Stitches & Secrets

  ( Newbie )

  Sunshine stood several paces away, yet Newbie felt the gilded gaze crushing down upon her. Knees shook. Lungs billowed. Yet she refused to look away. Not so long as Mordy remained trembling in her arms. She met those pools of molten gold with scorn, like a cornered rodent ready to bite and claw until the messy end.

  With the gust's final flutters, Merrymint eased her grip upon the rim of her top hat. "Golly, you sure know how to make an entrance, Sunny! You ever tried a smooth landing?" Just like that, the jollity of her voice cut the tension in half.

  Unblinking lanterns switched between Newbie and Merrymint several times, before a faint, yet unnerving smile emerged. "And how goes the Mentorship, sisters?"

  "Perfectly." The word felt so good that Newbie had to chew her lower lip to prevent it from popping out a second time.

  Sunshine's slight smile twitched. "...Good. It would be a terrible shame if you were to fail our Queen." She rolled the mace upon her shoulder so that its flanges caught the light.

  "That's one flashy bonker you've got there, Sunny," said Merrymint.

  "This?" Sunshine acted like she'd not been trying to draw attention to it in the slightest. "Thank you for noticing. I had the finest smith in Rainbow City fashion it for me. Pure gold. Not quite faesteel, but it'll do, for now. It should serve me well this evening..."

  "Oh?" asked Merrymint with poorly feigned frivolity.

  Chasms of churning honey widened. "Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've seen the waterways down in Candy Town."

  Merrymint leaned upon her stave and peered upward as if trying to recall some vague memory. "Waterways, you say... Hmm... I'm not sure..."

  Newbie wasn't certain why Merrymint was acting ignorant, but there was no question as to who she'd rather back, and so she too shrugged and shook her head.

  Sunshine's head tilted to a disturbingly unnatural degree. "Did you both fail to notice the wet stuff you fell into this morning?"

  "Ah." Merrymint snapped her fingers. "That! You saw that, huh?"

  "Yes," said Sunshine. "I saw everything."

  Newbie tensed.

  "Look, Sunny," said Merrymint. "Just remember it's only training, right? Practice. A bit of fun! There's no need to get carried away."

  "It's exactly that kind of attitude that has led to this nonsense," said Sunshine. "People actually believe her to be undefeatable, you know?"

  "Yeah, but last time -" started Merrymint.

  Wings lashed. Sunshine stamped forth, pushing her face so close to Merrymint's that their noses almost booped. "Last time you all got in my way!"

  "Ouch," said Mordy.

  Newbie looked down and realised that in her frustration, she'd started to squeeze him a little too tightly. She was just about to apologise when the faux-horned child wriggled free.

  "I get it," said Mordy.

  Sunshine's predatory stare lowered to the youth.

  "If the streams are back, that means you're going to fight Princess Splishsplash again," said Mordy.

  So that's it! Come to think of it, things seemed tense between her and Sunshine at dinner last night too...

  Sunshine's lips curved once more, though unsteadily, like cracks through glass. "That's right, little boy. At long last, the secondborn's undeserved win streak shall come to an end."

  "Doubt it," said Mordy.

  Piercing pupils studied the boy. "You're a fan of Cutiehorn? How foolish. Why would I listen to the judgement of a child who chooses to support a deficient fairy? You should think about getting yourself a pretty white robe and some nice feathered wings instead."

  But Mordy shook his head. "Why would I do that? You're going to lose again tonight. Princess Splishsplash is way more skilled than you. And she has faesteel. Stronger magic too. Plus..." He went on and on.

  Sunshine's expression quivered with each additional slight until her face appeared ready to shatter. Bulging eyes darted around, apparently all too aware of the increasing amount of passersby who were stopping and staring. Whispered growls escaped trembling lips.

  "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up."

  Awkwardly, Newbie found herself thinking the very same words. She was ready to grab Mordy once more, smother his mouth and apologise on his behalf like an ashamed parent.

  "...In fact, I'm pretty sure she's just better than you in every way," said Mordy. "You'll never beat her. Not alone."

  Nostrils flared as Sunshine took huge, shuddering breaths, quaking from head to toe.

  Newbie looked to her Mentor. Merrymint had known Sunshine for years.

  Please tell me you know how to deal with this situation!

  Newbie felt her stomach turn. Merrymint was subtly tightening her grip upon her stave.

  Sunshine's lips pulled back, yet her jaw remained clenched. Words hissed through crunching teeth. "You'll see how wrong you are, little boy. You and everyone else in this damn city can look forward to seeing her beaten, bruised, bloodied and broken." Then, with a violent feathered thrash, she shot high into the air.

  Newbie's chest deflated like a balloon as they watched Sunshine soar off through the clouds. "...What the heck, Mordy? That was dangerous!"

  The boy shrugged, as if he hadn't been mere seconds away from being pancaked by the problematic princess. "A hero has to stand up for what's right."

  But you're not a hero. You're a child...

  As foolish as his actions were, Newbie didn't want to dampen the boy's noble spirit. "Next time, just think before you speak, ok?"

  "Newb's right," said Merrymint. "Sometimes the best way out of a pickle is to put on a friendly face!" She reached out to ruffle the boy's hair, accidentally nudging his upturned cone off centre in the process. "Now then, get back in your cage," she joked.

  Together the pair of Fairy Princesses guided a grumbling Mordy back through the orphanage's gate, where a considerable crowd of children had gathered. They gave the curious horde a wave and bid them farewell, promising to return in the near future.

  Once they'd gained enough distance from inquisitive ears, Newbie leaned toward Merrymint. "Sunshine can be kinda scary sometimes, huh?"

  "Sunny? Naah." Merrymint flopped a hand. "She's just... what's the word? ...Passionate!"

  Newbie wrinkled her nose. "Passionate, huh? Well, I sure hope that passion doesn't hurt Splishsplash tonight."

  To which Merrymint could only laugh.

  It didn't take them much longer to reach Dollymop's workshop. Just like the Royal Tailor herself, the building appeared to be crafted entirely from textiles.

  Walls were stitched together from various fabrics and puffed tight with cushioning. Some patchwork sections were smooth and firm, others soft and silky, and others still fuzzy or fluffy, though all were garish in colour and pattern. Even the windows were just patches of blue cloth that had been sewn on. Rather than a door, the two Fairy Princesses approached a diagonal zip.

  Merrymint reached out and thumped at the pillowy wall. After a lengthy moment of silence, she tried again.

  "Who?" called a familiar voice from within.

  "It's me, Merry'. I'm here with Newb'."

  "Not without an appointment you're not. Go away," said Dollymop.

  The tailor's attitude had been blunt after yesterday's training too. At the time Newbie thought she was just grumpy because Mister Bear had gotten hurt, but perhaps that was not the case.

  "Come on Dollymop," chirped Merrymint. "We're friends in need! Don't you wanna -"

  "Not interested," interrupted Dollymop. "Begone!"

  Merrymint bumped her forehead against the zip and sighed.

  "Queen Titania sent us," said Newbie. "We have a note."

  A pause.

  "...What?" asked Dollymop.

  "We have a note!" they both cheered with renewed hope.

  The zip groaned as interlocked teeth separated, just enough for a button to peer out. Newbie swiftly plucked the note from her pocket and held it up.

  From within, Dollymop mumbled the Queen's words. "...Give me that!" The zip jerked open further and a seamed hand reached out to snatch the paper.

  Newbie and Merrymint looked to one another, then cautiously crept up to peek through the parted zipper.

  Within, Dollymop read the note a second, and then a third time. Fabric fingers rubbed at the singed butterfly, as if testing for forgery. "Damn brats are nothing but trouble..."

  Navigating the patchwork interior was no simple task. No wall or item of furniture was made from a single material, making it difficult to tell where one stitch-strewn object ended and the next began.

  Newbie almost tripped over a chair that blended in with the rest of the patterned chaos.

  "Don't touch anything!" snapped Dollymop.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "S-sorry," whimpered Newbie.

  A whisper snuck from the corner of Merrymint's mouth. "We should've brought Mordy."

  At the centre of the workshop was a large carpeted space where the enormous teddy known as Mister Bear floated. Dozens of balloons were attached to each limb, as if he were ready to be paraded through the streets. He raised his head and let out a low, rumbly greeting.

  "Ahoy-hoy, Mister Bear!" said Merrymint. "What's with the balloons?"

  "You got any better ideas on how to get a giant to and from Candy Town?" asked Dollymop.

  "...I guess not," said Merrymint.

  Dollymop led them up to a balcony that overlooked the hodgepodge hangar and sat down at a desk. There were racks upon racks and rolls upon rolls of textiles behind her, and a variety of tools spread across the desk. Some were so tiny they'd be absurdly fiddly to use, as if designed for ants, while others were impractically oversized, such as a pair of massive scissors that'd require full-bodied strength just to lift.

  Dollymop crossed her arms. "So?"

  "We and Queeny were wondering if you'd be able to sort an outfit for Newb'," said Merrymint.

  "Specifications?" asked Dollymop.

  "My magic is really, really cold," said Newbie. "Queen Titania thought you might know of a material that'd heat up to keep me warm."

  Dollymop reached for her stationery, but rather than make notes with pencil and paper, she took up needle and thread. Sewn words appeared at impressive speed. "Magmasilk isn't cheap. Scorchthread is a nightmare to work with. Not to mention I'd have to entwine nullseams..."

  "Soo... you can do it?" asked Merrymint.

  Button eyes lifted from knitted notes. The corners of stitched lips curled. "Who the hel do you think you're talking to, Princess? I'm the best damn tailor in Titan!"

  Inspired by the challenge, Dollymop rose to fabric feet and grabbed a tape measure. With neither care nor concern, the living doll yanked at Newbie's limbs to record various lengths and widths. "Any thoughts regarding the design? Most of you brats style your outfits around your hair, as if you've all got to be colour-coded."

  Merrymint cupped her chin, no doubt visualising different styles. "White is cute on her. Makes her look all pure and innocent."

  "What do you mean look?" asked Newbie. "I'm pure! I'm innocent!"

  "What about white and black?" asked Merrymint. "We could theme you up like a penguin!"

  "I don't think I like birds much," groaned Newbie. "Can't I just stick with something simple? I've kind of settled into the winter coat vibe. It's nice and fluffy..."

  "You're starting to sound like Cherry'," said Merrymint. "Though it could work if we Fairy Princessed it up a bit."

  "Fairy Princessed it up?" asked Newbie.

  "Sparkles and stuff! Twinkly snowflakes. Ooo, what about glittery crystals?" Merrymint suggested with a snap of fingers.

  "I'm going to stop you there before you make my life any more difficult," said Dollymop.

  Newbie tried to remain as patient as possible whilst being repositioned this way and that. At times she suspected the discomfort was deliberate. "So, uhm... How exactly do these materials work? Are they magical, like Candy Dandy's Candy Town Candy Cane?"

  "Ha!" snorted Dollymop. "You think you'll be able to cast spells with your socks? Don't be stupid."

  "Bit harsh," said Merrymint.

  "I'm just saying, if I could pump out magic pants then we wouldn't need Fairy Princesses," said Dollymop. "All I'm doing is combining enchanted materials that'll result in a thermal reaction. It's science, not spellcraft."

  Newbie scrunched her nose. "What's the difference between magical and enchanted?"

  Merrymint gave a knowing smile and flicked her spectacles. "It's all down to cause and composition. Think of magic as energy. Things that can produce it, like us fairies, are considered magical, as well as anything composed of magic, like Candy Dandy. Enchanted things are just things that have been changed by magic in some way - Like the food Puddin' eats!"

  "Huh..." Newbie narrowed her eyes, as if diverting concentration from her vision to her brain. "So faefire is magical, while faesteel is enchanted?"

  "Good golly, she's got it!" Merrymint beamed with pride. "Faesteel might be super-strong, but it's still just metal that's been changed by magical flames."

  "So then..." Newbie glanced around at the abundant supply of fantastic fabrics. "...Who enchanted all this stuff?"

  "No one," said Dollymop. "Most of this stuff was just harvested from areas heavy in residual magic. Some environments are plagued by the stuff. The magmasilk I'll be using, for example, comes from Firerain Fjord."

  "Really?" asked Newbie. "There's just stray magic lingering in the air?"

  "In the water and ground too," said Merrymint. "It gets everywhere! And I'll betcha can name at least one place saturated in it."

  I can...? Oh, of course!

  "The Enchanted Forest, right?" said Newbie. "Wait, is that why the flora has grown so curly and bioluminescent?"

  "Precisely!" Merrymint snapped her fingers. "And it's not just plants. Enchantment can affect critters too, evolving species like shelled shrews and fizzlefinches!"

  "What about people?" Newbie got herself caught up in curiosity. "Is that what happened to you, Lady Dollymop?" She only realised how rude she sounded once the Royal Tailor had come to a sudden stop.

  Merrymint pried clasped hands from her mouth. "I'm sorry, Dollymop." She looked to Newbie and lowered her voice. "We don't talk about that."

  "Oh!" said Newbie. "I apologise, Lady Dollymop. I didn't mean to sound insensitive..."

  Dollymop whizzed the tape measure to a snapping close. "Who cares. Besides, there's more important questions you should be asking, kid. It's called residual magic. Aren't you wondering what it's residual from?"

  Newbie looked to her Mentor, though even she blinked cluelessly as spectacles slipped down her nose.

  Dollymop grumbled. "...Forget I said anything. Titania wouldn't appreciate me running my mouth." She returned to her chair and sewn notes. "We're done here."

  What? No! Now I'm curious!

  "...Really?" asked Newbie. "That's it?"

  "That's it," said Dollymop firmly. "Now get out of my sight and give me time to work. The lining will take a few days to fine-tune. Unless you want cooking."

  Newbie restrained a sigh. "Wait... did you say cooking? Just how hot will this thing get?"

  "Not overly, if I do my job right," said Dollymop. "That's what the nullseams are for. With the right balance, they'll keep the reaction under control."

  I sure hope she knows what she's doing...

  "Have you made many Fairy Princess outfits, Lady Dollymop?" asked Newbie.

  "Ha," snorted the tailor. "Everything but the tin can that pony brat wears. I'm no smith, after all."

  Newbie tried a compliment in hopes of leaving on better terms. "Wow, even all the way back to Sunshine and Splishsplash? You've done a wonderful job. They're all so lovely."

  "I've been doing this for longer than that," said Dollymop. "I've seen generations of your lot come and go. Again and again. Who do you think put Titania's orange and black number together?"

  Newbie looked to Merrymint slack-jawed. From the thespian's expression, it seemed she too had no idea just how long Dollymop had served the Queen.

  "Gosh, you're heckin' old!" blurted Merrymint.

  Button eyes lifted from cloth notes. Stitched lips shaped stiff words. "Repairing and replacing cloth is much easier than blood and bone... Now is there a reason you're still here?"

  The zip gave a juddering roar as it whipped to a close behind them. The two Fairy Princesses might have been more powerful in almost every conceivable way, but that hadn't stopped Dollymop from pushing and jabbing them out onto the streets of Rainbow City.

  "Thank you!" called Merrymint.

  There was no response.

  "Hm. I guess we just need to try harder next time," said Merrymint. "I'll make her love us yet!"

  Newbie nodded slowly. A frown tugged at her face. "I wish she'd been more willing to talk..." It felt like so much had been left unsaid. One phrase in particular bothered her most. "...She said she'd seen generations come and go. She was referring to graduating, right?"

  Twin emeralds squinted. "I mean, yeah, obviously. What else?"

  Newbie shook her head. "It's nothing. Just... the previous sisterhoods don't come back to visit? Any of them? Ever?"

  "Maybe they're sick of this place?" Merrymint shrugged. "Graduating takes a while. Heck, Sunny's a hundred years old and she's still here."

  "What? A hundred?"

  "Yup! Splishsplash and Cutiehorn aren't much younger, either."

  Newbie just couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than they were being told. The lack of both memories and records only made her all the more curious. "How many fairies do you think there are?"

  "Dunno," said Merrymint. "Actually, I'd be surprised if anyone knows!"

  "Hm..." pondered Newbie.

  I guess I could start by counting the portraits around the palace. Heroes deserve recognition, after all...

  "Could we pass through the market again on our way back down?" she asked. "There's something I'd like to buy."

  "Attagirl!" Merrymint thrust her stave high. "Let's rinse that allowance! ...Or, some of it, anyway. We don't wanna be late for training."

  "Sure," said Newbie. "Uhm, about that... You're not likely to get hurt, are you?

  Merrymint winced and took a slow suck of air. "...Well..."