The ice cold of the castle penetrated everywhere, she could feel it infiltrate in her old tired bones. The beige nightdress and nightgown did nothing to protect her from freezing. Tying tightly the nightgown she opens the door, hearing chatting outside. In fact a irritable Brenda Leigh had a blanket on her shoulders and was talking with a trembling Regina, her blue silked nightdress tight around her tiny frame. They turn to look at her, Brenda does a little nod with her head before resting it against the door, Regina muttered a good morning with chattering bare teeth. They heard a loud bang suddenly, Emma Swan was now outside of her personal cave, growling to the world with her yummy burgers pajamas, Sharon spends the first giggle of the day. Regina is bend in half in the same moment.
Swan doesn't take it lightly, obviously not being a morning person, with her face signed still with sleep lines she growls:"What is so funny? It's freezing in here! How the hell they live in this forsaken castle? Thinking of it in Hell it should be hot, at least!" The contrast between the irate voice and the childish pjs is exhilarating, Brenda gives up the façade and starts to laugh, an exasperated Emma slams the door with authority.
In the middle of the corridor appears Miss Hardbroom, her long hair free of its usually chignon cage, dressed in a black scaled nightdress, fake dragon skin. Her eyebrows arched toward the centre of her forehead, she glares at them, one by one with the same looming stare. Then she exhales and starts to explain the last details, whispering:"Ladies I invite you to get ready and to meet us downstairs for the breakfast, then we'll proceed to leave right away." Her voice scratched as it was equipped with cat nails, then with a fast gesture of her hand she disappear into the void.
"I hate when she does that, without any warning. She'll give me an heart attack for God sake!" Brenda openly manifested her malcontent and Sharon could understand why, it was a very fastidious habit. Then she sensed brown warm eyes travelling on her bare legs, the blush reached her neck, she fast entered in her room slamming the door behind her.
It was a maddening, nerve-breaking situations that escapes her perfect control. She has been straight her whole life, and now she fell so hard for a crazy unstable adorable woman who gave her hell from the first time they saw each other. She knows that Brenda likes her, or at least is attracted to her, she perceives her stares, the way her breath stops in certain moments, the little tiniest of the smile she does when is sure that Sharon can't see, she sees everything. Brenda ignores her feeling, the older woman mad sure of that, she isn't ready, she doesn't know if she'll ever be. She doesn't want to get hurt again, isn't sure she'll ever recover from it, her heart is already broken in so many pieces barely fitting together and glued with frail, cheap, material. No, a love story isn't what she needs now, she has her beautiful and caring kids to look after, her job and now a imminent apocalypse. Even if everything aches in her to reach out, to feel loved again, she can't simply allow that, not today, or the next months. Anyhow she is almost sure that The Chief doesn't love her, not the way she does. She can't permit herself to be a mere fling, not again.
Putting aside this too much deep thoughts for the early morning she put on a warm light blue suit.
The shivering cold that was taking possess of her toned down a bit while she sipped her coffee, espresso, prepared by the simpatic Italian cook. She does some small talks with Ada Cackle, the headmistress bites a definitely too caloric cheesecakes for breakfast. The Chief arrives soon and with a grateful sigh takes the cup of caffeine that The Captain offers her, mumbling still half asleep:"You are the only think worth waking up for." And then launches immediately on the cheesecakes, so Sharon doesn't really understand at who or at what she was referring to. Miss Cackle throws her a curious look but she just shakes her head, Brenda Leigh is a mystic experience so early in the morning.
Follow a grumpy Emma Swan in jeans and a red jumper, she too decides for the cake:"Oh, this! This cheesecake is a miracle, thank you!" She compliments the headmistress, Brenda nods satisfied.
Regina and Hecate entered the staff room mumbling with each other, she couldn't understand a word because the conversation ended on the door. Mills inhaled her coffee and looked at the cake with diffidence, deciding for a red apple, predictable. Miss Hardbroom was sipping her tea slowly, eying in a judging way the jeans on Miss Swan, probably not noticing the pinkish one of Brenda and the Tweety yellow cardigan that contrasted badly with her blond hair. Unfortunately Sharon found her adorable even dressed like that, the deep eye-bags and the mouth full of unhealthy sweet food. It may seems an attack on her persona, but in the day-life all the problems and the worries disappear just looking at her fighting with things. And, in fact, there she is, Brenda Leigh Johnson, Chief of the more prestigious unity of LAPD, fighting with a chair, that obviously doesn't obey her.
Suddenly in a tangle of black and green robe a witch, that she had saw barely the night before, enters the staff room, breathing heavy, the whistle bouncing on her chest while she reached the table, her smile could illuminate a sunless galaxy. "There you are! Finally, I thought I had lost my chance to know some of your friends HB. No offense but with Pippa I already screamed at the miracle. Oh, well met, well met sisters I am Dimity Drill, P.E teacher, what a strange giddy group you are!" Hecate was launching her invisible darts with her eyes, but the young witches just ignored her. Regina stared at her from the edge of the cup, briefly presenting herself.
The room was now crowded. The conversation flood naturally, explanations were given and Dimity Drill didn't disappoint in facial expression. The dark curious eyes rushed between Miss Cackle and Emma, who was illustrating her the situation contoured with details, and her personal commentary. Regina nodded from time to time and Sharon gave specifications when needed. Soon all was clear.
"So, if I understood everything, you are going in six, two without the use of magic, in a unknown universe not being certain that you won't get killed the minute you walk the rim of a portal somewhere up in the sky?" Her voice became a incredulous squeak on the last words. Emma nodded gravely with blonde eyebrows arched in strange angles and the teeth bare in embarrassment. "Sure as hell you are brave!"
"Precisely Miss Drill, there are too much lives on the stake for risking to underestimate the threat." Sharon hopes her tone could be calmer and be more secure then she was at the moment. "And I'd like to say that I have the absolute trust in our team, this is not the first storm that we face together." She knows that she is the one who had to bring positivity in this group of misfits scared cats. Regina smile warmly at her, the lieutenant and the Chief cheered with the cups in a ridiculous way.
"I don't know you well Miss Ray but I trust you, I'd put my life in your hands right now!" The nickname made her smile and the young witch smiled with her. The atmosphere was lighter now, loose in something warm and comfortable.
From nothing appears a pink spot, associated immediately with Pippa Pentangle. She seemed to fill the entire room with only her glittering presence. She crosses glance with Brenda from the other side of the table, the brown eyes were already up to the roof, too pink then.
Miss Cackle invites her to have a bite but she refuses with a smirk:" In truth Miss Cackle, I have been treated like a princess, with breakfast in bed and everything!" Her glance switched on Miss Hardbroom, whom now is tomato red and covering her face with a bony elegant hand. Dimity and Emma spitted their drinks in synchrony, then tried to cover the giggles with improvised coughs. Sharon sensed the embarrass expand in the room in thick waves coming from the all in black witch, she doesn't uncovers her eyes, not even to glare at the two laughing women. Brenda just turned her eyes up to the roof, again, while Miss Cackle looked very satisfied and produced a quiet applause. Pippa winked at Regina and mimicked a soundless "ops" with tense lips.
"HB you surprise me every day! Now I shall go, the girls need some warm-up, they are already celebrating your little vacancy!" Hardbroom proceeded to glare at her between her shacking fingers, Dimity wished them good luck and leaved with a bouncing little run.
The air was cut by "HB", whom speaks fast and with a trembling, for embarrassment or maybe rage, voice:" Hmm I believe we should start to reach the road, ehm Miss Pentangle have you…?" Pippa jumps on the spot and nods with a bright smile, trying to repair at the previous mishap, perhaps. "Of course Hecate, the taxi is probably already outside!" They move outside the walls of the castle with the packing, she immediately notices the enormous pink trolley and snorts shaking her head, it'll be a complicated long journey.
Leaving the castle was going to be harder then she thought, her duty was to stay there with the girls, shaping them to be the future of the Craft. She belongs to Ada's side, as her deputy headmistress, but the reality complicates even the simple of the truths. She is now forced to leave this sacred place of sapience for trying to save it, to save the entire world. She repeat herself that she'll do everything to return in victory, but nothing is sure in this world surrounded by stale grey shades.
She doesn't promise because promises have betrayed her entire live.
The nails sticks in the soft skin of her hands closed in fists by her hips, she gives her farewell to Ada, whom is looking at her with so much trust, trust that she doesn't deserve. She feels fresh tears swelling in her traitor eyes, but remains stoic while saying the few words she is capable of:" Goodbye Miss Cackle, I'll be back as soon as possible." The witch stares at her closely for long moments, then smiles, pose a gentle hand on a stiff shoulder and slowly squeezes. She gives Hecate strength, her blue eyes are now watering:"Of course Hecate, I trust you to come back victorious, we will be waiting with open arms." The words hits her in the ribs, they remind her that this is her place too, that someone will be waiting for her return. She has a home here, something she never had since when her mother passed away, since when she abandoned Pippa.
Suddenly her legs trembles but she stomp her feet to the ground, filling her lungs with cold air, before bending in a bow. She prays that the words she can't emit arrives to her anyway, because she knows her, reads in her obscure eyes everything.
The last thing that she sees is her toothless smile, then she twirls and gain the rest of the company. Pippa waits for her and tangle their arms, like when they were fearless children, the white cotton blouse on her is strange, as the pink jumper and the pink skirt. A witch doesn't dress like that, but now she doesn't have the breath to condemn it because it's stuck in her throat. The blonde head rests on her shoulder and she can almost taste the sweet flowery perfume, Hecate smiles a bit seeing her friend yawn loudly.
She sense the tiny hair on her nape rising and she notices the strange stare that she is receiving from Miss Swan, of course, she had to ruin the moment. She clears her throat with decision, to obtain her attention:"Something interesting to share Miss Swan?" She jumps, just like one of her students, Pippa embraces her more tightly and she suppress the instinct to get lost in her warm and forget the world.
"Ahm, yea, see lady we have to pass controls, you are really coming dressed like that? They could make problems, and where the hell you hide that famous sword, it certainly can't squeezes in that little bag?" She sense the tiny heave of her friend at the word "sword" but she ignores it for the moment, now she has to fight against the irritation that provokes in her the idiot with ripped denim. With the tail of her eye she sees Regina snort and an expression of annoyed disbelieve is post on her face. "How she put up with her, she doesn't know."
"My way of dressing is certainly more appropriate than yours, Miss Swan, an about my sword, it is a professional secret that belongs to us witches. You wouldn't understand!" She gapes like a little red fish and Hecate internally screams victory, until she makes few fast and threatening steps towards their position. She immediately positioned herself in front of Pippa, arms stretched and ready, for any eventuality. The non-witch does have magic.
Fortunately, for her, she is stopped by Miss Johnson who proceeded to shout at her with authority:" Lieutenant Swan calm your nerves for the love of God! It is too early in the morning to start a fight!" Green bright eyes keeps glaring with hostility but she relaxes her muscles, finally calming down.
The fellowship wasn't the best, but really, team work was never her forte. Pippa seems annoyed now at her side and shakes her pretty head. "Hiccup, I know it is difficult but we can't start to fight already." Her sweet eyes pointed at me , almost praying, an hint of a playful smirk on her lips.
Hecate exhales a long breath, with the eyes narrowed on the infuriating blonde, she does a little nod, she can't deny her anything, not when she is looking at her like that. Her smirk grows, and that quiets he soul.
Finally the taxi arrives, a round man in a too small suit presents himself as Jack Caplen. Quickly he puts the baggage on the back of the machine, while chatting animatedly, too much for her tastes, but Pippa was enthusiastic and laughed at his stupid jokes.
Emma Swan was wearing the same irritated face, at least something in common. It is a start.
Having never been in a taxi before in her life Hecate got closer to look at it. It seems a normal automatic machine with three doors. It is perfectly clear to her the mechanism of its functions, the utility of the pistons and the flammable carburant. What she didn't really comprehend was the not use of a different kind of carburant, one that doesn't destroy our planet. The witches have provided different ecologic variations, but were never utilized. But now there are heavier question to weight, like the imminent apocalypse or the raspberry high-heels on Pippa's feet, the curve of the calf, and she stops right there not allowing her gaze to wonder above, surely unwanted.
They occupied the taxi, Pippa insist that is her duty to make company to the taxi driver sitting near him. With precaution she takes the last spot behind, near the window, curious of the landscape seen from that low angle. With the tail of her eye she sees Regina taking place to the opposite window. The rest takes place ahead of them, Swan darts her a glare that she mirror with aggravation.
That woman is capable to prime every single nerve that she owns and she can't understand properly why. Maybe there is the blond hair, that isn't Pippa or Ada, maybe the stupid arrogant expression on her face. Probably it is the lack of respect toward magic and the Craft. The thought of regaining said sword to stick her with it represent itself more pressing.
She repeats Pippa's words in her head, like a mantra and swallows the growing hostility in her stomach.
Regina is leaning on her window, scrutinizing the woods with eyes of a witch who knows and comprehend what she sees. The machine is too fast to catch the right shades of nature that surround us, pity, because there is so much to be observed. She remembers clearly the petals of colorful flowers reflecting in amber sweet eyes of her Pipsqueak. The marvel in noting the tiniest difference, the pride in knowing their name, their role, all impressed in her dreamy features. Fractures of an adolescence now long behind them, impossible to replicate.
She sense a melancholic sigh leaving her lips and then she perceives another pair of ebony eyes on her, a hint of a smile appearing on blood red lips. "Did she lost herself in the waves of reminiscences and happier day too?"
They are related spirits, she and Regina Mills, she understood it when they were younger, when those wide young eyes crossed those of her mother, Cora Mills, and she recognized terror in them. Since then it was crystal clear that they were suffering the same torment. From that moment they understood each other deeply, a bond that goes beyond ages and dimensions, a bond between whom survives the pain inflicted by the ones who were supposed to love and protect you. She reads the same consciousness, like many years ago, " I comprehend you, lost soul, I am with you in the agony."
There was nothing else, even trying, they were two broken pieces of a puzzle that doesn't fit together. Living a similar traumatic past they knew too much of each other, they inherit similar wounds, almost identical mechanism of defense, both were control freak to the point of sickness, to the point of being their own worst enemy. They were not made to be lovers, or friends for that matters, the magnanimous fate made them soul-sister and that's what they will always be.
Hecate was absorbed in view of the road, machine speeding in every direction, people running in black and grey suits with umbrella on their arms, loud disturbing and chaotic noise reverberating all around. All of that cement, the vertiginous building, it was truly a claustrophobic atmosphere. No green, no herbs to collect, the cloud obscuring the sky, Hecate felt her chest tighten. Surely she had seen all of this but flying in the blue sky, it never seemed this much grave.
"What they were thinking? How do they live like this?"
A brief glance at Mills confirmed what she was absorbing, an annoyed expression covered a troubled one. "Did she missed the old world, even with all the hurt that brought her?"
In the meantime she hears Pippa chatting friendly and non-stop with that little man. He had a happy family, with a lovely wife and some children. Well, good for him. She just wanted to know how much it'll take to reach the airport now. She is sick of being seated in the rumbling machine with no free air, surrounded with no nature but just busy people speeding everywhere. Already missing her magic castle she closed her eyes trying to be patient for a little longer.
Miss Swan was asleep, drooling on her window, oh how she wished she could do the same. But they were people with her, sleep was not to be even contemplated. Miss Johnson was examining documents, it seemed from her angle she couldn't see well, alternating to look at Sharon Raydor, what a mysterious witch she was, whom was asleep too, using as a pillow the blonde arm behind her nape. "Were they a… a couple? Good friends?"Hecate couldn't really identify them.
There was softness in Miss Johnson eyes when she looked at the other woman, at least in the glimpse she caught sometimes, were she wasn't in her own private world. A world she very much would like to reach now, but it seems so far away somehow, her mind was unnerving blank, there was nothing to soothe her.
It is possibly the hovering presence of Pippa Pentangle that prevents her from thinking at anything but her, with her blond hair in that infuriating ponytail, the smile she sensed in her voice while she talked, her heart ached and ached like a drunk fool in search for the alcohol that would surely kill him.
She sighed deeply and hoped for the best.