Chapter Text
Rose Winters should have been dead.
By all normal conventions, a human infant can’t be split up into four pieces and live.
And yet, she was alive.
Even Ethan didn’t quite understand how alive Rose was when he found her flasks.
See, for those implanted with the Cadou, persons who are specially crystallized while alive are still visible and sentient.
In addition, when the four flasks are together at once they fuse to create a more powerful version of the original, as opposed to 4 separate versions of the same person.
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“Why, is she here, Mother?” Moreau eyed the cradle warily and pulled his cloak to cover a little more of his hideous face, he was always so nervous to speak directly to mother, but she’s called me to this meeting too, maybe- maybe, I’m as good as the others?
Miranda visibly winced at the word mother, “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. This is the fulfillment of all of our work.” a malevolent passion, like a fire, glinted just behind her eyes, “Until we complete the ceremony, the megamycete powers she has would be far too dangerous to keep all four flasks together. We can’t take any chances.”
Heisenburg rolled his eyes under the wide brim of his hat, a motion Dimitrescu didn’t miss.
He cleared his throat, “But, she’s just a child, right?”
The energy of the room suddenly changed, the candles flickered and the air seemed to become icier.
Miranda narrowed her eyes, “Her capabilities are beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed. I sincerely hope you aren’t doubting me, Karl.”
Heisenberg felt a sharp and debilitating throb in his side from the Cadou. Grimacing, he tried to conceal his pain.
There was a thick silence that followed the shock, even the Lycans seemed taken aback.
She couldn’t mask a slight sadistic pleasure, “Does that satisfy your question?”
Dimitrescu shot a glance in his direction and took a long, sneering drag from her cigarette.
“So then, I will entrust one flask to each of you”
“Flask assignment goes as follows: Alcina, the head; Salvatore, the arms; Karl, the torso; Donna, the legs.”
The four lords cautiously approached the bassinette before them, but as they stood at the foot no one dared to open the canopy and see the horrible beast. The megamycete had crafted the most unspeakable horrors, and something with this much power, which struck such fear into Miranda’s heart would surely be a twisted grotesque creature.
The moment of awkward silence lasted entirely too long, ultimately through silent stares they seemed to conclude Benviento would be the one to first face Rosemary Winters.
Benevento's breath hitched as she pushed back the canopy, bracing herself for the very worst her mind could imagine.
She smiled under her veil, to see an ethereal-looking baby girl. No twisted limbs or rotting flesh, but a whole, perfect human baby with gossamer eyelashes and faintly blushed cheeks. Even her little sweater seemed unnaturally soft and delicate under the candlelight.
Inexplicably Beneviento felt like crying, it had been very, long, longer than she could remember since she had seen something so delicate, and innocent looking.
Heisenberg arched his brow, “it’s a baby?”
Moreau seemed to laugh, “so cute” he gurgled.
Even Dimitrescu softened and a faint smile flickered on her face.
“Do not underestimate her” Miranda thundered. “She is to be left alone, untouched and tightly guarded. She may have the appearance of a mortal child, but she does not need to be cared for. She's more dangerous than you can imagine.”
She locked eyes with Heisenberg,“Is that clear”
He clenched his jaw, "Yes, Mother Miranda"
The others nodded affirmatively.
“Alcina, take your flask”
To the unaided eye Dimitrescu just picked up a small jar, but to one with the Cadou, she took Rose into her arms.
The baby appeared like a fairy child in her arms, she could almost hold her with one hand. Dimitrescu stared in wonder at Rose. She had forgotten just how small human children were, to be fair she hadn’t seen one in over a century.
“Salvatore”
He reached in and let out what sounded like a vomitous gurgling, but might have been a giggle.
He held his Rose up to the air, which caused her eyes to flutter open, after which she gave a slow yawn. He studied her intently “how strange”.
Miranda cast a withering gaze and he put her down, but secretly shot Rose a wink.
“Heisenberg, I trust you will not be needing another warning?”
He clenched his jaw, “I understand.”
But even he couldn’t keep himself from being pleasantly surprised as he gingerly lifted Rose from the bassinet. He cleared his throat and cautiously glanced around before secreting another glance at Rose.
“Donna”
Donna hesitated, her hands hovered just above the baby as if she was nervous she would besmirch the peaceful infant. She remembered when she first took Angie, all those years ago as a birthday gift. How she’d carefully taken her from Papa’s hands. How beautiful and delicate she was; her dress looked magical and her hair- so thin and perfect.
She took a deep breath, summoning her courage, and lifted the last flask, the final Rose, from the cradle.
Miranda nodded solemnly, “So you understand your tasks.” She lowered her voice “I’m warning you, don’t underestimate her. She may appear alive, but she doesn’t need care. She is to be left alone in the deepest, most guarded place you can find. We’re taking no chances. And failure,” the Cadou twinged in all of them, like a hot ember deep inside their chests, “will be duly punished."
"Now go”