The Concepts moment 3: “Fiction Holidays.”

One year during winter, Latrine Toi, the bathroom fairy that lives in Jeff and Ms. Stein’s apartment bathroom, was having her first holidays away from home. She used to live with her parents in Fantaja, the fantasy sector. But sadly, it was her time to go out on her own. Luckily, her new home welcomed her with open arms.

Jeff and Ms. Stein decided to take her out to see the lights and join the local festivities of Galvan. And after that, they were going to Frank Stein, Ms. Stein’s brother’s house for a little get together.

“Wow, the snow is pretty.” Latrine said in astonishment.

“It doesn’t snow in Fantaja?” Asked Jeff.

Latrine scoffed at the question. “If you call that snow. We usually get magic light sparkles that fall like snow. It’s pretty, but hard to fall asleep because of how bright they light up the sky.”

“What did you and your family do during this time?” Ms. Stein had Latrine on her left shoulder.

“We did a lot. My dad would collect some of the light sparkles and put them all around the house and my mom would do her traditional argument with him . She used to say, ‘that’s too much damn light, Harold!’ And I just sit there listening to them bicker all night while drinking hot coco.”

“That sounds nice, I guess.” Said Ms. Stein.

“It was. Free entertainment- so what’s your brother like? He’s an icon in the human world, so he must be very powerful with aware abilities.”

Aware is a powerful force that gives the fictional beings unbelievable power. The more people are aware of the concept in the human world, the more powerful the concept being becomes. And Frank’s aware abilities has been growing for over 100 years.

“He’s pretty powerful. Even though his creator died, her fiction lives on through him.”

“Are you as powerful as him?” Asked Latrine.

“Not really, He created me, so I’m his derivative. Meaning the more aware he is, I gain half of his abilities. But sadly, I can never get to his level because I was created by a legend concept. Not a human.”

“Well, that’s pretty cool. At least you know you’re a derivative. My family was created by unknown circumstances. We don’t know if we’re created by a human or another concept long ago.”

When they get to Frank’s house which was a castle with giant rods on top of it, collecting thunder from the black clouds that hover over the home. When they got to the front door, Ms. Stein asks, “Hey, Jeff. Can you ring the doorbell?”

“I could, but I won’t.”

“Why not?” Asked Latrine.

“Because, my little fairy friend. It loves to give you a shock. But it feels like you’re being hit with a taser.”

“Oh, come on, Jeff. It’s not that bad.”

“Well, not for you. You’re a Stein. All it does for you is feed you energy. And I know you want me to push it because you think it’s funny when I get shocked.”

“Ok, you big baby, you got me- You should hear how he screams like a little girl every time he pushes it.”

“Really? I want to hear it.” Latrine said in excitement.

“Well too bad. I’m not doing it.”

And then latrine began to chant,”Do it.” In an encouraging tone.

“No, Latrine. Not happening.”

Then Ms. Stein began to chant with Latrine. 

“Come on, Jeff. It’s Latrine’s first Christmas with us.” Said Ms. Stein, “It’ll cheer her up for being so far away from her family. She’s sad Jeff- right, Latrine?”

“Yes- so very very sad.” Latrine made a sad face.

“Fine, stop with the fake sadness.”

Jeff pressed the button and was hit with unbelievable volts of electricity. He shrieked and yelled at the top of his lungs. Ms. Stein grabbed him away from the doorbell. “Damn that hurt!” Jeff yelled. “Are you guys happy now?”

“Oh, so happy.” Said Ms.Stein.

“You do scream like a little girl.” Latrine giggled.

The front door opened. It was frank. And he was happy to see his little sister and her friends.

“Olga!” Frank said with joy. He looked down to see his little sister holding Jeff by the armpits. 

“Olga!?” Latrine giggled. “Your first name is Olga?”

“Hey, don’t make fun of my name, Latrine. Your name means bathroom.”

“Please, come in. We’ve all been waiting for you all to get here.” Said Frank. The house looked ugly outside, but well decorated on the inside. “-Like what I did with the place?”

“It’s beautiful.” Latrine couldn’t believe how well placed all the decorations were. “Thank you, Ms.?”

“Latrine Toi.” I’m a bathroom fairy.”

“Well it’s nice to meet you Ms. Toi- Make yourself at home.”

The entire night was a blast. Some of the guests gave gifts and others just was there to enjoy the little shindig. They drank, told stories, and watched old Christmas movies together. It was hours later. And none of them were sober enough to walk home, so Frank offered Olga and her friends to stay for the night. Jeff slept on a satin red couch with Latrine sleeping in his shirt pocket for warmth. The only ones who were still awake were Frank and Ms. Stein.

“Your friends are a trip Olga.” Said Frank, “And the little one can really handle her alcohol.”

“Yeah, for a moment there I thought she was going to throw up on your table, but she kept going.” Ms. Stein chuckled softly, trying to not to wake Jeff and Latrine.

“Hey Frank… can I ask you a question?”

Frank took a sip of wine from his cup and placed it on the kitchen island they were sitting on. “Sure, Sis. What’s up?”

“Why did you create me?” She asked softly, “I’ve always wanted to ask you that question, but your bride was always near by.”

“Well, Olga. Just like in the stories, I wanted someone to love me. Sadly, it didn’t work out. But I still wanted family who understood me and stood by me. I could’ve made another bride, but feared the next one wouldn’t work out either. So I decided I wanted a little sister. So I used a lot of my aware and figment energy to make you.”

“But why a little sister? Why not have a brother or mother or even a father?.. Why use all your aware make me?”

Frank took a good look at Ms. Stein. He saw the pain in her eyes. “Is something going on, Olga?”

“No, I-” Olga looked at her concerned look on her brother’s face.  So she came clean. “Last month, Jeff discovered his creator died and was really upset about it. I cheered him up the best way I could. But I asked myself, why would someone as special and powerful as you. Would make someone like me? A derivative who feeds off of him and brings nothing to the table.”

Frank put his hand on Ms. Stein’s to comfort her. “Olga. You do bring something to the table. I don’t see you as some leech feeding off of me. I see you as someone to cherish. Someone to always be there for. I didn’t want a brother or a father who would want to butt heads with me all the time. Or a mother who would love me but wouldn’t need me. But a sibling, like a little sister, someone I could bond with on the same playing field. Someone I could guide and be there for, like right now, when they need me to.”

Ms. Stein looked at her brother with tears running down her face. Frank wiped them away. “You were not a mistake, Olga. I chose you for a reason. And that’s for a bond no lover or parents could fully understand. Love that only siblings will have forever. I chose you. Never forget that.”

Ms. Stein quickly hugged her brother and had a good healing cry. After that night, She no longer saw herself as just a derivative or a burden. But a sister. And a good friend.