Chapter 2: Grandma Georgina
Aleera woke up insufferable hot. Gasping at the sudden change in temperature she looked wildly around and found herself not outside, but in a small loft like room. Tossing the pile of blankets on the floor she stood up just as a small boy climbed into the room.
"Hello!" he said brightly. "Do you feel better?" Aleera looked around the room she made a noise in the back of her throat.
"Mmm," was all she said as she processed her new surroundings? Such a little boy she thought his parents will be here too I suppose. She looked wide eyed at the little boy. "This is a strange place, and not at all where I remember being" taking a step toward him she said "little boy, where am I?"
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For someone who seemed so adult like she had such a simple child-like voice. Mused Charlie who had spent the last 10 minutes upstairs with Aleera explaining all about where she was. She seemed to have a hard time processing all of it, or rather, she chose not to. But she was very odd….
His thoughts must have shown on his face because his mother suddenly asked "Charlie dear, what's wrong?" he shook his head. "Aleera," he said "she's really weird."
Mr. Bucket laughed "most teenage girls are." Charlie shook his head again. "No, I mean… I dunno, half the time she doesn't even make sense. Actually, she never makes sense."
"Don't worry Charlie, I'm sure she's just disoriented that's all."
"Charlie!''
Mrs. Bucket called early the next morning. "Mr. Wonka's here for you!"
"I'll be there in a minute" came the reply. For the past 20 minutes he had been trying to get Aleera to come down stairs to eat. He was about to give up when suddenly Aleera jumped off the bed and ran down stairs. She had smelt the food. Charlie ran after her and almost bumped into her when she stopped suddenly at the bottom of the latter. Aleera stood stock still staring wide eyed around the room. There were so many adults! Her breath caught in her chest. She had expected at the most two, but there they were one two three four! Four old people and one who seemed very out of place in the small kitchen. And those were besides Charlie's parents! It took everything in her not to push past Charlie and bolt back up the latter. Gulping, she looked at all of them one by one. Her stare was unnerving, considering the fact that they were two different colors. Blue and green orbs scanned the people in the room. Her eyes rested on Willy Not used to being stared at so openly, Willy laughed nervously and cleared his throat before doing the only thing that came to his mind "good morning star shine, the earth says hello!"
She tilted her head to the side and gave him a thoughtful look. After a moment she opened her mouth and said "the moon wishes that the earth leave her alone as she doesn't like him" the words flowed easily out of her mouth, as though she had been waiting for someone to say that to her. Sitting down next to grandma Georgina, she helped herself to the plate of pancakes that Mrs. Bucket had placed before her. "Humph!" Willy said loudly sitting across from the odd girl. He leaned close to Charlie, "you pet doesn't have very nice manners." He said loud enough for every one to hear.
"Her names Aleera" Charlie said absently, sitting down next to him.
Aleera put her fork down and then placed her chin on steepled fingers. She watched Willy eat, as though he were a mildly interesting television program. She did this for several minutes, causing Willy to become very uncomfortable under her bicolored gaze. Just as he was about to ask her if she had a staring problem she returned to her food. It was then that something very strange happened. Grandma Georgina leaned over and said to Aleera, "the king is going on a picnic with the nave but it's not his birthday!" Aleera looked over at grandma Georgina and smiled saying "but those who play the game right can keep there heads when they beat him."
Grandma Georgina nodded in agreement and said "you smell like salt water!" she laughed delightedly and Aleera continued to smile. "By wind and sea come those who rule the world." Nodding grandma Georgina said "like little plungers!" nodding Aleera turned back to her food.
"Can you understand her?" asked Grandpa George. Aleera looked at him silently for a moment before asking "can you?" her tone made it clear that that was all she was going to say any more for the moment. Charlie looked from person to person. Each had a surprised yet thoughtful look on there face. He knew each was thinking that same thing, maybe Charlie was right, and maybe she's insane.
Then quite suddenly Willy jumped up, "come on Charlie! We've things to do!" he grabbed his hat and cane, trying to make a break for the door before- "Willy why don't we show Aleera around?" – That happened. Sighing Willy said "well if you must bring her along"