Chapter Text
Larissa Weems stared down at the young Addams. She was far too much like her parents, obnoxious, inconsiderate, and entirely too much trouble. The woman had roomed with her mother after all, she would know. While Larissa’s relationship with her mother had been, complicated, it left her sure of one thing, the Frump women, and Addams by extension, did not care for anything other than themselves.
“Well it seems, Miss Addams, that your parents will not be attending this meeting.” The woman sighed, thoroughly exhausted. The Addams were supposed to be here, dealing with the latest mischief their daughter had gotten into, instead they were-
“No doubt they’re all over each other in some public venue.” The little goth quipped. Larissa bit back a smile, the girl was occasionally charming, even if she refused to admit it. She was about to dismiss her when the door opened, revealing a woman striding into the room with the secretary hot on her heels.
“Excuse me, this is a private meeting-“ the headmistress stood, staring at the intruder. She wore dark sunglasses, covering most of her face, had extremely wild and curly red hair, with what seemed to be small blue flowers in it. She wore a floorlength dark blue chiffon and silk skirt, black opera length leather gloves, and a black turtleneck, covering almost every inch of her skin.
“Wednesday, do forgive your parents, they are, as they are, but when your mother informed me you would be having an academic meeting while they were doing whatever the hell it is they do in Romania, I supposed you might as well have someone on your side.” You sighed. Wednesday turned, looking up at you. Much to Larissa’s surprise, she almost seemed to, not frown.
“I’m sorry but exactly who are-“ she began, as the braided girl stepped over to you.
“Auntie Ophelia.” She almost smiled. You pushed your sunglasses up, winking at the girl as you walked towards the principal’s desk.
“Do forgive me for not introducing myself, I am Wednesday’s aunt, Ophelia, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Weems, is it?” You sighed, standing in front of the desk with a smile. Larissa’s eyes widened slightly. You looked a bit like Morticia, if she had life behind her eyes. Yours were a piercing gray as opposed to her deep, almost black. Your hair was thick, like hers, but wild, the red curls falling all about your head and shoulders. Your lips were slightly fuller, your face less severe, your bodies were similar, she supposed, not that she had a good look at yours underneath all that you wore. She recovered quickly, smiling and extending her hand.
“Larissa Weems, a pleasure to meet you. I wasn’t aware Morticia had a sister.” She breathed with a smile, and you nodded, smiling back sardonically.
“Forgive me, I don’t shake hands, and yes, Morticia does have a sister. I’m sure she didn’t deem it necessary to mention during all your years together, she was always rather, touchy, about certain family matters.” You smiled, and Larissa knitted her brows, how odd, even for Morticia. “She did speak about you though, it’s a pleasure to meet her famous roommate.” You chuckled, and Wednesday scoffed beside you.
“Mother doesn’t like that Auntie Ophelia is infinately more complex and creative than her stale housewife imitation will ever be.” The girl deadpanned. You raised a brow at her.
“Be kind to your mother, she loves you.” You said, only for the girl to sit in the seat next to you.
“If she had any sort of care for me, she would be here, not you.” She replied. Larissa watched as you sat next to the girl, taking her hand through the gloves you wore.
“Yes well, she is, as she is, and I will do my very best, my dear. She does love you, she simply, may not understand all of you.” You tried. The girl ignored you, blinking at her headmistress.
“Well then, I am sure you’re aware ideally Wednesday’s parents would be here, but given the rather, atypical, approach they have-“ the woman began politely, only for Wednesday to once again cut her off.
“They don’t show up. We get it.” She said. You sighed.
“Wednesday, beleive me when I say I have read enough letters about this woman to know you might as well respect her.” You sighed, pinching your temples with your free hand. You swallowed, looking to the woman as Wednesday looked at you curiously. “What is she struggling in, Miss Weems?” You asked politely as the woman stared at you, her brows slightly furrowed at the comment. How was it Morticia had never mentioned you, your mere presence seemed to overpower the room, and you seemed to know at least something about her.
She swallowed, Morticia and her had done more than their share of things together, and for some reason the idea of you knowing about her less than charming moments was mildly mortifying. She took a breath, taking control of herself. She watched as Wednesday glared at you before toying with your glove, slowly easing the leather off. You seemed to slightly bristle at the action, but allowed it.
“Well given the situation and what Wednesday has been through recently, it’s hardly a surprise, however given her previous success in the class I’m shocked that she seems to have lost interest…” the woman trailed for a moment, her eyes catching your hand being revealed. You had the same pale skin as Morticia, yet the tips of your fingers were blackened, almost. It looked as if they had been dipped into ink again and again, leaving the tips and nails dark as night, slowly fading into the pale skin around your knuckles. If you noticed her staring, you didn’t comment, and the woman quickly recovered herself. She was staring like a child, the thought mortifying her as she realized. “Granted our teacher was unfortunately, involved,-“ she began.
“I killed her.” Wednesday said. You sighed, slowly closing your eyes.
“Murder, child, is a terrible answer.” You breathed.
“She was controlling a Hyde and using it to kill people, before she tried to wipe the school from the face of the earth by summoning-“ you shook your head.
“Crackstone, yes, I know, I read your letter.” You cut her off. She disinterestedly went back to playing with your fingers, the behavior confusing the headmistress, she had never seen her so, at peace, before. It was almost frightening.
“Yes, well, we have been working on finding a new full time botany professor, however Wednesday here seems to not even attend classes-“ she was cut off as a sprig of dark purple flowers seemed to suddenly sprout from your open hand.
“Wednesday Addams you are failing botany!” You nearly yelled, shocking the woman. The girl jumped, pushing the flowers out of her face. You sighed, producing a dagger from what must have been a hidden pocket in your dress and cutting them from your hand. Larissa gaped as the action revealed a few droplets of blood from where they had been cut. You took a handkerchief, dabbing your hand before quickly putting your glove back on, glaring at your neice.
“Petunias, you must be angry.” She murmured. You raised your brows.
“Botany! Botany! Now I know I’ve taught you well enough you might as well teach a botany class, so you had better have an explanation.” You glared. Larissa was staring at you in mild shock, she had never seen something like that before, in all her years teaching, and she certainly hadn’t as a student. It was incredible. Her breath caught as Wednesday gathered the beautiful flowers, holding them close as you stood, tapping your foot impatiently.
“Precisely, which is why you should be teaching it.” The girl replied. Your brows shot up, staring at her.
“Excuse me?” You asked. Wednesday looked at you, going to the fire and dumping the flowers in, Larissa reached out, her breath catching as the beautiful things were caught up in flame, gone in an instant. They were the most gorgeous petunias she had ever seen, it was almost tragic. You caught her moving, and looked to see her outstretched hand and parted lips. Her eyes looked saddened as she watched them burn. You stared at her for a moment, watching her. She sighed, closing her lips and glaring at the girl for a moment before she realized you were watching her.
“Oh, forgive me, I simply thought they were rather lovely.” She said quickly. You tilted your head, looking at the woman. That was not the normal reaction. Your family disapproved of your penchant for eccentric and pretty things, Morticia going so far as to call them ‘a waste of an outcast ability.’ You stared for a moment. She was certainly striking, but she held a certain ethereal sort of beauty about her that mesmerized you for a moment, almost enchanting you.
“Do you have a vase?” You asked softly. Her eyes snapped to yours.
“Oh you certainly don’t have to-“ she began, but you smiled gently.
“It would be my pleasure.” You said. She blushed. You were odd, it seemed, but she found herself immediately standing and retrieving a glass vase from a cabinet, setting it on her desk as you spoke to Wednesday. “My dear, if you miss me all you have to do is write, or call, I know you have a phone now, or crystal ball if you so detest using modern electronics.” You smiled. She shook her head.
“Nevermore needs a new botany teacher, you could do it.” She said, you sighed, shaking your head.
“Darling, there is a reason your mother went here and I did not.” You said, and this time Larissa looked at you with much more interest.
“You have a masters, don’t you?” Wednesday added. You chuckled.
“Dear, I have my doctorate. However you know as well as I do that not all outcasts appreciate certain eccentricities. Not to mention the fact that I haven’t taught in over a year.” You said. You walked calmly to the girl, resting your hand on her shoulder, looking at the fire with her.
“You could.” She said again. You shook your head.
“I could, that does not mean I will or I should.” You said softly.
“Mother is wrong you know.” She said, and you furrowed your brows, looking at her. “You’re not the disappointment, and the only reason grandma sent you to France was because mother begged her to-“ you cut the girl off.
“Wednesday, enough.” You said firmly, and she clenched her jaw. “You cannot fail a class to prove a point to your mother, believe me, it won’t work.” You sighed, and the girl looked at you.
“Leave your resume with Headmistress Weems and I will be top of the class again.” She argued. You sighed tiredly. You knew once the girl got an idea in her head it was better to just go with it, yet you were already tired from traveling all day.
“I don’t even have a copy with me.” You replied. She produced one from her bag, handing it to you.
“I do.” She said, and you rolled your eyes.
“Of course you do.” You sighed, taking it. She smirked, walking over to the principal’s desk and producing a stack of papers from her bag. “Oh sweet mother of god.” You sighed, watching her. She continued until a few good stacks had been arranged on the desk as the headmistress raised her brow.
“My aunt had a doctorate in botany from the University of Edinburg and has taught and published in Zurich, Cambridge, Amsterdam, Strasburg, and Aix-Marsaille.” She said calmly. “These are her most awarded dissertations.” She said before walking to you, kissing your cheek and leaving, shutting the door behind her. You sighed, walking to the Headmistress and looking over what she had laid out.
“Forgive my neice, I’m sure you’re aware of how she can be when she gets an idea.” You sighed, and the woman furrowed her brows, taking the resume from you and reading it.
“My goodness, you certainly are quite accomplished, for someone so young too.” She breathed, and you laughed.
“Well I appreciate the compliment, Miss Weems, but I could certainly say the same for you.” You leaned in slightly, a conspiratorial smile on your face. “And we happen to be the same age, madam, Morticia is my twin.” You said, leaving the woman in shock, Morticia not only had a sister, but a twin! That she never mentioned! Even after living together for years! You sighed, leaning back and staring at the woman for a moment, she looked up from your resume, not sure what to say as she felt the power of your eyes practically digging into her.
You seemed to take in every detail, almost memorizing her. Your eyes tracer her hair, her nose, her lips, not a detail left unencountered, it made the woman shiver. You slipped off your glove again, raising your hand slightly and allowing three flowers to slowly grow from your palm. The woman watched in amazement as three white flowers slowly bloomed, revealing deep red centers. She blushed as she realized you had matched her pale countenance and red lips.
“A beauty for a beauty.” You smiled, this time plucking the three from your hand. They seemed to detach somewhat easily, but left three small wounds in their place, bleeding mildly.
“Goodness, you shouldn’t have!” She started, quickly gathering a tissue and leaning over the desk to press it to your hand. You snapped back, instantly moving out of her reach, and she pulled away, her eyes widening.
“Forgive me miss Frump, I wasn’t thinking.” She rushed, and you just shook your head.
“It’s perfectly alright, and as for the blood, I’m quite used to it, it barely feels like a pinprick.” you said softly, taking your handkerchief and once again dabbing the blood away before pulling your glove back on. You placed the three flowers in the vase, not saying a word as you arranged them slightly.
“Still, I am horrified I caused the guardian of a student any pain at all, let alone one so talented.” She breathed. You stopped, looking at her. She had called you talented. Of course you knew that you were, you had proven it time and time again, yet the compliment left a flush on your cheeks. You smiled, looking at your hand.
“My sister never mentioned her roommate was so charming.” You tried to cover, and the woman’s eyes widened a fraction.
“Well Miss Frump-“ she began, but you cut her off.
“Florere.” You corrected.
“Pardon?” She asked, furrowing her brows.
“My surname, it’s Florere.” You said calmly. The headmistress nodded.
“Yes, forgive me, I didn’t know you were married.” She smiled. This one was different. It was fake. Clearly fake. She didn’t even want to fake one, it seemed. You shook your head.
“I’m not.” You replied calmly. She cringed slightly at her mistake.
“Goodness, I seem to keep putting my foot in my mouth, please forgive me Miss Florere.” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. You shook your head.
“You’re quite alright. My family disowned me when I was sixteen, we’re all on good terms now, however I have kept the name I chose for myself, even if it is rather on the nose.” You chuckled. She blinked at you, a touch of sadness in her eyes before she quickly wiped it away. “That would be why Morticia likely never spoke of me, our father would have never approved, however I never heard anything but lovely things about you in her letters.” You chuckled. The woman furrowed her brows.
“Really? I can’t imagine why they would have.” She breathed, before freezing. What was it about you that had her head spinning! She couldn’t get ahold of herself! She went red as she stared at you in mortification once more, and you smiled.
“It’s quite all right, you’re a friend of Morticia’s, I hardly mind. Not to mention the knowledge is hardly private.” You breathed. “However I have known the children since they were born. I tutored Wednesday when she was young, in botany more than anything.” You chuckled. “I will be in the states for the time being, if she has any other issues. I’ll give you my number if her mother can’t be reached, Morticia is- Morticia.” You sighed, and the woman chuckled, handing you a pen.
“If you’re staying, perhaps Wednesday’s idea isn’t completely without merit.” She smiled good naturedly, defending the girl. You bit your lip, staring at the resume you were about to write on for a moment. You sighed, shaking your head. The woman watched you as you seemed to struggle.
“Miss Florere, is everything alright?” She asked. You chewed on your lip for a moment, thinking.
“If you truly do need a substitute, for the time being, you can call, that is if you’re interested, of course. I would hate to see children miss out on such a fascinating wonder of the world simply because there isn’t anyone around at the moment.” You sighed. She watched as you scribbled down your number.
“Well the offer is certainly appreciated, however I’m sure you’re aware you’re massively overqualified.” She breathed, her eyes widening. You had to be, even a glance at your resume told her you put any other candidate she might come across to shame. You chuckled.
“I enjoy teaching, but of course it is just an offer.” You smiled softly. Larissa stared at you for a moment, looking at you closely. You were beautiful, that much was clear, and incredibly brilliant it seemed. “I’m afraid I do need to get settled in a hotel in town, though, I’ve been traveling all day and even I get tired from time to time.” You smiled. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Weems, whatever you next have me here for.” You smiled, tipping your head slightly in lieu of a handshake. She swallowed.
“Yes, Miss Florere, as do I.” She breathed, and you were gone.
She sat in her study that night, a glass of wine in her hand as she poured over paperwork as always. She had been considering your offer, it was a generous one, no doubt. Yet she didn’t know you, and with how things had been left with Morticia… She faltered. Yet you weren’t like your sister, almost at all, it seemed. You were your own creature entirely. She looked to the flowers you had given her, she had filled the vase with water as soon as you had left, carefully touching the flowers as if they were made of glass. They were gorgeous, even more stunning then the peonies had been. She swallowed as she looked at them, thinking for a moment. She had a few more candidates for substitutes to look at, the current one would be leaving by the end of the week. However, perhaps she would give you a call.
…
By the next evening, she had found herself driving out to the liquor store, having drained the last of her reserves ruminating on your offer. She groaned slightly as she extricated herself from the car, walking into the store and selecting a few reds and a bourbon before paying the man at the counter and heading back to her car. It was late, just before midnight, she had been working until she realized she had nothing to end her day with. Her feet were becoming sore from her heels, and she tiredly made her way back to her car.
What she found, however, was six men surrounding the vehicle, two with bats, one with a crowbar, and others with various tools of destruction. She swallowed as she looked at the normie men eyeing the Nevermore crest on the car, stiffening as they noticed her. One of them turned towards her, swinging his bat with a smirk.
“Hey, it’s the tall bitch.” He said, a smirk on his face sending a chill through her. They were just men, she reminded herself. They weren’t even in shape, and certainly not in any shape to fight if the scattered beer cans were any indication, yet the sheer number of them had her heart racing. Tensions had been high with the town after the Hyde incident, but violence, it hadn’t escalated that far yet. She swallowed.
“Good evening gentleman.” She said, her voice tight as she got out her keys from her pocket. She looked back at the liquor store, the shopkeeper was closing up, and he was far from paying attention to them. “I’ll just be heading back to the school then.” She swallowed, taking a few brisk steps before one of them stepped up to her. He was certainly shorter, but he pressed himself against her anyway, the alcohol on his breath reeling from him.
She struggled, ignoring his laugh as the rest of them moved in, all with intentions that certainly were far from friendly. One of them reached out for her, and she slammed her eyes shut, preparing for the worst.
“Gentleman!” She heard a voice boom suddenly, and gasped as she watched the men shift their attention from her to- a familiar red headed figure. “This hardly seems like the proper way to treat a fine lady.” You said calmly, walking easily towards her.
“Well missy, that certainly ain’t no lady if ya know what I mean.” One of them laughed. You smiled almost threateningly, glancing to her for a moment as her eyes went wide in fear. What we’re you doing, why were you even here?
“Why, because she’s not like you?” You asked calmly, taking a step closer. She watched as you slowly removed the leather gloves your still wore, tucking them into the waistband of your trousers.
“She’s a fuckin freak, is what she is.” One of them hollared. She flinched, and you stepped closer, and closer, until you were just a few steps away from all of them.
“Odd, I would have thought the freaks would be the alcoholic degenerates drunk off their asses on a Wednesday night harassing a woman walking alone, but I suppose that’s just my opinion.” You shrugged. Larissa’s eyes nearly bugged out of her skull. Were you trying to get yourself killed?
“The fuck did you say, bitch?” One of them grunted, moving towards you. You smiled cooly.
“Let the lady go.” You said calmly, and for some reason the woman was certain you meant it. Yet what could you do? You could make pretty flowers, but what the hell were you thinking? What could you possibly do? One of them spat at you, and you flinched, taking your handkerchief and wiping it off your blouse. “Lovely. Now fuck off.” You chipped.
“Miss Florere,” Larissa protested, and you shook your head, still staring at the closest man. He growled, raising his fist as Larissa screamed. You looked at her as he started towards you, her eyes wide in horror. You just smiled.
“Hold your breath, Miss Weems.” You said, and she looked at you confused before you raised your hands, lifting them palm up in front of your face. Her eyes went wide as you blew them off, small pollen-like particles scattering from them. She gasped in shock, inhaling a few on accident before she clamped her mouth shut. They smelled sweet, and beautiful. The scent evoked pure bliss for a moment before she started to feel lightheaded. She clutched her head as the word began to spin, and suddenly, everything was black.