Broken Child

by Metala Kahame

After a tragic accident befalls Timmy when left in Cosmo's care, he starts to doubt his abilities as a god father. As Timmy's condition worsens he resolves to do all he can to make his godchild better. Meanwhile Wanda's growing attachment to Timmy is starting to raise some suspicions that she has forgotten the number one rule of godparenting; don't get too attached!

40. Chapter 40: Festivities part 1

Chapter 40: Festivities part 1

—Foop's Pov—

"I must discover what's happening with my mother," Foop murmured to himself as he navigated the interior of his counterpart's dwelling. It was a stark contrast to the castle he shared with his parents—and although he had anticipated Poof's home to be an exact opposite of his own, he had not fully grasped the extent of its cloyingly sweet nature.

The residence was permeated with an excessive sweetness, the explosion of bright colors was startling, and the omnipresent photographs of grinning children on every wall were not merely in bad taste; they were unsettling. Where were the cobwebs? The haunting portraits? What about the charming appeal of the sporadic medieval weapon? The excessive cuteness of the place was unbearable—it made his skin positively crawl.

He did not want to be here for a moment longer than necessary, but he'd endure the nauseating, treacly sweet abode if it meant finding out what could be causing his mother's condition.

"Not that I'm concerned," he muttered. "It's just that being uninformed irks me, and with father absent, I'm left to offer her the emotional support." He paused. "The hug was somewhat pleasant—" He shook his head. "That is, if you're a sentimental fool, which I, as the antithesis of my counterpart, certainly am not!"

"Poof….?"

"Ah!" He leaped, turning swiftly as Poof's voice caught him off guard. Both his counterpart and his foolish father hovered nearby, gazing at him with puzzlement. "How did you manage to spot me? I was well concealed behind this column!"

"Well, you were speaking to yourself kinda loudly," Cosmo remarked as his counterpart agreed with a nod.

"Poof…."

"Drat it! I need to remember to keep my internal monologues internal!"

"Foop, what are you doing here?" Cosmo tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "Shouldn't you be busy crafting some sort of homemade torture device?"

"Oh, that's already done." He brandished his rattle, and Cosmo let out a squeak as he was abruptly secured into his latest homemade contraption—a lightning-powered electric chair. "Would you care to give it a try?"

"Not really…" Cosmo cringed and then looked down at the bucket of water his feet were stuck in. "But can I ask what the guppies are for?"

"They're mutant flesh eating guppies!" He snapped, frustrated. "Learn to tell the difference!"

"Wouldn't it of been easier to get piranha?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Sure, if you don't mind being dull and uninspired. Now prepare yourself to experience both the pain of extremely high-voltage electrocution and the agony of having your feet up to your shins agonizingly devoured! Mawhaha!"

"….You know, Foop, that the fish are going to get fried the moment the electrocution starts."

"Um... I... might have overlooked that," he admitted, momentarily at a loss for words. He had, it seemed, missed something obvious, and it took Cosmo—his father's less-than-brilliant counterpart—to point it out. Poof snickered at him, causing his cheeks to flush with embarrassment. "Great, this humiliation is going to last a lifetime... and since I'm immortal, that's quite literally for eternity."

"Aww, don't feel bad, Foop! You can maybe market it as a torture device/fish & chips machine! I wonder what fried guppy tastes li—!"

"How about you find out?" Annoyed, he pulled the switch; making his father's counterpart twitch and yelp as the electricity gave him a few violent jolts. Naturally, being a fairy, it wouldn't be fatal and Cosmo would heal within minutes, that's why he liked to have his torture devices inflict as much pain as possible in the moment, rather than focus on causing injuries that would heal before they could cause any real suffering.

"Mmm, fried guppy is actually pretty good! Crunchy!" Sure enough, Cosmo, still singed and smoking, bit into one of the now charcoal fish moments after Poof rushed to flip the switch off.

"Poof, poof, poof?" Poof complained, not taking his father being electrocuted very well, and started demanding to know why he was here.

"Hey, don't act like I'm the villain here!" He proclaimed, then paused. "—well, I am a villain, but—"

"Poof, poof!"

"Don't rush me! I am here to demand that your mother ceases any and all actions that are having a detrimental effect on my mother's physical and mental wellbeing, and yes, while I am aware that the latter is mostly a loss cause; lately she hasn't just been dumb, she's been acting like she's going crazy."

"That's a lie, Poof!" Poof was quick to defend his mother, growling as he clenched his fists as he protested that she'd never do anything of the sort.

"According to my mother, your mother is carelessly somehow getting her own thoughts stuck inside my mother's brain! She isn't accustomed to such mental activity. I demand that you tell your mother to cease this 'Linking' process she's inflicting on my mother immediately, before she loses any more of her precious grey matter!"

"Mom wouldn't do that, poof!"

"She is so!"

"Is not!"

"Don't make me get into this childish discourse with you! Is so! Is so! Is so! Times infinity!"

"Is not, times infinity+1!"

"You can't add on to infinity!"

"Oh, boys, boys, boys…." Cosmo laughed as he moved in between them. "Mama told me all about this Linking thing when I told her Wanda was in Fey world with Timmy—it usually only happens when fairies break the big taboos, but just being in Fey world can cause like, Linking to happen, but it's not like real Linking, so it's not anything to worry about. It'll stop as soon as Wanda and Timmy come back home."

"Poof?" Poof raised an eyebrow, clearly as uninformed about Linking as he was, yet another query formed in his mind.

"What is this Fey World?"

"Fey World is the place where the Fey live."

"Clearly..." He rolled his eyes. "But who are the Fey, and where is this Fey World located?"

"Oh…umm…." Cosmo hesitated, wiping some sweat from his forehead. "Fey are like fairies, but they have no counterparts and are much, much stronger. Their world is behind this super powerful barrier so no one can get in—or out — without the council's permission."

"So Fey world is like one giant prison? Why would Wanda take her annoying buck tooth godchild there?"

"Because Timmy got really hurt…." Cosmo put his head down, looking pained. "And their magic is the only thing strong enough to make him better…."

"Ok, but what does Fey world have to do with linking, and what is linking anyway?"

"Err…" Cosmo hesitated again, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "The Fey-talk is really something you should be having with your own mom and dad, Foop, haha….but, umm, it's like…since Fey don't have counterparts, sometimes when fairies go to Fey world they can kinda have a reaction where their minds and personalities might mix up with their counterparts…but it's only temporary! Wanda and your mom will be completely normal once Wanda returns from Fey world, 'cause the only thing that can cause real, permanent Linking is breaking the big taboos, and Wanda…." Cosmo released a nervous laugh as he fidgeted a little. "Would never consider doing any of those!"

He remained somewhat perplexed by the Fey and their realm, as well as the reasons why being in their presence would trigger Linking. However, he consoled himself with the thought that it was a transient effect that would dissipate in time. His curiosity about the identity of the Fey and the paradox of their imprisonment despite their formidable powers lingered. Yet, he recognized the futility of seeking answers from Cosmo, who, even if amenable, seemed an unreliable source. He resolved that patience would serve him better, opting to bide his time until he could consult his father for a more informed understanding of the Fey.

The important thing was that his mother was going to be ok.

— Nova's POV—

He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the room's piercing brightness. The closed blinds permitted just a sliver of sunlight, yet it cast an intense glow on everything. His throat was dry and burning, his head throbbing with a persistent pain. Chiding himself internally, he reached out blindly for the bedside table, searching for the glass of water that Gin always left for him. Despite his vows to not overindulge at the Enchanted Toadstool, he awoke in this state every single time he visited.

He drank the water and waited; the magic took effect in mere moments; his head stopped hurting, his eyes lost their sensitivity to the light, and his throat was no longer parched—though he could still taste the flavor of the Emerald Embrace in the back of his throat, and his stomach remained queasy.

He stretched out in bed, and even though he wasn't hungry, conjured himself up some dry toast in order to settle his stomach and chase off the persistent nausea. He was in the same room he had woke up in the last time he had drank to the point of passing out.

The last time Gin had to carry him up here, he hoped that this time he had made it to the room by himself. It was a cozy little room, dark, earthy colors, sparse furniture; bed, desk, a shelf that had a few books on it and a small television; there was also a bathroom with basic amenities. It wasn't a room designed for one to stay long; so Gin hadn't tried to do anything fancy with them. Their only purpose was to provide a space for someone to sleep off the effects of their drinks and rest for a while after recovering.

"He really liked the underground cafe; I hadn't expected him to dream about it so soon," Nova mused, his voice hoarse. He had dreamt the dream Timmy would have had if he hadn't taken it from the boy.

Timmy had recreated their time at the cafe almost exactly, except Wanda was in a much better mood in the dream. It would have been nice if she had been so pleasant in reality. He hadn't wanted to put her on guard or cause a rift. It seemed his daughter-in-law was a bit uptight, and perhaps, as Piper had pointed out, not very keen on sharing her godchild's affections.

He was confident he could mend any damage done to their relationship. With Timmy's help, it should go smoothly. Wanda had demonstrated her weakness for indulging the child, and if Timmy wanted to spend time with his new 'grandpa,' she'd likely relent. Given her insistence on not leaving Timmy alone with any Fey, it would give him an opportunity to get back into her good graces.

Still, he wasn't ready to face them just yet. His anger over Jorgen's favoritism had subsided somewhat, but he worried any residual hostility might still be perceptible to them. The last thing he wanted was for them to misinterpret his feelings and feel uneasy.

As his sense of injustice dulled, he also felt a twinge of shame for his jealousy. He was genuinely pleased that Wanda and Timmy could enjoy some peace of mind. He had no intention of letting the boy reach 21 years old and would claim him as a Kinder long before that, but for now, they could relish the thought of having a few more years together. It had just infuriated him that Julian hadn't been given the same chance. If he and Stella could have remained with him to help him start his adulthood…to get him out of the toxic environment and start building his life then…poor, tragic Julia might never have needed godparents…or, maybe it did not matter, and the poison of adulthood would have rotted dear, sweet Julian away all the same.

Well, adulthood wouldn't be rotting his sweet little god-grandson, that darling boy who reminded him so much of Julia. From all he had heard of the boy from his wife's letters, he had never thought he'd be comparing that spirited boy to his fragile and meek goddaughter, but the poison of the human world had begun to eat away at him. Timmy was not yet at the age when the poison would rot him. Instead, at this point, it would just eat away at the best parts of him, weakening his spirit, making it susceptible to the adult poison that would corrupt him completely.

He was definitely saving that boy, even if it made his daughter-in-law hate him—but hopefully he'd be able to convince her…and she, Timmy—and his son and grandson would all come here and live happily ever after.

He finished his meal of dry, unappetizing toast, wiping away the crumbs from his shirt. It may not have been a delight for his taste buds, but it had worked wonders for his stomach, and he felt significantly improved. He chuckled at the memory of his Fairy days when he believed that greasy food would absorb the alcohol, and that fried, fatty foods were the remedy for a hangover. Piper had found it hilarious when he attempted to alleviate his first hangover as a Fey by eating a hamburger, laughing so hard that she ended up with a sprained side.

He hoped Piper was faring well. She was hurting, and rather than being there to console her, he had become absorbed in his own emotions, envious of the opportunity Timmy received that Julian and Julia had been denied.

He was also worried about poor Timmy. He had hit upon the next phase of his treatment, and while the pain would start to gradually decrease, he'd feel very weak and cold until his body got used to using magic as a primary energy source. Usually, this did not last long, but who knew what complications could arise due to the condition of his heart? Also, the void left behind by his missing soul could cause all kinds of unexpected and possibly disastrous mishaps.

Neither he nor Piper had ever dealt with a condition like this before, and the idea that something could go terribly wrong was deeply troubling. He wouldn't keep Wanda in the dark about dangers and treatments, but he also did not want to stress her out by letting her know just how uncertain and precarious the boy's condition was.

That void left by his soul was pulling in magic from the surrounding environment, and while Piper had put a cap on it, limiting the amount it could take in, it was still unheard of for pure Fey magic to be used as part of the filter cycle.

He hated that all they could do was wait and play things by ear as they happened. He knew he could depend on Piper to give the best care possible and to work tirelessly to achieve her goals for Timmy's health, but he frowned, biting down on his lip. Piper had been bored for many, many years. There was no doubt that this case would be exciting for her…he just hoped she did not get carried away.

Curious and concerned about how his daughter-in-law and Timmy were faring, he turned on the television and accessed the Fey World network. The Habitat channel had the Live symbol lit up next to it, something it only had when they had guests. Below it were the records of every live recording, archiving every single child that had come here for treatment. Many of them were here now, as Kinder, though sadly, for the most part, their godparent hadn't followed. It was a celebration whenever they claimed a new child; but on the rare and fortunate occasion that they gained both a new Kinder and a new member of their Fey family, that was a true festivity.

If…no, when…Wanda decided to join them, and bring little Timmy with her, it would be the biggest festival they've had in years…

He closed his eyes, imagining it for a moment. The moment Wanda became a Fey, naturally his son Cosmo would come to join her here, and they wouldn't want to be separated from their child. And knowing Stella, if Cosmo came to Fey World, she'd finally come to join him here. He'd be reunited with nearly his entire family, and nothing would ever part them again. He could hardly wait!

If only there were a way to ensure Schnozmo came along. That boy was too independent and unsentimental to decide to change his entire being and way of life, just to be with his family. As pitiable as that was, just missing one member of his family would be far less painful for him than missing his entire family. Anyway, Schnozmo would certainly choose to become a Fey over becoming dust once he hit the million year mark, so eventually his eldest would come to be with the rest of his family.

Once they all came to be with him, he probably wouldn't ever need to use one of Gin's recovery rooms ever again. There would be no sorrow or loneliness left to drown.

He would do whatever it took for the Cosma family to be reunited…and happy.

He chose the Live channel, and an image appeared on the screen showing Timmy curled up in the chair of the Cuddle & Snuggle room, surrounded by all the companions in a large, warm, and fuzzy cluster. He chuckled as he noticed Billy, who had been outdone by Hector during toddler Timmy's cowboy ride, was now trying to monopolize the boy, aiming to be the prime source of warmth. Meanwhile, Hector, previously the center of attention, was relegated to merely lying across the boy's legs, his size dictating his position. Ginnie was, as usual, cradled in Timmy's arms. Meanwhile, Fredric, looped around Timmy's neck, appeared to be pleading for his turn to be held, but Ginnie wouldn't yield her spot. Typically, she was a very obliging little Appapuff, yet she seemed to have grown fond of Timmy, possibly pampered by her role as his 'cuddle comfort' during the times he needed to inhale the incense before his treatments. Atop his head lay Maria, purring contentedly, coiled up in a lazy ball. She didn't seem to offer much warmth from that spot, but she had always been a tad more self-absorbed than the others. Nonetheless, she was playful and inventive, capable of creating stunning light displays as a Luminix. Indeed, she was more of an entertainer than a nurturer.

Wanda was sitting on the edge of the large chair, looking concerned and, he noted, perhaps a bit bored. There were plenty of ways she could have been entertaining herself, but her maternal instincts wouldn't let her see to her own needs while her godchild was unwell, which meant she was currently stuck watching over a child who was either lazily watching television, or napping.

"You know, Timmy, when I suggested getting some fresh air, this wasn't what I had in mind," she chided him lightly. "It might look like it's outdoors, but this is still technically inside the room…."

"Hmmm…" Timmy murmured from his curled up position in the bed, cracking open his eyes. "So warm though….."

"Oh, I know, you're feeling very cold and weak right now. I imagine what you're feeling now must be similar to having Magcus Floop…" She crinkled up her nose as she empathised with him, and Timmy peered at her quizzically.

"What's that?"

"You know when humans get all congested with mucus when they have a cold and can't breathe, right? It's kind of like that, except our magic gets congested and can't come out right," Wanda explained the ailment that often followed or preceded the fairy flu, as she stroked Timmy's bangs. "It makes us feel all weak and sluggish—it's an awful feeling, isn't it, pumpkin?"

"Yeah, but being cold is the worst," said the boy, snuggling into Billy's fuzzy fur and nuzzling against Ginnie, who chirped contentedly.

'Hmm…' Nova cupped his chin thoughtfully. He could understand why Timmy did not want to leave the comfort of a warm place, but Wanda was right that some fresh air and sunlight would do him well. He also did not want Wanda to burn herself out. Giving continuous care to someone else, without caring for your own needs, would have even the best of moms become stressed.

"Oh, I know! I'll provide an incentive for the boy to go outside. It's about time for a good, hearty meal." He pondered for a moment what kind of meal he ought to serve? Timmy was suffering from the cold, so perhaps he ought to serve dishes known for their heat-giving qualities? However, Wanda did not need warming up, and such a feast might overheat her. He could serve them two diffrent meals, but that could end up emphasizing his illness, and he hardly needed to be reminded of how badly he felt.

Maybe he could offer side dishes that complemented Timmy's meals without causing Wanda to suffer from too much heat? Instead of a buffet like at brunch, he could serve set portions to manage how much they ate? Yes, that seemed like a suitable solution. No buffet table then. He'd have the foods delivered to them, dish by dish.

He pondered what else he could do to provide Timmy with warmth, but also keep Wanda cool without ruining the shared experience? Perhaps attire was another solution to the problem?

Dressing up for a meal could enhance not just the ambiance, but also the flavor of the food, and he could tailor the clothing to warm Timmy and cool Wanda. A grin spread across his face as a delightful idea struck him; why stop at clothing when he could enhance the food through other methods as well?

That poor, adventurous and lively boy was feeling so pitifully weak and unused to the limitations put on his body; so why not do his best to have the boy experience the thrill of travel despite his bed-bound state? He could make this a thrilling experience and it would be a good way to keep the boy outside in the fresh air for as long as he could, but even for a pair as close as Timmy and Wanda were, conversation would dry after a while, and he wished to relieve his daughter-in-law of her boredom and keep Timmy in a wakeful state despite his physical weakness.

He ought to provide some entertainment to go with the meal; yes, light music during the meal and small show to provide a break between each course? Perhaps he could add some excitement by providing a few small gifts as well?

Normally, Fey couldn't give gifts without receiving something in return, but this rule did not apply if the gift given was one that was small, with very little value outside of emotional sentiment.

He'd indulge them and have them enjoy themselves to such an extent that the minor mishaps that occurred during the tea party would be the furthest thing from their minds. Meanwhile, he'd work on another little 'gift' for them.

How thrilled would they be to unwind with a special customized movie? That story they had read together in the underground cafe. It was a horror story, so he'd wait until tonight to present it to them. Since it had to do with space, would it be better to show it before or after the star/butterfly viewing he had planned? Well, that decision could wait until after making the movie.

He snapped his fingers, having a magical invitation to the lunch party outside, slide under the door to the cuddle&snuggle room and switched the channels, going to generate. Several search options came up, allowing for movies or shows to be searched by genre, creator, time, ect.

He had done this countless times; it was a hobby of his. Movies or shows could be created with a few selections. You could be vague and enter only a few keywords or you could spend hours being as detailed as possible. You could even insert your own likeness or someone else's likeness into the movie, or even create an actor/actress from scratch—ensuring that everything right down to the smallest of details was exactly how you envisioned it.

He'd introduce the system to Timmy later; a creative boy like that was bound to create many interesting pieces of visual entertainment. He'd have a lot of fun with it….

Yes, fun, togetherness, comfort, happiness—those were the four keys that would help him lock Wanda and Timmy securely and safely into Fey world.

— Wanda POV—

'That invitation really came at the best time, she thought as she helped Timmy sit down in a chair at the pavilion. She would never of gotten him out here otherwise. Nova had told her that the room would respond to her needs, but she hadn't expected it would help, even with situations like that. Not that Timmy was being difficult, but he felt so cold and weak that it would take far more than just her insistence for him to willingly leave a warm, comfortable spot.

"Here, sweetie…." She draped a blanket over his shoulders, and he pulled it close, shuddering, his teeth chattering and his eyelids drooped heavily, making it clear that he'd have been happy staying in bed. Fortunately, food was something that he had been willing to leave his warm, cozy place amongst the fuzzy, soft companions for.

She hoped that the meal would be as opulent as their grand brunch feast; not because she was feeling particularly gluttonous, but so that she could keep him outside in the fresh air and sunlight for as long as she could. Rest was important, but staying in bed and doing nothing but sleeping wasn't good for the body or the mind.

She did not want Timmy to start feeling depressed over his health. She wanted him to be able to have fun, even if he was feeling weak.

Timmy looked around himself with a sleepy expression; there was no food buffet laid out like it had been at brunch, but the invitation had instructed them to sit at the table set up in the pavilion.

It did not appear the invitation had been false though, because the area by the fountain had been prepared to accommodate some type of entertainment, but what it was, she could not guess.

She looked around, trying to spot where the food was. She couldn't even smell anything besides the scent of the flowers surrounding them. Timmy blinked sleepily as he pulled the blanket tighter around him with a shiver. The sun was high in the sky, providing a comfortable warmth, but given his condition, Timmy would feel cold no matter how beautiful the weather was. If something did not appear soon, she worried he might ask her if he could go back to bed.

Just as Timmy opened his mouth, possibly to make such a request, the record player that had played them soothing music during their brunch sprang to life with an announcement in Nova's voice.

'We take great pleasure in welcoming you to a unique celebration designed to commemorate your resilience in surmounting the initial challenge of your treatment. Brace yourselves for an enriching experience that will broaden your understanding of various cultures, featuring delicious cuisine, enchanting music, and engaging entertainment as we take you on a journey to seven different countries and time periods across the globe!'

"Oh, well, that sounds nice, doesn't it?" She asked as she took the seat opposite him. "It'll be like a little adventure."

"Yeah!" Timmy grinned, excitement now mingled with his exhaustion, bringing some light back to his expression. Even as he leaned back fragilely in his chair, his foggy eyes had become lively as they darted around in anticipation.

She followed suit, looking around herself, curious about what Nova had planned. As she did so, her gaze landed on a video camera adorned with bird-like wings hovering near the Pavilion. It made no attempt at concealment, and a sign hung from its 'neck' announcing 'souvenir video'. She arched an eyebrow. Clearly, Nova had high expectations of how much they'd enjoy what he had put together for them if he deemed a souvenir video necessary.

He must have exerted extra effort to overshadow the incident with Mab, but she was determined not to let the event slip from her memory, regardless of his attempts to ingratiate himself.

"First up on our cultural tour; Ancient Rome!"

In the blink of an eye, the appearance of the garden changed dramatically. Marble columns adorned with garlands of ivy and grapevine appeared around the pavilion, creating the ambiance of a classical Roman villa. Statues and Busts of Roman gods and goddesses were spread throughout the garden, and even the stone walking paths of the garden transformed in the mosaic tiles in patterns reminiscent of ancient Roman floor designs. Large terracotta vases and urns filled with flowers and greenery native to ancient Rome surrounded the pavilion which had also changed its furniture to match; Ancient roman couch beds arranged with plush pillows and cushions in rich colors like burgundy, gold and royal blue, took the place of the garden chairs they had been seated in. A Triclinium Table appeared as well, allowing them to recline and dine in the same way the ancient romans had.

But their surroundings hadn't been the only thing that changed; their clothing had as well. Timmy was wearing a woolen tunic with long sleeves along with woolen leggings; and even the blanket she had given him had turned its self into a cloak—meanwhile she was dressed much more lightly; a draped dress, a light shawl, and sandals. The clothing was ancient in style and material, except for its color, which had kept their shared fondness for the color pink in mind.

"Oh, this warm!" Timmy gushed, hugging the material of his cloak closer as he reclined on the couch bed.

"Aw, you look like a little emperor." She chuckled; he looked adorable and was now glad for the souvenir video.

Soft lyre and flute music played from the record as harpy eagles swooped in from above, gracefully carrying dishes in ceramic plates and goblets over to their tables in their powerful talons.

"Whoa, cool!" Timmy's mouth hung open in awe as he sat up straight to get a better look at the food that was dropped off.

'Nova really is bringing out all the stops….' She observed, but smiled at Timmy's reaction. 'But I'm glad he thought up a way Timmy could have fun even with his current health…. not that it's going to make me forget what happened earlier.'

"Among the offerings at our Ancient Roman feast is Mulsum, an exquisite combination of wine infused with honey and pepper. Rest assured, we have eliminated the alcoholic content from Timmy's portion and modified the flavor to cater to a child's palate. On our menu today, we offer a dish consisting of Garum combined with warm spelt porridge, as well as a lentil soup seasoned with cumin and coriander. As an accompaniment, we present a delightful herb salad featuring mint, parsley, and fennel, alongside a charming assortment of figs, grapes, olives, and cheeses." Nova's voice spoke over the music, introducing the meal. Timmy gazed at the unfamiliar food with curiosity, a departure from his usual diet of hotdogs, burgers, and pizza.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant opportunity to try new things?" She urged him cheerfully. "It'll be a nice way to expand your tastes beyond that processed junk you're used to."

Timmy smiled a little sheepishly, knowing that his usual diet wouldn't win any health awards, and nodded. "Ok! I'm going to try everything!"

"That's a sport!" She laughed. "It's good to be adventurous when it comes to food!"

It did not surprise her when he went for the wine first. It was natural for boys that age to be drawn by the forbidden, even though it had the thing that made it 'forbidden' removed.

'That's so cute, but to think, he'll be old enough to drink for real in less than six short years.' She thought as she picked up her own glass, the aroma of the drink rich with notes of honey and spices. Since Jorgen had said they could stay together until he turned twenty-one, that meant someday she'd be able to share a real drink with him. On his eighteenth birthday, she'd take him out to the fanciest restaurant in fairy world to celebrate it.

She smiled as she clicked her glass together with Timmy's as they did 'cheers'. That eighteenth birthday she thought she'd have to mourn losing him was now something she could look forward to. She took a sip; it had a mild, pleasant warmth without being overpowering and the honey added a natural sweetness while the pepper provided a subtle kick to it.

"It's good!" Timmy's eyes shone, and while she wasn't sure of how the taste of his modified version differed from her own, she had to agree it was an enjoyable drink. Buoyed by the delightfulness of the drink, Timmy eagerly tried the lentil soup next. It was a thick and hearty soup that on its own would normally provide a satisfying meal, but as she recalled from the tea party, Dazzel had told her that the food ate in this world while normal sized before being consumed, became no bigger than a crumb in the stomach, allowing a person the ability to feast without becoming too full to enjoy the food.

"Guess what I learned earlier?" She leaned forward with a grin. "In this world, we can eat so much because the food becomes really small inside our stomachs, plus apparently it keeps all the vitamins and good stuff; but lowers or removes all the bad like cholesterol, fat and guess what—barely any calories!"

Timmy laughed. "Cool! So I can eat all I want without worrying about breakouts or stomachaches?"

"And I don't have to worry about Cosmo making jokes about my weight when I come home."

"He shouldn't be doing that at all." Timmy popped one of the pieces of cheese into his mouth, savoring it. "The way he talks sometimes, you'd think you were Veronica's size; You're not even close to being overweight."

"Aww, you're sweeter than the honey in this wine." She gushed; he might lay it on a bit thick sometimes, but she really appreciated his efforts to make her feel good about her appearance. It had started one night when she and Cosmo were getting ready to attend the 'Fairy awards show', and she had worn a silver sequined gown her sister had loaned her. It was a designer dress, normally out of her price range, so she was feeling really glamourous. However, upon seeing her, Cosmo had laughed and told her she looked like a disco ball.

She had developed a thick skin against his usual brand of so-called humor, but this 'joke' had pierced that armor, maybe because of just how good she had been feeling about herself. She had excused herself quickly the moment she had felt her eyes burn on the pretext of needing to touch up her hair.

….But Timmy had noticed how she had really felt and had been so kind and sweet about it and he always took every opportunity he got to make her feel good about herself. Sure, sometimes he was clumsy at it, or he overdid it, but it touched her heart because she knew he wasn't doing it to flatter her, but because he was trying to make her feel happy.

"Not that I'm mocking Veronica." He added, this time trying a fig. "I feel bad for her, actually. It's obvious even to an outsider like me that the popular group is just stringing her along…."

"Puberty hit her bad…" She agreed, pityingly; a combination of cystic acne and massive weight gain had pushed Trixie Tang's former best friend, Veronica Star, out of the popular crowd and kept around as more or less an indentured servant for them.

"Yup; I'm not the only one in middle school to have their elementary school friends ditch them, but at least mine aren't making a fool of me," Timmy remarked, a little bit of pity laced into his voice as he took a spoonful of the garum mixed porridge and wrinkled his nose a bit, laughing as he put a hand over his mouth. "Whoa! This tastes…like someone put fish oil and salt into a breakfast cereal…"

She sniffed at her own portion; the aroma was pungent and briny, with hints of fishiness tempered by the earthy scent of the spelt porridge. She took a cautious taste, seeing from Timmy's reaction that he had not liked it. It was a salty and savory dish; the garum, giving it a distinct umami flavor from the fermented fish. She found the taste agreeable, but could also see how a boy Timmy's age would find the fishy taste to be too strong. Fortunately, Nova had apparently designed this feast not to make them feel obligated to finish any plate they disliked, for Timmy's bowl of the porridge disappeared.

"If only mom's cooking would do the same." Timmy laughed. "Aside from her squid surprise, of course."

"Normally I'd be opposed to making fun of your mother's cooking, but she does use banana shampoo to flavor her banana bread, and lemon dish soap in her lemon squares, so you get a free pass to poke as much fun at her cooking as possible." She sighed. That woman's cooking had given Timmy countless cases of food poisoning by now; it was almost a blessing in disguise that she went out to eat with Mr. Turner most evenings; sure Vicky would either pocket the dinner money, or make sure what she ordered wasn't to Timmy's liking, but at least it did not put him in the hospital!

They enjoyed the rest of the meal, making small talk that was mostly focused on the food or the decorations. To her surprise, Timmy had actually really enjoyed the herb salad; he seemed surprised himself to have liked it, having up to then, turned up his nose at the very mention of 'salad', because salad equalled vegetables, the bane of nearly every child's tastebuds. Perhaps it was because of the mint leaves. Timmy enjoyed mint candies and mint chocolates—honestly the one flavor of chocolate she did not go crazy go.

"That was good!" Timmy beamed at her as he reclined on the couch bed as the harpy eagles swooped in to remove their empty dishes. The warm clothes and food had helped ease his shivers, though she did worry that if he laid down, he could end up dozing off again. Before she could encourage him to sit up, Nova's voice came over the record player again.

"Please grant us the opportunity to offer some amusement while you digest your meal and we get ready for the following course. Witness the exhilaration and excitement of an ancient gladiatorial battle reminiscent of those held in the historic Roman Colosseum!"

Timmy perked up eagerly as the area by the fountain came alive with holograms of gladiators so realistic she could swear they were real; in fact, the only thing that gave away that they were holograms was the brief flickering when they first appeared. She couldn't help but break out into a grin as she leaned back on the couch to watch the fight. She had to admit, Nova had come up with a great idea; it not only provided Timmy some warmth and fun, it kept him outdoors where he could get fresh air and sunlight.

The gladiator show lasted for fifteen minutes, which ended in one's bloodless defeat and the others victory. She liked Nova had kept the fight exciting without allowing for it to become too violent. She and Timmy watched curiously as the 'winner' approached their table and kneeled. A basket appeared on the table, photos of them taken during the meal, and two tiny envelopes, each marked with their name. Inside of Timmy's was a miniature gladiator figurine, and inside of hers was a small mosaic tile pendant.

"Awesome!" Timmy declared, his expression sparkling. The trinkets were the like sold in kitschy tourist shops, but when combined with the candid photos of them enjoying their meal together and the enjoyment of the experience, these tacky insignificant items became precious momentos.

"Now, allow for us to move our journey along to Medieval Europe!" Nova's voice declared, and the music changed from lyre and flute melodies to that of a lute and harp. Once again, their scenery and clothing underwent instant change. She found herself dressed in a linen kirtle and lightweight wimple, while Timmy had his clothes changed to a woolen, fur trimmed tunic and mantle.

Medieval-style tapestries depicting scenes of knights, castles, and mythical creatures were hung around the pavilion. The Roman couch turned into high-backed, ornately designed wooden chairs and backed by velvet cushions. A rustic wooden miniature banquet table adorned with a tablecloth in rich, dark colors took the place of their previous table and was decorated with centerpieces such as small potted herbs, arrangements of wildflowers in earthenware vases and clusters of candles.

The Roman gods and goddess statues became dragons and griffons. The mosaic path turned to gravel and was accented by wooden arches covered in ivy and roses.

"Here comes the food! Wow, what kind of birds are those?" Timmy asked, looking warm and cozy in his new attire, as colorful birds swooped from above carrying wooden and pewter table wear in their long, slender beaks.

"Those are Hoopoes." She explained, admiring the lovely birds as they dropped off their food, then flew away to perch in the nearby trees, and began to sing in tune to the music. The dishes were all covered in fancy lids, but even though they could not see them, they smelt delicious.

"Wow…this is so exciting!" Timmy's eyes, cloudy from his illness, still seemed to dance in anticipation to the feast that was delivered. She was glad to see him more lively, but she hoped he wouldn't get too excited and overexert himself.

"As you settle into the medieval European ambiance, prepare to indulge in a feast that captures the essence of rustic opulence, blending hearty flavors with comforting warmth. Allow us to present an array of dishes that will transport your taste buds back in time to the grand banquets of knights and nobles!" Nova's voice came from the record and the lid on one of the dishes came off; but rather than the dish appearing on the table, it vanished and instead two pewter bowls filled with pottage appeared before each of them.

"Commence your culinary odyssey with a sumptuous and substantial pottage, a cornerstone of medieval cuisine. Each bite is a comforting reminder of the hearty fare that sustained your ancestors through long, medieval winters."

"I guess for this one we eat one dish at a time." Timmy took a big spoonful and beamed. He must have been happy to finally get an authentic medieval experience. The Dimmsdale medieval festival had been a sore disappointment, and his wish to make it 'real' hadn't gone exactly the way he had wanted.

"You know, when I first became a godmother, my first godchild was from medieval times." She remarked as she ate the pottage; once a daily dish she had been sick of, but now, after so long, it tasted nostalgic.

"Really? Cosmo told me you had a child from prehistoric days and that fairies were the reason fire was discovered."

"That is true." She sighed at the memory, not knowing if she ought to laugh or feel bad. "I still don't know how Cosmo managed to pin the blame on that one on poor Prometheus! But you know Timmy, godparents can go anywhere in time."

"Have you ever been a godmother to someone like in the future?" His eyes went wide.

"I've been a godmother to a child in the year 3024!" She smiled and then shuddered. "Society in the future scares me, and the food is so processed that I think nothing in it is even 1% natural."

"Doesn't that cause lots of changes in the timeline?" Timmy asked between slurps of his pottage.

"Most changes are too small to affect anything really big; and for the big things…." She cupped her chin; there was a certain amount of things she wasn't supposed to divulge to humans; that a multiverse existed, and that fairies were guiding the world along the best possible path and compiling the best outcomes into one 'prime' universe was one of those things….

It was really a complicated mess of things she did not fully understand and was actually under the guidance and control of the fairy council, which shared no information about the purpose or reasoning behind it.

Timmy, however, was waiting for her to finish her sentence and, not wanting to lie to him, she gave a sheepish smile.

"To be honest; the council controls that. I think they select the best outcomes and make it a fact? They really don't share that information with the fairy public."

"Ah, the fairy council is like—the government, right? Full of secrets."

"Oh, listen to you." She chuckled. "Are you hitting your government conspiracy phase?"

"There are some really interesting videos on TooYube." He pointed out, and she told herself she'd have to be more vigilant in what he was watching online so that he did not develop any weird ideas.

"So, what were they like?" Timmy asked, slurping his pottage. "Your first godchild, I mean?"

"Oh, they were sweet; but I did not get to stay with them very long." She sighed wistfully; the excitement of her first godchild discovering fairies were real, and the enthusiasm she had felt about granting her very first wish. "It was a little girl…and her very first wish was to have a very pretty dress, so we poofed her up a gown fit for a princess….alas, back in those days, dressing above your station was considered an offense, and she got put in the stocks…"

"Yikes." He grimaced. "That suc—er, that did not go well."

She smirked as he caught himself; she knew he used bad language from time to time, but that he'd always refrain from doing so when in her presence made her smile; because she knew he wasn't doing it to avoid a scolding, but because he knew she did not like it.

If only Cosmo could show the same consideration when it came to his wife-jokes.

"Following that, indulge in the delectable taste of perfectly marinated roast venison, expertly seasoned with the tangy essence of juniper berries and the aromatic warmth of cloves, resulting in a dish that embodies both exoticism and the essence of medieval cuisine. As a complement to your meal, we present a chalice of mulled cider, an essential beverage from medieval times that emanates a sense of warmth and celebration, and no medieval feast would be complete without the simple pleasure of freshly baked, buttered bread, paired with a selection of aged cheeses." Nova's voice introduced three more items to their meal once they finished the first dish and, like with the pottage, the uncovered dishes turned into plates presented in front of them, ready to tuck into.

"Yummy!" Timmy looked thrilled; the conversation about how the fairy council was literally controlling history already far from his mind, even though it was something she was sure most people would have been left in shock over. It couldn't even be attributed to him being a child; it simply was just the way Timmy was—he took things at face value and trusted deeply; he was naive and innocent.

For example—his parents could neglect him and make thoughtless comments to him, break all kinds of promises—but a simple 'we're sorry,' 'we love you', 'we'll try to do better', always had him instantly forgive them and he was always quick to justify everything they did wrong.

….She ought to have done something to prevent Timmy from becoming his parents' doormat. She had seen signs of it long before his ADHD had made everything between him and the Turners so much worse. For example, that take your child to work day at pencil nexus, Mr. Turner had literally hired an actor to play his son, candidly admitting that he needed to put his 'best foot forward' to impress his boss and not his 'smelly buck tooth foot,' and yet….when his cheque bounced and he was forced to take Timmy—Timmy hadn't even reacted with indignation, or anger, or shock….or any of the things a child ought to have shown in response to such rejection; only happiness that he got to go….

Perhaps if she had done better in those days, her poor boy wouldn't be in such a vulnerable state emotionally and mentally…

But at least right now, he was smiling and happy.

"Oh wow! This is good!" Timmy almost squealed as he took a bite of the meat and then, with a curious expression, asked what kind of meat venison was. To her the question was akin to asking if water was a liquid or a solid but she kept a straight face as she replied, acknowledging that Timmy's personal experience with meat ranged from beef, pork, chicken and whatever the heck hotdogs were made from.

"It mostly refers to deer, but can be used for any type of game meat, such as elk or caribou." She tasted the dish, it was prepared excellently, but she did not have the pallet or the knowledge to distinguish what type of meat it was. "I am pretty sure, however, that this dish isn't deer meat. Deer are a sacred animal to the Fey, and they would never eat or serve its meat, even if it was conjured by magic without inflicting harm on any actual deer."

"Speaking of deer, those baby white deer were so cute! Did you see them? They were twins." Timmy was still smiling, but the softness of his voice and the way his eyes drooped slightly hinted that he was thinking of his own twin; of Sophia…

It was an opening to tell him what she had learned from Piper, but the timing was poor. That conversation was not one to have over a meal.

"I was so nervous about the Queen showing up that I did not really focus on them." She admitted.

"I'm sure grandpa Nova can take us back there to look at them." He suggested, and she tried to keep her expression from showing too much of her feelings about that idea.

"Timmy, it's best not to leave the safety of the recovery room too often. This room has a contract that prevents anyone from trying to cast any spells or enchantments. Besides, Piper told me about how sometimes kidnappers from other areas of Fey world show up here to steal away Kinders…"

"Mmm." Timmy nodded reluctantly, but then, with a playful tilt of his head, smiled at her. "But you know, mom….it must be boring for you when I'm sleeping so much; if you wanted to look around the village and stuff, I wouldn't mind…."

"Oh, I couldn't leave you all alone." She declined the offer, though to be honest, she would actually like to explore. Timmy, skilled at seeing through her, grinned at her response.

"Your so nice; but really, it's fine! Actually, you could bring me back stories and pictures! I bet grandpa Nova would have a great time showing you around and…maybe if you find any spots you think are….safe, then…y'know…maybe I could—?" He let his question linger. She did not want to say yes or no, so she went with a non committable 'we'll see.' Timmy nodded, not pushing the issue, even though she could tell he had been disappointed with her response. As they emptied their plates, the last item on the medieval menu was revealed to be an apple and pear tart, still warm and gooey as if taken straight from the oven.

"….The three of us can at least have another game and story session in that cafe you liked so much." She relented, wanting to make him smile. Nova at least wouldn't be trying any tricks, not until Timmy's treatment was over, and he'd probably think twice before committing a betrayal in a room he had dreamt of having a family get together in for so long.

It would also help her in her act of being a 'naive, obedient daughter-in-law' leading Nova on with the belief she was seriously contemplating becoming a Fey so that he wouldn't take matters into his own hands to claim Timmy. Timmy, unaware of the deception she was planning, clapped his hands together giddily.

"Yes! I hope Pickles will play the part of Cthulhu again."

She shuddered. "I'd rather it didn't…"

As the dishes were cleared from their table by the birds that had brought them, a large bowl containing honeyed almonds and walnuts appeared to take their place, and with an introduction from Nova holograms of jovial minstrels appeared in the same spot the gladiators had taken after their Roman themed meal.

They watched as the troupe danced around the garden, then exchanged in wisecracks, and while some then played live music, one sang a song filled with puns, while the others either clowned around or performed tricks.

She looked over at Timmy, who was reclining in his chair, his mantle drawn tight as he sipped more cider and munched on warm nuts. Despite the hot food and heavy clothes, he remained chilled. She would have been too warm if not for her light clothing and the fact that her servings of the warmer dishes were slightly smaller than Timmy's, had been, and by how they had also let off less steam, at a cooler temperature as well.

"Are you feeling alright, sweetie?"

"I still can't shake the chills…" He admitted, letting the steam from his cup of cider warm his face. "But I'm having lots of fun with this."

"I'm glad you're enjoying this, but what about your strength? If you start feeling weaker, tell me right away."

"I will." He promised and turned his focus back on the entertainment, laughing at some of the silly antics of the minstrels. He had once suffered from coulrophobia until he had wished the fear away. It was good he had, because otherwise this performance would have probably frightened him.

"Hey, Timmy, you don't need to tell me if you don't want to, but why did you have a fear of clowns?" She asked curiously. Timmy's face turned red all the way to his ears, and she wondered if maybe she shouldn't have asked, but fidgeting a little, he mumbled.

"….Thanks for removing that fear so I could go to the circus with my friends without looking lame."

"Of course, what are fairies for if not to help?" She reassured, noting that he hadn't answered the question. He looked over at her shyly and put his head down.

"…Clowns…often have red hair, right?"

"Yes, traditionally, clowns are depicted with red hair," she confirmed, curious about where he was going with this.

"Well, fourteen-year-old Vicky wasn't very good at doing her makeup," he said, trailing off with hesitation.

"It's common for girls to struggle with makeup when they first start," she admitted, still puzzled about the point he was trying to make.

"She'd put on way too much face powder, and wear thick, bright eye shadow and bright red lipstick—-it looked like clown makeup…and….well, eight year old me thought Vicky was an evil clown that came by to hurt me every time my parents left the house."

"Aw!" She put her hands over her chest, struck by the pitiable reason behind his fear.

"I used to cry to my parents about the evil clown that came by when they went out somewhere; and when they figured out I was talking about Vicky—my parents punished me because they thought I was being rude and making fun of Vicky's appearance…." He made a show of shrugging as if this was no big deal. "I guess that's why they never believed me about Vicky. It's my own fault. I blew my chance by making them think I was just being a bratty kid, and then all of my protests after they assumed was just me lashing out at my babysitter over getting punished for calling her a clown."

There he was, defending his parents once more. If Poof had ever complained to her about a teacher or caregiver being an 'evil clown,' she wouldn't immediately conclude it was misbehavior. She would investigate the matter, understand why her child described the person in such terms, and not simply dismiss ongoing complaints about that individual as tantrums resulting from punishment.

Timmy forced a laugh now. "At ten I knew very well Vicky wasn't a clown, but I guess the connection I used to make between her and clowns got stuck in my head? I know—-that sounds really stupid."

"That doesn't sound stupid at all," she reassured him. Timmy offered her a soft smile, the kind of delicate, grateful expression he reserved for moments when she comforted him after a day of bullying. They watched the rest of the minstrel show in a comfortable silence, snacking on the honeyed nuts until a juggling act with over fifty pouches was performed. They watched in awe as the minstrel skillfully juggled whilst balancing on a pole, and then, at the very end of the performance, he tossed two of the pouches over to them and then humorously allowed the other 48 pouches to land directly on his head, each accompanied by an exaggerated bonking sound effect.

With a final bow, the minstrel holograms disappeared and eagerly they opened their pouches. Timmy received a miniature knight figurine which he instantly made battle with his gladiator one, while she got a tiny stained glass window charm. Joining the stack of photos from their Roman meal she had carefully sat aside were new photos capturing memories of this part of their feast.

"I wonder what will be next?" Timmy looked thrilled, even as he leaned far back in his chair, his body exhibiting signs of weakness even though his mind was energized.

"I'm sure it'll be fun, whatever it is, but make sure you don't push yourself too hard, ok? If you want to rest a little longer between courses, I'm sure we can do that."

"I'll let you know if I need rest," he promised, his eagerness to discover what Nova had planned for the next course casting doubt on his assurance that he would indeed rest if necessary.

"China awaits us as the next captivating stop on our cultural exploration. Please allow your senses to be transported to a garden of tranquility, where the delicate balance of sweet and savory, crisp and tender, and fragrant and subtle flavors come together in perfect harmony."

"China!" As a fan of Chinese takeout and kung fu movies, Timmy was already full of excitement; though she was sure that this would be a far more accurate taste of the culture than what he knew from Americanized fast-food places and Hollywood produced kung fu action flicks. It was a pity that Dimmsdale did not offer much chances for enrichment, as there were many fine things about China's culture and art that she was sure he'd enjoy if given the chance to experience them.

The garden decorations and their clothes transformed as seamlessly as they had twice before. Timmy wore a cotton padded jacket, thick trousers and a fur-lined hat. They were white with a beautiful pattern of pink peonies and butterflies. She wore a complimentary white silk cheongsam with the same peony & butterfly pattern on her dress and silk slippers. Their clothing seemed to be from the 1950's era if she had to guess. Though Timmy's outfit had taken some artistic liberties, as she highly doubted such a feminine design would be found on men's clothing in those days.

"You always look really pretty in that type of dress," Timmy complimented her. She donned a cheongsam for her Lily Chen cosplay when they played Eldritch Horror together. Although familiar with the garment, she had never considered herself attractive in it. Due to its form-fitting nature, she assumed it was unflattering, but since it was all in good fun for the game's roleplay, she hadn't minded. Hearing that she actually looked good in the dress came as a pleasant surprise. Timmy's expression seemed genuinely sincere too, so this was not just a thoughtful attempt on his part to make her feel better about herself.

"Well, thank you Timmy! You look quite charming yourself."

"We're wearing matching outfits again." He laughed, looking at their clothes, no doubt thinking of how she had matched their clothes during the tea party when he was in the form of a toddler.

"We are! Oh, this is so cute! Let's pose close together for a good photo op!" She went over to his side using a photo as in excuse to get close enough to check his temperature. Up close, she noticed his blanket hadn't turned into an article of clothing this time, but had become a thick white fur blanket laid across his lap. She placed her hand on his forehead, disguising it as a stroke of his bangs. He felt warm, but not too feverish, though aside from his forehead, his overall body temperature was still frightfully low. Fortunately, the warming foods and cozy clothing were helping him, as he was no longer shivering.

"….This is really cool…." He was looking around himself in awe at the decorations; red and gold paper lanterns were hung around the pavilion, which had transformed into a pagoda style. Traditional paintings and calligraphy decorated its walls, and sandalwood incense burned in fancy incense pots. They had an elegant round table, outfitted with a lazy Susan to make it easy for them to eat buffet style from the dishes that had yet to appear, and comfortable bamboo chairs with red and gold cushions.

The garden pathways became winding, the gravel replaced with stepping stones, and towering bamboo grew where no bamboo was present before. Moving between the bamboo, she could see holograms of pandas and tigers, and the chirping of crickets blended harmoniously with the traditional guzheng and erhu music that now played on the record. She did not know enough about Chinese culture to rate how authentic it all was, but to her untrained eye, it certainly looked like Nova had done a good job of it.

Golden pheasants filed through an elegant moon gate that had been erected nearby, carrying fine Ming dynasty china on their heads, their elegant tails streaming like banners behind them. The birds, which seemed far too small to be carrying such weighty dishes on their tiny heads, expertly sat them upon the table, and presented them with tea cups that she was sure would worth a fortune at an antique dealer. One pheasant poured tea from a pot into the cups, while another placed red and gold napkins, as yet another prepared plates for them, along with chopsticks. Even after setting things up, the birds remained nearby, as if intending to act as their butlers throughout the experience.

"In regards to this magnificent banquet, we have consulted Piper's books on ancient Chinese medicine for guidance on identifying foods with warming properties. Moreover, we made a deliberate effort to find dishes that will support the nourishment of Timmy's seven Star points. Included are also dishes that promote heart health. The Chinese culture places great emphasis on the medicinal properties of food, and this banquet serves as a prime example of this belief." Nova's voice emanated from the record, sparking her curiosity. She was familiar with traditional Chinese medicinal practices, and this was an excellent method of trying them out. Timmy would not only enjoy a delicious meal but also reap potential health benefits. Small cards next to each dish on the lazy Susan detailed their names and the health advantages they offered.

Kung Pao chicken, hot and sour soup, ginger and scallion fish, and lamb stew with goji berries were among the dishes known for their warming ingredients.

Additionally, there were seven dishes, each labeled with a colored star matching one of Timmy's star points. Despite their healthful properties, all appeared appetizing and not at all like medicine. The selection included ginseng-flavored steamed fish, herbal chicken soup, pork and bitter melon stir-fry, honey and ginseng baked chicken wings, seaweed and tofu salad, robust congee, and black sesame seed balls.

Moreover, some dishes featured a heart symbol on their cards; among these, braised abalone stood out as the sole savory option, with the remainder being desserts like longan red date pudding, sweet red bean soup, and osmanthus flower jelly. Perhaps this was done to ensure Timmy would eat them.

…To think it was a heart disease, cardiomyopathy, that was destined to kill her poor boy before he could reach his seventies. Piper may have cured it currently, having restored the youth to his organs, but…would it return once Timmy's heart aged once more? Could they prevent it from happening if Timmy started taking good care of his heart right now?

…..But he'd eventually die of something, wouldn't he? No matter how well a human took care of themselves…death always caught up to them.

"Mom?" Timmy looked at her questioningly. Sometimes he was too perceptive to her moods and thoughts.

"Oh, I was just thinking about how unfair it is that a little boy with such a big heart was originally going to die from his heart…but, now that we know that you'll develop a heart condition in your old age, we can take steps to prevent it." She replied with half the truth, knowing that he'd seen through anything less.

"…I know you're worried about it." Timmy told her kindly as he placed items from the lazy Susan into his plate; his eyes downcast, a reassuring smile on his face. "…In a world where one half wouldn't care, and the other half would be happy, knowing that you care so much about me, that you fret about it, makes me feel very loved, but…" He met her eyes with a remarkable gentle gaze. "I don't want you to look at me and feel sad."

"Timmy…."

"Up to now I always thought that when a person died, that was the end, but now that I know humans actually do have immortal souls…not just one, but two, well…that gives me hope…" He placed his hands over his heart. "My Heart-Soul will reincarnate as someone new, not just once, but over and over again. Perhaps in some of those lives, we'll have the chance to be fairy godchild and parent once more," he said, touching his forehead. "My Mind-Soul is meant to journey to a special place after death, to await completion, or something like that. But you're aware of my resolve to keep us together, right? I'm confident that I'll find a way to get back to you, just as I always have, regardless of how often Jorgen or the council have tried to keep us apart."

She wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. "Your right—if anyone could overcome death itself to keep his family together, it would be Timmy Turner."

He laughed and nodded in confirmation. "That's right! So don't worry or feel sad about it anymore, ok?"

"Ok." She agreed, even though she knew he was speaking with a bravado born of childish overconfidence and an innocent trust in the belief that love could overcome any obstacle. If only love could guarantee a miracle.

She tried to lighten the mood she had made heavy as they partook of the feast and Timmy was all too willing to oblige her. He cheerfully spoke of how yummy everything was, and suggested that they ought to go on a sight-seeing trip to the real China once he felt better.

"Yeah, once I'm all better, we'll walk across the entire Great Wall of China!"

"You are aware that would take at least eighteen months, aren't you?" She laughed, amused, and he dropped his chopsticks in shock.

"Seriously!? Ok….then how far would we get in the length of one school day?"

"Not even a 1/8th of it, sweetie." She chuckled as he pouted. "But when we do go visit, we'll walk some of it and then use magic to finish the rest."

"Ok. That sounds better than a year and a half hike." Timmy chuckled at his own naivety upon accepting the much smaller aspiration.

…Humans were such strange beings—how they could go from talking about their mortality one moment to cheerfully making vacation plans the next? For fairies, the decision of choosing between becoming dust or joining the Fey upon reaching one million years was so frightening and upsetting a thing that most wouldn't even discuss the subject with those they loved most, even right at the end.

….And yet, a human child could speak of death so casually, as if it were a natural part of life... which, to humans, it was. For mortals, death was an ever-present shadow, an unseen predator always lurking nearby, a reality they understood from an early age, and one they knew would inevitably claim them regardless of their actions.

Being a mortal must be such a sad, frightening thing…mortality really was an incurable disease, one with a zero chance of survival….

What did human adults think when they looked at their children? She wondered. Did they ever fret over the thought that someday their child would die, or were they untroubled by the idea so long as nothing happened to end that child's life prematurely?

For her….even if Timmy reached old age and died a peaceful death from natural causes…the idea of him dying at all tore her heart into a thousand pieces.

She doubted Mrs. Turner ever gave such matters a second thought, much less worried about them. That woman would never love Timmy even a fraction as much as she did.

Part way through the meal, she could tell that Timmy's energy was waning, but he seemed determined to finish the food he was enjoying so much. Once he was finished with this course, she would tell him to take a break from the excitement Nova had planned out for them. She enjoyed seeing him happy, but his well being had to come first.

Two large fortune cookies were carried to them by the birds, while the rest cleared the table and another pair poured them more tea. Timmy broke his open but instead of a paper fortune, a little dragon figurine was inside, another piece for his growing toy collection, and inside of hers, was a faux jade pendant.

She looked at Timmy, who was making the dragon fight against the knight and the gladiator.

"You know, Timmy, in Chinese culture, the dragon is a peaceful figure."

He seemed to consider this a moment, then continued with his game. "Yup, Mr. Dragon is making sure things stay peaceful by breaking up the fight!"

She laughed softly, allowing him a few more moments of play before she thought to suggest a break from the celebrations for some rest. However, before she could speak, Timmy's chair transformed into an unfamiliar type of bed. It was perched atop a platform with a small furnace integrated into it. She wondered if it was a Chinese design, but if so, it seemed to have come from a time period long before the 1950s. With a contented sigh, Timmy laid down and snuggled into his furry blanket.

"Wow, it likes…half stove, half bed! Cool! This is so cosy…" His eyes fluttered closed, his cheeks flushing.

"It is essential to incorporate rest into every experience. Therefore, take a moment to lie back and unwind, as traditional shadow puppet shows gently guide you into a delightful dreamland." Nova's voice kindly instructed over the record; could be that he had arranged this whole thing with breaks planned, or did the breaks happen whenever Timmy displayed a need for them? Even the entertainment, rather than the loud, boisterous ones before, was quiet and relaxing. She was too warm to want to join him on the heated bed, but she went over to Timmy, kneeling beside it, stroking his head soothingly as she kept him company as he watched the puppet show with half-lidded eyes.

Once Timmy felt better, she'd take him on that trip to the real China like he wanted, and not just there—to anywhere he wanted, but for now being able to take him on a worldwide trip through food, music, fashion and entertainment was enough. As angry as she was at Nova, she really did have to thank him for such a thoughtful gesture.

— Jorgen's POV—

"Honey! Honey! Wake up, you're having a nightmare!"

He bolted upright in bed, his wife jumping back to avoid getting head-butted by him.

"Goodness, what's the matter?" She asked, stunned.

"I was being attacked by an army of cuckoos which kept dropping acid filled tea cups on me." He shuddered; he had gone home and had fallen asleep almost immediately after returning from Fey world. The video he had recorded as a message from Wanda and Timmy hadn't yet been delivered, and while he knew he should do that, he felt too drained to make the trip over to the Cosma residence. He had even left Binky in charge of watching the monitors, instructing him to only bother him if someone was breaking a big rule.

"…Jorgen, I know it's your duty, but I really do hate you going to that place; especially so often, and…" She touched his face, frowning. Not all his injuries had healed—wounds inflicted by the Fey took a while. "How did you get hurt?" Her brows furrowed, her jaw tightening. "You…did not run into your father, did you?"

He looked down. He did not want to lie to her, but he also did not want to make her worried. Unfortunately, his silence was an answer, and she balled her fists up, her face turning red.

"A member of the council should go to that dangerous place, not you! I swear all what they do is sit around, lording it over all of us. They don't even show their faces! All they do is jump to their own conclusions on what is best for everyone and throw anyone who disagrees in prison!"

"Shh, they are always listening." He placed a hand on her mouth and looked around himself nervously. "Believe me, getting on their bad side is not recommended."

"Oh!" She huffed angrily, shoving his hand aside. "Well, I don't see why they can't go themselves!"

"…." He wanted to tell her that there was an actual reason for that, but the risk of him having disclosed their secret, even to his own wife, came at a penalty too great to risk. Seeing something in his expression, she backed off with a reluctant sigh.

"Well, do you need to go there so frequently? How long is Timmy going to be in their care?"

"His condition is unique…who can say? But as long as he is there, I need to do regular check in's. I'm not letting the Fey claim him; Turner won't be another failure to add to my list."

"I understand that, but…." She looked pained as she sat down on their bed, pouting as she rested her face in her hands. Timmy's baby teeth gleamed at him from the ring she wore on her finger, as if to remind her that whilst he was here, resting, that boy was in the clutches of the Fey. "Well…how about I go in your place next time?"

"No way!" He denied, quickly.

"Why not? According to Fairy law, fairy spouses are legally allowed to assist in their partner's duties."

"It is way too dangerous." He denied, though her willingness to do that for him touched him, but there was no way he could allow.

"It's more dangerous for you." She protested. "I'm not the one with a family full of warriors out for their neck, nor have I earned Nova's wrath."

Nova's wrath…it was deserved. What had happened to Julia was tragic, and he hated that it had happened. He had followed the rules though, refusing to give an exception when her fairies had gotten revealed; even though their discovery had been Nova's own fault rather than her own.

…Because he had tried to reach through to Jullian….restore his memories…maybe he thought that would somehow fix everything, but it hadn't.

He had taken them away from their god daughter because not only had Julia allowed her godparent's foolish plan but because reaching out to former god kids was strictly against the rules. He had only allowed Nova and Stella to be Julia's godparents on the promise that they wouldn't interact with Jullian and they had broken that promise.

Still….he hadn't anticipated that Julia would meet with the fate she had.

"It's not your fault." His wife reassured, guessing at what he was thinking. "It's sad…yes, but you have a job you have to do and rules you have to enforce. You're not a psychic that can predict the future…"

"Nova predicted it." He heaved his shoulders, uttering a deep sigh. "but…I thought he was just exaggerating just to be reinstated as her god parent. I did not believe things would end up the way he said they would."

"How could you have? It shocked everyone. You did everything you could to make it up to Nova and Stella…what Nova did after, betraying us to the Fey…it is not your fault." She patted his hand, reassuring. He smiled at her. It was remarkable how such a small, dainty hand could give him so much strength.

— Timmy's POV—

"I can't believe that we can still eat! What food did you like best so far?" he exclaimed, his hand softly caressing his satiated stomach. Wanda had told him about the enchanting nature of food in this realm, but he was still astounded by his ability to consume a feast fit for twenty without a hint of bloating.

"I'm not sure…." She confessed, more than a little absentmindedly, and he frowned.

"I really liked the Chinese one; it was so different from the Chinese food I'm used to eating back home! Oh, but that Scottish breakfast was so different! I always thought breakfast was cereal, pancakes, or bacon and eggs and such, you know?" He continued trying to make conversation but at most Wanda only offered short sentences in response.

After dozing off following their extravagant Chinese banquet, he awoke to the enticing aroma of a complete Scottish breakfast. The porridge, infused with the warmth of cinnamon and honey, the savory black pudding, the delicate smoked salmon, the luscious fruit compote, the creamy yogurt infused with honey and nuts, and even the infamous haggis, reluctantly tasted at Wanda's insistence, all delighted his palate. Surprisingly, the haggis was delectable, although he couldn't help but feel a touch of unease about its ingredients.

As they had leisurely enjoyed their meal, a holographic storyteller had emerged, regaling them with tales of Scottish folklore and the Fey. Throughout the entire breakfast, Wanda, however, had worn a concerned expression, and had gently inquired about his well-being several times. He couldn't discern how long he had slumbered or how long she had kept watch, but he worried that something he had unknowingly done in his sleep had troubled her. Despite his reassurances of his restored vigor and readiness to partake in Nova's entertainment, her troubled gaze persisted.

Her worry had continued during the Dutch segment of their feast. They relished pea soup, mashed potatoes mingled with vegetables and sausage, crispy fried meatballs, tangy pickled herring, an abundance of assorted cheeses, and an array of sandwiches. They were treated to the spectacle of a holographic clog-dance, and although he was captivated by the graceful movements of the dancers, the allure of the women partaking drew his attention more than the dance. Wanda playfully teased him about being an "antechinus," but he could tell that her smile was a little forced.

Her apprehension had lingered as they delved into a complete Caribbean experience, savoring jerk chicken, Callaloo, and fried plantains, while being entertained by holograms showcasing calypso and limbo dancing.

"What do you think will be next?" He asked her, trying to make small talk. She had grown almost completely silent during their Caribbean meal, seemingly distracted by something.

"I'm….not sure." She seemed to be staring at his chest with a furrowed brow. He looked down to see if he had stained his clothes, but there was no sign of anything that should have drawn her gaze.

"I bet it'll be fun! Everything has been so cool, so far! It's the last one coming up next, right? I bet it's going to be something HUGE!" He proclaimed with enthusiasm even as his stomach churned with unease. Despite his best efforts to appear cheerful, his anxiety at her changed disposition gnawed at him from within.

He had asked her several times what was wrong, and if she wanted to talk about it, but she would change the subject swiftly or divert his attention to the tasty food, lively music or the entertainment, yet, her eyes betrayed her façade, her usually bright gaze had become a cloudy storm of worry and fear, and yet she would not tell him the reason for her distress.

He observed her closely, torn between wanting to help her and fearing to learn what it was that had upset her. He could sense the weight of her unspoken words hanging heavily in the air, and knew it had to do with his health. Something had happened while he had taken his nap and it was something Wanda was using silence to protect him from.

"And now, as we conclude our culinary and cultural journey, at least for the time being, we proudly present your very own personalized and exclusive Mardi Gras celebration!" Nova's voice announced, the recording oblivious to the atmosphere, and the garden transformed for the final time.

The garden transformed within moments, resembling the vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans. Every inch was adorned with Mardi Gras decorations, immersing the surroundings in a riot of colors. Melodies of blues and jazz resonated through the air, performed by lifelike holographic bands. Excited holographic partygoers swayed and twirled in a frenzy, adding to the electric atmosphere. The pavilion ascended gracefully on a pedestal, creating the illusion of a balcony in an apartment building. They were seated together on a plush, excessively soft loveseat that allowed for no more than a hand's width of separation between the two of them. Before them, a wide coffee table showcased an array of enticing dishes. The aroma of authentic Creole cuisine filled the air, with steaming bowls of Gumbo and Jambalaya, a spicy crawfish boil, cornbread slathered in honey butter, red beans and rice, and an assortment of other delectable treats.

"This is amazing!" He leapt to his feet in order to peer over the railing of the transformed pavilion but a wave of dizziness hit him. Before he even realized he was swaying on his feet, Wanda leapt up and had him sit back down.

"Are you ok!?" Her voice shook.

"Y-yeah, I just stood up too fast." He smiled sheepishly as he tried to reassure her.

"I know you're really excited, but don't get carried away, alright?" She spoke gently, ruffling his bangs affectionately. "Here, let's just enjoy the tasty food, ok, sweetie?" She picked up a piece of grilled, buttery corn with creole spices and encouraged him to take a bite.

"Ok, I'll try to calm down." He promised as he nibbled the offering. "But, it's actually Mardi Gras! Can you believe it? Our very own personal Mardi Gras!"

Dimmsdale had its own version of Mardi Gras called Dimma Gras, an unapologetic copycat and cash grab started by Doug Dimmadome, but he had always wanted to go to an actual Mardi Gras celebration! It had always seemed like so much fun, but when he had tried to wish himself to one, Wanda had stopped him, saying it wouldn't be appropriate. Cosmo had tried to get her to relent by saying that Mardi Gras had many family friendly activities too, but she wouldn't budge on it, claiming it was too raunchy, too boozey and too chaotic. Cosmo had later tried to sneak him to one, claiming Wanda was just being paranoid over things she heard on TV and the internet, but she had found them and had dragged them back home by their ears.

"Mmm, well, it seems like you finally got to go." Wanda smiled ironically, no doubt recalling the memory, even though it had happened quite a while ago, before Poof was even born. "….Sorry, I was so mean about it that time. I just was so worried you could get hurt…."

"That's ok," He reassured her. "You were just worried about my safety, though I admit I was mad at you at the time."

"I remember," she said with a chuckle. "You called me a boring killjoy and dashed off to the 'even more boring Dimma Gras.' Then you went behind my back and made a wish to Cosmo to make Dimma Gras as thrilling as the real Mardi Gras. But you got separated from him, lost in the crowd, and ended up terrified by all the same dangers you insisted were just in my imagination. We eventually found you cowering behind some trash cans, in tears." She smirked, pinching his now-flushed cheeks. "It was so cute."

"Not one of my prouder moments." He mumbled, ashamed over the bratty tantrum he had taken over not getting his own way, and the pathetic end his misbehavior had wrought. "Sorry…"

"Aw, that's fine." She tucked an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close to her affectionately. "I did the same thing when my father wouldn't let me go to Fairy Gras."

"Wait, there's a Fairy Gras? Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"Only godchildren fifteen and older are allowed." She laughed at him, but he could tell that she was trying hard to make jokes and improve her mood. It was probably because she knew how much he had always wanted to attend a Mardi Gras festival that she was trying extra hard not to have him feel worried.

He rubbed his chest that felt tight with anxiety at not knowing what it was she was hiding from him; and almost immediately she reacted to the gesture.

"Are you alright!?" She placed her hand over his, staring at his chest with owlish eyes.

"Well…." He trailed off, not sure what he ought to say. "….I feel a little like I do whenever I have to catch the school bus…."

The school bus was the worst; for nearly fifteen minutes, he was trapped in an enclosed space with over sixty kids, all of which bullied him mercilessly the entire ride.

"…An anxiety attack?" She asked gently, her voice soft—ready to take him through the familiar steps to calm him down if needed.

"Not quite at that level yet, but…" He gave her a pleading look. "I know you're troubled by something, and I'm really afraid it's about me. It's frightening to wonder if something is wrong with me, so if my health is the issue, please tell me. I'm getting scared thinking of what it might be. I told you before, right? It's easier to worry about one thing than all the possibilities my brain keeps thinking up."

"Oh…." Wanda looked dismayed and pulled him closer to her, soothing back his hair. "I'm so sorry…that's right…it's harder to be kept in the dark…."

"…So….tell me?" He leaned into her, taking comfort in her warmth, and the sound of her heart beat as he closed his eyes and prepared for bad news.

"…..Well, how to explain…." She mused for a moment. "Timmy, do you remember when your heart-soul pulled your mind-soul out?"

"How can I forget that?" He replied, without opening his eyes.

"True, well, when you were in that state….did you….see anything like a red thread?"

"Hm, no?"

"Oh, I guess you couldn't see it…" Wanda sighed. "Well, there is something called a soul-thread that connects the Heart and Mind souls. Nova told me about it, 108 days after a human dies, the thread snaps and the heart-soul goes on to be reborn and the mind-soul goes to the afterworld."

"I did feel like there was an invisible leash connecting me to my other soul, it kept pulling me along against my will….." He admitted. "But I did not see it."

"Well, I could see it when we went to relive your memories….." She took a deep breath. "And I saw it again whilst you were napping….your soul thread kept appearing and disappearing—even after you woke up, it became visible a few times, not as often as it did during your nap, but…."

"So…a thread that connects my souls exists, but it's normally invisible and you're worried because it became visible a few times?" He checked. Was that all that had worried her, or was there something more?

"I naturally went to check on your Heart-soul and…well…" Wanda clicked her tongue. "…It was pulling on the cord; the thing making it visible was your Heart-Soul tugging on it. I think it was trying to pull your Mind-Soul out of your body again…."

"Really?" His eyes flew open in surprise and he saw that she had a really pouty face.

"I scolded it, of course, but then it took a tantrum and…..well, I had to call Piper for help."

"It did not hurt you, did it?" He asked, dreading a yes, but fortunately, she shook her head.

"No….I did not get physically hurt….but…I now know what Jorgen meant when he said that angry souls could be like piranha." She rubbed her head which seemed to imply she had suffered some kind of mental attack at the hands of his Heart-Soul while he had been peacefully napping.

"I'm so sorry…." He apologized, ashamed.

"Oh, now that's what I was afraid of." She kissed the top of his head. "Don't go blaming yourself for that and even your Heart-Soul was just being a lonely little baby. I'm not troubled by its tantrum. I'm upset and worried because I'm scared of your Mind-Soul getting pulled out again. You're just recovering from a Stigmata. I don't want you taking soul damage again."

"You promise you did not get hurt?"

"I promise."

"So…." He rubbed his chest, worried. "….Do you think it's going to pull my soul out again?"

"I called Piper for help and she reassured me that it can't do that because the nursery has a barrier around it precisely designed to prevent that; she was impressed that it still had the ability to yank on the soul-thread, but she promises that the barrier will prevent it from having the strength to pull hard enough to extract your mind-soul." Wanda still seemed apprehensive, though. "….But, I can't help but worry every time I see it appear….but I'm sorry I made you so ill at ease. I should have just told you."

"It's alright." He reassured, even though he really did wish she had just told him; it wasn't half as bad as most of the things he had imagined.

"I know that you think your Heart-Soul is scary because of the things you experienced, so I did not want to tell you, but please don't judge it harshly. It's just a newborn baby, a scared and lonely baby who misses the soul that had always kept it company."

"…..Do you think that's why it's pulling on the cord? Because….I've never sat with it, or talked to it?"

"Perhaps," she replied soothingly, stroking his head in a comforting motion. "It truly is a sweet little thing," she winced before correcting herself, "at least when it's not angry. I understand it frightens you, Sweetie, but... it genuinely cares deeply for you, and not being able to be with you is making it really sad."

"You're right, it does scare me but…maybe I ought to keep it company so it don't feel so lonely."

"I'm sure it will love that." Wanda nodded in approval and then fixed a great big smile on her face. "Ok! So let's put our worries behind us and focus on having fun with this—it's your big chance to finally go to Mardi Gras!"

He knew she was still worried, but now that he knew why, he felt a lot better and he could go along with her attempt to hype him up and put the matter of his soul behind himself for the time being.

His Heart-soul was trying to get back the company it was so familiar with,…that was why it was yanking on the soul-thread. Given its reasons and that it had no ill intent, he would probably be able to look past its behavior, even if it did manage to yank his soul out again. However, he did not care if his Heart-soul was sad or lonely or what other excuse it could give for its actions. If it ever hurt Wanda in one of its tantrums, he would never forgive it….or accept it as a part of himself.