The Rarest Flower!

---

"A cold? How can a cold block magic!" Spectra said, sounding somewhat angry, as if Jackie's sickness was some kind of inconvenience to herself. Approaching an odd looking medicinal store in Magnolia she pushed open the door and on the inside it was like a whole different world. With shelves full of strange herbs, spices, and tonics that she had never seen, all labeled with names she couldn't pronounce. Growing up on Transylvania Spectra hadn't been exposed to other cultures, and the most she knew about medicines was well, just the opposite, poisons. Just as she wasn't introduced to these methods of healing she did not know much about the various cultures so she was very confused about the tribal masks and symbols painted on the walls. Looking around she didn't really enjoy being in the place, it felt unnatural! And not in the good way.

That was when the shop owner came out, a tall dark-skinned women with messy dreadlocks in a tight corset, a grass skirt, and a top hat, she appeared to be some type of voodoo queen, which Spectra could respect. "Ay! What brings ya' to my place?" The woman had an accent befitting of her appearance, it was so stereotypical it almost made Spectra laugh. "Well, I think it's best if she explain." Spectra said, gesturing toward her friend and team member.

WC: 227/2,000
TWC: 227,2,000

---

She was used to being scolded for no reason. It was the only thing that sparked memories of her childhood and now, even as Spectra acted like Jacqueline was to blame, she felt fondly. "I don't control the immune system, I control straw. I would assume you'd know about things of the sort... Seeing as your so-called 'ghosts' died from simple household colds." Jacqueline knew she was just stirring the pot and that it was better to nod your head in agreement and she'd stop. She'd learned how to avoid your problems and submit from her mother. Like mother, like daughter! Right?

When the two women entered, they were greeted by a cheery middle-aged woman. She looked as if she'd been 'sun-kissed' for too long... Jacqueline grew up on a farm and she looked like one of Spectra's ghosts! Plants and tonics sat on narrow shelves and scrolls lined the walls in a language unknown to Jacqueline, she wondered what they said. Probably something about medicine she could never comprehend. Opting out of explaining her peculiar predicament, Spectra queued Jacqueline to explain for herself. "Well, you see..." She paused and thought about what she was about to say before continuing with more confidence than before. "I've come down with a cold and it is somehow prohibiting me from using my magic?" she undoubtedly sounded stupid and Spectra was making her second guess her 'illness' if it even was one. In actuality, she was probably just making up excuses not to use her magic. It was a known fact that Jacqueline was pretty underwhelming when it came to magic and it didn't help that the people she surrounded herself with had extraordinary magical prowess and she was just a runaway farmers daughter...

Jacqueline was snapped out of her thoughts when the woman spoke. "That's peculiar indeed... But it's not uncommon. I'll have you know I treat many people suffering from the same 'cold' on a daily basis." The woman spoke as if it wasn't a cold at all, but a sort of blockage that was easily unclogged. "I do have a tonic that'll fix you right up, it'll only cost you 10,000 Jewel!" To Jacqueline, that number was like nails on a chalkboard, but to the woman, it was beautiful wind chimes. Obviously, most who walked through her doors could afford something so minuscule, but to a mage who was barely getting by...

"Maybe you have something more affordable...?" Jacqueline questioned the woman while peeking in Spectra's direction with pleading eyes knowing damn well Spectra wouldn't lend a single DIME. She was selfish and from Jacqueline's experience, only threw money at problems she benefited from. "If you're looking for something more in your budget, I can strike a bargain with you." Pausing and leaning over to grab something from behind the desk. She slammed a large, dusty book on the top and it sent Jacqueline into a sneezing fit. Once she'd stopped sneezing and caught her breath, the lady pointed to a flower on a yellowed page that showed it's age. "If you can fetch me this flower for a medicine of mine, I'll give you a tonic as well as Jewel to compensate you for your troubles." This offer was enticing and Jacqueline was ready to set out right now, but it was ultimately Spectra's decision. After all, she was the one without magic and needed a chaperone...

WC: 568/2,000
TWC: 568/2,000

---

Spectra knew that she was going to have to do this, she didn't want to give this whack job any money but going to the forest to retrieve some flower seemed pretty easy. Luckily for them, their destination was only a carriage ride away. By this time, most of the coach drivers in Magnolia had gotten to know Spectra, and absolutely despised her, but if you disregarded her terrible attitude she was a great customer. Seeing a carriage just across the street, she began walking towards it, knowing that Jackie would follow. Before they crossed, Spectra spun around and snapped, "You owe me for this!" after that spurt she actually crossed, telling the driver the location and getting in.

It was a comfortable carriage, definitely one of the better ones. With velvet seats and tripping, and elegant goose feather pillows. Still, it didn't compare to Transylvania's but it would have to do. After Jacqueline got on the coach took off, the horses galloping on the road, enhanced with magic to make sure the trip is both fast and smooth. "So, what do you think the flower looks like? It's rare so it has to be pretty!" It was a weird conversation starter but a real question of Spectra's. She considered herself a collector of cute and creepy things and it really peeked her interest. "And just why does she want it so badly anyway?" Another question Spectra didn't understand. How rare could this little flower possibly be? She didn't trust this lady one bit and if it hadn't been for Jackie's sudden illness, she would have questioned selling that rare flower in the black market.

Eventually, they arrived on the outskirts of the spooky forest in the dead of night. The driver stopped, telling them that the carriage could not go any further. Spectra always hated when they said that, you'd think that magic would have changed that by now but apparently people were incapable of innovating. This would be coming out of his tip. A frustration fee. So, after basically being kicked out of the stagecoach there they were. Standing on the edge of the woods, the fog slowly creeping toward them, the owls hooting, the wolves howling, the full moon obscured by clouds of grey.

Even in this climate, Spectra kept her parasol held high. Aesthetic didn't depend on weather. A dark cavern could be seen, near where the carriage was parked before it spun and rode away. Within said cave Spectra saw three sets of prying eyes, glowing red, standing out in the darkness of the grove. Emerging from the shadows were three goblins, they were about half the size of the average man, they were enough to send any normal person running for the hills, but Spectra was far from normal. "THEIR SO CUTE!!" She called out, with hearts in her eyes. The creatures were incredibly confused! They had never gotten this reaction before, but still, they had to defend their home no matter the cost! Charging at the girls in front of them Spectra sent out three possession ghosts and in a matter of moments they showed their undying loyalty! "All hail Spectra! All hail Spectra! All hail Spectra!" They grumbled, bowing at her feet.

"Well, let's get going! But DON'T talk again you three. You're voices are NOT cute!" Spectra said enthusiastically, her newfound army silently following their ghost princess close behind as she and Jackie made their way through the forests twisted turning path.

WC: 581/2,000
TWC: 808/2,000

---

Sometimes it was better to ignore your companion rather than rile them up. Especially when you'd be in close quarters for who knows how long...Instead of giving Spectra snark, Jacqueline simply ignored her comment and stepped in the coach after Spectra. To Jacqueline's surprise, it was the nicest coach her lowly farmer eyes had ever seen. Spectra may have been selfish and only spent money on herself, but this was something for her and Jacqueline just happened to be there and therefore, she spent money on the both of them. She plopped down on the seat opposite of Spectra and the cushion practically swallowed her. By no means was she heavy, but the feathers, which she assumed were goose feathers, were so delicate and comfortable. She'd never experienced comfort such as this and she allowed herself one moment of pleasure, letting a soft moan escape her lips. "Mmph"

They dawdled in silence for most of their trip with only the sound of the coach's wheels creaking and the frame shaking whenever they hit potholes. Occasionally the horses would neigh in exhaustion. Poor animals, they were like pack mules, never getting a break or a drop of water until they reached their destination. It was a wonder they didn't pass out from dehydration and exhaustion. It was Spectra that broke the silence with a question, and just as Jacqueline was drifting in and out of consciousness. The question really bugged her, it was nice enough of the woman to offer Jacqueline a tonic and a reward for the two of them in exchange for the flower and Spectra was questioning her morals as if she was morally aligned. To say the least, Spectra was like a broken compass and no matter which way you went, she spun the other way. "Is it any of our business what she wants with it?" It came out harsher than she intended, mainly because she was half-conscious and half unconscious, but also because the comment poked her the wrong way.

When the coach halted and they were forced out onto the side of the road, Jacqueline wasn't pleased. Not in the slightest. It was pitch black outside and the gentleman hadn't even offered them a lantern or some makeshift light source. Two girls, possibly helpless, but he didn't care. Anger sparked in Jacqueline's expression and she balled her fists up like she was going to attack the coachman, but she threw her fists down in protestation and let out a sigh. "He's not worth it..." she cooly whispered to herself. And just as she said that he whipped the horses and the coach sped off, kicking gravel up from behind the wheels and flying at Jacqueline. And just like that, Jacqueline started screaming at the coach while swatting the pebbles. "COME BACK HERE AND LET'S SEE IF YOU'RE A REAL MAN! I BET YOU CAN'T EVEN LIFT A 50LBS HAY BELL!" she spat out the insult before he disappeared into the darkness. It fell silent once more and all Jacqueline heard other than her heavy breathing was the wolves growling in the distance...

After that macho speech, Jacqueline had just given, she wasn't proving to be as ballsy as she talked herself up to be...Every time something went bump in the bushes, she'd scoot a little closer to Spectra for comfort. Not even comfort, just in case something did come after them, she might have a chance to outrun her companion. And if her untimely demise came, then at least Jacqueline could seek shelter with Ariadne! In the distance, she saw three sets of beady red glowing eyes which only sent Jacqueline further on edge and heeling behind Spectra. "EW!" she shrieked when the bodies belonging to the eyes became clearer. Three goblins, three disgustingly short goblins that Jacqueline hated! The beasts huddled around the two and she hooked her arm in Spectra's kicking her leg out trying to make them leave. "Shoo! Go away you nasty little beasts!" To her surprise, it wasn't working. Strange. It usually worked on the animals at her farm, but these beasts stayed... AND THEY BOWED?!? Could this get any weirder?

Apparently, it could... When they started praising Spectra and waving their hands in the air, she had to refrain from bursting into laughter. These creatures? Hailing their bug-eyed queen. What a freak show and Spectra was the ring leader. "Looks like you're a que-" her laughter cut her off and she couldn't even finish her own sentence. The whole time they marched through the darkness, Jacqueline let out occasional bursts of laughter, even snorting! How could she not laugh at this...


WC: 796/2,000
TWC: 1,364/2,000

---

Making her way down the path in the dead of night, her goblin henchmen at her side, she felt safe. The occasional snort of Jacqueline could be heard in the background as apparently back on the farm she hadn't seen anything like it. The same couldn't be said for Spectra. On Transylvania things like this happened on a day to day basis, and she loved it! The goblins played with each other as they went, laughing just like Jacqueline and having the time of their lives, but the fun soon ended when howls could be heard in the distance. The goblins were scared stiff! They had obviously encountered the wolves before and it didn't go so well, but Spectra was in control and they had no choice. "Defend us!" She called out and the goblins marched forward, only one of them, the leader, having a weapon, a simple spear.

They could hear the leaves cracking and the pitter pattering of paws from each and every direction. Coming out of the shadows, wolves surrounded them on all sides, snarling in anger at the foreigners who invaded their territory. Spectra sent the goblins charging forward and they fought bravely, the leader stabbing one of the wolves with his spear and the others used their natural strength to take them down, but one wolf remained partner-less and he charged right past Spectra and aimed for Jacqueline. Grabbing her parasol as soon as the wolf ran by her she whacked it! Due to the magic in the parasol the wolf was sent flying into a tree but apparently still had some fight in it but at least she protected Jacquline. "You're welcome. Hmph." Spectra said, tossing her pigtails back.

Even after the goblins had given it there all, the wolves weren't that easily defeated! "This is what you get for being uncute!" Spectra said, flying up and sending tiny explosive ghosts their way which took out the wolves in an instant. It was true! Unlike the goblins these wolves were ugly and she was glad that her new loyal servants were okay after the battle was said and done, but their journey through the spooky forest was far from over. It seemed there was one more wolf, one who had strayed from the pack and appeared to be a lot more muscular and stronger. It probably had to be if it wanted to survive alone out here.

Once again Spectra sent her underlings to defend her against the wolf. It howled, pouncing on the leader of the goblins and tearing him to shreds. The other two, with no real emotions of their own due to being possessed, just kept fighting but they suffered the same fate. "Oh no! Why did you have to go and do that, they were sooooo cute! You're gonna pay!" Spectra whined, sending a medium sized ghost toward the wolf that actually wound up inside him! When she snapped her fingers it exploded and of course the wolf died. Spectra was very upset about the loss of her 'friends' and though she enjoyed the spooky scenery the forest offered, she hated the wolves.

WC: 523
TWC: 1,331/2,000