"So your plan, as it turns out to be, is attending this party, get a chance to talk to Webbigail and 'hope for the best'?" Violet inquired as she held the present in hands.
"Pretty much" Lena exhaled, putting on her shoes "I just...I don't know, I want to say my peace and then she can unload whatever she has to say to me too, it's only fair, right? Give each a chance to just...say something"
"Do you have your arguments planned out ahead?"
"It's not a debate, Vi" she said under her breath.
"I know, apologies" she said approaching her "I simply don't wish that your tactics sum up in you taking the blame"
"I'll own up to what I did"
"I believe you already did"
"I said sorry and clearly it wasn't enough"
"Well, then that's not on you"
"Vi-" Lena was about to interject, but the hummingbird continued.
"Solely, my point is that you don't have to carry all the guilt, and it would be a good time to remind you how much you are worth"
Lena offered a weak, washed-over smile "Yeah, thanks..."
"It's hard to believe me right now because you fear the person who said it to you first is currently mad at you?"
Lena physically recoiled at that "Way to hit too close to home, sis"
The purple bird seemed actually remorseful of that "You are someone outside her opinion of you"
"I know, I know" the witch covered her face "but I still care, okay? I can't explain it to you, because you've always been whole. You always knew who you were and you are unapologetic about it and that's something I love and admire about you, Vi. But I wasn't even a person, I was a shadow -I still am. So constantly questioning my existence is kind of a default mode for me. The first time my mind stopped racing about it was with her. And my head was finally quiet because living with you guys made me feel normal for the first time in my whole life, but these last few months that stupid voice has been back and it sounds an awful lot like Magica"
Nothing else was said for a long minute until Violet finally stood up "Very well, let us go then" she said "I might have my own opinion regarding all of this, but as I said before, I am here for you and if what you need is this, then so be it, I'll support you"
Lena was agape. Her sister usually had very strong and hard-to-change points of view, but she was willing to set that aside for her.
"Thanks, Vi"
The hummingbird offered a small smirk. She only hoped her sister could admit, at least to herself, that there was something more in there, other than the incident with the string and June. That maybe Lena could finally feel safe enough to realize why losing Webby was so frightening to her. And something told Violet that the teen was well aware of it, that she had come to know it for a long time now. Her string to Webby had turned to mean something even deeper than as what it started out to be.
It remained to be seen if her sister could admit that to Webbigail.
"You look absolutely lovely, my darlings," Daisy said as the girls walked out wearing their new dresses.
The couple had just come back that morning for an emotional reunion. Donald didn't even try to pretend like he wasn't crying when he hugged them again. They enjoyed breakfast together and some quality time before preparing for the small party the girls had planned for them.
"Thank you!" June said twirling in her light blue dress.
"Do you like yours?" Daisy knelt in front of May, fixing a wrinkle.
"Yeah, it's perfect," May said, fumbling with her hands "Thank you, Daisy"
"My absolute pleasure, dear," she said "I saw it about three weeks ago and I couldn't get you out of my head. I kept on thinking how much more fun it would have been if you had been there with me"
May felt an unfamiliar sting in her eyes "Thank you" she did one thing she rarely allowed herself to, she hugged her. Daisy was shortly aback before embracing her as well.
"You are welcome, May" she rested on the feeling of holding her daughter.
"Alright, party people, let's get this started" Della walked in offering a bright smile although her eyes were reddened and teary.
"Where is Donald?" Daisy asked, taking notice of Della's estate "Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah" she sniffed, holding an honest smile "And Don is with Uncle Scrooge, catching up a little, he'll be here any second"
"Alright, people!" Huey walked in double-checking his list "Guest will start arriving any moment, Louie is at the door to greet them, Dewey is making sure there is music, Webby is hanging the final decorations and Mrs. Beakley is setting the appetizers. Now, where are the four honorable guests?" he asked finally looking up.
"Three here, one to come" Della answered.
"Let's go to the ballroom then!" Huey clapped "time is of the essence"
Della ruffled his cap "Alright, Kiddo"
The manor was booming with energy as different personalities arrived. The adults were well immersed in their conversation as the kids gathered up next to the food table, only the Sabrewing sisters were missing now.
"So, back to traveling?" Gos asked leaning into the wall looking at them "That must be pretty cool"
"Yeah!" June nodded excitedly.
"I just have to ask, how do any of you understand Donald?"
"It's an art" Dewey intervened, nodding his head.
"Practice," Huey said.
"Guessing, mostly" Louie shrugged.
"Through a lot of study of his family tree," Webby added.
"Paying close attention" June smiled
May shrunk her shoulders "I rely on context"
"I use my prediction scanner and pitch modulator to decipher his words" Boyd chimed in.
Gosalyn rolled her eyes "Figures"
"Okay, kiddos!" Della approached them "the dance floor is all yours, why don't you enjoy it a little?"
Dewey quickly stroke a pose "Dew-finitely!" he ran to then slide into the center of it performing one of the many dance routines he knew by heart.
Della chuckled "Yup, that's my kid"
"I would be embarrassed to say that out loud," Louie said as Della playfully shoved his shoulder.
"Don't think I didn't hear you were trying to charge an entry fee earlier, you better give Launchpad his money back"
"Oh, what's that? Sure, I'll love to dance!" Louie quickly took off with the others as Webby looked around.
"What about you? I thought you would follow Dewey's lead first" Della commented with an easy-going smirk.
"Oh? Yeah, I will! I was just...waiting for someone to arrive"
Della didn't need to guess "Right, Ty called, they got a flat tire, they are on their way"
Webby was simultaneously relieved and somehow much tenser than before "Good to know"
"You doing alright, Webby?" she patted her shoulder.
"Yeah! All good!" she said a pitch higher than normal "I'll go with the others now!" she dashed away as Della gazed at her puzzled.
A circle quickly formed around Dewey as he danced in the most hilarious, yet somehow compelling, moves.
"I'm Dew-ing it!" he chanted to himself as everyone laughed, some at him, some with him.
The door of the manor opened as the four Sabrewing came in, greeted by Beakley.
"Sorry for being so late," Indy said, handing her a pie he had baked.
"No need to apologize," the English duck said "you had the courtesy to call and even brought a delicious looking pastry, I'd say you have more manners than half the residents of this place, but do not quote me on that"
Indy chuckled "Thank you"
"Make yourselves at home"
"Always do" Lena teased lightly as they came in.
"Ah, I was starting to miss our bickering," Beakley said sarcastically.
"Behave, pequeña revoltosa" her dad affectionately ruffled her hair.
"Siempre me porto bien" Lena refuted with an endearing smile, half-heartedly pushing his hand away.
"No es cierto" Ty kissed the top of her head "Now, off you go. Lena, no misbehaving, Violet, a little bit of misbehaving. No magic in either case"
"Yup!"
"Understood"
They walked in and as soon as Lena gazed up at the party, their eyes met. The big, innocent, and brave eyes she had seen a million times before were gazing at her as though it was the first time. After so many days, it was almost surreal to be back on the manor.
Violet noticed the mute exchange "Is this your cue? Because for the looks of it, Webbigail is seconds short from bolting in your direction"
Lena's beak became dry, she tightened her fists "Maybe" she took the first step, but soon found herself wrapped in a hug as the small blue-coded girl appeared out of nowhere.
"Lena! You made it!"
Lena struggled to shift her focus from Webby to June as the smaller girl tightened her grip. It took her half a second to will her body to move. "Of course I did, you didn't think you would get rid of me so easily, right?" She gazed down, smiling at her "Not before I got to say goodbye"
June cuddled under her chin for a moment longer before looking up "Come on, we are dancing!" she started to drag her to the others "Violet, join us!"
"I do not partake in rhythmical activities that include body coordination to 'upbeat' music "
"That's fine, we are mostly talking, Dewey is the only one really dancing"
"Then, I'll find it agreeable" they approached and Lena could feel her hands run cold as sweat dripped on the back of her neck.
"Guys! Look who made it!" June said, shifting the attention to them. Lena would rather fight Phantom Blot than have them stare.
"You are late!" Huey huffed.
"I was starting to place bets on your whereabouts" Louie smirked devilishly "I was pretty sure you were both trapped inside a magic lamp or something"
"I said it would be in the pages of a cursed book!" Dewey chimed in.
"Deeply appreciate your concern, but as you might see, here we are" Violet stated.
"It's...good to see you again," Webby said, speaking up for the first time, her voice was so faint it almost got lost under the music.
"Yeah...same" Lena offered a hesitant smile.
The song changed as an upbeat remix of Darkwing Duck's theme started.
"Oh, man! That's our jam!" Dewey turned excitedly as Launchpad jumped into the dance floor, dragging Drake in tow. The blue boy joined them taking Gosalyn's hand "Come on!"
"That looks like fun" Boyd commented.
"Then let us join in," Huey said while Louie tagged along "You coming?" he motioned to Violet.
"I'll be a disappointment, but sure"
"Come on!" June grabbed Lena's arm pulling her.
Webby clasped her hands together fidgeting in her place watching them go... watching her slip away, out of her reach...
"She showed up" May spoke up, startling Webby.
"Huh?"
"She came here, maybe it's your turn to take the next step?"
"I- I don't know what you-" Webby babbled "What are you-?"
May sighed "Nothing. I'll go join them, who knows when I'll get a chance to see them again?" the phrase left a sting on Webby's chest, so it was probably aimed at her, subtle and yet direct. When could she get another chance if not that night?
They were twirling and swirling, laughing and shouting. It was the most fun Lena had in a while. They were in a circle holding hands, jumping around, and running from side to side. At some point, they all let go to jump to their own beat, but June's hand didn't let go of hers, as she playfully tried, for probably the first time in her life, to dance.
Lena couldn't help but chuckle at her attempt, because it was earnest. She was truly having fun, she was surrounded by people that liked her. She was being a kid her age and not a clone or an experiment. She was happy. And that was all Lena ever wanted to accomplish, to see that smile on her face.
Lena grinned, June was going to be alright. Even if it was still going to take time and a whole process, she would find her place in the world.
Suddenly the music slowed down and a different piece started to play, it sounded like a ballad. The lights turned from vibrant reds and yellows to a serene blue. Lena looked around, hoping that the others would make a quick exit at the unexpected change, but to her surprise most of them stayed, finding a partner to share the piece with. Even the adults were walking into the dance floor.
"We should scatter," Lena said, but June stood there.
"Can we dance this one too?"
Lena arched a brow "Sure, Blue"
The smaller girl just hugged her, not really knowing how they were supposed to move with the rhythm, so they just swayed gently.
Lena smirked, stealing a quick glance to notice Violet and Huey were actually executing a rather well-performed ballad. She could hear Huey say something about 'A good Woodchuck' probably referring as to why he knew the steps, but soon enough, Violet took to lead with a self-satisfied smile.
Lena chuckled "Nerds," she said to herself before feeling June shift in her arms, looking up.
"I'm going to miss you"
Lena smiled moved "You'll see me again" she assured "And we are Blue Team, wherever you are, you can call me and I'll move with the shadows to meet you"
"You can do that?"
"You bet" she nodded "As long as you have your friendship bracelet, I'll be able to find you, any of you"
June hugged her even tighter "You are amazing"
For a brief instant, Lena fooled herself into believing it was Webby the one hugging her. It felt so familiar and warm and yet it was foreign and new. It was easy to forget that was not...
Lena felt it...or rather, her. Like something tugging the strings from her non-existent heart.
She looked up, seeing Webby at the sidelines in her light pink dress gazing in their direction. She looked so much smaller, so different from her usual demeanor. Her beak was open agape like words were begging to come out, but nothing did.
Lena breathed in, closing her eyes and patting June's shoulder "Hey, Blue? I need to...step out for a moment"
"Now?" June almost pouted and Lena found that endearing.
"Yeah...I need to talk to Webby before there's nothing left to say"
June knew there was something frail there, something that could break so easily if she intervened in the slightest "Are you going to be alright?" she asked tentatively.
"I don't know" she openly admitted, holding her hands "But it's something I need to do"
"Okay" June nodded, letting go of her as Lena breathed in trying to find her resolve and the smaller girl couldn't stop herself from asking "Why are you...? How do you know you are ready to risk putting yourself through heartache again?"
Lena gazed at her resolvedly "I don't" she admitted looking over at Webby "But I do know this" she gazed back at June "Remember the first thing you ever asked me? Truth is, I do have a favorite color. Pink"
June saw something in the teen's eyes shimmer bright and anew. It was there and it was hers.
The duckling nodded, taking a step back so Lena could take one forward. Lena smiled and turned to Webby, walking in her direction, standing just a few feet from her. Even though the music was loud and the chatter louder, the only thing Lena could hear was the magic pulse that beat inside of her, instead of a heart.
"Hey, Pink. Can we talk?"