The month of Florentia is in remembrance of the goddess of purity and love, Florence. Apart from that, I have been having regular dreams about encountering the other sovereigns, most especially her. The sovereign who gave me my gift apparently had no name, he was just referenced as the Primordial One(self explanatory to me, because he said dreams are the highest form of magic in this world). He also warned me not to speak of it to anyone, that as time went on, its knowledge would find me knowledge.
On one of those days(I think the 20th day or so), Avery and I went to the nearby village on an excursion, courtesy of Madam Dupont. Well, we weren't the only ones. Five children roaming around the market of Nyxoria, and our poor Madame has to keep on doing roll calls because Avery and I always ran off to find sweets. Marlon came along too, to look out(as I said earlier, it was really peculiar that no one found it strange that he could talk).
Oh I almost forgot, we had one guy in our troupe who had powers, fire powers. Madame said he should only used it for emergencies, so when she called out for roll calls, he'd shoot a fireball into the guy, sorta like a firework. The first time I saw him use his powers I was soo curious, and I had wanted to touch the fire.
Anyways, on this occasion, we encountered a slime. Yes, those slimes that can dissolve and absorb, but for some reason. The down side to meeting this slime was that it was immune to his fire. Then I did the most unsafe thing ever; I walked up to the slime, stretched out my hands, and whispered, "Dream". Suddenly, the slime started bouncing like crazy, shrank(I was bigger when we encountered it) and popped.
"ARIA NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!", Madame Dupont yelled and hugged me tight. I had done something risky, something I hadn't even thought through, so when she enquired as to what I said, I lied that I couldn't remember what.
Avery kept on asking me over and over again since that day, and she's not sparing me now either. "Aria....". "No way am I telling you what it was. I don't even remember Avery", I slammed the book I was reading and got up. The library was close to my dorms, so I had no other choice but to carry it there. Usually, she would be skipping behind me, but this time, she walked.
When she walks, it means she has good news. Skipping means she's in her annoying phase. When she holds me, she's worried about something or it's bad news.
It's really nice observing her, it's like watching a bird with no care in the world.
"I know you have something to say, so say it", I beckoned to her. "Do you have to encourage her? Hmmm?", Marlon asked, strutting around the room like he owned the place. We ignored him and she sat by me. "I'd like to show you instead ", she said and waved her hands in the air.
"What are you possibly.....", I started to ask, but before I knew it, droplets were falling.
"Aaahhhh!!!! Avery!!!", I yelled at the top of my lungs and started jumping on the bed.
She also did same, and together, we ran to tell Madame Dupont about her power.
Then I started to feel bad, because I really wanted to let her know my power, but I was wondering if that was all to it.
The days flowed by like a river flowing to a lagoon, and the Celestial Pilgrimage was on its way, in the month of Aestivalis. I overheard from a few children that they usually reached our orphanage on the last days of the month, and on the 31st, there was the festival of docks. This is usually the time when ships from other kingdoms come over for trade and other businesses.
During that time, I tried to notice if I had other powers, but to no avail. In fact, when I tried to observe any changes on me, Avery HAD to always put up a show.
"Aria, Aria looki lookiii! I made a rainbow", she yelled out one time. I only rolled my eyes and focused on a flower in front of me. I remembered the One telling me that the easiest way to find out your magic was by focusing your aura unto a flower.
I failed, again, and Avery was not letting me have it. "Do what you did the last time". "I told you that I don't remember what happened". "Liar liar pants on fire". "Ma'am, I'm wearing a skirt. My 'pants' cannot possibly be on fire".
There was one time in the orphanage back in Aberdeen(before I moved to Manchester), where I had fought with a senior because she called me short. I was indeed short, for a 7 year old(late growth spurt) but I wasn't going to let her have her way. Conjuring up an evil thought, I used scissors to cut out her dairy and I posted some of her entries in the hallway leading to the main hall.
I remembered vaguely that I was punished afterwards, but the joy it gave me made me start laughing hysterically.
"Uhm you seeing this?", Avery asked and tapped my shoulder. The flower I had been concentrating on was dancing.
Like actually dancing.
The leaves were swinging and the petals were bobbing.
"I'm gonna tell...". "You are telling no one and shutting up", I interrupted her and held her down. After that, I passed out. In the dream world, I was told that I had made a hidden spell and it consumes a lot of aura and energy, hence me passing out.
I vowed later on that I won't attempt such a thing again.
Soon, on the 28th day of the month of Aestivalis, the priests and priestesses of the Temple of Amovia came to the orphanage. All who had unlocked their powers were exempted from the testing, and all those who were of age(11 years) were to leave with them. Unfortunately, no one was leaving. Aria decided too, that it was the best time to tell on me. Because of that, they didn't want to test me. I had to plead that I wasn't sure I actually had one, and it took quite a lot of pleading before they finally agreed.
The testing was quite simple; the head priest would stretch out his hand towards an orb, and your duty was to touch it. It wouldn't indicate what power you had though, it would only hum if your aura was enough to be acknowledged that you had a power.
You see, everything and everyone had aura, but the trick side was that you have to be blessed by one of the elemental gods; Terra, Stella, Aquino and Veneto. And it was no easy job.
And you won't believe it. Here I was, touching the orb and it was humming soo loudly it started to crack. I apologised and quickly hid behind Madame, fearing I'd be scolded(I know I know, it's strange that I'm seeking an adult for shelter). The head priest only smiled at me, ruffled my hair and said I had much potential and he would be excited for when it's my turn to be sent to the orphanage.
I could nod and bid him farewell. And as usual, Avery just had to talk about it to the others, as if they weren't there seeing whatever had happened.
Marlon was dozing on my bed at that time, so he didn't hear whatever happened that afternoon. Therefore, as a way to appease her, I gestured for her to wake him up and tell him. And she didn't spare him. Poor Marlon, giving me side eyes as she cradled him whilst telling him of the discoveries of the day.
"You are happy with what you did, right?", he asked after she had finally let him go and skipped away to take a shower. I nodded in response, making sure to stifle my laughter. "Could you at least try to be more considerate of me too?". " Considerate of you? Marlon, you run away in the morning to do whatever you want and come back anytime to eat as if we are your servants", I growled at him. He only tilted his head and scratched my legs. "Ouch Marlon! Is that necessary?". "Yes, it is, because you denied me watching another talent of yours".
Talent of mine? This silly cat. I threw a pillow at him in order to lay down properly. "Tonight, dream of me", he said and laid on my chest, "Dream of me and Avery, going on an adventure". "And what's the catch?", I asked. "No catch. I'm just trying to help you figure out what your magic is about".
He was right. The One had given me no leads to what I had been gifted, yet alone he hadn't told me if I had additional powers whatsoever. Heck, the only thing he does when I miraculously end up at his place in my dreams is to introduce me to the other gods and goddesses, as if I'm Hercules being introduced to the gods of Olympus.
I hugged Marlon tight and turned on the bed. If I was going to live this life, I should make choices I won't regret. "You're crying again", he said and licked my tears. I ignored him and pretended to be deep in sleep.