Back to the Island
Daisy sighed as she sat back in the hammock on the balcony of her room. They were in the same house where they stayed before over the winter break. Tomorrow she would start training with Nikos one-on-one. He had been researching into this witch and seemed to find some information on her, but not a lot. He would also introduce her to the village elders, who were to assist. She wasn't sure what it would entail. Her heart started racing a bit at the thought of going back to the veil. She wasn't sure if she was ready for it, but at some point she would have to go back.
She was certain she'd have the nightmare again that night, but this time Wills wouldn't be there to calm her down. What's more, it was likely her mother and Jamie would find out what she had been trying to hide from them.
"Knock, knock," a voice said from the doorway. Daisy looked over, seeing Jamie standing there. He walked through the room and out onto the balcony. "I can see why you like this room."
"I like balconies," she replied, looking back over the sea. "Helps me stay calm."
"Reckon you spend a decent amount of time on Wills' roof," Jamie said with a chuckle. Daisy laughed.
"He's mentioned putting a balcony in for me, but I told him the rooftop garden is enough," she replied. "It's bigger. And who knew Wills was good at growing things."
"Wasn't his dad a herbologist?" Jamie asked.
"Yea… suppose he helped out," she said. "Still comes over from time to time to make sure Wills hasn't killed anything. But Wills does decently enough on his own." Jamie studied her a moment.
"Nervous about tomorrow?" he asked softly. Daisy nodded, her thoughts returning to the dreams.
"A bit," she said, not meeting his eyes. She could feel him try to probe her mind but was able to block him easily.
"What are you not tell me, Pix?" he asked softly.
"Just want a bit of privacy is all," she replied. "You don't see me rifling through your head all the time." Jamie chuckled slightly.
"I suppose I can understand that," he said. "Just know that… whatever it is, you'll figure out. And you got us to help." Daisy nodded.
"Thanks, Jamie," she said softly. Jamie sighed and started to walk across the room.
"Mum says supper'll be ready soon," he said, glancing back at her. Daisy nodded. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, reaching out.
"Wills…"
"I'm here, Pix. What's going on?"
Daisy took a deep breath, seeing his concerned face in her thoughts.
"Relax. Nothing's wrong. I just miss you," she sent. Immediately, Wills relaxed, smiling slightly.
"Miss you too, Pix. But it's only two weeks," he replied.
"Might as well be a lifetime," Daisy groaned.
"Surely it's not so bad. You ready for tomorrow?" he asked. Daisy flinched slightly, but then relaxed, determined that he wouldn't accidentally see what was going through her mind. "Whatever it is, you'll get it down."
"Thanks… just nervous. I'm not sure what to expect," she said.
"Daisy! Supper's ready!" her mother called up the stairs. Daisy sat up and looked over.
"Appears I've got to go," she thought.
"Call to me anytime you need me," he replied.
"I will."
She was back there - in the veil. While she knew to expect this, she could still feel her heart start to race again. She looked around, not seeing the veil anywhere. Trying to calm down and wait for the voice, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Why are you afraid?" the voice said. Daisy's eyes flew open as she looked around.
"I'm afraid I can't get back," she said. "I saw what it did to them… I don't want to do that again."
"My dear, little Daisy. You don't have to be afraid of this place," the voice answered. "You do not have to fear death."
The veil suddenly appeared in front of Daisy. She saw Wills, her family. All mourning.
"But… I can't do that to them again. What if I can't get back?" she shouted, her eyes fixed on them. "What if it doesn't work next time? I lucked out the first go around."
"It was not luck that brought you here. Or luck that took you and your brother back," the voice said. "Find me…"
Daisy ran to the veil and found it blocked again. She started banging on it, though half-heartedly. She knew she wouldn't get back through. Hot tears fell down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry…"
"Daisy!" Iris shouted as she shook Daisy awake. The younger Wood shot up in bed, looking around the dark room as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"I'm fine… it was just a dream," she murmured. Her mother stared at her a moment before she sat down on the bed next to her.
"This isn't about Alan, is it?" she asked softly. Daisy shook her head.
"I didn't want you to know," she said softly, looking up at her.
"Daisy, it's alright to be afraid. Dare say we all are," she replied.
"But I'm not supposed to be afraid. I'm supposed to be fearless and yet… just the thought of going back makes my heart race. And not in a good way," she said, blinking furiously against the tears.
"But that's why we're here, so you can learn how to use your magic," Iris said.
"But what if I do it wrong?" Daisy asked. "What if I can't get back?"
"You will master this, Daisy. I have faith in you. And even though it scares me as well, I know that you will find a way," she said. Daisy looked up at her mother and swallowed. "Nikos and the elders believe they can help, so we have to trust them." She pulled Daisy into her arms, visions of her as a little girl, doing the very same thing after a bad dream.
"It's alright, my darling," Iris murmured as she began stroking Daisy's hair. "We'll figure this out."
Daisy followed Nikos through the village as the old man greeted everyone they passed by name. Daisy nodded and tried to stifle a yawn, still tired from the lack of sleep. She had met most of the villagers her first time there, but still struggled to remember all the names. They regarded her with awe and respect - likely because they had been informed of her gift. Nikos chuckled as he glanced back at her, noting the blush across her face.
"This is nothing to be ashamed of, young Daisy," he said.
"I know, just… it's odd getting all this attention," she replied.
"Even among our kind, you are famous," he said. "More so now because of your gift."
"Just wish I knew what it is I could do," she muttered.
"All in good time," Nikos said as he led her inside a house. "Here we are. Come now to my library. I wish to inform you of what I've discovered before we meet with the elders."
"Have you discovered more?" she asked, looking around at the many books and scrolls.
"A bit more, but still not quite enough," he said with a sigh as he walked over to a desk and picked up a book. "We keep detailed records of our people and our ancestors, but with it being so long since we've had someone with such a gift, we have to dig a little deeper. And unfortunately, some of those records are so old, time has damaged them."
"So, we just have to find the right books?" Daisy asked, picking up one from his desk and flipping through it.
"Yes, so to speak. The elders know a bit more, being the keeper of our stories but I have found some things in my own collection," he said, searching for a passage in the book on his desk.
"Like what?" she asked, looking over at the book.
"This speaks of her ability to communicate with the dead. She would often consult with our ancestors whenever large decisions needed to be made," he said, handing the book over to her.
"Does it say how?" she asked, looking through the passage.
"Only that she would go into some sort of trance. But no, it does not mention specifics," he said. "So far I have not found anything on how she did what she did - just that she could do it." Daisy sighed as she sat down on a sofa, continuing to read through it.
"So, I should be able to do that? At some point," Daisy said, looking up at him.
"I believe you will," he said. "But we shall see." Daisy returned to looking through the book. She glanced up at Nikos a few times before clearing her throat. After she and her mother had stayed up most the night talking, they both agreed that she needed to tell Nikos about the dreams.
"I'm not sure if this helps, but I've… I've been having dreams," she said softly. "Well… more like nightmares, actually." Nikos stopped looking through the book and studied her.
"About what?" he asked.
"I'm there… in the veil again. But I can't get back. I'm trapped there," she said. "And… there's a voice. A woman. Telling me to seek her. That I must seek her if I want to leave."
Nikos sat back in his chair, silent. He rubbed his chin.
"Perhaps this is the veil trying to tell you something," he replied. "I think that maybe… your subconscious must be connected to it. I don't think you are dreaming about going there… Daisy, I think that you are actually going there." Daisy paled slightly as she leaned back on the sofa.
"I'm actually going there?" she asked breathlessly.
"Young Daisy, what is this?" he asked. She looked up at him, her eyes wide.
"I'm terrified… of going there. What if I can't get back?" she asked, her voice small.
"Daisy, I can understand your trepidation, but… you have been given this gift for a reason. There is no reason to fear it," he said. "More than that, I do believe that this voice, you must listen to it. It is someone offering help." Daisy nodded.
"So… if my subconscious is connected then… I don't need to pass through the veil in the ministry. I should be able to pass through wherever I am," she said.
"Yes, I believe so," Nikos replied. Daisy nodded. "Perhaps… we should try." Daisy looked over at him, her eyes wide.
"Right now?" she asked. Nikos nodded. Daisy swallowed.
"I know you are afraid, but we must try," he said softly. She nodded and placed the book down on the floor then reclined on the sofa. "See first if you can go there, and then try to find this voice."
Daisy took a deep breath and closed her eyes, attempting to empty out her mind. She wasn't sure if she could only do it while asleep or if she would be able to tap into it now, but she would at least try.
Slowly, she felt her body start to relax as her limbs got heavier. She cleared her head and focused only on the veil, the room silent around her. After a while she could no longer hear the quiet turning of pages from Nikos' desk.
She breathed deeply, the world around her fading into black…
"Daisy…"
She stirred slightly, not quite placing the voice.
"Daisy… come back…"
Her finger twitched slightly as she felt her muddy brain starting to clear.
"Daisy!"
Her eyes flew open as she saw Nikos' face hovering over hers. He stepped away as she sat up and looked around the room.
"What did you see?" he asked, curiosity lighting up his eyes. She took a deep breath and looked around.
"Nothing… I didn't go to the veil," she said softly, half disappointed and yet half relieved. "I must have dozed off..."
"Understandable. You look as though you haven't been getting much sleep lately," he said. Daisy nodded.
"I can try again," she said, starting to lay back down again. Nikos smiled and shook his head.
"It is time for us to go to lunch. Your mother and brother will be waiting for us," he said. She nodded and stood, stretching out.
"I'm sorry, professor," she said, looking over at him. He smiled.
"It is quite alright, Daisy. We have time to figure this out. Come, let us eat. Then we can continue with our studies," he said, leading her through the house.
Jamie stood with Argus in the clearing, glancing around him at the various people about. All morning he and Iris had been training with shields and jinxes, reviewing things they had last studied when they were hear over Christmas break. Daisy had been off with the professor, studying this witch Athanasia, who had last had the gift over death.
She seemed a bit groggy over lunch, admitting that the professor had her attempt to connect to the veil, but she had fallen asleep instead. She seemed a bit disappointed. A quick peek into her head had shown she was not happy with falling asleep instead of going to the veil, but part of her had been relieved she didn't go. That surprised him a bit. He didn't think Daisy was afraid of anything. Though now he understood a bit more why he had heard her shout out in her sleep last night. He had been crawling out of bed to go check on her when he heard their mother go in instead.
Unfortunately, lunch was short and he had no time to talk about it further with her before Nikos was leading her back to his home and Argus was leading him and his mother back to the training ground.
Iris was currently on the other side of the clearing working on her shields, while Argus was working with him on his ability to manipulate emotions and feelings.
"Have you been working on your gift?" Argus asked, studying Jamie.
"Yea. Still struggling to make it work with folks that I'm not connected with, though," he said. "I can only manage a couple at a time. Not to mention we've gone and created a fair amount of connections."
"So I've heard," Argus said, studying the man. "I see that you, your mother and your sister have created many since you've been back."
"We just want to keep them all safe," he said.
"Very noble of you. But just see that it does not become a strain on you," he said. Jamie nodded. "Now, I have brought together a number of villagers. I want you to see how many you can effect at once."
Jamie nodded solemnly as he looked at the people around him.
"You remember how this works. Focus on one emotion and the push it out from within you onto those surrounding you," he said.
Jamie closed his eyes for a moment, quietly going through his head and focusing on one emotion. Sadness. He wasn't sure why he chose that one but figured it would be the easiest one to display.
Taking a deep breath, he began pushing outwards, imagining the emotion wafting towards the people around him, like smoke. He opened his eyes, setting them in his sights as he focused his thoughts on pushing the emotion on them.
The two closest to him suddenly started to look crestfallen, frowning as tears started springing in their eyes. One began to wipe at his cheeks as the tears started rolling down his cheeks. Then gradually, a few more appeared upset. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Argus start to smile. Five people now were looking weepy.
"Very good, stay focused," Argus urged softly. "See if you can affect all of them." Jamie took a deep breath and slowly let it out as he imagined the last few folks standing there starting to cry.
Just as the last one reached up to wipe a tear away, Jamie felt something give and suddenly he was bent over, breathing heavily as the people around him began to return to normal.
"Not bad for our first time back to work," Argus boomed happily. Jamie looked over at him, noticing that he was wiping at his own cheek, a lone tear had streaked down his weathered face. Jamie hadn't been trying to affect him. "Come, let us have a bit of a snack. I find that usually helps me when I am a bit spent."
Jamie walked over and sat under a tree with Argus, who reached into a basket and pulled out a slice of thick bread and a small hunk of cheese.
"Seems more tiring this time around," Jamie said, accepting the food.
"We are now getting into more complicated territory. It will drain you until you are trained in it. Just like with your sport, no?" Argus said, glancing over at him. Jamie nodded slowly.
"I can see that," he said, looking over to where his mother stood. She held her hands out and watched as a shield formed around her and then started expanding. He knew she had been practicing at home with his father, but he hadn't seen what she could do lately.
The shield kept growing until it was nearly at his and Argus' feet. He could see Iris breathing a bit heavier, her brow furrowed as she looked up at the shield. Jamie's eyes widened.
"I didn't know she had gotten them that big," he murmured. He started to reach out to touch it, but before he could, it disappeared with a pop. He looked over, seeing Iris smiling as she wiped her brow.
"She is coming along quite well. Both of you," Argus said.
"Now if only we could get Daisy up to snuff," Jamie said. Argus nodded.
"If only her gift were so easy to decipher," Argus said, sighing. Jamie looked over at him.
"She's afraid," he admitted to the older man.
"I could sense it. She won't be able to do anything until she gets over her fear," Argus said, his brow furrowed. "But I believe that she can overcome this." Jamie looked back out over the clearing.
"I certainly hope so."
Getting a bit more done. I had a bit of a breakthrough the other day and ended up finishing two chapters. Currently up to seven nearly ready to publish with bits and pieces of several chapters after that. Been working on magazine stuff the last couple of days, so I didn't have time to work on writing until today. But thankfully I'm closer to having everything figured out.
Guest - Glad you're liking them! Only Daisy, Jamie, Iris and Nikos went back. Christos stayed because they felt they needed someone from the island to stay behind as protection and to be a point of contact. Nikos went because he knows the most about Athanasia and can assist Daisy in her training.
JT815 - Haha, I am hoping to do some things with other characters. I've so far yet to deal with the younger cousins (Lily, Rose, Albus and Hugo), so there are opportunities there - especially since I mention somewhere that Lily's been working with Daisy and wants to play quidditch as well once she graduates. I've thought of possibly doing a short story on Louie and what he's been up to in Paris. And maybe a little something with Roxanne and Christos. And yea, it could be cool to do something with Marcus and Hermione. Maybe a short or oneshot about Marcus withing the context of Jamie and Lila's wedding. I suppose we'll see what the muses hit me with. And yea, Tori is growing on me and I'd like to keep her around somehow. As with Alan, I've just started getting into that territory. Daisy starts to wonder about it in chapter six and we start seeing how it's affected him a bit in chapter seven. Though I might add in some things before that as I edit. He was only over there a short time, so it's not that big. But again, we'll get into that later and I don't want to give anything away.
AleenaBean - I didn't even think about that, but yea, Harry probably could help. He's up to his eyeballs in dealing with the investigation and MACUSA (and Teddy's tantrums) that I didn't think to have Iris suggest he talk to Daisy. Could maybe work that in somewhere... And you know I live for those cute scenes between Daisy and Wills. I can only imagine what their kids would be like...(Oh god, no... I WILL NOT START A SERIES ON WILLS AND DAISY'S KIDS! NOPE!) Hmm, maybe? Maybe not? Haha, you'll just have to wait and see what happens with our favorite aurors... I'm still working on the rest of Tori's backstory, but definitely want her to play a role in this book besides background character. HAHAHAHA! I love that folks are getting in on this betting action with Daisy and Wills. You'll just have to wait and see...
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
