Phyre Sparks

Chapter Four: Cat got your tongue?

“Everything has been well. By the way, grandfather says hi. He was wondering what is taking you so long for you to return.”

This caused the elderly man to chuckle

“Well, I guess the master will have no choice but to wait a little bit longer.”

Confused, she turned to look at him.

“What do you mean by that, Rick?”

The elderly man rubbed his small beard, taking his sweet time in answering. The woman waited patiently as he took his time but if one took the time to look closely at her, they would find that one of her hands was tapping against her side in annoyance. After letting some time to pass by, a proud gleam could be made out in his gaze. Before leaving the Vulpis family manor, the master has put him in charge of the young miss's studies and while she has grown and achieved so much in the first three years of her being in the manor. So much can change in the short time that he has been gone. Just now, he thought that this was a good chance to test her patience to gauge how much she had grown. To say that he was pleased was an understatement.

“You really have grown haven't you, Miss Rayla?”

His statement caught her off guard, due to how unexpected and sincere it was. Eyeing him, looking for anything that suggested that he was teasing but no. He was completely serious. Her teasing smirk softened into a gentler expression as she headed over at her children who were arguing among one another. About what, she didn't know nor did she care. While there were some days that her children didn't get along and days where they were as sweet as sweet came be. At the end of the day, they were a family and family always sticks together, blood or otherwise. Rick noticed her forlorn expression. When they first met, she was nothing more than a girl who had lost her way with no idea of what to do. Kicked out of her home to wander the streets. She gathered her courage and took a leap of fate by calling someone she didn't know. Deciding to trust her grandmother who already passed on. Now, here she was. No longer as a lost child but a full grown woman in her own right.

She really does resemble you, doesn't she Mary?

No answer came even though he didn't expect one. Suddenly a thought came to mind.

“By the way Miss Rayla, it looks like you are stuck with me.”

Her head swerved to the side so fast that if a stranger saw it, they would have been afraid that she would have broken her neck.

“What!”

She grasped out, drawing her children's attention.

“Yep!"

He said while making sure that he was popping the tea.

"The master wanted me to stay by your side for the duration of your stay. So, it looks like you won't be able to get rid of me that easily.”

“Well, there goes my nice vacation!”

She muttered to herself while combing her fingers through her crimson locks. Speaking of a couple of well chosen curses, Rick decided that it was best to keep his peace. If he has to choose between his health or that of his master's, he can only tearfully wave his master off on his journey to the next life.

_______________

In a beautifully decorated office, an elderly man seated next to a beautifully crafted desk sneezed several times.

“I wonder if someone is talking about me?”

He wondered but quickly forgot the thought as he went back to work. After all, work doesn't do itself.

_______________

"Is there any way that I can ship you off with a brilliant bright red to add some flare?”

“ I am afraid not, Miss Rayla. Even if you did, there would be no doubt in my mind that he seemed to be back with an even more grandeur.”

Rayla could only agree with the butler. He was not wrong. Her grandfather would do such a thing, even if it was just to get a good laugh out of it.

“Yes, he would do that. Wouldn't he?”

No answer came, for they both knew the answer to that question. They both looked at one another before breaking out into fits of laughter, catching the attention of the children. Wondering what was going on, they stopped their playing to approaching the two adults. James, being the closest, did have an idea as to what was going on but didn't know why they were laughing instead of answering the question. For whatever reason it was, he didn't care. He just wanted to know the answer. Once he was right next to their mother, he yanked on her clothes to get her attention. Rayla looked down to find her son next to her. Bending down, she met her son's at eye level.

"Yes, James?"

“Mommy, is that a no as to sending Uncle Rick through the mail?”

Both adults paused at the unexpected question, looked at one another before she turned back to her son. Then, unbridled laughter erupted, filling the entire lobby. The few stranglers who have not yet boarded their flight or left, turned towards the source. Wondering what was going on but quickly turned away once they realized that it was just a noisy group. They should be gone before too long.

There was one particular lady and child pair who was walking away at a pace closer to that of a run as her child pointed at them. Clearly wondering what they were doing but the lady quickly hushed him. Rayla lifted up a finger to wipe away an unseen tear, as she recovered from her outburst of laughter. Who knew that it would be difficult to breathe if one was laughing too hard.

“Ja-James darling! That was a good-d one, dear!”

HAAA! Hahahaha!

Once more, she descended into another fit of laughter. It was when a good ten minutes passed that she could finally collect herself. Rick looked at her as if she was some strange creature that he had never seen before.

“What? Cat got your tongue?"

She teased the moment she caught sight of his expression. The butler shook his head, trying to

recollect himself.

“No, just wonder who you are and where the real Miss Rayla went?"

Standing up, she slapped his shoulders, earning herself a small chuckle from the butler. Catching up with James, the other two asked their brother what was going on only for him to tell them that he had no idea. Seeing this, Rayla took pity on them and decided to clear the air.

“Kits?"

They turned their attention to her.

"I can see that you three are confused. What got your mind in a fuzzy?”

They looked at each other then back to her. It was James who asked what they were all thinking.

“Mom, are you alright?”

Rayla stared at them for a second before releasing a poof of air. She was trying so hard not to laugh but oh my ancestors, it was so cute. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see that Rick was also having a hard time not to chuckle. Clearing her throat, she looked at the children who met her gaze. Their eyes were filled with concern, worry, and confusion. Clearly wondering what was so funny.

“Thank you for worrying about me, but why do you guys think that there is something wrong?”

Jewel gathered her courage and spoke up, her voice nothing more than a whisper.

“Because Mom, when James asked about Uncle Rick. You burst out into laughter.”

“Oh sweetie, that's because what James said was funny."

“Funny?”

Clutching her toy to her chest, she tried to understand what her mom meant by that. The two boys, however on the other hand, had an idea of what she was getting at.

“Do you mean it as a joke?"

James asked, rubbing his sister's head. Jewel's shyness was forgotten for a moment as she glared at her eldest sibling, promising vengeance. James' hand stilled and slowly drew itself away, holding them up in surrender.

“You better keep those hands where I can see them, buster!”

She hissed, nobody and she means nobody messes with her hair and gets away with it.

“Sorry sis, didn't mean anything by it.”

"Yeah right! Why you do it then."

"I don't know. It just happened."

Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, causing her brother to sweat bullets. He wanted to cry. He truly couldn't help it. His sister was just so cute. Why couldn't he pamper her? That's what elder brothers are supposed to do, god damnit. Mental tears dropped but to the outside world, he was his average self. Jewel was about to go on a rant but a cough -coming from her mother- made her think otherwise. Pouting, she fixed her hair to a point of somewhat decency that she was happy with. Once it was as best as it could get, she sent one last glare towards her brother before turning her attention elsewhere upon hearing Jesse's statement.