Gifts of the Living Phoenix

Chapter 17

            The day of the winter formal was finally here.  The school had been decorated into a white wonderland of iridescent crystal, ice and snow.  Magically altered to look like snow indoors, the main dining hall had been transformed into a pale creamy-white landscape of the outdoors without the Ogacio cold or winds. Students oohh’d and ahh’d at the beauty of it all and took their seats while taking in the vast array of winter decorations.  Frosty white trim with silvery tips to mimic icicles along fairy lights that twinkled in the dark ceiling cast a romantic atmosphere to the room.  Soft music was playing from different areas of the room adding to the picturesque hue of white and silver throughout the room. 

            Faith walked in wearing a long floor length pale peach dress that almost blended with her skin tone.  This dress enhanced the long silver hair that she painstakingly made wavy instead of her naturally straight hair.  She seemed to sparkle in the room, radiating a glow about her which only seemed to bring her more into the spotlight as she walked in the rooms on the arms of both the twins looking dashing in formal suits. 

            Faith spotted Melody in a breathtaking red dress with a slit that went all the way up to her mid-thigh which was lightly decorated with silver accents along the edge of the hems.  She was on the arm of the young half Olgas, Kyle who looked quite proud of his date.  Given the contrast in their heights the couple did stick out, but not like a sore thumb.  In fact, they looked quite radiant together. 

            Melody and Kyle walked over to Faith and the twins and greeted one another easily.  Soon Jacob was there escorting Nami and Navi and everyone was commenting about the beautiful décor in the room, along with the enticing delicacies they could see.  They could see no formalities for the event and even the teachers and instructors seemed keen to keep it social and not about school or work. 

                “Faith, could I have this dance?” asked Everett.

                “Yes, of course,” Faith smiled up at him.

The music suddenly changed to a waltz like theme and Everett was soon dancing Faith around the room along with others.  All too soon, they slowed down in their dance and Everett escorted Faith over to the side of the room with the fountain of colorful fizzy drinks cascading out of what appeared to be a white mini waterfall. 

                “I’ve been meaning to get a minute alone with you Faith,” Everett said, nuzzling her ear.

Faith was keenly aware of his hot breath on his neck and his intoxicating smell seemed to set her skin ablaze.  When did this happen, she wondered?  How did the twins start to physically affect her so?  Stirring something deep in her core…  

                “Yes?” Faith cried hoarsely.

                “I want you Faith.”  Everett growled. “I’ve always wanted you.  I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, but the three us, we will. We’ll find a way.”

               “Does Edric feel the same way?”  Faith asked in a whisper.

                “He does, very deeply.  In fact, the few days during your transformation, he went a little nuts because he didn’t know what was going on with you,” Everett admitted.  “I know Edric has always been the quiet one, but between the two of us, he’s the one who is probably more emotional.  If you think I’m bad about Dante hanging around with you, Edric is insanely possessive about how he feels when it comes to you.  He just doesn’t let you see that side of him.” 

Everett tilted his head to the side a little looking at Faith.  Lovingly fingering her hair behind her ear he said, “Have either of them mentioned their altercations because of you?” 

            Faith looked taken aback by that.  “What do you mean? They’ve been fighting?”

            “Yeah, and it's been pretty physical.  Ironically none of them have hit each other in the face so you’d never know it, but they’ve been punching each other everywhere else.  It finally got to the point I had to break them apart,” Everett admitted.

            “Is that why you’re always scowling at Dante?”  Faith said bewildered.

            Everett smirked a little in embarrassment but said, “Yes, because of that, and because he seems to not be warned off.  Even now, I bet you haven’t realized that he’s been here and has been watching you from the other side of the room.”

Faith’s eyes widened and she quickly scanned the room to the opposite corner to see Dante, dressed beautifully in a suit, watching her with dark eyes.  Odd she thought, I could have sworn his eyes were a vibrant green. As if hearing her thoughts Everett said, “Shapeshifters eyes change dark when they’re aroused.”

            “OH!  I had no idea,” Faith shook her head. “Everett, why are you telling me all this?”

He hesitated. “I wanted you to know.  I wanted you to know where you stood with us, that this (waving his hands between them as she had previously done) doesn’t have to be “official” as you put it for us to be committed to you – now and forever.”

            “Ok Everett.  I get it.  And I love you, and Edric too.”   As soon as those words left her mouth, Everett swooped down and brought his lips down to hers as she melted against him.  When they broke apart, Faith was panting and feeling light headed.  Everett seemed just as affected as she was.  Smiling down at her, he walked with her through the sea of dancers over to where Edric was waiting for them with their friends.

            Dante had watched Faith dancing with Everett.  He realized he was never going to get an opportunity to dance with her, much less speak with her as the twins were completely monopolizing her time.  It seemed every other male though aware of how desirable Faith was understood that she was under their protection, their possessiveness having made it clear who she belonged to.  Dante wasn’t deterred though, nor was he afraid.  He made his way up to Faith, and greeted her with one of his charming smiles.

            “Faith, I was wondering if I could have this dance,” Dante said politely.

Faith looked up to meet his eyes and smiled at him.  “Yes, of course.”

            Edric did not look too pleased but did not interject as Dante had been polite in asking her permission.  He wondered how long they were going to have to deal with his interference. He seemed to always show up at the most inopportune times.

            Dante was an excellent dancer and brought Faith swaying through the movements of the dance.  She glided quite easily on his arms as he led her through the motions of the dance, expertly leading her through the room. 

            “I didn’t think I’d get a chance to talk to you before the winter break,” Dante began.  “There is something that I need to tell you before you leave school.”

            Faith looked at Dante in surprise and didn’t say anything which he took as a signal to continue.

            “I know I told you things would be explained in time.  I didn’t want to tell you sooner because I felt that you didn’t quite trust me and that’s really not a way to start a relationship…” Dante’s voice trailed off allowing Faith to interrupt.

            “What are you trying to say Dante, we don’t exactly have a relationship.  I mean, not one beyond friendship.”

            “Yes, that’s what I mean,” Dante said struggling to stay on track.  “Look, as the Living Phoenix, you may not realize this, but you have guardians who are appointed to protect you.  It’s something that has been passed down from generation, but since no Living Phoenix ever emerged it was a collateral duty that some shapeshifters had, nothing more.  However, now that you’re awake, your guardians are as well.”

            Faith looked at him in surprise.  “Why haven’t they made an appearance then?”

            “Well, part of the reason was because you hadn’t quite grown into your powers, but the other reason is because the head guardian was already keeping an eye out for you so there was no need to show themselves to you yet,” Dante explained.

            “How will I know when I see these guardians?”  Faith said thoughtfully.

            “You’re looking at one.”

-----

            Dante’s admission of his guardianship role of the Living Phoenix now made everything clearer for Faith.  He was always hovering around her, wouldn’t be warned away by the twins to the point of having physical altercations with them.  Faith now understood too that it was no coincidence that he had been there in the second realm at the same time she had.  He had been stalking her! Well, it was his job she supposed, but still, he was watching her movements the whole time!

            The dance between them came to a sudden stop as Faith looked up at Dante in disappointment and said two words, “You lied.” 

With that, she walked away from him leaving him looking after her with regret.  All the careful planning he made before announcing who he was still backfired on Dante.  The end result was that she was pissed at him for lying and being deceitful the whole time.  Everett who had been watching the dancing pair, quickly walked over to pull Faith into an embrace and cradle her against his side.  Faith walked with Everett and never looked back at Dante.

-----

            “So he never told you who he really was until the dance?”  asked Hope.

Faith was now back at home with her sister and sharing in all the latest gossip that had been going on at school since she had been discovered as the Living Phoenix. 

            “No, never a word, not even a hint.”

            “Maybe he was afraid of your reaction,” Hope giggled.  “Sounds like he was intimidated by how you’d react regardless.”

            “He should have been honest with me from the beginning,” Faith said defiantly.

            “Uh huh sis, and you would have said (mimicking her sister’s voice), ‘I don’t need a guardian, I can take care of myself.  Leave me alone!’  Am I right?”  smirked Hope.

            “Yeah, yeah, so maybe I would have been a bit of a brat,” Faith sighed.

            “Or a BIG BRAT!”  Hope said truculently.

            “Watch it, I don’t care how big you’re getting, I can still make your life miserable too.” Faith said in jest.

            “Try it, Living Phoenix!  I will rain down my premonitions on you and squash the very essence of your gifts!”  Hope said in mock fury.

Both girls burst out in a fit of giggles, laughing until they were crying.  They looked at one another then suddenly Hope said, “So…what are you going to do about them?” 

            “Them, who?” Faith said feigning ignorance.

            “Pfft, them!  Everett, Edric, Dante!”  Hope said in a huff.  “Seems to be getting mighty complicated Sis.”

            “Yes, I know,” groaned Faith.  “I will have to probably apologize to Dante.  As for Everett and Edric, it didn’t sound like they wanted me to choose between them, so I’m just going to take it one day at a time.” 

            “Well good thing you’re not going for all three brothers, then we’d have a fight,” Hope said slyly.

            “OOhhh you never told me you liked Etan!”  Faith gasped.

            “That’s because you never asked.”  Hope retorted.

            “Details, little sister.  I want details!”

Turned out that Etan had been coming more and more to Hope’s neighborhood and was eventually enrolled in school with her.  Etan was a quiet studious boy who had a really serious demeanor for someone so young.  Faith didn’t know him well, but if Hope liked him, that was enough. 

Hope was an excellent judge of character and could suss out an impostor in a snap.  

Her father had actually utilized Hope’s special abilities during one of his last meetings before his death.  He had said she was there to just take notes and help her future role as administrator on the council, but he had asked her to secretly take note of people’s motives and intentions. He wanted to see if everyone was being truthful, motivations without deceit.  That conversation had been between Hope and her father.  Faith had not heard anything more about it and didn’t give it a second thought.  Right now, she only cared about how her sister was doing.

            “How are you doing anyway?”  Faith looked at her sister in earnest, hoping she wouldn’t hide her true feelings.

            “I’m better these days.  Mother has been helping, believe it or not,” she said. “I think she had a talk with your father.”

Hearing those words, “your father” made Faith cringe internally.  She didn’t know why but it didn’t sit well with her.

            “I don’t think it went well,” said Hope truthfully.

            “Well, since I haven’t heard from either of them, I’m going to not concern myself with their issues,” Faith said coldly.

            Hope looked into Faith’s eyes and could see the hurt that was still lingering there.  Hurt from losing the only father she knew - that she had always supposed was her father, to the betrayal of finding out that another elf was her father all together.

            “Did you always know?” asked Faith quietly. “Was I the only one in the dark?”

Hope hesitated before replying, “I only knew because I saw mother’s past one time.  She never said anything to me, nor shared any of this.  So for me, it wasn’t a surprise to find out that we had different fathers. It’s not like that changes anything between us.  We’re still sisters.” 

Hope looked at her sister and gave her a reassuring smile before saying, “You know, my time with you guys is going to be shorter than you know, so let’s make the most of it.”  

Faith hated when Hope said things like this.  It must be horrible to know when your end was going to come and not be able to change the course of history.  Almost as if she understood the look in her sister’s eyes, Hope said, “All things come to be as they should.  You can’t stop that.  No one can.”   With that, she put her arms around Faith and gave her an overbearing hug to the point of crushing Faith.  That broke the dismal atmosphere between them and Faith had to laugh at her sister’s antics.  She loved her sister so much.  She couldn’t imagine a life without her in it…

            After a week at home, Faith was practicing some of her physical training when she happened to see a shadow from the side of the playground area.  Pretending not to notice, she continued on with her exercises finishing with some push ups.  She looked up and saw the same shadowed area and finally decided to investigate.  Since this playground area was a place she knew like the back of her hand, Faith moved quietly to the backside of one of the homes and came crossing to the back side of where she saw the shadow.  Then pounced!

            “OW!  Faith! Come on,” she heard Dante yell.

            “AH HA!  Stalking me again!”  Faith said in triumph over knocking Dante down.

            “Yeah I got distracted for a second and then didn’t see you, so I was waiting,” Dante admitted sheepishly.

            “Uh huh, and why are you here again?”  she inquired.

            “Hello?  Duh?  I’m your guardian Faith, I’m always going to be around.  Always.”

Faith looked up at Dante in irritation but resolved to mend their friendship. 

            “Look, I’m sorry for being so hard on you that night at the dance.  I know you were only trying to protect me and were thinking about my well-being.  It would have been easier though if you had just been upfront with everyone and would have probably resulted in less fights between you and the Twins.”

            “Yeah, not a chance.  Those two don’t like me.  Being one of the guardians wasn’t going to change that.”  Dante said mindfully.

            “You don’t know that, you could be friends,” Faith said flabbergasted.

            “Probably not.  They don’t like me because they are possessive males who don’t like other males sniffing around their girl-friend.”

            “Girl friend?  I don’t recall me saying they’re my boy friends,” Faith said shyly.

            “HA.  HA.   Whatever.  Look it’s written all over their faces.  Hell, it’s written all over your face too for that matter.  I get it.  I will keep my distance, no matter how hard,” Dante said exasperated. 

            “I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to make any of this difficult for you.  I appreciate your role in protecting me.  Even though I don’t really get it.” 

            “It’s ok.  It’s just my dumb luck to find you after they did.  For taking so long to realize and find out how sweet and kind you really are,”  Dante sounded almost bitter about it.

Faith blushed at his half confession and didn’t want to make Dante more uncomfortable so she chose to change the subject.

            “So where are you staying in the first realm?  We don’t really have inns or lodges like the second realm does.  At least not yet I don’t think.”  Faith looked up at Dante with such an innocent look he couldn’t help but smile back at her, even though a minute before he had felt bitterness about his situation. 

            “I’m staying with a buddy, but he has a  lot of siblings so I’m being trampled on every night.  I might have bruises in places I’ve never had before.”  It was then Faith realized how exhausted Dante looked. 

            “Wait, have you been here the whole time since school break?”

            “Um, yeah.  It’s my job now… and I had to make things work and watch over you,”  Dante said with a devious smile.

            “Good grief, go get your stuff and come to my house. My mother would insist on it.  We have plenty of extra spare rooms and given that you’re suffering on my behalf she would be upset with me if I didn’t make things right.” Faith almost had a commanding tone when she directed Dante to her home.  He didn’t mind it one bit.  In fact, he was thrilled to be staying closer to Faith, even if it was just being physically closer to her, he would take it.

His eyes brightened as he said, “I’ll be over tonight.  Don’t go anywhere without me though, ok? Give me a couple of hours.”