"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.14

There was a knock on the door and after a moment it was opened by Cora who saw Xena standing outside with Aurora in her arms.

CORA
Oh hi Xena. Is there something I can do for you?

XENA
Actually I was hoping that I could talk to you about something.

CORA
Of course. Come in.

Cora gave a little smile to the baby as she let Xena in and shut the door as Xena sat on some pillows with Aurora in her lap. Cora walked over to a table and began pouring a couple cups of tea.

XENA
(Joking) Have you ever considered getting some actual chairs in here?

CORA
No not really. Sitting places with no backs is good for posture. Plus pillows are more comfortable anyway. Especially in my line of work.

After finishing pouring the tea Cora walked over sat across from Xena in another pile of pillows as she handed Xena one of the cups. Xena looked at the liquid and gave it a subtle sniff.

CORA
Relax Xena it's just a cup of tea. I was just about to have some before you came over and it would've been rude to drink and not offer you any.

Xena gave an appreciative smile as she took a couple sips from the cup and sat it down. Cora drank some of her own then placed her tea down as well.

CORA
But I highly doubt that you came here today for tea time. So what can I do for you?

XENA
Actually I was hoping you might have some kind of insight or help me figure out what's been going on with Gabrielle lately.

CORA
What do you mean?

Xena explained that Gabrielle had been acting very different and that she'd been unable to get any answers from Gabrielle as to what was bothering her.

CORA
I see. And when did you first begin to notice this sudden change in Gabrielle?

XENA
It was right after we came back from our first trip into the spirit realm. At first I thought it was because she was afraid of what she saw. That dark part of my past that she hadn't actually witnessed first hand until then. But...

Xena paused as she even in that moment she still tried to figure out what it was that Gabrielle was refusing to talk to her about as Cora caught on to where Xena was going.

CORA
But now you think that it might be something else completely.

XENA
Exactly. I've tried to get her to talk to me but all that's done is lead to us arguing and ending up right back where we started.

CORA
So why come to me? Not that I don't wanna help you if I can. I'm just curious. After all I've dedicated my life to my work as a spiritual guide. So I'm not really an expert on relationships

XENA
Because I thought that you could use your abilities to possibly help provide some kind of insight to what Gabrielle might be going through.

CORA
I see.

Cora went silent for a moment as she thought.