Gifts
Originally written on Feb. 17, 2012.
AN: Here's the next chapter! It's a long one; I combined two chapters from the book. I'll do this again, depending on the flow of the story. Once again, thank you for the reviews.
Sorry for not updating earlier, I went to the Indiana Junior Classical League Latin Convention over the weekend, in which my school won as State Champions for like, the 12th time in a row again, I forget, lol. Also, I would like to share a song for you all!
Rainbow Centaurs, Rainbow Centaurs
Oh, so very tall and super funky
Bringing love wherever they go
Everyone's made of a big rainbow!*
Oh, red and orange
and pink and blue
Rainbow Centaurs, Rainbow Centaurs
We love you!
Haha, yea, I was very, very, bored.
Words: 3,809
Disclaimer: I do not own KND or Ella Enchanted.
Numbah1999's Disclaimer: If I owned KND, Operation I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S. would have been longer, and more fluffy!
My mouth dropped open instantly, from both surprise and the order. I savored the sweet taste of Kami's pudding as I tried to collect my thoughts. I could sense hints of cinnamon and cayenne pepper, adding a bit of zip, and another spice I could not place. The best pudding in the world, which only Kami could make. Apparently, with magic.
Kami was a faerie! Kami was my faerie godmother!
But if this was true, why was Father dead?
"Kami, you can't be a faerie." I told her.
"Why not?" she asked me, her eyebrows raised in a significant manner.
"If you were a faerie, you could have prevented Father from dying."
Kami's face fell. I had been so consumed in my own grief that I had not really noticed how much she was hurting. "Oh, sweetie, I tried. If he'd eaten the unicorn hair in my curing soup, he'd still be with us today."
"Nevertheless, you knew. Why did you let him throw it out?" I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes again.
"I didn't know until it was too late; he was too sick. When I found out, he was already dying. And we can't stop that."
Kami pulled me against her small frame as my body shuddered with suppressed sobs. I was so tired of crying today. I pressed my face into the pleats of her dress, trying to catch my breath. I felt some tears trickle through my hair onto my scalp and looked up. Kami was crying, too.
I pushed out of her arms and looked at her with new eyes.
"Did you love Father?" I asked her.
Kami stared down at her lap for the longest time, before meeting my gaze resolutely. "Sir Buddy and I were very fond of each other."
"You were in love."
"Your father was a wonderful man, Kuki. He and your mother were not a love match. However, he was always faithful to her and I never asked –"
"I know. I know," I assured her, taking her hand and squeezing it. "You've…always been like a mother to me, Kami. More than my actual mother."
She smiled and pulled me close once again. I settled into her embrace, enjoying the scent of blueberry pie and cocoa that always seemed to follow her.
"Will you show me?"
"What?"
"Faerie magic. Can you disappear?"
Kami snorted at this. "I could, but it's incredibly rude to do so. Only that idiot Henrietta is foolish enough to disappear in front of humans."
"Does Mother know? And Sonya and Lee?"
Kami returned to the dishes. "No, only you know now, and I'd like you to keep it that way." She fixed me with a stern look.
"I promise I will. But why?"
She sighed, wiping her hands on a towel. "Well, sweetie, humans only like the idea of faeries. So we like to keep a low profile. When people recognize one in real life, they always want us to do magic for them; it always leads to trouble."
"So then why does Henrietta not care?"
"That silly fool loves the attention. And the gratitude. She's always expecting people to thank her when she gives them one of her terrible gifts."
I mulled this over. "So…if you don't want anybody to know, why did Father? Why do I?"
"The Sanban line are all Friends of the Faeries. You even have Faerie blood."
"I do?" Could I cast a counter spell to Henrietta's? "Can I do magic?" I asked eagerly.
"No, honey, you can't. It's only a drop of Faerie blood," Kami took my crestfallen face in her hands and smiled at me affectionately, "But there are three ways that it shows."
"What is it?"
"It only manifests every few generations. Skipped over Sir Buddy's completely! It's your eyes." She said, brushing a finger under my eyelid, wiping away a stray tear.
"My eyes? I asked her, looking into her hazel eyes. "Yes, not all faeries have amethyst eyes, its either amethyst, hazel, or glasz." She told me sweetly.
"It's also your incredibly small feet." She said, lifting up her dress pleats to reveal feet no longer than mine. "Our men stuff their shoes so they are not discovered." She told me. I looked down at my own small feet, another faerie curse, though less major than obedience. Though I suppose I could always live with the clumsiness brought upon my having small feet.
"And the other way?" I asked her.
It's your voice, sweetie," she said, smiling at me.
I put a hand to my throat. "My voice was sometimes annoyingly high pitched when I sang; fellow maidens often sneered at me when I would speak because of its weird pitch and accent.
"Could you use magic to change my voice? Or…or make it rain right now?"
"I could…"
"Will you? Please?"
Kami laughed. "Why?"
"I want to…I need to see it. Big magic."
She shook her head. "Only Henrietta does big magic. It's too risky."
"What's risky about making it rain?"
"Think about it for a moment. Use your imagination."
I slumped down in a seat, feeling discouraged. Still, I wasn't one to give up easily. "If you made it rain, the farmers' crops would get the water they need to flourish…"
She gave me a sarcastic smile. "Anything else?"
"Well, maybe they'd get too much water, and drown," I replied, resigned to her decision not to do big magic.
"That's right. Or I could lose control of my power and cause a flood. Then I'd have to fix that. That's the other trouble with big magic; it's unpredictable. Most faeries, like me, only do little magic. Like my cooking, my curing soup. The Tonic you hate to drink each night," she teased with a little smirk.
"So my curse? That's big magic, right? Tell me how to break it, Kami, please!" I deflated at the look of regret on her face.
"I'm sorry, love, but I don't know how. I know that it can be done, though."
"Do you think that if I could find Henrietta and tell her how awful it is, that maybe she'd remove the spell?"
"Maybe. The trouble with that harebrain, among other things, is that she's impulsive. She might take that spell away and give you something worse. Or she might be offended that you didn't like her gift. It's never a good idea to anger a faerie like her."
"What does she look like? Do you know where she is?"
"I don't make it a habit to stay in touch with Henrietta the Idiot. Watch that plate!"
The instruction came too late. In my haste to learn more about Henrietta, I had shuffled forward and elbowed a plate off the counter. It fell to the ground and shattered. I grabbed the broom, but there was no need. I watched in astonishment as the pieces of glass picked themselves up and flew into the rubbish bin.
"That's the kind of magic I do. It can't hurt anybody, and it can be quite useful sometimes. There's certainly no sharp bits left on the floor if I do it this way."
"Why didn't you repair it?"
"That magic would be too big. You never know what the consequences will be."
"Then faeries can't tell the future?"
"Only gnomes can do that, sweet."
Sonya came into the kitchen, smiling down at me from her great height. "Lady Josephine would like to see you in her study, Kuki."
"What does she want?"
"She didn't say," Sonya replied, twisting her hands together in front of her. This worried me a little. Sonya was not an easily intimidated woman. In fact, she was usually the one doing the intimidating. I picked up the dish towel and dried a bowl. Then another dish, then another.
"Best not to keep her waiting," Sonya muttered. As I reached for another plate.
"You'd better go, love," Kami advised, "And she'll be furious if she sees you in that apron."
Kami seemed nervous as well! I took off my apron and left.
I stopped just outside of Mother's study. She was seated behind her oak desk, examining something in her lap.
"There you are, Kuki," she said as she looked up. "Come closer."
I scowled at her and took a tiny step forward. I got a lot more twisted pleasure playing this game with Mother than with Kami, when it was more fun for the both of us. Mother glared at me.
"I told you to come closer."
"I did."
"Well, not close enough. I'm not going to start pulling your teeth out; so come here."
She leaned back in her chair a little and surveyed me as I obeyed the order and walked up to her. She nodded at the chair placed on the other side of her desk. "Sit."
I lowered myself into the chair, my chin in the air.
"I bet you've never seen something as fantastic as this," she began, passing me the object from her lap, "Be careful; it's heavier than it looks."
I decided I would drop it, just because she liked it so much. Before I could, though, I looked down at it and gasped. It was a globe that housed centaurs who were galloping happily. I could feel every movement they made. I gently turned the knob in the back and watched as they brought their flutes to their lips and begin to play, a wonderful tune that floated out of its confinement and pierced my ear with its sweet song. I was mesmerized as the small gems inside the globe caught stray rays of light and the dazzling colours that bounced off of them and projected into the room creating a rainbow of colours that swirled around the room.
"Where did you get this?" I asked breathlessly, still mesmerized by the piece.
Mother looked particularly smug. "From some elves. It's elfin-made. Very valuable. It was made by one of Ashley's students. I'd like to get an original Ashley work, but I haven't pulled that off yet. It will be my greatest triumph," she mused, suddenly looking off into the distance, as though she were envisioning this conquest.
"Where will you put it?"
She surveyed me over the tips of her steepled fingers. "Where do you want me to put it, Kuki?"
"In a window sill," I said breathlessly, still captivated by the beautiful little globe.
"Don't you want it in your room?" She asked, a smile on her face
"I don't care what room…just a window." I wanted everyone passing by to be able to marvel at its splendor.
"I'll tell the buyer to put it in a window sill." She said, snapping me out of my reverie.
"You're selling it?" I asked, appalled at the thought of the beautiful item that I had fallen in love with be sold.
"That's what I do; that's how I make my money." She took the globe back and narrowed her eyes at it. "Maybe I can pass this off as an original Ashley. I'd get a much better price."
"You…you cannot lie about something like that! It's very beautiful; I'm sure you'll be able to get a fair price for it."
Mother sent me an evil smirk. "Well, Kiki, I'm not really concerned with what's fair."
"You shouldn't even be selling it," I muttered darkly, "If I had something so wonderful I would never pawn it off for something as base as money."
She shut the globe away. "Well, you don't have it, so get used to it. And while a part of me can swell with pride at your brave display of insolence, that really isn't how a young woman of good standing should behave. What am I going to do with you, Kukihana?" She did not speak in exasperation, but rather in a calculating manner, as though this was a real dilemma that needed to be solved.
"Why must you do anything with me?" It wasn't enough that I was at every person's whim at all times, now I was to be regarded as a burdensome piece of property as well.
"You can't spend all your time helping the cook. You need to learn how to conduct yourself more appropriately amongst your peers and other members of court." She paused. "What did you think of Sir Monty's sons?"
"They weren't particularly comforting," I sniffed delicately.
Mother tilted her head back and let out a loud cackle. I stared at her in bewilderment. She sounded like some evil witch whose nefarious schemes were going exactly as she had planned. I resented being laughed at; it made me want to say something nice about Nigel and Ace. "They had good intentions, I suppose," I added. A complete lie, in Ace's case at least.
She answered me once she had gained control over her laughter. "No, they didn't have good intentions. That older dumpy one is a vicious troll who reminds me too much of his father. The tall potato-headed one is as weak and as stupid as a sack of hay."
This perhaps was not the most generous assessment of Nigel, but I said nothing to refute it.
"I can't say I blame them for turning out like they did, though, considering that twittering, pompous idiot they have for a father," her tone suddenly became less harsh and more considered, "Sir Monty is rich and titled, though."
I was not sure what that had to do with anything. The longer I spoke with this woman, who was practically a stranger to me, the more I became convinced that she was touched in the head.
"His sons are set to attend Gallagher's Academy of Deportment for Young Gentlemen and Ladies. Perhaps I should send you with them. You can learn how to hold your tongue, for a start."
Deportment school! I couldn't think of anything I'd enjoy less, particularly if I had to attend with Ace. Just the thought of being subjected to the babbling of slow-witted teachers and the judgmental stares and jeers of my peers made me curl my lip in disgust. I could learn a lot more from Kani and from my own studies with Sal and Jess. And the thought of all the commands I'd have to obey, day in and day out, was enough to make me feel nauseous.
"Can't I just stay here?" I ask, beseeching with her really.
Mother considered me vigilantly, looking quite supercilious now that she had something very real to hold over my head.
"I suppose I could hire you a private tutor. I wonder if I could find someone close by who wouldn't be a complete waste of money…"
"I-I'd study very hard if I had a tutor, Mother." I detested how desperate I sounded.
"But not at deportment school?" she asked, with cruel amusement. She pulled some papers from a drawer in her desk and bent her head over them. "You can go now, Kuki; I have got work to do."
The following night, Mother ordered that I dine with her formally. As I sat down, Mother raised her crystal goblet in my direction. "See how it sparkles in the light, Kuki."
"It's nice," I replied begrudgingly.
"Just nice?"
"Pretty." I refused to fall in love with it as I had the globe. I knew she would just end up selling it. I fixed Mother with my most derisive glare. Apparently, this was a mistake. She had been reluctantly impressed by my defiance the night before, but now she scowled back at me.
"Your father raised you to be a brat, Kukihana, and it just won't do. How will I ever introduce you to civilized company?"
I thought Mother herself was quite uncivilized herseld. And far too often, those who called themselves civilized were anything but. "What if I don't like civilized company?"
"Well, it is more important that they like you. Therefore, I have made my decision, and its set in stone, Kukihana, so do not try to change my mind. You'll attend Gallagher's Academy with Sir Monty's sons."
I gaped at her in horror. I couldn't go!
"What about my private tutor? Wouldn't that be less costly?" I tried desperately.
"Well, it's very kind for you to be concerned about how much money I'm spending, but no. A private tutor would be much more expensive. You will leave in two days. Sir Monty said you may accompany his sons for the journey."
"I won't go."
"You'll attend that school if I have to drag you there myself, Kukihana, and trust me when I say that would not be a pleasurable journey for you."
I had opened my mouth to argue further but snapped it shut at the hard glint in her brown eyes. I detested being at all frightened of her, but I had heard of her violent tantrums.
"I'll attend deportment school," I conceded, "but I will hate every second of it."
Mother's anger was gone instantly, replaced instead with a look of superiority. "I have to tell you," she said calmly, "your resentment…is delicious."
The taste of obedience that was not spell-bound was bitter in my mouth. I stood up from the table and stalked out of the room with as much decorum as I could muster. I ran upstairs and collapsed on my bed, staring angrily at the ceiling and biting on my lip to keep the sting of tears at bay. I hugged Mr. Huggykins closer to me, and picked up the 'Super Sad' Rainbow Centaur and hugged her close to.
There was a soft knock at my door. "Sweetie…?" It was Kami with my Tonic. I did not wish for more bitterness at this point.
"I'm fine, Kami, really. I do not need any Tonic right now." I said into my Super Sad Rainbow Centuar.
"Oh love," she walked into the room, setting down a box she was carrying, and pulled me to her.
"I don't want to go." I muffle into her as more tears began to leak out of my eyes.
"I know." I do not know how long she held me; I could feel my eyelids drooping when she shifted me in her hold. "Time for your Tonic."
"Not tonight." I whined.
"You need to keep your health up, especially now. You will require your strength and your wits about you."
Three spoonfuls. I cringed at the taste, but I did feel a little better. I settled myself under the covers as Kami smoothed my bangs back.
"Why did Father every marry her?"
"Lady Josephine was a different person until she and Sir Buddy were wed. She was a lot softer and sweeter. Lady Josephine was poor as well, and his family did not approve, which only made him want to be with her more. That's the kind of man he was," she smiled fondly, "good-hearted and generous." Her hand stilled on my hair. "Kuki, honey, do try to keep her from learning of the spell."
I nodded. "Father ordered me to never tell anyone of the curse, but I would never tell her anyway. She'd take advantage of it; she'd use me."
"That's right," Kami's voice was soft, soothing, as I drifted closer to sleep. "Sit up, sweet. Don't you want your gifts?"
I cracked open an eye. "Gifts?" I shuffled up as Kami handed me the box she had brought in earlier.
"This is for you," she said, "for your whole life. Wherever you go; whatever you do."
It was a stunning book of faerie tales. The drawings seemed to take on a life of their own as I turned the pages with wide eyes.
"When you're lonely, you can look at it and think of me. Perhaps it will bring you comfort." I could hear a tremble in Kami's voice and looked up.
"Of course it will," I reassured her softly, before attempting to cheer her up with a small smile. "I will save it until the trip, so that the stories are new and fresh."
She chuckled at this. "I don't think you'll get through it too fast." She pulled a tiny, cloth-wrapped package from her apron and handed it to me. "And this is from Sir Buddy."
I unfolded the cloth. It was Father's ring that he had always worn on his right hand. My fingers shook slightly as I picked it up. The silver band shone brightly, the front encrusted with tiny blue-grey gems. On the side was the engraving of doves and the Sanban family motto, cedo nulli, meaning I yield to no one. I wish this were true to me, that I did not have to obey every command I was given.
"I'll wear it always," I vowed, my voice filled with a thousand emotions."
"You would do well to keep the plain side of the band on the outside for your trip. It's goblin-made; very valuable."
I threw myself at Kami suddenly, clinging to her, clinging to the only life I had ever known, one that was now being ripped away from me. She pulled out of my grasp, but I could see the quiver in her lip.
"You have to let go, Kuki."
She pressed a soft kiss on my forehead before leaving me to drift off into sleep.
-
So it's off to Gallagher's for Kuki. Too bad Ace will be there! What a bad deal! Also, Kami and Buddy were in love but could never be together! God, this story is more depressing than I had planned. Not to worry, happiness is ahead! So please review! Thanks!
Don't forget to leave a review and a disclaimer! Lets shoot for 20 reviews! Come on! I get 20 reviews and you get the next chapter tomorrow!
Next Chapter: Kuki's going out and runs into a very good friend of hers…I wonder who on earth is could be?