#(the doctor hears her say that to mels as they search. and he glances off to the side and makes a note to go back and make sure it *was* her

[quietwingsinthesky]

in the amelia pond au, amelia’s aunt does still send her to therapy between doctor adventures, but since amelia is now secure in the fact that he’s Definitely Real since both rory and mels have also met him and because she lost a tooth last week from tripping on the stairs of the tardis, she doesn’t bite any therapists this time around. and besides, her therapist is a very funny lady. she reminds amelia of her doctor, with how her voice will flip and jump in volume and accent and tone on a whim, with how she’ll talk to amelia like they’re conspiring together. she keeps the pictures amelia draws of the doctor and their adventures for her, even hangs one or two on the walls. she listens very intently to every detail, which no adults in amelia’s life do save the doctor himself and river song, whenever she’s around. and best of all, whenever she tells amelia’s aunt that amelia is doing just fine, don’t you worry, she’ll grow out of this, she winks at amelia so that amelia will know her therapist is only playing along to wave away her aunt’s suspicion.

it is a little odd, though, that she insists on only being called Missy. but amelia is quite used to odd by now.

[saiilorstars]

Stars Dance

Ch. 6: Vampires of Venice

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 11th Doctor x Original Female Character

– Previous chapters here –

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Chapter summary: Avalon is furious with the Doctor and Amy. And at the end of the day, when all is said and done, the Doctor has to ask himself...does Avalon actually hate him?

Rory Williams was at his stag night, trying to leave a very lovely message for his fiancee while blocking out the heavy noise of the room. "Hey...! It's me! Hello! How are you? The reason for this call is because I haven't told you for seven hours that I love you, which is a scandal, and even if we weren't getting married tomorrow, I'd ask you to marry me anyway. Yes, I would, because you are smashing."

Behind him, a large cake was being wheeled while a rather interesting song played, named 'The Stripper', in the background. One of his friends tapped him on the back, making him turn to see the cake.

"Oh... Oh. Oh, blimey. I've... I've... I-I-I... I'll see you tomorrow," Rory quickly hung up and turned to the cake.

"Out! Out! Out!" everyone began shouting and even clapping.

And out popped a head from the cake alright...with some very ginger hair...

Rory's mouth half-opened when he saw Avalon inside the cake. The woman was trying not to look as pleased as she was. "Okay, that was really cool," she admitted, allowing herself to laugh for a moment. "Can cross this off my bucket list."

"What are you..." Rory pointed, completely flabbergasted with the woman's appearance. Sometimes, she was just too much. "...how did you...I thought...you were on a date!"

"Big things have happened Rory," Avalon declared in an irritated expression when she remembered the reason she'd gotten into this mess in the first place. "Someone help me out!" she shouted and quickly two of Rory's friends came up and pulled her out of the cake. "Thank you," she waved them off and met Rory in a quick rush.

Rory's gaze was still switching between Avalon and the cake but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with a logical answer. "What are you doing here? How did you even get inside the cake?"

"Took all the money in my bag," Avalon nodded. "I mean, it was fair since Lucy did deserve to get paid either way."

"But why-"

"We have a problem Rory," Avalon covered his mouth with her hand, "And no, I didn't do anything wrong this time. I know you blew your money on me from the last time..." she looked to the side in guilt. "I'll pay you back eventually."

"You and Mels promised me you'd stay out of trouble," Rory pushed her hand away, "Where is she?" he half expected the woman in question to turn up drunk or something. That's usually how things got started.

"I haven't done anything this time!" Avalon exclaimed at the same time she heard the doors opening, "Oh, you made it? You didn't stay behind kissing Lucy too?" she glared at the Doctor who slowly walked to them.

"What are you doing here?" the Doctor whisper-demanded from Avalon. He should've known she'd beat him to Rory. She was completely furious with him after all.

"Talking to my brother, thank you very much," she snapped.

"What's he doing here?" Rory pointed at him, already beginning to feel a headache coming along. The last time the Doctor popped in things had gone crazy.

"Well, Doctor?" Avalon crossed her arms, "Care to take that one?"

"I cannot believe you took the cake job," the alien said instead, "That was mine."

"Did I upset you?" she asked innocently.

"Yes!"

"Good," she spat.

To say she was angry was an understatement. She was fuming! She and Lena had been told, by the Doctor himself, of what had happened with Amy and while Lena was shocked...Avalon had just slapped the Doctor straight across the face...twice.

The Doctor could understand that the news was highly upsetting but he did want to point out that he had not initiated anything with Amy. He had never given Amy an indication that he was interested in her beyond friendship. He would like a chance to explain himself even if he didn't really have a fault...but Avalon wouldn't hear it. Lena had and she seemed like she wanted to help him. Thank goodness for his baby sister because...he might have been thrown out of his own TARDIS. The box once again proved that she truly liked Avalon a lot since she practically backed Avalon up after she made the threat to throw him into space.

He felt utterly betrayed by that box. It still kind of hurt, actually.

Avalon, for her part, thought she wasn't reacting angry enough. Rory was like her brother and she loved him very much (platonically of course). She knew that Rory would never hurt someone even if he was furious; it just wasn't him. But she could and she would, and she did. She was furious at Amy for what the woman had done to her fiancee, a man who earnestly loved her to bits and pieces. She couldn't even look at Amy and yet Amy seemed upset with her. Amy had the audacity to be angry with her and that only served to agitate Avalon even more. Avalon was in the middle of debating how she'd make it another hour without killing Amy or the Doctor.

"Uh, hello?" Rory waved a hand, reminding Avalon and the Doctor of his presence. They seemed like they were in a huge argument which begged the question of how long they'd even been together since the last time the Doctor was around. The man was a time traveler so...it could be far more time than Rory was thinking. "Explanation, please?"

"Right, Rory, we need to talk about your fiancee," the Doctor began, ignoring the scoff Avalon gave beside him. "She tried to kiss me." He winced when everyone in the room gasped. "Tell you what, though. You're a lucky man - she's a great kisser." Someone dropped their glass, again making the Doctor wince. Wow, he was really bad at this. He side-glanced Avalon with an expression bearing resignation. "I have another one coming, don't I?"

Avalon nodded. "Oh yeah."

Rory opened his mouth to ask once again what was going on, "Um, excuse me, what exactly-"

But Avalon slapped the Doctor again and it sounded hard. Rory, as well as his friends, all collectively winced at the loud smack.

The Doctor rubbed his newest red spot on his face and moved his jaw to wear out the pain. "You are freakishly strong, do you know that?" he looked at Avalon and swore he'd be feeling the echoes of that slap for days.

Avalon's face was straight when she nodded her head. "Yup. Usually, I reserve those slaps for lying boyfriends but I'm making a special exception just for you."

"I feel so special," the Doctor muttered to himself. She completely outranked all the angry Moms that'd slapped him before, including one special Donna Noble slap. "So, um...TARDIS?" he motioned the door to her and Rory.

"Oh we will," Avalon took Rory's hand and marched off with him, ignoring Rory's mumbles of questions.

~ 0 ~

There was an unbearable awkwardness inside the TARDIS that no matter how infinite she was, there weren't enough rooms to make the awkwardness go away. It was for that reason that the Doctor had gone under the console to 'fix' some parts of the box. He felt that maybe if his face wasn't in the same room as Amy and Rory, they would have an easier time reconnecting. But just in case they needed a bit of help, he started to ramble on and hoped that it would inspire them to actually talk to each other.

Amy was pacing about nervously, biting a few of her nails while Rory stood beside the console with his eyes scanning every last part of the box. They hadn't really said much to each other.

"Oh! The life out there, it dazzles. I mean, it blinds you to the things that are important. I've seen it devour relationships and plans..." the Doctor was saying, giving occasional glances above through the glass floor. Rory flinched at the sound of a small explosion underneath and looked below to the Doctor, "Ohhh! It's meant to do that! Because for one person to have seen all that, to taste the glory and then go back, it will tear you apart. So...I'm sending you somewhere. Together."

"Whoa! What, like a date?" Amy had stopped pacing and looked below.

"Lena chose a wonderful place for you two, actually," the Doctor shot out of the seat and rushed up to the console. She had sounded excited which meant the talking with Rory would start soon. "It's very nice, amazing, and romantic," he grinned, "My baby sister's a genius."

"Woah, hold on, did he just say Lena?" Rory looked between the two. His eyes couldn't get wider!

"Oh that's right, he doesn't know..." Amy made a face. She herself forgot that to Leadworth, Lena Reynolds had been missing for 2 years.

"Know what? What else is there now?" Rory raised an eyebrow. Not only did he just discover his fiancee and best friend were time travelers, his fiancee had kissed another man, an alien, but now they were speaking about Lena as if she was...she was...

"I'm ready!" Lena dashed out of the corridors in a 16th century pink dress. She gave a big, dramatic spin so that her dress would twirl like in the movies. "How do I look?"

"Wonderful!" the Doctor praised and she rushed to give him a hug. Lena Reynolds was the only one he could trust in right now.

"I love, love, love, love your wardrobe! It's endless!" Lena beamed as she stepped back, "Endless options to wear!"

"Lena? Lena?" Rory's mouth fell open.

Lena gasped as she saw Rory, "Oh! Hi Rory!" she quickly gave him a hug, "Oh it's been so long, I missed you!"

"But...b-b-but, you're...you're not..." Rory sputtered as he hugged back the woman, "...how are you...the police..."

"Time travel," Lena chuckled as she stepped back, "Little mix up. See, after the Doctor saved us from that whole Prisoner Zero thing, he took me into the TARDIS for a quick jump start...only our two hours was two years for you guys. For me, it's really only been a couple months since I've last seen you and the planet Earth."

"So all this time, you've been here?"

She nodded, "Aha."

"Your family has been going crazy over your disappearance! Avalon quit her job to search for you..."

Lena nodded silently, her eyes looking down as she recalled all the doings her twin had done to search for her, "I know. And I'm so sorry for that. I never meant to make anyone worry, much less lose their jobs."

"It's okay, cos you're here and you're alive," Rory half-smiled and went ahead and hugged her again, "Avalon must have been so happy to see you again."

"Mhm, she wouldn't let go of me."

"Speaking of, where's the feisty Ava?" he pulled away and searched for the missing ginger.

"I chose a dress for her," Lena giggled at her doings. She thought she found the perfect dress that her sister could wear. The TARDIS seemed to agree with all the hums she gave them after Lena pulled out the dress.

"Oh that's a sight I have to see," Rory laughed. If the wardrobe was as big as Lena mentioned, then Avalon was sure to be in paradise.

"Avalon!" Lena called.

"Come on out, Ava!"

Amy looked to the side in irritation. They had been talking about a date and now suddenly here goes her date talking about Avalon...

"I'm not doing it," Avalon emerged from the corridors with her arms crossed. Much to Lena's and Rory's disappointment, she was wearing her modern-day clothes. She wore a light brown dress that reached above her knees with brown boots to match. She wore a dark blue, long-sleeved, jean jacket with a thick hot pink scarf around her neck, both parts dangling down her chest. Her ginger locks fell freely down.

"Aww..." Lena pouted, "It was a nice dress!"

"Sorry, Lena. I'm not in the mood for it," Avalon looked at Amy and the Doctor with glare.

"Did I mention we're going to Venice?" the Doctor tried, trying not to fidget under the woman's glare. He really disliked the cold look in her eyes that he knew were meant for him...

"Oh that's lovely," she put on a sarcastic smile, "You planning on kissing anyone there?"

"It's a date for Rory and Amy," Lena clarified, moving beside the Doctor, "And you're being rude again."

"Excuse me for being upset my best friend was cheated on," Avalon moved beside Rory to show her solidarity, not that she hadn't already.

"It's okay, Ava," Rory assured her, even though it kind of wasn't. Knowing her, she had to have had a go at the Doctor and Amy. On a level, it was nice always having her support.

"No, it's not. And I know you won't say anything so I will. I'm your voice."

"Thank you, but it's okay..." he looked over at Amy and half-smiled, "So...a date?" Maybe a date, something normal, was what they all needed to go back to normal. Besides, Amy looked like she liked the idea so that had to mean something, right?

"I'm kind of done with running down corridors," she nodded and moved closer to him, pulling him away from Avalon ever-so-discreetly.

"Venice, here we come!" Lena cheered.

~ 0 ~

The TARDIS materialized in the middle of a busy market place, no one taking notice of people piling out of a small box.

The Doctor came out first with his arms open to the city, " Venice! Venezia! La Serenissima! Impossible city. Preposterous city! Founded by refugees running from Attila the Hun. It was just a collection of little wooden huts in the marsh, but became one of the most powerful cities in the world. Constantly being invaded, constantly flooding... constantly... Just beautiful! Oh, you gotta love Venice. And so many people did. Byron, Napoleon, Casanova. Oooh, that reminds me," he checked his watch in concern, "1580. That's all right. Casanova doesn't get born for 145 years. Don't want to run into him. I owe him a chicken."

"You owe Casanova a chicken?" Rory raised an eyebrow.

"Long story. We had a bet."

"This is Venice?" Lena gasped as she looked around, "Oh m god, it's beautiful!"

"Glad you like it, baby sister," the Doctor tapped her head. He looked back and saw Avalon barely coming out of the box, cautiously closing the doors and moving slowly around, "And you, Avalon? Impressed?"

She looked at him for a minute then turned to the side, "Hm."

"Bad temper," Lena whispered the reminder to him.

"I've noticed," he patted on his cheeks which were still sore.

Suddenly, an official dressed in black stepped in front of Avalon, making the ginger stumble back in surprise, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Papers, if you please. Proof of residency, current bill of medical inspection."

Avalon blinked rapidly, still a bit surprised by his sudden approach. "Oh...um..."

"Watch me go and save your bad-tempered sis," the Doctor smirked and headed off, Lena giggling to herself and shaking her head, "There you go fella," he held up his psychic paper for the official. The man took the paper and read it, "All to your satisfaction, I think you'll find."

Avalon, in amusement, smiled as the official deeply bowed, "I am so sorry, Your Holiness. I didn't realize."

"Holiness?" Avalon repeated, swaying her head as she considered the idea. "Yeah, alright."

The Doctor took back the paper, "No worries. You were just doing your job. Sorry, what exactly is your job?"

"Checking for aliens, visitors from foreign lands what might bring the plague with them."

"Oh, that's nice," Amy shook her head, "Lena, you brought us to the plague?"

Lena raised her hands in surrender, "Oi, I gave the location, the Doctor chose the time."

"Don't worry, Viscountess," the official said to Amy. The ginger nearly nodded, taking the role, while Rory stood beside her, looking between the man and her in shock and confusion, "No, we're under quarantine here, no-one comes in, no-one goes out, and all because of the grace and wisdom of our patron, Signora Rosanna Calvierri," the official pointed to a crest on a box he carried.

"Hold on, the plagued died out years ago," the Doctor remarked.

"Not out there. No, Signora Calvierri has seen it with her own eyes. Streets are piled high with bodies, she said."

"Did she, now? Ever picked up a history book?"

Rory reached for the psychic paper from the Doctor while the official moved on to someone else.

"By the way, I didn't need your help," Avalon informed the Doctor before heading off.

"A simple thank you would've been nice," the Doctor mumbled as he followed after her, consequently making the rest follow.

"Or a slap!" she called and he immediately froze, letting her go on a bit farther. His cheeks could not take another slap.

Lena laughed and took his hand, "It's okay, she probably won't do it anymore."

"Probably?" he shot her a concerned look, his free hand going up to his face.

"Wouldn't count on it," Rory moved ahead, walking backwards with Amy beside him, "She once beat up a boy for an entire week because he put play-dough in her hair."

"Oh, yeah," Amy sucked in breath through her teeth at the reminder, "Poor Mark. I liked Mark."

~ 0 ~

Two lines of young women dressed in white gowns of different designs stepped onto the cobblestone ground outside the Calvierri school. An older woman, Rosanna, walked to the head of the procession, "Veils down, girls," she ordered.

The girls lowered their veils and started walking, everyone else stopping to watch them. The group stopped across the canal and also watched.

A man, Guido, ran up to the line and started lifting each girl's veil.

"What do you want?" Rosanna demanded.

"Where's my Isabella?"

"What are you doing? Get away from there," Rosanna tried shooing him off.

"Isabella! Isabella!" he finally lifted the veil off the correct girl, his daughter, but

she backed away at the sunlight, "It's me!"

One of the other girls came forwards with a hiss and showed off her mouth of two rows of fangs. Guido fell to the ground in shock as the girls re-took their positions.

"Girls, come along!" Rosanna ordered again, everything continuing like nothing.

A younger man, Francesco, pressed his boot on Guido's chest, keeping him down as the girls left, "She's gone," he informed Guido and left with a swirl of his cloak.

"Isabella! It's me!" the man cried out as two guards lifted him from the ground and dragged him away.

"What was that about?" Amy frowned as the spectacle finish.

"He's gone, Amy," Lena informed with a small sigh.

"I hate it when he does that!" Amy shook her head.

~ 0 ~

As Guido walked along a passageway, the Doctor crossed behind, leaping onto the bottom step of a stairway before calling to the man, "Who were those girls?"

Guido stopped and looked back at the Doctor, slightly confused of the man's wardrobe choice and lack of knowledge of the practically highlight of Venice, "I thought everyone knew about the Calvierri school."

"My first day here," the Doctor stepped down, "Parents do all sorts of things to get their children into good schools. They move house, they change religion. So, why are you trying to get her out?"

"Something happens in there. Something magical, something evil. My own daughter didn't recognize me. And the girl who pushed me away, her face... like an animal."

The Doctor put an arm around Guido's shoulder and thought for a minute, "I think it's time I met this Signora Calvierri."

~ 0 ~

Amy and Rory were walking through a narrow passageway, Rory still a bit confused from all the sudden news. He couldn't believe that the girls had been away for months and nobody bothered to tell him anything! "Are the twins okay, here? Lena's got her inhaler, right? Avalon knows the city rules?"

Amy, with arms crossed, rolled her eyes and heaved a small sigh, "Yes, they're alright. Would you quit worrying about them? This is our date!"

"What have you been doing, lately? Hm?" Rory shot her a small look.

"Well... running. And fighting. I've been scared. More scared than I thought was..."

"Did you miss me?"

"I... I knew I'd be coming back," Amy rubbed the side of her neck as she looked away for a minute.

"He was right. It blots out everything else," Rory started heading off. He never really got angry per say but this time he was beginning to really feel it. Amy hadn't even bothered to think about him?

"Rory... this is our date!" Amy managed to catch him by the arm. "Let's not do this, not now! Please?"

Rory took a look around as he heard the fluttering of wings overhead and half-smiled. Damn Amy got him to do whatever it was she wanted. "I guess...we are in Venice and it is 1580."

"I know!" Amy laughed.

Together, they walked off arm-in-arm and passed a stairway where Francesco was lounging above. He noticed a young flower-seller stopping by two other women to offer them poseys. One of them, a brunette, took them while the ginger walked ahead of her. Once the flower seller walked away as well, he started coming down.

~ 0 ~

Amy posed in front of a doorway while Rory knelt to take her picture with his phone, and then hey heard a piercing scream.

~ 0 ~

"Lena!" Avalon screamed and bolted back from where she had come from, bumping into Amy and Rory. She then saw a man over her sister, lifting his head to show blood on Lena's neck. Quickly, the man bared his fangs and ran off as Avalon dashed to her sister, "Lena!? Lena!? Please wake up! Lena, oh God!" Rory ran over to help and check for vitals while Amy dashed after Francesco.

"She'll be okay," Rory said Avalon who quickly cradled her twin in her arms, "Amy, where are..." he saw the second ginger gone, "Where'd she go!?"

~ 0 ~

Guido approached the guards of the school of Calvierri where two guards stood by the doors, "You have my daughter. Isabella!"

"You're not coming in, stop there! We've told you..." one of the guards began to say.

Meanwhile, the Doctor snuck on the side of the building unbeknownst to the guards.

"You have my daughter. Isabella! I demand you let me see my daughter," Guido continued.

The Doctor hopped onto small steps in front of the canal gate and used his screwdriver to open it up. He quickly made his way down stone steps and into a chamber. He noticed a mirror on a wall and sauntered up to it, "Hello, handsome," he straightened his tie out and checked his teeth.

"Who are you?" he heard several women's voices.

He turned to face a group of young girls dressed in white standing around him. He looked back and forth to see them invisible in the mirror, "How are you doing that? I... am... loving it. You're like Houdini, only five scary girls, only he was shorter - will be shorter. I'm rambling."

"I'll ask you again, signor. Who are you?" the girls questioned.

"Why don't you check this out?" he flashed his psychic paper...or his library card with a picture of his first incarnation, "Library card," he put it away as he remembered, "Of course, it's with... He's..." he mimicked once again a large nose, "I need the spare," he faced the girls again and studied them, "Pale, creepy girls who don't like sunlight and can't be seen in...," he glanced at the mirror which remained clear of their reflections, "Am I thinking what I think I'm thinking? But the city. Why shut down the city? Unless..."

"Leave now, signor, or we shall call for the steward... if you are lucky."

"Ooh!" he had a hint of a smile but it immediately vanished when the girls showed bare fangs and advanced on him. He ran to the doorway but turned back for one request, "Tell me the whole plan," he demanded but the girls ignored, "One day that'll work! Listen, I would love to stay here. This whole thing... I'm thrilled. Oh, this is Christmas!" he cheered like a boy and ran up the stairs with the hissing girls behind him.

~ 0 ~

Later that day, in the night, the Doctor and Amy met up across the canal from the school, both utterly excited for some reason.

"Doctor!" the ginger exclaimed.

"I just met some vampires!" he informed.

"We just saw a vampire!"

"And creepy girls and everything."

"Vampires!"

Together, they jumped in their excitement. Though the Doctor stopped when he saw Avalon and Rory walking slowly towards them with a groggy Lena between them, "Woah, hey, that's not good..." he ran over to them, "...baby sister?"

"There are freaking vampires here!" Avalon spat, "One of them bit her!" she motioned to the dry trail of blood on the side of Lena's neck.

"I feel okay, though," Lena informed them quietly, "Just probably sit down for a good moment would be good for me."

"Right, so we should all come to my new friend's house," the Doctor offered, "Cos we still have to figure out how to get back in there somehow," he nodded to the school then checked over Lena's 'bite' with his screwdriver.

"What?!" Rory gaped, "Back in where!?"

"How do we do that?" Avalon demanded, glaring at the school. Oh, they'd have something coming to them after what they did to her twin.

"Ava!" Rory frowned.

"No, she's right," Amy joined them.

"NO!"

"Yes," the two gingers reiterated, both crossing their arms with looks of doom.

~ 0 ~

Guido brought out a map of Venice to the table of his house where the Doctor, Avalon and Amy looked over it. Rory sat back among some barrels while Lena took rest on a small bed against the wall.

"As you saw, there's no clear way in. The House of Calvierri is like a fortress," Guido was saying, "But there's a tunnel underneath it, with a ladder and shaft that leads up into the house. I tried to get in once myself, but I hit a trapdoor."

"You need someone on the inside," Amy nodded.

"No," the Doctor immediately said as he looked over the map.

"You don't even know what I was going to say!"

"We pretend you're an applicant for the school to get you inside and tonight you come down and open the trapdoor to let us in."

"Oh," Amy looked to the side and mumbled, "So you know what I was going to say."

"Are you insane?" Rory raised an eyebrow.

"We don't have another option."

"He said no, Amy. Listen to him," and before Avalon opened her mouth he wagged a finger, "And no to your volunteering as well."

"They took my sister!" she reminded.

"Don't care," he pointed again before she opened her mouth, making her quiet down.

"There is another option," Guido spoke up and pointed in Rory's direction, "I work at the Arsenale. We build the warships for the navy."

The Doctor moved over to the barrels and sniffed them, "Gunpowder," he set a hand on Rory's shoulder, "Most people just nick stationery from where they work." Slowly, Rory slid away from the barrels and backed away into a dead rabbit hanging by the fireplace. "Look, I have a thing about guns and huge quantities of explosive," the Doctor said.

"What do you suggest, then? We wait until they turn her into an animal?"

"I want to go," Avalon declared but Amy shook her head.

"It was my idea," she reminded.

"I don't care, they hurt my sister and no one hurts my sister."

"I would like to point out that I am just fine," Lena raised her hand from her spot, "I'm not sparkling or anything and I don't want blood."

"Always the peacemaker, eh?" the Doctor sat down beside her with a small smile as she nodded.

"I don't like arguments."

"Look, in three or four hours tops I'd have the door opened," Avalon insisted.

"No, no, no, no, no, no. It can't keep happening like this. This is how they go."

"I can go," Amy reminded, shooting a small glare at Avalon. It was her idea and she was not going to let anyone take it from her! She wanted to do this!

"Avalon, I don't want you to go," Lena said quietly, "Please don't."

The Doctor took a breath and sat back on the wall, "I have to know. We go together. Say you're my daughter," he looked at Amy, respecting his baby sister's wishes.

"What?! Don't listen to him!" Rory nearly shouted.

"Your daughter? You look about nine," Amy scoffed.

"Brother, then," the Doctor shrugged.

"Too weird. Fiancé."

"I'm not having him run around telling people he's your fiancé," Rory pointed at Amy.

"No. No, you're right."

"Thank you."

"I mean, they've already seen the Doctor. You should do it."

"Me?" Rory blinked.

Avalon shook her head behind Amy, was she really going to do this?

"Yeah! You can be my brother," Amy rubbed Rory's head in a playful manner.

The Doctor smiled while Lena giggled, the only ones not amused being Rory and Avalon.

"Why is him being your brother weird, but with me, it's OK?" he demanded from Amy.

"Actually, I thought you were her fiancé," Guido spoke up as he pointed at the Doctor.

"Yeah, that's not helping," the Doctor mumbled.

"SHUT UP!" Avalon suddenly shouted, "All of you just shut up! Now-" she stepped between the group, dead serious, "-here's the thing, I'm not asking if I can go to that school, I am informing you I'm going to the school. Now, if any one would like to help me then by all means, go right ahead. I will not send a friend of mine to that school when she doesn't know how to even fight," she covered Amy's mouth before the second ginger had remarked on it, "Amy, it's been two years and you and I both know who's more qualified to be running about and smacking people. Now please," she looked between them all, "I'm really trying hard not to kill you or the Doctor and so right now your best, and possibly safest, option, is to send me into the school so I can kill the man who bit my twin. Got it?"

"You are mad, Ava," Rory sighed, shaking his head.

Avalon took her hand off Amy and turned to the Doctor, "You owe me, remember? The gun from the Angels? I'll exchange it for this."

"Don't do it," Lena said to him, "Please?"

"We don't even know if they're vampires," he quietly told Avalon as a warning.

"So?"

"It's dangerous."

"What else you got?"

"Your twin is asking you not to go."

"And I love her, but I'm in a foul mood and I'd really like to blow off some steam. Besides, I trust you'd keep her safe?"

"Of course."

"You're not actually going to let her, are you?" Amy questioned, feeling a bit hurt that her plan had just been stolen from her.

"I think I am," the Doctor nodded, "Content, Miss Reynolds?" he looked at Avalon.

"Oh I will be after I get done with them," she crossed her arms.

~ 0 ~

Avalon and Rory stood as petitioners in front of Rosanna, both wearing clothes from the period.

"So, basically, both of our parents are dead from getting the plague. I'm a gondola... driver... so... money's a bit tight... so having my sister go to your school for special people would be brilliant," Rory slowly said as he looked around, "Cheers."

Francesco showed an interest in Avalon, vaguely trying to recall her appearance as he moved in front of her, "Have we met?" he asked her.

"I have one of those faces," she spat, her eyes narrowing as she recalled this being the man over her sister with blood, "Yours is so pretty though, a shame if anything happened to it..."

"Such a tongue for such a lady," he remarked and stepped back.

"Impressed?"

"Not in the least," Rosanna informed from her chair, "Carlo, explain yourself," she looked at a servant, "Why have you brought me this imbecile?"

Rory had to grip onto Avalon's arm before she stalked over to the woman in fury.

"Signora, they have references from the King of Sweden," the servant explained.

"What?" Rosanna blinked, "Let me see," she held her hand out and Rory walked over to hand her the psychic paper. Rosanna took one look at the paper and half-smiled, "Well, now I can see what got my steward so excited," she handed the paper back to Rory, "What say you, Francesco? Do you like her?"

Francesco was circling Avalon who was trying her best to not snap right there and then and strangle him, "Oh, I do, mother. She has attitude that I like."

Avalon winced at the tone, even Rory wanting to take a good punch at the man for his implication.

"Then we would be delighted to accept her," Rosanna looked at Rory, "Say goodbye to your sister."

Rory gave Avalon a hug, "Be careful of him," he whispered as he was pulled away.

"Tell my lovely aunt Amy and uncle Doctor I'll see them very soon," Avalon called, no fear in her tone, "And our sister, please. I'll be just fine."

Rory glanced back from the doorway and saw the fangs Francesco bared behind his best friend, "A-Ava!"

~ 0 ~

Carlo led Avalon up the stairs of the school and into a large room she shared with other girls, "There are clothes on the bed. Get changed and wait here."

Avalon nodded and looked up at the opulent, domed room, "Sure."

All the other girls left the room with Carlo except for one who remained sat on her bed. Cautiously, she moved over to the girl and spoke quietly, "Hello, I'm Avalon. What's your name?"

"Isabella," the girl remained looking ahead.

"Right, so, um, listen, we're going to get you out of here, but I need you to tell me what's going on. What is this place? What are they doing?"

"They, um... they come at night. They gather around my bed and they take me to a room... with this green light and a chair with... with straps, as if for a surgeon."

"And what happens in there?"

Isabella's eyes half-widen as she realized, "I wake up here. And the sunlight burns my skin like candle wax."

"Right, best stay away from green light, then," Avalon stood back up and looked around, hearing a bell tolling above.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor, Rory Guido (who was dressed in Rory's clothes) were inside a gondola that went along a canal driven by Guido. Much to Amy's irritation, she'd been tasked with looking after Lena back at Guido's house, the brunette still a tad weak from earlier. The Doctor had even suggested Rory stay back with them but the man was adamant he'd go and help get his best friend back. It was clear Rory despised the plan of Avalon being inside that school as much as he would've been if Amy had gone in instead.

He knew Avalon was more than capable of taking care of herself, apparently, since she was some future human as explained by Lena before leaving them. But, Avalon was always like a little sister to him or an equal aged sister that he loved dearly, platonic of course. He had always shared a special relationship with Avalon, ever since they were kids. They'd met as kids when he thought Avalon was being bullied by some boys and he was about to go help when all of a sudden the small ginger haired girl started shouting at the boys, driving them off with threats only a child could make. Afterwards, Avalon simply brushed the boys off like nothing happened and noticed Rory staring at her. Rory was intrigued by the girl, she had just driven away a group of boys with the foulest of moods but now she was practically a ray of sunshine. The ginger girl was just so excited to have "made a new friend on her own" that they actually spent that whole day together, playing any game Rory wanted. So, from there, he'd actually met Amy, Lena and Mels. He had his friends and his love because of Avalon, and he would never finish thanking her for that.

"She'll be fine, you know," the Doctor spoke quietly and brought Rory out of his thoughts.

"You can promise me that, can you?" Rory shot him a small look, "Avalon can do all the talking she wants but I know when she's afraid and right now she is afraid."

"Well, I wouldn't know how she feels because most of them time she's yelling at me," the Doctor informed, trying not to sound as hurt as he actually was about that fact. It seemed like no matter what he did or said, it was always the wrong thing.

"What? She doesn't hate you," Rory made a loud scoff, "If you only knew."

"Know what?"

"We're here," Guido declared as he stopped the gondola stopped in beside a small gate with a narrow passage of stairs up to another door.

The Doctor and Rory got out of the gondola and stepped onto the ground. The Doctor carried a lit torch and warned Guido to wait for them on the gondola.

They stopped at the stairs where the Doctor took a breath, "Right. OK, I'll go first. If anything happens to me, go back..."

"What happened? Between you and Amy?" Rory blurted, "You said she kissed you."

"NOW?! You want to do this NOW?!" the Doctor went up the steps towards the door

"I have a right to know," Rory went after him, "I'm getting married in 430 years."

~ 0 ~

Avalon, carrying a lamp and dressed in a white school dress, had entered a courtyard and hurried up to the well in the center. She set her lamp down and released the bars locking the grate. Once done, she picked up the lamp and turned to see Carlo.

"Oh no you don't!" she used her lamp and whacked it over the man's head before making a break for it.

However, she only made it a few feet into a corridor when she bumped into Francesco and two more guards.

"I knew I recognized you from somewhere," Francesco smiled wickedly.

"Oh I hate you!" the ginger declared and slapped him across the face with all her might, "That was for my sister!"

The man put a hand on his face and glared. Without a word he bared his fangs and lunged on the ginger girl who immediately screamed.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor and Rory walked through the narrow passage with only the torch lighting up their way.

"She was frightened, I was frightened, but we survived," the Doctor was carefuly explaining to Rory, "And the relief of it... and so she kissed me."

"The twins were there," Rory reminded, "Didn't hear anything of Lena or Avalon kissing you."

"Well, um, well, Lena's my baby sister...so ew?" the Doctor crinkled his face. He didn't want that image in his head, like ever. "And Avalon shouts, remember? Poor Amy was left."

"And you kissed her back?"

"No. I kissed her mouth."

"Funny," Rory rolled his eyes.

"Rory..." the Doctor stopped and liked back, "Rory, she kissed me because I was there. It would have been you," he tapped Rory on the chest," It should have been you."

"Yeah..."

"Exactly. That's why I brought you here," the Doctor had just faced ahead in time to feel a gust of wind blow against them and end their only source of life from the torch, "Can we go and see the vampires now, please?" he fearfully whispered in the dark.

~ 0 ~

Half fighting and half awake, Avalon struggled against the two guards forcing her down the stairs into a chamber bathed in green light. "Get your hands off me!" she shouted.

"Psychic paper. Did you really think that would work on me?" Rosanna questioned in amusement, until she saw the trail of blood oozing down on the ginger's neck, "Francesco?"

"She slapped me!" the man cried.

"You bit my sister!" Avalon snapped, "Did you really think I was gonna let that slide?"

"Enough, sit her down," Rosanna ordered.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor pushed open the grate Avalon had opened earlier and climbed out, using poor Rory as a ladder, "Push..." he got out then reached down to pull Rory up, "There we are," he turned to the room, "Avalon?" he whispered, "Where's Avalon? I can't see a thing."

"Just as well I brought this, then," Rory pulled out a small pencil torch from his pocket.

The Doctor pulled out a longer torch from under his jacket, "Ultraviolet. Portable sunlight."

Rory frowned, "Yours is bigger than mine."

"Let's not go there," the Doctor countered and walked about.

~ 0 ~

Rosanna circled around Avalon who was now sat down in the wooden chairs with tough wrist straps locking her down, "Where are you from?" she demanded from the ginger, "Did you fall through the chasm?"

"Mother this is pointless. Let's just start the process," Francesco sighed.

"Hold your tongue, Francesco! I need to know what this girl is doing in a world of savages with psychic paper," Rosanna looked down at Avalon, "Who are you with? I scarcely believe your idiot brother sent you," Francesco set a hook into an eye socket above the chair, "What are you doing in my school?" one of the girls attached an IV bag to the hook.

"Mm, how about you fix this," Avalon tilted her head to show them her blood on her neck, "And then we'll talk."

Rosanna laughed at the girl, "You're funny. I don't like funny."

"And I don't like you so we're good" Avalon snapped. Francesco held her head from behind, "Get your hands off me!"

"Oh, make sport of me, will you? Tease me as if I were your dog? Well, this dog has a bite, girl," Rosanna showed her fangs.

"You think you scare me? Ha," Avalon breathed rapidly in and out, "I'm Avalon Reynolds and I don't get scared of some silly vampire."

"You think we're vampires? Oh, now that is amusing," Rosanna chuckled.

"You let me go right now!" Avalon tried twisting her head but remained locked in the position as Rosanna made her way over, "No!" she screamed as the woman bit her neck.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor opened up a chest on the ground to reveal skeletal remains, making Rory stare in horror, "What happened to them?"

"They've had all the moisture taken out of them," the Doctor took a feel of a...fingertip?

~ 0 ~

Rosanna pulled away from Avalon and stood straight, licking her lips with satisfaction. Meanwhile, the rest of the girls left the chamber. Avalon blinked slowly as she tried to push through the icky, weakness spreading across her body.

Francesco leaned down beside Avalon and ran a finger along her neck where the puncture wounds were located. Avalon flinched at the contact and made the attempt to lean away from him, her face scrunching with disgust.

"Mother... where you drink from her, may we share? I'm so thirsty."

"Of course, darling," Rosanna motioned for him to go ahead.

"N-n-no-" Avalon gasped when she felt the same disgusting teeth plunge her skin.

~ 0 ~

"That's what vampires do, right? They drink your blood and replace it with their own," Rory was saying, really trying not to freak out as much as he really was at the moment.

"Yeah, except they haven't just had their blood taken, but all the water in their bodies,"the Doctor clarified.

"Why did they die? Why aren't they like the girls in the school?"

"Maybe not everyone survives the process."

Rory walked away in frustration then stopped and pointed at the Doctor, "You out of all people should not put Avalon in danger! You make her even more dangerous to herself!"

"Let me remind you that she volunteered to go here," the Doctor stood up, frowning, "She doesn't listen to me, I don't have control over her!"

"You have far more influence on her than you think!" Rory snapped, "And if testing her temper isn't enough, you bring Lena into danger she has no business being in. The girl is ill for god's sake! And let's not forget Amy, you make her want to impress you. and risk her own life just so she doesn't let you down. You have no idea how dangerous you make people to themselves when you're around."

But before the Doctor had time to comeback the girls of the school had gathered again under each archway and spoke in unison, "Who are you?"

The Doctor held the ultraviolet light up to them as they got closer," We should run. Run!"

The two ran from the courtyard with the girls right behind them.

~ 0 ~

Rosanna stood in front of Avalon in the chair, "This is how it works. First, we drink you until you're dry. Then... we fill you with our blood. It rages through you like a fire, changing you, until one morning you awake and your humanity is a dream... now faded."

Francesco chuckled, "Or you die," he moved a lock of her away from her neck, "That can happen."

"And if I survive?" Avalon weakly asked as she looked between the two.

"Then there are 10,000 husbands waiting for you in the water," Rosanna opened her arms.

"Yeah, sorry, I don't do marriage with vampires," Avalon kicked Rosanna on her side, making Francesco restrain her back.

Rosanna stumbled back and gasped as she felt the electric hum of her technology strapped onto her. She flipped back part of her dress to the device clipped to her dress. Avalon watched with wide eyes as Rosanna's human image flipped to one of an insectoid creature and then back to human. Suddenly, they all heard the running and voices from above and Rosanna and Francesco quickly ran off to go see about it, leaving Avalon alone. She groaned and tried to make her escape from the stupid chair.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor and Rory ran along a corridor and stopped when they encountered Rosanna, Francesco and even Carlo (the servant). The Doctor looked around nervously, "Cab for Avalon Reynolds?"

~ 0 ~

Avalon screamed again of terror when another hand reached onto her straps.

"It's okay! It's okay! It's just me!" Isabella exclaimed.

"Sh-she-she - they bit me!" Avalon cried as she looked around, swallowing hard.

The girls of the school appeared from the other end of the corridor, blocking the Doctor and Rory's escape. Rosanna, with a smirk, and looked back at her son and servant, "This rescue plan, not exactly watertight, is it?"

The Doctor brandished the ultraviolet light to hold off the girls, "Ha-ha!"

Avalon and Isabella ran in from an intersecting hall, "Rory!" Avalon rushed straight to him, clinging onto him in terror.

"Oh, Ava," Rory stumbled back with her.

"Quickly, through here!" Isabella ran back from the way they'd come in and the rest followed her.

"Seal the house," Rosanna ordered.

~ 0 ~

"They're not vampires!" Avalon exclaimed as they made their way down the underground stairs.

"What?" the Doctor used the sonic on the door for their freedom.

"I saw the, that woman. She's not a vampire, they're not vampires they're aliens!"

"Classic," the Doctor chuckled.

"That's good news?!" Rory cried and looked at Avalon, "She has blood dripping down her neck and this is good news!?"

"I'll be fine," Avalon swallowed.

"Oh don't lie to me, Ava," Rory shook his head. He could see the fear she was desperately trying to push away.

The Doctor quickly pushed them forwards into a new passageway, "Come on, move!" Francesco led the way with a torch and the Doctor used his own as a weapon and made them lash back, "Keep moving! Come on, guys!"

Once at the door of the canal, Isabella opened it up and ushered them out, "Quickly. Get out. Quick!" once she tried stepping out she hissed at the sunlight and shielded her eyes.

"Oh..." the Doctor hurried back to help her out, "Come on, run!"

"I can't!" Isabella cried as she was dragged back inside by the rest of the girls.

The door was shut and when the Doctor pounded on it he was electrified. He fell to the ground, stumbling down the steps and flat on his back on thee ground. Rory and Avalon ranj back to him where Rory checked him.

"Is he alright?" Avalon gasped.

"He's breathing," Rory said.

Avalon looked back at Guido who stood near the lower gate, sorrowful for the man as his daughter would probably not be coming back...

~ 0 ~

Rosanna walked into her throne room to find the Doctor sitting on her throne.

The Doctor tapped his fingers on the chair's armrest, giving a small wolf whistle, "Long way from Saturnyne, aren't you... Sister of the Water?"

Rosanna studied the man of confidence and lightly gasped, "No, let me guess. The owner of the psychic paper. Then I take it you're a refugee, like me?"

"I'll make you a deal. An answer for an answer. You're using a perception filter. It doesn't change your features, but manipulates the brainwaves of the person looking at you. But seeing one of you for the first time in, say, a mirror, the brain doesn't know what to fill the gap with, so leaves it blank... hence no reflection."

"Your question?"

"Why can we see your big teeth?"

Rosanna laughed, "Self-preservation over-rides the mirage. The subconscious perceives the threat and tries to alert the conscious brain."

"Where's Isabella?"

"My turn," she reminded, "Where are you from?"

"Gallifrey."

"You should be in a museum," she sarcastically gasped, "Or in a mausoleum," she smirked.

The Doctor shot her a small glare, "Why are you here?"

"We ran from the Silence. Why are you here?"

"Wedding present..." he thought for a minute, "...and impression," he added, "The Silence?"

"There were cracks. Some were tiny... some were as big as the sky. Through some we saw worlds and people and through others we saw silence... and the end of all things. We fled to an ocean like ours and the crack snapped shut behind us... and Saturnyne was lost."

"So Earth is to become Saturnyne Mark II?"

"And you can help me. We can build a new society here, as others have," Rosanna took a step forwards, "What do you say?"

"Hmm," the Doctor stood up and walked up to her, whispering, "Where's Isabella?"

"Isabella?" the woman blinked, completely clueless.

"The girl who saved my er-friend," he really did not know what to call Avalon at this point. When she wasn't angry with him, she was in danger and vice versa. For now, and for Rosanna, Avalon was a friend...yeah.

"Oh, deserters must be executed. Any general will tell you that," Rosanna casually informed, seeing irrelevant of the matter, "I need an answer, Doctor. A partnership. Any which way you choose," she stepped closer to him.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, do you? I'm a Time Lord. You're a big fish," the Doctor whispered, crinkling his nose, "Think of the children."

Rosanna frowned, "Carlo! she called and the servant came forwards, "You're right. We're nothing alike. I will bend the heavens to save my race, while you philosophize."

"This ends today. I'll tear down the House of Calvierri, stone by stone," the Doctor warned when Carlo placed a hand on his chest to get him moving, "Take your hands off me, Carlo," he snapped and walked for the door, stopping only to look back, "And you know why? You didn't know Isabella's name. You didn't know Isabella's name!"

~ 0 ~

Avalon, now changed back to her modern day clothes, sat on a chair inside Guido's house with the Doctor beside her, examining her bites with his screwdriver. She tried her best to not to flinch whenever the Doctor's fingers accidentally touched her skin. It just felt too similar to the...no, she didn't want to think about it.

"Can I kill them?" she muttered to him.

"Um, no."

"But they bit me...several times," she swallowed at the reminder, growing silent as she remembered the awful moments.

"You okay?" Lena knelt down beside her, taking her sister's hand.

Avalon quickly blinked and smiled, "Yup, just fine," she looked up at the Doctor, "How are those readings?"

He nodded, "Fine," although he could tell it was the complete opposite of what she was feeling, "Here, open wide," he slipped a candy into her mouth, managing to get a small smile out of her.

"So...what now, exactly?" Lena stood up though remained by her twin's side.

The Doctor, frustrated, paced, "I need to think. Come on brain, think, think. Think!" he plopped down at the table, "Think!"

"Well, if they're fish people it would explain why they hate the sun," Amy offered as she took a seat beside him.

He covered her mouth with his hand, "Stop talking, brain thinking. Hush."

"It's the school thing I don't understand," Rory said.

The Doctor placed his hand over Rory's mouth as well, "Stop talking, brain thinking. Hush."

"I say we take the fight to them," Guido shrugged.

"I'm with him," Avalon frowned.

"Ah!" the Doctor shot them both a look.

"I got it," Lena said before covering her twin's and Guido's mouths.

"Thank you baby sister," the Doctor nodded at her, "So, Rosanna's planet dies, so they flee through a crack in space and time, and end up here, then she closes off the city and, one by one, changes people into creatures like her to start a new gene pool. Got it. Then what? They come from the sea, they can't survive forever on land, so what's she going to do? Unless she's going to do something to the environment to make the city habitable... She said, "I shall bend the heavens to save my race," he moved Rory's and Amy's heads in a nod as he spoke, "Bend the heavens... Bend... the heavens... She's going to sink Venice."

Guido removed Lena's hand from his mouth and blinked, "She's...she's going to sink Venice?"

"And repopulate it with the girls she's transformed."

"You can't repopulate somewhere with just women," Rory reminded, "You need... blokes."

Avalon took Lena's hand from her mouth and sighed, "Which she's got...and lots of them."

"Where?" the Doctor asked her.

"In the canal. She said to me, "There are 10,000 husbands waiting in the water."

"Only the male offspring survived the journey here. She's got 10,000 children swimming in the canals, waiting for Mum to make them some compatible girlfriends," he crinkled his noise at the thought, "Ew. I mean, I've been around a bit, but, really, that's... that's... Ew."

Suddenly, there was a loud clattering from the floor above which made everyone look up at the ceiling.

"The people upstairs are very noisy..." the Doctor remarked slowly.

"There aren't any people upstairs," Guido informed.

"I knew you were going to say that. Did anyone else know he was going to say that?"

The wood creaked if someone walked across the floor.

"Is it the vampires?" Lena questioned.

"Like I said, they're not vampires. Fish from space," the Doctor said.

"Yup, makes that a whole lot better," Avalon shook her head.

A loud thump and glass breaking made everyone jump to their feet as the converted girls entered the room, more of them outside the windows. The Doctor brandished the ultraviolet light on them as Guido crossed himself.

"Aren't we on the second floor?" Rory asked, vaguely remembering that.

The girls at the window broke the glass and the Doctor continued using the light to keep them back. He used his screwdriver next to show their true form.

"Oh my god, what's happened to them?" Amy blinked with wide eyes.

"Get them out!" Avalon shuddered a breath, already backing away.

"Ava..." Rory looked back, never seeing her best friend actually showing some fear.

"There's nothing left of them," the Doctor answered Amy's question, "They've been fully converted. Blimey, fish from space have never been so... buxom. OK..." he switched off his screwdriver, "Move. Come on."

They quickly ran down the stairs where Guido lingered behind, "Give me the lamp," he took the ultraviolet from the Doctor and used it on the girls.

The group burst from the entrance doors and rushed out, the Doctor being the last one, "Go, go, go, guys! Keep moving, go, go, go!"

Guido stopped at the door before closing it and locking the others out, "Stay away from the door, Doctor."

The Doctor turned back and rushed to the door, pounding on it, "No! Guido! What are you doing?! I'm not leaving you! What are you doing?!" he took out his screwdriver and used it on the lock but to no avail.

~ 0 ~

Guido lured the girls into his rooms where more barrels were, "Come on. That's it... Come on."

~ 0 ~

"Guido!" the Doctor yelled but received no answer.

~ 0 ~

Guido pocked up a candle with his free hand and grew closer to the barrels, "Come on. Come on. Come on!"

~ 0 ~

The Doctor, now realizing what Guido's plan was, backed away and started running from the house.

~ 0 ~

"We are Venetians!" Guido raised the flame and set it on one of the barrels.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor was thrown to the ground as the house exploded. Upon hearing the explosion, the rest of the group ran back to see the destroyed house.

"Oh my stars..." Lena breathed.

Lightening struck across the sky as the sun was suddenly blocked off and a storm was began.

"Rosanna's initiating the final phase," the Doctor said as they heard the commotion from the other Venetians

"We need to stop her. Come on!" Amy exclaimed.

"No, no. Get back to the TARDIS. All of you," he eyed every last girl and Rory.

"You can't stop her on your own," Avalon reminded, "And I don't follow orders from anyone."

"We don't discuss this! I tell you to do something, and you do it," the Doctor shouted, both gingers flinching, "I've had enough of that! Now go!"

Avalon angrily stormed off.

"Good going," Amy muttered and followed after her friend, much in the same angry manner.

The Doctor sighed and looked at the remaining girl, "Baby sister..."

She raised her hands in surrender, "I know, I know, go back to the TARDIS," she gave a small smile and walked away.

"Thank you, really," Rory nodded and followed after Lena.

"Yeah... You're welcome," the Doctor mumbled. He heard the screams of people and quickly ran off.

~ 0 ~

The human group stopped across the canal from the Calvierri school, Amy looking up at the sky, "Oh, my God! What is going on?"

Francesco, standing across the canal in front of the school, recognized Avalon Rory.

"The sky, it's like it's boiling," Lena remarked, "We should get out of here."

Francesco removed his bat and cape as he watched the group move on before diving into the canal.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor had walked directly up to Rosanna's throne chair to examine it. He pulled opened the back of it and saw the circuitry and took out the screwdriver.

Unbeknownst, Rosanna had walked in quietly, "You're too late. Such determination... just to save one city. Hard to believe it's the same man that let an entire race turn to cinders and ash. Now you can watch as my people take their new kingdom."

"The girls have gone, Rosanna," the Doctor informed her calmly.

"You're lying," her smile faltered.

"Shouldn't I be dead? Hmm?" he gestured to his very alive self. He sighed when the woman walked away from him, "Rosanna, please, help me. There are 200,000 people in this city."

"So save them," Rosanna waved him off, dearly hoping every last one of them died.

~ 0 ~

Amy, Rory the twins were walking through the streets when suddenly they found their way blocked by a soaking wet Francesco. Avalon gasped and jumped back, the mental images of the biting and the blood and...

She shook her head and pulled back, for once she was actually, truly afraid.

Rory picked up some candlesticks and held them up in the form of a cross, "Run!" he ordered the girls as Francesco swiped the candlesticks away and moved towards the girls, specifically Avalon.

"Stay back!" Amy ordered, moving in front of the twins as the man grew closer to them.

"This way, you freak!" Rory also called from his spot, "Don't! This...this... this way, you big, stupid, great... SpongeBob! The only thing I've seen uglier than you is... your mum!" and then Francesco stopped and turned back, "No..."

"Did you just say something about Mummy?" Francesco raised an eyebrow.

Rory picked up a broom and brandished it like a sword...and then Francesco pulled out an actual sword making poor Rory question his choice of weapon. Francesco used the moment to attack but Rory blocked him with the broom's handle.

"Careful, Rory!" Lena gasped and looked back at Avalon who actually stood behind her, "Avalon?"

But the ginger watched in terror as her best friend fought the big fish from space.

"Rory, this way, bring him this way!" Amy pulled the twins to a small passage and gestured to Rory to follow.

Francesco sliced Rory's broom's handle and thrusts his sword through a hanging drape. Rory used the opportunity to wrap the man in the drape and backed away.

"Ew! You stink of fish," Rory crinkled his noise and backed away into the next courtyard where the girls had run to.

Francesco rolled his eyes as he followed, "Well, I'm hardly going to smell of cheese and biscuits."

Rory tripped and fell backwards on the ground, even hitting his head. Francesco leaped and changed to his original form, landing on top of Rory.

"Hey! Mummy's boy," Amy called from the stairs. She held a compact mirror in her hand and used it to reflect light onto the alien, making him explode.

"Ha!" Lena cheered as she and Avalon poked their head from under a passageway under the stairs, "Good going, Amy!"

Rory groaned as he wiped the dust of the alien off him, "Oh...oh that's gross."

"That was lucky," Avalon remarked, clearing her throat as she gathered herself up.

"Why did you make the sign of the cross, you numpty?" Amy questioned Rory as he made his way up the stairs to meet he.

Rory rolled his eyes, "Oh, oh, right! I'm being reviewed now, am I?"

Amy shook her head and pulled him to her for a passionate kiss, the twins looking away.

"Ahem, now we go help my big brother?" Lena coughed awkwardly, keeping her eyes away.

Rory, hazed after the kiss had stopped, looked around, "Rightio."

~ 0 ~

As the Doctor entered the throne room from the bell tower, the human group ran inside, "No, get out! I need to stabilize the storm," the Doctor waved them off as he ran up to the throne.

"We're not leaving you," Rory shook his head.

"Right," the Doctor walked back to them, 'So one minute it's, 'You make people a danger to themselves,' the next it's, 'We're not leaving you!' But if one of you gets squashed or blown up or eaten, who gets..."

But the ground shook violently and cut him off as it sent everyone to the floor, bits of the ceiling falling down around them.

"What the hell was that?" Avalon coughed as she lifted her head up.

"Nothing. Bit of an earthquake," the Doctor jumped to his feet.

"And earthquake?" Lena stood up and helped her twin.

"Manipulate the elements, it can trigger earthquakes. But don't worry about them."

"And why not?" Amy looked around, really seeing lots of things to worry about.

"Because you should worry about the tidal waves caused by the earthquake," the Doctor faced the throne again.

"Big brother you always know exactly what to say," Lena sighed.

"Anyways, Rosanna's throne is the control hub but she's locked the program, so tear out every single wire and circuit in the throne. Go crazy. Hit it with a stick, anything," he headed up to the throne and checked the wires, "We need it to shut down and re-route control to the secondary hub, which I'm guessing will also be the generator."

~ 0 ~

The Doctor worked on wires in the bell tower, the wires connecting the control of the throne's device which created the storm. He ran closer to the tolling bells and held his hands over his ears with such a loud noise.

~ 0 ~

Meanwhile, the human group were pulling all the wires from the throne, causing sparks to fly here and there.

~ 0 ~

The Doctor held the clapper on one of the bells, "Shut up! Shut up!" when it became still he jumped down and sighed in relief, "That's better."

He then went on to tug one of the cables only to see it didn't budge. He climbed onto the rail, gripping the column and nearly slipping from it due to the rain pouring down. He regained his balance and began his climb up.

~ 0 ~

The human group ran back out and looked up, "There he is!" Lena pointed, horrified to see the Doctor climbing up the bell tower, "He's mad!"

~ 0 ~

The Doctor climbed to the top reached a giant sphere at the pinnacle, currently whirring about. He stopped the sphere and saw the actual device causing the storm. He began checking it over and over for some type of clue of how to turn it off...and then he saw a simple toggle switch.

Upon flipping it the rain stopped and the clouds cleared, giving Venice the bright sun and the chirps of birds.

He closed the sphere and looked down at the joyful crowd in the street, giving a little happy wave.

~ 0 ~

Rosanna walked the quay to the large pool-like room, trying to turn off her perception filter but instead the device just died. She pulled off her gloves and stripped down to her chemise. As she grew nearer to the water, it bubbled with all the male Saturnyne creatures sensing the 'human'. She started walking along the plank just as the Doctor came to find her.

"Rosanna!"

Rosanna looked back with teary eyes, "One city to save an entire species. Was that so much to ask?"

The Doctor slowly walked towards her, cautiously, "I told you, you can't go back and change time. You mourn but you live. I know, Rosanna, I did it."

She looked back at the water and shuddered a breath, "Tell me, Doctor... can your conscience carry the weight of another dead race? Remember us. Dream of us," she took the final step and fell into the water.

"No! No!" the Doctor ran up the remainder of the plank but the water had stopped its bubbling. He sighed and slowly stood up, certainly feeling that weight of a brand new species lost because of him.

"I don't think it was your fault," he heard Lena's voice from behind. He looked back to see her standing at the threshold, "She did that by her own choice. You had already given her a choice before this."

He gave a faint smile and walked back to his 'baby sister', "Look at you being so wise."

"It comes and it goes," she nodded and the two walked off to find their friends.

~ 0 ~

Near the TARDIS, the townspeople were busy cleaning up after the storm. The group emerged from a turn of a corner and were heading towards the box.

"Now, then, what about you two, eh?" the Doctor looked at Amy and Rory, "Next stop Leadworth Register Office? Maybe I can give you away."

"It's fine. Drop me back where you found me," Rory sighed, knowing Amy wouldn't want to return back to Earth for a long time, "I'll just say you've..."

"Stay..." Amy moved beside him, linking her arm with his, "...with us. Please. Just for a bit. I want you to stay."

Rory opened his mouth but looked at the Doctor for his words, "Fine with me," the alien shrugged happily.

"Yeah? Yes, I would like that," Rory nodded.

"Look what I've got?" Lena came with Avalon, the brunette waving a small posey in her hands, "And I did not get bitten this time."

"What's going on?" Avalon noticed the sudden happy looks of everyone.

"Your best friend is coming along...apparently," Rory declared with a grin.

"Really?" she gasped. Immediately, she encased him in a tight hug, "Oh that's great!"

Amy's smile faltered slightly at the action and headed for the TARDIS doors instead, "So, I'll pop the kettle on, then?"

Lena chuckled, "Look at us, the little friends who were neighbors now traveling in a blue box. All we need is Mels and we're set."

"Oh that'd be interesting," Rory laughed as Amy went inside, him tugging Avalon behind him.

"Do I even want to know?" the Doctor asked Lena as they followed.

"No, don't think so," Lena stepped inside.

Just as the Doctor was about to go in he stopped as he looked back, "Lena? Do you hear that?'

"Hear what?" she frowned, "All I hear is...silence," she shrugged and went inside.

The Doctor remained in place and looked out at the now-silent city, recalling Rosanna's words...

~ 0 ~

Avalon gasped and sat upright, breathing heavily as she looked around with rapid blinking eyes. She saw she was in her TARDIS room on her bed, just the place she had excused herself to earlier. She was still dressed in her day clothes as she rarely got sleep nowadays, but somehow this night she'd managed to sleep...only to have an awful nightmare.

She jumped out of her bed and pressed her dress down, tugging her jacket closer as she walked towards her door and opened it up. She could still feel her heart beating quite fast from the nightmare but decided to push away those memories and simply try and find her twin's room. Lena was never the one to have a bad night, despite her condition. She slept like a baby nearly every night. Perhaps, being in the same room with her twin would help her calm down and actually try and sleep a little again.

But as she walked endlessly through the corridors, she couldn't find Lena's room. She recalled the Doctor saying that when the TARDIS liked someone, it would keep the person walking and walking through its infinite corridors and rooms to entertain.

Avalon sighed, "Please, TARDIS, I really need help. I feel awful, won't you please give me the room with the one person who can help me?" she looked around, hearing the hums of the box in response. She sighed again and began walking, "Okay, I'm just going to translate that as 'yes Avalon I'll give you the room'," she nodded.

This time, however, no doors appeared on either side, only agitating her even more, "C'mon, box. Please show me the dang room..." she frowned as she entered the console room, "This isn't funny!" she stomped her foot.

"What's not?" she heard the Doctor's voice call, a bit distant.

"Um...nothing, where are you?" she walked forwards.

"Down here - AH!"

Avalon winced as she heard sparks underneath, "Right, now I get why the TARDIS can't help me. She's busy prying you off her wires."

"I would like to point out that I am indeed okay," the Doctor, sulking almost, walked up the small stairs to meet her, "In case you were wondering."

She shrugged and turned to face him, "Actually I was wondering why your box won't help me find Lena's room?"

"Is she okay?" he quickly asked. He learned quick that sometimes Lena would wake up having an asthma attack. But, Avalon nodded and eased his worries, "So why do you need her room?"

"Um...I'm...I wanted to...check up on her?" Avalon quickly nodded again, "Plus I asked for some help and Lena's always the one that helps me...but your box doesn't want to aid me..." she sent a small glare at the rotor.

"You asked her nicely to give you the room?" he wondered genuinely, "You have a very..." he tried wording his sentence carefully. He was always on her bad side and perhaps telling her of her bad attitude would put him even farther down her friend list, "...intriguing attitude..."

"That's just a lame way of telling me you think I have a bad attitude," she crossed her arms, making him wince, "You're right, I do," she shrugged casually, "But yes, I did ask nicely. I asked for help in a polite manner."

"Well maybe she sent you the place she thought you'd get help," half-smiled, "What do you need help with exactly?"

"It's nothing," she quickly turned away, her hand reaching up to her neck as she remained quiet for a minute. Suddenly, she turned to face him, "Can I go home?"

He raised his eyebrows, taken aback by the sudden question. Had he finally angered her so much she actually wanted to leave her twin? "Avalon, I'm...I'm sorry," he sighed.

She frowned, "For what?"

"Look, it's no secret you don't like me but I don't think leaving your sister is a good idea for either of you."

Avalon tilted her head, replaying his words in her mind, "Hold on, you think I don't like you?"

He nodded, "It's pretty obvious. I know hate when I see it."

She opened her mouth and raised a finger...when she thought of a better idea. She crossed her arms, "Can you take me home, please?"

"But Avalon-"

"Doctor, take me home please," she gave him a sharp look.

With no other option, the Doctor went to the console and started putting in the coordinations.

"And can you make sure it's not too long after you first picked me up?" she moved beside him, "Like an hour or two later? Don't want my Dad or brother popping in just as I'm coming out of this box."

The Doctor silently nodded, "Hang on," he mumbled and pulled down the lever.

Avalon did as told and clung to the console as the box shook in its violent ways. Once the box stopped she scampered over to the door and opened them up, poking her head out to see the dark living room of her home, even glancing at the clock on the wall striking twelve, "Perfect," she looked back at the Doctor, seeing him dejectedly flipping about some controls over the console, "Oi? Fairy tale man, you coming?"

"For what?" he gave her a small glance.

"Cos I need to show you something," she stepped out to the living room, always facing his direction, "So c'mon."

"It's not a wedding dress is it?" he asked as he started walking towards her, already looking weary.

"Nope," she shook her head, "Or..." he immediately froze in place, "Just kidding! It's only my maid of honor dress. But don't worry, I won't kiss you or anything. Promise," she raised her hands in surrender, "But there really is something I need to show you."

"What is it? It's not another slap is it?" he stepped out and closed the TARDIS doors.

"Nope," she put her hands behind her back and started walking into the hallway, flicking on a light as she walked by.

"Or a scream?"

"..no," she said as she headed up the stairs.

"Or a threat?"

"No," she silently stopped by her bedroom door and looked back at him, "Do you think I hate you?"

"No...kind of - er, well..." he rubbed the side of his neck.

"Doctor, do you think I hate you?" she questioned again, dead serious.

He sighed and nodded, "Yes."

"Right," she looked away and grabbed the doorknob, feeling awful. Of course he would think that considering she had the worst attitude. Normally, she could care less if people assumed things about her...but she couldn't deal with it if it was the Doctor. She admired him and she needed for him to know what she truly thought about him.

She turned the knob and opened the door to her bedroom, walking inside first, "Fourteen years ago I once told a man who dropped from the sky that I loved fairy tales but that I only loved the modern ones. He said I should go back and read the classics because he was sure I would love them," she turned the light switch of her room and headed for a wall with three large bookshelves, all stacked with books to the brim. She turned to face the Doctor and smiled softly, "He was so right. They're incredible."

The Doctor looked from one bookshelf to another, a pointing finger at them as he spoke, "Are those all..." she nodded to his unfinished question, but he was so stunned that he didn't see it and went ahead and finished asking, "...they're all...fairy tales?"

"I love them, I absolutely adore them!" she spun around like a true princess and motioned to all her perfectly kept books. It took her a while to have this vast type of collection, but it was so worth it. "But it all started with this one," she walked up to a specific bookshelf and got on her toes to reach up to the highest shelf. She pulled out a thin, pink book and turned back to the Doctor. "La Belle au bois dormant," she pronounced the French title perfectly, contrary to the last time she'd attempted to say it as a child. "Like my French?"

He smiled and took the book from her. It seemed well kept for a book a child had gotten, but Avalon probably took great care of it and all the other books in her possession. "You took my advice," he commented, sounding a bit surprised that the ginger who did not follow orders had actually listened to him.

"I loved the story and I figured if that princess had to wait a hundred years for her prince to come, then I could wait a couple years for the fairy tale man to come back and take us aboard his ship. Although, I didn't expect you to take twelve years but..." she pretended to still be upset over the matter but shot him a smile in the end.

"Explains the not-hitting-me-with-a-cricket-bat greeting," he made a face as he remembered Amy's greeting when he'd returned.

"Oh give her some credit, you were late! Plus, no one really believed her that you were real. Lena and I were lucky, our parents were from New Earth where you saved their ancestors. Of course they believed us, but we couldn't very well backup Amy in her stories. We'd out ourselves in the process."

"So...you don't hate me...?" he asked cautiously, as if there was something else that was coming.

"I'm sorry," she began, heaving a small sigh, "You're right, I have a very bad attitude. I'm snappy, I'm rude, and I do and say things I don't mean...most of the time. I haven't been very nice to you and I'm really sorry for that. But I've never hated you. Yes, you've irritated and angered me in the past but I can't hate you. You saved my grandparents, you saved my sister, you saved this planet, and you've saved me. Plus, you made this," she pointed back at her bookshelves.

"Me?" he frowned.

"Yes, you! I was content with the modern fairy tales but then you came along and told me to go back and read the older, original versions. Look what you did," she gestured to the several piles of books on the floor beside the book shelves.

"I'm gonna let that blame slip because you told me you don't hate me," he handed her back the book.

Avalon laughed. "Your my fairy tale man! How could I ever hate you!?" she moved over and encased him in a hug. The Doctor smiled so widely it could have possibly cracked his face. He hugged her back and put away any doubts he'd ever had about her. "You better soak this moment up because I'm terrible at words so you won't be getting another moment like this."

The Doctor laughed and pulled away to gesture to her bookshelves. "Oh, I think you are very good with words. I am stunned by this room."

"I shocked the Doctor? Okay, now I've accomplished everything," Avalon stepped back and allowed him to take another look at his room. "See, all this time you've been trying to impress me but in the end, I impressed you!"

"Yeah, try again," the Doctor rolled his eyes distractedly. His eyes were still roaming over her bookshelves. He wouldn't be surprised if he opened the closet and an avalanche of books fell on him. Still, her room was pretty nice. It was definitely Avalon.

She had a soft pink colored canopy bed with cream colored drapes. There were star string lights at the top, all turned off for the moment. Her light brown duvets were neatly made, a sign that she had never come back to sleep. There was a medium-sized Tinkerbell cushion placed in the middle of her two white pillows propped against the headboard. She had one bed stand with a small lamp, an alarm clock, and a picture of herself and Lena. On the opposite end of the room was a vanity desk only a few feet away from her closet. The desk was sprawled with all types of make up. It looked like she'd been in a rush for something.

She had a date, the Doctor remembered soon and crinkled his nose. He didn't quite like the guy. He made Avalon cry and that just wasn't nice. Despite her challenging personality, she didn't deserve to cry for somebody who didn't understand her need to find her sister.

There was a bigger, solid, white wooden desk set near the bedroom door. It had a few drawers below and a hutch that had one glass vase of poseys in the middle and two frames on either side of it. The Doctor could spot Amy and Rory in few of them, along with a dark-skinned woman. There was a laptop sitting on the writing surface and a few papers threatening to fall at the corners. There was a small bucket - which the Doctor assumed she'd made as a child due to all the fairy and princess stickers on it, as well as the doodles only a child could make - full of colorful pens. Save Me the Waltz was left over the laptop with a bright green bookmark sticking out.

"Oh that's a book I definitely have to take with me," Avalon said once she saw where the Doctor's gaze had gone to. She moved to her writing desk and picked up her book. "I was almost finished with it."

"You like Zelda Fitzgerald?"

"Mhm, I love her! I think she had such a tragic ending when she had this beautiful, complex mind that her husband just...sucked dry," Avalon frowned. "Makes me madder cos his writing was really good too. I guess I just identify with Zelda. She liked doing things her own way, like me, and people didn't like her because of it...just like me. And when she wrote this-" she waved the book, "-her husband made her revise it because it was too much like his. He plagiarized her and he had the audacity to make her change all her words." Her gaze only softened when she looked over the cover. "You know she wrote this while she was at a psychiatric ward? They called it a hospital back then. Writing was part of her treatment and her husband didn't support her until she had changed it to the way he wanted it. Only then he approved."

The Doctor only listened to her passionate argument in favor of Zelda Fitzgerald. Part of him sympathized with Avalon because he'd gone through something similar in regards to being unliked by people. "I didn't know you liked her work so much, considering she only wrote one book."

"Well that's just the thing!" she exclaimed. "She had all these other drafts, short stories, that were lost. Who knows what else she could have written if her work hadn't been lost and she hadn't died. And you know, I admire her too because despite everything that happened to her, she kept writing. I may never know what she wrote besides this-" she gave Save Me the Waltz a gentle smile, "-but I know that it had to be amazing."

The Doctor's smile had also turned gentle as Avalon got lost in her thoughts of Zelda Fitzgerald. He hadn't really seen Avalon being her and now that he had, he wanted to see more of it. She was a whole other person when she wasn't constantly bickering with him or trying to keep Lena safe or running from the danger they bumped into.

Maybe she had a beautiful, complex mind too.

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

Queen of Hearts - Chapter 2

Thirty-year-old Rose Tyler’s matchmaking business is doing very well indeed, bringing her clients such as celebrities, athletes, and the now-happily-married son of the mayor.  All of which brings her to her newest client - one whose royal rank is a far cry above her own title as Queen of Hearts.

Ian, King of Gallifrey, calls off his wedding four weeks before the happy day as he realizes he can’t spend another minute of his life with his betrothed.  The catch - he must take a wife before his Coronation, only a month away.  In desperation, his sister and aunt conspire to find him is happy ever after - and it’s going to take a master matchmaker to do it.

-

Based on the Hallmark Movie ‘Royal Matchmaker’.  Chapters will be posted every Sunday.

As always, beta’d by the wonderful @stupidsatsuma​!  @doctorroseprompts

Masterlist  |  AO3

---

Monday, April 1st (continued)

“Is this legit?” Rose asked under her breath, smiling brightly.  “I mean, it’s April Fools.”

Mel nodded, curls bouncing.  “Totally,” she whispered back, before kicking Rose’s leg.  “Rude.”

“Uh, hello, Your Highness,” Rose greeted the Princess, feeling out of her depth if this wasn’t a prank.  She’d had celebrities and politicians as clients, some fairly recognizable names, but royalty?  She folded her hands tightly to help stop the sudden trembling.  It’s just like any other potential client interview.  Keep it together.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Princess Donna said regally, and Rose swallowed her nerves.

“And you, such as it is.  How may I help you?”  Off to the side Mel waved to catch her eye, holding up a post-it reading Ma’am.  “Ma’am,” she dutifully added, forcing her smile brighter.

The Princess gazed at her speculatively, clearly evaluating Rose as Rose was her.  “My brother the King is in… a bit of a situation.  He must find a bride and marry her on or before his coronation, or he will have to forfeit the throne to me, something my husband and I want under no circumstances.”

“And how can I help?”  The post-it waved off to the side, and Rose bit back a sigh.  “Ma’am?”

“I’ve heard you’re a miracle worker, and what we need is certainly that.  My brother must take a wife in the next four weeks, and she must be of the highest caliber with the potential, ability, and willingness to bear children – otherwise we’re simply delaying my own coronation, and I’d prefer to avoid it at all costs.”

Rose blinked, waiting for the 'gotcha!’, but none came.  “I see,” she said, even though she didn’t. “May I ask- Normally I deal directly with the client?” she trailed off expectantly.

The Princess nodded, looking serious.  “I understand.  But I had to speak with you first.  I want my brother to find happiness and love of course, but I also need him to find a wife.  I won’t lie, it’s a heavy undertaking, but you come highly recommended.  If you can pull this off, you may name your price.”

And if I don’t, then my life and reputation are in shambles.  I’ll have to move back in with Mum!  “Can you give us a moment to confer, please, Ma’am?”

Rose’s tense smile lasted just long enough for her to mute the audio and kill the video, double checking the Princess couldn’t hear before she turned on her assistant.  “What did you do?!”

“Nothing!” Mel protested, holding up her hands in peace.  “I just answered the phone!  This woman, Sarah Jane, said she might be looking to hire us – sort of – but it was complicated and delicate.  Next thing I know, I’m Skyping a Princess!”

“I can’t do this,” Rose said bluntly.  “There’s too much riding on it.  If I fail, we’re done.  And how do we pull this off in four weeks?!”

Mel smiled sympathetically.  “I’m not sure turning down the chance to work with royalty will be much better.  We just… have to do it.”

She was right, and they both knew it, but Rose wasn’t quite ready to admit it.  “What do we do?”

“We put on a brave smile, trust the process, and go be the guests of royalty in an actual palace for the next four weeks!”

“It’s not that easy,” she hissed.  “We’ve never had that quick of a turnaround before!”

Mel rolled her eyes, leaning over her to do a quick Google search.  “Look at this.”

Within seconds a picture of a beautiful medieval castle filled her screen, like something out of her little girl princess fantasies.  “That’s not fair!”

“You’re keeping the Princess waiting.”  Before Rose could argue, she reconnected with the impatient-looking redhead.  “So sorry for the delay Your Highness.”

“Well?” the woman demanded, arching an eyebrow.  “Should I book you plane tickets?”

Rose took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.  “Yes, we would be... delighted to help.”

“Sarah Jane will call back with the arrangements within the hour.  I’m looking forward to meeting you.”

Wonderful.

-

Donna disconnected the call with a satisfied grin, glancing over at Sarah Jane who hovered just out of view.  “What did you think?”

“I like her,” Sarah Jane said decisively, nodding.  “Oh, yes.  From what I’ve heard, if anyone can find the perfect Queen it’s her.”

“Even for Ian?”

“Even for Ian,” she laughed.

Donna sighed, leaning back in her chair and staring up at the ceiling.  “God I hope so.  She’s our last hope.  He said he’d figure it out, but he’s perfectly happy to abdicate and go back to playing doctor.  More than- we both know he’d prefer it.”

“He knows his duty,” Sarah Jane shook her head.  “He’ll come through – kicking and screaming.  He loves Gallifrey too much, regardless of what he says.”

The door to Donna’s office burst open, Ian striding in without consideration.  “What’s going on in here?”

Donna stood, smoothing her skirt as she met her brother’s eye head on.  “Trying to find you a queen.”

He grimaced, bracing himself on the back of a visitor’s chair on the other side of her desk.  “Oh, goody. I hate to interrupt that, but I have a country to run.  I need Sarah.”

“Of course, Your Majesty, my apologies.”  Sarah Jane curtseyed, deeper than strictly necessary.  “I believe the Education Secretary is due soon for an audience.”

Ian nodded sharply, turning towards the door.  “Donna, don’t do anything stupid or I’ll abdicate just to spite you.”

Donna made a face at his back, waving goodbye to Sarah Jane as she hurried out after Ian, closing the door behind her.  Sinking back into her chair, she pulled up the Bad Wolf Matchmakers website again, clicking to the bio for Ms. Rose Tyler.

I need a miracle.  Can you pull it off?

-

Tuesday, April 2nd

Rose flipped anxiously through her book as they made their way through the Gallifrey train station, two porters trailing behind with their luggage.  “Why are there so many rules for working with royals?” she fretted, a tightness in her chest that had settled there after the call with the Princess the day before and had yet to budge.

“Because they’re royal?  It’ll all be fine!”

Rolling her eyes, Rose handed the book to Mel.  “You’re too optimistic.  Right, quiz me again?”

“Name and title?”

Rose rolled her eyes.  “His Majesty King Ian of Gallifrey.  Forty-five years old, never married, came to the throne last spring.  Must marry before his coronation, must be coronated by the first anniversary of his accession.  Give me something difficult.”

“What degree does he have?”

“Doctor of medicine.  Has mainly worked overseas, Africa, that sort of thing.”  They wound their way through the station as Mel peppered her with questions.

“Favorite things to do?”

“Travel the world, practice medicine, play the guitar?”

“Why hasn’t he ever married?”

Rose bit her lip at that as they reached the parking lot.  “Self-proclaimed bachelor.  That’s all I know.  Ooh!  That’s us,” Rose added, spotting a driver holding a sign reading Rose Tyler.

They giggled as they climbed into the town car decorated with state flags, oohing and aahing on the drive to the castle.  It was only fifteen minutes door to door, but they had gorgeous views of the Alps and forest on the way.  The kingdom of Gallifrey, or so Wikipedia had claimed, was a micro-nation nestled between France and Switzerland.  A constitutional monarchy, the family line stretched back nearly a thousand years.  By virtue of their size and proximity to Switzerland they had managed to avoid getting dragged into any of the major conflicts of the last century, remaining neutral and nearly forgotten.

The scenery itself was gorgeous, the first hints of spring budding on the trees even as snow clung to the mountaintops in the distance.  Rose considered herself a city girl through and through, having never lived anywhere but London, but this… I could get used to views like this.

-

The palace appeared out of nowhere around a bend in the road, perched high up on a hill and making both women gasp in delight.  It was stunning, well maintained, and enormous.

“Rose,” Mel breathed, tapping her arm, and she faced forward again only to gasp.

“Oh my God.”  They stared up at the courtyard as the car came to a stop, the driver opening the door for them.  It looked like a traditional medieval castle, built with clean-cut gray stone.  Every doorway in sight was arched, with several turrets and towers reaching towards the sky, and it reminded Rose of her favorite architectural features of Windsor Castle at home.  “This is beautiful.”  The word didn’t do it justice, but it was all she had as she stepped out.

“Hello,” a voice chirped, and she spotted a boy standing in the nearest doorway.  He was dressed fairly formally, in black slacks and a blazer, but had an open and friendly face.  Early teens, he was still all gangly limbs but would clearly be tall.

“Hello,” Rose smiled, trying to take in the view while not being rude.  “How are you?”

“Well, ma’am, thank you.”

A woman hurried out of the door behind him them, gently moving him to the side.  “Luke!  Don’t badger them already,” she scolded, approaching Rose. “Sorry, my son Luke.  I’m Sarah Jane Smith, His Majesty’s personal assistant.  I believe we spoke on the phone?”  She directed the last bit towards Mel, who had joined Rose on the near side of the car.

“Yes, Melanie Bush,” she introduced herself, shaking her hand.  “This is Rose Tyler.  It’s lovely to meet you in person.”

“You as well,” the woman gushed, shaking Rose’s hand as well.  “We’re thrilled you’re here. Please, come with me.”

They followed her into the palace, her son trailing behind only to break off after a minute, disappearing down a corridor.

“How long have you known the King?” Rose asked as they made their way through the halls.  She tried to keep track of the twists and turns, but was hopelessly lost after the third.

“All his life,” she smiled over her shoulder.  “His mother was my sister, actually.  I worked as an investigative reporter, but after I adopted my son about ten years ago I retired from that – I didn’t want to be away from him so much.  She convinced me – begged, really – to come keep Ian- His Majesty- in line.  I manage his day-to-day; the schedule, who sees him, who doesn’t.  I’m the gatekeeper, especially off the palace grounds.  In return Luke and I live here, spending time with family.  It might be somewhat unconventional, but it works for us.”

“That’s really sweet,” she smiled, though her stomach clenched at what wasn’t said.  Is he really that difficult, you can’t find an assistant?  What have we gotten ourselves into?

They stopped at a set of tall double doors, Sarah Jane turning with a smile.  “This is you – a suite normally reserved for visiting dignitaries or royals.  It’s far closer to the King’s quarters, giving you better access.  Hopefully it will suit your needs.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” Rose promised, then the doors swung open and her heart stopped.  “Oh my.”

She entered the ‘room’ in a daze, mouth falling open as she took in the space.  It was the height of two stories, pristine white walls with gold crown molding.  The furniture was delicate and sparse, exactly what she’d expect in a royal palace, with a sturdy wooden desk situated at the far end of the room by the windows.  Two windows covered most of the outside wall, letting in plenty of sun.  They reached from waist-high to just below the ceiling, and were simply breathtaking. In all, everything she had seen so far was what she imagined castles looking like as a child.

“This will do,” she said faintly, making Sarah Jane laugh.

“Excellent.  There is a bedroom on either side of this room, and I’ll give you a few moments to freshen up before your trip.  His Majesty has fifteen free minutes soon, and I would like to introduce you to himself and the Princess Royal.”

Rose nodded, heading for one of the doors leading out of the room.  Stepping inside she found a bedroom similarly decorated to the first room, with a four-poster bed littered with fluffy pillows.  “Is this heaven?”

“It certainly seems it,” Mel said, amused, peering in over her shoulder.  “D’you want this one? Either is fine, I’m sure.”

“Okay.”  Still in a daze, she meandered towards the en suite.  It was elegant, if a bit old-fashioned, but she didn’t care – she was in love.  Taking a minute to freshen up, she was just checking her teeth in the mirror when Mel knocked on the door.  “Yeah?”

“Sarah Jane is back, she’d like to take you to meet the Princess then the King.”

“Thank you.”  Smoothing her hair one last time and refreshing her lipstick, she met Sarah Jane in the main room.

“Ready?”  The woman asked kindly, and Rose pasted on her brightest smile.

“Of course!  I’m so excited to get started.”

“Excellent.”  Sarah Jane guided her out into the hall, leading her towards the right.  “Once I leave you with the Princess I will work with Mel to get everything you need arranged.  As my duties are to tend to the King, one of my staff has been assigned to you.  Bill will see to anything you need; you only have to ask and she’ll arrange it.  She will also serve as your chauffeur should you need to leave the castle.”

Rose rubbed her hands on her thighs as they neared the most imposing set of double doors yet, knowing she was moments away from meeting royalty.  “That’s very generous, thank you.”

“Miss Tyler- may I call you Rose?”

“Of course.”

“Rose, I just want to take a moment to reiterate the importance of your presence here.  The future of our country depends on you.  But more importantly, my nephew’s happiness does.  I believe with the right bride he could happily face a lifetime of being king, but at the moment… Donna, the Princess Royal and his current heir, does what she can to step into the ceremonial duties of Queen, but that’s not sustainable.  It is critical that we find him the right woman.  I won’t lie and say it will be easy, but you will have everything you require.”

Swallowing harshly, she did her best to meet Sarah Jane’s gaze head on.  “I understand, and will do everything in my power to help.”

Nodding sharply, Sarah Jane opened the door.  “Miss Tyler, Your Highness.”

-

Rose walked in with her head held high, heading towards the redhead she’d Skyped with just yesterday.  “Good morning, Your Highness.”  Curtseying slightly, she noted the approving tick upwards of the woman’s lips before they settled into a firm line again.

“Thank you, Sarah,” the Princess directed at her aunt, who nodded and closed the door, leaving them alone.  “Thank you, Miss Tyler, for your haste in arriving.  I fear you may have your work cut out for you, and there is no time to squander.”

“I’m happy to be here, Your Highness,” she said politely, waiting until the princess gestured to sit.

“Please, help yourself to some tea,” she invited, and Rose did so, carefully pouring herself a cuppa.

“Thank you.”

They sat in silence for a moment, sipping at their teacups, Rose waiting for the princess to speak.  She, naturally, didn’t have much of a daily interaction with royalty, though Princess Diana had visited her primary school when she was young.  Still, she knew enough and rubbed elbows with enough high-profile people through her work to know to follow the other woman’s lead.

While she waited, she stared around the room in awe.  Everything was done in white and gold, from the carpets to the furniture to the walls.  Archways were everywhere, a vaulted ceiling over head, from which hung a magnificent chandelier.  It was the picture of luxury, and exactly what she would expect a royal palace to look like.

“Do you have any questions?” the princess finally offered, and Rose jumped at the chance.

“Yes.  If I may, why has he not taken a wife before now?”

The princess sighed heavily.  “May I be frank?”

“Of course.  The more I know about him, his life, his preferences and personality and likes and dislikes, the better I’ll be able to narrow down the candidates.  There is no time to dance around it, honestly.”

She lowered her teacup to her lap, fiddling with the handle as she stared down.  “Ian… has always been his own man.  He knows his own mind, and his greatest goal has always been to help people – that’s why he went to medical school.  His view on the crown is that he would have to give up that dream; to me, it’s just implementing it differently.  He may not be checking vitals, but it’s his responsibility to steer this ship still, and produce an heir to inherit from him.  His patient is no longer a person, but rather a country.”

“And if he doesn’t…”

“Then it will come to me, or my children if I’m gone.  We- my husband and I- don’t want that.  I prefer working behind the scenes, going unnoticed.  As it stands I am acting as consort for my brother, and it’s bloody exhausting.  I’d rather help shape policy as needed and be home with my kids for dinner and homework.”

“You don’t live in the palace?”

The Princess smiled.  “Technically.  We have a house on the grounds, closer to the lake – it’s still part of the palace, but we have more freedom and room there.  We wanted to give them as normal an upbringing as possible.”

Rose opened her mouth to respond, when the doors to the room swung open and a man stalked inside.

“Donna, what are you up to now?” he demanded, and Rose took her first proper look at him.  For being only in his mid-forties his hair was gray going white, his features sharp and intimidating.  “Who’re you?”

“Rose Tyler, Your Majesty,” she stood hurriedly, curtseying.  “The matchmaker.”

His expression, if possible, grew stormier as he went still, eyes narrowing at his sister.  “What. Did.  You.  Do?”

The princess held fast in the face of his anger, standing as well and smoothing her skirt.  “I told you I wouldn’t stand idly by.  Now, play nice – she’s here to help.  Miss Tyler, my brother King Ian.  Ian, Rose Tyler.  I’ll leave you two to it, then.”

And she swept out of the room without a backwards glance, leaving Rose alone in the room with the furious king.

“Um, hello,” she smiled nervously, eyes wide at his irate expression.  “You have a beautiful palace?”

It was official – she was in trouble.  Damn you, Mel!

[namedforthefirst-blog]

@loudhaoleinatie | drabble/starter

“Mellie!” The doctor was just closing her car door when she heard the pitter patter of young feet running towards her and the excited squeal of the little girl she’d come to pick up from her mother. Turning to face her, Melinda flashed her genuinely bright grin before scooping Grace Williams up into a warm hug, smiling over the smaller shoulder at Danny’s ex-wife, who was bringing out Grace’s little travel bag.

“Danny called ahead and told us he was going to meet the two of you there,” Rachel spoke as she walked over and handed the younger woman the bag. Mel put Grace back down and took the bag to put it into her car.

“He is in the middle of a case,” Mel confirmed with a soft sigh, watching Grace kiss her mother goodbye and race to the backseat of Mel’s car, buckling herself in. “He said to take her to the beach, have a girls’ trip until he meets us there. I’ll be by her side the whole time.”

“I know. Danny speaks of you often. If he trusts you with our daughter, so do I.” The two women grinned at each other before Mel returned to the driver’s seat and headed back down the driveway. “Gracie, you ready for the beach?”

“Yeah! We can go swimming and surfing and shell picking and…” Melinda laughed as the girl rattled off every possible thing they could do once they got to their little “stay-cation” spot on the other side of the island. She was truly her father’s daughter…incredibly intelligent, talkative, and kind. That was how their car ride went for the rest of the way, the soft ambiance of the radio in the background as they chatted about the beach and about Mel’s lack of surfing skills. Grace assured her that she’d teach her everything she knew, though.

“We’re here, Gracie.” The girls stepped out of the car, staring up at the sweet little bungalow sitting beside the white sandy beach. Melinda pulled out their bags and went to unlock the door, laughing as a blur of brunette hair ran by her into the vacation house to claim her bedroom and change into her swimsuit. Pulling out her phone, she snapped a picture and sent it to Danny with a “We’re here. <3″ text, smiling adoringly at her phone as she sent it. 

Two days later, after many hours of sunshine and seawater, Mel and Grace were out on the sand, making a sandcastle together and trying to build it as high as they could. They talked about Danny and about Mel’s job, and she answered every question about medical knowledge that Grace threw at her. She asked her how she felt about her dad, and Melinda easily told her the truth. She loved Danny, and she wasn’t ashamed to say it, nor was she hesitant to be honest with the girl she’d grown so fond of. 

“I’m hungry, Mellie. Can we go in and eat?” 

“Sure, sweetie! Sun’s starting to go down anyway. We can go in and check in on Danno, see what he’s up to.” With that, they took a few pictures by the finished castle and a few of them together on the beach splashing around and laughing before putting on their shorts and shirts over their bathing suits and heading back inside the bungalow to relax and unwind for the evening. She was just finished closing the back sliding door after Grace had walked inside behind her when she instantly noticed something was off. There were items that were moved and the living room was in total disarray, as though someone had been searching for something. 

“Danny? Babe, have you wrapped up your case early?” she called out nervously into the house.

“Hi, honey...” A man that was certainly not her boyfriend came walking into the living room from the bedrooms, an unstable smile that quickly turned into a frown crossing his face as he stared at the doctor and then at the little girl. Todd...last time she came face to face with him, he had broken several of her ribs, and she had called the police on him. He was in jail...he should have still been in jail...How...why had the authorities not informed her that her ex-fiance was out of prison?

“My God...” 

“My Mel...my love...I-I wanted to come and see you...talk to you...but then I see this girl with you, who looks like you...” Mel’s eyes dart to Grace, who could instantly tell something was wrong by the look on the older woman’s face. “Is this your daughter, Mel, sweetheart? Were you...were you unfaithful to me?”

“Todd...I-I don’t know what you’re talking about...you shouldn’t...you shouldn’t even be here. Gracie...c-come here...get behind me, little kala.” She put out her arm towards the little girl who began to quickly move towards her, but Mel’s ex slammed his fist down on the glass table, shattering it and startling both of the girls. 

“DO NOT LIE TO ME!” he roared out as he pulled up his bloody fist, and Mel took Grace in her arms, pressing the frightened child behind her protectively. “DID YOU CHEAT ON ME?”

“T-Todd...stop shouting, please...you’re scaring her...W-We can talk...we can talk...just the two of us...o-okay? Just let..let me go put her to b-bed...”

“No. Neither of you are going anywhere...” His voice dropped to a dangerously furious low tone as he reached in his waistband and pulled out a gun, prompting a sharp intake of breath from Mel as she realized how his dark obsession had increased since being imprisoned. “Not until I get some answers.”

“Mellie?” Grace’s tiny voice behind her was terrified, and the doctor took a deep breath as she squeezed the girl’s smaller hand soothingly. “W-Who is that?”

“He...He is someone I knew a long time ago...but he did some very bad things, Gracie. He hurt me.”

“Someone you knew?!” Todd began to advance quickly on them, and Mel backed them up towards the back door, keeping Grace from his view. “I loved you...I put a ring on your hand! I was going to have you for the rest of my life, Mel! And all you had to do was listen to me!” Behind her back, she pulled out her cell phone and handed it discreetly to Grace, who took it in her free hand and hid it. She knew what to do in these kinds of situations thanks to her father. Mel hurriedly grabbed the cutting board on the counter and threw it at her ex’s head, turning and pushing Grace to the door before throwing it open.

“RUN! Go, Grace! Call HPD! Get to the neighbor’s house! GO!” she pleaded two seconds before Todd grabbed ahold of her neck and dragged her back inside. Grace screamed Mel’s name but did as she asked, racing towards the other houses on the beach as she pulled out the phone and dialed the HPD, explaining to them what was happening and begging for them to hurry. Thank goodness Mel had shown her the address and had told her what to do in case of emergency while they were there.

“Todd...T-Todd, please...” He was not paying attention to her pleas as he pressed her against the wall, his fist with the gun slamming repeatedly into the wall beside her until it formed a hole. There were tears streaming down her cheeks as she visible flinched from him, the terrible memories of the previous time she’d seen him racing through her mind once again as she glanced around for anything that could help her. 

“She isn’t m-mine...please just...calm down. Calm down, okay?”

“Do NOT tell me to calm down...” Striking her hard across the face, she sunk down to the floor clutching her throbbing cheek with a groan of pain. He stepped over her and skimmed his fingers along the mark the handgun had left on her face, almost appearing sorry.

“Mel, honey...I don’t want to hurt you...I don’t mean to...I just want the truth...” His fists curled as the anger flickered back on his face, replaced by his false sense of sympathy and security. She’d seen that look too many times. It was his mask, his way of lying to the rest of the world, convincing them he was a good man and a good fiance when in reality? Monster did not come close to what he was.

“Is Danny the bastard you’ve been screwing? Is he the reason you put me away? Hmm?” His hands slid down her sides, touching her after so long but watching as she shrank away in terror and disgust. It only made him angrier. She looked up into his eyes and shook her head.

“You...Y-You hurt me, Todd. You alm-almost killed me...I met Danny...a-after you were in...jail...”

“What...did I say...about lying?” Smack. Her cheek throbbed twice as hard with the second strike, and he stood up to land a well aimed kick against her ribs. 

“S-Stop...pl-pl...” Mel couldn’t breathe. He flashed the gun dangerously close in her face. 

“I don’t believe you. That little girl...she shouldn’t be here...but it’s okay, darling. Don’t worry...she won’t come between us. She won’t be a problem after today...we can go back to how it was before...you’ll come home with me. And it will all be okay again.” He walked out the back door with the gun in his hand, and Melinda managed to scramble to her feet, eyes glancing around until they caught on the meat tenderizer on the counter she was planning on using for the steaks. She had to get to Gracie. She had to keep her safe.

Stumbling quickly outside after him, seeing the way he was stalking towards the girl running out on the beach towards the next house over, hand clutching the phone she was crying into as she called for HPD and her Danno, Mel’s desperate need to protect the sweet, innocent girl surged inside of her, and with an enraged yell, she tackled the man to the sand, knocking the gun from his grip and grasping her makeshift weapon, preparing to use it on him. He grabbed her around the throat and flung her down, tugging her by the hair towards the ocean, where he shoved her down into the water even as she fought back against him.

“WHY COULDN’T YOU LOVE ME?! WHY WASN’T I ENOUGH FOR YOU??” he screamed irrationally as he pushed her head beneath the water. Saltwater filled her nostrils and lungs, and she tried to blow out through her nose as best as she could. “SHE HAS TO DIE FOR US TO BE TOGETHER!”

“Mellie!! Mellie!” In between gasps of air when he’d yank her up to shout at her, Mel could hear the concerned shouts of Danny’s daughter on the beach seemingly getting closer as if she was running back to help her. Todd released his ex and turned to face the girl, determined to get to her this time as Grace realized his attention had turned back to her. She turned and began to run from him, and Mel knew she was not going to allow Todd to touch a single hair on Grace’s head. Not while the doctor was still alive.

“Gra...ce...” she sputtered before she remembered the tenderizer and grasped it tight, hurling her arm upwards and making contact with her attacker’s head. He fell backwards, and she climbed on top of him as she choked and hacked up the water. And then the maternal instinct to protect Grace kicked in, and she went on the offense. Every time he yelled, every time he pushed her into the walls or threw her down the stairs. Every time he blamed her for not cooking what he wanted or accusing her of not spending enough time with him. Her memories fueled her wrath at the man who’d threatened the young child. She began slamming her fist into the dazed man’s face as she could hear the sirens wailing up the street, but she just did not want to stop anymore.

She kept swinging and kicking and hitting him in every way she could, breaking bones and dislocating his shoulder in the process, her clothes stained with blood from the both of them, until suddenly the police were pulling her off of him, and she halfway collapsed into the waiting arms of Chin Kelly. His arms wrapped around her as her rage quelled and became replaced with both the rising fear of facing her greatest nightmare mixed with relief that the police had arrived, and Grace was now safe. Mel’s aching shoulders wracked with sobs as she broke down, clutching Chin for dear life as she tried to explain herself through her tears. He kept murmuring that she was safe, that it was all right, picking her up and carrying her back towards the police cars where Grace had run to as soon as she had heard them driving up. Sgt. Lukela checked Todd’s pulse and told them he was unconscious but still alive, and that a group of HPD officers now surrounded him with guns drawn in case he woke up.

“Mellie?” She immediately climbed out of Chin’s grip and limped to the girl, falling to her knees and taking the scared child into her arms, holding her as close and as tight as she could, stroking her face and hair in relief.

“Grace...you’re safe...it’s all right...that horrible man will never touch you...he will never hurt you...”

“Us...He’ll never hurt us, Mellie...Uncle Chin is here now. Danno will come.” Grace curled deeper into the doctor’s embrace as Melinda began to cry again, the compassion of Danny’s daughter truly touching her as Chin dialed Danny’s number to tell him what had happened, his hand moving to clutch Mel’s shoulder in comfort as he smiled down at the girls in utter relief. They’d gotten there in time. 

[cranberrybogmummy]

Fanfic Triple Threat: The Storm that rocked the universe (Doctor who/Gravity Falls/Rick & Morty)

It must have been the middle of the night when the drifter showed up at the back door of the mystery shack. They couldn’t hear the faint scratching at the back door. So the drifter mustered all of his strength and knocked harder.

Eventually the door opened Soos looked down and saw a a stranger: a ragged,  burned, injured, man, collapsed on the porch, flies circled his head.

“Dude you alive?” Soos asked.

The man looked up at Soos. “Is…. this… Gravity….. Falls?” He said. Each word was croaked out in a painful way, also he sounded British?

“Yeah Dude, but you need to get a hospital. I’m calling 911.”

The man smiled slowly, he had an unnerving smile and squinty eyes.

The Man looked Soos squarely in the eyes. “No… you aren’t.”

Soos felt a weird twitch in his brain. “Naw, I guess not.”

“You… will… take… me into … your house  and care for me….” The man said.

“Yeah I will.” Soos said. Why not? It was easier then taking the guy to the hospital and didn’t they have some burn ointment in the medicine cabinet? Soos bent down and looped his arm over the man’s shoulder. The stranger really didn’t weigh much at all… It was easy to help him into the house…

“Just one more thing? Am …I at ….the mystery shack?”

“Yeah.”

The strange drifter smile deepened and he stifled a laugh that turned into a cough.

“You okay?”

“Oh, I’m so much better then okay, Jesus Ramirez.”

“Heh. You know my name…. that’s not suspicious at all.” Soos said sincerely.

~~~

The Stan o’War II sat in the Port of Portland.

“This is weird,” Stan said. “Soos should have been here to pick us up.”

“Well,  he’s just late, he’s running your business now, maybe he’s got other concerns…” Ford replied.

“Naw, he wouldn’t  be late, that’s not him.”  Stan said.

“Hey I think the Mabel and Dipper are here.”  Said Ford.

“GRUUNNNNNNNNKKKKKLLLLLLESSSS!!!!!!!!!” Mabel screamed running up to them and folding both of them into a big hug.

Dipper trudged behind he was still wearing Wendy’s old hat. He smiled in a tired way.

“I’m So glad to see everyone!” Mabel said. “Wait… where’s Soos, he was supposed to pick us up and take us to Gravity Falls.”

“That’s what we’re wondering,” Stan said.

“How long has it been?” Dipper asked.

“About a half hour,” Said Ford.

“Huh, that’s not like him,” said Dipper.

“He hasn’t even been in touch with us for two weeks,” Mabel said. “We usually video chat all the time. He was real excited, couldn’t wait to show you guys the new attractions him and Mel made. I called and texted all of them, no one answered.”

“So you’re saying this is suspicious?” Dipper asked.

“Yes, I suppose so,” Ford mused. “but we don’t know for sure.”

“I just texted Wendy, she said the shack’s been closed for two weeks, this isn’t good. Something’s happened, I know it” Mabel shouted

“Then why are we standin’ here gabbin’ about it, let’s find out what happened!” Stan said.

They rented a car, piled in and headed out to the falls.

~~~~~~~~

Melody was slightly shaking as she carried the tray up the stairs to the master bedroom, Soos and her used to share it, but the drifter and taken it over since his arrival.  She took a deep breath and knocked at the closed door of the bedroom. Soos opened it, his eyes blank, not seeing her.

“Ms. Melody with my brekkers, on time for once.” She’d once loved British accents, now they were ruined.

Melody looked down, she didn’t want to meet his horrible squinty eyes. Since he’d been cleaned up, the drifter it seemed had receding sandy colored hair and slight goatee, He was still covered with cuts and burns. He spent most of his time in bed, but had ordered Soos and Abuelita to ransack Stan’s old office also the room Ford used to sleep in.  She didn’t look at him as she walked forward and set the tray down on the nightstand.

“Eggs and toast with Marmalade!, looks scrummy! And there’s my tea, I hope Granny made it properly this time, don’t want her to suffer do we?” He said. “Aren’t you going to answer me, Mels?”

Melody tried so hard NOT to look at him. She didn’t want end up like Soos or Abuelita, hypnotized under his control.

“No.” She muttered

He sipped the tea. “Aren’t you going to look at me, Melody? Aren’t you?”

She didn’t reply.

“I know Stanford Pines hid the plans here. I know he had a secret lab, but I’ve searched this place top to bottom and still can’t get in it!” He exclaimed. “That doesn’t make me happy.”

She looked up, kept focused on Soos, who just stood there looking blank and miserable, it hurt her so much to see him like this.

“Look at that big lump! What did a smart girl like you ever see dummy like that?” He said. “Nevermind,  I know one of you KNOWS the code to that lab. I’ll get it out one or another. I’ll make him hurt you or his Nan, if you don’t tell me.”

Melody sighed. “I don’t know the code.”

There was an evil joy in the drifter’s voice. “Or should I make him hurt himself? Which would be worse for you? C’MON LOOK AT ME AND ANSWER! I AM THE MASTER AND YOU WILL OBEY ME!”

She looked up at that round, face with it’s squinty eyes and thin smirking lips. She could feel her brain starting to switch off….

”Nononononono- Little Bopeephaslosthersheepanddoesn’tknowwheretofindthemleavethemaloneandthey’llcomehomwaggigngtheeirtailsbehindthem Little Bopeephaslosthersheepanddoesn’tknowwheretofindthemleavethemaloneandthey’llcomehomwaggigngtheeirtailsbehindthem—“

She could feel her mental resolve coming back.

“—SHUT UP!” The Master lunged at her ready to strike.

There was knocking at the door, loud and obnoxious.

“SOOS, MELODY, UHHH SOOS’S GRANDMA! WE’RE HERE, WHAT’S GOING ON? OPEN UP!” It was Stan’s voice. Melody never felt so glad here that Jersey accent in her voice.

Soos began to stir, at Stan’s voice. “Mr. Pines? Is that really him?”

“Soos we brought snacks and glitter!” Mabel’s shout from downstairs.

“Oh my gosh! The Pineses are here. Pines? Or Pineses, I never can—“ Soos began.

“Be quiet!” The master chided irritably. “Wait….” he got out the bed and limped to the window and drew the curtains back glancing out he commented. “That’s Stanford Pines, we need him.”

~~~~~~

Stan, Ford, Dipper, and  Mabel had been waiting outside the shack for what seemed like an eternity when Abuelita Ramirez finally opened the door.

“Come in be careful we under new management.” She said.

“Where’s Soos and why’s the Shack closed durning prime business hours?!” Stan demanded.

“Quiet Stanley I think something’s wrong.” Ford said.

“Why are all the blinds down?” Mabel asked. “And why do I smell tea and burnt rubber?”

“Where’s Soos and Melody?” Dipper asked

“Sssshhh, will answer later.” Abuelita said.

They walked through the creaking dark mystery shack until they got to the office.  Soos stood by the door, so did Melody neither of saying anything their heads down. The chair was turn back to them.

Abuelita locked the office door behind them and the feeling of discomfort grew tenfold.

That’s when the chair spun around and the Master looked at them grinning from behind the desk.

“Who the heck are you?” Stan said. “And what did you do my shack?”

“Me? I’m the Master and you are going to be my guests for the summer!” The master said. “Wait did I say guests? I mean hostages!”

“I’d like to see you try, ya limey bastard!”  Stan yelled, grabbing his golden knuckle dusters.

“We’ll fight you!” Mabel shouted, defensive glitter clutched tightly in her fist.

“Whoever you are won’t get away with this!” Dipper said..

“…wait!” Ford said flinging his arm out. “This isn’t an ordinary human! If my calculations are correct we are dealing with dangerous alien, a Timelord from Gallifrey!”

The Master’s smile widened. “Bingo! Now give me access to your lab and papers! There is certain being a I need to make contact with… you know him as Bill Cipher.”

“What?! NEVER!” Ford Cried.

“Thought you’d say that so I’m going to——“ The Master began.

Then suddenly with a flash of light and smoke, a figure appeared:  a thin teen with patchy borne hair in a ragged yellow shirt and gray pants.  He pointed a silvery gun at the Master and in a  cracking quavering voice he spoke with that was oddly familiar he said:

“M-M-my n-n-name is M-M-Morty Smith on behalf of the Time Agency under t-t-the Authority of Time baby, you are under a—a—a-arrest, and I’ll KILL you if you don’t-don’t.—“

“Blendin?” Mabel whispered

“Why’s he calling himself Morty and what’s he doing here?” Dipper whispered back.

“Go on do it then and kill me,” The Master smiled.

Morty fired the gun, it sparked and crackled but nothing happened. “Oh time-shit! I’m screwed now!”

[idornaseminary]

Chapter Two-Hundred Eleven: Calix and Beatrice

Calix stood at the main entrance to Idorna, his wand tapping against his arm in worried agitation. His fidgeting intensified as he waited by the door, half tempted to take a rope and head out into the cold morning air, just to make sure everything was okay.

When Beatrice’s patronus had flown towards him, it brought a tremendous amount of relief with its shimmering form, the queasy knot in his stomach unraveling slowly when he knew Enzo to be safe.

Safe until Mel, Nat or I get our hands on him anyway.

Calix’s eyelids had begun to close after his tea, despite the caffeine surging in his system. The autovitalis charm he had cast on himself, the maroon sigil glowing on the roughly scarred wrist, did nothing to keep him awake. He started to doze intermittently in the early hours of the morning, slipping into small slumbers, empty and dreamless, that replenished his fading energy and kept his defensive magic, bubbling and gurgling, alive.

In his sleepiness, he missed Enzo ducking out through the portrait. When he’d woke next, the drunk Frenchman had disappeared. Calix’s vitalis charm suddenly kicked in and he jumped from the bed in a panic, his thoughts immediately rushing to the worse case scenario.

His charms seemed sound, but he was quickly engulfed with fear.

He woke his unlikely company and they quickly left in search of Enzo. Their hearts were quite literally pounding, high in their chests with, as it would turn out, undue worry.

The sound of thundering blood in his ears dominated Calix’s mind as he ran through the corridors of Idorna, trying to keep to himself. He couldn’t trust anyone around him. Anyone could be working alongside Ibori and Calix feared that his protective charms, which had remained silent all evening, had failed to sing when Ibori or one of his lackeys came to find them.

It was maddening. He felt sick to his core.

When Beatrice found the Frenchman, Calix finally relaxed, all his stress lifting, progressively replaced by immense joy.

The witch in question smiled as she saw her boyfriend waiting for her in the main entrance beside the goblin guarding the doors, jogging towards him knowing that Enzo was safe only a couple of yards behind her. “Cal, honey, I know you’re gonna wanna wring his neck, but…”

“I’m not,” Calix murmured, looking straight over her shoulder with stormy eyes. He bashed his wand against his arm, glancing down at Beatrice. “I just want to know he’s okay. Is he okay? Tell me he’s okay?”

“He’s okay,” she said softly, taking his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. “He’s perfectly fine. Just hungover.”

A cold intake of air steadied Calix and he smiled happily, running his hand through his annoyingly long hair, the wooden wand grazing against his scalp. He was delighted to hear Enzo was safe, more so that his defences hadn’t been breached and one the company stole from under his watchful care. He couldn’t imagine losing one of them. They were relying on each other.

“That’s good to hear,” he whispered, squeezing her hand, “I suppose he better rest that hangover before I talk to him.”

She nodded and watched as the Frenchman took off his bracelet and head up the stairs without another word, smiling quietly to herself as she hoped he was on his way to make things right with Mel, though a shower would probably have been necessary first. She turned back to Calix and bit her bottom lip, holding a laugh as she looked at the bangs falling on his face. “And I suppose it’s time for a haircut,” she said, shaking her head softly.

Calix watched Enzo leave, trudging up the stairs, holding his head with one hand. He was definitely suffering the aftermath of all the firewhiskey, his sudden disappearance somewhat explained by the benefits of fresh air, and Calix decided to spend a little time with his girlfriend before chasing after him, to check if everything was okay. He needed some time to nurse his soreness. Calix could take the pain away, but Enzo needed to learn too. He’d take the pain away later.

“I think so, sweetheart,” he chuckled, puffing up his cheeks and blowing the falling locks into the air with a gust of breath.

“It’s ridiculously long. And this,” Calix said, pointing to the dense, scraggly bristles carpeting his face, “I don’t think this suits me, does it?”

She chuckled and stood up on her tiptoes, sweeping the black strands of hair off his face with her fingers. “I mean, I don’t mind them, but I don’t think Doctor Evans will be terribly impressed by the mountain man look in her Infirmary,” she said, linking arms with him and leading him towards the hospital wing. “You just need a quick trim is all. Otherwise, Professor Owa might start thinking there’s a werewolf loose in the castle.”

Growling playfully, Calix nuzzled his cheeks against Beatrice, wrapping an arm tightly around his waist and pulling her linked body close to his. With Enzo safely back inside, Calix’s heart began to ache for Beatrice, a longing to spend his time with her rather than worry about others. The moments they shared were precious to him.

“You don’t mind it?” he growled, adding a teasing bark at the end, “I might keep it all so if that’s the case. Grow it out. What do you think? Would you date a werewolf, my love? Would you rather a wolf by your side?”

Beatrice laughed as she led him into the Infirmary, glancing around before tugging him towards the empty office. Doctor Evans seemed to be away on a lunch break and there really wasn’t anywhere easier to clean in the castle than the hospital wing.

“Cal, you know I love you no matter what,” she said, guiding him over to the leather lined desk chair, summoning a clean, white, terry cloth towel from the supply cupboard. “But I think in this case, your career calls for you to look professional.”

He happily allowed himself to be led by Beatrice, following her into the infirmary. It was still early and the office was empty. No one would bother them for a while, except possibly Evans returning from lunch. But, Calix knew she wouldn’t mind his presence.

He sat down in the chair as the towel floated delicately onto his chest, two of the corners tucking themselves into the collar of his patterned shirt.

“My career?” Calix asked, raising an eyebrow. The thick curls fell down over his eyes, obscuring the dark irises that glistened beneath the mesh of black threads, grey storms of affection building as he watched Beatrice prepare. “Or my girlfriend? I know you don’t like it being this long.”

“I told you, I really don’t mind your hair being this long,” Beatrice said, transfiguring a tongue depressor into a comb when her unfruitful search for one came to a close. “I just don’t think that Enzo can stand the competition,” she teased, gently smoothing out his hair to the best of her ability without her medley of cosmetic potions at the ready. “I mean, you’ve got a great job, a loving, committed relationship, and a great head of hair? Nah, you gotta help the man out a little.”

“You think Enzo is jealous of me?” Calix chuckled, looking up at Beatrice. When his eyes settled on her sallow skin, he bit his lower lip, catching it between his kissed teeth. Even in the white-washed light of the infirmary, she looked breathtakingly gorgeous. If someone were to be jealous, it would be of her.

How did he get so lucky?

“I think he just doesn’t really like me. I talk too much. Or, I’m too good or too happy. I don’t know really, but it certainly isn’t jealousy, my love.”

She laughed softly and shook her head, the sound of the scissors snipping away filled the otherwise quiet room. “I’m just saying you two are never gonna be friends if you both have long, majestic flowing manes,” she joked, brushing away fluffy little clumps of hair off his freckled neck and onto the towel.

“Well then, I’d say it’s a good thing you’re taking care of that, isn’t it, Ms. Selwyn?” Doctor Evans asked, pulling on her white lab coat as she stepped into the office, a thin, white eyebrow arched with her piqued curiosity.

Calix bit down on his lip harder when he heard Doctor Evans’ melodic voice, a low, rumble climbing from his chest. He cursed a little and pulled away when Beatrice, taken aback by the older mediwitch’s abrupt arrival, poked the scissors into his scalp.

He glanced up at Beatrice, her cheeks a familiar royal red, an embarrassed blush he recognised instantly; it made her all the more adorable.

“It is,” Calix whimpered, his hand instinctively patting his head. It was surprising how little hair was there, how much fell in large, cloud-like clumps onto the waiting towel. “I don’t think I can pull off a lion’s mane like Enzo. Besides, it keeps getting in my eyes.”

“I’m sorry, Doctor, but he desperately needed a trim, and we’re not allowed in each other’s common rooms. Plus I think everybody would be weirded out if I gave him a haircut in the Great Hall or the Library,” Beatrice babbled, the bright blush burning her neck, staining her cheeks a brilliant shade of cherry red. The imperious witch glanced between the two of them, her thin pale lips curling in the corners into what Beatrice could have sworn was a smile. “Please be careful not to put my best healer out of commission again,” she said, summoning her stethoscope from a drawer behind them. “And, Mr. Galen, I better not find any of your hair left on my floor when you leave.”

Calix smiled back at Doctor Evans, promising to clean the office thoroughly. Satisfied, she moved passed them, out into the main hall of the infirmary, softly shaking her head from side to side.

Calix, still rubbing the crown of his head, gazed up at Beatrice. “I think she’s warming to you, you know. But, please do try to keep me alive during this. I have to sort out Enzo after this, and, well, I have a very special young lady to treat too.”

“Oh? Who is this very special young lady you’re gonna treat?” she asked, pressing a kiss to the red welt on his head, carefully trimming his absurdly long bangs back to a more manageable length. “Must be some woman to deserve such a wonderful man’s affection.”

“She’s the most wondrous and amazing and talented and beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” Calix said, closing his eyes and leaning back in the office chair. He thought he heard a muffled sound from Doctor Evans, either a sigh of understanding or a groan of dissatisfaction, but he wasn’t sure. Nevertheless, he was happy his mentor approved his relationship.

“I think you’d like her. But, to be honest, I think I’m the one who got lucky. She’s incredible!”

“Is that so?” Beatrice asked, combing out his hair, a coy smile on her face. “I mean, I don’t know. I think this lucky little lady of yours is the fortunate one. You’re handsome, you’ve got a steady job, a loving family, and you’re funny to boot!” she said, carefully pulling the towel out of his collar, dusting off his shoulders before carrying it over to the waste bin to discard all the shorn hair.

As soon as the towel was pulled away, Calix leaped out of the seat and checked his hair in the small, silvered mirror by the door. He turned his head from side to side, admiring the way Beatrice had cut his unruly locks into submission, shaping the wild, messy thicket into a refined and casual style.

He smiled, stepping in close behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Kissing at the back of her neck, he whispered his thanks: “I think I look presentable enough for her. Thanks, Bea, I owe you one. Do you think she’ll like it?”

“I think the odds are in your favor,” she said with a grin, twirling on her heel to steal a quick kiss. “Now, c’mon. I’m hungry. Some silly manhunt for a grumpy Frenchman kept me from getting breakfast and I hear that I might have a date tonight.”

“A date?” Calix whistled, raising his eyebrows. He stole another kiss, placing his lips on Beatrice’s for much longer than he should, eliciting a sharp cough from Doctor Evans. She hadn't quite yet fully warmed to them.

“I think the odds are almost entirely biased, Bea. Shall we grab a quick bite to eat, then I’ll go track down that grumpy Frenchman - he and I need a good chat - and then later this evening, I also happen to have a date, before another precarious sleepover. So, my advice would be dressed well for about six o’clock?”

“Can’t wait.” She grabbed his hand and led him out of the Infirmary towards the Great Hall around the corner, her stomach grumbling loudly like a group of dwarves were mining for diamonds. “No literally, I can’t wait for food anymore!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll buy you some food as thanks, you monster,” Calix laughed gleefully, waving goodbye to Doctor Evans as Beatrice pulled him out of the infirmary, two giant smiles on their faces.

[idornaseminary]

Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Nine: Mel

In the dead of night, Mel felt a presence hovering near her bed.

She’d been locked into a fitful sleep, reliving the horrors of the Boggart. No matter where she turned in the nightmare, she would come face to face with the bulging eyes of her father as he clawed at his throat, desperate for air. Her body eventually wrenched her out of the hellscape, and her blurry, sleep-filled eyes were able to make out a dim blue light hovering over her bed.

It took her a moment to realize what it was - a patronus. An eagle, circling just beneath the canopy above her. She blinked in alarm, glancing over at Ella. She was still sleeping soundly.

“Melanie Winter,” came a voice from the patronus. She recognized it immediately as belonging to Doctor Evans. Alarmed, she shot forward, bunching her blanket around her. “Your presence is requested in the infirmary at once. I am afraid the matter is urgent.”

“What…?” Mel’s heart leaped into her throat, but the eagle turned, disappearing through the wall. She watched it go, feeling dread build in her chest like nausea.

After a brief moment of stun, she dove out of bed and wrapped her housecoat around her shoulders, not even bothering to throw shoes on. She cast lumos and hurried down the stairs and out of the Gestona common room.

The stone floors of the main castle were ice cold against her bare feet, but she refused to stop, taking the stairs almost two at a time. In part, this was because she knew the matter was urgent. However, another part of her felt an intense fear at roaming the castle on her own. The shadows in the corners of her vision seemed to take on a whole life of their own, feeling thick and tangible.

When she reached the main floor of the castle, she was so intent on getting to the infirmary that she didn’t watch where she was going. Her bare feet slipped on something wet and she fell, landing painfully on her side and leaving her winded. Wetness soaked through her clothes. Wheezing, she grabbed her wand and sat up, throwing its light over the puddle she sat in.

A shriek built in her throat. She was sitting in a trail of blood, leading all the way from the front doors, down the hall to the infirmary.

“Oh God, oh God,” she mumbled, wiping her shaking hands on her pajama pants. She stood, with great difficulty, and stumbled the rest of the way to the infirmary.

Her eyes scanned the room, searching for a source for the blood, but Professor Owa immediately blocked her vision, grabbing her by the arm.

“Melanie,” she said, her voice shrill. “You’re covered in blood. Don’t tell me - “

“It isn’t mine,” Mel blurted, wrenching her arm away. “But it is everywhere. What the hell happened?”

“Come.”

Grabbing her arm again, Owa led her towards the back of the infirmary. A few students still remained from the battle over a week ago now, but the back corner remained deserted, save for a group of professors crowding around one of the beds. They came into view one at a time - there was Ibori, remaining stone-faced as O’Connor cursed and screamed in his face, her own skin even more pale than normal.

“Would you both stop it!” Evans barked the demand over her shoulder as she hunched over whoever was in the bed. There was blood everywhere. Mel felt like she was going to be sick. “Take that childish argument elsewhere!”

“Melanie Winter!” O’Connor exclaimed suddenly, rushing over to her and gripping her shoulders. “Yazid found him outside. He fought them off as best he could, but by the time I arrived to help, they’d...he’d…” She stopped, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth and squeezing her eyes shut.

Mel’s stomach dropped. “Move.”

She shoved through the throng and made it to the bedside, her knees buckling as soon as she caught sight of the mess.

It was Vincent, his skin, and clothes so soaked with blood that it was hard to see the source. However, when she gathered the courage to look him straight on, she realized it would have been easier to point out parts of his body that weren’t sliced open and bleeding. Deep claw marks marred his face, his arm twisted unnaturally at his side. His shirt and jacket were in ribbons, revealing his exposed and torn open stomach.

“M-Melanie…” He croaked the fingers on his unbroken arm twitching.

“I’m here,” she said desperately. She couldn’t bring herself to stand, but she allowed O’Connor to help her into a chair that had been pulled up by the bedside. She didn’t care who was watching. She latched onto his hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “What happened?”

“The fool left the castle after dark,” Ibori replied coldly. “Merlin only knows why. I would not have found him when I did, had it not been for the screams of pain.”

“Yazid, that’s enough,” O’Connor snapped, her fingers trailing circles on Mel’s back.

Vincent coughed, blood spilling across his lips. He tried to utter something, but it came out as only a series of splutters.

“What is it?” said Mel, squeezing his hand.

“He is not lucid, I am afraid,” Evans said gravely. Mel dimly realized that she’d stopped tending to his wounds, directly. She caught a flash of the label on the flask in her hand. It was a painkiller. “He’s done nothing since we’ve brought him here but utter your name.”

Ibori came to stand over her. “Now, why might that be?”

Mel shook her head, the room swimming. “I don’t know.”

“It’s the reason we had Elizabeth call you,” O’Connor said gently. “I’m afraid he...he doesn’t have much time left. For whatever reason, seeing you is his last wish.”

Don’t say that, Mel wanted to cry, the tears spilling down her cheeks. She ducked her head, feeling her whole body start to tremble. Taking a breath to compose herself, she looked up at Vincent. His eyes were half-open, staring around the room. His eyes finally settled on Mel, a brief stab of clarity flashing within them. His grip on her hand tightened.

“Melanie,” he groaned.

“I’m here,” she said again, her voice wavering just above a whisper. “It’s me, I’m here.”

“Right,” he slurred, squeezing his eyes shut as a vicious cough wracked his body. “Were right. You.”

The room quieted, hanging on the few coherent words he’d spoken other than Mel’s name. She leaned forward, a warning alarm ringing in her head.

“What?”

“‘Sa secret. Didn’t tell.”

Her eyes widened. She cautioned a glance around the group and they were each watching the scene with varying degrees of shock. Ibori, on the other hand, wore an unreadable expression, his eyes locked on Mel. Feeling unnerved, she turned back towards Vincent to find his eyes had drifted to Ibori as well.

And all at once, she understood.

“Hey,” she said, snapping her fingers in his face. His head lolled in her direction. “Listen to me. It’s going to be okay. You’re not going to hurt anymore, okay? Doctor Evans is going to make things better.”

She knew it was a lie. His eyes were focused somewhere that was far away from this room, any skin not soaked with blood drained of colour. She watched his lips form the shape of her name, but no sound came out. Then his grip on her hand went limp, slowly, like air deflating from a balloon.

It was over.

Hardly enough time even passed for her to process what had happened before the professors were on her case. She was whisked out of the infirmary and into the hallway by Ibori, Owa, and O’Connor, the latter of whom had only just managed to get her sobs under control.

“I understand this must be very painful for you, Melanie,” said Owa, her soft voice echoing off the walls. “Virgil was a very good man. He was well loved by all.”

Mel nodded, saying nothing. Her eyes were locked on a small crack in the doorframe, as though she could will the wood to mend simply by staring at it.

“That being said, his last words were troubling, and I am sure you can understand why,” said Ibori. Unlike the other two women, he was completely devoid of emotion. Hatred towards him was the one emotion Mel could force herself to feel right now. “What secret was he talking about, Miss Winter?”

“Is this really necessary?” asked O’Connor, her voice still thick with tears. “Give the poor girl some time to grieve before we all start interrogating her.”

“These are trying times, Saoirse. We have lost many of her own in the past while, but that does not mean we cannot afford to shirk diligence.” He bore his eyes into Mel, and she tore her eyes away from the doorframe to meet them.

“It’s fine,” Mel mumbled, twisting her fingers together. “It’s not like it matters anymore anyway.”

Owa gently touched Mel’s arm. “Go on, dear.”

“Vincent and I were…” Mel swallowed, avoiding Ibori’s harrowing stare and O’Connor’s bloodshot eyes. She focused instead on Owa’s warm, familiar face. “We were sleeping together.”

Ibori’s jaw dropped. It clearly hadn’t been the answer he’d been expecting, regardless of whether or not he actually believed her.

“Well,” said O’Connor, clearing her throat. Her face had gone bright scarlet, but there was also something else, as though behind her shock and sadness, she was vaguely impressed.

“You expect us to believe that?” Ibori said finally, raising an eyebrow at her.

She met his stare without blinking. “I can go into some of the dirty details if you’d like, professor.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Owa said sharply, giving the taller man a glare. He locked his jaw, saying nothing.

“Now, may I be excused?” Mel asked, the facade crumbling away as grief threatened to swell within her once again. “Or are you going to expel me for sleeping with a professor?”

“You’re excused, Melanie,” said O’Connor. She reached out and gave Mel a brief hug, but the action stirred a surprising amount of emotion in Mel’s chest. She sniffed, turning away from the professors and heading back down the blood-stained hallway, but she could still hear their whispers echoing behind her.

“You’re just going to let her go?”

“For fuck’s sake, Yazid, her lover just died! Give the poor girl a break.”

“Both of you, that’s enough. An announcement will have to be made…”

Mel turned the corner and their whispers faded into silence. The halls were deserted, and only when she was sure she was alone did Mel feel safe pressing her back against the wall and sliding to the floor, her body trembling with silent sobs. She clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress them, pain and rage swirling together to make one violent storm.

Not only was Vincent dead, but he’d used his dying breath to tell Mel exactly who was to blame for it.

The rational part of her knew that she should be planning on how to get the others to work together to do something about it before it was too late, but that part was buried beneath a wave of sadness. The weight of it was crushing, and by the time she was able to compose herself, she hauled herself to bed and buried herself within the blankets, any motivation to do good snuffed out like a flame.

[idornaseminary]

Chapter One-Hundred Forty-Nine: Beatrice, Enzo, Mel, and Nat

Sitting still as a statue on the chaise in front of the hearth, Beatrice stared down at a large blue clay bowl filled with water in her lap, a clear crystal pendant in her hand circling the bowl, the refracted light from which cast images onto the surface of the water. Her chest barely moved with each shallow breath she took as the motionless woman followed Teddy Crix’s movements up to a narrow, dark winding staircase that seemed to go on forever until he reached a heavy metal door with a deadbolt, stepping outside onto the main floor, locking the door behind him before slipping away. 

Beatrice’s head snapped up, her trance broken as the squeaky portrait hole swung open, revealing Natasha. The usually highly amicable Samoan offered a weak smile, her hands shaking as she set her scrying bowl in the center of the rug, hanging the crystal around her neck where it settled next to Calix’s pendant. “Hey,” she said simply, the bags under her eyes more pronounced in the dancing flames, their light filling the room as her brown, dull irises shining nearly black under a cloud of worry, settled on the stunning German’s face.

Natasha stepped through the opening left by the gruesome portrait, her eyes landing on a distressed-looking Samoan, sitting on the chaise of the Den. Not twenty minutes ago, Natasha had been taken aback by the sight of a silvery swan gliding elegantly through the door to her dormitory. It made sense, however, when Beatrice’s voice echoed from its beak, requesting the fellow Seer’s presence in the Den. Even through the Patronus, the other woman’s voice trembled and cracked, indicative of the state she was in. The Gestona didn't give a reason for the meeting, just asking Natasha to come to the Den as soon as she could, but the Cucurrion had a feeling she knew why Beatrice wanted to talk. Calix had appeared in her another vision for Natasha yesterday, looking even worse than he had when she saw him New Year's Eve, and Natasha had a feeling he was missing. Which would explain why Beatrice seemed so shaken, as the pair were constantly hanging off each other and had a dependence that Natasha didn't understand. Not that that mattered at the moment, as she had a debt to Calix, and would do her best to repay it by finding and saving him.

“Hello,” she responded lightly, her voice a cool, neutral tone. She didn’t know how much Beatrice knew about her boyfriend, what was happening with him, so she didn’t want to scare her more. It would do nothing to help find the healer if Beatrice was in a panic.

Looking up from her comfortable grey knit slippers, Beatrice cleared her throat and gestured to the rug where her bowl sat. “I think we’re just waiting on Mel to get started,” she said simply, rubbing her arms through the thin material of her white crocheted jumper. “I’ll explain everything once she’s here. But for the time being, can I ask if you’ve seen Calix lately?” she asked, trying very hard to squish the small bloom of hope in her heart that somebody might have seen him, even if it was somebody he didn’t get along with.

Natasha knew the question referred to physically seeing Calix around Idorna, so she had no qualms in responding with, “No, I haven’t seen him.” She gracefully stepped over to another armchair, taking a seat and crossing her ankles. She smoothed out her dark green skirt, eyes studying Beatrice and taking in the other woman’s posture, her expression; it all spelled out fear, fear for what might be happening to her beloved, fear that she may never see him again.

At that moment Mel stepped through the portrait hole, waving a hello to the other two girls. Her eyes lingered on the bed in the corner for a moment, lips pulling into a brief smile. She settled on the carpet in front of the fireplace and took a sip from her water bottle.

“Hey. I got your patronus. Enzo did too, he should be up shortly.”

She noticed a tension in the room that made her nervous. Natasha seemed calm enough, though Mel could never really be sure what the Cucurrion girl was thinking. Bea, on the other hand, was a tightly-coiled bundle of nervous energy. Mel reached out and rested her hand on Bea’s knee.

“Is everything okay?”

The distracted woman nodded vaguely and ran her fingers through her curls which hung so limp her black hair hung almost perfectly straight. She shook her head and stood up, sidestepping the sweet Gestona’s friendly. “Well, to be perfectly frank, no, but I’ll wait for Enzo to get here before I start explaining,” she said, carefully walking around her scrying bowl as she went to pace in front of the fire. “You haven’t seen Calix around either have you?” she wondered aloud, a hint of desperation sliding into her tone, her nerves leaving her rattled and unstable.

Mel bit her lip and slowly shook her head. “I haven’t, sorry. But to be fair, I usually don’t outside of these little meetings. I’m sure everything is fine.”

Enzo pushed open the portrait just as Melanie finished speaking, furrowing his eyebrows as the three women looked at him. “Is that what this is about?” he asked, folding his arms over his chest. “Calix is missing?”

“Yeah, no shit,” Beatrice hissed, her eyes narrowing at the wizard who entered and moved to stand behind Mel. Stopping dead in her tracks, she let out a long sigh and stared down at her ragged fingernails, chewed short in her nervous frenzy.

“So, as you all know, Calix is missing. I haven’t seen him for almost a week. I’ve asked his roommate, who said he hasn’t been back to their room all week, not since he left to go get some potions from the infirmary. I’ve talked to Doctor Evans, who either has made it her personal goal to break us up, or she genuinely doesn’t know where he is. Oh! And her other assistant, Teddy Crix is acting weirder than normal, but I don’t know, he’s just a strange bloke. But Cal hasn’t answered any of my patronuses which could mean that he can’t respond, or he simply doesn’t want to,” she rambled on, her voice cracking and her eyes starting to well up with hot, salty tears.

“What do you all think? Because I really don’t know what to make of this. Is he ghosting me or did he get kidnapped?” Her bottom lip trembled furiously though she clenched her jaw shut tight, angrily determined not to start sobbing in front of the three other members of the group.

Mel glanced at Enzo and Nat, neither of whom seemed willing to offer any words of comfort to the poor girl. It was then she realized that with Calix absent and Bea on the precipice of an emotional breakdown, it fell on her shoulders to lift the mood.

“It might not even be either, Bea,” she said soothingly. “You might just be jumping to the worst conclusion because of everything that’s been happening. Isn’t that right guys?” She looked to the others, her comforting look barely masking the threatening grimace she was holding back.

But when Mel saw the look on Nat’s face, her heartbeat picked up.

Natasha listened to Beatrice nearly breaking down as she explained the situation, and she knew that she couldn't keep her vision to herself. If nothing else, Beatrice would go even more crazy if she didn't know what was going on, but Natasha was almost definitely going to need help to find him and rescue him.

“Actually,” she said slowly as her eyes landed on Melanie's, seeing the older Gestona requesting help, “there is a very good chance he may have been kidnapped.” Of course, this brought the attention of everyone in the room to her, and she had to explain further. “I have had two visions now in the last few days, both of Calix, both where he was hurt. I couldn't see anything else, but he was clearly restrained and speaking to someone who angered him. It seems likely that it was Crix that he was speaking to and that Calix was kidnapped.”

Beatrice’s knees buckled as she listened to what the Cuccurrion had to say, backing up against the wall next to the fireplace for support, struggling to digest the words that swirled around her head like a storm cloud, little bolts of blue electricity crackling in her hair. She wrinkled her nose in anger and carefully pulled the crystal from around her neck, the three inch heels of her boots clicking on the floor as she walked towards her scrying bowl. “I haven’t been able to see Calix. Every time I try, the water just turns black and I can’t see anything,” she explained in a flat, emotionless tone. The petite Samoan sat down on the floor and picked up the blue bowl of water, setting it back down in her lap. “I can never hear with this type of Divining, but I can see. Perhaps he’s locked away somewhere where it’s dark and light can’t get to him,” she said slowly, her eyes lighting up as an idea struck her, her gaze settling on Enzo. “Before we left for break, didn’t you say something about the dungeons being a possible place for this cult or whatever?”

Enzo swallowed the lump in his throat, keeping his back against the wall beside the portrait as he watched Beatrice panic. He didn’t like Calix, but he didn’t think the man deserved anything remotely close to this. He was good…

“Moreso Melanie than me,” he replied dimly, watching the sparks twinkle in Beatrice’s hair. “But when I was… taken, I was holed up somewhere. I doubt it was outside Idorna. I don’t think there is a facility as well constructed in Old Aroon.”

“Then I think it seems pretty clear,” said Mel, letting out a low, whistling breath. “We already had our suspicions Crix was involved with all of this. If Enzo really was held in the dungeon, then that’s probably were Calix is now.”

Beatrice nodded and sighed, staring down at her bowl silently, trying to determine who she should try to see first. “I think we’re going to need to split up,” she said definitively, sitting up straight, her spine popping with the sudden shift. “Nat and I can search for Calix, and you two can trail Crix. I think he’s onto me, and if he did indeed kidnap Cal, he could target me next if he knows I’m chasing him,” she explained, her stomach tying itself into nervous knots as she started swinging the pendulum around the bowl, taking a moment to calibrate it.

Natasha listened to the others, realizing that they all cared more for Calix than she did, and had more emotional motivations for making sure the Ibinia wasn’t hurt. Not that the reasons really mattered, so long as they were all working towards the same goal. Admittedly, she didn’t like the idea of working with the emotional Beatrice at the moment, but it made the most sense for them to search for him, considering she was the only one that had seen an actual image of the healer since he disappeared.

“Alright,” she agreed, drawing in a deep breath as she considered the best course of action for the two of them. “We need to meet back here tomorrow, then, if we haven’t found him by then.”

The Samoan witch looked up from her scrying bowl and shook her head. “I think perhaps we should meet somewhere else, if it’s possible,” she said. “Calix knows where this room is. If they try to possess him, he could lead them back here and then we’d be busted.”

Enzo looked over to Mel, exhaling and nodding briskly. “Whatever works,” he said. “Theodore and I had Potions together earlier today. He did not seem very different than usual. Then again, I don’t pay much attention to him… But Melanie and I can check the infirmary.”

Beatrice hummed softly and started tuning out everybody else, focusing in on her boyfriend as the crystal swung in a fast circle above the bowl. The light refracting into the bowl shimmered, the still water mirroring the world beyond, showing the Irishman who looked relatively normal strutting down the central aisle of the the Great Hall towards a group of Aquilen girls. “Ermmm...Nat? Calix is ummm...he’s free,” she said, looking up at the German, the crystal wavering above the water as her focus waned for a moment. “He’s in the Great Hall.”

��Wait what?” said Mel, blinking in confusion. “Well then that’s good, right? That means he’s okay…?”

Beatrice shook her head and narrowed her eyes as she saw her boyfriend approach Jaqueline Valez, the girl she’d heard singing his praises early on in the semester, presumably before she knew he was already taken. Gnashing her teeth together, Beatrice hung the crystal around her neck and set the clay bowl on the ground, hopping up to her feet. “Like hell he is,” she spat, gesturing for Natasha to follow her. “That boy better be possessed otherwise he’s gonna be in a world of hurt.”