NymhadoraTonks: Ben's been trying to figure out who or what is causing these possession attacks. Just king things. I hope that this chapter will answer all of your questions about Rose. We have a flashback scene and everything. Thanks for your patience and support. Enjoy!
Everett stared at Rose. He couldn't believe what he had just discovered. It had been as if his whole world had been flipped upside down. Again. Again and again, there was another flip and another. Why? "Why?" he whispered out loud. Rose met his gaze. "Why then? Why leave when you had worked so hard for everything you had ever wanted to just run back to the way things used to be?"
"You don't understand," Rose shook her head.
"Then tell me," Everett insisted. Her eyes narrowed, then widened. She tapped her fingers on her knee caps, fidgeting.
"After the wars, I had left," Rose explained. "I wanted to see the world. Be free for once in my life before I was tied back down. You know why you saw those memories of me and...Simon? Because I had promised him I would come back...for him. To be with him."
Everett had almost forgotten about Simon. He should have guessed that Snow White's son had a part in it all. But he never knew him in his real life. Never saw him. Of course, he wouldn't have known of his and Rose's attachments. "And you didn't?"
"No, I did," Rose swayed slightly. "But it was only a visit for some celebration. I can't recall anymore. It had been a few years since my last visit. And I went to go see Simon, who was working on his second novel. A sequel to his first: Blind Eyed Beast: A Patient Romance." She chuckled to herself, then her smile faded straight away. "At first it was all just laughs and fun, then there was the party."
Rose and Simon left early from Lorelai's birthday celebration. They ate, they laughed, and they danced once. She had given her brother a note of their departure, and he had no argument, just a hug and a warm smile. He had known she would never stay too long at any party. She loved that Ben always understood her and respected her wishes. It was one of the joys of being free.
They walked back to Simon's home hand in hand on the forest trails. He had gotten himself a cottage once he had discovered his love for writing. It was a great way to document and pass the time, or at least that was what he had told her. They kept silent throughout their walk. She stole a glance at his face. His grin had melted into a straight line, and the bags under his eyes were prominent.
When they reached his front steps, Rose stopped him. She took his face in her hands. "I had a really fun time tonight." He grinned again, and she leaned into to kiss him. Their lips met, but not in their usual passionate way. He didn't move or mold to her, just stayed still. She pulled back, raising a brow. "What's wrong?"
"Let's just go inside," Simon opened the door, not looking over his shoulder as she followed him into the dark house. She closed the door with a flick of her wrist. He didn't stop at the entryway, he didn't stop at all. He kept walking, then climbing the stairs until they reached the attic. The only source of light was the red rose that floated in the air above the table.
Five petals laid below the bud, but the flower was still voluminous and healthy. Barely wilted. Rose bit her lip.
"Almost fourteen years," Simon folded his arms, staring at the bud. "I have been looking at this stupid floating flower for almost fourteen years and only five petals have fallen." He turned to her sharply. "Care to explain?"
"You know why they aren't falling," Rose shrugged. "I told you myself it will continue to wilt before I fully return."
"Well, I expected it to wilt years ago," Simon raked his fingers through his hair.
"I don't understand why you're acting like this," Rose said honestly. "You knew what you were getting into."
"I was a child!" he burst. She took a step back, frightened by his outburst. He took a deep breath to collect himself. "You said that you would return to the ones you love."
"And you said you would wait forever if you had to," Rose recalled that night, the sincerity in his eyes.
"I thought I could but I..." Simon looked down. "I am in pain."
"You're not dying," Rose was pricked by sudden fear. "Are you?"
"Not literal pain," he shook his head. "I am pained because I find myself here every day waiting for someone to come back for me. And every day expects five I have been gravely disappointed."
"I've visited you," Rose still tried to understand his meaning. "You always seemed to enjoy those visits." There was no denying that and she knew it. They had spent many days and nights together over the years. That's what made missing him worth it, for that moment he took her into his arms and the rest of the world faded into black.
"But then you're gone again. Just as you'll go tomorrow and I will be in agony," he clutched at his heart, then whispered. "Don't you see what you're doing to me?"
"I don't understand what you want," Rose admitted.
"I want a life," he stepped towards her. "I want an adventure."
"Then come travel with me," Rose proposed.
Simon shook his head. "Not that kind of adventure. I want have a family while I'm young so I can spend my grey age with the woman I love. With her by my side." He reached out and touched her cheek, the heat of his hand burning against her skin. "Rose, when will you come home? When will you let me marry you?"
"Marry you?" Rose stepped back, out of his grasp. "Who said anything about marriage?"
"When you returned, I thought—"
"I said I would return to you, but I didn't think I would have to become a baby machine."
"I'm not asking you to be a machine. I'm asking you to be my wife."
Rose stepped back again. She couldn't believe what he was asking of her. "Simon, you're jumping the gun."
"No, I'm not!" Simon raised his voice. "You've been stringing me along for almost two decades and here you are, still deciding whether you have a shred of care for me."
"Of course, I care about you," Rose matched his voice level.
"But you can't say it out loud," Simon paced the room. "I've told you countless times how I've loved you and you've never even muttered the true words."
Rose loved him. She had known that for a while. But he was asking too much. How could she be what he wanted? She could never be the wife he deserved let alone be the mother that their children deserved. It was all too much.
"See," he took her silence as an answer. "Not even now you can't tell me." Rose opened her mouth, but no words came from her lips. Simon then laughed. "So, all this time I have been waiting for nothing? Nothing?!"
"Not nothing," Rose managed to say, but he didn't hear her over the crashing of the rose table. It still floated in the air. "Not nothing," she managed to say a little louder. He turned his head.
"Then what?"
"I...don't know," Rose bit her tongue.
"Of course, you don't. You never seem to know. It's always a guessing game with you, leaving me confused."
"I didn't mean to confuse you," Rose said.
"Well, you have. But not anymore," Simon plucked the rose from the air. He then stretched it out to her. "Take it back."
"What?" Rose gasped.
"I can't wait only for nothing, Rose. I can't do this any longer," Simon didn't look at her. "So you decide. Am I waiting for something, or are you just wasting my time?"
She felt like crying. Maybe she was crying, she was too shocked to tell. Out of all people to turn against her, he was the least she had expected. Simon was always loyally there for her when she needed him. Now he needed her, but how could she even begin to fill that void? Before she could answer, he threw the rose to the floor. "I suppose I'll make the decision for you," he turned his back to her. "Goodbye Rose."
"Simon," she whispered, clutching the rose to her chest, but he didn't answer. She then ran.
She was outside before she knew it. Cold air rushed through Rose's lungs as hot tears spilled from her eyes. What was she supposed to do now? How could she ever face the day knowing that she had just lost the man who had loved her for who she truly was because of her own stupidity? She had hurt him deeply, and now he had hurt her. Why couldn't she tell him that she loved him? It was a true fact, and yet she just couldn't say it. Why did she have to love him anyway? This would've never happened if she had simply stayed in that stupid castle.
Rose stopped running. Her heart pounded with pain, but she ignored it. What if she had never left? She gazed down at the rose in her hand.
"That was when I got the idea for the spell," Rose admitted. "The pain I had created for myself would go away with every memory. I wouldn't have to live with my guilt for hurting him when all I really wanted was to be there for him. A new reality would be formed, one where I never got to love him."
"Why didn't you go back?" Lorelai asked. They both turned to see her in the archway. "To Simon, right after you left?"
"I had too much pride and heartbreak," Rose hugged her knees to her chest. "I just wanted to escape. It's an old habit of mine."
"But now you can recall?" Everett asked.
"Only because you brought it back to my mind," Rose shrugged. "I had nearly completely forgotten about it, until I saw that rose."
"Why didn't you say something before?" Everett had felt like a fool. All of this time he thought it was he who had messed everything up. In some ways he had, but Rose had no right to hide this from him for so long.
"For the same reason I left in the first place," Rose said honestly. "I would much rather hide from the pain than face a life of it."
"But you didn't have to," Lorelai sat down next to Everett. "You could've stayed with Simon."
"Only to disappoint him," Rose shook her head. "He's happier without me. I'm sure of it."
"He's not a writer here," Everett pieced together. "He's a newscaster, just like his mom."
Rose's eyes widened, then were glazed over of what Everett could only guess was a memory. Her eyelids shut tightly with another shake of her head. "He would never want that with his life. He's a private person, inside, but I suppose he doesn't know there was another option out there."
"You can present him with one," Lorelai offered. Rose grinned at her niece.
"You act as if I can just go back to him simply."
"Well, why not?" Everett raised a brow.
"As I said before, I would disappoint him."
"Then, but what about now?" Everett pressed. "You've grown."
"So has he. And he's probably got someone new."
Everett wished he could tell her for sure, but he had no real memories of Simon from his real life. There was only one thing that stuck out in his mind. "It's never too late for love." Rose's eyes stared at the floor. "And you'll never know what could be unless you try." He then glanced at Lorelai, who was also staring at him. He mimicked the small grin on her face.
"Yes, yes. Thank you for the heart to heart," Rose snapped up from the floor. "But nothing with Simon changes the facts. You have to face Uma if you want to go home."
"What are we going to do?" Everett good, helping Lorelai on his way.
Rose chuckled, "Well, I'm going to do my best to train you two. Combat and magic. I have a feeling you'll also need a strong wingman if you're parents are ever going to get back together."
"Consider the latter done," Everett put his hands on his hips. "Now for sea monster tactics..."
"Don't worry," Lorelai cracked her fingers. "I've got this."
Rose laughed again. "Right. You can do a mirage and you think you can conquer one of the second most feared monsters to cross Auradon's shores."
"Who's the first?" Lorelai raised a cautious brow.
Rose beamed maliciously.
Everett sat in the dark living room, his mind swirling infinitely in the quiet of the rising night. Charlotte was upstairs, getting ready for bed. She ate at the castle and was much quieter than usual. He had asked how Max was, but she just gave him a shrug and simply stated, "Alright." he would have pursued the matter if he couldn't clear his head.
There was a lot more pressure than Everett thought. He knew it was never going to be easy to get out of here. Yet, so far things were easier than what was ahead. He had vanished villains and brought peace to his house. He also helped Lorelai attempt to come out of that thick shell of hers. He had even discovered the truth about the spell and its origins from a stubborn missing enchantress. But now he was to face Uma and defeat her?
Lorelai would help him, Everett knew that. But magic could only go so far from one source. He supposed that Mal would also help, but how would Everett manage to prove himself worthy if he hadn't already? The rose is keeping him here for a reason, surely defeating the monster was not what it took. Everet rubbed his temples as he thought of Rose.
She was the biggest piece of the puzzle, he figured. She told him she would help him get out of here, but what about her? Was she truly going to live a life where she was forgotten when she had a whole different waiting for her return? Even if she was in pain from Simon's rejection, she would at least have people around her that would love her and support her.
Everett did, however, understand why she hid away. He recalled the real Lorelai's face as he snapped at her. The cracking of her heart was shown clearly in her eyes. It was easier to forget about that here because here he had never hurt Lorelai so deeply. He had built a stronger relationship with his parents and his sister. Here he didn't act like an absolute idiot. Here he could start new and—
Carlos and Evie came home with a laugh. It was a sweet sound. Everett's heart leaped at it. For a moment, he expected them to be hand in hand, sharing a small kiss before coming into the cottage. Their cottage. Instead, Carlos held onto the puppy's leash, and Evie kept a small distance, her eyes on the floor. Everett's smile dropped slightly. It just wasn't the same.
"Hey, Conroy," Carlos unleashed the puppy and turned on the light. "What do you think we should name this little guy?" The dog ran over to Everett's feet, jumping on his socked feet.
"I'm not sure that's up to me," Everett gave the dog a small pat on the head.
"Oh, I know," Evie clapped her hands. "How about Dixy?"
"Dixy?" Carlos repeated. Evie nodded. "I like that. Come here." He scooped up the dog into his arms. "You like that name, Dixy?" She liked his face, Carlos chuckled. "Dixy it is then."
"It suits her spunk," Evie added.
"You'd know more about that than me," Carlos gave her a cheeky grin. Evie shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder. They laughed then. "How about some ice cream after all that walking?"
"Don't say that too loud," Everett said before thinking. "Charlotte will come running."
"I think you're right. Better be fast and quiet," Carlos put Dixie back on the floor.
"Would you like some, Conroy?" Evie asked, her eyes asking a bit more. There was a touch of concern.
"No," Everett shook his head, managing to keep a smile. "I'm alright."
Evie nodded, clearly unconvinced. She followed Carlos into the kitchen, whispering and giggling as if Charlotte would really run down at any moment. It was a glimpse of what life used to be. A glimpse of what he had never appreciated before.
And Everett then realized that nothing here actually mattered. That was the issue. This wasn't his real life. In this false reality, it was supposed to be his ideal world. In some ways, it was, but at the end of the day, he wanted to be able to come home to a loving family with not a single scratch or scar on any of their skin. He wanted his blue hair passed on from his loving mother. He wanted Charlotte to invent and tinker all she pleased. He wanted Lorelai to be comfortable in her own skin and for her to sit with him every day at lunch and watch over his shoulder as he sketched. Most of all, he wanted to rise above the teases and quarrels of his peers because he loved who he was. He loved his life and he had taken it for granted for much too long.
Everett could only wish Rose had felt the same.
Rose wished she didn't wish to go back. All night she had been tossing and turning thinking about Simon. Her spell had worked all too well before that boy came and wrecked everything. Now her chest had a burning hole in it that wouldn't rest. She hadn't felt that in years, but she knew it was always there, silently simmering. She cursed as she threw a pillow across the room.
There had always been times when she wanted to go back for Ben and Carlos and the others. She had patched up so much of her life that she had plenty to fall back on. And yet she could never bring herself to do it. Sure, she didn't have the rose to crack its magical code then, but she didn't try to escape regardless. Here it was safe. A little cold at times, but definitely safe.
She had lived here for most of her life now. It was her habitat. Lonely but safe and familiar. Rose never minded being lonely. It was another one of her habits. She didn't even realize she was lonely until that stupid boy came knocking on her castle doors, peeling back every cloud of fog Rose had forced her memories into. Now, everything was clear and real.
She honestly didn't know whether to resent or thank Everett. Rose never knew the boy in the real world. She would never think that she would find a dear friend in him, but he is much like his father. Carlos had been her first true friend upon her return and she shouldn't have been surprised that his son would carry on the same charm and friendliness even if he didn't always show it.
The memories might have been plaques, but it was nice to feel something for once. Rose never realized how numb she had been until these last few days. Between her attachments to Lorelai and Everett, she hadn't felt so cared for in years. She had simply forgot the feeling altogether. Now she could recall. The hurt, the comfort, and the hurt again.
Simon did get one thing right. She never knew what she wanted. Even now, sitting up in the middle of the night, she pondered what reality could be.
Lorelai crept down the hall, avoiding every board that would make the slightest creak in the silence. The midnight hour was upon the castle. The guards would be shifting posts. It was the perfect time for her to sneak around unseen. This she had learned from a very young age. Not that she snuck around often, but restless nights of her youth made her very knowledgeable. She could use her powers, but she didn't want the risk of being seen. Not until she reached her destination.
She pushed the double doors open swiftly, closing them just as quiet. Lorelai watched the door for a moment, making sure no one had seen her. She then turned to face the ballroom. The cool marble floors made not a single sound as she went down the large staircase that led to the grand dancefloor. The tall clear windows let the moon's light shine through, making her violet curls shimmer. They only saw the night, never the day. Her brown wig was resting upstairs on her vanity, waiting for tomorrow. For tonight, Lorelai would enjoy this part for herself.
Wearing a white underskirt that brushed her ankles and flowed behind her as she walked, Lorelai walked to the middle of the floor. The blue decorations were sitting in boxes and on tables, waiting to be set up. She twirled her finger towards them and the decoration flew into place. Lanterns hung from the ceiling. Tulle twisted itself around railings and across windows. The whole room was drenched in a romantic blue light.
Lorelai grinned to herself as she put on her dance shoes. They molded to her feet perfectly. She hummed a tune as she laced them to her ankles. The tune was carried on by invisible instruments that echoed in the empty hall. She took a deep breath before moving into step with the music. She had taken dance lessons when she was younger and thought it would be good to refresh her memory.
She closed her eyes as she danced without a partner. As she moved, she felt pressure on her back. When she opened her eyes. she saw a ghostly Everett. Only this Everett was much different. He didn't have a single freckle on his skin, and his hair was blue like in the memories of the rose petals. His figure was outlined in a blue glow, but Lorelai could've sworn that this was real. Or that she had been here before.
They continued on as more ghostly figures joined the dance. It was amazing, Lorelai thought, to have a party where she wouldn't be feared. Here, she was accepted for who and what she was. Everett held her close, the tips of their noses almost touching. Lorelai would've blushed if he was real, but with a blast, she soon remembered he was not.
The figures and Everett evaporated immediately as Lorelai turned sharply. The music stopped abruptly. Her blue eyes scanned the dimly lit room. There was a scuffling behind the staircase. Lorelai left her shoes behind as she stepped closer to the noise, one hand at the ready, the other gripping her white petticoat. The scraping became clearer with every inch.
"Hello?" Lorelai managed to speak. All went silent. Her neck was pricked with goosebumps as shudders echoed down her spine.
With a small growl, shining eyes greeted her. Lorelai gasped, unknowing of what to do. She fell back as the beast leaped over her. Her hair nearly grazed the outstretched back paw of the glowing creature. She hit her head on the marble, causing her to stay on the ground. She lifted her eyes to see the ghost of a brown bear with a long wolf tail disappear into the night, taking the decorations down with it, leaving Lorelai alone in the moonlight.