queen of enchantra hollow

#c. john worthington #t. bad pr #p. glitterfox

Clarion gave John a smile and a small nod of her head. "I am," she answered. "Queen Clarion of Enchantra."

She looked down the street, taking in all of the posters that lined the main road through town. Once she had taken stock, she nodded to herself before slipping her heavy coat off of her shoulders. "Would you mind holding this for me?" she asked John, handing the coat over as soon as he gave his approval. She stretched her wings out behind her, the golden membrane sparkling in the winter sun and sending spots of light across the sidewalk.

Then, in a flash of pixie dust, she was hovering in the air at her natural size, her wings keeping her aloft.

Clarion stretched her arms out in front of her, rolling her head to loosen any kinks in her neck, and then she took off. A strong wind rushed after her, picking up speed and force as she flew down the street with her borrowed fast-flying-talent. She flew around each of the lamp posts and sign poles that had flyers on them and the wind ripped them off and into the jetstream.

Once they had all been gathered up, Clarion flew back towards John and stopped in front of him, the wind buffeting against him before quickly dying. The flyers all fell to the snowy ground in front of them, and Clarion jingled as if to say "Ta-da!"

@johnestfellow

winter's turning || golden branch

Olivia could tell by the way Clarion's thoughts began to turn that this may end up being another situation where Olivia would be a disappointment. Though, to Olivia, that meant not being a sorcerer. Olivia was sensitive to the fact but tried not to let it bog her down too much. Still, it did. That insecurity bobbed on the surface of her thoughts at nearly all times.

"Well, I hope so. I like the University so much, and it'd be quite awkward to have to find another job mid year," she adds as a joke. Though, the truth of it was... a bit uncomfortable. So far she'd managed her work, but it was still difficult to feel like she was worth her position. She's never been made to feel like she was worth much at all.

Olivia nods and wants to joke that she's not like others from Ingary, but that's... "Oh, are there?" Olivia asks. "I don't think I've met many, but there have been some. I'm afraid we never shared previous employers though." Because, really, how big was NewtU?

She can sense she's said something wrong, but what? Olivia does not know. She smiles as the Queen explains herself. "Well, it's good that you look out for your ... Subjects? Is that rude to say? I know far too many people in positions of authority who may not be as involved as yourself."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. olivia hanover #t. winters turning #p. golden branch

She chuckled at the joke Olivia made, the sound carrying a bell-like quality that was almost dampened by the snow that surrounded them. "They come and they go," Clarion said. "Why, I know of two that quit just this year to return to the Boiling Isles."

Her heart ached at the thought of Willow, her brave fairy, who had left with them. She visited often and always let Clarion fuss over her, answering her hundreds of questions about her life and how she was settling back on the Isles as a now out fairy. So far most of the reports had been positive, and they had had several long discussions about politics and governance during Willow's trips. Apparently she was working hard with her mentor Professor- sorry, Head Witch Deamonne on the restructuring of the Isles and Clarion was happy to offer any guidance she could.

She still wished Willow was back at home in her Hollow, though. Fairies needed their communities.

"It's not rude at all, though maybe a little formal. They're my fairies, and we are all equally as important as the next. I'm more of a guardian than a sovereign most of the time." It was nothing like the human authority that Olivia was describing -- the kind that could make Clarion flush with frustration and anger.

Still, she had plenty of practice playing at human politics, so she knew the truth in Olivia's words.

"I'm actually enjoying their handiwork now," Clarion said, gesturing to the winter scene around them. "Same as you were. Perhaps we could walk together?"

@lady-etiquettes

Bad PR || Open

The woman that approached him gave off a vibe he wasn't ready for. Power in a way he couldn't describe. She smelled like the forest and fresh flowers and something else sweet, and it tickled his sinuses the way pixiedust usually did. Not that she did anything to hide the fact that she was a fairy, he could guess from looking at her.

He'd also seen her around. It was hard to not know the Queen of the Hollow--especially after, well... everything.

John tried to think about the last fairy he spoke to. He must have interacted with plenty but his mind just kept going back to Tink.

They were never close, but it didn't stop thoughts of her from haunting him like a shadow. Same with every other member of MAFIA.

He almost forgot about the posters. "I'm... well, I've certainly been better," he answered with an awkward chuckle. "But I'll be fine. I've come back from worse." in other ways. Career wise... he was a little worried. "It's-- this poster definitely makes it all sound way worse than it was. I wasn't... it doesn't matter." He let out a sigh.

"Are you alright?" that was a weird question, he shouldn't have asked that. People with this level of power and authority made him nervous sometimes. That paired with the poster that she had definitely seen... he'd be fine, he'd get over it. He'd just be a little awkward first. "I mean... thank you for asking, I hope you're having an alright day yourself."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. john worthington #t. bad pr #p. glitterfox

"You don't have to explain it to me," Clarion promised, giving him a faint smile. After all, she'd seen the Moon Market windows plastered with the flyers, and she knew well how Jun Moon tended to react to things. There was a reason most animals in the forest avoided the market and the surrounding alleys now at all costs.

(And why Clarion avoided him at Town Halls lest he start complaining about the raccoons again. She had no jurisdiction over the raccoons -- truthfully, she doubted Bambi had much power over them either.)

John asked about her, seemed to think better about it, then amended his statement. Clarion bit back a chuckle, she didn't want him to think she was laughing at him.

"I'm having a lovely day, thank you for asking. Now, do you plan to take these down yourself or would you be open to some help?"

@johnestfellow

Good for Morale ✨ Dusted Sugar

Bobby smiled. Queen Clarion was always kind, perhaps overtly so. She was never one to give anything less than constructive criticism, while Fairy Mary could easily tear his confections apart. In the end, he felt silly for worrying about this interaction at all.

She motioned for him to sit and he did, readjusting his apron as he did so. He had been in such a flurry that he had forgotten to take it off. It was a comfort to him, though he tried not to think about how unkempt the stains must look. They were part of the process, after all.

Her words had him humming and nodding in return. "Neither am I. I'm very excited for my girls to be getting a break. The adjustment to human school has been a rather difficult one for Millie," he admitted. "At least, much more than I remember for Hattie Rose. I don't know if things are just getting worse, or..."

He quickly shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to rattle on with such trivial concerns."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. bobby wildfern #t. good for morale #p. dusted sugar

Clarion listened attentively, but her ears perked up at the mention of Millie having problems. She sat the parfait down, shifting her body to face Bobby with a concerned expression on her face.

"No, please, it's not trivial at all," she reassured. Millie and Hattie Rose were both darling little fledglings, and the thought of them in distress made Clarion's heart twist in her chest. Maybe it was because her own ward was away from her grasp, but anything she could do to help Bobby and his little girls, Clarion would do gladly.

"What's happening with Millie at school?"

@bobby-wildfern

myfairmarian

Home Check || Clarian

myfairmarian

When the knock came at the door, Marian didn't suspect anything in particular. Between the HOA and Hercules, there were plenty of people who stopped by on occasion. She had an easy smile on her face as she opened the door, ready to greet whoever it was.

But as soon as she saw the woman waiting there, the smile tightened and became just a little bit more forced. She'd known this particular interaction was coming.

The optimistic part of her had hoped that somehow she might escape it. But she'd always known better.

"Your majesty. Would you like to come in?" She bowed her head but she didn't curtsey. That felt like acknowledgement enough. At least until she knew exactly what she wanted.

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. marian fitzwalter #t. home check #p. clarian #//first on page appearance of artemis!!!!#//she's from the wings of starlight book and is a badass lesbian we stan

Atta being away from the Hollow meant that Clarion had taken on all of the royal duties once again. It left her very little free time, and she had to prioritize things in a manner that sometimes left things on the shelf for longer than she would have liked. There was simply no helping it; at the end of the day, her fairies and her Hollow came first.

But now it was Slumber, and Clarion had time to pick those tasks up off the shelf and dust them off. It meant she had time to speak to Marian.

She had decided not to bring Steve with her, since he had already interacted with Marian a few times and had reported that he hadn't quite been on his best behavior. Her showing up would already frighten and upset the young woman, she didn't want to make it worse. Instead, Artemis stood in the hall, silent and steady behind her. She was Clarion's perfect inverse; with pale skin and hair dark as the starless night, compared to Clarion's warm black skin and her snow-white braids.

She was one of Clarion's oldest friends, the Captain of her Royal Guard, and Clarion trusted no one else to have her back in this precarious situation.

Clarion watched Marian's smile falter and crystalize into something more practiced. It was smooth, clearly well-practiced, but Clarion was much older and experienced than she was. She returned the crystalline smile, giving Marian a shallower nod of her head. "That would be appreciated, yes. I apologize for stopping by without warning. I promise we won't take up too much of your time."

@myfairmarian

Bad PR || Open

John didn't like attention. Well, no that wasn't true, he liked it when he controlled it or wanted it. He didn't like getting glances from everyone he walked past on the street.

It was strange. A few people did a double take, someone looked him over almost dubiously, another scoffed. He had no idea what to make of that. Sure, he was still reeling a bit that his name had been dropped on the Von Drake's podcast and trying to figure out what to do about that from a professional standpoint. But people didn't know his face, right?

Right??

A poster on a lamppost caught his attention and he felt his stomach drop. It took him a moment to fully process what he was looking at and what he was reading.

He snatched the paper off the post, crumpling it in his hand as dread settled deep in his gut.

"What the fuck..." he muttered, then his gaze fell down the street to another lamppost, another piece of paper fluttering in the breeze. He felt his face heat. "What the fuck!"

#c. john worthington #t. bad pr #//thinking of calling them glitterfox lmao #//but yeah clarions too old for this lol

"Jingles," Clarion muttered to herself, looking at the flyer with a pursed expression. She had been on her way to visit Atta and the Baneberry siblings when she noticed them, pinned up around town. She had finally stopped to read one and shook her head.

Looked like a break up gone bad had gotten out of hand. Things never stayed secret in Swynlake for long, but this seemed excessive.

She was about to carry on with her walk, happy to ignore the posters now, when she heard the swearing. Clarion looked over and saw the man from the flyer holding one himself and looking both confused and mortified at once. He crumpled it up in his fist, looking around like a cornered animal, and Clarion - maybe against her better judgement - felt her heart give.

No one deserved an entire town's ire brought upon them this way.

She approached, looking regal and composed and hoping some of her calm might anchor him as well. She recognized the man not just from the posters, but from the latest town musical and other events. He had been charming in a slick sort of way, but not mean or cruel. Just a man.

"Excuse me, are you alright?" Clarion asked once she was close enough, keeping her voice low so those who were staring at him wouldn't hear their conversation.

@johnestfellow

And Our Interests Are The Same ✨ Rainbow High

isaac-morey

"Busier than I'm sure my family would prefer," Isaac offered a weak chuckle; it really was hectic not only with campaign season but everything after, no matter how things ended up. Because the holidays would come regardless with all the noise and motion and he was looking forward to that but it also meant making certain a million little things were accomplished because those holidays meant a great deal to Avery and he and Nick had to make certain that magic remained.

Politics were one thing, important, but one thing in a long list of others equally important and the reasons why he was involved in those politics at all.

"I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with fairy celebrations, aside from the one you share with us, but I can definitely agree that a little calm during the winter is a welcome break," he nodded.

The Hollow had all manner if seasonal events that were important but the fairies kept some to themselves and Isaac knew that was important, it wasn't as though the town had room to reach for things not offered, so he respected that, Queen Clarion and her Hallow, but he had to sometimes to do at a distance so as not to overstep.

"I do appreciate all the work the winter fairies do this time of year though, part of the magic this time of year; I imagine that is a lot of work too."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. isaac morey #t. and our interests are the same #p. rainbow high

"It is," she said with a nod and a small smile, just as Aster came over and set down two mugs of tea and a couple of scones. The scout then took her own drink -- coffee, if Clarion had to judge by scent and previous experience alone -- to her nearby table to give them space. Clarion offered her a quick nod of thanks before turning back to Isaac.

"I hope you don't mind that I ordered for you," she said. "They have a wonderful winter floral tea here that I like to get whenever I can." Clarion took the mug in hand, letting the heated, colorful ceramic warm her chilled skin.

"Maybe that's something to think about in the coming year," she mused almost distractedly. "Doing some more educational outreach about life in the Hollow. Help people understand our customs and holidays a little more. We've started to do so with the full moon dances at the fairy pools, but that's incredibly informal."

There was a thin line to be walked between demystifying the Hollow so they didn't seem so strange and Other to the Clumsies in town and giving away all of their secrets to a dangerous degree. Clarion had toed that line closer than most, but what she was considering now was truly something she should be doing with a safety net underneath.

With luck, Isaac would be that safety net.

@isaac-morey

winter's turning || golden branch

"A little of both," Olivia says, pleasantly enough. Queen Clarion's radiance was beautiful, and it took Olivia a moment to be able to form exactly what she'd meant.

"I have a position at Pride University, though how long I'll stay remains to be seen. I'm from Ingary, originally, and it was always known to myself and the administration that my role wasn't on a ... say, tenure track. I might return to Ingary at some point, but for now... I'm here."

Her mind has the nerve to nearly ask The Queen of Enchantra about herself -- a nervous habit if anything - so instead she says, "Do you visit town often, Ma'am? I suppose I'm surprised to see someone as noble as you, but perhaps that's foolish of me."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. olivia hanover #t. winters turning #p. golden branch #//i totally lost this 😭 my bad

Ingary. A sorcerer, then.

She hadn't outwardly reacted when Clarion mentioned that she was from the forest, so hopefully one of the ones more accustomed to fairies and without that pesky bias that so often put fairies and sorcerers at odds. It wasn't as prevalent here in Swynlake, but occasionally you had members of either group who arrived that clung tightly to their preconceived notions about the other. Clarion tried to discourage it in her fairies when she could, but she couldn't do anything about the other side.

"I'm sure the university is happy to have you while they can," Clarion offered with an easy, gentle smile. "You'd be surprised how many professors have come through those doors from Ingary."

Olivia asked another question, and the suspicious part of her brain that had taken hold after Atta had been attacked wanted to dodge it. Why would this woman need to know her schedule? It was paranoid, and Clarion waved it away without fully dismissing it.

"Oh, I come in to town occasionally to check on things," she said vaguely. "Especially in the winter." It was easy for fairies to get stuck under the drifts of snow if they weren't careful, and Clarion had to rescue a handful of fairies each year. Usually the younger ones who didn't know better than to fly under eaves with piles of snow. Or by the Ice Queen full-stop. Elsa could produce as much snow as a dozen flurry-talent fairies when she put her mind to it.

"There's plenty of interesting people to see in Swynlake if you're willing to look."

@lady-etiquettes

Good for Morale ✨ Dusted Sugar

Bobby had also been warned that he would not be able to find the mysterious "graham crackers" that made this treat such a delight in the states. He had hoped that the flour would be a good substitute. Perhaps it would not be enough for their Americans, but it would be a great introduction to everyone else.

His shoulders relaxed slightly at the familiar joyful hum. They'd been working together long enough that he was able to gather some initial intel just from her immediate reaction.

"Of course, let me know any notes," he said, gesturing to the tray. Once upon a time, when Bobby was a much younger fairy, he would hover over his patrons and stare in silence, waiting for responses. He had learned since then that it was not the most appropriate way to go about things.

No, people liked to chat over their treats.

"How have things been otherwise?"

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. bobby wildfern #t. good for morale #p. dusted sugar

"It's excellent as always," she reassured. "The chocolate is a lovely touch." Chocolate was one of those luxuries they could only get from town, though having a fairy-owned bakery in town that could order those supplies wholesale certainly made things much easier!

She gestured for him to join her at the table, to take a seat for himself so he was more comfortable. Instead of moving right along to the next treat, she took another bite of the parfait and let herself just enjoy it.

His question nearly fractured that peace.

How had things been? Horrible. Her beloved princess was trapped far away from her home and loved ones, forced to live in a place barely familiar to her. Clarion tried to tell herself that this was a good opportunity for Atta -- that she would be able to experience the Clumsies' world for herself and learn to understand their ways just as she had when she was a princess, but she knew in her heart it was different. She had left by choice. That choice had been taken from Atta.

But she was sure that that wasn't what Bobby wanted to hear, and she didn't wish to burden him with her fears (he had two daughters of his own, after all), so instead she merely hummed again. "Busy as this season always is. I'm certain everyone is ready for Slumber, and I am no exception."

@bobby-wildfern

Good for Morale ✨ Dusted Sugar

Clarion was not herself. They had been working together long enough to recognize moments of stress and this was certainly one of them. How could it not be, though? So much had happened in just the past year alone, and with the disappearance of the princess...

...well, that's what he was here for! Baked goods couldn't solve everything, but they were a good way to bring moments of joy to those times of stress.

Following her lead, he walked in as well, tray in hand. "Ah, a few, actually! We're having trouble narrowing it down. We have the classic marshmallow and mint parfait, the cherry and walnut cake, and the raisin cookies with white chocolate drizzle. But this year I've also been experimenting with candied prunes in the fruit cake and adding graham flour and chocolate to the parfaits--have you ever heard of a "suh-more?" Some humans brought them to the Frosty Moon bonfire, they are a delicacy in America!"

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. bobby wildfern #t. good for morale #p. dusted sugar

Clarion listened closely to Bobby as he spoke, trying to look invested and curious instead of like she was hearing him through a thick fog. When he set the tray down, the smell of Winter washed over her -- the familiar treats and aromas that had been a constant throughout her long life.

Even with the small changes that had been made, Clarion could feel herself begin to unwind bit by bit -- some of the tension that had been clinging to her smoothed away by the nostalgia of the familiar.

"I believe I have heard of suhmores," Clarion said, picking up a parfait and dipping in the provided spoon. "I have not tried them myself, however." They had a few American fairies in the Hollow, but apparently proper graham crackers were hard to find in the UK and hard to make with ingredients from the Hollow. She wished she had been able to try some for herself.

She was able to take a bite of the parfait, and Clarion let out a soft hum of appreciation as the refreshing flavors of the parfait melted on her tongue. The chocolate added a surprising richness and warmth to the treat, and Clarion took a moment to savor it.

@bobby-wildfern

And Our Interests Are The Same ✨ Rainbow High

isaac-morey

There was an endless pace to keeping the singular promise he made every campaign season; he was going to listen. And in a small town that felt like no small task, but that's what made it important. From the natives who had lived generations there to the most recent transplants still trying to accept safety might be possible, it all mattered.

That afternoon he was hurrying from an outing taking Avery to buy new brushes for his growing collection devoted to the dozens of watercolor creatures that decorated the hallway at the house, dropping him off with Jess until Nick got off work and making his way to Hatter's.

"Good afternoon Queen Clarion," he smiled as he approached with a nod of greeting, "I hope I haven't kept you waiting long. It is a little busy, but you find time." Or he was determined to at least, it was usually time for rest that fell to the wayside but until after election season it simply couldn't be helped.

He waited for her to take her seat first before taking the one across from her, not wanting to be impolite.

"How are things in the Hollow? I hope everyone there is doing well; it's a busy time for you too I would imagine with winter in the seasonal changes in the forest."

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. isaac morey #t. and our interests are the same #p. rainbow high

"Your imagination would be correct," Clarion said with a nod. "It's the last push to Slumber, so everyone is busy making sure the Hollow is ready for the quieter months."

There was still a pervasive feeling of wrongness in the Hollow, but by now, Clarion wasn't able to tell if it was in her head or not. Was she the only one who felt Atta's absence like a stone on her wings? The rest of the Hollow was quieter than it usually was this time of year, but no less busy.

Clarion was greatly looking forward to Slumber, even if there was truly no rest for a royal-talent.

"And yourself?" she asked. "How is the season treating you so far?"

@isaac-morey

Just a Frog Out of Water ✨ Lilypod

mar-mar-marbles

Marcy watched as the fairy flew up, flapping around and dancing in the air. She watched the patterns she made, her attention locked in.

Then she landed, pointing at her, then the tadpoles. Marcy heard the jingling of her, but the words didn't come to her. Not entirely. But the feelings did. The sentiment transcended language.

Marcy gave her a shy smile, looking down at all the little tadpoles. One that had all its legs but still a nub of a tail tried to climb up on the rock the fairy sat on.

"Thanks," Marcy said softly. "Its weird, though. Not really feeling like I fit in either place. Not with the Mundus'. And not with the Fairies. Not to say the fairies do anything to make me feel that way, gosh no. Linnet--do you know Linnet? She's very nice. She's been so encouraging of me and... and really made me feel welcome.. But there's just this part of me that... I don't know if I can ever make feel at home anywhere."

Marcy looked away from the pond and the fairy, eyes wandering over a leaf that fluttered on a branch. She couldn't say why she felt so afraid to embrace the fairy side of her. She couldn't say why she couldn't feel at home in the Hollow. That wasn't her secret to tell. Especially not to another fairy.

"Thank you for listening to me. You're very nice. Sometimes I feel like I talk way too much and people get sick of hearing from me," she laughed a little.

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. marcy wu #t. just a frog out of water #p. lilypod #//one day i will write about the official difference between ravensara and clarion's rule and how clarion's early years as Clara affected #//the type of queen she is today #//but today is not that day

Clarion saw the little tadpole and scooped it up into her arms, making soft cooing noises at the small, slimy creature before turning to listen to the young woman speak further.

She desperately wanted to change into the proper size to hug the poor girl, but didn't know if that would make her uncomfortable or not. Instead, after carefully putting the tadpole back in the water, she flew up and curled up on the young woman's shoulder, tucked against her neck warm and trusting.

She hoped this poor child knew that she would always be welcome here, that the forest and the Hollow would always have a spot for her. It was one of the things Clarion was working every day to improve -- to make sure every fairy got to enjoy the safety and community of the Hollow, even if they couldn't contribute or participate in the "usual" way.

Fairies who rode brooms. Fairies who had animal assistants to get around. Fairies who felt more comfortable in a Clumsy town than a Hollow. At the end of the day, they were all still fairies.

(Fairies from families that were too large, that drained on the Hollow's resources too much. Fairies like little Clara Cobbleboots, who still whispered and breathed at the back of Clarion's mind.)

@mar-mar-marbles

winter's turning || golden branch

Of course, of course. Credit due to the winter fairies, of which Olivia was only partially familiar with. She did not know a Winter Hollow in Ingary, and rarely did fairies at all attend Newtopia University. Still, Olivia knew to revere a good season and nods. "I think so as well."

Freshly powdered snow drifts from the sky, and Olivia glances upwards again, noticing the sparkle of them. Realizing, again and again, that each snowflake was unique and the work of a winter fairy. How much had Olivia taken for granted.

"Ah, you'll forgive me for nearly running you over," Olivia hazards, voice soft and relatively lovely. Olivia had a way with words. Or, more, tone. She was raised to be a lady, and often had a more polite way of speaking. "You're--- I'm Olivia Hanover. I should think I'd know who you were, but it's rude to assume." She gives a slight inclination of her head.

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. olivia hanover #t. winters turning #p. golden branch #//clarion is Hella Paranoid rn

"It's no trouble at all," Clarion reassured, "no harm was done." If anything, the near collision had provided a wonderful distraction from her circling thoughts.

"It's lovely to meet you, Olivia. I'm Queen Clarion from Enchantra," she introduced, returning the nod. "Are you new in town or just visiting?"

(Truthfully, Clarion already knew she worked at the university now, though she didn't know the details of her position. A paranoid part of her had been keeping an eye on everyone that had come into Swynlake recently. Just in case.)

@lady-etiquettes

And Our Interests Are The Same ✨ Rainbow High

#c. isaac morey #t. and our interests are the same #p. rainbow high #//that pairing name makes sense to me okay lol

Backdated to the end of November

The elections were coming to a close, and Clarion felt as if she’d seen enough.

She’d attended all of the events, watching each of the candidates closely, talking with different people at each venue. She wasn’t usually this participatory -- not wanting to sway any possible decisions or hurt any feelings of incoming officials just in case, but, well. That was before Vidia. Before MAFIA. Before Atta was attacked.

Clarion was trying a more hands-on approach this year.

Which was why she was now walking into Hatters on a quiet afternoon, dressed in one of her Clumsy dresses with her wings tucked carefully behind her like a cape. She had forgone her usual tiara and jewels, instead opting for a subtler comb that pinned her braids back from her face. Enough to remind everyone of who she was without shouting it to the world.

Aster was her guard today, tagging along in her own Clumsy clothes in an attempt to blend in. Together they found two tables that were next to each other but far enough from the door to offer at least a little privacy, and Aster pulled out a chair for Clarion before heading to the counter to order for them both.

Clarion sat patiently, people watching as life in Swynlake passed her by, before the bells above the door rang and Isaac stepped inside. She waved him over with a graceful turn of her hand, offering him a polite smile as she stood to greet him.

“Isaac, thank you for meeting with me today,” she said. “I know this must be a very busy time for you.”

@isaac-morey

And Our Interests Are The Same ✨ Rainbow High

Good for Morale ✨ Dusted Sugar

The Hollow had been up in a flutter after what happened the month prior. Everyone was still on a leaf's edge from the last attack that had happened to a fairy, but this one had happened to fairy royalty--in the town, no less! Was anywhere safe?

Bobby tried not to think about it, for his own sake. He had two young seedlings in the town, after all. Despite everything, they so desperately wanted to be there and as their father, he would do everything to support them. Including worry every moment of every day. But it's fine! It's fine. Everything is fine.

Life did indeed carry on. As did his duties as a baker.

The next full moon was coming up and Fairy Berry had been in a tizzy trying to figure out the perfect recipe to represent the crisp chill of a coming winter while still warming everyone's bellies and distracting them from the horrors of the world around them. Really, Bobby thought that all might be too much to put on a plate of cookies, but what did he know?

Either way, he had volunteered to bring the taste test batch to the Queen herself. He straightened himself out, carefully balancing the tray, before knocking on the door. With the response, he opened it and poked his head in.

"Ah-- Your Majesty, Queen Clarion? I have the new recipe here for the Yule Moon?"

@goldenxqueenclarion

#c. bobby wildfern #t. good for morale #p. dusted sugar

Clarion gave Bobby a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, of course, come in," she said, waving him into her office. She rose to her feet and walked over to the sitting area, not quite having the energy to flit over.

"So what delectable treats have you brought for us to sample today, Bobby?" Clarion asked as she sat down. She liked Bobby -- he was as sweet and warm as the things he baked, and had a relaxed sort of air that made everyone he met feel at home. Or maybe that was the smell of fresh baked pastries that seemed to follow him around the Hollow like a shadow.

It was already permeating through her office, layering over the smell of parchment and the looming snap of winter.

@bobby-wildfern

winter's turning || golden branch

So this, Olivia thinks to herself, is winter in Swynlake. It's similar but different to the ground of Newtopia U, she supposes. The way the ice formed between cracks in the street, and snow stuck to awnings and shop windows. The eaves of the shops glittered in half-frosted light. Olivia realizes these winters in Swynlake are nothing at all like campus. Swynlake's are more beautiful.

It happens, though, that Olivia's so immersed by the beauty of it all that she nearly runs into someone who is-- admittedly, ethereal in her beauty. Which is a very normal thing for Olivia to think, she assures you.

No, all self-deprecation aside, she really does find the woman beautiful, with snow glistening lightly in her hair. She doesn't realize she's been staring until she realizes she's been caught in such a painfully awkward way. The woman looked busy, and here Olivia was... just gawking.

"Erm-- good winter to you, ma'am," Olivia says, as any normal woman would, "it's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

@goldenxqueenclarion