The End is Just the Beginning

Gothel beamed at the girl whom she held in her hands. If she really wanted to she could very easily snap the girl’s neck and end her sorry excuse of an existence. But she wouldn’t do that - at least not yet.  She still had plans for the girl after all. So she’d keep Drizella alive until her purpose was fulfilled. 

She smirked and lightly stroked her thumb over her cheek. It was amusing to see someone who was in such a need for praise. “I knew that you’d get better with time. You were definitely the right person to pick over all those other women.”

“Cool? Really? That’s what you’re going with?” Regina scoffed and looked down at her empty glass, willing it to fill again before taking a sip. “Some people don’t see any value in words, they see value in actions. You have to show them you wish for redemption. Saying it and doing it are two different things.”

“Well yeah. Being the Evil Queen? Causes people to have fear and admire you. So yeah I’m a little jealous that you were given that nickname.” The witch explained and sighed. “And what if I help a lady across the road a few times then what? They will all just suddenly forgive me for what I’ve done?”

“Being younger doesn’t mean that I can’t handle this.” Regina insisted. She knew if she did any of her trademarks, her hands on the hips and such, she’d never get her point across. 

          cruella never made  the big decisions when part of the queens of darkness.  it had been clear that maleficent was their ringleader, and cruella simply did as told most of the time.  though not without a bit of a fight depending on the situation.  banishing gothel had not been her idea, but truth be told she hadn’t fully cared in the matter.  ❛ gothel, darling.  naturally i hadn’t figured you’d have the guts to show your face around here again.  surprised indeed to see that i was incorrect. ❜  fingers idly stroke the fur draped across her shoulder.  ❛ so sad to announce the queens of darkness are no longer together.  so if you were looking for a happy reunion, you’re out of luck darling. ❜

            She rolled her eyes not even pretending to be insulted. Like she wouldn’t be bothered to show up back in town. Like she’d let the queens of darkness so easily scare away.  ❛ oh please cruella. like you and your ragtag group of villains could ever scare me away. i’m the big bad witch who doesn’t need ,goons to do her bidding. I can handle everything quite fine on my own. ❜ she snarked and shook her head. she wouldn’t so easily be intimated by cruella or any of the queens of darkness.  ❛ ahh i’m sorry that you and your friends no longer get together. let me guess you broke up because you all turned on each other and got your feelings hurt? ❜    

     Things had always been strained between the two of them, little back handed compliments that tore bit by bit at her self confidence - she kept telling herself they weren’t meant to be hurtful, her mother was just trying to help her. To make her better than she was. She kept telling herself that. She would keep telling herself that. Her mother loved her. No matter what world, no matter what truth they were living, her mother loved her. 

As she sat at the kitchen table, book in one hand a cookie in the other, she had been absent-mindedly eating one after the other as she read. So enthralled with the words in front of her. It wasn’t until her mothers words that Valerie was pulled from that world back into the real one. With a sigh she closed the book, turning to look at her mother with a slight glare. ‘She didn’t mean it, she’s just trying to make me better’ was the thought swimming in her head. “Sorry, mother. I’ll have an apple next time…promise.”

Mena grinned. She was happy that her daughter was going to take her advice. All she wanted was for her daughter to have the best life possible. To have everything that she never had. She was convinced that if Valerie listened to her, than Valerie would look her best and be the best version of herself. Well, Valerie was pretty great as it was, but Mena was convinced that she could make her even better. 

Of course she was oblivious to what she was doing to her self-esteem. None of that mattered. Only results mattered. “Good. Apple’s are so good for you darling. They’ll help you grow nice and strong. Plus they’ll keep you healthy and fit. You’ll never find the right boy if you’re not fit dear.” She mused as she went into the kitchen. There she began to cut up an apple for herself. “So what are you studying now?” She wondered, making her way back to her daughter to read over her shoulder. She was one of those parents who tried to be involved in her daughter’s life as much as she could be.

       “Yeah I guess I am.” Melinda replies as she tries her best to sound nonchalant, to keep the fact that this woman gave her the creeps from showing in her face. She raised a brow at her question completely taken by surprise because how did this woman know about the book of shadows and did she think she was an idiot? “Yeah that’s not going to happen. Who did you say you were again?”

She looked up at the younger woman, trying to hide her smirk. She would continue to play cool. She didn’t need to know that she was a wicked villain who still loved to do evil things - without feeling any remorse about what she did. If she had the Halliwell book to help her - she’d be unstoppable. “Mother Gothel dear. My name is Mother Gothel.”