Chapter Four

Visiting Uncle Matthew was always like going on holiday, even though his own glittering residence was only steps away from Central City Palace. Although DG, in many ways, preferred Finaqua, with all its meandering dirt paths cut through wild natural landscapes and enough trees to keep her busy with climbing exercises for an entire annual, the Mystic Man's palace was truly a marvel all by itself. Though only a cottage in comparison with the Queen's palace, her uncle's home seemed somehow bigger on the inside, for it seemed to be popping at the seams with room after room. These all seemed to have some singular, mysterious purpose of their own, and each space the child entered had its own unique character apart from the rest. One room, for example, seemed to be lit by some unseen light source, and every square inch of the space, which was made entirely of crystalline glass, sparkled brilliantly both day and night. Yet another room seemed to act as a reliquary for the strange and unique artifacts of the OZ, all of which stood on three-foot-high pedestals of their own, rimmed in somber spotlights. Her Uncle's library was also without equal, and DG could never seem to get enough of the towering shelves brimming with books. One could reach the tallest shelves only by scaling immeasurably high ladders made of gleaming brass that one could ride about the room as if on some manic carousel ride. All these rooms were joined by a main corridor on each level of the multistoried building, and the connecting halls of the home were equal to the rooms that flanked them in their grandeur. The corridor on the top floor of the palace was, by far, DG's favorite, for the entire space was crowned in the emerald-colored glass that formed the outer shell of the building and made DG feel as if she were walking within a jewel. By comparison, Central City Palace was a cold, magisterial place, where words like tradition, duty, and honor seemed so imbued in the character of the place that even the rooms themselves seemed to stand like puffed-up soldiers, eager to do their part for the land and people they served. No, if DG had her pick, she would spend her days in Central City with Uncle Matthew rather than in the Royal Palace.

It was for this reason that DG was positively beaming as she skipped through the Mystic Man's massive outer doors on the first day of the next cycle. Her usually cherubic face was split nearly in two by the smile that seemed a permanent fixture on her face, and she was so giddy with excitement for the opportunity to be there that she could hardly walk two steps before she was bouncing on her feet again. To make matters even more compounded, her favorite Uncle had been waiting to greet her on that morning and appeared to her just as the doors swung slowly inward to give her entrance to the wide entryway within.

"Uncle!" DG cried out brightly when she saw the man, himself beaming just as brightly the moment he saw her.

The Mystic Man's arms opened wide as he crouched down to accept his niece's embrace, and he chuckled warmly at the intensity of her affectionate squeeze. "My dear girl, it is good to see you again." He answered kindly when they separated, and he paused to search her eyes when he spoke in a low, conspiratorial manner, "Are you ready for more adventures today?"

DG's eyes flickered on the form of Cain, standing in silent sentry just steps behind the Mystic Man. He was in a suit today and looked somewhat uncomfortable as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. This action was so minute that most would have missed it altogether, and he otherwise stood so silent and still that he was more like a statue, acting as part of the threshold of where the entryway met the first massive artery of the building. When DG's eyes had met his in that moment, one of his eyebrows shot up into a quizzical, if not skeptical arch, and she thought she spied the corner of his mouth twitch as if he were fighting the urge to smile. This was enough to encourage DG's more impish inclinations, and she bit her lip when her own grin threatened to give her away.

It was this expression that she gave to her uncle, and when she did, she nodded excitedly while she replied, "Yes Uncle, I am."

A laugh so loud and hearty left the Mystic Man, that even the Tin Man behind him was hard pressed not to smile. DG herself had smiled so widely at this that she very nearly reconvened bouncing on the balls of her feet, except her uncle raised himself to full height once more and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Dorothy," he finally answered, leading her all the while past Cain and down the wide hall, "I don't doubt that, but first, you will accompany me to the library. I have a few things I must research before we go on our first adventure. How does that sound?"

DG huffed dramatically, and her shoulders dropped somewhat when she replied, "I guess, Uncle Matthew."

The Mystic Man patted her shoulder encouragingly, and his voice was full of satisfaction while he led them on, "That's the spirit, my girl."

DG stifled another sigh and put on her bravest face as she followed her uncle into the massive library. Her uncle seemed oblivious to her disappointment anyway, she realized quickly, as he had strolled right inside and made for the furthest bookcase, not even glancing back before he got to work. DG, meanwhile, and paused just inside the doors, and glanced back at Cain just as he reached to pull the doors closed. Although she hadn't meant to show anyone her true feelings, he must have seen it in her eyes, and winked kindly at her before he shut the door between them. DG's expression warmed, and a true smile formed for a moment as she watched those doors shut, feeling suddenly grateful for the Tin Man's friendship.

This infusion of warmth was enough to bolster the girl's spirits, and she returned her attention to the room before her, her confidence feeling suddenly doubled in size. Her eyes scanned the massive, oaken room with its warm lights that seemed to make the place glow. It was a place where you might find almost anything, and the air itself seemed infused in old magic, as the glow seemed to come not just from the lights, but from the very books themselves. Their bindings of rich reds, blues, greens, and gold seemed to luminesce in the soft light and gave DG the distinct impression that they were alive, and just waiting to reveal their knowledge to the first person who picked them up.

Even though the library was really Azkadellia's favorite room, DG had to admit that she was nearly just as intrigued as her elder sister. Where her sister might have been more cautious, however, and she might have approached the books within this space with a kind of reverence, DG did not. DG just couldn't help herself; it was just too tempting a prospect to discover the secrets that lay in wait before her. DG's curiosity often seemed to steer her, and frequently into trouble, as Az liked to remind her. Nothing will get me in trouble here though, she reasoned internally, before marching herself to the closest bookshelf where a particularly lovely blue binding seemed to be calling out to her. DG's fingers felt as if they were itching when they reached out to grasp the supple, aquamarine leather, and when she'd completely freed it from the shelf, she sighed in awe at the volume in her hands. The outer edges of the cover were filled with silver stars, and in the center, with flowing, scroll-like letters, one could easily read "Compendium Imaginarium."

"Wow," DG murmured.

Her hands ran across the face of the book, which felt warm and seemed to vibrate under her touch. Her heart sped up as she reached to open the volume, and she'd just managed to open to the first, silver tipped page when it suddenly snapped itself shut in her hands. A variety of expressions crossed the small child's face in that moment, from shock to amazement, and then finally a determined frown when she tried again to open it. The book would not relent, however, and refused steadfastly to open for her, and she groaned loudly when she found she was unable to make it cooperate.

"Uncle," DG whined, "why won't this book open for me?"

The Mystic Man's eyes lifted slowly from the book in his own hands, and he returned to his reading while he explained paternally, "Because my dear, Dorothy, the book knows that you are not ready for the knowledge it contains." He shut the book in his hands then and strode over to her, finishing his explanation only when he'd reached her and crouched at her level to retrieve the compendium, "Simply put, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

DG's mouth screwed into a thoughtful frown, and she reluctantly surrendered the book to her uncle with a disappointed sigh. "When will that be, Uncle?"

The Mystic Man searched the girl's eyes, and in that moment, he allowed her to see that glimmer of sadness that was so frequently hidden, this time mingled with the obvious adoration. "There is a time and a place for us all to learn the lessons we're meant to learn, Dorothy. Your time will come soon, as it does for everyone as they grow." He paused to cough away the sudden tightness in his throat and forced a smile. When he spoke again, his voice was suggestively naughty, and the twinkle in his eye returned. "But there must be something that you've been waiting to do this past cycle that you couldn't do until you arrived here. I may be busy a little while longer. Perhaps you might use this time as an opportunity of sorts to accomplish other things."

The Mystic Man's eyes flickered to the door behind her, and DG glanced back, trying to untangle the most recent of her uncle's riddles. She caught on quickly and returned her gaze to him with a wide smile. "Can Mister Cain take me on a walk while you're working, maybe to the market?"

The Mystic Man arose with a satisfied laugh, and he strode to the door without directly answering her. DG watched with nervous anticipation while he pulled the door open and asked the man inside. Cain appeared shortly and closed the door as he stepped within the room, looking somewhat bemused as he stood before the impish pair.

"Cain," the Mystic Man asked in false innocence, "I wonder if you would mind escorting DG on a walk while I am otherwise occupied. Perhaps to the market? I was hoping for some of those lovely papay fruits, and there's no place better to get them than there. Would you do me the honor?"

Cain's eyes roved from the Mystic Man to the small girl at his side. Her blue eyes were wide and pleading, and she looked as if she was a loaded spring, ready to pop at any moment. He was somewhat afraid of being too eager to agree, afraid that she might explode from the excitement.

"Are you sure you want me to take her, sir?" Cain inquired carefully, his crystalline eyes reading with some uncertainty.

The Mystic Man's expression was resolute, and he answered without any hesitation. "There is no one I trust more with DG's wellbeing, Wyatt. I'd bet my life on it."

Cain took a deep, affirming breath that had the direct effect of causing his back to straighten, and he nodded curtly before he answered, "I appreciate that, sir. I'd be glad to then." His eyes then softened when he turned to look down on DG, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward as he added, "Are you ready to go, Princess?"

Although Cain had correctly guessed how DG might act when he finally agreed to take her out, he was still woefully unprepared for the full force of the small girl's hug. As soon as he'd asked her if she was ready, DG's face had broken into a wide grin, and a bubbly giggle had erupted from her, both acting as fuel for the girl when she sprang forward and wrapped her arms around his middle.

"Thank you, Mister Cain!" DG proclaimed loudly.

The Mystic Man could not help his own amusement at watching Cain's stoic façade crumble in the hands of the small girl. It might have been a concern for the Tin Man, who seemed startled and a bit embarrassed for the attention, but the Mystic Man was gratified. He might have even allowed it to continue a bit longer, but the poor young man's ears were turning a shade of scarlet, and he imagined that Cain might change his mind soon if he did not intervene.

"DG," the Mystic Man interrupted with an over-loud clearing of his throat. This caused the girl to release her prey, and she turned to face her uncle as he continued to speak, "this is what your father might call an allowance." He held out a few coins for the girl and handed them to her dramatically. "Use this to buy me a piece of papay fruit, and then, you may use the rest on whatever you'd like, but don't forget what I've asked you to do first. Don't let your head run away from you. Can you do this?"

DG's eyes rested on the coins in the palm of her hand and her fingers closed around them tightly when she nodded, and she met her uncle's eyes with a look of utmost seriousness. "Yes Uncle." She answered in complete sobriety. "I promise."

DG could feel immediately that this was an oath she couldn't keep. Although Uncle Matthew had implied that his instruction was only meant for the golden pieces now in her hands, she knew that, within those words was a deeper meaning. Most times, however, it seemed that no matter how DG tried, nothing ever worked out the way she'd intended; it was almost as if she meant to cause some kind of mischief. At least, this time, she'd be doing something of greater value than buying papay fruit, she considered, and she deeply suspected that her uncle understood this. Then she glanced at the Tin Man, who stood at her shoulder, and she felt suddenly more confident that she could keep her word. Somehow, she just knew that with Cain around, she might actually stay on track. Besides, she recalled, he was really her main target anyway, not the silly papay fruit that Uncle had requested. The Mystic Man knew all of this, of course, having set DG's adventure in motion over two cycles ago, and so he'd merely smiled as DG and Cain departed, a mysterious smirk on his face as they exited.

Uncle Matthew's mysterious expressions were so commonplace to DG that she wouldn't have been troubled anyway, but she was so focused on her mission that she hadn't even noticed. She bounced away from the library to keep up with Cain's long strides, which he only slowed after glancing down at her and noticing her puffing away like a little steam engine. A genuine smile broke the man's face, and he laughed when they stopped at the main doors, her waiting in silent relief for the doors to be opened for them, and him merely stopping to give her a chance to breathe. Then the doors opened, and DG's exuberate skipping resumed, but with more energy now that she was out in the sunlight.

As the pair made their way down the flagstones of the Mystic Man's place and onto the avenue, Cain continued to marvel at the girl's energy, and he laughed while he spoke, "Geesh kid, maybe you ought to bottle that energy and sell it at the market. How do you manage that anyway?"

DG stopped skipping suddenly and shrugged, and her face became thoughtful when she answered, "I dunno, I just do, Mister Cain. How do you always look so grumpy?"

"I do not," Cain laughed indignantly, a grin on his face when he gave the girl a sideways look.

DG smirked back at him and spoke again as if to herself, "I think you just pretend to be grumpy to make people afraid of you, but I know better Cain. You're just a big ol' softie, aren't you?"

Cain cleared his throat, his eyes intentionally staring forward while he scrubbed the back of his head. DG noted that the tips of his ears had turned a shade of pink, and there was a rumble in his voice when he replied gruffly, "I don't know what you mean, kid."

DG threw one of Cain's skeptical looks back at him, and Cain huffed back, rolling his eyes to the sky while he shook his head in defeat. Now I've got him, DG thought to herself, and when she spoke again, she segued into something so personal that she knew he'd crack for sure. "Sorry, I'm just so excited to see Addy. I can't believe it's been a whole cycle!" DG watched for Cain's reaction. When she'd mentioned Addy's name, Cain's smile returned, and his eyes seemed to gleam. Then he took a sharp breath, and his pace quickened somewhat. Gotcha, DG thought to herself, saying instead, "Hey wait up, Mister Cain."

Cain stopped suddenly and looked down on the kid, looking suddenly apologetic. "Sorry kid, just got distracted for second. Didn't mean to walk so fast."

DG tilted her head to the side and examined the man's face, which was still turned to her fully. "Do you love Addy, Mister Cain?"

Cain's ears were definitely red now, and his mouth dropped open as he struggled to answer in a coherent manner. Hook, line, and sinker.

"I knew it!" DG exclaimed, adding with some obvious concern, "why don't you just tell her then? I mean, I know she likes you too."

Cain scrubbed the back of his head and his expression turned from one of shock to utter bewilderment, similar to how Addy had reacted before. "Am I really getting relationship advise from a five-year-old?" Cain muttered to the sky.

DG crossed her arms and frowned deeply at him, her patent leather foot tapping the cobblestone in obvious irritation. "Maybe you should be asking why the five-year-old has to tell the grown up what's right in front of his face," DG grumbled adorably.

This caused Cain's eyes to dart from the sky to eye her thoughtfully, and he huffed from his nose before he answered in a deep, earnest voice. "You know, you're right Princess. I've been a –"

"Scaredy cat?" DG cut in; her eyebrow arched in challenge.

Cain grinned back, shrugging at the description. "That's as good a description as any, I guess." He replied with a sigh. "But I guess there's no use hiding it anymore, is there?"

"Well, not unless you just want to be alone." DG replied sardonically.

Cain's expression darkened, and he expelled a puff of air through his nose. "You know, you're too smart for such a little kid." He then jerked his head to the side, a smirk appearing on the edge of his mouth, and he grumbled, "Let's go kid, now's as good a time as any to tell her, don't you think?"

DG's thoughtful frown lightened a degree, and her eyes gleamed at the Tin Man. His own eyes read with a fair amount of determination, and a smidge of concern, and so she answered back. "You're on Mister Cain, and don't worry, I'll be here the whole time in case you need a friend."

Their walk resumed, and Cain rumbled as they strolled on, "I don't doubt that kid."

The pair smiled at each other as they crossed the threshold of the market, both oblivious of the massive arch as they moved. The crowd had increased exponentially though, and DG was suddenly nervous, feeling like the tide of people might separate her and Cain. Then suddenly, his hand was curled protectively around hers, and his kind eyes were smiling down on her, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"If I didn't know any better, kid, I'd say you got a little nervous back there. I promise you, you're not going to lose me. You got it?" Cain reassured her kindly, and she nodded silently, feeling suddenly silly and definitely caught.

If Cain had noticed DG's brave face wither at all, he wouldn't have noted it to anyone except maybe her. She might have just been a kid, and it might have been completely reasonable for one as small as her to be scared, but even he could understand her need to appear brave. It was a big world, after all, and with so many dangers in it that might harm her. Beyond that, Cain imagined that the weight of responsibility was already being thrust upon her, being a daughter of light, and that coupled with her small stature must have felt crushing from time to time. It only seemed fair then that she might have a moment of unfiltered emotion without being judged, since she was bound to be required to hold it in back at the palace. So, he allowed the girl to squeeze his hand, and he would periodically squeeze back, giving her his quiet acceptance of her while the crowd continued to push them forward. It was a wonder that they reached the Cain family stall in one piece, and when they did emerge from the crowd just before the stall, it was as if the moving organism of shoppers had deposited them there unceremoniously, leaving both a little bit breathless.

"Wyatt!" Addy exclaimed in surprise when they appeared before her, "and DG!"

DG squeezed Cain's hand encouragingly, and she slid her own hand out while giving him a coaxing smile. "Hey Addy!" DG cried back, turning back to the girl before she tackled her with another of her hugs.

"Hey Addy," Wyatt mumbled uncertainly all the while, scrubbing the back of his head in a fit of sudden nerves.

DG took this opportunity to quietly push Addy forward, and she whispered something about a hat before she stepped back to watch the scene unfold. Addy was understandably nervous herself, and her cheeks had become ruddy when she stepped forward and stopped before the man. Her hands were behind her back as if she was hiding something, and her breath was obviously shaky and shallow when she finally did manage to speak.

"I'm glad you made it today, Wyatt." She spoke in sweet, soft voice. It had been enough to shake the man back into some kind of waking, and he finally realized as he watched her struggle in equal bashfulness how right the kid had been.

"What do you have behind your back, Addy?" Wyatt rumbled quietly back.

Addy smirked, and her eyes glanced back at the small girl grinning at their side before she returned her gaze to him, producing a grey fedora all the while. "I got you something for your new job. Thought you might look handsome in it, and you could use something to shade your eyes anyway."

Wyatt smiled brightly down on the hat still in Addy's hands, and he'd hardly begun to come up with the words to thank her before she was reaching up and lovingly placing it on his head. She was so close that he could smell the lavender he knew she always used to wash her hair. He'd planted that lavender himself after hearing her proclaim it to be her favorite on more than one occasion, he remembered absently. Then she was tugging the brim gently down to help seat the hat the rest of the way, and he found that he was suddenly entranced by her lips, parted and full while she examined her work. A voice sounding a lot like the princess was in his head in that moment, telling him that it was now or never. There'd never be a moment as perfect as this.

It all happened so fast, that Addy could not even catalogue what was happening. First, she was placing a hat on Wyatt's head, and the next thing she knew, he'd swooped in and planted his lips on hers. Her body froze for just a second, and the gasp of surprise that had escaped her was quickly swallowed by his kiss, so slow and tender that she quickly melted against him, admitting him in with only a faint whimper and a sigh.

It felt so right, to be kissing Addy, and Wyatt wondered why he had waited so long. It seemed like he couldn't stop. When her body relaxed into his, he took it as an invitation to continue, and his arms snaked around her body to hold her tight, while he rumbled in quickening and previously untapped passion. A contented hum escaped her sweet lips when he pulled her closer still, and her hands grasped at the lapels of his coat, as if she might drink him up with equal fervor. They might have kept going, except a muffled giggle emitted from nearby, and they both reluctantly stopped, resting against the other's foreheads briefly before glancing at the beaming princess.

DG would ordinarily have been disgusted to have to watch such things. There had been many an occasion when her parents had grossed her out so badly that she'd spent whole days outside, rather than bear witness to their spit swapping. Despite her usual disdain for such things, it felt like a great victory to see Cain and Addy so completely in love with each other, and no longer hiding it, primarily because she'd stuck her foot in it. So, when Cain glanced in her direction, silently smiling his thanks, she'd shoed him gently, coaxing him with her expression alone that he wasn't done yet.

With the princess's waving him on, Cain felt oddly encouraged, and he returned his eyes to Addy's, his forehead still resting on hers. "Adora," he rumbled quietly, his hand grazing her soft cheek to bring her eyes open and looking back at him. "I'll be taking some time off next cycle, and I'll be comin' home for a while to help my momma. I'd like to come courtin', that is, if you'll have me."

It was Addy's turn to glance at DG, and the girl's giddy smile was enough to bring hers on as well, and she gave this to Wyatt when she swatted his chest gently and replied, "Do you think I'd let you kiss me if I didn't want you to court me, Wyatt Cain? Of course, I want to see you." She paused, and her breath became choppy again when she nearly whispered, "I'm in love with you."

When Cain leaned down and placed another soft kiss on Addy's lips DG nearly jumped for joy. The man's face had said enough, with how glowing and happy he appeared as he reached down, and when he hugged Addy to him and admitted that he loved her too, DG thought she'd come unglued. Then suddenly, they'd separated again, and Wyatt laughed when he explained regretfully, "Well, I guess I'd better get this one back on track and back to the palace before she blows up or something. Whadaya say, kid?"

DG sprung forward, and wrapped Addy and Cain both in a hug, causing the elder pair to erupt in happy laughter. "I'll see you soon, Addy!" DG cried out before she followed Cain, causing the elder girl to smile broadly as she waved them on.

As they walked away, intent on finding what the Mystic Man had requested before, curiosity peaked in DG, and she asked the Tin Man innocently, "Cain, what's courting? Does that mean you'll marry Addy one day?"

Cain laughed to the sky and sighed. "I hope so kid, I hope so."

"I told you so Cain," DG chided the man, and she took his hand in hers once more and squeezed it to indicate her absolute pleasure despite her playful poking.

Cain squeezed her hand back, and his voice became earnest when he replied. "Yeah kid, you sure did. I guess I just needed a little kick in pants."

DG shrugged and smiled, "That's what friends are for Cain."

The Tin Man laughed and responded only with a deep nod. He silently mused all the while that he wasn't sure how he'd ended up being friends with the little princess. Given the circumstances, however, he had absolutely no argument for how things had turned out. As they walked on, he vowed to return the favor one day, and be just as good a friend to her as she had been to him and Adora. Turn around is fair play, after all, he thought, a contented smile spreading on his face that was thankfully shaded from the suns by his new hat.