A/N: Sorry for taking it down from my old account, laSoldier, but I really wanted to re-do this story! The only changes I made to this chapter was fix a few misspellings and grammatical errors. I loved this chapter so much that I didn't really want to change it. I already have chapter 2 written and I'm working on chapter 3. Things are coming to me as I write the story to make it more interesting. I have the main plot planned out, but I've created a couple of sub-plots that'll help show the relationship between Mink and Puck, and learn a little more about the fae race and Oberon and Titania's daughter, who just literally disappeared one night off the face of the Earth. I hope you guys enjoy this story! :)
Sweet as Candy Chapter1: Meeting Mink
Chapter1:
CRASH! The lightning outside shook the tall Erie Building. The rain was not helping the blond haired man's mood any. He let out a frustrated sigh and stood up. What little magic Oberon had left him was becoming restless and he was tired of not being able to use it whenever he wanted.
Sure, he loved being Owen Burnett; he loved being able to teach baby Alexander how to control his magic and he loved hanging out with David and Fox Xanatos—they were never boring.
However, he also wanted to be Puck occasionally. He missed sneaking out at night and playing tricks on unsuspecting people. He missed the wind brushing through his hair while he was flying.
Owen glared at the full-length mirror glistening in the lightning's light in the corner. Calmly, as usual, he walked over to it and raised his arm to reveal a silver bell and a gold ring. He tapped the bell lightly four times, a soft chime coming from it each time. Then, a chant recited in Latin escaped from his lips: "Cum aescerat argentum et aurum involare," Owen pulled a white feather out of his pocket and blew it gently into the mirror, "Postea Oberon ad speculum Titania penetrare!"
The glass began give an eerie green glow and a tall, dark figure appeared in the glass. The figure stepped out of the mirror to reveal a blue-skinned man who had long, white hair tied back into a high ponytail. His ice-blue eyes pierced Owen's own.
"What do you want, Puck?" The blue-skinned man spat out Puck's name as if he was some rodent.
Owen kneeled down on both knees and looked up at his lord, "Sir, please, give me a chance to earn my magic back! I'll do anything!"
"Anything?" The man thought for a second, "Since I am in a good mood today, I will give you a chance. My niece's birthday is today and we've been looking for some good entertainment for her; we need a jester and you'll be perfect," the man gave an unfriendly laugh, "I'm holding a special Gathering for her, and so I will temporarily give you your powers."
The man's eyes began to glow green, then the glow shot through his body and down to his hands and he released the energy, which hit Owen. Owen grunted a bit as his body was throbbing from being so unused to so much magic at once. It had been a while since he was last able to use his full powers.
Owen carefully stood and a soft green light engulfed him as his body began to change shape. A second later, a man much shorter than Owen (about four feet, five inches) was standing in his place. His long, flowing white hair made him resemble the blue-skinned man in a way.
Puck flew to the ceiling and stretched, "Mmm! It feels so good to be me again!" and then over to the blue-skinned man and said, "So…are we going now, or are we going to wait another 1000 years? I'd prefer the latter." The fey wore renaissance clothing, with his main colors being red and purple. He also had a brown piece of cloth tied around his waist and a gold band on each wrist.
The blue-skinned man sneered as he turned toward the mirror, "Come, Jester."
"Oh, now, don't be that way big ol' daddy Oberon!" Puck obediently followed Oberon through the mirror. His chest tightened at the thought of jesting; it was the lowest status any fey could have. He knew that from then on, everyone would keep it over his head.
He slowly let the air he had been holding in out as they entered the Great Hall of Avalon's castle. Well, it was now or never.
Oberon turned to Puck, "Be ready in ten minutes."
"Yes, sir!" Puck saluted and floated down the nearest hall and opened the third door on the left. Making sure that no one was in there; he flew in and locked the door. As of that moment, he didn't want anyone else knowing that he was going to jest for Oberon's niece; he wanted to save the embarrassment for later.
He scanned the room and noticed that he was in the middle of pink and white fluff! Everything around him was either giant plushies or, well, just fluff! The carpet he was standing on literally looked like a cloud and the blankets on the bed looked like Cupid threw up all over it. Who knows, he probably did.
Puck's ear twitched as he heard the door behind him open and he swiveled around to meet the intruder.
But his breathing stopped there.
Standing in the doorway was the most adorable fey he had ever seen. Her short height and large eyes made her look so innocent! And her sweet pink hair that framed her little face just put the cherry on top.
The little fey had surprise in her eyes. "Who're you and what're you doing here?"
For the first time in his 1,578 years of living, Puck the Trickster could not answer a cute girl. "I-I'm supposed…"
"Puck!"
They both jumped as Oberon strode in and stopped next to the pink-haired girl. "It is time for your appearance." He looked down at the pink-haired girl and commanded, "Come."
She followed him out of the room, but not without first taking a glance at Puck; his heart did a back flip as she turned around. He followed them out of the room with something in mind for the jesting. Puck wasn't sure if it was enough to earn him his magic back, but he could try.
Once they entered the Great Hall, he could already hear laughter from the other fey. This was going to be a long day…and it was bad enough that an Avalon day was as long as an Earth week!
Oberon strode to the center of the Great Hall and announced, "Today is my niece Mink's 108th birthday," he extended his hand to the pink-haired girl, "and for entertainment, we have arranged a Jester to come and perform for her." He used the word "jester" as if it were something amusing.
Oberon seated himself in his throne next to his wife, Titania, and watched Puck expectantly. Puck, who normally liked being the center of attention, suddenly felt tense with the eyes of his fellow fey on him, because he knew they were judging him.
He turned to face the pink-haired girl, Mink. She was watching him with innocent eyes. He summoned up all the courage he had, if he was going to do this, it would be either for his magic or to impress a pretty fae. He decided on both.
He had a poem in mind and began,
"I will recite a poem for the birthday girl called 'The English Language':
Let's face it
English is a stupid language
There is no egg in eggplant
No ham in hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple
English muffins were not invented in England
French fries were not invented in France
We sometimes take English for granted
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly
Boxing rings are square
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig."
Puck's heart jumped as he watched Mink cover her mouth to sustain her laughter. This gave him all the courage he needed to continue,
"If writers write, how come fingers don't fing?
If the plural tooth is teeth
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be beeth?
If the teacher taught,
Why didn't the preacher praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables
What the heck does a humanitarian eat?
Why do people recite a play
Yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy
Of a language where a house can burn up
As it burns down
And in which you fill in a form
By filling it out
And a bell is only heard once it goes!
English was invented by people, not computers
And it reflects the creativity of the human race
(Which of course isn't a race at all)"
Laughter broke out from the other fey, rewarding Puck from his efforts. He decided to finish up:
"That is why
When the stars are out they are visible
But when the lights are out they are invisible
And why is it that when I wind up my watch
It starts
But when I wind up this poem
It ends?"
The room exploded with applause and Puck bowed to his left, then to his right toward the other fae, then he turned back to the royal family. "And I would like to wish a very happy birthday to little Miss Mink." He winked at her and followed Oberon, who had beckoned him.
Oberon lead him into a different room than the previous one (he had guessed it was Mink's). He waved his hand lazily and the giant doors behind them closed with a dull bang. Oberon turned to Puck and stated, "Fine, you've earned your magic back. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and Mink seemed to be especially happy."
Oberon twirled his right hand and a mist began forming around it. The mist grew thicker and snaked its way over to Puck, engulfing him in it. Then, it was gone. "There, you have full use of your magic; however, you are still banned from Avalon."
Puck sighed. He was happy to have his magic back, but the thought of never being able to see Mink again tore at him. "Yes, sir."
"Uncle Obi!" Puck jumped and turned to find Mink standing there with her hands on her hips.
"'Uncle Obi'?" Puck repeated with a smirk.
Oberon furled his brow at the nickname, "Mink, what are you doing in here? You know you are not allowed in my bedroom!"
"Uncle Obi, I overheard your conversation, and how could you not lift his banishment from Avalon? I thought he performed wonderfully!"
"This is between Puck and I. Do not get involved." Oberon turned to Puck, "It's time for you to go back to the mortal world."
It was more of a command rather than a statement. Oberon summoned Titania's mirror, the gateway between Avalon and the mortal world, next to Puck.
"Wait! Can I do something before I leave?"
"Egh, fine—but make it quick."
Puck flew over to Mink and, before she could say anything, kissed her gently.
With his heart racing, he flew through the mirror, leaving a very surprised Mink behind.
Chapter1 End