The Sims Of The New World part 4

The second storm completely destroyed what was left of the Fae's crops, and  the trees were now barren of 
any fruit or nut, leaving only the Evergreen cedar and other pine trees standing stately against the dreary dark
sky. The plants that had not been killed by the cold were now pulled from the ground, their roots revealed, or 
left to drown in the large pools of standing water.

When the rainstorm gradually dwindled, the severe blanket of water turning again to a light drizzle, and the sun 
was able to peeped through the clouds, the Orange Fae exited their nest to find each family camp in  shambles. 

And, to top it off, their nests were not enough to keep them dry. The water had seeped in during the second storm 
making it impossible  to keep even a little fire going.  Wet, cold, hungry and confused, they  came together to have 
a meeting concerning what to do about their plight. It took a lot of discussion, but it was finally decided that the 
only thing to do was go to the Blue Fae for help.  Since Tangerine was successful in getting them to make the 
warmer clothes, she was once again given the  task of asking them to join the rest of the Fae clan at the Shrine.

Surprisingly, the Shrine did not seem to be touched by the rainstorm.  The flowers that usually bloomed 
continuously were now gone, but other than that, the Shrine was intact.  Crystal appeared directly in front, 
over the gathered Orange Fae, who were sitting on the ground, shivering.

Dante stood to address Crystal.

     "Please," he began, "Crystal, help us. Your sisters, nieces and nephews need you. We are wet, cold and 
hungry, and some of the little ones are beginning to cough and sneeze.  We are afraid they will become ill. 
The storm has utterly destroyed our camps and our crops. We know that you cannot control what Gaia brings      
us, but our wives, lovely as they are, do not have your wonderful abilities to put every thing back the way it 
was. We don't know what will become of us if you do not help."

     "What's that I hear? You say you need me?" Crystal feigned innocence as she looked around at the 
gathering, secretly smiling to herself. "You want us, the Evolved Ones, to put everything back as it was?"      
She looked at the twelve faces, drained, wet and weary, as each female and  male Fae nodded in unison.

     "Well," Crystal finally said, "if I help you, there's got  to be some changes around here."

     "Changes?" There was a murmur from the crowd as they looked from one to another. Dex became afraid 
of what this could mean for Marigold and their children, and he gathered them protectively around him, tears 
forming in the inner creases of his eyes.  Blossom, who was not almost as big as her cousins Jazz and
Greenley, thanks to Aunt Crystal's meddling, tenderly wiped her father's eyes with a cloth.

But, as usual, the Blue Fae were too busy with their own 
desires to be bothered with the needs of their sisters, and 
despite a promise from one or two, no one made it to the 
meeting.   Which, of course, is exactly what Crystal intended.  
And THIS time, she made sure Cyana was not around to turn 
everything against her.

  
"SILENCE!" Crystal demanded.

The wind came up again and a chill ran through the Orange Fae as all 
voices ceased. But, this chill that shook their bodies was due more to 
Crystal, not the wind, as she glared down at them with her cold blue 
eyes. Dante shrunk back to the ground, unable to even whimper.

Suddenly, as if by a silent signal, four of the Fae children ran up to surround
Crystal. Their parents were more shocked and called to their children;
but they were not afraid of  Crystal as they looked up into their aunt's 
face with pure admiration,  smiling happily as they held her hand and 
leaned against her legs. And, noticeably, each of these children was bluer 
than they were before they touched Crystal.

The gathered  Fae sat staring, quietly waiting for Crystal, too astounded to 
move or to even blink.

Crystal smiled warmly. "Yes, changes." She waited. Then she looked 
lovingly at  each of the Becoming children, bent low to kissed each 
tenderly on the forehead,  and then she sent them back into the crowd.

"Go back  to your, ugh, camps, if that's what you call them. Gather what is 
left of your  belongings. Then return home. Yes, return here to your true 
home, and I, Crystal Blue, will take care of you, as I have always done."