Chapter Two: Tecna's Chores
Tecna tip-toed through the door to the floor where Darcy, Icy and Stormy's bedchambers were, she could hear Darcy's hideous snoring from her bedroom as she drew the curtains to let light in the hallway. Then she went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare the trays of tea for the evil witches. The pixies had secretly followed her through the many passages in the house, the met her outside where she was feeding the visiting birds.
"Hey guys, where have you been?" Tecna asked the pixies as they flew up and down to get her attention, "Here is breakfast." She gathered a handful of corn from her apron and placed it on the ground for the pixies to take. Most of them got enough to feed themselves. However, Lockette, being the newest pixie, couldn't get out of the way in time before the birds pecked at the leftover corn, and began attacking the poor pixie of portals.
"Leave her alone, shoo, shoo!" Tecna cried as she scared the birds away and rescued Lockette from their clutches, "Oh Lockette, here, its all yours." and she gave the little pixie yet another handful of corn to collect. The rest of the pixies went into the kitchen with Tecna, when suddenly the intercom in the kitchen buzzed, and the witches began calling Tecna like crazy. Scared, Lockette hid in one of the teacups that was supposed to be served to Stormy.
"I'm coming!" Tecna called out as she placed the teacups on the trays, and went to get the three bowls of oatmeal. She then placed them in the trays and continued to get the hot kettle and pour the water in the three teapots. The she took the three trays upstairs to the witches' bedchambers. However, she lost her shoe on the staircase, and turned around to get it. Tecna finally reached Darcy's bedroom and opened the door.
"Morning, Darcy." Tecna replied with a happy smile, continuing to be optimistic.
"Whatever." Darcy shrugged, "Have my ironing done in one hour, do you hear me!"
"Yes Darcy." Tecna sighed, with Darcy's ironing in place of the tray she had before. Then she continued to Stormy's bedroom.
"I'm here, Stormy." Tecna told her, going into her room.
"Its about time you got here, Tecna!" Stormy snapped, "I hope you don't forget to mend these dresses for me! And don't take all day getting them done, either!"
"Of course Stormy." Tecna left with Stormy's dresses, a little bit more depressed with each room she passed. She then reach her step-mother's bedroom, and took a deep breath.
"Well, get in here, Tecna!" Icy ordered and she stepped into her room, "Get the laundry done, the get on with the other chores the girls gave you!"
"Right away, Icy." Tecna frowned, exiting Icy's room with a bag of laundry on he head, the basket of Darcy's clothes in one hand and a box of Stormy's in her other hand, she walked down the hallway to began her endless list of chores when suddenly the was an ear piecing scream coming from Stormy's bedroom and dishes shattering. Stormy ran out her room screaming as Tecna ran back to see what all the fuss was about.
"You did this!" Stormy snapped at Tecna, "You put that pixie under my cup on purpose!" Then, Darcy ran out of her room to join all the commotion.
"What did you manage to mess up now?" Darcy asked Tecna sharply, chasing after her frightened sister.
"That worthless waste of wings put a pixie under my teacup!" Stormy told Icy as Tecna gasped in fear for Lockette.
"I'm right here, Tecna, I escaped." Lockette told Tecna as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Tecna, get it here now!" Icy snapped from her bedroom, making Tecna turn suddenly.
"You're gonna get it now." Stormy laughed, "I hope she tears those fairy wings of yours right off!" And so, Tecna walked shamefully into Icy's bedroom and shut the door behind her as Stormy and Darcy bent down to try and eavesdrop on the conversation.
Tecna stood at the door nervously as Icy's cold glance put her in her place.
"Get over here, you insolent little fairy!" she snap at the pink haired fairy of technology, and she instantly walked over to the bed.
"Do you really think-?" Tecna began but Icy's sharp tone caused her to stop.
"Shut your mouth!" Icy retorted, and Tecna felt a shiver shoot through her body, "It looks like we have time to waste…"
"I was only doing what I was told." Tecna tried to explain herself, only to receive another bark from Icy.
"Do not open the mouth of yours again while I'm talking to you!" Icy growled, and continued, "…Time for for practical jokes, maybe that time could be better spent in other ways. The cupboard in the hall needs to be cleaned, and the windows downstairs need to be washed, and the curtains.."
"But I washed the curtains yesterday." Tecna protested.
"You missed a lot of dust." Icy hissed, " Then sweep the stairs and halls, and of course there is the chores Stormy and Darcy gave you. I expect them all done today."
"Yes Icy." Tecna sighed hopelessly.
Meanwhile, the King of Zenith and his loyal adviser were discussing Prince Timothy's duties as the next heir.
"Cordatorta, my son has avoided his responsibilities as the prince of Zenith long enough, its time he found someone to be at his side when he becomes king, and of course to carry on the throne, as I will him." King Saladin began.
"But you have to be patient with the young man." Cordatorta replied.
"I am patient!" Saladin snapped, "But I'm not getting any younger, and all I want is to see is my son happily settled down. Its hard to see your only child grow older and older, and this palace is going to be his someday. I want him to be prepared."
"What if we just let him make his own decisions." Cordatorta suggested.
"Let him make his own decisions!" Saladin repeated in surprise, "What a ridiculous idea! It illogical!"
"But in the matter of romance…" Cordatorta began.
"Romance, right." Saladin shrugged sarcastically, "Just a man meeting a woman under specific circumstances, therefore, we are arranging the circumstances."
"But what if Timothy suspects anything?" Cordatorta asked.
"He's coming home from the conference today, isn't he?" Saladin asked Cordatorta.
"Yes, but…" Cordatorta began.
"So what's more natural than a welcome home ball?" Saladin continued, "And all the woman in Zenith just happened to be there, he's bond to find interest in one of them."
"Yes, your highness." Cordatorta agreed.
"There'll be dim lights, romantic music, everything nice!" Saladin cheered with a smile.
"I'll start planning for…" Cordatorta began before he was interrupted by Saladin.
"Tonight." He answered.
"Tonight?" Cordatorta asked.
"Yes" Saladin continued, "and see the every available woman in Zenith is there. Got it!"
"Of course, sire." Cordatorta gave a solute, and walked away to began preparing for the grand ball