The Appearance of Alexandria

One November night, Alex had just fallen asleep and begun to dream. In her dream, she was being chased through a dark forest. She had no idea what she was running from, but she kept running, not daring to look back. "Alex, stop running. Your sister needs you," a mysterious voice said.

Alex sat up in her bed and heard a knock on her door. Getting out of bed, she stumbled to the door in the pitch dark and opened it. "Who's there?" she asked, squinting into the dark hall. Green light flared, making Christine's face briefly visible.

"Jennifer must talk to you," she whispered as she grabbed Alex's hand and led her down the hall.

"I didn't know you had the Gift," Alex whispered back as they made their way through the pages' wing to the nobles' wing.

"Just a small amount," she told Alex. "I can make fire and light, control wind, and move things with my mind. I also have control over hair, for some reason. I can make it grow or style or stay in place..." They had reached Jennifer's chambers, and Christine went straight in without hesitating. Alex immediately followed, wondering what this was all about.

In the main room, a red-eyed Jen, sitting on one of the couches, cried while Joshua and Rufus softly talked to her. Upon sight of Alex, Jen stood and slowly walked over to her, giving her a hug once she was in reach.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked, searching her sister's face.

"It's Mother," was the quiet sob. "She-- she died of a sudden-- thing. They don't know what of yet. I just found out no more than ten minutes ago. Oh, Alex--" She hugged her again, and Alex led her to the couch.

"Mother's-- dead?" Alex asked in a shocked tone. "That's-- that's impossible! She can't die. She's so healthy, and always after us to be as healthy." Suddenly, she turned to Rufus. "You never met your own mother. You would have loved her. Sure, she liked to nag about being proper, but she was a dear, kind soul and never meant any harm. She wanted the best for us. And she told the best stories..."

"Alex," Chrsitine said gently, and the girl stopped talking. She motioned to Jennifer, who had stood and walked over to a wall. On the wall was a big screen, and their father was on it. Jen was talking to him.

"..was poisoned," Eric Grossi was saying. "We have no clue who did it. We were at a restaurant, and anybody could've slipped it on her food. The question is, why?" He sighed. "The wake and funeral will be in London next week. The wake is Friday night, the funeral the next morning. I must contact Queen Adela now."

"Dad, wait!" Jen stopped him from terminating their conversation. Frantically, she motioned towards Rufus and Joshua, who came to stand next to her. "These areyour sons, Rufus and Joshua, my brothers." Impulsively, she hung an arm around each of their shoulders. Rufus had gone to Jennifer's room without his necklace on, so he looked just like Jennifer, which startled their father a bit.

"Wow...I don't know what to say," he finally commented. "Rufus, you look just like Jennifer. You two must know, however, that I never wanted to give you up for adoption, but we had to."

"We know," Joshua said as Jennifer motioned for Alex to join them. Alex just shook her head; the time to face her father was not just then.

"Uh, you said something about a call to our cousin?" Jennifer asked.

"Oh, yes. I'll talk to the three of you later," he replied. "Goodbye." With a click, he was gone.

"And that's our father," Alex announced dryly.

~*~

The next day, Alex ventured into the city on an errand. Walking down a side street, she let herself into a yard through a tall gate. She knocked on the wooden door of a narrow, two-story building, and in a few moments, Mistress Nazzir opened the door.

Alex let the hood of her winter jacket fall back so the lady could see who it was. "Can I talk to you?" she asked softly, and Iris stood back so she could enter.

"So, what brings you to my house today?" she asked as she gave Alex a cup of tea. "Surely you're busy arranging things concerning your mother."

Alex shook her head. "They would think it odd if Alexander Tirragen took part in planning the funeral," she answered. "But that's what I came to talk to you about, in a way. I have to go to the wake as Alexander, since it's obvious to everyone in the palace that I'm good friends with Jen. But the thing is, I want to go to the wake and funeral as myself. I only get one biological mother, and I want to be there to say goodbye as myself." She smiled. "That's what I need you for. I need an outfit for Page Alex for the wake, and two for 'Lady' Alexandria for the wake and funeral. I don't know any other seamstress that I trust for that."

Iris' gaze was kind. "Don't worry, I'll help you," she assured the girl. "I already have Alexander's measurements, but I must take Alexandria's measurements, so please take off your necklace."

"That's silly," Alex protested while doing as she was instructed. "Aren't they the same measurements?"

Iris shook her head as she steered Alex in front of a full-length mirror in another room. "The page does not have a full chest as you do. Or do you always leave your necklace on, so you forget?"

Alex blushed. "No, it's just...well, I don't usually look at myself when I'm really myself," she answered.

"That is unwise. I think you're trying to forget who you really are. And have you been growing again?" the woman asked as she looked Alex, who nodded, over.

"I measured five feet, seven inches last month," the girl replied. "I thought girls were supposed to grow in their early teens? And I'm not trying to forget. It's just easier this way."

"Not neccesarily," Iris said in reply to the question as she ran a tape measure around Alex's slim waist. "Christine was five-four until your age. And it looks as if you've grown two more inches since last month." She held out the tape measure to Alex. "It appears that you'll be taller than her in no time."

~*~

Alex went back to Iris' a couple nights later for fittings. As the lady adjusted the long back of a black dress, Alex tried to see it by twisting her head, and her whole body in result.

"Stop that, or I'll prick you with one of these pins, and it won't be entirely accidental," Iris finally threatened.

Alex stood straight again. "Sorry. It's just, I've never really worn a dress," she said. "My mother tried to get us to, but I instead went the other way, dressing in the most unconventional ways I could find. I didn't only do it to spite her, though. That was my style at the time. Jen dresses like this, but she always has. It's new for me."

"Well, turn around so we can have a look at you," Iris told her, and Alex obeyed. Startled, the girl simply stared at the reflection in the mirror.

"I didn't know I was this pretty," she finally said in awe.

Iris just laughed. "Now we must do something with your hair. Christine?" she asked, adn the other lady stood from the couch she had been sitting on.

"This is what I think will work best," she said as she held up a sketch. "With ribbons weaved into the braids, perhaps?"

"But my hair's not that long," Alex pointed out. "It's only a little past my shoulders. That might work for Jen, whose hair is down to her knees, but not me."

Christine smiled at this. "I'm aware of that," she said, "but with my magic, I can make it grow as long as your sister's. Would you want me to?"

Alex's yellow eyes lit up. "Yes, I would, if you don't mind," she answered excitedly. "My hair would be that long, if I hadn't chopped it off to run away two years ago."

"Oh, I wouldn't mind at all," Christine replied with a smile. She closed her eyes and drew her hands through the air in long, sweeping motions. Green light blazed out and landed on Alex's hair. When it faded, her hair had grown to the desired length. With a tug of a hand, some hair raised up and began to braid itself in two little braids, one on each side of Alex's head, and only stopping once the braids reached the bottom. Christine made a circle with one of her hands, and they stayed together. Then, she opened her eyes and grinned. "So, how do you like it?" she asked.


With a sigh, Alex exited the elegant building through a side door. Everything had gone perfectly. Her father had not thought any connection between Alex the page and his daughter. If that was so great then, why did she feel like crying, and not over her mother? For all she knew, Eric had forgotten about her. He never mentioned her, just his one daughter and sons. Then, with a sudden pang in her heart, Alex slid down to the ground. She had wished to be out of their life. She had brought this upon herself by running away, so she deserved what she got.

A hand lightly touched her shoulder, and she looked up. Christine's kind face looked down upon her. I know it's hard, but it's time to go as yourself, her inner voice gently said. Alex managed a smile. Was there anything she didn't understand? Then she remembered. Christine had been to her father's funeral before she was Alex's age, and her mother's just ten years after that. Of course she would understand.

They walked to an abandoned alley, where Alex's dress had been hidden. As Christine stood watch, Alex took off her disguise and changed her clothes.

"Shall we go now?" Christine asked once she had fixed Alex's hair. The girl nodded, her throat closed too much from holding back her tears. "Goodness, child, it's okay to cry. The Goddess knows I did enough. In fact, I've probably cried more than people should. I'll probably start crying in there as well, and I'd never met your mother." They had reached the funeral home's main entrance. "Perhaps it's best if you go in alone," Christine said uncertainly.

Alex had to smile, even if it was faint. "You're worried about seeing my father again, after all these years," she said. "You most definitely are coming in with me. I couldn't do this without you."

"Well, I hope you don't mind if I come as well," Adán said as he walked up to them in his usual black splendor. "Eric and I went to school together, so I felt I should come, since I'm in the area and all." He laid a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder, and together, the three of them walked into the building.

Eric was busy talking to someone else, so Alex knelt down in front of her mother without being noticed. Silently, she said her prayers to the Black God, Keeper of the dead; and Great Mother Goddess, protector of women. When she finished, she stood, and Christine and Adán took her place. She slowly crept up in line to her family...

Eric stood at the head of the family, being Jasmine's husband. After him were four chairs, three being occupied. He thought about this as he absent-mindedly thanked a co-worker for coming. He had had four chairs set up, for his four children. He was hoping Alex would show up, although there was no sign of it. His other three children stood in front of the other chairs, monotonously thanking people, as he did, while their thoughts clearly wandered. It was the first time Eric had seen even the three of them together since they were babies. If Alex were here...He turned his eyes to the next person in line and gasped.

Alex hadn't been sure of how she would act when she came face to face with her father. Now, she had no time to act. She was immediately seized in a hug by her father, and she just let her tears fall into his hair.

"Oh, I've been so worried, Alex," her father sobbed. "I've missed you so much, and I had no idea where you were or if you were safe..."

"I've missed you too, Dad," Alex whispered.

They clung to each other a moment longer, and Alex took in the sweet smell her father had always had on him. Then they broke apart as he looked her over. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever see your face again," he told her with tears in his eyes. "We have a lot to talk about..." His voice trailed off as he looked behind her.

Alex smiled and turned. "Father, may I present Christine Haskell-Harrison and Adán Telémakhos?" she formally presented. "Master Adán, Miss Christine, my father Eric Grossi." Then she left them to talk to her siblings.

"We were beginning to wonder if you'd show up out of your disguise," Rufus whispered to her. "Your father was pretty worried about you."

"Of course I'd come," Alex replied. "Tomorrow, as well."

~*~

"It's so great to see the four of you together again," Eric told them once again. They had an hour break and were spending it in a downstairs room, talking. "Alex, everyone's been so worried about you. Where have you been?" His tone did not demand an answer, but merely displayed curiosity.

"Away. Learning how to grow up, work hard, and be independent," she answered truthfully. "I can't say where, but I assure you that I'm safe."

Eric nodded, his eyes full of understanding. "You don't have to tell me, as long as you're safe, which is apparent. I know what it's like to have to get away." Alex and Jen exchanged glances, wondering what he was talking about. "I have my own place, kept a secret for thousands of years. Perhaps, someday, I'll share the secret with all of you." His eyes flicked to Christine. "Although, I believe you know about it."

Christine smiled. "Yes, I've heard of it, but never been there. My family line traces back to it. It sounds marvellous, though. Simon spared me no details. It must have been wonderful, though, for them to name an album after it."

"Simon?" Alex asked. "And what is 'it'?"

"Simon Lebon, from Duran Duran. And 'it' is Medazzaland." Christine breathed the word, as if it contained too much power to be spoken any louder. "The birthplace of all things magical, and your father's homeland."

"I've never heard of it," Alex said with a frown.

Eric laughed. "Of course not," he replied. "It's a secret, and for a very good reason. It's the Perfect World. Last time people found out about it, twenty years ago, they attacked us, threatened to make it unPure, and killed the Special One, protector of our land. I was her protector, and they killed me. Because of her Pureness of heart, however, the gods granted her wish to bring me back to life. When we finally broke free of the impurity put on our land by the armies determined tow in us, and we defeated them, we erased everyone's memories of Medazzaland's existence, except those from there or of Pure hearts, who wouldn't betray us. Except for a few others, as punishment."

"And thus became the Lost Year," Christine announced quietly.

Alex frowned again. Hadn't the Goddess mentioned that, once? Yes, she had. "You loved someone there," she said, and Eric looked at her with surprise. "You loved someone, a great sorceress, and magic killed her. Was that the Protector you spoke of?"

He nodded, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Her name was Xardia, but she was called Christy before she knew of her nature and Medazzaland. She went to school with us," he said to Adán and Christine. "I was brought back to life just as she died. We passed each other in the Well of Death, and I tried to save her, but it was beyond my power. With her death, however, our land became free, and remains so for another thousand lifetimes at least, but we're constantly preparing for it. Not that we can do much without another Protector." He looked up from his hands, which he had been studying for the past few minutes. "Until then, my people live in peace, and are eager to meet my family. You see, I take a vacation every now and then to visit. It would be great if all of us, even you, Christine and Adam, went the next time."

Impulsively, Alex stood and hugged her father, feeling closer to him than ever. "Of course we'd love to come," she told him.

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