Liddell wandered through the library, searching row after row of books for something that would pique her interest. The old room was utterly silent aside from the clicks of her heels on the hard stone floors. Classes were still in session, but whatever interest she had for the magic her classmates were learning completely vanished after her return from the Seven Kingdoms only a few weeks earlier. She still couldn't believe she'd managed to defeat the Eld Witch, let alone meet the Queen she had only heard of in the dusty old books she read. Liddell would have mistaken the ordeal for a bizarre dream if it weren't for the necklace she'd been given before she had to leave. She oftentimes found herself staring into the depths of the strange red gem that made up the only focal point in the jewelry. Even now she clutched at the strange jewel as she climbed to the second story of the library in search of something more interesting on the upper floors. She often wore the piece around her neck, rarely letting it leave her person. She felt if she left it alone it would disappear along with the world she so desperately wished she could return to.
The moment she'd woken up from her strange "dream" she'd run to Babayaga, demanding to know what had happened since she was the last person Liddell had seen from her land before and during the adventure. Despite Babayaga swearing that she didn't know anything (and that Liddell had gone completely crazy), the young witch had no doubt that the hag had much more to do with the mysterious "dream" than she was letting on. Liddell specifically reminded the old witch that she had helped her along the way, often trading objects the girl had hunted down in exchange for vital items she needed to continue her quest. Liddell's suspicions were only confirmed when Babayaga quickly tried to change the subject, before booting the girl out of her home entirely when she wouldn't stop pressing the topic.
Though Liddell knew that Babayaga had answers, the old woman wouldn't budge despite her incessant prying. Still, the old hag often implied that Liddell would get what she wanted eventually and that she simply could not give up hope. However, Liddell was never one to sit around and wait for things to happen, so she found herself skipping classes more and more often in hopes of finding any information on the elusive lands she wished to return to.
Well, Liddell pondered as she settled on a decrepit book about supernatural methods of travel, maybe it wasn't exactly the land itself that she was trying to get back to so badly. Though she truly did miss all the inhabitants of the kingdoms, there was one man who stood out in her heart above all the rest.
Loue. Just thinking of his name made the witch feel like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. The emotions she felt for the vampire assured her more than the stone dangling from her neck that she hadn't been dreaming. Liddell had admitted to herself much too late that she'd developed feelings for the vampire, and by the time she was ready to tell him how she truly felt, her time was up.
She scanned the book for a while, but didn't manage to find anything much different from what she had already tried since her return. Feeling her determination waning, Liddell knew it was time to talk to Babayaga. Even if the old witch was being tight lipped about whatever was going on, Liddell knew she was reasonable enough to not hide anything from her unnecessarily. The girl slid the tome back into its place on the shelf, and headed down the stairs.
The witch followed the familiar cobblestone path she'd taken an uncountable number of times. The pumpkin lanterns she'd befriended years before glowed a little brighter as she passed, exchanging their typical playful greetings and banter. Liddell stepped onto the creaking wooden bridge, old tombstones sinking into the bubbling green lake below her feet. After crossing to the other side, the young witch approached Babayaga's grinning treehouse. She knocked three times, then entered the small greeting room. Stacked skulls smiled, looming down at Liddell when she entered. The glow of pumpkins and candles casted an eerie radiance on the wooden walls. Liddell passed by the glass jars of curiosities Babayaga kept around, approaching the old witch who was as always floating behind the dimly glowing crystal ball that rested upon her countertop.
"Ah, Liddell, what a surprise," the old woman joked, her voice creaking and rusted with age.
"I couldn't find anything useful in the books I read today," Liddell complained, hoping her disappointment wasn't too obvious.
"You're a determined girl…" Babayaga pondered. "That's an admirable quality in young people. I'm sure with that you can do anything you set your mind to if you try."
"Even get you to tell me about the Seven Kingdoms?" Liddell challenged hopefully.
"Well, maybe not everything…" Babayaga concluded with a laugh. "But if you want to get back to this slumberland you're so fond of, I'm sure you'll find a way."
Liddell exhaled loudly with an annoyed hmph. "I told you it wasn't just a dream, ya old bag! You know it's as real as you and me!"
"Heh heh heh," the old witch mused. "You'll just have to prove it then," she replied, smiling as she effortlessly goaded the young witch on.
"Fine!" Liddell exclaimed with a smile. "I will prove it, you just watch me!"
"You're filled with so much energy!" the old witch wheezed. With a few more coughs, her eyeball was rolling onto the countertop. "Oh to be young again…"
"Ulcers acting up? That's usually my cue to leave. I'll see ya later, Babayaga!" Liddell called.
The old witch returned the eye to its socket and waved to the young girl, smiling as Liddell exited the room. Her broad smile quickly dropped into an unsettled frown as the door shut firmly behind the young witch. Still staring at the door, the hag sighed. She placed one hand below her chin, resting on the counter in front of her. She tapped on the wooden surface with her free hand impatiently, quietly muttering to herself under her breath. "What could be taking that darned vampire so long…?"
-xxx-
Hey everyone! I don't know how long this fic will be since this is more of a side project but I figured adding even a little bit of content focused on this ship is better than nothing since the fandom's hardly active anymore ;_; Look forward to Ch. 2, and please review if you like it!
