The Quest For Dobby's Destiny Part XIII.2

The queen nods to her Master of Ceremonies as she leaves the stage. He plays a favorite song the crowd loves dancing to. It's a good way to keep the attention away from the fact that the queen is missing and Writer Lady is on the main stage, dancing...badly. Writer Lady tries to pretend no one is looking until Warrior With Intense Blue Eyes runs up to the stage holding his phone up.

“Smile.” He teases.

Writer Lady grimaces and gives him the bird.

“Nice. This is going all over the Internet.” Warrior With Intense Blue Eyes walks away laughing.

“Relax. You're doing fine. No one is looking at you.”

Writer Lady turns around to see find the Master of Ceremonies dancing next to her. “Thanks.” Writer Lady continues dancing, attempts to pull out some fancy moves, nearly falls off the stage, goes back to the simple stuff.

The song ends and the Queen returns, “The Gem of the Con can see you now.”

“That was fast.”

“I told her what she wanted to hear, Tinkletoes is not in attendance.”

“She was happy?” Writer Lady asks.

“Positively glowing.”

After receiving directions to the Gem's private quarters, Writer Lady thanks the Queen for her time, thanks the Master of Ceremonies for the dance and heads off the stage and into a dressing room door. She took a deep breath holding back her amazement. The room was simply stunning. The Gem's magic made the room much larger than mortal parameters. A fireplace stood opposite to Writer Lady and the door she entered through. There was a beautiful wooden table in front of the fireplace with large comfortable looking chairs. She saw cases full of books. Soft fabrics on the furniture, covering windows and on the window seat to the far right of the room. The room was lit by the fireplace with its blazing fire which appeared not to be giving off any heat, the chandelier above the table and various candles lit throughout the room. For all of it's beauty and opulence, there was no one in it.

“I guess if you have to wait for someone, there are worse places than this.” Writer Lady slowly walks the perimeter of the room starting from the far left (closest to the door) and working her way back towards the bookshelves.

“Those are all first editions. Signed. Signatures can be so important, don't you think?” The Gem's voice comes from the darkened far right of the room. A soft light glows from the cushion of the window seat, growing slowly in size, intensity and shape. “Wine?” The Gem of the Con asks as she rises from her resting place and crosses the room to greet Writer Lady who quietly shakes her head. The Gem is wearing a strapless, satin gown that makes her eyes glow in an otherworldly manner. “Come. Sit with me.”

Writer Lady sits down in the luxuriously overstuffed chair opposite the Gem, her whole body sighing with gratitude.

“This journey has been quite a challenge for you.” The Gem observes.

“Yes it has.”

Closing her eyes for a few brief seconds and then opening them the Gem says, “I see you have been learning patience. That you have had to put yourself up front and center for the greater good. Regardless of personal discomfort.”

“I'm not sure I'm much better at it.” Writer Lady answers with a nervous laugh.

“What you have learned through this journey will make you better at it the next time your patience is tested and coming forward needs to be called upon.”

“The next time?” Writer Lady asks.

“Yes, Writer Lady. Although the outcome of the quest will ultimately benefit Dobby, the challenges were all yours.”

“Shouldn't Dobby have had to jump through all of these hoops then?”

“Ideally yes. But being a cat he is limited. The two of you are so close you were his...”

“Slave, mule, the one who takes the punishment?” Writer Lady asks.

“Catalyst. You kept his journey moving forward. Several people are working together to make his destiny come to fruition because of what you are doing. You make him possible just like any mother would.”

“Thank you.”

“When your husband died the family unit that existed disappeared. You and Dobby are your own family. But like any mother, you wonder about the day he will not be with you. Will you have built a life that is full enough to go on without him?”

A sadness comes into Writer Lady's eyes. “Yes.”

“That is why patience and putting yourself up front outside of your comfort zone has been so important. You can continue building a life with Dobby and without him if your paths cease to travel together later on. I will send you home with what you came for. An autograph. Recognition for Dobby as a V.I.F. (Very Important Feline)." The Gem produces a picture printed on cardstock and a pen.  She carefully signs the picture handing it over to Writer Lady.

"I have something for you as well Writer Lady. Not an object but just bit of information that will help you continue on your way. Going through life alone is not something you wanted, something you hoped never would happen. It did. You are doing well. Relax and let yourself enjoy this journey. Be happy, relish it. Someday soon another will join you on the path you travel. You will be happy then too. Happiness is your destiny Writer Lady. Happiness and some good stories. Keep writing. You have lots to write about.”