|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:14 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:29 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:39 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:40 pm
More Scribbles Huni Pi Well it looks like Paestri's on a scribble binge again. I can't say I find this disturbing, really. It's actually more interesting than anything. I bet when she gets older, she'll be an artist of sorts. Stuck on the Fridge with Magnets
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:36 am
Small But Terrible.
Paestri had snuck into Avitus' room, well, not really snuck in, more like wandered in and found the door wasn't closed properly. She squealed softly at this discovery, it meant she would get a chance to look at the new little person up close. Quietly, she padded over to where the Feien was napping and simply peered at him.
Avitus was sleeping, one of the few things he actually liked and wasn't adverse to. While he didn't dream he was calm and at peace and had nothing to complain about. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that disturbing Avitus from his naps was nothing short of committing high treason. Especially when he was disturbed in order to become 'friends' with him.
Paestri, oblivious to Avitus' disposition, began to poke the Feien's wings. They were very soft to the touch, but the exact texture was new to her. Of course with all the stroking and poking, she was expecting the Feien to wake up any moment now. She'd apologize to him and he'll accept her apology, after all everyone else did.
The juvenile wasn't like everyone else. The moment he noticed he was being prodded and examined his bi-colored eyes flew open and he lashed out with his nails. They dug into flesh and with a snarl, he sank them deeper.
Paestri yelped in surprise and pain, it didn't hurt all that much really. It was similar to being bitten by an ant. But to an infant who was unaccustomed to hostile beings, it was terrifying. Her lungs expanded in preparation to release a very rare wail.
Avitus joined in the screaming as Paestri's keening hurt his ears. He opted to drown out the pink-girl's yells with his own, and soon both of their shouts could be heard from downstairs.
Linneas burst into the room in alarm, "What's wrong? What's going on? Pae, are you hurt? Avi did you see what happened?" he was spouting questions in rapid succession, giving the Feien no chance to respond.
Paestri buried her face into Linneas' chest as she continued to sob. Avitus tasted horrible, just horrible! And she babbled about how awful the little winged thing was.
About damn time someone came in to shut the little brat up. Avitus glared at Paestri then at Linneas for not watching his little sister better. "Was woken from my nap." he answered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:01 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:49 pm
Quest Time
On an impromptu trip to the opening of a large bakery in the city, M. Paestri wanders away from her chaperone. Why she does is clear only to her. Perhaps a tantalizing smell or some half-forgotten memory of her own time working magic in a kitchen.
But the why of her decision becomes less important as she ends up locked inside a large walk-in cooler off the main kitchen. The cooler is not only quite cold, but dark with the door closed. The only light trickles in through a small window high in the door. Additionally, the room is basically sound-proof, making it impossible for anyone to hear Paestri.
The large crowds at the bakery make it difficult to locate clues to Paestri's location once it is noticed she has gone missing. It is several long hours (which feel much longer to Paestri) before anyone thinks to try and get access to the kitchen to look for her there.
What is Paestri thinking while she is trapped in the cooler? Does she try to escape? To signal for help? Does her locket reveal another episode from her past?
Whatever happens to her on the way to and inside the cooler in the time it takes to find her traumatizes M. Paestri severly. When removed she is frightened and crying - not the happy and friendly child everyone knows.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:00 pm
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part One
Huni was in the kitchen browsing through the newspaper, reading up on the recent political crisis involving Gino and Ian. It wasn't entirely recent, granted it had happened in the earlier portion of this month, but it still seemed to garner some interest in the public. She sighed in boredom, she wasn't one for politics, thinking it to be a tad too complicated for her limited capacity to think.
She had already finished with the comics section and the editorials, she might as well read the business section. Certainly not because she was going to consider investing in anything, but she might as well. As she scanned the articles, she noticed a write up about the opening of a new Bakery somewhere in Barton.
Perhaps she should go and take a look? It's not like she wasn't going to stop buying from her usual bakery (she had already established good credit there), but with the promises of cake decorating classes and free simple baking lessons the red-head couldn't resist. The bakery even had its own mascot, a large over-sized Muffin creature that Huni was certain Paestri would love to see.
It was settled, Huni was going to visit this new bakery and bring Paestri with her. And she might as well pick up some things while she's there, the pantry was getting rather depleted.
"Linneas, could you watch over the shop for me while Pae and I go out?" Huni called out.
"Sure mom." Came the reply from upstairs.
The red-head smiled in satisfaction and got up to prepare Paestri for their little shopping trip. She found the little Legend in her room doodling away on some paper.
Alerted to her guardian's presence Paestri peered up and grinned. She picked up her recent 'master piece' and showed it proudly to her mama. "Loo'eeee!!!" She beamed.
"Oh how pretty, we should celebrate this! Does Paestri want to go with mama and look at nummy nums?" Huni couldn't stop the infant talk with Paestri, she was just too adorable.
The Legend nodded and clapped in delight, she loved looking at food! Even more when she got to eat them. The last time they had gone out, her mama ended up getting her a fairly large amount of goodies. It was only natural she'd want another trip like that one.
"Okie, let's get you dressed and washed up before we go. Mmmkay?" Huni smiled as she gathered Paestri into her arms before pretending to 'eat' her hands.
The Legend squealed and giggled and planted several wet kisses on her mama's cheeks. Today promised to be a very good day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:03 pm
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part Two Children were squealing in delight, their little feet carrying them from one end of the room to the other. Parents were juggling between their desperate attempts at controlling said children and browsing through the large bakery's enormous selection.
There were two shelves dedicated to pies alone. Pocket pies, savory pocket pies, dessert pocket pies, frozen pocket pies to be heated for snack time, frozen pocket pies that were served after meals. Apple pies, blueberry pies, banana cream pies, pies with whipped toppings, pie crusts, meat pies, chicken pies, tuna fish pies. The choices seemed endless.
Which sort of puts into perspective why Huni and Paestri were just standing in front of the shelves staring up in a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"So. Many. Pies." Huni whispered in reverence.
"Ya." Paestri agreed in the same breathy voice.
Huni had to practically tear her eyes away from the mouth watering sight in order to turn her attention to Paestri. "Now Pae, we can't order anything yet. I might not have brought enough money with me." she explained but doubted whether or not Paestri undertsood the concept of money. "Let's look at what else is here, mmkay?"
"Oooookaaaaaaay~" Paestri nodded without really comprehending what her mama was talking about. Huni took her by the hand and led her away from all the pies.
"So, where to next?" Huni asked as she looked around at the other displays. She felt herself being tugged towards the area where demonstrations and lessons were being held. They squeezed their way past a throng of curious shoppers until the scent of freshly made cakes, breads, cookies and muffins was heavy in the air.
"Mmmm, smells nummy, doesn't it Pae?" Huni sighed dreamily, her eyes tapering into jovial slits.
Paestri shared the sentiments; the corners of her own mouth were curved upwards in a blissful smile. Her icing pink eyes widened as she saw a Muffin approaching them. Her mouth hung open as she pointed at what she first thought to be an apparition. Was this another vision that her locket wished for her to see?
"Wat dat?!" she squeaked, clinging close to her mama for protection.
"Hmm? Oh look Pae, it's the bakery's mascot Murvin the Muffin!" Huni declared with a grin.
Murvin the Muffin was, as his name explicitly states, a muffin. An oversized chocolate muffin with an assortment of toppings ranging from chopped nuts to candy sprinkles to a dollop of whipped cream. Sewn onto the muffin top was a pair of eyes whose irises wiggled and jiggled beneath a clear, dome-like plastic cover. A large grinning mouth had been cut out several inches below the eyes, which served as the only means of sight and airway for the person inside the costume.
It also occurred to the designer of Murvin that for a food product to be anthropomorphized properly, it would need a pair of arms and legs. Granted this would also allow the person wearing the costume an easier means of interaction and getting around the bakery, it still gave Murvin an unappealing cartoony feel. His oversized white gloves held dozens of strings which reached upwards to the ceiling, thanks to the balloons they were tied to.
Now, an older child wouldn't have much difficulty in running up to greet Murvin. Paestri, on the other hand, seemed absolutely terrified of this muffin monstrosity. And in all honesty, so was Huni. When she read about Murvin in the paper, she was expecting something cute like the Pillzbury Doughboi.
"Do you want a balloon, Paestri?" Huni asked, obviously she did not see the unmitigated terror in the Legend's eyes. If she had, she would have known that no amount of balloons or toys would manage to convince Paestri to go near Murvin.
"NO! NONONONONONONONOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Paestri screamed, burying her face against Huni's pant leg while wrapping her arms around it.
Huni crimsoned in embarrassment at Paestri's sudden tantrum. She scooped up the toddler into her arms to calm her down. "What is it? Pae no like balloons anymore?" the Gaian asked.
"Dat scaly!" Paestri cried, gesturing to Murvin as much as she could without actually looking at him. Huni had learned earlier on that Paestri tended to turn her r's into l's and once she exchanged the letters she understood what the Legend was saying.
"Okay, okay so we won't get a balloon from the scary Murvin. We'll just look at how they make a cake pretty instead. Mmmkay?"
"You plomis?" Paestri sniffled, icing pink eyes searching Huni's jade ones for anything suspicious.
"Yes, I 'plomis' we won't go near Murvin. And if we do, I'll tell you to close your eyes so he won't see you." Huni chuckled, as they headed for the cubicles a few feet behind Murvin.
Despite their attempts at avoiding the mascot, Murvin still ambled towards them and insisted they take a balloon. Paestri instantly covered her eyes, and as an extra precaution she buried her face into the crook of Huni's neck.
"Awww, the widdle cutie doesn't want a bawoon?" Murvin cooed through the costume.
"My little girl is rather shy, so I'll just take one for her. Wouldn't want to keep you from the other children." Huni hinted, suppressing a shudder as she stared at the lacquered plastic eyes.
"Okiedokie, here y'go."
Once Murvin finally went away to terrorize the other children, Huni handed the balloon to Paestri. "Now hold onto it tightly, wouldn't want it flying away and needing Murvin to give us another one."
Paestri's eyes widened at the very thought and clenched her fingers tightly around the string.
"Oooo lookie Pae, cakes!" Huni cooed when they finally arrived at the demonstration booths. "Their next free class starts in five minutes! Wanna try it, Pae?"
"Ya! Ya!" the Legend nodded, eager to discover the mysteries and wonders of cake decorating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:11 am
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part Three
"Can I help you, ladies?" A woman in a dark blue blazer asked upon her approach.
"Ah, yes, uh we were wondering where we sign up for the free demonstration?" Huni replied a little nervously. The woman she was speaking didn't seem very friendly.
"You may sign up here, however your child may not participate as young children tends to distract our instructors. We will be having a junior seminar in a few months once we've finalized the curriculum." Came the woman's bored response.
"But where is Paestri supposed to stay?" Huni blinked, realizing more and more she did not like this woman or the way she was handling the situation.
"We have set up a play area for the younger children." A shrug was meant to direct Huni's attention towards the location.
The red-head felt it wasn't right to see the demonstration unless Paestri could come. With a sigh she lowered Paestri to the floor and started to lead the little girl away.
Before they got too far away, Paestri got a whiff of something very familiar and she began to tug at Huni's arm. "Nooooooooo..." she whined, planting her feet firmly on the ground. Of course it didn't take long for Huni to notice the pink Legend's state of resistance.
"What is it, sweetie? You want to look at something? You hungry?" Huni asked, there were very few things that could cause Paestri to throw a tantrum.
"Der! Der!" Paestri decreed, gesturing towards the play area. In all actuality it was the doors near the play area that Paestri was looking at, but of course Huni assumed it to be the play area itself and reluctantly went back to the unfriendly woman.
"Would it be possible for my little girl to stay in the play area for a while?" Huni asked, she'd just keep an eye on the Legend from outside.
"I'm sorry miss, but only the children of employees and those who have signed up for the demonstrations may use the play area." She responded in the same uninterested tone.
"Leche naman itong bruhang ito..." Huni muttered through a grin. She couldn't help herself, she just had to express her thoughts, and what better way than in a language she was certain the woman wouldn't understand?
The woman blinked at Huni curiously before handing the woman a sheet with several names written on it. "Just sign here, and you can escort your child onto the premises. The demonstration starts in two minutes, so you'd better hurry."
"Alright, thank you. C'mon Pae." Huni instructed as Legend and Guardian headed for the large enclosed area where other children were playing.
"Hi! I'm Bobby!" a young man enthusiastically greeted.
"Hi! I'm Gabby!" a young woman followed after.
"And we're here to watch over your little ones while you learn the fantastic wonders and mysteries of the bakery's lessons!" they declared in unison.
If appearing out of no where wasn't enough to scare Huni and Paestri, the cartoon version of Murvin printed on their matching shirts could certainly do the trick.
"Uh, hello Bobby, Gabby, this is Paestri and-" Huni began but was cut off as Bobby literally began to push her towards the demonstration area.
"And you're going to be late, fret not ma'am. Your little girl will have the most entertaining and educational and enjoyable time here under our supervision." Bobby chattered excitedly.
"We're going to have such fun fun fun!" Gabby echoed as she ushered Paestri away. "Say bye bye to mommy but don't worry she'll be back in an hour. An hour is sixty minutes long. And a minute is sixty seconds long. Hey, that's math!"
Paestri couldn't understand a word Gabby was saying, the young woman might as well be speaking in gibberish for all she knew. She clutched tightly at the balloon and glanced back. Only to see her mama being led somewhere by the hyperactive Bobby.
"Mama?" Paestri squeaked, but her fears were soon calmed.
It wasn't the sight of so many other kids playing, running, and laughing with each other. Nor was it the coloring books and crayons scattered all over the floor. It wasn't a sight of any sort but this warm, delicious aroma the came from the door just beside the play area. It was inexplicable, the way the wooden portals swung back and forth to reveal a darkness that was more familiar than frightening.
"Oh, let me hold that for you," Gabby offered, seizing the balloon from the toddler's hands and effectively interrupting Paestri's thoughts. "Wouldn't want this to pop and make a loud noise that'll scare everyone else. After all, being scared is no fun and what we want everyone here to have is fun fun fun!" The young woman cheered, throwing her arm wide as if she would be able to embrace the entire play area. Given Gabby's energy levels, Paestri didn't doubt the possibility.
"But..." she stammered, then shuddered upon seeing the Murvin print on Gabby's shirt. Gabby could have the balloon, she could have all the balloons in the entire world just as long as she goes away and soon!
"I'll just put this away, in the meantime go and look around and have fun fun fun with everyone!" And Paestri was nudged towards the other children.
She had tried to play with the other children, truly she did. However she was unable to ignore the pulling, almost demanding, scent emanating from the doors. Was it all a coincidence?
Her locket grew warm.
That was enough to prove to Paestri that she just had to go see what was behind those doors, what was in the darkness that called out to her. Now all she had to figure out was how she could escape from the eagle eyes of Gabby and Bobby. The two seemed to be everywhere; it was both uncanny and unnerving.
"Okay kids, Bobby's gonna go get you some nummy and healthy snacks while I get ready for a happy-happy fun-fun-fun song!" Gabby squealed in exaggerated delight.
"And if you're all good little boys and girls, Murvin might even come by and play with us! Won't that be swell?" Bobby joined with the same enthusiasm. The pair soon split up to fulfill their tasks, and while Gabby was momentarily preoccupied with the other children Paestri slipped out of the play area.
Quietly, but quickly, she toddled towards the source of the scent, walking past a sign that read "Employees Only" and arriving before a door. The scent came from behind those doors, and with the softest touch of her fingers they swung open. Paestri breathed in the smell and stepped into the darkness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:12 am
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part Four The first thing Paestri noticed aside from the overwhelming lack of light was the chill of the room. While not cold enough to freeze water or create frost, it was certainly colder than what the Legend was accustomed to. It took a few moments for her to become accustomed to the meager light that came from the few bulbs burning dimly.
In there was where the aroma was at its most pungent state. The Legend coughed and sputtered as she learned the mistake of inhaling sharply inside that room. To breathe in too deeply and too suddenly was akin to trying to breathe under water.
The calming smell soon bordered on being suffocating and Paestri's senses grew too overwhelmed for her to notice the door had closed. It was the audible click of the lock snapping into place that garnered her attention. She spun round on her heels and teetered slightly off-balance before steadying herself again.
Her hands ran over the smooth and very cold door as she called out for help. Soon her yells were accompanied the sound of her fists pounding the door; shouldn't that have been enough to draw Gabby and Bobby's attention? Or anyone else's for that matter. She kept this up for nearly half an hour before she slid to her knees in defeat.
Maybe there was another way out of here. Off she went to explore the cold room she was trapped in. Her eyes noticed the walls were covered with shelves, and in these shelves were raw ingredients. She recognized some of them: flour, eggs, chocolate chips, the others she had never seen before. Had she?
The farther away she walked from the door, the colder the air became and the colder the air became the more frightened she grew. She shivered as she felt the chill seep into her bones; was it from the temperature or was it from her fear? She could no longer smell the aroma, not that it brought any comfort with it. Her hands absently reached for her locket, drawing it out from beneath her dress. There had to be a reason it grew warm earlier and why it was still warm to the touch.
The toddler wasn't too concerned about the reasons as she was more preoccupied with warming herself. She pressed the metallic surface to her cheeks, relishing the heat that radiated from it. She sighed in momentary contentment, letting the warmth spread throughout her skin before returning her attention to her situation.
Icing-pink eyes scanned the area ahead; wherever she was it looked like it went on forever. What if she never finds a way out? How can her mama make good cookies without her? Who would make pictures for her mama to pin on the refrigerator? No, she had to get out. She just had to!
She saw movement at the end of the long hallway. Did that mean she wasn't alone? Maybe that was another door leading outside. With renewed determination her pace increased to a brisk walk, and eventually broke into a run. There were things littered on the floor, a sack of flour that had been misplaced, a tin of powdered sugar that had rolled off its shelf, an empty carton of milk that someone forgot to dispose of. Whatever it was, Paestri didn't see it and tripped.
Her breath caught as she saw the floor suddenly approaching her.
The object she stumbled on ricocheted against the other things on the shelves, causing a hail of raw ingredients. Many of the heavy items thudded harmlessly a good distance away from the Legend, but others such as eggs, half-open tetra packs of cream, and bottles of syrup showered upon the little girl.
Paestri was soaked, and sticky, and cold. She heard glass shatter and instinctively covered her head and face. She felt her hands sting slightly, felt the trickle of warm blood seeping out of her wounds. They were shallow and no different from those that children get when they scrape their knees on the sidewalk. But Paestri doesn't know this, and she thinks they're lethal.
----------------------------------------------
Meanwhile in the play area, Gabby and Bobby just realized they were short one child.
"Where's the little pink one who owns the balloon?" Gabby asked Bobby as they watched the other children harass Murvin.
"Wasn't she picked up by her mom?" Bobby countered.
"No, I thought she was just hiding from Murvin, lots of kids seem to do that." Gabby was beginning to sound nervous as their conversation went on.
"But if she isn't with her mom and she's not with us..." Bobby trailed off.
"Uh-"
"-Oh."
"Charlie! Get over here!" Gabby shrieked at the mascot.
Charlie, the man inside the Murvin costume, gratefully ran towards the two. "What is it?"
"We've got a missing kid. Her mom's at the baking demonstration so we have to find the kid before she comes back." The young woman explained.
"And according to that clock, we only have five minutes before it ends!" Bobby yells, working himself into a fit of hysteria.
"Calm down, man!" Charlie orders and slaps Bobby sharply. "You two go look for her, and I'll distract the mom. What does she look like?"
"I don't remember very well, there were a lot of kids with moms and I don't remember ohgodohgodohgodohgod I'm going to get fired!!!" Bobby sobbed.
"Bobby, don't make me hit you." Gabby threatened, and something in her eyes made it clear she was highly experienced in b***h-slapping people into next week. "Charlie the mom was a red-head and the kid was dark skinned with really cutesie pink hair. You gave her a balloon."
"I gave lots of kids balloons, but I think I remember them. Both the mom and the kid seemed scared of the costume. Not that I blame them..."
"Good, you keep her preoccupied once the class ends and Bobby will stay here to watch the other kids. I'll go look for her."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:50 am
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part Five
Huni thought the class would never end, not that she wasn't having fun but she was worried about her little girl. Alright so she was worried about what influence Gabby and Bobby would have over Paestri, but she could hardly blame herself for thinking that way. There was just something not quite right with those two.
As she headed for the play area, who should block her way but the ever annoying, ever frightening mascot Murvin the muffin. She side-stepped to the left, and Murvin mirrored her by side-stepped to the right. With a shake of her head she side-stepped to the right, and Murving side-stepped to the left.
"Excuse me, please." Huni said tersely as she glared at the mascot.
Charlie didn't want to do this, but he didn't want his friends getting into trouble. Not to mention having a hysterical mother on the bakery's grand opening wouldn't make for good press.
"I'm pleased to inform you ma'am that you just won a free tour of the facilities courtesy of- of-" Charlie had to think fast, "Of the Entertainment Council. Yes, the Entertainment Council!"
Huni just stared at Murvin in a mixture of digust and disbelief. "Thanks but no thanks, now please get out of my way."
"I can't let you do that ma'am because..."
"Because?" She growled.
"Because if you don't come with me I lose my job." Charlie whispered. He didn't think he'd have to stoop to the level of lying, but it seemed Huni wasn't in the mood to be charmed. He hoped to God this woman had a healthy concept of guilt.
Huni's expression softened, a second ago she was ready to deck the costumed man but hearing this made her more considerate. She peered around him, jade eyes staring at the play area. She assumed Paestri was in good hands, and while Gabby and Bobby seemed weird they were probably responsible individuals capable of watching over Paestri for a little while longer.
"Fine, lead the way." She sighed in resignation.
---------------------------------------------
Paestri continued to sob as she nursed her cuts, her dress getting stained in the process. She was huddled against the door, icing pink eyes staring blankly at the mess she had made. She wanted to get out and go home and be with her mama. In her hands she clutched her locket, holding it so tightly her knuckles paled.
Her eyes were puffy and sticky from the syrup that she tried to wipe off. Eventually she sought the refuge of sleep, perhaps she'd wake up an find it was all a dream.
But even in her sleep she could not escape. She opened her eyes and found she was trapped inside a dark, windowless room. Before her were faceless figures. Their eyes glowed a menacing crimson, brows creased in anger. They spoke to Paestri in hushed tones, in languages she didn't understand. They circled around her, their eyes never once leaving her, if they were drawing closer with each revolution Paestri couldn't tell.
She whimpered and covered her eyes with her hands. "Lemme alone..."
Images forced their way into her mind. Images of people prostate in their knees begging for another chance, of people wailing and mourning before a bakery, of people lying lifeless amdist crumbs of cookies.
"No more... no more..."
---------------------------------------------
Gabby was frantic, she didn't know how long Charlie could keep Huni preoccupied and it had been a good three hours since Paestri disappeared. She had searched high and low, from the bathrooms to the concession area, to the employee lounge, to even the utility closets.
The little girl just vanished. She had returned to the Play Area and let Bobby take a turn at looking. Already the other children had been picked up and gone home, leaving Gabby to clean up by herself.
"Gabby!" A stern voice called from behind.
Gabby winced and turned around to face the red-head. "Why hello ma'am. What brings you here?"
"You know very well what! Where's my little girl!?" Huni's eyes seemed to promise a slow and painful death if her question was not correctly answered.
"Gabby! I still can't find the gi-helllooooo ma'am!" Bobby gasped upon seeing the red-head.
"What was that? You couldn't find what?" Huni narrowed her jade eyes at the young man.
Despite being a good twenty pounds heavier and five inches taller than Huni, he couldn't ignore a mother's natural instinct to protect her young. Add the fact he's been feeling guilty as sin ever since they found out, it didn't take too much for him to cave in and tell Huni everything.
"You WHAT!?!" the Gaian shrieked.
"We're sorry, we've been looking for her everywhere." Gabby apologized.
"Well almost everywhere, we haven't checked the kitchens and the pantries but we figured if she was there someone would have seen her by now." Bobby added.
"Take me there." Huni demanded, and she didn't care about company policy or the health code.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 10:16 pm
A Shopping Trip Goes Wrong - Part Six Paestri lay on her side, her fingers curled tightly around her pendant. Her eyes were half-open, glazed over with resignation that she would be forever trapped. She was hiccupping from so much crying and shivering from the cold. The syrups, eggs and flour had caked on her skin, making it all the more uncomfortable for the little girl.
She'd twitch at every little sound she heard, whether it was the airconditioner switching to a different setting or a dismembered voice murmuring something about a mess. And then she heard Huni's voice.
No, not her mama. She didn't think she could take any more angry figures if it sounded like the one person she knew who would make all the bad things go away.
"Paestri?"
Again the voice called her. The Legend refused to listen, it would probably be another trick. She didn't want to believe anymore. She covered her ears and squeezed her eyes shut.
"No no no no no no no no." She repeated over and over like a mantra. In her desperation she began to cry again.
She sensed a presence approach her, but believing it be another one of those shadows she kept her eyes shut. Until warm arms scooped her up into a comforting embrace. Soft lips pressed against her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, her eyes, and her arms.
She dared a peek and saw jade eyes wet with tears.
"Mama!!" Paestri sobbed, throwing her arms around the red-head. She continued to sob, her tiny chest heaving in relief.
"Oh sweetie, you're freezing cold! Let's get you home and cleaned up." Huni cooed softly, hugging the child to her chest. The bakery was quite relieved that Huni didn't file charges of negligence, their relief was short lived as Huni promised she'd never return to the store and she would be sure to tell everyone she knew about her experience.
An arguement ensues between the management and the red-head. As Paestri watched them fight, she couldn't help but feel responsible for all that has happened. The issue is eventually resolved, and thankfully there was no need to go to court. Still, the entire experience has left a horrible taste in Huni's mouth, it was even worse for Paestri.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:07 pm
Aftermath - Part SevenThe journey back home was nothing more than a blur for the little Legend. Even after the comforting words and assuring kisses of her mama, she just couldn't shake off the day's events.
"Come on, baby. We'll get you all washed up in a nice warm bath and then I'll get you something to eat. What do you say to that sweetie?" Huni cooed, trying to elicit even the smallest hint of a smile from the little girl.
Paestri wasn't responding.
Not to the hugs, not to the kisses, not to the promise of warm food and comfortable, dry clothing. Huni was beside herself with worry. The bath had been given, the meal had been served. But Pae ate as if her mind was elsewhere, her mouth opened and she chewed and swallowed her food. That was all the reaction Huni or anyone else ever got. Not even the antisocial Feien managed to draw Paestri's attention.
"Mom, what's wrong with Pae?" Linneas asked, his own brows furrowed in concern. It was so unlike his sister to be this quiet and unemotional. He too did not know what to make of the Legend's condition.
"She's had a really bad day, maybe a good night's sleep will help." Huni sighed, yet it was evident in her eyes she was not confident with this diagnosis. As she tucked Paestri in for the night, she sang a song that she had learned from Addy. It wasn't originally a lullaby, but the melody was soft and soothing if she sang it just right."Hanggang kailan ako maghihintay
Na makasama ka muli sa buhay kong puno ng paghihirap?
At tanging ikaw lang ang pumapawi
Sa mga luha at naglalagay ng ngiti sa mga labi." Huni sang and sang, but her voice fell upon deaf ears. Paestri could only hear the anger, the bitterness, the guilt. It seemed every time she closed her eyes they would appear, those faceless figures whose eyes showed nothing but contempt and hatred.
They blamed Paestri for something, anything, everything! But what exactly they wouldn't say.
"You know what you've done!"
"You know why we're here!"
"You. Must. Pay!"
She would cover her ears and still their voices rang in her mind. Echoing, reverberating, they refused to be silenced. They refused to be denied their voice. They refused to leave Paestri ignorant. Little by little, Paestri began to remember who they were and what it was she had done to them. She had hurt them, given them what they wanted rather than needed, made them realize everything had a price.
The child whose only wish was to bring her parents together. The woman whose only intention was to best her rival. The young man whose only desire was to be with his love. She had washed her hands of the matter once things went wrong.
Huni refused to leave the Legend's side until she was certain Paestri was asleep. But the sandman would visit the Gaian long before he would the pink Legend. The red-head lay on the floor beside Paestri's crib, muttering incoherently in her sleep.
Paestri didn't hear a word her mama said. Her attention was on her locket, the source of all this misery. Those visions, those dreams, these tastes it had all started when she received this infernal locket! With anger she had never felt before, Paestri hurled the piece of jewelry out of her crib. Glaring hatefully as it bounced soundlessly off the carpet.
Perhaps the clasp snagged on the carpet, perhaps the hinges were loose, but whatever the reason was the locket opened. For a moment nothing happened, maybe the magic of the locket had been used up? A shaft of light soon disproved this theory.
In this light a face appeared, it was unlike the face in the piece of paper. There was something familiar about this one. It was neither young nor old, neither male nor female. It was simply a face whose features made gender determination impossible.
It smiled gently at Paestri, but the Legend didn't share the sentiment. She glowered and puffed her cheeks, turning her back with an angry huff. She didn't want to have anything more to do with the locket and the things that came out of it.
I must say you're taking things rather well. You're far more agreeable now as opposed to the last time we met.
Paestri ignored the voice despite hearing it coming from her mind.
You don't remember me, do you? What am I saying? Of course you wouldn't, Rebirth is a tricky recipe to master. And you didn't eat the entire dish now, did you? Come, come, be reasonable dear one. I'm here to show you how to make it all better.
'How?' Paestri growled back, her arms folded across her chest stubbornly.
Just remember all the tastes you've discovered here and simply decide which ones you want to keep and which you don't. It's as simple as that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 12:34 am
A New Perspective - Part Eight Paestri didn't believe the voice, she didn't trust it either. Why should she? All that locket ever brought was confusion and fear. But the voice could sense her distrust, and it did not need to wait for Paestri to make her thoughts known. It seemed it was already expecting resistance.
They will never leave you alone, you know. Not unless they realize they're wasting their time on you. You figured that out on your own, but I do have to admit you were older then. You can choose to forget I ever said anything, after all I'm not the one they're coming after. But in case you do decide to take my advice just remember: take your time. You only have one chance.
With that the light faded and the room was once again bathed in darkness. Already Paestri could hear the figures begin to clamor for her attention. No longer able to stand them, Paestri decided she would risk it and follow the voice's suggestion. She ignored the flash of deja vu and took a deep breath.
Her mind began to recall the tastes she had encountered, began to sort them into two groups: Like and Dislike. Once all the flavors and tastes had been categorized she closed her eyes.
'I keep Like, I reject Dislike.' she chanted. Her worries, her fears, they all began to seep out of her. It was as if she was being drained of all the pent up anger, all the animosity, all the negative feelings she ever experienced and discovered (be it by herself or from another person).
Eventually, Paestri felt lightheaded but in a good way. With a smile on her face, Paestri fell against her pillow to sleep away what remained of the night. Not once throughout the process did she even think to open her eyes. For if she had she would have seen collecting inches just above her was a darkness.
This darkness took on a life of its own, it twisted and stretched and tendrils reached out but never quite touched Paestri's skin. There was a certain fondness (if it had been capable of it) in the way it hovered over the Legend. By the time dawn painted the sky golden, this darkness was nestled beside Paestri. Its own chest rising, its own heart beating in time with the pink Legend's.
Rays of sunlight danced into the room to rest upon Paestri's face. She stirred and sat up yawning. She felt the slightest hint of tired, but was rejuvinated at the same time. She peered through the bars of her crib and found her mama asleep on the carpetted floor.
"Mamamamamamaaaa!" She greeted, rousing Huni.
"Huh!? What? What? Oh, what time is it? Pae? Are you okay sweetie?" Huni murmured, rubbing the cobwebs of sleep from her eyes.
Paestri giggled and nodded, her disposition was as sunny as the sky behind her. The red-head gasped in delight and immediately scooped up the Legend into her arms.
"Is my little sweetie feeling better?" Huni asked, tickling the little girl under her chin.
"Yayayayyaaaaa!" Paestri squealed.
"You sure? Why don't you sleep in a little longer? Mama has to get a little more shut eye." Huni yawned for emphasis.
"Wai?" Paestri blinked puzzled, surely if she had already slept that long her mama would be fine.
"Because I need a little more sleep, that's all." Huni explained as she lowered the Legend back into the crib. "I'll be back in a few hours, try to get some more sleep, oookie? Night Pae.
Well this was odd, but Paestri didn't complain. She snuggled against one of her many plushies and was about to atttempt to doze off when she noticed the black wispy creature. It was curled around her pillow and staring at her with red eyes.
For some reason she didn't feel threatened by it. In fact, Paestri didn't feel anything but curiosity.
"Hu yu?" she asked.
Malady. it answered, seemingly with a hiss.
"Oh, wat yu?" she prodded, reaching out to poke the black mass. She squeaked in surprise when her fingers connected with the pillow rather than Malady.
I'm your Malady. You forgot me? it whined, looking absolutely crushed.
"Dunno yu..." Paestri cocked her head to the side, and finding herself no longer interested in the subject she flopped down onto her stomach and tried to go back to sleep.
You did forget me. It began to sniffle, but it would not receive any comfort from Paestri.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
