Chapter 20: A moment of calm

—Timmy POV—

Opening his eyes, he winced at the intense heat that seemed to emanate from his veins, causing a throbbing ache throughout his body. Groaning, he attempted to sit up in bed, biting down on his lower lip. The room was enveloped in silence, broken only by the cheerful chirping of birds outside and the distant murmur of water fountains. Casting his gaze around, he searched for Wanda, but found himself alone. However, the lingering scent of her favorite perfume, 'Wing it', still hung in the air, indicating she had only recently departed.

He felt terrible about unintentionally hurting her during the treatment. The pain had been so intense that he had reacted without thinking, unaware that his fingers were digging into her wing. Was that why she wasn't here now? Perhaps she was angry with him. Although she had reassured him that everything was alright, he couldn't help but wonder if she was secretly furious or, even worse, hurt by his carelessness. What if, like his human mom, she... she would...

Before his thoughts could spiral any further, he noticed a piece of paper and a little plastic cup filled with gummy flavored medicine on the night table next to the bed. Oddly enough, there was also a little baby monitor sitting there, currently switched off. Curious and nervous, he picked up the note to see what it said.

'Good morning, Sweetie. I hope your feeling better. Take this medicine when you wake up and it'll help your muscle aches. Don't worry, I haven't gone far. I'm just in the room with the butterfly doorplate. It's right next to that room Nova made for you earlier. Your heart-soul is being kept in there and it needs some attention, so I'm just tending to the adorable little thing. The room's soundproof, so just come in if you need me. XOXO.

As he read the note left in Wanda's pretty handwriting, he couldn't help but feel the warmth of her hugs and kisses. The XOXO at the end reassured him, easing his fears. He wondered why he had let himself become so overwhelmed. He knew Wanda loved him deeply, not just on the surface. Her love was pure and true, the love a mother should have. Unlike his human mom, Wanda would never stop loving him just because he had disappointed her. He had faith in her, but for a moment, he couldn't shake off the anxiety clouding his mind.

As he read the note, he glanced towards the door she had mentioned. To his surprise, it really had materialized out of nowhere, right next to the room Nova made him earlier. The doorplate caught his attention, adorned with a beautiful butterfly design. He couldn't help but notice that it resembled his own Heart-Soul, albeit on a much grander scale.

"So... my soul is in there," he thought, finding the idea surreal. Unsure of how to truly process it, he considered the mean act it had committed against Cosmo and Poof. However, he reminded himself that it was just a newborn baby, scared and acting out of fear. The fact that no one had been harmed brought him some relief. Seeing Cosmo and Poof unharmed on the tape had been a huge weight off his shoulders, and he even felt a sense of happiness that Jorgen had escaped unscathed. His fear towards his heart-soul had diminished, but he knew he still needed more time before fully confronting it without reservations. In an effort to alleviate his pain, he swallowed the gummy flavored medicine, and almost instantly felt its effects on his muscles. While his veins remained hot and sensitive, the pain in his body became more bearable.

As he waited for Wanda to come out, he pondered ways to pass the time. Moving around too much didn't appeal to him, as his body still felt uncomfortable and he was overcome with a sense of physical fatigue. It was reminiscent of the exhaustion he experienced after a rope climbing lesson in gym class. He couldn't help but question the practicality of learning such a skill. To distract himself, he grabbed the remote and turned on the television, considering his options. The "Nature channel" caught his eye, but he hesitated, knowing the emotional toll it would likely take to watch it again.

Intrigued, he came across four network options: 'Fairy World Network,' 'Anti-Fairy World Network,' 'Human World Network,' and 'Fey World Network.' Out of curiosity, he decided to explore the last option and noticed that many selections were blocked, including 'News,' 'Recollections,' 'Habitat,' and 'Habitat Records.' What caught his attention was the presence of a small red light next to 'Habitat,' indicating that it was live, despite not being selectable. There was another option called 'Kinder,' but he had a hunch that its content would be similar to what he had already seen on the 'Nature channel.'

Besides the Kinder option, there were just two other choices: 'World view' and 'Generate.' Intrigued by the possibility of exploring more of the world he found himself in, he decided to go with 'World view.' Much to his surprise, this selection opened up a vast map that filled the entire screen of the massive television. The map was so vast that it would take him several minutes to scroll through it all. A small red dot marked his current location, accompanied by the words 'you are here,' urging him to select it.

"Sweet and polite guest, we thank you for your interest in our home. Please allow us to show you the wonders our village, 'Bailena Leanbhanna Draiochta.' We are well known for being a place where Kinder and companions can thrive, and where they have a life expectancy several millennia greater than elsewhere in Fey world. It is our prime concern and dedication to ensure the best of care for our little darlings, which is also the cornerstone of our group's ideology. Each village within our 'Circle' follows this same belief." A beautiful voice that sounded like a melody floated over from the television. He could not quite tell if it was a male or female voice, but each syllable they spoke sounded like music.

"You dear guest are currently located inside of the Gingerbread Clinic. Our dear Dr. Pied is a blessing to the health of our little ones; Fey from our entire Circle will seek her medicines and cures. It is thanks to her skills and reputation that our village still has a point of contact with earth's adorable little children! She and Dr. Cosma, our trusty veterinarian, are both a little quirky with their decorating, so you can expect lots of twists and surprises in their home, but fear not, they will both dedicate themselves to your health and wellbeing. FYI, Dr. Cosma, has studied child psychology extensively in his free-time so if you need someone to talk to, go right ahead. If you want your chat to be discreet, knock on a wooden surface three times with your left hand. Don't worry, he'll know if you do, no matter where he is at the time." The television showed several locations inside of the Gingerbread clinic, a few of which he had already seen. Jorgen mentioned that Nova used to work as a mail clerk in Fairy world. However, since arriving in Fey world, Nova seemed to have ample time to dedicate to studying.

"And now let us introduce you to our charming little village…." The voice spoke soothingly, and pictures of different areas of the village appeared. He had not been in the right state of mind to really take notice as they had made their way through the village, so it was like seeing it for the first time.

The sight of the whimsical and extraordinary houses was truly mesmerizing. They were made entirely out of giant flowers, towering trees, and vibrant mushrooms, creating a scene that was impossible to ignore. The colors were so vivid, and the scenery so picturesque, that it felt as if he had stepped into a dreamscape. Even though he was only watching on the screen, he could almost smell the sweet fragrance of the flowers, hear the rustle of the tree leaves in the breeze, and even feel the velvety soft texture of the mushrooms. The curiosity to see what one of these houses looked like on the inside consumed him.

"Here is our community center." The image changed from the village into something else, but rather then break the spell the dreamy village images had crafted it deepened it. It was a sight, seemingly plucked from the pages of a fairytale. The building appeared as a magnificent treehouse, towering high among the ancient gnarled trees of the enchanted forest. Its exterior was adorned with vibrant, luminescent flowers that seemed to dance in harmony with the whispers of the wind.

"We do love its design, created by our own Aelar Stonehaven. He's a real creative thinker, he is. If you dear guest, would like to become a resident, he'd be happy to help you with your own happy home here. However, the real magic of our community center is not with its appearance but what we find inside. Our interior is a true chameleon, ever-changing to cater to the current needs and desires of our close knit community. Movie theaters, ballrooms, gaming centers, whatever entertainment we desire for the evening. Here we are all close family, full of love and togetherness. Every night our community center offers members of our family the opportunity to bask in each others' company and simple enjoy themselves. We always opened our arms to new family members—we will love and cherish you for all eternity…."

"Loved and cherished for all eternity…." Unaware that he was whispering the words, the voice on the TV and the accompanying images had completely captivated his mind. They dominated his thoughts and emotions, leaving him under their enchanting spell. A faint voice deep within him urged him to turn off the television, sensing that something was amiss. However, the lure of the voice and the captivating pictures had already enticed him, making it impossible for him to resist their allure. Instead, he found himself unable to suppress a smile as he watched Fey showering love onto their Kinder children and enjoying precious moments together at the community center. In that moment, he couldn't help but think how wonderful it must be to be surrounded by the eternal love of family.

—Wanda POV —

"There, there, are you contented now?" As she cooed over the little soul as it laid itself down on the floor of the cage. It stretched its tiny limbs as if ready to fall asleep, a contented grin adorned its face. Nova had thoughtfully placed a baby monitor in the cage, instructing her to check in whenever the soul became noisy. He even suggested that she should spend time with it, even when it didn't explicitly seek attention. However, he advised her not to impose her company if the soul showed signs of wanting privacy.

"In contrast to the Mind-Soul, the Heart-Soul is inherently more private and generally averse to excessive observation." had been his advice.

The soul appeared to be content with the attention it received. She had spent time reading to it and singing numerous songs, until it finally drifted off to sleep. It seemed that rest was essential for a soul when it was not residing within its own body or occupying a temporary vessel.

"It's really so cute…" She cooed, admiring the tiny thing. To think….the soul in Timmy's heart was a newborn infant. Was that why, whenever they played the baby game together, it felt so….right? It felt like he belonged there, all small, snug and safe in her arms….a tiny, helpless little thing that she could pour all the love she had to give as a godmother into.

…..In her career as a godmother, she had over 32000 children…and had lost all of them before she could truly love them or be loved by them. 32000 kids and her pathetic record was 4 months, 2 weeks and 5 days.

…But Timmy, her little Timmy…he was such a special little one, never letting the secret out, and always finding his way back to them, no matter who tried to take them away.

….If only she never had to say goodbye to him.

"…If I could at least find you…every time your reborn…no matter as who or where…if I could be your godmother each time..." She looked at the tiny heart soul sleeping in the cage, but even then….that wouldn't really fill the void because it was Timmy she wanted to have remain with her.

'Oh stop it, Wanda.' She scolded herself, thinking about such things wouldn't accomplish them. It would just torture her mind, and might even make her 'link' with her hill billy hick of an anti-self.

She blew a gentle kiss to the tiny soul and left the room to go see how Timmy was doing. She hoped his pain, both physically and emotionally, had improved. Her boy was having such a difficult time, and she still felt guilt gnawing away at her for the extra pain she had made him endure due to her clumsiness.

"Sweetie, are you awake?" she called out, her voice filled with concern. A gentle smile formed on her face when she saw him laying at the foot of the bed, still in his cozy pajamas, his eyes fixed on the television screen. The sound of the TV filled the room, a comforting hum. It was such a natural Timmy pose that she felt a momentary sense of relief wash over her. However, her relief quickly faded as several moments went by without him responding to her.

"Timmy…?" Quietly and cautiously, she tiptoed towards him, her heart pounding with worry. As she approached, she noticed the peculiar emptiness in his gaze. With a mix of concern and curiosity, she couldn't help but feel a shiver down her spine as she observed the unnaturally serene smile on his face, a smile that seemed slightly too serene to be genuine.

"While here, we do encourage you dear guest to pay a visit to "Ban Fior Glade'. It's a breathtakingly beautiful picnic spot where you can see every magical flower Fey world offers. You can swim in our crystal clear pools and view our majestic waterfalls. The melodies of songbirds are always there to delight the ears, and our rare and beloved mystic deer love to frolic in this area, if your lucky, you might even get to see some of their young. We do hope you'll go and see the awe-inspiring beauty cherished by our community for its tranquility and timeless beauty."

As she looked at the television, she couldn't shake the feeling that it must be somehow responsible for Timmy's current state. A calm, melodious voice filled the room as it advertised the area, but even its high praise fell short of capturing the true beauty shown on the screen. The meadows stretched endlessly, their iridescent colors mesmerizing her. Each one was adorned with radiant, glowing flowers in every imaginable hue. The waterfalls, far surpassing even those at Niagara Falls, cascaded gracefully into large pools, reflecting the vibrant colors of the Fey flora. She found herself drawn closer to the television, unable to tear her eyes away. In that moment, she could almost smell the flowers and feel the warmth of the sun on her skin.

"We thank you for your interest in our village, dear guest. Any time you'd like to revisit us, or view more of our delightful world, please feel free…"

She was released from the enchantment in the images just before it could take hold of her senses. This happened because the video had reached its end. Although she didn't know what kind of spell had been placed on that video, she was certain that if it had played any longer, she would have surely fallen prey to it. Anxiously, she shook Timmy's shoulder, hoping to snap him out of his stupor. It took a few moments, but eventually, he came out of it and broke into a smile upon seeing her.

"Mom, I just watched the most amazing video—! It showed all the places in the village and in the forest, and the more I watched, it felt like I was right there. I could smell and even touch things. It was awesome! There are some super amazing places!"

As she listened to Timmy gush about an underwater crystal cave and a Pavilion where you could observe thousands of stars at night, she couldn't help but think, "Of course Fey would have tricks up their sleeve." She forced a smile on her face, recognizing the manner of spell being described. It was one that transported a person's five senses to a different location. While not dangerous, she couldn't help but feel unhappy about spells being cast without permission. Doubt crept into her mind regarding the true purpose of the video Timmy was describing. It seemed like another ploy to lure Fairies into becoming Fey and children into Kinder. The enthusiasm in Timmy's voice only reinforced her suspicions.

"You know Timmy…." She waited for him to catch his breath before gently interrupting. "They will try their best to tempt us into remaining here."

Timmy blushed a little, and flashed her a sheepish grin. "Heheh, yeah, I know, I know—every location they showed me included the suggestion of staying. Don't worry though, because, no matter how fun a place looks, I'd never want to stay if it meant being separated from you." Timmy cuddled a little closer to her. "Poof and Cosmo too, of course. I wouldn't want to be separated from them either." He added, then peeked up at her. "But especially you."

"Aww, you," she said, putting an arm around him. It was really sweet of him to say that. As she looked down at his wrist, she noticed that the Stigmata was a little paler. She wanted it to be gone, or at least almost gone, before his next treatment. Nova had warned her about the potential effects of the Stigmata on Timmy's behavior. He might experience stress attacks, anxiety, develop unusual fixations, or act clingy or younger than his age. However, she understood that these latter two things weren't actually unnatural for him anymore.

Since entering middle school, it seemed that the difficulty setting on his life had been cranked way up. It wasn't just his ADHD diagnoses or his parents' attitude towards it. It felt as though the entire world had collectively decided to abandon him, the poor boy who feared abandonment above all else. And it wasn't a simple abandonment, where they would just leave him alone. No, they chose to torture him relentlessly. The people around him, even those he once trusted, treated him like a verbal, emotional, and physical punching bag whenever they pleased. They would pick apart every little thing he did or said, like vultures waiting for any opportunity to torment him. They spared nothing he did, from his appearance, to his grades, to his mannerisms and interests.

Timmy was on the verge of breaking under the weight of it all. If she hadn't been there to hold him together, he surely would have crumbled. The poor boy had only his god family to rely on. However, Cosmo, being dense, failed to grasp the complexities of Timmy's needs and emotions. He believed that simple fun and games could solve everything. As for Poof, being too young, he couldn't understand the gravity of the situation. It was she, and only she, who provided the support Timmy desperately needed. She was the one offering hugs and guidance, filling the void that his human mom should have filled. Timmy's dependence on her didn't bother her at all because as long as he had someone to cling to, he wouldn't give up.

She gently stroked his arm, feeling the coolness of his skin, yet sensing warmth in his veins.

"Are you in any pain?" She asked him, concerned.

"A little. When I woke up, the usual places hurt." Timmy inclined his head to the side a bit; his limbs injured in that terrible fall and cut by the chainsaw. "But the gummy medicine fixed that, but…my veins feel weird, they're hot. It's not painful, but uncomfortable." He put his hand to his chest. "It's really warm…"

She felt his chest, confirming that it was warmer than when he first came. "You let me know right away if it hurts."

"Hm-mm." He nodded and then stared at her for a long moment, his expression growing timid. "How's your wing….?"

"Aww, are you still worrying about that?" She cooed, stroking back his bangs. She hoped he hadn't been fretting over it all this time. "I took some of that gummy medicine too, fixed it right up, so don't give it another thought."

"I'm really am sorry…." Timmy looked like he still felt terrible despite her reassurances. "I know you told me before not to touch your wings. You made me promise after that first time….and yet I…your not mad at me are you? I did not hurt your feelings, did I….?"

She wondered if his stigmata was making him feel worse about this than he should, because Timmy knew how much she loved him and would know she wouldn't grow angry over an accident like that.

"That first time was my own carelessness." She thought about the memory. Just two days after becoming his godmother, he had tugged on her wing curiously with the normal unrestrained energy of an excited child. She had yelped and Cosmo had given him a knock on the head. "Every child will be curious and want to touch them. I should have let you know right off the bat that it's a fairy's weak spot."

"Yeah….you told me you'd forgive me that once, because I did not know better…." Timmy's pitiful face was just too adorable, and she gave him a kiss on a cheek.

"Accidents are forgivable too; especially since all you were trying to do was hug me. There was no way you could have been expected to keep an awareness of your surroundings while in so much pain."

"It really doesn't hurt anymore?"

"Not a lick." She fluttered her wings to show him they weren't even stiff.

"That's good…." He looked so relieved. "…Um…so…how is my soul doing? Wow, it still feels so weird to say that."

She laughed. "It must be odd! And it's doing well. You shouldn't think badly of it, it's really a sweet little thing. It was just scared—you see, because it was Cosmo's magic that pushed it out of your heart, it mistakingly thinks that Cosmo wanted to hurt it—and seeing him walking around with a soul-catcher probably did not help."

"I guess that makes sense….maybe I'll go visit it with you…next time…"

"That would be nice." She hugged him. He still felt so cold and frail. She hoped he'd be healthy again soon. "But for now, let's just relax and have some fun. Let's try to think of the time between your treatments as a little mother-son vacation."

He nodded with a bright smile.

"Good, now let's get you out of those Pjs and ready for the day."

"Hey, mom, you haven't removed your nightcap yet…" He pointed out to her; true, she had left it on all during his treatment and even after getting dressed. She had said she'd leave her hair natural because he was curious…but she was regretting not putting it in her usual swirl-style. It was stupider looking then she had remembered.

"Ok, ok…I did say I wanted to give you a laugh…" She took a deep breath, braced herself and took off the nightcap. She could practically feel it go 'whoosh', Timmy could not hold back on a stunned expression.

"Yes, I know…my hair has more mass than my body…"

"It's fluffy…." Timmy fluffed some of it in his hands. "But I've seen you with your hair out of a swirl before; when you were Crocker's fairy, and that time the carwash made you a teenager…."

"Fairy hairstylist. They can do anything—but the cost of maintaining their styles can get a bit much."

"Well, it might be a bit untamed, but you know….I bet if you tried to style it, I think it could look really glamourous!"

"Aww, listen to you, just trying to be a sweetheart."

"I'm serious!" He proclaimed with a smile, whilst nuzzling his head against the soft fluffiness. "It's like a cloud…"

She chuckled, appreciating the gesture, but glamour was never her thing. Her mother and sister were the ones drawn to the spotlight, while she was content being Big Daddy's girl. Well, she had attempted to appear glamorous once when she was younger, but only ended up embarrassing herself. It was the first time she had ever made her mother laugh, but the fact that it was at her expense left a lasting scar that never quite healed.

She looked away to give him privacy as Timmy went to the dresser and retrieved a pair of khaki cargo pants, along with a loose, short-sleeved pink hoodie and a pair of sneakers. These were the typical outfits he had begun to wear when he entered middle school. He swiftly brushed his hair and tied it into a small ponytail. Passing the ponytail through the back of his iconic pink hat, his messy bangs still peeked through, just as they had when he was ten years old.

…He was such a cute little boy, really. She couldn't look at him and understand how come so many people wanted to hurt him.

"You must be feeling hungry." She observed. "All you had was a slice of fairy bread…"

"Yeah, I could go for a bite to eat," he agreed. She began searching for the 'request' button, having used it earlier to request her favorite brand of perfume. For her, spritzing a bit on was an essential part of feeling fully dressed. However, before she could locate the button, a letter unexpectedly flew in through the balcony door. It squeezed through a small crack and floated in front of their eyes.

"A delightful brunch awaits you within your personal garden. As it counts as part of your room, you do not need to worry, it's all perfectly safe to consume. We do hope you will go and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine."

While this wasn't the first incident that had made her feel like someone was listening in on them, the timing of this particular incident was a bit too obvious.

"Brunch, you know, I've never had a brunch." Timmy did not appear unsettled. "How is it different from breakfast or lunch?"

"You'll see," she reassured him, putting aside her unease about the timing. Leading him outside, she couldn't help but notice the absence of the pink butterflies and fireflies that had illuminated the garden the previous night. Nova had mentioned that human souls disliked sunlight, so their absence didn't come as a surprise. However, the garden still looked stunning, and as she looked down, she spotted a table adorned with an impressive array of food.

"Whoa!" Timmy's eyes sparkled with excitement, but she was relieved to realize that it was merely his natural enthusiasm. It was not the result of any magical enchantment, such as the one they had placed on the Fey Fruit or the lavish feast that greeted them upon entering the village.

Connected to the balcony was a small slide, which, admittedly, looked a bit out of place in such an elegant garden. However, considering Timmy's physical state and the potential for accidents on a long set of stairs, it made sense to have the slide. Plus, slides were much more fun.

Timmy rushed over to the table as quickly as his weak body would allow. His expression mirrored the gleefulness he felt on Christmas morning. She couldn't help but be impressed as well.

The drink station was a vibrant display of enticing colors, with an array of juices beckoning them. As the aroma of over two dozen flavors of hot chocolate wafted through the air, the garden was filled with a comforting scent. Fragrant leaves of various herbal tea options were on display, their soothing aromas tempting. For a refreshing twist, there was iced lavender lemonade, offering a floral scent. And for clearly marked as containing 5.5% alcohol, were apple cider mimosas—an addition obviously meant to help her deal with the stress of the treatments no doubt.

The immense table of food presented a visual feast, with clearly marked sections guiding the way. In one section, a platter of assorted fresh fruit, none of which, she noted, were Fey Fruit, showcased a rainbow of colors, inviting guests to indulge in their juicy sweetness. Another section featured yogurt parfaits with granola, adding a delightful crunch to the spread. If they wanted something savory, mini quiches, smoked salmon with cream cheeses, and mini bagels promised a tasty sensation with each bite. Complementing the array of flavors, fresh and crisp veggies were served alongside hummus dips.

The table was adorned with a variety of salads, each showcasing its own unique appeal. The first one, a simple mixed greens salad, was dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Next, the Caprese salad showcased juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Another salad, the broccoli and cheddar, combined the crispness of the vegetable with the richness of the cheese. Lastly, the fresh fruit salad was drizzled with a golden honey glaze, enticing with its natural sweetness.

The spotlight was stolen by the main dishes, as their enticing aromas filled the garden. The chicken and waffles, smothered in maple syrup, released a mouthwatering scent that blended sweet and savory flavors. With generous coverage of rich Hollandaise sauce, the eggs benedict promised both a velvety texture and a decadent taste. The Belgian waffles, topped with fluffy whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce, created a tempting combination. Marked by a small sign as being very spicy, the breakfast burritos were accompanied by zesty salsa and creamy guacamole. Indulgent stacks of mini pancakes, slathered with creamy peanut butter and adorned with sliced bananas, offered an indulgent treat.

The feast was enhanced by the addition of scrumptious side dishes, filling the air with their delightful aromas. The sizzling bacon and juicy sausage links emitted a tantalizing smell of savoriness that made mouths water. Accompanying them were crispy hash browns that provided a satisfying crunch, while the flaky biscuits smothered in savory gravy offered a comforting warmth. The garden was filled with the delightful aroma of sweet spices coming from baked goods such as the cinnamon rolls, glazed with a rich cream cheese frosting, baked to perfection. Delicate textures and sweet fillings were showcased in an assortment of mini pastries, from flaky croissants to buttery danishes. A chocolate fondue fountain, surrounded by an array of dipping fruits and fluffy marshmallows, enticed them with its rich and velvety scent. Fruit tartlets and mini cheesecakes delighted with their delicate crusts and luscious fillings, offering a delightful combination of sweetness and creaminess.

Overall, the drink station and immense table of food created a sensory experience that delighted the eyes, tempted the taste buds, and filled the air with enticing aromas. If the Fey were trying to tempt them into staying by using their stomachs, then they were on the right track.

"We're in food heaven….!" Timmy marvelled, his eyes bigger than the brunch plates.

"It's…really something!" She agreed, but the abundance of food overwhelmed them. They knew they wouldn't be able to consume even a quarter of it all. The spread looked and smelled so tempting that wasting even a single bite felt like a shame. In that moment, she longed for Poof and Cosmo to be present, more the ever, to savor the feast with them. With this much food, they could have invited both their families to join in, and there would still be plenty for everyone.

…Maybe when she got back home, she ought to plan a big family brunch; it was bound to be a really lively table but for now, she'd just enjoy having this scrumptious feast with the company of her forever-favorite godchild who would always be like a son to her.

To the side, a gazebo stood, where a cosy table for two was set up. The table was beautifully decorated and had two large, cushy chairs pulled up to it. The spot offered the perfect balance of shade and sun, and it was surrounded by her favorite flowers: peonies. Timmy's first brunch experience was truly going to be a magical one, a memory he would cherish until the day magic was erased from his mind.

—Piper POV—

"So, Nova, how is our little angel in the making?" She asked as she walked into his room; a bit too hum-drum in its design, for her liking, but Nova had always been a bit 'vanilla'. He was watching the Habitat channel, keeping an eye on their guests as she had expected him to. He always kept an eye out to hear of any signs of the kid being abused at home, or to discover a weakness in them or the fairy that he could exploit to convince them to make Fey world their home or how to trick a child away from its godparent and feed it Fey Fruit. Actually, almost every Fey took part in that later one.

"The brunch was a source of enjoyment for them. It is unfortunate that we must comply with the terms of the contract. The inclusion of Fey fruit in the feast would have greatly simplified matters."

His voice sounded a little deeper than usual, and he slumped in his chair with his feet up on the footrest, tapping them together irritatedly. She cringed, recognizing the familiar posture that indicated he was brooding. Nova had a tendency to become very unpleasant when he was in a bad mood, and it was clear that something had rankled him.

She stood back, not approaching him. When he was angry, he was pretty unpredictable, really, kinda like a crocodile or maybe a cone snail.

"Something happen? Did one of them say something that bugged ya?"

"Ah, no, no, no—the child is incredibly precious, and dear Wanda is an admirable godmother. Neither of them is deserving of enduring this ordeal. It is truly disheartening, my heart is heavy with sympathy for them."

"I'm gonna give it my all, just like I said. If we can get Aur-Aur's help, then we stand a better shot at it, but not gonna lie. It will make things a ton easier if we make him a Kinder."

"I will make every effort to provide assistance. The boy is akin to a little baby bird. If we can convince Wanda to become a Fey, then he's guaranteed to become a Kinder, willingly, at that. In the event of her refusal, we will employ our customary methods to claim Timmy, although I would strongly prefer to avoid putting her through that."

"Honestly, I don't give a damn about her feelings. I'm not losing a child this fascinating." She closed her eyes and smiled; a new challenge, an unfamiliar experience, a new procedure, something new in this incredibly monotonous world!

"Well, her feelings do matter to me." Nova's tone was sharp, and she could feel his glare even with her eyes closed. "It is my wish that my family finds happiness upon joining me. Even my absolute idiotic moronic buffoon of a careless ignoramus son."

"Ouch!" She opened her eyes, sucking in an exaggerated breath. "I hear a story behind that description!"

"Ugh!" Nova threw up his hands, making a disgusted noise. "Well, after the hectic morning, I decided to have a little nap and continue my interrupted sleep. During which I dreamt one of Timmy's dreams. I suppose seeing all those scary versions of himself in the mirror caused him to relive the memories of his accident—including the portion, erased by magic and locked away in his subconscious."

"Wanna talk about it?" She asked, unsure, curious as to what had him so pissed, and wanting to learn more about her fascinatingly adorable new guinea pig, but also wary of the building rage in Nova's voice.

"Not now. Once I've calmed down." Nova pulled at his hair, grumbling. "Let's just say for now that the stories I heard of Cosmo's stupidity did not prepare me for that."

"…But he destroyed Pompeii, turned Xanadu into Pittsburgh and sank Atlantis nine times…"

"I know."

"Yikes. Well, I feel like I'm in for one heck of a story later." She whistled. "Anyway, I didn't come here to chat. Nova, it seems like our surprise baby-guest is becoming a big deal. They don't realize how special it is yet, but the Von Strangle family has picked up on a non-Kinder soul entering our territory. Having something like that show up in our village, right after a sick child comes in for treatment... People are freaking out that we might have broken the big rule of our Circle and done some forbidden experiment. One of the Von Strangles will swing by soon to see what's up. Of course, we can explain the situation with no problem. But, you know, having a newborn soul in Fey World is definitely gonna stir things up. And, I bet, our Queen Mab will wanna see this rare specimen."

Nova groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is going to turn into a big affair, then? Poor Timmy and Wanda hardly need such stress."

"I'm more concerned about the wrong folks getting wind of what we've got. There's no doubt that many people would be itching to get their hands on something as rare as a newborn soul."

"I can only imagine what they'd do to it! Experiment on it, or just turn it into a decorative pet to show off at parties." Nova sounded incensed just contemplating it. "Still, it's too dangerous to separate Timmy and his soul."

"And if we wanna restore that kid to something close to what he was before, we need his soul."

"Now I feel like we're the ones doing experimentation…" Nova's fury turned to gloom.

"Don't get like that. We're just doing our best with the situation we've been given. We are not the same as…those Soul Slayers…" She cringed at the name used by their Circle and like-minded Circles to describe Fey who had performed unforgiveable soul destroying experiments on children.

"….I really want Timmy and Wanda to come out of this situation happy….I truly do."

We'll give it our best shot. Hey Nova, when you're up for it, can you go outside and try to calm our fellow villagers? They too are all in a tizzy over the arrival of a non-Kinder soul and are wondering why you blocked the room from being watched."

"I'll explain the newborn soul to them, as well as why we need to keep it in our village for as long as we can."

"No disrespect to our Queen, but Mab is a gossip. We'll be lucky if we can keep it within our Circle."

"Fair." Nova slumped in his chair and continued to watch the godmother and her godson relax in blissful ignorance.

"Wow! Look, they have a Ferris wheel in this garden! Let's go, let's go!"

"Ok, ok, I bet the view is gorgeous."

"Their so precious, Piper, we really must do all we can for them."

"…." She looked at the screen and instantly put a hand over her mouth, but could not hold back the laughter that burst through like an exploding dam. "What the heck happened to her hair!? I guess that's why she left that night cap on. Oh heck, it's like her head got dunked into a cotton candy machine!"

Nova, despite his bad mood, responded with a slight snicker. "Well, apparently she thought to leave it natural to give the boy a good laugh…."

"I heard laughter is the best medicine, but if that was true, that hair could cure the universe!"

—Anti-Wanda's POV—

"Hmm…?" Anti-Wanda stirred, waking up to see her husband sitting upright in bed. She stretched her limbs, feeling satisfied, and wrapped an arm around him, but made a face, feeling the cold sweat covering his backside. "Well, did ya have yerself a bad dream there, Cosie? Ain't sure how I reckon feelin' 'bout ya havin' a nightmare after our little romantic rendezvous." She grinned. "Heh, reckon I oughta be downright honored that I can stir up them kinda emotions in ya."

"I must say your ability to elicit such emotional responses is, if nothing else, quite remarkable. One might even consider it a unique talent." He remarked, pulling on his pants. She put her hands to her face, blushing.

"You flatterer you."

"I was in the middle of some sinister plans before Foop dragged me off. I really must go and attend to them. You just rest some more, and I'll be back soon."

"Well don'tcha go fergettin', we're headin' on out to see them locusts swarm! I'm feelin' right as rain now, so don't ya go usin' that as no excuse to call it off."

"Don't you worry, my little buttered crumpet. I know how excited you've been. There are just a few things I must see to first."

She pouted, but relented. "Alright, but ya better not keep me twiddlin' my thumbs for too dang long!"

"I won't." He pulled on his shirt. "Make sure Foop does not follow me."

"Don'tcha fret none 'bout him. Foop's plumb busy with his big ol' show-and-tell project. He's a smart one, just like his daddy, bless his evil little heart."

"Good, I don't need him nosing about and mucking up my plans…"

She got out of bed, stretching her arms as she lazily reached for her clothes, but wondered if maybe she'd just lounge about in bed for a while longer, at least until Anti Cosmo returned. She felt better, but any excuse to laze about and shrug off doing housework shouldn't be let go to waste.

"Oh…and dear, may I inquire…." Anti Cosmo sounded strangely hesitant, which was so out of the ordinary for him that it was actually alarming.

"What is it Cosie?"

"I've just been wondering, has something like this ever happened to you before? Or anything else strange…like suddenly hearing your counterparts' voice or dreaming of things you did not do? Having urges to do things that you normally would not?"

He sounded really concerned, so she gave it some serious thought, probing her mind for as far back as she could, though her memory wasn't the best.

"Well, there was this one time I had me a dream 'bout mixin' up some hot cocoa, and I tossed somethin' real nasty in there." She awkwardly looked away, her face flushing. "Real nasty it was."

"Are we talking about nasty as in one of Foop's pranks, or…?"

"Nah, nah, I ain't talkin' 'bout poison, crawly critters or dirt. I'm talkin' 'bout nasty like, somethin' even an Anti fairy would reckon as off-limits."

"When did this happen, and why did you not tell me?" He sounded mildly frustrated.

"Did not wanna bug ya about a silly old dream pooky. It was a spell back, can't rightly recollect when exactly. But don'tcha fret none 'bout it. Sure, I dreamed it, but there's no way I'd actually…heck, just gettin' close to that there hot cocoa would sent my gag reflex into overdrive."

"Yes, well…" He sat back down in the bed and met her eyes with a solmen expression that made her heart skip a beat. "You let me know right away if it happens again. Alright?"

"Of course Cosie, oh, but you needn't worry so, I'm just fine."

"Well, let's just keep it that way." He kissed her forehead. Stunned, she quietly watched him poof away to attend to whatever business he had been in the middle of before her collapse had pulled him away from it. She placed a hand on her chest, feeling worried by his unexpected response.

She was ok, wasn't she?

Authors note: "Bailena Leanbhanna Draiochta." Is Gaelic and would roughly translate to "Village of the magical children.

Ban Fior Glade is also Gaelic Ban meaning white, and Fior meaning true or real. The location is named for its white mystic deer, a rare sight to behold even in Fey World.