Another episode is here. Hope you all enjoy it.
Episode 3 Part 1
Diana and Aurora woke up peacefully that morning with no anxiety.
"This is the first time in a few nights that we've had a peaceful sleep," Diana said.
"That's right. I've stopped having awful headaches and my ice powers feel much more stable. I'm so glad that we visited Matthew and his vampire colleagues yesterday. I feel like it's rather settled our minds,"
"Well…I think we'd better get to work," Diana stretched her arms. "I've got to finish my paper and you've got to finish a book,"
"I was going to get started on a painting,"
"You're not telling me you're painting the light show you're named after again?"
"I want to Diana. It's the closest thing I'll have to get to see that incredible light show,"
"But you've done it loads of times before,"
"I'll stop doing once I get the chance to go and see one. Now come up. It's time to start the day,"
They dressed up, Diana in blue and pink, Aurora in cyan and white. Diana's hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Aurora's hair was styled in a bun with hair strands framing her cheeks. They walked out carrying bags and Aurora strapped a paint stand to her back. To their surprise, they found Matthew waiting for them under the archway.
"Good morning Matthew," Aurora greeted.
"Good morning. Are you two off to the library?" Matthew asked.
"I am yes," Diana answered. "Aurora's just about to do some painting,"
"Well, Diana…you should know that it's filled to the brim with creatures waiting to see if you can call the book up again,"
Aurora turned to Diana. "You definitely shouldn't go there,"
"I thought…would you let me take out for the day instead?"
Diana was surprised.
"You should go out with Matthew," Aurora encouraged. "It'll keep your mind off things. I'll just head to the park and start some painting," her words weren't exactly capable of making Diana feel less scared whenever she was nervous "I'll be okay,"
Before Diana could speak, they heard Gillian calling their names. Turning around, they saw her approaching them. The sight of her made their eyebrows furrow; Aurora's fist clenched.
"Do you mind if we just…" Gillian was nervous.
Diana sighed and swerved in front of her. Aurora stayed close to her.
"I uh…I just wanted to explain about Peter Knox being at my house,"
"It was you who told him about the book," Diana clarified angrily.
"It was Sylvie. She asked. I couldn't lie,"
"Don't lie to us, Gillian. You sold us out to Knox," Aurora retorted, angered to the core.
"We trusted you. I trusted you," Diana added in with pain.
"You haven't exactly been honest with me," Gillian spoke back. Diana frowned at her. "You've used magic for your gain,"
"Did Knox tell you that?"
"He's a good man. He's on the Congregation,"
"' A good man'?" Aurora scoffed. "You are so small-minded Gillian. So selfish that you put your wants before your friend's safety,"
"Look, Diana, Knox is worried about you. And so am I,"
"What about my sister?" Diana challenged. "You think it's okay to put her in danger as well? I don't need you to worry about me anymore,"
"Look I know that you both are angry about me. I understand. But that does not mean, you need to spend time with that thing," Gillian gestured to Matthew.
Aurora frowned. She marched on Gillian. "That thing…has a name. It's Matthew Clairmont. If you ever, ever insult another creature who's different from you. It'll be the last thing you do,"
Gillian looked afraid.
"Now leave…before I make you," Hidden out of sight from human eyes, Aurora's hand grabbed Gillian's. She began to freeze.
In a hurry, Gillian pulled her wrist free and stumbled away. Aurora looked to Matthew.
"It sickens me to see people like Gillian not address you with kindness. You've been so kind to me and Diana. For that, you deserve kindness back,"
"Thank you," Matthew said.
"To answer your question, I would love to let you take me out," Diana answered. "Can we give Aurora a lift to the park please?"
"Of course," Matthew opened the door, allowing the sisters in. Matthew drove through Oxford till he came to some parks that were set out along the Oxford river which swerved up past the universities.
"This is perfect. Thank you, Matthew," Aurora attempted to step out but Diana grabbed her hand.
"If anything happens, you call straight away," she implored.
"I will be fine Diana," Aurora gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and retreated out. Diana then stepped out the back and into the front to sit with Matthew. "Have fun, Diana!" Aurora waved. "Please let me know how it goes,"
"I will see. See you later Aurora. And stay safe!"
Aurora smiled and waved, watching happily as her sister and Matthew drove away. Walking into the park, she found a nice spot by the river and sat down and got to work. She pulled out a giant painting board and fished out watercolours like blue and purple and a little bit of green and white. First, she painted the background deep blue. Then she got to work combining extra shades of different blues. Her phone rang again.
Pressing the speaker and the green button, she positioned it on her lap. "Hello, again Sophie. How'd the ultrasound go?"
"Very well. Baby should be ready in a few months,"
"That's wonderful news. I'll make up some time to visit you before she's born. And I'll make sure to bring my sister too,"
"That would be wonderful,"
"Oh. And if you'd like…I could paint a nursery for her if you'd like,"
"We couldn't ask you that,"
"Oh, please allow me. It really would be my pleasure,"
"Thank you so much, Aurora. It means a lot,"
"Have you decided on any names yet?"
"Not quite. I've got more good news. Nate's plans are working. The meetups are happening,"
"That's wonderful news. Please send my congratulations to him,"
"You can give them now," a different voice called. It was Nathanial's voice.
"Hi, Nathanial!"
"Hey, Aurora! I heard from Sophie that you're doing a book on art in alchemy,"
"That's right. Most of it has been done already. I'm just taking a break with painting,"
"Are you trying to paint your artwork on alchemy?"
"I doubt it would be as sufficient as other alchemic art,"
"You never know unless you try. Anyways once I finish my book and it gets published, I'll send a copy to you too. Maybe it can help with all your findings on alchemy,"
"That would be very wonderful Aurora thanks," Sophie cheered.
"Have you talked to your mother yet Nathanial?" Aurora asked.
"Not yet,"
"She's your mother. She'll understand,"
"Being a member of the Congregation means that she has to follow expectations. I'd hate it if we placed her in a difficult position,"
"Nevertheless, you must talk to her about your views. It may feel like such a challenge to make drastic changes. The world has changed so much and we must change with it,"
"She should be arriving in a few hours. I'll take that chance and talk to her,"
"Everything will work out Nathanial. You'll see,"
"Thanks again for accepting our call," Sophie said.
"Of course, it's no trouble at all. You can talk to me about anything,"
"Has anything happened with your sister since we last spoke?"
"We encountered a witch from the Congregation. Peter Knox. He wanted the book for himself to use against vampires. Possibly daemons too,"
She heard gasping. "But don't worry. Diana and I won't give in to his demands,"
"My mother should know of this," Nathanial said. "If she can warn the Congregation, then Knox can be kicked off,"
"I'm not it's a good idea to just blurt it out to anyone yet. Knox might not be the only creature who wants it. I appreciate your concern guys…but I fear that if word gets out, things might get worse. That book was hidden for a reason so it must stay hidden,"
"As long as you're sure," Sophie said.
"If I can be honest…not really,"
"If Knox does something drastic, please give us a call and I'll tell my mother," Nathanial implored.
"I will. But the last thing I ever want is for you two to be in danger because of me,"
"Whatever challenges lie in wait, we're ready for them," Sophie said. "Now I'd best leave you to your work. I hope we speak again soon,"
"I hope too. I would love to meet in person again before your baby's born. Ta ta guys,"
"Bye Aurora!"
Aurora ended the call and focused back on her painting. She thought again about Nathanial's mother Agatha the leader of the daemons on the Congregation knowing about the book. She wanted Knox to be kicked off, but she was afraid if word came out, things would get worse. And the last thing she ever wanted to do was to put her daemon friends and their unborn child in danger.
She continued painting the northern lights, eventually merging animal shapes in the painting.
"Are those animal spirits in Northern Lights?" Marcus's voice popped out of nowhere.
Aurora nearly jumped. She turned her head to see Marcus's goofy grin above her head. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Sorry. It was just a bit of fun,"
"How very amusing," she answered back sarcastically with a half-serious, half-playful expression back. "To answer your question. They are. Perfect guess,"
"I've always wanted to see those lights for real,"
Aurora frowned. "You've lived hundreds of years and you've never seen an Aurora Borealis?"
"Nope,"
"Well, neither have I. I've always dreamed of seeing for real than just in pictures and books. I often paint them, imagining what it would be like to just lie in a treehouse or an igloo with glass panels and just stare up and see this incredible light show,"
"Ahh…so you want to go to Finland," Marcus said.
"Yep. Begged my aunts to take me and Diana there one day when we were kids. Wouldn't take us. There are so many places in the world I want to go to. My aunts never really let me go away in the world. The only reason I'm here in Oxford is that Diana can keep an eye on me,"
"Sometimes I don't go anywhere without Thomas watching me either,"
"So we both have older siblings who keep an eye on us,"
"And who are both overprotective. Caught me buying that painting from you. Told me to stay away from you,"
Aurora frowned.
"I don't do everything he says though. He doesn't even know I'm here,"
"Well, let's hope it remains that way,"
"I heard my father's gone out with your sister,"
"Yep. It was very sweet of him. It's impossible to go into that library without seeing so many creatures. I could use some fresh air out here. It feels great painting again,"
"Why do you paint?" Marcus asked curiously.
Aurora gave furrowed one eyebrow as she looked at his enthusiastic facial demand. "I paint because I'm drawn to how you can present the world or anything in whichever way you want with imagination. You know I once dreamed of painting a depiction of vampires, witches, daemons and humans together,"
"Woah," Marcus was awed. "How come you've never done it?"
"Because I knew that so many creatures would disapprove of it,"
"Not everyone has to see it,"
"My aunt Sarah would greatly disapprove of this. And besides, it's not just the idea behind the painting. It's what they represent as well. Until I get the best inspiration for it, it remains a dream,"
"You should open your own gallery,"
"That's very encouraging Marcus but just being an artist and an author on art is all I ever need," Aurora's heart was thumping harder every time Marcus spoke such kind encouragements. "Now…I will need to wait for this to dry,"
"Well…would you like some company?" Marcus offered.
Aurora couldn't believe that he wanted to spend time with her. "Well…it wouldn't hurt. My sister's spending time with your father, so why can't I?" she shuffled to the side and Marcus sat down. "So…what do you wanna talk about?"
"What music do you love listening to?"
Thomas was enjoying a pleasant stroll around Oxford University. He wanted to go somewhere quiet and get another biology lecture prepared. Over the uprising of human voices, he heard his brother's voice and Aurora's voice about a block away from him. They were in the parks just near the university. He clenched his fists. He was going to be talking with his brother sometime soon.
In a grotty mood, he stalked around the corner out into the high street, only to bump into a rushing woman.
"Ow!" Thomas didn't feel pain, but he needed to blend in a public area by feigning pain. "Please keep your eyes open madam,"
"Well excuse me sir!" the woman snapped. "I'm in a rush!"
Taking a better look at her, Thomas saw the woman had long dark wavy hair, tan skin and dark eyes. "My apologies madam. Where are you rushing to?"
"I'm late for work. I need to get to the Mallams Auctioneers house,"
"Well if you want to get there in time, I suggest you take the shortcut over there," Thomas pointed to a side street. "Just head through, take a few lefts and rights and you'll find it,"
"Like I'm gonna take the advice of a stranger,"
"Not very trusting are you. If you're not gonna trust me, I'll show you myself,"
"I don't even know you!"
"Come on! I don't bite!" Thomas cocked his head towards the street. The woman with wavy hair still didn't follow him. "Do you wanna get to your job on time?"
The human huffed. "Can't believe I'm following a total stranger," she muttered quietly but Thomas could hear her voice.
Thomas guided her through some side streets until they finally came out into the open right near the auction house which had a golden sign with 'Cooper Sinclair, Fine art, auctions, and sales' engraved on the front.
"There you go," Thomas said to the woman.
"Woah! You sure know your way around Oxford," the human complimented. "I've only worked here for a few months, and I still don't know every street in Oxford,"
"You're just gonna have to learn and memorize miss…"
"Taylor. Phoebe Taylor,"
"Well, Miss Taylor. It has been a real pleasure to meet you. I hope that the next time we have an encounter it won't involve us having a collision,"
"I hope so you too Mr…"
"Clairmont. Thomas Clairmont,"
"The famous biology teacher at Saint John's college?" Phoebe questioned.
"That would be me,"
"Well…Thomas Clairmont. Thank you very much for helping me get to work on time. I'd best be going. Goodbye," Phoebe walked up the steps, Thomas's eyes watching her. Thomas chuckled a little to himself, then continued on his way to work.
Aurora had a pleasant afternoon talking with Marcus. He then accompanied her back to her room.
"Some of the best music ever was made in the eighties!" Marcus squealed out excitedly.
"I listen to 80's music very occasionally. I pretty much to listen to everything. The more varied my music choices, the more I can get my inspiration," Aurora was standing under the archway in front of the courtyard of her accommodation building. "Well, Marcus…thank you very much for your company,"
"I hope to see you again soon," Marcus was about to say something else when he heard Thomas walking up to him. He turned to him, petrified.
"What did I tell you about hanging out with witches?" he warned.
"Excuse me but Thomas, Marcus is not in any danger from me," Aurora spat back, flabbergasted and annoyed at his sneering nature.
"Marcus we are leaving. Now," Thomas rose his voice.
Marcus wanted to say something back but no words came out. Thomas grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him away. He managed to tilt his head back towards Aurora.
See you soon. He mouthed.
Aurora nodded.
She entered the room, placing her new northern lights painting on her stand again. She wondered what she would do it. The opening of the door made her turn and see Diana entering.
"Hello Diana," Aurora hugged her. "How was your time with Matthew?"
"Very lovely. He took me to his old house, and we talked. He told me that my magic was instinctive. I've been using it without knowing it,"
"Wow. I guess you have more power than you realise,"
Diana saw her painting. "Amazing," she traced her fingers carefully above the spirit animals. "Incredible,"
"Diana…I had another talk with my daemon friends. Sophie's mother-in-law is a member of the Congregation. If she knew of Knox's intentions, she could tell them and they'd kick him off,"
Diana was sceptical.
"I convinced them to keep a low profile,"
"Thanks, Aurora,"
"I'm sorry that I didn't consult this with your first,"
"It's all right Rora. You have a much better sense of judgement than I do, more than anything,"
"Try saying that to Thomas. After I finished painting, Marcus came to me. He and I chatted for a while, and he walked me back so I was out of trouble. But then Thomas came up and he interrupted. He looked disgusted at how his brother and I were hanging out. I can't stand his attitude. We've been good and kind to him and his family. Why can't he be kind back,"
"Not everyone can be as easy-going as you and I. And if he does anything, he'll have Matthew to answer to. Oh! By the way, I invited Matthew to dinner in our rooms if that's okay,"
"Of course. I'll help you get everything ready and then I'll go somewhere for the evening,"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I'd hate to be the third wheel on your evening with Matthew. Now…why don't we get started on our priority,"
"What's that?"
"Food of course silly. He's a vampire so he'll need a special diet,"
"Let's get searching,"
What did you all think of this character development and parts Thomas Clairmont and Aurora Bishop played? Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought. I'm open to ideas too. Thank you so much everyone for your support.