(( AN: Sorry for the really tiny update so late. I'm in the process of moving (again) so updates are going to be shoddy for the next two months or so until I finally figure out where I'm living and what I'm doing with my life. Yaaaaay adulthood. ))

21.

The hubbub had not subsided by the time Toby and Nigelle returned to the Main Hall. In fact, it seemed even louder and noiser than before; several Fairies had broken out flasks of a strange, glowing golden brown liquid that they were passing around. Toby spotted the bear-like Elf stretched out on his back, his massive hand-paw things twitching every so often in his sleep. Someone had braided tiny flowers into his fur until it looked like he had a miniature garden sprouting from his stomach. A group of Fairies had pulled out various instruments including flutes and harps and were strumming a merry tune to a small knot of dancers frolicking around the rose bush in the center.

Toby had to blink rapidly when she stepped out of the hallway; when she had first returned to Avalon, the Main Hall had been dark, full of a murky gloom with only a single ray of light shining down on the rose bush. Now, it was as if someone had thrown the window shades open; the crystals that adorned the cieling and spiraled down the great pillars that held up the ceiling all seemed to be glowing, sparkling with the light that abounded in the room and casting rainbows on the walls. Toby wondered quietly to herself if the crystals fed off of the Fairies' mood, or if there was an on/off switch somewhere she hadn't spotted yet.

The Teakettler's protesting whistles went unheard, only noticeable because of the quick, wet heat of its noises against the skin of her back. Biting her lower lip, Toby hesitated in the doorway for a long moment before finally plunging into the whirling cacophony of dancing, twirling bodies. It took her more time than she would have guessed to thread her way to the planter in the middle and the rose bush that even now seemed to be sprouting more flowers.

Once she got there, however, there was no sight of Fizzybink, Rosalinde, Theo, or anyone else. Flopping down on the marble edge, she heaved a sigh. "Great. Forgotten already."

"Says who?"

Toby jumped in surprise, looking over her shoulder to see Julie standing on the ledge, peering at her. "Julie..."

The blonde held out a hand, her crimson eyes sparkling. "Hey. C'mon, let's get you some food, okay? Fiz and Dom and the others are having a strategy session or something in the Throne Room. It was super boring, though. Mostly he and Theo are arguing about the dragons."

Toby took Julie's hand, getting to her feet. The Teakettler peeked out and let out a small whistle of greeting. Julie rubbed between its ears playfully, gesturing for Toby to follow her. Conversation in the midst of the revelers was basically impossible, so Toby waited until they'd broken free of the crowd on the other side to half-yell, "why?"

"Theo wants to go wake up the current Dragonqueen. Fiz thinks we should wait until all the other creatures are woken up to wake her up. From what I hear, she's not a very nice dragon," Julie said informatively as they entered the much quieter side halls. Toby shot her a look out of the corner of her eyes.

"In this place, no dragon is a nice dragon."

Julie flushed slightly. "Well... be that as it may, they're... pretty heatedly arguing about it. At least they got things arranged with most of the Princesses, they're departing tomorrow with you guys."

Toby's steps faltered. "'You guys'?"

"Yeah, Baba Yaga's going to take you home. I think they're sending Demora with you, and the Teakettler if it wants to go. Since you're not a Princess anymore, fairy tale creatures won't bother you, so you should be able to go back to your life no problem." Julie pushed open the door to the room they shared. Inside, there were already several packs sitting to one side of the door in preparation of their departure the next day. Toby stared at the bags.

"... and you?"

"Until Demora gets her tails back and tells us what she did to me, we don't know what I'm capable of. Baba Yaga wants me to stay here where Verum can keep an eye on me. Make sure I don't start spouting fire uncontrollably." The blonde sank down on one of the futons, looking up at Toby. The former-Princess stood in the middle of the room for a long moment, gripping Kjavaeos's hilt in one hand.

"And Kjavaeos? Do I have to give it up?"

Julie shrugged one shoulder, glancing over her shoulder at the brunette with a strange look in those crimson eyes of hers. "I don't think anyone can take it from you, so, no."

Toby felt a small sliver of relief as her hand relaxed on the sword's hilt. She'd gotten pretty attached to the broken blade and didn't think she could bear to be separated from it. "So... uh.. you said something about food?"

Julie straightened up, a gleam springing to her eyes. "Oh, right!" Placing her fingers lightly on the table, she leaned over. Inhaling sharply, she gently blew out, small flickering tongues of fire swirling into the air. Toby gasped as the flames seemed to consolidate into the form of a bowl of fruit and a pitcher, orange glow fading into red apples and purple grapes.

"How did you--?!"

"I figured out one thing. I can make things become real," Julie said with a big grin. "Demora somehow showed me how, when she made that tree to protect us from the Frost Giant." She picked up a grape, popping it into her mouth as she sank back onto the futon. "That's all I've learned -- other than an occasional lick of what I think is that kitsune fire stuff when I sneeze."

As Julie settled back down, apple in hand, she gazed at Toby intently. The brunette shifted under the scrutiny, finally caving. "What?"

"Are you really okay with it?"

"Okay with what?" Toby asked with obviously fake ignorance, picking several raspberries, her favorite, from the bowl and popping them into her mouth. She had to say, conjured or not, the fruit was delicious. Perfectly ripe -- just firm enough on the outside, but then a sweet explosion of juice against her tongue. Why did everything have to be so much better in Avalon?

"The Princess thing. You know, the fact you're not one anymore..." Julie's tone was careful, as if she was afraid Toby would get angry. Toby fought down a surge of emotions, managing a faint smile.

"I don't really have a choice, do I? Besides, it's okay. I got what I wanted in the end, right?" Julie didn't say anything in response, and they lapsed into a silence thick with what they hadn't said. Toby finished picking at the fruit, then stood up, brushing her hands off on her pants. "Well, if I'm going soon, I'm going to have one last look around."

Julie nodded. "Be careful."

Toby suppressed a laugh at the irony of that statement, instead just nodding once. She paused only long enough to disentangle the Teakettler from the back of her shirt (where it was snoozing soundly) and carefully lay it down on a pillow. Making sure the little critter hadn't been too bothered by her shifting it, she nodded, gave one last small smile to Julie, and headed out into the halls of the Fairy city.