Reaching Venus

Confidence

Venus

After my training session with Ian I decided to visit Faery Mary. She was basically the only mother figure I had ever known. The past couple days had been an emotional roller coaster for me and I needed her comforting presence.

As I approached her small house at the base of the Tree I let my hair down from its messy bun, having sweat way less than I had anticipated. I didn't want to worry Mary so I tried to make myself look more presentable. Stopping at my room to change and put on makeup would have been the smart move but knowing Mary she would have seen right through it.

The second I walked in the door Mary enveloped me in a big hug. She had camomile tea waiting by the stove. I blushed knowing she must have heard about the incident.

"Oh my darling girl. Come take a seat. I was hoping you would come home sooner rather than later." She said while guiding me to the couch.

She popped into the kitchen and popped back out with a steaming cup of tea. Mary tended to teleport more often when she was nervous.

I fixed my tea the way I liked it, just a little honey, and took a sip before I said, " I know I should have come to you first. I just feel guilty coming here when my magic is so out of whack. I could cause serious damage. But a faery offered to help me...I dunno he was talking about connecting to the fire within or whatever. I'm trying everything I can think of."

Mary replied, " Ian Archer teaching magic? Huh.. How did it feel? The magic."

"Confusing. When he did it the magic felt warm and comforting. And I tried so hard to focus on that but when I did it I started to feel angry. Like I never should have had this magic in the first place and all its done is cause me trouble. I know it's why my mom gave me up. She couldn't handle a kid with uncontrollable fire magic. And why me? Every other fire elemental can control it." I ranted.

Mary pulled me into her side and I leaned my head on her shoulder. She gently stroked my hair to calm me down. Probably best I didn't get myself worked up again and end up burning down her house.

"Sweet girl, you have every right to be angry. But don't let it control you. I'm worried that with how things started with Ian..."

"Don't worry Mary. I already told him I'm not interested in anything with him except controlling my magic. " I interrupted.

Mary seemed to agree that it could be helpful. I had made more progress with Ian in one afternoon than I had in a semester with Amber. I knew she wanted to be the one to teach me how to control fire but I think Ian was right. I needed faery help.

I let Mary take care of me for the evening. After she convinced me to sleep over I sent a quick text to Fern then shut off my phone. Mary let me take a long shower while she cooked my favorite meal and then she read to me while I snuggled up in bed like she used to when I was little.

When I woke up the next morningI felt more myself. The first thing I did was turn my phone back on. I had one message waiting for me. It was from Ian telling me that if I wanted to try again today I was more than welcome to swing by the house. I could feel my lips stretching involuntarily into a smile.

Mary was right. I had a lot of things I could be angry about. My dad deciding it wasn't worth sticking around to get to know me. My mom giving me up without looking back. Being so different from everyone around me. But I also had a lot of things to be happy about and be grateful for. I had Mary, who even though I was almost an adult still treated me like her own child. I had the best, most protective roommate in the world. I had a best friend who could always make me smile. And for God's sake I had already mastered 3 elements when most elementals my age were still working on one.

With all that in mind I got dressed in something comfy and slipped my feet into some sandals. After giving Mary a quick hug I dashed off to Ian's house, excited to get started.

Venus

I bounded up to the door, slightly out of breath. I knocked rapidly. A minute or so went by before the door swung open. It was the girl from yesterday who answered.

"Good morning. You're Venus right? Ian has told me a lot about you. I'm Molly. His sister. He is out right now but you are welcome to come in" She greeted me.

She was so bubbly and kind. It was pretty obvious she had met her person. That made me smile. Once a faery had met their person they were typically really nice. I got a good vibe from Molly and immediately felt like we could be friends.

She ushered me inside, not really giving me time to answer her.

"It's nice to meet you Molly. When is Ian going to be back? I was kinda hoping that..."

"He could help with your magic? Honestly I would've paid money to see you light him on fire. No doubt he deserved it. He went out for breakfast with Terra so it might be a while. But you should stay, hang with me" She cut me off.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at Molly's chaotic energy. I figured Terra was his earth elemental girlfriend. It was so interesting how people always named elementals something related to their element. I didn't get bothered by it this time. After turning over the events of the last couple days in my head I had determined there was no way I could share a boyfriend with 3 other girls. But if it worked for them far be it from me to stop them.

I agreed to hang out with Molly until Ian got back. She took me up to her room and I helped her pick out a prom dress. She told me all about her person, a human girl she had met at the age of 5. She said they were best friends and admitted they were bound together as she had told the girl her true name. Because of that she was allowed to leave the faery ring whenever she wanted.

I told her how I met Ian and why I set him on fire. I hadnt wanted to at first but she insisted. Once I explained the whole thing her response was "Ugh, he can be such an a*s"

It was close to lunch time when Ian returned to the house. Molly was cooking for us when he walked in the front door. He froze for a second when he saw me sitting at the kitchen island.

"Venus. Hey. I didn't realize you were here. I thought you would have called or texted." He said.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Yeah I probably should have but I was excited. It's cool though. Molly and I have been hanging out"

Ian looked a little skeptical. Probably at the thought of someone he had tried to date befriending his sister. Molly shot him a warning look. It was intereating seeing them have an entire conversation without saying anything.

Finally Ian said, "Well we can get started after you eat"

"No, get started now. I was going to make chicken kabobs. Venus can cook her own. Magically of course" Molly smirked.

I gulped as Ian replied, "Perfect idea. Nothing more motivating than starvation"

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out the door. We practiced for a bit before Molly actually made me use magic to cook my own food. It ended up a little charred but at least it wasnt ash. After eating Ian and I set up a schedule to practice. Every other eveing during the week and every Saturday morning until I got this down.

As I was getting ready to leave Ian asked if I wanted to go for a swim with him.

I took a deep breath and said, "Look Ian, I really appreciate all your help but i dont think that is a good idea. I am definitely atteacted to you and i like spending time with you. But unless I focus on happy go with the flow water vibes all the time I can be a bit...territorial and I have a temper. I know now I cant share a boyfriend with someone else let alone 3 other people. I feel like if we hang out outside of this its going to feel too coupley, for me. So I think its best we dont"

Ian looked disappointed for a split second but then nodded in understanding as he said, "Ok. Then I guess I will see you tomorrow night."

"Sure thing" I replied.