A Day Out

"Ung Kona. Ung Kona. You need to wake up."
Mary groaned and rolled over. She cracked her eyes open and saw her ice spirit standing over her.
"Skrel? Waz going on?" She mumbled.
"Your alarm failed to go off and now you are going to be late for your schooling if you do not get up now." Skrel insisted.
"My alarm didn't go off because it's Saturday. There is no school today."
"Just shut them up before they wake the baby," Liza growled.
Mary rolled over further to look across the room. Liza was lying on her belly with one hand hanging into the old cot. Belrok was still sound asleep, surrounded by a plethora of fire proofing charms and artifacts.
"Alright, Skrel. Let's go down stairs."
He nodded and glided over to the door. He still refused to leave any room without her. It was hard enough to keep him from following her into the bathroom.
Mary rolled off her bed and stepped over Skrel's trundle, carefully shoving it under her bed with her foot. Then, she led him down to the living room. It was still dark outside. She flipped on the tv and flipped through the channels, trying to find something that would engage her millenia old frost spirit. He didn't need a baby show like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Bluey, but considering they hadn't interacted with anyone other than Belrok in centuries, she still had to be careful with what she put on for him. She settled for Avatar: The Last Airbender before shuffling into the kitchen to make breakfast.
'I really need to teach them how to work the tv.' She thought as she dug out the cereal, 'And maybe an iPad too. Actually, maybe I should wait a bit before introducing them to the internet…'
She groaned again and returned to the living room. Skrel was sitting on the back of the sofa, seemingly entranced as he watched Katara learn water bending from Paku. Mary poured him a bowl of cereal and handed him the milk while she made her own bowl.
"Do you think I could do something like that with my magic?" She asked, "I know I can heat the water but I've never really tried to freeze it before."
"It might be possible. Perhaps we can try it later when you finish your lessons."
Mary sighed and turned back, "Skrel, I mean it when I said that I don't have school today. Seamus is helping Atlas help Heartstone recover from the damage Roland caused; Claire Bear is training with Angor and Morgana; and everyone else is going on a triple date on Akoridian V. You pretty much have me all to yourself today."
"You have no lessons at all?" Skrel tilted his head, "None even to work on personal skills?"
"Nope?" Mary smiled, "I don't even have physical therapy now. I'm completely free today."
Skrel shuffled in their seat. A chill breeze filled the room.
"Then we can go now?"
The spark in his eyes made her want to laugh but she shook her head, "Not right now. Let's wait until the sun comes up, ok? Or at least until after the episode."
Skrel slumped but nodded and continued to eat his cereal. Mary smiled and turned her attention back to the tv. Skrel had made great progress in just the few weeks he had been living with them. Sure, he hadn't really been separated from her during that time but he was still doing a lot better than he had been when he first arrived. The sun was only just beginning to rise above the mountains when Liza dragged herself down the stairs, Belrok resting against her shoulder. Then came Otto with Antonia, Lenora right behind them.
Skrel tensed and a thin layer of frost spread over the sofa. Mary reached over to rest her hand on their shoulder. "We should get dressed and head out soon," She said.
They nodded and she took the bowls to the kitchen. Even she didn't want to spend a lot of time in the crowded kitchen that morning. She hurried to wash the bowls and ran back to the living room. Skrel was still standing right outside the door while they wait for her. She sighed and led them back up to the bedroom. She shuffled through her closet and debated between the pants or a skirt. Skrel sat on Mary's bed and looked away. As she was putting on her favorite shirt to go with a pair of tan slacks she turned around and looked at Skrel.
"We should probably get you some more clothes." She suggested.
"What is wrong with what I am wearing?" Skrel insisted, turning to face her.
"Other than the fact that it's at least a few centuries old?" Mary crossed her arms, "You can't wear the same thing every single day. Especially without washing it."
"There has never been a problem before," Skrel crossed their arms right back, "And I do not like having anything tight to my skin."
Mary shrugged, "Then we'll find you clothes that aren't tight. I think I may have a dress that'll fit you." She turned back to her closet and flipped through her clothes until she found the one she wanted. "Here we go. Let's see how it fits. If you don't like it, then you don't have to wear it. Plane and simple."
Skrel continued to frown but took the dress anyway. Mary turned around to let them change. She didn't turn back until she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Is this correct?" Skrel asked.
Mary smiled. The dress was just a little big on the tiny frost spirit. The brown skirt hung down past their knees much like their cowl had. The bodice was the same brown but with little yellow flowers speckled over it, a faux wrap with a tie around the waist and fluttering, loose short sleeves that remained loose under their arms.
"It looks nice." She assured them, "I'm just going to tighten it a little, ok? If it's too tight, just let me know."
She undid the knot in the tie and tightened it just a little before retying the bow.(1)
Skrel looked down at the dress, frown not wavering. Mary's shoulders sagged.
"You don't like it, do you."
"It is not bad," They whispered, a chill falling over the room, "I just feel very…exposed."
Mar nodded and put a hand on their head, looking around the room. She smiled when her eyes landed on her cape.
"Then how about you wear this for today?" She draped it around Skrel's shoulders and lifted the hood over their head, "Does that feel better? Less exposed?"
Skrel nodded, "Yes. But it is your cape. Are you not meant to wear it?"
"I am," Mary shrugged and carefully picked up their cowl, "But you can wear it for today. We'll get you one of your own. And maybe some nice big hoodies. That'll be more like your cowl if you want."
Skrel nodded again and followed her out the door and back down the stairs, the skirt of the dress fluttering around their thin legs just as their cowl usually did. Mary led the way back into the kitchen.
"Mama? Do you think you could fix this?" She asked, handing her the cowl.
Lenora took the cowl and hummed, "I should be able to. It might take me a little while, though."
"That's ok. I'm going to take Skrel out to get them some new clothes today," Mary explained, "And I can help as long as you tell me what to do."
Lenora nodded and draped the cowl over the back of a chair, "I think that can be arranged."
"Maybe Belrok and I can join you," Liza offered, standing from her seat, "They need some new clothes too."
"That should be ok." Mary lit up, "Hey! Maybe we can invite Douxie and Nari to come along! Then all three of the spirits can be together!"
"Just be sure none of you push yourselves too hard today," Otto warned, "Mary, remember vvhat ze doctor said."
"I know Papa. I promise." Mary smiled and crossed her arms, "Did you give Eli the same lecture before he and TB left?"
"No. Mama beat me to it."
She rolled her eyes, kissed her parents on the cheek, and waved Skrel to the back yard. She pulled out her phone and texted Douxie.
LLB
"There you are," Douxie waved as he and Nari stepped away from the magic shop, "I was beginning to think you had changed your mind."
"Nah. Just a…fiery mishap." Mary smirked over her shoulder.
Liza sighed and adjusted her hold in Belrok so they were facing everyone, "I forgot to apply the fire proofing charms before dressing them."
Douxie chuckled and played with Belrok's legs, "Were you causing chaos today, Little One?"
Belrok giggled and reached for his face, hands lighting up with fire. Douxie leaned back. With the flick of his wrist, the fire was gone. He shook their hand.
"That's nice to hear, Belrok."
Nari scurried over to Skrel, "Oh, Skrel! I love your new outfit!"
Skrel pulled the cowl further down, "It is Ung Kona's."
"That's why we are going to get you some clothes of your own." Nari insisted.
"Speaking of which," Mary turned to the plant spirit, ducking under Archie, "I love your new top."
Nari grinned down at her green collared tank top, "Thank you. It just arrived in the mail. And the skirt has pockets!"(2)
"Always a win!" Mary high fived her as they set off down the street.
Archie glided over and bumped his head against Belrok's, "Hello, Little One."
Belrok cooed and reached out for the dragon. Reluctantly, Liza let Archie take the baby and watched as he flew just a little ahead.
"I'm beginning to think Archie might hoard children," Douxie stage whispered, "I would definitely explain why I never noticed him hoarding before."
Mary nodded, "That actually makes sense. It's also a little creepy."
"Not when we do it right," Archie insisted, "It's not like I'm kidnapping anyone."
Mary shook her head and watched Skrel and Nari ahead of them. Nari was perfectly happy to skip ahead of her sibling, chattering about what all she wanted to do. Skrel glided along behind her, skirt and cloak fluttering along behind him. It wasn't long before they arrived at McGurf's Resale and Nari led the way inside.
"So what did you have in mind, Skrel?" She asked, "Do you want to cover your legs completely or is the length you have right now good?"
Liza slipped as ice spread under her feet. That same ice melted under Mary's feet as she stepped forward and put a hand on Skrel's shoulder.
"It's alright. Just take a deep breath and we'll take it slow so you can see the options." She offered, "Alright?"
He nodded stiffly. Mary nodded back and waved her hand. The water collected from the floor and tossed it out the door and into the grass. Then, she led him gently through the store.
Nari happily grabbed a couple of turtle necks and some leggings. Liza looked over the onesies available, Archie hovering with Belrok over her shoulder and giving his opinion. Mary offered Skrel several outfits for his judgment.
"Do you think you'd like some wide legged pants?" She held them up for him to see.
Skrel shrugged and fingered a dark green dress on the rack. It was a little shorter than they would like but it had long flowing sleeves that would never be tight.
"Do you want to try that?" Mary offered, "We can always put it back if you don't like it."
He nodded and handed it to her. Mary smiled.
"Hey, Mary?" Douxie stepped around the rack, "Liza said you ordered all the silk for your kimono from Japan but I thought we could look anyway. We found this in the fabrics."
He handed her a bolt of brown silk with silver and blue snowflakes woven all throughout it. Mary grinned and unfolded it.
"This is great! Skrel, we could make you a cloak of your own with this." She held it out to him.
"A cloak? Is your mother not repairing my cowl?" Skrel hesitantly reached out to touch the fabric.
"She is. But leather is a lot harder to maintain and you still wouldn't be able to wear it every day." Mary explained, "A silk cloak would be easier to wash and will breathe better than a leather cowl."
Skrel continued to frown but let Mary add the fabric to her basket. They finished looking over the racks and Mary steered them over to the changing room so they could try on the outfits they had chosen.
With Skrel in the changing room, Mary leaned against the wall to look at patterns for the cloak. Her leg bounced and she turned.
"Nari? Was Douxie this nervous when you first started looking at clothes?" She asked.
Nari hummed and shook her head, "I don't think so. We ordered a lot of my first clothes off the internet because I was in hiding. I think he was more worried about Merlin." She looked down at her current outfit, "But I had already been living among humans for a while, even if it was on The Heart of Avalon. Skrel hasn't lived with anyone for a very long time."
Mary sighed and nodded, crossing her arms. She looked over to where Liza and Douxie were waiting with Belrok and Archie. Douxie was putting a proper fire proofing spell some of the toys they had purchased for the magma baby.
"Hey, Nari," She nodded over and smirked, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Nari looked over at her friends and giggled. The door to the changing room opened and Skrel stepped out, now dressed in the green dress he had picked out. Mary smiled.
"Do you like it?"
They nodded and handed her about half of the clothes. "These ones didn't fit right. I do not want them."
Mary nodded back, "Alright. I'll put these ones back real quick and we'll check out. Do you want to take those ones up and wait by the register?"
Skrel opened their mouth but Nari just grabbed their hand and dragged them over. Mary hurried to put the clothes back and meet her frost spirit before they could spread ice over the store again. As soon as she paid, Nari and Skrel led them all out onto the sidewalk again.
"Alright, where are we off to next?" Douxie crossed his arms.
"I vote we steer clear of water hazards today," Liza lift one hand, "Water burns Belrok and that is not a mess I want to deal with today."
"But we're out to show Skrel Arcadia," Nari countered, "They haven't seen any of it."
"How about we just go to the park today," Mary offered, "We can keep Belrok away from the pond and still show Skrel around."
Skrel nodded and trailed after his guardian.
LLB
Every plant in the park seemed to turn towards Nari as the group wandered the park. Mary looked around before tapping Skrel on the shoulder and leading the way over to the pond.
"Do you require something, Ung Kona?" They asked.
"You said you wanted to teach me about some of my new powers." She smiled, "So, let's practice."
Skrel smiled and held one hand out to the pond. The fountain in the middle froze. Mary winced.
"Ok. Let's maybe not freeze any pipes though."
Skrel frowned but nodded. They guided her on how to channel her energy to cool the water rather than heat it like she was used to. She would have to do both if she wanted to be able to do healing magic with it.
"Now, step onto the water." They told her.
Mary blinked, "What?"
"When you step on the water, turn it to ice and you'll be able to walk on it." Skrel assured her.
Mary took a deep breath and nodded, "If I fall through and get stuck in my merfolk form, you get to carry me back to the house."
Skrel nodded, "Of course."
Mary closed her eyes and took a step forward. Her foot found solid ice rather than the water she had feared it would. She grinned and took another step. Skrel glided ahead of her while she ran across the pond.
"How thick is it?"
Mary turned on her heel to see a man standing on the shore. She looked down at the ice and jumped on it. It didn't crack. She waved her hand and watched the water flow away from the ice.
"It's pretty thick." She told them, "It should be safe as long as everyone stays away from the edge. And I'll make sure to clean it up before we leave so no one can fall through."
"Would it be alright if people skate on it?" The man asked.
Mary blinked and looked up at Skrel.
"I don't see why not." She told him, "We're going to be practicing for a little while longer."
The man nodded and bowed, "Thank you, Ma'am."
Mary watched him go before looking up at Skrel, "I don't think I'll ever get used to people doing that. A lot more people do that now that I'm The Lady of the Lake."
Skrel landed delicately on the ice beside her, "You are owed more respect as The Lady. They are simply recognizing that."
Mary continued to frown before lifting a ball of water out of the pond. She snapped and watched it freeze before she dropped it back in the water.
While Skrel taught her how to control the ice and bend it to her will, more and more people joined the man and his family on the frozen pond. Douxie and Nari were quick to join in the fun while Liza opted to stay on the shore with Belrok. Mary slid over the ice with a smile before turning to watch everyone.
"Maybe we can do this more often," She said, "There's no ice rink in Arcadia so this is something nice we could do from time to time."
Skrel tilted his head, watching people dancing across the ice. Mary rolled her eyes and grabbed his hands.
"Come on, we've practiced enough today." She told him, "Let's play for a bit."
Skrel gasped and stumbled after her. Mary danced along the ice, dragging him along with her. Liza chuckled as she watched them from the shore, bouncing Belrok gently. Archie took the baby from her and nudged her out onto the ice as well. Douxie and Nari were happy to take her hands and drag her along. Mary laughed, watching her aunt slip and slide along the ice. Skrel smiled gently but gasped again as Nari slammed into him. She grinned and yanked him across the ice with her.

LLB

1) One of my sister's favorite dresses.
2) One of my favorite outfits.
3) Arts of both outfits to follow.