I suppose you could call Richard a normal teen ager in a lot of things, but like any one there were many facets to his character. A chance encounter with magic users changs his life, he goes from an orphanage into a loving family but what does he loose or gain along the way?
But she sure does look cute in that stroller...............
First part of the Orpheus Hall universe
Reaffirmation
A story by Allie Elle (from the word smith of a hot latte and lots of cuddles)
Outline:
I suppose you could call Richard a normal teen ager in a lot of things, but like any one there were many facets to his character. A chance encounter at spell R us changes his life, he goes from an orphanage into a loving family but what does he loose along the way?
But she sure does look cute in that stroller...............
Part one: openings
Richard looked out of the window it was the usual grey fare of the welsh borders, he examined his clothes. Another selection from the charity box over washed and slightly thread bare, for as long has he could remember it was the way he dressed. He was what the locals called a hall kid; he lived in Orpheus Hall a local authority child care facility. It was all he knew he was taken from his mother at a week old three days before she committed suicide. She was a drug addict and had reacted to a bad batch of heroin and in her altered state had jumped in front of a passenger train.
Richard was also a loner and would watch the girls in the hall and feel jealous when they were fostered and adopted before him. There was also something else Richard walked with a limp due to a badly treated muscle disorder that was slowly eating away at him. Some nights he could sit there and he thought he could feel what he called the little daemons eating away at him. He knew that with all that was wrong with him he was in the hall until he turned nineteen. That was something he really was not looking forward to in three years. He was the only kid in the hall that faced that prospect. So many times kid’s had come and gone and still he had been left there watching as the faces around him changed.
Sarah Roberts was the house mother at the hall she was responsible for overseeing the care of the children under her care. She was worried about Richard he seemed to be getting more depressed as his sixteenth birthday approached. She had worked at the hall for ten years starting as a care assistant and had built a rapport with him. She was a little distracted as she looked through the post and saw a letter from the social services. It looked ominous and she was scared to open it so she left it there and looked over the rest of the letters. There was one that was marked with a strange post mark, she placed that one aside. The rest were the usual junk which she threw away. The department letter and the strange post marked one tugged at her but she knew it was time to
get working for the day. The day to day routine was firmly set so Sarah could concentrate on what she called her special cases. Richard was one of them and she wondered the best way to help him. She left the office and walked through to the children’s dorms. As the oldest in the hall Richard qualified for his own room and she saw him in the hallway looking out of the window. She could see the sadness in him and she knew the reason why it was so pronounced. Yet again yesterday another child was sent to a foster family and another was adopted.
Richard looked up as Miss Roberts walked down the dorm corridor and saw that she stopped to look at him. He could not help but feel anger when he saw the pity in her face as she looked at him. He stopped to think about what he faced he was now coming to the age of sixteen, there was no way he would now be adopted or even fostered he knew he was too old. Also he knew that he was also the wrong gender or so he thought. For many years he had fantasised about what would happen if he had been born a girl. A couple of times he had even worn some girl’s clothes and had felt totally comfortable with it and he felt that in a way it was the right thing for him to wear. He never felt embarrassed when he played dress up as he called it.
There was something also that he hid rather well in his private room in the hall; he had a couple of very infantile items. He had a pacifier and a Sippy cup and also a pink teddy bear that he hid from the staff and the other kids. The desire he had to be treated as both a child and a girl was growing stronger the older he got. There was a deep need in him that was taking over all the time and the effort to bury it was getting too hard. As he looked out of the window he slowly tuned out the rest of the noises of the hall around him he started to slip into his fantasy.
Part two: dream state.
Richard let the sounds of the hall and opened up his mind to the sensations he wanted to feel. He left a part of his mind to control what his feet and legs were doing and slowly slipped into what he called his safe zone. Slowly the images in his mind formed and his mentality slipped into the dream space. The images that formed were vivid to the point he could actually smell everything and feel the light breeze that tugged at the curtains. He let his mind eye wander around the room that his dream self was stood, it was the sort of room that would gladden the heart of any truly feminine little girl. The bed was actually more like a crib and with a canopy and pink gingham, on the walls there were prints of care bears and my little pony. There was also the smell of strawberries and an overlay of home baking and Richard let his body relax. He felt his body slip into its dream form and he walked around the room his dream form was skipping as it touched everything. The sensation of soft fur tickled the tips of his fingers and the smell of the air tingled in his nose. As he neared the door the smell of fresh cooking reached his nostrils and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He slowly opened the door and was faced by the bars of a child gate in his way, he gently let his hand reach out and touch the white painted metal. It was warm to the touch and the metal was warmed by the air around him. He looked at his dream form hand and he smiled when he saw that it was fine and gentle and he giggled in his mind as he noticed the nails were painted a light pink. He shook his head and blonde hair flicked across his vision. The hair looked slightly curled and he felt warm inside. Suddenly a huge woman stood in front of him and she smiled and reached down and released a catch on the gate and opened it. The woman although large did not give out any sense of danger in fact the sense there was of love there. The woman reached down and ruffled Richard’s head and he felt his head shake with the rough but gentle caress.
“Come on sweetie I can see you are hungry, time for some breakfast.” The voice was melodious and gentle. She took his hand and led him down the hallway towards the smell of cooking and there was still the feeling of love surrounding around her.ve and safety. And the warmth of the woman seemed to fill the air, it was something that Richard craved deeply inside himself and he was drawn deeper into the dreamscape.
Richard after having a dream breakfast let himself slip out of the dream and back into the reality of his life. He sighed and walked out of his room down to the dining hall. He followed the crowd of the children towards the room where they all ate. His usual breakfast of two pieces of toast and a glass of orange juice set on a tray and he went to a corner of the room to eat. The other kids ignored him and allowed him to eat in peace. A couple of new kids to the hall walked over to where he was sitting but as another longer resident quickly whispered to them , they turned away and went to sit at an empty table. Richard was glad to be left alone and finished his meal and stood up and walked away. Miss Rogers was waiting outside of the dining hall and she made to try and detain him. He shrugged her hand away as it touched his shoulder.
“Richard please come with me” She said.
“Why what have I done this time?”
“Nothing honey I just want to talk to you.”
Richard took it as an order and followed her to the office and without waiting to be asked sat down. Sarah settled behind her desk and looked at her charge she waited a few minutes and looked at him. Richard crossed his arms and waited the Matron sat in silence waiting for him to speak. The minutes ticked past and nothing was said and Sarah started to tap the front of the desk gently. Richards gaze slipped to the corner of the desk and he saw the strange letter and reached a hand to touch it. Sarah did not stop him as it was the first time he had taken the initiative. She was not going to stop him as it seemed to be a way of reaching him.
“Miss Rogers why didn’t you open this letter?” he asked.
“It did not seem to be important today Richard, but dealing with you is important to me.”
Part three: warning in the wind
Richard reached for the letter to him it seemed to glow as he reached for it and as his fingers touched it. Sarah watched as the letter almost moved across the table towards Richard’s fingers, she did not believe in magic but it seemed as though this letter was. She watched as he opened his hand and the letter settled onto the palm of his hand. He gently reached a finger nail and slipped it under the flap of the letter and slipped out the expensive note paper from the embrace of the envelope.
The letter unfolded and Richard looked at it and seemed to look at what it said and frowned as he read the words in front of him.
“I think you should read the other letters from the department Miss Rogers, it is very important.”
Sarah listened to the voice of Richard and she reached for the letters and slowly opened the brown envelope from the department and she slipped the envelope open and read the fateful words.
“Dear Miss Roger’s,
The social services department unfortunately has to make cuts in their budget this year. Due to the expense of running the hall being a drain on our budget we have to make the decision to close the hall and place the children under your care in other establishments. This we have done with great sorrow as we also have had to make the decision to release you from your position. The closure will take place in two months time to give us time to rehome the children.
It is also known that you have a child in your care that is coming to the age of sixteen. Unfortunately we know that this child cannot be rehomed easily and we are deciding to move him into local authority housing with support. It is one decision that is rarely made but in these circumstances it is the best.
Yours Faithfully
Graham Siloe.”
Her gaze took in the letter and looked at Richard now she was worried about what was going to happen to him. She knew that children that were forced into adult situations were prone to fall apart and fail easily. She dreaded the thought that he would lose the innocence and end up in the clutches of the sort of people that had destroyed his mother. The lure of drugs would be strong if Richard could not fit into society. She did not have too force too much of the image into her mind of him sat on a street corner trying to turn tricks for another fix. She shuddered as the image sat in her head and she promised that this could not happen.
Richard watched Miss Rogers as she read the letters and he knew it was not good news. He watched closely as she felt thoughts cross through her mind. He saw a slight depression cross her face and he wondered what she was thinking. His attention was taken again by the letter and his eyes were drawn to letter head. It was very ornate and looked ancient, the paper of the letter was very stiff and was smooth to his touch it almost crackled as he ran his fingers across the top. There was a staff and a rabbit and a hat, it was almost as if it was the mark of a stage magician but there was a feel of a deeper power seemed to pulse from it. It slowly seemed to fade and the words seemed to run together until it was just a mass of black marks and Richard could not read the letter. Richard felt as though the letter was meant for him although the envelope was marked for Miss Rogers.
Sarah felt the anger in her start to run over about how the social services were looking at treating the kid’s under her care here and she knew that she would really have to do something. She knew that Richard would need the most help of all. She saw him take the other letter and stare at it as though he could not understand it, she wondered what the meaning of the letter was too him.
This story is continues in reaffirmation continued as I want to get this up on the net.
Affirmation cont
A story by Allie Elle
In the last section we read the letter from social services and were introduced to a strange letter and letter head.
Part four: touching on the Magi.
Sarah gently took the letter from Richard’s hand and looked at the writing; the name at the head of the letter was strange. She wondered who the heck Lupus, Wolfing and Canis were to her it was strange names for a firm of lawyer’s. There were the letter head three different types of dog on a shield and the script was formal and old fashioned. The letter was not typed but hand written and Sarah had difficulty in reading the script she swore it was written with a quill and ink. She scanned the letter with a smile as it seemed to be aimed at the orphanage and she scanned it.
Dear Mistress,
Pardon the formality of this letter but as the Mistress of the hall my clients have instructed me in contacting you. We are aware in recent years the Hall has been a facility for the care of unwanted children. We are also aware that local government is in the process of withdrawing their funding to your auspicious facility.
My clients are the family that originally owned Orpheus Hall and in the early part of the twentieth century due to financial constraints offered the hall for the use in which is put too at present. They have followed what has been happening at the hall closely and wish due to changes in their fortunes to assist you in your work.
They have only one concern you have in your care a young man who is close to reaching his age of majority and as such will be leaving your care. My clients have various businesses and one is located in the town not far from the hall. As the young man in question has no formal qualifications and is unlikely to progress without help my clients are willing to offer that help.
On the day of June the tenth at two post midday they are expecting Richard to attend an interview at this office with myself and my partners to arrange his further employment or placement.
Yours in good health
James Robert Lupine QC
Sarah looked at the letter and her jaw dropped how the hell these people know about Richard and how he faced no further support in the system. As she mused over this she also realised that Richard had no formal clothes like a suit and she had less than three hours to get him one. She also wondered where the hell the money would come from to get a suit for him, there was not enough in the petty cash and Richard had no money and Sarah always put a lot of her wages back into getting things for the children. Just then one of the children was screaming in the hallway and both Sarah and Richard stood up together. As one they walked towards the disturbance and stopped dead in their tracks, there was a man dressed in a formal suit with a top hat and cloak stood by the main doors. He bowed as they approached and held out a hand with a small half smile.
“Aah Mistress Sarah I have the temerity to presume and Master Richard.” His words were old fashioned and he swept off his hat.
“Can I help you Sir?” was Sarah’s response.
“Allow your humble servant to present himself, George Magi at your service purveyor of fine garments.” He produced a card which Sarah read in shock. There was the three dog type heads at the top of the card.
“It has been brought to my attention that Master Richard has a meeting with some of my clients today and is lacking in a suitable wardrobe. My humble self has been dispatched to assist.”
With that George Magi bowed again and produced a measuring tape and a large trunk and a smile crossed his face. He approached both Sarah and Richard and he seemed to shrink in size until he was just below Richard’s shoulder level. His face seemed to soften also and years dropped off him and he appeared in his mid twenties. He held out his hand again and grasped Richards in a tight hand shake, a small frown crossed his face and Richard looked down and for a brief second saw his dream self’s hand held there.
Richard took another look at this strange man and what had happened and pulled his hand free and ran through the hallway until he reached the stairs and found a dark corner. He crouched down shaking and tears starting to form, he wondered who this strange man was and what had happened. As he crouched down he heard Mr Magi talk to Sarah.
“Ma’am I fear my presence has upset the young gentle man i think it may be best if I call one of my seamstresses to help measure and costume him.”
“Richard is pretty shy for a boy his age Sir please don’t judge him harshly”
“on the contrary Madam I do not judge the gentle man at all but strive to make him as comfortable as possible.”
With that he stopped and a young woman walked through the main doors she was a female copy of George and she curtsied deeply. She stopped and scanned the hallway and without a word walked to wards where Richard was hiding. She smiled warmly as she crouched and touched his cheek with a soft finger and then slowly moved her hand down to take Richards hand in hers and gently urged him to his feet. She without a word led him back to the foot of the staircase and Sarah stood there and tilted her head and saw the streaks of tears down his cheeks.
She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and nodded for him to go with the young woman and she turned to George and raised her eyebrow. The gentleman nodded and walked with Sarah into the office leaving Richard with the young woman.
“Don’t worry little one I won’t bite you,” Her voice was soft,” it’s only sorting out clothes for you hun.”
With her gentle words she led Richard towards his room away from the others. Richard walked slower than usual as Sarah had not explained to him what was going on.
She led him through his room door and then turned to smile gently and her face seemed to glow. She sat Richard down on his bed and looked him up and down and gently touched his cheek her finger seemed to leave a track of light. Richards’s cheek muscles relaxed as the finger moved down its track on his face and the corner of his lip turned up into a slight smile. Her face seemed to shimmer slightly too and it softened a few years dropped from her and she appeared to be the same age as him. The transformation didn’t stop at her face but her body and clothes changed until she appeared to be a full teenage girl her smile became larger and then she nodded to herself.
“That’s better now I can talk to you on the same level Richard,” her voice was warm and slightly husky,” Let me explain a bit or you might not be able to understand what is going on.” Richard looked at her and couldn’t form the words he needed to say so she went on not as much talking openly but inside his mind.
She explained in his head that really nothing that she did was ever going to harm him but that it was all going to be done to help him. She knew he was not ready to look after himself and that what was going to happen with the Hall would lead to harm to him in the future. That her employers were to make sure nothing happened to him and his future, she then stopped and almost seemed to be searching through his mind. Subconsciously he created a mental image of her opening doors to rooms in his mind and her peering through but not in a bad way. There was one room he wanted to keep locked from her and he concentrated on that door as his mental image of her reached it. He pictured her trying the door and getting nowhere as she fought the handle. Her images self shook her head and Richard focused on the outside world again.
“looks like I may still have a bit of work ahead of me to get you to trust me” her voice was gentle and held no rebuke.
To be continued
Part 3 gaining trust and a very strange interview .
“That’s better now I can talk to you on the same level Richard,” her voice was warm and slightly husky,” Let me explain a bit or you might not be able to understand what is going on.” Richard looked at her and couldn’t form the words he needed to say so she went on not as much talking openly but inside his mind.
She explained in his head that really nothing that she did was ever going to harm him but that it was all going to be done to help him. She knew he was not ready to look after himself and that what was going to happen with the Hall would lead to harm to him in the future. That her employers were to make sure nothing happened to him and his future, she then stopped and almost seemed to be searching through his mind. Subconsciously he created a mental image of her opening doors to rooms in his mind and her peering through but not in a bad way. There was one room he wanted to keep locked from her and he concentrated on that door as his mental image of her reached it. He pictured her trying the door and getting nowhere as she fought the handle. Her images self shook her head and Richard focused on the outside world again.
“looks like I may still have a bit of work ahead of me to get you to trust me” her voice was gentle and held no rebuke.
And now after a long hiatus we pick up.......
Part 3 gaining trust and a very strange interview .
Richard felt bad that he didn't trust this gentle but strange woman, she laid her cheek against his and suddenly a mirror appeared in her hand and she held it up. Richard was surprised as her eyes and face seemed to match his, the main difference was that when a grin split her face two huge dimples framed it. He felt himself start to smile and his guarded posture relaxed further and a feeling of trust started to grow along with his smile.
“That's better little one, now we can work on introductions.” She said her voice lilted with a laugh.
“I'm sorry , I'm Richard Travis” He stuck out his right hand and noticed the tremors had started early today.
“Well master Richard, I am Jane and I work for Mr Magi as a seamstress.”
The formal address made Richard giggle and he clamped down on it still trying to hide his wrongness. Jane looked at him and raised an eyebrow and then tilted her head crossing her eyes and poking out her tongue. This time Richard couldn't help himself and the giggle burst from his lips. That made Janes smile wider and then she shook her head. She pulled an ancient fob watch from the pocket of the waistcoat she was wearing.
“This will not do young master Richard, time the ever demanding mistress marches on” She clicked her fingers and an old looking trunk appeared by the battered wardrobe in his room.
“We have to get you dressed presentably, you are to meet the Cerberus partnership today to discuss your future.”
Jane started pulling a dress shirt and pants and waistcoat and jacket from the trunk along with new underwear. The weave of the cloth was exquisite and it looked like it had come from Saville row in London. Richard's left arm was now shaking openly and he knew his left leg would not support his weight. He cursed as he hated his body when it did this especially in front of other people. It was another thing that pointed out how much of a failure he was. Jane looked and saw the tremors and her smile did not falter, she just carried on pulling clothes out of that trunk until there was everything and then with gentle words got Richard to agree to her assistance.
In short order she had Richard dressed and looking presentable but frowned when he tried to push her away when she went to help him stand. Richard shook his head after a slight hesitation and accepted the help , Jane could see the pride in the young eyes looking a t her. She through her abilities being a member of the summer court and assistant to the magi. She knew this interview and the preparation was immensely important. The queen of the summer court had plans for this young person and also the orphanage. The fae had hidden for many centuries by appearing fully human. The hall that housed the orphanage was build at the base of a leyline.
The pair with Richard not obviously leaning on Jane made their way back town to the office and the sound of laughter reached their ears. That led to Richard going through the office door with a surprised look on his face. The strange gentleman who had introduced himself as Mr Magi seemed to be entertaining Sarah with some rather long winded story. As he walked in Mr Magi stood up and with a smile that reached his eyes sketched a deep bow and out of nowhere a cane appeared in his right hand. The head of it was a brass swan and it seemed it was made of feathers not just a cast lump.
“Ah there is the young gentleman now and please as part of my mission to outfit you correctly please accept the cane also” Mr Magi thrust it forward until it was close to Richard's hand.
Jane grasped the cane and then held it by the hand on Richards affected side. She then gently made sure his hand was gripping it and guided him to a chair. All of what had been happening was creating a feeling of light headedness and Richard started to feel his good leg buckle and he flopped into a chair as though someone had cut a string that was holding him up.
“Now young mister Richard we must talk of strange and wonderful things...” Mr Magi's voice suddenly became firmer and it lost some of its joviality.
Tbc and not with such a long hiatus this time!..........
Reaffirmation 4
“Now young mister Richard we must talk of strange and wonderful things...” Mr Magi's voice suddenly became firmer and it lost some of its joviality.
…........
Reaffirmation part 4.....
Richard waited for the older gentleman to start to explain why he was there and how it was important to him and also the orphanage housed at the hall. He also was uncomfortable in the formal clothes and trying to keep the tremors in his arm and hand under control. The doctors thought it was a form of multiple schlorosis but there was no full confirmation on it. Mr Magi and Sarah took pains to ignore it but Jane gently took his hand as the explanation was forthcoming.
Magi started by explaining again the history of the family that originally owned the hall, and then he started to explain how the local authorities were trying to cut costs that they didn't need to. As he explained his voice got a little harder as he went on about other kids being sent into an environment where they would struggle. Jane reached across Richard with her free hand and laid it on Mr Magi's knee. He started to relax and blush a little shaking his head at his own reaction.
Sarah took advantage of the interruption and tapped the letter she had on her desk.
“So Mr Magi about Richard and his appointment, what exactly is it about apart from him ageing out”.
“Why as it stated the family is concerned and would like to find a way that Richard could be served by them.” Mr Magi responded.
“ I still happen to still be in the room Sarah, I am also old enough to be addressed even though not legally an adult yet you know!” Richards tone was a little sharper than usual.
“ Then allow me to apologise Mr Richard yet again.” Magi responded causing a laugh from Richard.
The dapper gentleman turned his chair so he could face both Sarah and Richard and carried on his explanation and the fact he and Jane would be taking him in an hour to the offices of Growler,Cerberus and Circe the solicitors representing the family. Richard being a bookish sort of person due to his disabilities was taken aback by the name of one of the solicitors and his head tilted in confusion. Then he breathed and he wondered why with all that had happened today names from legends would be any different from the magic he had seen with Jane and Magi.
The conversation continued for a short while longer then Jane pulled out a pocket watch and cleared her throat and Magi got the hint.
“Time we were off young sir and to see what the future holds for you, Miss Sarah Circe will be in contact with you this afternoon to arrange funding for the orphanage and the children and staff under your care.” With that he stood and Jane joined him motioning for Richard to stand also.
They left the orphanage and to say Richard was surprised by the classic Rolls Royce that stood at the base of the stairs. Jane climbed behind the steering wheel and Mr Magi held the back door open and helped Richard settle himself onto the leather seat. They did not continue the conversation from the office as the older man settled in to watching the scenery and Richard was too exhausted with controlling his problems to initiate any further talking. The countryside gave way to the outskirts of town and the journey terminated at the door of a rather old fashioned building.
When they had stopped again Magi helped Richard out of the car. There was a white haired rather muscular man waiting by the doorway. He nodded to Magi and then went to the other side of Richard and tilting his head looked down and scowled then smiled and with a seeping bow invited the two to enter the lobby of the offices. As Richard walked through into the darkened lobby his thoughts shifted back to his dreams and who he saw himself as. That toddler girl came to the front of his mind again, this time though she seemed to be standing there looking at Richard.
Richard started to feel a crawling sensation over his skin as the thoughts about his internal personality asserted themselves. The world seemed to get larger as his attention shifted outwards again. The sound of his stuttering footsteps changed and Mr Magi's hand seemed to grow holding his. His pants seemed to become softer and there came the whispering sensation of two bunches tickling the sides of his ears. His arms had stopped spasming and there was a lightness in his step and the sound changed to that of someone skipping every couple of steps. He could hear a giggle from near him and he then realised it was coming from him.
“wha tha?” Richard was shocked at his voice and the diction he was using. They passed a darkened glass partition and what was reflected back shocked Richard to the core. Looking back from the reflection was the 3 year old girl that haunted his inner thoughts and the locked room he kept in his head from Jane. She was dressed rather formally and Richard could work out it was him by the fact the girl was holding Mr Magi's hand.
“Try not to panic Richard all will be explained in a short wile, Miss Circe is who you will be dealing with” Magi patted the small hand held in his as they walked towards a brightly lit office.
“Magister!” A woman's voice peeled out and a vision of perfection was stood in the doorway, “You had better bring that child in and sit her down instead of dragging her hither and yon” That woman could only be Circe and Richard wondered what the hades was happening and why was he now a little girl from his dreams.......
“Magister!” A woman's voice peeled out and a vision of perfection was stood in the doorway, “You had better bring that child in and sit her down instead of dragging her hither and yon” That woman could only be Circe and Richard wondered what the hades was happening and why was he now a little girl from his dreams.......
Reaffirmation 5
Circe looked at Richard and smiled and although the woman seemed to be a vision of female perfection the look was filled with compassion. Mr Magi held Richard's hand and guided him into the office and lifted her into the chair that was facing the desk. The sensations of her feet swinging free in the air definitely tickled Richard and she felt herself giving way to a more childish feeling as she swung her feet too and fro. The part of her mind that was still the teenaged boy wondered why the transformation and why now. Circe settled herself gracefully behind the desk in a rather imposing chair and Mr Magi sat by the door. It was obvious that this interview was between Richard and Circe.
The woman examined the child like form sat on the other side of the desk minutely, again there was no malice. Indeed there seemed to be a deep compassion from her and a humour in her eyes. After five minutes of examination Circe crossed her eyes and Richard and winked.
“Well young lady now we shall talk of why and how and wherefores.” Circe opened.
“Weww what we are gonna tawk about?” Richard was surprised as her language came out appropriately for their apparent age.
“One can guess you are pretty confused after everything that has been happening this morning Richard.” Was the reply Circe didn't mention anything about the childish pronunciation.
“Comfussed wouwd be a unnastatemen”
Circe couldn't hold back a slight chuckle as the former boy used such advanced statements in a sweet childish voice and diction. She pulled out a file and setting it in front of herself opened the cover and flipped some papers. She knew that some major explanations were needed and also the child had not noticed but their tremors and disability were now a thing of the past. Also the speed of the transformation was unusual, in the past most of those that were transformed it took over a week. There seemed to be the touch of another deity involved in this, sometimes involvement was benevolent as the intervention on the closing of the hall at other times there was a malicious element.
Whom ever was involved had hidden their traces as Circe was going to transform Richard but into a younger version. Then the Goddess was going to place the boy with a family that had connections and wealth. This complication was unforeseen and added a few wrinkles in the plans that she and Merlin aka Mr Magi had planned out. Merlin it seemed was unphased by the transformation and she wondered if he had a hand in it. If he did then it wouldn't of been the first time. There main problem was this didn't feel like Merlin was responsible but he was hiding something from her.
“To business then,”Circe centred herself, “ you are well aware of the hall losing it's funding and as it was the only home you had known for many years and would be for many children we had to take action.”
Circe went on to explain about the hall and its role over many years as a safe haven for children and the fae. The mention of the faery folk surprised Richard, there was a lot of things that were surprising Richard today. Then Circe started to fill in who she really was but didn't explain who Mr Magi was, that was best left to Merlin to introduce himself properly. Talk about a head spin Richard's adolescent reasoning was rocked to it's core, So magic and the gods were real,there they sat in the middle of it all now a 3 year old girl. What was really surprising is that they were not freaking out, maybe either Mr Magi or Circe were responsible for that.
The explanation continued, and the fact the fae and Magic users were protective of those lost or hurt was a revelation. The question that Richard really wanted to ask seemed to stall before they could utter it. The time seemed to drag and the energy of a young body was causing Richard to fidget in the seat, first the swinging of the legs increased then came the looking around the room. Circe held back another chuckle as she watched the apparent child's behaviour start to match it's form. She did need Richard to refocus as to her and most of the other gods transformations had to be voluntary.
In her past that was not always the case but as humanity seemed to mature so did her behaviours. In fact in the whole pantheon of gods only a handful would do such without the permission of the victim. The other point was that Richard was being so calm at what was happening and his aura had settled from when they had first entered the offices. Just then there was a knock on the door and a face resembling a humanized wolf poked it's head in and raised a rather bushy eyebrow.
“Circe there,s a guest in the atrium I think they had best join you all” Just as he said that Richard gave out a little yelp as the tip of a fox tail tickled their hand.
“I am in conference Cerberus, who by the realms is it?” Circe replied with a shortness of tone.
“Ma'am its best they introduce themselves, judging by what,s just happened with the little one”
Circe blinked a couple of times as the fact that Richard now had a fox tail and ears. She tilted her head in confusion for a short while and Merlin could be heard to chuckle at the latest development. That confirmed it there was one group of the pantheon that were inherent tricksters. The main concern was what was the child to them and why now had they got involved.
“okay Cerberus you can show them in.” Circe informed the other.
Once that was said Cerberus opened the door fully and a short black haired woman dressed in a rather fine kimono entered the office and the tips of nine tails could be seen. The woman bowed to Circe and Merlin and stood next to Richard's chair.
“Madam,Circe and Mr Magi,” The woman,s voice was musical and she finally turned to Richard, “ Sir Madam and little one I am called Okami and it is my pleasure to meet you all”
To say that Circe and Merlin were shocked would be an understatement, why would Inari's handmaiden be here?..........
“Madam,Circe and Mr Magi,” The woman,s voice was musical and she finally turned to Richard, “ Sir Madam and little one I am called Okami and it is my pleasure to meet you all”
To say that Circe and Merlin were shocked would be an understatement, why would Inari's handmaiden be here?..........
Reaffirmation 06
Richard was getting confused and starting to feel the need to fidget at the scrutiny the three adults were now placing them under. Without much thought the tip of the fox tail started to flick back and forth. It then seemed to have a life of its own and started to tickle the back of Richards ear, the now childlike body responded in its own way and a giggle crept up from its stomach. Okami joined in the giggle and it's nine tails waved around behind it like the tentacles of an octopus as it plopped itself on the corner of the desk.
There was still what was the reasons why Richards inner desire had come forward in the form they now inhabited. Circe couldn't help but join in the giggles from the young girl on the chair facing her even though she was trying to maintain a professional demeanour. The main problem was the tails twitching from both the child and the older kitsune, she found it amusing that the tails were starting to synchronise.
Richard looked at the three adults and was starting to get impatient and the now child wanted a better explanation for their situation. All this talk of magic and mystical beings was starting to stretch their incredulity. It wasn't helping that the more childish emotions were starting to surface. Okami could sense the frustration and she turned to the other two and tilted her head as if asking a question.
“Well me thinks there should be some better explanations given to you child” Okami started without preamble.
“Dat wud be nice” Richard replied frowning.
“ You have been told about the orphanage you have resided in for many years is a safe place also for the fae and other magic users.”
Richard nodded wondering what was to be revealed yet.
“there unfortunately is more, firstly child have you noticed something about your infirmities?”
Richard thought on that and they realised that since the transformation there had been no signs of tremors or weakness. Richard smiled as that realisation struck and glanced at their right arm and leg and could not help but giggle.
“but why a baby?” Richard asked quietly.
“Me thinks not quite an infant child, is the perchance wearing pilchers under that dress?” Okami replied with a gentle smile.
“Is not this form the one you desired, your dreams and desires in your head reached out to Inari and they saw your suffering. Also it will give the chance to grow into the gifts that will be given those you will learn over time.”
Circe started to bristle as the thrice damned kitsune took over the interview. Foxes to her were tricky creatures and had their own reasons for what they do. The major confusion was what the God Inari wanted with the child. There was also now the mention of gifts, Herself and Merlin had not planned on adding Richard to the ranks of magic users to protect them.
Okami continued to explain in a gentle manner to Richard, further to being granted magic and the body of a young girl and free of disability. Richard was now a young kitsune and had also been granted the ability to represent Inari in dealings with the fae and magic users and humans. This was important and the age also allowed Richard to learn the skills and knowledge for what they were appointed to do.
“I not ask fer dis” Richard whined causing Okami to laugh openly.
“Sorry me thinks that laughter was not the best response child, What is given sometimes is not asked for but at times is what is needed.”
The explanation continued from the kitsune, the magic users would of removed the disabilities but as for Richard staying male. The depression and other thoughts that had plagued the young man would of increased with the extended time. A body could be healed and youth re-granted but the changing of a soul was impossible. There was also the fact of Richards history and why they were needed.
Richards mother had been blessed by Inari as she was from Japan. The father had been an Englishman and she had come to England to find them. A year after Richard was born after searching fruitlessly she had taken her own life. The shame of having a child outside of marriage to a foreigner consumed her. That had brought Richard to the attention of the kitsune and the deities but it had taken time to track the youth down.
The full explanation even took Circe by surprise and Merlin had lost the playful demeanour. This fact had not come to light when they scried Richards future. It explained why Inari had got involved and they worried what it would mean for their plans for the youth as they still needed Richard. Richard saw the way Circe was looking at them from the other side of the desk and realised that the explanation from Okami was fuller than Circe and Mr Magi had given them.
“now child you have two choices to make” Okami hopped down from the desk and knelt in front of Richard.
“It will be hard if thou is a girl named Richard me thinks”, Okami said with a smile, “ ye must choose a more apt name and also whether ye accept Inari's choice or that of the mages.”
…................
“It will be hard if thou is a girl named Richard me thinks”, Okami said with a smile, “ ye must choose a more apt name and also whether ye accept Inari's choice or that of the mages.”
…................
Reaffirmation 07
Richard still did quite understand what choice was being offered. Typical of the fox maidens, they thought the choices between what they considered right and the rest of the world were not quite visible. That was compounded by the fact that his thought patterns were flashing between teenager and toddler. He had to agree though with him being a girl now and this small Richard was not quite the right name.
Okami could sense the thoughts of confusion in the child, though could not quite work out the basis of it. The child's heritage should be paramount. The demi deity was hampered by the social traditions of the Japanese culture. The fact that the girl that was Richard had been raised in the western world and in an environment that was quintessentially English. There was also the fact that in typical adult to child fashion explanations were mainly orders to do one thing or another.
This behaviour really caused Richard to be very irritated and his body reacted by jumping down from the chair and to start to stomp around in front of the desk. Merlin in his guise as Mr Magi tried to get the apparent child to sit down again but Richard just glared at him. This caused Okami to laugh loudly, as it seemed to her that these western magic users could not even control a toddler on the verge of a tantrum.
The sudden musical laugher caused Richard to stop and stare at the kitsune and the tail on the small body to appear to fluff up. Okami could see the child staring at her and the brush of the tail fully fluffed in exasperation. She could see a fleck of gold light in the child's eyes and she bit back her laugh.
“Apologies my little one methinks that you are unaware of the choices and levity is something not called for.” She hopped off the desk and crouched to look Richard in the eyes.
“thy first choice should be a proper name and then consider what these magic users require of you,” her voice was gentle without humour again, “also thy should consider what thy desires are.”
This caused Richard to calm down and lock gazes fully with the kitsune. Yes Richard would not be a suitable name now, there was also the fact his features or should say hers were oriental in nature. The other fact was the darned ears and tail, who would adopt a child that looked like a fox, it caused a feeling of depression to settle again. Shaking that off Richard turned away and stared at the reflection in the office partition glass.
For a few minutes all the surroundings and voices were tuned out. Richard was starting to feel lost and subconsciously a thumb started teasing at the lower lip. Names started to pop into mind and the consideration got deeper. Circe looked closely shocked as she examined the aura coming from the child's body. It had started growing in intensity after the 2nd transformation, the strange thing was it was not a god like energy but more akin to leyline type energy.
“I fink I feel likes a Sarah” Richard said after a short while.
Okami frowned, such a western name she had hoped for something more traditional. Circe beamed as it being western in nature to her meant the child would follow the path she wanted to lay out.
“So be it you shall be a Sarah,now we need to find you a family we can't send you back to the orphanage.” Merlin put in his two penny's worth.
“Indeed not Magi, though the family we had arranged were expecting a young gentleman” Circe mused.
“So thee were not going to offer the child a choice of where she went !” all nine of Okami's tails bristled and so did the child's single tail.
Circe cringed back at the anger from the elder kitsune and also the little girl that battered at her. She realised that they had not really thought things through and it was going to get out of hand. Just then the telephone on the desk rang loudly and her slender hand reached out to grasp the handset. As she listened to the voice on the line she murmured light responses and her face clouded in concern again.
That had been the head of the magical family that the child formerly Richard was going to be placed. The news it was now a toddler girl had reached his ears. This individual was known to be a sexist idiot and had cemented that definition of him in her mind.
He had found out the child was now a girl and he was in no way having a sissy in his household.
That really left them in a bind, sending the child back to the orphanage was the only option she could see. Okami could see the sorceresses shoulders slump and she knew now it was the time for her to put up or shut up. She had an option and wondered if the child would accept it, or maybe there was a close connection in this child to this land.
“Well Sarah, if that is the name thou chooses tis a good start,” Okami was still at the child's level, “now to where thou will reside is the next question.”
“yu not sendin me back to tha hall” There was an underlying panic in the young girl. Okami shook her head with a gentle smile.
“Nay child, thee should not fret so” Okami laid one of her tails on Sarah's cheek and found the girls tail was intertwining with one of her other tails.
That sign of intimacy and familial closeness was a surprise to the older kitsune. It should not of been as Richard now Sarah had been turned into a kitsune and they were animals that had a close community. Just then the voice of someone filled the older kitsune's mind and the god/goddess Inari chose to speak to her and the rest of the persons in the office as it moved from outside of her mind.
“So the choice is made and the kit is to be the charge of Okami, thee accept this kid my maiden?” the voice held a lot of love and warmth.
“yes my god” Okami replied as one of her deepest wishes had now been granted. She now had a kit of her own and a cute girl kit she could raise and love.
“So be it, the magic users can take care of housing and bringing your dialect up to date, love the kit and help her grow she has many tasks to come”