Faerie Tales

[asnakeintheclass]

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Glass Slipper

[destinetmalediction]

[Of course the Ravenlocks made sure there was no way Hugo could ever possibly attend the ball being held by the Royal House of Halloran. They piled him with tons of chores and when he managed to finish them...

Well, he's sat out in the garden with a cold chunk of cheese wrapped and pressed to his face to try and bring down the swelling of his eye.]

[buddinghopes]

[Well, if this isn't a sorry sight.

Unfortunately, Lia very much knows what the Ravenlocks are like, having heard plenty from Serena, so ultimately, she's not really surprised that they went this far to make sure Hugo couldn't attend that ball.

In her bird form, Lia flutters down to the bench, perching on the back of it.]

Oh dear... this won't do at all.

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo looks around for the bird, confused.]

Well, you're awfully coherent for a bird. Most don't speak in full sentences like that.

[buddinghopes]

You'd be surprised. Corvids are pretty talkative when you get them started.

[She'll hop down and over to where he can more readily see her.]

Honestly, one of these days I should really peck out the eyes of those older siblings of yours.

[destinetmalediction]

It wouldn't do anyone any good. This was Father's doing anyway.

[buddinghopes]

Oh, trust me, I'll do worse to him than peck out his eyes. Here, let me-- let me transform so I can get a better look at that eye of yours.

[Hopping down to the ground now so she can transform into her humanoid form.

(The wings remain, and there's a few feathers caught in her hair.)]

[destinetmalediction]

--I'm sorry what--

[He yelps, jumping in shock because hi what??]

[buddinghopes]

That bird you helped a while back is actually a faerie, surprise?

[She'll at least, uh. Let him process before she approaches to get a look at his eye.]

[destinetmalediction]

You're a what?

[He allows her to come closer since like. What the hell else can he do?]

[buddinghopes]

A faerie!

[Her expression softens after she cheerfully announces that.]

And, ah, I was friends with Serena. She asked me to look out for you. Here-- I'm going to fix up that eye of yours.

[destinetmalediction]

...of course she was friends with a faerie. Alright.

[He sits still, letting the faerie do her job.]

[buddinghopes]

[With that, Lia carefully heals up Hugo's eye, before she takes a step back and clicks her tongue, thoughtful.]

There. Now, I believe we've got a ball to get you ready for!

[destinetmalediction]

The ball? Please, dressed like this?

[Shabby clothes, messy hair, all that.]

[buddinghopes]

Of course not! Here, on your feet, please, let me get a good look at you~

[destinetmalediction]

[He stands, bemused but not going to argue with a faerie.]

Ta da?

[buddinghopes]

[She pulls a ribbon from her hair, and it lengthens with magic as she does. She circles Hugo, humming thoughtfully. The ribbon stretches itself out as it seems to measure his height.]

Your hair's at least going to be an easy fix, but the outfit... Ah, arms up please!

[She taps her chin thoughtfully.]

Blues and purples are going to look best, of course...

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo obeys, more and more confused.]

I tend to look good in black, in my opinion, or lavender for an accent?

[buddinghopes]

[With a gesture from Lia, the ribbon starts measuring Hugo's arms.]

Black and lavender... yep, that's doable! And I imagine you'll want a nice suit, yes? Oh, and a little magic to make sure your family doesn't realize it's you, that's going to be mandatory...

[destinetmalediction]

Something flowy.

[Like a cape.

He has no idea what's going on anymore.]

[buddinghopes]

[She nods approvingly.]

Can't go wrong with something flowy, in my opinion!

[Once the ribbon has completed its measuring tasks, it floats back over to Lia, who gives it a look, tracing numbers into the air and nodding to herself.

A faint, illusory outfit begins to take shape in front of them, a suit with a long, hopefully sufficiently flowy coat--it maybe looks a little like if one had combined a coat and a dress. Just a little. It's overall very elegant-looking, especially in black, dark gray, and lavender.]

Any adjustments?

[destinetmalediction]

[The magic happens and Hugo has to take a moment because oh. Oh.]

You--you're serious?

[buddinghopes]

Yep. You're the one that's gonna be wearing it, after all!

[destinetmalediction]

You...you're really sending me to the ball?

[buddinghopes]

Mhm! You deserve a night to have fun. And maybe if you're lucky while you're there, you can get a chance to dance with the prince~ [Her smile turns a little sly, as she leans up to murmur "conspiratorially":] I've heard he's interested in men, after all~

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo chokes on air at that.]

I-I'm sorry? That's relevant...?