“Ugh, that cleanup was tough,” says Onnie. The professors nodded in agreement. “Alphonse, I can’t believe you tried to dropkick someone,” says Oceane. “He was six four with horns. He’ll be fine.” says Alphonse. “I get it. I didn’t need to do that. I found that out when I had to clean the entire gym from top to bottom.” “Well, I’m glad you learned your lesson.” “Hey, don’t just get on me, Necho broke a window.” Necho whips his neck to Alphonse with a stunned face. “Don’t you dare say that when you know he can’t defend himself!” Oceane shouts.

“Okay, sorry.” says Alphonse.

“Stop doing dramatic, cleaning the gym was not that hard, Celia and I had to fix everything you all broke.” says Onnie. “Okay geez, Stella, you can defend yourself, why’d you let a kid fall from the sky?” “She could fly Alphonse,” says Stella. “I tried to catch her, but Onnie was closer.” Stella whips around, bumping into Ravena. “Oh! Ravena, hi.”

“Good morning, Stella. I’m here to take Onnie. I must speak to her and Nana in private,” says Ravena. “Okay! bye Onnie.” Stella says, speed walking away.

“Bye!” says Onnie.

“Alright come now Onnie we have things to discuss.” “Things like what.” “You will know in due time.” ‘Ravena escorts Onnie to the chairwoman’s office. Where they find Nana organizing books.

“Oh, good morning, Onnie, morning Ravena.” says Nana. “Nana, you must be wondering why I called you both here.” “Yes, why did you call us here?” “Well, as chairwoman, I decided Onnie needs guidance, a role model, a guardian in her life. Since she is … going to take over. She needs someone to teach her at all times.” “That is a great idea, Ravena! Do you have anyone in mind?” “Well, since we do not have many people, I was hoping you could fill that role.” “Really!” says Nana.

“What!?”

“Ravena, do you really think I’m worthy guardian!?” “I do Nana and to get the learning process started you should move in as one as possible.” “Wait, so, you weren’t gonna ask me if I wanted another person in my house!?” “Come on, Onnie, don’t think of it as an invasion. Think of it as a time to learn. Besides, isn’t it lonely in that tree of yours?”

“Ugh, fine whatever.” says Onnie. “You two should get home. Get to know each other,” says Ravena. “What about my work?” “Don’t worry about your work, Nana. Me and Linden will take care of it.” “Yay! let’s go Onnie, let’s go!” Nana grabs Onnie’s arm shaking it rapidly. “Okay, I’m coming!” Nana runs off with Onnie in her arms off into the woods.

***

After running aimlessly, the girls reach the middle of the forest. By that point, the silence of the woods fills their ears. Nana, tired of listening to the rustling of the grass and leaves she starts up a conversation. “Hey Onnie, do you remember me?” Nana asks. “Weird question, yes. I met you when I first got here. My memory isn’t that bad,” says Onnie. “No, silly, I met you before then.”

“What do you mean?” “Well, when I first met you, you were just a baby, about three. I was around sixteen,” says Nana. “I was so excited to meet you. You are such a cute kid.” “No wonder I don’t remember.” says Onnie. “I was three.” “Of course, that was silly to ask.”

“Onnie.”

“Yes,”

“I don’t want you to think I’m weird for asking but have you heard of the Thaumaturge War.” “Who has not it the war that brought us here.” says Onnie. “That’s good every creature should know their history including you.” says Nana.

“…Onnie, do you know of the Mundan Rebels.” “No, I can’t say I do why?” “Well, when you were around five, these people called the Mundan Rebels resurfaced from long ago. They call them self that because they want the world to be normal and mundane with no magic in sight. I say this because you and your parents disappeared around when the Mundan started attacking. My own eyes witnessed when your dad…we thought we lost you forever.” Nana’s eyes grow heavy and misty. “I am sorry. I just turn into a mess thinking about it.”

Onnie’s eyes soften “Well, I’m okay I’m here to stay, so there is no need to cry Nana.” Onnie gives Nana a faint smile that cheers her up. “Give me one second.” Onnie sprints to an open felid with a tree and rocks in the middle and rapidly waves her hands around in the air. She breathes in and dives headfirst into a tree.

“Onnie!”

Onnie sticks her head out of the tree, grabs Nana’s hand, pulling her through. They both land on a bed of flowers on the edge of a waterfall. “Well, there it is.” Onnie points to a tree with purple heart leaves in a ditch shaped like a star surrounded by waterfalls. Onnie leads Nana down a flight of cobblestone stairs with symbols engraved into the stones.

“This, this is amazing. You know when you went missing, I searched so long for this tree,” says Nana. “Your father told me if he ever went missing to not fear because he was right here. A place where you can be at peace and gaze upon the stars, completely safe. It was right here all along, in plain sight. Your father said he would bring me here one day.” Nana focuses on Onnie’s forehead. “You look just like him, the spitting image. If it wasn’t for that patch on your forehead, you would be his copy.” Nana stops for a moment and gazes at the stairs leading to the front door.

“Onnie, do you know your family tree?” “Nope, my grandfather on my father’s side pasted before I had the chance to meet him. And my mom’s parents are estranged.” says Onnie. “Well, let me tell you are going to be great one day. Because you are related to the one who helped make this place.” says Nana. “What do you mean?” “Your Oziel the legend’s kin.” “No way, stop lying to me to make me feel good.”

“I’m not lying. Have you ever thought about why you and your family appear very, and I mean very, similar to him? Why do you think your family’s magic is so strong? Why do you think your dad and all the dads before him have the same name?”

“Coincidence?”

“No, you and all the other before you are his children.” says Nana

“Isn’t that amazing? I have been waiting years to tell you that. What are you waiting for? Show me around already. I’m ready to see the home that housed such amazing people!”

“Ahhhh!”

Nana drags Onnie up the stairs. “Okay, okay.” Onnie opens the door. “Welcome to my home. First, we start off with the kitchen.” “Wow pretty. I love the lights.” says Nana. “Those are not those are wild Pixies.” “Pixies!? Do they not try to steal your things?” “They’ve been coming here for years so it’s kinda like their home too. That’s maybe why they don’t take things,” says Onnie.

“That’s so cool. Oh, my gosh, look at these cute jars.” Nana picks up two jars on a window seal. One jar is in that shape of a black heart. The other is tear drop shape and pure white. Both have angelic wings on the sides with golden corks. “They have pretty orbs inside them.” “Whoa, don’t touch those, my parent’s souls are in there.” “What!? Oziel, Uri, can you hear me!?” “They can’t hear you, there dead, well kinda.”

“What happened to them?” says Nana. “Some spirit put them in there when they passed long ago.” “…Onnie, how long have you been out here? Alone, I mean.” “I don’t remember what happened to my father, but my mother died of sickness when I was around ten. I remember we were running, and something pierced her face. Whatever it was, it must have weakened her overtime.” says Onnie.

“Must have been lonely.” “It’s not that bad. Once every couple of moons, I can hear them talking to me,” says Onnie. “Maybe the spirits did that to help you.” “Maybe they did. Okay, let’s move on next is the sitting room. And this way is the sunroom,” says Onnie. “Wow. What a pretty view. You grow things here?” says Nana. “Sometimes, when the mood is right. Follow me this way and here’s the bathroom, now the bedroom this was my old room, since you’re going to live here now, I guess you can have it.” says Onnie. “Aww Onnie, thanks this is great.”

 Hours later, Onnie heads to the kitchen to figure out what to cook for dinner. “Hmmm, what to cook?” She paces around the kitchen and thinks to herself. “Maybe some type of roll? What’s does she even like? Nana!” Onnie shouts. Onnie runs up the stairs searching for the cat that disappeared. “Hey, Nana! Woah.” Onnie looks in shock at the freshly decorated and painted room. “Tada! I redecorated. I hope that’s fine.” says Nana. “You like?” “Yes, it says you all over it.” “Thanks. Did you need something?”

“I-” Nana jumps up and closes Onnie’s lips.

“Ooh, hold that thought. I have our activity list for tonight,” says Nana. “First are arts and crafts. Then, we do the gardening. And last but not least, makeovers!” “Cool.” says Onnie. “Now, what did you need?” Nana asks. “I wanted to know what you like to eat.” “Why didn’t you ask sooner? Come!”

Nana drags Onnie down the stairs into the kitchen. She then pulls out a recipe from her chest. “Do you always keep that there?” Onnie asks “Yep!” “What is this?” “I call this CATAIL SHRIMP SOUP! With a kitten bun,” says Nana. “Uh, why’d you say it like that?” Onnie asks. “It makes it taste better. Me and my sisters make this like all the time,” says Nana.

“So, you made the recipe?” “Mhm! As the oldest of five sisters, I had to cook a lot and when we were low on food, I would make this. Also, when they were sick, on birthdays, for parties. Basically, whenever we wanted it,” says Nana. “Is it really that good? How do you make it?” says Onnie. “First you make the broth. You can buy pre-made, but I like to make mine different every time, to make sure it’s not boring. Add veggies of your choice. I like carrots and celery, make sure to cut them into fun shapes,” says Nana.

“Now to make noodles, I like to dye mine black with white tips.” “To look like cattails, but if you don’t have dye, it’s okay just use regular noodles.” says Nana. “I call that CATAIL SHRIMP SOUP with kitten bun on a budget. Now just add shrimp, time for the bun. Get some dough and shape it like a sleeping kitten. Then let it bake. And done.” says Nana. “Time to taste.” Onnie tries the soup and bun. “How is it?” Nana asks. “Mnm, it’s fantastic,” says Onnie. “You like it?” “Yes, for sure.” says Onnie. “Yay!” Nana yanks the bowl from her. “Now that you’re done, art time!”

Nana goes outside to grab some dirt and water. She mixes the two to make clay. She teaches Onnie how to make cat statues with witch hats on their stoney heads. “Look how cute they are,” says Nana. “I know I just. I just achoo!” Onnie sneezes, knocking over dust that turns the statues alive. The cat statues purrs and nuzzle into Nana. “Aww, they’re even cuter now, Gardening time!”

***

“Onnie, what are you planting?” “Sleepy tassel. It’s supposed it gives you sweet dreams. What about you?” “I’m planting plants dusk daisy. It attracts rare butterflies.” says Nana. “Like that.” Onnie points at a bee with weird proportions. “Um, maybe we should just close the window.” says Nana.

“Makeovers!” Nana sits down on the carpet and starts playing with Onnie’s hair. “You know what Nana? this wasn’t so bad.” says Onnie.

“Really!?”

“Yeah, at first, I didn’t like the idea. I thought you and Ravena were trying to control me by replacing my parents. But after spending the day with you, I realize you were just trying to be my friend.” says Onnie. “I’m sorry if I was rude to you, Nana. I’m too old to be acting like that.”

“Onnie, thank you for telling me. I never ever meant to make you feel like that. Your parents were like family to me; they were family to all of us. No one can ever replace them,” says Nana. “When you went missing, I promised myself one day you will come back to me. And I will never let you go. Onnie, I promise you, you will never be alone again.” Onnie cries into Nana’s chest. “Thank you, Nana.” Onnie weeps.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Nana hugs Onnie tight. “Come on, wipe those tears. Let me tell you a story.” says Nana. “Ha, aren’t I too old for stories?” “No one’s too old. Come on, you’ll love it,” says Nana.

“Once upon a time there was a beautiful place in the mountains of Fairy Plateau. A long time ago, the fairies’ wings didn’t work, so they walked to the top of the mountain to find a large pond. The pond was so beautiful that gorgeous animals made it their home. The fairies thought it was so pretty they offered it flowers, mushrooms, and anything shiny they could find. The pond was so grateful that it glowed a bright yellow and gifted the fairies with flight.” Onnie stares at Nana with droopy eyes and asks. “Is that story true?” “I don’t know, only the fairies do.” says Nana. “Maybe one day we can find out. Onnie?” Nana glances down to see Onnie soundly sleeping on her lap. “Hmm.” She picks her up and carries her to bed. After tucking her in, she kisses her on the forehead and says, “Goodnight, Onnie.”