New World [Complete]

Chapter Thirty-Six: Teasing

A/N: Aww, cute and fluffeh moments incoming!

Raygel's POV

As expected, Herobrine was hanging out in his cell and the door was unlocked. Kitty and I went alone. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. He looked up as we entered.

"Hi," He greeted us simply.

"Hello," Kitty replied. I didn't say anything. "We found something and wanted you to look at it," She continued.

"What is it?" He asked.

"It looks to be a piece of fabric. And I have memory of a dress, but little else," I explained. Kitty handed the scrap over to him. He looked at it, obviously confused.

"I don't know anything about it. It's weird," He announced. I sighed.

"No one seems to know anything about it. It's got Raygel's magic on it, apparently, and even Seto doesn't recognize it. It just doesn't seem right," Kitty confirmed. He handed it back and I pocketed it. Then there was a long moment of silence where none of us knew what to do. Kitty and I had no leads, and Herobrine seemed to have no ideas. Then I saw a mischievous smirk appear on Herobrine's face.

"So, can I come out of the cell yet? Or am I expected to stay here?" Herobrine questioned lightheartedly.

"Nope," I popped the 'p'. "You stay there." Kitty smiled at my antics and I felt myself smile back. He crossed his arms.

"I could still leave, you know," He reminded me.

"Nope," I repeated. "You don't have permission."

"I don't need permission," He countered.

"Yes, you do," Kitty objected. "You'll get in trouble if you leave."

"Do I care?" Herobrine asked. "I could just leave."

"But then I would have to beat you up again," I whined. "I'm soooo lazy!"

"Do you really think you can 'beat me up'?" He challenged. I pretended to think about it.

"Yep." Kitty answered for me, popping the 'p' like I had done. It was nice to see her join the teasing. It felt like we were all actually just normal, that there weren't a bunch of mysteries surrounding us, or the threat of sickness overhanging Lizzie and myself. Herobrine pushed open the door but didn't step out. I stepped forward and slammed the door in his face with a smirk.

"Hey!" He protested. The door opened with a creak yet again. I couldn't help myself. I giggled at the noise, and I caused to Kitty giggle as well. Herobrine chuckled and sat down on his bed. I opened the door and stepped inside. "Oh, yes, come in," He invited me with a fake tone of hurt.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I pretended to apologize. I restarted and knocked on the door this time.

"Go away!" He called, rather than allowing me in.  (A/N: I really considered referencing Frozen here. But I figured the previous title made enough people annoyed :P ) I looked at him through the bars and he stuck his tongue out at me.

"Are you doing something you shouldn't?" Kitty suggested with a grin. She opened the door. "Is the bad little prisoner planning his escape?" Herobrine smirked and pulled something out his pocket. He twirled the ring of keys around his finger. Kitty searched her pockets.

"Looking for something?" He teased.

"How did you do that?" Kitty demanded.

"Magic," He breathed in fake wonder.

"You got magic too," I reminded quietly in her ear. She looked at me for a second. Then she stared down the keys. If looks could kill, her gaze would have set Herobrine alight. She was taking that way to seriously - probably because she wasn't sure how to use 'magic' or if she even could. The keys dropped out his grasp and flung towards her. I moved her out of the way as they clanged against the bars. "That was a bit too intense," I laughed. She claimed the keys with a cheeky grin.

"Mine now, at least," She stated. I grinned at her as she shut the door again, but she didn't even bother to lock it. I heard footsteps and glanced up towards the stairs. It was Lizzie.

"Hey, guys!" She greeted us cheerfully.

"Hi," I replied.

"Seto's looking for you. He found something," She informed us.

"Alright, lead the way," Kitty declared. We followed her back upstairs. After a short time of walking, I noticed something. 

"Why are we going to my room?" I asked. There wasn't much else in this corner of the castle.

"Seto was looking at the locket again. He said something about an inscription and another compartment." Lizzie explained.

"Huh," I said. "I didn't look at it very carefully yet. I guess there could be more to it." When we arrived, Seto had wrapped a cloth around his hand like a glove to avoid any magical residue. He was poking at the latch of a second compartment. I sat myself on the bed next to him. I used my long sleeves to cover my hands. Seto handed it to me and shook his head, indicating he hadn't found anything useful. I stared at the inside of the locket and squinted to read the small words. Even they were odd. Instead of blocky or sharp letters, they flowed together. Each letter was seemed connected to make the two words. Kitty leaned over my shoulder.

"Laura Raine," Kitty read aloud. I knew the letters weren't from this world, but I could read them just the same. The name struck a sad note in my memory, but it was faded.

"That isn't our language, or any language I know," Seto observed.

"I know that name," Kitty whispered in wonder.

"Me too," I murmured. "But I don't remember it."

"Ugh," Kitty sighed. "I hate this!" I cast a sidelong glance at her and smirked slightly.

"Now you know how I felt," I taunted. She just glared and stuck her tongue out at me. I refocused on the locket.  My fingers explored the worn edge of what seemed to be the latch for the second compartment. I dug my nail underneath the thin edge and pushed upwards. It didn't come loose easily. I pushed inwards as well as upwards. It took a few moments, but it soon popped open. I nearly dropped it when it did, but I steadied my hands quickly. 

I pulled out a slip of paper. What I saw made my body freeze. I held the paper in my fingers lightly on purpose so I didn't crush it. A sickening recognition and overwhelming wave of grief tore through me. I felt Kitty's hand slip into my free hand. She clutched me tightly. I took a deep, shuddering breath and looked to my sister. Her eyes were wide and her face had lost almost all color. Slowly, her gaze rose to meet mine. In synchronization, our mouths formed the same words but no sound emerged.

Mom. Dad.

A/N: Since I know you guys love when I do this, I'm going to end it here! What does this new development mean for the future? What events have been set into motion? Leave a comment and vote! Thanks for reading :)