Sapphira | A Miraculous Story

Breathe

Tears fill Genevieve's eyes, but this time, out of happiness for the final gift her mother was able to give her. With this ring, Genevieve will have a physical reminder of her mother each day that will help her feel like she is always with her. She wipes away the few tears that have trickled down her cheeks. She takes the ring and slides it onto the ring finger of her right hand. A perfect fit. The sapphire glows brightly, blinding Genevieve. A little shock flows through her finger and hand, startling her. A small creature floats in the air above her head. The creature is no bigger than the palm of her hand, it is nearly all white with a black tint around its eyes and a small beak, all resembling a swan.

Genevieve gasps and rubs her eyes. There's no way this is real, she thinks. She is convinced she is hallucinating due to her sleep deprivation.

The small creature looks at her, "Genevieve! I'm so glad I finally get to meet you!" The small creature exclaims in a high pitched voice. Genevieve shrieks, falling off of her seat. "Oh I'm so sorry! I don't mean to frighten you!" The creature floats near Genevieve.

Genevieve's breathing quickens as she backs up on the ground, away from the strange being, "Wh-what are you?" She grabs the post of her bed, gripping it tightly. The white creature comes closer to her.

"My name is Odette and I'm a kwami! I grant, essentially, superpowers, and yours is the power of prominence!" The kwami exclaims cheerfully. "Your mother was my previous owner and was an amazing holder. She did so much good for everyone in Los Angeles."

Genevieve's heart softens hearing Odette speak of her mother. She slowly stands, still gripping the bed. The kwami begins to explain what abilities she grants. The power of prominence allows the holder to emphasise a specific trait in another person.

"For example, say someone is typically very timid and doesn't have a whole lot of confidence. You can use your power to emphasise their confidence so then they can achieve whatever it is they are trying to do! However, you can also use your power to make people overconfident, for another example. Your power can help influence others' emotions and qualities for better or for worse." The white kwami chirpily says. "All you have to say to transform is 'Odette, spread my wings.'" She continues to explain more about her abilities, how to transform, and how Bridgette would use the miraculous power.

Genevieve contemplates all that her new friend has shared. She thinks of her mother and how she once wore this ring and protected others. Her mother entrusted it to her. She must believe that Genevieve is capable of holding great responsibility. A moment of doubt flickers across Genevieve's mind. Her thoughts flood with ideas of not being able to live up to her mother's expectations, being far too young to have this kind of responsibility, and whether or not she has a clear mind to make decisions. After all, it's nearly three in the morning. Genevieve places her hands over face and pushes them to the sides of her head, stretching her skin. She sighs deeply before bringing her hand down to look at the ring again. With her left thumb, she rubs the feathers and sapphire.

"So my mother has been a superhero for years and I've never known?" She scoffs in disbelief. She feels naive and a bit dumb to not have realised or even have noticed the ring on her mother. Genevieve takes another deep breath that fills her with some confidence. Her mother trusted her with this ring and with this ability. Genevieve looks up at her kwami.

"Well, here goes nothing," Genevieve stands as Odette beams with excitement. "Odette, spread my feathers." Odette seems to be sucked into the ring causing the feathers to turn from their glassy silver to a white that sparkles. Genevieve watches as her outfit shifts from her pyjamas and robe into a beautiful white suit. She rushes over to the mirror to look at herself. Not only has her clothing changed, but her black hair developed an ombre into a gorgeous, rich royal blue at the ends with a long white ribbon tied in a bow on the back of her head. A white mask that resembles the wings of a swan covers her eyes which shimmers in the dull light of the lamp in Genevieve's room. The rest of her outfit matches the white mask. Slim white boots cover the white leggings on her legs. Her top resembles a ballet dress. Sapphires and diamonds line her waist and sweetheart neckline. A white sheer material extends from her neckline up to her neck and down the entirety of her arms and hands.