White Garden

Chapter 1

I touched the cold opaque black wall as I braced myself for the upcoming wave. I looked down at the clear glass floor and watched the waves curl and push. I suddenly crashed into the wall, and my tiny weak wings screamed in pain as the bottle crashed into the shore. I moaned and soon lost consciousness.

I distantly heard loud banging all around me, and I slowly opened my eyes. There was a boy the same size as me, yelling and pounding away. I jumped and scooted back immediately. I tipped the bottle by slipping right in the neck of the bottle which was now upside down. He nimbly jumped onto the clear end and stared at me with curiosity. After a few minutes, he disappeared and came back with a large sword which he used to cut a hole. He flew in and kneeled down.
"Hey. What's wrong? Come on out." He waved his hand forward, beckoning me. I stared at him for a few second and whimpered as he brought his hand closer. He pulled away, frowning. "I won't hurt to you. Come here." I absolutely refused to come closer to him. He left and came back with food and blankets. "I'll come back tomorrow, okay?" He left, and I tried to escape, but my legs and wings were too weak. I decided to rest and nestled into the blanket he gave me.
He came back the next morning, and I refused to come out again. He spent the entire afternoon with me in case I needed something or if I decided to come out. He repeated the process for two weeks until I felt that he really wasn't going to hurt me. As I hesitantly offered him my hand, he softly smiled and told me several reassurances as he carefully came closer. He quickly put his arm under my knees and the other around my back. With no effort, he carried me out and towards the forest. I shook in his arms, and he looked down at me questioningly.
"It's ok. Calm down." I looked up at him, and he offered a kind smile. I slowly closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest. I heard him mutter, "She seems to be from another island... And malnourished... White hair." I curiously opened my eyes when I heard many voices gather around me. Surrounding us were children with curious faces and bright wings. They all shouted about my white hair, and I noticed that all of their hair were every color except white. I looked at my savior and admired his bold magenta hair. He noticed me looking, and I immediately looked away. I jumped at the loud shout a guy gave and timidly looked at him. He wore a loose indigo v-neck with a gold sash tied around his waist which held a sword. His pants were also indigo and tucked into his boots that were black with two thick gold lines running down each boot. I gaped at his bright indigo hair that curled around his face. I gaped even more when I noticed that he had two golden streaks on each side of his face.
"Geranium, hurry up and bring her over here!" He nodded sternly and set me down next to the indigo-haired boy who was leisurely sitting on the ground. He smiled and stated, "Hi! Welcome to Woodland Grove!" He motioned to the village around him. Then he turned to Geranium and demanded, "How'd you find her?"
Geranium stated, "Well, it seems like she was in a black alcohol bottle and floating in the ocean for quite some time." The indigo-haired boy looked at me intensely.
He asked while leaning over and touching my hair, "White... Hey hey hey. How long were you in that bottle?" I leaned away from him trying to think of a way to reply. "Hey! How long were you in a human's alcohol bottle?!" Geranium grabbed his shoulder and yanked him away from me. I sighed with relief.
He growled, "Iris, quit making her uncomfortable." Iris pouted and rubbed his hurt shoulder.
"I guess, I'll ask her the basic stuff. What's your name?" I opened my mouth but closed it shut and shook my head. "So you don't remember?" I nodded yes. "Where are ya from?" I pointed at the direction of the island that used to be my home. During his questions, he inspected my weak drooping wings and gently pulled them. I whimpered as I felt the pain shoot through me. He tsked and tried to think of another question when I reached over and grabbed both golden streaks that were in his hair.
He furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "Hey Whitehead, what are you doin'?"
I hesitantly stuttered, "N-n-na-natural?"
"Huh?" He gaped at me with a dumbfounded expression. He snapped out if his stupor and yelled, "It's completely natural!" I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering if I did something wrong as his face turned bright red.
"She must think you used some of that nasty smelling human stuff." I looked up at Geranium who was trying to hold his laughter in.
Iris scowled and whined, "Why does everyone think that~?!" He mushed his hair up and exclaimed, "No, we have to go back to business! Name! She needs a name!" He furrowed his eyebrows, causing wrinkles to form on his forehead. I reached forward and tried to flatten them by stretching the skin. Geranium softly chuckled while Iris was trying to understand what I was doing.
"Wri- wrinkles look weird. Must i- iron somehow." At this, Geranium snorted, unsuccessful in holding his laugh in and earning a glare from Iris.
He pulled my hands off his forehead and grumbled, "She's been with those crazy humans for too long."
I stated, "With the little humans for most of my life in that bottle."
He did a knowing nod and mumbled, "She's so malnourished that the color ran from her hair. How are we supposed to name her after a flower without her hair color?" He tapped his forehead with his index finger, thinking deeply. "Ah! There's a method!" He looked at me and excitedly asked, "Do you know how to grow your flower?" I tilted my head, not understanding. "Whenever a fairy is born, he is born under a certain flower. The petals, leaves, pollen, and everything of that flower help the fairy form. The flower being a part of him is most evident in the hair and wings. Also because the flower is now a part of the fairy, he can make that flower grow at anytime. When the fairy dies, he leaves his flower as the grave marker." I nodded mentally, vaguely remembering about hearing some fairies in the owner's yard talking about this. "So can you grow your flower?"
"I- I've never tried..." I tensed up with my sudden task.
"It's easy. No worries." With a wave of his hand, Iris was leisurely sitting in an iris. "See?"
Geranium sighed and scolded him by saying, "Iris, quit showing off."
"I am not!" He nimbly floated off as the flower shrank till it disappeared. I frantically started to try to grow a flower. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't.
"I can't!" I pulled at my hair in frustration.
Geranium grabbed both of my hands and held them while he softly said, "Close your eyes and relax. Inhale and exhale slowly. Let your instincts take control and gently allow it to flow out." I obeyed him and snapped my eyes open at the sounds of exclamation. The entire forest floor was cluttered with thousands of different flowers. Iris whistled appreciatively while Geranium was frozen in shock.
I asked, "W-was that supposed to happen?"
Iris immediately replied, "Nope." I cringed and was relieved that I exploded a garden in Iris's backyard, instead of in the village and in front of everyone. He scooped me up and yelled, "I'll be right back!" He flew off with me before Geranium could react.
I could here Geranium threaten, "You better bring her back safe!!!" Iris chuckled and continued flying.
"Wh-where?"
"Here." He lightly landed on a large tree and placed me on a branch. "Now, will an apple to grow." I frowned.
"I can't po- possibly do that."
He gently replied, "Just do what Geranium taught you but think of an apple. Go on." I reluctantly closed my eyes and did as I was told. When I opened my eyes, I saw the apple and was utterly shocked. It actually worked. He tried to hold onto the apple that was the size of him. "Well, aren't you the golden goose." He smirked.

When he brought back the apple and me at the same time, Geranium was thoroughly confused.
"Where'd you get the apple from?" He smugly grinned and pointed at me.
"I was right in my theory. She was somehow made with multiple flowers." He took a huge bite of the apple.
"Is that possible?"
Iris shrugged and replied, "I bet it's NOT impossible... But I've never heard of such an idea." He gave me a piece of the apple and started to greedily eat it. "Her parents are so revolutionary!"
Geranium snapped, "Quit inhaling the apple!"
Without missing a beat, he shouted back, "I cant help it! It's like it came from heaven!"
"To think you might be the next chief." Geranium shook his head. Iris shrugged and ignored his remark.
"Anyway, she needs a name."
"I think I saw a white carnation pop up first."
"That's perfect!" Iris purred while gently patting my head.
I asked, "Why?"
Iris explained, "Every flower has a meaning, and it ironically always fits the named person's personality. Mine is ..." He puffed his chest out and dramatically said, "Faith, wisdom, valor, trust, and hope!" He chuckled as he pointed at Geranium. "His is stupidity and folly. And white carnation is sweet, lovely, innocence, and pure love." Geranium punched his shoulder and sat next to me.
"It does suit you perfectly." He smiled at me, causing me to blush. "Now who do you wish to be your caretaker?" I blinked, startled.
Iris growled, "What?! She's to stay with me! My place would offer her the most education and protection." He put his arms protectively around me.
"My place can be just as providing." Geranium retorted. "And I didn't know you were so quick to fall in love."
Iris countered without a second thought, "I love her as much as any older brother would to a cute younger sibling. And like a proper brother, I want to protect her from perverts like you." Geranium opened his mouth when Iris cut in, "We need to quit fighting over the girl like we're still two hundred years old! Now, do you want to duel over her?"
Geranium smacked his head and replied with a sigh, "That would still count as fighting. You can take care of her. I'm sure your house can give her better things. And I'd rather not fight with the next chief."
"Of course!" Iris smirked. Geranium rolled his eyes and picked me up.
"I'll take her inside. You should go talk to your father." Iris nodded and flew away. After a few moments of silence, I tried to say Geranium's name. He gave me a small smile and said, "It's pronounced ji ray ni uhm." I copied him but still faltered. On the entire way there, he patiently taught me. Once I was able to say his name, we arrived to Iris's vast manor. I gaped at the extravagance of the place. When we reached the grand spiral staircase, I used my weak legs to try to climb without his help. At about halfway, I slipped and landed right in his arms. Our lips were so close, and I looked directly into his red eyes. Embarrassed, I pushed him away and punched him in the jaw in the process.
"I'm so very s-sorry!!" I hurriedly checked his lips, and they were slightly bleeding. "I'm sorry! Should we ban-bandage it?! Or cool i-it?! Or-" He grabbed my flailing wrists.
"It's ok. Calm down. Iris has some ice in his basement. Just wait here." He gracefully flew away and came back with some ice. I frantically apologized which he laughed the whole incident off. He gently teased me for my clumsiness while reassuring me that it didn't hurt and that he was okay. The sun came in through the window and shined over Geranium like a light from the heavens. So I think while we were sitting on that spiral staircase, I fell in love for the first time.

Every single time I saw him walk up to me, I held my breath and just stared at him. His long hair was tied back into a high ponytail. His hair graduated from black to light pink while the magenta boldly forced my attention to him. He almost always wore a red button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow, black jeans, and black boots. He had a thick magenta bracelet that he never took off. I snapped out of my stupor and greeted him.
"Wow. It's been only three days, and you don't need to be carried."
I blushed and mentioned, "It's only because you are always encouraging me!" He smiled sweetly and offered me his arm.
"Shall we?" I grabbed his arm almost too happily, and we made our way to the clothes store.
"Why do I need new clothes again?" I stared at the tiny selection of white clothes they offered.
"You're to see the council the day after tomorrow and tell them about how you got here." He pulled out frilly dress with infinite amounts of bows and mischievously smiled at me.
I wrinkled my nose and said, "Umm... I don't really think it would suit me so..."
He quickly replied, "You don't know till you try it!" I narrowed my eyes and stared at the dress. Then I firmly shook my head.
"No way." He frowned and put it back. This process continued several times until Iris burst in.
He happily called out, "Carnation! Looking for a dress? Need some help?" I nodded and watched him look through everything. He held up a long plain cream strapless one piece. "How about this?"
"Too plain..."
"Then..."
As he was lifting the dress for me to see, Geranium cut in and coldly said, "this is my date with Carnation. Don't try to butt in." I felt my cheeks turn bright red. Iris pouted and stayed glued to me for the rest of the afternoon. Geranium managed to find me a snow white one piece with green and black gems on the bodice. It came up to the knees and had matching white ballet flats that had green and black gems. I smiled brightly at my reflection. Geranium leaned forward, pulled back my hair, and slipped a shimmering green pin on. Then he added dangling bright green earrings.
"Now you look absolutely beautiful."He leaned closer and kissed my forehead. I tightly closed my eyes and knew my cheeks were red. Iris yanked him off and tried to ferociously rub the kiss away.
"Iris! Get off of Carnation!!" Geranium practically threw him off, and I blushed even more. In the end, I got them to quit fighting, and they walked me home.
Iris yelled from the bottom of the staircase, "Don't forget that you need to study!"
Geranium softly added, "And we have a date that afternoon!" I waved back, letting them know I got the message.
When I went into my room, I leaned against the door and sighed. I knew that Geranium used the word date loosely and he meant it as hanging out, but I couldn't stop my heart from pounding every time he said it to me. I felt like he kind of had feelings for me but I might be over confident... Also, Iris teasing me and telling me that he knew Geranium liked me wasn't helping. I thought it over and started to daydream about going on real dates with him. I squealed remembering how he smiled at me when he called me beautiful.
Iris yelled from outside, "Get ready for bed!!" I scrambled off my bed and quickly changed clothes. He came in, and as he tucked me in, he said, "Remember that you have work tomorrow."
I groaned and whined, "I don't want to grow food all day~! It's too tiring!" I noticed his eye twitch, and he karate chopped my head.
"Don't try to shrug your responsibilities off!" I whimpered.
"Fine..."
Satisfied, he patted my head and whispered, "Good night."

The next day, I hurried off to library. I was still amazed at the beauty and size of his manor. He endlessly scolded me for being late and began to teach me fairy history, mathematics, spells, ecology, and business. I think I do fairly well in all of them, but I have the most difficult time when we go out and train. He forced me to learn how to make certain fruits or flowers in specific amounts.
I was making five oranges and three roses grow at the same time when I turned to him and and asked, "Do you have any powers?" He stared at me shocked at the random question and slowly smirked.
"Of course I do. No one would allow someone powerless to become the next chief."
I tilted my head and asked, "Can I see it then?" I began to regret asking when his smirk slowly turned into a wicked smile. Before I could change my mind, his wings grew out of his back and fluttered a few times. I admired them since it was my first time really looking at them. They looked like butterfly wings but more slender, delicate, and vibrant. It was completely dark indigo with little shapes of yellow, that looked like shattered glass, scattered all over the wings. He reached a grabbed a large yellow shard off his wings, and I gaped as it turned into a gun.
He twirled the handgun and mused, "So the humans have already made something like this."
"What... What just happened???" He cocked the gun and test-fired it at a huge falling leaf. A hole was ripped through it, and I gasped in complete shock.
"One of my powers is using human technology. The bigger the the yellow piece is the more advanced it is." He made a flourish with the hand that was holding the gun, and it turned back into a yellow piece but smaller. "Well, the only problem is that it takes a bit of time for the yellow pieces to grow bigger again. But on the other hand, it's a definite plus. It has something to do with wisdom." He placed the yellow piece back onto his wing and absently waved his hands while shrugging. "I can also do this~." He suddenly multiplied, and there were fifteen Iris's. The original smugly smirked. "You impressed?" I blankly stared at him and nodded. One fisted pumped while two high-fived. The rest joked around and made a loud commotion.There were so many, and it was so overwhelming. They all disappeared in a few seconds, and the original ruffled my hair. "Cool, huh?" I brightly smiled up at him.
"That's so awesome! Is everyone like that?" He continued ruffling my hair.
"Nope. Only certain people. The extra special have more than one." He winked and added, "Also, there are thousands of different kinds of powers. No one has the same power."
"Oh... Then are you the only one in this village that has powers?" He shook his head again.
"There's me, Geranium, and a few of the members in the council. Oh, and a few kids."
"Then what makes me so special???" I furrowed my eyebrows not understanding why they made such a commotion over me. He kindly smiled at me which startled me because this was the first time I saw him smiling like that.
"You're more special than you know. Like a mysterious hidden gem that has known nothing but purity. Don't look down on yourself." I smiled, slightly blushing at the compliment he gave me.
I hurriedly asked, "So, what're Geranium's powers?"
"Well-"
"I'll explain my own power. Thank you." Geranium flew down and straightened his clothes.
"Wha-what are you doing here?" I stuttered, completely unnerved at his sudden appearance. While I stared at him, I thought to myself, "How could he be so perfect...?"
"It was taking you so long to come so I decided to pick you up." He grinned. "Now, my powers are illusions." I tilted my head, not understanding. "Let me demonstrate." He snapped his fingers, and I was suddenly alone in a mountain, shivering under the pounding snow. I heard a snap again, and I was back but there were three Geranium's. I widened my eyes, utterly happy to see so many Geranium's. "Guess which is the real one." All three offered their hands to me. I reached forward and grabbed the middle one's hand. Right when I touched him, he smiled and dispersed into magenta smoke. I grabbed the other two, and they did the same as the middle one.
"Then where...?" He popped right behind me and winked, his red eyes twinkling.
"See? I trick the five senses and fool the person into thinking it's all real. I can get them to see whatever I want them to see." I nodded, fascinated with the topic and floating in heaven, seeing him so close to me. He snapped again, trapping Iris in an illusion. "Now let's run away while we still can!" He laughed while pulling me along and watching unsuspecting Iris just sit there. A few minutes later, we heard Iris's angered scream. We both started laughing and turned back to watch the sun dipping into sea. Geranium turned and looked at me, and I looked back at him. He hesitantly opened his mouth, and after struggling for a few minutes, he turned back and shook his head.
I asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..." I furrowed my eyebrows, but decided not to bother him.

The next day, I met Geranium after work, but he continued to act strange. While we made our way to his favorite cafe, I asked, "Geranium, what's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Uh... How was your day at work?"
"I had to work twice as much since I skipped yesterday." I pouted.
He chuckled and teased, "Well, you got what you deserve."
"Not you too! Iris was scolding me the entire night! And he hit my head twice!!" I rubbed the spot that he hit and frowned.
He softly laughed and said, "He's like a abusive mother." I laughed too and nodded.
"Yeah but I love him anyway." I grinned but stopped when I noticed Geranium's upset expression. "What's wrong?"
"You love him?" I hesitantly nodded. His expression became darker.
"What's wrong, Geranium???"
He inhaled sharply and softly muttered while looking down,"I'm upset because... I like you..." My face immediately turned bright crimson, and I realized he was misunderstanding me.
"No no no no! I love Iris! I'm not IN love with him! I'm in love with you!!!" I quickly covered my mouth, and my face became even redder. He perked up and stared at me.
"What? Say that again..."
"I said that I'm in love with you!" I looked down and refused to at him.
"Say it again."
"I'm in love with you." I quickly glanced up at him, and he tackled me into tight hug.
He constantly repeated, "I'm so glad. I'm so glad. I'm so glad." He pulled away and beamed at me. I smiled back at him relieved. We jumped at the sound of the loud beating of drums. We flew there, and as soon as everyone gathered, the meeting was started. The meeting that changed my peaceful, sweet life in Woodland Grove...