Bluest

Ash saw the floor l flurry of emotion in Lynn's eyes and hurried to reassure her. "Of course, you don't have to. It's just one of the many possibilities in your future. No pressure at all." @Aragorn

"Ah," Ash replied. "Now my evil plan can commence. Walk with me, I'm going to introduce you to a couple people who can hopefully get rid of these awful rumors and maybe even get you into guardian training, if that's your kind of thing. If not, you can stay here until you get back on your feet and by then I'll have several people spreading good rumors about you for once. Maybe that can help you with the whole, everybody-not-exactly-liking you thing. Now come on."

Ash thought about that. She had never really had her wings out for any extended amount of time, so she had never learned to miss them. Honestly, she hadn't really flown much outside of a few emergencies, and even then she wasn't particularly good at it. "I guess I just never think about it. I never have an occasion to have them out in the first place, so I don't get a chance to miss them," Ash answered.

Ash turned to the whispers that filled this side of the room to find Lynn. She was beautiful in her deep green dress, though she did look rather uncomfortable without her wings. And a bit wrong, to be frank. Ash felt as if seeing Lynn without her wings was different. She looked less wild and imposing. More manufactured than usual. Ash hurried over to Lynn and smiled at her, trying to ease her worries. "You look wonderful," she informed her. "How are you feeling? You look... not happy. Can I get you anything?" @Aragorn

Finally, the time was at hand. The guests were arriving now. She was greeting each one personally as quickly as possible, as well as long as eye out for anyone that could be a perfect match for Charles. This was her chance to win her place as a faerie guardian!! Her mind buzzed with excitement, but she kept her face suitably composed. She just knew it. Everything would be perfect.

Ash bustled around the room in her long, pale blue dress, putting the finishing touches on everything. Tonight had to be perfect. It would prove her worth as a faerie guardian of she could only find Charles's true love at the ball. Then he would be happy and she could be successful. Still, it felt too much like an ending for Ash's tastes. So she worked until that sick feeling turned into focus and her head filled with different things. "Hey," a voice called behind her and shook Ash from her thoughts. It was Charles, looking as handsome as ever in royal blue and gold. "Breathe," he said in that comforting way of his. Without even talking to her, he knew how nervous she was. "Tonight is going to go great and finally everyone will see how talented you are with magic. Everything will be fine." Ash listened. Of course Charles was right. He was always right about these things. She would just have to calm down, and the night would go fine. In. Out. Ash smiled up at Charles and nodded, going back to her work. But soon her thoughts turned worried again. This time she was concerned about Lynn. She had been living at the palace for about a week now, and had started to fit in. (Not exactly fit in, but she at least stopped putting everyone on edge). Ash wondered how her preparations for the ball were going. She had Mrs. Luxdoen getting her ready for The party, but Ash couldn't quite imagine Lynn in a ball gown. Oh well. Ash couldn't control it now.

Ash was in her rooms, grabbing her planner (a multicolored, heavy thing with too many papers sticking out of it) when a tap came to her door and a maid scurried in. "Ms. Ash Cantar? There is someone in the courtyard waiting for you. She says her name is Lynn? She seems to have *ahem* flown here." Ash could tell from the distain on the maid's face (and her iron ring) that she had no love for faeries, especially ones that showed their power so blatantly, but Ash ignored it. "Ahh," Ash replied. "Take me to her." She was under no obligation to explain her connection to Lynn. Not to awful, faerie hating maids. Ash followed the maid out into the courtyard to find a disgruntled looking servant trying to herd Lynn away from the flower beds and an equally uncomfortable Lynn trying not to touch anyone in the crowded space. Ash put on her everything is fine smile and headed towards the out of place faerie, saying, "Lynn. It's wonderful to see you so soon. Come. I'll show you to your rooms and get you settled there." What she really wanted to do was to get Lynn away from everyone before they started asking too many questions. It would be no good if the faerie council got wind of her new guest before she could tell them herself and explain the situation. It was probably too late. Rumors spread like wildfire here. Oh well. Just another thing on her checklist. Ash took Lynn by the hand and guided her inside.

"I'll be needing an extra room for a while," Ash said to Mrs. Luxdoen. Mrs. Luxdoen was the head maid of the palace and by far the kindest woman Ash knew. If anyone could secure a room, it would be her. She also wouldn't go around spreading nasty rumors about why she needed one. Ash trusted her completely. "I have a friend who will be staying with me. She has no where else to go and I expect that she will be treated well," she explained. Mrs. Luxdoen smiled understandingly. "Of course Ms. She'll be careful for when you can't be here. What else do you expect?" "You know how the maids can be., And if not them, then the visiting aristocracy." "Yes. Vicious girls." She nodded her head. "I'll keep her out of their claws. Promise. Now go on. I believe you still have some things to do." Mrs. Luxdoen pat Ash on the back, motioning her on. "Thank you so very much." Ash went on to busy herself with preparations to the ball, but first she would check up on Charles first.

"Great," Ash said. It really was great. Ash wanted to help Lynn as much as she could and this was the first step. "I'll head over there now name make some preparations. Bye." Ash hung up.

Ash smiled. She was glad Lynn felt she could trust her. "Yeah. I have a place you can stay, but you might not be so comfortable there. See, I live at the palace as one of the official faerie guardians. At least, I'll be official as soon as I finish my training. If you want to come live there, I'm sure there's an extra guest room for you to live at. It's fine if you don't want to though." Ash wondered if Lynn would actually agree. She seemed to be uncomfortable around new people, and the palace was full of them. @Aragorn

"Of course I did," Ash replied. "I'm not in the habit of saying things that aren't true. If you have to say something, might as well make it count. Right?" @Aragorn

Ash smiled. "Yes. Is everything okay? I didn't actually think you would call."

Ash heard a ringing and searched her person frantically for the phone. She had far too many pockets and not enough time. Finally, she found it and answered the call, but no one seemed to be on the other end. She waited for a moment and heard a far away voice on the other end. "My name's Allie....... "I'm Lynn......... "Cool... Allie..... Ash could hardly make out what they were saying. But as soon as she heard Lynn's name, she started to yell. Hopefully she was loud enough for them to hear her on the other side of the phone. "HELLO? IS ANYONE THERE?" She tried for their attention.

Would it be okay with all of you if we did a bit of a time skip to the ball? I don't want to ruin anyone's master plan here. Ash squinted at him. Was he serious? She was a faerie herself and was planning the whole thing. Whatever. The doll could refuse the invitation if he wanted. Ash had more serious things to consider than some silly man she had met on the side of the road. She quickly said goodbye and walked away.