Sometimes it takes a great wave to bring about change, other times, it’s a ripple. Either way, the sooner you accept your change, the easier it is to become something greater.

Raina was puzzled at the words coming of Akaya’s mouth. “What are you talking about? “ Karen smiled as she studied the female. Raina didn’t know that she was bathing in an enchanted water. Her bruises were gone and there were subtle changes going on with her physique that she hadn’t noticed yet. Karen could see it from the combined effects of her star in her chest as well as some of the magic she cast in healing the girl.

“You’re projecting.” Karen explained. “What we see is what you are going to look like once you transformed completely. It’s kind of like a halo effect that we are looking at. Go back into the room and stare into the mirror. Take a good long look because your change is a world of reckoning my dear.”

Giving them a look, she moved back to the restroom and went to go stand in front of the mirror. She noticed that her physique was different, or maybe it was because she didn’t really look in the mirror after her incident with Easton. A mixture of shame and suppressing the memories from that night, still not wanting to admit that he had intended to harm her.

Raina studied herself in the mirror, and almost did a double take. She didn’t recognize herself with the projection of what she was giving off. Sliding off her robe, and standing in front of the mirror, she stared at her own self-reflection.

A woman was standing there, looking right back at her. Her hazel eyes regarded her with a warm yet firm curiosity. Long luscious locks of red-velvet hair reached her hips, her bust seemed larger, in fact her whole physique appeared curvier yet had a warrior-esque feel to it. Her face, while still maintaining the innocence, looked wise. Raina looked confident and powerful, as if she could take on the world with this version she was seeing in the mirror. She almost didn’t want to believe this was the person that she was going to be as her hands pulled on the robe.

“It’s still sinking in, isn’t it?” Karen’s voice broke her out of her thoughts and she almost tripped.

“Jesus fuck, please tell me you weren’t standing there the entire time.” Raina clutched her chest as she looked at her in disbelief. The older woman shook her head. “ I just rounded the door to check up on you. You’re starting to see what Charlie has envisioned, and your subconscious is starting to accept the fact that you are blessed with that star.”

Raina sighed. “I still don’t understand. Why me? I’m not the leader Charlie thinks I am.” She walks to where Karen is and out of the door. “ I’m someone whom people wouldn’t blink twice at if I was a leader. I’m a joke, it’s probably the main reason why Easton took me as a joke. …” Her voice trailed off in thought, as if she was relieving all her memories with him through a silent movie reel.

Karen felt sympathetic about the plight that plagued Raina. She was struggling with her own self-worth and if she had loved Easton, it was no wonder she was dealing with this in a poor manner. “Raina, I’m sure that you will find those answers you seek, but you need to deal with this in a healthy way.”

“Is denying your right to be happy and not taking advantage of your potential, is that the healthy way?” Karen continued. “You need to let your negativity go. If you continue to stay like this, you are going to hinder your own potential for something greater.”

Raina didn’t say much of anything. She was still processing her words, but deep down she knew that the witch’s words rang true.

“Look, you may not get it now, but the sooner you let go of what troubles you, the sooner you unlock your potential. “She gave her a soft squeeze on her shoulders before leaving her with another change of clothes. Raina peeked at the clothes; a soft knit grey dress with a jean jacket and a pair of black booties. She changed into it before going back out to where the rest of them were at.

All of them were sitting at a round table, there was a spare seat for Raina which she took. Charlie noted her appearance looked better than the night they found her after Easton’s failed attempt at eliminating her.

“Here is what we have settled upon since you have been in recovery.” Klaus spoke first, giving his daughter a look.

“Haley is your line of communication when you go into the fae world and on your missions. You need to be careful since you are not accustomed to our cultures. In fact, I recommend for your safety, you start learning about being fae. Also, you need to stay from Easton. ” Raina listened carefully as he was speaking to her, giving him respect. “Akaya will be your body guard for the time being until we find a better option. “

Akaya grinned. “ At least, you are with me still princess. The person I think they will replace me with has a real stick up his ass-“

“Akaya!” Karen scolded with a look, her green eyes alit with a warning. “ As my prodigy , you are to conduct yourself better, especially given that the person whom you are speaking about is under my husband’s lead. “

Charlie chuckled, rubbing his scruff. “As much as I admit, I take pride in him, he can be a pain in the ass sometimes Karen. Simply because he is so wound up in his duty. Eloquently said Akaya, just don’t say in front of him or me if we are working on a technique. He might just take it too seriously. I already deal with him fighting with his cousin over stupid shit. I don’t need the girls under my care to get wrapped up in it as well.”

“I’m not afraid of him. He needs to loosen up. Amazing to me that he doesn’t see it himself.”

Akaya scoffed as Karen relaxed under the direction of her husband. It was nice to know that while Akaya had a mouth on her, she didn’t offend her husband. Her husband took training to the heart, and it would be a blow to his masculinity if he wasn’t doing the best job of delivering results.

Raina cleared her throat. “So…. what am I supposed to tell my parents? My family is bound to notice that something is different with me. Especially given the fact that you guys are seeing the changes in me. My family wouldn’t believe me if I told them that I’m a siren now, or changing into one.”

Haley nudged her with her foot. “It will be fine, I promise. Especially since you have the making of being the leader. We are going to support you, you must do one thing. Which is to trust in what we are going to teach you. “

“For starters, you can tell your family that you are working at Charm Academy; For the Gifted and Wonderous. It will give you a valid reason why you are here, and where you spend your time. I believe you are an artist right? Your work as one will benefit greatly here. Your family, for their protection should not know about your new magic. “

“Training is to start after Haley gets you measured for your suit. “

“My suit is going to be amazing on you.” Haley grinned. “As much as I am a scientist, I do make costumes for cosplay conventions. The only thing that I can’t do is cooking, that would be my boyfriend Leon. He is the cook, in fact, I need to take you to the café eventually. That will be the start of your lessons in fae. But anyway.” Haley waved her hand offhandedly. “The suit will be conformed to your skin, measuring your vitals and analyzing your abilities as you master them. That data is sent to my computers, which then we will formulate your training needs.”

Raina took a deep breath. “Shall we get started?” Anything for a distraction, and for her to process all of this new information that she was given.”

~

His hands were running along the gardens, his sleeves of ink shining bright in the sunlight as he walked along the path. His unruly minty green locks in his eyes as he observed his handiwork. The young man’s clothes while comfortable, was covered in soil.

Peter frowned slightly as the flowers he was tending to didn’t respond to his touch. Usually when he walked into a room, the plants that were within a few feet seemed to brighten more. A sunburst of color that blinded his vision, stained his fingertips a spring green, and imprinted him with the scent of sunflowers. Peter touched the petals, eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he tried to smooth out the petals. They were wrinkled, as if someone had crumpled up their beauty in a fit of anger. It took some mental energy on his part that required a deep-rooted focus to his core to untangle the distress of his plants. Within a few minutes, the flowers’ petals unfurled, opening to show the beauty of their canvas illuminating. Peter stepped back, breathing in deeply, the rich soil of the earth he was in.

Peter often stayed close to his greenhouse, much like a tree’s roots were embedded in their earth. He felt more at ease here, could be more productive in his earthiness, and all of the animals that he was able to care for were here. Something he could not be as open with in the mortal world. Plus, he craved to be immersed in this world here. It felt organic, more raw to let himself go where he didn’t have the fear of being judged.

His bare feet dragged through the soil, delighting in the way it felt moist to his skin. He wiggled his toes, and little green sprouts sprung up to greet him. The male grinned as his senses tingled with the knowledge of having his abilities. It made his day to know that he could do these things. Such as the fact that when he went to go volunteer with his family, he often gave away flowers delighting in how people brightened up seeing his gift. How he was so versed in the language of flowers that he pulled with such ease of conveying hidden messages. It was a miraculous thing that he found solace in abilities that suited him perfectly.

Peter thought to his friends as he purposely avoided the apple orchard. Thankfully he had an assistant nymph who took care of this part of him with the promise that she could live in the orchard. Peter, like many of the others in this realm had a negative reaction to something that triggered them to be unwell. Peter never understood why it was apples that made him uneasy, never having touch one with his bare fingers. He just felt like his knees would give out, and his throat would close if he were to even brush against one. He avoided them, comparing them to an allergic reaction that he was not fond of when he had to deal with spanish nuts.

His family was a large family of elves, whom owned a series of floral companies in the world. He was the first in his family to work with animals along with his floral roots. Peter’s heart was blessed with a star when he was merely three years old. His family discovered it when he was playing with a full grown mountain lion on vacation, giving his mother a fright when she found him cooing at this dangerous cat who was curled around him.

The memory of that made him smiled as he came across one of his animals, a young buck who often nosed his hand for affection. Frowning as the buck pushed against his stomach gently with his antlers, Peter sensed something was amiss in his orchard. There was an unknown presence in his gardens, something he didn’t know was friend or foe. The buck was pushing him towards the lake that was hidden by a series of different trees he tended to.

Peter walked with his buck slowly, unsure of what he would find. His body tensed, grabbing his staff as they headed to the area. His mouth opened in shock as he pushed through the branches and discovered the source of the disturbance.