"Aww, come on," Celia cried out, flicking half-melted ice cream off her hands frowning at the dark stain slowly leaking down the front of her shirt.

Squirmy, who'd been holding the ice cream carton moments before it had ended up on Celia looked positively mortified. He started spewing apologies. Milo, the one actually caused the spill because he'd been too eager to take the ice cream, only looked amused. He gave a sorry that was choked out in-between laughter.

Dizzy didn't want to laugh. She really didn't. But the giggle slipped out anyway. The mixture of the pure shock on Celia's face that had slowly morphed into fury, but was now shifting into disgust as the ice cream seeped into her clothes.

"You could laugh, or you could help me, Tremaine,"

"Or I could do both," Dizzy stood up, barely suppressing her amused smile, "Come on, we can get you cleaned up,"

"I really am sorry," Milo yelled after them.

Celia rolled her eyes, flipping him off. Dizzy burst out laughing at that.

"Asshole," Celia muttered under her breath.

"Milo's not so bad," Dizzy said, "A little a too playfully for his age I guess. But he's always been like that,"

Celia pinched her collar, trying to hold the sticky part of her shirt as far away from her skin as possible. She followed Dizzy into the hall and towards a staircase.

"Dizzy, dear," A voice stopped Dizzy at the foot of the steps, "Are you staying with us too while the school is closed?" Florianna asked, coming down the stairs towards them, "I figured you'd stay with Mal and Evie,"

Florianna, the matron of the manor, had the look of someone meant to be a caregiver. Dark midnight hair, laced with bits of grey just by her temples. Always kept tidy, perfectly in place. Now it was in a simple braid, pulled to the side, a more relaxed style for her. Her fairy heritage carried through in her features, a rounded face and plump rosy cheeks. Her full figure meant she gave the best hugs, or so claimed many of her charges.

But the magic to her matronly appearance was in the eyes, soft grey; a soothing hue that, when matched with the well warn laugh lines of their corners, could calm the most distraught soul after the disaster of a scraped knee or a broken heart. But the sharp shape to them could just as easily chill a room, bringing completely silence with just a look. Talents that had come in handy in turn at the manor.

"They've got their plates full,"

"Oh, I can imagine. The poor dears. Have you seen Mal? Is she quite alright? When we got the news about her attack, well you know how rumours propagate in these halls,"

Dizzy chuckled under her breath, "Don't I know it. Physically Mal's fine. All ten fingers, all ten toes. If anything she's more stubborn now,"

"Thank heavens," Florianna exhaled, "Although, Seth's going to be upset. He had money on her coming out of it with an eyepatch,"

Dizzy gave an incredulously shake of her head. Florianna's gaze shifted to Celia and her smile grew.

"Celia," She held out her hand, "We haven't had the chance to meet as yet. I'm Florianna,"

"I'd totally shake your hand but," Celia held up her own soiled hands.

Florianna's eyes widen a fraction and her expression turned amused but only for a beat. Just as quickly it morphed into understanding and compassion, "Ah. I see. Dizzy's taking you to get cleaned I assumed,"

"Yeah,"

"Do either of you have clothes here? I know you didn't come straight from school with the others. Did you pick up any of your things?"

Dizzy shook her head, "We were at Evie's and Mal's and they brought us straight here,"

Florianna fished a set of keys out of the pockets of her dress, handing them Dizzy.

"Borrow one of my tops for now. We'll see what we can do about your clothes," She looked to Celia again, "Dear, I hope you'll think of this place as home. You'll always be able to find a bed and a meal here for you, whenever you need it,"

Dizzy squeezed the keys in her hands, "Flori, do you know why they closed the school?"

The glint in her eye dimmed, "I heard about Tabitha if that's what you're asking,"

"I didn't know if to tell you or…"

"Thank you for the concern dear," Florianna placed a hand on Dizzy's shoulder, "The others haven't learnt of what happened. Let's keep it that way until I can sit down with everyone. Chances are we'll ask you kids to stay close for your own safety and unfortunately to ensure we have an alibi for everyone. At least for everyone still living at the manor. I don't imagine everyone will understand it's for their own safety,"

"Do you think this was one of us?"

"I'd like to think I know my kids well enough to know if they're capable of this. I don't want to believe this could be any of the kids I watched grow, but we just can't know for certain,"

"I really don't want this to be one of us," Dizzy said in a soft voice. Florianna squeezed her shoulder and gave her a warm smile. She knocked a finger into Dizzy's jaw lightly.

"Hey, chin up. We'll get through this. I'll need my best helper at the top of her game,"

Dizzy chuckled.

"There's the smile. I will admit, I'm not going to complain about having you back in the house, if only for a few days. I've missed our talks,"

"I've been around,"

"You have not. You've been helping Evie take over the fashion world. And doing a marvellous job at it,"

Dizzy glowed at the praise.

"Okay, we've talked enough. Get poor Celia out of those clothes. And please put that shirt to soak,"

"Yes, ma'am," Dizzy chuckled, giving a mock salute.

Celia arched a brow as they ascended the steps.

"What?"

"What was that?" Celia asked, gesturing over her shoulder.

"What?" Dizzy asked again.

"Are you just this chummy with everyone?"

"It's Florianna, I've known her since I came to Auradon,"

"She's… a maid here?"

"More like the head of household. Nothing happens with her knowing. Even if you think it's a secret from her, she probably knows anyway,"

"So, then she's everyone's replacement mom,"

"Oh I wouldn't call her that. She's motherly if that's what you want her to be. But she never tries to replace our parents. She's really good at being what we need. If we need someone to give us a hug and help with homework, she'll be that. If we just need to be reminded to eat our food, then she'll do that. If we just want to move to our own motions, she'll keep her distance. But she's always got an eye out to make sure everyone is healthy and happy,"

"And what is she to you?"

Dizzy didn't answer right away, ascending to the top of the stairs before she did, "I don't know. I'd say friend, but she's more than that. But I don't think of her as a mom either… she's just always been there for me. When I first got here, it was just Milo, Emu and me living here. Milo and Emu got to room together, but for the first few months, I was in a room by myself. Florianna kept me company a lot those first days. I think she knew I was having trouble sleeping at first,"

"You couldn't sleep, even with the amazing beds?"

Dizzy kind of smiled, "It was just so quiet here. On the Isle you can always hear something going down. And I wasn't used to sleeping through the night. Grandmother's salon opens all night,"

"That Florianna... She doesn't seem like…" Celia trailed off.

"Like?" Dizzy prompted.

"Like I was expecting,"

"And that would be?"

"Extremely harsh,"

Dizzy chuckled, "You haven't seen her when one of us fucks up,"

"You just said she doesn't parent anyone,"

"Oh no, she gives us space. Until the moment we become self-destructive. If someone doesn't want to go to college, 'no big deal' she'll help you figure out what you can do. If you're coming home 3 am every day drunk as a skunk, that's when you'll learn how scary she can be,"

Dizzy opened the door to the bathroom, gesturing to the line of sinks, "I'll get something for you to change into,"

Dizzy left Celia alone standing in the bathroom. She turned to the mirror, sighing at her reflection. She picked at her shirt before pulling it off. The damage was only to her shirt, so that was the good news. She washed her hands and her neckline off, getting rid of the sticky residue. Running her shirt under the tap she tried to scrub out the chocolate stains. A soft gasp caught her attention and she looked up, catching Dizzy standing in the doorway in the reflection. She had what had to be the fluffiest sweater Celia had ever seen in her hands.

"Do you want me to…" She gestured weakly over her shoulder.

With a roll of her eyes, Celia turned, stepping up to her, "I'm still decent, geez,"

"You're in a bra," Dizzy deadpanned, holding out the sweater for her. She was valiantly keeping her gaze on Celia's face.

A smirk that could easily be categorized as dangerous appeared on Celia's lips, "Are you telling me 'very gay' Dizzy Tremaine hasn't seen a woman in a bra?" She said slowly as she took it from her.

"You're hilarious," Dizzy drawled.

"It was a serious question,"

Dizzy arched a brow, "Why do you care?"

"I want to know if I have the privilege of being your first," Celia's voice was teasing and laced with seduction.

"Sorry to disappoint," Dizzy replied, managing to charge her own tone with a playful timbre. She hadn't just learnt to sow from Evie after all, "You're far from my first,"

"Oh?" The tilt to Celia's head came out of genuine interest.

"I have dated people," Dizzy answered, "And the idea that Auradonians wait for marriage is a gross exaggeration,"

That pulled a laugh from Celia as she put the sweater on.

"Also I work in fashion. I see models all the time,"

"Oh yeah? Remind me to apply with Evie,"

It was Dizzy's turn to laugh, "Funny story, I did have a gay panic the first time I saw half-naked models changing on set. Mal still gives me shit about it," She hopped onto the counter, kicking her feet in front her.

"Is this really the thing you had to pick out?" Celia asked as she rolled up the sleeves that were hanging to her fingers.

"It's the only thing that would fit,"

"I'm drowning in this," Celia held her hands out, waving them slightly, emphasising the extra space.

"It's meant to be like that,"

With a groan, Celia pushed the sleeves as far up as she could. She dropped her hands and it only took a beat before one sleeve fell down past her wrist. Dizzy laughed.

"Let me help you," Dizzy said, reaching out for her hand, pulling her closer. With quick, neat folds Dizzy gathered the sleeves just under Celia's elbows. With a practised flip she tucked the folds inside the sleeve, leaving the material securely and elegantly bellowed on Celia's forearms. Dizzy started to tuck in the front sweater as well, pulling Celia by the belt loops. She made a neat and elegant French tuck.

"There, runway-ready," Dizzy said, pleased with herself. She gave Celia a glance over. When her gaze tracked upwards to meet Celia's eyes she was met with two arched eyebrows. Celia pulled Dizzy's hand away from her hip in a sharp but not unkind gesture. Dizzy only seemed to realize what she'd done at that moment.

Red in the face she stepped back, "Sorry I should have asked before I… sorry."

"Still not my style, but it's not horrible. Thanks," Celia conceded as she inspected Dizzy's work in the mirror. She fidgeted with the sleeves a little, a silence building. Celia made the first attempt to bridge it before it grew too high between them.

"I can't read you at all," She said, looking at Dizzy in the mirror.

"I…" Dizzy hesitated, "There's nothing to read,"

"With people, there's always something to read,"

"I'm just trying to be a friend,"

"Be a friend?"

"What's weird about that?"

"Nothing," Celia said with a quick shake of her head. She let a beat pass before turning so she was looking at Dizzy before she spoke again. Only whatever words she'd been about to say never got out. A shout startled them both drawing their attention to the window. The window here looked down into the backyard of the Manor. It was a sprawling yard, dotted with trees and lined with high walls, all painted with murals. Only now the homely visage looked anything but. Kids who'd been playing were running towards the manor, those who could run that was. Several kids were bring pinned down to the ground or held in the struggling arms of masked figures. These masks weren't gas masks, but white porcelain-like masks.

Celia swore, "How fast do dragons fly?" She asked, grabbing Dizzy's shoulder.

"It better be faster than she usually does," Dizzy said, already texting 'SOS' to Mal and Evie. She captured a picture through the window, attaching it to her message.

"We need to do something," Celia said.

Dizzy nodded, about to back away from the window when they saw the glint of magic. The staff, along with the same white mask they'd seen on the news. It sent a chill down her spine. Motion pulled her attention to a spot in the yard closer to the manor itself. The masked figure who'd been closest to the back entrance, roughly 6 meters or so, didn't have a kid in their arms anymore. They were sprawled out on their back and Florianna was pulling the kid behind her back.

A war of relief and concern tore at each other in Dizzy's chest. Florianna was there, surely that meant she'd know what to do. But at the same time, she may have fairy blood in her, but she didn't practice magic.

There was a moment of standoff, Dizzy could see Florianna talking although they were too far to hear. Then the staff slammed into the ground with a flash. Florianna pushed the child clinging to her skirts away from her and that's the last she did before her form stiffened unnaturally.

The scream was ripping itself from Dizzy before she realized what she was doing. Or it would have been. Dizzy's cry was muffled, but just barely, by Celia. She grabbed Dizzy from behind, clasping her hands over Dizzy's mouth.

"Do you want them to notice us?" She hissed, pulling Dizzy back from the window. Dizzy was pliant her steps stumbling back easily with Celia's. But a sob still racked her chest. Releasing her Celia spun her around.

"Florianna," Tears were falling unbidden from Dizzy, "She's… they just…"

"Hey," Celia shook her, "What are we doing?"

"What?"

"We just going to stand here crying? Let ourselves get turned stone too?"

"She's stone," Dizzy echoed, her eyes looking at Celia but not seeing her.

"Hey," Celia shook her again, "Do you want to be stone? They're not going to stop with her,"

That got to Dizzy, "Everyone," She gasped, pushed past Celia out of the room. It was so sudden Celia almost didn't follow. She got out the door just in time to see Dizzy ripping opening a room.

"Intruders. Spread the word and get to the attic," She said into the room.

There were two kids in the room, both looking a few years younger them. One was writing something, the other was laid out in bed, tossing a balled-up sock above his head. They both groaned, annoyed. The one in bed rolled his eyes.

"Not another drill,"

"This isn't a drill," Dizzy said, her voice heavy with gravity.

That made them both freeze.

"It's not a drill," Dizzy said again, with more force this time, "Go. Spread the word,"

They didn't wait to be told a third time. Dizzy caught one of them as they left the room, "Don't go to the first floor,"

"But what about everyone down there?"

"We can't do anything,"

The kid gulped and rushed off, starting to push doors open, spreading the word. Kids filtered into the hall, varying levels of confused and concerned. There were a few 'What's happening?'s and several 'Where's Flori?'

Dizzy just hissed, "Get upstairs. Now." Dizzy joined the rush upstairs taking them two at time.

"Why does it feel like you you've done this before?" Celia said, watching the surprisingly organised way kids were heading upstairs.

"We have drills. Had a few scares before, but never with someone coming onto the property.

On the third floor, she ran partway down the hall, trying another door, but this one was locked. She rapped on it as loud as she dared and didn't stop knocking until the door swung open.

"What the hell do you want?" The person who opened it asked. Dizzy didn't ask permission before she pushed her way inside. She started pulling open draws and digging through clothes.

"The shit is your problem?" The girl in the room asked, pulling Dizzy away from the draws.

"Where's your stash?"

"Don't know what you're talking about?"

"Riley cut the crap. We all know you sell for CJ. Where are your potions? We need it. The person who stole Maleficent's staff is here,"

"And? They're a VK too right? Why would they hurt us?"

"Would a VK turn Florianna to stone?" Dizzy snapped.

That seemed to catch the girl off guard, "Florianna's what?"

"Don't believe me, you can peek out a garden window,"

There was a moment's hesitation from Riley before she was pushing a desk in the room to the side and lifting a loose floorboard up. She started pulling out round glass vials from the space in the floor.

"I only have fog and stink potions. Florianna stopped me anytime we tried to sell anything more dangerous than that,"

"We'll have to make it work," Dizzy said picking up a couple of the vials.

"Florianna's really…?"

Her expression softened, "I'm sorry,"

There were seven vails in all. four fog, three stink. Dizzy grabbed them all, pushing some into Celia's arms. Back in the hall kids were filtering quickly into this floor now. In one of the bedrooms, a trapdoor to the attic had been pushed open and kids were climbing up. Dizzy helped some of the shorter kids get up, lifting them to the older kids already up there.

"Block all the entrances up," Dizzy said, "And don't open until you hear our knock,"

"But the others,"

"Not until you hear the knock," Dizzy insisted as she watched the last kid climb up. "That's everyone,"

"Dizzy," It was an older guy who spoke, "Come on," Leaning down to help her up.

"Someone needs to help the others downstairs,"

"Dizzy," Riley joined them at the attic entrance, "Don't be a hero, get up here,"

"I don't have to be the hero. I just need to buy time until Mal gets here," She said with a wink, "Now lock up,"

"Let me and Scrag come with you at least," The guy said, gesturing to someone over his shoulder.

"I'd rather you stay with the younger kids,"

"I'm the oldest in the house,"

"Which is why you need to stay with everyone here," She tossed up a couple of the fog potions and one of the stink vials "If things go bad,"

Riley and the boy exchanged a doubtful look, but they both whispered good luck and pulled the trapdoor closed. Dizzy and Celia could hear as they shifted items above them, pulling them over the door.

"So, what's the plan to buy time?" Celia asked.

"Umm, no clue," Dizzy admitted, looking at the now empty hallway. She lifted the remaining vials in her hands, "Improvise?"

"Improvise, huh," Celia looked down at her feet, staring intently at the floor. When she did nothing else for a few seconds Dizzy waved a concerned hand in front of her face.

"Shh," Celia said, grabbing her hand, "I need to focus,"

"On what?"

Her shadow grew darker, to an inky black and then it stepped away from her. Like a projected image it walked from the floor up the wall next to them.

"It's a little disorientating," Dizzy blinked.

"Go make a distraction for us," Celia said. The shadow bowed, slinging towards the stairs.

"Can that thing go anywhere?"

"Anywhere a shadow can,"

"So, say if it were to suddenly get foggy," Dizzy lifted one of the vials in her hands.

"That would just be a playground," Celia said, sharing a smile with Dizzy.

They crept downstairs, barely even breathing. From the mid-landing above the ground floor, they could hear the shouts of the kids. Peaking around the corner Dizzy saw the kids being dragged into the main sitting room.

"What's the next part of the plan?" Celia asked.

"Distraction," Dizzy said as she lifted one of the fog potions, shaking it and pulling off the cork before lobbing it high and far. Thick and light grey fog bellowed out, in a matter of seconds completely obscuring the hallway. Not only did it seem to spew from the bottle, but once out the fog expanded filling the air.

"What was that?" A voice shouted out, "Where did it come from?"

"A magic-user is here," This was the voice from the newscast, the one with the staff, "Spread out and find them,"

Through the fog they could just see make out a faint glow from the staff's gem. Footsteps started towards them, heavy and quick. Dizzy frozen, panic tensing her muscles. Celia pushed her against the wall and a shadow ran across the corner of her vision as one of the masked figures just approached close enough to make out a silhouette through the fog.

"Someone ran this way," they called, following the shadow.

Dizzy exhaled.

"Quick thinking,"

"Let's move while they're distracted. I'll make my shadow lead him to the other side of the building,"

Dizzy nodded, slipping down the last stairs, saying low to the ground. "We can cut through here," Dizzy whispered nodding to a door off the main hall. She walked into the room and almost right into someone. She barely stopped her own yelp as she stared into the screaming face. Her chest heaved when she realized the person was stone. Looking at it now she recognised the face, another worker here at the manor. He was a lawn worker, didn't live on the compound like Florianna but was still there most days. Dizzy's heart constricted. Was everyone stone already?

A gentle push from Celia got her moving again, "Nothing we can do for him now,"

Dizzy nodded despite the lump in her throat. She led the way to a side door, pressing her ear to it before slowly turning the knob. Peeking through the crack she could see the VK's sitting in a tight circle on the floor. There was less fog in this room so she could count three masked individuals watching over the kids.

"They're in there," Dizzy whispered to Celia as she pulled out the stink potion from her pocket.

Celia caught her wrist, "What about waiting for Mal?"

"I can't let them get turned to stone," Dizzy hissed.

"And if you get turned to stone?" Celia hissed back.

Dizzy pulled her hand from Celia's gasp, "Can you use your shadow to draw attention to the main entrance?"

Celia didn't answer, but in the room, there was a flash of movement on the opposite side. It drew the attention of everyone in the room. Dizzy pushed the door open a little more, getting low to the ground. As loud as she dared, she called, "Emu,"

He turned, his eyes doing wide when he saw her. He nudged Milo next to him. Milo's jaw dropped but then he smiled. He glanced to the main door, then to the men guarding them. Dizzy put her fingers to her lips and held up the potion vial in her hands for them to see. She pulled her collar over her mouth and nose.

They nodded giving another quick glance to their guards before they started whispering instructions to the other kids. They all covered their noses. As they did Dizzy pulled the corks off with her teeth, throwing a fog and stink potion into the room. Even holding her breath she was hit by the intense stench. Fog flooded the room, pouring into the room.

"What just happened?"

"Argh, what's that smell?"

The kids didn't wait for a signal, getting up and bolting to Dizzy's door. She threw it open wide, "Kitchen windows, go, don't stop,"

"Dizzy, you're crazy," Milo said with the widest grin, "I could kiss you,"

"Save it until we get out of here," She said.

"The kids! Which way are they?" They heard a voice say from behind them.

Their group ran to the kitchen, Milo jumping into the counter and kicking the windows open. "Go," he said, pulling kids up and out the window. Emu dragged a table in the kitchen against the door they'd come in. There was a second doorway into the room was the hall. Emu threw his back against a shelving, pushing it towards the second door.

"They're this way," They heard voices from the hall.

Dizzy and Celia grabbed either side of the shelves, helping him. Pushing together they tilted it to its side, crashing in front of the doorway. Something, someone bashed into the door from the other. Dizzy, Celia and Emu jumped, but the door held.

"Guys come on," Milo said from the window.

Dizzy climbed onto the counter, her heart soaring. They were going to do it. She should have known better than to think that. What was it Mal was always saying? Plan for the worse? Expect it to go downhill from there.

There was a deafening boom and the next she knew she hit the wall, completely winded. She fell off the counter, pain flaring through her body. Cracking her eyes open she winced, squinting. One of her lenses was shattered, most of the glass from it cracked out of the frame. And judging by the warm, wet sensation on her brow she guessed at some of that glass was now in a gash on her forehead.

'Mal, Evie, where the hell are you?'

Nardragon- until the next page.