𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞

Mirrors always have something new to say. Each time I pass a mirror, I'm a different person. I'm a young inexperienced adventurer. I'm the doting daughter. I'm the faceless bard. I'm the girl no one remembers.

I wanted that.

Why don't people remember me? It's simple, they're busy with their own lives. Who's going to worry about a young woman who didn't even tell them my real name? It's not their fault. I lied. Being a storyteller is partly being a liar as well.

"Pern." A woman called from outside the room I was in. That would be Leey, a lovely woman I had met while traveling. My travels had been needed after my fall. I needed time to think, time to rationalize what I was feeling. It was better to do that alone, with less risk of letting out my secrets.

"Coming!" I called donning a sing song voice.

The room I was currently sleeping in was all in order, and while it would look normal, I could sense a shadow just waiting behind the mirror. It watched me, not judging me but studying me with the childlike curiosity that I had come to know from it.

'You're in no real danger.' It whispered in a soft voice.

I relaxed and nodded at its advice. It hadn't steered me wrong yet. Not since I found it months ago.

Opening the door to my room I pulled on my best most animated smile. "Ready for a night on the town?" I asked and leaned against the door. I'm taller than most other Hyru women and normally I would try my best to shrink myself, but not with Leey. She didn't care I was a head taller than her.

Leey while small, she was also the opposite of em in all other ways I could imagine. She had soft blond hair, dark eyes, and pale skin, the sort of pale that reminded me of how I looked when I hadn't been allowed to be outside for ten years. It was a sick time, a time I never wanted to relive. "You're the one who wanted to do it." She said and while she smiled I could see the distress.

When I had met Leey she had sworn that she was a homebody, but then lamented she never got to do anything. I took that as her challenge, she wanted to leave home. She wanted to see the world, she needed someone to kick her into motion.

I took her arm and pulled her down the hallway and into the main tavern. There was a group of bards already hard at work playing some music. I took pulled her on a near by dance floor and spun us around. "Come on, we'll start with a dance, drink a little, then ask some one else to dance with us."

While I was spinning I knew I wasn't graceful. I was no dancer, but I didn't have to worry about that. I wasn't the focus. Leey was. I was the catalyst, she was the star of the night. Around us folks were glancing in our direction. I noticed one of them was an attractive enough looking man and I guided us closer, almost running into him.

The man steadied Leey and when their eyes met I wanted to grin. Their moment came, and it passed. I watched only a foot away before the man cleared his throat and glanced to me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm just clumsy," I said, waving my hand and laughing. "I'm going to get some drinks. Leey, want some?" I asked 

Leey was still looking at the man her dark eyes transfixed on him. Maybe her story was going to be that of love? She could have a romantic night and tell me all about it the next day. "Yeah, some wine?"

I tapped the side of my nose knowing what she wanted and rushed away before anyone talked to me. They would remember me as a wisp of a figure, one easily forgotten. I was here to reflect what they needed and not be seen for the dangerous metal underneath.

At the bar, I ordered our drinks. I got myself water, drinking would fog the mind and I didn't need to be as foggy as their own remembrance of me. I took up the drinks and noticed Leey was laughing with the man when I turned. Taking my time, I counted. Watching and waiting was part of the game. Letting no one know me was part of the game.

No one really wants to know a Beast.

After counting back from sixty, giving them a whole minute alone, I started back and offered the wine to Leey. She was blushing when she took the glass. 

"This is Mikal." She said gesturing to the man. "And this is Pern."

I smiled as brightly as I needed to. "Do you have a dance partner tonight Mikal?" I asked.

The man opened his mouth looking at the dance floor then to Leey. "No, i was just passing through."

"So am I." I shrugged. "What a surprise? This place is so great to meet people and then move along. I think I'm going to sit down for a moment, it's warmer here than I thought it would be." It's another lie but I want Leey and Mikal to have all the time they need.

They didn't stop me as I returned to my seat, plopping myself down satisfied with my work. It wasn't my most flashy setup. But it told more of a story than what they would have. One day they would get to tell people how they met, bumping into one another. I will be closer to a fairy godmother who is written into one scene and then forgotten. Leey is lucky I don't have access to magical slippers, or I would have set her up that way.

It's a lonely life, being the mirror. Being the one to reflect what people wish to see. Being forgotten is safer. No one remembers the image they want to see. They will remember the difference, the outsider who sticks out. Being normal, being one of them, it's how I can survive.

I wonder if anyone else remembers me? Anyone important?

My water is savored, each sweet clean drop reminds me I don't have to worry about where I'm getting fresh drinking water. The days where I was hiding in the wood are over. The people looking for me, they probably wouldn't know me if they saw me. if any of them are still alive.

The last one who saw my face, I saw an arrow go into the side of their head. Killing them instantly. If any of the others still lived, they must think I'm dead as well after what happened. There was no way they would know I had survived, that I had managed to do the impossible.

I think somewhere, in our family history, we were told we were people who could do the impossible. Will I get to do the impossible? Will I get to be like one of them? The one the story is actually about. The witch, the wolf, the Beast, can I be any of those. Or am I the mirror?

"Pern!" Leey shouted half an hour later. Her face was flush but she was holding up some paper. "I got his address to write him!"

In my heart, warmth seeped in. Honest warmth, the warmth of knowing I had done something right. One day she'll realize I didn't give her an address for myself. One day she would wonder what happened to the bard who had introduced her to Mikal. But today, I was here, the side character to her life. The one who was happily playing along as she lived her best life.

"That's great!" I got up from my seat and offered her a hug. "Are you going to keep talking to him? It's not a problem if you do. I need to check on something at the stable."

Leey was blushing again her eyes darting back to the man. He was standing awkwardly against a wall, waiting to get my approval. I offered a wave.

"I'll talk to you in the morning?" She asked.

"I want every detail." I squeezed her hand and gestured for her to go to him. Once she turned and they were fully engrossed in their conversation I drank the rest of my water and walked to the stairs leading to my room.

It was time I left.

She'll go looking for me in the morning, but what she'll find is a note. When I get to my room I pen it.

Leey,

I had to go, family issues came up. I hope you had a wonderful time with Mikal. If I pass through I'll contact you.

Pern.

I placed the letter on the nightstand and glanced to the mirror. I was dressed for a night out, but on closer inspection no one going out would be wearing travel boots. My room was fully packed and ready to go. A second look, it would be like I had planned this.

'Why did you leave so early?' The soft voice behind the mirror whispered.

Putting my pack on my back I shrugged. "Because my part in her story was over. Let's head out." I reached my hand out, but the shadow behind the mirror was gone and outside I could hear the calling from its main form. Of the black Chocobo that had stayed glued to my side. The only being who remembered me was the only one who asked me questions I wanted to answer.

I snuck out the back of the tavern so Leey and Mikal didn't notice my escape. Out near the back gate, the Chocabo waited, her head cocked to one side, and around her neck was a thick opulent bow I had bought for her.

'Where are we going now? Will we get to go to the beach? I want to see a ship!' She said her voice only audible to me.

I smoothed her feathers under my hand, though they were silken, they didn't feel like real feathers. They felt like whatever she thought feathers would feel like. "I need to head north, while doing this is fun, it's not helping me locate my brothers."

The Chocabo nodded her head as I got on the saddle. 'We get to see the snow!'