Chemistry and Potions
Summary: Sofia spots that convention was in town and drags her Uncle Cedric along for the ride.
...
When Sofia had heard about the convention in town, she decided to check it out, when she saw that the theme was about magic, she was excited and quickly runs home to let her parents know about, when she spots her most favorite person in the world.
"Uncle Cedric!" she shouts as she embraces the man, who returns the gesture a bit awkwardly.
"Sofia." He said softly smiling down at her, only for that smile to vanish when her step father, Roland came into view, greeting the other man happily.
"Cedric, how is my baby brother doing, still a nerd?" He said teasing, but Sofia and Cedric both frown at the sly insult.
You see Roland and Cedric are half brothers, their father had gotten Cedric's mother pregnant and when the boy's mother died due to compilations, the man took him in and put him under the care of nannies and tutors, all the while giving his younger brother, Roland all the attention and teaching him the ways of business, even making him CEO of his empire when he passed, Cedric held no ill will towards him, but they had a shaky relationship at best, but when Roland married Miranda and adopted Sofia, he started to warm up to the girl who slipped her way into his heart.
"If being a Chemist who works on finding cures for diseases is what a nerd is, then yes I am proud to be so."
The tension was heavy as they all stood around awkwardly, but then Sofia remembers the convention and tells her parents about it.
Roland rubs his chin and sighs, "I am afraid that your Mother and I can't take you, we have meetings this month and I don't feel comfortable with you going by yourself."
Sofia pouts sadly, but then an idea came to her.
"What if Uncle Cedric took me."
Cedric sputters a bit in shock before saying, "I am not so sure, I mean..." He made the mistake of looking into her eyes and he quickly melts and said.
"Fine! I will join you on your little adventure." He grumbles, only to give a small smile when Sofia squeals in glee and hugs him again.
So during the next few days, Sofia with her mother's help, was busy getting her uncle costume ready, since she already had an few parts of several old Halloween costumes that make up her costume, a simple lavender robe with a matching wizard's hat, a pink dress underneath and lavender ballet flats and and matching wand as well, when she was done she was now the part of which was the Apprentice to her Uncle's Sorcerer.
By the time it was done, Cedric was dressed in a bright yellow bowtie, green dress shirt, plum vest, black breeches, white stockings, black shoes, a fingerless gloves and long plum colored robes along with a fake wand and spell book that he tucks into the hidden pockets of his rode, he even had his bangs dyed grey after much pleading for his honorary niece, when he finally looked in the mirror, he was impressed at how well they seem to fit together.
"Oh don't you two look dashing." They both turn to see the smiling faces of Sofia's stepsister Amber and her twin brother James.
"AMBER! JAMES! YOUR HOME!" Sofia exclaims happily as she runs over to them, hugging them tightly, the twins chuckle as they return the gesture, knowing that their younger sister was a bit lonely since they were often away in boarding school most of the year, only coming home on weekends, vacations, holidays and summers.
"Let's go show your parents ours costumes, shall we?" Cedric suggested after a bit, causing the siblings to break apart and nod before following the older man out of the room and down the hall, after again greeting their parents, both Roland and Miranda praised their costumes, even posing (much to Cedric annoyance) for some pictures together, while both the twins were talking with their father.
"Dad, you know how much we love our school correct?" Amber asked.
Roland nods, "Yes, I do, why is there something you wish to tell me?" He asked.
Both James and Amber look at each other for second before James steps forward a bit and said.
"We miss being home, we miss seeing our friends, even if we only see them on vacations or weekends, and more importantly we miss you guys, can you possibly reconsider letting us go to Royal Prep so that we can be closer, we promise to not slack off on classes or cause trouble, just please don't send us away again."
Roland sighs, "I will think about it, if you can show me for the remainder of the school term that you and your sister can behave and take your studies seriously, I will see about getting you enrolled at Royal Prep next year."
"Oh thank you Daddy!" Amber said happily hugged him, with James not too far behind, Miranda smiles knowingly at them as she finally puts her camera away much to Cedric relief.
After that they both put their costumes away and had a delicious dinner, playing a few rounds of board and card games before Sofia started to yawn, she was nearly asleep as she leans into her uncle's side, which had the man simply gather her into his arms and after wishing everyone a good night, he goes to tuck her in, wishing her sweet dreams before giving her a light kiss on the forehead before turning out the lights and going back to his own room where he too went to bed, oddly dreaming about himself and his niece as their characters singing and dancing together, learning about magic and potions, while going on many adventures and while he tried to steal her necklace, but failed many times, but over time he grew from a bitter man into a kinder person thanks to his niece.
The next morning found Sofia nearly bouncing in her chair as she waited impatiently for her Uncle to finish his breakfast, much to her parents and siblings amusement.
"Settle down Sofia, the convention isn't going anywhere." Miranda said mild scolding her daughter, but the smile on her face said otherwise.
But it got Sofia to settle down in a huff as Cedric finally gulped down the last of his coffee before he was literally dragged out of his chair and down the hall making that sure he got his message across to his laughing and teasing brother by a subtle gesture which made the man laugh even more.
Soon both Cedric and Sofia were standing at the entrance of the building that held the convection, after being dropped off by their driver/butler Baileywick with a set time for when they needed to be picked up, they soon signed in and directed to where the event was and soon enough both Uncle and niece were surrounded by people wearing all types of costumes, selling merchandise, or meeting famous people or authors.
Cedric turns to the girl who was still in awe, asking with a slight smile on his face.
"What do you want to do first?"
Sofia thinks about for a moment before grabbing her Uncle's hand and saying, "Let look around the stalls and then maybe we see if there any contest or games we can join in."
"Brilliant ideas my dear, lead the way." Cedric said as they walk by the many stalls, admiring the many items and crafts that were made, they even purchased some little trinkets, before going to see what games or contest were available.
"Oh! Look, there is a costume contest, may we sign up, please, oh please!" Sofia pleaded.
Cedric eyes the contest sign warily the first prize was $500 gift card to a mall store, he wanted to say no, but one look into his niece's eyes and he melted, nodding, the girl smiles widely before signing their names on the sign up sheet and then after talking with the person running it as they waited for their names to be called, they watched as many people came up on to the stage, wearing many amazing costumes, although there were some that made Cedric blush a bit, which trying to cover Sofia's eyes, much to the girl's annoyance, but soon enough their names were called.
They quickly went over to the stage, they stood there for a few minutes while the announcer gave the brief description of their costumes, the meaning and theme behind it, causing the crowd to let out a loud "AWW!" which make both Uncle and niece blush a bit before leaving the stage.
Soon enough they wandered around for a while when Cedric saw what appeared to be some sort of potions station that was interactive and the chemist in him wanted to try it so, he brought to Sofia's attention and she was happy to agree as they approached the station.
Just as Cedric was going to pick a jar and examine the ingredient, a concerned Sofia piped up saying.
"Uh, Uncle Cedric there is no one here, are you sure that we are allow here?"
Cedric continues to look at the content, saying, "Don't worry Sofia, I am professional chemist, I think making something simple as a potion will be easy for us, now let's see that recipe."
Sofia looked at the recipe sheet that was left, reading it out loud how to the put the ingredients in and what order they went in, while Cedric prepared them carefully putting them in the now boiling cauldron.
When they got to a step that had them waiting for a bit, Sofia decided to ask a question that had been sitting in the back of her mind for a while.
"Uncle Cedric, may I ask you something?" Sofia said.
Cedric smiles and nods, "Yes Sofia, what is it?"
She started to fidget with her fingers nervously as she said, "Uh...I was wondering if you knew the reason for why both Amber and James were sent to boarding school, every time I ask, they only give me vague answers or change the subject entirely."
Cedric frowns a bit, before sighing heavily.
"I see... well the reason was because before your Mother married their Father, they both had a reputation for causing trouble playing pranks and sometimes this led to bullying, while Roland did his best at times to teach them right from wrong they continued to cause trouble, it all came to a head, when they were caught try to sell illegal drugs to the students and it was later found out that they were part of a gang that was known for causing a lot of problems, your father was furious, he was so ashamed at their actions that he gave them an ultimatum, Prison or Reform Boarding School and well you can guess which one they picked, ever since then they have been trying to earn back their father's trust, while Roland has forgiven them for their actions, he is still unsure if they should be allow to Royal Prep, since that is where all the problems started in the first place."
"And the gang?" Sofia asked.
"Prison or killed." Cedric states with finality.
Sofia was relieved to hear that she didn't have to worry about seedy characters hanging around her siblings, she was still trying to process what she had just learned about the brother and sister she looked up too, she sat in silence for awhile thinking, while her Uncle finished with the potion only for her jump back startled when the said potion exploded in her Uncle face knocking him back and onto the floor.
"UNCLE CEDRIC!" Sofia screams as she runs over to where the unconscious and possibly injured man laid, ignoring the gathering of a crowd as she kneels beside him pleading for her uncle to wake up, tears streaming down her face.
"Someone get the Doctor!" a random person shouted in the sea of people.
"Make way! Make way! I am a doctor!" a woman shouted a rather stereotypical witch's costume, as she pushed her way through the crowd, until finally she made her way to where the man and child were.
She quickly checks the man's pulse and breathing before taking out a light pen and shining it in his eyes, then she quickly said.
"He was knocked unconscious, both breathing and pupils responses are good, someone help me get him settled in my office, Sarah!"
Another woman were a Fae costume came over quickly saying, "Yes ma'am?"
"Please try to get the girl to tell us who here parents are and to ring them."
"Yes, Dr. Stone." She said before going over to the still crying girl who was now watching as her uncle was put on a stretcher and carried away, the girl quickly follows after them until they came into a simple office space, with a desk and computer and a rather large couch which Cedric was put on, she quickly goes to sit by the man, her face filled with worry and fear.
"Your uncle will be just fine my boss is quite known in her field." Sarah reassures gently causing Sofia jump a bit before looking up at the woman quickly before turning her attention back to her Uncle.
"Can you tell me who your parents are and if you know their phone number?" She asked gently.
Sofia nods her attention never wavering, "Roland and Miranda Robur and their number is..." she said what the number was, Sarah nods, quickly thanking the girl before reaching into her small pouch and pulling out her cell phone, making quick word of dial the number and it wasn't long that she got an answer.
"Robur's Company for Imported Goods, this is Roland Robur the CEO speaking."
"Yes this is Dr. Lucila Stone, I am calling behalf of your brother and niece, you see there has been an incident here at the convention and your brother was injured party."
"Are they alright? What happened? Where are they?!" she could hear the panic in his voice so she was reassure him.
"Mr. Robur, they are fine, your daughter is perfectly fine and is simply worried for her Uncle, who is currently resting on my office couch, he was simply knocked out and is now just starting to wake up."
She said as she spotted Cedric groaning holding his head a bit, while at the same time trying to reassure his distraught niece.
"I will be right over." Roland said before hanging up.
After putting the phone down, Lucila turns her full attention back her patient.
"Mr. Robur-" she started to say but was cut off by Cedric saying.
"Just call me Cedric or Dr. Remedium."
She nods in understanding before starting her question again, taking out her pen light and shining it into Cedric eyes causing him to flinch and wince a bit in discomfort.
"Cedric, how are you feeling? do you feel dizziness, nauseous, any changes in your vision?"
"No, just a headache, what happened?" he asked confused.
"You were playing around with interactive my potion station and unfortunately whatever you did caused it to explode, causing you to lose consciousness from the blast."
Cedric frowns at hearing that, "I am sorry, I will paid any damages or lost supplies."
The woman simply shakes her head, "You will do nothing of the sort, it was really my own carelessness that lead to this, I should have put up my sign to say that I will be back, but I was so busy and rushing around that I had forgotten, thankfully the mixture was harmless, although I am unsure of how or why it would explode in such a manner."
"Past life karma, possibly." Cedric joked mildly causing both Sofia and Lucila to chuckle at his joke, only then did the door burst open to reveal a frantic Roland and Miranda.
"Sofia! Cedric! Thank goodness you are alright." Roland said as both he and Miranda came over to them and embraced the both of them, surprising Cedric a bit, while Sofia just was glad to her parents.
After talking with the doctor who was quick to reassure them that Cedric wasn't seriously injured, but if he starts to act or feel strange to go to his doctor right away, but other then he would simply need to rest for a day or two, much to the man's dismay.
With some help from Roland and Miranda they got Cedric into the car with Sofia not far behind him.
"Thank you for taking me to convention Uncle Cedric." Sofia said her voice slurred with sleepiness as she leaned into Cedric's side heavily.
"Anytime, Sofia although I think I will steer clear from any potions making for awhile." Cedric said smiling, causing Sofia to snicker a bit before falling asleep with Cedric not too far behind her.
When Roland looked into the rear view mirror awhile later he smiles at the sweet sight, he gestures to Miranda who smiles as well and after making sure the flash was off she takes a few pictures with her phones before turning back around and decided to doze off for a bit, dreaming about a clumsy wizard and a girl in a light purple dress and well meaning King and his two children a prince and princess all happily chatting, laughing and dancing together as a family.
The End