Legends of Amacia The Awakening

Grandma Electra

Hanna awoke about 9:00 AM in her quarters after the storm with a moan. Cracking her eyes open, she saw Rachel beside her with Selina, who had her arm around the little girl. Both of them remained asleep with Selina purring. A feeling of being not quite there filled Hanna as she looked at the pair. The memory of the electromagnetic storm felt distant, ghostly. A sigh escaped her lips as she gently stroked Rachel’s cheek with her fingers briefly. “Sleep on, sweet Rachel,” Hanna murmured, kissing her on the cheek.

When Hanna shifted to get up, Rachel opened her eyes, seeing Hanna starting to get out of the bed. “Hanna,” she whispered sleepily. “Where am I, and why do I feel momma’s purr?”

“You’re in our bed and Selina is right beside you,” Hanna answered, smiling sweetly at Rachel as the strange disjointed feeling she had slowly dissipated. “We decided to let you spend the night in our bed so you wouldn’t feel alone. It also allowed Selina to use that wonderful purr to give you a good night’s sleep. You deserved it.”

“That’s right, sweetie,” Selina agreed, waking as Hanna spoke to Rachel. “We wanted to make sure you felt safe and wanted. It also allowed me to keep you calm physically and mentally with my purr. How do you feel this morning?”

“Like I have a real family again,” Rachel said, tears rising in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Hanna chimed. “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

“Yeah,” Rachel admitted. “I really need to pee.”

“Then let’s get you to the bathroom,” Hanna answered, throwing the blankets back and picking Rachel up as she got off the bed. “Come on, I’ll help you.” Rachel nodded, still amazed that Hanna wanted to help her as they went to the bathroom.

Selina stretched and yawned with a growl. Her legs tingled from her hips to her toes. “Hmmm,” she murmured. “I wonder why my legs are tingling.” She shifted position, sitting up with her back to the head of the bed. She stroked her legs and marveled she could actually feel her fingers on them.

Hanna and Rachel returned from the bathroom, seeing Selina stroking her legs firmly, massaging them. “Do you want me to massage your legs?” Hanna asked, putting Rachel next to Selina in a sitting position.

“No, it’s okay,” Selina answered, putting her arm around Rachel and purring softly. “My legs are tingling this morning so I rubbed them to try to dissipate the tingling. I actually felt my fingers putting pressure on my legs when I did it.”

“That’s great!” Hanna chimed, sitting down cross-legged facing Selina and Rachel. “You may be about to get your legs back now that you’re feeling them.”

“I hope so,” Selina answered. “I’m getting tired of rolling around in that wheelchair. I want to run and dance again.”

“What’s wrong, momma?” Rachel asked, puzzled. “Can’t you walk?”

“No, sweetie,” Selina replied. “When I was a prisoner like you, the Emperor and his snake did things to me that robbed me of my ability to walk. I haven’t been able to walk since Hanna rescued us. But I’ve been going through some intense physical therapy down at the pool to help regain the use of my legs.”

“You mean you’ll be able to walk again?” Rachel queried.

“Yes,” Hanna stated. “The fact Selina is getting feeling back in her legs is a tremendous sign that she’s going to regain the use of her legs.”

“I’m glad,” Rachel cooed. “At least you have legs you can use. I don’t have anything left. I wish I could walk again.”

“And you will,” Selina purred, sensing Rachel’s depression about her maimed status. “Hanna promised and you will walk again. I’m sure there’s some way to rig up some prosthetic limbs for you so you can have a somewhat normal life.”

“What are prosthetics?” Rachel asked.

“They are fake legs you can use to walk with,” Hanna stated, trying to keep it simple. “They attach to where your legs were removed. It would allow you to move around by yourself. There are even prosthetic arms and hands that we could use to replace your missing arm and hand. Of course, it would take time for you to learn how to use them, but I’m sure you’re up to it. You’re a tough, smart girl.”

“Fake arms and legs,” Rachel murmured. “Would they make me look like a real girl again?”

“I’m sure they can be made to look and behave like the real thing,” Hanna stated. “We just have to start looking for them. I’m sure Enoch knows if there’s some prosthetics in the Tower that’ll fit you.”

“I think I’d like that,” Rachel stated. “I don’t want to be a burden on you or momma.”

“You’ll never be a burden to us,” Selina cooed. “You’re our little girl and we love you.”

Rachel started sobbing softly realizing Hanna and Selina truly loved her. “You really love me,” she wept.

“With all our hearts,” Hanna answered sincerely as she moved beside Rachel opposite of Selina, putting her arm around the little girl. “We’ll never stop loving you. And we will find a way to replace your missing pieces. I promise. But it may take a little time, so don’t be mad if it doesn’t happen right away. We need to find a source for the prosthetics first. Then we can help you learn how to use them again. Okay?”

Rachel nodded, whimpering, “Okay, Hanna. You’re so nice to me. I’m sorry I’m such a lump. I can’t do anything on my own.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Hanna chimed, kissing Rachel on the temple. “It isn’t your fault. By the way, how do you like your nightie? It’s one of mine.”

Rachel’s eyes grew wide. “You gave this...to me?” she whimpered, starting to cry again. “Why?”

“Because you needed something to keep you warm,” Hanna stated, giving Rachel a gentle squeeze. “And because you’re our little girl. Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Rachel cried, shifting away from Selina to Hanna, laying her head against Hanna’s shoulder and chest. “I’ve never had anything like this before. How did you get so nice?”

“It’s a long story,” Hanna admitted, “...one that can wait for now. But let’s just say that I know what it’s like to not have anything and then be given more than I could ever want.”

“Your clothes are so soft,” Rachel stated, looking up into Hanna’s face. “And they’re so pretty, like you. You’ll make sure I have pretty clothes so I can be pretty like you and momma won’t you?”

“Absolutely,” Hanna chimed. “Every little girl need pretty clothes. I’m sure your grandma will make you some fabulous clothes.”

“Grandma?” Rachel asked. “Who’s grandma?”

“Why Selina’s mother, of course,” Hanna chimed. “She made me all the clothes I’ve been wearing. She made Selina’s clothes too. You’ll probably get to meet her today.”

“Is she a cat like Selina?” Rachel replied.

“Sure is,” Hanna stated. “And she’s just as pretty as Selina and Kida.”

“Who’s Kida?” Rachel asked.

“My twin sister,” Selina answered. “She’s the tall cat you saw with me and Hanna when you first woke in the infirmary. She’s Enoch’s wife...you know the big guy that was there too.”

“I think I remember them,” Rachel murmured, calming down emotionally. “She had red hair and was so tall.”

“That’s her, all right,” Hanna chimed. “She cares for you as much as we do. You can trust both her and Enoch. They’ll do anything for you because you’re family.”

“I’ll see them today, won’t I?” Rachel inquired.

“I don’t see why not,” Hanna stated. “They’ll be here to help you and Selina while I’m gone.”

“Where are you going?” Rachel asked fearfully. “You promised never to leave me.”

“I’m not leaving you, Rachel,” Hanna answered. “But the procedure I’m having done will take a few days. You see, Rachel; I’m not supposed to be a girl like you. I’m supposed to be a man. The Emperor used Josephine to turn me into this. Now, Josephine is going to turn me back into a man so I can be your dad and not your sister. Do you understand?”

“I’m not sure,” Rachel replied, in a puzzled, fearful tone. “But I think I remember you telling me something like this when I woke.”

“I did,” Hanna stated. “Wait, I think I have something that can help you understand. Hang on for a second.” She got up as Rachel shifted back to Selina, soaking up her purr as Hanna rummaged through her dresser.

“What is she looking for, momma?” Rachel asked.

“The pictures of what I used to look like,” Hanna called out, hearing the question as she searched her dresser. “Ahh, here they are.” She returned to the bed with a large envelope and sat beside Rachel, pulling out the picture of Hannibal and Selina taken at Harry’s house. Holding it so Rachel could see it Hanna pointed to Hannibal and stated, “This is what I used to look like before the Emperor caught me.”

Rachel stared at the image of Hannibal and Selina posing together for the picture. She looked back and forth between the picture and Hanna several times, trying to make the connection. “That’s you?” Rachel asked in amazement.

Hanna sighed deeply. “It was,” she declared. “I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s me as a man almost six months ago. You have to look close at me, particularly in the face, to see my original form here in the picture. But it’s there. Even the mutation couldn’t completely erase my identity as a man.”

Rachel stared at Hanna’s face for almost a minute before she started seeing what she saw in the picture in Hanna’s features. “Wow,” Rachel breathed. “That’s really is you in the picture. It shows around your eyes the most. You really were a boy once. Does this mean you’re supposed to be my dad?”

“It does,” Hanna stated. “I didn’t ask to be turned into a girl. The Emperor did this to me just to be mean, just as he robbed you of your arms, legs, and innocence. But now, I have the means to undo what he did to me. I can be the man I’m supposed to be.”

“Did it hurt when he turned you into a girl?” Rachel asked, her mind reeling at the revelation.

“No,” Hanna stated. “Josephine apparently had me asleep when she mutated me at the Emperor’s order. It was very upsetting when I woke up as a girl though. Only Selina and our sisters in the Harem helped me adapt. They taught me how to live as one of you. Now, I must reverse it so I can make the Emperor pay for everything he’s done to us.”

“Will you look like this when you undo this thing the Emperor did to you?” Rachel asked, looking intently at the picture. “I hope so. You’re quite cute as a boy.”

“See, told you so,” Selina teased with a giggle.

“To be honest, I’m not sure,” Hanna admitted. “But I think I’ll probably will.”

“Why do you say that?” Rachel replied. “I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t understand,” Hanna stated. “I’m not sure that I understand it all myself. But it seems I’ve been slowly changing while living as a girl, evolving somehow into something more than what this picture show. Still, I’m sure I’ll recognize myself when I wake up after the procedure.”

“It’s not going to hurt you, is it?” Rachel asked, suddenly fearful. “I don’t want to lose you. I love you.”

Hanna felt her heart skip a beat with Rachel’s reply. “I love you too,” Hanna replied warmly, putting the picture away, and then wrapping her arm around the little girl. “You’ll not lose me and it isn’t going to hurt. I’ll be asleep just like when it first happened to me so I won’t feel a thing.” Seeing Rachel’s unsure expression, Hanna added, “I promise I’ll wake up. Enoch, Josephine, and everyone involved will insure that I wake up. They want to see me back the way I was before the Emperor. So does Selina. I can’t her husband when I’m her sister, now can I?”

Rachel giggled at Hanna’s comment. “No, I suppose not,” she answered, starting to comprehend what Hanna was telling her. “And you can’t be my dad either. Can I watch when you go to do this?”

“Sure,” Hanna stated. “Just understand when the procedure is done, I’m going to be a boy and not a girl. But I’ll still love you.”

“I know you will,” Rachel replied. As she spoke, a knock came to the door.

“Who is it?” Hanna called out.

“It’s Electra,” the voice answered. “I brought the little girl some clothes. Can I come in?”

“Come on in, momma,” Selina called out.

Electra came in carrying a large bag of clothes, closing the door behind her. She wore a short-sleeved warm-gray dress that reached to her knees, a leather belt around her waist, and a pair of sandals. Rachel stared at Electra’s seven-foot height and long silver hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. Electra smiled warmly at Rachel as she sat the bag of clothes down in a chair before coming to the bed. “Why, hello little one,” she purred with a broad, disarming smile. “How are you doing today?”

“Are you my grandma?” Rachel asked in amazement.

“Why yes,” Electra answered, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I’m Selina’s mother, and since she and Hanna adopted you, that makes me your grandmother.”

“You’re so pretty,” Rachel answered after a lengthy pause.

“Why thank you, Rachel,” Electra stated. “So are you. I’m here to see that your every need is taken care of. We Lynxians always take care of our families first. So, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah,” Rachel stated, becoming instantly at ease with Electra. “Do you purr like momma?”

Electra raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Of course, Rachel,” she answered. “All Lynxians purr. It’s a way we can bond with our family. Do you like Selina’s purr?”

“Oh, yes,” Rachel chimed. “It makes me feel safe and loved. I still can’t understand why she and Hanna chose to take me in the way I am, but I know they love me.”

“That they do,” Electra stated. “They love you with every ounce of their being. They will move the world to keep you safe.”

“That we will,” Hanna agreed. “But I have a feeling you’re here not just to bring Rachel some clothes. What’s going on?”

“Your telepathic prowess is impressive,” Electra stated. “Enoch wanted me to ask when you’ll be ready for the reversal.”

“What time is it?” Hanna asked.

“It’s almost 10:00 am,” Electra stated. “Enoch, Nemesis, Josephine, Elias, and Horace are checking over the machinery one last time just to be sure. Apparently, there was a monster electromagnetic storm last night just offshore and they wanted to be sure it didn’t affect anything. I didn’t know anything about it until Enoch said something about it at breakfast. You didn’t know about it, did you?”

Hanna sighed deeply. “I did,” she admitted. “Something woke me early this morning about 2 AM and drove me to the roof. That’s when I saw it with Aeolus, who landed just after it started. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a storm like that and it interfered with my telepathic abilities until it ended. It made me feel like I was being sucked into a black hole until the flash ended the storm. I can’t be sure what that storm was, but I’m sure it’s connected with the Rising somehow. Our time is running out and I know it. I don’t have time to waste trying to decide if I’m going to remain a woman or go back to being a man. The decision has been made for me. I’m going back to the way I was and do whatever it takes to keep the Emperor from killing us all. It’s time for me to man up.” She laughed at her comment. “That takes on a whole new meaning now, doesn’t it?” she cackled.

“I guess it does,” Electra agreed, chuckling, “...especially in your case. But in all seriousness, you should get moving and tell Enoch and Josephine. They should have the check of the machinery finished by lunch time.”

“Excellent,” Hanna chimed. “As soon as they finish checking the machinery, I’ll start the process.” Turning to Rachel, she said, “Rachel, I need to get ready for what we were talking about earlier, okay?”

“All right, Hanna,” Rachel stated. “You promise to let me see you when you start this thing you’re going to do?”

“I promise,” Hanna declared. “You can see me before I go into the machine. But while I’m getting the last details straightened out, I’m going to leave you with Selina and Electra. They will take good care of you. Okay?”

“Okay,” Rachel replied. “Do you have anything pretty for me to wear?”

“Of course,” Electra chimed. “That’s why I’m here. I also see that you don’t have your bandages on, Rachel. Why is that?”

“That’s on us,” Hanna stated. “I didn’t think she needed the bandages after we gave her a bath last night. I thought leaving the healing wounds open to the air would be more beneficial, especially since she wasn’t going anywhere. I know I stopped wearing bandages when I was at her level of healing. Just as long as no one pokes too hard, she’ll be fine. But if you think she should have them on, then by all means do it. We can’t have our little girl getting sick again.”

“I remember when you stopped covering your healing wounds,” Electra stated, “And you’re right. She’s well beyond that point. However, I do think we should at least cover the stumps while she’s out in public. It’ll be safer and maybe not make her feel so self-conscious.”

“You want to wrap me up again in the bandages?” Rachel asked.

“Just the ends of your arms and legs,” Electra purred. “It’s just to be safe and give you a little extra padding there. I’m sure the ends of those stumps are still very sensitive.”

“They do hurt when I hit them,” Rachel admitted. “But you’re not going to wrap me up like before, are you? I hated that. It made me itch so much it drove me crazy.”

“I can relate,” Hanna agreed. “I had the same thing happen with my wounds. I couldn’t get out of those bandages fast enough.”

“Me too,” Selina declared. “But we both knew they were for our own good.”

“That they were,” Hanna stated. “But it didn’t make it any less comfortable. Just thinking about it makes me itch.” She scratched her leg and left side with her hand.

“The point is momma thinks Rachel’s amputations need to be covered longer and I tend to agree,” Selina stated. “She needs those places protected. What do you say, Rachel? Will you let us cover your stumps to protect them?”

“I guess so,” Rachel conceded. “Just don’t wrap me up like before.”

“Sure, we can do that, sweetie,” Electra purred with a smile. Turning to Hanna, Electra added, “You should get moving, Hanna. Selina and I can handle Rachel. Don’t worry about her.”

“I know she’s in good hands,” Hanna chimed. Kissing Rachel on the cheek, Hanna said, “Now you be a good girl for Selina and Electra, okay?”

“I’ll be good,” Rachel replied. “I promise.”

“That’s my girl,” Hanna chimed, winking at her as she got up. “I’ll see you later.” Rachel smiled, watching Hanna retrieve a sleeveless knee-length tan dress and belt from her dresser before going to the bathroom to change.

“Okay, let’s get started,” Electra declared, standing up. “Where are the medical supplies for Rachel? Arabella said she had a bag of them brought up here for you to use.”

“They’re over there on Hanna’s dresser in the satchel,” Selina stated, throwing the blankets back. “Are you ready, Rachel?”

“Sure,” Rachel answered. “Will I get to meet other people after we get ready?”

“That you will,” Electra chimed, returning with the satchel of medical supplies. “You’ll get to meet many people today, including your grandfather. Nathanael wanted to come, but I told him he needed to wait until we got you ready and properly dressed.”

“I have a grandpa who’s a cat like you?” Rachel asked Electra.

“Yes, my dear,” Electra chimed, crawling on the bed with Rachel and Selina. “Come on; let’s get you ready to meet the world.” Rachel nodded with a grunt as Electra and Selina patiently prepared Rachel for the day.

Hanna came out of the bathroom wearing her dress and belt with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She saw Electra and Selina carefully covering Rachel’s stumps and larger wounds with bandages. She stopped by the bed, smiling warmly at Rachel, seeing her wavering expression. “Don’t worry, Rachel,” Hanna chimed. “Electra has seen much, much worse with me. You don’t need to be embarrassed or ashamed in front of her.”

“I’m not,” Rachel replied as Electra wrapped the stump of her right arm up to the elbow. “I’m more worried about what everyone else will say.”

“Don’t you be worried about that,” Selina chimed, wrapping the stump of Rachel’s left arm. “No one will make fun of you. I promise. Just give them a chance to get to know you.”

“Okay,” Rachel murmured, feeling very insecure.

“I know you’re anxious, Rachel,” Electra purred. “And it’s okay. This is the first time you will have been anywhere other than the infirmary and here. Just know that we’re not going to let anything happen to you. All the people and creatures of this place are your friends, even the weird and mean-looking ones.” As she finished speaking, they finished wrapping Rachel’s stumps and large healing wounds. “There we go,” Electra chimed. “All done; now let’s get something nice for you to wear. Hanna, before you go...please look through the clothes I brought for Rachel and pick an outfit for her. They’re in the bag on the chair.”

“I’d be happy too,” Hanna replied, going to the bag. Opening it, she rummaged through the clothes. “So many nice clothes to choose from,” she crowed. “Ah, here we go. She’ll love this. I just know it.” Hanna pulled out a small short-sleeved teal-green dress with red and yellow flower prints on it, holding it up. “It’s so pretty, like our little girl. Do you like it?”

Rachel gasped in amazement. “You mean I get to wear that?” she asked excitedly.

“If you want,” Selina chimed, smiling. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Rachel beamed. “I want to wear that pretty dress! I never had such pretty clothes like that.”

“Here you are, then,” Hanna replied, smiling warmly as she handed the dress to Electra. “Do you want her to have some underwear, Electra?”

“It might not be a bad idea,” Electra stated. “There’s a matching set of panties in the bag. Hand them here too.”

Hanna quickly found the panties that were teal with small flowers on them matching the dress. She handed the panties to Electra saying, “Here you are. I really need to go now.”

“Please wait,” Rachel begged. “I want you to see me with my pretty dress on.”

Hanna chuckled as Electra and Selina slipped the panties on Rachel. “How can I say no to that,” she crowed. “Do you like the panties?”

“Wow,” Rachel breathed. “They’re so soft.”

“As they should be,” Electra stated. “They aren’t too tight, are they?”

“No,” Rachel replied as Selina helped her sit up. “It feels like I’m wearing a cloud.”

Again, Hanna chuckled. “Seems you have another fan, Electra; Rachel likes your clothes as much as we do.”

“I’m glad,” Electra stated. “It always makes me happy to see people appreciate the clothes I make. Okay, sweetie...let’s get your dress on.” In less than a minute, they dressed Rachel in the teal dress. “How does it feel?” she asked Rachel.

“Really soft and nice like the nightie Hanna gave me,” Rachel stated. “I love it. What do you think, Hanna? Am I pretty now?”

“You were always pretty,” Hanna declared with a warm smile. “But you’re now beautiful. That dress is so you.”

“I knew it,” Rachel beamed with delight. “I am pretty!”

“That you are,” Selina agreed. “I’m happy that you’re happy.”

“Thank you, momma,” Rachel chimed, leaning towards her as Selina put her arm around the little girl.

“I have to go now, Rachel,” Hanna stated. “But I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”

“Okay,” Rachel stated as Hanna leaned over and kissed Rachel on the cheek before leaving.

“Hanna loves you very much,” Electra stated after Hanna left. “As do we all; you’re not alone anymore.”

“I know,” Rachel stated. “Can we see my friends who are like me again?”

“I don’t see why not,” Selina stated. “But first I need to get dressed and then we’ll get something to eat.”

“I’d like that,” Rachel murmured. “I am a little hungry.”

Selina smiled and kissed Rachel on the cheek. “Momma, can you help me get into my wheelchair and get dressed?”

“Absolutely,” Electra answered, bringing Selina’s wheelchair close. “I’d be happy to.”

In ten minutes, Selina cleaned up and dressed with Electra’s help. She chose to wear a sleeveless tan tank-top blouse, khaki shorts, and her sandal as she sat in the wheelchair. Once she tamed her hair, Electra sat Rachel in Selina’s lap and wheeled the pair out of their quarters heading to the kitchen for a late breakfast and Rachel’s first look at her new world.