“Anyway, what about Quinn?” Myra asked, firmly changing the subject.

“What about me?” Quinn piped up aggressively.

Sharna held out her hand to Quinn, trying to calm the fiery fairy. “I can’t keep her a secret from the others. It will be too difficult while we share so many living spaces. And I don’t want them to find out later and feel hurt that I didn’t trust them with something so important.”

“I understand,” said Myra, “maybe we could tell them together though, that way I can stress the importance of keeping this a secret.”

“We didn’t say anything to Beau about keeping quiet about Quinn,” Sharna suddenly remembered.

“I’m not worried about Beau, he knows more than anyone the importance of secrets.” Myra said mysteriously, Sharna waited but Myra obviously had no intention of elaborating further.

“Great,” said Quinn, spiralling up around Sharna's head, “I won't have to hide in your pockets anymore.”

Sharna smiled as she watched Quinn's antics. It would be such a relief to stop awkwardly trying to hide her. Sharna really hoped that all of them would become close friends and knew that secrets were never a great start, and Quinn was fun. Sharna wondered how she would get on with Gogo particularly.

Meanwhile, Myra was watching Sharna, her eyes crinkled with concern. “What would you like to do now? Will you come down for dinner or would you rather stay in bed?”

“I really want to stay in bed. Can we wait to tell everyone about Quinn tomorrow? I am just so exhausted.” To Sharna’s surprise, she started to tear up again.

“Oh my dear, of course it's okay.” Myra moved across to Sharna's bed, she held out her arms and Sharna sank into them. Sharna was touched, she got the feeling that Myra was not a natural cuddler but she still held her until Sharna pushed herself away.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“Thanks,” Sharna said, embarrassed, crossing her arms over her chest. “And maybe we can tell everyone about Quinn after breakfast tomorrow.”

“I can hide in your pocket for one more night,” Quinn sighed dramatically.

“Thanks Quinn, you’re the best.” Sharna pursed her lips so she didn’t let out a smirk.

“I know,” Quinn replied smugly.

Myra looked on in bemusement, “Quinn seems a little.. different from you, does soul genesis affect personality? Also,” it was as though Myra had suddenly remembered what they were talking about, and her rapid change in posture and resolution was almost comical. The questions started to fly out of her mouth, “how is it possible that you performed soul genesis? It has nothing to do with image-manifestation, did one of your tutors perform some magic on you? I have never even heard of anyone performing this kind of magic. Have you seen it before?”

Sharna grabbed Myra’s arm gently, her eyes silently imploring her to stop, and Myra slumped. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

“If it’s okay, can I wait and talk about Quinn tomorrow when we tell the others? I’m sure they’ll all have their own questions too.”

“I’ll be able to answer questions too,” said Quinn, snuggling into Sharna’s ear.

Myra smiled at them, “of course, I’ll leave you both to rest now.”

Myra rose and headed for the door, as she was about to open it, she turned back to Sharna, hand still on the doorknob. “Also Sharna, I just want to give you a heads up about Beau before you visit tomorrow.”

Sharna stiffened, certain she was going to get some kind of lecture about propriety but Myra’s next words were in a completely different direction.

“Beau’s family is not well off. I don’t know how much experience you have had with poverty before. His parents were both Catkin, and his father was killed in a race-related incident when he was ten. They have no extended family and his mother raised him and his little sister on her own.”

Myra smiled and went on, “the three of them have a lovely relationship, and now that Beau is old enough to work their financial situation is finally starting to change. However, by necessity, they have had to live in very austere conditions.”

Sharna found herself bristling with indignation at Myra’s insinuation that she would not be able to handle herself at Beau’s house. “Myra.. You know that my grandmother was one of the founders of The Pillars, right?”

Myra nodded, unsure where Sharna was heading.

“I have been involved in charity work since I was old enough to.. I don’t know, talk? Walk? Probably even before that?” Sharna shrugged, “I have visited more people’s homes, in all manner of circumstances, than I would be able to count. If I was such a delicate flower that couldn’t survive being removed from its hothouse, I would not have reached this point in my life.” Sharna said in a gently reproving tone.

Myra had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. You are just so young still, and have been raised in such.. uh, favoured conditions. I probably should have realised that your grandmother’s emphasis on education was spread throughout all areas of your life.”

Sharna nodded, “I understand and appreciate your concern, but my grandmother didn’t keep me wrapped in cotton wool.”