The Finer Arts

* Scene VI * Sweet Surprise

Narrator:

They strode through Trinkets and Treats like there was no care in the world. Nova's mouth was frozen open as she watched kids ride different kinds of horses. Some were made from wood, others were made from gears and scrap metal. Her Uncle's handy work was magnificent to say the least. The autonomy moved like a live horse while carrying the small children around effortlessly. One of them had a toy gun, he shot it off and sent confetti and glitter everywhere. However, it disappeared before hitting the ground. None of that mattered as the children kept laughing and chasing each other.

Nova:

I was beyond speechless. My eyes were glued open as there was so much to take in. Planes, trains, and lion manes whirled around every one of us. If the toys weren't enough we came across what I'm guessing is the treat part. Fresh pretzels, muffins, cookies and chocolates galore, stacked as far as I could see. I couldn't help myself, so I went to grab a blueberry muffin. A cold stare stopped me in my tracks. I withdrew my hand and made eye contact with my dad. He's always such a buzz kill. "C'mon, it's my first time here and I can't even enjoy one of Uncle Scott's muffins?" Uncle Scott raised his finger and shook his head, "I don't deserve credit for those. I have to introduce you to my husband. He's responsible for all the treats. I can't wait, you two will love each other!" My uncle is married? f**k, what else are they going to throw at me next? Our apartment burns down? You know what, nevermind. I don't want to jinx it.

"What are we here for anyway? I'm taking art class and I can't get art supplies, unless there's some here, Uncle Scott." He shakes his head no, "I try not to take opportunities away from others. There's only so much my ability covers. Plus the Berming family is wonderful and deserves peoples' support." I look at my dad, and if looks could kill he'd be unconscious on the floor. "They have the biggest bookstore in the mall. we're going to go over some history and the basics before you go head first into everything." I don't mind reading, but I could only imagine how much I'll be doing for the rest of my free time. I groan to myself and stomped after him.

After more toys and baked goods we finally get to the books. I hear so many voices at once, but see no people. I clutch my head in my hands and hold back a scream. I can feel myself begin to shake. It felt as if a gust of freezing wind blew through me.

"During this time.. Next, they.." Voices and accents I've never heard before filled my ears, "They will cry, don't stop.. If a rash persists.." there were so many.

I felt my uncle wrap his arms around me. Faintly, I heard his voice calling out to me as I drift into this tunnel of unfamiliar voices.

I wake up with a pounding headache in a room I've never seen before. It was an open simple layout. The walls are painted with an off-white color as light blue furniture fill what I'm guessing is a living room. I manage enough strength to sit up, but everything hurts. My arm collapsed under me so my head crashed back into the pillow. Echoes of the strange voices still resonate in my subconscious. What are they saying? How do I make this stop? I cry and curl up into a tight ball, trying not to scream. "Poor thing.." That voice didn't sound familiar, but the smell of decadent donuts and chocolate chip cooks calmed my nerves. "Do you think you can sit up long enough to have some tea? It might help." The tone was soothing and covered the air like fresh icing.

Okay Nova, you can do this. I force myself to sit up and meet the gaze of a kind man. His blonde hair styled away from his pale, round face. Dark shades of blue that remind me of the ocean blinked sweetly at me. His outfit consisted of a pink button up and light grey slacks. It wasn't anything really fancy, but whoever this is made it look easy to be so fabulous. They bring the teacup towards me and I encourage my hands to work as I take a sip. My migraine was already starting to fade as minty bliss cooled my pain. "Starting to feel a little better, Nova?" I stared at him with my head tilted from curiosity.

He chuckled, "I'm Scott's husband, Magnus Fadden. It is with great pleasure I finally get to meet you!" I can hear the excitement in his voice. It's refreshing to be around someone who doesn't emote just one emotion all the time. "It's nice to finally meet you too, Uncle Magnus." He let out a light laugh. "Nova dear, you just met me. You can just call me Magnus if that makes you more comfortable." I was a little relieved, Magnus read my mind. It'll take some time to get used to having another uncle, but I think it'll come naturally. I finished my tea gratefully as I spoke with my new uncle. Scott was right that we'd get along just fine. Magnus shared how him and Scott met, "One day on the main Street I passed this poor man on the sidewalk. I couldn't bring myself to not do anything. Nova it was so cold that day! I was about to cut into my jacket because I was nipping so hard!" I chuckled and blush, that was a little too much info but I guess it added to the excitement. "Anyway, I offered to buy him lunch and some coffee. At first he refused, but I would take no for an answer. After some gentle persuasion he's sitting across from me in the booth. That's when I knew he was different. " He stopped and poured me more tea. At this point my head wasn't pounding but I'm driven by curiosity. "To be honest, I wasn't expecting someone who looked so.. rugged to have such manners. He knew a lot about a little and I found it fascinating! Scott knew so much and I became thirsty for his knowledge and.. something else. " He winked at me, but I couldn't help but flinch. Gross, I didn't need to know that. I never thought my uncle was a very charming man, but to pull someone like Magnus while disguised as a hobo deserves a medal. "A few months went by and he would be at the same. corner and we'd go to the same. booth. By this point I was beyond infatuated with him, I could've cared less how he looked.. or smelled. Finally, after six months or so he came clean about who he was. I was a little shocked when he came up to my front door. He had shaved, showered and showed up like a dashing young man. I didn't even recognize him! " Yep, that sounds like Scott. " Yeah Magnus, he did the same thing to me.." I force an uneasy laugh and start on round two of tea time. He laughed with me, "That cheeky son-of-a.. Well as you can see, it's been uphill from there! we've been married happily for four years now!"

I felt a pang of jealousy strike. "Why wasn't I invited, Magnus? How long have you known about me?" His bright and chipper expression faded into concern, "I'm sorry Nova. I knew about you before we were even engaged. He didn't want to invite you because well, he didn't want you to find out about the craft." I tried to tame my temper as I focused on the ornate teacup in my hand. "Well I know about it now. What difference would it have made?" I didn't bother to look Magnus in the eye as he spoke, "I remember at the time he was worried you weren't blessed with the abilities and didn't want you to get upset. Nova, he loves you and only want to protect you." Magnus reached over and started rubbing my back trying to calm me, and I let him.

"I told Scott to stay away. You weren't ready to find out the truth. I still don't think you are, but now that you're about to study at Southeastern," my dad strides over and laid a pile of books in front of me. The History of Crafting, How Each Element Can Impact Your Art, and many, many more. "I guess this is as good of time as any to get you started." I glared at that man, any love or respect I had for him floating further and further away.