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Of all the things Belladonna had felt in the last few days, 'voyeur' had not been one of them. But she certainly got the distinct feeling of watching where one wasn't invited when Mort and Ms. McNeal began to talk. Mort gave the woman strange looks, much like a miffed (and very thoroughly cockblocked) son might make. But his mother just rambled on as though she noticed not a thing was amiss.
But she has to know. Mothers like that always know.
Comparatively, Belladonna's mother would never have been able to guess what had transpired here had she walked in on Belladonna stark naked and cowering under the sheets. But then again, Belladonna's mother also didn't much care what her daughter did with her time. So long as she passed her classes and one day graduated with top honors and a good job waiting for her, Mrs. Divine couldn't give two silver seeds.

At the mention of Ms. McNeal dating someone else, Belladonna shrank back as much, and as quietly, as possible. That was definitely territory she did not want to be involved in. Thankfully her parents had stayed together so the witch didn't have any inkling of what it could mean for others, but certainly it was a big to-do in this family. Otherwise Ms. McNeal wouldn't have made such a fuss over not knowing and Mort wouldn't look so upset about not knowing.
And then Mort was mentioning why he'd been distant and it broke Belladonna's heart that she couldn't jump forward and proclaim his heroism, his bravery through this trying time and demand that Ms. McNeal give her boy some more leniency. But she probably didn't even know a scrape of what was going on. Certainly the news had made light of things, so only the students of Amityville could truly understand the seriousness of everything.

And just as Belladonna was beginning to mull over the idea that if Ms. McNeal was going to view her any nicer or treat her with a bit less skepticism because of her family, its wealth or influence, she would have already done it or mentioned it by now, the witch suddenly ran very cold.
"My room?" Belladonna squeaked out with a tiny smile that she hoped belied her fear. She quickly thought of all the damning things that could be found in her room (a bookcase nearly full of horrendously raunchy romance novels, the laciest of lace underwear in the closet, a smart-a** talking cat ready to through her under the bus at any given opportunity) and decided that she'd have to take the chance.
And maybe it would turn out alright! The witch was very much into fashion and could just die over the prospect of dressing someone with such impeccable measurements as Ms. McNeal... Under other circumstances, of course.

"I do so love fashion... I make many of my own clothing. And my room is in the Reaper dorms... But it is also on the top floor. They like to stick the other fliers that high. Most everybody has wings, but I've only got a broom." Had they mentioned she was a witch? Without her hat, Belladonna could be anything. Even a human with a very dark sensibility. "So it is rather a long walk...But if you don't mind I could certainly show you a few pieces that I'm working on currently!"
Dear Hecate. Please make this woman love me. Please do not let her sink those wonderfully painted nails into my skin and tell me to never touch her baby-boil again. Please let Mort come back safe and happy where I can make out with him until I explode from joy. Lots of bat kisses, Belladonna.

"Of course, Ms. McNeal." Was the only reply Belladonna felt capable to make. She scurried forward dutifully, Lanna clutched against her chest still, and tried to shoot Mort a rather regretful look. It was all her fault, after all.
It had been her that had burst into his room without warning, it was she who had distracted the boy with kisses and then she had totally failed to pay attention to the time. Whoops...
And she had to continually open her big mouth and talk about how much she loved clothing. If she had just been able to keep quiet, everything would have been alright.

With even clicks of her heels, Belladonna set the pace for the walk across campus to her dorm. She kept it even, a little slower then normal so maybe Ms. McNeal would decid she didn't really want to walk up all those stairs. It was a little odd to walk in front of them, a part of their group but separated as Belladonna acted as leader and walked a few paces ahead. But it wasn't something that could be fixed. She wasn't part of the family, she was a stranger to all this and would just have to accept her position as a removed person.
And just as Lanna started to wiggle in a manner that suggest she wanted to be put down for a little walk, Belladonna overheard Mort's conversation with his mother.
Or well, the conversation he was forced to listen to and occasionally reply to. Belladonna so wanted to help, but it was simply impossible. If she said anything, it could be seen as rude. If she tried to interfere and stick up for Mort, this could all turn dreadful.

But salvation came soon enough. Well, sort of...
"Oh! I'm into all sorts of things. I tend to veer to more classical pieces, such as Victorian or Edwardian. I haven't really dabbled in Regency, simply because it just doesn't suit me--" The witch had to quickly amend her original statement of 'It just doesn't suit my body type. I'm much too top-heavy to pull of those empire waist dresses!', but managed to salvage the sentence, ", though I dearly love the style. I'm not much for modern wear, I'm afraid. They're lovely, but I just love petticoats far too much. Last year was my foray into the caged hoop skirt." Here Belladonna inserted a lilting laugh as she continued to walk and silently wrestled with Lanna. "That was a bit of an adventure. Not everyone is prepared for caged hoop skirts, I'm afraid."

By now they had reached the actual Reaper dorms, but Belladonna had also decided that if she kept talking then it would keep Ms. McNeal from berating Mort. So she kept at it.
"I must warn you though, I have a familiar. He's this little black thing named Binx. He's lovely, really. But he can be a bit... Snarky. He takes some time warming up to, but he's a doll, really. Mort has meet him." The witch bit her lip as she started up the stairs. "He goes almost everywhere with me and you would have meet him earlier, but he was feeling a little run down today, so he stayed behind for a nap." There! That should show her that Mort hadn't meet Binx only her the witch's room.
It was a lie, of course, but no one but Mort and Belladonna and Binx needed to know that. And of all things, Binx was excellent at keeping secrets.
...Most of the time.

Finally they reached the top floor and Belladonna approached the door. She took a big breath and smiled at Ms. McNeal and Mort.
"Its in through here... Oh Binx! We have guests!" The witch called out in a sing-song voice as she opened the door and hoped Binx would be nice.
As before, he was curled up on the made bed (thank goodness Belladonna had such strange clean habits) but promptly sat up, his little kitty mouth open to make a remark before he saw Ms. McNeal. He promptly shut it, flicked his tail once and let out a small meow.

To be able to talk to Ms. McNeal and actually hear her genuine curiosity and interest in the subject certainly lifted the witch's spirits enough that she relaxed quite a lot when the woman complimented her room.
"Thank you so much!" Belladonna chimed as she set down Lanna and let her run straight to the pink rug. "I do so love it... It might not be to everyone's tastes, but its mine... So, there's that." It was a strange way to end a sentence, but the witch had kind of forgotten everything as she hovered by the door near Mort.
He offered her a small smile and praise, which further demolished any fears Belladonna had been harboring. She returned the smile, but certainly didn't make a show of it, nor could she think of anything else to add.
It was a surprise to her that Binx had yet to say anything, but he was probably playing the part of the non-magical pet. Belladonna wouldn't argue and certainly wouldn't ask him to start speaking now. He seemed perfectly content to be petted by Ms. McNeal and had even started up a low purr for her.

"I'm a second year, a knob." Suddenly Belladonna didn't want to be part of this conversation, especially when asked how long she had been there... She should be about to start her third year, she should be a hob, but nope. She had taken a break and was still only a second year. "I've been here for a while... I took a bit of a break for a month or so... But I like it well enough! We're always learning and its a fun school. So.. I like it." There had been too many awkward pauses for the witch to be content with how she was coming off, but she knew one way to fix it.

"Would you like to see my current project?" Belladonna asked as she darted toward her sewing machine and held up the first thing her hands found: the lace shirt she had been tearing apart before she darted out of her room after Mort.
Oh batshit! I'm not working on anything! Jack jack jackjackajaaaack Her mind raced, but she was able to toss the lace over her skirt for show.
"I found this shirt in my closet and think it would look just darling over a matte black skirt. Definitely to give some texture. What do you think?"
Being sure to be as sneaky as possible, the witch shoved back the rest of her clothing into the sewing basket and hoped Ms. McNeal would not ask what else she had been working on. How could she tell the woman she was making herself a new wardrobe to fit her recently expanded chest?! That was... Not good for being friends with one's son.

For what it was worth, Binx instantly loved Ms. McNeal. He pressed his head into her hand and nuzzled her fingers and purred and did all the pleasant things a good kitty should do. Later on that day he would comment on how lovely she seemed, despite how nervous the woman made Belladonna.
As Ramona examined the lace, Belladonna didn't have the heart to tell her she had bought the shirt at the maul, but would soon alter it herself.
"Oh I'd love to make you something! Just let me know and I'll get right on it!" The witch chimed happily, her mind reminding her of the outfit Mort wanted to commission from her as well. Maybe this was a commission-happy family? Belladonna certainly didn't mind!

Binx flicked his tail once when Ramona set him down and meowed a little piteously, but as soon as her back was turned he gave Lanna a very strange look. It wasn't a glare, but it certainly wasn't one of joy over her being here and getting white hairs all over the rug.
"O-of course! It was so wonderful meeting you. Have a safe trip back and a very scary day!" Belladonna told her with another small curtsey, though she instantly turned to look at Mort.
Her time with him had seemed to fly by and she hadn't really gotten to talk to him much since Ms. McNeal had arrived. Suddenly, it felt like there were a million things to say but no way in which to say them.

But, the witch thought quickly and just as she was about to walk out into the hallway to bid Ms. McNeal one more goodbye, she jumped in surprise.
"Oh! That's right! I completely forgot, one moment Ms. McNeal! I told Mort I'd lend him a book during his trip!" The witch called in way of 'Stay where you are, don't move and we'll be right back'. She raced back into her room, tugged once at Mort's shirt to pull him past his mother's viewpoint and dashed to her bookshelf. Her eyes scanned the shelves quickly and after another second she snapped off a book titled A Game of Magic and Death and pressed it into his hands.
Before he could say anything further she reached up on tip-toes and pressed a kiss to his mouth. It was quick, but she put enough force behind it to convey all the things she had wanted to say.
"Its really good, I hope you enjoy it!" Belladonna then said, a little loudly, that she accompanied with a wink. In a lower voice she added, "Text me when you can. But get better. See you soon, Mort."

She wanted to call him darling or dear or anything else, but she didn't have time and it wasn't the place.
All Belladonna could do was hope that Mort would return better and happy and wanting her.