#feb2021

“I’m not ignoring anything. She’s never been relevant to the conversation.”

“She has. We let it slide because you didn’t want to talk about it.” Professor Harvey interjected.

A silence filled the room. The tension was so palpable that Aisha could feel it from her place outside of the office. It nearly made her stop listening, but to her luck, someone broke it just in time.

“I know it’s hard, but she was closer to Rosalind than any of us. She must have said something to you,” Silva prodded gently, “Maybe she left something behind in her files…”

“You don’t think I thought of that years ago?” Ms. Dowling snapped.

“We’re just trying to understand.”

“If you want to understand, perhaps you should visit her grave. Maybe she’ll talk back this time.”

Another uncomfortable silence followed Ms. Dowling’s statement. It left Aisha confused, but she didn’t have time to think about it. She could hear the scraping of chairs as Professor Harvey and Headmaster Silva sighed. They weren’t going to get anywhere with the conversation, so they decided to take their leave before the situation got more tense.

Frantically, the young fairy shoved the sound-enhancer under a cabinet, grabbing a random stack of papers. It wasn’t necessary. The two men barely spared her a glance as they left and Ms. Dowling didn’t leave her office. It left her completely confused and invested; this was something to share with her suite-mates.

----

“Did they drop a name anywhere?”

“No, they just kept referring to ‘her.’ Apparently she was someone close to Rosalind. Very close.” Aisha explained.

“Rosalind was Ms. Dowling’s mentor, who could be closer than that?” Bloom asked, looking around at her friends for ideas.

“Someone who was like a daughter,” Stella said softly, “One of the only things stronger than a mentor bond is a familial one.”

“So… we’re looking for someone who was like a daughter to Rosalind. That’ll be easy.” Bloom said sarcastically.

“It’s better than nothing.” Musa pointed out.

“It’s basically a crumb.”

“Well, then we need to play mouse and follow it. Come on.” Stella had enough of sitting around and waiting. She grabbed a jacket and her phone, before walking out of the room. The rest of the girls saw no other option than to follow.

They snuck through the halls and back to the East wing of Alfea. It felt like they’d gone through all of the information there, but they made an effort to scan it all with new eyes.

Bloom was having an especially difficult time, as she still hadn’t learned enough about Rosalind herself. Now, she was on a mission to find someone who’d known her. She hoped that whoever she was, she could offer her information.

Things grew quiet besides the shuffling of papers and Terra’s occasional humming, when the shuffling grew a bit quieter all of a sudden. Bloom turned to see Stella looking down at a framed picture.

“Stel?” Musa said softly, coming to stand next to her friend.

There in the picture was Silva, Harvey, Dowling, Rosalind, and another face Musa couldn’t recognize. But it looked kinder than all of the others. More gentle.

“That’s… That’s my Aunt.” Stella whispered.

“What?”

“I don’t understand. She can’t be…” Stella’s voice cracked, a rogue tear rolling down her cheek.

“I’m afraid she might be, Stel.” Aisha said, pulling the girl into a side-hug.

“What’s her name?” Bloom asked suddenly.

They were all more focused on comforting Stella, but Bloom had that wild look in her eyes. The one that made them realize she wasn’t going to give this up, not now.

“Y/N Y/L/N, but only after she gave up her title.” Stella said.

Bloom seemed to tear through the files around her, but they yielded barely anything. No information about Rosalind, or what her goals had been. Even less of Y/N, second Princess to the Solarian throne. It was like the memories of them had been wiped.

Letting out a frustrated noise, Bloom felt the papers in her hand burn. The files were no use. She turned, following the hallways out of the East wing.

“Bloom, where are you going?!” Aisha called out behind her.

“To get answers!”

----

Overcome by her anger, Bloom didn’t hesitate before she barged into the headmistresses office. Ms. Dowling looked up at her sharply, her lips pursing.

“Bloom, I don’t have time-”

“Who is Y/N Y/L/N?” Bloom demanded.

Any color that had been there drained from Farah’s face. She looked almost like a ghost, compared to the strong woman Bloom knew. A pang of regret hit her. But then the headmistress seemed to recover from her emotion.

“Nobody you need to concern yourself with.” Farah said harshly.

“She is if she knew Rosalind. Maybe she knew why-”

“Y/N was dead before Rosalind would’ve left you in the Other realm.”

Bloom felt like the air had left her lungs. She’d been poking carelessly around the memory of a dead woman. Specifically one who’d been gone before her situation. She felt horrible about it, but she also felt at a complete loss for words.

“If she had known about you… about what Rosalind was doing, she wouldn’t have let her abandon you. She probably would have insisted on caring for you herself, stubborn woman,” Farah laughed, though it was full of sadness, “But Rosalind killed her, Bloom. Do you see why that is a woman you should be glad to not know?”

“I guess.” Bloom whispered.

“You and I will learn of your background together, but I need you to have patience. I can’t find answers if I’m having to manage you.”

“Right… I’m really sorry, Ms. Dowling.”

“I know.”

As the fire fairy left her office, Farah put her head in her hands. It had been so long since anyone had spoken of you. Though she thought about you everyday. The sudden change was almost enough to make her head spin.

Farah wasn’t herself for years after losing you. Too often was she reminded of you and her resolve would crumble. Harvey had acted as interim headmaster for a year while she grieved. The moment of weakness wasn’t something she was proud of. She’d taken up a strong mantle as headmistress, projecting anything less was an abandonment of her post.

It was still difficult to think about you, but she could never push your memory away completely. Things you would say, how you’d handle a situation, they all ran through her mind. Sometimes she swore that she could hear your voice in her ear, steering her right. Calm and level-headed even in the worst moments.

Opening her desk drawer, she pulled out a small photo. The edges well-worn from the dozens of times she’d held it.

There, looking up at her, was your smiling face. She was there as well, focused on you with a subtle smile. You were holding up your hand and pointing to the new ring there. She couldn’t remember a time where you’d been more happy than that day. It made her heart ache.

She knew that it was important to find answers without Rosalind. For Bloom. For you.

----

“Well? Did you get anything?” Stella demanded, seeing Bloom enter the suite.

But Bloom didn’t respond. She sat down on the couch, as if in a trance. Sad and angry tears in her eyes, waiting to be spilled down her cheeks. The rest of the fairies gathered around worriedly.

“Bloom… Did Stella’s aunt know anything about why you were left in the other realm?” Aisha asked quietly, sitting down next to the fire fairy.

“No, um, Rosalind… Rosalind killed her before she left me there,” Bloom said, voice shaking as she wiped falling tears off of her cheeks. She couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh, “Ms. Dowling said that if she’d known she probably would have, um, taken me in.”

Silence followed as Bloom cried bitterly into her hands, Aisha pulling her into a strong hug. Musa winced at the pain radiating off of her friend.

“I could have been raised here and maybe found my birth parents, but now I’ll never know.” Bloom whispered.

While all of the other girls gathered around Bloom, Stella stayed against the frame to her room. Something was bothering her. She was just having trouble figuring out what it was.

“Bloom, when were you left in the other realm?” Stella asked.

“Um, sometime in December. Of 2004.”

The blonde’s eyebrows furrowed frustratedly, before it came to her. Then her eyes widened.

“Something doesn’t make sense.” Stella said out loud.

“What are you talking about, Stel?”

“My Aunt was there on my third birthday. It’s the only real memory I have of her.”

They looked at one another, shock on their faces. Bloom’s eyes sparkled with hope. Maybe finding answers wasn’t completely a loss, maybe you’d known something all along.

“Then maybe she’s…” Terra started.

“Alive.” Stella and Bloom said in unison.

Their eyes met, both of them knowing exactly what to do. But first, they had to convince Ms. Dowling.

----

“I thought we settled this matter, Bloom, I really don’t have the time or patience for this.” Farah sighed without looking up from her work, only one fairy was bold enough to barge into her office.

“Is there a chance she could be alive?” Bloom asked, ignoring the headmistress’ words.

Farah could feel her interest being piqued, but didn’t give it much thought. She’d been there. There was no way that you were alive, not now. Certainly not without her knowing.

“I would know if she was alive. So no, there is no chance.”

“Think about it, Ms. Dowling,” Stella jumped in, “Did you ever bury her?”

She tried to dampen the way her heart lurched. The news of losing you had left her frail emotionally. Harvey and Silva had agreed to make arrangements and she’d never asked for the details, she’d never felt strong enough to hear them.

Taking in a deep breath, she focused her eyes on all of the girls. She couldn’t handle this situation alone. Not if it was heading in the direction she thought.  

“Sit down, girls.”

----

It had taken several hours and many arguments, but they had finally agreed on a plan; Farah would lower the barrier to her underground tunnels, allowing Bloom to speak with Rosalind. Nobody was completely confident in the plan, but they agreed it was likely the best possible scenario. If Farah or someone else went, Rosalind wouldn’t open up. She wanted to speak with Bloom.

That is exactly who they’d give her.

The group trudged quietly through the tunnels, Stella conveniently lighting the way. Bloom was practically vibrating with anticipation. The only thing keeping her with the group was Aisha’s grip on her hand.

Arriving at the small alcove to Rosalind’s area, they all stopped. Farah came to stand directly in front of the young fire fairy.

“You know what to do?” Farah asked.

“Get in, poke around about who I am, ask the questions, get out.” Bloom repeated back with an eye roll.

On a normal day, Farah would have been quick to reprimand Bloom for her actions. She didn’t have it in her today. Right now it was about getting answers, not respect.

“We’ll be ready at a moment's notice, should you need us for anything.” Silva spoke up.

He was standing quietly behind the group of fairies, watching the interaction happen. It wasn’t difficult to read the unease in Bloom’s face; the way her eyes darted around, how she kept rocking from one foot to the other. He’d trained dozens of anxious soldiers to know.

“And we mean anything.” Farah added, giving Silva an appreciative look.

“I get it, but I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.”

Farah wanted to argue that no, you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing, but refrained. They didn’t have the time. It was important that they accomplish this before dinner, so nobody wondered as to where they’d been.

Bloom turned and walked up the small set of stairs, out of sight, but finally laying her eyes on Rosalind and the barrier trapping her. The woman’s eyes opened and she wanted to step back, but didn’t.

“Bloom…” Rosalind’s voice echoed in her mind.

“Rosalind?”

“I knew you’d find your way here.”

“I didn’t think I would. You couldn’t have left some instructions on where to find you?”

“Your mind is not as safe as you’d believe. But it will be, in time.” Rosalind said, eyes almost unblinking.

“It could already be, if you’d kept me here. Why… Why did you send me away?”

For a moment, Bloom nearly felt her resolve slip. She knew the plan, but she also had her own. There were answers she needed.

“It wasn’t safe here.”

“You couldn’t have left me with, I don’t know, my parents? My biological ones? Or my mother, at least. She could have kept me safe in the castle. I could have learned and been protected the whole time.” Bloom said. Calling on all of the pain and anguish she felt, she brought tears to her own eyes.

“Bloom, what are you saying?” Rosalind’s face scrunched up ever-so-slightly inside the barrier. For the first time in a long time, she felt she was truly missing something.

“My mother. She was in Solaria the whole time and you took me from her! I could have grown up with her and learned magic with Stella, under my aunt Luna. It all could’ve been perfect.”

The fire fairy’s voice broke on the end of the sentence, closing her eyes against the emotions she was feeling. She was trying not to say too much or over-do anything.

“You think that your mother was the princess of Solaria?”

Rosalind’s laugh echoed in her ears, grating on her nerves. It may have been an act, but her anger at the other fairy wasn’t. She’d been abandoned and lied to for too long.

“I know she is. She told me herself, which is something you couldn’t have bothered with!” She snapped.

“That’s impossible, you silly girl. The only way Y/N could do anything is if Luna-“

Bloom couldn’t help the triumphant grin that spread across her face. Rosalind’s eyes widened just enough for Bloom to feel satisfied. She’d tricked a mind fairy, arguably the best to come from Alfea. And it felt good.

“So she’s been in the Solarian castle this whole time,” Bloom states, crossing her arms over her chest, “Thank you so much for that bit of information.”

“You little-“

“Little what? Whatever you call me, you still have to admit that I beat you. Anyway, thanks for your help. I won’t be needing anything more from you.”

Bloom turned to leave, ignoring the protests in her mind from Rosalind. The cruel comments and unhinged promises. It all faded out as she walked away, coming face-to-face with her friends.

“Well?” Farah asked, raising an eyebrow.

“She’s somewhere in the Solarian castle. Queen Luna apparently has her there. That’s all I could get before she realized what was happening.” Bloom said with a shrug, stuffing her hands in her pockets.

Farah took a step back, looking with wide eyes to Silva. He looked just as surprised as she did. It wasn’t everyday that you found out someone you cared for had never died at all.

“How do we get to her?” Professor Harvey asked, looking between his two friends.

The unfortunate thing was she had no idea.

“I can do it.”

They all looked to Stella, who was attempting to look confident in her decision. It wasn’t working very well.

“I won’t ask that of you.” Farah said.

“You’re not. I’m offering. She means something to me too, and I’m the only one who could get around the castle without suspicion.”

Despite their desires, they knew Stella was right. She’d be the only one who could get to you. It didn’t matter what they all wanted, they had to focus on logic first.

“Alright, then. What’s the plan?”

——

It was relatively simple. Spring holiday had only been a few days away. Instead of the girls going home, Queen Luna allowed them to visit the castle with Stella. Just this once.

They agreed not to go searching on the first night. It’d seem too eager and they’d probably cue someone in on accident. The second night was better.

So once Queen Luna had seemingly gone to bed, the fairies left Stella’s room to ‘explore’ the castle. Through the winding hallways and up the ornate staircases, they managed to avoid contact with anyone else. Until they reached the door separating the West wing from the rest of the castle.

Two guards stood inside of the door, in front of a bedroom. Stella couldn’t see inside, but she knew without a doubt you were there. Nobody was allowed in the West wing.

“Alright, I’ll go in and talk to the guards. You hide until I give the signal, alright?” Stella whispered.

“Stel, what if you can’t hold the illusion for long enough?” Terra asked, looking worriedly to her friend.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been practicing. Now go, hide.”

Smoothing down her skirts and straightening her shoulders, Stella walked through the door. The guards on the other side froze upon seeing her.

“Your highness, you’re not meant to be in this part of the castle.”

“It’s quite alright, Damian. My mother knows I’m here to see her.” Stella said confidently.

After putting on an act in school for so long, it was a breeze when it came to the guards. Though for a moment she worried they would try to confirm with her mother. Then their shoulders relaxed, sending her worry away.

“Of course, your highness. Go in.” Damian bowed and opened the door.

Letting out a slow breath, Stella stepped into the room. It was large, but it felt almost clinical. Everything was perfectly neat and tidy, except for the desk space. On it were spreads of books and notebooks with words written in scraggly cursive.

Just in front of the window was a chair. The large back and arms nearly hid you completely, but she could make out the top of your head.  

Stella suddenly felt lost for words. She’d heard countless stories of you, had brief memories from when she was a child. This was completely different. How did she introduce herself? Or even explain why she was here?

“You know, it’s quite rude to stare.”

She froze as you turned around, a teasing grin on your face. But then you looked confused. You didn’t recognize her.

“I’m sorry, I meant to say something…. I just lost my words.” Stella said quietly.

“And who might you be? You’re certainly not my usual guard.” You asked.

You stood up slowly, a wince on your face for the briefest moments. Then you gave Stella a kind smile.

She couldn’t help but notice your arms; bare from the elbow down, with painful cork-screw shaped pieces of metal digging into your skin. From them your veins were dark against your skin, black and unnatural.

“You’re injured.” Stella said, looking around for something to help you.

“Shackled, but the injuries come with it.” You sighed.

“Those are meant to do that?”

“They’re meant to be a short-term option. So not really, no, but Luna didn’t have another option.”

“She did this to you?”

“Dear, who else do you think had the power to?” You asked, looking confused, “You never told me who you were.”

Overcome with an unusual shyness, she attempted a smile. It probably looked more painful than it should have, but it was the least of her worries.

“I’m Stella, auntie.” She admitted.

Your eyebrows almost raised to your hairline as you looked Stella over. The last time you’d seen one another, Stella was a three year old with long, blonde pigtails. It felt like there was no way it was really her. But you could see it was, in the way she smiled timidly and wrung her hands together.

“My Stella? Well… you sure have changed.” You breathed out.

“It’s crazy what 14 years will do.” She joked.

You couldn’t help but laugh. She was absolutely right. 14 years did a lot to people, especially you. Now that you knew who she was, you attempted to pull your sleeves over the tools binding your magic.

“Why are you here?” You asked.

“Oh! I’m here to break you out, actually.”

“Break me out?”

“That’s what I said. I brought some friends to help, too, they’re just waiting for me to signal them.”

“Stella…. I don’t think that is such a good idea. Your mother would be furious.” You said, gently lowering yourself onto the stool by your desk.

“Don’t you want to leave? To get out of here?” She asked.

“Of course I do! More than anything… but not if it risks you getting hurt. I’ve lived a nice life. You won’t get the same thing if you anger your mother.”

A feeling of guilt rested in your heart as you remembered the life you had; how Rosalind, and subsequently Luna, had cut it all short. You ached for everything you once had. A sprawling life at Alfea, your fianceé, classes full of students to teach. All of it was lost in an instant. Taken away by the woman you’d seen as a mother to you.

You wanted to return to that life more than you’d ever wanted something. But you knew your disappearance would lead to a harsh punishment for Stella. The hurt Luna could inflict was something you’d never wish on her.

“She’s already ruined my life, Aunt Y/N. Please just let me do this one thing for you.”

The vulnerable, open anguish on Stella’s face put the severity of everything into context. In a castle full of people, it was likely that you were the only one willing to stand up to Luna. And she’d subsequently stifled your magic and thrown you into a room. Nobody had been there to protect Stella.

“Alright, but I need to get out of these cuffs,” You said, referring to your arms, “It’s going to take a lot of concentrated magic.”

“Let me get my friends.” Stella said.

You nodded, watching as she rushed to the door, before slipping through it. Absentmindedly, you wondered how she was going to sneak her friends into the room. Then she came back, seemingly alone, until she let the magic drop. Four other fairies stood with her; examining you and the room closely, with open interest.

“How much magic do you need?” Stella asked, stepping forward.

“A lot, but don’t strain yourselves. If you can’t get them off, we’ll find another way.” You said with a reassuring smile.

The girls all looked determined, but you didn’t want to create an issue. Draining your magic could be deadly. And for first-years who had little practice with large magical events, it would be all too easy for such a thing to happen.

“All you have to do is focus your magic on them.”

Looking to one another, then to you, they nodded. Then they each placed a hand on the shackles and closed their eyes. Usually it was a witches’ eyes that signalled the use of their magic, but now it was their hands; glowing various colors as they focused.

The inky blackness that had flooded your veins was receding slowly, until the shackles popped; falling to the floor with a hollow clang. For the first time in 14 years, your senses were overwhelmed. You could finally feel that faint hum of magic in your blood again. Color returned to your cheeks as you smiled.

“Thank you, girls. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’ve come,” You said honestly, “Now, what’s the plan?”

“We’re supposed to plant an illusion box near the door, so the guards won’t know you're missing yet. Then we can get you off of the castle grounds. Someone is waiting there to take you back to Alfea.” Bloom explained.

“I can hold my manipulation long enough to get us all out by the gates. So we don’t have to worry about being seen.” Stella added.

“That’s a lot of magic, Stel.”

“I can manage it, I’ve been practicing.”

Though you worried, you weren’t going to waste time arguing. The more time you spent standing around, the more time you were losing to get away. It was now or never.

----

“Will you be okay?” You asked Stella.

Of course you were excited to cross the barrier, to be free again. The vehicle waiting to take you to Alfea made your heart leap. You’d dreamt for years of leaving, now it was finally real. But you didn’t want anyone to take the fall for your escape.

“She likely won’t realize until we go back to Alfea.” Stella said with a shrug.

Overcome with a burst of emotion, you pulled Stella into a tight hug. You pulled the other girls into it as well. Staying there for a long moment, you wished that it was easier to express how grateful you were to these girls.

You pulled away, giving them all a watery smile. Then you turned, walking through the barrier slowly. And you didn’t look back; too focused on the vehicles sitting right in front of you. The dark color so obtrusive and bold, like a stain against the bright foliage. Out of place, and yet, comforting.

One of the dark doors opened, the hollow noise sending a jolt up your spine. A familiar face stepped out and sent another wave of emotion through you. Longing, completely and wholly shooting through your heart. An emotion you’d hidden from even yourself.

“Farah?” You called out, voice full of disbelief.

“Y/N… Oh, Y/N…”

Farah moved towards you, enveloping you in her arms. It almost didn’t feel real; like she was a mirage in the drought that’d become your life. But she was.

She was skin and bone and warmth. Her strong arms made you feel safe, grounded to the earth like you’d only been wandering before. You could feel the hum of her magic too. Strong tears threatened to fall as you buried your face in her neck.

“Farah...” You whispered, like the same way you’d whisper a prayer or blessing; the reverence dripping from your lips.

You dug your nails into her clothing, holding her as close as she could get. For just a moment, the reality of the last 14 years vanished, leaving only the two of you. Only you and your fianceé locked in a powerful embrace.

She pulled away reluctantly to cup your face in her palms. The warmth there soothed you. Closing your eyes, you leaned into her touch.

“Darling, you’re shaking.” Farah whispered, worry evident in her tone, “Come. Let’s get you back to Alfea.”

Absentmindedly, you noticed your friends were in the front seat, but you didn’t give them much beyond a wave. Exhaustion was creeping in slowly. The brightness behind your eyes was turning into something else; an alluring nothingness. And leaning your head onto Farah’s shoulder, you let yourself succumb to it.

----

“How are you feeling?”

Squinting through your eyelashes, you could see the subtle frown on her features. The worry lines on her forehead. It made you smile and release a huff of amusement. For so long, you’d been the one to worry about her. Oh how the tables had turned.

“I’d feel better if you’d lay here with me.” You said softly.

Farah sat on the edge of the bed with a small eye roll. You noticed that she was wearing her nice clothing, which meant it wasn’t as early as you’d thought.

“I’ll lay with you for five minutes, then I have a meeting.” She conceded.

The worry lines on her face eased as you gave her a blinding smile. While you’d been asleep, a million scenarios had run through her head. It’d overridden her rational thought. The concerns plagued her until now, when she saw that you were doing better than expected.

She stretched out beside you, smoothing a piece of hair behind your ear. You leaned into the gesture without thinking. The comfort she brought you, simply by being near, was enough to sustain you for ages.

Lulled by her soft breathing and the gentle kisses she pressed to your skin, your eyes slipped closed. Sending you back into a deep sleep.

----

As it does, Alfea moved forward without issue. You fell back into your old duties with a renewed sense of purpose. It was almost like before; the lunches with Farah, Saul, and Harvey, the challenges a school full of students presented. Except for one distinct difference; Farah handled you like you were made of glass.

What made it even worse, was that she refused to discuss what’d happened. She didn’t want to think about all the time you’d been separated. Or the horrible way you’d been kept there. She thought ignoring it would make all the pain leave.

But you knew things would never heal unless you faced them with her. Farah was strong, but she could never hurt someone she cared for.

“Farah, can I have a moment?” You said softly one evening, as the headmistress was writing something in warm lighting.

“I don’t know if I can, darling. These need to be filed tomorrow morning and I’m behind.” She answered without looking up.

Crossing the room, you gently pried the pen from her hand. When she only grabbed another one, you used your magic to hide the papers. Then she finally looked up at you with a scowl.

“It’s important.” You said.

“So important it can’t wait?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It already has - since we returned from Solaria.”

Uncertainty bloomed on her face as she looked away from you, anxiously spinning the engagement ring on her finger. You drew in a deep breath. In the face of her uncertainty, you needed to be strong.

“We can’t ignore what happened, Farah. Nor do I want to. I suffered, yes, but I’m still me. You can’t keep looking at me like a victim first, person second.” You said, placing your hand on top of hers.

“It isn’t my intention to… see you like that. But I’m reminded of how much time passed, how I failed to-”

“None of that. You thought I was dead. If you had known I was alive, you would have come for me. Which you did. You have never failed me, Farah Dowling, so don’t act like you have.”

There was a beat of silence. Long and repressive, nearly causing you to falter in your words. But you summoned the confidence Farah had taught you long ago. This was not something you would yield on.

“How can I make this right?” She asked, looking curiously into your eyes.

“Treating me like a normal person would be a nice start,” You smiled, “I’m not suddenly breakable, though there will be moments when I need extra support. We can just… take it one moment at a time.”

“One moment at a time.” She agreed.

You leant forward and stole a kiss, making her smirk. Then, with a wave of your hand, her papers reappeared. She let out a soft laugh.