10 Minute Tales

Jun 9

Felicia was astounded.

"Control others?"

"As easily as you please. I do so innately with my scent and what little power is available to me, but I'm sure that you will grow to match my abilities."

"Have..." a grim thought suddenly came to her. "Have you been controlling me this whole time?"

"Regretfully." the Cinniúi's voice grew quiet, sorrowful. "I can't apologise enough... I did it out of fear. I was worried that you would not accept me."

"... are you still manipulating me?"

"No. I used what power I could to bring you to the location you found me, to convince you of the florist's existence. My power is now spent; I would need to grow further to do anything more than maintaining this conversation."

"Right..." she didn't seem impressed, but her annoyance had faded. She had already seen one bonus to having that level of power with her ex-boss. If she could do it with others... "So... where do we begin?"

"A base. Somewhere I have ample room to grow." Felicia looked out of the window as she considered. It was clear that where she was wouldn't do for the Cinniúi. It was too restrictive, too cramped. She would need somewhere with lots of height.

"We can't risk anywhere outside, it's too open. If there are so many forces willing to harm or control you, we need to hide you."

"Somewhere out of typical reach. Is there anywhere that humans will not visit for a long time? Somewhere you do not use?" She thought for a while. Somewhere disused...

"Oh, there's a leisure centre that was closed down a while back. They're not going to destroy it yet, but it hasn't been used in months. If we could use the pool itself..."

"Wonderful, damp air and plenty of space to grow, though we would need to add fertiliser..."

"I could get some from the garden centre." she smiled. The plan was forming! "All you'd need is a root..."

"I can focus on growing those if you granted me some more nutrients."

"Of course." she nodded. "Do you have a name?"

"A name?" the Cinniúi seemed curious. "I'm already a Cinniúi, is that not enough of a name?"

"I mean, it's one name, but... don't you deserve something better?"

"If you believe I am worthy of a better name." the Cinniúi smiled again. "May I offer a suggestion?"

"Of course, it's your name."

"Lilirose. A portmanteau of Lily and Rose, two beautiful flowers."

"If you like that name, then that's what I'll call you." Felicia nodded. "Now, do you need some more plant food?"

"That would be lovely."

-----

She kept to herself that night, talking softly to Lilirose the whole time. She went to bed and slept before too long, a gentle smile on her face the whole time. The rest of the world carried on, however. Kessler prowled the streets, searching for his next meal. White Mask retreated out of the city, preparing for an extraction as he raced for the city's borders, staying on the roofs of the city, out of the range of mortal eyes. The city's pulse of magic beat weakly, but it beat ever on.