So, seriously, I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting on this! My computer died, and with it left my tenth chapter. So, I'm glad I was able to get this to you after so long. ^^'
In other news, CHAPTER 10! I'm glad that you're all still reading, and I really like writing this. Hopefully I'll get more done now that I've got a computer again.
I don't know how I managed to, but I fell asleep. Today had been exhausting, yes, but I was still haunted by the scene I had watched. Thankfully with the night came nothing by normal nonsensical dreams. I won't bore you to death with the details. It only felt like a short while later that a voice was calling me from my sleep.
"Lady! Lady Grace! Wake up!" Feeling something tickling my nose, I waved at whatever it was. I think my hand made contact with something… I really couldn't be sure. "Hey! Wake up!" The voice rose in pitch. I responded by groaning.
"Five more minutes, Mom." Rolling over, I think I heard a growl of annoyance.
"I am not your mother. Now wake up!" Something pricked my butt, and I jumped out of bed.
"Ow! What the heck was that for?" I identified the source of my annoyance as Winny. She held a shiny needle, and looked extremely pleased with herself.
"You called me your mother," she stated simply. "I was offended. That, and you wouldn't wake up. Lazy bones." I shook my head in annoyance. What had I done to get the peskiest faerie in the place as my maid?
"Okay, I'm up. So what did you want?"
Grinning, Whinny settled down on the desk. "I wanted you to stop sleeping in that gown, for starters. It'll ruin it. If you need to sleep, get one of the many night gowns." She motioned towards the wardrobe that sat in the corner. I rolled my eyes. That wasn't the only reason. "But my true purpose is to wake you up. You're to come with me, and start working with Mama Thistle. Order of the King."
I ran a hand through my hair, and groaned. "Alright then." I was all too mindful of the King's threats. It's not like it was going to kill me to make them see that I was really quite useless. At least then I might have a chance of being freed… But I doubted that even if I were declared perfectly magic-less, that they'd just let me waltz out of here. I'd learned that things weren't that simple here.
"Now…" Whinny zoomed over the wardrobe. "What shall we dress you in?" She pulled out the sleeve of a dress, and nodded. "This would be nice. I think –"
"I think I shall dress myself. Feel free to wait outside, but I think I can manage to pick a dress to wear. I'm not a child." Winny sighed, and I could tell that she thought that matter was up to debate.
As soon as she was outside, I heard Marie cry out from the mirror, "Wear the gold-ish dress. It would be better for the training session ahead of you." I found the dress she spoke of quickly, and frowned at it. What do to… should I listen to the future-seeing mirror, or my own fashion sense? I realized that to do the former would be the best idea, and changed into the dress promptly.
As a joke, I called back to Marie, "Any tips on hairstyle?"
"A braid!" I smacked myself. Of course she would have an answer. With a shrug, I quickly did up my own braid. I even found a hair ribbon with which to hold it there. Stepping outside of the room, I crossed my arms.
"Alright, Winny, where to?" I mentally reminded myself that on this journey, I needed to learn where my room was. The last thing I wanted was to give an excuse to the princes to escort me everywhere. That would have simply been insufferable.
Without a word, Winny nodded and flew through the halls. Even though she kept moving at a brisk pace, I tried to remember which halls went where, and little things that might help me get back. So many halls… It was infuriating. Each hall looked the same as the next, and I wondered how it was people learned to get around this place.
We finally arrived at the doors, and Winny smiled at me. Something in that smile made me worry… perhaps it was just the malicious glint in her eyes. "We're here. Head on inside. Mama Thistle should be waiting for you." I glanced at her as she flew away, and wondered what it was merited that evil grin.
I placed my hand on the door to push it, and paused. Why did I have to do this, really? Furthermore, I felt quite unnerved by Winny. It was a tiny little smile, but it had done enough to spook me a little. All I knew about this Mama Thistle woman was that she was quite unattractive and had screwed my mother over. Not exactly a recipe for trust right there.
"Are you coming in, or are you just going to stand out there?" A gruff, yet rich voice with a heavy Russian accent called out to me. Was that her? My eyes widened. Who would have thought that she would have a voice as cool as that? "Don't keep me waiting!" I stiffened at that. Bossy woman. Sighing, I stepped into the room.
Mama Thistle sat there at the end of the room, seated on some steps at the end. I glanced around at the space. It reminded me of a dance studio – mirrors lined the walls, and the floor was perfectly smooth… the only thing that was missing was the balance bar. That, and most rooms didn't have a little stage at the end of them. I frowned. What the hell would you use a room like this for?
I heard a tsk, and my attention returned to the elderly woman. "You are too easily distracted. And you ask too many questions." Her tone was scornful, and I glared at her as she slowly worked her way out of the chair. Opening my mouth, I was quite prepared to retort with something, but she cut me off with a brisk 'zip it' motion in the air. I stopped, and groaned. "If I'm to work with you, you're going to have to learn some manners. Did your mother never teach you to respect your elders?"
That was a low blow, bringing up my mother, but it cowed me properly. I rubbed my arm, and glanced away from her. Was she always so blunt? Was I really going to have to work with this woman? The idea was becoming less savory by the minute.
Steadily, she worked her way to me. I noted that she loped along, and that her face seemed to be set in a determined expression. As soon as she reached me, she tilted her head, and walked around me at the same pace. The whole thing was painful for me, and I wished there was a way to make this go faster. That, and the little 'Hms' and 'Ahs' she made whilst walking around me were starting to make me self conscious.
Suddenly, she spoke. "A dancer, no?" My eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Yes," I said, feeling a little surprised that she could guess that.
She gave a little lopsided grin. "I could tell. You have the figure and easy movement of a dancer." Figure, maybe, but I was always tripping over my own feet. People always laugh that I trip more walking around than I do when performing a complex ballet. Poking me once in the side, I squawked in surprise, and leapt away from her. "Mmmm. I believe we'll use that as your outlet." Nodding once, she hobbled back to her spot on the steps.
"What do you mean, 'my outlet'?" I couldn't help but to be a little confused by her statement. She made you want to be curious. But little cryptic statements always got on my nerves.
She tilted her head, and I saw her eyes narrow. "You really don't know anything. Lanora knows better than to leave potential like this untamed." Okay, seriously? I think she just ignored my question entirely.
Crossing my arms, I glared at her. "My god! Cut it the crap, and tell me something I can understand! Hell, you could have a better conversation on your own."
Shaking her head, Thistle gave me a sharp look. I froze. That woman could glare. Her voice ringing with authority, she said, "You lack respect." Oh god, she was terrifying. "I don't think that you have the control for this. The power has gone untapped for so long... It would probably be better to forget it. Yet I am bound to obey his majesty, and will teach you – will you or nil you. Now settle down, and I shall explain things in good time."
I blinked, feeling a little shell shocked. What had that been? "Sit down," she commanded gruffly. I quickly sat on the ground. I'd avoid her ire any day. Rubbing the bridge of her nose in annoyance, she grimaced. "We're going to have to start from the beginning."
"Which means?" I couldn't help but to ask the question. The way she said 'the beginning' was ominous. How much did I need to learn, exactly?