Chapter Two
Wisp
walked slowly. The word had traveled quickly but she could hardly believe that
she had done it. Granted that she was centuries old but still…despite all the
right she had to feel like she was irresponsible she didn't.
She was happy.
She did not know if her child would be immortal as she was or mortal as her father was. She knew it was selfish but she prayed for immortality. She did not know if Brian could ever stay with her but if her daughter or son could that would mean part of Brian was with her. And besides, she could not bear the thought of losing a child on top of Brian.
"Wisp!'
The woman turned and was met with
her best friend, Patty O'Green. The green haired female flung her arms around
her friend. The two had been best friends in younger years but now as they grew
their close friendship had blossomed into a sister like relationship.
"Hey Patty," the blond greeted her
friend gently. Patty hugged her tight and then held her at arms' length.
"Oh, wow! You're gonna be a Momma!"
Wisp smiled, her cheeks a faint pink
shade. It had never really hit her until Patty said it. It was true! She…she
was going to be a mother! Tears filled her eyes and unconsciously she slid her
hands down to rest on her still flat stomach. Violet had given her some herbs
to dull the pains that were already starting. They helped.
"Wisp?"
The blond looked at her friend.
"Have you told Starlite?"
The girl shook her head. Her loyal
horse had been at the Color Mines when she'd told the others. They'd been
stunned but then quickly congratulated her, even Stormy who had a little secret
of her own. She had told Wisp that Lady Brite had appeared in her dreams,
touched her belly and said,
"Spread the generation on."
Wisp wondered if Lady Brite was
going to get involved even more.
"Wisp?"
The blond once more broke from her
memories and looked at Patty. She smiled. The green haired female said softly,
"Starlite's coming back. I thought
you might want to tell him alone."
The woman nodded. Starlite was her
constant companion, her closest and most loyal friend. She said softly, "Tell them I'll be a little late."
With weight like lead on her
shoulders, she hurried outside in time to see Starlite come running up. She ran
to greet him but the pain in her belly tripled and she slumped to the ground,
with a low whimper of pain.
"Wisp!"
The girl smiled as she felt her
horse immediately run over to her and bend down to her level. He let her grab
his mane so he could help her up. She could tell she hurt him but the way he
grimaced. But Starlite, being Starlite, said nothing of the pain. Wisp said
softly,
"Starlite, could we ride off for a
time, to talk?'
Starlite gave her a puzzled gaze.
"Are you sure? I don't think you feel up to it."
"I'll tell you why, Starlite.
But…alone."
Starlite was baffled at her suddenly
blush and embarrassment. But he nodded and bent low so she could climb on. Once
she was secured, he ran out into the forests in the land, until they felt the
wind blowing their hair backward. Wisp closed her eyes and let her horse's mane
blow into her face.
When they reached the river,
Starlite sat down, and let Wisp slowly get off. She sat on the ground slowly,
leaning against the horse. Starlite looked at her. She looked miserable. And
her cheeks were flushed and hot. Starlite dipped his mane in the waters and
then draped it over his friend's face.
She let Starlite nuzzle her as she
tried to muster the courage to talk. Starlite looked at her, square in the eye.
"Wisp? What is it?"
"I…I…Starlite, did you ever wonder
why I started to age so much?"
The horse gave her a cynical look.
He knew she was beating around the bush. But he went along with it and nodded.
"It occurred to me. Violet did
mention, she thought it was preparation."
"It…it was Starlite."
The stallion gave her another nudge
with his head. "Wisp, tell me. I'm Starlite, the most magnificent horse in
existence. I doubt there's anything that will stun me."
Wisp decided blunt was the way.
"I'm pregnant."
"YOU'RE WHAT?"
Wisp whimpered in pain as Starlite's
shouts brought her headache back, full intensity. She clamped her hands over
her ears. She looked up at her horse as he leapt up. For the first time, she
saw anger glaring at her. She swallowed and said softly,
"I…I know it's a shock…"
"Shock? Wisp, shock doesn't cover
half it!"
The horse bent and locked eyes with
her. "Brian's the father isn't he?"
Wisp could only nod. Starlite lifted
his head and gave a low snort. "I knew when we first met him, it was a bad
idea. I KNEW!"
Wisp stared up at her friend. She'd
never really had Starlite angry with her. Agitated yes, but not really angry.
Those words stung. She had prayed that he'd help but instead he was angry. She
fought the tears but lost.
Wisp, the strong Rainbow, Keeper of
the Colors, burst into tears.
That brought Starlite back to
reality. He wasn't really mad, just stunned. And then, seeing Wisp, his best
friend, his most loyal friend burst out crying; show weakness she never dared
show before, because of him, shattered the cover.
Starlite nuzzled her cheek saying,
"Oh, Wisp, don't cry. I didn't mean
it that way. It…well, I guess even the Mighty Starlite can be stunned."
The woman dried her tears on
Starlite's mane. He hugged her with his head.
"I'll be here Wisp. I always was
before."
She nodded. "I…I'm sorry I dumped it
out all of a sudden…"
The horse just squeezed her tighter.
She flung her arms around his neck and cried.
"I'm scared, Starlite. I'm scared.
What if the child's mortal? What if I miscarry? What if-"
"What if all this worrying
jeopardizes you both?" the horse said with a laugh. "Don't worry so. You worry
too much."
Wisp nodded. "You're right…it's
just…I feel like I jeopardized the world's color. I don't know how long I can do
my job if I'm pregnant."
Starlite gave her a smile and
gestured for her to climb back on. She did so and the stallion took off at a
gentle jog back towards the Color Castle. As he galloped, he added,
"Don't worry. If need be, the Color
kids can do their own colors. And Starlite is fully capable of guiding them."
Wisp smiled. "Thanks Starlite. You
can always cheer me up."
"Of course. And right now, as a
friend, I have a specific order."
Wisp looked at him. He gave her a
firm look with one of his eyes.
"Go and get some rest."
"But-"
"No. No buts. I'll stand watch by
the door if I have to."
Wisp smiled. "Okay, you win."
Starlite gave his overconfident
smile again,
"Of course. I'm Starlite. There's
nothing I can't do. And when it comes to my friends that's true a thousand
folds."