This chapter went through several variations before I decided on how to write it, which is why it took so long. I hope it was worth it :)
Lord Milori paced his newly rebuilt room, recalling what had transpired over the previous few days. After the Neverquake, the winter fairies had been hard pressed to rebuild what they had lost. But, Milori cracked a smile, winter fairies were as tough as ice. They persevered, and accomplished the task rather quickly.
"Lord Milori?" a voice intruded.
Lord Milori looked up to find his messenger, Piccolo, standing at the doorway. "Yes?"
"Crystal, Periwinkle, Gliss, Spike, and Cristine all wish to see you Milord," he announced. When Lord Milori gave a "go-ahead" gesture, Piccolo saluted and turned around to get them…but was immediately knocked over as they burst through the doorway, all speaking at once.
"Silence!" Lord Milori commanded, holding up his hand. All talking immediately ceased. He then turned to Crystal, who, of course was the quietest of the four. "Crystal, would you care to tell me what is wrong?"
Crystal's eyes widened in shock, and she immediately took an involuntary step backwards. "Me?" she mouthed, putting a hand to her chest.
"But sh…" Gliss began, only to be cut off by a stern look from Lord Milori.
As Crystal's face began to turn red from surprise, and from embarrassment, Lord Milori said comfortingly, "Child, there's no reason to be afraid. You can tell me anything."
"That's the proble…" Spike started to say, only to meet the same treatment as Gliss.
Tears in her eyes, Crystal shook her head and turned away, still clutching her chest.
"Crystal," Milori said in a sterner tone. "This is no time for games. Now, tell me, what is wrong?"
Unable to take it anymore, Cristine blurted out, "What is the matter with you?! You know she can't answer because she is mute!"
Silence filled the room. Taken aback, Lord Milori stared at Crystal. "Mute?" he murmured to himself. "Well, that would certainly explain a lot."
Equally surprised, Cristine asked, "Y-you didn't know?"
"Crystal wanted to keep it secret, she didn't want others to think that she was different and treat her like she was a freak," Gliss quickly explained, before putting her hand to her mouth as she realized who she was talking to.
"You didn't want people to think you were different?" Cristine asked quietly, but her tone had a dangerous edge to it. "You thought that people would think you were a freak? Well, at least you can hide it! All you have to do is not talk to people. What about me?! I can't hide my inability to see! Anyone with half a brain can pick up on me having to feel around to find doors, or chairs, or whatever! Anyone with the sight that I sorely lack can see that my irises don't move!" She then flew over to the doorway. "I thought we were friends," she said before flying out.
Lord Milori turned to the silently sobbing Crystal and put a hand on her shoulder, at which she flinched. "Don't worry," he said softly. "I'm not mad or upset with you. Look at me." After she had done so, he continued, "Having a disability is nothing to be ashamed of. Cristine is proof of that, as am I." When she tilted her head in confusion, he turned around and let his cape drop, revealing his broken wing, eliciting a gasp from Crystal. Turning back around, he said, "I lost my wing in an accident years ago. I was never turned away because of it. And neither will you. Have you ever heard of a sparrow man named Cristov?" Crystal shook her head. "Cristov was a unique fairy. He had the ability to use any and all talents. But, he had a disability; he was born without wings. But, he was a legend. He saved Pixie Hollow from a nasty disease that would've wiped out all of the warm fairies and not only that, he also saved Spring singlehandedly when the other fairies were too weak from the sickness to travel to the mainland. Unfortunately, in doing so he used up all of his energy, or so it's assumed, and died. You see, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of about being mute. Alright?" Crystal nodded. Smiling, Lord Milori said, "Now, there is someone who needs you, and I suggest you go find her." Wiping the tears from her face, Crystal nodded before flying after her sister.
"As for you," Lord Milori said, turning back to the three remaining fairies. "What brought everyone here in the first place?" He held up a hand when all three mouths opened. "One at a time, please."
"Well," Periwinkle began. "Crystal, Spike, and I were racing to see who could frost the most trees the fastest…"
"But, as they went," Gliss continued for her. "I noticed the frost vanishing, err, melting, behind them."
"Melting you say?" Lord Milori asked, one eyebrow raised.
"That's not all," Spike chimed in. "Cristine was unable to make any snowflakes today. She eventually learned that that was because they were melting as she was making them."
Lord Milori's eyebrows knit together in worry. "This is certainly troubling news," he murmured. "When your friends return, we must go see the Keeper. I have my suspicions about what might be going on (for the sake of Neverland, let it not be so), but I want to be absolutely sure."
In a remote area of the Winter Woods…
Where is she? Crystal thought to herself. I feel so bad about earlier. I should have told her sooner that I didn't want anyone to know. If she's gotten hurt, I…
Her thought process was cut short when she heard Cristine's voice say, "You still don't get it do you?"
Crystal whipped around. Cristine! I'm so sorry about earlier! Please forgive me! She then flew over and wrapped her arms around her sister.
Cristine sighed as she put her arms around Crystal. "Like I said, you still don't get it. I'm not mad about you not telling me you wanted to keep your muteness secret. I'm mad about you wanting to keep it a secret in the first place. Yes, you can't talk, and I can't see. But that doesn't mean we have to consider ourselves, or let others think of us as being different." She held her sister at arm's length. "I just want you to promise me one thing."
What is it?
"Don't ever think of yourself as a freak again."
Giggling silently, Crystal promised; Of course.
This has been a rather eventful chapter. I for one am quite satisfied with it. As for all of you, once again, please leave a comment or PM me about it if you so wish.