Fairy Tales and Goddesses [Primula]

The world was a harsh and cruel place, that was the one lone truth that the young Primula had been forced to come to terms with despite her young age. The world kept on taking and taking, first it took her family, then her grandfather and now the last thing she had left was taken from her. It didn't matter how much she cried, nor how much she tried to reject reality, her beloved Titania had disappeared ever since she had woken up in the hospital. How many days had passed since then? She still felt as if she was trapped within a cycle, an unending repetitive pattern. Sometimes she would get visitors in the form of members of the police department, they often tried to ask her about the events that had transpired at Shinagawa, but the truth spoken by the girl seemed so outlandish that it was unlikely they would believe her. Indeed, things like a fairy trying to help her find a treasure? Such a ridiculous story only belonged in a fairy-tale.

Then there were the doctors and nurses, they tried to reassure her that she would get better, fortunately the medical substances that she had consumed were narrowly able to be extracted from her body on time, but the procedure had been difficult and draining on her body, which explained why the child felt so weak and tired most of the day. However, she felt distrustful of them, the looks they gave her when she talked about Titania and all the other experiences, made it seem like they didn't believe her in the slightest.

Slowly the girl stirred in her bed, lying on her back as she gazed up at the tiles of the ceiling. As pure as snow... Right, it was winter outside, wasn't it? Shifting her body she turned onto her side, her mismatched eyes gazing tiredly outside the window. Although the sky was shrouded in a blanket of grey clouds, a dreary sight to behold, the slow descend of the snowflakes was a bit of a mesmerizing sight for the child.

How would Titania have felt about the snow? Knowing the fairy, surely she would have been fascinated at it, then again she didn't even know for sure if Titania's world even had something like snow. Still, it was this dreary everyday life, this monotonous repeation of events that felt odd to her. She might had not been a rebelous child, but the fact every day with Titania had been an adventure, made the recent days feel like somewhat of a bore. Melancholy at life, this life was one that lacked purpose, meaning, excitement even. It was a realization that projected itself in the child her eyes, which had long lost their luster, the lively sparkle in them absent.

She closed her eyes and sighed softly, the only sound answering her being the soft beeps of the machinery strapped on the side of her bed. The doctors had told her it was an important device, one which was ensuring that they would know the moment she started feeling unwell. Perhaps it was because of the green-colored line which flashed up and down along the screen, or the numbers which carried a meaning foreign to her. She wasn't sure, nor did she truly care. It was just a detail in the background. Outside her room footsteps resounded, likely a doctor or a nurse, perhaps on their way to tend to a patient. She knew they wouldn't be here for her, the doctors usually came at specific times, like a doctor came in the morning, roughly an hour after the nurse replaced the bag with fluids that was hanging on the end of the bed. She was told it was meant to give her energy because she didn't eat properly yet.

Quietly the child closed her eyes, wondering how long she would drift off to sleep before being stirred out of her slumber again, yet the sound of a gentle rapping on the door, not just once but twice made her slowly open her eyes. The child decided to sit upright again.

Something was wrong...

Slow steps resounded on the floor as a stranger entered her room. They clearly didn't seem to be part of the police department, they usually wore uniforms or this lady must had been really forgetful. She clearly wasn't a nurse either, so who... was she?

Something was changing...

Despite the pleasant smile on her lips and the sight of the beautiful flowers, something felt off, different about this woman. Perhaps it was the slight glittering of her skin, a healthy shine that made it look free of blemishes, divine even. Her gaze lingered on the woman's face as she introduced herself as Sonya, the glow of her eyes and the words that followed...

And just like that, the peaceful monotonous cycle of her life had started to shatter.

"I-shtar?" The girl repeated, softly and hesitant at first, trying to push her body upright, a gesture that took a clear sign of physical effort for her. "I remember... reading." She pressed her hand onto the mattress, trying to keep herself steady as she continued speaking. "There is a Goddess, that has your name, an ancient society used to worship her a long time ago. But why... why would a goddess come here?"

She shook her head lightly, despite the hint of curiosity in her eyes there was also a clear shadow of depression visible. "I would have understood if you came here to seek Titania, since she is the queen of fairies but... She disappeared by the time I woke up, and nobody wants to believe me that she is real." The girl dropped her shoulders dejectedly, leaning back against the pillows supporting her back. "Nobody wants to look for her, because they think I'm talking about fairytales, but she is real miss Ishtar! Because of my power, my power made her fairytale a reality!" She paused for a bit, looking straight at Ishtar. "B-But I don't think I used my power to bring you here, you came from outside..."

It was difficult to read Ishtar's expression, in most cases, it would have left her feeling restless, but in this case, the child felt more curious than anything. It was similar to telling a child not to go somewhere, and instinctively they were drawn toward discovering that place people warned them of. Despite her exhaustion, she carefully observed as Ishtar deposited the bundle of flowers on the counter, a soft whisper escaping her lips, although it was barely audible. Indeed, as Ishtar moved over to her side to help her sit upright, and the girl explained things somewhat, it became more and more evident how damaged the poor child her mind truly was. Fiction and reality blended together so beautifully, and yet it came with the danger that just like with Primula, one would find it difficult to get a grasp of whether the things they knew were reality or fiction. Some might even say that the question: When does it cease to be fiction, might be more apt. Was it when someone believed strongly enough in something? When it became a manifestation, a part of reality?

As she felt that finger press lightly onto her lips, the girl quietened down, listening attentively to her. So this 'Ishtar was real, was she a real goddess? A being brought into existence by her power? No, that seemed impossible, after all she had not a strong enough impression of the goddess to be able to bring her into reality.

However, it was the words that followed that drew her attention: Titania was real. It was that affirmation that stirred something within the child, the fact that someone believed her, believed in the fact Titania existed. However, it was she who had made Titania real, by her own power. What could that have possibly meant? Was she able to alter reality? However, while Ishtar explained she was here to help her, that the black lotus had warned her about what had unfolded and drew Ishtar to her side, confusion stirred in the child's mind. "The Black lotus?" She pondered for a moment, her free hand gently shifting to rest on her lap, palm of her hand facing upwards while she tried to imagine the concept, a beautiful obsidian colored lotus flower, and indeed for a moment, it appeared like the air above her hand stirred, the phantasm of a black lotus flower blooming, even its scent and the details of the flower seemed perfect, at least until the effect of the sedative made her cough lightly, the phantasm shattering into tiny fragments and dissolving into tin air. "You mean like a flower? Does Miss Ishtar have a magical flower that can talk?"

Nonetheless, as Ishtar looked her in the eyes the girl's gaze shifted lightly toward her hand and then back to Ishtar and explained in a soft tone. "Titania is my friend. She comes from another world, a world that is often told about in stories. She is a really beautiful fairy, according to the stories she is even the Queen of fairies! We met for the first time after my grandfather took us in. My power... it makes the things I imagine become a reality, like one day when I woke up in the middle of the night my papa and mama were watching a scary movie, the house was on fire, and a lot of flames were burning around. When I fell asleep I couldn't help but think how scary it looked, like this sea of crimson, burning and burning endlessly, and then I woke up to find the house on fire! I tried to find Mama and Papa, but they were in their room and told me to run outside, that they'd find a way to find me soon, but then... everything burned down and I never saw Mama or Papa again."

She lowered her head lightly, the memories clearly having their impact on the child's poor mind. "When I met Titania, it was shortly after that, I was scared and missed my mama and papa a lot, so I my grandpa gave me all sorts of books to read, and one of them was about Titania, and then after I fell asleep? The next morning the real Titania was before me! It wasn't like the usual way my power works, she was able to think and act entirely on her own, and she taught me a lot. Like, she told me that my grandpa was actually not my grandpa, but a evil magician who wanted to obtain my power for himself, and was disguised as my grandpa. Obviously I couldn't tell anyone, because only Titania and I knew he was an evil magician, so she taught me how to use my power, and then we punished him... I learned how to transform into a fairy like Titania! so that he couldn't hurt anyone else. But then friends of the evil magician were on his way, and we had to escape before it was too late, so I used my power to fly away."

She shook her head lightly, trying to do her best to shake of the drowsiness. "That's when I first arrived in Musutafu... I met Mister G, and Miss Hachi who is part of this school of nice people trying to teach people like me how to use their power. But then me and Titania went to Shinagawa to look for treasure, to find presents for Christmas, and we met a clay girl and a lakelord, a prince of froggies! But instead of treasure we found bad people, scary things, bad toys and yuicky juice..."

She shook her head violently again. "Was a bad place, I tried to taste some of the juice to see if it was tasty, so I could give some as a present, but then instead my stomach started to hurt and I fainted. By the time I woke up, I was here in the hospital and Titania was gone... Do you know where she is miss Ishtar?"

"A symbol..." so it was like that. She remembered Titania telling her something along those lines before. Often groups of friends tended to band together, to work together to overcome obstacles that were too difficult for a single person to overcome. Those groups carried a name, and often had a heraldry, a symbol that represented their group. Indeed, such groups were sometimes known as... "Like a guild..." Primula whispered softly, looking at Ishtar who gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a difficult moment, to rekindle those distant memories and think back about the distant past.

She paused, thinking for a moment as she waited for Ishtar to comment, yet the words that followed were surprising, to say the least. So Ishtar had been there, at Shinagawa, casting her light over it? While most would question what Ishtar had been doing there, Primula couldn't help but notice the faint glow, fascinated by it but before she could inquire about it Ishtar dropped a revelation that drew her attention entirely. "You do?" She asked hopefully, a spark of liveliness in her eyes yet the words that followed surprised her even more. She was hidden, locked away by a wicked curse! As Ishtar commented about the poison in those tubes her gaze shifted to the side, looking at the tube that connected the bag with her arm. "B-But they said it was to help me, to ease the pain..." However, as Ishtar continued her explanation, about how she felt sleepy, the headaches that recurringly happened at times she tried to think clearly, how her mind seemed shrouded by a fog. How could she possibly deny such a claim, when she had seen her own phantasm just now shatter?

"They tricked me..." The girl whispered feebly, her hands balling up slightly into small fists. "They took Titania away from me, locked her away..." It was clear that despite the tears rolling down her cheeks that anger was starting to stir within her. "The liars..." for a moment she felt dejected, betrayed even yet as Ishtar lifted her chin the girl looked up at her. "I will be able to meet Titania again?" There was a clear hope in her voice, seemingly undeterred by the warning that it would be hard, that it would hurt and exhaust her, yet the invitation that was given made the girl reach with both hands for Ishtar's hand. "Please help me escape from here Miss Ishtar. Titania must be really lonely and sad by herself." For a moment she lowered her head slightly, her expression difficult to read as she whispered softer, the subtle difference in her tone making it evident there was more to Ishtar's earlier assumption than she might have thought.

"And those liars have to be punished..."

To think that all this time she was being tricked, fooled and deceived by the people that promised they were trying to help her. It sounded like such a heartless deception, and perhaps it was for that reason she felt so angry, because those people sealed her precious Titania away...

It was difficult for her to focus, perhaps it was because of the sedatives or because of her anger, but she had been oblivious to the fact Ishtar had made a phone call. Instead she felt her mind shrouded in a fog, trying to make sense of this revelation. So the people of the hospital had betrayed her, tricked her into thinking they wanted to help her, yet instead they poisoned her! They used that weird medicine to make her weak, to seal Titania away and that was an unforgivable crime. For someone to who hatred was an unfamiliar emotion, it was a difficult something to comprehend. She felt sad and angry, to think that those people had taken away her beloved Titania. She wanted to save her, to take back Titania, and if anyone would stand between her and that goal? She would punish them.

Primula had to admit she felt somewhat surprised as Ishtar knelt at her side, gently stroking her head, the sweet whisper feeling oddly nostalgic, the easing of her grief. Ishtar reassured her that she would have her chance, a promise made by her, and as she gently pressed against her forehead, Primula nodded her head lightly. "I'll be patient." despite the soft whisper, there was a slight coldness to her words, as if it reflected her thoughts, the thoughts that the lone reason she was willing to be patient wasn't to be a good girl, it was because in order to trick those liars, she needed to be patient and careful, if she wanted to be reunited with Titania she needed to trick and deceive, to pretend toward those liars. So that once she had the opportunity, she would get the thing she desired.


The doorknob rattled, the door unlocking as a doctor entered the room, her gaze softening as she looked at the man. Despite the fact he was on the brink of flying onto a lecture for some reason, she remained looking calm and docile, watching the exchange between Ishtar and the doctor. As expected the doctor told Ishtar she had no permission to be here, yet the words that followed caught her by surprise. She was no stranger to family names, it was just that she had been too young to know her real parents their names, and as such she had always been just 'Primula'. There was a long pause, the exchange between the doctor and a nurse happening upon which the man answered her hesitatingly, a moment where Primula spoke up "I..." she paused, seemingly struggling to get upright to face the doctor. "I want to go home with my mama!" the girl declared firmly, even if it had been a lie, she had to admit it felt oddly pleasant, a warmth to know that someone considered her family despite having just met. To be called someone's daughter, and even to be given a family name felt special, different even, and as she squeezed Ishtar's hand she waited to see the rest of the conversation unfold.

Ishtar had made her demands, and once the doctor left the room Primula looked up at Ishtar, whispering softly. "You're a bit too young to be my mama..." She paused, a more genuine smile emerging on her lips. "Sonya nee-chan seems more fitting~" it seemed that despite the anger she felt earlier, there was still a clear sign of that gentle child Sonya had met just moments ago. Although Primula couldn't help but look forward to when those sedates were finally forced out of her, the treacherous venom had separated her from Titania for way too long.

Primula nodded her head slightly into an affirmation to Ishtar's praise. It took a moment for Primula to react, merely taking in the explanation Sonya gave her. So she was a businesswoman, owning a company that made many things, plenty of assets and connections to possess for sure. And from now on she would be Primula Chernova, this woman's adoptive daughter. The hardening of the woman's expression did not go unnoticed, the stern explanation that it was a trial. Despite the fact she would be living with Ishtar, studying like an apprentice to learn the skills the woman wielded. "mhmm~" the girl answered softly in confirmation, her smile remaining yet at the same time as she dipped her head lightly her tone changed slightly. "This suffering is only fleeting, as long as your commands don't intervene with my own desires, then Prim will be a good girl~"

She lifted her gaze, and for the first time, Sonya would no doubt notice it, that the blue iris of the girl was having a subtle glow. "After all~ A proper business transaction is mutually beneficial for both sides. Isn't that right 'Mama'?" There was a subtle coldness laced in with the playful tone. Shifting her body lightly, she gazed up at the bag that connected the sedative fluids to her arm. "It won't be long now... Just a bit longer till the reunion we desire is at hand."

She mused softly, her gaze shifting back at Ishtar as she reached with a hand toward the outreached hand of the woman, squeezing it lightly. "Don't worry Mama~ Prim will be a good girl, but in return... Prim wants to make those mean liars be punished. Can we do that? Because they took away someone precious from Prim... We should do the same~"

She leaned back against the pillows, humming softly. "However~ Mama is also quite naughty." She giggled softly, almost childishly as she looked up at Sonya and spoke softly. "Naughty but you don't lie, Prim likes that." She narrowed her gaze slightly. "As long as Mama remembers... Prim is mine, and we are the Queen of Pixies, our role is not that of a tool to be molded and wielded as a sword. But since Mama is so interesting~ We are fine with becoming Mama's little princess~"

She started to slowly close her eyes. "After all, this world... has.... no need.... for heroes..."

And with those words the glow seemingly faded away as the girl had dozed off into slumber. the child's expression softened noticeable, a pleasant smile on her lips as she muttered gently. "Mama..." Still, even as the child drifted off into sleep, a faint shimmer was noticeable on top of the girl's bed, a small outline, like a little wisp glowing faintly as a familiar voice called out to Ishtar. "You better make your arrangements soon 'Mama~' It won't be long till Prim gets the reunion Prim desires. And at that time, it would be in our mutual interests for Prim to be somewhere private~"