Friday 27 October 2006, Luna Nova
"I had discovered the second word and until then I continued training with my mum as normal, focusing a loton improving my magic, as well as making the cards that will be in my future card game that you wanted somuch to buy around Christmas 2006 until the summer, it was one of the things I enjoyed doing the most inmy Shiny Chariot career, the cards turned out beautifully, even though the game itself is quite hard tounderstand, especially since there aren't many cards, I still don't know how to play it, since having a cardbasically wins the game, but anyway, it was really having enormous potential and I wanted to go evenfurther."
Ahhhh, another week has come to an end, I'm doing well in class, it's good that I don't have to prepare for the Samhaim festival since I've been a moon witch since last year, I'll be able to rest a lot, or take the opportunity to go out, all I know is that Parker is following me to the dormitory, she's really stuck with me these days.
We get to the corridor to the room and there's Croix, she's staring at me and Daniella, already looking like someone's getting strange, something she's been doing since the beginning of the week, I think she's really getting carried away with these provocations, so much so that she goes up the stairs quickly.
"Croix!" I try to call out, but there's no answer.
"She's such a coward" said the brunette, and I stared at her a little angrily.
"She's not a coward, you're the one who's teasing her and trying to stick it to me when I don't even want you, I'm getting out of here and going to see her" I say, running off towards the stairs.
"Good luck being ignored again" She's really into me, it doesn't make any sense.
I run towards the stairs, I get to the top floor and I see her still running, so I try to call her again, this time she stops and takes a breath, very afraid, but she comes towards me, finally, I thought she wouldn't even talk to me, but she arrives right in front of me and doesn't look happy at all.
"What do you want to talk to me about now? I thought you'd be having fun with Parker" How jealous.
"I'm not jealous, I have nothing to do with Daniella, she's the one who keeps hitting on me" I tell her.
Yes, jealousy! I'm jealous, I don't like seeing this, I want you for myself, I still love you Chariot, but you..." She can't even stand it.
"Me what? It was you who asked me to take a break, don't you remember? I'm the one who wanted to continue the relationship, apart from the fact that I'm still doing a lot for you, I'm the one who always asks you to spend some time in my room and play a bit" And Croix is a little unresponsive.
"But I'm not going, as long as I'm in the presence of that shameless Parker I'm not going, if you want to spend some time with me come to my room, but that's when you're free, today I'll have to devote myself to your game, just promise me to keep thinking about me" How insecure, I'll even hug her.
"You don't have to be insecure about this, I don't like Daniella's advances either, I think she needs to stop for a while, but it's out of my control, she's the one who keeps acting like this" I say to my ex-girlfriend.
"I got it... I'm going to go now, but don't forget about us, I'm loving all the drawings you've been doing with the cards, keep it up, do it with all your love" She even smiled and I nodded in agreement.
I turn round and go down the stairs to my dormitory, and I think that this conversation has eased my mind a little, even though I really wanted to spend some time with Croix, to be close to her, maybe get a kiss or two, it would be perfect, finally I arrive and there's Parker sitting reading a book, trying to provoke me somehow by leaving her shirt unbuttoned.
"You could help me out here, Chariot" I look like shit.
"You know how to change yourself, Parker" I say to her as she unbuttons a little more.
"Ah, but a little help would be nice, but if you want it that way I'll have to..." I throw the sheet over her using magic and turn round.
"Come on, get changed soon and don't tease me, I've got things to do" I say, sitting down on the chair, a little flushed.
"Chariot, you look really angry, don't be like that, I can give you a massage if you want" I'd rather not know what that massage is.
She's getting changed, I can tell by the shadow, since I've been very quiet, at least it's better this way, I thought she wouldn't stop talking like that, which I'm already relieved about when she finishes getting changed, but it's not for nothing, her shadow isn't bad at all, you can see she has curves, when I turn round she's wearing one of my T-shirts... What does she think she's doing with that? By the nine witches, it's what I wear to bed.
"That's my shirt" I tell her.
"I'm sorry, it's just that I don't have any clothes to sleep in, my dressing gown is still in the wash" I know... I think so.
"Keep it... I'm going to come back here and draw the cards. I have to keep my focus on my work" I say, starting to draw one of the cards.
"Oh thank you Chariot, I really appreciate it, even more if it smells like you" She sniffed my t-shirt, that's strange, these provocations of hers often cross the line.
Well, I'll forget about that, I'd better focus on drawing here and this letter is turning out beautifully, I'm already past the sketching stage and leaving a much better and more beautiful final result, that's for sure, these letters are going to be very wonderful when I start colouring, I want to leave them with the most beautiful lines possible, maybe I'll be able to finish them today.
[...]
Now it's all over, I've even managed it and wow it's a beautiful night tonight, I can really enjoy this evening, now I'm going to play with Becca or do something, but soon the window opens and a wind comes in, which we notice and it's precisely my mum Laura, she's appearing to us, it must be something else, sometimes it's like that at night, is it in connection with the third word? I don't know for sure, but in any case her coming here is very good.
"Oh girl, I've got a mission for you, I can help you more with the magic" she said as she went in.
"Really? What mission is this?" I ask her.
"Well, it's a bit chilly outside, but I can assure you that this will help you a lot, it's a place in the middle of the ruins of Luna Nova, you have to be careful there because there are bears, but it's worth it as it can unlock the hidden potential of all witches, I've never been there myself, but I think that if you go it could pave the way for the third and following words" Is she talking about the source of Polaris? I've been there.
"The polaris fountain?" I ask Mum, who is a little surprised.
"Do you know her? Since you didn't tell me before" I don't think I've ever told you about her part of the Polaris fountain.
"Yes, I'd been there last year, but it didn't work out as I didn't seem to have enough potential to receive the blessing of the fountain, the bears there are very docile, I even made friends with one who was trying to help his mum who was injured" I say to my mum who is very surprised.
"That's marvellous, then go there, I'll be waiting here, then we can get some chicken empanadas and play until it's time for bed" I nod and get ready to pick up the things.
"I'll go and show that I'm a better witch now, I'm sure the fountain will show a lot of that" I say determinedly and head for the door.
My mum nods at me and I nod back, opening the door, passing through the corridor and at night it's pretty deserted, there aren't many people, apart from a few chatting at the door, they must be the girls chatting from the other dormitories, I'd like something more like that, but I'm always too attached to my team, well we get to the corridor to the ruins, I'm always surprised that the headmistress turns a blind eye to me walking around here, she wanted me to really venture into these places.
I'm arriving at the ruins and walking around I see that Arcas is much bigger, look how cute, he comes up to me and asks for a cuddle, which I do by stroking the bear's head, so cuddly, with that soft fur, I missed him too.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you here, my friend" I say, caressing Arcas, who continues to enjoy the contact.
I continue to walk through the ruins, looking around, now more alone, I even miss Croix a little, but I'd better stay here, I'm not going to fill my head with thoughts of my ex-girlfriend, although it would be perfect to have her here, I still have Arcas to cuddle and he's loving my company.
I make my way to the stairs to the polaris fountain where I take a deep breath, now yes, come on Chariot, today everything will work out I hope, I've done a lot of things to become a better witch, I hope that this time the polaris fountain will show me that I really am the one who deserves
"This is it" I say to myself and start to climb the stairs.
This time Arcas is waiting for me, I go up the stairs, arriving at where the polaris fountain is, the environment as always beautiful, the fountain right in front of me, with the water running in it and I'm showing myself in front of it, which I'm already feeling a very different glow, bubbles are appearing and in them appear things that I've done in my past, things that have shown my potential.
Me being nice to people, introducing myself, dedicating myself to studying, training in magic, this is all real and it's happening, this is what recognises my potential, I even feel the magic lifting me up a little and I'm getting much closer to the fountain, this is all wonderful, I've finally succeeded, I've shown myself to be capable, a face even appears in the middle of the water and looks at me
"Chariot Du Nord, you've come this far and shown your potential as a witch, this far you can show that you are worthy of the blessing of the source of polaris, in this journey that we nine witches have given you, we are putting our faith in you and we trust you with the power of the source of polaris" I said to the water and I was taken into the source, getting very close to the water, only I was treading as if I were lighter than it.
The magic is circulating through my body, you can feel it passing through, it's a very good feeling, as if my body is feeling better, I feel invigorated, stronger, more willing, more whole, this is marvellous.
My body and my clothes start to glow, I even hold Claiomh Solais with both hands, with my eyes closed, that magic is flowing more intensely, as if I were projecting myself, what I feel is an enormous flash and in it I end up in another place, a dimension of a white void.
"What's that?" I get all confused.
In the midst of this white void some things are appearing, I see that it is a forest and in it I end up seeing that there is a group of girls gathered together, one of them looks like Woodward, I can see the others from a distance and they seem to be the nine of them, all gathered there talking about something, which all passes with leaves, now I am in another place.
It seems to be old Luna Nova where a blue-haired woman with heterochromia appears, she's holding the Claiomh Solais in her hand, another appears with greenish hair, she looks a bit like a Cavendish, they're the chosen ones who came before me.
The blonde appears, then one who is extremely similar to me, my great-great-grandmother Louise, I even try to get close, but when my hand touches her, everything changes to my mum Laura who is holding her staff pointing upwards and then they all appear together looking at me and holding hands around me.
"I'm one of the chosen ones..." I say in amazement.
Then everything becomes leafy around me and the white void turns back into the polaris fountain where I can feel all the magic flowing through my body, even a little vapour was coming out of it, wow I can feel an enormous magic in me here, as if I were the greatest witch of all, this is a lot, even the pains from the training I was doing have healed, all this here is my dormant magic, now all back.
I get out of the fountain and look up at the sky, I'm glad that I've reached this point, I'm a stronger witch than ever and it's all thanks to the help of my mum and all the people around me who believed in me to go on and pursue being a witch, if I'd given up I'd still be stuck in France with my alcoholic father.
"Thank you for everything, nine witches" I say, looking back and starting down the fountain steps.
Now with extra magical power, the words will certainly come more easily, I'm going to show you Croix, I'm the one who deserves to have Claiomh Solais too, I'm not going to lower my head just because I wasn't chosen, this is more important than any decision that might happen, I'm the person who's going to find the seven
words, whether you like it or not I'm going to go after them and I'm not going to stop because you want to be chosen.
I'm really determined, I went downstairs and headed towards Luna Nova, I even glanced at the window if Croix is looking, he must not even be here, well anyway it's time to go back and continue on this very important mission. I get to my room quickly and see that my mum is already welcoming me.
"Look at my girl, you've really done it, you can feel the improvement from here" said my mum.
"I just did the obvious, what a deserving witch has to do, this power was my merit" I say looking at my hand.
"Of course, that's what's good to see in you, you have to have more self-respect, not be so guilty because of something that doesn't come from you, regardless of whether Croix thinks so or not, you're the chosen one and you have to show dedication" I even get a cuddle on the head feeling all happy.
"Wow, it's great to see that you're evolving Chariot, I can say that I've been here since the beginning and I've seen you become this incredible witch that you've become" said Parker.
"You're just saying that because you want to eat my daughter, aren't you?" It makes me blush to see my mum saying that.
"No Mrs McLaren, this has nothing to do with anything, I've really seen Chariot's evolution and I was quite a jerk at first, it's impressive to see how far she's come, she's undoubtedly a witch who's reached a higher level than I could ever reach, I'm even proud of that, I don't say it out of interest in Chariot, I just say it in jest that I want something to provoke her, I know her heart is still with Croix, the important thing is to see Chariot happy" She always says that, but it's obvious how she's intentionally hitting on me.
"Look, girl, you don't have to justify yourself to me, I know the look of a thirsty eater and I know that look you've been giving my daughter, I don't care much about that, just don't make my daughter cry or be sad, I know about her situation with Croix, but don't push her too hard, okay?" I said to my mum, who was very supportive.
"Mum!" I say a little embarrassed.
"What's wrong? You're the one who got into it, the girls are out there wanting you, don't feel so bad, you'll thank me later, well anyway I also see that Croix isn't acting so well, it took me a while to realise and she's acting toxic towards you girl, I've already spoken to April about it because I don't want to see my daughter feeling bad because of a woman" I get even more embarrassed.
"Let's play soon mum, you don't have to keep giving that crazy girl so much hope" I say trying to divert the subject and I see my mum and the girls laughing because my cheeks have inflated.
And we started playing, I could see that now that my mum has given Parker even more chances it's going to get even worse, for the nine witches' sake I didn't want things to get to this point, this way I'll have to watch out for more advances from her, Croix will get even more jealous, she'll even end up leaving me for good, what do I do? For the nine witches.
[...]
Yesterday was intense playing and everything, it was good fun, I came up here on the roof after training with my mum because I want to talk, she must know more about relationships than I do, I just stare at the sky, still a bit afraid to speak, but I take a deep breath, will things really work out with Croix or is Daniella right that I should move on.
"Mum... Could Croix..." I try to speak, but I can't.
"Yes, she is, Croix is a very immature and toxic girl, if you think you should come on to her more strongly, don't let that girl boss you around in everything you do and act, I don't know where she got it from, I think it must be something from her upbringing with her Italian parents, but I know it wasn't April's, like it or not she lived 12 years with those people while half of that is the time she had with April, of course that must have improved a lot, but it was still a whole childhood in that house, anyway? I think you need to think about it, it wasn't Croix's wrong decision to take a break" said my mum, who always manages to be the best at giving advice.
"And did you fight a lot with Mum Bernadette and have moments like that?" I ask her.
"We never got to that point, we couldn't bear to go even a day or two without talking to each other and staying away, but we did fight, they were very strong words sometimes, especially when we were his age, I started dating Bern when we were 15, so you can imagine, two teenagers, still understanding life, of course there were fights, they were for different reasons, but we always thought things through in the end and hugged each other, sometimes later it was resolved with a good sit on Bern's face... I mean, forget that part girl, but look, it's normal for fights to happen, but at the level of toxicity that Croix has reached, April is going to talk to this girl a lot, so you can rest easy Chariot, I think it's good to take a break" Wow, I love hearing these things from her.
"And as for Parker, you let her invest more in me, Mum, what if this girl wants more than you know?" My head is full of things.
"It all depends on you Chariot, I spoke to Parker alone for a while, she likes you a lot too, she's respectful of your relationship with Croix, but she's not stupid, she knows you deserve better, I'm just saying that if you leave any extra touch it's not a betrayal, you and Croix aren't dating and I think it's a good idea, Croix is being immature and you deserve better, I know she was a jerk in the beginning, but she wants to redeem herself, it's up to you whether you let Parker get more into you or dedicate yourself to Croix" I honestly don't know what to do, for the nine witches.
"Mum, I know I deserve better, but I still have a lot of faith in Croix, I know Mrs Jordan will help you through this" I say to my mother.
"Look, if I were you, I wouldn't go along with this idea of depending on Croix to take care of things, but I can see that you really love Croix" said Mum.
"And what would you do in my place, Mum?" I ask her.
"I know what love is like, girl, unfortunately because I know what it's like, I wouldn't give up on Croix either, although the temptation of Parker isn't bad at all, I've never really been tempted by another girl because Bernadette is simply the most beautiful woman in the whole world, but you must think the same thing about Croix" Mum's all romantic.
"I think Croix is the most beautiful woman in the world, but I confess that Parker has beautiful curves, but nothing is more attractive than Croix, apart from the fact that she has something that Daniella doesn't have" I say to my mum, who laughs.
"Girl! Oh Chariot, that thing you're talking about, any witch can have it using a bit of magic, you're the first lesbian I've seen who likes that thing hahahaha, but look girl, just don't say something like that in front of Croix or she'll slap you, women like her don't like it at all when you talk about them like that, April hated it, but anyway, it's all up to you Chariot" I even get up from the roof and stare at her with a big smile.
"Thanks for the words Mum. You always help me with what's best, I knew I should talk to someone with more experience in dating" I say happily to my mum who nods back.
I think I should really know what's best for me, every time I always think of others, but never of myself, my mum is always the person I can ask for help with this, then I'll try to talk to the other one, she must surely know a lot too and have a more interesting point of view.
I throw myself off the roof and grab a broom to go to the bedroom window and when I get in I see that the girls are waking up, Parker is looking at me with a smile on her face.
"Good morning Chariot" She's a cutie.
"Good morning Ella" I say smiling, I think she deserves at least a nickname and more attention.
"Ella? I like the nickname, good morning Chariot, look the day has already started marvellously well for you to come and talk to me like that" said Parker.
"I just want to return a kindness you've shown me since a few days ago, after all I just got too caught up in talking about the croix and not valuing myself" I say, scratching the back of my neck and seeing her smile a little more.
"I just want to see you well, Chariot, but how was your training with your mum? Is the magic really stronger?" I nod my head, it's definitely better than before, that's a fact.
"Look, I even managed to hold it together a bit more and it was marvellous, I didn't know I was capable of all that, now I get tired a lot less, even though my mum's been taking it harder than before, but apart from that I have faith that I'll be able to improve more and maybe I'll find the next words soon" I say more cheerfully.
"Croix has already told me her manic way about Claiomh Solais, but tell me how he works better, I think I can understand it better with your words" I think I'll talk to her more, after all Ella is just being nice to me.
"It's important to find the seven words to be able to break the seal of the Gran Triskellion, it can give the witch a wish, but that's not the important thing, the cool part is that the Yggdrasil tree is revived, remember that we can't use magic outside where there's sorcerer's stone, with the revived Yggdrasil, this restriction will end and finally people can use magic everywhere, so we can have a better chance of making magic better for everyone" I say all inspired and she stands with her hands on her face looking at me.
"I love your voice, I could stare at you for hours, but then tell me more, about your shows, I know I've heard a lot, but I love hearing you tell me" She really wants to hear me.
"I don't think even Croix was that interested in listening to me, but I do, I always give presentations telling a bit about the history of magic or showing how interesting and fun it can be, I want people's perception of magic to become something new, so that children become interested too, but what about you Daniella? What do you want to do after you graduate?" I say, smiling, and she keeps smiling.
"You know I don't really know, I just want to be able to become a graduate witch to maintain the family line, to be a respected witch, maybe I really wanted to do what my family wanted, they wanted me to study law after graduating from Luna Nova and also to marry some English lord, or someone from the aristocracy, but always a man, I only really discovered what bisexuality was very recently, I knew I liked girls, but not what it was or that people in my family thought it was wrong" She's very interesting.
"I think my contact with homosexuality came from a very early age, my adoptive mothers kissed at home as if it was nothing, but from a very young age I discovered that people didn't like it, it was forbidden to talk about it at school, the teacher could even go to jail, then with my father I discovered how very repressed it is, I had to really hide it for years, so much so that I avoided falling in love with any girl, I only really let myself go here and it was wonderful, I discovered that I wasn't the only lesbian in Luna Nova" I say to Daniella.
"I admire you for that, and for other things, but anyway, nowadays I don't know what to do with my life anymore, if I ever ended up with a girl I'd be kicked out of my family, I'd end up on the street and with nothing, I really wish I could live the life I want, but I admit it wouldn't be safe" she said until I shook my head in denial.
"With me you wouldn't be so afraid, not that I want you, but if I were your girlfriend I'd make sure you had a home and let you follow your passions Daniella" She even blushes a little.
"I've never said this much, but the truth is that one day I'd like to be a great writer, like Annabel Crème from Night Fall, I read her books all the time and they give me enormous comfort, the romance, the intrigue and everything, I wish I could make stories as good as hers, but I know it wouldn't work, I know I wouldn't be rich enough and for my family that's..." She said until I interrupted her.
"Look, if there's one thing I've learnt, it's that you should never let yourself be taken in by what your family thinks and wants of you, my father didn't want me to be a witch and look at me, I'm in Luna Nova today because of that, my mother Bernadette has the same place of origin as yours, she had to fight against everyone and today she's the one who rules the Cavendish family, anyway I'm going to help you with this, whether I'm your girlfriend or not, I'm still your friend" I tell her and she even cries a little.
I like Daniella Parker, she's an incredible and wonderful girl, even though we fought a lot at the beginning, she deserves to be admired more, it must be hard to be her and have to be the perfect one, I see her eyes sparkle and then Parker comes and hugs me all emotional, feeling all happy about it, she deserves that affection.
"And that's how my potential was unlocked with the Polaris source and soon you'll know how my relationshipwith Daniella Parker progressed, besides you probably have no idea, but my relationship with Daniella thatcaused a bit of Barbara Parker's dislike in me, it's more a personal thing than my career, I still have a bit offeelings for Parker, she was a wonderful person in my life that I never valued, a lot for my feelings for Croix."
See you, polaris witches...