Chapter 7
Part 2- The Dawning
Poor and uneducated men have risen from the dust
Risen from the dust
Risen from the dust to put others
Where they came from
Where they came from
As Darling correctly said, they would begin learning how to control Elements later. Not that night, but soon. Soon turned into,
“A month.” said Darling at Phoebe’s eager asking. “Take a month for your cousins to settle in, and for your uncle to recover a bit more.”
Benjamin’s sick room, one you would have thought to strictly contain people walking and speaking softly, and only allowing their thoughts to run rampant, had become the most exciting room in the whole house. Maia and Tim were often there, which led Phoebe there, and all their combined mirth had alerted Anna, and Darling wondered where she could be when she stumbled upon this cheerful set. Now she frequently brought her work there. Mr. Hart was often in his office, but in the evening he would join them. Mr Hart was a rather proud man. When he spoke it was as if his opinion was fact, and all bend to his thoughts. Darling and him made a good match… or at least when they were young. Both of their personalities were much more mild when they were two-and-twenty and four-and-twenty. But each had blossomed out, forming their own opinions, and creating strong, independent personalities. It was more of a cordial friendship than a marriage. But both were satisfied.
In this cheerful room, around noon, was where they all congregated -save for Mr Hart- when Phoebe had asked her question. It had been decided that Maia, Tim, and Benjamin would live with the Hart’s indefinitely. Mr Hart was a lot of things, but stingy he was not. He had a strong sense of loyalty for family, even if that was his wife’s, sister’s, husband and children. Anna was originally supposed to leave after dropping off the children, but decided to stay for the beginning of their training, as nothing was waiting for her in their decrepit town.
“Thank you Darling. I wanted to have some time to adjust but I really couldn't figure out how to frame it correctly…” said Maia joyously. Her black hair was silky and shiny. Mirth twinkled in her round, brown eyes. It had been three days since her arrival at the Hart’s home, and already the love, friendship, and good-naturedness surrounding her had begun to take effect. It was because at home, -which ultimately was no longer home- reeked with her lost father, sadness, hunger, and poverty. But here, there was food to be eaten, jokes to be told, and life to be lived. Her joie de vivre had returned, and she was back to the happy girl she was when she was 12. But more mature, serious, and lovable.
The next week flew bye with wings. Phoebe and Maia were constantly talking and grooming their ever-growing friendship. Tim spoke with his father, and often joined Phoebe and Maia, or just Phone on a stroll around the yard. His birthday was at the end of the week, and on the morning of his 17th,
“Father sat up alone! Oh Tim- I’m so happy I can dance.”
“Let us!” cried Phoebe. The two light-hearted lasses waltzed around the parlor, and eventually collapsed into two chairs laughing.
“What an unseemly sight for two fourteen year olds!” cried Tim, although he was just as glad, but preferred to let of steam internally, as opposed to dancing.
“Ah. You forget Tim, I am fifteen.” said Phoebe laughing.
“Forget? I was never told your age.” said he.
“Really Phoebe? I thought we were the same year. Ah, well, eventually I will be 15 too…”
More laughter. Phoebe brought the side of her head down too hard on the arm of the chair.
“Ow,” she said, rubbing her ear. “That hurt my ear!”
“What?” asked Tim. “I can’t 'ear you!”
Laughter filled up Phoebe's face and she laughed so long and hard, she got the hiccups. Maia and Tim watched her and started laughing too.
Eventually, Tim and Phoebe found themselves taking a walk, and Maia was talking with her father.
Another week went bye. This one included many little things that made life bright, light, and rarely weary.
One day, Maia had a notion to bake a cake. Phoebe joined her, and together they told the servants to hold off on dessert. They had it in their small, white, ‘capable’ hands. Maia grabbed flour, sugar, eggs, and other necessary ingredients. Phoebe watched from a stool, and lined a handkerchief. She seemed to be working overtime to make up for her wild behavior the week before.
“It was like a spirit of mischief entered me!” she exclaimed one evening to Benjamin, Tim and Maia. “I am so embarrassed.”
“Oh Phoebe. We all are a little hyper sometimes. It is no problem… I for one, heard the laughter up here and am glad that you are able to allow yourself to let go sometimes.”
“I agree. Let loose sometimes. Not always need you be pretty, behaved, and a model of a docile young lady.” said Tim. That settled the point for Phoebe. But she was still on her best behavior for the next while.
As Phoebe sat, Maia mixed, sifted, and stirred. Her thoughts did the same. She marveled at her growth since her arrival. Barely a hint of her old self remained, except for the parts that helped her grow. She felt amazing. Her thoughts distracted her.
With a “ssssssssss” the pot in front of her exploded, and her face was covered with a white bubbling liquid.
“Maia!” exclaimed Phoebe. “What in the name of Heaven-?!”
Maia’s laugh was contagious. “I must have put vinegar instead of water… and too much baking soda…!” she said between bursts of laughter.
That week Benjamin started walking again. He was skinny and thin. His muscles were shriveled, but he said he wanted to start farm work for the Hart’s. Starting with small work, he would get stronger and stronger and be more of a help. Mr Hart was not a farmer, rather a merchant by trade. But they had farmland that could greatly use a skilled hand. Benjamin was determined to regain his strength, and by farming for them, he would not feel idle, or like he living completely off of charity.
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