Counting Stars

by Dessert Maniac

Sometimes she sneaks out after everyone's asleep. She finds her way to her favorite tree easily enough, and from there it's just a matter of counting. Sometimes she goes on 'til she goes so high she loses track of her place. [How Elfnein got adopted by Tsubasa and Maria; a story told in bits and pieces and from three points of view.]

52. 1 51: Tsubasa

FIFTY-ONE

Frankly, it bothers her that Elfnein's smile remains a touch uncertain, as if the slightest breeze would topple it; it is something that she does not know how to rectify. She has never been one for overindulging, or for spoiling others, but she would buy the entire gift shop if it meant Elfnein would always smile freely, like the child she is and should be.

As it is, however, she contents herself with getting for the child only the 51 centimeter-long great white shark plush—even if the choice of toy is somewhat… unconventional, it makes Elfnein quite happy.

"Thank you," Elfnein almost whispers, hiding her face behind the plush.

She is not sure what to say, so she looks to Maria, who is already moving towards Elfnein.

"We'll call it an early Christmas present… or a late one, perhaps?" Maria says as she runs her hand lightly over Elfnein's forelocks—hesitant, for a reason that Tsubasa does not see but Maria evidently does.

"Okay," comes the lackluster response, though Elfnein leans into Maria's touch; Tsubasa is missing something here, but it would be disrespectful of her to ask.

(Later, in the shelter of their bedroom, Maria tells her of the first Christmas she spent without her sister—of how Nastassja helped her cope with the profound hole left in the wake of Serena's death. It is something that Maria can and will give Elfnein.)

They pay for their items—Maria particularly insistent on buying a calendar for the upcoming year that depicts a variety of sea life—and then, once they are outside, Tsubasa takes a few minutes to check in with the matron.

"Yes," she assures the matron, "Elfnein is fine…. We are at the city aquarium, currently—ah, we bought her a gift… yes… thank you…. Yes, of course." She lowers her cell and gestures to Elfnein to take it.

Elfnein gives monosyllabic responses to the matron's questions, but she seems content.

While Elfnein is occupied, Maria takes the opportunity to ask, "Everything alright, Tsubasa?"

"Quite." She could have done without the crowds, but so far there have been no incidents. There has only been Elfnein and her eager appetite for knowledge; she, herself, is content.