Etch. SO not my fault. Yes, I promised you mid-August. Well, not my fault I am brain-dead and uninspired.
Actually, I said you had to wait until then to expect updates; I didn't actually say that was when I would update. So I am guilt-free in this matter. Hah. PWN.
Chapter 7: Holly and Roses
"My, my! I can't really say this was unexpected," said Angela pleasantly.
Miranda looked at her incredulously. "You KNEW this would happen?"
Angela shrugged. "No. But it creates a wonderful sense of drama to say such things."
Miranda deadpanned. Angela was crazy, no doubt about it.
What had happened was, they had woken up early to leaver Teirm only to find that because of the Queen's arrival the next day, no one was allowed to enter or leave the city.
After arguing with the guards for close on an hour, they'd retreated back into the streets. Solembum appeared to be napping; Miranda knew better. He was probably thinking about how to use the situation to their advantage, or something. She poked him; the werecat didn't move. It appeared he actually was sleeping. Oh, well.
"So what happens now?"
"Well," began Angela, "I don't want to be arrested by causing a huge magical uproar in an attempt to escape that would be doomed to fail; we'll just have to wait until she leaves."
"A whole WEEK?" Miranda yelped, drawing stares from the people on the streets. Angela sighed and pulled her into a side alley.
"Look, if I'm right, and I usually am, you do not want to see your mother. BUT, if we make a huge deal about it and get ourselves arrested, it'll be huge news—gossip travels like wildfire in this city. Then, they'll find out who we are, and tell your mother about it, and then she'll definitely be able to find you!"
"Oh," said Miranda, feeling stupid. "But couldn't we pull something and be outta here before she's even here?"
"With your magic and mine, possibly. But I'd rather not risk it." Angela sighed. "So I suggest we go back to the shop and enjoy a lazy week: we have nothing to do."
"The way this'll turn out, it'll be one huge game of hide and go seek," grumbled Miranda. She pictured her and Riza stalking each other throughout Teirm, trying to see and not be seen. The scene made her giggle.
Shut up. You're ruining my nap, growled Solembum.
Ice Witch
Riza glanced around the city, not expecting her once-over to give way to any results. Miranda would be hiding, and that was that.
For all we know, she might not even be in the city anymore, yawned Justa.
"Pessimist," muttered Riza.
At what point did you realize that? asked the werecat. Was it when I suggested this whole trip would be a waste of time? Or was it when I decided Miranda might have been killed?
"Oh, I don't know," snapped Riza. It would be hard to search for her without causing a fuss. Her red hair would draw attention, and if she tried pulling rank on anyone they would start bowing and 'your majesty'ing and make it utterly impossible to get away quietly.
I think you aren't noticing something.
"Yeah? That being…?"
That being whatever house you plan on staying in, Miranda will have rigged a large bucket of mud to fall on your head.
"…Oh. Right. Well, in any case, she has no idea where I'm staying."
Of course she does. You're the QUEEN, Riza. You're staying with Lord Whats-his-face.
"Risthart, you mean. Oh, never mind. You are just annoyed that you might meet Solembum here," said Riza irritably.
Probably, agreed Justa.
Ice Witch
It was night. Solembum stood on top of Angela's shop, watching a young girl pass below on the street. The moon was covered by a cloud tonight, and no doubt the other werecat thought herself thoroughly concealed, and she was. To human eyes. Not Solembum's.
He lightly leaped down from the roof to stand on a crate in an alley.
Justa whirled around to look at him. In her human form she was a young girl with long, wild black hair that had a garland of pink roses woven through it. Her eyes, a bright gold like a cat's, were also slanted.
If we're going to chat, one of us needs to change forms, she suggested, amused. Solembum's outline grew blurry, and he changed into a young boy with shaggy black hair with a sprig of holly in it. His eyes were also bright gold.
Does Riza know you're out here? he asked.
Does Angela know you are? she returned.
Touché. Why are you here, Justa? he said sadly.
I didn't think you cared, she whispered in his mind.
You know it's dangerous here. You were never suited for the wild life, and you know it.
That's why I'm in a city, Solembum, Justa snapped, all tiny traces of caring gone. You know where Miranda is, I'm sure of it.
Yes.
In an instant she was behind him with a knife at his throat. Tell me where she is.
There was only sadness in Solembum's voice as her replied, You know I can't do that.
Justa faltered for an instant, but regained her composure. You're right, I do. And then Solembum was on the ground with Justa standing over him. But I might have to kill you if you don't.
I know, he answered. I just wish it hadn't come to this. Where did you go wrong, Justa?
Enough morality lectures! she cried, and Solembum obliged by leaping up with catlike grace, a knife of his own in hand.
If you want to fight, that's fine, he said coldly. the werecat's eyes softened. But I won't kill you.
Right, Justa sneered. You're with Maud now. You would kill me without hesitation.
I never regretted anything more than leaving, he said, and suddenly he was a cat again. When next we meet, you'll see.
Justa was a cat again, too. Maybe, maybe not. When we meet again it'll probably be in battle. You'll have to kill me.
Why are you so desperate to die, Justa? wondered Solembum.
When you've made mistakes like mine…you would be, too. If it comes down to this…if you care about me at all, when it gets to that point, please do it.
…I won't let it come to that, he promised.
As the two cats went on their separate ways, the moon came out from behind a cloud and shone briefly on the discarded holly and roses. They were intertwined. But then a gust of wind came off the sea and blew them apart.
…Okay, I have absolutely NO CLUE where that whole scene came from.
Yeah, look, if it gets this bad again (and there's a very strong chance it will) I might have to use the H word. I hope I won't have to. but if I keep waiting this long it might happen.
So, what do you people think? Will Miranda and Riza meet? Will Miranda and Angela get out of the city safely? What's secretly going on between the werecats? What mistakes has Justa made?
Find out whenever the hell I next update.
alsdssg: thank you. It gets even more interesting, just wait.
Divine Reaper:…my muse has left me.
Du Shur'tugalar Freohr: heh heh.
Kitcat: um, I'll try, even though I kind of hate cherries…
Mota Naruto: no. I will not make him more 'evilish'. I said from the start that he wasn't going to be an insane crazy power hungry dude, and if you don't like that, stop reading the story.
