She's Late

"Where is Vidia?" Silvermist asked. "She was supposed to be here to film our scenes on the pirate ship an hour ago."

"Let her sleep in, I'm havin' a blast talkin' to Tom all about The Avengers," Rosetta said with a sly smile.

"I guess it helps that he is easy on the eyes, too?" Fawn asked with a silly grin.

"Wait, what about Sled?" Iridessa fussed.

"Oh Sled is just fine, but I'm not passing up a chance to make a little time with a Norse god," Rosetta answered with a naughty glint in her eye. "Or at least a reasonable facsimile."

"Look, there she is," Zarina announced, pointing to a stream of pixie dust that was meandering its way to the pirate ship and filming set.

"What happened to her?" Sil asked.

Vidia arrived looking drained, pale and with huge circles under her eyes. Her hair was a mess and matted to her face. The smell of sweat permeated her clothing.

"Vidia, are you okay?" Tinker Bell asked.

"Yeah…, I'm fine," she croaked.

"You don't look okay," Iridessa commented. "Vidia, you're not…?" Dessa moved her hands as if drinking.

"NO!" the flyer shot back.

"Then why are like this?" Tink asked.

"I bet she had a date last night and it just ended," Ro suggested with a smile.

"Oh please," Vidia responded with a snarky tone. "If I had a date last night it wouldn't be over yet."

"Vidia, you're not… on drugs are you?" Tink asked worriedly.

The flyer just glared at Tinker Bell for suggesting such a thing.

"Then what's going on?" Zarina asked. "This is the fourth time you've shown up on set late and looking like this. This is the only film I'll have to shine. You've been in all the others."

Vidia cocked an eyebrow.

"Sort of," Zarina finished, remembering that Vidia had only two nonspeaking cameos in the second movie.

"You want to know what I've been doing?" the flyer blurted out irately.

"Yes, Sugarplum," Rosetta cooed. "We care about you. You're one of us. Vidia, if you're having problems we want to help."

"Okay, fine. I joined an underground, midnight racing series," she confessed.

"Racing?" Zarina asked.

"Yeah, a whole bunch of us are involved. Last night I went up against The Flash. Before that it was Sonic the Hedgehog. Tonight the Road Runner and I are going to throw down. Happy?"

"No, Vidia. I am not happy," came a disapproving, but calm voice.

"Queen Clarion!" Vidia shot to her feet and stood erect in front of her regent. "I…, uh."

"Yes, I heard every word of your confession," the queen responded as she slowly flitted around the perspiring flyer. "May I remind you that these humans are our guests and that by arriving late and unprepared you are showing them a great disrespect."

"Yes, Queen Clarion."

"And that reflects poorly on all of us in Pixie Hollow."

"Yes, Queen Clarion."

"Do you understand the gravity of your behavior?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Very good. Vidia, for the rest of the filming you are restricted to Pixie Hollow and filming locations as needed. You are not to engage in any of these races until principle photography is completed. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly."

"Very good. Now answer one last question."

"Anything."

"Did you win last night?"

"I…, beg your pardon?"

"Did you win last night?"

"Yes. Yes I did."

"Excellent."

The other fairies just stared at the queen as she began to flit to her seat to watch filming progress. Noticing all the eyes on her she stopped and explained, "I am simply ensuring that the honor of Pixie Hollow is being upheld. You may continue."

Vidia let out a huge sigh of relief. Tink and her friends began to snicker and laugh.

Enjoy!