I awoke with a start; a sound I had never heard before was playing nearby. I didn’t even remember falling asleep. I felt a sharp pain in my head and touched where the pain was, only to realize that there was a bandage there, and when I touched it, the pain went away almost instantly. I looked around and saw that I was on a fancy bed with drapes and everything. I was in a bedroom with a nook with a view. The view was gorgeous. There were mountains far away and a village, or what I thought was a village, nearby. Right outside the window was a waterfall down the side of the building, but when I looked closer, I saw that the building looked more like a mountain of itself.

There was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” I asked as I continued to stare out the window with awe.

“Do you want to eat breakfast here or with your Debrik?” someone asked from the doorway. I awoke from my daydream and turned towards the door.

“Debrik?” I asked, “What’s that?” The door opened, and a woman wearing a dress and a pair of wings was there. I must have given her a weird look because she looked surprised, and her wings disappeared.

“Sorry, Miss,” the woman said, “I completely forgot. My name is Harriet Darby, and I’m your servant. I have to teach you a few things before you can eat breakfast... Are you willing to learn?” I frowned.

“I don’t need a servant...” I said, “I just need friends... Oh! Yes, I am willing to learn.” Harriet smiled.

“First, Miss, you must change out of those clothes.” Harriet said as she walked over, “Since you are a 12 rank, you must wear the finest clothes we have to offer.” Harriet flicked her wrists, and her clothes flew out of nowhere. They were all way too fancy for me. I bit my lower lip.

“How about something closer to my overall outfit I am wearing?” I asked. Harriet gasped.

“Are you sure, Miss?” Harriet asked. I nodded.

“Yes, of course,” I said as I went to the doorway where the clothes appeared from. I noticed it was a nice walk-through closet. I searched through the clothes until I found what I wanted. I picked a white dress with a heart on the back and some lace with pink heart tights. It was the closest thing I had to anything I would wear, and that said something. There weren’t any T-shirts or shorts or anything of the sort, but this outfit was so cute, just not an everyday outfit. I would have to find some way to get the clothes I would wear.

“That dress looks perfect on you. Your soon-to-be grandmother would be so proud!” Harriet said as I came out.

“Why would she be proud?” I asked, “It’s just a dress...”

“Madam Agatha chose that dress for you,” Harriet said, “Your Debrik would be so proud.”

“Again, what?” I asked, “I’m guessing that Madam Agatha is my grandmother, but what is a Debrik?”

“Oh...” Harriet said, “Yes, a Debrik is like a clan, in which there is a clan head and many families within the group. The current Debrik head is your soon-to-be grandfather, Arthur McKinnon Grimes.”

“Okay, so what about breakfast?” I asked.

“Yes, Miss,” Harriet said, “Where do you want to eat? Up here or down in the dining room?” I thought about it for a little while.

“Up here,” I decided, “I’m not ready to introduce myself...”

“Are you sure, Miss?” Harriet asked. I nodded. Harriet took out something and whispered into it. A few minutes later, I heard a whistle, and Harriet rolled in a cart with an omelet, some pancakes, and fruits I didn’t recognize.

“What are the berries?” I asked, pointing to some green and purple berries.

“Oh, those are Teri berries,” Harriet said, “They taste similar to peaches but have a hint of strawberry flavor.”

“Oh...” I said, “I’ll have those and some pancakes.” Harriet smiled.

“You didn’t answer my question...” I said.

“Yes, I am Agatha, your grandmother, young one.” the woman said, “I can see my light in you.” I frowned and wiped my lips after noticing I had some of the Teri berry juice still on it.

“So...” I started but then decided to stop.

“So?” my ‘grandmother’ asked, “Are you worried about being in this new place? You aren’t alone. When I first arrived, I thought I was dreaming. I pinched myself, but to no avail. This world is just as real as the human world.” I blinked.

“Does everyone come here as a ten-year-old?” I asked. The woman nodded.

“Yes, everyone.” Agatha said, “Even the late bloomers. If they do not come here as children, they do not come at all, which happened to my first son. I don’t understand why we send our newborns to the human world, but it has been done for ages.”

“What are we, anyway?” I asked, “Harriet had wings when I first saw her.”

“We are known as ‘Flouppzich,’” Agatha said.

“What in the world is that?” I asked. “I had never heard of it before; even in mythology, there is nothing by that name.” Agatha frowned and held out her hand. I assumed she wanted me to take it, so I hesitantly took it. She smiled and patted my hand.

“You’ll find out in due time, Aurelie,” Agatha said, “I’ll show you books to read up on our heritage. We are a very secret race. Humans need no keepsake of us, just as we need no keepsake of them.” Agatha started walking towards the bookshelves I hadn’t noticed before. I tried to keep quiet about my opinions because I knew they differed from Agatha’s, and I knew how much that could ruin a relationship. I mean, look at Ellie and that woman. They had been friends since they were kids, but the last I saw of them, they were fighting, and they had done that a lot since maybe even before I was born.

“Ah! Agatha. And this is...?” I heard a voice say, breaking me out of my thoughts. I blinked and saw a man with white hair and a white mustache.

“This is our granddaughter, Aurelie,” Agatha said. Aurelie, this is your grandfather, Arthur McKinnon Grimes.” I tried not to frown as the older man scanned me.

“This is the one who is ranked 12...” Arthur said, “We have to keep her as secret as possible.”- Arthur looked at his wife again;- “When is the oath scheduled?” I looked back at Agatha, who sighed.

“We can’t keep her a secret,” Agatha said, “The queen already knows Arthur. She sent a letter early this morning, which you couldn’t read as you weren’t there. Where were you anyway?” Arthur grimaced.

“I guess I should have stayed in the chambers then...” Arthur said, “I...” -Arthur coughed;- “Was in the vault. There was a breach in our security, but it was dealt with before I got there.”

“Arthur...” Agatha said, “Don’t lie in front of children.” I tried to take my hand back, but Agatha gripped my hand, causing me to wince slightly.

“I don’t want to be here if you’re going to fight...” I murmured. The two of them turned to me.

“What did you say, Child?” Arthur asked.

“I said,” I said louder, “I don’t want to be here if you’re going to fight.” All the color on Arthur’s face drained, and Agatha gasped, letting go of my hand.

“We weren’t fighting, dear,” Agatha said.

“I’m going elsewhere,” I said. I’ll find the books I want to read later.” I turned and left, grabbed a bag with a few books I had noticed, and put them inside. I took the bag with me.

As I was walking deep in thought, I ran into someone.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I reached my hand to help the other up. They looked up, and it was a kid about my age.

“You don’t have to help me.” the kid said as they got up independently.

“My name is Aurelie Grimes,” I said, “Who are you?” The kids stared at me with wide eyes and turned and ran, almost as if they were scared of me. Did I do something wrong? I couldn’t wrap my head around what the problem was.

I continued walking until I found what seemed to be the basement. Many people were sitting at tables and eating. Their clothes weren’t nearly as nice as mine, and I wished I wasn’t wearing such nice clothes. All eyes were on me as soon as I walked through the door, and I could hear murmurs, but unlike usual, I couldn’t make any of them out.

“What are you doing down here, Miss?” I heard Harriet ask. I turned and saw Harriet sitting at a table where her family must have been.

“I was just wondering,” I said. This place is much bigger than my house.” A chuckle or two and a snicker followed.

“And who might this be, Harriet?” the man at the table Harriet was standing at asked. I assumed that he was her husband.

“This is...” Harriet murmured slowly as if she were trying to find a diversion. Miss Avery, she’s visiting for a few days.”

“Yes, I thought I might as well explore,” I said, “But Daddy said that I should act my best when visiting. Maybe I should return to my room, though unfortunately, I am lost.” Harriet smiled.

“Sorry, Dorian dear,” Harriet said, “I must take the Miss back to her room. I cannot finish breakfast today.” Harriet walked up to me, and the two of us left. When we made it up two flights of stairs, Harriet stopped and looked at me.

“Miss, please do not go down to the Debrik lesser families’ quarters,” Harriet said, “You did a good act of Avery, but I can’t lie for you daily. My brother Dorian is friendly and means well, but he gets embarrassed when the Debrik main family sees how he lives down there.” I frowned.

“What exactly makes up a Debrik?” I asked. They all look different. How are they family?” Harriet sighed.

“Our Debrik is made up of water types,” Harriet said. All water types. The rarest water type is the healer, which is why your grandfather is the Debrik head; he is the highest-ranked healer.”

“But why are there people...” I said, “I mean, Flouppzich of other nationalities?” Harriet frowned.

“Not everyone in a family was born to the same family, Miss,” Harriet said, “We may be the largest water type Debrik, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other Debrik that can marry into ours. Also, our Debrik is mainly known for healers. Other Debrik and lesser families can and will marry into your family if they are healers.”

“Are there any kids my age?” I asked.

“Yes,” Harriet said, “My son and plenty of others are your age.”

“Is there an Asian kid in that bunch?” I asked, “They heard my name and ran.” Harriet rubbed the top of her forehead.

“What color of hair did he have?” Harriet asked. I tried to remember.

“Light brown,” I said, “Almost blond.” Harriet smiled.

“That’s your cousin, Hyun Shik Grimes,” Harriet said, “He’s only a few days older than you and is probably still in the ‘freak out’ stage, which I’m surprised you aren’t in.”

“Most of my life has been in the ‘freak out’ stage,” I murmured.

“What do you mean, Miss?” Harriet asked. I sighed.

“My mom was crazy, and my brother didn’t help...” I said, “It also didn’t help that my Dad was rarely there. The only sane person I knew was Ellie, the maid. Her son was a little weird, too, but not as weird as my mom was.” Harriet frowned.

“You had a human family?” Harriet asked, “You weren’t raised in an orphanage?”

“No, I had a mom, dad, and a brother,” I said.

“That’s a little unusual,” Harriet uttered to herself. She then looked at me and said, “You must not tell your family that you have a family in the human world. If they find out, there might be some unfortunate consequences. The Grimes family is not fond of humans.” I sighed.

“I know, I’ve unfortunately heard of this...” I said quietly, “I’m just ready to go back to my room and do some light reading.”- I pointed to the bag I took from the library.- “Let me know what lunchtime is because I’m starving.” Harriet sighed.

“You aren’t starving, Miss,” Harriet said, “You’ve just worked up an appetite.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, “Sometimes I exaggerate things. I shouldn’t have expected you to bring me to my room either, but I have no idea what’s happening, and this weird place gives me the creeps.” Harriet patted me on the back with a small smile.

“It’s okay, Miss,” Harriet said, “Nobody has it all figured out right in the beginning. Just worry about yourself for the moment. I’ll find a way to make a map for you so you don’t get lost.”

“There isn’t a map for this place?” I asked, confused.

“No, Miss,” Harriet said, “Let’s get you to your room quickly. We wouldn’t want to let any intruders in on our conversation.” I nodded, and we quickly walked to my room.

When we got to my room, Harriet patted my back once again.

“I’m sorry, Miss,” Harriet said, “But I need to check on lunch... Before that, I must ask, are you ready to meet everyone?” I looked at the floor for a moment and then back at Harriet.

“I guess...” I mumbled.

“Okay,” Harriet said, “Wait for me here, and I’ll transport us there.” I frowned.

“Transport?” I asked, “What kind?”

“Us Flouppzich are magical,” Harriet said, “We can use transporting spells.”

“Then, why did we have to walk up all those stairs?” I asked.

“Because I’m not allowed into your room unless you let me,” Harriet said, “And I can only use my transport spells when asked to. You didn’t ask, so I figured I could use the walk.”

“Well, I didn’t know,” I said.

“I might as well check on lunch now,” Harriet said, changing the topic. Harriet took out the thing again and whispered into it. Looking at it, it looked like some sort of horn. Soon, I heard another whistle, but it sounded different this time.

“What is that thing?” I asked, pointing to the weird horn thing. Harriet looked at me.

“You’re a curious one, aren’t you?” Harriet asked. “This is a Tomkin. It is like a phone. It lets me talk to the kitchen staff and see if the meals are ready. That whistle you just heard means lunch is not ready yet, but it will be soon. So, I’d best bring you to the dining room for the Greater Debrik families.” I sighed.

“Do I need to meet them?” I asked. Harriet sighed.

“Yes,” Harriet said, “You have to. Your oath will be held right after lunch.”

“What is this whole ‘oath’ thing anyway?” I asked.

“It’s to welcome you into the Debrik as one of our own.” Harriet said, “Master Charles and his wife Meredith will become your parents, even if they are not your birth parents, and everyone will celebrate your ‘return,’ or at least, that’s what they call it.”