Later that afternoon, Sabrina lowered herself into the proffered chair, feeling somewhat nervous but hoping she simply appeared grief-stricken and preoccupied, which was certainly understandable after losing her mother.

Sprechen Monika sat down in the chair across from her and began pouring tea, a blend with a strong ginger scent that, thankfully, wasn't unpleasant. Sabrina was glad the other witch didn't bother with useless pleasantries, focusing instead on filling two porcelain cups, one of which she placed in front of Sabrina.

Dipping her head in thanks, Sabrina raised the cup and blew on the steaming liquid before taking a sip. She'd never especially cared for tea, but it was part of social niceties and she was grateful to have something to do with her hands.

Sprechen Monika took a sip herself, then placed the flower-patterned cup back on the saucer before resting her hands in her lap and fixing her eyes on Sabrina.

"How are you?" she asked gently.

Sabrina wanted to snap that she was fine other than being exhausted from assuring everyone she was fine, but as always, she knew such a rude answer wouldn't get her anywhere.

Instead, she let out a sigh, hoping it sounded more forlorn than exasperated, and said, "As well as can be expected, I suppose...given the circumstances."

Sprechen Monika nodded understandingly. "Is there anything you need? Anything we can do for you?"

Sabrina took a deep breath, her eyes flitting over the various paintings resting on easels scattered throughout Sprechen Monika's sitting room before settling on the witch across from her.

"I think it would be most helpful to discuss my future," she said. "I don't really feel like I can focus on anything else until that's settled."

Sprechen Monika swallowed, clearly not having expected such bluntness.

"I'll be eighteen in two days," Sabrina added. "And things are going to be different, now that my mother's gone."

Sprechen Monika leaned back in her chair and, having recovered from her initial surprise, she now seemed pleased Sabrina was willing to talk about things in such a straightforward manner.

"What had you and your mother discussed with regards to your future?" she asked.

Sprechen Monika would know if she lied, so Sabrina chose her words with great care. "It was my mother's dream for me to follow in her footsteps and assume the position of Sprechen, when I was ready."

She also suspected her mother might have discussed this with at least one or two members of the High Council, and the rapidity with which the other woman nodded only confirmed her suspicion.

Keeping her tone light to soften the potential harshness of her words, Sabrina added, "As you may or may not have been known, however, those were not the same plans I had for myself."

"I suspected as much," admitted Sprechen Monika. "The High Council never seemed to hold much interest for you."

"No," agreed Sabrina. "I understand the importance of leadership and the need for it," she quickly added, not wanting to seem as if she took the work of the High Council lightly. "But I believe my mother may have overestimated my abilities in that particular area...or at least my interest in participating in the coven in such a way."

"Having watched you since you were born, I'm certain you can do anything you put your mind to," replied Sprechen Monika. "The question is, what do you want to devote your time and attention to?"

"I don't want to be Sprechen someday," replied Sabrina. "It's not for me. Nor is a position on the High Council." Lest she come across as ungrateful for the opportunity placed squarely in her lap, she added, "It's just not the right fit for me, and...I think it might be difficult, given what happened with my mother." She lowered her eyes to her teacup and added softly, "It would just be a reminder of what I've lost."

A very small part of her felt guilty using her mother's death with such manipulative intent, making use of an objectively tragic occurrence to further her own plans, but she quickly shoved the feeling aside.

She was merely doing what she'd been taught. And what better way to honor, or at least remember, her late mother than by employing one of her most frequently used tactics?

"No one's going to force you to do anything you don't wish to do," assured Sprechen Monika. "We all want to support you on whatever path you choose to pursue. What do you envision for your future here?"

"I'd like to focus on my metallurgy," said Sabrina. "I truly believe that's the best way I can contribute to the Hexen."

She had considered demanding she be allowed to conduct her research in peace, left alone by the others and not bothered with requests to repair items; however, after much deliberation, she'd decided to start with a smaller goal and present it in the form of a request, rather than a demand.

Getting her own way was so endlessly tiring. Why couldn't she just say what she wanted and not have to worry about how her words were received? It was maddening...but, pragmatic as ever, Sabrina also believed the end goal was worth whatever the journey required.

Taking another sip of tea, she continued. "I think it might be helpful to me, for a while at least, to take some time to myself. I love my work, but I also tend to lose myself in it. As much as I hate to admit it, if I jump right back into repairing items, I might not take the time I need to grieve properly and work through things for myself."

"What did you have in mind?" asked Sprechen Monika.

"I'd like to take a couple of months to finish the research projects I've been working on before transitioning to being a full-time metallurgist for the Hexen," explained Sabrina.

Her words were unquestionably the truth, even if they weren't the entire truth. For in truth, her definition of a metallurgist was quite different from the rest of the Hexen...never again would she repair broken objects or make trinkets to sell in Tante Hedda's shop. She would be a metallurgist, but of her own definition.

If things went the way she hoped—the way she would make them go—after a few weeks, everyone would forget about her, laboring away hidden from view in her workspace. Eventually they might remember her, but by then it would be too awkward to ask her to change her routine, leaving her free to pursue her own interests.

If only the others could realize conducting research was every bit as valuable as making door knobs or repairing jewelry!

Sprechen Monika shifted in her seat, then grimaced, before reaching down and pulling out a paintbrush she'd apparently been sitting on. Placing the small brush on the table, she studied Sabrina in silence, and Sabrina did her best to appear calm, hoping the other witch didn't read too deeply into her words...hoping she didn't realize Sabrina was taking after her late mother and subtly orchestrating things to get what she wanted.

To her relief, Sprechen Monika smiled.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. You absolutely need to take some time for yourself. There's no final destination in the grieving process, and only you will know when you've healed to a point that permits you to move forward. Whenever you're ready, you can rejoin the other metallurgists in whatever way seems best to you."

"Thank you," replied Sabrina, a wide grin springing easily to her face. "I'm just trying to navigate things as best I can."

Sprechen Monika reached for where one of Sabrina's hands rested on the lace table cloth and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to do it alone. Please remember that. I know you're strong and independent and more than capable of looking out for yourself, but we're here for you. We all loved your mother deeply, and we feel the same towards you."

Sabrina very much doubted that, but she maintained her smile anyway. In that moment, it wasn't terribly difficult to feign more love than she actually felt toward the Hexen; after all, they were going to provide her with a place to live, a workspace, and the supplies to conduct her research. What more could she ask for?

Picture by HomeMaker from Pixabay