POV Narrator:
Friday 10 June 1988, Luna Nova
Laura continued to tell more of her story in Luna Nova, how she met Bernadette and how the relationship started, which after this moment was giving Cavendish a freedom, but it also ended with McLaren herself having to deal with restrictions, which are coming exactly because of Luna Nova, The teachers and the headmaster did not allow any demonstration of affection between the couple, even because of this McLaren often ended up in detentions and this was revolting her, especially with the constant answers she heard, coming up with an idea of an event to be organized before the summer holidays come to start at the academy of witchcraft.
POV Laura:
I 'ave to try this, it makes no sense that I can't show my affection to Bernadette, we are girlfriends, all the time dese teachers keep deir eyes on me, I can't even hold my girlfriend's 'and, I can't even kiss 'er, de only way we can see each other is when I call 'er to my room or when I come to 'er room, it's always dis shit and de worst of all is dat we have to do it hidden, since de teachers make a point of coming along... Dey dink we're going to do stuff.
I take a deep breath, I enter de headmistress room, she was sitting dere alone, at least dat's less bad, she doesn't have de presence of dat annoying Finnelan, for sure she will ruin my whole plan.
"Miss McLaren, what brings you to my office, surprisingly alone, you have not committed any rule breaking by the looks of it" De headmistress said and I sat in 'er chair.
"I want to talk something more serious, an event we can do before de summer starts" I tell her.
"And what would this event be? You know you are not that well regarded around here aren't you McLaren? Don't go asking for anything outside that causes even more reason to be frowned upon" Mrs Holbrooke said and I am confident of dat one.
"I just want to make a LGBT pride parade 'ere in Luna Nova, me and de girls take care of de organization, for at least one day, we want to be able to express ourselves and show who we are and dat we are not any freak, dat we deserve respect and freedom, Victoria McLaren fought for dat and I won't erase de fight of my ancestor, 'er laws are in force until today, dere is nothin against a LGBT parade, you yourself 'ave already 'ad a romance with my great-great-grandmother before she died, why be so against?" I only see the older one afterwards shaking 'er head in denial.
"Let's not promote that kind of thing and propaganda around here, I don't want to ruin the image of Luna Nova, if you want to relate to Miss Cavendish, you can do it, as long as no teacher finds out and catches you doing it, or else wait until you graduate and then you two can do whatever you want"
"What about Victoria McLaren's laws? Isn't dere anything against dat kind of demonstration? We should even promote pride, it was because of 'er dat witches were allowed to marry each other and have recognised children" I say and de same one who only shrugs.
"Even if I wanted to and allowed it, we can't according to the current worldly law, the section 28 was approved a month ago and I don't want to risk this school closing down because of that" I get a 'uge look on my face.
"Ah when it comes to child labour and slavery laws you don't give a shit about British laws, but now when it comes to dat you are scared of de Iron Lady, honestly I never thought you would be so 'ypocritical" I say knocking on the table and getting up.
"Rules are rules Miss McLaren, section 28 is important and has to be respected, we have nothing to say about that, you already know your answer" I know enough.
"Yes dat Margaret Thatcher is a bitch and you shouldn't bow your heads to 'er, we have our own laws, witches laws don't apply in dat" I tell 'er.
"Except for section 28, it covers the Witch Act too, it's a general law Laura McLaren, if you try to do anything, I won't hesitate to kick you out of here,I don't want Luna Nova to end up shut down at the whim of a 16 year old girl who doesn't even display ideal behavior" I was already clenching my fist, dat damn ding had already nailed de coffin.
I leave de headmistress room angry, frustrated, at de same time I punch de wall, I start crying, I can't believe it... Once again failing, I grab my broom, I go to de Arcturus forest, I swear I would be able to rip the head off a cockatrice on de spot with so much anger I 'ad been feeling.
I looked in the surroundings, for now all quiet in the forest, I just want something to come and attack me, I will make sure to take out my anger.
"What was it? Are you scared? Weren't you de ones trying to scare me before?" I say with my fists clenched around de forest.
I decide to take a deep breath and keep calm, anger won't solve anything, I sit down on a rock, where I stare at everything around, tears come falling, I really don't know what to do, it seems that de world around me only wants de worst, now dere's dis about section 28, I never thought dat witches would let demselves be led by a mundane law.
"Section 28 is my ass, I 'ate you Margaret Thatcher!" I say looking up at the sky.
"Laura McLaren... Your heart is in one direction, that direction can take itself to revive the magic, come with me and I can help you on this journey" I 'ear a voice was from someone, I stay still ignoring it.
"Cool now I'm going to be 'allucinating" I say with my arms crossed and with a bit of anger.
"This is not your hallucination, descendant of Madeleine and Kara, come to the cave of the Arcturus tree I have something for you," said de witch.
Ah, since dere's nothing to do I dink I'll go for dis voice, if dere's any trap I'll at least be able to take out my anger from dis school and from Thatcher, she always ruins dings for us, it's not enough what my people go through in 'er 'ands, she also has to put 'er 'and even in our personal freedom.
I arrive at de tree, it's huge, it gives a nice scenery to make a game, not for nothing, I've never explored dis part of Arcturus forest, I take de chance to get inside de place, it was darker, it ended up closing behind me, what I'm using a little bit of perception of presences around, but soon the lights turns on, a witch with green hair appears, a dress equally green, with leaves decorating, she 'as tree horns too, I think I've seen 'er somewhere.
"So you're de witch? What do you want with me?" I ask 'er.
"You are full of questions, aren't you Laura? But I have been watching you for a long time, I know of your good intentions, you are the kind of witch who will change the world"
"I'm going to change a lot, all that's left is for me to be listened to and not be disrespected around 'ere, dat's all, basic stuff" I say sarcastically to 'er.
"You're the kind of witch that has this ability, the ones that are always subdued, you're the kind that always have enormous potential, mainly because of your lines, that's why I want to be able to give you this," she said, making something appear in front of me.
Dis ding is a staff, it contains some little blue balls, I had seen it somewhere before in de oldest writings of dhe family, dey are relics from de times of the nine witches, I am remembering, I am even delighted with de thing, it must be important if she is giving it to my hand, I can feel with my hand de magic power.
"What's dat? Why me? My girlfriend is a much more competent witch dan I ever was, I'm just a girl who dreamed of being a professional broom racer and who knows 'ow to get away with magic, but nothing more than dhat, I'm just a..." I say even feeling bad about 'aving dat on my 'ands.
"You are perfect for Claiomh Solais and I believe your friends will also be on this journey, I am Woodward, now I am saying goodbye, whenever you can come here, find the seven words and find the seal of the great triskellion when you find them all, your wish will be granted and the magic to change the world can come true" Said de witch and dat is the name of one of de nine, until she disappeared into de middle of de tree crumbling into leaves.
I was delighted and at de same time a bit afraid, I don't know if I will be able to accomplish something like dat... I am just a normal and pathetic witch, I am not a big witch, even if I am a McLaren, I am ordinary, I will not even pursue a career as a witch... But if dis was given to me it is because dere is something bigger and important, which I am sure I will achieve.
"Thank you Woodward" I say turning my back and leaving de tree.
I have de legendary Claiomh Solais in 'and, which is kind of weird, because dis thing is called de sword of light in Irish and it's not even a sword, well anyway I'm going to make dis staff change de world if dat's what it's meant to do.
I grab my broom and take a deep breath, you all may 'ave blocked me from making my dreams come true, but I will make them come true. I go back to Luna Nova, where I enter my room and surprisingly Bern is dere, I start kissing 'er and den I sit on the bed, a lettle frustrated.
"Ye dinnae make it, did ye?" Said the cabbage patch.
"De headmistress said to my face dat dey still got carried away with Thatcher's laws, worse dat she didn't even want to, which is kind of hypocritical of 'er, my great grandmother has told a few times dat 'er mother and Mrs Holbrook 'ad a romance in de past, before she died, a shame, she even threatened me with expulsion if I pulled a Stonewall" I tell them.
"Come on my love, we can't give up, even if we dinnae have permission, think ahead, let's fight sae that we can be seen and cause change" She is always so hopeful, she leaves me with a lettle smile on my face.
"Oh Laura, cool staff you found, did you steal it from 'er room too?" said April pointing to Claiomh Solais.
"Dis 'ere? It's a long story, after I left de headmistress office I went to de Arcturus forest, dere I 'eard a voice and followed it, I wanted to take my anger out on something, but in de end I found something 'uge" I tell dem.
"It's the Claiomh Solais! Freckles ye are the chosen one! The nine witches have given ye the staff that can change the world! The staff is given tae brave witches who intend tae cause a big change in things, it's also a sign that Yggdrasil has tae be revived, that's why we can only use magic when we are in an area near the sorcerer stone today" Explains my cabbage.
"Oh really? I 'ad no idea 'ow important it was" I say shocked.
"It's very important indeed, it's been 47 years since the last chosen one, Louise Du Nord who kept the staff from 1913 until her death in 1941, she managed tae find four of the seven words of Arcturus, that's why it's so important, ye can be the one who will find all of them, if ye succeed, it could be the biggest leap in the world of magic" Said the cabbage and I went on smiling.
"Wow, wicked dere, speaking of which why is de name of dis sword of light in Irish? Dat's not a sword" I asked the same question.
"I don't know fae sure, but the legend says that with each one of the words the staff is able tae transform itself into a different shape and sae ye can master it tae the point that when ye find the seven words, the seal of the Great Triskellion opens, in this ye can fulfill a wish, a good-hearted witch will take the magic tae change and who knows things can get better and a lot better, Freckles ye are that witch" I was getting shocked, when de tape was falling, Woodward also told me these things and I was slowly remembering.
"Wait a minute... I remember now, Diana Cavendish II, she was one of Victoria Mclaren's friends and also chosen by Claiomh Solais, I don't know where she got to, but she was a great ally in the approval of the laws, she even fought bravely in de sapphic wars between 1753 and 1770, dey were very tense years, conflicts all the time, but in the end Victoria's laws were approved, de homophobic leader fell and we could 'ave total freedom, before 'er was Sarah Campbell and before dat was Farnese the first chosen" I say remembering things.
"Exactly that Freckles, ye remember these things even, Since the time of the witch hunts there has been this struggle fae witches tae revive magic, but unfortunately it is a very arduous task tae do" explains my cute girlfriend.
"Well den we have the object of revolutionary magic in our hands, now we just need to find dose words and den change de magic" April said.
"I want to show dis to de headmistress, she will be impressed, I am sure"
"Do it tomorrow then, today I want ye with me, remembering that ye told me ye're going tae give me a present all week making my wishes Freckles, sae ye can go tae my room and dress up as Maid, I want some interesting things mommy can't be waiting fae" I blushed, I can't believe I went to make dis proposal as a present too, de girls just went laughing at me, but even so I don't dink it's bad, at least the maid clothes are comfortable, it's just a little embarrassing to pretend formality.
The next day...
I go walking through de corridors, last night was crazy, my neck is all marked now, my wrists too, I didn't imagine dat it would come to dis point, good anyway, let's go, now I 'ave de legendary Claiomh Solais, for sure de headmistress will look at this. I get to 'er door, I enter it, dis time dere were de teachers too, what I even think of turning back when I see all of dem staring at me, worst of all is that dey all 'ate me, I am 'ated by all of dem? I walk to de headmistress desk, sitting down facing Mrs. Holbrook.
"You're not really going to give up asking for an LGBT parade are you?" said de director and I just kept nodding my 'ead in denial.
"LGBT parade? What kind of degeneration is that? You have not allowed Miss McLaren to continue with this thing have you? Section 28 is in effect, we don't want the school to close because of this girl who only brings us harm" said teacher Finnelan, always being de old conservative.
"Loss? I've never worked for free as much as I did before, I'm the only one who made a loss, I do things for free in detention without you 'aving to pay your workers, dat's a loss and I didn't come to 'alk about it, I know you are too backward to allow dis kind of ding" I tell them.
"And good that you know we don't allow this depravity, it goes against tradition" Finnelan said I was just making a more mischievous face.
"So let's follow de traditions of de nine witches and date girls, or don't you remember dat Beatrix and Woodward were a couple? Harriet and Freya? Hera and Anna? Or can't we forget the polycule between Madeleine, Kara and Marianne" I say with a big smile.
"Lies! This is a big illusion, there is no such thing as a couple between two witches, if there were then how come these families still exist today? said the teacher.
"Fertility stone? De same one you want to erase from history but which 'as always existed?" I tell 'er dat she just turns 'er face away.
"Miss McLaren if you have come here just to mock us and play smart then leave this room, I ask you politely to measure your words, there is no such thing as fertility stone" Just wait when my daughters come to study 'ere in the future, you will see dere is no such thing.
"So I've come to talk about something else, a sacred object dat I managed to get my 'ands on in Arcturus! The Claiomh Solais!" I say raising my 'and and even standing up by putting one of my feet on the chair to try and look a little taller.
De teachers were all looking, but dey didn't show any surprise, except for de headmistress, who was dumbfounded, noticing how I finally 'ad de honor of 'aving this object in my 'ands, I will be able to change dings, maybe dey will respect me more and listen to my proposals, I really 'ope I can change dings around 'ere.
"Take your foot off the headmistress chair!" Said de teacher and I do so, but I see de look on de headmistress face, who even claps 'er 'ands.
"Congratulations Miss McLaren, you were chosen by Claiomh Solais, I remember how my student Louise had been the last, she was still a young woman, those were good times, there was not so much of this insistence of changing the magic, the traditions were still kept" Except dat you boycotted de BGP a lot, but you don't say anything about it.
"I can imagine what golden times they must be, but what's so important about this staff?" Professor Finnelan said.
"What if it is fake?" Professor Babcock said.
"I'm sure this girl just wants to show up again, she always comes with this narcissistic behaviour wanting to push her stuff on us" said teacher Lukic.
"I am sure that only a very honorable witch would be chosen for something like this, from what we see Miss McLaren herself does not show herself worthy enough, this can only be a retort that she made up to invent history and gain attention" I was about to get angry, dey still speak well in the face aren't dey, I was in the mood to answer, but I don't want to mop the floor at de weekend.
"Order! Order!" Said the headmistress calming everyone's nerves, at least one ding she did to not let me be completely 'umiliated around 'ere "Alright, being fake or true, we have to acknowledge that she knows about the existence of the Claiomh Solais, it's an important staff, which can be the weapon to change magic, the witch who finds the seven words and opens the seal will bring news to magic, so she acknowledges that, it's not a bad thing, we just have to do everything right" She said and I honestly was doing it, now she breaks 'er face.
De teachers at de time looked at me with more respect, I even felt a little more recognised, but I don't want deir respect, I want to talk about something dat is quite important, mainly around de staff and its importance, who knows, maybe dese women will recognise dat a change can be made, so much so dat I end up coughing and get up from the chair.
"Very well den, if you recognize de staff or not, it is not only to make a change when de words are found, we are witches, we have to work together for de advance of magic, dat is why I ask dat we unite so dat magic is modernized and dat a revolution happens, de current system is de one dat is delaying magic and if it continues like dis... Everything dat de nine witches 'ave built will be nothing more dan a legend, you do not realize de damage dat you 'ave been doing, we 'ave to renew things, I am not talking about a reform, if we continue de same way, I am talking about a revolution, dere is no use in reforming a 'ouse that is falling to pieces, we have to rebuild it!" I say to all of them what ends up being de greatest silence of all, I am even a lettle bit embarrassed, but it is de pure truth.
"Again it was just an attempt by Miss McLaren to try and show off, as usual she keeps making these nonsensical rants of hers" Professor Finnelan said and I felt pretty knocked down.
"Oh that's a good point Miss McLaren, but traditions are meant to be preserved, look how we have grown, we have to honour what Jennifer has rebuilt, imagine if you twist all that in the name of something mundane, she was against the introduction of this mundane modernity and now we have the magic recovered, let's not erase the history of the great Jennifer in the name of such a whim, you are on a good path in your heart, I see that in you Laura McLaren, but you are still very young and have little knowledge, you have to study more and know the importance of the maintenance of traditions, I appreciate that you are seeing things and even want this change, but there is nothing bad in what is happening, the witches are at peace, well if that was it I ask you to leave" I was broken like several pieces of glass.
I couldn't even speak a word, I was just getting really devastated, without having 'ow to continue, dey destroyed me, I even turn around, I'm leaving de room, some tears start to fall from my face, I see dat dere were other girls around me, dey start laughing, I go running in dat corridor, I can't believe dat again I went through all of dis.
I go towards de blue team room, where I was feeling my 'ead a thousand, I soon saw my girlfriend, she was wearing 'er dressing gown I run to 'er, giving de biggest hug of all in my cabbagedish, where I get comfortable.
"Were they mean again? What did they say?" Cavencute said.
"Dey put me down, as if my words dat it is good the way it is, dat I should study more, were worthless... I want to change things, I am not blind, I see 'ow the system is only getting worse for de witches, imagine when one day a witch of mundane origin wants to enter in Luna Nova?" I say while crying I was lying on my girlfriend's lap.
"Look freckles, I acknowledge that ye are intelligent, but tae change things ye have tae really study their system tae know how tae change it afterwards, have ye ever stopped tae think about that?" I love 'ow Bern always knows 'ow to say de smartest dings.
"I wish I was as smart as you... If I 'ad your brains when it came to talking to de headmistress she wouldn't 'ave what to answer for afterwards" I say to de cabbage patch.
"Ye are also extremely intelligent, ye have the vocalization that I never had, ye speak strong, Freckles, ye move people, ye hit them head on, that's why we have tae be together, nae only ye and me, but all the lassies, sae that one day we can make this witch revolution" I love dis woman, really.
I even wipe my tears, I look at Bern's face, where I caress 'er, because seriously what an amazing woman, I never thought I would get a girlfriend like that, I even get a bit discredited dinking about it.
POV Narrator:
Laura's journey with the Claiomh Solais had started, until the beginning she didn't care much, she was training with the magic by her great-grandmother's side, as well as learning how the things worked, during the holidays, besides the several moments spent with her girlfriend who started to live with the McLaren's, since she was kicked out of the Cavendish mansion due to the events resulting from the winter.
But it didn't take long, Laura found the first word, when the classes returned in September, being able to understand more of the staff and in that she was also getting better organized for the planning of that witches' revolution.
The arrests kept coming, the Irish girl was being chased by the teachers, for all the love demonstration that she did with her girlfriend, specifically her, since she was becoming the main target of the teachers, in the middle of these times also, some speeches of the red-headed witch were happening.
These speeches were well listened by the witches, even the Luna Nova
's press at the time noted everything in detail, what was making the young girl gain notoriety and with fear that this spread more, in November 1988, she was forbidden to speak in the courtyard of Luna Nova protesting against the way the current system of magic worked.
In the midst of this had a blue moon night, Laura went in frustration to a place hidden until then of Luna Nova, where she ended up talking to Woodward, seeing what could be her future, the one of the realization of the dream of a revolution of the witches, this in exchange for her past, the Irish chose to keep things and build the revolution by her own effort, discovering the second word, until going very quickly things happening.
1989 begins, not only Laura was working on changing things, her group was getting organised, between the friends she already had and other students who shared the same line of thought, forming there the so-called Trodaithe Saoirse, a little group of students who shared the idea of modernising and revolutionising magic, that was the beginning of something that the Irish woman was hopeful about.
In that year, she and April were also to give details of the first game they intend to release when they graduate, from their independent studio, Laura was in charge of the soundtrack, the art and the story, April of almost everything else, being a platform game with some very interesting exploration mechanics, what would be a precursor of the current Metroidvanias, in a witch's adventure through another witch's castle, even representing much of Laura's dissatisfaction with the way she has been treated.
It didn't take long and in May of 89, the group was already very big in proportion of the students, they were organizing among themselves assembling machines that worked together with the magic, kind of in the hiding to not be caught, what they were helping each other and some were starting to have the first televisions and videogames in their rooms, what was spreading a lot.
But the things were not very durable, since months later in October of 89 already with Laura in the third year, she almost ended up being expelled for all the help that she was giving, some of the girls did not even share the idea of the group, but they joined for wanting a television in Luna Nova and to have fun, but a student ended up giving everything, one that was studying to be a teacher, Lucy Watson, who wanted to become the astrology teacher at that time, with the help of the teachers the Trodaithe Saoirse were overthrown and Laura spent a month detention practically, even worse that she was without the winter holidays, having to spend them all in Luna Nova practically having to rewrite a whole history book in hand.
This was the decision that ended up causing the end of Laura's attacks in Luna Nova, she stopped trying to organize the change there, but she still organized herself with her closest friends, which they still continued to do everything by hiding and studying more to make possible the coming of the witches' revolution.
Without being in the radar this time of the so called new student teacher who wanted to knock down any of Laura's onslaught, a standoff was even created between Laura McLaren and Lucy Watson, but until then nothing great happened.
June of 1990, the graduation arrives, Laura and the girls graduated in Luna Nova, and McLaren went through many detentions and misbehavior, but grades were never a problem, since she got one of the best grades of the class, only behind Bernadette and April who were the two best of the class, being known by the teachers and the headmaster as the troublesome student that nobody wanted to remember about her, mainly because of the "polemics" she brought with her.
Saoirse Games gets a license from Nintendo and launches its first title, Witch Revolution. It was not a success, nor did it sell much, but it was enough for the duo to feel good about themselves.
At the McLaren residence,
a new leader is established, Joanne McLaren, with Elisabeth passing the baton to her granddaughter, since she felt she was close to saying goodbye to the world. The lady, who was already 92 years old, Laura herself trusted the family, so she prioritized the Cavendish side, which will still be a big mess around that.
Laura's friends were taking a break for the plans of the magic revolution, Laura was also taking a break and with April working on another game, this time focusing on the new platform that will come on the market, besides Bernadette also focusing on studying medicine when she returns to Edinburgh and solving the whole Cavendish issue.
See you, revolution witches...
April Jordan
Date of birth: 9 November 1971
Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland (Irish)
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 63 kg
Sexuality: Bisexual
Gender: Female (trans)
Occupation: Game dev (Saoirse Games 1990) Graduated from Luna Nova (1987-1990)
Measurements (bust/ waist/hip): 84/61/88
Hair colour and appearance: Light yellowish blonde, straight with 2A wavy ends, fringes on the forehead and sides of the face, long as far as the middle of the back, parted in the middle.
Eye colour and shape: Purple
Physical appearance: pale Caucasian skin, small breasts, slim, rectangular nose
Likes: Programming, Megan, HRT, Gender Change Magical Treatment, video games, music, technology, computers
Dislikes: Conservatism, traditional magic, the current system, too many rules
April is the computer addict of the trio of the red team girls from 1987 to 1990, she has a great passion in programming and video games, having achieved her dream by working alongside her childhood friend Laura, in the creation of the independent studio Saoirse games, dedicated to games of all kinds, but in the most with the witch theme involved. Her name was chosen by herself, when she discovered herself as a trans woman in April, as a way to always remember a month that was so important in her life, when she stopped being a boy and started living as the girl she always wanted to be, since the age of 15 Jordan started to make her transition with the help of magic and medicines, When she was 27 years old she had a surgery and developed ovaries through magic, without the need of hormonal intervention, shortly after that Jordan gave birth to her daughter Megan that was a dream she always had of being a mother, carrying with pride the scars of the birth on her waist. April is a girl with a mind aiming for change and revolution of magic, she wants a future where technology can walk with magic and that too help the world and humanity in general a lot.