What is stolen will remain . . .

[belegwen]

What: Talking About Amy
When: Sunday afternoon
Who: Mabry and Jalen
Where: The kitchen and Rainbow's End

Wet, dreary spring days made Mabry feel like baking. The heat of the oven seemed almost enough to make the chilly rain retreat, and the fire in the kitchen hearth was comforting as well. And she needed that comfort today, not merely for the rain, but because of the disquiet that she had felt in her own home recently.

Besides with two small children in the house, nothing she baked would ever go uneaten.

She sang quietly to herself, slightly off-key, as she slid the pan of gingerbread into the oven. Shortbread next, she decided and drew another mixing bowl from a cabinet. She tried to focus on the spicy smell now emanating from the oven and not on the conversation she knew was coming.

Comments

[amys_keeper]

Jalen entered the kitchen from the outside door, having just left Eli playing out in the courtyard with his 'mother'. He hated to do it, but not because it was wet and chilly; the kid was more than bundled up for that. He couldn't shake the feeling that any second he would turn around and Eli would be gone, spirited away by the woman pretending to be his mother. Surprisingly, Awiergan seemed to be enjoying her little masquerade. If he didn't know any better, he'd think everything was fine.

But he did know better, and it was time someone else knew besides himself and Ray. He should have told Mabry when it had started, but- well, he wasn't really sure what his reasoning had been.

"Smells nice in here. Gingerbread?"

He went to the kitchen table and pulled a chair out, dropping into it. He really didn't want to talk about this.

[belegwen]

"It's in the oven," Mabry told him with a smile. "It should be ready to eat before too long." She was mixing the butter and sugar as she spoke. "So, what did you want to tell me?"

[amys_keeper]

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"It's important that this conversation stays between us. Don't mention anything to Song."

He found himself on the edge of his chair and wondered for a moment how he'd gotten there before forcing himself to relax. Slightly, anyway.

"You remember the bracelet that Ray gave Amy for Christmas? Gold, with the heart lock and key charm? It had an enchantment to bind Awiergan. It was working for a while...until Eli's birthday."

He glanced toward the door as he heard the faint shriek of his son's laughter. At least-

"Awiergan's been pretending to be Amy since then. She's been doing a remarkable job of it in public."

He scowled inwardly. In private was a completely different matter.

[belegwen]

Mabry considered this is silence for some time, absently adding the flour to the shortbread. At last, she nodded, "I knew something felt off. I thought perhaps the two of you were having trouble. This . . . is more worrisome."

She pushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "Why don't you want Song to know? I would think that her counterpart already does, so there wouldn't be any real harm in telling her." There was a grim weariness in her voice. "Secrecy is their tool, not ours. I don't see how it benefits us not to make use of her skills."

[amys_keeper]

Jalen let out a short, bitter laugh before shaking his head. "I almost wish that was the problem. It would be easier to fix...and if it had been, Amy would have reached out to someone by now. It's the way she is."

He paused for a moment, thinking. "It's possible that Medrau doesn't know, and Ray and I want to keep it that way. Medrau knowing about this would just make things worse. She might do something to antagonize Awiergan into taking off, more than likely with Eli. Ray's getting another bracelet made with a stronger enchantment."

He fully intended to just clasp it on her wrist while she was sleeping, and avoid any potential (read: definite) fights that could lead to magic being flung around. Oh, she was behaving now, but who knew when she'd get sick of her little game?

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you when it happened."

[belegwen]

"It's understandable." Mabry was frowning in concentration. "I only mention it because Song's powers might be enough to bring Amy back at least for a time. It's a shame the two of them are the only ones with dream magic. But if you-" She stopped. "Wait a minute. I have an idea."

She set the bowl of shortbread dough down on the table. "If the timer beeps, take the gingerbread out of the oven. I need to get something from my room."

[amys_keeper]

Jalen had been about to reply when Mabry cut herself off. He actually hadn't thought of that, and he should have. It was too bad Eli was only two; Amy had started teaching him early.

"Sure you trust me not to kill it somehow?" His tone was almost amused. He could cook, despite what his wife thought. When this was over with, he'd make her a cake. Or maybe just some toast.

"Never mind. You should hurry, I don't know how long she'll stay outside with Eli."

[belegwen]

Mabry smiled over her shoulder. "Well, I'm never all that fast, but I'll hurry as best I can."

It was only a couple minutes later that she returned, holding a small object in her hand. "You'll need to hide it somewhere over the bed," she instructed, holding out the tiny dream-catcher. "This is one of the first ones Song made. It's to give you the dreams you need. I think, well, the Shadow is only a part of Amy, and her being in control isn't good for the whole, so maybe this would work. If nothing else, it might buy us some time."

[amys_keeper]

The timer did go off while she was gone, so Jalen got the gingerbread out of the oven and set it on the counter, all without burning himself or dropping the pan. A miracle! He'd gone over to the door afterward and peeked out, smiling faintly as he watched Eli jump in puddles, his multi-colored hat almost pulled down over his eyes. Awiergan was practically hovering over him, smiling as she egged him on.

When Mabry returned he was leaning against the island, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling. He almost jumped at her voice, then reached out to take the dream-catcher.

"All right. Hopefully..."

He ran his fingers carefully over the webbing. He could try to go place it now, or wait until later. The decision was made for him when the door opened, letting in the chill air and a pink-cheeked little boy in a blue coat. He was alone.

"Mama went bye-bye."

Eli didn't seem upset about it, so Jalen figured she'd told him she would be back soon. But what was she doing just disappearing like that? Good way to blow her cover, if anyone had been watching.

"Where'd mama go, Eli?"

He knelt down to his son's level, trying not to grip the dream-catcher too hard. Awiergan might not have told Eli the truth, so he wasn't sure why he was asking.

Smiling, the little boy reached out to tug on his father's hair. "Mar-ket." He let go as his attention diverted to Mabry and the smell of the gingerbread.

"Cookie please?"

[belegwen]

Mabry smiled at Eli. "It's still too hot. It will need to cool off first. Why don't you go hang up your coat?"

She waited until the boy had left the kitchen. "Go on and place it now. I'll keep the kids happy with gingerbread."

[amys_keeper]

Jalen couldn't help grinning as he stood and watched Eli dart out of the room, while trying to pull off his coat at the same time. He was a lot like his mother. One would hope that wouldn't carry over to accidentally scorching dressers with fire magic.

"Good idea. Watch out for Eli's 'poor me' pout, he's learned it gets him things."

Another glance at the dream-catcher in his hand, and then he left, headed upstairs.