Preparations for the Reunion

“-six years old, the age you were when you vanished. I know this may cause some confusion to anyone who knows you, but it’s better than making you an adult with the mind of a child.”

But I don’t have the mind of a child, Fred thought as she inspected her small body, newly returned to its prepubescent state. However, trying to express such a protest proved frustrating. When Marcelina tried slipping her into the provided girlish clothes, she struggled weakly. “Aah! Ah!”

“Now, now,” the young woman chided. “I know you’re not a grownup mentally, but your mind should be old enough to know you ought to be dressed properly. Now behave yourself.”

“Dressing properly is the least of my concerns!” She felt like shouting. However, she could already tell that trying to communicate this would only cause more misunderstanding. So, she fell silent and obediently allowed herself to be dressed, even trying to use her clumsy movements to help.

“That’s a good girl, Hannah,” Marcelina smiled. At last, she finished by inserting the girl’s feet into her shoes. “And done! You look adorable!”

Finding herself placed before a mirror, Fred stared at the girl looking back. She was indeed adorable with large blue eyes and almost unnaturally reflective silver hair. Wait, silver? Reaching up, she fingered a few of the strands. Had her hair been that color before? Probably not, but what color had it been? It was so hard to remember such details.

“Sorry,” Marcelina apologized from behind her. “After so long in that form, it’s only natural that a few aspects of it would remain. If it makes you feel better, it’s quite beautiful.”

It was indeed beautiful. The light shimmering through it made Fred look like an angel. Quickly, she focused on the rest of her. Despite herself, she found the dress rather comforting, though not because of the girliness. Just being dressed at all made her feel much more human again.

A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts. “Alright, Hannah. Now, we’re ready to see your father.”

Fred once more tried to speak, concentrating on forming her first consonant. “Ffffff-aah?”

“That’s right! You’re father is waiting for you,” Marcelina responded with that exaggerated excitement adults usually reserved for children. “Well, perhaps not waiting, exactly.”

Seeing her charge’s curious look, she stopped and crouched down to her level. “Hannah, I need to tell you something.”

1. Your father was rescued from my father’s clutches a few years ago. He’s been worried sick about you.
2. Your father was rescued from my father’s clutches a few years ago. He assumed you were lost forever, and he’s moved on.
3. Your father lost all memory of you. I’m hoping that seeing you will bring back his memories, but we can’t be sure.
4. We discovered that the man who brought you here twelve years ago wasn’t really your father, but we managed to find your real father.
5. Your father, Belboz, was arrested along with my own father. We’re visiting him in prison.
6. Your father might not look the same as you remember him. My father cast a very strong curse on him, even stronger than yours!

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