In a flurry the three arrive at Mother Nature's door and look around a little more confused. Normally they end up at her cottage but this was different. This was one of the manors. Snow Miser glances over at Heat Miser who looks back at him with more concern, his eyebrow raising in curiosity and worry.
This wasn't a typical place for their mother to bring anyone. The manor was normally reserved for big occasions! While the boys panicked, Indi was happily looking around at the building. The structure was beautiful and over flowing with cottage charm, yet there was a slight castle vibe to it.
"Come in you three! We're in the dining hall waiting." Mother Nature's voice sounded from the clouds.
Indi jumps a little in surprise by hearing her voice being projected from the clouds. Snow Miser and Heat Miser even give a light startled jump having still been on edge about this. Why did it feel like a trap..?
"Does she always do that when guests arrive?" Indi blinks looking up at Snow Miser and then over to Heat Miser.
"Unfortunately, Yes. It always makes us jump when she does that." Snow Miser notes as he opens the door to allow Indi to step in first.
"I think she enjoys watching people jump out of their skin when she does it. Gives her a little laugh for the day.." Heat Miser grumbles, following Indi and Snow into the manor.
As they enter into the entry the three of them make their way down toward the dining hall. Snow Miser is looking around with Heat Miser and his expression stats to falter a little from a happy one to a little more saddened. There were a lot of memories in this manor, almost too many. Indi on the other hand has her eyes widening at everything. There was just so much to take in. The beautiful structure of the home with it's stone and cottage look, made everything feel really cozy and homey.
Indi could tell that this used to be where Heat and Snow used to come to a lot. There were walls that were charred and some that had been iced over. She runs her hand gently over one of the walls as she stops to look at a room in particular. The brothers had been caught up in a conversation with each other so they hadn't noticed the girl wander off.
Curiously she stepped into the room and looked around at all of the details. The warm wooden walls, the cobblestone fireplace, the Christmas Tree decked with multi-colored glass ornaments, white bulbs, a comfortable looking red chair, a big window with a window seat, a generous sized rug...the whole room felt so magical to look at. She could almost clearly see several individuals in her mind, playing and having fun in here.
There were candles on the mantle and a bureau close by with photos. Gently picking up one of the photos, Indi smiles at the Nature family. They all looked so happy there! Setting it down she picks up the next one, it was of Inari, The Misers and North when they were kids. Running her thumb over it she gives a puzzling look at the image. Wait, those were the ones she'd just seen in her mind...wasn't it? A door creeks open toward her left near the fireplace. Raising her head to look, she sets down the photo and makes her way in.
Making her way through the door, it leads to a ball room and banquet hall. Indi's eyes widen as she audibly gasps. It was breath taking! Large windows everywhere, a beautiful balcony and staircase, marble tiling.. It was like in some grand movie. Walking through she glances to her reflection on the wall only to find Inari there waving.
"AH!" Indi cries out in shock for a moment and jumps back, raising an eyebrow at the reflection. "Inari..? Is ..is that your name? Why do you keep showing up to me..? Why aren't you appearing to Snow and Heat Miser? Are you angry with them? They miss you...and feel a lot of guilt about what happened you know.." She tries to talk with the girl.
"Oh, sorry! I keep scaring you. Can't help it though since I don't have any tangibility, yet.." Inari giggles and nods. "Yes, my name is Inari." Listening to her other questions she sighs and glances to the side. "I'm not angry with them. I'm always around them in fact! They just can't see me, yet, which is admittedly frustrating!" The reflection folds her arms and rolls her eyes. "I mean, I'm right in front of them! However, you on the other hand can see me and feel me. With your help, Indi, I'll be able to come back!" Inari's smile widens as she motions at Indi.
"I don't understand. How can I help you come back...? I'm just a ..." Indi shifts her glance from Inari to the floor as she rubs her arm. "...fraud. I'm a girl among magic folk..."
"Oh, pfft, you are not! You are so much more than you realize. Even so, a human able to see any of us sprites, is so powerful! There are so many sprites who wish that a single human could see them. Their fairy tales are either untold or undertold! It's because of humans that some of us continue to have our power and our strength. Belief and stories are very powerful abilities that humans possess! We can still exist without them, but, with them, more humans can see us. Some humans don't need the stories to see us but, others do, for that little magical nudge." Inari explains as she walks over to one of the beams and leans against it in the reflection.
"...I see... I guess that makes sense." Indi smiles warmly at the girl. "So how can I help you then..?"
"I need you to remember me and the stories you've heard! Remember seeing me when we were younger! I need you to feel me and see through my eyes, see my story..." Inari points out at the ball room. "Close your eyes. This place is crawling with magic! Feel the energy around you shifting. Feel the excitement, the sounds of a party, sprites dancing, voices talking, music playing, the smell of fresh cookies, pies, a roasted turkey...the lights, the ball gowns.."
Indi does as she's instructed, closing her eyes tightly as she feels the energy from the rooms past. Images starting to flood into her mind and soon in front of her face as she looks around the room. She lets out a loud gasp as she sees the whole party unfolding in front of her eyes. Mother Nature standing there with Father Time and Father Winter watching over the party. Heat, Snow, Inari and North go rushing by with a plate of snacks and rush into the room with the fireplace.
"Let's get away from this stupid party. All they want to do is talk about them. It'd be more interesting if they'd talk about me!" North Wind calls back at his brothers.
"It's so boring..! I'd rather stand around watching paint dry.." Heat Miser notes, following him in.
"C'mon Inari..! We don't want to miss out on the snacks!" Snow leads the girl in behind him, holding her hand tightly so she won't get lost in the crowd.
Indi steps back into the room to try and watch the rest of it unfold. It was so curious and fascinating! Though part of her still wanted to continue to watch the party, she was interested in the young versions of the sprites. They all seemed so cute and wholesome back then! Also it could help her out with Inari. So quietly she watched..