Wings

Mariposa woke up early in the morning with a fantastic feeling. Like something marvelous would happen that day. What it was, she had no idea. But she just knew it was going to be great.

She twirled around the room silently, not wanting to wake Zee up accidentally. And just let her mind wander. 

This time, it didn't wander to the darkest scenario like it did last time. Instead, it settled on what apparently was its new favorite topic: Catania.

Mariposa's heart skipped a bit at the mere thought of her name. Maybe it was the good mood that she was in, or perhaps it was something else entirely that was making her feel this way. But either way, she didn't mind one bit.

She thought about yesterday. Catania's gentle touch when she was comforting Mariposa. Or the look of awe in her eyes when Mariposa was telling her story. Or even how beautiful she looked while riding in the chariot.

Wait, beautiful? Mariposa shook out of her thoughts. She couldn't be thinking like that. Catania was the Princess of the crystal fairies. They probably couldn't be any more than friends.

But still, being friends would be amazing.

Mariposa suddenly remembered something the Princess had said the day before, about telling her something later. What was it that she needed to say to her? Was it important? Could it be something that would help her with winning over the citizens of Shimmervale?

Zee decided that that was the moment when she would wake up. She yawned loudly and kicked the wooden creature hanging over the bed. When it came back, she kicked it again.

Mariposa walked over and leaned down to her level. "Good morning, Zee!" She chirped.

Zee turned to her, confused, and didn't see the wooden creature coming back at her, sending her flying into a bush.

Mariposa giggled and twirled around the room again. "Today will be better Zee, I just know it."

The doors to her room opened, and Talayla flew in. "Gooood morning!" She greeted Mariposa with a smile. "Here's your dress!" She turned and screamed at a spikey wood creature. Then, quickly flew over and handed Mariposa her dress.

Mariposa looked confused. "My dress?"

"The king has asked me to invite you to the annual Crystal Ball," Talayla explained, a little breathlessly.

"The Crystal Ball? What's that?"

"Just the biggest social event of the year. Everyone comes to the palace to celebrate!" 

"That's perfect! I'll win over the citizens of Shimmervale, and the King will see that we all can get along!" Mariposa grinned and twirled in the air, a dreamy look on her face. "Do you know where I can find the King? I want to thank him for the invitation."

She wanted to thank the King for the invitation. Not any other reason. Totally not because she was hoping to see Catania again. Totally not. Nope. 

Talayla gave Mariposa directions, then left to do her other duties.

Mariposa hung up her Crystal ball dress and headed to the room where the King was. And hopefully Catania.

Zee followed behind her, keeping an eye out in case Anu decided to ambush her.

Mariposa's good mood was still going strong when she arrived, flying up to the King and bowing gracefully. "Your Majesty." Maybe this time, she wouldn't be a clumsy fool.

The King did not look happy to see her. At all. He glared at her and mumbled a greeting, and went back to placing figurines on his table.

Catania, who was reading a book on her throne, looked up when she heard Mariposa.

Mariposa's good mood was still intact. "Your Highness, thank you for the invitation. I'm very honored." She said, circling the table with him. "I wanted to know if you wanted me to, well, address your subjects at the ball!" 

The King didn't seem to be paying attention.

"I bring greetings from Queen Marabella, and I could simply say that everyone in Flutterfield sends their good wishes." Mariposa continued.

Anu and Zee started to fight over a figurine.

"Let's see how it goes at the ball, Mariposa. And perhaps you can address the people there." The King replied, not seeming at all in agreement with it.

Mariposa seemed relieved. "Thank you, your Majesty!"

Anu threw Zee into the castle figurine, and Zee began to charge at Anu.

Mariposa gasped and threw her hands out. "Zee! No!" She cried, but then lost her balance and had to steady herself on the table, knocking over some of the figures. "Oh, No!"

The King growled. "Arg! Look at what you've done!"

"I'm so sorry! Here, let me help you pick those up." She said, leaning down to help pick up the figures. But as she leaned down, her wings got into the King's face. 

He pushed them away from him. "Honestly, I'm not even sure why I agreed to this arrangement." 

Catania moved in front of Mariposa protectively. "Father, it was an accident."

The King just ignored her, pointing at Mariposa's wings. "And those wings! They're a menace!" That hurt Mariposa, more than she thought it would. She earned her wings, and she loved them. But before she could say anything, the King continued. "Can't you do anything about them?"

Mariposa didn't know what to say. "Do anything? Um, well, I guess I..." She reached up and began to fold down her wings so that they resembled a dress. 

Catania watched, mixed emotions dancing across her face. 

The King nodded. "Better. Keep them that way." He said, before stomping off. 

Catania sighed, turning to Mariposa. "I'm sorry." She said in a soft voice, putting her hand on Mariposa's arm again. "It's just he- I'll talk to him." She squeezed Mariposa's arms reassuringly, before walking off in the direction of her father, calling out to him.

Mariposa watched her go, then looked down at her wings. "'Keep them this way?'" Her wings tensed up, popping back into position and slamming Zee back into the wall. "That... could be difficult."

Sufficient to say that her good mood vanished.

She began to walk back to her room, folding her wings back down to see how long she could keep them there. They kept popping back up after about a minute but was steadily staying down longer and longer. 

She decided to walk around the palace a little bit longer, just to get some practicing in. 

Her wings had stayed down for a good ten minutes as she was finally nearing her room. But they popped up again and sent Zee flying back, for probably the third time. 

"Sorry," Mariposa said, sighing softly. She turned and walked to her room doors. And something seemed... Off. She couldn't quite place it.

She shrugged and opened the doors. And what she saw instantly restored her good mood.