Hey, all! Sorry this is a week late, but I had a bitch of a time getting it right, and didn't want to give you guys a half ass chapter instead of plucking along and getting it down as completely as possible.
So, next chapter is the interlude, where I'll be passing through ten or so years for the girls. If there's anything in particular you want me to address, hit me with a review or a PM, and I'll see what I can do! Reminder; they are going to be between the ages of six and eighteen in an AU of the early/mid 1880s, so keep that in mind ;)
There's no A/N at the end, I wanna leave you guys with the full effect and not dilute it any, so the usual parting words now! Critiques, concerns, and questions may be handed to moi, and flames will be doused in my basement, which is currently flooded ^w^ Also, I will try my damnedest to update next Wednesday, but I am going to be gone all Saturday and then working at my cousin's between Sunday and Wednesday, so it's gonna be close. I'll try my hardest to pound out the next one for you all though!
Masterkungfu2103-Yeah, she definitely did. She gets even more next chapter, so hold on ;)
21BrokenPromises-I'm assuming the 'they' you speak of are the weavers. The way I envisioned it, every weaver has the ability to perform any kind of weave, but they display proficiency in certain areas. Like Sikowitz is good with illusions; I wrote him similar to how he is in the show, with his ability to manipulate people and make them see things differently. Following that logic, I wrote Cat as insightful and intelligent instead of vapid and shallow, so her ability to see the future reflects her personality. Hope that clears your question up!
Azkadellio-Yeah, she is. She's still got a minor role to play, so you're gonna see her again really soon. Your questions will be answered in due time, young padawan! Thomas definitely is a dick, it's not fun to write him because I really kind of submerge myself in each character's personality so I can write them more accurately. Yes, Carlos did take Tori back to her house. Olaf is awesome, he just makes everything so comical!
ScottyBgood-Dude, I don't know if you're watching me over my shoulder as I write or if I'm just that predictable, but your foresightedness is slightly disturbing. Seriously, your guesses are so very close to what happens, it's scary. I tip my hat to you, and hope you enjoy this!
VictoriaJusticefan1216-I'm glad you're enjoying it! :{D
I Almost Do-Hah, don't worry about your English, I had a couple friends that were exchange students who spoke a little oddly for a while, but I understand you perfectly well. There will be an interlude next chapter, sort of snapshots, then a time skip. Gracias para el complemente, lo apreciado.
Silvershark94-Welcome! I'm glad you enjoy this so far! Thomas is a dick, that seems to be the general consensus, but only I know why he acts the way he does! Sikowitz is such a pacifist, I'm not sure if he would do that unless he saw firsthand or heard from Tori what was going on. No worries though, Thomas will get him comeuppance in due time!
Enjoy!
"You can't do anything without that other girl with you, you're just a crybaby." Tori curled her fist and lowered her face, nails carving into the skin of the apple. "Crybaby, crybaby! Whatcha gonna do, go cry to teacher and tell on me? You're a tattletale, too! Come on tattletale, go tell Mr. Sikowitz you're a crybaby." A malevolent expression curled her lip and twisted her features. "I'll tell her that you're a crybaby, too. She won't like you then, she'll be friends with me and no one will like you anymore.
"I bet she only stays with you 'cause she feels sorry for you. She probably tells her family all about the stupid crybaby gypsy that hangs off her and laughs about you! I bet her mommy laughed and called you stupid, too!" The apple fell from Tori's hand as she dashed forward with a cry, eyes feral and teeth bared as the wind kicked up dust behind her.
She launched herself at the blonde and they fell to the dirt in a flurry of cloth and swiping hands. Tori pulled at her hair and the breath left her lungs when an elbow landed in her diaphragm and she curled into a ball to protect herself. Tori rolled out of the way when a hard soled foot kicked at her and grabbed the hem of Alicia's dress, ripping it and pulling her back to the dirt.
She hovered over the blonde and her lip curled derisively, hair whipping around her head and dust kicking up. "Don't...you can't talk about Pru!" Tori pulled her fist back and felt the wind wrap around her protectively, brushing off Alicia's flailing hands effortlessly. She leaned low over the girl when she heard someone shouting her name behind her.
Sitting up, she looked over her shoulder to see Sikowitz jogging toward them, fear and anger lighting his eyes. "Victoria, get up this instant!" She was pushing off the ground when small palms pushed against her chest and upended her position.
Alicia leered down at her and her closed fist cracked across Tori's face, pain lancing across the left side of her face and blinding her for an instant. She felt the weight leave her body as she cradled her injured skin and bit her tongue, warily opening an eye to see Sikowitz leaning over her with an inscrutable expression.
"Get up."
They walked inside under the curious eyes of their classmates, each girl's arm firmly in the grasp of Sikowitz's hands, and he sat them firmly in two seats at the front of the classroom. "I don't know what to do with you two, anymore. Your behavior, Miss Tully, has been atrocious lately." Alicia scowled and crossed her arms defensively, looking away. "And you, Miss Vega..." He shook his head and paced in front of them. "Obviously, you two simply can't get along, even with me sending a note home to your parents, Miss Tully. Your mother assured me that you would behave, or do I have to speak to her again?"
"No..."
"Excuse me, did you say something?"
"No...Mr. Sikowitz." Alicia glowered at her shoes and Tori snickered quietly.
Sikowitz turned his glacial gaze to her and she straightened immediately, removing the smirk from her mouth. "Miss Vega, you are just as much to blame as Miss Tully is. Haven't I taught you better than to behave the way you have?" Tori nodded and her cheeks colored. "Now, both of you will stay after class for an hour and help me clean up this week, and you won't be going outside for lunch either." The girls nodded morosely and he told them to sit at their desks, calling everyone else in to begin the second half of the lesson.
After everyone else left, the two girls cleaned the chalkboard and picked up the primers from the desks. After tidying up a little more, he dismissed Alicia and as the blonde walked past Tori she glared darkly, eyes promising retribution, and flounced out of the building.
Sikowitz called Tori to his desk and she dragged her feet as she walked closer, flinching when his hand stretched toward her. Glancing at the wet cloth in his hand, she grabbed it and wiped softly at the cut and listened to him speak. "What were you thinking, Tori? Do you know what could have happened if I hadn't gotten to you?"
Sikowitz ran his hand through his hair in frustration as he paced in front of the girl. Tori stared sulkily down at her toes and held the cloth to the gash on her cheek, mumbling to herself. "What did you say?"
"She said mean things 'bout Jade and Pru..."
Sikowitz knelt in front of the girl and tilted her head up, taking the cloth from her face so he could look at the injury. "And what, you thought you had to defend them, so you decided that almost giving ourselves away was alright? Tori, you could have put everything we have at risk, do you understand?"
Tori opened her mouth to speak and Sikowitz held his hand up. "No, defending someone's honor is no excuse to use your magic. Unless you or someone else in in danger, you can't just use your magic to harm someone and get your point across. Do you understand?"
"But I...yes, I understand. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"I know, little one, but you have to think about our position. You have to control your anger, or that could happen again, and I might not be around to stop you." He took a bottle of alcohol off the table next to him and put some on the cloth to wipe at the cut. Tori winced and jerked away and he took her chin in his hand to keep her in place. "Do you hear me? You can't let anyone know about your magic; it would be disastrous."
Tori nodded, eyes watery as she chanced a look up at the man. "I'm sorry, Sikowitz. I'm sorry."
"Please, don't do that again, that's all I ask." He continued to dab at the cut and sat back on his heels after he was done. "I think I should teach you how to defend yourself. Didn't you see her hand coming at your face?"
Tori scowled and huffed, a bright blush staining her cheeks crimson. "She-I...there was something in my eye!"
"And I suppose the sun was blinding you too, right?" Tori nodded vehemently and Sikowitz chuckled despite himself, ruffling her hair. "I think you're making excuses, little one. I'll teach you some basics after our lesson tonight so this doesn't happen again." Sikowitz held out his hand for Tori to take and they walked out of the schoolhouse, meandering down the road toward Abby's shop.
Abby was ringing up a customer and nodded at them when they came in, gesturing for them to head to the back room. Ducking behind the curtain, Tori and Sikowitz saw Andre sitting at a low table with a dog eared primer, meticulously tracing letters with his finger and murmuring to himself. He looked up and smiled when he saw them, eyes widening comically at the sight of Tori's cheek that was just beginning to bruise.
"Whoa! What'd you do, get in a fight?" Tori covered her cheek self consciously and averted her eyes, flushing again. Andre tittered, eyes sparkling merrily, and ducked Tori's open palm. "You can do better than that! C'mon, Tori, bet you can't hit me!"
Tori growled and launched herself at the boy and they tussled on the floor, Andre grabbing her flailing wrists and pinning her easily to the floor. Tori huffed and strained against his weight but he didn't budge and she relaxed, hair disheveled and panting. "Andre, let me go, please?" She plead with him but he smirked and she watched his jaw work for several seconds. "What are you..."
Andre grinned and a thin line of drool slipped between his teeth and dangled over Tori's face. Her eyes widened comically and she started struggling again but froze as the saliva drew closer to her, watching it warily. "Sikowitz, help!"
Sikowitz bit at his cheek but couldn't stop the grin as he watched the stare off raptly. "I'm sorry, I can't." He shrugged blithely at her panicked glare. "In a mock fight, the loser gets-" Tori squealed as the line of spit broke and landed on her cheek and Andre grinned wider. "That."
"What's this about fighting? Boy, have you been getting into fights again? I told you last time to ignore those ignorant boys; what'd you do!" Abby pulled back the curtain and glared at Andre as he scrambled off Tori and she wiped harshly at her cheek, mumbling to herself and glaring at Andre.
Sikowitz broke in before she could continue her rant, stepping in her line of sight. "It's not him, Abby. My girl needs to learn how to defend herself, that's all. Andre seems like the perfect match to help me. May I borrow him after his lesson?"
Abby eyed Andre and Sikowitz before turning her gaze on Tori and grabbing her chin to look at the gash on her cheek. "Come here, girl, let me have a look. I've got something to put on that so it won't scar." Abby opened a box underneath her table and set Tori a chair so she could dab a thick, powerful smelling unguent over the cut.
"I don't mind Andre helping you, Mister Erwin, a girl needs to know how to protect herself, right?" Tori nodded hesitantly and her eyes watered as the smell of the salve burned her nose. "Alright boy, I expect you home before the sun sets, alright? Mister Erwin, I'm going home, I have to make supper before ma decides to 'help' again." Abby shook her head and grabbed a dark shawl and walked out after eying Andre again, leaving the remaining occupants to stare after her silently.
Sikowitz just shook his head and gestured at the abandoned primer. "Alright Andre, let's get started. Have you been practicing your letters?"
"Yeah, Mr. Sikowitz, I can write my name now! Ma showed me, she says my writing's already better than hers!"
"Very good, what else can you spell?" Andre and Sikowitz immersed themselves in words and phonetics and Tori wandered throughout the room, eventually venturing into the front of the shop. She listened to the low, comforting hum of Sikowitz's voice and took the stones out of her pocket, palming a couple before laying them flat in her hand. Taking a deep breath, Tori let the heat trickle through her fingers, the stones rising to hover over her palm. She released a little more heat and they began to spin faster until her attention was diverted by a sound and one bumped into the other, sending them thunking against the wooden counter. She bent to pick them up and her head cracked against the lip of the counter top when someone tapped her on the shoulder.
She spun around, tears in her eyes, to find Andre staring wide eyed at her. "Whoa, that's so cool! How'd you do that? Show me!" He looked excited and was almost bouncing in place as he stared at her and Tori frantically shook her head in denial.
"It was nothing, yo no hace nada- "
"Yeah, I saw you making those rocks move! Show me, please? C'mon, Tori!" Tori began to panic and her eyes locked onto Sikowitz's as he pushed back the curtain, pleading silently with him.
"What are you two doing?"
"Tori won't show me her trick again! It was so cool, she made the stones float over her hand!"
Sikowitz looked sharply at Tori and she lowered her eyes. "Andre, are you sure you saw that? It's not very bright in here, I'm sure she could've just been-"
"No, I know I saw her make them float!" Andre's voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "My gramma always talks 'bout witches and magic, when she's not yelling about gremlins stealing her socks and stuff; she says they used to be in the open but somethin' happened and now they hafta hide. Is that what you are, Tori?"
He looked so innocently curious and Tori looked over his head at Sikowitz, who sighed and nodded, rubbing his eyes with a couple fingers, before looking back at her friend and nodding. Andre shouted and suddenly Tori was engulfed in a hug, her head pressed against his shoulder as he squeezed her tightly. "That's so cool, I wish I was one! Then I could do that, too! Let me see it again!"
Sikowitz's hand landed on Andre's shoulder and the boy looked up at the older man. "Let's show Tori how to defend herself first, and if there's time afterward, she'll show you, okay?"
He nodded happily and led Tori behind the shop to a grassy area and stood in the afternoon sun, watching Tori. "Try and hit me, Tori!"
"I don't wanna hurt you, Andre." Tori shook her head and tried to back away, hitting Sikowitz's legs as she retreated.
"You won't, I bet you won't even touch me."
The challenge was clear in Andre's voice as he taunted her and his feet carried him closer without seeming to leave the ground. "C'mon Tor, you just gonna stare? Hit me, if you can."
Tori took a wary step forward and swung her fist out, meeting air and losing her balance as she over reached. A light slap on her shoulder prompted her to pivot and face Andre again, brows low over her eyes. "Toldja."
His easy grin placated her and she blew a raspberry at him. "S'not my fault you're so fast."
Andre laughed and Sikowitz stood between them before they could try again. "Why don't we teach you some basic defense before going straight to offense?" He demonstrated how she should hold herself; feet shoulder's length apart for balance, weight on the balls of her feet for quick movement, arms close to her ribs and hands open to deflect any blows.
"Andre, throw a punch, softly." He nodded and Sikowitz told Tori to just push his fist to one side when he came at her. She didn't react quickly enough the first time and he tagged her shoulder with a light tap, dancing back from her halfhearted slap. "Don't get frustrated, little one, just take your time. Do it again." Tori nodded and took her stance, waiting for Andre to come at her again and watching his fist raptly.
She barely managed to deflect and did a jig after her palm stopped tingling, laughing happily. Sikowitz looked pleased and he sat in the grass beside them. "Good job, now try and turn your hand farther so its more of a pushing motion and less of just stopping his fist. We'll head home once you've stopped him correctly six times. Go."
Tori ran around the backside of the West's house, knocking quietly on the door and bouncing on her feet in excitement. A young maid opened the door and let Tori in. "Miss Jade is home today, but-" Tori darted off before the maid could finish speaking and trotted through the kitchen, snitching a biscuit from a pan as she passed.
She went upstairs and listened for voices before walking quietly down the hallway, her gaze lingering on a closed door, before focusing on another near the end of the hallway. She peeked inside and whispered when she didn't hear any sound from inside. "Jade? Where are you?" Tori looked under the bed, behind the filmy curtains, even inside the wardrobe but couldn't find a clue as to where Jade had gone.
Backing from her room, Tori headed back down the hall and paused when she heard soft voices from behind a large door. She eased the door open and peeked inside, seeing large windows behind heavy drapes and a sparsely decorated room. Jade was sitting at a low table and Tori almost called out to her when an older, strict looking woman walked into her sight. The woman carried a book in one hand, glasses perched on the end of her nose and hair pulled severely into a bun. Her mouth seemed permanently settled into a frown as she approached the girl at the table and leaned over her shoulder. "That is not the proper way to write, Miss West. Haven't I told you to use the other hand?"
"I can't write with that one though, Miss Gordon."
"Mizz, child, it is Mizz Gordon. And you will learn to write with your right hand if it's the last thing I do! Well bred children do not write with their left hands, and I've yet to have a sinistromanuel child not learn to write with the correct hand in my twenty three years as a private tutor. And sit up straight, girl, don't slouch! Proper young ladies sit upright, hands folded in their laps when they speak. Didn't your mother teach you anything?"
The woman shook her head deprecatingly and set the pencil in Jade's right hand, curling her fingers around it until she gripped it awkwardly. "Write your name." Jade bent over the paper and painstakingly shaped the letters, crying out as a ruler slapped her knuckles.
"That is atrocious, Miss West. You will write with only your right hand from now on, or so help me..." She raised the ruler threateningly and Jade cowered away, cradling her injured hand against her chest. "That is enough for now, you are excused for lunch. I expect you back in here in an hour, Miss West. Am I understood?" Jade nodded tersely and escaped from the room, running straight into Tori who couldn't move fast enough from the doorway. They tumbled onto the floor and Tori leaned over Jade, staring with concern as green eyes shone with suppressed tears.
Her ears perked as footsteps approached them and she tugged Jade to her feet. "C'mon, let's go." She pulled Jade into her room and shut the door as the tutor exited the room and looked around before walking toward the stairs. Tori shut Jade's door quietly and turned to see that she had retreated to the window by her bed and was looking over the back yard with her hand still cradled to her chest.
Tori walked over to her and gently took her curled fist from her chest, fluttering her fingers over raw and bruising knuckles. "I'm sorry, I should've stopped her."
Jade turned watery eyes on the gypsy and her hand jerked as Tori's thumb rubbed over a sore spot. "You shouldn't be here, Tor. Mizz Gordon likes to check in on me while I'm eating, you could get in trouble!"
Tori shook her head and pulled Jade into a hug, still grasping her bruised hand. "I'm staying right here, Jade. I promised I wouldn't leave you, remember?" Jade sniffled and hugged Tori close with her free arm while she hummed lowly and rubbed her thumb over her knuckles. Tori felt the heat run down her arm and through her hand to Jade, fingertips tingling as they ran over tender skin and irises ringed with silver.
Tori released Jade from her grip once the tingling stopped and kissed her formerly bruised knuckles, dragging her from her room before she could notice that they didn't hurt anymore. "C'mon, I'm starving!"
They ran down the stairs and into the kitchen where Tori asked for some food and snuck a couple rolls. She handed one to Jade and they took their bowls outdoors to eat, sitting in the shade of their tree. Tori bumped Jade's shoulder after she finished eating and set her fingers and toes into divots in the bark, scrabbling up the trunk of the tree to dangle above the brunette. She stuck her tongue out at Jade and hung upside down from the wide limb, taunting her as she dangled enticingly close to her reaching hand. "No fair, Tori! I can't get up there!"
"Take your shoes off then, who's going to stop you?"
Jade averted her eyes and shuffled in place, playing with her dress. "Mizz Gordon. She says young ladies don't go barefoot, and they don't horseplay."
Tori swung down and landed on her knees beside Jade, dusting off her pants and throwing her arm around Jade's shoulder. "Well, I say she's...she's...got a stick up her butt!" Jade giggled Tori nodded. "Yeah, she's got a really big stick up her butt, and it keeps her from bending any and having fun! I bet she don't even know what fun is! She was prob'ly born like that, and makes other girls feel bad 'cause she never got to have any fun either." Jade nodded and Tori smiled, hand migrating from Jade's shoulder to her hand to hold it between them. "I can stay here today with you if you wanna."
"But, Mizz Gordon..."
"She won't even know I'm here. I'll just stay hidden and make sure she don't hurt you again."
Tori was already thinking of places to hide in the room as they walked and didn't notice the mischievous look on the brunette's face. She yelped as Jade suddenly shoved her off balance and grabbed her cap from her back pocket, setting it on her head and dashing away. "You're it, Tor! Can't catch me!"
Tori grinned and gave chase but Jade proved slippery and she finally flopped onto her back in the grass, gasping for breath. "Jade...I...I give!..." Moments later, a shadow appeared over Tori's face and airy laughter alerted her to Jade's arrival. Her flushed cheeks and bright eyes under the jauntily perched cap made tori smile as she caught her breath and she accepted Jade's hand up. Taking her cap back and setting it on her own head, they grabbed their bowls and headed back in, planning mischief for the tutor when she began her afternoon lesson with the young West.
"Miss West, are you paying attention?" Jade's eyes jumped to the tutor and she nodded quickly, yelping when the ruler connected with the crown of her head. "No, you weren't. Proper young ladies don't lie, Miss West, I suggest you get that through your head." Peering down her nose at the girl, the woman's frown lines seemed to cut deeper into her face and she bent over to look at her work.
A very unladylike squeal fell from her lips as something hit her backside and she twirled on her heel to find...nothing. Nothing out of place, not even a flutter to indicate someone was in the room that shouldn't be. She didn't see Jade's eyes dart to the heavy curtains by the window or the sly smile that flitted across her features before she schooled her expression and turned back to see Jade quietly staring at her hands.
"Sit up straight, girl! I swear, you've not a thought in that head of yours; you never listen to what I'm saying!" From her place behind the curtain, Tori snickered and readied another small stone, chucking it at the tutor's rather...sizable...asset, and gave it a little extra push with a gust of wind that was concentrated behind the stone.
The woman jumped and grabbed her butt, whirling again to face the empty room. "I don't know what's going on, but I will find out, and there will be repercussions." Her eyes narrowed dangerously and Tori scoffed silently behind the curtain.
"I'll show you reaper cushions..." She rolled her eyes as she picked through her pocket for a pointy stone. Her ears perked when she heard the woman tell Jade she could take a break, but to stay in the room. She listened for the door and peeked from behind her hiding place when she heard the latch click, finding Jade sitting by herself in the room. They shared smiles and Tori giggled as she skipped over to Jade, rubbing her head gently. "Does it hurt?"
"Nah, I got a hard head." Jade rapped her knuckles against her head and laughed off Tori's concern. "C'mon, we've got time before she comes back." Jade tugged Tori over to the window and pulled a book from behind another curtain, sitting with her back to the window so they could read together.
They didn't hear the near silent click as the door inched open and a hawkish nose poked through the crack, followed by narrow eyes and a pinched mouth. Mizz Gordon's eyes widened at the sight of the gypsy girl leaning in close to Jade and she grabbed the first thing her hand happened to reach and threw it at them. The thin book tumbled end over end and impacted noisily against the end table beside the girls, alerting them to the arrival of the tutor as her mouth gaped unattractively.
"You...little, dirty sneak! I knew there was something going on, but a gypsy!-This is unacceptable!" She picked up another weapon, a heavier book, and threw it at the girls, and Tori threw herself at Jade so both of them tumbled to the left and the book landed heavily where they had just been.
"Get out! You dirty, corrupting, vile creature, get out of this house this instant!" Another book sailed toward them and Tori curled herself protectively around Jade, grunting as the corner of the tome hit her shoulder. She glanced behind her to see the woman advancing steadily on them, eyes blazing and a heavy tome held aloft threateningly. "Mister West will hear of this, mark my words, you deviant! Miss West, come here, now!"
Jade shook her head frantically and Tori moved so she faced the woman, crouched protectively in front of Jade. She saw the woman's arm flex as she brought the book to bear, and flung herself and Jade to the side again just before the book rattled the window pane they had been crouched in front of.
The woman cackled and picked up an ornate candelabra before throwing it and Tori didn't have time to move before it struck her arm and forehead as it tumbled end over end. She cried out and grabbed Jade's arm, running behind the couch as blood blinded her in one eye, holding her arm close to her body. Jade's eyes were wide with fear and anger, the collar of her dress speckled with blood from the gash on Tori's forehead, and she shook off Tori's hand to stand protectively in front of her as the woman rounded the couch and reached for them.
"Leave Tor alone! You hurted her, stop!"
"That creature doesn't deserve your pity or compassion, Miss West, now move!" She brandished her ruler overhead and brought it down swiftly when Jade still stood in front of her, striking her shoulder twice before Jade seemed to disappear from her sight, replaced by Tori, who snarled angrily and grabbed the ruler with her good hand, taking it from her grip and tossing it away.
"Get out."
The simple words, spoken with power and authority no seven year old should have, shook Mizz Gordon to her core, and she took an involuntary step away as Tori stepped threateningly toward her. Tori's eyes glinted darkly and she swore she saw a glint of silver before something pushed her, hard, toward the door.
"Vete! Fuera, ahora!"
She stumbled back again and almost fell as that something hit her torso again, driving her quickly to the door. She reached shakily for the knob and barely squeezed through the portal before it slammed shut in her face and she heard the lock click loudly.
Tori let out a breath as she locked the door and turned back to Jade, who had come out from behind the couch and was watching Tori warily. "Jade, estas bien? Lo siento, me perdonas?" She reached up and wiped away some of her own blood that flecked Jade's cheek before closing her eyes. She willed the tension to leave her body and felt the heat grudgingly retreat into her chest, still humming in aggravation just under her skin as she looked at Jade again.
"Jade...are you okay?"
Jade nodded and jumped when a small hand touched her shoulder, hissing as Tori tugged down the sleeve of her dress and bared the already bruising welts on her skin. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. She hurt you..." Her face twisted in self deprecation as her fingers fluttered over the marks, and healed them, watching the scrapes disappear before her eyes before replacing her sleeve.
Jade's hand dug into a pocket and she pulled a handkerchief from within, dabbing at the still bleeding gash over Tori's eyes and pulling back when she winced. "Sorry, sorry. Here." Jade stuffed the handkerchief into Tori's hand and watched her gingerly touch the wound, holding the cloth to her forehead to stem the bleeding.
Her eyes filled with tears and she sat heavily on the floor, leaning back against the couch as Jade disappeared around the corner. She returned moments later with a glass of water in hand and knelt before Tori, dipping a rag into the glass and wiping at the blood that was beginning to crust against Tori's skin. She took the dirty cloth from Tori's forehead and cleaned that afterward, pushing the ruined handkerchief back against her skin as it continued to bleed sluggishly. Tori watched her with lidded eyes as she worked quietly, their breathing and the rustle of fabric the only sounds in the room.
"Jade, you're bleeding!" Jade startled as Tori took her chin and tilted her head back to bare a long, narrow cut which ran along her collarbone, staining her dress as it bled slowly. Tori raised her bruised arm to rest over the cut, grimacing as the muscles in her forearm protested. She took a deep breath and Jade felt warmth blossom where Tori touched her. She saw a thin ring of silver, barely noticeable unless you were as close as they were, lining Tori's iris and becoming wider as she watched.
Her collarbone began itching and she raised her hand to scratch at it until Tori's free hand grabbed hers and stilled her. She stared at the small hand holding hers and the jade inlaid ring gracing her thumb and blinked when the thin colored ring seemed to glow brighter, then dim. A second later, Tori removed her hand and sat back, tears in her eyes as her shoulder bumped the corner of the couch.
"Tor, what was..." Her hand raised to previously broken skin to find nothing and her brows furrowed in confusion. "Tori?"
Tori's eyes suddenly widened and she scrambled to her feet, holding her arm close to her body as she began backing away from Jade. "I shouldn't have...no, I shouldn't have done that. Sikowitz..."
She looked tormented as she retreated from Jade, cowering as the brunette reached for her. "Tori, what's going on? Where're you-" Tori pivoted and ran for the door, squeezing between it and the doorjamb as she disappeared from Jade's sight and left her alone in the room. "Going?..."
Tori wound between the puddles that filled the street, shoes uncharacteristically covering her feet so they didn't get muddy and wet. She hopped over another dip and grabbed her cap when it threatened to fall off, looking up to find her feet had carried her to the West's back door already. Knocking quietly, she slipped inside when a servant opened the door for her and waited quietly for him to lead her through the kitchen.
As they approached the stairs, he unexpectedly stopped and grabbed her arm, dragging her into the closet underneath the stairs and stood against the door once inside.
"What's going on?"
He crouched in front of her and spoke in a quietly rushed voice. "Miss Jade...she's not here anymore, Miss Tori."
"What? I...no comprende, no es la verdad. Estas mintiendo!" She pushed past him and bolted up the stairs, shoving open Jade's door. The unusual messiness of the room alerted her that something was amiss and she pulled open her wardrobe to find it empty, dresses gone from their hangers and shoes missing from their place at the bottom. She backed away and ran to her dresser, standing on the stool to stare at her empty dresser top, hair ribbons and brush noticeably absent.
She stumbled off the stool and didn't hear the door creak open, jumping as a young voice spoke sadly behind her. "Jae's gone. Daddy took her to the train and she got on and-and just left." Joseph sniffled and wiped his runny nose against his wrist, tears creeping down his round cheeks.
Tori walked over and wrapped her arms around him thoughtlessly and they gained small comfort from the other's embrace. "He just-daddy put her on the train and gave a man her bag and-and-" He sobbed into her shoulder and Tori nosed into his shoulder, guiding him to the floor beside the partially opened door to hold him close.
"You've got some nerve, coming back here, gypsy." The deep, mocking voice pulled Tori from Joseph's shoulder and she looked up into Thomas' scowling visage. The man stepped fully into Jade's room, his presence dwarfing the kids' as he stood menacingly over them. "Joseph, go to your room, now."
The boy jumped up immediately and scurried past his father, casting a worried, teary gaze to Tori before leaving, and Tori returned her attention to the man standing over her. "You'll never see her again, you know. She's gone, and she won't be the same when she returns, I guarantee it. Jadelyn will be molded into a proper young lady, without the curdling influence of any...pests."
His lip curled and Tori felt the hairs on her neck rise, half in fear and half in anger. " Your viper's blood will not gain a hold over her, girl. You will not taint her with your impurity, so help me . Now, get out of my home." Tori scrambled gracelessly to her feet and just dodged a heavy boot, running through the door. She bolted down the stairs as though the devil's hounds were chasing her and fled through the front door, pelting barefoot through the puddles with tears running down her face and a chill flooding her body.
Thomas stood arrogantly on his stoop, and the low words that shouldn't have reached her ears trickled down her back like ice.
"You won't ruin me, gypsy. I'll kill you if I see you here again, mark my words."