(Un)Pleasantview - Chapter 5: Curses
Warnings: Nudity, sexual references, references to dark magic
Sleep had eluded Dina. She had tossed and turned the whole night, slowly watching each hour tick by painfully. And now, as the sun rose to the sky, it felt like a tsunami had washed over her.All because of what she had seen. Heard. Observed. Whatever you wanted to call it. Curse her alien blood. And the stupid 'gift' that came with it. And the bloody aliens pollinating like rabbits. This was all their fault.
“Deeds? You look terrible. Did you get any sleep?“
“No.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Dina pursed her lips. "I still haven’t told you about what happened at the station.”
“…Oh, right. We were in such a hurry to get to my parents’ place. So, what did you hear?”
Disbelief. Anger. Confusion. These were the emotions that swept through Mortimer as Dina revealed what she had heard.
“My father was cursed by a witch?"
“That’s what I saw.”
Mortimer swallowed thickly. "But why?”
Dina shrugged. She had no idea. Gunther Goth was an influential and rich man. And the son of old blood. He had plenty of enemies. Although it was strange to think that one them would stoop so low as to curse him.
"Who was it?"
“I-I don’t know. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.”
“What did she look like?”
“She was blonde. Kind of tall. I didn’t see her face very well. There was just something familiar about her, I can’t explain it.”
Mortimer frowned. “Right. So out there somewhere is a witch who wants my father dead. And she cursed him - no wonder the doctors had no idea what was wrong.”
“Perhaps another witch should look at him?”
"Bella?"
"Bella."
The shrill sound of the phone roused Meadow first.
“Bella, the phone,” she muttered.
Bella grunted.
“Seriously, it’s been ringing for at least a minute. Don’t you have voicemail?”
“No,” Bella groaned.
“You have reached Bella, I can’t make-”
“Little Devil, you do not have voicemail, so don’t even try it.”
Bella swore. “Ugh, fine. Also, don’t call me that. It is bad enough that my brother does.”
Meadow giggled in the background.
“Are we on speaker?”
“Yes,” Bella hummed.
“Please don’t start kissing or something like that. I really don’t need to hear that.”
Meadow giggled again while Bella sighed.
“What do you want, Morty?”
“Good morning, Bella.”
Dina flinched at the icy stare she received.
“Morning.”
After her short greeting, Bella walked straight past, making the already uncomfortable Dina, even more uncomfortable. She still did not understand why Bella hated her. Originally she thought it was jealousy - it was no secret that Bella was in love with Mortimer. And he loved her too, to an extent. But Bella had rejected his advances in their teens, and had made it clear that they were only to remain friends. The hostility Dina received therefore, was unfair and did not make much sense.
Dina dejectedly closed the door and lingered near her vanity, not wanting to step on Bella’s toes.
Mortimer noticed Dina hesitate at the other end of the apartment. He sighed.
“Bella, honestly, this is Dina’s apartment, you should be more respectful.”
“Her apartment? Isn’t your father paying for it?”
“What are you trying to imply here?” Mortimer hissed, angry. He loved Bella to bits, but seriously? She was going to do this now?
Bella did not respond.
“Dina pays for this apartment herself. And no, the building is not owned by the Goth group, before you ask. The Altos own this block and the next few over. As for the financial assistance Dina receives from my father - simply a coincidence that he is the main sponsor of the scholarship she qualified for and is receiving fair and square. Her being my partner has nothing to do with it.”
Bella at least had the decency to look ashamed.
“And even if she did not get the scholarship, my father would have helped regardless, because he sees her as one of his own children. Same goes for you. He offered to pay for you to go to college - you declined.”
“Now will you turn around, apologise to Dina, and then can we get back to the matter of my father dying?"
"You’re right, Morty. I’m sorry."
Mortimer quirked an eyebrow. Bella grimaced and turned around. "I’m sorry, Dina. Good morning. How are you?"
Dina felt her mood soar almost immediately. "I will be alright if we can figure out what is going on with Gunther."
"Right. Tell me what you heard.”
“Very suspicious,” Bella hummed after Dina and Mortimer finished telling their story. “But we won’t know until I have checked Gunther if he is, indeed, cursed.”
“When can you head down?"
"Not until next weekend."
"He could be dead by then!”
“I know. If only Michael wasn’t in Strangetown, I would have called him to go immediately. I suppose I could ask my mother if-"
Mortimer cut Bella off: "No, your mother is ill herself. I wouldn’t want her to push herself."
"Someone else then?” Bella hummed. “Not that there are many other witches and warlocks that I trust."
Dina appeared to be in deep thought.
"Does it have to be a witch or warlock?”
“No,” Bella replied. “Other Supernaturals may be able to check as well. Perhaps Titania or Oberon?”
“Titania hates our family.”
Bella nodded thoughtfully. "Jennicor then?”
“We could ask her.”
Dina grinned. “No need. Someone who can help has already visited him.”
“Hello, Starfish.”
“Thanatos.”
“Why the long face?”
“Why do you think?”
Grim cringed. “That was a stupid question, sorry.”
Lolita smiled. “That’s okay. What brings you here?”
“I am curious if you have thought about the elixir that I mentioned yesterday.”
“I have.”
“And?”
Lolita sighed.
“I suppose I should stop running at some point.”
“Hey, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“Okay?”
“You have not touched me in decades,” Lolita whispered.
He grimaced again. “Yes, I know. I’m sorry.”
Lolita smiled sadly. “No, I understand.”
She pulled away, and immediately he reverted back to the spectre. Her smile faded. She did not blame him for refraining from touching her. She would have done the same if she were in his shoes. A glimpse at what you have lost whenever you touched someone you loved would hurt her too.
“No moping, Starfish. I forbid it.”
She ignored him. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow what?”
“I’m going to get the elixir tomorrow.”
“Okay. Want me to stay nearby?”
Lolita shook her head. “No, I should be fine. I did help raise him, after all.”
“What did my dear cousin, and our illustrious queen want, Oberon?”
“There has been another Supernatural attack.”
“Oh dear, which poor sod was it this time?”
“…my mother.”
-
Author notes:
Phew! Haha. This chapter has been slow progress. For those who may not be aware, I now upload the chaper in bits on tumblr and then compile them into chapters. This is the first 'compilation' of the lot. Chapter 6 will be available on tumblr in snippets soon.