AN: Chapter title from "Sisters" from "White Christmas." My sister and I used to sing that all the time together, lol. Um, she never got between me and my man, and I never got between her and her woman.
Gourry cursed himself as he walked as fast as he could to his house. There had been a rush of customers at the store, and Gourry had been so caught up in working with them that when he caught a glimpse of the clock and realized how late it was he panicked as he realized that Dianna had never stopped by the store to tell him how the interview had gone!
He raced to the woods first. Dianna kept a shrine there and she went there when she was distressed. Lina and Gourry had also heard from terrified children that Dianna had tried to lure them there after she had become jealous of them, and while to their knowledge she had never taken anyone there to hurt them, the possibility weighed heavily on their mind. It was also where Gourry was sure she would run to if she ever wanted to merge with Shabranigdu and destroy the world. So when he wasn't sure where Dianna was, the woods was always the first place he checked because it would undoubtedly be where the epicenter of the storm was.
His anxiety rose as he drew closer to where her shrine was and could smell the awful scents of blood and viscera. He felt sick to his stomach as he saw traces of blood along the path and in the trees. Please be animal blood, please be animal blood. He pleaded as it became apparent to him that Dianna's interview had not gone well at all.
He finally got to the shrine. Blood was everywhere, but the only body he could see was the mutilated remains of an opossum. Dianna was nowhere to be found. Gourry looked at the forest floor to check and see how many footprints there were, but Dianna had used some sort of wind spell to clean up, something that concerned Gourry. He hoped she went to the shrine alone. Either way he had to find her, and she had already left. He hoped that she'd gone to the house to wash up and that she hadn't merged with him and run off.
He ran from the woods and to his house, not particularly caring how much attention he drew to himself. Finally he got there, and he bound up the steps to the back porch easily as he opened the door, "Dianna?"
"I'm here." She said, and he felt as though he would collapse in relief as he hugged her, noting the scent of soap and shampoo. She'd just gotten out of the bath.
"I'm sorry," he said, "things got busy at the store, and then I noticed the time and I got worried when you never stopped by to tell me how the interview went."
"They'd heard the stories about me." Dianna managed to squeak as she clung to him.
"I'm sorry, Dianna," he said, "Something else will turn up."
"There's nothing else I want to do so much!"
"Di…"
"I'm scared I'm going to lose it! I need you to keep a close eye on me over the next few days. I'm scared of what I will do!"
"Done." He said as he wondered how to start the conversation about what he had found in the woods.
But she saved him the trouble as she confessed, "I tortured an opossum to death."
"I know." He said and in that moment he was so happy that she had confessed and that he hadn't had to drag it out of her that he was certain that a dead opossum was the extent of it, "I saw the body. I'm just so glad you told me. Dianna, this is improvement! You suffered a setback and compared to previous ones a dead opossum is not going to matter much. We can get through this."
Dianna dissolved into tears, "Dad…"
But the door flew open and Min and Attie came in, each one holding an armful of flowers, their morning spat completely forgotten. "Look what was on sale!" Attie exclaimed, but Min's face fell as she saw them.
"Oh no. The job interview went that poorly?" Min asked as she sat the flowers on the table and went over to put a hand on Dianna's back.
"As if you care!" Dianna spat, "They said because of my past it wouldn't be a good idea."
"I do care!" Min protested, "I do want to see you get that job! Now, was it the final word?"
Dianna shook her head, "Julienne said she would make her decision at the end of the week. But I can read between the lines. It was rather final."
"Nothing is final until it's final, and even then there will always be another chance. Don't give up!" Min said.
Dianna opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out were massive sobs as she sat on the couch and Gourry and Min sat on either side of her.
"Oh, Attie, hand me the marigolds." Min said, and Attie scrambled to grab them, "Here, these are for you, to brighten your bad day. Look, they're even a brilliant orange, your favorite color!"
Dianna cried even harder as Attie forced the marigolds into her hand, "See? Brighter times are ahead. You may not be able to see the way forward now, but it will appear." Attie said.
"Come on," Gourry said, "We're going to take a walk to the waterfall."
"Why?" Dianna asked.
"Nothing like a walk to take your mind off things and to help you feel better." Gourry explained.
"I want to come, too!" Attie said.
"We'd like to have you." Gourry replied.
"I'm afraid I have to decline. I have a meeting with the Head Librarian and I really need to get to the library." Min said, "But I'll stop by the bakery and get some cupcakes on my way back."
"You really don't have to do that." Dianna said.
"I want to!" Min insisted, "And don't despair. A lot can happen between now and the end the week!"
In truth, talking to Old Man Nielnieh was one of the tasks that Min dreaded. But as she had her heart set on being Head Librarian one day, it was one of those necessary evils that she would grin and bear. Because if you wanted to get ahead, you had to learn how to gain the system.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Nielnieh," Min said as she came in with a stack of papers.
"Good afternoon, Minerva." he replied without looking up from his manuscript.
"Sir, may I have a moment?"
"Of course." He said as he indicated that she sit.
Min pulled up a chair from across the desk and stated, "Remember a few months ago when you said you would consider letting me on the panel to determine which applicants would get the annual research grants if I worked hard enough?"
"Did I?" he asked, and Min had to take a deep breath to keep her temper in check.
"Since then I've updated the card catalogue and I've made it more efficient, and I have recovered several manuscripts thought to be lost to humanity in the process, including the Sea of Monsters, the Song of the Grimm, The Ballad of Ceiphied and…"
"What is it you are wanting, Minerva?" he asked.
"To be on that panel." Min pounced.
He smiled placatingly, "Minerva, you know people don't like a smart, opinionated woman. Your job is to file the manuscripts away and to be pleasing to our patrons."
"Since I've been here I have shown that I am capable of more!" Min persisted.
"That may be, but it's not a good thing to continue." Nielnieh said, "It would upset the social order."
So I suppose my mom should have stayed home rather than upset the social order? Min thought to herself as she bit her lip, and then she pulled out a parcel from her bag. "What's that?" he asked.
"There was another manuscript I found. A lost Claire Bible manuscript detailing some fascinating information about the nature of magical power and why some humans can channel it and others can't. I have been able to verify it. Lina and Luna Inverse both assured me it was genuine and a truly exciting find. Lina Inverse estimated it would sell for fifty thousand golds pieces, at least!" Min explained as Nielnieh turned red. "I'll tell you what. You let me decide one of the award winners, and I will turn this manuscript over."
"That is guild property! You can't just confiscate it like that!" Nielnieh sputtered.
"Did I say I found it on guild property?" Min asked, and she hoped he wouldn't realize she was lying, "There are some interesting ruins on the outskirts of Zefiel City. I've gotten to know them rather well through the years. I'm willing to turn it over to the guild, even though this would pay for a lovely house staffed with servants, if…"
"I let you decide one of the award winners." Nielnieh muttered in an aggrieved manner.
"And you let me on that panel!" Min pushed.
"Fine." Nielnieh grumbled, "I will say this is not becoming of a young lady."
Min patted her hair, but decided not to reveal to Nielnieh that she planned to take over his job one day. She certainly didn't need to make her job harder by warning him of her intentions. So she put her dislike of Nielnieh aside as she smiled at him placatingly, "I will keep that in mind. I am young and learning. Is there anything else I should know?"
"Your lipstick is too red. A pink color would be better."
Sometimes, Min wished she could be more like her mother and blow people away when they were inappropriate. This was one of those times. "I will keep that in mind."
"Is there anything else, Minerva?"
"Yes, I made sure that notice of your vacation was sent out and I have cleared your calendar. You are set to go."
"Thanks," he grumbled.
"Have a safe trip." Min said as she stood up and thought to herself, I won't complain if your wagon tumbles off a cliff though.
"And Minerva, dear," he said, "If you find anymore long, lost precious manuscripts, do be sure to hand them to me immediately, or else!"
Min smiled in an assuring manner as she lied, "Of course."
"Minerva, that is the last long, lost precious manuscript you've recovered, correct?"
Min felt that her smile would break her face a she lied again, "You have my word!"
"You may go, then. Shut the door behind you, please."
Once the door was closed, she relaxed as she walked to the circulation desk and grabbed some paper and scribbled a note to Julienne to ask her to meet with her first thing in the morning.
Dianna still felt terrible as she returned from the walk with Gourry and Attie. It was only a matter of time before Min learned that Drake was going to break up with her. And while Dianna was sure she had terrorized Drake so thoroughly he wouldn't tell Min what she had done, the idea of seeing Min wander around with a broken heart was not as enticing as it once was. Dianna had regretted it from the moment she took Drake into the woods with her, but she couldn't stop herself! It grew worse once she'd released Drake, and then when she'd gotten home and she'd hoped that Min would be cruel, but instead she'd been so kind and supportive…
"Just think," Gourry said, "All of this horrible stuff has been going on and you haven't lashed out and hurt anybody!"
Dianna cringed as the guilt flowed through every inch of her being. But she couldn't bring herself to correct him as he continued, "We are just so proud. I know your mom will be so happy to hear it. Even with this setback, it shows how we are pushing forward, you're coping so much better with disappointment. Everything will be fine."
The house came into view, along with the smells of dinner, and they turned Dianna's stomach. She had fooled herself into believing that she'd had Shabranigdu cowed, and her father still believed that. But the truth was Shabraingdu still held so much power over her. Would she ever overcome this? What was the point of trying?
"Here," Attie said as she took one of the marigolds and put it in Dianna's hair. "I wonder if Kenneth will stop by tonight."
Not even that thought could cheer Dianna. It didn't seem right pushing things with Kenneth when she had just ruined things for Min and Drake. Besides, if anything today had proved that controlling Shabranigdu was not a struggle confined in her past. It was something she would continue to struggle with. How could she possibly get involved with anyone now? But Kenneth was not something that they could avoid, as when they walked in they saw that Lina had accepted the inevitable and had put Kenneth to work setting the table. "How was your interview?" Lina asked.
"Terrible." Dianna said. "I don't even want to talk about it anymore."
"Damn, Di." Lina said as she looked at Gourry, but there was little she could say in front of Kenneth, "Life is filled with false starts. This sucks though. Come on, I made your favorite stuff."
"I wish you hadn't." Dianna said even as she sat down. "I don't deserve it."
"Hey, you've been working so hard. And even though we work hard sometimes we don't succeed." Lina said, "Even Sis would say you deserve it!"
"Besides," Min said as she rushed in from the front door, a box of cupcakes in hand, "There's still hope! It's not over till it's over."
"I don't even see why you care so much considering how horrible I can be to you."
Min shrugged as she sat down, "I figure if you're up all hours delivering babies you won't have the energy to be so horrible anymore. Really, seeing you well established in the field is in my best interest."
Attie nearly choked on her juice as she giggled, and even Dianna had to smile. But the mirth didn't stick with her long. It was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped and Min's jubilant manner died, and Dianna could not stop thinking about it.
Dianna sat on the porch and watched as her father trained Kenneth. As Dianna anticipated, Drake did not call on Min that night, but Min had been unperturbed as he was busy with a project. From the open kitchen window Dianna could hear Min and Attie singing as they did the dishes, and Dianna reached to her hair and pulled out the marigold Attie had put into it, a few of the petals clinging persistently to her long, blonde strands as she did. She stared at the flower as she thought about how she needed to be honest about what she'd done to Drake. But the night was so harmonious and peaceful that she couldn't bring herself to end it.
"You need me to walk you to the shelter?" she heard Gourry ask Kenneth as they wrapped up.
"No, I know the way." He said. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. You have a good night."
"You, too."
Gourry walked up the steps to the front porch and took a moment to put a comforting hand on Dianna's shoulder before he walked into the house. Kenneth walked up and sat down beside her, "For an old man your dad sure has kept in shape! He's not even broken a sweat, and look at me, I may need another one of your water spells!"
"Once a master swordsman, always a master swordsman." Dianna said a she kept her gaze on the marigold, "You don't let your skills ever go to waste."
Dianna didn't elaborate that the reason that Gourry didn't let his skills go to waste because he and Lina would need to kill her should she ever decide to merge with Shabranigdu. She couldn't blame them, but that her parents kept their skills sharp just in case was sickening if she thought about it too much. When she thought about it like that it was amazing there were quiet, happy moments in her family!
Kenneth stared at her for a moment, as though he was wondering what had happened to the playful young woman he had talked to earlier. "I was thinking, I should have given you this earlier."
"I thought you had nothing to give me." Dianna said, and she hoped she didn't sound as harsh to him as she did to her.
"A bit of luck?" he asked, and then he quickly kissed her on the cheek.
Dianna felt her face burn as a spark erupted at the point of contact, and she put her hand to her cheek as he stood up, looking bashful. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Right," Dianna said, feeling flustered as she stood up and backed away to the door. This was wrong! After what she'd done to Min this was wrong! "Right now I need all the luck I can get!"
"I warned you this would happen!" Lina yelled as she stormed into the bedroom she shared with Gourry.
"What?" he asked as he toweled off in the wash basin.
"I just saw Kenneth on the porch kissing Dianna!"
"What's the harm, Lina? She needs the distraction."
"But as soon as he sees her rage…"
"She's doing so good with it though, so perhaps he won't. Perhaps she's past it, and we don't need to worry anymore." He said as he beamed at her.
"Gourry, I don't know. I just don't feel like we can let our guard down. This is Shabranigdu, and he's fooled and deceived people older and wiser than Dianna."
"But none of them realized that he was in their soul." Gourry countered, "None of them had a Ceiphied Knight teaching them how to control him!"
Lina smiled a little. "Well, I guess Sis would be enough to scare even Shabranigdu straight."
"There, you see?" he said as he walked over to embrace her, "Everything will be okay."
AN: Yay, my lake cabin has internet! May the Inverse-Gabriev family drama make your Thanksgiving family drama pale in comparison!