Author's Notes. Thanks for all the lovely reviews! ^_^ I'm glad you enjoyed the story so far. Piscean Bard, your review was impressive, too! And on a note that keiko mentioned and some others might be wondering about: TSSItM is an alternate-universe fic. It doesn't take place in Cephiro, or really in any place from the original story, so I have a lot of creative liberties. ^_^; When I referred to "Cephiro" in the first chapter, that was the name of the village Presea visited, not the country. Likewise, since it isn't Cephiro, there's no Pillar, so winter comes just like everywhere else. And currency is used for the same reason - it's not really Cephiro. However, I never knew there wasn't currency there - I will keep that in mind for future reference. Thanks, keiko!
I know this chapter is significantly shorter. Sorry. Also, sorry for the long delay in putting it up - I've been incredibly busy. I hope you'll all stick with me while I work on this story. It might take a while.
Disclaimer. Magic Knight Rayearth and all related characters are © CLAMP. I'm just a silly little girl who loves the characters and loves writing about them, and I am in no way associated with CLAMP. Also, because this is an alternate-universe story, some of the details of setting and character have been changed for plot purposes (for example, instead of being a Farl, Presea is a woman who lives in a forest and tends her mystical gardens). These details do not necessarily reflect the original ideas of CLAMP.
The Swallow Sang It to Me
Chapter Two
As usual, Presea was awake when dawn broke. Of course, since it was winter, dawn broke at a considerably later time than normal. Still bleary-eyed at eight-o'-clock, Presea built up the fire in her one-room cottage as a pot of water boiled on the stove for oatmeal.
A rustling by the eastern window startled her. She rose to her feet, smoothing her gray nightgown and creeping over to that side of the house. Crawling onto her bed, she peeked out the window; her eyes widened and a startled gasp escaped her.
In place of the seeds she had planted the previous afternoon sat a large, leafy green bush bearing four flowers, each still budded up but with the petals beginning to curl out in a hint that they would open soon. The largest one rested in the very center of the bush and was pure white in color, and the three surrounding it were smaller. One was the of palest green, another orange with reddish spots and streaks covering the petals, and the third a deep shade of blue with white dappling near its bottom.
Presea leapt from her mattress, yanking on her boots and throwing on her heaviest cloak and dashing out the front door, all thoughts of the water on the stove forgotten. She rounded the corner of the house, her boots clunking on the cobblestones, and fell to her knees before the bush.
As she watched in awe, the flowers bloomed before the cold morning. First the white one opened, bearing its regal, stainless petals to the winter sun. It was a normal flower, if not uncommonly lovely and pristine. But then the miracle happened.
Slowly, the orange bud with red markings unfurled. It opened slowly, showing off its soft bell shape, until it exposed its center - in which lay a tiny little girl, red-haired and fast asleep. Presea's breath caught in her throat.
Then the navy-and-white bud began to stir, curling back its petals until it also reached a bell shape. Nestled in its core was another miniature girl, this one with silky blue hair. She, too, was curled up and sleeping.
Presea's gaze moved to the green flower, waiting expectantly; but nothing happened. She furrowed her brow in puzzlement, but the bud did not open. It trembled slightly once, as though something inside stirred it, but it still would not show its face to the sun.
Her heart, softened and wrenched by this strange, sweet miracle, ached. Presea reached out slowly, tenderly touching the tips of her fingers to the smallest-of-all, pale viridian bud. At her touch, the petals immediately unfurled. And though this last flower opened into a bell-shaped blossom as well, it was different. Inside it, a third tiny girl sat, her short blond hair curling around her chin. She, unlike the others, was awake, and her beautiful green eyes met Presea's. A small smile crossed the flower-girl's lips.
Presea began to cry.
----------------------
Umi awoke with a yawn. She slowly sat up, stretching and rubbing her eyes, which accustomed themselves gradually to the bright sunlight. She sniffed delicately; the air was fresh, clear, good. But it was so cold!
She pulled herself up on the lip of her flower, leaning out and calling across the leaves to the orange-and-red blossom opposite her. "Hey! Wake up! Something's happened." The flower shook a bit, and a little face with sleepy, cranberry eyes and mussed red hair appeared. "You can't sleep through the morning, Hikaru. I'm telling you, something's happened."
Hikaru blinked, pointing. "What's that big lady crying for?"
Glancing back over her shoulder, Umi caught sight of a gargantuan woman with blond hair and soft brown eyes. Her cheeks were tear-streaked, and in her palm was a tiny little jade-eyed girl. "Hey, there's Fuu." Umi cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out, "Hey Fuu! Why's she crying?"
Fuu turned to her friends, smiling. "This is Presea," she called back. "She planted us."
Immediately, Hikaru and Umi both perked up. "Planted us!" Hikaru cried. She held out her arms, beaming. "Pressa!"
Presea laughed softly, drying her eyes and holding out her other hand, allowing Hikaru to climb aboard to join Fuu. "No, it's Presea." She offered her palm to Umi, who climbed aboard. "And... and what are your names, sweet little flower-girls?"
Umi pointed to Hikaru. "That's Hikaru. I'm Umi." She rested her hand on the shoulder of Fuu, who was sitting down and looking very content. "This is Fuu."
"Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi." Presea smiled, her eyes still brimming with tears, though the little girls couldn't quite understand why. "Would you like to come inside? It's pretty cold out here."
"Oh yes, please."
Presea got to her feet, still beaming. She meandered along the cobblestone paths until she got inside the house, where she was greeted with the sight of the water boiling over. "Oh, no!" She set the girls down on the windowsill and dashed over to the stove, swiping the pot off the burner and shutting off the heat. She winced as the boiling water splashed her fingers and quickly set the pot on the windowsill as well. Hikaru made a move toward the steaming pot, but Presea held out her hand, and the three tiny girls climbed aboard her palm.
Collapsing into the single chair at the tiny table where she ate, Presea couldn't keep the smile off her face. She set the back of her hand against the tabletop, allowing the little girls to scamper down onto the wood surface. "Well, what now?" she asked, speaking half to herself, her eyes locked on the girls.
The girls looked back up at her innocently, and Presea sighed softly in affection. They were so adorable. Each was no taller than her thumb, and they were wore wraps of white flower petals. "You'll need proper clothing, of course."
"Proper?" Umi glanced down at the petals clinging snugly to her miniature shape. "What's wrong with these?"
"Well, first of all, you'll be very cold. It is wintertime, you know." Presea patted the top of Umi's head with one fingertip, her chin resting in the palm of the other hand. "I suppose I'll be the one to make them for you, hm?"
"Oh yes," Hikaru agreed. "You planted us, so you take care of us."
Fuu smiled up at Presea. "We were waiting for you, Presea." Her gentle green eyes shimmered with barely-contained joy. "We were waiting so long to find out what the world would be like, what our planter would be like. I'm glad it was you."
A wave of emotion swept over Presea, tightening her throat with tears she didn't quite understand. She managed only to smile down at the sweet blond girl.
How fortunate was she, that she had been given this uncomparably wonderful gift? She had wanted a companion, yes, but these three tiny girls were more precious than anything, more beautiful in presence than anybody else who could possibly accompany her in her life. Presea's smile widened. She couldn't deny that this was meant to be.
"You were sent to me," she said softly, gazing down at the little girls. "Maybe that funny blue-eyed man knew, hm?"
"No, you were sent to us," Hikaru insisted. "We waited for you so long."
"But I've waited for you a very long time, too," Presea retorted. Her smile, which had wavered into a somber line, grew once again. "Perhaps we were just meant to meet each other."
Umi shrugged her little shoulders, playing with a strand of long blue hair. "I don't really care how we came together," she said honestly, "only that we did." And Presea's smile continued to widen.
I know this chapter is significantly shorter. Sorry. Also, sorry for the long delay in putting it up - I've been incredibly busy. I hope you'll all stick with me while I work on this story. It might take a while.
Disclaimer. Magic Knight Rayearth and all related characters are © CLAMP. I'm just a silly little girl who loves the characters and loves writing about them, and I am in no way associated with CLAMP. Also, because this is an alternate-universe story, some of the details of setting and character have been changed for plot purposes (for example, instead of being a Farl, Presea is a woman who lives in a forest and tends her mystical gardens). These details do not necessarily reflect the original ideas of CLAMP.
Chapter Two
As usual, Presea was awake when dawn broke. Of course, since it was winter, dawn broke at a considerably later time than normal. Still bleary-eyed at eight-o'-clock, Presea built up the fire in her one-room cottage as a pot of water boiled on the stove for oatmeal.
A rustling by the eastern window startled her. She rose to her feet, smoothing her gray nightgown and creeping over to that side of the house. Crawling onto her bed, she peeked out the window; her eyes widened and a startled gasp escaped her.
In place of the seeds she had planted the previous afternoon sat a large, leafy green bush bearing four flowers, each still budded up but with the petals beginning to curl out in a hint that they would open soon. The largest one rested in the very center of the bush and was pure white in color, and the three surrounding it were smaller. One was the of palest green, another orange with reddish spots and streaks covering the petals, and the third a deep shade of blue with white dappling near its bottom.
Presea leapt from her mattress, yanking on her boots and throwing on her heaviest cloak and dashing out the front door, all thoughts of the water on the stove forgotten. She rounded the corner of the house, her boots clunking on the cobblestones, and fell to her knees before the bush.
As she watched in awe, the flowers bloomed before the cold morning. First the white one opened, bearing its regal, stainless petals to the winter sun. It was a normal flower, if not uncommonly lovely and pristine. But then the miracle happened.
Slowly, the orange bud with red markings unfurled. It opened slowly, showing off its soft bell shape, until it exposed its center - in which lay a tiny little girl, red-haired and fast asleep. Presea's breath caught in her throat.
Then the navy-and-white bud began to stir, curling back its petals until it also reached a bell shape. Nestled in its core was another miniature girl, this one with silky blue hair. She, too, was curled up and sleeping.
Presea's gaze moved to the green flower, waiting expectantly; but nothing happened. She furrowed her brow in puzzlement, but the bud did not open. It trembled slightly once, as though something inside stirred it, but it still would not show its face to the sun.
Her heart, softened and wrenched by this strange, sweet miracle, ached. Presea reached out slowly, tenderly touching the tips of her fingers to the smallest-of-all, pale viridian bud. At her touch, the petals immediately unfurled. And though this last flower opened into a bell-shaped blossom as well, it was different. Inside it, a third tiny girl sat, her short blond hair curling around her chin. She, unlike the others, was awake, and her beautiful green eyes met Presea's. A small smile crossed the flower-girl's lips.
Presea began to cry.
Umi awoke with a yawn. She slowly sat up, stretching and rubbing her eyes, which accustomed themselves gradually to the bright sunlight. She sniffed delicately; the air was fresh, clear, good. But it was so cold!
She pulled herself up on the lip of her flower, leaning out and calling across the leaves to the orange-and-red blossom opposite her. "Hey! Wake up! Something's happened." The flower shook a bit, and a little face with sleepy, cranberry eyes and mussed red hair appeared. "You can't sleep through the morning, Hikaru. I'm telling you, something's happened."
Hikaru blinked, pointing. "What's that big lady crying for?"
Glancing back over her shoulder, Umi caught sight of a gargantuan woman with blond hair and soft brown eyes. Her cheeks were tear-streaked, and in her palm was a tiny little jade-eyed girl. "Hey, there's Fuu." Umi cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out, "Hey Fuu! Why's she crying?"
Fuu turned to her friends, smiling. "This is Presea," she called back. "She planted us."
Immediately, Hikaru and Umi both perked up. "Planted us!" Hikaru cried. She held out her arms, beaming. "Pressa!"
Presea laughed softly, drying her eyes and holding out her other hand, allowing Hikaru to climb aboard to join Fuu. "No, it's Presea." She offered her palm to Umi, who climbed aboard. "And... and what are your names, sweet little flower-girls?"
Umi pointed to Hikaru. "That's Hikaru. I'm Umi." She rested her hand on the shoulder of Fuu, who was sitting down and looking very content. "This is Fuu."
"Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi." Presea smiled, her eyes still brimming with tears, though the little girls couldn't quite understand why. "Would you like to come inside? It's pretty cold out here."
"Oh yes, please."
Presea got to her feet, still beaming. She meandered along the cobblestone paths until she got inside the house, where she was greeted with the sight of the water boiling over. "Oh, no!" She set the girls down on the windowsill and dashed over to the stove, swiping the pot off the burner and shutting off the heat. She winced as the boiling water splashed her fingers and quickly set the pot on the windowsill as well. Hikaru made a move toward the steaming pot, but Presea held out her hand, and the three tiny girls climbed aboard her palm.
Collapsing into the single chair at the tiny table where she ate, Presea couldn't keep the smile off her face. She set the back of her hand against the tabletop, allowing the little girls to scamper down onto the wood surface. "Well, what now?" she asked, speaking half to herself, her eyes locked on the girls.
The girls looked back up at her innocently, and Presea sighed softly in affection. They were so adorable. Each was no taller than her thumb, and they were wore wraps of white flower petals. "You'll need proper clothing, of course."
"Proper?" Umi glanced down at the petals clinging snugly to her miniature shape. "What's wrong with these?"
"Well, first of all, you'll be very cold. It is wintertime, you know." Presea patted the top of Umi's head with one fingertip, her chin resting in the palm of the other hand. "I suppose I'll be the one to make them for you, hm?"
"Oh yes," Hikaru agreed. "You planted us, so you take care of us."
Fuu smiled up at Presea. "We were waiting for you, Presea." Her gentle green eyes shimmered with barely-contained joy. "We were waiting so long to find out what the world would be like, what our planter would be like. I'm glad it was you."
A wave of emotion swept over Presea, tightening her throat with tears she didn't quite understand. She managed only to smile down at the sweet blond girl.
How fortunate was she, that she had been given this uncomparably wonderful gift? She had wanted a companion, yes, but these three tiny girls were more precious than anything, more beautiful in presence than anybody else who could possibly accompany her in her life. Presea's smile widened. She couldn't deny that this was meant to be.
"You were sent to me," she said softly, gazing down at the little girls. "Maybe that funny blue-eyed man knew, hm?"
"No, you were sent to us," Hikaru insisted. "We waited for you so long."
"But I've waited for you a very long time, too," Presea retorted. Her smile, which had wavered into a somber line, grew once again. "Perhaps we were just meant to meet each other."
Umi shrugged her little shoulders, playing with a strand of long blue hair. "I don't really care how we came together," she said honestly, "only that we did." And Presea's smile continued to widen.