An: NymhadoraTonks: Just like the real Lorelai, alternate Lori is pretty pushy when it comes to asking questions. Everett does notice her fear but doesn't really know what to do about it since she isn't the same Lorelai he knew. He really was just confused at that moment. The Real Lorelai is afraid of storms for pretty much the same reason, but it's a little bit different. I won't reveal her fear until it's the right time.
Everett cares about finding Scales because he feels like he was losing himself. And he would prove something to himself if he could find Scales. It really wasn't the cat he was looking for, more his sanity. When Everett can't find Scales, he loses hope in himself. He feels like it was his fault for getting trapped in this world and making everyone's lives change. Like how Rose never redeemed herself, he feels like he's guilty of taking that chance away from her.
Thank you for all your support!
Lorelai and Everett had agreed to meet up later that afternoon to collect plants. They would go back to the castle tomorrow morning. They didn't speak much on the way home. As much as Everett wanted to ask her about what exactly happened to her last night, she seemed to be avoiding the subject. She has preoccupied with Scales anyway. The old cat had warmed up to her right away.
When Everett got home, he couldn't find anyone around. "Dad?" he called out, but there was no answer. "Char?" Still silent.
Everett went beyond the living room to the door under the stairs. He had been curious all week. As he reached out for the doorknob, a voice made him shoot back. "Conroy?" Everett winced at the name and the voice. He came out from his hiding. Jane emerged from the kitchen. "Did you have fun with the boys?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah," Everett had almost forgotten his alibi. "I was talking game strategies with Noah and the others. It also looks like we're going to be having longer practices."
"Good," Jane nodded her approval. "Next time I would like to be asked before you leave."
"Sorry, ma," Everett couldn't bear to say "mom".
"It's alright. It was your father's fault for letting you go."
"Don't blame him," Everett said quickly. Jane widened her eyes. "It was such a last-minute thing. Blame it on me for darting out of the house."
The confusion on Jane's face was clear. Carlos suddenly came into the room. Everett had no idea where he came from. Perhaps he was down in whatever room there was behind that strange and mysterious door. "Conroy," Carlos pushed his sleeves down to his wrists. "I didn't expect you back so soon."
"Well, don't get too used to me," Everett grinned. "I have a long practice this afternoon yet."
"You better shower up," Jane shook her head. "You smell like you've been rolling in mud."
Everett clenched his teeth and nodded. He quickly scurried up the stairs. When he got into the hall, he noticed Charlotte's door was propped open slightly. Everett peered inside. Charlotte was laying down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. When Everett tapped on the door frame, she tensed and straighten up immediately. When she saw it was him, she let out a breath.
Plopping back down on the bed, Charlotte mumbled, "What do you want?"
Everett stepped into the room, noticing Charlotte was dressed in a black skirt and red frilly top. "Just checking in."
"If you want an explanation for yesterday I'm not giving you one," Charlotte glared at him. "It was already hard enough lying to mom convincingly."
"Lorelai told me," Everett closed the door completely.
"And now you're going to tell mom?"
"No. I think what you're doing is amazing."
Charlotte sat up, shocked. "Really?"
Everett nodded, "Being there for a friend can be hard when everyone else is against them."
"I'm all that he has. He is all I have too, in a way. All of my other friends are...not the same."
"I understand," Everett sat on the edge of her bed.
"How? You're friends with everyone on the tourney team. Everyone loves you."
Those words made Everett's mind go into a rabbit hole. He looked back at his old life. The disgusted looks he would get from the popular kids, while others just simply gave him a glance and went on with their lives. Then there was Lorelai, who always looked at him with eyes filled with trust and adoration. Everett had never noticed it before, but looking back now made him understand.
Even now, in this new reality, the people who were supposed to be Everett's friends looked at him with hollow eyes. They didn't know him or understand him. They were just convinced that they loved him, they didn't really appreciate who Everett was. But this morning, when Everett saw the relief in Lorelai's eyes when he came back, he could recognize it as love. Perhaps it wasn't the same love the real Lorelai had for him. But it definitely was the start of something.
"No," Everett shook his head. "They don't. Not really. It doesn't matter if everyone loves you. It matters when everyone you care about sees you and appreciates you for who you are."
"Then Max is my only true friend."
"You have me."
"You don't know me."
"I think I know you better than you know."
"What does that mean?"
"I think you'll find out eventually," Everett rose to his feet and crossed the room to the door. "By the way, I'm not going to tell anyone about Max."
"Thanks." Before he could leave, she called out, "Conroy?"
"Yes?"
"Does Lorelai love you for who you are?"
Everett put his hand in his pocket, feeling the butterfly charm with the tips of his fingers. "Yeah, I think so."
"Since when did you know so much about plants?" Lorelai asked. They had snuck out to the woods again in order for Everett to collect the plants they needed for the location spell. Scales was scampering around the woods. The cat had much more energy with proper food in her system.
"Well, I don't really," Everett shrugged. "I live in a cottage in the middle of the woods, so I'm familiar with a lot of plants. I've read a few books, but nothing major."
"But you're 'plant savvy' remember?" Lorelai chuckled. "I'm pretty sure no one has used 'savvy' in a sentence for decades."
"Whatever," Everett rolled his eyes as he searched for the next item on his list. "You seem to be quite trusting with the woods today."
"Well, know that I know I'm not going to possibly die, I feel a little more comfortable."
"That leads me to ask," Everett cleared his throat. "What happened to you last night?"
Lorelai looked down at her feet, clearly uncomfortable. "I was scared," she mumbled.
"I figured, but why?"
"Is it that weird to have a fear of storms?"
"No, not without a reason. The Lorelai I knew wasn't."
"Are you sure?"
Everett supposed he wasn't. He didn't think the real Lorelai was afraid, but maybe she was. Had she hid it from him. They always told each other everything, but perhaps she was embarrassed. "I guess not."
"Well, I assume we had the same experience," Lorelai shook her head. "I don't think it would've happened any other way."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about our magic. My magic," Lorelai corrected. "That's why I'm afraid."
"I'm not following."
"Stop being so dense and listen," Lorelai folded her arms. "The night I discovered my magic, I burst and...I hit my mom. It was like I struck her with lightning. It terrified me. Being in the society that this world is, I was taught to conceal my power, but the storms always remind me of what happened. Of what I am. A monster."
Everett let that sink in. She wasn't scared of storms, she was scared of the storm inside her. "You're not a monster."
"Yes, I am," Lorelai defended. "I almost mauled you this morning because I can't control myself. Doesn't that bother you?"
"Nope," Everett shook his head. "You would never hurt me."
"There was way too much confidence in that statement. A reminder that I've only known you for about twenty-four hours."
"But doesn't it feel like a lifetime?" He stopped walking and turned towards her. Her blue eyes met his and widened.
"I will admit you feel familiar somehow, but it doesn't make up the fact that you are practically trusting a stranger."
"You're not a stranger," Everett chuckled and shook his head. "You are Lorelai."
"I'm not your Lorelai." She tried to walk away from him, but he grabbed her wrists and turned her to him.
"Yes, you are," Everett insisted. "She's in there. You just haven't realized it yet."
There was nothing but the sounds of the forest as they looked into each other's eyes. Everett gave Lorelai a little grin before letting go of her wrists and continuing to collect plants. Lorelai stayed in place for multiple seconds before feelings Scales at her feet. She picked up the cat and followed Everett deeper into the forest, a light blush brushing her cheeks.
The next morning, Everett, Lorelai, and Scales rode to Rose's castle. She was waiting for them at the door when they pulled up with the bikes. Everett held the pouch of collected leaves and flowers close to him as he and Lorelai strode across the grass. "Here's everything on the list. Oh, except for the orchid," he told the sorceress as he handed the pouch to her. She looked inside, surprised at the abundance.
"How did you manage to find all of these in one day?" she raised a brow.
"I told you I'm plant savvy," Everett shrugged before giving Lorelai a small wink. She giggled softly, Scales purred in her arms.
"I'll have to dry these out and put them in tomorrow," Rose shut the pouch. "Well, Lorelai, should we get started?"
"Started?" Everett raised a brow as he glanced at Lorelai. She nervously tucked a brown lock behind her ear.
"I didn't mention it but Rose offered to help me control my magic."
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Everett asked.
"Well, I was wasn't really sure if I wanted to do it."
"If I'm going to stay here for the next month worrying about your little outbursts then I might as well give up now." Lorelai looked offended by Everett's words but he continued. "You did almost kill me yesterday. You said it yourself."
"He's right," Rose cut in. "If you want to help him get back we'll have to keep him alive. I haven't had a student in years."
"Who was your first?"
"I suppose no one. Just myself I suppose."
"How do I know that you're not going to use this against the kingdom like in Everett's world?" Lorelai asked.
"You're just going to have to simply trust me, my dear," Rose grinned. "Hasn't your father taught you anything? Undeserved trust is what Ben was best at. He trusted to let the barrier down and we all know where that led to."
"Uh," Everett exchanged glances with Lorelai. "Our existence?"
"I'm not talking about you," Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about the attempted takeovers. Maleficent, Hades, and Uma are still out there after almost 19 years. Can you believe it?"
"How long have you been couped up in this castle?" Lorelai asked. Rose looked down at her, distaste growing on her face. It wasn't really at Lorelai, but something else. Everett didn't really know how to explain that look. It was like she was frowning at a memory.
"Not long enough," Rose turned sharply. "Come on. Let's go."
In the throne room, Everett sat on the throne as he watched Rose try to teach Lorelai. Her tactics obviously weren't working. Lorelai looked stressed and almost in a daze. Perhaps she was still freaked out that she had a secret aunt. Everett had to admit he would be if he were in her position. There was something more than stress in her eyes, there was also fear.
Learning about Lorelai's fear of storms made Everett come to realize there was probably much more to the real Lorelai he hadn't known about. Was she too afraid of lightning and thunder? Or had that gone away since she learned to control her magic? Everything was different here, Everett had to keep that in mind. But still, he could see glimpses of the girl he knew in this new Lorelai.
As the first lesson continued, Scales hopped up onto Everett's lap and sat on his knee. The cat didn't love him, but she didn't hate him either in this life. Everett found it very amusing and couldn't help but wonder why the real Scales hated him. "You're definitely different," Everett muttered as he stroked the cat's back. He then noticed a new freckle had appeared on his thumb.
Everett tried to stay away from mirrors. Looking at his strange new self was horrifying. Even looking at Lorelai gave him a small fright. There was a lot at risk Everett hadn't even realized. What if he was wasting his time? What if the petals would soon fall rapidly? Should he really just be sitting here and doing nothing?
Then he looked at Lorelai. She was holding out her hands. He could tell they were shaking, even from a distance. Rose ran her fingers along Lorelai's palms, making them more still. Lorelai looked up at Rose with a grin. Rose studied her niece's face for a long while. Everett knew she had Ben's grin. He wondered what Rose was thinking at the moment.
"You have to stay focused," Rose instructed. "Try to cast a tiny light. That's all."
"I can't," Lorelai shook her head. They had been practicing for hours now. Everett had taken a nap and was just suddenly awoken by the shaky voices.
"That's not the right attitude to have," Rose shook her head. "Think of the flames. There is a fire in you. Engage it. What do you feel?"
"I can feel the fire rising," Lorelai said as she closed her eyes. "It's starting to catch."
"Contain it," Rose came up close to Lorelai. "Then direct it." Everett could see the concentration in Lorelai's face. She furrowed her brows. Her hands began to shake. The tips had started to glow.
With a gasp, Lorelai fell to the ground. "I can't!"
"You're not trying hard enough!" Rose snapped. Lorelai put her hands over her ears. "How can I teach you if you're going to give up like a weakling?!"
"Hey!" Everett stood, making Scales jump to the floor. Rose whirled around at the sound of his voice. He stepped down from the thrones. "Don't you ever speak to her like that."
"What makes you think you have a say in this?" Rose raised a brow. "For I am the one helping you get out of the mess you put yourself in."
"At least I'm dealing with my problems." Everett didn't know what had come over him, but it felt right to protect Lorelai. "Just because you are powerful doesn't pull away from the fact that you have deserted your family, kingdom, and everything else. At least she is trying, but I can't say the same thing about you."
Rose seemed utterly shocked by his words. Everett looked down at Lorelai, who was still on the floor. He held out a hand to her. She took it, and he pulled her up to her feet. Everett kept hold of Lorelai's hand as he faced Rose. "We'll be back tomorrow with the orchid. Hopefully, it won't be for nothing."
As they left the castle, Lorelai had finally come out of her daze. "What was that?"
"She was hurting you," Everett didn't look at her. "What else was I suppose to do?"
"No one has ever stuck up for me before," Lorelai said quietly. That made Everett stop walking. It was ironic really. Now he was protecting the girl that had always protected him. He had never appreciated it before, but now Everett felt a wave of gratitude to Lorelai for all of those years.
He hesitated, but Everett slowly lowered his gaze to meet Lorelai's blue eyes. He was still holding her hand. "Well, it was about time someone did." Lorelai's lips parted slightly in response. He let his thumb brush the top of her hand before he let it go and got on his bike.
That night, Everett had a new dream. One he hadn't even recognized.
A much younger Rose looked over at a teenager Carlos, who was petting Dude. He looked very distraught. With a little hesitance, Rose walked over and sat down on the rock with him. He looked at her alarmed. She tried to keep a calm face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Carlos straightened.
"Oh so that's how it's going to be," Rose nodded. "Believe me I know silent suffering when I see one. Lemme guess. Something with big blue?"
"She's not big," Carlos turned away from her. Rose took a breath to diminish her annoyance.
"I know we are not off to a great restart," Rose admitted. "But I'm just trying to act normal for once."
"Why with me?" Carlos asked.
"Because I think you and I are on the same level," Rose put together.
"Of what?"
"With our struggles of the parent department," Rose shrugged. Carlos turned towards her.
"You don't know anything about me."
"I know that both of our mothers didn't love us," Rose shot back before thinking. Carlos' face turned into a hurt expression. "Listen, I know I've caused you a lot of pain in the past year, but when you think about it, I actually did you a lot of good." Carlos raised an eyebrow. "You and Evie wouldn't even be together if it weren't for me. You would've been denying yourselves for the rest of your lives. I think I deserve to know what's wrong."
Carlos took a deep breath."I think I messed up. I put a ring on her finger without saying anything and I think she thought I was proposing and I haven't clarified it."
"Well, what did you mean?" Rose raised an eyebrow.
"I just wanted it to be a promise ring," Carlos admitted. "I didn't want to propose to her on the Isle in an arcade. I would make it much more meaningful and romantic if I was going to propose. Evie should know that."
"Maybe she doesn't," Rose said simply. "She may have thought you were proposing. Love is a weird thing, or so I've been told. It's different for everyone. But what is it without its tragedy?"
"You know," Carlos said after a moment, "You're actually not that bad at being a friend."
"Friend?" Rose looked shocked.
"Friend," Carlos grinned. Rose couldn't help but let her own lips curve a little.
The patching of the past will never be truly mended unless it is recognized.
When Everett woke up, he was in a cold sweat. He didn't know why the dream had made him shiver. Could another rose petal have fallen? Everett ran his fingers through his hair before sitting up and getting out of bed. He couldn't go back to sleep now. It was almost dawn. Peering out the window, he could see the line of the sun giving a golden glow on the kingdom horizon.
Grabbing the butterfly charm off his dresser, he headed downstairs quietly in his pajamas. In the memory of his father, Everett had remembered the door under the stairs. There was nothing but silence in the house, so Everett assumed everyone was still asleep. As he stepped up to the door, Everett's fist tightened around the butterfly.
Taking a deep breath, Everett twisted the knob and opened the door. His ears were suddenly greeted with a loud clanging sound. Everett almost shut the door, but then he noticed the small spiral staircase leading down to where the noise was coming from. Stepping on the stairs, Everett closed the door behind himself, only to notice it had been soundproofed.
As he crept down the mysterious staircase, the sound got louder. There was a light at the bottom, and Everett was determined to find out what else was down there. He gazed at the sheets of paper stuck to the walls. They were drawings of machine parts and what seemed like inventions. When Everett stepped onto the cool cement floor did the full picture come into view.
For the first time in Everett's life, he was surprised to see his father tinkering around in what looked like a secret workshop.
