A Siren's Echo

Chapter 5: A Sincere Form of Flattery

Waking up wasn't to hard but getting out of bed was. Emotionally I was so drained it hurt to even look around. The aching in my stomach grew stronger while I realized I only had four more days with my mother. We had wasted an entire lifetime together and I couldn't pretend that we were extremely close but she is my mother and I also knew that something like this could bring two people together. 

I slipped on a light purple dress and braided my hair into an updo. I was putting the pins in when I heard someone knock. " Who is it?" my mother opens the door and smiles a little. "Well its time to start."

"How will we start if  I won't get my powers till my birthday?" 

"Echo withering isnt a quick disolving of my powers. Its slow. You will recieve them in pieces. I can already guess what one you have recieved this morning because I cannot use my ability and it pains me when I try." I look at her curiously. "This one is called Infinate Faces. Walk over to the mirror." I stand up and stare at the mirror. " You look beautiful Echo." I nod a thank you even though I dont believe a word. She looks elegant, flawless even. My eyes, despite their beautiful color are dull and my face has a few small red bumps on them. My lips are thin and my brown hair dry. I guess she sees something I don't. "Echo be Fiona."

"What?" I squeak

"Be Fiona Echo. Turn your  your face into Fionas face."

I stare at the mirror unsure of what to do. I close my eyes and squeeze them tightly, imagining Fionas face and when I open them I look the same.

" Keep your eyes open", she says.I want you to watch your face. Think of Fionas face and then mold yours into hers. I stare at my forehead envisioning the wrinkles that cross them. Slowly a small line spreads across my forehead, then another and another. My legs begin to shake and I feel like I can't breath as my eyes turn from purple to a blue thats so pale its almost white. My hair starts to drain of its color and where once was a nest full of pins and brown hair is now grey hair cropped behind my ears. The pins fall to the ground as my hair changes and I stare into the mirror. My mouth hangs open as I stare at my new face.

My mother picks up my pins, a scolding look on her face. "Echo do not keep jewelry or hair pins or anything like that in when you use this power. You will break and lose things. Trust me I know." I nod politely. "I can't believe I can do this." I say. "Yes well use it wisely" she says as she tucks the pins into my drawer. "Why do we need this if we can just sing men into doing what we want." I ask.  "Echo there are many other things we can use this for. Our powers don't control women and sometimes we need to look like someone they trust in order for them to accept us or help us. Also some men who are in love, I mean a passionate, adorational love, are more resistant to us. They dont block us out completely but only a really powerful Siren can controll everyone comletely so sometimes looking like their lover can help us." I nod to show I'm listening while I continue to study my face. "You knew Fiona's face well Echo. Have you seen her recently?" 

"I saw her yesterday. Why?" I ask.

"Well usually you either have to see someone very recently or have known them for a long time to be able to replicate them that well. I'm impressed that you remembered that much." she said " also don't be discouraged. When you're older and more experienced you will be able to mimic their outfits. " I stare into the mirror and think about her black dress buttoning down from top to bottom and watch as it appears on me, my form fitting to hers. I turn to stare at my mom, her teal eyes wide with surprise. "Echo you shouldn't be able to do that yet." I  turn back to look at myself. I'm the spitting image of Fiona. "I don't know anything about this. I just imagined it like the face and it happened." I squeaked. She smiles weakly and shakes her head. "Well maybe you just have natural talent hmmm?" I smile and watch the mirror turn back to myself, my hair cascading down without the pins to hold it up anymore. " Echo I'm going downstairs to see Dimitri. Practice Infinite Faces with different people. Try to recall everything by memory." She leaves the room closing the door behind her. I watch as my face turns flawless, my dress becomes long and white, and my purple eyes are replaced with teal. I stare at her face and wonder for a moment if this will somehow make me feel better someday when she's gone.