It was a shining, black onyx, my second favorite gemstone. It was directing me towards the fruit parlor. I walked out leaving behind the chatter of excited students. As I got there, Niccolo, ran up to me.
"Can I interest you-"
"No, get your in my way" I cut him off and walked around him. Not that easily dealt with he tried once again to get my attention. I went into fight mode and showed him my spear aggressively
"Do I have to use this? I just tempered it and don't want to dirty it with your scum." I said cruelly. He backed away hastily.
" No need for that. I'll leave you alone. You only needed to ask." He said running quickly away. I smirked and continued to follow the stone. It led you to Kathinja, who was lounging across a chair, soaking up sun. I walked towards her, unsure if she was awake or not.
"Yes, what do you want?" she asked, startling me.
"I just wanted to know if you recognize this stone." I said handing it to her. When she touched it, she flashed brightly red. When the light faded, however, she looked completely the same, other then a black onyx, Jumi core.
"You didn't change." I said after explaining the situation and the occurrences of Thesenis and Nunuzac.
"Well, of course not. I'm not cursed," Kathinja said, laughing. "Awakening those to reverted them to their form before being cursed. Thesenis had clothes on to begin with. That's why she was clothed and Nunuzac was not. It wasn't because magic was censoring for the children," she added.
"Oh, well, I'll get you when I recruit all the other Jumi so good-bye," I said leaving.
"Bye now," she said briskly.
I took out the sack and pulled out the next stone, which was a rich purple/red color. Luvulite. It directed me towards the palace. As I entered Kristie gave out an odd, gasping like sound.
"What are you doing here with that! Get out! It reeks of Jumi!" she screamed, not looking much like an elegant woman who works for Niccolo, now.
"Kristie calm down. I'm sure it won't interfere with you," I said calmingly. I then realized she was whom the shard was directing me to. I swallowed uncomfortably and sat down, being careful not to come to close.
"Why do you dislike Jumi so much?" I asked innocently.
"They always bring misfortune and war. I want absolutely nothing to do with them. They can't even cry anymore, so they have no use to be here in this world," she said, almost ranting about how much she dislikes Jumi.
"What are you saying? Are you referring to the past? Jumi are people, too. They are also incredibly skilled in magic, and are well looked up to. If you were to be a Jumi, you would be loved and adored. You would also be given a higher social stature and be able to speak with the finest art collectors of the world. It would be great to be a Jumi," I finished lamely. She looked like she was thinking.
"Ok, I suppose Jumi aren't all that bad," she said slowly.
"Good," I then explained the situation.
"I have to be a Jumi? I am a Jumi? Well, you can't escape fate. Hand it over." She said in a defeated voice, hand extended. I gave her the gem and her snake body whipped out quickly, as she flashed light purple. When the light faded she was revealed with a Luvulite Jumi core.
"Ewww, I have to have this stone sticking out of me! I'll never get married!" she said with despair, but didn't protest any further. I sighed in relief and continued my very easy mission. The next stone I pulled out was a shining Opal, but it seemed to be confused. It was telling me to go to the library, but it was also telling me to go to Domina. I decided to go to the library, because it was closest, of course!.
As I got there, it warmed but only a little. I followed it to a small girl, but it didn't heat.
"Hello, do you know what Jumi are?" I asked, unsure of what to do.
"Yea, I do. My father made me learn much when I still lived in that disgusting room he designed for me," she cringed.
"What a moment, your Rachel, aren't you?" I said with sudden memory of an adventure I had when Rachel switched bodies with another girl and refused to switch back.
"I no longer go by that name," she said.
Rachel, I need you to switch back to your original body. You can always run away in your real body and stay here. And I'm sure your father would understand. The problem was that you never told him that you hated him, and the things he did, so he just took you for a stereo type girly girl," I explained hastily, hoping it would work.
"That may be true but if I return this early, then he will not have learned anything. I need to get my point across. Surely you can understand that?" she replied, sending my plan down in flames.
I saw that even if I did explain my situation, she would not cooperate. I nodded glumly and pulled out the next stone, replacing the first. I vowed I would come back to get her later and informed her so.