she would. Briefly, she thought about asking Mildred to perform another shower spell on her but decided not to press her luck. The room stopped spinning in only a few seconds, and she nodded for Mildred to lead them to the door. “Not too fast.” Mildred led them slowly to the bathroom first, leaving Hecate clutching the counter with a promise that she would be just outside the door. Hecate didn’t care, she just had to go. Once she’d finished taking care of personal matters – and brushing her teeth, because…well, four days…who needed magic to repel an attack when she had her breath? She looked at herself in the mirror. “You look like death itself,” she muttered to her reflection. Of course, the hospital gown top didn’t help. Neither did the wild mess of hair. She reached up to try and smooth it when a sharp pain, like an ice pick jabbing into her shoulder, took her breath away. She’d forgotten about dislocating her shoulder. That must be why she still had the hospital gown on for a top – there was no way she could pull a shirt over her head right now. Sighing, she called Mildred in and asked her if Pippa had brought more than one set of clothes for her, Mildred nodded and hurried off to get a new pair of pajama bottoms and another hospital gown. Pippa could help her with her hair later, she thought, enjoying the flutter in her stomach that accompanied the thought.

Finally, Hecate felt as clean as she could hope to without taking an actual shower. Mildred resumed her place under Hecate’s arm, and they tottered off to the sofa. Hecate was much more exhausted than she expected to be and sank gratefully into the cushions. Mildred pulled the footrest out and pushed the DVD into the player. While it loaded, she popped a bag of microwave popcorn, refilled Hecate’s cup of water and got an orange juice for herself. Lastly, she pulled a fuzzy blanket across them both, settling in just as the opening scene began.

An hour later Pippa and Julie were whispering together and taking pictures of the sight before them: Hecate Hardbroom sound asleep on the sofa while Mildred Hubble slept, snuggled up beside her with her head in her lap and Hecate’s arm curled protectively around her.

“I don’t want to wake them up,” Pippa whispered. She glanced at the clock. “It’s still an hour yet until Ada arrives with Dimity. Let’s leave them be for a bit.”

“You’ve got news from the meeting with the Mr. Big Hat, then?” When Pippa nodded, Julie turned and scanned the tiny living room. “Tidy enough, I suppose. You might need to magic up a few chairs.” Pippa nodded again. “I’ll magic us up some food, then. How many people?”

Pippa counted in her head. “Eight all together.”

“One of everything from the Chinese take-out place, then. I’ll put the order in now, delivery in about two hours?” Again, Pippa nodded.

Thinking about the stack of pink envelopes tucked into her travel bag, Pippa excused herself to Mildred’s bedroom. She tucked herself into the bed, pulling a pillow into her lap, hoping it would smell like Hecate. It did – but not in a good way. With a sigh, she climbed back out of the bed and waved a hand, sending the current linens to the laundry hamper and replacing them with… Pippa cocked her head, trying to make out what – or who – was printed on Mildred’s spare sheets. A skinny sheep? Carrying a…skateboard? She shook her head and climbed back in. Sometimes, she truly did not understand non-magical people.

Pippa summoned the stack of letters, again, pulling the bottom one free. Chronological order seemed best, she decided. She noticed this one felt different, off-balance. She ran her fingers over it and realized that it had something inside besides the letter. She slipped her finger under the flap, smiling again at the bright red lip print. A ring fell into her lap when she pulled out the folded piece of paper. She clapped one hand over her mouth and fished the ring out of the sheets with the other. Reverently, she held it up to the light. A pale, rose-gold band in a matte finish, the ring had a continuous series of constellations etched into its surface, revealing the sparkling finish beneath. She held it at different angles to the light, watching the constellations sparkle like the real thing. She noticed an inscription on the inside and summoned her reading glasses. Pipsqueak and Hiccup, it said on one half, Someday on the other. “Someday was a long time coming, wasn’t it darling?

 August 8, 1985

My dearest Pipsqueak,

I leave for Weirdsister tomorrow, and I can’t stop thinking about you and all the plans you had for us. I don’t know that I ever told you that your plans were the stuff of my wildest dreams. They were. More than I ever should have dared to dream, it seems, now. Those plans are why I bought you this ring. I had it done for your graduation present before…well, you know, before I ruined everything. It was meant to be a promise. To you, to myself maybe, that someday we’d be able to do all the things we’d talked about. I know we don’t have a someday anymore, and I know that it’s my fault. I wanted you to have it anyway, if not as a promise for the future, perhaps as a reminder of a happier past. I love you, Pip.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 Pippa stared at the ring in her hand, reading the inscription and the letter again. “We’ve got our someday back,” she said. She knew that and wanted Hecate to know it as well. She smiled as an idea formed in her head. Telling is never as good as showing, she thought. She slipped the band onto her left-hand ring finger. It was still a promise… and now, perhaps, a placeholder for another sort of ring that might, maybe, someday grace her hand.

She heard a commotion from the living room and hurriedly tucked the letters away.  In the living room she greeted Ada and Dimity. The flying teacher was currently trying to navigate across the crowded room on a pair of aluminum crutches. Mildred and Hecate were both awake now, Mildred quickly pushing things out of Dimity’s path until she could flop down on the sofa next to Hecate.

“You’re looking better than last time I saw you, HB.” Dimity gave her knee a gentle thump. “I’m glad. That was some bad business.” She thumped Hecate’s knee again. “Do you know what kind of magic that was? Have you ever heard of something that wouldn’t let you heal?”

Hecate thought back to her days under Mistress Broomhead and the scars trailing down her shoulder. She glanced at Mildred, who was listening intently for her answer. “I’ve…seen it…before. I fear I’ve never been able to work out any counter spells.” She wondered if her father had known how to cast those spells. In her heart she knew that he probably did. “I’m glad you’re recovering.”

“Same here, HB. Cackle’s just isn’t the same without you lurking about. I’m ready for you to come home. I want things to go back to normal.” Hecate looked at her with sad brown eyes. “I know. Wishful thinking.”

At that moment, Miss Bat and Mr. Rowan-Webb materialized in the kitchen, crowding the tiny flat even more. Pippa summoned two more chairs and squeezed them in front of the tv. Mildred pressed against the patio door, unsure of what to do or where to go. Hecate held a hand out to her, drawing her over and tucking her in between Dimity and herself. It was crowded, but Dimity didn’t seem to mind and Mildred looked pleased.

Ada stepped into the circle and cleared her throat. Julie slipped into a seat at the table and started flipping through the pages of Witching Weekly while she waited to hear anything she didn’t already know. Pippa pulled the last chair next to Hecate’s side of the sofa, reaching over the arm and taking Hecate’s hand in hers. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Hecate’s cheeks color and she could feel her stiffen, but Hecate made no move to pull her hand away. Rather, she gripped it even tighter.

“As you know, Miss Pentangle, Miss Drill and I met with the Great Wizard today. I wish I could say the meeting was productive, but I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.” She conjured up a chair and sat down heavily.

“Did you really think you’d get any help from that great git?” Algernon groused. “He’s not sticking his nose in if it doesn’t benefit him.”

“I can’t see how Agatha being set free benefits any of us, Algie,” Miss Bat said, resting a hand on his arm.

“Indeed not, Miss Bat,” Ada agreed. “I’m afraid that he didn’t have any more information than what we’d already gleaned.”

Dimity snorted at that. “He had a bloody bit less, I’d say. He didn’t know a thing that we didn’t tell him.”

“That appears to be true,” Ada agreed, “and we don’t know much ourselves. He is looking for the real Wilbur Birdsong in the hope that he’ll know who potioned him. He’s not had any luck so far.”

“And he won’t have it, love.” Julie held up the paper and moved to show it to Ada. “I don’t know why you people even bother to have a daily. None of you lot seem to read it.” She pointed to an article.

Ada read it over the top of her glasses. “Oh, dear.” She looked around the room. “It seems Mr. Birdsong, the real Mr. Birdsong, was found dead over the weekend. Under suspicious circumstances, it seems. Apparently, he’d been dead for quite some time. That’s why it took so long to work out who it was.”

“You mean he was murdered, Ada?” Hecate looked at Pippa, then at Julie. “Why isn’t that a front-page story? Murder just doesn’t happen in the witching world. The Code forbids it.”

Julie snorted. “Ordinary world laws forbid it too, but it still happens, doesn’t it? Besides, you lot are always dueling and spelling each other. Don’t people get killed?”

“Rarely,” Hecate answered. “Even in a duel it would be almost unheard of – and still accidental. You lose your powers, not your life,” her lips twisted into a rueful smile, “though some would argue it’s much the same thing.”

Ada sighed and slapped her thigh with the paper. “Hecate’s right. Wizards and witches…it’s just not done. It makes me wonder what sort of people are in Agatha’s coven.”

“Aren’t there records of coven members?” Julie asked. “A registry somewhere?”

“I’m afraid not, dear.” Ada pushed herself back to her feet. “I’ll admit this makes me more…receptive…to the Great Wizard’s plan to send security wizards to Cackle’s – and here.”

“Here? In my flat?”

“If we agree. I’ve agreed to allow them at Cackle’s. Only the Great Wizard, and the people in this room, know that Hecate is here, but, Mildred of course…”

“Me?” Mildred straightened suddenly, jarring both Hecate and Dimity. “Why would anyone care about me?”

“You’ve kept Agatha from getting what she wants. You’ve defeated her magic, twice. You stopped Miss Mould from setting her free.” Ada smiled sadly. “I would think that some of her supporters might be quite interested in you, dear.”

Hecate felt Mildred lean into her. Before she could second-guess herself, she wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulders.

“Oy!” Julie’s outburst caused everyone to jump. “That Mould woman. She’s not in Agatha’s coven now, is she? But she was.” She looked around at the blank faces. “Would it kill you to watch a mystery on the telly now and then? Bloody witches. She turned her back on Agatha and saved that bloody stone and all you frozen witches, right?” No response. “She knows who the other coven members are. Why don’t we ask her?”

“What makes you think she’d tell us?” Hecate scoffed at the idea.

“She gave up her magic to save Mildred, Hiccup.” Pippa answered, barely louder than a whisper. “Perhaps she would try to save Mildred again.” She shrugged. “It can’t hurt to ask.”

They were interrupted by the doorbell. “That’s dinner,” Julie said. “Millie, why don’t you get out some plates and forks for everyone.”

Ada summoned a credit card and handed it to Julie as she passed. “Certainly this counts as school business, I should think.”

Not about to argue, Julie snagged the card from Ada’s fingers and pulled the door open just as the doorbell rang for the second time. “Keep your knickers on.” The delivery boy handed her bag after bag of food, until the tiny kitchen table was overflowing. Julie tried to hand him the credit card, but he was staring past her into the living room. Turning to look, it didn’t take long for Julie to realize why he was staring.

Hecate, of course, was still wearing the hospital gown, Pippa was wearing a set of Julie’s scrubs – a particularly garish hot pink set with tiny Teletubbies printed on it that she only wore when she had to cover someone’s shift in pediatrics. Gwen and Algie were both in full robes. Only Ada looked vaguely normal. Clearly, she was going to have to make a rule: you come to the flat, you dress like an ordinary person. “We’re having a bit of a fancy dress party,” she told the delivery boy. “It’s not much, but it’s good for a lark.” He took one more look around while she signed the receipt, shrugged his shoulders and left. “All right. Food, then plotting.”

 An hour later, most of the food was gone, Gwen and Algie had transferred back to Cackles, and Pippa and Hecate had a plan to visit Miss Mould as soon as Hecate felt up to it. They had decided, for the time being, that they didn’t need a wizard guarding Hecate and Mildred so long as there was always another adult witch, or wizard, in the apartment.

“I’m so full,” Mildred moaned, draping herself across the kitchen table.

“I don’t think you’re meant to have a serving of all twelve dishes,” her mother chided. “Go get your shower; it’s past your bedtime.”

“Mum! It’s summer and I’m thirteen!”

“And we’ve four people staying in this flat right now, so showers have to be scheduled. Go,” she swatted at Mildred’s backside with a cup towel. “And don’t use all the hot water.” Grumbling, Mildred turned to leave.

“Wait!” Pippa held up a bag from the restaurant. “Look what I just found, stuck behind the toaster – fortune cookies!”

“Wonderful!” Ada clapped her hands. “I never feel Chinese take-out is complete if there aren’t fortune cookies.” She held out a hand as Pippa made the rounds, handing each one a cookie.

“Don’t forget the rules!” Pippa said, giggling.

“Absolutely, can’t have fortune cookies without following the rules.”

Hecate looked around, confused. Everyone but Mildred had a mischievous look on their faces. Mildred looked just as puzzled as Hecate felt. “I don’t know these rules. It’s a bland little cookie with a trite message and some lottery numbers stuffed inside. I don’t even usually eat them.”

Julie rolled her eyes. “I swear, Hecate. Were you ever a silly teenager?”

“Not really.”

Julie caught the wistful tone. “Well, love, better late than never, right? So…” she opened her fortune cookie and pulled out the strip of paper. “Everybody takes a turn; they read their fortune out loud and add the words ‘in bed’ at the end of it. It usually winds up being a bit naughty and hilarious.”

“I don’t get it,” Mildred said.

“Good. You don’t need to get it until you’re at least thirty. Now, take your cookie and go shower. Shoo!” Julie waved her towards the bathroom. “The grownups are going to have a bit of fun now.”

With a theatrical sigh, Mildred left the room.

“You know she’s eavesdropping,” Hecate said.

“Of course she is,” Julie answered with a chuckle. “Wouldn’t you be? I’ll go first.” She unfolded her paper and read, in her most dramatic voice: “If you feel you are right, stand firmly by your convictions – in bed.”

“I still don’t get it,” Hecate said in the midst of a chorus of disappointments.

“Well, that wasn’t a very good one.” Julie crumpled her fortune up and threw it at Hecate.

“My turn then,” Dimity announced. “Now is the time to try something new – in bed.” That got a round of laughter. “There you go, Hardbroom. It’s supposed to go like that.”

“I don’t see why you’re so pleased with it,” Hecate smirked. “With your leg I can’t imagine what you could be trying.” That earned her some approving ‘oohs.’

“Maybe you need to work on your imagination,” Dimity countered, egging on her round of ‘oohs.’ “You next, Pentangle.”

“Very well,” Pippa summoned her reading glasses and opened up her cookie. She threw her head back and laughed before she ever even read it. It took a moment before she could continue. “Everyone agrees. You are the best – in bed.” That earned Pippa a whoop-whoop from Dimity.

“It does not!” Julie snatched the paper from Pippa’s hand. “I don’t believe it – that’s what it says.” She shook her head in mock exasperation. “Your turn, Ada.”

“All right.” Ada unwrapped her cookie with great care, building up the tension as everyone waited. At last, she pulled the paper free. “Before trying to please others, think of what makes you happy – in bed.”

“Here, here!” Julie said. “Words to live by.”

Ada sighed. “These days what makes me happy is actually getting to sleep.” She popped half the cookie in her mouth. “Your turn,” she pointed to Hecate, chewing.

Hecate opened the cookie, her still-shaking hands giving her a little bit of trouble. As soon as she read her fortune, she could feel the blush start creeping up her neck and face.

“I think we’ve got a winner there,” Julie announced, rather unhelpfully. “Go on then.”

She refused to look up, eyes focused on her fortune. “Old friends will spark new adventures – in bed.” After a second of stunned silence the rest of the room broke into applause. Hecate tried to throw the fortune away, but Pippa snatched it out of her hands.

“Oh, no, you don’t, Hiccup. I’m keeping this one.” She smiled and winked, and suddenly Hecate felt like it might be okay.

After a few more minutes of banter, Ada and Dimity left for Cackle’s. In the subsequent quiet, Hecate realized how tired she was. She tried to stifle a yawn, but it wound up making her whole body shake instead.

“It’s been a long day, Hiccup. What do you say I try to do something with that hair of yours, and let’s get you to bed.” She stood up and very deliberately held out her left hand to pull Hecate out of the chair. For a moment she wasn’t sure Hecate recognized the ring, but then she froze, staring at Pippa’s hand, finally looking up, eyes bright with tears. “It’s finally someday, Hiccup.” She pulled Hecate to her feet, surprised when Hecate kept going, wrapping her good arm around Pippa and burying her face in her shoulder. “It’s all right, darling. We’re going to be all right this time.”

 Friday

Pippa woke up feeling better than she had in a long while. Hecate was whole; she was feeling better thanks to Mildred’s magic – an interesting side effect that they would have to explore. And last night had almost felt like old times. She’d brushed out Hecate’s hair, carefully untangling the long locks and braiding it out of the way. Hecate had relaxed under her touch enough that she’d accepted Pippa’s offer of a backrub when she finally crawled under the covers.

It was early. Julie had an early shift, so she got up and put the coffee on. Enjoying the quiet, Pippa summoned the letters and pulled the next one from the bottom.

 December 23, 1987

Dearest Pipsqueak,

I know how gossip travels at Weirdsister, and so I wanted to tell you myself that I won’t be returning next term. Perhaps you’ve already heard, maybe you’ve even heard why. I’ve been lonely here without your friendship, Pip. I know it’s my own fault we aren’t here together, but I’m lonely just the same. I guess I tried to ease that loneliness by finding company with others. I’m sorry, I need to quit trying to hide my behavior in euphemisms. I’ve tried to escape my loneliness by sleeping with whoever was willing to have me. It turns out it’s easy to find a willing partner if you don’t care who it is.

Of course, it got back to Father. He showed up at my dorm room one afternoon and told me it had been brought to his attention that his daughter was a whore. Those were his words, Pip. As much as they hurt, I’m not sure I can argue the point. He’s pulling me out of school and sending me to be tutored privately by a Mistress Broomhead at the Witches’ Training College.

I suppose it’s no less than I deserve for ‘sullying the Hardbroom name’ as he put it. The irony of it all is that those random encounters may have helped me forget the loneliness for a few moments, but I always ended up feeling emptier than before. Always wishing it had been you. Now I’ll be even farther away from you.

Maybe it’s for the best, leaving Weirdsister. Maybe a fresh start is what I need. I’ve certainly made a mess of this one. Something has to change. Every day I feel emptier than the day before and I’m afraid that soon there won’t be anything left of me. Somehow, leaving makes me feel like I’ll miss you even more, though I don’t see how that’s possible. Please be well, and don’t think badly of me when you hear people talk. My behavior had nothing to do with how much I love you.

Then, now, and always,

Hiccup

  Pippa stared at the letter on the kitchen table, oblivious to the tears in her eyes or the fact that Julie was watching her from behind her coffee cup. Her fingers itched to burst that letter into flames. She’d never heard a word about Hecate being…promiscuous. She would have called anyone who’d suggested such a thing a liar and probably challenged them to a section seven. She slammed her hand on the table and pushed the letter away. It could have been her, damn it. It should have been her.

“Are you sure that reading those letters is a good idea, love?” Julie asked gently.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Pippa choked back a sob. “They’re all heartbreaking, Julie. Life has used her so badly – and I knew that. But…I didn’t expect to read something that made me feel like I never even knew her, or that could make me think differently about her.”

Julie sat down beside Pippa. “Like what? A Goth phase? She’s still in that. Or do you mean something more serious? Drugs? Alcohol? Sex with a lot of strangers?” Pippa’s pained expression told her she’d hit the nail on the head with that last one. “We’ve all gone through times that make it hard to recognize ourselves. That’s part of growing up. Why would Hecate be any different?” She placed a hand on Pippa’s. “Are you sure you aren’t putting her up on some sort of pedestal that will only fall?”

“I just didn’t think she’d ever…be with someone besides me,” she blushed. “I wasn’t.”

“In thirty years? Ever? Blimey!” Pippa colored, but Julie ignored it. “Look, she’s the same person she was before you read that letter. That’s one of the old letters, yeah? So when are we talking about?”

“College.”

“When she was at her lowest, right? Don’t judge her for what she needed to do to survive, Pippa. It isn’t fair to either one of you.”

“But-“

“No buts.” Julie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “Tell me, Pippa, how low is your opinion of me?”

“Wh-what? I don’t think badly of you at all!” She put a hand on Julie’s arm. “Why would you even…You’ve been a true friend to me and to Hecate – especially Hecate. You’re one of the best people I know.”

“Even though I’ve got an illegitimate daughter by a man I couldn’t even find once I’d sussed out I was pregnant?” Pippa chewed her lip, thinking of her own dark time and how she coped. “We’ve all got history. So what? The way I see it is this – do you want a future?”

Pippa thought for a moment, twisting the ring on her finger. Then she squared her shoulders and nodded decisively. “Yes. I do. Whatever happened in the past doesn’t matter. She does. Thank you, Julie.”

“That’s what friends are about. Now, I’m headed off to work. Don’t let Millie go off walking the neighbor’s dog. I don’t want her outside by herself while all this craziness is happening.”

Pippa watched her leave. It was almost eight o’clock. Hecate wouldn’t be up for a while yet. She looked at the stack of letters, warier of them now than she had been. She reminded herself that every tiny bit of pain she was feeling, Hiccup had no doubt felt ten times more. And she blamed every bit of that pain on Hecate’s father. She pulled out the next letter. It couldn’t be worse.

 March 22, 1989

Dearest Pipsqueak,

I hope this letter finds you well; I’m afraid I am not. I’m living in a hell of my own making, though it’s no less than I deserve. I’ve written you several times since Father placed me with Mistress Broomhead. I even worked up the courage to post one, a birthday card. When I didn’t hear back from you, I assumed that meant you had no interest in rekindling our friendship. I don’t blame you. I’m only writing now because I don’t know what else to do. I’m scared, Pippa. Of Mistress Broomhead. I never thought anyone could be as cruel with their words as Father is, but she is – more so even.  Plus, she matches his cruel words with cruel magic. Mistakes are punished, severely. We all bear the scars from it. Even now I have lesions across my back that magic cannot heal. It’s the pain that keeps me awake tonight, gives me the courage to write this letter.

There were five of us when I began, and now there are only three. The missing two just disappeared – there one day and gone the next with no word said. I’m terrified the same will happen to me, literally. I can already feel myself disappearing in a thousand smaller ways. I don’t know what will be left of me when this is over.

I just wanted someone to know what was happening here, in case I disappear altogether. I may deserve my place here, but I don’t think the other girls do. Please don’t think I mean for you to come and save me like you did so often when we were children. I’ve accepted my place here. I’m not even sure why I’m writing. I just wanted there to be a record, I guess. I’m not really sure of anything anymore – only that I still love you.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 Pippa’s tongue felt too thick and her throat too narrow. How had shy, gentle Hecate survived that? Acid burned in Pippa’s stomach as she remembered her response when she’d heard the news that Hecate Hardbroom had transferred out of Weirdsister to study with Broomhead, whose reputation for harshness was well-known. Serves her right, she’d thought at the time. If only she’d known.

Unable to wait a moment more, Pippa crept into Mildred’s bedroom. Hecate was awake, sitting up, though still disheveled. Crying, Pippa scrambled onto the bed beside her, wrapping her arms around Hecate’s neck and burying her face in her shoulder. “I’m so sorry…so sorry…so sorry…”

Confused, Hecate ignored the pain in her side and shoulder, tracing soothing circles on Pippa’s lower back with one hand, while carding the fingers of the other through her ponytail. “It’s okay, Pip. I’ve got you…whatever it is, it’ll be okay.”

“Y-you never…you never should have…have been with Broomhead,” she choked out between sobs. “I hate her, Hiccup…I hate her so much!” She broke down again, clinging desperately to Hecate.

Pippa’s outrage on her behalf caused a warm feeling to spread through Hecate’s chest – at least until she remembered that Pippa would know why she’d been sent to Broomhead in the first place.

“I hate your father for sending you there,” Pippa said into Hecate’s shoulder.

“You read the letter. You know why he did, Pip.” Those all-too-familiar feelings of worthlessness and shame boiled up inside her, and she tried to pull away. It only made Pippa cling more tightly.

“That’s no excuse, Hiccup! He knew what would happen to you there, and he sent you anyway.”

“But, I…”

Pippa leaned back so she could look Hecate in the eyes. “I don’t care how many witches, or wizards, or ordinaries you slept with to try and survive another day! I survived by keeping anyone else from getting close enough to hurt me and by drinking – everything I could get my hands on. Witches’ Brew, wine, I can’t even tolerate the smell of tequila anymore. I’ve never slept with anyone, Hiccup, did you know that? At least as far as I know, anyway, but I’ve got too many missing hours from too many blackout drunks to say for sure. So what does that make me?” Hecate was staring back at her with wide, tear-filled eyes and her hands clapped over her mouth. “So what if you tried to find some peace under other people? I tried to find mine at the bottom of countless bottles. Which of us do you think was lonelier, I wonder?” She wiped the tears from her eyes and then Hecate’s. “Will you judge yourself harshly for what you did to survive, darling? If so you’ll have to judge me as well.”

“I won’t judge you, Pipsqueak,” she whispered.

“Then perhaps we can forgive ourselves for things we did nearly thirty years ago.” Hecate nodded, and Pippa hugged her again, running her hands along Hecate’s spine. After a moment she raised her head and tapped Hecate’s shoulder. “May I?”

It took Hecate a moment to work out what she meant, but eventually she closed her eyes and nodded.

Pippa scooted around behind her, careful not to jostle her side. She undid the ties on the hospital gown and lowered the shoulders, feeling Hecate’s shiver as she did. The cross-hatch of scars ran from the top edge of her right shoulder, across her scapula and over to her spine, stopping midway down her back. Faded to white, some of them looked like burns while others like welts. It had to be the same sort of dark magic that would leave a similar scar on Hecate’s side.

“They aren’t…attractive…” Hecate whispered, finding herself caring about how they looked for the first time in her life. “You don’t…” She trailed off when she felt Pippa begin to kiss each of the scars, leaving a warm, wet trail all the way down.

“You’re beautiful, Hiccup, every part of you, inside and outside. Even if you don’t think so, you are everything that is beautiful to me – because of, not in spite of – any of the scars.” She slipped her arms around Hecate’s waist from behind, avoiding the wound, and laid her head on her shoulder. Hecate threaded their fingers together and leaned back into the embrace, still marveling at the sight of the ring on Pippa’s finger.

Neither knew how long they stayed there, but they were still there some time later when Ada came in to see if Hecate wanted lunch in the room or out. She chose out, and Pippa crawled off the bed and pulled her to her feet, leaving their hands linked as they shuffled into the kitchen.

  After lunch Ada tried another shower spell. It worked, though not as well as Mildred’s had. Feeling better – and braver – Hecate suggested they try healing her shoulder, since that injury hadn’t been made with magic.

“Are you sure, darling?” Hecate nodded. “Very well.” Pippa wrinkled her nose. “How are your healing spells, Ada? I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous here.”

“Generally adequate, but I wonder…” She frowned, picturing the scars on Hecate’s shoulder as well as the new injury on her side. “You said the magic seems similar to what Miss Broomhead used?”

“They both created wounds you couldn’t heal with magic. When one of the girls tried, early on, it made it worse…and painful.” She closed her eyes, trying to block the memories of Lucretia Pinfeather screaming in agony while the rest of them stood by watching, helpless to do anything for her. “It seems to be similar.”

“I wonder then…” Ada tapped her finger against her chin, thinking. “If these are older spells, then perhaps they won’t react as badly to more modern magic?”

Pippa took a step back, the thought of hurting Hecate, even inadvertently, unacceptable. “I can’t. I don’t want to hurt you, Hiccup.”

“You won’t, Pipsqueak.” Hecate took Pippa’s hand and placed it on her shoulder. “I know it’s a risk, but I’m willing to take it. Please, will you at least try?”

Pippa looked at Ada, who nodded, then at Hecate, who nodded again. Blowing out a gust of air, Pippa agreed. She took a slow, steadying breath and moved to Hecate’s side and slipped both hands under the hospital gown, one on each side of her shoulder. At any other time she would be delighted to have this much of Hiccups bare skin under her hands, but right now she was too nervous to even enjoy that properly. One more deep breath and she closed her eyes and began. “Shoulder twist and shoulder pop, take her pain and make it stop!” A warm surge of magic spread from her fingers into Hecate’s shoulder. She braced herself against Hecate’s cries of pain.

They didn’t come. Instead, Pippa heard a great sigh that sounded like relief. She opened her eyes to find Hecate smiling at her; Ada looked pleased as well. Hecate gingerly tested the arm, bringing it forward, backward, up to the side, and finally wrapping it around Pippa’s neck.

“I knew you could do it, Pipsqueak,” she whispered gratefully. She closed her eyes, feeling her own magic, checking her reserves. It was coming back. She could feel it moving steadily through her now, not nearly as strong as it should be, but growing. She squeezed Pippa a little tighter before letting go. “Thank you. Now,” she lifted up the side of the hospital gown, revealing the white bandage floating just above the low-slung waist of her lounge pants. “If one of you would be so kind as to magic the edges of the bandage so it’s waterproof, I’m going to go take a real shower and wash my hair.”

“My pleasure,” Ada said, tracing the edge of the bandage with her finger, releasing a tiny steam of magic to seal the edges. “That should do. I’ll have some tea ready when you get out.”

“Wonderful,” she said walking, still slowly, to the bedroom to gather a change of clothes.

“Let me know if you need help scrubbing any of your bits ‘n’ bobs!” Pippa called after her.

“Cheekiness is unbecoming in a witch, Pipsqueak.”

Ada and Pippa both laughed at that before Ada went about putting together tea. Pippa took a moment to check in on Mildred, who was busy sketching on the patio, before settling herself on the sofa to read another of Hecate’s letters.

 July 18, 1993

Dearest Pipsqueak,

As ever, I hope this letter finds you well. For once, I am also well. I wanted to tell you that I’ve accepted a position at Cackle’s Academy! It’s funny, isn’t it, that after all this time you’re still the first person I think of when I have news? Anyway, it’s a junior position teaching potions this year, with the expectation that I take over when the current instructor retires at the end of the spring term. I still don’t know why they chose me. My potions score on my competency exams was ninety-eight percent (thanks to all our time in the labs at Amulet’s, I’m sure), though I’m sure my last name may have played a role. I hate feeling like Father may have played any role in my placement. During the interview the Headmistress, Alma Cackle, said she knew my mother. If I didn’t get the post on my own merits, I’d much rather it be because she had fond memories of mother than anything to do with him.

Do you think I’ll make a good teacher, Pip? Now that I have the job, the idea scares me. What if I turn out to be like Broomhead? Or Father? It was always you who kept me from being too severe. I pray I can do it myself, if not for the girls, for my own self-interest. No matter why Cackle’s hired me, it will be up to me to keep the job.

Maybe we’ll see each other at a teacher’s conference someday. I’d like that. Be well, Pippa. I love you.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 Pippa looked up at Ada, who was still busying herself with the tea. “Did you know that Hecate thinks you hired her because of her family name? Because of her father?”

Ada snorted as she floated the tea service onto the table. “In spite of her father, rather.” Ada sat down and waited for Pippa to join her at the table. “That misconception of hers has been corrected. At least I’ve done my best to do so.” She poured and passed Pippa a cup, helping herself to another chocolate biscuit as she did.

“Good. I wanted you to know how grateful I am that Hecate found you and Cackle’s. Most people don’t take the time to…understand…her. The home that Cackle’s has been for her…I can’t tell you how pleased I am to know that you’ve been there for her.”

“It has been my honor and privilege, Miss Pentangle.” Pippa smiled and turned to the next letter. Now that Hecate was at Cackle’s, the number of letters decreased dramatically. Pippa hoped they’d be happier as well.

 May 7, 1999

Dearest Pipsqueak,

Ada Cackle told me she loved me today, and now I know that I am well and truly lost. It should be so easy to love her back – she’s generous, she’s kind, she’s patient with my numerous faults. It should be so easy, but I can’t. I cannot love her, not in that way, when my heart has belonged to you since I was fifteen years old.

I thought about pretending, just to make her happy. It wouldn’t even be hard since I do care for Ada, very much. But part of me would feel like I was being disloyal to you, foolish as that may be. How long before Ada would feel that? Before my own resentment that she was not you crept in, rotting us from the inside? I could never do that to her.

She said she wanted me to know before her mother appointed her to be Deputy Head, so we would be equals – as if I could ever be Ada Cackle’s equal in anything. I don’t know what will happen now, and it scares me, Pip. I’ve come to think of Cackle’s as the closest thing I’ve had to a home since you, and it pains me to think of losing it as well. I’m trying to accept that, though. Someday, maybe loving someone won’t mean that I’m destined to lose them. Still, I cannot regret loving you, Pipsqueak.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 Pippa stared at Ada, eyes wide, hands clasped to her chest.

“Ah,” Ada said, slowly lowering her tea to the table. “I gather that letter is from…sometime around 1999?” Pippa checked the date and nodded. “I wondered if there might be a mention of my affections in one of those letters.”

“Ada! All this time you’ve let me…woo her right in front of you. I never would have been that callous if I had known. I’m so sorry, Ada. I don’t know how you can even stand to be in the same room…I never would have held her hand during the meeting last night if I’d known.”

“Then I, for one, am thankful that you didn’t.” Ada smiled at her with a look of patient indulgence. “It was a long time ago, Pippa. And while I certainly had feelings for her, I accepted many years ago they she didn’t have the same feelings for me.”

Pippa shook her head in dismay. “How did you do it? I was never able to manage…”

“Well, for starters, I’d been in love a time or two before Hecate came along, and I’ve been in love a time or two since. She was not my one true love, though I may have hoped she could be at the time.”

“But wasn’t it terribly painful, to see her every day?”

“It was, especially at first. I have to admit that my confession definitely took a toll on our friendship. She closed herself off to me. When she first came to Cackle’s, she would have these terrible nightmares. I heard her one night and I thought she’d forgotten to put a silencing spell around her rooms. But then I heard her a few more times and I knew she was leaving the spells off on purpose so I went in to check on her. That’s how we became friends. Close friends.” Pippa nodded. Hecate had suffered nightmares since they were girls. “After my confession, the silencing spells were never down again. She quit having tea with me in the afternoons. She became more formal – even by Hecate’s standards.”

“What did you do?”

“Well, I was about your age at the time so I was better equipped to handle rejection, better equipped to keep things on a professional level, if that’s what she needed. I was also just taking over as Deputy Head, and I had rather enough to keep busy.” She took another sip of tea. “It also helped that I had someone to talk to who knew exactly what Hecate was going through and could explain why being with me would only bring us both pain – someone who understood what it was like to lose the love of your life and not be able to move on.”

“I wish I knew someone like that,” Pippa mused. “I surely could have used the advice.”

“You do, dear.” Ada smiled as she took another biscuit. “We all think that no one else could ever understand our problems, but that’s almost never true. Think dear, who do you know that might know what it’s like to pine away for a lost love for decades?”

Pippa concentrated a moment before it came to her. Of course, she thought, rolling her eyes. “Gwen Bat. She waited for Algernon far longer than I had to wait for Hiccup, didn’t she?”

“Indeed. She helped me – and Hecate – immensely. It also didn’t hurt that I truly loved Hecate. Her happiness was the most important thing to me, even then. Gwen helped me see that being with me, ultimately, would not make her happy.”

“How did you deal with that?”

“Time. I never stopped loving her, but, in time, that love changed. It transformed itself into a friendship that makes up the very foundation of my life – and hers too, I think.” Pippa nodded in agreement. “She’s my dearest friend, my partner at Cackle’s, the daughter I never had and the sister I’ve always wanted. I would be the most foolish of witches if I were to discard those things in favor of a few sexual encounters.”

“You are a remarkable woman, Ada Cackle. Absolutely remarkable.”

“I know, but still it’s nice to hear,” Ada said, winking at her. “It doesn’t hurt that I’ve walked this earth for a few more seasons, either.” She chuckled to herself. “Speaking of a few more seasons, I’m going to offer you a bit of unsolicited advice, because that’s an old woman’s prerogative. Miss Bat was most helpful to me back then because she knew the road Hecate was traveling. Might I suggest that she might also prove helpful to another couple trying to reconcile after a long estrangement. She and Mr. Rowan-Webb have already navigated some of the road you find yourselves on now, pitfalls and all.”

“That’s good advice. I’ll definitely keep it mind.”

“Keep what in mind?” Hecate said from the doorway. The smile froze on her face as she looked at the letter on the table between Pippa and Ada. “Oh…”

“I was just explaining to Pippa why I am so very, very delighted that you two are finally setting yourselves to rights.” She poured Hecate a cup of tea. “Sit down, dear. You’ve nothing but friends here. I’ll step out and get Mildred.”

Pippa held out her hand to Hecate who took it with only a slight hesitation. She pulled her into the chair and leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “She truly is happy for us, darling. I’m so glad she’s been a part of your life.”

“I wasn’t sure you could…accept that.”

“She’s kept you happy, safe, and whole all these years where I could not. I’m eternally grateful to her for that.” She heard the patio door slide open and leaned back in her chair. “She also suggested we look to Gwen and Algie for advice about…reconnecting.”

Hecate frowned only a second before her expression morphed into a mask of horror. “You don’t mean…she doesn’t want us to ask them about…” She snapped her mouth closed as Mildred sat down in the empty chair.

It took Pippa all of a few seconds to work out what Hecate was thinking, and then she exploded in laughter – howling until her sides ached and tears streamed down her face. Every time she started to pull herself together she’d look at Hecate’s mortified expression and lose it all over again. Ada’s careful study of the salt shaker wasn’t helping. Finally, gasping for breath, she managed to speak. “Merlin’s beard, Hiccup, no…I can’t even imagine asking…I’d sooner die…or stay celibate and wear lime green every day.” She wiped her eyes with a napkin. “She meant figuring out how we still fit together after such a long separation.”

“Oh…”

Mildred looked at the three of them and decided she’d rather go back to sketching on the balcony. “Why are grownups always so weird?”

 Saturday

Once again, Pippa was the first one up. She stretched out on the sofa, magicked to be just long enough for Pippa to sleep on it at night. As always, her first thought was of Hiccup, sleeping in Mildred’s bed on the other side of the wall – the cause of her current state of happiness. She’d spent so many years where every waking thought of Hecate brought so much pain, she could hardly process the happiness she felt now whenever the dark witch bubbled up in her heart.

Enjoying the silence and the lazy feeling draped across her, Pippa summoned the stack of letters. There weren’t many left now. Hecate’s improved mental state at Cackle’s had lessened the need, she supposed. She traced her finger over the ever-present lipstick print on the back before breaking the seal.

July 5, 2005 

Dearest Pipsqueak,

Father died today. I write those words and I don’t feel anything for him; and yet, even at almost forty years old, I still feel like an orphan. I feel relieved and then I feel guilty for feeling relieved, but nothing for the man himself.

The last few months have been hard. I didn’t expect it to be so difficult to watch him decline. He always seemed so powerful, so strong. At the end he couldn’t even care for his most basic of needs. I never thought that I would have to care for him after he spent his life caring so little for me. While I was back at the manor – I can’t call it home now, that will always be Cackle’s – I found a box of my mother’s things. He told me that he had disposed of everything. A lie? A punishment? I don’t know, but what I would have given to have had these mementos as a girl.

I was sorry to hear that your father passed away last year, Pipsqueak. I sent flowers. I even went to the service – it was beautiful. How I wish that I could have held you in my arms and told you that you would be okay. I wanted to tell you that time really would make that pain bearable, like it did for me when Mother died, like I hope it will someday do for the loss of you. I wanted to do those things, but I was afraid I would be an unwelcome intrusion, so I left early.

I still remember your father’s kindness to me that summer I was allowed to come visit. It was one of the happiest times of my life. I still put flowers on his grave every summer solstice. Be well, Pipsqueak. You remain my one great love.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 Pippa looked up from the letter to see Hecate hesitating in the doorway. She pushed herself into a seated position and patted the sofa next to her. “The one where your father died,” she said, waving the letter. She waited for Hecate to settle in next to her before covering them both with the blanket and leaning against Hecate’s shoulder. “There’s just two left. Stay with me while I read them?” Hecate nodded and adjusted herself so she could wrap one arm around Pippa’s waist. Pippa turned the envelope over and traced the lipstick print. “You’ve been wearing the same shade of lipstick since you were fifteen years old, Hiccup. Didn’t you ever want to try a different one?”

“You said you liked that one.”

“So I did,” she turned so she could look Hecate in the eyes. “I still do.” She stretched up just enough to place a tiny kiss on Hecate’s lipstick-free mouth. “I like your lips this way, too,” she said as she settled back and opened the letter.

January 19, 2008 

Dearest Pipsqueak Headmistress,

Congratulations, Pip! Pentangles Academy! I always knew you would do it – I’m so very proud of you! I remember all those nights at Amulet’s when you would sneak into my room and we would dream about your academy – and now it’s real. I still wish things had been different and we’d been able to build your dream together. No matter now, though. I have my place at Cackle’s, and you’ve made your dream real all on your own.

I did go to the ceremony to mark the laying of your Founding Stone. How magical that day was! I meant to speak to you in person, but there were so many more important people vying for your attention, I didn’t want to be a bother. There was a point, though, where I thought you saw me. I tried to wave, but I must confess that I was too afraid, so much time has passed. I didn’t know if my presence would even be welcome, and I didn’t want to find out that it was not.

I turned forty last week. Two decades under the bridge like so much water and still I love you. Be well, Pipsqueak. I look forward to great things from Pentangle’s Academy.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

  “I did see you that day.” Pippa said, as she folded the letter and placed it back in its envelope. “I tried to get ‘round to you, but there were always people in the way. People who were much less important than you, darling.”

“I would have run, just like I did before. As long as we didn’t meet, I could still hold on to the fantasy that maybe you didn’t hate me. I knew that if I ever met you face to face again, I’d lose even that. It’s why I could never be brave enough to see you again, or send the letters.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Hiccup. Have you read these letters lately? The woman writing them has been brave time and time again. She’s risen above circumstances beyond her control that would have broken other witches.” Pippa opened the last envelope. “You’ve been braver than anyone I’ve ever known, Hecate Hardbroom.” She handed the letter to Hecate. “Will you read this one to me? Please?”

Hecate took the paper in her trembling hand, smoothing it onto her lap just so she could hold it steady. She squeezed Pip a little tighter and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. She didn’t need to be afraid anymore. She knew that. Pippa had read the worst of the letters, the worst of her, and she was still here, snuggled against her. Still choosing her after all this time. She breathed in a steadying breath and started to read.

 April 15, 2017

Dearest Pipsqueak,

Today I learned that you will be coming to Cackle’s for the annual Spelling Bee championships. As Deputy Headmistress, let me offer Pentangle’s Academy my heartiest congratulations on reaching the finals. Beyond that, as Hiccup, I hardly know what else to say. The thought of seeing you tomorrow makes me anxious – in both senses of the word. I’m so looking forward to seeing you after all these years my heart is fit to burst. Yet, I must admit that the very thought fills me with such dread. Thirty years is a long time, and I’m afraid of what I’ll see when I finally look into your eyes again. Anger? Hatred? Pain? Nothing? I confess it’s the last one that frightens me the most. I know that fondness or happiness is too much to ask for, but still, it doesn’t keep me from hoping.

I hope we can rekindle some remnant of the friendship we used to have. I don’t think I can live another thirty years with you out of reach. I swear I will do better this time, Pippa, to tell you how I feel, to be honest, to stay. I will be brave this time, even if you can’t love me back the way I have always loved you. Be well, Pipsqueak, until I see you tomorrow.

Then, now and always,

Hiccup

 “That certainly was not how that turned out, was it?” Hecate handed the letter back to Pippa. “I was as much myself as I ever have been.”

“I don’t know, Hiccup,” she laced their fingers together, “here we are, just the same. I can’t complain with how things turned out.”

“Mornin’ loves,” Julie mumbled as she shuffled into the kitchen. “You lot are looking well this morning. That future must be looking a bit brighter.”

“Definitely,” Pippa said. “I guess I’d better budge up before Mildred comes in.”

“Suit yourself,” Julie said, starting the coffee maker, “but just so we’re clear: I have no problem with Mildred seeing you two be affectionate or knowing that you are in a relationship. Hecate is a part of her family now, which means you will be part of her family as well, Pip.”

“That would be brilliant, Julie,” Pippa threaded her arm through Hecate’s. “Don’t you think so, Hiccup?” She turned to find Hecate beet red, but smiling.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Julie waved her coffee mug in Hecate’s direction. “If all your snogging on my sofa prompts any more questions about the birds and the bees from Millie? It’s magic mum’s turn to deal with that. Now,” she held out her hand to Pippa, “newspaper please?” With a wave of Pippa’s fingers, the daily edition of The Guardian appeared in Julie’s hand. “I’m going out on the balcony to enjoy my coffee and the daily rag. Snog away, girls.”

Hecate rolled her eyes as Pippa bounced around, looking at her expectantly. “Maybe just a cuddle until we can be sure we won’t have an adolescent audience? I’m not up to giving Mildred Hubble ‘the talk’ this morning.

Saturday proved to be the lazy day that they didn’t know they needed. They ate leftover Chinese take-out, watched two more Harry Potter movies and Pippa taught Mildred how to play chess. Hecate and Julie even managed a short walk so Hecate could get out of the house. That evening, Ada came by to report that Miss Mould was willing to speak with Hecate and Pippa, as soon as Hecate felt well enough to make the trip. Also, Algernon and Dimity had taken to researching the library for any archaic spells that might be used to release Agatha from the picture.

 Sunday

Hecate woke as the sun streamed through Mildred’s bedroom window. She missed her dark room at the castle. She stretched slowly, taking stock of both her magic and her pain level. She was pleased to find that her magic almost felt back to normal and her side was only sore, like muscles that had been used too much. She’d ask Julie to check the bandage, maybe she could forgo that and actually wear something besides saggy sweats and t-shirts.

She rolled over and came face to face with a vase bursting with pink hydrangea blooms. Smiling, she reached out and ran her fingers through the blossoms. That’s when she noticed the black envelope leaning against the vase, practically buried under the flowers.

Hecate eased herself up until she was sitting cross-legged on the mattress, the envelope in her shaky hands. Her name was printed in Pippa’s uneven script in sparkly pink ink. She turned it over to find a sparkly pink lipstick kiss on the flap, just as she had done with hers.

 June 24, 2018

Dearest Hiccup,

The day you left me at the broomstick display was the second worst day of my life. The worst came much later, when I finally realized that it was my fault all along. I was fifteen years old when I realized I loved you. You were the one I valued above all others. I wasn’t worried about sex or marriage or what anyone else might think. I just knew I wanted to spend my life with you. There was no vision or dream that I had for my future that didn’t have you at its center. But you didn’t know that. My love for you should have been etched as deeply into your soul as it was into my own, but it wasn’t and there is no one to blame for that but me.

I wish I’d realized that then. If I had, perhaps I wouldn’t have had to rebuild my future without you. Perhaps we both wouldn’t have lived the last thirty-odd years fighting this hungry emptiness inside us where the other should have been.

That emptiness is gone now. You’re here with me where you always should have been and I am so, so thankful for that. I’m thankful that those faceless witches from college helped you ease your pain – if only a little. I’m thankful that you found your home at Cackle’s with Ada and that she loved you – and loved you enough to set you free. And I’m so pleased that the memories of one perfect summer day can still bring you joy. Most of all, I’m thankful that our journeys, painful as they may have been, brought us back around to each other.

So here we are, Hiccup, standing together on a blank page, waiting for the rest of our story to be written. My love for you is stronger than it has ever been and I believe with all my heart, that this time we will get our happily-ever-after.

Then, now and always,

Pipsqueak

#hicsqueak #Hecate hardbroom #pippa pentangle #Julie Hubble might be ready for some witches to go home #hecate's summer playlist #ada is still trying to get our girls together

[jaz-rites]

Trash Prince Ch 4 - Journey Begins (Part 1/?)

We didn't get a post yesterday, unfortunately, but today we get a long post! Today, the Journey Begins. I hope you enjoy.

Here's a link to the previous part

Here's a link to the beginning

-----

(Note: Prior to this scene, Matilda has spent the day with Elder Mirabelle learning first-aid, then she takes some time to meditate and have her own moment with the spirit of the Land. Andrius & Riley pack for their travels & discuss their plans with Elder Melissa. Mel has advised all the party members to stay as private as possible about where they're from, especially Andrius. Andrius admits that won't be particularly hard because he doesn't remember a whole lot about his life aside from being in stasis, followed by his time as a compass.)

Riley and Matilda said their goodbyes for as long as they could, letting each relative in their coven know they were leaving for a while, collecting hugs and blessings. Andrius waited at the edge of camp, listening to the trees as he watched the black housefly with two white dots crawl along his finger, stopping occasionally to clean itself or taste the salt on his skin. The memory of tension rested in his arms, in his hands, of the tendency to strike this creature dead for getting too close. He sighed at the thought, and the fly took off on his breath to tour the space around his head, searching for another spot to land.

Three quiet voices accompanied by the rhythmic crunch of leaves and grass signaled Andrius to get to his feet and situate his pack on his back.

"Ready?" His question was met by Riley and Matilda's surprised deer impressions, Grim perched on Matt's pack with a red harness glittering under his feathers. Elder Melissa hugged them both one last time, kissing their foreheads, and then they turned to respond to the Prince.

"Ready," Riley said, affirmed by her sister's silent nod.

Andrius returned Matt's expression, then met their elder's serious gaze, covered partially by the deep red veil she wore in lieu of an eyepatch.

Melissa turned her full attention to the Prince. She made a motion for him to come closer, and he leaned down to meet her. She placed her hands on either side of his head, and kissed his crown, a silent blessing on her lips.

She lifted his face so he would meet her eyes, and just under a whisper, she breathed, "If they don't come back, pray that Deadly takes you somewhere I can't reach." Her words settled into his bones as she released him. Andrius remained bowed.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I'm in your debt." He rumbled. "Please have faith in our success."

Riley and Matilda pretended to not eavesdrop, sharing a glance.

Resigned, Melissa added, "I'll walk with you to the road, if you don't mind."

Andrius straightened, turning his attention to his travelling companions, and they set off to the [north-east].

*

The elder witch didn't want their last hugs to end, though she knew she should not keep the young travellers any longer. Her stalling was productive, however, as the sound of a man screaming, and bustling footfalls through the trees, were accompanied by a clanging bell and Elder Mirabelle's lilting shout, "Wait! Just one moment!" Still wearing her bonnet and muumuu, she was carrying two full travel bags, a bucket, and a shepherd's crook, as she chased after a tan goat, whose shrieking call was half "baa" and half "AAA!"

"Mira," Melissa greeted, smiling freely at the sight. "She brought more things?"

"Bernine!" Riley cooed, welcoming the goat with open arms, who hugged around her shoulder with her chin, then took to sniffing Riley's new eyepatch. Mirabelle finally caught up, and heaved the bags over Bernine's back, connecting them with sturdy padded leather straps.

"There you go!" The elder witch took a step back to admire her work, and transitioned seamlessly into hugging Riley. "Ohh, my girls! Look at you! Some of the sisters wanted at the last [minute] to send gifts for your journey, and Bernine just wouldn't let up when she found out you were leaving, so she's all packed to come along." She collected Matilda in the hug, squeezed them tight, and then let them go. Surprised, Grim hopped onto the crook, which Mira handed off to Matt, her smile bittersweet. Melissa took her sister's hand, gently leading her back to the road's edge.

"This is perfect. Tell everyone we said thanks." Riley beamed.

"Yeah, 'perfect'..." Matt didn't sound so enthusiastic.

"We will." Melissa promised. "Now go on, our love never ends, but the day doesn't last. We'll start looking for you in one [month]."

*

They followed the road north for a little while, Bernine along Riley's right side, her bell jangling with a steady rhythm, punctuated by the wooden bucket clanging against one of the travel bags on every other step. Occasionally, Grim would caw percussively, and it would be echoed back by other crows from the treetops. Andrius walked on the other side of Bernine, and Matilda trailed a bit behind them to encourage continuous forward motion for their goat companion.

Feeling the situation heavily on her shoulders, the taller sister sighed deeply and stretched her arms above her head, then laced her fingers under her occiput, funneling some of her stress into the ground.

"What's up, sis?" Riley asked. The end of the crook thudding on the packed earth road added to the percussion of their steps.

"I mean, we have somewhere to be, right? We have our plan, and a limited amount of time. And yet," Matilda's next words were drawn out and dreadful. "Goat speed."

"I think Bernine is keeping a pretty good pace." Her sister noted.

"Bernine is doing great, for her. I? Could walk faster."

"Are you in a hurry?" Andrius spoke up, his tone even.

Matt's eyes snapped in his direction. "Is that a joke?"

He returned her gaze with a glance. "It's not."

She blinked, and remained quiet for a few beats. "I guess I should try to chill out. We've got a long way to go."

"I think it's time for a break, anyway," Matt noted as Bernine trotted ahead to get a whiff of some thorny bushes covered in dark purple berry clusters at the edge of the road, assessing them with her nimble lips for nibblage potential. Finding them suitable, she began chewing the entire gnarly shrub down to its woody stems. As she snacked, Riley unhooked the bucket from one of the travel bags, and started tapping overripe berries into it before Bernine could think to search the top of the bush.

"Anything in those bags good to go with blackberries?" she asked.

"I bet some of these gifts are snacks," Matilda noted, looking through one of the travel bags. "There's no way Ma Melanie would let us go on a road trip without snacks." Finding one of Melanie's characteristic flour fabric bags, Matt's heart swelled with excitement. "Yes! She sent biscuits!"

They took a short detour through the woods to the creek, Bernine munching along the way, and Riley creeping closeby, scanning for foragables. She had two-thirds of a bucket by the time they reached the creek-- [more than enough for lunch.]

*

The goat milk tasted like Bernine smelled, with notes of greens and rich soil. The flavor reached far back in Andrius's mind for a memory, like something from his distant youth, but no details came forward. What surfaced instead were a deep sadness, a sweet comfort, and a gratefulness.

From Oskar's perspective in the grass, the Prince had just been sitting with his eyes serenely closed, a cup of goat milk to his lips for [multiple minutes], and tears had started to drip down his face.

Finally, she decided to ask, "Hey, are you okay?" and her tiny voice brought him back to the present. His expression bloomed with surprise.

"Um!" tumbled forth from him as he realized the little spider was speaking to him. "I don't know." he admitted, setting the cup down next to him. His eyes scanned the grass for her tiny form, and he suddenly realized he didn't know where to look.

"You're not, like, dying though, right?" she clarified.

"Not right this moment, anyway."

"Huh... Okay, well... lemme get you something." A silvery thread shot out from the grass, and very slowly, a cloth square started to inch towards him as she dragged it along the ground by her silk strand. It only had a little dirt on one side by the time it got to him. Probably fine. Its trajectory gave him a slightly better idea of where she was, anyway.

"...Thanks," he uttered, shaking it out and using the mostly-clean side to dry his eyes. It was the thought that counted.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" the spider asked.

"I don't think I have words for it." Andrius answered.

Oskar stayed quiet for a moment. "Well, words or not, when Riley's eyes leak like that, Ma Mels always gives her a hug and she feels better. I don't think I could do it like Mels, but I could try. I got a lot of arms to hug with, anyway."

A chuckle bubbled up in him, deeply amused, though a flicker of anxiety came with the idea of a spider hug. "Sure, do you want to try?" He said, despite his reservations.

"Yeah, bring your hand over here!"

"Where are you?" he asked.

"On the [folk name for a plant]!"

The memory was not there. "I don't know what that looks like, sorry."

"You don't know [plant]?! Okay well it [looks like this]."

Per Oskar's description, the Prince located the plant in question very close-by, and finally saw her leggy form, two of which were reached up, wiggling to grab hold of something. Her multiple eyes glittered.

"Hey, you found me! Good job!" She hopped on when his hand drew close, and then she smushed flat against him. "Huuug!" she said emphatically, and though he couldn't really feel the difference on his skin aside from a little tickle, his heart softened. He brought her closer so he could see her features a bit better, an easy smile on his face.

"See, look, it worked! Hug powerrr!" Oskar popped back into a normal spider shape, which stirred up a little bit of the instinctual fear in him once more, though he couldn't really bring himself to be particularly afraid of her after such an endearing gesture.

Riley and Matilda approached, their cookware clean and packed away. Bernine was behind them a little ways, drinking deeply from a bucket of water.

"You guys having fun over here?" Grim asked from his perch on Matt's pack.

"Yeah!" the little spider replied, leaping from the Prince's hand and descending to the grass on a silk line. "We're crying about milk!" she announced, and Andrius's blush was stark against his paleness as he looked anywhere except at another person.

Riley's brain shorted out as her eyes dropped to his cup, still nestled in a patch of clover next to him. "Okay, well, feel your feelings, and we'll head out once you're done with that."

Andrius emptied it quickly before the phantom memories could return, then rinsed the cup and packed it away. They consulted their map, marking where they'd stopped for lunch, and planned a vague direction to follow from there. They walked until the Sun peeked under the treetops, their shadows starting to grow longer.

-----

Wow! That was a ride. We have a goat now! Amazing. Please come back tomorrow for more Trash Prince shenanigans.

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[jaz-rites]

Trash Prince Chapter 3 - Ensouled (Part 1)

Howdy y'all, welcome back to Trash Prince. We're starting chapter 3 today. The Prince finally gets a soul! Congrats to him, he better not take it for granted.

Have no idea what I'm talking about? Start from the beginning

Previous Part

-----

Riley felt Melissa's arms around her, and heard her voice in her ear. "[You can do it, Riley. Doubt is your enemy, something something morale boost!]"

The vivid colors of her surroundings drained into monochrome, the speck of light on the wolf-shaped void's head becoming infinitely brighter, until it was all she could see. The star shot out at her, searing a line of pain straight through her head, and sound gave way to an overwhelming ringing. Though it was muffled, she heard Melissa's quiet grunt behind her. Her elder's embrace slackened, and then evaporated.

"Melissa, no!" Matilda's voice rang out in Riley's mind, from the waking world.

Riley spun on her heel, echoing her sister, but her elder had already gone. Her hand gingerly covered her dripping eye, tears pouring forth as she struggled to process the pain. She turned back to face the spirit of Death, though she couldn't remain standing any longer and dropped to her knees. "What have you done?" she demanded, her voice hoarse.

"No, Bugaboo, what have you done?"

The spirit of the Land held the star in her hands, now a ball of wispy blue flame, and approached Andrius, who took half a step back, staring at Riley with a vague horror.

"Do not fail me." The Land's many voices whispered as she pressed the fire to the Prince's chest, and the horror on his face twisted into pain. His image flickered, and then disappeared, and with a feeling like she was being pulled through the ground by her ankle, Riley landed back in her body.

She sucked in air, and then released it as a throat-shredding wail. Her eye burned like a blown glass orb, all the way down the nerve, shadows enveloping the entire right side of her field of vision, and she curled onto her side, cradling her head. The ringing in her right ear had followed her to the waking world, as well, and seemed louder.

"Riley!" her sister sobbed. "What happened in the Otherworld? I think Mels is dead!"

Melissa stirred, groaning. Matt's attention snapped to her.

"Ma! Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, Bright Matilda." Her voice was weak. Keeping her eyes closed, the elder witch drew a sigil on her palm that flared to life with bright green light, which she pressed to the left side of her face until her breathing steadied. She did not try to sit up.

Riley could only cry, and her mind reeled faster than complete sentences. Her sister knelt next to her, reminded herself to breathe, and pressed her hand to Riley's head. Some of the pain melted away, and Matilda grit her teeth as she shared it.

"Gods alive, what did you do?"

"I'm so sorry, Matty." were the first words she could manage, her volume raised over the ringing. "I don't know what I just agreed to."

"'Agreed to'?" Matilda's tone was shrill. "Oh, Rye, no..."

"Heya, we got company! All your screaming and crying has attracted Mirabelle!" Grim rasped from the threshold, his claws clacking as he hopped along the scraggly branch.

Melissa managed to get to a sitting position, keeping her left eye closed, just as the tapestry peeked open on one side.

"Come in, sister," Mels called, and another elder witch entered the space, wearing only a linen shift and her grey wool cloak, her curly hair covered by a silken bonnet. She carried with her a bulky leather bag, her brows heavy with concern as her gaze was drawn to the sniffling ball of Riley, though Andrius's paleness immediately distracted her.

"Hey, so, I just heard, 'I think Mels is dead!' and figured I should get out of bed," Mirabelle's lilting voice spoke softly. She sniffed the air. "Did you go to the Otherworld?"

"Indeed." Mels answered.

"And... who is this?" She kept her eyes on the Prince, pointing with her chin.

"The reason we went to the Otherworld." her sister said flatly, looking away.

"Ma Mira, I think Riley really needs you right now." Matilda interjected, rising to her feet. "And then I think we're all owed an explanation or two," she added, stepping out of the way.

Mirabelle set her bag down next to Riley and opened it. "Let me see you, dear."

It was a struggle for Riley to take her hand away from the side of her head that hurt; the ringing had only subsided a tiny bit from Matt's sigil. Mirabelle's deep brown hand hovered over her, scanning her injury, and quickly recoiled, accompanied by a little gasp.

"Oh, my dear... I'll do what I can for your pain, but... that's all I can do. Can you see or hear on your right side at all?"

Riley took a shivering breath, and answered miserably, "No."

Melissa sighed. "They were taken as collateral. As long as... our guest... fulfills his promises, you should recover them."

"And why, pray tell, is any 'guest' of 'ours' making Deadly promises?" Mirabelle put on fresh gloves, and withdrew a square of paper from her medicine bag, painted with a complicated sigil in bright purple ink.

"He what who?" Matilda exclaimed, her eyes moonward before sinking her face into her hands for a muffled groan. "Riley, when you find things in the trash, sometimes there's a good reason they're there!"

"Shut up, Matt!" her sister wailed. "You were gonna marry him like five clicks ago."

"Beef later, sisters. Please." Ma Mira rubbed the paper between her palms until it glowed, draped it over Riley's head, and picked up two dropper bottles from her bag. Within a few seconds, the younger witch fell right to sleep as sensory overload diminished to a dull throb. Three drops from the amber bottle went in Riley's injured ear, followed by a clean piece of cotton fluff, and one drop from the green bottle went onto her eye, which had turned entirely purple.

"Gods alive... She's gonna need an eyepatch." Mira advised, wrapping the young witch's head with a long strip of white linen gauze.

"So will I, I imagine." Melissa mentioned.

"Why, did Deadly take collateral from you, too?" Her sister wished she was just teasing.

"Indeed."

-----

Well, that was a doozy! There's a lot going on here. I hope you're having fun reading along. Please come back tomorrow for Part 2 of Ch 3 - Ensouled.

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#jaz writes #ya fantasy #ya fiction #nanowrimo2021 #nanowrimo 2021