A/N: Well, I can't say much. Aside from the fact technology hates me and my laptop has been damaged more times than I can count, muse didn't come to me for a long time. Another story besides "Destiny's Kiss", a Lizven (as in Lizzie and Raven) is on the works, but after those two are finished I can't promise I'll write more of Ever After High. Note that I'll still write, just not for this fandom. In fact, to those of you lovely readers following me might be surprising just how many projects I have in the works... About +16!
Hope you enjoy the chapter, guys. I'm terribly sorry for the massive delay.
Apple was standing some feet away from her mother while she discussed the terms of Faybelle's trial with the Evil Fairy herself.
It was as if the only thing that could distract her from her current misery was the one thing that had caused her mom to be all over her these last few weeks: politics.
Karma wasn't done bitching with her, it seemed.
Busy with her ironic thoughts, the Princess didn't notice Lizzie approaching her until she was a few steps away.
"Hi, Lizzie." Apple greeted somberly.
"Hello, Apple." Lizzie answered before her eyes drifted momentarily to the form of Snow White talking over Apple's MirrorPhone, "I take it your mother is… Uhm… Talking, with Faybelle's?"
Apple scoffed, "Talking is to put it lightly. I'd say she's more like berating to her politely."
"I don't blame her. My own mother will want Faybelle's head as well when I inform her about today's outcome." Lizzie replied, giving a disdainful look in direction of the fearful fae, who was standing next to the Queen of Ever After.
"Does she know?" the blonde asked, rather confused as to how the Queen of Hearts got word of their predicament.
"Of course. Word spreads fast, and even more so when the portal to Wonderland has been reopened to a degree." The Wonderlandian explained.
A few moments of silence passed by until Lizzie spoke again.
"I can't say I know how you feel, Apple. But I do know that whatever after has happened between you and Raven wasn't your fault."
Apple's brows knitted together, "How did you solve problems like this between you two?"
Lizzie though for a moment before answering, she knew the blonde was referring to her and Raven and the last thing she wanted was to create more conflict, "We never experienced any problems this big. The worst argument we had was about which movie was best and it wasn't even an argument."
"I see. I guess this is one of the cons of being in a relationship that has a high profile in our midst." Was all Apple could say.
Right now she wondered if it would be better if Lizzie and Raven were still together. Queen Margot, Lizzie's mom, adored Raven (who wouldn't?) and their alliance was a powerful one politically, since Raven's homeland was one of the most akin to Wonderland and their complementary qualities guaranteed strength and prosperity. Apple knew, of course, that their relationship had ended in good terms and that they were still very fond of each other, but with all this chaos that yet again was related to destinies, she couldn't help but to think it'd all be easier if she and the witch were not a couple.
And as if reading her thoughts, Lizzie said, "Don't doubt your relationship, Apple. True Love is not easy, it never has been, and to regret the past won't make the present or the future any less tough. Things will turn out well, you'll see. Now, I better be off, I need to find Kitty and the others to report to my mother."
The ebony-haired girl bid her goodbye and went to find her elusive girlfriend and friends.
Just then, Snow White came and placed a somewhat soothing hand on the blonde's slumped shoulder, her expression far from calm.
"Maleficent has agreed to hold a trial, with the condition of not sentencing her daughter to death or a life-sentence." The woman said shockingly coolly. She was obviously not pleased.
"I understand." Apple responded before adding, "But do expect contact from the Queen of Hearts. Lizzie has gone to gather her fellow Wonderlandians to report to her mother about today's happenings."
Bianca's face relaxed by a fraction, "Yes, I saw you talking with the young Elizabeth. I shall discuss the terms Maleficent has posed with her. I'm sure she will not be easy to deal with, considering Wonderland's policies upon treason."
Apple thought for a moment if it was good idea to break the old news of her relationship to her mom. Right now, said relationship was rocky, but for the sake of her sanity, it was better to do so now than later when things got tense with all the process of Faybelle's trial and Saundra's relocating.
"Mom, I have to speak to you about something very important. But can we talk in private?" Apple asked as solemnly as she could to express the importance of the matter.
The fairest in the land's expression changed from commanding to worried in less than a second, and with a single nod she led her daughter to the main building. When they passed Faybelle, who was still frozen in place, Snow White spoke, "Go directly to Headmaster Milton's office, and tell him not to send Lovell into his office for the while being."
Faybelle complied wordlessly and so Snow White proceeded inside the building and into the nearest office, the one belonging to Professor Lovell Badwolf.
"What is it you want to talk about, honey?" Bianca asked whilst taking a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the large desk.
Apple imitated her before taking a deep breath.
"I take it you're aware of the alliance between Wonderland and Akasha?" She began, testing the waters.
"Yes, of course, every kingdom, queendom, princedom, duchy and or domain of the land was notified of it and, while surprising, to me it was very good news. Although I'm not under the knowledge of how it came to be. The content of the document did not explain the origin of the alliance. Why do you ask that?" Questioned the jet-black-haired woman, unsure of where this was heading to and how it had any relation to her daughter's state of distress.
"I do know how it was formed and why. Also, I am under the impression we are in ambiguous terms with Akasha, and with reason, but I believe we should forge a better alliance with them, mother." Apple stated, feeling more anxious by the minute.
"How was that? And why do you believe it would be best, dear?"
Apple took another breath, deeper this time.
"Wonderland formed an alliance with Akasha, based on the past relationship my friend Elizabeth Hearts had with Raven Queen time ago, mother."
It's time, Apple thought.
"And I believe it would be wise of us to make ours better because… I am currently in a relationship with Raven Queen, mom. She is my girlfriend, and has been for a while now."
Faybelle paced slowly through the hallways of the main building, each step rockier than the previous one. She was at the verge of tears when she finally came upon the door to the Headmaster's office.
She knocked, and a seriously grumpy Milton Grimm beckoned her to enter. She gulped when his eyes found hers.
"Miss Thorn," he spoke gravely. To his side was Giles, also with a sour expression, but it was nowhere near his brother's.
"Q-Queen Snow White sent me here. She-she also said not to-to send… Lovell? Into his office for n-now." She stammered and for once in her life the embarrassment it would've caused days ago was overpowered by nervousness and sheer fear.
Milton nodded, "Giles, will you see to that?"
"Sure. I'll be right back." Was Giles simple response before he got out of the office in search of Professor Badwolf, leaving the fae and Headmaster alone.
Moments passed before Milton cleared his throat and stood from his chair to look out the tall window behind him, "To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement, Miss Thorn."
For a second, and only a second, she thought of talking back, of protesting. They were training to be evil, she was being trained to be evil, and didn't she do just that? But then again, it was different this time. And the eldest Grimm brother wasted no time in telling her so.
"As Headmaster, I'm aware of the purpose this school serves; to train and prepare the younger generations of fairy tales to carry their respective roles and prolong Ever After's existence. I'm aware of the fact I've done some… questionable things to achieve that. But Miss Thorn, you've crossed a line. One thing is to become the Evil Fairy, carry on with your clan's legacy, and another entirely different thing is to turn against your classmates in a seriously dangerous situation and siding with who, as you must very well know, is considered the most menacing of the villains in fairy tales." He expressed slowly and deliberately, wanting to drive his words home with all the gentle hardness he could.
That's when Faybelle broke down crying.
"Raven, hold on!" Cerise called, and the lavender-eyed girl stopped only momentarily to hear what the wolf-child had to say.
They were currently searching for Apple, Queen Snow White, or someone who could tell them about their whereabouts. Raven had taken off so quickly, that only Cerise, Darling and surprisingly Briar could keep up with her. Darling chose to stay behind with Holly, Meeshell and Melody, who were hot on their heels, but Briar and Cerise were right behind Raven, until Cerise stopped and under her hood her wolf ears perked up.
"What is it, Cerise?"
"I just overheard a couple of students talking about Apple and Faybelle." The hooded girl broke the news as soon as her sensitive hearing picked upon the story and had enough to report. Raven had to know everything at this point.
Raven and Briar perked up at that, "What were they saying?"
"Queen Snow White and Apple took a hold of Faybelle. Snow White spoke to Faybelle's mom and then sent her to the Headmaster's office. But Apple took Snow White somewhere else…" she paused, waiting for the next bit, "They went to daddy's office. Apple looked haggard according to them."
"I swear the rumor mill at this place is faster than you." Briar commented as the group behind the three caught up to them.
Raven thought about what she was told for a moment. Apple, haggard, Snow White, privacy… Could she be…?
"Oh, hex." Was Raven's only warning before she sprinted towards the main building, friends right on her tail.
"What now?!" Holly asked out loud, and was met with a 'just wait' hand sign from Briar while they were on the move.
The pink-clad brunette had a good inkling as to why Apple would want privacy with her mother.
"You… You what?" Snow White was positively flabbergasted.
"Raven Queen and I are in love, mother." Apple continued, steeling herself for the oncoming hell she was sure she just about brought on herself.
Bianca's eyes were the size of plates, and even the Queen of Ever After had some problems with picking up her jaw from the floor. For someone who prided themselves on being perceptive, she completely failed to see this one coming. Saundra's daughter and her daughter… Was it a joke? No, it couldn't be. Apple had treated this too delicately to be a mere teenage joke. She knew how much destiny meant to her. Then, was it destiny? Oh, for Ancestors' sake! Why not just ask her and be a mother?!
"Apple, sweetie, can… Can you tell me more about that? Slowly, please." She instructed, trying to convey as much patience as possible. Apple needed support, not an apocalypse.
"She and I got together about a year ago. I… I never liked Daring, mother, and he was never fully accepting of having to abandon his bachelor's ways in favor of settling down with me. Raven and I always had some kind of chemistry, but I wouldn't budge for fear of what would happen if I forgone destiny and confessed what I felt for her. One day I just did… After she told me she'd broken up with Lizzie because she liked someone else and that someone was me… I-I, I'm so sorry, mother. I have disappointed you and our entire lineage." Apple finished, voice cracking at the end as she fought back tears.
Snow White was shocked to say the least. She propped her elbows on the armrests and proceeded to rub her temples a bit with her eyes shut. However, she realized Apple might see it as a sign of anger and disappointment, and was quick to clarify, "Give me a moment, honey. It's really been a long two days."
Apple felt her body tense and her eyes burn. Suddenly the dam broke, and tears were streaming down her angelic face. She struggled to keep silent, but ultimately couldn't hold back a small sob.
Snow White immediately stopped what she was doing and glanced at her daughter, her little apple seed, fighting to hold back her crying and failing. She quickly stood from her chair and dragged Apple closer to her, enveloping the blonde in a hug.
Apple returned the gesture desperately, as if begging for forgiveness. It wasn't what she was doing, though. For Apple, if her mother was truly as disappointed as she believed she was, this would be probably the last time she'd have such affection. She wasn't going back to pretending she'd be the happiest woman by marrying Daring Charming after an ordeal, and if that meant having to lose a mother's love, then… Well, so be it.
"Apple, why didn't you tell me or your father about any of this before?" Bianca asked, caressing Apple's blonde locks.
The younger White sniffed a couple times before she was able to stammer a response, "M-mom, I was raised to be the next Snow White, you-you always t-told me so… W-Why are you asking me t-that as if you don't kn-know?" Apple broke down again.
Bianca, once again, had to roll her eyes at herself inwardly for messing up again in less than a minute. If she kept this up she'd lose her daughter to a misunderstanding. But, Apple was right. She'd always told her about destiny, destiny, destiny; it was herself who kept tabs on her daughter's popularity rates because Snow White was meant to be liked by everyone; it was herself who pushed Apple to be as concerned with destiny as she was… prior to Raven.
It was admittedly a bit hard for Bianca to believe, but Raven was pretty much the opposite from Saundra. After all that she's heard, she'd gotten her daughter to be braver, smarter and more comprehensive, and it was honestly hard to dislike the little Queen girl. She had allowed them to mingle for years, until Saundra went off the hook and she considered it best to keep her daughter safe, but, safe from whom? Raven's father was charming on his own, and Raven perfectly harmless. Should she be surprised that years of friendship during their childhoods developed into something when they got into high school? Guess not. She was pretty close to doing something just as crazy.
Bianca stopped her train of thought altogether for a moment to make a decision.
Apple sobbed again, louder this time.
That's it.
"Apple, honey, I want you to look at me."
Apple reluctantly looked up to her mother, her role model.
Bianca cradled her daughter's face with her palms and sighed before speaking up, "You are not a disappointment to me. If anything, I should be disappointed at myself for pushing you as far as to not trust me and your father with what you were feeling for politics' sake. I'm so, so sorry, my little apple seed. I've failed you."
Now it was Apple's turn to be shocked. Was her mother apologizing to her?
"Mom-" she tried, but Bianca beat her up to it.
"Please, let me finish," the older woman pleaded and the blonde nodded, "I won't try to tear you and Raven apart. I did it once, thinking it was for your safety, and I was wrong. This whole mess must be confusing for her and you need each other. Heaven knows I would have liked to sort things out before destiny took its part and I lost the chance to."
The Princess tilted her head at that, what was her mom saying?
Raven kept her sprint down the hallways of the school, accidentally bumping into many people and not having enough mind available to apologize profusely as she would usually do. She just ran, ran, and ran faster until she was right outside Professor Badwolf's office.
Her friends were by her side, and a feeling invaded her. It wasn't the frustration, the anger, the angst from earlier, although healthy amounts of those were still swimming in her head. It was… Fear. Fear of what would Queen Snow White say when she came bargaining like this. When, not if, because she was going into that office.
She hadn't stopped to think that Apple might be as clueless as she was, instead unconsciously accusing her of not being true, and that was nagging at her. It was time to come together and fight this beast as they were meant to: as one.
And so, fighting a fear like no other she ever felt before, a fear that pushed her to bravery, she opened the door and threw a "wait here" to her friends.
She had expected tense silence and silent promises of vengeance, or Queen Snow White's demand for her to get the hex out of the office, but she wasn't expecting what she saw: Apple's tear-stained face, mascara running down, hugging her mother like a small child, and Bianca looking in the middle of a struggle of some sort.
"Raven!" Apple shouted, releasing her mother and crushing the purple witch with a tight hug that was returned immediately.
"Apple, I'm sorry. I… I should've known better and," she began, but Apple didn't let her finish as the blonde hugged again, this time even tighter.
They remained like this for a few moments, before the strange fear peaked within Raven again and she forced herself to break the embrace to look at the expectant Queen of Ever After.
"Your Majesty, I-"
Bianca raised a hand to silence Raven, and then waved in direction of the chairs she and Apple were occupying moments prior. She spoke with utmost, sincere gentleness, "Please, you two, take a sit. I… I have a story to tell you."
The two girls obeyed and seated, while Bianca took Lovell's chair.
"I was going to tell only Apple, but I believe you should know too, Raven." Said Snow White, visibly gathering courage.
"Tell us what, mom?" Apple asked, holding Raven's hand as if it were a lifeline. Raven returned the gesture.
Snow White breathed in deeply and released it with a sigh,
"How Saundra Queen and I were almost together."
A/N 2: The name of Raven's home Queendom derives from "Akasha Spirit", a Wiccan term that describes 'The fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe'. I found it fitting for a place filled with magic and, since it sounded just a tiny bit Asian to me (please forgive me if I offend anyone by that), it was even more fitting. I mean, Raven LOOKS Asian, as in Far East Asian of course. So... There you go.
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