BLOG FAIRY
The fairy.
Hola, readers! My blog is always a place for you to come when you wonder about what to do in your life. If you're reading this bog entry, you've probably found yourself in the same predicament that I have. In that case, I'd like to give you a warning in hopes that reality doesn't hit you as hard as it hit me.
Fairies are real, it's possible you brought one home and it's possible that you have partaken in a quest to get him back to his home. That's reality for ya, a real bitch.
Now, I can't change what has happened but I can give you a few useful pointers. These things, I had to learn the hard way but I will give them to you for free. Here we go.
15. Fairies are what you would call 'morning people'…times a hundred.
It is unfortunate for one to be awoken by an anxious little boy bouncing on their chest and demanding their attention. Then again, I was not a very fortunate person.
It was…God, I don't know how early. Way too early for anyone in their right minds to be awake. That was to be expected, since this kid was far from his right mind. I grumbled bitterly. It was supposed to be my day off. Normally, I would sleep till noon then spent the rest of the day eating and scratching my crotch. Not today.
"Lovi, go back to sleep." I moaned and glanced at the window. In a normal city, it would still be dark but the big apple wasn't called 'The city that never sleeps' for nothing. No, it lived up to its name. Daylight, all. the. time.
It was a city of electricity and luminescent signs. Granted, it was not as bad as Time Square but living in Upper East was still like living in a firefly forest. (The only difference being that I was paying a hell of a lot to live there.)
"I can not go back to sleep, the morning sun is burning me." The renaissance prince answered without removing himself from my chest.
16. Fairies can be burned by the morning sun.
I shut my eyes tight and groaned again. "Lovino, first of all, that's not the sun. It's artificial light. Second of all, it's not burning you. Your eyes are just adjusting. Can you go back to sleep now?" I explained and pulled a pillow over my own burning eyes.
"Have I not said that I am unable to sleep?" He was growing annoyed. "The sun is awake for I can feel it. My flesh can deceive you not."
"Go to sleeeeep!" I whined.
"But it is hurting me!" He pleaded again. That time I decided to face the harsh light and open my eyes. If he said he was being hurt, maybe he was.
He held out his bare arms. OH. MY. GOD. He was…boiling! His skin was making a low sizing noise and welts splotched him. My first thought was, holy shit, this kid is being burned by the sun! then, I remember that was impossible. My next thought consisted of pleading with myself not to throw up at the act of inhuman bodily functions. Lastly, I deduced that the child had gotten into pills or something.
"What did you do!?" I exclaimed and sprung up. The rapid adrenalin was enough to wipe my tiredness completely from my body.
"I have done nothing!" He answered and hopped off the bed, revealing his nude little form.
"You had to do something! People don't just boil!" I cried and quickly engulfed the boy in a heavy quilt my grandmother had passed down to me. (Hopefully, he wouldn't pee on this too.)
"So this is not common for humans?" He cocked his head, legitimately confused.
"What are you talking about?!" I crouched to his level. "No, it's not! How long have you been doing this?" What on Earth was wrong with this kid!?
"Since I became a human." He answered flatly. Since he was born? I didn't understand him! I didn't understand how he spoke or how he acted or anything!
"So it's a disease? A skin problem?" I asked, hurriedly. First things first, fix Mr. Melting Pot.
"What?" He was taken aback by my question. "I am not ill." He clarified.
"Did your mommy or daddy or grandpa or whoever bring you to a hospital? Do you remember taking medicines or wearing wraps?" I grabbed his arms, trying to extract information from him.
"Medicines? Do you mean a cure for the burns?"
"Yes! A cure. What did you do to heal them before?" I asked. Finally, we were getting somewhere.
"I will show you." He answered, easily breaking my hold and squatting down into a fetal pose. This act took me by surprise but I guess I should have been used to it by now. With one hand, he motioned me down as well. I obeyed and sat before he covered us both with the quilt, making a human tent.
"I don't understand-"
"Look." He instructed and held out his arms. I couldn't see much in the dim light but I could tell the boils had greatly reduced. He was… healing himself! And with incredible speed! The red splotched were fading, the sizzling had subsided. That's when it hit me. These acts were completely nonhuman.
17. When reality finally bitch-slaps you in the face, it's gonna hurt.
"Lovino…what's wrong with you?" I asked in a mix of shock and horror. My body was frozen and the sweat beads on my neck had frozen over. He was…he was something special. This was more than just a mutation, this was super human abilities. Everything that had seemed so weird but I had brushed off was now coming back to haunt me and was proving to be more that I had originally thought.
"Not a great deal. You see, I have almost completely healed." He answered coolly, inspecting his arms.
"No…what's wrong with you." I repeated, voice trembling.
"I believe I am functioning correctly as a human but thou's tone dast indicate that I am mistaken. What is troubling you?" Big honey eyes looked up at me with wonder. He was…a monster! The pointy teeth, the inhuman agility, the burning and healing flesh, it was all there! How had I not see it!? I shot to my feet and put space between us with panic. Monster: bad. Bad: danger. Danger: run. Makes perfect sense.
"Antonio?" A little voice called as I rapidly fled to the living room, jumping over obstacles. I hoped the loud thumping my feet created would not wake the neighbors. Panting, I tucked myself behind the couch and remained as silent as I could, survival mode initiated.
"Antonio?" It called again. Little papping feet alerted me of its movements. I remained perfectly still, my breath hitched, making my presence one of invisibility.
"Where have you gone? What is wrong?" Distress tinted the voice. I had no idea what to do or how to escape. It could find me and attack me, just like it did to Francis! Then again… it had never been violent towards me…maybe it was tame- NO! It was a monster! Just like in the movies with the sharp teeth! But…it was much cuter than those monsters…
I was at war with myself. A. Hide, wait till it falls asleep or force sleep upon it with a frying pan. B. Approach cautiously with out a plan. Really! What would I do if it didn't attack me?! I had nothing to say to it! Still, I was curious…
"What are you?" I asked with a tiny voice. and peeked my eyes over the top of the couch. I was taking a huge risk here. I was unarmed and it knew my hiding pace.
The little one was wearing the quilt like a shawl and standing in the corner of the room. The moment my voice hit it's ears, it turned towards me. His glare seemed as innocent and confused as before…It's! It was an 'It'. I had to keep reminding myself of that.
"What do you mean?" He asked, distraught and a little afraid.
"What kind of creature are you?" I asked. I was gaining more confidence as his submissive appearance grew more familiar. He didn't look like he was going to attack. On the contrary, he looked like he feared attack.
"I don't know. I was a fairy for as long as I could remember but now I am a human who still holds fairy traits. Though, somehow, being with you has sparked my humanity. I seem to be visible now." He answered, never breaking our eye contact.
"Fairies aren't real." I corrected.
"Am I not real?" He countered. IT countered. It was still a monster…or a fairy.
"I don't know." I answered, making up my mind.
"Have you not heard me speak in a language that you understand?" It asked.
"I…I have…"
"Have you not touched my body and received the feeling of another?"
" I have." I grew slightly more sure.
"And do you not see me before you now?"
"I do."
"Then what is to prove my nonexistence!?" He cried, making me flinch.
"If you're a fairy, than do something fairy-like." I ordered. He could be lying. He could be a demon or something.
"What does a fairy do that humans do not?" He asked, looking ready to cry. He was still just a little boy and little boys cry when frustrated or being yelled at. Both of which he was currently experiencing.
"Uh…magic. Do magic." I suggest. Yes, I felt a little bad for making a child cry but I could set aside my guilt for the fact that an other-worldly creature was standing in my living room.
"I possess no magical abilities yet I was under the impression you, wizard, did! Have I been tricked!?" The tears broke, giant watery marbles pumbled down his cheeks and popped to the floor before disintegrated into dark puddles. He really was just a kid. My heart dropped a but and the guilt caught up.
"No, I'm not a wizard." I admitted, though I had never said I was.
" So I have been made a fool of! Their chants were not in vain, I see. All hail Lovino, the King of Fools!" A loud sob and tears continued to dominate the room, my heart wretched.
"I never said I was a wizard, that was all on you." I said in my defense.
"Of course. I should have seen that, I'm such a fool! That is only what I wished to be true but you are a mere human and I am a mere fool." He whimpered with shaky breaths.
"Look…you may be a…a fairy or something and I may not understand any part of this but…from what I know about you, you're not a fool. You're a very smart little boy." I stood my full length, not afraid of the little one anymore.
"I've been a complete imbecile! There is no hope for me, I should have faced that sooner." Drool dribbled like a river from the mouth he was still learning how to use and snot collected into a slimy wad on his face. The poor boy. He wasn't a monster, he was a child who was hurting. It was obvious now. Lovino, regardless of the teeth, had very true, very human emotions.
18. Fairies (if yours is anything like mine) are not monsters. Quite the opposite. They are sensitive, loving and honest.
I walked out from behind the couch and over to the boy, growing comfortable. "Common, quit that. Don't cry." I begged. The little one looked up at me and took a step back, afraid.
"I'm not angry with you, it's okay. Just…" I sighed, "Come here." I crouched and opened my arms. Regardless of what the child was, what his background was, he needed to be held, like all children. I would figure the rest out soon enough.
He shook his head and remained in his current place. "Lovino, that's your name, isn't it?" I lulled softly. I was pretty great with kids, I had to admit. He nodded slowly.
"Is that what you want me to call you?" I asked again and again received a little nod. I smiled.
"Okay. I think that's a good name, don't you?" I knew exactly how to talk to him, I was the most popular babysitter back at home.
"It is alright…" He mused and gave a little shrug. Victory one: he speaks.
"Well, Lovino. I want to know why your crying."
"I…I feel helpless…and foolish." Victory two: He admits cause of sadness.
"What makes you feel like that?" He wiped at Lovino's red, wet cheeks.
"I-I am going to be trapped l-like this…forever and I-I-I-…I don't know what I am to do!" His sobbing suddenly resumed and fresh salty water marbles broke free from his eyes before cascading down his burning cheeks. I grabbed the edge of the quilt and dried his slimy face.
"It's okay, we can figure this out, I'll help you." I told him. Yes, that was a fuck'n huge thing to commit to but right then, I was ready to agree to almost anything. Seeing little kids cry…it's just heart breaking. Their innocent souls don't deserve it. The little one walked right into my arms and let me comfort him. Victory three: Physical interaction. I rubbed up and down his back in a smooth rhythm till his harsh breath relaxed.
"Thou cannot help me. There are no answers to be found. I have no home, nobody I knew feels more than hatred for me. I am cursed and lost." He answered, chubby hands gripping my shirt as hard as they could. I let out a deep, relaxed sigh.
"I'm sure if you apologized and talked it over, you guys could make up and get along just as you used to." I suggested.
"Obviously, thee hast never been shunned. It does not work in such a manner. If I were to see my tribe again, they would kill me without doubt."
"Geez, really? Whad'ya do?" I momentarily forgot my child-whisperer voice.
"I was just…me. There was not a soul that did not hate me."
"And they can kick you out for that?"
"It is a dictatorship…a mutiny. There are no rules as to why or how one may be shunned. Unlike humans, fairies do not carry the same morals of justice or pride or even mercy. They live in the wild ways."
"Oh…wow…"
"Dast thou pity me? There be no need for that, I do not wish it."
"No, I don't usually pity anything that can be helped. While I'm sure some bummer things went down, I can't change those so I'd rather think about how I can help you with your future." Every word dragged me deeper and deeper into promises with the boy. Let's be frank, he was not human. I wasn't sure what I thought about the 'fairy' deal but in the long run, I should not involve myself at all. Dammit, I always ended up doing stupid things.
"I do not need your help." He answered. Somehow I was relieved but also worried. I couldn't let him run free. Fairy or not.
"You need me." I corrected.
"I need a wizard and you are not a wizard, there for, I do not need you."
"You need a friend." I wanted to bang my head against the wall for that. What was I doing!? Offering to friends with a mythological creature!? Why couldn't I just be normal and smart…dammit.
"A friend is but a person who wishes to leach off you until they have drained all that is useful. That is when they deceive you and leave."
"Lovino…you haven't been keeping very good friends, have you?"
"I do not know what makes one friend more desirable than another but I have no desire for either."
"That's a shame."
"I am leaving. You be no wizard and I be no human. We have no need for one another." He stood up, wiped an arm across his eyes and began to head towards the door.
"You can't go out there." I interjected.
"Why not?" He asked, a bit annoyed.
"Your naked. Humans can't do that."
"Is the human body not identical for all males? What is there to me shameful of?"
"I dunno, we just don't do it. Especially not in front of the ladies."
"Would females not become interested when a male flaunts his genitals? That is the behavior of other mamals."
"Well, yes…that is attractive but we do it with clothes on. It doesn't quite make sense but that doesn't change the fact that you can't walk around naked, no matter what you are."
"Fine, I will do as the humans do. Where art my drapes?"
"I haven't brought them to the laundry room yet. You can wait around and eat some breakfast."
He considered it for a bit then shuffled back to me. "Dast though still fear me?"
"I wasn't afraid."
"You seemed to be."
I wasn't! I was just started. Human skin doesn't boil."
"Had I not warned you that I am a fairy?"
"Yeah…you did I guess… in my defense, fairies aren't real."
"But I am real."
"That could be debated. I could just be really high."
"High?"
"Never mind. Let's get you to the bathroom before you pee on the carpet." I picked him up by his arm pits and carried him into the bathroom. "Alright, I need to show you about the toilet." No, I wasn't just blowing off the whole fairy thing but I decided to let myself take it (if it was the truth) one dose at a time.
"If you have to go number one-" I started.
"What dast thou refer to when using the term, 'number one'." I sighed.
"It means pee-pee, y'know…from the front. Also, you're going to have to learn to talk like a normal person."
"I am speaking English."
"True, true. But…it's weird. Nobody talks like that anymore. I'll get to that later, first, let's learn how to pee."
"I know how to urinate, are you dull?"
"No, I meant peeing in the toilet. Just stand in front of it and when you have to pee, you just pee. Um…maybe I should show you."
"I have no idea what you are trying to tell me." I sighed and pulled down my pants, displaying my red boxers.
19. If peeing in front of a six-year-old fairy boy at five in the morning becomes a casual experience, you're in deep, amigo.
"Alright, you think you can do that?" I asked and pulled up my sweat pants.
"I can't reach." He answered flatly, inspecting the toilet bowel. He had initially been very startled when I flushed. It took me a while but I explained the inner workings of the device. I didn't know very much but I knew a satisfactory amount.
"Oh, yeah, I guess you can't…" I looked around for something that might add height to the boy. I wasn't necessarily a messy person, noting could be found. I picked him up on my own and held him wear I thought the 'it' would successfully fall into the bowl. "Okay, go." I instructed. This was long since embarrassing for me, besides, he was just a kid.
"Go where?" He looked back at me.
"Where?...Oh! No, 'go' means using the bathroom. Go pee-pee." I urged again and shook him a bit, trying to start it up. Usually, when I babysat, parents had already taken care of this or they were in diapers.
After a minute, the stream was a-flow'n. Lovino wasn't especially excited but once I started encouraging and praising him, he learned this was an accomplishment to be proud of. I big smile slopped over his face. He looked pretty ridiculous. Obviously he hadn't smiled very much and his face wasn't used to the new form.
"Good job." I set him down and something amazing happened. I felt pride accumulating in the happy part of my stomach. It felt good. I was proud of the little boy. "You want to wear clothes, right?" I asked. He nodded excitedly.
"I want to wear what you wear." He admitted.
20. When self-hating fairies receive an open display of approval, they become copy-cats in order to receive more.
"Oh, okay. Well, I was just going to wear a t-shirt so I guess you can wear one too." I said and walked him to the bedroom, where I closed all the curtains. I had done the right thing when I invested in black-out shades as protection from the big city, though they now functioned as anti-skin-boiling shades.
I threw a shirt on myself, labeled by the Moma, where I currently worked and a pair of jeans. I showed Lovino to my drawer. "What shirt do you want to wear?" He inspected the contents quickly then answered by pointing am me. "Wait…mine? No, you can't wear this one because I'm wearing it."I told him, a little disbelieving.
He only continued to point at my shirt. "No. common, look at these ones." I directed his attention back to the drawer. "Which of these do you want to wear?" His little hands began to sort through them then pulled out a light blue one that read, 'Big Mouth Beast Burger, the grand four pounder'. I had won it back in my home town. The local diner had issued the challenge and it remained unbeaten until Antonio Carriedo had himself a ten mile jog and stopped by for lunch. (Honestly, one of my greatest accomplishments.)
"That's a really good one." I told him. I pulled it over his head, letting it fall down to his knees. I had to admit, he was pretty darn cute for whatever he was. He had fluffy autumn hair and big honey eyes to accommodate his pudgy baby face. He couldn't really be a monster, could he? He was harmless…he was a little baby.
"Breakfast." I announced and clapped my hands once. "Maybe we should go have breakfast with one of my friends. Gil like to cook." I offered. Lovino shook his head.
"I do not like strangers." He said flatly, a scowl crept onto his face.
"You like me. You even agreed to come home with me."
"I was under the impression that you were a wizard."
"I was under the impression you were normal." I countered, walking to the kitchen, trailed by the little one. "So are you pulling my leg with this whole fairy thing? I've never seen fairies before."
"I can assure you, I have no intention of pulling any legs." I chuckled.
"No. I mean, are you trying to play a trick on me? I've only heard of fairies in stories, why haven't there been documents and sightings?"
"There have been but they are so few, no one believes them. You see, fairies live in tribes and they do not want to be found. Many tribes will have no opposition to killing a human who discovers them." I shivered at that response. Whenever I thought of fairies, I was reminded of Fantasia or those sculptures people tried to sell me at the renaissance festival. Those were so beautiful and graceful but how Lovino described them, they seemed like barbarians.
"So…how many fairies are alive today?" I asked. The boy sighed and wedged himself up, onto a chair.
"My kind…It is a fight of survival, even among the culture. Only the strongest and most ruthless may succeed. Many are killed, eaten, lost or…shunned."
"What do they eat?" I sat down as well, getting comfortable for the interrogation.
"They eat all wild foods. Berries, fruits, animals. They never eat each other out of hunger but rather revenge. If a fairy is caught stealing food, it might be decided as fair punishment." My stomach churned and flipped at the image of such a society.
"Oh my god…" I chocked.
"What is an appropriate response to such a crime for humans?" He watched me, curiously.
"Stealing? Well, if they were caught and it was something small, they would talk it out, get a warning and maybe a prohibition from a store. If it's something bigger, the police would charge them. Depending on the severity, they could charge them with a fine or the suspect could have to go to court." I explained, extremely grateful for that system. I had never truly appreciated it until then.
"Co-art?" He cocked his head and quickly wiped a bit of spittle away from the corner of his mouth.
"Court. It's were someone who is suspected of doing something can go to a jury of his peers, present his case, be defended and have his fate decided by them. Every American citizen has the right to a speedy trial and an attorney."
"Uh- turn- ee?" He asked again. This was going to be a long day.
" An attorney is a person whose job it is to defend people."
"What reason do they have to care?"
"Well…that differs between lawyers. Some are just in it for the money. Some want justice for the wrongfully accused and some just like to help others."
A long silence and a completely confused face followed. "…Are you tricking me?" He suddenly seemed offended.
"No! That's how it works! There are multimillion dollar businesses that are dedicated to just giving things away for free. People travel across the earth in great numbers to rebuild town that have been destroyed. People gives billions of dollars to people who need it without question."
A long, blank, unbelieving stare hit me dead in the face.
21. He will find the idea of charity completely unreal.
"Do you mean that people just give things that are important to them to others just because…it is 'the right thing to do'?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying." It was nice to hear him say 'do you' instead of 'dost thou'.
"And they don't get anything out of it!?" He was leaning far forward, clinging to his seat so as to not fall off.
"Not nothing. When you do something good for others without expecting rewards, you feel good about yourself and it also helps how your seen by those around you."
"But…I do not understand!" He cried. I smiled and stood up before gently ruffling his hair.
"I'll teach you about it later. First, breakfast!" I cheered and made my way to the kitchen, looking through cupboards. "We'll have to walk to the corner store today since I only got halfway yesterday." I sent an accusing look his way.
"What do humans eat?" he asked, toddling into the kitchen.
"Food." I rummaged around.
"You are hilarious." A scowl to prove his point. "What is that there." He gestured to the can in my hand.
"Campbell SpagettiOs. Do you want these for breakfast?" I asked and showed him the can. Wait…had he gotten bigger? He seemed to have grown and inch or two since I turned my back. "Lovino…are you growing or something?"
"Hm?" He looked at himself. "It is possible. I seem to be doing that. Maybe I am seven now." He shrugged it off, more interested in the can.
"Wait, so you weren't actually six?" I set the can down.
"I am not good at guessing age. My body looks seven now, does it not?" he took the can, rolling it in his hand.
"I don't mean that. I mean, how old are you? How long have you been alive?"
"That is a very difficult question to answer. Before I was inside my mother's womb, I was an orb and before that, I was collected sun. Time is different between creatures and even then, I never kept track of those things. My brother loves tracking the stars and all that nonsense. I want to eat this." He handed me the can.
"So your brother can monitor time? Can he tell how many times the Earth has rotated around the sun in his life? Ask politely." I was getting somewhere. This might give me a good guess of how old he was. I retrieved my can opener.
"I never really listened but he always told me, 'Many suns have passed in our lives. Each one of these has brought upon many good memories and many more are sure to follow. I could never remember the number though. I believe that the last one was…mm…a score? Could I please eat these?"
I met the can to it's opened and began to pry the lid off. "How long is a score again?" I asked and removed the top before retrieving a bowl and pouring the mesh in.
"I do not know human time well." He answered. I slipped the meal into the microwave, a low hum filled the room. "What is that coming from?"
"The microwave." I rubbed some tired goo from my eyes.
"What is it doing?"
"Cooking the food."
His eyes lit up. " Where is the flame?"
"There's no flame. It sends these radiations called microwaves through the food, then something happens and it's warm."
"You do not seem to know very much about this magic."
"It's not magic. It's science. It's like…magic for humans."
"What other things can science do?"
"Science is everywhere. It explains every natural occurrence."
"Is it your god?"
"I guess you could say it's some people's god." It was so weird trying to explain things that were so simple. The alarm went off and I retrieved the food from the microwave before changing the topics in hope I would have to explain religion to him. I set bowl in front of him. "So you're going to start peeing in the toilet now?" I asked hopefully.
"I will try. As I have said, I have not mastered this form yet." He took the spoon I held out to him and looked curiously at it. I took it back, scooped the liquidy gruel onto it and handed it back. He was a fast learner, soon he was eating it all on his own.
"You really are a fairy then, huh?"
"Yes." He answered, mouth full.
"Freaky… what other magical creatures are there?" He swallowed the food in one big gulp.
"Faries, wizards, unrested souls, mermaids, nymphs…and I have met a satyr." Jesus Christ! How had these not been found!
"Where are they all hiding?" I asked.
"They are not hiding. They are in their natural land and even amongst the humans."
"Wait, so you mean there could me a mermaid working at Arby's?"
"Mermaids are the most known to engage in trade magic. For instance, one might trade their soul for human legs."
"Oh! Like the little mermaid!"
"Actually, mermaids of all size-"
"No, I mean, The Little Mermaid is a movie." He looked questioningly at me. "A movie is pictures that move." I clarified.
"And you insist there is no magic!? How does one make an image move if it does not live!?"
"Science." I answered. He lowered his head and ate his spagettiO's in defeat. I got the last tomato from my fridge and began to eat, lazily leaning on the table. "After breakfast we'll bring down the laundry and get the groceries, okay?" The red bulb tasted just as good as it always did.
"Okay." I looked over to him, studying his awkward method of scooping noodles.
"Your still going to leave?"
"Yes."
"Your choice." I sighed and went to find clothing for the boy to wear in the meantime. I ended up with a pair of boxers and flip flops. Neither would fit him but they would temporarily cover what they had to. When I saw him again, he had finished his food.
22. If you hear a loud crash noise from the kitchen, don't assume it's nothing and try to brush it off. You know for a FACT that it's not nothing.
"Lovino? What did you break?" I called from the bedroom.
"I didn't break anything!" I could tell he was getting into a feisty mood. I was confident that I could handle that, I had handled plenty of rambunctious children…how wrong I was.
I wearily trudged out to the kitchen (God, this kid could wear me out pretty fast). "What was that crash sound?" I repeated. The little one stood in front of the sink with the bowl broken at his feet. "Did you try to clean?" I asked after assessing the evidence.
"It's your fault!" I was sort of proud when I heard him use his first contraction but shocked when I heard the rest.
"How is it my fault!?" I exclaimed and stomped over to him.
"I didn't do it! I swear! It was a squirrel!" He denied with a deep scowl.
"There are no squirrels in here. You're lying." My voice suddenly switched to a dark, intimidating tone. It would be one thing if he broke a dish but it was a whole other thing if he was lying about it. Children should not lie. It was a rule I had always enforced and will always believe in.
"I'm not lying! The squirrel just left!"
"Tell me the truth. What happened that caused that dish to break?" My voice was demanding, enough to scare a child into submission. Yet, Lovino was no ordinary child.
"I. Did. Not. Break. The. Dish." He repeated confidently.
"Why won't you just admit it!?" I cried angrily.
"I didn't break it!" He tried again.
"Corner." I demanded.
"What?"
"Go sit in the corner." I ordered and jabbed a finger towards the far corner of the living room. I was frustrated. Why on Earth was he so instant on lying!?
The boy suddenly shot me a face of terror. His head sunk and he shuffled over to the corner. I didn't understand that at all. What he afraid of corners? I shrugged it off and began to clean up the glass. He could have a few minutes of time out then we would try again. It was important he learned that lying was bad.
23. Fairies are persistent liars…but for good reason.
"Are you ready to admit to breaking the dish?" I asked him ten minutes later, when I had finished cleaning.
"It was a squirrel." He repeated.
"Lovino, I know it wasn't a squirrel! All of the windows and blinds and closed, there were no squirrels. Just tell me what happened." I growled. I tried to tone it down, since he was just a boy but it was getting on my nerves.
"I-it was a magic squirrel! It just appeared and broke the dish but it left before you could see it." I didn't understand at all! How could he still be going with that story? It was ridiculous.
"Stand up." I ordered. I didn't want to have to take that step but he had to learn. Panic rushed his face. Regardless, he obeyed. I thought he was too old for this treatment but if it still took a bit of pain to reinforce a lesson, then I was going to do it. I quickly met my hand to his rear.
I never called it spanking because it wasn't. Spanking is a punishment, this is a learning aid (as dumb as that sounds). Some kids weren't fully cautious of words and consequences so you had to associate a physical deterrent. When spanking, the point is to give the victim a pain that says, 'because you did that, I'm going to hurt you'. I hated that, I would never spank a child. When I hit him, I did it with my hand flat so that it was a slightly uncomfortable pressure that said 'when you do bad things, you don't feel good, just like this'. That probably didn't make sence.
I tapped him twice and told him, "Lying is bad. I don't want you to lie to me anymore." Before standing up. He stared at me, astounded.
"That's it?" He asked in shock.
"That's it. I can't force you to say anything so I'll just have to hope you learn later."
"But that didn't even hurt!" He followed me to the kitchen.
"Of course it didn't. What'd ya think I was going to-" Then it hit me. Everything made sense. "Lovino…what did you think I was going to do?"
"Break my arms." He answered. Of course, so that was it. From what he had told me about the fairies, I could believe that lying was a lifesaving trick used every day.
"No, no! Breaking a dish is nothing to worry about." I reassured him. "I'm not angry about the dish. I'm angry that you lied to me." His little auburn head flopped down in shame. My guilt started to well up a little bit. He didn't know I wasn't going to hurt him, he was just afraid. I leaned down and picked him up before holding him against my chest like an infant and bouncing him. He was startled at first but he relaxed and fell weakly in my arms.
"You don't have to lie, I won't hurt you, I can promise that." I cooed as I gently bobbed him.
"I broke the dish…" He whispered.
"I know you did. You were trying to clean, weren't you?"
"Yes…I'm no good at cleaning."
"Then I guess it's a good thing I am. Now, we're not going to tell anymore lies and we're going to pee in the toilet, right?" I was acting like a mother rather than a struggling college student.
"I will try." He answered. Satisfied, I sat him down and showed him the clothes. I explained how to wear each piece and outfitted him. I ended up having to use a piece of string to hold up the boxer since the elastic wasn't small enough for his miniature, three foot four body (Yes, I measured him).
The flip-flops made loud slapping sounds each time they hit the ground which was to be expected, they were far too big for him. His feet weren't used to holding onto sandals and they would slip off every few feet. i gave up training him after a while and fitted him with socks instead.
"We'll see if we can't find a cheap pair for you while we're out." I told him, regarding the shoes and we left. Once we reached the street, a familiar sight greeted me. Buildings, tall as the skies, framed the thin strip of black road. I could see The Dakota just a little ways up the street right ahead of central park. I looked to the little one beside me and picked him up then made my way into the thicket of green.
Ever since I moved to this city, I had always loved the park. I showed Lovino the quickest path through, making sure to stop by the Bethesda Terrace and gave him a quarter to throw into the water.
"Throw it in and make a wish." I told him with a quick demonstration. He looked at his coin then the fountain.
"Will my wish come true?" He asked. I thought about that and pointed to the angel on the top.
"If she thinks it's a good wish." He looked at her too then tossed his silver coin, whispering a wish. I could tell by his desperate expression that it was a really good one. I pulled the rest of the change out of my wallet (equaling somewhere around two dollars) and tossed it in.
"Are you allowed to make more than one wish?" he washed the change plop into the cold water.
"No, but the people who don't have money often come here to pick up some cash. It could mean a mean for them so I like to donate my spare change."
"This is…chariot."
"Close, charity. Yes, it is. Here." I handed him a nickel. "That's yours; you can do whatever you want with it." He flipped it over in his fingers, inspecting it then the well. Back and forth, he looked until something else caught his eye. His little legs suddenly started carrying it somewhere else. Shit! Was he running away!?
Suddenly, I saw him halt in front of a heap of blankets and hold it out to the person inside. "This is a present… for free." He told the bum who curiously looked back at him. I went to Lovino's side. I guess I had forgotten to tell him about talking to strangers. I put a protective hand on his shoulder.
"God be with you." The scruffy man muttered and accepted the coin from the scowling boy. The feeling of pride washed over me, even greater than when he peed in the toilet. All of that was brought to an abrupt end.
"And now you give me something back because now I have no money either." Lovino informed him.
"No, no Lovino. That's not how it works." Okay, so maybe he didn't quite grasp the whole concept.
suddenly held out a little piece of rubble for the child who took it, proud of himself for completing the transaction. "No, sir. I'm sorry, that's not necessary." I told him and started to take the rock from Lovino's hand when the man stopped me.
"Let the child keep it." He turned to Lovino. I could'nt see his eyes from under his old, saggy brows but I knew if I could, he'd be making a deep eye contact. "That's I were I came from. I built those building only to be chased out by the terror and now I'm here. Take that as a reminder, son." I smiled and nodded.
"Thank you sir." I told him and led the fairy away. We began to follow the path again.
"This isn't money." He said, inspecting the lump of concrete.
"No, it's not. It's part of a building."
"What does it do?"
"It helps us remember. You see, a few years ago, bad people hit very important buildings and killed a lot of people."
"Why? Had had the building and people done?"
"They represented America and those people didn't like America. Oh, and America is the name of this county."
"How were they punished? Did they go to court?"
"No, They killed themselves and we killed their leader."
"So you rule them now?"
"What?"
"America has killed their leader so America is the leader of them."
"No. We can't lead them. Our ideas are too different and we don't get along. Oh! Lovino look!" I pointed to a familiar bench.
"What? I don't see anything."
"That's where I met you yesterday."
"Oh…it is…I never did repay you for sharing your home with me. Even though you're not a wizard as I had originally thought. Pick me up." He ordered and I obeyed. How sweet, he was going to give me a present~
I was instantly awoken from my happy thoughts when I felt a warm presence on my lips. As soon as it was given, it was taken. I was…kissed!?
I shot a surprised look at the little one who was unfazed. "I suspect that is a sufficient thanks." He said.
"Wait! What? Did you kiss me on the lips!?" I hushed my voice the instant I heard how that sounded.
"Is that sign of affection not desirable for humans? I was under the impression it was."
" No! You can only kiss on the lips if you love someone."
"What does love feel like?"
"Do you really not know about love? Do fairies not…"
"Some claim to but there was none of that in my tribe. What does it feel like?"
"Love…um… well, I'll tell you later but for now just remember that you can't do that."
"How do I show gratitude properly?"
"You don't have to. I've enjoyed having you over."
"It is not honorable to leave without repaying you."
"I don't want anything, Lovino." I began to walk, still carrying him.
" Are you suggesting that you have absolutely no desires?"
"No, I have desires but I don't want you to repay me."
"You don't make any sense."
"Diddo." We exited the park not much longer. " I work at a museum just a little ways down there." I nodded my head in its direction.
"What does the museum display?"
"All different kinds of art work. We've got an ancient Egypt exhibit up right now and it's just phenomenal. The ancient Egyptians are a civilization that lived a long time ago."
"I want to see it."
"I have to work tomorrow; maybe I can show you around after my shift."
"I am leaving once my robes have been cleaned."
"Where are you going?"
"I do not know."
"Then why leave?"
"I do not want to be here."
"Why not?"
"You ask overmany questions."
"So do you."
"I do not want to be here because I do not wish to grow fond on another and face the same betrayal as I have before. I prefer to live out the rest of my life alone."
"What makes you think I'll betray you?" I opened the door of the corner store for him.
"Because you are a creature of selfishness, as are fairies." People gave us some weird looks but I didn't mind them. I made my way around, followed by the little one and collecting groceries.
"That's true, but I haven't done anything to make me distrust you, have I?"
"No, you have been nothing but kind which causes me to fear growing attached."
"Does that mean you like me?"
"I do like you, you are not unbearable." I chuckled.
"I like you too." Suddenly, the papping feet behind me halted. I turned around to access the issue. He was looking at me, so confused. The little floating curl stopped bouncing as it did when he took long strides. "What?" I asked.
"I don't understand. You have no reason to like me." I smiled and bent down a bit.
"Sure I do. I think you're unique. I've never met someone like you." I smiled my award winning smile for him but it wasn't returned.
"But…I have imposed on your home. I've eaten your food, lied to you, dirtied your furniture and broken your belongings as well as frightened you."
"I guess I like the thrill." I answered and picked him up again. I had to admit, I really liked to carry him.
"I really don't understand you." He told me as I pulled a box of cinnamon pop tarts off the shelf.
"I think you've already said that." I retorted.
"Because I don't believe I have ever been this confused." I picked up two candy bars and made my way to check out.
"The feeling is mutual." I handed the cahier my card, they swiped it and gave me my bags. "Got you something." I pulled a Snickers bar out of the bag and handed it to him.
"This is a charity?" He began to open it.
"No, it's a present."
"What is the occasion?"
"I dunno, friends just give each other things."
"We are not friends."
"What are we then?"
"….roommates." He told me as I rounded the corner and began to head home.
(Yay! I have to go back to school so I won't be updating as often but if you're reading this, thank you for reading my story! All questions, comments, concerns are appreciated. Also, if the pictures for my stories look like some dumb-dumb scribbled them out on MS Paint because the author didn't want to steal a picture they didn't own…bingo. Sorry, I'll make good ones later, I just needed something to put up in the mean while.)