Thank you so much for reading this far and those who've reviewed. Mildred's Monster Misadventures will be on a short hiatus before returning, either with weekly or fortnightly updates. I've just not had the time to get as much written up as i'd have liked, espeslly with this story taking on a life of it's own. Hope you enjoy this 25th update!
25. Rock Paper Feathers
"Jewellerymaking, Charms, Crafts and Art," class was weird. Even weirder then art at Normal school. When Form One entered to class room there was no teacher. Just a giant block of grey marble in the center of the room, the seats were arranged in an arch around it.
Botanical prints and students previous work covered the walls. Models, plants and tins and pots lined the shelves. Some calming and cheerful was playing quietly on an old grammar phone so music, and an odd haze filled the empty space. A couple of easels with works in progress were set up to the side.
But other than the marble and a stuffed raven perched on the black board, the girls were alone.
"Should we go find someone?" Ruby asked after a few minutes. "Maybe Miss Mould is late?"
"How do you be late to your own lesson?" Maud wondered aloud back.
Suddenly the lump of rock blinked at them.
"Actually-" it grinned, then with a twist and a gasp revealed its self to be a gargoyle! " - I'm right on time!"
Several girls shrieked or yelled in surprise, but after introducing herself with a party trick, Mildred liked Miss Mould instantly. To look at she was not like the gargoyles Mildred had seen on old churches. Then again, she'd never seen one in a jazzy paint splattered piney. Miss Mould had a friendly face even if it was a little stony, and there a small pair of horns amongst the pencils and brushes stuck absent mindedly both in her hair and her bandana.
Mildred was quietly glad Fenny and Gris had warned her about the other art teacher Miss Nightingale though, because Miss Mould seemed absolutely barking introducing the Raven as her co-painter.
"But Miss, it's-!" Gloria started. The Raven suddenly squawked loudly making them all jump. Ot took off from its perch flew in arch over the class, revealing it hadn't been taxidermied at all, just staying very very still. "..Stuffed…?"
"Just a little art joke there," Miss Mould chuckled, plucking a feather from her hair. "But Miss Nightingale will be taking you for your lessons in the daytime."
The Raven (she, Miss Nightingale Mildred correcting herself again) eyed them from her nest on a top shelf, set between powder paints and squawked again. Mildred realized it had the same Raven one who'd been at Breakfast.
As it was only their first lesson, Miss Mould set them off on some very basic drawing and Sigil making tasks. Seeing her struggling with the magic side of things, the gargoyle patiently showed this new skill to Mildred and allowed her to work alongside Maud.
"But Miss, why do we need signals if witches have spells and potions?"
"Sigils. They can be used for making spells last, in wards and enchanting objects." Miss Mould explained, correcting Mildred's spelling on the charm. "I suppose we'll have to show you how to make a shamble too, won't we?"
Mildred supposed they would, although she was fairly certain she already was making a shamble of things. She didn't get a chance to answer as Amii with two I's and all the eyes from group A raised tentacle and Miss Mould went to help.
"You know those shield spells we told you about?" Maud said. "Sigils help make them stronger. They can look pretty too, and get carved into wood or into metal or even picture. That's where the jewelry making bit comes in, so you can carry them around."
Then added, "You have to make sure they work first." Just as Mildred's paper caught fire. Which was a bit worrying considering it had supposed to be a charm against sunburn. "I think you might have missed a line out somewhere."
Form one went through quite a few exercise sheets actually. One of the reasons the art department had made a very large number of copies. Ruby accidently caused hers to become water logged by invoking the wrong element for fresh air. Harriet's turned bright yellow when she went to coulour in a sun, so she swapped Amii who'd accidently turned her dyslexic colour copy white. Some papers vanished entirely. Ethel who so far had been perfect at everything, was gently corrected on one thing about her over use of purple and almost snapped her crayon in her grip.
Miss Nightingale the Raven flew down to Mildred's desk at one point, and pecked at her second exercise sheet, tap-tapping it with her beak. Mildred wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Perhaps ravens disapproved of doodling? Her circle was a bit wonky even using a compass. but she was certain she'd labelled all the colours on the wheel and differences between different types of shading correctly.
Then again it was now almost two in the morning and she was getting very tired. As much as she liked art she was glad when class ended. Her bed however lumpy, beckoned.
With the bell, the student body split up. As Group A slopped off reluctantly for their first flying lesson, Group B, Mildred and the other day walkers, made their way upstairs. Back to the bathrooms the girls headed, a lot quieter than previously. This time Mildred noticed little things like the Notes on the wall reminding them things like 'Floss Between Your Fangs' and 'Leave It Tidy For The Next Girl' as they cleaned their teeth and brushed their hair fur and or scales.
It was getting quite chilly in the corridors. Mildred made sure she kept her socks on as she changed into her nightdress. Maud stopped by to say goodnight as Mildred was taking care to hang all her uniform up so as to hopefully not get any more lines. She was glad for Maud's quiet chatter. The room was far too still without any bats.
Or it was until her door was thrown with a snap making them both jump.
"To your own beds, girls." Miss Hardbroom instructed. How'd she finished her lesson so quick?
Maud scuttled out obediently and Mildred got in to bed. But HB was still glaring at her. Mildred gaped back confused until HB nodded at the candle.
"Lights out means LIGHTS OUT." Miss Hardbroom said, well, practically snarled at her.
"Please may I keep it on a little longer Miss?"
"No, you may not."
It had been a long shot. Mildred sighed, blew it out and scrambled back under the covers before anything in the dark could get her.
"Goodnight Miss Hardbroom."
"…Goodnight Mildred Hubble."
Miss Hardbroom vanished slowly, her glare being the last thing to go. The door swung shut and HB moved off to continue her rounds. Normally Mildred was very afraid of the dark (and creepy vampires). But tonight, she was too sleepy to be scared, drifting off before HB's heels made it down to the other end of the corridor.
And just like that, Mildred had finished, and more importantly, survived her first 'day' at Cackles.
End of Arch One