The Vetita Chronicles

A soft sigh of satisfaction escaped Ava’s lips as she fell onto the loveseat that was righted as soon as they re-entered the parlor. The soft chenille fabric and memory foam cradled her as she laid across the cushions. Thankfully, the torn fabric was easy to repair once the padding and stuffing were placed back into it. The sewing did not take as much time as cleaning the floor. Which, after picking up the large pieces of plaster, ceramic, broken picture frames, discarded papers, and mysterious baubles and keys, they swept through the room three times to ensure they swept up all the glass and plaster bits, then ran over the finished hardwood floor with multiple swifter pads, for extra security. Nothing was worse than getting a glass sliver in your foot you could feel, but not see. It took them a good portion of the night to pick up the room and by the time Ava settled into comfort, the hallway clock chimed ten p.m.

All was done.

Teddy came back to the room from the green house, the front of her Motley Crue shirt was dusted with soil. She had taken the uprooted pothos plant and repotted it in some fresh miracle grow and compost. She carried with her a large bottle of Pink Moscato in one hand, and 2 wine glasses in the other, she raised them up, “Shall we celebrate?” Teddy asked as she settled back into the oak chair her sister had disturbed her from earlier.

Ava eagerly sat up with her hand out, waiting for her sister to fill the glass and hand it to her. “Mmm., thank you.” She said as she placed her lips to the rim of the glass and took a large sip.

Teddy laughed as she watched her sister settle back down with a diva flourish. “I don’t think I have ever enjoyed cleaning as much as I just did. It was like a treasure hunt.”

“Seriously. I can’t believe the items the aunts just threw to the ground.” Teddy leaned into the shallow wicker basket and looked through the items they had thrown in there while cleaning up the room. Most of these items came from the secretary's desk. There were irregular rough-cut crystal points and shards varying in size and stone types from Amythest, to Fluorite, to Smoky Quartz and Obsidian. There was one item that drew her attention. “Check this out.” Teddy lifted the small, quarter-size crystal orb from the basket, she examined it. “It looks similar to a cats eyes marble.” She twirled it in her fingers.

“Can I see?” Ava reached out for it. Teddy allowed the ball to slide off her finger and into Ava’s hands. Among the crystals were wooden block chips, the size of dominos, with deeply carved rune symbols that were darkened with a rust-colored paint. She was able to recognize the runes for knowledge and strength, but the others eluded her, they seemed to be a combination of runic symbols merged together. She tossed these aside in the basket, since moving out, she has neglected the studies Nonna insisted on her to continue practicing. There were more important things in the real world to consider.

The other items in the basket made her ill, which included a tuff of hair - still attached to the scalp, she was not going to get close enough, or stare at it long enough to determine if it was an animal, if it was human, or if it was even real. She screeched when she saw it lying on the floor which insighted laughter from her sister who picked the piece up by a clump of hair and threw it into the basket, commenting that if Nonna saved it, they may need it some day.

Then, there was the claw, which must have come from a very large animal, they just weren’t able to determine what kind of animal. The chord was as long as Teddy’s middle finger and the claw was slightly curved extending another 3 inches. The claw plate was smooth, yet the edges rigid and sharp, barbed and curled as if it was meant to shred and tear about the victim it clung into. It was an interesting find and she rattled the glass vial it was stored in then threw it back into the basket. Teddy suggested throwing the items out, Ava insisted on keeping them “You may never know when they might come in handy.” Her sister stated impassively, fascinated by the crystal in her hands.

Teddy looked at, shaking her head with a cocked eyebrow as she pushed herself up into the armchair. Ava assimilated into the life of potions, magic, and lore with ease and devotion. Unlike herself. Teddy may have believed in ghosts, but that was because she could see them, there were times, like earlier, where she may even interact with them. But it was brief, and she was back to believing the life her grandmother was raising her in was nothing but hocus pocus.

Teddy lifted a smoky quartz wand from the basket, rubing her thumb along the dented and chipped shaft. While she believed crystals to be beautiful, they were nothing more to her than decorations meant to spruce up an outfit, or to make a conversational piece in the living room. Not something to be thrown into a stachel with some rosemary and other odds and ends and hang it over her door for protection. She gave a small smile to a memory of Nonna coming to the new apartment when her and Ava first moved out and Nonna had hung the satchel in front of Teddy's face. Giving thank for the gift, she had taken it from Nonna and ushered her into the loving room to give a small tour. The gift went from one hand to the other and allowed it to roll into the barrel as she past the kitchen counter.

Ava, on the other hand, glowered at her sister and waited patiently for Nonna to leave before removing it from the barrel and buried it into the door’s casing. Teddy allowed her sister the satisfaction of keeping it there. If Ava insisted on going through that much trouble to drill a hole, dig it out, stuff that velvet bag in and patch it up, Teddy decided it was her project and left her to it.

A brip interrupted Teddy's scavenger hunt of the basket by a head-butt by the large Savannah cat that had jumped up onto the coffee table. “Hey Bella.” Teddy affectionately rubbed the cats head and ran her hand ran down the long sleek body. Bella gave another brip as she pawed at the contents in the basket. Creating a chiming sound as the crystals knocked against eachother and the various other items in the basket. The cat then dipped her head in and latched onto a brass key. She jumped off the coffee table and sprinted to the doorway. A hiss escaped the cat as Teddy wresteled the key back. “Bad girl.” Teddy placed the key in her pocket.

Bella flicked her tail and sauntered over to Ava who was laughing at the sight of her sister trying to get the key. “Belladonna!” Ava cheered as she placed the wine glass on the floor beside the couch and brought the cat up to her face for a kiss. In a return of affection, Bella purred and nipped at Ava’s nose. Rubbing her face along her cheek. Bella swung her black and tan paw at the bauble in Ava’s hand. “Not for you!” She placed the orb into the cup of her bra and continued to nuzzle her face.

"She is always so affectionate with you.” Teddy leaned forward and ran her hand down her soft, sleek body.

“Yes.” Belladonna gave a brip as Ava scratched the underside of her jaw. “Remember when we first moved in?” Ava laughed at Bella nipping her fingers. “I would torture this poor thing. Dragged her aground the house and tried to put her in Kit’s clothes.” Ava laughed at the memory of fitting the cat in her American girl doll clothes and forcing her to play tea party.

“Oh., I remember. She hated you!” Teddy Scratched the cats head then leaned back into her chair. “Gawd, how old do you think she is?”

Belladonna growled.

Ava pressed her face to the cats with affection. “That right my African princess, we never ask a woman how old she is.” Bella purred again.

Teddy watched the cat bump and rub all over her sister as Ava shifted to her onto her side with Bella curling up into the nape between her knees and stomach.

“You are lovable.,” Ava kissed Bella again. “You on the other hand.” Ava pointed to Teddy. “Are a ball of stress.” Ava leans forward, taking her wine glass in her hand again.

Teddy ignored her sisters remark. “Well, I’m sure Bella will be much happier once you move in. She’ll be getting a lot more affection.” Teddy curled her feet up under her hips.

“I’m not moving in.” Ava sat up, moving the cat to the side of the loveseat.

“What?” Teddy choked on her drink and looked up to her sister who was now shuffling to get her bag and scarf from the hall. “Where are you going?”

“Home." Ava swallowed the rest of her wine, placing the glass on the entry table, “I just realized I have the place to myself now.” Ava giggled and watched herself in the mirror above the table as she adjusted a black pashmina around her neck “I enjoy the apartment we have.” She smiled at her reflection then spun on her heels to face her disgruntled sister. “I have it ALLLL to myself” Ava dramatically hugged herself.

“Please reconsider.” Teddy folded her arms over her chest, the lively smile she wore all night fading into gloom. “At least for tonight.” Teddy raised an eyebrow in hope.

“I feel..,” Ava statred off over Teddy’s shoulder, her eyes dulling as she looked into a veil that was all her own. Teddy waited and released the breath she did not know she was holding. “Tonight will be good for you.” Ava reached out for her sister, who took her hands. “You have been through a lot, you need to reset and relax.” She leaned in and gave her sister a kiss on the head. Then leaned down and scratched Bella on the head. “I’ll miss you my beautiful African Queen”

“Goodnight, Ava.” Teddy sighed, opening the door for her.

“Good night, Theodora., all will be well.” Ava leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.