{libation: chapter two/6} malcolm, alysa, and jezebel
(December 1894);
Alysa: *Her brother's door was gigantic. It loomed in front of her as she stood stock-still in just a nightgown, wrist tightly grasped in her own little hand. Cool air blew through the open window, trailing shivers up her spine as it brushed her short skirt against bare legs. There a guilty look on her face, fear in her brown eyes. She knew she shouldn't be awake. Mum had even read her two stories. And she didn't even know she and Malcolm had overheard! Well, maybe she did.
Dad had hugged her extra tight too before she was ordered out of the room - and she didn't mean to overhear, she didn't! Liam had missed with his ball and hit her doll and then Rosie had scolded him even though Lysa really didn't blame him, she swore, and they were being so loud that she'd gone to find Malcolm to see if he could fix it and the ball had gone over their shoulders and when they went to get it back for Liam well...it kind of just happened.
And now...she wished she could forget what Jezzie's dad had said. Malcolm hadn't said anything, so she thought she shouldn't either. It wasn't unusual that she didn't speak, so no one asked. Only when Mum put her in bed she couldn't close her eyes without picturing the terror described: flames and houses falling down and hearing the ghosts of screams an--*
Malcolm! *Despite how large the door was, she was through it in an instant, arm tight around her stuffed animal dragon, eyes wide as they looked over top the fluffy tail. She was praying she didn't wake him up if he was already asleep...but he wasn't. Throat dry, she gaped a moment and then said in a meek voice,* I...I can't sleep.
Malcolm: *Malcolm had asked Mum whether Jezz and her family could stay forever with them. Mum had smiled, but Malcolm could tell it wasn't the same. He had said it was because he liked seeing Jezebel, but he had just said that because he didn't want Mum to worry, he was strong after all. Tossing and turning in bed, Malcolm gripped the hilt of his practice sword and held it on top of his chest. The edges were blunted so it didn't cut but Malcolm knew if he hit hard enough he could leave a mean bruise; he had already been reprimanded by his aunt Maeve for attacking Vlad with it (though Vlad had been yelled at too, and his ear pulled, so it was fair.)
Malcolm pushed back the covers and sat up after tiring of counting the twinkling stars painted on his ceiling. What he had overheard with Alysa earlier seemed to come out of one of uncle Oliver's scary stories, but it wasn't. All those people were dead now....people like his mum, and Merida, and Jezebel and his friends- it wasn't fair. His eyes narrowed and brows furrowed as he wiped at them stubbornly.
If they had found all those people, how long before they found about his mum and tried to do the same? Father wouldn't let that happen, a small voice spoke in his head, getting persistently louder and louder the more he thought it. I won't let that happen either, was another thought, though that one was never as loud as the others. Eventually, one thought always won out over the rest, one thought that kept him awake like he was right at that moment: what if they couldn't?
His head snapped toward the door as it opened. Hearing his name, he thought the worse. They found us, he thought, gripping his sword tighter and jumping off the bed. His eyes widened as he saw it was only Alysa, and that aside from the mention of his name, the rest of the house was silent. No screaming, no fires...they were safe here.
He lowered his sword again, looking apologetic at his little sister for having frightened her. He placed the sword on his night table and then moved to grab Alysa's hand* I can't sleep either. *He walked them back to his bed so they could sit on the edge, feet dangling under them. He put an arm around her shoulders and rocked them side to side.* Are you scared, Lys?
Alysa: *Imagining a moment an earth-shattering shudder as her brother hit the floor, Lysa shook too. Her heart pounding wildly in her ear like a baby bird flapping hard as it tried to take off, she didn't move. Only hugged her Adelie closer (so named for how she had pronounced Mum's name for years) and stared wide-eyed and silent.
Malcolm wouldn't hurt her.
Still she felt better when he put the sword down, and better yet when he took her hand - Lord, he had big hands! Silently still, she let him gather her against his side and chest, squishing her gown. Shifting only to make sure Adelie could breathe, she nodded rapidly, eyes red-rimmed.*
I don't understand. Why..wh...what did Mr. Vane mean? Who would burn a village of magic people? Why? *Maybe someone should shift her. She couldn't breathe, just like Adelie, only she didn't have her nose and mouth crushed to her brother: they were wide, flaring and gaping in effort to swallow air. Only there was something stuck in her throat.*
Malcolm: *He hugged her tighter but only for a moment because then he worried about leaving her without breath, as she looked already as rattled as he felt. Dad told Malcolm that when Alysa was born, he was always mad, and jealous but every time Alysa cried in the middle of the night, Malcolm would be there and there would be no moving him away.
Eventually the jealousy went away, but the protectiveness remained; Alysa was his little sister and he would keep her safe, and keep Liam and Rosie safe too, and their mum, and Merida and Jezebel and her father and her siblings. From the evil people that would hurt them just because of who they were, and they would hurt Malcolm too just because he loved them. Evil always hated love. That was why Milady de Winter killed Constance.* Do you remember when mum and dad told you that we should keep mum's magic secret?
Alysa: *Her big brother wasn't usually silent so long. Eyes round as saucers at the question she nodded rapidly - she knew, of course she remembered that, they repeated it every time they went to court. Her mouth went suddenly as wide and round as her eyes - and she sniffled.* Do you mea-- *she gasps*--no, but- but Mum hasn't hurt anyone!! They can't--they can't!
Malcolm: *Quickly and stubbornly, he talked again before Alysa started crying; he didn't want to be the reason his little sister cried.* They won't. *He felt much more sure of it saying it out loud to reassure Alysa than he ever did when he thought it to himself.* That's why we're careful, that's why we keep it a secret, and maybe one day we won't have to. *Mum was a much better witch than most of the ladies in court, and the lords too, and it wasn't fair that she didn't get to show it. But maybe one day she would, maybe one day no one would care. If only that day had come sooner, then all those people in that village wouldn't be dead.* Besides, if anyone ever tried to hurt mum they'd have to get through dad and uncle Oliver and aunt Leanne and uncle Andre and aunt Ellen, and Damocles and Maeve and Abira and Leah and me, and mum too of course! *he smiles and then pokes her nose before taking one of her dragon's wings and moving it* And we have Adelie to protect us too. And nothing ever scares a dragon.
Alysa: *Holding her brother's gaze fiercely, she was invariably calmed by how steady his voice was. And that...that was a lot of people, to have to go through. But there were a lot of people in that village too...she didn't get it! But she giggled suddenly as he took Adelie and nodded, rubbing under her nose.* I guess...and *adds petulantly* Mum's a dragon too. We all are. *She still didn't understand. Why would they want to kill anyone? Why did she get to have magic and Mum wasn't supposed to? Her eyes widened and she breathed out,* Wai--don't-- would they want to kill -us- too because Mum is -our- mother?!
Malcolm: Yes we are *he nodded, the small smile still on his face as he remembered the day they had all decided what kind of dragons they would be. Rosie had chosen the Welsh Green of course, because green was her favorite color and they were more peaceful. Malcolm wanted to be a Hungarian Horntail obviously: the most dangerous breed of dragon in the entire world. He was snapped out of his thoughts by Alysa's question. He didn't want to lie to his sister, but he didn't want to upset her further. Truth was, he oftener wondered the same thing; whether or not evil and hate could sink that low. He supposed it could...they were children in that village too.* There are evil people in this world, Lys, who would do a matter of many horrible things, and whose reasons...well, they don't make sense at all. They're full of hate. *he frowns a moment before passing a hand through her hair* But in the end, good always triumphs over evil, and love always wins over hate. And that's what mum and dad do...they're fighting evil, and one day when we're old enough, we'll fight it too- we're fighting it even now just by talking about it, and saying we're not gonna let it win. *He rubs her shoulders, squeezing them once* They won't hurt mum, or you, or any of us. We're dragons. *roars and then pretends to breathe fire before tickling her sides*
Alysa: *It seemed whatever had settled in her chest had decided it was never going to move. But the more Malcolm talked, the more those gigantic hands of his squeezed her arm and petted her hair in comfort the more she seemed to be able to breathe through the block. She was only thrown off her wide-eyed quiet nodding (at Adelie too, for her brother was still wiggling her wing) when she squealed. First in laughter at his roar - and then in protest as he grabbed her, and whatever her fear and the wintry storm outside, it was all thrown out.* Malcolm!! *Throwing her hands down to try and peel her brother off her, giggling and gasping and hitting his side, in desperation she launched herself across her brother's bed for Adelie. Landing on her back, arms tight around the dragon she held her up against her face. Breathing into green-gold fluff, she squeaked her own roar out, adding,* Adelie help!! *Loudly, she was delighted as the trick worked; Dad made her fly every night around her bed for protection. And she was doing so now, only around Malcolm's face, tail whipping his hair.*
Malcolm: *He was laughing now too with his sister as she scrambled to get away from his tickling fingers, more focused on escaping than actually retaliating. As she lunged further in on his bed, he laughed again and made to follow her but instead he was met with a dragon attacking his face* Ah! No, Adelie! I'm innocent, I'm innocent I swear! *he playfully pleaded through laughs as he made sure not to actually hit the dragon as he swatted his hands through the air, he was grinning* I give, I give!
Alysa: *Breathless with laughter and rubbing her tired eyes she perks up to her knees as he surrenders.* Ha! *She says it playfully, amazed she had bested her brother. Pleased, she holds up her hands saying happily,* Down, Adelie! *Nothing happens. Oh bother. Trying to remember what Dad said to have her stop, her whole face crinkles in concentration.* Adelieeee!! No, no stop! I don't know what I di- it's Dad's spell!! *She finally just makes a grab for her tail and pulls her into her arms, holding fast until the spell breaks. She throws her arms out, letting the dragon fall on her lap and echoes Gen with a wide grin,* Voila!!
Malcolm: *He laughed even more as Alysa didn't manage to make her dragon stop, and had to physically restrain it from attacking him further. He grinned as the dragon tried to fly out of her arms until it stopped moving and then he laughed again and then clapped* Thank you, Lys! You saved me *he teases before leaning over to hug her*
Alysa: *At his words she beams, a wide toothy grin that showed the gap where she recently had lost one. Only a baby tooth though, she swore. Unfortunately Mum had said she couldn't get dragon fangs in it's place.* Always, brother. *Adelie lay forgotten a moment as she threw her arms around him too, eyes and nose screwed up tight.* Whatever happens, I'll protect you too, cause you're the best big brother anyone could ever ask for even if you can be annoying sometimes. *She nodded insistently against his chest.* The b--best. *That was cut off with a yawn, as she curled against him and kept her eyes shut.*
Malcolm: *he smiled and chuckled, a much softer sound than before and nodded.* You're the best too, sis. Love you. *He rocked her gently as she fell asleep. He tried to close her eyes too, but while he managed to calm Alysa enough to get her to sleep, he was still worried. After a while, he carefully moved out of his sister's hold, replacing himself with her plush dragon and then putting the covers over. Wiggling out of bed, he tip toed out of his room, careful not to wake her and walked the vast expanse of his house to where Jezebel and her family were staying. Peeking his head in Jezebel's room, he psst'ed, whispering* Jezebeell. Jezz?
Jezebel: *Laying on her belly in the alcove near the open window, she had her chin propped beneath her hands, scarlet strands of hair trapped in a tempest. Much as Malcolm's home was nice, she missed the constant presence of nature: the snow didn't bother her even as it littered the velvet carpet. She was very involved at that moment, counting the stars. It took her mind off everything.
Allie was asleep in her bed - baby Gabe was with Mum, but she knew her Dad had gone back to check on the holdfast. So many people were there...the escaped lucky few -god one of them, a boy who hadn't said a word, was her age!- and those like her scattered across the countryside who had come together to hide. Her shiver had nothing to do with the open window.
Startled, she spun around and through a hand up desperately trying to remember the stun spell Malcolm's Mum had taught her -- only to see Malcolm himself. Oops.* Malcolm! *In a shouted whisper, ignoring the few red sparks fizzling to non-existence around Malcolm now. She seized his hand, darted out the door and shut it so they wouldn't wake Allie. The moment they were clear, she threw her arms around her friend.*
Malcolm: *Pulling his head back a moment as he thought a spell was coming his way and then peeked again, opening the door a little further as she walked towards him, but they didn't stay in the room. Moving back into the hallway with her, he hugged her tight, his mind suddenly filling with worry again.* I have an idea *he pulled back, his words still soft, his hands still on her shoulders* I think you should stay with us. We have plenty of enough room for all of you and the woods are so close, and I'll convince mum to let you in the reserve all you want. What do you think?
Jezebel: *Wide-eyed, she focused on listening hard. Quietly, she held on to his hands tighter and tighter with every word. Licking her bottom lip and chewing she spoke quickly,* I want to but...but Malcolm--maybe you should come stay with us? You--you go to court! I mean your Dad...can he really protect us? All of us? Isn't that asking too much?
Malcolm: But if we hide...then they'll want to know why we're hiding. But here, they don't care- or well they do care but it's not the same- *he frowns, confused by his own logic and then frowns further as he his fear grows, bringing with it aggravation.* It's not fair, you shouldn't have to hide, and mum shouldn't have to lie. *He stayed quiet for a bit, letting his hands fall from her shoulders* Are you scared?
Jezebel: *Her nose wrinkled in angry agreement, flinching with the simple thought.* I don't know. *Her brows furrowed with stubbornness.* I don't want to be. I want to be strong. But...*She quieted, and then started nodding rapidly, she just didn't want to say it aloud. It was worse that way somehow.* I guess that's true though....and you, you shouldn't have to leave your home either! *tiniest pause* ...can we go to the reserve anyway?
Malcolm: *Malcolm nodded along, understanding. He felt that way too, and he could only imagine how she must feel, knowing she was in much more danger tham down the hall and down the staircases, going silently but quickly. Reaching downstairs, he turned towards the back, to go through the side door* We can borrow some slippers and coats from the wardrobe. *He opened it when they reached it, kneeling down to look for the slippers they left here for whenever they all woke up early and wanted to play in the snow, usually ignoring the boots most days. Finding Alysa's, he handed them to Jezebel before grabbing his. He slipped his already cold toes in the comfortable slipper, wiggling them inside before putting on the other pair.*
Jezebel: *relieved as he agreed instantly, she snagged his fingers tightly - holding fast as she ran with him. It felt better to run. Especially with Malcolm - he had noble parents and he said he loved her, she was safer that way. And he'd listened and didn't think her silly for wanting to go out - into the snow, the pasture of exotic creatures that were sometime dangerous in the black of night. Bouncing as he handed her slippers and a coat, she wriggled herself into them, breathing hard and grinning with determination.* Thanks, Malcolm. *It was almost shy.* I'm glad you're my friend. *She tied the coat off, rubbed her pink nose.* And...and even if I can't stay I'll come back all the time, I -swear-! You'll protect me and I'll protect you and we'll both protect our family. *Nodding with emphasis, her hands fisted in her pockets. Still she added quieter,* Thanks, though. And thanks for coming to find me....
Malcolm: Of course, Jezz. *He grinned and nodded, slipping his arms through his coat, adjusting the collar. He nodded enthusiastically* You should! Mum and dad wouldn't mind, I know they wouldn't. So if anything happens, anything at all- like mountain trolls or giants or acromantulas *Or evil people come to destroy them, but he didn't want to say that out loud* you come right here. You'll always be safe with me here. *He nodded importantly, knowing he meant it. They had to stick together, but they also had to be secret...for now. They had to keep the secret, because he didn't want to be the reason why they came to burn his mum. He rubbed at his eyes again, though they were dry. Of course they were, he was brave and he wasn't afraid of anything, just like his dad.* Well, I was worried about you...*he moved towards the door, opening it and then shivering a bit as the cold winter wind hit his face but he was smiling still as he turned to look at Jezebel* We have a crup by the way! He's really friendly, and he loves it in the snow, burrows in it everything. And a family of bowtruckles too- they're not so friendly.
Jezebel: *Eyes going round as she tucked her hair back, she nodded fervently - oh god, was that a possibility!?* Giants? *Rubbing hard over her heart, she scolded it with the same tone her Mum used under her breath,* Shh. *Her heart listened as much as baby Gabe did. Blinking, but she nodded again,* Okay. Okay I swear. And you - if you get in trouble with...with bowtruckles or mean people or anything you come to me too and you'll always be safe with me too. *Sticking her hand out to shake his imploringly, she smiled at him.* I swear. *And then she darted after him, swallowing as she added,* I was worried about you too. Everybody really. *She brightens--distracted blissfully.* A crup!? What's their name?
Malcolm: I promise *he nodded, shaking her hand once and then darting forward into the cold, knowing the door would close behind them. Happy to talk about something else, he decided to ignore what she had said before. He knew it wasn't very nice, but he also knew Jezebel wouldn't mind the distraction.* Technically, he doesn't have a name. Mum doesn't like to give them names because she says they already have names...we just don't speak their language to be able to ask them. *He shrugged, as it was one of the rare things he and his mum disagreed on.* But between you and me? *grins* His name is D'Artagnan.
Jezebel: *Rubbing a gust of snow from her eyes, she nearly instantly relaxes going outside. It seemed less...real, somehow, for which she was grateful. Tilting her head in confusion at the remark she said slowly,* Never thought about it that way before. But doesn't it get hard to remember? I mean if you constantly say "the grey-one"...*She shrugs and then laughs.* D'Artagnan?! Did you finish reading it then?
Malcolm: That's what I said! *he nodded, getting closer to the reserve gate, his hair freckled with snowflakes already.* Or what if they really don't have a name? Because they don't need a name? Names are a human concept...I guess. *he shrugs and then slides the bar lock off to unlock the gate and steps through it.* Yeah, well by myself I finally finished. Mum's been reading it to me since she says I was three weeks old. And they wonder why all I want to do is swordfight.
Jezebel: *She giggles: never having thought that 'names are a human concept' and thinking it passing odd for a statement and proof that Malcolm did live in what she considered a castle. Happily,* I don't wonder. You're really good at it -- I can hardly hold one up. Pretty rubbish with a bow too *brightens* - I did hit a bullseye the other day though! I mean it was mostly an accident cause I let go before lifting it all the way but it counts. And I'm better with daggers anyway - now if only I could actually use the spells I want to...when I do. *She darts her gaze every which way, suddenly realizing how loud she said that. A bit nervous, she added quieter, hoping terribly the wind couldn't carry her voice,* Do you want to practice?