Birth of a Crimson Feather

🕷The Dragon's Cauldron🕷 [Halloween Special]

"There it is! I have been looking for this flacon since Saturn's morning! How come it's in your cupboard again, Mrs Picket?"

She always liked the small bottles that I used to store my herbs and potion starters in. She would use them for her spices in the kitchen and sometimes as vases for her favorite flowers.

I wasn't mad at her, just irritated that I had to constantly look for my vials because they never seemed to be where I had put them.

"You already know how important those flacons are for my potions. Why would you make my job so much harder? My first exam is in two days, Mrs Picket!"

"My dear, you have so many of those little bottles in your cupboards. I think you have a hoarding problem. Tell me why you would need this specific one,  when every single one looks the same as the one before?"

"You don't understand. This is my favorite one; I use it all the time. Here, see? It is even chipped a bit on its base from all the usage I got out of it. It is also a gift from father... I just feel like he is with me when I use it, that's all..."

It was true. My father was away for his usual magic appointment; he had to meet with the other heads of the important academies of the neighboring countries every so often, it was his duty as a witch himself. I hadn't seen him in a while, and my only solace was this small bottle I used in every single potion I made.

It was a gift he gave me when I passed my placement test and became a witch in training. He was so proud of me, so delighted I would be studying in the academy he had given so much of his time and effort to, the only place he trusted to teach his daughter the true meaning of magic, and the proper utilization of spells.

"I understand that you miss your papa very much, my dear. But please be kinder next time, this is not a way for a young lady to talk to her governess. You came off a bit aggressive, there..."

"Yes, miss. I was being rude, and for that, I apologize. I simply want to do well in my exam; moreover, the night of the pumpkin lanterns is upon us, and for a witch, that night is the most important in the entire year!"

"Indeed, it is. So, here, my dear. Take your very important bottle and make sure you make your papa and little old me proud! I truly believe you will do amazingly, but some positive reinforcement is always nice, I always say!"

Mrs Picket said jokingly and placed the vial in the palm of my hand. She kissed my forehead and went out of her room first, almost dancing on the marble floors. I had faith in myself and my abilities, yes, but I craved the attention. I wanted my father to see me do good, and I also wanted the people of the house to be proud of me. They always said I looked and acted like my mother, so doing my best was always the first and only option. I wish my mother had known how serious I was about those things.

That way, I would feel closer to her. She was very determined and saw opportunities in every little thing. Even though she was not of magical blood, she tried her best in everything she put her mind to. She was headstrong and very self-aware, something I know she passed down to me. Sometimes, these qualities made me look conceited or selfish, but that couldn't be further from the truth!

🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸⭒𓆣⭒🕸

The hours passed quickly, and the sunlight slowly turned into a warm orange colour as the day gave its place to a beautiful dusk. When I studied in my father's library, I would lose track of time, so many books with different and interesting subjects to learn from, I felt like I wanted to engage with everything and absorb as much as I possibly could.