Of course a princess should know how to behave properly, Jack started making exaggerated gestures while Punz and Aster watched him sitting over some rocks near the bridge they had crossed-Most are pretty boring, but we are not currents teachers.
-And where shall we start?-she asked, jumping up, watching the two young men stood in front of her.
-For the position-Aster said, standing behind her, straightening her back, stretching her arms, making the girl seem to be nothing more than an automaton devoid of any natural gesture-You must walk straight, complementing your weight on both legs , feet turned out ... not so much. Head up, eyes forward.
Punz nodded, trying to remember all the instructions and carry them out with her body, all at once, but realized that it was just ridiculous. Maybe she did not know how the princesses moved, but if they were a symbol of grace and elegance, it was clear that they did not do any of that. She breathed deeply, each of those disobeying orders, walking just how she felt she must do, feeling that she must seem floating in the air ... She felt that she was getting. Jack could not help laughing to see the face of his friend, it was clear why they ignored his instructions did not like him at all, but it was a little payback for having made that comment in the castle and the good thing was that he hadn't to mediate a word. But watching her, it was as if her feet barely touch the ground, as if she was floating in her little world, walking how that brown haired girl who seemed to be running around. He looked down, biting his lip before following as if nothing had happened, hitting Aster in the elbow while Punz turned to them, making a mock bow before running towards them.
- What else?-she asked impatiently, smiling as her tutor shook his head, shrugging as he extended his arms to let Jack take his place-What are you going to teach me? It doesn't seem that...
-Please majesty, your lips do not mess with these words-starred Jack, imposing a finger over her lips. Punz felt uncomfortable, before outlining away comical smile on his face. It was impossible to take anything that Jack says wrong she was ... simply unable-Well; get ready to become a true princess of Corona.
Punz was almost unable to believe that anyone could assimilate so much in so little time, but it was possible, and she was checking. While traveling, as they followed a path unknown but she did not care, she had learned things she never could have imagined, experienced and knowing just things that she didn't want to stop do. Learning to ride a bike was fun. The three had rented them in the village and followed a small path between fields. Punz was rising, clinging to the handlebars while Aster explained her how stem and the basic movements, holding the structure lacking the minimum balance. Then the white-haired boy appeared behind them, starting to push the bike as the girl closed her eyes, feeling like the wind impacted on his face before open them a few, then, she was unable to close them again.
-Start pedaling-Jack said to her, laughing as she coordinated their feet to get to the first turn, then kept doing it, laughing as she felt the bike was beginning to get its balance-Punz right, keep it up!
She screamed, laughing, still pedaling, staying silent to see how Jack's bike was placed at her height, with the young smiling as he gave off one of his hands from the handlebars.
-Jack ...?-she pronounced his name, trying to find strength in it. She was not even sure how she could go about that wooden structure. She was scared, but not to fall, only to not achieve it, of being unable to control that-I am not going to be able and ...
-Never say you cannot-said the young making Punz stop talking when she saw the decision in his eyes blue as ice- Because I trust in you and I know you can do anything, just keep trying, okay?
She nodded, smiling as she continued forward, watching the world go below those wheels, unable to distinguish the limits of it. Now she understood what it was to be free, to be unable to see the boundaries that nobody has imposed. She looked up, laughing before feel her vision began to turn things around. Before she could react her body would hit the ground if someone had not pushed her into the grass, giving his body how to shock . She groaned, anticipating pain that she did not feel in all its intensity, opening her eyes to see her head rested on Jack's chest, feeling young man arms had wrapped her body getting almost all the hit for her. Punz rose quickly, watching the young man as she tried to incorporate him.
- Jack...?
-Heey, are you okay?-laughed Jack, hiding very bad a voice denoting something hurt. Punz realized that, she knew too well that shade difference, but no one had tried to protect her from being aware of it. She took one of his hands, unable to mitigate the guilt which stifled her chest. If she had not gone up, if she had been more careful, she had to have fallen alone, not Jack-It's anything.
-I can fall on my own-smiled the girl, standing behind him as she extracted a bandage from her pocket, Jack's shirt up to clean the little spills of blood that stained his skin with special attention to all of them and then ask him help her pass the band around his torso. They had been a gift from his new family, and she was smiling to be able to use them. When she finished helped him up, putting his arm over his shoulders as she returned their feet to the road-Thanks.
-It is better to fall with someone who just let him fall alone Jack said, making the girl look up to encounter his eyes lost in the horizon-Although there are some people who worth fall for more than others ... If it were Aster, to that yes he had dropped only.
- And that because...?
-Have you seen him?-he asked, exaggerating quite-He is huge, he would have crushed me!
Punz could not help laughing, hiding her face in the young man's arm, securing him well before start walking, watching that even Jack not exceeded greatly in size, the two seemed to have no a good balance, deviated quite, but laughter did not stop to resonate around. Aster watched them most of the time, distinguishing the voices of both, their laughter, the girl's body safe and determined holding the Jack's one, simply trying to escape the law of gravity. But he never failed to keep in touch with her, never failed to separate them more than necessary. She was his anchor to the world, and it seemed that unconsciously he was getting were too.
Shortly after he watched the girl checked his wounds, disinfecting them and putting an appropriate bandage. Punz had discovered that she had a natural talent for healing, as if the mere touch of her hands was sufficient to mitigate any pain. She was a skilled healer, perhaps more than what they could see. After sleeping that night in the inn they continued, sitting in the back of a truck while transporting them for quite this part of the journey. In that area, the mountains were close and snow was still visible, for Jack was somewhat reassuring. She looked to the sky, letting out of her mouth small clouds of steam that used to follow small tremors throughout her. Her golden hair was pulled back into a side braid with a small intricate braids meeting in a larger one. Jack had completely sheathed his hat, hiding even the smallest strand of white hair. Aster reviewing notes Punz used to happen to her all day, watching with that eagerly with she studied how the questions that she made him almost were complicated for him to answer. But what surprised him was fluidity and speed of her reading, how she understand almost all the meanings, how simple was not limited to basic knowledge. If it was true that she came from an orphanage, how could she have learned all that? In any case, there was more than a little luck, there was nothing behind, it did not mean anything. Jack had something in mind. Punz could see the shadows, something he thought he was the only capable, but he had seen it, she had amply demonstrated. And not only that, she also had a power, a weapon against those specters, still not sure how or what forms manifested could take, but she had. And possessing it, only increased the insistence with which they would try to catch her, but at the same time would provide her security and power necessary to deal with them. The white haired boy wanted to show her everything he knew, help her find the nature of her gift that she knew how to use it. He did not know how it'll materialize, which would confer capabilities but that unpredictability endowed him, and all that is to come out of the parameters of the monotony was something that was worth a try.
After several days of travel they arrived at a port city, where as they have explained to Punz would catch a boat that would take them to their next destination. She almost could not help the thrill of getting on that transatlantic, balancing on railings, letting the wind undo her braid when they began to ride the waves. Aster and Jack were watching her from behind, smiling as if they were seeing her little sister, getting used to her everything was new, everything was a first. When those green eyes turned towards them with a glowing smile on his face, the white haired boy felt something he never felt before but that made him lose his breath.
I'm going to settle us in the cabin, stay with her for a while, 'he said, nudging before the young man could react, complaining before returning to contemplate that golden hair waving in the wind. He smiled, and then blowing a weak current handle with the fingers, making those golden threads among the air. He leaned close to her shortly after, smiling when she did. The sea was wonderful, always been too untamed and unpredictable, and that was something that could define Jack.
-Punz, I've been thinking about something he began Jack, catching the attention of those forest-colored orbs, hesitating before speaking-I know you can see the shadows and even you can defend yourself against them, wish I could help you control your powers it would be great to do it ... but only if you want.
-I'd love you to teach me, Jack, the young girl smiled before taking a serious expression as her eyes lost in the vastness of the ocean-I was afraid of being different all my life, that people hate me and leave me alone ... but you and Aster have not done it, and I think, that I'm not scared anymore.
-Do you want to go now?
-Can we stay a little longer? She whispered in a sweet appeal. Jack nodded, smiling at seeing how Punz again concentrate on that new horizon. He was going to make her a person able to write her own destiny.
Punz supported stayed near the door of their cabin, waiting for someone to appear, actually that Jack did. He had said he was going to get something and her curiosity was about to explode. Aster unknown where he was and did not lack a hurry to leave her alone in that corridor, and that she simply waited.
-Hey, did you miss me?-Jack's voice startled her, causing her to turn around to see him holding something made of fabric, in shades of pink and purple, but what it was she was not sure-It is a gift , a dress.
-Thanks ... -she whispered almost as if she couldn't believe it, touching it while Jack was let her holding it. Then Punz bit her lip-And ... for what is this?
-For you to put it on I do not think you can do much more with it ... or will you? Sorry, I've never understood women's issues-he scratched his head, tearing the girl a laugh as she covered her mouth, putting the dress in front of her body, playing with the folds of the skirt-Well, I hope your size, I ... I'll be on the cover. Meet you there.
Jack said goodbye going up the stairs without dedicating a comedian greeting, making Punz stop talking when she saw him, imitating dismiss him as she could not wait to see what that gift was. She had never had any like it.
-So you're going to teach her to use those powers?-Aster asked, leaning close to her brother.
-Those shadows will always continue chasing her-Jack said, grabbing one wrist-I know. So she needs to know how to defend herself, to not have to live in fear, so she can lead a normal life.
-But lose your status of knight ... umm; it will cost someone to reconsider that...
I do not care, I'll teach her anyway-laughed Jack, shrugging-Also I do not need another princess in distress.
Aster was about to take it under his arm like when they were children when their laughter was interrupted by a figure emerged from the stairs of the boat. Jack was about to seize the moment when he saw what his friend's eyes were watching. And soon could see he was much more vulnerable.
Punz was still trying to keep her balance. Her blonde hair fell down her back, twisting a few strands in a braid around her head. Then a bra fit over a shirt and then a light skirt dropping over the body of the young woman, exposing most of her boots. Was flooded by a sea of violet roses with small waves foaming on the surface . She had doubted that she was her when she saw her reflection in the mirror, even now still cost her realize that it was she who was standing there with that beautiful dress. She smiled, running towards them for almost destabilize with her embrace, noting how the two surrounding her. They were her family, every moment spent with them realized that they were, they had always been intended to be and doubted she couldn't have found anyone better to make that unity.
-Thank you-she smiled, noticing as they watched, with a twinkle in their eyes profiling that reminded all that she had dreamed about how their parents would look at her. They were doing even better, with a warmth that enveloped her in its invisible hug-How do I look?
-Perfect Princess-Jack smiled, bowing as he nudged Aster, making him imitate him-You honor us with your presence, Highness.
-For me too-she bowed as she accompanied her motion with the skirt of her dress. The three sat at a table near the railing, discussing things, talking about anything that they pass through their minds. Jack began to explain to the girl the guidelines to be followed to determine what kind of power she had and what was what triggered and how to get her to be able to control that urge. Both remembered a light and incandescent sphere shine in one of his hands, but that's how far their knowledge goes. Punz had said that the train had been aware for the first time that she had those powers and also no one had ever persecuted or tried to hurt her. The young man suggested that perhaps it was due to her powers had not matured by the simple fact that she had not needed to use them but even if it was doable, he and Aster knew that theory was limping. Whether you have never used or do not glisten with all its potential, even at its lowest intensity the shadows would be able to detect them.
-And what if my body suffer amnesia?-then asked the girl-I know that such memories or abilities are blocked by the disease in a person, so why could not the same thing happen with my powers? Blocked, completely forgotten by my body would be almost as if I had lost them, right?
-But what would be able to break that barrier?-reflected aloud Aster-That would have to be very strong and certainly something that coincide with any of your memories.
-As a reminder using those powers-said Jack, pointing a set of symbols in one of the notebooks that rested on the table -The train situation you had to remember you something very similar that happened in your childhood, in the period of your life you cannot remember.
-So that could unlock my powers?-whispered Punz-My memories could be the key we are looking for...?
-Very likely, but we cannot be too sure, also-Aster said, pausing before continuing speaking-If your memory was plunged herself into that state of ignorance means that something very painful and incomprehensible happened and it would be preferable that does not return to haunt you if your body isolated from it once. I do not think it could do it again.
-But still...-hesitated the girl, reflecting on what he had said the green-eyed boy. His words made little sense and feared what he had revealed. If her body had isolated from those memories, what was it that had happened?-...I want the power to serve me to protect you two.
-Do not worry, we are also here-Jack smiled as he rested his hand on her shoulders-We can protect ourselves and that's why we can protect you. You can take all the time you need to find out who you were, even not. Besides, who says that your memories are the key to these powers? It's a possibility that does not make it unique.
Punz nodded, smiling as her friends sighed with relief. They knew that the life of her new friend had not been easy; they did not want what was beginning to build it aimed saw the same pattern. Aster rose, apologizing to go to leave the notebooks and notes in the cabin while the two youths followed his figure until it was lost by the stairs. Both were watching the sea when a cheerful and rhythmic music flooded the deck, making the girl direct her eyes to where it was playing. Some of those musicians had gathered a large group of people, who danced circling, following a complicated choreography. They looked happy, looked fun. Jack reported how the young girl was staring at the crowd, unable to control that gleam which was reflected in the two green crystals.
-Do you wanna dance?-asked the young man, holding out one hand while the young woman looked at him uncertainly-Come on, it'll be fun.
-Nobody ever asked me to dance with him-smiled the girl, even his hand did not close around the young-Is why I've never learned to dance with someone, I don't know how.
-I do not remember much ... but that's okay-laughed, looking away before nailing in his deep blue eyes-We can improvise together.
-Okay-said the young girl, clinging to his hand as he dragged her to the dance floor, but they stayed a bit separated from the people, mostly to avoid tripping-Now what do we do?
Jack shrugged, grabbing her hands as they began to turn in circles, occasionally changing the position of the arms, laughing while their movements were beginning to be freer. She started with her feet pacing increasingly difficult steps, as if she were just remembering something that did not remember unconsciously she can do. The young man tried to follow her, turning occasionally around, jumping at his side, sometimes propelling her. When the last chords were about to end, Jack was turning himself before finishing in front of the body of the girl, grabbing her hands while she was smiling, laughing while her fingers followed intertwined with the young. Punz felt that she didn't want to drop them, that unconsciously she wanted to stay like that. Jack felt he could not leave to soak in those two green wells, in the eyes of a person who did not want to let go, which did not want to lose. The applause for the musicians made both separated.
-You did great-Jack smiled, making the young girl come down the gaze-I cannot believe you did not know dance.
-I guess, I'm starting to question it-she laughed, making Jack imitate her. The young man was to answer when he saw the young girl ran to the side, clinging to the railing in front of him while the most wonderful sunset the boy had ever seen waves stained red and gold. But what the star was shining like the hair of the girl, her back to him, reflecting all the glitter of the afternoon. Jack approached, standing at his side while her Rapunzel, no, Punz turned to him, feeling how both approached, standing a few centimeters, showing that Jack was still overcome by more than three centimeters.
Jack felt his head down the little that separated it from that of the girl, how his lips were looking for hers. Punz felt that, she realized and felt not fear of what was going to happen, not going to run, she wanted it to happen. She began to close her eyes, feeling that cold breath next to her skin, raising her head before a sound made both turn. She turned to Jack, but could only see confusion in his face, causing her eyes see how he ran under cover while she stand on the deck.