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Parent Call
Mal's Point of View
I was watching the clock, willing the class to end. Usually I enjoy school, but I hate our Remedial Goodness class with a passion. The content is insulting, and the fact that it exists shows that the stereotype of people being born villains or heroes based on their parents was alive and well.
"I have a treat for you today," Fairy Godmother said. I raised an eyebrow and she faltered at my unimpressed expression. I heard Evie giggle at the reaction before the fairy-in-charge continued.
"Today is parent day, where the parents of the students are invited to a luncheon on the lawn." I knew this, so I wondered what she was getting at. "Now, your parents will not be able to attend for… reasons." I could see her wracking her brains in an attempt to dig herself out of the hole she had inadvertently dug herself. I wasn't bothered. Anyone with a brain knew that villains would not be allowed off of the Isle to visit their kids at school, so I don't know why she was so worried about our reaction to the revelation. It wasn't like we wanted our parents here anyway. In fact, Carlos and I in particular were thankful that our mothers couldn't attend. Jay and Evie were indifferent regarding their parents, but they were still happy that they wouldn't be put in a position to run interference due to their parent's thoughtless remarks.
I tuned back in to hear Fairy Godmother finish her long-winded presentation. "…so we have set up a video call for you to speak with your parents." She beamed at us, but we stared back at her with blank faces. She seemed taken aback that we were not excited and became a bit flustered as she set up the video equipment.
Once her back was turned, the four of us exchanged panicked looks. Carlos was just starting to feel comfortable here, and I did not want an encounter with his mother to instigate an anxiety attack. Jay didn't want to deal with any inappropriate remarks from his father about thievery that would cause Fairy Godmother to watch him more carefully. Evie didn't want her mother to remind her to seek out a prince, as she knew that she was so much better than any plans her mother had for her. She was a strong, independent woman with a brain and a goal. She was NOT meant to sit at home and primp for a prince that cared only about her beauty and what she could give to him carnally.
I on the other hand, was absolutely terrified. I had become complacent, making connections and building support for bringing the Core Kids over from the Isle. I forgot about my mother and her plans for me to drop the barrier. How could I have been so stupid! I was taking things slow and building political bridges with the children of influential people, forgetting about the delicate line I walked with my mother.
Needless to say, we were all dreading this call. Fairy Godmother looked confused as we all faced the television screen with fearful faces. We looked at each other, taking strength from others who understood, before making our faces go blank as we hit the connect button.
"Hello…hello…oh how do you work this thing." I could see my mother as she tried to get the computer working. I was just thankful that she wasn't swearing at the technology, so I waited for her to figure things out.
"Oh, there you are. How is my precious little Mal?" I almost scoffed, but held it in because I knew that she would take it out of my hide when I returned to the Isle. My mother could hold a grudge like no one else.
I could see Fairy Godmother beaming as she stepped into the picture. "Hello, I am so glad you were able to join us today and I know that the kids must be excited to see you." All eight of us looked at her in disbelief. Our parents were smart enough to know that we didn't like them much, and we had not shown any excitement at the prospect of seeing them. Her smile faltered as she stepped back. "I'll just give you some time to talk before the signal ends. I am only able to keep it up for ten minutes."
Cruella went first, more because she was demanding than anything else. "How are you my darling boy. Mommy misses you!" She cooed in her best baby voice. She was clearly putting on a show. I knew she didn't really love Carlos, or even like him. She only kept him around so he could do all the work and give her a convenient whipping boy for her temper.
"Hi mom," Carlos replied awkwardly. We knew that if he didn't respond then she would become irate and the fairy-in-charge would think that he was a horrible son.
"I can't wait to see you again," she continued. We can spend time together as you paint my toenails and file down my calluses. They have grown so thick while you've been gone." She said this with the most saccharine smile on her face, and I could see the shock on Fairy Godmother's face when I turned to the side. Carlos winced away from the screen and Evie stepped forward. She threw him a glance of sympathy as she took a deep breath and faced the screen.
"Hello mother," Evie said sweetly. She knew that antagonizing her mother was never helpful, and had perfected the dutiful daughter persona quite young. As long as she catered to her mother's narcissism, she was safe.
"My darling Evie," the evil queen smiled. "You seem to be doing well, although your looks may have dropped a bit. You've gained weight over in Auradon, you should lose a few pounds. How can you expect to land a prince if you become a fat slob? You will never be as beautiful as me, but you are pretty enough to make a good match"
Evie's cheeks turned red and I saw Fairy Godmother's face turn sour. I knew that she would be watching Evie closely now, thinking that she was only here to steal a prince.
"I am happy with my looks and am enjoying the opportunity to learn here at Auradon Prep. I am the top of my science class and received a perfect grade on my last English paper." I was proud of Evie, as she stood up to her mother. Her grades were a constant battleground between the two. Evie enjoyed learning, but her mother felt that a smart woman would scare away all the eligible men. Auradon was giving Evie the confidence to stand up to her mother. Although Evie had gained weight, it was because she was receiving healthy meals on a daily basis and it enabled her to fill out appropriately. She was woefully underweight when we got here, and her beauty only blossomed as she gained a healthy weight. She was a beautiful girl, and now her healthy body reflected the beauty within.
As the evil queen sputtered in indignation, Jay took pity on Evie and stepped forward. "Hi dad," he said with confidence. Of the four of us, he had the healthiest relationship with his primary parent. It wasn't anything like his relationship with Scheherazade, but Jafar did not actively abuse Jay. Although neglect is a form of abuse, Jay was always fed enough and his dad did not viciously beat him. Jafar may cuff Jay on the head when he wasn't happy with him, but he never struck hard enough to leave a mark.
"Hello son," Jafar said. "How are the pickings in Auradon? Are you keeping up your skills?" He rubbed his hands together in a greedy fashion, and I saw Fairy Godmother take a hard look at Jay. Great, now she would watch him with suspicion every time an expensive object was visible. Jay was not a thief by choice, but by necessity. He needed to steal enough merchandise to keep his father's shop running so they could buy food and clothing.
"I am enjoying my time here," Jay responded evenly. "The museum is impressive and it is nice to see everything where it belongs." His emphasis on the last four words was palpable and I could see Fairy Godmother relax.
Jay's voice became excited now. "In fact, I've joined the Tourney team here and am enjoying being part of a team. We crushed our opponents in yesterday's game, and we won by working together to make the final score. It is amazing what can be accomplished when people work together." I glanced over at Fairy Godmother and saw her nod her head in approval. Jafar sputtered in shock and I stepped forward before he could undermine the goodwill that Jay had obtained.
"Hello mother." I wanted to wince as I used the word, but knew what was expected of me. I was to remain strong and aloof, showing no weakness. I then stood there, waiting for her response as I was trained to do. I was already pushing it by speaking first, but it was necessary to shift the focus of the call.
"Hello my darling Mal!" I froze in terror. She only called me that when she was angry or wanted something. It was usually followed by a beating, and we both knew it. I could see the glint in her eye as she focused on the screen. "I do hope that you are doing your homework and that you remember why you are in Auradon. They have so much to give you that you can't get on the Isle, and I want to make sure you take advantage of every opportunity."
There it was, the reminder that I am here to steal the wand and get it to Maleficent. That was the reason she let me come, and she wasn't about to let me forget it. I knew that I had to appease her with something, so I though fast. "I am still getting used to how things work here, but am fitting in more every day. There is so much to see and do that I have barely scratched the surface. I remember how lucky I am every day and am taking advantage of all of the opportunities available to me."
This conversation is clearly over Fairy Godmother's head, as her brown furrowed in confusion. I was thankful for her misunderstanding, as I just told my mother that I am being closely watched and that I haven't found the wand yet. Furthermore, once I find it, I will likely not be able to grab it right away. This hid the fact that I knew exactly where it was, the museum, and when it would be outside the protective enchantment, during the coronation.
I know that she got the message as her face tightened. She then looked to the corner of her desk and my breath caught. "I hope that you remember how much I miss you and the things we used to do together. You are missing all of the spring flowers, and the Violets may be done blooming by the time you return. Do remember to visit soon."
"Of course, mother," I choked out. I was only able to keep my voice even and my face impassive due to years of training. Maleficent taught me to never show emotion, and punishment for failure meant that my skills were strong.
Thankfully, Fairy Godmother stepped forward at this point and reminded us that we only had thirty seconds left. I heard the other three bid goodbye to their parents, but my eyes never left my mother's. They flashed green just as the connection cut, and I saw her stroke the object on the corner of her desk.
As Fairy Godmother rolled the video screen away, she reminded us that we were welcome to the rest of the family day activities and to join us when we were ready. I could see the concern in her eyes as she left. It surprised me, as it appeared to be concern for us and not because of us. Maybe this conversation will show her how much we endured on the Isle and make goodness classes easier. She can now see that we do not hold the same views as our parents.
Once she left the room, I gave into my fear. I started to hyperventilate as Carlos lowered me onto a bench. Evie sat close to me and took my hand, looking concerned as she started to stroke my hair. Jay crouched in front of me and turned my face to him so we could lock eyes. He saw the pure terror on my face and his voice tightened. "What is it," Jay asked, "what did she say?"
Carlos looked at Jay in confusion. "What do you mean? We all heard what she said."
"No," Jay replied. "She always has a way of delivering messages without saying them. Whatever she had to say frighted Mal, and that is not easy to do."
I swallowed as I looked into Jay's eyes. "She has Violet."
"What!" All three of them gasped. Jay's eyes widened in horror and Evie began to cry.
Carlos frantically began asking questions. "How do you know? Could you have misunderstood? If she has Violet, then she knows about the Core Kids. How do we get them out of there?"
Jay held my gaze and asked calmly. "Is she still alive?" Evie and Carlos looked at Jay in horror.
Evie continued to cry as she asked, "how could you ask that? Why would she kill such a small child? I know that she is a villain… but murder?"
I continued to look Jay in the eye. "Did you see the teddy bear on her desk? It had a white body, brown head, three black paws and one gray paw. It is the one I gave to Violet for her fifth birthday. It is unique and unmistakable."
Carlos gasped, Evie cried harder, but Jay held my gaze. He repeated, "is she still alive." He knew, as well as I did, that Maleficent wouldn't hesitate to kill Violet.
I spoke to Evie and Carlos, but kept my gaze on Jay. "She always told me that 'love is a weakness' and would destroy things or people that she felt I became too attached to. Jay was the exception, because she was afraid of what his father would do. Jafar may have started as a simple vizier, but was in reality a powerful genie. He cannot access his powers due to the barrier, but the knowledge that he would be a powerful opponent when released was not lost on my mother." It remained unsaid, but Jay knew that the only reason Maleficent went through with kidnapping Scheherazade was because she knew she could pin the death on me.
Jay repeated, "is she still alive."
My breathing finally calmed as I replied. "The bear was undamaged, so Violet is still alive." I heard all three of them breathe a deep sigh of relief, but Jay and I both knew that this was far from over. We knew that she could still kill Violet, and knew that we had to move our timeline forward. We had to get our kids off of the Isle, and we knew that getting Violet off would require a separate rescue mission. They had to happen simultaneously, before Maleficent had a chance to kill Violet in anger.
"As long as my mother has a bargaining chip, we must move cautiously." I finally looked at Evie and Carlos. "She will not hurt Violet right away, but there are many ways to cause pain without killing someone." I cast a quick glance at Jay before continuing. "I have seen my mother maim and kill before, so I know how precarious Violet's position is. I can only hope that Uma is aware of Violet's disappearance and is willing and able to rescue her. She doesn't have the same history with Violet that we do. She may not consider saving Violet worth opposing my mother."
I took a deep breath and looked at my Core Four. We had done so much together, and I knew that we had to keep it together to finish this. "Calm yourselves. We have to go out to parent day with a smile. This is our chance to make a positive impression on members of the royal council. These are the people that we need to impress so that they are willing to accept our kids. Our entire mission could hinge on today's interactions."
I watched as we all took deep breaths. Carlos tamped down his anxiety, Evie put her 'queen' face on and Jay stood up straight before relaxing into a friendly posture. We were ready.
