A Work Of Art

A New World

Hope looked up at Lucia taking a big gulp. Lucia let out a laugh that reminded hope of thousands of little bells jingling.

"Don't worry Hope I was intimidated to... but it's not so intimidating on the inside." She said. Hope nodded moving forward and gently pushing the door open.

Inside was a little table big enough for 6 with a small fireplace behind it. On the floor was a small carpet that was a light shade of blue with white wisps like snow speckled on it. The table was made of a dark smooth wood and was better than even the best carpenter could do in her kingdom. on the sides of the table were stairs leading to what Hope could tell was a study and a bed room. 

A male came down three girls hanging from him, one was on his back her arms wrapped around his neck, another was on his arm and the last was very small and holding his other hand walking calmly. Lucia ran up to him.

"Hello, I would like you to meet Hope. Hope this is my son, Mason." She paused and looked towards the three little girls, "These are my grand children, three girls."

"We're triplets!" Said the first who was on his back, "I am Kala, this is Nina-" She gestured towards the girl on the arm, "and lastly Sara." She gestured towards the girl walking along side the man. 

"Hello!" Nina said letting go of the arm.

"Um... Hi..." said Sara hiding behind her father.

Hope leaned in towards Sara who was only a little shorter, Sara's father pushed her out from behind his back, "Hello Sara did you know your name means princess? Now don't let that make you rude or anything because a true princess is someone who has integrity and does what she can for her people." Sara looked up her eyes seeming to shine.

"Really?!" she asked.

"Yes... You are a true princess if you do these things. So, do what you can to be the best princess you can be."

"Well don't you spread a whole bunch of hope..." Lucia said smiling softly.

'And you Nina, Your name means little and I can tell you are the smallest of the three, but just because you are little doesn't mean you can't have the biggest heart out of all of you." Hope turned towards Kala, 'Your name means Art, so do what you can to spread the love and joy of heart to those around you. Do what you can to ignite the sparks of passion and happiness in your people." The three had eyes that seemed to shine with curiosity, excitement, and last of all hope.

Hope was spreading through everyone and all of it ignited by the girl who had just arrived who was perfectly named, Hope.

"Also Lucia..." Hope started.

Lucia looked over, "Yes?"

"You should laugh more it suits you..." Lucia smiled slowly looking at the small girl in front of her. 

"How old are you, Hope?"

"I'm 9 years old."

"We're 7!" Kala exclaimed hopping off her dad's back.

Hope wasn't surprised 3 seven year olds were nearly her hight, she was the shortest kid in the whole kingdom. Even though she was princess kids still made fun of her for it. She could have told her father, but Hope believed everyone should get a chance. She let them be their teasing not even getting to her in the slightest. Overall, Hope didn't care.

When Hope was having a bad day though she would retaliate calmly only listing what short people could do that tall people couldn't.

"Hope how old do you think I am?" Lucia asked.

"I don't mean to be rude but I'm going to say mid eighties..."

"I'm 26." Hope's jaw dropped in amazement why did Lucia look so old then? "Technically I am 86, time passes much quicker here. in your world I have been here for 20 years in this world I've been here for eighty. I arrived on my birthday, and you arrived on the exact same day, 20 years later."

"Wait so every 1 year there is 2 years here?" Hope asked. Lucia gave a curt nod.

"Yes, you've been in here for 5 minutes I'd say so in your world you've only been here for two... I suggest you get going though I'll show you the rest of the palace and everything later. Also please practice with the piano."

"Piano?"

"Yes practice your piano I have reason to believe that may lead to the way out I've given you the tools it is your job to use them."

"What if I don't know how?" 

"Then you are going to have to learn aren't you? Anyways time to go all you need to do is leap into a painting residing here in the palace it's at the top of those stairs in the study." Lucia pointed to the left stairs and led her finger up to the first door, the study.

"Thank you!" Hope exclaimed waving goodbye as she ran up the stairs. she took a deep breath and leaped into the painting.

(Sorry If I'm not on the rest of the week I had a very emotional night... I am going to be inactive for a while. I only published and wrote this because this help me calm down. ~V Mays.)