The dragon's still here people, but he needs a name!
This one's going to be more of Lena and Esme because I felt they didn't get enough quality time together
As always, let me know what you think.
Riv Riv :)
See end of chapter for more notes
"I don't want my powers, mum; what if I do something wrong and hurt you or mumma. Then I won't be able to live here anymore." This had been a regular convocation in the Danvers - Olsen household for a while. Alex had spoken to Esme as well as Kelly and Kara; Brainy even tried to convince the family's newest member that powers were to be treasured and she would never be an outcast because of it. However, little Esme just didn't seem convinced about any of it, constantly referring back to her other foster homes and how her powers made people fear and be mean to her. It was then Alex had an idea.
"Kell, what if Lena had Esme for the weekend? She sees a lot of herself in her; Lena has more of an idea than anyone about what's going through Esme's head. Plus, Esme's practically been begging to spend time with her godmother outside The Tower." Kelly agreed that having some quality time with Lena would benefit them.
Lena was still trying to get the dragon to be more independent; he was getting the idea but still refused to be away from the witch for long periods of time. She really needed him to meet Esme and fall in love with her, much like the rest of her unconventional family. Laoina's phone buzzed with a message from Alex, "Little Luthor, could you have Esme this weekend? She's struggling to accept her powers and that mistakes don't mean she has to leave. Work some of your magic." Lena replayed eagerly at the prospect of spending time with her goddaughter. "Of course, she can stay with me for the weekend. She can stay with me whenever she likes. I'll talk to her about the whole powers and home thing. Maybe I'll teach her how to make a protective charm, so she feels more secure. Oh, I also have a surprise for her, which I need her help with." Lena's face beamed with joy; she remembered when she came to live with Lillian. She felt small and scared and didn't know the language they spoke to her in. She was told she couldn't use her powers or speak her native tongue. She had to hide herself, and when she did step out of line and forget, whether it be something as small as saying hello in Irish instead of English or using her powers to pull books off the shelf, she was punished for it. Lena wanted Esme to have what she didn't have, to feel safe and wanted. To be able to connect to her culture and not be scared of being chucked out.
Esme packed her bag, ensuring she had her zebra, before walking to the door. "You got everything, kiddo?" Esme nodded, taking Alex's hand; she had been completely quiet the whole ride to Lena's. There was no chatting away about what she might like to do this weekend or what she liked about Lena. Instead, she was just quiet; Alex wondered if maybe she thought she was being sent to Lena because she and Kelly didn't want her anymore.
Upon arrival, Lena was waiting outside the front of her building with open arms. Esme let go of Alex running to the raven-haired witch, who picked her up, bringing her close as Esme buried her head in Lena's neck. "Thanks for having her, Little Luthor; remember no dangerous things. That goes for both of you." Alex waved goodbye as Lena walked to the lift with Esme tucked up in her arms. Alex watched as they walked away, in awe at how calm Lena made Esme; she was pretty sure the young alien was already asleep by the time the lift doors opened.
Once in her apartment, Lena put Esme down and walked over to the spare room. Esme followed by her side like a puppy, "What's your favourite colour, Esme?" The child responded in a small voice, almost unsure if an answer was actually wanted. "Orange, like the leaves in autumn." Lena clicked her fingers, transforming the room, a muriel on the wall behind the bed of the forest; with the leaves falling, the bed turned into a soft shade of red, and the remaining walls leafy orange, just as Esme had said. "That's better, don't you think? No more boring white." The little girl looked at her godmother in wonder; she didn't realise that she had powers. "You have powers? But I can't feel them." Lena smiled, picking her up, so they were on the same eye level. "Yes, Esme, I'm a witch. But, wait, I forgot one thing; I know you like teddy bears." Lena's old teddy bear appeared on the bed, with a new orange ribbon around his neck. "This is my teddy bear that my máthair gave me when I was little. He came everywhere with me, and when I moved in with the Luthors, he was my only friend. He's yours now; take good care of him." The little girl nodded eagerly, wriggling out of Lena's arms picking up the bear and introducing him to her zebra.
After lunch, Lena suggested they go to the lab and make a rainbow. Down in the lab, the little dragon was sleeping in the corner, minding his own business. Esme had yet to notice the creature, instead keeping her eye on Lena moving about the room, gathering different chemicals and equipment. "What's the first rule in the lab, young warrior?" Lena picked up her and Esme's lab coats and goggles, each inscribed with their names. "Safety first," the little girl piped up, "Auntie Lena, why is your name spel A? Mummy has your name on her phone a A." She looked at Laoina for a response before looking at the workbench at the different chemicals laid out. "Well, Esme, it's because that's how you spell my name where I'm from, in my first language. So, when I was little, I lived with my máthair and deirfiúr. But then, when I was about 9, my máthair had an accident which meant me and my deirfiúr had to move away. I moved here with the Luthors and don't know where Morgause went. I'll tell you more about it at bedtime, ok? But right now, we need to get making this rainbow." Esme nodded, looking forward to the day's activities; she always loved coming into the lab with her aunt.
Lena explained what they were doing, getting Esme to fill the glass tube with water and then add 20 drops of Universal Indicator. Esme gasped in wonder as the water turned green, then looked back at Lena for the next instruction. "This bit I'm going to help with." The little girl nodded, "So we are going to add about 4 drops of hydrochloric acid, which should turn the top red." Esme counted the drops as Lena pipetted in the acid, watching in amazement as it changed colour. "Then we need to ensure the stopper is on securely before we turn the tube upside down. Do you think you can help me with that? You are much stronger than me!" Esme laughed, pushing down on the corkscrew to hold the liquid in place. "Thank you, Esme; then we will add 4 drops of sodium hydroxide, which should turn this end purple. Any idea how we make a rainbow if we have red and purple but not the colours in between?" Lena watched as her goddaughter contemplated the question, thinking hard. "Do we mix them up?" She asked with some uncertainty. Lena nodded, putting the other corkscrew on the glass tube and handing it to Esme to mix. Her face exploded with joy as the rainbow began to form in her hands.
"A little bird told me you don't like your powers." Esme gave a slight nod, not wanting to disappoint her godmother. "Hey, Esme, it's fine if you don't feel comfortable using them yet. When I moved away from the Luthors, I didn't like using my powers. You see, Lillian never let me use my powers at home. So when your aunt Kara found me crying in my office because I had accidentally shattered the windows in an argument with my brother, she told me that my powers were cool and I should use them. It took a while to get used to, and I still think I might hurt some people, but it's getting there." Esme looked at Lena before explaining she didn't want to be sent away if she messed up or hurt Alex and Kelly. Lena gave her a soft smile before picking her up into her arms and bopping her nose, making her goddaughter giggle. "Well, young Esme, I think I have something to help with that. How about we turn this rainbow into a protective charm to ensure you don't hurt anyone and are always safe?"
They got to work, adding rosemary, pine and a needle to the rainbow before Lena told Esme about the spell. "Pionnaí, snáthaidí, Rosemary, fíon. I mbuidéal an chailleach seo liom; cosaint in aghaidh díobhála agus naimhde. Is é seo mo thoil, mar sin mo chroí." As the magic took, a small puff of orange smoke came out of the tube. "Now, Esme, you need to get your mums to help you bury this in the garden, and this rainbow shall protect you and your mums from harm." Esme nodded, hugging her godmother, "There's one more thing, do you like dragons?" The little girl smiled, yelling in excitement. The little dragon in the corner raised his head, still unnoticed by Lena's goddaughter. Lena told the dragon to wait, "Well, I have someone who would like to meet you. But first, I think it's time you get ready for bed." As Esme left, Lena told her she would be up in ten minutes before calling the dragon to her shoulder.
"Right, you have to be quiet; he's rather shy." Esme settled on her bed, wriggling under the covers. "Is féidir leat teacht amach anois." The small dragon emerged from Lena's hair, sensing the theme turned himself orange. Lena patted Esme's knee, and the dragon cautiously flew over, curling up on the small girl. Esme gently scratched his head, watching as it yawned in response. "Do you think you could look after him for me? You see, he's like you and me; he needs a lot of love and to be told once in a while that it's ok to be himself. Do you think you could do that for me?" Esme continued to look at the creature in awe, then at her godmother, giving a firm, "Yes, I think I can. I'm going to call him Bertie. Thank you, Auntie Lena!" Laoina kissed Esme on the head before tucking her in and smiling at seeing her goddaughter cuddled up with her new pet, zebra and her bear. "Tá fáilte romhat, a Esmeé." She snapped a picture before turning the light off, sending it to the group chat with the caption.
"Isn't my goddaughter just the cutest, curled up with her teddies and dragon!"
So that's that, I was going to keep this going but realised how long it got. I guess that's what happens when you write in boring lectures and while waiting for audition calls but there you go.
So Esme now has Bertie the dragon, wonder how Alex is going to react to that.
Anyway Irish in this
- Máthair - mother
- Deirfiúr - sister
- Pionnaí, snáthaidí, Rosemary, fíon. I mbuidéal an chailleach seo liom; cosaint in aghaidh díobhála agus naimhde. Is é seo mo thoil, mar sin mo chroí - Pins, needles, rosemary, wine. In this witch's bottle of mine; guard against harm and enmity. This is my will, so mote me. Ancient Irish protection potion that when buried in the ground prevents evils or bad spirits from entering the property
- Is féidir leat teacht amach anois - You can come out now
- Tá fáilte romhat, a Esmeé - You're welcome, Esme