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As a witch she had always been strongly in tune with the seasons. She knew them as surely as she knew her heart was beating in her chest, or that she was breathing. It was second nature, rarely noticed, but known nonetheless. Yet outside of the solstices and the workings of some of her more complex spells Andrea had never bothered to really listen to the seasons.
For the first time in this life (and maybe any other, you can't honestly expect her to remember all the lives she'd lived.) she actually stopped and paid attention as her magic tingled to the subtle workings of spring. Slipping from her bed Andrea moved to the large bay window that over looked the side gardens. Night was still draped over the world, but the edges were lifting and soft gray light was seeping from the horizon. To anyone else the world was still winter; cool breezes and gray skies with no bright and blooming colors.
Andrea could feel the difference.
Reaching up, she brushed her fingertips over the cool glass. Vibrating in the air was the yawning of thousands of flowers, the soft rustle of stiff branches stretching and leaves unfurling. Life was stirring from its winter slumber and for once Andrea felt it bring a smile to her face. Today was the first day of true spring, and for once she actually had plans.
Suddenly energized she swept off to get dressed, tossing on some old and yet comfortable clothes. Slipping her want into her pocket and tying up her long blond hair she barely bother with the mirror as she moved past her bed. Giving her sleeping husband a passing kiss the warrior witch glided silently out into the empty hallway of her home.
This early in the morning the mansion that she shared with her family and the students and initiates of the magic community was eerily silent. Her footsteps, though soft echoed with each step and the sounds of the old building seemed louder and more prevalent without the constant chatter of witches and wizards. Slipping down the hallway she passed countless doors that lead to all manner of places; bedrooms, suites, labs, libraries. Everything someone looking to practice magic could ever need.
A couple doors down from her own room the hallway branched off and passed through a protective shield. It was invisible and most people didn't know it was there, but Andrea had put it up herself as a precaution. This hallway contained the rooms of her children and those of her friends. Some might say it was a bit much, but considering at least two of the kids in there had a bounty on their heads, she wasn't about to take unnecessary chances.
The room she was looking for was about four doors down and on the left. It was a plain enough door, and as she pressed up against it and eased it silently open it revealed an equally plain room. Barely lit by the soft gray light that was only just starting to come in through the window it had little more than a bed, dresser, and two night stands. Considering the tenant hadn't had much in the way of possessions when she'd come here, nor had she been here very long it wasn't exactly surprising. Some personal touches could just be seen in the gray light as Andrea's eyes flickered briefly across the space. Such as a crystal ball perched on an intricate stand of silver roses, that sat in the center of the dresser.
What she was really interested in though was the small form curled up on the window seat at the far wall. You'd almost miss her as she'd nestled half in shadow with her forehead pressed against the window.
"Mimi?" Andrea whispered, voice almost booming in the silence of early dawn.
The child lifted her head in response, blue eyes almost black in the dim room. She was just shy of seven years old and at that moment there was something in that look that had Andrea, a goddess who had lived since man's first battles...even longer, feel like the child. It was enough to completely cement the plans for that morning in her mind.
"How about you slip something on and come with me? I want to show you something..."
The moment of ancient wisdom seemed to be gone, and the little girl that Andrea had come to know over the past few days flowed to life. Her expression, which had been relatively blank earlier, brightened and she slipped from the window seat and hopped over to the dresser. "Okay!" She said excitedly, in a voice that sounded like music or maybe angels. Definitely not the voice of a little girl. Andrea sometimes wondered what she'd be like when she was older.
Andrea waited patiently in the hall as Mimi dressed in a faded gray gown. Which reminded Andrea that she had to go clothes shopping in the near future. "Where are we going?" The little girl said quietly as she took Andrea's hand and allowed the older woman to lead her down the hall and towards the back gardens.
"Well I know you can feel what today is right?"
"The first day of spring?"
"Mhm...so I thought I'd teach you some things."
Out one of the smaller side doors, they exited directly into the side gardens. Shadows stretched over the gardens, but were slowly shrinking as the sun rose higher and higher. With each passing minute the world grew more lively, already the soft thrumming of the plants was stronger, filling the air and shuttering against her skin.
"Come on." Andrea said, leading the young girl to the side where she'd asked some of the servants to clear out a plot of land. It was small, about four feet in length and a foot wide. More than enough for the little girl at Andrea's side. "This is for you." She said, gesturing at the space before kneeling beside the plot of ground.
"Really!" Mimi squeaked, suddenly excited she sat down on the grass. The look on her face was bright, and when she turned her face up at Andrea it was like looking into the sun. Inside her chest her heart lifted and she had the sudden urge to scoop the little girl up in her arms and hold her there forever. If she remembered right, she used to get the same feeling looking at the girl's mother. Apparently it ran in the family.
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Over the next few hours Andrea conjured up some small gardening tools for the young girl, and together they worked on the soil. Normally a person planted seeds and waited, patiently for the plants to grow. Which took time, and patience.
It wasn't that way with Mimi.
Her small hands dug the soil loose and dropped a seed into the ground. With a touch as gentle as a mother handling her baby Mimi gently patted the earth back into place. The next part Andrea watched with amazement. She'd half expected to see something similar when she considered this idea, but seeing it actually happening...that was something else. A soft green light seem to glow from her fingertips as she ran them over and smoothed out the soil. Magic shimmered, but it was a warm and loving magic. A magic of growth that made Andrea's heart flutter. In the next minute the earth parted slightly and a sprout pushed it self up and into the air.
Two more minutes and it grew even further, leaves unfurling.
Another minute passed and the top opened to reveal the most beautiful and full rose blossom Andrea had ever seen.
And on it went. Within the hour half the little garden patch was full of thick and vibrant flowers.
 Rapta · Fri Sep 07, 2012 @ 09:18pm · 0 Comments |
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