Project: Chosen Grannie

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

"Everybody get off me" Agatha said desperate to get the massive weight off her poor lungs. Except it sounded more like "Evvvrybofi gerrrof mmmm"

The collection of bodies carefully picked themselves off her until only Hector was left, sprawled over her chest.

"Ompf, Hector you need to stop eating from the others bowls" she moaned softly. She thought she heard Hector give a small 'hmph' sound and as he quickly scampered off of her, he turned his head and gave her an indignant look. Agatha tried to sit up but she was quite winded. She took a few breathes and then saw Falcoro come into her line of sight.

He really did look like the distant cousin of the animated Mer-King. And he was really quite nice to look at.

Falcoro reached down and wrapped his big hands around the tops of her arms and slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position.

"Oh, thank-you" she said to him, he gave her a nod and took a few steps back

"Mistress" Allie said "We need to get you out of here now"

"I'm quite fine as you can see, just give me a moment" she said to the cat airily, one thing she wasn't liking about this delusion or new reality of hers, was that her furry companions were starting to schedule her life a little like Mary Millicent Mulligatawny.

Allie blinked up at her a few times, Agatha forgot her pets or companions or the cats, could read her thoughts "No mistress no schedules but you are not fine, you're in danger"

"Give her a moment" Sirius said

"But we can't, the Dream Snatcher, they almost got her" Meg said

"And I don't eat from the other bowls" Hector added darkly obviously still smarting from Agatha's earlier comment, in fact his accent was the thickest it had ever been since it had been revealed to Agatha that the cats could talk.

She looked around at the semi-circle the felines made around her and for the first time since she had been declared 'the Chosen One' they were arguing. It would've been quite comical except for the fact that Agatha was feeling overwhelmed, this was getting to be a little too much.

"We need you to pack a bag mistress" Allie said

"Yes we need to start moving again" Meg added in agreement

"Mistress?" Tess asked looking up at Agatha "We need to get you away from the Dream Snatcher"

Agatha just stared at the cats, if she was being honest with herself this was getting more than a little too much, she had played along for as long as she could but not this was now getting too real "Dream Snatcher?"

"They invade the mind, can take control"

Oh! It made sense, didn't it? She had fallen asleep twice without meaning too, there was the weird light, the buzzing and the voice which she had trusted but didn't want to and then the grand finale of becoming the foundation to the body pile up. So of course Dream Snatcher was the logical answer to this. Except it wasn't logical, talking cats was not normal, handsome King Titan look-alike giants was definitely outside her wheelhouse and being 'The Chosen One' was the biggest delusion of all.

"Why did you all jump on top of me?"

"You wouldn't respond, you just kept walking" Falcoro answered

"You kicked Meg when she tried to block your path" Allie added, Agatha didn't remember that she did remember she was careful not to step on anything but then again the cats voices had sounded so far away and here they all were right next to her "You were in a trance, and you wouldn't stop moving until we tackled you"

"It's just outside" she said frowning looking at her front door

"You could have walked into traffic mistress" Tess added "And the birds, there are a few of them nearby, and dream snatchers as you are well aware are dangerous we don't know what it would've done or taken you"

Now all the birds were enemies? And Dream Snatchers? That sounded like it came right out of some sort of Harry Potter novel. Next they'll tell her Dementors are real and ready to steal her happiness. Painfully Agatha got herself to her feet, thankful her strong constitution meant she hadn't broken a hip or anything else. Her body ached, more than it had in a long time, and her bad knee felt like it was on fire but right now she had just enough strength to get herself away.

"Shall we go?" Allie asked expectantly

"No" Agatha said softly "I'm not going anywhere, this is just not right".

She would've stormed off but her 80 plus year old body was not able to preform that maneuver to the level of annoyance and anger she wanted to exude. Instead she ignored her cats, her beloved companions for so many years, her companions who had suddenly turned on her, who started talking, and moving things by waving their tails, and . . . and taking on dinosaurs. 'Oh Claude' she thought as she moved past Falcoro, reaching out and giving his arm a quick squeeze. Jaff also gently butted her arm with his head and she gave him a quick, small smile.

She made it to her room, closing the door behind her and sat on the edge of the bed. Her bag was next to the bed where she had dropped it earlier, she took it and rummaged around for her knitting. She took the needles out and the brown lace, but even these things gave no comfort. The lace felt like straw in her fingertips and the needles, lost their familiar feel, they were like blades right now, foreign to her touch and dangerous.

The knitting fell to the floor and Agatha Anglethorpe did what any girl, woman, or grannie would do when their world had been completely turned upside down and the walls were closing in on her.

She cried.

* * * *

Agatha sniffed, she wasn't a big cryer, it was just so hard to stop the tears from falling. This was not her life. All she wanted was a little freedom from the schedule that had become her existence by the overly efficient Miss Mulligatawny and now all this was happening. Or more likely she was actually working her way through several phases of dementia. Which wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

She managed to stop the crying and was wiping her cheeks with a handkerchief when the door to her room opened and Falcoro stepped in, Sirius following. The cat kicked the door and even though it appeared to be a light tap of his back paw the door closed with a decisive slam. The cat jumped up onto the bed and walked onto her lap before settling down. Agatha smiled and chuckled, and then Falcoro knelt down in front of her and offered her a cup and saucer. She accepted it and as the aroma of the tea reached her nose she couldn't help her small smile from widening

"Earl Grey?"

"Yes, you don't have the Creme flavour, you only have 4 kinds of tea. English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Chamomile and Jasmine" he listed "And only 1 type of biscuit, well 2 types but your pet protector assured me that 1 kind was just for them" and nodded his big head towards the purring Sirius. "I also counted that you had 186 different kinds of yarn. Why would you need so many?"

She chuckled "It's not enough really, you can never have enough yarn" she took a sip of the tea, and then quickly followed it by a second sip. The Giant made good tea, she'd hate to think what the state of her kitchen looked like but still it was good tea.

Falcoro watched her intently, his green eyes not leaving her face. Agatha would've felt embarrassed or shy but being around a handsome man seeing her at her worst wasn't a new experience for her. She had been married to a wonderful, good-looking man for over forty years until he had passed. Instead she gave Falcoro a soft smile "I'm not losing my mind am I?"

He thought about her question for a few moments and then responded with his own "Even if you are don't you want to see this through?"

Did she? The answer was easy, yes, yes she did. Whatever was happening, whatever was expected from her, it is what it is and she needed to finish this. 'I'm over 80, I'm in the twilight of my life, I'm still healthy, I can still move with relative ease and I still have a mind . . . well that part is debatable. But what more do I have to wait for? Nothing' she thought and said absently "It seems odd that I'm this so called Chosen One"

"Why?" the giant asked "You are wise, beautiful, caring, gracious" he paused for a moment his head tilted as he considered her, 'he is gorgeous' Agatha thought, "and maybe a little mad" she had to chuckle at that one

"I'm also old" she pointed out, she looked at her pinky finger still bent from her arthritis, it ached and it hadn't straightened in weeks but this ailment was no hindrance on her life, it just was.

"You do not seem so old to me" the handsome giant, who was less of a giant at the moment, informed her "But when you've reached the furtherest pinnacle of life what is there left to do? There are only two options and that is to do something or regret all the times you did nothing? There's no more waiting until tomorrow"

Agatha nodded he was right, the big guy was right, he had just echoed her same thought process from moments earlier. That's all she really needed, a moment to think, and cry, but mainly think because thinking was her superpower. It was time to pull the grannie panties up.

"Sirius dear?"

The cat looked up, he was a gorgeous shaggy, black English Longhair with the bluest eyes possible. She had always wondered why this particular cat was a stray as a kitten, he was just too beautiful "Yes?"

"Tell me about these, these Dream Snatchers"

"I know very little mistress, only that they are like wraiths, even we, your companions have issues detecting them. And they can enter this realm without difficulty which makes them more dangerous than others"

"I heard a voice, I didn't recognise it, I couldn't even tell if it was male or female" she told the feline

The cat eyed her and replied "I cannot tell you the significance only that Victoria, the enemy of the Ancient Ones, has many who aid her" Agatha thought he sounded Australian, which was odd, considering he was an English Longhair "The Dream Snatcher caught your mind but the voice, that could be anything"

Her mind thought back 'Victoria' an enemy of the Ancient Ones, she had allies "Like the birds help her"

"Yes" and then if Agatha wasn't mistaken the cat smiled widely at her, or he gave the impression of smiling widely "I like birds"

She chuckled, she knew that, Sirius had been bird-catching for years, out of the six, well now five 'oh Claude!', Sirius was the most prolific with his bird hunting. For such a beautiful, well maintained feline he was sneaky, vicious thing. He was the most likely culprit behind so many of Mary Mulligatawny's 'gifts' that were left at her bedroom door.

"Sirius dear?"

"Yes mistress?"

"Is Mary Millicent truly plotting my demise?"

The cat blinked up at her "They are stirring thoughts. But like Claud said, give her something to do and she'll back away"

"Who is Mary Millicent?" Falcoro asked his deep voice puzzled "Is she a wicked witch?"

"Yes" Sirius answered as Agatha chuckled, shaking her head and also answered at the same time "No"

"If she is plotting your demise we should dispose of her" the giant said evenly, his green gaze steady like 'disposing' of somebody was no big deal.

"Yes" Sirius agreed at the same time Agatha disagreed with a "No" she added a chuckle and stroked her fingers through Sirius's fur "Shush you naughty creature"

"It's an excellent idea" the cat said

"Is it?" Agatha asked reluctantly, maybe Mary Millicent was a wicked witch, things were different now. There was a Giant kneeling in front of her. A Giant who had just lost his home while trying to keep her safe, she caught Falcoro's eye "I'm sorry about your home"

"It was just a place, filled with things"

"But those things include the 56 types of tea that you had acquired for me I was hoping to try them"

"Then I will just procure them all again" came the simple reply

"That would be lovely dear, once we're done saving the Magikal Realms of course" she said and the giant flashed her a big, toothy smile. He really was very nice to look at, rough edges and all "well my dears, we're not going to get much done around here, I need to pack a bag"

The Giant and the Cat shared a look, their peppy Chosen One was back, they had also learnt their lesson, you can't rush Agatha Anglethorpe when she doesn't want to be rushed. Before anything else Agatha leaned over to the drawer of her bedside table and found a pre-package dosage of her medication, she popped it open and took it all in one go, finishing off her tea to help swallow the medicine. It was not the most polite display to do in company but now time was wasting.

Next Agatha handed the empty teacup to Falcoro and then politely shooed Sirius off her lap. She took her extra large handbag and repacked her knitting, a spare set of knitting needles and some extra yarn. You never know when you might need some turquoise coloured yarn. She also took the torch light she had by her bed and found some spare batteries. She'll pack a spare set of delicates and extra warm socks once she was alone.

"Now shoo" she told the cat and handsome Giant, "I need to be better dressed for whatever we're doing next"

* * * *

The cats watched as Agatha came from her room about twenty minutes after she had sent Falcoro and Sirius out. She was dressed in her favourite purple track suit, with her most comfortable sneakers on. She smiled at them before opening her arms

"Hector" she said, the cat jumped up into her arms and she cuddled him close "You are perfect" she cooed, and just to show he adored her just as much back he butted his head against her chin and replied

"I know I am"

Still holding the Hector close to her chest she turned her attention to Alecto "What's next Allie?"

The prompt answer was "We have to go to the second realm Mistress, the guardian will meet up . . ." Agatha's pet protector wasn't able to finish because there was a scream. Cats, Falcoro, and Agatha still holding Hector went to the sound and found Mary Millicent Mulligatawny facing Falcoro's own pet protector. Jaff had stayed by the front door after the body pile-up to keep guard. Actually he just wanted a nap and was enjoying it until the sound of keys closely followed by a scream had woken him. Now Mary was huddled in the corner, eyes wide, holding her handbag to her chest, while Jaff looked at her unimpressed. Well Agatha thought Falcoro's companion was looking at Mary Millicent like she would make a good toothpick. Jaff gave a wide-mouth yawn which made Mary gasp in fear

"Mary what is wrong with you?" Agatha asked

Her helper gave her a wide-eyed look, her lips trembling. It was quite amusing seeing her very proper, 'drill sergeant' look a little unsettled. In fact Agatha found it very entertaining. Her helper didn't respond instead she just open and closed her mouth a few times.

"I thought you would know to behave better when I have guests" Agatha added with a sniff "Now be a dear and go to the store"

Mary just stared and finally stammered "The . . . the . . . the store? I've just been there" and looked down at her feet where the few shopping bags she had carried in lay. "Oh dear, I seem to have broken the eggs"

"Yes, you'll need to go get some more"

"Mrs Anglethorpe who are . . .?" the younger woman started to ask and then shrieked slightly when Jaff yawned again. Agatha swore she heard more than one cat snigger, Falcoro who was standing behind her let out a bored sigh.

"That doesn't matter, go to the store please" Agatha said "Better hurry dear Jaff is getting hungry" and pointed to the smaller version of the Harrowbeast, who then proceeded to stand up and take stretch out. The woman gasped and gave Agatha a desperate look

"Now once you return from the store I have a few tasks for you"

"Tasks?" Mary asked

"I'm sorry Mary Millicent, I know staying with me can be incredibly tiresome for you, so I have made up a bucket list of a sorts" Agatha looked down into her handbag and pulled out the folded piece of lined note paper and waved it at Mary. "I'll leave it in the kitchen for you. See that you finish it, dear. I'll be disappointed if you don't"

"Dis . . . disappointed?"

"Yes my dear, very. The tasks are simple but they should keep you busy for awhile" considering the list just stated a geocaching game that Agatha had seen the very introverted, blue-haired, black leather clad teenager that lived next door play. And apart from the website address on where to find the game there was a single word instruction 'complete' she was sure Mary would be busy for awhile. Agatha unlike most of her generation was fairly good with keeping up with current technology and trends, came with the territory really. When you're a librarian you're supposed to know everything. So Agatha had tried to 'know' as much as possible. The idea to give this task had come to her while she had been getting dressed. It was perfect. A good distraction for Mary Millicent Mulligatawny. "Once you start my tasks, you'll be on holiday, paid of course"

"What about you?" Mary asked eyeing Jaff who had taken another step closer to her

"Oh I'll be fine dear, and my friend here will help me with anything I may need" and turned to smile up at Falcoro, who said nothing but gave Mary a suspicious look, one that told Agatha he would rather just 'dispose of her' than bother with whatever nonsense was happening right now.

"Who is he?" Mary asked suspiciously her eyes narrowing, Jaff decided enough was enough and started stalking towards the slim woman who could be his toothpick. Mary gave off another small shriek and quickly said "I'm going to the store, there's a spare copy of your schedule on the fridge so your . . . friend . . . can help you, and I've just picked up your prescriptions"

"Thank-you dear" Agatha said thinking that damned schedule could go die a slow death in the seven levels of hell. Then she watched her helper scurry away and disappear out the door.

"Should've let Jaff eat her" one of the cats sighed in disappointment "That would've been fun to watch"

Agatha laughed 'poor Mary Millicent' Claud had been right she just needed something more to do "We need to go my darlings" she said

"Are you sure Mistress?" Allie asked

"I'm sure" she replied finally putting Hector down, her arms were getting tired holding him and his impressive heft for such a long time.

With a quick stop in the kitchen to grab a tupperware container of scones (buttered with jam), her medicine, a thermos of tea and Agatha's favourite pain relief gel to rub on her bad knee. She knew they were ready to leave

"We need portal #388" Allie said as Agatha put the tupperware container of scones and thermos into a black reusable shopping bag and handed it to Falcoro to carry "It's close by and should take us to the Land of Squatinidae"

Agatha blinked a few times "Angel Sharks? Are you sure? That sounds very . . . contradictory"

"Well the locals are a bit of an eclectic bunch and a little misunderstood" Allie commented, unable to look Agatha in the eye. Falcoro grunted at that remark and Agatha turned to him, but he didn't say any more, his green eyes also refusing eye contact at this moment. So she shrugged and opened the third drawer in the kitchen where Mary Millicent kept some useful tools and took the Leatherman dropping it into her handbag. Just in case. 'Always be prepared' her son, the over packer, had always said.

The motley crew left the house, it was early evening the sky it a beautiful twilight phase. The Cats didn't tell the Chosen One that this was also the only safe time left in the day, while there was still threads of light in the sky. At night Victoria could unleash any and all her minions into the non-magikal realm. There was the added bonus that most of the birds would have left to sleep for the night. Their delay in leaving hadn't been a complete waste.

A block away from her house Agatha found herself looking at portal #388 and she burst out laughing. It was the local Police Telephone box that was now used as a book exchange.

"I really am going to be like The Doctor" she laughed out

The cats all appeared a little smug, pleased to get the Chosen One to laugh after her little meltdown. Fulcoro and Jaff just thought the woman might have finally gone completely mad. Allie and Tess went first walking through the side wall disappearing from sight. Agatha had made sure to clean her glasses before leaving the house so she was certain she wasn't imagining things.

"Us next Mistress" Sirius said and preformed an impressive leap from the ground to land in her arms. He then jumped again and settled on her shoulder. Without a thought she followed through the side of the Police Phone Booth, chuckling as she went since some clever delinquent had graffitied the wall she walked through with a messy, scrawling T.A.R.D.I.S.

On the other side Agatha Anglethorpe had to gasp. She was standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the sun, well suns there were two of them, were setting which sent the sky into a kaleidoscope of colours. She looked over her shoulder to see that the portal she had come through was a low, stone wall, she turned back around and squeaked, what had once been just a magnificent view had now become a magnificent view with an equally magnificent person standing there.

'Where did she come from?' Agatha thought in awe, the person was a woman, a young woman no taller than Agatha herself with the very smooth, ebony skin and saffron yellow eyes. Eyes that seemed to glow slightly and her hair was silver and fell all the way to her thighs. Dressed in black leggings and a black tunic that was knee length, no shoes, and no other ornaments. She looked to be in her early twenties, except those eyes told a very different story. And she was smiling, a wide, open and very pleased smile, showing very white and very sharp teeth.

"You're here!" the strange woman said excitedly, in an accent Agatha couldn't place, the woman reached out and took Agatha's hands in her own "I've been waiting an eon for your arrival"

"Yes we're here" Agatha said with a smile as Falcoro came to stand next to her, back to his original height and girth "Where is here my dear?"