War of Elements

Three

As I sat, I heard footsteps approaching and shoved the doodles back under the mattress. The door opened and Autumn poked her head in, looking like she knew something she shouldn't. "Daddy and Zima said they have to talk to you in the kitchen, all together."

"Alright, lovely. Thanks for letting me know." I smiled at her and stood, ruffling her hair on my way out. "If you give me a few minutes, I'll come play dollies with you."

She smiled at me, nodding and going over to her closet to pull out her Barbies. With her doing that, I went out into the kitchen - careful to leave the door open in case something happened - and sat next to Mitch.

"Flame tells me you wish to convert your friends." Zima said, fixing me with her usual icy stare. It was intense, but not unfriendly. It gave me hope. "I cannot say that I recommend it."

"Zima..." I began, and I felt Mitch's hand coming to rest on my forearm. Zima held up her hand before I could continue.

"Child, let me explain, before you say anything. Please." I sighed and nodded, gesturing for her to continue. "To convert more than three of each elemental at a time is... tricky, as you are well aware of. Myself, Heat, and Rain decided eons ago that for the sake of balance there cannot be more than nine at a time. Autumn upsets the balance just slightly, but as she's a Fall Elemental, it's not so much of a risk.

Your friends, however, are most definitely a risk. They would each need to take on a different Element - Spring, Winter, and Summer - in order to maintain balance."

"Why can't they do that?" Mitch interrupted, and sunk back a bit when Zima shifted her gaze to him. "Sorry, not to be rude. With all due respect, Zima, but if this is about balance, we'll just be bumping the scales up slightly. There's three of them; one for each Element. That's what you're getting at. Right...?"

"The 'scales', Flame, are very sensitive. What is slight for you is monumental for the Earth."

"But you said we have to recruit...?" I said, trailing off hopefully.

"And we do, but I cannot say it would be wise or advisable to recruit people you have an emotional attachment to."

"We can take care of own. Mitch and I aren't incompetent. We wouldn't do anything stupid, even if one of our friends was involved. And if someone gets hurt, it happens, right? It's a war. We can handle it. And that's assuming they even agree to being turned in the first place."

"Child, you must understand the variables of these situations. You say you will not act rashly now, but wait until you must make a decision between sabotaging a mission and saving a friend's life. And assuming someone gets hurt - or, heaven forbid, worse - it's not your well-being I'm worried about. Autumn is involved with this as well, and she's not as old as she acts. You forget that at times, I'm afraid." I wanted to butt in and tell her that she shouldn't tell me how to parent my kid, but then I realized that she was right and felt my throat constrict just slightly. "I did, as well, with my son. Not to mention, if they don't agree to being turned, then they're leaks. You know what happens to leaks, Kirstin, and need I remind you it isn't pretty."

"I trust them with my life, Zima, and if they knew but didn't agree, I'm sure we could trust them to keep the secret."

Zima sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I... will consider it. For now, I really have stayed too long. I have lunch with Rain - business matters, still trying to get Spring on our side - and then a meeting with Snow to follow."

She gathered her maps and lists and stood to leave. On her way out, she paused and rested her hand on my shoulder. "Please, do nothing without my consent. I know you, Ice. You are my apprentice and I see myself in you. I know that in your situation I might attempt something which I would regret later. But, please, consider this before you do anything irresponsible; I am afraid for the health of not only yourself and your friends, but also for the health of your child."

And with that, she was gone.