Atlantis (A Waterfire Saga Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Alma was looking through her wooden trunk that was filled with all her clothing. She had been searching for something nicer to wear for whatever Lady Thalia had planned. Sadly, she did not find one dress that had satisfied her needs: something that was practical yet elegant.

By now, Alma had been trying on dresses for over half an hour and the pile of clothing that was on her bed just kept getting larger by the minute.

Frustrated, she decided that maybe she could borrow one of her mother's for the occasion.

To her surprise, as soon as she walked into her parents's bedchamber, she spotted 8 year old Alcina staring out the window, at the busy streets below.

Alma snuck up behind her and started tickling her younger sibling.

Alcina started giggling and laughing, all while trying to shove Alma away.

"Stop it!" she kept saying as she fell onto their parents bed and tried to squirm out of Alma's reach.

After they had both calmed down, Alcina said:"I noticed that you were trying on all of the dresses you had. And you didn't seem satisfied. What are you dressing up for? What is the special occasion today?"

"I don't know. Thalia told me that we would head someplace after noon and that I had to look presentable but I didn't find anything suitable from my wardrobe." Alma replied.

Alcina thought for a moment and got up.

"Sometimes..." she said while looking carefully through her mother's things. "... I get awfully bored so then I try on some of mother's jewelry just for fun..." Alcina then took out some of mother's finest dresses and placed them in a neat pile on the bed. She continued:"...But just the other day I came across this." she said while holding one of the long dresses that, in Alma's opinion, was absolutely stunning.

"Try it on. I think it would fit you. " said Alcina with pride in her voice for helping one of her sisters.

Alma gently slipped into the beautiful white dress. It had a lovely empire waist which was beaded. She guessed that the dress was made of satin, for it flowed beautifully when she spinned ever so slightly.

"I'm quite certain that mother won't mind if you wore it for a day." said Alcina with a grin from ear to ear.

"Whoa..." said Idra. She was standing in the doorway, looking at her older sister examining the dress through a full length mirror that was leaning on the wall.

"Good morning Idra." said Alma without taking her eyes off of mother's dress.

"Is that mother's?" asked Idra.

Alcina nodded. "I found it for her." she said happily.

"Girls, come down here!" yelled their mother.

The 3 sisters thundered down the stairs and ran into the kitchen.

"Alma, when is Lady Thalia supposed to..." Neith then eyed her eldest daughter from head to toe suspiciously.

Alma braced herself for her mother's reaction.

Neith slowly walked up to Alma. She cupped Alma's cheek and whispered:"My child, you may wear it. You're not a little girl anymore. You're growing up." Alma smiled as her mother gently kissed her on the forehead.

Later that day...

"Thalia... why did you bring me here?" Alma asked with an expression of shock.

Lady Thalia did not answer.

Alma observed all of the wealthy and powerful people that were sitting as well, waiting for the meeting to begin.

"Thalia, you're the noblewoman, not me. This is your area of expertise, not mine. I'm just a commoner, I don't belong here, in the palace, witnessing whatever the mages might say and decide." Alma was about to get up and leave but she was too late.

Merrow, Nyx, Sycorax, Navi, Pyrrha and Orfeo entered the room.

In frustration, she sat back down wondering why her best friend had brought her here.

Thalia leaned over and whispered: "I'm assuming that you have never seen the six mages in person Alma."

"No. I've only heard about them." she replied, while silently wishing that she could be anywhere else in the world.

After awhile, Lady Thalia asked: "Do you see that man, over there?"she said while pointing to one of the mages.

Alma nodded.

The mage that Thalia had pointed out was about six feet tall and had a smile that nearly made her heart skip a beat.

"His name is Orfeo. We're good friends. He truly is one of the most kindest..." Lady Thalia stopped talking and stared at her friend.

Alma's face was as red as a tomato.

A smile crept up on Thalia's face. "You like him, don't you Alma?"

Worry filled Alma's heart.

No. I can't. It's impossible. I can't like him. It could never work.

***

So what do you guys think about my fanfic so far? If you're confused about some of the characters or if there are any spelling mistakes please let me know. I would really appreciate your comments and constructive criticism. Thanks a lot guys!