The Paint Queen

The Meeting

Many never really know how old the queens and princess are until their birthday happens. A grand party is held, encouraging everyone of all vicinity to come around and join, of all wealth and poor, no matter the size or gender or race. It becomes one big party for the entire land of Faerous, no cost to join or anything. Their birthday became the memorial day for the Great War of Fae, but since it was also Harvest month, many wished to test out their crops and see who's would be selling more of. Eggplant had been the most sold produce last year.

The start of the day would lean into the sunrise, a quiet hush overfalling the entirety of Faerous as children woke or slept, and as adults gathered into their yards together. They would clasp hands together, from scaly to furry to smooth or rough, and raise their hands to the light basking over the land, as a rumble went throughout Faerous, a murmur of those thanking the Harvest Moon, remembering their ancestors lost in the war, and excited about the Great Feast.

The middle of this day consisted of cityfolk taking a break from their paperwork to instead go home to their farms or their families farms and harvest for the party at late noon, lasting until the stars wished to sleep. Others, who did not own farms or had much family, would go home and mourn their lost family, lighting candles for them and giving thanks for this time of peace and prosperity.

The royals would be doing most of the work for this very day, considering they had to host a party in their kingdoms for everyone to enjoy as the Paint and Monochrome Kingdom celebrated their queen's and princesses birth. Our story starts as the day begins.

...With mayhem. The woman rushed down the hallway, her barefeet slapping against the porcelain tile, yet light as air as if no one stepped there. A council ranging from lizardmen to female humans sat in a room with an oval table as this very woman bursted in disgracefully, her hair falling from her last second bun and cascading down her shoulders and back in one big mess. She threw half of it behind her shoulder, irritated with it, as her liquid skin touched the door handle that was brown and turned a dark shade of purple as she closed the door behind her.

"...I'm late, I know. I thought I could sleep in extra and get a few more minutes of sleep before coming into the meeting. So, has there been anything discussed while I was gone?" She said, catching her breath and looking at the council expectedly, giving them a smile of gray teeth, never quite white. "Only your sleep schedule." A woman with bright red hair said, her skin a milky white as she pursed her lips in a snarky grin, looking the woman dead in the eyes.

"Haha, very funny Chai. How's the cherry picking?" She shot right back, then they both laughed in harmony. "Just great. The King has no idea what he'd do without me, with our two kids after all. Now, let's stop the small talk and get right to business." Chai said, as the woman nodded and stood at the front of the table of councils, announcing the start. "I, Xena Styx, am here as leader and peacekeeper of the council. Let our meeting begin." She sat down as she nodded towards her sisters Mono on her right and Neon on her left. They began discussing the Harvest of this year.

"The Licorice Kingdom is doing well, we've had to set up a few traps around the stalks field but other than that, we have no worries and will have very good produce for this year. Along with my son's upcoming 12th birthday, Marthox, we've had little to no problems." The King, Geoff, said, leaning back in his chair with a big smirk. Xena knew that this man was up to no good, he wanted to start another Great War and come out as the ruler, but he knew better than to rise up against her. He's seen her kill a man in a second, with no hesitation. "White Chocolate Kingdom is raising up pretty well, we're actually doing good trade on the milky river, more then what was expected." Henry had said, looking like an old wise man with pale white skin and a white shaving's beard to go along with it.

Every other kingdom seemed to be fine, as far as Xena was listening. She was mainly waiting for this meeting to end so she could get prepared for the party at noon. "Queen Xenathoian, may I have your full attention please?" Oops, she was caught. Sheepishly, she looked at the King of The Plushie Kingdom, cocking her head in confusion. "Sir Jeokyll, where is your lovely wife? Is she so far along she had to stay home? I thought she was only eight months pregnant?" Xena asked, bewildered that such a strong woman like that could get taken down by being pregnant for the third time. "No, no, it's not that, Queen Xena. Everyone here it seems, even Tir Na Nog, has had plentiful harvests and great upcomings with their middle children or next heirs. Seems like we're the only kingdom left out."

Then she noticed. His ragged features, the way his beard grew out more then just a goatee, the way his tie was crooked and his eyes weary, tired, and bloodshot. His hair sticking up more then usual and the way he nervously twitches his fingers together. She leaned forward on the desk, her skin going from a light pink color to a dark purple, concerned at his kingdom. "What is it, King Jeokyll?" He sighed, and she braced herself for the worst. His voice came out shaky, as his eyes darted to the table in front of him, tears staining his fabric skin as they roll down his cheeks. "Our kingdom was infested.... by Bollweevils. The Cotton Valleys are bare, the Thread Forest tattered and our market in shreds and chaos. Thank the Fae for our Life Trees being spared, but everything else is ruined. We have no crops, no produce or anything to put on display this year..... And what's worse is that my ten-year old daughter, Filyx, got in the middle of the infestation." Everyone at the table grew deathly silent, not knowing what to say. They all thought the worst outcome, death of a princess.

"She is currently in recovery, but her leg was ripped clean off from the rest of her fabric. She'll be unable to walk for the next three months until her new leg is made and stitched up, and even then, it will be hard for her. You all do remember what happened when we had robbers try to take over the Plushie Kingdom. My poor daughter, she's only ten! Yet she's already lost sight in one eye and can no longer walk for a minority of her life. What cruel fate... What's worse is my son Lance has become distant in his studies and now wishes to be commander in chief rather than next heir. So the responsibility falls upon her now.." He looked downtrodden, so broken, as many got up and comforted Jeokyll, not knowing what to say. Our children are important, Xena knew that, yet could not cope on a similar level since she had no husband nor any next of kin.

The meeting ended on a sad chord, as she walked out sullenly, thinking about what just happened. "We've lived for 60,000 years and I'll still never get used to a grown man crying." Neon said beside her, as she nodded. "You know what, it doesn't matter if their harvest is ruined or their princess in pieces, we need to cheer them up somehow." Xena said, looking at her sisters. "I'll be back." And with that, she whisked down the hallway, catching up to the old man from Plushie Kingdom.