Meridell Mysteries Part 1: The Sus Faerie

      After a covert outing a month or so earlier involving Terask, her resurrected ancient super-beast, Jhudora’s mind lingered. She had been out without anyone knowing it was her—what if she could experience that again? She could be a new faerie: free from the angst of inspiring fear in her sisters and questers, free from the required upkeep of an acrimonious demeanour. Her cult of personality was a perfectionism of imperfection, and it was exhausting to play that out, day after day.

      So, here she was, magically transformed and donning an outfit less conspicuous than her characteristic rough-edged purple and green—Jhudora, the Earth Faerie. Someone who could be… pleasant, if not outright lighthearted. She almost giggled at the absurdity of it. Maybe even the irony. She had a few hours until the effects wore off, and she was going to embrace this.

      Shops. Stalls. Musicians. Even bouncy castles shaped like the real castles of Meridell, Darigan Citadel, and Brightvale—a specific order, it seemed. This place had it all.

      “Mm,” she breathed to no one in particular as Jhudora’s nose connected with the scent of freshly baked Meridellian potato bread. She walked to the stall and purchased a loaf for herself in what was a smooth transaction, one that did not result in the Kacheek proprietor cowering in fear… Alright, she would have to actually buy things now, but that was a (literal) small price to pay for her veil of liberation. Somewhere just outside her line of sight, over the chattering of the fair, Jhudora heard the plucked strings of a lyre and started… no, not dancing, that was too unlike her. But moving to the music, and toward the music, certainly—

      And then her body collided with the back of another faerie.

      “Hey, watch—” she scowled. And then she remembered that she didn’t need to be angry. It was just another Earth Faerie, like her. Like her. She smiled; she had the clarity to be calm. “Er, sorry, miss,” Jhudora started.

      The other faerie turned around. “Oh, it’s no problem; I should have watched where I was dancing, too.”

      “I—Ill…” Jhudora stammered, her eyes wide with wildness. She had the urge to dart away, but Illusen grabbed her hand.

      Of course, of all the faeries to literally bump into.

      Illusen smiled bemusedly. “A little starstruck, are we?” She giggled her cute giggle.

      Jhudora swallowed.

      “What’s your name, friend?” the bubbly Earth Faerie asked the Earth Faerie who looked like a Mortog just before getting hit by the potato cart.

      “I, Jh, er…” Jhudora’s mind raced as she fought hard not to say anything extremely stupid. All her careful planning and she never thought to think she’d be asked her name!? OK, how about Jhudora? No, obviously not. Judith? That was still too close. What were Earth Faerie names, anyway!? “I… dith. Edith,” she finished with the dumbest grin Jhudora ever made. “Hi, I’m Edith!” She shook Illusen’s hand.

      “Edith, that’s such a beautiful name!” Illusen replied, clasping her hand over Jhudora’s. “I love your bag, by the way.”

      Jhudora looked down at the brown pleather fringe purse she wore… it came with the disguise kit.

      “And your dress! It’s such a lovely shade of forest green. Very nice.”

      The dress was intentional. Jhudora picked it because it was the same colour as the trees in her bluff.

     “It even matches your nails!” Illusen took Jhudora’s hand in hers and admired the polish.

      Jhudora flitted her fingers, like she thought she saw some girls do, before withdrawing her hand. “Heh, you know, it’s just something I put together.” Despite her casual outward appearance, Jhudora was screaming inside. And she wasn’t sure whether it was the bad kind. “I really like what you do, too! Those green and brown earthy hues…” Illusen nodded approvingly, and Jhudora started to relax. “Seriously, that is brand recognition, Earthie.”

      Aaaand of course, there she slipped up. Calling her “Earthie” was a Jhudora trait.

      But before Jhudora could get too flummoxed, Illusen grinned and said, “I like that nickname. And I like you too, Edith. You know, I’m here alone at the festival, today… And so are you, from the looks of it. What say we tour around together?”

      Jhudora looked away, just briefly. She had time to run away and never look back.

      “Er…” But she looked back into Illusen’s smiling face, and Edith—no, Jhudora—smiled, too. “Sounds fun to me!”

      “Follow me this way, Edith, let’s go dancing!” Illusen chittered as she grinned and led Jhudora, by the hand, into the thick of the festival. Jhudora flushed and tried to relax herself… No, the Neopets in the fun medieval costumes and Meredellian garbs weren’t looking at her, staring at her, judging her. They were just there, as was she. She easily passed for an Earth Faerie. Relaxing, Jhudora smiled and let Illusen lead her, as they were destined, to the music.

      Some voice in the back of the disguised Dark Faerie’s mind told her that she should be angry, that she should be seething—letting herself be led by none other than her—but she quieted that voice; in a strange way, this felt nice, right… Again.

      On the slightly raised wooden platform that was the fair's main stage, right in the centre of the festivities, the small band of minstrels performed a jaunty jig: a Pteri violist; a Scorchio on the ocarina; an Acara on the lyre; and a Lutari, energetically tapping a dulcimer and singing words in Olde Meridellian that Jhudora failed to understand.

      A small circle formed around Illusen as she jigged to the music—both because she was Illusen, and because she seemed to be the best dancer in attendance. The crowds clapped (largely out of rhythm) to Illusen’s stomps; Jhudora smiled and clapped along with the others.

      But as the song neared a midpoint flourish, Illusen pulled Edith toward her; the other Earth Faerie gave a startled shriek as Illusen, gripping her hand tightly, flung her around in circles to the cheers of the crowds. As the song crescendoed to the coda, Edith found her groove, and soon reciprocated the dance moves… somewhere, Jhudora felt she’d always known them, but they had been dormant for centuries, if not longer.

      As the music came to a lively close, the couple of earth faeries finished their dual jig like they had been dance partners for years. The crowds hooted and hollered their approval.

      Illusen grinned and pulled Edith close, and they lightly swayed to the vamp in the viol and lyre.

     “You know,” began Illusen, “the way you played off my dance moves reminds me a lot of—”

     “And since we have ol’ Illusen in the crowd,” the Lutari started, “I thought I could offer up a l’il ballad for ye all gatha’d!” They put special emphasis on the near-rhyme.

      The band started a sombre waltz melody as the singer belted their song, though Illusen and Edith, tired from flaunting their exuberant display, stood to the side and watched. The Lutari sang,

      “Illusen has been a Meridell treat!

     With dance prowess true, and hair streaked with green!”

      Illusen laughed and gently shook her hair.

      “Unlike the Dark Faeries, full of deceit,

     Jhudora the worst of them, Princess of Mean!”

      This snapped Jhudora into sober reality. Wait, what had they sang? She felt everyone’s eyes on her, though looking around all attention remained on the bards.

      “That shining Earth Faerie is brilliant and bold

     With fans everywhere who adore her in bliss!

     Jhudora meanwhile looks tired and old

     Living in the shadow of her Darkest sis!”

      Alright,that was uncalled for. Behind her earthy disguise, Jhudora seethed; she hated—could absolutely not stand—when she was compared to the Darkest Faerie.

      “Illusen’s kind heart is warm, smart, and true!

     Jhudora’s just grouchy and sad and alone.”

      Aaaaand that hit Jhudora square in the feels. She didn’t mean to be grouchy. Didn’t want to be sad. She most certainly hated the feeling of being alone. She didn’t retreat to her bluff to act like some crotchety hermit—it was everyone else who shut her out of their fun. That wasn’t her fault.

      Right?

      “That Dark Faerie can’t hold a fiery torch to—”

      “Stop, stop,” Illusen shouted as she dashed to the edge of the platform.

      Jhudora didn’t even realize that her new friend—wait, not friend—that Illusen had intervened, until the Earth Faerie was already making a scene, drawing eyes and stirring muted whispers from the crowd as she implored the minstrel to cease his ballad.

      “Of course,” the Earth Faerie stated, clearing her throat to distract from the flush rising to her face, “I love to hear you singing my praises, but just because Jhudora and I have some bad blood doesn’t mean you have to sing such negative things about her.” Illusen frowned, adrenaline fading away to sadness and doubt. “Jhudora is lonely, and grouchy, but... I think it’s a cycle. I mean, one causes the other.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what Jhudora’s deal is. But I do know that this is meant to be a celebration of Meridell, and putting others down, especially in so public a venue, has no place here.” More troubled than angry now, Illusen crossed her arms. Then she offered the musicians a tenuous smile. “You’re a talented group. I’d love to see you employ your musical prowess to restore a light mood to the people of this fair.”

      The minstrels apologised and quickly changed their tune to one that involved all instruments playing pizzicato.

      The crowds quickly found the new groove, though it was obvious that Illusen would be going elsewhere. With a self-satisfied smile, she turned to Edith; “Come.”

      Edith obeyed. “That was, wow, really, er, impressive, what you did there.” They walked away from the music and toward some merchant stalls and tents.

      Illusen gave an almost dismissive wave of her hand. “I appreciate the praise.” She looked solemnly at the forest path below, observing the dirt and leaves and rough-cut wood chips that marked the way forward. “At the very least, I’d like to think I have the power to take a stand when I see injustice. Sure, Jhudora and I have our... ‘incompatibilities’—it’s like we’re night and day with some things—but it’s not right for the public to make such a mockery of her when she’s not even here to do anything about it.” Her fair frown deepened. “Though, in a way, I’m glad she’s not here. I’d hate to see what she’d have done... Or what she would have done to those who spoke so poorly of her.” She gave a nervous chuckle.

      Edith gave a slight smile, but then frowned. What WOULD Jhudora have done in that situation? “What... What do you think... Of her, anyway?” the false earth faerie stammered, the music now a faint memory perturbing the air behind them. “Of... Of Jhudora?”

      Illusen put a finger to her chin almost cutely and frowned, pensive. “We’ve certainly had our history... And, you know, I’m not sure quite what I feel comfortable sharing. But I can say that I really—”

      There was an explosion beside them. Glass shattered and liquid spewed.

      “Hey!” a voice shrieked. And the voice wasn’t happy. “Illusen, what in Skarl’s lacy purple underthings are you DOING?”

      Jhudora grit her teeth. Of course. At all possible times to be dragged into an argument with—

      “I’m so sorry, Kayla, let me clean it up,” Illusen replied, her mind completely occupied.

      And then another of Kayla’s potions burst open, the liquid inside spewing up like a geyser. “No!” the Zafara shouted. “Don’t help. Just stay away!” She cast her arms wide and gesticulated wildly.

      Illusen flew 6 feet back, and Edith jogged backwards to be an additional 3 feet behind the other Earth Faerie.

      “You know that your powerful magic, when active, sometimes causes an interfering spell field that makes my potions unstable!” Kayla shouted, her arms flared aggressively on her hips.

      “Yes, I know, I’m sorry,” Illusen said with a tinge of exasperation as she hastily pulled a magic charm out from the neckline of her leafy dress. “Or... Maybe I’m not sorry.” Illusen held up her artefact. “It’s not even activated.”

      Kayla narrowed her eyes... And then she looked toward Edith. “Was it you? What do you have on you that could be wrecking my products?”

      Illusen looked at her companion with a hair of uncertainty. Jhudora gave a sheepish giggle.

      “Stay off her, she’s done nothing wrong,” Illusen implored as she looked back at the castle mage. “Maybe it’s just your poor brewing skills causing some instability.” The earth faerie gave Kayla a wry smile.

      The Zafara harrumphed, though she seemed to be placated after Illusen walked to her and paid her the Neopoint cost for the broken merchandise.

      Jhudora made sure to stay far back.

      “You didn’t have to do that,” Edith said when her companion returned. “I could have helped pay for something, too.”

      Illusen just smiled at her... Not quite a knowing smile, but one that made Jhudora fear Illusen perceived more than she let on. “It’s fine, Edith,” the actual earth faerie assured. “Perhaps it’s just that those potions were unstably made, and we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time when they blew.” She winked in what Jhudora interpreted to be a conspiratorial manner, then turned away and skipped down the lane of shops.

      Edith gave an awkward cough. She hoped her behaviour seemed, at the very least, adorkable.

      Jhudora would have fought anyone who even briefly thought her “adorkable.”

      “But,” continued Illusen, “you cooould make those costs up to me.”

      The actual earth faerie spun around, her hand on her neck, holding up an emerald and citrine square-cut necklace. “It’s only 42,169 NP. What do you say?”

      Jhudora gawked. She’d need to order around more than a few questers to raise those kinds of funds.

      And then Illusen burst out laughing. “I’m not serious, don’t worry.”

      The faux Earth Faerie relaxed and joined Illusen’s laughter. The two continued to peruse the jewellery. “Oh, I think this would look cute on you.” Edith held high another necklace, a silver chain with a single teardrop gem that was coloured neon green like Jhudora’s bluff. “Sure, it might match me better,” Edith continued, gesturing to her dress and then raising her nail-polished fingers, “but I know you were admiring the colour, earlier.” She pointed at Illusen.

      “Ooh,” Illusen said, eyes wide, “now that’s just gorgeous.” She took it from Edith’s fingers and held it to her neck, pretending to try it on. She looked at herself in the mirror.

      Edith came up behind her. “That’s certainly more muted than that super expensive one, but it suits your personality much better.” She grinned. “It helps that the gem is green, so it doesn’t draw too much attention away from your facial and other features.” She looked at Illusen’s eyes through the mirror; Illusen caught this and smiled softly. “And the silver helps to bring out your eyes.”

      “It does look great on you, and only 14,201 NP!” said the Meerca shopkeeper, shattering the moment like Jhudora’s dark disguise magic inadvertently shattered two of Kayla’s potion bottles.

     Illusen turned to look at the other Earth Faerie. “See, I told you you had great fashion sense. Sold!”

      Edith looked at Illusen, then toward the Meerca, and then back at Illusen. “Don’t worry, it’s on me.” Before Illusen could object, the faux Earth Faerie paid the jeweller.

      “Aw, that’s so sweet!” Illusen said as she gripped Edith’s arm. Edith, meanwhile, traced her fingertips along her companion’s neck to help her put the necklace on; she fastened it into place, and took a step back, proud of her accomplishments today.

      Oh, if only her sisters could see her now. Here she was, helping out, taking on the world, relaxed... if not quite confident. She grinned as she looked about at the other stalls. She felt she could do anything. Be what she wanted to be. Oops, there was Kayla still glaring at her, best look away from that.

      “Hey,” Illusen called, though this wasn’t enough to break Edith’s high. “Ring or bracelet?”

      The faux Earth Faerie almost snickered. “I think it’s a bit early for you to be buying me rings,” she said playfully. Playfully. Jhudora wasn’t playful... Was she? Had she ever been? Not at least since—

      A tap on her shoulder caused her to spin around. “Yes?” Edith asked Illusen, who was standing right behind her, eyes closed and grinning.

      “I got YOU a gift!” Illusen opened her eyes, took Edith’s delicate wrist, and wrapped the string bracelet about her new friend.

      “BFF” was etched into the bracelet’s bronze nameplate in large, friendly letters. There were two leaf charms dangling on either side of the letters. “I got the leaves custom added. Because we’re both ‘earthie’ gals.” Illusen winked again.

      Edith just stared at it... She could almost cry at just how thoughtful this was. She looked back into Illusen’s eyes. “It’s perfect!”

      The two faeries embraced in a close hug before they started walking away from the shopping area.

      “You know, Edith,” Illusen started, “going dancing, going shopping... I know you enjoyed those. But I kind of led you through them.”

      “Oh, that’s no problem, I’m enjoying being led around by you!” Edith replied with a grin. Somewhere in the back of Edith’s mind, someone was screaming, but the Earth Faerie was just outside its audible range.

      “Well... What about you? What’s something you really want to do?” Illusen asked. “How about you take me somewhere for a change?” Her eyes sparkled, and Edith had no choice but to comply.

      The faux Earth Faerie’s mind raced. What was something she had always wanted to do but had never done before... Because of... Reasons of her past...

      “Actually,” began Edith, only a touch hesitantly, “there is something. You know those bouncy castles near the entrance?”

      “The ones as part of the KidsFair?” Illusen asked. And then she gave a teasing gape. “What, you want to go there? But they’re for kids!” She playfully slapped Edith’s arm.

      Edith giggled. “Hey, what’s wrong with that? I’ve never been on one. I want to try one out.”

      Illusen’s gape becomes one of shock. “Really!? Well then, we need to change that. I mean, we’re big kids at heart, right?” Edith laughed in confirmation as Illusen teasingly elbowed her. “I say it’s time we go there and go jumping!”

      “We most certainly must!” Edith responded happily as she took Illusen’s hand and led her to the KidsFaire. “Let’s go!”

      Edith received a handful of glares from parents as she waited with Illusen behind the few kids in line. Still, she grinned. These glares were earned from her taking a risk. The disapproval was the result of her own actions, and doing what she wanted to do. Being herself. They weren’t because she was simply being there. Being herself.

      The Earth Faeries pulled each other into the Darigan Bouncy Castle—the one for the most intense kids (and, as such, had the shortest line). They laughed and hooted and jumped around, generally avoiding the 4 others in the 20 square foot area.

      The kids looked on with a mixture of awe and fear.

      “I bet I can jump higher than you can!” challenged Illusen as she leapt into the recycled air, her fingertips just grazing the cushy spiked roof.

      “You’re on!” Edith shouted back as she sunk her bare feet into the airy mesh, letting the weight of gravity pull her down, really feeling this moment... and then she used her downward momentum to soar. Her hazel hair easily whipped up to touch the soft ceiling; she’d jumped more than a head taller than her BFF.

      The two faeries giggled and collapsed onto each other, laying on the mesh. Feeling the movement as others bounced around them. Absorbed in nothing but their own world.

      “Ack!” Edith called as a rough, sharp, scaly weight pressed onto her clumsily outstretched hand. With a curse, she pulled her newly-injured finger to her lips. “Ouch!” she wailed, feeling the edges of her eyes start to sting with tears. “What was that for?”

      “Sorry, miss,” replied a young Grarrl—evidently the cause of the rough, sharp, scaly mishap. “I didn’t mean to jump on your finger... Just, me and the others thought to have a contest about who could bounce closest to you without actually jumping on you. I... guess I lost.”

      He gave a sheepish giggle and jumped back to his friends, who were trying not to laugh at his misfortune.

      “Oh my Fyora—are you OK?” asked Illusen, gingerly gripping Edith’s finger between her own. Edith whimpered a response, gritting her teeth at the realisation that she’d let her guard down enough to get hurt in front of Illusen. What if the kids had been trying to jump on Illusen, and crushed her hand instead of mine? “Well, clearly not,” Illusen said with a tiny smile. She patted Edith’s hand, then closed her eyes and focused. A small surge of magic later, the pain was gone.

      Edith just stared into Illusen’s now-open eyes, shining with the brilliant colours of a forest canopy. “What... What did you—?”

      “Healing magic.” Illusen grinned. Then she scrutinised her friend’s finger more carefully. “It does look like you chipped your nail, which is really too bad—I love that coat of green!” It was, again, the Bluff shade.

      “Can you fix that too, with your magic?” Edith inquired curiously as she and Illusen climbed out of the bouncy castle and put on their slippers.

      Illusen put a finger on her chin. “Unfortunately, no. But I know someone who can.” Her eyes twinkled, and she snapped her fingers. “To the spa!”

     To be continued…