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The Motley Kin

By Mira Eagle

Nothing was as it seemed. 

   The Motley Kin were on their way to a tea party at their friend Tulip’s place in the Flourish Forest, but their trusty map turned out to be not so trusty. This confusion may be due to the chosen map reader, Bengie Cake. Who, albeit trying his best, always seemed to get them lost. They are currently craning their heads up to the point of getting a neck crick, staring at a very imposing Whisper tree. This is not great news, as Whisper trees only resided in the Lost Forest, which was due north of the Flourish Forest, where the most definitely delectable and delightful tea party awaited them. 

   Even worse news, finding your way out of the Lost Forest was near impossible, without the help of the Fair Folk. This normally wouldn’t be poor news, as the Fair Folk welcomed the beings who made up the Motley Kin, but the local Fae had a tiff with their current Teddy Bear leader, Paddycake. She had refused the affections of the current princeling, in a very unladylike manner. She may have laughed in his face and then pushed him into the sacred lake when he acted enraged at her dismissive and final response of rejection. 

   Bengie is currently having a melt down and crying in a puddle at the foot of the aforementioned Whisper Tree. Paddycake is ranting to her husband Oliver, Angel is comforting the puddle who was Bengie, and Hal is doing his best to not show how concerned he is for Bengie, standing to the side, looking as aloof as possible for a fluffy panda bear stuffy. 

Done with the racket, the Whisper Tree violently shakes his roots, and bends over them in clear annoyance. “Is there a reason you are disturbing my peace? If you so wish, I can welcome you into internal peace right here and now?” the Whisper Tree threatens. 

He effectively shuts everyone up, as they stand frozen in place, shocked to have pissed off a tree. Their trees at home were never so mean. 

   Hal is the first to regain his composure. 

He bows and declares, “I apologize, Sir Tree. My name is Hal, may I have your name?” 

The tree heaves a deep sigh, “My name is Ohm. Now will you answer why you are here?” 

Hal rises from his bow, “Of course Ohm, we seem to have gotten lost, would you be able to direct us to the closest Fae, so that they could lead us out of this fine forest?” 

Ohm simply points to his left, straightens up and becomes completely still. If that wasn’t a dismissal, what was one? Concerned to be tallying any longer, Angel quickly gathers the liquid Bengie and follows Paddycake who is already teed off that Ohm was so rude. Oliver and Hal follow behind, treading deeper into the forest, following the directions of a mildly murderous tree. 

   Shattering pottery and dismal horror rushes Ruby whilst she tries her very best to dust her family's library. No, breaking things was not new to her, as she was cursed at birth by her father’s jilted lover. But this time, she had toppled over a precious vase, a vase that her father had gifted her mother as their engagement gift. It was imbued with magic by their goddess herself. (Ironically, the magic didn’t protect it from breaking. A fickle goddess they had, one filled to the brim with mischief). But back to the utter horror and terror Ruby felt, she had finally done it, breaking something unforgivable. Over her 179 years of life, she had done her best to fight her curse, but her helping others always ended with something or someone breaking. But it is her 180th birthday tomorrow, her big coming of age ceremony, and she wanted to show her family that she was ready to finally become an adult and go out on her own. Unfortunately, she is facing the humiliation of the deep disappointment from her family and likely being grounded at home for another 100 years. 

No, Ruby can’t withstand that. 

Decision made, she zooms out the library, using the side window, and zips all the way up to her bedroom window. She clambers through, bumping every bone possible. She throws a change of clothes and some snacks she had in her hidden snack drawer into her satchel and scribbles a note stating in no uncertain words that she is running away and not to look for her. 

   Meanwhile meandering in the Lost Forest, Bengie is holding Angel's hand and snuffling like a child, which does not help his image of being a softie, but how can he help it? He had royally messed up. How could he get them lost and make the trudge in this angry tree forest to find the Fae who were really miffed with Paddycake? Wallowing in his misery, Bengie peeks at Angel’s beautiful furry bear face and glowing baby blue wings. He so admired how put together and calm she always was, no matter the situation. He wished he could be more like her, but he always made a mess of things. 

   He is momentarily distracted from his internal woe by a fast approaching object plummeting directly towards them. Before he is able to vocalize a warning, the object collides into them, making them a tangle of limbs, paws and wings. Luckily, a lumbering Hal is able to gently pull apart the thrashing mass of teddy bears and unknown falling projectile. 

   Finally untangled, a wide eyed Bengie and disgruntled Angel face Hal holding up an adorable green fairy with gorgeous ruby-red eyes. Her disheveled appearance clearly displays that she is just as shocked and confused as everyone else involved. Their bewildered silence is broken by a thundering Paddycake storming right up to the red-eyed fairy demanding what in the world she thought she was doing. The timid fairy seems to fold into herself, pressing against Hal, trying to get as far away from the berating Paddycake. Realizing that Paddycake is only terrifying their tiny friend, Hal holds up his hand, immediately silencing Paddycake mid rant. 

He gently turns the fairy around to face him. “Hello sweet one, my name is Hal. What is yours, and how did you come to be in this mess?” he prods. 

The fairy immediately relaxes, “I am so sorry for falling on you two.” She glances at Bengie and Angel, but avidly avoids Paddycake's glaring eyes. “My name is Ruby. I have been flying for a few hours and my wings gave out.” She hangs her head forlornly. 

Hal nods his head, “We understand and accept your apology. You actually may have saved us some time. We need a guide out of the forest. Would you be willing to help us?” 

Ecstatic to help, Ruby grabs Hal's fluffy arm and eagerly nods her head. “Of course, it is the least I can do as an apology!” Everyone is very pleased. “We just need to head to our left, and walk for about four hours, and we will arrive at the edge of the forest.” 

Everyone deflates to this news. Four hours definitely means that they will miss tea time. But on the bright side, at least they will make it out! (Paddycake does not agree with this sentiment.)

   Traipsing through the lush greens and vibrant foliage, Ruby queries, “You may be wondering why I am out here all alone.” 

She is ambling next to Hal, leading the group. They had become quick friends, which was unusual for Hal, as he was very reserved and slow to open up. 

“I didn’t want to pry, but it would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious,” Hal responds. 

Ruby  fidgets, seeming to burst at the seams, until finally she explodes. “You see, I was cursed at birth to be so very clumsy. Earlier, I broke something very important to my parents. I had wanted to do something special for them, as my coming of age ceremony is tomorrow. But after breaking yet another thing, I just couldn't face them anymore. So I flew away.” 

Ruby wilts, finally letting out her fear and frustration. They trudge along in silence, Ruby waiting nervously for his judgment. 

“You know, we all have flaws. If we didn’t we would all be the same, and that would be quite boring.” Hal pauses, glancing behind them at Bengie and then focuses back on Ruby. “Bengie is always making mistakes, which is how we ended up here. But we wouldn’t want him any different, as he brings so much kindness and joy to our lives. And without him, we wouldn’t be on this adventure, and wouldn’t have met you.” 

Bengie overhearing them blushes, joyous over the rare praise. Ruby is avidly staring at Hal while he shares. 

“Don’t you think your parents may feel the same about you? I am sure they are very worried and want you to come back home.” 

Ruby stops short, never having thought that way before. “Do you really think so?” she whispers. Hal places his hand on her shoulder and says, “I really do.” 

Ruby is silent, digesting what Hal just shared. They continue forward in thoughtful silence until Bengie walks up to Ruby and brushes his shoulder to hers, giving her a shy smile. This gesture leads to the rest of the four hour hike being full of chatting, laughter and budding new friendships. 

   At last, a vibrant light gushes right ahead of them, blinding them as they stumble out of the forest. Delighted, Bengie jumps with glee, running and tackling Ruby in a bear hug, while the rest of the Motley Kin regard them with grins. They made it out! 

“Thank you so much Ruby!” Bengie cries. 

Ruby gives him a watery smile. “Thank you. I think I will go home and face the music. I will send you a letter letting you know what happens. If they don’t want me back, could I come live with you?” 

Bengie smiles, “Of course! But Hal is right, they will be so happy to have you back home! But please come visit us!” 

Ruby gives him a big hug and smiles at everyone. “I will! See you soon,” she declares and flies away. 

Her flight is followed by lots of waves and cries of encouragement. 

   Regrettably, the Motley Kin did in fact not make it to the tea party, but they did make a new friend, so they didn’t feel that bad. In fact, they decide to have a tea party of their own the next day. Obviously the tea party is led by Paddycake and everyone is decked out to the nines and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The delicious cookies and sandwiches baked by Hal are heaven on a plate and the yummy tea tastes just like fresh spring flowers. Paddycake is mid speech declaring how fabulous she is to organize such an event when a sleek ebony raven plops down right next to the fine china. He is carrying a rainbow glass bottle with a handwritten message inside. It is from Ruby! She writes to them saying that they were in fact correct that her family was overjoyed that she came back, and it was crazy how she thought they were so disappointed in her, where in reality, they just felt so bad about her curse. Magically, as a present for her 180th coming of age ceremony, her father’s jilted lover removed the curse! She was so thankful to them and couldn’t wait to come visit! She wanted to thank Hal for his kind words and Bengie for his big hugs. Angel, Paddycake and Oliver made her feel so at home and she couldn’t wait for more fun stories and laughs. She ends the letter saying that she learned an important lesson. She realized that in the Fae Realm, nothing was quite as it seemed. 

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