A/N: Hallo all! I got some inspiration earlier today and decided to finish this chapter :D that and I didn't have any homework. Hope you all enjoy! Allssso I don't own anything : (
Chapter eight: In which involves much chatter
They were huddled to the other side of the wall. They were wearing odd sorts of clothes that were slightly out of style and faded. Each had a hood that covered their entire face and were looking straight down at the floor. I was still out of breath when I elbowed Morgan and Charlotte in the sides and nodded over at the group while giving an uncertain look to each of them. There had to be at least six or seven or them. Part of the hood of the person nearest to me slid back on its own slightly. I was glued to the sight and my insides instantly turned cold as an ice blue-green eye stared at me. I felt my eyes widen and breathing fasten as I quickly directed my gaze towards the ground. The fact that I'd forgotten to grab shoes on the way out hardly struck my mind when the blue-green eyed person jumped up screaming
"Finally!" at a very loud level. The hood had swept back revealing black hair and a chiseled face perfectly sculpted. This had to be my uncle Howl I though.
"DAD!" Morgan shouted as he ran over and grabbed his father in a hug. Mean while the other members stirred uneasily as if under a curse.
"It's alright, it's them! They're finally here!" Howl said with excitement. The hoods flew back on all of them at once and I watched as the blur of two people attacked Charlotte with joy and love. As for me, I turned to face my Mum and smiled to myself as she enveloped me in a soft hug. Her long wavy hair smelled like spices, as always.
"I missed you." She murmured
"I missed you too." I said nearly crying. As she pressed into me I felt something hot onto my skin. It took me a moment to remember the teardrop of a fire. I scooped him out and he bobbed above everyone before landing and singeing some of the hairs on a certain raven haired man.
"Cal! You're here! I didn't see you there, how did you get here from Ingary, and... ---YEOW! Damnation Cal! Too close for comfort! Howl said ducking out of the way and stomping his feet.
"Quit being a baby, you can re-dye the burnt hair." Sophie said kissing Calcifer when someone cleared their throat.
"Lovely this reunion is, but might I remind you all of WHERE we are and WHAT we're doing?" Martha said raising her voice slightly. The reunion snapped immediately.
"Right! We need to board the bus when it comes and go to our secret destination." Howl said winking at Calcifer. Sophie sighed. As if on cue the bus pulled up and we all got on. As we passed the streets of Whales Charlotte, Lettie and Ben seemed to cling to their seats. Sophie and Howl and Martha and Michael seemed not to mind at all. I sat and talked with my Mum. I rambled on about the magic castle, only to be informed that she had been there a number of times. I was so happy to see here that I almost forgot some important things.
"Mum, why didn't you tell me about witches and wizards and Uncle Drew? Do you know what a Lubbock is? And where is dad?" I asked out of breath.
"Woah there! Slow down sweetie." She said smiling, but it faded away as she answered the questions.
"I didn't want to tell you right away because a lot of people in our family don't know, or disapprove of it, or turned bad... I wanted to keep you safe." She said looking at her hands.
"I do know about Lubbocks and how Uncle Drew is one. That is what I meant by turned bad or something. As for your father..." She trailed off tears fathering in here eyes. She swallowed and drew a deep breath.
"He disappeared. One day he just didn't come home from work. I looked everywhere, even at his work, of which I found a note... it's forged. It was written in print and he, always writes in cursive."
"Always writes in cursive." I said at the same time as my Mum while I thought of my fathers flowing loopy hand writing.
"Well did you consider that maybe he wrote it quickly; like on the go?" I asked. It felt like one of those detective novels I read when I was eight. She gave me an odd look and I could see the wheels turning in her head
"...No... I didn't... I mean... do you think he was kidnapped or taken on the spot or something?" She asked furrowing her brows and biting her lip. I looked out the window at a passing tree and noticed the person sitting in front of me shift in position and swore I could see a green-blue eye. I nervously acted on the spot.
"I must say you have a gorgeous castle Uncle Howl, Aunt Sophie." I said leaning over the seat.
"Why thank you Janie, dear. I'm sorry to sound rude but how old are you again?" He asked with a charming smile and Sophie with a more natural, pleasant smile.
"I'm sixteen."
"Really? But you're so small." Howl replied, and Sophie wacked him lightly on the arm.
"It's common for girls to be small." She said with a fiery look in her eyes and then turned to me.
"When is your birthday?"
"June 15th."
"Ooh that's right. I remember a very disturbing phone call at 7am after my class reunion. You were very loud." He said pointing a criticizing finger at my Mum.
"And you were probably hung-over." She said and then looked at Sophie with a twinkle in her eye.
"I swear I am cone sold stober." They said at the same time cracking up.
"NGAHH! THAT WAS ONCE! ONE TIME IN MY LIFE THAT I STUMBLE MY WORDS AND I NEVER LIVE IT DOWN!" Howl said throwing his hands in the air and shaking his head. The rest of the drive went just as pleasantly with everyone catching up. I was glad that I finally got the chance to meet the rest of my family. Martha and Michael were so adorable together and obviously in love. I hoped to find true love like her one day. Morgan kept popping up from where he was sitting with Charlotte to tell his dad spells or charms he had learned. The time on the bus was so nice and relaxed, the perfect weather combined with the reunion made a comfortable environment. I had hardly noticed that the sun was going down. I wasn't at all paying attention to the street signs like I had intended to. I started scoping out the nearest sign but in the dim light it was hard to read. Where in the world are we? P...P something... I squinted harder and just barely made out Pembroke. Oh my gosh! Pembroke?! That's miles away from Pwllheli!! I've never even been here before! Why are we in Pembroke? What has Uncle Howl got up his sleeve? I thought as I turned around and faced my Mum.
"Why are we in Pembroke?" I asked curiously. Her eyes widened and her cheeks grew red as she looked down at her hands.
A/N: Well, there it is in it's glory. I did some research on Whales and actual places they could go xP I found it amusing, although I kept wanting to call the different places states.. ah the American in me swells. Reviews? Rates? They would make me happy! If I get a satisfying amount I'll frolic around my house in the 78 weather that is expected for Sunday. :D
