The next few days are not easy for anyone. After many sleepless nights, and many sleepful days, Raven can't seem to bring herself out of her room for anything but food. The incident with Sapsorrow has not been easy to explain, and even harder to look past. It doesn't matter to some people if Raven had brought back the magic. She was the reason it had dried in the first place. No matter that she hadn't known about the girl inside the book. She's the daughter of the Evil Queen. She suppose some people can't look past that no matter what she'd do. Apple tries to give reassurance, but it doesn't help much. She doesn't need to be reminded this is what people normally think about her on a daily basis.
If they aren't gossiping about Raven, they're talking about Prom. Raven doesn't want to think about that right now. She and Dexter had both decided they would go together, but with Raven being the center of the wrong kind of attention, she doesn't want Dexter to be subjected to that. She just wants this whole thing to blow over. Ignore the stares and the whispers, and they'll go away. She sits in the castleteria, twirling her fork through a plate of pasta. She's not particularly hungry but figures she has to eat something. She hears the scoffs from behind her as students pass, but she ignores it.
"Raven?" She looks up as Darling sits down across from her. "Are you doing okay?"
Raven waves dismissively, still twirling her fork. "Yeah, I'm ... I'm fine. How have you been?"
"Things have been... a hair off," Darling admits slowly. "Quieter, I think."
Raven glances off towards another table, noticing a few stares. They turn away and murmur amongst themselves as she looks. She goes back to her lunch. "Yeah... quieter."
"Raven?" Darling asks gently.
She sighs. "It seems like everything I do just makes things worse."
Darling glances at the table behind her and huffs. "They don't know the real story."
"Even if I did tell them, who's to say they'll believe me?"
"Uh..." Darling purses her lips. "Fairest point. Maybe we just need something to get our minds off of it." She pulls out her MirrorPad.
"Thanks for trying, Darling. But, I don't think I'm in the mood right now."
"Hello Fellow Fairytales!" Blondie's voice echoes from her MirrorCast on Darling's MirrorPad. "After the recent events of what students are calling the 'Magic Sap Scandal', many of us are rejoicing the return of madness and magickry. But one student claims this is more than a cause for spellebration; this is an opportunity. Here with me is Rosabella Beauty to share her latest passion project."
The camera pans to Rosabella, smiling proudly. Blondie holds her microphone under Rosabella's chin.
"Oh!" Rosabella chuckles, lowering the microphone a bit, and faces the camera. "Well, during the recent incident, humans and fairies alike have been effected. But it is the beasts who have suffered the greatest. Those such as dragons, ogres, and unicorns survive because of the magic drawn from the Well of Wonder. If Raven hadn't fixed it, they would have all perished. It breaks my heart to see how hard they've been hit, and yet they have been acknowledged the least! Regardless of how you think of them, they are important to all of us. So, I propose a rally, organized by the beasts who've come to share their stories. Come share your support and hear what they have to say this Wandsday at 4:00."
The camera turns back to Blondie. "And there you have it. If you're interested, make sure to sign up right here in Book End. This is Blondie Lockes, signing off."
"An opportunity is it, Miss Beauty," Darling agrees. "What do you say, Raven?"
"I don't know...I don't want to ruin this for Rosabella."
"You won't!" Darling takes Raven's hands from across the table. "It would mean so much to her if you came to support. I mean, isn't this what you're all about? Rewriting the page?"
"Yeah, but..." Raven trails off. She could be the last thing Rosabella needs. But at the same time, this is an opportunity to pivot the attention away from her mistakes, away from Sapsorrow. This isn't about her anyway. It's about Rosabella's cause.
"Alright!" she agrees. "What the hex?"
Darling giggles and takes her hand to guide her to Book End. Meanwhile, from the other table over, a certain black and white swan broods over her MirrorPad.
"It's so unfairest!" Duchess squawks. Sparrow props his guitar onto his broken shoulder, completely ignoring her. "She calls herself a Rebel, even though she likes her destiny. She's being so hypocritical!"
Sparrow tunes a string with his teeth.
"Sparrow, are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?" he glances up at her, the tuner still in his teeth. "Oh. Nuh-uh."
"Rosabella calls herself a Rebel because she helps fairytale beasts, even though that's literally her entire story!"
"Okay," Sparrow offers. "But here's how I see it: why do you care?"
"Have you read Blondie's MirrorBlog?" she shoves the MirrorPad in his face. "They say Daring Charming is her prince now! It's not fairest that Rosabella gets to rise up the Royal ranks if she's not even a Royal!" She throws her arms out in frustration, knocking over his guitar.
"So, that's why you're rambling?" he questions. "Because of Daring?"
She crosses her arms. "No! I'm just saying that she needs to be knocked down a throne." She picks up her MirrorPad again and starts sliding through MyChapter. She taps settings, and among the tabs, she spots "Create New Account." She smirks. "And I think I know how."
Darling leads Raven through Book End, a confident smile on her face. Raven had pulled a hood over her head before leaving, much to Darling's chagrin.
Darling waves over to them. "Rosabella!"
She turns. "Darling! Hexcellent!"
Darling drags Raven over to them. Rosabella squints, giggling. "Raven? Is that you under there?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Raven mumbles.
"Don't mind her," Darling shakes her head. "We're here to sign up for the rally."
"Spelltacular!" Rosabella exclaims. She reaches under the table and hands her a clipboard and pen before rounding the table. She hovers over Darling's shoulder. "There are a few things I want to verify. I need to know if you will bring guests, how many, their names and pronouns, and have to agree to a series of terms and conditions."
Darling giggles. "Okay, okay."
Raven hugs her shoulders, standing off to the side. Cerise taps her shoulder, and she jumps.
"Whoa! Just me," Cerise reassures. Raven sighs. "Things haven't been going just right, have they?"
"It's been hard, Cerise," Raven admits. "I'm just trying to keep a low profile, you know? I don't want to ruin anything for Rosabella."
Darling lifts up one page on the clipboard. The second page unfolds to the ground and Darling frowns.
Cerise shrugs. "Well, I know what it feels like to keep a "low profile". But, maybe you're doing it for the wrong reasons."
"I'm not making fun of you!" Raven says quickly. "I just...people hate me again. And, it's all coming in at once."
Cerise sets her hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I get it. I'm sure it's not easy to go bad to something you thought was behind you. But at least you can't let it stop you from going forward."
Raven chuckles. "When did you become so insightful?"
"I've been hanging out with Rosabella," Cerise shrugs. "She has a tendency to rub off on people."
Raven snickers and pulls down her hood. "Thanks, Cerise."
"Raven!" Darling runs up to them and hands Raven the clipboard. "I signed you on as a guest so those who sign up later won't see your name on the roster."
"Uh, thanks, Darling."
"But, I think you should read over the Terms and Conditions," Darling adds, holding up the list that had been trailing on the ground.
Raven rolls her eyes and picks up the paper to read it properly. Almost immediately, Darling's MirrorPhone buzzes. She pulls it from her pocket, unlocks it, and her face drops.
"What's up?" Cerise asks worriedly.
Darling hands her the phone, and her face droops into the same expression. "What?"
Raven glances over her shoulder. In MyChapter, all over Rosabella's Monsters and Maidens forum, are messages:
| Moonlight_dancer#5: A bunch of beasts in one place? Are you sure that's a good idea? They might rampage!
| Huff&PuffBluff: I don't think she does it for the animals. She's just trying to prove she's better than everyone.
| Alarming_Charming5587: What a know-it-all.
| Dragon_Slayah339: You want to help a beast? Go back home.
Raven's heart drops to her stomach. Cerise scrolls through the forum, revealing dozens more messages from different people. She drags the page back up, refreshing it. Another tirade of harsh comments appear. Darling's face hardens as her eyes read over them. She grabs the hilt of her sword, but Raven stops her.
"Uh, guys?" Rosabella comes over. "Is everything okay? The terms and conditions are too long, aren't they?"
"Um..." Cerise glances between her and the phone. "No, it's fine. Just...just uh - "
Rosabella's back pocket suddenly vibrates. She reaches back and pulls out her phone.
"Wait!" Raven stops her. "Rosabella, if it's from MyChapter, I don't think you want to read that."
Curiously, Rosabella opens the notification, and her face goes blank. Her eyes skim over the messages, the corner of her lip tightening as she scrolls through her MyChapter page.
"Rosa, are you...okay?" Darling asks carefully.
Rosabella stares at her phone for a bit. She suddenly inhales and puts her phone back on the desk. "Happily never been better!"
"Are you sure?" Cerise points to her phone. "I mean, if it were me who got those comments - "
"It's fine!" Rosabella insists as another buzz emits from her phone.
"Rosabella - "
Buzz. "It's fine!" Buzz. "The more we call attention to it - " Buzz. "the more we give them - " Buzz. "the satisfaction - " Buzz. "of a reaction!" Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
The phone buzzes several more times, Rosabella still smiling blankly at them, before she snatches up her phone. "You know what? I think I'll just turn this off."
She promptly switches it off, holds it down to her side, lifts it up again, breaks it in half, and tosses the pieces into the trash. The three other Rebels stare at her with their mouths open in shock, but she continues smiling.
"Back to work!" She marches over to the other side of the street to access a stage.
"So... she's not okay," Cerise points. Raven shakes her head.
Darling crosses her arms. "Well, if you ask me, this just makes the situation very simple." The two girls stare at their friend, dumbfounded. "You want to know why?"
Raven nods.
Darling marches past them, yelling at them over her shoulder. "Because now, this just proves that this cause is worth fighting for!"
"Where are you going?!" Raven calls after her.
"To find my tech-savvy brother!"
Darling slaps another rally flier to the wall. For two days, she had searched for the source of those messages, but to no avail. Humphrey was nearly fried under the stress and Dexter had to have his computer rebooted and backed up with anti-virus software. It was a mess to understand, but there's no way she'd let someone pick on her friend. She tapes a flier to Dexter's door before knocking. The door swings open.
"Hey, Dex. Any news?"
Dexter's hair is ruffled and dark circles hang under his eyes. "Well, I can say that these accounts were all faked. None of them have other posts, nor do they have followers. Seems like they were just made to harass Rosabella."
Darling inhales sharply, gritting her teeth. But she forces a smile. "Well...that's a development."
He knits his brow, backing up. "Do you need a minute?"
She lets out a breath. "I'm just...not happy about the situation."
Dexter takes off his glasses, rubbing the lenses with the hem of his shirt. "Well, I guess that makes all three of us, huh?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Three?" She groans. "What's Daring done now?"
"Nothing! Well, he was being a nitwit, but that's nothing new." He rolls his eyes. "He's mad at Sparrow for...saying some stuff about him."
Darling rolls her eyes and heads for Daring's room. "Let me tame this beast, Dexter."
"Good luck," he mumbles, retreating back into his room.
Darling knocks on the door. "Daring? What's going on?"
"I'd like to be alone," he calls from inside.
Darling shakes her head, not having it. "Daring Dashing Debonair Charming! If you don't open up, I'll have Blondie do it for you."
She waits a few seconds, hoping he will make the right choice. She finally hears a click, and the door swings open ajar. She peeks in. Daring sits on his bed, staring into a hand mirror. She chuckles and approaches him.
"Still haven't given up the hand mirror?"
He smoothes his hair back. "I just...need a bit of comfort sometimes."
"Daring," she sits herself next to him. "you don't need to give up the mirror. At least, not completely."
He stares at himself intensely, squeezing the hilt of the mirror.
"What did Sparrow say?" Darling asks him.
Daring's hand flies to his face, and he groans. He drags his hand down his face, glancing at her. She raises her eyebrows, waiting for an answer.
"Do you think I'm ... a card player?"
She nods immediately. "Yes." He groans again and covers his face. "I'm guessing that wasn't the answer you were looking for."
"I wasn't that bad, was I?!" he cries.
Darling purses her lips and glances away from him. "Well...tell me the truth. Were you interested in having a committed relationship?"
" ... No."
She nods. "Do you want one with Rosabella?"
"I...think so?" he scratches the back of his neck. Darling sighs, seeing the uncertainty on his face. She guides the mirror back in front of his face and grabs his hairbrush from the nightstand. He gives a small smile of approval, and she drags the brush through his hair. "Ever since the kiss with Apple didn't work, everything's just become so confusing. And with Rosabella...it's just gotten even worse. I'm thinking things I'd never thought I'd think, and I'm feeling things I never used to feel!"
"Is that a bad thing?" she asks.
"Wh - ?!" he exclaims. "Y-Yes, it's a bad thing!" She crawls to his other side. "Everything I've known has been flipped on its crown! I was so sure about my story, but now, everything is scary and new."
"I ask again: is that a bad thing?" she sets the brush down and picks up a comb for the smaller tangles. "Sometimes, there will be uncertainty. But, like any adventure, it's an obstacle to overcome. And it will be challenging. Since when does Daring Charming shy away from a challenge?"
"Never after!" he proclaims, pounding his fist into the bed.
She continues combing. "So riddlish me this, Daring: do you hate your new destiny? The one as the Beast?"
He pauses, staring into his mirror. "No... but it feels like I should. Everyone says that I should."
"Well, what do you think?" She puts some gel in her hands and runs it over his scalp.
"Well...being a beast was hard. But it was also terrifying! I felt so helpless, and alone. But she made me feel...not alone." He glances away from his mirror, setting it down on his lap. Darling takes her hands out of his hair. "She was always there, and I didn't understand why."
Darling sits back on her heels. "Daring...I think it would really help if you went to the rally tonight. You could hear the stories of other beasts, and spell out your story if you want. You know, instead of hiding in your room and avoiding her." She drags the comb back through his hair. "You're Daring Charming. What are you doing, hiding away from the world?"
His face hardens. "You're right! I'm acting like a child!" He stands up, smooths his hair over in his vanity mirror, puts on his crown, and runs for the door. Darling smiles and follows him. But he stops, his hand on the doorknob. "You...you won't tell Mom and Dad, right?"
"As long as you don't tell them I'm the White Knight, I think we're good."
He chuckles and opens the door for her. She curtsies and heads out, giggling.
Book End is certainly fuller when Daring and Darling arrive. Creatures of every size, with fur and feathers and scales, those with deep voices and those with high voices and those who only whistle, gather around a stage set up in front of the Hatter's Tea Shoppe. Daring backs up, his hand on his sword. Darling puts her hand on his, glaring at him.
"Sorry, sorry!" he says quickly. "Reflex."
She immediately swipes his sword off of his belt as well as hers, setting it over on a table with a hat.
"Hey!" Daring protests.
Darling shakes her head. "Sorry, Daring. No weapons or items made with the intent to cause harm." She drops the weapons into the hat and shoves it under the table. "I have to stay here and make sure everyone hands them over. Why don't you see how Rosabella's doing."
Obediently, he makes his way through the crowd. His shoulders tense as he brushes past the beasts in the crowd, and he becomes acutely aware of how out of place he is. If he were a beast, this might not be a problem. He'd be the normal one, but with all these beasts, he sticks out. He shakes his head and soldiers on towards the stage, searching for the reason behind this event. A head of red and brown hair peeks out from behind the stage, and he instantly dashes over to her.
"Rosabella?"
"Daring!" She looks up from her MirrorPad and beams. "I didn't think you'd make it."
"Whaaaaat?" he laughs. "I wouldn't miss this for anything."
"That's actually really comforting to hear," she admits. "We've gotten a lot of attendance from the beast population, but in terms of humans..." She turns to the crowd. Cerise, Darling, and Raven chat with each other at the security table while Maddie and Apple serve refreshments. Besides them, there are no humans. "It is so dead here."
"I'm...sorry to hear that," he mumbles.
"I-It's okay!" she insists. "We can still make this work. It's not about the humans. It's about beasts. About sharing their stories!"
He cringes, looking over at the largely ignored crowd of animals and bipedal creatures. There are no cameras to broadcast the event, nor anyone to share any stories with instead of to each other. He glances at Rosabella. She has a strong smile on her face, but her eyes are filled with worry.
"Are you sure?" he asks.
"Yeah!" she chirps. "Yeah. It's fine. It's fine! It's fine. Everything's fine!... It's fine."
He raises an eyebrow as she turns back to the podium and flips through her flashcards. He'd never seen her this agitated. Determined and stubborn, yes. But seeing her this unsettled, he's uncomfortable. Not knowing what else to do, he backs away and off the stage. Great, now he's confused again! Seeing this situation, a situation he wouldn't have thought twice over in the past, all he wants to do is help her. Help the beasts instead of slaying them, it seems like everything he was taught not to do. But he's a hero, and it's a hero's duty to help and protect those in need. He pulls out his MirrorPhone and dials for Blondie.
Ten minutes before she has to start the event, Rosabella stares at her MirrorPad. The comments keep pouring in, all about how stuck up and hypocritical she is. Her chest tightens with each breath she takes, and she clutches her shirt. She supposes that she should have expected some backlash, but never this much. Strangely, even as her chest tightens, her heart feels empty. The comments neither bounce off her nor sink in. They simply stick. A familiar stick like jelly between your fingers that will wash off if you scrub hard enough. But the next time you touch it, it sticks again. It's a cycle, and one that is very close to home.
But it's better than fighting back, she reasons. At least, directly.
She shoves the MirrorPad into her bag and peeks over the side of the stage. So many beasts had arrived: ogres, goblins, giant snakes, wolves, bears, imps, and so many others. She smiles a bit, looking over at the security table. Even if so many people hate her, it is a bit comforting to know there are people who do stand by her. But she looks back over the beasts. Is it enough? She clasps her hands at the hem of her dress. As much as she believes in these beings, she knows the reality: not everyone will listen. And she will get laughed at. Tears prick at her eyes, but she forces them back.
No use crying over it, she reminds herself. This isn't about you. It's about them.
A knock to the side of the stage alerts her, and she turns. Duchess stands idly behind her. "You go on in a few minutes, right?"
"Duchess?" The swan princess pirouettes over to her. "I didn't hexpect you to be here."
"Yeah, beasts aren't exactly my thing," she croons. "But, they're yours. Oh yes."
"What are you getting at, Duchess?" Rosabella queries.
Duchess pliés. "You know you're just ruining everyone else's destiny, right? These animals, they guard towers, cast curses, ravage towns. This whole thing you're doing, it's ruining everything for the humans."
"They don't want that!" Rosabella presses. "They aren't monsters because they aren't human. You of all people should understand that!"
Duchess stops dancing and gets right in her face. "I am not like these things! I commit to my story, they don't! They want to ruin it for the real heroes. You're being selfish, Miss Beast-Lover." Rosabella shakes her head and turns away from her. Duchess spins around her to face her again. "You don't want to be selfish, right?"
"Duchess, please stop!" she begs, holding her hands over her ears.
Duchess only smirks. "You want to stop being selfish? Call off the rally, send everyone home, and tell Daring the truth about being the Beast."
Rosabella snaps her head up and snarls at her. She jumps back, letting out a squawk.
"What is going on here?!"
Duchess looks up at Daring as he marches up to them. She blushes and puts on a smile. "Nothing, Daring. Just wishing Rosabella good luck." She leans in close to her ear. "She's going to need it."
She shuffles away en pointe, leaving Daring confused. Rosabella's hands tremble as she grips her hair. He approaches her slowly like he would a wounded deer. "Um, are you okay?"
She inhales deeply, clenching her fists. "Yeah...yeah, I-I'm okay. Did you need something?"
"It's time for you to go on," he says.
She nods and heads for the stage steps. "Thanks."
He grabs her hand. "Hey, uh..." She turns back to face him. "do you need me to talk to Duchess?"
She shakes her head, smiling. "No, I'll be alright."
He smiles back. "Good luck."
She nods and steps up to the podium. She has been waiting for this, to speak to her fellow beasts. Yet, her throat feels dry. She hasn't done enough. She supposes not enough humans care, but she should be happy that some do. She lifts her head up to look at the crowd, and gasps. Humans, Royals and Rebels alike, intermingle and chat with the beasts of the gathering. Blondie stands in the very back, reporting on the event. Rosabella's eyes dart from Raven to Apple to Cerise and everyone else. Each of them hold the same pleasantly surprised expression. She whirls around at Daring. He winks, and she beams, turning back to the crowd.
She taps the microphone. "Hello? Hello?" The crowd turns to her. "Hi...Well, you know why you're here. And I'm so thankful that you've come. You've taken the time out of your busy schedules to support this cause, and it means so much to me." She glances at Raven, who gives her a thumbs up. "I'm here to address the ones we've overlooked. The beasts of our society are so important. They bring excitement to our stories, and there is never a dull moment with them. And whether or not they decide to follow their stories or write their own, they are important. And they are here to share why they are important." She steps aside to let the first guest tell their story.
Daring smiles up from behind the stage, listening. A warm feeling rises inside him as he watches her, as he listens to the stories of beasts. When Blondie had informed him of the messages on Rosabella's page, he agreed with Darling; it made his decision very simple. Sending a selfie of himself at the rally was simple. Asking Blondie to broadcast the event was simple. Visiting Dexter and finding out Duchess was the one sending the messages was simple. What isn't simple?
He looks at his phone, and at the 46 missed calls from his parents.
Raven and Apple enter their dorm, sufficiently tired. Raven stretches, tossing her jacket onto the bed.
"That actually went well," she admits.
"Feeling better?" Apple asks gently.
Raven nods. "Yeah. Yeah, this was a welcome distraction. I needed this."
Apple smiles and heads to her closet to change. Raven moves to her window and looks out over the horizon. A slight breeze wisps through her hair. Everything feels calm, warm, inviting. For a moment, nothing is wrong. Raven isn't feared and hated for what she did. Headmaster Grimm isn't pushing her to still follow her destiny. Sapsorrow doesn't exist. Her mother isn't the Evil Queen. Everything is peaceful, the moon in the sky and the birds flying in the distance. Actually, not exactly in the distance. They're getting closer. They're coming closer, they're flying towards her window!
She ducks just as they fly in, flurries of feathers going into her eyes and mouth. Apple rushes in, dragging Raven away from the attack. Just as quickly as they come, the birds soar out the window in a frenzy. Apple cradles the disoriented Raven on the floor.
"Are you okay?"
Raven nods. "I think so." She looks back to the windowsill, perplexed. Her puzzled look becomes cemented as she lays eyes on the object left there. An orb, slightly egg shaped, sits on the window. She inches closer to it and sees that it is an egg, though mixed with gold, silver, and blue rather than a white shell.
"Raven, maybe you shouldn't - " Ignoring Apple, Raven scoops up the egg. "Touch it."
She cradles it in her palms. "It's ... so warm." She goes to put it down, but suddenly yelps as a searing heat burns into her hands. She drops the egg, cracking it in half. A light blasts into the girls' eyes and a green mist forms around it. Inside the misty light, a face appears.
"Raven!"
Raven gasps, backing up. "Sapsorrow?"
She's disheveled, her hair a mess, her eyes wild and tinted red. She had obviously been crying. "Raven, I don't know if this will reach you. But I don't know who else to turn to. Everything is different. I don't know how long I've been gone, nor do I know what lies ahead of me, but I worry for you. Milton Grimm is not to be trusted. I'm not the first he's sealed away because I refused my destiny, and I'm afraid that I won't be the last. Whatever he tries to do to you, you must fight. If you don't, everything will end in devastation!"
The message cuts out, and Raven is left aghast. The egg folds back in on itself, tilts backward, and tumbles out the window. Raven hears it shatter below, but she can't move. Apple cautiously walks towards her. "Raven, are you okay?"