Chapter Text
Arm in arm, Laudna and Imogen wind their way through the cobblestone streets, enjoying the temporary reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Core spire. The sun hangs low in the sky, late afternoon light shimmering and refracting along the clouds of mist that permanently drift atop the jungle. As always, the heat is unrelenting, but as Imogen blots the rapidly forming sweat from her brow, she’s unable to wipe the grin from her face.
She can’t believe it. For the past two years, her powers have been steadily growing stronger and with it the need for answers. Two years of uncertainty and doors closed in their faces, and they finally have taken a meaningful step in what feels like a promising direction.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you quite so happy to be boarding one of these contraptions before, dear,” Laudna comments cheekily as she digs a silver piece from her coin purse. She swiftly hands it over to the worker who tucks it away with a nod as he shuffles to his post.
Imogen rolls her eyes fondly, letting out a half-hearted chuckle that morphs into a groan as the gondola door creaks open. “Mmmmh, yeah, no. I still hate these things.”
“I know, darling,” Laudna sighs, giving the arm entwined with hers a reassuring squeeze as they both shuffle aboard.
The gondola shifts under their weight, swaying precariously above the jungle floor. The gondola operator waits a moment before closing the door with a final click, leaving the two witches alone inside the car. As the gondola stutters to life with a heartstopping jolt, Imogen clenches her eyes shut, scarred fingers digging into the gaunt flesh of Laudna’s arm. She’s got a lot more faith in Laudna to hold her steady than she does in those ragged cables.
Heaving a deep breath through gritted teeth, Imogen tries to focus her mind onto Laudna’s musical presence. The grating sounds of the gondola screeching along the cable soon fade away, replaced by the somber but soothing melody of Laudna’s mind.
Oh, hello! I thought you might come peeking in.
Hi, Laudna. Is this - is it alright if I…?
Of course, dear. You’re always welcome in my mind!
Thank you, I really appreciate it. You know how I get with these things.
Imogen strokes thumb along Laudna’s bicep appreciatively. She hums in relief as Laudna’s mind begins to wander, traipsing from topic to topic with her characteristic eagerness: a grocery list for Zhudanna swiftly morphing into a new recipe for a calming tea she’d like to try immediately transitioning into a list of herbs she’d like to plant once she acquires more pots and so on. The rapid succession of thoughts would be dizzying if it weren't so …Laudna. Imogen easily loses herself amongst them until the car finally comes to a screeching halt.
“Here we are, safe and sound!” Laudna announces just as the door begins to open.
As they step off the gondola into the bright afternoon sun, deathgrip on Laudna’s arm still intact, Imogen releases a heavy sigh. Mostly in relief that the ride is over, but tinged with dread at the journey ahead of them. They linger just beyond the gondola, Imogen not quite ready to traverse the crowds just yet. Laudna squeezes her arm as if she understands, leaning against a fence post before suddenly glancing over at Imogen with an eager smile.
“You know what we should do?” Laudna waggles her eyebrows so animatedly Imogen can’t help but grin.
“What should we do, Laudna?” Imogen replies, fondness oozing into her voice.
“We should celebrate, of course!” Laudna singsongs aloud, catching the attention of a few passersby.
Imogen rolls her eyes. “Celebrate what? Survivin’ another trip on those junky pieces of - ”
“Don't be silly, Imogen!” Laudna playfully admonishes her before continuing, “We should celebrate your most recent achievement! You finally have a real chance at finding answers!”
“We don’t know that they’ll let us in yet, Laudna.” Imogen states cautiously, her heart sinking as she watches Laudna visibly deflate. “But you’re right, this is real promising!”
Laudna perks up a little, fixing Imogen with a proud smile. “Once those uppity scholars read your essay, they’ll give you access in no time!”
“Us.” Imogen utters resolutely. “They’ll give us access. This is for you, too, Laudna.”
Laudna blinks a bit, but nods in agreement.
Imogen carries on, hoping to revive at least some of Laudna’s previous eagerness. “And you’re right, we should celebrate. What’d you have in mind?”
Laudna rambles on about the very special dinner she’s going to make, rattling off ingredients and table setting options as she guides Imogen through the organized chaos of the port to the bustling market. As they wind through the streets of Jrusar, Imogen finds her gaze drawn to Laudna’s lips, resigning herself to the fact that she’d do just about anything to see that cheek-splitting smile.
***
The journey to the marketplace goes smoothly, other than the usual strain on Imogen’s end. A perk of living in such a colorful city is that their strangeness goes largely unnoticed; at least, the promise of their coin keeps anyone from running them out of the market square. A definite improvement from some of the smaller towns they’ve moved through.
Laudna flits about from stall to stall gracefully, exchanging coin for various produce, grains, and spices. Imogen follows, arms still interlocked. She’s content to let Laudna lead the charge, until something catches her attention. In the next stall over, a florist proudly displays extravagant bouquets of brilliant red roses and baby pink lilies, likely imported. But shoved in the back, almost hidden from view, is a bundle of poppies. They’re simple; sunset orange bulbs interspersed with delicate white wildflowers. Laudna would love’em.
Glancing around, Imogen notes that Laudna seems intent on her inspection of the container of eggs and the florist is haggling with a customer.
Fuck it.
As delicately as she can, Imogen opens the pouch on her belt. Inhaling through her nose, Imogen focuses her mind. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, she hears the faintest jingling of metal on metal as a gold piece rises through the leather rim of her coin purse. It hovers there a moment as Imogen takes one last look around, before it moves. The coin floats through the desert air, pushed by an unseen force, until it’s hovering just atop the back edge of the florist’s stall.
With a gentle clink, Imogen wills her mage hand to place the coin on the wooden table. As the florist continues to remain undisturbed, Imogen’s mage hand cautiously lifts the bundle of poppies from the stall and swiftly tucks them away in her pouch. Laudna has finally found a “perfect” carton of eggs when Imogen notices that the petals of the flowers poke through the top of her pouch, too tall to be fully hidden. As Laudna hands over a few copper pieces, Imogen shuffles to discreetly maneuver the pouch behind her back, hopefully hidden under the flowing blue fabric of her dress.
“That was the last thing I needed!” Laudna declares, gingerly placing the carton atop her other goods in the woven basket she carries. “Do you need anything, dear? Or should we head home?”
Home. It’s nice to feel like we have a home here.
Hoping her soft smile conveys the warmth she feels, “I’ve got everything I need, Laudna. Let’s go home.”
***
The aroma of simmering meat and freshly ground herbs flood the quaint home in the Windowed Wall. Laudna flutters about the kitchen, hair tied back into a loose knot atop her head. She’s measuring ingredients and humming happily to herself. The melody’s only vaguely familiar to Imogen, but Zhudanna seems to recognize it as she knits in the sitting room, bobbing her head along to its gentle rhythm. A warmth floods Imogen’s chest to see Laudna so at peace.
“Are you sure you don’t need help with anything?” Imogen quietly asks, hoping to preserve this moment exactly as it is.
Laudna glances up from the pot she’s stirring with an easy smile, “Quite sure, dear! Perhaps in a moment, you could set the table?”
Imogen must stare for a beat too long because the grin on Laudna’s face falters for a moment, a flicker of concern in onyx eyes. Clearing her throat, Imogen attempts to school her features into a happy neutral expression, hoping the swirling sensation she’s been feeling in her stomach lately doesn’t shine through.
“Oh yeah, set the - I can definitely do that. I’m just gonna, go - ” She gestures wildly towards the staircase “ - just gonna freshen up. Real quick. I’ll, uh, I’ll be right back.”
Imogen turns on her heels and makes a break for their bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time. As she closes the door, she leans against it, repeatedly thudding her head lightly into the wood.
Real smooth.
Way to play it cool, Temult.
She pushes herself off the door with a huff, running her gloved hands through tangles of lavender. Wincing at the occasional snag, Imogen struggles for a minute or two before she gives up on her unruly hair. She deftly ties it up, leaving a few stray pieces as the rest is neatly secured at the base of her skull. Hoping to quit frettin’ over her appearance, Imogen tries to center herself.
Everything’s fine.
Everything’s great, actually.
We made progress today, real progress.
Soon enough we’ll have answers.
For my powers, the dreams, and for Laudna’s…situation
Everything is fine.
Imogen takes a breath, holds it for a few seconds, and then slowly releases it. She repeats it until the buzzing sensation in her guts subsides enough for her to focus on what she originally came upstairs for.
Reaching along her waistband, Imogen delicately lifts the bundle of flowers from her side pouch, gently cradling them in her hands. From this close, she can appreciate the subtle beauty of the blooms even more, the gentle oranges and yellows resembling a sunburst. Approaching their bedside table, Imogen grabs the pitcher and pours some of the water into her glass. One by one, she places the flowers into the cup, painstakingly shifting and twisting each bloom until she’s satisfied.
There we go, much better.
It’s no professional arrangement, but Laudna’ll still like it.
She’ll like it.
Right?
The impending spiral of self-doubt is stopped by Laudna’s voice calling from downstairs, muffled through the closed door, “Dinner will be ready in just a few moments!”
Huffing another deep breath, Imogen clutches the glass behind her back and heads back to the kitchen. She makes her way down the stairs cautiously, hoping to keep her makeshift vase from spilling down the back of her dress.
As she steps onto the landing, her senses are flooded with the smells of the upcoming meal, but her stomach churns as she catches sight of the table. Zhudanna is seated at her usual seat, chattering with Laudna easily as she disperses the food amongst three bowls. Three glasses of white wine, already poured.
This was never a -
Of course it wasn’t.
It’s a special meal, with their landlady.
With their elderly landlady who keeps shooting knowing glances likes she knows something -
“Everything alright there, dearie?” Zhudanna asks with a gentle smile.
“With me? Yeah, yeah everything’s just - ” Imogen carefully places the vase she’s been clutching on the narrow table lining the hall, hoping Zhudanna’s feeble eyes don’t catch the motion “ - Everything’s fine.”
Zhudanna simply smiles in response.
“Thank you for setting the table, I didn’t mean to take so long.” Imogen mutters meekly.
She locks eyes with Laudna as she pours a hefty serving of stew in Imogen’s bowl. Pulling out the chair for her, Laudna tuts, “Nonsense, darling. Your timing is perfect, as always.”
Imogen shuffles forward, taking the offered seat with a sheepish smile.
Despite the somewhat shaky start, the meal is exquisite: a savory stew with homemade bread, crusted with freshly picked rosemary. The three ladies share conversation between spoonfuls, easily falling into their natural rhythm. As their glasses slowly empty and their stomachs grow full, Imogen rises from her chair and begins gathering the dishes.
“No need to wash them dearie, I’ll get to them in the morning.” Zhudanna softly says.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind doin’em, y’know?” Imogen offers with a smile.
Zhudanna smiles in return as she replies, “Oh, I know, dear. But Laudna here whipped up a very special dessert for you, and I want you two to enjoy your evening.” She stands from her chair with an exaggerated stretch and yawn, shooting a quick wink at Imogen who nearly drops the dishes as she places them in the sink. As if nothing’s happened, she turns to Laudna, “Dinner was lovely, dearie. Thank you. Have a good night!”
“Goodniiiight Zhudanna, sleep tight!” Laudna calls out as Zhudanna carefully hobbles up the stairs.
With the dishes stowed in the sink, Imogen turns away to find Laudna leaning against the counter watching her, a lazy smile stretching across her face.
“Well, hi there.” Imogen drawls out, returning the smile despite the rising flush to her cheeks. “Dinner really was wonderful Laudna, thank you.”
Her smile stretches wider as she accepts the praise, “Oh, you’re very welcome dear! I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“So, what’s this “special dessert” Zhudanna was goin’ on about?” Imogen asks, unable to keep her eagerness from her tone.
“I knew that would catch your attention, with that sweet tooth you have.” Laudna replies.
“C’mon don’t leave me hangin’, what is itttt?” Imogen practically whines.
“Alright, alright. Close your eyes.”
Lilac eyes immediately close.
There’s a shuffling sound followed by a sudden waft of tangy sweetness. It’s familiar.
“Alright, you can open them now.” Laudna says hushedly.
Suppressing a shiver, Imogen opens her eyes only to immediately blink them in disbelief.
On the counter in front of her are blueberry tarts. Two small slices, plated with matching silverware.
“Laudna, these are - ”
“Your favorites, I know.”
“Laudna, thank you. So much, I can’t believe you made this for me.” Imogen pauses a moment, looking pointedly at Lauda from across the kitchen counter as she continues, “For us. I can’t believe you made this for us.”
Laudna beams, the sheer force of her joy nearly splitting her face in two, radiating warmth that lingers in Imogen’s cheeks and roils in her stomach. An all too familiar sensation as of late.
“Eat up, darling.” Laduna declares as she grabs a fork.
Imogen flushes a shade darker, but grabs her fork and digs in.
She flushes another shade darker at the hum of pleasure Laudna releases as she bites into the tart.
The tarts are gone from their plates in an embarrassingly short amount of time. Swallowing the last bite of tart and the last of her nerves, Imogen clears her throat.
“Y’know, I - uh, I gotcha something.” Imogen sputters out suddenly.
“Oh, you didn’t have to do anything like that.” Drumming her fingers in excitement, Laudna grins eagerly down at Imogen. “Buuuuut, now that I know you did, what is it?”
“One sec -” Imogen mutters under her breath as she slowly exits the kitchen, venturing back into the hall to fetch the vase of poppies. She re-enters the kitchen silently, unable to bring herself to look at Laudna until they’re toe-to-toe. Holding the flowers out, Imogen glances up into Laudna’s deep eyes, flickering with anticipation and something else . As those eyes catch sight of the flowers, they widen in shock before growing endlessly soft.
“Poppies! How did you know?” Laudna practically cooes.
Imogen lets out a laugh as she answers, “I spend a good amount of time in your head, and you think about poppies a lot.”
“Well, of course I do. Poppies are simply…” Laudna proceeds to rave about the medicinal properties of poppy seeds, but Imogen doesn’t hear a word of it. All she hears are thoughts. Her own. Endlessly repeating.
I love you.
I could listen to you talk for hours.
I love you.
I’ll plant a field of poppies for you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
I lo -
“I love you, Laudna.” Imogen freezes, glancing up at Laudna to try and gauge her reaction. Laudna offers a small reassuring smile and it’s like the floodgates have finally opened. Imogen can’t bring herself to stop as she gushes, “I love you so much and I want to thank you. For everything. For dinner, for supporting me at the conservatory, for the past two years. I would have never gotten this far without you. You changed my life and I - oof” Imogen’s rambling is cut off by the impact of Laudna’s bony ribs against her own.
Imogen allows herself to sink into the embrace, years of tension melting from her body in an instant as Laudna whispers, “I love you, too.”
There’s a moment of peace before Laudna continues, “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
The tension returns. As a tightness in her throat, as a clenching of her jaw, as a sickening sensation in her stomach. “Yeah - You.” Imogen croaks out, pausing to clear her throat as she continues, “You’re my best friend, too.” She releases a shaky sigh, praying to whatever gods are out there that Laudna won’t notice the hitch in her breath or the sudden dampness in her eyes.
As they pull apart, Imogen’s eyes are glued to her shoes, unable to risk a glance up.
“Y’know, I think that wine’s goin’ to my head. It’s really starting to ache. I should probably go lie down.” Imogen utters quietly as she pulls away. She’s almost made it to the stairs when a voice calls out from behind her, “Imogen, wait…”
Imogen nearly cracks her neck as she whips around, hopefulness creeping into her tone as she responds, “Yeah? What is it?”
“I just - ” Laudna pauses to think and Imogen can’t breathe . “I just wanted to thank you, for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
“Oh, uh - ” Imogen tugs her cheeks into a mostly convincing smile as she scarcely whispers, “You’re welcome.”
Without a backward glance, Imogen continues her ascent of the stairs, pausing briefly at the top. When she hears nothing, she trudges into their room, haphazardly kicks off her shoes, and buries her face in the pillows on their bed.
When Laudna comes in a few moments later, she holds her breath and pretends to be asleep, all the while hoping she’ll dream of the red storm instead of Laudna tonight.