Raelle happened to look out the window on her way to her room and saw Eve being taken in as a prisoner. She ran out of the building and intercepted the group. "Is this really necessary?" She recognized the unit as the ones who were sent to protect her in the Cession.
"We're just following orders," one of them explained.
"Anacostia," Raelle called out as she ran towards her. "Please tell me that this isn't how we're going to treat her."
"We don't know if she's friend or foe," Anacostia said. "It's just a precaution."
"I think we're past friend or foe now," Raelle insisted. "It's time for reconciliation; to try seeing the good in those who were once our enemies. She wasn't even aware of Hearst's activities."
Anacostia looked conflicted with wanting to trust Eve but at the same time worried she may be like her father-figure. "I'll take it into consideration."
Raelle wanted to argue some more but knew that was the best she was going to get from her. "Just don't hurt her." She was still bothered by it when she returned to Scylla with neither food nor clothing.
"Something wrong?" Scylla asked, noticing Raelle's troubled look.
"They just brought Eve in," Raelle began, plopping on the bed. "They're treating her like an enemy even after we just ended a war."
Scylla sat next to Raelle and wrapped her arm around the latter. "It'll take some time to sort things out. I'm sure Petra won't harm her."
"Do you believe that?" Raelle asked, seeing the assurance in Scylla's face.
"She invited us here and so far, the three of us are fine," Scylla pointed out. "And if I'm right, Ash may have some new friends by the morning."
Raelle looked at Scylla and it slowly dawned on her what she meant. "I'm glad someone's having fun. Are you trying to distract me?"
Scylla grinned before getting serious. "I'm trying to improve your mood. Why don't you talk to Abigail and ask her what she thinks her mother will do or if she could ask for assurances of Eve's safety?"
Raelle gave Scylla a quick appreciative peck on the cheek. "I'll be right back."
"Don't forget the food and clothing this time," Scylla reminded her playfully.
.
Scylla stirred in her sleep and felt a warm body beside her that made her open her eyes and found bright blue eyes looking at her.
"Good morning, beautiful," Raelle greeted with a wide bright smile.
"Good morning. What time is it?" Scylla croaked, realizing she had fallen asleep and didn't know that Raelle had returned. She was usually a light sleeper so wondered why she slept through.
"I think we have some time before breakfast," Raelle said, checking her watch.
"Why didn't you wake me up last night?" Scylla wondered.
"You looked pretty tired after all that work so I decided to let you rest," Raelle explained.
"Did you get some rest?" Scylla asked, knowing Raelle did as much work if not more.
"Yeah, didn't you hear me snoring?" Raelle teased. "I think Abigail and Tally could hear me from our room." She was glad to hear the brunette chuckle at that.
"How is High Atlantic? Did she get you what you wanted from Petra?"
"Petra herself gave me her word that Eve will be treated fairly," Raelle revealed.
Scylla smiled knowing what that meant to the blonde. "I think she'd agree to anything you ask after seeing your power."
"It wasn't just me," Raelle replied humbly. "You helped a lot, too."
Scylla admired that about Raelle and gracefully accepted the credit. Feeling generous herself, she reminded Raelle that they got help from past and current witches.
"So, does that mean Abigail can talk to birds now?" Raelle wondered, recalling that the taller witch was the first to step up and help Scylla.
"It's more complicated than that," Scylla tried to explain. "Can you imagine what would happen if Abigail can talk to birds?"
Raelle chuckled at the image she conjured in her mind. "Then it's a good thing it's complicated."
A knock at the door interrupted their idyllic moment. Raelle grudgingly went to the door to see who it was upon Scylla's urging.
"Good morning!" Tally greeted cheerfully. "I figured you two are famished." She entered with food followed by Abigail bringing coffee.
Scylla indeed was feeling hungry and appreciated Tally's effort to make it a more private meal in their room than joining the rest of the coven.
"How are you feeling?" Abigail asked, handing Scylla one of the coffee cups.
"Better," Scylla replied warily, wondering why Abigail was being nice.
"What?" Abigail asked when she saw the confused looks of the trio.
"Nothing," Tally and Raelle said simultaneously while Scylla remained silent.
"Classes are suspended," Tally revealed. "It looks like they're trying to decide what to do next after we defeated the Camarilla."
"Great! Because Scylla and I have somewhere to be," Raelle announced, preemptively thwarting any chance Abigail would suggest training for them.
.
Raelle waited as Scylla worked to open the portal for them to visit the mycelium. Although Alder had given her permission to see it any time she wanted, Izadora had insisted on being asked to enter the lab.
"There," Scylla said happily as the portal opened for her. "I'm surprised Izadora hadn't allowed you to come and go as you please."
Raelle shrugged. "I'm surprised she hadn't changed the lock."
"Izadora is set in her ways; and she didn't expect me back on base," Scylla concluded. "At least not as freely as I am now."
"Scylla!" a fellow necro student said in surprise to seeing her back in the lab. "Does Izadora know you're here?"
"She's with me," Raelle said, stepping up beside Scylla protectively. She watched as the other witch deferred to her authority.
"I guess word is out that you are a witch not to be messed with," Scylla teased as she followed Raelle to the mycelium. Raelle gave her a displeased look that made her laugh.
"So, you were never curious about it?" Raelle wondered, considering Scylla's mission at the base.
"I was afraid of what it might do," Scylla admitted quietly.
Raelle marveled at that rare admission by the brunette. "I heard you had a reputation of being courageous."
"Courage isn't the absence of fear," Scylla quoted something she heard as a child.
Raelle took Scylla's hand and faced the wall of mycelium with her. They saw their respective mothers emerge from the sinewy matter extending their hands to welcome them in.
Scylla didn't know what to expect having never been inside but was glad to have been invited in because of Raelle. "Mom?" She was in disbelief seeing her in truer form now. She let go of Raelle's hand and ran to hug her.
Raelle watched the reunion standing next to her own mom. "Thanks for healing her." She turned to express her gratitude with a hug of her own.
"You needed her as much as she needed you," Willa said comfortingly. "I'm just glad you both figured out how to defeat our ancient enemy."
.
Scylla found Raelle waiting for her just outside the entry after her visit with her mom. She gave her a tearful hug and a whispered thanks for the opportunity to see her mom again.
"I would've introduced myself to your mom," Raelle began drawing slightly away. "But I didn't want to interrupt your mother-daughter moment."
"She knows who you are," Scylla said playfully, regaining her high spirits when near the blonde. "You're not only famous among living witches you know."
"Does she know about us?" Raelle asked, enjoying the sight of her blushing at the question.
"Your mother may have brought her up to speed," Scylla confirmed self-consciously.
"Ooh, do you think she'll still like me after hearing what my mom had to say about me?" Raelle pretended to worry.
Scylla grinned knowing that Willa only had good things to say about Raelle even to her. "She loves you as much as I do. Well, maybe as much as Willa does."
Raelle chuckled firmly aware that Scylla's love was far different from their mothers' love and was glad for it. "Because of you, now I have two mothers who love me."
"I can say the same thing," Scylla countered, not wanting to be outdone. "I'd say we're even."
"Are we keeping score now?" Raelle teased. "In that case, I can definitely say we're not even."
Scylla wondered how she figured that given that both their moms loved them dearly and approve of their relationship.
"My mom has told you stories about me as a child but I have yet to hear one of yours," Raelle compared their disparity. "I'm definitely asking her for some cute childhood stories next time I see her."
"You can always ask me anything about my past," Scylla offered earnestly.
"Anything?" Raelle asked to confirm. She knew that was a big step for her.
Scylla took a deep breath before nodding her confirmation. She was ready to open up to Raelle and knew that her past wouldn't ruin their future.
"I have so many questions," Raelle began, looking up at the tree branches above them as if to find something to guide her on her inquiry. That's when she saw their friend crow. "Wilbur?"
"Who?" Scylla asked, looking up towards the same direction the blonde was. "You named him?"
"Yeah, he looks like a Wilbur, doesn't he?" Raelle said with a smile when the bird found a perch closer. "I thought he needed a proper name than just plain crow." She pulled some seeds from her pocket to share with him.
Scylla felt a bit left out but was glad to see the two find a way to connect with each other.
"He helped me find you," Raelle explained. "He deserves a medal but that could hamper his flying."
Scylla chuckled and gave Wilbur a quick wink in gratitude.
"I know what I want to ask you," Raelle said, dusting her hands. "Why did you go after Hearst on your own?"
Scylla expected the question but it didn't make it easier to respond to. "I just wanted him as far away from you as possible but I may have overestimated my abilities."
"You think?" Raelle gently admonished. "How exactly were you planning to deal with him?"
Scylla swallowed hard before replying. "I wanted to kill him for what he did to you."
"That was your unfinished business with the Camarilla?" Raelle asked, recalling a previous conversation. "You could've gotten killed. As a matter of fact, you did."
"I just wanted you to be safe," Scylla reasoned softly, knowing in retrospect the grief allowed Alder to take over as she did.
"I won't be safe if you're not," Raelle pointed out. "I'll always charge into trouble to find you so it's probably better if you just keep me close; that way I can rescue you or you can rescue me quickly."
"Alright, I'll try," Scylla committed tentatively. "But I must warn you that I'm used to working alone."
Raelle knew that wasn't easy for Scylla so took it as a small step in the right direction. "As long as Wilbur can find you, I'm good with it."
"He was my friend first," Scylla reminded her, feeling slightly betrayed by the crow's affinity to the blonde.
"But you're not on first-name basis with him," Raelle teased, leaning in to give Scylla a kiss to stifle further discussion. She initially thought it would be a short kiss but then with Scylla's hands pulling her closer, she pinned the brunette against the tree and deepened it.
The pair was kissing heavily when they heard someone clear her throat. Scylla looked over Raelle's shoulder and saw M standing there so she nudged Raelle to see what it was about.
"Classes are suspended M," Raelle said, turning to face her. "I'm free to hang out with Scylla."
"General Bellweather wants to speak with you," M relayed her request.
Scylla gave Raelle another nudge to go see Petra as ordered. She nodded her agreement when Raelle said she would find her after.
"Actually, she'd like to speak with both of you," M clarified.
"After you," Raelle gallantly offered before falling in lockstep behind with M. She quite enjoyed watching Scylla's backside and thought how nicely she fit into her civilian pants.
Scylla could feel two pairs of eyes watching her from behind and smiled when she heard Raelle clear her throat. She saw M walk briskly ahead to open the door for her.
Raelle followed close behind and gave M a warning look before reaching for Scylla's hand. "Why don't you lead the way?" She waited as M did as she asked.
Scylla smiled and gave Raelle's hand a quick squeeze of reassurance.
.
Raelle opened the door to Petra's office for Scylla and followed her in. She saw her unit already there and surprisingly Abigail didn't look upset she was the last to arrive.
"Have a seat," Petra motioned for the new arrivals to take the empty seats across from her.
Scylla studied the muddy chest atop Petra's desk and wondered where it came from.
"We dug this up from Eve's grandmother's grave," Petra explained, seeing Scylla's curiosity. "We believe it contains important information about the Camarilla."
"Great, let's crack it open," Raelle said simply.
"It's not that simple," Abigail revealed. "It can only be opened by a witch from her bloodline."
"How did you even find this?" Raelle asked, changing the subject.
"Anacostia dug into Eve's memories," Tally explained. "Well, her mother's actually but because she was pregnant at the time, the memories passed on to Eve."
"We believe that the Camarilla left their family alone because of what's inside this chest," Petra concluded. "We'd like to know if it can be useful as leverage in negotiating a new accord."
"Don't we already have all the proof about the Camarilla?" Raelle questioned, figuring they've gotten more than enough by then to drive a new negotiation.
"It would be nice to know what is inside that kept the enemy at bay," Petra added. "If we have someone who can work to open it."
Scylla was beginning to see what Petra was hinting at. She wasn't even sure if it would work but she could tell Raelle was coming to the same realization as she had.
.
Scylla watched as Raelle paced across the room after they were given a moment to discuss the possibility of making Eve a witch again.
"I can't believe they think I can fix this," Raelle complained. "I don't even know where to begin."
"Remember how the mycelium healed us?" Scylla theorized. "Maybe she can if you take Eve to her. Hearst believed that he could implant your vocal cords into himself and become a witch. Eve would've developed her own if he hadn't stunted her natural development."
Raelle sighed audibly but could tell Scylla wasn't going to drop the subject. "At least I can try."
Scylla gave Raelle a quick peck on the cheek before they headed back to look for Izadora who had already began to give Eve a physical according to Petra.
"What if she doesn't even want to be a witch?" Raelle supposed as they passed through the portal.
"What if she does?" Scylla countered. "At least give her the option to choose."
"Her witch vocal cords are vestigial at best," Izadora reported, seeing the pair arrive. She gave Scylla a stern disapproving look before continuing with other details about her findings.
"I guess we'll just have to see what the Mother can do," Raelle said, stepping up to the mycelium wall. She gave Scylla one tentative look before taking Eve in to meet the Mother.
Scylla watched as Izadora packed her things. "Thank you for teaching me how to open a death current." She bit her lower lip and waited for a response.
"I heard about what you did," Izadora said at length. "Do you know how dangerous that was?" She finally turned to face her wayward student.
"It was necessary," Scylla replied quietly. "I did what I had to do."
"Then it's a good thing you were a good student," Izadora said, softening towards Scylla. "There's still a lot to learn here."
.
Raelle held Eve's hand as they passed through and was greeted by her mom along with two others she didn't recognize. She learned quickly that they were Eve's mother and grandmother.
"I'm glad you brought her here," Willa said. "You reconnected them to each other."
"Scylla may have nudged me a little," Raelle confessed.
"She's a good influence on you," Willa noted delightedly.
"So, do you think they can restore her vocal cords?" Raelle wondered.
"We'll see. They'll need our help; Morgana and her descendants are knowers," Willa revealed.
"Then how come she missed the signs that her son would turn out the way he did?"
"She was a mother who chose to ignore the signs and hoped that her love would steer him to a better path," Willa said sympathetically. "She learned too late that it was for nothing."
"And the sister?" Raelle asked, figuring that she at least would've been better prepared after her mother's death.
"He used the children to subdue her," Willa continued the sad tale.
"Do you know what's in the chest?" Raelle asked, turning her attention to why they were there.
"No idea," Willa replied. "It's for the living descendant to discover."
"It would be easier if Morgana just told us," Raelle said plainly.
"Where's the fun in that?" Willa joked. "Besides, you need practice."
.
Scylla was engrossed with the book Izadora had given her that she almost missed the alert of Raelle's return when the coin dropped. She had to pry herself away and begin preparing the room for the blonde's arrival. She warmed the food and cooled the drinks before taking one last look to ensure everything was just right before turning as the door opened.
"What's this?" Raelle asked, looking at the candle-lit room and letting Scylla take off her jacket.
"I thought that we should have an intimate dinner tonight," Scylla said, taking her to the table where she laid out pizza and beer.
"Where'd you find the candles?" Raelle inquired, sitting down by the table and pulling a slice.
"I found them," Scylla replied plainly, sitting across and opening a bottle for each of them.
Raelle recognized the candles but said nothing. She silently hoped that M had enough for next Samhain.
"How did it go?" Scylla asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"She's recovering and we'll know tomorrow if she can open the chest as her mother taught her," Raelle said, taking another slice having missed lunch from all that work. "Her name wasn't even Eve; she was named after her grandmother by her mother as a tribute but Alban changed it." She picked up a book laying on the table where Scylla left it and gave her a quizzical look.
"Izadora thought I needed to catch up on necro training," Scylla explained.
"And do you want to catch up?" Raelle asked. Before she could get an answer, they were interrupted by a knock at the door which Scylla eagerly went to answer.
In came Tally and Abigail who obviously wanted to learn more about what has happened since the meeting with Petra.
"So?" Tally asked first, helping herself to a slice of pizza and a bottle of beer before taking the seat Scylla vacated.
"Have you given my mom an update?" Abigail asked, also picking up a slice for herself.
Raelle was about to ask for a break but Scylla spoke up first.
"General Bellweather will have to wait until the morning," Scylla said.
"She's a part of my unit," Abigail insisted, wanting an update.
"And she's my girlfriend," Scylla countered, challenging the taller witch to do something.
"Guys, why don't we just enjoy some pizza and beer," Tally suggested, pulling Abigail to share her seat.
Raelle scooted to let Scylla share her seat and handed her a bottle to quench at least her thirst if not her smoldering anger.
"Do you at least know if it worked?" Tally asked, hoping to learn more from Raelle.
"We won't know until morning," Raelle replied. "And her name isn't even Eve; her name is Morgana Ashworth."
"My mom knew an Ashworth," Abigail noted, trying to recall if she heard more. "I think they went to basics together before she disappeared."
"Well, now we know why she disappeared," Raelle said. "Her brother killed her and stole her daughter."
"Did she recognize her mom and grandmother?" Tally asked.
"It looked like it," Raelle recalled. "And the rest I guess they filled in during their reunion."
"Anacostia delving into her memories may have brought them into her awareness," Scylla noted quietly.
Raelle could hear some edge in Scylla's voice so decided to effusively yawn hoping that her sisters-in-arms would take the hint.
"You should rest," Tally suggested, getting up and pulling Abigail with her.
"Are you sure you're going to rest?" Abigail teased, catching Scylla's warning glare before leaving the pair.
"You ok?" Raelle asked, rubbing Scylla's back.
"I'm fine; go to bed; I'll clean up," Scylla said in succession avoiding further discussion.
"Will you tuck me in?" Raelle requested sweetly. She smiled when Scylla obliged her.