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Dreams and Memories - Part Two

"Rain, rain, go 'way, come 'gain 'nother daaaay" her little voice could be heard as she stared out the window of her room into the gardens which were being plundered by giant raindrops. The plopping and splatting of the water around everything was a soothing rhythm, but Coailiann's mind was slightly troubled.

The voices the previous night. The man's face. It wasn't going away, and she didn't know why she was so shaken up. She had had dreams before - but nothing had seemed so familiar. And it wasn't as if she could tell her mother about it. Ianna would simply say 'It's just a dream, Kay' and she'd be right where she was before.

Grownups were stupid that way.

Coailiann slid from the window seat and made her way to her bed, crawling up onto it. Immediately her little hands grasped for her teddy bear and she pulled it close, laying her head on her fluffy white pillow. She wanted to be outside, running in the grass. At least being in the gardens soothed the little girl's mind.

And she wanted Yashi or Callix so very badly right now. They were better to hug then the teddy bear.

The Sidhe rested on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her ears filled with the rhythmic pounding of the rain. Like an Irish dance song. The beat made the Sidhe slip into a not-so-peaceful sleep.

Beag B�bhinn, mar ch�ram tusa imeacht?

"I'm going to see the children, Sire."

Her own voice was different, softer, older. And she spoke in a strange tongue she had never heard before. Yet...She understood it? How was that possible?

Feic molta. Tar �ineacht mise.

"Your highness, the children, I -"

Na p�ist� canna fan go f�ill.

The scene faded, and Coailiann could see bright, colorful dancers in lavish clothing circling in a courtyard, lively music, an Irish folksong of the Fae playing.

Brighid's Kiss.

She even knew the words, though she had never heard it before. At least, she didn't THINK she'd heard it before now...So many things seemed so strange yet so familiar to the girl. She even seemed older...How...

Her green eyes widened. She realized with a start that she wasn't looking UP at people as if she were a child...She...had...grown? But how?

Gabhaim molta br�de
Ionmhain � le h�irinn
Ionmhain le gach t�r �
Molaim�s go l�ir �

The music filled the room, and she found herself swept away by a handsome looking young man. She had never danced this dance, yet her feet insisted upon knowing the beat. Each step she took was flawless, effortless, yet she had no idea what she was doing.

"You dance lovely,"

The same voice, a different face. A younger face. The same strange tongue that she didn't understand how she could understand.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The dance slowly faded with the music -

Gar d�inn Earrach �ireann...

"Gabhaim Br�de!"

Dreams and Memories - Part Four

"Sing for us, B�bhinn?" came the silky voice of the prince as he slid behind her, his eyes glittering quietly in the candle light. The entire court had gathered for Midsummer, it seemed, and the band was just settling down.

It was obvious the evening was coming to an end.

"Your highness, I cannot," she murmured quietly. She had not been prepared to perform � she had not even been prepared to join the celebrations. It had been the children who had begged her to join them in the festivities. It was, in fact, the only night of the year the young ones could stay up later and actually attend the traditional rites.

And of course, Coailiann sat helplessly in the back of her mind. Sing? She couldn't SING. She could barely TALK�Then she remembered � This was not her�Exactly. And she COULD talk. Maybe she could sing too?

"Ahh, but you sing so beautifully, and you look so lovely this evening, B�bhinn. Would you truly deny your prince his simple request, a gr�?

Ah. Apparently she could.

Green eyes hardened at the prince's words. How could she refuse him? He was royalty. She must bow to him, in such matters, mustn't she?

You can refuse him! Why can't you refuse him?!

Coailiann went unanswered and a sigh pierced her lips as she stood up, the long pink gown made of a light floating gauze raising around her with each movement, "As you wish it then, Majesty," she spoke, her voice precise, "Do you have a request?"

"Mo Ghile Mear," came the response, a small smile touching the Prince's lips.

A curt nod of her head and B�bhinn glided to the stage, looking out at the gleeful Sidhe who had stopped dancing and were all now staring at her, waiting for the girl's voice to fill the room.

"Seal da rabhas im' mhaighdean sh�imh,
'S anois im' bhaintreach chaite thr�ith,
Mo ch�ile ag treabhadh na dtonn go tr�an
De bharr na gcnoc is i n-imigc�in.
'S� mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear,
'S� mo Chaesar, Ghile Mear,
Suan n� s�an n� bhfuaireas f�in
� chuaigh i gc�in mo Ghile Mear.
N� labhrann cuach go suairc ar n�in
Is n�l guth gadhair i gcoillte cn�,
N� maidin shamhraidh i gcleanntaibh ceoigh
� d'imthigh uaim an buachaill be�.
Marcach uasal uaibhreach �g,
Gas gan gruaim is suairce sn�dh,
Glac is luaimneach, luath i ngleo
Ag teascadh an tslua 's ag tuargain treon.
Seinntear stair ar chlairsigh cheoil
's l�ontair t�inte c�rt ar bord
Le hinntinn ard gan chaim, gan che�
Chun saoghal is sl�inte d' fhagh�il dom le�mhan.
Ghile mear 'sa seal faoi chumha,
's Eire go l�ir faoi chl�caibh dubha;
Suan n� s�an n� bhfuaireas f�in
� luaidh i gc�in mo Ghile Mear."

B�bhinn's clear voice rang through the halls, echoing until the last note finally faded away. She looked flushed, the excitement and quiet shyness causing blood to rush to her cheeks. The Sidhe adored performing, despite the voice in the back of her head that always said she was showing off.

This, honestly, was not a bit true. B�bhinn hated being the center of attention, preferring to hide behind the children of the court and her bedroom door to the gay dances and parties which happened so often in the Sidhe court.

Applause filled the room as the last note died, calls for encore reaching the young woman's ears. Yet another blush touched her cheeks, "Do you really wish to hear another?"

Her question was met with cheers, and she could not deny them. Turning her head, B�bhinn smiled at the band and whispered something before she started to sing. It was silent, the musicians holding their notes until the proper time.

B�bhinn began to sing.

"My mother was a capricorn
My father was a thief
He stole her heart one summer's day
Then kissed her eyes to sleep
And as she dreamt he closed the door
And sailed for southern skies
And not a thing he left behind
Except for my sad blue eyes

I learned to live with the emptiness
That fell upon her like rain
I learned to live without the hope
I knew would be in vain
She prayed each night as darkness fell
And she sat in her room all alone
That a ship would anchor in the bay
And bring my father home�"

B�bhinn's green eyes shone as she sang the sad ballad, her braided crown of white hair dripping down like white silk to touch her flushed cheeks. She listened to the instrumental interlude, waiting for her cue.

Her lips parted once more to sing the last verse of the song. B�bhinn's voice was soft, haunting, and so very heart breaking.

"Then yesterday a letter came
It smelled of salt and sea
He said he sometimes had regrets
And thought of her and me
He prayed he night as darkness fell
And no one else was in sight
That a star would fall in capricorn
And kiss his eyes goodnight."

The last note hung in the air before the band died out, and it was only her voice. It too faded after a moment, and the hall sat in stunned silence.

B�bhinn took her bow and walked off the platform, eager to go the safety of her room before they called for another encore.

Returning - Part One

The terrible spinning in Coailiann's brain (Or was it B�bhinn's? She couldn't tell anymore) was enough to make the young girl want to pass out. Had she a stomach, she would have probably been vomiting by now.

Why exactly was she spinning? She couldn't tell up from down. All the images she had seen, all the people she had met, were meshing together in a display of rainbow colors that made her head ache more than the spinning did.

The person who came up with a spinny rainbow should be shot. Repeatedly.

The voices sped up, and slowed down, to speeds that made her want to plug her ears and never let it go.

And everything about this terrible mess made he want to cry. She didn't know where she was, she didn't know what was happening, and she most certainly didn't know who she was any longer. How could she? Was she Coailiann or was she this B�bhinn? How could she be both at once?

�Was she stuck here forever?

The question was answered when Coailiann's green eyes snapped open and she found herself, finally, in familiar surroundings. The pink canopy of her bed was a sight for sore eyes (LITERALLY) and the softness of her bed was enough to make her want to drop on her knees and cry tears of joy.

�But she felt incredibly different. Again she found herself pondering whether or not she was herself or the B�bhinn chick she had been stuck in. She had already concluded that she had, at one point, been the woman. Certain things felt too familiar for her to not have been.

If she had been B�bhinn, why was she Coailiann now? It was enough to confuse the young child and she sighed, shifting herself on her bed. It was then that she noticed the longer hair.

Which was down to her butt.

What happened to her short, choppy hair that she had loved?! Sitting up straight, Coailiann shifted the waved white locks into her lap. When did she become freaking Rapunzel?!

Suddenly Kay got a vision of her head hanging out the window and Yashima attempting to climb up it. The thought made her laugh aloud, and she almost fell off her bed.

She was losing her bloody mind, that's what was happening! She was a skitzophrenic who was losing her minds.

Both of them!

..And she wasn't even a kid yet! Was she? Bolting from the bed, Coailiann ran to the mirror.

Green eyes � Check.

White hair � Check.

Short � Che�WAAAAIT A minute.

Definitely not short. Not exactly tall persay. But definitely not short.

She had grown! Excitement bubbled up in Coailiann's stomach as she stared at herself in the mirror. Sometime during that horrid episode, she had grown.

Her hair had simply caught up to her new and improved body.

"Mom!" she cried out, running towards the door, "MOOOOOM!!!"

�And she could TALK?

"Mommy where are you!?"

Coailiann raced out of her room, determined to find Ianna and Malen, and perhaps rub it in Del's face that SHE had finally grown.

With much much coaxing from Malen, Ianna had decided to drag Coailiann outside of the headquarters and to the park. Considering Ianna only left the headquarters to find wands and Coailiann had never been outside them since she arrived...it was an adventure for both of them.

The Sidhe was currently wiggling about in her mother's arms, anxious to be put down so she could actually walk. She'd spent almost all her energy learning how to do so and now the damned woman wouldn't let her exercise the ability! "Down!" her childish voice demanded, white hair falling over her face as she thrashed about.

Ianna struggled to remain in control, her silver eyes gleaming with distress. She was easier to control at home, darn it! Well...Not really. But at least home had a fence and she could watch her all the time and know she'd never get kidnapped. Oh yes, Ianna heard stories.

Finally a kick to her mother's stomach caused Ianna to set the white-haired green-eyed girl down to run around in the grass. She was wearing her little white dress and while she certainly wasn't worried about getting grass stains on it - Ianna was.

She hated doing laundry, "Coailiann, please be care--" she winced as Coailiann fell face first on the grass and rolled down the hill, green stains covering the white, "ful..." she finished, a look of distaste coming across her features as she walked down the hill to see if the girl was okay.

Of course, Coailiann was giggling like a mad woman and now trying to chase a butterfly.

Bundle. Of. Energy.

This was supposed to be a fun day. Supposed to be a lovely day in the park, a time of bonding and play and smiles and laughter.

But instead, Lu found herself attempting to fly a kite with a child who looked like he was in a dentist's chair having his teeth pulled. She swore, the older he got, the less friendly and fun he was. Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? Lu let the kite drift off to god knows where and trudged up to where Callix was sitting, looking very unhappy.

"What, you're mad because I got you out and about to actually do something?"

Callix simply glared at her indignantly.

Lu sighed. "What, you're mad because there's no girls?"

The Incubus Fa'e looked away, concentrating on a daisy not too far away. Lu sat back and gave up. Whatever. But then, her ears perked. Laughter? Odd. She stood again and wandered a few feet in the direction of the sound. A small child in white, she thought she saw...

"Coailiann! No! Gah! KAAY!" Ianna's exhasperated voice drifted as Coailiann chased the butterfly all the way over to where the fa'e child and his guardian were.

Of course, Coailiann being who she was...She wasn't very good at walking and watching where she was going at the same time. The sidhe ended up running right into Callix and bouncing back on her rear with a small rustle of grass.

And she made a face, "Ow!" green eyes close to watering. It didn't hurt - but she had FAILED. Falling was failing.

Ianna came up a few short minutes after her, looking apologetically at both the boy and his mother, "I'm so sorry, Coailiann gets away from me sometimes and..." she blinked, "I'm just sorry."

Ianna wasn't good with new people outside her own territory.

Callix shot up, wearing the perfect "excuse me?!" expression across his young features. Something ran into him! And made him dirty! His face twisted into anger as he got up to teach the defiling thing a lesson, when he noticed the slight of frame and lithe features.

A girl.

His demeanor immediately softened and brushed himself off, offering a hand to her. Luciel sighed and turned away from the sight she thought was fake. How come he was never nice to her? Didn't make sense. But neighter did so many things in this world, she found. Turning to the woman, she shook her head.

"No no, it's fine! See, we're okay. No harm done. Callix, you okay?"

The Fa'e looked up, wearing a neutral expression. "Oui." he replied.

The Guardian turned back to the woman, brushing a leaf from her head. "While they get acquainted..." The mancubus woman cleared her throat. "My name is Luciel. But you can call me Lu. He's Callix. What brings you to the park?"

Coailiann's green eyes locked with the other and her tears immediately evaporated as she sniffled and offered him a little smile, hand taking his and allowing him to help her up.

She was still getting used to her legs - thus she shook a little bit for the first few moments, "Tankie," she said, tilting her head to the side. "I'm Kay."

Her hand was withdrawn and she wiped the back of it across her cheeks to rid of any evidence of tears. Tears were weakness.

Ianna simply smiled a little bit, "I'm Ianna, that's Coailiann, a pleasure to meet you, Lu and Callix." she gave a polite bow then, "And we've decided we're too cooped up at the headqua--" she caught herself, "At home."

Calling one's home "Headquarters" wasn't exactly...usual. She had to fit in, didn't she? Yes. Yes she did.

"And you?"

"Je m'appelle Callix." the little Fa'e introduced himself with a slight bow, as he usually did. His wings fluttered a moment before shifting to a comfortable resting position on his back. He always felt better in the presence of females. He never knew why, but it mattered not now. "Why you here?" he stumbled in English.

Lu looked up to the trees a moment. "Decided we needed some time out of the house. I let my kite go and I don't know where it went, but it's not like Callix cared much anyway..." Her gaze shifted to the boy in question. So strange.

She turned back to the woman. Tilting her head, she looked curious. "Is Coailiann your...biological child? Forgive me if I'm prying..."

Her eyes clouded in slight confusion at the use of another language. It was almost as bad as Yashima and his Japanese. But considering Lu had introduced him as "Callix" the sidhe child could only come to the conclusion he had told her his name.

"Momma." she said, head jerking slightly in the direction of the silver haired woman. She was annoying sometimes - she'd be perfectly happy in her back yard. Then again, if she hadn't been out she wouldn't have met another kid.

She got lonely easy enough, "You?"

All her attention was focused on the little boy now. Adults were boring and Callix had pretty wings.

Ianna shrugged lightly, "Kids generally don't care what we do so long as we give them candy and whatnot...And no, she isn't..." she smiled slightly, "None of my children are biologically mine."

"....Bored. Lu says come. I has to come." he explained, still struggling with English. Damned difficult languages. But at least one good thing happened while on this trip. He met someone his age. That was becoming a rarity. She had pretty white hair, though, and eyes like his own. Maybe she was a Fa'e too?

Lu bowed her head. "I'm sorry to have asked. I wanted to get some more information. I can't help but be terribly curious. I thought maybe Coailiann was a Fa'e. I still can't really tell..." She looked back at Callix, who brightened at the little girl.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing everything right...

Kay, being the ever perceptive girl, noticed his struggling with speaking and bit her lip. Maybe she could do what she did with Yashi? But maybe he wouldn't like it..

Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to try, would it? Gently she prodded at his mind, trying to find an opening so she could speak. Her telepathy skills weren't the best, so if he had some kind of block, which some kids had, she wouldn't be able to speak to him that way.

If you are having a hard time, you can speak to me in your mind...I can hear.

Ianna reached out and touched Lu's shoulder lightly - not quite sure if it was proper or not, but it felt right at the moment, "Coailiann is a Ghost child. It's...complicated. She was born from a wand. Or, should I say...She was reborn from a past life."

That sounded simple enough, didn't it? She never knew. She half wondered if SHE ever made sense.

Lu's eyes lit up. "Like Callix. So many children born from past lives. Maybe it's Gaia's power? I never understood it myself..." She didn't mind the touch at all, and idly wondered if Ianna was human. Not that it mattered much now. She wasn't hungry, thankfully.

It did make sense. Wonderful sense. "I sometimes fear that the past will catch up with them and be painful. But... I'm bothering you too much with my worries. I apologize. Is Coailiann the bundle of joy she appears to be?"

You...can speak in the mind? Callix asked, shocked. No one else I've met has this power. It's so much easier to speak in the mind than out loud. No one understands French...

"Perhaps. My daughter, my first one, she's the one who brought her and all like her. I run the place..I find the wands..." she winced, "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it...Risking my life for them. Then I deal with Coailiann and I'm sure it's not," her silver eyes gleamed, "But I do it anyway."

That should answer Lu's question, no?

Yes, I've been able to since..Since I was born. It makes it easier since it is hard to speak out loud. It's hard to grasp how to form words.

Coailiann beamed at the green eyed boy, her own gleaming in the light as she took a step closer and sat down on the grass, Sit?

She was happy. She hadn't been pushed away as she had been with Yashima the first time!

Lu blinked. Found wands? Risked her life? And she thought feeding on hardened criminals was dangerous. "They come from wands and you risk your life for them? Do they repay you in any way?" Looking over at the white-haired child, she pondered this. "She does not make it worth it? Callix is becoming more and more selfish, but... I think it's worth it. Who else would they have, if not for us?"

Since you were born, you could speak in the mind? I could not do such things. I had a power once... but I think it went away. I can't call it again. In accordance with her suggestion, Callix sat down in the shade of the tree.

He spread his wings momentarily. I can't even fly. He sighed.

"Sometimes she does. When she's not levitating wooden spoons and apples at my head...Or being possessive and trying to annoy her sisters, she's a dream. I think she's bipolar or something. I don't know how else to explain it." she gave a small shrug of her shoulders then.

"They...They are meant to have a second chance at life. Their previous one? They died in a horrible way. Not even I know how they died, but...My daughter, Matilda, was burned at the stake for being a witch. She was the first of them. She's the one who cast the spell to save the rest. We have a wyvern and a succubus and a kitsune..." she smiled, "And about twenty or so more."

I think I too had power once. But I don't remember. I cannot remember no matter how I try. I hear the adults talking about it. Past life. Died horribly. I cannot remember...

She looked distant for a moment before resting her white-haired head on his shoulder. She had a tendancy of doing that. It was comfortable. I think I am missing my wings. You will fly some day, maybe?

"My god..." Lu breathed, shocked. They all died horribly. How tragic. Did the Fa'e all die tragically as well? Suddenly, she was glad she knew nothing about Callix's past. She knew nothing about how he died, what he did or who he was. She didn't want to know. Not now. "I...I'm sure they're all glad you're saving them. Each and every one of them, even if they can't tell you now."

Quietly, she added, "One day, they'll thank you."

Missing your wings? What kind of wings did you have before? Again, something about coming back from some place far away. He wasnted to ask Lu about it, since all the adults would speak about it, but he didn't know all the words. He cursed being young.

I cannot remember anything either. A shadow comes to talk to me sometimes, but it doesn't make sense. Coming back is annoying sometimes.

"I'm sure. Matilda thinks there will be another war. Like the one between the People of Thought and Dream."

Not many people knew of that. It had been wiped from so many people's memories she wasn't even sure if anyone outside of her and her daughter remembered, "But, I'm glad they get a second chance to live."

I am a fairy, a.... Coailiann's face scrunched as she tried to remember what her mother called her. Ah, that was it! I'm a sidhe. So I think I had fairy wings like those pretty pictures of the tiny girls. But I am smaller then everyone else...And it took me long time to walk. New to walking...Why I fell.

Coailiann's fingers skimmed the green grass, It makes me wonder if I am slow. If I am not right.

Then he said something about a shadow, Shadow? I have no such shadow. Dreams. Bad dreams, yes. Shadow, no. What does Shadow say?

"A war? That sounds horrible. I hope nothing bad happens. Maybe it's all just a rumor or something. Maybe it won't happen?" If there was, indeed, a war on the horizon, she would want to help. But she knew she couldn't. She could only help against a human threat, and even then, if they knew, would anyone want a maneater near them?

Callix sighed, looking down at his feet. The shadow worried him. It said things that he really didn't like. It asks me things. Comes to me in the window, in the fog. Asks me if I am happy. I try to talk to it, but it won't answer.

Fairy wings? Maybe she could fly one day too! You will get your wings back, yes? Then you could fly. Maybe we could fly together? I am still too young to fly.

Ianna shrugged yet again. Something she seemed to do a lot lately, "The humans do not like creatures of magic. I feel unrest again." even though Ianna wasn't really magic, she wasn't really human either. She was tied to magic. And she had certain skills she had gained when she had found Matilda.

Coailiann patted him gently, Are you happy? I am, most of the time. Do not like my sisters much. Take attention away. Gardens are the best. You should come to my gardens some time...

At the mention of her wings she brightened considerably, If not, maybe you could carry me when you can fly. But maybe I will get my wings back. It would be nice.

Lu shook her head. To her, most humans were food. Most humans were evil. And if what Ianna was saying was true, humans were ignorant as well. "Unrest. If there are humans that come to harm your children, you can always call me. I have certain...skills to deal with humans."

Callix turned his head and smiled at her. Times like these, I am happy. I am happy with girls. Girls do not smell bad or makes mean faces or hit each other. That is what makes me happy. The shadow doesn't think so, though. I don't know why.

At the thought of flight, he nodded. Yes. I will carry you, if I can fly before you get your wings back. We could fly to your garden.

"That offer's very appriciated," the silver eyed woman smiled warmly before looking over at Coailiann and Callix, "They are very cute. They get along nicely, which is strange for Coailiann."

Coailiann gave a little happy bounce as she looked up at him, I do not mind boys, but Yashi, my friend, does not like girls. Except me. I am special, I think. But if you are happy you shouldn't let the shadow bother you. It is just a shadow.

Kay reached out and picked a daisy, handing it over to Callix, I would like to fly with you. It would be fun and something new. Adventure is fun. She paused then, feeling Ianna look at her, I think our mothers like eachother.

Luciel looked over at Callix, blinking. He was always happy with girls. Never a boy, regardless of their age. She wondered if it was all an act, of he genuinely liked the company of each girl he'd taken a liking to. "They do. Callix is always at his best when girls are around. With the exception of me. He doesn't like me."

Callix nodded. You are right. I shouldn't let the shadow bother me. It is too rude to ruin my day. At the mention of her friend, a male, he stiffened ever so slightly. You are special, yes. Yashi is nice to you?

The Incubus Fa'e looked up to see his Guardian watching them and gave her his standard glare. My mother is dumb. Maybe she thinks your mother is food and that is why she likes her.

"Coailiann likes to levitate things at my head," Ianna laughed, "I think it's pounded into our children's minds to dislike us. I disliked my mother when I was little. Who knows what really goes on in their minds until they're teenagers. And then you can't get them to shut up..."

Coailiann noticed the shift in attitude and pulled away lightly, still offering the flower to him. Hoping he'd take it, Yashi is nice to me. He got angry when I got him muddy, though. I was making pies.

A childish giggle could be heard from the sidhe then as she wiggled about in the grass to get comfortable before a confused expression crossed her face, How can my mother be food?

She laughed then. "I never knew my mother, but despite that, I still hate her. I guess you're right. I never thought about it that way." She laughed again, the vibration felt good. She hadn't laughed in a long time. "But as long as Coailiann doesn't hurt you, I suppose it's all good, right? I'm glad Callix can't move things with his mind..."

The young boy took the flower after Kay had explained that her friend was, at least, nice to her. He turned the flower in his hands, wondering why it felt so odd to recieve a flower from a girl. Wasn't it the other way around? As long as Yashi is nice to you, I am happy.

How could he word his Guardian's condition? He couldn't really think of a delicate way to put it. Mom eats people. Not nice people. She thinks I don't know, but I saw her come home once. Your mom is nice, so she's fine.

"She's conked me a few times during her tantrums. She had an awful temper and I swear when she gets older we're going to need to build a bomb shelter to save ourselves..." she spun around a little bit, wind blowing through her hair, "Those who have telepathic powers are hard to live with. You're very lucky, Lu."

Coailiann smiled at the fact he took the flower. She would have been offended if he hadn't, since she rarely gave the precious pretty things she found away. Which is the reason her white hair was full of colorful blossoms. I don't have many friends. Yashi and that is about it. I am the oldest. All others are not born yet. Others like me. They are ghosts....

She wrinkled her nose then, Eat people? Does not sound appetizing. Chocolate and apples are appetizing.... Speaking of chocolate! Coailiann pushed her hands into the pockets of her dress and pulled out half a candy bar, holding it out, Do you like chocolate? I love apples but I have none or I'd share.

...Did Coailiann just offer to share apples? That was a miracle.

"I suppose you're right. I couldn't imagine Callix with mental powers. He'd probably fling chairs at me when I don't give him a bath when he wants one. Oh dear." Just the mental image itself was more than entertaining. A child shrieking in French, throwing chairs with his mind.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. He thought he had lots of friends, with all the girls he met since his coming back. Why hadn't she? You are a ghost? But you are solid and I can touch you... To demonstrate this, he reached a hand to delicately touch her face. She was real.

At the mention of food though, he looked intruiged. Chocolate? I've never had chocolate. What is it? He gingerly took a piece and popped it into his mouth, chewing carefully. It tasted wonderful! Lu must get more of this...

Ianna burst out laughing, shuddering a little bit, "Chairs? And I thought wooden spoons and flying fruit were bad. I swear, she'd turn you into a human fruit salad if you didn't give her what she wanted..."

Coailiann giggled softly as her face was touched, My kind. We go through stages. We were trapped in a wand, our spirits. We cannot come out as babies. It would hurt. Our essence comes out as a wisp. Then a more solid baby ghost. Smoke. Then we solidify into babies. She nodded her head then, thinking it at least gave a decent explanation.

It made sense to her, I did not go through those stages. I came from wand to baby. It hurt...Bad. But I'm okay now...You can have all the chocolate if you want. I can get more.

"Remind me never to anger little Coailiann. If she gets older, she'll be tossing bricks and such. I'd be very afraid." Lu managed between giggles.

Callix nodded to her explanation. It sort of made sense, in an abstract sort of way. Wand to baby? He got lost about there, but she was alive and well now, and that was all that mattered, right? I don't know where we came from. I never asked. I should, though.

He munched more on the chocolate. Thank you. I really like this chocolate. I must get my Guardian to get more. Your mother allows you to have good things like chocolate?

"Hell, don't anger her NOW..." Ianna giggled, pushing her glasses which were slipping up on the bridge of her nose.

Coailiann nodded her head then, Yes, maybe you should. It is nice to know where you come from. I do not know why I was trapped in a wand or reborn. But I am glad I was. I would not have met you, Callix. I'm glad to have a new friend.

Coailiann scanned around for more flowers, finding a few and picking them to put in her hair, Mother does. My daddy does not. He makes me eat grown-up healthy food other than apples and chocolate. He says I cannot survive on them alone. I think he is stupid.

"Jeez, I'll be careful around her, then! I'd like to keep my skull intact!" Another fit of giggles.

The Incubus Fa'e tilted his head, curiously wondering where he and the rest of the Fa'e came from. If he had come from a wand, he was sure he'd know. Or Lu would have told him. Or it would have been laying around somewhere. And I am glad to have a new friend too. he said with a smile.

Healthy food is no fun. Lu likes to feed me carrots, but I think peaches and fruit are much better. Carrots are not sweet. Not the way she makes them. She can't cook very well. His face curled up as he was reminded of the cabbage incident.

"Yes, she likes to throw fruit. Preferrably, apples. Which is her favorite food on the planet other than chocolate..."

Coailiann reached out and poked Callix lightly, Friends are good. It's so easy to get lonely when everyone else is unable to talk. My little sister Kishi came from a wand as well. She is annoying. And can't talk.

The little girl giggled at the healthy food comment, My daddy says that mommy's cooking would cure the world of disease because everyone would be dead. Our mothers are much alike. So are we. Do you like apples?

"Chocolate... I try to keep Callix away from too much sugar. I'm afraid he'll go insane or something and demand it all the time. And... wouldn't it seem counterproductive to throw one's own favorite food?" Another giggle.

Callix blinked at Kay when she poked him. It is. No one understands. That is why I cannot wait to grow up. That way, everyone can understand me. And you. It's annoying, being small. Callix sighed slightly. Too bad he didn't have control over such things. I have a baby sister too. She cam from Mom's stomach. I think she's a disease. She smells like one.

Peaches are my favorite fruit. Or strawberries. Apples are very good though. Red or green?

"Well, I think Kay just shared her chocolate bar with him..." Ianna winced a little bit and looked apologetically at her new friend, "She always has some kind of chocolate or apples within her grasp..."

But I understand now. You can always talk to me, even when we are far away. You just need to think for me. I will be there if I can be. I promise. Coailiann smiled a little bit, then laughed, Baby sisters ARE disease....

A long pause I like any kind of apples. Mom says I'm addicted.

Lu heaved a heavy sigh. "Oh lord. Now he'll demand chocolate AND peaches. Lovely. More things I need to get for him. Children can be such work sometimes..."

Think of you? All I need to do to speak with you with my mind is to think of you? That sounds easy enough. he said with a smile. It's good to know that someone else can understand me while I'm this small. Let's hope that one day, we can speak to each other with words.

Addicted? What is...addicted?

"Children are. But they're worth it sometimes, I think." Ianna nodded her head and then sighed, "I really am sorry, I don't think she knows what she does sometimes. That, or she's trying to give me a heart attack."

Coailiann nodded her head, Mmhmm, At least, that's how it works with me. I would hope it worked that way with you too. I think that we will speak to eachother in real words someday. She smiled brightly, wiggling her finger teasingly, If I can understand your French.

She paused at the question, though, scrunching her face, I don't know. I don't think it's good though.

"Yes, they are always worth it. It's just times like these that make us question it." Lu tossed a glance at them both, making sure Callix wasn't doing anything that could get him hurt, or to piss Coailiann off.

Callix gave a soft laugh and wiggled his fingers. Don't worry. I am trying to learn English. It's a hard language, though. Even though mom speaks it, it's hard to understand exactly what she means. That's why she uses a lot of gestures with me. That way I can't get confused. I know some English, though.

Ianna looked over with Lu, "I think they're getting along like peanut butter and jelly. What race, other than Fae, is Callix?"

Coailiann nibbled on her lower lip, reaching around for another flower to play with, I can help you, when I can talk better. If you would like me to. It is not too hard for me...Just my mouth doesn't want to cooperate with my brain, it seems. So annoying being little. I can't wait til we're bigger. And you can fly with me.

Lu tapped her chin. "I really don't know beyond Fa'e. I mean, I do believe he's some sort of demon, but I can't be entirely sure. I suppose, as he grows older, it will be easier to tell. What is Coailiann, other than a Ghost?"

The redhead nodded. I know how that goes. We will be able to fly together some day. Don't worry. When you get your wings back and when mine become strong enough to support me. I'll come find you. And we could fly to your garden and get more chocolate. He giggled at that last part. Chocolate was wonderful.

"Coailiann is a Sidhe. An Irish faerie...What confuses me is that she doesn't have wings..." she shrugged lightly as she watched the children, "His wings look like my other daughter's, Kishi. She's a succubus. Coailiann hates her..."

Joining in with the giggling, Coailiann placed the last flower she could find in her hair and nibbled on some chocolate, Yes! That sounds wonderful! Chocolate and flying. And Apple Pie! Pie is good.... Coailiann tilted her head and looked intently, silent for a long while.

Do the flowers make me look pretty?

"Succubus?" Luciel stilled. "My mother...is a succubus. Perhaps Callix is the male version? The Incubus? That was always a possibility, but I can't be sure now. How do you know your other daughter is a succubus for sure? Don't many demons have leather wings?" She really did want to know if there was some sort of defining feature among these particular demons.

Everything makes you look pretty. Callix replied simply. Pie is also very good. Lu made one once, out of one of those easy, oven ones. She didn't have to do anything to it besides put it in the oven to bake. It was cherry.

"My eldest daughter. She tells me...So does the book," she almost stopped there, but then remembered that Lu didn't know what the book was, "It is what tells the guardians which wand is theirs. Sometimes it states where it's from. But sometimes it says the species. He may be an incubus. But why would his wings be white? I guess it is a mystery."


A pleasured blush touched her fair cheeks, Well, you sure have a way with words mister Callix. Even if it's just mindspeak... She giggled and leaned against the tree, I don't think my mom could make even one of those. My dad makes the food, or the fridge does. I like the fridge. All I have to do is think about what I want and it's in there. It's neat. You should come over and we could get you a lot of chocolate and peaches.

"Yes, I really don't know why his wings are white. My mother's are red. I'm not sure of the consistency with wings color but... I suppose I'll know as he grows. Maybe one day he'll be able to tell me himself."

A delicate smile traced his lips. You have a magical fridge? And it makes as much chocolate and apples as you want? I think I might have to see this! And you again, of course.

"Aye, I'm sure he will..." a thought dawned on her then - she had left Malen alone. In the Headquarters. With the children.

Dear god.

"I...Think I should go. Coailiann's father's alone with the other children and I'm afraid he may corrupt them," she cracked a small smile, "Now if I can get Coailiann away from your boy...Coailiann! Time to go home!"

Coailiann looked up at her mother and narrowed her eyes, "No!" she called, her hand instantly going over to Callix's and clinging, "No no no! No!"

She didn't want to leave her new friend! NO!

Ianna sighed and made her way over to the toddler, reaching down to pick her up. Unfortunately - Coailiann had other plans. She wiggled about and landed promptly in Callix's lap, clinging, "No!" she said again, more adament this time.

Ianna sighed, "Fine. No more apple pie, no more chocolate, and you'll never see Callix again."

Coailiann stared at her mother, tears appearing in her green eyes. She knew she wasn't lying. Reluctantly, she unwound herself from the red head and looked at him sorrowfully, I guess I have to go. Please see me again some time. Callix. Friend.

She reached up for Ianna then, being picked up by a very annoyed mother.

"Lu, this is the address of where I live, the number's on there as well. I think Coailiann would kill me if I didn't give it to you," she handed her a card with her free hand, holding Coailiann on her hip with the other.

Callix grew irate as well. Who allowed this to happen? "Mais! Mais non!" he cried in his strange language, his Guardian knowing it meant something along the lines of 'what do you think you're doing?!'. She knelt to scoop up the squirming toddler, who threw out his hands towards his new friend. But to no avail.

Lu greatfully took the address and bowed as best she could. "Thank you very much, Miss Ianna. I'm sure these two will meet again. Please take care, and make sure the sanity of those poor children remains intact!" Another giggled escaped her lips.

"It was very nice to meet you!"

I'll see you again, Coailiann! I promise! Callix called out with his mind. I'll see you again!

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Callix RP