Disclaimer:
I Aslansphoenix declare that I do not own 'Peter Pan', Neverland or anything that you find familiar. Technically some of the characters did come from my head ... but I think they belong to Neverland just as much as any canon characters.
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Author's Note:
So admittedly this is quite an in between chapter; but it is following (at the moment) the similar structure inspired by the book.
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"All Children Grow up Except One"
Everyone Knows about Neverland,
About the home of Peter Pan.
Second to the Right, and Straight on till Morning.
To the place between dreaming and awakening.
There are rules in Neverland
Rules that must be obeyed.
Boys forget much easier than Girls.
"No Girl can resist Peter Pan,
When he uses a specific voice."
One more thing, which is True ...
In Neverland, You learn all about You.
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Chapter Eight.
Where were they going?
George knew the answer – Second to the Right and Straight On Till Morning.
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Second to the Right, and Straight on till morning … yeah if your definition of 'straight' was as straight as what anything involving politics seemed to be. In other words; the route was twisted and seemed to go in all directions.
At first it was the most thrilling and amazing and everything that George had imagined flying to be.
Then it became cold. And, if George were to be honest, a tad boring. Not nearly enough to bring anyone down (in fact a part of George wondered how they were going to get down). But enough for George to question the sanity of those who regularly made this trip.
The group was mostly following Angela; she was the best flyer after Peter, and Peter seemed to appear and disappear at random. When he was there, he was their leader but then something would distract him and he would fly away; forgetting all about the usually earth-bound children. Margaret assured them this was normal for Peter, and every time Peter returned, Margaret would exclaim "We're going for Spring Cleaning, you remember Peter, you're showing us the way." Then without fail, Peter would crow as if, he knew all along.
Then lead them on a merry game, calling for the cousins to join in (which, of course they all did eagerly). George was quietly amazed by what Peter did and did not remember. He would forget that he was leading a group of children to Neverland, but would remember how they were related. He seemed to remember Margaret and Angela's names though sometime the name 'Jane' would slip in.
George wondered if the others also overheard Peter one time introducing them to what George though were just clouds – "They're Wendy's children, Jane's children; the sisters, then there's John's child and the others are their cousins". George never if the 'clouds' answered, as a strong drift of air lifted George out of formation, and George had to do some tricky maneuvering to not get pushed away. Remembering to ride the air currents was more challenging than George had expected.
Still, it was fun.
Even Mitchell and Eliza seemed to cease their usual complaints of life. In fact George and Mitchell had a few races between points, for a time; forgetting that they usually competed without enjoying it. Mitchell had more speed, but George seemed better at the acrobatics. Skills they used to steal food out of the beaks of birds. Which was really odd, but as long as they didn't think about too much, it was okay.
The journey took, what felt like, forever. It could have been hours, or days, weeks, or months … George was 99% sure that it didn't take years, but who could say for sure.
When Peter flew off to his own adventures, Angela led the way (though she was not the in charge of the group). She was the most skillful flyer (after Peter), and would twist and turn and soar with excitement, endlessly chattering or singing. Eliza, who couldn't seem to master any kind of speed, but who achieved letting the air currents carry her earlier than the others, once asked why they were following Angela.
Margaret (whose flying seemed to take more effort, but she moved with such grace and elegance) answered that "Angie knows where we're going, trust me she could find Neverland in her sleep." George was a smart-mouth and pointed out that that was how most people found Neverland; that had gotten a mixed reaction of laughter and eye-rolls.
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And then finally … finally …
They followed Peter through, what felt to George like a burst of light and they were there. In the clouds above Neverland.
The island was beautiful, and greeted them as if they were old friends. It seemed as though *a million arrows were pointing out the island*, and when the children looked, they all recognised it; despite Angela and Margaret being the only ones to have been there. They saw the lagoon, the lush forest and the colourful mountain range reaching upwards to be caressed by the sky.
They 'oohed' and 'ahhed' and maybe babbled in excitement – just slightly. Then the shadows started to increase. Neverland was a place of dreams and ran on stories. When you're just listening/watching/hearing a story; it's safe and if anything gets too scary you can look around and remind yourself, that it is just a story. Not so easy to do when you are actually in the story.
*Neverland always began to look a little dark and threatening around bedtime. Then unexplored patches arose in it and spread; black shadows moved about in them; the roar of the beasts of prey was quite different now, and above all you lost the certainty that you would win.* The darkness of your dreams would start to creep in, when the underside of stories were remembered.
As they flew closer to the island, getting lower and moving slower; George moved to be beside Margaret. For Protection – hers obviously. George just wanted to be near Margaret in case George's help was needed … absolutely nothing to do with the formless shadow concepts that hinged at the back of George's mind. Nope not at all.
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The group landed amidst a quiet part of the jungle. George would never admit it, but it was unnerving that there were no issues in arriving. George didn't want to be attacked by pirates, or Indians (though if they were currently Peter's allies, then they may not have attacked anyway), or wild beasts – of which they could hear growling.
Peter landed gracefully (the smug git; landing was more difficult than taking off) and he grinned at Margaret. "So Mother what adventure shall we seek first?"
Margaret smiled, steeping into her role in this game as 'Mother' with gentle ease. "Well I would like to see the other boys –"
Angela spoke up with an excited beam on her face "Oooh yes, then we should go see the fairies, or the Indians, or the mermaids-"
Eliza's eyes lit up "There are mermaids? Oh please, could we see them?"
George's eyes went for small roll; obviously Eliza hadn't listened to the tales about how the mermaids of Neverland only like Peter Pan, they didn't like anyone else – especially girls.
George spoke up "Could we have an adventure with the Indians Peter?"
Before any other words could be spoken, Peter leaped onto a nearby rock, and cockily stood with an air of impressive contemplation. "Hmm this is indeed a grave choice … I must think about hat adventure we will find first!"
Mitchell rolled his eyes slightly, perhaps the shadows were creeping in on his thoughts, or maybe it was just that his attitude was returning now they were on solid ground. Either way he muttered "Don't suppose we could take a moment to just relax." Eliza's excitement about mermaids dwindled as she remembered her own aches and pains (flying was quite sore on the muscles) "A break would be nice."
Sensing the group turning towards thoughts of rest (oh the horror!) Peter stepped forward and spoke in a voice of liquid honey, or perhaps it was the sound of pure sunlight. "Please, may we go on an adventure."
Then the weirdest thing happened; Eliza, Angela and Margaret all reacted the same way. They all simultaneously … simpered. They seemed to melt in on themselves and almost gave a giggling sigh.
George had the strangest sensation that something had happened, and maybe George should have reacted the same way. As it was George glanced over at Mitchell, who wore the same confused expression that George had. For once their minds were in sync with their lack of understanding.
Margaret smiled "Oh Peter of course we can go on an adventure. But we must go get the rest of the your boys first."
Peter crowed triumphantly. Mitchell rolled his eyes, George felt confused as well, but as it was what George wanted, George didn't protest when Peter started to lead them through the jungle trees.
End of Chapter Eight.
Author's Note:
Here this chapter ends.
How could George understand that Peter could speak in a certain voice "that no woman could resist."?
- I've decided that Peter's special voice effects all who are truly female; that includes lesbians. I decided on this to go with a 'Harry Potter' question; we know that Veelas effect males, but do they effect Gay guys?
*Descriptions of Neverland taken mostly from book*
Hopefully this story is not too horrible.
If you have read this, then thank-you.
I will update whenever I update.
Monday 25th June 2018.