Chapter Text
It was dark when Phineas crawled out of the hollow tree. He shivered and rubbed his arms as he flew above the trees, but he couldn’t tell where he was. In the darkness, everything looked the same. He started flying, but wasn’t sure if he was heading towards Tinker’s Nook or not.
He spotted a golden glow in the trees and decided that would be the best place for him to rest. He quickly realized he was approaching the Pixie Dust Tree. That was just fine. It would probably be the safest place in Pixie Hollow. He could stay there for the night and find his way home when the sun came up.
He landed by the bright pool of Dust and lay down on his side. He was still very upset, but he was determined not to cry anymore. He especially didn’t want to cry out here where someone could easily find him. It was late enough, however, that chances were high that everyone was already asleep. Exhausted, Phineas curled up and tried to fall asleep himself.
He was startled when a warm, soft hand rested on his arm. He sat up quickly to see the same bright glowing fairy who had given him flight.
“Queen Clarion.” He breathed. “I… um…”
She chuckled. “Hello, Phineas. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Oh.” He sighed. “I, um. I can’t find my way home in the dark.”
“I see.” Queen Clarion said with a tone of understanding “Well then, feel free to rest here then.”
“Thank you, my Queen.” Phineas didn’t lie back down, but instead stared at the pool of Dust.
“Something on your mind?”
He looked up at Queen Clarion again “I’m the most useless Tinker in all of Pixie Hollow.”
“Really now?” she said “What makes you say that?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I mess everything up.” He explained. “I bump into everything. I hand out the wrong supplies, and just today I crashed into a load of baskets and destroyed them.”
“Sounds to me like you’ve had a bit of bad luck.” Queen Clarion said.
“Luck has nothing to do with it.” Phineas sighed. “What good is a Tinker who can’t see?”
“Can’t see?” Clarion repeated.
“My vision is terrible. Everyone knows it.” Phineas said.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t see.” She debated “You could see well enough to find your way here.”
“Yes, but,”
“And you could see well enough to save your mouse friend today.”
“How did you -?”
“And,” she said firmly “You could see well enough to find your talent.”
Phineas sighed again. He wanted to point out that he probably wouldn’t have needed to see to make a hammer glow, but he held his tongue.
“It sounds to me like you’re letting what others say get to you. Fairy Mary tells me you’re the best Tinker she’s seen in a long time.” Queen Clarion said. “Not because you do good work, but because you figure out how to do good work despite not being able to see well. That’s the real meaning behind being a Tinker, being able to figure out how to solve any problem no matter what stands in your way.”
He looked back to the Dust pool. “She really said that about me?”
“Yes.” Clarion replied. “She has very high opinions of you.”
Not anymore, Phineas thought. “But she said she had to juggle her work and her time with me. The other Tinkers say she has to hold my hand in everything I do” he paused, feeling himself choke up again. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I know… I hear them whisper about it.”
“She’s always been incredibly busy. That’s how she is. She takes time out to work with you because she wants to help you reach your full potential. She sees how talented you are and wants to help you grow and flourish. But since she’s in charge of everyone, and has to make sure everyone stays on task, I’d imagine her time is precious, so it makes sense that she would get frustrated every once in a while. I’m sure she didn’t mean to come off so harsh.”
Phineas stayed quiet, still staring at the golden Dust pool. Clarion stared at him. She wondered about the other Tinkers in his guild and if they really felt like Phineas was as much as a burden as he felt he was.
“Hve you bonded with anyone else in your Talent Guild?” she asked.
“Hmm?” he looked up at her. “No, why?”
“Fairies tend to be drawn closer to those most important to them. Like you and Fairy Mary, or Rosetta and Silvermist. I’m just curious if…” her thought was cut off by a distant giggle.
“If what?” Phineas urged her to continue.
“Perhaps the reason why you haven’t gotten close to very many people yet because they have yet to arrive in Pixie Hollow.” She said. “They’ll be here someday. They’ll find their way to you.”
Phineas wasn’t sure if he understood, but he heard the distant giggle again, followed by someone calling his name. A moment later, Fairy Mary flew over the Dust pool and saw him.
“Phineas! There you are!” she flew to him and threw her arms around him. “I was so worried about you! Are you alright?”
He smiled faintly “I’m alright.” He assured her.
“That one is going to Winter” Queen Clarion said wistfully.
“I’m sorry?” Phineas turned back to the Queen.
“A new Winter Fairy has been born.” She said, staring off into the distance. She turned her attention back to Phineas. “From now on, I would like you to come here for each new arrival.”
“I… how come?” Phineas was very confused.
“Hopefully who you belong with will show up before too long.” Queen Clarion said. “Fairy Mary, you’ll make sure he’s here?”
“Of course, Queen Clarion.” She replied. She didn’t understand what Queen Clarion was thinking either, but if the Queen wanted Phineas to witness the new arrivals, then she would make sure he’d be there.
“Good.” She lay a hand on Phineas’ shoulder, “Things will get better soon. I’m sure of it.” And she disappeared in a flash of light.
Phineas blinked from the brightness, then turned to Fairy Mary. “I’m sorry.” He said quietly. She helped him to his feet and he was about to say more, but she stopped him.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” She said. She took his hand and led him home where he lay thinking about the Queen’s words. He hoped her words were true. He fell asleep with that hope in his heart that things would get better soon.