A Midnight Meeting

  ( Winterwish )

  It was Winterwish's first time back in the Nursery since she'd emerged. Though barely a fortnight had passed, the glassy garden filled her with a sense of nostalgia. She wondered just how long she'd slept amongst the thread-cradled, and couldn't help but wonder what sort of fairies remained developing within said silken orbs.

  It had been bright that afternoon, but now the stars twinkled through the stained dome above, each fragment tinted with its own translucent hue. Far below, the Enchanted Forest flickered with bioluminescence. The warm glows of sparse villages were nestled throughout.

  ...I wonder if Mister Pappy will be worshipping tonight?

  It was frightening how much could change in a day. When Winterwish had received Puddingpuff's invitation that morning, she'd believed discovering the palace's secrets to be paramount. That was before the fall of Candy Town. Before she'd witnessed the ichor claim Cutiehorn's arm.

  Then there was Merrymint, who was yet to lift her gaze. Even when Winterwish spilled what she'd learned of history, forbidden faith, the iron door, and the grim reality of graduation, she'd not even flinched. It was as if she had turned to stone, her eyes fixated on a plain patch of marble. It took Winterwish all too long to realise the relevance. It was the very spot she'd tumbled to after clawing free of her cocoon. The exact space she'd met Merrymint and Cherrychomp. To her, it was a fond memory, yet Merrymint appeared troubled.

  The morning's trauma had taken a clear toll on the Mentor. Her every movement was hesitant and unsteady, like a part of her had been left behind amongst the burning wreckage. She'd spent most of the day locked away in her room. Such a reaction wasn't too unexpected, but Merrymint tried so hard to uplift others that seeing her haunted was heartbreaking.

  "You ok?" asked Winterwish. "...Merrymint?"

  Merrymint snapped to attention. Her subtle frown vanished. "Yeah! You bet!"

  Winterwish felt her own lips sink, as if the facial gloom had leapt from one host to another. If not for the breakthrough she'd made with Sunshine earlier, she might've gone along with the act. "You can talk to me," she said softly, as if to a sleeping babe. "Your concerns are my concerns, remember? Even if it's something I can't help with or struggle to understand, I'm here for you."

  Merrymint's facade quivered. Behind circular windows, emeralds moistened. "No one's heard from Candy Dandy since yesterday. He... he likely never made it out of Candy Town."

  Icy guilt crackled through Winterwish's core. She'd been so distracted that she hadn't even questioned the gingerbread gent's whereabouts. Their interactions had been brief, but daily. He'd been eccentric and exuberant. Now suddenly, his jolly laughter was gone, erased without warning. Extinguished like a pinched wick.

  That's so unfair...

  As much of a shock as it was to Winterwish, she couldn't even begin to imagine how Merrymint must be feeling. "Oh Merrymint, I'm so sorry." Not knowing what else to do, she took her Mentor in her arms in the hope that the fluffy softness of her winter coat might offer some small comfort.

  Merrymint's hands pressed to Winterwish's back and squeezed. "...You must hate me," she sniffed.

  Winterwish blinked in disbelief.

  Where did that come from?

  "Of course I don't! Why would you ever say something like that?"

  "The day we found you. I made it all sound so wonderful. You must've thought being a Fairy Princess would be fun..." Merrymint's voice trembled, as if every word tested her. "I didn't know how bad things would get, Winter'."

  Winterwish wasn't about to admit it, but there was a sliver of truth to her Mentor's words. Images of dribbling horrors and twisting flesh stained her mind. She loosened the embrace and leaned back so their eyes could meet. "It's not your fault. None of it. Things might be tough right now, but for what it's worth, I still believe every word."

  At first, Merrymint didn't seem to understand, and so Winterwish took a deep breath. She hadn't the theatrical talent of her Mentor, nor was it the time for prancing, but she could still recite the words.

  "To be a Fairy Princess is to be a protector of the queendom. A defender of peace. To inspire courage and fill hearts with joy. To ensure every child can sleep soundly at night. Super strong, super swift, super skilled, with super spells. Truly, we are idols of hopes and dreams."

  Merrymint's expression teetered, caught in a balancing act between laughing and crying. "Good golly. You really remembered the whole thing?"

  "Of course. I'd never forget my Mentor's very first lesson! Besides, it's true, right? The world can be a dark place. That's why some of us have to shine so bright. I know we can't save everyone every time, but we can still try our best. Just as we've been doing. Together."

  Merrymint took one long sip of air. By the time she'd finished exhaling, it appeared she was ready to dismount the tightrope. "Together."

  They shared weak smiles, though Merrymint's was short lived. "...United," she whispered to herself.

  Winterwish turned to see what had caught her Mentor's attention.

  Puddingpuff had appeared silently, as always. "I do hate to interrupt such a touching scene, but we have much to discuss."

  Winterwish bit her tongue. She wasn't sure whether to ask how long the fanciful fairy had been watching, or begin explaining why she'd broken her promise and exposed their secret meeting to another.

  Pink orbs flicked between the pair. "Oh, you needn't worry. I have no issues with Merrymint's involvement. She served as my saviour, after all. In fact, we've become good friends."

  "Yeah. Great friends," said Merrymint stiffly.

  It was getting easier and easier for Winterwish to identify which of her Mentor's smiles were genuine, and which were not.

  "And lucky I am to have such capable companions," said Puddingpuff. "Please allow me to commend you both on your efforts today. I've heard your performance was most exquisite. In fact, you've both gained a considerable amount of fans. Especially you, Winterwish. You're perceived as something of rising star."

  Winterwish squinted. "Really? I didn't know there were that many undecided."

  "Oh, how to put this..." Puddingpuff rolled pursed lips. "They weren't so much as previously undecided, rather, it'd be more accurate to say they've flocked to you from one they now perceive as, shall we say, an underachiever..."

  Oh no... I'm sorry, Sunshine.

  Winterwish groaned. "Is there any way I might be able to return them?"

  "Come now, dearest Winterwish. You should treasure this newfound popularity. Only a dullard would discard advantages without good reason." Puddingpuff smiled politely, then rushed matters along before anyone could comment. "So tell me, how goes the investigation?"

  "...The journal's progressing, albeit a little slower than I'd hoped," said Winterwish. "Things have been hectic of late."

  "Oh I've noticed," said Puddingpuff. "You've been here, there and everywhere betwixt. I'm sure you've plenty to report." She took up one of three watering cans and set about tending to the Nursery's bountiful blooms. "Do forgive my hydrating of hydrangeas. Idleness is a luxury afforded only the fortunate and the foolish."

  The two remaining spouted buckets were also filled and ready.

  ...How convenient.

  Winterwish and Merrymint shared a glance, then grabbed one each and began to help.

  "I know about The Age Before Magic," said Winterwish. "...Well, sort of."

  "You know that it happened, and you know it came to a rather violent end," said Puddingpuff.

  "Right," said Winterwish. "The Reckoning, which in turn was concluded by the Dreaded Dragon..."

  Puddingpuff's lips curved upward. "You've been questioning Splishsplash, haven't you? A decent start. I don't suppose she told you any more than she told me?"

  "No. That's about it..." Winterwish sighed.

  "Don't be harsh on yourself, dear," said Puddingpuff. "We both know you've still got secrets up your sleeve. Cherrychomp's been surprisingly tight-lipped about your encounter in the Enchanted Forest. It would seem she's capable of greater discretion than I would've -"

  "You stay away from her!" The moment the words left Merrymint's mouth, she rushed fingers to her lips, as if to lock them tight before anything else slipped free.

  Uhm...

  Winterwish glanced between the pair awkwardly.

  Fortunately, Puddingpuff didn't seem to take offense. "That seems rather unnecessary. I thought we'd agreed one should care for their little sisters?"

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Merrymint either didn't know what to say, or was unwilling to voice what might be considered rude.

  "Maybe it would be for the best," said Winterwish. "When it comes to this sort of thing, I mean. None of us want Cherrychomp getting in trouble, right?"

  Merrymint finally lowered her hand. "Y-yeah. That's what I meant."

  Puddingpuff's composure faltered, but not from anything that'd been said. Roused from its slumber, a butterfly had taken to the air. She leaned away and followed its fluttering with a glare. "...Very well. I was going to suggest you invite her along for our next meet, but so be it. Cherrychomp will be left well alone."

  Winterwish's own watering came to a sloshing stop.

  I thought she wanted to keep this quiet... Wait, did she know I'd talk to Merrymint?

  "In fact," continued Puddingpuff, "after what you've been through today, perhaps Cutiehorn would be willing to join us?"

  Now I get it. Bubblebun is wary of her, so she wants to use Cutiehorn the same way she used me. Our loyalties to one another ensure silence whilst she expands her network...

  Puddingpuff noticed the hesitation. "...Please understand, it was never my intention to mislead you. The situation has evolved rather rapidly since we last met. Unexpected expedition demands adaptation. We can ill afford to dilly-dally."

  Winterwish half-frowned.

  This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I set out to unite the sisterhood.

  "On the subject of said prior meeting," continued Puddingpuff, "I don't suppose you've reached a conclusion regarding Splishsplash's warning?"

  Winterwish hated how her lungs puffed and chin lifted with misplaced pride. "I believe so..." She'd been excited to reveal her realisation for some time now, yet it felt wrong to grow excited about delivering such an ominous truth. "Queen Titania... she refuses to touch us."

  That unwanted enthusiasm crumbled the moment she clocked Merrymint's face, just as she knew it would.

  Puddingpuff's gaze remained focused on the flower bed, but lips curled most sly. "Very good. When did you notice?"

  "...When Cherrychomp appeared wounded after our encounter," said Winterwish, now with the appropriate reluctance. "She was drenched red from head to toe. It was a terrifying sight. First thing me and Bubblebun did was rush over to check for injuries. But not Titania. She kept her distance, just like when I almost froze myself to death during training. Even when passing faefire and notes, she's always careful to place them down on a surface rather than hand them over directly. In fact, I've not seen her make physical contact with anyone. Not even once."

  Merrymint's eyes shifted with recollection. "...Back when Cherrychomp first emerged, she'd always get in trouble for trying to hug Queeny... I always figured it was a respect thing." She shook her head. "I never thought about it before, but I think you might be right, Winter'. Is she worried about burning us?"

  "Maybe," said Winterwish.

  Or she's fearful we might contaminate her...

  They both looked to Puddingpuff, who responded a casual shrug. "I've always suspected it's because she sees us as lesser."

  "Lesser?" asked Merrymint, aghast. "What do you mean by that?"

  Puddingpuff honed in on one particular milkweed leaf host to a brightly banded caterpillar. The stubby-legged larva rose up, as if assessing the fairy. "Think about it a moment. How often does one sully themselves by petting a roach or stroking a rat? They're surprisingly well groomed creatures, yet we perceive such pests as detestable..." She pressed a laced fingertip to the stem and bent it downward. "What are we, mere princesses to a queen? She can't even bring herself to break bread with us..." The finger released, letting the leaf spring back up and launching the caterpillar high.

  Merrymint made a dash to catch the critter before it could meet a lethal landing. "What the heck is wrong with you?" she snapped.

  Puddingpuff continued her watering without a care. "Allow too many to proliferate and there won't be any plants left. A purely herbaceous ecosystem would strip its environment to extinction. My simulated predation is not only healthy but required."

  Winterwish felt a twinge of cold in her core. She could hardly scold Puddingpuff for being wrong, but she could address her lack of compassion. "Before you try to emulate nature, consider that it is most often the weak that are first to be eaten."

  No witty retort came this time. If anything, the polite smile and rising of eyebrows betrayed Puddingpuff's respect for such sharp words.

  "There's no way Queeny thinks of us like that," grumbled Merrymint, too focused on the caterpillar to register the exchange. She held her cupped hand toward a nearby foxglove so the dazed larva could take cover within one of the purple petal bells. "She cares about us. She looks after us."

  Winterwish nodded. "I don't know what the real reason is, but I doubt it's down to resentment."

  At least... I hope not.

  "Perhaps. I'm sure all will become clear with a little more digging..." Puddingpuff shook the last droplets free of her watering can, before returning it to the floor. "So. Are you ready to discuss your little frolic in the forest yet?"

  Of course she's keen, but I can't hand over my trump card just yet.

  "Almost," said Winterwish. "I've one more question first. Why does Titania fear and forbid astral worship?"

  "Another gap in my knowledge, unfortunately, but I do know she's not alone in her distrust of Stargazers," said Puddingpuff. "Rumours are rather rife up in Rainbow City right now. Many believe it's their prohibited practices which lure ichor to the surface in the first place. Victims of their own faith, if you will."

  "Nonsense," said Merrymint. "Me and Winterwish both saw the awful ritual that caused this morning's eruption, and it had nothing to do with stars!"

  "Right," said Winterwish. "Plus, the one Stargazer I've met since emerging truly cares for his fellow villagers."

  Pappy even wanted to take sole responsibility for the shrine I found. He wouldn't put his people at risk.

  "I'll admit it's preposterous, yet preposterousness does not guarantee impossibility," said Puddingpuff. "In truth, I'd wager the skysettled's suspicions stem from Titania's kerfuffling of things..."

  "Oh stop it already!" cried Merrymint. Her quaking hand rose, attempting to steady her misting spectacles, only to have the adverse effect. "Queeny is a great ruler!"

  Puddingpuff flinched with a hint of frustration. "It's clear to all that Rainbow City is becoming overpopulated, yet still she insists on relocating village after village."

  Merrymint swung, as if to swat away the very notion. "She knows what she's doing! She's kept these lands safe for centuries!" Her cracking voice strained more with every word.

  "Mistake not empathy, power nor longevity for qualities of capable leadership!" snapped Puddingpuff.

  "Uhm, guys?" tried Winterwish, but all too late.

  "Enough!" Merrymint shook her head with such fervour she almost lost her hat. "I'm not letting you poison Winter's head any more! She doesn't need this venom!" She reached out and forcefully grabbed Winterwish's hand.

  This isn't good! This is the opposite of unity!

  Fluffy boots kicked and slid across smooth marble as Winterwish struggled against Merrymint's retreat, though to little effect. "Wait! Merrymint, just give me a second! Please!"

  The emerald princess begrudging slowed to a stop. "Can't you see what she's doing?" Pained pools looked to Winterwish. "She's trying to turn us against Queeny!"

  "Factually incorrect," called Puddingpuff. "I'm merely -"

  "You shut your damn mouth!" shouted Merrymint, jabbing her finger.

  "Listen!" begged Winterwish. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "I get it, ok? I don't completely trust her either, but right now we need her."

  A whimper sounds from Merrymint's throat. "...What are you talking about?"

  Winterwish placed a free hand atop Merrymint's grip and rubbed, as if trying to massage reassurance into her flesh.

  It's time to take control.

  She raised her voice so both sisters could hear clearly. "Everyone has to know what me and Cherrychomp encountered in the Enchanted Forest. The whole sisterhood, for their safety. Right now, Puddingpuff's the only one who can make that happen without me or Cherrychomp being suspected of blabbing."

  At first Merrymint's mouth opened and closed shakily, like she couldn't find the words. Only after a sigh and a head shake did she release her grip. "...Golly, Winter'. I hope y'know what y'doing..."

  So do I...

  Puddingpuff's pursed lips rolled. "As eager as I am for the truth, I can't promise to fulfill this request of yours. Neither do I have any clue where you would even procure such an idea."

  "Really?" Winterwish couldn't help but smirk. "That's odd, because despite us all being confined to the palace, you seem well-versed in the latest of Rainbow City's hot gossip."

  Puddingpuff's head lowered. Her powdered features became shrouded within her bonnet. All but the narrowing shine of pink peepers.

  "In fact," continued Winterwish. "No one seems to know where it is you keep disappearing to. It's quite obvious you've been granted more freedom than the rest of us."

  It's not like I have all the details, but a bluff should serve well enough.

  "Know what?" asked Merrymint. "I'd wager it's got something to do with that weird Tearoom I told you about!"

  Nice work, Mentor!

  Winterwish beamed her a smile.

  "Well look at you two. Isn't theorising fun? And such imaginative ideas you've put together..." Puddingpuff's long lashes fluttered with innocence. "I suppose I might be able to find a way, but are you certain you wish to expose your hand so freely? Guarded wisdom is precious beyond measure, but so easily -"

  "It's not your card to play," interrupted Winterwish, having grown tired of lectures. "Besides, this isn't a game. Not anymore. Lives are on the line. This is how we differentiate ourselves from Titania. This is how we maintain everyone's trust and keep our family safe. We work together, as openly and honestly as possible."

  The hint of cautious optimism upon Merrymint's face almost brought tears to Winterwish's eyes.

  Puddingpuff remained silent. For a moment, she simply squeezed the parasol's handle. Finally, lofty boots strode forth.

  Winterwish's pulse accelerated. She readied her frost.

  A lace glove hand thrust forth, though not in aggression, rather, acceptance. "I find your conditions... agreeable," said Puddingpuff. "Though this better be good..."