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 Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:17 am
Valelldia needed to keep her mind off everything that happened. Perhaps... the two sons that had been altered would be restored to what they had been... once they left the forest. Perhaps the others would forgive her- and forgive each other- for the fights, for the lack of protection. Valelldia did not have the sort of understanding knowldedge of what was beyond her grasp that her mother had been so possessed of.
Oh, mother... Valelldia thought, her eyes to the canopy. ...I wish I understood how you lived, and how you lead. Then maybe days like this wouldn't hurt so much.
A flicker of light came down through the canopy, glimmering on the cream-colored foal that Valelldia had purchased while they were high in the mountains. She had not named it, yet- for it was still such a little, delicate thing- but, to the gypsymother, that glimmer of light was almost like a sign. Perhaps from her mother. But at least, if it was nothing more- it would be a distraction from her guilt. And... did the meij desire it? ...She tested the winds, and yes, it seemed to cry against the sky. Yes, we have been restless. And it is overdue.
Valelldia gave her reign a light flick- the oxen would not be harmed by it- truly, they would barely feel the pressure that told them only one thing: to keep on going forward. A steady, slow pace. Then she hopped clear from her leadseat and walked back down the line- not meeting anyone's eye...
Until she came upon Mirela, seated at her leadseat.
"Hello, Mirela."
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:50 am
Mirela hummed softly as the wagon’s moved slowly through the forest, feeling more then a little guilty that she wasn’t sharing the same levels of mixed emotions are her gypsy family. She had spent much time empathising as best she could with the mothers whose children had been taken, and those who children had been returned changed, but she could never fully comprehend what her kin had endured. Tafari hadn’t been taken from her, ripped from her arms by the fae, thus she could only partially understand their feelings and emotions and her guilt for not feeling more remained.
With the reins held loosely within her hands, Mirela allowed her sapphire orbs to drink in the final vestiges of the forest through which they travelled. It had been a site of grave times, yet one could not deny its earthen beauty. Having been so absorbed in the spectacle around her Mirela failed to notice Valelldia’s arrival until the gypsy mother’s voice jolted her from her admiration, followed by a light and almost teasing nicker from Tafari.
“Oh Valelldia” Mirela said brightly, failing to hide her sheepish smile at having been caught distracted. “Hello. To what or whom do I owe the pleasure of a visit?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:51 pm
Valelldia smiled in spite of herself: Mirela's half-startled look, torn from her almost drunken repast on her own thoughts, coupled with that beautiful formal language- it was certainly the Mirela they all knew.
"Actually, I came to speak to you about your son," Valelldia said, walking along the wagon as it slowly followed the lead of the others. Here in the woods, they could hardly expect to winnow through the trees with much of a pace.
"I haven't had a chance to speak with you since Esperita gave him that wonderful gift. I wanted to know what you thought of it."
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:35 am
“About Tafari?” Mirela repeated, tying down the wagon’s reins and jumping from the lead seat to join Valelldia in her walk. At the mention of the prestigious gift that had been bestowed upon her son Mirela smiled brightly, clutching lightly to Tafari’s mane as he came up beside her.
“I’m still stunned that the meji felt Tafari deserving of such a great gift” the young gypsy said quietly, clear reverence in her tone. “From what Esperita told me it sounds as if it will develop into quite a powerful talent, and I am hesitant to admit that the notion makes me a little nervous. I mean what if I do something wrong?” Mirela continued, her smile fading as she proceeded to explain her previous statement, “what if I don’t raise him properly and he comes to use his gift in a manner to which it was not designed?”
Sighing, Mirela shook her head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter so much at the moment, he is still in his animal stage which gives me some time to gather parenting tips”.
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:08 am
"Well..." Valelldia said, choosing her words- and their ordering- carefully. "First, I think you have to realize that the meij never gives us more than we can handle. If you did not have it within you to guide Tafari to a place where he will still be whole and Fortunette, they never would have given him that power- or, given him to you at all. So- even if it may become difficult to guide him with such a power... it is not impossible. There will be a way that will show itself to you. I don't know where- or how- but you are his mother. I'm sure it will speak louder to you than to any of us.
...But as for his being an animal- I'm afraid the time has come for him to join his brother and sister fortunettes in the form of an infant. He seems- anxious to develop his power, to grow under your rein. Are you willing to help him grow?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:19 pm
Listening in reflective silence Mirela payed close attention to the words that Valelldia spoke, feeling a vestige of her anxiety and apprehension ebb away. While she had held tightly to such a notion deep within herself, it had taken the words of another to make her truly believe it. The meji was more powerful and omniscient then Mirela had given it credit for, and knowing that gave her renewed strength in her ability to raise her son.
At the gypsy mother’s second statement Mirela paled, a combination of shock and embarrassment at her own previous words. “I really put my foot in it didn’t I?” the young gypsy said softly, flushing crimson. Quickly dismissing her awkwardness, Mirela nodded emphatically. “Of course I am willing to help him” she voiced, smiling. “Whatever is needed, I’ll do”
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:43 am
"What must be done seems simple, but has a certain... unusual twist to it. The meij has kept Tafari so long in this stage that he has become comfortable with it, assumed this as his form. You should show him that it will be so much more comforting to be an infant, to take on human features- that you should take him around to the other infants and children and show him what he could gain. The difficult part is- the meij would require that you find one child or infant that would make fun of him in this form- and another that would ask him, nicely, to change. So you'll have to try and find children to accommodate those needs of the meij."
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:34 am
The task set before the young gypsy was certainly and intriguing one, although Mirela felt a tinge of concern that another child would have to tease her son in order to make him emerge into his infant form. Checking off the list of requirements within her mind, Mirela soon followed that list with another the contained the names of the other fortunette infants and children within the wagon. While she had yet to have much contact with the other unique children and their mothers, there were several youngsters that stood out within her mind as being potentially willing to aid her fulfil the meji’s wishes. Offering Valelldia a smile and a nod to show that she understood, Mirela said – “Wish me luck”
With a final warm smile, she headed down the wagon line with Tafari in toe.
With purposeful steps Mirela made her way toward Ivy-Twined, the home of Lorelei and her daughter Vanna. The girl had always struck Mirela as being of a sweet and gentle nature, and her heart had pained at the events Vanna had endured in the forest. “Hello Lorelei” Mirela greeted brightly, offering her gypsy sister a wave as she slowed to walk beside the wagon. Pausing after her greeting, Mirela debated whether to burden the mother and her daughter with such a request after all they had been through, but the words managed to force themselves from her mouth all the same. “I come asking for a favour” the young gypsy blurted, blushing deeply a moment later. “The meji have given me a task to complete in order to spur Tafari’s growth” Mirela clarified, “one that needs Vanna’s help, if she is up to it”
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:42 am
"Mirela," Lorelei said in greeting, smiling. She didn't much know the woman, but the bonds of the gypsy family meant they were close, no matter how few times they'd talked. "A favor? What sort?
"Vanna's foot is still injured - the wound reopened for some reason the other night." Yes - and Lorelei still had her suspicions as to how that happened, after seeing her daughter's dirty hands and knees.
"But if it doesn't involve her walking..." She leaned back, knocking on the wagon wall. One of the windows - not on Mirela's side - opened and Vanna poked her little head out. Lorelei glanced back.
"Vanna, dear, could you - carefully, now! - go over to the other window? A friend as something to ask of you." Lorelei smiled at the girl, motioning for her to cross the wagon.
The window shut and a few moments later opened on Mirela's side. Vanna hung half out of the wagon, looking around. Was Marissa going to see Oqaia, going to take her with her? No - Marissa was nowhere to be seen. But there was Mirela.
She waved.
"Hiiiiiii!" she cooed, smiling.
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:58 am
“Valelldia explained that Tafari had become too comfortable in her current form” Mirela explained, repeating what the wagon mother had told her. “The meji require two things from two other children within the wagon – that is for one child to ask nicely to change into an infant and for another to make fun of him in his current form”. There was a note of apprehension in her tone, one that she quickly dismissed with a shake of her head and a smile.
“Thankyou” were Mirela’s next words as Lorelei asked her daughter out of the wagon, “I really appreciate this, and if there is anything I can do in return please don’t hesitate to ask”
As Vanna appeared at the wagon’s window, Mirela grinned broadly at the young girl. “Hi sweetheart” she replied, moving both Tafari and herself closer to the window. “I have something very important and special to ask you” Mirela continued, her voice soft and warm. “Soon my son, Tafari, is to grow into a child just like you. But first he needs someone kind and gentle to ask him very nicely to change, to tell him all the good things that he could do being a child like you”
Still smiling at Vanna, Mirela added – “I was wondering whether you might be able to tell him all the special, fun and good things about being a kid?”
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:05 am
Vanna looked thoughtful for a moment, then giggled. "Tafry?" More giggles. She leaned even farther out of the window until she caught a glare from Lorelei. Then, grudgingly, she squirmed back into the wagon more fully. No falling!
"Tafry kid?"
Hmmm...
So she had to be nice? She could do that! She was good at that. Everybody said so! And everybody couldn't be wrong. Right? Right.
"Hmmmmmmmmm...." Vanna drew out the sound, third eye blinking and glowing a little as she pondered her little job. "If Tafry kid, Tafry climb?" Well, that was only good if you liked climbing. Which she didn't, unless she had help. So she guessed it wasn't climbing. "Tafry sing. Tafry dance! Tafry make moosic!"
Now this thought excited her, and she squealed, clapping her hands. "Moosic!"
But that wasn't the only good thing - it was just the best.
"Tafry eat sammiches. Hmmmmmm... Tafry get pillow?"
There had to be more things...
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:25 am
Mirela smiled at Vanna’s enthusiasm and the sheer adorableness of her actions. “Those all sounds like fun don’t they Tafari” the gypsy encouraged, prompting a nicker from the horse beside her. “He’ll get a pillow and a bed for himself” Mirela elaborated with a nod. What else?, the young gypsy pondered, trying to think of some more things that Vanna could suggest to the horse. “You’d get to play with other children like Vanna” Mirela suggested to Tafari, who moved away from his mother’s side and toward Vanna.
Moving closer to the open window, Tafari lifted his head to regard the young girl. Although unable to speak like Vanna, he still appeared to be considering her words with greater then animal intelligence. Those things did sound interesting, but he still remained uncertain.
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:32 am
Vanna reached out and patted Tafari on her head, giggling.
"Uuuuuh..... Tafry hug? Hug! Tafry... Tafry.... swim!" Not that she could, but that was beside the point.
Oh! One thing more!
Vanna disappeared for a moment, then reappeared with her angel doll. "Tafry hug doll!" Because that was fun to do!
"Tafry talk!" she ended with, smiling and nodding and dancing the little doll on Tafari's head for a moment before hugging it to her chest.
"Tafry kid? Pease?" She peered into his eyes oh-so-closely, bringing her face close to his. "Pease?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:51 am
Tafari sniffed curiously at the doll that Vanna reappeared with, watching it was his dark eyes at young girl danced it upon his head before pulling it to her chest. That did look like fun, as it always had done when the other gypsy mother’s hugged their children. Nickering once more as if to agree with Vanna’s statement, Tafari moved back to Mirela’s side as if he knew there was still one more task to complete.
Watching Vanna quietly, Mirela couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. The young fortunette truly was one of the sweetest children she had ever met and she doubted there was anyway that she could ever truly repay the great action Vanna had preformed.
“Thankyou Vanna” Mirela said kindly, smiling brightly at the infant. “I don’t think there is anyway he would want to stay as a horse after all the great things you have told him. I’ll bring Tafari by once he is a child so you can show him all those fun things”. Turning her attention to Lorelei, Mirela bowed. “Thankyou too Lorelei, you are raising an exceptional youngster”. Smiling and offering the pair a friendly wave Mirela and Tafari headed back the way they had come, searching for a child to complete the final part of the meji’s task.
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:53 am
"Baaaaaaaai!" Vanna squealed, waving to them and nearly falling out of the wagon. Lorelei looked back at her, shooing her inside.
"Your foot, dear! Your foot! Go lie back down, or you'll hurt your foot again!"
Vanna pouted, but obediently went back into the wagon.
Lorelei waved at Mirela as the woman left with her son.
"Best of luck to you two! And feel free to come by whenever you have need or the spirit moves you!"
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