Setting
Default Location for Denouement
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The Kingdom is a part of 
Denouement.
3 Characters Here
Zinnia Evernight [691]
Fan-Xiang Yue [519] "Sing a song for the world's end."
Blithe [352]
Start Character Here »
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
With Protea's sacrifice, the battle was ended. The demons were taken back into custody, the Constantinans down below were marched back into prison, and Zinnia was placed back into the jar, the black chains enveloping her body now released. Zinnia was in denial - she did not want to believe Yue was ill like this. "I can take you to a doctor, and he'll confirm it for me." Yulissa offered with a shrug. It didn't really matter much to her but the faster Zinnia accepted this reality, the better. "Even better - I could show your Madame Pomfrey the medical notes and she'll confirm it for you." Zinnia was more likely to believe it if Pomfrey was the one who said it. Someone like her was stubborn as a mule when she wanted to be.
When calling up Madame Pomfrey to be temporary released from the prison, the woman was distraught and in tears. It was understandable but Yulissa did not have time to sympathize with terrorists. Zinnia too, was having a pity party for herself. Constantinans really were quite dramatic, weren't they? It would be fine - they would adapt with time like everyone else did. "I read the reports." Pomfrey said in a dull voice. "But I won't say anything until I've seen her first." Yue was being kept in a solitary chamber for her own safety. Too much stimuli was dangerous for her. Yet Pomfrey seemed to think it was cruel to keep her there, locked away with no interaction. Not even doctors would come in - she was fed through the machine and had her waste cleaned from her body by the machine. Pomfrey nearly burst into tears when she saw how both Yue and Zinnia were being treated. "I'm so sorry Zinnia." She sobbed. "I'm so sorry we couldn't protect either of you."
Yulissa growled, kicking Pomfrey in the shin. "Okay, enough sobbing. You can see her but no one's allowed to say anything to her." The younger Princess of Magnolia opened the door and through the magical sterilizer they entered Yue's chamber. "H-hello?" Her voice was hoarse, as if she had been screaming trying to be heard but no one could hear her. "D-do you know where I am? Do you know... what's happening?" Blind and locked away, she had no way to know anything. "A-are Protea and Rainier dead yet? I - I heard it happening in my dream..." Yulissa was surprised. She must be even more potent at future sight than originally calculated. Pomfrey looked as if she wanted to speak but Yulissa had sealed her voice for the examination.
Madame Pomfrey touched her, reviewed the notes, as Yue babbled, trying to get anything out of the visitors in the room. "Pl-please, where's Z-Zinnia? Is she... I n-need to... see her?" The blind girl was lost. She chuckled weakly. "Well I guess I c-can't really see..." The mermaid tears were still in Constantina, the Magnolians doing the capturing didn't get them when taking the Constantinans away. They weren't informed of their importance after all. Once the examination was over Yulissa lead Pomfrey back out, keeping the Zinnia jar in her palm at all times.
"The... the reports match with what I've seen." Pomfrey said quietly, a dead look in her eyes. "It's true. Yue's in weak condition now thanks to all the happiness she's had. Any more and it could be her end." But she didn't have the means to help cure that. Their only hope was that Magnolia could find a way. There was no better medicine than in Magnolia after all. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry Zinnia, I can't do anything..."
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Hearing it from Madame Pomfrey confirmed the worst. Zinnia's world was breaking apart, bit by bit. All of the pieces turning into dust at her feet. Constantina was empty, her familiar was taken to prison and Yue was trapped here, within these four walls. "She shouldn't have to live like that," Zinnia whispered. "She should be allowed medicine, or something. She's blind!" Poor Yue hadn't the slightest clue what was happening to her. "At least allow someone to explain the condition to her! Should she not be allowed that mercy?" Zinnia whispered, feeling defeated. "Or administer the mermaid tears to let her see again." Madame Pomfrey attempted to apologize, but there was no apology needed. Zinnia already knew that they had lost. They were outgunned and out manned. Althea was far too powerful and Zinnia was stuck in the palm of Yulissa's hand. Contained inside of a jar, like some sort of sprite or pixie rather than a witch.
She did not know what move to make next, if there were any moves left. Her hand had run out, any good luck having run dry. Zinnia leaned her forehead against the cold glass of the jar, wondering if this would be her prison for eternity. The one spot of brightness in all of this was the ring that glimmered on her finger, the only personal belonging Zinnia had left. She couldn't even summon Blithe, her contract remaining, but their connection cut off with the magical seal on the lid of the new jar. She had been reduced to naught but a souviner of Yulissa and Althea's conquest. She had never felt so small and helpless before. Even as a child, Zinnia had never once felt this insignificant. Why was this happening now? Was she being punished for some sort of sin?
"What will Levi think of you?" Zinnia inquired, knowing that Yulissa had a weakness for her sister. "Does she know that her sister slaughters innocents and displaces children? Does she know about all of those babies you ripped from their mothers arms that will cry for the parents they will never see again? And you truly think that your ideals are just?" Without her magic, without her familiar or potions, all Zinnia had left were her words. What was she to do but hope and wait that someone else would be able to organize a rebellion? If they still had the will to fight, that was. The others were spared of execution, but how many remained after the slaughter at the University? How many students were rounded up and put into prison cells?
Yuu, Claris, Salla, Lumier, Darris... What would become of them? Were they locked up in cellars? Placed in homes? What of Blithe and Rainarch? Where were they being kept? "Blithe, come," Zinnia whispered for the umpteenth time. She winced as the familiar pain in her stomach welled up Blithe's inability to come. If she continued in these vain attempts, she would be blighted once more.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
This Zinnia girl sure was yappy, wasn't she? Yulissa groaned, rolling her eyes. "The doctors are doing what they can. Once she's stable, they'll probably put her in a normal hospital." It seemed Zinnia Evernight really didn't understand anything. "Normally they would, but Yue Eldriss is a special case." Didn't Zinnia see that this was the way it had to be? "We know she's destined to destroy the world. What if telling her the truth of her condition is the trigger for her becoming evil?" They couldn't risk it, they needed her to be safe before telling her anything. This was mercy. This was trying to preserve the goodness in the girl so that she could become a useful asset for Magnolia's advancement. Zinnia was supposed to be that too, both girls had high value to them as mages.
"Mermaid tears are an unauthorized medicine." Yulissa said dully as they turned away from the glass room where Yue lay in silence and isolation. "They have dangerous, unresearched side effects. What happened to Yue is only one of the risks involved." The Magical Medicine Board did not approve of mermaid tears, so as such they were not regulated to administer them. She rolled her eyes again at how backwards outlaws and rebels were. It was as if they didn't have brains or something. Magnolia would heal from today's terrorist attack. Many people tried to incite violence and hurt the city, but there are even more who were willing to give their lives to protect it. "Before they dispose the bodies you should say your goodbyes." Yulissa muttered as they walked down to Atalia Square's ground floor. The square was beautiful, with much of the buildings made of pristine marble and beautifully chiseled architecture. Rainier and Protea's ruined bodies lay on the ground in a ditch - once the workers finished cleaning up the magical fire, they would take care of the corpses.
After allowing this kindness and mercy to Zinnia, the witch immediately began questioning her again. "Levi knows I do what's necessary to keep our home safe." Yulissa said firmly, making a face at Zinnia's words. What, did this outlaw think she was an easy mark or something? "Furthermore, we're granting those children a good future. By letting them live here as citizens of Magnolia, they become civilized. It's far better than letting them grow up and be tainted by the wilds of the other pocket dimensions." On average, children born and raised in Magnolia ended up as stronger mages than if they were raised outside. "This is modern civilization. It would do you good to adapt to your new surroundings."
...
The door opened again. Yue opened her eyes, once again seeing nothing but blackness. However, she could hear the little pitter patter of footsteps. "Who goes there?" She asked, trying to sound formidable. It was surprisingly hard to handle being trapped in the darkness with no one around and no idea what was going on. She couldn't even move, it was as if all her limbs were locked down or something. "You can call me Levi." That was an odd name but no worse than Yue was. "I'm not quite sure what is happening here, but shouldn't you be at a hospital?" So this wasn't a hospital? Yue nodded hesitantly. "Okay. Can you take me to one?" She was tired of this place, whatever it was, anyways.
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Zinnia was quiet as she looked at the bodies of Protea and Rainier. She did not want to remember them in this manner; mangled, bloodied, and very much dead. Her heart wrenched inside of her chest, her palms against the glass. There is nothing Zinnia could do for them. After all, there is no magic to bring back the dead. "May Apollo guide your footsteps to the gates of victory," she whispered. Yes, Apollo would guide them to their final resting place and that was a comfort. Zinnia had never been faithful to the dieties that their city worshipped, but had she a candle, she would have lit it on the alter for them. If she lit a candle inside of this jar, it surely would have killed her. Zinnia clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, she knew no prayers, but hoped that their souls would no longer suffer as though went through reincarnation. After all, once a witch, always a witch.
Supposedly this was modern civilization, trapping people in glassware and holding them prisoner. Was this what Zinnia was supposed to adapt to? A life in a jar? Reduced to being a mere five inches tall, for the rest of her natural life span? She had nothing left to fight, no hope to hold. Everything she loved was taken away, set aflame, or killed. She had no home, family, or friends to return to. All that remained of her world was a glass jar and a dress made for dolls that fell down her shoulders. "I am tired," Zinnia whispered, curling up on the bottom of her prison. She felt drained of all emotion and energy. She was wrong to open up her heart, she was wrong to make friends, she should have allowed someone else to take in Yue, so that her heart would never know the longing of what it meant to feel loved.
Her only solace was knowing that if they did not allow Zinnia to use her mana, it would begin to build up in her body. The disease she had been born with of having an overabundance of mana meant that if she did not use it, it would build up witin her body. It would paralyze her the same way Acacia once had until one day, her lungs could no longer function on her own. Suffocation was a terrible death, but it was better than a lifetime of imprisonment. Yes, Zinnia would look forward to that day, that was her hope and for now, that was enough. She looked up at the sun in the sky, knowing that she would be returned to Yulissa's pocket soon as they returned to the castle. The last thing Zinnia had exepected was to encounter another witch in the hallways, Princess Levi striding purposefully, with her familiar trailing behind her. "Oh, Yulissa," her demeanor changed upon seeing her sister. Her stride loosened into a jog to meet Yulissa in the middle of the hallway. "What's that in your hand?" She held her face up close to the jar where Zinnia was pretending to sleep.
"Is that a sprite? Are you keeping it on your person for good luck?" Her expression suddenly became concerned, "Don't let Mother find you with that," she clasped her hand around the jar, guiding it to Yulissa's pocket. "You know how superstitious she is, she might try to take it away." The Elder Princess straightened, they were the same height and had identical eyes, but their hair colors and facial features varied. "I'll try to stop by tonight, alright?" Levi said as she strode away, her familiar quick to follow along behind her. Levi's demeanor changed as soon as she walked past her sister, she straightened, becoming all business. Her expression, while not a scowl, was schooled into a carefully arranged look of sereneness. "Ready?" Pen inquired, opening up the padlock on the door of the basement level of the castle. Levi nodded, the airlock hissing as it was released. It was just as she feared. What was her Mother doing on these levels?
Levi assisted the girl with black hair to her feet, realizing that her eyes would not focus. "We're going now, just hang on." Pen took her other side, carrying the girl's weight between them. They went up to the main level, but used the servant hallways to get to the back exit of the castle. "The hospital isn't far, we'll take you there," she said softly, Pen bending the wind to make them invisible to the naked eye. "Do you have a name?" Levi inquired, wondering if she still remembered it. How long had she been down there? Considering the obvious inability to see, Levi doubted that the girl knew. "Almost there," she assured her as they rounded up on the corner. Levi could not be seen within, but she could send Pen inside with her.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
Yulissa smiled cheerfully as she heard the voice calling out to her. It was none other than Levi, the closest person to her in the whole world. Levi was innocent and pure, she didn't know what was being planned even now. She guided the bottle to Yulissa's pocket, unknowing that this was the Zinnia Evernight. Why their mother gave Yulissa responsible for Zinnia she didn't know, but it was not her place to question these things. There was clearly some plan that she was not privy to just yet. "I was showing her Magnolia because she's new to the place." Yulissa said happily, glad to see her sister doing well. Levi's life was too rigid, too structured. She didn't know enough of the world for the burden she was given. "I'll be waiting. Maybe you could give me a hand."
Once returning to her room, Yulissa sighed, taking a stack of papers. "Wake up. You should help me with this." She tapped the jar, a bit annoyed. "These are preliminary reports on the children we hope to integrate into their new homes." Everyone had something written about them, their personality, their skills, weaknesses, other notes as needed. "Mother gave me these names to try and place them." It was her job to figure out where best to assign the children so they would be able to thrive in Magnolia as citizens. "Claris Aurora and Mevia Aurora. Claris has some sort of trauma, and Mevia seems to have a learning disability of some sort." They were both definitely a troublesome sort. "Should I put them in a mental health ward for now?" There were others as well. "Lumiere Price and Yuu Ishigami are both very talented... I might put them both under the Patriots."
The Patriots was an organization that existed to push Magnolian ideals and national pride. They were often beautifying the city streets, doing volunteer work, and assisting the Military Police whenever there were terrorists that needed to be dealt with. "It's a volunteer group that's funded by the Royal Family to make Magnolia a better place." Yulissa explained with a shrug. "If you're behaved, I'll let you choose where you're placed." The younger princess said with a half smile. "You'll only be in this jar until Mother deems you've learned your lesson for defying her." Zinnia had a big ego and Althea wanted to cut that down to size. A white cat with red stripes yawned, jumping onto the bed and stared at the jar. "Who's this? A new friend?" It was Azure, Yulissa's familiar. "Her name is Zinnia, but I don't think she wants to be friends yet." Knowing her, it would be a very long time before Zinnia behaved.
...
Yue stumbled as she tried to walk. Her chest didn't hurt anymore but she longed to see Zinnia. Where was she? Why wasn't she with her? There were so many questions she didn't know but she was glad to be rescued from the room where no one was. Levi and her nameless friend would take care of her. "I'm Yue." She stammered. "U-um... I'm from Constantina. I don't know how long it's been." She sniffled, feeling lonely and desperate. "Where's everyone else? Can you take me to where Zinnia is?" Knowing Zinnia she was probably in some high level training facility where selfish people tried to abuse her amazing mana. "D-do you know what's wrong with me?"
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Of course, neither girl could have known what Althea's plan for Zinnia truly was. She was not going to have the chance to intergrate into society, she was to be kept under lock and key, a witch with too much power that needed to be watched at all times, least she betray them and kill the royal family. Althea's other attempts to have Zinnia taken away had all failed. She had escaped from the angels and the dark witches. Now she had done the only other thing she could think of, shrink Zinnia to the size of a pixie and allow Yulissa to watch her for the time being, until she decided on what could be done with her. Perhaps Althea would discredit her and place her in a mental institution, or force her to become the official potion maker of the royal family. Then again, none of the royals knew of Zinnia's disease, where the longer her mana built up, the more her symptoms would manifest. Althea, after all, had no way of knowing this.
Zinnia sat upright in the jar, rubbing at her eyes as Yulissa woke her up. The children they wanted to reintigrate? Zinnia looked at the familiar faces and names, knowing that each of them was suffering just as much, if not more than she. Zinnia had already mourned her parents, she had no attachment to them. These children had all lost their families and were now being forced to become party of a society they never asked to be in. Zinnia locked away her emotions, knowing that they would do her no good in this matter. She needed to think logically, if she wanted to place them in the best situation possible. "Claris is a talented wand maker," it was not on the paper detailing her, for whatever reason. "She can make wands out of nearly anything." Claris would be happiest where she could use this skill set. She was nearly graduated from University as well. "Mevia is a skilled weaver, she can weave mana into thread." It was a rare gift, one not many witches or wizards could use.
"They would like that, I suppose." Zinnia spoke softly as she recalled Yuu's kindness, always wanting to help other. "Keep Lumier close to where Darris is, they are a couple." She wanted them to have some sort of happiness of course. Was Darris alright? He had collapsed at the ball, poisoned by the Magnolians no doubt. Choose where she wanted to go? Was that some sort of cruel joke? "Home of course," but home was now abandoned. A demon leaped onto the desk, peering into the glass. A familiar? Zinnia's heart clenched painfully. "Azur, do you know Blithe?" Zinnia inquired, "Can you sense her?" Demons could sense one another based on their power levels. As Blithe was a General, it should have been easy to tell approximetly where she was at this moment.
Zinnia was much more willing to befriend a demon of course. She had always been strange in this manner, prefering folk and demons to fellow mages. Of course, they were always transparent. They did not stare when you used a chair or if you tried to do something. They did not bully her for being unable to reach things, or throw her belongings into the water fountain. Humans were an awful sort and Zinnia had, had quite enough of them.
Yue? A witch from the Orient! Levi had never met a witch of her kind before. She was quite excited, but knew that medical care came first. "Constantina?" That was not in the Orient... how strange, but she would not question it. "I don't know a Zinnia," Levi replied. "My friend Pen is going to take you inside of the hospital now, alright? I'll come check on you once you're settled in a room."
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
Zinnia really would know best for these children. Yulissa hoped she knew that Magnolia only wanted the best for them. It would be hard at first, but they would all eventually realize that life is better here, and that being given the privileged of being granted citizenship in beautiful Magnolia was nothing but generosity. "Okay, I'll write that down, thank you."[/color] It was nice that Zinnia was being helpful now. "I'll inform my mother to keep Darris and Lumiere close."[/color] There was a faint blush on her cheeks. "Love is important, especially when in a strange new place."[/color] If possible they could keep groups and friends in close proximity. "Sadly the Morris siblings, Errol, and Enna, have special circumstances."[/color] She shook her head, wondering how something like this had even happened. "Enna's pregnant with the Scarlet, so we have to hold her in a special facility for containment. Errol will be made a part of the staff at that facility to help keep it secure."
She shook her head again with a roll of the eyes. "Somehow the Military Police failed to capture a certain Sir Flammel." The Orange Mage was a high priority target as well but the moment Magnolia marched in he had vanished. "He's a wanderer - he had come by a few times in the past century to visit Magnolia. I'm sure mother would have liked to see him again." It seemed he was intent on keeping his independence. "No one can find him unless he wishes to be found." Azure was staring at the jar in curiosity. "Yes, I know Blithe!" She yipped, tail wagging. "I was invited by Wicked once to be entertainment at a Generals party! I helped Blithe get drunk on mana whiskey!" She giggled, purring as she did so.
"Yule, can we let her out? That doesn't look very fun in there." Yulissa shrugged, glancing at her demon. Azure's biggest weakness was her big heart. She wasn't a fighter - all she wanted to do was make friends and make people smile. Yulissa thought it was noble, but an unrealistic goal to achieve. "Mother's orders. She has to stay in here." Azure sniffed the jar in concern. "Her mana smells funny, like it's hurting her. Can I eat some of it to make it better?" Now that sounded interesting. Azure could manipulate and amplify mana, so she was sensitive to the mana of mages. "Your mana hurts you?" If there was a medical concern, Yulissa needed to know for the records. "You should tell me more about that, I think."
Yue shivered. She was lonely. She wanted to go home. But even if she could, she had a feeling there was no one left there anymore. Constantina had become a ghost town where only the fae folk lived. "She sh-should have come in with the rest of us from Constantina." Did this Levi not know about the recent subjugation of her people? But she wasn't getting any more answers and Pen took her into the hospital. Yue didn't listen as Pen spoke to the doctors, and she could feel herself being shuffled into a wheelchair to be carted to what would hopefully be her room. "Rainarch." She whispered. "Where are you?" Her wrist hurt, it ached. She couldn't ask again, she did not want to be blighted again.
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Zinnia wanted the best for her friends. She would do what she could to make sure that they all stayed together. Was this manipulation? Zinnia could not tell. Of course, she had no say in it, Yulissa could have been saying one thing and writing down another. Zinnia only hoped she was a witch of her word, that she would be able to put them all where she said she would. "Enna lived outside of Constantina, no one noticed when she disappeared. Many young mages are preyed on by the folk, it was just assumed that a pixie had snatched her." Perhaps that would have been a mercy compared to what her true fate was, but if the Scarlet was born, then the entire world would come crumbling down as they knew it. "Errol will be happy so long as he can be beside Enna." Zinnia's hands balled into fists. Happy, that was a luxury they still had. Her nails dug into her palms, she would be happy for them, if she was allowed to be. Or would Althea take that from her too.
Flammel had not been caught, he was safe. It was not a surprise to hear that he had visited this dimension. Zinnia highly doubted that he would have survived that night had he stayed there. He would be tried as a criminal as well. Thankfully, Flammel was out exploring once more. It was a relief to hear that the old man was still venturing. Azure knew Blithe? Zinnia's heart soared, perhaps she could bring Blithe here? "Can you sense her? Is she inside of the castle?" Zinnia inquired. Of course, she knew of Blithe's party days as a general. Blithe had often recounted them in great detail when Zinnia was smaller, warning her against becoming someone like Blithe had been. Zinnia would always roll her eyes, but could recall every detail that Blithe had laid out. She had always enjoyed the rare story or two of what it was like to live in Hell, when it was still a nice place to live.
Yule? Zinnia quirked a brow, what an odd nickname. She would not comment on it, knowing how some were sensitive to subjects of that matter. Yes, of course, Althea had told them all she needed to remain in this jar. Zinnia wanted to be let out as much as Azure seemed to want to release her. She froze when Azure spoke of her mana. Of course, she should have known that a familiar, of all things, would have been able to sniff it out. The remaining flicker went out, there was no hope of escape if they knew. "I was born with an over abundance of mana," Zinnia began to explain, since there was no avoiding it now. "If I do not use my mana, it builds up within my body and will paralyze and eventually kill me."
She ran a hand through her hair, "my mana is especially potent, due to this." Zinnia was in need of a bath, but she did not want another dip in the sink. "There is no cure or medicine for it," they had tried, as it used to hurt Zinnia before she was truly proficient in expelling magic. "Al-er-your Mother does not know either."
Pen helped bring Yue inside, "My name is Pen, I'm Levi's familiar." She said, assisting Yue into a wheelchair. "I'll look for this Zinnia girl, don't worry," the familiar said and turned towards the medical staff. "By order of her Majesty, this girl must be helped immediately and given the highest level of care." Of course they knew Pen was the Princess's familiar, she was rarely seen without her Master at her side. "Yes, of course!" They brought Yue up to a room almost immediately, skipping past the ER and doing the evaluation in private. Pen stayed beside Yue the entire time, making certain that she was treated well. "A bit malnourished, blind, but nothing unfixable." The Doctor said, going over his notes. "We'll take some blood and bodily samples to determine if anything ese is going on."
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
There was no reason to lie about it. Yulissa figured that the best way for the children to acclimatize with their new lives was to have them remain close to their old connections as much as they could. Alone, it would be scary and frightening. But with friends, they would push through and live. "I heard that in the past some children ended their lives rather than keep living. The Arnorians in particular did a mass suicide, so none of them still live." It was a pity, Yulissa was glad she wasn't alive then. "Since then, Mother's put a greater effort in helping the new children maintain as much happiness as possible until they can be strong enough to live in Magnolia and thrive." The happier they were, the more young talented mages you had for your society. It was a win-win situation.
Azure and Zinnia were happily chatting so Yulissa continued working on assigning placements for the Constantinan children. She would continue to ask Zinnia their skills and names of their friends to make it easier to place friends together. "She's not in the castle." Azure admitted, seeming sad. "I would want to visit her if she was! Um, I think I can sense her though." She sniffed the air, trying to get a feel for it. Azure had a very good sensory ability. In terms of information, she was top-notch. While not a fighter, Yulissa didn't need her to be. "I can sense the new demons from Constantina being put to labor in the laboratory factory on Faust Street." It was to the west of the palace hear, closer to the second gate. "Do you want to go visit?" Yulissa offered. There were instructions not to let Zinnia and Yue interact but there was nothing telling her not to let Zinnia meet her demon. "I'm sure they'd be relieved to see you."
Apparently Zinnia had some disease that allowing her mana to overflow would kill her. "That reminds me of Pangolin Disease." Yulissa said after a moment of thinking. Pangolin Disease was where if you let your mana build up, your mana nodes would shut down and the hardened mana would crystallize your skin, turning you to stone. There was no cure, not even the best doctors could solve it. "Maybe it's a pre-evolved form of Pangolin Disease that you have." At least in Magnolia, the gene for Pangolin Disease was dominant. Nearly 80% of mages suffered from it, Yulissa included. Some people blamed it on the use of technology tainting pure mana in the blood, others figured it was just a part of being a mage. Mages from smaller dimensions didn't have it though. "We have medicine for Pangolin Disease's symptoms. Maybe the doctors can look at you and see if there's any way to alleviate it." Yulissa could empathize, it was a large problem after all.
Pen remained with Yue for the entirety of her initial care. She was put into a room for evaluation and Yue didn't have the luxury of refusing any of it. She didn't like doctors, she never liked them. They always asked weird questions about her many burn scars that once covered her entire body. Now though, she no longer had those scars. "O-okay." She said quietly, still in awe that Levi was a Princess. That meant Levi may know where everyone was taken. She jumped a little at the needles, and she was put under so that the doctor could take biopsies of many of her organs. They used simple magical fixes for blindness but none if it worked. Yue would remain in the darkness for the time being.
Once the tests were done she decided she would try to look into the future and see what she could hear. "C-can you give me snake oil? As pure as possible?" Her Lamb Mask was unfortunately back in Constantina. "I-It's important, so I n-need it." She needed to find out where Zinnia was, if Zinnia was being hurt, if she was okay. There were too many people who tried to hurt her and Yue was tired of being the helpless girlfriend.
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
She nodded eagerly, "Yes, I want to see Blithe." The witch said, wanting to make certain that Blithe was alright after the attack she had tried to pull off with Orie and Rainarch. She wanted to see her familiar, she wanted Blithe to be by her side and not sent away. Yulissa was a bit of a broken record. She belived that Magnolia was great and just, she believed that everything they were doing was for the greater good. She was so blinded by her own propoganda that she did not realize that people did not want nor ask for Magnolia's help. Constantina had been doing just fine on their own. Still, Zinnia was glad that Yulissa would allow her the small mercy of getting to speak to Blithe. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest, no doubt her familiar felt the strain of the distance as well.
Blithe was her oldest and greatest friend. She had been there before Freya, she had been there when the children in her village were bullying her and her parents did not understand why their child went rabid underneath the full moon. Blithe was there when Zinnia moved to Constantina, when she bought her home, when she went from using a cane, to a walker, and then to a wheelchair. She had never complained in ahving to do thing for her Master, when she had to become not only a familiar, but a care taker. To have this forceful wall keeping them apart was painful and no doubt Yue could feel it too. No doubt the two of them longed to be together just as much as Zinnia and Blithe did.
Zinnia shook her head, "Do you really think Constantina to be some sort of backwater village? Of course we know of Pangolin Disease," Zinnia was getting angry. Yulissa truly thought so little of the second largest magical city in America. "My disease is not related to it," they had tested for it, of course. Madame Pomfrey had tested Zinnia for everything under the sun and had come up with nothing. "It not a strain of it, nor a mutation. It is a genetic anamoly I was born with. My mana nodes do not die, they continue to strengthen themselves and will build up mana until there is nothing else in my body." In a way, Zinnia's disease was the opposite of Pangolin Disease. It was almost as though Yulissa wanted to deflect everything Zinnia said in order to be the biggest in the room.
As soon as the coast was clear, Pen brought Levi up to Yue's room. "How are they treating you?" She wanted to know, "is there anything I can get you?" In fact, there seemed to be. Snake oil, a rather common ingredient in potion making. "I can get you some, don't worry." Levi assured Yue with a smile that she could not see. "Did the Doctors say anything about your eyes? Will they be able to help you?" She asked worriedly. Pen left to retrieve the snake oil, she returned not ten minutes later with a vial of it. "Here," Levi placed it carefully in Yue's palm. "What are you going to do with it?" She inquired curiously, wondering if it was a private matter or if she was allowed to pry a bit. "I've already informed the guard to look out for a Zinnia Evernight. If she's in Mangolia, they will be the ones to find her."
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
"Azure, you may come with me." Yulissa told her. Azure smiled, tail wagging. "That sounds fun! Okay, let's go!" Zinnia wanted to go to the laboratory factory, and there was no reason why she shouldn't be allowed to go. Azure didn't get to go out too often, because of how friendly she was she would be easy prey if there was anyone who wanted to harm her. "You should let me go out more often." Azure hopped onto Yulissa's head. She enjoyed it, but it wasn't proper to do when outside. "You know you can't go on my head." Yulissa scolded her familiar. "If anyone outside saw it..." She sighed in Zinnia's direction. "I expect you won't tell anyone." There wasn't anyone she could tell for now anyways. Yulissa got up, sorted her documents and put them back into her pouch, and she pocketed the jar yet again.
Zinnia had a bit of an attitude. Yulissa was only offering suggestions. "I'll have our best doctors look at you tomorrow. We have better medicines here than in Constantina, so there's a small chance they can help you." It wouldn't do to have Zinnia just be suffering from an ailment. If need be she could simply explain it to Mother and then have leave for Zinnia to cast magic as she needed to. Of course with Azure sucking mana out of her, eyes glowing with happiness, perhaps that wouldn't be a problem. "You smell like Acacia." Azure admitted with a little frown as they went to the Apparating Room. "Do you know her? She wasn't very nice to me when I was at her birthday party twenty years ago."
It only took a little bit for Yulissa to apparate them to the laboratory factory on Faust street where demons were put to work on hard labor. These were the contracted demons taken from other dimensions who were subservient to the mages. For their masters' sakes, they were happy to work for free, and free labor was always priceless to have. Naturally Magnolia always had visiting rights. "Mister Foreman." Yulissa bore a cool smile. "I request a Blithe, from Constantina." She recited Blithe's registration code. Foreman went to retrieve Blithe, taking her to the visitation room. "Don't worry, magic is sealed here." Yulissa told Zinnia with a smile. "So don't get any ideas." Before letting her in, she cast a mana seal on Zinnia, and then released her from the jar, bringing her to full size. "It wouldn't be proper to have you meet your demon in a jar."
Yulissa and Azure walked Zinnia into the room to talk to Blithe, but naturally, the two would be watching and listening as well just in case. "Zinnia wanted to visit you. You two have an hour." The younger princess smiled cheerfully. "So don't mind us and why don't you two catch up." Azure decided to curl up at her Master's feet, finding them comfortable.
A familiar voice that followed after some footsteps caught Yue's attention. "Oh, hello again. You came back." She was more comfortable here than in the nothing room where she could hear nothing and could not even move. At least now she could scratch and itch. It had been torture in the other room. "They tried the normal fixes for blindness, but nothing worked yet. They told me there are more complicated options they can try." She had a bad feelings nothing was going to work in the end.
With thanks Yue received the snake oil she requested. "Um, it's private." Levi was a princess. That meant no matter how she acted, how nice she was, Yue knew she was an enemy. Everyone here was an enemy because they were the ones who took over Constantina and stole everyone away. Strong people like Rainier would save them, she just knew it. "Thank you. She's my friend so I need to make sure she's okay." She missed Orie, she missed Zinnia, she missed Rain, she missed Protea and everyone else except Zeus. How long would it be until any of them found her and took her away from here?
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Zinnia was eager to see her familiar. She tumbled out of the jar as Yulissa released her onto the ground, making her full sized once more. Zinnia brushed herself off, the doll dress having grown in size with her. It was simple and white, with lace around the cuffs of the sleeves and the hem. "Thank you," Zinnia said as she was escorted into the meeting room. She was glad to be full sized once more, it would be easier to meet her familiar as a full witch rather than a five inch one. Zinnia shook her head, glad that she would be able to meet Blithe, if only for an hour. Would Yue be allowed to meet with Rainarch? Zinnia would have liked it if Rainier could stay beside her, considering Yue could not see anything and needed help.
Of course they were to be supervised, Zinnia expected nothing less. Blithe was escorted in, wearing a jumpsuit that did not become her that was stained with grease. "Zinnia!" Zinnia popped up, hugging her familiar tightly. Her warmth enveloped Zinnia, her familiar smell lingering despite the new clothing. "I'm sorry," Zinnia whispered, clutching Blithe tightly. "Don't be," they stood in silence for two minutes, merely revering in the embrace of one another before Blithe finally released her and led them to the table, the two chairs across from one another. It was more like a prison than anything. This was why Zinnia had been unable to summon Blithe, she was trapped here. "They have all of the familiars here. I've never been in such a depressing place before."
"I could release you," Zinnia spoke softly. "Then you could go free, you would not have to work here." Blithe shook her head, "No," Blithe replied, touching Zinnia's cheek. "You need me just as much as I need you. I know us," she smiled, the remainder of her words going unspoken. She knew that they would find a way out of this, they merely needed to bide their time, just like they always did. "How are Orie and Rainarch faring?" Zinnia inquired, knowing that with Yulissa listening, they could not speak of anything important like escape plans. "Orie was given a position higher up, I guess because they know she used to be a witch. Rain isn't doing so hot right now, she's pretty much just been a depressed puddle." Blithe scratched her cheek.
"Understandably, I'm no happier." Zinnia would have been a puddle as well had she been made of mist. "How are they treating you?" Blithe asked worriedly, taking in Zinnia's form once more in case she had missed something. "I'm constantly surrounded by glass and kept in the pocket of Yulissa. They feed me crumbs and bathe me in a sink." Zinnia replied honestly, feeding Blithe's anger. She could see her familiar becoming angered. "I can kill them all," Blithe offered, "just blink and it'll be over." Zinnia shook her head, placing her hand over Blithe's in an attempt to quell her. "No Blithe, do you recall what we discussed? No more killing humans."
"Of course, I told you I would come back," Levi said as she took a seat beside the bed. "I'm sure they'll find a cure for it, the doctors in Magnolia are some of the best magical practioners in the realm." Levi assured her, wanting her new friend to be able to see once more. There had been a swell of fugitives and magical residents moving to Magnolia, if this Zinnia was on any sort of list, then Levi could find her and bring her here for Yue. "Everyone can use a friend, especially when starting out in a new city." No doubt Yue was scared, coming here all alone and being separated from her friend. It could be hard to leave everything behind and immigrate to such a big magical center, like Magnolia.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
As it turned out, Yulissa was already tired out for the day. Trying to stand up for an hour wasn't working so she crouched down on her knees to try to deal with the light headedness, making sure to keep Blithe and Zinnia to her right so that she could still hear them. "Don't push yourself too hard." Azure whined, hugging her knees. "You need to take it easy, okay?" As a hexmaster Yulissa had already harmed herself plenty by accident. She was supposed to be tall and stunning and strong and spry, but none of that ever came true. "It's fine." She panted, trying to make the spots in her vision clear. "I have to be strong as a Princess of Magnolia." She was the type to have high standards, both from herself and from those around her.
Once the hour was up Yulissa stood up, trying not to pass out. Naturally she was used to this, so it was easy for her to fake feeling normal. "I'm sorry, but your time is up." She said, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's time to go now." Azure glanced worriedly at Yulissa, which was a bit annoying. If there was anything she didn't like about her familiar, it was her tendency to worry about those she cared about. Which was everyone, she cared about everyone. "We should go back now. It was nice to see you, Blithe." Yulissa offered Blithe a hand to shake, but she didn't care if Blithe didn't want it. Once outside of the visitation room she shrunk Zinnia again and put her back into the jar. As per mother's orders, Zinnia was to remain in the jar.
Her vision was dancing again after apparating back home. "I noticed you smell a little." Yulissa told Zinnia plainly. Yulissa took Zinnia to her private bathroom that was connected to her room. She was feeling exhausted, but what harm could it do to let Zinnia wash herself? "You deserve a little dignity at least." Zinnia was a witch to be respected after all. "You can clean yourself as long as you don't abuse my trust." She allowed Zinnia out of the jar and back to full size. "Azure, stay here to help her use the facilities." The bathrooms were a lot more complicated and had more buttons than what was available in Constantina. "Okay!" Azure yipped, happy to help. Yulissa exited the bathroom and crouched down on her knees, trying to clear the spots in her vision.
It would be nice if they could help. Yue was tired of being helpless, and her being blind was a large part of that. "Thank you. Please keep me updated." Would it be bad to ask for more names? "I'm also friends with, um... Protea Zonenshine, Yuu Ishigami, and Orie Eldriss, my sister. Can you find their names too?" It would be good to know where everyone was. She could not see that Protea was a common household name, and one of the more famous of terrorists to attack Magnolia. "I'm tired now." She said after a few minutes, yawning. It was a lie, of course, she just wanted to use her snake oils to help her connect properly to the future. "Can you come visit tomorrow so we can talk more?"
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Sleeping in a jar was not comfortable. If it was cold, the glass became cold, but too close to a candle and the glass would heat and she could burn. It was difficult to find a position where her neck did not grow stiff or her body did not ache. When morning broke and the sun came up, there was no protection from the rays that infiltrated and reflected within the glass. Her hair was still slightly damp from showering and the doll dress Azure had brought her was long and blush pink. There was a knock at the door, Zinnia already awake, attempting to hit her body against the glass to push it off of the edge of the desk while Yulissa and Azure snored in the plush looking four poster bed. Zinnia looked up as the door opened and Althea entered. "I'll be taking Zinnia," she said, not minding her sleeping daughter. The jar slid into the pocket of her cloak, the darkness concealing their destination.
She could feel them moving, the glass hitting against Althea's side as she strode, heels clicking on the ground. Zinnia was dizzy by the time they stopped. "You're probably wondering when you will be sorted to assimilate into our beautiful pocket realm." Althea said as she extracted the jar from her pocket. "I am no fool Alty, I'm already well aware you have no intention of releasing me into your city." Althea's smile widened, she looked like a cat who had just eaten a particularly tasty raven. "Good, then this will be easier. This is where you will be staying from now on, it seems your mana is especially desirable and we intend to find out why. Until then, it will not be safe for you to live outside of these walls." Essentially, this was her new prison. Althea opened up the lid, releasing Zinnia and restoring her to her full size. The room was decorated similarly to her one at home, complete with a blue door that adjoined a second room, a potions room. "I'm not cruel," Althea said as she brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"I want my familiar," Zinnia demanded. "You cannot put her in a labor camp," Althea's lips thinned as she pushed them together. "My, my, I decide to be generous and you go about making demands." Zinnia's patience was running out. "Generous? You call this generosity?" She whispered, her hands shaking as she balled them into fists. She could feel the mana building up within her veins, it crackled around her fingertips like lightning. "You've taken me from my home, kept me in a jar, and expect me to be a compliant prisoner for the rest of my life. The very least you can do is grant me my familiar." Althea took a piece of parchment out of her pocket, something similar to what Rainier had signed when he had taken guardianship of her. "As soon as Rainier and Autumn signed this scroll, you became my responsbility."
"And as such, it is my job to make certain that you are neither a threat nor security risk to my people." She placed it back within her pocket. "All of us adults are aware of the prophecy, you will either become the tool to destroy us all, or rise to greatness. You could easily become one of the most powerful witches of your generation. I intend to hone that power."
"And use it for your own selfish desires?"
"And use it to make Magnolia the greatest magical kingdom in all of the land." The truth had at last come out.
"I'm merely asking for my familiar, can you not grant me that small mercy?"
"Fine," she felt the latch on her contract loosen. "Blithe, come." Instantly, her familiar was in the room, but on the other side of the wall. "Zinnia!" She ran to the glass wall, her tails swishing. Althea grasped Blithe by the shoulder, sealing her demonic abilities. The door opened, allowing Blithe inside, she ran to Zinnia's side and lifted her up into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Althea." Zinnia said sincerely when Blithe released her. The Queen of Magnolia turned, leaving the witch and demon to their own devices.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
Yue could hear the cinders, she could hear the sounds of battle. "Ilvara Vox!" She heard herself cry, a black spear shooting through to whatever enemy she was aiming at. "Not yet, Yue." She heard a calm female voice. "The enemy is in here. We're storming the palace now." What was going on? "The target is Althea Anemone, Yue. You can finally take your revenge." Why was Yue fighting? While she wasn't against the idea of fighting Althea, who were these people she was apparently with? Did this mean she was able to see now? "Rainarch, don't drop the connection." Yue heard herself mutter. "I'm your eyes, Master. Let's do this together." So that explained it. Rain was somehow able to become her eyes. Did this mean battle was about to break out in Magnolia? Was something going to happen?
"Zinnia is in here." Yue didn't know that voice. "Are you sure, Yulissa? You're not lying, are you?" So this was Princess Yulissa. Just why exactly would Yue be working alongside her? Wasn't Yulissa supposed to be the loyal subject of her mother's will? "I'll open the way." Yulissa's voice came closer then, as if right next to her ear. "Just remember, you're not allowed to see her. Don't forget your illness." Illness? So it was true, Yue really was sick with something after all. There was something wrong with her even now. "I know." Her voice was sullen, quiet. "I don't need happiness anyways." But Yue wanted to be happy. She didn't understand any of this.
She could hear a purring sound. "You're a new friend!" It sounded like a cat was speaking to her a cat familiar. "So please live. We're doing this to make Magnolia a better place for everyone!" She could hear a tail whapping against her face. "Yes, Azure, I know." Rain made a hissing sound of jealousy and Azure giggled. So this Azure was clearly a familiar. Were princesses allowed familiars? "We're here. This is the palace." Yulissa spoke quietly. "Remember, no one harm Levi. She can't move, so she isn't a threat." So the sisters loved each other but what did Yulissa mean by can't move? "Saggitae!" Yue shouted, and she felt power shooting out from her wand arm.
Yue felt herself wake up. She instinctively knew that it was in the middle of the night, but how could anyone be here? Weren't visiting hours over for now? "Hello." Yue knew that voice. It was the voice from her vision. "My name is Yulissa Anemone. I believe you want to hear what I'm going to say." Yue frowned, rubbing at her eyes. "Okay. Tell me." She wasn't going to interfere with whatever the vision was trying to tell her. "You have an illness. If you ever reach true happiness, you'll die. Laetitia's Disease. So if you and Zinnia meet again, you're at risk of dying."
It was like being stabbed in the soul.
"...Oh." So she couldn't be happy. The only way for her to be with Zinnia was to endanger herself and make Zinnia cry. The love of her life did not want her to die. And Yue still needed her. "I see." And there was nothing they could do to fix it, if there was, they'd already have fixed it. What options did she have left then? "Zinnia is being held by my mother, Althea Anemone. You can't be with her anymore, but you can still help her." Something was put into her hands. Yue knew what this was. She knew her wand anywhere.
Yulissa was smiling.
"Help me." She said. "And Zinnia will go free."
Yue felt a powerful urge to destroy surging through her. If she couldn't be happy anymore - well there was still one way she could be with Zinnia. If she turned evil and became an enemy, then she would never get to be happy. But by being evil, she would be miserable.. and thus, it would be safe for her and Zinnia to be together. Yue knew what she was going to do, and she knew that the future was inescapable. "Sorry Wing." She whispered under her breath, pain burning in her chest. "What?" Yulissa asked. "I'll do it. Just give me Rain, my familiar. She can help me see again."
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Zinnia's day was filled with doctors. They wanted to talk to her, to look at her, to take her blood and a bit of mana to test it. They made her set off spells, some as small as an accio, others as large as a winendum frumus. Zinnia did not understand what all of this was for, she did not understand why Althea had ordered this. Had Yulissa told Althea of her disease? That her mana would kill her if it built up too much within her body. They tested Blithe as well, they took samples of her hair and blood. They examined their contract and the treated the blite from Zinnia's failed attempts to summon her familiar. "What is all of this for?" Blithe wanted to know, rubbing her arm where they took her blood. "I'm not sure, Althea mentioned something about attempting to configure my mana." Zinnia replied, there was food waiting for them on the table.
Zinnia picked at it, not a fan of the unfamiliar flavors of this land. "Althea intends to use me somehow, but I'm not sure in what way." Zinnia whispered, running a hand through her hair in an attempt to untangle it. Blithe went through the drawers until she found a brush and assisted Zinnia in taking the knots out. She was about to rise to go to the potion room when the mages clad in white returned. "Rest time is over," she was grabbed by the arm and pulled out while Blithe remained in the room. "What is all of this for?" Zinnia demanded, but they did not answer. They never talked to her, only about her. There was some sort of machine there, they began putting wires on her stomach and chest. "Stand on here," it was a platform, Zinnia stood on it, the ground beginning to move. "You have to walk," she began walking on the moving machine.
The speed began to turn up until Zinnia was forced to jog, then run. Anyone who knew Zinnia knew that her physical stamina was poor. She could barely run for two minutes before her eyes watered and her lungs burned. She raised her hand, attempting to gain their attention, she wanted to stop. It was another ten minutes before the machine slowed to a walk and Zinnia collapsed, panting and gasping. "Here, drink, this elixer should help." Zinnia chugged it, feeling relief pour through her body. Her legs were still weak as she stood and was escorted back to the room. Zinnia collapsed on the bed, Blithe having been taken away. Althea had said that it would only last today, but Zinnia was exhausted. When would the tests end?
When Blithe returned, she seemed irritated. She sat on the bed beside her master, hugging her protectively. "I won't let them do anymore," Blithe growled when one of the white clad mages moved close to the glass, but they were simply walking by. It was similar to being in a cage, trapped. Like an animal under observation, they could watch whatever it was they did. There was no privacy.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
Yulissa sipped the tea, finding it to be delectable. Azure was with her, tail wagging as she played on the carpet. The Arvis family estate always did feel like home to her in a way she wasn't sure if it was supposed to or not. Sonya smiled as Yulissa drank the tea. "You're excellent as always, Sonya." Sonya Arvis was training to become a captain in the Military Police, interning under her father. She was competing with her brother, Sylas, for the role. Both were capable fighters and Yulissa would be happy no matter who won. "You always did like my tea." Sonya looked pleased as she took a sip from her own cup. "Are the preparations ready, Sylas?" Yulissa asked, eyeing him in the corner as he polished their wands. "Our branch of the Military Police is ready to move." He replied, grinning. "We can march on the Palace at any time."
Perfect. It was just as she planned. "Yue Eldriss agreed to assist. Rainarch, her familiar, is helping her regain her sight for the time being." Was it wrong to exploit the child's destiny? Yue was destined to turn evil, but you might as well hone that evil and aim it in a way that it benefits the people. Althea's time was over. Levi would not have to bear the burden of ruling. "I'm glad you got her on our side." Sonya's smile was thin. She was nervous of course, it was often you performed a military coup against your very own ruler. "What of the Patriots?" Yulissa asked. They may be a problem if they decided to get involved. They were an organization working on benevolence and volunteerism. Knowing them, they would try to put a stop in Yulissa's plot, not understanding why she was doing it. "Suzuya doesn't know anything." Suzuya Hoshimiya was the leader of the Patriots, and a brilliant leader at that. "We're in the clear." Sylas was a powerful occlumencer. When he had class with Suzuya the other day he made sure to scan her mind.
"Magnolia is rotting from the inside." Yulissa said sadly. She hated to admit it but she knew it was true. "There's too much terrorism and violence and mother isn't doing enough to stop it." Althea was getting lax. She had even spent months away in Constantina preparing for the subjugation. Yulissa was glad they saved as many as they could, but it was still ignoring responsibilities here at home. Magnolia wasn't perfect. It wasn't ready for Levi's rule yet. "Tomorrow..." Azure's ears dropped just thinking about it. Yulissa had a heavy heart but she knew what needed to be done. "Tomorrow night it's our anniversary of the day we summoned Azure and Pen."
On their anniversary Yulissa was going to present Levi with a certain necklace with a pink gem, exactly her favorite color. Levi would be put in a painless sleep thanks to the hex attached to it. She would be asleep through the coup to oust Althea, she would be asleep as Yulissa forcibly reforged Magnolia into a city pure enough to deserve Levi's love. "It'll be perfect." She murmured. "And we'll be ready." Sylas's eyes were bright with tension. It was a scary resolve to have, but they were willing to become the villains of history if it meant fixing the city they all loved so much.
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Yuu Ishigami sat in a cell with his arms cuffed in magic binding chains. Most all of the Constaninians were here, some sharing cramped cells, others only with a roommate or two. They were slowly being sorted and taken away. Everyday, the cells became a bit more bare. There were no adults, Yuu noticed. He had seen them kill most of them executioner style as they were marched out of the city. Yuu shivered, having just barely made the cut off. Where was Zinnia? Yuu wondered. He had seen them cart Yue away, he had seen them take Lumier, Salla, and Darris. Most everyone who had been at the ball, except for the fiery haired witch.
"Yuu Ishigami?" His head snapped up, Zeus had been taken earlier. "Yes?" Yuu asked, his voice questioning. "My name is Suzuya Hoshimiya, you've been sorted into the Patriots for a Better Magnolia." Yuu blinked, Magnolia? Is that where they were? The door opened, Lumier was standing behind her. It seemed the two of them had been sorted into this prestigious Patriot Group. They were marched to the exit and searched, their wands returned to them, standard robes doled, and cuffs taken off. Yuu could feel his magic returning as he placed his wand inside of his robe pocket. "Have you found Zinnia?" Yuu whispered as they were taken into a magical box that took them up to the surface level. Lumier nodded, but waited until they were in the carriage and Suzuya was sitting in the front.
"She's being kept by Althea's side in a jar. They shrunk her, I saw her at the execution." An event all of the prisoners had been made to watch. Yuu nodded, the information sinking in. At five inches tall, no one would be able to fight back, all spells and physical attacks would be rendered useless. Althea was smart. "What do we do?" Lumier began to tear up, "they killed my parents." Yuu placed a hand on Lumier's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "Don't cry," he whispered, but he too, was at a loss. There was no home to return to, Constantina no longer existed. "We'll figure it out," he promised with a smile. Lumier grabbed him in a hug, no doubt she was worried about Darris, who Yuu had seen being taken away sometime before them.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, Suzuya poking her head within the carriage. "Welcome to your new home," she smiled warmly. The door opened, the sounds of laughter coming from within. They were playing a board game at the table, their exuberance palpable. "Everyone!" Suzuya yelled, their heads all snapping up. "Ma'am!" They yelled, standing in a line. "These are our newest members, meet Yuu and Lumier!"
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
The moon was so pretty overhead. Yulissa sighed, the box held close in her hands. Why was she doing this if she loved her family so much? Althea wasn't the best mother but she did her best and Yulissa could respect that. Will was always whatever the girls needed, whether a stern scolding voice or a good friend to goof off with, he could be anything and she loved that about him. And Levi... Levi was something you could call Yulissa's other half. No matter what their parents tried, the twins would forever be close. So many people probably wondered why Yulissa would do this. As she waited for Yulissa in the flower garden where she and Levi first made their contract, their pact. She gingerly touched the scar on her palm and smiled sadly to herself.
Every year the sisters were to meet here at the garden and spend time together looking at the beautiful moon. Tonight was different though, tonight would be special. She heard footsteps and her heart fluttered with something similar to happiness. "Levi, hello. Are you ready?" She held out her hand to mingle with Levi's own to confirm their bond, and to confirm it was her. She looked so happy - would it be so bad to let her remain happy forever? "The Constantinans were sorted out, the last of them are where they should be now." Zinnia was being kept in the palace somewhere, Yulissa had placed a magic tracer on her to know her location. It was the perfect bait to earn Yue's cooperation after all. "I hope they help our beautiful Magnolia continue to bloom." She and Levi lay down on the pavillion to look up at the moon. Magnolia did not suffer from the eternal winter that plagued mortal human lands, so it was pleasant to lay outside like this.
"What are you planning to do when you become Queen?" People were eagerly waiting for Althea to abscond from the throne and retire into a private life. She had nearly finished her duty to the people. Each Queen was to serve a minimum of a hundred years on the throne with the goal of making Magnolia a better place. Would Levi be able to handle that burden? She was so innocent, so ignorant of the true colors behind Magnolia's shiny glossy silver. "I'll help you however we can. Though I'm most excited for the ascension banquet. The cake there will be your favorite, won't it?" Many Magnolians awaited the day Levi would take the Crown of Magnolia and wear it upon her own head.
They'd been friends for a long time. But now it was time for her to say goodbye. "Here." Yulissa pulled it out, an ornate box with a golden ribbon and black exterior. Within the box was a necklace adorned with a beautiful pink gemstone, exactly the color Levi loved. "It's a present for our birthday tomorrow. It's also for the anniversary of our demon summoning together." Yulissa told her sister, holding the box for her to take. "In the hopes that our bond will continue forever more." Once she wore it, Levi would fall into a permanent sleeping state where she would have wonderful happy dreams and suffer no pain. She would be there until Yulissa had reforged Magnolia into a city that deserved the golden-hearted Levi Anemone. "I love you, my only sister."
"To be human is to make mistakes."
Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#F87531 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя: #EE9572】
Zinnia was not certain what her fate entailed. For now, it was easier to focus on the present rather than her future. She sat in front of a cauldron, mixing ingredients to make a potion in the hopes of curing Yue's blindness. The walls were lined with books, ones that Zinnia had already begun to delve into. She needed a distraciton, she needed a rhythm, some sort of pattern to fall into so that she would not go mad in a place such as this. Her body and mind had to keep busy, least she want to break down and cry for a group of white clad mages to watch and make note of. They made her wear small stickers all over her body and every so often, one of them would come in to check her heart and blood pressure. She did not understand these proceedings, but complied for the time being. Blithe too, was keeping busy. She was knitting, her entire body tense as she was acutely aware of their being watched.
For now, this was life, this was what Zinnia would do until some sort of miracle happened, or she figured out a way to break out on her own, which was not likely.
Upstairs, Levi was preparing to see her sister. She waited for her Mother to come in and say goodnight, as she always did. Levi was pretending to get ready for bed, when in reality, she was getting ready to go to the beautiful gardne outside of the castle. "Goodnight Mother, I love you," Levi said as Althea's arms wrapped around her from behind. "You are my precious daughter," she kissed her temple before releasing her, then went down the hall to her own room. Levi waited until her foot steps receeded and the sound of the door came. Then, she pulled on a cloak and opened up her bedroom window, Pen appearing at her side. "Need a hand?" Her familiar inquired, sitting on the sill. "Yes please," Pen grasped Levi by the arm, the two of them gliding to a bush. "Perfect, thank you Pen. I always appreciate your assistance," her familiar bowed. "It is an honor, as always, Princess."
"You know you don't have to call me that," Levi teased, but Pen had always insisted. Levi rose and brushed herself off, she could already see her sister, Yulissa, in the clearing. "Yule," Levi smiled as she emerged, sitting beside her in the grass. Levi took Yulissa's hands, "I'm ready." It was their Anniversery tonight, the one of the promise they had made to one another, that they would be with each other forever. "I'm glad they'll be able to assimilate, I do hope that they enjoy their time here." Levi looked up at the stars and smiled. "Magnolia is as plentiful in rising stars as the sky," she looked at Yulissa, her precious sister who was the most successful charmer in their city and smiled. "Speaking of Constantina, I met someone in the city." Levi started, wondering how she was going to go about this. "She's looking for people, she gave me a list. Would you mind if I looked at your papers tomorrow to see if I can spot any of them?"
What was she planning to do when she became Queen? "I want to quell the fear in the people's hearts. I want to be a Queen that serves her people and does right by them." Levi couldn't help but be optimistic, but she was also a realist. She knew that revitilizing her city, that rekindling their sense of justice, was going to take more than just good thoughts and dreams. "Yes, the cake is going to be red velvet." Levi smiled, glad that Yulissa would be by her side when she took her rightful place on the throne. It was nerve wracking and exciting; she had been training for this her entire life, after all. Soon, those lessons would be put to good use.
"A present?" Levi's eyes lit up, she opened up the beautiful box to look at the necklace in shock, her eyes widening with awe. "Yulissa, it's beautiful!" Levi began to tear up, she reached over to hug her sister. "I got you a present, but I thought it might be best to wait until tomorrow..." she trailed off, the present was in her room. Levi looked back down at the box to take the necklace out, admiring the stone. "And it's pink, my favorite color!" She smiled as she put it on, locking the clasp around her neck. "I'll never take it off," Levi promised. "I love you-" suddenly she slumped over, her eyes fluttering shut as the hex began to take its effect.
"And I'm home, or at least where home once was."
Cosmodancer | Wicked
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#63CC14 ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #5640FF】
Rainarch became a misty set of nerves, connected to eyes that went into Yue's brain, allowing her to see. Still, everything was greyscale and dark but at least it was some sort of vision. Sonya was sipping tea, her wand out. Sylas's wand shone with power as he prepared to attack. Yue took a deep breath, glancing at Yulissa who smiled expectantly at her. Behind them, a small legion of Military Police stood at the ready at the gates of the Anemone Estate. Azure wiggled in front of her, red stripes shining in the night light. "You're a new friend! So please live! We're doing this to make Magnolia a better place for everyone!" Yue pat her head, trying to pretend it was Blithe's tails. "Yes, Azure, I know." Azure smiled happily at that.
"We're here." Yulissa said, pointing with her wand at the gate. "This is the Palace." Yue knew now it was time. She was no longer a good girl or a hero. She was a villain, she would destroy everything, and she wouldn't let anything stop her anymore. "Remember, no one harm Levi. She can't move, so she isn't a threat." Yue took a deep breath, feeling power surge through her arm. "Saggitae!" She cried, a silver light smashing through the gate, tearing it open. "Our enemy is Althea Anemone!" Yulissa cried, raising her wand. "She cursed Levi with endless sleep because she was afraid of giving up her power two years from now to Levi! Now we take revenge and depose of her! This is a military coup!" Her soldiers roared in unison and they charged the palace, overpowering the guards who weren't prepared for Yulissa of all people to lead the attack.
Sylas tapped Yue on the shoulder. "Zinnia Evernight will be on the top floor, observation ward. I'll take you there." Yue nodded, following after him. "Constrada Rex!" She cried, an arrow colored by the rainbow splitting one guard's head in two. "Ors Flamberge!" A dragon of flames shot through the air, burning away the wands of her enemies. "Caneo Illyvia!" Pins of pure silver pinned down the guard atop the spiral stairs, trapping her against the walls. "It's this way!" Sylas yelled, firing a bolt of rocks to strike at the glass. "Wimprendum Frumus!" Yue screamed, four elements exploding the glass, killing the researchers holding Blithe and Zinnia hostage.
Yue locked eyes with Zinnia. Then her heart began to ache, throbbing, burning. "Zinnia, I've made my decision." She raised her wand. "I'll embrace my destiny. Now goodbye." She aimed it at Zinnia, pain stabbing every part of her chest. "Lyracus Savona!" Dark shadowy hands grabbed at Zinnia, pulling her into Yue's arms. "Welcome to your new cage." She apparated away, taking Zinnia with her to wherever fate took her.
Althea's crown fell to the ground. She was wounded, bleeding from her chest. "Why are you doing this?" She asked, eyes wide. Not even Althea could have predicted Yulissa would do something like this. "I had no choice." Yulissa said softly, warm still hissing from having used her special magic. "Farewell, mother." A burst of white energy shot at Althea's chest, a killing blow. She walked forwards then, lifting up the ardent crown, placing it square on her head. "Now I'm the Queen." Yulissa said with a nod, firm in her path of ruin. Althea's body had vanished - perhaps the spell had been so powerful it disintegrated her corpse into nothing. "Now it's my time to reign!"