“Andrew, will you please put down that communication globe. I need you to prepare for a visit to the orphanage. You know how important it is for our standing with those who control the mages guild.”
Andrew was using his magical globe to determine how he would destroy his most recent victim. He had determined he wanted to hurt someone different this time. “Okay, mother be there in a minute, need to finish this conversation with a friend.”
His mother thought for a moment then responded, “Andrew, since when do you have friends? I thought that was something you strived not to have at all?” He responded by calling back to her, “Mother, you know how I must uphold perception. Is that not what you’re doing today at the orphanage?”
She flicked her wrist and sent a small spark of energy through the air to sting him in his ear. Andrew responded by saying, “Ouch, was that necessary?” She responded, “You need to show your mother respect, don’t be trying your techniques on me, it won’t work.”
She paused a moment then said, “You know what I do is to uphold a sense that we are a family only concerned with others. How else am I to ever hope to get on the council of mages and change that group of stogy principled cronies!”
Andrew ignored her until she had grown agitated with his lack of attention to her. She then sent a spell that placed a cage around his communication globe. It had the immediate effect of cutting off the manipulations he was busy working on. He was building up the spell to send towards some poor victim that was the latest quest of his trophies to be.
He turned and looked at her with surprise but then she gave him a look that threatened him to say anything at all. Andrew chooses to keep his composure. She then said, “Come, let’s attend this function so we may both get back to those things that make us happy.” He shrugged his shoulders in a way that suggested it didn’t matter either way.
He stood up and went to her grabbing a part of her gown. At which point she waved her wand above them, and they both disappeared in a flash. When they reappeared. They were outside the building where the mages of guild offices were. She liked coming here to see if she could have a chance meeting with any of the ministers. She figured it would help with her longer-term goals. She wanted to get asked to join them at some future point.
Plus, they’re located not far from the orphanage. This, she hoped some of them would see. They might even consider the gesture one of her outward concerns for those less fortunate. Like those that were living and working there.
She surveyed her surroundings to determine whether any of the mage counselors were present. She didn’t notice any of them so told her son to follow her. They both made their way to the entry for the orphanage. It was a run-down building in comparison to those around it.
It obviously was not a recipient of much public support by those who had been blessed, inherited, or taken wealth. So, its maintenance was primarily done by those locals who were talented in the arts of building crafts and took time out of the week to do what they could for the orphanage.
As Alessia, the mother approached the door a young girl opened it, and she mistakenly thought she was doing it for her. Instead, as she and her son Andrew began to enter, she let go of the door. Since it had nothing to let it close slowly, it slammed shut on her and Andrew when they were halfway through it.
The mother, Alessia, turned around to give this young orphan a spark of discipline and found herself looking into empty air as if the little girl had never been there. She opened the offensive door and passed inside; she went directly for the orphanage’s matron’s office to give her a verbal beating over the injurious behavior of one of the residents. She also wanted to find out who she was.
She entered the office, an older lady with long auburn hair tied back and braided into a long ponytail looked up from her desk. She asked, “What can I do for you Ms. Alessia Wendorff?” Alessia notices that despite her age, this matron had a beautiful look and was well kept considering her position here at the orphanage.
She recovered and asked, “I need to see your photo files on the orphan girls currently living here.” She paused, composed herself some more than continued, “I and my son Andrew had the most unacceptable experience with a young girl at the door who let it close on us just as we entered the door.”
The matron responded, “Could you describe her for me, and I might be able to save you time.” She continued, “As you know, our facility is overburdened with orphans these days.” Ms. Wendorff responded, “She was likely ten years of age or so. A slight build, wearing a dress mad of brocade, lace, and silk.” The matron’s eyebrows raised a bit with this description, and she responded, “Come now Ms. Wendorff, what residence of our orphanage could afford to wear such expensive dresses as that?”
Andrew pulled on her mother’s dress trying to get her attention. She looked down and asked, “What is it, Andrew?” He responded, “She was not wearing what you describe, she had on a pair of pants and top made of Chantilly lace.”
The matron interrupted them both then asking, “Since you can’t agree on what she was wearing, was there anything about her face that you can describe such as the color of her hair, was it short or long, was it in a ponytail or lose?”
Ms. Wendorff said, “She had honey blond hair that was clipped with a bow in the back with long curly hair flowing down her back. She also had freckles sprayed across her nose and slightly on her cheeks. Her face was quite pretty.”
Andrew then said, “But mother, the girl didn’t look anything like that at all! She had short chestnut brown hair with streaks of silver in it and cut in a bobby type cut. Her face was tanned as if she was maybe from one of those southern countries.”
The matron smiled, almost laughed by this point, and said, “Since it is apparent neither of you can agree I will you bring you the files and you can look through them so you might agree on who you did see.” I can arrange some room in the library for you to review the files in privacy if you like.”
Alessia thought but a moment and responded, “Just forget it, I have other places to be. Besides, I am not going to spend my valuable time looking through all those files.” The matron said, “Suit yourself, what else can I help you with?” By this time, Alessia was quite frustrated with the whole affair and decided it was time to leave. She would take Andrew to lunch so they could recover from this experience. Besides, she had made the proper appearance, nothing else was needed.
She looked at the matron and said, “Thank you MS, whatever is your name by the way, I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before.” I am Ms. Pirlindole. You are also correct as I am newly appointed to this position here at the orphanage.”
Alessia, thought a moment and responded, “We’ll be back, try and get better control over the manners of your residents or I shall have to report it to the council of mages.” She smiled politely and said, “I will make every effort to ensure they always demonstrate the highest respect for those who deserve it.”
Alessia wasn’t sure how to take that, whether she was sincere of making fun of her but thought she had enough of this place so, “Thank you Ms. Pirlindole, I appreciate your concern.”
She turned and grabbed Andrew by the collar, leading him back through the doors to exit back onto the street. She looked up and down the street, no one was about so she said, “come on, it’s time for lunch. “She raised her wand and twitched it with a flick. They both disappeared in a blink.
Standing behind them looking through the doors they had just come through was the same little girl they had both been trying to describe. She giggled with glee. Then she went off down the hallway towards the dorm rooms of the orphanage.
As the little girl made her way down the hallway towards the dorm rooms, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She had managed to evade detection once again. The truth was, she had let go of the door intentionally, just to see the reaction on their faces. She made her way to her room and sat down on her bed, a smile playing on her lips. She knew she had to be careful, though.
The matron had warned her about the consequences of her mischievous behavior. But she couldn’t help it. She had always been a bit of a troublemaker. Then she mused to herself, “Well, only to those that deserved my special sort of trouble!” As she sat there lost in thought, she heard a knock on the door. She quickly got up to answer it, wondering who it could be. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see the matron standing there.
“Hello, my dear,” the matron said with a smile. “I hope you’re not causing any trouble.” The little girl shook her head, trying to look as innocent as possible. “No, ma’am. I was just sitting here.” The matron looked at her for a moment, studying her face. “You know, you’re a very special girl,” she said finally. “I can tell you have a lot of potential.”
The little girl looked up at her, surprised. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. “Really?” she asked, her eyes widening. The matron nodded. “Yes, really. I think you could do remarkable things if you put your mind to it. But you must promise me that you’ll behave yourself from now on. No more tricks, okay?”
The little girl nodded eagerly. “I promise, ma’am. I won’t cause any more trouble.” The matron smiled and patted her on the head. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Now, why don’t you come with me? I have something I want to show you.”
The little girl followed the matron out of the room, curious about what she had in store for her. As they walked down the hallway, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Maybe this was the start of something new for her. Maybe she really could do important things.
The both arrived at the library and sat down at a table where a small array of cheese, bread, fruit, nuts, and two cups of tea had been set. They both sat down opposite each other, Ms. Pirlindole began by saying, “I have something for us to watch while we’re sharing this breakfast together.”
The both began to nibble at the foods then Ms. Pirlindole waved flicked her left-hand a bit and a crystal ball rose up from the center of the table where they sat. An image then appeared of the two visitors, Alessia and Andrew, who had come to the orphanage earlier. They were both sitting with the council of mages while Ms. Alessia Wendorff try to describe why they should close down the orphanage or at the very least fire the current matron and put her in that position so she could teach those young ruffians some manners and etiquette.
The head of the council of mages allowed her to make her protest and position her request. Then he said, “Ms. Wendorf, in response to your protest we have received this from a very respected member of the council. She is held in high esteem due to past contributions to the greater good of those less fortunate in our society but still in need of guidance. “
Another image formed within the image both the young orphan and Ms. Pirlindole were watching, and the earlier scene played out of both Ms. Wendorf and her son attempting to describe some incident that had taken place while visiting the orphanage earlier in the day.
They continued watching both those at the council and the two silent observers sharing a meal in the library when Andrew spoke up and said to his mother, “Touche mother, you have just been bested by a little orphan girl and her matron.” Andrew began to laugh hysterically and the whole council joined in his infectious laughter. “
Ms. Wendorf looked as if she had aged twenty years in that moment as she sat there with her mouth hanging open in total embarrassment to how the events of that day had shown her as incompetent, as well as incapable of being able to discern what had happened vs. what was perceived to have happened.
The head council of mages spoke up then and asked Ms. Wendorf, “You were saying? Would you not like to retract this protest of yours in consideration of the evidence we all just witnessed?” Ms. Wendorf stood up then, grabbed her son by the ear and led him out of the council chambers in total shame of what had just happened.
The council then said, “Well, I think that might be the last we see or hear from Ms. Wendorf for a while!” The head matron said, “Good sirs and ladies shall we continue with the real business?” With that the image faded, and the crystal ball receded back into the table.
The matron looked at the young orphan girl and said, “As stated earlier, you have a capacity for remarkable contributions in your lifetime. Please do, consider that you only practice these arts of those who actions define them as being those who deserve your ministrations. I shall take you into my service young lady as of today to assist me and the council if you find that acceptable of course.”
The young girl smiled, set her teacup down and said, “Thank you Ms. Pirlindole, your kindness and consideration shall not go unrewarded. I humbly accept your offer and look forward to helping you.”