WillowTree1221: Thanks! When I watched the movie I couldn't get over how enchanting the house looked and I really wanted to make sure I described it all to the best of my ability. I also tried to keep Miss Peregrine as true to how she was portrayed as well. Just those few seconds where she opened the door smoking her pipe made me smile ear to ear and I really wanted to capture that moment for Aurora's first impression of her.
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!
I'm going to be away from fanfiction for about a month or so, don't worry I'll be back and I fully intend to finish this story. The next update will probably be mid April, so I'll see you all then! With that in mind I really wanted to make this chapter longer than the others for you all, so please enjoy and review!
"Now, peculiarity is a recessive gene carried on through families, sometimes it only skips one generation, sometimes ten, or even a hundred. Because peculiarity is so rare our kind has found itself persecuted through the ages, which led to the lifestyle you see before you." Miss Peregrine explained to Aurora as the three of them walked through the garden.
"Because of the influence over time that ymbrynes posses we are charged with the care of the young, committing ourselves to the creation and upkeep of places like this."
"How many loops are there?"
"There's no definitive number, old loops close and new loops are made every day."
"I can show you the Map of Days later if you'd like." Millard offered, "It should still be in my room where I left it. It catalogues every known loop in the peculiar world."
"Because our abilities don't fit in the outside world, we found that living in time loops was better for everyone. It's common for peculiar children to be runaways, living frightened and alone; some possess gifts so extreme that they are a danger to themselves and those around them. Like Olive, her gloves are the only protection she has, yet here she is among others who accept her, don't fear her, a place where she can learn and grow away from the world's hostilities."
As they walked they passed two children dressed identically in what looked like pure white circus costumes, they wore masks to cover their faces and were playing what looked like 'patty cake', Aurora thought she heard them talking to each other but as they got closer realized it was just grumbles and low screeches.
"These are the twins." Miss Peregrine informed her as the pair stopped their game at the exact same moment to look at her.
"They are at once two halves of a whole." Miss Peregrine continued, "The twins share a special bond unlike any other. Say hello."
They both nodded their heads simultaneously, Aurora lifted her hand and gave a small wave to which the twins replied with a noise that she guessed sounded approving. They went back to their game as Miss Peregrine continued to lead her around with Millard tagging behind, he patted the twins on the head and followed the head mistress.
"That's Claire Densmore, she has a back mouth, you'll see tonight at dinner, though try not to stare, she's quite shy about it around newcomers." Miss Peregrine explained as she pointed to a little girl in a pink dress, her blonde hair in perfect curls which bounced as she ran through the fields of flowers making a small bouquet in her fist. Behind Claire were two boys playing soccer, one had light brown hair and a yellow and brown striped shirt the other had dark black hair slicked back and wore a white buttoned up shirt.
"That's Hugh Apiston and Victor Bruntley." Miss Peregrine told her.
"Victor's strong, and his sister Bronwyn is as well." Aurora remembered from one of her many talks with Millard.
"Precisely, and Hugh has bees living inside him. While I've known many children with peculiarities strongly connected to the natural world I've never before seen that bond be quite so intimate. Our home tends to become like a hive of bees at times, but don't worry Hugh's bees are just as sweet as he is, unless provoked of course." As Miss Peregrine gave her explanation Aurora noticed Victor had started to stare at her, he didn't stop until Hugh stole the ball from between his feet and made for the goal, only then did Victor return to his game. Aurora assumed it was because she was new, like Millard said the children here loved making new friends.
"The boy sitting beneath that shrub there is Horace Somnusson." Miss Peregrine continued pointing to a well dressed boy who sat in the shade reading a book. "He can project his dreams, some of which are prophetic. I must confess that just the other night his dreams were mostly about the two of you. That's how we knew you'd be coming."
Just then the soccer ball went flying into the T-rex's mouth far out of reach.
"Nice job, Hugh." Victor muttered.
"Me? You're the one who kicked it!"
But they didn't have much to worry about for long, the T-rex seemed to come to life as it bent down to the boys level and Hugh plucked to ball from between it's teeth. The dinosaur stood upright again as a girl with braids walked out from behind the giant shrub.
"Thanks Fi." Hugh muttered and even from the distance they were at Aurora could see Hugh begin to blush, the girl smiled back at him before Victor called.
"Come on love birds! We're in the middle of a game!" he teased and Aurora was thankful that she and Millard had decided to keep their own relationship 'under wraps' for now.
"That's Fiona Frauenfeld, she has an influence over plants, that was her garden we passed back by the house. All these marvelous animals are her doing, they bring such a unique charm to the landscape don't you think?"
"Absolutely." Aurora said with astonishment as they continued their walk around the grounds. They came to a tall tree where a tiny girl with a head of short brown curls was holding a rope. When Aurora looked up there was another girl high in the sky like a human balloon, or kite. She had blonde hair and wore a light blue dress as she floated, then the girl on the ground began pulling the rope and bringing the blonde back to the ground.
"That's Bronwyn Bruntley and Emma Bloom, and I think that's everyone."
"Not everyone." Millard muttered beside them, his hands tucked in his pockets.
"Yes, of course. Enoch's upstairs with his dolls, I'm sure you'll see him later." she took out her pocket watch and checked the time, "Well, I'm sure you want to get settled. Now you'll be sharing a room with Emma, Fiona and Olive are across the hall from you, Bronwyn and Claire are next to them. The twins share a room, of course, Enoch's with Victor, Hugh is with Horace, and now with Abe away Millard you have a room to yourself."
"Splendid."
"Supper is at five thirty and I don't tolerate tardiness. Millard will help show you the ropes around here and if he's not around feel free to ask questions of anyone."
oOo oOo oOo
After Miss Peregrine had left to prepare supper Emma and Bronwyn approached her and Millard. Bronwyn ran up and gave Millard a huge hug which resulted in him needing to catch his breath for several minutes afterward. They exchanged pleasantries and all made their way inside to dress for supper. Emma showed Aurora their room which they would share, and helped her get an outfit ready.
"This would look wonderful on you." She said holding up a deep plum colored dress with short sleeves and a square neckline. The pattern had pink roses and smaller pale yellow flowers on it. "I could never pull off purple." Emma sighed admiring how the dress looked.
"Oh, Emma I almost forgot! I have something for you!" Aurora said moving to get her canvas bag and rifling through it. She pulled out a wrinkled envelope.
"It's from Abe, he asked me to give it to you." She said handing Emma the letter. Immediately the girls face lit up, her eyes shining with happiness. Emma read as Aurora changed, when she was done with the letter Emma looked to Aurora and asked, "How is he?"
"Doing well. He's met some other peculiars in the army who have been helping him flush out wights, he seems to enjoy what he does. Lucky for us."
Emma looked up from the letter now confused, "What do you mean?"
Aurora took a deep sigh, "Millard and I were attacked by a hollow. We would've been killed if Abe hadn't shown up when he did. We owe him our lives, he's a hero." Aurora left out the part where Millard was going to use himself as live bait, she thought it might raise too many questions about just how close the pair had become.
Emma asked Aurora more questions about Abe and what 1944 was like as she pulled Aurora's long hair into a French braid, she explained that Miss Peregrine didn't like them discussing the future.
"Why?"
"Because if we were to exit the time loop and enter the present after more than a few hours, maybe a day or two, the years would start to catch up. It's not such a big deal right now, as our loop is fairly new and it's only been four years. But as time goes on there's more and more danger of aging out, which is why Miss Peregrine prefers we live in the 'good old here and now'."
"But Millard left."
"Millard left in our time 1940, which has it's own dangers as your already well aware of." Aurora shuddered remembering the hollow, not only were those monsters out there but there was also a war. Yes, Aurora understood exactly why Miss Peregrine preferred to keep her wards in the safety of the loop.
When Emma was done with her hair the girls made their way down to supper, the time was exactly five twenty seven and the majority of the children were already at the table. Aurora took a seat between Emma and Millard – who was completely invisible, which made Aurora furiously blush –as he had opted to wear nothing. The others didn't seem surprised though, maybe Millard felt comfortable enough here, it was his home after all.
Miss Peregrine carried out a platter with a goose cooked to golden perfection, Fiona followed with what looked like a large yellow three-tiered cake. Emma whispered in her ear that it was a carved squash that she'd grown in the garden. Bronwyn followed Fiona with a large bowl of mashed potatoes, no doubt also the work of Fiona, and it seemed to require one of the Bruntley's to carry the large dish.
By this time all of the children had arrived, but their timely arrival didn't stop Miss Peregrine from scolding Millard, perhaps since he was older now he thought he could avoid it, but Miss Peregrine was unrelenting.
"Millard, polite persons don't take their supper in the nude."
"Even on their welcoming first night back?" he tried to reason.
"Not even on their first night back." Miss Peregrine replied with a small smile knowing she'd win the debate one way or another, "Go put some clothes on."
"Alright, alright." Millard complied and left to dress. He returned moments later wearing only a maroon bathrobe, but it seemed to be enough to satisfy Miss Peregrine and they all dug into their food.
It was the most lavish meal Aurora had ever had. She never knew that food could be so flavorful and she relished every bite. Between mouthfuls the other children took turns asking Aurora questions, they were all fairly general like where was she from? What was her family like? What was her peculiarity? How did she and Millard meet? It was all easy enough to answer and she found her anxiety didn't start up at all, she felt completely at ease around these children and she only just met them. They seemed amazed by her healing peculiarity, though she assured them it was still so new to her she didn't even know how to trigger it again.
When supper was over Miss Peregrine had the children get ready for movie night. As the others changed into their pajamas Aurora insisted she help wash the dishes, Miss Peregrine assured her not to worry but Aurora insisted, "It's the least I can do, really please."
She wasn't alone in the kitchen, Millard was at the opposite counter making mugs of hot cocoa for everyone as Aurora washed the dishes in the sink basin. Victor came in with the last of the dishes and lingered by Aurora.
"You know, I could take you into town tomorrow if you'd like. Some of us are dying to play Raid the Village again, we haven't had a round in ages." He offered leaning against the sink in a cocky and confident way.
"How do you play?" she asked cautiously, part of her knowing a game called Raid the Village couldn't mean anything good.
"It's simple really, we go into the village and pretend to raid it, it's a good way to practice with our peculiarities and once the Bird resets the loop none of the ordinary people remember a thing."
How dreadful.
"It's a vile game Victor." Millard spoke up from across the kitchen as he added marshmallows to the mugs of cocoa.
"You've never played Millard, how would you know?" he said before turning back to Aurora with a sly smile, "So what do you say?"
She shrugged, "I'd rather get adjusted to the loop first, but thank you for the offer." She turned him down as politely as she could.
"Alright, promise you'll let me know if you change your mind?"
"Promise." She smiled as he left the kitchen to get ready for movie night. Aurora returned her attention to the dishes but then Millard came up beside her.
"Raid the Village is a cruel, vicious, barbaric game that plays off the weaknesses of others –"
"I promised him I'd let him know if I changed my mind." She told him placing a hand on his chest soothingly, "I won't change my mind, the game sounds horrid. Like something my father would enjoy taking part in."
"He was flirting with you." Millard said dejectedly, Aurora raised her hand to his cheek.
"Unfortunately for Victor I prefer my men much less visible." She smiled and could feel his cheek heat up as he blushed. Then he turned slightly, grabbed a mug of cocoa and passed it to her.
"Yours has extra marshmallows."