The Magic Within You - NaNoWriMo 2018

~6~

     "Yeah, we're kind of the only animal sanctuary in Canvas," Charlie explained, tugging at their patched jean jacket. By now, the two new friends had settled into Charlie's house. The Dreyfuss household was cozy and well-run. Charlie still lived with their parents and sister, their family just as kind and welcoming as Charlie themself.

Abigail Dreyfuss, Charlie's kindly mother, had prepared dinner for the both of them. This is where they sat now, with the rest of the family.

"That's kind of cool, actually," Angie confessed. "I thought Canvas was way beyond anything normal..." she thought of everything she'd witnessed. "...anything that I'd seen before."

Charlie shook their head. "We still have some stuff created by Others. Like the stable, of course, and some of the houses are all their original material. But most of the housing was created by Crafters. They're particularly talented Unlimiteds that, for some reason, decided to dedicate their amazing talent to construction," they said, emphasizing their sarcasm on the last part.

"Now, Charlotte," Mrs. Dreyfuss said, making Charlie flush red. "Crafters just want families to have a home. I don't think you'd want to be considered ill-used if you used your amazing powers in the way you felt was right." Charlie's mom pressed a kiss to their head.

Angie looked at this family that she had just been introduced to, its perfection, its completeness. She felt a tiny selfish pang in her heart.

"That's enough about me and my family," Charlie said, perhaps noticing this small change in spirit. "What about you, Angie? What's your family like?"

The girl in question chuckled, as she always did when she wanted to hide that she was feeling sad. "I had a sister...her and my dad died the day I manifested," she mumbled. A hushed silence fell at her words, making her blush. "B-but it's okay, that was...a long time ago."

Charlie reached their hand across the table and put it on top of Angie's. "It's okay for it to be not okay," they said. "I'm sorry, Angie."

She shook her head. "I guess everyone experiences loss at some point."

There was a knock on the door. Mr. Dreyfuss immediately pushed his chair back and got up to answer.

In walked an older man with yellow eyes like an owl. He had precise, slicked-back hair the color of snow, and wore a crisp black suit. Judging from his confident stride, Angie expected him to pull the deed to the Earth from his jacket pocket. Why did the room suddenly feel colder?

"Dreyfuss," he greeted Charlie's father with a curt nod.

"Gilles," Mr. Dreyfuss said, his tone donning an edge.

"I wanted to ask your family about an issue that just got to the collective," he began, seating himself at the table as if he was welcome. He barely acknowledged the rest of the Dreyfuss family. "Our Mrs. Golde claimed that she saw an unregistered Otherkind wandering around Canvas with Charlotte. Is this true?"

Mr. Dreyfuss nodded, meeting eyes with Angie. Gilles followed his gaze. Those ominous yellow eyes flickered with something similar to understanding. Angie felt like cowering under that harsh stare.

The man looked back at Mr. Dreyfuss. "Robert, having knowledge of an unregistered Otherkind without saying anything is an offense punishable by banishment," he said as if he thought Angie wouldn't hear.

"Then we'll make sure she's registered," said Robert casually. "Her origin makes her no different from the rest of us." His voice dropped. "Don't let your prejudice get in the way of welcoming another Artist into our world."

Gilles sneered like a poisonous snake about to strike. But he did not argue, instead clearing his throat. "Best be careful, Dreyfuss," he said. "Your family is in enough trouble already."

     With a glare and a swish of his cape, Gilles' back was turned and he was gone. And Angie was left wondering just how much she didn't know about this supposedly wonderful world.