First day of September 2008 on Alnilam. Real Lisa (RL) had a meme going through her LiveJournal (that only one person responded to…) to ask a question of one of her characters. RiftDoc, now known as ClockworkDoc since he was being used not just in the Rift rollplay but in the Nexus as well, had asked Alien Lisa’s (AL) opinion on “faeries” since he’d had very nasty experiences with them. She’d answered – though she’d always known them as “fairies”, but why quibble over spelling? – that it depended on the species.
She gave some examples: The fairies in Jareth’s Labyrinth had a tendency to bite but were otherwise harmless. Annoying, but harmless. Jack had once told her about a species of fairy that were malicious, picking a child to be their Chosen One and would kill anyone who stood in their way of getting the kid. Finally, there were her very own Fairycorns, a subspecies of the Unicorns of Alnilam. They’d been bred to protect and serve as companions for people who needed the extra magic in their lives.
AL was lying on the swing on her porch, thinking of her clockwork friend. The poor guy had the worst luck when it came to magic and the magical; he was cautious around most of it and it was only through gentle persuasion that she got him to be comfortable around here. Though Mistral and Tempest helped in that regard by aiding him in control of his weather powers, plus Gary was giving him pointers on running the Inkwell Bar. Orion knew how many magic-users hung out in that place, AL’s own lot included.
She thought to herself that he needed a little extra help, something to remind him that not all magic was bad. Nodding to herself, she got up off the swing and headed down the stairs. As she passed by the TARDIS, the Fifth Doctor leaned out.
“Where are you off to?” he asked of her.
“I’m gonna give a gift to ClockworkDoc,” she replied. “I’ve had an idea. I just hope it doesn’t blow up in my face.”
Pushing such thoughts out of her mind, she headed to a secluded area of the forest, sitting on a tree stump in the middle of the clearing. Small lights could be seen in the underbrush but the place was otherwise unoccupied. So it seemed, anyway.
“Fairycorns, I need you,” she called out into the multicolored leaves and almost immediately she was answered.
There was a buzz of wings and several dozen miniature unicorns flew from their hiding places. There were males and females of every color of the rainbow and they alighted on her lap, arms and shoulders.
“Greetings, Lisa,” they said to her, speaking their native language. “What do you wish of us?” For how small they were it always amazed her that their voices were heard easily even without enhanced hearing.
“I’d like to send one of you to one of V’s Docs. He’s had some very bad experiences with magic, ones that even cause him nightmares. I’d like one of you to go to him, watch over him and help him see that not all magic is something to be afraid of.”
The tiny unicorns flitted around for a moment before coming back and saying, “Paige will be perfect. She is young, but she has great potential.”
AL had to smile. “Young” to the Fairycorns and the unicorns themselves was relative. They have the ability to live forever. It was like AL calling herself in the past “young”. It was rather comical.
“Great,” she said. “Where is she?”
“She is a little shy. We will fetch her.” And the Fairycorns took off.
After a few minutes, one single Fairycorn buzzed up. She was very beautiful with a two-tone coat of red and maroon, a goldenrod horn and a mane and tail of purple. Her wings, like that of all her species, were translucent blue. She landed on a nearby branch and gave a small bow.
“I am Paige,” she said politely. “They have sent me to you to become a companion for your friend.” It was the speech variation they all gave when being assigned to someone. AL could tell Paige had rehearsed it.
“Hi, Paige,” she said, holding out her hand so the little unicorn could step onto it. “You’re going to be going to a friend of mine and part of V’s neck of the universe, ClockworkDoc.”
Paige nodded. “Yes, I’ve seen him with Mistral.”
“Right. Though he might be a little nervous at first since he hasn’t had many good dealings with fairies. It’s your job to help him with that. Can you do it?”
“Yes, I can.” She drew herself up proudly.
AL had to giggle. “Right, then.” She transferred the Fairycorn to her shoulder. “I think he and Gary are at the Inkwell right now, so let’s go see them.”
She was right in assuming ClockworkDoc and Gary were at the Inkwell. The bar was closed and they were pouring over some paperwork when AL entered. Paige was hiding.
“Hi, boys,” said AL, going to Gary and giving him a quick kiss, then hugging ClockworkDoc. “Busy?”
“No,” said ClockworkDoc. “In fact, we’ll be happy for the break.”
“We’ve been going over these papers for hours,” added Gary. “I think I’m getting eyestrain.”
“Aww,” said AL, “poor baby.” She gave him another kiss on the forehead. “Take a break. I need to talk to Doc for a mo’.”
Gary gave her a curious look but nodded and went outside for some air.
“Talk to me about what?” ClockworkDoc asked.
“Well, I have a present for you.” AL said.
The liquid chocolate brown eyes widened. “You what?”
“I have a present for you,” she repeated. “But it needs a little explaining. You may want to sit down.”
He did so on one of the barstools. “My birthday isn’t until next month, though.”
“Can’t a friend give a gift to another? Now shut up and listen.” The scientist obediently closed his mouth. “Good. Now, I know you’ve had bad experiences with magic and magical people but I’m kinda hoping things have been looking up for you since getting this place and hanging out with the unicorns and such, plus your own other selves over at V’s place.”
“Yes…” he replied at length, not exactly sure where she was going.
“Well, remember you asking me about fairies?”
He instinctively tensed and a brisk wind blew past them. “Yes.”
AL twisted her lips into an expression of thought, then plopped down on the stool next to him and took his hand. His skin felt slightly rubbery and she saw the gears sticking out of his knuckles; they were just two of the many awful reminders of his past. She instantly felt sorry for him.
“Hey,” she said softly, gently, “remember what I said? That not all of ’em are bad? It all depends on where they come from.” She stood up, still holding his hand. “Remember I told you about the Fairycorns? I figured you could use one. Be nice. She’s shy. Paige?”
She watched his eyes grow wide as the tiny equine appeared from beneath her long brown hair. A gentle breeze picked up. Paige walked out onto AL’s shoulder and bowed.
“I bid you greetings from the Fairycorns,” said Paige in perfect English, another rehearsed speech given to everyone they’re sent to. “They have sent me to you to become your companion.”
ClockworkDoc was, to say the least, speechless. He was used to the conventional (if one could call them that) Alnilam unicorns to be sure, but this inches-tall one was remarkable. She was so different than the faeries he knew; she was a unicorn for one thing and she was miniscule for another. In addition, she gave off a feeling of friendship, safety and companionship that he had never gotten in Arcadia. Well, he had, but only from Marty.
“Lisa…” he breathed, finally finding his voice. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How about ‘thank you’?” AL let go of his hand and transferred Paige to it, holding her out to him. “She’ll take care of you. She can even help you with your nightmares.”
He looked from Paige to AL and back again, intrigued. “Is that true?”
The little Fairycorn nodded. “Once bonded to their companion a Fairycorn may suppress unwanted dream images if it’s needed.”
“Kind of like a living dream catcher,” said AL and Paige nodded again.
ClockworkDoc held out his hand and Paige stepped lightly onto it. It could have been AL’s imagination but she thought she saw the beginnings of tears in his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “Thank you very much.” He stood to hug her, Paige flitting to his shoulder.
AL squeezed the hug tight. “You’re welcome.”
The End
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