56,486 day 26

Jack picked up the items. “Thank you for the help. I am glad this store is here.”  He left the store and headed over the clothing store. The girls weren’t in sight so he headed towards the dressing rooms.

He didn’t have to wait long until they came out with clothes in there arm. Sara blushed a bit. Jack held out a shirt and laughed. “I was going to try and talk you into trying this on, but I see Viv beat me to it.”

Sara ducked her head,, and came close to curtseying. It was habit when caught doing some wrong. “Well it is one of the things my Grandfather ordered me to buy with the money he gave me. He started telling me a couple of weeks ago that he would miss me when I left. I am not sure, but he had something to do with me being sent to take the tests. Why he thinks I should leave I am not yet sure of, and it’s not like I can ask him. You are sure these are all right Viv? I don’t know that one dress is so short, and a bit tight.”

Viv laughed. “What you call short and tight is no such thing. Good grief you saw what I tried on. Now that was tight. The red dress is perfect for you. If you don’t buy it I will, and leave it on the door of your room. Try and explain that away. Come on lets go pay before you have everything put back. My dad would love to take you clothes shopping, as you wouldn’t buy a thing!” Sara laughed but let her self be pulled to the counter.

Jack picked up the dress when she tried to set it aside, and added a belt. Sara looked at him. “Well I can’t hang it on your door, so I just have to make do by adding clothes. Want to try again? I would love to add that pair of jeans with the stones on them, or maybe that pink top.”

Sara blushed. “Is that really a top, not an under garment?”

Jack nodded and Viv said. “I think it would fit. What you say want to try it?”

Sara shook her head. “No! No more you win.” She looked horrified and they couldn’t help laughing.

The clerk said. “I will be right back, I need to go check on something.” She returned with a belt and a basket she set the basket down and handed Sara the belt. “This one is better than the one he hand you. I will take it, and you will take this one. Now let’s see what we have here.

When they were back out into the hallway Jack said. “I know you want to get to the book stores, but try that fabric store there first. I think you will find a few things there.” He handed Sara the first tow bottles. “The larger one there is strong. It is not something usually taking with your other one and might make you dizzy the first few times. But it will pass quickly, and it will help you if you can stay with it.” He toyed with the third bottle. “I wanted you to have this, but was worried about the affects. The proprietor, who knows more than me, said it wouldn’t make a difference. If anything will just see a few more elementals, the little sprites, but that you can just tell them to go away. The implication being that the book I gave you was not the nudge I intended but a slap in the face, I am sorry about that. Is there anything you want to ask me? I know it must a shock. If there is anything I can do.” He stopped knowing there wasn’t a thing. It was something she would have to make her own peace with.

Sara said. “I didn’t think you meant it to be. But well I don’t know that anything less would have worked. I mean I should have known. But, well I just need time. That is a big leap, and I can’t even agree to leave home yet. I never meant for this, never wanted the world to get so big. You know?”

Jack nodded. “All to well. I had a bit more pushing at me before I went to the tests, and I wasn’t just thrown into them. Boys know they are coming and will have to face the choice. But still. Yes I know, and I know what it cost me to make the step. It is not easy, and should not be done lightly. But will you take this?” The bottle sparkled with magic. “It is less natural than the others and like I said might make you see a bit more, but that is all it should do. It should not do anything that anyone will notice.”

Sara closed her eyes. “In for a penny. Yes, I will take it. It can’t cause any more problems. And well if it means I can get away with less of the other stuff all the better. I hate taking it.”

Viv said. “Wait, you are a mage, or gifted? I have a bit of a healers touch, but grams said I will be better at other things. I hear the ocean, I can tell when it is getting upset. She says hat likely means I will be able to call water when my gifts are trained.”

Sara said. “We do not hold with anything that speaks of power. It is to be shunned. So I never thought. But I can hear the wind. I can see the light streams, and I can see the woken ones when no one else seems to. I, well I thought everyone did, just didn’t acknowledge it.  But am now realizing that is likely not the case.”

Viv said. “So this is not something that just started then? Most don’t wake until late teens.”

Sara said. “I was very sick when I was five, I do not know if I saw the lights before then, but I did when I recovered. I think I could hear the wind then to, but things about those years are fuzzy. It was hard for me to remember much about that year and the next. I have been am not sure why no one knew. I mean as I kid I must have said something. All I can think is that I was told it was considered rude and would make father angry. My parents were not with me the first months of my recovery. They were dealing with other things, and so my grandparents were with me.”

Viv said. “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like. I can’t imagine not being able to tell others of the seas singing.”

Jack said. “It is a deferent world in some ways. It is hard to break away from. The teachings are deep. I don’t know what I would have done had I not left before I knew. I am sorry I gave you that burden.”

Sara said. “I saw a spell cast not long before I came here and that started me wondering. But I am good at writing things off. I think it is the teachings, they make you look for a logical reason even if there is not one. I needed to be hit over the head.”

Jack said. “I am sorry about it even so. It is going to be rough. I would help, but you need to.”

Sara nodded. “You have and are. Now though you had better get back to work and let us shop before we have to get back.”

It was not until Lunch the next day the girls again found Abiram and Zac. Abiram said. “There you are. How was the shopping? Did you find everything? I can’t believe how much there is. I think I might have glimpsed you two once looking at some pans. Nice shoes.”

Sara blushed. “Sorry, but you weren’t up when we started. I hope you weren’t alarmed. I was going to stop by your room last night, but after I got my things to my room the bed was just to inviting. I know they are a tad fancy, I have a plan pair to that will work for holy days.”

He said. “I knew what you were about, I wasn’t worried. I just am glad you found someone to shop with. I was a bit worried about you going alone, and really didn’t want to go into a fabric shop. There is nothing wrong with the shoes. Others were ones with more flash than those.”

The greater said. “Do you all mind seating together? If your parties can join together I can seat you with no waiting.”

Abiram looked at the other group. “Tim what do you say, will your friends have a problem sharing a table with us? It will mean forgetting Newton rules for a bit. Viv is not going to keep them.”

Tim said. “You know full well I have no problem with treating your sister as family, and no reason not to extend that to her heart sib. Sure, we can all sit to gather sir.”

The greater said. “Right this way then.”

Viv said “Heart sib?”

Zac said. “Best friends among girls are called heart sibs, they are family members that way, the males treat them as kin, though there is no blood shared. It makes it easer as they tend to be in each others homes so much. Tim is not related, but he has always spoke to Sara like he was, he basically lived with them when younger.”

Tim nodded. “It is hard for me to remember we are not related at times.” Once they were seated only Tim and the two boys with him were handed menus, when the greater had left Tim said.  “Why did he give you all one? Oh I’m Tim that is John and Luke. Guys do you know Sara and, Viv was it?”

Abiram said. “I didn’t think I should have. Yes it’s Viv.”

Sara said. “Well for the last few days we have come down to find food waiting. I am not sure, but um, I seem to be a bit to thin by city standards and I think someone is worried I don’t eat.”

John said. “You are thin. I can understand someone thinking that. I know a few at school wondered as you skip the lunch line. Not that I noticed you did so or anything.” He hastened to add. “Just hear the talk you know. I have a lot of classes that are mostly Hammer kids.”

Viv said. “So it would be a bad thing if you knew she skipped lunch? And why do you?”

Sara said. “I don’t like the shoving that goes on, so bring my lunch from home, and eat out side when ever I can. Being inside to much makes me nervous. Boys are not to notice girls not related to them, though it is not the same as if a girl was looking at them. Boys mostly get teased, we get lectured.”

“Say was it you who were looking at those pots? Did you find anything for Anna?”

Viv said. “I was, Sara was looking at the herbs, though why she wanted more at that point.”

Sara said. “Well tradition says that as I will be the next, I must give Anna herbs and spices for her new home. I want a wide verity as I have no idea what she will be able to get. That set form yesterday was home remedies, not cooking, what I bought today was just cooking. I am trying to find a plant book for that area to go with them. So she will have something to help her know the local planets. I don’t think many in town will have had much time to know them.”

Abiram said. “That sounds perfect. So Viv what were the pans for?”

Viv said. “Hank has near worn his out, and they are hard to get at home so thought I would see what I could get here. That would be my brother, he does the cooking for us, has a knack for it, but can’t handle a fish net to save him.”

Luke said. “Your brother is your cook?”

The food arrived and the waitress said. “The cook here is a man, and you seem to enjoy the food. Men can make fine cooks, just most don’t get the chance to find out they like it. I just brought you all the ordered food, so I will take those menus away. Enjoy.”

Luke said. “It was just startling. I never thought about it, but I can’t see why they couldn’t cook. Cooking is a bit like chemistry so it makes since that if you can do the one you can do the other.”

Sara coughed. “You better not let the leaders here that. But um, I did see the similarity on the test. That is the only reason I was able to give any answers on that one. And I will deny have said I took a test in chemistry should I hear it said.”

Tim said. “You wre still going when I was sent home. Is there anything you were not tested on? Don’t worry I told my sister that I saw you leave hours before I did, and will say that to anyone.”

John said. “I believe Sara was on the bus just after supper was served. Right Luke?”

Luke said. “I thought it was the next one, as she went over to the mall for a bit. But I might be wrong.”

Sara shook her head. “There is always talk. I don’t remember any questions involving sewing or fabric. So there is that, but I think that is the only thing they missed. Half the stuff I had no idea what was, but even sending back a blank test book didn’t stop them, though I usual had nothing more related to it.”

Viv said. “Wait you didn’t get asked what a running whip stitch was? That’s not fair. How did I get those questions? Really I think they did there best to give us every test they could. They might even have made up a few more. I hate to eat and run but I have to meet the others for some tour thing. You know they have to try and civilize us northern coaster when they can. Sara I’ll meet you in the morning. One of you will go to the book store with her won’t you?”

Abiram said. “I want to see this book store. She told be about it, but I have no idea where it is. So yes. I was going to ask if you two would mind showing us where it is. You’re not going to get upset if she goes with out you?”

Viv said. “I am not five. Besides I will have Saturday, as you are headed home. We don’t start out tell Monday as it is going to take a full week to get home, and the weather guys think there will be a storm to the north on Sunday. Now I had best dash before Ms. Muphhy comes to drag me out.” She headed to the lobby.

Tim said. “Fisher folk? Um.”

Sara nodded. “Yap, she lives in a long house. Her town is slightly bigger than Newton, population wise, but the have less useable ground. So long houses are a better use of space. The roof is big enough to use as a garden of sorts, and more people in few buildings helps with heat in the cold months. Even with magic aids heat is a problem there.”

Luke said. “You seem to be close.”

Sara said. “Well we were together all day yesterday.” She could see what they were wondering, but took a bit of food waiting to see if they would ask. Of course she could only push it so far. “You do know you need not believe everything you hear right? Yes they accept all kinds of relations as valid. But they are not look at every that moves. There is nothing like that. Good grief I don’t go there every time I see one of you laughing with someone.”

Luke said. “Fair enough, have fun in the book store.”

Sara said. “I hope to, but I have lists to fill before I can do to much of my own shopping.”

Tim said. “And I am sure there will be no over lap. No the real question is how they will get you out of the store. If it is the one I saw, you could spend a year there, and not be done.”

Sara said. “Why do you think I am not going alone? I am hopping Abiram will tell me when to leave.”

Zac said. “Good grief it is even worse. I had best go as well. I at least do get hungry. Come on, if we leave now I might be able to get you back here by seven.”

Luke said. “Have fun, if I haven’t seen you by eight I will consider launching a rescue mission. After all if Sara doesn’t return I don’t know what mom will do about cakes for the wedding.” They all laughed at that and head off.

When they rounded the corner and saw the building Abiram stopped. “That is the book store? That? How in the world are we going to make it?”

Sara said. “I am going to stay to history and fiction only. As history will be the hardest, I will start with fiction area. If I don’t make though History I can try again tomorrow. Viv and I plan on being here just after they open and staying tell one. That will give us just enough time to dump the books in her room, and eat before meeting up with her teachers to lean about the schools. “ Abiram looked at her, she explained. “Ms. Muphy said I was to be there and if you had met her you would understand, you don’t argue with her. I almost ended up going with them this afternoon, but the bus was full.”

Abiram said. “I was just going to say that sounds like a good plan, but I am going to look at the engineering books not history.”

Zac said. “I will be in medical books if they have any and then come roust you two out.”