Ever After

☾Chapter Four☽

The docks were full of passerby's - from beggars, to fisherman, and even nobles. People were either waiting for an airship to enter the port or watching the sailors on the sea vessels.

Ever waited patiently, leaning up against a post. Mary was supposed to show up soon, but she was waiting for someone else as well.

"Ever!" The familiar voice yelled.

Ever smiled and greeted Aubergine.

"You're crazy." Aubergine smiled as she approached, and Ever laughed.

"I'm crazy?" She mocked.

Aubergine kept her voice a whisper. "You're going to Aquata. That's something nobody has done in... well a long time. How are you even going to get to there?"

"A boat."

"And then what?" Aubergine questioned.

Ever sighed and looked down at the planks of the dock.

"You promised me that you wouldn't use magic. You know what could happen."

"I'll go to jail. I get it. But there's someone who expects me to use it." Ever looked back up at Aubergine.

"And you're just gonna listen?! What if this mysterious person you won't even tell me about - seriously, I thought we were friends, you use to tell me everything - wants you killed?" Aubergine argued.

"Auber, slow down. I know the prince would never conspire against me, he'd be a fool to-"

"And what about this mysterious person?" Aubergine interrupted.

"They wouldn't either." Ever laid her hand on Aubergine's shoulder and smiled. "I didn't call you here to chastise me."

"Why are you doing this? Can you at least tell me that? It's not like you to spontaneously get the urge for adventure. You don't even believe in all this monster business."

Ever sighed.

"If everything that I've been told is true. Think about what me saving the world could do?"

"There always has to be something in it for you, doesn't there?" Aubergine scowled.

Ever opened her mouth to refute but was cut off.

"Why did you call me here?" Aubergine muttered.

"I wanted to let you know, in person, that I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For getting the grimoire, and all the magic I'm about to use... and a lot more."

Aubergine suddenly pulled Ever into a hug. "Just promise me you'll be careful, please?"

"I will." Ever smiled.

"Ever!" She could hear Mary yell from another section of the dock. Mary raced towards the two, her pale-yellow sundress blowing in the wind around her, showing off her amber skin.

"You're making friends with humans now?" Aubergine questioned.

"She's helping me."

"Why didn't you ask me?" Aubergine asked, offended.

"You would have complained about your wings getting wet." Ever clicked her tongue before turning to greet Mary.

"Mary Marie this is my best friend Aubergine Bloom. Auber this is Mary Marie."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Aubergine shook her hand, before turning to Ever. "I have to get going." She smiled quickly before turning to walk down the dock.