The Witch He Loved

Chapter 2

After having a shower I had made my way to the living room, shifting into a cat I decided to try and have a nap, taking up a small portion of a couch, while everyone else was busy doing their own things. 

As my eyes closed, the world around me faded into nothingness as a familiar grey mist surrounded me, no longer in my shifted form. I looked around, turning until my eyes settled on her. 

"Mother" I smiled at her as she gazed at me, just a few steps away. 

"My daughter, how are you?" She opened up her arms and I hugged her tightly.

"I'm fine, how are you?" I let go of her and took a step to her side as she looped our arms and pulled me along, a beautiful meadow materialized around us as we walked. The perfectly green grass littered with all kinds of flowers and shrubs of varying colours, the sky was the bluest I had ever seen it.

"I am well. How are you coming along with your training? I assume you've been practising?" Her voice was light and held a peace to it, it always relaxed me.

"I have been practicing" She had appeared to me two month ago, visiting my dreams on occasion giving me small task to help expand my magic. At this point I didn't even need to use my hands, I could do things with just a thought. 

"Then let us begin" She paused and let me walk a few paces ahead, turning to face her I clasped my hands in front of myself, waiting for instructions. 

"I think perhaps your summoning today, let us start with something small" She held a palm up to the sky "I would like a sweet treat." 

I concentrated on her palm, I blinked and in her palm sat a small frosted cupcake. She smiled softly at me but I knew this was just the beginning. 

"I would like to rest my dear, maybe a seat?" She said almost teasingly, she enjoyed this little game we played and so did I. 

I took a moment before blinking again, two chairs and a small outdoor table appeared next to her. She turned her head to look at them and then walked over, before she had chance to pull out a chair for herself I moved it out for her with my power.

"Thank you but perhaps we should leave the telekinesis for next time." She sat and smiled at me, a playful glint in her eye. "Now then, how about something more specific? I want to see you in a dress that wraps around your mid, silver silk with purple accents and a belt."

She knew this was where I had difficulty. Summoning a change of clothes was simple enough but she wanted me to replace what I was wearing without seeing your bare skin, it was difficult replacing items, I had only successfully done it once. The biggest distraction was it reminded me of Loki's magic.

Taking a breath I focus on replacing my clothes, imagining them vanishing and reappearing. It took a few minutes but I feel a tingle of magic on my skin, then a slight breeze on my legs and arms. I look down at myself to see the change of clothing, I couldn't help the grin that spread across your face at my success. A clapping made me look up at my mother who was applauding me with a proud look.

"My dear you are improving quickly. Now come and sit, I want to discuss something with you." Moving to the chair opposite, I slide in tucking my dress under myself. She lazily waves a hand across the table, a tea set appearing between us. 

"I have had some thoughts into our last discussion about your friend, what was his name again?" She starts to pour herself some tea before handing me the pot.

"James, mother although he prefers the name Bucky" I reply while pouring my own. 

"Ah yes, James. Now I have thought of a way you can help him but it will require you gaining and training new powers, it will take time. Now, I am willing to grant you this but it will not be a gift, more like a trade."

I take a sip of my tea, peering at her over the rim of the cup. "I understand, you have already given me enough gifts. What kind of trade are we talking about?" 

"Always straight to the point my dear" She teases me with a smile before settling into seriousness. "In exchange for a new power I will take an existing one from you" 

I feel myself grow still at her words, an unsettling feeling takes root. "Which one?" I ask quietly.

"That is your choice to make, if you accept of course." She takes another sip of her tea, sitting back in her chair and looking over across the field, giving me a moment to collect my thoughts.

I hadn't even gotten my hopes up about it, hadn't even considered this as a possibility. I had asked a month ago if she knew of any way I could help him, she had said she wasn't sure and hadn't mentioned it since. I knew how plagued Bucky had been, his mind a mess of memories, both good and bad. His nightmares an every night occurrence. He was my friend, I wanted to help him.

She spoke again, breaking me from my thoughts. 

"I know you haven't spoken to him about it yet, maybe you should while you consider it, or at least one of your others friends? It may help to get a little bit of perspective." Her voice was gentle as she looked over me.

I give her a small nod "I think that may be wise, this isn't a decision I should make on my own"

Another smile from her and she stood holding both her hands out to me. "Very well, I shall return to you in three days to seek out your answer. Consider and speak to your friends." 

I took her hands and stood up, she pulled me into a long embrace, squeezing me gently. 

"Take care of yourself my dear, never forget, if you need me just call for me" 

I took a step back and smiled up at her, she always said the same thing when I left the dream world we shared. "Of course mother." 

She looked at me warmly before closing her eyes and leaning into me, pressing her lips to my forehead.

In an instant I'm back on the couch, my eyes fluttered open and I see Steve and Bucky watching TV. 

I stand and jumped down from the couch, shifting back. They both look over at me as I change back, my eyes flit between them both.

"I think there are some things that we need to discuss" I tell them.

Bucky looked over to Steve but Steve still had his eyes on me.

"Your mother?" he asked me, they all knew that I spoke to her during sleep sometimes.

I gave him one quick nod but as Bucky started to stand up I spoke again.

"You need to stay." 

His eyes shot to mine, confusion on his face but he slowly sat back down.

With a sigh I sit back down opposite them and tell them what I had learnt.