Back again with another chapter!
The dining hall of Bargain Castle is rather small compared to the other dining halls of the four major residences. Why Mal found herself there, she didn't know. All she knew is that her ribs can be seen clearly and her cheeks have sunken in. The hunger has started to interfere with her work. She would eat the food her henchman brought in to her, but she threw him off the side of the castle three days ago after bothering her too much.
When Mal stepped into the dining hall, she never expected to see her mother sitting there frantically flipping through a book while eating off a small tray of food. It was certainly awkward when Mal saw her mother for the first time in weeks, and even more awkward when they started conversing for the first time in months. Mal got a small tray of food, not unlike her mother's, and began to eat slowly. Desperately wishing she could be alone.
"I-I think I've got it, Mal," Maleficent spoke to her daughter without even looking up from her book, "a way to break the barrier! If I can generate enough electricity and somehow... shoot it up into the sky, the barrier could break!"
Maleficent's hands were sporadically trembling as they ran through the pages of the ancient spellbook. Mal also noticed the small scratches and nicks on her hands. Probably from experimenting or too much fidgeting, causing her almost claw-like nails to damage her hands. Her plan was good; if only Maleficent hadn't tried that exact strategy about two years ago.
Mal just quietly ate her food, keeping a hand on her neck for security and comfort. Still after all these years Mal couldn't sit soundly in the presence of her mother.
"So, how's school going, Mal?" Maleficent asked absently.
"Mom, I haven't gone to Dragon Hall for a year and a half," Mal told her mother bluntly.
"Yes, yes, that's great, darling." Maleficent mumbled as she violently tore out a page in her book, examining it closer.
"When I left you came to the castle to give me one of your spellbooks, remember?" Mal asked.
"Do not touch my spells, Mal, a little girl like yourself can't handle that kind of power." Maleficent was still very preoccupied with her work, never looking up from it.
Maleficent's plans in the Queen's Castle never succeeded, which is why she moved back into Bargain Castle a year into Mal's reign as queen, but that doesn't mean she hasn't stopped trying. It is safe to say that Maleficent has been working nonstop to find a way off the Isle. To find a way to her revenge. As one would say, like mother like daughter.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Maleficent spoke about the exact topic Mal had been obsessing over for months, "I never liked that Evie girl."
It came as a shock to Mal that her mother still somehow paid attention to her life. She froze in her motions and looked up to see her mother, still occupied with her her work.
"I know," Mal said in a monotone voice, " you never seemed to shut up about it."
"I see..." Maleficent held her ripped off sheet of paper up to the light to analyze it closer, "and you never seemed to listen."
Mal sighed, she knew that tone. She's heard the lecture a thousand times, even when she was little.
"Falling in love is weak, Mal," Maleficent finally looked up from her book to stare at Mal with her magical eyes, "I hope you understand that now."
"I know," Mal couldn't look at her mother, she stared down at the floor, "and I'll do better. Promise."
"Can't believe you let your throne get taken by that bitchy little princess." Maleficent went back to her work.
With that comment, Mal stood from her seat and made a swift exit out the door. Not giving her mother a second glance as she left the dining hall.
Mal could hear her mother still though, "Your father is going to hear about this!"
Mal closed her eyes and a large exhale of breath escaped her. That was a new development in Maleficent's sanity; she was constantly bringing up Mal's father. Of course, neither of them knew who he really was. They could both make some fairly good guesses, but nothing was for sure. What scared Mal the most was that this wasn't the first time Maleficent started talking nonsense. It seems so many years put into her work has taken a toll on Maleficent. Sure she can curse a girl for sixteen years, but she had magic then. A fairy going so long disconnected from magic will affect their mental stability. For Mal, seeing her mother, such a strong powerful role model she's had for most of her life, in a state like this makes her stomach churn. It made her light headed and question her own mortality. Almost seeing herself in her mother. Mal knew it was crazy but she couldn't help but wonder if she might become like that one day.
She made her way to her room, avoiding any annoying henchmen along the way. To say that it was a mess would be an understatement. Chairs were all around broken or tossed about, the table was flipped over, her bookcase lay in the center of her room, and hundreds of books and papers scattered about with nonsensical scribbles on them. She sat down on her bed, the pounding in her head was relentless. She rubbed her eyes that no doubt had dark circles underneath them.
The nightmares still haven't stopped. She was lucky to get two hours of sleep a night. Her revenge, her throne, and... Evie taunted her mercilessly.
"Wonderful view, isn't it?" A voice came from behind her.
Uma turned to see none other that Evie standing there with her on the balcony holding two drinks in her hands. She walked over to her, hips swaying gently, and placed a glass on the railing for Uma to take. She was staying in one of the guest rooms for the night. The queen requested her presence to go over details of their alliance with her advisers. She hated it; she hated it so much that she nearly stabbed herself with her own sword. Though she went along with it. For her plan to work she needed to make sure Evie trusted her completely.
"Yeah." She finally responded to Evie, looking onto the Isle; and past that there was glittering Auradon, cascaded by colorful clouds and a sky lit up by the sunset.
"Auradon seems like such a long way," Evie said, "in truth it's really only about a couple hundred meters across the water; so close and yet so very far."
"It can stay far," Uma swirled her drink her in glass, "nothing good there."
"Funny," Evie's lips curled into a playful smirk, "Mal used to say the same thing."
Her chest constricted, that got to Uma more than she realized. Being compared to Mal was something she hated with every part of her soul. Her grip on the glass tightened almost enough to break it.
"Is that so?" Uma tried to keep calm, though her tensed muscles made her anger painfully obvious.
"I didn't mean it like that," Evie let out a small laugh, "just... Mal and I used to spend a lot of time out here. You know before..."
"Yeah I get it." Uma took a swig of her drink, deciding it probably wasn't poisoned.
A silence fell over the two. They only looked out onto the darkening sky over Auradon.
Uma decided to speak again, "so... how did things get so bad between you and Mal?"
In reality, Uma really wanted to ask her how she was able to deceive the great Dragon Queen and use her greatest allies against her. She knew that would be way too obvious and up front so Uma chose to be patient. Patience was something that never appealed to her, yet she will wait as long as it takes for that throne.
Evie sighed, "one could say things were always bad. I was just too blind to see it."
Uma wanted her to elaborate but she knew she already overstepped her bounds. What she did notice, however, was that Evie shuddered while putting her arms together for comfort.
"I... I never knew." Uma hated talking about feelings. Feelings were weak.
"There were quiet moments though," she said, "like when we would come out here. Mal would be loving and kind, making the outside world disappear, and it would just be us. Together."
Uma's face scrunched up in confusion. Mal? Being kind? If Evie thought that then she must have been blind.
Evie spoke again, "I suppose that's what made it so hard."
Uma looked at her and saw the distant, dismal look she had on her face. For that one moment, she looked so hurt and full of regret. Uma wondered if this was the first time she was opening up about her whole relationship with Mal. She hoped it wasn't. That would just be too easy.
Figuring that she ought to change the subject, Uma spoke before taking another swig, "refreshing to finally see you out of that throne."
That seemed to snap Evie out of whatever daze she was in, she then laughed a little, "it's good to stretch my legs."
"You spend your whole day in that stupid thing?" Uma asked her with genuine curiosity.
"It's better than washing dishes." Evie said with a cheeky grin.
Uma smiled and laughed, "okay, I get it. I bet you haven't done a lick of hard labor in your life, princess."
"And I don't intend to start." Evie smiled at her.
They both laugh, a bit restricted, but they still laugh. Uma could not get distracted from her goal though. Evie's hospitality could only be a ruse to bring her guard down. She couldn't think of any other reason why she would be acting so friendly towards her.
Evie took a short breath and then spoke, "I would like to act more like a proper queen, and let people in. That's another reason why I wanted us to be allies. I'm going to be hosting a ball, here at the Queen's Castle."
Uma scoffed in amazement, "I didn't even know the castle had a ballroom."
"It doesn't," Evie told her, "but Maleficent's old laboratory is more than enough space."
A ball on the Isle of the Lost seemed like some kind of practical joke. Imagining pirates and gangsters getting dressed up to socialize and eat small portions of food was something Uma couldn't believe.
"You know," Uma frowned a bit, "when I agreed to be your ally, I didn't think we'd be playing fairy tale the whole time."
"Don't worry, we'll deal with Mal as soon as this is over with," Evie put a hand on her shoulder, "but before that I would like to present myself as a suitable royal."
Uma turned to look back at the Isle causing Evie's hand to fall off her shoulder, "who all would be invited?"
"The important people, you and a few of your pirate companions are welcome." She told her.
"Important people? Does that mean-?"
"Mal isn't invited." Evie stated simply and coldly.
A playful grin found its way on Uma's face, "strange, I think I remember a certain sixth birthday party she wasn't invited to either."
Evie sighed heavily, "somehow, I knew you would bring that up. You and I both know why Mal isn't invited."
Uma scoffed, "I don't mind, I don't want to see that bitch anymore than you do."
"Good," Evie had a satisfactory smile on her face, "I'm glad we agree."
Uma looked back at the horizon, now the sun was only a small sliver against the deep blues and purples of the sky. Exclusively at the Queen's Castle can you get a view like the one she saw. In every other place you can't see over the annoying castles of Auradon. Seeing the colors brought Uma peace and serenity, something she hasn't known for a very long time. Yes, she could get used to living to diplomat life, but she must not waver from her plans. She has much bigger goals than just being Evie's lap dog.
"You are a valuable asset to me, Uma." Evie told her. Uma then felt her hand on top of hers. She quickly darted her eyes to her hand and then up to meet Evie's.
"W-well... I mean," Uma felt her cheeks growing hot at the sudden contact, "you can't really think that."
Evie let out a sultry giggle, "there's a lot of things I think."
Uma watched as Evie's lips parted, her eyes gently closed, and she started to lean into her slowly. Uma became frozen as her eyes widen. She watched as she felt Evie's lips brush deliciously against hers until Uma finally jerked away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Uma asked sharply as raised her hands up slightly for defense.
"I'm sorry I didn't-"
"Can you go five minutes without trying to get someone into your bed?" Uma sneered. She was disgusted; how could she ever let something like that happen?
"It meant nothing, Uma, I didn't..."
"You didn't what? Just spit it out, princess, I know you want to." Uma was nearly yelling, moving her hands about in large gestures.
"I didn't know you would react like this."
"Of course you didn't," Uma hissed, "because you're so perfect, and no one can resist you. Even the Dragon Queen herself couldn't say no. Well I'm not like everyone else, Evie, I won't trip over myself for you and I certainly won't allow you to manipulate me like everyone else on this godforsaken Isle!"
Evie stepped away from her, a hand coming up to her chest for protection.
"I should go." Evie said quietly.
"Yeah, you really should." Uma barked, her arms crossed together.
She was a bit hurt by how direct Uma was, but she swiftly made her way out; being sure to hide her expression. She went towards her own quarters and left Uma there on the balcony alone.
Uma put a hand on her forehead and let out an exasperated sigh. She never anticipated how difficult Evie was going to make her plans. Looking back out onto the deep blue sky, Uma put her elbows on the railing and leaned forward on them. Then she looked down at the dirty, ruthless, and breathing Isle. She wondered if Harry and Gil got home alright. She wondered if her mother would kill her for abandoning her in the restaurant for the day. She wondered if Mal is already planning to raise hell because of her little alliance with Evie.
"Not this again, you can't be thinking about her again." Uma mumbled to herself.
She tore herself away from the balcony and rushed over to the mirror in her room. Trying to think of anything but her.
"You're weak," Uma clenched her fists as she saw strands of her hair fall over her face in the mirror, "letting your feelings conquer you," her chest rose and fell rapidly with her breathing that could be heard through her teeth, "you can't let your emotions get the better of you. You are Uma, daughter of Ursula, destined to rule the seven seas. Get a fucking hold on yourself! You're weak! Why can't you just admit she'll never truly love you!? Not like she does that bratty princess! You mean nothing to her! Just fucking admit it to yourself! She doesn't love you!"
It was only when Uma saw the blood on her fingers from the broken glass of the mirror did she stop. She slowly removed her fist from the shattered mirror; loose pieces of glass fell from the frame. The throbbing pain her her hand could not be ignored, yet her face refused to show it. Uma watched the blood drip down the edges of the fractured glass and saw the now many images of herself in the shattered mirror. Uma brought her hand up to her chest and held her other hand up to her wrist to check for injuries; never once breaking her gaze with the mirror. The blood slowly trickled down her hand, into her palm, and down her arm. She closed her eyes and let out a long huff of air. A tear fell from her eye and ran down her cheek.