Disclaimer: Does not own WITCH
AN: Finally got round to writing this, as other stories won't come to me any more. Couldn't exactly remember the human name Orube used I think I got it right. This will be mainly Cedric/Orube but it may take some time to get there. It will also be Will/Caleb seeing it's a sequel to LIAHC, and Corny/Peter. Finally my OC Steven will be with someone by the end of things but who you'll have to guess who.
Love is a Hearts Child 2 – Memories Matter Most
Chapter 1 – A Unlikely Pair
In suburb part of Heatherfield, in a house that for quite awhile had been unused a man work in one of the bedrooms. Grabbing clothes and towel from a cupboard he quickly went to the bathroom for a shower. After ten minutes or so, the man came out of the bathroom. A clean bright white buttoned shirt, with short sleeves managed to look smart on him even when compared with the plain blue jeans that he wore. His long blonde hair was tied behind his head in a smooth ponytail still the slightest amount of water in it.
Walking back into his bedroom the man went to one of the bedside tables picking up the glasses he had forgotten out of the lack of need. Before going over to the cupboard again and getting thin blue sweater and pulling it over the shirt he wore. Once completely ready he walked back out of his room his eye speaking determination and worry if someone was to look close enough. Going up to one of the other doors that came off the landing, he knocked in a light rhythm. No reply came from the inside. Knocking harder he spoke as well. "Wake up, we have to leave soon and I do not want to be on the bad side of the guardians when they find out we were here." He said loudly.
From the other side of the door a loud groan followed by a man shouting that he would be as quick as he could and the first man was back to his room a bag being pulled out from under the bed and all of his belonging being placed inside it. Back in the other room, another man was doing something of the same. Instead of taking clothes from cupboards to be pack they were picked up off the floor. As he went the man chose clothes out of the mess and put them on as he continued to put stuff into a large black backpack.
Both men had little, both had ended up living in the house not out of choice but need or ease. The blonde had nowhere else to go that he was allowed to stay and needed to have somewhere until he found someone else. The other brown haired man younger then the blonde, had been asked to watch the first and for his own ease had decided to live in the same place, instead of going back to his own flat all the time.
It couldn't last though, someone with a greater right then them for living in the house would be moving back in later today. Seeing as both there staying and even being nearby was meant to be a secret both had to leave soon or be in trouble with those they did not want to be in trouble. The blonde moved out of his room and the other man was already there. "Got everything?" The blonde asked. "Yes it's a pity I like the oracle letting me stay here, I didn't have to pay for anything." The brown hair man said.
The blonde, quickly picked up his suitcase in one hand and a plain black sports bag in the other. It was going to be hard to find somewhere now, but first they had to go see the oracle. Throwing his back on his and picking a small black leather case, the other sighed. "I hate doing this." He said walking over to the blonde and with a wave of his empty hand they both disappeared.
-
In the basement of Ye Olde Bookshop. A now unused book store that had been turned into the base of The Guardian of Kandrakar. The 5 original Guardians stood waiting, Orube was meant to be coming today. She had said that even thought she had not seen Cedric since after the event at Elyon's house just knowing she was in the same realm as the man was enough to drive her mad. It had been a few weeks since The Guardians had defeated Phobos and The Collector in the basement at Elyon, and Orube couldn't take it any more. Going to the Oracle she had asked the the house she had used before had been readied for her so she could go live on earth again.
Taranee looked at her watch and then a the blue portal that hung on the wall. "She should be here by now" She said plainly looking at the her friends one by one. "Yeah but it's not like we have anything better to do, it nearly Christmas and all." Irma said sarcastically. For Will who was sitting in one of the chairs eating a cheese and jam sandwich it was quite scary. X-mas meant it was nearly the end of December. The end of December meant it had been two months since Halloween and meant she was two month pregnant.
Thinking about it sent a little shiver down here spine, she loved the idea of having a daughter. A slip up the Yan Lin had made by telling her, but she didn't mind. She just wasn't sure if she was ready to be a mother yet. At that moment when she started wishing she could go to Meridian and see Caleb who was putting some last affair over there in order so he could live on earth permanently. Orube appeared in front of them. Each of the girls rushed over to hug Orube. Once the hug broke Wee jumped up into her arms.
Orube ruffled the top of the little creatures head before looking round at each of the girls. "How are you all doing?" She asked and each of the guardians gave rushed talking about how think were going. They all knew why Orube was here and were glad to distract her. "Come on let get you home." Will said finally and the girls left to go to Ms Rudolph's house, where Orube had live in the past as Rebecca Rudolph.
-
Appearing in Kandrakar bag with them the two men did not looked very pleased to be in Kandrakar. The younger man put his empty hand to his head trying to forces away the dizziness that using magic caused him. The older just glared around, looking for the oracle as he took off and cleaned the glasses he didn't even need. "Your early. Good, by a change of plans she left early to which is lucky." A white clad man, both of the other knew to be Endarno the Wise. "Cedric, Steven. The Oracle will, be along shortly, if you please wait here." Endarno said walking away.
Cedric and Steven looked at each other putting there bags down. Cedric sat down on the edge of his case and started thinking. It had been what, 5 weeks since the incident with The Collector. Around 4 week since The Oracle had sent Cedric back to earth in secret asking Steven who at first said no agreeing to watch him. Neither Cedric or Steven really liked the other. Steven blamed Cedric a little for the fact he now had fact in his head the made him think he was going mad, a gift left behind with the last of The Collectors magic. While to Cedric, Steven was a weak minded human who complained over that fact he had magic which Cedric no longer did because The Oracle had taken it.
In truth both envied the other. Cedric wanted his magic back, while Steven wanted rid of his. But both knew agreeing with the oracle was best. Cedric knew the only way he would get his magic back was if the oracle returned it. And Steven knew, even if not sure how that only the oracle would be able to teach Steven the level of control over his magic to the point it was like he had none. "It is good to see you are both well." The Oracle said as he walked into the room. "What now Oracle, he isn't staying at my flat." Steven said meaning it. "Nor would I want to live in your pig sty you call a flat." Cedric said glaring up at him.
"You both complain too much, you could remain here if you wish Cedric." The Oracle offered causing Cedric to look at his feet again. Cedric did not want that, he did not like Kandrakar. Since having himself a copy based on Phobos memories in the breathe of time, link with the memories of the original him who had died while helping the guardians against Jonathan Ludmore. Cedric knew what he wanted. He wanted to live on earth. Free from Phobos now, or any of the people of Meridian who would want him dead. "No" Cedric said calmly but harshly.
"Good then you will do as I say?" The Oracle said to Cedric alone. "Yes" Cedric said annoyed that he could be forced so easily. He wanted his powers back, then the oracle wouldn't be able to force him. Cedric knew the notion was stupid, The Oracle could strip Cedric of his power. Magical resistance of that sort what not a skill he had, once he did have his magic back he would have to learn that.
"Now Steven, what will make you agree to continuing to monitor Cedric." The Oracle said turning to Steven now ignoring Cedric. Steven looked down at the small leather case he had brought with him, while speaking. "Somewhere else that isn't my apartment for Cedric to stay, that he get a job to help pay for stuff, and that you bloody well return at least some of his power listening to him complain all the time is damn right annoying." Steven said, he planned to refuse to keep a eye on Cedric if the oracle did not do as he asked. "I can not return his power yet, not until the guardians agree to that. The other thing will be arranged, is that alright." The Oracle said.
Steven looked towards Cedric who was continuing to sit in quiet contemplation. Thinking about things, if Cedric was working he wouldn't see him as much if he had his own place even less. He wouldn't have to here him complain and Cedric wouldn't have his powers still. Steven didn't know if he really wanted Cedric to have his power back if he was meant to keep a eye on him still. "Alright I'm going home until you have everything sorted then." Steven said picking up his case and bag and disappearing.
"I will go ask, Endarno to arrange things. Wait here you should be able to go back in a few hours." The Oracle said to Cedric before walking off. Cedric stood up from the case he had been sitting on and turn round to open it and pulling out a book. Closing the case and sitting on it again Cedric started reading to waste the time. Thinking about how after this he shouldn't have to move again, hopefully.
-
While Cedric waited in Kandrakar, the guardians go Orube settled back in to her home. It wasn't exactly as she remembered but what ever was different she couldn't quite figure out. The others had said they had done nothing to the place and she had no reason not to believe them. On the the other side of Heatherfield, Steven was doing something similar. Sorting his stuff back in to his flat, he hadn't been here for a few day and that had been a short visit hopefully he wouldn't have to travel far now the he insisted Cedric didn't live with him.
-
Time past and Cedric drew near the end of his book when Endarno returned. "Ah at last." Cedric said calmly but still glad. "It has been some trouble but we have arranged home and job for you. You will have a flat nearby Steven and be working in the local library." Endarno said, for a second Cedric looked worried, he had overheard before he had returned to earth the first time that one of the guardians worked in a library. "Do not worry, it is a different one. The Oracle gave me the permission to make people believe you have been living and working there for the last month, you will also know those you should that way is simplest for you." Endarno said reaching into a pocket of his robe. "Here is the key to the flat, and here is a transportation stone that will take you between there and here only." Endarno said dropping the small silver key and blue orb into one of Cedric's hands.
Not waiting to hear any more, Cedric moved the key to his pocket picked up his stuff and squeezed the stone in his hand as hard as he could. In a swell of blue light he vanished and then appeared inside what appeared like a living room. At first it felt strange like he had never been here before. Quickly thought Cedric felt a spell effect him changing his memories. He knew that he had been living with Steven in another house but also now felt like he knew this place just as well. Dropping the orb and suitcases to the floor, Cedric clutched his head in both hands. The extra memories in with all the other hurt for awhile. but eventually passed.
-
"Did any of you feel that?" Will said to Orube and the others, she was standing by the door about to leave as it was getting late. "Feel what Will?" Irma said. "Are you okay?" Hay Lin asked. "Should we get a doctor?" Cornelia said a little panicked thinking it might be related to Will pregnant state. "I'm fine Hay Lin, No Corny and It felt like something just changed like I either forgot or remember something." Will said answering each question but not in the right order. "Err no, nope didn't feel a thing." Irma said looking about. "Must be my imagination." Will gave in.
"Anyway, we should really be heading home, Hay Lin and I have work tomorrow." Taranee said to the other giving Orube a hug she joined Will at the door. Each of the other hug Orube and said goodbye for the night and they all headed outside getting into Cornelia's car. Cornelia drove them each home before driving herself over to Peters' to spend some time with him.
-
The next morning Cedric woke up instinctively, new memories overriding his old ones and morning habits of getting ready he didn't have being carried out. It was weird, for one man to have so many different group of memories spinning in his head was extremely unnerving. Either way, he ended up dressed like normal, wearing his unneeded glasses, a whole hour before work, he knew he needed to be ready for but had never really done before. The Library was so close he could leave ten minutes before he needed to be there, leaving him time to relax in the morning.
Suddenly there was a large knocking on his front door, and he got up to open it. Steven stormed in dress in black trouser and shirt ready for work himself Cedric assumed. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED IN KANDRAKAR I ONLY NOTICE THIS MORNING BUT MY MEMORY IS MESSED UP." Steven shouted. Cedric knew that the walls of the flat would not keep the sound from other but they would just hear raised voices not the words. "I believe that Endarno cast a blanket memory alteration spell on Heatherfield, which we are the only people to have both old and new memories." Cedric explained too calmly for Steven taste.
"Either way you do not have time to talk about it now, your going to be late for work at this rate." Cedric said to Steven, causing the younger man to glare at him before turning and storming out of the flat to go sit in front of a phone all day.