A/N Thanks for the reviews! Des is a bit of a prankster but c'mon, Crocker had it coming. Eternal Silence, nobody has flamed me (in a while) I just put that in my stories to discourage anyone from doing so. Some people actually welcome flames, not me. I appreciate constructive criticism because at least that's helpful so thanks for your critique. :-) Chip and Vicky aren't in this story, they're just mentioned. I liked Tootie's retort to Timmy too. She had to be in just the right mood to snap at him like that and frankly...it's about time! Go Tootie!
Binky: Hey, alright! I get to be in a pre-story segment!
Muscular Poof!
Jorgen von Strangle: So do I.
Binky: AAAHH!
Jorgen: :cracks his knuckles: Do you have a problem with that, puny fairy?
Binky: :shakes his head furiously: N-no sir, Mr. von Strangle.
Jorgen: Good! They don't call me 'the toughest fairy in the universe' for nothing you know.
Binky: Yes...I mean...no? :panics: DON'T KILL ME!
Badda Bing!
Jorgen & Binky: AAAHH! Big Daddy!
Big Daddy: Yo, what's this I hear about you's two muscling in on my pre-story segment huh?
Jorgen: Oh...uh...please forgive us Mr. Big Daddy.
Binky: :hiding behind Jorgen: Yeah, we didn't know it was yours!
Big Daddy: Alright but if I catch you jokers floating around here again you'll be sleeping with the fishes capeesh?
Binky: Got it!
Jorgen: Yeah, got it!
Chicken Poof!
Big Daddy: Now to get started...
Me: Um...the segment's actually over now so-
Big Daddy: Hey! Are you telling me how to do my job?
Me: No, I just-
Big Daddy: Cause nobody tells Big Daddy how to do his job!
Me: :gulp: Sorry it's just that the readers they-
Big Daddy: You want a basement full of stinky magic Ms. Bossy?
:Author starts to sweat and shake.:
Chicken Poof!
Big Daddy: Yeah that's what I thought. Now on with the story already!
Stuck Together
Chapter Four: Heart's Desire
At lunch Dezzie sat next to Tootie at the end of a table near the back of the cafeteria. Other students sat there too but most left at least a seat or two vacant between themselves and their neighbors.
"So I take it this is the unpopular section of the dining area?" Desmona questioned with a sigh.
Looking up from her novel Tootie glanced at the other students eating around them and shrugged. "Guess so."
While the young girl's features seemed less sad now there was still an air of misery around her. It was as if a thick haze of guilt and remorse enveloped the poor kid and refused to let her mind wander far from the terrible disaster involving the genie's bottle.
Even Desmona had started to feel depression settle in. Of course her situation was a bit more alarming that Tootie's but Desmona was never one to let herself drown in her own sorrows. She preferred to go out with her head held high wearing a smirk that said 'Well, it may be over but at least I had fun!'
Twirling her spork (possibly the weirdest invention humans had yet to concoct) around in the mass of spaghetti noodles she'd been served Desmona decided that now was as good a time as any to decipher exactly what it was Tootie wanted most in her life. Her greatest wish, her...heart's desire.
"So Tootie, if you could have anything you wanted—anything at all—what would it be?"
For a moment Desmona stared at the girl in black pigtails as she remained sitting quietly across from her. Did she hear me?
Tootie had heard her alright. But if the truth be told she wished she hadn't. The haunting image of the shattering bottle replayed itself in her mind as vividly as if she'd be standing there in the temple watching the tragic event take place all over again.
Desmona winced at the barely audible whimper and felt like shrinking down in her seat when tiny tears slid down the girl's cheeks. Her head was down, her gaze locked upon her lap.
"I'm sorry," the genie quickly apologized, "I didn't mean to make you cry!"
With a shake of her head Tootie sniffed and wiped her face dry with the back of her short sleeve. "It's okay, it's just..."
But Desmona put up her hand to single her to stop. She was scared that the troubled girl might just start outright bawling her eyes out in the middle of lunch. Sighing to herself Desmona resolved not to bring that up again. I should've never asked. Way to go Des, make the kid cry!
Unfortunately Tootie's tears refused to be quelled so easily and she got up muttering something about needing to make a quick trip to the bathroom. Desmona nodded understandingly; if it wasn't for the large glasses Tootie's red eyes would've been evident to anyone within three feet of her.
The guilt wrought twelve-year-old hastened out of the cafeteria walking right past a table full of boys from her classes: Elmer, Sanjay, Chester, A.J., and Timmy.
"Whoa, what's her problem?" Chester asked turning to watch as Tootie opened one of the double doors and slipped out into the hall.
Timmy leaned sideways to get a better look. Tootie's silhouette was barely distinguishable through the thick glass of the door. Her shadowed form disappeared seconds later at a quickened pace.
There's that funny feeling again, he frowned as he recognized the 'magical feeling of guilt' Wanda had told him about a few years ago when he'd failed to show up to Tootie's birthday party after receiving three invitations.
But why was he feeling guilty now? Tootie was the one who had insulted him on the bus ride to school! Embarrassed him in front of all his friends! Like he needed a reminder that Trixie Tang was still blatantly shooting him down every time he tried to ask her out. The one girl he was interested in had to be Miss Popularity! A girl who saw herself as being superior to him in every way; a girl who saw him as some ridiculous little reject with a silly pink hat. Someone too concerned with her image to give him a chance.
Well I refuse to feel bad for her! Timmy resolved. Whatever's wrong with Tootie she probably deserved it so I don't care!
He took a large bite out of his triple decker peanut butter and jelly sandwich and began chewing determinedly. The Tootie he used to know was always plagued by something, be it Vicky, bullies, or her unrequited feelings for him. She'd get over it in a day or so and be back to her old self again. Still, even as he thought this the queasy feeling inside worsened.
"It's magic that works on your heart!"
Wanda's words came back to haunt him. Why did the way she'd said that stick out in his mind so clearly? He hardly ever listened to the things older people said to him. But for some reason those words had gotten through and made it a point to stay with him.
She hurried along down the hall with her eyes glued to the tile floor. Rows of lockers lined her way as she walked straight past the girl's room and headed for the exit doors.
One of the lockers was open but she paid it no mind. She merely took a moment to wipe away the tear that had escaped down her cheek with a dampening shoulder.
A blonde girl sat crouched down in front of the opened locker loading her pink book bag full of extra credit assignments. She'd been forced to take on the extra work to keep from flunking her math and science courses. If she didn't get above a D on her next progress reports she'd be kicked off the cheerleading squad.
For Veronica that was just about the worst fate imaginable!
"What was that?" she asked aloud, for a second there she could've sworn she heard someone stifle a sob. "Hello?"
Whipping her head around she spotted the exit door swing shut and decided to follow whoever had just walked past her and see if they were okay. Hn, call it curiosity.
Tootie sat on the edge of the stone wall staring down at her shoes as they swayed a good four feet off the ground. Sniffling she tried to calm herself knowing that if she kept losing it like this someone would tell a teacher and then she'd be sent to the counselor's office. It wasn't like she could lie on the couch and tell them all about the magical bottle she'd accidentally broken and not have them look at her as if she were a complete lunatic.
"Um...hi there. Tootie, right?" a chipper voice asked with a hint of concern.
Tootie turned and came face-to-face with a blonde haired girl in a pink and white cheerleader's outfit complete with a pink star hair accessory at the base of her ponytail.
She remembered the familiar girl as being Trixie Tang's best friend. So...what does she want with me?
Veronica was standing atop the stone wall bent forward so that she was eye level with the sad faced kid in glasses. While they had attended elementary school together since kindergarten the two had never been all that close. In fact, they barely knew anything about one another past their names and social status. So it was easy enough for even Veronica to understand the suspicious glare she was receiving from Tootie.
"I was at my locker when I like heard you rushing down the hall." she explained, "You seemed really sad and stuff. Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine," Tootie was obviously caught off guard by the sincerity in Veronica's voice. Since when did preps care about the 'geeky' kids?
In one swift movement Veronica had plopped herself down next to the perplexed raven haired girl. "Wanna, you know, talk about it?"
"Aren't you afraid that your friends won't like you anymore if they see us talking?" Tootie questioned in a tone much meaner than she had meant to use.
"A little," the blonde admitted, "but they're all inside eating lunch now. So spill, what's bothering you?"
Tootie arched an eyebrow. She highly doubted that Veronica would believe a word she said either, let alone that the blabbermouth gossip could keep a secret. "I'm okay, really. Thanks but...no thanks."
"Oh, okay." for a minute there Veronica looked hurt. But she rapidly got distracted when her eighty pound book bag nearly pulled her off the ledge. "Eek!"
Before she could disappear over the side Tootie grabbed her arm and managed to yank her back up onto the wall. "Careful!"
"Thanks," Veronica grinned sheepishly after shrugging off the crammed backpack, "this thing weighs a ton."
"What'd you do, stuff the whole library in there?" Tootie mentally berated herself for forgetting her manners like that. She was starting to act like Norm with all these snippy comments.
Laughing a bit Veronica hauled the backpack around to her lap and unzipped the largest section so Tootie could see inside. "Nah, I've just got all these extra assignments to do so I can pull my grades up. If I don't start getting Cs instead of Ds and Fs Coach Pepper is gonna kick me off the squad."
"Oh," Tootie studied the blonde intently for a moment. True the girl was no rocket scientist but she didn't strike her as someone who couldn't make good grades in school...if she really put her mind to it. The teachers must have thought so too or they wouldn't have bothered giving her all that extra credit work.
"I know what you're thinking," Veronica voiced Tootie's thoughts, "I'll bet she could do a lot better in school if she just applied herself."
Tootie nodded as Veronica zipped the book bag back up.
"It's not like I want to fail." Veronica sighed, "But I've got so much going on: cheerleading practice, trips to the mall, sleepovers, chores, hauling Trixie's stuff around for her..."
Tootie made a face at the last task, "Why do you bother? She's got two hands. Make Miss Popular carry her own junk around!"
At this Veronica gave a sort of sad smile, "I know but hey—isn't that what friends do?"
"Sounds like you're more of a servant girl than a friend." Tootie was too miserable from her own grief to bother sparing anyone's feelings right now. She'd probably feel bad for it later though.
A long sigh escaped the blonde who pulled her legs up onto the ledge and tucked her knees under her chin. "Yeah, I've noticed. It's just...I like being popular. And even though fitting in takes up so much time and money I...I just have to, you know? I'd be totally lost if one day Trixie and her friends decided to ditch me and I had to give up everything and become a...a..."
"Loser," Tootie finished flatly.
Veronica stared at her a moment as if regretting what she'd almost said. "Sorry."
"So popularity makes you feel like you fit in. And to do that you have to spend all your time with a bunch of fair weather friends and neglect schoolwork just to look cool. And you really like cheerleading which is something the popular girls are into but if you don't pull your grades up you're off the squad anyway." Tootie summarized.
"Totally," Veronica sighed in dismay.
Part of Tootie wanted to scoff at the materialistic coward, to shout at her that looks and popularity didn't matter. That money, shopping, clothes, and boys weren't worth selling yourself short and jeopardizing your future like that. But another part of her completely understood where Veronica was coming from. A lonely, timid part of her that knew what it was like to live life as a 'loser', a target for bullies and kids who seemed to have it all.
It was that part of her that went out to Veronica and decided to help, "I tutored Timmy in math last summer." she muttered. "It kept him out of summer school and helped him pass sixth grade."
"Really?" Veronica blinked, was Tootie offering to help?
Groaning under her breath Tootie turned to face the blonde; she just knew she was going to regret this. "If you need someone to help you out with your classes...maybe I can-"
"Oh my gosh!" Veronica didn't even wait for her to finish before she sprang forward and flung her arms around the startled girl in a tight bear hug, "THANK YOU!"
A bead of sweat ran down the back of Tootie's head, How do I get myself into these things?
Saturday around noon...
"I can't believe you're going!" the dark haired genie snapped. "Like you don't see enough of that diaper wearing pansy!"
Tootie normally would've glared at him harshly for such a rude comment but lately Norm noticed that she hadn't been behaving like her usual nagging self.
"It's just lunch Norm," she replied listlessly, "I'll be back soon."
"Yeah," the genie scowled and crossed his arms, "with a whole new chapter of Lamp Laws!"
Before an argument could break out a large burst of pink smoke appeared.
Love Poof!
"Well if it isn't my favorite special operative," Cupid beamed.
Tootie managed a half smile. "Hey love god."
Norm arched an eyebrow. Something's definitely wrong with this kid. And I bet Diaper Boy knows what it is...
Cupid noticed the genie scowling at him and started to sweat. "Okay so, ready to go? I got us reservations at The Pointy Crown! The most exclusive restaurant in Fairy World!"
"Sounds great," Tootie's reply lacked enthusiasm.
Norm watched the two poof away with a sour expression. "I don't know what's going on with Ms. Mopey...but I'm going to find out."
Inside The Pointy Crown...
The maitre d' floated through the crowd of well-to-do fairies and hovered in front of the two new arrivals. "Ah welcome Cupid, if you and your lady friend would please follow me the third member of your dining party is waiting."
Tootie caught a glimpse of Cupid yanking on his bowtie. I wonder why he's so nervous?
She was soon to find out...
The maitre d' led them all the way across the restaurant before coming to a white clothed table with a setting of crystal and fine china. Even the napkins had been folded into little crown shapes and a large candle cut in the form of a star served as the centerpiece. The reason for all this elegance was soon discovered when she was introduced to the bright burgundy haired woman at the table.
"Um Tootie," Cupid's voice trembled a bit, "this is my mom, Aphrodite."
"A pleasure darling," the taller fairy nodded and held out her hand. "Cupid's told me so much about you."
Tootie's eyes went as wide as saucers. Aphrodite? The goddess who's temple I wrecked!
Chewing on his lower lip Cupid nudged Tootie so that she shook hands with his mother. Regardless of how refined her demeanor was Cupid knew all too well that his mother was not an overly patient woman. Goodness knows what a scene would break out if his mom went all melodramatic again!
"Hello." Tootie greeted meekly. Please don't smite me!
With a little prodding from Cupid the twelve-year-old finally took a seat across from the love goddess. A second later their waiter arrived to inquire about what they'd like to drink. When he was gone Cupid decided to break the silence.
"So um...Mom, as you know Tootie works for me as an on-call agent."
Aphrodite's indigo gaze fell on the silent girl with downcast eyes. "Yes, so I've heard. You're taking on quite a lot for a child my dear. Are you sure it's not too much trouble? Wouldn't you rather be out playing with your friends or godparents?"
"I don't really have that many friends," Tootie admitted thinking back to her past birthday parties and how everyone had been too scared of Vicky to show up. "And I only have a genie godfather. He's...complicated."
The goddess raised an eyebrow, "Oh...a genie godfather you say? Well now, that's a first."
"Speaking of genies," Cupid broke in, "I had my cherubs do a little research on that--um--accident in mom's temple."
Tootie met his gaze, "You mean the bottle?"
"Always interrupting," Aphrodite frowned, "it's no wonder you're still single."
"Mother...not now!" Cupid gritted his teeth.
"Honestly," Aphrodite was obviously not one to back out of a matter like this, "is the eternal love and happiness of her only child so much for a mother to ask?"
"Oh boy," Cupid propped an arm on the table and hid his face in his hand, "here she goes again...dramatic soap box speech!"
"Elbows off the table!" Aphrodite reprimanded flicking him on the ear.
"Ow! Mom!"
"Um...excuse me," Tootie appealed to Aphrodite's respect for proper etiquette, "if it's alright, I'd really like to hear what the cherubs found out...please."
"Naturally darling," Aphrodite seemed appeased so Cupid cleared his throat to explain.
"As I was saying," he shot his mom an annoyed glare that she pretended not to see, "genies are a bit more complex than most people know. For instance, while they may be all powerful wish granters they rely on their magical containers to keep their limitless magic in supply."
"Think of it as a sort of house that recharges your energy," Aphrodite illustrated her statement by poofing up a floating image of an hour glass. "When the levels get low," the golden glow started to descend towards the bottom of the symbol, "they simply zip back inside for a bit to restore their energy." the level ascended back to the top.
"But if the lamp, bottle, or whatever gets destroyed," Cupid added as the glow plummeted, "then I'm afraid it's curtains for the genie."
Tootie watched in horror as the image ceased to glow and faded away.
"But the good news is this doesn't happen right away," Aphrodite informed her quickly.
"Right, if the genie had somehow escaped before the bottle got smashed then there's still a chance that we could save them."
The raven haired girl looked from Cupid to Aphrodite with dismay, "But I never rubbed the bottle. So the genie must've still been inside."
"Ah...ah...ah..." Aphrodite wagged a finger, "I'm a love goddess dear, been around for ages. All my love shrines are equipped with magical security cameras. Tiny enchanted objects that are virtually undetectable to the human eye...or the spy gadgets my son's given you."
Poof!
Playback!
A heart shape screen appeared in the center of the table and replayed the scene of Tootie (as Special Operative Trudy) escaping the collapsing temple.
Aphrodite raised her hand and a remote appeared. With a press of a button the scene paused and zoomed in.
"This is footage of you racing about in my shrine just before your little mishap. Upon closer inspection you'll notice a small stream of mystical smoke pouring from the top of the bottle. It would appear that your thigh rubbed against it as you ran." she explained.
For the first time in days Tootie felt a small glimmer of hope. With her heart practically in her throat she managed to ask. "So...so the genie might still be okay?"
"Alive, yes." Aphrodite frowned, "But far from okay I'm afraid."
"If we don't find that genie soon their magic will run dry." Cupid said urgently, "They need another magical container to keep from fading away."
"Magical containers aren't all that easy to come by," Aphrodite added, "Those suited for genies aren't exactly stored in a warehouse or available over the internet. And it would take ages for my Hephaestus to forge one from scratch."
"Then how will we find one?" Tootie demanded, forgetting her manners.
Normally the goddess wouldn't tolerate such rudeness but the desperate tone of the young girl's voice was enough to make her overlook it. "At this point I'd say your best--and possibly only--option would be to find another genie willing to share their home."
Tootie sunk back in her seat, "You mean like Norm?"
Now that was something she could picture. Asking Norm (who was already peeved at her) to share his lamp with some strange genie. And then there was the part about having to explain to him why the poor genie was homeless.
"Aw buck up kid," Cupid tried to be optimistic, "we'll manage to warm Norm up to the idea of having a roomie. Goodness knows his social skills could use some improving. Besides, it'll only be temporary. Until my dad can whip up another bottle."
Tootie was doubtful but agreed anyway. At least the genie wasn't dead. But they were still running out of time. And there was one key detail that Cupid had neglected to mention.
"So..." she began uneasily as the waiter returned to take their order, "...how do we find the genie?"
Amanda/Artiste: Ugh, twelve pages, lots of proofreading. Please forgive any mistakes I've probably made. Next Chapter: Veronica needs to be tutored, Norm confronts Cupid about his godchild's unusual behavior, and the search is on for the weakening Des. Please review, no flames but constructive criticism is welcome!