Interlude III

  ( Cecilia )

  On the final leg of Cecilia, Mama, and the scarred girl's journey beneath the warming dawn, something unexpected started to happen. Many of the entrants who had overtaken them were returning to head back from whence they came.

  Some of them appeared disheartened. Others argued with one another, or kicked and stamped in anger. Then there were those who glared at Cecilia, Mama and the sore-eyed lass, as if they'd done something wrong.

  "What's going on?" whispered Cecilia. Her stomach tightened with the most awful of thoughts. "Are they full? Are we too late?"

  "That'd be just our luck," said Mama.

  Somehow, both Mama and the scrawny girl managed to smile.

  How? How can they remain positive at a time like this?

  The farmer Cecilia and Mama had ridden with wouldn't pass by Shroomster again for another fortnight. They'd have nowhere to stay and no way of getting home for two full weeks. To Cecilia, the idea of smiling at such a possibility was madness.

  "They'll accept us," squeaked the scarred girl. "I'm sure of it. We just have to believe!"

  Cecilia wished she could have but a smidge of such optimism.

  Sure enough, the Flossmeadows were exactly as they'd been described. Before the trio spread a vast, circular clearing. Fluffy white orbs upon tall stalks drifted and swayed with the breeze, occasionally losing puffy seeds into the air. It seemed like it would be a peaceful place, if not for the hundreds of tents it currently hosted.

  Newly arrived hopefuls had formed lines. They queued and awaited their turn to speak with local volunteers that clutched at piles of paperwork. Organising and pacifying so many proud and ambitious parties would've surely been arduous, if not for the presence of one particular individual.

  Something of a living legend, Candy Dandy himself watched over the volunteers upon a pedestal of gingerbread. It was well known that he reported to the Radiant Queen, and as such, his word was effectively law in Titan.

  Cecilia exhaled unsteadily as they joined the queue. After the distance they'd travelled, simply remaining stationary was a luxury she was more than ready to embrace.

  The scrawny lass, however, remained alert. Sore eyes scanned the gathered. She leaned forward to angle wilted ears this way and that.

  "What're you doing?" asked Cecilia.

  "I'm trying to figure out what they're asking," she squeaked. "So many are being turned away. I wish we could all become fairies together."

  Cecilia finally managed a smile at the idea. "Why not make everyone a fairy while we're at it! The whole world!" she joked.

  The girl responded with humourless sincerity. "Oh wouldn't that be wonderful!"

  Cecilia giggled, but briefly. Her amusement was swiftly banished by the shouting of a muscular, pelt-draped man at the front of their line.

  "Madness!" he roared. "Obon has Fairy Princes. Useel has Fairy Princes. Yet you refuse me for being a man? I could crush the skull of every woman here between my bare hands!"

  The outburst drew the attention of iced eyes.

  Candy Dandy struck his Candy Cane to the gingerbread pedestal and bellowed in a loud yet jolly voice. "Ho-ho! My apologies, good sir, but Queen Titania's will is absolute. No males shall be permitted entry."

  The primal warrior stepped forth and threw meaty arms wide. "Then tell us why. I and so many other great men have wasted a journey to come here. You owe us an explanation at least. We deserve to know why we must be rejected based on what lies beneath our loincloths!"

  Candy Dandy nodded slowly, before raising his voice yet louder, so that it washed over the entire crowd. "Ho-ho! Ladies, and more specifically, gentlemen, may I have your attention please! For the umpteenth time, I can confirm no boys nor men shall be accepted into the trials!"

  Masculine groans and outraged curses rumbled through the gathered mass.

  "Ho-ho! I assure you, gentlemen, this is for your own well-being! The metamorphosis is no simple process. Plainly put, female biology has proven more compatible. Queen Titania acknowledges the wealth of male talent throughout the queendom, and appreciates your many contributions, but refuses to gamble with your lives. Please, gentlemen hopefuls, return to your homes."

  And just like that, over half of the gathered aspirants had been disqualified through no fault of their own. Cecilia should've been relieved to see the odds shift so dramatically in their favour, but in truth, she released a sigh for an altogether different reason. When Titania had saved Cecilia and her foolish friend from the brutal charge of a shroomhide hog, the Queen had extended invitation to Cecilia alone. Despite that, Cecilia had made great efforts in attempting to persuade her bestie to come along.

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  Thank goodness he didn't come. He'd be real miffed right about now!

  "Ho-ho! While I have your attention, I shall also restate the following! All entrants must be attended by at least one member of immediate family. They shall be required to accept compensation and arrange care in the event of any unfortunate accidents. I repeat..." Candy Dandy continued.

  Further expletives rang out from all around.

  "Immediate family?" whimpered the scarred girl. Her quivering smile was faltering by the second.

  Cecilia's heart sank.

  She's all alone...

  With so many hopefuls turning to leave, the trio suddenly found themselves at the front of their line.

  "Next please!" called the volunteer ahead.

  The traces of sorrow that had lingered around the scrawny girl's eyes were bleeding out, and she wasn't the only one growing tearful.

  She endured so much just to be turned away? That's too unfair!

  "Next please!" repeated the volunteer.

  "I'll help you over," creaked the girl. "But after that..." She nodded, doing her best to remain brave and not trouble those she was aiding.

  "No," whimpered Cecilia. "There has to be something we can do!"

  "Next!" shouted the volunteer impatiently.

  Behind the trio, other attendees were growing rowdy.

  Mama loosed a weary sigh. She straightened her legs so she could support herself fully, and pinched both girls' cheeks. "Come on, girls. Let's get you sisters registered."

  They both looked to Mama. Their Mama, at least as far as anyone else was concerned. "Forward," she instructed sternly.

  The pair didn't need to be told twice. With hearts hammering and tear-stained cheeks, they helped their guardian approach.

  "Quickly now, thank you," said the volunteer. "I take it you're family? Can I confirm the relation?"

  "Yes," said Mama. "I am their mother."

  "Ok. And do they both intend to enter?" asked the volunteer.

  "They do," said Mama. "Go ahead and introduce yourselves, girls."

  "My name is Cecilia. Please accept us!"

  "Y-yes. Please! I'm Mero," sniffed the girl, still wiping tears from her eyes.

  Cecilia watched as quill lashed at parchment. The volunteers' questions were surprisingly plain. They covered basics such as age, residence, allergies as well as personal preferences such as favourite colour and fondest animal, but never touched upon any of the things she'd expected to be most relevant, such as education, physical ability or martial training.

  This is easier than I thought...

  That was when she found her eyes drawn to the established camp grounds beyond the volunteers. The rose-laden noble who'd run Cecilia and Mama off the road was scrutinising them. Her eyes were narrowed, and a hand rested upon the flowery hilt of her sophisticated sabre.

  Cecilia gulped.

  Does she remember passing us? Has she realised we were travelling separately to Mero? To have made it inside, she must've answered the volunteer's questions herself. She knows the requirements, and must be looking for ways to thin the herd!

  Cecilia lowered her face and gritted her teeth as the floral brat paraded toward Candy Dandy, flanked by retainers.

  Please don't tell on us! You've got wealth, status and servants. Isn't that enough? Can't you just be happy with your lot without crushing the dreams of the less fortunate?

  "Mister Candy Dandy!" called the noble. "I say, Mister Candy Dandy!"

  Cecilia listened tensely, yet heard no trace of the gingerbread gent's jolly voice. She slowly raised her head enough to peek.

  What's going on? His ears can't be that bad...

  "I said, Mister Candy Dandy! I require your attention on a matter most urgent!"

  Yet still, Candy Dandy refused to acknowledge her.

  The snobby child snatched a trumpet from her retainer's waist, raised it to her lips and unleashed an off-note screech.

  Finally, Candy Dandy turned to her. "Ho..." he forced, clearly unamused. "What is it now, Lady Roselina? You have graced us with your presence for but a few hours and have already complained of the queues, the size of your complimentary lodgings, the quality of the free food, and even the origin of the feathers contained within your provided pillow. If you intend to add any more grievances to the list, I shall disqualify you here and now myself."

  Roselina stumbled back a step, her features scrunching and twisting. After a moment of tremendous huffery, she thrust the trumpet to the chest of her retainer and turned to kick her way through the fluffy flowers.

  It seemed that luck, or at least karma, was smiling upon Cecilia's feigned family.