Interlude: Part Four

Solana: The thing with this story, and with a lot of stories if you step back from them, is there are major players in them. You could be fooled into thinking this was a story about Fletcher Lightfoot or Atania Jaffe. Even Penelope Crux. Really, though, this is a story about one little girl. If Reggius had never broke down in front of Fletcher, or if Atania hadn’t directly defied a being that could have destroyed the world…These episodes? This story? Really, the world as we know it now wouldn’t be the same. That’s all because of one little girl.

“Eeep!” Yasha yelped as she chased Bri across the courtyard. The bright orange fairy had disappeared when Fletcher left, but now that he was back, Bri had returned as well. There had been a lot of noise today, and a lot of arguing. She’d always hated the arguing, but when she got to play out in the courtyard with the fairies, she could forget all that. Bri led her out into the grass between the castle and Ms. Terran and Mr. Rekk’s house before stopping and bobbing up and down.

“You’re tired already?!” Yasha put her hands on her hips and frowned.

“I am hundreds of times your age, young one. I need a rest.” The orange fairy hovered over to her and lightly dropped onto her shoulder.

Yasha sat down in the grass and looked up into the night sky. “How old are you? Some of the other fairies can talk, but they talk kinda like kids. Like me.”

“Oh, I am quite old.” Bri twinkled on her shoulder. “Your fairies here are fresh souls. I’m glad you’re here to play with them. Being a young soul can be lonely.”

“I knew that. Even the ones who couldn’t talk to me. I knew they felt lonely.” Yasha smiled wide, but the pride in herself slowly faded. “How did I know that?”

“You’re a very special girl, Yasha, but not for the reasons your Penelope tells you.” Bri lifted off her shoulder to float around and look into her eyes. Her hair flared like the fireplace in the king’s meeting room when too much wood was loaded into it. “Have you noticed that you are the only one who can see the fairies?”

Yasha nodded slowly. “Yeah, well…kind of. Fletcher can see you.”

“He can.” Bri bobbed up and down as she nodded. “He is also a very special person, but even he can’t speak to me. You’ve been through so much in such a short life, little one.” Bri floated up and sat a warm, tiny hand against her cheek. “I fear you’ll suffer much more before your days come to an end. Always trust yourself, and trust your heart.”

“What does that mean?” Yasha scrunched up her face. “My heart doesn’t talk. My tummy does sometimes.”

Bri chuckled and rose up to rest her forehead against Yasha’s. “The innocence of children is surely a wonder. I must return to Fletcher. Be well and be safe, Yasha. Remember my words.”

“I will. Bye-bye Bri.” Yasha stood up as the fairy floated up into the air and blinked away.

Yasha sighed and started to wander back toward the castle where she’d left Penelope and Gregor. She wasn’t sure what following her heart was, but she knew something here was wrong. Not just the big hole in the wall either. She stopped and cocked her head at the many many adults staring at the gaping hole in the castle wall. It was weirdly circle-ish. She was pretty sure that was not there yesterday.

“Hey, Kid.” A familiar voice sounded from behind her and she grinned wide as she spun around to see Fletcher walking back to the castle. “You alright? Some crazy stuff happening.”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Are you going back to play?” Yasha chirped, her voice raising an octave.

“Ehh, I’m not sure. I think the party might be over.” Fletcher did that weird smile where he only moved one side of his face. For some reason people thought it was cute, but it just looked weird to her.

“Awww…I was having fun dancing, though.” Yasha whined. “You didn’t even get to play Waybird Star.”

Fletcher chuckled. His voice was smooth, like his music, and she’d figured out a while ago if she made him laugh Bri would sometimes mistake it for him singing. On queue, the fairy drifted from his lips only to give her a flat look when she realized nothing was happening.

“It’s called Wayward Star. If I don’t get to play it tonight, I promise I’ll play it for you next time.” Fletcher reached out and ruffled her hair.

“Yasha!” Penelope called out, skipping over toward them. Gregor was moving in the opposite direction…toward the docks. He’d just gone invisible. Nothing good ever happened when he did that. “Mr. Lightfoot? Where did you run off to?”

“Oh, I’m a huge coward.” Fletcher hooked his thumb back toward the Deviltouched city. “I hear explosions and I run the opposite direction.”

Yasha grimaced. That didn’t make sense. Fletcher was going toward the yelling…not away from it. He’d also asked her not to say anything. Why did he want to lie to Penelope? She’d completely tuned out the conversation the adults were having, even though her eyes were bouncing between the two of them as their lips moved.

Penelope had always been so nice to her. Really most people were, but she had a feeling most people were nice to her because Penelope wanted them to be. No one made Penelope mad. No one except Fletcher and Atania. But they were always nice to her too. The only difference she could see, was Fletcher and Atania seemed to be nice to everyone…except Penelope.

“Alright, it’s time for bed, Yasha. Tell Mr. Lightfoot goodnight.” Penelope placed a hand on her shoulder to lead her away.

“Aww, but I wanted to hear him play.” Yasha whined.

“You will, next time he’s here.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Lightfoot.” Yasha groaned.

“Just Fletch is fine, sweetheart.” He gave her a little wave.

“Good night, Fletch.” She waved back.