Blue Magic:
Chapter 1: Mater (Mother)
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It was another winter day and the girl child wanted to watch the snow for another hour despite her nanny's summons. Her winter-ice eyes watching little bits of purity falling from Hyne's heaven in awe-struck as she stood before her bay window. It was a wondrous sight to her, even if it was her 4-year watching the snowfall. As if she could see every unique pattern that drifted down and knows their story. A surrealistic dream feeling that she wished that never passed... But her nanny was calling more loudly now.
Breaking the trance of the snow and ice dance, the blonde hair child skipped merrily from the window towards her door. With glittering eyes of youth's passion, the girl wondered why her nanny would call her this early before supper. Perhaps she would go shopping with Nanny! She enjoyed shopping and going outside in public. It was a rare treat since her nanny was paranoid about something and so she was rarely allowed outside house and private Gardens.
The girl didn't understand this lack of freedom nor did she want to. All she wanted to do was go outside and make snowmen when the snows fell and play in the creek during the summer. To play with the other children and learn about her world. But nanny never allowed this. It was always the same. Sit within her house's walls and learned what the tutor offered. Listen to the old magi prattle until she feel asleep and was awoken with a slap on the bottom.
Her strides slowed as she entered the main hall and she began to smooth the front of her lavender dress. It felt soft, almost like petting a cat as she smoothed the rumbled velvet before her nanny caught her rumpled state. Somewhere in the house, she heard a clock chime 4 in evening. It was another hour before Supper.
"Lady Quistis, there you are!" Declared a woman of thirty-seventh year with flinty gray eyes who appeared behind her. "I've been looking all over for you! Where have you've been?"
"Watching the snow," replied the 6 years old in soft voice, which turned to face her Elder.
The nanny's skin between and above her eyebrows puckered with thought as she shook her head. Nanny never did approve her daydream attitude and rebuked her with, "dreams are for the weak. You are stronger then that, especially with your Lady-Mother's blood running through your veins. In fact, I daresay, you're Lady-Mother will be agreeing with me."
"My Lady-Mother isn't here," Cut in Quistis coldly. "She never is."
"Well she is now," snapped the Nanny as she grabbed Quistis by the wrist tightly. "Come with me. She awaits us in the main sitting room."
Silence rang clear as a child Quistis followed her Nanny down the long, plush carpet way of the hall. Omnificent forewarning seemed to linger heavily upon every footstep. The golden hair girl struggled against her instincts that screamed to run. She bit her lip. No, like a good child, she followed the raven hair nanny with measure strides. They entered the main sitting room.
Every time the only little girl saw her mother, she had to suppress a gasp by letting her loathing for the woman come into play. For every time Quistis saw her mother, she understood why her mother was called the most beautiful woman in the world. Why countless men and some women flocked to her and fawned over her nonstop. Even in public view, there always at least one of her mindless drones cooing words of praise. It was sickening and there her mother sat in her glorious spaghetti strapped dress of lavender silk.
Her mother's rich hair of luminous moonlight-gold was pulled into a sensual French braid, accenting her curvy swan neck of ivory that led into delicate face. A face with high cheekbones, full lips, and arching eyebrows that showed flashing jade eyes. The comely face matched the tall, slender body with full hips and generous bust. It was easy to see why people spoke in such reverence about her beauty.
"My darling Quistis," murmured the woman in a voice to match her beauty. "My, how have you've grown. Has it truly been only 5 months since I last saw you? It seems more as if a year has past. Come here, child. Let me get a better look at you."
5 long months free for careless childhood freedom from the authority-driven woman last saw her. 5 months ago since her sixth birthing day and party. 5 months had passed since she last saw her father-parent. 5 months since she has been hugged or kissed by any parent of hers. And only 6 months since her mother divorced the only person who gave a damn about their child. Her hatred flared up and she gave her mother a disdainful look. Nonetheless, Quistis still full-filled her mother's command.
Artistic fingers grasped Quistis' chin tightly and forced the child to meet her mother's eyes. As jade eyes met sapphire blue ones, the child's body went numb. Hate, anger, and loneliness vanished; snuffed out like a candle. It left only a feeling detachment and floating. Something wasn't right and Quistis felt woolly headed. What was happening? Why did she feel this way?
Silence for a heartbeat.
"I see you get your eyes from your father, but luckily you seemed to have inherited my beauty," declared woman loudly, releasing her daughter quickly. "That is excellent. Suski, have my daughter-child, Quistis, ready for tomorrow. I'm attending a dinner party and she must attend. Important things will be happening soon and is about time she acted like my daughter, instead of hiding away her in room."
Suski looked abashed at her Lady's comments, but none less bowed.
The Daughter-child, on the other hand, was angry. Why did her mother have to belittle her so? Why did she have to chase of her father with that manner? Didn't she care? Papa was right- her mother was selfish and arrogant woman. She didn't know exactly what it meant, but seemed like the description fit. Tears filled in her eyes and the girl stumbled back from her mother in dismay.
"I never hid my room. You put me there! You didn't want me around!" Wailed the child suddenly. "You never loved me or was kind to me! You just want to... walk me around like some doll! Papa was right!"
The Lady rose at these comments and approached her daughter with a serpentine grace. With a demeanor of the Ice Goddess, Shiva, the woman took her child by the chin tightly. Once more forcing the girl to look and meet her eyes, the woman let her fury dance unbridled in her eyes.
"Foolish child, you know nothing of what you speak of," snapped her mother. "You're father was a foolish and imperfect man. He knows NOTHING and he speaks nothing but lies. I am never home because I have invested so much time and energy in what is to come- all for you! Do not speak to me about love, child. You do not know the prices I have paid. All. For. You."
Quistis shivered in her mother's grasp.
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Two students found their beloved Instructor intertwined with roses that were not there the night before. Thorns digging deeply into her skin, their kisses wet with blood still, and unusual vines that traced her face in a Hanna-type pattern. Yet, the strange flowers seemed to be acting as a bed for her, supporting her. Something that even SeeDs did not see everyday or on the battlefield or textbooks.
A single, slender white rose stood out against the crimson of the others. It curled itself across her breast, sleeping upon her heart. Its petals were perfect, no spittle or blood on them. Flawless, perfection; like an Ice Sculpture. Quistis Trepe was almost like that. Frozen in midst of beauty and time.
Quickly after their shock faded, the two female students knelt down beside their Instructor in fearful reverence. Casting Full-Life on her, they both screamed for help. People responded when they realized who was hurt. Help came quickly then, even with all-powerful spell casting to stop the wounds however, they could not wake up the sleeping SeeD.
Quistis Trepe, Protector of the World and Head Instructor of Balamb Garden, was in a coma.
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End Chapter One.