Tonya (magicbirdoffire) wrote in brightstar, @ 2019-05-31 20:33:00 |
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Entry tags: | !narrative, x-character: tonya staviski |
Who: Tonya and Babushka (NPC)
When: Wednesday May 29
Where:Babushka's cottage
What: Catching up
Rating:G
She had meant to visit her friend long before now. The boys had been with her the first week, helping her unpack, get settled, visiting with their cousins and in the chaos, she had been putting it off. When the nesting dolls had shown up at the clinic, Tonya had immediately guessed that they were Babushka’s way of letting her know that she was expected as soon as she had a chance. Tonya had always wondered exactly how the old woman managed to find her way to town when she couldn’t drive and it wasn’t a short walk. Various people gave her rides from time to time but in this case, the dolls hadn’t been there when Tonya had stopped by the clinic the night before to pick up a book and they were there the next morning. Then again, she had learned long ago not to try and figure out Babushka’s abilities. She was not the typical witch and probably had powers that no one knew about aside from the usual abilities to apparate and fly a broom both of which Tonya couldn’t imagine doing at the age of 99 plus who knew how many years. After work on Wednesday afternoon, Tonya stopped by her house and picked up the plate of baklava she had made and headed for Babushka’s house. When she had parked her car, she got out and looked at the little cottage, amazed as always at how it looked exactly the same as it had when she was twelve and had found it the first time. It was enchanted, she could feel it, but what kind of enchantments they were, who could guess. The place always looked clean and neat and cozy, a place where everyone was welcome and a place where most of the townspeople had visited at one time or another. As she was about to make her way to the door, it opened and Babushka appeared, a smile on her face. “Ah my little Firebird,” she said. “You finally made it. Come, come in, I’ll make tea.” “I’m sorry I didn’t make it before now,” Tonya said as she balanced the plate and hugged her old friend. “I brought baklava, I hope it’s good.” Babushka laughed. “Of course it’s good! It’s always good when you make it. Besides, it’s my recipe.” she winked at Tonya and turned to start making them some tea. “How have you been? Very busy I’m sure.” Tonya settled at the table and shook her head. “Yes, it’s been busy. Healer Jackson might be leaving so we’ve been discussing that caseload and there have been several of the no-maj people coming in to check me out.” she laughed. “I don’t blame them, I’d be curious too. Of course everyone knows Claire from the Kestral so she put out the word. Things are beginning to get back to normal though. At least I think so.” She was used to a faster pace at her old job so even a normal day felt slow to her but she enjoyed it. Tonya liked to get to know her patients, who they were, who their families were, she wanted them to be more than a name on a chart. Her previous job hadn’t always given her time for that but hopefully that would change here. “It’s amazing seeing people that I remember as being kids when I left coming in with their own kids! And people my age wth their grandchildren although if I’d had the boys sooner, I suppose I could have been a grandmother too.” Babushka brought over the tea and settled down with a wink as she passed Tonya a cup. “How do you know that you aren’t already a grandmother, little one?” She laughed and took a sip of her tea. She had always loved Tonya’s visits and had been looking forward to having her home again. Not that she didn’t enjoy visits from the rest of the townfolk but there was something special about Tonya and Babushka was very happy that she had come back, especially now. “I am happy that you’re here. There are things going on that trouble me.” Tonya raised an eyebrow in surprise. It wasn’t often that her friend talked about things that bothered her. If you tried long enough, she’d tell you but it usually involved some prying to get it out of her. “What kinds of things?” she asked. “I read an article in the paper that came out not long before I got here, about veelas? Is that what you’re talking about?” “Not just that but other things as well. There is a registration act now for people who are cross breeds. It shouldn’t be that way, everyone should be allowed to exist in peace,” Babushka picked up a pastry and took a bite before she continued. “I don’t like the way the air feels. There is trouble but I can’t pinpoint where it is coming from.” People had long speculated that Babushka was more than what she seemed. Yes, she was a witch but what exactly were her powers beyond the usual? Divination was something she was particularly adept at but sometimes she could almost see the future without having to read tea leaves or cards. Tonya remembered the night she had gotten a phone call from Babushka, telling her that there was something wrong with Nick. It was made doubly worrisome because she hated to use the phone. For years she hadn’t had one but finally someone had convinced her that she need one so she had reluctantly agreed. She couldn’t tell Tonya what it was but she’d had a dream and while she couldn’t remember the details she did remember that. Nick went to the doctor the next day and they found a brain tumor. He’d been having headaches but nothing that bad so it was a surprise to get the news. Babushka had already known though and she somehow knew the exact time that Nick died because she had called Tonya within five minutes. How could she had possibly know that? All she knew was that if Babushka thought something was wrong in town, Tonya believed her. “Are people harassing the mixed breeds? I don’t know who is and who isn’t, it was never something that a lot of people talked about but I know of one or two. Snowcap has always been kind of a safe place for them.” It wasn’t right but sadly there would always be people who wanted to harass those who were different from them. She’d seen it with the Native American community and it bothered her. “I hope no one has been hurt.” Babushka shook her head. “Not that I know of but there have been a few arguments among some of the people. I wish that I could help but I’m too old to do much,” she dropped her eyes when she picked up her cup but Tonya saw the grin that crossed her face before she looked up, her face once again as composed as always. “What have you been up to, Babushka?” Tonya gave her a stern look. “You and I both know that you don’t have to leave this house to do anything. Just don’t get yourself into trouble, please. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.” She loved the old woman and considered her family. Babushka had always been kind to her, she had supported her when she was trying to decide on what she would do with her life and she’d been there to help pick up the pieces when she’d ended her engagement to Jesse. Not that Tonya didn’t love her family but sometimes it helped to talk to someone who wasn’t so close to the situation. “I’ve been up to nothing,” she insisted. “I promise. I can’t promise you that I won’t get up to something but for now I am behaving. So tell me. Have you see Jesse since you’ve been back?” She’d be getting no more out of her friend about what was bothering her, Tonya could see that so she put down her cup and shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I haven’t had any reason to go out to the Reserve and he hasn’t been in town very much. Believe me, Claire would have let me know if he had. I don’t even know if he knows I’m here and he probably wouldn’t notice if he did know.” What they had had was over a long time ago and while she still thought of him from time to time, it wasn’t meant to be. Although her sister and apparently Babushka begged to differ. Babushka nodded. “He knows. I just have a feeling. You’ll see him sooner or later. Don’t give me that look, you know that I’m always right.” Tonya rolled her eyes but she didn’t argue because Babushka was always right. “Okay fine. I promise to tell you if I see him.” It was her turn to change the subject. “Victor said that he and Max came out to see you while they were here. I’m glad they did.” “They are very handsome young men, they take after you. Not that Nick was ugly but they look more like you I think. I asked them if they had any young women in their lives and they laughed so I’m not sure what that means.” Among other things Babushka fancied herself a matchmaker and Tonya was glad that she hadn’t tried to fix the boys up while they were here. “Max was seeing someone for about a year but it didn’t work out. She was a jewelry maker in Santa Fe. I have several of her pieces actually. She was offered a permanent position at the Chicago Night Market and it wasn’t something that she could turn down. Max couldn’t leave his job so that was that but I think they still talk.” She took another sip of tea. “Victor? He sees someone different every week it seems. He’s happy playing the field. All that matters to me is that they’re both happy and they seem to be.” Babushka finished her pastry and picked up another. “You haven’t eaten one. Take one before I eat the whole plate.” After taking a bite and making sure Tonya was eating too, she said “They are happy and i don’t need to use my inner sense to tell you that. You and Nick did a wonderful job with them, Little One. Not that I ever doubted you would.” Tonya had panicked when she realized she was carrying twins and Babushka had calmed her and as crazy as it seemed, Tonya swore that the old woman was with her when she gave birth. She’d never told anyone that and she’d never asked Babushka but she was certain she wasn’t crazy. After a few more minutes of chatting, Tonya looked at her watch. “I should get going. I’m very happy to see you,” she stood up and hugged her friend. “Keep the rest of the baklava but eat supper too, don’t just eat that. I know you will if I don’t remind you.” Babushka laughed. “I will eat some real food. Don’t worry. Be careful going home.” It wasn’t as if it were that far but she always said it and Tonya thought it was sweet. “I promise I will,” Tonya said and after giving her friend a hug, she headed out the door. “Be careful, little one,” Babushka said softly as Tonya drove away. “Things are changing. I don’t want you caught in the middle of things you don’t need to know about.” |