As The Woe Turns: A World Before Woe

A Call to Arms part 2

Once again Larissa Weems was sitting at her desk. This time in the light of day. She was doing standard paperwork. It was annoying, but nothing out of the ordinary. There had been a fight in the quad during lunch between Xavier Thorpe and Rowan Lanslow. They were roommates, but she had also thought they were friends. She was puzzled by the cause. They both had said it was nothing.

It was no secrete Rowan had been acting more erratic as of late. His teachers especially Ms. Thornhill all reported a change in his behavior. He was jumpy and anxious. He was quick to respond with anger and agitation. When asked he said he was having terrible nightmares and that something bad was coming. He had said it was tied to the bear attacks that had started recently. Two hikers had already been mauled while enjoying time in the woods between Nevermore and Jericho. It was a very unfortunate incident.

Larissa had tried talking to Rowan's father about his behavior, but the man was exceedingly difficult to get a hold of. She thought the boy could benefit from a few therapy sessions with Dr. Kinbott, but she needed his permission to send his son to therapy. She would try to reach Roary Laslow again at a later date. She had however connected with Vincent Thorpe. Well, it was his assistant but close enough. He wanted Xavier switched into another room, but when asked Xavier begged to stay with Rowan. Larissa had agreed as long as nothing else happened, putting an end to the matter.

She filed her reports and was readying herself for a walk around campus before heading home. She had just pushed her chair back when an odd ringing sound emitted from her bottom right desk drawer. It could be only one person. She sighed rubbing her hand over her face. She took the black leather bag from its hiding place and set it on the desk. She removed the crystal ball and set it on its stand. She waved her hand over it. The distorted image of her former roommate and once friend appeared in the ball. "Larissa." Morticia Addams cooed. "Morticia. What can I do for you?" Larissa asked coldly. "I just...I wanted to...thank you." Morticia stuttered. "Think nothing of it." Larissa replied fake smile plastered on her face. Silence built between the two women.

The two had once been friends. Closer. Best friends. Closer. Sisterly. More than that. But that was before Gomez Addams had come between them their senior year. They were all friends for a time but the tall blonde had had her crushes. In the end, Larissa Weems had her heart broken. She had lost them both. She inevitably blamed Morticia for it. It was the easiest thing to do. Still they never completely cut ties and ever so often, the crystal would ring or a letter would be delivered and Larissa would answer it. She watched from afar as Wednesday and Pugsley grew up in a series of pictures and stories, godmother to both. Loving the Addams children as her own from afar. She would send gifts for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions but she wasn't involved. Not directly. It hurt too much.

"Larissa, I..." Morticia started but was cut off. "I assigned her to our old room Tish. It seemed the best fit out of the options I had, and it's tragically ironic to boot." Larissa huffed. "I assume with a roommate." Morticia looked worried. "Yes, she will have a roommate. A lovely young lady. One of our brightest students. She's truly a unique and amazing young woman. She's special Tish."

" Rissa, you know we can pay extra for a single. I think that would suit Wednesday better. You know how difficult she can be." Morticia said fidgeting with her hands. "I do know, and I had considered that. However I think Ms. Sinclair will be more than capable of handling your little scorpion." Larissa smirked. Morticia opened her mouth to argue but Weems raised her hand stopping her before the words could make their way out. "Morticia, you'll just have to trust me." Larissa gave the worried mother a soft smile. "I do. But I also know my daughter. That poor girl will wind up in traction by the end of the week." Morticia replied softly. "She won't. I can promise you that. Enid has a way about her. She tends to win people over, for the most part. She reminds me of you in that way Tish. She's magnetic. If that fails, she's also a werewolf." Larissa's smile wavered slightly. She swallowed and looked deeply into the crystal. Morticia nodded. The mood shifted.

"When will she arrive? We have yet to inform Ms. Sinclair of the situation." Principal Weems cleared her throat and asked. "Well, we'll need to give Wednesday some time to adjust. She has never accepted change well. Most likely Sunday. We'll arrive as a family by car." Mrs. Addams ran a hand over her face. "Alright fine. I'll look forward to seeing you all then." Weems replied. "Larissa I'm sorry. We've done all that we could to limit your interactions with our family. We did our best to keep the children away from Nevermore. If we had any other option we would have taken it." Morticia looked apologetic. "I understand. Wednesday is in need of a school. We are indeed a school. A rather prestigious one at that if I do say so myself." The principal remained stoic in her reply. Mrs. Addams frowned. "Larissa, will we ever be more than strained acquaintances again?" She asked somberly. "Perhaps with time. I can't say for sure." Larissa answered honestly. "I never...we never meant to hurt you." Morticia stated earnestly. "I have to go Morticia. I have a school to run. We'll see you Sunday." Larissa replied hollowly ending the call. A single tear slid down her cheek. She gently put the crystal back into its case and then back into the drawer.

Larissa Weems decided to carry on with her plans for the rest of the evening. She walked the halls of the administration building, the school building proper, and the areas the students tended to congregate. Absolutely nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She spotted Marilyn Thornhill across the quad talking to a student and decided to approach her. "Larissa hi!" Ms. Thornhill exclaimed as she saw the taller woman making her way towards her. Larissa bowed her head in acknowledgment. Ms. Thornhill turned to the student. "We can talk about this more later." She smiled at the student and turned her attention towards her colleague. "What can I do for you?" She grinned. "I ah, well, have you broken the news to Ms. Sinclair yet?" Ms. Thornhill shoot her head no. "In that case, I've spoken with the Addams family. Wednesday will be arriving Sunday. Will you please pass that information on to her." Larissa turned to walk away. "Of course. Hey Larissa, I was thinking about heading to the Weathervane for some dinner. Would you like to join me? My treat." Marilyn asked hopeful. The principal turned with a wry smile. "I shouldn't. I wouldn't want to intrude." She said inclining her head. "If that were the case, I wouldn't have ask. Please will you join me?" Marilyn rocked on her heels. Larissa Weems nodded. "Yes! Good! Great! Thank you!" Marilyn replied excitedly.

The two women decided to walk. They cut through the woods. Within twenty minutes they were walking through the door of the cafe and placing their order. Marilyn paid. She also spent some time talking with one of the baristas only joining Larissa when their food and drinks were delivered. The meal was quite nice. They chatted about things not pertaining to school. Both women had a great time then walked back to campus together parting ways at the gates. Marilyn turning towards Ophelia Hall while Larissa turned towards her private quarters. Both were smiling.