ETERNAL. 𓄼 𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑢.

xiii.

thirteen.

There is so much adrenaline that courses through the body in moments of desperation. The body and mind are hardwired to produce it; trying to give you the chance to survive.

But there isn't very much you're able to do when the woman in front of you is very capable of catching you and doing more injury to you than you could to her. She's standing mere inches away, peering down at you, intrigued. Intrigued by the only human that could possibly sway her good Alcina's commitment. A drop of sweat rolls down the curve of your neck and she smiles.

"Nervous?" She inquires, a knowing little smile on her lips. As if she isn't aware of the jars of cadou sitting on tables, the needles, the notes, everything she's done to these people to make them hers.

You chuckle, "yes, but I'm sure you would be too if you were in my position."

"What are your goals for infiltrating Dimitrescu castle? You've seemingly done it with ease."

"I never infiltrated the castle. They let me in, and by no means was it easy to grow close to them, but personal goals? I grew to appreciate them for their individual personalities," a pause, "something I doubt you would understand, Mother Miranda."

She chuckles, finding your comment amusing. "On the contrary, I strongly believe that individual personalities have quite the influence on my creations. One could say that the person chooses their own fate with the gift...all based on themself."

"I see," you pause, taking her words into consideration. "So, what does that mean for me?"

"You are a clever one, aren't you?" Miranda hums, writing something down into the book she's holding. A silver crest of the House Dimitrescu is embroidered into the cover. "You don't seem particularly special, if I'm being honest– "

"That's rough, I thought I was special–

"–aside from the bluntness. You've spent too much time with Cassandra." She writes something down, the quick and effortless dancing of her pen making you nervous.

She had taken you away from the castle, somewhere private and a place that neither the girls or Alcina were prohibited to come. This place, wherever it might be, was only accessible to Miranda. Scattered books, sketches and analysis lay across tables, taped to the walls, stacked upon stacks. A research lab, you could only guess.

Alcina had protested, she had tried her hardest to sway Miranda into letting you be kept in the castle. But in the end, there was no denying Mother Miranda. You could tell by the nervous looks exchanged by the girls, and the way Alcina's velvety tone faded into obedience, Miranda had a strong grip on the inhabitants of this village. Her voice, her eyes, her entire being could sway the village in whatever way she wanted it to.

Miranda smiles, one that does not meet her eyes, and offers you a cup of what you hope is water.

"So, little bird, what do you think of reincarnation?"

"Reincarnation?" You repeat her question back to her, puzzled by the sudden change of topic and the context. "I've never given it much thought, I guess."

"Some cultures believe reincarnation is what happens after you die. You are reborn, free of your previous aches, guilts, desires and fears. Reborn to start anew." She stares at you with curiosity, eyes gleaming with curiosity and wonder.

"That's an interesting way to look at it," you agree, "I'm not sure I'd want to forget everything from the past, though. All of the hard things I went through, all of the times I picked myself up and got myself through it. I'd want to remember those times so that I always know I can save myself when I need to. I did."

She hums. "A bold and beautiful statement, I can see why Alcina has taken such a liking to you."

Miranda sits her book aside, instead choosing to walk to a cupboard in the room and retrieve a small jar. "Tell me, Y/N, would you choose to stay with Alcina forever?"

You pause, unsure of your reply. Alcina. She was a lovely woman, with so many complexities and treasures that you were still discovering on a daily basis. She took you in, swept you away from the life you had been stumbling through day to day. She made you feel cared for, but she wasn't forcing you to return that care. Bela, Cassandra and Daniela. They'd grown to love you.

They gave you something new each and every single day. You still hadn't quite figured out what they were, how they came to be, and you're sure some see them as monstrous. But...despite that, you can only envision them as a mother and her daughters.

"I would choose to see Alcina and her daughters happy. I would love to stay with them, I still have so much to learn about them, but I don't want to be the cause of them being on your shit list."

Miranda smiles, a delicate, yet very genuine smile. It's almost unnerving to see her smile.

"There is only one way to stay here with Alcina. But it comes with a price," she says, the jar in her hands now being tucked into your own. "I would give you the Megamycete, in exchange, I will allow you to continue staying with Alcina. However, you will be in service to me. I have something planned in the foreseeable future, something that you will only know what I tell you of, and you must help with that."

You stare at the jar with bewilderment. The specimen pulsates with life, yet it looks so lifeless. Like corruption. Toxicity. It has the shape of a very underdeveloped fetus, and you hope that it's just an uncomfortable resemblance.

"...what is this?"

"A gift, a gift that transforms the body, the mind, the person. You are no suitable candidate for my Eva, but you are utterly seeping with potential." She waits until she's sure you're still listening before she continues, "I've been waiting for the right person to be my suitable witch. You could stay here, forever, and I will teach you many secrets and ways to use this. And when the time comes, you'll do as I say without question."

"If I say no?"

She smiles that unnerving smile, the one that makes your skin crawl,

"well, then I suppose Alcina will have to make something very special out of her next batch of wine."

-

❛ a short and awful but eventful chapter to announce my ( hopeful ) return.

❛ how are you guys?

xx, rhae.