Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Unexpected Virus Part 2

He led her into the hospital dining room and helped her get seated. Cloe could not control her sobbing and was cross with herself for being so upset in front of a complete stranger. The boy bought two steaming cups of hot cocoa and placed one cup in front of her. “You didn’t have to do that.” She tried to say but the only word that came out was “Thanks.” She was surprised at how little her voice sounded. “No problem. You look like you can use some sugary goodness. They make the best hot cocoa here.” He said in a way that showed he had eaten in this hospital many times. Cloe wondered if one of his parents was a doctor or maybe he was like her and one of his parents was dying. “I look that bad huh?” Cloe said, suddenly conscious of how she must look. She looked, for the first time, at his face and saw that he was amazingly handsome, like that of a movie star or Greek god. “Oh gosh, why does this guy want anything to do with me?” she thought. “No, you don’t look bad at all. I just thought the way you were acting showed you were in distress or worried about something. You wanna tell me about it?” He said.
“Well, I don’t know you at all. In fact I don’t even know your name.” Cloe said finally realizing that she was with a complete (and gorgeous) stranger who seemed to care about her. “Oh! I’m sorry! That was stupid of me. I should introduce myself then. I’m Mitch Gerber. I’ve seen you a lot here. You always leave when I come.” Mitch said. “I’m Cloe Harper.” She said somewhat hesitantly. “My dad is in the hospital bed next to your mom.” Mitch said. “Oh! I’m sorry to hear that.” Cloe said though her voice was still weak. “I see you here a lot but you never seemed to notice me.” He said. “But I suppose you must have a lot on your mind.” “That’s for sure.” Cloe said then blushed. He had noticed her before!
“Do they know what’s wrong with your mother?” Mitch asked innocently. Cloe started to calm down. Mitch had a soothing effect on here. “No” She said then sniffled. “Here I have a tissue.” Mitch said offering her a tissue. “I need them a lot. My dad is dying from an unknown cause as well.” “Really?! I’m so sorry I know how it feels; but at least you have your mom right?” “Actually my mom died two years ago.” “Are you serious?” She said and then immediately regretted it when she saw the pain on his face. “I’m sorry, of course you’re serious. It’s just my dad died two years ago. It just seemed like a really weird coincidence. You know?” “Wow, at least we met. Anyways wanna tell me something about yourself? I confess that I did know somewhat why you were upset earlier and I don’t blame you.” He said smiling slightly. “Well, alright. Where do I start?” She said and laughed half heartedly.
“I don’t know, the beginning?” Mitch said with a twinkle in his beautiful eyes.
“My parents were both biologists. They would travel everywhere and chart life forms. If you look in some of the scientific journals you can see the many new animals, plants, and insects they discovered.” Cloe says slowly.
“Really?! Mine were too! Maybe our parents know each other.” Mitch said with enthusiasm.
“I don’t know, maybe. Anyways, then I came along and they kept on with their work. I always loved going to different places. Dad took us all over the world. While, they were out cataloging I would sit outside and read. Then when they’d get back we’d sit together and eat and they’d tell me everything. If I were lucky they’d take me with them on their hunts for new species.” She said dreamily, her mind had transported her to a happier time. She also wasn’t quite sure if she believed Mitch when he said his parents were biologists.
“Sounds like you had a happy childhood.” Mitch said thoughtfully.
“Yeah, I did. It was so full of love and adventure. Then my Dad caught a weird disease while we were in India and they couldn’t help him. We were going to transport him to another hospital but he died on the way. My Mom is the only family I’ve got and I don’t know what I’d do without her. I don’t want to be an orphan!” Cloe burst into tears again. When she opened them Mitch had his hand on hers.
“Cloe, I am so sorry. I know how you feel. You feel as if you can’t do this alone. You almost feel like getting angry at your parent for getting sick. Tell me more though. What’s wrong with your Mom?”
Cloe tried not to concentrate on the warmth of his soft hand upon hers, instead she told him some more.

W W L B L W N P Part 4

Francine Tyler-Owens opened her eyes. She turned over in the bed expecting to see her familiar bedroom.
“Oh yeah; I’m no longer home. Instead I’m in this hole in the wall motel searching for a job.” She thought looking around her. The room was scantily furnished. It had two beds, a nightstand, and a TV. It also was adjoined to a small bathroom. She looked over at her son in the other bed. “It was worth it. My children are worth leaving my husband. I don’t know what I’m going to do but I will get through this.”
Matt Owens woke up and looked at his mom; her face looked haggard from recent events. She was usually a beautiful woman who had been in beauty pageants but now she looked old. Her blonde hair was stringy and she wore no makeup.
Fran felt depressed and hurt. She didn’t feel like doing anything but she had to be strong for her son and daughter. She decided to jump in the shower to start job hunting. Matt was going to be leaving for school soon. She went into the clean but old shower and turned the water on as hot as she dared. The water rushing down on her was like a cleansing waterfall. It wiped away her sorrows and worries and renewed her. But when it was over the nagging thoughts were back:
“What job are you supposed to get? You never even finished college! In 6 months you’ll just come crawling back to George like a whipped dog.” They said.
“No! I won’t! I can do this! I’m strong enough!” She told the voices.
She looked down and realized she had punched the wall as her knuckles were throbbing.
“Oh, what am I going to do?” She said out loud; crumbling to the floor in a heap. “What am I going to do?!”

What would life be like with no parents Part 3

They reached Chubby’s after 5 minutes of awkward silence. They walked in and a familiar face greeted them. Charice Green had worked at Chubby’s Diner a while, starting when she was just a pimpled high school student. She now worked here while she got her Bachelor’s degree at the local Community College. She dreamed of becoming a business woman and had dreams of ruling the stock market. She recognized both Rachel and her Dad and could see they were both upset today.
“I wonder what could have happened.” She thought. “I’ll treat them extra special tonight; some good greasy food will cheer them up.”
“What can I do for you today folks?” She said cheerily as she got them seated into a worn red leather booth.
“Hi Charice” Said Rachel as she plastered a smile on her face, though at the moment she felt like doing anything but smiling.
“Hi Rach, Mr. Owens, what’ll it be?”
Mr. Owens barely glanced up from his menu. But when he did, he cast a smile Charice’s way.
“I’ll have a hamburger and chocolate milkshake.” Rachel said deciding.
“I’ll have fish and chips and a vanilla milkshake. Thank you.” Said George, he could be very charming when he wanted to be.
“Coming right up, I’ll be back shortly.” She said and then turned to put in the order.
“Dad, what am I supposed to do now? What is life going to be like from now on?” Rachel asked, tears pricking her eyes. She wouldn’t cry though, not in public anyway.
“Well, I guess the judge will decide who you’ll stay with.”
The way he said that sounded so cold to Rachel. It was as if he could care less and was willing to let someone else decide his life.
“Am I that much of a bother?” She said and then noticed a wet tear sliding down the side of her face. Quickly she brushed it away.
“Of course not sweetheart, it’s your mother. She is being… difficult.” He said and took his daughter’s hand to hold. “I’m sorry Hun; this is just the way life is right now.”
“Well, why couldn’t it happen to someone else?” Rachel hated the way she said it, like a pathetic whine. What was she becoming? One little thing and she was crumbling.
“Sometimes life just isn’t fair. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Rachel turned her face away from her father.
“I have to go to the bathroom.” She said, looking for someway to escape the awkwardness.
She got up and made her way to the woman’s room. It was pink and girly with tiled floor and painted stalls. She went into the nearest one. She collapsed on the floor and started sobbing. She sobbed so hard she felt sick to her stomach. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t just her parents pending divorce that broke her up so hard. To Rachel, it seemed like everything was going wrong lately. Her boyfriend, Chet Williams had broken up with her, moving on instead to her “best friend” Michelle Jennings. To everyone in school she was a loser; all her so-called “friends” on the cheerleading squad had abandoned her. She wasn’t doing well with her grades either.
“Why are you doing this to me God?” A voice screamed in her head. “This is too much and too hard! Take it away from me! I just want to go back to normal, where I had two married parents, a loving boyfriend, and lots of friends!”
After a minute or so of heavy tears; Rachel pulled herself up.
“Dad will be wondering where I am. I better calm down.” She thought.
She opened the stall and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and big red splotches were forming on her face where tears had streamed down. She took some paper towel and wet it to wash her face. The feeling of cool water on her hot face was soothing. She patted her hair into submission and, when she looked somewhat better, she braced herself to go outside again.
“I just need to suppress my feelings; then I’ll be able to deal.” She thought.
She opened the heavy door and glanced around the dining room, making sure no one she knew was here. When she was comfortable that no one was, she walked back to the booth where her father was waiting.
“Sorry Dad” She said when she reached the booth and sat down on the soft worn cushion.
“That’s alright sweetheart. Your food came while you were out.”
George looked at her and she seemed to be more herself; the Rachel he knew and loved. She was smiling now; which meant she had finally gotten used to the idea of her parents’ divorce, he thought.
“Everything okay Rach?”
“Of course Dad.” Came her response. “This food looks great!” She said and dug in full force.
It was good food like always. Rachel kept a steady conversation going and George did his part. It was pleasant small talk; “How’s school” and all that. There was a pink elephant in the room though, the Owens’ pending divorce. Neither would talk about it; instead wasting breath on nonsense talk.
When they had finished their meal; George figured they should go home. He paid the tip and thanked Charice.
“Come on Rach, let’s go home.” He said.
“Where is home, Dad?” Rachel said, suddenly serious.
“I don’t know Rach, I don’t know.”
The ride home was silent and tense. The air tingled with the words not spoken.
“Where are Mom and Matt? Did they have this same conversation about the divorce? Where would they live from now on?” She had so many questions but no answers.
Her mother and brother Matt had not been home all day. She hadn’t seen them since the morning. Matt was 14 years old and in 8th grade.
“Maybe Mom picked him up from school to talk to him. He always was a Mama’s boy. He’ll definitely want to live with her. I don’t know who I want to live with.” She thought.
“Rachel, we’re home.” Her father said; breaking her thoughts.
Her father opened the front door and they walked inside. On the table was a note. It read:
“George,
I’m leaving. I’m taking Matt with me. Rachel may decide where she lives. Please don’t call or try to contact us.
I’ll see you at court,
Fran”
“What did you do Dad? Why is she so angry?” Rachel asked her father.
“Your mother has issues.” Was all he said
Rachel was exhausted from today’s events. Thankfully it was Friday so she didn’t have to go anywhere tomorrow. She climbed the stairs as fast as she dared and opened the door to her bedroom. It was just as she had left it, bed made and blinds up, save for the envelope on her bed. It said “Rachel” on the front.
“Must be from Mom” she thought. This one read:
“Rachel,
I’m sorry things have to be like this, but know I love you very much. Your father and I have had many problems in our marriage but we did do one thing right: having Matt and you. Nothing will ever change how we feel about you. Please don’t blame yourself sweetheart. Your father cheated on me, repeatedly. I gave him chances after chances but he would not stop. I hope you will want to stay with me but I will try to understand either way. Living with me won’t be easy. Your father could give you many more material things. It’s your choice.
Love,
Mom”
Rachel was shocked. Was this the truth or was she just overreacting? Everything in her life was getting more and more confusing.
Tired and numb; she climbed into her bed and enclosed herself in her Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter. She would think about it in the morning; what she really needed was a good night’s sleep.

What would like be like with no parents Part 2

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock went the clock on the wall. It was as if the house had a heart beat that was being projected through the wall clock.
“I need to get out of here. This house is suffocating me!” thought Rachel Owens.
Her eyes searched for the door. Everything seemed to be turning, her head spinning.
“I have to get out! I have to get out!” The thoughts in her head were screaming.
“Rach, I’m afraid your mother and I are calling it quits. We just don’t feel our marriage is worth saving.” Her father was saying but Rachel didn’t even comprehend what he was mouthing.
“I don’t understand! Get out of my head!” She screamed and ran out the door. “I just need to get out. I need to go for a walk.” She said to no one particular.
“Rachel!” Her father was calling out but Rachel didn’t notice. She just kept going.
Trees passed by her like a blur. She was running now, running at top speed. She ran until her sides hurt; sending a burning sensation as the muscles throbbed.
“What am I doing? I don’t even know where I’m going. Why am I running? So Mom and Dad are getting a divorce. Lots of people do now a days. But aren’t Matt and I enough reason to save a marriage? I don’t know maybe its better this way. All they ever did was yell at each other.” Thoughts were swirling around in her head.
A big red SUV pulled up along side her. Freaked out, she looked over to see the driver. It was her Father. He rolled the window down.
“Rachel, we need to talk. Come on, I’ll take you out to eat.” Her father said calmly.
“Is that your car?” Rachel said as she definitely did not recognize it.
“Yeah, I just bought it today.”
“Celebrating?” She asked sarcastically.
“No, I just needed a new car. Jump in already.” Her dad said, getting a little impatient.
Rachel got in and surveyed the new car.
“Wow, you get a raise or something?” She said when she saw the leather seats and state of the art technology.
“You could say that.” He said.
“Where are we going?”
“Chubby’s”
It was a father-daughter thing they always did when Rachel was upset. It was so easy and comforting to lose yourself in a hamburger and milkshake. Chubby’s had seen her after she had lost her first tooth and when she had had her first crush; among many other experiences.
George Owens looked at his daughter. She was the perfect stereotype of a cheerleader. Blonde, gorgeous, and, usually, so upbeat and happy; she was the family optimist. Something had brought her down though. Lately, she just wasn’t her usual self. She was more moody and didn’t smile as much. George had passed it off as going through puberty but now he wondered if it was something more. What was happening to his perfect family?

What would life be like with no parents? Part 1

In the small town of Jim Thorpe, PA lives a family. If you saw them you would probably think they were the ideal American family. There was a mom and a dad; they had one girl and one boy. They dressed nice and owned a cozy 3 bedroom house. To other people it would seem they were living the All American Dream. No one would have thought the parents were filing for divorce, the daughter had suicidal thoughts, or that the son was running with the wrong crowd. To the outside world it looked like everything was going just fine.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Warrior Princess: Part 1

In the land of Pequinia and in the times of Nool there once lived a princess named Jaynia Tanya Ferency. This was a princess like no other. She was bold and strong; she was a warrior princess. Jaynia could defeat any foe. She was braver than the best male warrior and was always up for a challenge. She had just one problem though, Jaynia Tanya Ferency was prideful.
She could go days admiring herself in the mirror. She could spend hours looking at her awards and souvenirs. If anyone dared to say a bad word about her they were promptly banished.

The Unexpected Virus: Part 1

Cloe opened the heavy glass door of the hospital and stepped inside. She could barely breathe from the rapid emotions twirling in her heart. It was a mix of worry, anxiety, and a deep love for her mother. She tried to remind herself that she had been through this before when her dad had died but she couldn’t bear the pain that thought brought and stopped herself abruptly.
She hurriedly made her way to Room 77 where her mother was. Cloe knocked on the door to make sure her mother was available and received a faint reply from her mother telling her it was alright to come in. Her poor mother had been through so many tests in the past weeks that Cloe did not think there were anymore take. It hurt Cloe to the heart to see her mother like this. She was weak from all the blood samples taken and the many scans she had been through. Her mother hadn’t been very strong after Cloe’s dad had died and now she was barely clinging onto her life.
“Mom?” Cloe said. “How are you feeling?” As she looked upon the figure lying in the sterile hospital bed she couldn’t help but think: “Where is my Mom? Surely this is not what she has come to?” It wasn’t the first time she had seen her mom in the hospital, in fact she visited everyday, but something struck her differently that day and she began to wonder if she might become an orphan soon. It was crushing to think these thoughts but Cloe could do nothing to stop them.
“I’m alright Hun. Please don’t worry yourself over me.” Was the reply Cloe received. “Well, can I get you anything, something to drink or eat?” Whenever Cloe visited she couldn’t help but feel powerless in changing her mom’s situation. The doctors themselves didn’t know what to do! What then could an 18 year old girl do?
“No, that’s sweet of you though. You always were a compassionate little thing. I remember the time you brought home that baby bird with the broken wing. I still can’t believe you were able to nurse it back to health.” Mom answered. “Yeah, I do remember that I was so afraid it wouldn’t make it. It looked so frail when I had it in the shoe box.” Cloe said. “You were always bringing something home. I only stopped you when you started with people!” Mom laughed at the memory but afterward she broke out into a horrible hacking cough. “Mom!” Cloe shouted. Two nurses burst in the room and one told Cloe she should leave while the other tried to stabilize her mother.
Cloe could not hold back the tears as she went to leave the hospital. How could her mother be dying? Why should this happen to her? Hadn’t it been enough that her father had died? She was so upset that she didn’t really notice where she was going and bumped right into a tall young man with dark hair. “I’m sorry.” He said, though it was obvious it was not his fault. Cloe burst into tears. “Why can’t I do anything right?!” She thought. “Excuse me.” She managed to mumble.
“Hey, I don’t mean to pry, but are you okay? Can I help you in anyway?” said the boy with startling blue eyes. “I’m fine.” Cloe said though it was barely audible. “Are you sure? Do you wanna talk about it? I’m a great listener.” Came his reply. “Do you have 2 hours?” Cloe said her voice laced with sarcasm. “I’ve got all the time in the world.” He said.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Once Part 2

Present:
As we made our way through the crowd I was hurrying to keep up with my sister.
“Come on Mena!” my sister shouted.
“I’m coming Aqua!” I shouted back.
The crowd was so loud I could barely hear her. I looked for my sister and saw she was at least 50 ft ahead of me. It was just like Aqua, she was always so bubbly so bright. She was just a ball of energy. She was the ocean and I was the volcano. I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Pyromena or Mena as my sister calls me. My sister is Aquamarine beautiful and petite at her 4’ 11”. She was like a little doll. She was strong though, stronger than I even knew. At times I felt such jealousy for her; for her beauty for her ease around people. Everyone adored her. People would give her whatever her heart desired and were constantly paying her compliments. They longed to touch her; to take some of that glorious beauty for their own. I am tall and ugly. I am 5’11” and am taller than many of the men in our village. My mother says I will never get a husband. My sister has been getting marriage offers since she was an infant. The only reason she has not been married off yet is that our parents are incredibly greedy. They want the best and biggest amount they can get for her. When I was a child I wondered; why when people are constantly sending us money, do we live so poorly? I found out the reason when I was 6. My father drinks it away. He buys everyone in the tavern drinks upon drinks and not a week later the money has been spent with nothing for our food or clothing. His drinking has made my mother bitter and despise all her children but Aqua. Everyone likes Aqua. Everyone hates me; all but Aqua. I still can’t believe why she still likes me but Aqua says we are in this together she says she would never abandon me. I know she will eventually though. Everyone always does. I have accepted it as my fate. It didn’t always used to be like this. I used to have just as many friends as Aqua. Then we started school and everything changed. Friends I had grown up with since birth abandoned me. They started bullying me. One day when I was coming home from school they took me to an alley and gave me 2 black eyes. My parents were angry when I came home. They didn’t want to pay for a doctor. They sent me to my room with no dinner or breakfast. In school I became the one to blame. If something bad happened or a prank had been pulled I was the one who had done it. When I was 7 I decided to quit school. I couldn’t take the persecution anymore. Aqua still goes to school. She explains to me what they’re learning so I too can become well learned. Aqua tells me I’m the smartest person she knows but I must say I don’t believe her. Sometimes I feel as if her mouth is laced with venomous charm. As if she were a serpent lulling the mouse to sleep in order to prey upon it. Aqua looks extremely harmless but underneath is like a strange and dangerous animal trying to claw its way out. I don’t think I fully understand her, in fact I don’t think I fully understand myself!
During our 12th year things started to get even weirder. I started having strange sensations in my hands and at times if felt as if my own eyes were boring holes through my eyelids. My hands and eyes burned with an everlasting fire. No one understood when I tried to explain. They told me I was being selfish and should stop complaining. They piled on as many chores they could think of and at night I would drop almost dead-like into bed; so exhausted I couldn’t move. That was one of the hardest times of my life. Only Agua would understand. She said she too was having strange feelings in her hands but she felt it all the way to her shoulders and hers was that of a cooling feeling. She said that recently she had some weird things happening. When she walked past a field all of a sudden every plant would start to grow. Even seedlings automatically sprouted up when she was near. Animals would follow her home. She was a magnet for any animal. With me, every time I tried to drink or eat something it would grow hot. I had tried experimenting with this and one time right after it had snowed, I froze some food outside; the moment I picked it back up, immediately, all the snow melted and the food was warm enough to eat. I should Aqua this ability and she marveled. She was so happy someone else was going through these strange occurrences. I was guess I was happy about that too but how happy could I be when all these terrible things were happening. I didn’t understand myself or what was going on inside me.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Avonlea: a Tale of Regatheria Part 1

Once, a very long time ago.....

A young girl of about 12 loved rabbits. She loved them more than anything. Everywhere she went she took one with her. She was very kind to the rabbits and they all seemed to sense that. They were drawn to her.

The young girl was a princess in the kingdom of Regaltheria*. Her name was Avonlea and she was the
  * pronounced Regal -  there - ree- a
youngest of six princesses. Most times she was ignored as she was different from them. She wasn't quite as pretty or charming as the others. Avonlea also did not like the things they did. She hated parties and getting dressed up for she longed to be outside. So when they would ignore her she would play with her rabbits who truly seemed to be her only friends.

Avonlea was the only one in all of Regaltheria with brown hair. Everyone saw her as ugly,different. Her mother and father paid her hardly any attention. She was shameful to them. However, Avonlea was not moved, for she had her pets.

Now one day all of the young princess' family went away. In fact, it seemed the whole kingdom had abandoned her. You see, she had been out in the meadow picking clover for her darling little pets. When she arrved back to the castle everyone was gone. Not even a mouse seemed to be left in the castle. There were even no tracks for her to follow.

This distressed the girl for she had a very kind and caring heart. She worried where they could have gone. She could not think of them leaving her on purpose for she was an innocent child. She searched the castle up and downto look for even the slightest clue. If they had left they must have been in a great hurry. There was food uneaten on the table, bath water in the tub, and papers strewn everywhere in her father's office.

Then she found it, a small arrow no bigger than her pointer finger. It was stuck in the side of her father's desk drawer. She then knew that her family had to have been kidnapped! But by whom she didn't know. She did not even know of Regaltheria having any enemies! So she pondered there a while. SUddenly she remembered a story she had been told when she was but a toddler.
The story went like this:

The Fairy queen Part 2: Melodonia

The story went like this:
A very long time ago, before the fairy queen was queen, she was just a small young family. Her family was very poor. They could hardly even afford the cold mush they had every morning for their only meal. Though they were under such harsh conditions none of the family ever complained. For they knew one day their Melodonia (the queen) would save them from their poverty. Melodonia was the most beautiful in all the fairy lands. She had long blonde hair which was rare for a fairy to have. To add to its rarity it was the palest of blondest, so light it was angelic. Her locks fell upon her shoulders in a cascade of soft curls. Her eyes were of a lavender shade no one had ever seen before and were encircled by long eyelashes. Her wings were the most beautiful part. They were so intricate so shimmery that it seemed she flew on precious gems.
The family knew one day she would be important. Some day she will be great they told themselves while Melodonia grew into adolesence and more captivating every day. Melodonia had no idea that she was so much better looking than the others. Her parents often told her but she thought all parents were like that.
One day when Melodonia was 215, the young fairy prince came through her town. Her parents knew this was their only chance and made sure she would be there when he came through. The day the prince rode through town Melodonia and her parents stood on the side with all the other peasants. The prince at once noticed her for her beauty stood out in the midst of all the plain folk.
The prince, whose name was Phillip immediately became entranced by her beauty. He fell in love with her instantly. He also decided he would stay in this town long enough to make her his bride. Melodonia too wa sunder a trance. She found the prince was such a nice, caring person that she too fell in love. After a whirlwind romance of about a week, Prince Phillip asked her to marry him.
He needed her to travel with himback to his homeland of Sontheria. He was to announce his engagement to his parents. Melodonia agreed immediately only asking that, after they were married, her parents should come live with them. Phillip agreed and they left within a few days to begin their journey. When they reached Sontheria the king and queen liked her instantly, for beauty is quite revered with fairies. The only problem was she had no title. So, the king decided as a wedding present to give her the town of Geophia in order to make her a "Lady".
After a meager two weeks Melodonia and Prince Phillip were married. They soon left to go on a trip to see all of the fairy lands. For before she had come to be wed she had never even been outside her town. They both were beyond happy. But their happiness was short lived. Word came to them slightly after they reached their first destination.
The fairy king was dying! He had been wounded badly from an assasination attempt and now the wound would not heal. Prince Phillip rushed back to the castle with Melodonia, willing his father to live. When he reached the castle they found out they were too late. His father had already died.
The poor Prince, he was utterly heartbroken, not even his newly wedded wife could comfort him. He locked himself in his room, letting nothing in. He died not two weeks after. This left Melodonia all alone. She left, allowing her husband's advisors to rule the kingdom. No one knows quite where she went but she did not appear to the public ever again.
That is until now, 200 years later.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Fairy Queen Part 1 : Ulmina

As large brass trumpets sounded, Ulmina weaved through the masses of fairies. Today was the day, the fairy queen was finally appearing! It had been over 200 years since anyone had heard from her. She had gone into deep mourning when the fairy king had died. Rumors had spread that she was dead while other said she had abandoned them. Everyone was curious to see her, in fact it would not be exagerating to say that every fairy in all the lands was here. Ulmina finally got to her destination a place where she would have the perfect view but be tucked out of sight.
Ulmina was a small girl, quite small indeed for a 112 year old fairy.

(You see, Fairies get to be much older than humans. By the time a fairy reaches 200 years she is a young adult. When they reach 400 they are full grown. Fairies can live forever. But anyways back to the story....)

She had been orphaned at 40 when a fire had destroyed her home. She had been covered in burns but she had made it through. She was strong for such a small thing and it showed.
 Any minute now and she would see the queen. Ulmina felt she could die from anticipation. She remembered stories her mother had told her of the queen. In fact one stood out to her, it went like this:

Once Part 1

Prologue:

Once upon a time there was a young girl. She lived with her parents and numerous siblings in a small house on the poor side of town. This girl was very lonesome. Almost all her friends had betrayed her because she was poor and looked plain to them. A day did not go by without them tormenting her. They would pull her hair and pinch her but most times they would just shout insults.
The only friend who had not abandoned her was one of her sisters. Out of 6 girls only her twin was still her friend. The twin sister was the exact opposite of the girl. Her sister had angelic features and was always thought to be a little cherub. She had gorgeous creamy curls which were of the lightest blonde the world had ever seen. She had huge blue eyes the color of the fairest day of May. Her eye lashes were that of a halo surrounding those beautiful irises; long and thick. Everywhere they went people would comment on her outstanding beauty.
The girl had long raven colored hair. It was pin straight but very rich in color. Her eyes were of a strange violet color and when people saw them they said she must be of the devil to have such peculiarly colored eyes. She did however have the same long thick eyelashes as her sister. In contrast to the adoring approval her sister got; this poor girl was met with judging comments everywhere she went. Most people said the devil had fathered her and that she was wicked; but her sister told her not to mind them but the girl found it hard not to.
The girl had been born first with her sister born not 5 minutes after. On the night she was born a huge storm was going on. However; the minute her sister was born the storm stopped and it immediately became sunny and bright. That was the beginning of their incredible existence.

The Female Pirate

Once, in a land far away, there lived a girl. The girl was a miserable child, for she was but a maidservant for a pious duchess. The duchess was cruel to everyone who was not rich, but she had taken a perticular fancy in tormenting the poor girl for sheer delight. The duchess took special delight in giving her the worst room in the house, it was a small square room with barely no roof except for the pitiful patches someone had tried to put on many years ago. The young girl did not know if she was ever going to be able to escape from this life. Back then once you were trapped in a job you seldom got out. So day to day she would live under such pitiful conditions, hoping, praying, planning for an escape.
But for now let us go back to a time when life was happier for her, back to her childhood. In a small town in Italy, a small baby girl was born. The baby was born to a couple who had waited many years to have children. The couple named her Gina. Gina was born to a rather wealthy family. When they lived in Italy they had a rather comfortable lifestyle. Still, her parents hoped for a better life. Her father thought he could become an even wealthier merchant if he could go to London.
Gina's parents started saving up money to pay the fare for the three of them, and by the time she was 5 they had enough. They left during the fall after her 5th birthday. Then when they were on their trip to London tragedy struck. Their boat was caught in a catastrophic storm. The only survivor was Gina. She was left half dead, bruises covering her arms and legs. She lay floating on a piece of the ship for 3 days, barely concious. On the 4th morning a ship saw her and kindly pulled her aboard. Her rescuer's ship was headed to a small town in England and during the trip all the crew fell in love with the small Italian girl with her head full of black curls. They all took turns nursing her back to health and after three more days she was able to get up & walk around.
Two weeks later when they reached England it was decided that she would live with a kind young widow until they found out more about her. The widow was a very sweet woman and she soon fell in love with Gina too. The widow was a very learned woman and knew many languages and taught Gina English, Chinese, Russian, and Latin. Gina was very happy with her and the widow treated her as one of her own. However, this happiness was short lived. When she was only 9 the widow too to the plague. The widow had left everything to Gina, but since she was not old enough to run the widow's large estate a greedy duke took over.
The wretched duke and his snobbish wife made poor Gina a servant. She had absolutely no luxuries and little food. As if that was not enough, day after day she had to watch her wonderful adoptive mother's money being wasted by these selfish snobs. It was almost too much for her to take. One day when she was 16, she and some other servants went down to the docks to survey a ship that was going to take the duke to London. There she heard the sailors telling magnificent tales of pirates, even girl pirates. Gina was fascinated by these stories. She had always dreamed of such adventure. She wished one day that she too would be a female pirate.
The ride back was a gruelling one. The roads were not paved back then and incredibly bumpy. Though Gina did not seem to notice, her head was in the clouds dreaming of life on the sea. Gina had one close friend at the estate where she lived. Her name was Marie. Marie was the same age as Gina and she worked in the laundry. They saw each other quite often and over the years had become close friends. As soon as Gina got home she tole Marie everything she had heard. Marie who was also fascinated with adventure was anxious to know more too. They decided that someday they would both travel the sea together.
By the time both girls were 18 they found their way to go out to sea. They had talked to several sailors and soon were going to sail with them. They had however kept their gender a secret, disguising themselves as young men looking for adventure. For if they knew they were women they surely would have never helped them! The days went by fast, and before they knew it the day came when it was time to run away. That night the girls took the little they had and stole away to the docks. A kind servant had agreed to help them get there.
Gina & Marie loved being on the ship and since everyone thought they were young boys they were treated as such. They had not been on the ship long before they came upon some real life pirates! The crew did their best to protect themselves but they were outnumbered. Everyone on the ship was either captured or dead. Gina & Marie had both been captured. They were taken aboard the pirate brig and were imprisoned.
The pirates were actually also women disguised as men. Gina & Marie did not realize this until some time after, on the day they were to be killed. At the time neither party knew they were all women. Then when the pirates were just about to be killed, Gina & Marie begged for mercy from the captain. Gina started telling them of how they had gotten on the other ship and a little of her past and then showed that she was a woman. She asked them to have pity on the both of them. The pirates had not interrupted her for her story was much like most of their own.
When Gina finished telling her tale of woe the captain came forward. The captain then showed that she herself was a woman. After that she invited them to be crewmates on the brig. You see, the captain had a similar past herself and knew they would be hardworking. The girls of course took this generous offer. They started as just kitchen helpers which was tiresome work, but they enjoyed every minute of it. The captain had a soft spot for Gina and they became fast friends. Over the next 4 years they looted and pirated all down the coasts, and soon Gina became her first mate. Gina had been one of the most hardworking and she wanted to show just how much she appreciated her.
When Gina was 24 she was made captain. Their former captain had come down with an illness and eventually died. She left everything to her. Now being captain, Gina was one of the most successful female captains, with mountains of gold and many ships. Her crew was made up of 175 women and she never let a man aboard her ship. She traveled far and wide across the world exploring and pirating with her first mate Marie and her all female crew.