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[Angelique]

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The party for the young princess Arella's thirteenth birthday was small and informal. Just the Isk family along with extended relatives from Angelique’s side gathered around the bear skin rug in the livingroom. With Arella laying happily on the rug, the center of attention Auris was anxious to get things going. He gave her the first gift, a white toy chest filled with a lavender gypsy girl outfit, much like Mama and GeeMa wore around the house and a crystal ball of her very own. Symbols of the strong gypsy heritage from her mother’s side.

Isk brought in the cake and after making a wish and blowing out the wishing candle, the family enjoyed each other’s high spirits. With Isk helping Arella with her piece of cake, her great grandfather sat behind her holding her in a seated position. Arella, being unable to move her own body relied on such support and never seemed to complain. Her great grandfather, Papua Jaque, laid many strands of hand cut tiny wooden beads he had dyed brightly around her neck. Her Grandmother who all the children called GeeMa, filled her lap with multicolored hair ribbons. Isk lowered himself to Arella’s eye level and placed a green bag in his daughter’s lap. Arella's ice blue gaze widened when the silk bag was opened and she looked in at all the trinkets; a fireworks wand, a bell, and ruby earrings, the sight made her eyes sparkle. Papua Jaque set the bell aside, Arella closed her eyes and scrunched up her face concentrating as hard as she could until she got finally got that bell to ring out. Her entire family circled all around her, cheering. It was indeed her night.

The Magnate explained that Mama would make holes in her ears so she could wear earrings now that she was no longer a little girl but a young lady. Arella beamed up brightly at him, blinking her eyes rapidly.

Then came time for the last gift papa Isk referred to as "the special one". Everyone got excited. Athlon firmly stated that his father had put it away for safe keeping. When it was retrieved from its secret place it was given to the silver haired birthday girl. Try as she may, she could not open it. Athlon was much too excited to wait on her telekinesis and pulled the bow off and lifted the box lid for her. His smile was as big as hers as she stared down at the most intricate doll ever seen. Her blue masked brother had bought her a male doll, special ordered from the doll-maker, NightShade, to be a papa doll for her other dolls. It came with the clothes of a Sanctus soldier. The men were describing it to Auris, how lifelike it looked, what it wore. They were totally unaware of Angelique and her mother Eva’s reactions.

Angelique and her mother both looked at the doll wide eyed. Angelique instinctively covering her stomach with her arms in a protective gesture which stemmed from her maternal instincts. She backed up behind the large stone desk Isk often used to work and Eva, her mother, moved across to stand between her daughter and the doll. Both gypsy women were unable to take their eyes off the thing. The Patrona stammered, trying to sound as calm and natural as possible as she announced the party was over, the hour late. She sent the twins up to wash and get in bed to await hugs and kisses. Conferring quietly with her mother for just a moment before telling Isk to box up the doll and put it away. She asked her husband to carry Arella off to bed followed by her baby brother, Validus.

Leaving Angelique’s mother in the living room with the box, the family was off to bed. Angelique questioning Isk on where the doll came from? Was the doll-maker a friend or enemy? Finally explaining to Isk that the doll had a visible aura, not one of anger or inquisitiveness, sadness, nor love, nor peace. But a visible aura just the same.

Eva, the elder more experienced gypsy stayed the night in the livingroom with the doll. Mindful of the instructions not to break it or get it wet, she sat and watched it. Watching for changes in the aura. Trying to connect with any lost spirit in the room that may be of help. Staring into her crystal orb for hours Eva felt that by morning she would have an answer for her daughter and son in law as to what should be done with this most life like intricate doll.