Of Faeries and Fantasy

[Arlina Rhys]

April 10th, 2007, MAGI office, Atlas Park branch

"Are you sure there's nothing to be done?", The woman asked, looking slightly worried and exhausted.

The Magus sighed, he knew all too well how hard it was sometimes to explain these matters to a concerned parent. "No Ma'am, unless we know the true name of the faerie involved, i'm afraid theres little that can be done for her, I understand this is a big shock and she's upset, but Unfortunately, the Fae are not very kind to those who don't understand the rules, even if they weren't told the rules beforehand."

"I..I see. Is there anything we can do to at least make it easier on her? The poor dear's been in her room ever since then. She refuses to come out and refuses to eat"

The Magus frowned again, it was a strange case after all, that a girl born on such a strange day should be suddenly targeted by the Fair Folk, or perhaps simply by a cruel chance of coincidence, was certainly strange. But then strange was generally what the offices at MAGI dealt with more often than not. "I'll see about contacting the management at St Joes, Its a school here in Paragon with the facilities and teachers needed to help her. perhaps they can even get the power under control."

Mrs Rhys nodded, thanking him and exiting the office.

-Home, an hour later.

"Lina dear, would you please come out? Its not the end of the world, theres people who can help you, you know. Maybe even let you get onstage again?"

From within her room, Arlina sighed from under her blankets "Did they find a way to fix it?"

"Well..no. They say its irreversible without information on the name of the fae responsible"

"Then why bother? I don't want this...everyone's afraid of me now at school. They don't understand. My life is so totally over." Arlina hmped and hid further under her covers, trying to hide from the world almost.

"Don't be like that Lina..You know your father and I love you no matter what, and the staff at MAGI think that you could probably be moved to that catholic school in town they have for people like you, they might be able to teach you how to use your...Gift, for something"

Arly sat bolt upright, looking angry "Gift? You call this a /GIFT/ Mom? I shoot MONSTERS out when I sing, what kind of gift is that supposed to be?!"

Miss Rhys silently sighed, moving into the room to embrace her daughter in a hug, pulling her tight as Arly began to cry. "It'll be okay, I promise. You'll see, It'll be okay. Your father and I will always be right by your side."

Arly continues to softly cry for a few minutes, before finally nodding "I know mom. I know. Just..give me some time to think, kay?"

Mrs Rhys nodded, and left her daughter to her own thoughts.

- beginning of May, first day at SJS

Arly and her parents pulled up to the front of the school, along with a few bags of her things, mostly her favorite plays and her blanket she'd had since birth, one of the nuns stood there to greet them as they arrived and helped Arlina carry her things as they entered the building.

Arlina watched her surroundings in slight awe, blinking at the occasional student showing off on the grounds or with strange appearances "Wow..I guess people like me aren't so uncommon after all"

The Nun smiled slightly "God chooses to grace many with special talents, though I hear you yourself have the idea yours are a curse from the files MAGI has on you"

"Yeah, well, what do you expect me to feel? I wanted to act, be onstage, maybe one day be a broadway star. I can't exactly do that now." Arly looked down again, retreating to her thoughts and glancing at the floor as they continued the tour and headed for the dorms.

"Nonsense, Perhaps the Lord simply sent you in another direction, perhaps to teach you humility or to give you a purpose. Theres is no such thing as coincidence, my dear. Only happy accidents. You'll understand that one day, I believe"

Despite herself, Arly found herself smiling a bit "You think so? I suppose weirder things have happened. At least hearing someone who believes it so strongly makes me feel a little bit better about it"

They reached the girls dorm, the nun leading her up to an empty dorm room and helping Arly set her belongins down, while patiently explaining the dorm rules and when food was served, Arlina simply nodded and listened attentively. "Do you have any other questions, dear?" she' asked Arly in a calm, kind voice

"Um, well, Not really. except when lunch is, I was worried so much I didn't really eat well before I got here" Arlina grinned, finally feeling a little bit better about herself.

The Nun smiled kindly, "Lunch should be being served as we speak, try not to cause too much trouble, and if you need anything, God is always around to ask" and with that, the nun exited, and Arly took a moment to look around her dorm, before heading to lunch.