I got my first comment! I love you Stinepiiig! You made my day. I just wanted you to know that. ^_^ Also, Kudoes to those who keep adding this story to their alert list, I love you too. ^_^
Yeah, that's enough of my giddiness. You're here to read the story, not my happy time.
Fiona went through her office, grabbing four boxes of small vials that they used for dried herbs and small dye batches, a box of larger vials, a pencil and pen pouch, as well as her tape measure. Placing the items on her desk, she grabbed the design she had just finished and made photo copies for Umhala to review. Putting the original in her Greek Mythology for Dummies book, she stored another copy in a notebook she had grabbed for taking measurements. With Sabin's help, they made their way to the kitchen where the smells of cooking meat and breads enveloped the whole house.
"I take it, you're going to collect the measurements finally?" Sarah asked after she turned to the sounds of footsteps entering the kitchen, noting the supplies in Fiona and Sabin's arms.
Fiona nodded as she placed her package on the table. "They want it done quickly, and I'm eager to get started," she smiled.
"You," Sarah said pointing the stirring spoon she had been using at Sabin, "take care of our Fiona. If I hear she was harmed in your care, I don't know what I'll do, but you won't like it. That, I guarantee."
"Yes ma'am," Sabin nodded. "You have my word." Fiona noted that he was trying hard not to smile as he agreed to the older and frailer woman's demand with a bow.
"Good," Sarah nodded. "Now, both of you take a seat. I need a taste test for a stew recipe I found."
"Yes, grandma," Fiona teased as she took out a chair and sat down. "So what kind of stew are we having today?"
"Tomas gave us the most gorgeous lamb meat I've ever come across. So I'm trying a traditional Irish Stew," Sarah beamed with pride.
"Great," Fiona moaned with a fake smile as she shivered internally. She had grown up on lamb stew. Yes, it was tasty, but never had she wanted to eat it again. Give her beef, pork, poultry, or rabbit and she would have been happier; at least now she knew why the house smelled atrocious. But, Sarah was the kitchen chef. If she said lamb, it was lamb.
"Don't give me that," Sarah said eyeing Fiona over her shoulder. "I know you hate lamb, but the kids said they had a craving for it. Since they don't eat lamb very often, you can suffer for a while."
"Oh how nice you are," Fiona moaned as she leaned over the table and cradled her head in her arms. "We should give you the 'Wicked Witch of the West' award. You know that right?"
"Only if I get to keep the flying monkeys," Sarah laughed as she moved to get two bowls down from the cabinet.
"Sure you can keep 'em," Fiona shrugged. "Don't know where you'll put them though."
"Oh, that's easy," Sarah said filling one of the bowls. "We'll put them in your room."
Fiona's mouth flapped open and closed for a moment at the woman's audacity. "You old crone," she finally got out with just a hint of a growl.
"Not as old as you," Sarah smiled as she placed a bowl and spoon in front of Fiona and Sabin.
Fiona growled low as she sat up, picked up the spoon to shovel the stew into her mouth. As soon as it hit her tongue and the roof of her mouth, she wanted to spit it back out. It was too hot and she burned half of her taste buds. Instead, she swallowed mournfully as it scorched it's way through her body. Remembering to blow on the next spoonful, she set to work on eating her lunch.
"Oh, Fiona," Sarah said as she took a batch of freshly baked, golden brown rolls out of the oven. "You might want to change out of your pajamas before you go."
"Huh?" Fiona asked as she blew on her next mouthful. Looking down, heat rose to her cheeks. She was still wearing her white spaghetti, baby blue pajama bottoms, and her house shoes. How on Earth did she not realize she was still wearing that when the Lords showed up? "Cac!" Fiona screamed as she dropped the spoon and flew for the door. Almost slipping on the hardwood floor, she ran to the stairs. She thought she heard Sarah and Sabin laughing as she hit the second step, but didn't care.
Almost crashing through her bedroom door, she entered into her mostly empty room. It had very little furnishings. There was a full sized, four post bed that got all the morning sun, a roll top desk that housed her laptop as well as a chair, and a stereo complete with her "secret stash" of vinyls, eight tracks, casket tapes, and CDs. In front of the stereo were two gigantic bean bag chairs in psychedelic colors with a pair of headphones lying in one. There were only three doors once you entered the small but tall room. One went back into the hall, one into a walk-in closet, and one to a bathroom. Fiona beelined it to the closet.
From the left side of the closet, she grabbed a change of underwear and matching bra from a dresser. Then a pair of light blue, hip hugging, boot cut jeans from their hanger. On the other wall she grabbed a long electric blue camouflage t-shirt and a pair of ankle socks. Putting her bundle on a small bench she kept in her closet against the back wall, she stripped and redressed. Throwing her jamies in a hamper positioned by the bench, she went over what she was missing.
"Undies, check. Socks, shirt, and pants. Triple check. What am I missing? What am I missing?" Fiona asked as she looked her closet over. "Shoes," she remembered. Making her way to her closet door, she grabbed a pair of blue camo chucks and strapped them to her feet. "What else, what else, what else?" Fiona wondered as she tapped a finger on her lips.
Looking to the top of her closet, she spotted an old oak box covered in knot work. Getting the long heavy box down off it's shelf, she placed it on the bench. Lifting the lid, she came to one of her grandmother's never fading cloths guarding what she was looking for. Untying the knot, she unfolded the cloth to reveal her weaver's belt and gown. The belt was made of leather that held the eight phases of the moon done in sterling silver. The full moon, which was also the buckle, was outlined in knot work as it's center held a spider weaving her web. Fiona traced the spider and her many legs before she lifted the long unused belt and placed it over her hips. Closing up the box and replacing it, she left her closet and looked at herself in her full length mirror that was set into the wood of the door.
Again, she noted that her hair was too black and straight, her eyes too almond shaped and too silver to be anything but supernatural. Her cheek bones too high and her skin looked too much like poured milk. Her frame was too small with just barely enough meat on it. The only true assets she possessed was her bosom and rump.
"I am the spitting image of Caillech," Fiona moaned as she slumped her shoulders. Why can't I be more like my sister? Fiona wondered for the zillionth time. Umhala resembled the sun on a clear day, Fiona the moon in her full glory. The only thing they seemed to share in common was a constant pouty lower lip from spinning. Fiona sighed again as she turned form the mirror and headed back downstairs to finish eating.
When Fiona entered the kitchen, Sarah was the only one in the room.
"Where's Sabin?" Fiona asked as she grabbed her cooled bowl of lamb stew and gobbled it down.
"Lucian came and got him," Sarah informed the fairy as she continued to kneed another batch of dough. "Something about needing to calm his friends down?"
Fiona squeaked. Are they mad at me? Did they not like the samples we made?
"Oh, don't worry," Sarah said smiling over at Fiona with flower on her face. "Lucian was laughing as he was talking to Sabin."
Fiona couldn't help but smile at seeing the old woman covered in flower. Trying not to choke on the last of her stew she walked over to the sink and placed her bowl inside. "Any idea when they'll be back?"
"Lucian said, five minutes," Sarah informed Fiona as she took up a knife and separated out the dough.
"Alright," Fiona nodded.
Walking through the kitchen, she went to the pantry and took one of the Go-Green bags from a hook. It was blue with butterflies over a field of daisies. Maggie, Fiona thought, as she traced a butterfly and smiled. While Jason was a wiz with color, Maggie excelled in pattern making. Charlie…not so much a weaver at heart. What he could do, was work a computer and numbers. He was an accountant by trade and did taxes on the on-season. Umhala and Fiona tried to teach Sarah how to weave, but she preferred to keep the house and home running in tip-top-shape. And by the gods, she did.
Walking back to the table, she filled her bag with the supplies she was going to need. When the bag was packed, she still felt that missing feeling.
"What am I missing?" Fiona asked herself as she tapped a finger on her lips.
Umhala walked in the kitchen and snapped her fingers.
Fiona and Sarah both turned to the older pregnant fairy. In her hand was a small spruce wood box colored in bright red, green, and yellow knot work. Smiling she walked over to Fiona and handed her the box.
You almost forgot this in the office. Umhala signed.
"This is what I was forgetting," Fiona nodded. "Thank you."
You are welcome Weft. Umhala smiled. Now remember to wear that belt with pride.
"I will," Fiona beamed as she embraced her sister. Letting go of her sister she knelt down and placed a kiss on the growing child. "Stay warm," Fiona whispered as she stroked her sister's belly.
Standing back up, she headed over to the table and placed the ancient box into her bag. The moment she took her hand back, Lucian popped into the kitchen.
"Are you ready?" he asked scaring everyone in the room.
Fiona spun to see the taller man with his mitched matched eyes of blue and brown. "I think so," she smiled as she tried to hide her panicking heartbeat.
"Good," Lucian said as he strolled over to Fiona and placed a hand upon her shoulder. "Then let's go."
Clutching to the bag, Fiona felt herself slip from one plain of existence to another. Before she could become accustomed to the cold and dark, she was enveloped in light.
Again, I love you and thanks for the comment. Keep 'em comming.