Chapter Text
Christmas was something strange to her. People became more affectionate, others like the headmistress of Alfea, more irritated, seeing the students scattered, thinking only about the nights of freedom they would have with their families. Waiting for the news, they would receive, whether good or bad, and it was normal, when they spent the year at school, practically separated by others, by the war and the burned; hiding how afraid they were that during their absence they had lost a dear family member
For those there was somewhere to return, people waiting for them, affection and parties, it was a good time
Since Farah had nothing, she felt strange. This would be her second Christmas with Rosalind. However, even though she remained in school, she intended to find her peace and comfort, ignoring the warning in her mind that she would receive more rigorous training, and some injuries to be healed. Her melancholy grew greater at the thought that she wouldn't even have the company of her friends.
Ben would go to Linphea, meet the lively Harvey family. Rose would travel with her parents and sisters. Luna would become a recluse in Solaria's castle, whom they would not hear from until her return to Alfea, but arrogant and defensive. Saul, who could represent his last hope, would go to Ekaylon with Andreas, dividing his time between parties and training
Her dislike on the other hand had an obvious target, hiding how she liked it. She had missed most of what made this date special, but she still had the bells ringing, the food, the songs and the lights taking over the sky, without the help of any fairy of light, her only hope being to escape to the First World and see the fireworks they set off on that date. The mind fairy's antipathy came because of the small branches of mistletoe spread throughout any timber, searching for an unsuspecting person, and following tradition they would have to kiss each other.
Dowling found it ridiculous that there were so many, that Rosalind agreed to let. Just in her steps to the cantina, she caught at least five girls trying to attract a boy to talk there, looking for the kiss they were so hoping to receive. Moreover, it wasn't all bad, at least Rose hadn't started making one appear over her head when she found her with Silva.
She liked her friends, but having two earth fairies at that time for company became a problem, even for her who loved them so much. The magic of creating something from nature was unbearable in those moments, and Ben helped her by moving the floor so they could slide.
Her path was clear, she would go to the canteen, not because she was hungry, but to reunite with her friends one last time. In the afternoon they would have their last class, then each would take their bags and go to their kingdoms and castles, like Luna, leaving her in the complete solitude of Alfea
A smile appeared on Farah's face as they gathered, and it was short-lived. As she approached, she noticed Andreas' irritation, his mind filled with curses, and a tone of anger, the specialist's own body said so. Him arms were in the air, he was almost screaming, and the victim of her fury was Saul
“What do you mean you’re not going to Ekaylon with me, Saul?” This time he shouted, and didn't even care when everyone who wasn't already looking turned to them. The future king took this as encouragement and feigned disdain.
Luna was next to him, making sure her makeup was flawless, as always. Frightened, she jumped, and a flash, strong enough to blind him, hit him, making the specialist shut up and sit down. Everyone was afraid of magic princess, when they didn't have it magic in their blood
“I decided to stay at Alfea. I will train with the teacher during these two weeks. According to him, I need to improve.” The specialist explained himself, and Farah felt her face burning, while his eyes met hers.
His world became silent, calm, inside his mind, beginning to be tormented with cruel doubts, heading in the same direction, Silva. He was her best friend, her training partner, in battles when he was forced to fight, and she hoped that would be for the rest of her life. And knowing him well enough, it was strange to her that he was giving up his freedom and good life in Ekaylon. For her, nothing would change her mind, it was because of you
Two nights ago, Farah was unable to sleep, the bed made her uncomfortable, and she went to watch the moon, trying to calm down. Only in the courtyard did she understand what was happening, finding Saul healing from an injury after training, and understood that it was he who kept her awake, her pain. Without thinking, childishly imagining that it would be a moment for them to talk, with nothing behind it; she confessed that she was afraid of being alone with Rosalind.
The previous year was incredible for her, like the other holidays spent there. Rosalind let she see another side of her, revealing a sweet side, an unusual care, and disappeared at some point that year. There were many justifications for this, the increase in burned one, the pressure that was being placed on her, and in a moment of total carelessness, she confessed to him that she feared being the target that this fury would be dissolved.
She just didn't think about how her words would be seen by the specialist. That they would cause him so much concern, that if he offered, the headmaster wouldn't ask him to stay, he offered, to train, accepting the proposal after years of refusing
"Training?". Andreas questioned, raising his eyebrow and trying to find what kept his friend's attention so much. "Know. Is it just that or is there something else you don’t want to tell your friends?”
Finally, his gaze meets hers. When he realized that it was Dowling he was watching, he lips lifted in a mischievous smile, and that if they hadn't been in the cantina, she would have given him one last lesson about not messing with her. However, it would be hypocritical of her to punish him, when he was correct in her assumptions, because Saul was doing it for her, to assume that she was the real reason he stayed.
“Leave him alone, Andreas. Saul must have found a girlfriend, someone to keep him company and decided to leave you". Ben, defended, stroking Rose's arms, wrapped around him, being returned by a gentle smile.
Your best friends spent a year dating in secret, better yet, believing it was a secret, when everyone knew. When they came out about their relationship months ago, they became more passionate than they were, leaving even Luna embarrassed because they acted like fools. Definitely stupid, for forgetting that the only girl who stayed at Alfea was Dowling
“Saul will have company, that of Farah.” Leaning the mirror on the table, the princess reminded them. Her mouth curved into a small smile as she looked at the mind fairy.
Luna's smile didn't bother Farah, she liked it. It was rare that she saw the princess truly smiling, or close to a smile, the most they could get from her in the last few months. Many things have changed in the last year, not only Rosalind, but also Luna, becoming cold, silent, reclusive, just like her mother, and leaving aside everything they saw good in the princess. Dowling realized that the two would not continue to be friends until graduation.
“Dowling stays at Alfea, training with Rosalind.” Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she added, hiding a precious piece of information.
Rosalind had also invited her. It was the headmistress's wish to have the two at Alfea to continue their training, even during the end of year festivities. Realizing how terrible it would be, Luna invited Farah to come with her to the Solaria palace, ensuring that the two would be protected from being exploited, but she refused, knowing that she would never feel part of the court.
Farah sat at the table, next to Rose, pushing Ben's arm away from her, and ate in silence. The matter disappeared, maintaining their sincere non-verbal agreement, that the last word would be from one of the monarchs, leaving the matter forgotten, not wanting to upset her during their moment together.
She on the other hand didn't forget. Her fingers tapped the chair, missing Saul's hand waiting for hers, and not wanting to arouse suspicion she sat down away from him. At some point their eyes met, brown and green, and she whispered a thank you, which he didn't deny, shaking his head shyly at her.
Farah thought about the specialist's decision for her, tried to control the small spark that existed in her heart, beating sweetly, with this gesture of kindness and care for her. Another one of the many that Silva had given over the years they knew each other. Therefore, the mind fairy barely noticed Rose pulling her into a room, when they managed to get a few steps behind the groups, and she raised her head to find her with shining eyes. She wished it were by magic, not something else
“Will Saul stay for you?” The earth fairy asked, and Dowling made another mistake, remaining silent, giving an answer in the same way. “He did, didn't he?” When she remained silent, she looked away from her friend, ended up giving in completely, and new stupid ideas about them were being put into that romantic head.
“Silva accepted the headmaster’s, training, because it’s so difficult for people to believe that. He controls his own life; he knows his decisions, Rose”
Her statement could be correct, it could be all she needed to put an end to her friend's romantic plans. The detail, her mistake, was that the same invitation had happened, on his first and second one at Alfea, and they were all refused. The specialist refused until one weekend, and accepting that year, when everyone noticed how stricter Rosalind had become, made it almost impossible for her to keep people from thinking it was because of her.
“You’re too stupid to say three words, but you’ll do anything for each other.”
Farah didn't answer her, nor did she have time. Rose tossed her blonde hair aside, and left, leaving her with her worst enemy. The mind itself, which could torment her more than burned one, or training, when she put an idea in her head
But she also couldn't delight in the feeling of freedom, avoid the conversation that would certainly tire her, it would be so long. One that everyone knew, they were just friends, they would always be, nothing would make Farah move away from Saul.
The mind fairy knew that she had to get Rose's ideas out of her head, before she told the others, causing a misunderstanding between them, and because of the fear that it could always be the last time they saw each other. Rose was the type of person who would sacrifice herself for her family, without thinking too much, or wanting to be the hero, she would do it for her heart.
His body passed through the door, and collided with another. Two hands wrapped around her waist, and the shock that went through her body, that part of her mind recognizing her presence, said that she wasn't just any stranger, that she needed to be afraid. Her hands took her to the safety of the wood, supporting her head, never letting go. The small spark became an ember in her heart, and she forced herself to remember how dangerous it would be.
“Is Rose causing trouble again?” Saul asked, looking at her, breathing heavily due to the fright he had given him. The specialist might think so, but she knew it was for other reasons, ones she didn't want to think about or tell him.
Silva stared at her, and with her head, raised Farah was right in his eyes. His eyes were a mystery to her, at times they seemed green, others blue, and they were beautiful. It wasn't their friendship that made her ignore the truth, the beauty of Saul.
The expert was handsome, being one of the most handsome students in Alfea. The girls commented on him, did everything to get him attention, without success, and she just needed to think and he was in front of her, ready to help her. His refusal he was easily forgotten by them, when they received attention from Andreas.
There was still sweetness in his eyes, even though he had known evil before any of them, and there was affection whenever he looked at her. Leaving her with the feeling that nothing could change the way he looked at the world, at her, and that whenever she felt afraid, or thought everything was bad, she could look at him, and she would see that she still had hope. He had strong arms, which held her without needing strength, looking breathless, and precise movements in everything, which would protect her or whoever she chose in the world. Hair that played in her hands, and served as a good pillow for her, like his warm body, next to hers.
And more beautiful than on the outside, what everyone could see, he was on the inside, his greater generosity.
Farah shook her head, whether for him or to shake off the thought that nothing should be on a best friend's mind. It would never be her desire to cross the line they placed between them, fearing that doing so would drive them apart, and if she took the risk, she would end up taking away the most important person in her life at the moment. Your safe haven
“Rose has too many romantic ideas about anything.”
It was also strange for her, how the two understood each other, laughing in sync, as their minds went in the same direction. His mind was taken by the moment that Rose, put them in situations of shame in ideas that they always said were never real
“I can't blame her. Her father raised her like a princess, without a crown, as children in the First World tell it, and they are anything but real... ”. He stopped for a moment, breathing deeply, and brushed a strand of her hair out of her face. And it wouldn't even be the air, she felt breathing deeply, it would be him perfume, with her holding her breath to avoid smelling his familiar scent. “Rose doesn’t know evil, what it’s like to lose somebody, like we know"
Because the moment her friend saw it, she felt what it was like to have someone she loved being taken from her, without mercy, in the worst way possible. She felt what it was like to be powerless in her situation, an impossible change in fate, all that fantasy and happy kindness, would eventually disappear. Farah had once been a girl like her friend, when her world still seemed perfect and all the destruction was far away from her.
“I don’t wish that on any of them.” Silva looked at her and she sighed, letting the air enter her lungs. A trick she learned to control her crying, when memories that were difficult to relive came back to her mind. “They are all good people and we know how much it hurts. Andreas and Luna also know”
If the princess had allowed them to talk, more than just for schoolwork, Farah would have offered her a shoulder to cry on, to vent, over the loss of her dearest cousin, at the hands of a burned victim. It happened during the holidays the previous year, he died trying to protect the whole family, fighting for Solaria, and months later, she lost her dearest aunt. The Luna they knew died with them both, and she closed herself in a shell that no one could penetrate more than a small part, trapping herself in her own mind and magic.
Rose and Ben were the only ones who never lost anyone in war, justifying why they were so sweet. The mind fairy wished that they would never feel this pain, that they would continue like this for the rest of their lives, knowing how it would affect them more than it would affect them, and they completely destroyed their lives.
He could never forget those he had lost. She knew. There were nights when she felt the absence of her parents; she suffered in silence, crying for her mother's face, becoming more unknown to her, her screams and all the pain she felt. Dowling could feel the tears approaching her, and it was Saul's hands squeezing hers that stopped her from crying.
“I hope to get some time off from training so we can see the lights of the First World.” The closeness helped so he could whisper in her ear, her words, keeping her secret, which she didn't know was shared with him, still secret
"How do you know that?". She asked, sure no one knew about her mischief and escapade.
Wouldn't even know. She was alone with Rosalind, whom she drugged, to be able to see the lights that the humans released. Since that day, the director looked with suspicion and disdain at everything she received directly from Doris, fearing that she would be a victim again, never imagining that she was her protégé.
“Your smile as the lights rose into the starry night sky is not a memory that can be forgotten. I would never want to forget your joy and smiles that night. I was there, through his eyes, I saw everything, Fa”
She whispered an apology, feeling embarrassed as she realized that she had never been able to hide this from their bond. Thinking that she could have disturbed his moment with a girl, some important training with Andreas, or a dinner for the royal family of Ekaylon, leaving him confused and lost in the face of what she saw.
Farah would apologize, sure, he would tell her when it happened, the moment she interrupted his joy. However, magic silenced her, the strange feeling that magic was being used nearby, and it wasn't coming from her.
Dowling thought they were alone. Not in the hallway where they stopped bumping into each other. Alone from their friends, like Ben and Rose
Saul approached her, closing the distance that still existed between them. His perfume was the only thing she smelled. Her hips slammed against him. The specialist's breath scratched her ear, and a finger twirled her hair. For anyone who looked, it was common to see this closeness between them, saying it was his sense of protection and duty for his fairy. But she was a fool to think that her friend had left quickly, that Rose had forgotten
Raising her brown eyes, the fairy found confirmation and an explanation for the magic she felt. On top of their heads was mistletoe. Beautiful, perfect because it was made from magic, and too big not to be noticed, or real in nature
“Silva”. She grumbled and pushed him with both hands on his chest, warning him that they were no longer alone.
Saul followed his gaze upward to find mistletoe above them. The expert swore under his breath, grumbled a little, and took three steps back, before smiling at her. Together they said their friend's name and looked for her.
Dowling felt guilty for not understanding what Rose intended. The year wasn't over yet, they were all in Alfea, and it took too long for the friend to try to set them up and put the two of them together under some mistletoe. Rose's attempts were often broader, and never forgotten
The mind fairy would find her friend, silently observing her doing. Rose was not a coward and stayed to face what she ruined. Moreover, this game could be played by two, an earth fairy and another mind fairy, who secretly evolved in her light magic.
Farah whispered again to Saul, warned him that he should close his eyes, and stuck in his green eyes; she let the color drain from his eyes. It wasn't the purple that took over the brown, it was a gold like Luna's eyes were, to his surprise, who brought his hand to his mouth in shock.
Before their eyes, the mistletoe disappeared, and in its place a blood red ornament, a mix between a Christmas hat and Santa Claus itself, until it took the shape of this second
A wail was heard in the background, and both fairy and expert looked in the direction they believed Rose was. Saul found it first, more agile, from his battle training.
Surprise was present in his eyes, as he realized that this time, she was not alone. Ben was next to her, holding her hands.
With a complicit look at Silva, she was amused to see her two favorite victims together, and as revenge, the mistletoe appeared at the door where they were hiding.
“Rose, Ben has mistletoe all over you.” Saul cried out, when he saw the ornament, and forced them to look up.
“Farah.” Rose complained, realizing she was caught in her own trap.
The mind fairy turned her brown eyes to her, hiding what she had done, to avoid being blamed.
“You know you should kiss.” Dowling shouted back, smiling at how embarrassed they had become, and pulling Saul away from her, letting him come out of hiding to see them.
Your friends had no problem kissing each other. A longer kiss than they were used to giving in front of people, and they told her that Rose was the one in control. Harvey broke away red, with public affection, and put his hands in his pockets, looking at the people around them who were shouting happily.
All friends were discreet in their feelings, in public demonstrations, and some more than others were, avoiding one day becoming known and putting something important to be lost.
Another victory for Dowling, once again Rose's perfect idea, was undone by her in seconds. That year she didn't even have a chance to try, they left Alfea, leaving Farah and Saul with Rosalind and the headmaster of specialists.
When she found herself alone in Alfea, her and Silva's first task was to remove all the mistletoes from the school, certain that those that remained did not need it. While they were leaving, the specialist joked about how traumatizing it would be to see his directors kissing, and that younger people would never fall into that trap.