“Wow, you’re going to be a fairy,” Tulip said as she placed a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder, “and I’m sure you’ll make a beautiful one.”
Cassandra gave an awkward smile to Tulip.
“Come, I have prepared a meal for us.” Garnet said.
The three set their tea down and entered the kitchen. Looking at the generous portions of meat and berries and the three place settings, Tulip asked, “You knew I would bring someone here, didn’t you?” Garnet only gave a gentle smile as her response. Tulip turned to Cassandra. “You just can’t get anything past her, so don’t even try.”
Tulip, Garnet and Cassandra sat around the table; Tulip was eating and drinking her amber-colored drink like crazy and Garnet feasted more moderately, but Cassandra was picking and nibbling, barely touching her food. Garnet noticed this. “Something concerns you, Cassandra?” she asked.
“When I was little,” Cassandra said, “I’ve always loved fairies and even wanted to be one myself, but the kids at school made fun of me because I still liked fairies when I was thirteen. Ever since, I’ve tried to distance myself from fairies; but I’ve still found myself drawn toward them.” Cassandra paused.
“That is common for those who bear seeds of magic to be drawn to magical things for as long as you’ve been;” Garnet said, “and seldom do ones that bear seeds of fairy magic abandon such infatuations with our kind of their own choosing. It is often the pressure of their peers that drives them away, causing them to suppress, and in extreme cases, to fully extinguish their latent magic.”
“Well, that clearly didn’t happen to you, and now you’re going to be a fairy yourself, I’d think you’d be happy about that.” Tulip said.
“Well, I would, but I have a life and responsibilities back home.” Cassandra said. “I just want to know… will I even be able to go back if I wanted to?”
Garnet answered in a somber voice. “It is possible you may have to abandon your old life; that is, unless the queen gives her blessing to let you live in the human world.”
“Whatever happens though, we’ll be here to help you settle into your new life, won’t we Garnet?” Tulip said.
“Yes, and I am more than willing to take on a second apprentice, if you wish to hone your magic.” Garnet added.
The kind words of the two fairies put Cassandra’s mind at ease. She even found her appetite again. As she ate, she decided to try the clear, amber-colored drink. It had a smooth palette like milk, but was a bit sweeter. “This is good,” she said, “what is it?”
“Nectar.” Garnet said.
“As only fairies can make it.” Tulip added.
After their meal, Cassandra asked Garnet, “Will my transformation hurt?”
Garnet answered, “Not necessarily, but it will come suddenly and it will be an intense experience. It will start when your magic reaches a point to where it can affect your change the easiest. I will stay by your side and inform you when that point arrives.”
“If I were to guess, it should be by nightfall, right?” Tulip asked.
“You’re absolutely right Tulip; your senses are improving.”
“Thanks,” Tulip said before turning to Cassandra, “and I’ll be here too.”
”Thank you.” Cassandra said, hugging Tulip and giving her a kiss on the cheek.