It was fucking strange, if you ask me. Are we even sure that she is sane enough to help us? And the pink lady, is she up to the job?" She received the usual sarcastic answer:"No Miss Swan, we are obviously come here to enjoy a scholastic ball, with no alcohol, out of tune chants and when, what is the time?"- she looks at a wrist watch that doesn't exist-"When we have less than 48 hours to the possibly end of Los Angeles and the entire globe." Emma just throws her a unimpressed glare showing her teeth, realizing in person that the punch was really without a trace of alcohol.
"What the hell is wrong with this school? First rule: put alcohol in the punch; Second rule: dress ugly; Third rule: embarrass yourself. Honestly they are missing the basis in this God forsaken castle, lost in the fog."
"You shouldn't underestimate her, Emma. If the coven of witches of England were to be in danger they'll call her, immediately, putting her on the front as first line of defenses." The voice of the other mother of her cheeky kid was low, almost threatening, a mysterious smile on her ruby red lips.
The orange liquid was swirling in the cup, she shared a brief but intense look with Brenda and Sharon, who seemed to be deep in reflection on the affirmation.
"Are you telling me that she's a military witch?" The combo sounded roughly wrong on her tongue, staring at Regina perplexed, hiding her free hand in her tight grey trousers. "I wouldn't say that, but she was called in action at several times of crisis and obtained great results." The thing just didn't convinced the blonde totally. Hecate seemed too unstable, tense and sharp-tempered. But probably, thinking about it, you could use the same adjectives to describe herself, Chief Johnson, whom expression mirrored hers. Forehead furrowed in reflection, teeth biting discreetly her low lip and arms nestled tight on the chest. The black jacket with flower fantasy was all wrinkled, as well as the matched trousers, the white cotton blouse appeared to be too long for her small and tonic figure. Emma suppressed the laugh bubbling into her chest thinking at how and when, exactly, she bought that outfit.
Sharon moistened her lips before speaking her thoughts:" I could sense her aura, of her magic, and is wide, powerful, I perceive it sizzling against mine without any fear. I sense Miss Pentangle's too, sweeter of course, les massive, but not to underestimate. I think they'll be valuable to the quest, even so, I am sure I never seen so much hidden pain behind a so enormous power from well"- her sprinkling green eyes met with Regina's- "Quite some time".
Emma always trusted the rational judgment of the Captain, you can rely on her lucid and critic impartial mind. With the tail of her eye she noticed Brenda losing her arms, her furrowed forehead now calm and pure curiosity navigating her defined features.
"Alright then, but a military witch? Seriously? What… don't tell me, she a magic bazooka hidden in her tight black dominatrix robe?" Dark eyes darted invisible darts before rolling to the roof as it was a involuntary move. "Really, Miss Swan? Hecate owns a sword enchanted by herself with rare and complicated potions."
Her chin touched her chest in disbelieve. "What? I can't even phantom her with a sword in those bony hands!" Brenda, eating the billion donuts, answered immediately with her annoying sweet accent:" Jealous Swan?" She snorted loudly, refusing even that thought, jealous of what? Some strange magic sword?
Sharon giggled softly behind her hand almost trying to not hurt her frail pride. Emma chosen to concentrate on other things, for the moment.
The ball was at its highest moment all around them, sure the chants were pitiful but the girls were smiling with all the hearts, laughing and dancing without any synchrony. Maybe Henry would've liked it, mingling with magic in a so innocent and safe way. The pizza was really good, the organ lady was playing with abandon and security with a generous dose of full craziness. Now a enthralling tune hovered in the room. Her foot started to stomp with the beat, Regina smirked in victory:" Why don't you join your peers?" The angles of her mouth almost touched her eyes while she indicate the dance floor.
"I am sorry but this, is not my jam!" The smirk only increased. "Of course, and, what would be your… "jam", Miss Swan?" She was ready to educate her with some good rock and roll but she got abruptly interrupted by two witches in pink and one, very upset, in black.
The witch that wasn't Pippa Pentangle brought her hand to the forehead with a slow bow before presenting herself:"Welcome sisters to Cackles academy, I am Ada Cackle, headmistress of this school, I believe you already met Miss Hardbroom my Deputy and Miss Pentangle headmistress of her own school that is present today, for the occasion." The round face together with the aged glasses immediately gives the impression of sweetness, as her delicate but reassuring voice.
Emma extended her hand, and the other witch squeezed it with no hesitation, Miss Hardbroom's eyes became so big to inglobe the entire room. Then Ada restarted to talk:"Miss Hardbroom informed me of the delicate situation, I would very much like to contribute but I need to take care of two schools now, many young pupils must be kept safe. Now… now the bare minimum that I can do is to offer you a place to stay for the night, thanks to my ancestors we have many rooms available".
Now, a witch that inspires sympathy, finally, her silver hair and little round glasses much like Harry Potter's ( who Regina told them to not nominate, because apparently it was all absurd shits invented by a non-witch. But how can somebody not love the unfortunate little brave wizard?).
Anyhow she was looking at them with wide bright light blues eyes, a limpid sky without clouds or walls obscuring the view. Emma surprised herself into thinking of an exchange with the scorn dark gangly witch. Even Brenda was smiling at her sincerely while chatting, Miss Cackle was particularly interested at her "normal job" and the Chief, forced by the Captain, was explaining her why it was illegal to use a potion such as "Cana Veritas" to interrogate a suspect.
They accepted fast the gentle offer to stay there the night, then tomorrow morning leave for London.
Miss Hardbroom was restless in appearing and disappearing all around the room to check on the terrified students, Miss Pentangle kept watching Regina with not veiled suspect, whom was faking interest on the architecture of the castle. Emma was simply enjoying the show, the hot pizza and the light atmosphere. They have very stressful days ahead and a mission with a unsure end.
Henry had smiled proudly to the both of them with his typical look "my moms are going to save the world together again!" He had gathered all of his things that moment, pajamas, t-shirts, toothbrush, several comics and, of course, all the videogames that Rusty doesn't own. Poor Provenza with two teenagers in the house.
That night he had embraced them strongly, looking closely at both with determination, they already knew the implicit message. They were obligated to protect each other, he pretends that they return to him in one piece and with a imaginary, quiet medals on their necks. Even if Emma had to penetrate hundreds of these "monsters" to create a enormous disgusting skewer, this is exactly what he shall have. Just remembering his watering eyes when Regina broke from his embrace it provokes a tiny cut on her Charming heart. It was in that precise moment when Emma Swan swore again to herself to bring her back to him, should it ends with her idiotic Charming ass cut in half. Really, it could be even a funny scene, picturing it she bites her tongue to blood trying to not laugh out loud, causing a "damn it" to escape her mouth. She find several questing faces in her directions, she softly apologizes.
Meanwhile the jet lag started to do victims, it was just eleven pm o'clock but sleep was already behind her lashes, her head was blowing and she feels unstable on her feet. Brenda was yawing every two seconds, Sharon had her glasses in one hand and the other was cradling her forehead, Regina continued to have the composure of a Queen but her dark eyes were lucid and absent. It was kind of cute, Emma suppressed the improvise urge to trap the tiny queen in heavy blankets and let her sleep in her arms.
She limited to finish the last slice of succulent pizza and indicate clearly that it was time to pass out in a bed, possibly on a fluffy one.
Miss Cackle showed them the way to their chambers after they said farewells to Miss Hardbroom and Miss Pentangle, what kinds of names, really.
Tomorrow they will take the second plain in two days. In that exact instant she realizes how much of an asshole she had been for insisting to come, she was of no use in this freezing castle.
The castle was truly a freezer and a dreary one, she was shivering and trembling with her all body. She really hoped the blankets were up to the job, because in the future she was already seeing a permanent and nasty fever.
They have four separate chambers. The design was, how to define it, absent? A bed with a heavy woolly blanket, small closet, a scratched desk an little window with bars. It seems like being in the orphanage again, or worse in jail, it will not be a splendid night then. Regina makes her stuff appear in her gloomy and empty room. Gives her a last glance, tired but comprehensive, while she whisper:" Goodnight Emma, try to sleep, we'll need you tomorrow". Then she is gone, closing the heavy door behind, leaving Emma with her demons with just her little smile as defense, her low voice to untangle the blonde from the nightmares. She flips on the bed, comfortless but warm, and abandons herself to Orpheus, whom reclaims all her attention.
Pippa knew perfectly that her Deputy would oppose to the mission, but with mirror connection was easier to impose her status smiling and gently tell her that she couldn't decide anything. Now the packing problem, better to do a transfer when this close that transoceanic ones. Amplifying of a lot the trolley that she had already there with a fast spell, filling it with all the essentials. Two of everything that seemed essential, soon she had to amplify the trolley again. Adding the second beauty, needful for a travel under the Sun, with a satisfied gesture she closed the baggage.
Turning to ask Hecate if she was done she found her seated on the sofa, big and incredulous eyes, a little lather bag on her feet. "Hiccup, are you bringing just this little bag?" Her eyelids just opened more, if it was possible. Her red mouth was gaping like red fish one, before she stiffens her spine and speaks:" Pippa, we'll stay there just the time necessary to accomplish the mission, I don't think I am going to need much". She was glaring at the big, pink and glittered trolley, with disgust. Ignoring her, not subtle, reprimand the pink witch seated next to her.
Obviously she scouts away of few precious inches, but Pippa doesn't let her escape from her glance, the tiredness is impressed in the profound eye bags, in the rigidity of the jaw stopping it from produce a yawn. God forbid she lose a bit of control and shows weakness, her fingers itches to caress the pale skin, to tell her that is normal to let go, to being exhausted, and it is perfectly acceptable to show it.
She became even more rigid, more closed and hard. The years of their separation have tighten the shell outside, nourished the pain inside and alimented the fear in those beautiful raven eyes. She still doesn't have a complete explanation to that abandonment and she doesn't think she'll get it now. She doesn't even feel resentment, or hate, never hate. Inside the sadness expand, the love never died and the regret for all those years throwen to the wind. She wants to shake the other witch, say to her everything her mouth aches to say, grasping her face and kiss her. She can't do any of that, she just smile sweetly and cover the pale hand with hers.
Hecate trembles and stares at their hands combined as they were things of another world, doesn't lift her glance but inhales roughly. Pippa's voice falls to a whisper:"Are you serene for tomorrow?"
She keeps analyzing their fingers touching, nods slowly and finally speaks:"I would still prefer to convince you to let me go alone". The blonde shakes her head and draws little circle on the back of her hand. "You know it's impossible, and I am sure I'll be very helpful! You'll need me."
Especially if she regarded the "team" right. A powerful but irritable witch, one with magic but without any comprehension of it, a mysterious non-witch and a witch with a magic so strange, dense and arcane that it still hunts her.
She was lost in her thoughts that doesn't notice Hecate lifting her glance to her face. At once they eyes collide and she gets invested in the warm of the admiration before her Hiccup retract abruptly. She stands and with complex, absolutely not necessary, movements of her wrists points at an unidentified place in the space. "I better show you my guests room, mmh if you don't prefer another room, of course, I am sure there are some free, I can show you them as well. Ehm how, I don't wish to mmh I don't know if you'll find this one of your liking. Certainly there are bigger ones or… decorated better and… what Pippa?"
Her neck was pulsing red, her glance changing directions the all time while her hands were creating strange circles by her hips. Pippa could recognize and embarrassed Hecate even in a billions of years, she could swear it on the Moon and Stars. She couldn't stop the smile that broke her rosy face, she was so adorable, the mask of ice that doesn't success to stay up, she stops herself from crashing her friend in a bones cracking hug and never let her go.
Now she must stop the babbling phase, reaching her, with a finger brushing her quivering chin, with delicacy she made the taller witch watch her. Now the cheeks were red too. "Hecate, dear, of course I'll stay here, your guest room will be perfection."
Stopping the nervous babbling of which she had fallen victim, she closed the mouth with a snap and the hands too had stopped the elegant movements. Hecate nods, a hint of a stoic smile pulling at her lips. She guides Pippa in the chamber a relaxing silence hovering the place.
The little room was an exact double of Miss Hardbroom own bed chamber, she was sure of it without even seeing it. Neither in young age she was able to personalize a space, sure the books were the principal ornament, but there weren't pictures nor paintings. In spite of it her presence was perceived clearly, her elegance, the minimalism and the dark colors. She smiles and flips on the canopy bed emitting a tired snort. The mattress was of the right rigidity, exactly what you would aspect from Hecate Hardbroom, who loves to sleep and would never admit it.
She yawns, suddenly even the neck was rigid and her back was cracking like an old, not oiled mechanism.
"I think… that is time to go to sleep, Miss Pentangle." Her black eyes were rich with playfulness, eyebrows tensed to highlight the ludicrous use of the surname. "But, Miss Hardbroom it is already past the curfew?" She fakes juvenile surprise. The taller witch snorted at the tone, folds her arms on the chest, to remark authority, which she doesn't have on Pippa. "Precisely Miss Pentangle!" She smiles at the low e threatening tone, for a moment it seems to be in a strange parody of a porno, she cough to cover a laugh at the image. "Goodnight Hiccup, try to rest."
Her timbre suddenly become gentle, shy when she gives her goodnight, twirls and dematerialize into thin air.
Pippa collapse on the bed rimmed with grey and black sheets, in her head a tangle of memory starts to form a very bad edited movie, without a chronologic sense. A young Hecate smiling at her like the world started and ended with her, that hateful witch "her old friend" that keeps not understanding anything, them together, her friend that leaves her, not a explanation, the years of heartbreaks in seeing her in conventions and not being able to talk to her, night passed rethinking of a carefree past but painful at the same time.
All of it conduced them there, together, to face a dangerous and tangible threat. Their magic that interacts, the shy touches that creates gleams in the dark, bringing warm to the heart. With this melancholy thoughts in mind she changes in her nightgown of rose silk and she prays to a serene night of sleep.
At the sunrise a sound wakes her from the deep sleep in what she had fallen, she understands immediately who it could be. With a mumbling she says to enter. A leather black arm open the door and it follows a dark gangly figure, bringing a tray, the figure smiles lightly and pronounce a good morning barely audible.
The tray, she understands very quickly, is full with breakfast. A cup of tea fuming, cream, glossy donuts, a chocolate one and a strawberry one. She almost declares her infinite love, she must have been in the cold dungeon that is the kitchen to get her breakfast. She dares for an instant to picture a similar future, finding that little sleepy face every morning, between the annoyed and the relaxed. Her heart jumps in the ribcage while she tries to recover :"Good morning Hiccup, there… there was no need to bring me breakfast in bed." That is a really romantic gesture, one she doesn't realize, she is sure. She seat and rest on the backrest.
She fake ignores the little false step that costs her almost the equilibrium the moment she notice her nightgown. Her nightdress has an evident cleavage, rimmed with lighter pink lace. Now she knows that every fiber of Hecate concentration was going to be dedicate to watch her in the eyes or the wall behind, not a point lower. In any other situations whoever would been tented to just say that she can look, that her glance on me was anything but bothersome, but this is not one of that situations. She limits to show her bigger smile.
"I wanted… to thank you, mmh for yesterday, and well, I have been told to act like a good host." She tells while posing the tray on Pippa's knees, but doesn't sit. She even makes a few steps back:"well then, I'll let you have your meal in pace and to prepare yourself. I'll be in the staff room, later Pipsqueak."
She disappear before she could open the pink lips, she takes comfort in biting a donuts and in sipping the tea, orange and cinnamon, Hiccup remembers then.