A Brittle Quartet

  ( Merry' )

  All beyond the stage was dark. An endless ocean of black to which she bowed. For a moment, there was only silence. Seconds drifted by.

  Finally, rapturous applause.

  She beamed her smile and thanked the concealed crowd. It had been the perfect show. Flawless in execution and devoid of misfortune. She should share in the audience's joy, yet behind the mask, an undeniable venom coursed through her veins. It intoxicated her soul, making the wonderful seem woeful.

  Poison pulled at her face. Try as she might, she couldn't maintain the facade. Eyes started to sting. Lips began to sink.

  "Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, desperate to show her appreciation.

  But the more corrosive tears that slipped free, the quieter the clapping, cheering and whistling became. What was thunderous fell to mere whispers.

  Then came the booing. The hissing. Most disturbing of all, the rise of crying, screaming and sobbing.

  The abyss closed in. Darkness devoured the stage, dragged forth by tiny, misshapen hands.

  Merry' awoke with a lung-shuddering gasp. She pressed her hands to her face and started to chant. "Each and every friendly face. Each and every friendly face. Each and every friendly face," she repeated, as many times as it took, until her chest calmed enough for her to finish the sentence. "...Makes the world a happier place."

  The night was almost done. Day would soon be upon them and brighten the queendom once again, as it always did. She reached for her spectacles and pushed back the covers.

  Gotta get up and wake Winter'. Gotta get a smile on her face. Gotta head on down to -

  Memories returned like a slap to the face. Candy Town was gone. Candy Dandy was gone. Cutie' had been maimed. None of those things had been bad dreams.

  She paused for only the briefest of moments, before spurring herself on and grabbing her clothes. Negativity wouldn't help anyone.

  Cutie's going to be discharged soon. We'll all be able to eat together as a family again! We'll laugh and joke and have the best of times!

  The very thought brought warmth to Merry's breast.

  Last night, she and Winter' had ascended to the Nursery to meet with Princess Puddingpuff. It had been a turbulent experience, and had left Merry' ashamed of her behaviour. Just because she and Princess Puddingpuff didn't always agree, didn't mean it was ok to be rude, especially considering that Winter' was trying to unite the sisterhood.

  I'll do better next time. I won't let her down again.

  In truth, Merry' had been amazed by her Mentee's handling of things. Winter' was still new to the family, yet she'd already figured out enough to hold her own against Princess Puddingpuff's proficient tongue. Merry' wasn't used to having someone so capable by her side. As much as she adored Cherry', Winter' provided an emotional strength she didn't even realise she needed until now. Her presence alone felt like having a second spine, one that supported both heart and soul. Merry' hoped she could provide the same in return.

  In surviving yesterday's tragedy, they'd proved themselves to be a great team. It was a true testament to just how much hard work they'd both put in. When Queeny had announced their Mentorship pairing, she'd said she hoped to see them both grow as a result. At this rate, their monarch wasn't going to be disappointed.

  Merry' couldn't be more proud of Winter', and maybe, just maybe, was even a little more confident in herself. She put a hand to her toasty chest and smiled, before buttoning her blazer.

  "Built on broken waves."

  It was a phrase she'd once heard from travelling Useelians. The iron capital, Diremaw, was besieged every dusk, yet left tempered by blood come dawn. Whilst the imagery was a tad grotesque, the practice of plucking positives from even terrible situations was something that resonated with her.

  Attire assembled, Merry' headed toward the bedroom door. She passed the vacant stage that only ever performed to six empty chairs. There was one for each of her sisters. At least, there had been before Winter' emerged. Merry' had been so busy with Mentorship that she hadn't grabbed an extra yet. Then again, the stage had been set for over a year now, maybe two, and she was yet to invite anyone to see her show.

  Just a few more days' practice. It has to be perfect, then I'll blow them all away!

  As Merry' neared the door, something unexpected happened.

  Conk-conk.

  "Ahoy-hoy!" called a familiar voice in an even more familiar imitation. "It's a wonderful day! Let's gooo!"

  Merry' rushed the final few paces, excitement bubbling up. Outside, Winter' was ready and waiting. Cherry' stood beside her, though was somehow sleeping on the spot.

  "I thought it'd make a change if we woke you," said Winter'.

  Merry' felt that she might burst like a joyous balloon. "You two are awesome! The very best!" She dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Cherry'. "You especially, are such a good, good girl!"

  The snoring princess awoke with a sleepy snort. "S-snowin'!?"

  Merry' squeezed her pint-sized sister. "I'm so proud of you." The little red fairy had not only protected Winter' from an enemy fairy, but had also managed to keep quiet about it, as ordered. "I'm so proud of you."

  Cherry' blinked in confusion, before laughing. "Ha. Yeah. Am pretty great!"

  At the time, the news had stunned Merry'. Even now, she couldn't imagine why a Fairy Princess would ever want to bring harm to others. She'd been left in a tizzy whilst Winter' and Princess Puddingpuff bounced ideas off one another.

  'I'd assumed this the work of ignorami who'd somehow stumbled upon powers beyond their understanding,' Puddingpuff had said. 'But a rogue fairy? That's not only more probable, but far more problematic... They likely held a position of power in one of the three courts to acquire said runic knowledge. The only question now is whether she originated from Obon, Useel, or this very palace...'

  As conflicted as Merry' felt regarding Winter's involvement with Princess Puddingpuff, she had to admit that they seemed to sharpen each others' minds, like whetstones to knives. She just wished such keen blades wouldn't stray in Queeny's direction.

  Rather than simply asking to be let go, Cherry' started to wiggle like a worm in a bird's talons.

  "Oh, sorry! I was a little lost in thought." Merry' released Cherry' from the hug then ruffled her scarlet scalp. "Let's go get some brekky!"

  "Mornin' foods is bestest foods!" roared Cherry', likely waking anyone who remained sleeping.

  Together they headed down the hallway.

  "Actually..." started Winter'. "...Would you two mind if another joins us?"

  "Oh that'd be fantastic!" said Merry' without even thinking. She looked back. Princess Puddingpuff's room was opposite her own, which they'd already left behind. Looking ahead, the only doors were those of their four eldest sisters.

  "...Bubble'?" she asked.

  "Mister Bear." Cherry' licked hungry lips.

  "Not quite," said Winter'.

  "...Splishy?" asked Merry'.

  "Mister Bear," said Cherry' with absolute confidence.

  Winter' flashed an anxious smile in response, then finally came to a stop before the feathered firstborn's room.

  "You mean the relentless barrage of positivity and acceptance worked?" asked Merry'.

  Winter' tentatively raised a fist, took a deep breath and forced a knock. "...Maybe?"

  The more they watched and waited, the more obvious it became that this was a mission of optimism rather than guaranteed success.

  Come on, Sunny. Please. It can't have been easy for Winter' to reach out.

  Cherry' sniffed at the air. "No cookin' today."

  "Cooking?" asked Merry'. "I didn't know Sunny cooks."

  "Yeah!" Cherry' nodded. "I often smell -"

  The trio jumped as the door suddenly jerked, but only an inch. A sliver of gold glowed within the gloom.

  "Uhm, m-morning, Sunshine!" Winter' stammered. "So... You see... We were wondering..."

  Awh, she's so precious!

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  "Would you like to join us for breakfast?" asked Merry' with a friendly face. "We all gotta eat. May as well go together, right?"

  For a moment, the rich slice simply stared, until finally, a half-growl, half-whisper crept through the gap. "...What did you tell them?"

  Winter' raised her hands to proclaim innocence. "Nothing! Only that we might, maybe, could possibly become friends...?"

  "What else?" asked Sunny.

  "Nothing!" swore Winter' wholeheartedly.

  The door slammed shut.

  Winter' flinched backward. "...Oh."

  Then, to the trio's surprise, came the rattling drag of a latched latch unlatching. Then another and another, until finally, the door opened once more. This time a little wider, just enough for Sunny to squeeze out.

  As gleeful as Merry' was to see their elusive sister appear, she couldn't help but lean this way and that to try and glimpse past the veil of wings. If Merry' could catch even a brief glance of the room beyond, it might help her better understand their eldest sibling. Though, in the end, the door slammed shut and all Merry' gleaned was a face full of feathers.

  "Let's go." Sunny stopped for no one, stamping off down the hall with her chipped mace slung over one shoulder.

  The trio glanced at each other, sharing looks of tentative cheer, before giving chase.

  The brittle quartet soon arrived in the cinnamon-scented dining room and set about feasting upon scrummy cereals, buttered baguettes and tangy juices. Try as Merry' and Winter' might, Sunny seemed highly resistant to smalltalk. Every casual conversation topic, from the pleasantness of the weather, to their plans for the rest of their palace-bound day, failed to catch the feathered fairy's attention. Being seated at near-opposite ends of the table probably didn't help, but to rearrange the thrones would risk upsetting others, should they arrive.

  At least she walked with us. I'll be happy with that!

  Berries bounced and rolled as Cherry' managed to miss her mouth for the dozenth time, instead delivering the spilling spoonful to the tip of her nose. She'd been so fixated on the latest addition to their breakfast club that she'd been making even more mess than usual.

  Merry' leaned forward and whispered. "It's rude to stare."

  "Am not starin'. You're starin'." Cherry's gaze remained as unmoving as it was unblinking.

  Sunny could only ignore the unceasing rubies for so long, and the sound of Cherry' pouring a pitcher of pineapple juice over her own lap seemed to be the tipping point. Golden orbs widened. Her head turned stiffly, almost as if her neck were composed of creaky, rusted metal. "What?"

  Cherry' gasped and pointed directly at Sunny. "Is fixed!"

  "Fixed?" asked Sunny.

  "Yeah! Your face was different. Normally is all..." Cherry' frowned and parted her eyelids so wide the sparkly orbs seemed like they might pop right out of her skull.

  It was true. Merry' hadn't realised it, but Sunny's expression had been a little more relaxed than usual. But no longer. Now, no matter how much the little red fairy tried, she just couldn't mirror the murderous intensity on display.

  Merry' leapt in to try and avert disaster. "Well, your face is more like this!" She hooked an index finger either side of her mouth and yanked her lips as wide as possible, gnashing her teeth at Cherry'.

  Sunny glanced between the pair, before looking to Winter', as if she might be the only other responsible person present. "Is this why you invited me? To ridicule each other's faces?"

  "Your face 's'not that ridiculous," said Cherry'.

  "No!" blurted Winter'. "That's just their way of being friendly! They're having fun with you..."

  "Fun?" muttered Sunny, as if the very concept was completely worthless.

  "Yeah! Joking with friends is fun! Go ahead and try it," said Merry'. "What do you find amusing about us?"

  Vast, gilded globes scanned each of them. "...Absolutely nothing."

  Cherry' gasped and covered her mouth.

  Merry' rocked back in her chair, pretending to be struck by an arrow to the chest. "Ouch! You didn't have to go that hard!" she joked.

  Sunny returned a fork-pierced carrot slice to her plate and let out a sigh. The kind one makes when they regret every decision that'd led up to a moment. It put an immediate end to all theatrics, and worse still, drove Winter's gaze to the ground.

  Merry' reached out to give her Mentee's arm a reassuring touch, then looked to Cherry' and raised a finger to her lips.

  I've got this.

  "Hey, Sunny?" she started. "How about you tell us what things you enjoy? We've lived under the same roof for a while now, yet at times I feel like I hardly know you. I think we'd all really appreciate hearing about what you do for leisure. Y'know. Hobbies or interests."

  Sunny stared, her whole body tensed rigid, as if it was taking all she had to process the question. But as still and silent as she remained, no answer came.

  "...Do you read, maybe? Or, I don't know..." Merry' gave a casual, clueless shrug "...Cook?"

  "I have no interest in wasting time," said Sunny.

  Merry' tightened her face to avoid frowning.

  So Cherry' was mistaken? There's got to be something she appreciates...

  She studied the angelic fairy's simple robe, then her tucked wings, before finally spotting the golden hammer resting beside her. It wasn't all that unusual to bring weapons to breakfast in the palace. Splishsplash never let Loyalty out of her sight.

  What did Sunny call that thing again? Hope? No... Glory? That's not it either. Ah, now I remember...

  Merry' let out an apprehensive sigh and tried to relax her throat. When she spoke, she did so with none of her usual forced rhythm or feigned enthusiasm. She kept her voice natural. Honest. "...I'll bet all my singing and dancing gets annoying, huh? Y'know, I don't always feel like putting on an act either. In fact, sometimes I don't feel like doing anything or being anywhere, and for no good reason. It's... it's like I just want to vanish."

  "Merrymint..." whimpered Winter'.

  "But," said Merry', "the moment I see or hear one of these two dummies, I can't help but feel uplifted! They're like a pair of bright lights that reveal all the beauty in the world! And if my prancing brings a smile to their faces, then it's like double or triple the joy reflects back on me. Friends are the greatest of gifts that make everything worthwhile... I guess what I'm saying is, maybe they can do the same for you! If that's the case, then I'd be happy to share them... If you'd like, that is."

  At first, nothing. Then, slowly but surely, Sunny's full-bodied clench eased. An index finger unfurled from a fist to point at Winter'. "I'll consider this one." Then the digit turned to Cherry'. "This one you can keep. Too noisy. Too messy."

  For a moment, the trio didn't know what to make of Sunny's statement. It was only when a faint smile took her lips that they realised she was finally joining in on the fun.

  "Now you're getting it!" sung Merry'.

  Cherry' slapped the table, causing everything upon it to rattle, then jumped up and sent her chair screeching. "Am not noisy!" she roared.

  Merry' and Winter' were busy laughing as Cherry' grabbed a moist muffin.

  "An' am not messy!" she coiled her arm back.

  "No!" cried Merry', all too late.

  The spongy projectile was already flying right toward Sunny's face, and Merry' hadn't the time to blow it off course, not safely at least. Fortunately, another would intervene.

  A laced hand snatched the muffin from the air before it could smush upon its target.

  Merry's heart raced. She wasn't sure if the rib-pounding rapidity was more a response to the narrowly avoided food fight, or the sudden and silent appearance of Princess Puddingpuff.

  Winter' breathed a sigh of relief. Cherry' inflated her cheeks. Sunny just brushed herself clean of stray crumbs.

  "Thank you." Merry' dearly hoped no trace of poison contaminated the genuine gratitude in her voice.

  Princess Puddingpuff bowed her head and returned the now crumbly cake to the table.

  She looks a little sleepy. Maybe she had worse nightmares than usual?

  "Please join us, Puddingpuff," said Winter'. "We're talking about the things we enjoy most."

  "Sounds charming, but regretfully my schedule is rather crammed. I merely came to deliver a message. Cutiehorn is due to be discharged from the infirmary soon. I believe she would appreciate a visit before then."

  If Cutie's getting out soon, then surely she and Bubble' will come for breakfast?

  "We can just wait for them here, right?" asked Merry'. "I'll bet they're hungry, and it's not like we have to rush out anywhere."

  Winter's boot collided with Merry's shoe beneath the table, just as it had done back when the Mentorship was being decided. Snowflake pupils peered, as if trying to transmit thoughts. "But visiting now would make for a nice surprise, wouldn't it?" She was already packing paired treats into twin napkins.

  Something must be up. Dang, she catches on fast. Those two really are on the same wavelength...

  "Sure!" said Merry'. "Finish up, Cherry'. We're off to see Cutie' and Bubble'!"

  "Huh? But am not done yet!"

  Merry' stood up, grabbed the now mushy muffin and rammed it into Cherry's ever-hungry maw. "Then eat and walk at the same time."

  "Umpf!" muffled Cherry' with a dribble of crumbs.

  "You'll come too, right Sunny?" asked Winter'.

  The feathered firstborn looked to a clenched fist whilst fingers loosened and tightened. "...Sure."