Chapter Text
Raven Queen let her purple streaked hair cover her face, reluctantly observing the second years from the audience as they prepared to sign their life away. They were quite a sight, dressed in their finest ballgowns, their creepiest hooded robes, their most elegant suits, yet Raven couldn’t feel anything other than a dawning horror. Next year would be her turn, and she’d be forced to become the person she loved and hated most; her mother.
She pulled out her mirrorphone. She didn’t want to think anymore.
- - - - - - -
The anticipation in the air was palpable. Apple White could swear all her classmates were almost as eager as her to embrace their destiny. To live life according to a script, without the terrors of mistakes and uncertainty. Soon, they’d all be safe in their stories, bound to a fate that would guide them and preserve them. It was a gift to be present at the signing.
She only wished she could actually see the podium.
- - - - - - -
Briar Beauty’s BFFA was vibrating in her seat, hands gripping the fabric of her skirt. Briar wished she could share her excitement, but all she could think of was losing all her friends and family thanks to some predetermined curse. Not to mention, being woken up by a ‘true love’s kiss’ from someone who wasn’t even close to being born yet. Like, literally the only person who’d still be alive was the fairy who cursed her. Who’d want to be stuck not knowing anyone but their villain?
But it didn’t matter how she felt. She didn’t have a choice. When the time came they’d all have to suck it up and take it, and Briar would be happy for her friend’s sake, if not her own.
- - - - - - -
Duchess Swan knew that everyone looking her way would see a sneering face, and not look any further, which was fine by her. She hated feeling exposed. Not that there was anything to expose. Everything was fine.
Her destiny was something to be proud of, her cross to bear. And she would fulfill her role with the honor, poise and dignity befitting a princess.
- - - - - - -
Daring Charming was the shining example of a prince. Whether supporting his fellow heroes, or helping those in need, he always made sure to uphold his duty as a royal. If he didn’t want to be swallowed by history and fade into obscurity as another generic, bland Prince Charming, he had to be better than everyone else.
Constantly and consistently.
While making it all look effortless.
He shook himself out of his thoughts and sent a blinding white smile at the uncertain witch who was currently signing the Storybook, and her shoulders relaxed a little. He truly believed that she had nothing to worry about; after all, destiny was what kept Ever After peaceful and orderly. He glanced at his future bride, his ‘happily ever after’ and winked at her. They hadn’t spoken much, well, ever, But Daring was sure things would work out.
They had to.
- - - - - - -
Madeline Hatter was not good at staying still but it seemed important to the grim Grimm that his students all kept super duper quiet, like a jubjub bird on a hunt. So she stayed silent as requested, but flipped herself upside down, knees hooked over the back of her chair, bum seated on the back, her back to the seat, and head dangling close to the floor. That was much better.
To her once-right-now-left side sat Lizzie Hearts, building a card castle copy of the Heart palace. Not wanting to distract her from this important task, Maddie looked further, only to not-find Kitty. The Cheshire must have been bored as a board, and slip slided away.
Maddie blew a turquoise strand of gravity defying hair out of her mouth, and stuck her tongue out at the thought of the prior instructions given to all the students to sit up straight during the ceremony. But everyone was failing that. There was nothing ‘straight’ about their squishy round body shape. Ever Afterlings were so odd.
Raven nudged her, and nodded towards the headmaster, who was making scrunchy eyes and a frowny face at her. What a party pooper. She flipped noggin-side up and tried to do her best imitation of a ruler.
Legacy day sure dried up creative juices, for those pledging and for those who had to sit through it.
- - - - - - -
Cerise was mildly nauseous at the reminder of the year to come. She didn’t even know what destiny she’d inherited. She mostly refused to think about it, but right now she didn’t have much of a choice. All she could do about it though was hope Legacy Year wasn’t as much of a disaster as she thought it would be.
She never could have predicted what was to come.