That morning had gone wrong, and everything was confusing from Keelia’s perspective. She kept on trying to ask Dedrick to explain what had happened. I mean, what were Colors? Musictons? The Synesthesia Language? All Alvis had said was a quick description and had left her to go and eat with his friends. Dedrick walked in from his work, despite all that had happened, his work told him that they still needed him for the day. It was almost the weekend, Keelia thought. “Dedrick, can I please ask you something?” she pleaded. Slowly, throughout the days she had been there, she felt comfortable expressing some of her emotions. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was more comfortable, or if she just felt like she was home.

                “I’ll be right up. I think that I already know what you’re going to ask though,” he said seriously. A few minutes later, he trudged warily up the stairs.

                “Well? Tell me about what I am! What are Colors and Synesthesia? I’ve been trying to ask you for weeks! But you were always too busy!” She asked.

                “Well, first I ought to tell you what you are. Musictons are one of the rarest, but most important elements of the world. You are a Musicton, that means that you are very good with instruments. Counselor Alie and his wife are also both Musictons, and there are a few other people that you’ll soon meet as well. I am a Musicton, and so is Alvis. In Crecklington, we sustain life on Earth. We help give the earth its colors, sounds, weather, and such. Anybody with the same talent can speak to each other in a different language. Weathertons can speak to Weathertons. Techtons can speak to Techtons. And you, Keelia, can speak to other Musictons, and all of the different powers can talk to each other in a language if necessary” he said. She sat there.

                “Was that how Alvis was talking to me?” she questioned.

                “Yes. And I’ll talk to him about that. He had no right to step into your affairs like that,” he began.

                “No, I should have listened to him. I was just being arrogant and foolish,” Keelia confessed. “What are Colors?”

                “Now Colors are thoughts in somebody’s head, it works almost in the same way Musicton Language works. You can read or see other Musicton’s thoughts and memories, somewhat like a telepath. But you can’t hear the thoughts and memories of a Techton or a Weatherton. Just other Musictons. Get it?”

                “I think so… But what happened when I got sucked into the memory?” Keelia said. Dedrick’s face fell slightly.

                “It could be possible that they were talking about you, or that you were in the memory. But I highly doubt that any of that is possible. Please don’t worry about that. He’s undergoing questioning tomorrow morning. And Keelia, you will be spending the day with his wife, Laurelin, tomorrow.” Keelia gaped at him.

                “You’re sending me, to spend the day with his wife?” Dedrick nodded. Well, she thought, there go your plans to visit Mrs. Mickinson and Cligan tomorrow.

---

                She woke early the next morning so that she wouldn’t be late walking over to Laurelin Alie’s house. She was terrified. What if this was the worst day ever? No, it couldn’t be worse than leaving her family, not in the slightest. But then again, what if it was? She shook herself and hopped out of her temporary bed in Delisa’s room. The Howells had said that after Mrs. Alie brought her back to their house, they would take her to see some people who may adopt her. Overall, not a stressful day at all! she thought sarcastically.

                Keelia quickly dressed and she and Trilly walked quickly out the door. They had to walk all the way to the town, hop on the trolley, and that would drop her off at Laurelin’s house. She wasn’t completely sure about this, and she had thought and expressed it multiple times. “You need to stop worrying so much! Laurelin is a very nice woman! Besides, you owe it to her to at least get to know her a little bit!” Trilly said as they boarded the trolley. The trolley looked like they did in her world, only a little fancier, they were bright red, and shiny. It had a few yellow and white stripes going in a circle around the middle, right under the open windows. Everybody was very nice to Keelia when Trilly introduced her to various people. She glimpsed a sight of Mr. Thisgy, but never had a chance to go and say hello. They passed many blocks.

                “Trilly, how large is this town? It’s more like a city with a country feel,” Keelia asked.

                “Crecklington is the largest settlement we have; the King and Queen live just up the road from where the Alie’s live. Soon, Dedrick will bring you to the palace so that you can meet them.” Trilly responded.

                “Wait, I’m going to meet the King and the Queen?” she asked. Trilly nodded. How many more surprises? When could she simply go to school, have new friends, and visit the dryads? “When can I go and meet the dryads?”

                “Maybe next week, but first, we need to get you registered as a Sustainer, take you to see the Sunrise Songs, get your school supplies, and a few other things,” Trilly replied. Keelia sighed, so much to do! The trolley stopped and they stepped out. Keelia’s legs locked as they walked up the stairs into the green-shaded house. “oh, come Keelia, it won’t be that bad,” Trilly said. The door opened and a fragile pale woman came and ushered them in.

                “I’ve got tea on; will you be staying long, Trilly? We haven’t talked in so long!” she began.

                “No, Laurelin, I have to go and teach some of the younger Weathertons how to control rain. Last week we had somebody break a water pipe. I’ll see you later, Keelia, have fun,” and with that, Trilly blew her whistle and was gone. She turned slowly to face Laurelin.

                “I’m so sorry about running into your husband, I-,” she started, but Laurelin held up her hand for silence.

                “I have no complaints; he could probably have used it. He is arrogant and harsh for reasons you won’t understand, but he really is a good man,” she said. Keelia nodded.

                “So, what should we do?” she inquired. Laurelin smiled, she looked so happy for once. The smile caused her face to change entirely. From sad and cold, to warm and happy.

                “Well, first I have to run some errands, and I need to talk with my friend, Elowyn, who is a dryad.”

                The shopping took longer than Keelia had anticipated, but it was also fun. She didn’t know why she was so stressed about going to meet Laurelin. Despite Laurelin’s sharp-appearing features, she turned out to be a very kind and compassionate Sustainer. Like Keelia, Laurelin was also a very talented Musicton and often played at the Sunrise Songs. Keelia had loved the Sunrise Symphony she’d gone to.  They began the errands by going to the local grocery store in the center of Crecklington. Instead of riding the trolley, Laurelin thought it would be good for them to walk and get to know each other better. She longed to go and visit Mr. Thisgy, whose store was just across the street from where Laurelin had just entered. She tore her eyes from the music shop and walked into the spacious grocery store. It wasn’t like the stores back at her old home, it was more like a covered market. There were many different-colored stands with happy signs that said, ‘fresh fruit’, ‘Only if you can handle spice, if not, don’t come near’, and some signs said things like ‘I’m having a rough day, give me money’. Keelia stayed away from the ‘give me money signs’, anticipated that the people who ran those stalls wouldn’t be very nice. When Laurelin had finally finished getting all her groceries, she went by the sweet table and paid for two small, bean-shaped things and she handed one to Keelia. 

                “Thank you so much… what is it?” Keelia asked politely, staring at the yellow bean in her hand.

                “Just try it, they’re really yummy!” Laurelin said smiling. Keelia popped it into her mouth and bit down. Instantly,gooey lemon and pineapple frosting filled her tongue and she grinned as well.

                “Double thank you!” Laurelin laughed, her whole face lighting up.

                “I’m glad you think so. I once gave one to Jian, and he just about threw up- his stomach is very delicate,” she responded. Keelia and Laurelin walked out of the marketplace and down the road. Once they reached the end, Laurelin guided Keelia toward a faint dirt path leading down one of the hills. She followed, excitement growing in her veins. Dryads, she thought. They came to the bank of a small stream and Laurelin halted. Laughter echoed about as a small girl ran around the corner. Laurelin dropped her bags and kneeled to hug the happy girl. She lifted her off the ground and swung her around.

                “Stop it! Aunt Laurelin, you’re tickling me!” the girl said fondly, but she most definitely wasn’t a girl now that she saw her closer. Her face was very round, and her ears were pointed. Her long red hair fell to around the middle of her back with a few little flowers throughout it growing. She had streaks of red and orange going from the edges of her light green eyes back to her ears; her small lips were a medium shade of pink.

                “Keelia, this is Hadassah. She’s your age!” Laurelin said breathlessly. Hadassah’s pale skinny body turned to face Keelia. She was wearing a light green leaf dress which matched the color of her eyes.

                “Hello!” she said brightly. What was she supposed to say to a dryad? She looked up at Laurelin for help.

                “Why don’t you girls go and have fun? Hadassah, where is your mother?” she asked. Hadassah blushed slightly.

                “I got a little excited, since you haven’t been here for a while, so I ran ahead. She should be here soon,” Hadassah replied, “Come on Keelia, I’ll show you around!” Keelia raced after the agile dryad. For a sort of tree, that girl was fast! Finally, they halted.

                “So, what do you like to do?” Hadassah asked as she plopped down on a moss mound. Very engaging, I wonder if they’re all like this, Keelia wondered.

                “Well, I love to play music and read, but I’m not sure what yet- I only just arrived here. I would have loved to come see you guys sooner, but everybody kept distracting me. Not that I could’ve found my way alone, anyway. How about you?” Keelia responded. Hadassah stared at the ground for a moment.

                “Well, I like to be right here, looking over the brook and trees. It’s our job, you know, to make sure all the forests are all healthy. Though we also depend on you all too, you give us the color for it all, but we hardly ever get any visitors, Aunt Laurelin is the only Sustainer who regularly comes and visits us,” Hadassah said sadly.

                “Well, I really hope to visit you all while I live in Crecklington, but soon I’ll be starting school. I don’t know how much I’ll be able to visit then,” Keelia replied. Hadassah looked out into the breathtaking creek.

                “I think that we’ll be great friends.  All the other Dryads are not very nice, although some of them do talk to me occasionally. I’ve felt distant from the outer world. I really want to meet other Sustainers,” Hadassah perked up suddenly, “Do you think that you could take me to meet others soon? Maybe later tonight?” Keelia didn’t see any other reason to not take her… oh wait, she was going to meet her adoptive family later.

                “Probably not tonight, I’m going to go and meet some other people tonight. But I’m sure that I’ll be able to soon.” Hadassah sighed. They heard a rustling in the bushes behind them, and a tall beautiful dryad came slowly out of the brush.

                “Hello, Keelia! I’m Hadassah’s mother. I’m sorry to break up the party, but Keelia needs to go now, Hadassah. You really need to do your chores as well,” she said kindly. Later, Keelia learned that her name was Elowen. They walked casually back to Laurelin.

                “Did you girls have fun? I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer, but Keelia needs to get back to meet her adoptive family,” Laurelin said.

                “Good luck!” Hadassah called after them as they walked away.

                Laurelin and Keelia were running late. They jogged back to the village and quickly caught the trolley back to the Howells. “Well, Keelia. It was a pleasure getting to hang out with you today! I hope you like your adoptive family. Please stop by anytime. If my husband is in the house, I reckon you should stay away. So just peek through the window and see when you’re in the area,” Laurelin gave Keelia a quick hug and sent her on her way. Keelia looked back at Laurelin as she walked up the steps. Laurelin had a pained and longing expression on her face, and Keelia wondered why. She opened the door and stepped in.