Chapter 5: E is for Elaborate

"An old affront will stir the heart through years of rankling pain" -
Jean Ingelow


"Guardian door-to-door plumber service. We're here to fix your leakage."- Irma's sarcastic words almost made the veteran rebel spit his last sip. Julian just stared at the three young women on the threshold without saying anything. How did they know?

"I told you it wasn't very funny, Irma. We're getting too old for this."- Hay Lin said as she walked in the house followed by her two friends, walking past Julian completely at ease.

"Talk about yourself, samurai bun. I'm a teen diva for life!"

"Enough fooling around."- Will interrupted them. "Julian, we're here to close the portal which has emerged in your basement. I'm sure you don't mind."- she said to the man, who had just closed the door behind them. "Then we won't be bothering you anymore. I know it's evening time and people like to relax-"

"Yeah."- Irma joined in. "And you probably want to take the D downtown..."

"Irma."- Will shut her up with a glare. "Anyhow, Julian, we're going downstairs."

But before they could head to the basement of the big house, Caleb came down the staircase from the upper floor, gently rocking his son in one hand. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and stared at the sight in front of him in disbelief:

"Guardians?"- he uttered. "But how..."

"Hi, Caleb. Don't worry, we're just here to close a portal. There's no trouble other than that."- Hay Lin smiled at him. "Is Cornelia home, by the way?"

"No... I thought she's with you..."- the rebel leader frowned causing Hay Lin to arch a brow, but before she could say anything else:

"That is a problem by itself."- Will said sharply. "It's not normal for a portal to open in the new veil so soon. We should hurry up."

"But how did you even find out."- the man huffed. "The map's not even in you."

Will narrowed her eyes at that:

"What is that supposed to mean? Wait a minute..."

"Caleb, I think that we should be honest with them."- Julian spoke his mind, but a new voice interjected in the conversation, cutting off his chance to do so:

"It means nothing."- the sound of sharp high heels foretold her appearance. "You can leave. Our portal shall not be closed."

"Our portal? You knew that there's portal?!"- Irma exclaimed and frowned as she saw the tall woman emerge from the dark dining room. "Well, isn't that nice."

"Of course I did, did you really imagine that a portal would open in the Mage of Meridian's house without her notice?"- and Nerissa laughed coldly. "Especially after I opened it-"

"I can't believe this woman."- Irma shook her head in a reprehensible manner.

"I knew that this wasn't a coincidence."- Will scoffed. "But why?! Why work on distorting the veil now, Nerissa? You do realize that Phobos is still a threat, right? And once slit, the veil will only become more and more unstable. What do you win from this?!"

"I helped raise this veil, you're not to tell me how to process with it when it was my magic that helped create it in the first place."- the ex-guardian stated icily. "Now hit the road. I'm in no mood to talk to any of you."

"Nerissa."- Julian scolded her.

"No, it was my idea."- Caleb announced, to the guardians' shock. "It's not her fault. I stole the map from Hay Lin's-"

"You've rummaged through my room?!"

"- Yeah, sorry about that."- and he scratched the back of his head. "I haven't read or touched anything inappropriate, don't worry. Anyways, I took the map and brought it here, because I wanted to establish a permanent passageway between Meridian and Earth. Look, the veil hinders me from going there on a daily basis, and as a part of the court and rebellion, I have to be able to travel to the Palace. Mother was only obliging my request by using her Mage Ring and the map to force a portal, she hasn't..."

"You're not obliged to explain yourself to them, Caleb."- Nerissa interrupted him and glared at the girls. "We're keeping this portal safe here and in the Infinite City, where no one will be able to find it, therefore it is completely secure. The rest is just them being pesky and putting their nose in other people's business."

"But one portal will cause others to start opening at random places again!"- Hay Lin reminded her. "It can get dangerous, that's why we..."

"Then so be it, what are you all for?"- Nerissa took the word back from her. "The guardians' original task has always been to keep something shielded, in your case, it's the veil. You'll go on closing all holes which will emerge in the veil, just like you've done in the past, it is really nothing new to you, nor do I see why we need to discuss it. If you do your job there are going to be no problems, it's as simple as that."- her green eyes shone coldly.

"Wow. We worked so hard to become Guardians of the Infinite Dimensions and now we're downgraded to Guardians of the Veil again."- Irma noted sarcastically.

"Just the wheel of fortune, I guess. We all win and lose different things, differently, and at different times. Well."- the sorceress sneered harshly. "That's topic for a whole other time. Cheerio, W.I.T.C.H. Or should I say W.I.H."- and with that she left the setting, leaving even her son and husband quite dumbfounded. What had gotten into her again. Julian sighed and sank in the sofa. Phobos's escape had dampened his self-confidence too, he could understand his wife and part of what she was obviously going through, but what could've they done, really. The queen, whom he did not blame, had made some hasty decisions over which they could not have had power.

"Will, please understand me and let this portal be. We need to be able to commute to Meridian, otherwise things might get worse with time."- Caleb came close to the redhead and placed his free hand on her shoulder. "And pardon mom's anger, it's actually justified, the Oracle did something to her back on Kandrakar. Or so I suspect, but yes... Be with me on this."

Will looked up at his green eyes and sighed reluctantly. On one hand, she could understand his point. On the other, she wanted to lash out and close the portal just to get back at Nerissa, for she had once again treated them like shit. In the end, she decided that a secret passage to Meridian was, after all, a more sensible option than going back and forth in pointless games of returning the ball with the ex-guardian.

"Fine. But just this once."- she pouted. "Map please."

"Oh, yeah. Here."- and he reached to pull the scroll under his shirt and out of his back pocket.

The redhead took it and used the time which Hay Lin and Irma spent cooing over Killian, to activate the map with the Heart of Kandrakar.

The detailed geographical coordinates of the city appeared in an instant and she reported the presence of only one cross. The house they were in right now. One single portal. For now, the woman thought grimly. From now on, checking this map would be a daily routine.

"About Cornelia...is she mad at me or something? I haven't seen her all day."- Caleb murmured.

Hay Lin and Irma looked at each other.

"I don't know about that; I just know she had a fight with Taranee and we're trying to get them to kiss and make up. It had proven to be an elaborate enterprise so far."


"Hey, does Nerissa seem different to you? I mean in a negative way."- Hay Lin said once it was just her and Irma, making their way back to the "Silver Dragon" on foot. "I didn't want to say it in front of Will, because I know she can be touchy on this topic. -"

"What, you mean she was bitchier than usual? I don't know Hay-Hay, Nerissa is always a bitch."- Irma retorted as she lazily scrolled through her Facebook feed. "I can't bother trying to estimate when she crosses the line anymore."

"No, I mean as...as if she was back to her old self. From before redeeming herself."- Hay Lin wished she had thought on her words before uttering them: "No, that's terrible. Forget that I said it. I'm sure it's something else-"

"Whaat? No, you can't just leave what you started unfinished now that I'm intrigued!"- and the Latina shoved her phone in her pocket, turning her entire attention to her friend. "Come on, I'm waiting!"

They were walking on the peculiarly empty sidewalks. It wasn't too too late, but the foggy weather had obviously forced the rest of the residents of Heatherfield to make their way around in cars. Hay Lin took a deep breath before giving her explanation:

"I just caught this...I felt some sort of an unpleasant chill, an emotion of frustration and dissatisfaction in her. Something I did not detect before, even while Kadma was hunting her. I may be wrong, but from what I've heard from grandma about their story...Ooff, I hate having to say this. I'm afraid that darkness might be consuming Nerissa again...Maybe we have to talk to Cornelia or Julian about it before it's too late?"- as the younger woman looked up at her friend for validation, she added hesitatingly: "Caleb is surely out of the question, he'd only get angry if we say something like that-"

"I think that Cornelia is out of question as well."- Irma snorted. "She is obviously pretty on the edge again, I mean look at her! She refuses to talk to Taranee because of such a high school thing-"

"Irma, what Taranee did was pretty inappropriate and harsh, if you ask me."- Hay Lin argued. "Wouldn't you be mad too if someone had come to your table, making a scene, accusing you of being a cheater just like that? I love them both, but Tara didn't even have evidence-"

"Not if that someone was one of you! My closest friends. And come on, Tara did what she did with best intentions, she was looking out for her! Corny shouldn't keep her nose in the clouds, she should learn to be a tad more forgiving. It's not that big of a deal."

"I'm sorry to say it, Irma, but in this situation, Taranee was looking out for her brother. She even justified him and accused Cornelia. And what about the part in which Corny was actually helping Peter cope with the truth? The truth about us being guardians, about Cassidy being a former guardian? All that is hard to process for anyone...Cornelia acted in a noble and selfless way in her attempt to make it all easier on Peter...I just wish Taranee had given her a chance before lashing out. Now that Corny's ego has been hurt, it's just too late to bump our heads. I know her, she just needs time to heal."

Irma didn't say anything. They had reached the Lins' family restaurant and were already making their way to an empty booth. It was a weekday night, yet the place was relatively busy. Just when the two guardians had taken their seats, ready to order dinner, Chen Lin approached their table. His expression was stern and accusing, and Hay Lin could instantly tell why:

"Wassup Mr. Lin, I'll have some fried rice with mushrooms and eggs, a sprout salad, a coke..."

"A minute if you will, Irma. I'll take your order."- the man stopped her and pushed the glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "First, I'd like to ask Hay Lin why wasn't she here for her shift, despite having promised to work tonight? Hay?"

"Dad, I didn't promise to work tonight, I don't even intend on working here after I finish college."- the Asian girl sighed.

"No duh, why would she go to college in the first place if she was aspiring to be a waitress."- Irma called tactlessly, gaining glares of disapproval from both father and daughter.

You're not helping, Irma!

All right, all right, I'll shut up. Pinky promise.

"It's not about that, Hay Lin, it's about helping your family out."- her father raged. "The Dragon is family wealth and heritage. How can you be so indifferent to it!?"

"Dad, please, not in front of Irma..."

"No, young missy, you're not getting out of trouble this time. You're going to work over the weekend!"

"You can't tell me that, dad, I'm 23 years of age!"

"I said something."- the man was relentless. "As long as you live under my roof. -"

I don't want to live under your roof anymore either! But before she could utter it out, a familiar voice interjected in the conversation:

"Chen! You have orders to complete, ya know. Quit blabbing! And must I remind you that this is still my roof. When I kick the bucket, do whatever you wish, until then you will do as I say! Buzz off! Now!"

"Mother, I'll never understand why do you, of all people, encourage her to neglect our family's customs."- Chen sighed deeply, but Yan Lin just made a face and pointed at the way behind her.

You'd never understand, my boy. Unfortunately, or not, I never got to tell you anything about Kandrakar, but it was because I knew of how neurotic you are. You wouldn't have been able to handle it, Chen. You're just like your father and if he couldn't, their neither can you.

"Because we're living in the 21st century. Now don't talk back at me and mind your orders!"

Hay Lin gave her grandma a pleading look. She hated when her dad got the rough handling because of her, but this time the man wasn't going to back down so soon:

"It was my father's wish for the Lins to keep this place going. It was your dream to have your own Chinese place here in Heatherfield in honor of our ancestors and traditions, mother, but apparently all that is now a distant memory to you."- Chen frowned as he took his glasses off.

Yan Lin scoffed at that line and looked up to meet his eyes. He was angry alright, but that didn't mean that the customers had to listen, nor that he was right. He might be her son, but he was so different from her.

"Actually, this place was my mother in-law's dream."- she pursed her lips. "And we've been keeping it running quite smoothly in the last 50 something years, haven't we, ha? With or without my granddaughter. She needs not surrender herself to the restaurant for it to function. Now don't make me repeat myself, Chen!"

"When did you become so careless and rude to Dad's memory, Mother."- Chen's last words echoed in her ears even after he had walked away as if followed by a cloud made of his own anger and affront.

Yan Lin sighed deeply as she sat heavily next to Irma, who together with Hay Lin, had been listening to the little feud in silence.

"When I move out things will get back to normal, grandma, I promise."- the young woman assured her grandmother with a hand placed on hers.

"What are you even waiting for is beyond me."- Irma commented. "If I were you, I'd be sleeping in Eric Lyndon's king-sized bed with one of the best views in the city, every night by now."

"Ahh, I doubt that her moving out will change much."- Yan Lin shook her head. "Chen is simply...so much like his father, may it be peace on his ashes, and that is both great and not so great."

"I'm sorry, grandma. I wish I could make dad happy; I love him and the restaurant, but I have dreams, a life of my own."- Hay Lin spoke apologetically. "Sometimes I feel like he wants me to give up all of that and spend my entire life in this building."

"Ah, don't even say that, granddaughter. I would never allow you to sacrifice your dreams and destiny for anything. Even for Chen."- Yan Lin said seriously. "I'll make him understand, in one way or another. Now leave that aside and tell me what happened with the portal. Did ya close it?"

The two guardians looked at each other as if they were deciding which one would speak up first. Irma, by some odd chance, allowed her friend to go first:

"No... the portal wasn't a stray one."- the Air guardian murmured. "Caleb and Nerissa opened it because they want to have a passage to Meridian."

"I thought that the case could be similar to that."- the old woman confessed as she gathered her palms in the opposite sleeves of her kimono.

"Will agreed to let the portal stay for now, on the condition that they keep it secure. That's why we didn't close it, grandma."

"And because Nerissa rudely ousted us."-Irma added with outrage. "She's back to being a crazy hoe! Hay thinks that her brain short-circuited itself again. -"

"I didn't say that!"

And Hay Lin threw a timid glance at her grandmother, expecting of her to react angrily, but she never did. Yan Lin just sighed with internal tiredness:

"Ah, that is what I fear ever since the Oracle decided to raise the veil once again. Phobos's lam by itself had a grave effect on Nerissa, she feels endangered, failed and weakened. And the fact that the price of the divider remained to be paid by her did not help at all, obviously. "

"Whaat?! What is that supposed to mean?"- Irma wanted to know.

"Yeah, grandma, what price did she have to pay?"- Hay Lin glanced at the old lady in concern, as she watched her give a small sad smile.

"What do you think she had to give? What is that thing she loves most in the Universe after her closest ones?"

Her question was rhetorical, but Hay Lin's realization couldn't remain silent. She shook her head with a foreboding of the unpleasant truth that frightened her:

"Her power. That explains so much."- the young guardian whispered. "Nerissa has lost her power."

"Not all of it, but yes, the veil did cost her a great fraction of her powers. It cost her the Heart of Aridia."- Yan Lin confirmed quietly. She raised her chin to look at the young women in front of her, exchanging glances.

"Well, shit. Nerissa lost a Heart. Again."- Irma summed it up. "I hope that I'm a bad prophet, but knowing what that loss had driven her to do the first time, I can't help but gulp."


"Oh, why am I not surprised that these two have snitched on me, in spite of promising not to."- Nerissa snorted the next morning as she unwillingly accepted three out of four guardians and her old friend into the house. Today their composition was different- Hay Lin, Taranee, and Will had come instead of Irma, who was busy with her work. "Lair on the Air" was about to sign an important contract and she had a conference to attend. She had pleaded to her friends to pray for her not screwing things up.

Nerissa on the other hand was seemingly calm. She welcomed them in the kitchen where she offered tea from a big French kettle.

Dressed in a midnight-blue pantsuit of soft but fine fabric, a white blouse tucked behind a glittering belt studded with tiny diamonds and of pair of heels to match, she didn't look as grim and disempowered as the night before. And that's exactly what Hay Lin found strange:

"Halinor and Kadma haven't snitched on you, Nerissa. Mira told me about the events on Kandrakar. We...we sometimes talk through a mental link. She does, If I have to be completely honest, she never stops blabbing."- Yan Lin explained as she took the cup her friend was handing her.

"We're here because we want to make sure that you are fine."- Hay Lin said sincerely.

"Oh, I see."- Nerissa snickered, still not looking at the four women sitting around her kitchen table. Instead, she busied herself with cutting an impressive looking cake on the counter. "But shouldn't you, oh I don't know, be working on eliminating Phobos instead of checking up on me? Especially the guardians."

"That can't exactly happen until we find a clue of some sort or at least some information from Kandrakar."- Will was quick to reply. She herself hated the fact that the Evil Prince was free and somewhere out there, but she couldn't do much about it. But when it came to Nerissa, on the other hand..."I trust you that the portal is safe, despite already being used, right?"

"Mmm yes, Julian and Caleb have crossed to Meridian a few hours ago. Apart from me, missing on a particular morning state which is to be admired in my husband, no harm was done. Just little me being deprived of some fun, as I woke up too late. No harm done to your precious portal. "-the brunette replied, as she playfully licked the end of the knife she had used to cut the cake. Will made a face. The conversation had been pushed to an extremely inappropriate edge.

"This isn't a joke, Nerissa. The portal itself can't really be harmed, now can it? But it can be taken advantage of. If someone else crosses through it-"

"That will not happen."- the ex-guardian almost snapped as she firmly set the plates of cake in front of her uninvited guests.

Hay Lin looked down at the creamy temptation in front of herself. She could use a bite of something sweet to fix her day at least a little bit.

"My protection spells stop unwanted passings on both sides. I wasn't born yesterday, W.I.T.C.H."

"Don't be like that, Nerissa. After all, we're just worried about you. I am, I know that you take all that's been happening lately, sorely."- Yan Lin looked at her.

"May it be so."- the former keeper shrugged lazily. "I appreciate your concern, Yanny, but it's quite groundless. As you can see, I am doing more than fine. Actually, before you four came, I was planning on going out."

"Yes, we can see. Where to, if you don't mind me asking?"- Will eyed her seriously, but Nerissa returned the glance cold.

"To the mall, my dear. Don't you shop? I do, I confess, a tad too much even. It's like my own little guilty pleasure."- she tossed her long-straightened locks to the left with a sleek smile. One had to agree, that side bangs-look she was rocking in this particular day, did suit her wickedly.

"We can see."- Taranee pointed out, scanning her outfit once again. "And you always go for expensive. Sometimes I even wonder where do you get all the money to..."

"Look girls, not that I'm saying that I don't enjoy talking to you, I do. Almost. "- Nerissa interrupted her. "But I really must go and if you would be kind enough to take your guardians and leave, Yan Lin, I would highly appreciate it. Let's leave this for another time."

"You're ousting us again?"- Will exclaimed as she watched the older woman go around the kitchen island, eyes focused on her vibrating phone. "But you just served us cake-"

"Oh, whatever, I don't have the time to explain! You can stay in the house if you want."- this time Nerissa fully snapped before pulling, her, ruffled in the bottom, blazer, and taking her purse. "Enjoy the cake. Killian's sleeping upstairs so do keep an eye on him until I'm back."

"Wait a minute, your grandson...but where's Cornelia?"- Yan Lin turned to her friend with a hanging mouth. "Nerissa, what's going on around here?!"

"I do not know where Cornelia is, she constantly goes out without a word, leaving her child to my care, which I'll never mind, yet today I'm in a hurry and you will help me. At least one of you will stay here with Killian. Oh, and I had rather that not be Will."

"Hey, why not me?!"

"In a hurry for the mall?"- Taranee raised an eyebrow. "You and Cornelia are very much alike, I have to admit.-"

"Because you're not very good with children, dear Will."- Nerissa declared without further ado, as she took a look at her makeup in the metallic toaster.

Will felt her mouth hang open at that. She was just going to protest against this offensive accusation when the glass kitchen door was heard:

"And just what is that supposed to mean, Taranee? And how dare you even be here? I don't want to see you!"- Cornelia had made her return home noticeable, by slamming the door behind herself. The sight of her long blond hair in a big messy bun and her modern pink sportswear suggested that she had been to the gym. But unfortunately, Cornelia hadn't sweated her bitterness out, as Taranee realized instantly. She hadn't expected different, anyway:

"Cornelia."- the fire guardian began. "I tried to talk to you yesterday, I'm really sorry about what I did and said, but you just won't listen to my apologies-"

"There's nothing to listen to, you said what you had to say yesterday in that cafe! I don't need to hear your goddamn apologies to know that they're worthless! Now get out of here!"-and Cornelia pointed at the door with a relentless expression.

Hay Lin and Will looked at each other, worried and eclipsed by the scene before them. Nerissa, on the other side, appeared to be completely indifferent to the scandal:

"Anyhow. Since the mother is finally here, I can go out in peace and none of you will have to stay with Killian after all."- she interfered from behind.

"Finally?"- Cornelia turned around abruptly, aiming her malevolence at the ex-guardian. "And what is that supposed to mean? I don't deserve to go out at all these days?"

"What are you talking abou..."

"I get it, you want me to be stuck at home all day, don't you?"- the blonde didn't slow down. "Like it's not enough that you, your son and Julian only think about stupid Meridian, now I'm expected to do everything around here! I can't even go to the gym anymore!"

For a moment there, everyone, including Nerissa, looked absolutely flabbergasted. The ex-guardian obviously hadn't expected the young mother to lash out on her of all people, but she hid it well, managing to keep her own temper:

"I said no such thing, dear. I never question your actions or egressions, do I? I was simply stating that Killian will finally be in good hands-"

"Yeah, sure you did. I heard what you said to the others."- Cornelia snapped angrily. " I'm 'constantly going out without saying a word', huh? And just who lied to you that I owe you explanations? Look, dear, you're only living here because you're Caleb's mother and because of the circumstances, but that shouldn't fool you. This is my house and you're just a guest!"

Echoing, the words sounded in the ears of the older woman, as the room got filled with painful silence. Incredulous, Nerissa stood dead in her tracks, not uttering a word more...

"Woah, woah, woah, Cornelia, you should calm down."- Will finally broke the silence. "Please, accept Tara's apology and don't be like that, we have much more serious things to worry about than petty fighting with each..."

"And since this is my house."- Cornelia interrupted her, not having listened to a word she had said. "I want all of you out of here right now! I have a son to take care of and a terrible headache to cure, and I can't deal with unwanted visitors too. Yan Lin, I'm sorry, you're older than me and I shouldn't be talking to you like that, but coming here without calling in first, won't be happening. And that applies for everyone."- the blonde's cold words stung them once again. She was so determined, her friends stood up silently making their way to the door.

"Cornelia..."-Hay Lin began, but her grandmother stopped her.

"Let's go, granddaughter."- she said quietly, pushing her to the door. The others followed without any protests, Taranee keeping her head the lowest.

She was responsible for awakening these demons of bitterness, anger, and harshness in the Earth guardian, and she was ashamed of it. Now everyone had to suffer under Cornelia's heavy words just because of her stupid mistake...

Nerissa watched the small delegacy leave through the kitchen doors, a small smile of victory crawling on her lips. Sure, the blonde had insulted her too, but in the end, her rage had helped her by sending the guardians out before they could continue with their particularly annoying questions. Cornelia's flare-up had cleared the way for her.

Oh, dear Cornelia, the ex-guardian thought as she watched the guardian storm out of the room in her turn. You take such pride in all which you do, yet that pride fuels sheer arrogance which often affronts all who surround you, even your friends. Some months ago, you asked me about the chink in the armor of your soul, and I must say that I've now discovered it. You're wrong if you think that I've taken your words at heart. After all, they worked to my advantage. I'm not even angry with you. You're my son's true love after all. And we mustn't fight against true love, must we?


A/N: Soo, what is Phobos up to? What is Nerissa up to? What are your thoughts on Cornelia&Taranee's feud? What about Hay Lin and her dad? As always, your assumptions and comments are the best. Keep them coming. :)

See u in the next chapter!