DreamCrafter | ONC 2023 | DISCONTINUED

Chapter 1 ~ Façonneur Magique

Drowning. The third most painful way to die, yet it was all I could think about as I floated atop the water. I lived a sad life, for one of the Façonneur Magique. Most of my guild were honored, praised as war heroes. I was afforded the same respect, but no one ever cared enough for me. Once my mother found out about my powers, she dropped me at the château and ran.

Façonneur Magique raised me, training my skill despite never seeing another like it. They were the elite of the elite. A guild designed to handle the strange powers Inenara gifted us with. We were the High Lord's most powerful and most secret weapons.

Most of us live in the château, but I live inside the Spring Court. Being a part of the High Lord's inner circle is no easy task. I'm never allowed to know what's going on, just who my target is. I locate them, and swap the memory for another, one I carefully crafted.

The memories I take are then heated into orbs using a special spell. Every Spring Equinox, I set up a stall at the market and sell them.

A splash jolts me back into reality. More fae have come to swim, marking that the day has started. I flip onto my stomach and swim to the shore, grab my stuff, and start walking back to my apartment.

As I walk, I consider my options. I could go visit the château for the Summer Solstice, go visit the Summer Court or stay here in Spring. Either way, I'm going to be alone. Most faeries avoid me, scared I'll steal their most precious moments. Sometimes I try to befriend new faeries, ones who move here from Summer. They all run once they hear the title DreamCrafter.

I reach my apartment and step inside. The cooling spells start to work once the door shuts behind me. My walk has mostly dried me off, I check the mirror for any news or assignments, none.

The black stubble on top of my head is getting a little bit prickly, so I make a mental note to shave it before the end of the week. A few drops of water rest on my skin, making its dark tone even darker. I dry off using my towel and head to my bedroom to put clean clothes on.

After slipping into a sleeveless black jumpsuit and putting the smallest few rhinestones around my eyes, they tell of my status, I am ready to enter the bustling crowds of Spring. But something stops me. I check the mirror one last time, but only my own reflection stares back at me. Purple eyes blink at me from the mirror.

I consider putting contacts in, but decide against it. Ignoring the feeling something's wrong, I walk outside and into the burning sun.

"Lovely day DreamCrafter." A council member nods their head at me as they walk towards the center of the court.

I smile at fae, some smile back and others pull their children to the other side of the path. A few comment on the weather, but most just look away. The rhinestones suddenly feel heavy on my cheeks. I wish that they weren't a part of my life so that, just maybe, I could have a friend.

~*~*~

Finally, I reach the court center. My shoes clip on the cobblestone ground. Filled with market stands, fae are shouting, some to sell products, others to offer their services. Banners fly in the air, some with the Seelie crest, others with shop names. It's tricky to navigate all the way through, but since most avoid me, it's a little bit easier. Suddenly, the crowd parts, allowing a clear path through. I stand a little bit taller, trying to see who, or what, has caused this. It starts at the arch closest to the palace, so someone important.

The High Lord and his family are walking through the center. A few of the lesser Façonneur Magique are with them, acting as guards. The High Lord's son, Lapis, strolls at the front of the group, sword hanging at his side. He tosses his golden hair out of his eyes, causing all the females to swoon. He would be a heartbreaker if he wasn't already betrothed. His feathered golden wings are tucked tightly to his back, only to prevent injury. He loves to show them off.

The High Lord's daughter, Stella, walks at her mother's side. The twin to Lapis and just as stunning. The family continue down the path, occasionally chatting to fae about the Equinox.

I know of a few fae who get invited to travel with the royals every year. The chosen ones are often higher up in the court, or friends to the twins.

"Ahh, it is my DreamCrafter! Have you any plans for the Equinox?" The High Lord's gravelly voice fills the air.

Being so caught up in my own thoughts, I never noticed the family approaching.

"I do not, my Lord." I answer, bowing at the waist. When I stand again, Stella is watching me through ocean blue eyes.

She leans up and whispers in her fathers' ear. Lapis studies me, counting the rhinestones on my cheekbones. Probably trying to figure out where I stand in his father's circle. I hold myself tall, but not too tall.

"Well then, can't have a friend alone on Equinox! Come, Dreamcrafter, and join us for a merry jaunt." The High Lord's eyes twinkle, and I can't well refuse the royal family.

"It would be my honor," I say, and drop into another small bow. Stella smiles and breaks away from the family.

"I will take her to pack her things, show her what is appropriate for the Spring Court." Stella takes my arm and begins to guide me away from the square.

"You'll travel with me, it'll spare you from listening to Lapis whine about leaving. Although this year he meets his betrothed, so instead you'll be hearing about the poor girl," Stella says with a sympathetic smile.

Somehow, Stella knows where my apartment is, and where all my clothes are. She finds few that she deems 'appropriate'.

"Oh well, we look about the same size, plus it's only a week." Stella neatly packs the clothes into my bag, then scans my apartment. Her eyes go wide when she spots the orbs from my work on the shelf.

"What are these?" She asks, walking over and gently picking one up.

"Those are memories," I say softly, waiting for a disastrous reaction.

"They're so pretty. Do you mind if I keep one?" She asks, turning the orb around and holding it to the light.

"Take however many you want." I reply, watching the way her hair catches the sunlight. The diamonds on her ears sparkle as she moves, trying to catch the orb in a different light.

"Oh, thank you! They're just lovely!" She tucks the one she's holding into a pocket and beams at me. Our eyes meet, and the gaze holds.

Then the clock strikes, and her eyes fly to the time. It feels like just seconds have passed, but in reality it's been minutes.

"We best head off, the carriages will leave soon." Stella takes one last look at the orb and I grab my bag.

"After you," I hold the door open and Stella steps through. Once I'm through, I do something I haven't done in a long time. I lock my door and throw the key into my pocket.