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.

Ash, who was only a couple steps away at this point, sighed and turned back to the little man. "Well yes. What other balls would I be referring to? Do you go to a lot of selkie parties or gryphon soirees?" If he did he would have to tell her how to get an invitation to one. She wasn't particularly a party person, but an exception had to be made for the gryphons. Fabulous fashion sense and amazing food. Only the best of the best got in. They were too exclusive for even her, which was saying something as she was fairy godmother to the crown prince. Ash was letting her thoughts get away with her. Back on track. Who was this (frankly offensive with his comments about Lynn) guy?

Ash stood there in akward silence for a while. She want used to just being ignored. "Wellllll... I guess the offer still stands when you make your mind up about it. Good day Coyote. Sirs." She nodded to each of the men and walked away. She still had a lot more to prepare for in the coming week, and didn't have much more time to waste. Ash looked back one last time at the Braithwope home and walked away.

"Lovely. I look forward to seeing you there," Ash said to Coyote and turned her focus to the small man. "I was inviting you to the Prince's ball." His attention seemed to be taken by something else, and Ash figured it was turned towards Lynn. He seemed unnerved. Ash wondered if he could feel the power that rolled off their companions as well. How sensitive to magic was he?

Ash sighed after Lynn, not quite satisfied. She wanted a real answer, not just a maybe. It was fine though, and Ash pulled her attention to Coyote and the other two. "And your answers, gentlemen?" Ash asked, smiling again.

Ash stood there for a moment. She couldn't full well stop Lynn again. It looked like she wasn't just uncomfortable, but late for something. And far be it from Ash to promote tardiness. "Okay," she said reluctantly. Before Lynn could truly get away, Ash rummaged through the small purse she always had at her side, found a pen, gritted her teeth, and took Lynn's hand again. She wrote her phone number on it quickly. It was another breath of relief when she let go. So much power. Goodness. Ash wasn't letting this mystery get away easily. Besides, Lynn seemed like she needed a good friend, and Ash was always the best at everything (according to her).

Hearing Lynn's words, Ash felt a pang of guilt. It was true that most fairies knew of the girl, but no one hated her. No one really feared her except for the strange little man. Who had made her feel this hurt? Who had made her feel this way? In other words, who did she have to make sure their life sucked? Ash wasn't very physical in her fighting, but she would destroy anyone in her path socially. Even emotionally if she could get away with it. Most of the time, she couldn't do either without consequence, but perhaps she could make an exception. Woah. What was she thinking? Ash stood back from her emotions and thought of it logically. Since when did she get so does up over someone she hardly knew? It must be another side effect of all the magic auras around, making her head stop working the way it should. "Coyote is right," Ash answered after some deliberation. "We both are the same. You may be much more powerful and a little cursed, but that doesn't change much. And for what you said," she continued to the little man (He had not given her his name and he hadn't hers, but what was one to do?), "I have no fear of Lynn here. She is welcome wherever I am, having the same status. She has more control of herself than you think. What, do you think all fairies go around magicking people willy nilly? Of course not!" There were a few who did that, but they were generally blacklisted from polite society. Poor Lucinda. She never did fit in. But that's what you get when you "bless" every newly wed and new born with curses. She didn't even have a curse on her spells. She was just a ditzy, badly worded spell caster.

Ash glared at the small man. Sure, she was a cursed fairy, but that was no reason to be rude. "Wait!" Ash yelled after Lynn. She didn't know why she was so intent on getting her to come, but it was just a feeling. She had those sometimes. Most of the time, they were to fulfill some wish of some kind. Ash needed these three to attend the ball. At this point, it was more a matter of failure or not, and Ash did not fail. She caught one of the fairy's hands between her own. Lynn's power flooded Ash's sences. It was wild and dark and free. It was intoxicating. She quickly let go, but stayed close. "I'm so sorry about his actions, but I trust you. I know how it is not to feel in control. To feel like you fail at the most basic things. I can help you. Just come to the ball, and I can help you get a life where you don't have to be scared. Okay?"

"I assure you that you would be quite welcome," Ash said to the skittish fairy and gave Lynn her best smile. Ash had been told that her smile was a pretty one and she was inclined to believe that. "I would tend to your comfort personally," she continued (it wasn't entirely a lie, she was looking after everyone's comfort personally, it was her job after all. She would be sure to watch Lynn carefully. After all, who knew what would set her off. Ash herself had to have quite a bit of training in order to control her magic when she became emotional and wasn't sure of Lynn's training in that matter.). "And you three gentlemen? What is your response." Ash tilted her head inquiringly and tried to look as innocent as possible. Who knew what they thought she was asking for in return, but she didn't want them to suspect her of anything. She really only wanted answers after all.

Ash backed away as Lynn's raven friend dove at her head. What in all the sensibilities was that for!? She readied herself for a fight, but she then saw Lynn's panicked face and she calmed down. The Raven was only trying to protect is friend. "I'm sorry," Ash said, trying to calm Lynn down. "I can see I've made you uncomfortable. All of you. To apologise, I would like to formally invite you all to the Prince's ball." Ash hoped this would make it so they would eventually give her the answers she looked for. She would find a way to broach the subject of they came.