Disclaimer: Don't own. Not making money. If was making money, I would own. But I'm not so I don't. Life sucks that way.
A/N: Chapter 4! Yay!
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Chapter 4: No Need to Worry….
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The first of the parties came months after Wolfgang's death. It was on Halloween and Tangerine had decided there would be a scavenger hunt. The winner would win a silver crown from her collection that she inherited from her parents. As the guests started arriving, the liveliness perked up.
Everyone Tangerine could possibly know had come and the party was roaring. People danced, laughed, and ate. Half way though the night Tangerine announced her game.
"Everyone! I dare say a game is in order!" Cheers erupted through the ballroom. Tangerine giggled merrily. "It is a scavenger hunt!" More cheers shook the room. Lenora, who had been hiding in the corner, ran to get her mother.
Outside the doorway to the séance room, Lenora composed herself. She strode in quietly. Seated at the head of a round table in an elaborate chair was Madame Leota. Perched above her was Richard who watched the proceedings silently. Several other people sat quietly around the table, waiting for Leota to begin the séance. They barely noticed Lenora when she walked to her mother.
Leota spoke softly, instead of her usual sharp and powerful tone. "Yes Lenora?"
"Mother, Tangerine has just started a scavenger hunt. I think it's going to interrupt the séance." Leota pondered a moment before responding.
"We'll take care of it if it happens."
Downstairs, Tangerine was handing out the lists for the hunt. Lillian stood with her, making small talk and gossip.
"Aren't you afraid this hunt will interrupt those ghastly séances?"
Tangerine laughed. "No, of course not! Besides, it's not like they're real anyway." They both giggled as Tangerine handed the last list to Mr. Tiber Garret. Everyone headed out into the mansion. Tangerine and Lillian waited patiently for the winner in the ballroom. "Anyway, I can handle Leota. It's that awful daughter of hers that is intolerable."
"Yes, I know what you mean. Did you know that at the Stevenson funeral she nailed the coffin shut before the wake?" Tangerine let out a small gasp.
"Noo! That's horrible! The only people in this entire mansion she really talks to is George and Leota." A grim nod came from Lillian.
"Tangerine, do you believe that Lenora is George's—" Lillian was cut off by an angry shout coming from upstairs. Leota stormed into the ballroom, Lenora following close behind. Party guests came running to see what the commotion was about.
"Tangerine! This is not the first time you have interrupted one of my séances!"
"Leota, calm down. There's no need to be so dramatic!" Some of the guests nodded in agreement with Tangerine. Leota was fuming.
"Thirteen years from today, you will die!" A few of the guests gasped, but most laughed along with Tangerine. Lillian gave her opinion as the laughter died down.
"Leota, if George wasn't so fond of you and your ghastly daughter I would kick you out sooner than the sun rises!" Lenora tried to step towards Lillian but Leota held her back. Leota smirked.
"I was not joking when I said your death would come with that river. Actually, George is soon going to forget you and that is what will lead to your doom." Lillian smirked right back.
"Now back to the party! No more death nonsense. Now has anyone finished the hunt?" Tangerine brought everyone's attention back to the party. Leota and Lenora left the ballroom to reform the séance.
"I have!" The exclamation came from Tiber Garret. Everyone clapped as he was awarded the crown. It wasn't long until the ballroom was filled with laughter and dancing and music. A young woman named Victoria spoke to Tangerine.
"You're not worried about the psychic's prediction, are you?" Tangerine laughed once more.
"Of course not. She's full of you know what and I won't let her spoil the fun." Victoria nodded and the both continued dancing.
All of the séance guests had left by the time Leota and Lenora made their way back to the circular room.
"Ohh, that woman will pay!" Lenora looked questioningly at her mother.
"Which one?"
"Both of them. Tangerine for her parties and Lillian just because she is who she is." Lenora nodded in agreement. She thought for a moment before asking her next question.
"Did you really mean what you said to Tangerine? That she's going to die in 13 years."
"Of course I did. I don't make predictions just to fool people. I've seen it. She will die in 13 years." Lenora watched her mother pack her materials away.
"Mother, I've seen things too. Things like Wolfgang dying, Tangerine dying, and Lillian dying." Leota looked up at her daughter. The look in Lenora's eyes was disconcerting. They were filled with sadness.
"What else?"
Lenora looked hastily to the floor. "I've- I've also seen you dying. Master Gracey too." Leota held Lenora's face and looked deep into her eyes. They were brimmed with tears.
"Lenora, you need to listen to me. I have not seen Gracey or myself dying. You don't need to worry." Lenora nodded furiously, trying not to cry. They hugged each other deeply. Leota stared into space as Lenora cried into her shoulder. "There's no need to worry…." Leota's eyes disagreed with her comforting words.
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Word count: 870
A/N: Well? How am I doing?
