52 Foundation Stage (2/2)

Arron pushes Anna's back while grabbing Franklin's shoulder giving him a supportive squeeze. ”You go what you have to do. We'll check out your awesome new powers later, right Franklin?”

Franklin brightens up and exclaims, ”Yeah, hurry back mom!”

Anna heads towards the edge of the clearing to wait for Elanor to return from her camp. She doesn't wait long before Elanor jumps her from the brush.

”Hey there cutie you waiting for me,” Elanor says while laughing. Her arms snake around Anna's neck pulling her into a hug. Elanor's beautiful face only inches from Anna's.

Anna blushes despite herself. 'Has she ever heard of personal space?' She wonders. ”I did want to talk to you. I've reached the foundation stage, so I thought it was the best time to talk, just the two of us,” Anna says while trying to push Elanor back to no avail.

Elanor jumps back while giggling. ”Did you think you could handle me now that you'd reached the foundation stage? Isn't that a bit bold for someone who just married her second husband?” The fairy asks while covering her mouth coquettishly.

Anna's brain stops at this strange turn in the conversation. She reaches out for Elanor with her mouth agape not knowing how to get things back on track.

Elanor takes Anna's outstretched hand with both of her own gently cupping it. She then speaks with a gentle tone of a woman letting down a suiter, ”I'm sorry even if you were five times stronger you couldn't last a minute with me.”

”Wait no,” Anna tries to protest.

”We're from to different worlds. It's impossible. Maybe in another life but you must be content with you're new husband,” Elanor tells Anna with pity.

”That's not what I wanted to talk about!” Anna squeaks out with a red face.

”Ok, ok, I just wanted to tease you since you always act so upright. What did you want to talk about?” Elanor laughs.

Anna sighs and sweeps her hand through her hair. 'It's still morning, and I'm already exhausted,' she complains to herself. ”Well, I'm from the Emerald clan,” she states while watching Elanor's facial expressions.

After a short awkward pause, Elanor responds, ”Ok.”

”Yes well, I'm part of the Lamenters branch. John thinks you might be willing to help us out.” Anna manages after being shocked by the blasé response.

”It's not that big of a deal right? What's the chances of meeting someone who knows that old history. Oh, what did that stupid bush say?”, Elanor asks annoyed.

Anna shakes her head, ”I've met two just recently... so I imagine it's not that rare,” She responds with frustration. Anna then goes on to explain everything that John had shown her in the dream.

”Yeah that's rough, I'm not too into the clan rivalries and stuff, but my mom is obsessed with the stuff. I'll pass a message on to her. I'm sure she'll be happy to help,” Elanor responds while looking at her hair tips. Then flipping her hair over her shoulder, she smiles. ”I'm not surprised that the bush was just a wimp scrambling through the mud though,” she mocks.

”Thanks for passing on the message,” Anna says a bit deflated. It took all her courage to bring up her family, but all the tension was just tossed aside.

”Enough of this boring talk. Let's eat before it's all gone. After that, we should play. I mean test out your new found strength!” Elanor says with excitement while dragging Anna towards the village center.