Chapter 18

Note: there's going to be references to Dark Parables computer game

Soon a week passed and Kuri was on her way back to the library for her lessons. It's been hard the passed 7 days trying to listen to the CD. Almost most of the time she was with either D, Chris, or Leon. She was lucky enough to hear the CD once a day. 'I hope Mrs. Nave won't be mad at me.' She entered the Library and went to the middle of the room to meet up with Mrs. Nave. She saw her and Mrs. Nave saw Kuri.

"Kuri. Welcome. So did you listen to the CD like you suppose to?" she asked. Kuri looked at her sad and shook her head. Mrs. Nave asked, "What about once a day?" Then Kuri nodded and looked at her apologetic. Mrs. Nave said, "It's alright. As long as you listen to it it's fine." Kuri smiled and the 2 went to a lone table. "Now let's try and speak the ABCs again." said Mrs. Nave.

She got the cards out and the 2 went though with them without any trouble. Her voice was still a bit hoarse but she speaks right away without trouble like before. Then Mrs. Nave said, "Try and speak a word."

Kuri looked at her nervous and said though it was stuttered and hoarse, "L-lo-love."

Mrs. Nave said, "Very good. It seems we're making great progress. What I think you need sooner or later is to speak normally. Maybe then the stuttering and the hoarse will go away. Is there time when you're alone to use the CD? Try speaking it this time."

Kuri said to the best she could, "Y-yes. B-but o-only w-when C-Count D i-is-isn't a-round me."

Mrs. Nave said, "And since he owns a pet shop it's a but hard huh?" Kuri nodded. "Well no matter. You're trying and you're working really hard. I'm sure soon you will speak perfectly."

Weeks passed and Kuri and Mrs. Nave were practicing every week for one hour. Kuri can now speak without horsing but is still stuttering and Kuri felt that she's stuck since it just stopped there.

At the library Kuri banged the table in frustration. Mrs. Nave tried to calm her down. "It's alright Kuri. You're just stuck right now. You're doing fine."

Kuri asked, 'B-but w-why a-a-am I st-still spe-speak-ing th-is w-way?" She started to cry.

Mrs. Nave said, "It's because you're brain is still getting used to you speaking. When was the last time you spoke a word?"

Kuri thought back. "A c-cou-couple o-of y-ye-years a-ago." she said.

Mrs. Nave said, "You see you haven't spoke in so long you're brain is used to you being a mute. Right now is say 'This girl can now talk what should I do?' It's so used to your voice turned off that it doesn't know how to turn it back on with no bugs."

Kuri sigh and leaned back on the table. "I w-wish I c-can b-be be-better s-sooner." she said.

"I know Kuri." Then Mrs. Nave said, "How about this. Instead of cards how about we read a book? Maybe that can help."

Kuri liked that idea. "S-sure. C-can I p-pick th-the bo-book?" "Sure." Kuri smiled and got up. She looked around the library and saw something. It was a book series called Dark Parables. The volumes were 'Curse of Briar Rose', 'The Exiled Prince', 'Rise of the Snow Queen', 'The Red Riding Hood Sisters', 'The Final Cinderella', 'Jack and the Sky Kingdom', 'The Ballad of Rapunzel', and 'The Little Mermaid & The Purple Tied'. Kuri got the first one and made it back to her table. She said, "Th-this one."

Mrs. Nave looked at the book. "Oh I know this story. You know this was first a computer game made by Blue Tea Games. It was so popular it had to become a book series. This will be a great practice tool." Kuri smiled. They sat down and opened the book. Mrs. Nave nodded at Kuri.

Kuri started to read. "O-once up-upon a t-time, m-many ye-years a-go...on the d-day of the prin-princess was b-born, the K-king h-eld a gr-great fes-festival and i-invited all b-but one g-godm-moother, who w-was st-strong in sor-sorcery yet w-wicked at h-heart. Up-upon he-hearing the n-news, the Ev-il G-godm-mother p-placed a c-curse on the n-new born ch-child." As she try and continue to read Mrs. Nave couldn't help but smile at her progress.

Soon the hour was up and so was the first chapter. Mrs. Nave said, "How about instead of the CD, how about we get you your own copy of the book series so you can read at home?"

Kuri smiled widely. "Y-yes p-please."

"Alright." They got the rest of the books and went to the casher. "Excuse me, we would like to buy these books."

The librarian said, "Those are for viewing only but I can order them for you. Since this is a continuing series, you idiomatic get the new one."

Mrs. Nave turned to Kuri. "Would you like that?"

Kuri said, "S-sure." Mrs. Nave turned to the Librarian. "Let's do it then."

The Librarian got her computer running. "Alright where do you want them delivered?"

Kuri thought about that. 'If I send them to Leon he might send them back. Jill can't since she would forget. Well I can always tell Count D I just wanted to read.' She said, "C-Count D's P-Pet-Petshop p-please."

The librarian put the info on the computer and soon finished. "Very well. You should get the books in 3 days and the new one when it's released."

Mrs. Nave said, "Thank you."

Kuri said, "T-than-k y-you."

Kuri made it back and just in time for tea. Count D got the tea set ready on the table. "Welcome back Kuri."

Kuri answered, 'Thanks D. Hope I wasn't go too long.'

Count D said, "It's alright. I'm just glad your out and about. I get worried you will get bored here."

Kuri sat down on the couch. 'It's never boring here. But I'm just in for a good book.'

Count D said, "If you want I can buy one for you."

Kuri shook her head. 'No need I already ordered a small series.'

"Really?" he asked.

'Yep. It's a series called the 'Dark Parables'. It's about a detective that solves fairytale mysteries.'

Count D was impressed. "I didn't know you were into mystery books."

Kuri answered, 'Well not really. I'm not used to CSI or NCIS. I'm more into Sherlock or something mystery mild I guess.'

Count D chuckled. "Not anything with blood huh?" he asked.

'No way.' She giggled and picked up her tea. 'Is it alright if I ask you to read to me?' she asked him.

Count took a sip of his. "No I wouldn't mind. It's been a while since I took a nice read and it would give grandfather time to watch over his shop for once."

Soon Leon came in exhausted. Kuri looked at him. 'Over did it again?' she asked him.

Leon answered, "You have no idea." He went to a chair and laid back. "Only 3 more month until summer vacation." he said. Kuri giggled and have him a piece of cake. Leon gladly took it.

Count D asked, "What is the case about?" Leon answered, "Nothing big but it was the bystander that wouldn't shut up. Swore constantly that his brother wasn't a druggie and wouldn't shut up even when he locked him up." Then he started to laugh. "He even got the convicts begged us to move them away from him. We had to finally taster him to shut up and it turns out his was a drunk. I finally had enough and left when it was time for me to go home." Kuri tried her best not to laugh. Count D did the same though his was of no luck. Leon got mad. "Laugh it up but I'm not going to enjoy it."