This takes places in the same universe as my 'Moments In Friendship' drabble featuring Griffin and Faragonda but you do not need to read it. Also each of the vignette's is exactly 150 words long.
We are going to be the best witches in the whole magic dimension, I promise. We shall be named in the same vein as the ancestral witches, revered with utmost respect.
Griffin clenched her fists, scowling at the wall as she paced the confines of the living room. The gap between her Cloudtower diploma and the now shattered picture of her "best friend" stared at her, taunting her, whispered into her ears. You believed her.
And ancestrals, did she pay the price. It hurt, it really did hurt so much. The air around her fists crackled slightly, angry tears stung in her eyes. No, she would not cry over this, Faragonda was not worth it, never was. All that time wasted but she would not waste any more time. Griffin was done with that traitor and she would show Faragonda what she had so easily discarded. Just wait and see
"Someone is in a bad mood" someone sniped over Griffin's shoulder. She whirled around, launching her current spell at the unexpected and unwelcome newcomer. To her displeasure, he immediately put up a shield, dispelling her attack. "Better but still not perfect. You are too impatient, your timing is too fast. Try going slower this time" With a raised eyebrow she noticed the shield was still up. Well, if he wanted to be her target, she would not complain and wipe that smug smile of his face.
Twisting the magic inside her hands, she mentally recited the spell and let the magic flow. Just a bit more, she told herself. There it was. She smirked as her attack shattered the shield upon impact. And it only took her three tries to get the incantations right. She would eat her words, Griffin thought as she sauntered home, ignoring the call behind her.
"You have a better form today" Just one week had passed, enough to recognize that awfully confident voice. Only she wanted to ignore him. Griffin really wanted to wipe his smug grin of his face. "What, you're not good enough and have to make yourself feel better by criticizing me? Does not seem to work today, does it?" With glee she noticed his slightly widening eyes, cherishing the surprised look on his face. Sadly, he recovered quickly.
"I have been here training every day. Can't say the same about you." he leaned against a tree, as if he was preparing for a lengthy conversation. Not that he would have one. "Well, have fun I guess, we can't all have jobs. Though maybe you should find one, make better use of your time". She deliberately strolled right next to him, challenging look in her eyes. "See you next week" he said.
Against all odds and her promise to never get close to anyone again, their weekly training session had become somewhat regular in the last two months. It helped their banter was always lightening her mood and trashing him (when she could) was one of the highlights of her week. He was the one she took out her frustrations with about customer services (seriously, she should get another job, sadly, she had no clue what she wanted to do).
"How many entitled customers were there this week?" Somehow Valtor (he had introduced himself after a month) could tell when she had a worse week than usual. "Too many dumb people. But management has no spine and I have to be a doormat. That's not what witches are" She was on her last strike, too often loosing her temper. It was an open secret, they preferred to hire fairies who were doormats.
"I was fired" Griffin stamped to their meeting place just two days later, already aware he was there even if it was not their unofficial meeting day. He didn't even flinch when she launched a ball of her magic at him. "Those assholes wanted to grope me but no, trapping them in my magic and telling them to leave was 'crossing the line'" she sneered, disgusted look on her face.
"Oh Griffin, look at it from the other side, you are no longer wasting your potential. You are free" His eyes, full of excitement quickly made Griffin smile. "You are right. But what should I do?" she asked. "Whatever pleases you." There was a smirk on his face. "But I do have a proposition" She waited for elaboration. "And what proposition do you have?" she asked when there was none. "You'll have to wait and see" he smiled at her.
Her heart was beating, anticipation filling her. This was it; this was the day she would be judged. Meticulously, she had prepared herself for this day, the one that would prove the most important one of her life. Griffin was ready.
"They are here" he stepped closer to her, his voice softer than usual, giving her courage. They could do it and prove their worth. Then it began, their fight, like a dance, choreographed to show off both their skills, their power and talent. Going all out, she enjoyed it, nearly forgetting about the spectators. But still, the thought was in the back of her mind, urging her.
She nearly missed the quiet "Stop" halting them, Valtor snapped first into position, standing straight. Grffin followed suit. For the first time, she could see his fear of not being good enough. He was wrong, they were. "Congratulations" rang through the air.
The victory tasted sweet on her lips, their first mission a success. She had proven her worth, they had proven their worth she thought when she caught Valtor's eyes. "We did it" he murmured as he gently pressed his lips to her hand. "That we did" she smirked only belatedly freeing her hand from his grasp. This was only a professional alliance for work business. Her heart continued beating despite her promise to never trust again.
"We should celebrate" he mused and celebrating they went. And maybe they did celebrate a bit too much. Valtor slammed his glass down. "Why is it that I want your approval just as much as I want my mother's?" He laughed self-deprecating. "You're always pulling back just when I think you will finally open up to me" Valtor looked at her, searching for something.
"I will never be her" His gaze burned into her.
I will never be her
She had never talked about her, never told him, always stopped herself in time to keep it secret. How could he know? He couldn't know the truth about her former... her former friend. It tasted bitter in her mouth, just thinking about it. She didn't want him to know just how hurt she had been. Griffin was stronger without her anyway, she told herself.
Still, he was right, she pulled back when they got to close for her comfort, too close to friendship or whatever it was he saw. She wanted but how could she when she had already been burned. Never again did she want her heart broken and her trust betrayed.
I will never be her
Was this what he meant? Did he mean he would never burn her, never turn his back on her? She sighed, if only she was less confused.
For days she had managed to avoid him but today it was time to face the music, face him. It was easy, too easy to fall back into their routine and their banter with no mention of … his confession? Was that what it had been? A drunken confession? Was that really all it had been?
"You're distracted" he stated. It was too easy for him to read her. Or maybe it was because her spell had just misfired and she never did. "Maybe" she admitted, never wanting to let much shine through the cracks. She never wanted him to read her like an open book, preferred to keep her secrets.
"Fine, keep it to yourself but concentrate. I need you on your top game if we're supposed to be a team" A team, that was right. Nothing more, nothing less, no hurt feelings when it did not work out.
"We are supposed to be a team, are we not?" He asked, annoyance in his face and arms crossed. She raised her eyebrows. "We are" What was it, he was getting at? Surely their latest mission had been successful. "Then why do you shut me out? You lead me on. You say we are a team but only now, never in the future. Why don't you trust me? I am not her and I never will be"
There is sincerity in his eyes, at least she thinks there is. His voice sounded like velvet, enveloping her, like she is finally coming home. "I believe you" He stepped closer to her. "We are going to be the best witch and wizard in the whole magic dimension, I promise. We shall be named in the same vein as my mothers, revered with utmost respect." These words, they resonate within her. "I promise"