One Set Of Wings

Little Girl

Vivianne

"Okay... so.. what exactly just happened?!" I all but screamed.
I whip my head back-and-forth, trying to locate little girl again. I didn't even know her name, but this is definitely not what I meant when I said show me the way. Maybe I should have specified that I wanted her to show me the human way.

And I need to get back to my room as soon as possible. I didn't know what other creatures lurked around the palace at night, and I was in no hurry to find out what they were. Not to mention, I seriously doubt whether all of them were friendly towards humans.

Man, I really need to go to bed soon too. I had a bright and early meeting tomorrow, against my own will but still.  I can't believe sunshine is making me go to his presentation tomorrow. Some kind of cruel joke this must be, maybe they do this with every new person that joins the court.

"Why didn't you follow me?" The little girl asks suddenly and I turn around hoping to see her, but she's still no where to be found.

"Uh where did you go? And why can't I see you?" I ask that last part a bit under my breath hoping she wouldn't truly be able to hear me.
Am I talking to the air right now?

"Wait." She says before finally deciding to grace me with her presents, she stands perfectly still in front of me exactly the same as before. "Are you human?" She asked as her eyes go while and she fully takes in my appearance.

"Maybe..." I whisper out not sure how she would take my presence to be a good or a bad thing.

"Oh goody! You are the human the Emperor let in aren't you?" She ask her face almost ripping apart from the smile on her lips.

"Why do you seem so happy about that? I mean everyone else I've met has been disgusted by my presence, so why are you so happy?" I question, her eagerness making me more suspicious.

"Oh, it's not just because you're human- though that is a delightful bonus, but because the Emperor specifically chose you to be in his court and specifically let you stay!" She practically blows my eardrums out with how happy she is.

"Why is that so shocking?" I ask still confused, I felt like a real fish out of water around here.

"Because he never does that silly!" She laughs out. "This is so amazing, and even though I won't tell you why, its so nice to finally meet you. My names Emma what's yours?" She finally introduces herself.

"Its Vivianne, but most people just call me Anne. So how do you know so much about the Emperor?" I ask hoping to find out a little more information before it's too late.

"Well he's technically my older brother..." 

"Older brother- You're the princess!?" I screech out, the most unattractive sound I've ever heard somehow leaving my own lips.

"Yup." She says sounding rather annoyed.

"Okay then... can you please show me the way back to my room, the human way?" I ask trying to change the subject and hopefully get back to my room.

"Duh! And we can talk along the way! Now come on," She says excitedly, for someone so small she sure does have a lot energy.

As we start to walk off in hopefully the direction of my room my mind begins to wander unfortunately. Why exactly did the Emperor let me stay, especially since he never seems to do this to anyone else? Not to mention I have my own personal shadow who is ironically no where to be round right now.
And I really hate that he's what's occupying my thoughts the most, as if I shouldn't be thinking about my mother and what happened up on the mountain. Or about Gwen, my best friend... I wonder what she might be thinking of feeling right now? I've abandoned all that because of a pretty face... and because he makes me feel really special.

"Why do you suddenly look so sad?" Emma suddenly asks me, I glance at her from the side.

I sniff a little before clearing my throat and attempting to sound unlike how I felt at the moment, "Just thinking about tomorrow, Sunshine is supposed to do some sort of presentation for the court tomorrow and I'm just nervous." I hurriedly explain.

"Yeah I mean I guess I would be too but don't worry- I'll be there too."

"Really?! So you promise your going to be at the presentation tomorrow? Really really?"

"Of course I will, I'm required to. I couldn't get out of it even if I wanted to." She jokes. "And here we are! Home sweet home, aren't I a terrific guide?"

"I'd say so... thank you for showing me the way."

"No problem," She turned like she was about to walk away but paused for a moment, "Oh I know you were lying, I know I may seem young but I here if you ever wanna talk, okay?" 

"Okay, goodnight Emma." I whisper back to her as I open the door and do my best to quietly slip inside my room unnoticed. It was pitch black but I somewhat remembered where everything was earlier so I should have no problem making it the bed.

I try to find something to change into but end up tripping over something instead and nearly falling face first into the floor,  but managing to catch myself at the last minute.

"Hello there," A husky voice greets me from the darkness and I let out a small terrified shriek. I quickly right myself and stand up straight facing the dark voice.

And seemingly by magic the fireplace lights up and the room is bathed in a low amber glow from it. Bird man is sat up in bed, his dark wings spread out on either side of him. He was stunning, so simple yet so beautiful, and dare I say sexy... and shirtless.

"I didn't mean to startle you, sometimes I forget you humans don't have as advanced vision as we do...

"Its- its really okay, I didn't mean to barge in on you in here."

A small smile appeared on his face, as he looked down before glancing up at me. "What are you doing in here, after all its not often that someone is able to catch me so off guard."
My eyes widen slightly when I realize just what exactly he's talking about, I throw my hands up to my face trying to cover the scarlet color beginning to cover my cheeks.

"I thought this was my room," I muttered sounding even more pathetic than I first intended.

"I see, well you are more than welcome to join me for the night if you'd like..." He offers before pulling back the coverings on the bed.

With a gasp I turn and rush out the door, I could hear his laugher following after me as I ran down the hall and back into my own bedroom- the actual one this time. I closed the door and slide down the back side of it, breathing heavy and eyes wide completely unsure of what just happened.

Must've been a silly little joke of his, that must've been why he was laughing...

"So much for getting a good nights sleep for tomorrow,"