River
If there was one thing Agatha knew for certain, it was that she could be anywhere in the world and feel at home as long as Rio Vidal was with her.
Rio was born to Ana and Hugo Vidal and a frail and unhealthy child she was. Nevertheless, her coven welcomed her into the world as nothing but a pure miracle. A little bundle of joy they named Rio Vidal: river of life. And oh the life she brought to her coven. With a flash of her smile or the batting of her eyelashes Rio learnt quickly that her coven would give her anything. During dinner her covenmates would often slip her a biscuit if she so much as pouted. To say Rio was loved would be an understatement. Her coven adored her and every toothy grin she'd provide them with.
But at five, Rio's life came to an abrupt halt after her parents passed from fever. It had been a long month of waiting for them to heal but to the covens dismay, the Vidal's met their ultimate demise.
The coven held a service for the Vidal couple right in the middle of a nearby forest. Rio appreciated it being the final resting place for her parents. Rio loved the forest with all its trees and flora. Every bee and ladybug felt like family. It was almost as if the leaves on every plant were singing soothing lullabies with each rustle. It was perfect. Crowded to observe stood her coven and three other neighboring ones all dressed in their smartest black attire. The covens were free to mingle as each witch said their goodbyes.
Rio sat legs crossed on a nearby log using a twig to trace patterns in the dirt. She did not wish to say her goodbyes. They were already dead for goodness sake! She doubted they'd be able to hear her. No. She was just going to sit on this log while her coven partook in their meaningless...
"Why so glum?"
Rio's head jerked up to meet the ocean blue eyes of a girl about her age. She was wrapped up in a black coat similar to Rio's with her brown hair in two braids. Rio couldn't speak. Rio had never found herself speechless in her five years of age. Actually, Rio did not know she could lose her ability to speak. Who did this girl think she was walking up to Rio and rendering her speechless? Rio ougt to...
"Oh, I am so sorry, you're the girl who's parents died!" The girl slammed her palm to her forehead and sighed. She crossed her legs and sat in the dirt in front of Rio.
"I'm Agatha Harkness," she said stretching her arm out in an attempt to shake Rio's hand, "And I am truly sorry, I did not mean to upset you."
Rio looked down at Agatha's hand. She had a freckle on the side of her ring finger on her left hand. Rio reached her hand to Agatha's.
"I'm Rio Vidal."
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Rio and Agatha became known as Rio and Agatha. It was impossible to mention one without mentioning the other. When they were not completing their studies, the girls were constantly sneaking away to climb trees and act out stories and braid each others hair. Through their friendship, the bond between Agatha and Rio's covens grew stronger. It was almost as if the two covens had become one as they found themselves in closer proximity to allow the girls to play together.
Agatha and Rio matched each others enthusiasm and need for adventure better than any other child between the covens. Agatha would suggest an activity and Rio would be quick to add a thrilling twist. Tree climbing but without shoes. A race but with their eyes closed. It became their favourite pastime.
As the pair grew into adolescence, there were some secrets they could no longer keep from one another. Like the scars lining Agatha's body. They had been playing in the sunshine right in the middle of summer. Agatha became hot so she took her coat off. She had rows of harsh marks embedded into her pale skin. Rio became horrified to learn of what a mother could do to her own child. Hate for Evanora Harkness sunk deep into her bones. She promised Agatha if she could not prevent her suffering she would at least be there to listen. And Rio did. For the years to come.
At fifteen, Agatha and Rio were still the boisterous collective the covens knew. Still sneaking biscuits off tables and making paper stars from spell book pages.
The sun was relentless with its heat. Agatha and Rio had done nothing but sit indoors for weeks and the two were itching to be outdoors. They packed a basket of food and decided to picnic near a river.
Rio lay amongst the dandelions as Agatha braided her hair. She twirled a dandelion before Agatha would pinch it to place in Rio's hair.
"Did I ever tell you what my mother told me when she found her spell books? She said she doubted I would even be able to read them. How could she be that daft Rio! You know I read Latin excellently. But then I told her they looked as if they'd never been read so I could say the same about her and well... we all know what she did after that."
Agatha looked over to Rio's face to see her eyes had fluttered shut.
"Rio?" Agatha asked softly shaking her.
"Mhm?" Rio replied
Agatha stood up brushing herself off.
"It's awful hot, I'm going for a swim."
Agatha hid behind a tree to undress herself.
"Are you coming?" She said peeking her head around the tree trunk.
Rio sat up rubbing her eyes.
"I don't think so, besides I can't swim."
Agatha ran and splashed into the river going underwater before returning to the surface. "Don't worry. Come in! I'll teach you."
So Rio found herself undressing behind the very same tree and self consciously wading through the shallow water.
"I think I'm good here Agatha" Rio said waste deep.
"Come on Rio, where's your adventurous spirit!"
Agatha grabbed Rio's hand and lead her deeper into the river.
Rios eyes were full of terror as they moved closer into the centre. They came to a complete stop.
"It's okay Rio, you're doing it"
Agatha felt nothing but pride. Her bestfriend, who did not have many fears, was facing one thanks to Agatha's help!
They stared at each other for what felt like hours. Rio's hair made curly by the water. Agatha's skin glowing in the sunlight. Agatha could not pull her eyes away from Rio and her perfectly braided hair. She was radiant in the water. Almost unreal. She was gorgeous. Rio reached out and brushed a strand of untamed hair from Agatha's face. Agatha's eyes followed Rio's fingers allowing them to linger on her skin.
Rio's hand moved to trace the outline of Agatha's collarbone. Soft and gentle. As if Rio was afraid she may disappear. Rio reached for Agatha's hand and continued to trace patterns on her palm, eyeing her favourite freckle just on the side of Agatha's ring finger. Rio's eyes met Agatha's oncemore. She was enchanting. Rio was Enchanted. The moment felt dreamlike. Like the pair did not want to wake up from the dream. Wanting to stay like this for just a minute longer. Rio traced over Agatha's freckle for a second time.
"Agatha, I..."
"Hey, do you want to see me jump in again? I do make really big splashes!"
Agatha dropped Rio's hands and moved to the waters edge. Climbing out, she waddled back over to a rock before surveying the river for the best diving spot.
"Hey Rio, if I jump here do you think I'll hit those rocks or..." she paused.
It was quiet. Only the sound of birds in the distance and the wind could be heard.
"Rio?" Agatha turned around to find Rio was not in the spot she was in before.
Agatha Climbed down from her rock. "Rio this isn't funny!"
And then she began to panic. Diving back into the river Agatha paddled looking for any hint or Rio. Any hint of that smile she had seen everyday for the past ten years. Any sound that so much as sounded like her laugh, or her cry, OR SOMETHING.
"RIO VIDAL, COME BACK YOU'RE SCARING ME!"
She dived as far as she could searching for Rio in the deep waters. Agatha envisioned Rio patting her on the shoulder as if to say "I got you, didn't I?" But Rio was not there. Rio was not anywhere.
"RIO!"
Nothing. Only Agatha floundering through the murky waters.
Agatha screamed until she felt as if her lungs would collapse.
"RIO VIDAL!"
But Rio did not appear. She had well and truly vanished.
"Agatha Harkness what on earth do you think you're doing! Swimming unchaperoned, screaming like the world is ending! Where is Rio?"
Agatha looked up at her mother. Her eyes filled with tears. Agatha did not cry in front of her mother. She pulled herself out of the water, wrapping herself in a blanket she had brought with her.
"Rio's gone"
And her world fell apart.