My papa was a famous Essence Builder. He never explained why he up and left the quiet little hamlet he helped create; he always dodged the question whenever my mother and I would ask about it. However, when my mother died unexpectedly, I found myself with a one-way train ticket to this sleepy little town: the town of Clearbrook. I too had the gift my papa had, and the mayor reached out to me to see if I could rebuild the town, probably not knowing who my father was or the destiny she would be throwing me into.
My new life would begin when I stepped off the train...
"You must be Elisabeth! I'm Mayor Rosalyn P. Marshall of Clearbrook. It's very nice to meet you!"
I gave a tiny wave, smiling timidly and trying not to shy away from the overly enthusiastic woman right in front of me. Her energy was a bit intense for my liking, but I was used to my own introverted nature and the quiet atmosphere my parents tended to keep our family home. So anyone going out of their way to be overly cheery and kind to me was a bit out of the ordinary.
"I must say, I'm surprised and yet so very excited that you accepted my invitation to come to Clearbrook. I must say, finding someone with your...talents...wasn't easy to do, especially after the last left us so suddenly. Such a tragedy it was...
"Anyway, I'm sure you must be tired after such a journey. Why don't we head back to my office, file your new resident paperwork, and then we can get you settled into your new life?"
"Thank you," I muttered at last. "That would be great."
So she led the way.
As we walked, I noticed how dilapidated and sad Clearbrook had become in the wake of my father's sudden departure from town. How could he let this happen to people who so loved and trusted him? What made him leave this place and never come back?
Maybe I would find the answers myself as I spent more time in this ruined place.
"Here we are."
Ms. Marshall's voice cut into my thoughts, and I paused in my tracks, looking at town hall in all its splendor. Compared to the rest of town, this building seemed in immaculate shape. There were a few other buildings we'd passed on the way that seemed solid and in good shape, but they only served as a contrast to the sins of my father. I wondered, then, if Ms. Marshall knew about my heritage, or if she really thought she just got lucky stumbling across anyone with the ability to work with Essences.
It probably wasn't a good idea to ask, so I kept my thoughts to myself as we went inside.
"As you no doubt saw," Ms. Marshall began, "the town of Clearbrook is a far cry from its glory days. Our previous Essence Builder left things quite a mess in his absence. Not that I blame him, of course! There must have been something urgent that called him from us like it did!"
She paused then, looking almost defeated. I met her gaze with sympathy. She struggled so much in my father's departure, and I couldn't help but notice that it looked like the weight of the world had settled on Ms. Marshall's shoulders. It must have been hard for her, watching Clearbrook fall from grace. Even so, she wore it with grace herself, squaring her shoulders and standing tall once again.
"Now, then, I believe we have some new resident paperwork for us to get filed. I assume you have it filled out and ready to give to me?"
I snapped back to reality then. "Oh, yes! Of course! Here you go," I replied, getting my paperwork from the bag at my side and handing it to her carefully. "I made sure to fill it out completely and to the letter."
"Oh, thank you!" Ms. Marshall exclaimed, taking the paper from me. "Oh, how I adore paperwork! Nothing compares to it!"
I couldn't fight back the sheepish chuckle that had escaped my lips. I didn't exactly share her enthusiasm, especially since that form was extensive and thorough, and a bit tricky to get filled out to the correct specifications. But seeing her at ease in such a difficult time in her town's history somehow made me smile.
"Ahem. Now then, why don't we head to your house? You must be so tired, and I'm sure your belongings have arrived by now."
"That would be nice."
I couldn't wait to get some rest. I had travelled far to get to Clearbrook, and my body was weary. Surprisingly, I didn't look ragged after the train trip, even with all the bumps on the tracks, but even so, I was ready to relax and get adjusted to my new life.
So once more, I followed Ms. Marshall out of the town hall and back into town.
Unfortunately, rest had to escape me a little longer.
My house was not there. All that greeted me was a plot of land with nothing standing.
Ms. Marshall let out an exclamation of shock and embarrassment, and looked at me nervously. "Oh, no!" she sighed. "I'm so terribly sorry, but it looks like your house isn't ready yet. But! This might be a good chance to show off those Essence building skills of yours!"
Not even an hour in town, and I'm already being put to work.
I let out a small sigh, but hid my annoyance from Ms. Marshall as I summoned all the power I had within me, and made myself a modest, comfortable house. It wasn't anything grand, just a simple one-story house with white walls, a blue roof and a white picket fence surrounding the property. A quiet place where I could indulge in my hobbies in peace.
"Wonderful! It looks fantastic, and so cozy! I can tell big things are going to happen in Clearbrook!"