Disclaimer: I own nothing. Cinderella is owned by Disney.
Prompt: The stepsisters destroy Cinderella's mother's dress, but the mice mended her father's suit as well. So Cinderella wears the suit to the ball instead (possibly going by horse instead of the carriage)?

Don't mind if it's an AU with no fairy godmother, don't care whether it's a Prince or Princess Charming. Would looooove a genderqueer Cinderella.


chapter two: valiant rescuers

The weather that night is pleasant and it feels wonderful to be able to walk this way, as if for leisure. To look up at the clear sky and see the stars (she thinks she remembers some of the constellations - could name them if asked to do so. Father used to teach her such things, even though she was a girl. Used to sit her upon his lap, take her finger and trace the words in the book as he said them aloud - until she was almost positive they had a physical feel to them as well as a sound.) Her only worry about traveling on foot is that she might be so very late - perhaps miss the Ball entirely.

When she reaches a road, carriages begin to pass her (she tries to stay out of the way, both for their convenience and so that she will not be dirtied by the passing of horses and rolling wheels). And this becomes an excitement all of it's very own - because although some of the carriages are similar to those she has seen before in town, other are quite grand: flags high and colorful, edges painted with gold, pulled by white horses, and controlled utterly by serious men in meticulous suits sitting with perfect posture.

She is rather stunned when one of the fancier ones pulls to a stop next to her. Cinderella, stops walking, uncertain of what she is supposed to do.

And that is when a curtain is pulled back showing the heads of two girls - that from the matching blonde hair pilled atop their head and wide brown eyes, she would guess were sisters. One seems to be around her age and the other quite a few years younger, but both are perfectly dressed for a night at the castle.

"Sir," the younger asks, "are you alright? Has your carriage been damaged?"

But the elder takes control of the situation even before she can answer, "Were you simply going to walk the rest of the way? That won't do at shall ride with us," she declares firmly, opening the door. And, seeing no way to decline politely, Cinderella climbs in.

"Thank you, good ladies," she says once seated. "I am honored by your hospitality and kindness."

"Nonsense," the elder girl says but a pleased blush is evident on her pale skin, "anyone would have stopped for a traveler so obviously going to the same destination."

"I must disagree with you," Cinderella dipped her head in apology even as she did feeling her hair move about her head differently than she was used to, "many carriages passed me by."

They both frown at this and she flounders a bit in her brain for how to continue. Cinderella feels very out of practice, having not mingled with polite society for so many years, she does not know the little things she is supposed to say. The small talk and casual comments about weather, events, and clothing.

And now she is looked upon as a man - Cinderella feels oddly jolted remembering this fact. These people would not look upon her only as a stranger, but as a man.

Her actions would not be restrained by either prior perception (the girl who was a servant in her own home) or by her gender - she could be whoever she wished, act however she wanted to.

Still though, Cinderella felt caution, did not wish to act rashly. Why would she be so very different in attitude and manner just because she was male after all?

"May I have the gift of your names, my Ladies," she inclines her head again, in lieu of a proper bow.

They smile again at this. "You certainly may, Sir. I am Lady Reliel," the elder begins.

"And I am her sister - Lady Avaliel," the younger continues. "But everyone calls me Ava," she says, still completely serious.

"Of course - they are both lovely names," she assures the little girl and gets a beaming smile in return.

"What of you, sir? May we know the name of the mysterious fellow we rescued from the highway?" Lady Reliel's tone is teasing.

"Please, call me, Ellis," Cinderella says not quite answering the question, and in the sidestep she feels she is only telling a half-lie.

"Well, Lord Ellis, it is good fortune that we found you," Lady Ava says automatically adding on the title (and Cinderella feels no need to stop her - if Father had not died so suddenly, she would have been properly in line to inherit the manor and land after all). "Our escort fell ill and had to stay back at the inn. We were able to convince him that we would be in good hands with the driver on the way, but I know Irving will give a sigh of relief to know there was someone to look after us at the Ball as well."

"And be even more grateful to be able to tell our parents such news, when we return home," Lady Reliel murmured in an aside that was clearly audible to her ears.

Cinderella's lips twitched and she fought to stay formal as she said, "I would be honored to act as escort to my valiant rescuers," and they both grinned at her use of Reliel's turn of phrase.

"But, I fear I must apologize now for not being the best companion this coming evening," she warned, smiling self-deprecatingly. "I fear that my family was not very interested in nurturing my social life," she parses out the words carefully (even though it is one of the largest understatements she has ever said in her life). "And this shall be the first Ball I have attended."

"Really?" Ava asked in shock. "I've been to so many already - and you must be as old as Rel!"

But her sister held more tact. "I think I know the type you are speaking of," she sighed, obviously disapproving. "I've heard mother complaining about some families these days - more concerned about the men learning to hunt and run the manor than make connections. Both are of importance."

Cinderella nodded, "Yes, I agree. And this is why I ask for your aid in navigating the Ball."

They positively lit up at her plea. It made her wonder - but then again, when she stopped to consider, they were young noble women and it was probably a very rare thing indeed that people asked what they thought, wanted their particular aid.

They sisters traded a look, and were in total agreement. "We'd love to, Lord Ellis," the elder said, grinning wide. "With our help you shall fit right in."