Part 3
Chapter 1
Oftentimes it is true, that when someone enters an argument refusing to be swayed, and making exaggerated and ludicrous statements, they will end up losing the debate.
“Egad!”
“Mother!”
“The sun is just rising!” “Alright, alright, we get the message!”
***
Darling wasn't quite sure if everything was alright with her. The night before, after dismissing Tim, Maia, and Phoebe, she was feeling quite all right. After Anna spoke to Sydney, they discussed what was to happen. Darling offered to wake up the kids at the crack of dawn, and Anna happily complied. Teenagers were not her forte. When Darling arose, she dressed and came down the stairs. She would wake up Tim first. She knocked on his door and called,
“Tim… it's time to wake up. Get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast. We are beginning soon! And wake your father in the other room.”
Next, Sydney. This wouldn't be fun. She hammered on his door and-
“Sydney Alastair! Get your pampered body and your wretched soul out of bed. Breakfast will be served soon, and we don't want to wait for you to begin with the Elements.”
Ah. She made it. Bless the heavens. As she walked down the hallway to the room which Phoebe and Maia shared, a sense of extreme mischief arose in her. She hadn't felt this hyper since she was a young child! She opened the door and grabbed the pitcher of water that stood on a small table. After dipping her hands in, she sprayed it at the girl and cried,
“Good morning ladies! Breakfast will be serv-”
“Egad!”
“Mother!” cried Phoebe.
“The sun is just rising!” hollered Maia looking out the window, and then diving back under her covers. Darling didn’t cease.
“Alright, alright, we get the message!” and with a departing kiss on her daughter’s brow, and a cheeky laugh, she glided out of the room.
“Good heavens!” cried Maia from beneath the heavy down blanket.
“I’ve never seen Mother that way,” laughed Phoebe, sliding out of bed into her soft slippers. “I wonder what we will do today.”
Maia slowly pulled the covers off her head. “I don’t know. And I can't imagine what. Just expect a lot of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. We will be in the elements all day- literally.”
Phoebe chuckled. She took a cup and took a long drink from the pitcher.
“Phoebe… Your mother's hand was just in that.” Phoebe Hart’s eyes widened, and she looked right and left. Maia pulled her windows open and between laughs said, “Here!”
Poor beetle that was just sitting there taking a relaxing morning walk.
Phoebe sat down on her bed and giggled. “I can’t use that water to rinse my face either. Well, I better get dressed, and then refill the pitcher.”
Soon enough, both girls were dressed. Maia wore a rich blue shift and left her legs and feet bare. Phoebe was decked in a brown dress, and following Maia, left her feet unshoed too.
Only Anna was in the dining room when they arrived. She sat looking into a cup of steaming tea, her eyes intensely focused.
“Morning.” said Maia.
“Hullo.” she replied pensively. Darling came in.
“Ah! Girls… please excuse my early behavior. I'm not sure what came across me! Here, have some porridge, and here is some french bread. I didn't tell any maids to wake up this early. I supposed it would have been rather unjust. Eat up girls!”
Sydney came in, with his regular glare in place.
“Don’t look too cheerful Sydney. We might think you're excited or something.” Maia chirped.
“We may think you're ill! The stomach maladies are known to cause people’s facial expressions to be...frowny.”
“Phoebe! I know what's wrong!”
“Oh? Do tell Dr. Maia.”
“It is… A dreadful malady...that we have too, although we do a better job hiding it.”
“Stop being cryptic. Spell it out. Because I do think Sydney’s brain was turned over when he was born. He needs clear, simple appellations.”
“Puberty. He’s an adolescent! What else can you expect?” said Maia gravely.
“I veto your diagnosis, Stevens. It’s something more dreadful.”
“Speak your opinions Dr. Hart.”
“Its natural glumness. It's a malady of the heart. Sydney here, is so insecure of his inner self he hides behind anger.” Phoebe explained.
“Hmmmm… I do suspect your right. But still, I am not willing to let go of my previous opinion. I think it's a fine mixture of both that causes our white-haired lad to be this way. I think the best way to heal this illness is for him to step out of his comfort and stretch the hand of kindness towards others. And he must stop caring so much about what others think. If he acts like a gentleman, I think he will find people more receptive and kind in return.”
“A compromise! I am all for it. Let’s shake hands, Doctor.” they shook, much to the amusement of Darling, Benjamin, and Tim, who had entered at the beginning of this debate. Sydney calmly ate his bowl of porridge the whole time. Anna’s mouth twitched once or twice -possibly thrice- but she stuck firm to her position of tea-gazing.
The rest of breakfast passed without any incident worth recording. As the group trecked out to the backyard - Mr Hart was on a 7-day business trip, he had left the night before. Most convenient- Sydney held the door, and apologized when he stepped on Maia’s bare foot.
“I think the patient has taken the advice. Phase one of the plan well received. Congratulations.” whispered Maia to Phoebe.
“Alright sissies.” cried Anna. “This is what we are doing. Instead of unlocking all your powers in one day, we will start slowly. One day for each of you to try a different Element. Today all of you will try for Water. Ben and I will each create a column. Darling cannot. Stand back for a moment.”
Benjamin wiped his brow, and stood in the center of the yard that led to a forest, around 7 yards away. He lifted his palms, and orbs of Water appeared. Slowly, they grew, and merged into one rectangular block. Benjamin shoved it away, and it fell to the floor. From there, it grew until it was 8 feet tall.
Anna had a different method. The same one she used all those years ago. The Water built above her, and with a mighty push, it turned into a column, some way away from Benjamin’s.
“Alright. Mary and Tim. You're up first. Maia here, Tim, to you Father.” said Anna.
Maia came forward apprehensively. “Put your hand in. This part is vital. Well. All the steps are. I want you to move your fingers around, and feel the Water. Then describe it to me.”
Maia felt. It was like feathers stroking her hand.
It felt like home.
Like security.
She knew in her gut that this would be her first Element to unlock.
“It feels like feathers. And the light kiss Mother gave me before she died…” she felt some more. “It feels… right. Like I… belong with it.”
Anna smiled. “Maia! I'm very impressed. You are spot on. Now, memorize these feelings and emotions. And then remove your hand. Without emotions you cannot create an Element. Remember that Sydney!” she barked.
Maia memorized it. Every shift of the ever moving Water. Every tickle upon her knuckles. And the sense of belonging and longing. She withdrew her hand.
“Think Maia. Call up what you just felt. If you need, put your hand back in.”
She thought. Intensely.
Water. Come up. Appear on my palm. Come with your air of belonging. And home. Tickle my palm with your power. Water. Come.
A sharp pain latched onto her neck. But no Water. Not even a drop. Except for the perspiration which was beginning to coat her body. She put her hand back in.
“Maia, imagine what you can create. Horses, snakes, and orbs. Shelter around you.”
She moved her hand and thought. Suddenly, the same velvety voice that spoke to her in her old cabin kitchen spoke again.
Ahhhh...Maia. We weren’t sure if you would make it this far. You see, there were perils on your journey. Offending forces that would make you suffer terribly. But I warded them off. Remember the rain? Now think of me, and call up the Element of Water.
After Maia had heard that voice long ago, she blocked it out of her mind. She had enough on her plate without thinking of disembodied voices. But now, she jerked her hand as though scalded and looked at Anna, wide eyed.
“What was that?” she whispered, so Sydney, who was watching her progress, couldn’t hear.
“What was what?” snapped Anna.
“That voice!”
Anna raised her eyebrow. And then her features relaxed and comprehension dawned. She quickly re-arranged her face in over-exaggerated puzzlement.
“Your own imaginings, Maia. You're tired. Now continue.”
Maia noticed Anna’s contrary expressions. She would confront her later.
She knew deep in her bones this time she would succeed. As long she thought of that voice she heard, Water was tangible in her mind. That voice embodied Water.
So she held out her palm and thought of the voice. The pain intensified. Her frame shook. Sydney ran forward, but Anna put a restraining hand on his elbow. To herself, she smiled. The same thing had happened with Mary and Benjamin. And look how their story turned. Married. With two children. She couldn’t resist a soft chuckle.
And then Maia began floating.
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