Heyo! Back with a new story!
So, I decided to hop on here with an official story about Wanda's mother. Which makes me nervous, because this is very much a past events kinda tale. Although Wanda will have her important moments in the 'present day' time including Cosmo. There'll be some CosmoxWanda when I can, it's only natural at this point. I started a list of new ideas for stories, and we're going ahead with this!
Hope this first chapter is a nice intro, it will get sadder tho. Uh oh.
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The flash of Wanda's wand ignited the sconce lights on her basement walls to come alive. Looking around at the dusty interior of the basement in her house situated in Fairy World. The pink fairy's eyes surveyed the room of reused boxes, relayed junk, disused items such as bicycles and one of Cosmo's old skateboards from his youth, and other such trinkets that were either of no use or saved for the purpose of memory that rested against the old stone of the walls.
A fairy's memory was like a glass orb, Wanda reminded herself as she ventured further in from the staircase that led upstairs. It was like a glass orb, because it can tell-all, but is easy to shatter if not handled carefully. Perhaps the labeled junk was one of those ways Wanda and Cosmo kept their precious memories alive. Maybe those of lesser importance, but still true to heart. Wanda was a scrapbook-type herself, although those were reserved for the more prioritized memories.
Married for a few thousand years now, Cosmo and Wanda were back home in Fairy World during a pause between godchildren of their godparenting career. In awaiting a new assignment from Jorgen relatively soon, the married couple took advantage of the time they had here before moving once again to a home away from home with a new adventure with a child. As reserved, tonight was a cheesy rom-com movie night for the married couple. The type of film category Cosmo and Wanda shared a mutual love for, both for the cheesiness that made them laugh hysterically, but the mushy romantics that were admittedly sweet for both of them. It helped to be madly in love to appreciate that stuff.
With a while to spare, Wanda had wandered into the basement in hopes of finding the old snowcone machine they only used when they remembered they actually had it. Finding it with magic would be proven difficult enough, considering the thing hadn't been touched in ages, and conjuring it up would be harder that way.
Approaching what Wanda called 'the mountain', which was really just a stack of unsorted cardboard boxes, she sighed. Her neat-freak tendencies are what really kept her from coming down here most of the time. She'd almost sent Cosmo instead, but he was tasked with the second part of the job to look for the snowcone syrup stored in a pantry in the garage.
"C'mon, now.." she surveyed the cardboard boxes. Straying from her original task in finding the mini-machine as she flew high up the length of the 'mountain'. Putting these boxes somewhere a little better at least for now wouldn't hurt anyone. It certainly would help Wanda sleep better at night. In wanting to transport some of it with her magic to the garage, she figured she should see what would be best to be stored there and here.
A box of gag joke items, something of what she really wanted to throw out although Cosmo supposedly 'needed' it. She could send that to the garage. Maybe wait and see in another hundred years if Cosmo truly used it, and if not, give it a new home in the dumpster. A box of magazines? Trash. When was that ever gonna be of any use? Old music mixtapes Cosmo and she made in college, well, she had to keep those. They could stay down here. Some rollerskates, maybe. A conch shell from a beach trip she and Cosmo took, maybe she could find a nice decorative spot for that. Some books, unused picture frames...
Wanda stopped at another box labeled; Caelia Fairywinkle.
In a place where time stood still, she wondered if she really wanted to occupy herself with that rabbit hole right now. She was already off task in finding the snowcone machine by organizing all this junk. If Wanda threw herself into another thing like that, she'd drive completely off course. Still, her eyes stared longingly at the black markered writing of the name upon the cardboard. Preoccupied once more, she took the handles of the box and floated back down to the level of the basement floor.
Letting it down with a heavy thud, she held the handles apprehensively. Even for a box meant to be special, it still rose those fears from deep down. A place in Wanda's heart that held the pain of what she could only describe as...the life that could've been.
Choosing against her main task, Wanda sat before the box with her legs crossed. Opening the flaps one by one before she peered in with a curious gaze at the contents of the box. Old items she knew well but only touched every so often when she felt she could bring herself to. Reaching a steadied hand into the box, her fingers grazed one of the first things pilled atop. In wrapping her hand around it carefully, she lifted an old compact mirror. The case had a black metalled front with a white lily flower on it. Opening it and looking into the small piece of mirror at her own eyes, Wanda recalled how another pair of eyes not too different from her's once gazed into the same reflection...
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Millenniums earlier, a family known as the Oakbelles lived humbly amongst the higher clouds of Fairy World. In a neighborhood known as well-bred and uppity...well...mainly by the occupants' standards. If a family of such prioritized business and money was not made from family money, it was married money. Or both. Built from the grounds up since Fairy World first came into existence and families of such started their way in making a profit. Giving, might they add, to Fairy World and helping exceedingly in ways to run the life of fairies into a well-rounded part of the universe. They were in fact ahead in magical properties above other races, although this power was not abused. Could families such as this be partial in thanking? Possibly.
Elm Oakbelle, a blue-haired, blue-eyed lad, was one of the fairies that had nearly seen the dawn of fairy time in creating his business atop the wealth clouds. With the wonderful purple fairy Jessamine Oakbelle as his wife, there was nearly a life unstoppable for either of them and their family. Elm had worked in the product of wand distribution and adaptation for millenniums now, and Jessamine came from a family of corporate housing in partnership with pixies.
Born from the well-bred couple were three offspring. The eldest of which, Avo, a blue-haired just like his father in a front cow-lick high-fade, but inherited purple eyes like his mother. Avo had dedicated his past few years of life as a new generation fairy in corporate administration for his father's work. though it may have come off at first as a bit of a favoritism thing for other employees, the dedication Avo gave, not to mention the fair but firm deal his father had, showed that Avo went to be more of a hard worker than just the boss' son.
The second was a fiery red-haired of short gelled waves that hung loosely and the same red eyes known as Brock. Although he was not entirely renown in the Oakbelle family business, he still went after a career in law, keeping his parents satisfied enough with his choice. He was the most convincing of the three children growing up anyhow, so it had never been much of a surprise for him to go after such a career. And even if the Oakbelles had more than a clean sweep, having a lawyer in the family wouldn't be too bad a deal in the off-chance.
Then the youngest of which, the first woman born under the family name. Caelia, otherwise known as the only Oakbelle daughter.
Having graduated from the Fairy Academy in a double-major of the Communities and Magic Resources program a few years before, with honors might she add, she was a shoo-in for the type of business that aided in magical sustainability and welfare for creatures. A fairy of pastel pink swirly curls that went down to her shoulders and framed her heart-shaped face, and eyes of a fuschia pink. She had an eye for the world, and an eye for the greater good. As one may put it, a pure heart needed in the center of chaos.
To say her goals were somewhat dismissed compared to her brothers was one way of putting it. Sure it may have been in business still, but she'd wanted to aid in something that didn't revolve around products or manufacturing or such. She enjoyed the type that would focus on magical aid and maintain the fairies good-natured ways in aiding the universe. It may have gone a little more for her, considering her mother wasn't always entirely happy that this was what she prioritized as a future. If one of her brothers had said this was their goal, they would get an easier free pass. But her, the only daughter? When had her mother not pointed out a man of certain taste at a high-end party to Caelia, one of which was high in business or some sort? Her father wasn't the exact same. Probably because Elm felt it was not his place, but also his business kept him out of town on and off for the past few years. Caelia of course would be expected to work in finance or business anyhow, she was an important fairy after all. But the difference between her and her brothers is she knew along with her goal to work in something business-heavy, there should ideally be a ring on her finger too. As much as Caelia would call them out on this minimally, never was it confronted. And more was Caelia's choice in life pressured one way. By her mother specifically.
"What in the starry universe is taking you three so long?" Jessamine called up a grand staircase, with her long purple locks held in a low knot. As well dressed in a long summery lace-up back ruffle crimson dress for the upcoming event's attire. The purple fairy remained situated in the double staircase foyer of her grand home. Accent beige walls, polished beige tile flooring, and white marbled staircase with black steel railing of a swirled stem and flower design. Above hung a black crystal chandelier.
Brock turned the corner of the right staircase, wearing a coral blue polo with the collar flaps pulled up, tucked into his casual grey golfer's pants with white tennis shoes. He read the rolled page of a men's issue magazine as he ate a pear. Making his way to the bottom he looked up only to give his mother a quizzical look.
"Why already dressed, ma? Party isn't for a few hours."
"Peoni asked me to come over and assist early," Jessamine explained as she put on her matching crimson lace mesh gloves. "I was going to ask my wonderful children if they could assist, but I could see they're too busy for their mother."
Avo approached the three in looking down at the texts of his phone, dressed in a navy blue pin-stripped suit with a skinny black tie. "I'm sorry, ma. We'll make it up to you." He assured with a kiss on her cheek. "I have that lunch meeting."
"I'm going golfing with the guys." Brock shrugged, biting into his pear.
"Then where is your sister?"
"YO, Caelia!" Brock howled up the staircase. Jessamine scrunched her brows in irritation.
The girl with the shoulder-length pastel pink curls and fuschia eyes turned the corner atop the right loft of the staircases. Wearing an off-the-shoulder pink sweater similar to her hair, the sweater of which hanging over her short white penciled skirt. Sporting white-shimmered flats and matching pearl earrings.
"Mummy, you're already dressed?" She asked, beginning to float her way down the staircase.
"I'm going to help Peoni early if you'd care to join. But first," her mother did one twirl. "Thoughts?"
Caelia reached the end of the stairs to join her brothers. "Well, it's nice. But the party is semi-casual."
"But many associates will be there, don't forget."
Caelia grinned. "There's nothing you and papa can't make more impressive already, can you?"
"Supposedly," her mother wouldn't disagree. "And what will you be wearing?"
"My frill trim white summer dress. Y'know, with the spaghetti sleeves."
"Oh, but I bought you that lovely a-line!"
"Mum, please. I don't want to make a spectacle at a semi-casual."
Jessamine sighed, almost too dramatically. "Fine, fine. But I expect no one to be late, is that understood?"
"Yes." All three of her children solemnly agreed.
"Good. Now where is my compact, I think I did my blush in the wrong lighting."
"You could borrow mine." Caelia pulled out a black metalled cover with a white flower lily.
"Thank you, pumpkin." Her mother said, taking the compact in opening it.
"You do remember I won't be staying long, right?" Caelia reminded her mother. "Windy, Apple, and I still have movie plans."
"Yes, that's all fine dear. Just stay long enough to cheer a glass with your father's associates." Jessamine spoke before she floated off to the living room through the archway beside the right staircase, looking into the compact mirror.
The chateau came alive with the doorbell. Avo still stared at his phone as he ventured forward to unlock the mahogany front doors with glass paneling. In opening it, a fairy with a cornflower blue short shag of hair and matching eyes stood before him with an assortment of mail in his hands. Dressed in a pair of skinny blue jeans, a black t shirt, a blue-washed jean jacket with an assortment of artist pins on the flaps, and brown derbies.
"Finch, my guy. Been a while!" Avo said, shaking the cornflower fairy's hand.
"That it has." He said, coming in as Avo let him. He played with the letters in hand. "All I'm assuming for your parents, but just doing my job."
While Finch was interning at an artist's studio, he had been the sort of 'groundskeeper' for the Oakbelle manor for years now. Long enough to be known by the family and good friends with the children whom he was close to in age. Graduating only one year older than Caelia back in high school for that matter, being long-term best friends. He was paid for the task of coffee-fetching for Elm and Jessamine and other small tasks like mail, but a lot of the time he took care of the garden and the garage work. Anything that could be done which the other part-time help workers of the household couldn't, and good money for him since his parents had never bothered to pay for his studies out of spite.
"How's it coming with the art heads, anyhow?" Caelia asked her friend as she and Brock approached.
"So far I'm just a brush cleaner. I'd give it a solid negative one out of ten."
"Ha." Caelia snorted as her brothers left and she caught up with her long-term friend. "Pays to be talented."
"Yeah, so does being the coffee-fetcher."
"You coming with us to the movies tonight?"
Finch gave a crooked clench of his teeth. "I dunno, Cee. I have some things at the studio to wrangle, otherwise I'm toast."
Caelia wanted to protest, but knowing this was a stepping stone to his dream, she couldn't argue. He nor her other friends would never do the same unlike her parents, and she had to understand that with Finch too.
"I get, Finch. No worries."
"Speaking of," Finch swiftly changed the subject. "You've been kinda on hiatus fooooor-"
"Almost two years, now? I know." Caelia agreed in slight embarrassment. "Turns out that 'break' after the academy came by longer. I think I'm ready to start looking at some internings down at the offices."
Not to mention her mother had kept her wildly busy enough from trying to get enough experience.
"What about your family's business?"
"Finch, hello. Do you know me at all?"
He snorted, holding the open door's handle as he let himself out. "Okay, well wish me luck scrubbing paint off some rubber smocks. Heard it really wrings the sweat out of you."
Caelia chuckled, turning back to the rest of her house.
Caelia put on the same frill trim white summer dress she'd spoken of with the spaghetti strap sleeves. Going just above her knees as she accompanied them with her tan heels. Draping her curls behind her shoulders, she floated up the stone path of a rented venue. Looking into her compact once more before slipping it into her envelope handbag. In approaching the entrance of the hotel, two faces excitedly waved her over.
Her first friend Apple, hair of course a bright apple red cut in a straight slick bob tucked behind her ears. And eyes a crystal blue, along with shimmered freckles that occupied her pale face. Her second friend Windy, hair a baby blue, naturally textured and slicked back into middle-parted buns on each lower side of her head. Her eyes matching in baby blue against her pristine ebony skin.
"Hey, hey." Windy greeted, Caelia giggling at her two girlfriends waiting for her.
"Girl, for something so important to your mom you don't mind being late!" Apple said.
"It's basically my 'trophy-daughter-audition' night all over again. I really don't mind being late." Caelia commented, receiving a unison giggle from her friends. "C'mon, the sooner we're in, the sooner we can leave."
On the border of the hotel doors before they could even get it, Caelia stopped in considering the time. Realizing it's been a few hours, she unclipped her envelope purse as her friends waited for her. The pink fairy pulled out an inhaler, giving it a shake before popping the cap of the mouthpiece. Holding it to her mouth, she pressed down on the button of the canister and breathed in a puff.
Caelia had been born with an excess layer of magic around one of her lungs. As much as this sounded like a good thing, it was less of a shield and more like an unintentional membrane there instead. Allowing bodily invaders to pass through much easier, thus giving her a hypersensitive form of asthma. Enduring the need for an inhaler and general antibiotics. It was very minor, and only slightly delaying though she could still function all the same.
With the needed dose, she ventured into the hotel with her friends by the doorman's opening of the door for them. In passing the check-in table for the reserved party, they were escorted to a nearby grand ballroom where the semi-formal took place. Of course, Caelia's eyes and ears were drawn immediately to her mother's loud social butterfly presence, laughing amongst a group of colleagues of her husband. Mr. Elm Oakbelle wasn't present that night, away on business as usual. But his wife played the part of the socially inclined almost better than him anyway.
In seeing her daughter, she waved her over. Caelia gave a nod to her friends as they broke off to get situated with drinks. And any potential man candies if there was anyone interesting here at all. Caelia floated over to the group to engage with the eyes that watched her approach.
"Gentlemen, you all remember my youngest Caelia." Jessamine reminded.
"Ah, of course." One held a hand out, that Caelia shook back with a strong grip. "Oi, a firm hand you got there."
"Yes, sir." Caelia said, proceeding with the buttercup personality. "My parents have only ever taught us strength and nothing less."
Her mother gave a wink.
"What have you been up to, lately?" The same man asked.
"Graduated from Communities and Magic Resources at the Fairy Academy. With honors." Jessamine answered for her daughter. "Elm and I raise them good."
"And mighty beautiful." One nodded to Caelia.
"Go get yourself situated with a drink, dear." Jessamine suggested to her youngest.
"Yeh, don't feel bothered to stay and listen to our talk. All about elf business relations, would bore ya."
Caelia chose to ignore her mother's attempt to rid of her. "Actually, that would interest me. I do believe elves are our best hand at magical toil with one another."
"Is that so?"
The pink fairy shrugged. "Our businesses of our community interact best with the large industries they have down in Elf Lands. More so than I can say with anyone in Pixies Inc. It's best to go by an idealistic nature that's compatible with our deep-rooted 'playful' kind. Our ancient fairy warriors and council didn't make it this way for nothing."
"Well, shoot." One commented, causing the others to chuckle. He looked to Jessamine, who looked slightly on edge. "You didn't tell me she was so analytical."
"With all due respect sir, I didn't graduate with honors for nothing." Caelia didn't mind gloating.
"Of course we're keeping an eye out," Jessamine defused slightly. "For a man who doesn't mind dealing with that analytical eye of her's."
"I should hope so, you'd probably shut him right up." Another said, causing the group to laugh vigorously. Caelia grinned and floated off in search of that drink she was sure she needed more than when she arrived.
A few hours in, it was no different. These parties became more and more of a 'good daughter' chore with every one. And Caelia wondered when the day of her doing something different would break her from such a repetitive norm. It couldn't be bothered though when her mother was more stubborn than a mule. It was mentally exhausting on Caelia and her whole short life already.
Finding a lone table situated by the wall of a quiet corner, she floated over. One other occupant occupied one of the chairs, but she aimed for the empty one anyway. Her wings were killing her from standing around and being shown off by her mother anyhow. Sitting down with a slight slump, she sighed in lifting her drink for a sip. She didn't remember Avo nor Brock being this paraded around ever.
"Not much an invitee myself."
Realizing one set of eyes did pay attention to her, she turned to the voice. Sitting on her right from across the table was the occupant she hadn't paid much attention to, but now was she invested by from his executed line.
"Sorry?"
A fairy with a full head of jet black hair gelled into a medium-length comb-over wave. Broad in the chest in shoulders and a sharp-edged jawline, Caelia surprised at all the deltoids he held fit so smoothly in his black fine-trimmed suit. He held a scotch neat on his knee as his eyes of a fuschia pink looked across the way at her. Riveting her by his mere look.
"I can only handle a room of these people for so long, ya know." He continued.
Caelia blew a breath past her lips. "Tell me about it."
"Here for the parents?"
She shrugged a single brow. "How'd you know?"
He gave a low smile as to show his amusement, though it wasn't exaggerated. "Here with my brothers. They be more social than I am. Me, I can last a few hours tops."
Figuring he was just about her age, maybe a bit older, she turned a bit in her seat to face him more. "Are your parents high in the business?"
He swallowed a sip of his scotch. "I'm actually the one holding the business."
Caelia couldn't hide her tender surprise. "Really, now?"
"Been a part of my ma's family for years. I was born the oldest son, so it was mine in a matter of time."
Caelia nodded. She looked back to the sea of the crowd in tapping her palms against her bare knees in an awkward manner.
"And you?"
She looked back. "Me?"
"You gotta family business to uphold, or what?"
He was very forward in his questions. Though he had the general look and slang of many men she met at these parties, he was slightly a little more willing to ask.
"My parents wouldn't let that happen." Caelia chose not to lie. She already had to be fake enough at these events. The odds of seeing this guy again were slim to none, so she might as well be open and never again. "My mother won't let me do anything until I've got a ring on my finger."
He sipped his scotch silently, not giving her a straight answer. Caelia didn't know if that either infuriated her or just intrigued her more.
"Eh, I guess these parties aren't so bad," he said. "Important people make for important business."
Caelia shrugged her shoulders in partial agreeing. He eyed her movement.
"Ya don't seem too certain."
She looked back at him with an assertive brow. "And you seem to call me out on the weirdest things."
His solemn lips gave a small side smile. "Well you're not like those other dovies," he shot a look to two girls, her friends specifically, situated by the bar as they flirted heavily with the guys who had their eyes on them all night.
"Those dovies are my friends." Caelia commented.
"Am I wrong, though?"
Her cheeks stretched from her smile. "No."
A low chuckle left him. The pink-haird fairy reached an assertive hand across the table for a shake. "I'm Caelia."
"Firo," he shook her hand in a firm hold. "Friends call me Big."
She breathed a small laugh. "Big?"
"Got me a few looks in the past, I tell ya," Big said as he pulled his hand back. "But what I do then is, is that I shoot 'em one of these 'ere looks." He made a point of scowling deeply, and Caelia swore his eyes of fuschia pink darkened in hue somehow.
Caelia gave a crooked smile. "Threatening much?"
"Only when I need to," Big lifted his drink to his lips as his eyes didn't leave her face. "Sweets."
A burn occupied her cheeks.
"Gotta tell ya," he said. "Nature was generous in making you."
Maybe if anyone else had delivered that, she wouldn't have cared. But it hadn't been the first thing that came out of his mouth and that's what made it different. He seemed almost constructive before deciding to flirt. Like HE was the one who needed to get a read on her first.
"What...what family did you say you were from?" Caelia asked. She cleared her throat, wondering since when she couldn't talk properly.
Big clicked his tongue after another sip of scotch. "The Fairywinkles."
The pink of her eyes widened. "Oh my, you do have a lot to uphold."
"Ah, what'll they do if I don't?" Big waved off. "I'm the boss, after all."
"Caelia! Caelia, come on!"
She turned to her friends waving her over, and back at the Fairywinkle man. "Firo,"
"Big."
"Big," she giggled. "I have to go. But-"
"Go on, I'm not about to stop ya." He agreed. "But uh, wouldn't mind seeing you aroun' these parts again."
"That would be lovely," she lifted from her seat in drawing near to where her friends still called her over. "Our families aren't that distanced I believe. I'm Elm and Jessamine Oakbelle's daughter."
"I'm sure you're more than that," he said. "I won't be forgetting your face anyhow. You don't be worrying your tail feathers."
She waved a shy hand. "Goodbye, Big."
"Goodbye, Caelia."
Tucking a strand behind her ear, she turned to hide the red that burnt her cheeks more. Proceeding to make way through the crowd and back to her friends who awaited her not so patiently.
"We leave you for a minute and you've already found some eye candy!" Apple teased.
"Oh, hush. It's hardly like that."
"It's nothing BUT like that." Windy remarked. "Since when are you a flirt?"
"Answer; I'm not. Can we go to the movies now?"
To be continued...
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Lol, if you didn't catch the drift, Big is obviously Big Daddy but younger. I figured his nickname had a bit of an adaptation.
So the idea would be that we would always have a moment with Wanda (Cosmo will be in quite a few scenes, because he HAS to, I love him too much) before we jump right back into our main story with Caelia. The story should be 20 or fewer chapters, but not by a lot. I've only written under halfway through, so I haven't landed on an official number yet, but I've written enough hopefully to stay on schedule. (I'll be updating again Tuesdays and Fridays)
Stay tuned!
~McSgwizzle