Heavy is the Crown

5

Anetra and Irene made their way back to the workshop, even though it was supposed to be their day off. Bosco and Kerri ran off ahead of them, playing with another one of the young girls who lived in the house next to theirs. They figured Sasha needed more of a break, so that meant taking the wild kids out with them.

Bosco pulled herself up onto a tree stump beside the workshop walls, looking down at the other two girls. "I have a new game." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm gonna be the princess and this is my tower. And it's guarded by Kerri the dragon."

Kerri giggled, growling and holding her hands up like claws. Bosco beamed. "And Daya." She pointed to the slightly taller girl. "You're the other princess. The one I get to marry. You're just dressed as a knight so you can save me from the dragon."

Anetra had been unlocking the large wooden doors of the workshop before freezing, slowly looking over at the playing girls.

Daya tilted her head. "But I'm a girl." She said in confusion. "Am I allowed to do that?"

"Of course you are. Right Nene?" Bosco turned to her as Kerri used leaves to make a pair of dragon wings for herself.

Irene almost laughed, but Anetra gave her a stern look before turning back to Bosco. "Yes, 'Sco. She's allowed to do that."

Bosco and Daya beamed, the tallest of the three girls picking up a stick to use as her sword. They started their game as Anetra pushed the doors open, wincing from the loud creek it made. She stepped inside and her and Irene began their search for materials they were going to need.

"I'm still not super sure about this..." Anetra said, looking through flat sheets of metal that sat stacked against the wall. "Like, if I do get to meet her and stuff, what if she gets scared off or something? I'm not the most friendly looking person."

"That's why we're lucky this is a masquerade. As long as you keep your face hidden then everything will be fine." Irene held up a slightly rusted piece of scrap metal, looking it over before walking over to one of the anvils. "If I make this curve a bit more, we can get it to be your chest piece."

"How are we going to make the head? That part seems the most difficult." Anetra said, bringing some more of the metal sheets over to her friend.

"Don't doubt what I can do with fire and a mallet, Anetra." Irene said as she started the fire and pulled her usual work gloves on. "Now go watch the kids before one of them gets hurt and we get the blame."

Anetra watched as she began to heat up the metal before nodding, leaving the workshop to make sure the girls weren't getting into any trouble. She tried not to seem so nervous about this plan for the ball. And she really didn't want to think about how she might have to see the princess dance with some man she would have to marry.

Outside, she was greeted by excited squealing. She watched as Kerri guarded the stump Bosco was perched on and growled at Daya, who just giggled and tried to get past her so she could get to Bosco and steal her away.

Anetra leaned against the wall, smiling a bit as she watched them play. They were still so young and innocent, having no idea about any problems or stress in the world. Anetra tried searching her memory for any remembrance of playing when she was their age. She tried to remember any friends she might've had or any games she might've played, but there was nothing there. She sighed softly. Irene, Loosey, and Luxx had memories from that age. Sasha did too and would share them sometimes. Anetra didn't understand why she didn't have any herself.

"Annie! Help!" Daya called out for her through her giggles, Kerri pouncing onto her back to keep her from reaching a squealing and giggling Bosco.

Daya wasn't comfortable enough around her just yet to use the nickname Bosco and Kerri used for her, but Anetra thought it was sweet that she came up with her own instead. She pulled herself up to go to her aid, sneaking up behind Kerri and scooping her up in her arms.