We All Shine On !

You sit idle sheltered in the dark shadow of a ledge high above you, watching the cheesebirds in the distance carry out Golden Cheese's orders diligently. Everything in the kingdom listened to her diligently, all working together perfectly like a well oiled machine. It was all perfectly planned and bugs were quickly corrected down to the smallest detail; The only thing out of place that was ever left to remain, seemingly, was you.

You did not tame monsters, nor correct code, nor guard gates. Ever since your invitation to join within the grand walls Golden Cheese Kingdom, it felt like your presence was… insignificant. You tried to help where you could, honest! Yet, each attempt ended with you feeling like all you had done was make the work harder for the cookies you tried to help. When you were brought here, you were told that Golden Cheese Cookie had personally approved your stay, but you were yet to meet the golden goddess, and could not imagine what she could have possibly seen in you to be worthy of entering within her glittering city.

Tracing swirls in the ground before you as you were consumed with thought, you almost didn't notice someone walking up beside you. Indeed, you wouldn't have noticed at all had their prescense not been accompanied with a positively radiant glow. Snapping from your thoughts, you did not need to turn to know who it was; But you did, and Golden Cheese smiles down at you as your eyes meet hers.

"A fine hiding place," her voice is sweet and rich with confidence as she leans over you, "but from what are you hiding?"

"Um…" you go to speak, but your voice is weak from lack of use over the past few days. "I'm not… I'm not hiding."

"Oh?" she tilts her head and places a hand on her hip, "Then why sit alone in the dark when you have a kingdom gleaming with gold and treasure all around you? Come now, I know better than that. Something is wrong, or you would be out enjoying my brilliant golden kingdom. What is it? What do you hide from?"

You look away from her nervously, tucking your head ito your bent knees. "I just…" you start, but find yourself lost for words. How could you explain this to anyone, let alone the golden goddess? "I don't think I deserve to be here," Your mouth spits out before your brain can consider your words. You bury your head further as soon as you realize the words that slipped through, not wanting to see whatever expression is surely on Golden Cheese's face.

Surprisingly, and for a moment, a bit painfully to your already bruised self-esteem, Golden Cheese's laughter rings out, echoing in the air like a bell's chime. "Deserve to be here?" She laughs once more, as if it the concern was insignificant to her; Meaningless, even. "Little one, no one has a better eye for treasure than I. And I am certain that you are a glorious treasure in your own right. Of course you belong here."

Golden Cheese crouches down to sit beside you, giving a hardy pat on your shoulder and a smile when you lift your head to look at her once more. "I don't feel like a treasure."

"Nonsense," there's no hesitation in her rebuking of your statement. "Whoever convinced you of such? Were they blind? They must have been to not see the brilliance shimmering within you."

"But I'm... I'm nothing special. I'm just-"

"Shh," Golden Cheese sharply cuts you off, voice amused but firm. "You are something grand and valuable. Things of value do not need to prove it so, they simply are. You simply are." She accentuates her words by lightly tapping your nose, and you exhale a laugh despite yourself. "Look around you. I did not make this kingdom alone, you know. I did not become a hero alone, either. I did it with people- with friends- who, much like you, once did not know their own worth; But were destined to shine bright with the glory of their greatness one day all the same."

Golden Cheese rises to her feet and reaches a hand down to you to help you stand, an invitation you quickly accept. "You will shine with your own greatness one day, too," her words are gentler, now, but the pride and confidence that radiates off of her never fades, "And when you do, you will look back at these days and wonder how you could not see it before."