Cherry & Vanilla

Seeking Refuge

Alicia's pov
I appear in Galadriel's room, not knowing who else to go to. She's also the only person I knew would be up at this ungodly hour. I'm proved correct as I see her exit the bathroom. Her hair down and wet, an unnatural state for the ethereal woman. I'm momentarily hypnotized before snapping out of it.

She spots me and smiles, "what's up, sweetie?" She asks calmly. Not exactly my reaction if someone popped up in my room but alright. "I need to talk to you" I say bluntly, deciding it's best not to beat around the bush. "Alright. Give me a moment to get ready" she instructs, gesturing to a chair.

My foot taps furiously against the wood floors as I wait for her. After about half an hour she sits in the chair opposite me. "Go ahead" she says motioning for me to begin and I sigh. "I'd like to preface this by saying I had valid reasons for it. I couldn't simply watch her suffer" I start, "ok..." she replies cautiously.

"Cordelia was having a nightmare last night so I went to relieve her from it. It's just a little thing I've always been able to do—that's not the point. Anyways, I must've somehow absorbed her dream and I suppose transferred one of mine" I ramble, she simply crosses her legs and squints her eyes. She's like an inter-dimensional therapist or something.

"So I got one of her dreams where I'm assuming she was arguing with her mother. They looked very similar so I'm pretty sure it was her mom. The woman ended up leaving her there and she was crying. Then there was a series of crashes and she jumped up and ran out the room" I take a deep breath to do the last part.

"The last crash made me jump and I ended up waking and falling on my face. However, just before that, I caught a flash of something. Whoever was causing this destruction felt familiar to me. Not someone I knew but still, familiar in a way. It was a man and... well I'm not sure who he is but he's dangerous" I tell her.

"Ok. This was a mere dream, I'm not really sure why you're here" she says honestly and I nod. "I'll get to that then. It's Cordelia's father. I'm one hundred percent sure of it and considering she doesn't know her father it tracks. I mean I personally can't imagine introducing my child to man like that" I scoff, "but how are you so sure? As you said, no one knows who he is" she counters.

"I read energies, I've always been able to do it very well. Even in that split second I could tell his motive. Not just that, as an extension of my energy 'radar' I suppose, I can sense desires. A persons innermost desire, the thing they want more than anything else. He was doing all of that for Cordelia, but not the Cordelia I saw. He's doing it for her now" I explain.

"So you're suggesting..." she trails, "that this is an event yet to pass" I finish. "Have you ever seen the future before?" She asks, memories paint my mind. Ones I would very much like to stay tucked away so I shake my head to rid myself of them. "Yes" I answer simply, "and they have always come to pass?" she questions.

"There are always unforeseen circumstances, the future is constantly changing. But yes, they always happen in one form or the other and I don't get them often" I answer, "I'm assuming you haven't told D" I nod in agreement. "Well I'll need to confer with... someone on this. Do you feel comfortable with that?" she asks softly.

"It's not really up to me at this point. I came to you because I don't know what to do. I feel the people's safety is in danger. However I do have this... inkling" I voice hesitantly, "and that might be..." she questions. "I need you to convince Cordelia to let me leave. I just need to go into town to check on something. It's very important that I'm the one to do it" I explain.

"Alicia I can't do that. We don't send just anyone out and besides you could get hurt. Cordelia would never allow that, she doesn't even allow students to leave ever. It's too dangerous and you don't even have a mission" she explains, "then come up with one" I stress. "You're asking me to lie, Alicia" she points out.

"Ok, well I'll do it. Just tell her I need to go out and I'll handle the convincing. I just need someone to back me up or she'll never listen to me" I beg, "ok" she sighs unhappily. "Now, there's a specific time I need to do this. I can't be even an hour off. I need to go out two weeks from now at 3pm" I explain. "You haven't even told me why" she notes and I sigh.

"I can't. I'm sorry but this is very sensitive and I can't risk it. It's not that I think you'll tell. I just can't disclose this" I profess, "you're afraid I'll tell you it's a bad idea" she states. "Yeah" I nod, "I hope you know what you're doing" she sighs. "I do" I say confidently thought I really don't. "Ok... I'll talk to Cordelia" she agrees, "in the mean time, can I stay here? It'll just be awkward if I'm around her all the time" I ask.

"Ok. I presume you also don't want me to tell her that" she sighs tiredly, "just tell her I'm ok. Just not where I am, it needs to be secluded. I also won't be attending classes while I prepare" I explain. "This is a lot, Alicia" she points out, "I'm aware. I'm sorry" I apologize again. "I'll put you up in the tower for the time being. No one ever goes there. I'll check on you every other day" she decides.

"Perfect. Thank you, I don't know how I'll ever repay you" I express. By saving your life when the time comes. "Don't worry about it. I just hope this goes well" she remarks, "if my calculations are correct, it will. These two weeks will be dedicated to perfecting the plan" I say standing up, her right behind me. "I'll go now" I declare after she gives me directions.

"And Galadriel?" I call, "yes?" she answers as she looks at me through the mirror. Fixing her long hair into an updo so she's not tripping over it. "Be prepared to fight" I tell her and she nods solemnly. Afterwards I take my leave and head to the tower. Beaming to my room to grab all my necessities.